The Advocate 02-19-2026

Pecue I-10 exit opens

Officials hope it will improve traffic in the area

The new Interstate 10 interchange at Pecue Lane allows drivers to exit onto Pecue Lane, which could ease

to Highland Road

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

After nearly a decade of planning and construction, tens of thousands of motorists who drive daily through southern East Baton Rouge on Interstate 10 will now be able to exit directly onto Pecue Lane. It’s an enhancement state transportation leaders hope will cut down on traffic for multiple miles surrounding the interchange.

“It’s been modeled to show that it’s going to help Siegen and Highland and give people another access point.”

RODNEy MALLETT, Department of Transportation and Development communications director

The Pecue Lane exit and new diverging diamond interchange are part of a widening project started in 2017, which added new lanes to Pecue between Airline Highway and Perkins Road, according to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.

“It will be open this afternoon; they’re cleaning and moving some barriers and junk,” Rodney Mallett, DOTD communications director, said Wednesday. “It’s gone from one lane in each direction, with an average daily traffic of about 45,000, to two and three lanes in each direction.

Traffic flows through the new Interstate 10 interchange with Pecue Lane on Wednesday.

We connected Rieger Road so people can cut through Rieger now to get to Pecue.

It’s been modeled to show that it’s going to help Siegen and Highland and give people another access point.”

One goal from the project’s outset has been to provide greater access from Woman’s Hospital to the highway

Fred Raiford, transportation director for East Baton Rouge Parish, spent time Wednesday watching motorists take the

new exit. He said DOTD crews have been adding finishing touches, including striping and rumble strips, over the last month.

“We needed another interchange between Highland Road and Siegen Lane,” Raiford said. “Because it was piling up at those two locations. They’re backing up tremendously.”

ä See PECUE, page 4A

Chef’s culinary program caters to inmates

Students get basic lessons to work in kitchens

BY OLIVIA TEES Staff writer

Chef Celeste Gill grew up in Detroit

watching cooking demonstrations by Julia Child and Justin Wilson on TV. Now she is the one doing the cooking demonstrations, but instead of for TV cameras, she’s teaching skills to inmates at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison, and she wouldn’t have it any

other way Her goal is for the men in her class to leave prison with manager and food service certifications and the skills to succeed in any restaurant across the country Each class is about 10 inmates with basic literacy and comprehension skills, which Gill says are necessary to succeed in any kitchen. So far, about 50 people have graduated from her program. She teaches her culinary program in two parts: ServSafe and culinary skills. All of the lessons she teaches are part of her own career running Chef Celeste Bistro in downtown Ba-

ton Rouge’s Main Street Market.

The first part is a four-week classroom-based course where inmates learn food safety, budgeting and management. They receive their management certificate, allowing them to work in any restaurant in the country and be recognized as certified to handle food and people.

“They’re getting life lessons, along with culinary skills, restaurant management skills and food safety, which is the most important thing,” Gill said.

“It’s a huge leg up for them.”

The second part gets hands-on, using

ä See INMATES, page 4A

Civil rights icon Norman Francis dies at 94

Longtime Xavier University president’s ‘impact is immeasurable’

BY JOHN POPE Contributing writer

Norman Christopher Francis, the president of Xavier University for 47 years who was a force for justice in classrooms and boardrooms at the local, state and national levels, died Wednesday at Ochsner Hospital, according to family members. He was 94.

During Francis’ years as the leader of the country’s only Black Catholic institution of higher learning, the Gert Town campus grew from five to 16 buildings, expanding far beyond its original boundaries. Because of his focus on science, Xavier became a university that consistently sent more minority students to medical schools than any other college in the country

“His impact is immeasurable,” said Dr Michael Francis, his son. “He would do anything for his family, the Xavier family and the Louisiana family.”

Among those Francis welcomed to Xavier’s campus were the Freedom Riders civil rights activists he housed in a dormitory in 1961 after White supremacists attacked them in Alabama; former President Barack Obama, who was Illinois’ junior senator when he delivered the university’s 2006 commencement address; and Pope John Paul II, who, during his

See FRANCIS, page 3A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Poll: Many Democrats are still down on party

WASHINGTON Democratic candidates have notched a series of wins in recent special elections but a new AP-NORC poll finds views of the Democratic Party among rank-and-file Democrats have not bounced back since President Donald Trump’s victory in 2024. Only about 7 in 10 Democrats have a positive view of the Democratic Party, according to new polling from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. While the overwhelming majority of Democrats still feel good about their party, they’re much less positive than they’ve been in the past

The midterm elections are still many months away, and lackluster favorability doesn’t spell electoral doom. Other factors could benefit Democrats this year, including broadly negative views of Trump and other Republicans. Additionally, recent polling has found that independents tend to identify more with the party that’s out of power, which could boost Democrats this year too. Historically, the party not in the White House has picked up seats in Congress in midterm elections.

N.J. diocese agrees to $180M settlement

TRENTON, N.J A New Jersey Catholic diocese this week agreed to a $180 million settlement to resolve allegations of clergy sexual abuse, a figure far exceeding agreements in some large dioceses but still dwarfed by other massive settlements.

Bishop Joseph Williams of the Diocese of Camden, covering southern New Jersey and its Philadelphia suburbs, announced the settlement Tuesday in a letter

“For the survivors of South Jersey, this day is long overdue and represents a milestone in their journey toward restored justice and the healing and recognition they have long sought and deserve,” Williams said.

Mark Crawford, state director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, said in a phone interview Wednesday that the settlement was long overdue but he was glad the ordeal was coming to an end. He praised the bishop for listening to survivors and for pledging transparency, contrasting him with his predecessor who fought a legal battle over a state investigation into alleged clergy abuse.

5 dead in Colorado highway crashes

DENVER A total of five people have died in crashes on a Colorado interstate involving over 30 vehicles, including seven semitrailers, after blowing dirt made it nearly impossible to see, authorities said Wednesday Authorities initially said four people died and 29 people were injured in the crashes Tuesday on Interstate 25 near Pueblo. But one of the people hospitalized later died of his injuries, the Colorado State Patrol said Dirt from parched land along the interstate was kicked up by heavy winds and blew across the interstate around 10 a.m. Tuesday causing a “brown out,” Maj. Brian Lyons of the Colorado State Patrol said.

“Visibility was next to nothing,” he said.

11 arrested in death of student in France

PARIS French police investigating the beating of a far-right militant who died of brain injuries have arrested 11 people, prosecutors said Wednesday, in a case adding fuel to long-standing divides in French politics ahead of presidential elections in 2027

Quentin Deranque, a 23-yearold student described as a fervent nationalist, died in a hospital on Saturday He was beaten two days earlier by a group of people in the city of Lyon in fighting that erupted between far-left and far-right supporters on the margins of a student meeting where a far-left lawmaker Rima Hassan, was a keynote speaker

An autopsy found that Deranque suffered a fractured skull and fatal brain injuries, according to Lyon’s prosecutor Thierry Dran.

8 backcountry skiers found dead; 1 missing

Guided tour group caught in sudden avalanche

BY BROOKE HESS-HOMEIER, JULIE WATSON and JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

NEVADA CITY Calif. Crews found the bodies of eight backcountry skiers near California’s Lake Tahoe and were searching for one more after they were caught in an avalanche, the nation’s deadliest in nearly half a century, authorities said Wednesday

Authorities said the skiers had little time to react

“Someone saw the avalanche, yelled ‘Avalanche!’ and it overtook them rather quickly,” said Capt. Russell “Rusty” Greene, of the Nevada County sheriff’s office.

Six from the guided tour were rescued six hours after the avalanche hit Tuesday morning during a three-day trek in Northern California’s Sierra Nevada, as a monster winter storm pummeled the West Coast.

Nevada County Sheriff Shannan Moon said investigators would look into the decision to proceed with the trip on Sunday despite the forecast for a major storm.

That morning at 6:49 a.m., the Sierra Avalanche Center issued an avalanche watch, indicating that

large avalanches were likely in the next 24 to 48 hours.

The center increased the watch to a warning hours before the avalanche hit. It’s not known if the guides would have known about the warning before they ventured out. Authorities have told the families the mission has moved from rescuing people to recovering bodies, Moon said during a news conference.

The victims, including three guides, were found fairly close together, Greene said. The dead and missing include seven women and two men, ranging in ages from 30 to 55. The crews have not yet been able to remove the victims from the mountain because of the extreme conditions, the sheriff said.

Three to 6 feet of snow has fallen since Sunday The area was also hit by subfreezing temperatures and gale force winds. The Sierra Avalanche Center said the threat of more avalanches remained Wednesday and left the snowpack unstable and unpredictable in an area known for its steep, craggy cliffs.

Rescuers reached the survivors

just before sunset on Tuesday

The skiers all had beacons that can send signals to rescuers and at least one of the guides was able to send texts, but it wasn’t clear if they were wearing avalanche bags, which are inflatable devices that can keep skiers near the surface, Greene said.

While they waited to be rescued, the survivors used equipment to shelter themselves and fend off temperatures dipping below freezing. The survivors located three others who had died during the wait, Moon said.

Rescuers used a snowcat to get within 2 miles of the survivors, then skied in carefully so they didn’t set off another avalanche, the sheriff said.

One of those rescued remains in a hospital Wednesday, Moon said. A guide was among the survivors.

The area near Donner Summit is one of the snowiest places in the Western Hemisphere and until just a few years ago was closed to the public. It sees an average of nearly 35 feet of snow a year, according to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, which owns a cluster of huts where the group was staying near Frog Lake.

Envoys: No breakthrough on bridging Russia, Ukraine gap

BY JAMEY KEATEN and ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

GENEVA — The latest U.S.-brokered talks between envoys from Moscow and Kyiv over Russia’s all-out invasion of Ukraine ended Wednesday with no sign of a breakthrough and with both sides saying the talks were difficult,” as the war’s fourth anniversary approaches next week.

The negotiations in Switzerland were the third round of direct talks organized by the U.S., after meetings earlier this year in Abu Dhabi that officials described as constructive but which also made no major headway Expectations for significant progress in Geneva were low

“The negotiations were not easy,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said after the talks broke up and he spoke briefly by phone from Kyiv with his negotiating team.

He earlier accused Russia of “trying to drag out negotiations” while it presses on with its invasion — an accusation he and European leaders have repeatedly made in the past.

Despite that, some progress was made on military issues although political differences remain deep, including over the future of land in eastern Ukraine that is occupied by the Russian army and that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to keep, Zelenskyy said.

The head of the Russian delegation, Putin adviser Vladimir Medinsky, told reporters that the two days of talks in Geneva “were difficult but businesslike.”

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that it’s “too early” to speak about the outcome of the talks Putin has been receiving reports about progress in Geneva, he said.

Both sides said a new round of talks is set to take place.

Soldiers wait Tuesday at a pickup for assignments on the front line near Kostyantynivka, Donetsk region, Ukraine.

Zelenskyy described the military discussions as “constructive,” adding that the armed forces of both countries considered how any future ceasefire might be monitored.

“Monitoring will definitely be carried out with participation of the American side,” he said in a voice message shared in a media group chat on WhatsApp.

U.S President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, said on social media that Washington’s push for peace in Ukraine over the past year has “brought about meaningful progress,” without elaborating.

The two armies remain locked in battle on the roughly 750-mile front line, while Russia bombards civilian areas of Ukraine daily Hours after the first day of talks ended on Tuesday, Russian drones killed a woman and injured a 6-year-old girl and 18-month-old toddler in the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia, officials said.

Zuckerberg quizzed in social media trial

CEO pressed on kids’ Instagram use

BY KAITLYN HUAMANI and BARBARA ORTUTAY AP technology writers

LOS ANGELES Mark Zuckerberg and opposing lawyers dueled in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday where the Meta CEO answered questions about young people’s use of Instagram, his congressional testimony and internal advice he’s received about being “authentic” and not “robotic.”

Zuckerberg’s testimony is part of an unprecedented social media trial that questions whether Meta’s platforms deliberately addict and harm children. During questioning by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Zuckerberg said he still agrees with a previous statement he made that the existing body of scientific work has not proven that social media causes mental health harms. The plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Lanier, asked Zuckerberg if people tend to use something more if it’s addictive.

“I’m not sure what to say to that,” Zuckerberg said. “I don’t think that applies here.”

Attorneys representing the plaintiff, a now 20-year-old woman identified by the initials KGM, claim her early use of social media addicted her to the technology and exacerbated depression and suicidal thoughts. Meta Platforms and Google’s YouTube are the two remaining defendants in the case, which TikTok and Snap have settled. Beginning his questioning, Lanier laid out three options of what people can do regarding vulnerable people: help them, ignore them, or “prey upon them and use them for our own ends.” Zuckerberg said he agrees the last option is not what a reasonable company should do, saying, “I think a reasonable company should try to help the people that use its services.”

Lanier questioned the Meta CEO extensively about a comment he made during a past congressional hearing, where he said Instagram employees are not given goals to increase amount of time people spent on the platform.

GET IN TOUCH

Customer Service: HELP@THEADVOCATE.COMor225-388-0200 News Tips /Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM

Obituaries: 225-388-0289 • Mon-Fri9-5;Sat 10-5;Closed Sun

Advertising Sales: 225-388-0262 •Mon-Fri 8-5

Classified Advertising: 225-383-0111 •Mon-Fri 8-5

Subscribe: theadvocate.com/subscribe

E-Edition: theadvocate.com/eedition Archives: theadvocate.newsbank.com

TheAdvocate(USPS363-040)ispublisheddailyinBatonRougeandatadditionalmailingoffices.Periodicals postagepaidatBatonRouge,LA.ISSN:1061-3978.CapitalCityPress,proprietor.POSTMASTER:Send

September 1987 visit, spoke in the campus’ quadrangle to the leadersofeveryCatholic universityinthe country

“Itwas agreat,great moment for Xavier,” Francis said of the pope’svisit in a 1997 interview.“That moment gave us anational presence.”

Francis’ years of service have been recognized witha slew of awards, including42 honorary doctorates and,in 2006, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civilian honor

Because he built the university and thereby drew national attention to it, Francis is “clearly oneofthe most influential New Orleanians of the 20th century,” said former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League.

“His greatness is being a builder of institutions that are going to continue being significant players in New Orleans.”

People-and book-smart Francis,who served on 54 boards and commissionsand advisedeightpresidentson education and civil rights issues, was born on March 20, 1931, in Lafayette during the Great Depression.One of five children, he earned money by shining shoes and painting houses.

He graduated from St Paul High School and considered enlisting in the Army because his family couldn’tafford to send him to college.

But anun who had taught him contacted the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the order of Catholicnuns that founded and ran Xavier.The group arranged ascholarship for Francis that allowed him work in the libraryto pay his tuition. He enrolled in 1948 at 17.

His leadership skills were evident even then, saidSybil Morial, afriend since their undergraduate days at Xavier,aneducatorand acivil rights activist. Sybil Morial, the wife of former Mayor Dutch Morial and motherto Marc Morial, died lastyear “I knew he was full of life and very smart,not just book-smartbut peoplesmart,” she said. “It was an innate talent.” Francis was president of his class each year until his senior year,when he was elected student bodypresident and graduated with honors in 1952.

He later applied to Loyola University’slaw school, becoming itsfirst Blackstudent. But there was acatch: Even though Francis had integrated the law school, he couldn’tlive in aLoyola

agreed, Francis said, on the condition that the school not announce the decision in anews release, as local hotels and residentsfeared violencewould followthe group.

Buthedidn’tkeep alow profile.Instead,Francisheld anews conference in the dorm lobby to celebrate the group, whoarrivedoncampus bloodiedand bandaged in ascene Francis described as “sad and triumphant.” He also joined the group at Zion Baptist Churchtocelebrate the seventh anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that outlawed segregation in public schools.

personally,” she said. “He set the example.” As president, he wasperpetually cheerful, and he hada hearty greeting for everyone. Buthecouldbe serious when the situation demanded it,asSybil Morial remembered when she describedaprotest on campus

“It could have been very ugly,” she said. “He told the students he wanted to meet with them and hear what theirconcernswere. He letthemtalk, notjust the leader.Hetotally disarmed them,and they walked away satisfied. Iguess they did some marching and public speaking on the campus, but it wasn’tangry.Hehad the talent to do that.”

A1986surveybythe Council forAdvancement and Support of Education named himone of the 100 most effective college presidents in the country

When Hurricane Katrina’s floodwaters battered southeast Louisiana,ravaged his Gentilly home and tore through Xavier’scampus in August 2005, Francis vowed to not only rebuild the campus but makeitbetter

“Bringingusbackto where we werebefore Katrina wasn’tgood enough,” he said in an interview. “We had to get where we were planning to go. We were able to combine the plan that started before Katrina and see how we could move to the next step.”

his father Despitehis accolades,“I don’t wearmytitle on my chest,”Francis said in a 1992 interview.“It’sthe last thing Iwould do.Ijust see everybody as important.I’m president because that happens to be my job, but that doesn’tmake me any better than anybody else.”

Francischairedthe New Orleans Aviation Board and the boards of the Educational Testing Service, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, the Southern Education Association, WLAE-TV,the Metropolitan Area Committee Education Fund and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, aregional accrediting agency.Hewas president of theAmerican Association of Higher Education and the United Negro College Fund and amember of the Catholic University of America’sboard of trustees andThe Times-Picayune Editorial Advisory Board. In addition to the honorary degrees he received, Franciswas awardedThe Times-Picayune Loving Cup and the University of Notre Dame’s Laetare Medal. In 2020, theNew Orleans City Council changedthe name of Jefferson Davis Parkway,whichruns past the edge of Xavier’scampus, to Norman C. Francis Parkway

His firstday there, Francismet afellowstudent, Maurice“Moon”Landrieu, in the lobby “I put my hands on his shoulders and said,‘Welcome aboard. If there’s any way Ican help you, let me know,’ ”said Landrieu, a former New Orleans mayor who died in 2022. Before the two met, “I neverthought aboutsegregation. That’sjust theway things were,” said Landrieu, who often called Francis for advice during hispublic service career.“ButwhenI met Norman, Ibegan thinking in terms offairnessand integrity.Ibecame convinced that as long as his freedom was limited, mine was, too. It made me angry.”

AfterFrancis got his law degree, he joined theU.S Army, serving in the 3rd Armored Division.He later worked on special assignment with the U.S. Justice Department to desegregate federal agencies in major cities, especially in the South. He also joined the New Orleans law firm of Collins, Douglas &Elie, whichwas counsel for the Congress for Racial Equality, the civil rights organization known

cided in the late 1950s to pivot

“I madeadecision that education was going to be the answer for me because as Ilooked at thestrugglefor African Americans, Iknew we weren’t going to make it if we just kept showing up in courtrooms defending ourselves against whatever the circumstances,” he said in a1992 interview

He returned to Xavier in 1957 to become itsdean of men, the first of several posts he would hold during his climbupthe administrativeladder

In thespring of 1961, a group of Xavier undergraduates told himabout the FreedomRiders, agroup of young people who planned to take aGreyhound bus from Washington, D.C., to NewOrleans in abid to end segregationinbus travel in theSouth.

The riders gotasfar as Anniston, Alabama, where about 50 Whitesupremacists attacked them and their bus. The next day,Vincent Roux and Rudy Lombard,who were coordinatingthe New Orleans endof thatride, went to Francis’ office to askifthe Freedom

Seven years later,the Sisters of theBlessed Sacrament decided it was timefor aXavier graduate to become president of the 43-year-old university that St. Katharine Drexel,the order’sfounder, hadestablished forBlack students. Francis became Xavier’s first lay president and first Black president When he took over,“everyone was trying to be ageneral liberal arts college,”Marc Morialsaid. “He hada focus. He positioned Xavier with a focus on science. …Hedid it before it was atrend.”

These days, Xavierturns out dozens of graduates each year whogoontomedical schools, and it has one of Louisiana’s two colleges for training aspiringpharmacists.

Sybil Morial, who held aseries of administrative positions at Xavier for 28 years, witnessed all the changes. “It was an exciting job to be part of this vibrant thing thatwas turning out these successful students who were contributing not only professionally butalso

Eventhough thecampus marinated for weeks in water as deep as 6feet, Francis vowed that classeswould resumeinJanuary 2006. They did.

“Somesaiditwas crazy Somesaid it couldn’thappen,”President Barack Obama said on campus on the fifth anniversary of the storm. “But they didn’t count on whathappens when one force of nature meets another.”

‘Never forget’

Francisalso developeda reputation for leadership in civic and business organizations, includingLiberty Bank, one of the biggest Black-owned financialinstitutions in theUnitedStates. He helpedfound it in 1972 andwas chairmanofits board of directors.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco also appointed Francis in 2005 to lead theLouisiana Recovery Authority to coordinate the state’scomeback from Katrina.

“He wasone of the few peoplethat peopleinpolitics trusted to do their things,” Dr.Michael Francis said of

At Francis’ final commencement, in 2015, the tributes rained down.Vartan Gregorian, the Carnegie Corporation president and an honorary degree recipient, was succinctwhen he told Francis, “The universe is not going to see anyone like you again.”

In response to all the praise,Francis saidhefelt privileged to be of service, and he told the graduates to “never forget from whence you come. …Iwould especially hope that yougive your talent and your expertise to those who need it most. …You havethe tools. Youhave the strong leadership example. Now go out and contribute.” Francis’ wife, Blanche Macdonald Francis, died in 2015.

Survivors include four sons, Michael, Timothy and David Francis, allofNew Orleans, and Patrick Francis of Austin, Texas; two daughters, Kathleen Francis of NewYork City and Christina Francis of Los Angeles; asister,Mabel Bailey of Lafayette; and 11 grandchildren. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.

Raiford said traffic in the area will eventually be aided by other MovEBR improvements to Pecue and Perkins. Last week, ground was broken on a road-widening and sidewalk project for Perkins, starting on one end at Pecue.

Another planned improvement is a traffic signal to be put in at the intersection of Pecue and Highland, considered “dangerous” by some nearby residents.

While the bridge over I-10 has been open for weeks, Mallett said motorists might still be challenged by the bridge’s diverging diamond interchange, which might appear to have drivers crossing to the wrong side of the road at first glance The interchange is designed to improve traffic flow and enhance safety by reducing conflict points and enabling more efficient movement of vehicles on and off the interstate, DOTD said in their materials advising motorists of the interchange. The department said it encourages motorists to familiarize themselves with online informational videos that demonstrate how the new interchange will operate.

“You’re gonna need a little time for, number one, for people to get accustomed to the movement,” Raiford said of the diamond interchange, which is the first to be opened in East Baton Rouge Parish.

He expects his office will get responses very soon about whether drivers like the interchange design, which he admits can make motorists feel like they’re approaching head-on traffic.

INMATES

Continued from page 1A

learning facilities at the prison, and provides the culinary skills needed to succeed in a kitchen Gill teaches them basic recipes and the nuances it takes to succeed in a restaurant. Her students have made homemade biscuits and soufflé topped with chocolate sauce and vanilla. They even go over basic knife

“That’s a little unique, but again, from a safety standpoint, it certainly makes a lot of sense,” he said.

Bonnie Marcantel, who lives near the new exit in a subdivision on the west side of I-10, said she didn’t get a chance to take the Pecue Lane entrance ramp on her morning commute, but planned to

skills using knives tethered to the counter

“I have no fear when it comes to stuff like that because they want to learn and go on and be productive,” Gill said

But just like in school lessons are perfected outside the classroom through homework, and Gill’s class is no different.

She’ll assign projects like opening a restaurant on paper which requires students to create a menu, identify their target audience, and create a budget for everything

exit there Wednesday afternoon.

She has, however, used the new cut-through from Pecue Lane to Rieger Road and said she loves it. Overall, she hopes the exit will relieve daily backups on Highland Road.

“The opening of the I-10 ramps at Pecue Lane marks the completion of a significant infrastructure proj-

down to the fork on the table.

“I love showing people what I do because I really think that if they see me being as goofy as them, they can see that if I can do it, they can do it too,” Gill said. Gill learned the culinary trade while serving in the National Guard. She got her official start in the kitchen as the first female night cook at the Alcohol Treatment Center while she was stationed in Hawaii. Cooking for people in that facility ignited her passion for cooking and for shar-

ect in our area to address heavy traffic flow in that vicinity,” said St. George Mayor Dustin Yates. “We encourage residents to use caution as traffic patterns adjust and to remain attentive to signage and signals while the new interchange becomes fully operational.” Mallett said he hopes motorists can appreciate the route options

ing her skills with those in difficult situations.

Gill has traveled from Hawaii to Virginia and finally to Louisiana, working in kitchens and aiming to help people, specifically those in senior housing and care facilities.

When Gill started working at Baton Rouge’s Main Street Market in 2003, it was also the first time she hired someone from a halfway house to work in her kitchen.

“We’re all one decision away from being where they were Just one bad decision away,” Gill said.

and have a smoother ride on their first commutes along that improved section of the highway “I’m

Email Quinn Coffman at quinn. coffman@theadvocate.com.

In 2013, Gill was asked by the prison to be an instructor for the program. Ten years later, she took over and made the program her own. Even with the skills and certificates the inmates can gain, there is a stigma in the industry around hiring former inmates, according to Gill.

“What I like for people to do is have an open mind when it comes to people coming out of prison,” Gill said. “Most people, it’s not their choice to go to prison.”

Officials: More than 550 schools must close

Investigators find safety issues with commercial driving programs

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

More than 550 commercial driving schools in the U.S. that train truckers and bus drivers must close after investigators found they employed unqualified instructors, failed to adequately test students and had other safety issues, the federal Transportation Department announced Wednesday

The move marks the Trump administration’s latest effort to improve safety in the trucking industry And unlike its actions last fall to decertify up to 7,500 schools that included many defunct operations, this latest step is focused on active schools inspectors identified as having significant shortcomings in 1,426 site visits completed in December

The department has been aggressively going after states that handed out commercial driver’s licenses to immigrants who shouldn’t have qualified for them

ever since a fatal crash in August.

A truck driver that Transportation

Secretary Sean Duffy says was not authorized to be in the U.S. made an illegal U-turn and caused a crash in Florida that killed three people. Other fatal crashes since then, including one in Indiana earlier this month that killed four, have only added to the concerns. Duffy said 448 schools that failed to meet basic safety standards. Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers Another 109 schools removed themselves from the registry of schools when they learned that inspectors were planning to visit.

“American families should have confidence that our school bus and truck drivers are following every letter of the law and that starts with receiving proper training

before getting behind the wheel,” Duffy said.

The list of schools that officials want to decertify now are generally smaller ones, including a number of programs run by school districts. Five of the bigger, more reputable schools represented by the national Commercial Vehicle Training Association were audited but those all passed.

Jeffery Burkhardt, who is chair of the national trucking schools group, said established schools welcome the new enforcement effort to eliminate bad schools that aren’t meeting the standards. He said these audits mark the first time regulators have enforced the standards for driving schools that were passed in 2022.

“There’s no reason to believe that they’re not going to keep on moving on it, which is good You know, the good players have no problem with it. Absolutely none,” said Burkhardt, who is also is senior director of operations at Ancora, which provides CDL training at colleges, community colleges and companies. Another 97 schools are currently under investigation for compliance issues.

Pope laments ‘ashes of international law’ in his Ash Wednesday liturgy

By The Associated Press

ROME Pope Leo XIV opened the church’s penitential Lenten season by presiding over Ash Wednesday and lamenting the “ashes of international law and justice” that have been left by today’s wars and conflicts. Leo revived the traditional prayer and procession that Pope Francis largely delegated to others in his final years. He walked with dozens of monks, priests, bishops and cardinals from one Roman church to another and then sprinkled ashes on the heads of cardinals during Mass.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Pope Leo XIV arrives Wednesday in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Ash Wednesday, a day of fasting and reflection, starts a season of self-denial and repentance from sin

known as Lent. The 40-day period leads up to observances of Jesus’ death on Good Friday and resurrection on Easter In his homily, Leo offered a meditation on sin and said the ashes that Christians receive bear the “weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war.”

“This is also reflected in the ashes of international law and justice among peoples, the ashes of entire ecosystems and harmony among peoples, the ashes of critical thinking and ancient local wisdom, the ashes of that sense of the sacred that dwells in every creature,” he said.

Jesse

Jackson’s children honor his legacy after his death

BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

CHICAGO From jokes about his well-known stubbornness to tears grieving the loss of a parent, the adult children of the Rev Jesse L. Jackson Sr gave an emotional tribute Wednesday honoring the legacy of the late civil rights icon, a day after his death.

Jackson died Tuesday at his home in Chicago after battling a rare neurological disorder that affected his ability to move and speak. Standing on the steps outside his longtime Chicago home, five of his children, including U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson, remembered him not only for his decades-long work in civil rights but also for his role as spiritual leader and father

“Our father is a man who dedicated his life to public service to gain, protect and defend civil rights and human rights to make our nation better, to make the world more just our people better neighbors with each other,” said his youngest son, Yusef Jackson, fighting back tears at times. The family said details on funeral arrangements for Jackson would be announced at a later time, but services will begin next week, with him lying in repose at

the headquarters of the organization he founded, Rainbow/PUSH Coalition in Chicago, which his son Yusef oversees. Services will follow at a church large enough to accommodate expected crowds. Jackson rose to prominence six decades ago as a protégé of the Rev Martin Luther King Jr., joining the voting rights march King led from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama. King later dispatched Jackson to Chicago to launch Operation Breadbasket, a Southern Christian Leadership Conference effort to pressure companies to hire Black workers.

Jackson was with King on April 4, 1968, when the civil rights leader was slain.

Remembrances have poured in worldwide for Jackson, including flowers left outside the home where large portraits of a smiling Jackson had been placed. But his children said he was a family man first. “Our father took fatherhood very seriously,” his eldest child, Santita Jackson, said. “It was his charge to keep.” His children’s reflections were poetic in the style of the late civil rights icon — filled with prayer, tears and a few chuckles, including about disagreements that occur when growing up in a large, lively family

Everyone wantstoavoidtax.Whenpeoplethink about avoiding taxes, they usually thinkabout avoiding income tax. But, Louisiana residentshavetobe concernedwithseveraltypesoftaxeswhentheyareplanningtheirestates

FederalEstateTax–DidYouKnow?

Everyone wantstoavoid tax. When people thinkabout avoidingtaxes,theyusually thinkabout avoidingincometax. But, Louisianaresidents have to be concerned with severaltypes of taxeswhentheyare planningtheir estates. FederalEstateTax –Did YouKnow?

Thefederal estate taxappliestoestates of peoplewho areresidents in anyof the50states. When it applies, it is significant. Essentially, when apersondies, wehavetoadd up thefairmarketvalueofeverythingthe deceased owned–theirhouse, cars, bank accounts, IRA’s, 401(k)’s,lifeinsurance, stock, businessestheyown,real estate andmore. Since2013, newfederal estate tax lawswerepassed.Theexemptionamountis$13,610,000fordeathsoccurringin 2024,andtheestatetaxrateis40%

Thefederalestatetax applies to estatesofpeoplewho areresidents in anyofthe 50 states. When it applies, it is significant.Essentially, when apersondies,wehaveto add up thefairmarketvalue of everythingthe deceased owned–theirhouse,cars, bank accounts, IRA’s, 401(k)’s, lifeinsurance, stock,businessestheyown,realestate andmore. Effective January1,2026, thefederalestatetax exemptionamount is $15,000,000 perperson($30,000,000 formarried couples)for deaths occurring in 2026. Theestatetax rate remainsat 40%

WhatAboutTheSurvivingSpouse?

What About TheSurviving Spouse?

Before 2010, each spouse hadanestatetax exemption. If theestateofthe first spouse to die did notuse their exemption, it wouldbelostand thesurviving spouse couldnot useany of theexemption of the firstspousetodie.However in 2013, “portability”was kept in place –the survivingspousecan nowincrease their exemptionbythe amount of theunusedexemption amount of thedeceased spouse whodiedafter 2010. Butportability must be exercisedtimely.

HowToAvoid CapitalGains Tax

Before 2010, each spouse hadanestatetax exemption. If theestateofthe first spousetodie didnot usetheir exemption, it wouldbelostand thesurviving spousecouldnotuseanyoftheexemptionofthefirstspousetodie.Howeverin 2013,“portability”was kept in place –the survivingspousecan now increase theirexemptionbytheamountoftheunusedexemptionamount ofthedeceased spousewhodiedafter2010.Butportabilitymustbeexercisedtimely HowToAvoidCapitalGainsTax

Yes, knowledge is power,and thechoice is yours. But you MUSTACT NOWtoput yourestateplaninplace. ItallstartsbyattendingoneofLauraPoche’sfreeeducational events whichmakes it clear that regardless of your networth,ifyou want to preserve your hard-earnedassets or have peopleinyour lifeyou need to protect or havecausesthatyouwanttopromote,EVERYPERSONNEEDSALEGALESTATE PLAN. LetLaura Pocheand herprofessionaland knowledgeable staffmakethis processaseasyaspossiblesoyoucanlivewithPEACEOFMIND.

BatonRouge

BatonRouge

Monday,February23

BatonRouge

BatonRouge Tuesday, February 24

Thetax that often creeps up on people people is capital gainstax.Capital gainsis paidwhenyousellanassetthathasappreciatedinvalue.Example:youbuyastock for$20,000 andlater sell thestock for$100,000. Youwill have $80,000 of capital gain,and youmustpay taxonthis. Howyou structureyourbequests to your spouse andyourfamilycan have asignificant impact on howmuchcapital gains taxyourheirs will have to pay. When youdie,yourassets will be “stepped-up” and your heirswill getanew value.

Thetaxthatoftencreepsuponpeoplepeopleiscapitalgainstax.Capitalgains is paid when you sell an assetthathas appreciated in value. Example: you buy astockfor$20,000andlatersellthestockfor$100,000.Youwillhave$80,000 ofcapitalgain,andyoumustpaytaxonthis.Howyoustructureyourbequests to your spouseand your family can have a significantimpact on how much capitalgainstaxyourheirswillhavetopay.Whenyoudie,yourassetswillbe “stepped-up”andyourheirswillgetanewvalue

Giftsof$20,000 PerYearPer Person (UsedTo Be $10,000 PerYearPer Person)

Giftsof$18,000PerYearPerPerson

(UsedToBe$10,000PerYearPerPerson)

Youmay have heardyou candonateorgive$20,000 each year perpersonwithout gift taxconsequences. Typically, no onepaysgift taxonagift regardlessofthe value of thegift.Asizeable gift will have estate andgift taxconsequences.

Youmayhaveheardyoucandonateorgive$18,000eachyearperpersonwithout gifttaxconsequences.Typically,noonepaysincometaxonagiftregardlessof thevalueofthegift.Asizeablegiftwillhaveestateandgifttaxconsequences

YOUARE INVITED TO AFREE WorkshopToLearn HowTo:

YOUAREINVITEDTOAFREEWorkshopToLearnHowTo:

•Minimize or avoiddeath tax;

•Minimizeoravoiddeathtax;

•Makesureyourestateutilizestheexemptionavailablefordeathsoccurringin 2024;

•Makesureyourestateutilizes theexemption availablefor deaths occurring in 2026;

•Properlysetup your Will or Living Trustsothere will be no taxuponthe death of the firstspouseregardlessofthe size of theestate;

•ProperlysetupyourWillorLivingTrustsotherewillbenotaxuponthedeath ofthefirstspouseregardlessofthesizeoftheestate;

•Ensurethatyourheirsreceiveastep-upintaxbasis–notjustwhenthefirst spousediesbutagainwhenthesurvivingspousedies;

•Ensurethatyourheirsreceive astep-upintax basis–not just when the first spouse dies butagain when thesurviving spouse dies;

2026

•Utilize the2026 annual gift taxexclusiontomakegiftsof$20,000 peryearper person during your lifetimetoreduce your taxableestateatyourdeath…and MUCHMORE!

•Utilizethe2024annualgifttaxexclusiontomakegiftsof$18,000peryearper person duringyour lifetimetoreduce your taxableestateatyour death…and MUCHMORE!

PocheLaw Office 4960 Bluebonnet, Ste. C 2:00pm -4:30pm Refreshments ProvidedAfter

MondayJanuary29 PocheLawOffice 4960Bluebonnet,Ste.C 2:00pm–4:30pm RefreshmentsProvidedAfter

BatonRouge

Tuesday,January30 PocheLawOffice 4960Bluebonnet,Ste.C 5:30pm–8:00pm DinnerProvidedAfter

TuesdayJanuary30 Mestizos 2323SAcadianThruway 11:00am–1:30pm LunchProvidedAfter

BatonRouge

BatonRouge

DrusillaSeafood 3482 DrusillaLane 5:30pm-8:00pm DinnerProvidedAfter

BatonRouge

Wednesday, February 25

PocheLaw Office 4960 Bluebonnet,Ste. C 9:30pm-12:00pm LunchProvidedAfter

Wednesday,January31 PocheLawOffice 4960Bluebonnet,Ste.C 9:00am–11:30am LunchProvidedAfter

Thursday,February1 PocheLawOffice 4960Bluebonnet,Ste.C 11:00am–1:30pm LunchProvidedAfter

workshops employ strict social distancing standardsfor everyone’s safety Workshops areopentoFIRST-TIMEATTENDEES ONLY andare geared towards peoplewhowantorneedyourlegalestateplaninplacequickly.(*)Pleasehaveyour personalcalendarhandyat theworkshopsoyoucan choosetostart yourplan NOW! Ifmarried,bothspousesmustattendaworkshoptoensurethatalldecision-makersare involvedinyour family’s coordinatedplan. Allpeoplewho attend will receive a FREEcopyoftheupdated2ndeditionofLauraPoche’sBook,“EstatePlanning Advice by aWoman forLouisiana Women: AGuide for Both Men andWomen AboutWills,Trusts, Probate, Powers of Attorney,Medicaid, Living Wills and Taxes.” *Non-Louisianaresidentsmayattendforanominalfee.

Guatemalan national accepts plea deal

Man residing in U.S. illegally admits to lying on forms

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

A Guatemalan national pleaded

guilty Wednesday to lying on federal documents to get an undocumented teen out of a refugee detention facility

Standing before U.S. Middle District Chief Judge Shelly Dick,

Felix Coc Choc pleaded guilty to felony charges of making a false, fictitious or fraudulent statement and aggravated identity theft. The 28-year-old man faces at least two to 10 years in federal prison.

Coc Choc was residing in the United States illegally when he was indicted on the felony fraud charges in September During

Wednesday’s hearing, Dick reminded him that he likely faces immigration consequences in addition to his prison time.

Coc Choc, who has been detained in the West Baton Rouge Parish jail, agreed to the plea deal through a Spanish interpreter who stood next to him and his attorney in court. He told the judge he could

not read, write or speak English and had a sixth grade education.

According to his indictment, Coc Choc was living in Brusly illegally in January 2023 when he applied to be a sponsor for a 16-year-old Guatemalan boy who had been captured by immigration officials.

The teen entered the U.S. without proper documentation on Jan. 17, 2023, and Homeland Security agents apprehended him the following day The child was held at

RECEIVING ASHES

a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services facility while he awaited immigration proceedings. Federal authorities classified the Guatemalan teen as an “unaccompanied alien child,” a status designated for undocumented minors with no lawful immigration status and no parent or legal guardian in the U.S. Government officials release

ABOVE: Deacon Richard Abbondante distributes ashes to Andra Perry alongside her sister, Traci, center, during Mass on Ash Wednesday at St. Joseph Cathedral.

LEFT: Alex Ruch holds his baby, Vincent, after they received their ashes together

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

OLIVIA TEES Staff

END OF THE PARTy

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno on Tuesday took part in her first ceremonial midnight walk down Bourbon Street to mark the end of Mardi Gras. Escorted by mounted police and joined by the New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana State Police, federal partners and other city and state officials, Moreno walked through the French Quarter as the last revelers lingered, stepping over trash and debris still covering the street ahead of Ash Wednesday

Historic site in Sunset ready to reopen

French immersion school to open doors in August

BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer

In the St. Landry Parish town of Sunset, off Napoleon Avenue, sits the former Sunset High School The red brick building, constructed in 1926 and closed in 1991, has sat vacant for decades. Over the years, it has fallen victim to vandalism, including crude graffiti sprayed by teenagers and a makeshift ladder used to access the roof overlooking the town known for its antique shops.

It’s that building Lindsay Smythe, principal of École Saint-Landry, a tuition-free French immersion charter school, once told town officials she hoped to renovate for her students. In 2023, that vision became more of a reality when the school signed a 100-year lease with the town for $1 — a step toward filling the historic school with children again. Now nine years after she first envisioned her school, Smythe walks the halls of the revamped building, a tape measure on her hip, mea-

PLEA

Continued from page 1B

unaccompanied alien children to parents, guardians relatives or qualified sponsors who can prove a family relationship.

Coc Choc applied to become the teen’s sponsor, submitting a “Family Reunification Application” and an Authorization for Release of Information form to the Department of Health and Human Services through the Office of Refugee Resettlement. He completed both forms for the minor’s release in

suring doorways for the desks she plans to move in.

“It’s so surreal,” she said. “Now we’re finally here and I’m super stoked about it. I’m excited to have an office, and I’m really excited to start thinking of the long-term part of this school.”

The project is not yet complete.

Standing in a room stacked with donated furniture, Smythe said the school plans to open in August for fifth and sixth grade students.

Renovation will cost around $7.1 million, making it one of Sunset’s largest investments. About a third of the total was covered through historic tax credits

“Otherwise, we could have never done this project,” Smythe said.

The campus has nine classrooms designed for about 20 students each. Elementary students will remain at the school’s original site an old Baptist church just down the road.

Design work was led by Lafayette-based SO Studio and architect Stephen Ortego, who also helped renovate the church campus.

Ortego said he donated much of his time to the high school project

“I believed in the project,” Ortego said.

Smythe said it feels good to take a breath, even if it’s just for a mo-

Spanish on the same day the minor was apprehended. They contained fraudulent statements, Coc Choc confessed on Wednesday “I’m guilty, and I apologize for what I did. It is true that I did that,” he said.

Coc Choc falsely claimed to be the child’s older brother and tried to assume that sibling’s identity by submitting his birth certificate and Guatemalan national ID card as his own. Both had photos of the teen’s actual brother Office of Refugee Resettlement officials screening the application became suspicious when they noticed Coc Choc’s appearance

ment. Her school had rapidly grown since it began opening in 2021. The school adds about three classrooms a year and now has nearly 240 students from kindergarten to fifth grade.

École Saint-Landry opened in 2021 and has grown steadily, adding about three classrooms each year The school now serves nearly 240 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.

Growth strained the space at the church campus. Smythe gave up her office for a classroom, and even the church’s former baptismal pool was converted into workspace.

“Anybody can run a school, but to have a group of people who are interested in actually creating something from scratch,” Smythe said.

“In order for us to get this building, we had to first create the school, and we had to find a starter location. You can’t just tell people, Would you give me $7 million? I have a good idea for a school.’ You have to have results.”

The building’s history also weighs on her Sunset High was desegregated in 1969. For decades, Frenchspeaking students in Louisiana

Cajun and Creole alike were punished for speaking the language in school and pressured to assimilate into English-speaking culture.

didn’t match the photos of the birth certificate or ID card. They asked Coc Choc to come in and submit fingerprints to prove his identity. A day later, he admitted to federal screening officials that he had lied and misrepresented himself on the sponsorship forms. The government denied the application and Coc Choc submitted another application a day later, this time under his real name and identity The Office of Refugee Resettlement also denied the second application, citing that Coc Choc lied in his original submission.

A grand jury indicted Coc Choc on the fraud and identity theft charges

Child hurt during Zulu parade in N.O.

Krewe: Rider threw bottle from float

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

A Zulu float rider struck a 4-year-old child with a bottle of alcohol in Treme on Fat Tuesday, causing an injury that required three staples to the child’s head, according to the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club.

Zulu spokesperson Darren Mire confirmed that the organization was investigating the incident and working to identify the rider who was on Float 26 and threw the bottle from the float’s second level. Mire said the child was in stable condition as of Wednesday

The child was injured on Basin Street, around the same time and area where a paradegoer allegedly threw a bottle at a Zulu rider who was treated by paramedics, Mire said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Zulu said it will take “appropriate and decisive action consistent with Zulu’s rules, disciplinary procedures, and any applicable laws,” and described the incident as “a clear and direct violation” of the organization and parade safety Mayor Helena Moreno’s administration said Wednesday that the New Orleans Police Department was aware of the “reprehensible and wholly unacceptable” ordeal.

The injury follows a recent string of controversies involving multiple krewes this Mardi Gras season.

The NOPD removed 41 riders from a Krewe of Carrollton float after some pelted beads at police officers The Krewe of Tucks banned two riders who dangled Black dolls from bead strands during the parade. And police removed a group of riders in the Krewe of Thoth’s parade after they allegedly threw beads at a paradegoer carrying a sign opposing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Mire added Wednesday that Zulu prohibits glass bottles on its floats and that any rider or member found responsible would be banned from the organization.

Now, Smythe said, the mission is reversed.

“Now 100 years later, we’re flipping it,” she said. French language use declined sharply during the 20th century

While estimates vary some data suggests Louisiana has about 120,000 French speakers today, down from roughly 1 million six decades ago. Like other historic Frenchspeaking communities, Sunset has worked to revive the language.

École Saint-Landry immerses students in French from their first day of school.

Historic French-speaking localities have long driven efforts to bring the language back into the regional lexicon, and Ecole is no different, instilling the French language in children the moment they enter public school.

The school continues to raise funds. In 2024, Smythe launched a campaign selling customizable bricks for landscaping improvements, raising about $15,000 through roughly 200 sales. The effort allows former Sunset High students to honor the campus’ past while supporting its future.

“Everyone is so thankful that someone cared enough about their school,” Smythe said.

Sept. 4. He was arrested in Fayetteville, Arkansas, eight days later, according to federal court records. Both charges carry fines and a maximum of five years’ imprisonment. Dick explained that the identity theft mandates a two-year minimum that must be added to his sentence on the count of misleading statements. Dick ordered a presentencing investigation and report from the U.S. Probation Office. She did not set a date for Coc Choc’s sentencing at Wednesday’s hearing.

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

“We are deeply concerned by this report and extend our sincere concern to the child and family involved,” Zulu’s statement said. “The safety of children, paradegoers, and the public is of paramount importance to Zulu.”

DRIVER

Continued from page 1B

cigarettes and cigars, according to pictures posted by the Sheriff’s Office to Facebook.

Draterrius McCollough, 31, another FedEx driver, was arrested for allegedly stealing $32,000 worth of merchandise intended for a Baton Rouge Walmart store on Feb. 6.

OFFICERS

Continued from page 1B

around 11:30 p.m., they were immediately fired upon. They were able to safely evacuate the other individuals from the house and arrest Jordan, according to police.

Jordan has a prior criminal history, including second-degree battery, manufacturing and distributing Schedule I drugs, police said.

LOTTERY TUESDAY, FEB 17, 2026

PICK 3: 9-0-8 PICK 4: 2-4-4-5 PICK 5: 3-8-0-9-0

3-37-44-52-63

MEGA BALL: 14

Unof

Waguespack,Joanne

Holy Rosary Church at 11am

Obituaries

Barry Lamm, Laura Nell Baker

Laura Nell Baker Barry Lamm, age 102, of Baton Rouge passed away peacefully on February 10th. Laura was born February 4, 1924, in Hackleburg Alabama. Laura was the fourth daughter of William Thomas and Nora Carnes Baker who preceded Laura in death. The family moved fromAlabama to Newton Texas in 1929 where Laura graduated from high school in 1941. She attended Sam Houston State College and Texas A&I. In 1943she married Richard (Dick) Barry from Astoria New York and they were married 66 years. He died in 2009 and in 2010 Laura married Arthur Lamm. The were married until his death in 2020. Laura is survived by her children Bernadette FitzPatrick, Nora BAbat and Rick (Phyllis) Barry allof Baton Rouge, agranddaughter MelissaFerguson, two great grandsons Alexander (Natasha) and Elliott Brown of Plano Texas and many beloved nieces and nephews. Proceded in death by her grandson, David Glen Tucker and three cherisshed sisters. Laura was a 65 year member of Parkview Baptist Church where she served for 25 years as church secretary and sang in the choir for57 years. She was also a20 year volunteer at Our Lady of the Lake Hospital. Laura leaves behind alegacy of love for her familyand friends.A special thanksto the staff/care team at Old Jefferson Community Center. Amemorial service will be held on February 20th at 11:00 AM at Parkview Baptist Church Baton Rouge, Visitation at 10 til service. Laura's remains were donated to LSU Bureau of Anatomical Services.

Scott Michael

Scott Michael Beard, a resident of Zachary passed awayonFriday, Feb. 13, 2026. He was 51 years old and was employed with Woman's Hospital as aSr. Applications Specialist. Rite Burial will be neral Home Friday, Feb. 130pm. Memorial will be from 2pm He is survived ents, Pat and brother and Chris and Beard and his and faithful 30 years, Connie is preceded in grandparents, Mac Beard and Gladys Goudeau Linda Naul. nations may Cat Haven of AmericanCancer or American ation. Share www.CharletFuneralHo com

Betty DavisBolton, age 81, aresident of Watson, Louisiana,passedaway peacefully on Sunday, February 15, 2026, surroundedbyher loved ones. Shewas bornonMarch7, 1944, in Port Allen, Louisiana

Betty graduatedfrom Port AllenHigh School and later married the love of her life,Alphis Bolton, Jr., with whom she shared 56 wonderful yearsofmarriage.She worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for several real estate companies beforededicating many years to the Classifieds Department of The Advocate.

Betty was adevoted wife,mother, grandmother,and friend whosegentle spirit and generous heart brightenedevery room. Sheloved spending time with family and friends, sharing stories, andcherishing every moment with those she loved.

Sheissurvivedbyher son, Shane Bolton and his wife, Chrystal; herdaughter,ShayWhite and her husband, Steve; her sisters, Carol Yarbroughand Linda Thibodeaux; and her five belovedgrandchildren, Nathan, Kierstyn, Megan, Madison, and Morgan. She isalsosurvived by countless nieces and nephews She was preceded in death by herhusband, AlphisBolton, Jr.;her sisters, Mary Alice Wager and Shirley Bozeman; and her parents, James Calvin "Blue" Davisand Alice NicholsDavis

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the Funeral Service at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday,January 21, 2026, at ResthavenFuneral Home, 11817 Jefferson HighwayinBaton Rouge. A Visitation willbeheldat the funeralhome beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family willattend aprivate burial serviceat11:00a.m.on Monday, February23, 2026, atResthaven Gardens of Memory. In lieu offlowers and for those so desiring,memorialsinhonorofBetty Davis Bolton may be made to Friends of the Animals Baton Rouge (https://fotabr. org/donate).

Family and friends may signthe online guestbook or leave apersonal note to the family at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

ColleenOwens Grace, born October 2, 1954, passed peacefully on February 12, 2026. Alongtime parishioner of St.GeorgeCatholic Church, Colleendevoted her life to family,faith, and service. She retiredafter 40 years in healthcare management and cherishedspending her time with those she lovedmost She willbelovinglyremembered forher warmth, generous spirit and her unwavering love forher family Colleenissurvivedby her twosons, Chad Grace and hiswife,Cydney, along with their sons, Beckett and Sullivan; and her son, TannonGrace. She was precededindeath by her mother, Delores Owens; herfather, Ted Owens; her brother, Teddy Owens; and thefather of herchildren, DennisGrace.

Her presence brought comfort and joy to many, and she willbedeeply missed by her family friends,and all whose lives she brightened. Amemorial service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at St. George CatholicChurch in the chapel from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. May she rest in the peace of Christ she so faithfullyfollowed.

Grady Robert Hazel, age 78, passed away on Saturday, February 14. He was born on November 26, 1947, in Jennings, Louisiana, to Robert G. and Betty Campbell Hazel.Hespent part of his childhoodinPort Arthur and Beaumont, Texas, before his family settled in Baton Rouge, where he attended BroadmoorHighSchool and served as senior class president.Helater attended LouisianaStateUniversity, earning abachelor's degree in accounting and an MBA.Gradymarriedthe love of his life,Cindy, on August 8, 1970, and together they builta life centered on faith,family,and service. He beganhis career with theEast Baton Rouge Parish School Board as an assistant auditor and advanced to AssociateSuperintendent of Business Affairs. After 23 years of dedicated service, he became Executive Directorofthe LouisianaSociety of CPAs. In 2015, he joinedThe Dunham School, where he faithfullyserved as Chief Financial Officer. Aman of deep Christian faith, Grady was adevoted member of Family of Faith, SBC,where he served his church com-

GlendaHurst Jacksonof Baton Rouge passed away on February 11, 2026. She was born on December 23, 1949 in Peoria, Illinoisto Luvilla and Norbert Hurst and was a1972 graduateof University of Southwest Louisiana. Arrangements entrustedtoWinnfield Funeral Home,7221 Plank Road,Baton Rouge, Louisiana70811. Visitation to be held on Saturday, February 21 from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM with aserviceat 2:00 PM.Interment at Southern Memorial Gardens.

It is withprofound sadness that we announce the passing of SharonKinleySchwing on December 27, 2025. Following alongand courageous battle with cancer, Sharonpassed away surrounded by the love of her family,leaving behind alegacy of resilience,compassion, and adventure.

Sharonwas adevoted wife, alovingmother, and aloyal friend.She is survivedbyher beloved husband, Beyn Schwing; her cherished daughter, Kylie;her siblings; and a vast network of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends

Acelebration of Sharon's extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026. Visitation at 9:00 a.m. at the Church of theHolyCommunionParish Hall located at 58040 Court St., Plaquemine, La. witha Service at 10:00 a.m. Sharonwillbe internedatthe Grace Memorial Cemetery in Plaquemine, Louisiana

Rita RashLeBlancwas born in Dolores, Colorado on July19, 1933 to Charles and Lois Rash. She had an adventurous spirit that lead her to NewOrleans, Louisiana, where she met her future husband, Lloyd J. LeBlanc. Her relocation was perfect she hated thecoldand lovedtocook rich, flavorful foods.Her kitchen skills werelegendaryonlyusurped by her gardening skills. She was adevoted Catholic dl ed life,family and

25 years. Sheenjoyed retirement with Lloyd, until he passedaway in 2003. Eventually, Rita relocated to Baton Rouge to be with hergranddaughter, Valerie,withwhomshe lived untilher passing Rita wasprecededindeath by herhusband, Lloyd, her children, LoriLeBlanc and Lloyd LeBlanc, Jr,and her grandson, Adam Briggs. Shewas also preceded in death by herparents and hersiblings, Elaine Abadie, Carol Marciante,Kay Rash, andHarry Rash.She is survived by herdaughter DianneLarmann (Bernard), hergranddaughters Valerie Bargas (Trey), Elizabeth Wichers(Jeff), RebeccaLarmannand her great grandchildren, Briggs, Anna-Marie, and Reed Bargas and McKenzie Larmann.She is also survived by ahost of nieces andnephews. Avisitation will be held from9:00 am to 10:00 am on Thursday, February 19, 2026, followed by a10:00 am Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of MercyCatholic Church.Interment at Westlawn Cemetery in Gretna, La. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to OurLady of MercyCatholic Church

Thomas "Sach" Stephen LeBoeufwas born on April 3, 1946, and passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026. He was 79. He wasa native and lifelong residentofDonaldsonville.He wasa graduate of Ascension Catholic andwas a member of the National Guard. Tommy wasa mechanic, NHRA drag racer, basketballreferee,and fixer of all things.Heleaves behind to cherish his memory hisson Troy LeBoeuf (Ashley) anddaughterMia LeBoeuf; fourgrandchildren Jackson, Camille,Harrison, and Genevieve LeBoeuf; special friendand companionSusan Barbee; andGodchildrenErinHurry Michel andJamie "Fats" Hurry. He is preceded in death by hisparents Marietta (Falcon) and Arthur LeBoeufand wife Christine Lyle LeBoeuf. Visitation will take place at Ascension of OurLordCatholic Church,716 Mississippi Street,Donaldsonville on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mass of resurrection will begin at 11:00 a.m. withFr. Matthew Duprepresiding. Thefamilywould like to thankthe nursesat Chateau D'ville andThe Crossing at Clarity Hospice;his caretakersBetty, Felicia, Lisa and Nadine andall of thefamilyand friends whotook care of himonthisjourney Memorial donationscan be made to Ascension Catholic Diocesan Regional School in Honor of Thomas LeBoeuf, class of 1964, 311

St.VincentStreet, DonaldsonvilleLA.

Joe

Bobby JoeMayweather went home to theLordon February 13, 2026, surroundedbyfamilyand leaving behinda legacyof leadership,faith, and service.Hewas born on February 24, 1952 in Baton Rouge.Known for his warm smile, quickwit,and gift for storytelling, Bobby broughtjoy and wisdom to everyroom he entered. He studied Chemistry at Northwestern State Universityand earned aMaster of ScienceinEnvironmental Engineeringfrom Southern University. He later served as achemistry instructor at Baton Rouge CommunityCollegeand Southern University. A trailblazerinpublicservice,Bobby made history as the first BlackRegional Director of theLouisiana Department of Environmental Quality. Adevoted Deacon at Israelite Missionary Baptist Church, his life wasrooted in service to God, hiscommunity, andhis family. He shared over 43 years of marriagewith hisbeloved wife, DeloresJackson Mayweather.Tothisunion was born adaughter, Dr.CandisMayweather Hunter, who, alongwith herhusbandChristopherHunter, blessed himwith histreasuredgranddaughters Christineand Cadence He leaves to cherish his memory,his wife, daughter, son-in-law, granddaughters, twobrothers, ShedrickL.Mayweather,Jr. (Cynthia)and Lenard I. MayweatherSr. (Madelyn), in-laws, nephews, and a host of relativesand friends. He waspreceded in death by hisparents, ShedrickL.and Doreatha Hardy Mayweather. Acelebration of this life will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at Israelite Missionary Baptist Church, 1841 Thomas H. Delpit Drive,Baton Rouge Louisiana. Viewingwillbe at 9AM followed by funeral service at 11AM withRev Donald Sterling, officiating In lieu of flowers, memorial donationsmay be made to hisbeloved church,Israelite Missionary Baptist Church.

Norman Franciswas aleaderfor theages

It’spossible to measure Norman C. Francis’ impact by listing the accolades he earned over his long publiclife, from numerous honorary degrees to our nation’shighest civilianhonor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom —oreven by drivingdownthe parkwaythat runs by the historically Black, Catholic university he built into apowerhouse,a roadthat since 2021 has borneFrancis’ name Youcould add in his noteworthyachievements, from his history-makingmatriculationto Loyola College of Law as its first Black student to his landmark 47-year tenure as presidentof Xavier University of Louisiana.

As formidable as this list is,though,itdoesn’t fully capture the role that Francis, whodied Wednesday at 94, played as amentor, as an adviser to powers-that-be andasa graciousbut always clear-eyed moral compass fora community he loved.

Anative of Lafayette born intothe Great Depression, Francis came to Xavier as ascholarship student and never left NewOrleans.His leadership skills already on display, he was elected classpresident each year and student body president in his senior year

On his first day of law school, hefamously met afellow student named Moon Landrieu and formed apartnership that would continue throughout their long lives. Landrieu,who would go on to integrate CityHall’sworkforce as mayor,said watching thedisparate treatment he and his friend received opened his eyes to theinjustices of segregation.

As ayoung lawyer,Francis representedcivil rights organizations and activists, but hisalma mater soon called. He returned to Xavierasa dean and served during an eventful periodin which he agreed to house theFreedomRiders after they’d been attacked bysegregationists in Alabama.

In 1968, he became the university’s first Black, and first lay,president, and launchedaperiod of physicalgrowth and academic transformation for Xavier,which under Francis’ stewardship developed aprescient focusonthe sciences

“Dr. Franciswas more than an administrator. He was an institutional builder,a civil rights champion, and aman of quiet generosity ”recalled U.S. Rep. Troy Carter,analumnus whose mother earned aXavier degree while raising sixchildren. “Hebelieved education wasthe pathway to justice. He believed lifting onestudent could lift an entire family.In ourcase, he was right.” Francis served on numerousboardsand was active in the formation of Black-owned Liberty Bank.

Although both his Gentilly home and his university flooded, Francis stepped upin2005 when then-Gov.Kathleen Blanco asked himto chair the Louisiana Recovery Authorityfollowingthe devastation of hurricanes Katrinaand Rita.

At the same time, he oversaw notjust arebuild but an ambitious expansion of Xavier’s campus. Then-President Barack Obama, speaking on campus on Katrina’s fifthanniversary, described it as acaseofone force of nature meeting another

Those who worked alongsidehim remember Francisfor accomplishing great things by gently leading in the right direction

“Norman Francis had atalentfor calming troubled waters whilestill makingsure that they flowed toward justice,” authorWalter Isaacson, who served as theLRA’s vice chair, recalled.

Tania Tetlow,the New Orleans native and Fordham University presidentwho awarded Francis a2023 honorarydegree, said sheoften asked veterans of thecivil rights erahow they sawthe correct path at thetimewhen so many others did not. She said they all gave her thesameanswer: “Because Norman wasmy friend.”

In ways momentous and deeply personal, Norman Francis made his city, hisstate andthe larger world kinder,smarter and fairer. We are blessedtocount him as one of ourown.

Immigrationofficials are traumatizing children

Recently,our 6-year-old grandson, who lives in asmall city with no ICE presence, asked his mother at bedtime if the “icebreakers” were coming to his house. This reminded us of ICE stories involving young children:

n ICE agents arrested afather driving his 2-year-old son to day care in Washington, leaving the child crying and confused in the back of the car

The father’sboss came to retrieve the child and reported that the child was visibly frightened, telling her that the police had taken his dad.

n Masked ICE agentswith guns drawn handcuffed and arrested aU.S. citizen whom they took out into the Minnesotawinter in his underwear as his 5-year-old grandson watched.

n A5-year-old boy sent by ICE agents as bait to get his father to open thedoor.Father and son were flown to Texas that same day to await deporta-

tion

n At achild care center in Chicago, ICE agents entered, grappled with a teacher and led her away in handcuffs as young children watched.

n ICE agents arrived at achurch in North Carolina, sending manyworshippers intothe woodswhile young children sobbed insidethe church. These and manyother publicized examples of unnecessary traumas involving children can leave lasting scars and turn safe spaces —homes, schools, churches —into danger zones. Having treated dozens of traumatized young children in ourcareers, we decry theunnecessarily cruel behavior of ICE. Can’tsome of their allocated $75 billion provide humanity training to agents?

CHARLES H. ZEANAH AND PAULA D. ZEANAH Metairie

High school soccer deserves more coverage

Ienjoy reading The Advocateand appreciate your coverage of local athletics. I’m writing to ask why boys’ and girls’ soccer teams in theBaton Rouge area receive so little attention compared to other sports. These student-athletes compete at a

It was with tears this morning that Iread in The Advocatethe news of Dana Territo’srecent death!

As acolleague andfriend in the aging network, shehelped me and so many other professionals and, most importantly, caregivers in her weekly column and multiple community resource engagements in better under-

I’m old enough to recall the impact of thatmostmemorable line from John F. Kennedy’spresidentialinaugural address on Jan. 20, 1961: “Ask notwhat your country can do for you —ask what you can do for your country.”

Sixty-five years later,I find myself among agrowing number of citizens who areanxiously waiting for elected

high level and representtheir schools and community with dedication. I hope you’ll consider providing more consistent coverage of local soccer programsand their achievements.

LUIS ALEGRIA Baton Rouge

standing and dealing with dementia concerns of loved ones.

Iwill never forget helping her at an Alzheimer’sServices of the Capital Area’smusic and dementia presentation May sherest in peace.

KEITH HORCASITAS Baton Rouge

officials to stand up to and speak out againstthis administration’srepeated assaults on our democracy. But perhaps it’seven moreimportant to answer JFK’scall at this moment in history.What can each of us do as patriotic citizens to defend thecountry we love?

GERALD “JERRY” MEUNIER NewOrleans

Iwrite to take issue with astatementmade by state Rep. Dixon McMakin in the Feb. 15 article, “Freshman applications breaking records at LSU.” McMakin states, “I think that reason is because of the quality education where they’re not going to be indoctrinated like they might be in the North.” Ihope that Rep. McMakin will soon share with the public the details of Northern indoctrination from which the minds of the impressionable young students will be protected by matriculating at LSU.

Iwonder if McMakin is aware of the ongoing net outmigration of Louisiana citizens. Is it possible that “Louisiana indoctrination” plays a role in the population loss? Also, is there aLouisiana indoctrination that contributes to the state’sperennially abysmal ratings in quality-of-life measures? Ilook forward to his response.

Iapplaud serious efforts to improve LSU’s academic quality.I would also cheer forwork in our state to improve literacy and the cultivation of critical reasoning ability National recognition of the teaching and research value engendered by LSU faculty would go along way in overshadowing the perception that LSU is merely the state’slargest publicly funded amusement park

JEROME A. FREEDMAN Baton Rouge

It is interesting that one report by the Times Picayune |The Advocate (Feb. 8) has meaningful information that posting certain personal infoabout elected officials is now a crime. But in successive additions of the newspaper,there are pages and pages of addresses of citizens published on behalf of Jefferson Parish, apparently required forpurging of voting records, which anyone could use forwhatever purpose they might ill conceive. Where is the logic in this? Is what is good forthe goose still good forthe gander?

Have government officials forgotten that citizens have rights and that publishing such addresses without permission could have undesirable consequences?

CHAD SHERMAN Marrero

JD Vanceviesfor thegold medalincoarseness, flippancy

Spurning therich subtleties of the English language, JD Vance has apenchant for words that he perhaps thinks display manly vigor,and express a populist’srejection of refinement.In arecent social media post,hecalled someone whose posts annoyed him a “dipshit.” He recently told an interviewer that anyone who criticizes his wife can “eat shit.”

Now,Vance might reasonably believe that many Americans enjoy potty-mouthed high officials. The “Access Hollywood”tape becamepublic32 days before the 2016 election in which the star of the tape, who mused about grabbing women’sgenitals,was elected president.Ata minimum, it would be reasonable for Vance to suppose that, after five years of apresident who talks about “shithole countries,”Americans areinuredtosuch pungent language. And that people who look down their upturnednoses at it are effete. (An earlier vice president, Spiro Agnew warned against America’s“effete corps of impudent snobs.”) Vance might think that Americans who wince when he swears simply do not appreciate the earthiness of people whoexpress themselves with avividness not watered down by good taste. Besides, the man currently occupying Abraham Lincoln’schair got there usingthe word “shit” dozens of times in speeches. Although Lincoln’slarge stock of humorous stories included ribald ones, youcan scour his written and spoken record without finding anyviolation of his “time, place, and manner” standardsofpropriety.But, then, as has been said, standards are always out of date, which is why we call them standards Last year,agroup chat of high-spirited Republicans, most in theirmiddle to late 20s, two of them in their30s, were recorded saying colorful things. (“Can we fixthe showers? Gas chambers don’t fitthe Hitler aesthetic”; “Everyone that votes no is going to the gas chamber”; “watermelon people”; “expecting the Jew to be honest”; “I love Hitler”). Vance’savuncular reaction (he is 41) was that “kids” do the darndestthings: “Kids do stupid things, especially young boys. They tell edgy,offensive jokes. Like, that’s what kids do.” The kid Thomas Jefferson was 33 when he wrote the Declara-

tionofIndependence.

Vance seems to be of the George and Ira Gershwin school of language: Yousay eether and Isay eyether,/You say neether and Isay nyther,/ Eether eyether,neether,nyther,/ Let’s call the wholething off. The Gershwins thought it disproportionate for lovers to get in spats because“you like this and the other/ While Igofor this and that.”

Vance seems to think it comparably niggling to allow what he evidently considerscomparably minor differences tointerfere with friendships and political alliances. “Do Ihave disagreements with Tucker Carlson?” said Vance in an interview last month. “Sure. Ihave disagreements with most of my friends.” Last year,Carlson hosted along, friendly podcast interview with the antisemitic, Hitler and Stalin admirer Nick Fuentes. (Trump had Fuentes to dinner at Mar-a-Largo.) In 2024, Carlson had an amicable discussion with an author he called “thebest and most honest popular historian working in the UnitedStates today.” The author thinks Winston Churchill was thevillain of World WarII, for which Adolf Hitler is unfairly blamed.

Vance laconically sayshis “disagreements” with Carlson —who “has a place in the conservative movement” —are akin to disagreementshehas

with other friends. Vanilla, vanella, oysters, ersters, what’sthe big deal?

When, during the2024 campaign, rumors about Haitians eating the pets of Springfield, Ohio, weredisseminated, with Vance’shelp, this was his response when confronted with the fact that no factssupported therumors: “If Ihave to create stories so that the American media actually pays attention to thesuffering of the American people, then that’swhat I’m going to do.” He has a duty to lie becausethe media areindolent Vance has aknack for late— very late—adolescent naughtiness. It is not easybeing transgressive in an era when there are few norms remaining to transgress. Undaunted, he tries. Of Europe’slargest war since World WarII: “I don’tcare what happens to Ukraine one way or another.” Very edgy Performative politics is almost the only politics on offer nowadays. But must it be acoarseness and flippancy competition? Let it be saidonVance’sbehalf that he refuses to present himselfasother than what he is.But beforecelebrating him for his authenticity, attention should be paid to what he authentically is

Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did astar turn at the Munich Security Conference, and her appearances wentabout as well as you’d expect of acelebrity congresswoman whohas spent about five minutes thinking about foreign policy

AOC is to strategic thinkers what Gayle King is to astronauts. She projects all the authority of an International Relations 101 student whodidn’trealize that there was going to be apop quiz before spring break. She sounds as if she watched the 2024 Kamala Harris campaign and concluded that what sank the vice president wasthat the candidate’spolicy answers weremuch too substantive and precise. There’snoway,judging by her performance in Germany,that AOC is going to let herself make the samemistake.

Ocasio-Cortez critiqued Secretary of State Marco Rubio’sremarkable speech at the conference forbeing “a pure appeal to ‘Western culture,’”which she rendered with air quotes as though its existence is somehow in doubt. It is certainly true, as she said, that cultures change over time, but this doesn’talter the reality of Western distinctiveness as it has developed over acouple of millennia.

AOC seemed to consider it aprovocation that Rubio had talked about Western culture when discussing aWestern alliance, NATO, founded to defend Western countries from atotalitarian menace emanating from aEurasian behemoth. In fact, the secretary’sspeech was wellreceived and persuasively set out the common history of Europe and the United States.

The AOC rejoinder wasthat what she called “alleged” Western values are illusory because they haven’talways defined our interactions with “the global South.” Even if the West hasn’t always lived up to its values, though, that doesn’tfalsify them or makethem any less powerful.

The best formula forsuccess forunderdeveloped countries around the world —the global South —would be forthem to Westernize in the sense of embracing the rule of law,property rights, markets and stable, representative government.

AOC also said that culture is “thin” compared to concrete economic interests. This belief that material considerations trump cultural ones from religious faith to national identity —isan old Marxist chestnut that has proved false over and over again.

Groundhog Day’sfurry forecaster Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather.What if we asked Phil to apply his insights to the frigid job market?He might answer the way an alarmedgroundhog does, with chattering teeth, and then squeak, “Wheet! Wheet! Cold days are comingfor American job seekers, and they’lllast alot longer than six weeks.”

Economists are using the term “deep freeze” to describe the currentjob outlook. These are strange times. The officialunemployment rate of4.45% is not adistressing number,but thereasons behind it are worrisome.

Many workers are stickingwiththeir jobs, fearful they can’t find anew one. Aside from some big-headlinelayoffs, most employers figure business is good enough to hang on tothe staff they’ve got, but not strongenough to take new people on. The main reason: They have no idea what exactly is going on in theAmerican economy Is it fair to pin this unsettling situation on Donald Trump? Sure, it’sfair though he doesn’tdeserve all the blame. What he does, reliably,ismake alot of problems worse. Start with the tariffs. His tradewar —slapping higher duties on essentially the rest of the world—was sold as a job-creation engine. It hasn’tworked out that way.Since “Liberation Day,” April 2, 2025, U.S. factory employment has fallen month after month. And

Aside from some big-headline layoffs, most employers figure businessisgood enough to hang on to the staff they’ve got, but not strong enough to takenew people on. The main reason: They have no idea what exactly is going on in the American economy.

last year, thenumber of job openings dropped by nearly amillion. What tariffs have done is push up prices that Americans pay for food and other everyday goods. In other words, they add to inflation. Prices haven’tspiked as dramatically as some warned, but they’ve risen enoughtoleave consumers uneasy and on edge.

American companies that obtain partsand materials from abroad are nowpaying more for them. Some have swallowed at least someofthose added costs, butmuch of the tariff tax gets passed onto buyers. Many companies saytheywill now have to pass more of those costs to consumers. Suchdisruptions have hit Main Street businesses especially hard. They are less able than big corporations to deal with theconfusion over tariffs. Who is meant to foot thebill? Vendors? Purchasers? Shoppers? Small companies employ almosthalf the American workforce. Then there’sthe immigration crisis. Roundupsofundocumented aliens were supposed to free up jobsfor Americans. But Trump’sspectacle of U.S.Immigration and Customs

Enforcement agents sweeping up the foreign-born has created amess for local businesses. Both legal and illegal immigrants are afraid to go to work and shop at stores. Immigrants, after all, are also customers.

Artificial intelligence isn’tTrump’s doing, but it’s here. Analysts expect American companies to pour more money into robotics and artificial intelligence —technologies that replace human labor.Abachelor’sdegree will no longer shield manycollege grads from unemployment, as AI moves into work that manywell-paid professionals considered safe.

Anthropic’s“AI Assistant,”Claude, can now read, write and analyze text. It can takeonsome accounting tasks, such as reviewing documents and drafting reports. As demand for humans withsuch skills shrinks, employers looking to add staff have become superpicky That’smaking life especially tough for young people trying to landentrylevel jobs. The office outlook is scary: asmall cadre of senior executives, the“C-suite,” presiding over rooms of smart machines that can match, or even outthink, Homo sapiens. Businesses don’tknow which way is up, down or sideways, and Trump’s daily dose of chaos isn’thelping. The mystery of what will comenext leaves manycompanies hesitant to hire. Winter is settlinginthe job market. If you’re feeling insecure, you may be on to something.

Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop.

At the outset of World WarI,the AOCs of the timebelieved that the working classes of the various combatant countries would unite to oppose the conflict. As it happened, they backed the war efforts of their own nations.

The average American worker has nothing in common with aChinese worker or,for that matter,aFrench or German worker.AOC is hoping for, in effect, aFourth International as the foundation of “class-based” U.S. foreign policy —democratic socialists of the world unite!

This is achildish fantasy,but it wasn’tthe least impressive thing she said at Munich.

Asked whether the U.S. shoulddefendTaiwan in the event of aChinese attack, AOC hesitated andstumbled as though thequestion hadnever occurred to herpreviously, before notanswering.

She objected to our operation to grab Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela. According to AOC, we undertook it “just because the nation is below the equator,” when Venezuela is north of the equator

She poured scorn on Marco Rubio’sstatementthat American cowboy culture was“born in Spain,” apparently not realizing that he was wholly correct about this.

AOC is young and charismatic with along career ahead of her,and she isn’tseeking to land ajob at the State Department —she doesn’t need to be Prince Metternich or even Antony Blinken.

Yet, her timeatthe Munich conference was another reminder that no matter how much she is billed as arising star,she is still callow and unserious. If AOC knowswhat she doesn’t know,she doesn’tseem to particularly care, and her casual disregard forWestern culture is symptomatic of aLeft that, to its shame, considers its own civilization an affront and lie. Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry.

continued from StatesArmy, demonstrating his commitment to his nation and community

Louisiana on May 17, 1957 into afamilyofsix including her mother, her father, three sisters, and one brother. She met her future husband, Brian, on ablind date during their senior year of High School. She graduated from Louise S McGehee School in 1975 and went on to attend the University of Mississippi for two years. She then transferred to Louisiana State University to be with Brian and to finally be able to cheer for awinning football team. She graduated with aBachelor of Artsdegree in Educationin1979. After graduating college, she enjoyed teaching 2nd Grade at St. George's Episcopal School. Brian and Betsy dated throughout their college years and were married in October 1981. They were blessed with three children, Robert Reed, HarrisonShields, and Travis Bush. After teaching for 5 years, she happily retired to be afull-time Mom. The utter joy of Betsy's life was being awife, mother, and homemaker. She loved being at home doing things for and with her family. Above all else, Betsy adored her boys and showered them with unconditional love. As they grew older, she was so proud of all their accomplishments and even more so of the men they became. In 1997, the family moved to Austin. Whether in New Orleans or Austin, Betsy never met astranger she couldn't talk to and had so many friends whom she enjoyed. Everyone in the family knew that Betsy always brought the funto any party or family gathering. During the 2020 pandemic, Besty created a Family Zoom Bingo Game, and the entire family, across four different time zones, joined in. Her nieces, nephews, grand nephews, and grandnieces affectionally calledher "AuntBoo". She always made sure "The Grands" received whimsical presents wrapped beautifully with love for Christmasand Valentine's Day. Betsy is survived by her husband Brian McClure; her sons, Reed and Travis McClure; Travis' wife Ashley McClure and Reed's partner Celina Gonzalez; her siblings, Evelyn de Laureal, Henry Bush and Shiela Brantley; her sisters inlaw, Louise Bush and Alison McClure; and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, grand nephews, cousins, and second cousins. She is preceded in death by her son, Harrison McClure; herparents, Shiela andHenry Bush,affectionately called "Mama Pops" and "Daddy Pops"; her sister, Sara Ann Guiterman; and her brother-in-lawMartin de Laureal. Betsy was one of the kindest, sweetest, most considerate, loving and thoughtful people you could ever know. She will be missed by everyone who knew her, and our lives are forever changed by her passing. Everyone is invited to attend the Celebration of Betsy's Life. When: Monday, February 23 at 10:00 AM. Where: Riverbend Church at Smith Family Chapel. Address: 4214 North CapitalofTexas Hwy Austin, Texas. Reception immediately following in Riverbend Church's Community Center. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: St Elizabeth Foundation stelizabethfoundation.org. BoyScouts of America, directed to: The Harrison McClure Conservation Award Fund. Austin Film Society, directed to: The Harrison McClure Film Fund. MobileLoaves and Fishes,mlf.org.

James Clemon Milling, a devoted family manand an avid outdoorsman, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2026, in Denham Springs. He was born on March 2, 1934, in Philadelphia, Mississippi, and took immense pride in every aspect of his life, especially the love he shared with his family.

James enjoyed afulfilling career,having retired from B&D Heating and Air, where his work ethic and dedication were greatly respected. In addition to his professional accomplishments, he proudlyserved hiscountry in the United

years later. During her ear-

Throughout hislife, James had apassion for the great outdoors.Hewas amemberofthe Nickens Lake Hunting Clubfor over fifty years, spending countless hours hunting and fishing, which brought him joyand peace. Family trips to Grand Isle were particularly special to him, wherecherished memories were createdwithhis loving family. He is survived by his beloved wifeof67years, OlaMay Milling, who was the cornerstone of hislife Hislegacy continueswith his children: Wanda Marchiafava (Randy), James C. Milling,Jr. (Tracey), CollierMilling (Cindy), and Berry Milling (Diane); his grandchildren, Candi, Matthew, Alison, Adam, Aaron, Jessica, and Natalie; his sisters, Shirlene Jones and Carol Murray,and his Aunt Carolyn CollinsofJackson, MS.He is also survivedbymany great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a hostofbonus nieces and nephewswho werealways welcomedwith open arms into his home. James is precededin death by his parents, Clemon and BessieMilling, and his grandson,Joseph Milling.His memory will be held dear by allwho knew him, and his spiritwillcontinue to inspirethose who werefortunateenough to be part of his life Visitation willtake place at SealeFuneralHome in Denham Springs on Saturday,February 21, 2026from 2:00 PM-3:30 PM with service starting at3:30 PM and burial to follow in EvergreenMemorial Park. Thefamilywouldlike give aspecial thank you to Dorothy Gilbertaswellas Dr. DanielFontenot and all of the staffatThe Baton Rouge Cardiology Center fortheir exceptionalcare. Pallbearerswill be Matthew Reeves,Adam Milling,Aaron Milling, Tim Mack, BrianMack, Britt Jones, and Marty Sibley. Honorarypallbearerswill be Joe Rickard, J.J. Brent and Randy Marchiafava.

Ruth Martin Patrick was born November4,1930, on asmallfarminNortheast Louisiana to Alfredand Birdie Martin and died in Baton Rouge La. on February 9, 2026, at the ageof95. Shewas the oldest of their fourchildren. She grew up helping her family on their farm, canning vegetables working in the cotton fields,baking bread and helping hermother cook forthe family. She attended atwo-room elementary school in Forest, La., skipped second grade,and graduatedfromLakeProvidence High School at 15 years of age.Like many smalldepressionera farming familiesofthe day, her family was poor.She borrowed moneyfor herfirst year of college from a friend of the familywho was impressed with her work ethic and ambition with the understanding she wouldhavea jobwhile in school, win anacademic scholarshipfor futuretuitionand repaythe loan, which shedid.She entered Northeast Louisiana State University in Monroe, La whichwas then ajunior collegeand partofLSU, where she thrivedacademically and socially. After two yearsatNortheast she transferred to LSU in BatonRougewhereshe graduated with honors at 19 yearsofage with a bachelor's degree in science in 1950. Shethen obtainedanassistantshipto work on amaster'sdegree in Home Economics at LSU. At LSUshe met two individualswho wouldhave profoundimpacts on her life,her majorprofessor Dorothy Mochette, whom she reveredand admired, andher future husband, WilliamH.PatrickJr.,who wasalsoanLSU student on theGIBill afterserving in the Army in the Philippines and Japanduring World WarII. Sheobtained amaster'sdegree and in December1951, she married Bill Patrick in aceremony officiatedbyDr. WilliamE.Trice inthe brand-new sanctuary of University Methodist Church on the LSUcampus. Like many post-war married couples, she andBill soonbegan havinga familyand welcomed Terry, Billy, Carolwithina four-year period, and Henry afew

ly childrearing years, Ruth concentrated on raising her small children and supporting Bill's career. However, she had sufficient energytobecome heavilyinvolved in community activities. She helped launch Baton Rouge's OperationUpgrade,which combatted adult illiteracy, and Small World, agroup which taught "American life and culture"towives of foreign students who were studying at LSU. She was president of the PTA of the recently built MagnoliaWoods Elementary School, where she helped raise fundstoair condition theschool. She was a charter member of the BoardofDirectors of the Capital Area Literacy Foundation.Asher olderchildren reached highschool age, she beganworking on aPhD degree in FoodScience at LSU. She obtained her PhD, graduating the same year (1971) that her daughter Terry graduated fromhighschool. Ruthbegan workasa nutritionist in theExtensionService at LSUin1971 and became a State NutritionSpecialist. She lovedputting on seminars, workshops and educational programs withthe latestinformationonnutrition, food safety and food preservation,and she extensively traveledthe 64 parishes of Louisianatodo so. Soon she knew every highwayand local road in Louisianaand people from allover thestate. The healthand wellbeing of thousandsofLouisianians were improvedsignificantly through thenumerous bulletins she wrote, as well as her video, news articles and publicpresentations, and her Monday afternoon and Tuesday morningnutrition programs on WBRZ TV in Baton Rouge. She lovedher years working at Channel 2and remained friends with thetalented individuals she worked with there. Through her seminars, public presentations and regular television programs, Dr. Ruth was easilyrecognizable in thecommunity because of her colorful and stylish attire, her striking red hair, and especially thetrademark hibiscus flower which she wore on her lapelevery day. WhenPenningtonBiomedical ResearchCenter opened, she became Chief of Nutrition Educationfor Pennington, ajob she enjoyed until her retirement in 2004. In that role, she helped translate and communicatePennington's scientific researchtothe general public, which was anatural corollary to her continuing responsibilitiesasaNutrition Specialist in the LSU ExtensionService. Her workwas notrestricted to thestate of Louisiana. She traveled extensively in the U.S. and internationally, presenting seminars and speakingatscientificand tradeassociationmeetings. Of special importance to her, in 1994 she spent a monthinUgandatohelp establish afoodscience department at Makerere StateUniversity in Kampala. She was amember of numerous honor societies and professional organizations. She was proud of her 60 year affiliationwiththe national honorsociety of PhiKappa Phiwhere she was on the national board of directors and was the Director of Fellowships and of herserviceasa member of theboard of directors of theAmerican Heart Foundation. She was aFellowof theInternational Institute of FoodTechnology and received an IFT national award presented by Secretary of State Colin Powell. She receivedmany other awardsand honors during her career, includingbeing recognized as Alumnus of theYearfor the LSUAgriculture Center, aYMCA Woman of Achievement and receiving aLifetime Achievement Award from Pennington Biomedical Eveninretirement,she remained active, becoming a member of theDowntown KiwanisClub of Baton Rouge. But educational and professional work did not exclusively dominate her life.Dr. Ruthfound time each year to bake her renowned Christmas cinnamon rolls (recipecan be found in an Extension Bulletin) for friends and family.She hosted each year thecarolersfromthe annual Christmas Caroling Partystarted in 1971, upon their completionofcaroling at Ladyofthe Lake Hospital, Ollie Steele Burdennursing home and St. James Place.The caroling partyinher home always concluded with an impressive singing of Handel's HallelujahChorus. Dr. Ruth was an activeGrandma Ruthie (or"GRuthie" as her grandchildrencalled her behind her back) to her 12 grandchildren. Her home was especiallyabuzz over theChristmas holidays.With her husband h b h h d hil

she brought thegrandchildren to WashingtonD.C when they reached 11 years old. She also visited her Pisarello grandchildren in Buenos Aires, frequently bringing other grandchildren withher to visittheir Argentine cousins. Ruth and her husband, Bill, were activemembers of theUniversityMethodistChurch since 1950, and both served in many leadership roles over theyears. Among theirmost cherishedlifetime friends were Dr. W.E. Trice and his wife, Leora, and Bishop BenjaminOliphint and hiswife, Nancy, with whominretirement Ruthand Billvacationed oftenatthe Oliphint's Coloradomountain cabin. In 2004, Ruth and Billbecame thefirst couple to receive 50 year pins recognizing their lengthy serviceand tenure as studentsand faculty members at LSU. They never overlookedorunderestimated theimportance of LSUand theuniversity community to their lives, and over theyears they establishedlectureshipsand academic scholarships through theLSU Foundation in theareasoffood science and coastal studiesatLSU.Ruthwas preceded in deathbyher husband, Dr. William H. Patrick Jr.; parents; and her brother,Joseph Garland Martin. She is survivedbyher four children, Terry Patrick Harris(Joseph), WilliamH PatrickIII (Melanie), Dr. CarolPatrickPisarello (Jorge) and Dr. Henry Carr Patrick (Randa); 12 grandchildren, Dr. Catherine HarrisBoston(Van), Anna Pisarello(Chris), Benjamin Harris(Sarah), LauraPisarello (Augusto),Meredith PatrickPace(Drew), NicolasPisarello (Katie), Madeleine Patrick(Tom), Dr. Clayton Patrick(Paige) Dr. Hayes Patrick(Kate), William PatrickIV(Claire), Dr. Henry "Hank" Patrick III, Molly Patrick; and 14 great-grandchildren. She is also survivedbyher brother, James M. Martin (Jeannette);sister, AnnM.Elliot; sister-in-law, Louise F. Martin;and many nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and nephews. Acelebration of herlonglife willbe held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at University United Methodist Church, 3350 Dalrymple DriveinBaton Rouge, LA,with Rev. Katie McKay Simpson, Rev. Ken Irby and Dr. WilliamFinnin presiding.There willbea visitationand reception before theservice at 12:30 PM in the Fellowship Hall. Immediately following the funeral, there will be a family graveside service and burial next to her husband at theResthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearerswillbeher grandsons, Benjamin, Nicolas, Clayton, Hayes, William, Hank, and her nephew, Flint Martin. In lieu of flowers,donations in memory of Ruth can be madetothe "Ruth M. Patrick Endowed ScholarshipinFoodScience", care of the LSUFoundation, 3796 Nicholson Dr, Baton Rouge LA 70802, http://givelsu.org/ruthp atrick, telephone (802)7356732 or toUniversity United MethodistChurch, telephone (225)344-0343. The family is grateful to the care team at St. James Place Highland Court MemoryCare, and to Hospice of Baton Rouge.Many heartfeltthanks to her longtime caregiver, Ms. KrisPettigrew,who treated her with respect, love,patience and dignity as theyears gradually overcame Dr. Ruth's physicalhealth,intelligence and dynamicpersonality.

Raffray, WayneB.

Wayne Raffray, 67, of Plaquemine, La. passed away on February 12, 2026. Wayne was abeloved husband, father, son, and brother. Histrue pride and joywere histwo sons and twograndchildren, Alyssa and Cassius. Wayne loved to fish, hunt,and read the bible.Wayne leaves behind awife of 43years, Lorraine"Lori"Raffray, and sonAdamRaffray, and wife Samantha Raffray, and Ryan Raffray.Two grandchildren, Alyssa and CassiusRaffray, and a belovedmember of the family,Jeffery Jenkins, and hiswife Danielle. Wayne's

mother, Elizabeth "Liz" Raffray, sister KimBreaux (Kevin),Jill Raffray, Brian Raffray (Beryl). Averyspecial man whom he called ParrainUncleBarry"Butch" Raffray. Waynealso hada mother-in-law, Judith Daigle Blanchard.Wayne wasprecededindeathby hisfather, Newton "Put" Raffray, andhis son Cody"Big C" Raffray. The servicesfor Waynewillbe held at Bayou Harvest Churchat24996 Bruce St Plaquemine, La on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 am, conducted by Pastor ChuckBrownell. Afterthe service food will be providedfor thefamilyat thefellowship hall adjacent to thechurch

Taylor, John Wayne JohnWayne Taylor,72, passedaway on January 26, 2026, in Prairieville, Louisiana. Born on November26, 1953, in Gonzales, Louisiana, Johnlived alife markedbyservice,dedication,and love for hiscommunity and family. JohnretiredfromExxonMobil aftera longand respected careerinthe GIS Department.Inaddition,John served on the FireSquad at theBaton Rouge Complex, exemplifyinghis commitment to safety andservice.Beyondhis career at ExxonMobil,John was involved in public service.Hewas an activelifetime member of the Prairieville Volunteer Fire Department wherehe playeda vital role on both theBoardofDirectorsand in day-to-day operations. He mentored young people through theJunior Firefighter program, many of whom areactively still working in public service today. Johnalsoservedas aReserve Sheriff's Deputy, protecting and supporting hiscommunity. An avid outdoorsman, Johncherished time spent at his camp in GrandLake during huntingseason. Adevoted LSUBaseballfan,herarely misseda game andproudly supportedhis team through everyseason. John'svibrant personality madehim well known amongthose whocrossed hispath. Outgoingand social with asharp senseof humor,hehad agiftfor making others feel welcome andvalued. He is survivedbyhis children: TashaTaylor;Ryan and AleiaBurnsTaylor;Layne andTiffany Taylor Brignac; as well as hisgrandchildren:Kelsieand Brennan Burnthorne; Ethan Brignac; Logan Brignac; Ryan Joseph Taylor;RaeLynn Taylor;and Cameron Burns. He also leaves behind hissiblings: Cheryl Ehlers; Robert Taylor Jr.; Van and Debbie Taylor; Barry andAngelaTaylor Johnwas precededin death by hisparents RobertSr. And BerthaLee Taylor;his brother Don Taylor;and hisbeloved wife of 33 years, Nedra NorrisTaylor.A Celebration of Life will be held on February20, 2026, from 10:00am to 12:00pmatSt. Johnthe Evangelist Church Hall, 15208 Highway 73, with aprivate burial followingatSerenity Oaks Memorial

Trabeaux,Dennis J. DennisJ.Trabeaux passedaway peacefullyat TheCrossingatClarity Hospice on Friday, February13, 2026, at theage of 74. He was aresidentand nativeofPlaquemine,LA. Denniswas averyproud US MarineVeteran. Burial of hisashes will take place at GraceMemorial at alater date. Dennisissurvived by hissiblings, Patricia "Patsy" Taylor (Chuck), andKenneth"Tooty" Trabeaux, Jr.(Rosie); and numerousniecesand nephews. Precededin death by his companion, DeeDee Gourgues; par-

ents, Blue and Tot Tullier Trabeaux;and brother, Glyn "Pops" Trabeaux Special thanks to thenurses andstaff at The Crossingfor theirlove, dedication and compassion shown.Please share memoriesonline at www.wilbertservices.com.

Wilson, Claude Larry'Coach'

Claude Larry Wilson "Coach",88, of Ethel, Louisiana born September 25, 1937, in Gillsburg,Mississippi,passed away February 12, 2026, at The Crossing,Clarity Hospice of Baton Rouge.Heissurvived by hislovingwife of 53 years, Barbara DeLee Wilson; childrenLanceWilson (Stephanie), Shannon Wilson (Jami), and Nikki WilsonBaez (David); and fivegrandchildren;Victoriaand Matthew Wilson, andNatalie, Elena, and Cristian Baez. He was precededindeathbyhis parents; Lamar and Bessie Belle Wilsonand brothers; Wilton, Princeton,Teddy, andJerry Wilson. Claude served in theUnited States Army andMississippi Army Reserves,taughtand coachedlocallyatJackson High School andthe originalDutchtownHigh School, andretired from Uniroyal Chemical in Geismar, Louisiana after 33 years. He wasa member of First Baptist Churchof Denham Springs and Slaughter First Baptist Church. Serviceswill be held on February 21, 2026, from 9-11 a.m. at Slaughter First Baptist Churchand burialwillimmediately follow at DeLee Cemetery, Miller Road,Jackson, Louisiana. Please share memories at www.CharletF uneralHome.com.

When youneed thenews. Wherever youreadthe news

CARRIED AWAY

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU baseball targeted Trent Carawayout of the transferportal to fill multiple roles.

With Michael Braswell gone, the Tigers needed athird baseman. They also needed more power,and specifically, right-handedpower.Jared Jones andEthan Frey had moved on to professional baseball.

Caraway, ajuniortransferthird basemanfromOregon State, potentially could fill both holes. He hitsix home runs in the NCAA Tournament last summerand was the starting third baseman for the Beavers. Through five games this season, Caraway has filled his duties admirably since his first season began at LSU,and no moment has shown histalent more clearlythanin the first inning of Wednesday’s12-1 win against Nicholls State at Alex Box Stadium. With the basesloaded andtwo outs,Caraway swung at

the first pitchhesaw andlifted it into the left-fieldstands to break a1-1 tie in thebottom of the first inning, showcasing the pull-side power that madehim an attractive transfer.The blast was his first of the year and was all theTigers needed in their eight-inning victory

Sophomore JohnPearson endedthe game viathe 10run mercy rule withathree-run homer in the eighth. “I’mthe biggest fan of him that Ipossibly could be,” LSUcoach Jay Johnson said when asked about Pearson, “and glad to seethat he smoked that ball.”

Caraway’s final year at Oregon Statewas far from perfect.Hehit only six home runs in theregular season and struggledwith consistency.It’swhy upon his arrival LSU(5-0), he madeafew mechanical adjustmentstohis swing. He struggled in thefall as he got used to the changes, but he eventually found comfort with his newmechanics

ä See GRAND SLAM, page 3C

Johnsondoesitall forLSU

Freshman hastaken on —and excelled in —several roles

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The key that unlocked ZaKiyah Johnson’s stardom was her jumper,but it didn’tcome naturally.She started perfecting the shot when she was amiddle-school post player,and the earliest versions of it looked alittlefunky Johnson’smother,TaNeisha Jointer, remembers that her husband, Butch Jointer, once said those shooting mechanics looked like Larry Bird’s. Her release was long and slow —almost like aslingshot

“It was like on the side of her head,” TaNeisha Jointer said with alaugh. “It was weird.”

Luckily forJohnson,she hadeasyaccess to ateam of shot doctors whocould bothdiagnose the problem and crafta treatment plan. The LSU freshmanforward comes from afamilyofbasketball players and coaches. It’show she got her physical gifts, work ethic and the list of things sheneeded to do if shewanted to playcollegehoops

ä LSU at Ole Miss 8P.M.THURSDAy,ESPN

Now Johnsonisone of thegreatesthigh schoolplayers to ever come throughthe tradition-rich basketball state of Kentucky And herrelease is quick,tight andsmooth. She’s shownthis season shecan drain an outside shot for the No. 7Tigers(22-4, 8-4 SEC), but only when sheisn’t battling an opposing post playerormusclingher way through contested looks around the rim. Johnson is both willing and able to do a little bitofeverything. She started as apost player in high school, thentransformed into aguard, then morphed back intoaforward for her freshman season at LSU before she finally settled intomore of ahybrid role.

Coach Kim Mulkeystarted Johnsonin thefrontcourt on Saturday in LSU’sloss to South Carolina. She could do so again when theTigers face No. 17 Ole Miss on the road at 8p.m. Thursday (ESPN), and if shedoes,itcould be asign that she wants to give hermorerun than shedid against the Gamecocks.

ä See LSU, page 3C

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Early last year,the LSU equipment staff was given atask.

Athletic officials needed jerseys with corporate-sponsor patches on them forpresentationstopotential partners,soa couple of sets weremade. As part of the first known saleofa college jersey patch,LSU wanted to show companies what it would look like if they paidtohave theirlogoonthe uniforms. Even thoughcorporate-sponsor patches were not approved by the NCAA until January, LSUwanted to be readytotap intoa new revenue stream. It struck aseven-year, multimillion-dollar deal with Woodside Energy,acompany founded in Australia that hasoperated offshore in Louisianafor almost two decades. Beginning this fall, every LSU uniform will have asponsor logo on it. “We’re not stopping looking for different ways to generaterevenue,” LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry said. “Every day, in athletic departments in the United States today,you better be figuring out how you’re going to generate more revenue. If you’re not doing that, then you’re gonna be dying.” That mindset is whyLSU began the process more than ayear before the NCAA changed its rulesaroundcommercialadvertising on uniforms. Generating more revenue hasbecome atop priority forathletic departments now that they can pay players directly through the House settlement, and

See PATCH, page 3C

BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS

5

6

6

7

8

8

LSU men see offensive uptick

Better scoring without PG Thomas still not enough

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

LSU did something for the first

time in its three-point loss to Texas on Tuesday

Coach Matt McMahon’s group crossed the 80-point threshold in regulation during a game without point guard Dedan Thomas.

Before its 88-85 loss to the Longhorns on the road, the last time the Tigers scored 80 or more points in regulation was in an 85-81 loss to Arkansas on Jan. 24. Thomas, who since has had season-ending foot surgery after reaggravating the injury put up 18 points and five assists against the Razorbacks.

McMahon admitted recently that making games “ugly” by slowing the pace to avoid high-scoring contests was how LSU needed to adapt to win games. That was best exemplified in its 73-63 loss at Tennessee on Saturday when the Tigers held the Volunteers to their second-fewest points in SEC play LSU stayed close despite missing four players, including its starting backcourt of Thomas and Max Mackinnon.

The scoring punch that LSU thought it lacked returned against Texas. The Tigers shot 52% from the field, and Mackinnon tied a season-high 27 points on 11-of-17 shooting Marquel Sutton had 21 points and made all eight of his free throws. Mike Nwoko had 15 points in 20 minutes, and Jalen Reece had 14 points and a careerhigh nine assists.

McMahon was pleased with his top contributors.

“Jalen Reese did a fantastic job with nine assists, only one turnover orchestrating the offense there,” the fourth-year coach said after the game on the LSU sports radio network. “Mike was really good with his screening.

ä Alabama at LSU, 5 P.M. SATURDAy SEC NETWORK

That opened him up, freed him up to score it more efficiently, gets 15. And then I thought Max his movement without the ball whether it was off the ballscreen actions in the middle third or some of our baseline runners, where we were setting pin-downs for him he was able to be really effective, especially there in the second half.”

LSU had a lull at the end of the

first half, trailing by as many as 17 points with 34 seconds remaining before halftime. It got within three points at the 1:39 mark of the second half, largely thanks to Mackinnon’s 23 second-half points quick decisionmaking and his off-ball threat that pulled defenders toward him and away from his teammates. Despite outscoring Texas 5240 in the second half, the Tigers didn’t have enough timely stops to finish the comeback as they lost their fourth straight game.

“I’m disappointed with this road trip, but we played much better in both games,” McMahon said. “The competitive spirit was there, the fight was there. We just got to find a way to execute a little better Whether that’s getting them one more defensive rebound, one less bad foul. It’s a possession game, and we got to find ways to get better these next couple days, going into Alabama.” LSU’s next game is against No. 25 Alabama at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Riviera has long history with PGA Tour events

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

LOSANGELES Riviera has evolved over its 100 years as one of the best golf courses in America, no greater example than the fourth hole that now has a scorecard yardage of 273 yards that makes it the longest par 3 among regular PGA Tour stops. Not everyone likes the change, or has been willing to publicly say they do.

“A horrible change,” Rory McIlroy said, the most blunt assessment of the hole Ben Hogan once called the greatest par 3 in America.

“Hit and hope,” Collin Morikawa said. “I think it’s just a very long par 3. There’s not a lot of thought to it other than just kind of hitting the green and moving on, unfortunately.”

The other change for the Genesis Invitational, which starts Thursday, is adding 24 yards on the 18th tee — now roughly where the fourth tee used to be — to make it 499 yards. Someone forgot to tell Scottie Scheffler, or maybe he never looked. He didn’t realize the closing hole at Riviera had been lengthened until he climbed the steep hill to the fairway and wondered why he was having to hit a 4-iron to the green. What hasn’t changed at Riviera is the history Hogan won three times, including the U.S. Open, leading to the nickname “Hogan’s Alley.” Byron Nelson and Sam Snead won at Riviera, as did Tom Watson and Johnny Miller and Fred Couples.

McIlroy has Riviera on his list of places he wants to win, now that he has won at Augusta National and Pebble Beach. Equally noteworthy is who didn’t win. Tiger Woods, the tournament

quick and you have to place your second shots into the greens.

“That’s the part about this golf course that I really like, and that’s why you’ll see a lot of different good players winning here.”

The par-4 10th is the most famous hole, reachable off the tee and yet no one ever complains about making a 4 and moving on to the next hole It’s all about angles off the tee with an iron, and even where to miss when trying to drive the green.

As for the fourth hole, that was long and hard, and now it appears to be longer and harder

The idea for his Redan-styled hole is to carry the bunker fronting the green, or using the shoulder on the right that feeds down to the green — except this is February, cold and usually damp, and the kikuyu grass can be sticky and not allow balls to roll.

This would explain McIlroy’s definition of “horrible change.”

Guard Irving won’t return to play for Mavs this season

Kyrie Irving won’t play this season as the star guard for the Dallas Mavericks continues his recovery from a knee injury suffered almost a year ago.

The nine-time All-Star and the team made the announcement Wednesday, two days before the Mavericks return from the All-Star break Dallas is on a nine-game losing streak, its longest in 28 years, and out of playoff contention.

Irving tore the ACL in his left knee on March 3 This will be the first time in his 15-year career that he has missed an entire season. The injury came a month after the Mavericks traded young superstar Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package centered around Anthony Davis.

Seahawks go up for sale per late owner’s wishes

The Seattle Seahawks are going up for sale in accordance with the wishes of late team owner Paul Allen.

Allen’s estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the team, which is coming off its second Super Bowl victory in franchise history The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Associated Press, nor did Allen’s estate have anything further to add beyond its brief statement, it said. Ahead of the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell commended Allen’s estate on its time owning the Seahawks.

The estate said the sale is consistent with Allen’s directive to eventually sell his sports holdings and direct all estate proceeds to philanthropy

Bears promote Taylor to offensive coordinator

The Chicago Bears have promoted pass game coordinator Press Taylor to offensive coordinator to replace the departed Declan Doyle one of four coaching moves announced by the team Wednesday Taylor was the Jacksonville offensive coordinator from 2022-24. His promotion comes after Doyle left to call plays in Baltimore under new Ravens coach Jesse Minter Coach Ben Johnson will continue to call plays after the Bears made the playoffs in his first season. The Chicago offense ranked sixth overall, with quarterback Caleb Williams making big strides in his second year He threw for 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Northern Illinois football coach leaving for NFL job

Northern Illinois coach Thomas Hammock has resigned to take a job in the NFL, the school announced Wednesday Hammock coached the Huskies for seven seasons and led them to the 2021 Mid-American Conference championship and the program’s first win over a top-10 opponent when they beat Notre Dame in 2024.

Defensive coordinator Rob Harley, who has been on staff for one year, was named interim head coach.

Northern Illinois’ announcement did not specify Hammock’s job in the NFL. ESPN reported Hammock would join the Seahawks as running backs coach and senior offensive assistant.

Hammock was 35-47 at Northern Illinois, with his 2021 team going 9-5 with a win over Kent State in the MAC title game. The Huskies won back-to-back bowls in 2023 and 2024.

host of the Genesis Invitational, went 0 for 11 as a pro at Riviera, making it the PGA Tour course he played the most times without ever winning.

Jack Nicklaus has Woods beat again. He played Riviera 14 times — twice in majors, including a runner-up to Hal Sutton in the 1983 PGA Championship without winning. “There’s places I haven’t won that I would love to, St Andrews being one of them Riviera would be another,” McIlroy said.

This is the 100-year anniversary of the club and the tournament, though what began as the Los Angeles Open was not held at Riviera until 1929. Even more special is just being back at the

fabled course off Sunset Boulevard following the devastating Pacific Palisades wildfires last year that led the tournament to moving south to Torrey Pines.

Ludvig Aberg won the Genesis Invitational a year ago at Torrey Pines. This is only his second time competing at Riviera, but he liked what he saw from 2024.

“I think it’s one of the best golf courses we play all year,” Aberg said “Obviously it’s a small property It’s not crazy long. You’ll have some strong holes and some longer par 4s. But what I like about it is a hole like No. 10 kind of puts the stamp on this golf course in terms of working the angles, fast greens, and everything going down towards the ocean is really

“Well, like 15% of the field hit the green last time when it was played at its original yardage at 230,” he said. “If you want it to be a 275yard par 3, you have to change the apron leading up onto the green. It can’t be kikuyu, it has to be another type of grass that can help you run it onto the green because again, in the right conditions, you try to fly that ball on the green with a 3 iron, it’s going to finish up on the fifth tee box.

“That’s sort of what I mean by why it’s not a great change.”

U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun might borrow a page from his college coach at San Diego State.

“If this was a par 4, you’d make 3 every time,” Spaun said. “You know what I mean? It’s kind of a mindset. If this was a drivable 290-yard hole but really a par 4 and you didn’t walk away with a birdie, you’d be kicking yourself.”

Ortiz, Clase plead not guilty in baseball-betting case

A scheduled spring fraud trial for two Cleveland Guardians pitchers accused of colluding with sports bettors to rig bets and betray “America’s pastime” will likely be postponed until October, a federal judge said Wednesday as the men pleaded not guilty to a rewritten indictment.

Pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz, speaking Spanish, entered not guilty pleas through a translator to a rewritten indictment in Brooklyn federal court. The pitchers were first charged in November with accepting several thousand dollars in payoffs to help two gamblers from their native Dominican Republic win at least $460,000 by placing more than 100 in-game prop bets and parlays on the speed and the outcome of certain pitches.

Continued from page1C

officials wanted to haveadeal in place as soon as the NCAAcleared the way.LSU alsohas sold asponsorship logo on the field at TigerStadium and created aconcert series. It votedlast fall to raise season-ticket prices before backtracking.

“I believe that if we would have started this thing when the NCAA approved it, there’saverysmall chance we wouldhave found a partner from now untilthe fall,” said Clay Harris, the LSU deputy athletic director and chief revenue officer

The deal was brokered by Playfly Sports, LSU’slongtime multimedia-rights partner. Playfly came up with avaluation for LSU based

WALKER

Continued from page1C

was aplace he wanted to stay close to this season. It’sthe main reason he signed withthe Clippersbefore the season began. It’sunfortunate Paul didn’t get the farewell tour that he deserved for such astellar career

But it’snot too latetostill give him his due. In fact, now is the perfect time to do so, especially for the team that drafted him fourth overall in the 2005 draft. There are no jerseys or championship banners hanginginthe building that wascalled New Orleans Arena during Paul’sdays. Now is the time to put Paul’sNo. 3jersey up there

Youcan still find fans walking around New Orleans wearing Paul’sjersey.Even veteranSaints defensive end Cam Jordan wore one last week as he was riding in a Mardi Gras parade. That’s thetype of lastingeffect Paul still has here, despite being gone for 15 years.

Youwon’t find many fans who disagree that Paul deserves to have his jersey retired, but there are some. In an unscientificpoll conducted on Xlast week, Iposed the

on avarietyoffactors mostly related to exposure, including TV viewershipand social media impressions. Italsodid what Harris called “pretty intense studies” on what professionalteams make from commercial jersey patches

Over time,alonglistwas narrowed to arounda dozen potential companies.

“I don’tthink it’ssomething we didn’ttake lightlyasfar as being on thejersey,”Harris said, “so we wanted to make sure it madesense financially.”

After finalizing thedeal with Woodside Energy in August, LSU added the sponsor patch midseason to footballpracticejerseys and Mike the Tiger’scostume.Next school year,itwill appearsomewhereon everyuniform in apurple-and-gold color scheme. Although Woodside Energy’slogo is red, it was impor-

question. The results showed that 81.5% thinks it should be retired, while 18.5% said no. That 18.5% is likely comprised of fans still bitter about Paul’sdeparture when he was traded to the Clippers. It’stimetoget over that. Yes, it’shard to get over an ex when you feel likethat person doesn’twant you,but Paul has stated he never really wanted to leave New Orleans.

Paul said afew years backthat he was hearing from the front office that thefranchise could berelocating. So who can really fault the then-26year-old forbeinga little hesitantabout staying with afranchise that seemed unstable.

tant to LSU officials for the patch to stay in school colors.

Officialsdeclinedtodisclose financialdetails of theagreement, and LSU has said contracts done through Playflyare not subject to apublic-records request because it is aprivate third party. UNLV, theonly other school so far that has announced acompleted jersey patch sponsorship, reached a fiveyear, $11 million deal with Acesso Biologics, aLas Vegas-basedregenerative medicine company “There is more of aconnection between commercial successand competitive success than ever,” said Christy Hedgpeth, thepresident of Playfly. While LSU is one of the first schools to adda sponsorshippatch, more are expected to follow.Hedgpethcalled it “a really compelling asset for all of our schools.” Arkan-

sas plans to have one next season, and Auburn is in the sales process with the hope of identifying apartnerbythe fall. Severalother SEC schools, including Ole Miss and Tennessee, said they are exploring their options. So far,Texas is the only SEC school to sayitwillnot have asponsor patch.

“You can only go up on ticket prices so much,” Ausberry said “Apparel companies, they’re pretty much tapped out. They’re only doingsomuch. Youlook at all the different ways —licensing, concessions, you look at the whole thing, you’re like, ‘OK,where do we generate new revenue?’ AndI think all of us in the country are figuring outthis is where.”

As part of the rule change, the NCAA let teams place two commercial logos on their uniforms during the regular season and one

more forconference championships. Theyare notyet approved forthe postseason.

LSU will have the one patch with Woodside Energy.Harris said LSU will “research andstudy andget evaluations” on an equipment sponsor logo, which is nowlegal, in case it wants to sell that in the future. “Professional sportshas given aroadmap to collegesnow to look at, and they do areally good job of maximizing alldifferent revenue streams,and that’swhatwe have to do, tastefully,going forward in collegesports,”Harris said. “I think college is different in pro with the traditions. That’sa massive deal for us, and we want to make sure we uphold the LSU traditions,but we have to startgetting moreaggressive in how we’re generating revenue in this newera of college sports.”

“After 20 years, the love for this city has never changed! The journey started here, and I’ll always have gratitude for the city of New Orleans.”

CHRIS

PAUL, Former Pelican

So instead of focusing on how he left, the focus should be on what hedid while he was here. That includes having the Hornets one game away from reaching theWestern Conference finals, theclosest the franchise ever has beentogettingthat far.Healso finishedsecond to KobeBryant forleague MVP that sameseason.

Nobody else in franchise history has comeclose to that If Paul had finished out this season, his return to New Orleans would have been March 11 when the Raptorscame to town. Instead, his final gameinthe Smoothie King Center was last February when he was withthe Spurs. Paulrecorded 12 points and 10 assists that night for the final double-double of his career Fittingly,itoccurred in New Orleans. Andjust as fitting, Paulhad this to say during that trip to the city where his career began.

“After 20 years, thelove for this city has never changed!” PaulwroteinanInstagram post.

“The journey started here, and I’ll always have gratitude for thecity of New Orleans.”

Now that Paul has retired, it’s time for New Orleanstoreturn thegratitude and put No. 3inthe rafters.

Email RodWalker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

throwsapitch duringa agameagainst Nicholls

without giving up arun.

GRAND SLAM

Continued from page1C

once the preseason began. And so far, that newfound comfort has turned into positive results. Caraway was 5for 13 with adouble, atriple and six runs driven in before his blast against Nicholls (0-5).

“I needed to simplify alot of stuff and take alot of movement out of my swing,” Caraway said.“Imean, if you’ve watched alot of hitters here, they take alot of movement out of their swing, (like) Dylan Crews. He’ssuper into the ground and gets into his toe really early and doesn’thave like abig leg kick or anything.”

After Caraway’sgrand slam, the LSU lineup found itself in a rut. TheTigers hadjustone hit from innings two throughfive despite holding a6-1 lead heading into the sixth. That’swhen the attack came back to life,astwo singles and awalk turned into two runs that gave LSU an 8-1 advantage.

“I thought we were much better offensively the last three games than the first two,” Johnson said. LSU senior right-hander Zac Cowan earnedthe start, but his outing didn’t last long.Hewent

LSU 12, Nicholls 1

NichollsLSU (0-5)(5-0) abrhbiabrhbi

Artigueslf4 00 0Curiel cf 40 00

Rijo-Berger rf 311 1Milamss3 21 0 Thompson 1b 401 0Simpson ph 111 0

Mattoxdh3 00 0Brown rf 51 22

Shafer ph 10 00 Arrambide c3 00 0 Giger 2b 40 10 Serna c0 10 0 Jenkins 3b 10 00 Yorke1b1 10 0 Milamss 20 00 Jh.Pearsonph 11 13 Miller ph/ss 100 0Dardar2b2 11 0

Mockc2 00 0Caraway3b 31 14

Terryph/c1 00 0Hardenph/lf 11 00 Perkins cf 200 0Reaveslf/3b 41 10 Braundh3 10 0

TOTALS28131TOTALS31 1289 Nicholls10000000—132

LSU51000213—1282 E— Giger (1); Milam (1); Caraway (1); Reaves(1). DP —Nicholls 1. LOB—Nicholls 11; LSU 7. 2B —Simpson(1);Brown(3);Dardar (2). HR —Rijo—Berger (1); Pearson(1); Caraway (1). HBP —Jenkins; Westcott. SB Perkins (1); Brown(1); Reaves (2) NichollsIPHRERBBSO

Mabry,L(0-1) 1.03 66 41 Avery 2.11 00 02

Simoneaux1.1 00 022

Waters 0.2 11 10 1

Bordelon 0.11 11 20

Dyess 1.10 10 10

Hensarling 0.1 23 31 0 LSUIPHRERBBSO

Cowan, W(1-0) 1.13 11 12 Dathe 1.10 00 02

Theophilus 1.10 00 31

Garcia 1.00 00 22 Ricken, S(1) 3.00 00 02 WP —Mabry(1); Bordelon(1); Dyess(1). HBP —byDathe (Jenkins); by Ricken (Westcott). Umpires —HP: ColbyVidrine 1B: Jeremy Hayes2B: Eddie Newsom 3B:RyanBroussard Start: 1:02 pm Time: 3:24

Attendance: 11164

LSUneeded agroup effort to get throughthe rest of thegame. Fifthyear senior right-handerDax Dathetossed 11/3 scoreless innings after Cowan.Freshman right-hander Zion Theophilus made his LSU debut and walked three batters without giving up arun. Oregon transfer Santiago Garcia tossed ascorelessframe before walking theleadoff hitter in thesixthand coming outfor freshman righthander Reagan Ricken.

Ricken, in his first collegiateappearance, hadthe bestouting of theday.Hetossed three scoreless innings with twostrikeoutsand did agood jobofconsistently inducing weak contact. He threw the ballefficiently,needing only 38 pitches to get through his outing.

“I’vegot asuper good defense behind me,” Ricken said, “so they make it easyonme, makinggreat plays.

LSU next travels to Jacksonville, Florida, to participateinthe Jax College BaseballClassicbeginning on Friday against Indiana. First pitchisslated for1 p.m., and the game willbeavailable to stream on D1Baseball.com.

Email Koki Rileyatkoki.riley@ theadvocate.com. For more LSU sports updates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/ lsunewsletter

LSU

Continued from page1C

Johnson played15minutes in the first half of that game but only five in thesecond. She finished with sevenpoints, three rebounds and an assist.

“That’sone of the things Ithink about, as acoach,” Mulkey said. “Should Ihavegivenher some minutes there? Youcan’tsecondguess yourself now,but Ido. I always go back and think about what Icould have done to help us win this ballgame.”

Johnsonplayed well against SouthCarolina. In the firsthalf, she grabbed arebound and drove coast-to-coast for alayup. She also nailed amid-range jumper She even drew the primary assignmentofdefending Joyce Edwards,the star sophomore who was scoring 20.3 points per game on 61% shooting before she finished with only 10 points on 4-of11 shooting against LSU.

When she wasinhigh school, Johnson affected games in all the same ways forcoach Donna Moir at Sacred Heart Academy —an all-girlsprivate school with a powerhouse basketball program

“People askmeall thetime,” Moir said.“ ‘Isshe the greatest high school girls basketball player to play (in Kentucky)?’

“I mean, without adoubt, yes. Nobody’sdonewhatshe’s done in the state of Kentucky as faras girlsbasketball goes.I don’tthink people realize the magnitude of what she accomplished here.” Kentucky is theonly state that doesn’t awardstate titles formultiple divisions or classifications at the end of theseason.Every year, it crowns only one state champion, and Johnson helped Sacred Heart winthatdistinction allfour years of her prep career.She finished that four-year run with morethan 3,800 points, 1,000 rebounds and500 assists.

Gatorade has been handing out its player of the year award in every state since 1985, and Johnson is theonly Kentucky star —on either theboys or girls side —to takehome that honor four times.

ESPNsaid Johnson was the 10th-best player in her class. It considered hera 6-foot guard, and LSU did, too.

Then Mulkeyand herstaff brought heronto campus and quickly realized they needed to find aspot for her inside the rotation. There was oneproblem, though. The new-look roster was aguard-heavy group, without much room leftonthe perimeter for afreshman.

So Johnson moved to the post, anditdidn’ttakelongfor Mulkey to liken her to Nina Davis —a5-11

formerBaylorAll-American who Mulkey frequently compared to Aneesah Morrow.They’re allundersized for their positions, but theyeachhavetheathleticism,skill and tenacity to thrive in the role. Their roles can be tough to define,but CraigLewis, Johnson’s father,doesn’twant anyone to overthink it.

“She’sjust abasketball player if you will,” he said.

Whichmeansthat Johnson can playanywhere on the floor for just aboutany program. In-state schoolsKentucky and Louisville recruited her.So, too, did South Carolina, Notre Dame and Southern Cal. So why did she choose LSU?

“It wasreally about the atmosphere,the people,the relationships andthe connections,”Lewis said. “ZaKiyah is very outgoing. She’ll talk to some random person on the corner for30minutes, right? She just likes people.” Lewis and Jointer met during their playing days at Morehead State. Lewis was a6-6 forward. Jointer was a5-9 defensiveminded guard.Johnson grew to be 4inches taller than hermom but 6inches shorter than her dad, which gave heradvantages in size and length over mostplayers she faced in high school.

Johnson’sparents knew she’d lose those edges at the collegiate level.It’d be harder for her“to go downthere with the trees,” Jointer said, so they encouraged her to develop someperimeter skills, then combine them withwhatshe already knew about playing in the paint.

“She can hold herown down there,” Jointer said, “but we were just realistic with herand told her,like, ‘Hey,look, you need to start working on that outside game.’ And she did.”

Now Mulkey has anotherdoit-all forward. Only three SEC freshmen have more double-digit scoringgames this seasonthan Johnson, who’s averaging 8.4 pointsand 5.6 rebounds per contest in league play while shooting 54% from the field.

Mulkeystartedoccasionally stationing Johnson on the perimeter when LSU beat Georgia on Jan.8.Those chances have helped the Tigers throw outbigger,more athletic lineups.

They’ve also allowed Johnson to take acouple of 3-pointers. She made both of those looks, using the more refined version of the shooting form that propelledher to this point of her career

“She bought in early,” Jointer said, “and she wanted to do it, andshe obviouslyput herselfin agood place.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com.

MI LA N CO RT IN A OL YM PI CS

Shiffrin

U.S. star ends eight-year Olympic medal drought with

BY STEVE DOUGLAS and ANDREW DAMPF AP sportswriters

CANADA HOCKEY TEAM

SURVIVES CZECHIA: After losing captain Sidney Crosby to an injury, Canada was staring at a stunning quarterfinal hockey exit until Nick Suzuki tied it on a deflected goal with 3:27 left.Then Mitch Marner scored a little over a minute into overtime to beat Czechia 4-3 on Wednesday and send the tournament favorite into the semifinals.

The nerves were palpable when Canada fell behind with 7:42 remaining on Ondrej Palat’s goal on an odd-man rush off a pass from Martin Necas. Replays showed Czechia had six skaters on the ice Suzuki just about did it all on the tying goal, sending the puck out to the point to Devon Toews and then redirecting the defenseman’s shot that was going well wide past Lukas Dostal and into the net.

U.S. MEN ADD TO BEST CROSSCOUNTRY SKIING SHOWING:

Fresh off ending a 50-year medal drought in men’s cross-country skiing American Ben Ogden proved Wednesday it was no fluke by winning a second silver Teaming up with Gus Schumacher the U.S. men even gave runaway favorites Norway some real competition and held off host country Italy in the home stretch for its winningest Olympics ever at the Milan Cortina Games. Ogden became the firstAmerican man to win a cross-country skiing medal in the Olympics in 50 years when he won a silver in the sprint event on Feb 10.Until then,Bill Koch, who won silver in 1976 in Innsbruck, was the soleAmerican man to medal in the sport.

DUBOIS STOPS VAN ‘T WOUT’S QUEST FOR 3RD GOLD: Steven Dubois prevented Dutch short track speedskating star Jens van ’t Wout from making it three victories out of three at the Milan Cortina Olympics by winning the men’s 500 meters on Wednesday.

And van ’t Wout’s older brother, Melle van ’t Wout, beat him out for silver It is Dubois’ first individual Olympic gold after helping Canada to the relay title in Beijing four years ago. He picked up bronze in the 500 then as well as silver in the 1,500.

On his 26th birthday, Melle van ’t Wout earned his first medal by finishing just ahead of his brother — who had won both the previous men’s individual events in Milan.

SU WINS CHINA’S FIRST GOLD OF GAMES: Su yiming celebrated his 22nd birthday with a second career gold medal on Wednesday and China’s first gold medal overall at these Games. He was the winner of an error-prone men’s snowboarding slopestyle final, when he was the only one of the 12 finalists to complete his three runs through the course’s big rails and tightly bunched jumps without any falls or major errors.

— The Associated Press

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy Mikaela

Shiffrin stood atop the Olympic podium, looking almost in disbelief at the gold medal around her neck.

The American skiing star hadn’t simply won a slalom race to end her eight-year medal drought at the Winter Games and underline her status as surely the greatest Alpine skier of all time.

She’d also won a battle with herself

“It’s like,” Shiffrin said, before pausing, “... being born again.”

Racing in what she described as a “spiritual state,” Shiffrin put in two dominant runs in gorgeous conditions amid the jagged peaks of the Dolomites to win by a massive 1.50 seconds, making her the first American skier to win three Alpine gold medals.

In emotional scenes after the race, the 30-year-old Shiffrin was embraced by Camille Rast of Switzerland, who took silver, and bronze-medalist Anna Swenn Larsson before fighting back tears as she approached her mom and coach, Eileen, for a long, deep hug next to the finish area. Through it all, Shiffrin said, she never stopped thinking about her father, Jeff, who died at the age of 65inanaccidentat the family home in Colorado in February 2020.

“This was a moment I have dreamed about I’ve also been very scared of this moment,” Shiffrin said. “Everything in life that you do after you lose someone you love is like a new experience.

“And,” she added, her voice starting to tremble, “I still have so many moments where I resist this. I don’t want to be in life without my dad. And maybe today was the first time that I could actually accept this, like, reality.”

captures slalom gold

It was the largest margin of victory in any Olympic Alpine skiing event since 1998 and the third biggest in women’s slalom — the event she won as a freshfaced 18-year-old in Sochi in 2014 to buttress her rising status as a skiing superstar

Twelve years later and having failed to meet huge expectations at the 2022 Olympics, become the most successful World Cup skier of all time with a record 108 victories, and overcome the two biggest crashes of her career and an ensuing battle with post-traumatic stress disorder she delivered again in her favorite event

Her skiing career, in a sense, had just come full circle.

“Maybe,” she added, “just today, I realized what happened to me in Sochi.”

At the medal ceremony, she shook both of her hands by her side as she was about to receive her medal. When it was placed around her neck, she put one

hand to her mouth. For Shiffrin, this also was a release of the pressure that had been building after going eight Olympic races without a medal since adding gold and silver to her collection in Pyeongchang in 2018. A nightmarish 0-for-6 performance in Beijing was followed in Cortina this year by a fourthplace finish in the team combined when Shiffrin placed 15th in the slalom portion after teammate Breezy Johnson led the downhill leg — and then 11th place in the giant slalom.

It was fodder for the “keyboard warriors,” Shiffrin acknowledged, but she ignored all of them in a masterpiece Tuesday “I couldn’t think of a more welldeserved medal for an athlete to win,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of the U.S Ski and Snowboard Association.

“She’s been so dominant but as we know these big sporting moments in the Olympics bring extra pres-

Knight gets dream matchup as U.S. faces Canada for the gold

BY JOHN WAWROW AP Hockey Writer

MILAN — Before the puck dropped on the U.S.-Canada Rivalry Series three months ago, before the Americans romped through their first six games at the Milan Cortina Olympics, and before her engagement on Wednesday, Hilary Knight looked ahead to the gold-medal final with hope and anticipation.

How fitting it would be, the U.S. captain told The Associated Press in early November, for her Olympic career to end with one more showdown against Canada

“It’s best on best. I think people really like it when our two teams face off,” Knight said.

“It’s a testament to the work that both have put in off ice and on ice. So, yeah, it would definitely be a win-win from a 30,000-foot view.”

Anticipation has become reality for the 36-year-old Knight as the border rivals and the sport’s global powers prepare to meet on Thursday It will be their seventh gold-medal matchup in eight Olympics since women’s hockey debuted in 1998 — and the fifth for Knight, who has said these will be her final Games.

“It’s exciting. It’s fleeting. It’s all these emotions at the same time,” Knight said after practice Wednesday, hours after she

proposed to U.S. speedskater Brittany Bowe.

“At the end of the day it’s just so special,” she added. “And I can’t tell you enough how amazing this group is.”

The Americans are favored to add a third gold medal after winning in 1998 and 2018. The team has a mix of experience, led by Knight, and young talent, including seven players still in college U.S. has legacy on the line

The Americans stand one win from cementing a legacy as one of the most dominant women’s hockey teams. The reigning champion Cana-

dians haves shown signs of age and struggled through parts of the tournament. Canada is 5-1, having dropped a 5-0 decision to the U.S. in the preliminary round — its most lopsided loss and its first time being shut out in Olympic play

Canada advanced to the final by eking out a 2-1 win over Switzerland, after which Swiss captain Lara Stalder said the winners looked “shaky” and “beatable.”

The Canadians acknowledge they’ve yet to play their best, and know anything can happen in the final.

“This group does have it in us,” coach Troy Ryan said.

sure and scrutiny And to see her ski that well and just go for it, I couldn’t be prouder of her.”

Shiffrin has now won three golds and a silver at the Olympics to add to her record total of World Cup wins — which include 71 in slalom, also a record There’s also world titles in slalom (four), giant slalom and super-G to fill out arguably the greatest career in Alpine racing.

“In another league,” was how Larsson put it.

Shiffrin led by 0.82 seconds after the first run on a mostly flat course that Team USA officials described to her over the radio as a “high-tempo ripper.” There was one wobble when she struck a gate and for a fraction of a second, it appeared she was headed for another Olympic disappointment.

Not this time.

She snapped back into form to post a time, in the No. 7 bib, no one could get near

U.S. men beat Sweden in OT, advance to hockey semis

BY KEVIN BAXTER Los Angeles Times (TNS)

MILAN The U.S. men haven’t stood on the podium at the end of an Olympic hockey tournament in 16 years and haven’t played for a medal in 12. In fact, it’s been so long since an American hockey team took home a prize from the Winter Games none of the players on this year’s team, the second youngest in the MilanCortina competition, had finished high school the last time it happened. No one on the team was alive the last time the U.S. won gold in 1980. Now this team has a chance to end that drought after beating Sweden 2-1 in overtime on Wednesday to advance to Friday’s semifinals, where it will play Slovakia. The win was the Americans’ first over Sweden in an Olympic tournament in nine games dating to 1960. ThewinninggoalcamefromQuinn Hughes 3:27 into the extra period. The other U.S. goal came from Dylan Larkin but Sweden forced overtime when Mika Zibanejad scored on a slap shot with 91 seconds left in regulation. Hughes, a Minnesota Wild defenseman, then ended things, circling around the ice before skating into the high slot and blasting a shot past Swedish goalie Jacob Markstrom.

Watchthese BR-areabaseball position playersthisseason

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

The high school baseball season is here, and the top talent from the Baton Rouge area is looking to get off to aquick start. Last season was loaded withbigtime hitters, and several position playersreturnthis year readyto continue leavingtheir mark. The Baton Rouge area features several top names in the infield and outfield.

Listed beloware 10 area position players to watch this season.

Braylen Mongtomery, Walker (Sr.): The Oklahoma signee is the top-ranked baseball prospect in the state. The Walker outfielder finished last season with a.424 batting average, andalsotallied 29 RBIs,19stolen bases and six home runs. He was named to the Class 5A All-State first team by the Louisiana Prep Baseball Report and Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association Cole Guidroz, Central (Sr.):The Wildcats third baseman looks tobuild on his junior season when he hit .340. The LSU-Eunice commitment is ranked within the top-20 prospects in the state,according to Prep Baseball Louisiana.

Aubrey St. Angelo,Brusly (Sr.):St. Angelo finished last season with 35 RBIs and a.360 average. He plays both middle infielder andpitcher for Brusly.The Nicholls State signee looks to piece together another strong season both at theplate and on the moundtohelp get Brusly back to the state final.

HarrisonKidder, Catholic (Sr.):The Bears outfielder was aforce offensively last year.In42games, Kidder posted a.324 average with 32 RBIs, six doubles and twohome runs. He also scored 31 runs. He should be one of the focalpoints of the lineup for Catholic this year

Devyn Baker,Family Christian(Jr.): Baker’sthird varsity season was amajor breakoutfor thesophomore He ended the year with a.376 batting average, 50 runs, 24 RBIs and seven doubles in 118 plateappearances.Hewill look to build on that progress in his junior season Clayton Fontenot, ParkviewBaptist (Jr.): Apair of Parkview Baptist Eagles take the next two spots. Fontenot

Walker outfielder Braylen Montgomeryraces hometoscore against Thibodaux in the first inning of agameinthe Division Iplayoff series on April 19 in Walker

batted.525 lastyear to make The Advocate’sAll-Metro Class 3A and below baseballteam. The outfielder also was named to last year’s LSWA Class 3A All-State team. HenryBeckers, Parkview Baptist (Sr.): Beckers, an East Mississippi Community College commitment, hit .387with31RBIsand twohome runs last season. He also pitched his way toa 4-1 recordin2025. The first baseman and utility player should provide plenty of offensive support this year Braden Sanders,Zachary(Sr.): The Gramblingcommitment was dominant toward the top of the batting orderfor the Broncos last year.The Zacharyoutfielderhit

.320 with a.437 OBP.Sanders also tallied nine doubles and 20 stolen bases.

Jaden Ard,Walker (Sr.): Ardproduced big numbers forthe Wildcats in 2025. He finishedwitha .309 batting average anda.453OBP with eight doubles, three triples and 33 RBIs. He also stood tallatthe plate with 17 hit by pitches and 17 walks drawn.

Hudson Browning,East Ascension (Sr.): The Northwestern State signee closed out his junior season on a tear.He finished with a.427batting average, 34 RBIs, eight home runs, 13 doubles and two triples. Browning projectstobeone of the top catchers in the Baton Rouge area.

Cavaliersfinallyget full practice with newguard Harden

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio Kenny Atkinsonwas able to do something Wednesday for the first time since theCleveland Cavaliers traded for James Harden on Feb. 4.

The Cavaliers held their first practice in acouple of weeks after returning from the All-Star break and began gearing up for the second half of the season.

“Weonly have onepractice. I think your first reaction is,‘Man, we’ve got to do all these things,’ but just try to keep dialing back and keep it as simple as possible andthenkind of addaswego,” the Cavaliers coach said. “It’s like, how can we reduce it to the things that matter? Ithink we accomplished that.”

Harden had only film sessions andwalk-throughs during his first three games with Cleveland, but the 17-year veteranproved to be aquickstudy.Heisaveraging 19.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 8.7 assists along with two doubledoubles with the Cavaliers.

Jaylon Tyson said he didn’trealize how much of adefensive presence Harden could be until he was his teammate.

“The offensive part, nothing’s really surprised me, but defensively,he’sactually pretty good. He gotacoupleblocks. He’s definitely not what you call acone,” Tysonsaid.

All-star guard Donovan Mitchell has three straight games with at least 30 points, but he knows there is still an adjustment period going on with Harden.

“Wehaven’t even gotten to playing atwo-man game together and what that looks like,”Mitchell said. “SoI think as we build you’ll start seeing that as well. ButI thinkthe biggestthing now is we found something that works.”

Most of Wednesday’spre-practice film session and practice was devoted to defense. TheCavaliers are tied forthe third-worst 3-pointdefense in the league,allowing 37.2%frombeyondthe arc, and are in the middle of the league in most categories. Atkinson said theywentbackto some of the stuff installed during training camptoget newcomers Harden,DennisSchroder and Keon Ellis up to speed, and to

provide arefresher course for the veterans. Atkinson added that it is likely Evan Mobley and Dean Wade will return to the lineup on Thursday Mobley,the reigning NBADefensive Player of the Year,has missed thelastseven games because of aleftcalf strain, while Wade was sidelined for three games because of asprained left ankle.

The Cavaliers have won all three games with Harden in the lineup. Cleveland is also on a five-gamewinning streak going intoThursday night’s game against Brooklyn. It is 17-5 since Dec. 29 andhas aleague-best .772 winning percentage during that span.

Cleveland (34-21) is fourth in theEastern Conferencebut is only 11/2 games behind Boston for second. The gameagainst the Nets begins astretch of five in seven days, including atrip to OklahomaCity on Sunday and a home game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday “Weall have to makesure we’re locked in andreadytogo,”said Mitchell, who is fifth in the league in scoring at 29.0 pointsper game. “This is no easystretch. Youcan look up and be in bad shape right off the bat.”

BY DAVIDBRANDT AP baseball writer

p.m. East Iberville atWashington-Marion, 6:45 p.m Saturday Livonia at Southern Lab, 5:30 p.m. LHSAASoccer playoffs Boys Division I No. 5Baton Rougevs. No. 1Jesuit at John Ryan, 6p.m.Saturday

SURPRISE,Ariz. Bruce Meyer was promoted to interim executive director of the baseball players’ associationonWednesday, aday after Tony Clark’sforced resignation. It wasamovefor continuity ahead of the likely start in April of what figures to be contentious collective bargaining with team owners. Matt Nussbaum was promoted to interim deputyexecutive directorfrom general counsel. The decisions were made by the MajorLeague BaseballPlayers Association executive boardduring an online meeting. Both votes were unanimous. A64-year-old veteran labor lawyer,Meyer joinedthe union staff in 2018 and led negotiations through a99-day lockout that led to a five-year agreement in March 2022. Thedeal barely avoided what would have been the first loss of regular-season gamessince 1995. He waspromoted to deputy executive director in July 2022. Meyer spent 30 years at Weil, Gotshal &Manges before joining the NHL PlayersAssociation in 2016 as senior director of collective bargaining, policy and legal Three membersofthe union’s eight-man executive subcommittee, Jack Flaherty,Lucas Giolito and Ian Happ, were among the players who in March 2024 advocated for theouster of Meyerin an effort ledbyformer union lawyer Harry Marino. Clark backed

Meyer,the effort failed and those threeplayers were droppedoff thesubcommittee that December The subcommittee voted 8-0 against approving the 2022 labor contract and Meyer had advocated pushing management fora deal more favorable to the union. Team player representatives, the overall group supervising negotiations, voted 26-4 in favor,leaving the overall ballot at 26-12 for ratification.

Thecurrent subcommittee includesChris Bassitt, Jake Cronenworth, Pete Fairbanks, Cedric Mullins,MarcusSemien, Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal and Brent Suter

Aformer All-Star first baseman who headed the union since 2013,Clark resigned Tuesdayjust months ahead of the expected start of bargainingfor alabor contracttoreplace thedealthat expires Dec. 1.

He was asked to resign by the union’seight-manexecutive subcommittee after an investigation by the union’soutside counsel discovered evidenceClark had an inappropriate relationship with his sister-in-law,aunion employee since 2023, aperson familiar with the union’sdeliberations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because that detail was not announced.

“The information that really led to this cameout within the last 72 hours or so,” Meyer saidearlier Wednesday.“So this is not something that has been kind of sat on. When the information cameout, the players on the subcommittee made their feelings known. And Tony,tohis credit, he’salways been about the players first and Tony decided to take the action he did in the interest of the players.”

Bama beats Arkansas despite Acuff’s 49 points

BY KENNINGTON SMITH III Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Houston Mal-

lette hit a 3-pointer with 51 seconds remaining in the second overtime, and No 25 Alabama survived one of the best single-game performances of the season to edge 20th-ranked Arkansas 117-115 on Wednesday night.

Arkansas freshman Darius Acuff scored 49 points the second-most in college basketball this season — while playing all 50 minutes. But Acuff missed jumpers at the end of both extra frames that would have given the Razorbacks (19-7, 9-4 Southeastern Conference) a shorthanded road victory Arkansas used a seven-man rotation throughout regulation but had four players foul out in overtime. That forced coach John Calipari to turn to two guys who had played a combined 35 minutes all season It was the opening the Crimson Tide (19-7, 9-4) needed to pull out

a game that will go down as an instant classic.

Labaron Philon scored 35 points and Aiden Sherrell added 26 — both career-highs to help Alabama win its fifth consecutive game.

Arkansas, meanwhile, lost for the first time in four games. Acuff’s 49 points are the secondmost by an Arkansas player and the most by an Arkansas player in SEC play

Alabama trailed by 14 in the second half, but an 18-4 run tied the game. The Crimson Tide moved in front in the waning seconds of regulation, until Acuff’s 3-pointer tied the game at 95-95 and sent it to overtime.

Meleek Thomas (24) and Billy Richmond (20) also scored in double figures for the Razorbacks before fouling out.

Sherrell chipped in 13 rebounds for Alabama, which also got 19 points and 11 boards from Amari Allen Aden Holloway finished with 15 points for the Tide.

SCOREBOARD

66

89,

85,

77 Western

91,

Greensboro 77 Wofford 82, VMI 76 MIDWEST Northern Iowa 81, Indiana State 60 Southern Illinois 66, Drake 61 Valparaiso 79, Bradley 72 Youngstown State 106, Cleveland State 82 SOUTHWEST Texas A&M 80, Ole Miss 77 Women’s state schedule

game Tulane 63, Memphis 58

game

Miss 83, UL 61

games

at Stephen F. Austin, 6 p.m.

A&M-Corpus Christi at Southeastern, 6 p.m. UTRGV at McNeese, 6:30 p.m. Nicholls at Lamar, 6:30 p.m. Louisiana Tech at Jacksonville State, 6:30 p.m. UIW at Northwestern, 6:30 p.m. Memphis at Tulane, 6:30 p.m. LSU at Ole Miss, 8 p.m. Friday’s games None scheduled. Women’s national scores EAST Army 61, Loyola (MD) 48 Ball State 88, Buffalo 55 Boston University 77, Colgate 70, OT Bucknell 58, American 45 George Washington 57, Richmond 54,

85. TEXAS (17-9) Heide 3-5 1-2 8, Vokietaitis 6-11 5-6 17, Mark 6-12 4-6 18, Pope 5-8 5-8 18, Swain 7-12 6-10 21, Wilcher 2-3 0-0 4, Weaver 0-1 2-2 2, Codie

0-0 0-0 0. Totals 29-52 23-34 88. Halftime—Texas 48-33. 3-Point Goals—LSU 5-12 (Mackinnon 2-4, Reece 2-4, Sutton 1-2, Mosley 0-1, Tamba 0-1), Texas 7-13 (Pope 3-3, Mark 2-4, Swain 1-2, Heide 1-3, Wilcher 0-1). Fouled Out—Sutton, Miller. Rebounds—LSU 22 (Sutton, Tamba 5), Texas 33 (Vokietaitis, Swain 10). Assists—LSU 13 (Reece 9), Texas 9 (Wilcher 4). Total Fouls—LSU 25, Texas 14. A—10,908 (15,000). Men’s national scores EAST American 75, Bucknell 57 Army 87, Loyola (Md) 77 Butler 93, Georgetown 89 Creighton 91, UConn 84 Duquesne 62, La Salle 61 Fordham 62, Loyola Chicago 59 Lafayette 86, Holy Cross 83 Navy 72, Lehigh 49 Rutgers 85, Penn State 72 Saint Joseph’s 71, St. Bonaventure 65 UAB 76, Temple 71 Western Kentucky 88, Delaware 87, OT SOUTH Davidson 65, Richmond 63 Dayton 82, George Mason

11 a.m. Southern at Arlington Baptist (DH), noon Southeastern vs. St. Louis at Conway, Ark., noon UL vs. Howard at LSU, 1:30 p.m.

Southeastern at Central Arkansas, 2:30 p.m. UL vs. Michigan State at LSU, 4 p.m. Nicholls at Troy, 6:30 p.m. Michigan State at LSU, 6:30 p.m. Golf

PGA Tour statistics Through Feb. 16

FedExCup Season Points 1, Chris Gotterup, 1,066. 2, Scottie Scheffler, 938. 3, Collin Morikawa, 706. 4, Hideki Matsuyama, 560. 5, Ryan Gerard, 558. 6, Justin Rose, 520. 7, Si Woo Kim, 512. 8, Ryo Hisatsune, 435. 9, Sepp Straka, 419. 10, Min Woo Lee, 417. Scoring Average 1, Scottie Scheffler, 68.679. 2, Jake Knapp, 68.937. 3, Hideki Matsuyama, 69.128. 4, Chris Gotterup, 69.190. 5, Nicolai Hojgaard, 69.238. 6, Tommy Fleetwood, 69.361. 7, Si Woo Kim, 69.439. 8, Jacob Bridgeman, 69.449. 9, Ryan Gerard, 69.521. 10, Vijay Singh, 69.533. Driving Distance 1, Gary Woodland, 330.2. 2, Michael Brennan, 329.5. 3, Aldrich Potgieter, 327.1. 4, Rasmus Hojgaard, 324.7. 5, Chris Gotterup, 323.9. 6, Min Woo Lee, 323. 7, Rory McIlroy, 322. 8, Isaiah Salinda, 321.8. 9, Jake Knapp, 321.4. 10, 2 tied with 321.3. Driving Accuracy Percentage 1, Andrew Putnam, 79.76%. 2, Joel Dahmen, 79.29%. 3, Blades Brown, 76.79%. 4, Lucas Glover, 75.00%. 5, Si Woo Kim, 73.57%. 6, David Lipsky, 72.32%. 7, Corey Conners, 72.14%. 8, Matt Fitzpatrick, 71.43%. 9, Kensei Hirata, 70.95%. 10, Shane Lowry, 69.64%. Greens in Regulation Percentage 1, 10 tied with .00%. Total Driving 1, Blades Brown, 20. 2, David Ford, 38. 3, Adam Scott, 40. 4, Min Woo Lee, 42. 5, Rory McIlroy, 47. 6, Jesper Svensson, 50. 7, Scottie Scheffler, 74. 8, 3 tied with 77. SG-Putting 1, Kris Ventura, 1.901. 2, Davis Riley, 1.405. 3, Sam Ryder, 1.344. 4, Matt Kuchar, 1.308. 5, Zach Johnson, 1.232. 6, Chandler Phillips, 1.202. 7, Karl Vilips, 1.180. 8, Jacob Bridgeman, 1.119. 9, Lee Hodges, 1.109. 10, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, 1.097. Birdie Average 1, Rory McIlroy, 6.25. 2, Scottie Scheffler, 6.17. 3, David Lipsky, 6.13. 4 (tie), Tommy Fleetwood and Shane Lowry, 6. 6, Jacob Bridgeman, 5.56. 7, Justin Rose, 5.55. 8, 3 tied with 5.5. Eagles (Holes per) 1, Rory McIlroy, 36. 2 (tie), Keegan Bradley, Joel Dahmen and Sahith Theegala, 45. 5, Jake Knapp, 48. 6 (tie), Peter Malnati, Scottie Scheffler, Adam Svensson and Adrien Dumont de Chassart, 54. 10, Justin Lower, 63. Sand Save Percentage 1, 10 tied with .00%.

All-Around Ranking 1, Scottie Scheffler, 139. 2, Rory McIlroy, 176. 3, Min Woo Lee, 207. 4, Rickie Fowler, 257. 5, Ryo Hisatsune, 306. 6 (tie), Chris Gotterup and Si Woo Kim, 307. 8, Justin Rose 332. 9, Andrew Putnam, 334. 10, Pierceson Coody, 371. Pro hockey

NHL Conference glance EASTERN CONFERENCE GPWLOTPtsGFGA

a-Tampa

Tuesday’s games

8,

(5

10, South Alabama 2 (5 inn.) Wednesday’s games None scheduled. Thursday’s games None scheduled. Friday’s games Nicholls vs. Kennesaw State at Troy, Ala.,

THURSDAY’S FAIR GROUNDS ENTRIES

Hungarian paprika brings authenticity to goulash

BY LINDAGASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service (TNS)

Chicken

in

and

savory goulash is

over pappardelle, abroad, flat pasta similar to extra-widefettuccine, perfect for catching every spoonful of sauce.

HELPFUL HINTS:

n Any type of pasta can be used.

n Any type of sliced mushroom can be used.

n To save preparation time, use diced onion and green pepper found in the produce section.

Chicken Hungarian Goulash

Yields 2servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer

2teaspoons olive oil

sliced portobello mushrooms

1tablespoon Hungarian paprikaor 1½ tablespoons ordinarypaprika

1cup reduced-sodium marinara sauce

½pound cooked boneless skinless chickenbreast cut in ½-inch pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2tablespoons reduced-fat sourcream

1medium tomato cut into wedges

1. Heat olive oil in anonstick skilletovermedium-high heat andadd onion, green pepperand mushrooms. Saute 3minutes.

2. Sprinkle paprikaover vegetables and saute 2minutes. Add marinara sauce and simmer 1 minute. Add chicken and salt and pepper to taste.

3. Removefrom heat and serve over pappardelle. Dot the goulash with sour cream.Arrange tomatoes on the side.

NUTRITION INFO PER SERVING: 369 calories (32 percent from fat), 13.0 gfat (3.0 gsaturated, 4.3 gmonounsaturated), 114 mg cholesterol, 38.0 gprotein,26.5 gcarbohydrates, 7.1 g fiber,132 mg sodium.

Caraway Pappardelle

Yields 2servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer

¼pound pappardelle (about 1½ cups)

2teaspoons olive oil

1tablespoon caraway seeds Saltand freshly ground black pepper

1. Bring alarge pot with2 to 3quartsofwater to aboil. Add the pappardelle and boil 3to4 minutes or according to package instructions.

2. Drain, leaving about 2tablespoons water on the pappardelle. Tosswitholiveoil,carawayseeds, andsalt and peppertotaste.

3. Divideinhalf and serve on two dinner plates with thegoulash.

NUTRITION INFO PER SERVING: 262 calories (20 percent from fat), 5.8 gfat (0.8 gsaturated, 2.5 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 8.1 gprotein, 44.1 gcarbohydrates, 3.0 g fiber,3mgsodium.

LIVING

Seeyou on theflipside

BY APRIL HAMILTON Contributingwriter

The Food Truck is my kitchen’snickname. It is tinyand theplace where we have made nine years of meals and memories.

The time has come to bid her gratitude and afond farewell.

When we first toured this home as prospective buyers, my wisehusband announced that the kitchen would need to be our first order of upgrades. How could our growingfamily of five, abunch who loves to cook and entertain, function in this 8-foot square cubicle?

As you do, we made it work. Three years intothe small but mightykitchen journey,wetoyed withtearing down walls and building our dream kitchen. Afriend recommended acontractor who stopped in to check the scope of ourrequest. He looked and poked around using thelaser measuring device to do some calculations

“This is abig project,” he

Shrimp Risotto

Risotto is such afun dish to make for company.Add agreen salad andyou’re good to go. Spring asparagus makes anice substitute for thepeas if preferred. Using shrimpstock makesit Lent-friendly anda great way to put your shrimpshells to use.

6cups shrimp stock

3tablespoons cold butter,divided use

1tablespoon olive oil

4shallots, finelychopped

2clovesgarlic, minced

½teaspoon red pepper flakes

1teaspoon dried thyme

1teaspoon coarse salt

2cups arborio rice

1. In a2-quart saucepan, bring the stock to agentle boil. Reduce heat and keep on asimmer while preparing the rice.

2. In a4-quart Dutchoven, melt 1tablespoon of the butter with the olive oil overmedium heat.Add thechopped shallots and cook until slightly softened. Add the garlic, red pepper flakes, thyme and salt and stir for 1minute.

3. Addthe rice and saffron to theDutch oven and stir to coat the rice with the aromatic oil andlightly toast the rice, about 5minutes. Increasethe heat to medium-high and add the wine, stirring constantly until most of the liquid evaporates.

4. Ladle in the stock in halfcups,stirringbetween each

½teaspoon saffron threads

(optional, but recommended if you have it)

1cup drywhite wine

1pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1cup frozenpeas

Zest and juice of 1lemon

Lemon wedges forserving

additionuntil the liquid is absorbed. Adjust heat to medium if it is sticking or burningon the bottom.Continue until most of the stock hasbeen added. If the rice is still firm in the center,add additional stock by ¼-cupfuls.

5. Lay theshrimp andpeas on top of the rice, reduceheat to low and cover for 5minutes to steam cook the shrimpand peas. Add the zest and juice of the lemon and stir well to incorporate everything intothe risotto.

6. Grate the remaining 2tablespoonsofcoldbutterover thetop of the risottoand stir in gently

7. Scoopthe risottointo warm bowls and garnish each with alemon wedge.

GRETCHEN McKAY

(TNS)

Mom’s LemonBars

Ikeep thisrecipe,writteninmymom’sinimitable handwriting, for special occasions. As soon as my new kitchen is upand running,thiswill be the first oven recipe Iturn to FORTHE BASE:

1cup unbleached flour ¼cup powdered sugar

½cup (1 stick) butter,cold FOR THE FILLING: 3eggs

1¼ cups sugar

Zest of 2lemons

¼cup lemon juice

3tablespoons unbleached flour ¾teaspoonbaking powder FOR THE FROSTING:

3tablespoons butter at room temperature

¾cup powdered sugar

Zest and juice of 1lemon, plus extraifneeded

1. First, make the base:

Preheat theovento350 F and line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper

FAREWELL

Continued from page1D

repeated as he roamed in and out of the kitchen that could.

We chickenedout. When my second of three daughters was in college, overlappingwith the first one, Ihad the realization that ourdream kitchen would come when we finished funding their college degrees.The year 2021 found us with three college graduates and anew kitchen on the horizon. Then Idecided to punctuate the empty nest with anursing degree My kitchen fund went back to school and this nutrition nurse is now back in the kitchen renovation business. Iobserved in awe as my

2. Placethe 1cup of flour and¼cup powdered sugar in amixing bowl and stir to combine.Grate in the cold butter usingthe large holes of abox grater.When the mixtureholds together,press it out intothe prepared bakingpan andbake untiljust golden, about 15minutes. Cool in thepan on arack while you preparethe filling.

3. Make the filling: Whisk the eggs and sugar together (can usethe samemixing bowl as above) untilno streaksofegg remain.Add thelemon zest andjuice andstirtocombine. Addthe flourand baking powder and stir again until the flour is incorporated.Pour the filling on top of the cooled base and

neighbor Lori remodeled herkitchen.She shared her contractor’snumberand asked me monthslater if I had called him. Iconfessed Ihad not, sincethe idea was overwhelmingand we didn’thaveadesignyet.

“He can help with that,” shereassured Aboutayear ago, Igot the courage to call him. Many visits and sketches later,with numbercrunchingand kitchen tours, the demolition began just this week. In anticipation of beingkitchen-less untillikely summer,I fired up afew burners to makeour last Food Truck supper,shrimp risotto, which is aperfect Lenten dish. Imeasured, mixed and bakeda treasured three-part dessert Mom’sLemon Bars, which taste exactly likemom

bake until just set, about25 minutes. Cool in the pan on a rack before frosting.

4. Make the frosting: Using ahandmixer,blend the 3tablespoons softened butter with the¾cup powdered sugar. Add the zest and juice of 1lemon and mix to combine. If thefrosting is too thickfor spreading,add additional lemonjuice abouta tablespoon at atime. Spread the frosting over the cooled lemon bars and chill briefly to setenough to cut into squares. Cut into2dozen squares or rectangles and serve. Transfer extras to an airtight containerwith layers separated with parchment paper and refrigerate for up to aweek.

madethem herself. While thewalls come down and the dust flies, we will transform thecovered portion of our pool deck into thebackyard bistro. My growing cookbook collection is stashed in boxes in aback closet, and I’m keeping just two within reach toaccess simple recipes that require minimal cookware and cleanup. Isay that aday without cooking is aday without sunshine. The upcoming monthsmight be chaotic, but Iplan to keep thesun shining in amakeshift manner.Ihope you will follow along as Ichronicle this process and we learn to feed ourselves on the fly, hopefully withlots of nutritioushome cooking and maybe adinner party in the backyard bistro.

POST-GAZETTE/ TNS PHOTO By GRETCHEN McKAy Cheesy BroccoliChicken Bake

4. Meanwhile, steam or boil broccoli florets in well salted water for 4-5 minutes until tender-crisp, drain well andadd to bowlwith chicken. Toss to combine. 5. Melt 4tablespoons butter in aheavy saucepan over medium-lowheat.Add flouror cornstarch and cook, continuouslywhisking, for around 3 minutes to make aroux.

while whisking occasionally for 8minutes

7. Reduce heat to low, and cook for 10 minutes more.

8. Fold in creamalong with ½cup Parmesan and all the cheddar.Stir to combine and cook until cheese is completely melted. Season to taste with salt and pepper

9. Addcheese sauce to the broccoli-chickenmixture and stir to combine.

10. Pour mixture into the bottom of abuttered 2-quart casseroledish. Sprinkle remaining ½cup grated Parmesan on top

11. In asmall skillet, melt remaining1tablespoon butter,add hash brown squares and cook, tossing often, until crispy.Sprinkle on topofthe casserole.

Having aphone foremergencies

Dear Heloise: As my grandchildren have gotten older, it occurred to me that their parentshad gotten rid of their old landline. Today, manyhomes rely only on cellphones. Also, parentsare wary of giving their young ones cellphones. This means that when young children are safely left at home without adult supervision for short periods, there is no way for them to call for help in an emergency Parents might consider having aseparate cellphone in thehouse to replace theold landline and teach youngsters how to use it if needed. Thank you for all your hints. —Diane Hobbs, areader Ceramictrivettiles

Dear Heloise: Coasters

By The Associated Press

chunks and place in alarge bowl.

Continued from page1D

the dish was created in the early 1900s —Chicken Divan became smart mothers’ tactic for getting theirkids to eat vegetables after the recipe popped up in cookbooksinthe late 1950s and early ’60s. Broccoli is slightly bitter when raw and mushy (and slightly stinky) when overcooked, so it can be ahard sell on its own. But add some roasted chicken and

6. Addchicken stockor brothslowly,alittle at a time, whiskingconstantly, until you reach aboil. Then reduce heat and simmer

top it with acreamy cheese sauce andthe result is a rich andcozy casserole that even thepickiest child will happily eat. Thereare probably as many recipes for broccolicheese casserole as there are cooks.

12. Bake in hotoven until just hot, around 20 minutes. For an extracrispy top,turn oven to broil, sprinkle casserole with alittle grated Parmesan andbroil 5inches fromheatuntil casserole is bubbling andgolden, about1 minute. Serve immediately

Hints from Heloise

are helpful when using drinking glasses, and cups usually come with saucers. However,mugs don’talways fitwell on standard coasters, especially larger or heavier ones. But Ifound that the ceramic trivet tiles that I’ve collected over the years work just fine under my mugs. They provide asturdy surface, protect furniture from heat or moisture, and add adecorative touch. Best of all, they are attractive reminders of places that we’ve visited or of thoughtfulfriends whogifted them to us. —G.A., in Colorado Springs, Colorado Twocycles

Dear Heloise: Afriend recently complained that her energy-efficient dryer

TODAYINHISTORY

Today is Thursday, Feb.19, the 50th day of 2026. There are 315 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Feb.19, 1942, during World WarII, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which paved the way for the internment of 125,000 people of Japanese ancestry,including U.S.born citizens.

Also on this date: In 1473, astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus was born in Torun, Poland.

In 1847, the first rescuers reached members of theDonner Party,who had been snowbound in the Sierra Nevada near the California-Nevada border for nearly four months.

In 1878, inventor Thomas Edison was issued apatent for thephonograph.

In 1945, Operation De-

tachment began during World WarIIasthe first wave of U.S. Marines landed at Iwo Jima, where they commenced asuccessful monthlong battle to seize control of the island from Japanese forces.

In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford, calling the issuing of the 1942 internment order forpeople of Japanese ancestry “a sad day in American history,” signed aproclamation formally confirming its termination.

In 2003, an Iranian military plane carrying members of the elite Revolutionary Guards crashed in southeastern Iran, killing all 275 people on board.

often took two cycles to dry anormal load of clothes. Many newer dryers have built-in safety features that are designed to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fires, which can cause them to shut off early In many cases, this problem is caused by a clogged or arestricted dryer vent pipe that prevents the proper

If

Keeping vents clear can improve the

time and help the dryer run moreefficiently —Elaine C. Williamson, via email

Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

In 2008, an ailing Fidel Castro resigned the Cuban presidency after nearly ahalf-century in power; his brother Raúl was later named to succeed him Fidel Castro died in 2016 at the age of 90. In 2025, the ocean liner SS United States, which shattered the transatlantic speed record on its maiden voyage in 1952, departed Philadelphia’sDelaware River waterfront under tow forMobile, Alabama, forprep work before officials sink it off Florida’s Gulf Coast to create the world’slargest artificial reef

Today’sbirthdays: Singer Smokey Robinson is 86. Rock musician Tony

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Highenergy, trustand belief in your abilities will lead to the strength and courage to excel. Whatyou achieve is foryourown happiness, notothers'. Challenge anyone who tries to takeadvantage of you.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Takepride in what you do andwhatyou say. Life is aboutmakingsacrifices to getthe best outcome for everyone.Stepoutside your comfort zone, andthe feelingof freedom will exhilarate you.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Look into home improvements, lowering your overhead or applying for grants that favorthe cost efficiency changes youwanttomake. Upgrading your skills will encourage youtolanda position that pays more.

TAuRus (April20-May 20) Study situationsbefore youspringinto action.It's necessary to have everything in place if youintend to meet your expectations. Share your feelings andintentionswith someone youlove.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Takeiteasy,be observant, ask questions andget the informationnecessary to make thebest choices. Dismiss suggestions that lack integrity or leave you questioning their feasibility.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) It's up to youto manifest opportunities. Sittingback and waiting for things to happen will leave you empty-handed. Friendship and romance look promising.

LEo (July 23-Aug.22) Learn as yougo. Putmore thought, time and energy into partnering with someone who has

as muchtoofferasyou.Set high standards anduse your skills to promote your interests.

VIRGo(Aug. 23-sept. 22) Showdiscipline in maintaining alifestyle that fulfills your needsand makesyou happy and grateful forall youhave. Put greater emphasis on love and nurturing the most meaningful relationships. LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Youare in abetter position than youthink. Don't hide; getout andmingle, andthe networking youdowill payoff. Gaining insight into howothers work aroom will help you choose who youapproach scoRPIo(oct. 24-nov. 22) Don'twaste valuable timeoversomething youneed to put behind you. Learn your lessons and move along. Attend events that offersocial interaction andpeople who can enrich your life sAGITTARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Get what you want in writing. Someone will offerfar more than intended to grab your interest. Trust facts, nothearsay. Change requires time, energyand desire.

cAPRIcoRn(Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Extend a helping hand, insight or support to someone, andthe response will be awelcomesurprise.Attitude andgratitude go hand in hand andcan turn anegative into apositive.

The horoscope, an entertainmentfeature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2026 by NEA, Inc., dist.ByAndrews McMeel Syndication

FAMILYCIrCUS

Sudoku

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

Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER

Benjamin Franklin Fairless, asteel company executive who died on the first day of 1962, said,“What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind, there are just four essential ingredients: Choose acareeryou love, give it thebest there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be amember of the team.”

What is the recipe forsuccess in this four-spadecontract?Westcasheshistwo tophearts, then shifts to the club king.

The bidding was instructive. North’s redoubleindicated at least 10 high-card points. Then, when he raised spades on the next round, he showed exactly three-card support. (With four spades or more, he wouldhaverespondedtwo no-trump.)

East’stwo-heartadvancedidnotpromise anyvalues.Bythe logic of the auction, he was known to be weak. He was just saying that he had adefinite preferenceforheartsoverdiamondsandclubs. West raised hearts with four-card support and afull-weight takeout double.

South’sfour-spade bid was ambitious, but the vulnerable game bonus was a powerfullure.

Declarer has sixblack-suit winners.

Ergo, the essential ingredient for successistaking four diamond tricks, which might require three finesses. And if so, speed is of the essence. At

trick four, South must play adiamond to dummy’s 10. Then, he cashes the spade queen, leads aspade to his 10, repeats thediamondfinesse,returnstothespade king, takes athird diamond finesse, and claims. Before playing from the dummy at trick one, count losers and winners. ©2026 by NEA, Inc dist. By AndrewsMcMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: NOONGOOD

ToDAy’s WoRD coRPoRAL: KOR-por-ul: Anoncommissioned officer.

Averagemark 20 words

yEsTERDAy’s WoRD —AuTonoMous

today’s thought “They shall cast theirsilver in thestreets, and their gold shall be removed: their silver andtheir gold shall notbeableto deliver them in theday of thewrath of theLord: they shall not satisfy theirsouls, neither fill theirbowels: because it is the stumbling block of theiriniquity.” Ezekiel 7:19

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Nvidia leads the U.S. stock market higher

The U.S. stock market ticked higher on Wednesday, led by its most influential stock, Nvidia.

The S&P 500 rose 0.6% and pulled a bit closer to its all-time high set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 129 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.8%.

Nvidia helped lift the market and climbed 1.6% after Meta Platforms announced a longterm partnership where it will use millions of chips and other equipment from Nvidia for its artificial-intelligence data centers

“No one deploys AI at Meta’s scale,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said. Because his company is the most valuable on Wall Street, Nvidia’s stock was the single most powerful force pulling the S&P 500 higher

That performance demonstrated the upside of AI development for the U.S. stock market

But investors have also focused on the potential downsides recently, which has led to sharp swings for Wall Street Moderna says FDA will consider new flu shot

WASHINGTON The Food and Drug Administration will consider whether to approve Moderna’s new flu vaccine after all, resolving a dispute that had blocked the company’s application for the first-of-its-kind shot.

Moderna announced the change Wednesday, about a week after revealing that the FDA’s vaccine chief was refusing to review the new vaccine, made with Nobel Prize-winning mRNA technology

The dispute centered over a 40,000-person clinical trial that concluded Moderna’s new vaccine was more effective in adults aged 50 and older than one of the standard flu shots used today In the FDA’s rare “refusal to file” letter vaccine director Dr Vinay Prasad faulted the trial for not including another brand specifically recommended for people 65 and older

Moderna publicly objected. It said that while the FDA had recommended that approach, the agency ultimately agreed to the study’s design — and that the company shared additional comparison data from a separate trial that used a highdose shot for older people. Nor did the FDA identify any safety concerns

Still, Moderna said Wednesday that in a compromise, it is seeking full approval for the vaccine’s use in adults 50 to 64 and accelerated approval for those 65 and older

The FDA is targeting a decision on the application by Aug. 5, and Moderna said it hoped to make the vaccine available later this year

Buffett’s company invests in N.Y. Times

OMAHA, Neb Six years after Warren Buffett sold off all of Berkshire Hathaway’s newspapers and predicted unending declines for most of the industry, Berkshire disclosed a new $350 million investment in The New York Times on Tuesday

The somewhat surprising move highlighted the quarterly update Berkshire filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission about the company’s stock holdings in Buffett’s last quarter as CEO.

Berkshire also increased its investment in Chevron just before President Donald Trump ordered the arrest of Venezuela’s president, and the Omaha-based company continued selling off more of its Bank of America and Apple shares. At the time Buffett sold off Berkshire’s dozens of newspapers in 2020 he concluded the industry was “toast.” But even then he suggested that newspapers with a national brand like the Times or The Wall Street Journal might still do well.

Minutes reveal a divided Federal Reserve

Inflation must fall further before a rate cut, most say

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON Many Federal Reserve officials want to see inflation fall further before they would support additional interest rate cuts this year, particularly if the job market continues to stabilize, minutes of last month’s meeting show

The “vast majority” of the 19 participants on the Fed’s ratesetting committee said that there were signs the job market has stabilized, after the unemploy-

ment rate rose in late 2025, the minutes said. And most of the officials agreed that the Fed’s key rate is close to a level that neither stimulates nor restrains the economy The minutes were released Wednesday three weeks after the central bank’s Jan. 27-28 meeting.

Fed officials at that meeting agreed to keep its key rate steady at about 3.6%, after cutting it three times late last year Two officials Fed governors Stephen Miran and Christopher Waller — voted instead to cut another quarter-point.

The minutes underscored the deeply divided nature of the committee, with several camps emerging: “Several” officials said additional cuts will “likely be appropriate” if inflation continues

to decline. But “some” officials favored keeping rates unchanged “for some time,” suggesting a longer pause. And several other officials said they could have supported language in the statement issued after the meeting that would signal the next move by the Fed could be either a cut or a rate hike, if inflation remains above their 2% target. The support for signaling an openness to a potential rate hike appears to be a significant shift from previous meetings. Chair Jerome Powell said after meetings last year that the idea of a rate hike wasn’t on the table.

Powell signaled after January’s meeting that the Fed could wait for a few months before cutting rates again. He said at a news conference that the economy and hiring had improved since the central bank had previously met in December, and added that the Fed was “well positioned” to evaluate how the economy evolves in the coming months before making any further moves. The decision to keep rates unchanged defied a stream of demands from President Donald Trump for the Fed to reduce its key rate to as low as 1%, a level few economists endorse. When the Fed cuts its key rate, it can over time lower borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans, and business loans, though those rates are also influenced by financial markets.

‘I would definitely fly them less’

Southwest customers grouse about new seating reality

BY JORDAN PARKER

The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

Washington, D.C., area resident Brad Todd was stunned when a Southwest Airlines

flight attendant barred him from switching seats on a mostly-empty flight from Kansas City to Reagan National Airport on Feb. 11.

Todd, a Republican media consultant who frequently flies for work, said he paid for a seat in row two before attempting to move one row back — in order to spread out after a passenger had purchased the middle seat next to him. Then, he found out that wasn’t allowed even though, as he estimated, only 43 passengers were slated to travel on the aircraft.

“She goes, ‘Well, you have to go back to your assigned seat or we can’t leave,’” Todd said “Five rows wide-open behind me It couldn’t be a weight and balance issue to sit one seat back or it wasn’t a price issue, I’d already paid.”

After Todd documented his experience in a social media post that garnered 4 million views on X, more than 3,000 people chimed in with their own thoughts — the majority of which slammed Southwest.

The dominant carrier at Love Field Air-

port first announced the switch to assigned seating in 2024, part of a series of moves the carrier made to increase revenue. CEO Bob Jordan previously said that a majority of customers and potential customers preferred the ability to pick a seat.

But experiences like Todd’s are one of many horror stories since the Dallas-based airline scrapped open seating in favor of assigned seating on Jan. 27. And judging by a public outcry that’s gone viral on social media, the transformative switch is off to a turbulent start.

“I’m for assigned seating,” Todd said. “I think it’s a good thing for Southwest I’m somebody who buys a ticket last minute, and I’m willing to pay more for a better seat.”

When asked if he would continue to fly the airline if changes aren’t made, Todd said he “would definitely fly them less.” Henry Harteveldt, a longtime aviation analyst and founder of Atmosphere Research Group, said flight attendants not allowing passengers to switch seats is where Southwest “potentially made a mistake.”

“Any time you make a major change to a policy, as Southwest did after 54 years, there are inevitably going to be teething pains and some unhappy people. And in the age of social media, where everyone has a microphone, you’re going to hear a lot of people grousing.”

Many complaints have focused on those passengers being forced to place carry-on bags in compartments way to the back of

the plane, a different experience from the prior boarding process. A frequent criticism is that nonpreferred passengers were boarding ahead and taking up available overhead space. Families have also complained about children being separated from them.

Harteveldt said he was “surprised” when he heard of the issues with family boarding, saying the airline “clearly overlooked the need for family seating, and I’m hoping that they will address that.”

There have also been reports that A-list Preferred customers, who are supposed to board in either group one or two, are boarding in later groups, also leading to bin space troubles.

Todd added that Southwest’s new boarding process seemed to create confusion among passengers “Going to this assigned seating system without requiring people to use the bin that’s over their seat is going to cause mass chaos and the quick turn won’t be possible,” he said.

In response to early complaints, company spokesperson Chris Perry said the airline was making a “series of early adjustments designed to smooth operations and reduce friction designed to smooth operations and reduce friction.”

Southwest still has not specified what the adjustments are going to be and declined to comment beyond its original statement.

TWU Local 556, the union that represents Southwest’s flight attendants, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Grandson of Reese’s inventor accuses Hershey of cutting corners Company uses cheap ingredients, he says

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN Associated Press

The grandson of the inventor of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups has lashed out at The Hershey Co., accusing the candy company of hurting the Reese’s brand by shifting to cheaper ingredients in many products. Hershey acknowledges some recipe changes but said Wednesday that it was trying to meet consumer demand for innovation High cocoa prices also have led Hershey and other manufacturers to experiment with using less

chocolate in recent years. Brad Reese 70 said in a Feb. 14 letter to Hershey’s corporate brand manager that for multiple Reese’s products, the company replaced milk chocolate with compound coatings and peanut butter with peanut crème.

“How does The Hershey Co. continue to position Reese’s as its flagship brand, a symbol of trust, quality and leadership, while quietly replacing the very ingredients (Milk Chocolate + Peanut Butter) that built Reese’s trust in the first place?” Reese wrote in the letter, which he posted on his LinkedIn profile. He is the grandson of H.B. Reese, who spent two years at Hershey before forming his own can-

dy company in 1919. H.B. Reese invented Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups in 1928; his six sons eventually sold his company to Hershey in 1963.

Hershey said Wednesday that Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are made the same way they always have been, with milk chocolate and peanut butter that the company makes itself from roasted peanuts and a few other ingredients, including sugar and salt. But some Reese’s ingredients vary, Hershey said.

Brad Reese said he thinks Hershey went too far He said he recently threw out a bag of Reese’s Mini Hearts, which were a new product released for Valentine’s Day The packaging notes that the heart-shaped candies are made from “chocolate candy and peanut butter crème,” not milk chocolate and peanut butter

“It was not edible,” Reese told The Associated Press in an interview “You have to understand. I used to eat a Reese’s product every day This is very devastating for me.”

“As we’ve grown and expanded the Reese’s product line, we make product recipe adjustments that allow us to make new shapes, sizes and innovations that Reese’s fans have come to love and ask for, while always protecting the essence of what makes Reese’s unique and special: the perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter,” the company said.