The Advocate 01-28-2026

“So we aregoingtoenjoyour candy andour sodaand our energy drinks all the wayfrom Mardi Gras, and then we’re collectively going on areally great diet.”

CAMILLE CONAWAy, executivedirector for economic independence at theLouisiana Department of Health

Food stamprestrictions settobegin in Louisiana

HealthyAgain’ movement.

StatelimitsonSNAPbenefits to startAsh Wednesday

BY EMILYWOODRUFF Staff writer

Louisiana SNAP recipients mayfind themselves involuntarily giving up soda and candy for Lent this year,as new restrictions on what the food assistance canbeusedtopurchasetake effect on Ash Wednesday

In announcing the changes, state health officials said the timing immediately after Mardi Gras was intentional. The waiver allowing Louisiana to place the restrictionsonthe federal

program commonly known as food stamps was approvedlastyearbythe U.S. DepartmentofAgriculture.It wasset to begin Jan. 1, but the state received approval for the delay

“You can still buy soda, you can still buy candy, but youcannotuse your SNAPcard to do it beginning Feb.18,” saidCamille Conaway, theexecutive director for economic independence at the Louisiana Department of Health.

“So we are going to enjoy our candy and our soda andour energy drinks all theway from Mardi Gras, and then

Population in state sees slight increase

Louisianacontinues to lagingrowthamong Southern peers

BY STEPHANIERIEGEL Staff writer

Louisiana’spopulation ticked slightly higher last year,according to estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau, suggesting that population losses from recent years have waned even as the state remains oneofthe slowest growing in the U.S. and among its Southern peers. The figures released Tuesday show that Louisiana had apopulation of approximately 4.6 million as of July 1, with 3,300 more people living here thanayear earlier.The nudge higher was fueled by more births in the state than deathsand

Student deported afterfather’s immigration check

St.Amant High School senior seekingasyluminU.S.

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

An Ascension Parish high school student seeking asylum in the U.S. was detainedby federal agents and deported to Guatemala last week,according to the student andpeople whospoke with her Maria Bolvito, asenior at St. Amant High School in St. Amant, was taken into custody on Jan.20whenshe joined her father for a routinecheck-inwith immigration officials, those close to the teen said. Bolvito, who recently turned 18, said she did not speak with alawyer or go before ajudge. Three days later,she and her father were deported.

“I felt sad,” Bolvito, who had been in the U.S. sinceshe was about 10 years old, said in atext message to The Advocate this week from Guatemala. “I didn’twantto leave yet.”

we’recollectively going on areally great diet.”

Roughly 25,000 productswill no longer be eligible for purchasewithSNAP funds, according to aproduct list commissioned by the state and compiled by NielsenIQ, aconsumer research company Under Louisiana’swaiver,“soft drinks” are defined as any carbonated, nonalcoholic beveragecontaining high-fructose corn syrup or

ä See RESTRICTIONS, page 10A

AU.S. Immigration andCustoms Enforcement spokesperson would not confirm that Bolvito was deported. Aspokesperson for Ascension Parish Schools referred questions to law enforcement. Bolvito appears to be one of only afew Louisiana students known to have been deported as part of President DonaldTrump’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump administration officials say they are enforcing thecountry’simmigration laws andtargeting adults with criminal records living in the country illegally.But somechildren and young people have been caught up in the sweeps. Three Louisiana children whoare U.S. citizens were allegedly deported last year along withtheir parents. A16-year-old boyalso was deported from Louisiana last year,despite having special legal protection for immigrant youth, according to advocates. Attorneys are

ä Immigration crackdown triggersdrop in growth rate nationally PAGE 8A

an increase in thenumber of international immigrants, who offset the numberofpeople that left the state last year It was the second-straight year that Louisiana posted amodest increase in population aftertwo-straight yearsofdeclines —and a decades-long depopulation trendinthe state. Still, the latestdata places Louisiana at 43rd of the50states,both in termsofpopulation growth and out-migration, continuing apersistent trend that Gov.Jeff Landry hasfocusedontrying to reverse through economic development

ä See POPULATION, page 8A

Northand centralLa. residentshit hard

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN and JENNA ROSS Staff writers

Tens of thousands remained without power Tuesday in north and central Louisiana as residents braced formore belowfreezing temperatures,evenassouth Louisiana was mostly spared from the worst of the week’ssevere winter weather Over the weekend, awinter storm that has ravaged much of the country blanketed theupperhalfofthe state withsnow andice, snapping trees andbringing down power lines.

By Tuesday morning, the death toll related to the storm had climbed to at least six, state officials reported. The Louisiana ä See WINTER, page 7A

Judge bars removal of boy, 5, and father

A federal judge has issued a temporary order prohibiting the removal of a 5-year-old Ecuadorian boy and his father who were detained last week in Minnesota in an incident that further inflamed divisions on immigration under the Trump administration.

U.S. Judge Fred Biery ruled Monday that any removal or transfer of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father, Adrian Alexander Conejo Arias, is on hold while a court case proceeds

A petition seeking their release was filed Saturday as dozens of immigrant families protested behind the fences of the family detention facility where the father and son are detained in Dilley Texas, near San Antonio.

A photo of the boy wearing a beanie and a Spider-Man backpack has circulated widely on social media, sparking strong reactions.

The boy and his father were taken into custody last week outside their home in Minnesota.

France bans social media for children under 15

PARIS French lawmakers approved a bill banning social media for children under 15, paving the way for the measure to enter into force at the start of the next school year in September, as the idea of setting a minimum age for use of the platforms gains momentum across Europe.

The bill, which also bans the use of mobile phones in high schools, was adopted by a 130-21 vote late Monday French President Emmanuel Macron has requested that the legislation be fast-tracked and it will now be discussed by the Senate in the coming weeks.

“Banning social media for those under 15: this is what scientists recommend, and this is what the French people are overwhelmingly calling for,” Macron said after the vote.

“Because our children’s brains are not for sale neither to American platforms nor to Chinese networks. Because their dreams must not be dictated by algorithms.”

Mountain lion captured in posh neighborhood

SAN FRANCISCO — A 77-pound mountain lion set off a scramble Tuesday as it wandered through San Francisco’s wealthy Pacific Heights neighborhood before finally being captured as onlookers safely peered from their home windows or stood across the street. Dozens of officials worked to capture and tranquilize the male cat after warnings were issued advising people to slowly back away if they encountered it.

The wild cat was first seen Monday morning.

The mountain lion was found Tuesday hiding in a garden between two apartment buildings, San Francisco Fire Department Lt. Mariano Elias said. Authorities shot the feline with tranquilizers three times “to make sure it was completely unconscious,” Elias said “They covered his eyes and bound its paws, just to make sure it wasn’t going to run anywhere.”

‘Doomsday Clock’ moves closer to midnight Earth is closer than it’s ever been to destruction as Russia, China, the U.S. and other countries become “increasingly aggressive, adversarial, and nationalistic,” a science-oriented advocacy group said Tuesday and advanced its “Doomsday Clock” to 85 seconds till midnight

The scientists cited risks of nuclear war, climate change, potential misuse of biotechnology and the increasing use of artificial intelligence without adequate controls as it made the annual announcement, which rates how close humanity is from ending.

The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists cited risks of nuclear war climate change, potential misuse of biotechnology and the increasing use of artificial intelligence without adequate controls as it made the annual announcement which rates how close humanity is from ending

Bitter cold grips U.S. as storm deaths rise

BY SOPHIE BATES, KRISTIN M. HALL and RUSS BYNUM Associated Press

Three Texas siblings who perished in an icy pond were among several dozen deaths in U.S. states gripped by frigid cold Tuesday as crews scrambled to repair hundreds of thousands of power outages in the shivering South and forecasters warned the winter weather is expected to get worse. Brutal cold lingered in the wake of a massive storm that dumped deep snow across more than 1,300 miles from Arkansas to New England and left parts of the South coated in treacherous ice.

Freezing temperatures hovered Tuesday as far south as Tennessee, Arkansas and North Carolina, and were forecast to plunge again overnight. Parts of northern Florida were expected to sink to 25 F late Tuesday into early Wednesday

The arctic misery over the eastern half of the U.S. was expected to worsen Friday and Saturday The National Weather Service said another winter storm could hit parts

of the East Coast this weekend, and more record lows were forecast as far south as Florida.

“This could be the coldest temperature seen in several years for some places and the longest duration of cold in several decades,” the agency’s Weather Prediction Center warned Tuesday Officials in states afflicted with severe cold reported more than 40 deaths.

Three brothers ages 6, 8 and 9 died Monday after falling through ice on a private pond near Bonham, Texas, Fannin County Sheriff Cody Shook said Tuesday The boys’ mother said she ran into the freezing lake and frantically tried to pull her sons from the water, but the ice kept breaking beneath them.

“They were just screaming, telling me to help them,” Cheyenne Hangaman told The Associated Press.

“And I watched all of them struggle, struggle to stay above the water I watched all of them fight.”

More than 470,000 homes and businesses remained without power Tuesday evening, with over

half the outages in Tennessee and Mississippi. Reconnecting some hard-hit areas could take days. Electric utility Entergy said some of its 6,000 customers in Grenada, Mississippi, might not have power until Sunday

Jean Kirkland used a lighter and paper Tuesday to ignite her gas stovetop. Her neighborhood in Lexington, Mississippi, lost power Sunday, and Kirkland and her daughter have been relying on the stove and a couple of gas-powered heaters to keep warm. Outside, icicles dangling from power lines clattered.

“When you’re used to certain things, you miss them when they’re gone,” said Kirkland, who’s been getting by without hot water and lights at night, as well as her TV Health officials warn against using gas-powered stoves to heat a home. They can give off fumes that increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. At least one carbon monoxide death was reported in Louisiana, according to the state Health Department.

Russian drones kill 3 and wound children in Ukraine

Zelenskyy urges speedier diplomacy

BY KAMILA HRABCHUK Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — A heavy Russian drone bombardment of Ukraine’s southern city of Odesa killed at least three people and wounded 23, including two children and a pregnant woman, officials said Tuesday, as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for speedier U.S. efforts to end Russia’s almost 4-year-old invasion of his country

The Odesa attack involved more than 50 drones, some of them models recently upgraded by Russia to improve their range and strike power, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The drones targeted the power grid, which Russia has repeatedly bombarded during the coldest winter in years, and also hit five apartment blocks, officials said. Emergency crews retrieved the bodies of two men, aged 90 and 52, and a woman from the rubble, authorities said.

“The rescue operation will continue until the fate of all people who may be under the rubble is clarified,” Zelenskyy said on the Telegram messaging app, adding that an informal Protestant place of worship was also damaged.

“Each such Russian strike undermines diplomacy, which is still ongoing, and hits, in particular, the efforts of partners who are helping to end this war,” he said.

Zelenskyy said late Monday the next round of talks with the United States and Russia is penciled in for Feb. 1. but that “it would be good if this meeting could be accelerated.”

In Ukraine’s northeast Kharkiv region, a passenger train carrying over

200 people was hit by three drones later Tuesday, in what the head of the regional administration Oleh Syniehubov labelled “terrorism.” Four people were killed and another four reported missing.

A diplomatic push by the Trump administration to end the war has made progress, according to officials, but has delivered no breakthrough on the key issue of what happens to Russian-occupied Ukrainian land and other territory that Moscow is demanding.

Analysts says that Russian President Vladimir Putin is in no rush to find a settlement, despite his army’s difficulties on the roughly 600-mile front line. He believes that time is on his side, that Western support for Kyiv will fade and that Ukraine’s resistance will eventually break under pressure, according to analysts.

To replenish its forces and keep up the pressure on Kyiv, Moscow is offering cash bonuses, freeing convicts from prison and luring foreigners to its army

Activists say at least 6,221 killed in Iran

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests has killed at least 6,221 people while many others still are feared dead, activists said Wednesday, as a U.S aircraft carrier group arrived in the Middle East to lead any American military response to the crisis Iran’s currency, the rial, meanwhile fell to a record low of 1.5 million to $1.

The arrival of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and guided missile destroyers accompanying it provide the U.S. the ability to strike Iran, particularly as Gulf Arab states have signaled they want to stay out of any attack despite hosting American military personnel

Two Iranian-backed militias in the Mideast have signaled their willingness to launch new attacks, likely trying to back Iran after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened military action over the killing of peaceful protesters or Tehran launching mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations.

Iran has repeatedly threatened to drag the entire Mideast into a war, though its air defenses and military are still reeling after the June war launched by Israel against the country But the pressure on its economy may spark new unrest as everyday goods slowly go out of reach of its people — particularly if Trump chooses to attack.

Ambrey, a private security firm, issued a notice Tuesday saying it assessed that the U.S. “has positioned sufficient military capability to conduct kinetic operations against Iran while maintaining the ability to defend itself and regional allies from reciprocal action.”

“Supporting or avenging Iranian protesters in punitive strikes is assessed as insufficient justification for sustained military conflict,” Ambrey wrote. “However alternative objectives, such as the degradation of Iranian military capabilities, may increase the likelihood of limited U.S. intervention.” Wednesday’s new figures came from the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency

DHS: 2 firedshots in nurse’skilling

BY SEUNG MIN KIM, MIKE CATALINI and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

WASHINGTON Twofederal officers fired shots during the encounter thatkilled intensive care unit nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, aCustoms andBorderProtection official told Congress in a notice sent Tuesday, the same day Ecuador’sminister of foreign affairs filed an objection saying immigration agents tried to enter his country’s consulate in the city without permission.

Officers tried to take Pretti into custody and he resisted, leading to astruggle, accordingtoanotification to Congress obtained by The Associated Press. During the struggle, aBorder Patrol agent yelled, “He’s gota gun!” multiple times, the of-

ficial said.

ABorder Patrol officer and aCBP officer each fired Glock pistols, the notice said. Investigators from CBP’s Office of Professional Responsibility conducted the analysis based on areview of body-worncamera footage and agency documentation, the noticesaid. Thelaw requiresthe agency to inform relevant congressional committeesabout deaths in CBP custody within 72 hours.

Separately,aman was arrested after he sprayed an unknown liquidat U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar while she was speaking at atown hall meeting in Minneapolis.The Democrat had just called forthe abolishment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and calledonHomeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to resign when she was sprayed The developments came a

dayafter President Donald Trump orderedborder czar TomHoman to take over his administration’simmigrationcrackdown in Minnesota in the wake of Pretti’s death, whichwas thesecondfatal shooting this monthofa person at thehands of immigrationlaw enforcement

By sending HomantoMinnesota, “we’regoing to deescalate alittle bit,” Trump said during an interview on Fox News’ “Will Cain Show.”

That’s significant since White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, when questioned repeatedly Monday about Homan’sbeing dispatched to Minnesota,refusedtosay thatdoing so was an effort to calm the situation.

The president added of Homan, “Tom, as tough as he is, gets along” with governorsand mayors, even in Democratic areas.

Manwounded afterexchanging gunfirewithBorder Patrol agents

BY COLLEEN SLEVIN

Associated Press

Aman whoauthorities say was involvedinasmuggling operation was shotTuesday in an exchange of gunfire with the U.S. Border Patrol and after firing at afederal helicopter near theU.S.Mexico border, authorities said.

Federal agentswereattemptingtoapprehend the 34-year-old Arizonaman near Arivaca, Arizona, when he shotataBorder Patrol helicopter and at agents, the FBI said. Agents returned fire, striking theman and wounding him,the FBI said

The man was transported to ahospitaland was recovering from surgery Tuesday evening, authorities said.

The Pima County Sheriff’sDepartmentsaidthe FBI asked it to lead auseof-force investigation of the BorderPatrol. It noted that such investigations are standard when afederal agency is involved in ashooting in the county.

FBI special agent Heith Janke said the suspect, Patrick Gary Schlegel, has acriminal history that includes aDecember warrant forescape stemming from asmugglingconviction. On Dec. 15,Schlegelsigned out of theinstitution where he had been incarcerated, DismasCharities in Tucson, to go to acounselingsession but did not return, court recordsshow.

Hagle was in federal custody andisexpected to be charged with assault on a federal officer,alien smuggling andfelon in possession of afirearm,Janke said.

Arivaca is acommunity about10milesfrom the border.The area is acommon path fordrugsmugglers and migrants who illegally cross the border,soagentsregularlypatrol there.

“Let me be clear,any assault on lawenforcement officerswill notbetolerated,” said Janke, special agent in charge of the FBI in Phoenix.

The Santa Rita Fire District said it responded to

the shooting and the person who was wounded was transported to aregional trauma center

Onelevel-one trauma centerhospitalinTucson declined to release information,and theAPwas waiting on aresponse from another Theshootingcomes in a month that has seen three shootings —two fatal— by immigration officers involved in the massive Department of Homeland Security enforcementoperation in Minnesota.

While there werenumerous videos of those shootings takenbyresidents monitoring the enforcement operations in the Minneapolis area, the latest shooting in Arizona happened in acommunity of about500 people apparently without any bystander videoofthe incident. The sheriff department said its involvementinthe investigationwas theresult of “longstanding relationships” built over time in the borderareatopromote transparency

BY SARA CLINE Associated Press

Gov.Greg Abbott ordered Texasuniversities and state agencies on Tuesday to halt newH-1Bvisa petitions, which are used by employers to hire foreign workers withspecialized skills, until next year

The pause in the redstate, which is home to thousands of H-1B visa holders, comes amid actions by the Trump administration aimed at reshaping the visa program. Critics argue that it has be-

come apipelinefor overseas workers willing to work for lowerpay andistaking job opportunitiesfromAmericans. But supporters say the program is crucial to attract topglobaltalent, fill specialized roles anddrive innovation

“State government must lead by example andensure that employment opportunities —particularly those funded with taxpayer dollars —are filledbyTexansfirst,” Abbott wrote in his letter Butproponentsofthe programargue that it is benefi-

cial to the state, and that any pausecould worsen existing staffing shortages and hinderuniversities’ ability to recruit talent.

“Freezing those pathways makes it harder to staff classrooms, research centers, andhospitals acrossour state, raising costs, straining public services, and hurting Texans in everycorner of our state,” Rep. Ramon Romero Jr., Democrat and chairman of TexasMexican American Legislative Caucus, said in awritten statement.

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Trump visits Iowa, trying to focus on affordability

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and HANNAH FINGERHUT Associated Press

CLIVE, Iowa President Don-

ald Trump on Tuesday made his first big pitch ahead of this year’s midterm elections on his administration’s economic performance, even as his White House remains mired in the fallout in Minneapolis over a second fatal shooting by federal immigration officers this month.

Trump gave a speech in a suburb of Des Moines where he talked up the tax cuts he signed into law last year and took credit for the soaring performance of the stock market, saying he “made a lot of people rich,” including some “that I don’t even like.”

“If we lose the midterms, you’ll lose so many of the things that we’re talking about,” Trump told Iowans, who are expected to reflect their feelings on his presidency when they vote in two highly competitive congres-

sional races this year

The trip for the Republican president was part of a White House push to focus more on affordability ahead of elections in November that will determine control of Congress. But the president again suggested concerns about prices were exaggerated by his political opponents, saying, “They come up with this word ‘affordability.’”

“First time you heard about it was like a few months ago,” he said. He went on and added: “You’re not hearing it so much anymore. You know why? Because the prices are coming down so much.”

The visit was part of the White House’s strategy to have Trump travel out of Washington once a week ahead of the midterm elections to focus on economic issues facing everyday Americans an effort that keeps getting diverted by crisis. On the ground in Iowa,

Trump first made a stop at a restaurant, where he met locals and sat for an interview with Fox News Channel in which he said he was attempting to “de-escalate a little bit” in Minnesota. The latest effort comes as the Trump administration is grappling with the weekend shooting death of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse killed by federal agents in Iowa’s northern neighbor Pretti had participated in protests following the Jan 7 killing of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer Even as some top administration officials moved quickly to malign Pretti, Trump said he was waiting until an investigation into the shooting was complete.

Later, as he greeted diners at an Iowa restaurant, Trump weighed in further with comments that were likely to exacerbate frustration among some of his backers who are also strong Second Amendment proponents.

Judge finds Virginia Democrats’ redistricting resolution illegal

BY OLIVIA DIAZ Associated Press/Report for America

RICHMOND, Va A Virginia judge ruled Tuesday that a proposed constitutional amendment letting Democrats redraw the state’s Congressional maps was illegal, setting back the party’s efforts to pick up seats in the U.S. House in November Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr struck down the legislature’s actions on three grounds, including finding that lawmakers failed to follow their own rules for adding the redistricting amendment to a special session.

His order also said Democrats failed to approve the amendment before the public began voting in last year’s general election and failed to publish the amendment three months before the election, as required by law

As a result, he said, the amendment was invalid and void.

BY JENNIFER MCDERMOTT and MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

BOSTON A federal judge said Tuesday a nearly completed Massachusetts offshore wind project can continue, as the industry successfully challenges the Trump administration in court.

At U.S. District Court in Boston, Judge Brian Murphy halted the administration’s stop work order for Vineyard Wind, citing the potential economic losses from the delays and the developers’ likelihood of success on their claims.

Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, who was listed in Republicans’ lawsuit over the resolution, said Democrats would appeal the ruling.

“Nothing that happened today will dissuade us from continuing to move forward and put this matter directly to the voters,” Scott said in a joint statement with other state Democratic leaders.

Virginians for Fair Elections, a campaign that supports the redistricting resolution, accused conservatives of filing their lawsuit in a known GOP-friendly jurisdiction, saying, “Republicans court-shopped for a ruling because litigation and misinformation are the only tools they have left.”

President Donald Trump launched an unusual mid-decade redistricting battle last summer when he urged Republican officials in Texas to redraw districts to help the GOP win more seats, hoping to hold on to a narrow House majority in the face of political headwinds that typically favor the party out of power

in midterms. So far that battle has resulted in nine more seats that Republicans believe they can win in Texas, Missouri, North Carolina and Ohio, and six that Democrats think they can win in California and Utah. Democrats hope to fully or partially make up that three-seat margin in Virginia.

As in Virginia, redistricting is still being litigated in several states, and there is no guarantee that the parties will win the seats they have redrawn. Other states still could join the fray: Democratic Maryland Gov Wes Moore is pushing for revised districts that could help Democrats win all eight of the state’s U.S. House seats, up from the seven they currently hold, and Republican Florida Gov Ron DeSantis plans to call a special session on redistricting in April. Hurley’s ruling comes after lawmakers said they would unveil their proposed new House districts to voters by the end of this week.

Vineyard Wind is one of five big offshore wind projects on the East Coast that the Trump administration froze days before Christmas, citing national security concerns— and the fourth that has since been allowed to go forward. A spokesperson for the company, Craig Gilvarg, said it would “work with the Administration to understand the matters raised in the Order.”

Developers and states sued seeking to block the administration’s order Prior to Vineyard Wind’s hearing, federal judges had allowed three of the five to restart construction: the Revolution Wind project for Rhode Island and Connecti-

“Vineyard Wind will focus on working in coordination with its contractors, the federal government, and other relevant stakeholders and authorities to safely restart activities, as it continues to deliver a critical source of new power to the New England region,” he added.

Department of Health confirmed that threepeople died of hypothermia, with twoother suspected hypothermia deaths.

One man died of carbon monoxide poisoning and another died in afatal wreck relatedtoicy conditions, according to the agency. A woman also died after her oxygenconcentratorfailed during apower outage, according to the agency

Meanwhile, road conditions prevented some residents from evacuating their homes and shut down parts of the northern parishes

Drivers were stranded for as many as 20 hourson Interstate 20, according to socialmedia reports, as stuck 18-wheelers near Arcadia and Ruston brought traffic to astandstill. Louisiana State Police troopers conducted supply drops, welfare checks and ATVevacuations in the area.

As of late afternoon Tuesday,more than 90,000 customers still lacked power, according to poweroutage us.

Gov.Jeff Landytoured East and West Carroll parishes by air Tuesday,when he also met with leaders in Ouachita and Richland parishes to discussthe effects of the storm. Landry has said he is contacting the White House in hopes of getting federal aid.

East Carrollshuts down

The storm’simpact was especially pronouncedinEast Carroll Parish, which lost power almost entirely

“It’sbeencatastrophic,” Sheriff Wydette Williams said. “We’ve had storms before, but the way the power lines and trees snapped like toothpicks, I’ve never saw this before.”

The hospital, prisons, a grocery store and other public spaces were relying on backup generators, Williams said. It was unclear when power would be restored.

“Wehave receivedword from Entergy that they have run intofar more problems thananticipated,” theSheriff’sOffice posted on Facebook. “They areinthe parish on the ground working diligently, but they cannot commit to adefinitive time and date when electrical serviceswill be restored.”

Residents in East Carrollalso lostwater service andsome struggledtokeep medical devices running amidthe outage, according to arelease from Delta Interfaith, acoalitionofcongregations and community organizations in the Louisiana Delta. Blocked roads prevented some residents from evacuating. Before thestorm, Prudence Grissom bought a propane heater for her East Carroll home.“They advertise that it’ssafe indoors,” she said. But just to be sure, the 70-year-old placed it in a doorway,leading to ahallway.Over the course of the weekend, Grissom found herselfsleepingfor sixhour stretches, struggling to wake up. Afriend called, and on Sunday, when Grissom failed to pick up,alerted the Sheriff’s Office. Adeputy knocked loud enough that Grissom awoke.

“At that point, Isaid, ‘OK, it has to be this heater,’”she said. “I haven’tbeen using it since.”

Instead, Grissom donned three sweaters, two pairs of pantsand several setsof socks. She lit candles. She watched from her window as ice-coated tree branches snapped and fell.

Grissom movedtoEast Carroll adecade ago to care for her mother.She is from New Orleans, where after Hurricane Katrina, shelived without power for weeks.

“You put one stepinfront of another,” she said. “You do thebest you can.”

Upcoming temperatures

The Baton Rouge, Lafayette and New Orleans areas were expected to seelows in the upper 20s and lower 30s Tuesday and Wednesdaynights, according to the National WeatherService, whichforecast that temperatures would stay in the low 40s Thursday night.

Meanwhile, temperatures near Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria would be in the20s Tuesday andWednesday nights, and hover just above freezing on Thursday night,the agency predicted.

Thestate is expected to see temperatures drop again over theweekend,when

nighttime temperatures could dip into theteensnear Monroe, Alexandria,Baton

and Lafayette. Officials

Immigrationcrackdown triggers drop in growth

U.S. population hits 342million

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press

ORLANDO,Fla. President Donald Trump’scrackdown on immigration contributed to ayear-to-year drop in the nation’sgrowth rate as theU.S.populationreached nearly 342 million people in 2025, according to population estimates released Tuesdaybythe U.S. Census Bureau.

The 0.5% growth rate for 2025 was asharp drop from 2024’salmost 1% growth rate, which was the highest in two decadesand was fueled by immigration.The 2024 estimates put the U.S. population at 340 million people.

Immigration increased by almost 1.3 million people last year compared with 2024’sincrease of almost 2.8 million people.Iftrends continue, the annual gain from immigrants by mid-2026will drop to only 321,000 people, according to the Census Bureau, whose estimates do not distinguish between

separating Mexicoand theUnited

Tijuana, Mexico.

legal and illegal immigration. In the past 125 years, thelowest growthrate was in 2021, during theheightofthe coronaviruspandemic, when theU.S.population grewby just0.16%, or 522,000 peopleand immigration increased by just376,000 people because of travelrestrictionsintothe U.S

Before that, the lowest growth rate was just under 0.5% in 1919 at the height of the Spanish flu. Births outnumbereddeathslast year by 519,000 people. While higherthanthe pandemic-era low at the beginning of the decade, the natural increase was dramatically smaller thaninthe 2000s, when it

ranged between 1.6 million and 1.9 millionpeople. The immigration drop dented growth in severalstatesthattraditionally have been immigrant magnets.

California had anet population loss of 9,500 people in 2025, astark change fromthe previous year, when it gained 232,000 residents, even though roughly thesame number of Californians already living in the state movedout in both years. The differencewas immigration since the number of net immigrants who moved intothe statedropped from 361,000 people in 2024 to 109,000 in 2025. Floridahad year-to-year drops in bothimmigrants and people moving in from other states. The Sunshine State, which has become moreexpensiveinrecent years from surging property values and higher home insurance costs, had only 22,000 domestic migrants in 2025,compared with 64,000 people in 2024, and the net number of immigrantsdropped from morethan 411,000 people to 178,000 people. New York added only 1,008 people in 2025, mostly because the state’snet migration fromim-

migrants dropped from 207,000 people to 95,600 people.

South Carolina, Idaho and North Carolina had the highest year-overyear growth rates, ranging from 1.3% to 1.5%. Texas, Florida and North Carolina added the most people in pure numbers. California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Vermont and West Virginia had population declines.

The South, whichhas been the powerhouse of growth in the 2020s, continued to add morepeople than any other region, but the numbers dropped from 1.7 million people in 2024 to 1.1 million in 2025.

“Many of these states are going to show even smallergrowth when we get to next year,” Brookings demographer William Frey said Tuesday

Tuesday’sdata release comes as researchers have been trying to determinethe effects of the secondTrump administration’s immigration crackdownafter the Republican president returned to the White House in January 2025. Trumpmade asurge of migrants at the southern border acentral issue in his winning 2024 presidential campaign.

and changes to the state’stax laws.

The state population estimates are released annually at thebeginning of the year and are based on publicly available data like birth and death records,IRS returns and Medicare filings. Parish- and municipal-levelestimates will come out laterthis spring.The estimates, though imperfect, help governmentsand institutions plan and budget during the years between theonce-a-decade census count. Since the 1980s, when thestate’s oil-based economy collapsed,Louisiana has lagged other states in terms of net growth, eventhough the number of people born in the state has continuedto increase. Landry was unavailable forcomment on Tuesday while in North Louisiana on Tuesday dealingwith the aftermath of afatal winter

storm. Louisiana EconomicDevelopment Secretary SusanBourgeoissaid thedatashows thestate is heading in the right direction, though she acknowledged it still hasalong way to go.

“The latest census data shows La.has stabilized its population and that matters,” Bourgeois said in atext message from Washington,where she is attending the annual gathering of Louisiana officials knownasWashington Mardi Gras. “After years of decline, these small gains tell us that the reformsand initiativeswe’ve put in place over the past two years have helpedstopthe bleeding and that’sanimportant first step. But it’snot the finish line.”

Still, Allison Plyer,chief demographer of The Data Center,aNew Orleans-baseddata-analysis group that keeps watch on population trends, notedthatincomparison with other states, Louisiana isn’t catchingup.

“Louisiana is seventh from the bottom, nationwide,”said Plyer

“That is true of thelastyear and every year since 2020.”

The trends last year in Louisiana come againstabackdrop of anation that sawsome of the slowest population growth in its recent history,due largely to the sharp decrease in international immigrants to the countryduring the last six monthsofthe Biden administration andthe firstsix months of President DonaldTrump’ssecond term

The U.S. population grew by around 1.8 million over the year to nearly 342 million. The number of international immigrants during that period —nearly 1.3 million was less than half thehigh of over 2.7 millionunderPresident Biden in 2024. In Louisiana, 14,900 newinternational immigrants moved into the state last year,offsetting the 14,387 residents who left thestate. The difference of 513 net new people,coupled with 2,774 more births thandeaths, gave the state atotal gain last year of 3,311 people.

Plyer said it’snot clear from thedata whetherthe newinternational immigrants represent new residentstothe state, whocame to work,set down roots and pay taxes, or whetherthe numbers were inflated by the number of migrants sent to one of the state’sdetention centers.

“Louisiana has adisproportionate number of ICE detention centers so the numbers could be distorted,” Plyersaid, adding that additional research will be needed to figure it out. “What is clear is thatwehave the seventh-highest rate of domestic outflow and the only reason we arenot losing population is because of international immigrants.”

Louisiana has suffereda series of setbacks in recentyearsasit has tried to attract moreresidents and stem the tied of people heading elsewhere. Thestate made few gains during the coronavirus pandemiceven as other states in the South saw arise in population growth. Analysts have attributed

someofthe recent depopulation to theseries of major hurricanes that struck the state, including Hurricane Ida, which helped to spark an insurance crisis andquestions about affordability

During the five-year period of 2020-2025, forinstance,Louisiana lost 55,000 more people than it gained and wasthe only Southern state to experienceanegative net migration.

Over the same period, Florida andTexas experienced anet increase of 1.8 million and 2million, respectively.Alabama hada net increase of nearly 200,000 and Arkansasgainedmorethan115,000 residents. Mississippi, which often battles with Louisiana for last place in quality-of-life rankings, also had anet increase of more than 11,000.

Plyersaidthe single reason Louisiana consistently lags peer states is its economy.Since 2005, the state has seen only a2%increase in the number of new jobs, compared with a20% increase nationwide.

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Worldmarks Holocaust RemembranceDay

BY VANESSA GERA Associated Press

WARSAW,Poland Holocaust survivors, politicians and regular people commemorated International Holocaust RemembranceDay on Tuesday, gathering at somber events across Europe and beyond to reflect on Nazi Germany’s killing of millions of people. InternationalHolocaust RemembranceDay is observed across each year on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau,the most notoriousofthe Nazi German death camps. The U.N. General Assembly adopted aresolution in 2005 establishing the day as an annual commemoration.

“The attempt, carried out by Nazi Germany, to erase the Jews from the face of Europe encapsulates,in an emblematic way,all the evil that humanbeings are capable of committing when they allow themselvestobe

infected —out of superficiality, indifference, cowardice, or self-interest —bythe virus of hatred, racism, and oppression,” Italian President Sergio Mattarella said in agathering with survivors in Rome.

At Auschwitz, located in an area of southern Poland which was under Germanoccupation during WorldWar II, Polish President Karol Nawrocki joinedsurvivors for aremembrance ceremony thatended with Jewish and Christianclergy reciting prayers.

Bernard Offen,a 96-yearoldsurvivor told participants that in today’sworld he sees “signs Iknow too well.”

“I see hatred resurgent. I see violencebeginning to be justified once again,” Offen said. “I seepeople who believetheir angerismore valuable thananother human life. Isay this because Iamanold manwho hasseen where indifference leads to.And Isay this because Ibelieve that Itruly believe— that we can

choose differently.”

Nazi German forces killed some 1.1 millionpeople at Auschwitz, most of them Jews, but also Poles, Roma and others. The campwas liberated by the Sovietarmy on Jan. 27, 1945.

In all,6million Jews were killedinthe Holocaust —in ghettos, concentration camps and shot at close range in the fields and forestsofEastern Europe.

In the heart of Berlin, candles burned at the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, afield of 2,700 gray concrete slabs whichhonors the 6million victims and stands as apowerful symbol of Germany’sremorse. Other countriesare still struggling to come to terms with the complicity of their ancestors. Mattarella condemned the complicityof ordinaryItaliansinthe fascist-era racial laws, which persecuted Italy’sJewish community,and deportation of itsJews.

U.S. takesfirst stepstoward reopeningembassy in Venezuela

BY MATTHEWLEE AP diplomaticwriter

WASHINGTON TheTrump administration hasnotified Congress thatitistaking the first steps to possibly reopen the shuttered U.S. Embassy in Venezuela as it explores restoringrelations withthe South American country following the U.S. military raid thatoustedthen-President Nicolás Maduro.

In anotice to lawmakers dated Monday and obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday, the State Department saiditwas sending in aregular andgrowing contingent of temporary staffers toconduct “select” diplomatic functions.

“Weare writing to notify the committee of the Department of State’sintent to implement aphasedap-

proach to potentially resumeEmbassy Caracas operations,” the department said in separate but identicalletters to 10 House and Senate committees.

The notification, sent to Capitol Hill just twodays before Secretary of State Marco Rubio is due to testify on Venezuela before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said the staffers would live and workin atemporary facilitywhile the existing embassy compound is brought up to standard.

It is thefirst formalnotice of the administration’sintent to reopen theembassy in Caracas. Sucha move would be key to the restoration of diplomatic relations between thetwo countries, whichhave been broken since March 2019 whenthe

embassy was shuttered

The Trump administration hasmoved slowlybut surely to try to normalize ties with Maduro’ssuccessor and currentacting PresidentDelcy Rodríguez. However,doing so would require the U.S. to revoke its decision to recognize the Venezuelan parliament elected in 2015 as the legitimate government.

Shortly after the military operation that deposed Maduro on Jan. 3, asmall team from the Venezuela Affairs Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Bogota, Colombia, traveled to Caracastodoaninitial survey and appraise the prospects for reopening the embassy Last week,the department named aBogota-based career U.S. diplomat to serve as thecharge d’affairesfor Venezuela.

Below-freezing temps to return

Heavy winds expected to create single-digit chill

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

Baton Rouge will finish out January with another severe cold front starting Friday evening and continuing until Monday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy winds are expected Friday night into Saturday morning, creating a wind chill in the single digits.

Saturday will bring a sunny day with highs in the mid- to upper 30s.

The arctic cold front will start with a 20% chance of rain Friday morning and a high temperature of 50. Once Friday evening rolls around, the temperature will dramatically drop, with overnight lows in the upper teens and low 20s, weather service forecaster Phil Grigsby said.

Teen dies after shooting at church gym

CRIME BLOTTER staff reports

A victim who was shot and killed last week after a dispute at a church basketball court has now been identified by the East Baton Rouge Parish Coroner’s Office. Christopher Joe, 18, died days after being shot during an altercation Thursday in the gym facilities at Grace Life Fellowship church in St. George. The altercation began verbally before the other man drew a firearm and shot Joe. The shooting suspect was taken into custody the same night by deputies with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office. East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office homicide detectives identified the man as 51-year-old Lee Andrew Johnson.

Johnson was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a count of attempted-second degree murder, which has since been upgraded to second-degree murder

Official autopsy results have yet to be released.

Third BR man arrested in connection with slaying

A third man was arrested Tuesday in connection with a brutal slaying that happened in November Damian Drake, 43, was charged with second-degree murder, Baton Rouge police said, and was booked into the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison.

Drake has a prior arrest history of indecent behavior with a juvenile, battery of a dating partner and several drug offenses. He was arrested in connection with the death of Darrell McBride, 37. McBride was found brutally beaten and shot at a home in the 2700 block of Lorraine St. He was transported to a local hospital and died.

Two other men, Christopher Andrews, 39, and Raydrick Sterling, 39, were also arrested in connection to the case and charged with second-degree murder

Police confirm wanted teen was gang member

The 19-year-old arrested by Baton Rouge police on Friday, accused in two homicides and an arson, is also believed to be part of a small criminal gang, police say. Jemile Causey, 19, was booked on multiple counts of first-degree murder, contributing to the delinquency of juveniles, simple arson and various weapons charges.

Police arrested him in connection with the shooting deaths of a 17-year-old Northdale Academy

The wind chill will make it feel like the lower 20s.

“We’ll only be above freezing for maybe three or four hours in the afternoon, otherwise we’ll be below freezing for the rest of the time,” Grigsby said.

The overnight temperature from Saturday into Sunday morning will drop again to the mid-teens with less wind. Sunday highs are expected to be much warmer in the low to mid-40s.

Monday will be similar, but by Tuesday, the temperatures will warm back to the mid-60s.

The persistent arctic weather is coming from a low-pressure system hovering over the Great Lakes.

The system hasn’t moved, instead pumping cold air from Alaska and Northern Canada across the Great Plains and into the Gulf South.

“We’ve been in that pattern for

Looming fog

really the last week or so, and it looks like we will continue to have that at least through the weekend and then early next week,” Grigsby said. “We may start to see it begin to modify a little bit and become not as amplified.”

Icy conditions and loss of power are not expected to be as much of a problem this weekend as they were this past weekend.

The biggest threat is exposure to the cold, Grigsby said. He urged the public to remember to protect the four Ps: people, pets, plants and pipes.

BR Restaurant Week menus to look out for

Special event features limited-edition, multicourse meals

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

Baton Rouge Restaurant Week kicked off Monday, with more than 40 restaurants offering limited-edition, multicourse meals at a fixed, discounted price.

The goal of Restaurant Week is to boost the local dining scene during slower periods of the year, while also enticing diners to try new places in the city.

Diners can enjoy the winter iteration of Restaurant Week through Saturday During the week, proceeds also benefit the Louisiana Restaurant Association Education Foundation and Louisiana Hospitality Foundation, which helps educate future hospitality leaders and supports industry workers in times of need.

Participating restaurants offer menus with three options to choose from for an appetizer, entree and dessert. Here are seven notable menus to check out:

Bin 77 Bistro & Sidebar

10111 Perkins Rowe

$45 per person

Appetizers

n Blue crab maison with rémoulade sauce crispy capers, pickled pearl onion and dill

n Lentil soup with smoked bacon lardon, seasonal vegetables and burrata cheese

n Creole devils on horseback, made with andouille and boudinstuffed dates, applewood smoked bacon and harissa sauce

Entrees

n Redfish on the half-shell with Louisiana crawfish tails in sherry butter, served with an herb salad

n Braised wagyu beef cheek with charred cauliflower puree, roasted carrots, mushroom ragout and rosemary

n Grilled lamb chops with tabouleh, pomegranate and chimichurri

Desserts

n Olive oil torte with rosemary cream cheese, blueberry and pistachio

Drusilla Seafood

3842 Drusilla Lane

$35 per person

Appetizers

n Seafood-stuffed mushrooms n Cup of seafood gumbo

Trial looms for mother in daughter’s ’21 death

Woman has claimed innocence for four years

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

The mother of a Baton Rouge toddler who was killed violently is set to have her day in court soon after more than four years of waiting. Lanaya Brittany Cardwell, 28, has maintained her innocence in the death of her 2-year-old daughter, Nevaeh Liyla Allen, since she was arrested in September 2021. On Monday her trial is set to begin inside the 19th Judicial District Courthouse in downtown Baton Rouge. Prosecutors wrestled with Cardwell’s attorney Tuesday over a final slate of motions in preparation for the trial. Jarvis Claiborne, the defense attorney representing Cardwell, said during the hearing that she still insists she did nothing to harm her daughter District Judge Fred Crifasi, who is presiding over the trial, reduced Cardwell’s bail from $375,000 to $90,000. He cited the fact that prosecutors dropped the woman’s charge to second-degree cruelty to a juvenile earlier

this month. Cardwell initially was indicted on a charge of seconddegree murder, with authorities believing for years that she killed Nevaeh. It wasn’t until testimony from a forensic pathologist last year at the trial of her live-in boyfriend, Phillip Gardner, that prosecutors became convinced that he, not Cardwell, inflicted the head wounds that caused the child’s death.

Crifasi sentenced Gardner to life in prison on Oct. 8 five months after a jury convicted him of second-degree murder for his role in Nevaeh’s death. Cardwell faced that same fate if she had gone to trial and was convicted of murder In reducing her bail amount Tuesday, Crifasi said Cardwell is now considerably less of a flight risk since she no longer faces the prospect of spending the rest of her life in prison. He also cited her relatively nonexistent criminal record. If released on bail, Cardwell will have to undergo random drug testing, wear an ankle monitor and remain on house arrest, according to the bond adjustment. Cardwell still faces up to 40 years in prison if a jury finds her guilty of the juvenile cruelty indictment. She already has spent

See TRIAL, page 2B

the past four years and four months locked up and unable to afford bail as she awaited her trial, according to court records.

At Tuesday’s hearing, defense attorneys sought to get photos from Nevaeh’s autopsy nixed from the trial. Prosecutors plan to use 26 autopsy photos to help bolster their case against Cardwell. Claiborne argued the photos and any testimony from the coroner about Nevaeh’s autopsy would be too prejudicial, considering the fact Cardwell is no longer accused of killing the child.

“It will cause the jury to look at my client as a murderer as opposed to somebody that allegedly committed cruelty to a juvenile,” Claiborne said. “Any juror that sees those autopsy pictures, it automatically paints my client in a very negative light. She’s already viewed in a negative light, essentially being accused of killing her child.”

Assistant District Attorney Kathleen Barrios Heep defended the prosecution’s right to use the photos and argued the defense isn’t entitled to a “blanket objection” of the forensic pathologist’s testimony She indicated juvenile cruelty statutes require the state to prove to jurors that the victim suffered a serious bodily injury State law defines that as unconsciousness, extreme physical pain, disfigurement, loss of bodily function or mental faculties, or an wound that poses a substantial risk of

RESTAURANT

Continued from page 1B

n Cup of shrimp and corn

soup

Entrees

n Fried seafood platter with fried shrimp, stuffed shrimp, stuffed crab, catfish, french fries and more

n Grilled black drum topped with grilled shrimp and a brown butter sauce, served with a stuffed potato

n Fresh flounder stuffed with crabmeat dressing, baked with lemon butter sauce and served with a baked or stuffed potato

n Grilled chicken pasta served in a spicy cream sauce with mushrooms over penne pasta

Desserts

n Bread pudding with rum

sauce

n Choice of plain cheesecake or cheesecake with strawberry sauce

Drinks

n Frozen strawberry margarita, additional $14.50

n King cake martini, additional $14.50

Frankie’s Dawg House

2318 Cedardale Ave.

$25-31 per person

Appetizers

n Golden sriracha wings tossed in a honey butter glaze and served with a side of ranch

death.

“That is what the state has to show to this jury,” Barrios Heap said. “And it’s not whether or not the state might structure its case to avoid certain things. The state’s entitled to the moral force of its evidence.”

Crifasi didn’t make a final ruling, but indicated not all the autopsy photos prosecutors used in Gardner’s trial will be relevant to prove the charge against Cardwell.

“I don’t think we can make a blanket ruling — as the state has suggested — on the entirety of this collection,” the judge said. “We’re going to see what evidence has been introduced up to that point and what the relevance of a photo might be when we get there.”

Claiborne also requested a preliminary examination hearing to test the sufficiency of the state’s new charge against Cardwell. He argued that she denied harming Nevaeh, and the only evidence to suggest she did was testimony from Gardner, now a convicted killer Prosecutors argued such a hearing would be futile and unnecessary with a trial to test the merits of the state’s allegations just days away Crifasi agreed and denied the defense motion. He cited “the circumstance we’re under with the trial starting on Monday.” The judge will make a ruling by Friday on prosecutors’ motion to use transcripts from forensic interviews of children who witnessed Cardwell’s alleged attack on Nevaeh the morning of Sept. 21, 2021.

n Boudin egg rolls with pepper jack cheese and topped with a crawfish cream sauce

Entrees

n Truffle aioli mushroom burger with arugula, avocado and truffle aioli on a potato bun; served with truffle fries or loaded mac and cheese

n King Cajun brisket dawg with grilled alligator sausage, smoked brisket fried red beans and rice fritters and barbecue sauce; served with truffle fries or loaded mac and cheese

n Pepper jelly shrimp wrap with sweet heat fried shrimp, tomatoes and a smoky chipotle mayonnaise; served with truffle fries or loaded mac and cheese

Desserts

n King cake shake

n Loaded sweet potato fries in a candied pecan caramel sauce

Drinks

n Bourbon Street smash, additional $6

n Bayou strawberry lemonade, additional $6 La Contea

7970 Jefferson Highway $45 per person

Appetizers

n Bruschetta, made with cherry tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese crumbles on a toasted crostini

n Seafood arancini with shrimp, crab and vodka

Court records allege Cardwell was in the bathroom preparing to go to work that morning when Nevaeh picked up her mother’s contact lenses and ripped one. Cardwell became enraged and struck her daughter in the torso with a closed fist. Nevaeh fell backward and hit her head on a cabinet before her mother “forcefully grabbed” her and took her to another room. Neveah was crying and had a large bruise on her forehead when she came out of the room.

But ac cording to Cardwell’s attorney, that account was largely based on a report Gardner gave Baton Rouge police when he was questioned. He told investigators it sounded like “two adults fighting” from the next room.

Cardwell denies she did anything to harm her daughter the day of the child’s death. Expert testimony at Gardner’s trial last year partially corroborated Cardwell’s claims.

East Baton Rouge Parish Deputy Coroner Yen Van Vo, the forensic pathologist that conducted Nevaeh’s autopsy, attributed Nevaeh’s death to 12 distinct blows to the head she suffered that day Vo testified that the effects of those blows would have been immediately apparent Vi deo surveillance showed Nevaeh leaving the family’s Belaire apartment along West La Belle Avenue with the family after Cardwell allegedly struck her in the stomach. She was seen on surveillance returning home with Gardner later that morning. Video showed the

sauce

n Roasted red bell pepper

soup with jumbo lump crab

Entrees

n Beef short ribs served with garlic mashed potatoes and a creamy chipotle sauce; paired with a Sensation salad

n Seafood manicotti filled with cream cheese, ricotta, spinach, shrimp and crab and baked in vodka sauce; paired with a Sensation salad

n Blackened fish topped with hollandaise sauce and served with steamed vegetables; paired with a Sensation salad

n Pesto rossa pasta with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, pine nuts, olive oil and feta cheese crumbles over linguini pasta; paired with a Sensation salad

Desserts

n German chocolate cake

n Blueberry bread pudding

Soji: Modern Asian

5050 Government St.

$45 per person

Appetizers

n Maguro crudo: tuna sashimi on a bed of cucumbers topped with honey umeboshi sauce, green onion oil, pickled wasabi, habanero masago and mandarin

oranges

n Taiwanese popcorn chicken with wasabi aioli, gochujang aioli and spicy tempura crunchies

toddler walking upright with no effects of any injury

According to Gardner’s story to investigators, Neveah complained of a stomachache and refused to eat when he tried to feed the young children later that morning. He told her to lay down on the couch, and she fell asleep. When he tried to wake her up hours later, Nevaeh was unresponsive even when he gently slapped her face. He said she had bubbles in her mouth her face had begun to turn blue, and she had no pulse. He lifted her arm, and she was so limp that her limb fell back onto the couch. Gardner said he performed CPR in an attempt to resuscitate Nevaeh, but she remained unconscious He told officers he packed stuffed Nevaeh’s lifeless body into a suitcase, then drove to Mississippi, where he buried the child’s remains in a shallow grave deep in the woods along the Pearl River

When he returned home Gardner reported Nevaeh missing and told authorities she had possibly been kidnapped from the family’s apartment. Dozens of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, spent four days searching for Nevaeh across two states. Hundreds of first responders frantically scoured until Gardner confessed that he dumped Nevaeh’s remains and made up the story of her disappearance to conceal Cardwell’s attack on the child.

Email Matt Bruce at matt.bruce@theadvocate. com.

Entrees

n Lemon-tail roll, made with yuzu kosho kani salad, cucumber and tempura shrimp wrapped in soy and topped with yellowtail, lemon slices, yuzu tobiko and shredded nori

n Dan dan udon noodles with ground pork, green beans, onions and a spicy Szechuan sauce

Desserts

n Black sesame tiramisu

n Fuji apple egg rolls

Stroubes Seafood and Steaks

107 Third St.

$50 per person

Appetizers

n Crispy pepper jelly duck tenders with sesame slaw Fresno chilies, crispy wontons and wasabi aioli

n Crab and shrimp mornay in a creamy cheese sauce served hot with grilled bread

n Caesar salad

n Stroubes salad with spring mix, blue cheese, tomatoes, spiced pecans, pickled okra and bacon shallot vinaigrette

Entrees

n Miso sea bass, served with saffron rice with dried apricots, almonds, pistachios, pomegranate and vegetable medley

n Braised lamb shanks over Yukon mashed potatoes

Desserts

BLOTTER

Continued from page 1B

student in January and a 25-year-old LSU dining hall employee on Tennessee Street in October

Causey is believed to be a member of a small criminal gang, “FSY,” which stands for Flip Side Youngins, according to Baton Rouge police spokesman L’Jean McKneely

Three juveniles were also arrested in connection to the killing of the 17-yearold, E’Myeri Walker Each was charged with firstdegree murder, illegal use of a weapon, aggravated criminal damage to property and illegal possession of a firearm by a juvenile.

McKneely emphasized that the word “gang” is not a perfect descriptor for the group of youths, since the suspects relate to each other more as friends and classmates than co-conspirators in a rigid or hierarchical criminal organization.

“You know these kids being so young, a lot of them are in the schools, and they’re communicating by being in school and on social media,” McKneely said. “This guy Causey, detectives were able to pinpoint him to being an active shooter on Tennessee Street and the one on Wood Street.”

When Walker was shot, surveillance footage shows Causey accompanied by the three other juvenile suspects, who McKneely said were 16-year-olds.

McKneely said this shooting was retaliatory in nature.

“These guys are here committing havoc in the

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Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@ theadvocate.com.

city, and they have been active in committing violent crime,” McKneely said. Flip Side Youngins are reportedly affiliated with the larger Bleedas gang, McKneely said. Causey is also believed to have torched the car used in the killing on Tennessee Street later that same day Security video footage of the fire shows three men exiting the vehicle, and one man throwing a rag into the car, before they all run, a police news release said. Motorcycle officer injured after crash

A Denham Springs motorcycle officer sustained non-life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon after a collision with an SUV at the intersection of Range and Railroad avenues. The collision happened around 3:52 p.m., according to the Denham Springs Police Department. The officer was taken to the local hospital for treatment. The driver of the SUV had no injuries. The accident is currently under investigation.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

Francesca’s to close all Louisiana locations

A national women’s clothing retailer with five stores in south Louisiana will close all of its locations this month.

Francesca’s, which has locations in the Mall of Louisiana and Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge, The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk in New Orleans, Acadiana Mall in Lafayette and Southland Mall in Houma, will cease operations and has begun liquidation sales at its stores and website.

Layoffs began earlier this month at its stores and its corporate headquarters in Houston, according to Retail Dive. Francesca’s, which opened in 1999, had more than 450 locations across the U.S. Francesca’s has been in financial trouble for a while. The chain filed for bankruptcy protection in December 2020 and was sold to TerraMar Capital, a private equity firm, for $18 million.

Wall Street soars to another day of records

Wall Street ticked to a record on Tuesday, as stocks zigzagged under the market’s surface following mixed profit reports from UnitedHealth, General Motors and other big companies.

The S&P 500 rose 0.4% and edged past its prior all-time high set a couple weeks ago, even though more stocks fell within the index than rose. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 408 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.9%.

UnitedHealth Group tumbled 19.6% despite reporting a profit for the latest quarter that was a bit better than analysts expected. More attention was on the company’s forecast for revenue in the upcoming year, which fell short of Wall Street’s expectations Health care stocks also felt tremendous pressure from a projected rate increase for Medicare Advantage by the U.S. government, which fell well short of what investors had hoped. Humana skidded by 21.1%, Elevance Health dropped 14.3% and CVS Health sank 14.2%.

Helping to offset those losses was Corning, which climbed 15.6% after announcing a deal with Meta Platforms that’s worth up to $6 billion.

Corning will supply optical fiber and cable to help build out data centers for Meta, enough that Corning is expanding its optical-fiber manufacturing facility in Hickory, North Carolina.

Amazon to close its Go, Fresh locations

Amazon said it’s closing all of its Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh locations, as the online behemoth focuses on its grocery delivery, Whole Foods Market and a new “supersized” store concept.

The Seattle-based online retailer said Tuesday in a blog post that it plans to convert some of those soon-to-be shuttered locations into Whole Foods Market stores. The company operates 57 Amazon Fresh stores and 15 Amazon Go stores.

“While we’ve seen encouraging signals in our Amazonbranded physical grocery stores, we haven’t yet created a truly distinctive customer experience with the right economic model needed for largescale expansion,” the company said in the post.

Amazon noted that customers can continue to shop Amazon Fresh online in available areas for “fast and convenient delivery.”

The last day of operation for Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores is Sunday, with the exception of its California locations, which will remain open longer to comply with state requirements, Amazon said

Since Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods Market in 2017, it’s seen more than 40% sales growth and expansion to more than 550 locations, it said.

UPS looks to cut up to 30,000 jobs

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press

UPS is planning to cut up to 30,000 operational jobs this year as the package delivery company continues with its turnaround efforts and reducing the number of Amazon shipments that it handles.

Last year, UPS started on a plan to reduce dependency on its largest customer, Amazon, and focus on higher-profit areas such as healthcare customers.

Chief Financial Officer Brian Dykes said during the company’s conference call on Tuesday that the job cuts will be made through a voluntary buyout offer for full-

time drivers and through attrition.

“This is a tactical move,” he said during a call with analysts. “We did something similar last year in order to help us to right-size the position levels and the network infrastructure with the new volume and delivery levels.”

UPS is also looking to close 24 buildings in the first half of the year and is evaluating additional buildings to close later in the year, he added.

UPS said in a regulatory filing in October that it had cut about 34,000 operational positions and closed daily operations at 93 leased and owned buildings dur-

ing the first nine months of last year

The company also announced approximately 14,000 job cuts, mostly within management. According to FactSet, UPS employs about 490,000 workers.

In April, UPS announced that it was looking to slash about 20,000 jobs and close more than 70 facilities as it drastically reduces the number of Amazon shipments it handles.

The company said in January 2025 that it had reached a deal with Amazon, its biggest customer, to lower its volume by more than 50% by the second half of 2026.

CEO Carol Tome said during the conference call that by the end of 2025 UPS had reduced Amazon’s volume in its network by approximately 1 million pieces per day. “We’re in the final six months of our Amazon accelerated glide down plan, and for the full year, 2026, we intend to glide down another million pieces per day, while continuing to reconfigure our network,” Tome said. UPS also said it was officially retiring its fleet of McDonnell Douglas MD-11 cargo planes after a deadly crash in Louisville, Kentucky, in November The planes, about 9% of the UPS fleet, had been grounded.

TikTok settles landmark youth social media addiction lawsuit

Video platform was 1 of 3 companies facing claims that it harms children

BY KAITLYN HUAMANI and BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writers

LOS ANGELES TikTok agreed to settle a landmark social media addiction lawsuit just before the trial kicked off, the plaintiff’s attorneys confirmed

The social video platform was one of three companies — along with Meta’s Instagram and Google’s YouTube — facing claims that their platforms deliberately addict and harm children. A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum. Details of the settlement with TikTok were not disclosed, and the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At the core of the case is a 19-year-old identified only by the initials “KGM,” whose case could determine how thousands of other, similar lawsuits against social media companies will play out. She and two other plaintiffs have been selected for bellwether trials — essentially test cases for both sides to see how their arguments play out before a jury and what damages, if any, may be awarded, said Clay Calvert, a nonresident senior fellow of technology policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute.

Joseph VanZandt, co-lead counsel for the plaintiff, said in a statement Tuesday that TikTok remains a defendant in the other personal injury cases, and the trial will proceed as scheduled against Meta and YouTube.

Jury selection starts this week in the Los Angeles County Superior Court. It’s the first time the companies will argue their case before a jury, and the outcome could have profound effects on their businesses and how they will handle children using their platforms.

The selection process is expected to take at least a few days, with 75 potential jurors questioned each day through at least Thursday A fourth company named in the lawsuit, Snapchat parent company Snap Inc., settled the case last week for an undisclosed sum.

nology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Importantly, the lawsuit claims that this was done through deliberate design choices made by companies that sought to make their platforms more addictive to children to boost profits. This argument, if successful, could sidestep the companies’ First Amendment shield and Section 230, which protects tech companies from liability for material posted on their platforms.

TikTok remains a defendant in the other personal injury cases, and the trial will proceed as scheduled against Meta and YouTube.

“Borrowing heavily from the behavioral and neurobiological techniques used by slot machines and exploited by the cigarette industry Defendants deliberately embedded in their products an array of design features aimed at maximizing youth engagement to drive advertising revenue,” the lawsuit says.

them into self-destructive feedback loops.”

The tech companies dispute the claims that their products deliberately harm children, citing a bevy of safeguards they have added over the years and arguing that they are not liable for content posted on their sites by third parties.

“Recently, a number of lawsuits have attempted to place the blame for teen mental health struggles squarely on social media companies,” Meta said in a recent blog post. “But this oversimplifies a serious issue. Clinicians and researchers find that mental health is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue, and trends regarding teens’ well-being aren’t clear-cut or universal. Narrowing the challenges faced by teens to a single factor ignores the scientific research and the many stressors impacting young people today, like academic pressure, school safety, socio-economic challenges and substance abuse.”

“This was only the first case — there are hundreds of parents and school districts in the social media addiction trials that start today, and sadly new families every day who are speaking out and bringing Big Tech to court for its deliberately harmful products,” said Sacha Haworth, executive director of the nonprofit Tech Oversight Project KGM claims that her use of social media from an early age addicted her to the tech-

Executives, including Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, are expected to testify at the trial, which will last six to eight weeks. Experts have drawn similarities to the Big Tobacco trials that led to a 1998 settlement requiring cigarette companies to pay billions in health care costs and restrict marketing targeting minors.

“Plaintiffs are not merely the collateral damage of Defendants’ products,” the lawsuit says. “They are the direct victims of the intentional product design choices made by each Defendant. They are the intended targets of the harmful features that pushed

A Meta spokesperson said in a statement Monday the company strongly disagrees with the allegations outlined in the lawsuit and that it’s “confident the evidence will show our longstanding commitment to supporting young people.”

José Castañeda, a Google Spokesperson, said Monday that the allegations against YouTube are “simply not true.” In a statement, he said “Providing young people with a safer, healthier experience has always been core to our work.”

TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday

Americans’ confidence in U.S. economy falls sharply

It’s the lowest level since 2014

BY MATT OTT Associated Press

WASHINGTON U.S consumer confidence declined sharply in January, hitting the lowest level since 2014 as Americans grow increasingly concerned about their financial prospects. The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index cratered 9.7 points to 84.5 in January, falling below even the lowest readings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A measure of Americans’ shortterm expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market tumbled 9.5 points to 65.1, well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. It’s the 12th consecutive month that reading has come in under 80. Consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation slid by 9.9 points to 113.7. “Confidence collapsed in January as consumer concerns about both the present situation and expectations for the future deepened,” said Dana Peterson, the Conference Board’s chief economist “All five components of the index deteriorated, driving the

overall index to its lowest level since May 2014 — surpassing its COVID19 pandemic depths.”

Respondents’ references to inflation, including gas and grocery prices, remained elevated. Mentions of tariffs and trade, politics, and the labor market also rose in January as did comments about health insurance and war Perceptions of the job market also declined this month. The conference board’s survey reported that 23.9% of consumers said jobs were “plentiful,” down from 27.5% in December Also, 20.8% of consumers said jobs were “hard to get,” up from 19.1% the month previous.

The country’s labor market has been stuck in a “low hire, low fire” state, economists say, as businesses stand pat due to uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs and the lingering effects of elevated interest rates. Earlier this month, the government reported that employers added just 50,000 jobs in December, nearly unchanged from 56,000 in November The unemployment rate is 4.4%. Job gains have been subdued all year, particularly after April’s “liberation day” tariff announcement by Trump. The economy gained just 584,000 jobs in 2025, sharply lower than that more than 2 million added in 2024.

St George Drive, at 10 a.m.

Obituaries

Ber, Warren C.

Baton Rouge, LA -Warren ClemensBer, 92, died peacefully on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at the Carpenter House of St. Joseph's Hospice. Funeral services will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 1:00pm, with Father Peter Wong officiating. Interment will follow in the Trinity Church Columbarium.

Warren was born on January 31, 1933, in Eunice, Louisiana, the eldest of five children. His family later moved to New Iberia, where he attended St. Peter's College. After graduation, he continuedhis studies at Southwestern Louisiana Institute (now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette), earning a bachelor's degree in accounting. He then joined the United States Air Force servingthree years as a First Lieutenant at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado Upon returning to Louisiana, Warren became aCertified PublicAccountant and builta distinguished career as alongtime partner in the accounting firm Hawthorn, Waymouth &Carroll, retiring in 1995. Beyond his professional life, Warren enjoyed boating, fishing, tennis, and golf.Hewas adevoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church for more than 55 years, serving faithfully on the vestry as treasurer and as an usher. Warren was precededin death by his parents, Warren Isidore Ber and Margery LaFleur Ber; his brother, John Edward Ber; and his sisters, Barbara Ber Hebert and Elizabeth "Betty" Ber Waggenspack. He is survived by his beloved wifeof63years, Frances Madden Ber; his son, Warren Clemens Ber Jr.; his sister, Mary Carol LeBlanc of New Iberia; and numerous nieces and nephews In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 3552 Morning Glory Avenue, Baton Rouge, LA 70808

James WilliamCarruth James (Jamie) "Jim" WilliamCarruth, age83, of Baton Rouge,Louisiana, passed awaypeacefullyin his sleep on January17, 2026 Jim and his twin brother Jack were born in Clinton, Louisiana,onFebruary 4, 1942 to parents Stewart and Elizabeth, and shortly thereafter movedtoBaton Rouge. Growing up in "Ole North Baton Rouge" during the 50sremainedone of his fondest memories,and he was an earlyorganizer of the North Baton Rouge Reunion that broughttogether graduates from area highschoolsfromthe 1940sthrough the 1960s. Jim graduated from Istrouma High School in 1960,wherehecompeted as ahighjumper. He continuedtojump whileearning aB.S.degreeinBiology from the University of SouthwesternLouisiana at Lafayette. Then he pursued post-graduate studies through Baylor University in 1976, and became anNCCPAcertified PhysicianAssociate in 1980. Jim was a pioneer in the Physician Associate profession and one of the first PAs in Louisiana,specializingin Occupationaland Urgent Caremedicine. He was a member of AAPA and a DOTcertified medical examiner.The letters from his patients and the outpouring of love andstories from his colleagues throughouthis career are atestamenttohis impact. In early 2000,hebecame thePresident and CEO of Gulf Regional Medical CenterofAcadiana, and with his partnersand team built the company into aregional powerhouse thatwas a tremendousasset to patients, workers, and local industry In 1972,Jim married Helen JaneLanglinais.They builta beautiful lifetogether,and shareda love of travel, beaches, and entertaining friends and family. Everyonewho knew Jim knew of his passion for country music. After settling in Baton Rouge,he wouldoften grab his guitar on weekends and jamwith friends.For several years in the 1980s, Jim owned a country musicvenue that hosted musicians such as his lifelong friend, Merle Kilgore, and also George Jones, ConwayTwitty, Ernest Tubb, andHank Williams Jr.Beyond hosting famousbandsand promotingregionalmusicians, Jim lovedtotake the stage and perform

While living in Lafayette from 2000 to 2022,Jim continuedplaying rhythm guitar and singing, and wrote several songs. In 2020,he recorded"CajunBoy Gets Right" and "Georgiana," and in 2022,Jim was inductedinto the Louisiana MusicHall of Fame forhis contributions to making and promoting music. Thatsame year, after41 years of medicalpractice, Jim retiredand moved back to Baton Rouge from Lafayette with Helen. He lived his life to the fullest and spent his last years with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and lovedtraveling to the US NavalAcade-

my inAnnapolisand theUS MilitaryAcademy at West Point to visit his grandsons Liam and Adam. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elizabeth Castello Carruthand StewartCarruth; histwin brother, Jack ArnoldCarruth; and hisgrandson, Alexander "Alex" James Venable.

He is survivedbyhis belovedwife of 53 years, Helen Jane (Langlinais) Carruth; his children, Amy CarruthVenable(Dwayne), Troy Carruth(Tisha), and Tyler Carruth(Mary Elizabeth); hisgrandchildren, Zachary Venable; Kelsi CarruthFrey (Cade); Liam, Adam, and Rylan Carruth; hisgreat-grandchildren, Parker and Hewitt Frey; and his brother, Randall Carruth(Carla). Visitationwillbeheldon Saturday, January31at 10:00 AM, followedbya Mass of ChristianBurial at 11:00 AM, and ACelebration of Life;atOur Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 445 MarquetteAvenue;Baton Rouge, Louisiana70806. In lieu of flowers,pleaseconsider donating to St.Jude Children's Research Hospitalat http://giftfunds.stjude.o rg/CelebrateCarruth.

Deana Bordelon David, a resident of Oscar, Louisiana, passed away on Sunday, January25, 2026 at theage of 84. Deana was a nativeofBordelonville Louisiana, butmoved to NewOrleans in thelate 1950'stolivewithher sisterand graduated from Warren Easton in 1959. She workedfor the telephone company beforemarrying her husband of 62 years, John L. David. They made their home and raised their family foralmost 20 years in NewOrleans and surrounding areas of Kenner and Metairie.Inthe late 1970's, they movedtheir family to PointeCoupee Parish where they livedfor theremainderoftheir lives, owning and operating grocery stores.Deana lovedcooking,sewing, gardening, bowling, and dancing.Inher lateryears, after her husband passed away in 2021, she mostly enjoyed watching oldwesterns and listening to country music. She served as aEucharistic Minister and was on the LadiesAuxiliary at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Lakeland for many years. Deana loved her family and took every opportunity she couldto spend time with them. Deana is survived by her children, Darrell David (Glinda) and Lisa LeBlanc (Mike); grandchildren, TaylorLeBlanc, Jessica David, Lori Bueche, Brittni David and Drake David (Casey); and five greatgrandchildren,Jayde, Camillia, Olivia, Macie, and Lindy. She is preceded in death by her husband,JohnLloyd David;son, Chad Steven David;parents, Percy and Corine Bordelon; and siblings, Bernadine Desselle Bordelon, and Huron FrancisBordelon. The family of Deana wouldliketoextend averyspecial thank youto her caregivers, who were morelikefamily than sitters, Ms. Delpha Goyne, Ms. Glender Long, and Ms. DorisHolmes. They would

also like to thank thestaff at theLacour House, PointeCoupeeGeneral Hospital,and Pointe Coupee Home Healthand Hospice for thecompassion and care that was given to her over thelast few years and weeks.Pallbearers forthe servicewillbe Michael LeBlanc, Bobby David,AaronJoffary, Michael Kennedy, Richard Jarreau,and Barry Breaud Visitation willbeheld Friday, January 30, 2026 at ImmaculateConception CatholicChurch in Lakeland from 9am until the mass of Christian burial at 11am. The burial will follow immediatelyafter at False RiverMemorial Park Cemetery

Ducote,Francis Michael'Mike'

FrancisMichael"Mike" Ducote April1,1938 -January 22, 2026

Francis Michael "Mike" Ducotewas atrue Americanpatriot whose life was defined by servicetohis country, his community, and his family.Heproudly served in theLouisiana Civil AirPatrolasboth a cadet and seniormember, answering thecalltoserve while stilla youngman Mike went on to serveon activedutywiththe U.S. Army, Army NG,and Air NG. He was theconfounder of thefirst sportparachute center in Louisiana, The Louisiana Skydivers, and served hiscommunity as a Deputy Sheriff withthe East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office underSheriff Bryan Clemmons. He also builta long careerasa Construction Safety Engineer and ConstructionSuperintendent. From1994 to 1997 he was co_ownerwith his son Douglas, of Ducote'sCountryDance HallinBaton Rouge. He is survivedby his belovedwife,PatriciaA

Zumo Ducote;his son, Douglas M. Ducote Sr.and wife Marilyn Williams_Ducote of Covington; hisdaughter, Dara LDucoteofPine Grove; hisgrandchildren, Douglas MDucoteJr. of Covington;Tyler JDucote of Dallas, Tx; Ashlyn Ducote andgreat_granddaughter, Adalida Lovell of Pine Grove. He is also survived by hisbrother ChristopherDucoteand Kay MurryofSicilyIsland; hissisters, Margaret Ducote Cooper andhusbandBilly of Brandon, MS; PollyDucoteDuden of Avon Park, Florida; and Jean Ducote Falgoust and husband Frank of Baton Rouge;along with many cherished cousins, nieces, andnephews. He is precededindeathbyhis parents Magnus andElma RachalDucote, andson Nolan Crag Ducote.The Ducote Familywould like to express their gratitude to thewonderful medical staff of doctorsand nurses at North Oaks MedicalCenterinHammond, for taking such wonderfulcareof Mike in hisfinal days. Visitation will take place at Seale Funeral Home in Denham Springs on Wednesday January28, 2026, from 6:00-8:00 PM, visitation will continue on Thursday January29, 2026, from 9:00-11:00 AM with service beginningat11:00 AM andburialtofollow in Evergreen Memorial Park.

Ms. CeceliaAnn Cates Hughes, age 89, left her earthly home to abide with herheavenlyFather Sunday, January18, 2026 from The Crossing HospiceCenterinBaton Rouge, Louisiana. She was born in Tupelo, MS,June22, 1936, to the marital unionofFred William Cates andFaye Evans Cates, pioneerLee County families. Cecelia wasa 1954 graduate of Tupelo High School andcontinued herstudies at Miller HankinsBusiness School in Memphis, TN. Shewas employed by Illinois Central

Gulf Railroad as an Executive Secretarywhileliving in Memphis, ajob she loved. Ceceliamet the love of herlife, James Howard Hughes, andthey were marriedinFebruary, 1958. Ceceliaand Howard moved from Memphis to Baton Rouge in 1967. She accepteda joboffer from HumbleOil Company, later becoming Exxon.She had along andsuccessful career working in theoffice at theExxon Refinery in Baton Rouge.Cecelia and Howard bought agarden home in 1975 in the Shenandoah Communityof East Baton Rouge where they calledhome. Cecelia wasa lifelongmember of theBaptist Church with a strongfaithand devotion to herLordand Savior. Shehad atenderand generousheart, always loyal to familyand friends. She lovedher fur babies,Morris, Mopp,and Mardi.Ceceliaalso made sure there wasfood andwater for the birds whovisitedher backyard.Cecewrote beautiful poetry, always puther best foot forward in all that shedid,enjoyedshopping and always "dressed to the nines". Shehad a fondness for clocks, and eye for antiques, andloved stuffed animals. Cecelia hada 3year period of declining health which took away herability to live at home alone,and she moved to Garden Assisted Living in April 2022 where she lived untiljust recently. Sheadjustedwell to hernew surroundings making newfriends,and making the best of what life hadtooffer. Agravesideservice will be at 11:30 AM,Monday, February 2, 2026 at Oakland Cemetery in Yalobusha County, MS Pallbearers will be Barry Bryan, Brent Salmon,Ethan Salmon,and AndrewWall. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chad Cates, Matt Cates, andKip Smith. Holland FuneralDirectors- Tupelo Chapel are honored to be entrusted with arrangements. Expressions of love andsympathy may be postedathollandfuneraldi rectors.com/CeceliaHughes obituary. Pallbearers will be BarryBryan,Brent Salmon,Ethan Salmon,and AndrewWall. Honorary Pallbearers will be Chad Cates, Matt Cates, and Kip Smith. Cecelia waspreceded in death by herparents, Fred and Faye Cates; husband, JamesHoward Hughes; siblings, Fred William Cates, Jr.; stillborn, LonnieCates, Carey Cates, d il

Why youneed dental insurance in retirement.

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Simplyput —without dental insurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcarecoverage.

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The best way to preventlarge dental bills is preventive care. TheAmerican Dental Association recommends checkupstwiceayear.

Consider these national average costsof treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethiscan be areal burden, especially if you’reonafixed income  Look forcoveragethat helps pay formajor

and Sara Jane Wilson; cousins, Mary Elizabeth Caldwell, and Thomas (Buddy) Cates. She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Aimee Cates of Memphis,TN, Susan Cates of MonLouis Island, AL, Chad Cates andMatt Cates of Lancaster, TX, Kip Smith (Paige) of Tupelo, MS and Kym Waldrop of Tupelo, MS, and Jeffrey Wilson (Amanda) of Verona; cousins, Betsy Campbell White of Tupelo, MS, and Robert Cates of Tupelo MS; her God-son Barry Bryan and his wife Kim of Denham Springs, LA. A heart felt thank you to Missy, Margaret, and Amanda including allthe staff at Garden View Assisted Living in Baton Rouge; her physician, Greg Ferrara, M.D. for exceptionalmedical advice, kind and compassionate care for decades; all the caregivers from Always Best Care with special mention of Ms. Janis Williams, close friend and caregiver who dearly loved CeCe and was loved dearly in return, and her good friends and neighbors who looked after her when she was no longer abletodrive. Memorialsinmemory of Cecelia may be sent to https://tupeloleehumane.o rg, P.O. Box 2143, Tupelo, MS 38803 or websiteTupeloleehumane.org. Expressions of love and sympathy may be posted at hollandfuneraldirectors.co m/CeceliaHughes obituary. Holland Funeral Directors are honored to serve theirfriends.

LoritaJohnson transitioned on January 21, 2026 She leaves to cherish, her children, Katrina (Clifton) Hunt and Michael Johnson; her grandchildren, Taurus Calligan, Jr. and Traivon Calligan; her sisters, Shirley Gable, Priscilla (Willie) Moore,Lucinda Young, and Mary Haynes; her brothers, Charles Johnson, Jr., Harvey Johnson, and David (Loretta) Johnson and ahost of relatives and friends. Services will be held Thursday, January 29, viewing from 8-10 a.m. until service at 10 a.m. at Oasis Christian Church, 4524 E. BrookstownDrive Baton Rouge, LA 70805. Bishop Charles Wallace, officiating. Entombment at Heavenly Gates Mausoleum, Baton Rouge, LA. Services entrusted to Hall Davis and Son.

uated. He remainedactive in alumni affairs at Riverside. He made hisresidenceinBaton Rouge for some 40 years before his retirement and returned to his nativeBogalusa.He was asales and marketing executive.Hewas alifelongMethodistand longtime active memberof First UnitedMethodist church of Baton Rouge;he was an active member of ESMMethodist Church in Bogalusa. In addition to church activities, he was a MethodistCursillo of 14 members,veryactive in the Kairos Prisonministry formany years, a50-year Mason and Shriner.Healso loved to fish and hunt as well as help others. He is survivedby2 sons, Walter G. JonesII, and RobertD."Bob" Jones III (wife- Donna) both of Baton Rouge, LA; theirmother,Bob's former wife Maggie Jones of Baton Rouge, LA; 6grandchildren;6 great grandchildren; and a sisterJoDorsey Jones Stupka of Fairhope, AL. Bob trusted and had complete faith in his cardiologist Dr. JeffreyHyde; he meant alot to Bob. Aspecialthank you to the doctors and nursing staff of Our Lady of The Lake in Baton Rouge, Pinnacle Hospice of Baton Rouge and The Crossing Clarity House Hospicefacility forall the care and support they gaveBob and his family. Bob's requestisfor donations be made to the MethodistChildren's Home in Mandeville or Ruston

Ann Jane Rodriguez Lewis, born on January28, 1936,inNew Orleans, Louisiana,passed awayon January 18, 2026, at the age of 89. Known forher adventurous spirit and hardworkingnature,Ann left a lasting impact on allwho knew her Ann grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana,and pursued her educationat NorthwesternUniversity in Natchitoches, Louisiana, where she earned aBachelor's Degree in Nursing. Her careerinnursing beganat Baton Rouge General as a Registered Nurse. Ann's dedicationand leadership werefurther exemplified during her time managing Hyland Plasma Labs in Baton Rouge, part of BaxterTravenol Labs, where she was honored with numerous awards as aLeading Manager Nationwide. Beyond herprofessional accomplishments,Ann was an avid readerand an active memberofher book club. Shewas askilled Bridgeplayer,participating in severalBridge clubs. Herlovefor adventure took her hiking around the world, with the Canadian Rockies being afavorite destination. Ann also cherished the time spent living with her husband in London, Toronto, and rural New Jersey. Her commitment to communityservice was evident through hervolunteer work at LSU Rural Life Museum and HilltopArboretum. Ann is survived by her husband, ErnieLewis,of47 years. Theymet July 4, 1975 living on the same street, going to the same pool and same church,

TrinityEpiscopal. Surviving childrenare RodLewis and hiswife Victoria Lewis; her daughtersCherylPearse and her husband Keith Pearse, and Mary Jane McDermottand her husband Matthew McDermott; her step-children, Dorothy and her husband ColinMcComiskey, Oliver and his wife Caroline Lewis; her grandchildren, Ben (Mia) Lewis, Jill (Joe)Binder, David (Kayte) Pearse, Jaci Pearse, EmmettMcComiskey, SanderMcComiskey, Chance McComiskey, Madeline (Mathieu) Paturel,and Katherine (Cole) Lanning; five great-grandchildren, Cohen, Wyatt, Blaise Santino Binder,and Evelyn Lewis. She was preceded in death by her parents, MarjorieRosalyn Rodriguezand AndrewEdward Rodriguez,along with many belovedNew Orleans cousins, aunts, and uncles.

Jerome P. "Dookie" Morales,Sr.,was alifelong Port Allen resident. He passed away at St.Joseph Hospice Facility surrounded by lovedones on Tuesday, January27, 2026, at theage of 92. To viewfull obit go to www.wilbertservices.com.

Richardson,Dimple Cropper Dimple Cropper Richardsonfaithfully fulfilling her earthlyjourney, God, in His infinite wisdom, called her home to eternal rest on January21, 2026. She leavestocherish her precious memories one belovedson, Dedrick (Shawanda) Morgan; three sisters,Doris Lee, Betty Williams and Darlene (Byron) Harris; two brothers, John and Glen Cropper. The serviceswillbeheld

January 30, 2026, HallDavis

&Sons. Viewing 10:00 am until start of service 11:00 am.

"Those whom we love and lose are no longer where they were before.They are now wherever we are."(St. John Chrysostom) Dana Olivia Dunn Territo was born February 1, 1958 in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Rayand Adair Dunn and fell intoGod's loving embrace on January25, 2026, after alongbattlewith cancer.

After moving to Baton Rouge in 1976, she met and married theloveofher life, David A. Territo, and they shared 40+ years of marriage.

She wasloyal, caring, friendly,and compassionatetoeveryone she met, and had asenseofhumor few knew about. Told she had aservant's heartand an "old soul," Dana involved herself in amultitude of ministries and volunteer work. As theformer Director of Ministries at St. JudeCatholicChurch, Dana oversaw over 60 ministries and outreach programsfor theparish. When her sons attended St.JudeCatholic School, Dana volunteered in various capacities, including being amember of theSchool Board and Home and School Association Retreat Leader, and chairing, foryears, theHalloween CostumeContest at theschool'sannual fall festival.Before working for theparish, Dana worked as theschool'sReligion/Development/Technology Coordinator. She also served as Cantor,Lector,Eucharistic Minister, and Homebound Minister in the Church, and she and David also chaired the St.Jude Parish Fairfor over10 years, workDana fondly held in her heart Dana'svolunteer work ledtoworkinthe community, in nursing homes and hospice care, and she found her niche working

with theelderlyand with individuals with Alzheimer'sdisease. God showed herthe steps in advocatingfor this population,and Dana soon helped organize the first Alzheimer'sWalk fundraiser in Baton Rouge in 1995, chairingthe Walk twiceafter that, and workingin various volunteercapacities for over 30 years. In 2013, seeinga growing need for caregiversand affectedindividuals to provide educational information aboutthe disease Dana approached The Advocate newspaper and submitted samplecolumns for an "Alzheimer'sQuestion andAnswer" weekly column, which wasaccepted.She has voluntarily written this column since that time.She retiredas Director of Servicesfor Alzheimer'sServicesofthe Capital Area/Charlie's Place in late2018 to complete herlifelongdream of writing herbook, which wasrealized in 2022, the year herbook, "What My Grandchildren Taught Me AboutAlzheimer'sDisease," waspublished and launched. That same year, Dana was selected as one of 10 women from over 500 women-submittedproposals nationwide by the iHeart/Seneca Women Podcast Networktoproduce andlaunchtheir own podcasts. Dana'sinaugural podcast, "TheMemory Whisperer," aseriesof10 sessions, premieredinlate December 2023 and consisted of interviewsand discussionsaroundthe topics of Alzheimer'sdisease andrelated dementia disorders. Sheplanned, wrote, andcoordinated thesepodcasts even after andduringher second boutwith hercancerdiagnosis. Dana enjoyed andwas passionate about advocatingfor theAlzheimer's population.She served on various organizations that promoted those efforts, including theAlzheimer'sAssociation/LAChapter, the Louisiana State Alzheimer'sDisease Task Force, theNational Adult DayServicesAssociation, LEADER, theAARPof Louisiana Live-at-Home Coalition,and theStephen Ministry at St.Aloysius Church.A giftedwriter, Dana composedvarious curricula to educate healthcare professionals andcaregiverscaringfor individuals with Alzheimer's, and shegave numerouspresentations

Featherweight Scooter

locally, statewide, and nationallyontopics surrounding Alzheimer'sdisease.Her energy andeffortstohelp the Alzheimer'spopulation neverwavered Dana'sawardsand commendations in herwork andwith the elderlyand those affected by Alzheimer'sdisease were many, amongthemincludingher activities at anursinghomebeing recognized twiceasone of thetop five programs for theelderlyin theState of Louisiana, LNHA Region II Activity Director of theYear(1994), WAFB "Where Service Matters" volunteerAward (2003), LATAN Citizen Champion Award (2014), NADSANational Director Award (2016), theGovernor'sOfficeofDisability Affairs Lynette Fontenot ExcellenceinInclusion Award (2017), andthe Alzheimer'sServices25year service award, includingthree awards for top fundraiser for theorganization'sWalk event. However,she wouldalways say that hergreatest accomplishmentsand recognitionswerethe gifts of her family. Additionally, Dana shared herspiritual gifts as aBaton Rouge Diocesan Spiritual Director.Her spiritual life remained constant, andshe was ever aware of God's many blessingsHehad bestowed on herduring her lifetime.Gratitude was always foremost in her prayers. Dana'shappiest times were spent with herfamily andfriends,whether at home or their cabin at Lake Rosemound. Hertradition of decoratingGingerbread HousesatChristmastime withher grandchildrenwas oneofher great highlights of the year. Shealso lovedpainting, writing, cooking, Broadway musicals, old songs, and old movies. Dana is survivedbyher belovedhusband David (lovingly "Tomato") of 40+years; hertwo sons and daughters-in-law: David Joseph (DJ) andAshleyTerrito, andHunter Ellis andAshley #2 Territo;as well as four grandchildren: Collin, Brynn,Ellis, and Evelyn Territo. Additionally, she leaves behind her friendofover55years, Susie Sowada Cadena,and herspecial cousin, Claudia Menn.She is also survived by siblings: Ursula Howell

Continuing crusade for cockfighting is no feather in state’scap

Why did the chicken cross theroad?Perhaps it was to get away from those rabid Louisiana fans of cockfighting who just can’tseemtoleave thisbloodsportinthe rearview mirror. Much to our bewilderment, theSt. Landry Parish Council this month drew apacked house when it was presented with aproposalfor the parish to seek an exemption to the state’s cockfighting ban. Supporters say renewing cockfightswould bring money torural Acadiana and that the ban is unconstitutional. They even invoked Cajun and Creole heritage as areason thatcockfightingshould return, arguing thatthe practice is as sacred as Mama,crawfish pie and gumbointhe culture.

Thankfully,the members of the parish council had the good sense to reject this pile of chicken droppings. They nixed theproposed resolution to askalocal representative to introduceabill to change the Louisiana statestatutewhich bans cockfighting. But it was close, andnewly elected council chairman WayneArdoin hadtocastthe decidingvoteasthe measure failed 6-7. The council then voted unanimously on asecond resolution to ask LouisianaAttorney GeneralLiz Murrill for an opinion on theconstitutionality of the cockfighting ban. Murrill laterreleased astatement that cockfightingremainsillegalin the state of Louisiana, but theAttorneyGeneral’s office has astandingpractice of not issuing opinionsonthe constitutionalityofstate laws. Somecockfighting supportersvow to continue thefight. But if this does end upbeforethe state Legislature again, we hopethe proposallaysan egg. There is no reason for Louisianatobring back asport that inflicts brutalityonanimals simply for human entertainment

So what tomake of all these feathersflying?

Timmy LeJeune, the St.Landry council memberwho championed the resolution and former cockfighterJamesDemoruelle spokeupata December council meeting about all theways cockfighting could bring revenue to ruralareas like Sunset, oncehome to acockfighting ring that drew visitors from around the country and the world. In 2008, after much squawking,Louisiana becamethe last statetoban cockfighting,and the infamous Sunset Pit closed.Since then, infrequent arrests at underground cockfights show thesport has not been entirelyeradicated, but it certainly isn’tas lucrative. And the600seat Sunset Pit, officiallythe SunsetRecreation Game Club, established in the1940s, still lies dormant with a“For Rent” signout front,a shadow of its past glory days.

All kidding aside, we know thereremainfew real economic opportunities in manyof our state’srural areas.That’swhy we’realways going to support new industries coming in to placeslike Rayville and Donaldsonville.People living in these areas deserve opportunitiesto make an honest living, too. And we alsoknow that when there is more to look forward to in the future,it’seasierto let go of the past.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

set asidefor public education

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, I’d like to bring attention to the wisdom of our Founding Fathers, who set up how we would survey our lands which included amechanism to fund public education.

In theLand Ordinance of 1785, within each township (36 squaremiles), the 16th section is designated as being owned by thestate, with theusufructs (proceeds) maintained by theschool boardtobeused for education. By federal law,these lands can only be soldatpublic bid, in theirentirety, only if approved by majority of the registered votersinthe township. The proceeds are required to go intothe state treasury andpay aminimum of 4% dividend to theschool board affected. In school districts like oursinLafayette, the state has maintained ownership of these lands, with Southside High School in Lafayette having been built on Section 16 lands.Inother parishes,

these lands have been sold. The state no longer owns any Section 16 lands in Red River Parish. In my past work with St. Martin Parishcrawfishermen, we researched these lands to discover that the school boards werenot receiving the funds guaranteed by federal law.Some lands were apparently sold without being properly approved by avote. We have rich, profitable lands in Louisiana that children should be benefiting from. We have acenturies-old mechanism in place to betterfund our education system, but it seems to not be working. Some of ourmost economically impoverished parishes could benefit the most. Ask questionsatyournext school boardmeeting. Call your U.S. senator or U.S. representative.

HAROLD SCHOEFFLER Lafayette

Our normsare normsbecause we have respected them as such, not because they were written in stone, but because we believed in them They are the invisible architecture of our democracy,the guardrails of conduct, decency and restraint that have guided us through peace and peril alike.

But today,those guardrails have been battered. The unwritten rules of governance, once sacred, have been stretched, bent, and in somecases, abandoned altogether.Wehave learned the hard way that when normsare no longer respected, they must be memorialized in law

What has happened to our country?

Once, we were the playground leader that stood up for others, helping rescue Europe and theworld from Nazism. Then somehow,wetraded our sense of fairness and right for egoism and might We have becomethe bully.The kid who pushes around the little guy,even the nicest kid in theroom, Canada. We are going after Greenland to steal his lunch money and the troubled kid, Venezuela, to steal his toys. We belittled our already bullied friend, Ukraine, by dressing down itsleader in that infamous White House meeting. Andwecontinue to disrespect and push around our best buddies, our NATO allies.

What has happened to our sense of order and fair play? Do we really believe it’sOKtothreaten and steal and twist arms to take whatever we want, whenever we want? Conservative columnist George Will hit the nail on the head, calling our leadership “a moral slum of an administration.” And our Congress is equally culpable, abdicating its responsibilitybyfailing to curb this bullying, allowing the thugs to run roughshod over norms and laws and the Constitution Shameonus for becoming the bully We are better than that.

ANDREWDUHON Lafayette

Often upon phoning, we hear voice mail: “Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed.” For those of us in our 70s or 80s, our options have surelychanged! The abilitytowalk or trot, or easily fall asleep are different from when we were younger It’ssomehow easier to look back

rather than to look forward as we know theinevitable awaits us. So those of us in advanced years, as we often reflect upon our life, let’scherish our precious memories of earlier years and trust the source of life that all will be well for us in theyears ahead.

BARRYWEINSTEIN Baton Rouge

Tradition alone is no longer enough to protect the Republic. It is timetocodify not just the outcomes of government, but the manner in which we govern, our rules of engagement. We must limit the gray areas that invite abuse, regardless of who holds the Oval Office or controls Congress. The presidency should not be ablank check for power,and Congress should not be aspectator to executive excess.

This is not apartisan call; it is apatriotic one. The erosion of normsisnot aDemocratic problem or aRepublican problem;itisanAmerican problem If we fail to act, we leave the door open forfuture leaders of any party to exploit ambiguity and undermine trust. Let us now turn lessons into law

Let us enshrine the expectations of honor,transparency and restraint that once needed no reminder.For if democracy is to endure, it must rest not only on the will of the people, but on the character of the rules that govern those who lead them

REP.TROYA.CARTERSR. Louisiana’s2nd Congressional District

Mitt Romney should be focusedon cuttingspending, notraising taxes

Congress is debating major fundingbills that would avoid another of those phony government “shutdowns” now scheduled forFriday

Onesticking point is thatDemocrats want to either defund ICE,or greatly reduce its budget even though it is following the law in arresting and deporting people from other countries, some of whom have committed crimeswhile here. Adding nothing positive to this debate is MittRomney, the former Republican nominee for president in 2012. In alengthy letter to the editor of TheWall Street Journal, Romney seems to be channeling Democrats when hewrites that he is fine with tax increases because “...continuing to add to the national debt at arate fargreater than the growthofthe economy can’tgoonforever.” It can go on long enough to resultinserious consequences if Congress refuses to address the main problem, which is not revenue, but spending. Romney is at the wrong end of the debate. The U.S. government has been taking in record amounts of revenue, largely driven by asurge in tariff collections under President Trump’spolicies. Total revenues havereached new highs,exceeding $5 trillion in Fiscal Year 2025. Individual income taxes have reached record levels in recent years, significantlyboosting federal coffers. Yet, thenational debt is approaching $39 trillion.Visit USDebtClock.organd see how many numbers are in red and quickly rising.

So total revenue has hit new highs, individual income taxes are at record levels (though down slightly

under President Trump) but thedebt keeps rising. Raise your hand if you know why.Yes, it’sbecause spending keeps increasing and despite effortsbyElonMuskand his DOGE crew,Congress appears unwilling to reduce spending and borrow more money These arguments are familiar to most people who are paying attentionand care about the future, but fewer seem to becauseso many are receiving government benefits. Nearly 100 million Americans —about one-third of the total population —received some form of government assistance in 2019, according toa2023 estimate from

theDepartment of Healthand Human Services.We’ve heard the howls from Democrats and themedia when there are suggestionstocut anything, including therate of increased spending, along with unnecessary and fraudulent spending. Human naturetells us that the more people relyonothers —inthis case government —the lesslikely they are to relyonthemselves

At theend of his letter to theeditor of the Journal, Mitt Romney writes, “I’m agreat deal moreconcerned about the future of the country than thesizeofmytax bill.” If that is true, Romney should be focused on cutting spending and reducing debt beforegiving Washington another dime, whether it’shis dime or dimes from therest of us.

In an address to the nation on April 24, 1985, PresidentRonald Reagan said: “No matter how hardyou work, no matter how strongthis economy grows,nomatter how much more tax money comes to Washington, it won’tamount to ahill of beans if government won’tcurbits endless appetite to spend.Overspending is thesubject we mustnow address —how budgets gotsofar out of balance and, yes, what together we can andmustdotocorrect this. Every dollar thegovernment spends comes out of your pockets. Every dollar the government gives to someonehas to first be taken away from someone else. So, it’sour moral dutytomake sure that we can justify every one of your tax dollars, that we spend them wisely and carefully and, just as important, fairly.”

MittRomney should watch Reagan’saddress.

Email Cal Thomasatcaeditors@ tribpub.com

Look at allaspects of Epsteinscandal

Almost every lawyer whogoes before the SupremeCourt has at least one sizable hole in their argument. After all, if the questions wereclear-cut, the case would have been resolved in the lower courts. But there are holes, and then there are holes.

In the transgender sports cases heard at the SupremeCourt recently,attorneys forthe trans athletes spent much of their time trying to skirt asinkhole the size of Atlanta. The court was weighing whether lawsintwo states banning trans athletes from competing in women’s sports violates their civil rights.

“For equal protection purposes,” Justice Samuel Alito asked Kathleen Hartnett, the attorney representing a Boise State University cross-country runner,“what does it mean to be aboy or agirl or aman or awoman?”

“Wedonot have adefinition forthe court,” Hartnett said. It wasamoment madefor social media, and it attracted immediate ridicule. But it wasonly one of several such exchanges, none of which helped the trans inclusion cause. As Alito asked in his followup, “How can acourt determine whether there’s discrimination on the basis of sex without knowing what sex meansfor equal protection purposes?”

Excellent question! And one that trans rights activists have avoided foryears.

Consider the Lambda Legal conversation guide released before oral arguments. It suggests that people respond to reasonable questions such as “How can it be fair (or safe) foragirl to compete against aboy?” with psychotherapy prompts such as “What do you think matters mostinsports?” or “Have you ever been leftout just because of who you are?” This exercise in evasion is political and legal malpractice.

Aforthright argument is the better tactic. Samesex marriage advocates wonbyconvincing the public of three propositions: That gay people were born that way, not making a“lifestyle choice;” that excluding them from marriage was therefore unfair; and that giving gay people the samemarriage rights as everyone else wasgood forthem and didn’t hurt anyone else.

Of course, Bill Clinton should cooperate with any investigation into Jeffrey Epstein’straffickingofunderage girls. The suggestion thatDemocrats wouldshieldaformer president from questions that mighttarnish his legacy speaks ill of Democrats. This concerns acriminal enterprise, not bad-boy behavior Democrats siding with the pursuit of justice should be commended.Nine of them joined Republicansonthe House Oversight Committee in voting to hold Clinton in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify Committee Chair Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., then gave Clinton twoweeksto address the matter before bringingit to the House floor for avote.

As president, Clinton topped the charts for success,inmybook.But his overseeing afederal government budget surplus is apast triumph. This is about asex ring that abused minors and about which Clinton may have some knowledge.

There is, so far,noevidence that Clinton took part in the crimes —and no publicly verified evidence thathe ever set foot on Epstein’s“Pedophile Island.” But he was afriendofEpstein and flew on his privatejet

Some commentary suggests that Bill and Hillary Clinton are Democratic royalty that many in theparty want to protect. May we swat down the concept of royalty in acountry founded on sweeping away hereditary rule? The Kennedys havebeen heralded as somehow royal, which is how Donald Trump got away with putting the lunatic Robert F. Kennedy Jr.incharge of the nation’shealth

It would appear that Trumpheld far closer ties to Epstein thanBill Clinton did. He, too, should testify under oath about what he knows aboutthe sexual abuse of minors. Clinton should not give him cover by refusingtoparticipate in the probe

The Trump administration appears to be throwing wrenches in the gears of aserious investigation.Attorney General Pam Bondi was ordered to releaseall Justice Departmentdocu-

LETTERS TO THEEDITORARE

House Oversight Committee ChairmanJames Comer,R-Ky., speaks during a House Committee on Oversightand GovernmentReformmarkup business meeting about finding former PresidentBill Clinton and former SecretaryofState HillaryRodham Clinton in contempt of Congress on Jan. 21 in Washington.

mentsrelatingtoEpstein by Dec. 19.

That was over amonth ago. Some in theDemocratic leadership wrongly saw protecting Clinton from uncomfortablequestions as ameans to improve their prospectsinthe midterms. On the contrary,having himtestify would show aprincipled interest in getting to thebottom of an appallingcriminal case.

And so kudos to the Democratic reps who joined Republican committee members in voting to hold Clinton in contempt. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass., explained her vote: “I’m just focused on survivors We want to hearfromanyone whohas information. And that should not be limited to partylines.”

Sure, Republican calls to look into Clinton’s possible ties with Epstein are also intended to dredge up memories of the former president’s tawdry sexual behavior as somekind of excuse for Trump’s.But theEpstein investigation isn’tabout adulterous trysts. It’saboutsexual abuse of girls young enough to be in junior high.

I’m hardly alone in believing that much of Trump’sdaily flame-throwing —fromtalking about 100% tariffs on Canada to staging military-like sieges of American cities —are related to changing the subject from, as he complains,“Epstein, Epstein, Epstein.” About the deportation of illegal immigrantswho committed crimes: Democrat Barack Obama did better than Trumpwithout the theatrics. Through his eight years in office, Obama quietly oversaw over 3.1 million deportations by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. By comparison, fewer than 932,000 were removed in Trump’sfirst term. And since Trumpreturned to office on Jan. 20, 2025, ICE has deported about 540,000 people. Trumpsurely wantstobury the public in daily spectacle tokeep thespotlight off the Epstein probe. Exempting Clinton from testifying would have only slowed it down.

Froma Harrop is on X, @ FromaHarrop.

Aparallel process fortrans inclusion in sports would have consisted of convincing people either that women’s sports reflect asocial distinction, not a biological one; that trans inclusion takes precedence over creating alevel playing field for biological females; or that trans women are biologically indistinguishable from cisgender women.All were tried. Noneworked.

The public was not receptive to the idea that females should step back and give males moreopportunities to winathletic competitions. As more trans womencompeted and won in women’ssports, it becameharder to argue that there wasnoresidual advantage.

The fallback strategy wastosuggest that it’snaive to think in termsofbiological binaries. Sex is a social construct, aspectrum,anincomprehensible mystery,like the inner workings of the Holy Trinity.Like all sacred mysteries, it is knowable not by any outward signs, but by inward revelation, and a person’stestimony to their own gnostic experience must be taken on faith by the rest of us.

The mostobvious problem with this argument is that it’snot so much an argument for trans inclusion as it is forabolishing women’ssports. What is the point of having acompetition that excludes cisgender men but puts Lia Thomas, atransgender woman, and Iszac Henig, atransgender man,inthe pool with cisgender women?

The law requires clear definitions, not ecstatic invocations of the infinite complexity of human experience. For mostnormal people, asking whether we can even know what awoman is doesn’tmake you look wise and compassionate; it makes you look crazy.Nowonder Republican senators keep asking progressives at hearings someversion of this question: “What is awoman?”

Nonefound agood answer,which could not be evaded by dressing asenator downfor transphobia, nor by challenging the premise of the question, nor by pleading ignorance. “I’m not abiologist,” Ketanji BrownJackson said during her confirmation hearing forthe SupremeCourt. Afraid to suggest that biology might matter morethan gender identity, not quite brave enough to assert the opposite, they instead madethemselves look foolish. As did writers and scientists whostarted insisting that even the idea of two sexes wassimplistic and unscientific. This worked among college-educated elites, bolstered by the fear of being called abigot. But tragically,the moretrans rights advanced, the more popular support retreated. Aclean compromise was available, similar to the compromise we madeon women’s sports: treat males and females as interchangeable in contexts where biology is irrelevant or minor,while reserving segregated spaces forcontexts where it is not. Advocates rejected that compromise in favor of an insistence that gender identity always trumps biology.The risk of all-or-nothing arguments is that they often end with nothing. MeganMcArdle is on X, @asymmetricinfo.

(Kenny), Kathy Watkins, Sandy (Randy) Sanders, Kerry (Sheila)Dunn, Sherry (Dale) Haydel, and Stacie (Kirk) Ordoyne; and sisters

-in-law: Rose Mary Wilhelm, Marion Territo, and Patricia Territo; brothersin-law: Joe (Tina) Territo, and Sam (Liz)Territo; and godchildren: Kelsey Sanders, Gavin Ordoyne, and Sean Wilhelm; as well as ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins,and fondest friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Ray Bernard Dunn; her mother, Adair Ellis Dunn; her brother, Claude Dunn; her nephew, Jason Dozier; and her in-laws: Joseph and LillieTerrito, and Bill Wilhelm.

In addition to her family and friends,Dana would especiallywant to express her gratitude to her "prayer warriors," those who were aconstant, caring, and supportive presence throughout her cancer journey: Fr. DavidAllen Danand Lisette Borne', Susie Cadena, Peggy Fairchild, Fran Fransen, SheilaHoward, Marcia Kirk, Liz and Russell LeDoux, Jane and Jean from Indiana, Trilby Lenfant, Claudia Menn, friends at MaxFitness gym, Deacon Curt Reeson,Nola Richard, Marshall and Debbie Roy, Sr. Cynthia Sabathier and the Sisters of St. Joseph Congregation, LuLu and RonnieScott, Claudetteand Dr. Bob St.

DEATHS continued from Amant, St. JudeCatholic Daughters, Deborah Sorrel, andKatherine Verberne, and allthose who wrote thoughtfulletters and cards to herduring her illness. Further,the family wishestoextendtheir deepest appreciationto the extraordinary oncologists and staffofthe Woman'sHospitalCancerPavilion and MD Anderson Gynecologic Oncology Associates(Houston), Haley at CenterWellHome Health,FranwithReskin WoundCare, Shelley and staffwith PinnacleHospice, and Karleyand the entirestaffatThe Crossing at ClarityHospice. The Rosary and visitation willbeheldonFriday January 30, 2026,atSt. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 9150 Highland Rd Baton Rouge, LA 70810. The Rosary willberecited at 9:00 a.m.,followedbya visitation from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. Aeulogy will be given at 10:45 a.m., and the Mass of ChristianBurialwill begin at 11:00a.m. Interment will follow immediately afterMassatSt. Gabriel CatholicChurchCemetery 3625 LA-75, St. Gabriel, LA 70776. In lieu of flowers, Dana wouldbemost pleased to have you send Memorial Donations to: The Peace with Dementia Rosary,c/o Matt Estrade,CarePartner Mentoring, LLC, 717 Rivers Oaks Dr., Covington,LA 70433-5056.

Weaver,Verina

Courville

Verina CourvilleWeaver, age91, passed away, leaving alegacy of love and family She was married to her husband, Jay Townsend Weaver,for 70 years. She waspreceded in deathby her sons, Alan Weaver and JayWeaver. She is survivedbyher husband, Jay Townsend Weaver; her children, Caye Weaver and Reed Weaver (Vickie); daughters-in-law Laura Weaver and Rene Weaver;grandchildrenJason(Blaire), Chad (Natalie), Brittany(Josh), Daniel (Amanda), Mandy, and Ashton; and tengreatgrandchildren.

Verina willberemembered forher strength and affectionfor children. She found joynurturing and spending time with the members of her family Services willbeheldat Greenoaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Saturday, January31, 2026. Visitation willbe

from9:00 a.m.to11:00 a.m.,followedbythe memorial serviceat11:00 a.m.

Wilbert,Clifford Reanord Clifford R. Wilbert, Sr., affectionatelyknown as "Chip," entered eternal rest on January17, 2026. Apublicviewing willbe held on Thursday,January 29, 2026, from5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Second Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 3059 GracieStreet,Baton Rouge, LA 70802. ACelebrationofLifeService will be held Friday, January30, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. at True Light Baptist Church, 3836 NorthStreet, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. Servicesare entrusted to Desselle Funeral Home 263 Eddie Robinson Sr. Drive Baton

Williams,

years, Alice worked as a teacher at FaithAcademy for many years whileher childrenwereinschool. Shelater builta long and respected career with State Farm, serving more than twodecades as a dedicated insurance producer. Beyond herprofessional life, Alice proudly volunteeredasanadvocate for CASAand faithfully participated as amemberofThe Church International. Alice cherished everymoment spent with herfamilyand friends; she adored hergrandchildren, buther great_grandchildren were thelight of her life. Alice Faye is survived by herchildren, Tiffani Williams, April Wascom andhusbandCraig,BridgetteHuston andhusband Jeff, andRobertC Williams, Jr.and wife Elizabeth;her grandchildren, Heather Hebert andhusbandChad, Chase Huston and wife Erica, LakenHanna andhusbandSandy, John Craig Wascom and wife Kat,Britt Caroand husband Blake, Landyn Gautreau,JoshuaBanks andwife Shelbi,Gabriel Wascom and fiancé Hope Honea, Gage Williams, Bree Garza, and Caitlyn Strong;her great-grandchildren, Rileyand Jack Huston, Emmett, Miles, and Grayson Hanna, Demi and Brooks Wascom, Samuel andJames Banks, andDani andScottie Caro. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert "Bobby"

Williams, Sr.; herparents, Clevelandand Drusilla Wells; hersiblings, Lyle Wellsand Elaine andMarvinTriche. Serviceswill be held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at The ChurchInternational, 13423 LA-431, St Amant, LA 70774. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am untilfuneral servicesat 11:00 am. Burial will follow at FaithfulUnited Methodist ChurchCemetery, 14235 La. 431 St Amant, LA. 70774. Pallbearerswill be Chase Huston, John Craig Wascom, Joshua Banks, Gabriel Wascom, Gage Williams, Blake Caro, andSandy Hanna. Arrangements entrustedwith Church Funeral ServicesofSt. Amant.

LARGE PERSONALITY

Nwoko’s outgoing demeanor just as big as his size for LSU

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

Jalen Courtney-Williams quickly learned LSU center Mike Nwoko’s favorite question.

“Why?”

“He has this big game that he wants to show off,” Courtney-Williams, a secondyear assistant coach at LSU, said. “Our job is to really refine it and cut the fat and, you know, his first question is why? And it’s a fair question, right? So just

helping him understand why that’s necessary what it means to be efficient.”

Nwoko is inquisitive at heart. It’s the root of how the 21-year-old became one of the most improved basketball players in the Southeastern Conference, upping every stat from his sophomore season at Mississippi State. In 21.3 minutes per game, the Toronto native is averaging eight more points (14.1), 1.3 more rebounds (5.9) and shooting 14.8 percentage points better from the field (an SEC-leading 67.3%) and 9.8

percentage points better from the freethrow line (70.6%)

Nwoko will showcase his on-court growth against his former team when LSU (13-7, 1-6 SEC) faces Mississippi State (10-10, 2-5) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

“Sincerely, I am excited about playing my old team,” Nwoko said. “(But) I’m just focused on one thing, which is to win the game and get our team better.”

ä See NWOKO, page 3C

Breakout not ‘magical’ for LSU G Richard

Sophomore’s adjustment to college game key for Tigers

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

She took away a top scorer She orchestrated the offense. Jada Richard, once again, gave the LSU women’s basketball team something it’s been missing lately

The Tigers played each of the past two seasons without a point guard. At least not one with all the tools Richard now is using to make sure coach Kim Mulkey’s system runs smoothly so it can power a younger group of players through its first stretch of challenging games against SEC opponents.

“It wasn’t like she didn’t have those skills last year,” Mulkey said. “It was just adjusting to this level of college.”

Now Richard is up to speed, as she’s shown throughout her breakout sophomore season. The 5-foot-7 Opelousas native pieced together another strong showing Monday, when she held one of the na-

tion’s five leading scorers in check on one end of the floor and notched a game-high 20 points on the other, leading the No. 6 Tigers (19-2, 5-2 SEC) to a 29-point win over Florida.

Richard is one of LSU’s most important players, and her emergence has made the Tigers less reliant on their stars. Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams can shoulder lighter offensive loads. MiLaysia Fulwiley can play with more freedom, less burdened with the extra responsibilities Mulkey gives her lead ballhandlers.

“Jada grew up being a point guard,” Mulkey said. “It’s not any magical thing I’ve done other than to maybe toughen her up, change a few mannerisms, make her

ä See RICHARD, page 3C

Coach Torina tweaks how LSU softball will operate

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU softball coach Beth Torina’s 2026 team will have a new look in her 15th season, from the outside in and inside out.

Eleven additions — five from the transfer portal and six incoming freshmen — grace the roster to better fit the challenges of an expanded SEC while the coach herself moves from the third-base coaching box to in the dugout all of the time. Another move into new territory is the election of three permanent team captains — senior catcher Maci Bergeron, senior center fielder Jalia Lassiter and sophomore first baseman Tori Edwards.

The fresh vibe is by design.

“It’s a strong group and there was a lot of intention in how we designed this roster,” Torina said at Tuesday’s media day “(Assistant coach) Bryce (Neal) was a voice from the outside of a lot of different things. He challenged us in different ways to develop a roster that provides us strength against any competition we face.

“They asked for it (permanent captains). They voted every week of the entire fall. It wasn’t a drop in the bucket popularity contest. These were the three most consistent leaders and three different personality types.” LSU, ranked as high as No. 12 by D1 Softball and No. 16 by NFCA, opens its season Feb. 5 against North Carolina State.

The 2025 season ended with a double thud of back-to-back losses to No. 4 regional seed Southeastern Louisiana followed by the unexpected loss of ace pitcher Sydney Berzon to the transfer portal a day later Berzon, now at Oklahoma, was one of seven portal departures, but Torina still had plenty to build around. Among the seven returnees is sophomore left-hander Jayden Heavener, who started her career with a perfect game and improved throughout the season to earn freshman All-America honors with

See TORINA, page 4C

BY JOHN WAWROW AP sportswriter

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y

The Buffalo Bills stayed in-house by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady as their new coach on Tuesday, in a move that provides continuity to a Josh Allen-led perennial winner that has accomplished everything short of reaching a Super Bowl. The team announced the five-year deal. The 36-year-old Brady just completed his fourth season in Buffalo and his second full season as coordinator He previously served as quarterbacks coach before taking over the offense after Ken Dorsey was fired midway through the 2023 season. Brady’s promotion came a little more than a week after Sean McDermott was fired after a nine-year tenure. He has no previous head coaching experience over eight NFL seasons. Brady broke into the league with the Saints by spending two seasons as an offensive assistant under Sean Payton. He left the Saints to serve as passing game coordinator on LSU’s 2019 national championship team. Considered an up-and-coming head coaching candidate, Brady returned to the NFL by taking over as the Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator before being fired late into the 2021 season.

Brady

Gauff loses chance at semifinals

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE,Australia A searing hot day turned into a sweltering night at the Australian Open and eventually Coco Gauff let off steam, shattering her racket after a lopsided loss to Elina Svitolina that cost her a place in the semifinals.

Day 10 of the season-opening major began with top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka beating 18-year-old Iva Jovic 6-3, 6-0 on Tuesday before the Extreme Heat Policy was activated and the roof was closed on Rod Laver Arena.

The center court was still under cover when No. 12 Svitolina stunned the third-seeded Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in 59 minutes to earn a semifinal against Sabalenka.

The men’s quarterfinals also were split into day and night sessions, with one played under a roof and the other under the stars.

Top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz moved within two wins of completing a career Grand Slam after a 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Australia’s Alex de Minaur to close play In his first semifinal in Australia, Alcaraz will take on 2025 runnerup Alexander Zverev who beat 20-year-old Learner Tien 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 7-6 (3) under cover in an afternoon match.

They’re 6-6 in head-to-heads, with Zverev winning the quarterfinal here in 2024, their only meeting in Australia.

“It’s going to be a great battle,” Alcaraz said. “I’m looking forward to playing him here, taking revenge.”

Svitolina’s streak

Weeks into a return from a mental health break, Svitolina is in the semifinals here for the first time, and is on a 10-match winning streak after starting the season with a title in Auckland, New Zealand.

The series of wins will put her back into the Top 10 next week

“Very pleased with the tournament so far and, of course, always been my dream to come back af-

ter maternity leave in the Top 10,” said Svitolina, a 31-year-old Ukrainian who is playing her 12th major tournament since taking a break in 2022.

She and Gael Monfils, the French player who is retiring this year, are parents to Skai.

Svitolina lost quarterfinals here in 2018, 2019 and last year, but she dominated Gauff from the outset.

The 21-year-old American struggled with her serve and recorded five double-faults in the first set, when she was broken four times.

She finally held in the fourth game of the second set, but by then it was too late. After leaving the court, the two-time major winner smashed her racket into the floor of a concrete ramp seven times on her way back to the player area.

Gauff said she tried to find a place where there was no cameras to let out her frustrations, and went to the quietest area she could find.

Svitolina, meanwhile, wanted to win for millions of people watching from afar

“It’s very close to my heart to see a lot of support from Ukrainians,” she said. “Right now it’s very — it was one of the toughest winters for Ukrainian people and without electricity and everything.

“So I feel like (I) bring this light, a little light, you know, even just positive news to Ukrainian people.”

Sabalenka-Jovic

Sabalenka is aiming for her third Australian Open crown in four years. She won back-to-back titles here in 2023 and 2024 and lost the final a year ago to Madison Keys.

The first of the quarterfinals was played outdoors, despite predictions of extreme heat. It was closed for subsequent matches after the tournament’s heat index hit the threshold.

“I guess, yeah, as a woman, we are stronger than the guys,” Sabalenka said at her news conference, laughing. “They had to close the roof for the guys so they don’t

Elina Svitolina

Australia, on Tuesday.

suffer!”

Sabalenka went up 3-0 in the first set and established her dominance early against the 29th-seeded Jovic. Jovic had three breakpoint chances in the ninth game, which lasted 10 minutes, but wasn’t able to convert against the world’s No. 1-ranked woman.

In the last game, Sabalenka served an ace on break point and clinched it with another ace on match point. She saved all five

break points she faced.

It gave her back-to-back wins over up-and-coming teenagers following her fourth-round victory over 19-year-old Canadian Vicky Mboko.

“These teenagers have tested me in the last couple of rounds, incredible player,” Sabalenka said of Jovic. “It was a tough match. Don’t look at the score. She played incredible tennis and pushed me to a one-step better level. It was a battle.”

Koepka ‘nervous’ ahead of return to PGA

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

SAN DIEGO Brooks Koepka was freed from the final year of his contract with Saudi-funded LIV Golf and the first person he called was Tiger Woods. Three weeks later, the PGA Tour created a path back for him that starts at Torrey Pines.

Koepka said Tuesday he can’t wait for the week to end because of all the attention. The gratitude of returning to the PGA Tour comes with the kind of nerves the fivetime major champion rarely experiences — wondering what others think about him.

“It feels a little bit different,” he said ahead of the Farmers Insurance Open, his first non-major on the PGA Tour since he lost in the quarterfinals of the Match Play in March 2022. “I’m definitely a little bit more nervous this week just coming back. But it feels good. I’m super grateful to be back.” Koepka cited the need to be closer to family as his main reason for wanting out of LIV His wife announced in early October she had a pregnancy loss at 16 weeks. Woods was partially responsible for Koepka’s path back, along with other player-directors on the PGA Tour board who worked with CEO Brian Rolapp in coming up with a plan for select players to return. Koepka is the first LIV defector, and it came at a price.

He is making a $5 million charity contribution (still to be decided with the tour), receives no FedEx Cup bonus money this year and has no access to equity shares in the PGA Tour for five years a value the tour has estimated at $50 mil-

Open at Oakmont Country Club on June 13 in Oakmont,

lion and beyond. He also can’t play the $20 million signature events until he qualifies on his own.

“I guess it’s a fresh start for me, which is cool,” Koepka said.

“It’s just another chapter I guess in my book I’m excited for that. I feel like my game’s in pretty good shape and I want to see where it’s at. Obviously this week is a little bit different Would just like to get this week over and just feel like I can start playing golf again.”

Woods never contemplated going to LIV and disparaged those who did — “They’ve turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position,” he said a month after LIV began — and he now is the leading player’s voice on the PGA Tour board.

Koepka said he’s always had a good relationship with Woods. Besides, he had never met Rolapp, who had been on the job barely six months. Commissioner Jay Monahan, who attended Koepka’s wedding a month before Koepka left for LIV in 2022, would have been next on his list.

Woods has been among several players who supported the decision to let Koepka back in, saying it made the PGA Tour stronger and ultimately would raise value for players who have been receiving equity shares. “It’s a win for everyone,” Woods said earlier this month.

Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1 player who shares the same manager as Koepka, also supported the decision.

Chio wins second SEC gymnast of week nod

Kailin Chio dominated the Southeastern Conference freshman of the week honors in 2025, winning the award a record nine times.

The LSU gymnast has started the 2026 season in similar fashion. On Tuesday, the Tigers sophomore was named SEC gymnast of the week for the second time in three weeks by the conference office. The honor came after she posted the nation’s first perfect 10 on Friday on balance beam against Kentucky and won the all-around title with a 39.775, the second-best total in the nation this season.

Chio also finished first on vault (9.95) and scored a 9.925 on floor and a 9.90 on uneven bars.Chio has won seven individual titles this season and 30 for her career in 18 meets.

Titans hire former Giants coach Daboll to run offense NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is an offensive coordinator again as part of new Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh’s staff.

The Titans announced the hire of Daboll on Tuesday Daboll, 50, has previously been an offensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns (2009-10), Miami Dolphins (2011), Kansas City Chiefs (2012) and Buffalo Bills (2018-21). He also was the University of Alabama’s offensive coordinator in 2017.

He was a part of five Super Bowl championships while working on Bill Belichick’s New England Patriots staffs from 2000-06 and 2013-16. Daboll also was part of Alabama’s 2017 national championship team.

Jets, OC Engstrand part ways after tough season

NEW YORK — Aaron Glenn is now in the market for both a new offensive and defensive coordinator On Tuesday, offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and the New York Jets mutually parted ways, sources confirm to the New York Daily News. Glenn and Engstrand had recently discussed his role moving forward. Glenn initially planned to keep Engstrand on staff while reducing his responsibilities, including stripping him of play-calling duties. But both sides thought it was best to part ways instead. The Jets under Engstrand fielded one of the worst offenses in the league last season. They finished No 29 in both yards and points per game.

Giants, outfielder Bader agree to two-year contract

“I think it’s good getting someone back on tour that want to be back,” Scheffler said last week. “Brooks had a desire to come back to the tour The last few months he certainly had a large desire to get back to the tour, and I’m glad that Brian and the team and the board was able to find an avenue for him to be able to get back and start competing out here again.”

Still to be determined, at either Torrey Pines or next week in the Phoenix Open, is how golf fans receive a player who bolted from the PGA Tour after the 2022 U.S. Open for a rival league that was paying outrageous signing bonuses. Koepka once confirmed his was “nine figures.”

He returns to a PGA Tour in the midst of big changes. Woods leads the Future Competition Committee that is reshaping the schedule so that every event feels like a big one. There are 11 tournaments with prize money of at least $20 million, not counting the four majors.

Is it better than when he left?

“I’m two days in,” Koepka said with a smile.

Justin Rose answered that for him last week when asked about Koepka’s return.

“We’ve all benefited from this chaos in one way or another,” Rose said. “It’s been good for tour players in the sense the powers that be pushed a little harder in our direction with equity in the tour and prize funds.

“But we need a premium product,” he said. “And this is the first time we’ve had someone who moves the needle come back our way.”

SAN FRANCISCO Free agent outfielder Harrison Bader and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $20.5 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Monday

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal was subject to a successful physical and had not been announced.

Bader confirmed the agreement on “The Show with Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman,” a New York Post podcast. Bader shared how he came up with San Francisco third baseman Matt Chapman in the Texas League and also faced Willy Adames in the NL Central when the shortstop was with the Brewers and Bader was on the Cardinals.

Cavaliers forward Mobley to miss up to three weeks CLEVELAND Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley will be sidelined for the second time this season due to a strained left calf, the team said Tuesday

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is expected to miss 1 to 3 weeks.

Mobley suffered the injury during Monday night’s 114-98 victory over the Orlando Magic. He had tightness in the calf after the game and an MRI on Tuesday revealed the strain.

Mobley missed five games in December with a Grade 1 strain of the calf. The fifth-year 7-footer is averaging 17.9 points and 8.8 rebounds in 40 games.

Mobley recorded his 500th blocked shot on Monday night,

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NWOKO

Continued from page 1C

Courtney-Williams has been around his fair share of big men in basketball. The 33-year-old was a 6-foot-8 forward himself at LSU for three years and has been on coaching staffs in the SEC and Big East. Nwoko’s outgoing nature is a rarity at the position, the assistant said.

“His personality is bigger than his 6-10, 260 frame,” CourtneyWilliams said. “A lot of big guys tend to be a little bit more timid, they want to hide just because of how, you know, their life was growing up. They’re always bigger than everybody else, and they want to fit in. So they try to make themselves shrink a little bit. So I think it’s really unique when you get a big guy that’s completely (himself).

“Just his personality is bigger than he is, and his game is bigger It’s fun.”

When Nwoko’s teammates tease him because they hear his music when he parks his car, the center will accept the playful jabs and continue blasting his Afrobeats songs by Burna Boy and Wizkid.

LSU walk-on Jaden Bobbett, who has been in locker rooms at Division III Middlebury College and the Big Ten at Indiana, is roommates with Nwoko during road games and calls him the “ultimate teammate.”

“He has so much energy, so much joy, so much love and he’s competitive,” Bobbett said. “He’s not worried to voice his opinion when he needs to, and he tells the real.

“And he just wants to win. He’s an ultimate competitor.”

Nwoko’s dad, Leonard Nwoko, said his son isn’t easily discouraged. He and his younger sister, Krystle Nwoko, who plays volleyball at IMG Academy, are alike as high leapers who exude confidence.

Amid LSU’s struggles with Thomas sidelined for almost three weeks, Nwoko’s competitive streak and curiosity didn’t take a back seat. That was crucial after he scored six or fewer points in four straight games after a 21-point outing against Texas A&M in the SEC opener His skills trainer, Filip Music, said the junior is a true “student of the game.”

By The Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Major col-

lege basketball’s longest winning streak in more than a decade ended at 24 games Tuesday night with No. 5 Nebraska’s 75-72 loss at No. 3 Michigan.

“To beat Michigan, you have to play almost perfect and we had a lapse at the end,” Cornhuskers guard Sam Hoiberg said.

Nebraska did not score over the final 3:20, missing its last five shots after leading most of the game despite two key players being out of the lineup.

“That just proved, hopefully to everybody, most importantly to the guys in the locker room, that we can compete with anybody,” coach Fred Hoiberg said Rienk Mast missed the game with an illness as did double-digit scorer Braden Frager, who was out for a second straight game with an ankle injury

“It’s unfortunate, but I give our guys a lot of credit for the fight they showed in the game from start to finish,” Fred Hoiberg said.

The 24-game winning streak was an improbable run for a school with a modest history in men’s basketball. Nebraska has emerged as the feel-good story of the season before hitting a bump in the road at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Cornhuskers’ previous loss came in last year’s final regularseason game, 83-68 to Iowa at home on March 9.

The streak started when they swept through four games to win the inaugural College Basketball Crown Tournament in Las Vegas in April.

“We haven’t had this feeling in a long time. It’s been almost a year,” Fred Hoiberg said. “They were hurt by it. We’re going to find out what we’re made of.”

Nebraska will have some time to regroup before hosting No. 9 Illinois on Sunday

No 2 UCONN 87, PROVIDENCE 81: In

Storrs, Connecticut, Tarris Reed Jr scored seven of his 19 points in the final five minutes as UConn beat Providence to become the first team to open 10-0 in Big East play in seven years.

Solo Ball had 17 points, Silas Demary added 15 points and six assists, and Eric Reibe had 14 points and eight rebounds for UConn. The Huskies opened a season 20-1 for the sixth time, but the first since the 1998-99 campaign. Villanova in 2018-19 was the last team to start 10-0 in the Big East Malachi Smith had 12 points and seven assists as the Huskies won their 16th straight game.

No. 7 MICHIGAN STATE 88, RUTGERS 79:

In Piscataway, New Jersey, Jeremy Fears scored 27 of his careerhigh 29 points in the second half and overtime, and Michigan State outlasted Rutgers.

Fears also had nine assists, including a pass to Divine Ugochukwu for the tying 3-pointer from the corner with 11 seconds left in regulation.

When the Spartans (19-2, 9-1 Big Ten) scored the first points of overtime on two free throws by Jaxon Kohler, it was their first lead since they were ahead 9-8. Michigan State pushed ahead 7873 and led comfortably from there on the way to its seventh straight win.

No 15 ARKANSAS 83, OKLAHOMA 79: In Norman Oklahoma freshman star Darius Acuff had 21 points and nine assists, and Arkansas held off Oklahoma.

Meleek Thomas added 16 points for the Razorbacks (16-5, 6-2 Southeastern Conference), who have won four of their past five games. Arkansas shot 55.6% from the field despite making just 2 of 17 3-pointers.

Nijel Pack scored 22 points for Oklahoma (11-10, 1-7 SEC), which lost its seventh straight.

No. 17 VIRGINIA 100, NOTRE DAME 97, 2 OT: In South Bend, Indiana, Thijs De Ridder scored a career-high 32 points and Virginia matched the biggest comeback in school history, rallying from a 19-point firsthalf deficit to beat Notre Dame in double overtime. Sam Lewis added 21 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Cavaliers, and his 3-pointer with 3 seconds left in the first OT tied it at 85-all. Lewis also scored Virginia’s final four points after De Ridder fouled out with 45 seconds left in the second OT

No. 21 SAINT LOUIS 79, GEORGE WASHINGTON 76: In St. Louis, Robbie Avila scored a season-high 22 points and hit a tiebreaking 3-pointer with three seconds left to lift Saint Louis to a victory over George Washington.

Trey Green matched career bests with 23 points and six 3-pointers for the Billikens (20-1, 8-0 Atlantic 10), who won their 14th straight game and are off to the best 21game start in school history

Tyrone Marshall and Christian Jones each scored 15 points, and Rafael Castro had 12 points, 18 rebounds, four blocks and three steals for George Washington (13-8, 4-4).

The Revolutionaries were seeking their first road win against a Top 25 team in 24 tries, dating to an upset of top-ranked Massachusetts in 1996.

No. 23 ALABAMA 90, MISSOURI 64: In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Latrell Wrightsell scored 21 points, all on 3-pointers, and Labaron Philon had 18 as Alabama routed Missouri.

Aiden Sherrell added 16 points and Charles Bediako had 14 for the Crimson Tide.

Wrightsell went 7 for 10 from 3-point distance and took only one shot inside the arc. Alabama (14-6, 4-3 Southeastern Conference) debuted a new starting lineup with the 7-foot Bediako, allowed to play again after a judge delayed a hearing in his eligibility case against the

When asked in a news conference about what he saw on the court after scoring 29 points and missing three shots against Alcorn State, he’ll say that he saw “baby food.” After an 18-point win over Florida International, he graded the team’s performance a D- because it didn’t reach the standard.

In another postgame news conference, he joked that whenever Dedan Thomas turns down 3-pointers when a defender goes under a screen, he threatens him with a blow to the chest. The 6-1 point guard said his favorite lob target is a great person on and off the court.

RICHARD

Continued from page 1C

understand you won four state championships, and you had to be the scorer

“You don’t have to be the scorer here, but you can be.”

Before this season, LSU hadn’t received a 20-point game from one of its point guards since Hailey Van Lith scored 26 in a road win over Tennessee on Feb. 25, 2024. She hit that mark in only three of the 16 games she played against SEC opponents in her lone season with the Tigers.

Richard has tallied at least 20 points in two of LSU’s last three contests. In league play, she’s shooting 46% from the field and 37% from 3-point range. Against the Gators (13-9, 1-6), Richard shot 6 of 10 from the field, 2 of 3 from 3-point range and 6 of 6 at the free-throw line. She scored 12 of her points in the third quarter when the Tigers built an insurmountable lead She drained pull-up jumpers in the mid-range and catch-and-shoot shots from beyond the arc. Richard also played tight defense on Florida star Liv McGill, a 23.4 points per game scorer who finished with only 14 points Monday Richard kept walling off her drives to the rim, turning in a performance reminiscent of the one she threw together against

“Mike always asks questions,” said Music, who has worked with Nwoko since his high school junior season. “He’s always like, ‘OK, why am I gooing to do this move? When would I do this move?’ You know, he’s constantly looking to get better, and that’s something I don’t really experience with a lot of guys.”

In Nwoko’s last two contests against No 19 Florida and No 15 Arkansas, he averaged 15.5 points on 63.2% shooting 2.5 offensive rebounds and 1.5 steals in 25 minutes.

The physical gifts, touch around the rim and the mind to learn the reason for everything are why coach Matt McMahon said Nwoko “can be as good as he wants to be.”

Oklahoma star freshman Aaliyah Chavez on Jan. 18.

Mulkey said she may keep asking Richard to take on the toughest defensive assignment on the perimeter moving forward, especially if that opposing player is a point guard.

“I would say it starts with her,” Mulkey said, “but I think we have two or three (defenders), depending on who’s the best player on the perimeter for the opposing team.”

That’s an example of how Richard’s breakout has unlocked a more dangerous version of LSU. Johnson may have had to defend Chavez or McGill in previous seasons, but now she doesn’t have to, which means she can save more of her energy for the offensive end of the floor

And if Johnson’s shot isn’t falling, Richard has shown she can pick up the slack. She’s scored at least 10 points in six of the seven SEC matchups LSU has played so far largely through a healthy diet of pull-up jumpers and spotup 3s.

Richard canned three more of those shots on Monday, a night in which her breakout season chugged along, reminding the Tigers exactly what they were missing for the last two seasons.

“I always knew I can get to this stage,” Richard said. “It was just a matter of me being humble and just putting my head down and going to work.”

ToughcoachinghelpedPatriotsQBMaye

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro football writer

Drake Maye got thetough coaching he wanted and thrived

The 23-year-old Maye is one victoryaway from being the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win aSuper Bowl.He is grateful to have coach Mike Vrabel and offensivecoordinator Josh McDanielsinNew England.

The Patriots went from 4-13 under Jerod Mayo in Maye’srookie season to 14-3. They won their 12th AFC championship game andwill seek arecord seventh Super Bowl title when they face the Seattle Seahawks on Feb. 8. “Coach McDaniels andcoach Vrabel coming in,they’ve been awesome,” Maye told The Associated Press. “Two coaches that have made ahugeimpact on not only us as ateam, but my personal playand personallife outside of football. Ithink one of the biggest thingsabout them is they coach me hard,but they care about me as apersonand they want the best for me. They coach me hard each andevery day.And, it’snot always about football, it’sabout life and leadership and things that go along wayplaying my positionatquarterback. And Ithink, from there Ashton Grant in the quarterback room, as well as the quarterbacks in the room, man, we got agreat group. I’m just fortunate enoughtohave greatplayers around me.”

Thesupportingcast includes wide receiver Stefon Diggs,running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson and

tight end Hunter Henry

Selected No. 3overall in the 2024 draft behind Caleb Williams andJayden Daniels, Maye started 12 games as arookie and was 3-9. He threw for 2,276 yards,15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions on ateam thatlacked talent and direction.

Vrabel, McDaniels andGrant cameinand quickly unlocked hispotential. Maye threw for 4,394 yardswith 31 TDs and only eightpicks thisseason, becoming afinalist for the AP NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year awards. He led the league in completion rate (72.0%) and passerrating (113.5), and also rushed for 450 yards and four TDs, earning second-team AP All-Prohonors.

“Having the experience from lastyear,I’m fortunate enough my rookie season to get some starts and play meaningful football and just understandwhat theleague is like, what it’sabout, what the defenses are like, kind of running the offense, running theshow,” Maye said.

“Playing quarterback in this league at thislevel is tough. It takesalot.And Ithink knowing that our job playing quarterback is one of the toughest jobs in sports, but alsoit’sone of the most rewarding. And justfeeling that and translating that in my year two and learning anew offense.”

TomBrady, Kurt Warner, Russell Wilson and Ben Roethlisberger won Super Bowls in their second seasons in the NFL.

Joe Burrow,Brock Purdy,Colin Kaepernick andDan Marino got

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

NewEngland Patriots quarterback DrakeMayecelebrates with atrophy after the AFC championshipgame between the DenverBroncos and the NewEngland Patriots on SundayinDenver. thereand lost. Marino is the youngesttostart thegame. Roethlisberger is the youngest to win it.

Maye’sonlyother trip to the SuperBowl alsowas at Levi’s Stadium,home of the SanFrancisco 49ers. Tenyears ago, he was afan in the crowdcheering forCam Newtonand the Carolina PanthersagainstPeyton Manning and the Denver Broncos.

Denverdominatedina 24-10 win.Fittingly,Mayebecame the firstquarterback to lead the Patriotstoaroad win over the Broncos in the playoffs. “It’s full circle,” he said. “My dad, when Iwas maybe in seventh grade, saidifthe Panthers made it, we were going to go. It washeartbreaking,theylost to the Broncos. Butno, it was a good experience for akid my age who loved football, loved quarterbacks. That wasPeyton’slast game.What aHall of Fame career he had. Pretty cool to be full circle, going back here 10 years later,and Ithink it’sjust aspecial moment for this wholeteam.” Maye hasn’t playedhis best in

Broncos QB Nix’sankle fracture wasonly‘a matter of when’

BY ARNIE STAPLETON AP Pro Football Writer

ENGLEWOOD,Colo. SeanPayton

said at his season-ending news conferenceTuesday that Denver Broncos quarterbackBo Nixhad apreexisting ankle condition that make afracture inevitable.

Nix broke abone in his right ankle on Denver’sgame-winning drive in the Broncos’ 33-30 overtime victory overthe Buffalo Bills in the divisional round of theplayoffs.

Nix flew to Birmingham, Alabama, last weekfor an operation performed by Dr.Norman E. Waldrop III, arenowned foot and ankle specialist at the Andrews Sports Medicine and OrthopedicCenter

Nix watchedfrom asuite Sunday as backup Jarrett Stidhamtook his place in Denver’s10-7 losstothe New England Patriots in the AFC championship game.

On Tuesday,the Broncos’brass provided the fullest accounting yet of Nix’sinjury,with Payton saying apreexisting issue madethe fracture“amatter of when.”

“What was found was acondition that was predisposed —they always find alittle more when they go in,” Payton said. “It wasn’t amatter of if, it was amatterof when. When you look atthe play and you’re tryingtoevaluate it the operating surgeon said that this was going to happen sooner than later.Now,you go about the rehab, properorthotics,all those things.” Payton said he has no concerns about Nix’shealth goingforward even though Nix has had several ankleoperations going back to high school.

“So listen, he’ll rehab his tail

TORINA

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a13-5 record, 2.75 ERA and 152 strikeouts in 1192/3 innings. Edwards also earned afreshman All-America nod with 18 homers, 73 RBIs and a.383 batting average. She’salready earned preseason All-America projections and is on several watch lists.

Bergeron had her best offensive season with nine homers,49RBI and a.364 average while remaining one of the top defensive catchers in the nation With morefinancialsupport from the athletic departmentfor NIL money,Torinaadded notable transfers Kylee Edwards, Ally Hutchins andChar Lorenz. Kylee Edwards, from MississippiState, and Hutchins, from Kentucky, bring power and awealth of experience, each having started 100

off and get ready and getback to being healthy,” Payton said. “I think for someonewho runs with the ball, Ithink he’sdone apretty good job of protectinghimself, not allthe time, but forthe most part, he’s done apretty good job of slidingand understandingplaying for another day.”

General manager George Paton said Nix is tracking to return in Maywhenthe Broncos begin organized team activities.

Just before going to the lectern for his wrapup news conference, Payton said he saw Nix cruising aroundteamheadquartersonhis medical scooter,which he’ll use until he graduatestocrutches and then awalkingboot.

“He was just up above us here,”

Payton saidfrom theatrium of the Broncos’ suburban headquarters.

“I said, ‘What are you doing? Getting your scooter laps in?’

“You have to know him.He’s

plus games on the infieldintheir two-year careers.

Lorenz started 50 games at Louisville, mostly in left field, and hit nine homers while batting .368.

“I would imagine probablyall three in the opening daylineup right off the bat,” Torina said. Lassiter,who hit .330 last year after astrong finish,isastrong candidatetoreplace Danieca Coffey as the leadoff hitter while Sierra Daniel is also back after hitting .381 with 43 starts and 50 games played.

Torina saidbeing in the dugout full time should help with the seven-player pitching staff that added Cece Cellurafrom San Diego State andPaytn Monticelli from Oklahoma. Cellura pitched 262 innings in two seasons while compiling a2714 record. Monticelli hasstruck out 125batters in 1202/3 career innings. Holdover Tatum Clopton compiledan8-2 recordasLSU’s

fidgety to begin with,”Payton said.

“He might have justbeen getting his scooter laps. He was up there, like, in an areahe’d never be in department-wise. He’shandling it like apro. Man, I’m sure there’s disappointmentfor him to have to watch” on Sunday

Nixled theBroncos(15-4)toa franchise record-tying 14 wins in the regularseason andtheir first playoff triumph sinceSuper Bowl 50 adecade ago. He’s won 25 games in two seasons and hasan NFL-best 11 game-winningdrives in thefourth quarter or overtime during that span.

“It’sdifficulttoget as far as he broughtus, andthenalsotosee one of his contemporaries,someone in his draft classwho he would have loved to have competed against, advance,” Payton saidofPatriots QB Drake Maye, who was Nix’s predraft training partner

“It’s atough deal.”

third option last season.

“It’stough to lose aplayer like (Berzon) but Iabsolutely love the atmosphere in the bullpen,” Torina said. “It has adifferent feel. It’s astaffmentality which is how it should be.Everyone pulls for each other,theyeach have a specificrole and understand their strengths.”

Torina willhand third-base coaching duties to assistant Sandra Moton while newly hired fulltime assistant and former Tigers shortstop Taylor Pleasants will coach first base.

“It was hard, but probably a decision Ishould have made earlier,” Torina said. “I enjoyed it in the fall. Ican seethe game alittle more global. If one of the pitchers needs me, Ican step into the bullpen.

“Itwill providemea lotofopportunities to manage the game differently.Inall eight fall ball games it felt great.”

theplayoffs. He’s completedjust 55.8% of his passes for533 yards, fourTDs, two interceptions and haslost three fumblesand been sacked 15 times in three games. He’sused his legs effectively, rushing for 141 totalyards and theteam’sonlyTDinthe 10-7 winover Denver on Sunday “That’sthe great thingabout Drake, his abilitytoextend plays and if it’snot there, gainchunks,” Vrabel said. “He’sdone that most of the year.Again, we’ll have to get alot of things corrected, and we’ll have to play our best foot-

Colorado coach Sandersinstitutes increasedfines

BY PATGRAHAM AP sportswriter

For the Colorado Buffaloes, there’sastiffprice to pay for being late to football practice: a $500 fine. Not showing up at all? That’sa $2,500 penalty Coach Deion Sanders is cracking down on violations of team rules with heftier fines for his players. Fresh off a3-9 season, Sanders unveiledhis fine structure during his first meeting with theteam last Friday.The fees areseen in the background of a video posted by “Well Off Media,” thesocial mediacompany runbyhis oldest son,Deion Jr., that chronicles the team.

It’snot connected to name, image and likeness licensing agreements, and not related to on-field performance. It’sstrictly forviolating team rules, which is permissible, according to the school. This isn’tthe first time Sanders hasenacted afine system It’sjust now more costly Otherfines thatcouldbeassessedinclude $2,000 for being ano-show to ameeting or film session ($400 for being late), $1,500 for not showing up to a strength and conditioning workout, $1,000 forbeing late to treatment ($1,500 for ano-show),up to $2,500 for aviolationofteam rulesand up to $5,000 forpublic or social media misconduct. Sandersalsobanned profanity outside of the meeting room and

especially in the dining area because, “we’re not theonly ones in the cafeteria. Youneed to be respectful.” In addition, Sanders stressed the importance of being respectful to women.

One of his biggest forbidden items was directedattransfers: T-shirts, sweatshirts or anyother gear of their formerteam.

“That’s disrespectful,” Sanders said in the video. “That would be likeyour lady thatyou have currently wearingher (ex-boyfriend’s) stuff. Howdoyou feel about that? She’ssitting up there with ashirtonthathad her(exboyfriend’s) name. That’show Ifeelabout that when Isee you come into the cafeteria —you eat our food with your lastteam on. Obviously,ifyou wanted to stay there, you should’ve stayed.” Sandershad his staff introduce themselves at the meeting, including his head of security, Michael Rhodes.Herevealed he fields aboutfive deaththreatsa dayand warned the team about being mindful of who they let into the building.

“Everybody’strying to get to Coach Prime,” Rhodes said. “Those people trying to get to him,not all of them have good intentions.”

New offensive coordinator BrennanMarionbrieflytalked to the team as well. He’s implementing the high-tempo, runoriented“Go-Go” system for quarterback Julian “JuJu” Lewis to run.

Mensah, Duke resolve their legal fight

Settlement clears way for QB to transfer

BY AARON BEARD Associated Press

The legal fight between Duke and Darian Mensah is over Now the quarterback can transfer elsewhere after bringing the Blue Devils an unexpected Atlantic Coast Conference title.

The school and Mensah’s agency released statements Tuesday confirming they had reached a settlement without providing any details It came roughly a week after Duke filed a lawsuit seeking to block Mensah’s efforts to transfer and reach a contract with another school to play elsewhere next season. The case was scheduled for a hearing Thursday in Durham County Superior Court, with a judge having granted Duke’s request for a temporary restraining order blocking Mensah from doing anything beyond entering his name into the transfer portal.

Attorneys for both sides filed a joint motion with the court Tuesday morning for dismissal, citing a “confidential agreement” reached to resolve the case.

Mensah, who transferred from Tulane and led the Blue Devils to their first outright ACC title since 1962, had signed a two-season contract in July 2025 running through 2026 that paid him for exclusive rights to market his name, image and likeness tied to playing college football.

That became the latest in what is becoming a more frequent occurrence in the revenue-sharing

era of college sports: potential legal fights over contracts between schools and players seeking to transfer

Resolution and next moves

“We are committed to fulfilling all promises and obligations Duke makes to our student-athletes when we enter into contractual agreements with them, and we expect the same in return,” the school said in a statement “Enforcing those agreements is a necessary element of ensuring predictability and structure for athletic programs.

“It is nonetheless a difficult choice to pursue legal action against a student and teammate; for this reason we sought to resolve the matter fairly and quickly.”

Young Money APAA Sports, which represents Mensah, issued a statement in a social media post saying the agency had “successfully navigated an unprecedented path one that has now reached a fair and mutually agreeable resolution.”

“Darian extends his sincere gratitude to Duke University for engaging in good-faith discussions and reaching this resolution,” the agency said. “He wishes the Blue Devils, Coach (Manny) Diaz, the staff and the entire fan base continued success in the seasons ahead

“The 2025 ACC championship run will forever stand as a remarkable chapter in Duke football history, one Darian is proud to have been part of.”

Mensah was in the process

Tuesday of scheduling and going through a visit to Miami, a person familiar with the quarterback’s plans told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because those details were not revealed publicly Miami has long been expected to be Mensah’s landing spot. The Hurricanes have excelled with portal quarterbacks, getting No. 1 overall NFL draft pick Cam Ward for the 2024 season and bringing in Carson Beck for this year’s run to the national championship game.

Receiver Cooper Barkate, Mensah’s top target at Duke with 1,106 yards and seven scores, has also entered the transfer portal but has yet to announce his next stop.

Legal fight

Mensah, who transferred in from Tulane and even faced his former team, finished second in the Bowl Subdivision ranks by throwing for 3,973 yards while ranking tied for second with 34 passing touchdowns.

Mensah and Duke announced his return in December, coming between the Blue Devils’ overtime win against Virginia for the ACC title and their Sun Bowl win against Arizona State. But Mensah abruptly reversed course with hours left before the Jan. 16 window closed for players to enter their name into the transfer portal, deleting the Instagram video announcing his return and tweeting his intention to depart.

Duke sued Mensah to block his

move three days later arguing the contract required parties to go through arbitration before any dispute can be resolved.

The Blue Devils unsuccessfully sought to block Mensah from entering his name into the portal entirely But a judge did grant the temporary restraining order blocking Mensah from taking any additional steps such as enrolling elsewhere or reaching a financial deal tied to play for a new school until the upcoming hearing meaning Mensah could do little other that state his intention to transfer

That hearing was originally slated for Feb. 2 before Mensah’s attorney filed an emergency motion asking the judge to “reconsider” the temporary restraining order,

SCOREBOARD

Reach for the sky

as well as moving up the hearing date. In a striking passage, Mensah’s filing argued that “neither Mensah nor counsel was aware of any enrollment deadlines” at the case’s first hearing on Jan. 20. In an accompanying affidavit, Mensah stated he “learned for the first time” that enrollment deadlines at other schools would expire Friday and that he was “not informed” of deadlines before the hearing. A judge moved up that hearing a few days, but the potential of going through arbitration — Duke had already filed the request to start that process — would have lengthened this case even more. Now Mensah is cleared to enroll at another school ahead of spring practices for the 2026 season this fall.

Senior Bowlanintriguingweekfor Saints

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

TheNew OrleansSaintshavea long history of drafting players they scout at the Senior Bowl.

Lastyear’shaul included quarterback Tyler Shough, cornerback Quincy Riley,running back Devin Neal andtight endMolikiMatavao

The year before that yielded tackle Taliese Fuaga, quarterback SpencerRattler andlinebackerJaylan Ford. New Orleans’ classes in 2023 and 2022 also netted several Senior Bowl participants.

Chances are the Saintswill dip into the well again this year,which makes this week of Senior Bowl practices all the more important Hereare four Saints-relatedSenior Bowl questions as practices for the all-star outing began Tuesday in Mobile, Alabama: Coaching advantage?

Kellen Moore’scoaching staff is well represented in Mobile, with running backs coach Joel Thomas serving as the headcoach of the American Team and several other assistants taking on other important roles. That will allow Saints coaches to get aclose look at an intriguing group of prospects that includes Florida defensive tackle

BRADY

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Brady shared abond with McDermott, as both playedcollege at William &Mary.Brady played receiver and upon graduating in 2012,hetook on arole with the Tribe as linebackers coach.

Brady was the firsttointerview for the Bills job in asearch that began Jan. 21.

Aside from Buffalo, Brady also interviewed for five other NFL openings.

Buffalo eventually met with nine candidates in an interview process led by general manager Brandon Beane that included Allen. Buffalo was the 10th and final teamtohave acoaching vacancy, and missed outoninterviewing John Harbaugh, who washired

Carl Banks, Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun and USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane.

Of that trio, Banks is seen as a potential first-rounder,though New Orleansdoesn’thave astrong needatthat position.Igbinosun, a 6-foot-2, 193-pound corner,could be an interesting Day 2option

by the New York Giants.

Amongthe candidates were formerGiantscoach Brian Daboll, whowas the Buffalooffensive coordinator before landing the jobinNew York

The Bills also interviewed Jacksonville offensive coordinator Grant Udinskiand 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers, who removed hisname from considerationthree days aftermeeting with Buffalo.

UnderBrady,the Bills offense took afar more balanced approach in part to take the burden off of Allen. Brady also introduced what became known as an “Everybody Eats,” share-thewealth approach to thepassing game, which followed Buffalo trading leading receiver Stefon Diggs to Houston in April 2024.

The approach worked the following season, withAllenearn-

if Alontae Taylor leaves in free agency,while Lane —a6-4 jumpball-catchingspecialist— would give theSaints ashinynew redzone target Regardless, the Saintsare comingoff theirbestdraft classin years, and getting adetailed look at an entire team of prospects

ing MVP honors for his 28 touchdowns passing (plus 12 rushing) andacareer-lowsix interceptions to areceiving group led by Khalil Shakir’s76receptions for 821 yards.

Thisseason, theBills offense ranked fourth in the NFL in total yards and tied for fourth in scoring. Though Buffalo was knocked for amiddlinggroup of receivers, fourth-year running back James Cook finished with 1,621 yards rushing to become the first Bills player to lead the NFL in rushing since O.J. Simpson in 1976. It’snow on Brady to get theBills over the hump in the postseason. In nine seasons, McDermott transformed alongtimeloser ending Buffalo’s17-year playoff drought in his first season —into afranchise that became theNFL’s onlyteamtoqualifyfor thepostseason in eachofthe past seven

should helptheir evaluations this year

Whoare potentialplaymakers?

The Saints are projected to have eight draft picks in April when factoring in thecompensatorypick they likely will receive forPaulson Adebo’s departure in free agency last spring. That gives them ample opportunity to find playmakers to help Shough, who’scoming offan electric rookie season.

The SeniorBowlwon’t have regarded prospects such as Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate or Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, but there are opportunities for others to boost their stock.

Specifically,several draftanalysts have remarked thatthere isn’ta clear-cut “RB2” in this year’sdraft behind Love. Perhaps that opens thedoor for someone like Penn Staterunning back Nick Singleton or Washington running back Jonah Coleman. At wide receiver, ESPN named Missouri’sKevin Coleman (5-11, 174 pounds)asapotential sleeper

Howgood is D-lineman class?

Unfortunately,Miami’sRuebenBainand TexasTech’s David Bailey are no longer expected to attend the Senior Bowl after pre-

years.

Buffalo had10ormore wins in each of those seven years and enjoyed afive-year stretchas AFC East champions before going12-5and finishing second to Super Bowl-bound New England this season. On thedownside, theBills became theNFL’s first team to win aplayoff round in six straight years but not make the Super Bowl.

The closest Buffalo came were AFCchampionship game appearances in the 2020 and ’24 seasons, bothending in losses at Kansas City

The shortcomings led to owner Terry Pegula saying he believed theBills “hit the proverbial playoff wall” in firing McDermott after a33-30 overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round on Jan. 17

viously committing to it. Despite the lack of star power,this year’s defensive line classisarguably the deepest position in the draft.

The Saints could use another edge rusher,even though Chase Young andCam Jordan each recordeddouble-digit sacksin2025. Miami’sAkheem Mesidor,Clemson’sT.J.Parkerand Alabama’s LT Overton are among those worth watching in Mobile. Will anynewsbreak in Mobile?

Unlike last year,the Saints don’t have to worry about conducting a head coaching search during SeniorBowl week. The year before that, New Orleanswas in the midst of an offensive coordinator search. Despite no large issue overshadowingthisyear’sevent,there are still several unanswered questions surrounding this offseason. Will the Saints bring back Demario Davis and Jordan? Will Taysom Hill retire? How aggressive will the Saints be in free agency?

This week won’tprovide all those answers, but with teamsgathering in Mobile, there could be enough exchanging of information forthe rumor mill to churn.

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

LIVING

Lauren Cheramie BONVIVANT

Bon vi·vant /noun/ asociable personwho has cultivatedand refined tastes, especially with respect to food and drink

In theknow

The birria tacos are now on the menu full-time at Luna Cocina,3109 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge. They’re made with slow-braised meat cooked in aspicy chili broth and served with dipping sauce.

Trythe Mardi Gras menu at Caroline’sCookies,110 Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge. All feature cinnamon almond dough braided together with brown sugar cinnamon filling. The menu is available until Feb. 9, and there are nine flavorsto choose from: original, cream cheese, pecan cream cheese, blueberry cream cheese, strawberry cream cheese, Biscoff, Bavarian, chocolate and Dubaichocolate.

Daddy-daughter dinner:Wednesday,Feb. 4, at Jubans Restaurant and Bar,3739 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge Jubans is celebrating dads and their daughterswith its special dinner service. The menu includes chicken noodle soup, filet mignon with mashed potatoes, cereal-crusted chicken tenders with mac and cheese, funfetti cakeand more. Tickets are $25 per child,with adrink of choiceincluded. The photo booth is available for $1 that night. Visit www.jubans. com/daddy-daughter-dinner for more information.

Galentine’sopen play:6 p.m. to 8p.m. Wednesday,Feb. 4, at Superior Grill, 7333 Highland Road, Baton Rouge Mahjong Rouge, atraveling mahjong teaching group, is hosting open play to celebrate “Galentine’sDay” at Superior Note that openplay does not include formal lessons.Register as atable of four at tinyurl. com/4pxkc7d5 for $120 Wine andspirits

Wine dinner:7 p.m. to 9p.m. Thursday at Sullivan’sSteakhouse,5252 Corporate Blvd., Baton Rouge Champagne and caviar highlight each course at this wine dinner,paired withsparkling wines from Jackson Family Wines. The menu offers shrimp and caviar blinis, A5 wagyu strip, vanillapanna cotta and more. Tickets are $145 per person, available for purchase at www.sullivanssteakhouse.com/promotions/ bubbles-caviar-dinner-batonrouge. Barbancourtrum dinner:6 p.m to 9p.m. Wednesday,Feb.4, at Beausoleil Coastal Cuisine, 7731 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge

Beausoileil is hosting afivecourse rum pairing dinner with spirits from Barbancourt Rum andamenu from chef Jordan Snyder.Ticketsare $150 per person, available for purchase at beausoleilcoastal.com

Mark your calendar

Cook the Book:6p.m. to 8p.m Tuesday,Feb. 10, at Red Stick Spice Company,660 Jefferson Highway,BatonRouge Red Stick Reads is partnering with Red Stick Spice for its Cook the Book series. Nextup is “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” which is included in the purchase price of the class. The sit-and-watch cooking BR restaurant hosting five-course dinner featuringrum

FARMINGFUNGI

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

Running one of Louisiana’s biggest mushroom farms is not for theweak.

Mushroom Maggie’s Farm growsand sellsup to 1,200to1,500 pounds of mushrooms everyweek. The St.Francisville-based business cultivates avarietyoffungi, at least eight different kinds like lion’smane, oyster,pink trumpet,shiitake and chestnut mushrooms.

At thehelm of theoperation is Maggie Long, business owner,and her husband, Cyrus Lester,operations manager “Maggie oneday was like,‘Start afarmwith me,’”Lester said. “I waslike, ‘We’re broke.Wedon’t have anymoney.Wedon’t have any land. What’rewegoing to farm?’

Theanswer was mushrooms, a solution that came after the couple learned it’sone of themostprofitable cropsinthe country that requiresthe least amount of startup costs and land, Lester said. So the couple got to work. But things quickly went south.

Bouncing back

It was 2017, and Long and Lester hadbeen married forthreemonths

Pinchos Mixtos from Veracruz in Baton Rouge

after ayear of planning and another year of constructing their new farm.Inthe first week of official operations, afire turned two years of preparation into atotal loss.

“Wewere steamingour fruiting blocks with propane at thetime, andone of thehoses busted as I was standing right next to it,” Lester said. “So,Ihad two, 5-foot-tall propane tanks and the valves just blew.The whole barn burnt down.”

Lester was immediatelysent to

thehospitalwithsecond- andthirddegreeburns alloverhis face and arms, totaling 70% of his skin.

The farm took another year to rebuild, making 2018 its first “real” year of operations, as Long puts it. Lester views the fire as “a blessing in disguise” because they were able to rebuild thefarmeven better and moreefficiently this time.

“That, we know we’re really good

Hostel turnshostile with longtime guest

Dear Miss Manners: Iam afreelance journalist who has been living, off and on, in the private room of a hostel off the beaten path Ilove the place because it’sgorgeous and usually has excellent vibes, but there are basically 15 of us keeping it in business.It is unfortunately quite close to awar zone. Anyway,the most recent time Ivisited, therewas a new volunteer at the hostel. After Ihad checked out and said my goodbyes, I walked through the gate to catch my ride-share to the airport. This

volunteerthen blocked my way andcornered me. She went on ayelling,screaming rant, sayingthat Ihadn’tleft my privateroom (which I paid $100/night for) clean enoughfor her liking, and that it’s“not her job”to clean upafter me. Ihadn’t even been aware she was avolunteer,asI hadn’tseen her work at all before, and certainly didn’tknow she was making up my room. Icalmly explained to her that Ihad tried to clean it abit (to which she responded, in amocking tone, “Oh,

you tried???”), that mostguests don’tclean their rooms in hostels at all, and that when Iwas ahostel volunteer,Ichanged something like 200 people’sbeds in aday and that it was, in fact, her job She continued toargue with me and corner me, attemptingtoprevent me from accessing my ride. What was mostupsettingwas that the owner refused to fire her because it would be “bad for morale.” He fully expected me to come back aweek later —which was originally the plan —but didn’teven offer an apology for theway Iwas treated, or any assurances as toconsequences for

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It would be rude of me

not to mention that my table ordered the ceviche chicharronasanappetizer, which was made with fried pork belly in aginger citrus salad, avocados and tomatoes. It was bright, refreshing and the perfect thing to share with others.

—Lauren Cheramie, features coordinator Fried shrimp and an old-fashioned

n Don’s Seafood, 4309Johnston St., Lafayette

Don’sSeafood has an over 90-year history in Lafayette, starting in downtown and continuing withtheir current (always busy) location on Johnston Street. The reason for their longevity is clear from the moment you enter the restaurant, where you often see large families enjoyingthemselves over bowls of Don’sfamous gumbo, platters of crab claws and rounds of Don’s signature cocktails.

BONVIVANT

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demonstration features a full meal and discussion

like an occasion.

—Joanna Brown staff writer

Spicy Salad n Duang Tawan, 4850 S. Sherwood Forest Blvd.,Baton Rouge

Thank goodness for the Eat theBoot Facebook group. Iwouldn’thave discovered my new favorite dish at Duang Tawan if it weren’tfor this page.

On Thursday,Ialready knew what Iwas ordering before sittingdown —the spicy salad ($12.95) and aThai tea ($4). The salad came with achoice of protein,and Ichose beef.

Don’s old-fashioned, my go-to drink, manages to balance avery nice amount of whiskey withoutmaking it too sweet, creatingan eminently smooth beverage that tastes like it wasconcocted just for thecustomer.Onthisevening, Ipaired my drink with aplatter of fried shrimp,and Inoted that theway they prep and butterfly theshrimpseems to highlight the Gulf flavor Don’sismore than just a spot to have acelebratory dinner; the way they care for their food and drink makes any evening feel

from the owners of Red Stick Reads. The menu includes garlic shrimp, slow-roasted salmon, apple crumble and more. Tickets are $135 per person, available for purchase at

The dish is cooked with Thai spices, lime juice, fish sauce, cucumbers, onion, tomatoes and lettuce. It kind of reminded me of the freshness that comes with ceviche, minus the vinegar The citrus notes from the lime juice madethe veggies taste even more crisp and refreshing.

Iwas craving aThai tea that day,and thesweetness madefor adelightful treat. It’ssafe to say Iwill be ordering this pairing again.

—Maddie Scott, features reporter

redstickspice.com

If you have an upcoming food event or akitchen question, emaillauren. cheramie@theadvocate. com. Cheers!

her behavior I’m so furious. My loyalty,my money,myfriendship over the past year …it’smeant nothing, I guess. Iwant to go back, but this experience has been extremely upsetting. What do Idonow?

Gentlereader: One would have thought yelling at the clients was bad for morale, but these days, Miss Manners is not so sure. There are, no doubt, anumber of ways to voice your displeasure to awider audience online, but that will neither restore the status quo ante, nor get you an apology —which is presumably the goal. Either or both of those out-

comes may be possible with aprivate note to the owner,expressing your disappointment and saying that you won’t be returning since you no longer feel welcome or safe. It is then up to him to make matters right. Once things have calmed downand the volunteer has moved on —and once he realizes he has lost one of his 15 core customers —the owner will no doubt see things in adifferent light.

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

Dear Heloise: I’m hoping you can help withmy problem.Myshower door frame has calcium scale in places, and the popular calcium and lime spray remover says not to use it on anodized aluminum. Do you have any hints on how to remove these deposits without doing any damage? Thank you. —John, in Murrieta, California John, Irecommend that you speak to someoneata hardwarestoreconcerning the calcium buildup in your shower.There are a number of productsonthe market that can do thejob, but Iknow of no home-care solution that can safely removecalcium buildup. No matterwhat product you choose, be sure to wear safetygloves thatare thick to protect your hands from chemical burns —Heloise Lockboxhint

ties’ fire departments have an internal department that will supply alockbox. (This might entail asmall fee.) They will place it in an obvious location, and the code is then attached to the premise through their computer dispatch system This code is made available to the fire department, medical personnel and the police so that they can enter the premises if necessary.Ifa 911 call is placed to the residence, it automatically comes up forthe dispatcher so that the dispatcher can advise the responding units. Anyone interested in this feature should definitely reach out to their local fire department to see if it’s available. —Andi M., via email Asafer waytopolish

Dear Heloise: Areader mentioned that they attached alockbox to their front door,then gave thecode to 911 when they were called. Many municipali-

DearHeloise: Lana D., in Peabody,Massachusetts, wrote in that she uses spray polish or cleaner on her wood furniture. Over time, the spray polish will dull the highlights in the wood grain or make them disappear.Fire department ex-

MUSHROOMS

Continued from page 1D

at bouncing back,” Long said.

There’s not much equipment made specifically for cultivating mushrooms, Lester said, so they had to approach building with a doit-yourself mentality The refrigerators came from school board auctions. The tables are recycled from dishwashing lines, and the shelves that hold the mushroom bags are made from metal that Lester welded together

“We did it all manually and worked ourselves to death the first five years,” Lester said.

How it works Now in 2026, long past the fire, the mushroom farmers have hit a rhythm. Staff members slowly

“On Tuesdays, we cut all the blocks that are ready to go in the fruiting room,” Lester said. “Lion’s mane, they just get a slit in the bag. The oysters get a big X on the side right here.” Here, the mushrooms grow out of the bag, protruding in a variety of colors and textures. Staff pick and trim the mushrooms twice a day, in the morning and afternoon.

From farm to plate

Much of the business revolves around selling to restaurants, mainly in the Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and St Tammany Parish areas. In Baton Rouge, eateries like Cocha, The Gregory Zorba’s and Rocca Pizzeria receive regular shipments. Executive chef at Rocca Pizzeria Brendan Messinger purchases 15 pounds of mushrooms every week, something the restaurant

is eye-catching, with mushrooms of different colors and textures jetting out of bags.

There’s a fair share of regulars purchasing the mushrooms every week. Baton Rouge resident Thelma Miles visited the market on Saturday to make her usual rounds or purchases, including a stop at Long’s booth.

Miles has been a regular customer for the past three years. Through cooking, she’s experimented with all mushroom varieties, but her favorites are blue oyster and lion’s mane.

“Sometimes I grind them up and make ground meat, add some nuts to it, like walnuts,” Miles said. “You can do all kinds of stuff. Just be creative with it, and it actually takes on whatever flavor, however you season.”

Ever since her breast cancer journey, Miles has prioritized healthy eating and local ingredients. Starting

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, Jan. 28, the 28th day of 2026. There are 337 days left in the year Today in history:

On Jan. 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger exploded 73 seconds after liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, killing all seven crew members including schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.

Also on this date: In 1813, the novel “Pride and Prejudice” by Jane Austen was first published, anonymously in London.

In 1922, 98 people were killed when the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C., collapsed under the weight of nearly 2 feet of snow

In 1956, Elvis Presley made his first national TV appearance on “Stage Show,” a CBS program hosted by Tommy and

Jimmy Dorsey In 1980, six U.S. diplomats who had avoided being taken hostage at their embassy in Tehran flew out of Iran with the help of Canadian diplomats; the events were later dramatized in the film “Argo.”

In 2011, protesters opposed to Hosni Mubarak’s nearly 30-year rule of Egypt seized the streets of Cairo, battling police, burning down ruling party headquarters and defying a military curfew Hundreds of protesters would be killed in ensuing days in attempts to crush the uprising before Mubarak stepped down as president that February In 2017, Serena Williams won her record 23rd Open Era Grand Slam singles title, defeating her sister Venus at the Australian Open for what would be her final major championship. In 2024, three American troops were killed and 25 were

AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Express your thoughts, feelings and intentions with vigor, and engage with those who see the value in what you want to pursue. Life is about doing; stop talking and start making things happen.

PIScES (Feb. 20-March 20) You'll feel tension mount if someone opposes your suggestions. Don't waste time trying to talk others into seeing things your way. Put differences aside and complete your mission.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) If you like something, endorse and use it to further your interests. Interacting and building connections with people you can rely on will make a difference to your lifestyle and your peace of mind.

tAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Put your energy into taking care of your responsibilities. Discipline and honesty will keep you on track and impede those trying to take advantage of you. Put yourself first.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Put your desire to learn and fulfill your curiosity at the top of your to-do list. What you discover will change your perspective about life, love and personal gain.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Refrain from letting anyone manipulate you into doing more for them than what you'll get in return. Maintaining equality in situations and partnerships is necessary if you don't want things to go awry.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Set high standards and goals, and lock into what you want to achieve. Enjoy conversations that make you think and offer insight into

others' perspectives. Reach out, and the response will surprise you.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Put your emotions aside and listen. The information you gather will help you rearrange your thoughts and point you in a realistic direction. You may crave change, but if there is comfort in familiarity, stick with it.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Keep life simple regardless of temptation. Do your research and take on only what's necessary. Develop relationships with people who share your interests and concerns.

ScoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Expand your knowledge, talk to experts and figure out how you can get the most for the least. Time spent with someone who appreciates you will help you put situations in perspective.

SAGIttARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't overlook an opportunity to use your skills differently or to submit your resume to a prospective employer Travel, communication and input from someone you value will help you invest in yourself.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Refuse to make changes based on what others imply. Get the facts and figures, and consider how they can affect your future. The best change you can make is to adopt a positive, healthy lifestyle.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Yesterday, Igave the deal for which Peter Bertheau from Sweden won the International Bridge Press Association Yeh Bros. BestBid of the Year award. That wasexcellent, but Iparticularly admired thisaction by Peter Fredin, also from Sweden. Thedeal was originally described by Shane BlanchardofNew YorkCity Look at theSouth hand andthe auction. Partner’s redouble shows10or more pointsand fewer than four hearts. Doubler’s one no-trump indicates equal lengthinthe minors. And partner’s jump to four hearts promisesthree-card support and opening count. What wouldyou do now, if anything? Fredin paused to work out who had what. East would surely have bid one spade over the redouble with four, and West probablyhad three spades because hewouldhaverescuedviaonespadewith four. So North rated to have five spades. (Notsix, because he would have called one spade instead of redouble.) If West had equal length in the minors, his hand’s distribution wassurely3-2-44. Ergo, heartswere breaking 3-2. North also had three or four diamonds,but had not doubledtwo diamonds for penalty. So he was probably weak there. Fredin

wuzzles

deduced that his partner’s 12-plus points weremostlyinthemajors.Andwithboth of those suits lyingwell, Fredin bidfour no-trump,Roman Key-Card Blackwood, followedbysix hearts. Asyoucansee,thiswaslaydown;South taking five spades,five hearts and two clubs. ©2026 by NEA,Inc dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InStRuctIonS: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3

Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’S WoRD ALREADy: awl-RED-ee: Previously.

Average mark22words

Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 29 or morewords in ALREADY?

yEStERDAy’S WoRD —PERFoRcE

PROCES VERBAL

PROCES VERBAL AND PROCLAMATION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025.

BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Wednesday,December 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, ThirdFloor Room 348, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, its regular meeting place, the Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and City of Baton Rouge, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), and being the authority ordering the special election held in the Parish, on Saturday November 15, 2025, with the following members present:

Council Members: Laurie Adams, Denise Amoroso, Carolyn Coleman, Cleve Dunn, Jr., Rowdy Gaudet, Twahna P. Harris, Dwight Hudson, Darryl Hurst, Anthony Kenney Aaron Moak, Brandon Noel, Jennifer Racca. Therebeing absent: None.

did, in open and public session, open the envelope containing the official tabulations of votes cast at the said special election as prepared and certified by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court, and did examine, count and tabulate such votes, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said special election, therehaving been submitted at said special election the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION

Shall the Parish of EastBaton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), be authorized to extend the levy of a2.25 mills ad valorem tax (the “Tax”), on all property subject to taxation in the Parish ($13,668,750 is reasonably expected to be collected from the levy of the Taxfor an entireyear), for (10) years, beginning with the year 2027, and annually thereafter to and including 2036, and shall the Parish be further authorized to rededicate the use of proceeds of the Tax, heretoforeand hereafter received, so that (A) 2.00 mills shall be used exclusively by the East Baton Rouge Parish Council on the Aging, Inc., or any successor thereto (the “Council on Aging”) to provide funds to operate and maintain programs, services, and activities for elderly citizens in the Parish, including meals on wheels, senior centers, homemakersservices, transportation, and nutrition, wellness, and recreational programs, to acquire, construct, operate and maintain facilities to serve elderly citizens in the Parish, and to otherwise fund the operating budget of the Council on Aging, and (B) 0.25 mills shall be used for Parish-wide general purposes (after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting and administering the Tax)?

Pursuant to the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1285, aNotice of Special Election was published in The Advocate on the following dates: Thursday,September 4, 2025, Thursday,September 11, 2025, Thursday September 18, 2025 and Thursday,September 25, 2025. The Notice of Special Election has been attached hereto as Exhibit Aand the Proof of Publications has been attached hereto as Exhibit B, in accordance with the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1293.

Therewas found by said count and canvass that the following votes had been cast at the said special election FORand AGAINST,respectively, the proposition as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to wit:

WARD/ PRECINCT

02/027 ASharon Hills Elementary School, 6450 Guynell Drive, Baton Rouge 5856

02/027 BSharon Hills ElementarySchool, 6450 Guynell Drive, BatonRouge 47 79

02/028 NorthwesternMiddle School, 5200 E. Central Avenue, Zachary 101 140

02/029 Zachary High School, 4100 Bronco Lane, Zachary 8386

02/030 AForest HeightsElementary School, 7447 Sumrall Drive, BatonRouge 44 100

02/030 BForest Heights Elementary School, 7447 Sumrall Drive, Baton Rouge 39 98

02/031 Baker Town Hall, 3325 GroomRoad, Baker 18 26

02/032 BREC Church Street Park, 3210 Church Street, Zachary 164 125

02/033 Gas Utility District 1, 10633 ZacharyDeerfordRoad, Zachary 44 49

02/034 Copper Mill Elementary School, 1300 Independence Blvd., Zachary 93 140

02/035 Rollins Place Elementary School, 4488 Rollins Place,Zachary 52 89

02/036 AZachary Branch Library, 1900 Church Street, Zachary 74 103

02/036 BZachary Branch Library,1900 Church Street, Zachary 76 80

02/037 BREC Church Street Park, 3210 Church Street, Zachary 61 104

02/038

Rouge 14 28

03/015 AShenandoah Elementary School, 16555 Appomattox Avenue, BatonRouge 44 52

03/015 BShenandoah Elementary School, 16555 Appomattox Avenue, BatonRouge 48 66

03/016 Woodlawn Middle School, 14939 Tiger Bend Road, Baton Rouge 5667

03/017 AWestminster Elementary School, 8935 Westminster Drive, BatonRouge 85 39

03/017 BWestminster Elementary School, 8935 Westminster Drive, BatonRouge 82 60

03/018 AGreater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, 14101 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge 3349

03/018 BGreater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, 14101 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge 4143

03/019 ANew Rising Sun Baptist Church, 16444 Highland Road,BatonRouge 45 41

03/019 BNew Rising SunBaptist Church, 16444 Highland Road,BatonRouge 65 44

03/020 ABen Burge Park, 9350 Antigua Drive (at Elvin Drive), Baton Rouge 34 58

03/020 BBen Burge Park, 9350 Antigua Drive (at Elvin Drive), BatonRouge 26 51

03/021 ASoutheast Middle School, 15000 S. Harrells Ferry Road, BatonRouge 38 74

03/021 BSoutheast Middle School, 15000 S. Harrells Ferry Road, BatonRouge 44 47

03/022 Woodlawn High School, 15755 Old Jefferson Highway,BatonRouge 58 65

03/023 AWildwood Elementary School, 444 Halfway Tree Road, BatonRouge 38 48

03/023 BWildwood Elementary School, 444 Halfway Tree Road, BatonRouge 51 43

03/024 ANorth Sherwood Forest ParkRecreation Center,3140 N. Sherwood Forest, Baton Rouge 43 138

03/024 BNorth Sherwood Forest ParkRecreation Center,3140 N. Sherwood Forest, Baton Rouge 51 132

03/025 ACentral High School, 10200 E. Brookside Drive, BatonRouge 37 53

03/025 BCentral High School, 10200 E. Brookside Drive, BatonRouge 43 46

03/026 BBellingrath HillsElementary

CharlesOperations, does intend to submit to the LouisianaDepartmentof EnvironmentalQuality Office of Environmental Services,Waste Permits Division,anapplication fora renewalsolid waste permit to operatea Type IIndustrialSolid Waste SurfaceImpoundment in St.Charles Parish,Range 20E,Township13S,Sec‐tions39and 40,41, which is locatedat355 Highway 3142 in Hahnville, LA A portionofthe facility’s westernborderlieson Highway3124, whilethe northern boundaryis Highway18. Comments concerning thefacilitymay be filed with theSecretary of the LouisianaDepartmentof EnvironmentalQuality at thefollowing address: Office of Environmental Services,Waste Permits Division,PostOffice Box 4313, BatonRouge,LA 70821-4313. 175229-jan28-1t $160.68 The EBR Parish Clerk of Court’soffice will conductqualifyingfor candidates seeking election to: SpecialElectionfor StateRepresentative, District 69, parish of East BatonRouge Candidates mayqualify at both

2025 THUSDONE AND SIGNED at BatonRouge,Louisiana, on this, the 10th day of December, 2025

/s/ Ashley Beck /s/ Brandon Noel Ashley Beck, Brandon Noel, Council Administrator President ProTempore

EXHIBIT A NOTICEOFSPECIAL ELECTION

(On file with theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge)

EXHIBIT B PROOF OF PUBLICATION

(On file with theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge)

PROCLAMATION

I, BRANDON NOEL, theundersigned President ProTemporeofthe MetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge,the governingauthority of theParish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana(the“Parish”), do hereby declare,proclaimand announce the result of thespecialelectionheldinthe Parish on Saturday,November 15,2025, as ascertainedbythe canvassofthe votes cast at thesaid election, made by said MetropolitanCouncil, acting as thegoverning authority of theParish, andassembled at theirregularmeeting place, the Council Chambers, City Hall, ThirdFloor, Room 348, 222St. Louis Street, BatonRouge,Louisiana, on Wednesday,December10, 2025,at4:00 p.m., whichcanvass showedthe followingresult uponthe proposition submitted at the said election, to wit:

PROPOSITION

Shall theParish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana(the “Parish”), be authorized to extend thelevy of a2.25 mills ad valorem tax(the“Tax”), on allproperty subjecttotaxationinthe Parish ($13,668,750 is reasonably expectedtobecollected from thelevy of theTax for an entire year), for (10) years, beginning with theyear2027, andannually thereafter to andincluding2036, andshall theParish be further authorized to rededicate theuse of proceedsofthe Tax, heretoforeand hereafter received, so that (A) 2.00 mills shall be usedexclusively by theEast BatonRouge Parish Council on theAging, Inc., or anysuccessor thereto(the “CouncilonAging”)toprovide funds to operate andmaintain programs, services, andactivities for elderlycitizensinthe Parish, includingmeals on wheels, senior centers, homemakers services, transportation, andnutrition, wellness, andrecreationalprograms, to acquire, construct, operate andmaintain facilities to serve elderlycitizensinthe Parish,and to otherwise fund theoperating budgetofthe Council on Aging, and(B) 0.25 mills shall be used for Parish-wide generalpurposes (after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting andadministeringthe Tax)?

Therewas found by said countand canvass that therewas atotal of 26,886 votes cast FOR theProposition anda total of 28,146 votes cast AGAINST theProposition, andthattherewas amajority of 28,146 votes cast AGAINST theProposition as hereinabove set forth, allasdescribed andset outinthe above Proces Verbal. THEREFORE,in accordance with theresult of thecanvass of returns andthe action of theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East Baton Rouge andCityofBaton Rouge,acting as thegoverningauthority of the Parish,I,BRANDON NOEL, thePresident ProTemporeofthe Metropolitan Council, do hereby declare,proclaimand announce thesaidProposition as hereinabove set forthtohave beenDULYFAILEDbya majority of votes cast by thequalified electors voting at thesaidspecialelectionheldinthe Parish on Saturday,November15, 2025 THUSDONE AND SIGNED at BatonRouge,Louisiana, on

Bids must be accompa‐nied by bidsecurity equalto5 percentofthe base bidand alladditive alternates in theformof either acertified check or abid bond AMANDATORYPre-Bid Conference will be held at 10:00

nnect.com Answersto allquestions,inquiries andrequestsfor addi‐tional informationwillbe issued in theformofAd‐dendatothe Drawings andSpecificationsand copies of each adden‐dumwillbepostedon CentralBidding www.cen tralauctionhouse.com RefertoInstructionsto Bidders. Thesuccessfulbidder shallberequiredtofur‐nish aPerformance and PaymentBondwrittenby acompany licensed to do business in Louisiana, in amount equalto100% of theContractamount

Architect by theapparentlow bid‐derwithin10calendar days of thebid opening. No bidmay be with‐drawnfroma period of 60 days afterthe bid openingexceptaspro‐videdbylaw.Bidders must meet therequire‐mentsofthe Stateof LouisianaContractor’s

PROCES VERBAL

PROCES VERBAL AND PROCLAMATION OF THE CANVASS OF THE VOTES CAST AT THE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025.

BE IT KNOWN AND REMEMBERED that on Wednesday,December 10, 2025, at 4:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers, City Hall, ThirdFloor Room 348, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, its regular meeting place, the Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and City of Baton Rouge, acting as the governing authority of the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), and being the authority ordering the special election held in the Parish, on Saturday November 15, 2025, with the following members present:

Council Members: Laurie Adams, Denise Amoroso, Carolyn Coleman, Cleve Dunn, Jr., Rowdy Gaudet, Twahna P. Harris, Dwight Hudson, Darryl Hurst, Anthony Kenney Aaron Moak, Brandon Noel, Jennifer Racca. Therebeing absent: None.

did, in open and public session, open the envelope containing the official tabulations of votes cast at the said special election as prepared and certified by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court, and did examine, count and tabulate such votes, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said special election, therehaving been submitted at said special election the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION

Shall the Parish of EastBaton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), be authorized to rededicate $52,400,000 to be used for Parish-wide general purposes, heretoforeand hereafter received from the levy of an ad valorem tax (the “Tax”) previously approved for public library purposes at an election held on October 24, 2015, andshall the Parish be further authorized to extend and rededicate the levy of said Taxatthe rate of 11.1 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish for an additional 10 years, beginning with the year 2026, to and including the year 2035 ($67,432,500 is reasonably estimated to be collected fromlevying the Taxfor an entireyear), so that (a) proceeds heretoforeand hereafter received from 8.30 mills of the Taxshall be administered by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library BoardofControl and used to maintain and operate the publiclibrary system of the Parish, including collections, software, furniture, and equipment, and acquiring land and constructing new library facilities, and (b) proceeds heretofore and hereafter received from 2.80 mills of the Taxshall be used forParish-wide general purposes (after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting and administering the Tax)?

Pursuant to the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1285, aNotice of Special Election was published in The Advocate on the following dates: Thursday,September 4, 2025, Thursday,September 11, 2025, Thursday September 18, 2025 and Thursday,September 25, 2025. The Notice of Special Election has been attached hereto as Exhibit Aand the Proof of Publications has been attached hereto as Exhibit B, in accordance with the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1293.

Therewas found by said count and canvass that the following votes had been cast at the said special election FORand AGAINST,respectively, the proposition as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to wit:

WARD/ PRECINCT LOCATION

School For

Learning, 1555 Madison Avenue, Baton Rouge 30 52

01/017 DPW TrafficEngineering Building, 329 Chippewa Street, Baton Rouge 13 16

01/018 Community School For Apprenticeship Learning, 1555 Madison Avenue, Baton Rouge 15 23

01/019 Rosenwald Learning Center,2611 Dayton Street,

02/022 AAlternative Center At Beechwood, 2555 Desoto Street, BatonRouge 19 52

02/022 BAlternative Center At Beechwood, 2555 Desoto Street, BatonRouge 24 49

02/023 AMerrydale Elementary School, 6700 Rio Drive, Baton Rouge 23 80

02/023 BMerrydale Elementary School, 6700 Rio Drive, Baton Rouge 28 81

02/024 Alsen BREC Recreation Center,601 Old Rafe Mayer Road,BatonRouge 40 73

02/025 APark Ridge Academic MagnetSchool, 5905 Groom Road, BatonRouge 36 71

02/025 BPark Ridge Academic Magnet School, 5905 Groom Road, BatonRouge 43 69

02/026 GraceBaptist Church, 4626 Rush Drive,Zachary 5988

02/027 ASharon Hills ElementarySchool, 6450 Guynell Drive, BatonRouge 55 58

02/027 BSharon Hills Elementary School, 6450 Guynell Drive, BatonRouge 46 77

02/028 NorthwesternMiddle School, 5200 E. Central Avenue, Zachary 84158

02/029 Zachary High School, 4100 Bronco Lane, Zachary 73 96

02/030 AForest HeightsElementary School, 7447 Sumrall Drive, BatonRouge 43 100

02/030 BForest HeightsElementary School, 7447 Sumrall Drive, BatonRouge 33 102

02/031 Baker Town Hall, 3325 GroomRoad, Baker 13 32

02/032 BREC Church Street Park, 3210 Church Street, Zachary 160 129

02/033 Gas Utility District 1, 10633 ZacharyDeerfordRoad, Zachary 4249

02/034 Copper Mill ElementarySchool, 1300 Independence Blvd., Zachary 88 145

02/035 Rollins Place Elementary School, 4488 Rollins Place,Zachary 53 89 02/036 AZachary Branch Library, 1900 Church Street, Zachary 72 105

02/036 BZachary BranchLibrary,1900 Church Street, Zachary 78 78

02/037 BREC Church Street Park, 3210 Church Street, Zachary 59 106

02/038 Copper Mill Elementary School, 1300 Independence Blvd., Zachary 84 138

03/001 ABRECJackson Community Park 12250 Sullivan Road, BatonRouge 39 48

03/001 BBREC Jackson Community Park, 12250 Sullivan Road, BatonRouge 36 48

03/002 ACornerstone Fellowship, 9611 Blackwater Road, Baker 4543

BWestminster Elementary School, 8935 Westminster Drive, Baton Rouge

Eastside Volunteer FireStation, 15094 OldHammond Highway,Baton Rouge

03/033 BBaringer Road Park Recreation Center,7401

03/011 Fire Station, 11010 Coursey Blvd., Baton Rouge 10 17 03/012 ARiveroaks Elementary School, 950 Fontainbleau Drive, BatonRouge 35 61 03/012 BRiveroaks Elementary School, 950 Fontainbleau Drive, BatonRouge 39 71 03/013 JeffersonTerrace Elementary School, 5601 Upton Drive, BatonRouge 93 83

03/014 ACentral Middle SchoolGym, 12656 Sullivan Road, BatonRouge 20 26

03/014 BCentral Middle SchoolGym,12656 Sullivan Road, BatonRouge 14 28

03/015 AShenandoah ElementarySchool, 16555 AppomattoxAvenue, Baton Rouge 48 48

03/015 BShenandoah ElementarySchool, 16555 AppomattoxAvenue, Baton Rouge 48 66

03/016 WoodlawnMiddle School, 14939 Tiger Bend Road, BatonRouge 60 62

03/017 AWestminster Elementary School, 8935 Westminster Drive, BatonRouge 84 39

03/017 BWestminster Elementary School, 8935 Westminster Drive, BatonRouge 85 58

03/018 AGreater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, 14101 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge 3745

03/018 BGreater Baton Rouge Association of Realtors, 14101 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge 4638

03/019 ANew Rising Sun Baptist Church, 16444 Highland Road, Baton Rouge 49 37

03/019 BNew Rising Sun Baptist Church, 16444 Highland Road, Baton Rouge 62 47

03/020 ABen Burge Park,9350 Antigua Drive (at Elvin Drive), Baton Rouge 33 61

03/020 BBen Burge Park, 9350 Antigua Drive (at Elvin Drive), BatonRouge 27 52

03/021 ASoutheast Middle School, 15000 S. Harrells Ferry Road, BatonRouge 33 77

03/021 BSoutheast Middle School, 15000 S. Harrells Ferry Road, BatonRouge 34 56

03/022 Woodlawn High School, 15755 Old Jefferson Highway,BatonRouge 62 60

03/023

SECTION3.Thatthe re‐sultsofsaidspecial elec‐tion shallbepromul‐gatedbypublication in themannerprovidedby law, after receiptfrom theSecretary of State’s office of theactualcost of holdingthe said spe‐cial election,asrequired by La.R.S.18:1292(B)(2). SECTION4.ThisResolu‐tion shalltakeeffectim‐mediately. This Resolution having been submittedto a vote,the vote thereon wasasfollows: YEAS:LaurieAdams

niferRacca NAYS:None ABSTAIN: None

ABSTAIN: None ABSENT:None Done,approved and adopted on this,the 10th dayofDecember, 2025. By:/s/ Ashley Beck CouncilAdministrator By: /s/Brandon Noel PresidentPro Tempore STATEOFLOUISIANA

hereinabove set forthwas DULY FAILED by amajority of thevotescast by thequalified electors voting at thesaidspecialelectionheldinthe Parish on Saturday,November15, 2025 THUSDONE AND SIGNED at BatonRouge,Louisiana, on this, the 10th day of December, 2025 /s/ Ashley Beck /s/ Brandon Noel Ashley Beck, Brandon Noel, Council Administrator President ProTempore

EXHIBIT A NOTICEOFSPECIAL ELECTION

(On file with theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge)

EXHIBIT B PROOF OF PUBLICATION

(On file with theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge)

PROCLAMATION

I, BRANDON NOEL, theundersigned President ProTemporeofthe MetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East BatonRouge andCityofBaton Rouge,the governingauthority of theParish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana(the“Parish”), do hereby declare,proclaimand announce the result of thespecialelectionheldinthe Parish on Saturday, November 15,2025, as ascertainedbythe canvassofthe votes cast at thesaid election, made by said MetropolitanCouncil, acting as thegoverning authority of theParish, andassembled at theirregular meeting place, the Council Chambers, City Hall, ThirdFloor, Room 348, 222St. Louis Street, BatonRouge,Louisiana, on Wednesday,December10, 2025,at4:00 p.m., whichcanvass showedthe followingresult uponthe proposition submitted at thesaidelection, to wit:

PROPOSITION

Shall theParish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana(the “Parish”), be authorized to rededicate $52,400,000tobeused for Parish-wide generalpurposes, heretoforeand hereafter received from thelevy of an ad valorem tax(the“Tax”)previouslyapproved for public library purposes at an electionheldonOctober24, 2015 andshall theParish be further authorized to extend andrededicate thelevy of said Taxatthe rate of 11.1 mills on allproperty subject to taxation in theParish for an additional 10 years, beginningwith theyear2026, to andincludingthe year2035($67,432,500is reasonably estimatedtobecollected from levyingthe Taxfor an entire year), so that (a)proceeds heretoforeand hereafter received from 8.30 mills of theTax shall be administered by theEast Baton Rouge Parish Library Board of Control andused to maintain andoperate thepublic library system of theParish, including collections, software,furniture,and equipment,and acquiring land andconstructing newlibrary facilities, and(b) proceedsheretofore andhereafter received from 2.80 mills of theTax shall be used for Parish-wide generalpurposes (after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting andadministeringthe Tax)?

Therewas found by said countand canvass that therewas atotal of 25,970 votes cast FOR theProposition anda total of 29,046 votes cast AGAINST theProposition,and that therewas amajority of 29,046 votes cast AGAINST theProposition as hereinabove set forth, allasdescribed andset outinthe above Proces Verbal.

THEREFORE,inaccordancewiththe result of thecanvass of returns andthe action of theMetropolitanCouncil of theParish of East Baton Rouge andCityofBaton Rouge,acting as thegoverningauthority of the Parish,I,BRANDON NOEL, thePresident ProTemporeofthe Metropolitan Council, do hereby declare,proclaimand announce thesaidProposition as hereinabove set forthtohave beenDULYFAILEDbyamajority of votes cast by thequalifi

absent: None.

did, in open and public session, open the envelope containing the official tabulations of votes cast at the said special election as prepared and certified by the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court, and did examine, count and tabulate such votes, and did examine and canvass the returns of the said special election, there having been submitted at said special election the following proposition, to-wit:

PROPOSITION

Shall the Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), be authorized to rededicate $6,000,000 of proceeds heretoforeand hereafter received from the levy of aspecial tax (the “Tax”), for Parish-wide general purposes, said Taxpreviously approved at an election held on November 4, 2014 for mosquito abatement and rodent control, and shall the Parish be further authorized to extend and rededicate the levy of said Taxatthe rate of 1.00 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish for 10 years, beginning with the year 2027, to and including 2036 ($6,075,000 is reasonably estimated to be collected from levying the Taxfor an entireyear), so that (i) proceeds heretofore and hereafter received from 0.50 mills of the Taxshall be used entirely and exclusively to provide funds to purchase, maintain and operate machinery,facilities and equipment necessary in the eradication, abatement or control of mosquitoes, arthropods of public health importance and rodents, and providing for adequate administrative and support staff, and (ii) proceeds heretofore and hereafter received from 0.50 mills of the Taxshall be used for Parish-wide general purposes (after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting and administering the Tax)?

Pursuant to the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1285, aNotice of Special Election was published in The Advocate on the following dates: Thursday,September 4, 2025, Thursday,September 11, 2025, Thursday September 18, 2025 and Thursday,September 25, 2025. The Notice of Special Election has been attached hereto as Exhibit Aand the Proof of Publications has been attached hereto as Exhibit B, in accordance with the requirements of La. R.S. 18:1293.

Therewas found by said count and canvass that the following votes had been cast at the said special election FOR and AGAINST,respectively, the proposition as hereinabove set forth at the following polling places, to wit: WARD/ PRECINCT LOCATION FOR AGAINST 01/001 FireStation #12, 555 Government Street, Baton Rouge 96 60

01/002A Melrose Elementary School, 1348 Valcour

i il d Court and this Metropol itanCouncil doesnow furtherproceed to exam‐ine, count andtabulate such votesand to exam‐ineand canvassthe re‐turnsand declarethe re‐sult of theelection SECTION2.Thata Pro‐cesVerbalofthe canvass of thereturns of said specialelectionshall be made andthata certified copy thereofshall be for‐warded to theSecretary of State, BatonRouge Louisiana, whoshall record thesameinhis of‐fice;thatanother certi‐fied copy thereofshall be forwardedtothe Clerkof Courtand Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgagesin andfor theParishofEast BatonRouge,who shall record thesameinthe Mortgage Recordsofthe Parish;and that another copy thereofshall be re‐tained in thearchivesof theMetropolitanCouncil.

SECTION3.Thatthe re‐sultsofsaidspecial elec‐tion shallbepromul‐gatedbypublication in themannerprovidedby law, after receiptfrom theSecretary of State’s office of theactualcost of holdingthe said spe‐cial election,asrequired by La.R.S.18:1292(B)(2). SECTION4.ThisResolu‐tion shalltakeeffectim‐mediately. This Resolution having been submittedto a vote,the vote thereon wasasfollows: YEAS:LaurieAdams Denise Amoroso, Carolyn Coleman, CleveDunn, Jr RowdyGaudet, Twahna P. Harris,DwightHudson, Darryl Hurst, AnthonyKenney, Aaron Moak,Brandon Noel,Jen‐niferRacca NAYS:None ABSTAIN: None

ABSTAIN: None ABSENT:None Done,approved and adoptedonthis, the10th dayofDecember, 2025. By: /s/AshleyBeck CouncilAdministrator By: /s/Brandon Noel PresidentPro Tempore STATEOFLOUISIANA PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE I, ASHLEY BECK,certify that Iamthe duly quali‐fied andactingCouncil Administratorofthe Met‐ropolitanCouncil of the Parish of East Baton Rougeand City of Baton Rouge, thegoverning au‐thorityofthe Parish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana. Ifurther certifythat theabove andforegoing is atrueand correct copyofanexcerptfrom h i f i

copy of

METROPOLITAN COUNCIL GREATER BATON ROUGE AIRPORTAUTHORITY EAST BATON ROUGE SEWERAGE COMMISSION CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTSDISTRICT CITY OF BATON ROUGE AND PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE Wednesday,December 10, 2025 4:00 PM

The Metropolitan Council of the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge convened in regular session on Wednesday,December 10, 2025 at 4:00 PM, in the Council Chambersofthe Governmental Building, Room 348, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Meeting was called to order by the Presiding Officer and the following members werepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Absent: None

CONDEMNATIONS

JULIE ANN NEAL MARYMAN 377 NWAVERLAND DR., LOT 9, HARRINGTON PLACE SUBDIVISION, 1ST FILING -COUNCIL DISTRICT 6 -DUNN JR.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

KENDRO LATRAILJOSEPH 6438 KINCAID AVE., LOT53, BIRD STATION SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7–HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

SAM TRUMAN COLEMAN 1327 LORRI BURGESS AVE. (AKA 1327 E WASHINGTON ST.), LOT 16, SQ. 4SOUTH BATONROUGE SUBDIVISION - COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

EDEASSA JONES LAWSON AND MARK JEROME LAWSON located at 11625 Nimitz St. (House and Abandoned Vehicles), Lot 22-A, Harding HeightsSubdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11699

ALPHONSO OTIS POTTER, III 955 COTTON ST.(FIRE-DAMAGED

DWELLING WITH SIDE PARKING COVER), LOTS 5& 6ADDITION TO SUBURB SWARTSUBDIVISION - COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 14, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

LULLA COATS, JOSEPH C. PAYNE, RITAHARRIS PAYNE, BRENDA H. JOHNSON, CHERYL H. JENKINS, LEONARD R. HARRIS, DAVID R. DUNBAR, LEONARD COATS, KARLA BURGESS, DANA MORGAN, SHERRYD.LOMAX, DAWN MATTHEWS, ANTHONY JERELL PAYNE, EVELYN P. CHRISTOPHER, TYRONE DUNBAR, ROBERTCORNELL DUNBAR, WILMER BARRETT,OLIVETTE C. O’CONNOR, ASHLEY HARRIS CARTER, SPAHNE JENKINS, MICHAELR.HARRIS, DEVEETA SIMS, DEKEETASIMS ROLLINS, DONALD R. DUNBAR, JR., HOWARD C. BURGESS, JR., DANIELLE ANDERSON, RENEEBURGESS-RUFFIN, JOY B. DIXON, MARVA HASTINGS, DARRELW.COATS, AND EDNA COLEMAN 2113 KANSAS ST., LOT56, SQ.10, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

EDWARD A. WISHAM1771 OLIVE ST LOT 21 PT+ (S ½OFLOTS 21, 22, &23), SQ. 1, O’CONNOR PLACE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10-COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

DAVID R. DUNBAR AND BEVERLYPARKERDUNBAR 1823 ARKANSAS ST LOT 4, SQ. 20, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 14, 2026. AYea and “Nay” vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

BETTYK.PATIN, CEDRIC D.

BURNS DR.), LOT 14, ADDITION TO SUBURB SWARTSUBDIVISION -

COUNCILDISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

BBPAHOLDINGS, LLC 2949 &2951 BOGAN WALK, LOT 14, SQ. 11, SUBURB BOGAN SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7– HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on March 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

EARL A. MARCELLE, JR., LAMAR A. MARCELLE, MARVIN M. MARCELLE, CHERYL R. MARCELLE MURRAY, YVONNE M. MARCELLE, AND YVETTE

A. MARCELLE 1026 LORRI BURGESS AVE., LOT 2PT+(WESTERN 5FT. OF LOT 3AND EASTERN 30 FT.OFLOT 2), 3PT(PORTION OF LOT 3SQ. 14SOUTH BATON ROUGE, MEAS. 35 FT.FRONT ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF WASHINGTON ST.) &4 (LESS &EXCEPT PARCEL 13-2 TI DOTD BN), SQ.14, SOUTH BATON ROUGE SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

VISION QUINTANA LLC located at 6421 Arbor Vitae Dr Lot 68, Forest Heights Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11700 JOHN LIONEL WOODS, CHARLES EDWARD HOGAN,SR., AND EUGENE

HOGAN located at 5226 Washington Ave. (Dwelling and Unsecured Rear Shed with Collapsing Roof), Lot 28, Sq. 19, East Fairfields Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11701.

CONNER PROPERTIES &INVESTMENTS LLC 2005 ELLERSLIE DR. (SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS 2003 ELLERSLIE), LOT 7, SQ. 2, ELLERSLIE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Mr.Kenney to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

MOORING TAXASSET GROUP IX, HEBREW JOE, INC. (LOT 8), AND JOSEPH JOHNSON (LOT 9) 3201 PLANK RD. AND 3215 PLANK RD., LOTS 8&9,SQ. 108, SUBURB ISTROUMASUBDIVISION -COUNCIL

DISTRICT 10 –COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

JOHNNY EMERY, THE ESTATEOFSAM COLEMAN,THE ESTATEOF SALLIE COLEMAN, ANDTHE ESTATEOFMABLE COLEMAN EMERY 2501 SPAIN ST LOT 13, SQ. 2BELLEVIEW SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL

DISTRICT 10 -COLEMAN

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

SELENE FINANCE, LP 23434 CHUCKWAGON DR. (UNSECURED MOBILE HOMEWITH COVERED PARKINGAWNING, REAR SHED, AND ABOVE-GROUNDSWIMMINGPOOL), LOT 2-A &2-B, PLEASANT PARK

SUBDIVISION -COUNCILDISTRICT 1–NOEL

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Mr.Kenney to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on February 11, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

CHUQING HE located at 2131 Mariner Dr.(4-plex), Lot 64, Riverland Subdivision, 1st Filing, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11702

KATIE CHARLET EVERITT located at 5169 Annette St., Lot 54, Brookstown

Place Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11703

JOSEPH COLLINS4836 JEAN ST., LOT 84, NEW FAIRFIELDS

SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 14, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as

follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

LIONELL WILLIAMS AND CHARLENE WHITE WILLIAMS 1532 N23RD ST LOT 24, SQ. 1, LAWNDALE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7 -HARRIS

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to defer the proposed condemnation proceeding to the council meeting on January 14, 2026. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

DIANA MARIE LEBRETON 2484 COLLEGE DR., LOT 26, SQ. 22, COLLEGE DRIVE PLACE SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 7- HARRIS The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

THEODORE L. ELLIS AND THE ESTATEOFLOUISE FERRINGTON ELLIS located at 11922 AuburnDr. (Main Dwelling, Abandoned SUV and Rear Shed), Lot 312, Eastgate, 1st Filing, Part 2Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11704

RIDDICK INVESTMENTS, L.L.C. &THE ESTATEOFEDWARD C. KNOX, JR. located at 903 N17th St., Portions of Lots 4&5,Sq. 20, Suburb Gracie Subdivision,Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11705

ANNA F. TURNER, JAMES C. FREEMAN, II, AHMAN Y. FREEMAN, RASHIDA F. BETTS, ABDEL-HADI AMIN, CYNTHIA C. FREEMAN, KAREN JONELLE F. SMITH, THOMAS E. FREEMAN, WILLIE MAE F. ALEXIS, FATHIYAF.DAVIS, RANAL H. FREEMAN, SHAHRAHAN FREEMAN, IRAJ FREEMAN, EDWARD FREEMAN, JR., SABA AMIN, EPHRAIM FREEMAN, III, DEDRA GRIFFIN, RODERICA WILSON, &TONI GRIFFIN located at 1320 Dot St., Lot 19 PT (Portion of Lot 19 Add. to Sub. Swart, Beginning at aPoint on the West Side of Cherry St. aDistance of 102 Ft. Southeast of the Corner of Terrace Ave.; Then Run Southeast Along the West Side of Cherry St. for 25 Ft.; Then West 90 Ft…), Addition to Suburb Swart Subdivision, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11706

HARRIET THOMAS (A.K.A. HARRIETTE, HARRIETE +HARRIETTA), ABE WELCH (A.K.A. AB WELCH), AND SOLOMON RABY located at 2386 Carolina St., Lot B, Sq. 43, South Baton Rouge Subdivision,Baton Rouge, Louisiana 11707

HOLLYHINGLE 6710 HIGHLAND RD., LOT 12 &CEMETERY, UNIVERSITY ESTATES SUBDIVISION -COUNCIL DISTRICT 12 -RACCA

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above condemnation proceeding wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed condemnation proceeding. A motion wasmade by Mr.Dunn Jr.and seconded by Ms. Coleman to delete the proposed condemnation proceeding. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

PUBLIC HEARING /MEETING

RESOLUTION 59087

ARESOLUTION PROVIDING WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE BOARD OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRYOUTLINING THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL’S RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD REGARDING SUPER INSULATION LLC’S NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM CONTACT FOR THE YEARS 2022 AND 2023. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to defer action to the BoardofCommerce and Industry.A Yeaand Nay vote wascalled for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59088

GRANTING AFIVE-YEAR PROPERTY TAXABATEMENT ESTIMATED AT $18,376 PER YEAR FOR VAGABOND PROPERTIES, LLC LOCATED AT 1620, 1640, 1660 GOVERNMENT STREET.THIS APPLICATION IS REFERRED BY LOUISIANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESTORATION TAXABATEMENT PROGRAM TO THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE AS RTA APPLICATION #20250069 FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENCOURAGING PRIVATEINVESTMENT AND RESTORATION OF PROPERTY

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59089

ARESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTOFTHE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA (THE “PARISH”) ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO EXTEND THE LEVY OF AN 11.1 MILLS AD VALOREM TAX(THE “TAX”), AUTHORIZED FOR PUBLIC LIBRARY PURPOSES UPON ALL PROPERTY SUBJECT TO TAXATION WITHIN THE PARISH, FOR AN ADDITIONAL TEN (10) YEARS, BEGINNING WITH THE YEAR 2026, TO AND INCLUDING THE YEAR 2035; AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO (I) REDEDICATE $52,400,000OF PROCEEDS OF THE TAXHERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FOR PARISH-WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES AND (II) REDEDICATE THE USE OF PROCEEDS OF THE TAXSOTHAT(A) PROCEEDS HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FROM 8.30 MILLS OF THE TAXSHALL BE ADMINISTERED BY THE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH LIBRARYBOARD OF CONTROL AND USED TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE THE PUBLIC LIBRARYSYSTEM OF THE PARISH, INCLUDING ACQUIRING LAND AND CONSTRUCTING NEW LIBRARY FACILITIES, AND (B) PROCEEDS HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTER RECEIVED FROM 2.80 MILLS OF THE TAXSHALL BE USED FOR PARISH-WIDE GENERAL PURPOSES; AND PROVIDING FOR OTHER MATTERS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Ms. Harris to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and 0absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59090

ARESOLUTION PROVIDING FOR CANVASSING THE RETURNS AND DECLARING THE RESULTOFTHE SPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE, STATEOFLOUISIANA (THE “PARISH”) ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2025, FOR THE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZING THE PARISH TO EXTEND THE LEVY

Nays: None

Abstains:None Did NotVote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION 59111

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTONBEHALF OF BATON ROUGE

CITY COURTTOENTER ACONTRACT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH MELISSA DAVID DBAMJDAVID,LLC. THE CONTRACT IS NOT TO EXCEED THESUM OF $72,000.00FOR THETERM OF THECONTRACT. THESERVICES PROVIDEDARE THEPERFORMANCE OF HIGHLY RESPONSIBLE COURTREPORTINGACTIVITIES WHICH INCLUDE TAKING VERBATIM TESTIMONYDURING COURTPROCEEDINGS AND TRANSCRIBING.THESE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LICENSED CERTIFIED COURTREPORTERS FOR THECONTRACT PERIOD OFJANUARY 1, 2026,THROUGH DECEMBER31, 2026, AND MAY BE RENEWED FOR UP TO TWO(2) ADDITIONAL TWELVE-MONTH PERIODS, UPON MUTUAL CONSENT OF BOTHPARTIES BY WRITTEN AGREEMENT ANDCONTINGENT UPON THE AVAILABILITY OF FUNDINGINANAMOUNTNOT TO EXCEED $72,000.00PER RENEWAL PERIOD. DRAFTCONTRACT IS ATTACHED

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Ms.Harris to adopt theproposed resolution.AYea and Nayvote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams,Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION 59112

AUTHORIZINGTHEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTEAPROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH COURSON NICKEL LLC IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $150,000 FORLEGISLATIVECONSULTINGSERVICES FOR THE CITY-PARISH FORCALENDAR YEAR 2026 AND THEOPTION FOR ONEYEAR RENEWALSCONTINGENTUPONAVAILABLE BUDGET.

ThePresiding Officerannounced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in order at this time. Nointerested citizens spoke either for or against theproposedresolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Dunn Jr and seconded by Ms.Coleman to adopt theproposed resolution.AYea andNay vote was called forand resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays:None

Abstains:None Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION 59113

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT WITH PATTON PRODUCTIONS, INC.FOR PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATEDTOTHE BATON ROUGE FILMCOMMISSION FOR THEPERIOD JANUARY 2, 2026,THROUGH DECEMBER31, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT OF $120,000 AND THE OPTION FOR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against theproposedresolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Noeltoadopt theproposed resolution.AYea and Nay vote was called forand resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays:None

Abstains:None Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59114

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEA CONTRACT WITH NATHAN HALL FORPROFESSIONAL CONSULTING SERVICES RELATED TO THEBATON ROUGE FILMCOMMISSION FOR THE PERIODJANUARY 2, 2026,THROUGH DECEMBER31, 2026, IN THE AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $59,000AND THE OPTIONFOR ONE-YEAR RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in order at thistime. Nointerested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Noel and seconded by Ms.Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution.A Yeaand Nay votewas called forand resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays:None

Abstains:None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59115

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEANAGREEMENT WITH BENJAMIN BEYCHOKFOR CURATOR SERVICES FOR CONDEMNATIONPROCEEDINGS IN 2026, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTO

EXCEED$70,000

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. Nointerested citizens spoke either for or against theproposedresolution.A motion was made by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMs. Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yea andNay vote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays:None Abstains:None Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59116

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THEBATON ROUGE POLICEDEPARTMENT, TO RENEW AN OPERATING SERVICES CONTRACT WITH AXON ENTERPRISES TO PROVIDECLOUD STORAGE SERVICES FORIN-CARAND BODY CAMERA VIDEO SYSTEMS TOINCLUDE TASERS ANDUPDATED CRADLEPOINT MODEMS, INCLUDINGINSTALLATION IN VEHICLES, THROUGH ALEASE BUNDLE MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT. THEANNUAL ESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THEAGREEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED$1,380,00.00 EFFECTIVE JANUARYI,2026, THROUGHDECEMBER31, 2026. THE AGREEMENT WILL BE FUNDED BY THE2026 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, POLICE GENERAL FUND

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution.A motion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Ms. Amoroso to adopt theproposed resolution.AYea and Nayvote was calledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59117

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THEBATON ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO ENTER INTO APROFESSIONAL LEGAL SERVICESCONTRACT WITH THELAW FIRMOFBREAZEALE, SACHSE &WILSON, LLP(“COUNSEL”).THE CONTRACT WILL

PROVIDELEGAL REPRESENTATIONFOR THECHIEF OFPOLICE DURINGADMINISTRATIVE AND MUNICIPALFIRE& POLICE CIVIL SERVICEBOARD HEARINGS. THE MAXIMUM COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENTWILLBE$150,000.00, EFFECTIVE JANUARYI,2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31,2026. THE AGREEMENT WILL BE FUNDED BY THE 2026 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, POLICE GENERAL FUND. ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. Nointerested citizens spoke eitherfor oragainst the proposed resolution. Asubstitute motion was made by Mr DunnJr. and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution as presented with the provision that notification to thecouncil willbegiven once 50%ofthe totalhas been utilized. AYea and Nay vote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams,Amoroso, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney Moak, Noel, Racca Nays:None Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: Coleman, Harris Absent:None With 10 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 2not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59118

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THEBATON

ROUGE POLICE DEPARTMENT, TO ENTER INTO AN OPERATING

SERVICES CONTRACT WITHSTARSERVICES TO PROVIDE HVAC SERVICES FOR THEPUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX. THEESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THEAGREEMENTISNOT TO EXCEED $435,000 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. THE AGREEMENT WILL BE FUNDED BY THE 2026 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET, POLICE GENERAL FUND.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. A motionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59119

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT,ONBEHALF OF THEBATON ROUGE POLICEDEPARTMENT, TO RENEW APROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITHMOTOROLA SOLUTIONSINC. FOR THE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION COST OF THECOMMANDCENTRAL AWARE PROGRAM.THE ANNUALESTIMATED COMPENSATION OF THE AGREEMENT WILL NOT EXCEED $63,860.00, EFFECTIVE JANUARY I, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. THEAGREEMENTWILL BE FUNDED BY THE2026 ANNUAL OPERATINGBUDGET, POLICE GENERAL FUND.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. A motionwas made by Ms.Adams andseconded by Ms.Amoroso to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea andNay vote was calledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59120

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT, ON BEHALF OF THEOFFICE OFCOMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, TO AMENDCONTRACTNO. 800006826 WITHBAYOU ROUGE ENVIRONMENTAL &PLANNING, LLC TO EXPANDTHE SCOPE OF WORK, EXTEND THECONTRACT TERM THROUGH JANUARY 31, 2027, INCREASE COMPENSATION BY $139,850.00 FOR AREVISED NOT-TO-EXCEED AMOUNT OF $289,850.00, ANDEXECUTEALL RELATED DOCUMENTS.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59121

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTEA CONTRACT WITH EISNERAMPER LLP IN THEAMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED

$1,586,320 FOR THEANNUALCOMPREHENSIVE AUDIT ANDTHE RAISING CANE’S RIVER CENTER MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT AUDIT FOR AUDITINGSERVICES FOR THEYEARS 2025 THROUGH 2028 AND FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE AUDIT COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON AND FINANCE DIRECTOR TO EXECUTETHE ENGAGEMENT LETTERS WITH SAID AUDIT The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Gaudet and seconded by Mr.Moak to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59122

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT

WITHTHE EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH SCHOOL BOARD IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $134,110 TO PROVIDE ADULT EDUCATION CLASSES FOR THEINMATES IN THEEAST BATON ROUGE PARISH PRISON FOR THEPERIOD JANUARY 1, 2026 THROUGH DECEMBER 31,2026.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Harrisand seconded by Ms.Adams to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59123

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTEA PROFESSIONAL SERVICECONTRACT WITHTAX COMPLIANCE & RECOVERYLLC IN AN MOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $137,580 FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RELATING TO RECOVERYOFSALES ANDUSE TAXES.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Ms. Coleman to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59124

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACONTRACT FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SERVICES WITHG.E.C., INC.,FOR SERVICES ASSOCIATED WITHMOVEBR CAPACITYPROJECTOLD HAMMONDHWY SEGMENT2 (MILLERVILLE –O’NEAL), BEINGCITYPARISH PROJECT NO._06-CS-HC-0028__, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTO EXCEED $749,000.00.(ACCOUNT NO.9217100023-00000 4371.000000000000000-653100). The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Mr.Moak and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

HC-0035, IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $381,875.92.(ACCOUNT NO. 9217100031-4306.00106-0000000000-653240). The Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke eitherfor or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Moakand secondedbyMr. Gaudettoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea andNay vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59126

AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT AGRANT AWARD FROM THE STATEOFLOUISIANA’S OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT –DISASTER RECOVERY(LOCD-DR) AND THE LOUISIANA WATERSHEDINITIATIVE (LWI). THE GRANT APPLICATION WASAPPROVED IN THE AMOUNT OF $29,891,960.00AND WILL BE 100% FEDERALLY FUNDED.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Hudson to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59127

AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE ACOOPERATIVE ENDEAVOR AGREEMENT WITH SOUTH CENTRAL PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, TO PROVIDEENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTIONS AND ENFORCEMENT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF DEVELOPMENT,INANAMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $338,000.

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Mr.Gaudet andsecondedbyMs. Adams to adopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59128

AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO.

5WITH NCMC, LLC FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUAL STORM WATER INLET AND JUNCTION BOX REHABILITATION PROJECT,BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECT NO. 21-MHMS-0040, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN CONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT OF $600,000.00AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5600-7700-40-7770-7774-0000000000-643500). The Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Kenneytoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59129

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8749 AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 13 WITH ECM CONSULTANTS, INC. FOR CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORTSERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH ANNUAL CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION SUPPORT–FIRM 1, BEING PROJECT NO. 15-CN-MS-0008, RESULTING IN AN INCREASE IN THE CONTRACT AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $600,000.00AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER 31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5100-7700-40-7710-7742-0000-000000-643540).

The Presiding Officer announced thata public hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Kenneytoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59130

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8750

AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 8TOTHE CONTRACT WITH K3B, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE –EAST SITE GROUP BEING CITY-PARISH CONTRACT NO. 800000776 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $175,000.00AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5100-7700-40-7710-7742-0000000000-642260). The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Kenneytoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59131

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8751

AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 9TOTHE CONTRACT WITH W. P. ENTERPRISE, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE –NORTH SITE GROUP BEING CITY-PARISH CONTRACT NO. 800000773 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $100,000.00AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5100-7700-40-77107742-0000-000000-642260). The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizensspoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Kenneytoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59132

EBROSCO RESOLUTION 8752

AUTHORIZETHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT AND/OR EBROSCO TO EXECUTE AMENDMENT NO. 8TOTHE CONTRACT WITH CARRUTH HOLDINGS, LLC FOR PUMP STATION LAWN MAINTENANCE –SOUTH SITE GROUP BEING CITY-PARISH CONTRACT NO. 800000862 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $125,000.00AND EXTENDING THE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5100-7700-40-77107742-0000-000000-642260).

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Kenneytoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains:None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION 59133 EBROSCO RESOLUTION8753

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENTAND/OREBROSCO TO EXECUTEANEXTENSION TO THECONTRACT WITH ARCCO COMPANY SERVICES, INC. FOR MAINTENANCE,REPAIR, INSTALLATION AND STORAGE OF GENERATORS FORPUMPSTATIONSITESFOR AN ADDITIONAL FIVEYEARS FORA FEENOT TO EXCEED$2,500,000.00 ANNUALLY(ACCOUNTNO. 5100-7700-40-7710-7753-0000-000000647600).

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Mr.Kenney to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called forand resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays:None

Abstains:None

Did NotVote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION 59134

AUTHORIZE THE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO. 23 TO THE CONTRACT WITH CH2MHILL ENGINEERS, INC. (NOWJACOBS ENGINEERINGGROUP,INC.) FOR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR PHASE II OF THE BATONROUGE SANITARYSEWER OVERFLOW (SSO)CONTROL AND WASTEWATER FACILITIESPROGRAM RESULTINGINANINCREASE IN THECONTRACTAMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $3,250,000.00AND AN EXTENSION OF CONTRACT TIME TO DECEMBER31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NOS.5100-7700-40-7710-7756-0000-000000-643580-81101 AND 81101-5110000001-NCDPPADM01-653091)

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Mr.Kenney to adopt the proposed resolution.A Yeaand Nayvote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca Nays:None Abstains:None

Did NotVote: None Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays,0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

PROPOSEDRESOLUTION

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEAN INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH THECITY OF ST.GEORGE FORTHE PROVISION OF ANIMAL CONTROLSERVICES IN THECITY OFST. GEORGEATACOST OF $432,440PAIDTOTHE CITY-PARISH FORTHE YEAR 2026 ANDCONTINUINGYEAR TO YEAR AFTERTHAT UPON THEMUTUALCONSENTOFTHE PARTIES, AND TO SIGN ALL DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

The PresidingOfficer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in orderatthis time. Nointerested citizens spoke either for oragainst theproposedresolution. Amotion was made by Mr.DunnJr. and seconded by Ms.Adamstodelete theproposed resolution.AYea and Nay vote was called forand resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted

RESOLUTION59135

AUTHORIZE THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEAMENDMENT NO. 10 WITH GRADYCRAWFORDCONSTRUCTIONCOMPANY

INC.FOR CONSTRUCTION SERVICES IN CONNECTION WITH THE ANNUALSTORMWATER PIPEREPAIRAND REPLACEMENT PROJECT BEING CITY-PARISH PROJECTNO. 21-PN-MS-0039, RESULTING INANINCREASEINCONTRACT IN AN AMOUNT OF$1,850,000.00 AND EXTENDINGTHE CONTRACT THROUGH DECEMBER31, 2026 (ACCOUNT NO. 5600-7700-40-7770-7774-0000-000000-643500)

The Presiding Officerannounced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in order at this time.Nointerested citizens spoke either for or against theproposedresolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams and seconded by Mr.Noel to adopt theproposed resolution.AYea and Nay vote was called forand resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst,Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did NotVote:None

Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59136

AMENDINGRESOLUTION 58496 ADOPTED FEBRUARY 26, 2025 IN ORDERTOADOPTA NEWFEE SCHEDULE FORDUMPING AT THE EAST BATONROUGE PARISHNORTH LANDFILLSITE AND PROVIDING FOROTHER MATTERSRELATED THERETO, EFFECTIVEJANUARY 1, 2026.

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in orderatthis time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Ms. Adams andseconded by Ms. Amorosotoadopt the proposed resolution.AYea and Nay vote wascalledfor and resulted as follows:

Yeas:Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote:None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59137

AUTHORIZE THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTTOEXECUTESUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENT NO.4 TO THECONTRACT WITH JACOBS ENGINEERING GROUP, INC.(FORMERLY CH2M HILL, INC.) FORSTORMWATER DIVISIONPROGRAM MANAGEMENT SERVICESFOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN AN AMOUNTNOT TO EXCEED $400,000.00AND ANEXTENSION OF THECONTRACT TIMETHROUGH DECEMBER31, 2026(ACCOUNTNO. 5600-7700-40-7770-7773-0000-000000-643500)

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at thistime. Nointerested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution. Amotion was made by Mr.Hudson and secondedbyMs. Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution.A Yeaand Nay votewas called forand resulted as follows: Yeas:Adams, Amoroso, Coleman,Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote:None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59138

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTEA COOPERATIVE ENDEAVORLEASE AGREEMENT WITH AMERICAN CRUISE LINES, PROVIDING FORATWENTY (20) YEAR NON-EXCLUSIVE DOCKING ARRANGEMENT AT THECITY-PARISH “PAPERCLIP” DOCK IN CONSIDERATION OF IMPROVEMENTSTOTHE DOCKING FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE, AND/ORRENTAL PAYMENTS, AND DOCKING FEES AS DICTATED BY CITY-PARISHORDINANCE TITLE10, CHAPTER5 § 10:300 IN ORDERTOGROWECONOMICDEVELOPMENT THROUGH AN INCREASE IN THENUMBER OF VISITORSTODOWNTOWNBATON ROUGEVIA THEPAPERCLIP DOCK.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or againstthe proposed resolution.A motion was made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Ms. Adamstoadopt theproposed resolution as amended. AYea and Nay vote was called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso,Coleman,Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays:None Abstains:None Did NotVote: None

Absent: None With 12 yeas,0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, themotion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59139

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENT TO EXECUTE A

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTWITH SSA CONSULTANTS LLC IN AN AMOUNT UP TO $180,000 FOR HIGHLYRESPONSIBLE

PROFESSIONAL WORKFOR THEOFFICEOFTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT FOR CALENDAR YEAR 2026 ANDTHE OPTION FOR ONE-YEAR

RENEWALS CONTINGENT UPON AVAILABLE BUDGET

ThePresiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Harrisand seconded by Ms Racca to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay votewas called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59140

APPROVING THELEVY ANDASSESSMENT, PURSUANT TO LA.

R.S. 33:9038.76 E(2)(B), OF THESALES ANDUSE TAXAND HOTEL

OCCUPANCY TAXWITHIN THELSU EDD ATHLETIC SUBDISTRICT, AS

ESTABLISHED BY THESUBDISTRICT’SBOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for oragainst the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Ms. Coleman and seconded by Mr.Hudson to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nayvotewas called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59141

AUTHORIZINGTHE MAYOR-PRESIDENT TO ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THERFP 2025-22-5400 EVALUATION COMMITTEE, TO ISSUEA NOTICE OF INTENTTOAWARD, ANDTO ENTER INTO ACONTRACT WITHHUNT,GUILLOT& ASSOCIATES, LLC (HGA), FOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT, GRANT MANAGEMENT, AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES IN SUPPORTOFHAZARD MITIGATION ASSISTANCE (HMA)PROGRAMSAND OTHER RELATED STATEOR FEDERAL GRANTOPPORTUNITIES.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolutionwas in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Mr.Gaudet to adopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nayvotewas called for and resulted as follows:

Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

RESOLUTION 59142

AUTHORIZING THEMAYOR-PRESIDENTAND THEDIRECTOR OF JUVENILE SERVICES TO EXECUTE APROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENTWITH CONVENIENTCARE LAKE AFTER HOURS DBA TOTAL OCCUPATIONAL TO PROVIDE JUVENILEACCESS TO CONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES—INCLUDING SCREENING PREVENTION, HEALTH EDUCATION,DIAGNOSIS, ANDTREATMENT— AS THEONSITE MEDICAL DIRECTOR ANDPROVIDER, IN AN AMOUNT NOTTOEXCEED $150,000.00, FOR THECONTRACTPERIOD BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2026. BY JUVENILE SERVICES DIRECTOR. INTRODUCEFOR PUBLIC HEARING/ MEETINGONNOVEMBER 25, 2025.

The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above resolution was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed resolution. Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams andseconded by Ms. Harristoadopt the proposed resolution. AYea and Nay vote was calledfor and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None DidNot Vote: None Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADJUDICATED PROPERTIES

ORDINANCE 19728

AUTHORIZINGTHE METROPOLITANCOUNCIL TO DECLARE LOTS 66 & 67,MCCLUREPLACE, MCCLURESTREET,PREVIOUSLYADJUDICATED TO EAST BATON ROUGE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SURPLUSPROPERTY ANDTOAUTHORIZE THEDONATION OF ITS INTEREST IN SAMETO MOUNT BETHEL MISSIONARYBAPTIST CHURCH, THROUGH THE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSEPROGRAM WITHTHE PAYMENTOFTHE ADVANCEDCOSTS REQUIRED FOR THIS LOT,ASANINMYFATHER’S HOUSEPROPERTY PURSUANT TO LA. R.S. 47:2201 ET SEQ., THE LOUISIANA CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 7, SECTION 14, ANDPRIOR ORDINANCE OF THIS COUNCIL ESTABLISHINGTHE IN MY FATHER’S HOUSEPROGRAM The Presiding Officer announced that apublic hearing on the above ordinance was in order at this time. No interested citizens spoke either for or against the proposed ordinance. Amotionwas made by Mr.Kenney and seconded by Ms.Adams to adopt the proposed ordinance. AYea and Nay votewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion wasadopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER INTRODUCTIONS

RECEIVING AREPORTFROM THECHIEFOFTHE BATON ROUGE

POLICEDEPARTMENTONCRIME STATISTICSINMETROPOLITAN

COUNCIL DISTRICT7 FOR 2025.

Amotionwas made by Ms.Harrisand seconded by Mr.Dunn Jr.that the introduction of the above proposed resolutionbepublished in accordance with lawand that apublic hearing thereon be called for the council meeting on January 14, 2026. A“Yea” and “Nay” votewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

ADMINISTRATIVE MATTER ITEMS

None. APPOINTMENTS

BOARDOFADJUSTMENT -METROPOLITAN

Consideration of replacing Parker Ewing, who is term limited. Term effective January 2, 2026. Thisisa five (5) year term.

Current Ballot

Brad Canova-submitted application

Amotionwas made by Ms.Adams and seconded by Ms. Amoroso to appoint Brad Canova. AYea and Nayvotewas called for and resulted as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet,Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney,Moak, Noel,Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

DidNot Vote: None

Absent:None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting,and 0absent,the motion was adopted.

CHANEYVILLE VOLUNTEER FIREDISTRICT

Consideration of reappointing or replacing ClaudiaFisher,whose term

expiresonDecember 31, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. Thisisa two (2) year term.

Current Ballot

ClaudiaFisher (requested reappointment)

Amotionwas made by Ms. Amoroso and seconded by Ms. Harristo

reappoint ClaudiaFisher.A Yeaand Nayvotewas called for and resulted

as follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca

Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion wasadopted.

EAST BATON ROUGE PARISHMOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

-MARC Consideration of reappointing or replacing Dr.Rebecca de Jesus Crespo. Term expiresJanuary 10, 2026. This is athree (3)year term. Must be an Entomologist. Current Ballot

Dr.Rebecca de Jesus Crespo (requested reappointment)

Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMs. Amoroso to reappoint Dr.Rebecca de Jesus Crespo. AYea andNay vote was called for andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0absent, the motion wasadopted.

GAS UTILITY DISTRICT NO. 1-BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Consideration of reappointing or replacing NathanLemoine,Sr. whose term expiresonJanuary 1, 2026, effective January 2, 2026. This is a five (5) year term. (Must live in the District).

Current Ballot

NathanLemoine,Sr. (requested reappointment)

Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Noeltoreappoint NathanLemoine,Sr. AYea andNay vote was calledfor andresultedas follows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

Abstains: None

Did Not Vote:None

Absent: None

With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION

Consideration of reappointing or replacing EvanScroggs. This appointment is afour (4) year term. Must live in the City of Baton Rouge

Current Ballot

RexCabaniss (submittedapplication)

EvanScroggs (requested reappointment

Spencer Maxcy (submitted application)

Amotion wasmade by Mr.Noeland secondedbyMs. Harris to appoint

Spencer Maxcy.AYea andNay vote was calledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr., Gaudet, Harris, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:Hudson Absent: None

With 11 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 1not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

ITEMS

CHANGE ORDERS

RESOLUTION 59143

AIRPORTAUTHORITY RESOLUTION 12-10-25-11

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTEDBETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND BOB BERNHARD &ASSOCIATES MECHANICAL, LLC, FOR BATON ROUGE AIRPORT TERMINAL HVAC UPGRADES, BEING PROJECT NO. 9800000100

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Moaktoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59144

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTEDBETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND OOK JANITORIAL SERVICES, FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORK FACILITIES, BEING NO. CONTRACT #800007168

The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Moaktoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59145

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTEDBETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND RAMELLI JANITORIAL SERVICES, FOR JANITORIAL SERVICES FOR VARIOUS PUBLIC WORK LOCATIONS, BEING PROJECT CONTRACT NO. 800007167. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Moaktoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59146

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 1, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTEDBETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND TRIUMPH CONSTRUCTION, LLC, FOR PROJECT,BEING PROJECT NO. 15-SWUS-0005; H.014274. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Moaktoadopt the proposedresolution. AYea and Nayvote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None Abstains: None Did Not Vote:None Absent: None With 12 yeas, 0nays, 0abstains, 0not voting, and0 absent, the motion wasadopted.

RESOLUTION 59147

AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ACHANGE ORDER, BEING CHANGE ORDER NO. 2, TO THE CONTRACT EXECUTEDBETWEEN THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE,PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND TRAFFIC COMMANDER, LLC, FOR PARISHWIDE TRAFFIC CALMING IMPROVEMENTS (SPEED SIGNS), BEING PROJECT NO. 23-ENHC-0015. The Presiding Officer announced thatapublic hearing on the above resolution wasinorder at this time.Nointerestedcitizens spoke either for or against the proposedresolution. Amotion wasmade by Ms. Adams andsecondedbyMr. Moaktoadopt the proposedresolution. A“Yea” and “Nay” vote wascalledfor andresultedasfollows: Yeas: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Gaudet, Harris, Hudson, Hurst, Kenney, Moak, Noel, Racca Nays: None

as

fice;thatanother certi‐fied copy thereofshall be forwardedtothe Clerkof Courtand Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgagesin andfor theParishofEast BatonRouge,who shall record thesameinthe Mortgage Recordsofthe Parish;and that another copy thereofshall be re‐tained in thearchivesof theMetropolitanCouncil.

SECTION3.Thatthe re‐sultsofsaidspecial elec‐tion shallbepromul‐gatedbypublication in themannerprovidedby law, after receiptfrom theSecretary of State’s office of theactualcost of holdingthe said spe‐cial election,asrequired by La.R.S.18:1292(B)(2). SECTION4.ThisResolu‐tion shalltakeeffectim‐mediately.

This Resolution having been submittedto a vote,the vote thereon wasasfollows: YEAS:LaurieAdams Denise Amoroso, Carolyn Coleman, CleveDunn, Jr RowdyGaudet, Twahna P. Harris,DwightHudson, Darryl Hurst, AnthonyKenney, Aaron Moak,Brandon Noel,Jen‐niferRacca NAYS:None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT:None Done,approved and adopted on this,the 10th dayofDecember, 2025. By:/s/ Ashley Beck CouncilAdministrator By: /s/Brandon Noel PresidentPro Tempore STATEOFLOUISIANA PARISH OF EAST BATONROUGE I, ASHLEY BECK,certify that Iamthe duly quali‐fied andactingCouncil Administratorofthe

and Parish of East Baton Rouge, Stateof Louisiana, on this,the 10thday of December 2025. /s/ Ashley Beck Ashley Beck CouncilAdministrator (SEAL) In accordance with La R.S. 18:1292(B)(2), theac‐tual cost of holdingthe

PUBLIC NOTICE TheResolutionwas thereuponsignedbythe PresidentPro Tempore, attested by theCouncil Administrator, andde‐claredtobeadopted TheResolutionprovides as follows: RESOLUTION NO.59090 ARESOLUTIONPROVID‐INGFOR CANVASSING THERETURNS ANDDE‐CLARINGTHE RESULT OF THESPECIAL ELECTION HELD IN THEPARISHOF EAST BATONROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA (THE “PARISH”)ONSAT‐URDAY,NOVEMBER 15, 2025, FORTHE PURPOSE OF AUTHORIZINGTHE

CEEDS HERETOFORE AND HEREAFTERRECEIVED FROM 0.50 MILLSOFTHE TAXSHALL BE USED FOR PARISH-WIDEGENERAL PURPOSES;AND PROVID‐INGFOR OTHERMATTERS IN CONNECTIONTHERE‐WITH BE IT RESOLVED by the Metropolitan Councilof theParishofEastBaton Rougeand City of Baton Rouge(the“Metropolitan Council”), acting as the governingauthority of theParishofEastBaton Rouge, StateofLouisiana (the “Parish”): SECTION1.ThatthisMet‐ropolitanCouncil does nowproceed in open and public sessiontoopen theenvelopecontaining theofficial tabulationsof votescastatthe special election held in the Parish on Saturday,No‐vember 15, 2025, forthe purposeofauthorizing theParishtoextendthe levy of a1.00mills ad val‐orem tax(the“Tax”), au‐thorized formosquito abatementand rodent controlpurposesupon allpropertysubject to taxation within the Parish,for ten(10) years, beginningwiththe year 2027, to andincluding 2036; andfurther autho‐rizing theParishto(i) rededicate $6,000,000 of proceedsofthe Tax heretofore andhereafter received forParish-wide generalpurposesand (ii) rededicate theuse of proceedsofthe Taxso that (a)proceedshereto‐fore andhereafter re‐ceived from 0.50 millsof theTax shallbeuseden‐tirely andexclusively to providefundstopur‐chase, maintain andop‐eratemachinery,facili‐ties andequipment nec‐essary in theeradication abatementorcontrol of mosquitoes,arthropods of public health impor‐tanceand rodents, and providingfor adequate administrative andsup‐port staff, and(b) pro‐ceedsheretoforeand hereafter received from 0.50 millsofthe Taxshall be used forParish-wide generalpurposes(after paying reasonable and necessaryexpensesof collecting andadminis‐tering theTax), said tab‐ulations having been pre‐paredand certified by theEastBaton Rouge Parish ClerkofCourt andthisMetropolitan Councildoesnow further proceed to examine, count andtabulatesuch votesand to examine andcanvass thereturns anddeclare theresultof theelection. SECTION2.Thata Proces Verbal of thecanvass of thereturns of said spe‐cial election shallbe made andthata certified copy thereofshall be for‐warded to theSecretary of State, BatonRouge Louisiana, whoshall record thesameinhis of‐fice;thatanother certi‐fied copy thereofshall be forwardedtothe Clerkof Courtand Ex-Officio Recorder of Mortgagesin andfor theParishofEast BatonRouge,who shall record thesameinthe Mortgage Recordsofthe Parish;and that another copy thereofshall be re‐tained in thearchivesof theMetropolitanCouncil. SECTION3.Thatthe re‐sultsofsaidspecial elec‐tion shallbepromul‐

byLa. R.S.

SECTION4.ThisResolu‐

mediately.

submittedto

vote,the

thereon wasasfollows: YEAS:LaurieAdams Denise Amoroso, Carolyn Coleman, CleveDunn, Jr RowdyGaudet, Twahna P. Harris,DwightHudson, Darryl Hurst, AnthonyKenney, Aaron Moak,Brandon Noel,Jen‐niferRacca NAYS:None ABSTAIN: None ABSENT:None Done,approved and adopted on this,the 10th dayofDecember, 2025.

By:/s/ Ashley Beck CouncilAdministrator By:/s/ BrandonNoel PresidentPro Tempore STATEOFLOUISIANA PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE I, ASHLEY BECK,certify that Iamthe duly quali‐fied andactingCouncil Administratorofthe Met‐ropolitanCouncil of the Parish of East Baton Rougeand City of Baton Rouge, thegoverning au‐thorityofthe Parish of East BatonRouge,State of Louisiana. Ifurther certifythat theabove andforegoing is atrueand correct copy of an excerptfrom theminutes of ameeting of said Metropolitan CouncilheldonDecem‐ber10, 2025, providingfor canvassing thereturns anddeclaring theresult of thespecial election held in theParishofEast BatonRouge,State of Louisiana(the“Parish”) on Saturday,November 15, 2025, forthe purpose of authorizingthe Parish to extend thelevy of a 1.00 millsadvalorem tax (the “Tax”),authorized formosquitoabatement androdentcontrol pur‐posesuponall property subjecttotaxation within theParish, forten (10) years, beginning with theyear2027, to andincluding 2036; and furtherauthorizing the Parish to (i)rededicate $6,000,000 of proceedsof theTax heretofore and hereafter received for Parish-widegeneral pur‐poses and(ii)rededicate theuse of proceedsof theTax so that (a)pro‐ceedsheretoforeand hereafter received from 0.50 millsofthe

nizedMs. Lynn Robertson forher distinguishedser‐vice as the2025 Commis‐sion President. Agenda Item 11Adjournment

On amotionbyMr. Shel‐tonDixon,secondedby Mr.Ted Glaser,the meet‐ingadjourned

Secretary: TedH.Glaser

President: Donald M. Schexnayder

Date approved: January22, 2026 175200 Jan. 28, 1t $73.07

TheMetropolitanCouncil of theParishofEast BatonRouge andthe City of BatonRouge convened in specialsession on Monday,January 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM,inthe Council Chambers of theGovern‐mental Building,Room 348, BatonRouge Louisiana. TheMeetingwas called to orderbythe Presiding Officerand thefollowing memberswerepresent: Present: Adams, Amoroso, Coleman, Dunn Jr Harris,Hudson, Ken‐ney, Moak,Noel Absent:Gaudet, Hurst, Racca PROOFOFNOTICEOFTHE MEETING /s/ Laurie Adams /s/ Denise Amoroso /s/ CarolynColeman /s/ CleveDunn, Jr /s/ RowdyGaudet /s/ Twahna Harris /s/ Dwight Hudson /s/ Darryl Hurst /s/ AnthonyKenney /s/ AaronMoak /s/ BrandonNoel /s/ Jennifer Racca