The Times-Picayune 01-31-2026

AFRIDAYSTROLL

ABOVE: Cellist Helen Gillet dances aboard her float in the Krewe Bohéme parade on Friday. The krewe marched and danced through the Marigny neighborhood andthe FrenchQuarter to the theme, ‘Midnightinthe Garden of Absinthe’ with Gillet asthe Supreme Green Fairy.

RIGHT: BigChief John Ellis, of the Original Wild TchoupitoulasMardi Gras Indians,sings and dances before the parade on Friday.

NORD changes, expansionin theworks

BY JONI HESS Staff writer

New Orleans’ public recreation department is on the verge of an overhaulshaped by Mayor Helena Moreno’scampaign promises to expand youth programs, improve park maintenance and bring new leadership to a historically underfundedcityresource. And with the City Council’sapproval this week of fivenew mayoral appointeestooversee the New Orleans Recreationand Development Commission, Moreno’svisionhas begun to unfold, with changes aimed at makingthe troubleddepartmentfunction more efficiently

ä See NORD, page 5A

WASHINGTON MARDIGRAS

Lutnick sees bright future for state

‘Louisiana

hasthe

assets to be incredibly successful’

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON —U.S.Commerce

Secretary

Howard Lutnick pointed to huge projects being developedinLouisiana andsaidthe pieces areinplace forthe statetobecomethe next generation’seconomic powerhouse.

“Great assets leftin thegaragedon’t produceanything. You need leadership. You need the talent. You need drive,” Lutnick saidina luncheon at Washington Mardi Gras on Friday.“Louisiana has the assets to be incredibly successful.”

ä While in town for Mardi Gras, New Orleans MayorMoreno gets chance to meet withPresident Trump. Page 7A

ä Photos from Friday’sactivitiesin Washington. Page 7A

Gov.Jeff Landry saidthe state’senergyeconomy andinfrastructure is fueling that growth.

“For so long, ourcitizens have been used to badnews. They don’tknow or they don’t believe because when they heard good news before, they didn’tbelieve it was sustainable,” Landry said.

Landry and Lutnick addressed the

ä See ASSETS, page 6A

BY MICHAELBIESECKER, REBECCA SANTANA and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Justice Department has opened afederal civil rights investigation into theshooting of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis resident killed SaturdaybyBorderPatrol officers, Deputy AttorneyGeneral Todd Blanche said Friday

“We’re looking at everything that would shedlight on what happened that day andinthe days and weeks leading up to what happened,” Blanche said during anews conference. Blanche did not explain why

the DOJdecided to open an investigation into Pretti’skilling, but hassaida similarprobe is notwarranted in the Jan. 7 death of Renee Good, whowas shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcementofficer in Minneapolis. He said only on Friday that the Civil Rights Division does not investigate every law enforcement shooting and that there have to be circumstances andfacts that “warrant an investigation.” “President Trump hassaid repeatedly,‘Of course, this is something we’re going to investigate,’” Blanchesaidofthe

ä See PROBE, page 5A

Thousand face arctic blast without power

BELZONI, Miss. As tens of thousands of people endured nearly a week with no electricity, another storm loomed on the East Coast where residents braced for nearhurricane force winds, heavy snow and potential flooding.

More than 230,000 homes and businesses were without electricity Friday, with the vast majority of those outages in Mississippi and Tennessee, according to the outage tracking website poweroutage.us.

In Mississippi’s Lafayette County, where about 12,000 people were still without electricity midday Friday, emergency management agency spokesperson Beau Moore said he knows not everyone will get power back before the cold hits.

Workers are attacking the project by ground and air A video on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Facebook page shows a worker sitting on the skids of a hovering helicopter so they can repair a giant power structure.

Arctic air moving into the Southeast will cause already frigid temperatures to plummet into the teens on Friday night in cities like Nashville, Tennessee, where many still lacked power nearly a week after a massive storm dumped snow and ice across the eastern U.S., the National Weather Service said.

Forecasters say the subfreezing weather will persist in the eastern U.S. into February and there’s high chance of heavy snow in the Carolinas, Virginia and northeast Georgia this weekend, possibly up to a foot in parts of North Carolina. Snow is also possible along the East Coast from Maryland to Maine

Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuke sites

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates As tensions soar over Iran’s bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year by Israel and the United States that may be a sign of Tehran trying to obscure efforts to salvage any materials remaining there.

The images from Planet Labs PBC show roofs have been built over two damaged buildings at the Isfahan and Natanz facilities, the first major activity noticeable by satellite at any of the country’s stricken nuclear sites since Israel’s 12-day war with Iran in June. Those coverings block satellites from seeing what’s happening on the ground right now the only way for inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency to monitor the sites as Iran has prevented access. Iran has not publicly discussed the activity at the two sites. The IAEA, a watchdog agency of the United Nations, did not respond to requests for comment President Donald Trump repeatedly has demanded Iran negotiate a deal over its nuclear program to avert threatened American military strikes over the country’s crackdown on protesters.

Extreme cold delays

manned Artemis launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA has delayed astronauts’ upcoming trip to the moon because of nearfreezing temperatures expected at the launch site. The first Artemis moonshot with a crew is now targeted for no earlier than Feb. 8, two days later than planned.

NASA was all set to conduct a fueling test of the 322-foot moon rocket on Saturday, but called everything off late Thursday because of the expected cold. The critical dress rehearsal is now set for Monday weather permitting. The change leaves NASA with only three days in February to send four astronauts around the moon and back, before slipping into March.

DOJ releases more Epstein files

Department says trove includes 3 million pages

BY ERIC TUCKER, MICHAEL R. SISAK and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

NEW YORK The Justice Department on Friday released many more records from its investigative files on Jeffrey Epstein, resuming disclosures under a law intended to reveal what the government knew about the millionaire financier’s sexual abuse of young girls and his interactions with rich and powerful people such as Donald Trump and Bill Clinton.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the department would be releasing more than 3 million pages of documents as well as more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images. The files, posted to the department’s website, include some of the several million pages of records that officials said were withheld from an initial release in December.

Included were documents concerning some of Epstein’s famous associates, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor formerly known as Britain’s Prince Andrew, and email correspondence between Epstein and Elon Musk and other prominent contacts from across the political spectrum.

The documents were disclosed under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted after months of public and political pressure that requires the government to open its files on the late financier and his confidant and onetime girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell Lawmakers complained when the Justice Department made only a

limited release last month, but officials said more time was needed to review an additional trove of documents that was discovered and to scour the records to ensure no sensitive information about victims was inadvertently released.

Friday’s disclosure represents the largest document dump to date about a saga the Trump administration has struggled for months to shake because of the president’s previous association with Epstein. State and federal investigations into the financier have long animated online sleuths, conspiracy theorists and others who have suspected government cover-ups and clamored for a full accounting, demands that even Blanche acknowledged might not be satisfied by the latest release.

“There’s a hunger, or a thirst, for information that I don’t think will be satisfied by the review of these documents,” he said at a news conference.

After missing a Dec. 19 deadline

set by Congress to release all the files, the Justice Department said it tasked hundreds of lawyers with reviewing the records to determine what needed to be redacted, or blacked out. But it denied any effort to shield Trump, who says he cut ties with Epstein years ago after an earlier friendship, from potential embarrassment.

The latest batch of documents includes correspondence either with or about some of Epstein’s friends.

The records have thousands of references to Trump, including emails in which Epstein and others shared news articles about him, commented on his policies or politics, or gossiped about him and his family Also included was a spreadsheet created last August summarizing calls to the FBI’s National Threat Operation Center or to a hotline established by prosecutors from people claiming without corroboration to have some knowledge of wrongdoing by Trump.

Mountbatten-Windsor’s name

appears at least several hundred times in the documents, sometimes in news clippings, sometimes in Epstein’s private email correspondence and in guest lists for dinners organized by Epstein. Some of the records also document an attempt by prosecutors in New York to get the former prince to agree to be interviewed as part of their Epstein sex trafficking probe.

The records also show Musk, the billionaire Tesla founder, reached out to Epstein on at least two separate occasions to plan visits to the Caribbean island where many of the allegations of sexual abuse purportedly occurred.

In a 2012 exchange, Epstein asked how many people Musk would like flown by helicopter to the island he owned.

“Probably just Talulah and me,” Musk responded, referencing his then-partner, actress Talulah Riley “What day/night will be the wildest party on our island?”

Musk messaged Epstein again ahead of a planned Caribbean trip in 2013. “Will be in the BVI/St Bart’s areaovertheholidays,”hewrote.“Is there a good time to visit?” Epstein extended an invitation for sometime after the New Year holiday It’s not immediately clear if the island visits took place. Spokespeople for Musk’s companies, Tesla and X, didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment.

Musk has maintained that he repeatedly turned down the disgraced financier’s overtures.

“Epstein tried to get me to go to his island and I REFUSED,” he posted on X in 2025 last year when House Democrats released an Epstein calendar with an entry mentioning a potential Musk visit to the island. The documents also contain friendly text messages between Epstein and Steve Bannon.

Don Lemon charged in anti-ICE church protest

Journalist faces federal civil rights counts

BY JAIMIE DING, ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Journalist

Don Lemon was released from custody Friday after he was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges over his coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a Minnesota church.

Lemon was arrested overnight in Los Angeles, while another independent journalist and two protest participants were arrested in Minnesota. He struck a confident, defiant tone while speaking to reporters after a court appearance in California, declaring: “I will not be silenced.”

“I have spent my entire career covering the news. I will not stop now,”

Lemon said. “In fact there is no more important time than right now, this very moment, for a free and independent media that shines a light on the truth and holds those in power accountable.”

The arrests brought sharp criticism from news media advocates and civil rights activists including the Rev Al Sharpton, who said the administration of President Donald Trump is taking a “sledgehammer” to “the knees of the First Amendment.”

for a $100,000 bond, telling a judge that Lemon “knowingly joined a mob that stormed into a church.”

He was released, however, without having to post money and was granted permission to travel to France in June while the case is pending.

A grand jury in Minnesota indicted Lemon and others on charges of conspiracy and interfering with the First Amendment rights of worshippers during the Jan. 18 protest at the Cities Church in St. Paul, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official is a pastor

In court in Los Angeles, Assistant U.S Attorney Alexander Robbins argued

Defense attorney Marilyn Bednarski said Lemon plans to plead not guilty and fight the charges in Minnesota. Lemon, wh o was fired from CNN in 2023 following a bumpy run as a morning host, has said he has no affiliation to the organization that went into the church and he was there as a solo journalist chronicling protesters.

“Don has been a journalist for 30 years, and his constitutionally protected work in Minneapolis was no different than what he has always done,” his lawyer, Abbe Lowell, said in a statement earlier Friday

Attorney General Pam

Judge bars feds from seeking death penalty against Luigi Mangione

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK Federal prosecutors can’t seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a federal judge ruled Friday, foiling the Trump administration’s bid to see him executed for what it called a “premeditated, coldblooded assassination that shocked America.” Judge Margaret Garnett dismissed a federal murder charge that had enabled prosecutors to seek capital punishment, finding it technically flawed. She wrote that she did so to “foreclose the death penalty as an available punishment to be considered by the jury” as it weighs whether to con-

vict Mangione. Garnett also dismissed a gun charge but left in place stalking charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison. To seek the death penalty, prosecutors needed to show that Mangione killed Thompson while committing another “crime of violence.” Stalking doesn’t fit that definition, Garnett wrote in her opinion, citing case law and legal precedents. In a win for prosecutors, Garnett ruled they can use evidence collected from his backpack during his arrest, including a 9 mm handgun and a notebook in which authorities say Mangione described his intent to “wack” an insurance executive. Mangione’s lawyers had sought to exclude those items, arguing the search was illegal because

police hadn’t yet obtained a warrant.

During a hearing Friday, Garnett gave prosecutors 30 days to update her on whether they’ll appeal her death penalty decision. A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, which is prosecuting the federal case, declined to comment Garnett acknowledged that the decision “may strike the average person — and indeed many lawyers and judges as tortured and strange, and the result may seem contrary to our intuitions about the criminal law.” But, she said, it reflected her “committed effort to faithfully apply the dictates of the Supreme Court to the charges in this case. The law must be the Court’s only concern.”

Bondi promoted the arrests on social media.

“Make no mistake. Under President Trump’s leadership and this administration, you have the right to worship freely and safely,” Bondi said in a video posted online.

“And if I haven’t been clear already, if you violate that sacred right, we are coming after you.”

Since he left CNN, Lemon has joined the legion of journalists who have gone into business for themselves. He posts regularly on YouTube

and has not hidden his disdain for Trump. Yet during his online show from the church, he stressed: “I’m not here as an activist. I’m here as a journalist.” He described the scene before him and interviewed churchgoers and demonstrators. The indictment names nine defendants including Lemon. It says two of them posted their planned action on social media the day before and gave the others instructions in a shopping center parking lot the following morning.

Senate passes government fundingdeal

BY MARYCLARE JALONICK and LISA MASCARO Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Senate voted Friday to fund most of the government through the end of September while carving out atemporary extension forHomeland Security funding, giving Congress two weeks to debate new restrictions on federal immigration raids across the country With aweekend shutdown looming, President Donald Trump struck the spending deal with Senate Democrats on Thursday in thewakeof the deaths of two protesters at thehands of federal agents in Minneapolis. Democrats said they would not vote for the larger spending bill unless Congress considers legislation to unmask agents, require more warrants and allow local authorities to helpinvestigate any incidents.

“The nation is reaching abreaking point,” Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said after the vote. “The American people are demanding that Congress step up and forcechange.”

As lawmakers in both parties called forinvestigations into the fatalshootings, Trump said he didn’twanta shutdown and negotiated the rare deal with Schumer,his frequent adversary.Trump then encouraged members of both parties to casta “much needed Bipartisan ‘YES’ vote.” The bill passed 71-29 and will now head to the House,

which is not dueback until Monday. That means the government could be in a partial shutdown temporarily over theweekenduntil they pass it.

HouseSpeaker Mike Johnson,R-Benton, who held a conference call Friday with GOP lawmakers,said he expects theHouse to vote Monday evening. But what is uncertain is how much support there will be for the package.

Johnson’sright flank has signaled opposition to limits on HomelandSecurity funds, leaving him relianton Democrats who have their own objections to funding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement without immediate restraints.

It was unclear how involvedTrump will be in the negotiations over newrestrictions on immigration arrests —orif Republicans and Democrats couldfind any points of compromise.

Senate Democrats will notsupport an extension of Homeland Security funding in two weeks “unlessitreins in ICEand ends violence,” Schumer said. “Ifour colleagues arenot willing to enact real change, they should notexpectDemocratic votes.”

Similarly, House DemocraticLeader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters that any change in the homeland bill needs to be “meaningfuland it needs to be transformative.”

Absent “dramaticchange,” Jeffries said, “Republicans will get another shutdown.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByRAHMATGUL

The Senate voted Fridaytofund most of the government through the end of September after PresidentDonald Trumpmadea deal with Democrats to carveout Homeland Security funding and allowCongress to debate newrestrictions on federal immigration raids across the country.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., said the two sides will “sit down in good faith,” but it will be “really,really hard to getanything done,” especially in such ashort amount of time.

“We’ll stayhopeful, but there are some pretty significantdifferences of opinion,” Thune said.

Irate Democratshave asked theWhite House to “end roving patrols” in cities andcoordinatewithlocal law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

They alsowantanenforceable code of conduct so agents are heldaccountable when theyviolate rules.

Schumer said agentsshould be required to have “masks off, body cameras on”and carry proper identification, as is common practice in mostlaw enforcement agencies.

Alex Pretti, a37year-old ICUnurse,was killedbya border patrol agentonJan. 24, two weeksafter protester Renee Good was killed by an ICE officer.Administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, originally said Pretti had aggressively approachedofficers, but multiple videos contradicted that claim.

The president’sconcessions to Democrats prompted pushback from

some Senate Republicans, delaying the final votes and providing apreviewofthe coming debate over the next twoweeks. In afiery floor speech, Trumpally Sen. Lindsey Graham, of South Carolina, warned that Republicans should not give away too much.

“Tothe Republican Party, where have you been?” Graham said, adding that ICE agents and Border Patrol agents have been “slandered and smeared.”

Several Republicanshave said that if Democrats are going to push for restrictions on ICE, they will push forrestrictionsonso-called “sanctuary cities” that they saydonot do enough to en-

force illegal immigration.

“There no way in hell we’re going to let Democrats kneecap law enforcement andstopdeportations in exchange forfunding DHS,” said U.S. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., ahead of the vote.

Still, someRepublicans said they believe that changes to ICE’soperations were necessary,even as they wereunlikely to agree to all of the Democrats’ requests.

“I think the last couple of days have been an improvement,” said Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul. “I think the rhetoric has been dialed down a little bit, in Minnesota.”

After Trumpannounced the deal with Democrats, Graham held the spending bills up foralmost aday until Thune agreed to give him avoteonhis sanctuary cities bill at alater date.

Separately,Graham was also protesting arepeal of a new law giving senators the ability to sue the governmentfor millions of dollars if their personal or office dataisaccessed without their knowledge —ashappenedtohim andother senators as part of the so-called ArcticFrost investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack by Trumpsupporters at the Capitol.

The spending bill, which was passed by the House last week, would repeal that law. ButGraham said Thune had agreedtoconsideraseparate bill that would allow“groups and private citizens” who were caught up in Jack Smith’s probe to sue

TrumpsuesIRS,Treasury for$10Boverleakedtax info

BY FATIMAHUSSEIN

tactical vehicles

BY MATTHEW LEE AP diplomatic writer

WASHINGTON The Trump administration has approved amassive newseriesof arms sales to Israel totaling $6.67 billion and to Saudi Arabia worth $9 billion. Both sets of sales were announcedbythe State Department late Friday as tensions rise in the Middle East over the possibility of U.S. military strikes in Iran. They were made public after the department notifiedCongressofits approval of the sales earlier Friday

The sales also were announced as President Donald Trump pushes ahead with his ceasefire plan for Gaza that is intended to end the Israel-Hamas conflict and reconstruct and redevelop the Palestinian territory after two years of war

left it devastated, with tens of thousandsdead

The Saudi sale is for 730 Patriot missiles andrelated equipment that“will support theforeign policy and national security objectives of the United States byimproving the security ofa Major non-NATO Ally that is aforce for political stability and economic progress in the Gulf Region,” the department said.

“Thisenhanced capability will protect land forces of SaudiArabia, theUnited States, and local allies and will significantly improve SaudiArabia’scontribution”tothe integrated air andmissile defense system in the region, it said

The sales to Israel are split into four separate packages, including one for 30 Apache attack helicopters andrelated equipmentand weapons and another for 3,250 light

TheApachehelicopters, which will be equipped with rocket launchersand advanced targeting gear,are the biggest part of the total package, coming to $3.8 billion, according to the State Department.

Thenextlargest portion is the light tactical vehicles, which will be usedtomove personnel and logistics “to extend lines of communication” for the Israel Defense Forces andwill cost $1.98 billion, it said.

Israel will spend an additional $740 million on power packs for armored personnel carriers it has had in service since 2008, the department said. The remaining $150 millionwill be spent on asmall but unreported number of light utilityhelicopters to complement similarequipment it alreadyhas, it said.

U.N. chiefwarns internationalbody faces‘imminent financialcollapse’

ByThe Associated Press

Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump is suing the IRS and TreasuryDepartment for$10 billion, as he accuses the federal agencies of afailure to prevent aleak of the president’stax information to news outlets between 2018 and 2020. The suit, filed in aFlorida federal court Thursday,includes the president’s sons Eric Trump and, Donald TrumpJr. and the Trump organization as plaintiffs.

The filing allegesthat the leak of Trumpand the Trump Organization’sconfidential tax records caused “reputational and financial harm, public embarrassment,unfairlytarnished their business reputations, portrayedthemina false light, and negatively affected President Trump, and the other Plaintiffs’ public standing.” In 2024, former IRScontractorCharlesEdward Littlejohn of Washington, D.C. —who worked for Booz AllenHamilton, ade-

fense andnational security tech firm —was sentenced to five yearsinprisonafter pleading guilty to leaking tax informationabout Trump andothers to news outlets. Littlejohn, known as Chaz, gave data to The New York Times and ProPublica between 2018 and2020 in leaks that appeared to be “unparalleledinthe IRS’s history,” prosecutors said. Thedisclosure violated IRS Code 6103, oneofthe strictest confidentiality lawsinfederal statute.

The United Nations chief is warning that the world body faces “imminent financial collapse” unless itsfinancial rules are overhauledor all 193 member nations pay their dues —a message likely directed at the United States and the billions it owes. Secretary-GeneralAntonio Guterres said in aletter to all U.N. membernations obtained Friday by The Associated Press that cash for its regular operatingbudget could run out by July, which coulddramatically affect its operations

ditionally thelargestdonor, hasnot paid itsmandatory dues to the United Nations

“Eitherall member states honor their obligationstopay in full andontime—ormember states must fundamentally overhaulour financial rules to prevent an imminent financialcollapse,” he said. While Guterres didn’t name any country in theletter, which was reported earlier by Reuters, thefinancial crisis comes as theU.S., tra-

The U.S.now owes $2.196 billion to the U.N.’s regular budget, plus it will owe $767 million forthisyear, accordingtoaU.N. official,who was not authorized to comment publicly andspoke on condition of anonymity. The U.S. alsoowes $1.8 billion for the separate budgetfor the U.N.’sfar-flung peacekeeping operations, andthatalso will rise

Eightinmates escape from NorthLouisiana jail

Police search continuesafter threerecaptured

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

Eight inmatesescaped the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence early Friday —including four being held forBaton Rouge, one amurder suspect who was still at large lateinthe day By Friday afternoon, three of the eight had been recaptured

They were reportedmissing around 1:20 a.m. Friday,according to Louisiana State Police. Four of them were facing charges in East Baton Rouge Parish.

“All fugitives are considered violent offenders. Do not approach under any circumstances. If you observe or have information regarding their whereabouts,contact law enforcement immediate-

ly,” LSPsaid in astatementFriday afternoon

At least four were being held on murder counts Neither State Police nor theEast Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office has provideddetails onhow the eight menescaped

Three of the inmates with charges in East Baton Rouge Parish have sincebeencaptured and returned to custody: 31-year-old Savon Wheeler,27-year-old Hugo Molino and 29-year-old Trenton Taplin.

Because of limited space at its agingprison, East Baton Rouge Parish regularly pays other parishes to hold its inmates,often those awaiting trial.

Accordingtoaspokesperson for the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office,atotal of 454 inmates are kept at facilitiesoutsideofthe parish. Of those, 381 are detained in East Carroll Parish Taplin is facing charges of second-degree murder and attempted

no did not respond to questions posed.

Thereconstituted 13-member board will meet for the first time next week, and its priorities include being more transparent with the public about NORD’soperations and ensuring the department has the resources it needs to get things done, according to areportMoreno’steam released.

The board’schair will also be charged with leadinga nationwide search for anew director,according to the report. That position is held by longtime CEO Larry Barabino, who was tapped to lead the agency by former Mayors Ray Nagin in 2006 and LaToya Cantrell in 2018.

Reached by phone, incoming board member Hattie Collins, who owns an interior design business, said first on her to-do list is understanding how NORD funds are being allocated and why certain things are budgeted while others are overlooked.

“These spaces are really important to childrenand their caregivers,” she said, adding that she wants to see expanded youth sports programs that are more inclusive and diverse.

Aspokespersonfor More-

PROBE

Continued from page1A

Pretti shooting. Steve Schleicher,aMinneapolis-based attorney representing Pretti’sparents, said Friday that “the family’sfocus is on afair and impartial investigation that examines the facts around his murder.”

The Department of Homeland Security also said Friday that the FBI will lead the federal probe into Pretti’s death.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem first disclosedthe shiftinwhich agency was leadingthe investigation during aFox News interview Thursday evening. Her department previouslysaid Homeland Security Investigations,a departmental unit, would head the investigation.

“Wewill continue to follow the investigation that theFBI is leadingand giving them all the information that they needtobring that to conclusion, and makesure that the Americanpeople know the truthofthe situationand howwecan go forward and continue to protect the Americanpeople,” Noem said, speaking to Fox host Sean Hannity Homeland Securi ty spokesperso nTric ia McLaughlinsaid Homeland SecurityInvestigations will supportthe FBIinthe investigation. Separately, Customs and Border Protection, which is part of DHS,is doing its own internal investigation into the shooting, during which two officers opened fire on Pretti. DHS did not immediately respondtoquestionsabout when the change was made

second-degree murder.Hewas takeninto policecustody in 2020 in ashooting that killed 23-yearold Gary Fieldings and injured a 21-year-old woman.Hehas had multiple sanity hearings in the case, withanother scheduled for April.

The fourth inmatefrom East Baton Rouge Parish is 22-year-old Destin Brogan, whofacesseconddegreemurderand obstruction of justicecharges andwas stillat large late Friday Brogan admitted to shooting 21-year-old Erion Franklin in the head during adrug deal in 2022, then stealing his gun, police say He was arrestedlater the same week. Brogan is scheduled to go to trial in May

Of the other escapees still at large,two face second-degree murderchargesout of Lafayette Parish Kolin Looney,21, allegedly shot 18-year-oldPaulBernard in 2024 in Lafayette.Looney’strial was sup-

posedtotakeplace last August, but he was not transferred from River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence. His trial wasreset for March.

Theother,Kopelon Vicknair,18, of Arnaudville, was due in aLafayette Parish courtroom for sentencing on Wednesday,the day before his escape.

Vicknair signed aplea deal, pleading guilty to the reduced chargeofmanslaughter and agreeing to a10-year sentence, according to adefendant’ssentencing briefbyhis attorney filed Tuesday

He’saccused of fatally shooting 18-year-old Justin Broussard on Dec. 31, 2023, after an argument. Krisean Salinas, 21, also escaped Thursday and has counts from four parishes, including aSt. Mary Parish arrest for theft, aggravated flight from an officer and other counts.

The last escapee is Kevin Slaughter,25, who faces counts of

aggravated assault with afirearm, obstruction of justice, parole violations and more in Rapides Parish, according to theparish’sjail records.

U.S. Marshals are involved in the search, the East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Most deputieswiththe East Carroll Sheriff’s Officeweresearching on Friday as well.

Attorney GeneralLiz Murrill said she has offered her office’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit as well.

The East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office requested that Louisiana State Police detectives assume the lead role in apprehending the fugitives, while East Carroll sheriff’s deputiesinvestigate the circumstances of the escape.

Reporters Claire Taylor and MarcoCartolano contributed to this report.

Email Quinn Coffmanatquinn. coffman@theadvocate.com.

Thedepartment has come under fireinrecent years over the conditionofits parks and playgrounds,poor communication around its offeringsand ongoingmaintenance issues. Its fundraisingarm, the NORD Foundation, is also facingchallenges,withonly one active member soliciting support for the entity that onceraked in millions each year NORD officials have pointed to wider issues impactingtheiroperations, such as vandalism, property theft, staffing shortages due to low wages andalack of funding forproactivemaintenance that’sled to costly emergency repairs.

Joining the board along with Collins areMichael Farley, the CEO of HBI ConstructionGroup;Kevin Kimbrough, abarber anda former NORD coach;Jamar McKneely,the CEO of InspireNOLACharter Schools, andKyleWalker,a director at LSUHealthSciencesCenter’sOffice of Property and Facilities Management. Attemptstoreach Farley were unsuccessful, and McKneely and Walker declined comment.

The other commission membersinclude Moreno, ChiefAdministrative Of-

or why.The FBI did not immediately respond to arequestfor comment.

It was not immediately clear whether the FBI would share information and evidencewith Minnesotastate investigators, whohave thus far been frozen out of the federal investigation In the same interview, Noem appeared to distance herself from statements she made shortly after the shooting, claimingPretti had brandisheda handgun and aggressively approached officers.

Multiple videos that emerged of the shooting contradicted thatclaim, showingthe intensive care nurse hadonly hismobile phone in hishand as officers tackled him to the ground, with one removing ahandgun from thebackofPretti’s pantsas another officer began firing shots into his back Pretti had astate permit to legally carry aconcealed firearm.Atnopoint didhe appear to reach forit, the videosshowed. Thechange in agency comes after two other videos emerged of an earlier altercation betweenPretti and federal immigration officers 11 daysbefore his death

The Jan. 13 videos show Pretti yelling at federal vehiclesand atone point appearing to spit before kickingout thetaillight of one vehicle.Astruggle ensues between Pretti and several officers,duringwhichheis forced to the ground. Pretti’s winter coat comes off, and he either breaks free or the officers lethim go andhe scurries away

When heturns hisback to thecamera,whatappears to be ahandgun is visible in his waistband. At nopoint do the videos show Pretti

ficer Joe Giarrusso, City Council President JP Morrell, New Orleans Public LibraryBoardChair Alexis Parent-Ferrouillet,Foundation Chair Ernest Price Jr., Orleans Parish School BoardPresident Leila Jacob Eames,Educator Troy White and CityCouncil member Freddie King.

Kimbrough said he wants to ensure kids are engaged in “life-changing” opportunities,everything from team sports to afterschool education programs.

“The ultimate goal is providing experiences and memories for these kids that come to the park. We have to go back to the basics so these kids can start having fun again,” he said.

Kimbrough, who also served on Moreno’s youth and families transition committee, said he also wantsto deepen NORD’s connection to thesurrounding neighborhoods. One way,hesaid, is ensuring there’s asite facilitator managingthe activeparks.

Atransition report released by former Mayor Cantrell’sadministration in November showed that at least six parks needed anew park supervisor to open and close facilities, encourage families to get engaged and help maintain thegrounds That issue aligns with

reaching for the gun, and it is not clear whether federal agents saw it.

Schleicher, the Pretti family attorney,said Wednesdaythe earlieraltercation in no way justified the shooting more than aweek later

In apost on his Truth Social platform early Friday morning, President Donald Trump suggestedthatthe videos of theearlierincident undercut the narrative that Pretti was apeaceful protester when he was shot.

“Agitator and, perhaps, insurrectionist,Alex Pretti’s stock has gone way down with thejust released video of him screaming and spitting in the face of avery calm andundercontrol ICE Officer,and then crazily kicking in anew and very expensive government vehicle, so hard and violent,in fact,thatthe taillightbroke off in pieces,” Trump’spost said. “It was quite adisplay of abuse and anger,for all to see, crazed and out of control.The ICE Officer was calm and cool,not an easy thingtobeunder thosecircumstances!”

plans laid out in Moreno’svision forNORD, whichcalled for asite facilitator and an assistant at each park.

Another priority for Moreno is integrating City Hall’sParks and Parkways department with NORD’s maintenance operations.

About $500,000 of NORD’s budget goes to Parks and Parkways for grass cutting andtree maintenance, leaving NORD’sunderstaffed maintenanceteam responsiblefor itscatalogofmore than 160 passive parks, playgrounds,swimming pools and recreation centers.

It’s unclear, however, how many additional staffers would be needed to fulfill these goals or how the consolidation will playout in light of the city’sbudget issues.

Cantrell’stransitionreport urged theincoming administrationtore-evaluate NORD’srequests to move forward withhiring frozen positions across the board. Moreno, as mayor-elect in

November,saidher incomingadministrationwould continue ahiring freeze that hadbeen place since July as part of abroader plan to tackle a$222 millionprojected budget deficit this year

Despite those challenges, the City Council, at Cantrell’srequest, routed $5 million from Edward Wisner Trust proceeds to pad NORD’s budget as it stared down asignificantcut that would have impacted operations. Themove brought its current operating budget to $22 million.

But NORD officials said the agency needs even more financial support to expand its programs, forlong-term preventive maintenance and other needs.

According to Moreno’s campaign plan, she wants to strengthen the NORD Foundation by bringing on a full-time executive director forthe first timesince2019 to handle fundraising and establish trust amongnew donors.

It’scurrently helmed by chairmanErnest Price Jr., who hassaid waning board participation has made it difficult to raise funds.

Former Foundation Executive Director Annie LaRock said bringing in new leadership, expanding program hourstoaccommodate families on the weekends andbetter coordination between the city’sparkpartners could boost community participation and trust. Sheaddedthatwhile public recreation can be ahard sell, she had aboard beside herthatwas able to raise about $1 million-$2 million ayear “First you have to have astrong boardofbusiness leaders who understand the mission,” she said. “That would send apowerful message to those philanthropic leaders that thecityisserious aboutgetting behind this.”

Email Joni Hessatjoni. hess@theadvocate.com.

INSIDE WASHINGTON MARDI GRAS

ASSETS

Washington Mardi Gras Economic Development Luncheon & Reception, one of the centerpieces of the four-day event. Since the 1940s, the annual carnival festivities have given business leaders and elected officials a chance to socialize and talk business Carnival events take place at the Washington Hilton, which renames its bar the “65th Parish.” Corporations, trade associations and public interest groups also hold parties around town to take advantage of the crowds gathering for Washington Mardi Gras. The luncheon was hosted by COLAB, a regional economic development organization for Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne parishes.

About 800 attendees dined on burrata salad and roasted chicken that was somewhat spicier than what’s usually served at Washington hotels. Organizers said they had a long waiting list.

“The luncheon was a tougher ticket this year probably because Secretary Lutnick was speaking,” said Christy Zeringue, head of COLAB. “The bayou region contributes to the maritime economy, oil and gas, and national defense. We are proud to represent the region at Washington Mardi Gras.” The dining room was elbow-toelbow, despite the wintry weather in both Louisiana and Washington that kept many participants from attending this 77th edition of Washington Mardi Gras.

Entergy Louisiana CEO Philip May, for instance, was unable to attend as he remained in Louisiana to oversee getting the lights back on after the winter storm this past weekend, said Jody Montelaro, Entergy Louisiana’s vice president of public affairs.

Washington Mardi Gras King Gray Stream said one of the biggest reasons for accepting the kingship was his position chairing the Louisiana Economic Development Partnership Board, a panel of private sector advisers developing a strategic plan for economic development

Louisiana’s pull in White House

As chair of this year’s Washington Mardi Gras, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, chose Lutnick to address the economic development luncheon. He is the first Cabinet secretary to address the retreat in at least the 17 years Scalise has been in Congress, he said.

“Howard is one of the shining stars in President Trump’s Cabinet,” Scalise said.

As former head of Cantor Fitzgerald, a worldwide financial services firm, Lutnick understands that a partnership between business leaders, legislators, and officials in state and federal government is necessary to build a good business climate, Scalise said.

In most of the major projects that have come recently to Louisiana, Lutnick sat in the White House’s Oval Office, along with the president, business moguls,

and elected officials negotiating terms and identifying hurdles, Scalise said.

“These deals don’t just happen,” Scalise said Lutnick knows how to get deals done. “We’ve been the beneficiaries in Louisiana.”

The luncheon coincided with the 54th birthday of House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton.

Lutnick joked about how fun it was to celebrate Johnson’s birthday, saying he was surprised the speaker had so many friends.

Lutnick talks Trumponomics

The Trump administration’s largest support comes from economic successes, and its biggest danger is voters not understanding what the president is up to.

Lutnick explained that Trump is using tariffs levied on other countries to level trade imbalances and to raise money that could be used to offset taxes being paid by Americans.

The U.S. invents new technologies, new products, new conveniences, he said But those innovations are turned over to other countries that can manufacture the goods cheaper, then sell the products back to American consumers.

Then those other countries use the sales profits to buy American assets, Lutnick said.

In 2024, other countries owned $26 trillion more in American assets than U.S. investors owned in other countries, he said.

Critics have argued the tariffs have raised prices for Americans and angered longtime allies across the globe.

“That is what Donald Trump called out,” Lutnick said.

Trump wants to return manufacturing capabilities to the U.S., then use American innovation to make products, Lutnick said.

“We’re going to help get permits. We’re going to drive investment,” he told the crowd.

For instance, computer chips made overseas should be made in the U.S. and could provide high wages.

“Affordability means, how much am I making versus how much does stuff cost,” Lutnick said. “The way you hit affordability is you get people’s incomes up. That’s where we’re focused.”

Louisiana all in on energy

Landry focused his speech on Louisiana’s energy

“Energy has always shaped Loui-

siana’s economy But today it’s driving growth that we haven’t seen certainly in decades,” Landry said.

“We’re winning projects in Louisiana because we can deliver energy, not just in the form of oil and gas but in the form of electricity.”

When Meta was looking for a site to construct the company’s largest artificial intelligence center in Richland Parish — at a cost of about $10 billion executives were looking primarily for a place that could provide a lot of power immediately and for the long term, Landry said.

Energy is more important than financial incentives and tax breaks, he said.

“The most important commodity in the world today is a reliable uninterruptible megawatt of power,” Landry said. “Louisiana can provide that.”

Landry also pointed to the recent decision for Hyundai to locate a 1,700-acre, $5.8 billion state-of-theart steel mill in Ascension Parish.

“It wasn’t financial incentives, it was power,” he said.

The company needed capacity on the state’s electricity grid, industrial infrastructure and a reliable source of a lot of electricity

“The future is no longer a dream, it’s a decision,” Landry said. “When Louisiana wins, our communities win, our families win, our way of life wins.”

He continued: “This is the moment you have been waiting decades for We get to define the next 100 years of Louisiana.”

N.O. mayor meets with Trump on sidelines of events

‘I thought it was really important that he heard from me directly’

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

New Orleans Mayor Helena

Moreno had a surprise meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on Thursday and pitched him on the need for federal support for infrastructure improvements.

The meeting occurred at the Kennedy Center, where Trump was attending the world premiere of “Melania,” a new movie about his wife, Melania Trump, and Moreno was visiting a Washington Mardi Gras reception hosted by Saints owner Gayle Benson and Ochsner CEO Pete November Gov Jeff Landry and his wife, Sharon Landry were also present. Moreno, in an interview Friday, said she explained to Trump the need for infrastructure improvements in New Orleans and “just how important it is to have the federal government’s support in that moving forward,” as the city seeks additional time from FEMA to spend $1.7 billion in grants for post-Katrina roadwork.

“He seemed receptive to my request. He was complimentary of

me, which I appreciated. So, you know, we’ll see what happens,” Moreno said.

She also touted the work of the New Orleans Police Department and noted that the city is at a 50year low for its homicide rate “due to our efforts.” Trump earlier this month pointed to the deployment of the National Guard to New Orleans last month as one reason crime was “down to almost nothing.”

Trump addressed the meeting in his Oval Office briefing Friday, calling Moreno “great,” while offering a slightly different recollection of their conversation.

“I believe she’s a Democrat. She came over, she thanked me so much, and she said crime is down more than 50% in New Orleans, and you couldn’t even walk down the street in New Orleans, it was so bad,” he said

“Now they let us in there, and she was thanking me so much, so profusely She was great last night.”

Moreno, presented with Trump’s remarks, said she “explained to the president the work of our NOPD and that we are at a 50-year low in our homicide rate. These drastic

cial profiling and fear-mongering and said officials with the U.S. Border Patrol failed to provide basic information to local officials.

“I will always say what needs to be said, and I’ll take the appropriate action to protect the people of New Orleans. That doesn’t mean, though, that those who are in power, that I will shut them out due to the fact that we are not aligned in the same political party,” she said.

“I said to him, ‘Obviously we’re not the same political party but New Orleans is an extraordinary city, and it needs the right kind of support from the federal government,’” Moreno said.

ment to be more productive with the city of New Orleans,” Moreno said. “I think we just feel like there’s like this target on our back, and that’s not necessary.” Moreno, a former Democratic state lawmaker in Republican-led Louisiana, is no stranger to working with Republicans.

reductions began about a year and a half ago.”

Landry, through a spokesperson, said he talked to Trump about public safety and “the success of the National Guard.” He didn’t recall discussing infrastructure.

November declined to comment Moreno, a Democrat who was sworn in earlier this month by Trump’s 2024 foe, former Vice President Kamala Harris, hasn’t shied away from criticizing the president’s policies In testimony before Congressional Democrats on Monday, Moreno accused Trump’s immigration enforcement operation in south Louisiana of ra-

TAKING IN THE SITES AND SIGHTS

The opportunity to meet the president was presented with only a few hours’ advance notice. Greg Bensel, a spokesperson for Benson, said Trump knew that Benson was having a party at the Kennedy Center “and wanted to have her come over for a quick hello.”

Benson invited Moreno to join her and saw it as an opportunity for the new mayor to connect directly with the president “for the betterment of New Orleans,” Bensel said.

The meeting lasted around 20 minutes, Moreno said. It was her first time meeting Trump.

“I just thought it was important that he meet me and that we just find a way for the federal govern-

“I’ve always had to do this,” Moreno said. “Find a way to work with those who aren’t your same political party who don’t agree with you, and find a path to figure out what you can work on.” Moreno was in D.C. for Washington Mardi Gras, the annual bacchanal celebrating Louisiana culture, where the state’s most powerful business and political leaders gather to hobnob and hash out deals. Moreno paid for the trip with campaign funds. She arrived on Wednesday and planned to return Friday ahead of an extreme cold weather warning in New Orleans.

“I’m sure that some people, you know, may be upset that I ended up meeting with this particular president,” Moreno added. “But as mayor of the city, I thought it was really important that he heard from me directly on what was needed and hopefully find that path to be able to get the resources and the funding for what’s actually really necessary in the city of New Orleans.”

PHOTO By MOHAMMED ARAFAT

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Israel to reopen Gaza’s border crossing with Egypt

BY SAM METZ Associated Press

JERUSALEM Israel saidFriday that it will reopen the pedestrian border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt over the weekend, marking an important step forward for U.S. President Donald Trump’sGaza ceasefire plan.

COGAT, the Israelimilitary body in charge of coordinating aid to Gaza,said in astatement that starting on Sunday a“limited movement of people only”would be allowedthroughthe Rafah crossing, Gaza’smain gateway to the outside world. The announcement followed statements from IsraeliPrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ali Shaath, newly appointed to head the Palestinian administrative committee governing Gaza’sdaily affairs, that it would likely open soon.

While COGATsaid the passage will open in bothdirectionsonSunday, Shaath said the first day will be atrial for operations and that travel both ways will start Monday. Israel as of Friday agreed to allow up to 150 people to leave each day —50medical patients withtwo family members, an official familiar with the situation told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussingdiplomatic talks.Upto 50 people whofledduring the war can return daily,the source said.

Roughly 20,000 sick and wounded Palestinians need treatment outside Gaza, ac-

cording to the territory’s health ministry.Gaza’s health system was decimated inthe war,rendering advanced surgical procedures outofreach.

COGAT saidbothIsrael andEgypt will vet individuals forexitand entrythrough the crossing, which will be supervised by European Union border patrol agents. In addition to screenings at the crossing, Palestinians leaving and returning will be screened by Israel in the adjacentcorridor,which remains under Israeli military control.

The crossing has been underanearcompleteclosure sinceIsraelseizeditinMay 2024, saying the step was part of astrategytohalt crossborder armssmugglingby Hamas. It was briefly opened for theevacuation of medical patientsduringa short-lived ceasefire in early 2025. Israel had resisted reopeningthe crossing, butthe recovery of the remains of thelast hostage in Gaza on Mondayclearedthe way to move forward. Aday later Netanyahu said the crossing would soon open in alimited andcontrolled fashion Thousands of Palestinians inside Gaza are trying to leave the war-battered territory,while tens of thousands who fled the territory duringthe heaviest fighting say they want to return home.

The reopening is one of the first steps in the second phaseoflast year’sU.S brokered ceasefireagreement, which includes challenging issues ranging from demilitarizing Gaza to putting in

place an alternative government to oversee rebuilding the mostly destroyed enclave.

Netanyahu said this week that Israel’s focusison disarming Hamas and destroying its remaining tunnels. Without these steps he said that there wouldbe no reconstruction in Gaza, a stance that could make Israel’scontrol over Rafah akey point of leverage.

Palestinians in Gaza on Friday mourned friends and relatives who died earlier this week in Israelistrikes, which have slowed but not stopped since the return of the remains of the finalhostageheld in the territory

Three Palestinians were laid to rest in traditional Islamicfuneralrites.Men gathered to paytheir finalrespects, carrying the shrouded bodies through the streets before praying over them.

Israel’smilitarysaid four people were killed in airstrikes Friday in central Gaza, saying they were armed and approaching troops near theceasefire line dividing Israeli-held areas andmostofGaza’sPalestinian population.

Themost recent deaths Fridayare on top of the492 Palestinianskilled since the ceasefire began in October accordingtothe Gaza Health Ministry.The ministry doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants in its figures. It maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

Newstudy linkswildfire smoketoautismincrease

Airpollution posesriskto pregnancies

BY EMILYWOODRUFF Staff writer

Women breathing wildfire smoke lateinpregnancy had ahigher risk of having achildlater diagnosed with autism, even when the smoke exposure lasted only afew days, according to a new study by Tulane Universityresearchers. The study,published in Environmental Science& Technology lastweek,followed more than 204,000 mother-child pairs in Southern California from 2006 to 2014, using medical recordsand estimatedfine particulate matter at the mothers’ homeaddresses. Women who wereexposed to wildfire smoke for morethan 10 days in the third trimester —weeks 28 to 40 —had about a 23% higher risk of having achildlater diagnosed withautism compared with women who had no smoke exposure during that period. But even shorter exposures mattered “Evenaone-day or twodayexposure is still 10%, said Mostafijur Rahman, an assistant professor of environmental healthsciences at TulaneUniversity’sCelia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicineand aco-author of thestudy.“Tenpercent is also abig number.” In terms of hard numbers, the risk is still small for individual pregnancies. Autism affectsroughly 1 in 36 childrenoverall nationally.An10% increase would translate to about 1 in 32 children at thepopulation level, while a23% increase would correspond to roughly 1in29children.

Airpollution andbabies

Wildfires produce tiny inhalable particles called PM2.5 that are about 30 times smaller than the diameter of asingle strand of hair They area toxicconcoction made up of particles fromburnedvegetation, soot from incomplete combustion, chemical salts formed in smoke, trace metalsreleased as materials burn and additional particles that form in the air as gasesfromfire react with other pollutants. Louisiana does nottypicallyhavethe same amount of smokeexposure as Southern California. But the state does have wildfires and other sources of airpollution. In 2023, smoke from peat fires smolderinglayersofmarsh —blanketedthe New Orleansareafor weeks andwildfires in western Louisiana burned 60,000 acres. In 2025, afireat Smitty’sSupply,anindustrial facilityinRoseland, sent smoke andblack soot raining down into nearby neighborhoods. And the heavily industrialized corridor knownas“Cancer Alley” between Baton Rouge and NewOrleans has long faced persistent pollution from petrochemical plants, refineries andmanufacturing facilities.

“Wedoknow that air pollution —whatever form it is —isnot good,” said study author David Luglio. Theresearch team has previously found that air pollution in general is associated withanincrease in autism.

“Air pollution itself is bad, whetheritiscoming from wildfire, petrochemical industry or traffic,” said Rahman. Whythe 3rdtrimester?

While mostmajor organs

areformed earlierinpregnancy,the third trimester is aperiod when the brain and lungs aredeveloping rapidly and are vulnerable to even modest disruptions in oxygen delivery

“Air pollution can increase inflammation and oxidative stress in the mother potentially affecting placental function and blood flow,” said Dr.Stefania Papatheodorou,anOB-GYN and environmental epidemiologist at Rutgers University

Papatheodorou said the findings are relevant for regions like Louisiana, even if there is notthe same amount of wildfire smoke.

“Although the sources and composition differ, many of the harmful components overlap,” she said. “Both wildfire smoke and industrial pollution contain fineparticulate matter and other toxic gases that can be inhaled and enter the bloodstream.”

At the sametime, she tries to reassure patients that most pregnanciesresult in healthy babies, even in areas with airpollution. Pregnant people should pay attentiontoair-quality alerts and limit outdoor activity on poor-quality days, using air conditioningand keeping windows closed. Awell-fitted N95 mask is also effective at filtering out PM 2.5.

“This is aboutrisk reduction,” Papatheodorou said. “Pregnant people shouldn’t feel guilty or overly anxious, just informed and supported.”

Email Emily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate. com.

BY DÁNICA COTO Associated Press

HAVANA Massive power outages in Cuba meant that many people awoke Friday unaware that President Donald Trump had threatenedto impose tariffs on any country that sells or suppliesoil to the Caribbean island. As word spread in Havana and beyond, anger and anguish boiled over about the decisionthat will only make life harder for Cubans already struggling with an increase in U.S. sanctions

“This is awar,” said Lázaro Alfonso,an89-year-old retired graphic designer

He described Trump as the “sheriff of the world” and said he feels like he’sliving in the Wild West, where anything goes. After Trump made the announcement lateThursday,hedescribed Cubaas a“failing nation” and said, “it looks like it’ssomething that’sjust not going to be able to survive.” Alfonso, who lived through the severe economic depression in the 1990s knownasthe “Special Period” following cuts in Soviet aid, said the current situationinCuba is worse, given the severe blackouts, alack of basic goods anda scarcity of fuel.

“The only thing that’s missing here in Cuba …is for bombstostart falling,” he said. Cuba is hit every day with widespread outages blamed on fuel shortages and crum-

blinginfrastructure that have deepened an economic crisis exacerbated by afall in tourism, anincrease in U.S. sanctions and afailed internal financial reform to unify the currency.Now Cubans worry newrestrictions on oilshipments will only make things worse. On Friday,Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel said on Xthat Trump’smeasure was “fascist, criminal and genocidal” andasserted that his administration“has hijacked the interestsofthe American peoplefor purely personal gain.” Meanwhile,CubanForeign Minister Bruno Rodríguez wrote on XthatTrump’s measure “constitutes an unusual and extraordinary threat”and said he was declaring an international emergency Venezuela’sgovernment also condemned the measure in astatementFriday, saying itviolates international law andthe principles

of global commerce. Trump previously said he would halt oil shipments from Venezuela, Cuba’sbiggest ally,after theU.S. attacked theSouth American country and arrested its leader Meanwhile, there is speculation that Mexico would slash itsshipmentstoCuba.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said Friday that she would seek alternatives to continue helping Cuba and prevent ahumanitarian crisis after Trump’s announcement. Sheinbaum said oneoptioncould be for the United States itself to manage the shipment of Mexican oil to theisland, althoughitwas necessary to first understandthe details of Trump’s order Mexico became akey supplier of fuel to Cuba, along with Russia, after theU.S. sanctions on Venezuela paralyzed the delivery of crude oil to the island.

Whenyou’recomparing plans ...

Many Americans are fortunate to have dental coveragefor their entire working life,through employer-provided benefits. When those

end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock,leading peopletoput offoreven go without care.

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

 Look forcoveragethat helps pay formajor services. Some plans maylimit thenumber of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoveragewithnodeductibles. Some plans mayrequire you to pay hundredsout of pocket before benefits are paid.

 Shop forcoveragewithnoannual maximumoncash benefits.Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

That’s right. As good as Medicare is,itwas never meanttocover everything. That means if youwant protection, youneed to purchase individual insurance.

Early detectioncan prevent small problemsfrom becomingexpensive ones

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

Previous dental work canwearout

Even if you’ve hadqualitydentalworkinthe past, youshouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, your odds of havinga dentalproblemonly go up as youage.2

Treatment is expensive especially theservicespeople over 50 often need

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

with meteorologist Damon Singleton

BY ANDREW DALTON and

JOCELYN NOVECK

AP entertainment writers

LOS ANGELES Catherine

O’Hara, a gifted Canadian-born comic actor and “SCTV” alum who starred as Macaulay Culkin’s harried mother in two “Home Alone” movies and won an Emmy as the dramatically ditzy wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in “Schitt’s Creek,” died Friday She was 71.

O’Hara died at her home in Los Angeles “following a brief illness,” according to a statement from her representatives at Creative Artists Agency. Further details were not immediately available.

O’Hara’s career was launched with the Second City comedy group in Toronto in the 1970s. It was there that she first worked with Eugene Levy, who would become a lifelong collaborator and her “Schitt’s Creek” co-star The two would be among the original cast of the sketch show “SCTV,” short for “Second City Television.” The series, which began on Canadian TV in the 1970s and aired on NBC in the U.S., spawned a legendary group of esoteric comedians that O’Hara would work with often, including

By The Associated Press

GLOUCESTER, Mass A commercial fishing vessel that was presumed to have sunk off the coast of Massachusetts on Friday was carrying a crew of seven people, and the U.S. Coast Guard was expected to maintain a search for survivors around the clock amid howling winds and frigid temperatures The Coast Guard launched a search and rescue mission

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO Catherine O’Hara, a comic actor who starred as Macaulay Culkin’s harried mother in two ‘Home Alone’ movies and won an Emmy as the dramatically ditzy wealthy matriarch Moira Rose in ‘Schitt’s Creek,’ died Friday at age 71

Martin Short, John Candy, Andrea Martin, Rick Moranis and Joe Flaherty. O’Hara would win her first Emmy for her writing on the show

Her second, for best actress in a comedy series, came four decades later, for “Schitt’s Creek,” a careercapping triumph and the perfect personification of her comic talents. The small CBC series created by Levy

and his son, Dan, about a wealthy family forced to live in a tiny town would dominate the Emmys in its sixth and final season It brought O’Hara, always a beloved figure, a new generation of fans and put her at the center of cultural attention. She told The Associated Press that she pictured Moira, a former soap opera star, as someone who had married rich and wanted to

“remind everyone that (she was) special, too.” With an exaggerated Mid-Atlantic accent and obscure vocabulary, Moira spoke unlike anyone else, using words like “frippet,” “pettifogging” and “unasinous,” to show her desire to be different, O’Hara said. To perfect Moira’s voice, O’Hara would pore through old vocabulary books, “Moira-izing” the dialogue even further than what

Emmy-winning comic actor Catherine O’Hara dies at 71

was already written.

O’Hara also won a Golden Globe and two SAG Awards for the role.

At first, Hollywood didn’t entirely know what to do with O’Hara and her scattershot style. She played oddball supporting characters in Martin Scorsese’s 1985 “After Hours” and Tim Burton’s 1988 “Beetlejuice” — a role she would reprise in the 2024 sequel.

She played it mostly straight as a horrified mother who accidentally abandoned her child in the two “Home Alone” movies. The films were among the biggest box office earners of the early 1990s and their Christmas setting made them TV perennials. They allowed her moments of unironic warmth that she didn’t get often.

Her co-star Culkin was among those paying her tribute Friday

“Mama, I thought we had time,” Culkin said on Instagram alongside an image from “Home Alone” and a recent recreation of the same pose. “I wanted more I wanted to sit in a chair next to you. I heard you. But I had so much more to say. I love you.”

Meryl Streep, who worked with O’Hara in “Heartburn,” said in a statement that she “brought love and light to our

world, through whipsmart compassion for the collection of eccentrics she portrayed.” Roles in big Hollywood films didn’t follow “Home Alone,” but O’Hara would find her groove with the crew of improv pros brought together by Christopher Guest for a series of mockumentaries that began with 1996’s “Waiting for Guffman” and continued with 2000’s “Best in Show,” 2003’s “A Mighty Wind” and 2006’s “For Your Consideration.”

“Best in Show” was the biggest hit and best-remembered film of the series. She and Levy play married couple Gerry and Cookie Fleck, who take their Norwich terrier to a dog show and constantly run into Cookie’s former lovers along the way “I am devastated,” Guest said in a statement to the AP “We have lost one of the comic giants of our age.” Born and raised in Toronto, O’Hara was the sixth of seven children in a Catholic family of Irish descent. She graduated from Burnhamthorpe Collegiate Institute, an alternative high school. She joined Second City in her early 20s, as an understudy to Gilda Radner before Radner left for “Saturday Night Live.” (O’Hara would briefly be hired for “SNL” but quit before appearing on air.)

Commercial fishing vessel carrying 7 sinks off Massachusetts

early Friday after receiving an alert from the 72-foot Lily Jean about 25 miles off Gloucester They located a debris field near where the alert was sent along with a body in the water

“We will continue to search throughout the night with the cutter, hoping to find additional folks as we continue,” Coast Guard Commander Timothy Jones, who is coordinating the search and rescue, said. He

added that the crew was “coming back in full of fish” and may have had problems with their fishing gear that required them to return for repairs.

Jones said they are “always hoping to find” survivors from the vessel. But another Coast Guard official, Sector Boston Commander Jamie Frederick, acknowledged the search poses “challenging” problems considering the vessel

sank and the search is on for people in the water

“That is the equivalent of searching for a coconut in the ocean,” Frederick said.

The Lily Jean, its captain, Gus Sanfilippo, and his crew were featured in a 2012 episode of the History Channel show “Nor’Easter Men.” Sanfilippo is described as a fifth-generation commercial fisherman, fishing out of Gloucester, Massachusetts, in the Georges Bank.

The crew is shown working in dangerous weather conditions for hours on end, spending as many as 10 days at sea on one trip fishing for haddock, lobster and flounder Gloucester is often described as America’s oldest working seaport, with a fishing industry that goes back more than 400 years. The city, where the reality television show “Wicked Tuna” about Atlantic

bluefin tuna fishermen was based, has been the site of maritime tragedy over the years. Among them was the FV Andrea Gail, which went missing at sea in 1991. The loss of the Andrea Gail was the basis of the 1997 book and 2000 movie “The Perfect Storm.” In another tragedy, four fishermen died when the Emmy Rose sank in 2020 off Provincetown, Massachusetts. on its way to Gloucester.

JPSO deputy killed during procession

Car slammed into back of his motorcycle, police say

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

A Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Of-

fice deputy escorting a funeral procession was killed Friday morning in a traffic crash on Airline Drive in New Orleans, according to authorities.

The deputy had not been publicly identified as of Friday evening.

Moreno restricts OT for N.O. city workers

Move to help city’s deficit, CAO says

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

New Orleans agencies must adhere to strict rules if they seek to spend money on overtime, per a city policy passed after unchecked overtime spending last year helped create a multimillion-dollar city budget deficit.

The policy, issued by city Chief Administrative Officer Joe Giarrusso on Wednesday, requires that departments project overtime spending every 90 days and get their estimates approved by Giarrusso’s office.

They must also submit overtime policies to Giarrusso by March 15 that “ensure continuity of essential operations while also minimizing overall overtime usage through strategic staffing, use of compensatory time, and other appropriate measures.”

The changes align with a law the council passed in November that requires the city’s chief administrative officer and its finance director to submit 90-day overtime reports. They also come as Mayor Helena Moreno seeks to cut back government spending to keep the city’s 2026 budget in order, and as she has zeroed in on overtime in particular

Giarrusso and Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack, who is helping the city right its finances, said at a special City Council meeting on Wednesday that the council’s change has helped control spending

“Overtime is being treated in a far different manner than it has in the past,” Giarrusso told the council.

Waguespack in October said the city’s failure to include police overtime in the city’s 2025 budget helped create a $160 million deficit. The city ended up having to borrow $125 million from investors to make payroll and agreed to let Waguespack help manage city spending It may need to borrow more money later this year to keep its budget balanced.

Overtime spending is already trending down. The auditor on Wednesday told the council that the more than $761,000 spent on overtime by city departments in the city’s most recent pay period was $375,000 less than projected Waguespack will release a detailed review of overtime spending in the coming months

“We’re seeing the improved spend on overtime what they’ve projected they’re not spending, which means the guardrails are put in place, the communication, the more oversight,” Waguespack said after the meeting.

Capt. Jason Rivarde, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said he was a 14-year veteran of the department who was married with two children

“This is a hard day for us. This is a hard day for law enforcement,”

Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office

Chief Deputy John Fitzpatrick said as he stood with other law enforcement officials outside of

University Medical Center in New Orleans on Friday afternoon “We have a wife upstairs and kids upstairs dealing with this traumatic event, and we ask that you think about us today.”

The crash was reported about 11:40 a.m. in the 9200 block of Airline Drive in New Orleans, according to the New Orleans Police Department.

The deputy was working an offduty detail, escorting the funeral along with a New Orleans police officer, according to NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.

The deputy was in the center lane of the roadway while the funeral procession was in the far left lane, according to NOPD officials.

He was slowing to a stop when another vehicle a sedan, slammed

into the back of his motorcycle.

The deputy was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to the NOPD. The unnamed driver of the other vehicle was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries.

The NOPD is investigating the cause of the crash.

Sheriff Joseph Lopinto, who was in Washington, D.C., was making his way back to Louisiana as of Friday afternoon, according to

PEP IN THEIR STEP

ABOVE: Participants in the Krewe of Titans parade pass out throws as they make their way down La. 11 in Slidell on Friday BELOW: Students from George Washington Carver PEP High School march in Friday night’s parade

Desegregation motion denied

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

A federal judge has rejected a bid by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board to lift longstanding desegregation orders, the latest instance of courts resisting efforts to summarily dismiss cases that Louisiana and Trump administration officials say should have ended long ago. U.S. District Court Judge Jay Zainey acknowledged in his Jan. 22 ruling that school desegregation orders never were intended to be permanent, and said it is a “legitimate question” whether the School Board should remain

under judicial oversight due to a lawsuit dating to the 1960s. But he also said the board “must do more than simply argue” that the case is moot because the school system long ago stopped requiring Black and White students to attend separate schools. The “Court is not persuaded that the Board’s reliance on the doctrine of mootness is the correct approach,” wrote Zainey, who was nominated to the Eastern District of Louisiana court by former President George W. Bush. Federal judges overseeing the desegregation orders in at least two other parishes — Concordia and St. Mary — also recently declined to dismiss those cases, which the school boards argued were moot because the original plaintiffs are long gone and racial

segregation is no longer enforced.

The state Attorney General’s office, which is representing the districts, appealed to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Civil rights groups and some parents say court oversight remains necessary because racial discrimination persists in such areas as school discipline practices and building quality The U.S. Supreme Court has said that school districts must show they made a good-faith effort to address the effects of past segregation before the cases are closed. “School boards in these desegregation cases can’t simply go to the court after many years and say, ‘It’s time to wrap this case up,’” said Victor Jones, senior counsel

Manposed as specialneeds,policesay

He had previous incidents in N.O.,Jefferson

BY STEPHENMARCANTEL Staff writer

ALafayette manwas arrested on human trafficking counts for the third time after he is alleged to have pretended to be aperson withspecial needs to receive child care.

Rutledge Deas IV,35, was arrested Thursday by Louisiana State Police and faces one count of human trafficking, according to an LSP announcement, after he lured avictim to hishomeunder theguise

of needing anannyto care for aperson with special needs. In January,LSP Special Victims Unit detectives began an investigation into humantrafficking through online platforms used to connect families with nannies. Deas is alleged to have posedassomeone seeking ananny to assist in the care of aperson withspecial needs.

Oncethe victim arrived at hisLafayette residence, Deas portrayed himself as the person with special needs and required thevictim to performinfant and toddler care acts, including diaper changes. Deas waspreviouslyarrested on the same charges

in November 2019 and December 2021 in cases similarinnature, accordingto the announcement. The 2021 incident occurred in JeffersonParish, and the 2019 incident occurred in Orleans Parish. In 2022, Deas pleaded guiltytothe trafficking charges in Jefferson Parish’s24thJudicialDistrict Court. Thejudge suspended nine years of a10-year sentence and ordered Deas to serve fiveyears on active probation.

At the time of his plea, Deas was already serving probation after pleading guilty to fourcounts of human trafficking in Orleans Parish after he was accused of posing as afictitiousyounger brother,“Co-

rey Deas,” who was on the autism spectrum.

Deas received a10-year suspendedsentence in the Orleans Parish case and wasorderedtofive years of probation.

Louisianatrafficking statue make it illegal to obtain services or labor through fraud or coercion. Deas was accused of victimizing at least four women. At thetime, Deas attributedhis actions to severe trauma he alleged to have endured during childhood.

The woman in theOrleans Parish casesaid they changed his soileddiapers and trained Deas to use the toilet. Awoman reported Deas on thebabysitting app, andhis account was

shut down

WhenState Police arrested him at his Marengo Street homeinNew Orleans, theyfound methamphetamine, aclear glass pipe and diapers. He was placed under $1.5 million bail. Deas is currently booked at the Lafayette Parish CorrectionalCenterona $25,000 bond. The investigation is ongoing, andadditionalvictims may emerge. Anyone who believes they mayhave been avictim of Deas is urged to contact detectives at (504) 310-7012.

Email himatstephen. marcantel@theadvocate. com.

Chalmette19-year-old gets prison time in hit-and-run

BourbonStreet bartenderwas killed whilebiking

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

AChalmette teenager who admitted he fled after fatally strikinga bicyclist in the Bywater neighborhood beforedawn one morning last July is going to prison for nine years.

Criminal District Judge Kimya Holmes on Friday sentenced 19-year-old Thomas Riggio, who had just taken the witness stand to apologize to the family of the victim, Michael Milam

An award-winning Houston bartender,Milam had recently moved to New Orleans and landed ajob at Cafe Lafitte in Exile, ahistoric gay bar on Bourbon Street, when he was struck alittle after 4a.m. on July 12 as he tried to turn onto AlvarStreetatSt. Claude Avenue.

fied tearfully of theloss of a36-year-oldbartender revered in the Houston LGBTQ+ community, and their incredulity at what they viewed as cavalier comments by Riggioina jailcalltohis girlfriend soon after thedeadly collision.

Family urged the 10year maximum that Riggiofaced after he pleaded guiltyascharged to ahitand-run causing death.

Some of Milam’ssiblings considered the charge itself too lenient and said they suspected he caught breaks from having astepfather in the St. Bernard Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Riggio, aformer Chalmette High baseball player,insisted upon his remorse from the witness stand. He addressed Milam’sfamily before his sentence.

“I could not begin to imaginehow Iwould feel if any of my three siblings were taken from me …the way Itook your brother.”

Holmes said she didn’t understand why Riggio failed to stop, rejecting his early claim that he hadn’t knownwhathehit.She pointed to adriving history thatincluded striking a vehicle while doing doughnutsinone case and speeding into aditch in another

“His behaviorhas escalated and escalated,” Holmes said.

JUDGE

from page1B

at theNAACPLegalDefense and Education Fund, alegal nonprofit that is opposing efforts to endthe orders in several parishes, including St. John. “They need to show that they have fulfilled those requirements.” Butstate officialsand the U.S.Department of Justice underPresident Trump wanttoend the dozen or so desegregation cases that remain open in Louisiana. Over the past year,the state has helped theschool boards in Plaquemines and DeSoto parishes get out from under the orders, whichLouisiana’s Republicanleaders sayare outdated and represent federal overreach

“Those desegregation orders are really wreaking havoc on our school systems,” Gov.Jeff Landry said in an interview last week, adding that districts are forced to spend money on legalfees thatshould go to schools. “It’stime for the federal government to get out of our educational system.”

Decades-oldcase

TheSt. John Parish school system, adistrict of about 5,000 students just west of NewOrleans, was sued by Black parentsin 1963 over itspolicy of racial segregation. Another group of parents filed suit in 1990, and the two cases were combined.

Riggio, whowas behind the wheel of the Infiniti, didn’tstop. Prosecutors said he promised his passengers that he’d report it but waited. Holmessaid Friday that Riggio, whowas outat barsthatnight,underwent

RECRUIT

Continued from page1B

tion judge to order his deportationlast year

Therecruit, 46-year-old Larry Temah, entered the U.S. in 2015 and applied for agreen card the following year after marrying aU.S citizen, the Times-Picayune reported Thursday.The U.S. government offers a specific green card application process to immigrants who marry American citizens. Temah’sgreen card application was rejected in 2022 “under suspicion that the marriage was afraud, according to astatement provided Friday by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson, thefirst public comments

that federalofficialshave made about the case.

Following therejection of his green card application, Temahwas thriceordered to appear in immigration court but failed to show up, according tothe ICE statement.That led aGeorgia immigrationjudge on Dec. 5toorder Temah, “inabsentia,” to be removed from the country Temahwill remain in ICE detentionpendingremoval proceedings,accordingto theagency Attempts to reach Temah and members of hisfamily have beenunsuccessful.

As local police agencies nationwide confront questions stemmingfrom President Donald Trump’simmigration crackdown, such as whether to collaboratewith federalagentsand how to manage protests,Temah’s

atoxicology test12hours after the fatalcollision. He registered ablood-alcohol level of .07%, slightlybelow the legal driving limit, and hadcocaine in his system. Milam’s siblings testi-

arrest highlightedanother potential ramification:Police agencies’inconsistent standards for hiring of noncitizens mean their workforces, too, are increasingly becoming targets of enforcement action. Temah is not thefirst example. ICE agents last Octoberarrested aMontenegrin native and sworn police officer in aChicago suburb whom they accused of being in the country illegally.InAugust, aMainepolice officer borninJamaica agreed to voluntarily leave thecountry afterbeing arrested by ICE.

On Thursday, an attorney for New Orleans’ local Fraternal Order of Police lodge said Temah was amember of the FOP and sought legal help hours before his detention at his home on Wednesday

“Since theday of the accident, I’ve wanted nothing more thantolookeach andevery one of you in the eyes and apologize,” he said, adding that his lawyerdirectedagainst it.

The officer’sgroup doesn’tpractice immigration lawand couldn’thelp before Temah was quickly detained, said theattorney, Claude Schlesinger After his detention,NOPD officials saidTemah had passed the department’s background check process, which showed he had a driver’slicense and Social Securitynumber He passedanemployment screening through E-Verify, asystem authorized by the Social SecurityAdministration andU.S.Citizenship and Immigration Services. In response to questions Thursdayabout Temah’s hiring, an NOPDspokesperson said the agency “does not have accesstofederal immigration enforcement records, and E-Verifydoes notprovide information regarding immigration court

“He was charged with hitting someone and not giving aid.Not even stopping to see what it was that he hit.Ijustdon’t understand that.I don’tunderstand not seeing if you hitahuman,not seeing if you hitadog,” Holmes said as Riggio stood in a navy suit.

“Ifhewouldhave just stayed, none of us would be in this situation right now.”

Deputies shackled Riggio afterhis sentence before members of thetwo families filed out.

proceedings or federal enforcement actions.”

In the statement issued by ICE, the agency suggested that Temah’simmigration statusbarredhim from workingasalaw enforcement agentbecause he “could not legally carry a weapon as an illegal alien.”

Federal lawgenerally prohibits people whoare in the U.S. illegallyfrompossessing firearms. The NOPD did notrespond to aquestion abouthow Temah’simmigration statuswouldhave affected his ability to carry aweapon as an officer in the department.

James Finncovers federal lawenforcementfor The Times-Picayune |The Advocate. Email him at jfinn@theadvocate.com or contact him on Signal at jamesfinn.82.

The Legal Defense Fund, or LDF,which represented theoriginal plaintiffs, revived thecase in 2023 when it argued that the district had violated the desegregation ordersbyoperating amajority Black school near an industrial plant that emits hazardous chemicals

Theboard argued that the environmental concerns were aseparate issue, but it still voted to closethe Fifth Ward Elementary School in Reserve and relocate the students.(In his ruling this month, Zainey said it had been “improper” for the LDFtoinvoke thedesegregation orderstoaddress the health concerns.)

Last year,the School Board asked thecourt to dismiss the decades-old case and lift the orders. The case is “permanently moot” becausethe district long ago ended itspolicy of racial segregation, the boardargued, adding that continued judicial oversight undermines local control of the schools

“Afterall, responsibilityfor educating our children belongs to state and local governments, not the federal government,” the boardsaidinacourt filing in October

The LDF argued that legal precedent required the school district to provide evidence that it had complied with the desegregation orders and did itsbest to eliminate any traces of pastdiscrimination.

TheSchool Board “has not shown, and has not even attempted to show,that it has satisfied its obligations under the operative court orders or the Constitution,” theLDF wroteinNovember In his ruling, Zainey expressedopenness to the idea of lifting theSt. John desegregation order,calling it “rather implausible” that present-day racial imbalances are due to past segregation and saying that theSchool Board is “hampered” by the orders. But he also said theboard must do more than claim that the “plaintiffs’claims are moot” if it wants to be released from the court’s oversight. The boardpresident and itslawyer didnot respond to arequest forcomment Wednesday

authorities. Local and state lawenforcement agencies, including the Kenner Police

“Weare here as partners, as friends. Afallenofficer in one agency is afallenofficer forall of us,”Kirkpatrick said.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@ theadvocate.com.

TopMorenoofficials kick offmeeting series

Sessions designed to get input,share mayor’s plans

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

New Orleans residentson

Thursday heard from top officials in Mayor Helena Moreno’sadministrationin the first of severalcommunity meetings aimed at getting input as the new mayor sets her priorities.

TwoMoreno deputies took questions from acrowded room at the city’sworkforce development office on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard about how the administration will tackle blight, permitting and crime, among other issues.

The meeting was the first of seven“Conversation with the Administration” that officials plan to hold before the end of February across the city.Hosted by the City of New Orleans Community Engagement Office, the events are intended “provide residents with an opportunity to better understand how decisions are being made and

howtheir voices fit into the newadministration’swork,” officials said in an announcement this week Michael Harrison, deputy mayor ofpublic safety,and ReneeLapeyrolerie, deputy mayor of external affairs, spoke about the administration’scommitment to addressing the root causes of violent crime, minimizing barriers for small-business ownersand ensuring that law enforcement andother government officials are accessible to residents.

“That’swhy we’rehere tonight:beingproactive, coming to you, instead of having you come to us,” said Harrison. “What you’re seeing nowiswhatyou’re going to see throughout the Moreno administration.”

Speaking beforeMoreno staff and dozens of other attendees, residents rattled off concerns familiar to many New Orleanians Angela Dixspoke about confronting one hurdle after another in hereffort to reopen her family’sformer restaurant, Alexis Fried Chicken and Seafood on Claiborne Avenue, which was demolished afterit flooded during Hurricane Katrina. AngieMerino,a high school student who

lives in the Lower 9th Ward, spoke aboutbeing kept awake by gunshots and navigating streets littered with discarded mattresses and burned cars.

Harrisonsaid that the administration would workto be a“government that is responsive, that answers the phone when youcall.”But

he also said the administration would be handicapped by staffing cuts madetohelp digthe city outofanongoing budget crisis.

“Going intothe administrationwiththismulti-$100million deficit, thereare a lot of people whoused to be here that are not here,”said Harrison. “So we are work-

Businesses,restaurantsjoinanti-ICEprotest

BY CHELSEA SHANNON Staff writer

More than 20 New Orleansarea business owners have shared plans to join in the nationwide ICE Out of Everywhere National Day of Action, protesting recent actions by U.S.Immigration andCustoms Enforcement officers.

Restaurants and businesses are donating portionsof the day’ssales, closing for the day,orgiving awayfood and services on Friday,and some are extending the deals through the weekend Flour Moon, abagel shop in Mid-City,shutdown its delivery service and planned to donate 10%ofsalestothe National Immigration Law Center and Familias Unidas En Accion, said owners Jeff Hinson and Breanne Kostyk. “Givenwhatwewent through just afew weeks ago with theICE enforcement in New Orleans and then seeing the stories unfold in Minneapolis, we’re absolutely fearful of what’sgoing on,” Hinson said.

After thedeathofAlex Pretti in Minneapolis, hundreds in the Twin Cities area took to the streets on Jan. 23 as part of ageneral strike to protest immigration officers’ presence and actions in the city.

The following week, activists on social media called for anationwide strike on Friday to continue protesting the Trumpadministration’songoing immigration crackdown and the increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security

Several businesses in New Orleans wanted to participate in the strike, but not all could completely cease operations

Bloom Yoga Studio is run primarily on asubscription model, so its patrons have already paid forservices, owners Chloe Moon and Julia Davis explained. Since they consider the studio acommunity space for healing, they wanted to create asafe space to gather

Moonand Davis shared that many of their regular clients have been affectedby the immigration crackdown in some way,and that some have shed tears in the studio

“Wesee that impact on ourcommunity,and we feel it, and also, it’sjust like we want people to feel safe,and it sucks to be in asituation where people don’tfeel safe and cared for,” Moon said Helping the community is the primary way participating New Orleans restaurants and businesses aretaking partinthe “ICE Out” movement.

Hinson shared that the bagel shop has been donating the dough in the form of money and bagels to Familias Unidas En Accion for afew

weeks now

“We’ve,we’ve seen alot of our friends and neighbors andother restaurants and chefsand bakeriesabsolutely supporting in the same way, which isincredible,” he said.

“We’re excited aboutthe possibility of not only bringing attention to what we don’t want to happen in our communities, and then hopefully, youknow,raise some good money to give voice and enable those who are defending people who are ourneighbors.”

Protestparticipants

FlourMoon

The Mid-City bagel shop is donating 10% of sales to the National ImmigrationLaw Center andFamilias Unidas En Accion

Address: 457 N. Dorgenois St

LeveeBaking

The Uptown bakery pledged to donate 15% of sales to mutual aid

Address:3138 Magazine St

Sports Drink: Cafe & Comedy Club

The Uptown comedy club and cafe said it would donate proceeds to mutual aidhousing and legal funds to help affected families.

Address: 1042 ToledanoSt. NOLA CraftCulture

The Mid-City crafting studio said it would be open with suppliesfor people to make protest signs at no cost.

Address: 127 S. Solomon St

Miel Brewery& Taproom

The Irish Channelbrewerysaiditwoulddonate 10% of sales tosupport immigrant families affected.

Address: 405 SixthSt. Turkey andthe Wolf

The Lower Garden District restaurant is donating 100% of its proceedstoFree ALAS and to Immigration Servicesand Legal Advocacy

Address: 739 Jackson Ave. Francolini’s

TheUptown sandwich shop saida portion of sales would go to support local immigrant families and to ImmigrationServices and Legal Advocacy

Address: 3987 Tchoupitoulas St. Smokeand Honey

TheMid-Cityrestaurant saiditwouldmatch Flour Moon’spledge to donate 10% of sales to the National Immigration Law Center and Familias UnidasEnAccion

Address: 3301 Bienville St.

Original Slap Burger

The Marigny burger shop inside Marie’sBar said it would donate to the American Civil Liberties Union andtoImmigration Services and Legal Advocacy

Address: 2483 Burgundy St Leo’sBread

TheMid-Citybakerysaid it would donate 10% of sales to local familiesstill affected by theimmigration sweeps.

Address:2438 Bell St

Anna’s andDisco Liquids

The Bywater bar is partneringwitha wine distributor to donate100% of Bardos Cider salestoModernTimes in Minnesota. The Minneapolis restaurantisproviding free meals to people in need.

Address:2601 RoyalSt. Grow DatYouth Farm

The Mid-City farm shared that it would be closed in support of the protest

Address: 150 Zachary Taylor Drive

QuePasta NOLA

The New Orleans-area pop-up decided to close businessFriday night and instead give out free food while supplieslast. Que Pasta willalsodonate aportion of its sales through the weekend to Familias Unidas En Accion

Address:1431 RoyalSt. on Friday night

BloomYogaStudio

The St. Roch yoga studio said all classesthis weekend would be donation-based, with all donationsgoing to Union Migrante.

Address: 1225 Mandeville St LuckyDaggerTattoo

The Central City tattoo shop saiditwould be closed in protest. Address: 1124 St.Charles Ave. Here TodayRotisserie

TheLower Garden District restaurant said it would donate$5for every chicken cooked to FamiliasUnidas En Accion

Address: 1245 Constance St Nola Brewingand Pizza Co

The Irish Channel brewery andpizza restaurant said 10% of sales would go to Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy Address:3033 Tchoupitoulas St. HeyCoffeeCo.

The New Orleans area coffeeroaster saiditwould donate15% of sales from both of itscafes to Immigration

Services and Legal Advocacy

Address: 2606 St.Louis St. and 4300 S. Derbigny St Fifi’s CustomWigs

The French Quarter wig shoppledged that aportion of itssales would go towards supporting mutual aidand immigrant legal support.

Address: 934 RoyalSt. Acamaya

The Bywater restaurant said it would donate proceeds from its shrimp caldito to alocal fund that providesgroceries anddirect financial support to families sheltering in place.

Address: 3070 Dauphine St Lady Nellie Oysters

The New Orleans-area oyster purveyorsaid it woulddonate 20%ofits delivery sales to HomeisHere NOLA. Orders acceptedvia Instagram (@ladynellieoysterfarm) Espiritu

Thedowntown New Orleansrestaurant announced it would be closing in protest.

Address: 520 Capdeville St MissShirley’s

The Uptown restaurant said it will be donating 10% of its sales to mutual aid housing and legal funds.

Address: 3009 Magazine St

TheTellMeBar

TheLower Garden District winebar said it would donate15% of bottle sales to Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy

Address: 1235 St. Thomas St Evviva

The Bywater restaurant said it will donateapercentage of its sales to ImmigrationServices and Legal Advocacy

Address: 2600 Dauphine St

ing to build capacity so that ourcapacity can someday match our willingness to fix those problems.”

Harrison and Lapeyrolerie also said that, less than three weeks into Moreno’sadministration,theydonot yet have answers to many residents’ questions. Instead, Moreno’sstafftook down

attendees’nameswith a promise to follow up, and requested thatresidents note their concerns in acitywide online community survey

Additionalcommunity meetings will be held in the Treme, New Orleans East, Uptown, Algiers and other locations over the next month, with different deputy mayors expected to speak at different events. Six deputy mayors were appointed by Morenotooversee city government. The events come as Moreno hasrepeatedly said she is committedtobringing transparency to City Hall. She hasdescribedherself as an “expert mass communicator” and, in anewsconferenceinthe days before her inauguration, said that shewouldbeupfrontwith the city’sresidents about the issues her administration finds at CityHallafter taking office.

Uptown resident Fredell Butler said that the meeting, whileattimes lackingspecifics, made him feel “hopeful for this administration and the impact it can have.” “Rather than it being a top-down type of process, it seems that they’rereally interestedinestablishing a bottom-up,” said Butler

Marreroman chargedin‘horrific’

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Twomonthsafter a 49-year-old man was attacked and stabbed eight times in theparking lot of aWest Bank gas station, the alleged getaway driver has been charged and arraigned, according to Jefferson Parish courtrecords.

DemondJackson,33, also known as Demond Francois, pleaded notguilty Tuesday to being an accessory after the fact to attempted second-degree murder Joseph Flagg, 62, the man accused of wielding theknife in theattack,remainedbehind bars Thursdayatthe Jefferson Parish CorrectionalCenter in Gretna on countsincluding attempted second-degree murder, simple burglary and obstruction of justice.

The victim in the case sufferedstab wounds to hisback, chest andface in an attack Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Detective Philip Blane called“horrific”and “savage” during aJan. 9evidencehearing in Jackson’scase.

The stabbing occurred about 9a.m. Nov.25atthe Discount Zone gasstation at 6229 West Bank Expressway in Marrero.

The victim drove to the business, accompanied by an unnamed second person whowas in the passenger seat.The manparkedand stepped out of the vehicle

Flagg arrived in the parking lot shortly after the victim, riding on abicycle,according to Blane. Flaggran over to the victim’svehicle and opened the driver’sside door,police said. Investigators suspect Flagg was looking to commit acarjacking or an aggravated burglary,according to Blane. But the victim

confronted Flagg. “That’swhen Mr.Flagg started pretty savagely stabbing him numerous times,” Blane said. Several other unidentified people also began hitting the victim, accordingto authorities. Themen then rifledthrough thevictim’s vehicle, taking an undisclosed amount of property, policesaid.

Jackson was also in the parking lot in his red Jeep, according to Blane. Authorities haven’taccused Jackson of colludingwith Flagg beforethe stabbing. Butinthe aftermath, Flagg and the other suspects got into Jackson’svehicle, and Jacksondrove them away from the scene, investigators allege.

The victim got back into his own car andsped outof thelot. He drove south on Ames Boulevard forjust underamile, crossinginto oncoming traffic until he stopped near theintersection of Belle Terre Road, according to authorities.

Paramedics responded to the intersection, andthe man was transported to a hospitalincritical condition.Doctors determined that he’d suffered four stab wounds to his back,one to his neck, anothertohis ear, one to hischeekand a stab wound to his chest that punctured hislung, according to authorities.

Sheriff’sOffice investigators identified Jackson as a suspect throughthe Jeep, which is registered to him, according to authorities. He was arrested Nov.25. Jackson’sbail was set at $100,000. Flagg was arrested Dec. 8 andwas beingheld Thursdayon$300,000 bail. Flagg hasnot yetbeen formally charged in the case, which is still under investigation.

Carter,James Connick,Barbara Mernin,Edward Meyers,Richard NewOrleans

Lake Lawn Metairie

tire legal careeratthe law firmofPorteous, Toledano, and Hainkel- later known as Porteous Hainkel -until he retiredin2018. Jim was lovedand will be greatly missed by his family and many close friends.

In 1985, just four years after the firstapparitionof Our Lady Queen of Peace inMedjugorje,Barbara was one of the firstpeoplefrom New Orleanstotravelto the site of this mystical gift fromthe BlessedMother and herSon!Uponher re‐turn, pastorsfromvarious churches in Louisiana asked hertospeak to their congregations andshare her personal experience which shewillingly did.

St Tammany

EJ Fielding

Carter,James

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the graveside memorialservice at 11:00AMon Monday, February2,2026, at St. Joseph Abbey Cemetery, 75376River Road, St.Benedict, Louisiana E. J. FieldingFuneral Home of Covington, Louisiana,ishonoredtobe entrusted with Mr. Carter's funeral arrangements. His family invites youtoshare thoughts,memories, and condolences by signingan online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Obituaries Connick,Barbara Dickson

James Reed Carter,a resident of Covington, Louisiana, died at his home on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the age of 72. He was the beloved husband of the late Susan Knight Carter and lovingfatherto Thomas R. Carter. James ("Jim") was born at Baptist Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February7 1953. Jim was part of alarge catholic family. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Leitch Carter andJean Avegno Carter; grandparents, Elizabeth Carter and Charles Garvie Carter and Victor Placide Avegno and Mary Stallings Avegno; sister, Elizabeth Carter Hope; aunt, Jessie Carter, R.N.; and uncles, Albert Kenner Avegno, and John Hillard Avegno, M.D.,and Douglas Carter. In additiontohis son, Thomas R. Carter, Jim is survived by his siblings, Charles Scott Carter Nancy Jean Brown (Paul), William Bradley Carter (Carol), and Linda Carter Pembroke (Michael); and brother-in-law, Allen Hope. He also leaves his nieces and nephews, who will miss his deep conversations and sage advice Jim attended the University of Richmond, Virginia, and graduated in 1975. He then attended and graduated with honors from Tulane University School of Law in 1978. He was also in the Tulane Law Review. At Tulane, Jim met his future wife, Susan Knight. After Tulane Law School, Jim worked his en-

BarbaraDickson Con‐nickwas born March21st 1934. Shepeacefullyen‐tered eternallifeJanuary 26th, 2026, as shefaithfully believedone day, she would meet herGod.She was preceded in deathby her husband,William J. Connick.She wasa dedi‐cated wife and mother and is survived by herfour children, Charlotte Connick Mabry,(Dr.Tom Mabry), Barbara Connick Chaney (Jack Chaney,deceased), Edwin ToribioConnick (JulieAnn Schmedtje),and MillieConnick Gaines, (DavidGaines) andsix grandchildren

Barbara wasa graduate of Mount Carmel Academy and SouleBusinessCol‐lege. She wasemployedas anexecutive secretary to the administratorofthe SaraMayoHospitalinNew Orleans.Inaddition, she servedasadministrative assistant to Dr.Theodore Simon,Chairmanofthe Or‐thopedicDepartmentat Charity hospital

She wasinvolvedand quite activeinher children’s schools, namely Ursuline Academy andJesuitHigh School.She taught CCD to St. ClementofRome2nd graders,preparing them for their firstcommunion Barbara wasa eucharistic ministeratSt. Francis XavierParish, andpartici‐pated in numerous reli‐gious organizationsthat includedThe Daughtersof Isabella,The Marions, The RosaryPrayerGroup of Metairie, andThe Cenacle Retreat Housewhere she was afaithfulretreatant for 50 yearsand served as Captain for30years

Shewas an enthusiastic and avid bridge player and her husband,Billy,would say,“Barbaraiscrazy for those damn cards!”She loved playingcards and coordinating teamsfor bridgeand barboo games. Cards were herabsolute pleasureand hobby.

telling.Donationsmay be made in Eddie'smemory to theTunneltoTowers Foundation.Thiscause meanta great deal to him, especially because his son -in-law serves on active duty in the United States AirForce,and Eddieheld deep respectand gratitude for those whoserve and sacrifice for others. Ending this only feels rightbysayingwhat he always told his kids before he hung up the phone. "I love you all the wayand go help someone whoneeds it today."

Meyers,Richard Meyers,Richard Moore 'Dick'

Barbarashareda lifelong bondwithher friends through theStitches NeedlepointClub. Each of her adultchildrenstill has the Christmasstockings she lovingly made forthem hanging in theirhomes duringthe holidays

Barbarawas aNew Or‐leans andworldwide foodie.” Many of her friends depended on heras their source forfun andso‐cialoutings.She wasthe coordinatoroftryingout the “hottest newrestau‐rantintown” and figuring out which places were easytoaccessvia valet parking!She loved fine din‐ing,often giving herexpert critiqueofthe food and ambiance. Sheloved hold‐ing courtatthe table, de‐lightinginconversations about where thenextfoodand-wineadventure would takeplace

Barbarawas asupporter of the arts andenjoyed the‐atre, holdingseasontick‐ets at theJefferson Per‐forming Arts SocietyinJef‐fersonParishand River‐townTheater in Kenner The theaterperformances wereoften followed by a beautiful Sunday brunch witha French 75 or an early dinner!

During her60-year mar‐riage to Billy, they enjoyed traveling extensively throughoutEurope, the HolyLand, andHawaii. Bar‐baraand Billyspent afew summers living in Ireland and celebrated their50th wedding anniversarywith their children in Dublin,Ire‐land. Theirgiving, gener‐ous soulsare nowtraveling together in love,inever‐lasting eternity,inOur Lord’sgrace,goodness and peace.

Funeralserviceswillbe heldatSt. FrancisXavier Church on Tuesday, Febru‐ary 3, with visitation from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Massat12:00 p.m. Burial and intermentwillbepri‐vate. In lieu of flowers, Massesare requested.

Edward Anthony "Eddie" Mernin, 69 passed away on Thursday,January 22, 2026 after alongbattle with cancer. Eddie was born on February 16, 1956, in St. Louis, Missouri, and spent most of his adultlife in NewOrleans, Louisiana. That's where he and his wife of 38 years, theabsoluteloveofhis life,Donna raised theirchildren Patrick and Erica (Weston). Eddie lovedhis family morethananything.He held on long enoughto meethis grandson, Kai Anthony, named after him, and that moment meant everything to him—and to us. His dog, Drake,losthis best buddy. He is also survivedbyhis sisters, Patricia Chaplain, Maureen Riccioand countless cousins,nieces, nephews and friendswhose lives are quieternow without him.He was preceded in death by his mother, PatriciaDonovan Mernin who we know he ran straight to, his father Dr. Edward A. Mernin, his sisters KathleenBrite,Julia Martin,Christine Bogart, and hisbrother and best friend, Stephen Mernin. Eddie was funny without effort. He was quick, witty, kind,and loyal. No matter what was going on,he couldmakeyou laugh, usually when youneeded it most.Being around him felt easy. Being without him doesnot.Heloved the NewOrleans Saints—though Sundays often involveda lotof yelling—and he loved baseball. He played baseball forthe Aces in Connecticut with some of his closestfriendswhom he stilltalked to regularly. He stayed loyal to the Yankeeshis wholelife. Our family willfeelthisloss forever.Eddie's absence is deep and permanent,but so is thelovehegave us, thelaughter he left behind, and thestorieswe'llkeep

Richard "Dick" Moore Meyers, 78, of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away on January 24, 2026 after being diagnosed with cancer just onemonth earlier During hisbrief illness, he told hisphysician,"Doc, I'mnot interested in statistics. Ihave my faithand my family." Dick graduatedfrom NewOrleans Academy in 1966 and from Centenary CollegeofLouisiana in Shreveport. He began his career working in hisfather's coffee businessand later built along and meaningful career as alife insurance agentat Northwestern Mutual Life He wasproud to have earneda CLU. At work, Dick's focus wasalways on doingthe rightthingand truly helpingpeople-an approach that reflected theway he lived in every partofhis life. In retirement, Dickde-

votedhimself to hisfaith andhis community. He wasanactivemember of St.Martin'sEpiscopal Church in Metairieand the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cashiers, North Carolina. He served as aEucharisticMinister and found deep joyinbeingofservice.Hewas a member of theBoston Club, thePickwickClub, NewOrleans CountryClub, TheChattooga Club, Cowbellian de Rakin Society, andthe School of Design When he wasn't at church,volunteering, or spending time with family, Dick couldoften be found on thegolf course. An avid golferfor decades, he won numeroustournaments. Many will also remember himfor his fun-loving,welcoming personalityand his well-timed practicaljokes. In 1974, Dick met his wife of 51 years, Lynn McIlhennyMeyers, after being set up on ablind datebyher sister.Dick and Lynnweremarriedand later welcomedthree daughters: Marilee,Katy, and Leslie Dick waspredeceased by hisbrother,James J. Meyers andhis parents, Jimand LizetteMeyers.He is survivedbyhis wife, LynnMcIlhenny Meyers; hisdaughters, Marilee Meyers; KatyMizelle,her husband Sam, andtheir childrenTyler andEmma; and Leslie Meyers, herwife Emily, and theirdaughters Winslow andSerette;as well as Lynnand Dick's dog, Gracie Aservice willbeheld at St.Martin'sEpiscopal Church in Metairieon Saturday, January31, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the familyrequests donations be made to St Martin'sEpiscopal Church or thecharity of your choice

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BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

U.S. producer prices rose in services inflation

WASHINGTON U.S. wholesale prices rose a hotter-than-expected 0.5% in December

The Labor Department reported Friday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it hits consumers — rose from November to December at the fastest pace in three months and faster than the 0.3% economists had forecast. Compared to December 2024, producer prices were up 3% last month, which was in line with what forecasters expected.

Services prices were up 0.7% from November the biggest increase since July, mostly reflecting fatter profit margins at wholesalers and retailers. But the price of goods — such as appliances and autos was unchanged last month and up 2.5% from a year earlier

Economists had worried that President Donald Trump’s double-digit taxes on imports would drive inflation higher Their impact has so far been more modest than expected although inflation remains above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. (The Fed on Wednesday announced that it would keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged.)

Friday’s producer price report came out more than two weeks late, delayed by the 43-day federal government shutdown last fall. Europe sees growth, but weak U.S. dollar looms FRANKFURT, Germany — The European economy recorded modest growth at the end of last year, pushing past turmoil over higher U.S. tariffs. Now the economy faces another hurdle: a stronger euro against the dollar that could weigh on exports. Growth in the 21 countries that use the shared euro currency came in at 0.3% for the last three months of 2025, matching the figure from the third quarter the EU statistics agency Eurostat reported Friday Growth compared with the fourth quarter of 2024 was 1.3%. Moderate growth has defied recession fears from earlier in the year, when President Donald Trump threatened to raise tariffs to levels that could have devastated trade. Talks settled on a 15% cap on U.S. tariffs, or import taxes, on goods from the European Union. The higher tax isn’t great for business — but the certainty resulting from the deal let companies at least go ahead and plan. That assurance was dented after the quarter ended when Trump on Jan. 17 threatened EU member countries with higher tariffs for supporting Greenland against his calls for a U.S. takeover Trump later withdrew the threat.

Farmers’ Almanac bets on a digital reboot

PORTLAND, Maine The Farmers’ Almanac isn’t going out of business after all but it is leaving Maine for the bright lights of New York City and a new owner Beloved by farmers and gardeners, the almanac was first printed in 1818 and like the arguably more famous Old Farmer’s Almanac — relies on a secret formula of sunspots, planetary positions and lunar cycles to generate longrange weather forecasts. It’s been acquired by Unofficial Networks, a digital publisher focused on skiing and outdoor recreation. That means the almanac will keep operating despite announcing in November that its 208-year run was coming to an end.

A new Farmers’ Almanac website will be “a living, breathing publication with fresh, daily content” and there are plans to bring back a print edition, said Tim Konrad, founder and publisher of New York-based Unofficial Networks. The deal will prioritize “preserving and sustaining the iconic publication,” according to a statement from Unofficial Networks and Peter Geiger, the almanac’s longtime publisher

The Farmers’ Almanac was founded in New Jersey before moving its headquarters to Lewiston, Maine, in 1955. The Old Farmer’s Almanac is based in New Hampshire.

Warsh could reshape bank

Trump’s Federal Reserve choice may affect global economy

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh to chair the Federal Reserve could bring about sweeping changes at a central bank that dominates the global economy and markets like no other Warsh, if approved by the Senate, will be under close scrutiny from financial markets and Congress given his appointment by a president who has loudly demanded much lower rates than many economists think are justified by economic conditions. Whether he can maintain the Fed’s long time independence from day-today politics while also placating Trump will be a tremendous challenge.

Still, former associates and friends of Warsh say that he has the intellectual heft and people skills to potentially pull it off. His family also has connections to Trump that could reduce the pressure from the White House.

Warsh has “a judicious temperament and both the intellectual understanding but also the hopefully diplomatic talents to navigate what is a challenging position at this point,” said Raghuram Rajan, an economics professor at the University of Chicago and formerly head of India’s central bank.

Warsh would replace current chair Jerome Powell when his term expires in May Trump chose Powell to lead the Fed in 2017 but this year has relentlessly assailed him for not cutting interest rates quickly enough.

“I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best,” Trump posted on social media Friday. “On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down.”

Trump said later Friday in the Oval Office that he didn’t ask Warsh to commit to cutting rates calling such a question “inappropriate” and adding, “I want to keep it nice and pure.”

But Trump added, “But he certainly wants to cut rates.”

The appointment, which requires Senate confirmation, amounts to a return trip for Warsh, 55, who was a member of the Fed’s board from 2006 to 2011. He was the youngest governor in history when he was appointed at age 35. He is currently a fellow at the right-leaning Hoover Institution and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

In some ways, Warsh is an unlikely choice for the Republican president because he has long supported higher interest rates to control inflation. Trump, by contrast, has said the Fed’s key rate should be as low as 1%, a level few economists endorse, and far below its current level of about 3.6%.

During his time as governor, Warsh objected to some of the low-interest rate policies that the Fed pursued during and after the Great Recession of 2008-09. He also often expressed concern at that time that in-

flation would soon accelerate, even though it remained at rock-bottom levels for many years after that recession ended.

More recently, however, in speeches and opinion columns, Warsh has voiced support for lower rates, seemingly coming in line with Trump’s point of view

Reactions

Financial markets reacted in ways that suggest investors expect Warsh could keep rates a bit higher over time. The dollar and yields on long-term U.S. Treasurys ticked higher U.S. stocks fell about 0.5%. The biggest moves were in the volatile metals markets, where gold dropped more than 5% and silver sank more than 13%.

In Congress, Sen Thom Tillis, a North Carolina Republican, reiterated in a social media post that he will oppose Warsh’s nomination until a Justice Department investigation into Powell is resolved.

Tillis is on the Senate committee that will consider Warsh’s nomination.

He added that Warsh is a “qualified nominee,” but stressed that “protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve from political interference or legal intimidation is nonnegotiable.”

Tillis’s opposition could complicate the confirmation process. Asked late Thursday whether Warsh could be confirmed without Tillis’s support, Senate Majority Leader John Thune said, “probably not.”

Separately, Democratic Sen Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, the highest-ranking Democrat on the committee, accused Warsh of reshaping his views to appease Trump ahead of his nomination.

“I don’t know how to interpret that, except to say, that’s exactly what a sock puppet does,” she said. “If Donald Trump says it, then Kevin Warsh echoes it, even though it contradicts everything he had done for years.”

Changes coming to Fed?

Warsh has frequently criticized the Fed for its ownership of trillions of dollars in government and mortgage-backed securi-

ties, which it accumulated after the Great Recession and during the pandemic.

Warsh has charged that the massive bond-buying, which was intended to lower longer-term interest rates and boost the economy, enabled Congress to ramp up spending without concern for higher borrowing costs.

Reducing the Fed’s $6.6 trillion balance sheet, however, will be a fraught exercise because banks have become accustomed to the large amounts of cash in the financial system that it provides.

Warsh has also said the Fed’s economic models wrongly assume that rapid economic growth threatens to elevate inflation. Instead, “Inflation is caused when government spends too much and prints too much,” he wrote in a November column in The Wall Street Journal.

Controlling the Fed

The announcement comes after an extended and unusually public search. The chair of the Federal Reserve is tasked with combating inflation in the United States while also supporting maximum employment. The Fed is also the nation’s top banking regulator

The Fed’s rate decisions, over time, influence borrowing costs throughout the economy, including for mortgages, car loans and credit cards.

Trump has sought to exert more control over the Fed. In August he tried to fire Lisa Cook, one of seven governors on the Fed’s board, in an effort to secure a majority of the board. Cook, however, sued to keep her job, and the Supreme Court, in a hearing last week, appeared inclined to let her stay in her position while her suit is resolved.

Powell revealed this month that the Fed had been subpoenaed by the Justice Department about his congressional testimony on a $2.5 billion building renovation. Powell said the subpoenas were “pretexts” to force the Fed to cut rates.

Stocks fall; gold fever sends metals prices plunging

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK Financial markets churned on Friday as investors tried to figure out what President Donald Trump’s new nominee to lead the Federal Reserve will mean for interest rates.

U.S. stocks fell, with the S&P 500 down 0.4% after sinking as much as 1.1% earlier in the day The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 179 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.9%.

The value of the U.S dollar rallied, but only after swiveling a couple times following Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh. And some of the wildest action was again in precious metals markets, where gold and silver prices plunged following their stellar runs over the last year Whoever leads the Fed has a big influence on the economy and markets worldwide by helping to dictate where the U.S. central bank moves interest rates. Such decisions lift or weigh on prices for all kinds of investments, as the Fed tries to keep the U.S. job market humming without letting inflation get out of control. Trump has been pushing for lower interest rates, which usually help goose the

economy but can also cause higher inflation. A fear in financial markets has been that the Fed will lose some of its independence because of Trump. That fear in turn helped catapult the price of gold and weaken the U.S. dollar’s value over the last year On Wall Street, stocks of metals miners tumbled as the price of gold dropped 11.4% to settle at $4,745.10 per ounce. Gold’s price suddenly ran out of momentum following a tremendous

indicates that its price is weakening.

ANOTHERVIEW

Could Democrats flip theSenate?

Donald Trump looms large over,well, everything. Democrats want November’s midterm electionstobeareferendumonhim. Republicans wantsomething else. They want to lock in their 2024win, expand their majoritiesand turn Trumpism into adurablegoverningcoalition. At stake is control of Congress —a bigprize thatRepublicans haveheld for thepast twoyears. Since this column last scanned the national midterm map,political handicappers havenudged victory prospects toward Democrats. The reason is simple: Midterms are usually toughfor the party in power, andTrump’snumbers have been softeningonmost issues.

Republicans worry thatwithout Trump’s name on the ballot,they’llstruggletoget hisbasetothe polls. They’realsoirritated that the White House hasn’t effectivelyexplained its policies —and has instead let thedaily churn of messy events keep them on defense. Meanwhile, they seeDemocrats with firein their eyes, primedtovote in bignumbers. It won’tbemuch of asurprise if Republicanslosetheir narrowHouse majority (218-213, with four vacancies). It would be asetback, for sure. ButifRepublicansalso lose their 53-47 Senate majority,itwould be a stinging rebuke Of course, if Republicansbeat theodds andmaintain control of both chambers, it would be yet another example of Trump bouncing back after rough times.

In recent weeks, attention has startedshifting to Senateelections where Democratsneed anet gain of four seatsto makeamajority.Mosthandicappersstill doubt they can get there, but Democratic strategists insist it’s increasingly plausible, especially if swing voters decide to use their votes as acheckonTrump’spower At the moment, there are three especiallyvulnerable Republican Senate seats —inNorthCarolina, Maine and Alaska. Democrats are going allinoneach one. North Carolina is an open seat.Democrats have astrong contender in former Gov.Roy Cooper,68. Polls showhim leading former Republican National CommitteeChairman Michael Whatley,57. Sen. Susan Collins, 73, Maine’sRepublican incumbent, has often been labeled “beatable” in her pastfive Senate races—but in theend, she’swon them all. This time could be different.The latest PanAtlantic poll shows Democratic Gov.Janet Mills, 78, thefavorite of herparty’s establishment, running even withCollins.Italso haspopulist Democrat Graham Platner,41, onepoint ahead of the incumbent.

Alaskahas voted Republicaninevery presidentialelection since 1964,but occasionally strays in statewide contests. Democratic challenger Mary Peltola,52, aformer U.S. House member,poses areal threat to Republican Sen. DanSullivan, 61. Recent polling showsPeltola up by two points. That’sthree potential Democratic pickups. Noneasure thing,but each within reach. Handicappersrate twoas toss-ups and one as leaning Republican

Some Democrats argue thatOhiocould be afourth gain, even though Trump has carried thestate threetimesby comfortable margins. Former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown, 73, who lost reelection in2024, is attempting a comeback. He’schallenging Republican Sen. Jon Husted, 58, appointed to theseat afterJDVance became vice president.A DecemberEmersonCollege poll hadHusted ahead by three points —close, but still uphill forDemocrats.

Texas could be another Democraticopportunity,depending upon primary outcomes. Onthe Republican side, Sen. John Cornyn, 73, is in aclose fight against AttorneyGeneral Ken Paxton, 63. On theDemocratic side,state Rep. JamesTalarico, 36,isbattlingU.S.Rep. Jasmine Crockett, 44,for their party’snod. If Republicans nominate Paxton, with his heavy legal and ethical baggage, andDemocrats nominate Talarico, anew face withsharpmessaging skills,anupset becomes conceivable.

Even if Democrats somehow managetoflip four seats, they still have to defend twooftheir own shakyseats— Georgia, where Sen. Jon Ossoff,38, is running for reelection, and Michigan, an open seat.Both arerated tossups. OptimisticDemocrats wagerthat by November, ablue wave will crest and carry the close races theirway.But that bet may be underestimating their ownweaknesses —new Economist/YouGov poll findsvotersthreepoints more favorabletoward RepublicansinCongressthan Democrats —and how national conditions, whichoften impact midterm elections, can have unpredictable consequences.

RonFaucheux is anonpartisanpoliticalanalyst, writer and pollsterbased in Louisiana.

InMinneapolis,human failings contribute to ongoingtragedy

After seeing the video, taken by an ICE bodycam, Ican’thelp but thinkhow Christ-like Renee Nicole Good’slast five words on Earth were when she told amasked ICE agent, “I’m not mad at you.”Simple words of forgiveness that parallel: “Forgive them father,for they know not what they do.” As odd as it may sound, I’m not blaming ICE. They’re following orders and doing what they’ve been directed todobythe current administration, although the masked faces would seem to indicate that they are not proud of this assignment. I’m alsoobviously not blaming Renee Good. She appeared to be an innocent and forgiving child of God who truly cared about her friends and neighbors. Unfortunately,she responded in thewrong way to our bodies’ fight-or-flight threat response instinct.The samecould probably be said of the ICE agent. However,hewas also apparently a potential ticking time bombdue to his prior experiences. The convergence created the perfect storm

Almosteveryone was in favor of “getting thebad guys out of here” —agilded promise that has morphed intoanall-encompassing harvest of the low-hanging fruit. People who might not be here legally,but who nonetheless have been productive, hardworking contributorstosociety are being snared in

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Minneapolis Public Schools families, educators and students hold signs during anewsconferenceatLake Hiawatha Park in Minneapolis on Jan. 9, demanding Immigration and CustomsEnforcementbekept out of schools and Minnesota.

theprocess —church choir directors, teachers, nurses and everyday hard-working people. People willing to do thelaborious and sometimes downright nasty jobs that many birthright citizensare no longer willing to do comprise the majority of those arrested. Through due process, Istill favor gettingthe bad guys out. However, through thesame due process, let’s identify the true contributors and find away to put them on apathway to legalization. Wake up, America! Together,let’s do what’s right.

JOSEPH POLLETT NewOrleans

Folktale foretellshow Trump’sbullyingwillend

Uncle Remushas something to teach us about our current political situation.

Ourcurrent president seemsto be constantly hunting for someone, anyone, to hit. Much like Brer Rabbit (whoalways did have something of achip on his shoulder)

Brer Fox presented him with somethingtohit.Namely,atar baby,adoll made of tar,that would not respond correctly (or at all) when queried.

Furious at the effrontery,Brer Rabbit hit thetar baby and promptly became stuck to aproblem he could not shake free of.

The story has an unfortunate racist history,but itspoint is well taken.

If you go around picking fights, you are bound to find an opponent capable of creating aproblem you cannot shake free of.

The list of countries, states and people that this president has deliberately insulted, belittled and threatened grows longer each day At somepoint, he is going to cross thewrong party or parties. And at that point, it becomes our problem

Perhaps we should consider not letting that happen. Perhaps it’s time to stop tolerating aboring, obnoxious vandal whodelights in chaos.

Perhaps it’s timetofree ourselves of this tar baby

DANIEL DELAUREAL Lacombe

If Landry took Greenlandrole seriously, he coulddocountry aservice

Irecently went to Gov.Jeff Landry’swebsite to offer my opinion that he really has no business being a“special envoy” or whatever he is regarding Greenland.

It seems he agrees, since the list of suggested topics aLouisianan might wish to contact him about includes neither “foreign affairs” nor “Greenland” nor “international envoy of mystery.” Landry seemed to want pretty badly to be our governor,and he got that wish. I think that’sahard job that deserves hard work, but it must be easy for him, since he’salso busy meddling in university sports and tense diplomacy on the world stage.

Since he accepted (or maybe asked for) the president’sjob as some sort of liaison to or viceroy of Greenland, Ithink responsibility falls on Landry to ask the president to please, pretty please, stop with his foolish interest in that island and move on to maybe find helpful ways of addressing actual concerns of Americans.

And if the president won’tlisten, Landry should resign from his extra job. Today Then he really ought to publicly apologize to the citizens of Greenland and Louisiana for having been associated with that mess in the first place. Or he should resign his post as governor of our great state.

JEFFREY KERBY NewOrleans

SPORTS

Balanced scoring leads Pels past Grizzlies

LSU looks to rebound with trip to S. Carolina

Struggling Tigers working on mindset

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

ä LSU at South Carolina. NOON SATURDAy SEC NETWORK+

Matt McMahon said he believed LSU was prepared for Mississippi State The fourth-year LSU coach was mistaken. His team trailed 44-21 at halftime and lost 80-66 on Wednesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center The home defeat cemented the rough reality that LSU (13-8, 1-7 SEC) is in. McMahon acknowledged this difficult place, but he doesn’t want the hardship to overwhelm his team and its goals.

“I think when you get in these tough stretches, the only way forward is to stick together,” McMahon said. “It’s easy to separate and start blaming and making excuses and complaining in a locker room. I think you have to keep everyone tight and connected and find ways to get better.”

The Tigers hope that starts when they face South Carolina (11-10, 2-6) at noon Saturday at Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, South Carolina This is the second time the teams will meet this season. In the last matchup, the Gamecocks won 78-68 after building a 50-25 halftime lead on Jan. 6 at the PMAC. LSU thought it had improved after an 84-81 road loss to No. 15 Arkansas last Saturday, which was the second game with top player Dedan Thomas back from an injury But upon its return to Baton Rouge, the Tigers replicated none

ä See TIGERS, page 3C

BY LES EAST

Contributing writer

Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen scored 22 points each, Zion Williamson had 21, and the New Orleans Pelicans held off the Memphis Grizzlies 114-106 on Friday night in the Smoothie King Center

Herb Jones scored 16 and Jose Alvarado added 11 for the Pelicans (13-37), who took control by outscoring the Grizzlies 35-15 in the third quarter.

New Orleans begins a four-game road trip when it faces the 76ers in Philadelphia on Saturday night.

Jaren Jackson and Cam Spencer scored 16 each, Cedric Coward scored

13, Jock Landale put in 12, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 11, and Jaylen Wells added 10 for the Grizzlies (18-28), who lost their fifth straight.

The Grizzlies played without leading scorer Ja Morant (19.5 points per game), who missed his fourth straight game because of an elbow sprain, and Zach Edey (ankle), who averages 13.6 points and a team-best 11.1 rebounds.

Spencer made a 3-pointer to start the second-half scoring to give the Grizzlies a 64-58 lead. Williamson and Jones scored four points each as the Pelicans pulled even at 68.

Landale’s basket broke the tie before Bey scored seven points and Queen had

four as New Orleans took a 79-74 lead. John Konchar made a layup for Memphis, but Alvarado made three 3-pointers and Karlo Matkovic one during a 14-0 run that gave the Pelicans a 93-76 lead at the end of the quarter New Orleans had made just 4 of 24 3-pointers before making those four in as many attempts. The Grizzlies scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter to get within six. Bey made two free throws for the Pelicans’ first points of the quarter, and Queen and Jones had two field goals each during a 10-3 run that gave

Senior standouts

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

MOBILE,Ala Members of the New Orleans Saints coaching staff got a good, up-close look at the American Team at the Senior Bowl. Members of the Saints scouting staff closely watched the National Team since they could rely on their coaches’ feedback for the other squad.

Now, it’s time for the two teams to actually play each other

Senior Bowl week concludes Saturday when the American and National teams face off in the all-star event at Hancock Whitney Stadium at the University of South Alabama. It has been a productive week for the Saints, who have seven assistants helping with the game and had their staff on hand to examine this year’s prospects. With three days of practices in the books, here are 10 players who stood out relative to the Saints’ needs:

Mike Washington, Arkansas RB

If the Saints are searching for a lead back — and they don’t select Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love in the first round — Washington has emerged as a fascinating option. Not only was his 6-foot, 226-pound frame fully noticeable on runs, but the Arkansas product was one of the fastest players at the Senior Bowl. He clocked an impressive

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

At one end, Kate Koval rotated over and blocked a layup attempt. At the other, she rebounded a missed jumper and drew a foul.

Those two plays which Koval squeezed into back-to-back, thirdquarter possessions on Thursday in a win over Arkansas helped the LSU women’s basketball team shake off a cold shooting start, gain some momentum and coast to a 22-point victory They also impressed coach Kim Mulkey and the LSU bench They applauded the effort right as the whistle blew “I think (Koval’s) solid,” Mulkey said. “I think she’s a calming effect for our team whether she’s having

double-doubles or scoring the ball or whatever.”

Koval, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Notre Dame, grabbed 10 rebounds in 15 minutes on Monday in a win over Florida, leading Mulkey to say she wished she would’ve given her more playing time. So she did three days later, when the No. 6 Tigers (20-2, 6-2 SEC) pulled away from the Razorbacks and extended their winning streak to six games. In 21 minutes, Koval tallied 12 points, 15 rebounds, five blocks and three steals. It was one of the best games of her career and it showed that the Ukrainian trans-

fer center might be starting to figure out how to play in the SEC. Koval averaged only 3.3 points and four rebounds per game in LSU’s first four league matchups. She also shot just 5 of 14 (36%) from the field. In

Vikings GM Adofo-Mensah let go after 4 seasons

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings won 43 games over the last four years. The organization has frequently received high marks on recent player report cards. Their fan support, for a franchise that has not won a Super Bowl, is among the strongest in the league Dissatisfaction with above average or pretty good results was never more apparent than on Friday, when general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired after four seasons and a contract extension just eight months ago.

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Djokovic, Alcaraz to meet in final

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia Novak Djokovic finally beat one of the two men who’ve been blocking his path to an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam singles title when he edged Jannik Sinner in five sets to reach the Australian Open final Friday To get that coveted No. 25, he’ll have to beat the other: top-ranked Carlos Alcaraz.

They’re both chasing history in Sunday’s championship decider, with Alcaraz striving to become the youngest man at 22 ever to complete a career Grand Slam.

“There’s always, for me, also for Carlos because of his age and everything he’s achieved, history is on the line for both of us,” Djokovic told reporters packed into a small room deep inside the stadium in a brief interview approaching 3 a.m. “Finals of a Grand Slam. There’s a lot at stake.”

The top-ranked Alcaraz came through his own grueling five-setter He overcame cramps and a sore right leg to fend off No. 3 Alexander Zverev 6-4, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (3), 6-7 (4), 7-5 in a match that started in the warmth of the afternoon and, 5 hours, 27 minutes later, became the longest semifinal ever at the Australian Open.

That pushed the scheduled start of the Sinner-Djokovic semifinal back a couple of hours, and the 38-year-old Djokovic finally won 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 just after 1:30 a.m.

“It feels surreal,” Djokovic said of his 4-hour, 9-minute triumph.

“Honestly, it feels like winning already tonight. I know I have to come back and fight the No 1 of the world I just hope that I’ll have enough gas to stay toe-to-toe with him.

“For me, this is a win that almost equals winning a Grand Slam.”

Djokovic conceded he was lucky to even get to the semifinals He narrowly missed hitting a ball girl with a reckless swipe in the third round to be almost defaulted from the tournament, got a walkover in the fourth round, and felt he was heading home in the quarterfinals when he trailed Lorenzo Musetti by two sets until the Italian retired with an injured right leg.

Djokovic hadn’t won a set since the third round but against Sinner, the two-time defending champion, Djokovic was at the

peak of his attacking and defensive powers. He fended off 16 of the 18 breakpoints he faced and stifled Sinner’s opportunities. It ended a run of five losses to Sinner, and a run of four semifinal exits for Djokovic at the majors.

“Had many chances, couldn’t use them, and that’s the outcome,” Sinner said. “Yeah, it hurts, for sure.”

Alcaraz and Sinner have split the last eight major titles between them since Djokovic won his last title at the 2023 U.S. Open. But nobody knows how to win more often at Melbourne Park than Djokovic. He has won all 10 times he’s contested the Australian Open final. He has been saying for months that Alcaraz and Sinner have been playing at a higher level than everyone else. He also said he never doubted he could rise to that level.

“I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in my-

self,” he said. “There’s a lot of people that doubted me a lot of experts all of a sudden that wanted to retire me.

“I want to thank them all because they gave me strength. They gave me motivation to prove them wrong, which I have tonight.”

Final 4

The top four seeds reached the men’s semifinals for just the fifth time and Day 13 was destined to produce some much-needed drama. The season-opening major had been a relatively slow burn until the back-to-back five-setters lasting a combined 9 hours, 36 minutes.

Alcaraz and Zverev, the 2025 runner-up, surpassed the 2009 classic between Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco as the longest ever Australian Open semifinal Medical timeout

Alcaraz was as close as two points from victory in the third set but was hampered by pain in his upper right leg and his medical timeout became contentious.

He said initially it didn’t feel like cramping because the pain seemed to be just in one muscle, the right adductor, and he needed an assessment. He endured the third and fourth sets and was behind in the fifth after dropping serve in the first game. He kept up the pressure but didn’t break back until Zverev was serving for the match. He then won the last four games.

“Physically we pushed each other to the limit today We pushed our bodies to the limit,” Alcaraz said. “I rank this one in the top position of one of the best matches that I have ever won.”

Former teammates Knueppel, Flagg face off

Ex-Duke players battling for NBA Rookie of the year

BY STEVE REED AP sportswriter

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Cooper Flagg entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year

But his old college roommate is giving the No. 1 draft pick a run for his money Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel is in the midst of the most productive rookie season in Hornets history, ranking third in the league in 3-pointers made (151) behind only Stephen Curry and Donovan Mitchell. He’s on pace to make 269 3s this season, which would obliterate the NBA rookie record of 206 set by Sacramento’s Keegan Murray in the 2022-23 season. That production has allowed Knueppel to close the gap in the running for Rookie of the Year

He’s currently listed at +280 odds to win behind only Flagg (-450), according to BetMGM Sportsbook. Before the season, Knueppel was +2000 to win.

On Thursday night, Knueppel went head-to-head with Flagg and poured in a career-high 34 points on eight made 3-pointers. He deflected a pass from Flagg

and made two free throws with 4.1 seconds left to lift the Hornets to their fifth straight win, 123-121 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

Flagg finished with 49 points, setting an NBA record for points scored by a teen in an epic duel of the league’s young stars.

“Ten years down the road we will be looking back on this as a pretty special thing,” Flagg said after the game.

Although Flagg remains the heavy favorite to win NBA Rookie of the Year, Knueppel’s stats are comparable, if not better given his shooting acumen.

Flagg is averaging 19.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game for Dallas, while shooting 29% from 3-point range.

Knueppel is averaging 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 0.7

steals while shooting 42.9% on 3s.

Knueppel said he and Flagg remain in communication, but haven’t discussed the battle for top rookie. A selfproclaimed basketball junkie, Knueppel spends most of his free time watching other NBA games, and has paid close attention to his former Duke teammate’s accomplishments.

“We see the game in the same way Cooper makes his team-

mates better and we talk about that — how to help the team,” Knueppel said. “He’s a guy that likes to do it as a whole. He’s not out there to get his, per se. He wants to do it the right way.”

Golden State coach Steve Kerr recently compared Knueppel to Warriors legend Chris Mullin.

“Really good size on the wing, big strong body, catch-and-shoot, but also incredible IQ, passing, making the right play over and over again. He’s already a really really (darn) good player,” Kerr said.

“He’s got a knack, he’s got a feel for the game, you can tell. And the pump fake and the sidestep three to turn a decent three into a great three that’s just feel. And the poise that he has on the floor is really impressive.”

Kerr praised Knueppel’s movement without the basketball, and his ability to free himself up for open looks.

Facing older, taller and more physical competition, he quickly learned the importance of moving without the ball and getting his shot off quickly

“That is an area, especially in our country, that is a struggle with the young players,” said Knueppel, who like Flagg has twice won

NBA Rookie of the Month. “They don’t know how to move off the basketball. And that really really helps you at this level.”

Knueppel said that has gotten tougher for him as the season has progressed with opposing teams paying closer attention to where he’s at on the floor

But he’s continued to flourish, while remaining remarkably consistent. He and Denver’s Nikola Jokic are the only players this season to average at least 15 points and five rebounds per game while shooting better than 42% from 3-point range.

Knueppel’s 13 games with at least five 3s ties a rookie record — and he still has 33 games to play

“He’s been incredible,” Flagg said of Knueppel, both of whom spent one season at Duke before entering the draft. “He’s been really impressive and that’s nothing new to me. I know what he is capable of. I knew what to expect and I’m really happy for him.”

Whether or not Knueppel can beat the odds and overtake Flagg for NBA Rookie of the Year with two months left in the season remains to be seen.

But the No. 4 pick in the 2025 draft said just being in the same conversation with Flagg — a player many observers consider to be a “generational talent” is rewarding.

Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski was appointed as the interim replacement through the NFL draft, after which the full general manager search will take place The timing of this decision was unusual nearly four weeks after the regular season.

Ravens hiring Doyle, 29, as offensive coordinator

BALTIMORE New Ravens coach

Jesse Minter is hiring Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to be Baltimore’s offensive coordinator, a source with direct knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Baltimore Sun.

Doyle replaces Todd Monken, whom previous coach John Harbaugh had hired in 2023 and is now the coach of the Cleveland Browns.

Next to Minter the position is perhaps the most important — and scrutinized — on the coaching staff. Doyle, 29, is viewed as another rising young assistant in NFL circles. He’s the youngest offensive coordinator in the league. Though he was the Bears’ offensive coordinator this past season, he did not call the plays.

Olympic sprinter Richardson arrested for speeding

Olympic medal-winning sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson was arrested in Florida on Thursday after allegedly driving more than 100 mph. The 25-year-old track star was taken into custody outside Orlando and booked into the Orange County Jail on a charge of dangerous excessive speeding. She was clocked going 104 mph. Richardson was “dangerously tailgating and traveling across lanes of travel to pass other motorists,” an Orange County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson told TMZ. Richardson posted $500 bond and has since been released from jail. Last summer, the Olympian was arrested after allegedly assaulting her boyfriend, fellow runner Christian Coleman, at the SeattleTacoma International Airport.

WNBA, players’ union to resume CBA

negotiations

The WNBA and the players’ union will meet Monday in New York for the first time in several weeks to try to move the stalled collective bargaining negotiations forward.

Kelsey Plum, who is vice president of the players’ union, mentioned the meeting to reporters while she was preparing for a game in Philadelphia with the 3-on3 league Unrivaled.

Plum will be joined at the meeting by other members of the executive council, including Nneka Ogwumike and Napheesa Collier, as well as union leadership. The league will have its regular negotiating team, including WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, the labor relations committee and a few other owners.

Rose breaks his 36-hole record at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO Justin Rose scored even better on the notorious South course Friday in the Farmers Insurance Open, and the proof is in the tournament record book. He broke his own 36-hole record by two shots at Torrey Pines to build a four-shot lead.

The weekend will include Brooks Koepka in his return to the PGA Tour after four seasons on the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League. The five-time major champion remains perplexed by the

and settled for a

Mendozaeasychoicefor ManningAward

BY LES EAST Contriburing writer

The Manning Award was made for someone like Fernando Mendoza.

The Allstate Sugar Bowl created the award 22 years ago to honor the college footballaccomplishments of standout NFL quarterbacks ArchieManning and sons Peyton and Eli. Mendoza already hadwon the Heisman Trophy,among other individual honors, when he guided undefeated Indiana to its first football national championship earlier this month.

So it came as no surprise Friday that the ManningAward, the only quarterback awardthat takes into account postseason performance,would gotoMendoza, who enhancedhis Heisman resume by leading the Hoosiers to CFP victoriesagainst Alabama (38-3), Oregon (56-22) andMiami (27-21).

“I’d like to tell you that this was close, but it wasn’t,” said Archie Manning, whojoined Mendoza on avideoconference withreporters. “Fernando has had one of the greatseasons that any collegiate quarterback has ever had.” Mendoza, who finished with an FBS-best 41 touchdown passes and just sixinterceptions,was at his best in the CFP,completing 75% of his passes for an average of 185 yards per game with eight touchdowns and no interceptions He compared his seasontofixing asundae.

“Winningthe national cham-

KOVAL

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Koval hasn’tstarted in three weeks, but Mulkey opened the second half of Thursday’swin over Arkansas with Koval at center,and LSU built an 11-0 run.

Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams handled most of the scoring responsibilities during that pivotal stretch. But Koval kick-started afew of theirtransition chances by protecting the rim and cleaning the glass. In the third quarter alone, she corralled five rebounds, blocked three shots and forced two turnovers. LSU outscoredthe Razorbacks by 28 points when Koval was on the floor.The lineup Mulkey used with her at center —flanked by Williams, Flau’jaeJohnson, Jada Richard and ZaKiyah Johnson won its minutes by 10 points. No other group she put together was more productive

“She wasblocking shots,” firstyear Arkansas coach Kelsi Musick said.“Shetakes up space, andshe’s hardtoblock out, and she can rebound. She does areally good job forwhat coachMulkey needs her to do,and she executes at areally high level.

“She runs the floor.She’s aphenomenal player in the paint for them.”

LSU will need Koval to keep controlling the interior moving

Indiana quarterback FernandoMendoza (15) celebrates his touchdownduring the CollegeFootballPlayoff national championship game against Miami on Jan. 20 in Miami

pionship is like the ice cream,” Mendozasaid, “maybethe Heismanisalittle bit of whipped cream, but the Manning Award is really the cherry on top. It wouldn’tbecomplete without the Manning Award.” Mendoza first appeared on the radar of theMannings twoyears

forward. Once the Tigers getpast their game against No. 24 Alabama on Sunday,they’ll quickly runintotheirrematch with No. 4 Texas and their annual showdown with No. 3South Carolina.

Both teamsare standing in the way of LSU’sshot at the SEC regular-season title —and itschances to earn aNo. 1NCAA Tournament seedfor the first time since 2006.

They also have size they can throw at the Tigers.

The Longhornshave been starting 6-4 Breya Cunninghamand bringing in 6-6 KylaOldacre off thebench behindher.The Gamecocks have been playing four players who stand tallerthan 6-4 —6-5 Madina Okot, 6-7 Alicia Tournebize, 6-5Adhel Tacand 6-4 Maryam Dauda

Koval is the only LSU contributorwho’s6-3 or taller.Amiya Joyner and Grace Knox are listed at only 6-2, while ZaKiyah Johnson is just 6-foot.

The good news for LSU is that Koval may have figured out how shecan earn herselfa larger role, just in timefor the schedule to stiffen again.

“Kate’snot going to get toohigh or too low,” Mulkey said.“Ithink

Kate is doing extremely well, and she’ssovaluable to our team, but I don’tthink she’shad what Iwould just say was abad game.”

Email ReedDarcey at reed darcey@theadvocate.com.

sophomore Kate Kovalscoresoverthe outstretchedhand of Morgan State’sMayaWoodson on Dec. 16 at thePMAC.

PELICANS

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New Orleans a103-90 lead. Memphis got as close asfive points but didn’tget any closer

The lead changed hands eight time in the first quarter,the last coming when Landale’s jumper gave the Grizzlies a21-20lead and started a9-0 run.Trey Murphy stopped the run whenhe

completed athree-point play,and Jeremiah Fears’ field goal pulled the Pelicans within 32-28 at the endofthe first quarter Jacksonmadea 3-pointer to help Memphis extendthe lead to 10pointsearly in the second quarter.Queen scored four points, including alayup, that gave New Orleansa45-44 lead.

GG Jackson’sdunk gave the Grizzlies the lead, which they kept by ascore of 61-58 at halftime

ago at theManning PassingAcademy in Thibodauxwhen Mendoza was at Cal before transferring to Indiana.

“Weall justkind of fell for Fernando right away,” Archie said. “Hispersonality,the way he mixed with the other quarterbacks, the wayhecoached up

Fla.

kids throughout that camp, and just the type of personheis.”

Mendoza said thetimeatthe academy was“one of the greatest experiences of his life” because both he andhis younger brother Alberto, who also plays quarterback,were“always aspiring to be like the Manningbrothers.”

He recalled an interaction he had withPeyton on the first day at theacademy.Mendozawas participating in play-action drills andwas undercenter forthe first time sincemiddle school

He hadtomake“apretty tough throw” and was pleased withhis drop, hisfakeand histhrow.The other quarterbackswereequally impressed.

Peyton wasnot.

“He ripped into me,” Mendoza recalled withasmile. “He’slike, ‘That’sthe wrong footwork.That highlights how it’sreally easy to be caught up in, ‘Oh, Ican make agood throw,’ but in the NFL everyone can make the throws. It’s allabout thefine details.

“Andatthatpoint, I’mlike, ‘Oh, that’swhat makes the Mannings so great.’ He gave me adviceon howtodothe right footwork and he coached me phenomenally.” Mendozaalso picked Peyton’s brain about his preparation.

“Helooked at all the interceptions he threw and the almost interceptions he threw,aswell as thetouchdowns and almost touchdowns,” Mendoza said.

“That is something Itook directly from that offseason

“I’m knownasa very efficient passer, but early in my career especially at Cal —Ihad ahuge turnover problem. Ithink that wasa turning point.”

Mendoza will attendthe NFL combine and participate in Indiana’spro day in preparation for the NFLdraft,where he is expected to go to the Las Vegas Raiders as theNo. 1overallpick.

Nuggetswelcome Jokicback from injury after16games

BY PATGRAHAM Associated Press

DENVER The Denver Nuggets

finally have some beneficial news on the injury front —big man

Nikola Jokic is back on the court. Jokicreturned to thestarting lineup Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers in his first game since suffering akneeinjury on Dec. 29. Thethree-time NBA MVP will be on aminutes restriction, coach David Adelman said, as he eases his way back.

Jokic missed 16 games since limping off the floor just before halftime at Miami. He wasdiagnosed withahyperextended left knee.

Denver went 10-6 in his absence.

Jokic’spresence is aboost for a Nuggets team that just lost Aaron Gordon for at least amonth after the high-flying forward reinjured hisright hamstring. Christian Braun (left ankle) and Cameron Johnson (right knee) remainside-

TIGERS

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of that intensity andsound fundamental play

Arecurring issue has been 3-pointers, both the offense’sdifficultymakingthemand thedefense’sinabilitytoprevent opposing teams from getting hot from beyond the arc. When LSU lostto SouthCarolina on Jan. 6, it closely mirroredthe mostrecent loss to Mississippi State. Both times, LSU gotoff to abysmal starts. Against South Carolina, it trailed24-5after aboutsix minutes Against Mississippi State, the Tigers were down 27-9 with11:35 remaining in the first half. LSUnever led in either game and trailed by 28 and27points, respectively, in the first half.

WhenMcMahon was asked how to keep the team’s chances of making the NCAA Tournamentalive he said solving issues one gameat atime is the approach.

“I think the focus for us has to be short-term,” McMahon said. “How do we fix our start here (Wednesday)? How do we showimprovement on the defensive side of the ball from the3-point line, and ultimately,you got to be able toscore. We just scored 81 Saturday,and then (Wednesday), credit to Mississippi State’sdefense, we scored 21 points in thefirst half. So we got to really get back and focus on gettingour team better.” McMahon said one letdown was theteam’smindset.

While he thought it was in agood place before thegame, it led to

lined.

“It’sgreat to have (Jokic) back, but let’stemper alittle bit,” Adelmansaid before the game. “The guy’sbeen hurt. He’s been out. Having thebestplayer, in my opinion, alive is amajor,major thing to get back. Ijust want to make sure we temper the idea of what it could be like. He’sgot to get out there and feel comfortable again. We all know what it is when he is comfortable. It’ssomething we’ve never seen.”

The knee injury interrupted one of Jokic’sfinest seasons. He’saveraging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists while shooting a career-best 43.5% from 3-point range.

“It adds adifferent dimension to what you want to do defensively,for sure, becauseofhis passingability,his ability to score,” Clippers coach Tyronn Lue said of Jokic before Friday’sgame. “If you switch, he punishes smaller guys. If you’re big, he takes them on the perimeter.”

Jokic’sreturn helps keep him eligible for major individual NBA awards thisseason. Shouldhe play all the remaining games, he would finish with 66. He needs to appear in 65 of Denver’s82games to be eligible formostawardslike MVP and All-NBA.

The30-year-oldJokic has finished first or second in theMVP balloting in each of the last five seasons.

Jokic was hurt against the Heat when teammateSpencer Jones stepped on his left foot. The center from Serbia fell to the floor and grabbed at his knee before limping toward the locker room He’sbeen steadily making progress, with Adelman sayingJokic “had agood day” Thursday and that his check-in today “was positive.”

“We’re moving in the rightdirection,” the Nuggets coach said. “Obviously,we’re excited to have him back, as we will be with any of these guys that have been out for an extended period of time.”

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU guard Dedan Thomas drivespast MississippiState guard Jayden Epps on Wednesdayatthe PMAC.

THOMAS LISTED AS DOUBTFUL FORSATURDAY

LSU point guardDedanThomas is doubtfultoplayagainst South Carolina on Saturday, according to the Southeastern Conference availability report. The junior playedhis third straight game Wednesdayagainst Mississippi State aftermissing the previous five games because of a lowerleft leg injury. Thomas did not noticeably get

poor play

“I’m abig believer in the mindset, and so that was probably my disappointment,” McMahon said “Just thought coming out of shootaround,there was great energy, great communication.I thought we’dhavea certainpop to us. A

injuredwhenLSU (13-8, 1-7 SEC) lost 80-66 at hometothe Bulldogs.

The TV broadcast showedhim getting his ankle retapedduring the first half.Hecontinuedplaying in the second half Thomas played28minutes and finishedwith 14 points, four assists and zero turnovers. ToyloyBrown

certain urgencythere. So you know,wehad reallyimproved our starthere of late. But you got to look at bothsides of the ball, because3-point line defense, butthen offensively,wedidn’tscore enough to give ourselves achanceeither there. So it all works together.”

Brady hires Carmichael as Bills offensive coordinator

Coaches worked together on Saints staff

BY JOHN WAWROW Associated Press

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y Buffalo Bills

coach Joe Brady began filling out his staff by turning to a former colleague in agreeing to hire Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator, a person with knowledge of discussions told The Associated Press on Friday

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because Carmichael has yet to sign his contract The NFL Network first reported the agreement.

The 54-year-old Carmichael has been a longtime assistant under Sean Payton, including spending the previous two seasons as the Denver Broncos senior offensive assistant.

It was during Payton’s time coaching New Orleans when Carmichael’s tenure overlapped with Brady Carmichael was the Saints offensive coordinator when Brady spent the 2017 and ’18 seasons as an offensive assistant.

Carmichael has 26 seasons of NFL coaching experience, beginning in 2000 when he was tight ends coach in Cleveland, before going on to serve as the Saints offensive coordinator from 2009-23. He leaves Denver with Payton shuffling his offensive staff by firing offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and wide receivers coach Keary Colbert.

The shakeup comes after the AFC’s top-seeded Broncos’ 10-7 loss to New England in the AFC championship game on Sunday Carmichael’s extensive experi-

ence and connections to Payton are plusses for the 36-year-old Brady, who is making his head-coaching debut.

Brady spent the past two-plus seasons as the Bills offensive coordinator before being promoted this week in replacing Sean McDermott, who was fired after nine seasons.

Brady has spoken highly of how he’s adopted many of Payton’s philosophies by saying he earned “a doctorate” in offense during his time in New Orleans.

Though Carmichael will serve as coordinator, Brady has already said he intends to continue calling plays for Buffalo’s Josh Allen-led offense.

Brady still has much to do to fill out his staff with a vacancy at defensive coordinator after Bobby Babich left to take the same job in Green Bay Buffalo’s special teams coordinator’s job is also open after Chris Tabor left to sign with Miami.

Pats CB Gonzalez savoring first Super Bowl appearance

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER Associated Press

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — If it seems like Christian Gonzalez is lingering on the field during pregame warmups on Super Bowl Sunday, that’s because he probably will be. After a series of setbacks over his first three NFL seasons, the 23-year-old is well aware of how fast things can change in this league. So, getting to play on its biggest stage for the first time isn’t something he is taking lightly

“Treat it like another game, but you know it’s not another game,” the Patriots cornerback said. “It’s the last one, so you just go out there and you just give it all you’ve got. Even while you’re playing, you still get to enjoy it. You get to run out there and see the field that says ‘Super Bowl.’ Little things like that.”

Enjoyment has come in starts and stops for Gonzalez following a rookie season in 2023 in which he played in just four games before going on injured reserve with a torn labrum in his shoulder and then having season-ending surgery He returned in full force in 2024, appearing in 16 games while establishing himself as the team’s top cover cornerback, allowing receivers only 6 yards per target, and yielding completions 55.7% of the time the ball was thrown in his direction. It seemed as if there was nowhere to go but up. But all his progress looked to be in jeopardy after a hamstring injury in the first week of training camp eventually sidelined him for the first three games. It’s proven just to be a hiccup for Gonzalez, who returned to play in the final 14 regular-season games. He was again trusted to cover opponents’ best receivers this season, finishing tied for second on the team with 10 pass breakups while being selected

ä Super Bowl LX: Seahawks vs. Patriots. 5:30 P.M. FEB 8, NBC

for his first Pro Bowl.

He’s done his best work in the fourth quarter during the playoffs, allowing just two receptions, 12 receiving yards and no touchdowns with an interception the eight times he’s been targeted. It sets up what could be a pivotal matchup in the Super Bowl with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith Njigba. Gonzalez’s lone interception came late in the AFC title game to help secure the Patriots’ victory

“It felt like it was a good time to get the first pick. getting the ball back to (Drake Maye) and letting him ice the game,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez’s performance in those big moments has been part of a year-long evolution Patriots coach Mike Vrabel said he’s observed Gonzalez undergo over the past month and a half.

“There’s just a presence, I feel like. Not that there was anything wrong,” Vrabel said. “I just felt when he blitzed, when he covered, when he maybe it was just me — but I’ve got a pretty good seat for some of these games. And so, I just felt him start to continue to impact at a greater level. So, there’s no secret that we’ll need him to play well, as well as the rest of our other good players.” Gonzalez said he can’t pinpoint any specific change in his approach but does remember the conversation he had with his coach.

“After the Baltimore game, he told me he felt like he saw something different,” Gonzalez said. “But I’ve kind of just been preparing and doing what I’ve been doing. Just want to continue to make the plays that I need to make when my number’s called and do what I’ve got to do for this team to win.”

Seahawks running back Walker firing on all cylinders

BY ANDREW DESTIN

Associated Press

RENTON, Wash. When Zach Charbonnet went down with a seasonending knee injury against the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional round of the NFC playoffs, Kenneth Walker rushed onto the field to check on his Seattle Seahawks backfield mate.

Initially, Walker was told Charbonnet — who led the Seahawks with 12 touchdown runs and became the first Seattle player since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to rush for at least 10 scores in a season was going to be OK. Walker instead has taken on an increased role as the Seahawks move within one win of their second Super Bowl title in franchise history

“Obviously, it’s unfortunate what happened to him,” Walker told The Associated Press. “But, I’ve been going through it all season. I’ve been prepared for whatever.” Walker, who ran for over 1,000 yards this season (1,027) for the first time since his rookie year, has not only been prepared, he has excelled in Charbonnet’s absence.

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Including the game in which Charbonnet was injured, Walker has averaged 4.7 yards per carry in the postseason, caught all seven passes thrown his way for 78 yards receiving and plunged into the end zone four times on the ground.

Ahead of the Seahawks’ 31-27 win against the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak pointed to the film as reason enough that Walker could handle a few more touches.

“He played some really good football,” Kubiak said last week.

“We have all the confidence in the world with him to carry a heavier load, but it’s not all on him. He’s got help behind him. We’re counting on him.”

Over the Seahawks’ last three games of the regular season, Walker had at least 100 total yards twice. He credited his success to Seattle’s attention to detail in all aspects of the run game as a team.

“Linemen hitting their guys, picking up on who they were supposed to get,” Walker said. “Everybody just all around was more detailed in who they were supposed

21 miles per hour on one of his rushes, a staggering number given his size.

Zion Young, Missouri DE

College scouting director Jeff Ireland said that the Saints’ prototype for defensive ends has changed under defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme. That said, Young sure looked like the type of pass rusher the Saints have become enamored with over the years. He’s 6-foot-5, 262 pounds and was a consistent presence off the edge. He might not be on the board when the Saints pick in the second round, but he’d be a fun player to pair with Chase Young.

Ted Hurst, Georgia State WR

Most any list of Senior Bowl standouts has Hurst on it. The 6-3, 207-pound receiver stood out in a big way throughout the week. He’s not the fastest receiver, but he displayed crafty footwork to win his routes. He also can excel at contested catches As The Athletic’s Dane Brugler noted, Hurst had the most 20-plus yard

to get. Receivers, tight ends, everybody’s all on one accord.”

But nobody has been more on point — and received more attention than Walker ahead of what could be his last game in a Seahawks uniform The 25-year-old running back is in the final year of

catches in the FBS over the last two seasons with 34.

Malachi Fields, Notre Dame WR

Fields may not have put up eye-popping stats (36 catches for 630 yards and five touchdowns) in his lone year at Notre Dame last season, but the former Virginia transfer caught plenty of eyes during the week of Senior Bowl practices. He’s a physically imposing receiver at 6-4 while also having the speed and smoothness to get by defenders. He made an impressive diving catch deep down the field Wednesday on which he split the cornerback and the safety to break free.

Tyren Montgomery, John Carroll WR

Montgomery’s emergence is what makes the Senior Bowl fun. The little-known 5-11 Montgomery popped on people’s radars this week as he looked like he belonged, despite competing at the Division III level in college. He didn’t play football until his junior year of college at Nicholls State. He played basketball in high school and even spent a semester of his freshman year as a walk-on basketball player at LSU.

Keylan Rutledge, Georgia Tech OL Coaches had to warn Rutledge several times to stop being overly aggressive in

his rookie contract and is slated to become a free agent in 2026. Given his production, Walker figures to be in line for a significant pay bump.

General manager John Schneider, who drafted Walker in the second round in 2022, would be

practice, and Saints fans everywhere had flashbacks to Trevor Penning. Still, Rutledge’s aggressiveness is an appealing aspect to his game, and the 6-3, 316-pound guard can bully people on the inside. Primarily a guard in college, Rutledge worked at all three interior spots throughout the week to display his versatility. The Saints need interior offensive line help, making Rutledge someone to keep an eye on.

Jeremiah Wright, Auburn OL Wright dominated his one-on-one battles in practice, including the last rep of Tuesday’s practice in which he threw Alabama defensive lineman LT Overton to the ground. The circle of teammates around him went nuts, and for good reason. It was a big-time move, one that Wright showed he could consistently make The 6-5, 340-pounder started 12 games at right guard for Auburn last season.

Kaelon Black, Indiana RB

Black could be a fun weapon for the Saints as a third-down, change-of-pace back. The 5-9 rusher stood out in the passing game, where he excelled as a receiving threat.

Though he was hardly used as a receiver in college — he had just four catches for 36 yards with the Hooisers perhaps that could change at the next level. It was also

saddened to see him go should the Michigan State product choose to do so.

“Ken has been awesome,” Schneider said. “Explosive. I would say maybe a little bit more decisive the last month and a half. He’s a free agent. We’d love to have him back.”

To Schneider’s point, Walker picked up steam down the stretch after hitting a lull for much of the middle of the season. As Walker put it, it has been an up-and-down season personally while the team has enjoyed plenty of on-field success, which matters much more to him.

Walker has taken pride in stepping up in Charbonnet’s absence, especially since he considers him a brother Simultaneously Walker’s mental resilience has been tested amid the uncertainty of his future in the Pacific Northwest.

“I don’t really think on that,” Walker said. “If I worry about that, then I won’t be able to focus on what the hell I need to focus on.”

So what is occupying Walker’s mind these days?

“I just really want to win the Super Bowl,” he said.

noteworthy that Black attended the Senior Bowl after playing in the national championship just a week earlier

Will Kacmarek, Ohio State TE

With Foster Moreau and Jack Stoll set to be free agents, the Saints could use a physical, run-blocking tight end to complement starter Juwan Johnson. Enter Kacmarek. The 6-6, 240-pound tight end had only 15 catches for 168 yards last season, but that hardly matters Kacmarek can help a team in the NFL if he blocks the way he did in college and during these practices.

Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh LB Linebacker isn’t a huge need for New Orleans, but we’re bending the rules a little bit here. Even if Demario Davis leaves in free agency the team’s brass has confidence in 2025 fourth-rounder Danny Stutsman. But Louis drew rave reviews in Mobile, including from ESPN analyst Louis Riddick, who said the Pittsburgh product was among the National Team linebackers who “set the tone” for three days of practice. Perhaps undersized at 5-11 and 224 pounds, Louis still hits with a thud.

Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@ theadvocate.com

Astorga, McDonogh 35 take down Carver

BY SPENCERURQUHART

writer

Staff

McDonogh 35 didn’tlead Carver until midway throughthe first quarter,but the Roneagles never trailed again after seniorJason Astorga put his team out front.

Thursday’srivalry matchup between the top two teamsinDistrict 10-4A was playedin front of apackedgym at McDonogh 35

The 6-foot-5 Astorga scored 12 points in the first quarter,and the Roneagles held on for a62-54 win over Carver,positioningthemselves for the district title.

McDonogh 35 built up adoubledigit lead and was up by as much as 14 points in the fourth quarter Carver cut the lead down tosix points in the closing minutes, but apair of clutch free throwsby Astorga dashedthe Rams’ comeback hopes.

“(Carver) turned the pressure up alittle, but Itold the guys that we just need to stay composed,” McDonogh 35 coach Shaun Dumas said. “Down the stretch, we just played the right way.Jason (Astorga) is abig-time player.It wasacomplete effort by him.”

One of eight seniors for McDonogh 35, Astorga finished with

McDonogh 35 senior Jason Astorgashoots against Carver senior Deuce Henry during theirgameonThursday at McDonogh 35.

ateam-high 20 points along with 11 rebounds to record adoubledouble. He made 7of10shots from the field alongwith five assistsand two blocks.

“My guys werejust there with me,and Iwas very confident tonight,” Astorga said. “Westudied(Carver) onfilm, andwejust

made the right plays.”

McDonogh 35 senior Jaylen Hayes was second on the team in scoring with11pointsalong with five rebounds andtwo steals. Junior Larry Jonesfinishedwith nine points, sevenrebounds, five assistsand threesteals.

Junior Wayne Nevels deliv-

ä See coverageofthe John Curtis-Jesuit boys game NOLA.COM

eredanall-aroundeffortfor the Roneagles, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, seven assists, three steals and ablock. A Carver transfer,Nevels faced his former teamfor the first time on Thursday

“It was emotional (facing Carver),” Nevels said. “That was my team at one time, but we did what we had to do. I’m loving it (at McDonogh 35).”

Carver juniorBrian Burton finished with a team-high 14 pointsalong withsix rebounds. Senior Rayhienz

“Deuce” Henry, amultisport standout committed to Southern,finished with12points.

care of the basketball and knocking free throws down.”

Carver seniors Devinta Smith and Chesney Sadler were also among the top contributors. Smith scored nine points, and Sadler had eight points with five rebounds.

“Down the stretch, we just played the right way. Jason (Astorga)isabig-time player.Itwas acomplete effort by him.”

McDonogh 35 (18-8, 3-0) has wonseven of its past eight games. The Roneagles are ranked No. 17 in the Division Iselect power ratingsand canclinch the outright district title with awin over Douglass on Thursday “We’re trending the right way,” Dumassaid. “Now is the timeto be clicking on all cylinders. (The team) is closer thanever. We just have to continue to build this thing.”

MCDONOGH 35 COACH SHAUN DUMAS

“Deuce Henry was aleader out there, and Brian Burton made a lotofhustle plays,” Carver coach Nathaniel Rochie said. “I’m proud of theeffort, but Ithink we need to focusonslowing down, taking

Carver (11-10, 3-1) had won its past eight games prior to Thursday’sloss to McDonogh 35. The Ramswill look to get back in the win columnon Saturday against Scotlandville.

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Chio clutch on beam as No.2LSU wins at Missouri

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

With the dual meettitle at stake Friday nightatMissouri, LSU sent star sophomore Kailin Chio out to anchor on balance beam,needing a 9.90 or better for her team to win.

The results were predictably phenomenal.

Aweek after aperfect10on beam, Chio got a10fromone of the two event judges and posted a 9.975, securing a197.675-197.500 victory at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, Missouri.

It was the best road score of the season for No. 2LSU,which improved to 4-1-1 and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference. No. 7 Missouri dropped to 4-3 and 0-3 despite also posting aseason-high score.

The win on beamcappedanother impressive night for Chio. Though she started with an uncharacteristically low 9.725 on uneven bars, she followed thatwith three straight event wins. Chio tied for first on vault with teammateAmari Draytonand Mizzou’sRailey Jackson witha9.95, tied teammate KaliyaLincoln for first on floor with another 9.95, thenwon beam outright

The only gymnast on either team to compete in all four events, Chio took the all-around title as well with a39.600. The Henderson,Nevada, native now has34individual titles in 19 career starts, putting her in 20th place in programhistory

The pressure was on Chio to hit her routineasMissouri, thenation’s No.2 floor team,was in the

process of nailingfourscores of 9.90 or better in itsfinalroutine On top of that, LSU was forced to count a9.75 from Lincoln on beam after Konnor McClain touched the beam in frontofChiotostayup and only scored a9.55.

“I don’tactually watchthe personinfront of me,” Chio said in a post-meet interviewonthe SEC Network. “Ijust went up thereand didmygymnastics. Ijustwanted us to get awin on theroad.”

The road wincame twoweeks after LSU’sworstshowingofthe season, a197.200-196.850 loss at No. 8Georgia.

“After our last road meet at Georgia we had somemistakes,” Chio said. “But it was important for us to get out there and do what we know how to do.”

LSU started on uneven bars and

took a49.375-49.275 lead as Missouri opened on vault.Madison Ulrich, ajuniortransferfrom Denver,set aseason high with a 9.925, matched three routines later by Boise State graduate transfer Courtney Blackson,sandwiched around a9.90 for Hailey Mustari in thefreshman’s first career routine. Chio rebounded from that 9.725 on bars with aseason high-tying 9.95 on vault.LSU also gotaseason high 9.95 from Drayton and season bests from Blackson (9.90) and McClaintoposta49.425onvault Missouri had a49.350 on bars, giving LSU a98.800-98.625 lead midway through the meet. LSU widened its lead further as theTigersmoved to floor for rotation three. Floor wasLSU’s lowestratedroutine at No. 11 coming in, butthe Tigers posted a49.550, its

second-best floor score of the season. Chio’s 9.95 was followed by a 9.925 from Lincoln in the anchor spot, giving LSU a148.350-148.025 lead going to the final rotation. Missouri outscored LSUinthat rotation 49.475-49.325, but it was not enough to catch the visiting Tigers. “Wecan do extraordinarily more,” Chio said. “Thatwas our baseline. We have so muchmore you haven’tseenyet.” LSU returnshomenext Friday to host PennState in anonconference meet.First vault is set for 7:30 p.m.and the meet will be shownstreaming only on SEC Network+.

For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) It'suptoyou to create what you want to happen. Find adirection thatallows you to use your mind, body and skills in gratifying ways

PIsCEs (Feb.20-March 20) Mingle,socializeand attend eventsthatbroaden your outlook and encourage you to up your game and satisfyyour soul. How you project your intentionswill determine who wants to spend time with you.

ARIEs (March 21-April19) Don't waitfor things to go wrong. Take precautionsto ensure you have everything, including abackup plan, in place. Your efficiency will pay off and help yousay no to temptation or excess.

TAuRus (April 20-May 20) Stick close to home andsurround yourself with people you trust. Thetime and effort youput in will yieldrewards beyondyourexpectations. Protect yourself from illness.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Takecharge and follow through with your promises. Participating in an event or socializing with friends will give you achancetoimpress someone you love.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Time andeffort will pay offifyou makechanges that can fill avoid in yourcommunity. Think of alternative lifestyles that lower your overhead but not yourcomfort.

LEo(July 23-Aug.22) Observe how others react, and you'll gain insight intohow youcan makeyour life and your rela-

tionshipseasier. What youdotomakea difference will frame howothers rate or acceptyou

VIRGo (Aug.23-sept. 22) Attend functions or participate in activities that interest you and gettoknow others whoshare your heart's desires. Attending or organizing areunionwill help youreconnect with someone special.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct.23) Look over your optionsand size up yoursituation.Stop procrastinatingand letyouruniqueness shine. Love and romance are apparent. Don't be afraid to make the first move. sCoRPIo (oct.24-nov. 22) Refrain from believing everything you hear. Do your homework, andyou'll uncover thetruth. Base your relationships on how others treat youand respect your boundaries.

sAGITTARIus(nov. 23-Dec.21) Putyour energyintomaking,investingandsaving money. Review yourfinancial managementplan and fine-tune it to suit your long-term needs.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Plan to spend time with someone youadore. Achange at homethat leads to greater commitmentorplans that bring you closer to someone or something you love will encourage you.

Thehoroscope, an entertainment feature,isnot basedonscientific fact ©2026 by nEa,inc., dist.Byandrewsmcmeel syndication

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

The2013RichardFreemanJuniorDeal of the Year went to Chen Yuechen from China. The deal, which was described by Fu Tsiang, occurred during theChinese JuniorChampionships,playedinSuzhou, some 60 milesfrom Shanghai. In theauction, two hearts waseither natural or abig, balanced hand. Over the forced two-spade puppet, two no-trump promised 24-26 points. After Stayman, North invited aslamwith four no-trump, andSouthaccepteddespitehisminimum countbecause he hadall of those aces andkings.

Without aclear opening lead, Chen (West) chose hislowest club. Cao Jiahao (East) correctly put in his nine, and South won with his ace. Declarer played adiamond to dummy’s jack, then ranthe heart jack.How did Westdefend?

West realized that declarer needed two more dummy entries, one to repeat theheart finesse and one to cashthe 13thheart.Those entries had to come in spades.

West won with his heartace andled another diamond, akey play.(Aclub would have givenSouthfour tricks in the suit with agood guess. And aspade would have been won by dummy’s 10.)

wuzzles

Southtook this trick, cashed the club king to try to drop thequeen, then led hisspadeseven.Westwasready,playing his jack to kill thesecond dummy entry. Now the contract had to fail. South took only three spades,two hearts, four diamonds and two clubs ©2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: nOOngOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InsTRuCTIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”suchas“bats” or “dies,”are notallowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may notbeused. 4. proper nouns, slang words,orvulgar or sexually explicit words are notallowed.

ToDAy’s WoRD CouRsInG: KOR-sing: Running game with dogs following by sight

Average mark 32 words Time limit 55 minutes Canyou find 46 or more words in COURSING?

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —EXERTIon

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word fromthe lettersineach row. add pointsof each word, using scoring directions at right.Finally, 7-letter words get50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. allthe words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition. For more informationontournaments and clubs, emailnaspa –north

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Eachrow and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within theheavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in thetop-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages withthe numberinthe top-left corner.

WiShinG Well

HErE is aplEasanTliTTlEgamE

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of thepotential heirsofJorge Ramirez, please contactThomasP Sanderson, CuratorAdHoc,at(504) 586-0064, 4224 CanalSt.,NOLA70119, or tps@boninlawfirm.com Property rights involved 175911-Jan31-Feb2,3t $121

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of Venice L. Hendeson,please contactAttorney DavidJ.Motter, 3500 N. Hullen Street,Metairie, LA 70002; 504-388-7005. 175923-Jan31-Feb2,3t $97

please contact Irving Shnaider,Atty at (504)4846416. 175890-1/31-1t $56.30

ESPLANADERIDGE TheCarsonCompany,Inc 5900 HayneBlvd.,1Bd/1Ba...........$695 616 S. AlexanderSt.,2Bds/1Ba....$795 4425 Woodland (Up) 2Bds/2Bas..$895 2503 S. Dorgenois, 2Bds/1Ba.....$1100 2731 BruxellesSt.,3Bds/1Ba......$1195 2441 N. Robertson, 2Bds/1Ba.....$1200 2300 N. BroadSt.,1Bd/1Ba.........$1236

GENTILLY 1Br/1Ba2631 N. Miro St.70117. Furn kitc,w/d hkup,ac/heat.Water pd. $750/$350. Sec8 acc504-813-7934

DOGS AKCReg'd Maltese, 5females 225-235-9433 or 225-235-7619

DOGS BelgianMalinois- Dogs hailfromwork‐inglines,OFA certifiedfor hips andel‐bows,solid,black and sablepupsready to go. Parentsonpremises. Call 504-220-2980.$1800

requirement, including instantaneous limits,as definedbyLAC 33:IX.6105.A.National Pre‐treatment Standard,Pre‐treatment Standard,or Standard; ii.Technical Review Cri‐teria (TRC)violations, de‐finedhereasthose in which 33 percentormore ofall of themeasure‐ments takenfor each pollutant parameter taken during asix-month periodequal or exceed the productofthe nu‐meric pretreatment stan‐dardorrequirement in‐cluding instantaneous limits, as definedbyLAC 33:IX.6105.A.National Pre‐treatment Standard, Pre‐treatment Standard,or Standard,multipliedby the applicable TRC(TRC 1.4for BOD, TSS, fats, oil,and grease,and 1.2 for allother pollutants exceptpH); iii. Anyother violationof a pretreatment standard orrequirement as de‐finedbyLAC 33:IX.6105.A NationalPretreatment Standard, Pretreatment Standard, or Standard (daily maximum, long termaverage,instanta‐neous limit, or narrative standard) that thePOTW determineshas caused alone or in combination with otherdischarges, interferenceorpass through (includingen‐dangering thehealthof POTWpersonnel or the general public); iv.Any dischargeof a pollutant that has caused imminent endan‐germent to human health orwelfare or to theenvi‐ronment

and PermitsDecisionAppeals –Unfinished Business 10.BZA110-25 1037-39 BroadwayStreet /C NAPCO INC, Zach Smith Consulting& Design Laura Barth Notice under theAmeri‐cans with Disabilities Act: This meetingisac‐cessible to people with disabilities.Shouldyou need furtherassistance, please contactthe Front Desk in theMainLobby or theADA Administra‐tor: (504) 658-4020 (voice),711 LA RelaySer‐vice,ore-mailemhurst@ nola.gov.Pleasebead‐visedthere is acourtesy telephoneavailable for 711 callsfor people with hearingorspeechim‐pairmentsatthe wel‐come desk of City Hall FirstFloor,MainLobby This communiquéis availableinalternative formatsuponrequest AdvertisementDates: January31, February 6, February 13, February 20 NOCP 8870 175263-jan31-feb6-13-204t $139.00

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE -NO‐TICEOFDISSOLUTION OF ESTELLE PROPERTY & MINERAL INTERESTS, L.L.C pursuant to the Louisiana LimitedLiabil‐ity CompanyLaw,ES‐TELLE PROPERTY &MIN‐ERALINTERESTS,L.L.C a Louisiana limitedliability company,isbeing dis‐solved. Anyand all claimsmustbesubmit‐ted in writingand in de‐tailto: HenryOpotowsky 201 St.Charles Ave.,Suite 3201, NewOrleans,LA 70170. 175797-jan31-1t $81.58

OFFICIAL NOTICE OF MONTHLYMEETINGof theREGIONALPLANNING COMMISSIONFOR JEF‐FERSON,ORLEANS PLAQUEMINES, ST BERNARD, ST.CHARLES ST.JOHN, ST.TAMMANY andTANGIPAHOA PARISHES andthe POLICY COMMITTEE of theRE‐GIONAL PLANNING COM‐MISSIONFOR JEFFERSON, ORLEANS, PLAQUEMINES, ST.BERNARD,ST. CHARLES, ST.JOHN, ST TAMMANY,and TANGIPA‐HOAPARISHES. Theregular meetings of theRegionalPlanning Commissionand thePol‐icyCommittee of theRe‐gional Planning Commis‐sion forthe monthof February 2026 will be held on Tuesday, Febru‐ary10, 2026.

Allmeetings commence at 12:30P.M Allmeetings will be held at: Regional Transportation Management Center 10 Veterans Boulevard 1st Floor Conference Room

Pailet

Yourapplicant as Admin‐istratorwill be sellingthe propertyatprivate sale inthe amount of $90,000.00. Pursuant to Civil Code of Procedure Article 3443, notice of the application of asucces‐sionrepresentativeto sellsuccessionproperty froma

PUBLIC NOTICE

24thJUDICIALDISTRICT COURTFOR THEPARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOFLOUISIANA NO:872-382 DIV. H

SUCCESSION OF GLEN ALLENMARSHALL, SR AKAGLYNN MARSHALL NOTICE OF APPLICATION TO SELL IMMOVABLE PROPERTY AT PRIVATESALE

Noticeisherebygiven thatGlenAllenMarshall, Jr.,asthe duly appointed Administrator of the above entitled succes‐sion, hasappliedfor an order granting himthe authority to sell at pri‐vatesalethe following propertytowit: TWOCERTAIN PIECES OR PORTIONSOFGROUND, together with allbuild‐ingsand improvements thereon,situatedinthe ParishofJefferson,State ofLouisiana,inthatpart thereof knownasHAR‐VEYCANAL SUBDIVISION,

$53.01

PUBLIC NOTICE CIVILDISTRICTCOURT FORTHE PARISH OF ORLEANS STATEOFLOUISIANA NO.2025-04269 DIVISION “C-10” SUCCESSIONSOF CAMILLAJOHNSON WICKER wife of/and HARRYC.WICKER, SR NOTICE NOTICE IS GIVEN that HARRY COURTNEY WICKER, JR theAdminis‐tratorofthe Successions ofCAMILLA JOHNSON WICKERwifeof/and HARRY

By: KameronP.Whitmeyer

OF GROUND, together with all thebuildings andim‐provementsthereon,and all therights, ways,privi‐leges,servitudes, advan‐tages DISTRICT of the CityofNew Orleans, State of Louisiana, in SquareNo. 400, bounded byCHERRY, APRICOT, MISTLETOE ANDBELFAST STREETS, andthe Yand MVRailroadright of way, saidlot is designated by the No.15and com‐mencesata distance of 40feet,1 inches and 6 lines (40’ 1” 6) from the cornerofCHERRYand BELFAST STREETSand measuresthence44feet front on Cherry Street the same in width in the rear, by adepth between equal andparallellines of110 feet,all as more fully shownona plan of surveymadebyJ.J Krebs,and sons,Civil En‐gineersand Surveyors, dated March28, 1961, a copyofwhich is annexed toanAct passed before JEROMEMOUNTER,No‐taryPublic, on April14, 1961.

Theimprovements thereon bear theMunici‐pal No.2709 Cherry Street,New Orleans, LA Beingthe same property acquiredbyHARRY C. WICKERfromGuaranty Savings &Homestead Association on April14, 1961 by actbefore JEROMEMEUNIER,Notary Public, recorded in COB 638, Folio280, Orleans Parish, LA Beingthe same property acquiredbyCamille Johnson Wicker by actof Community Property Set‐tlement before RichardS McBride,Jr. datedSep‐tember27, 1985

and acquisitiveand ad‐vantages, thereuntoNew Orleans,State of Louisiana,inSquareNo. 524, which is bounded by Olive,Cherry,Edinburgh and MistletoeStreets and theright of wayof the B& ARailroad,

An Orderauthorizing himtodosomay be is‐d f ( ) d

ingitems: Variances–Unfinished Business 1.BZA093-25 6384 Vicks‐burgStreet /EvelynF Menge,Andre Courville, ZachSmith Consulting &Design Variances–NewBusiness 2. BZA016-26 2617 Spain Street /BHMotorsLLC EugeneNep 3. BZA017-26 2335 Milan Street,4126-28 La Salle Street /Alvin WillibySr. RanataMelancon 4. BZA018-26 16 Neron Place,2239 ShortStreet / Kevin andEmily Winter 5. BZA019-26 211 Walnut Street /Hunter and

HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

1800smeets modern Carnival

Anew Esplanade Ridge home was designed to look centuries old to honor its historicneighborhood. Today,its owners continue that new-but-old dichotomy: Its house-float Carnival facade is that of asteamboat,honoring the vessels that plied the nearby BayouSt. John waterway in the early 1800s. Jyl Benson takesusinside on Page 12. Over the past few weeks, we’ve written about the trendsdesigners

expect to dominate in ’26, as well as those expected to be on the wane. This week, interior designer Louis Aubert tracks what’strending among “regular people.” That’sonPage 4.

InsideOut’s missionisto give readers peeks inside the many different ways that people in the New Orleans area live. We profile spaces thatare opulent, or just offbeat; sophisticated or simple; functional or light-hearted; historic or brand-spanking new.And anything in between.

The bad news is that your plants may have been damaged by therecent cold. The goodnews is that you can relax: Youreally can’thelp them nowanyway. Allyou can do is make them look alittle better.Dan Gill has more advice on Page 8.

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

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

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

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

COVER DESIGN: AndreaDaniel

COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout

TO BE FEATURED: Send information and photos to insideout@theadvocate. com

Please help us by sending information and JPEG photos of your home, or specific spaces inside it,toinsideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. Andwe’rewaiting to hear fromyou.

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Tracking trends‘regular people’follow. PAGE 4

INSIDE INFO

Home &garden happenings. PAGE 7

GREENTHUMB

When to prune plants damaged in the cold. PAGE 8

COVERSTORY

Inside the house float: Rustic charm, art. PAGE 12

ONEINAMILLION

Captivating Victorian in the Garden District. PAGE 16

INSIDE STORY

Appraisal event benefits LPB. PAGE 18

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 19

1111S.PetersStreet, Unit 405•Warehouse Dist

$699,900

Uniquetop-flrindustrialloftw/soaring 20+ftceilgs& adramatic two-story wall of windows flooding fullyrenov’d interiorsw/light.Over1800SFofLiving w/ designer finishes, exposedbeams,Braziliancherry floors,gourmet kitchen &halfbathbelow.2oversized bdrmsw/spa-likebaths.Inclds2 gated parking spots, rooftoppool, gym &prime walkable location to dining&muchmore! ShaunTalbot504-975-9763

Talbot RealtyGroup www.talbot-realty.com504-525-9763

8220 ApricotStreet• Carrollton

$575,000

Charming renovated4 Bdrm,3Bathstuccocottage 1block from Carrollton Ave, built in 1916!Gleaming pine floors,10ftceilings,crown molding,fabulous naturallight.Graciousliving &dining rooms, spacious kitchenw/breakfast area,stainless appliances &granite counters.Drivewayw/electricgate, garage, rear deck &lrg back yard.2882SqFtlivingarea. Peaceful,convenientlocation. LettyRosenfeld 504-236-6834 Compass•UptownOffice 504-866-2785

1618 Charlton Drive•Fillmore$615,000

OneblockfromMirabeauPk&minutestoBayouSt.John&CityPk,thislight-filled single-story 4Bd, 3Ba, 2,416SqFthome offershiceilings, elegant flrs & flowing layout.Centralkitchen w/ pantry,private primarysuite,mudroom,oversized laundry, off-stprkg, coveredporch,fencedyard, generator, shutters,&storage shed;designedfor comfort, privacy, &easyeverydaylivingthroughouttoday DavidAbner Smith504-495-2398 Crescent Sotheby’sInternational Realty 504-944-3605

3838 Clematis Street •Gentilly$235,000

This fullyrenovatedhomeismove-in ready. Kitchen hasbeenupdated w/ allnew cabinetry, brandnew appls& quartz counters.Home hasbeenfully rewired, including alloutlets,switches& features new HVAC,plumbing&a tankless waterheater.Updtd fixtures & finishes.Lrg frontporch &screened rear porch, off-str prkg,aspaciousbkyd& hurricanecanvas window covers AaronDare504-210-2014

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1930 Burgundy Street •HeartofMarigny

$550,000

Gorgeous updatedunitispartofahistorictriplex 3blockstoFrQtr &1 block to FrenchmenSt. Spacious floorplananchoredbyabeautifully updtdkit w/ granitecounters, SS appls&centerisland. Beautifulwd flrs,exposed brick& abundantnat’l ligh...distinctiveN.O.character.Exceptional outdoorspace, sharedpatio &private rooftopdeck. 1prkgspot, sizablebdrms &updtd baths. Aaron Dare 504-210-2014

CraneRealtors

PEOPLE HAVESPOKEN

Youmay ask: What is the next big design trendbarreling down theroad?

The color of theyear has been announced by several sources —although no two predictorshave agreed on just what that color is. Some in the design community have agreed that certain elements are trending, while others have been busyannouncing which aregoing away

Today,let’slook to Pinterest to see what has captured the attention of mere mortals rather than the design wizards behind thecurtain. It’s easy to see what’strending on the site by checking themost popular pins.

Keep in mind that popular design is a pendulum: What goes out of style may likely reappear if you wait long enough. Think of all thecirca 1950s bathrooms in pink or gray tile that lingered on

Starburst Orangepaint by Benjamin Moore sets the backdrop of avariety of geometric-print fabrics,all in a historichome.

By JEFFSTROUT

deathrow for being hopelessly dated only to be rediscovered and treasured todayasmidcentury.Design inertia has savedmanythings fromthe landfill.

1. Spinningthe colorwheel

People areembracing color as areactiontoanoverdose of black and white, grayand beige

Colorful rooms filled with patterned fabrics andwallcoverings abound. Cool bluescombine with yellow and/or or-

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

ange to great effect.

Green appears in paint colors, fabrics and plants. Not since the ficus-filled 1970s have so many rooms featured plants both large and small. The result is a reflection of our increased interest in the natural environment.

2. Adding African influences

Linked to the laid-back and individualistic vibe of Boho interiors, African-inspired art and fabrics that appear to have been collected over a period of time seem popular on Pinterest.

Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, of “God is in the details” and “less is more” fame, created furnishings in the 1920s that remain contemporary classics.

The minimalistic and cleanlined Brno and Barcelona chairs set the pace for a classic contemporary interior

This is where trends can run parallel and yet contradict each other While color is being embraced by some, other Pinterest followers continue to worship at the altar of the

black-and-white interior, epitomized by the polished chrome Barcelona chair with either black or white leather cushions.

4. No, not that Carnival Carnival Core does not refer to our annual embrace of Mardi Gras-themed decor It is a playful, almost childlike, approach to design. Think themed rooms with circusstriped walls and ceiling. Not

website Pinterest.

Locally, the 2025 Holiday Home Tour sponsored by the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans featured a beautiful home containing a striking combination of contemporary furnishings and African art.

The carefully curated collection placed in a historic setting resulted in a memorable interior.

3. Deco revisited

Neo Deco, sometimes referred to as Masculine Luxe, is bringing a renewed interest in the classic modern pieces most often rendered in polished chrome and leather.

Dark Academia style uses dark, saturated wall colors of navy, burgundy, charcoal or black paired with a mix of furnishings spanning a variety of periods. As is shown, velvet and fringe are de rigueur An antique chandelier mixes with a modern portrait and an animal head on the wall.

STYLES

Continued from page 5

likely long for this world, this style is simply a fun escape from reality.

This appears for the most part in playrooms and bedrooms for children. Fancifully painted furniture in bright color combinations completes the look.

5. Dark and stormy night

Revived from about 20 years ago, Dark Academia style has been described as a cross between Victoriana and Vampire Romantic. Very dark, saturated colors of navy, burgundy, charcoal and, of course, lots of black are background to an anything-goes mix of furnishings spanning a variety of periods.

Velvet and fringe play heavily into this mix, which would please Morticia Addams no end.

Bookcases and glass-doored breakfronts are filled with an assortment of both natural and manmade curiosities.

This harkens to the 18th-century birth of the curiosity cabinet created to impress visitors with the great and varied knowledge of the homeowner Old leather-bound books and sepia tinted photographs round out the mix. This style is not for every-

A style becoming popular with fans of sci-fi combines chrome with rounded upholstered furniture and arc lamps.

one, but then what style is?

6. Extra-Celestial salute

Sci-fi fans unite! The ExtraCelestial design style is created just for you. While the term sci-fi first became popular in the 1920s, the elements of this style rely heavily on

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Take a class on making a fascinator

Using natural materials and more, workshop attendees of all ages can fashion a fascinator in time for spring at Longue Vue House and Gardens.

Head gardener Leigh Gradiz will lead the workshop at 1 p.m. Saturday.

Cost of the workshop, which includes materials, is $85. Visit longuevue.com for information.

Learn to keep knife blades in shape

INSIDEINFO

Participants will learn to use a variety of natural materials from the gardens to create their fancy headwear at Longue Vue House and Gardens’ fascinator class Saturday.

n Graffiti Cleanup Krewe: 9 a.m. Thursday Volunteer Center, 1031 Harrison Ave.

n Big Lake Native Plant Trail Restoration Project: 9 a.m. Friday Big Lake Native Trail near 7 Friedrichs Ave.

n Super Saturday: 9 a.m. Feb. 7. Pan American Stadium. Monthly community volunteering effort that includes a pruning project at Pan American Stadium.

Register for the programs and find out more about what to bring at friendsofcitypark. volunteerhub.com.

the furnishings of the 1960s. Chrome is the hot metal, and it combines with rounded upholstered furniture, opalescent shell chandeliers and arc lamps.

Exaggerated textures such as sheepskin rugs add luxury to this space-age design. Interest in this decor may be limited to the avid sci-fi or comic book collector

Never forget this

Interior design is a very personal pursuit, and more than anything your home should reflect you. Good for you if you find a design trend interesting and wish to indulge.

The trick is to always include the bits and pieces that mean something to you. They might be an odd little piece that was a gift from a friend, or an inherited piece, or something picked up along the way

That little inner voice will reveal what really appeals to you. If you must talk yourself into something, maybe it’s not right for you after all.

While it can be great fun to look at a lot of things, aim for an interior that tells your story.

Remember, Pinterest is a slippery slope, one that I’ve heard described as a collection of recipes you’ll never cook, projects you’ll never

undertake and places you’ll never go. But it can be great fun to visit.

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

Learn the art of whetstone sharpening in an introductory class at Coutelier New Orleans, 8600 Oak St. Brandt Cox, one of the coowners, will teach the class at 7 p.m. Feb. 25. Bring undamaged knives and learn techniques to get them sharp using Coutelier’s stone.

Cost of the workshop is $150. To book, email info@ couteliernola.com.

Volunteer projects abound at City Park

A variety of cleanup days and initiatives are on tap at City Park to improve and maintain the extensive urban green space. Those com-

ing up include: n Litter Cleanup Krewe: 9 a.m. Tuesday Volunteer Center

Have a home and garden event coming up? Send it to events@theadvocate.com.

639PINESTREET

Corner of HampsonStreetand ashort walk to Audubon Park andTulaneand Loyola Universities.4 Beds plus bonusrooms,4.5 bathsOver4200sfofgrand living.Lovely formal roomsw/historicarchitecture, cypress doors, brick fireplaces,3rd floorplayroom/den. Brickpatio pooland off- Street parking. Property is Bank Owned-Nowarranties $1,299,500

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

ROSES NOW: If youplan on ordering roses from amail order company andhaven’t done so yet, orderyour roses now. Plant them into sunny well-prepared beds as soon as you receivethem.

TAKE CUTTINGS: Nowisa good time to makehardwood cuttingsof such plants as figs andhydrangeas. Cuttings should be takenfrom the ends of branches andbe6to8 inches long

OFF THE TOP: youmay clip ground covers back nowthroughFebruary beforenew growth appearstoremove unattractivefoliage, rejuvenate the plants and controlgrowth. Handprune individual unattractive leavesonplants likeaspidistra and evergreen ferns. Liriope, monkey grass, Japanese ardisia and Asiatic jasmine can be cut back witha lawn moweradjusted to its highest setting, astring trimmer or hedgeclippers

SHORTBUT SWEET: There are several short-lived perennials that are commonly used ascool-season annuals in Louisiana.Although foxglove,delphinium andhollyhock maybereliable perennials in cooler zones, theyhavea hardtime surviving our summers.Early planting is akey to success here.Transplants should be planted into the garden in Februaryfor bloomApril through early June.After flowering,foxgloves and delphiniums should be pulled up and composted. Hollyhocks are almost always infected by rust by the timethey finish floweringand should be disposed of in thetrash rather than composting.

Hard freezes in the mid-20s will cause significant damagetotropical plants in our landscapes, butcovering plants generally provides good protection.

Theicing on top

Pruningcold-damagedplantswon’t help them recover, buttheywilllookbetter

We experienced bitter coldand several significant freezes this past week in south Louisiana. Low temperatures varied, and they influence how much damage occurred to your landscape. The good news,however,is that temperatures were not as lowasweexperienced in January 2025, and the effects will not be as severe.

SOUTH SHORE: The New Orleans

area was sheltered from the worst cold by thewarm waters of Lake Pontchartrain. Butsig-

nificantfreezes did occur,with lowtemperatures reaching the mid- to upper20s. Hard freezes in the mid-20s will cause significant damage to tropical plants in ourlandscapes,but covering plants generally providesgood protection. While we can expect that properly covered tropicals have

ä See PRUNING, page 10

GREENTHUMB

Plantseeds nowtostart growing tomato or pepper

BY DANGILL Contributing writer

Iwant to plant some tomatoes and bell pepper seeds and startthem indoors under agrow light. Inthe past, my plants grew,but the stalks didn’tget as thick as theones in the nurseries. I have Miracle Gro potting soil and Black Kowcompostedmanure. Should Imix the twotostart the seeds in? Ilive in Thibodaux.When should Istartthe seeds? ShouldIuse a soluble fertilizer to water the plants? —Ricky When it comes to tomatoes andpeppers, home vegetable gardeners can either plant seeds to grow theirown transplants (this allows you to choose from amuchlarger selection of varieties) or purchase transplants at anursery ready to plant.The proper time to plant transplants into thegarden ismidMarch to mid-April.

If you choose to purchase transplants, all you have to do is wait until then to buy and plant them. If you want to grow yourown transplants, however,asyou do, seeds must be started six to eight weeks before you intend to plant the transplants into yourgarden. That means that seedsneed to be planted from mid-January through February,

transplants

depending on when youwantthemreadyto plant in your garden.

Because the weather is cold now, production of transplants must be done indoors under lights or in agreenhouse. Windowsills do notprovide enough light to growquality transplants.

Youhavechosentogrow your transplants under growlights, andthiscan be successful. But the primary reason for thinstems in transplants is insufficientlight. Youmay have your lights too far away from the transplantstoprovide enough light. Agrow light positioned just acoupleofinchesabove the tops of theseedlings is generally adequate. Raise the light as theseedlings growtaller. If the seedlings are still notasstocky as they should be,you may need afixture with a higher light output.

Stem thickness is notasinfluenced by soil or fertilizer.I’m sure the soilyou areusing is fine.HalfBlack Cow, half potting mix should be OK, or youcould just use the potting mixalone.Tomakesure the seedlings are getting enough mineral nutrients,begin fertilizing with asolublefertilizer (Miracle

PRUNING

Continued frompage8

generally survived, there’s still been lots of damage.

NORTHSHORE: North of the Pontchartrain and across south Louisiana, lows ranged from 20 to the mid-20s. These temperatures can severely damage or kill tropical plants that were not protected.

Even plants that were carefully covered may still show significant cold damage. While there will be losses, plants that were properly covered will often survive and recover

Butcan we fixit?

When we see alot of cold damagetoour landscape plants, we feel an overwhelming need todosomething. This hastwo categories: We want to do something to help our cold-damaged plants recover,and because we find the abundant damaged and dead growth depressing, we want to do something to makeour landscapes look better.

RECOVERYCONFUSION: Forhelping plants recover,the focus seems to be on pruning. Many people think that pruning their plantsafter afreeze will help them and wonder how best to go about doing it. But

GREENTHUMB

you may alsosee information that pruning cold-damaged plantscan be detrimental to theirrecovery.Confused yet?

Let’sbeclear.The damage done by these freezes is done. Either your plants survived, or they didn’t. Plants that survived will recover whether you prune them or not.Plants that did not survive will not recover whether you prune them or not

So, to put things in perspective, thesurvival of your cold-damaged plants is not dependent on what you do at this point

LOOKING NICER: Pruning away cold-damaged growth does help make our landscapes look better.Noone likes looking at alandscape full of brown plants. If you can’t standthe way things look and you want to prune damaged growthtoneaten up your landscape, you certainly can do so.

If you decide that pruning now is theright decision for you, there is asimple guideline to follow: Remove any dead growth, but avoid pruning away anythingthat is still alive.

If you are not sure what parts of theplant have been killed and what parts are still alive, wait to prune until you can clearly tell.

Don’tfret over this. Remember:Pruning thedead growth

After afreeze, the dead leavesofbanana trees canbecut off, but the trunks are still aliveand shouldnot be cut.

does not affect whethera plant recovers.

For plants that have belowground parts like bulbs, rhizomes, corms and tubers, as well as damaged growth, can be cutback to about ground level.

all-brickhomesituatedonanoversized corner lotin theVillas of English Turn,New Orleans’ premiergated golf course community. Openfloor plan features soaringceilingsinthe entry andlivingroom, creating abrightand inviting atmosphere. Spacious eat-in kitchenoffersample counterspace andstorage. Wood flooring throughout main living areasaddswarmth andelegance. Generous first-floorprimary suiteincludesensuitebathand walk-incloset. Additional bedroomsand flexible living

New growth will grow from the below-ground parts, and youshould be optimistic that allthese plants will recover because the ground did not freeze.

These include canna, elephant ear,bird-of-paradise, agapanthus (lily of the Nile), amaryllis andgingers. Only the dead leaves of banana trees need to be trimmed off. The trunks arestill alive and should notbecut.

Otherplants, like New Zealand flax, asparagus ferns, butterfly iris (dietes) and ferns will also send up new growth from ground level when theyrecover

There is no hurry to prune dead growth, but do it before theystart to send up new growth, or at leastassoon as

After the freezes this week(we gotdown to the low 20s), I’m worried about my citrus and palmtrees. Do you think they will be OK? —Alex

Your palm trees will be fine. All the commonly planted landscape palms are hardy down to 20 degrees or lower.You maysee some damage to the fronds of the more tender types Badly damaged frondsmay be removed to improve the appearanceofthe palm trees. New fronds produced in late spring and summer should fill the crown back in nicely.

Citrus trees should also recover from any damage they may have sustained. Lemons and limes are the least hardy of the citrus we grow, and you are more likely to see damage to those types of citruses. Oranges and grapefruit are hardier and likely sustained little or no damage. Kumquats and satsumas are the most cold tolerantand generally are not damaged

ADVICE

Continued from page9

Gro, Schults, Peter’s andother brands) two or three weeks after you plant the seeds. Mix the soluble fertilizer following package directions andapply this about every two weeks when you water.

Aweek before you intendto plant your transplants in the garden, they need to be hardened off (outdoor conditions are more stressful). Place the seedlings in alocation where they get morning sun for afew days, then move them to aspot thatgets sun all day for afew days. Then plant them into the garden.

Dan Gill is aretired consumer horticulture specialistwith

GREENTHUMB

PRUNING

Continuedfrom page10

Most area queenpalms should have survived the recentcold

unless temperaturesgointo theteens.

After the devastating freezes of January 2025 wiped out many citrus trees in south Louisiana, it is a relief that (so far) it has not gotten cold enough to cause such significant damage and loss to citrustrees this year.

yousee new growth peeking out from the ground. Pruning before thenew growthemerges has lessto do withthe health of the damaged plants and more to do with the convenience of the gardener.That’s becauseonce new growthemerges and mixes with the dead growth, you will have amore difficult time selectively pruning out thedead stuff.

Youmay see information advising not to removethis damaged growth as it provides insulation againstadditional freezes. Ican’targue with that, but it does notmean you can’tremove the dead growth to makeyour landscape look better

After pruning, simply spread afew inches of mulch over the area to cover crowns and below ground parts. This will provide protection and look much neater than amass of dead stuff.

Living or dead?

Determining what is alive

on cold-damagedwoody plantsismore difficult. This includes plantssuchastropical hibiscus, tibouchina,angel trumpet, duranta,croton, ixoraand bougainvillea. The leaves may have been killed, but woody branches and trunks may look similar whether dead or living.

Because of this, it’sgenerally best to wait for them to sproutout new growth from thestill living parts to prune. If you are not sure what part of awoody tropical is alive, be patient.

When awoody tropical sends out new growth,itis easy to see which parts are still alive (sprouting) and

what parts aredead(not sprouting) andprune accordingly.

If you can clearly determine what is dead andwhatisalive, feel free to prune off the dead stuff now. Dead branches may look dark brown and shriveled,havebarkthatissplit andcoming away from the wood or the tissue just below the bark looksbrown or tan when youscratch it with your thumbnail. Avoidpruning off anything thatisstill alive. Take heartand don’tlet the way your landscapelooksget youdown. Youwill be amazed at howgreat ourlandscapes look by midsummer.Wehave recovered from worse

the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “GardenShow” on WWLAM Saturdays at9 a.m.

Email gardening questionsto gnogardening@agcenter.lsu edu.

By

JEFF STROUT

ABOVE: Behind Tania Hahn, left, and Melissa Warren is a painting by Pippin FrisbieCalder in the dining room of their Bayou St. John home. RIGHT: The Hahn/Warren home has two dining areas. This one is the more casual of the two and combines a rich array of antiques, family memorabilia and contemporary pieces. The table is from Duh Home Interiors. The chandelier is from Armstrong Lighting. The space overlooks a Bluestone veranda, a verdant garden, and a swimming pool.

Design timeline

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

Salvaged materials give a new, art-filled home on Bayou St. John historic appeal

It was with the history of their Esplanade Ridge neighborhood in mind that Melissa Warren and Tania Hahn in 2019 designed their double-galleried four-bay home in the French West Indies style.

They collaborated with architect Kenny Gowland at Metro

Studios to bring to fruition a home that would look aged and in keeping with the architecture of the area, which dates to 1784. Part of that same neighborhood history, concerning the transformative transportation routes that started along Bayou St. John around 1700, more recently inspired the couple to costume their home for Carnival, working with Stronghold Studios in 2021

to design their Steamboat Natchez house float.

The neighborhood’s story dates back to 1699, the Choctaw and Houma tribes shared with early French explorers the “shortcut” that is Grand Route St. John. At that time, the primary access to the Mississippi River from the Gulf was via its treacherous, unpredictable mouth.

Once introduced to the shorter

route, it quickly became crucial to 18th-century trade and contributed significantly to the development of New Orleans. It functioned as a sort of pre-automotive Interstate 10 for the city and led directly to the French Quarter via present-day Bayou Road

The bayou served as a vital

ä See TIMELINE, page 14

ABOVE: Built-in bookcases in the living room display a rare, carved cachepot by Walter Anderson, pieces of Newcomb OHR pottery and Warren’s deep collection of works by McCarty Pottery. A collection of birds by Lin Emery flies above the ivory boucle sofa. Melissa Warren is responsible for all interior design decisions in the home.

LEFT: The more formal dining area includes a wall installation of glass by artist Dale Chihuly.

TIMELINE

Continued from page 13

transportation corridor for vessels, including schooners and smaller, shallow-draft trading ships that docked along the banks of Moss Street. The area developed around this route in the early 18th century was an early suburban enclave for wealthy residents and features significant colonial, Creole, French West Indies and, later, Greek Revival architecture, including the Pitot House and the Spanish Custom House.

By the early 1800s, larger steam-powered ships became standard and the Mississippi River became the dominant waterway, with the first steamboat reaching the main port in 1812.

Designing the home

Hahn and Warren, who had previous experience working on commercial projects, completed the buildout of their 4,200-square-foot home in a year.

“We wanted the architecture to fit the context of the portage style that was historically on the bayou,” said Warren, a native of Gulfport, Mississippi, and a commercial real estate agent with Stirling.

The house faces the bayou. Its design follows the irregular layout of the lot, which had been vacant since 1984 after a house fire. Hahn bought the lot in 2017.

The antique heart pine floors that run through the first and second floors of the house were reclaimed from a demolished house. (There’s also a finished attic, used largely as a costume closet.)

The rustic whitewashed exposed ceiling rafters in the open kitchen/breakfast/living room were salvaged from a textile mill in Missouri. Each of the home’s 19 doors is 9 feet, 6 inches tall and made of solid, hand-rubbed natural cypress. They were custom-milled by Period Millworks: The Woodwright Shop in Covington.

Built-in bookcases in the living room display a rare, carved cachepot by Walter

of works

ABOVE: A lavishly framed original work by Hunt Slonem features butterflies.

LEFT: An original painting in the late William Hemmerling’s ‘Sweet Olive’ series hangs above a weathered cabinet covered with family portraits and memorabilia.

The primary bedroom has French doors that open onto a deep second-floor galleried porch overlooking Bayou St. John.

Anderson, pieces of Newcomb OHR pottery and Warren’s deep collection of decade-spanning works by McCarty Pottery, of Marigold, Mississippi. Both of Warren’s parents hailed from the Mississippi Delta, where McCarty Studio operates.

Warren developed her passion for cooking and entertaining from her mother and grandmothers. Her paternal grandmother’s deeply scarred slaughtering table from outside of her smokehouse holds a place of honor in the home.

It is centered to be visible as one traverses the hall that leads from the front to the rear of the home. It is topped with a sculpture by Enrique Alférez. The rusticity of the table is juxtaposed with the elegance of the sinuous bronze sculpture of a nymph playing a guitar

The two also have created a resplendent art collection, with works by Alférez and Anderson, as well as Lin Emery, David Harouni, Dale Chihuly, Clementine Hunter, Hunt Slonem and many more.

The kitchen, Warren’s domain, would be the envy of any chef.

Like the abundance of linear counter space, the uncommon 8-foot by 8-foot square island is topped with Cristallo quartzite.

“My friend Troy Scroggins has a passion for design,” Warren said. “He really guided me through the process of thinking about the layout of the kitchen. We laid out the room and all the appliance placement with blue tape. We started off with a rectangular island, but changed it because Troy

The elaborate, second-floor primary bathroom affords a verdant view from the window and features intricate tile from Stafford Stone and Tile on Magazine Street.

neighbor

foresaw that I would be fighting to open the oven doors with the island so close. There are so many details you just never consider.”

A stunning 36-inch Le Corneau cooktop features antique brass fittings. Its elegant custom-made vent, also trimmed in antique brass, rises to the 12-foot ceiling and dominates one wall, with the backsplash clad in Cristallo quartzite to stunning effect.

“Melissa really was responsible for the design of the house as well as the interior design,” Hahn said. “All I wanted was an island where the edge overhung the cabinetry so I could get a stool all the way under the counter when I am sitting at it. I love (working), so I just show up.

“Melissa takes care of so much around here. She makes this house a

home.”

More about the house float

With help from Stronghold Studios, the couple adds new elements to the Steamboat Natchez house float each year

This year, the paddlewheel at the rear of the steamship came to life and now turns in a languorous manner. The home’s galleries have been enhanced to better resemble those on the historic steamship, with filigreed brackets installed at the corners of each support column to frame the spaces between them.

Partitions suggesting Dixieland jazz musicians — depicted as alligators — harken to the era when paddle wheelers routinely plied the waters. The suggestion of waves crosses the home’s

A pair of graceful 19th-century French antique chairs frames an original oil painting by local artist David Harouni in the home’s entry foyer.

front lawn to frame a permanently installed large-scale, wind-powered kinetic sculpture by Lin Emery, part of the couple’s extensive art collection.

A metal “bow” extends from one end of the lower gallery, a “hull” from the other Red, white and blue bunting is suspended from both galleries. A smokestack completes the display, which Stronghold Studios will disassemble and store, then reinstall next year

“We felt like the Steamboat Natchez deserved a tribute,” Warren said. “The Steamboat Natchez has arrived at her Mardi Gras berth.”

ONEINAMILLION

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Garden District Victorian has 6 bedrooms and a pool

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

In the heart of the Garden District lies a small sector of short streets that form their own unique neighborhood.

Within sight of Commander’s Palace and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, the 2800 block of Chestnut Street intersects

with Conery Street.

At 2817 Chestnut St., an 1880 Victorian watches over the neighborhood with quiet stateliness. A classic example of dwellings in the area, it features brick walkways, a wrought-iron fence, interesting yet tasteful shades of paint and the bonus of off-street parking.

It also packs a punch on the homefront, with six bedrooms, four full baths, a pool and more than 4,100 square feet of living space. The asking price is $1.895 million.

And, for some, the best part is that the home is a mere three blocks from the main New Orleans Carnival parade route and two blocks from the

mercantile mecca of Magazine Street.

Adorned with decorative elements and robust landscaping, the home welcomes visitors up the broad brick stairs into the side hall from the door, which is set on a generous porch.

Wood floors that run through to the formal living room pick up the warm tones of the

grand staircase’s newel post and treads. Windows by the stairs provide light for the broad space.

A three-window bay adds interest to the front living space, balanced by a fireplace with a decorative surround and carved mantel. Double doors open to a sitting room with another striking fireplace and built-in shelves.

“I

From the sitting room, a hall with a side entrance leads to the first-floor suite, a comfortable en suite bedroom.

At the end of the foyer, the dining room also sports a bayed wall, windows with wainscoting and a dramatic dark fireplace with a tiled hearth.

A hall from the dining room to the kitchen provides additional workspace, a wet bar, pantry and storage.

An L-shaped counter forms a peninsula in the kitchen that can provide seating. The cozy space is brightly lit by a trio of windows. Stainless appliances add shine to the darker

bay of windows in the living

tones of the counter, and the glass-front cabinets provide a vintage feel to the space.

Two back doors offer access to a covered patio and the pool area, plus the outdoor stairs to the separate living accommodations upstairs.

The upstairs has a flexible layout that can be tailored for individualized needs.

At the top of the stairs, two bedrooms are close at hand, and a home office, which has access to the balcony, provides a bright space for work or relaxation. One of the bedrooms has an en suite

Across the hall, another bedroom repeats the bayed archi-

in a Million

The newel post echoes the wood of the floors and treads on the stairs.

tecture of the first floor

A laundry room sits at the middle of the upper floor, with a large bathroom next to it.

The bath has a standing shower and soaking tub.

From the laundry room, a doorway leads into a small galley-style kitchen and the primary bedroom for what could serve as a separate apartment. There’s an independent entrance via outdoor stairs. A balcony off the bedroom provides a private outdoor space. Another bedroom is accessible from the galley kitchen or the entry hall on the second floor The two bedrooms share a bath

Outdoor entertaining is effortless with the inviting pool, set among the mature landscaping.

Besides the pool and a generous apron of space for relaxing or dining, the home has parking space for three vehicles and additional outdoor area. The home is listed by Christopher Aguglia, of Rêve Realtors, (504) 300-0700.

INSIDESTORY

Get your treasures appraised at public-broadcasting benefit

BY JUDY BERGERON Staff writer

The Friends of LPB’s Antiques Appraisal Event will be Olivia Helmer’s first charity event as an appraiser, although she has years of experience in the field.

“I’m excited to help LPB in any way that we can. We’re so definitely happy to support them,” she said from Alexan-

dria last week.

Helmer, 36, curator at the Alexandria Museum of Art for five years, began telling folks how much their prized possessions were worth soon after getting her master’s of art degree in 2013. She has worked in the field on and off since then, having stints in Miami, New Orleans and Seattle. She moved back to Louisiana in 2019 to start her own

appraisal company, but now she’s focused on the museum job in Alexandria.

Helmer will join six other appraisers from around the state at the Feb. 7 event at the Louisiana Public Broadcasting studios in Baton Rouge. They include Michael Wynne, historical researcher and preservationist; George Clark, president of Taylor Clark Gallery and a veteran appraiser; Melanie Liles and Pam Wood, longtime owners of Traditions on Trenton in West Monroe; and Rebecca Vizard, of B. Viz Design, and her daughter Rebecca Vizard.

The station hosted filming of PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” at the LSU Rural Life Museum in 2023, but hasn’t had its own appraisal event in about 15 years, said Friends Executive Director Terri Crockett.

Eventgoers have a choice of two timeslots: 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. General admission, $75, includes appraisal of two items, while VIP tickets ($125) include appraisal of three items, skipthe-line access, and reserved seating for the noon seminar

Rebecca Vizard and Laura Roland, of Fireside Antiques, will lead the antiques and design session. Vizard is a textile artist and designer, and Roland is a third-generation owner of the family’s antiques shop.

“They will share their expertise, insights and stories from working with collectors and designers nationwide. Attendees will gain tips on identifying, appreciating and incorporating antiques into their own spaces,” a release said.

Meanwhile, Helmer offered advice for the appraisees.

Helmer said participants should bring any documenta-

FRIENDS OF LPB’S ANTIQUES APPRAISAL EVENT

WHEN: 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. Feb 7 WHERE: LPB studios, 7733 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge TICKETS: General admission, $75 (includes appraisal of two items); VIP , $125 (includes appraisal of three items, skip-the-line access and reserved seating for the seminar)

Note: A valid ticket is required to enter; all tickets are nonrefundable; children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

INFORMATION: bontempstix.com

tion they have on an item, as it helps the organizers to get the process going.

“Pick things that you really love, not necessarily things that you think are going to

Laura Roland, of Fireside Antiques, will colead an antiques and design seminar Feb 7 for the Friends of LPB’s Antiques Appraisal Event.

PHOTO

be the most valuable,” she said. “Sometimes it’s nice to just have a little bit of history about the things that are in your house rather than like a flashy price.”

When people approach the appraisal table with their treasure, the appraisers only have a small window of time to conduct research on the spot to offer a monetary value estimate.

“We don’t know what’s coming ahead of time. Thankfully, I’m a master at Google,” Helmer said.

Her most memorable moment as an appraiser was one of the first things she worked on in Miami with another appraiser.

“We appraised a Marc Chagall painting that had been damaged,” she said. “That was interesting because it was the loss of value, because it’s been restored. But it was the most beautiful painting I’ve seen in person. That was such a crazy first thing, to have a milliondollar painting.”

NEWORLEANS

n TRANSFERS ISSUEJAN. 20-24

DISTRICT 1

POYDRAS ST.400, TCHOUPITOULAS ST.601: $10 and other good and valuable consideration, Hertz Texaco Center LLCto400 PoydrasTowerLLC.

POYDRAS ST.833: $100and other good and valuable consideration, AshfordLePavilion LP to 833 PoydrasSt. Prime Property LLC.

TULANE AVE. 1111: $318,209, CBT InvestorsLLC to Isela Raymond and Joseph Raymond III.

WHITE ST.223-25: $480,000, Alexis Mia Livaccari to ErikaMendoza Plaut.

DISTRICT 2

CANAL BLVD.5854-56: $450,000, Tricon Sehrt LP to Russell Charles Philibert.

CONTI ST.2013-15: $65,000, Ebony Ikea TerrytoEACMS LLC.

GOV. NICHOLLS ST.1915: $352,000, Joanna Russo Cramer andPhilip R. Cramer to Peter Mentnech.

HAWTHORNE PLACE 5496:

$350,000, Jason Dale Wood and Lauren Stakenborghs Wood to Gabrielle Alvarezand Owen Bouchon.

N. DUPRE ST.812: $375,000, Ryan C. Arredondo to Abraham Gaulton and Margaret Windler Gaulton.

N. RENDON ST.800,UNIT 106: $237,000, Rendon Partners LLCto Yvar Armando Torrealba PONTALBAST. 845: $647,710, EveLazaroand Troy A. Lazaro to Courtney J. Willhoft andSeth John Floyd.

ST.ANN ST.2828-30: $265,000, Keith Elliott Pfefferle to Jennifer PaschosCatalanotto.

ST.LOUIS ST.831: $625,000, Christopher Frank Baggett andKara Trust to Twogood BertrandsOn St. Louis LLC.

ST.PETER 1012, 1014, UNIT 1: $239,000, AmyMarie Tillman Theriot and Lawrence Henry Theriot II to Kathleen WhiteCostello and Paul E. Costello.

ST.PETER ST.1022,UNIT 104: $325,000, Vito Petretti to Richardson Family Trust.

URSULINES AVE. 2206: $399,000, Saige Pilgrim to Kate A. Babineau Vilda.

DISTRICT 3

ALVARST. 816-18: $435,000, Chad Turner andElissaLockman Turner to Lauren Patricia Hock

REALESTATETRANSFERS

AGRICULTURE ST.1902-190419041/2: $102,000, AndreS.Lecoq, Frank DarrylCravanas, Fred N. Smith, Gregory H. Smith, Jane S. Fisher,RenithraSmith and Ryan R. Smith to Jill Granger Coleman Starling.

BARTHOLOMEW ST.714: $425,000, Megha MaheshPatel Mukherjee and Sushant ShankarMukherjee to Patricia P. Hawley.

BARTHOLOMEW ST.1119-1121:

$280,601, Lakeview Loan Servicing LLCto1st Choice Commercial &Residential Environmental Services LLC.

BELCREST PLACE 7705: $87,500, Wendelin J. TynestoLionel Brownand RobinL.Brown.

BRANCH DRIVE 7510: $219,500, Crystal Finch Bernard and Jonah J. BernardtoMarriah Thomas.

BUNDYROAD5131: no value stated, RH Lakewind East LLCto Laguna Reserve 2025 LLC.

BURGUNDY1930, TOURO ST.826: $299,000, G&K LLCtoCalvin R. Malone and Mary D. Scholle Malone.

BURGUNDYST. 1926: $225,000, G&K LLCtoElizabeth Ann Stelz Taylorand KeithAnthony Huguet.

CHAMBERLAIN DRIVE 5411: $287,000, CalvinFordand Debbie Evangeline BarraFordtoRobert M. Trepagnier.

CHARTRESST. 2716: $340,000, Darlene ParlipianotoMatthew P. Wilson and Sarah Kathryn Gilroy.

CHARTRESST. 5453, 5457: $339,000, E&PProperty Group LLC to Isiah Theophile.

CHATHAM DRIVE6101: $977,500, Orleans Parish School Boardto Deux SaintLLC.

DALE ST.4512: donation,novalue stated, Tracy Lynn Mims Finney to Paula Trenece Finney.

DOWNMAN ROAD 4601: $52,500, Salem DevelopmentLLC to Oddo of MarignyLLC

Royalty Real Estate LLCtoDionieanea Richards.

DISTRICT

4

SECOND ST.538, ST.THOMAS ST. 2500-2502, 2505: $165,000, Succession of Isaac Jefferson to 2500 St. Thomas LLC.

DISTRICT

5

BRUNSWICK COURT6226: $15,000, Ashely A. Kynerd, Bret M. Arnold, DavidJoseph Arnold Jr. and Susan Arnold Steinmann to Hummel ConstructionLLC.

YELLOWSTONE DRIVE27: $381,000, H&MInvestmentPartnerstoJerome Vereen.

DISTRICT 6

EGANIA ST.710, 716-18, LIZARDI

ST.525, ST.MAURICE AVE. 1320: donation, no value stated, Bernadette R. CarrieretoBernadette R. CariereTrust.

GEORGE NICK CONNOR DRIVE 2437-39, N. DORGENOIS ST.32015: $207,000, S.T.R.I.V.E. Properties LLCtoSynergy MFTLLC

I-10 SERVICE ROAD 12151: no value stated, RH Windrun LLCto Carmel Spring 2025 LLC.

I-10 SERVICES ROAD 12341, 12345: no value stated, RH Chenault Creek LLCtoCarmel Brook 2025 LLC.

INDEPENDENCE ST.1423: $60,000, Amakiri Kambi and Henrietta IleghogieKambi to Rontherin Ratliff.

MARAIS ST.2320: $250,000, Norbert E. RaackeJr. to Roxanne Lemoine Butler and Russell J. Butler.

N. CLAIBORNE AVE. 1536: $240,000, Cyrillia ValmoreDuplessis to Pellerin Suites LLC.

N. CLAIBORNE AVE. 4005: $80,000, Benjamin Hunt to Shari Lou Schultz.

N. VILLERE ST.2124-26: donation, no value stated, Tara Funkhouser SquitiroCrawford to Annie Neahring

PARE BRITTANY BLVD.6881: no value stated, RH Copper Creek LLCtoLaguna Creek 2025 LLC.

PARIS AVE. 4534: $206,000, Darius Petras Jutziand Kayla Nicole Wright Jutzi to Amanda Labouve Whiteand Antonio T. White.

REYES ST.4348: $100,000, Orleans Parish School BoardtoNolaAffordable Housing LLC.

ST.MAURICE AVE. 2401: $120,000, Orleans Parish School Boardto San Moritz LLC.

TUPELOST. 421: $126,500, Chalupas CasaNolaLLC to Justin Metoyer.

WHITMORE PLACE6940: $225,000,

Geoffrey Alan Meeker to Gordon Alexander Cole and Kelly Pauline Robinson.

CADIZ ST.1038-40: $388,950, La Danja Caliste to GulfcoastAllied LLC.

CONSTANTINOPLE ST.926: $410,000, CourtneyT.Suttonand Kenneth Brett SuttontoJames S. Galle revocable trust.

EARHARTBLVD. 4747: $935,000, 4747 Earhart Blvd LLCto4747 Earhart Blvd Real Estate LLC.

GEN. TAYLOR ST.3225: $350,000, Chad Hobbs to Stephen Cassingham.

JEFFERSON AVE. 602: $1,175,000, AmyKrugerPoweand William RobertPowe to TheodoreT Reese.

JENA ST.820-22: $475,000, Edward J. Buchert III to DanielObioha.

BARONNE ST.4611: $950,000, Andrea Neiger Meeker and

ä See ORLEANS, page 20

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORLEANS

Continued from page 19

JENA ST. 2200: $800,000, Josephine Azuma and Pierce C. Azuma to Kelsey Greenfield and Michael Levin.

LAUREL ST. 5240-5242: $845,000, Marengo Investments LLC to John Paul Piper and Renee D.

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 16-22

HARAHAN

PARK AVE. 172-174: Marshall

Piper.

MAGAZINE ST. 5219: $275,000, Kelly Angell Gilchrist to Kevin Peoples and Rebecca Peoples.

NEWCOMB BLVD. 34: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Sally Fuerst to Marengo Investments LLC.

SONIAT ST. 2718: $225,000, Matthew Roberson Jr. to Terry Perique.

S. GENOIS ST. 1225: $147,000,

Crescent Moon Investments LLC to Marvin Ray Scott III.

S. MIRO ST. 4315: $600,000, Gulfcoast Allied LLC to Lisa Ann Tucci, Peter Tucci and Sabrina Margaret Tucci.

S. ROBERTSON ST. 6024-26: $744,000, David C. Molthrop and Judith McCall Molthrop to Lorraine Benson Oliphant and Samuel D. Oliphant.

WEBSTER ST. 405: $835,000, Christopher Baird Lyman and Jennifer

Bower Lyman to Evans Valerie.

DISTRICT 7

ALVIN CALLENDER ST. 127: $370,000, Elise Creed Rogenes to Zoe Bart.

CHEROKEE ST. 732: $195,000, Connor Zambezi Butler and Mary Mitchell Butler to Ani Properties LLC.

DIXON ST. 9131: donation, no value stated, Milton Granger

Sr. to Jerry Galathe and Larry Granger.

EVELYN COURT 5678: $750,000, Laine Michael Cavalier to Tony Dooley.

OLEANDER ST. 9012: $113,000, J. Charles Homes LLC to J Legacy Holdings LLC.

W. HARRISON AVE. 247:

$1,450,000, Janice Patout Randall, Patrick B. Randall and Wesley A. Randall Jr. to 247 W. Harrison Ave LLC.

T. Bacot to Jeannie L. Kovac, $250,000.

PENFOLD PLACE 240: Brianna Diercks to James Venturella, $425,000.

TYLER AVE. 1013: Charles J. Traina Jr. to BJV Enterprises LLC,

$90,000.

JEFFERSON

BROOKLYN AVE. 290: KC New Orleans LLC to Jacob Mohon, $320,000.

CLAIBORNE DRIVE 1201: Pearl M. Jones to WWS Remodeling LLC, $60,000.

DAVIS BLVD. 18: Gary D. Perkins to Diana V Lagunes, $320,000.

JOYCE AVE. 39: Annemieke M. T. Manuselis to Chelsea G. Bearden, $218,000.

ODWYER PLACE 913: Tara L. Vanvrancken to Kerry Abel, $250,000.

ODWYER PLACE 905: Emily B. Lowther to Iesha White, $260,000.

KENNER

20TH ST. 2002, UNIT A, BUILDING

1: Two Thousand Two Twentieth Street LLC to Thomas Property Holdings LLC, $835,000.

COMPROMISE ST. 912: Rony J. Murillo to Oscar E. Melendez, $150,000.

DRIFTWOOD BLVD. 54: J. Lawrence to Neelam Tandon, $236,500.

HUNTSVILLE ST. 2724: Harlin B. Powell to Bibiana L. Ruiz, $150,000.

MARYLAND AVE. 3300: Natalie Pusateri to Ryan W. Lebrun, $285,000.

WEST 23RD ST. 27: Grass Group LLC to Matamoros Automotive LLC, $600,000.

YOSEMITE ST. 7: Donald J. Rouyer Jr. to Juan C. Licona, $285,000.

METAIRIE

40TH ST. 3125: Cornerstone Select LLC to Gustavo Morter, $215,000.

BONNABEL BLVD. 1155: George L. Kelmell III to Wanda King, $380,000.

BOUTALL ST. 5912: Federal National Mortgage Association to Jeanne Y. Breaux, $210,000.

CASWELL LANE 2104-06: Gordon Wilson Jr. to Two Thousand One Hundred Four Two Thousand One Hundred Six Caswell LLC, $340,000.

CEDAR AVE. 725: Thomas J. Meunier Jr. to Colin M. Meunier, donation, no value stated.

CLAIBORNE AVE. 3110: Chantell Moten to Sapphire Construction LLC, $52,500.

FAIRFIELD ST. 4744: Joan C. Morel to Roxann Davis, $335,000.

FOCIS ST. 435A: Lisa F. Moore to Harry G. Barkerding, $670,000.

ITHACA ST. 4620: Thomas R. Hines Sr. to Hamat S. Nalla, $355,000.

JEAN PLACE 3713: Kailen K.C. Gilde to Joey J. Aguilar, $305,000.

JEANNETTE DRIVE 4617: Kelsey A.M. Smith to Ejiroghene Oteri, $315,000.

MARGIE ST. 2713: David C. Rooney to Pamela A. Rooney, donation, no value stated.

MEADOWDALE ST. 4632: Emly Boudreaux to Renee C. Boudreaux, $109,000.

METAIRIE ROAD 2526: Green Tree Homes LLC of Nevada to Lee Property LLC Dean, $770,000. N. STARRETT ROAD 1516: Mistica D. Maples to Ronalyn S. Real, $180,000.

N. TURNBULL DRIVE 2100: Gladys P. Ortiz to Harriet Reynolds, $359,000.

POMONA ST. 1621: Cary R. Brown to Danielle P. Deno, $420,000. RUE EMILION 3705: K&S Homes LLC to Mark Thomas, $1,210,000.

SENA DRIVE 928: Michael J. Hammersmith to Erin Forstall, $1,110,000.

SYLVIA AVE. 1352: William C. Lee to Alanna Fitts, donation, no value stated.

TRUDEAU DRIVE 1321: Scoggins Holdings Metairie LLC to K&N Renovations LLC, $148,500. WOODLAWN AVE. 83: Carolina Ramirez to Daniel E.S. Flores, $211,000.

RIVER RIDGE

PHYLLIS COURT 128: Maureen M. Watson to Phyllis Court LLC, $215,000.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 16-22

AVONDALE

AVONDALE GARDEN ROAD 617: Richard Jackson to Francibel Menjivar, donation, no value stated.

RETREAT DRIVE 3813: DSLD LLC to Ted Legendre Jr., $279,595.

RINGROSE COURT 3704: DSLD LLC to Jovander S. Roberts, $288,990

RINGROSE COURT 3724: DSLD LLC to Terry Ostermeier, $289,395

GRAND ISLE

ADMIRAL CRAIK DRIVE BS 29 411: Leslie A.T. Dugas to Boudreaux Real Estate LLC, $65,000.

GRAPE LANE 165: Lopez Alejandro LLC to Kadencraig LLC, $40,000.

LA. 1 3098: LJH L.T.D. to Kadencraig LLC, $303,000.

SARAH LANE 2006: Dianne R. Bordis to C Robichaux, $500,000.

GRETNA

15TH ST. 515: Riverbend Revival LLC to Reece B. Davis, $171,400.

CORAL AVE. 312: David Dao to C&J Property Rentals LLC, $139,500.

DIPLOMAT ST. 529: David Dao to C&J Property Rentals LLC, $139,500.

FARMINGTON PLACE 1919: David Dao to C&J Property Rentals LLC, $139,500.

KEPLER ST. 1207: Jory Helmer to Five Thousand Four Hundred Twelve Marais St LLC, $215,000. LYNNMEADE ROAD 409: Elegant Houses LLC to Mousa Ayyad, $177,000.

NEWTON ST. 2314: Trudy Franklin to Brandon Dominique Franklin Supplemental Needs Trust, $218,000.

RUE ST. HONORE 2404: Lois Stpierre to Nephatlie P. Beaubrun, $270,000.

HARVEY

BROWN AVE. 504: Raymond W. Redell to Immovables Investments LLC, $130,000.

CHRISWOOD LANE 3853: Vernelle Little to Lynn M. Parker, $180,000.

EASTVIEW DRIVE 3837: Secretary of Veterans Affairs to Krystal H. Dixon, $227,500.

GREFER AVE. 479: Naf Cash LLC to Kimberly Santiago, $150,200.

LAKE LYNN DRIVE 8: Andre E. Lewis to James Smart IV, $345,000.

LAKE POWELL COURT 41: Doris

Green to Carole Sylvain, $315,000.

LOCHLOMAND DRIVE 1209-11: Alnoco LLC to Jaime A. Garcia, $240,000.

S. BIRCHFIELD DRIVE 2605: Mahon Tammy I.R.A. to Terri W Hayes, $259,000.

W. CATAWBA DRIVE 2513: Chiquita A. Lee to Charles L. Ruffin, $244,800.

LAFITTE

CENTRAL ST. 4953: Kim Boudreaux to Felix Alexie Jr., donation, no value stated.

MAGNOLIA ST. 1960: Kim Boudreaux to Felix Alexie Jr., donation, no value stated.

SHELL ROAD 5044: Kim Boudreaux to Felix Alexie Jr., donation, no value stated.

MARRERO

AVE. B 540-542: Kenneth P. Dupre to Carlos Flores, $210,000.

CARMADELLE ST. 864: Eight Hundred Sixty Four Carmadelle LLC to Mm Rentals LLC, $585,000.

CELTIC DRIVE 1713: Cory T. Snel-

LITTLE FLOWER LANE 2209: Christopher M. Rhodes to Trevor J. Behan, $285,000.

MICHAEL ST. 1144: Paul K. Peyton to Bryan J. Howard, $206,000.

SORBONNE DRIVE 3073: Gloria T Hinchey to Alexandrea Sanchez, $180,000.

VARNADO ST. 2732: Emily F. Caro to Don J. Carmardelle Sr., $167,000.

WATLING DRIVE 2009: Lieu Nguyen to Brandon I Hatley, $207,000.

WESTMINSTER BLVD. 1708: Cim Trust 2021 R.1. to Clifford Drayton, $124,809.

WAGGAMAN

DANDELION DRIVE 952: Coast Builders LLC to Jammie Smith, $339,900.

DOLORES ST. 19: Deborah L. Leblanc to Carl J. Leblanc Jr., donation, no value stated.

ROBERT ROAD 50: Bethany Housing LLC to Lajuana D. Jacobs, $260,000.

WESTWEGO

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR JAN. 6-12 ABITA

SPRINGS

ALOHA COURT 503: Patsie M. DeHuff to David M. Rudd and Michelle A. Agosto, $299,000.

CAMPHILL DRIVE 919: David P. Banowetz Jr. and Tracey P Banowetz to Jesse P. DiFranco, $180,000.

NIBLICK STREET, LOTS 26, 27, SQUARE 14: Randy J. Stout and Jeanette M. Stout to Mark D. Herrmann Sr., $14,000.

QUIMET DRIVE, LOT 44: Dupont Quality Homes LLC to Trux Air Conditioning Inc., $12,000.

COVINGTON

AVENUE DU CHATEAU 916:

Mitch J. Duran and Savannah M. Duran to Christopher Fandal, $450,000.

BRANCH CROSSING DRIVE 309: Gloria B. Vernaci to Benjamin A. Ledbetter III, $240,000.

CAPISTRANO COURT 854: Vaughn Carmouche and Nolan J. Carmouche Jr. to Jason Chawla and Alison V. Little Chawla, $395,000.

GARDEN WALK DRIVE 136: Garden Walk LLC to Eric R. Littell and Susan H. Littell, $616,053. JASMINE ST. 72475: Oliver J. Celestine Jr. and Consuelo M. Cyprian to Maximum Move LLC, $80,500.

LA BRANCHE PLACE 440: Highland Homes Inc. to Lynn A. Nachtigal and Roseann C. Nachtigal, $671,963.

ä See TAMMANY, page 22

REALESTATETRANSFERS

VICTORIA DRIVE 75420: DSLD Homes LLC to Hailee Fernandez and Garrett Williams, $278,190.

$635,000.

Continued from page 21

LOWE DAVIS ROAD 23279: Albert F. Lazaro and Victoria E. Lazaro to Timothy Coryell and Paige Coryell, $403,000.

MAGNOLIA MOUND AVE. 180: Robert J. Sullivan III and Patricia I. Sullivan to Todd S. Robicheaux and Rebecca Heap Robicheaux, $925,000.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Randall C. Berger and Jo Ann Alexander Berger to Sunny Properties LLC, $30,000.

PRUDEN ROAD, PORTION OF GROUND: Richard L. Munster Jr. to Tassin Auten LLC, $37,500.

RIVER PARC ESTATES, PHASE 1, LOT 13: Richard L. Blackman to Luis A. Sotomayor, $20,000.

ROSALIE COURT 1853: DSLD Homes LLC to Cherie Moore, $367,237.

S. TYLER ST. 516: Pour Les Enfant LLC to M C Bank & Trust Co., $100 and other valuable consideration.

SAVANNAH ST. 1519: Lisa Gonzalez revocable living trust to Teresa Cook, $112,500.

SUNSHINE AVE. 19635: Jeremy S. Wilson to Sandi K. Gumpert and Alisha C. Leonard Gumpert, $316,000.

SWALLOW ST. 229: Wyatt Chafin to Scott C. Fontana and Gayle F Fontana, $330,000.

TAMMANY TERRACE SUBDIVISION, LOT 120A, SQUARE 8: Tammany Terrace LLC to Equity Trust Co., $50,000.

TANTELLA LAKES SUBDIVISION, LOTS 1-66: Tantella Lakes LLC to DSLD Homs LLC, $5,082,000.

W. 23RD AVE. 1028: Melissa B. Murray Hall to Gabrielle J. LeBlanc and Madelyn Loescher, $290,000.

WILD CHERRY STREET, PORTION OF GROUND: Amy O’Keefe Dobbs to Sourcesouthern LLC, $25,000.

ZACHERY COURT 1448: DSLD Homes LLC to Juan Ramon Leal Jr., $360,112.

ZETA AVE. 74307: Freedom Mortgage Corp. LLC to Tammany Holdings Retirement Trust, $182,400

FOLSOM

MARGUERITE ST. 105: Jane M. Gaspard and Clint J. Gaspard to Eric Berghoff and Katherine Johnson Berghoff, $331,000.

W. CHERRY HILL LOOP 1203: David L. Glancy Sr. and Cynthia F. Glancy Living Trust to Richard Harper and Genie Harper, $612,500.

LACOMBE

HOOPER DRIVE, LOT 45, 46: Successions of Teresa Mae Dennett Smith and Reuben R. Smith to Jonathan Turner, $60,000.

WILLIAMS DRIVE 60240: Jason R. James and Daniel K. Phillips to Mark B. Pigrenet and Paris Pigrenet, $147,500.

MADISONVILLE

INDIAN POINT 16202: Patrick J. Theriot II and Misty M. Theriot to Nicholas R. Ishee and Cheyenne H. Ishee, $520,000.

KRISTIAN COURT 600: CMC9 Investments LLC to Elena Heaslip,

N. BROWN THRASHER LOOP 717: Scarlett H. Dottolo to Jared E. Varnado and Makayla L. Lavergue, $303,000.

PINE OAKS COURT 104: Lloyd J. Dantagnan to Tanner L. Watson, $305,000.

S. HIGHLAND OAKS 357: Erin M. Williams to Patrick R. Bossetta and Marlene Bossetta, $258,000.

SECLUDED OAKS LANE 216: Succession of Florence C. Stroebel and Courtney J. Stroebel Sr. to Joseph A. Saltalmachia and Meghan F. Saltalmachia, $361,750.

SNOWY EGRET COURT 251: Brian R. Kleeb and Courtney T. Kleeb to Toni Rodrigue, $223,000.

SPIKE DRIVE 71568: DSLD Homes LLC to Joseph Panno, $213,605.

SPIKE DRIVE 71580: DSLD Homes LLC to Crislida O’Brien Simon, $210,886.

U.S. 190 25601: Tony Vujnovich to Nicole A. Larkin Calhoun and Travis J. Larkin, $90,000.

WILLOWS SUBDIVISION, LOT 11: Timberwood Construction Co. Inc. to John P. Euper III and Patricia M. Euper, $118,000.

MANDEVILLE

BRETTON WAY 84: Rebecca H. Robicheaux and Todd S. Robicheaux to John B. Gilpin, $785,000.

COLBERT ST. 607: Paul R. Kalman III and Courtney L. Kalman to Jennifer A. Caudill revocable trust, $240,000.

COURS CARSON ST. 2321: Stephen D. Barefield to Martin J. Catanese and Joan Catanese, $384,900.

FOX RUN DRIVE 116: Fay T. Schroeder and David R. Schroeder to Gary P. Boe Jr. and Sergio R. Yalan, $715,000.

GEN. PATTON AVE. 273: Peace Enterprises LLC to Louisiana Revitalization Fund LLC, $635,000.

GOLDENWOOD ST. 404: Succession of Steven M. Harris to Stock Island LLC, $110,000.

HENRY CLAY ST. 2272: Leidy E. Cook and Nicholas R. Lemoine to Gabrielle M. Billingsley, $234,900.

JACKSON AVE. 215: 215 Jackson Avenue LLC to Bradford D. Burlingham and Susan M. Burlingham, $470,000.

JAMES ST. 68400: Scott Corp. LLC to Scott Equipment Properties LLC, $3,590,000.

MARINA BEAU CHENE CONDOMINIUM NO. 1, UNIT 6: Nicholas C. Blackwell to Joseph T. Collins III and Susan R. Collins, $220,000. MATTHEW DICKS SUBDIVISION,

LOT 6: Peggy Jean Christensen to Cuyamel Fruit Co. LLC, $350,000.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: Christopher S. Russ and Linda L. Bouchereau to Keith E. Cangelosi and Susan G. Cangelosi, $55,000.

SCARLET OAK LANE 1151: Jose Y. Akamine Ramirez and Elizabeth R. Cortez Ramos to BGRS LLC, $542,500.

SCOTCHPINE DRIVE 306: Clay T. Carpenter Jr. and Linda C. Carpenter to Stuart Carpenter, donation, no value stated.

TEMPLAR LOOP 4427: BMI Construction LLC to Warren Baker and Noel H. Baker, $600,450.

TEMPLAR LOOP 4476: BMI Construction LLC to Andrew S. Micula, $549,900.

THIRD ST. 23054: Florida Exteriors LLC to Lane E. Campo, $230,000.

PEARL RIVER

LA. 41, LOT 41: Harold A. Lovacano Jr. and Sheila P. Lovacano to Russell Schafer, $70,000.

LA. 41 SPUR 65324: Wesley S. Thompson and Ashley R. Thompson to Andrew Josephson and Megan D. Josephson, $459,500.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: Cassandra M. Porter to Silverback Holdings LLC, $20,000.

OLD MILL LOOP 158: Christopher R. Gilliland and Selina D. Gilliland to Edith revocable living trust, donation, no value stated.

OLD MILL LOOP 229: Deana M. Bernhardt and Susan M. Smith Estate to Walter Penton, $295,000.

SIXTH WARD

NEAR SIXTH WARD, PORTION OF GROUND: High Moon Ranch LLC to Mark & Kasey LLC, $485,000.

SLIDELL

ALTON SUBDIVISION, LOT 5, SQUARE 32: Cynthia B. Falls to Faye A. Brown, $2,000.

BELFAST BEND COURT 5947: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Trieu Nguyen, $292,000.

CARA MAE ST. 40578: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Allen Dunbar Jr., $276,900.

CARA MAE ST. 40594: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Dylan J. Pusch and Victoria I. Pusch, $287,900.

CARA MAE ST. 40625: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Latoya A. Barnes, $279,900.

CHAMALE DRIVE 150: Sarah E. Sollberger to Britney A. Marie Logan and Susan D. Blount, $211,000.

CHERRY ST. 1500: Sherree L.

Garrison Roper to Ruby N Cherry LLC, $16,000.

CROSS GATES BLVD. 899: Cynthia Lagasse to Keiko Y. Landry, Rodney Ward and Erika D. Ward, $270,000.

CYPRESS VINE COURT 6565: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Frederick J. East, $179,900.

E. U.S. 190 40067: Silverback Holdings LLC to Earthworks Group of Slidell LLC, $225,000. E. REDBUD DRIVE 423: James M. Thomas and Amy M. Thomas to Robert Daw and Crystal P. Faciane, $290,000.

FRONT ST. 3158: Planet Home Lending LLC to Patrick L. Jedlick, $72,000.

HUNTWYCK VILLAGE SUBDIVISION, PHASE 3, LOT 210: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Adam C. Percle, $10.

LAKE VILLAGE BLVD. 232: Roger B. Olivier and Judith C. Olivier to Scott K. Jacob Jr. and Kaila M. Jacob, $244,000.

MEADOWDALE DRIVE 3618: Dashita Morris to Glenn Gow, $180,000.

MONTGOMERY BLVD. 1410: Ronnell M. Williams and Avarelle P. Williams to Darrell Cipriani and Courtney Allen Cipriani, $212,500. PIRATES HARBOR SITES SUBDIVISION, LOT 99, SQUARE 4: Hal D Lamb to Paul H. Schenk, $35,000. PONTCHARTRAIN DRIVE 4780, UNIT 10: Barbara M. Love to Sandpiper Condo 110 LLC, $60,000.

PONTCHARTRAIN DRIVE 4780, UNIT 109: Barbara M. Love to Sandpiper Condo 109 LLC, $60,000.

REGENT PARC BLVD. 800: Loren H. Schwalenberg to Schwalenberg Family Trust, donation, no value stated.

RIVIERA DRIVE 3844: Geraldine H. Bond, Jeffery M. Bond and others to Tasia Sellers, $150,000.

SOUTHPARK DRIVE 156: Robert Dirosa and Melanie Dirosa to Dylon Blanda and Kristen N. Bourque, $195,500.

SPILLWAY MANOR DRIVE 5125: D.R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Tandrania Z. Kelley, $266,900. TIMBERS DRIVE 140: Darlene Rost to Kristen R. Rost, donation, no value stated.

SUN/BUSH

ISABEL SWAMP ROAD 83246: Pine Plantation LLC to Jeffrey P. Ellingsworth, $152,000.

LOST HILLS DRIVE, PORTION OF GROUND: Vince A. King and Julianna M. Dickenson King to Cheyenne M. Guillot, $57,500.

Longtime friend takespainful storywithout permission

Dear Annie: I’m asenior citizen.

Fifty years ago, another young girl and Iwere in ajuvenile detentionfacility for veryminor infractions that would not lead to incarceration today

Iwas repeatedly rapedby two counselors throughout our months there. Thisother girl was notmistreated in any way because she was related to the spouse of one of the administrators We’re not good friends but have stayed in touch.

Iwas prettyupsettohear this.

Itoldmyfriend that Ihad become aware of this situation and sheimmediately became hysterical,insisting she was tooupsetto talk further.Idon’t know howtoproceed. It feels likeasignificant loss to walk awayfromthis relationship, andyet I’mshocked that she’s stealing my storyand I’m stymiedbyher loud, tearful reactiontomy attempt to talk about it.

Do you have any advice? — Stolen Story

Dear Stolen Story: What happenedtoyou was real and it wasyours. No one has the right to take that kind of traumaand claim it as their own. It’sseriously violating,and your shock andangerare completely un-

She’stalked off and on about writing/publishing an autobiography,which I’ve encouraged. Recently,Imet someone in her writing group.Her fellow writer shared with me whata traumatic life my friend had, mentioning the specifics ofmy sexual assaults, including details and thoughts that Ishared andthat she incorporated into “her”story.Myfriend’sautobiography relates my story as herown.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,Jan.31, the 31st day of 2026. There are 334 days left in the year.

Todayinhistory:

On Jan. 31, 2020, the United States declared apublic health emergency over the new coronavirus, and President Donald Trump signed an ordertotemporarily bar entry to foreign nationals, other than immediate family of U.S. citizens,who traveled in Chinainthe preceding 14 days.

Also on this date:

In 1863, during the Civil War, the First South Carolina Volunteers, an all-Black Union regimentcomposed of many who escaped from slavery,was mustered into federal service at Beaufort, South Carolina

In 1945, Pvt. Eddie Slovik, 24, became the first U.S. soldier since the Civil Wartobe executed for desertion as he was shot by an American firing squad in France.

In 1958, the United States entered the Space Agewith its first successful launchofa satellite, Explorer 1, fromCape

derstandable.

Right now, thebiggest thing you can do for yourself is set afirm boundary and hold it.If your friend can’thandle afaceto-face conversation without shutting youdown, put it in writing. Tell her plainly that these experiences arenot hers to share or publish, and that you hope she respectsyour wishes and removes them from her work.

Losing this relationship would be painful, yes,and it’s natural to grieve that. But if walking away is what it takes to protect your peace, it’sthe right choice. Yousurvived something terrible once. You do not need to endure asecond violation now.

Dear Annie: Inever ever thought I’d be writing toanadvice columnist,but here Iam!

My partner moved out several months ago to “workon our relationship.”Since then,I haven’tseen them even though

we aretechnically in the same city. Each time aplan is made, theycancel. Yet, they seem to have lots of timefor others.

Christmas was ano-show. They were supposed to come for dinner,spend the night and go to afamily gathering the next day.Nothing. No phone call, no text,nothing. Ifinally took their giftsout from under the treeasIdon’twant to answer questions as to why they’re still there.

So, how exactly is this helping our relationship? They keep telling people we are still together.Ithink we’re finished, wouldn’tyou say? —Looking for a Second Opinion

Dear Second Opinion: “How is this helping therelationship?” The honest answer is, it isn’t.

Canaveral,Florida.

In 2023,BoeingCo. delivered its last 747 wide-body jet to a customer,cappingmore than ahalf-centuryofproduction of the iconic jumbo jet.

Today’sbirthdays: Blues singermusicianCharlie Musselwhite is 82. Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryanis79. ActorJonathan Banks is 79. Rock singer

of French Quarter & Mississippi River

John Lydon is 70. ActorAnthony LaPaglia is 67. Actor Minnie Driver is 56. Actor Portia de Rossi is 53. Actorcomedian Bobby Moynihan is 49. ActorKerry Washingtonis 49. Singer Justin Timberlake is 45. Countrysinger Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line) is 39. Musician Marcus Mumford (Mumford and Sons) is 39.

1633DUFOSSATSTREET UPTOWN

$2,149,000

Stunning 3-Story Priv Oasis. Steps from St Charles Ave! LotsofUpgrades. Gated Compound over 8,200 TotalSqft w/ 5Beds,

Apartner doesn’t“work on a relationship” by disappearing from it. Whatever they maybe telling other people, whatmatters is what they are showing you. Love doesn’thave to be perfect, but it does have to be present.

Youdeserve arelationship that doesn’tleave you guessing or quietly pulling gifts out from under the tree. Youdeserve to know where you stand without having to chase the truth. You never thought you’d be writing to me,but I’m glad you did. Sometimes putting the facts on paper is enough to confirm what your heart already knows.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

SHERRYL.OWEN CRS, GRI, SFR, ABR 228-760-2815 •228-822-9870 OWENSHERRYL@AOL.COM 220818THST, SUITEB,GULFPORT, MS 39501 WWW.OWENANDCO.COM

WATERFRONT GAUTIER

5Beds/ 5.5Baths/6,600 Sq.Ft. This stunning property is nestledon 2.1acres on theGulf. Completely renovated. Bulkheadedwithaboathouse,lifts, airconditioned fishcleaningstation, waterviews from almost everyroom, and outdoorspacefor entertaining. Fullyfurnished.Atruemustsee!

Baths /3,000 Sq.Ft. Perfectlocation! Across thestreetfrom theBeauRivage,MaryMahoney’s, boutique shopping,and restaurants. Stucco exterior, brickcourtyard,and wrought-iron gatesgivethishomeaNew Orleansfeel. Twoprimarysuites, onewith akitchenette. This home is currentlya VRBO with excellentrentalincome!

8’ doors, and12’ ceilingsonthe first floor.

2668 BEACHBOULEVARD UNIT #905 •$392,500

2Beds/2Baths /1,392 Sq.Ft. Fabulousviewofthe gulfand features allnew luxury vinylflooring,open kitchenplan, granitecountertops, wetbar,and custom cabinets.The primarybedroom hasa gorgeous view of thegulf! NewA/C unit & Furnitureremains!