The Times-Picayune 02-01-2026

MayorHelenaMoreno’s whirlwindsprint throughWashingtonMardi Gras aboutmaking connections, includinga meetingwithTrump

‘A JAM-PACKED

48 HOURS’

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Mayor HelenaMoreno stepped off the elevator and into aswarm.

Louisianans werespilling out of the Washington Hilton’stwo lobby bars, one renamed “The 65th Parish” for the week of meetings andparties known as Washington Mardi Gras. When they saw the popular new mayor of New Orleans, they made abeeline.

Demetria Brazile Kendrick, sister to famed Democratic political strategist Donna Brazile, slid her arm around Moreno’s waist to say hi. Larry Dale, head of the Jefferson Business Council, grabbed a handshake andsuggested ameeting about regional coordination. Abouta dozen more well-wishers buzzed around her Moreno, dressed forthe eveninginaglittering

Municipal Association, the talkative Grand Isle mayor told her.Hereminded her about their first meeting, two decades ago, when as ayoung reporter,she did a story abouthim andFEMA trailers.

“Ifyou need aguy to break into your trailers, let me know,” Camardelle joked.

Area housing prices flat in 2025,sales

suggests slight recovery afterthree badyears

BY STEPHANIERIEGEL Staff writer

black blazer,had areceptiontoattend at the Kennedy Center withSaints

owner GayleBenson and Ochsner CEO Pete November.She neededtoget to awaiting car.Moreno’s husband, Chris Meeks,

twirled his finger in the air —spousal sign language for “time to go.” As she neared the revolving door,David Camardelle madehis move. Moreno needed to join the board of theLouisiana

“I know you can do it,” Moreno replied, hugging him beforedashing from thelobby So wentawhirlwind48 hourslast week in Washington, D.C., for Moreno as she joined what seemed like theentire political class of Louisiana in their annual sojourn north. At Washington Mardi Gras

ä See MORENO, page 9A

Longtime club celebrates 100years of Blacksociety

young MenIllinois lookstowardthe next generation of debutantes

BY DESIREESTENNETT Staff writer

In shimmering, gleaming ball gowns and extravagantly sized hats heaped with brightly coloredfeathers, anew generation of young Black girls recentlydebuted in New Orleans society 100 yearsafter

the YoungMen IllinoisClubheld itsfirst ball. Built by athen-new Black upper class that formed after the Civil Warand Reconstruction, the club hasbeen abeacon for New Orleans high society,bringing joy andcelebration through the inequality of segregation, pride andcultural resilience through integration, and asense of tradition and connection over 10 decades.

Nowthe clubisbringinga renewed focus on legacy-building for future generations as it looks to the next 100 years.

“Ifyou can imagine the difficulties

and challenges that Black people had in theirlives in 1926, and for them to have orchestrated aball nearly every year for 100 years, notjust to party andhave fun but to introduce young women to society for them to begin to... establish outreach andimportant opportunitiesfor furthering the race and the community, that’s an outstanding contribution,” said Karen Becnel Moore, who built adecadeslong career in higher education and served as Young Men Illinois queen in 1966.

See amap showing home prices in theNew Orleans metro area. PAGE 6A

After threeyears of sluggish salesand falling prices, the housing market across the New Orleans area in 2025 showed faintsigns of coming back to life,fueled, market analystssay,by arespite from soaringinsurance premiums and lower mortgage rates. Across themetroarea, home sale activity picked up last year over 2024, according to data from the New OrleansMetropolitan Association of Realtors, with slight increases in thenumber of closed sales, up nearly 2%, and pending sales, up more than 3%. At the same time, prices leveledout,with half the area’sZIP codes seeing slight gains in theirmediansaleprice and the other half seeingslight dips.In2024, homesintwo-thirdsofthe metroareafellinvalue Still, the overall increase in the median sale priceto$279,000— againof2.4%—wasn’t enough to keep pace with the rate of inflation, whichaveraged 2.7% last year.Also, it took longertosellhomes,withaverage days on themarketincreasing to 67 days from62daysthe year before.

Parentssound alarmas summer camps turn away kids

Catholic preschoolers lose spotsbecause of newstate law

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

With plans to send her two children to camp at their Catholic school in NewOrleans, Laurie Martin thought she might escapethe dreaded scrambletosecuresummer childcare. That changed when she got the email. Days before Christmas,the ChristianBrothers School informed families that, due to anew state law,the school would not accept children under 5into their Little Falcons Summer Camp. Now Martin hasnoideawhattodowith her 4-year-old daughter,Colette,whenshe’s outof school this summer but Martin and her husband are still working full time.

ä See CAMPS, page 4A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Blast in Iran port city kills 1, wounds 14

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates An explosion tore through an apartment building Saturday in Iran‘s port city of Bandar Abbas, killing a 4-year-old girl as local media footage purportedly showed a security force member being carried out by rescuers

The blast happened a day before a planned naval drill by Iran in the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil traded passes. Already, the U.S. military had warned Iran not to threaten its warships or commercial traffic in the strait on which Bandar Abbas sits.

State television quoted a local fire official as blaming the blast on a gas leak. Media reported at least 14 others suffered injuries in the explosion at the eightstory building, which blew out windows and covered the street below in debris.

A local newspaper Sobh-e Sahel, aired footage of one of its correspondents speaking in front of the building. The footage included a sequence that showed a man in black boots and a green security force uniform being carried out on a stretcher He wore a neck brace and appeared to be in pain, his left hand covering the branch insignia on his uniform.

The local newspaper did not acknowledge the security force member being carried out elsewhere in its reporting. Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard itself did not discuss the blast, other than to deny that a Guard navy commander had been hurt in the explosion.

At least 200 killed in Congo mine collapse

GOMA, Congo A landslide earlier this week collapsed several mines at a major coltan mining site in eastern Congo, leaving at least 200 people dead, rebel authorities said Saturday

ThecollapsetookplaceWednesday at the Rubaya mines, which are controlled by the M23 rebels, Lumumba Kambere Muyisa, the spokesperson of the rebel-appointed governor of North-Kivu province told The Associated Press. He said the landslide was caused by heavy rains.

“For now there are more than 200 dead, some of whom are still in the mud and have not yet been recovered,” Muyisa said. He added that several others were injured and taken to three health facilities in the town of Rubaya, while ambulances were expected to transfer the wounded Saturday to Goma, the nearest city around 30 miles away The rebel-appointed governor of North Kivu has temporarily halted artisanal mining on the site and ordered the relocation of residents who had built shelters near the mine, Muyisa said.

A former miner at the site told The Associated Press there have been repeated landslides because the tunnels are dug by hand, poorly constructed, and left without maintenance.

‘Lizard in a blizzard’ rescued in Rhode Island

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Wildlife officials say a “lizard in a blizzard” has been rescued after a man discovered the large coldblooded reptile buried in snow in Rhode Island, somehow surviving the frigid temperatures.

According to the New England Wildlife Center, the Providence man spotted the tegu lizard from his driveway on Tuesday The reptile was quickly brought it indoors and wrapped in a T-shirt to help conserve heat.

ET Reptiles, a reptile store based in Rhode Island, agreed to pick up the tegu and take it to an animal hospital. There, veterinarians found the tegu to be “extremely weak, underweight, and not moving well.” The tegu’s tongue had also suffered frostbite and muscle weakness due to prolonged exposure to the cold — a circumstance that leads to cell failure in coldblooded animals in low temperatures.

A small portion of the tegu’s tongue was amputated to help with its recovery

“He is now resting comfortably and finally warm, which makes all the difference!” the wildlife center said in a social media post. “We will be rooting for a good outcome and will share updates as we have them.”

MINNESOTA

Judge won’t halt DHS enforcement surge

Court won’t stop immigration crackdown as lawsuit proceeds

BY MARGERY A. BECK and JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS — A federal judge says she won’t halt the immigration enforcement surge in Minnesota and the Twin Cities as a lawsuit over it proceeds.

Judge Katherine M. Menendez on Saturday denied a preliminary injunction sought in a lawsuit filed this month by state Attorney General Keith Ellison and the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

It argues that the Department of Homeland Security is violating constitutional protections. State and local officials sought a quick order to halt the enforcement action or limit its scope Lawyers with the U.S. Department of Justice have called the lawsuit legally frivolous.”

The ruling on the injunction focused on the argument by Minnesota officials that the federal government is violating the Constitution’s 10th Amendment, which limits the federal government’s powers to infringe on the sovereignty of states. In her ruling, the judge relied heavily on whether that argument was likely to ultimately succeed in court.

The federal government argued that the surge, dubbed Operation Metro Surge, is

necessary in its effort to take criminal immigrants off the streets and because federal efforts have been hindered by state and local “sanctuary laws and policies.”

State and local officials argued that the surge amounts to retaliation after the federal government’s initial attempts to withhold federal funding to try to force immigration cooperation failed. They also maintain that the surge has amounted to an unconstitutional drain on state and local resources, noting that schools and businesses have been shuttered in the wake of what local officials say are aggressive, poorly trained and armed federal officers.

“Because there is evidence supporting both sides’ arguments as to motivation and the relative merits of each side’s competing positions are unclear, the Court is reluctant to find that the likelihood-of-success factor weighs sufficiently in favor of granting a preliminary injunction,” the judge said in the ruling.

The judge also said she was influenced by the government’s victory last week at the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The appeals court set aside her decision putting limits on the use of force by immi-

Powerful winter storm starts hitting East Coast

BY TRÂN NGUYEN Associated Press

Blizzardlike conditions stemming from a “bomb cyclone” were starting to bring heavy snow to the Southeast and were ushering in frigid temperatures to much of the East Coast Saturday, as tens of thousands of homes and businesses remained without power after being hit by a different icy storm last week.

About 240 million people were under cold weather advisories and winter storm warnings, a forecaster said. The frigid cold was expected to plunge as far south as Florida. Some areas unaccustomed to snow were bracing for several inches to fall by Sunday

The powerful winter storm system came after another blast of snow and ice last weekend snarled traffic, knocked down trees, and caused more than 100 deaths.

A low temperature of minus 27 degrees was recorded Saturday morning in West Virginia, said Bob Oravec, lead meteorologist for the National Weather Service in College Park, Maryland.

Parts of the southern Appalachians, the Carolinas and Georgia could see 6 to 10 inches of snow, he said. The Carolinas could see blizzard conditions stemming from the bomb cyclone, a term Oravec used to described an intense, rapidly strengthening storm system off the Southeast coast packing strong winds.

“Anytime you have cold weather advisories or extreme cold warnings, it is

gration officers against peaceful Minnesota protesters.

“If that injunction went too far, then the one at issue here — halting the entire operation certainly would,” Menendez said.

Despite the denial of an injunction, Menendez said the lawsuit makes a strong showing that the surge is having a “profound and even heartbreaking” effect on the people of Minnesota, noting multiple shootings of state residents by federal agents.

“Additionally, there is evidence that ICE and CBP agents have engaged in racial profiling, excessive use of force, and other harmful actions,” she wrote.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi lauded the ruling, calling it “another HUGE” legal win for the Justice Department on the social platform X.

At an unrelated news conference Saturday in Miami, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said her agency is “grateful when a court sees that the right thing has been done,” and said DHS will try to work with local law enforcement and state leadership on its effort.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement that he was disappointed.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Austin Bradbury uses a chainsaw to remove a tree above a road on Friday in Nashville, Tenn.

dangerous to be outside. Frostbite can occur,” Oravec said. “Especially in areas that have or are experiencing power issues still, prolonged exposure to cold weather is not good for yourself.”

In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina — whose official seal is the sun, palm trees and a seagull 6 inches of snow was expected. The city has no snow-removal equipment, and authorities planned to “use what we can find,” Mayor Mark Kruea said.

Lee Harrison, an insurance agent living in a town outside of Greenville, North Carolina, said snow has blanketed his neighborhood by Saturday afternoon. He planned to take his three daughters sledding in the backyard.

“We’re not gonna drive anywhere,” Harrison said. “It’s thick enough that I would not feel comfortable driving with our family.”

Subfreezing weather was forecast into February, with heavy snow in the Carolinas, Virginia and northeast Georgia over the weekend, including up to a foot in parts of North Carolina. Snow was also said to be possible from Maryland to Maine.

More than 197,000 homes and businesses were without electricity, mostly in Mississippi and Tennessee, according to the outage tracking website poweroutage.us. That included nearly 48,000 in Nashville as of Saturday morning.

Judge orders child, father released from ICE detention

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

A 5-year-old boy and his father must be released by Tuesday from the Texas center where they’ve been held after being detained by immigration officers in Minnesota, a federal judge ordered Saturday in a ruling that harshly criticized the Trump administration’s approach to enforcement.

Images of Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a bunny hat and Spiderman backpack, surrounded by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers sparked even more outcry about the administration’s immigration crackdown in Minnesota.

The boy and his father, Adrian Conejo Arias, were detained in the Minneapolis suburb of Columbia Heights on Jan. 20. They were taken to a detention facility in Dilley, Texas.

That led to a protest at the Texas family detention center and a visit by two Texas Democratic members of Congress.

U.S. District Judge Fred Biery, who sits in San Antonio and was appointed by former Democratic President Bill Clinton, said in his ruling that “the case has its genesis in the ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.”

Biery had previously ruled that the boy and his father could not be removed from the U.S., at least for now

In his order Saturday, Biery said: “apparent also is the government’s ignorance of an American historical document called the Declaration of Independence,” suggesting the Trump administration’s actions echo those that then-author and future President Thomas Jefferson enumerated as grievances against England’s King George.

Among them: “He has sent hither Swarms of Officers to harass our People” and “He has excited domestic Insurrection among us.”

Biery included in his ruling a photo of Liam and references to two lines in the Bible: “Jesus said, ’Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these,” and “Jesus wept.”

He’s not the only federal judge who has been tough on ICE recently A Minnesotabased judge with a conservative pedigree described the agency as a serial violator of court orders related to the crackdown.

Stephen Miller, the White House chief of staff for policy has said there’s a target of 3,000 immigration arrests a day It’s that figure which the judge seemed to refer to as a “quota.”

BY MIKE SCHNEIDER Associated Press

ORLANDO,Fla. Move over Florida and Texas.The United States has new hot spots for growth, and they both have Carolina in their name. North Carolina last year attracted more new residents, 84,000 people, from other parts of the country than any other state, atitleheld by Texas in 2024 and Florida in thetwo yearsbeforethat.

South Carolinahad the highestoverallgrowthrate last year at 1.5%, adistinction among states held by Florida in 2024, according to U.S Census Bureau figures released this past week. Domestic migration, or people moving within the U.S., slowed in Texas. The 67,300 domestic migrants headingtothe second most populous state yearover

CAMPS

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“Wecan’ttake off work for three months because the 4-year-old can’tgoto camp, she said. “There is no other option.” Summer camp sign-upis always anerve-wracking process for parents who race to nab spots during the registration period,which typicallystarts in January.But parental anxiety has spiked this year after several Catholic schools said they will no longer enroll preschool-age children in camp, leaving familiestosearch for other options like full-time babysitters or day cares.

The schools attributed the change to Act 409, astate law passed last year that regulates private preschools. But lawmakers and state education department officials said the rule schools are citing actually originated more than adecade earlier in a2014 law,which says summer camps are exempt from day care licensing rules if they only enroll children ages 5and older Rather than try to align their camps with the state’s stringent day care regulations,someschools have opted to stop enrolling children under age 5inthe summer programs.

Christian Brothers School referred questions to a spokesperson for the Archdiocese of NewOrleans, who said the archdiocese is committed to the safety and protection of students. Archdiocese officials are working to find other summer child care options for 3- and 4-year-olds and partnering with lawmakers andthe Department of Education on possible solutions, said the spokesperson, Sarah McDonald. Meanwhile, parents are sounding the alarm. Martin emailed all105

year barely squeaked by South Carolina, whichhad thethirdhighest number of domestic migrantsat66,600. The appealofFlorida,the nation’sthird most populous state, dimmed. It dropped to No. 8for state-to-state migration, as more U.S. residents preferred to move elsewhere,including Alabama

Sabrina Morley and StevenDevereauxsold their Tampa-area house lastyear, moved out of Florida and landed outside Valencia, Spain.Growing up in the 1990s, they both enjoyed Florida’sdiversity and being able to runaround freelyoutdoors.But in recent years, as they planned to have children,they had grown wary of the state’s costs, regular threats of mass shootingsatschools, the quality of educationand political divisiveness. They are expecting adaughter in the spring. “I had apretty good childhood, but Idon’tthink we’d be able to give our child

lawmakers in Louisiana’s House of Representatives this month in hopes they mightchange the camprule duringthe upcoming legislativesession. Her friend Ashlyn Blanchard,anattorney whose family lives in Metairie, circulated aletter explaining the legal issue and discussed possible fixes with lawmakers.

“Weshould be expanding child care for all,” said Blanchard, whohad hoped to send her 4-year-old son to the ChristianBrotherssummer camp. “Weshouldn’tbefighting to bring backchild care that was taken from us.”

Hoping forasolution

the same quality of life because of thecost of living, food quality,and guns have become more prevalent,” Devereaux said. “Wethink where we are now, it’sthe best decision we could make to give anyfuture children thebest quality of life.”

Nice areas

NorthCarolinastate demographer Michael Cline credited the state’sgrowth to high-paying jobsinbanking and tech, the topographical diversityand having smaller big-cities than Florida and Texas.

“NorthCarolina is attracting younger folks because we havesomanyniceareas in North Carolina— the mountains andbeaches and lakes in between that we’re benefiting from youngerpeople whodecidedtheycan work from anywhere andwould rather be in anice area,” Cline said.

“One of the things about North Carolina,our cities are not huge,and thatmay be attractive tofolks, too.”

thepastover 10 years,” said state Rep.Stephanie Hilferty, R-Metairie,adding that Act 409 seems to have alertedsome private schools to theearlier law.“In working through complying with Charlie’s Law,they discovered the definition of camp” from 2014.

In recent weeks, several New Orleans-area schools announced the new summer camp age restrictions, sending parents of preschoolers into afrenzy

The schools pointedtoAct 409, or “Charlie’sLaw,” which took effectinAugust and requirespre-kindergartenprograms at private schools to obtain day care licenses, subjecting the schoolstodozens of additional regulations. The schools said the law prevents summer camps from enrolling pre-K students.

“Unlessthislaw is amended or repealed, this summer we will not be able to accept any children who have not turned 5bythe start of camp,”said an email to parents at St.CatherineofSiena Catholic School in Metairie. An emailfromJesuitHigh School’scamp counselor cited “the new law of the landin Louisiana (Act 409),” saying any childwho hasn’tturned 5by June willbeunenrolled fromcamp

Butthe new law did not actually create the summer camprule, which has been on the books since 2014, state officials and lawmakers said.

“Nothingchanged within

Hilferty saidshe has discussed potential legislative changes with Catholic school leadersand Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-BatonRouge, who chairs theSenate Education Committee. It could be possible to amendthe licensing law before most summer camps start in June, Hilfertyadded, but lawmakers must be certainthat thechanges won’t jeopardizestudent safety.

“Wewanttomake sure that children are safe,” she said, “and also havea workable solution for working parents.”

Fornow,parentswho suddenly lost access to school summer campsare frantically searching for other options, including other private camps thathave not stopped serving preschool children. But that could change if more programs become aware of the2014 licensing law,which applies to summer campsrun by any organization— notjust private schools

“If aschool or another entityisplanning to offera summer camp to children youngerthanage 5, it would need to be licensed,” said Ashley Townsend, assistant superintendent for policy and governmental affairsat the state Department of Education.

Laurie Martin isn’tsure what she’ll do with Colette this summer.Atthe moment, she’swaitingfor thelegislature to convene in March and “hoping toGod” they find asolution.

“That’s my plan,” she said. “I don’trecommend it.”

Last year’schangesamong thestates were significant because population growth brings moretaxpayers, economic dynamism and demand for goods and services.Italso signalspotential changes in thenation’s political landscape after the next census in 2030, with certain states gaining or losing cloutinCongress and the Electoral College. In thenextfew years, domestic migration is going to playa largerrole in states’ growthorpopulation decline.Thatisbecause the Trumpadministration’s immigration crackdown has contributed to asignificant reduction in migration from abroad, which hadbeenthe prime driver of growthin most states forthe first half of this decade.

Without immigration growth, the U.S. population will start shrinking in five yearsasdeathsoutpace

births, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

Pandemic boom slows

Despitethe comparative year-over-year slowdown in domestic migration, Texas’ overallgrowth of 391,000 people andFlorida’s overall growth of 196,000 people were still the two highest in the U.S. last year

In Florida,itwas drivenby international migration, and in Texas by international migration as well as births outpacing deaths. Both states boomed during the early part of the decade, when pandemic-era lockdowns and remote work encouraged residents from other states to move to Florida and Texas, where coronavirus restrictions were more lax.

“The sharp domestic migrations they observed duringthe pandemic have now peteredout, especially for Florida,atthe sametime

that immigration is being diminished,” said Brookings demographer William Frey Demographers in Florida andTexas said they were not entirely sold on the accuracy of the Census Bureau’s migration numbers, which are the hardest variables to pin down because they fluctuate the most year to year,although they did not questionthe rigorofthe bureau’swork. The bureau uses data from theIRS and itsAmerican Community Survey to calculatemigration, although the ACSdata lags by ayear and requires statisticians to project the data forward.

TheBureau of Economic andBusiness Research at the University of Florida uses amethod different from the Census Bureau’sto calculate growth —electrical customer data, saidresearch demographer Richard Doty.

Latest Epstein filesrelease features famous names

Troveoffers detailsonearlier investigation

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

NEW YORK Newly disclosed government files on Jeffrey Epstein are offering more details about his interactions with the rich and famous after he served time for sex crimes in Florida, and on how much investigators knew about his abuse of underage girls when they decided not to indict him on federal charges nearly two decadesago.

The documents released Friday include Epstein’s communications with former White House advisers,an NFL team co-owner and billionaires including Bill Gates and Elon Musk.

President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice said it would be releasing more than 3million pages of documents along with more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images undera lawintendedto reveal mostof the material it collected during two decades of investigations involving the wealthy financier

The files, posted to thedepartment’swebsite, included documents involving Epstein’sfriendship with Britain’sAndrew MountbattenWindsor,formerly known as Prince Andrew,and Epstein’s email correspondence with onetime Trump adviserSteve Bannon, New York Giants coowner Steve Tisch and other prominent contacts with people in political, business and philanthropic circles.

Other documents offered awindow into various investigations, including ones that led to sex trafficking charges against Epstein in 2019 and his longtimeconfidant Ghislaine Maxwell in 2021, and an earlier inquiry that found evidence of Epstein abusing underage girls but never led to federal charges.

TheFBI startedinvestigatingEpstein in July2006 andagents expectedhim to be indicted in May 2007, accordingtothe newlyrecords released. Aprosecutor wrote up aproposedindictment after multiple underage girls told policeand the FBI that they hadbeen paid to give Epstein sexualized massages. The draft indicated prosecutors were preparing to chargenot just Epstein but also three people who worked for him as personal assistants

According to interview notesreleased Friday,an employee at Epstein’s Florida estate told the FBI in 2007 that Epstein once had him buy flowersand deliver them to astudent at Royal Palm Beach High School to commemorate her performance in aschoolplay

The employee, whosename was blacked out, said someof his dutieswerefanning$100 bills onatable near Epstein’s bed, placing agun between themattresses in his bedroom and cleaning up after Epstein’sfrequent massages with young girls, including disposing of usedcondoms.

Ultimately, the U.S. attorney in Miami at the time, Alexander Acosta, signed off on adeal that let Epstein avoidfederal prosecution Epstein pleaded guiltyinstead to astate charge of soliciting prostitution from someone under age 18 and got an 18-monthjail sentence. Acostawas Trump’s first labor secretary in his earlierterm

The recordshave thousands of references to Trump, including emails in which Epstein and others shared news articles about him, commented on hispolicies or politics, or gossiped about himand his family

Mountbatten-Windsor’s name appears at least several hundred times, including in Epstein’sprivate emails. In a2010 exchange, Epstein appeared to try and set him up foradate.

“I have afriend who Ithink you might enjoy having dinner with,” Epstein wrote.

Mountbatten-Windsor replied that he “would be delighted to seeher.” Theemail was signed“A.

Epstein, whose emails often contain typographical errors, wrote later in the exchange: “She 26, russian, clevere beautiful, trustworthy and yes she has your email.”

TheJustice Departmentis facing criticismoverhow it handledthe latestdisclosure

One group of Epstein accuserssaidinastatement that thenew documents made it too easy to identify those he abusedbut notthose whomight havebeen involved in Epstein’scriminal activity.

“As survivors, we should never be theones named, scrutinized, and retraumatized while Epstein’senablers continue to benefit from secrecy,” it said.

Meanwhile,Maryland Rep.

The U.S. Department of Justice released more files related to JeffreyEpstein on Friday

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILEPHOTO

Jamie Raskin, thetop Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, pressedthe departmenttolet lawmakers reviewunredacted versions of thefiles as soonasSunday.Hesaid in astatement that Congress must assess whether the redactions were lawfulorimproperly shielded people from scrutiny Department officials have acknowledgedthatmany records in itsfilesare duplicates, and it was clear from the documents that reviewerstook different degrees of care or exercised different standards while blacking out names and other identifying information.

Therewere multiple documents where aname was left exposedinone copy,but redacted in another

The released records reinforcedthat Epstein was, at least before he ran into legal trouble, friendly withTrump andformer PresidentBill Clinton. None of Epstein’s

victimswho havegone public has accused Trump, aRepublican, or Clinton, a Democrat, of wrongdoing. Both men saidthey had no knowledge Epsteinwas abusing underage girls.

Epsteinkilledhimselfin aNew York jailinAugust 2019, amonth after being indicted.

In 2021, afederal jury in New York convicted Maxwell, aBritish socialite, of sextrafficking for helping recruit someofhis under-

age victims. She is serving a 20-year prison sentence. U.S. prosecutors never charged anyone else in connection with Epstein’sabuse. Onevictim, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, sued MountbattenWindsor,saying she had sexual encounters with him starting at age 17. The now-former princedenied having sex with Giuffre but settled herlawsuit foranundisclosed sum Giuffre died by suicide last year at age 41.

PRICES

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Brokers say the data supports what they have experienced in recent months. The market hasn’t recovered,but more buyers are getting off the sidelines,more sellers are willing to bargain and there’s more optimism that the worst of the recent downturn may be coming to an end.

“The New Orleans real estate market hit rock bottom from the fall of 2023 to the summer of 2024,” said broker Kate Witry, co-founder of Witry Collective, who closed 25% more sales last year compared to the year before. “Now,the market has neutralized.”

Mixedpicture

neighborhoods— were down last year In JeffersonParish, median salesprices were up nearly 6% across the board, with OldMetairieand Bucktown posting some of thebiggest increases Areas on theWest Bank of Jefferson also were up, with Westwego posting one of the few doubledigit increases in the metro area.

“The New Orleans real estate market hit rockbottom from the fall of 2023 to the summer of 2024. Now,the market has neutralized.”

KATE WITRy, brokerand co-founder of WitryCollective

The localdata mirrored trends in the nationalhousing market, where the median home sale price in 2025 increased less than 2% and housing affordability remained increasingly out of reach to many younger Americans. According to the National Association of Realtors, themedianage of first-time homebuyers reached arecord high of 40 last year

Parts of the New Orleans metro area outperformed those metrics, though Orleans Parish did not. Overall, the median home sale price in the parish remained unchanged over 2024 at $335,000, while the length of time it took to sell ahome jumped 12% to 80 days on average. Broken down by median price persquarefoot, which accounts fordifferent size homes, 75% of ZIP codes in the city sawslight decreases. Even areas that have bucked broader markettrends in recent years and gone up —includingthe university area Uptown, parts of the FrenchQuarter,Marigny and Treme, andthe trendy Bywaterand St. Claude

Insurancerelief

Ly nd aN ug en t Smith, abroker with KellerWilliams in Metairie, saidpart of thereason for the uptick in activity in West Jefferson is the relative affordability of homes in Gretna, Harvey,Marrero and Westwego.

“Land is typically less expensive on the West Bankand there is alittle more inventory affordabilitywise,”Smith said. “So, people are going there becausepeople can find something theycan qualify for.”

In St. Tammany,the median sale priceremained essentially flat, increasing alittle more than 1% last yeartonearly$299,000. Home values on the westernside of the parishappreciated while those on theeastern side of theparish fell.

In PlaqueminesParish, prices were upnearly 5% last year to $375,000, though 25% fewer houses changed hands over the year before. In St. Bernard Parish, prices were down morethan 4% to $215,000, though salesvolume was up

Four yearsafter HurricaneIda hammeredthe River Parishes, St. Charlesand St. John the Baptist parishes showed signs of recovering, with slight increases in most of the area’sZIP codes Brokers say while thepicture was mixed, depending on the area, the big-picturetakeaway is that activitywas up and prices are holding steady “Wedid 20% morebusiness last year,” said broker Gigi Burk, ownerofBurkBrokerage. “I was shocked we did that much but it was substantial.”

Oneofthe factors fueling the activityisanincreaseinthe number of newinsurance carrierswilling to write homeowners policies in the state,which has slowed thedouble-and tripledigit annual rate increases that crippled the housing market after Ida in 2021. Last year,insurersraised homeowners rates by an average of 4.9% through November —the smallestjump since2020.

InsuranceCommissioner Tim Templehas saidthathis department hasapproved several new insurers to enter the market, though hisoffice doesn’ttrack the activities of newinsurers.

Interest rates, though still higher than pandemic-era lows of 3% for a30-year fixed ratemortgage

have started comingback down after spiking to 8% in mid-2023 andfurther chilling thehousing market. As of December,the 30year mortgage rate was 6.2%.

The relief thathas brought to bear on the market is among the reasons Ellie Glennon andher husband were able to purchase theirfirst single-family home together last fall in Lakeview

Theypaid $396,000 or about $189 per square footfor their 2,100-square-foot, three-bedroom brick cottage.

“Wenegotiated heavily on the front end,” said Glennon, whoisa real estate brokerand works with her mother,Gigi Burke. “Itisa great market to buy in, not to sell in but to buy.”

Aturnaroundyear?

Brokerssay they are expecting

morebuyers andsellers to come off the sidelines this year.InOrleans Parish, they say there is arenewed sense of optimism around the administration of Mayor Helena Moreno and her ability to address some of the infrastructure and quality-of-life issues that have driven people from thecityinrecent years.

It’stoo soon to suggest aturnaround in amarketthat has been battered by localproblemsand national economic headwinds. But Smith believes the local housing market in 2026 is at acrossroads. “I think things will get alittle bit better,” she said. Staff writer Sam Karlin contributed to this report.

Email StephanieRiegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

INSIDEWASHINGTONMARDI GRAS

La.’scongressional delegation hasafew things to say

WASHINGTON, D.C. Commerce

Stephanie Grace

Secretary Howard Lutnick was this year’sbig draw at the always popular Friday economicdevelopment lunch at Washington Mardi Gras, but anice bit of lagniappe was the annual airing of whatever’sonthe minds of Louisiana’s members of Congress. This year,there seems to be plenty And lots of it traces back indirectly,if not very directly, to the stark politicaldivision that permeates the delegation, the Congress and the country these days.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,the embattled incumbentinthe May 16 Republican primary against a field that includes U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow —who recently scored a key endorsementfrom Lutnick’s boss, President Donald Trump used his few moments at themic to remind the gathered business leaders of the bipartisan infrastructure law that he played akey role in passing.

“I wake up every day thinking about how Imake my state and my country abetter place,” he said, pointing to thelaw’s huge federalinvestmentsfor the Morganza-to-the-Gulf hurricane protection project and for broadband in underserved areas —something he focused on afterabusiness leader at aprior Washington Mardi Gras said he couldn’tsitea distribution center in north Louisiana due to poor internet access. Left unsaid was what just about everyone in the room knew,that everyother Republican member in Louisiana’sdelegation voted againstthis Joe Biden signature accomplishment.

Then came House Speaker Mike Johnson, who chose to tout tax cuts in adifferent law, Trump’sOne Big Beautiful Bill, which passed last Congress last year with only Republican support.

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter was the firstDemocrat to speak, and his comments contrasted with the pro-Trump rhetoric from Lutnick, Gov.Jeff Landry and his own very administration-friendly colleagues. It was also one of the few times the currenttroubles across the country infiltrated the festivities.

“I want to cap off this evening with just areminder of how important it is as we lookaround this room at the diversity,the strength of our individual lived experiencesand the beauty of what America is —that we don’t look the same, we don’ttalkthe same,” Carter said. “Wecome from different places, andwe bring different examples of what life, liberty and justice means to us. The Constitution does not belong to any one party,the rule of law does not belong to any one party.”

Fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields alluded to adifferent controversy when he used the week’sfrigid weather to frame a recentconversationwithRepublican Clay Higgins about the voting rights case that the U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide, which will determine whether Fields’ newly drawn majority-minoritydistrict will disappear.Asthey were speculating about the outcome, Fields said Higgins joked that it’d be a “cold day in hell” that the court would rule in Fields’ favor The last speech was perhaps the most anticipated, as Letlow’s presidentially-backed Senate candidacy has vastly elevated her statewide profile. But if political junkies were

looking for asign of how she’ll runagainst Cassidyand what she’ll say aboutCassidy’s2021 impeachment votetoconvict Trump for theJan.6attack on theCapitol and his more recent, incredibly awkward reincarnation as a Trumpdevotee, they got nothing.

Instead, Letlow focused on the past —onher unusual path into politicsafter the sudden death of her husband, who had been elected to the seat, and on her time serving on the House AppropriationsCommittee, which shenoted wouldsoon come to an end.

“Thank you for believing in me. Mostimportantly,thank you for praying for me,” she said. “It’s not lost on me Iwas never supposed to be here, and everybody considers D.C. to be sometimes adark place. Iknew if Idid anything, Ijust wanted to come up hereand be alight.”

If you didn’tknow better,you’d think Letlow was packing it in and heading home, not trying to trade up to higher office by unseating a much more senior colleague.

Of course, everyoneinthat particularroom did know better

Howtimes change

Fields is only in the second year of hiscurrent tenure, but he’sbeen to Congressbefore —back in the 1990s, untilthe majority-minority districthe represented then was thrown out by the Supreme Court, just as his current districtmay or

may not be. So Iwas curious what changes he’d noticed in his decades out of federal office.

As far as theevent goes,not so many, he said.

“The people arethe same. People come heretohave agood time and to connect to Washington from abusinessperspective. All of that is the same,” he said.

The difference, Fields said, is that what’shappening beyond thecozy hospitality suites at the Washington Hilton feels more present,atleast to him.

“Now,you’rethinking about:Do Ihave to run back to Capitol Hill to keep the government from shutting down?” he said. “The climate outside of this Mardi Gras is so different. Everybody here is from Louisiana, and theywant to have agood time, and everybody’saccommodating. But the atmosphere in the nation is different. There’s so much hostility, so much unrest Youdon’tsee it in the halls of the WashingtonHilton because everybody’sheretorelax. But at the end of the day,asa member of Congress, Ican’thelp but feel it.I feel moreburdened this time.”

UNOinthe House

Louisiana’shigher ed communityhas long shown up in big numbersatWashington Mardi Gras; after all, this is asector that relies on government grants and faces many issues involving federal policy.But one school

that came to Washington with a full agenda this year,the troubled University of New Orleans, has a distinct aim.

UNO has suffered ayearslong enrollment decline thatled to a financial crisis andanow alooming switch from the University of Louisiana SystemtoLouisiana StateUniversity System.

There’sboth excitement and trepidation aboutthe change, and UNO officials came to Washington lesstoparticipate in the usual lobbying andmoretodrum up supportamong folks back home.

Judging by the attendance at its Saturday morning jazz brunch, it was agood call. Indeed, those who got themselves up and out early after the Fridaynight parties saw an impressive show of force.

Describing the school’spotential,Master P, the homegrown music mogul who doubles as the university’spresident of basketball operations, quoted an image Lutnick had offeredupatthe economic development lunchthe day before aboutnot letting great assets sitidle in the garage.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalisewas there,talking about hopes that the newpartnership can attract students. So was

shipbuilderBoysie Bollinger, a past king of WashingtonMardi Gras whose name graces the lakefront university’sschool of navalarchitecture and marine engineering. RicoAlvendia, last year’sking andthe LSU BoardofSupervisors’ transitionteamchair,touted the processofmelding “two world-class brands,” alongside boardchair ScottBallard and severalothermembers.

And newLSU SystemPresident Wade Rousse reminisced about his yearsasa part-time master’s student at UNO andthanked UNO President Kathy Johnson, who was symbolically dressed in purple andsilver to represent oneofthe most visible changes, the Privateers’ switch from blue andsilvertoLSU’shighly recognizable purple andgold. Johnson, Rousse noted, hadinherited a mess andhas been forced to overseewrenching cuts.

“There’s gonna be some hard decisions, but there’s gonna be some great celebrations along the way,and we’re gonna win together,” he said.

EmailStephanieGrace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.

MORENO

Continued from page 1A

part Carnival ball, part lobbying opportunity part bipartisan political convention — the mayor, just three weeks into her term, became the focal point in nearly every conference room, hotel lobby or congressional office she entered.

The attention gave Moreno an opportunity She had been to Washington Mardi Gras as a state legislator and New Orleans City Council member But as mayor, she had more work to do. With the city’s finances in disarray and infrastructure funding in jeopardy, she needed to make her case for funding and deadline extensions with federal officials. She also needed to reintroduce herself to a host of others who could potentially help the city “It’s so much stronger than a phone call,” Moreno said. “Not only are you talking about issues, you’re also building relationships.” Through the icy slush of D.C.’s snowy streets, Moreno bounced between speaking engagements, closed-door meetings and Carnival festivities. She glad-handed with Louisiana’s powerful congressional delegation, Latino advocacy groups and other mayors at a U.S Conference of Mayors meeting.

The trip culminated on Thursday night with the ultimate faceto-face Moreno, Benson, November and Gov Jeff Landry had a surprise meeting with President Donald Trump.

“It was important that he meet me,” Moreno said, “and that we just find a way for the federal government to be more productive with the city of New Orleans.”

A two-day sprint Moreno landed in Washington on Wednesday, the trip for her and her staff paid for with campaign funds, private dollars and grants. Her first stop was to see her closest ally in Congress, U.S. Rep. Troy Carter

“I call her ‘little sister’ and she calls me ‘big brother,’ ” Carter said before Moreno joined her fellow Democrat at the welcome reception in his blue-carpeted office, adorned with Jazz Fest posters and busts of John F. Kennedy, Barack Obama and Harriet Tubman.

Moreno arrived with her chief of staff, Kevin Ferguson. The crowd of small-town mayors, state legislators and Louisiana executives quieted down upon her entrance Before she had a chance to take off her coat, Patrick St. Pierre, the mayor of Lutcher, asked for a photo.

“I’ve been in office for 32 years, so maybe I can give you some advice,” Lutcher told Moreno.

“OK. Sounds perfect,” Moreno said smiling for the photo, one of dozens she took over her trip.

Moreno greeted guests and then made a quick exit. As she left, Carter handed her a stack of invitations for his Thursday night cigar bar after-party She pawned them on Ferguson before jumping into a black SUV on her way to a meeting at the Rockefeller Foundation. Moreno cracked open a can of Coke Zero. Despite her jam-packed schedule, her mind was on New Orleans.

She was supposed to stay in D.C. until Sunday But freezing temperatures were coming to New Orleans She decided to cut the trip short to manage the city’s response.

“If I’m here, I guarantee you something will happen,” Moreno said. Speaking in the first extended interview since taking office Jan. 12, Moreno said her first three weeks have been defined by surprises.

The Mayor’s Office on the second floor of City Hall is “disgusting,” she said. The power outlets in some offices don’t work, and “it looks like it hasn’t been touched since 1980.” A bigger surprise, Moreno said, is that the city has more than 100 bank accounts and “nobody can really figure out where money went.”

Those issues would wait until her return, however The next meeting was aimed at a different problem.

The Rockefeller Foundation, a private philanthropy, helped fund former Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s resiliency efforts. Moreno’s mission: Convince them to help her fix permitting, a top priority and a barrier to businesses in the city

The foundation is supporting the state of Maryland in a partnership utilizing artificial intelligence to improve access to housing permits and government assistance. Moreno and Ferguson fielded questions from the foundation’s president, Dr Rajiv Shah, and senior vice president Derek Kilmer, a former congressman. Landrieu participated via video link.

“If they could help me with permitting, that would be huge,” Moreno said on the elevator afterward. Then it was off to the U.S. Travel Association, where she and Walt Leger III, the CEO of New Orleans & Company, discussed the nonprofit’s 2027 trade show, which will bring nearly 5,000 travel buyers to New Orleans. Later that night, Moreno was feted at a dinner hosted by the Latino Leaders Network. Moreno, who was born in Mexico, didn’t lead with her identity on the campaign trail. But it has come up more and more amid Trump’s immigration crackdown.

“Who I am, where I come from, it’s very important and valuable in the time that we are living in,” Moreno said in remarks at the dinner

Finding common ground

By Thursday, Washington Mardi Gras was in full swing. Three more nights of major events were planned and the Washington Hilton was abuzz. Moreno began her day at the Marriott Marquis, appearing on a panel with the new mayors of Miami and Seattle.

Her next stop was to see a conservative Louisiana legislator at a fundraiser for Back PAC, which supports female candidates regardless of political party

“Beth!” Moreno said as she located state Sen. Beth Mizell, a Franklinton Republican On many policy issues, Moreno and Mizell couldn’t be farther apart. But they found common ground on sexual assault legislation when Moreno was a state representative.

Moreno came to the Back PAC event, in part, so she could talk to Mizell about legislation around rape kits.

Mizell, in a text message, said she doesn’t agree with Moreno on everything, but where they’ve found common ground, they’ve had success.

“I really believe that’s how Louisiana will get many of our problems solved,” Mizell wrote.

At least a dozen Republican officials expressed similar views on Moreno in interviews this week

She’ll need their support come March, when the state Legislature convenes.

Moreno has promised a “robust” legislative agenda, including a potentially contentious bill that would remove the state Legislature from the governance of the Sewerage and Water Board. More meetings followed on Thursday afternoon, including at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Moreno also met with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to discuss his approach to addressing homelessness. Back at the Hilton, she met with U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, the Metairie Republican who serves as the House majority leader The two talk on the phone regularly and she said he agreed to help “troubleshoot” FEMA funding issues around the Municipal Auditorium. She also asked for help sorting out New Orleans’ inclusion on the Trump administration’s “sanctuary jurisdictions” list, which makes New Orleans ineligible for some grant programs.

Moreno then took the elevator to the Hilton lobby, where she spoke with Camardelle and the rest of the crowd before jetting to Benson’s Kennedy Center reception. Following that would be a 007-themed dinner for Mardi Gras King Gray Stream, but a bigger meeting popped on her calendar in the interim.

With only a few hours’ notice, Benson invited Moreno to join her at a meeting with Trump, who was also at the Kennedy Center on Thursday for the premiere of a documentary about the first lady Moreno said she spoke to Trump about the importance of federal support for infrastructure improvements, especially as the city seeks additional time from FEMA to spend $1.7 billion in grants for post-Katrina roadwork. She also touted the efforts of the New Orleans Police Department on reducing crime.

“He seemed receptive to my request He was complimentary of me, which I appreciated. So, you know, we’ll see what happens,” Moreno said.

Trump addressed the meeting in an Oval Office briefing Friday, telling the White House press corps that Moreno was “great,” while offering a slightly different recollection of their conversation. Around the same time Trump was speaking, Moreno was flying back to New Orleans.

Her first stop was the Rosenwald Recreation Center where a makeshift heating center had been prepared in advance of the freezing temperatures.

She spoke with city workers and those seeking shelter and then posted a video to social media recapping her Washington trip.

“It was a jam-packed 48 hours,” she told her 55,000 Instagram followers. “But I was able to accomplish a lot.”

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

In Memoriam CHARLESKYU CHO

Founder, Presidentand CEOofTidyBuildingServices, USA

1949-2026

Charles KyuCho,founder,president andCEO of Tidy Building Services,passed away on January2,2026. He wasthe selfmade American dream: agood manand a greaterbusinessman whoachieved extraordinary successinNew Orleans, hishomeof over 40 years, andwhere he builthis life’s work.

Born in SouthKorea,Charles earned adegreeinelectricalengineering andserved in theKoreanAir Forceasanaircraftmaintenancespecialist. He immigrated to the United States in 1974 andsettled in NewOrleansin1976where he wouldworkinretail management sellingwigsonCanal Street.In 1980,heleftthe wigbusinesstostart Tidy Building Services with nothingmorethan extraordinarycharisma, perseverance and personal effort.

He wouldoften tell hisfourdaughters to follow theirdreams, as long as they were thebest. “Be#1”, he wouldemphasize This core valueexemplifiedCharles andextended to allareas of hislife: in hisworkethic,respect towardsothers, andcommitment to deliver. He ledbyexample,meeting with executives in theday andsurveying jobsites at night, maintainingrelationships at every level. He believed respectwas demonstrated

“Thank youfor everything. Youworked so hard. We respect you, we honor you, andwelove youwithall our hearts.”

– TIDY

throughactionand that leadership carried an obligation to thosewho didthe work.He always made time foreveryone. It wasthese principles that shaped thecultureofthe companyhebuilt andheeventuallygrew thecompanyintoa nationally respected providerofcleaningand building services forcommercialbuildings andhotels across theUnitedStates.

Charles’s passionfor people also extended outsideofhis work andintohis community.Asaleaderinthe Korean community of NewOrleans, he wasinvolvedwith many civicand business organizations: as a former Presidentofthe Korean Chamberof Commerce,President of theAmericanKorean AssociationinNew Orleans, Treasurerof theHurricane KatrinareliefFundfor Koreans, andmemberofthe NewOrleans ChamberofCommerce.

Charles wasanhonorable man. He wasalsofunny,charming, andboundlessly generous, both in spirit andindeed. Known to be practicaland principled,Charles valuedreliability over recognition. Hislegacy livesoninhis children andisreflectedinthe companyhebuilt,the people he employed, thecommunity he served andwiththe standardsheupheld that livesontothisday

In Memoriam

The 2018AsianBusinessExcellence Award presented to Charles,bythe Asian Chamber of Commerce of Louisiana. The award recognizeshis leadership,entrepreneurial achievement,and contributions to the business community in Louisiana.

Charlesstandsoutside the Tidy BuildingServices headquarters inMetairie, Louisiana, acompany he founded in 1980 after immigrating to the United States in 1974.

Charles,shown with his family—top left: daughtersElena,Amanda, Brenda;wifeJung; and daughterLenore—is featuredin WINmagazine, outh Korean publication covering prominent rean business leadersaroundthe world.

Trump moved quickly to cut funding deal

BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI and STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump moved quickly this week to negotiate with Democrats to try and avert a lengthy government shutdown over Department of Homeland Security funding, a sharp departure from last year’s record standoff when he refused to budge for weeks.

Some Republicans are frustrated with the deal, raising the possibility of a prolonged shutdown fight when the House returns Monday to vote on the funding package. But Trump’s sway over the GOP remains considerable, and he has made his position clear at a moment of mounting political strain.

“The only thing that can slow our country down is another long and damaging government shutdown,” Trump wrote on social media late Thursday

The urgency marked a clear shift from Trump’s posture during the 43-day shutdown late last year, when he publicly antagonized Democratic leaders and his team mocked them on social media. This time, with anger rising over shootings in Minneapolis and the GOP’s midterm messaging on tax cuts drowned out by controversy, Trump acted quickly to make a deal with Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, of New York.

“Trump and the Republicans know that this is an issue where they’re on the wrong side of the American people and it really matters,” Schumer told reporters Friday after Senate passage of the government funding deal.

Minneapolis killings Senators returned to work

last week dealing with the fallout from the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by federal immigration officers, as well as the killing of Renee Good in the city weeks earlier Republicans were far from unified in their response. A few called for the firing of top administration officials such as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller, the White House chief of staff for policy Most GOP senators tried to strike a balance, calling for a thorough investigation into Pretti’s killing while backing the hard-line immigration approach that is central to Trump’s presidency But many agreed that the shootings threatened public support for Trump’s immigration agenda.

“I’ve never seen a political party take its best issue and turn it into its worst issue in the period of time that it has happened in the last few weeks,” said Sen John Kennedy, R-Madisonville. “Some things have to change.” Democrats quickly coalesced around their key demands.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., said there “was unanimity” around core principles of enforcing a code of conduct for immigration officers

and agents, ending “roving patrols” for immigration enforcement actions and coordinating with local law enforcement on immigration arrests.

It helped that Trump himself was looking for ways to de-escalate in Minneapolis.

“The world has seen the videos of those horrible abuses by DHS and rogue operations catching up innocent people, and there’s a revulsion about it,” said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

“The White House is asking for a ladder off the ledge,” he added.

Avoiding painful politics

Republicans are also trying to promote their accomplishments in office as they ready for the November elections and the difficult task of retaining control of both chambers of Congress.

But the prospect of a prolonged shutdown shifted attention away from their $4.5 trillion tax and spending cuts law, the centerpiece of their agenda. Republicans had hoped the beginning of this year’s tax season on Monday would provide a political boost as voters begin to see larger tax refunds.

Republicans are also mindful of the political damage from last year’s shutdown,

Former La. state representative sworn in as head of U.S. Mint

Mandeville’s Hollis achieves lifelong dream

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — Paul Hollis, a former state representative and BESE member from Mandeville, was sworn into his dream job on Friday by his longtime friend, the speaker of the U.S. House A lifelong coin collector by occupation and avocation, Hollis said he had wanted to be director of U.S. Mint since he was a child.

Speaker Mike Johnson, whom Hollis first met in high school, administered the formal oath of office in a ceremony at the U.S. Treasury attended by several hundred people.

“The speaker swearing me

in with my son by my side, it was a day I’ll never forget and a dream come true,” Hollis said in a text. He now is one the highest ranking Louisiana natives in the Trump administration.

As head of the Mint, Hollis oversees the nation’s gold reserves and runs the facilities in Philadelphia, Denver, San Francisco and West Point, New York, that press the nickels, dimes, quarters and other coins used as currency (Paper money is printed by the Bureau of Engraving & Printing.)

Hollis also is in charge of designing the coinage. His immediate focus is producing and distributing a series of coins commemorating the 250th anniversary of the July 4, 1776, signing of the Declaration of Independence

He is the first Mint director who made his living buying and selling coins. He

wrote a book, published in 2012. “American Numismatist” recounts the history of coins in context with what was happening in the United States at the time of their production.

Hollis and Johnson met as high schoolers in the Louisiana Association of Student Councils. Hollis and Johnson renewed their friendship while both served in the Louisiana House of Representatives. Johnson, R-Benton, went on to become speaker of the U.S. House.

Hollis was elected to the Legislature in November 2011; and then in 2023 he won a position on the Board of Elementary & Secondary Education, representing northshore communities, including parts of Covington and Slidell.

He is the son of the late state Sen. Ken Hollis, R-Covington.

when they took a slightly larger portion of the blame from Americans than Democrats, according to polling from The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research.

“The shutdown was a big factor, negative for the Republicans,” Trump told Republican senators at the White House in November

On a practical level, this funding standoff threatened to destroy months of bipartisan work, including long hours over the holiday break, to craft the 12 spending bills that fund the government and many priorities back home.

“We saw what happened in the last government shutdown in regards to how it hurt real, hardworking Americans,” said Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “I don’t want

that to happen again.”

Two-week battle begins

The agreement reached this week, if passed by the House, would avoid a prolonged shutdown and fund nearly every federal department through the end of the budget year in September

But it would not resolve one of the most difficult issues for Congress and the White House: DHS funding.

Instead of a full-year deal, funding for the department was extended for just two weeks, giving lawmakers little time to bridge the deep divides over immigration enforcement.

Democrats are pressing for changes they say are necessary to prevent future abuses, including requiring immigration agents to wear body cameras, carry clear identification, end roving patrols in cities and

coordinate more closely with local law enforcement when making arrests. Many Democrats also want tighter rules around warrants and accountability mechanisms for officers in the field. Those demands have met stiff resistance from Republicans. Some are opposed to negotiating with Democrats at all.

“Republicans control the White House, Senate and House. Why are we giving an inch to Democrats?” Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., wrote on social media.

Republican senators said they would take the fight to Democrats by introducing their own bills, including restrictions on “sanctuary cities,” to show their support for Trump’s policies. That term is generally applied to state and local governments that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

MajorprojectsacrossLouisiana aremoving from announcementtoreality.Morethan $76 billion in capitalinvestment is creating over 70,000 jobopportunities,with averagesalariesexceeding $90,000 The work spansacrossenergy, manufacturing, infrastructure andlogistics to grow Louisianacommunitiesstatewide

Israeli strikes kill 30 Palestinians, including children

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, SAMY MAGDY and SAM METZ Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

Hospitals in Gaza said Israeli strikes killed at least 30 Palestinians including several children on Saturday, one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire, a day after Israel accused Hamas of new truce violations.

The strikes hit locations throughout Gaza, including an apartment building in Gaza City and a tent camp in Khan Younis, said officials at hospitals that received the bodies. The casualties included two women and six children from two different families. Another airstrike hit a police station in Gaza City, killing at least 14 and wounding others, Shifa Hospital director Mohamed Abu Selmiya said.

The strikes came a day before the Rafah crossing along the border with Egypt

is set to open in Gaza’s southernmost city All of the territory’s border crossings — the rest are with Israel — have been closed throughout almost the entire war Palestinians see Rafah as a lifeline for tens of thousands needing treatment outside the territory, where the majority of medical infrastructure has been destroyed. The crossing’s opening, limited at first, will occur as the U.S.-brokered IsraelHamas ceasefire plan moves into its second phase. Other challenging issues include demilitarizing the strip after nearly two decades of Hamas rule and installing a new government to oversee reconstruction.

Egypt, one of the ceasefire mediators, in a statement condemned the Israeli strikes in the “strongest terms” and warned that they represent “a direct threat to the political course” of the truce. Qatar, another me-

diator, in a statement called Israel’s strikes a “dangerous escalation” and said continuing them poses a “direct threat” to the political process.

Nasser Hospital said the strike on the tent camp in Khan Younis caused a fire,

killing seven, including a father, his three children and three grandchildren.

Atallah Abu Hadaiyed said he had just finished praying when the explosion struck. “We came running and found my cousins lying here and there, with fire rag-

ing. We don’t know if we’re at war or at peace, or what. Where is the truce? Where is the ceasefire they talked about?”he said, as people inspected ruins including a bloodied mattress.

Shifa Hospital said the Gaza City apartment building strike killed three children, their aunt and grandmother

“The three girls are gone, may God have mercy on them. They were asleep, we found them in the street,” said a relative, Samir Al-Atbash, adding that the family were civilians with no connection to Hamas. Names were written on body bags lined up at the foot of a wall.

Shifa Hospital said the strike on the police station killed at least 14 including four policewomen, civilians and inmates. The hospital also said a man was killed in a strike on the eastern side of Jabaliya refugee camp.

Hamas called Saturday’s

strikes “a renewed flagrant violation” and urged the United States and other mediating countries to push Israel to stop them. “All available indicators suggest that we are dealing with a ‘Board of War,’ not a ‘Board of Peace,’” senior Hamas official Bassem Naim said on X, questioning the legitimacy of the Trump administration-proposed international body meant to govern Gaza.

Israel’s military, which has struck targets on both sides of the ceasefire’s dividing line, said its attacks since October have been responses to violations of the agreement. It said Saturday’s strikes followed what it described as two separate ceasefire violations a day earlier, in which Israeli forces killed three militants who emerged from a tunnel in an Israelicontrolled area of Rafah and four who approached troops near the dividing line.

Power outages hit Ukraine, Moldova as Kyiv struggles against cold

BY SUSIE BLANN Associated Press

a commitment

the

battles one of its

winters in years.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that the outages had been caused by a technical malfunction affecting power lines linking Ukraine and Moldova.

The failure “caused a cascading outage in Ukraine’s power grid,” triggering automatic protection systems, he said.

Blackouts were reported in Kyiv, as well as Zhytomyr and Kharkiv regions, in the center and northeast of the

the electricity supply,” Moldova’s Energy Minister Dorin Junghietu said in a post on Facebook. “I encourage the population to stay calm until electricity is restored.”

The large-scale outage followed weeks of Russian strikes against Ukraine’s already struggling energy grid, which have triggered long stretches of severe power shortages.

Moscow has sought to deny Ukrainian civilians heat, light and running water over the course of the war, in a strategy that Ukrainian officials describe as “weaponizing winter.”

will experience a brutally cold period stretching into next week Temperatures in some areas will drop to minus 22 degrees, Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said.

Trump said late Thursday that President Vladimir Putin had agreed to a temporary pause in targeting Kyiv and other Ukrainian towns amid the extreme weather

country respectively. The outage cut water supplies to the Ukrainian capital, officials said, while the city’s subway system was temporarily suspended because of low voltage on the network. Moldova also experienced

major power outages, including in the capital Chisinau, officials said.

“Due to the loss of power lines on the territory of Ukraine, the automatic protection system was triggered, which disconnected

While Russia has used similar tactics throughout the course of its almost four-year invasion of Ukraine, temperatures throughout this winter have fallen further than usual, bringing widespread hardship to civilians.

Forecasters say Ukraine

“I personally asked President Putin not to fire on Kyiv and the cities and towns for a week during this extraordinary cold,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. Putin has “agreed to that,” he said without elaborating on when the request to the Russian leader was made.

The White House didn’t immediately respond to a query seeking clarity about the scope and timing of any limited pause.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed Friday that Trump “made a personal request” to Putin to stop targeting Kyiv until Sunday “in order to create favorable conditions for negotiations.” Talks are expected to take place between U.S., Russian and Ukrainian officials on Sunday in Abu Dhabi. The teams previously met in late January in the first known time that officials from the Trump administration simultaneously met with negotiators from both Ukraine and Russia. However, it’s unclear how many obstacles to peace remain. Disagreement over what happens to occupied Ukrainian territory, and Moscow’s demand for possession of territory it hasn’t captured are a key issue holding up a peace deal, Zelenskyy said Thursday

EDUCATION

McMahon aims to shutter Education Dept., ‘fire’ herself

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

U.S. Secretary of Education

Linda McMahon will be happy if she’s the last person ever to hold that title.

A former pro-wrestling executive, McMahon was tapped by President Donald Trump to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, which Republicans have long criticized as inefficient and an encroachment on local control of schools.

“I will be considered a success by the president when I have fired myself from my job,” McMahon said last week during a visit to New Orleans. Over the past year, she has worked quickly to take apart the Education Department — what she calls its “final mission” — by handing some of its duties to other agencies and shrinking its staff by about half.

The department’s diminished Office for Civil Rights has sharply cut back on investigations, leading to a mounting backlog of complaints by families who say their children face discrimination based on their race, sex or disability Even as McMahon promises to “return education to the states,” she has continued to use the agency’s authority to impose Trump’s vision on public schools. In an effort to eliminate programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion or DEI, the department has canceled grants, temporarily frozen school funding and investigated diversity initiatives at universities, including Tulane.

McMahon is touring the country to promote a staunchly pro-American approach to history and civics education tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary this year

The Times-Picayune | The Advocate spoke with McMahon during her New Orleans tour stop about her push for “patriotic education” and plan to eliminate her own job.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity

What’s the idea behind touring the country? And what brings you to Louisiana for a second time?

I’ve gone to K-12 schools, middle schools, high schools. I’ve been to micro schools and public schools and private schools.

I really want to see what the best practices are.

The Department of Education does not control curriculum in the country, but by the end of this tour, I would like to be able to put together a toolkit of best practices for states to take a look at. Some states are not being as

innovative and creative as Louisiana is.

President Trump has called for “patriotic education.” How would you define that?

The president’s goal is really to unite the country because it is incredibly diverse at the moment.

He’s really hopeful that this celebration of patriotism, of respect for the flag, of respect of our rights, and a recelebration of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution will reinforce to all of our citizens, not just our students that this is the greatest country in the world.

And by the way, there are many institutions of higher learning now that are establishing civics centers on their campuses. They are really going back to the basics of teaching about the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, our Founding Fathers, because we really have kind of lost sight of all that.

When people hear “patriotic education,” some might question whether that also in-

cludes teaching students about the darker chapters of U.S. history, such as slavery and racial segregation. Do you think students should learn that history even if it makes them feel uncomfortable?

I was asked that question recently and I said, “Well, there is really only one history.” Maybe some parts of it you’re prouder of than others, but there’s only one history of the country and it should be told in full.

We should look at where we’ve come from, the changes we’ve made, the progress of where we are today It’s something to be proud of in our country President Trump has criticized institutions like the Smithsonian for focusing too much on “how bad slavery was.” Some people say schools shouldn’t teach students to feel ashamed about America.Are you concerned about that?

No. I say you teach them everything so that they can appreciate how far we’ve come.

Slavery didn’t begin in the United States. It began in other parts of the world. And to try to carve it out and say it didn’t happen here or that we didn’t overcome it and make great strides, I think does a disservice to our country

The president has talked about “radical” civics education and schools “indoctrinating” students. Is that something you’ve seen when visiting schools?

I have not seen that. The Department of Education does not establish curriculum anywhere. We don’t hire teachers. We don’t buy books. That’s done at the state level.

I think state superintendents working with local districts and teachers and parents — that’s the way education really needs to be. Which is why the president absolutely wants to make sure that

WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE HOW TO TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA SCHOOLS.

the bureaucracy is taken out of education, education’s returned to the states, that there no longer is a Department of Education in Washington.

As you’re visiting schools, lifting up best practices across states, giving that kind of guidance, how does that fit in with getting rid of the Education Department? Would those things be possible without a federal role in education?

Well, there’ll always be a federal role. Congress appropriates money Title I (for schools serving poor students), IDEA money (for special education) will continue to flow through. And let’s not forget that before 1980, there was no Department of Education, and those funds still flowed to the states.

We can reduce the regulatory environment for the states that are participating with these grants, and we can take off some of the strings so that we can make it operate more efficiently and get more money to students. That really is the goal.

I’ve heard concerns from some parents, and you probably have too, that the Education Department is no longer investigating complaints they submit about special education or other issues related to students’ civil rights.What would you say to those parents?

How did it happen before there was a Department of Education?

We have an Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Justice. We have an Office of Civil Rights in the Department of Education. So it’ll be merged with one of the other agencies when we’ve made that full distribution of the departments.

But parents will always have that right.

Pain andSciatica

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LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Congress grapples with budget falloutfromMinn. killings

WASHINGTON —Softened rhetoric, personnel changes andthe willingness of President Donald Trump to negotiatewith Democrats in hopes of avoidinganother government shutdown have created confusion for many in Congress.

Democratic senators balked at funding the Department of Homeland Security,which includes the money for FEMA, largely because of violence involving frontline officers withICE and the Border Patrol who are tasked withfinding anddeporting immigrants who entered the country illegally Approval of the DHS budget— which includescritical funding for FEMA —already wasshaping up as aclose vote. Then thebattle lines hardenedfurther after Alex Pretti, aU.S.-born nurseataveterans hospital,became thesecond American citizen killed in Minneapolis.

Initially,Trump administration leaders painted Pretti as agunwielding domestic terrorist. But numerous videos taken from different angles showed arestrained Pretti shot repeatedly in the back.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said, “What ICE is doing outside the law is state-sanctioned thuggery.”

Most GOP leaders remained silent. Afew Republicansargued the credibility of the immigration control effort was at stake, including U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-North Carolina. Their statements indicated fear of potential backlash to what has been one of the GOP’sbest issues against Democratic candidates.

immigrants, Cassidy said: “DHS funds FEMA. Notfunding FEMA just as communities are requesting help after Winter Storm Fern is not smart.”

The mainchallenger forCassidy’sreelection in November is U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow,aRepublican from Baton Rouge whohas Trump’sendorsement.

Letlow’s staffsaid in astatementThursday on Noem that she trusts Trumptodetermine who “he needs” and that she wants to see the Senate endorse the Homeland Security bill as it passed the House.

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, RLafayette, agreed, writing on X, “I’m an immovable ‘no’ on anything that doesn’tsupport law enforcement frontline hard-edge operations.”

Sen. John Kennedy,R-Madisonville, spoke from the Senate floor Wednesday saying federal agents should follow due process and equal protection standards —that is, law enforcement needs to have “reasonable suspicion” to stop someone and question them without probable cause.

Kennedy said mostconfrontations involved criminals, many times with felons.

His post was read more than 3million times.

Thepresidentsent border czar TomHolman to Minneapolis with instructions to mediate among federal, state and local authorities.

Meanwhile, Trump and Schumer then worked out adeal that would allow the other five spendingbills to clear theSenate and

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, took to social media quickly after Pretti’skilling: “The events in Minneapolis are incredibly disturbing. Thecredibility of ICE and DHS are at stake. There must be afulljointfederal and state investigation.”

Landrypens NYT op-ed on Greenland

In his role as PresidentDonald Trump’sspecial envoy to Greenland, Gov.Jeff Landry wrote in an op-ed piece for the New York Times on Thursday that the U.S. needs “total,unfettered access”to the giant island territory Following up on the “framework” that Trump announced last week in Davos, Switzerland, Landry wrote that the U.S. and Denmarkare negotiating an agreement that “would enhance American, NATO and Greenlandic security and reaffirm longstanding trans-Atlantic defense obligations. It would expand America’s operational freedom, support new bases and infrastructure, facilitate deployment of advanced missile-defense systems like the Golden Dome and crowd out hostile Chinese and Russian influence.” Nowhere in the article does Landry repeat Trump’sprevious call for the U.S. to takeover Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark. So far,Greenland and Denmark officials have said they will not turn the country over to theU.S Trump did not push that demand

in announcing the framework of adeal.

Capitol Buzz STAFF REPORTS

The opinion article marks Landry’smost prominent role since Trumpnamed him special envoy just before Christmas. Foreign policy experts have notedLandry has no experience in international diplomacy, much less European affairs, and did not attendakey meeting two weeksago at the White House with Vice President JD Vance, SecretaryofState Marco Rubio and theforeign ministers of Denmark and Greenland

In thepiece, Landry noted that U.S. troopshelped defend Greenland from Nazi Germany during World WarIIand that theU.S. maintained military bases on the island during the Cold War.

“The reality,” Landry wrote, “is that no nation, or group of nations, is capable of securing Greenlandwithoutthe United States.”

Landry wrotethatTrump’s efforts to establish agreater presence in Greenland reflect “a reinvigoration of the1823 Monroe Doctrineand areassertion of American leadership where it matters most. Nowhere was this more evident than in Venezuela, where decisive action removed the longtimeleader of arepres-

postpone Homeland Security’s appropriations for two weeks to negotiateguardrails for federal agents enforcing immigration laws.

The two House leaders who would be called upon to win House approval in the coming week of any Senate changes to Homeland Securityfunding largely have stayed silent.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,still hadn’tcommented by early Friday House MajorityLeader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson,had defend-

sive regime.”

Until now,Landry has described his role as special envoy only in general terms.Inthe article, he wrote, “My mission as special envoy for Greenland is straightforward: to advance American national securitywhile opening avenues of economic opportunity, including for states like Louisiana.”

BR Republican in race for Letlow’sHouse seat

StateRep.Dixon McMakin, RBaton Rouge, announced Wednesday morning he is running for U.S. Rep.Julia Letlow’s seat representing Louisiana’s5th Congressional District.

“I’mrunning to deliver real wins for Louisiana —not excuses, not talking points, but results. Wins for families. Wins for workers. Wins for our values,” he said in a statement McMakin said he will “stand shoulder to shoulderwith President Trumptoadvance the America First agenda,”including priorities like border security, economic growth benefiting working families, cutting “reck-

ed ICE and the Border Patrol on “Face the Nation” the day after Pretti’sdeath, blaming the Democratic leaders of Minnesota. On theside, Democrats also agitated for theremoval of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, though Trumpcontinued to praise her Cassidy didn’tanswer when asked if Noem should be removed from office. When asked if he supported changes in the way federal law enforcement handle people in their search forundocumented

less spending,” and “crushing woke insanity.”

Letlow last week announced a bid to unseat embattled U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy after she won an endorsementfrom President Donald Trumpdays earlier Afirst-term member of the LouisianaHouse, McMakin is a financial adviser forAltus Wealth Management, licensed insurance agent and owner of aprivate law practice. He also serves as thepublic address announcer for LSU football games. He has abachelor’sdegree and adual degree in business and law,both from LSU.

Alsointhe congressional race are state Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, and Board of RegentsChair Misti Cordell, each of whom announced their candidacies last week.

Larry Davis, amember of the Livingston Parish Republican ParishExecutive Committee, is also running. So are Sammy Wyatt, an administrator at LSU Health-Shreveport whoended a Senatebid to run forU.S. House instead, andRay Smith, alawyer and combat veteran.

About half of the 5th Congressional District includes Baton Rouge andLivingston Parish, and it also includes the Florida Parishes and parishes along the Mississippi River up to Monroe.

“Those ICEofficials, those cops are scared. They’re scared. They’re dealing with someone whocould be armed, someone whocould be dangerous. So, you got apowder keg,” he said. “When protesters choose to protest violently and harass those ICEofficials and blow whistles in their ears and block their way and spit in their faces and curse them and curse their children, they’re giving off sparks in apowder keg and it’snot going to end well in manycases.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

Graves passedonLetlow’s congressional spot

Former U.S. Rep. Garret Graves said Wednesday he will not run to replace U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and represent Louisiana’s5th Congressional District.

“Weare thankfulfor all of the strong support and encouragementtorun forCongress,” Graves said in astatement.

“This is not the timenor office that makes sense. Iwill not be running forCongress this election,” he said.

“There is astrong demand for people-focused representation and leadership in Louisiana. Iam confident the right opportunity to help fill this void will arise in the future.”

Graves served in Congress from 2015 to 2024, representing Baton Rouge and parishes to the south until Louisiana’scongressional map was redrawn. He decided not to seek reelection after he ended up with adistrict he didn’tthink he could win.

Letlow’s decision to join the Senate race prompted speculation that Graves would seize the opportunity to return to Capitol Hill.

THE GULF COAST

HattiesburgkingcakegetsDongPhuongcomparisons

Bakery sells250 aday andruns outquickly

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

Stepping into acasino before noon comeswitha particular kind of guilt, like staring into the blue light of aphone screen the moment you wake up. But on a recent Wednesday morning, it was necessary. We had driven the coastal stretch from NewOrleans to downtown Gulfport, Mississippi,where Loblolly Bakery,aHattiesburg institution, was hosting aking cake pop-up at 10:30 a.m.

The bakery’scakes wreaths of pillowy bread topped with buttercream icing —have become aCarnival staple acrossthe Gulf Coast. The long line snaking toward atable stacked with 75 king cake boxes made that clear.Within 25 minutes, only 15 remained. As one box after another disappearedintothe arms of smiling customers, we were redirected east to the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, where another delivery of Loblolly’sking cakes was en route.

Neon slot machines, blackjack tables and the clinking of digital coins are not particularly pious ways to begin the morning. But perhapsyou —aNew Orleanian, alover of king cake, or both —understand now why it was necessary, especially for aking cake frequently compared to Dong Phuong Bakery’screation, arguably the most sought-afterconfectionof Mardi Gras

Findingthe cake

At the Hard Rock, we

stepped into an elevator thickwithdecades of cigarettesmoke and rode to the second floor, where gamblers stared at glowing screens, sharp-eyed and unblinking as theyclicked buttons. Vintage photographs of the Beatles, Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin covered nearly every wall. Thefew bare patches were scribbledwithquotes— someearnest, others platitudinous— attributedto the greatsofrock ‘n’ roll.

Almost every corner leaned into Americana, except the giftshop, wherea cart of king cakes was being rolled in.Lessthan5 minutes later, aman leftwith seven of them.

King cakes are not confined to New Orleans. Their reach extends across Louisiana,from thetoe to the heel of the boot, and into other parts of the Gulf Coast,including south Mississippi. Thecity’scultural influence has longtraveled outward, and now even one of its smaller bakeries has become part of that exchange.

“From day one, Iwas told that Dong Phuongwas the standard,” saidAndrew Stayer,the logisticsand shipping manager at Loblolly Bakery

The bakery,hesaid, aims to meet andeven surpass thatbenchmark, borrowing inspirationfrom Dong Phuong’smost admired qualities, including the moisture of the bread. Since Loblolly began sellingkingcakes last year,the approach appears to work. Thebakery now suppliesalistofvendors in Mississippi, along with onein Covington,and sells the king cakes online. This MardiGrasseason Stayersaidits Hattiesburg locationsells 250 king cakes aday and runs out quickly

“Wecan’talways promise that you’re going to get a cake,” he said, “But we can promise we’re going to be making them.”

A finalreview

The only flavor available at thegiftshopwas blueberry cream cheese, the bakery’smost popular filling. The cake was decorated with doubloons, beads and festive sugar,witha plastic baby nestled intothe icing. The buttercream icing is slightly thick, layering the softbrioche bread beneath it.The filling, amix of fresh andcrushed blueberries, appears near theend of the slice, matching theicing’s mild sweetness. Is it like Dong Phuong’s kingcake? Not particularly,but art isn’tmeant to be imitated. Loblolly belongs to anew chapter of king cakes, one shaped by Dong Phuong’sinfluence —with richer doughs andhigh-end ingredients —and departs from the simpler versions many generations once knew

Becnel Moore was the first Black student to attend St. Mary’sDominican College, whose campusisnow part of Loyola University’s downtown campus. She went on to spend half acentury teaching Spanish at Dillard, Southern and Xavier universities. But as ayoung woman, she was named queen at apivotal point.

The ball that honored her was held at the New Orleans Municipal Auditorium,once the premier venue for the city’supper crust until it was damaged in Hurricane Katrina. For decades, only White organizations were allowed to host there,but in 1966, the Young Men Illinois Club was the first Black organization permitted to integrate the space.

“Anytime there was an opportunity to make adifference, we took it and we advanced ourculture and our societyand ourcommunity in that way,”she said. “It was important for this particular group to make the initial step and to be ableto integrate that facility.And it’sstillimportant today becauseitisasignificant part of all of our histories, not just formembers of the club.”

Building Blackhighsociety

Despite its name, the Young Men Illinois Club has had ties to New Orleans Carnival since its predecessor, the Illinois Club, started in 1895.

Back then, the “Fatherof Negro Society in New Orleans” Wiley Knight, who founded the club, named it after the Illinois Central Railroad train that traveled between Chicago and New Orleans. He worked as aPullman porter for the train, and during layovers, he and the other Black porters would work as butlers in the homes of wealthy Uptownresidents.

One year,while working as service staff at aball thrown by aWhite social club, Knight saw how the young women, mostly in high school or early college years, were being presented by their families.

“These girlslearned such things as etiquette, they learned how to set atable, they learned how to walk into aroom, they learned how to speak socially,” said Lawrence Robinson, ball captain and the longest-standing member of Young MenIllinois.“ThePullman porters noticed that the young White girls were being presented, and then they thought that they could do the same for the young Black girls in New Orleans.” Knight would eventually launch his own Uptown dance studio, where he and other club members taught young debutantes. The Illinois Club heldits own annual ball until the 1926 split over who would be named queen. The remaining members changed its name to the Original Illinois Club, which also still exists today

Both clubs are the subject of anew exhibit at The Presbytère in Jackson Square,

MenIllinois hasseen New Orleansthroughmanyups and downs, but the aftermath of HurricaneKatrinawas amongits most significantin recent history

William “Bill” Aaron’s two older daughtershad been celebrated at previous Carnival balls, and in 2006, his youngest daughterwas chosen to be queen. But shenever got the chance to be formally crowned with so much of the

city’spopulation scattered across the country

When theballreturnedin 2007, “it wasa big year for the club and the city as well,” Aaron said. “A lotofpeople didn’tthink thecity would come back. .There wasa feeling that alot of institutions would not come back.

“Itwas about going back to normalcy and forpeople in New Orleans, anormal routine is Carnival season.”

After Katrina, Orleans Parish Civil Court Judge Omar Mason and hiswife, Carla Bringier-Mason, settled in Houston andhad two daughters. Wageswere higher there, the cost of living was lower,and they had all the

Scooter

called “Origins of New Orleans Black Carnival Society: TheStory of theIllinois Clubs.”

When Robinson joined Young Men Illinois in the late 1970s, the group still hadthree originalmembers. Havingheldnearly every position in the club overthe years, including president, Robinson said he’sbeen proud to be part of the brotherhood. But, at 75,he’salso gladtosee excitement is not waningashehelps ensure the club will outlast his lifetime

“Members have called me from the hospital where their daughter was bornto say,‘put my daughter on the list for queen,’”helaughed.

“There’s alist projecting decades into the future. Now thereare somemembers puttingtheir granddaughters’ names on the list.”

They are just girls now,he said. Butthesewill be the young Black women leading thefutureofNew Orleans, following in the footsteps of past queensand debutantes who have gone on to become business leaders, educators andgovernment officials at everylevel.

“They come back and serve their communities well,” Robinson said.“They become leaders in New Orleans circles.”

Steepedintradition

In thepast century,Young

amenities of amajor city.But Houston could never replace theNew Orleansculture, Omar Mason said.

“Sitting at my computer in my office on Mardi Gras Day watchinglivestreams of the parades, we were missing that cultural connection,” he said. By 2014, he had joined the Young Men Illinois Club and addedhis daughters to the list forqueen. He wanted them to grow up steeped in the Carnival culture. It wasn’tjust about attending theparties. Masonsaid he used the debutante balls as motivation. As each debutante is announced,their list of accomplishments near-perfect grades, college acceptances,community involvement —are read to thecrowd. Evenbeforehis daughters Jade and Sydney Masonwereinhighschool, he wasencouraging them to look to the older girls as role models.

After years of anticipation andmonthsofetiquette lessons, waltz practices and shopping forthe perfect whiteballgown, 17-yearold Sydney Mason is now a queen.

“It’sexciting being the centennial queen,”saidthe senior at St. Mary’sDominican High School. “It shows that Young Men Illinois is bigger than me.There’salegacy here.”

She now gets to experience what it’slike to have parents of younger girls approach her family and rave about her 4.0 GPA, membership in several honor societies and participation in the city’steen council. “It does feel strange because I’ve alwaysbeen the younger person,” Sydney said. But she’ll get plenty of time to adjust as shespends the next year reigning as queen at all the Young Men Illinois Club events until the next queen is crowned. For now,she’slooking forward to serving in hernew role and honoring the legacy she has been inducted into. Email Desiree Stennett at desiree.stennett@ theadvocate.com.

PARTY ON

ABOVE: Glass Half Full co-founders Franziska Trautmann and Max Steitz ride as royalty in Saturday night’s Krewe du Vieux parade. LEFT: The notoriously raunchy krewe’s theme for 2026 was ‘Krewe du Vieux Saves the Wet Glands.’ BELOW: Revelers march through the Marigny during the parade.

New highway sparks growth in Bush-Talisheek area

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A letter in October from St Tammany Parish government to 400 homeowners living near the new La. 3241 struck resident Rhonda Silva as odd. The letter said the parish was proposing new zoning regulations around the long-planned highway that will cut across 20 miles of rural eastern St. Tammany Parish once finished.

Under the plan, there would be town centers in the Bush and Talisheek areas similar to historic downtown Covington. Between the town centers would be a zoning overlay that would allow up to 12 homes per acre in what has historically been a sparsely populated region, with many of the homes on large pieces of land.

“My first inclination was, ‘people need to know about this,’” recalled Silva, who owns a 10-acre farm with geese and fig trees in the unincorporated community of Bush near La. 3241. In the months since, Silva and some other residents of Bush and Talisheek have organized a

More closures could be ahead for schools

After three years, school board warns more could happen

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

The Jefferson Parish school board surprised many families in 2023 when it announced a restructuring plan due to declining enrollment and aging buildings. Several schools would be shut down, students would be sent to new campuses and a few new schools would be built. Three years later, many of the plans have come to pass. Thousands of students were affected when the district shuttered six of its schools, mostly on the parish’s West Bank. Most kids were sent to 12 other area schools, while two schools were moved into new buildings. A seventh school is set to shut down at the end of this school year As broad as the district’s downsizing has been, it could be just the start. In recent weeks, board members have warned that more closures will be necessary as the district continues to lose students, with enrollment dropping from 50,500 in 2018 to around 45,000 last year

‘Haunted’ Magnolia Mansion will soon be The Whit

editor

Boutique hotel will offer luxury and friendly vibes

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

and

and we felt like this project was the right fit for that,” said Gretchen Trauth, CEO of Metairie-based ERG Enterprises. Trauth said ERG, which acquired the property following a protracted legal battle with its former owner, plans to spend close to $12 million on renovations, which include the addition of a swimming pool and a planned greenhouse-style building for hosting events.

“This place really needed some

NorthLa. escaped inmatesrecaptured

BY KASEY BUBNASH Staff writer

All eight inmates who escaped the River Bend Detention Center in Lake Providence early Friday havebeen recapturedand returned to police custody,Louisiana State Police announced overnight. The last of the fugitives were apprehended by 12:15 a.m. Saturday,nearly 24 hours after they were first reported missing from the jail.

Destin Brogan, Krisean Salinas, Kolin Loney,Kevin Slaughter Jr., Trenton Taplin,Kopelon Vicknair,Savion Wheeler and Hugo Molina were reported missing from the north Louisiana jail at 1:20 a.m. Friday,prompting a multi-agency manhunt thatin-

volved several local andstate law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Marshals Service and the FBI. Three of theinmates, Taplin,Molinaand Wheeler,were captured by 4p.m., andLoney and Slaughter were found by 10 p.m. State Policedid notsay where the inmates were being heldSaturday or whether theywould be booked with new counts related to the escape. Neither StatePolice nor the East Carroll Parish Sheriff’s Office provided detailson how the eight men broke out of the jail. Police said all eightinmates areconsideredviolent offenders, and at least half werebeingheld on murder accusations.

its schools more efficiently

SCHOOLS

Continuedfrom page 1B

The district did not respond to arequest for commenton theprocess.

high school in thedistrict thatwould acceptAfrican American students.

Newbuildings opening

Clay Moise, who has served on theboardsince 2019, said the consolidations are necessary to save the districtmoney and give it an opportunity to bring moreofits buildings, which have an average age of around 60 years, in line with modern standards.

The finalstage of the restructuring involvestwo new buildings that areset to open theirdoors later this year

The futureofthe campus is unclear,but Moise said there are afew dealsinthe worksthatwould keep the building standing.Hedeclinedtoprovide more information, citing concern about disrupting pending negotiations.

Gretna enrolledabout 700 students in grades 6-8. After it closed,studentswere reassigned to Livaudais Middle School andMarrero Middle School, and the vacated building was taken over by Thomas Jefferson Academy for Advanced Studies.

What comesnext?

“Westill have moreseats to educate far more childrenthanwehave in the district,” he said, “The bottom lineis, we’re over capacity.”

Bunche Elementary, whichtook in students from Washingtonwhen that school closed,now has more than 500 studentsat an outdated school building.

Built in 1968, Grace King High School in Metairie was atraditionalhigh school that servedaround 1,400 students in grades 9-12 before it was shut down.

It’snot entirely clear what’sinstore forthe school systemasitcontinues to weigh additional closures.

Starting in August, Bunche students will join students from Harris Middle School at acombined K-8 building currently beingbuilt on Bunche’sMetairie campus.

The restructuring has been markedbysomecontroversy,including abacklash from parents overthe shuttered schools, afederal investigation and ballooning costs.

Once the new school opensinAugust, the old Bunchebuilding will be torn down to expand the parking lot,officials said.

The campus is nowbeing usedbyHaynesAcademy students.Studentswho previously would have been zoned for Grace King have been rerouted to Bonnabel HighSchool in Kenner or Riverdale High School in Jefferson

Critics argued theshuttered schoolsweremajority Black, Hispanic or had large numbers of students with disabilities, prompting the U.S. Department of Education to open an investigation, thestatusofwhich is unclear.Months later,the board nearly doubledthe initial cost estimates for its newbuildings,citingunexpected supply chain issues.

Still, some familiesand staff at consolidatedschools say that despiteinitial challenges, things have started returning to normal.

At Bunche Elementary, which took in nearly 200 studentsand several teachersfrom Washington Elementary at the start of the2023-24 school year, principal Monya ThomasCriddle made every effort to let her students and staff knowtheywere part of the “Bunchington” family

“There was alearning curve,”said Thomas-Criddle, whowas namedLouisiana’s Elementary School Principal of the Year in 2024. “But they were open and willing to learn.”

Jefferson Parish Superintendent James Gray,who hasoverseenthe restructuring,has said in thepast thatthe plan was an opportunityfor the district to optimize its facilitiesand staff

Projected to open in Novemberatthe site of the former Helen Cox High School in Harvey,the new St.Ville K-8 school will take in nearly 900 students from thearea, including some from Marrero Middle.

Initially expected to cost $38million perschool,the board revised itsinitial estimates, approving acost increase to $62.4 million perbuilding in 2024, citing increased costs due to supply chain issues.

Shutteredschools

Since thedownsizing started in 2023, the district hasclosedthree elementary schools, one middle school andtwo high schools, most of which werelocated on theparish’sWestBank LocatedinKenner, Washington Elementaryserved grades K-5 but was underenrolled, with just 270 students.Most were sent to Bunche Elementary,despite pushback from some community members who alleged that schools with majority of Black or Hispanic student populations were targeted forclosure.

Advocates sought to obtain landmark status for Washington, which was paid for andbuilt by Black communitymembersinthe 1930s to serve as theonly

About800 studentsin grades 9-12 wereattending Harvey’sHelen Cox High School when it was shuttered due to its aging campus, which opened in 1969. The school was demolished in 2024,and thenew St Ville PreK-8 school is beingconstructedonits site. Moise said the new school is scheduledtoopeninNovember Oneofthe oldest buildings to close under the district plan, Butler Elementary in Westwegowas built in 1923 andserved roughly 350 students in grades 3 and4

District officials had initially plannedtosellthe building to the parish for $2 million. However,plans to turn the building into acommunity center fell through. Late last year,areal estate development company agreed to purchase the property for $450,000 once thebuildingisdemolished, which is expected in the coming months

Mildred HarrisElementary in Westwego served grades K-5. Thebuilding has been demolished, and its students relocated to Cherbonnier Elementary andEmmett Gilbert Elementary. Gretna Middle School in

Board membershave declined to speculate, but at leastone more school, George Cox Elementary in Gretna, is settoshutterin 2027. The board also purchased a$9.4 million plot of land in Westwego last month with the intention of eventually building another large school at thesite, though no formal plans have been released.

Last time the board elected to close schools, it worked with consultants to determine howbest to reduce operating costs, improve student transportation and provide more equity among campuses aftera 2018 report showed that the district wasdoing a poor jobofusing the space it had.

When it comes to deciding what schools will be on thechoppingblock in the future, however,the board’spriorities “change literally every year depending on where the population is and how it’s moving through ourschool system,” Moise said. But, he added, “there are definitelymore school closures planned.”

love,” she said. “And we’re here to give that.”

The 169-year-old building, officiallyknown as the Harris-Maginnis House,was a private residence until 1938, when the daughter of its second owner donated it to the American Red Cross.Itwas laterowned by achurch and acommercial real estate venture.

In 2001, Tina Turner impersonator Hollie Vest purchased the property for $1.3 million and converted it into abed-and-breakfast that became known as the Magnolia Mansion and featured themed guest suites like “Vampire Lovers’Lair,” “Moulin Rouge” and “Gone with the Wind.”

In the post-Katrina years, it was aregular stop on city ghost tours.

Vest sold it for $1.6 million in 2013 to aventureofformer professional boxer and local political rainmaker Fouad Zeton. With the help of then-City Council member Latoya Cantrell, Zeton got the site’szoning changed fromresidentialtocommercial, added arestaurant to its ground floor and used the mansion for political and cultural events.

In 2018, Zeton signed a deal with George to sell the mansion for $3.85 million. Four years and two lawsuits later,they settled on afinal price of nearly $4.15 million, according to court records.

In 2021,the FBI raided the mansion andseized several large pieces of art during

Continued from page1B

small movement. They have mailed flyers about the plan to around 3,000homeowners and held nearly weekly community meetings. They have T-shirts and signs emblazoned with “Keep Bush Rural” and “KeepTalisheek Rural,” echoingthe shortlived “Make Folsom Rural Again” group that tried to stop aresidential development near Folsom lastyear Silvasaid they have even looked into “incorporating” Bush, which would legally turn it into atown with a local government and ordinances. That is the “nuclear option,” she said, adding that an attorney estimated it wouldcostaround$100,000 to attempt to incorporate which she said was prohibitively expensive. As in other parts of St. Tammany,the residents of Bush and Talisheek worry new development will mean more traffic and drainage problems. Some have accused the parish of trying to urbanize their rural communitieswiththe newtown centers and warned of friction betweendenser communities and nearby farms.

The proposed new zoning plan for Bush and Talisheek is mostly theoretical at this point. St. Tammany Planning and Development Director RossLiner said he has not been contacted by any developers looking to build in the area.

Liner said in an interview that he and some Parish Council members,including Cheryl Tanner of Bush, wanted to getahead of developers by coming up with aset of cohesive regulations. They want to avoid “piecemeal” development, said Erin Cook, asenior planner in Liner’sdepartment.

Still, Liner and other parish officials are paying attention to some of the concerns of the “KeepBush Rural” movement. At apacked meeting in mid-January of around 150 residents at the Village of Sun’stown hall, Tanner and Liner told residents they were scrapping the town centers idea and would postpone another part of the plan by two months. If they can’twork out the plan, Tanner,who represents Bush,saidshe will pull it “and it will never reach the council.” Thecrowderupted into applause.

Notyourtypical highway

The recent concern about development around La.

an investigation of an insurance fraud scheme involving Zeton,anappraiser and aNew Orleans police officer, whoallegedly inflated the valueofpaintings andfalsely reported them stolen. The officer is scheduled to stand trial in March. Zeton and the appraiser havebothpleaded guilty and are set to be sentenced in April.

Reconfiguredrooms

As part of its two-year transformation from the Magnolia Mansion to the Whit, the configuration of the building has shifted significantly

3241 is just the latest twist in the road’slong history. First championed by State Sen. BB “Sixty”Rayburnof Bogalusa in the 1970s as an economic driverfor Washington Parish, the road did not seeits first segment completed until 2024, with asecond segment following in July of last year

Thebid process for the final segment of the highway, which will connect to La. 434 and Interstate 12 in Lacombe, is expected tobegininNovember,saidDanielGitlin, aDepartment of Transportationand Development spokesperson.

Like an interstate highway,oncefinished, thenew, $200 million La. 3241 will be “controlled access,”meaningthere willbenodirect access to homes or businessesoff it, and mostof it will have a65-mph speed limit, Gitlin said.

But parish planners do expect residential growth aroundthe handful of entryand exit pointsonthe highway,which include the intersectionwith La. 435 in Talisheek and the intersections withLa. 40 and La. 41 in Bush.

Hence, the controversial and now-discarded idea of putting town centers with sidewalks and retail shops in Bush andTalisheek.

The St. Tammany Planning and Zoning Commission will decide Feb. 3 whethertoapprove azoningplan to make the southernpart of the road where it connectstoLa. 434 and I-12 more pedestrian- and business-friendly.That has

Gone is theground-floor restaurant,which is to be replaced with six guest rooms anda kitchen. Instead of a full-service restaurant, the hotelwill have acafe, serving breakfast and lunch, and acocktail lounge,which will be open in the evenings

Kyle Brechtel, whose Brechtel Hospitality owns Copper Vine and Fulton Alley and manages local Walk-On’s SportsBistreaux franchises, is overseeing theWhit’s food and beverage program.

Neal Bodenheimer,managing partner of thehospitality group behind Cure, Cane & Table, and Vals, will run an

received relatively little pushback.

What people come for

At themeeting in January Tanner complainedabout the trouble the road has given her “It is not an ideal road and it is hurting thepeople of our parish,” Tanner said.

But for many Washington Parishofficials, thehighway represents alifeline to the interstate system and promises economic opportunity. After connecting to La. 21 in northern St. Tammany Parish, which Gitlin said has been fourlanes since 1974, the road goes to Bogalusa, Washington Parish’sbiggest city Washington Parish President Randy Seal said the parishislooking at ways to encourage smart developmentand is looking forward to welcomingbusinesses because of the road.

He also said that while the parishdoesn’t have zoning laws outside the incorporated cities, it does issue conditionaluse permitsand other things thataffect business development.Itisnot a “free-for-all,” he added.

State Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, who sits in Rayburn’sold seat and represents parts of easternSt. Tammany, said she respected that some St. Tammany residents wantto“keep their rural character.”

“That’swhat people want to come out therefor,” Mizell said.

‘Cautiouslyoptimistic’

When Silvaand her hus-

Art Deco-inspired lounge.

The guest room themes have been scrapped, but the newconceptwill feature special suites for bridesand grooms, as well as afamilyfriendly room.

The renovations are being subsidizedbystateand federal historic rehabilitation taxcredits, but the developers first hadtofixoutstanding violations of local landmarkrules.

SeamusMcGuire of Cicada, the lead architect on the project,said it did not take an expert on architecture to recognizeahistoric elements from the mansion’sprior in-

band,bothretired contractors, first moved to the Bushareain2008, she, like manyother residents in the area, believed thatthe long-promised new highway was a myth.

Butonceconstruction on the project wasunderway sherealizeddevelopers weregoing to comeand she said she is open to small-

carnations.

“The previous renovations, they did alot of bad things,” McGuire said. “They actually installed adozen vinyl windows —that’snot to code —sobefore we did anything, we hadtobasically clean up allofthe red flags on the property.”

McGuire said all the building’smechanical elements have beenreplaced,with asignificant portion of the renovationbill dedicated to deferred maintenance issues.

“There’s alot of money in the walls that you’ll never see,” he said.

Detailstobedetermined

While the hotelwill begin accepting reservations in Marchahead of itsscheduled September opening, it will not include the newexteriorevent space planned forthe west side of the mansion.

Thataccessory structure, which will be manufactured off-site, is keytothe hotel’s business model because it will allow for more frequent outdoor private events withoutthe need to get aspecial events permit everytime. Building the structure fromthe ground up and with all the infrastructure needed will make the venue more appealing forwedding andevent planners,Brechtelsaid.

“Those people push a lot of business to certain places,sothe more we can take careofthe ease of producing awedding here, we think that’ll be better for us,” he said.

The design for the steeland-glass accessory structure is still being finalized and will require approval from city regulators,but the developers hope to have it in placeintimefor the summerof2027.

Also yet to be determined: whether the reports of paranormal activity that made the Magnolia Mansion a featuredlocationfor ghost tour companiesare athing of the past.

“Wethink they left,” Trauth said of the home’s allegedghosts.

Email JonahMeadows at Jonah.Meadows@ theadvocate.com.

scale development. Vincent Wynne, the Village of Sun’sattorney,said at themeeting in January that he had been contacted by developers interested in building up to 2,000 homes in thearea around thehighway The parish’sdecision to pull the idea fortown centersmakes Silva “cautiously optimistic that the parish is listening,” she said. Liner said in an interview that he welcomed theattention to planning and development. “Weneed moreeyes like thatout in the parish in general,” Liner said. Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.

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Obituaries

Arroyo, Mary Kevlin

Mary Kevlin Arroyo, age 80, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away peacefullyat her home surrounded by loved ones on Saturday, January24, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harry J. Kevlin and Anna Descant Kevlin and her brother, Gerard H. Kevlin. Mary is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Joseph A. Arroyo, Jr her daughter Tanya Arroyo Montour (Jim) and her son Chris Arroyo(Tashia); her four cherished grandchildren, Jimmy Montour, Christopher Arroyo, Catherine Montour, and John David Montour. Sheis also survived by her sisters, Jean KevlinLawrence and Alice Kevlin Donaldson. Mary was a New Orleans native and longtime resident of Slidell, Louisiana.She is a graduate of Cabrini High School. She was adevoted parishioner of Our Ladyof Lourdes Church and a longtime volunteer at Our Lady of Lourdes School during the years her children attended. Mary found joy in painting,sewing, and gardening but her greatest happinesscame from spending time withher family, especially her grandchildren. Relatives andfriends are invited to attend avisitation on Monday, February 2nd, from 9a.m. to 11 a.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, Louisiana .A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Lake Lawn Chapel, with interment to follow in Metairie Cemetery.

CharlesJ BallasJr passed away on Monday, January 12, 2026 froman unexpected illness. He was 54 yearsold.Hewas born on October 13, 1971 in Metairie,LA. He attended St.Christopher Elementary andgraduated fromDeLa Salle High School in 1989. He lived in BaySt. Louis, MS wherehewas an avid outdoorsman.Hewas employed by Transocean as a Chief Electrician He is predeceased by hismotherEthel Pollet Ballas. He is survived by hiswifeAshleyGillan Ballas, hisfatherCharles Joseph Ballas(Barbara), histwo sons Bryce (Dallas),Collin,and his daughter Lauren(Dakota), hissisters Victoria Tuck (Stephen) andRaelynn Babin(Bobby). HisgrandchildrenJhase, Kaiden, Declan,Peyton and many nieces and nephews. He wasloved and will be missed by all.

Caillouet, BarbaraNunez

BarbaraNunezCail‐louet,age 83, anativeof New Orleans, Louisiana, passedawaypeacefully on January 24,2026, in Slidell, Louisiana,surrounded by her lovedones. Shewas precededindeath by her beloved husband of 50 years,Rodney“Dookie” Nunez; herparents,Harry and Lois Crute; andstepgrandson, John Taylor Cail‐louet.Together,Barbara and Dookie builta life rooted in dedication to one another,family, anddeep love. Theirmarriagewas a foundationthatshaped generations,and hismem‐ory remained foreverclose toher heart. Barbarais survivedbyher devoted husband of 13 years, RobertCaillouet,whose love, faithfulness,and compassionnever wa‐vered.Through herillness, Robertwas herconstant sourceofstrength, com‐fort, andcare. Hisselfless dedicationand gentle presencewerea true blessing, andthe love they sharedwas evidenttoall who knew them.Barbara alsoleavesbehind, to cher‐ish hermemory, herfour children, Gwyn Ellermann (Mark), RhondaToranto (Mark), RodNunez(Lisa), and Lauren NunezCorwin; her adored grandchildren, LaurenBethancourt Alyssa Reilly,BrynEller‐mann, CorynneLindemann (Drew), Taylor Fabre (Kevin),JoshuaNunez (Molly),Jacob Scully, Alexander Nunez, Nicholas Scully; andher treasured great-grandchildren,Brooklyn,Jameson,Grace Rowe, Van, Miller,Blaire, Ozzy, andBaylor. Addition‐ally, sheissurvived by her step-children,Bobby Cail‐louet (Amy) andShelly Williams (Eric);stepgrandchildren, Bailey Bernard (Taylor),Brady Caillouet, Aubrey Williams, Blake Williams; andstepgreat-grandchildren,Emily Laynie, andLandry, allof whom shelovinglyem‐bracedasher own. Though her friendsknewher as Barbara,her family knew her as “Mawsie.”She was the heartand soul of her family—adevoted mother, grandmother,and greatgrandmother who created a home filledwithuncondi‐tionallove, laughter,and joyfulchaos.She gave self‐lesslyand completely,al‐waysplacing herfamily beforeherself.Asthe beloved matriarch, there was no placeshe would ratherbe than surrounded bythose sheloved.When her four children began playing sports,instead of sitting in thebleachers, Mrs.Barbara” became a well-respectedcoach and mentortomanyyoung ath‐letes at Goretti Playground She forged lastingfriend‐ships with thefamilies and fellowcoaches shemet After herchildrenwere grown, shebegan teaching KindergartenatLakeCas‐tle PrivateSchool,sharing not only the“A,B,Cs and 1,2,3s” with heryoung stu‐dents butalsoinstilling valuablelifelessons.Bar‐baralived afulland vibrant life. She wasanactive memberofthe Kreweof BilgeCarnivalOrganiza‐

tion,a former member of the Poor Man’sYacht Club and served on theCityof Slidell 911 Committee. She treasured hermonthly lun‐cheonswithlifelong friends from John McDo‐nough High School and New OrleansEast—friend‐ships that reflectedher loyalty andwarmth. She never missedanopportu‐nitytodress up in cos‐tume, no matterthe sea‐son,embracing everycele‐bration with creativity humor,and asparkle that brought joytoeveryone around her. Shewas an avidSaintsand LSUfan and sheloved allthings Mardi Gras.Inthe final years of herlife, Barbara faced chronicillness with extraordinary courage, dig‐nity, andgrace.She fought withquiet strength andre‐silience, continuing to showloveand warmth to those around herevenin her most difficult mo‐ments.Her braveryand perseverancewillforever beremembered. Thefam‐ily extendstheir heartfelt gratitude to theSMH ICU staff, namely Alvinand Chris,for theircompas‐sionate care,and most es‐peciallytoDr. Sumitha Ganji,whose kindness, dedication, andgenuine concern throughout this difficult journeywillal‐waysberemembered. Rel‐ativesand friendsare in‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life for Mawsie”onSaturday, February7,2026, at Audubon FuneralHomelo‐cated at 61101 Highway11, Slidell, Louisiana70458 Visitationwillbeheldfrom 9:00a.m.to11:00 a.m. Masswillbegin in the chapelat11:00 a.m. Bar‐barawillbelaidtorestin ForestLawnCemeteryim‐mediately followingMass. In lieu of flowers, dona‐tions maybemadetothe NorthshoreHumaneSoci‐ety or to acharity of your choiceinher memory Memoriesand condo‐lencesmay be expressed atwww.AudubonFuneralH ome.com

Daniel Edward Cambre

September27, 1940January 23, 2026

Daniel Edward Cambre passed away peacefully at hishome on Friday, January 23, 2026. He was 85, anativeofNew Orleans, LA.After marriage to his highschoolsweetheart Mary, they settled into ahome in NewOrleans. Daniel,known as "Dee" to family and friends, started asuccessfulbusiness, Star AutoGlass, and worked for years to expand theglass andmirror business into metropolitan area locations. Dee met many national glasssuppliers and local business owners throughhis contracts with automobiledealerships. He made many friendsin this network and was known forhis creative glass and mirror designs for local theaters and office buildings.Later he openedD's Glass City which he eventuallysold to finallyretire.

Dee and Mary moved with theirthree daughters to theBucktown area of Metairie."Mr. Dee"made new friendsquickly in this neighborhood through his hobbies of crabbing, shrimping,duckhunting, butmost of allfishing.His fishing skills and knowledge drew many more friends and family members to his side. He was known in Bucktown as the man to go fishing with.He spent his retirement years enjoying fishing trips, planting vegetables and caring forhis garden, cooking with his wife, chatting with his friends on his back porch and at theBonnabel Boat Launch, and laughing with his local restauranteurs and staff, whom he loved, on his weekly breakfast and lunch visits after theloss of his wife He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward J. and Danielle Cambre, his loving wife Mary Peranich Cambre, his sister Kay Frey, and his brother JayCambre. He is survived by his three daughters Dale AnnMiller (late John) Andrea' Woolsey (Edward), and Hope Webb, hisbrothers, Tee and Charlie and sisters, Vee and GeeGee. He is survivedby8 grandchildren Kalli(Ryan) Darci

(Jordan) Faith (Andrew) Annette (Rob)Sara (Jonny) Logan (Amaris) Corey (Brooke) and Holli(Paul) and 8great-grandchildren as wellasmany nieces and nephews. Appreciationisextended fromthe daughters to Joey and Lisa forbeing greatand caring friends to Dee,and to Katrina, Felicia, and Earlenefor private home care. Many thanks are extendedtothe staff of Anvoi Hospice for providingguidance and home care as well. Dee was deeply loved and willbemissedbyall who had thepleasureof knowing him. Relatives and friends are invited to visitat10am with amemorial serviceat 11am on February 4, 2026, at Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd, Metairie, LA 70001. To share memories and condolences, please visit https://Tharpcares.com In Lieu of Flowers please consider adonation to City Park Conservancy in memoryofDaniel Cambre https://neworleanscitypar k.org/support-your-park/ donate

Carter, JamesReed'Jim'

James Reed Carter, a resident of Covington, Louisiana, died at his home on Monday, January 26, 2026, at theage of 72. He was thebeloved husband of thelate Susan Knight Carter and loving father to Thomas R. Carter. James ("Jim") was bornatBaptist HospitalinNew Orleans, Louisiana, on February 7, 1953. Jim was part of alarge catholic family.Hewas preceded in death by his parents, William Leitch Carter and Jean Avegno Carter; grandparents, ElizabethCarter and Charles GarvieCarter and Victor Placide Avegno and MaryStallings Avegno; sister, Elizabeth Carter Hope; aunt,JessieCarter, R.N.; and uncles, Albert Kenner Avegno, and John Hillard Avegno, M.D., and Douglas Carter.

In addition to his son Thomas R. Carter, Jimis survivedbyhis siblings, Charles Scott Carter, Nancy Jean Brown (Paul), William Bradley Carter (Carol), and Linda Carter Pembroke(Michael); and brother-in-law, AllenHope.

He also leaveshis nieces and nephews, who willmiss his deep conversations and sageadvice

Jimattended 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 theTulane Law Review. At Tulane, Jimmet hisfuturewife,Susan Knight. AfterTulane Law School, Jimworkedhis entire legal careeratthe law firm of Porteous, Toledano, and Hainkel -laterknown as Porteous Hainkel -until he retired in 2018.

Jim was lovedand will be greatly missed by his family and many close friends.

Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend the graveside memorialservice at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 2, 2026, at St. JosephAbbey Cemetery, 75376 River Road,St. Benedict, Louisiana.

E. J.Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honoredtobe entrusted with Mr. Carter's funeral arrangements.His family invites youtoshare thoughts, memories,and condolences by signing an online guestbookat www.ejfieldingfh.com.

BarbaraDickson Con‐nickwas born March21st, 1934. Shepeacefully en‐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 andmother, and is survived by herfour children, Charlotte Connick Mabry,(Dr.Tom Mabry) BarbaraConnick Chaney,

(JackChaney, deceased), Edwin ToribioConnick (JulieAnn Schmedtje),and MillieConnick Gaines (DavidGaines) andsix grandchildren

Barbarawas agraduateof Mount Carmel Academy and SouleBusinessCol‐lege. Shewas employed as anexecutive secretaryto the administratorofthe SaraMayoHospitalinNew Orleans.Inaddition,she servedasadministrative assistanttoDr. Theodore Simon,Chairmanofthe Or‐thopedicDepartmentat Charity hospital

Shewas involved andquite 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

In 1985, just four years after the firstapparitionof Our Lady Queen of Peace inMedjugorje, Barbarawas 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.

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.

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.

Costello,Sybil Miley

Sybil MileyCostello of Metairie, LA passedaway peacefully on January 14, 2026, at home withher familyafter asecondbattlewith cancer.She is survivedbyher husband of 56 years Carmon, daughter Jennifer (Clay), and numerousnieces, nephews, and cousins. Sheisprecededin death by herparents HermanMileyand Nettie MayFolks, plus two sisters Bobby Magee(Lavoy) and VonWebb (Garland). Sybil wasbornin Franklinton,LAonJanuary 31, 1942. She workedfor theLouisiana Department of Revenue at theCapital AnnexinBaton Rouge in herearly career days and later devotedmany hours to volunteering at different places. Shewas an avid gardenerand lovedwatchingthe honeybeesand butterfliesinher backyard Therewill be acelebration of life on Saturday February 7th from 1-4pm at LeitzEagan Funeral Home at 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd,Metairie,LA70006. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to Tunnel to Towers https://t2t.org/donate/ Fondmemories andexpressionsofcondolences may be sharedatwww.leit zeaganfuneralhome.com.

Michael G. Favaloro, a belovedhusband, father, andgrandfather,was taken from us far too quickly at theage of 70. He was thesteady presence our familyreliedon, theone whoshowedup, stood firm, and loved without limits. He wasthe heartof ourfamily, andhis quiet strength andunwavering devotion shapedsomuch of whoweare today. Michael was born in NewOrleans,Louisiana, to Frederick andElizabeth (Putz) Favaloro. He was thebabyofhis familyof5 siblings. He met hisbest friendand love of hislife,

Nancy, in 1978 while attending USL. Together they built alife rooted in happiness and love centered around their family. He is preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth, and his sister, Anita McShan. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his children, Rachel Perez (Preston) and David (Andrea); sisters, Mary Beth Gulotta and Marjorie Hecker (Larry); and brother, Frederick Favaloro, Jr (Janell). He will always be remembered and loved by his cherished grandchildren,Abigail, Caroline, Eve, and Owen who were his greatestjoy and his proudest legacy. Nothing made him happier than creating memories with his grandchildren; his joy being their grandfather was unmistakable.

Perhaps his greatest gift was the ability to bring people together. Known lovingly as "Uncle Monkey" by his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, he was blessed with the ability to make everyone feel comfortable around him. His laughter, guidance,and steady presence filled every room and every gathering.

Though cancer took him too soon, it could never take the memories, lessons,and love he gave so freely. He lived alife defined by kindness, strength, and quiet generosity; leaving behinda legacy of love that will continue to guide us, comfort us, and hold us together. We are better for having been loved by him and will carry him with us always. He will be missed beyond words and remembered forever.

Visitation willbeheld on Monday, February 9, 2026 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home from 9:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., witha Mass and an intermentto follow. In honor of his generous spirit, the family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to one of the charities he held close to his heart: Krewe de Camp, St. Lillian Academy, or Hogs for the Cause. For information on how to donate in his memory,please contact Rachel or David

Lloyd AdamHebert, on Thursday, January 15, 2026; age, 92. Alife-long resident of Gretna. Preceeded in death by his wife Connie Kleinpeter Hebert and his parents, Tildon and Aimee Hebert. Survived by his children Michael (Kathleen) and Steven (Katherine); grandchildren Andrew(Angela Baux), Amie (Gary), Dennis (Lydia), and Brandon (Cacey); great-grandchildren Serenity, Hudson, Cooper, and Landon. Also survived by his brother Tildon Hebert of Conroe Texas. Lloyd was aveteran of the U.S. Army. He was retired from Avondale Shipyard after 40 plus years. He was along-time member of William D. White Masonic Lodge in Gretna, and amember and officer in numerous Masonic organizations. Lloyd was amember of the Jerusalem Temple Clown Unit as Frenchy the Clown. Amember of Woodland Presbyterian Church, he loved attending and teaching adult Sunday School. Per his wishes, his body was donated for scientific research. Donations may be made in Lloyd's memory to Woodland Church, 5824 Berkley Dr., N.O., LA. 70130.

lovingarms of hisSavior JesusChrist. Hepassed away at Ochsner Main CampusfromBacterial Pneumonia. Hefought 2 otherpneumonias alsobefore being diagnosedwith bacterialpneumonia.He fought for 24 daysat Ochsner Hospital Main Campusbefore his life ended. Marion was exposed to asbestosover45 years agowhen he was employed by Avondale Shipyard that soondeveloped into calcified asbestos. He was married to his devoted love of hislife, Jean Catherine Meliet Hess,for over 78 yearson Saturday, September 20th, 1947inNew Orleans, Louisiana, the dayaftera hurricane landedinNew Orleans and they had to havea candlelight ceremony because there was no electricity. Marion and Jean wererecognized by theGovernor of Louisiana for being the second oldest married couple in the state of Louisiana as of January first Marionwas an American VeteranPatriot whoserved proudly in the UnitedStatesArmy 610 Engineers in Stuttgart, Germanyduring World War II. Marion was afighter fromthe dayhewas born. He told his mother he wanted to enlist in the war when he was 17 because he losta cousinand he believed in himself and America. While in the service, he boxed competitively for the Army team and enjoyedthe camaraderie among hisfellow soldiers.Henever forgot his dog, Lucky, hehad to leavebehind in Germany afterthe war;Luckywas very dear to hisheart. Whenthe war ended, he returned to New Orleans, and that'swhen he met Jean.

Onanoutingtothe DDayMuseum, accompanied by his teenagegreat grandchildren years ago, togetherthey viewed the movie "The Greatest Generation."His greatgrandchildrenwereso touched by the moviethat they calledtheir greatgrandfathertheir Hero. He lovedthe outdoorlife fishing,crabbing, hunting, and enjoyedwatching horseracingatthe New Orleans Fairgrounds with his only son,Marion Ferdinand Hess Jr.They shareda box at New Orleans Fairgrounds together for many years, and they really loved beingtogether and had many great memorabledays together. Theyalsospent many yearshuntingand fishing together at theirlake houseonLake Pontchartrain, Louisiana. Marion's oldest daughter,Deanna Maria Hess Harvey, shared manydays fishing on Bayou St John withMarion,and he taught her how to box, row aboat, catch, clean and fry fish, and how to eat aboiled crab, especially the claws, pitch abaseball, and read aracingformatthe Fair Grounds race track.Ifyou want to immortalize yourself, teach achilda lesson. All these skillsare special and maintains abond that jogs awarm memory of love shared with Marion and Deanna.They lived on MossStreetand Deanna loved when Marioncame home from work so they could go fishing on Bayou St. John and alsoinCity Park.Whenevershe visited Marionand Jean at home and it was time to say goodbye,she wouldalways tell Marion "Auf Wiedersehen" which means "Goodbye, UntilWe Meet Again" in German Marion's oldest granddaughter, Ann Marie remembersPaw Paw calling her Anna Mariaand taking her to City Park to feed the ducks when she was alittle girl. Marion's only grandson, BrettHess, remembersPaw Pawtaking him to the lake house and taking Brettonboat rides inLake Pontchartrain and eating friedfishtogether. Marion's second granddaughter, Bridgett Hess, remembers PawPaw showing herhis vegetable garden and teaching her when the vegetableswere ripped and ready to be picked. All three grandchildrenrememberPaw Paw buildinga ParadeLadder Child Seatfor them to sit on safely so they can watch the NewOrleans Parades on St Charles Avenue together with the wholefamilyand cousins everyMardiGrasDay

Marion and hiswife Jean, loved to dance, and they looked forward to spending their weekends at their house on Lake PontchartrainuntilKatrina swept his beloved lake houseawayinAugust 2005.They wereeach other'sbestfriend fromthe day they met.Marion'sfavoritesayingtoJean for manyyearsbefore he passed awaywas "Good MorningMrs.Jean, Ilove

youwith all of my heart

Marion's youngest daughter, Melissa Ann Hess Daou, lovedand lived to take care of her father until his last breath. Melissa always included her father and mother to everybirthday and holiday celebration for Deanna, MarionJr, Jean, and Marion Sr.They never missed acelebration to enjoytogether, so everyone could be togetherand always remember thosespecial days at NewOrleans Country Club. Melissa lovedcaring forMarion and Jean and she looked forward every dayto speak to them wherever she was in theworld every morning and night. It brightenedher dayto knowMarion was happy, healthy, and smiling. Melissa's husband, Georges, supported Melissa's love for Marion and he loved, accepted, and understood her commitment to her parents from thebeginning. We havebeenincredibly blessed to haveMarion in our life forsomany wonderful,fun years together as afamily

Marion retired after 38 years employed as aforeman at Avondale Shipyards, proudlybuilding military ships forthe Navy fleet

Marion and Jean were thelast Blue Crab Parade King &Queen in February 2005, he was avolunteerat theNew Orleans D-Day Museum,Honored as WorldWar II Veteran, he won many fishing rodeo awards,and was always therewhen his neighbors, friends, and neighborsask for help.Helived with a smile andnever had an enemy.Helived alife withintegrity and loyaltytohis family,friends, and God. Most importantly,heloved unconditionally and thought moreabout the wellbeing of others than himself. He was ahappy, unique, special, courageousgentleman who will be missed forever.

He is survivedbyhis wife, Jean Catherine Meliet Hess; children, Deanna Maria Hess Harvey, Marion FerdinandHess, Jr. (Viviana Mongiat), and Melissa AnnHess Daou (Georges Daou); grandchildren,Ann Marie Castelluccio Thomas (Brian Thomas), Brett MarionHess, and Bridgett Ann Hess; and greatgrandchildren, Alex Thomas(KristenTholen), Jenna Thomas, Connor Thomas, and Cara Thomas. Marionwas preceded in death by his son-in-law, Ernest Harvey, Jr., Marion's parents were GeorgeHess and ElizabethRicks Hess, bothofGerman heritage. Marionwas the youngestof9 siblings: William Hess, Julia Hess Leitz, Anna Hess Wickboldt,Mary Hess Ackermann, JoesphHess, GeorgeHess, Janet Hess Kern, Helen Hess Hanley, and Irma Hess Hartman

Marionhas many wonderful,loving, and caring nieces and nephews he lovedand adored and who loved, adored,and cherishedMarion

We would to thank Marion's wonderful,loving, thoughtful caregivers who never ever left hisside, especiallyAllan Canales, Regina Rodriguez Howe, Becky BeklinEspinoza, JuniethMancebo, and Alejandro Majano

Relatives and friends are invitedtothe services on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Grace Lutheran Church, 5800 CanalBlvd. NewOrleans, LA 70124. Visitation willbeginat 10:00 a.m. until the funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial willfollow at AllSaints Mausoleum, which is within Metairie Cemetery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, LA 70124. A CelebrationofLife reception willbegin from 3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at Metairie Country Club, 580 Woodvine Avenue Metairie, LA 70005.

Joan Ann Lamare, 84, passed away in her home in Houston, Texas,on Friday, January 23, 2026, leaving behind alegacy of intellect, grit,and abig, bright love of learning that she carriedinto every room. Born and raised in NewOrleans, Joan moved throughlife with asharp mind and asteady heart thesortofwoman who couldsolve aproblem, spot potential in others, and make areal connec-

tion in thespanofa single conversation. Joan beganher career as amathematics teacher, then steppedboldly into theITworld during the personal computerboom in the1980s. She started as asystems analyst and worked her way intomanagement roles within alocal NewOrleans firm, later contributing her skilland discipline to quality improvement work at LockheedMartin. At atime when thefield was dominated by men, Joan built her career through competence and perseverance,a trailblazerwho earnedrespect by being excellent at what she did. Shewas a lifelong learner with an instinct for encouraging others, often seeingpromise in people before they saw it in themselves. She is preceded in death by her parents, Wilbert Francis Lamare and CamilleBarron Lamare,her lifelong friend,Elizabeth Kaack, treasured brotherin-law,Douglas Carlos, dear sister-in-law, Terry Fedoroff. She is survived by her twodaughters, MichelleF.Zabaneh and her husband Emilio Bascilio Zabaneh and Charlene Fedoroff;her granddaughter,Kimberly Castillo and her husband Travis Castillo;her greatgrandchildren, Enzoand AzizaCastillo;her godchild, Joan Knox; Kevin Ortega, whomshe loved like ason; herbeloved inlaws Earl and Bridget Lombardo, John Fedoroff, Dianne F. Carlos,along with many cherished extendedfamily members and dear friendswho became familyoverthe years. Honoring Joan's wishes, therewillbenoformal funeral service. The family willinstead holda celebration of herlife in Belize, Central America, home to her daughterand son-inlaw, theirchildren, and the treasured friendsJoan developedover themany decadesoftravel to theregion.

MichelleZabaneh and Charlene Fedoroffwould like to extend special thankstothe doctors, nurses, and medical staff of Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston fortheir warm, compassionate care throughout her pancreatic cancer journey.

Keith Michael Mannina Jr., 44, passedaway on January1,2026, in Powell Wyoming.BornonMay 4, 1981, in Marrero, Louisiana, Keithwas astudent of EarlyChildhoodEducation and Liberal Arts, reflecting his deep curiosityand love forlearning. Throughout hislife, he embraced avarietyofroles with heart and dedication—working as astay-at-home dad, waiter, bartender, and barista. In eachofthese roles, he connected with people through kindness, humor, and authenticity Atrue artist at heart, Keith expressed himself throughcreativityand wit. He was known for his sharp comedictiming.A voracious reader with an insatiable appetite for knowledge,hefound solace in books and inspiration in music. He had a special fondness for NPR radio and an enduringlove forsloths—creatures whose calmdemeanor mirroredthe peace Keith always sought in life Keith walked thepath less traveled and danced to thebeatofa different drum. Hisindividuality was not just atrait buta way of life—one that inspired those around him to embrace their own uniqueness. Aboveall else, Keith wasmost proud of his two daughters, IsabelCury McClean and Esme' Mannina. They were the source of his greatest joy. He is survivedbyhis beloveddaughters Isabel MacLean-Cury and Esme Mannina; His Grandmother Mae DoraMannina Langford, Hismother Christine BuquoiPeters (Chris); his father Keith Mannina Sr.(Gina); his sisterKellieMannina Girouard (Royce); nephews Jackson and Julian, and Step Brother Brad Fabre (Amy), Nephews Blaise and Micah as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends who willcarry forward his memory with love Keith waspreceded in death by his grandparents, JosephMannina and

William andThelma Buquoi. UncleSteve and Aunt Maria. In keeping withKeith's generousspirit,prayers are welcome in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made to alocal food bank, homeless shelter,or Humane Society—causes that reflectKeith's compassion for others MayKeith's memory bring comforttothosewho knew himand serve as a reminder to live authentically, love deeply, and seek peace always. Memorial mass to be held Wednesday, February 4th at 11:00 a.m. Church opensat10:30 a.m. at St Anselm Catholic Church 306 St.Mary Street, Madisonville,LA70447.

AnnC.Moore,a retired Radiology Technician, passedawayon Wednesday, January28, 2026, at theage of 84. She wasbornonOctober 12, 1941, in NewOrleans Belovedwife of 53 years to the lateRobertDennis (Denny) Moore.Daughter of thelateStantonPaul Chassaignac and Katherine O'Brien Chassaignac. Lovingmother of Stanton Emery Moore (Lauren) andMatthew Dennis Moore (Jessica). Sister of Carol C. Watermeier, Mary C. Burks, Louis Riordan Chassaignac, andthe late Katherine C. Martin, Elizabeth C. Leinhardt, and Stanton Paul Chassaignac, Jr.Adoring grandmother of MadelaineRuth Vogel, Shelby AnnMoore,and Emery Rae Moore Annreceivedher Associate Degree in Radiology and was agraduate of MercyAcademy class of 1960. Shewas also askilledseamstress who especially lovedFrench hand sewingand crafting custom garments and dresses for hergranddaughters and nieces. She lovedcooking andenjoyed hosting an extendedcircle of friends andfamilyather Metairiehome,where she and Denny resided for 48 years. Avisitation willbeheld at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, locatedat 5100 PontchartrainBlvd., NewOrleans,LA70124, on February 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Followingthe visitation,a gravesideservice will take place at Lake LawnPark, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to theOchsner Baptist Attack Breast Cancerfundat https://www.ochsner.org/ annmoore. To view and sign theonline guestbook, please visit www.lakelawn metairie.com

Powell SSND, Sr.MarieClare

On January24, Sister MarieClare Powell, School Sister of NotreDame, St Anthony'sGardensinher 99th year, peacefully passed away. She anda youngerbrother Robert were born to Parries(Kell) andCyrilPowell,inCairo, Illinois. Sheissurvived by several cousins. Sister MarieClare had a brilliantmind she used in theministriesofeducation,administration,educationalcommunications andresearch Reflectingonher years of ministry, she stated, "I haveappreciated and promoted thedevelopmentof learningbyall meansprint,radio, television and electronic networks. Ihave encouraged discovery of andrightuse of andright mix of mediated andinperson teaching Ihope to continue using all means in my approach to TRUTH andhelpingothers to do so." Mayshe nowrejoiceas she enters eternallifeand beholdsher God faceto face. Serviceswill be at Most Holy Trinity Church,501 Holy Trinity Dr., Covington, February 3, 2026, with a Prayer/Sharing at 10:30 AM anda Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow in St.Joseph Cemetery at 1:30 PM For acompletebiographyofSisterMarieClare's life go to https://www11.fu neralwebhost.com/nty/obi tuary/SrMarie ClarePowellSSND

Scapin,Nicholas Deamon 'Nick'

Nicholas (Nick) Deamon Scapin(1958-2026)

Nick's twinklingblue eyes, magnetic charisma and gregarious personality brought theworld together withhis razorsharp wit. He combined hispassion for design aestheticand historicNew Orleansprop‐ertiestobecomea trea‐sureinthe localscene;the New OrleansPreservation ResourceCentercele‐bratedhis Arts District Sin‐cer Houserenovationin 2008 after hurricaneKat‐rina. Originally from Pensacola, Florida,Nickpassedaway peacefully surrounded by friends andfamilyinhis New OrleanshomeTues‐day,January 20, 2026. Born September12, 1958, inPensacola,Florida,to Loisand Deamon Scapin, Nickspent hischildhood in his family'sgrocery busi‐ness. Immersed in this neighborhood community Nickgrewupnever know‐ing astranger. He made friends naturally,a skill thatservedhim well throughouthis life. WhileattendingEscambia CountyPublicSchool,Nick conqueredanunprece‐

OUR VIEWS

Court recognizes role of La. musiciansin global industry

Few things unite Louisianans likeour love of music. We are fortunate to live inanareathat boasts awide range of genres —fromCajun andzydeco,blues and bounce, swamp pop and hip-hop, to the grandaddy of themall —jazz. Forming the backbone of all that music are talented musicians and songwriters who live andwork here, often strugglingtomakea living. But arecent ruling from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals gives these artists abetter chanceofreaping the rewardsoftheir workin an increasingly global entertainmentindustry The ruling, whichcould havefar-reaching implications, clarifiescopyright lawinfavor of songwriters in disputes withmusiccompanies whentheir work is used overseas The lawsuit was broughtbyBaton Rouge songwriter Cyril Vetter,who wrote the 1960s hit, “Double Shot (Of My Baby’sLove)” with colleague Don Smith, who later diedinaplane crash. As is often the case, thesongwriters sold their rights to amusic publisherfor a period of time. But Vetter hadsole rights to the song when he terminated his contract with music publisher Resnick in 2022 In 2023, abroadcaster approached Vetter askingfor permission to use thesonginan episode of aTVshow thatwould be streamed overseas. That’swhen thecontroversy began Publishers have traditionally returned only domesticrightstosongwriters when a contract ends, still asserting rightstothe work outside the United States. ButVetter got a lawyer and challenged that interpretation of copyright law —and won. Early in 2025, U.S DistrictJudge Shelly Dickruledinfavor of Vetter,affirming that he owns therights to the song around the world. On Jan. 12,the Fifth Circuit agreed. The ruling shook the entertainment industry.While for now it only applies to theFifth Circuit, which covers Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, no doubt musicians elsewhereare preparing their own lawsuits.

Some powerful interestsare arraying against them, including industry groupslike the Recording Industry AssociationofAmerica and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. They arguethatthe rulingwill create chaos in an industrywhere copyright certainty is needed before big money is invested in creative projects.

We understand those concerns, butjustas major players are benefiting from technology that allows them to stream content around the world, they should be actively seekingwaysto share that windfall with those whomake that content possible.

We salutepeople like Vetter,now aTVand radio station owner in Baton Rouge,for standing up for the creative community in ourstate and beyond.Weoften lamentthat many of them findithard to afford basics likerent and healthcare. This court case makes clear that many others are making alot of money from their talents.

Louisiana musicians makethe whole world dance. It’s time for the music industry to pay thepiper

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

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

OPINION

ArtemisIIlaunchrevives asense of wonder

Next week, for the first timeinmore than ahalf century,the United States could send acrewed mission around the moon.

The giant 322-foot Space Launch System, withits Orion crew capsule, was rolled out to the pad at Kennedy Space Center in Florida in January and, if all goes well, the mission, dubbed Artemis II,could take to the skiesasearly as this week.

Of late, muchhas been written about the nation’sdivisions, but the return of American astronauts to lunar space should unite us, even if the path to get there was both atriumph and an embarrassment. It’s the former because such journeys are hard and expensive. They require so muchplanning, equipment and training because in space, the smallest malfunction can be deadly.Leaving low-Earth orbit is asignificant feat. It should not be taken lightly

It’s also the latter,because these rockets and missions are far behind schedule and way over budget.Inmanyways, they embody the frustrating nature of major government projects, akin to major new roads or infrastructure.Those problems alone are almostenough to surface the cynicism and rancor that is attached to seemingly every national endeavor these days.

Almost.

Even withall of that, Iamunapologetically thrilled about this upcoming journey and will watch it withchildlike delight Perhaps that’spartially due to my gen-

eration. Iwas raised on “Star Wars,” “Star Trek,”“BattlestarGalactica” (original iteration, though the early2000s reboot is fantastic) and innumerable other operatic space adventures. Layer on the scores of science fiction stories Iread, and Iamnot just space positive, but space enthusiastic. Alas,for this astronomy-loving kid, space was not thefinalfrontier of my childhood; it wasthe unexplored one. The last manned mission to the moon, Apollo 17, flew in December 1972, afew months beforeI was born.

Growing up in the ’70s and ’80s, Iassumed that our Apollo successes presaged further explorationsinto even deeper space. But it was nottobe. NASA and the United States opted to focuson low-Earth orbit programs, like thespace shuttle and the International Space Station. The former just circled theEarth; the latter can be seen from the ground. Those were not the space programsIwas looking for This upcoming mission won’t replicate all the triumphs of Apollo.None of this Artemiscrewwill take smallstepstothe lunar surface, for instance. That’ssaved for the next mission. But that doesn’t mean there won’tbegiant leaps.

The four crew members will be gone for 10 days, and theywill get further from the Earththan any manned spaceflightin history,approximately 4,000 miles past the far side of the moon Those of us back on this planet in Louisiana can take some special pride in watching Artemisfly, too.

The biggest piece of thegiant rocket, calledthe core stage, wasassembledin NewOrleansatthe Michoud Assembly Facility. The 212-foot-tallrocket, when full, will hold approximately537,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen andanother 196,000 gallons of liquid oxygen. It will be fitted withRS-25engines, tested at Stennis Space Center just over thestate line in Mississippi.

NASA officialshave saidthere are several potential launchdaysinthe first half of February,withthe earliest being Feb.8 Of course, weather will be afactor.More important, however,will be theseries of tests planned forthisweekend calleda wet dress rehearsal,during whichthe supercoldliquid fuels will be pumpedinto the tankstomakesure everything works as it should. If allgoes well, thelaunch will getthe green light. If they don’t, there are days in March that may workaswell. IknowI’llbewatching. Humans, and especially Americans, have accomplished much in the last 50 years (internet, anyone?) and nowthe machines we carry in ourpockets rivalthe computers used during the Apollo missions. It’s high time we return to space. With luck, these missions will kick-start what, Ihope, is an inexorable march throughoutthe solar system and, oneday,even beyond.

“Wereally are readytogo,” saidReid Wiseman, the astronaut whowill command the Artemis II mission So am I, Reid. So am I. Email Faimon A. Roberts III at froberts@theadvocate.com.

Regularfeaturesspurreaderloyalties

The recent cold blastreminded me of how much our lives are affected by weather At the newspaper,weknow many of you readour weather report each day with interest.It’sone of those back pages of the paper thatmany turn to first each morning. Even though there aremany ways to get the weather report each day —all smartphones have some kind of weather app—weknow many of you rely on our weather report to plan your day or your week. Last year,when we made changes to our weather report,wereceived aflurry of letters. Someliked the old format;others missedinternational cities in the report The changes aimed to makethe report more engaging, and we hope thatreaders have found it useful. But the response to the changes pointed out how manyofyou haveregular routines around reading the newspaper,and the weather is definitely part of thatfor many If any other regular feature draws such

intense feelings, it has to be thecomics

At most newspapers, editors know that any changes to the lineup in the comics will draw morecomment thanalmost anything else in the paper.Several newspaper comics have been running for decades, so readers see the charactersasold friends they’ve grown up with. We’reglad that our features in print are part of your daily habit. We alsoknow that as our readership moves to digital, we have to provide similarregular features that you look forward to waking up to That’swhy on our website, you can find short-form videos that are posted daily to updateyou on the news and weather. I have several websites Icheck as Idrink my morning coffee, and Ialso do the daily Wordle game on The New York Times website. It’ssmall things like these that make amorning routine.

Turning to our letters inbox for the week of Jan. 15-22, the events in Min-

nesota, where two U.S. citizens have been killed by federal agents conducting immigration operations, continued to dominate the news and your letters. We received atotal of 75 letters during the period, and about athird of them dealt with immigration issues or the Minnesota shootings in particular It’sclear that many are following the issue closely.Most of the letters we’ve received disapprove of the aggressiveness of the immigration enforcement, though we have hadsome letters defending the actions of federal agents. Many of you said you want to see an investigation and accountability for what happened. Some felt we are at an inflection point and want to see the tensions ratcheted down. We will see if that happens, but when events like this happen, our letters page is atouchstone and another daily feature that many readers turn to. Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor |Opinion Page Editor.Email her at arnessa. garrett@theadvocate.com.

COMMENTARY

Fans arebedeviled as Saints offseasonstarts

attitude.

Now is the winter of Saintsfans’ discont —er, well, not discontent, but discombobulation. And it’sanannual thing.

We’re in the midst of twoweeks of the yearly Super Bowlbuildupand, except for 2010, this is theweek it finally hits the fan that there really,really will be no Saints football again for another six months, that two other teams (often strongly disliked ones) are in the big game while the WhoDats are left out, and that even the NFL draft is still three full months away

The withdrawal symptoms begin

Adiscerning fan knows to put far more credibility in this newspaper’ssports reporters than on the third cousin of a Giants’ executive or on the Twitter dude. (Although, come to thinkofit, Iheard the Twitter dude’sneighbor is really in the know.) Either way,though, we just must know howwell the player from tinyDavidson College can hold his own withthe behemoth from Ohio State.

First, the fan tries to fillthe void by soaking up every report from thisweek’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. ESPN reports the Saints areinterested inLineman X! The Times-Picayune saysCornerback Y, seen talking to aSaints assistant on the sideline, is apossibleday twodraft choice!

Some dude on Twitter says Wide Receiver Zisgarnering “wows” from observers!

And your good friend in NewYork knows an inside source with the Giants whosays the Giants want to out-hustle theSaints for atight end, PDQ. Butotherssay that player has aweight problem from eating toomanyM&Ms. Oh, and the superstar running back that is on everybody’s radar is said to be lazy at learning theplaybook’s basic ABCs. He needs an Rx forabetter

Granted, not all Saints fans arequite so addicted. Still, even the less-addicted fans, theoneswho wouldn’tknow a“press man” coverage from aCover Two, areprobably talking at lunch or at atavernatleastoncea weekwith another Louisianan about whether theteamismoreinneed of arunning backor, instead, of an offensive guard.

Andwill this finally, finally be theyear when General Manager Mickey Loomis makesabig trade “down” for more draft picks rather than packaging several picks in order to move“up” thedraft board?

The real question is, is this obsession, or even just aheavy predilection, unhealthy?

Whydowecare so much what big men do when crashing into each other on aballfield?They won’t makeour groceries any cheaper.They won’tfill the potholes on our streets. They won’teven makethe roux thicken morequickly for our étouffée.

Well, Isit here looking at the Sir Saint decalonmydesk that needs to replace the one that has peeled off my car window and Ilook at my framed Sports Illustrated

FILEPHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

Drew Brees holdsupthe Lombardi trophy after the Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in Super Bowl XLIV in 2010.

cover of Drew Brees holdinghis son aloft amid confetti. AndIsay,dadgummit, this is good.This is understandable, it’sfun and, in its own way,itreally is healthy after all. Not to get too much into psychoanalysis, but we all need mental and emotional

“escapes” of one sort or another.Weneed to getaway, on occasion,from pressures, from real-lifeconcernsand from workadayroutines. Andwhile booksand artistic hobbies and exercise and all sorts of other things probably should fill this need —in ways moredirectly salutary forus, more “constructive,” moreconducive to our own, well, “character growth” —there’s still something none of those others accomplishes quite as well. What our love of the Saints provides is not just escape but communal escape on a grand scale, and not just foranevent (Jazz Fest) or aseason (carnival/Mardi Gras), but year-round. It brings us together like nothing else can. And, in away matched (but not exceeded) only perhaps by Green Bay’sPackers, wholiterally are owned by that small town’spopulace, the Saints have provided an inspirational and even salvific rallying point. Ineed not belabor the Saints’ role in spurring rebirth after Hurricane Katrina. We all know how important it was. We feel it in ourmarrows. Andwewill forever be grateful, and forever be hopeful. Meanwhile, I’mstill not entirely sold on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, but let me go watch somemore video of him in action. Telepathically,Mickey Loomis is sure to need my assessment Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

To stop Trump, drop thefascism debate

Since Donald Trump entered theAmerican political fray,his opponents have been debating what kind of threat he poses to democracy,and what to do about it. In the New York Times last week, Michelle Goldberg declaredthat debate over in acolumn headlined“The Resistance Libs Were Right.” The obvious question is: About what? Were they right to label him afascist? That depends on what you mean by the term. As the Justice Department prosecutes Trump’senemies, themilitary stages smash-and-grab raids on foreign countries and masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents storm through U.S. cities, it’shard to denythat the resistance libs werecorrect about some important things: Trump’sauthoritarian instincts, bellicose contempt for norms and fundamental disrespect for America’sdemocratic traditions. Thosecharacterflaws have been given much freer rein in his second term, making the fears of an emerging dictatorship look somewhat more reasonable

ega McArdle M n Quin Hillyer

But when ordinary people hear “Trump is afascist,” they aren’t primedfor an academic debate over when right-wing populism shades over into fascism; they hear you saying that Trumpiseither an adherentofthe political ideology known asfascismora dictator whose practices are fascist, even if he eschews the name. Those stronger claims are less convincing. In thefirst case, because Trumpism looks more like apersonalgrift than acoherent ideology,and in thesecond, because for all Trump’sassaults on American institutions, he is not adictator and is running out of time to becomeone It has been almost 10 years since Trumpwon his first election

By that pointintheir careers, Benito Mussolinihad consolidated total power,while Adolf Hitler was deep into World War II and the Holocaust. Trump, by contrast, is pleading with the Supreme Court to lethim remove Federal Reserve governors, which seems unlikely to succeed. Given another decade, could he

build apower base in thejudiciary or military that would enable him to seize adictator’spower? I don’tknow,but Trumpisnearly 80 years old, and he doesn’thave another decade.

That’snot to say Trumpisn’t damaging our politics, our government and our standing in the world.

America looksless like aliberal democracy than it did adecade ago —much less than Iwould have believed possible before 2016. Butitstill has along way to go, apoint Goldberg concedes toward theend of her column, writing that “for now,weare trapped in the spacebetween the liberal democracy most Americans grew up in and the dark, belligerent authoritarian state that our governmentseeks to impose.”

That point matters, because while the resistance libs were right that Trumpisadangerous president,they were wrong about the best way tooppose him.

“The important thing isn’treally thename we give to this political development,” writes Goldberg, “but our abilitytosee what’shappening clearly and make sense of its likely trajectory.” That has

long been the animating belief of manyinthe resistance: American democracy could be preserved if only the chattering classes properly identified the outrages, drew theparallels, plotted the trendlines and then, having seen what was coming, issued the dark prophecies.

If you believe this, you need to reckon with the fact that this was alldone in the years following Trump’sfirst election. No group could have worked harder to constrain and defeat Trumpwith petitionsand protests, white papers and op-eds, cable hits and Twitter memes,hearings and prosecutions. The result of this effort is that …Trumpispresident again and worse than ever.Atthis late date, it’s insane to believe that we’ll get adifferent result by doing it all over again, only louder and clearer

If American democracy is to be saved, it will have to be saved democratically,not by recalibrating the intellectual thermostats of asmall groupofeducated elites, nor even by taking to the streets.

If you think Trumpisherding us towardafascist dictatorship, your most important job is not

analyzing the damage Trumphas done to our system but persuading the American public to vote forsomeone whocan undo that damage.

Saying “He’safascist” (or an authoritarian, or acaudillo) will not do the trick. It’smore likely to be counterproductive, as people look up from our scribblings and observe that elections are still happening, courts are still demanding due process and the press is still free to complain about Dear Leader.You can point to Trump’sefforts to co-opt the justice system,muzzle unfriendly media outlets and undermine the integrity of our election system, while trying to convince some Americans that these things are one short step from going Full Franco. But it will be much easier to convince them that he’sjust abad president whoshould be replaced by someone whohas different policies. So establishing whowas mostright about Trump in 2016 matters less than figuring out whohas the best ideas for right now MeganMcArdle is on X, @asymmetricinfo.

Bigsurprises in the2030Censusestimates arecoming

About amonth late, presumably due to last fall’sgovernment shutdown, the Census Bureau has released its estimates of the populations of the 50 states andthe District of Columbia for July 1, 2025.

It provides an interesting picture of what the country is, and is becoming, halfway through the decade of the 2020s and one-quarter of the way through (have we really gotten this far?) the 21st century.Italso provides some political dynamite, all the more explosive because of Census Bureau statisticians’ deserved reputation for apolitical rigor and willingness to admit mistakes, as it did on the COVID19-plagued 2020 Census. The headline story is the sharp rise and sharp fall in immigration. The notion that immigration explodedsharply during the Biden administration and contracted sharply during the second Trump administration is not political propaganda. After the expiration of mostCOVID-19 restrictions, immigration rose to 1.8 million in 2021-22, 2.6 million in 2022-23, and 3.2 million

Michael Barone

in2023-24. The snapback to 1.9 million in 2024-25 reflects changes in both outgoing andincoming administrations. With theelection looming, the Biden administration in early 2024 discovered that current legislation let it restrict immigration in ways it hadclaimed it didn’t before, and under thesame legislation, theTrumpadministration immediately stopped almost all illegal border crossings. Government policy can make adifference.

Taking that into account, the CensusBureau estimates immigration will fall well below 500,000 in 2025-26. That’scomparable to the sharp falloff of immigration duringthe financial and economic crises of 2007-08.

That means the nation’stotal population increase is sharply down, especially in thestates centered on the nation’s four largest metropolitan areas,which either grew just barely(New York and Illinois) or lost population (California). Meanwhile, every state in the Midwest gained population, and five statesgrewabovethe

national rate. Even morestriking, 44% of the nation’spopulation gains in 202025 came in just the two states of Texas and Florida. When you add in North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, SouthCarolina —with thenation’s higher percentage growth in 2024-25 —and Tennessee, you have 70% of the total national popular gain, all in states carried by Donald Trumpin2024. Projecting2020-25 or 2024-25 patterns ahead of the 2030 Census and the reapportionment of U.S. House seatsamongthe states that automatically follows results in a sharp change of political balance. Twodifferent projections have California losing four House seats and Texas gaining four,leaving California with 48, only marginally larger than Texas’s42. Onehas Florida gaining four and New York and Illinois losing two each, while the other has Floridagaining two and New York and Florida losing one each, with the same net partisan effect. There is agreement that five more or less Republican states will gain one seat each (Georgia, North Carolina, Arizona, Utah, Idaho) and that five moreorless Demo-

cratic states will lose one each —Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin,Minnesota, Oregon. Apply either set of projections to the2024 presidential election totals,and Trumpgains either nine or 11 electoral votes —and wins even if he loses his three closest states, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. The blue wall has becomeapurple flowerbed. That doesn’tmean Democrats will be frozen outofthe White House. Changes in opinion of a magnitude often experienced can render the 2024 numbers obsolete. But onecan see difficulties, even in 2028, if Democrats nominateone of the twoCalifornia politicians, Gavin Newsom or Kamala Harris, whotop their polls. Will the nation be wellserved by policies that have prompted more people to leave than to head to a statewith California’sbeautiful scenery andcomfortable climate?

It’sharder to be sure whether the2030 Census will give Republicans aboost in Congress. The current ructions over mid-decade redistricting makeprediction perilous. An intermediate court has blocked Virginia Democrats from

gerrymandering, and atrial judge has ruled that the Voting Rights Act requires linking aStaten Island-dominated district to Manhattan rather than Brooklyn. But almost certainly any political redistricting would rather be aRepublican adding multiple districts in Texas and Florida than aDemocrat required to eliminate someofhis party’sincumbents in California, New York or Illinois. And heavily Democratic central cities will no longer be entitled to as much representation from masses of illegal immigrants protected from deportation but counted by census takers.

Afinal caveat. Issues aren’tstatic, politicians aren’taround forever (even if TrumpDerangement Syndromesufferers fear that), and voters movearound amid changes in the political landscape. The Trumpera has been full of surprises —who thought he’d winin2024 because of increased Latino support? —and the 2030s, when Trumpwon’tbepresident nor be running forpresident, will have its surprises forustoo.

Michael Barone is on X, @MichaelBarone.

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

dented open chestmedical procedure at age15, under assistance from thePen‐sacolaElks/ Shriners Club Thereafter,Nickwas in‐spiredtoseize everyday to the fullest. Immediately after hisgraduationin 1976, he hitthe road for Austin, Texas, in hisPly‐mouth hatchbackwitha determination to follow his dreams. Once thereand hosting at thelegendary DriskillHotel,hemet and thenpartnered with famed interiordesignerJoe Burke. Together they went on to receive awards forcom‐mercial andresidential de‐signprojectsincluding the Texas Governor's office and variouscelebrity homes He continuedhis journey in1988 to SanMigueldeAl‐lende,Mexico, where the historicarchitectureand artisticexpat community expandedhis education, inspiration,and profi‐ciencyinthe Spanishlan‐guage andculture In theearly 1990s, he moved to NewOrleans where hisbrilliant ability tojugglenumbers awarded himthe position ofpit boss managerat Harrah'scasino; he then combinedthisprowess withhis passionfor archi‐tecture anddesigntoenter the game of real estate at Latterand Blum Realty PostKatrina andhis com‐pletion of theNationalReg‐ister of Historic Places Sin‐cer Houserenovation, he restoredhis finalhomein the heartofthe Bywater neighborhood,where he becameanintegralpartof thatcommunity andits re‐vitalization. Nick will always be re‐memberedfor hisinten‐sity, hilarity,and unique perspective of life.Heex‐udedconfidenceinaes‐theticdesign, loyaltyto friends andfamily, andan unorthodoxmethodfor achieving successdespite any adversity. Currently, Nick is putting his finesse on Heaven.As he'dput it,it'shis time for "BigGirlGames," andhis "Angels"ain't even ready. Consequently,the stars willnow be shininga bit morebrightly. Nick wasprecededin death by hismotherLois GreeneScapinSuarez, fa‐therDeamonJohnScapin, and brotherJames D. Scapin. He is survived by his siblings KarynScapin Suskind,JohnD.ScapinII, GeorgeD.Scapin, Elizabeth Máche Scapin England, Aaron F. Suarez,and beloveddog Mico N.

DEATHS continued from Scapin TheKrewe of 2.2willcele‐brate Nick'slife: RustyNail Monday, February 9, 1100 Constance Street,New Or‐leans,LA. 6PM Nick'sofficial Memorial Second Line parade is March 8thwithlocationto beannounced soon In lieu of flowers, dona‐tions in hisname are greatly appreciated: NO/AIDS Crescent Care Or‐ganization, New Orleans, Louisiana https://www.cre scentcare.org/donate/,or Shriner's Club of Pen‐sacola, Floridahttps:// www.hadjishriners.org/

Tripp,Christopher ChristopherTripp, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle,and friend, passedawayonNovember 9, 2025, at the ageof78. Born on January29, 1947, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Chris led alifefilledwith love, laughter,and adeep passion foreducation. Chris was the son of Verne and Rita Tripp, who instilled in him values of kindness, integrity, anda love for learning. He was preceded in deathbyhis parents, as wellasseveral family members,including his brothers-in-lawHarold Breaux, Ardley Hanemann, Edward Norman, andPaul Andrade, and hisfather-inlaw ManuelAndrade and mother-in-law Rebecca Andrade. He issurvived by his devoted wife, Beverly Tripp with whom he shared29 wonderful years of joyand companionship.Chris was adedicated fathertohis daughter, JenniferEdgren (Joshua). He also leaves behind his cherished sisters, Dolly Breaux, Liddy Hanemann, and Mary Norman, and his brother, Peter Tripp, FSC. Chris was abeloved uncle,leaving a legacy of love andsupport forhis nieces and nephews: Erin Williams (Ray),Robin Lauga (Adam), DavidHanemann (Jessica),Brian Norman (Ramona), Matthew Norman, and Matthew Andrade (Elizabeth). Chris pursued his education diligently, earning bachelor's and master's degrees from Louisiana State University.While in the process of obtaining his doctorate at the University of Illinois,he was hiredasa Latin teacher at Hinsdale South High School, where he inspired and educated students from 1977until hisretirement in 2007.His passion foreducation was evident

in his dedication to hisstudents and his commitment to lifelong learning.

In addition to his teaching career, Chrisserved as atrustee forthe Woodridge Public Library forover 20 years, contributing meaningfullyto thecommunity he loved. He was an avid traveler witha fondness for hiking and exploringnew places. Chrisenjoyed reading, crossword puzzles, and spending eveningsinfront of thetelevision, intensely fixated on theSaints and LSUTigers, whilepatiently enduring whateverfresh heartbreakthe White Sox had to offer. He was known forhis sharp wit and humor,oftenplayfully pointing out when others were decidedly not retired Latin teachers.

Chris was characterized by his sarcasm, warmth, and generosity. He was a devoted family man, always willing to compromise if one couldmake a compelling argument. His sense of fashion was unpretentious, favoringjeans and polos over trends; in fact,hefamouslyworethe same wintercoat since 1997. Hislovefor his favorite teams was oftenreflected in his attire, proudly wornaspart of everyday life

Acelebration of Chris's life was heldonJanuary 25, 2026, at Two Brothers Roundhouse in Aurora, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, thefamily kindly requests donations be madeto Hinsdale SouthHigh School, in honorofChris's 30 years of dedication to education and hislasting impact on generations of students.

Bernard Vincent,Jr.,age 83, passedaway peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at theVACommunity Living Center in New Orleans. He was bornin NewOrleans, Louisiana, and is aresident of Metairie, Louisiana. He was aUnitedStates Navy

Veteran on the Aircraft Carrier, USSRanger, during theVietnamWar as an Electrician's Mate serving four years activedutyand twoyears of inactiveduty. In theNavy, they called him Vince, thus, his name thereafter called by his wife. He was aPurchasing Agent starting at Sterling Electronics, retiring in 2004 after working in thesame fieldwith other companies He lovedfishing,vacationing at campgrounds, barbequing,working on his redtruck (he wouldn't get it painted because he said it wouldget stolen -itgot stolen anyway), gardening, and growing vegetables and blackberries. One year, he and his children went around theneighborhood, giving away cucumbers they had grown in abundance,which they placedintheir red Radio Flyer wagon. He lovedhis past dogs, Blondie,his granddog Buddy, and currently Edna. During Christmas at Memorial Baptist Church, he served as aShepherd in the Nativity Scene displayed on thechurch grounds. He was one of theThree Wise Men for Crescent City Baptist Church's Christmas Musical, directed by Choir Director Johnny Driscoll. He was ordaineda Deacon at MetairieBaptist Church, wherehewas with Men on Missions, and is currently amember of Parkview Baptist Church in Metairie. The members had been faithfullypraying forhim alongwith so many friends. Bernard professed Jesus as his Lord and Savior on July3,1983, with J. Paul Driscoll praying with him. He is preceded in death by his parents, Bernard Sr.and Josephine Vincent,his sister, Elaine Lucia, and his brother, Raymond Vincent. He is survivedbyhis loving wife of nearly 55 years, Daria Vincent,whose unionwith him is atestament to devotion and God'sgrace. They met when both were living in apartmentson Avenue BinOld Metairie and,coincidentally, on the side street namedVincent Avenue.(Itold him companionship only, and was in love withhim after one month.)His loving children,daughterLauren Lizbeth Vincent, and son Stacy Keith Vincent.Four wonderfulgrandsons Mason, Alex, Dillon Price, and TylerVincent.His sister, Mary Ann Vincent, and hisnephews. We would lik h k h

liketothank theDoctors, Nurses,CNA,Social Workers, Speech Pathologists,Chaplain, and Staff at theVACommunity Living Center,Cypressunit Dr.JeanCefalu, Dr TahminaHassan, and Palliative CareTeam and Hospice CareinAzalea unit,Ramona, Christina, Dr Leigh,Dr. Muhlfelder, Dr. McCall, Robin, Ada, and Eunice,for theirexcellent andcompassionate care of Bernard. Also,EdBruski RN,David theVolunteerfor theinspiringpoems, HosannaQuilters forthe handmadequilt,Emilywith service dog Yogi, and ChristopherMarioneaux, theparkingattendant, for hisfriendlysmileevery morning,prayers,and encouragement.Visitationat Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie, LA, on Monday, February 2, 2026, from 9:00 am -11:00 am. Naval Honor Guard Service andInterment immediately followingatJefferson Memorial Garden Cemetery,St. Rose, Louisiana. Read John 3:16 and also remember God is Good AllThe Time!

PeggyLoretta Werner was born on July 30, 1949 in NewOrleans,and passed away peacefullyon November 17, 2025 in San Diego, leaving behind a legacyoflove, kindness, and devotion to herfamily andfriends. Shewas precededindeathbyher parents, George andGretchen Werner andher brother Fred Werner.She will be remembered for herwarm heart, generousspirit,and thequiet strength with whichshe lived herlife. Peggywas abeloved mother, grandmother, and friend, whosepresence broughtcomfort andjoy to

those aroundher.She had agift formakingpeople feelwelcomedand valued, andshe touched many lives throughher compassion, thoughtfulness, and unwaveringcarefor others. Familywas at thecenterofPeggy's life, andshe took great pride in the peopleshe loved. Sheissurvivedbyher children, Keri Rosen (Flavio Piromallo) and Kevin Rosen, andher cherished grandchildren, Elide Piromallo andGrace Piromallo, whobroughther immensejoy andhappiness. She is also survived by herbrother,Paul Werner,her sisters, Catherine Werner and Nancy Werner Leblanc (John). She will be deeply missed by hermany cousins, nieces, nephews andall whoknewand lovedher

ACelebrationofLife honoringPeggywillbe held in NewOrleans, Louisiana, in thespringof 2026. Details will be shared with familyand friends at alater time.Internment will be at the familytomb in Carrollton Cemetery #1. PeggyWernerwill be lovingly remembered and forever held in the hearts of those whoselives she touched.

Saints can find wisdom in Patriots,Seahawks’quick turnarounds

Super Bowl LX should give theNew Orleans Saints hope.

Ayear ago, the New EnglandPatriots and Seattle Seahawkswere sitting at home aftermissing theplayoffs for asecond consecutiveseason.A year later,they’ll battle for theLombardi Trophy at Levi’sStadium in Santa Clara, California.

As Friday looms, tradewinds blowingfor Pelicans

The NewOrleans Pelicans likely will look different the next timethey come to the Smoothie King Center Will it look alot different? Or just slightly different?

Those are the questions that will be answered in the next fewdays.

The Pelicans beat the Memphis Grizzlies 114-106 Friday night in their final homegame before Thursday’sNBA trade deadline. Entering Saturday night’s gameagainst Philadelphia, the Pelicans had 13 wins, 37 losses and zero draftpicks. So expect executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumarsand his right-hand man Troy Weaver to makesome type of move. The players understand the situation.

“This is abusiness at the end of the day,” Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado said last week. “You never know.You might get a call. At the end of the day,it’sstill basketball. With this group or any group, you just stay with it. If it happens, it happens. We can’tchange nothing.

“So if you go to another team or not, you just play basketball. You’ve got to stay level-headed with this. Obviously,this time is alittle stressful.”

Alvarado, whohas a$4.5 million player option remaining on his deal after this season, has been linked to manytrade rumors. He’sthe type of player that someexecutives for title-contending teams think can

If it can happen for thePatriotsand Seahawks, it can happen forthe Saints. Team officials just need to stack another strong offseason likethe onetheyhad in 2025. Here’swhat the Saints can learnfromthe paths the Patriots and Seahawkstook to reach SuperBowl LX: Fortune favorsbold

The Patriots and Seahawkskick-started their2025 offseasons with bold coachingmoves.

In New England, owner Robert KraftfiredJerod Mayo after just one season as head coach. Mayo was Kraft’shandpicked choicetosucceed Bill Belichick,

so it wasn’taneasy decision. Mayo was apopular player and coach for 14 years in theorganization. Nevertheless, Kraft pulled theplug after Mayo’sdisastrous 4-13 season and replaced him withanother Patriots legend, Mike Vrabel. The rest is history Likewise, Mike MacDonald canned offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after one season, citing“philosophical differences” in the team’soffensive vision. MacDonald hired former Saints assistant Klint Kubiak to coordinate theoffense, and he paid immediate dividends, boosting theSeahawks’ rushing attack from 28th to 10th in the league and improving the scoring offense from 21st (20.0) to third(28.4) The lesson here: If something isn’tworking, fix it immediately.There’ssomething to be said for patience, buttoo often the Saints have resisted change or been too slow to act.

ä See DUNCAN, page 5C

LSUwomen flip0-2 SECstart into league’s longestwin streak

BYREED DARCEY Staff writer

It wasn’tlong ago thatthe LSU women’s basketball team was 0-2 in Southeastern Conference play,staring down apairof games that were arguably even tougher thanthe first two it lost. Then the No. 6Tigers turnedthings around. And they did it rather quickly Now LSU has the longest active winning streak in theSEC,and it willbegin the second half of its conference schedulesquarely in the mix to host NCAA Tournament contests for the fifth seasoninarow.A No. 1 seed is still on the table for coach Kim Mulkey’sTigers, especially because they’ll soon have big opportunities againstNo. 4 Texas on Thursday and their annual showdown with No. 3South Carolina on Feb. 14. Those games headline another unforgiving stretch of matchups. LSU’shome contest against No.24Alabama on Sunday (11a.m.,

SEC Network) is oneoffive Top25clashes left on the schedule. The last sixgames, however,haveshown the Tigers are playing well enough tobeat allthose teams. Let’stake alook at how they ve put themselves in sucha nice position

Improvementonglass Mulkey questioned LSU’stoughness after its losses to Kentuckyand Vanderbilt.She wasn’t happywithhow herteam was rebounding. The Tigers (20-2, 6-2 SEC) haven’tlosta battle on theboards since.

Now they’ll enter their game againstthe Crimson Tide (19-3, 5-3) withthe topaverage

ä See LSU, page 3C

Free-throw shooting kept LSU’schances alive Saturday forthe bounce-back win it needed after adeflating homeloss. Withoutpoint guard Dedan Thomas,the Tigers beat South Carolina 92-87 at ColonialLife Arena in Columbia,South Carolina.Their first SoutheasternConference road win also snapped athree-game losing streak. “Really thankful to win,”coach Matt McMahonsaidonthe LSUsports radio network. “Proudofour guys.It’sbeenchoppy with someinjury stuff this week and the poor performanceagainst Mississippi State. So wasreally pleased to see us respond the right way.” LSU (14-8, 2-7SEC)took an 89-85 lead when Max Mackinnon nailed aright-corner 3-pointer with 21 seconds remaining. “Obviously, they puttwo on the ball,” Mackinnonsaid. “Pablo (Tamba)had a great pass to me, great teammate, he’s(the) ultimate winner.Sohepassed it to me, I knocked downthe shot and that wasit.” Mike Nwoko had 21 points on 9-of-13

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Ohtani won’t pitch in World Baseball Classic

LOS ANGELES Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch for Japan in the World Baseball Classic in March, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday Roberts said it was Ohtani’s decision to focus on being the designated hitter for his native country He said the team “absolutely” would have supported Ohtani if he had wanted to also pitch. Ohtani’s teammate and World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch for Japan in the WBC despite his heavy workload with the Dodgers last season.

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MEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP

Arizona wins 22nd straight game

By The Associated Press

TEMPE, Ariz. — Koa Peat scored 21 points, fellow freshman Brayden

Burries added 17 and No. 1 Arizona beat rival Arizona State 87-74 on Saturday, setting a school record with 22 straight wins to start the season.

Arizona (22-0, 9-0 Big 12) is one of just two unbeaten teams in the nation, along with Miami (Ohio). The Wildcats’ winning streak also tied the Big 12 record to start a season, set by Kansas in 1996-97. The Wildcats — who shot 60% in the second half — scored the first six points after the break to take a 44-38 lead and never trailed again.

Burries found Peat on a pinpoint full-court pass that led to a dunk for a 56-47 lead with 13:10 left Noah Meeusen scored 16 points for the Sun Devils (11-11, 2-7) while Maurice Odum added 15. NO 4 DUKE 72, VIRGINIA TECH 58: In Blacksburg, Virginia, Cameron Boozer scored 24 points to lead No. 4 Duke over Virginia Tech for its ninth straight win. Boozer, coming off a 19-point effort in the Blue Devils’ 83-52 victory over No. 20 Louisville on Monday connected on 9 of 12 from the floor, grabbed eight rebounds and had five assists for Duke (20-1, 9-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), which moved to 7-0 in true road games this season.

Amani Hansberry paced Virginia Tech (16-7, 5-5) with 20 points NO 10 HOUSTON 76, CINCINNATI 54: In Houston, Milos Uzan had 16 points and No. 10 Houston won its 38th straight game over an unranked opponent with a victory against Cincinnati. Emanuel Sharp, Chris Cenac and Isiah Harwell each scored 13 for the Cougars (19-2, 7-1 Big 12). Houston won its 16th straight home game and its 14th straight over the Bearcats (11-11, 3-6) UCF 88,No.11TexasTech 80: In Orlando, Florida, Themus Fulks scored 21 points, including a jumper with a minute to play in UCF’s win over No. 11 Texas Tech.

The win marked UCF’s third straight conference win, the first time they have done that since joining the Big 12 three years ago. The Knights led for all but 1:20 of the game, but were clinging to a two-point advantage with 1:30 to play after Fulks turned the ball

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RICK SCUTERI

over But Jaylen Petty fumbled the outlet pass after the steal, and UCF (17-4, 6-3 Big 12) recovered to set up Fulks’ jumper to go up by two possessions.

J.T Toppin scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, his 13th double-double this season and his 10th in the past 12 games, to lead Texas Tech (16-5, 6-2).

NO 14 KANSAS 90, NO. 13 BYU 82: In Lawrence, Kansas, Darryn Peterson scored 18 points in 20 minutes and No. 14 Kansas beat No 13 BYU in the 1,000th game played at historic Allen Fieldhouse.

Bryson Tiller had career-high 21 points and seven rebounds for Kansas (16-5, 6-2 Big 12).

Richie Saunders scored a career-high 33 for BYU (17-4, 5-3).

His six three-pointers tied a career-high.

NO 16 NORTH CAROLINA 91, GEORGIA TECH 75: In Atlanta, Caleb Wilson dominated in the return to his hometown, scoring 22 points as No 16 North Carolina cruised past Georgia Tech

The 6-foot-10 Atlanta native set a school record by scoring 20 points for the 15th time as a freshman. He had been tied with Tyler Hansbrough, who had 14 games with 20 points for the Tar Heels in 2005-06. Henri Veesaar gave North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) a devastating 1-2 punch on the inside with 20 points and 12 rebounds.

NO 17 VIRGINIA 73, BOSTON COLLEGE 66: In Boston, Thijs De Ridder

guard

scored 17 points, Malik Thomas had 14 and No. 17 Virginia held off Boston College.

Chance Mallory added 11 points for the Cavaliers (18-3, 7-2 ACC).

Donald Hand Jr., son of former Cavaliers’ star Donald Hand (1998-01), led the Eagles (9-12, 2-6) with 20 points. Fred Payne added 17 points.

NO 18 VANDERBILT 71, OLE MISS 68: In Nashville, Tennessee, Tyler Tanner scored 24 points and No. 18 Vanderbilt survived a late scare to beat Ole Miss. Vanderbilt (19-3, 6-3 Southeastern) was still without its secondleading scorer, Duke Miles, but once again got a massive lift by Tanner who is averaging 17.5 points a game this season.

AK Okereke broke into double figures with 17 points, making 11 of 13 free throws.

Malik Dia and AJ Storr each had 16 points for Ole Miss (11-10, 3-5).

NO 20 LOUISVILLE 88,SMU 74: In Louisville, Kentucky Mikel Brown scored 20 points off the bench, Isaac McKneely added 14 and No. 20 Louisville used a 10-0 secondhalf run to rally past SMU.

The Cardinals (15-6, 5-4 ACC) overcame a cold start and 47-44 halftime deficit to take their first lead at 55-53 on Kobe Rodgers’ transition layup with 14:37 left.

Mustangs guard Boopie Miller, the ACC’s No. 4 scorer, had 20 points for his 28th consecutive double-digit scoring game. SMU (15-6, 4-4) entered the game with

the league’s top offense (87.3 points per game) and had won its past two.

NO 22 CLEMSON 63, PITT 52: In Clemson, South Carolina, Carter Welling and Nick Davidson scored 12 points each and No. 22 Clemson used a big first-half run to take control on the way to its 15th straight win over Pittsburgh.

Welling and Davidson combined for 17 second-half points for the Tigers (18-4, 8-1 ACC), who opened a 17-point lead at halftime and gave Clemson coach Brad Brownell his 200th home win.

The Panthers (9-13, 2-7) used a 14-4 run at the start of the second half to get the lead into single digits. But RJ Godfrey had two inside baskets and Welling scored six straight points to restore Clemson’s large lead.

NO 24 MIAMI (OHIO) 85, NORTHERN ILLINOIS 61: In Oxford, Ohio, Brant Byers scored 21 points and No. 24 Miami (Ohio) set a Mid-American Conference record with its 22nd straight win, pulling away in the second half against Northern Illinois.

The RedHawks (22-0, 10-0) surpassed the 2001-02 Kent State squad for the longest winning streak in conference history Miami and Arizona remain the lone unbeaten teams in Division I. Miami has also won 28 straight games at Millett Hall for Division I’s longest home winning streak.

Peter Suder added 19 points and Antwone Woolfolk had 14 points and 12 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.

KENTUCKY 85, NO. 15 ARKANSAS 77: In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Otega Oweh led four Kentucky players in double figures with 24 points to help the Wildcats to a win over No. 15 Arkansas in a game that featured six technical fouls.

Oweh, who picked up the first technical, scored 11 points in the final 10 minutes to put Arkansas away It was 63-all with 8:07 left when Arkansas’ Malique Ewin was whistled for a technical foul following a personal foul. Kentucky (15-7, 6-3 SEC) made 5 of 6 from the free-throw line before Moreno threw down a dunk 43 seconds later and the Wildcats led the rest of the way

Darius Acuff led Arkansas (166, 6-3) with 22 points.

Florida coach downplays Bediako comment

His quip ‘we’re gonna beat ’em anyways’ ruffles feathers of Crimson Tide

BY MARK LONG Associated Press

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach

Todd Golden insists he wasn’t being disrespectful when he said “we’re gonna beat ’em anyways” while responding to Alabama center Charles Bediako’s return to college basketball

It was how he felt at the time — and it remains his approach with Bediako and the 23rd-ranked Crimson Tide visiting Gainesville on Sunday

“In a sense, I think it’s been kind of good for media or for kind of a buildup to the game,” Golden said Friday “I’m not sure how much that’s going to really impact the result.”

Golden’s quip, which came during the school’s weekly radio show that was broadcast in front of a live audience last week, surely will be as much of a storyline as Bediako’s ongoing court case when No. 19 Florida (15-6, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) hosts Alabama (14-6, 4-3) inside a soldout O’Connell Center Golden said he has since questioned whether his viral comment, which Alabama players considered a callout, was “a good thing to say or a bad thing to say.”

“No. 1, I think it would be a really strange and unconfident place to be in if a team adds one guy and you’re like, ‘Holy crap, we can’t beat these guys,’ ” Golden said.

“And No. 2, if you call them and you’re like: ‘Hey dude, do you think you’re going to beat Florida on Sunday? Yeah, we’re going to go beat those guys.’

“... It’s one of those things that has taken on some steam. But when you peel back on it, it’s like, ‘Oh, the coach thinks that they’re

going to win in that game.’ Like, it’s really not that crazy of a comment. But we’ll see.”

Golden and the reigning national champions haven’t altered their stance on Bediako, a 7-footer who is suing the NCAA in an attempt to regain college eligibility despite leaving school and entering the NBA draft.

“It’s definitely not right,” Florida star forward Thomas Haugh said. “This dude literally was at college, left and then came back. We’ll play them with or without him. It doesn’t matter.”

Bediako went undrafted before signing a two-way NBA contract and playing the past three seasons in the G League.

A Tuscaloosa judge, who has since recused himself from the case, granted a temporary restraining order last week that allows Bediako to play for the Crimson Tide — at least until an injunction hearing is held.

Bediako is averaging 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds in two games,

providing an inside presence Alabama had been missing most of the season. He has two blocks, three steals and several dunks. Bediako’s case has been a contentious topic among college coaches, with many of them wanting the NCAA and Congress to take action. Golden had been one of the most outspoken, even with Alabama on his schedule.

“I don’t agree with it,” he said last week. “I don’t think you should be playing, but I also don’t necessarily fault (Alabama coach) Nate Oats because this is a very competitive space, and it’s our jobs to win games and do everything we can to be the best program in our specific league. And they were able to finagle the situation where they got a judge in Alabama that is actually a donor at Alabama to write a temporary restraining order to allow this guy to play games in Alabama.” Golden called it a “slippery slope” and later added “we’re gonna beat ’em anyways.”

Ohtani made two starts for Japan in the 2023 WBC and then came out of the bullpen in the ninth inning to clinch the championship by striking out then-Los Angeles Angels teammate Mike Trout for the final out against the United States.

Rose imitates Woods to lead by 5 at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO Justin Rose delivered a performance Saturday at Torrey Pines that Tiger Woods could appreciate, stretching his lead to as many as eight shots until a few late mistakes led to a 4-under 68 for a five-stroke lead in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rose, who won at Torrey in 2019, started the third round with a fourshot lead and quickly pulled away with a brilliant stretch of three holes on the front nine of the South course. Rose was at 21-under 195. It was the second-largest 54-hole lead at the tournament behind the eight-shot lead Woods had in 2008. Woods practically owned the public course along the Pacific Bluff with eight professional wins, including the U.S. Open.

Korda shoots 64 to take lead in blustery opener

ORLANDO,Fla.— Nelly Korda played her best golf in the worst of the conditions Saturday with an 8-under 64 in the frigid, blustery conditions that eventually led to play being suspended for the day in the season-opening Tournament of Champions.

Korda had the best score of the week at Lake Nona, where the temperatures felt like they were in the 40s with a steady 20 mph wind and gusts nearly twice that strong. Going after her first win since November 2024, Korda was at 13-under 203, six shots ahead of Brooke Henderson among those who finished. Henderson shot 66. Amy Yang was at 10 under with two holes to play, including the par-3 17th, one of the most exposed holes on the golf course.

1B Pasquantino, Royals agree to $11.1M contract

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — First baseman Vinnie Pasquantino agreed to an $11.1 million, two-year contract with the Royals on Friday, pending a successful physical, that will keep him in Kansas City through the 2027 season.

Pasquantino gets $4.2 million this year and $6.9 million in 2027. He has escalators that could raise his 2027 salary to a maximum of $11.5 million. He was in his second year of salary arbitration eligibility this offseason and remains under club control through 2028. Pasquantino comes off a season with career highs in several categories including home runs (32) and RBIs (113) after being sidelined by injuries for much of 2023 and 2024.

Preseason NASCAR race delayed due to weather WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. NASCAR has postponed the preseason exhibition race at Bowman Gray Stadium until Monday night because of ice and snow blanketing the Winston-Salem area. The Clash was supposed to be a two-day event beginning Saturday, with the main event held Sunday evening. NASCAR late last week cut it to a Sunday-only event in anticipation of poor weather and as snow blanketed the Carolinas on Saturday, NASCAR made the call to run the race Monday The roads around Winston-Salem had not yet totally been cleared from last weekend’s ice storm and then more snow arrived Saturday The race is scheduled for 6 p.m. and could possibly be run in the coldest temperatures in NASCAR history

Tulane’s rebounding key during trip to Memphis

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

Asked about having an experienced team compared to the rest of his league brethren after a 3-0 conference start, Tulane basketball coach Ron Hunter discounted the advantage.

He said in mid-January that rebuilt rosters had received enough time to come together and overcome any chemistry issues from November and December His point has proved prescient, and not to the benefit of the Green Wave.

Undersized Tulane (12-9, 3-5 American) enters Sunday’s game at Memphis (10-10, 5-3) on a fivegame skid, struggling to match the physicality of its opponents while getting outrebounded by wide margins repeatedly The Wave would have struggled in that department even before center Gregg Glenn’s drowning in late July, but the problem has been exacerbated in his absence.

“I don’t know if we are going to outrebound anyone, but we can do a better job of getting those 5050 balls,” Hunter said. “And even when they get the rebound, we don’t have to let them score I’m more concerned about secondchance points than anything else.”

South Florida produced 27 second-chance points to Tulane’s one in Wednesday night’s 97-83 home loss, but that actually was the first time the Wave got burned badly by its board disadvantage during the losing streak. North Texas scored only 11 points off of 17 offensive rebounds. UAB outscored Tulane only 18-12 on second-chance points

Continued from page 1C

shooting for LSU. Mackinnon had 15 points and a season-high eight assists. LSU made 9 of 12 free throws in overtime and 21 of 25 for the game. Rashad King and Pablo Tamba made two free throws apiece to give the Tigers their first four points of overtime. Neither team could find a basket until South Carolina’s Meechie Johnson made a mid-range jumper to pull his team within 85-84 with 1:34 left. That was the final made shot by South Carolina (11-11, 2-7).

An LSU spokesperson said Thomas was out because of the same lower left leg injury he suffered Jan. 2. That injury forced him to miss the first five games of conference play Without Thomas, the Tigers started King. The 6-foot-6 Northeastern transfer had a season-high 18 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one turnover LSU focused on a strong start after scoring only 21 first-half points against Mississippi State on Wednesday A poor start also occurred in LSU’s first 10-point loss against South Carolina on Jan. 6, as the Gamecocks made their first nine shots and led 50-25 at halftime.

South Carolina didn’t replicate its hot shooting Saturday. LSU led 10-6 at the 15:23 mark, and its opponent was 3 of 8 from the field. Nwoko had seven of the team’s

ä Tulane at Memphis, 2 P.M.SUNDAy ESPN2

despite having a 15-8 edge in offensive rebounds. Charlotte scored 10 points on 10 offensive rebounds. Florida Atlantic managed nine points on six Regardless, the discrepancy is wearing on the Wave.

“We’re obviously undersized and we play a (matchup) zone, so those are two things that make it really hard to rebound,” said point guard Rowan Brumbaugh, whose team-high 43 rebounds in conference play indicate how acute the problem is for Tulane. “We need to talk about it more. We watched some film on how to be a better rebounding team. It’s technique, but it’s also just want-to. We really have to want the ball when the shot goes up.”

In the absence of Glenn, Tulane is using 6-foot-8 small forward Tyler Ringgold at center Backup center Percy Daniels, who is 6-10, has been slowed by a knee injury for the past six games. Transfer Davion Bradford, a 7-footer, has played in only four conference games because of his ineffectiveness.

There is no easy answer

“We’ve patched the hole we had at center, but what we didn’t patch is the hole in our heart,” Hunter said. “It’s been a lot for these kids, but they come in and do the right things in practice every day I do believe we’ll be rewarded for it.”

Finding a quick fix could be difficult at Memphis, which has won 24 consecutive league home games. The Tigers eviscerated Florida At-

“I loved our unselfishness. I thought the ball moved — 23 assists on 31 baskets is how we need to play moving forward.”

MCMAHON, LSU coach

MATT

first 12 points. He used his 6-10, 261-pound frame to clear out space against a smaller frontcourt Mackinnon helped LSU attack the paint effectively, using the threat of his jump shot to get downhill and facilitate. His best play was when he performed a spin move in transition and threw an interior pass to center Robert Miller for a dunk, giving the team an 18-11 lead with 12:46 remaining in the first half.

LSU was in control, and its largest lead was 28-15 with 8:08 left in the first half after a dunk by Marquel Sutton, who had nine points before halftime and finished with 16 points and eight rebounds.

“Ilovedourunselfishness,”McMahon said. “I thought the ball moved — 23 assists on 31 baskets is how we need to play moving forward.”

South Carolina responded with a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 28-25 with 4:02 left. LSU entered halftime ahead 36-35 and had eight turnovers to South Carolina’s two.

Johnson, who had 21 points and six assists for the Gamecocks, scored seven points in the first four minutes of the second half.

His team took a 49-47 on Grant Polk’s tip-in at the 15:08 mark.

Tulane women lose seesaw game to Temple in overtime

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS Contributing writer

The Temple women’s basketball team watched as Tulane fought back from deficits the entire game. In the end, it was the Owls who fought back, taking a 67-65 victory in overtime Saturday at Devlin Fieldhouse.

The loss was the second consecutive for Tulane (9-12, 3-5 American Conference). Temple (10-11, 4-5) avenged a 71-58 home loss to Tulane on Jan. 13.

Temple got the win when guard Kaylah Turner stole a Tulane inbounds pass with 5.8 seconds left and passed down the court to forward Jaleesa Molina for a layup.

Tulane had one more chance, but guard Kanija Daniels missed a 5-foot shot, and Molina snagged the rebound as the clock ran out.

“Both teams played really good defense, and it came down to defense at the very end,” Temple coach Diane Richardson said, her team notching its fourth consecutive win in New Orleans. The Owls are now 2-7 on the road.

It was a turnaround game for Owls guard Kaylah Turner She scored 10 points in the home loss to Tulane, as Temple’s backcourt shot 5 of 26, including 1 of 10 on 3-point attempts.

scored off a pass from Mabry

The Wave seemed to have victory in hand when freshman point guard Shiloh Kimpson stole the ball with 50 seconds left.

But Temple guard Savannah Curry stole a pass intended for Kimpson. Turner made one of two free throws to tie the score with 11.6 seconds left.

The fourth quarter ended tied at 57-57, and Temple led 44-43 at the end of the third.

Tulane trailed Temple 26-25 at halftime after coming back from two deficits as the Green Wave committed 13 turnovers and shot just 8 of 23 (34.8%, including 1 of 10 on 3-point attempts in the first half.

The Wave came back from a 2618 deficit in the final 2:08 of the half, ending it on a 7-0 run. Mabry sank a 3-pointer on the break at the 1:18 mark, then made two free throws with 17.5 seconds left.

Temple played solid man-toman defense in cutting off Tulane’s attempted drives to the basket and forcing outside shots, which the Wave missed.

lantic 92-65 on Thursday at FedEx Forum to avenge a double-digit road loss 18 days earlier while forcing a whopping 24 turnovers. Guard Dug McDaniel, their only scorer averaging double figures, leads the American with 2.2 steals per game on a roster that returned no one from last year’s regularseason and league-tournament champion.

“It’s Memphis,” Hunter said. “They are going to be talented, they are going to put pressure on you and the crowd is going to be incredible. That’s just who they are. We’ve had success in that building (winning in 2022-23). What we have to do is go in and not turn the ball over at a high rate and limit the second-chance points.”

First, Tulane must make sure its mounting frustration during its losing streak does not linger into Sunday The Wave led South Florida by four in the first half before a fatal 20-2 run when Tulane committed multiple mistakes at both ends of the floor as missed shots led to inattentive defense.

“It’s definitely challenging, but every day we have to find little ways we can get better,” Brumbaugh said. “There’s tons of teams that had bad stretches and turned it around.”

Tulane takes care of the ball better than most teams in the American, ranking fourth in turnover margin at plus-2, so Memphis might not create the same havoc it caused against Florida Atlantic.

“We need something good to happen for us,” Hunter said. “That’s what keeps me up at night. We just have to keep fighting through it, and we’ll be fine.”

South Carolina held on to a narrow lead for the majority of the second half, but King went on a personal 5-0 run late in regulation. He had a steal and transition layup, followed by a 3-pointer, bringing LSU within one point with 5:14 left. A couple of minutes later, King was fouled while creating space for a jumper

The defensive foul against Eli Ellis remained but the referees gave King a Flagrant 1 foul for a push off. It resulted in both players making two free throws, tying the game at 74-74 with 3:50 remaining in regulation.

South Carolina took a 78-76 lead on Elijah Strong’s hook shot over Nwoko, but Nwoko responded on the other end with a bucket off a Mackinnon pass.

LSU had possession with the score tied at 78 with 21 seconds left and 16 seconds on the shot clock. King was double-teamed after a screen and fell down. The offi cials initially ruled a jump ball, but upon review, LSU called a timeout before the whistle.

The Tigers inbounded the ball from the right sideline with 1.6 seconds left on the shot clock, but King missed a right-wing 3-pointer to send the game of overtime.

“We got to the free-throw line and converted, and, you know, it certainly wasn’t a thing of beauty on defense, but we got just enough stops to get out of here with the win,” McMahon said.

LSU’s next game is against Georgia at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

“She’s a scorer, and she knows that she didn’t play well in the first meeting,” Richardson said. “She played well on both ends this time.”

Turner scored a game-high 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting. Forward Saniyah Craigh had 16 points.

Center Dyllan Hanna scored 23 points to lead Tulane, and forward Amira Mabry had 17. The Green Wave led 65-64 with 1:52 left in overtime after Hanna

The Owls sprinted to a 9-2 lead behind the drives of Turner, as Temple repeatedly had fastbreak opportunities. At the five-minute mark of the first quarter Tulane had missed six shots and turned the ball over five times.

Temple led 11-2 with 4:40 left after Molina’s layup. The Wave then turned to its man-to-man defense, ran more pick-and-rolls with Hanna and Mabry and kept the Owls out of the break. That resulted in a 9-2 burst that pulled Tulane to within 13-11 at the end of the quarter

The Wave next will play Charlotte at home at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday

LSU

Continued from page 1C

rebounding margin in the SEC (+12.3) Since Jan 1, LSU ranks second among league teams in defensive boards per game (30) and third in offensive boards per game (15.6). Its opponents have rebounded less than 30% of their misses, according to Her Hoop Stats, which is the third-lowest rate in the SEC. That improvement is crucial.

The Tigers are built to earn extra possessions and score in transition. They can’t do either if they don’t crash the glass on both ends. Also per Her Hoop Stats, only two SEC teams have played at a faster pace than the Tigers since league play began.

“We have really, really done a better job (rebounding),” Mulkey said. “And it’s coming from everybody It’s not just your four post players. It’s coming from our perimeter players, and we’re the kind of team that has to do that this year.”

More depth, balance

LSU has relied heavily on its stars in recent years. Last season, for example, Aneesah Morrow, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams were responsible for 63% of the shots it took and 66% of the points it scored against SEC opponents. Things are different now The Tigers lead Division I teams in bench points, and seven of their contributors have double-digit scoring averages. Blowout nonconference wins are inflating those numbers, but if you look at only conference games, then you’ll see that LSU is divvying up the scoring responsibilities more than it ever

has since Mulkey’s tenure began in 2021.

Since Jan. 1, the Tigers’ eight leading scorers have been scoring between five and 14 points per game. None of them take more than 12 shots a night. Transfer post players Amiya Joyner and Kate Koval have played well lately So have freshman forwards Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson. They look like they all can contribute valuable minutes in March.

Richard’s emergence

Few, if any, players in the SEC have improved as much as Jada Richard. The sophomore point guard from Opelousas couldn’t get off the bench last season. Now Mulkey rarely takes her off the floor

In league play, Richard is playing more than 30 minutes per game and scoring 12.9 ppg while shooting 46% from the field, 35% from 3-point range and 96% from the free-throw line. She’s scored at least 20 points twice, first on Jan. 18 in a road win over No. 10 Oklahoma and again a week later in a home victory against Florida Richard is defending well, too Star point guards Aaliyah Chavez and Liv McGill are two of the best scorers in the league, but they combined to shoot just 9 of 31 (29%) from the field when their Sooners and Gators played the Tigers.

LSU struggled to find a point guard who can run Mulkey’s system in the last two seasons. Richard, though, looks like a long-term answer at that position. That’s a huge development for both the present and future of the program.

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

OUTDOORS

Commission expected to ratify CWD control area

BY JOE MACALUSO Contributing writer

Expanding lands under the state’s Chronic Wasting Disease control areas plan and considering amendments to the 2026-27 hunting seasons and regulations top the agenda for Thursday’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting.

Notebook

The move to ratify an emergency declaration on new control areas came after a CWD- infested deer was found, for the first time, in Concordia Parish. The commission’s move is to make permanent the expansion of CWD controls into limited lands surrounding Concordia Parish, the approval of which will bring new food-source feeding as far south as the northern reaches of Pointe Coupee Parish.

Other agenda items include:

n Considering amendments to the Scenic Rivers Program and withdrawing the Wildlife Rehabilitation Program notice from Legislative Oversight, the latter issue coming after rehabilitation educational and certification sessions were scheduled;

n And, to learn of recent findings on the sac-a-lait and bass populations in the Saline-Larto Complex

Noticeably absent from the agenda is a discussion on the proposed removal of the half-mile barrier on the commercial take of menhaden.

Public comment will be taken near the meeting’s end.

The meeting, which will be available via Zoom, is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. at state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge. Removing boats

Terrebonne Parish is using funding from the BoatUS Foundation to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from its waterways. It’s part of a nationwide program to reduce navigational hazards and to control pollution sources.

The initial estimate from the parish’s government is to target 170 abandoned boats. According to the parish and BoatUS, this project was “selected by a panel of independent salvage experts, state boating advocates, nonprofit research organizations and government planning agency staff under a four-year (BoatUS) program,” through a federal Marine Debris plan Council moves

It would take an entire page to go through all discussions from last week’s Gulf Council meeting in New Orleans.

The first item is the council will continue to advertise for members of Red Drum and Coastal Migratory Pelagic advisory panels.

After that, talks focused on a variety of grouper plans, regional

MONDAY LA. OUTDOORS FOREVER TECHNICAL ADVISORY BOARD MEETING: 10 a.m., state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, 2000 Quail Dr., Baton Rouge.

WEDNESDAY

JUNIOR SOUTHWEST BASSMASTERS

MEETING: 7 p.m., Seminar Room, Bass Pro Shops, Denham Springs. Boys & girls age-group bass tournaments for ages 7-10, 11-14 & 15-18 anglers. Call Jim Breaux (225) 7723026.

THURSDAY LA. WILDLIFE & FISHERIES COM-

MISSION MEETING: 9:30 a.m., Joe Herring Room, state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, Quail Drive Baton Rouge.

THURSDAY-SUNDAY

BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES: Goose Pond Colony Resort, Lake Guntersville, Scottsboro, Alabama. First in nine-tournament series. 3 p.m. daily weigh-in. Live webcast. Website: bassmaster.com

SATURDAY

NSCA REGISTERED SPORTING CLAYS: Bridge View Gun Club, Port Allen

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

BASSMASTER KAYAK SERIES: Kissimmee Chain of Lake, Kissimmee, Florida. Website: bassmaster.com

LOTTERY HUNT

TURKEY: General hunts on Clear Creek, Sonny Gilbert, Pearl River, Sabine & West Bay WMAs. Youth hunts will Clear Creek, Fort Polk North/Fort Polk-Vernon, Sandy Hollow, Tunica Hills & West Bay WMAs. Application

Louisiana private recreational anglers caught an estimated 947,103 pounds of red snapper in 2025, but will be allowed to take only 882,439 pounds in 2026.

LDWF REVISES RED SNAPPER ALLOCATION

While Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries’ marine fisheries staff stands on its estimate of 947,103 pounds taken during the eight-monthlong 2025 private recreational red snapper season, the staff has revised Louisiana’s 2026 allocation. The first evaluation for this year’s allowance was 891,439 pounds, a figure reached after the initial estimate 2025 take figured to be 5.8% greater than the annual allocation set at 934,587 pounds.

management of greater amberjack, recreational and for-hire red snapper and lane snapper Red grouper: Final action came on a three-year, phase-in to increase red grouper catch limits with 68.2% of the catch going to commercial fishing interests and allocating 31.8% of the allowance for the recreational sector

Shallow-water groupers complex: The move is to eliminate the Feb. 1-March 31 recreational shallowwater grouper closure beyond 20-fathoms. Federal fishery managers need to approve this move. The plan to split this complex (scamp and yellowmouth, yellowfin and black groupers) into two complexes was delayed “based on uncertainty associated with private recreational landings estimates generated by the federal recreational data collection program.”

Deep-water groupers: Discussion centered around a possible rule requiring a mandatory reporting system for the recreational

CALENDAR

FILE PHOTO

Louisiana’s Hunters for the Hungry’s motto is ‘Hunters who care share,’ and now with deer season near an end and hunters turning their attention to taking feral hogs, it’s a good time to donate this rich protein source to those in need across the state. H4H has processors willing to turn hunting efforts into food. For a list of processors, go the group’s website: h4hla.org

website: louisianaoutdoors.com/ lottery-applications. Feb. 7 deadline. FISHING LOTTERY WHITE LAKE WCA: Feb. 7 deadline for 100 access ($40) fishing permits. Website: wlf.louisiana.gov/page/ white-lake-lotteries. Email Lance Ardoin: lardoin@wlf.la.gov AROUND THE CORNER FEB. 9—RED STICK FLY FISHERS PROGRAM: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional

Pelicans fall short in comeback bid vs. 76ers

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

The Pelicans’ recent success over the Philadelphia 76ers came to an end Saturday night.

3-pointer with 6:30 left in the game to give the Pels their first lead since the second quarter, but Philly’s duo of Embiid and Maxey made the big shots late.

Late last week, the staff figured the “payback” — the number of pounds subtracted from the annual allotment for 2025’s overage, and it turned out that payback will reduce 2026’s allowed take to 882,439 pounds for recreational anglers.

Full details of the week-by-week landing estimate are available on the Wildlife and Fisheries’ website: wlf.louisiana.gov/page/ red-snapper

Joe Macaluso

deep-water grouper (deep-drop) fishery

Amberjack: The decision reached allows for development of a draft document to include results of the Greater Amberjack Count, a program similar to the Great Red Snapper Count which was conducted by independent marine fisheries scientists.

Red snapper: The council agrees to proceed with a plan that would allow federal fishery managers to “modify federal for-hire fishing regulations,” for creel and size limits and annual season dates.

And, for private recreational fishermen, the chance to examine the possibility of management flexibility by “allowing uncaught quota to be carried over to the following year within a state and to allow transfer of uncaught quota between states within a fishing year.”

Lane snapper: After reviewing stock-assessment data, it’s possible that the annual allotment will be increased by nearly 200,000 pounds.

Library, 9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to the public. Email Brian Roberts: roberts.brian84@ gmail.com. Website: rsff.org

FEB. 11—BUGS & BEERS: 6:30 p.m., Skeeta Hawk Brewing, 455 N. Dorgenois St, New Orleans. Casual fly tying. Open to public. Email A.J. Rosenbohm: ajrosenbohm@gmail. com. Website: www.neworleansflyfishers.com.

FEB. 13-14—NSCA SPORTING CLAYS EVENTS: Wilderness Club, Lafayette. FISHING/SHRIMPING

SHRIMP: Outside waters open statewide; fall inshore season closed in Zones 2 & 3 & portions of Zone 1 except Breton/Chandeleur sounds. OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers & wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.

CLOSED SEASONS: Red snapper; greater amberjack; gray triggerfish; bluefin tuna; gag, goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters. Commercial greater amberjack season closed.

LDWF UPDATES CLOSED: all roads on Bogue Chitto WMA (flooding); Hope Canal Road/ boat launch (Maurepas Swamp WMA, levee construction).

ROAD CLOSURE: Section of La. 975 through Sherburne WMA closed through June 12, 2026 (replace bridge) access from U.S. 190 and I-10 open. EMAIL: jmacaluso@theadvocate.com

The Pelicans, despite a valiant effort to rally out of a 15-point hole, fell 124-114 at Xfinity Mobile Arena in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey, selected as a starter for the AllStar game, and Joel Embiid both buried 3-pointers in the final 1:18 to seal the win.

The Pelicans (13-38) had won four straight games against the 76ers (27-21). Embiid didn’t play in any of those games. Embiid played Saturday and helped the 76ers get their first win over the Pels since Jan. 2, 2023, with 40 points and 11 rebounds.

Saddiq Bey led the Pels with 34 points, six rebounds and three assists Bey scored nine straight points during one stretch in the third quarter to help the Pelicans climb back in it after trailing 6754 at halftime.

Trey Murphy scored 19 points and had eight rebounds.

Jose Alvarado drained a

WALKER

Continued from page 1C

get them over the hump. If Alvarado is traded, he ended with a bang at home, burying three 3-pointers in the third quarter to help the Pelicans outscore the Grizzlies 35-15.

“Jose did what Jose does,” Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said after the game.

While Alvarado made his presence Friday, two of his teammates didn’t.

For the third consecutive game, Jordan Poole and Jordan Hawkins finished with a “DNP” beside their name in the box score. Borrego, when asked why Poole hasn’t played in three straight games, said it was because of the new lineup he has used the last four games.

“I felt like this group gives us a chance out there to get after it defensively,” Borrego said. “I think we are just going to lean into a little bit of size right now and physicality and defense.”

That new lineup of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Derik Queen is 3-1 since Borrego started using it after Friday

The new lineup has played much better defensively It’s a small sample size, but the difference in play is obvious. With Poole and Hawkins not playing, it leads you to believe the Pelicans would move on from them if they could. Poole’s contract (one year and $34 million after this season) and the way he’s played likely won’t have Dumars’ phone ringing off the hook. Hawkins, meanwhile, has seen his production slip, too. He averaged 10.8 points last season. His scoring has dipped to 4.3 points this season, and he’s shooting just 30.1% on 3-pointers. Shooting from long range was supposed to be his strength when he arrived in New Orleans. He’s probably the most likely player to be traded. Saturday marked one year since guard Dejounte Murray tore his Achilles in a game against the Boston Celtics. Murray has been rehabbing away from New Orleans. Borrego, when asked in early January whether he expects Murray to play this season, had this to say: “I can’t say for sure,” Borrego said. “I can’t go there. We just

The Pelicans were playing the second game of a back-toback after beating the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at the Smoothie King Center. The Pels had won three of their four games since interim coach James Borrego started using the lineup of Zion Williamson, Murphy, Herb Jones, Bey and Derik Queen. The Pelicans looked like they were going to keep that trend going. They led 33-31 at the end of the first quarter, but had a rough second quarter They got outscored 36-21 in the quarter and trailed 67-54 at the break. Embiid, the league’s Most Valuable Player in the 2022-23 season did much of the damage. He has 23 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Maxey finished with 18 points. Williamson didn’t score his first basket until the 1:11 mark of the third quarter He took just six shots and finished with 11 points and five rebounds.

don’t know until we see him live on the court. That would be the goal, but I can’t say for sure.” Murray is the third-highest-paid player on the roster If the Pelicans move him before the trade deadline, it would be to a team willing to take a chance on a player coming off of a tough injury Veteran center Kevon Looney has played in just 17 games since coming to New Orleans from Golden State. A team looking for a reserve center and some veteran leadership might be interested.

And finally, there is Yves Missi. The second-year center’s name has been coming up in trade talks as well. Missi started 67 games in his first season on his way to being named second team on the All-Rookie team. This year, Missi has started just seven games. But over the last week, he’s played his best ball since entering the league.

“He’s playing at an elite level,” Borrego said. “His motor His energy He just looks like a grownup out there impacting in a major way.”

A first-round draft pick for Missi would be enticing. A second-round pick or two probably wouldn’t be for the Pelicans. Those are the players the Pelicans most likely would consider trading The ones they won’t trade are Williamson, Murphy, Jones, Queen, Jeremiah Fears and Micah Peavy Best guess here is you can throw Bey into the mix of untouchables as well. Bey arguably has been the most consistent and reliable player this season. Dumars last spoke to the media in mid-November when he fired Willie Green. He’s kept his plans close to the vest. Borrego said his conversations with Dumars have been “upbeat” and “positive.”

“We are very clear about where we’re at and what we are looking to do,” Borrego said. “There is clarity in our conversations. There is honesty in our conversations. There’s transparency in our conversations. Are there things we (the team) could get better at? Yeah. Joe and I are very aware of that and we’re talking through that. But the goal is to stay together, be transparent about where we’re at and stay focused on the goal which is to compete and build an identity.” What the Pelicans do as the trade deadline approaches should tell us more.

Nussmeierleadsteam to wininSeniorBowl

By The Associated Press

MOBILE, Ala. LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier led apair of touchdown drives, including akeeper fora score, as theAmericanteam beat the National team 17-9 on Saturday in the Senior Bowl. Nussmeier led a12-play, 68-yard opening drive that ended with his 3-yard rush on aread-option play Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia led the National team to start. After an opening 18-yard completion to NC State tight end Jus-

tinJoly, Kentuckyrunning backSeth McGowan fumbled. Mizzouri’s Zion Young recovered the ball, handed it to Oklahoma defensive tackle Gracen Halton, who haditpunched outbyPavia. The American defense recovered it.

After three runs for 41 yards from Virginia’sJ’Mari Taylor,Oklahoma’sJayden Ott punched in a5-yard score. Nussmeierfound Notre Dame receiver Malachi Fields for asuccessful two-pointconversion Nussmeier was 5of8for 57 yardswithanintercep-

tion that went through the hands of Wyoming tight end John Michael Gyllenborg and into those of Nebraska’s Deshon Singleton. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson was interceptedsimilarly later in the quarter. His pass went off the hands of Louisville receiver Caullin Lacy,and Northwestern’s Fred Davis II intercepted it for the American team. BYU’sWill Ferrinadded a40-yardfield goal with 3:02 left to make it 17-0 at the break for the American team.

Pavia re-entered the game with 6:35 to go in the third andcontinued into the fourth, using a29-yard run from McGowan to set up a52-yard field goal from Iowa’sDrew Stevens.Pavia finished 10 of 13 for 78 yards.

Michigan receiver Donaven McCulley,who accepted alate invite to the Senior Bowl on the National team, ledall receiverswith four catches for 50 yards. He had a14-yard reception on theNational team’sfinal drive to set up a1-yard score for FAU’sKejon Owens.

George suspended forviolating NBA’s anti-drugpolicy

BY DANGELSTON and TIM REYNOLDS AP sportswriters

PHILADELPHIA Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ershas been suspended 25 games for violating the termsofthe NBA’s antidrugprogram, the league announced Saturday

The NBAdid not disclose thenature of theviolation or the substance that was involved, and George released astatementtoESPN saying he took something that was“improper.”

“Over the past fewyears, I’ve discussed the importance of mental health, and in the course of recently seeking treatment foran issue of my own, Imade themistake of taking an improper medication,”

George said in the statement released to the network.

He apologized to the team andits fans,saying he takes “full responsibility formyactions.”

The 25-game suspension, by termsofthe agreement between the NBA and the National Basketball PlayersAssociation, indicates that this was afirst violation by George.Hewill begin serving the suspension Saturday whenPhiladelphia plays host to New Orleans.

The suspension will cost George —a nine-time AllStar —roughly $11.7 million of his $51.7 million salary,orabout $469,691.72 for each of the 25 games missed. Some of that forfeited money will turn into acredit andput Philadelphia closer to getting out of the luxury tax; the 76ers would be about $1.3 million over that line when factoringinthe moneyGeorge isn’tgetting. George is expected to be eligible to return on March 25, when Philadelphia plays host to Chicago. The76ers willhave10games remaining in the regular season at that point.

Philadelphia76ers guard Paul George, left,tries to get past Sacramento’sPrecious Achiuwa on Thursdayin Philadelphia.

Belichick’sHOF snub aresultofcommittee notfollowing

GERRYDULAC

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette(TNS)

PITTSBURGH Thefashionable thing to do in thewake of Bill Belichick’sapparent snub for the Pro Football Hall of Fameisto blame the process, blamethe bylaws set forth by the people in Canton, Ohio, for the way candidates are elected.

Right after that is thegroundswell of opinion that the 50 members of the selection committee should reveal the candidatesfor whom theyvoted, as though the public and those affrontedbywhat they perceive to be amiscarriage of justiceare owed some measure of transparency Preposterous.Onboth fronts. Iamamember of the committee and feelnoobligation to reveal

Continued from page1C

Personnelvision

The Patriots and Seahawks arguably had the best player-procurement offseasons of any teams in the league. Both were aggressive and enjoyed extraordinarilyhigh strike rates. The Seahawks traded Geno Smith and DK Metcalf and signed Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and DeMarcus Lawrenceinfree agency.They selected Grey Zabel and Nick Emmanwori in the first two rounds of thedraft.All fivewere impact additions. The Patriots, meanwhile, spent more money in free agency than any team in football. The headline additions were defensive tackle Milton Williams, wide receiver Stefon Diggs, cornerback Carlton Davis, edge rusherHarold Landry, linebacker Robert Spillane, offensive tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury.All are starters. They shoredupthe offense in the draft by selecting left tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, guard Jared Wilson and receiver Kyle Williams.

Credit to PatriotsGMEliot Wolf and Seahawks GM

COMMENTARY

how Ivoted. Idon’tthink anyofthe other 49 membersneedtodefend how they voted, either,though Iunderstand why some of them have That,though, doesn’tmeanthe embarrassmentbrought upon the HallofFame in general andthe selection committee in generalisn’t deserved.Because it is.Inbunches. And blaming the process doesn’t make it any better

In lightofthe backlash fromall cornersofthe NFL andbeyond, some members of the selection committee have felt compelledto publicly reveal their vote and explain why theyvoted the way they did. Among them was evenone of the11who didn’tvotefor Belichick. He said he hadnoanti-Belich-

JohnSchneider.They didn’t just acquire talent. They hadclear visionsfor each acquisition.Roster management doesn’tget much better than this.

Sacred cows don’t exist In his first offseason, Vrabel releasedJabrillPeppers andtraded Keion White, Kyle Dugger,Ja’Lynn Polk andJoe Milton.All were starters and/or key draft picks frompreviousregimes. The Seahawks did the same afterMacDonald took overin2024.InYear 1, they released starting safetiesJamal Adams and Quandre Diggs, and allowed beloved starlinebacker Bobby Wagnertoleave via free agency.Lastoffseason, they overhauled the offense, cuttingTylerLockett, afan favorite, andtrading Smith andMetcalf. Some ofthese moves were related to scheme fits, otherswere financial decisions.Regardless,the pointisneither team worried aboutoptics or outside perception when making thecalls.

Culturematters

Culture talk has become clichéinthe NFL. Seemingly every team preaches aboutthe positive vibes of its locker room andthe healthy culture within it Butthe talk in Seattleand

ick sentiment but instead blamed thevoting process set forthunder the by-laws of theHall.

In case you are unaware, here is howthe process works:

The committee is givenfive candidates whohavebeen advancedby sub-committees in three separate categories —three seniors(L.C. Greenwood,Ken Anderson, Roger Craig), one contributor (Robert Kraft)and one coach (Belichick). The50-personcommittee is then asked to votefor three of the candidates in no particular order

This vote is independent of the one in which modern-era players are selected for induction

To be elected, acandidate has to receive at least80% of the votes, or,inthis instance, 40 of the50. Belichick, according to apublished report, did not. He received 39.

New England is real. Their players universally praise theservant leadership style of MacDonald and Vrabel. The positive culture fostered by both men created buy-in, which in turn gave them the runway to instill the discipline and accountability needed to win.The latter doesn’t happen without the former Vrabel’splayers respond positively to his unsparing film review sessions because he’sfair and egalitarian in his criticism. They also know he cares. The Seahawks have adopted a“M.O.B. Ties” mantra—anacronym for Mission Over B.S.Seattle players praise theinclusive leadership of MacDonald and Schneider.Everyone’s role is valued, even the office assistants. The Saints are good here. The positive culture Kellen Moore has fostered helped theteam survive its 1-8 start

Emphasizing specialteams

Seattle fielded the best special teamsinthe NFL this season. Its Week 3rout of the Saints was fueled by apunt-return touchdown by Tory Horton and ablocked punt that set up another score.

Seahawks kicker Jason Myers led theleague in scoring. Punter Michael Dickson was asecond-

But if Belichick didn’treceive at least40votes, who did? According to the by-laws, at least onecandidate has to be selected. If none of thefive candidatesreceived at least 80%ofthe votes, the onewho receivedthe most votes will be elected. So, if Belichick was informed by someone with knowledge of the vote he wasn’telected, then that wouldmeansomeother candidate received more votes than thecoach who won six Super Bowls.

And, yes, that is embarrassing.

To me, the process isn’tthat confounding. In fact, it’ssimple. Youstart with the most Hall of Fame-worthycandidate —Belichick. Thatisthe purpose of the process. Thenpick two more. Sure, maybe picking two of the remaining four isn’teasy.Maybe

team All-Pro. Andreturn specialist Rashid Shaheed, whom Seattle acquired via amidseason trade with the Saints, returned two kicks for scores.

Improving special teams was one of Vrabel’stop priorities in Year 1. He used

simple logic

there’ssentiment forplayers who have waited along timetobeenshrined. Maybe youthink it’sunfair

But what’sunfair is what happened.

As for the demands to have the HallofFame make public thevotes of the selectioncommittee, well, that is no differentthanSteelers fans wanting Mike Tomlin to be more transparent during his weekly news conferences, as though they are “owed”anhonest answer

This whole mess has placed the Pro FootballHallofFame in a precarious, unflattering position. But it’snot because of the process. It’sbecause of afailure to vote for the one person who most deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, above all the others.

draftcapital obtained from the Milton trade to select twospecialists: kicker Andy Borregales and long snapper Julian Ashby

It’s no coincidence the Patriots and Seahawks were twoofthree NFLteams to have three kick/punt re-

turns fortouchdowns this season. The Saints ranked near the bottom of the league in nearly every special-teams metric. Improving “teams” has to be atop offseason priority forMoore and staff.

THE VARSITY ZONE

Up to the task

Mainly a defensive player, Champagne steps up to settle Dominican’s penalty-kick shootout vs. MCA

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Dominican senior Kristian Champagne has not had many goal-scoring chances while in high school.

Primarily a defensive player Champagne’s main duties revolve around keeping the opposing team from putting the ball in the net

But after Dominican and Mount Carmel played to a 1-1 draw on a frigid Saturday at Pan American Stadium, the teams went to a fiveround penalty-kick shootout to determine the district championship.

And it was Champagne who delivered the clinching kick.

“I think that was the first PK I had ever taken in my life,” Champagne said. Champagne’s kick to the right side of the goal frame came in the fifth round of penalty kicks. Dominican senior Evelyn Ieyoub, sophomore Valentina Smith and freshman Blaire Smith converted on their kick attempts.

Dominican sophomore keeper Evelyn Aucoin had a diving save during the shootout, before the next Mount Carmel attempt bounced off the post and away from the frame — setting up Champagne for the win.

“I was just kind of focused on getting up there and trying to be as least nervous as I possibly can be to put it in the back of the net,” Champagne said.

Dominican coach Al Silvas said the team practiced penalty kicks during the week. Champagne put in some extra work with her father Jarrod, an assistant soccer coach at Sacred Heart.

“She’s done a good job preparing for them,” Silvas said. “And she made it count when she needed to.” Dominican sophomore Alenna Nitcher scored the first goal in regulation for a

“I think that was the first PK I had ever taken in my life.”

KRISTIAN

CHAMPAGNE, Dominican senior

1-0 lead in the first half. She booted in a loose ball from close range after a long free kick from freshman Madeleine Millet into the goalie box.

“The ball just kind of popped out and my foot was right there,” Nitcher said.

Mount Carmel countered after halftime, when senior Stella Junius tapped in a well-placed pass from senior Lily Francingues with about 18 minutes remaining Mount Carmel kept Dominican from reclaiming the lead when senior keeper Avery Albert knocked down two strong shots from Dominican junior Stella Zippert, whose 126 career goals are a school record Dominican and Mount Carmel have gone to penalty kicks three times in the past four seasons. Mount Carmel won 2-1 in regulation last season. Although Dominican won the shootout, the match will be recorded as a tie by the LHSAA when determining power points.

Mount Carmel (16-3-4), the reigning state champion, held the No. 2 power rating placement before the match with Dominican (18-0-5) at No. 3 — both behind No. 1 St. Joseph’s.

Mount Carmel had two goals negated in the first half on offside calls, including one by Junius on a header off a long free kick by freshman Sidney Chase. Zippert and senior Josephine Randol converted their penalty kick attempts after regulation.

“In the second half, I thought we were brilliant,” Mount Carmel coach Alexis Petrou said. “I thought we pressed them really well, created a ton of chances.”

The teams played with temperatures in the mid-30s and a feels-like reading of 26 degrees when the match began.

“Once the adrenaline starts pumping,” said Aucoin, the Dominican keeper “you don’t even notice it.”

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

St. Aug takes command in 2nd half, downs Rummel

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS Contributing writer

With a huge game coming up Tuesday at John Curtis, St. Augustine coach Wade Mason was not happy with his team’s firsthalf play Friday against Rummel. Then came the start of the second half. St Augustine stepped up its full-court man-to-man defense and scored the first 13 points of the third quarter to seize command.

Playing five-man substitution rotations, the Purple Knights ripped and ran to a dominating 69-49 triumph at St. Augustine. The Purple Knights (23-2), the reigning Division I select state champions, improved to 4-0 in District 9-5A.

Rummel fell to 11-8, 0-3.

“The first half, we weren’t really following the scouting report,” Mason said “The scout sheet told them we wanted to make certain guys shoot and make certain guys drive.

“I was disappointed that we gave up a (3-pointer) to an all-district caliber player (Raiders guard Ronald Navarre) right before halftime. In the second half, we didn’t really change defenses; we played the defense we were supposed to play initially It depended on (Rummel’s) personnel.”

Even after Navarre’s 3-pointer with 1.8 seconds left in the first half, the Knights led 37-26 behind junior guard Aaron Miles’ 16 points and 10 by center Ja’Vardes Brazile.

Two-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter, Miles was fouled while scoring on a baseline floater and sank the ensuing free throw After two free throws by Knights forward Abram Taylor, Miles sank a 3-pointer on the fast break and followed with a floater on the break at the 3:16 mark.

Forward Percy Thompson followed with two free throws before Miles went coast to coast on a break for a left-handed drive that gave St. Aug a 50-29 bulge.

Rummel finally scored at the 2:11 mark — a 3-pointer by Navarre again to end the big run. St. Augustine led 53-37 at the end of the third.

Miles put on a shooting display and finished with a game-high 31 points. Taylor scored 15 and Brazile 14, and both were key on defense and rebounding. Navarre led the sophomore-laden Raiders with 18 points, and forward Michael Higgins had 13. “Miles is a very talented player, and his teammates do a good of getting him the basketball,” Rummel coach Scott Thompson said. “We wanted to make them work. He hit some tough shots.”

But St. Aug’s pace of play was a big factor, with 10 players getting significant time which resulted in Rummel turnovers.

“I played for coach Perry Clark at Tulane, and he brought ‘The Posse,’ playing a lot of players off the bench,” Mason said.

“And, I played for (Bernard Griffith) at St Aug, and we ran some of his stuff, too.”

John Curtis (20-2, 3-0), which lost on a buzzer-beater in the state semifinals last season, beat Jesuit 4738 on Friday Its two losses came at Jesuit (68-67) on Jan. 9 and at Zachary (6959) on Jan. 13.

“(Curtis) is a good team from an individual standpoint and from a team standpoint,” Mason said. “They have a good head coach (Biko Paris) and assistant coaches.

“They will be in Lake Charles (for the state tournament). They have some Division I college players, and guard/forward Jonnie Walker is really good player And the most important thing to me is they are on a string. They don’t have anybody late on coverages, (and) they don’t have any individuals trying to make plays.

“We will have to compete and be ourselves. We’re probably going to have to play them again in the playoffs.”

Shepherd steps forward as Curtis avenges loss to Jesuit

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

John Curtis trailed Jesuit in the second quarter when Patriots senior point guard Autrail Manning, a go-to scoring threat, left the game with what appeared to be an ankle injury Manning suffered the injury after making a shot that cut Jesuit’s lead to three points in the first half. He returned in the second half, but Curtis junior Zaveon Shepherd took on the lead scoring role in a 47-38 win on Friday at Jesuit.

Shepherd had a team-high 18 points for Curtis, with 11 coming in the second half.

Friday’s game against Jesuit was a much-anticipated rematch for Curtis (20-2, 3-0 District 9-5A) after the Blue Jays handed the Patriots their first loss of the season on Jan. 9 in a game that didn’t count in the league standings.

“We knew it was going to be a tough battle against a well-coached (Jesuit) team,” Curtis coach Biko Paris. “They play the game the right way We knew what we were up against after playing against them.

We watched that film and made some adjustments from there.”

Curtis held Jesuit to seven points in the fourth quarter on Friday Forcing turnovers was key as Curtis senior Jakyri “Midnight” Martin came up with a steal in the closing seconds to help seal the win.

Shepherd had seven points in the first quarter and began the second half with a 3-pointer to tie the game. He shot 6 of 8 from the field with three 3-pointers and made three free throws in the closing minutes.

“We just adjusted very well to get this win,” Shepherd said. “(My teammates) are always finding me and making me feel great about myself. They tell me to get extra shots, and I just do it.”

Martin finished with a team-high five steals for Curtis along with five points, two assists and a block. Manning, sophomore Jonnie Walker and eighth grader Tory Walker recorded two steals each.

“The steals, the rebounds, the blocked shots, the deflections that (Martin) gets don’t always show up in the stat sheet, but he plays a big part of what we do,” Paris said.

Jonnie Walker recorded a team-high seven rebounds.

“Jonnie made some plays down the stretch,” Paris said.

Tory Walker scored seven points off the bench with five rebounds, and Marlin Johnson added seven points Jesuit senior Brennan Pitts had team-high 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Junior Jack Maguire had nine points to go with four rebounds, two steals and a block, and senior Zach LaGraize had eight points, five rebounds and three steals.

“We just had too many turnovers,” Jesuit coach Chris Jennings. “Defensively, we were in bad spots Between the two, it’s hard to win. (Curtis) is a good team I felt like the first half we were fine, but in the second half we just weren’t moving as well, especially defensively.” Curtis entered Friday ranked No. 1 in the Division I select power ratings and will return home for a district matchup against No. 3 St. Augustine on Tuesday Jesuit (15-7, 1-2) was ranked No. 4 in Division I select heading into Friday and will visit Holy Cross on Tuesday

Purple Knights travel to Curtis next in 9-5A showdown BASKETBALL SCORES

Rybakina wins Australian Open

by beating No. 1 Sabalenka

BY JOHN PYE AP sportswriter

MELBOURNE, Australia

Elena Ry-

bakina finally won her second Grand Slam title with a victory over top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka at the Australian Open on Saturday, and it was something of a testament to quiet achievers.

After some tumult at the start of 2025, including the suspension of her coach, Rybakina finished off last year with a title at the WTA Finals in November And now she has started the new year with a major championship.

Her low-key celebration was symbolic of her understated run through the tournament: a small fist pump, a quick embrace with Sabalenka, a handshake with the chair umpire, a smile, and a few hand claps on the strings of her racket and a wave to acknowledge the crowd.

It happened quickly after Rybakina closed with an ace to cap a third-set comeback and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 win over a regular rival who beat her in the final here in 2023.

“The heart rate was definitely beating too fast Even maybe (my) face didn’t show, but inside it was a lot of emotions,” the 26-year-old Rybakina, who was born in Moscow but represents Kazakhstan, said of her calm and clinical finish She knew she had to capitalize quickly this time, after she admitted getting tight and needing almost a half-hour from her first match point to her match-winning point in a semifinal win over Jessica Pegula.

Three years ago, Rybakina won the first set of the Australian final but lost it in three.

This time, after breaking in the first game and taking the first set, she rallied after losing the second set and going down 3-0 in the third. She won five straight games to regain control.

“It gives me a kind of relief,” she said, “also, a lot of confidence for sure for the rest of the season.”

It was a second major title for fifth-seeded Rybakina, who won Wimbledon in 2022 and entered that Australian final three years ago as the only major winner in

Elena

the contest.

kisses the trophy after defeating Aryna

While Sabalenka went on to win another three majors, including back-to-back triumphs in Australia and the 2024 and ’25 victories at the U.S. Open, Rybakina’s results dipped and she didn’t reach another major final until this tournament.

Career change

A win over Sabalenka at the season-ending WTA Finals has changed her career trajectory She has the most match wins on tour since Wimbledon, and is now on a roll of 20 wins from 21 matches.

“Last year I didn’t start so well,” she said. “I qualified for the (WTA) Finals late. I just hope I can carry this momentum. Do a good job with the team and continue this way.”

Rybakina is 10-0 in her last 10 matches against Top 10 players, and she’ll return to No. 3 in the rankings. Kazakhstan’s flag was unfurled on the court at Rod Laver Arena after Rybakina had paraded the trophy around and posed for photos with her team.

Coaching team

She paid tribute to her coach, Stefano Vukov who spent time under suspension last year by the women’s tour Vukov received a silver plate from the tournament

organizers for being the champion’s coach.

“Of course I would like to thank my team,” she said. “Without you it wouldn’t have been possible. Really We had a lot of things going on (last year). Thank you to all of you, and hopefully we can keep on going strong this year

“It’s a win for all the team all the people who support me,” she said.

“I just hope that I can carry this moment throughout the whole season and keep on improving.”

She said she’d been working Vukov since 2019 and she finds it helpful to hear the constant stream of technical and tactical advice he conveys from his seat beside the court. The more, the better, she said, because eventually she listens.

“We won many titles together,” Rybakina said. “And even last year in Ningbo, WTA Finals, and now this trophy I felt just, again, proud and thankful to my team for the work.”

Win some. Lose some

For Sabalenka, it’s back-to-back losses in the final in Australia after going down in an upset last year to Madison Keys.

“Of course, I have regrets. When you lead 3-Love and then it felt like in few seconds it was 3-4, and I was down with a break — it was very fast,” she said. “Great tennis from her Maybe not so smart for me.

Staff report

Shreveport native Christian Harrison and Neal Skupski of Britain won the men’s doubles trophy at the Australian Open on Saturday Harrison finished off his first Grand Slam title with an ace on match point to give his team a win in the men’s final 7-6 (4), 6-4 over the Australian pair of Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans. Kubler went into the match with a 14-3 doubles record at his home major Harrison and Skupski who both competed at last year’s ATP Finals with different partners, joined as a team

Skupski, who played tennis collegiately at LSU, said that despite the pro-Australian crowd at Rod Laver Arena, he and Harrison handled the pressure well.

“We knuckled down and had to bring our best level,” Skupski said. “This will definitely improve us, give us experience and know what to do next time. Especially in front of a crowd that, like today, was incredible.” In their first Grand Slam event as a team, Skupski and Harrison became the second AmericanBritish team in history to win a Grand Slam men’s doubles title. Furthermore, Skupski is now the fourth British

WHAT’S COOKING: Thisyear’shottest

For the record

From bubble machines to asevered head, Aubrey Avocadogained residents’ trust oneheadline at atime

BY HANNAH LEVITAN

Staff writer

Anyone who’sset foot in New Orleans knows its absurdity,but Aubrey Allison has quickly become atrusted source for millions inquiring about the latest news headlines tied to the city —however weird they may be.

The 33-year-old, known on TikTok and Instagram as @aubreyavocado, has beena onlinecreator forover adecade, but her following took off in 2024 when she posted about a severed head in Bayou St. John.

Allison

Since then, Allison has grown to be one of New Orleans’ most-notable content creators, blending hyper-localnewswith humor and abit of sarcasm. Her rising popularity comes at atime when New Orleans undergoes aseries of transitions—from anew mayor to major road upgrades to firsttime national food accolades and more residents arerelying on influencers for news on big changes and day-to-day life.

And that’sjust what Allison provides.

It’sher videos like “Explaining what’sgoing on in the Louisiana legislative session like we are bestiesonFacetime” and“My favorite stories out of New Orleans in 2025”that have attracted her over 40,000 followers.

When locals armed with bubble machines gathered in the French Quarter to protest a man’slawsuit over adowntown bar’sbubble machine, Allison was there to explain the sudsy saga on her TikTok account. The video amassed over 4million views in afew short days.

“It’sfun to be able to marvel at what it’slike to live here and how,honestly,outrageousitis,” she said.

Andthoughthe city provides her with more thanenough weirdness to work with, dissecting the news and fitting it into a content calendar for the TikTok algorithm hasn’tbeen easy Behind thescreen

Born in BatonRouge,Allison movedtoNew Orleanstoattend the University of New Orleans, whereshe studiedpolitical science. After graduating, she worked in marketing for severalshops on Magazine Street.Creating contentfor brands felt safe, she said, since there was an element of separation involved.

Allison began creating personal contentwhenshe noticed agap in local social media coverage. She wondered why there weren’tmore people talkingabout bizarre events across thecity

“Posting as me is alot harder andscarier,” she said. “I really never thought Iwouldwant to subject myself to that, but, at the same time, Iguess Ihave a compulsive need to talk.”

At thepeakofNew Orleans’ mayoral election, Allison found herself in the midst of it all interviewing electoral candidates,unpacking political campaigns and approachingitall with atinge of humor

POLITICAL PAGEANTRY

Here’s howLouisiana’s festival queens representthe stateatWashingtonMardi Gras

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

When Louisiana festival queensdescend upon the nation’s capital each year for Washington Mardi Gras, theyfasten their crowns, unfurl their trains, adjust their mantlesand readythemselvesfor ajam-packed schedule.

Over three days, the goal for many of thefestival queens is to advocate for their respective industries withleadersand stakeholderswho gather in thespiritof Mardi Gras.

“We’re not just these girls who wear theseshiny crowns andsmile and look pretty,” said Ponchatoula Strawberry Queen AubreyBrumfield. “It’snot allaboutthe ballgown andthe heels.” Each year,the number of festivalqueensinD.C.differs.While the event was established in 1944, it wasn’t until 1948 that seven festival queens attended for thefirst time: LouisianaSugar Cane Festival, MaineWhite Potato Festival,

Plaquemines Parish OrangeFestival Queen 2023Catherine Elizabeth Blondiau wears her citrus crown at the Washington Mardi GrasBallat the Washington Hilton in 2024

International RiceFestival, Louisiana Yambilee Festival, Louisiana Strawberry Festival,Plaquemines Parish Orange Festival andCity of

New Orleans Festival. This year,24Louisiana festivals will send queens to Washington, along with queens from other Mardi Gras krewes and associations, according to Mary Jane “Cookie” Brittain Richardson, asenior lieutenant with Washington Mardi Gras.

In 1990, Richardsonwas the Washington Mardi Gras Queen.

Being afestival queen and attending WashingtonMardi Gras canhavea lastingimpact.Dana Topham, of Lafayette, first attended WashingtonMardi Gras as the 1988 Yambilee Festival Queen.

“Itwas thefirsttimeI traveled outofthe state in aplane,and I went solo. My parentscouldn’tafford to come,” Topham said. “We were treated like royalty with full access, including walking in the Oval Office. Ieven climbeda tree in theWhiteHouse frontlawn times have changed since then.” Topham says the trip openedup the way she saw the world, gave her amore global perspective andan understanding of government that

ä See QUEENS, page 11D

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Tracy Tullier knowsthe question will pop up some-

DINING SCENE

Ian McNulty WHAT’S COOKING

King cake is best enjoyed with company,the centerpiece of ashared Carnival experience. This year,some of the best king cakes are created in good company too. Collaborations and partnerships between brands, restaurants community organizations and Carnival krewes have brought some remarkable king cakes to the party for 2026, and more are percolating.

The fruits of collaboration are on full display in the range of king cakes from the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, the high school in Faubourg Marigny whichhas arobust culinary arts program.

For about adecade, NOCCA students haveproduced king cakes as partof their curriculum. Along the way,king cake had become an increasingly important fundraiser for the school, and proceeds now cover the annual costs for the culinary program. This year,students worked directly with Emeril Lagasse, one of the most famous chefs in the world, whose charitable foundation supports NOCCA, and Frank Brigtsen, of Brigtsen’s Restaurant (723 Dante St.), a godfather to many in the local food world and NOCCA’s first chef in residence.

“They really get in here and work with the students,” said Dana Tuohy,chef and founding chair of NOCCA’s culinaryprogram.“It’s not just ‘here’sanidea, go for it.’ It’sthese chefs showing how to get to arecipethatis feasible and executable in the thousands.” The students’ work went from pricing out ingredients to production schedules and marketing, and here they got an assist from another collaborator,ofsorts.

King Cake Hub (3300 Gravier St.), the multi-vendor

marketplace forking cakes andMardi Gras flair, is the main retailpoint for NOCCA’s cakes (along with pre-orderand pick-up on the weekends at the school itself). Hub proprietor Jennifer Samuels has contributedinvaluable insight on ideas that will hit with her customers, Touhy said Goddessreturns The collaborative king cakes have beencycling through as limited-time runs. This givespeople a reasontotry new cakes, and gives thestudents achance to work with different culinary minds The school started Carni-

val with itsbanana cream pie king cake, based on the signature dessert of Emeril’sRestaurant (800 Tchoupitoulas St.). Midseason, production shifted to astrawberry tres leches flavor,created with Brigtsen, which finished its run this week.

To finish the season, NOCCA has brought back a highly successful collaborative king cake developed withthe Krewe of Muses last year

Students went big on the krewe’sGreek motif to createthe “The Goddess” king cake, withgoat cheese and fig, candied orange and toastedwalnutsunder a

sheen of silverglitter.The flavor flirtswithsavory, but lands squarely in therealm of sophisticated sweet treats.

In addition to thesecollaboration cakes, NOCCA produces avariety of king cakes all through Carnival, including satsuma almond, agluten-free cinnamon renditionand thenew Dubai chocolate, with pistachio and shreddedphyllo baked into the brioche.

Iris in bloom

It was the Goddessthat inspired baker April Whitecottontodomorethis year withking cakes at Dragonfly Café (530 Jackson Ave.).

This restaurant and coffee shop is part of Raphael Village, avocational program serving “differently abled” adults, called Guild members, who may have Down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder or other conditions.

Guild members help make king cakes, and it’sbecome another wayfor them to engage with the community.This year,Whitecotton approached the Krewe of Iris with the idea of a krewe-themed king cake, hoping the brand power and outreach of the historic, newly-rejuvenated Carnival club would boost awareness of the café.

This new king cake gleamswith the krewe’s purple and silver colors rendered in iridescent icing. Beneath is abrioche braid, heavy on cinnamon, that is dense, with just the right texture and aclassic simplicity enrobed in eyecatching veneer.Itshould gladden the hearts of traditional king cake fans.

It comes with aspecial keepsake, ceramic fève and aseed card, also madeby Guild members, to plant blue irises at home. And it comes with support forthe nonprofit’swork baked in.

Youcan find these on a first come, first served basis at Dragonfly Café (open Tuesday through Fridays), through Feb. 13. That means if you want one for the Iris parade on Feb. 14 you’ll need to plan ahead.

Cake andcocktails

Collaboration also led to another new standout for 2026, the Vieux Carre king cake from the Marigny bakery AyuBakehouse (801 Frenchmen St.) and the Uptown cocktail destination Cure (4905 Freret St.).

Cure co-founder Neal Bodenheimer worked with Ayuco-founder Kelly Jacques and her team to zero in on the right cocktail, one with flavors that could translate to the baking world.

“As abar,they’re working with ingredients we don’t

normally use, it opened a whole other world of knowledge and flavor for us,” Jacques said. Through batched cocktail tastings, they arrived at the Vieux Carre, aNew Orleans original that’slike aManhattan cocktail but with some of the entwined influences of the city represented in French cognac, Italian vermouth and American whiskey.

As aking cake, it starts with brioche with aswirl of brown-butter hazelnut praline that suggests cognac. Aseam of cherry jam carries ascent of vermouth. A whiff of Bénédictine liqueur brings spice. Like the cocktail, this cake is layered and balanced between bitter herbals, dark fruit-jam and mellow sweetness. Even the lattice pastry on top evokes the etched class of arocks tumbler

Youcan pre-order these through Ayuorthrough Cure, and Cure is serving it by the slice at the bar,where you can pair it with an actual Vieux Carre or another cocktail from aMardi Gras seasonal list.

Back to NOCCA

At NOCCA, the chef collaborations brought adifferent element of education, connecting students with influential people in the culinary arts they’re studying.

“It furthers the relationships we have with chefs and the restaurant community,” said Tuohy.“Hopefully,we’re helping create the next generation of chefs who will stay in NewOrleans and contribute with their talents to that community.”

There is more to come.

In the way that Carnival planning never really stops, Tuohy is already thinking ahead to next year,and how NOCCA can expand its king cake collaborations.

“It’sbeen such awonderful experience from concept to execution, we need to keep doing it, our students get so muchfrom it,” she said.

n Hello, Hades!

The tableau for the Krewe of Olympians, “Sweatin’ with the Oldies,” in the Underworld of Hades, exercised just that: exercise.

Mind-body wellnessreceived satiricplay

Contrasted was the royal coolness of the lovely queen, who ruled with his majesty at the Olympians ball in the tented grounds of the New Orleans Country Club. She was Miss Ellen Margaret Daly, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Michael McNellis Daly,and aroyal legacy in Olympians. Her mother, Suzie Dardis Daly,grandmother Anne Charbonnet Dardis, sisters Kaitlin Monica Daly and Shannon RosemaryDaly, andaunt Paulette Charbonnet Eastin have all worn the krewe’s crown.Seated in the queen’sbox seats, along with Mmes.Theard Terrebonne,Donald Ellis, Brian Klebba and John Zvonek, those former monarchs applauded the family’slatest one in her royal attire. Queen Ellen’s regal ensemble included agown designed by PerlaOrihuela that was created with French laceover white silk satin and hand-beaded with more than 15,000 Swarovski crystals and pearls.

Nell Nolan SOCIETY

Contact: nnolan@theadvocate.com

REVELING

Admired and applauded,aswell, was court maid Miss Piper Katherine Franks, adebutante of the season and the daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Zeljko Stephen Franks II;and the princesses, Misses Rain Elizabeth Halpern,Natalie Florence Sharpe, Scarlett Odella Kiger, Kinsley Evelyn Kiger and Mia Louise DeLouche. Masters Alexander Luis Gallois, Jax Patrick Wolfordand William Prescott Worsley Jr tended to their duties as pages Serving on the Olympians2026 Committee were co-general chairmen Douglas W.Tyler and Arthur S. Mann III; committee chairmen Alan G. Brackett, Ralph G. Breaux,and William S. Nalty;and Dr Wesley W. Bryan, avice chairman.

Noted, and enjoying themusicofthe Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra,led by RobertMaxwell,were former queen Miss BrittanyWatson and her mother Mrs. J.Andrew Watson;Miss Audrey Mann,the 2025monarch, andher mother, Mrs. Christopher Mann;and Mrs. G. PerryEastman III, whoreigned 50 years ago as Miss Ninette Marie Charbonnet. Seated nearby were Mmes. DouglasW.Tyler,Rene E. Dupaquier,Paul N. Kogos and Glenn K. Landrum Jr They wore the krewe favor,which was designed by Missy Reynolds to further thetheme.Itdepicted Cerberus, the three-headed dog who guardsthe gatesofthe Underworld, and aligned with the krewe’s feature of an Olympiandeity on the 2026 invitation. Hades, one of the original 12 deities, and thebrother of Zeus, was “honored.” Persephone, whom he abducted,was hisqueen.

Queen Ellen and her court gleefully trekked to the country club’spremises for the post-pageantry supper. Ahearty breakfast awaited, as did the music of The Boogie Men.Reflecting on herreign, Ellen related that she was so honoredto have “the opportunity to be partofthe Olympians ball” and all that it means toher family.She concluded with, “I am beyond grateful.” The final wordscame fromher grandparents, Anne(former queen) and Jack Dardis. They were thrilled to be at theball withEllen, “who had afantastic time,” and whom theydescribed as “a lovely young lady, inside and out.”

n Sargent at Arms

Once again, the Royal Tent housed monarchs and their court, but prior to the annual Caliphs of Cairo masked ball, her majesty Miss Sloane AlexandraPaysse,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. René Sylvain Paysse Jr ,greeted subjects in acourtyard. A beautiful one at that and part of The Terrell House on Magazine Street, where apre-ball reception took place. “I am so excited (about being queen) and have dreamed of this since Iwas aCaliphs princess,” said the beaming monarch. Last year,Miss Katherine Olivia Lorusso held the organization’sscepter Then it was on to the New Orleans Country Club forthe bal masqué, which highlighted Gaul and gall. Titled “An American in Paris, a King in Waiting, Meet MadameX.” Our town’s former Virginie Amelie Avegno, who married French banker Pierre Gautreau, wasreferenced as the subject in the controversial “MadameX”portrait of her by American painter John Singer Sargent. She posed provocatively in ablack dress. In regal attire, her majesty Sloane was avision of timeless elegance in asilver lamégown by Royal Design House. It wasoverlaid with hand-beaded and re-embroidered lace. In lovely white gowns weremaids Marché Marie Beals, Alice Lane Read Calhoun, HaileyReese Sisung,and Taylor Alexis Stokes. Completing the court wereladiesin-waiting Francois Lolol Beals, Colleen Patricia Collins, Erin Kathleen Collins, Olivia AndreeHainkel, Charlotte Clara Jenkins, Drew Diane Mills,Abigail Kathryn Munson, Maria Cristina Rioja, ChloeElise Shannon,and Teresa Marie Vinas, along with princesses Phebe Weller Glass,Addison Leigh Guidry, Catherine Ann Soskin,and AubreyElizabeth Kramer.Masters JaxPatrick Wolford and Jack Thomas Akenson were pages. General chairman, Mr Alan Guy Brackett,was assisted by Messrs. Ralph Gerard Breaux,William Sellers Nalty, and Joseph MichaelGuillot; and Brig. Gen John Bettes Dunlap III andDr. Michael Philip Kiernan. Further features of the Paris Salon of 1884-themed ball were the music making of the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra with Robert Maxwell holding the baton, and the Adler’s-designed krewefavor replicating one of MadameX’s personal jewels, acrescent moon in matte gold studded with sparkling stones. Miss LaurenLee Paysse,royal sister,was prominently seated as were Mmes. Paysse Jr.,AllenAcomb Jr and III, Jordan Berry,Louis Poché, GaryMcNamara, Patrick Duckworth, Cyril Lowe, Frank Lopez IV,Craig Ferguson, Patrick Maclean, James Lopez,William Benjamin, RayKenney,Wesley Bryan,Alan Brackett, and Ms. Astrid Mussiett. Capping the evening wasthe Queen’sBreakfast in the club house, where the monarchs’ tables were embellished with shining silver runners, votives and floral arrangements blue and white hydrangeas forthe queen, and Carnival-colored ones forthe king, whoincluded Mardi Gras tambourines. Jubilation then reigned on the dance floor when the BRWband, formed in 1972, elicited lots of contemporary moves. All aspects fused forqueen Sloane, who thanked Caliphs of Cairo “for making it such a magical night forme.”

TRAVEL

Relaxand reconnectinGulfport, Miss.

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Sometimes, aquiet weekend in Gulfport, Mississippi, is the best solution to reconnect with along-lost friend. Just aclose drive away,astay at a1950s cabin only two blocks from the beach checks off the boxes for acomforting weekend. Gulfport —one hour from New Orleans —is nearby for aserene stay on the coast. For those who want to party and celebrate, Biloxi is just afew interstate exits away, but forthose who want to play games, create vision boards, catch up on movies, drink coffee on a screened-in porch, walk on thebeach and eat good seafood, Gulfport will do the trick.

The Knotty Pine, a charming beach cottage on Airbnb, is atwo-bedroom, one-bath home fullof character.The cottage has floor-to-ceiling knotty pine siding, which feels warm andnostalgic. This retreatstyle cottage even includes agame room with afunctioning old-school pinball machine.

Located afew streets from U.S. 90, also known as Beach Boulevard, the KnottyPine is awalkable distance to the beach for scenic exercise or beach picnics.

Beach Boulevard is ascenic, 26-mile highway that stretches along the Gulf, offering coastal views and beach access. Along Beach Boulevard are stately homes among large oak trees right across from the beach.

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

When it comes to dining out, one popular local spot is Shaggy’s, located on Beach Boulevard. Shaggy’s offers scenic views and abright,open-air restaurantwithafriendly atmosphere. The fish tacos and beachy cocktails come highly recommended in addition to allthe other fresh seafood on the menu.

For breakfast, brunch or lunch, Blue Dog Bistro is acharming spot for avariety of diners. Whether the guestispaleo, gluten-free, vegetarian or has asweet tooth,this bistro prides itselfonhaving several optionsfor any customer

Their menu is cleverly split into“Good Dog” and “Bad Dog” sections, for either healthy or decadent items

The spinach and mushroom frittata with spinach, free-range eggs, oyster mushrooms, tomatoes, onions and Parmesan cheese is on theGood Dog side, while the free-range skillet with eggs, Cochon pork, bell pepper,onion, fried potatoes, oyster mushrooms and cheddar cheese is on theBad Dog side. Their blueberry ricotta pancakes are recommended as well. Oneway to pass the time is to stop by CoastRoast,

an industrial-style brick coffee shopnear downtown for some richcoffee or flavoredtea.

Afterstopping foracaffeine pick-me-up, visitors can go shopping, either at Thriftique, alocal antique market, or Gulfport Premier Outlets.

Fora casualdinnerdowntown, Tony’sBrick Oven Pizza hasanItalian menu with appetizers like antipasto skewers andarancini, sandwiches, salads andpizzas—including a gumbo pizza with spicy file roux, shrimp, crab meat, andouille sausage, rustic tomatoesand sliced okra.

Forvisitors with interests like trains, planes and sealife,Gulfport has aselectionofmuseums.

Traintastic TrainMuseum, formerly known as Mississippi CoastModel Railroad Museum, has a combinationofmodel train displays in various sizes, STEAM-inspired activities for young andold and in-

teractive train exhibits. The Mississippi Aviation Museum highlights the adventuresofthe first African American pilottofight in combat in the Ethiopian War, JohnC.Robinson, the “Brown Condor.” Other Mississippi aviationpioneersare also celebrated in the 33,000-square-foot museum, as well as historical artifacts, audio/visual media andreal airplanes. The Mississippi Aquarium, on Beach Boulevard, is an ideal place for families andfansofsea creatures. Atouch pool,multiple exhibits, abottlenose dolphin, American crocodiles, North American riverotters, green seaturtles and many otheranimals await visitors.

Gulfport may be more on the quietside of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but it’sa place to go forretreat and reconnection.

Email Joy Holdenatjoy holden@theadvocate.com.

AirFrancerejects baggageclaim forthe most ridiculous reason

D’Sa,WillowSprings, Ill.

Ineed your help with abaggagenightmare that’sbeen going on for months. Last year,I flew from Bangalore to Chicagoon Air France. One of my two checkedbags went missing But here’swhere it gets weird —the Air France representative at the airport asked me about a“third bag” that Inever checked.

Christopher Elliott

IhaveFlying Blue Silver status, which allows three bags, but I only checked two. My bag drop receiptclearly shows two bags.The missing bag contained three duffel bags —two smaller ones folded inside alarger Jaguar duffel from JCPenney.MyApple AirTag showed the bag never left Bangalore.

I filed areportimmediately at O’Hare and followed up religiously.After threeweeks,I

gotaclaim number,and Isubmitted detailed receipts totaling $2,084 for the lost items. They were alllegitimatepurchases from Delsey Paris, JCPenneyand Nordstrom Rack with complete transaction details. Then came therunaround.Air France rejected all my receipts with the most ridiculous reasons I’ve everheard.Arepresentative said they don’t accept receipts that are“blurred,transactiondetails,online receipts, handwritten, credit card receipts, or screenshots. My receipts weren’tblurred —they were crystal clear PDFs andemails fromthe retailers. Nonewerehandwrittenorcredit card receipts.They were legitimate purchase confirmations with store names, item descriptions,prices, and order numbers. Under the Montreal Convention,Air France owes me upto$2,080 for lost baggage,but they’replayinggames with my legitimateclaim.Can youhelpmeget the full compensation I’m owed?— Gerardine

Air France should have honored your legitimatereceipts and paid your claim promptly under the Montreal Convention. International airlines are liable for lost baggage up to approximately $2,080 per passenger,and your documented lossesclearly fell within this limit

The receipt rejection policy you encountered is troublesome. Modern commerce relies heavily on electronic receipts, and Air France’sblanket rejection of “online receipts”and “transaction details” essentially renders most contemporarypurchase documentationinvalid. This appears designed to frustrate legitimate claims rather than verify them

Youhandled this correctly by

documenting everything immediately and maintaining adetailed paper trail. Youwere actually a textbook example of how to file a claim. Few passengers can show original receipts, whichfoils their claim. Another pro tip: Always photograph your bags with the tags before checking them and keep those bag drop receipts safe —they’re your proof of whatyou actually checked.

Youcan appeal baggage claim denials to Air France executives through our company contacts directoryonmyconsumer advocacy site,elliott.org. These contacts often have more authority than front-line customer service representatives. (You reached out to twoofthe executives, but one sent you aformresponse and the other ignored you. Toobad! They could

have avoided having astory written about them.)

When my advocacy team contacted Air France on your behalf, the airline initially claimed European privacy restrictions prevented them from discussing your case. However,after we pressed them and you filed aDepartment of Transportation complaint, they reconsidered their position. Air France offered to pay you $1,793 for your baggage, excluding some items such as electronics. Youaccepted its offer Christopher Elliott is the founderofElliott Advocacy,a nonprofitorganizationthathelps consumers solvetheirproblems. Email himatchris@elliott.org or get help by contacting himon hissite.

ARTS &CULTURE

NewOrleans fashions throughthe decadesondisplay

Tulane Special Collectionsshows howapparel made an impact

The objects, images and garments on view in the exhibition“Cut from aDifferent Cloth: Fashion Selections from Tulane Special Collections” track the importance of apparel through many levels of the New Orleans community,from grand society dames and Carnival royalty to Black Masking Indians, college students and titans of world couture.

“New Orleans is not one of the great fashion capitals of the world, like we think of New York or Paris,” said co-curator Faye Daigle. “(But) clothing is still as essential as food, as our culinary culture, as our music.”

To co-curator Kevin Williams, the exhibit demonstrates that there’salot of material in the university’s Special Collections of very varying interests

“If (researchers are) looking for building plans, if they’re looking for photographsoffamilies, if they’re looking for Carnival original designs, Carnival jewelry —wehave things like that here, things that they might not normally think of when they think of archives.”

Williams said the holdings of the Special Collections which entail the Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, the Louisiana Research Collection, the Southeastern Architectural Archive, University Archives and Rare Books —would stretch, if organizedend-to-end, 7.5 linear miles.

‘A lotofopening boxes’

On the title wall, text advises that the exhibit “does not reflect acomprehensive material history of New Orleans fashion,” but rather that history as reflected in Tulane’sholdings and afew items loanedfor the exhibit Sections are arranged by “Societyand Carnival,” “Campus Style,” “Sewing: Dressmaking and Textile Art,” “Shopping,” and displays dedicatedtodrag and LGBT material culture. Thenarrative begins with silhouette designs by James Rogers Lamantia Jr., an instructor at Tulane’sSchool of Architecture, created for aMetropolitan Museum

of Art exhibit “TheArt of Fashion” at the timeofthe 1967 Met Ball. It concludes with an Italian-made, pink suede jacket worn by Louis Prima Aboutmidway around thegallery is atributeto Samuel Albert Bozeman Jr whoattended Tulane as apre-med student forabit in the 1940s. As Geoffrey Beene, hewould become one of themost celebrated fashion designers of the late 20th century Traversingall of thepotential material for theexhibitentailed “a lot of openingboxes,” Daiglesaid.

“Even if you do that two hoursaday and find nothing, if you do that five days aweek,you’re boundto find something. And certain patterns emerge. You can often findinteresting thingsinthe last box of a

family’spapers, the‘miscellaneous’boxes, boxes that say ‘ephemera,’ boxes that are oddly shaped. So, little thingslike that catch your eye, and it’sa lot of just

pulling and looking.”

Williams said he and Daigle worked on the exhibit for morethan five months, all while maintain-

HAPPENINGSAROUNDTHE NEWORLEANS AREA

n Rodger Kamenetzwill discuss his newbook “Seeing Into the LifeofThings: Imagination and theSacred Encounter” at 5:45 p.m. Mondayatthe Museum of theSouthern Jewish Experience.msje.org

n At ameet-the-author event at 5:30 p.m.Wednesdayatthe National WWII Museum, Nicholas Evan Sarantakes will discuss his book “The Battle of Manila: PoisonedVictoryinthe Pacific War.”A 4:30 p.m. reception will precede thepresentation, which will be offered in-person and online.nationalww2museum.org

n The exhibition “The Moss Mystique:Southern Women and Newcomb Pottery”opens Thursdayatthe Newcomb ArtMuseum of Tulane.newcombartmuseum.tulane.edu

n At 5p.m.Thursday, the National WWII Museum will offer free after-hours access to thetraveling exhibit “Degenerate! Hitler’sWar on ModernArt.”The event will feature presentations by local artists, hands-on art-making stations and livemusic. nationalww2museum.org

n Harmonia Rosaleswill discuss herbook “ChroniclesofOri: An African Epic” withactor and artcollector CCH Pounder at 5:30 p.m. Feb.11atthe NewOrleans Museum of Art.Admission is free, but preregistration is suggested as space is limited. noma.org

ing other duties as, respectively,coordinator for exhibits and outreach, and research services library associate.

“Faye was phenomenal in the wayshe wasjust going through these barely described boxes …and she found quite abit of material,” he said.

Evolving studentfashion

The “Campus Style” section is notable forits cheerleading uniforms from 1913 and 1957 (with accompanying photographs of the students whowore them), but also forits chronicling of evolving student fashions, someasrecorded in the campus magazine Urchin, produced at mid-century forTulane and Loyola students. A1936 cover headline promised readers “sports, humor,gossip.”

“During the ’30s and even well into the ’40s, a lot of students dressed like their parents,” Daigle said.

“There was very little idea of ayouth culture and youth

dressing. But as soon as you movefurther into the 50s, you can see the sleeves go up (and) the cardigans come out.

“Even further into the ’60s, the hemlines rise, the hair gets shorter.And, into the ’70s, you have more natural hair,you have flared pants. Youcan see the students start to experiment with their own sense of style, which Ithink is really special.”

“Cut from aDifferent Cloth” is on view through May 29 at the Tulane University Special Collections second floor gallery in Joseph Merrick Jones Hall on Tulane’sUptowncampus. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Monday through Friday Admission is free and open to the public.

Dave Walkerfocuses on behind-the-scenes coverage of theregion’s many museums here and at www.themuseumgoer com. Email Daveat dwalkertp@gmail.com.

‘PINCHBACK’

Author Nicholas Patler’s biographyexplores thelifeofAmerica’s firstBlack governor

BY RIEN FERTEL

Contributing writer

“Pinchback: America’sFirst Black Governor” by Nicholas Patler,University Press of Mississippi, 226 pages.

As late as the 1970s, Louisiana history textbooks excluded P.B.S. Pinchback’sname from the list of state governors. Hardly mere oversight, the life and career of Louisiana’spioneering civil rights politician, who briefly served as the nation’sfirst Black governor,would be plagued by racism, accusations true and false and sordid machinations of American politics. In “Pinchback,” the first serious biography of the governor in over ahalf-century,independent scholarNicholas Patler presents asharp, nuanced and, at times, surprisingly cinematic account. The future politician’sfledgling years were dramatically Dickensian. Pinckney Benton Stewart Pinchback wasborn in 1837, somewhere around Macon, Georgia, the fourth child of aNorth Carolina tobacco planter and the once-enslaved woman he had freed from bondage. Pinky,as his family called him, grew up on hisfather’splantation in Holmes County,Mississippi.

Deemed “the poorest county, in America’spoorest state” in a recent Guardian report,Holmes County was then awealthy cotton capital. Pinchback’sfather owned 77 enslaved persons and was able to send Pinchback and his brother Napoleon tothe Gilmore School, an elite Cincinnatiacademythat enrolled many Black sons of White Southern planters.

Following his father’sunexpecteddeath in 1848,Pinchback’s mother,fearing that she and her children would be sold into slavery,relocated to Cincinnati. Reduced to penury,a12-year-old Pinchbackhustled to keep his family afloat.

While working as asteward on steamboats plyingthe Mississippi River Valley,Pinchback became the assistant to George

AuthorNicholas Patler

Devol, anotorious cardsharp, and was involved in ashootout that left one man dead.

Pinchback eventually ended up inNew Orleans, shortly after the city’soccupation by federal forces. By July of 1862, he enlisted in the Union’s1st Regiment Infantry,adefactoall-White unit.A monthinto his service, his officers discovered that he was Black.

Like many mixed-race people of the period, Pinchback’sracial indeterminacy heldpotential for passing. His sister Adeline, in a letter from the period, begged himto pass for White as shehad in Cincinnati. Adecade later, interviewed by the New Orleans Times, Pinchback identified as a quadroon, “or about one-fourth colored,” he declared.

“Of which are you theproudest, the African or theAngloSaxon blood in your veins,” the reporter baited.

“I don’tthink the question is alegitimate one,” Pinchback responded, “as Ihavenocontrol over the matter.”

Much later in life, living in Washington, D.C., he would take delight when strangers mistook him for Andrew Carnegie, one of the nation’swealthiest men, for whom he was adeadringer Pinchback helped recruit, organize and train anew,all-Black regiment, the 2nd Louisiana Native Guards, later renamed the Corpsd’Afrique. But despite his effortsonbehalf of the Union Army, his application for captain was denied by Gen. Nathaniel

Banks Fuming, Pinchback turned to activism, helping desegregate the city’sstreetcars after sitting in aWhites-only carriage. (The cars would remainintegrated until 1902, when astate law once again mandated racial separation. That law would remainuntil 1958.). He stumped throughout the South, denouncing racism and organizing civil rightsmeetings.

“You are men! Youare equal!” he toldone crowd. “Protest against this treatment, against these outrages, and make your voices heard!”

The political world beckoned. Nominated as aleading delegate to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention of 1867-1868, he advocated for positions that were then radical, well ahead of their time: universal suffrage, aban on racial discrimination in public spaces and integrated public education.

“Establishseparate schools, he declared, anticipating the Supreme Court’s arguments in Brown v. Board of Education by nearly acentury,“and you by that veryact declare the White children superior of the colored.”

Pinchback continued his fight in theLouisiana Legislature, where he became one of the first Black state senators elected in 1868.

He soon helped pass what Patler deems “the most comprehensive and progressive public school system thestate —ornation —had ever seen.”

Hispolitical career,however,would forever be dogged —but never derailed —bya never-ending chain of corruption charges. The national spoils system ran especially rampant in Republican-run Louisiana, and Pinchback amassed asubstantial fortune.

“Your circumstances have greatly improved since your entrance into political life,” one reporter remarked when visit-

ing his Derbigny Street home.

Pinchback’s response: “I do not claim to possess allthe honesty in theState.”

The Harlem Renaissance poet and novelist Jean Toomer,Pinchback’sgrandson with whom he had aclose andloving relationship, noted thathis grandfather “liked to play the game.Heliked to win.”

Patler agrees to apoint: Pinchback “mayhavebeen just theanti-hero hero that his times —that thepeople of color of his times —needed.”

Pinchback would be linkedto several gunfights andeven to the poisoning deathofhis friend and rival, Lt.Gov.Oscar Dunn, whom he succeededinDecember 1871.

Ayear later,heled acoupd’état to block his once ally,Republican Gov.Henry C. Warmoth, from handing overthe gubernatorial reins to an interparty,anti-Reconstruction faction. Following Warmoth’s impeachment, Pinchback served outthe 36 days of his remaining term, hastily passing 10 acts thatshored up the

short-term survivalofBlack civil rights in Louisiana.

With whispers of avice presidencynominationcirculating, Pinchback would be elected to the United States Senate aday afterleaving the governorship. But his prospective senatorial brothers ranobstruction after obstruction, stalling his confirmationfor threeyears.

Sen. JohnLogan of Illinois summedupthe issue: If Pinchback “hadbeen aWhite manhe would have been in here along time ago.”

Five days following afinal vote denying the elected Louisiana senatora seat,ina speech titled “The Country Has Not Heard the Last of P.B.S. Pinchback,” his friend FrederickDouglass declared,“The hour of his defeat is the hour of his victory.”

With “Pinchback,” Patler has crafteda winning biography RienFertel is the author of four books, including,mostrecently, “Brown Pelican.”

Auduboncrosses pathswithSlavicfolklorein‘PelicanChild’

BY CORYOLDWEILER

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

“The PelicanChild” by JoyWilliams, Knopf, 157 pages

The singular,disconcerting uneasiness that is so characteristic of Joy Williams’ fiction, yet so hard to pin down, is once again dazzlingly on display in her latest collection, “The Pelican Child.”

The critically beloved author’sfirst book of full-lengthstories since 2015’s“The Visiting Privilege” contains adozen works, all of which were publishedinjournals, magazines and anthologies over thepast 15 years. Trying to distill their subject matter yields plot descriptions that read abit like Mad Libs.

In “The Fellow,” acaretaker at an artist’sretreat converses with aguest’s poetry-reading dog after aflood. Dismayed by thefuture of the Great Barrier Reef, adaycare owner in “My First Car” hires astranger off the street towatch the center’sbabies for aweek while she prays for humanity.And in “After the Haiku Period,” twin 60-something heiresses storm a slaughterhouse to makeastatementabout

their late father’scapitalist greed. ButWilliams doesn’trely solely on intriguing set pieces to envelop her readers. Adetail from her prose can stop you in your tracks, as when atesty discussion about inheritance in “The Beach House” suddenly gives way to two friends talking about whether TedKaczynskihad adeck of tarot cards in prison. Or when the protagonist of “Stuff” reacts to his terminal cancer diagnosis by lamenting that “only last year,hehad been on the cover of the telephone directory.” Andsometimes you have to pause simply to ponder theinsightful beauty of what is being observed, as when the narrator of “Flour” remarks that “Dusk is not nearly as considerate as is generally assumed.” Williams isn’tchasing shock value, however,but offering subtleyet pointed assessments of our society.This commentarycan be as casual as the fact that the daycare center is located “on afrontage road between amattress wholesaler and aknife outlet.”Oritcan be explicit, as in “Baba Iaga &the Pelican Child,” which provides amoral to its fairy tale encounter between John James Audubon and Slavic folklore, stating that“the birds and beastsofthe world …shouldbevalued for

their bright and beautiful and mysterious selves and not willfully harmed.”

Death and loss feature prominently in these stories, which include several characters seemingly trapped in ametaphorical or metaphysical purgatory.Willie conjures up visits with his late father in “Nettle,” perhaps hoping to atone forthe role he played in his father’sdeath.

Jane Click, whoisconsumed by grief over the death of her twochildren in “Chaunt,” retreats to the Dove, abuilding housing “decent enough individuals caught by the mishaps of time in acircumstance of continual, bearable punishment.” And in “Chicken Hill,” awoman named Ruth tries to suss out amystery from her childhood by conversing with a girl whomight actually be her younger self

One of the last things that child tells Ruth is that “Imagination only fails us in the end, when the stories we tell ourselves have to stop.” Three of the stories in “The Pelican Child” date from after the start of the pandemic, aperiod when Williamsalso published the novel “Harrow.”

Though now in her 80s, Williams’ imagination clearly hasn’tfailed, so hopefully her remarkable stories will keep coming.

NurseryRhymesunfoldatAthenians MardiGrasball

TheKrewe of Athenians celebrated its117th annual bal masque Saturday in the Orpheum Theater

“Mother Athena’sNursery Rhymes” was the topic of the tableau performance. The book of nursery rhymes is familiar to all but, with aslight spin, oldcharacters appeared with familiar faces at the ball. As has been learned over time, not all tales are alie. In this world of wild delight, as George Bernard Shaw alluded, “youth is wasted on the young.”

Reigning as queen was Miss Lillian Margaret Roussel,daughter of Mr and Mrs. Scott Farrell Roussel.

Maids were Misses Marché Marie Beals, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Willard Chester Beals; Adelaide Elizabeth Benzman, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Scott Jay Benzman; Suzanne Marie Brown,

daughterofMr. andMrs. Eric Christopher Brown; and Ellen Margaret Daly, daughterofMr. andMrs. MichaelMcNellis Daly

Also, Misses Piper KatherineFranks, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. ZeljkoStephenFranks II;Julianne Quaid Good, stepdaughter anddaughter of Mr.and Mrs.LyleAnthony Moreau; Lucy House Hall, daughter of Mr.and Mrs.Andrew

Dickson Hall; Sloane Alexandra Paysse, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. RenéSylvain Paysse Jr.; and Grace Goodwin Romero, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. TimothyLane Romero.

Pages to Their Majesties were Masters Charles Nicholas Dietz, sonofMr. and Mrs. Kevin Nicholas Dietz; Matthew Charles

Achaeans celebrates with Greektheme

Celebrating ancient Greek heroism through the story of “Athena and Diomedes,” the Krewe of Achaeans marked their 2026 Carnival festivities Friday at the Celestin Ballroom,Hyatt Regency New Orleans. Reigning over the ball as queen was Miss Charlotte Sydney Wirth, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Adam Roy Wirth. Serving in her majesty’s court were Misses Patricia Randle Aucoin, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Leonard Henry Aucoin Jr.; Emma Rose Baumer,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Kristen Michael Baumer; Kate FaulknerBensel, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Gregory CharlesBensel;Lyden Henriette Bland, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Clay Vallon Bland Jr.; Eliza Brandon Favrot, daughter ofMr. and Mrs. Timothy Semmes Favrot; CarolineStaplesPicou,

daughter of Mr.and Mrs. David Louis Picou; and Camille Adair Sewell, daughter of Mr.Sean Patrick Sewell and Ms.Catherine Friedrich Sewell. Agala queen’ssupper followed theball with entertainment by Liquid Blue of San Diego, California. General chairman of the ball was Mr.Michael John Bell and vice chairman was Mr.William H. Langenstein III.

Gainey,son of Mr.and Mrs. John Douglas Gainey III; Hayden West Janke, son of Mr.and Mrs. Benjamin West Janke; and John Martin Roth,son of Mr.and Mrs. Richard Joseph Roth III. Princesses in thecourt were Misses Isabelle Garland Alexander,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. William

MasonAlexanderIII; Mary Agnes Baxter, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. WilliamTemple Allen

BaxterIII; MillerCarlisle Breland, daughterofMr. and Mrs. Quinby HillmanBreland IV;MaryMargaret Fischer, daughterofMr. and Mrs. Merrill Paul Fischer II; Marguerite Elaine G’sell, daughterofMr. andMrs. ChristopherMarxG’sell; Elizabeth Anne Henican, daughterofMr. andMrs. JosephPatrickHenican IV; Loretta Livaudais Miner, daughterofMr. and Mrs. Robert JohnMiner; Ann Wilkie Newman, daughterofMs. HilahMcNeil Verlander; andNatalie Florence andSamantha Josephine Sharpe,daughters of Mr.and Mrs. Matthew

SamuelSharpe Roseswas presented to the 2025 queen,Miss Marguerite Lisette Breaux, daughterofMr. and Mrs. Ralph Gerard Breaux. Amidnight supper was held in honor of the monarchs at the New Orleans Country Club. The Boogie Men provided musical entertainment. Serving as generalchairman of the ball wasMr. CharlesT.Walsten. Mr.HiltonS.Bellwas the chairman of the court committee. Mr.Justin B. Schmidt chairedthe reception committee andMr. H. Mark Adams chairedthe floor committee. Vice-Chairmen included: Messrs. Herbert W. AndersonJr.,Edward W. Benjamin, AlanG Brackett, Hilary G. Gaudin, JohnO.Humphreys III, A. James Nelson IV,Wayne G. Zeringue Jr., andDrs. Wm. David Sumrall III and PeterM.Tufton.

Tiny butbold’titRex

Gras parade rollsSunday

BY DOUG MACCASH Staff writer

’Tit Rex is theadult version of agrade-schoolshoeboxMardi Grasparade. Full-grown men and women in formal attire tow tiny homemadefloatsthrough the streetsofthe Marigny,accompanied by brass bands. Participants pass out palm-sized throws Alocal favorite, ‘tit Rex is certainly oneofthe most unique Carnivalprocessions. The trickistofind a spot alongthe curbsearly, so you’re up close. Otherwise, you could easily miss the marvelous craftsmanship and wicked wit embodied in theLilliputian floatsas theypassbyatankle level.

Theminiature parade was founded in 2008, during the great post-Katrina art explosion, by ahandful of creative folks who felt that Carnival was becoming abit overgrown. Thinking small, they envisioneda parade witha ridiculously reduced carbon footprint. With tongue in cheek, the founders named it ’tit (petite) Rex, adiminutive echo of the venerable Rex parade. Biting satire is ahallmark of ‘tit Rex, and this year’s theme, “Fun Size,” is sufficiently broad to allow any number of references to political and pop culture topics both local and national. “Everybody has adifferentspinonthe theme,” coCaptain Trish Nugent said. Email Doug MacCashat dmaccash@theadvocate. com.

With asalute to the world of animation, the Krewe of Thoth, the “biggest little krewe in Carnival,” reveled at their 78th annual Carnival ball Saturday at the Pontchartrain Convention and Civic Center

The krewe’stableau, “Thoth Toons,” was asalute to the layout artists and animators who have made shorts and full-length feature films seen at the movies and on TV

Reigning as queen was Miss Savannah Catherine Bergeron, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Keith Bergeron

She wore asheath gown of imported silver Rhodia silk, trimmed with white lace and appointedwith Austrian rhinestones appliques with rhinestone trim. Her jewelry was handset stones created for the monarch. Her jeweled crown and scepter were of matching design. Her collar carried out the look of the crown and scepter and was covered in silver lace and trimmed in Austrian rhinestones. Her mantel featured an Egyptian motif.

King Thoth LXXVIII, Caleb Didricksen, wore an imperial-styled tunicof imported silver Carnivale fabric with hand-sewn appliqués and rhinestone

L. Russo; Adelyn Elizabeth Sperandeo, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Paul M. Sperandeo; and Kathryn Judith Valenza, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Valenza III. They wore afull circle skirt with aU-shaped neckline in silver lace over laméfabric, adorned with a rhinestone trim

The Krewe of Eve gathered for the 40th annual Eve Dinner Dance Saturday at the Castine Center in Mandeville with the theme “40 and Fabulous!” Reigning as Queen Eve XL was Mrs. Melody Menard. She wore asilver lamé column gownwith an overlay of silver and white sequin embroidered open-weave fabric. Her dress was embellished with silver and red sequintrim, rhinestones and vintage silver and crystal beaded appliqués withtouches of ruby jewels. Awhite velvet mantle embellished in silver and gold lamé with red accents spotted with clear Swarovski crystals fell from her collar,adorned with the krewe crest along with their signature apple and snake, white feather plumes accented with red coque feathers and red and clear Swarovski crystals.

King Adam XL, Mr.Cary Menard, wore asilver peau de soie tunic featuring silver lamé accents on cap sleeves,faux cuffs and belt, overlaid with silver embroidered sequinedfabric. Maids includedMrs. Denise Blanchard who depicted “40, Fierce and Fabulous!” in araspberry peau de soie gown adorned with black and silver trim and

trimmings. Hisappliqués matched that of thequeen andhis silver andwhite mantel alsofeatured the same designmotif as her majesty,asdid hiscrown and scepter

The royalmaids were MissesPeyton Marie Adam, daughterofMr. and Mrs. GerardR.Adam III; Stella Grey Cusimano,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Michael J. Cusimano; Elizabeth AnnFitzpatrick, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. CaseyM Fitzpatrick; RyleeNicole Forvendel, daughterofMs. CourtneyKay Fovendel; Isabella Josephine Martin, daughterofMr. andMrs. ScottA.Martin; Victoria Moroz Saddington, daughter of Mr.Mark D. Saddington

and Mrs. Danielle Marie Moroz; Kennen Leah Santos, stepdaughter of Mr.John VValenzaIII and daughter of Mrs. Kristen H. Valenza; and Abigail Marie Wilson, daughter of Mr.Barrett J. Wilson III and Ms. Laura Donnaway Maids, accompanied by royal dukes attired to match,wore gowns of rich and brilliant varying colors in accordance with the theme. They personified Disney and Pixar Animation films“Steamboat Willie,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “Frozen” and “The Incredibles.” They also represented animated short stars The Minions and The PinkPanther and Saturday

morning favorites “The Jetsons” and “The Smurfs.” Ladies-in-waiting were Misses Codi Madisyn Cayer,daughter of Alexis Hartley; Joan Lilette Finney,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Jonathan N. Finney; Eloise Grace Haag, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Dylan M. Haag; Elianna Michaya Larsen, daughter of Ms. Elizabeth Schoen; Kenzie Madison Morales, daughter of Mr.Kenneth A. Morales and Ms. Alexis Hartley; Josephine Estelle Norton, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Troy D. Norton; Sydney Sandra Pettingill, daughter of Ms. Michelle Pettingill; Everly Kay Russo, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Andrew

Junior maids were Misses Evangeline Judith BuffettO’Dwyer,daughter of Mara Delaney Buffett; Blaire Whatley Buisson, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Benjamin J. Buisson; Laura Leigh Hurley,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Andrew L. Hurley; Hattie Aileen McIntyre, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. William L. McIntyre; Eloise Marie Norton, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Troy D. Norton; Miriam Katherine Phillips, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Kevin M. Phillips; Demi Grace Powell, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. BenjaminPowell; and Mia Rose Ritter,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Stephen G. Ritter Jr

They wore white A-line dresses with ascooped neck. The top waswhite beaded lace and was matched with apeau de soie skirt. The neckline was adorned with apearl and rhinestone trim

The royal pages were

rhinestone embellishments, with shoes, bags, jewelry, makeup and sunglasses. She was escortedbyEric Blanchard

Mrs. MeganHelwick wore aKelly green peau de soie gown and plumeadorned collar embellished with silver and gold adornmentsdepicting“Cheersto 40 Years!” with champagne bottles and clinking glasses She was escortedbyMark Marcel.

Wearingared peau de soie gown with jewel-tone adornments was Mrs. KatherineHodgins. Bedazzled with rubies, diamondsand emeralds, her matching

plumed collar represented “40 Rocks!”Norman Hodgins III was her escort. Mrs. Beth Lossettwas dressed in aroyal blue peau de soie gown and aplumeadorned collar embellished with blue and silver sequins and colored rhinestones. Birthday cakes,balloons and confetti depicted “Eve’s Birthday Bash!” She was

Masters James Thomas and Patrick Joseph Clay,sons of Mr.and Mrs. Michael W. Clay Pages to the queen were Masters Mason Andrew Kirsch, son of Mr.and Mrs. Andrew B. Kirsch; and Owen Clarence Pettingill, son of Ms. Michelle Pettingill. The captain woreatraditional tunic and cape made of Italian silk and lamé duchesse satin of metallic silver,featured adesign of lotus flowers adorning the neckline, tunic and standing collar of the cape, created from Austrian crystals. His attire was completed with a traditional headpiece of the samefabrics and finished with white fantasia French plumes. Officers of Thoth were bedecked in costumes of red Dupioni silk, accented in silver and adorned with Austrian rhinestones, and headdresses with red plumes. Retired Army Lt. Col. Robert A. Brown served as general chairman of the ball, while vice chairmen wereDr. Jack Jacob and Mr.Wayne M. Lee. Chairmen were Messrs. Kenneth Beck, John A. Beninate II, Brad Bertucci, Philip Fricano Jr.and Dr David M. Mulnick.

escorted by David Singletary. The dukes wore traditional black tuxedos withsilver and gold lamé capes. Junior maids included Misses Anna Katherine Hodgins, daughter of Norman and Katherine Hodgins; Antoinette Rosalie Karlin, daughter of Aaron and Cheri Karlin; Olivia

Isabel Kelley,daughter of Josh and Sarah Kelley; and Amelia Belle Layus, niece of Tomand Carol Adoue. Pages to the monarchs included Misses Brooke Madeline Lawson, daughter of Kyle and Michelle Lawson; Ellie Mae Paiyarat, daughter of Andrew and Brittany Paiyarat; Baylor Elizabeth Parsons, daughter of Amanda Parsons; and Masters Jack Semmes Ranlett, son of Chase and Cheryl Ranlett; Christopher Joseph “CJ” Schoen III, grandson of the monarchs; and Austin Michael York, grandson of Fernando and Marcelle Almeida.

Officers Betty Delpidio, Valerie Dupont and Christine Tadlock wore dresses that represented Eve’s Ruby Anniversary The captain, Christi Fair, showcased the theme “40 and Fabulous!” wearing a champagne sequined gown with embellished fabric and intricate beading, accented by ared sequined boa. Her headpiece featured a“popping” Champagne bottle with red ostrich plumes and coque feathers. She carried an oversized Champagne flute to cheer the krewe’s anniversary Music forthe celebration wasbyAfter 8.

Krewe presents spectacular ‘What an Iris Wants’ ball

The Krewe of Iris presented its Carnival ball Saturday in the Hilton New Orleans Riverside with the theme “What an Iris Wants.

Named for the goddess of the rainbow, the krewe was organized in 1917 and is the oldest women’s and largest Carnival organization in the area with over 3,700 members. Members portrayed the theme of their floats which included, music, jewelry, travel and dancing. At the conclusion of the ball, members of the court and krewe unmasked to reveal their identities.

Kimberly Richelle Williams, queen of Iris 2026

Misses Emersyn Lynley Brown, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Nicholas Foster; Lillie Giacobbe and Nola Pearl Brown, daughters of Mr and Mrs. Jason Brown; Clementine Carter DiSalvo, daughter of Dr Nicholas Joseph DiSalvo and Ms. Stephanie Jane Carter; Meredith Carol Faust, daughter of Mr and Mrs. George E. Faust; Grier Lynne Gremillion, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Grant Gremillion; Ann O’Brien Hennegan, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Harry Hennegan; Madeline Marie Kohrs, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Nicholas Kohrs; Gianna Marie Schiro, daughter of Mr and Mrs. John Anthony Schiro; and Eleanor Lillian Schneider, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Simon Andrew Schneider Heralds to his majesty were Masters McHale Aidan Childress, son of Mr and Mrs. Shaun Childress; Harrison Peter Faust, son of Mr and Mrs. George E. Faust; Michael Edward

Glover, son of Mr and Mrs. Michael Darrell Glover; Gibson Grant Gremillion, son of Grant and Alison Gremillion; Charles Leon LeSueur, son of Mr and Mrs. Laurence Donnelly LeSueur Jr.; Julien Thomas Rougelot, son of Dr and Mrs. R. Corey Rougelot; Finn Raymond Sellers, son of Mr and Mrs. Justin Sellers; Samuel Bennett Wheeler, son of Mr and Mrs. Samuel Wheeler; Alexander Phillip Williams, son of Mr James Lawrence Williams; and William Prescott Worsley Jr., son of Mr and Mrs. Worsley Sr Junior maids were Misses Margaret Jewell Alford, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Jason Benton Alford; Haley Elizabeth Dashiell, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Aaron Thomas Dashiell; Savannah Fay Faust, daughter of Mr and Mrs. George E. Faust; Camille Almais Gravois, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Kevin Gravois; Molly Joanne O’Sullivan, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Joseph

M. O’Sullivan; Scarlett Linton Phillips, daughter of Mr Sean M. Phillips and Ms. Sherry C. Cesare; and Chase Maragaret Spinola, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Steven Richard Spinola. Iris debutantes were Misses Katherine Alexis Janise, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Janise; Daisy Grace Mooney, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Richard J. Mooney; Reese Taylor Santiny, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Heath James Santiny; Alexandra Carolyn Lucette Marguerite Sauvage and Madeleine Isabelle Juliette Clara, daughters of Mr and Mrs. Mark S. Senter They wore traditional dresses of white adorned with the purple Iris sash. The ball included tributes to three gentlemen who contributed to the success of the organization. The late Mr John C. Oswald, known as Mr Iris and husband to late captain Joy Oswald, the late Mr John Gerald Bruno and the late Mr John Fred-

rick Meyer Jr With the parade rolling on Valentine’s Day, the captain’s costume was a take on the emblem of love. She wore a deep red matte satin crepe mermaid-style gown. The gown and train were encrusted with gold rhinestones and sequins and heart collar Her headpiece was adorned with the heart motif. Officers wore gowns in shades of pink and lace flowers.

Carnaval Big Band under the direction of Robert Perez provided music for the tableaux. Music for the supper dance was by Got Groove. Mr Lawrence Pickett served as ball chairman and Mr Stephen Borrello III was vice ball chairman. Committeemen were Messrs. Boh Capitano, Dr Phillip Petitto, Stephan Nieuwenhuizen, Ben Burch, Joseph Peake Jr Vincent Borrello, Walter Lee, Stephen Boudreaux, Bruce Pontier Sr., Louis Reynolds Jr., Michael Gelder, Monte Montaldo, Dr Matthew Rice, Cooper Jumonville, James Lawrence Williams, Cooper Jumonville and Nicholas Kohrs. Mr Stephen J. Borrello IV served as master of ceremonies.

Today is Sunday, Feb. 1, the 32nd day of 2026. There are 333 days left in the year

Today in history: On Feb. 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke apart as it reentered the Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members: commander Rick Husband; pilot William McCool; payload commander Michael Anderson; mission specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown and Laurel Clark; and payload specialist Ilan Ramon. Also on this date:

In 1865, abolitionist John S. Rock became the first Black lawyer admitted to the bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

In 1943, during World War II, one of America’s most highly decorated military units, the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up almost exclusively of Japanese Americans, was activated.

In 1960, four Black college students began a sit-in protest at a Woolworth’s lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina, where they had been refused service.

In 1979, Iranian religious leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini was welcomed home by millions in Tehran as he ended nearly 15 years of exile.

In 1991, an arriving USAir jetliner crashed atop a commuter plane on a runway at Los Angeles International Airport, resulting in 35 deaths.

In 1994, Jeff Gillooly Tonya Harding’s ex-husband, pleaded guilty in Portland, Oregon, to racketeering for his part in the attack on figure skater Nancy Kerrigan in exchange for a 24-month sentence and a $100,000 fine.

In 2002, Wall Street Journal journalist Daniel Pearl was killed by Islamist militants in Pakistan after being kidnapped nine days earlier

In 2021, the army in Myanmar overthrew the elected government of the Southeast Asian country (Armed resistance arose after the army used lethal force to crush nonviolent protests against its takeover and an ensuing civil war left more than 3.6 million people displaced in the country, according to the U.N.) Today’s birthdays:

Royal attendant to the monarchs was Master Chase Johannes Nieuwenhuizen son of Mr and Mrs. Stephan Alexander Nieuwenhuizen. Ladies-in-waiting were

The maids and dukes and their themes were Isabella Marie Blanco and Adam Pickett, diamonds; Claire Marie Gegenheimer and Gordon M. Gegenheimer, love; Madeline Fitzmorris Clement-Foster and Nicholas Alexander Foster, shoes; Laura Amanda Thead and Martin Mazanec, race cars; Gabrielle Gollott Smith and Connor Smith, beaches; and Jacqueline Grace Nicaud Thompson and Benjamin Seth Thompson, holidays. Reigning as queen was Kimberly Richelle Williams. She wore a gold fitted gown with an overlay of beaded lace gathered at the waist with a trail, decorated with aurora stones appliques and rhinestone banding surrounded with beaded teardrops. The lace was full of gold bugle-beaded flowers and rhinestones. Her collar, framed with fleur de lis-type swirls and accents, covered a sheer fabric. A gold mantle featured an Iris logo in pink and red Reigning as king was Warren Bruce Astler His majesty wore a gold coat and tunic with rhinestone fleur de lis appliques, embellished cuffs and belt His crown and scepter matched those of the queen as did his collar and mantel. Pages to her majesty were Misses Eloise Jane Harness, daughter of Mr and Mrs. Christopher Conrad Harness Jr.; and Lucille Mae Rodgers, daughter of Mr and Mrs. James Stewart Rodgers II. Pages to his majesty were Masters Jack Preston Hebert, son of Dr and Mrs. Ryan Louis Hebert; and Pierce Anthony Petitto, son of Dr and Mrs. Phillip Anthony Petitto.

Making memories,miniracecarsworthyofthe track

BY YVONNE BAHRYCABALLERO

Contributing writer

My husband spent hours making Pinewood Derby cars withour sons Brent and Corey when they were Cub Scouts.

Human Condition

After watching amovie set within the race car industry,Ithought about those days. Each son, in turn, came home with akit of supplies thatwould eventually be turned into arace car entered into the local Pinewood Derby competition. The kit contained ablock of pine wood, plastic wheels, stickers with numbers and metal axles. The cars had to weigh no more than 5 ounces, be 7inches long andpowered by gravity only

It took some time to trim that block of wood into the shapeofa miniature race car that metthe criteria for the contest. My sons werefascinatedwatching, then helping their Dad.

Several trips were made to the post office to weighthe car,each time returning home to trim or addabit moreweight until it hit that 5ounces.

This activity was atime of fatherson bonding with my sons gathered around the workbench helping the

magic happen, the block of wood slowly becoming amini race car worthy of big time racing notice. It was an experience thatnurtured creativityand technical skills they would use in later life.

Fastforward to 1970 and Corey has advanced toWebelos standing

and wants to build acar forthe Webelos Derbycompetition. This time, thecar would be big enough forhim to get into the driver’s seat and cruise downahill and specificallyoutfitted forthe contest, which considered the design as well as the speed of the car My husband was hesitantatfirst, thenbecame as excited as Corey The twobegan to plan adesign and make alist of needed materials. It was anothertime of bonding between them as adesign took shape.

Ourbackyard becameamanufacturing site, with wood, tools, adhesives, sandpaper and cans of paint stacked forthe job. Again, it took hours cutting wood, assembling, sanding and painting the car,then attaching wheels. This was followed by morehours of adjustment, then practice-driving before thecar was “race ready.”

The bright red and pristine white car was abeauty,one that Corey was proud to enter into the race. Needless to say,his father was proud, too.

Contestants, parents and siblings gathered on the day of the race, as excited as viewers of aNASCAR event. Drivers were abit nervous and their parents more so as the cars lined up at the starting line. Afinal push by volunteers sent them speeding downthe rampto the finish line. Volunteers stood along the route to help keep the cars in their individual lanes. A “master class” effort by all. Corey’sred and white beauty of car wonthe trophy forbest design. All in all, amemorable experience indeed.

—Caballero lives in Baton Rouge.

Advocate readers maysubmit stories of about 500 words to TheHuman Condition at features@theadvocate.com or The Advocate, Features, 10705 Rieger Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70809. There is no payment, and stories will be edited.Authors shouldinclude theircityof residence.

governor-turned-U.S. Senator Huey P. Long was shot by young Baton Rouge physician Carl Weiss is probably the top inquiry among children and, yes, adults. It piqued Guy Luno’scuriosity,but not because he didn’tknow where the bullet holes are located.

“The walls where Huey Long was assassinated used to have lotsofbullet holes in them, and now there’s only one bullet hole in acolumn,” the Baton Rouge resident said. “What happened to the marble wallswith the bullet holes in them?” Whereare they now?

Many Baton Rouge-area adults remember acting on that irresistible urge to stick their fingers in the holes holes, some claim, that may not have been blasted into the marble by the explosion of bullets sprayed by Long’s bodyguards. However,thoseholes still exist in the first floor hallway.They can be found among official portraits of the state’sgovernors on the east side further down from where the shooting occurred.

“We’ve heard that, possibly,some of the panels down the hall actually stood where the shooting happened,” Tullier said. “The story isthatthe next governor didn’twant to see awall full of bullet holeswhen he walked out of his office, so he had them moved and installed down the hall.” That next governor was Richard W. Leche, elected as Louisiana’s44th governor in 1936. Holes or not, he didn’thave to worry about looking at the walls for long, trading them for prison walls after a1939 conviction for misuse of federal funds.

Now,theories are conflicting about the holes in the hallway,with some researchers and historians saying the marble slabs aren’toriginal to the build-

reported that he had aswollen lip. Melinda DeLange, the nurse whoassisted doctors in the operating room,recounted in the 2014 documentary “61 Bullets” the story of adoctor asking Long about the swollen lip. “He said, ‘That’swhere he hit me,’ meaning Dr.Weiss had hit him,” she said in the documentary Weiss was at the capitol because he had apersonal stake in an issue floating through the Legislature that night.

Long wasinthe process of gerrymandering Judge Benjamin Henry Pavy’sdistrict in Opelousas. Pavy’spolitics were anti-Long, and Long didn’ttolerate dissent. Pavy wasWeiss’ father-in-law

The Louisiana State Police launched its own investigation of the shooting in the 1990s, determining that Weiss fired the gun. The weapon was later donated to Louisiana’sOld State Capitol, where it’sdisplayed in the capitol’s“Legacy of Huey Long” exhibit. As forLong, he’sburied in the center of Capitol Park beneath amarble pedestal topped by abronze statue of himself gazing at the building that stands both as his legacy and his demise at age 42. And the true bullet hole in the column, atestament to his downfall, still fascinates school kids today

ing, and the holes simply are imperfectionsinthe surface.

But if Leche did, indeed, have the panels moved, there was one bullet hole that couldn’tberelocated fromhis view.It’sfound in the column cater-corner from thedoubledoors of the old governor’s office, which nowserves as theoffice for the Speaker ofthe House “Huey’sdesk is still in that office,” Tullier said “And it’sused by the speaker.”

Bullets flew in 1935

The Long shootingtook placeonthe night of Sept.8, 1935. Thoughthe clock was edginginon9:30 p.m., the capitol was buzzingwith people.

Weissstood behind the now bullet-dented column and waited for Long, who walked toward the governor’soffice from the eastern side of the hallway.The doctor stepped into Long’spath, gun in hand. Weiss got off ashotthat hitLongbefore his own bullet-riddled body fell at the foot of thecolumn.Weiss’ body waspuncturedby61 bullet holes,all expelled from Long’sbodyguards’ .45 caliber pistols

Longimmediately was hauled to OurLady of the LakeSanitorium, which stood directly behind the capitol on the bank of Capitol Lake. He was taken into surgery and died two days later on Sept. 10.

That’sthe official take on this story,which has generated contention through the years withsome historians and investigatorsclaiming thatWeissdidn’tshoot Long. Abustedlip?

In the1946 painting, “The Shooting of Huey Long,” New Orleansartist John McCrady depictsLong with abusted, bloody lower lip. The painting was commissioned by Life Magazinein 1939.

Acopy of the painting serves as the centerpiece of adisplay in the capitol explaining the timeline of Long’sshooting and lends itself to some authors’ and historians’ theory that Weiss split Long’sbottom lip with his balled fist, thereby triggering the bodyguards.

The doctor’s.32 caliber Fabrique Nationale Model 1910 automatic pistol was never visible in thecrime scene photos and, some

historians say,itwas later found in his car Meanwhile, doctors and nurses attending toLong

Historians have surmised that Weiss stopped by the capitol to try to talk Long out of the gerrymandering. DidWeiss pull agun or hit Long? Either way,bullets flew,creating strong speculation that Long washit by his bodyguards’ bullets.

Do you have aquestion about somethingin Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email yourquestionto curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include yourname, phone number and thecitywhere you live.

Legion of Mars honors military heroes,responders

TheLegion of Mars krewe gathered recently at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans for their annual ball, “Protecting America for 250 Years” and honored the men and women who have safeguarded the nation.

The gala event brought together more than 600 activeand reserve military members and their guests, with Purple Heart recipients, members of the Louisiana National Guard and public safety officials.

Victoria Rose Talamo reigned as queen of the festivities. Maids to her majesty were Misses Ainsley Breard, Annabella Grace and Liliana Rose Geier,Alina RoseLongsworth, Rani LeeSmith,PresleighLynn

Ellen Stewart and Parish Elise Whipple. Ladies-in-waiting were Misses Camille Grace Blackburn, Mary Gwendoline Rhoton and Kendall FayeRongey Princesses included Misses Elliette AnnBlatchford, Bailey Antoinette Rhoton and Marigny Margaret Ellen Shirer

Pages wereMasters

Christopher Aaron Bur-

arepresentativeofthe Order of

QUEENS

VictoriaTopham.

Continued from page1D

she just didn’thave before In 2025, Topham’sdaughter,Olivia Topham, was one of 25 festival queens. Olivia Topham presented as arepresentative of the Order of the Troubadours from Lafayette. For Brumfield, this year’s Washington Mardi Gras is not her first rodeo. In 2023, she was thereas Miss Andouille for St. John theBaptist Parish.Only 17 at the time, she was one of theyoungestinthe group butshe says the experience taught her how to travelindependently

She adds that Washington Mardi Gras can bring young festival queens outof their comfort zones,putting them in positions to speak to elected leaders and captains of industry Brumfield says the festival queens “pour our hearts and souls” into representing and promoting their festivals and organizations. Louisiana Cattle Queen IsabelleDouet, who started herreign in May, released achildren’sbookin October titled, “Bubba and the Cattle Queen’sLouisiana Adventure” about two char-

acters who travelthe state and learn about the cattle industry Douet is goingtoWashington MardiGras for the first time this year.She has gone on sixfarm tours to meet with cattle producers to learn their concerns to share on her trip to D.C.

Douet said many of the cattle farmers expressed concern with President Donald Trump’srecent push to import beef from Argentina,sayingthattheywould rather “let the industry level itself out” like it always has.

She noted that thefarmers would rather let supply and demand controlthe prices instead of importing foreign beef to makeprices cheaper One of Douet’s goals is to connect with senatorsand representatives andremind peopleofthe importance of supporting local dairyand beef producersinstead of shopping at big-boxretailers.

“A lot of people think this is avacation for us, butit’s definitely ajob,” Douet said. “Weare booked and busy the whole time.”

Afestival queen’sschedule during Washington Mardi Gras consists of dinners, meet andgreets withcongress members, lunches, an ArlingtonCemetery tour,a captain’s dinner and dance

agrand ball and Louisiana Alive! —one of Brumfield’s favoriteeventsthat features Louisiana caterers, tourism groups and favorites like shrimp,boudin and king cake.

“Louisiana Alive is the night that it feels like you’re back home,” she said.

When the women return home after Washington Mardi Gras, they go back to their normal routines —traveling around the state with bejeweled crownsand sashes on theweekends and going to school during theweek.

Douet, asenior at LSU, is studying animal science and hopes to attend vet school and become alarge farm animal veterinarian. Brumfield, ajunioratMississippi Valley StateUniversity,is studying biology andbusiness andhopes to become an orthodontist.

But for oneweek outofthe year,theypacktheir bags, crowns and sashestogoto Washington, D.C., where they serve as diplomatsfor Louisiana’sculture andcommodities.

Louisianaculture editor Jan Risher contributed to this report.

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

master Jr., Ryan Robert Burmaster,Michael Calvin Burmaster,RhettAlexander Layrisson and Wyatt Edward Rhoton.

Grand marshal honoree was Maj. Gen. Justin Swanson, commander of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command based in New Orleans.

LouisianaNational Guard

Master Sgt.April Albers was honored as the military service member of the year.NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick received the New Orleans first responder of the year honor Purple Heart recipients, all forOperation Iraqi Freedom,including Louisiana National Guard Maj. Gen Thomas Friloux, ArmySgt. 1st Class Kendrick Gibson, Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sgt. Salvador Lopez, Louisiana National

AVOCADO

Continuedfrom page1D

In her videos,Bourbon Streetdoubles as abackdrop for conversations with City Council candidates, anda newnonalcoholic THC barsets thescenefor commentary on Louisiana’s cannabis law

“I still don’tfully know why thousands of people want to follow me on the internet,but Ialso am grateful this whole thing has allowed me to amplify some important causes.”

As her audience has grown, so has her sense of responsibility.What began as off-the-cuff takes has evolved into ahumorous kind of reporting that involves hours of research.

“For the videowith the THC laws, Iwasn’table to sleep onenight. It was 3in themorning and Iwas just like,I’m just gonna do a deep dive of the Louisiana THC legal atmosphere. And then it was,‘Can I find away to makecontent about that in away that feels authentic to me and

to thatbusiness?’” She doesn’tclaim to be an expert on everything she discusses, butthat’swhat makes her account so relatable.

Aday in herlife

Allison splits her time between brand promotion andpersonalcontent creation.

When brands reach out to her, theyknowher voice andvalues arebaked into herwork. Still, balancing client work withher personal brand takes intention.

She typically works with small businesses and nonprofits, helping publicize events like food or clothing drives, allwhile approaching promotion with same authenticity that defines her personal brand.

“Findingways to take currenteventsand talkabout what[the business wants,] and be alignedwithmyown audience and brandcan be achallenge,” she said.

Between shoots with clients and brand meetings, Allison tries to set aside a fewhours aday to read the news and brainstorm for fu-

and

ture videos.

Buttrying to predictwhat will resonate —and what ridiculous headline will break next —isimpossible.

“My mostviral video was theone about the bubble wars, the jailbreak and the fire, and there is no way to incorporate that into acontent calendar,” she said. “I thinkthere’s abit of New Orleansthatkeeps me on my toes, that Ireally appreciate, and Ithink it’sreally forced me to flexmymuscle of being able to make content that’svery quick and reactive.”

Simply put, New Orleans is her muse. No matter thetopic, Allison’svideos are grounded in astrong sense of place. “New Orleans is amain character in my content and Idon’tknow of any other city that is even remotely as weird and wonderful as NewOrleans.”

NOMTOCbal masque features culinary theme

“Cooking With NOMTOC” was the theme of the bal masque Saturday presented by the Jugs Social Club’sKrewe of NOMTOC (New Orleans’Most Talked of Club) in New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Queen NOMTOC LV was MissHollisterMacayla Davis, daughter of Dr Claude Davis and Kim Conner-Davis. The queen wore aone-shouldergold gown in amermaid silhouette featuring afleur-de-lis appliqueatthe shoulder, gold lace trim, crystals at the beltline and cascading feathers forming acoronation plume. Her collar of sequins and rhinestones with emerald pheasant feathers fanning from a caramel centercreated a sunburst halo.The 14-foot green satin mantle with a gold lamé bottom bearing the club’screst and personalized rhinestone motifs The trim wove adiamond lattice of gold lace, punctuated by afleur-de-lis motif. King Mr.Barry Aubert Sr.wore agreen and gold

Holister MacaylaDavis, queen NOMTOC 2026

tunic with tailored sleeves anda bottomcut-out. Embellishments includedsequin accentsand fleur-delisappliques, with metallic threads. The collar featured sequintrim, rhinestones and pheasant featherslike aheraldic crest.He wore a14-foot green satin mantle with gold lame, bearing theclub’screst and personalized rhinestones, with gold lace trim repeatingina diamondlattice with afleur-de-lismotif. Members of the court were Misses A’mariJanai’

Williams; and Khiyler J. Williams, daughter of Joshua Brooks and Rachel Williams.

Blue,daughter of Adrien and Damara Blue;Theresa Marie Carter,daughter of StateSen. Gary Carter Jr and Dr.Desiree Morrell Carter; Cambrey Addison Ruffin, daughter of Ceasar Ruffin and Dr.Oleitha Wilson-Ruffin; Lailah Irielle Kent, daughter of Joshua Johnson and LaShea Kent; Nyjae Shanell Barnes, daughter of Walter and Nigeal Barnes; Lauren Elizabeth Joseph, daughter of Sean and Tanya Joseph; Delani Corin Robinson,

daughter of Darrin and Nicole Robinson; Sanaa Angelina Scharpon, daughter of Lanny and Dr.Ahsaki ScharponSr.;Raleigh Simone Brock, daughter of Mr and Mrs. RoderickBrock; Reilly Blaire Walker, daughter of Joseph Walker IV and Brandi EncaladeWalker; Joi Christine Dupard, daughter of Joseph Dupard Sr.and Edris Robinson-Dupard; and Alona Jonique Gary,daughter of Harold Gary Jr.and Chanel Doleman.

Theme-bearers were Misses Baylee Rose Jarreau, daughter of Derek Jarreau and Bria Aubert; and Baileigh Isabella Lanza, daughter of Fernando Lanza and Nina Graves. Pages to the queen were Misses Valley Victoria Harris, daughter of Tariq Harris and Zipporah Jennings; Mila Marie Matthews, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Shadric and Laken Matthews Sr.; Chloe Milan Williams, daughter of Mr Dominic and Dr.Chantel

Dad’sclothingchoices makesdaughter’swedding

Dear Miss Manners: Iamgetting married in atraditional church ceremony.Myfather,who will be giving me away, has refusedtowear atuxedo on the grounds that it is a“monkey suit,” even though all of the other men in the wedding party will be wearing one. Igave in, because Iwant him to be happy and comfortable. Now he says he will not wear atie,either.My mother and Ihave tricked him into wearing anice new silk jacket and haven’tmentioned anything about him wearing shoes other than sneakers …yet. Iwould give in again if Ithought he was actually going to be in

anyreal pain,but Ican’tsee how wearingatie for an hour is painful.

can get and let the rest go. Am I really being that unreasonable?

Pages to the king were Masters Aiden Eric Jefferson, son of Eric and Anitra Jefferson; Austin Peter Phillips, son Allen and Danielle Phillips; and Herbert McNeal Williams III, son of Herbert and Madeline.

Trumpeters were Masters Dwayne “DJ” Gaines Jr., son of Dwayne Gaines Sr.and Albaney Royal; and Alex Patrick Phillips, son of Allen and Danielle Phillips.

Officers of the club and krewe are Messrs. Theodore C. Sanders III, president; Barry C. Guy Sr., vice president; Dr.Philip Lundy recording secretary; Arthur Allen, financial secretary; Troy Oliver,treasurer; Troy Thornton, sergeant at arms; Roy McCorkle, chaplain; and Marion D. Floyd, parliamentarian. Chairman of coronation activities is Mr.Calvin Roussell, with Mr.EdDeBiew as coronation consultant.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

The real problem is that he hates wearing formal clothes. Ifeellike his refusal to wear atux or tie demonstrates alack of respect for what is, to me, adeeply importantformal ceremony. It feels like he caresmore aboutnot wearing formal clothes than he does abouthis daughter. When Imentioned to my mother that Iwas unhappyabout his decision, Iwas told an anecdote that implied that Icared more about clothes and appearances than about my father,who loves me, andthatIshouldjust takewhat I

GentleReader: The person who cares too much about clothes is your father

He cares desperately about what he wears, to theextent of upsettinghis beloved daughter on aunique and special occasion.

Likeyou, he considers formal clothes to be symbolic.

Butwhile you interpret formality as ashow of respect and festivity, he believes it symbolizes snobbery

Your version is indeed thestandard one, but his is typical of a (mostly male) minority Miss Manners agrees that one of you should put aside those feelings simply to indulge the strongly held feelings of theoth-

er,however wrong you consider them to be. Someone has to be the grown-up here. One would expect afather to do this forhis daughter,especiallyfor one hour at her wedding.

Butasyours refuses, you are stuck with rising above the childishness.

If guests are startled —or, more likely,amused —atyour father’s being tieless and wearing sneakers, that is his problem.Hemay not care abouttheir reactions, or he may take pride in defying the dress code.

Youmight, however,warn him that his act of rebellion might be interpreted as disapproval of the wedding.

Dear Miss Manners: Iremember reading about olden invitation

cards that might say,“Teaat5, carriages at 7:30.”

Gentle Reader: Yes, it was apolite wayofsaying, “Don’tthink you’re staying fordinner.”

Dear Miss Manners: Is it in bad taste to throw yourself ababy shower?

Gentle Reader: Yes, whether you are the baby,the embryo or the mother.And that goes forthe mother’smother,and anyone else in the family Sadly,hosting one’sown (or one’srelative’s) shower emphasizes that there are no friends who care enough to do it.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com or to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail. com.

Dear Heloise: Icook for one and have afridge with asmallish freezer.Here’safew thingsI do:

n Abox of frozenfish filets for sandwiches was half-empty,soIwrapped each one in wax paper and put them in azip-close freezer bag with the baking instructions, of course.

n Ipurchased 2-quart containers of soup from church and made soup from scratch. Iput abowlful of soup in individual freezer bags. Each week, Iwas able to enjoy homemade soup.

Hints from Heloise

n Ialso bought blueberries on sale and bagged them in small bunches. —Joyce Maurer,via email Proper dishwashingetiquette

Dear Heloise: As astudent (and later ateacher) in home economics, we learned that when washing dishes, you should start with a sink or container of very hotwater and dishwashing detergent. Wash

the items that go into themouth first when the waterishottestand cleanest: forks, spoons, “butter” or “place” knives,glasses, and cups. Next, wash preparation items and serving dishes. Save the pots and dirtiest items until theend. Rinse all items completely Alwaysdry with apristine dedicated towel. And alwaysleavethe sharp knivesaside on the counter and wash them one by one, never leaving them down in thesoapywater where you can comeinto contactwith dangerous sharp edges.

Additionally,Ihave learned that wearingappropriate rubber gloves allows youtouse thehottest water.Ialso place acontainer of soapywater on the counter and placefood-encrusted flatware (spoon, forks and knives) inside. This helps remove food, requiring less work. Keepingadedicated dishwashingbrush alsohelps to

removedifficult foods such as egg yolk and avocado. Teaching all family members thecorrect dishwashing technique is aworthwhile task. Younever know when theskill will be needed. Proper dishwashing can help alleviateillnesses. —Judy Marquez, via email Weddingdress storage

Dear Heloise: Iwould love to store my wedding dress. Ihad it drycleaned, and it looks nice. But how do Ikeep it from yellowing?

—Joyce, in Tennessee Joyce, after cleaning the dress, wrap it in unbleached muslin or acid-free white tissue paper.Then wrap it in blue tissue paper and store it in asealed box in acool, dry place. It should last for many years to come. —Heloise

Cloudytea

Dear Heloise: My family and Ilove iced tea but hatewhen it looks cloudy.So, my sister-in-law gave me this hint: Just add asmall

amount of boiling water to a pitcher of iced tea, then stir,and thecloudy appearance should go away —Linda W.,inBearSwamp, South Carolina Cleaning reusable bags

Dear Heloise: Reusable shopping bags are helpful; they decrease theneed for paper and plastic. However,they are unsanitary Hundredsofdirty bags pass through acheck stand each day, spreading germs. Let’sclean thingsuptogether —Christine V.,in Salem,Oregon Christine, how right you are! Check thelabel —some of these bags may be machine-washable, or you can wipe them with an antibacterial towel. —Heloise Receptionhints

Dear Heloise: We’ve decided to have aparty forall of our friends and family to announce that we got married in Las Vegas. (We eloped.) The problem is, Idon’t

know how to plan anice party of about 50 people. Got any hints for me? —LauraT., in Aspen, Colorado Laura, do as much as possible ahead of time and start making lists. If you need help, ask a friend to pitch in, or hire aperson to mingle among the guests. They can refill drinks and makesure that the food table is always clean and well-stocked.

Next, plan your menu: Make a list of everything that you intend to serve and post it on the refrigerator door.Make sure that you have enough bowls and serving trays. Do you need to rent additional seating or extra tables? Youcan have adeli, grocery store or catering company make up platters foryou. Acheese, fruit or meat tray is always nice and can save you alot of time. In the end, makesure to relax and have fun! And congratulations! Heloise

State’srestructured childcare taxcredits forcompanies to help families, workers 4E

aimstoovercome challenges in skin graft industry with shift to 3D printing 7E

author Walter Isaacson embraces tech tool forpublishingbiographies

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

When recent Tulane University grad IshaanPomichter was takinga digitaltechnology class taught by famed biographer and writerWalter Isaacson lastyear, the young tech devotee decided to curatea set of artificial intelligence tools Isaacson could usein his own work. The move paid off in more ways than one. Pomichter earned an Ainthe class. He also ended up starting a business withhis professor Last fall, Isaacson and Pomichter officially joined forces to launch Boswell& Co., astartup that publishesbiographies and memoirs for what its founders call “high-impact individuals, families and organizations.” The twististhe company openly embraces theuse of AI to boost the effectiveness of itsresearch and writing. Boswell, named in honor of pioneering 18th-century biographer James Boswell,markets its

Dudley DeBosier partners

Deal could open door to consolidationof

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

ä See ISAACSON, page 2E

with Uplift Investors, aConnecticut-basedprivate equity firm, that’saimed at helpingthe BatonRouge-based firmfundacquisitionsand useits expertise in marketing and case management to expand across theregion. Under the terms of the deal,

Uplift,through asubsidiary,purchased Dudley DeBosier’snonlegalassets —including its casemanagement systems, finance, accountingand human resources departments. Financial terms of thedeal were not disclosed. Dudley DeBosier will retain 100% ownership of itsLouisiana law practiceand is also aminorityinvestorinthe newsubsidiary, Orion Legal. Uplift is Orion’smajority owner and plans to use the newcompany to acquire the nonlegal assetsofother firms around thecountry.Those firms will then pay afee to Oriontoprovide such services back to them. “Welook forward to expanding Orion Legal to enable future partnerfirmstobenefitfromshared services andmodern operating infrastructure,” Doug Rosenstein, Uplift managing partner, said in a prepared statement Chad Dudley,who founded the

firm with Steven DeBosier and James Peltierin2009, said in an interview last week that the idea is to help professional services firms scale “as we support law firms acrossNorth America.” The deal could open the door to consolidation of regional personal injury firms. It also underscores thegrowing reachofprivate equityintoever-newsectorsofthe economy.Inrecentyears, private equity firms have branched out into everythingfromdental offices andmedical practices to dry cleaners, health clubs andeyewear chains,rolling them up into larger companies that provide sharedservices,thereby increasing efficiency

The field of legal services is an emerging area of investment. “It is definitely agrowing trend,”saidDaneCiolino,a law

ISAACSON

Fool’sTake:

Robotic surgery

Motley Fool

Many people would love to invest in robotic surgery leader IntuitiveSurgical, but its shares are rather steeply valued now with arecent forward-looking price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 54. Instead,consider Medtronic (NYSE: MDT), whose Hugorobotic surgery system has been approved in the U.S. for urologic procedures. (The company is also aleader in cardiac devices, spinal products, insulin pumps andmore.) Medtronic’sforward P/E was recently under 17, makingits sharesmore appealingly priced.

The Hugo system may boost Medtronic’sgrowth while it tries to streamline by focusing on its most profitableproducts. (It’splanning to spin off its diabetes business this year.)

Medtronic also had more than 170 clinical trialsunderway in fiscalyear 2025, when it plowed $2.7 billion into research and development.

In its second quarter of fiscal 2026 (which ended Oct. 24), Medtronic posted revenueof $9 billion, up 6.6% year over year,with net income rising 8%. Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton upped estimates of near-term growth, citing “our outperformance in thefirst half of the year and confidence …in our revenue growth acceleration.”

Medtronic has aproven track record of success, with 48 consecutive annual dividend increases. Its dividend recently yielded aplump 2.8%. Longterm investors maywantto take acloser look. (TheMotley Foolowns sharesofand recommends Intuitive Surgical and recommends Medtronic.)

Fool’sSchool: Finding agood tax pro

Back in 2011, then-National Taxpayer Advocate NinaE Olson noted: “The tax codehas grown so long that it has become challenging even to figure out how long it is. Asearch of the Code conducted using the ‘word count’feature in Microsoft Word turned up 3.8 million words.” The code has not become much simpler since then. Thus, millions now usetaxpreparationsoftwaresuchas TurboTax, TaxAct, TaxSlayer, H&R Block or FreeTaxUSA, among other options.Many others hire tax professionals. You, too,mightwant to consider hir-

EQUITY

Continued from page1E

professor at Loyola University New Orleans. “Privateequity wants to get involved in all sorts of sectors and these law firm deals are modeled after what’s going on in health care and other sectors.”

‘Takingchangebythe hand’

Dudley DeBosier was formed when triallawyers Dudley, DeBosier and Peltier acquired the law practice of E. EricGuirard. At the time,Guirard and his partner,Thomas Pittinger,had been disbarred for rewarding the firm’snonlegal stafffor settling cases as quickly as possible, though they have since been reinstated and have no affiliationwith Dudley DeBosier In the meantime,Dudley DeBosier grew to become one of the state’slargest and most highprofilepersonal injury firms. Accordingtoits website, it has “helped more than 58,000 clients” and recovered more than $1.2 billion for accident victims. While the firm is known locally for its ubiquitous billboards, TV ads and sponsorshipsofthe New Orleans Saints and University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Ragin’ Cajuns, among trial lawyers, it is also known for providing business services to other law firms. Dudley has his own Nashville, Tennessee-based consulting firm, XCelerator,whichadvisespersonal injury firms on howthey canimprove theirefficiency, according to the firm’swebsite. Until recently,Dudley DeBosier also owned aNashville-based advertising agency,CJAdvertising, which provided advertising services to trial lawyers. The firmsold CJ Advertisinglast August.

In November,Dudley told Financial Timesthat the firm had hired investment bank KBW

ing aqualified tax professional to handleyourtax returns. Agood tax pro may be able to save you alot of money.Choose carefully,though, and consider hiring an enrolled agent, who can representyou before the IRS if necessary.(Youcan find oneatnaea.org.)

When you’ve identified afew candidates, interview them. (Many will likely offer afree initial consultation.) Ask questionssuch asthese:

n What’syourbackground?

What are your strengths and weaknesses? (Look for candid answers.)

n How do youhandle your cases, and what do you expect of yourclients?

n What are your fees and billing policies? (Ask for an estimate.)

n Whoexactly will prepare my taxes —you or someone else?

n What are your continuing education requirements, and howmany hours do you normally take eachyear? (Enrolled agents must get 72 hours every three years. Someone exceedingthe requirements is agood sign.)

n If my return is audited, will yourepresentmebefore the IRS? (They should go instead of you,not with you. Youdon’t want the tax pro to outsource audits.)

n When will you be able to complete thework?

Be sure to choose apro you’re comfortable with.A quick online search will turn up more info on, andquestions to ask, enrolled agents.

Ask the Fool:

DemystifyingOTC, SaaS

What does “OTC”mean? —E.L., Forest Hills, Michigan

Theletters standfor “over the counter.” While thousands of securities tradeonthe New York Stock Exchange or NasdaqStock Market, thousands of others are traded over the counter in theU.S meaning notonamajor stock exchange. Those typically belong to small companies that don’tmeet the listing requirements for amajor exchange, although some big-name international stocks can also belisted in the OTC market. There are three main systems handlingOTC stocks; Pink Sheetsisthe one mostlikely to include shadiercompanies. Learn more at Fool.com/investing/stock-market/exchange/ otc-markets.

What’s a“SaaS” company? —D.K., Fort Myers,Florida The letters standfor “software as aservice.” SaaS

Stifel to lookfor apotential private equity backertohelp fund acquisitions, predicting that more firmswould open themselves to private equity

“You can stick your head in the sand if youwant,but it doesn’t seem prudent,” he said. “What was it WinstonChurchill said? Youcan take change by thehand or it will grab you by the throat.”

Investment strategy

Uplift wasfounded in June by Rosenstein, Will Hausberg and Brad Skaf, all former principals at Gridiron Capital, an East Coast privateequityfirm with nearly $9 billion in assets under management

Thefirm billsitselfasa midmarket private equityfirm focused on acquiring growing companies with earnings of between $10millionand $40 million in legalservices, financial services technical tradesand industrial services.

Dudley DeBosier’sentrepreneurial approachand Dudley’s experience as aconsultant were among thefactorsthat attracted Uplift topartnerwith the firm, according to sources familiar with Uplift’sinvestmentstrategy Hausberg said in aprepared statement: “Webelieve this partnershiprepresents an important milestone for thebroader legal services ecosystem and offers a compelling opportunity to bring scale to ahighly fragmented market in aresponsible, durable way.”

Experts say the trial attorney space is ripe forsuchinvestmentsbecause it is fragmented, with manyfirmsoperating on older systems that haven’tkept pace with how modern service organizationsrun.That creates an opportunitytobring benefits of scale, technology and professionalized operations.

It also means firms that sell their nonlegal assetstoOrionwill likely have smallerback-office staffs with fewer employees.

companies offer cloud-based software delivery to businesses and individuals, often via subscriptions. So instead of buying and downloading asoftware package, they pay for on-demandaccess to it. This makes updating easy and leaves the SaaS companies with the responsibilityofstoringcustomer dataand keeping it safe. Someexamples of SaaS include tax-preparation software, Zoom video conferencing, Dropbox storage, Docusign, Mailchimp and even Netflix and Spotify.Some years ago, Microsoft shifted itsdominant Office suite (featuring Word, Excel, Outlook and more) to asubscription, and therefore SaaS, model. Investors tendtolike the business model because it meanscustomers must sign up to makeregular subscription payments, which resultsin fairly dependable revenue for a SaaS company.Itcan also mean acostly hassle for customers to switch toanalternate vendor, keeping them loyal. Butcustomersdobenefit by not having to repeatedly buy,install and updatesoftware they use.

My Smartest Investment:

Boosting next gens

One of the smartest financial moves I’ve made is to helpmyson.When he worked during college breaks, his dad and Iwould match themoney he earned and have him deposit it into an individual retirement account. Now that Ihavea grandson, we have helped him the same waybypartially contributing to his Roth IRA. —R.P., via email That’sa great moveindeed! Most of us need to be saving in earnest for our retirements, and starting early is one of the best strategies for that. Ateen or 20-something might have little interest in saving for retirement, but any money they sock away may be able togrow for them for 40 or 50 years. If a$1,000 investment grows for 50 years at 8%, it will become nearly $47,000; if money is added over time, that investment could become ahuge sum.And if the money is growing in a Roth IRA, it can be withdrawn in retirement tax-free. That’sa big plus. Helping your young ones can makeabig difference, as it’s often hard for anyone at any age to save and invest meaningful sums. It’salso asmart way to possibly get thenext generation(s) interested in investing!

Do you have asmart or regrettable investmentmove to share with us? Email it to tmfshare@ fool.com.

Ethics issues andcompetition

By law,nonlawyers are not allowed to own law firms in the U.S., exceptinArizona andthe District of Columbia. Creating aseparate company like Orion, technically known as aManaged Services Organization, is away to remain withinthose regulatory barriers.

Ciolino said that navigating ethical concerns is complicated but can be done.

“The firms that have done these arrangem ent s have structured thedeals in such away thatthe law firm is split offfrom aservice organization,” Ciolino said.

In astatement, Dudleysaid thefirm has worked closely with Uplift “to ensure the structure complies with applicable ethics rules.”

As the newmodel emerges, longtime competitors of Dudley DeBosier saythey’re not concerned.

MorrisBart, whobroke barriers as New Orleans’ first billboardattorney in thelate 1970s and has recovered more than$5billion for his clients over the years, said he has fielded dozens of offers from private equity firms interested in buying parts of his business. He has waved them off, he said, because theyhaven’toffered enough and don’tresult in better service.

“Private equity guys in New York can’t run Dudley DeBosier as well as Ican run my own firm here in New Orleans,” Bartsaid. EmailStephanieRiegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

Continuedfrom page1E

services to successful clients who can afford six-figure fees to tell their stories. Its first book,about Mississippi native and former Netscape CEO Jim Barksdale, will be completed this year.A second biography,about NewOrleans manufacturing magnate J.M. Lapeyre, is in the works.

Athird tome is under contract, andIsaacson said the company is generating more leads as it plans to add staff andpursuepotential publishing partnerships.

The 73-year-old biographer and writer,who hasspent his career chronicling risk-taking entrepreneurs, is founding the first startup of his own at atimewhen the publishing industry is grappling with questionsabout how AI should and shouldn’tbeusedtoimprove thecraft andbusiness of writing, unlockingcreativity rather than replacing it or stealing it.

Personally,he’sbullish about the newtools —and he’sready to defend his company’sembrace of the tech,even as he braces for inevitable criticism.

“People sayAIwill put people out of work,but it’sthe opposite: It will create jobs forwritersand history students who can produce biographies much moreefficiently,” theauthor said during arecent interview at hisGarden District home.

Across-generationalpartnership

Isaacson, aNew Orleansnative, has alofty media résumé that includes stints as editorofTime magazine, chairand CEO of CNN and president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, aprestigious think tank.

In 2011, he wrote abiography of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs that becameaglobal bestseller,leading to five successfulfollow-ups that showcased his ability to make complex topics enjoyable to read. Whenthe Jobs book was published, Pomichter was9years old. Lessthan adecade later,asahigh schooler in the San Francisco Bay Area, he was interning for tech startups. As acollege freshman, he launched his first company That same entrepreneurial drive ledPomichter,now 22, to partner with Isaacson to launch Boswell, even as he worksfull-time foranother Bay Area tech startup. Joining them is Owen Kirsten, 22, aTulane history and anthropology major who is the company’sgo-to reporter and interviewer Theventure thethree have launched hasvery low overhead —requiring no dedicated office space, inventory or special equipment —and it’s bolsteredbyIsaacson’s reputation andextensive contacts list. Unlike Isaacson’sown books, which are intended for amass audience, Boswell is producing work-for-hire biographies and memoirs for businessfounders and successful people who want to document their legacy Some maybewritten exclusively forfamilyand friendswhile others will be distributed morewidely Fora feethatstartsaround $200,000, the Boswell team will research, write, edit and publish a 50,000- to 75,000-word book chronicling the lifeofits subject. Isaacson said demand is strong. “Everybody deserves to have their story told,” he said. Book-buildingwithmoderntools

material to the archive and, with guidancefromIsaacson,referred to it as he wrote chapter drafts, using AI to assist. Everyone, including the client,weighedinaswork progressed.

One chapter looks at Barksdale’s timeatOle Miss during integration.Others examined different stages of his career and the reasonsfor his $100 million gift to Mississippi schools.

Pomichter declined to describe his exact writing process, but he said he’snot simply feeding interview transcripts and other material into an AI tool andasking it to write.

“Wehave so manyinterviews and articles, AI allows us to find the information we need quicker,and it allowsustoconnect ideas across thousands of files,”Pomichter said.

Thefinalversion of the Barksdale book will be somewhere between 200 and300 pages. Boswell &Co. will producephysicalcopies plus an electronic version. Customers also receive an archive of all the research and a“chatbot avatar” that can answer questions about the material.

The books won’thave an author’s name on them,but they will have aforeword by Isaacson. Andthe client will owneverything, including the copyright for the finished product.

Isaacson said he will donate all of his profits to Tulane’sscholarship fund.

‘Finelinetowalk’

Newspapers, including The Times-Picayune |The Advocate, allowreporters andeditors to use AI as aresearch tool but not to generate content. The rules in publishing are less well defined, with supporters arguing the technology boosts efficiency and critics saying it threatens jobs, creates legal and ethical issues, and replaces original voices with generic prose.

Nick Mueller,ahistorian, author and one of the founders of The National WWII Museum, is curious to see how Isaacson, whom he considers“oneofthe great thought leaders of our time,” will navigate the challenges.

“AI canhelp writers speed up the process and get something to start with,” Mueller said. “But it’sa fine line to walk to use thetools ethically and authentically.”

“AIcan help writers speed up the process and getsomething to startwith. But it’s a fine line to walk to use the tools ethically and authentically.”

MUELLER, historian, author and afounder of The National WWIIMuseum

Isaacson, aware of potential criticismsofhis company’sapproach, says there’saright way and wrong way to put the tools into practice. “If you’re just using AI without real editors, writers and reporters, you’ll getslop,” he said. “What sets us apart is those people plus acarefulgathering of material, so the digital tools don’t hallucinate.” He said the company aimstomerge technology andthe humanities, “create more jobs than we destroy,and have anice little business in New Orleans, especially for writers and history majors.”

TheBoswell team says thetech hasits obvious limitations, including the inability to understand historical contextorwhy certainmoments or ideas are important. It’salso incapable of making ahuman connection.

“The key to any biography is understanding what motivates somebody andwhatmakes themcreative,” Isaacson said. “Machines are not creative, and they don’t have motives, so they don’tfully understand.”

‘Boswell will do it’

Isaacson said the new company’s creative process isn’tall that differentfrom that of James Boswell himself, who helped create the blueprint forthe modern biography by conducting extensive interviews, building archivesand taking exhaustive notes. Instead of quill pens and letterpress printing, however,Isaacson’s crew is using modern tools more powerful than Boswell could have ever imagined.

To start the Barksdalebook Isaacson andteamgatheredinformation from family archives, business correspondence and trustworthy publications. Kirsten hasconducted more than adozen interviews to learn abouttimes in Barksdale’slifethat weren’twell documented.Pomichter added that

So far, Isaacson has done little to promoteBoswell beyond afew mentions on podcasts, but he said marketing efforts will increase. Looking ahead, the partners hope to hire more staffers,dippinginto the New Orleans talent pool, but for now,they are focused on finishing their first three projects and growing the company For Isaacson, it’saway to meet a longstanding need.

“I have alot of people who contact me andsay they wanthelp writing their memoirs,” he said. “I just put one and one together to say if we have this AI architecture and we have alot of studentswho are really good at reporting, now Ican say Boswell will do it.”

EmailRich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

TALKING BUSINESS

ASK THE EXPERTS

La. business owner forged path from steel to robotics

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

When Mindy Núñez

Q&A WITH MINDy NÚÑEZ AIRHART

Airhart talks about robotics, she’s not descr ibing some distant, theoretical future. She’s talking about equipment that will soon be walking the shop floor in St. Bernard Parish.

“This is going to be an actual humanoid robot,” Airhart said. “This will be the first humanoid robot that’s developed for industrial or welding use.” Airhart is the owner of SSE Steel Fabrication, formerly Southern Services & Equipment Inc. the custom steel fabrication company her parents founded in 1996. Based on a 14-acre site in lower St. Bernard, the company has grown into a roughly $30 million-a-year operation with about 75 employees and a national client base while remaining rooted in south Louisiana.

SSE has been investing in automation for nearly a decade. In 2016 the company purchased its first six-axis robotic beam line, an articulated arm that cuts steel, drills holes and shapes beams to exact specifications. Since then, SSE has steadily added more robotic equipment.

The newest investment, however, represents a leap forward. On Jan. 22, the company announced it is working with Houston-based Persona AI to help develop a humanoid welding robot designed specifically for

industrial fabrication. SSE will provide production data to help train the system, and the prototypes will be tested inside the company’s St. Bernard facility Airhart’s own path into the steel business was far from predetermined. A Tulane University graduate who once planned a career in journalism, she joined the company after Hurricane Katrina, when post-storm rebuilding work flooded the region She officially took ownership in 2018, becoming the second generation to lead the firm. In this week’s Talking Business, Airhart discusses how SSE evolved from a

small, family-run operation into a fast-growing fabrication company and what it means to lead — and grow — a business in a traditionally male-dominated field.

The Q&A has been edited for length and clarity

How did your parents originally get into the steel business?

As far as I can remember going up the family tree, the whole family has been entrepreneurs. My grandfather got into gas stations and auto repair stores, and my parents took over those businesses. In the 1990s, large nationwide companies like AutoZone and Walmart really pushed the mom-andpop auto parts stores out of

business.

My father was asked to build a spreader bar, which is used in stevedoring to spread weight when you’re lifting cargo. He built it, realized it was a profitable way to do business and wanted to explore it further So my parents started the company in 1996 and built it very quickly They had a good relationship with the Army Corps of Engineers, which became especially important after Hurricane Katrina, when we did a lot of post-hurricane recovery work.

How would you describe what SSE Steel Fabrication does today?

Everything we do comes from blueprints or shop drawings we get from a customer For example, we did all of the structural steel for the West Power structure for the Sewerage & Water Board. Almost every piece was different depending on where it was placed in the complex. We’re not manufacturing a thousand widgets. We’re making individual parts — sometimes small, sometimes 40- or 60foot beams and each one has a specific place in the drawings.

How has technology changed the business over the years?

Thirty years ago, a lot more cutting and processing was done by hand. As technology evolved, a lot of that processing became automated. We continually invested our profits into bigger and better machinery that was more automated and more precise, and that allowed us to process material faster

What impact has automation had on jobs at the company?

When we bought our first robotic beam line in 2016, I remember announcing it on Facebook and getting angry

comments saying I was taking people’s jobs. But that’s really when we started growing. The productivity we get from these machines gives us more capacity.

From 2016 to about 2021, we added a second shift and then a third. We’ve had more revenue growth and more employee growth since we started using automated equipment.

How did you personally end up in the steel business?

After the hurricane, my parents’ business just exploded. I was able to use my marketing and communications skills (from a journalism degree at Tulane) to showcase the business in a way that made us look more professional and more capable. Over the years, I really started to love construction and the satisfaction you get from building things. It’s important to me to continue my parents’ legacy

What is it like being a woman owner in a male-dominated industry?

As a woman owner, I have a very different experience than a woman who is employed in the industry I’m the one making decisions, and people defer to what I say That’s not the experience of a woman employee.

We do have women welders and women working in production. Because I’m a woman owner, I understand their perspective. I make sure they feel comfortable, that they have a separate bathroom and that my door is always open if there are problems or conflicts.

How do you see the company growing going forward?

Historically, our business has been based in south Louisiana, but we’re seeing more opportunities nationwide. Steel can be shipped any-

where as long as shipping costs aren’t too high. People talk a lot about data centers right now, but there are lots of other opportunities, too — LNG plants and commercial construction. We’re definitely exploring projects all over the United States.

You’ve spoken publicly about the new Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish.Why is that important to you?

I’ve been a proponent of the LIT project since it was announced because I see it as an economic development opportunity for St. Bernard Parish. It’s close to our facility, and it’s going to positively benefit our employees and our neighbors. Is there a third generation interested in the business?

I have an 18-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter My son is very interested in artificial intelligence. My daughter has expressed some interest in the business, but I don’t know how serious it is. I didn’t express interest at that age either If either of them were serious, I’d encourage them to work at other companies first. That’s something I regret not doing I would have benefited from learning how other companies do things before coming back. You often credit your husband as a key part of the company’s success. Why? Justin is the COO, and he deserves just as much credit as I do for where we are today He steps back and lets me take the limelight, but there’s no way I could have done this without my husband.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

AROUND THE REGION

State’s restructured child care tax credits can help workers

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

Across all industries, Louisiana

businesses can invest in their employees’ child care, thanks to the expansion of a state program.

The Workforce Child Care Tax Credit restructures the state’s existing tax credits to widen the caps on expenses both child care and nonchild care businesses alike can claim for supporting childhood education. The program, formerly titled the School Readiness Tax Credit, provides a partially refundable credit for families, child care providers and businesses for contributions to child care in various forms including child care center construction costs and payments for child care on behalf of a company’s employees.

Legislators have doubled the limit for refundable expenses which include child care center construction or repair related expenses, payments from businesses to child care centers on behalf of employees and payments employers make to reserve spots at child care centers for employees.

The changes became effective this year, and families and businesses must apply by Feb. 28 to claim the credit on next year’s tax returns.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue placed a $1 million overall cap for the credits granted in 2026 and will increase the limit in following years depending on the usage of the programs.

Barry Erwin, chief policy officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, a statewide nonprofit that backed the legislation, said child care providers used the program’s provisions for the building or renovation of child care centers in the tax credits’ previous iterations, but employers had not taken advantage of the available credits. With the program’s expansion, he’s hoping more businesses will invest in child care for their staff.

“By enhancing the credit, we’ll be able to get that out to employers in a lot more effective way,” Erwin

said. “Particularly now, I think they are paying a lot more attention than they were maybe almost 20 years ago.”

Workforce development

The tax credit package was originally passed in 2007 to incentivize usage of early childhood education centers and the state’s quality rating system. Only 27% of 4-year-olds in Louisiana accessed public child care in the early 2000s, according to a report by Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, which advocated for the tax credits. In the late 1990s, 61% of children under age 4 were enrolled in child care, according to the report. Erwin said the pressures of recruiting and retaining a workforce have mounted, causing state leaders to reexamine how to alleviate the pressure Child care has be-

come an increasingly consequential factor, he said.

Child care for a 4-year-old costs an average of $8,153 each year in Louisiana, according to 2025 data from the Economic Policy Institute.

That’s 9.7% of the median family income the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ considers a maximum of 7% of the family income spent on child care as the affordability standard.

The labor force participation rate of individuals age 16 and up is 58.1% in Louisiana, lower than the national rate of 62.5%, according to Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis’ September data. Erwin said he thinks child care costs are a factor in the lower-than-average labor force participation rate.

“It’s just become more of an acute issue for a lot of families and employers are feeling it,” Erwin said.

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Taking advantage of the credit

The School Readiness Tax Credit program gave a 100% refundable credit for up to $5,000 to businesses who donated to a child care resource and referral agency Sonjia Brown-Joseph, executive director of Clara’s Little Lambs Preschool Academy, said her New Orleans child care center used the tax credits for the past three to four years. Brown-Joseph said the center used the funds to give raises and bonuses to teachers and to pay for quarterly trainings for her staff of 40 to stay on top of best child care practices. The tax credits have not been fully taken advantage of in its previous iterations, she said, but now that the state has expanded the program’s limits, she plans to reach out to local businesses to let them know how they can contribute

to their employee’s child care.

She said the preschool now has a long waitlist and she’s felt an increased demand for the center’s services after the pandemic when parents returned to work People are starting to increasingly value early childhood education and its impact on the workforce, she said.

“For years, we were regarded as babysitters, and now we are understanding about brain development and the first five years of how important that is to a child’s life and their future development,” Brown-Joseph said. “And I think everybody’s kind of getting that message now.”

‘Not a giveaway’

Over the past decade, early childhood education matching funds have developed throughout the state to stir investment in child care.

In Alexandria, the Rapides Early Childhood Network has bestowed early learning scholarships for children in central Louisiana for the past two years, amounting to about $9.5 million in investment, according to Patrick Moore, chair of the Rotary Club of Alexandria’s Early Childhood Education Initiative who has worked to raise funds for child care.

A recent study conducted by LSU Alexandria on about 200 recipient families found that more than half of parents were able to return to work due to the funds, and a majority said they’d be unable to work without it.

“We’ve got to make sure that we’re a great place to raise a family,” Moore said. Moore said the matching program helps entice businesses to contribute by offering funds in return for their investment. Businesses can combine the state’s offerings for child care assistance, like the tax credits and the matching funds, to boost quality child care and help parents reenter the workforce.

“It’s not a giveaway,” he said “People have to stop and think and invest.”

Louisianaisanall-of-the-aboveenergystate —leveragingits deep rootsintraditional oil andgas while rapidlybuildingonthattradition to advanceenergyinnovationand attract record investmenttoLouisiana Jones Walker attorneysbring decadesoflegal regulatory,and practicalexperiencetothe entire energy spectrum,including offshore andonshore drilling andproduction, pipeline transportation andstorage,and liquefied naturalgas (LNG)facilities. Andmorerecently, this includesextensive experiencesinthe useofcarboncapture andsequestration to expand marketsfor Louisiananatural gas and manufacturing products,aswellasthe useof newerenergysources such as lithiumand biofuels.Our firm proudlysupportsLouisiana’s balanced andforward-thinking approach to energy development.

By advising clientsonbothlegacyand emerging energy solutions,weare proudlyhelping support thestate as aleader in shapingAmerica’s energy independencefor thefuture.

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Researchershavedoubtsastrading partners pledge $5T

Trump’stariffthreats spurredcommitments from overseas investors

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump has strong-armed many of America’sbiggest trading partners into pledging trillions of dollars of investment in the United States. But astudy released last week raises doubts aboutwhether the money will actually materialize and questions how it would be spent if it did.

“How realistic are these commitments?” write Gregory Auclair and Adnan Mazarei of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, anonpartisan think tank that supportsfreetrade “The short answeristhat theyare clouded with uncertainty.”

They lookedatmore than $5 trillion in investment commitments made lastyearbythe European Union, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and the Persian Gulf statesofSaudi Arabia, Qatar,Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.

Trump used the threat of punitive tariffs —import taxes —to pry concessions out of those trading partners, including theinvestment pledges.

The White House haspublished an even higher investment figure —$9.6 trillion —that includes public and private investment commitments from other countries. Trump himself, never one to undersell his achievements, has put the number far higher —$17 trillion or $18 trillion —though Auclair and Mazarei note that “the basis for his claim is not clear.”

All the numbers are huge. Total private investment in the United States was most recently running at a$5.4 trillion annual pace. In 2024, the last year for which figures are available, total foreign direct investmentinthe United States amounted to $151 billion. Direct investment includesmoney sunkintosuch things as factories and offices butnot financial investmentslike stocks and bonds.

“The pledged amounts are large,” Auclair andMazarei write, “but their time horizon varies, and the metricsfor measuring and thus verifying the pledgesare generally unclear.” They note, for example, that theEuropeanUnion’s pledge to invest $600 billion in the

PEOPLE IN BUSINESS

Staff report

South Louisiana businessesand nonprofit groups recently announcedthe following promotions, new hires and resignations.

NewOrleans

Ana Melissa Ramos was promoted to senior vice presidentofhuman resources for PanAmerican Life Insurance Group, effective April 1. Ramos, who succeeds Bryan Scofield, previously held senior HR roles for Copa Airlines and Nestle. She will remain basedin Panama andregularly travel to the group’s New Orleans headquarters.

KathyHarrison, Magdalen Bickford and Susanne Cooper have joined theNew Orleans office of law firm Gordon Arata. Harrison’spractice has centered on commercial litigation defense, and she previously worked as in-house compliance counsel for amaritime tra nsportatio n company.Bickford and Cooper,who joined as members of the firm’slabor and employment services practice, previously worked togetherasinhouse counsel at thesame law firm, working with corporate and nonprofit clients in an array of industries.

CharlesTillotson,the executive directorofthe Louisiana GatewayPort in Plaquemines Parish, announced his immediate resignation. Port Commission officials announced plans to convene in the coming weeks to discuss the transition plan and the process for selecting Tillotson’ssuccessor

Kaitlin Tymrak wasappointed the interim general superintendent of the board of directors ofthe New Orleans Sewerage &Water Board while theutilityconductsasearch to determine who to hire for thepermanent position. BatonRouge

Dr.Roy Culotta has been tasked with leading anew pulmonary medicine clinic at Baton Rouge General. Culotta,who will

be based at BRG’sBluebonnet campus, alsoserves as an assistant professor of pulmonaryand critical care medicine at LSUHealth Sciences Center

Beverly Haydel haslaunched thenew government relations firm Frontline Strategiesthrough thecombination of her previousfirm, Sequitur Consulting and David Tatman’s The Tatman Group. Haydel will serve as president and CEO, of thenew firm, where she will be joined by Tatman, Doreen Brasseaux and Evan Alvarez

Mark Marionneaux,president and CEO of Bank of Zachary,was elected to afour-year term on the board of directors of the FederalHome Loan Bank of Dallas, anetwork of 11 district banks with more than$112 billion in assetsto support mortgage lending and community development. Marionneaux succeeds Albert Christman, of Guaranty Bank and Trust, whoseterm ended at the start of the year

Courtney Myers wasappointed the newdeputy secretary of youthservicesfor the Louisiana Department of Public Safety andCorrections, effectiveMonday.Myers previously served as assistantsecretary of the Office of Juvenile Justice. CentralLouisiana

Marcia Hardy was named thethe dean of the business school and Master of Business Administration degree programat Louisiana Christian UniversityinPineville. Hardy was previously aprofessor of business administration andmanagement at Northwestern State University.

Do you have personnel changes to share or other ideas forour business coverage? Dropusa line at biztips@theadvocate.com

United States “carries no legally binding commitment.”

The report also finds that some countries would straintomeet their pledges. Forthe Gulf countries,“thecommitments arelarge relativetotheir financialresources,” the researchers write. “SaudiArabia appearscapable of meeting its targets, with some difficulty.”The United Arab Emirates andQatar would find it even harder and mighthave to finance theinvestments by borrowing. “In all threecases, thecommitments are nonbinding, and investments from these countries could fall well below headline numbers,” they write.

Moreover,“theseagreements

have been reached under duress,” Mazarei, aformer deputy director of theInternational Monetary Fund,saidinaninterview.“It’s notnecessarily being done willingly.”

So trading partners could look for waystoescape their commitments —especially if theSupreme Court strikesdownthe tariffsTrump used to negotiate the one-sided agreements. Aruling is expected as early as this month.

“Other countriesmay finda way to wiggle out,” Mazarei said.

Still, the Trumpadministration can turn to alternative tariffs if the justices rule the current tariffs illegal.

“President Trump agreed to

lower tariffs on countries we have tradedeals with in exchange for investment commitments and other concessions,” White House spokesmanKush Desaisaid. “The president reserves the right to revisit tariffrates if other countries renege on theircommitments, andanyone who doubts President Trump’swillingness to put his money where his mouth is should ask Nicolás Maduro and Iran for their thoughts.”

U.S. troops overthrew and arrested Venezuelan President Maduro last month, andTrump orderedthe United Statestojoin Israel in bombing Iran last year Auclairand Mazarei agreethat theinvestmentTrump lands could end up creating jobs, spurring economicgrowthand making supply chains moresecure by bringing production to America. Trump, they note, is in some ways taking asimilarapproach to Biden, using government “industrial policy” to encourage more manufacturing in the United States.

ButBidentappedtaxpayer dollars to finance infrastructureprojects and incentives forcompanies to invest in green technology and semiconductors. Trump is using the tariff threat to get foreign countries —and their companies —topick up the tab. And he has dropped the push to encourage clean energy,focusing instead on promoting fossil fuels.

In their report, the Peterson researchers worry about how the investment decisions wouldget madeand whether they would reflect sound economics.“This approach may yield real investmentsand jobs,” they write, “but it raisesfamiliarindustrial policy concerns: opaque projection selection, weak accountability,and the risk that political criteria crowdout economicefficiency.”

Iget deluged by questions at tax time, but themost common are about deductions. As in:“Can Ideduct the cost of thesuit or dress Ihave to buy for work, or my commutingcosts, on my tax return?”

The answers are generally straightforward. Butcreative filers often try to push thelimits. Oneofmyfavorite stories, told to me by atax professional, is about afiler who asked whether theservice she used to cleanse her homeof“bad spirits” could be deducted as amedical expense. No, her ghostbusting was not a write-off.

Andwhat about pets? Can you claim your cat or dog as adependent?

Icertainly understand the reasoning. My 10-pound Yorkshire terrier mix is likehaving another child, right down to the expense of hiring ababysitter when my husband and Itravel. Andthe vet bills? Oh,my!

Well, the owner of an 8-year-old golden retriever is trying to test theidea of adoggy dependent in alawsuit filed against the IRS last year in New York. Amanda Reynolds, of New York, wants theagency to recognize her dog, Finnegan Mary Reynolds, as adependent —specifically, as a“quasi-citizen entitled to limited civil recognition, including dependency status for tax purposes.”

In thesuit,Reynolds argues that the federal government should recognize Finnegan as a dependent because she provides thecanine with “safe harbor, food, shelter,veterinary care, training, day care, and boarding” —intotal, expenses that run in excess of $5,000 ayear

“While dogs are considered property, there is arational basis to consider them as non-human companions,” the lawsuit says. “For all intentsand purposes, Finnegan is like adaughter While novel, this case is not frivolous or meritless and warrants serious consideration.”

There are particular rules to claim an individual as adependent,and her argument broadly aligns with the guidelines for claiming achild: They live with you for morethan half theyear, with some exceptions, and receive more than half their financial support from you.

Butthe IRSsays the tests to be aqualifying child specifically say thechild “must be your son, daughter,stepchild, foster child,

brother,sister,half brother,half sister,stepbrother,orstepsister, or adescendant of any of them.”

In other words, aperson.

“Finnegan is categorically excluded from dependent status due solelytonon-human classification,” Reynolds’ suit contends.

“The categorical exclusion of dog-related support expenses constitutes awrongful taking of property in the form of lost tax deductionsand credits.”

James M. Wicks, the magistrate judge reviewing the case, didn’tdismiss it outright, issuing an order that Reynolds “presents a‘novel but urgent question,’ namely,whether domestic companion animals, including Finnegan,should be recognized as a‘dependent’ under the Internal Revenue Code.”

Still, the lawsuit, which is in early stages, is “likely to result in dismissal,” Wicks noted. The passion forapet and treating it like family doesn’tchange its status as property

“The TaxCode simply does not allow for animals to be claimed as tax dependents,” he wrote. That said, certain pet-related expenses may be deductible, such as forservice animals or guard dogs protecting acommercial property or warehouse, he added

However wacky you might thinkthis case is, it’snoteworthy because it taps into the frustration and bitterness manytaxpayers feel about the inequities in thetax code. The tax code is supposed to be applied fairly,yet we frequently see the wealthy pay less than their fair share. The rich often enjoy favorable tax treatment not available to middle- andlower-income taxpayers. Hedge funds and wealthy real estate investors use complex business setups to avoid paying billions in taxes.

Another example: Employees can no longer deduct homeoffice expenses as atax deduction to due to changes in President Donald Trump’s first major tax legislation, which took effect in 2018 and eliminated the deduction of unreimbursed employee business expenses. More broadly,the benefitsofthat measure skewed

mainly to the wealthy,asdid the tax legislation enacted last year, the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill.

In ascathing 2020 report, The NewYork Times said it had received tax documents showing that Trumppaid only $750 in incometaxes for2016 and 2017, and no personal incometaxes in 10 of the previous 15 years. It also found that he reportedly wrote off about $70,000 in styling services forhis comb-over as a business expense during his time hosting on “The Apprentice” reality show While Trumpcould argue that his signature look wasanecessary business expense as an entertainer,the claim highlights asignificant gap in the tax experience of the ultra-wealthy He certainly has the legal resources to defend the deduction if challenged. But mostordinary taxpayers do not. As F. Scott Fitzgerald famously observed in “The Rich Boy”: “Let me tell you about the very rich. They are different from you and me.” The courts are bound to reject Reynolds’ claim, but the lawsuit is no moreabsurd than atax code that allows abillionaire to pay less in incometax than a barista.

Email Michelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

MADE IN LOUISIANA

Wound-care business pivots from skin grafts to 3D bioprinting

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

For the past 15 years, a Lafayette company has built a national wound-care business out of an often-discarded byproduct of childbirth to help solve a nagging health care challenge affecting millions of people: untreated chronic wounds like bedsores and diabetic ulcers.

Tides Medical collects placentas, transforms them into skin substitutes and distributes them to hospitals, clinics and care facilities to treat chronic and surgical wounds. Over the years, it has used donated amniotic tissue from new moms across Acadiana to manufacture enough wound-care patches to cover four basketball courts.

Annual revenue soared above $100 million as the company earned private and public sector accolades as a rare, vertically integrated Louisiana biotech company But recent Medicare reimbursement changes aimed at preventing fraud have sharply disrupted the industry As its core business of making skin grafts from placentas faces challenges, Tides is now looking to a new technology as an engine for its future growth

Production process

The placenta is the body’s only nonimmunogenic organ — that means there’s no need to match blood types or do the same type of tissuetyping necessary when transplanting organs. And there’s almost no chance the body will reject it.

agreed to donate the placenta. Our team goes into the birth, they bring a sterile basin, we collect the placenta there.”

Tides Medical has hundreds of placentas on hand at any given time They’re stored in a medical-grade freezer at negative-80 degrees, where they can remain for up to a year before being processed using a proprietary method

Two workers at a time carefully wash the tissue, separating its layers in one of the four “clean rooms” at the company’s 12,000-squarefoot Lafayette headquarters.

“Then we use some drying methods to make it into the consistency of tissue paper,” resembling a Listerine breath strip, he said.

About 40 different skin grafts can be produced from a single donated placenta. The whole process takes about two weeks.

After the grafts are sterilized, they are put into final packaging that can be stored for up to five years.

“It’s sort of been our niche, almost,” he said. We try to offer a concierge-level service to the provider.”

Reimbursements busted

Spell

“We get all the placentas that we need locally,” said CEO Joe Spell “We have a team that goes in when the mother has a planned C-section and she’s

Last year, Tides Medical was ranked by Inc. among the fastestgrowing private companies for the third consecutive year, posting revenue growth of 226% for the three-year period from 2021 to 2024. But recent changes to Medicare reimbursement rules aimed at ferreting out fraud and abuse in the wound-care market is forcing the company to pivot, at least temporarily.

Between 2019 and 2024, Medicare spending on skin substitutes

rose from $256 million to $10 billion. While some of the growth was the result of more use of the products in in-home case settings, the U.S. Justice Department also attributed the increase to largescale fraud, following several high profile investigations.

A Phoenix couple was sentenced last month to more than a dozen years in federal prison for submitting more than $960 million in fraudulent claims to federal health care programs in a scheme that involved taking millions of dollars in illegal kickbacks from a skin graft distributor

At the peak of the fraud, there were 300 different products on the market, Spell said, and some of Tides’ competitors were selling products for $5,000 per square centimeter The Louisiana company’s grafts, by comparison, went for $400 per square centimeter Medicare has since capped everyone’s products at $127 per square centimeter — a significant challenge that caused Tides’ revenues to fall off by 40% in 2025.

“Medicare just sort of took a blunt force instrument to the problem, and it’s definitely presenting a lot of challenges,” Spell said. “We’re doing our best to figure out

how to work in our new environment.”

Ahead of the reimbursement change, Tides laid off nearly half of its employees. It now processes only about two placentas a week.

Still, Spell sees a huge unmet need for his products. He estimates only about 600,000 of the 3.8 million people who suffer from chronic wounds are receiving treatment

“We have the capacity to make enough to take care of 10% of the patients out there that have chronic wounds,” he said. “Capacity is not our problem right now, it’s just market demand.”

‘Bio-ink’-ing a deal

While the business of manufacturing amniotic skin substitutes from placentas is going through a rough patch, Tides Medical is looking for growth from an innovative new medical device.

Tides is now the sole U.S distributor of the first federal Food and Drug Administration-approved intraoperative 3D bioprinter, the Aplicor 3D, which can be used to produce wound-care products personalized for individual patients.

Invented by the South Korean biotech company Rokit Health-

Lafayette-based biotechnology company Tides Medical is capable of producing more than 400 square feet of amniotic skin grafts every year But changes to Medicare reimbursement rules aimed at preventing fraud have meant production is down to less than 44 square feet a year

care, the devices have already been deployed in major research hospitals like the Mayo Clinic The Opelousas General Health System wound-care center is set to be the first location in Louisiana with the technology

Patients’ wounds are scanned with a specially calibrated iPad and artificial intelligence software is used to design a personalized skin graft. Then, health care providers harvest fat from the patient’s body usually the abdomen, which is processed into a “bio-ink.”

The whole process takes about an hour, and clinical studies show it is about 87% effective with just a single application, Spell said. Grafts produced from placentas tend to require re-applications.

While the Korean firm has the patent on the device, Tides has filed for intellectual property protections for new bio-ink uses. Spell said the company is following the same business as conventional printing corporations like HP — effectively giving away the printers and pursuing its profit by providing cartridges and support “We think that the beginning of a new bio-revolution is going to be bio-inks,” Spell said.

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Helpingtolose

NewGLP-1 pillsbring reducedcosts, decrease weight loss surgeriesinLouisiana

BY MARGARETDeLANEY Staffwriter

In December,the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave thegreenlight to apill version of the blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy, the first FDA-approved daily oral GLP-1medication for obesity

The approved pills areGLP-1 drugs that work like widely used injectables to mimic anatural hormone thatcontrols appetite and feelingsoffullness.

In 2023, Americans spent over $71 billion on GLP-1 drugs, accordingtoa report from the Journal of theAmerican Heart Association

About 1in8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, accordingto asurvey from Kaiser Family Founda-

tion. But many morehave trouble affording thecostly shots.

Weight loss surgeries at Baton RougeGeneral MedicalCenterare down27%,according to Dr Drake Ballenger,who specialized in obesity medicine at the hospital’sLouisiana Center for Bariatrics. GLP-1 use continuestosurge, especially among adults 45 to 65.

Ballenger now has patients come in to try GLP-1 drugs before considering surgeries.

$149 per month by someproviders, to treat obesity could expand the booming market for obesitytreatments by broadeningaccessand reducing costs

“Ifwedon’t getthe results, or they don’t tolerate themedications very well, we’ll look at surgery,” Ballenger said.“(Withpills,) we’llbeabletoemploy it for agreater number of people.”

Availability of oralpills,priced at

BEYOND THESCALE:ADDRESSING

Join us on ahealth journey through 2026 with ‘BEYOND THE SCALE: AddressingLouisiana’s obesity epidemic’ Do you wanttostart ahealth journey? We wantto hear fromyou not about weight, but about health,

stress, food and life. Aswemove through 2026, we are inviting readers to come along ahealth journey with us

Ournext project will explore youth obesity.Weposeone question to

The NovoNordisk obesity pill contains25milligrams of semaglutide.That’sthe same ingredient in injectables Wegovy andOzempic andin Rybelsus, alower-dose pill approved to treat diabetes in 2019.

In aclinical trial,participantswho took oral Wegovy lost 13.6% of their total body weight on averageoverabout 15 months, comparedwith a2.2% loss if they took a placebo.That’snearly the same as

See GLP-1, page 3X

ourreaders: What aresome healthy school lunches your kids actually liked? Send us photos. Email youranswers,commentsor questions to Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@theadvocate.com.

Students work to prevent ACLinjuries with device

BY MARGARETDeLANEY Staff writer

Anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tears areone of the most devastating injuries in sports, often requiring a year for an athlete to return to competitive play.

Young Louisiana athletes face additional risk because of high childhood obesity rates, whichincrease joint stress. Atrio of LSU Shreveport computer science students, including graduate student Augustine Nwafor,two undergraduate students Ricky Wiggins Jr.and StewartGreathouse,hope to solve, or at leasthelpyoung athletes

The DevDays HealthTechChallenge presenteda unique opportunity forthe team at LSU to present Smartknee: a wearable prototype that provides realtime data on high-risk movements athletesmake.

“The systemoperates on two levels,” said Nwafor. “There arereal-time alerts thatnotify coaches immediately when an athlete performs ahigh-risk movement —like dangerous cutting anglesorpoor landing mechanics.”

The second level uses artificial intelligenceassistancetopredictand interpret patterns in an athlete’smovements

“If an athlete accumulates multiple risky landings in ashort period,” Nwaforsaid. “That’sa redflag forfatiguerelatedinjury susceptibility.”

Theteam entered acompetition, which wasorganized by Nexus LouisianainpartnershipwithOchsner Health and drew 47 college teams from 11 different universities around the state

The student-researchers found out aboutthe competitionthree weeksbefore theprototype of theirnew inventionwas due

The team receiveda major assist from LSU Health Shreveport’sDr. Giovanni Solitro,the director of the biomechanics educational laboratory whoinvestigates the biomechanics of various joints.

“As abiomechanical engineer and professor of orthopedic surgery,he brought the clinical perspective we needed,” Nwafor said. “Without his domain expertise,wemight have built something technically impressive but clinically irrelevant.”

The team at LSU Shreveport spent two all-nighters developing the software andhardware fortheir ACLdetecting prototype, running at odd anglestotestthe prediction power

“The fact that we were the only team with alive, onstage demo of a hardwaredevicewhile others showed slidesorprerecorded videos felt like the ultimate proof thatwebelonged on thatstage,” Nwafor said.

The team plans to continue the research and product developmentunder Dr.Urska Cvek,anLSU Shreveport computer scienceprofessorand faculty adviserfor this project. Theirnext phase is to trainAIto

ä See ACL, page 2X

HEALTH MAKER

South African doctor joins Manning Family Children’s

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Dr Russel Hirsch joined Manning Family Children’s in January as the chief of cardiology and co-director of the hospital’s heart center Hirsch joins the Louisiana hospital after 23 years at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. He will also serve as professor of pediatrics and division head of cardiology in the department of pediatrics at LSU Health New Orleans.

A native of South Africa, Hirsch completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Cape Town in South Africa. Then, he moved to Washington University in St. Louis Missouri, to complete his pediatric residency, chief residency and pediatric cardiology training, followed by additional training in interventional cardiology at the University of Michigan.

Additionally, Hirsch has authored more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and has given about 75 national or international invited lectures and presentations.

“Dr Hirsch will expand our portfolio of research in the cardiology division,” said Dr Richard DiCarlo, Dean of the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Medicine in a release from LCMC, “and he will play a central role in the education of our learners, training the next generation of pediatric cardiologists.”

How has your career changed

Dr Russel Hirsch joined Manning Family Children’s in January as the chief of cardiology and co-director of the hospital’s heart center

since beginning as a pediatric cardiologist?

I’ve been at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for the last 23 years, where I had the role of the director of the pediatric cardiac catheterization laboratory, as well as the director of the pulmonary pediatric pulmonary hypertension service. Together, with other hospital administrative and leadership roles, I had a very big focus on clinical medicine including research and advancing therapies for children with pulmonary hypertension

I was trained as an interventional pediatric cardiac catheterization. But over the course of my career, I found that I was looking after children with pulmonary hypertension — a very niche type of specialty That became a much bigger clinical interest. As a developer of the pediatric pulmonary hypertension service at my former institution, it became the predominant clinical entity that I was involved with research while still doing cardiac catheterization. That evolved over the

years. If I look at my career, every five years has changed into something else — either morphed and evolved or major changes. It was like if I was practicing law one day and next day, I was an accountant. Medicine is always evolving, and I’ve been very fortunate that I’ve been able to have the supports of really incredible institutions to be able to develop those skills and help the children in my care.

What drew you to Louisiana? To New Orleans?

Frankly

Manning Family

Children’s is very committed to moving with the medical industry They recognize where they can get stronger I’m hoping that I will be able to come in — and plan to develop our strengths to fill those niche gaps, to serve the population of New Orleans in the state of Louisiana.

Manning was seeking somebody who was going to be able to mold what is already a really outstanding division of pediatric cardiology, and take it to a point to be able to serve every patient in this urban area, the state and the whole Gulf South.

There are really no pediatric pulmonary hypertension services of any extent in the city and as much as Manning Family Children’s offers all services, this new position allows me to hone some of those pediatric cardiology services and to promote them.

I also want to develop the heart center into a national leader in cardiology care. Why pediatric cardiology? I was born and grew up in South Africa. I was there for at all my schooling before medical school at the University of Cape Town. I very quickly recognized that I was going to be a pediatrician. Not that I don’t like adults, but pediatrics seemed to be much kinder At the time in South Africa, there was an ongoing epidemic of rheumatic heart disease. As soon as I started working with children with heart disease,

I recognized that I could make a difference in pediatric cardiology When I moved to the United States to do my residency and fellowship, I also realized that interventional cardiology in the pediatric domain allows you to make immediate differences in patients’ lives. It was a very easy decision to make for me. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to make the differences that I’ve been able to make, and hope to continue that.

What are some of the biggest changes, or the most impactful, to happen in pediatric cardiology?

The techniques, the technology, the equipment have all improved. It’s very exciting time in pediatric cardiology

Both interventions and surgeries — advancing techniques — have allowed us to operate on children who previously would have died. Those children are now surviving well into adulthood. I think that’s the biggest advance that occurred during my career The improvement in the pharmaceuticals in the pulmonary hypertension domain has allowed transformational therapies to be introduced in the pediatric sphere as well. Children who had undergone lung transplant would have previously faced a very dire prognosis.

Those children are now doing extraordinarily well with new developments in pharmaceuticals.

Mobility exercises are important part of fitness as we age

BY ALBERT STUMM Associated Press

As they age, it’s not uncommon for many people to let out a muted groan when getting out of bed in the morning

But if you “oof” every time you get in a car or “aargh” while bending over to pick up something, it may be time to prioritize exercises that target your mobility Dr Miho Tanaka, a sports medicine surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, said good mobility is increasingly recognized as an important part of overall health. She pointed to research showing that high mobility has long-term effects in reducing rates of cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia and depression.

“It’s not just about how you look and how your level of fitness is at any given point,” Tanaka said. “For anyone who wants to stay active later in life, there has to be a deliberate process of maintaining that level of activity by doing mobility exercises.” Mobility and flexibility are often confused, said Jessica Valant, a physical therapist and Pilates instructor near Denver

Flexibility is simply the extent to which a muscle can lengthen, whereas mobility involves using muscle strength to interact with a network of joints, tendons, ligaments and synovial fluid, which is the lubricant inside the joint.

That network around the shoulders, spine, hips, pelvis and knees needs to work well together Otherwise, it

becomes difficult to reach things in high cabinets squat down to tie your shoes or lift your grandchildren, let alone participate in outdoor activities or sports.

Mobility e xerci ses strengthen your muscles while increasing your range of motion, which allows you to be more functional with age, Valant said.

“Motion is lotion, which is a saying we use in physical therapy all the time,” she said.

Starting from about 30 years old, muscles and tendons start to lose collagen, Tanaka said. That’s the same

substance that in hair and skin relates to going gray and getting wrinkles.

Without regular exercise, weaker muscles put extra pressure on joints, she said. Even active people lose muscle in areas that are overlooked at the gym, such as the rotator cuff around the shoulder and postural muscles that support the spine and neck.

Tanaka said two early warning signs likely point to the need for mobility training. The first is aching joints and muscle stiffness without first exerting a lot of effort.

Back soreness after a long day of sitting at a desk could signal limited hip or pelvic mobility, she said. Achy knees after being on your feet all day may be a sign of weak quadriceps.

The second sign is more acute pain, such as when you don’t get injured but you still experience swollen or painful joints for several days after participating in a sport like basketball or skiing for the first time a while.

She cautioned against following a recent social media challenge to test mobility by standing up from a seated position on the floor without

using your hands.

“I’ve seen some injuries from that, so I definitely don’t recommend that,” she said.

Instead, try sitting in a chair and standing up without putting your hands on the chair arms. Next, try to stand on one foot. If you can do both, that’s a good sign. Tai Chi and yoga are also both great for mobility training, she said.

“You don’t have to have a gym to do this,” Simon said. He suggested working body-weight exercises into your day That could include setting an hourly timer to get up and walk around the house. When you return to your desk, add chair sits to work the quads, hamstrings, calves and glutes. Assuming your balance is OK, doing pushups against a wall or a countertop helps to mobilize the shoulders.

Once those exercises become easy, add exercise bands to build strength.

Valant said that people who are sedentary should simply start walking every day

“It’s the lowest barrier to entry,” she said.

Beyond that, she suggests adding 10 minutes of mobility training to whatever exercise you’re doing. She offers short mobility routines on her YouTube channel targeting the hips, spine and full body

Some basic hip movements include lying on your side and lifting your top leg, lying on your back and squeezing your knees to your chest and sitting up with your feet together, lowering your knees toward the floor

For the spine, try the catcow stretch, arching and curving your back with hands and knees on the floor

Or sit in a chair with feet on the floor, twisting your shoulders to both sides.

“This isn’t something that changes in five days, but I tell people, give it four weeks,” she said. “You will see results over time.”

Dr Corey Simon, associate professor of orthopedic surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, urged people to prioritize mobility before they experience pain in their joints or difficulty moving around.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to live well.

Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

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BY THENUMBERS

Spending on glucagon-likepeptide-1 receptor agonists,orGLP-1s, in the United States increasedover500% from $13.7billion in 2018 to $71.7billion in 2023, according to the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Although these medications were initially developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, newerindications now include weight management. Obesity is achronic diseasethat increases risks for metabolic complications and cardiovascular disease, contributing to an economic burden on health care systems andpatients.

GLP-1 fills and spending for 2023 were obtained from SymphonyHealth for adults aged over 18 years old. This database captures 85% of retail and74% of mail order prescription fills, which consists of prescriptions dispensed by the pharmacy and picked

GLP-1

Continued from page1X

injectable Wegovy,with an average weight loss of about15%.

Chris Mertens, 35, apediatric lung doctorinMenomonee Falls, Wisconsin, joined the Novo Nordisk trial in 2022 and lost about 40 pounds using the Wegovy pill. The daily medication worked to decrease his appetite and invasive thoughts of food, he told The Associated PressinDecember “If there were days whereI missed ameal, Ialmost didn’t realizeit,” said Mertens All the GLP-1 drugs, oral or injectable, have similarside effects, including nauseaand diarrhea. The Wegovy pill must be taken with asip of water in the morning on an empty stomach,

Abowlthatchecksalltheboxes:freshveggies, locallumpcrab,creamycoconutandapopoflime. CurriedCarrot+CoconutSoupfrom “TheEatFitCookbook.

up by the patient, accordingtothe report.

Louisiana spent $1.167 billionon weightloss drugs in 2023, the 16thhighest in America.

In 2023, thesestates spentthe most on GLP-1 weight lossdrugs (in millions), in descendingorder:

n Texas with $6 billion;

n California with $4.4 billion; n Newyork with $4 billion; n Florida with $3.2 billion; n North Carolina with $2.4 billion; n Illinois with $2 billion; n Pennsylvania with $2 billion; n Georgia with $1.9 billion; n NewJersey with $1.7 billion; n Tennessee with $1.6 billion.

In 2023, thesestates spentthe least on GLP-1 weight lossdrugs (in millions), in ascending order: n Wyoming with $66 million;

with a30-minute break before eatingordrinking. That’sbecause NovoNordisk hadto design the pill in away that prevented the drug from being broken downinthe stomachbeforeitcould be absorbed by thebloodstream. Thedrugmaker addedaningredient that protects the medication for about 30 minutes in thegut andmakesiteasierto take effect By contrast, asecond oral weight loss drug, orforglipron from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly,has no dosing restrictions. That drugisbeing considered underthe FDA’s newpriority voucher program aimed at cutting drugapproval times. Adecision is expectedin spring 2026.

EmailMargaretDeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com

n Vermont with $82 million;

n Delaware with $94 million;

n Montana with $106 million;

n Alaska with $115 million;

n South Dakota with $117 million;

n North Dakota with

In December, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave the green lighttoapill version of the blockbuster weightloss drug Wegovy,the first FDA-approved daily oral GLP-1 medication for obesity.Itworks likewidely used injectables to mimic anatural hormone that controls appetite and feelings of fullness.

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Washington MayorDwightLandreneau smiles during an interviewrecently in his of

Hometown hero

Reluctantmayor

came outof retirement to help save town

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dwight Landreneau was driving his golf cart to his deer stand whenhis phone rang.Onthe line was then-Gov.John Bel Edwards. Landreneau, astout, soft-spoken man with square glasses, was in his late sixties and finally ready to retire after along career that anyrural Louisianan might envy: starting as an LSU AgCenter agent with crawfish farmers before climbing through the ranks to become Gov.Kathleen Blanco’sdirector of state parks, then secretary of Wildlife and Fisheries.

After several attemptsatretirement, he had finally made peace with stepping away for good.

But the governor had one more job for him.

Beforethe call ended, Edwards had appointed Landreneau mayorofhis hometown, Washington, in rural St Landry Parish. Edwards remembers making the call.

“For atown that size, theyhad real fiscal issues and neededa leader who could do the hard things,” Edwards said. “I knew Dwight was agood public servant. Ijustcalledhim to askwhether he would beinterested. He was at a time in his life where hewas able to do it —and I’m thankfulhedid.”

After decades of poor financial management,Washington wasonthe brink of bankruptcy

The town faced $750,000 in debt and state auditors were knocking at the

door

“Dwight,” Landreneau remembers Edwards telling him, “if you don’tdo it, the state will have to takeover the town.”

With roughly 1,100 residents, asmall tax base,and no operating funds, the previous mayor had quit after serving less than ayear Even the town’shistoric cemeteries, with graves dating back before the Civil War, were choked with weeds and enclosed by rusting wrought-iron gates “You couldn’twalk through it,” Landreneau said. “People had to bring weed eatersand bushknives just to visit the graves.”

ForLandreneau, retirementwould have to wait alittle longer Suspended in time

Washington is acluster of historic buildings, bleached chapels and a few trailers less than asquaremile in area. It was foundedin1720 as a French trading post, according to the town’swebsite, whichwould make it the third oldestEuropean settlement in Louisiana. Everyevening at 6p.m., a three-chimesteamboat whistle blares through the town, paying homage to the industry responsible forits existence.

On aThursdaymorning in mid-January, 82-year-old Butch Sebastien was ringing up prescriptions at abustling pharmacy towardthe center of town.

Sebastien grew up on the surrounding farmland where he now raisesracehorses.

Thebest part abouthis community is itstranquilityand thepeople,hesays —small town cliches, no doubt, but ones that appear to ring true for many other residents.

“You get to know everybody,which is good and bad,” he said.

When he took over the place in 1971, there were five pharmacies in the immediate area plus twogrocery stores

in Washington. Now his store is the only placetobuy medicine in town, and he enjoys asteadycustomer base fromsurrounding ruralareas. Soon he’lltransfer ownershiptoa younger pharmacist,Tara Thistlethwaite.

“I’mthe only one standing now,”he said. “It’s just harder to makealiving now withall the insurancestuff.

Sebastien maintains that littleelse has changed much in Washington over theyears. Unlike othercommunities struggling with arural exodus, Washington’spopulation hasremainedthe samesince the1800s. Locals joke that everytimea womangetspregnant, a man leaves town.

Back in the day, shallow-draftsteamboats floated down Bayou Courtableau, loadingand unloading goodsbeforereturning to oceangoing vessels waiting in the Atchafalaya. In 1848, asteamboat captain dug aturning basin in Washington, allowing larger boats to pivot there instead of at Port Barre to thesouth.

For abriefperiod, that turned the town intothe largest steamboat port between New Orleans and St. Louis, Missouri. It was abustling hub of commerce that drewa substantial Jewish merchantcommunity,many buried in thetown’sHebrew RestCemetery

But by the turn of the century,the railroad boom rendered steamboats obsolete. In 1900, shortly after the Southern Pacific Railroad reached Opelousas, the last steamboatleft Washington, andthe town seemed to freeze in time.

For years, though, the town was better known as aHighway 49 speed trap, collecting 84% of its revenue, roughly $1.3 million, from fines and forfeitures in 2013 alone.

Driving through narrow residentialstreets, Landreneau points out Magnolia Ridge, a50-acre plantation and Greek Revival mansion once capturedbyUnion troops.Heparks in front of ared-brickwarehouse that once brimmedwithsteamboat cargo —cotton, sugar,molasses, poultry and cattle. Now arustic fine-dining restaurant, it draws visitors from across Louisiana. Landreneau rarely recognizes anyone when he eats there, but that doesn’t bother him much. Most residentsare working or middle-class and commute to nearby towns, so tourism is considered amajor industry for thesmall town of Washington.

Nearby stands Landreneau’sold high school, closed after integration in the 1970s and later convertedinto the Washington OldSchoolhouse Antique Mall, where he once volunteered as its first manager.Today dozens of vendors fill theclassrooms, while kids in town are split between traveling to Port Barre,Opelousas or Lafayette for school.

About 80% of Washington’sbuildings qualify for the National Register

ä See MAYOR, page 4Y

an Rishe

LONG STORy SHORT

Onetable, sixchairs

In early January,Ireadabout a couple who vowed to host adinnerparty everyweek throughout 2025. Somehow,theydid it —all 52 of them. The dinners ran the gamut, from fancy to simple. Theyhad allsorts of positive takeawaysfromthe experience. Iadmiredthem.

But Ialso knewthat this wasn’t the year for me to host weekly dinnerparties. Imight love it, but even floating the idea might push my husband over the edge. Forhim, adinnerparty every week sounds less like hospitality andmorelike ahostage situation. Still, the ideastuckwith me —not the frequency,but the intention. It’sa decision to make gathering people around atable part of the structure of ayear, ratherthansomething thathappens only whenconditions are perfect So Imadeaquietervow.In 2026, Iwanttohost at least one dinnerparty amonth.

Thus far, I’m coming in strong —two in January,with another alreadyonthe calendar for midFebruary.These dinner parties arenothing heroic (beyond the chilesrellenosmyhusband made for the first one, whichpushed his culinary skills to hero status). Theyare notready for an influencer’s flashy andpolished Instagram feed. They are simply people gathered round our big table,passing plateshandtohand. Overtime,I’ve learned afew things aboutmyself as ahost. One is that, for right now,eight people around atable —myformer gold standard —isa bridge toofar.Six is the sweet spot for now. Conversationiseasier,and it’senough without being exhausting.

Anotheristhatthe real pleasure,for me, is in the mix. Ilovebringing together people who haven’tmet but whomI suspect would have plenty to talk aboutifgiven the chance. It is the opposite of networking. It’smorelike matchmaking (and truth be told, Ireally want to be a professional matchmaker in my next life).

Watching aconversation find its footing —and people connect —isone of my favorite parts of the evening. Iworktowardpoliteness giving waytocuriosity around my table

As I’mwriting this, tonight we arehosting aCroatian-themed dinnerparty

I’ve never been to Croatia. It’s on my list, but fornow,itexists mostly as aplace of coastlines I want to explore,a complicated history andfood I’ve only encounteredonthe internet. As it turns out, no one who will be sitting around the table tonight hasbeen to Croatia either —a detail thatfeltlike afeature, nota flaw.

In preparation, Ishared two movies ourguests could watch if theywanted—one light and notso-light aboutthe horrific warof the mid-1990s. Ionly watched the light one. I’m not up forsuperheavy, dark stories right now, andI’ve learnedtotrust that instinct. Gathering doesn’trequire emotional endurance tests.

Ialso shareda poem:“Star on High” by TinUjevi ,who was from Croatia andisconsidered oneofthe great lyric poetsof the former Yugoslavia. Translatedpoetry,I’ve discovered, is agentle way to gain insight into anotherculture —imperfect, filtered, but sincere.

Ithought oneline of Ujevi ’s poem was particularly beautiful: He lovesnolesswho does not waste his words. There’splenty to discuss in thatline alone. Never fear,I don’talways assign homework for dinner

page

ASK THE EXPERTS

Tour guide works to preserve history

Man gives walking tours on Civil Rights events in Shreveport

BY MOLLY TERRELL Staff Writer

Robert Trudeau, a retired teacher from Caddo Magnet High School, loves Shreveport along with its Civil Rights history. To preserve the history of Shreveport, he now conducts walking tours of the city, including one that showcases the significant landmarks of the Civil Rights era. While initially from Massachusetts, Trudeau has lived in Shreveport for decades and in Louisiana for even longer He has been interested in learning and teaching about the city’s Civil Rights history since he arrived He has copies of books that aren’t widely circulated, including “The Blacker the Berry: A Black History of Shreveport” by Willie Burton.

Trudeau told the ShreveportBossier City Advocate about the importance of his walking tours in preserving Shreveport’s Civil Rights history

Answers have been edited for length and clarification.

Why did you start history tours?

I was a teacher, and a friend of mine had a family reunion coming in He asked me to talk to them about what I knew about the city and so I did, and that started the whole thing.

Do you host these tours often?

It varies a lot with factors like weather and timing, but also because history is not an easy sell. For most people, it’s dull and boring, and my job is to help people see that it’s full of energy.

What should people expect to hear from your Civil Rights tour?

I provide examples of what it was like, dates and times and names of people involved while we walk around landmarks.

What’s one of the most interesting Civil Rights stories you’ve learned over your time here?

In the 1920s, a woman named Cora Anderson wanted Black men to have a place with nice offices, and she knew those were not available on Texas Street.

She knew she could raise the money to start a Black Business Center, so she went out and sold burial insurance and used the money to build a four-story building that was a center for Black businesses.

How do you track down your information?

A lot of books. There are a number of relatively small books written by Gary Joiner at LSU Shreveport, as well as Eric Brock, who wrote about 12 different books about Shreveport.

Brock knew from childhood that he was going to be a Shreveport champion. He started saving postcards from Shreveport’s history as a child. We lost him be-

Q&A WITH ROBERT TRUDEAU TOUR GUIDE

fore he even reached his 60s but in the meantime, he had written about 12 books about history So some of those I know very, very well because when you go back over a good author’s work, you can learn so much more. Today, it’s a lot easier to research and report history

I also use LSU archives, online sources and many personal interviews.

Did you teach local history during your time at Caddo Magnet High School?

Yes, I taught under the umbrella of world geography, and I would find ways to teach about local history, including Norman C. Davis, a Black barber musician and land developer in Shreveport in the mid-1800s.

I realized students needed to get out of those desks, so we did many walking field trips that reflected our lessons, which I think inspired the walking tours.

What do you think Shreveport could do to bring its Civil Rights history back to the forefront?

First of all, a nice, fairly large

official sign, so people don’t think it’s just been put up.

I’d want a sign where the Castle Hotel used to be, too, explaining the significance and how Martin Luther King, Jr first slept there while visiting Shreveport. That location on Sprague Street is now Shreveport Green’s Urban Farm.

Email Molly Terrell at molly terrell@theadvocate.com.

THERE’S GOOD NEWS, TOO

These are stories of global progress compiled by the media group Fix the News and shared in partnership with The Advocate/The Times-Picayune.

Each story overview is linked to an original report or story with more information.

VACCINE DRIVE

The Democratic Republic of Congo launched a nationwide vaccination to protect about 62 million children and adolescents (6 months to 14 years) against measles and rubella, according to the World Health Organization. The campaign, starting in late November, uses a phased approach across provinces and introduces the combined measles-rubella vaccine into the routine immunization schedule.

Supported by partners including the WHO United States Children’s Fund, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the effort aims to close immunity gaps from repeated outbreaks and low coverage, and move toward eliminating both diseases Health workers will deliver vaccines via fixed posts and outreach, with community engagement to encourage vaccination and counter misinformation.

BRITAIN EXPLORATION

Britain has become the largest global economy to end new oil and gas exploration, according to Greenpeace

Continued from page 1y

STORIES OF GLOBAL PROGRESS, COMPILED By FIX THE NEWS

VACCINE DRIVE

The Democratic Republic of Congo launched a nationwide vaccination to protect about 62 million children and adolescents (6 months to 14 years) against measles and rubella, according to the World Health Organization.

UK In its North Sea Future Plan, the government confirmed that no more licenses for new oil and gas will be issued — ending five decades of North Sea expansion. Existing fields will keep producing under stricter climate tests, and this move marks the first step toward a shift to clean, stable renewables

NIGERIA

The World Bank, along with the International Development Association, is supporting Nigeria’s efforts to educate, empower and elevate girls and women through projects that target human capital development and foster inclusive

parties. Sometimes people just show up, and that’s enough. But with our long-running “Year of Countries” monthly dinners with friends, we try to reach beyond the menu. We share a book, a poem, a song, a film, a dance, a television show something that gives us more than talking points about what we’re eating. It’s merely a shared reference point. An invitation to pay attention. What I’ve learned is that hosting doesn’t have to be elaborate to be meaningful. It doesn’t require a theme every time or a perfectly timed menu. It does require intention — the decision to open the door, set the table and make room for conversation to wander where it will. Tonight we’re not even going to have the whole meal complete when our guests arrive. I’m going to ask them to roll up their sleeves and help me make the gnocchi. I believe that conversation flows best when people are doing something with their hands — not to mention learn-

Powering Progress

growth Initiatives like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment expand girls’ access to safe schools, life skills, digital literacy and scholarships. Over 4 million girls have benefited, with targets to reach 15 million by 2028.The Nigeria for Women Program implements economic independence, while the

ing something new together. (In full disclosure, I’ve never made gnocchi either However, I have watched a video. We’ll figure it out, no doubt.)

Accelerating Nutrition Results in Nigeria group delivers cost-effective nutrition services to pregnant women, adolescents and children under five in 11 states.This multipronged approach is boosting enrollment, livelihoods and opportunities for the girls and women in Nigeria.

TANZANIA

In an effort to strengthen the country’s grassroots health care, Tanzania is aiming to deploy nearly 140,000 community health workers by 2028, as reported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization.The program, sparked from lessons from a 2025 Marburg outbreak, aims to build a bridge between communities and health facilities.The first cohort completed six months of instruction — gaining tools like digital tablets to record data, blood pressure machines, sugar level testers, thermometers and nutrition assessment tools. This training improves health education, disease surveillance, early detection and data reporting through tablets with the United Community System.

Fix the News is the world’s leading solutions journalism newsletter. The organization finds hidden stories of progress and shares them with readers from 195 countries. Steven Pinker calls Fix the News “the best source for positive news on the internet.”

No, a monthly dinner party won’t change the world. But it might change a year. It creates a rhythm something to look forward to. It’s a reason to keep saying yes to people when it would be easier to retreat into the glow of a screen and call it rest. For now, that’s enough of a goal. One table. Six chairs. At least once a month. I don’t know who will still be sitting at our table by the end of the year I do know that I want to keep setting it.

Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

With thousands of Shell men and women across thestate,we areworking everyday to reduce emissions, while increasing efficiency in ouroperations

Our tomorrowdepends on what we do today. Together, we arepoweringprogressfor abrighter future. Louisiana is whereweliveand we’reproud to call it home

FAITH & VALUES

Spanish meditation classes offer broader healing

Access to activities like yoga help stressed communities

BY RICHA KARMARKAR Contributing writer

At the New York City yoga studios she frequented in the 2010s, Rosana Rodriguez sometimes found herself the only Latina in the room. “I felt really intimidated,” said the 58-year-old native New Yorker Predominantly White studios and expensive monthly fees gave her and others in her community the impression that wellness spaces “weren’t for them.”

But the practice of yoga itself, Rodriguez said, saved her life. It was a consistent stress-reduction technique after an abusive relationship and losing her job During yoga nidra — or guided meditation in the Savasana posture, often at the end of class Rodriguez caught herself translating what her teacher said into Spanish sparking a “revelation.” “I wanted to bring this level of healing to my community,” she said. Rodriguez soon founded Yogiando NYC, the first Spanish-English bilingual studio in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan, which has a majority Hispanic population. Offering weekly $10 yin yoga classes at Yogiando, which is a made-up word to mean “doing yoga,” since 2017, Rodriguez said the space became a hub of solace where Spanish-speakers could share their anxieties about anything from immigration to family to their jobs with one another “One of the things that I have prided myself in creating for this

MAYOR

Continued from page 1y

of Historic Places, including his grandparents’ 1860s white Victorian home. Landreneau lives in a guesthouse he restored and proudly counts the 746 pickets in the fence he built around it one of several he’s constructed across town. But many other buildings still bear the weight of neglect St. Mark Church, built in 1867 and among the oldest Black Methodist churches in Louisiana, now stands with shattered windows and peeling white paint. Landreneau is working to get it restored though other properties — often tangled in family estates — are harder to reclaim.

On the edge of the woods, a sagging cabin tilts on stilts, with junk inside visible through gaping window frames. It belonged to a hoarder locals called Bozo Jones. He passed away in 2019, but his warning remains carved into a plank out front: “Reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone taking anything from this land.”

“Bozo would collect anything,” Landreneau said. “There are some jewels back there.” Belt-tightening begins

When Landreneau became mayor in 2020, he quickly realized the uphill battle his predecessor faced Mounting late fees and interest on the town’s debts toward various vendors and agencies had caused the problem to snowball. With residents paying utilities in cash or checks, few records existed of where the money went.

“They hadn’t done audits,” he said. “There was money missing. there was no rhyme or reason for how things were filed. In their defense, they were never trained ” Even the town hall’s internet was shoddy — usually only one person could get online at a time. Ironically, the pandemic helped. With federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, Landreneau paid to install fiber-optic lines and converted the entire payment system to electronic records.

“No cash helps us with the way we conduct business, but it also helps us track every dollar that comes in and every dollar that comes out,” he said. Within months, he hired a town clerk, Halli Polotzola, and enlisted Anne Jones, a retired banker who volunteered around 50 hours a week.

“With those two, we really started changing the way we did business in Washington,” he said. Their scrupulousness uncovered

community is a safe space,” she said “The closing meditation is that I’m saying to them, ‘You are held and protected.’ I’m teaching them how to be aware, how to listen to their body how to breathe. Many of these women have told me, ‘I do these breathing exercises every day, and they’ve helped me.’ They’ve told me how yoga has changed their life.”

As Yogiando NYC has done, increasing language accessibility in spiritual wellness spaces across the country has opened up meditation and yoga to more diverse American populations. For Spanish-speaking practitioners like Rodriguez, offering these kinds of classes is crucial to the spiritual-wellness movement in being able to respond to growing mental health concerns as antiimmigrant sentiments and federal actions surge in a country where Spanish is the second-most-spoken

language.

Xiomara Arauz, originally from Panama, teaches meditation and yoga in Spanish in Denver through the Art of Living, a global humanitarian organization founded by Indian guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Arauz and a handful of other instructors across the country have also taught online and in-person Spanish instruction of the Sudarshan Kriya, or SKY breathing technique, to hundreds since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our community is definitely experiencing heightened levels of stress, insecurity, uncertainty, anxiety and fear,” Arauz told RNS.

“If the class is in Spanish and everybody speaks Spanish, people feel more safe being in that environment, feeling like they’re understood or they’re accepted here. They feel a lot better when they leave through the doors of the yoga studio than when they

bills for things like vehicles that didn’t exist and even a clerk accused of stealing more than $20,000 in traffic ticket payments.

Cutting unnecessary costs followed. The town had been paying for insurance policies they didn’t need, including coverage for terrorist attacks. Trimming those contracts nearly halved premiums from $120,000 to about $65,000, according to Landreneau.

Though never an elected official, it was clear Landreneau knew how to work the system. He negotiated with vendors like Cleco, which the town owed over $100,000, persuading them to waive late fees in exchange for steady payments.

Drawing on his experience in state government, he called on the Louisiana Municipal Association, nearby towns, state representatives and auditors for guidance and favors, finding equipment on the cheap and securing more than $2 million in grants and capital outlay funding.

“I knew who to call if I needed help,” he said. “But we knew we were doing it the right way.”

Grant money also modernized the town’s utility system, swapping manual gas, water and sewer meters for electronic ones.

“If you don’t pay, it’s supposed to be turned off,” he said. “It wasn’t getting turned off. Now instead of it taking us two weeks to read the meters, we can read them in two hours.”

Residents began noticing changes too — perhaps after the town’s museum reopened, or when they saw Landreneau building picket fences around town. They started volunteering, hosting bake and garage sales, and donating to beautification projects.

“People got involved because they saw that things were actually

came in.”

Particularly in meditative practices, Arauz said, it is “a different kind of comfort” to practice in one’s native tongue, as the work “is more internal, more subtle.” And her “warm and friendly” personality is able to “come alive” as an instructor in Spanish.

“There is a nuance that I think makes a difference when you are going into these deeper states of relaxation and your conscious mind is not trying to translate,” she said. “There is no resistance in the mind to be doing something else other than absorbing it. They’re able to relax a lot more, be more there, be more present.”

Diana Winston, a mindfulness teacher and director of UCLA

Mindful an education and research center that provides science-backed mindfulness instruction to schools, hospitals and corporate offices — said the center’s Mindful App offers instruction in 19 languages, including a separate Spanish-only feature for California’s large non-English-speaking population. She said the organization is committed to “radical accessibility” to remove language, economic and religious barriers from mindfulness practices.

“It’s a very scary time for a lot of people in this country,” she said.

“I’m very worried about the most vulnerable populations, for people who are in some ways being targeted. And I feel like anything that can help support their mental health and well-being, since that’s what mindfulness really does, that would be a fantastic thing to be able to offer

“And my secret wish,” she added, “the people who could really use mindfulness, who are making these horrible decisions, might

transform themselves, too. What if somebody moved from a place of being stuck in seeing people as other, and hatred and violence, and began to meditate and had more compassion in their heart? That would be incredible.”

Still, barriers exist to getting Spanish speakers to the studios, sometimes based on an idea that yoga and meditation conflict with their Christian faith, practitioners said. Though the last few decades have seen a seismic growth of these Indian practices in secular contexts, often far removed from their Hindu and Buddhist religious roots, some still feel reluctant, said Rodriguez, who refrains from using Sanskrit terms, or the meditative sound “Om,” in her classes.

Marisol Alvarez, a 60-year-old student at Yogiando from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, said she has been told that she shouldn’t be doing yoga, despite the physical, mental and even spiritual benefits she found in the practice.

“They said, ‘The priests don’t want you to practice, it’s not of God,’ ” she told RNS in Spanish. “But I’m healing. God wants me to heal. It’s very big how (yoga) has helped me with my faith, connecting with the universe, with the divine higher power.”

Alvarez has brought her daughter, her mother and people she meets on the street into yoga classes. And the studio’s community of women who have now traveled and shared their dreams with each other — is “filled with so much love,” she said.

“There are times that I’ve arrived at the class feeling like I couldn’t breathe,” she said. “But I breathed.”

improving,” said Thistlethwaite a local pharmacist.

By 2022, Washington’s finances had stabilized, and last June the town became officially debt-free.

“Be patient. Learn how to do without,” Landreneau said when asked what advice he’d give to other struggling small towns. “And when you work on something, do what you say you’re gonna do and people will trust you.”

After a hearty lunch of oxtail at Richard’s Soul Kitchen (the kind that leaves the photographer gnawing the bone clean), Landreneau drives to the Hotel Klaus, a former general store owned by the Klaus family until the 1960s.

If there was such a thing as a mover and shaker in Washington, it would be the hotel’s owner, 42-yearold Stephen Ortego, a Tulane University graduate and former state representative, who now runs a Lafayette-based architecture firm. Ortego is also Landreneau’s nephew

Three years ago, he bought the crumbling building and transformed it into a nine-room boutique hotel. As he gives a tour Ortego adjusts curtains and checks each light bulb The pastel rooms hum with ragtime, swing and Cajun folk music.

“We put the radio on KRVS (Lafayette’s public radio station), so when people come into their rooms, it’s local music,” he said.

There’s a pool out back, and a vintage bar downstairs that glows beneath portraits of St. Landry’s prominent figures. Ortego gears the place toward young couples and wedding parties — where he says receptions can be held across the street at Wolff Hall.

“It’s weird, but it’s exciting. It was falling down,” said Landreneau, who grew up with the Wolffs and

Klauses, both early Jewish families with members now buried in Old Hebrew Cemetery “When we ran out of something, Daddy would go to Mr Wolff. When they ran out, they’d come to us.”

Ortego sees the hotel as a launch point for Washington’s comeback in which the town can both harness and escape its paralysis in history

He talks about adding a kayak vending machine at the nearby boat landing and blue bikes for visitors.

“First, we’ll start with the weddings, but then use that as a way to start building an infrastructure toward more tourism,” he said, pointing toward a sign across the street for a planned two-story building — a mix of shops and apartments backed by a private investor. The local bank is also helping fund other restorations, he said.

“These little things make a big impact,” Ortego said. “Now you have five or six people who are really starting to put money here. You can get it turned around and have a success story a lot faster.”

Down the street at Café Courtableau, owner Peggy Allemond isn’t as optimistic.

“There’s not too much here,” she said, sipping from a bottle of Budweiser after the lunch rush.

Wiry and in her 60s, Allemond has owned the café with her husband since 2018. She cooks most days and he plays harmonica on weekends — unless she doesn’t feel like getting up early, “then I’ll tell him to cook.”

The building, nearly 200 years old, once served as Lastrappe’s meat market and, she believes, still hosts three ghosts.

“They like me. They don’t mess with me, but they have run some of my employees off,” she said. Her real troubles are more earthly ones.

Despite being one of the only restaurants in town, she’s looking for a buyer after struggling with low foot traffic and rising insurance costs.

“We’re just tired. It’s been a struggle. COVID shut us down and it’s just not the same,” she said. “I just wish we had some support from the town. But I can’t afford to eat out every day either.”

Still, six years after that phone call from Gov Edwards, Landreneau remains hopeful.

Edwards says that since Landreneau took the position, the two talk occasionally and the mayor has kept him updated on the town of Washington’s progress.

“It’s self-evident now that he was the right person,” Edwards said. “With no credit to me, Dwight and the people of Washington have done the hard work.”

Edwards says that there are other small communities with legacy costs struggling to provide all the services.

He’s happy for Washington and its mayor

“I believed he could lead that town through the difficult period and out the other side — and he’s done a wonderful job,” Edwards said. “Hopefully the example he’s set can inspire other leaders in Louisiana.” Now 74 and serving his second term after running unopposed in 2024, Landreneau still doesn’t have much time for leisure, but he’s managed to provide retirement benefits for his 14 employees — and finally keep the cemeteries maintained.

Sitting behind his desk beneath a painting of a steamboat, Landreneau’s broad smile beams as he recalls a recent compliment

“He says, ‘Mr Dwight, I went to see daddy’s grave. I brought the weed eater, the broom, the blower, and I got to the grave and it was all done.’ He says ‘I walked back to my truck. I put the tools back in

I got my

and I went and sat on daddy’s grave and drank a

with

Louisiana culture editor Jan Risher contributed to

SUNDAY, FebrUArY 1, 2026

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

todAY's Word — LAVender: LAH-vinder: A Mediterranean mint with lilac-purple flowers.

Average mark 58 words

Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 72 or more words in LAVENDER?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

goren Bridge

Junior shines

Today’s deal is from a recent competition held in Denmark. East was a rising young Danish star, 16-year-old Nikolaj Hammelev Declarer played low from dummy on the opening diamond lead and Hammelev took his king and returned a diamond to dummy’s ace.

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

super Quiz

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2026 Tribune Content Agency

South, planning to take a heart finesse,ledalowheartfromdummy The opponents were obviouslyina4-3fit,butHammelevknew the suit was splitting 3-3. Hammelev had a diamond trick and a suretrumptricktocome,buthow could they defeat this contract? His partner might have a club trick but that was it. Hammelev got creative. Hammelev played the queen of hearts! South took his ace but was now convinced that West held the other five trumps. South led a spade to the ace, cashed the king and ruffed a spade in hand. Hammelev discarded a diamond on the third spade instead of ruffing with the 10ofhearts,furtheringthedeception. “Knowing” that East had 10 cards in the minors South led a club to the king and a club back to his jack. West took his queen and led a spade, Now Hammelev ruffed with the 10 of hearts and led a club. East ruffed for the setting trick and the contract was down one. Declarer needed a sedative.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Point your emotional energy in a direction that offers self-satisfaction, purpose and lasting effects Make romantic plans that will enhance your life and improve your future.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Discipline will pay off. Address lingering issues that are messing with your mind. Find out what’s necessary to derive more joy from and suffer less angst about your everyday routine.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Let your emotions take you on a magical tour. Remember who you are,

what you can do and what you want to pursue next. Be open to suggestions and help from those who want to be a part of your journey TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Stick close to home and take care of your responsibilities and unfinished business that can result in additional costs if left unattended. Dominate your domain.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Boredom will set in if you haven’t planned enough to fill your day Whether you are working toward something you look forward to, staying busy will satisfy and gratify

CANCER (June 21-July 22) An opportunity is attainable, but finishing what you start depends on your emotional well-being and mood. If you rush, it will cost you physically or financially, but if you stand still, you will miss out. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Let your emotions lead the way Share your intentions with someone close to you. The possibilities are endless if you focus on looking and feeling your best.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) You will gravitate toward change: new scenery rearranging your space or engaging in a pastime that is fresh

and exciting. Positive thoughts and actions equal positive gains.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Socialize, participate and share with friends and family, but be careful not to exceed your entertainment budget. Offering time, effort and support will be rewarding.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 22) Take time to observe, check out your options and consider what makes you happy Refuse to compromise yourself, your home or your relationships with loved ones.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Doors are opening, and the light is beginning to shine brightly in your

favor You can talk the talk, walk the walk and take pleasure in generating excitement and hope wherever you go. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Tune in to what others do. The signals you receive will guide you forward without conflict. Showing compassion and understanding will break down barriers that can dismantle your relationship.

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

1. Supreme Court justice. 2. Space. 3. Attorney generalofthe United States. 4. Vice president of America. 5. U.S.coin. 6. Vice president. 7. Secretary of state. 8. Speaker of the House of Representatives. 9. Best Actress Academy Award.10. Rock &Roll Hall of Fame. 11.Congress. 12. Secretary of the Treasury 13.AnAcademy Award. 14. Daytona500. 15.Birth control clinic.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Saturday's Cryptoquote: Be willing tobea beginner every single morning. —Meister Eckhart