The Times-Picayune 02-22-2026

ATOAST TO REXAND COMUS

UNLOCKING MYSTERIES OF THEMARSH

Unique projectprovidesdeepinsightsinto state’ssinking soil alongthe coast

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

Askinny bayoucurves between thick reeds of marsh grass, revealing aspot hidden deep in the muck with an importancefar greater than its surroundings would suggest.

Standing atop wooden planks, Caleb Izdepski and Tyler Loeb pull up chunks of soil samplesand take measurementstohelpgauge the rise and fall of the landhere.

It is one tiny part of agiant research effort constantly in motion, unique worldwide and key to unlocking the mysteries of the Louisiana marsh.

“It’sthe only one of itskind in the world, really,” Melissa Hymel, ascientist with the state’scoastal authority, said while on the visit to the site accessible only by boat, locatednearHopedale in St Bernard Parish Largely unknownoutside

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

The scheme started on Facebook and Instagram with elderlywidows, romantic entreaties —and lies.

Posing as an oil rig worker or a decorated military officer,the man

MEASURINGTHE MARSH

Louisiana’snetwork of 390coastalmonitoringstationsisuniqueworldwide andhas become keytoawiderange of scientificresearch. Nowinits 20th year,the networkisdeepening understandingofLouisiana’slandlosscrisis, amongother subjects

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

Nearly three years sincethe start of astate program to dole out grants forhomeowners to get stronger roofs, the number of people seeking help is faroutstripping the money available.

The state’sfortified roof grant program has emerged as apopular solution to rising homeowners insurance costs, which have culminated in acrisis that is threatening people’s ability to remain in their homes. But the chances of getting afortified roof grant through astate lottery program remain unfavorable, according to state data.

Only about 20% of those who registered in lotteries received grants, according to Louisiana Department of Insurance data. State officials also doled out several hundred more grants through partnerships with nonprofits and officials in Jefferson Parish.

The numbers suggest that while Louisiana has rapidly moved to fortifyhomes amid worsening hurricanes, tens of thousands of residents arestill looking forhelpputting on stronger roofs.

Since movingtoa lottery system in 2024, Louisiana hasallocated about 7,000 fortified roofs through the grant program, which giveshomeowners $10,000 to put astronger roof on their home.The process includes athird-party verification and generally leadstolower insurancepremiums.

Source:Coastwide ReferenceMonitoring System

thescientific community theproject is nowinits 20th year, stretching from the chenier plainsofthe state’s southwest to the sinking soils

would gain thewomen’strust over social media, then ask to move their amorous chatstoemailor encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp.There, his true motivations would become clear

He pressed one77-year-old Mandeville woman who believedhe was afour-star military general

at the Mississippi’smouth. Its ever-accumulating mountain of data has become key to abroad range of research, including studies

helping deepen the state’s understanding of its land loss crisis.Itisall posted online

for money to fix aschool he said was damaged in astorm. She sent him $124,757 over aboutayear

Anotherwoman in Hawaii wired $250,000 to someoneshe thought was an Air Force officer stationed in Syria named“MichaelMinihan.” Yetanotherbelieved she was falling in love with an oilrig

worker in the North Sea who asked formoney to pay tax bills. The man was nota decorated soldier, nor was his name “Michael Minihan,” nor did he work on aremote, freezing oil rig. He wasa 45-year-oldMarietta, Georgia,residentoriginally from Nigeria namedKenneth Akpieyi. He used concocted backstories to ingratiate himself with lonely women,convinced them to send

More than 34,000 people have signed up in hopes of landing one of thosegrants. Before 2024,the state useda first-come, first-servedsystem instead of thelottery,meaning registration data is not available for the roughly 3,000 grants allocated through that system

“I wishwecould fund everyLouisianahomeowner who has appliedfor agrant, but with so manypeople livingand workinginour coastalzone, that just isn’tfeasible forthe state to take on,” said Louisiana Insurance Commissioner TimTemple in astatement. “At thesame time, thedemand

huge sumsofcash,laundered the money through multiple businesses, sent portions of it overseas and spentwhatremainedonhimself, according to hundreds of pages of records filedinU.S.Eastern District Court in New Orleans. In all, morethantwo dozen women testified to sending him more than $9 million. That maybean

Report: U.S. accepts Iran’s uranium plans

U.S. officials have accepted Iran’s red line of continuing to enrich uranium, the semiofficial Iranian Students’ News Agency quoted one of the country’s diplomats as saying The idea that Iran would completely stop nuclear enrichment was dismissed during the recent U.S. talks in Geneva, according to the diplomat, whom ISNA did not identify but described as familiar with the discussions. Instead, the official said negotiations are focused on the technical components of Tehran’s atomic program, such as the location, level and number of uranium centrifuges, ISNA reported.

The unnamed diplomat’s remarks echo comments Friday by Iranian Foreign Minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi, who told MS Now that the U.S. hasn’t asked for zero enrichment and that both sides are seeking a “fast deal.”

U.S. and Iranian officials met in Geneva on Tuesday for their second round of Oman-mediated talks, as President Donald Trump continues to bolster U.S military assets in the Middle East.

The diplomat said a regional arrangement to enrich uranium isn’t currently under discussion and dismissed suggestions that Iran would agree to relocate the nuclear material abroad, according to ISNA.

Another alleged drug boat struck, killing 3

WASHINGTON The U.S. military said Friday that it has carried out another deadly strike on a vessel accused of trafficking drugs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.

U.S. Southern Command said on social media that the boat “was transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Eastern Pacific and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.” It said the strike killed three people. A video linked to the post shows a boat floating in the water before bursting into flames.

Friday’s attack raises the death toll from the Trump administration’s strikes on alleged drug boats to at least 148 people in at least 43 attacks carried out since early September in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean.

President Donald Trump has said the U.S. is in “armed conflict” with cartels in Latin America and has justified the attacks as a necessary escalation to stem the flow of drugs. But his administration has offered little evidence to support its claims of killing “narcoterrorists.”

Mr Clean ends 68 years as company mascot

Mr Clean appears to be calling it quits. The retirement of the bald, animated mascot used in Mr Clean ads and on products since 1958 was announced in a social media ad posted Thursday That ad features Mr Clean standing behind a podium with a “breaking news” chyron flashing across the screen.

“After a career with zero stains on the record, he’s ready for new adventures,” the narrator says That voice assures consumers the company bearing his name will continue to operate, then asks “What’s next for Mr Clean?”

Among those wishing the smiling character well on Instagram were the social media teams behind Old Spice grooming products and Brawny paper towels

“We’ll miss you, legend!” wrote the team at Old Spice. Mr Clean’s people responded by saying they too will miss their mascot.

“While our products will continue to battle your dirt and grime, Mr Clean, well, first name Veritably, (yes, really), is off to new adventures. We know his journey will be fulfilling, and we support his decision,” the company wrote.

This may not be the end of Mr Clean altogether

USA Today reported that word of his departure is tied to another announcement coming March 4. The Procter & Gamble-owned brand reportedly has no plans to change Mr Clean’s packaging or branding.

Maxwell fights release of files

Lawyers say law forcing release of Epstein documents is unconstitutional

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK Lawyers for impris-

oned British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell are fighting the requested release of 90,000 pages related to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, saying a law used to force the public release of millions of documents is unconstitutional.

The lawyers filed papers late Friday in Manhattan federal court to try to block the release of documents from a since-settled civil defamation lawsuit brought a decade ago by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell.

The Justice Department recently asked a judge to lift secrecy requirements on the files.

Maxwell’s attorneys said the Justice Department obtained the documents — otherwise subject to secrecy orders improperly during its criminal probe of Maxwell.

They said the documents include transcripts of over 30 depositions and private information regarding financial and sexual matters relat-

ed to Maxwell and others.

Some records from the year-long exchange of evidence in the lawsuit battle were already released publicly in response to a federal appeals court order

Maxwell’s lawyers say a law Congress passed in December to force the release of millions of Epstein-related documents violates the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.

“Congress cannot, by statute, strip this Court of the power or relieve it of the responsibility to protect its files from misuse. To do so violates the separation of powers,” wrote the lawyers, Laura Menninger and Jeffrey Pagliuca about the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

“Under the Constitution’s separation of powers, neither Congress nor the Executive Branch may intrude on the judicial power That power includes the power to definitively and finally resolve cases and disputes,” the lawyers added.

The release of Epstein-related documents from criminal probes that began weeks ago has resulted

in new revelations about Epstein’s decades-long sexual abuse of women and teenage girls. Some victims have complained that their names and personal information were revealed in documents while the names of their abusers were blacked out.

Members of Congress have complained that only about half of existing documents, many with redactions, have been made public even as Justice Department officials have said everything has been released, except for some files that can’t be made public until a judge gives the go-ahead.

Giuffre said Epstein had trafficked her to other men, including the former Prince Andrew, now known as Andrew MountbattenWindsor She sued MountbattenWindsor in 2021, claiming that they had sex when she was 17.

He denied her claims and the two settled the lawsuit in 2022. Days ago, he was arrested and held in custody for nearly 11 hours on suspicion of misconduct in having shared confidential trade information with Epstein.

Crews recover bodies of 9 after California avalanche

BY GODOFREDO VASQUEZ Associated Press

TRUCKEE, Calif. — Crews recovered the bodies of nine backcountry skiers who were killed in a California avalanche four days ago, authorities said Saturday, concluding a harrowing operation hindered by intense snowfall.

A search team reached the bodies of eight victims and found one other who had been missing and presumed dead since Tuesday’s avalanche on Castle Peak near Lake Tahoe. The ninth person who was missing was found “relatively close” to the other victims, but it was impossible to see them because there were white-out conditions on Tuesday when the others were located.

At a news conference on Saturday, Nevada County Sheriff Shannon Moon praised the collective efforts of the numerous agencies who helped recover the victims, including the 42 volunteers who helped on the last day of the operation.

The tragedy began around 11:30 a.m. Tuesday when six survivors called for help, describing a sudden and terrifying avalanche that was approximately the length of a football field. In the aftermath of the snowfall, those survivors had discovered the bodies of three deceased skiers nearby, according to Nevada County Sheriff’s Lt. Dennis Hack.

It was the last day of the three-day tour in the stunning and remote Sierra Nevada, and the group of 15 skiers decided to end the trip early to avoid the impending snowstorm.

Initial reports indicated that at least two people in the group did not get swept away, Hack said. The others were standing separately and relatively close together and were hit with the avalanche.

Hack declined to offer more information about what might have set off the avalanche.

First responders weren’t able to reach them until roughly six hours after the initial call for help, Hack said, and were forced to take two separate paths. The rescue teams also found the bodies of five others, leaving only one unaccounted for

But it was immediately clear to rescuers that it was too dangerous to extract the bodies of the victims at that time due to the heavy snowfall and threat of more avalanches.

Officials used two helicopters belonging to the California Highway Patrol with the help of Pacific Gas and Electric company, to break up the snow in the area to intentionally release unstable snowpack to reduce the risk of another avalanche for rescue crews Friday

The state highway agency was able to recover five victims that evening before it got too dark to access the last three.

Helicopters with the California National Guard and California Highway Patrol recovered the final four bodies on Saturday morning with helicopters by hoisting them from the mountain with ropes, fighting through severe winds that forced the agencies to make multiple trips. The bodies were then taken to nearby snowcats — trucks that are outfitted to be able to drive on snow

At least 5 killed in avalanches in Austria

By The Associated Press

VIENNA, Austria — At least five people have been killed in a string of avalanches in western Austria, authorities said Saturday

The government office of the Tyrol region said intense snowfall over the last week led to accumulations of up to 5 feet. Combined with windy condi-

tions and weak snowpack below, the conditions were especially susceptible to avalanches, it said.

Tyrol police said five offpiste skiers were caught up in a nearly 490-yardwide avalanche Friday afternoon in the St. Anton am Arlberg area at an altitude of about 6,500 feet.

An American and a Pole were among the five recovered dead after the

avalanche, and a 21-yearold Austrian died of injuries after being rushed to a hospital, police said.

Late Friday morning in the Nauders-Bergkastel resort to the southeast, a 42-year-old German man and his 16-year-old son were caught in an avalanche. The teen survived with injuries and called for help, but his father was killed.

In a memoir published after she killed herself last year, Giuffre wrote that prosecutors told her they didn’t include her in the sex trafficking prosecution of Maxwell because they didn’t want her allegations to distract the jury Maxwell, 64, was convicted in December 2021 and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Epstein took his own life in a federal lockup in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Maxwell was moved from a federal prison in Florida to a low-security prison camp in Texas last summer after she participated in two days of interviews with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Two weeks ago, she declined to answer questions from House Oversight Committee lawmakers in a deposition conducted in a a video call to her federal prison camp, though she indicated through a statement from her lawyer that she was “prepared to speak fully and honestly” if granted clemency The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Saturday

New rocket problem delays launch into April

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla

NASA’s new moon rocket suffered another setback Saturday almost certain to bump astronauts’ first lunar trip in decades into spring.

The space agency revealed the latest problem just one day after targeting March 6 for the Artemis II mission. Overnight, the flow of helium to the rocket’s upper stage was interrupted, officials said Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks.

This helium issue has nothing to do with the hydrogen fuel leaks that marred a countdown dress rehearsal of the Space Launch System rocket earlier this month and forced a repeat test.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said a bad filter, valve or connection

plate could be to blame for the stalled helium flow Regardless of the cause, he noted, the only way to access the area and fix the problem is in the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center “We will begin preparations for rollback, and this will take the March launch window out of consideration,” Isaacman said via X. NASA’s next opportunities would be at the beginning or end of April. The interrupted helium flow is confined to the SLS rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage. This upper stage is essential for placing the Orion crew capsule into the proper high-altitude orbit around Earth for checkout following liftoff. After that, it’s supposed to separate from Orion and serve as a target for the astronauts inside the capsule, allowing them to practice docking techniques for future moon missions.

Trumpdecides to boostnew tariff rate to 15%

BY CATHERINE LUCEY Bloomberg News (TNS)

President Donald Trump said he will increase the global 10% tariff he announced one day earlier to 15%, stirring up more economic turbulence as he lashed out at the U.S. Supreme Court overits ruling that his preferred mechanism for applying tariffs was illegal.

“I, as President of the United States of America, will be, effective immediately,raising the 10% Worldwide Tariff on Countries, many of which have been ‘ripping’ the U.S. off for decades, withoutretribution (until Icame along!), to the fully allowed, and legally tested, 15% level,” Trump said in asocial-media post on Saturday Trump is rushing to preserve histrade agenda following the court’sruling against his use of an emergency-powers law to impose his so-called reciprocal tariffs around the world and to use levies as acudgel to bend foreign governments to his will.

Enraged by the decision, Trump initially imposeda 10% global tariff on foreign goods on Friday,hours after the high court ruling, as he seeks to maintain the duties he insists are key to his economic and nationalsecurity power

But his post on Saturday made clear he had decided that 10% was not enough, even though he said on Fri-

day,“Everysinglething I said today is guaranteed certainty.”

The president’sefforts to restoreand maintain the tariffs underscored the economic volatilityahead. The tools he is left with areless nimble thanthe sweeping authority he had claimed underemergencypowersand will be subjectedtofresh legal challenges. Additional details were not immediatelyforthcoming on how soon the15% tariff would go intoeffect. The initial 10% tariffsTrump announced on Friday were scheduled to go into effect Monday night, according to aWhite House fact sheet.

The White House and U.S.

TradeRepresentative’s officedidn’timmediatelyrespond to requests for comment.

Trumpisapplying thenew baseline tariff underSection 122 of the1974 TradeAct, which allows the president to impose tariffs for 150 days withoutcongressional approval. Securing that approvalcould prove challenging, as Democrats and some Republicans have opposed elements of his trade policy

LastApril, he relied on the International Emergency Economic Powers Actto levy dutiesranging from 10% to 50% on dozens of U.S.trading partners. The SupremeCourt ruled 6-3 FridaythatTrump had acted

WhiteHouse dinner closes a turbulentweekfor governors

BY STEVEN SLOAN and JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press

WASHINGTON The annual dinner with governors at the White House is typically a chance for leaders from both parties to come together,socialize and spend alow-key evening with the president. But like many traditions during President Donald Trump’ssecondterm, Saturday’s dinner has proven unusually controversial. Ahead of this week’sgathering of the National Governors Association, Trump ridiculed the bipartisan group’s leadership, Republican Gov Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma and Democratic Gov.Wes Moore of Maryland. He refused to invite Moore, along with Colorado Gov.Jared Polis, toa workingevent at theWhite House on Friday —only to relent at the last minute. Then the event ended shortly after Trump learned of the Supreme Court’sdecision to strike down his sweeping tariff policy “It was unfortunate that the Supreme Court came out with abad ruling at that time,” said Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry,aRepublican and top Trump ally

Dozens of Democrats had threatened to boycott Saturday’sdinner if members

of their party were blocked from Friday’smeeting. But even after Moore’sattendance, some said they still wouldn’tshowup.

“President Trumphas made this wholething a farce,”Massachusetts Gov Maura Healey saidina statement.

When the dinner finally rolled around, no Democrats were spotted in the room. Enjoyingthe black-tie affair,withtall candles arranged on tables, were just top administration officials and Republican governors. In brief remarks, Trump jokedthat stateleaders “look in that mirror andsay, Ishould be president, not him.”

The president didn’t criticizeany Democratsby name,but he blamedtwo states led by Democratic governors when he mentioned asewage spill in the Potomac River near Washington. “Wehave to clean up some messthatMaryland and Virginiahave left us,” Trump said, adding that “it’s unbelievable what they can do with incompetence.”

The ruptured pipe is part of aWashington-basedutility that’sfederally regulated and under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency The final day of theconfer-

ence on Saturday focused on issues including affordability and politicalcivility During aconversationabout immigration, Moore and Stittsaidthatboth parties have failed over decades to address the issue.

Stitt said that states should be empowered to issue workforce permits andwarned thatbothparties aremaking false political assumptions “People think ‘OK, all the Democrats want open borders,’” he said, “and‘all Republicanshateimmigrants.’”

But Stitt notedthat “rural Oklahoma Trump voters” have privately approached him, saying they couldn’toperate their businesses without people who were trying to obtainwork authorization.

For all the turmoil surrounding this week’smeeting, Mooresaidthe conference was asuccess.

“There were alot of things that were put in our way to try to distract us from our mission, to try to divide us as individual governors, to try to make the mission of this organization where a bipartisangroup of governors can come together and solve problems on behalf of our people, to try to make our work irrelevant,” he said. “Toall thepeople who tried to makethathappen, you failed.”

unlawfully in using IEEPA to justify his“reciprocal” tariffs, saying his end-run

around Congress was not justified in the Constitution.

Trumpsaid Friday he would maintain aflat 10% tariffwhile keeping in place existing duties imposed under Sections 301 and 232, and ordered the U.S. trade representative to launch new Section 301 investigationsonanaccelerated timeline.

Those probes require country-specific inquiries andfindings of trade violations before tariffscan be imposed, and could eventually replace the baseline rate.Heisalso weighing tariffs of 15% to 30% on foreign cars, while preserving exemptions forgoods and certain agricultural products under atrade agreementamongthe U.S.,Mexico and Canada.

“Weexpect these investigations to cover mostmajor trading partners and to address areas of concern such

as industrial excess capacity,forced labor,pharmaceutical pricing practices, discrimination against U.S. technology companies and digital goods and services, digital services taxes, ocean pollutionand practices related to the trade in seafood, rice, and other products,” U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said in a statement Friday The Supreme Court decision raises fresh questions about revenue that already hasbeen collected on tariffs. More than1,500 companies had filed tariff lawsuits in trade court in preparation for the ruling, according to aBloomberg analysis. The court ruling didn’taddress whetherimporters are entitled to refunds, leaving the matter to lower courts —apotential exposure of up to $170 billion, or morethan half the revenue raisedby Trump’stariffs.

is a good signal of the growing understanding that we must build stronger to make Louisiana more insurable.”

The state has finalized nearly 4,200 fortified roofs through the program, and another nearly 7,000 people have gotten a fortified roof without the grant, according to data from Smart Home America.

People who miss out on the grant can still get help putting a fortified roof on their home if they don’t want to wait for a later round. A recent law passed by state Sen. Kirk Talbot, R-River Ridge, gives people a tax credit of up to $10,000 in exchange for putting a fortified roof. That tax break, as well as a separate deduction, require homeowners to foot the bill on the front end.

Cracks emerge Still, the data indicates that the state’s program is not comprehensive enough to help all who need it.

Many who win the lottery still aren’t able to afford the out-of-pocket costs for a fortified roof, which include any costs over $10,000, plus evaluators and other fees. The state Legislature sent several rounds of money to the program before directing certain insurance fees to help pay for it every year Since the program began, more than 2,500 people have dropped out after winning a grant, according to LDI data.

In response to people falling through the cracks, the state partnered with nonprofits that find low-to-mod-

Many homeowners have turned to the grant program in hopes of cutting their insurance costs. After a series of hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, a dozen insurers doing business in Louisiana went belly-up, sending thousands of people to the insurer of last resort. Climate change and inflation caused turmoil in the reinsurance market, which helps set prices and premiums for Louisianans soared Temple’s office is working on a new rule that would push insurers to offer a benchmark level of discount in exchange for having a fortified roof.

erate income homeowners and help pay for those outof-pocket costs The “pilot” round set aside 200 grants.

John Ford, spokesperson for the Department of Insurance, said the agency is interested in pursuing similar rounds in the future and is sending flyers to local governments encouraging them to partner with the state to find gap funding. The agency partnered with Jefferson Parish to deliver roofs to homes in the process of being elevated against flood risk, as well as others.

William Stoudt, head of Rebuilding Together New Orleans, which partnered with the state to help cover costs for lower-income homeowners, said the gap is significant: Many of the roofs he helps put on cost $16,000 to $17,000, far above the $10,000 grant.

Stoudt is pushing for a sliding scale, where people making less qualify for a higher grant amount.

“It’s going to get harder and harder to do,” Stoudt said. “The roofs that were easier and cheaper to fortify are getting done more

quickly We can’t just do it the way we were doing it two years ago and expect the same results.”

Temple said his office isn’t currently considering increasing the amount of grants based on income. He said the agency is prioritizing finding funds to cover the gap, including with local governments.

Trial and error

The state has tested various ways to boost participation and deliver more roofs. For one round last year, for instance, the Insurance Department told participants they didn’t have to register if they had already regis-

tered for a previous round.

But the round had an unusual number of dropouts, likely because people who registered months or years ago no longer needed a roof after being selected.

Ford, of LDI, said the rate of dropouts has remained relatively steady when excluding the 2025 round. And the most recent round saw significant interest from registrants — about 10,400 people sought 2,000 available grants. Most of those are still pending.

SBP, a disaster recovery nonprofit, was among the nonprofits who partnered with the Insurance Department to try to help those who couldn’t afford to participate. The nonprofit completed 14 roofs under the pilot and is finalizing a deal to complete 20 more by this summer Keith McCulloch, SBP’s chief financial officer said committing funding for multiple years could allow the program to scale up. “We’ve also seen that even with a $10,000 grant, the remaining project costs can be an insurmountable barrier for LMI households,” McCulloch said. “Exploring tiered award amounts or blended funding approaches would significantly improve participation and completion rates.”

Open-heart surgeryhas long beenthe primary approach forheart valvereplacement.Today however, breakthrough catheter-based technologies offer patients minimally invasive alternatives to traditional surgery. LCMC Health’s HeartValve Programisatthe forefrontofthese advancements andthrough itscoordinated,multi-hospital framework, access to thesenovel,life-changing procedures is expandingfor residentsofthe New Orleansarea andthe Gulf Southregion.

accesstotranscatheter therapiesand clinical trials.Touro brings along-standing,high-quality cardiacsurgery programand some transcatheter procedures,while Lakeview Hospital (which does TAVR andMitralValve Repairs),New Orleans East Hospital andWestJeffersonMedical Center (WJMC) serveascriticalgeographicaccesspoints forpatientsout in NewOrleans East andonthe Northshore,Westbank, andBayou regions.

“The less invasive aprocedure is,the more likely apatient willbeabletohavethe proceduredone, especially as they grow olderand developadditional health concerns,” said Dr.Stephen Ramee, a structural cardiologist andMedical Director of theLCMCHealthHeart ValveProgram.“With transcathetertreatments, we cantreat patients in theirlate70s,80s,and even 90swithvalve replacements andsendthemhometobewiththeir lovedoneswithin 24 hours.

Atranscatheter procedureconsistsofguiding asmall,flexible tube knownasacatheterthrough alarge bloodvesseltoreach theheart.Once positioned at thediseasedvalve,physiciansdeploy abioprosthetic replacementvalve or performa repair.Manyofthese procedurescan be done using conscioussedationratherthangeneral anesthesia allowing patients to recovermorequickly and reducing theriskofcomplications Thereare four valves in thehuman heart—the aortic,mitral, tricuspid, andpulmonary—and because of theirdiffering structures,unique treatmentapproacheshave been developedfor each TranscatheterAorticValve Replacement(TAVR) is widely offered within theLCMCHealthsystem. Theprogram wasalsoamong thefirstinthe region to adoptTranscatheter TricuspidValve Replacement (TTVR),which is currentlyperformed at University MedicalCenter(UMC).A TranscatheterMitral ValveReplacement (TMVR)isexpectedtobe addedsoon, furtherexpanding treatmentoptions for patients.The programhas also introduced anew pacing technology that allows physicians to pace the heartduringvalve implantation withoutrequiring asecondarytemporary pacemaker. Each LCMC Health hospital contributes specificstrengths to theprogram.EastJefferson GeneralHospital(EJGH)servesasthe system’s hubfor advanced heart failure, ventricularassist devices,and hearttransplantation alongwithmost transcathetertherapies.UMC offersexpanded

“The LCMC Health System is importantbecause we candirectpatientstowhere they need to be,” Dr Rameesaid. “It’snot aclosedmodel within each hospital.It’sanopenreferralnetwork across the medicalcenters to providethe best care.” Centraltothatapproachisa strong mu ltidisciplinar ycol laborative model. Cardiologists, cardiacsurgeons, neurologists, echocardiographers, imagingspecialists,and interventionalistsfromacrossthe system meet weekly to review everycase—notjust themost complexones. Theacademic partnershipswith LSUHealthSciencesCenterand Tulane University School of Medicine arealsocrucial to theoperations of each center,lending supportand resources whileopening doorstoteaching, newresearch opportunities, andclinicaltrials.

“Whatwe’ve seen over thelasttwo years, particularly sinceEastJefferson became an academic hospital throughits partnershipwith Tulane,isthatwe’ve evolvedintoareferralcenter for complex cardiovascular disease,”saidDr. Tod Engelhardt,acardiovascularand thoracic surgeon at EJGH System-widecollaboration hasbeenthe hallmark of LCMC Health’s successinbuildingacompetitive heart valveprogram that fulfillsalongstanding need in theGulfSouth,particularlyinthe years sinceHurricane Katrinadisrupted theregion’s healthcare infrastructure in 2005 “Wehaveagreat team.It’sthe nurses,the coordinators,the advanced practice providers, as well as thecardiologistsand surgeons—everyone hasstepped up andreceivedextra trainingtobe comfortabletakingcareofthese patients,” said Dr Engelhardt.“It’s cliché,but it trulydoesrequire everyone to go theextra mile andtolearn more.” Formoreinformation on theLCMCHealth HeartValve

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Ihad been suffering with pain from herniateddiscs in my lowerback. Icould notstand forlonger than 5minutes withoutpain.I hadtried epidural steroid injectionsand physical therapyinthe past, butwas stillsuffering. Ihavealwaysbeen active andmybackpain wasaffecting my lifestylegreatly IcametoLeBlancSpine Center and beganDecompression treatment. andIamnow 100% improved!Ican do everythingIdid before my pain started, and my favorite part aboutthistreatment isthe results!

Ican do allofmydailyactivitieswithout anypain.The doctorsand staff here have also treatedmegreat IhaverecommendedLeBlancSpine Center to many people andwillcontinuetodoso!

Mark Evans (FormerHighSchoolCoach and InsuranceAgent) Hometown-Baton Rouge,LA

What does this FREE offer include?

Everything we normally do in ournew patientevaluations:

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Acompleteneuromuscular examination

Afullset of specializedX-rays (ifclinicallynecessary)to identify theexact source of pain.

A thorough analysis of your exam andX-rays. Yousit with the doctor one-on-one to review your findings in detail andget answerstoyourquestions.

AT LEBLANCSPINE CENTER, we arehonestwithour patientsand ourconsistentsuccess rate stemsfrom ourcommitmenttoonlytakingonpatientswhom we confidentlybelieve we canhelp. It’s importanttonote that noteveryoneisacandidate forSpinalDecompression,which is whyweprioritizea thorough individual assessment foreachpatient

We take specializedspinalx-raystoidentifythe exact source of pain andprovide atargetedtreatment plan

If you’ve seen ourads before or thoughtabout calling thepast- don’thesitate! Youhave nothing to lose by taking us up on this free evaluation,and findingout if Spinal Decompressioncould be your pain solutionlike it hasbeenfor so many others.There is no charge at all andyou don’tneedtobuy anything

Callusat225-763-9894and ourfriendlyreceptionist will getyou scheduledfor your free assessment.We look forwardtoseeingyou at ourofficesoon!

IcametoLeBlancSpine Center with pain inmyleftarm,shoulder,and neck,and Ihad two fingersonmylefthandthat were numb.Ihad been dealingwiththis forover8monthsand hadtried shots, therapy, MRIs,and X-rays before,but nothingwas really helping. Sincecoming here,I’veimprovedabout 90%. Thestaff is amazing-alwaysknowledgeable, friendly, andhelpful, andthe servicefromthe doctors andteamhas been great. What I love most is thepainreduction,because it’sallowed me to take better care of mydad andgrandkids,cut thegrass,do housework, andeven fish again. Ifeel like Ihavemoremobilityand I’mmore relaxednow that Ican do moreactivities. Honestly,the only thingIdon’t love is the drive-weneed an office in Gonzales!They areamazing,though.Pleasegivethema trybeforeany surgeries

KimLandry (Photographer) Hometown -St. Amant, LA

Ihavebeensuffering with sharppainful back aches causing immobility foryears butcameherewhen my pain wasmore severe.Ibegan Spinal Decompression treatments at LeBlancSpine Center andI amnow 80-90% improved! Ican stilldo my hobbies andworkwithlesspainthanbefore, I am also sleeping better andIhavemore mobility. Ifeelsomuchbetter! Thestaff here is always caring,helpful andaccommodating.The doctorsare always assessingand evaluatingissues trying to find asolution. Oneofthe best things Ilikeabout my care at LeBlanc SpineCenteristhateveryone is so caring andthe attentivenessIreceive!Iwould 100%recommend LeBlancSpine Center thestaff is always nice andhelpful. Dr Scott andDr. Danahavealwaysbeen proactiveand thorough when trying to find asolution!

Cory Manuel (Project Management) Hometown -Gonzales,LA

IcametoLeBlancSpine Center with lowerback andleg pain that Ihad been dealingwithfor severalmonths. Before this,Ihad triedpainmedicineand shotsfor thepain, buttheydidn’tgive me thereliefIneeded.Since starting care here, Ifeel100%better. Thestaff has beenverypleasantand friendly andI’m really pleased with theservice Ireceived. Oneofthe biggest changes formeisthatIcan sitdownwithout hurting, whichissomething Icouldn’t do before.Idon’t have anything negative to sayabout my experience here. It’s agreat placetocometo, and l’ve alreadyrecommendedsomeone herebecause of howmuchithas helpedme.

BarbaraBrown (Retired) HometownDonaldsonville,LA

foranyone to view,enabling scientists acrossthe world to use it. If apublicist would’ve named it, the network of 390 sites mightbecalled somethingflashy.Instead, it carries ahumble but precisemoniker only ascientist couldlove: the Coastwide Reference Monitoring System, or CRMS (pronounced “crims”)

In certain cases, it is confirming broader trends, such as itsdocumentation of accelerating sea level rise. In others, it is upturning longheld assumptions, including through new insight into the dynamics underlying land loss.

Some monitoring stations, onceonland, are now in open water. Others sitwithin marsh thathas proven surprisingly resilient.

And one insect may have CRMS to thank for exonerating it. It was previously blamed foraseveredie-off of roseau cane, important vegetation helping hold Louisiana wetlands together,but dataisnow pointing to adifferent cause.

‘Thisisamazing’

How Louisiana ended up with such apowerful research tool involves apractical problem that required asolution.

Since the 1990s, the state hasreceivedfederal money for coastal restoration projects under what is often called theBreaux Act, referring to former U.S. Sen John Breaux, who pushed for the law alongside his then-colleague J. Bennett Johnston. Its official name is the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act, or CWPPRA (pronounced “cwipra”).

The law,funded by taxes on fishing equipment and boat fuel, has funded along list of Louisiana projects since its inception. But evaluating those projectswas problematic. That’s wherethe CRMS

ideaemerged. As sketched outina 2003 paper, the idea was to install avast network of monitoring stations at randomized locations across coastal Louisiana. Doing so wouldprovide a broad look at conditions before, during and after projects. But its value would go farbeyond that,providing real-time data on erosion, subsidence, water levels, salinity and other factors—all vitaltounderstanding Louisiana’s land loss challenges, with relevance across the Gulf.

Theresult was the CRMS system. Its 390 sites include various components, appearing to theuninitiated to be little more than wooden platforms, PVCpipes and fuse boxes.

But those basic-looking materials are allowing for coastalunderstanding on a scale unmatched across the world,scientists involved in managing the system say.

Breaux Act funding covers roughly $8.5 million of the annual cost, and the state tosses in $1.5 million.Funds relatedtothe 2010 BP oil spill pay for another couple millionorso.

Thestate’sCoastal Protection and RestorationAuthority teams with acontractor, Coastal Estuary Services, to operatemostofthe sites Izdepski and Loeb,the two scientists pulling the soil samples, work for that company

The U.S. Geological Survey is also apartnerand manages some of the monitoringstations.

“I’ve been on thephone with Mississippi andAlabama and evenCalifornia,and they’relike, Hey, how’d you get that? This is amazing,’”saidLeigh Anne Sharp, aCPRAscientist whomanages the CRMS network

Surprising results

The data collected at the sites is vetted, then posted online to amap that allows users to click on any of the stations and see the results. Graphscan beviewed showing changes inelevation and water level over time,

among other data.

One striking detail involves thecondition of marsh being monitored. Given the land loss afflicting coastal Louisiana, one might expect to see acontinual decline in elevation across all sites due to thecombination of subsidence and erosion.

But thathas not been the case at many locations. The marsh being monitored in thosespotshas gained elevation, which would seem to run counter toassumptions. That can be deceiving, however.Itdoes not signal that Louisiana’slandloss problem is solved, or thatit has been overblown.

But the data is beginning to shiftsome of thescientific understanding of dynamics driving the problem, says Sharp.

Whatthatmeansisthat subsidence, or thesinking of land, is not the primary cause of wetlands destruction in manycases —contrary to assumptions. Instead, what’sknown as “edge erosion” and storms are to blame.

That means the edge of the marshisbeing whittled away by the tides, which is easyenough to picture. But why is marsh gaining elevation in those spots?

The data is showing that

thewater is pushing thesoil from theedges back onto themarsh itself, causing it to gain elevation at the interior while being weakened along itsperimeter.Gradually,the marsh weakens so much that it is washed away

The end result is thesame: Louisianaislosing land. But thefindings matter in figuringout howtoaddress the problem

“I’ve been working on this my whole career,and each datapointismore interesting than the last,”said Sharp. “But the trends are really fascinating. They’re kind of different than what they toldmeingrad school in alot of ways.”

‘It’sprettyspecial’

Tracy Quirk,anLSU associate professor and wetlands ecologist, knows firsthand how useful the datacan be. It is central to so much of what sheand her fellow researchers do out of her lab.

One of herstudents has been using CRMS to look at theexpansion of black mangrove trees in south Louisianaand howtheir deep roots help reduce erosion.

Quirk has alsodemonstrated through her work —again, using CRMS that an invasive scale insect

previously believed to have caused adie-off of roseau canearound the mouth of the Mississippi Riverwas not to blame. Her research found that drought wasatfault since it allowedsaltwater to move into those areas, setting off a process that killed the cane.

“The CRMS data is invaluable for thethings that we do,” said Quirk. At the station near Hopedale, Hymel and her CPRA colleague Bryan Gossman explain that the marsh there is in relatively good shape. Years of data have illustrated the marsh’sprogression

—and in relation to other areas of the coast. The toolsused can seem rudimentary, buttheyhave proven effective. One method involves spreading alayer of white, chalky feldspar,then taking asoilsample in later years with the use of liquid nitrogentofigure outhow much sediment hasaccumulated on top of it. Another involves rods insertedinto setlocations to determine the elevation of the marsh. Using the datasets, scientists determine whether the marsh is sinking or gaining elevation, and by how much.

Nearby,inthe water itself, is a“hydrographic station” attached to awooden post and afuse box measuring salinity,surface elevation and temperature. Vegetation is also sampled to determine what is growing there and in which conditions.

Sharp said the expansive, coastwide effort matches the scale of Louisiana’sland lossproblem andthe solutions required to address it. “I thinkit’sprettyspecial and pretty unique to Louisiana,” she said.

Email Mike Smith at msmith@theadvocate.com or followhim on Twitter,@ MikeJSmith504. Hiswork is supported withagrant from theWalton Family Foundation, administered by theBaton Rouge Area Foundation.

Ukraine strikes industrial site deep inside Russia

By The Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine Ukrainian forces struck an industrial site deep inside Russia on Saturday, which Ukraine and unofficial Russian news channels say was a key state-owned missile factory

The attack in Russia’s Udmurt Republic left 11 people wounded, three of whom were hospitalized, according to a Telegram post by Sergei Bagin, the local health minister

“One of the republic’s facilities was attacked by drones” launched by Ukraine, regional head Alexander Brechalov said in another Telegram post. He added that the strike caused injuries and damage, but did not identify the site or give further details.

Hours later, Ukraine’s General Staff said its forces struck a key missile plant near the city of Votkinsk, using Ukrainian-made FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles rather than drones

“A military-industrial complex enterprise, the ‘Votkinsk Plant’ was hit. A fire was recorded on the facility’s premises. The results are being clarified,” the General Staff said in a Facebook post

An unofficial Russian news channel on Telegram, Astra, said earlier on Saturday that the strike targeted the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, a major state defense enterprise. Astra said its claim was based on an analysis of footage from residents

The Votkinsk factory, more than 870 miles from Ukraine, produces Iskander ballistic missiles, often used in strikes against Ukraine, as well as nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles, missiles for submarines and air-launched Kinzhal missiles.

Another unofficial Russian Telegram channel, SHOT, which often quotes contacts

in the security services, said residents of Votkinsk reported hearing at least three blasts during the night, as well as what they thought was the humming of drones. The Udmurt Republic’s main passenger airport, in the city of Izhevsk, and airports in nearby regions suspended operations early on Saturday, according to Russia’s civil aviation authority, Rosaviatsiya.

Russia attacked Ukraine with 120 drones and one ballistic missile overnight into Saturday, Ukraine’s air force said. Ukrainian forces shot down 106 drones, while the missile and 13 drones struck targets in 11 locations in the country, the statement said.

Oleh Kiper the head of Ukraine’s Odesa region on the Black Sea, said drones damaged civilian and energy infrastructure facilities in the region, including a secondary school and an energy company’s warehouses. Two people were also injured, he said on Telegram. The southern port city of Odesa and surrounding region have been frequent targets for Russian attacks. Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said tens of thousands

of Odesa’s residents were left without heating and running water In remarks Monday evening, Zelenskyy said Moscow should be “held accountable” for the relentless strikes, which he said undermine the U.S. push for peace.

FSB fears Telegram leaks

Elsewhere, Russia’s Federal Security Service, known by its acronym FSB, claimed that Ukraine has been able to harvest data from Telegram and use it for military purposes. The app is hugely popular among Russians, including soldiers at the front. The FSB was quoted by Russian state media as saying it had obtained “numerous reliable reports” that the use of Telegram “has repeatedly resulted in threats to the life of service members over the past three months.” The reports did not cite any examples or evidence.

Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday signed a law requiring mobile operators in Russia to block cellular and landline internet services at the request of the FSB, the latest move in the ongoing Kremlin effort to tighten control over the internet.

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undercount, prosecutors say A federal jury in New Orleans found Akpieyi guilty of fraud last year and on Jan. 29, U.S. District Judge Jane Milazzo sentenced him to 25 years in prison A coconspirator, Emuobosan Emmanuella Hall, pleaded guilty to helping Akpieyi launder some of the money and was sentenced to eight years. Both must also pay restitution to their victims.

The sentences, which are hefty by the standards of federal sentencing codes, reflect the scheme’s breadth and the damage it inflicted upon dozens of lonely, financially vulnerable victims, prosecutors and federal court watchers say Evoking a modern-day soap opera, the sprawling plot touched hundreds of bank accounts, at least five states and 32 victims before culminating last month in a Louisiana courtroom.

Efforts to untangle the scheme, which mirrors a similar romance-related plot in which another man was sentenced to federal prison in December in New Orleans, required at least five law enforcement agencies in two states over several years. Officials and experts say the case reflects a growing threat to vulnerable people online.

“The victims have all suffered some financial impairment at a later point in their lives, when it is more difficult to earn money and repair the damage,” prosecutor Matthew Payne of the New Orleans-based U.S Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana said in a court filing. “For some, their financial injury is even more serious They cannot retire, they have to reenter the workforce, and they need to sell property.”

Akpieyi has appealed his conviction. In a 93-minute testimony during his trial, he said repeatedly that money had flowed to him

from legitimate sales by a car dealership he owned, according to a trial transcript. He denied knowing any of the victims. “I have never contacted any of the women that I saw here,” he said.

His attorneys did not respond to inquiries about the case.

Sprawling scheme

Akpieyi caught investigators’ attention in June 2023 when he walked into a Chase Bank branch in Marietta and tried to withdraw $6,000 in cash and a $30,000 money order He handed a teller a fake ID card with his real photo and an alias, “Phillip Anderson” the name under which his account was registered. The teller noticed the fake ID and called the police.

Akpieyi later testified he had devised the alias after moving to the U.S. from Nigeria a decade ago because he thought it would be easier to do business in the U.S. with an English-sounding name. He repeatedly admitted under cross-examination to using the false identity to set up bank accounts, including one tied to his car dealership, KGA Autobrokers.

“I was thinking an English name would be more preferable for me to do business for people to associate with me,” he said Akpieyi’s arrest led investigators to the trail of widowed, mostly older women he had sought out online. Each described being wooed by a man who presented fabulist, but not totally unbelievable, backstories.

Some of them fell for characters with slight similarities to each other Akpieyi told more than one woman he was in the military, for instance, and others that he was in the oil industry. To a victim in Costa Mesa, California, he was “Tom Nguyen,” an oil engineer who wanted her to go in on a $2.5 million deal he said was pending in Spain. She sent him money she thought would be an investment in the nonexistent deal.

David Courcelle, right, U.S attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, stands with FBI Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Tapp on Feb 10. Courcelle’s office secured a 25-year sentence in the case of a man convicted of scamming women out of millions of dollars using fake names and companies.

One victim said she sent money to a “Dr Mark Kelly” at a trio of companies with official-sounding names: “Moreland Motorsports LLC,” “Fox Consulting, Inc.” and “JBM Exports LLC.”

Another woman recounted sending Akpieyi $1 million, and yet another sent $750,000.

“I kind of lost track,” testified another victim who lost nearly $500,000.

Prosecutors acknowledge the $9 million in projected losses may be an undercount. Victims described mailing him cash and buying money orders, gift cards and bitcoin — all methods of transferring money that do not readily generate receipts.

“This conspiracy was an expansive one,” U.S. Attorney David I. Courcelle wrote in a sentencing memo, “both in membership and in its methodology, making it difficult to trace every stolen dollar.”

After Akpieyi received the payments, his co-conspirator, Hall, helped launder the money along with her daughter she acknowledged in a plea agreement. Hall and Akpieyi met in Nigeria before moving to the U.S.,

ORLEANS PARISH REGISTRAROFVOTERS ANNOUNCES EARLYVOTING FOR THE March 14, 2026 SPECIAL PRIMARY, STATESENATOR, 3RD SENATORIAL DISTRICTELECTION

Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters will conduct Early Voting for the March 14, 2026 Special Primary, State Senator,3rd Senatorial District Election from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm, Saturday, February28th through Saturday,March 7th, 2026, except Sunday,March 1st, 2026

AT THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS

City Hall—1300 PerdidoSt., Room 1W24

(Designated Parkingonboth sides of the 400 &500 Blocks of LaSalle and the 1300 Block of Perdido, Only Where Indicated)

AlgiersCourthouse—225 Morgan St., Room 105

(Parking Available behind theAlgiers Courthouse)

Voting Machine Warehouse—8870 Chef Menteur Hwy

(Parking Available at the VotingMachine Warehouse Parking Lot)

LakeVista Community Center—6500 Spanish Fort Blvd.; 2ndFloor Meeting Room

(Parking-Lake Vista Community Center Lot)

All Sites areAccessible to Persons with Disabilities City Hall/ OneEntrance Only

Preview Your Ballot and Get Voter Information at: www.GeauxVote.com; www.nola.gov/registrar; or Download the GeauxVoteMobile App

Sample Ballots available at each Early Voting site and Online. Seniors,join the 65+ Program to receive Automatic ballots at home everyelection. Questions: Call (504) 658-8300

he testified. They sometimes worked through a company called Le Beau Monde LLC, depositing money into bank accounts connected to the business.

Investigators ultimately subpoenaed more than 200 bank accounts in the case, including those belonging to victims. The money flowed to at least 30 accounts connected to Akpieyi, including the KGA Autobrokers account registered to “Phillip Anderson.”

The money was then transferred to accounts with other banks, including in China and the United Arab Emirates, prosecutors said. ‘Errors in judgment’ Hall in her guilty plea acknowledged laundering just

over $850,000. Her attorney Sean Toomey, in a statement last week said the restitution portion of her sentence is resolved pending an appeal. He declined to comment further

Prosecutors dropped charges against Hall’s daughter after she agreed to enter a diversion program, records show Her mother admitted to involving her in the arrangement without explaining its full scope, records show Hall’s business, Le Beau Monde, functioned as a legitimate enterprise before she became involved in Akpieyi’s scheme, Toomey argued in a court filing. Though Hall made “serious errors in judgment,” Toomey said she pock-

eted just $45,000 from the scheme.

“Ms. Hall is not a sophisticated fraudster,” he said in the filing. “She did not contact victims She did not recruit accomplices beyond her daughter, with whom she lived. Ms. Hall was simply a bridge, a low-level middleman who followed the instructions of Akpieyi.” On the witness stand last summer, Akpieyi appeared to claim that some of the victim transactions were payments for cars sold by his auto dealership.

“Whoever I’m doing business is who I’m doing business with, but not this lady at all,” he said of one person who’d written him checks “I’ve never spoken to this lady at all.”

Formorethan70years,CornerstoneChemical Companyhas been an engagedcommunity partnerin JeffersonParish, pairingday-to-dayoperationswith asustained commitment to communityoutreach, educationand responsiblecorporate citizenship. That commitmentremains at theforefront in 2026 as Cornerstoneand itssitecompanies at Cornerstone Energy Park invest in initiativesdesignedtosupport theirneighbors andthe overalleconomy “Cornerstone Energy Park isn’tjustaplace for industry.It’saplatformfor long-termeconomic transformation,” said CreedRomano, CEP’sDirectorofBusinessDevelopment andMarketing.“By maintaininghighstandards andstaying consistent in howweapply them,wecan attractstrongoperators, keep communityatthe forefront andensure CEPadvancesinaway that is both economically competitiveand socially responsible.” CEPiscommitted to transparency andkeeping thecommunity informed. As part of this commitment,Cornerstone is aproud newsponsor of Wake Up NOLA, broughttoyou by TheTimes-Picayune |The NewOrleans Advocate andnola.com. Wake Up NOLA is thebestway to start your daywiththe latest news updates, weatherforecasts from Damon Singleton, sports scores andnewsfromyourfavoriteLouisiana teams, wellness tips,guidestoevent happeningthroughoutNew Orleans, andsomuch more.Through this partnership,Cornerstone is supporting contenttoinformthe communityabout more than site operations –thissponsored content will includeinformation aboutlocal events,“Didyou know?” segmentsand otherinteresting highlights Visit nola.com or www.facebook.com/wakeupnola to learnmore. Communitypartnerships andkeeping neighbors informed both remain centraltoCornerstone’s missionasthe companycontinues to modernize operations andprepare CEPfor thenextgeneration of sustainable manufacturing. Alongsideco-locating site companies, Cornerstonemakes products that increase thelongevity of everyday goodssuchas vehicles andlumber, as well as processeslikewater purificationand diesel emission abatement. Oneofthe most significant recent investments at CEPisa$500million manufacturingfacilityfor

UBEC1Chemicals America(UCCA). Theproject willestablish thefirstreliable U.S. supply of critical components used in energy storagesystemsand deepen JeffersonParish’sroleasa location of choice for energy-forward investmentsand projects “UBE’s newfacilityfurthersLouisiana’s emergenceasaleading location forfutureenergyprojects by establishingthe first electric vehiclebattery supply chainproject in theSoutheast Region,” noted MichaelHecht,president andCEO of GreaterNew Orleans, Inc. “UBE’s operations will also bolster national security efforts by servingasthe only U.S. site to providethese critical elements of thecountry’s energy supply chain. Whilethe work beingdoneevery dayatCEP hasimpacts around theworld,Cornerstone andits site companiesare committedtomakingatangibledifference closetohome. When there’sa major holiday, CEPcompanies areonhandwithhundreds of gift bags forareakids. When localfamiliesare facing food insecurity,sitecompanies areready with donationstorestock pantry shelvesand sponsorfreeholiday luncheonsatareachurches. And, when localleaders pointedout that their constituents need accesstodigital resources, CEP site companiesstepped in to sponsor27top-of-theline desktopcomputers fornew computer labs at communitycenters Beyond theseinitiatives,CEP site companies work frequently with area schoolstosupport local students by donating uniforms andback-to-school supplies,awardingscholarshipstostudents pursuing STEM-related degrees, sponsoring attendeestothe LouisianaYouth Seminar, andconnectingstudents with professionals to demonstratethe possibilities for womeninindustry.

“Supportingthe JeffersonParishcommunity has long been centraltohow CornerstoneEnergyPark operates,” said AinslieBlanke,

IsraeliairstrikesinLebanon kill 8Hezbollah members

BY FADI TAWIL and BASSEM MROUE Associated Press

RAYAK, Lebanon Israeli airstrikes on eastern Lebanon have killed eight members of the militant Hezbollah group, including several localofficials, two officials with the group said Saturday

The Lebanese Health Ministry put the death tollat 10, but did not distinguish between militants and civilians.

The Hezbollah officials told The Associated Press that the eight militants were killed in strikes near the village of Rayak in northeast Lebanon late Friday.They

spoke on condition of anonymitybecause they were not authorized to speak to themedia about such details.

An Associated Pressteam that visited thescene of the strike Saturday morning saw that the top floor of a three-story building was knocked out

The Israeli militarysaid Saturday that several members of Hezbollah’smissile unit, in three different command centers in theBaalbek area in Lebanon, were “eliminated.”

The Israeli army added that theHezbollah members killedwereidentified “as operating to accelerate readiness and force build-

up processes, while planning fire attacks toward Israel.”

One of the Hezbollah officials said that three of the dead were local commanders andidentifiedthemas Ali al-Moussawi, Mohammedal-Moussawi and Hussein Yaghi.

Yaghi was theson of prominentHezbollahofficial and one of its founders, Mohammed Yaghi, whodied in 2023. Mohammed Yaghi was also aclose aide to late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in September 2024.

Lebanon’sHealthMinistry said Saturday that Israeli strikes on eastern Lebanon killed 10 people and wounded

Ambassador Huckabee’s statements on Israel causeuproarinMiddleEast

BY SAM MEDNICK and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

TEL AVIV,Israel Arab and Muslim nations on Saturday sharply condemned comments by the U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who said Israel hasa righttomuchofthe Middle East. Huckabee made the commentsinaninterview with conserv at i ve commenta tor Tu cker Carlson that aired Friday. Carlson said thataccording to the Bible, the descendants of Abraham would receive land that today would include essentially the entire MiddleEast, and asked Huckabee if Israel had aright to that land. Huckabee responded: “It would be fine if they took it all.” Huckabee added, however, that Israel was not looking to expand its territory and has aright to security in the land it legitimately holds. His comments sparked immediatebacklash from neighboring Egypt and Jor-

dan, Saudi Arabia,Kuwait, Oman, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation andthe Leagueof Arab States. Saudi Arabia’s foreign ministry described Huckabee’s comments as “extremist rhetoric” and “unacceptable,” and calledfor the State Department to clarify its position on them.

Egypt’ s foreign ministrycalled his comments a“blatant violation” of international law,adding that “Israel has no sovereigntyoverthe occupiedPalestinianterritory or other Arab lands.”

“Statements of this nature —extremistand lacking any sound basis —serve only to inflame sentimentsand stir religiousand national emotions,” the League of Arab Statessaid.

There was no immediate comment from Israel or the United States.

Sinceits establishmentin 1948, Israel has not had fully

recognized borders.

Its frontiers with Arab neighbors have shifted as a result of wars, annexations, ceasefires and peace agreements

During the six-day1967 Mideast war,Israel captured the West Bank and east Jerusalem from Jordan, Gaza andthe SinaiPeninsula from Egypt and the Golan Heights from Syria.Israel withdrewfrom the Sinai Peninsula as part of apeace deal with Egyptfollowing the1973 Mideast war.Italso unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

Palestinians have for decades called foranindependent state in the West Bankand Gaza with eastJerusalem itscapital, aclaim backed by much of the international community Huckabee has long opposed theidea of atwo-state solution for Israel and the Palestinian people. In an interviewlast year,hesaid he does not believe in referring to theArab descendants of people whohad livedin British-controlled Palestine as “Palestinians.”

24, including three children. Ali Abdullah, executive director of Rayak Hospital, told the AP that the strike occurred aftersunset, adding that they have received 10 bodies and 21 wounded. He added that the dead included two non-Lebanese aSyrianman andanEthiopian woman. The wounded included five Syrians and three Ethiopians. Ethiopians often cometo Lebanonasmigrant domes-

tic workers. Afuneral washeld Saturday afternoon in the eastern village of Nabi Chit for two Hezbollahmembers who were killed in the strikes.

After the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel triggered war in Gaza, Hezbollah began firing rockets from Lebanon into Israel in support of Hamas and the Palestinians.

Israel responded with airstrikes and shelling. The

low-levelconflictescalated into full-scalewar in September 2024, later reined in but not fully stopped by a U.S.-brokeredceasefire two months later Since then, Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild and has carried out near-daily strikesinLebanonthatitsaystarget Hezbollahmilitants andfacilities. Hezbollah has claimed one strike against Israel since the ceasefire.

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force Developmentand Continuing Education, BridgetLaBorde,and

Training,AdrienDalton.

AsLouisiana’seconomycontinuestoevolveandgrow, employersacrossthestatearetakingaproactiverolein shapingtheworkforceoftomorrow,oftencollaborating directly with LouisianaCommunity andTechnical CollegeSystem(LCTCS)institutionstodesignprograms that lead quicklytomeaningful careers. Twosuchpartners, FloridaMarineTransporters andExxonMobilBaton Rouge, arehelping drivenew trainingpathwaysthatreflectreal-life hiring needs, from maritime deckhandstoindustrialtechnicians AtNorthshoreTechnicalCommunityCollege(NTCC), apartnership with FloridaMarineTransporters hasled to thecreationofanew weeklong,non-credit introductory deckhand course designed to prepare students forimmediate entryintothe maritime industry.The firstcohortlaunchesinMarch,with additional sessions expected throughout thespring. “WithNorthshoreTechnical,wehadablankcanvas to builda programtomeetthe needsofthe maritime industryandourcompany.They’vetakenourinputand areworking with us to developtrainingbased on our needsaswellastheneedsofourpartnerorganizations,” said BrianLowrance, senior port captainatFlorida MarineTransporters.“It’sanincredibleopportunityto localize ourtraining at acollege that’s only 20 minutes awayandknowthatthisprogramwillmeetourneeds.”

“Onceweget this introductory course established at NTCC,we’dlovetoexplore otherwaystobuild out theprogram,including more coursesfor licensing,” Smithsaid. “You cangoinsomanydifferentdirections in maritime andI’d love forstudentstohave the opportunitytoreceivetraining in thoseatNTCC. Asimilar employer-driven approach is helpingto shapeprogramsatBaton RougeCommunity College (BRCC),whereExxonMobilBatonRougeplaysacentral role viathe NorthBaton RougeIndustrial Training Initiative (NBRITI).The initiativeprovidestechnical andjob preparationtrainingtopeoplewho mightnot otherwisehaveaccesstosuchopportunities

“ExxonMobildefinestheskills,performancestandards andsuccessmeasuresneededfor safe andreliable operations,withseveralemployeesservingasNBRITI instructors.BRCCthenconvertsthese requirements intostructured,credentialedtraining,”saidTaraBazille ExxonMobil BatonRouge SocioeconomicAdvisor “The BRCC collaborationsupportsExxonMobil’s

BridgetLaBorde,NTCCExecutive Directorof Workforce Developmentand Continuing Education, said that whileNTCCwas alreadyofferingatwo-year maritime programonthe credit side,employers began emphasizingthe need for entry-leveldeckhands who couldbehired rapidly, then receiveadditionalon-thejob training. “We’ve hadbusinessestellusthattheycould hire people if we hadthese classesevery month,”LaBorde said.“We’vemet with maritime industry leadersto discussthe topics that thecoursewillcover,and their feedbackhashelpedusunderstandthecomponentswe needed to add. We want to introducestudents to the maritime industry,but we also want to connectthem with localbusinesses. If they areready to go to work, companiesare readytohirethem. LowranceandNeilSmith,FloridaMarineTransporters Safety Manager, notedthatwhile employeesmay start in themaritimeindustryasdeckhands,there are multiple ways to advanceintomanagementpositions andleadershiproles,whetheronthewaterorinon-shore supportoperations.

broadergoalofbuildinga skilled, localworkforce that supportstheiroperationslong-term.Itstrengthensthe talent pipeline by aligningcommunity training with industry standardswhile creating career pathways in theNorth BatonRouge area.” BazillesaidNBRITIprovidestraininginsomeof thearea’smostin-demand skills,including electrical work,instrumentation,millwrighting,pipefitting, processtechnology andwelding

“ThecollaborationbetweenExxonMobilandBRCC hasled to 90 percentofNBRITIgraduates receiving employment with contractors, ExxonMobil or other ownercompanies followingthe program,”she added. BRCCProvostSarahBarlow,Ph.D.,saidthecollege’s otherindustrypartners have also expresseda need for positionsininfrastructure, transportationand computer science

“Ithinkyou’regoingtoseemoreblendingofprograms

Court allows halt to restoration of slavery exhibit

BY TASSANEE VEJPONGSA and MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA A U.S. ap-

peals court late Friday said the Trump administration can halt work on a National Park Service slavery exhibit in Philadelphia while it appeals an order to reinstall it

About half of the large panels at the outdoor exhibit have been restored this week at the site of the former President’s House on Independence Mall. U.S. Circuit Judge Thomas

Hardiman in his order said the exhibit as it stood Friday must remain in place and the remaining materials must be preserved. The appeals court will now weigh the dispute between the city and the federal government, which began when the administration abruptly removed the exhibit in January, amid an effort to remove information it deems “disparaging” to Americans from federal properties.

Senior U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe had set a 5 p.m Friday deadline to re-

store exhibits on the lives of nine people enslaved at the site under former President George Washington in the 1790s, when Philadelphia served as the nation’s capital. That order is now on hold.

The Park Service describes the exhibit as one “that examines the paradox between slavery and freedom in the founding of the nation.”

The Interior Department has said in court papers that it planned to replace it with its own narrative on slavery Rufe had said it must work

JPMorgan concedes it closed Trump’s accounts after Jan. 6

BY KEN SWEET Associated Press

NEW YORK JPMorgan

Chase acknowledged for the first time that it closed the bank accounts of President Donald Trump and several of his businesses in the political and legal aftermath of the Jan. 6, 2021 attacks on the U.S. Capitol, the latest development in a legal saga over the controversial practice of “debanking.” The acknowledgment came in a court filing submitted last week in Trump’s lawsuit against the bank and its leader, Jamie Dimon. The president sued for $5 billion, alleging that his accounts were closed for political reasons.

“In February 2021, JPMorgan informed Plaintiffs that certain accounts maintained with JPMorgan’s CB and PB would be closed,” JPMorgan’s former chief administrative officer Dan Wilkening wrote in the court filing. The “PB” and “CB” stands for JPMorgan’s private bank and commercial bank.

Until now, JPMorgan has never admitted it closed the president’s accounts, and would only speak hypothetically about when the bank

closes accounts and its reasons for closing accounts.

Emails and text messages to a spokesperson for the bank were not returned

Trump originally sued JPMorgan in Florida state court, where Trump’s primary residence is now located.

JPMorgan Chase is looking to have the case moved to New York, which is where the bank accounts were located and where Trump kept much of his business operations until recently Trump accuses the bank of trade libel and accuses Dimon himself of violating Florida’s Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act In the original lawsuit, Trump alleges he tried to raise the issue personally with Dimon after the bank started to close his accounts, and that Dimon assured Trump he would figure out what was happening. The lawsuit alleges Dimon failed to follow up with Trump.

Further, Trump’s lawyers allege that JPMorgan placed the president and his companies on a reputational “blacklist” that both JPMorgan and other banks use to keep clients from opening accounts with them in the

future.

Debanking occurs when a bank closes the accounts of a customer or refuses to do business with a customer in the form of loans or other services. Debanking has become a politically charged issue in recent years, with conservative politicians arguing that banks have discriminated against them and their affiliated interests.

“In a devastating concession that proves President Trump’s entire claim, JPMorgan Chase admitted to unlawfully and intentionally de-banking President Trump, his family, and his businesses, causing overwhelming financial harm,” the president’s lawyers said in a statement.

Debanking first became a national issue when conservatives accused the Obama administration of pressuring banks to stop extending services to gun stores and payday lenders under “Operation Choke Point.”

Trump and other conservative figures have alleged that banks cut them off from their accounts under the umbrella term of “reputational risk” after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

with the city on any new material under a long-standing cooperative agreement.

“(T)he government can convey a different message without restraint elsewhere if it so pleases, but it cannot do so to the President’s House until it follows the law and consults with the city,” Rufe, an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush, wrote in an opinion Friday In its own filing Friday to

the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the Justice Department called her ruling “extraordinary” and “an improper intrusion on the workings of a coequal branch of government.”

One of the panels being rehung Friday morning — titled “History Lost & Found” details the surprising discovery of artifacts from the President’s House during an archaeological dig in the early 2000s, as work was

being done on a new pavilion for the Liberty Bell. The exhibit had been on display since 2010, the result of years of research and collaboration between the city the Park Service, historians and other private parties.

Rufe said the federal government was unlikely to succeed at trial. And she said the public — and the city’s reputation — was being harmed with each passing day

Instantshade at the touchofa button

Enjoy more qualitytime with family andfriends Up

By Stevie Cavalier Licciardi,stevie.licciardi@theadvocate.com

Investinginthe financial future of Louisiana’s youththrough programs that celebratestudent successisalong-termpriorityfor PelicanCredit Union. Thecreditunion’s Dollarsfor A’sprogram awards cash for good grades—a little lagniappe, as it’s knowninLouisiana,for ajob well done “AtPelican,webelieve good habits startearly,” said Jeff Conrad,CEO of PelicanCreditUnion “Bypayingfor good grades,werewardstudents fortheir hard work whilehelping them understandthe valueofsaving, earning, andmaking smartfinancialchoices.”

Throughits Dollarsfor A’sinitiative, Pelican hasrecognizedacademicachievement across thestate by awarding nearly $440,000 in cash incentives to hardworkingstudentsoverthe last 5years alone. Morethan12,788individual awards have been givenacrossLouisiana since theprogram began.

Students with aTeamPelican YouthSavings accountora Teen Checking accountare eligible to participateinthe programand canearnupto $70per semester on theirreportcards.Toapply fora Team Pelicanaccount,visit pelicancu. com/youth.

Taking part in theprogram is simple—eligible students areencouragedtosubmittheir report cardsattheir localPelican branch or upload them digitallythrough theMyPelican app. Once reviewed,TeenCheckingaccountholders ages 13 andupearn$10 per‘A’,and thoseunder theage of 13 with aTeamPelican accountget $5 per‘A’

As anot-for-profitfinancialinstitution,PelicanCreditUnion seekstosupport itsmembers throughevery phaseoflife. Pelicanbelievesthe moneystudents receivefor theirachievements reinforces positive studyhabitsand promotes financial literacy by creating opportunities for kids andteens to earn moneyand manage their ownaccounts.Allowingstudents to gain realworldfinancialexperiencebeforegraduating high school helpsbuild confidence as students transition into adulthood.

“Thisisjust oneofPelican’s commitmentsto education, financial empowerment, community impact,and meetingmembers wheretheyare by supporting them at everystage of life,” said Conrad.

Beyond theDollars for A’sprogram,Pelican partners with Louisianaschools to offer age-appropriatefinancial literacy curriculum and workshopsfor students at no cost to theacademic institution. Pelicanalsoprovidesstudent scholarship opportunitiesand contests with cash prizes for localteachers. In collaborationwith localuniversitiesand high schools, Pelican’s School PrideDebit Cardsserve as fundraisers forschools.Withevery swipe, Pelicandonates fivetoten centstothe partneredinstitution Throughevery educationalinitiative, new doorsare opened in thelives of students,and Pelican’screativity andcommitmenttothe community’sfinancial empowermentshine throughprogramslikeDollars for A’s. Formoreinformationortobecome amemberof PelicanCreditUnion,visit www.pelicancu.com

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

In report,Cassidy callsfor overhaul of FDA

WASHINGTON —U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidyused his high-ranking position earlier thisweek to draw attention to the beleagueredFood &DrugAdministration, releasingareport that calls for extensive changes in the way the agencyreviews and approves new drugs, vaccines and food.

The Baton Rouge Republican hasn’t submitted any legislation to that effectand getting such asweeping bill passed would be atall order with nine monthsleft before congressional midterms. But by focusing attention on the long-desired revampofthe FDA, Cassidy appears to be flexing his political muscles as chair of theinfluential Senate Health Education Labor &PensionsCommittee, aposition of leadership his campaign challengers can’t equal.

Cassidy is seekingreelection to athird term, but faces serious challenges from fellow Republicans Rep. Julia Letlow,who President Donald Trump endorsed,and Treasurer John Fleming.

Cassidy’sreport comes 10 monthsafter biotech leaders asked the HELPcommittee to address FDA practices.

Cassidy’s18-page “Patients andFamilies:

Building the FDA of the Future” details at least adozen proposed changes in legislation, regulation and practice thathe contends would modernize the agency, clear “unnecessary bottlenecks” thatslow access of newermedicines to patients and improve medical research

“‘Innovation’ is meaningless unless it creates products that actually help patients. Discoveries that never leavethe lab help no one,” Cassidy wrote in thereport. “While many parts of FDA work well, unnecessarybottlenecks slow patients and consumers getting theproductsthey need.”

The report takes issue with thesystem companies face in gettingtheirproducts approved. The testsand reviews are unpredictable, often addingunnecessary

Louisiana ranks highon congressional earmarks

Four members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation ranked in the top five for receiving the most “earmarks” in this year’sappropriations bills, according to an analysis by Roll Call, a political trade publication.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy,RMadisonville and amember of the Senate Appropriations Committee, ranked third in the upper chamber,with $450.6 million directed to his home district. Roll Call looked at all 8,472 local projects, worth $15.7billion total. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, came in fifth, witha total of $339.8 million. That’sthe highest of 72 senatorswho requested earmarks in 2026 and were not on the appropriations committee. Over in the House, 389 members inserted earmarks. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise,

time and delays. “FDA teams can differ greatly in the extent to which they require testingorimposestandards that arenot calibrated to the relevant risks,” Cassidy wrote. He called for “new clinical trial approaches” that would be less expensive and much faster New drugs can cost hundreds of millions of dollars to test —costs that are recouped by manufacturersthrough higher prices to consumers.

For instance, Cassidy’swhitepaper recommends reducing clinical testing burdens forbiological medicines similar to alreadyapproved biological medicines. Biosimilars, or biosims, have already been tested andmeet pharmaceutical quality standards. He suggested Congress con-

R-Jefferson,came in fourth with $164.8 million,and Rep.Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, ranked fifth in theHouse with $151.9 million.

One reason the four Louisiana membersranked so high is the $131.5 million appropriation to strengthen levees andother infrastructure and reduce the risk of flooding forabout 200,000 people, primarily in Terrebonne and Lafourche parishes.

The Army Corps of Engineers’ Morganza to the Gulf project —the fifth largest earmark expenditure was sponsored by all four and was included in their totals, according to Roll Call.

In all, Louisiana’scongressional delegation gathered in $356.5 million for 51 community projects in the state.

Thepractice of individual lawmakers acquiring federal taxpayer dollars for purely local projects was restricted, even banned, through much of the 2000s as

sider additional laws.

The Washington Post in an editorial Wednesday,which did not mention Cassidy’sreport, noted that vaccine manufacturers “can’tbeasconfident they can jump through theFDA’s hoops withoutregulatorschanging theground rules mid-circus act.”

Posteditorialistscontinued, “The FDA has gone to great lengths in recent years to reduce this sort of red tape that merely slows down lifesaving medical innovations. Lamentably,itseems to be returning to its old ways under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s leadership.”

Created in 1906 on theheels of Upton Sinclair’snovel “The Jungle”and incorporating an 1848 law toreview imported

corrupt “pork barrel spending” conjuring up images of Alaska’s $223 million “Bridge to Nowhere.”

Congress voted in 2021 to again allow earmarks, though now rebranded as Community Project Funding or Congressionally Directed Spending.

The debate over directing federal taxpayer dollars for local projects has not completely lapsed, however.Many of the senators and representatives who voted against the 2026 spending bills said they did so because earmarks were included.

Landry praises CVS pharmacyscholarships

medicines, the FDAmust sign off on every new drug and vaccine before they can be administered. The agency also oversees the purity of food products and the accuracy of food labeling, in addition to cosmetics and tobacco.

About 25 cents of every consumer dollar —more than $1 trillion annually —pays forproducts that the FDAregulates, according to the Cato Institute, alibertarian think tank headquartered in Washington. But the agency has been criticized for years, and manyargue it is chronically underfunded.

The widespread refusal by manytoget vaccinated forCOVID-19 wasone sign of distrust. And, in 2021, it approved the Alzheimer’sdrug Aduhelm despite expert advisers’ objections and data that shows one-third of test subjects were subject to brain bleeds and swelling.

Prior to Kennedy becoming secretary forthe Department of Health &Human Services, which oversees the FDA, he wrote on social media: “If you workfor the FDA and are part of this corrupt system,I have twomessages foryou. 1. Preserve your records, and 2. Pack your bags.”

The FDAemployed about 20,000 people —half of whom werescientists when Kennedy took over

The agency now employs about 16,500 people and its appropriation was cut by nearly 10% to $6.8 billion. He has limited inoculations forchildren, canceled research contracts, and packed expert adviser panels with anti-vaxxers —all activities Cassidy has criticized.

Though Kennedy is one of the mostvociferous critics of the FDA, it is unsure how he will greet Cassidy’ssuggestions. Nevertheless, Cassidy wrote: “The HELP Committee looks forward to coordinating with FDAunder its new leadership to promote patient access, accelerate U.S. competitiveness, and improve the health of American families.”

Email Mark Ballardatmballard@ theadvocate.com.

thehealth care giant, is celebrating the initiative.

Landry,inasocial media post, lauded the program, saying he is “excited” to work with CVS and “grateful fortheir commitment to helping Louisiana’snext generation succeed!”

“When we create opportunities forour students to learn, train, and build their careers right here at home, we’re strengthening our workforce and our communities at the sametime,” he said in a statement.

The pharmacy scholarship will be available in the 2026-27 academic year,and information about it will be madeavailable at the financial aid offices of the twouniversities, the newsrelease says.

Landry last summer threw his political weight behind pharmacy and prescription drug legislation that CVS fiercely opposed. The bill, which did not pass, would have barred companies in Louisiana from owning both retail pharmacies and entities known as pharmacy benefit managers, which negotiate the price of drugs.

CVS, acorporation that owns both types of businesses, sent masstexts to customers saying the bill would force it to close all its pharmacies and urging them to reach out to lawmakers.

CVS announced Wednesday it is launching a$5million scholarship program for studentspursuing a doctor of pharmacy degree at either theUniversity of Louisiana at Monroe or Xavier University in New Orleans—and Gov.Jeff Landry, who in recent monthshas publicly sparred with

According to anews release from CVS, “the program will help reduce financial barriers forstudentsfrom diverse backgrounds and communities, particularly those with adesire to serve in areas with critical health care needs.”

Xavier is the country’sonly historicallyBlack Catholic university, while UL-Monroe is in a population center that anchors rural north Louisiana.

“This initiative is part of CVS Health’sbroader commitment to advancing health equity, expanding access to care, and investing in the next generation of health care professionals,” CVS said.

Landry backed three lawsuits Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed in June against CVS. The lawsuits accuse CVS of violating customer privacy lawswith the text campaign; treating independent pharmacies unfairly; and using its size and ownership of multiple parts of the drug supply chain to drive up costs. Murrill on Friday announced that those lawsuits had been settled.

EDUCATION

Immigrationenforcement impactsclasses,teacherssay

BY MORIAH BALINGIT AP education writer

In onetestimonial afteranother,teachers detailedall the ways President Donald Trump’simmigration crackdown has shaped theirwork and the lives of their students.

In acourt filing Thursday,educators around the country described rumors of immigration raids that scared awaystudents, immigrant parents who stopped sendingtheir children to school altogether,and stories of parents and students including one middle schooler being picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at schoolbus stops.

The stories were sharedaspart of alawsuit challengingaTrump administration policy that opened up schools, housesofworship and medicalfacilities to immigration enforcement. The lawsuitwas filed last year by an Oregon farmworkers union and agroup of churches that argued the policy changewas “arbitrary andcapricious.”The American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and three preschool employees joined the suit in September

As the impacts of immigration enforcement on schools and health care facilities grew,the plaintiffs filed apetition askinga judge to halt the Trump administration policy as the lawsuit proceeds.

“In recent months —and escalating in the past several weeks immigration enforcement agents have made startling incursions into cities and towns around the country,including unprecedented and unrestrained surges inand around vital community institutions such as schools andhealth carefacilities,” attorneys wrote.

The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to amessage seeking comment. Administration officials havedefended the policy in the past, say-

ingthat making schools,churches and other spaces off-limitsto immigrationenforcement could make them refugesfor criminals.

Officials have saidImmigration and Customs Enforcement does not target schools for enforcement operations, but there have been several instances in recent months where immigration authorities have pursued or detained peopleon or near school property.

Newpolicy

Thegovernment formore than three decadeshad barred immigration authorities from making arrests in schools andhouses of worship. That policy was updated over the years to include other

“protected areas,”such as hospitals and homelessshelters, to prevent enforcement actions that would restrict accesstoessential services and activities.

Shortly after Trumptook office, hisadministrationrescinded that policy,instead issuing afour-paragraph memo that advised officers to use “a healthy dose of common sense”whendecidingwhether to make arrests near “protected areas.”

As Trump has ramped up his effortstodeportmillions of people, some of the arrests have been made near schoolsduring pickup and drop-off hours. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include atrio of educators fromanOregonpreschool,

where ICE agents attempted to arrest aman in the parking lot after he dropped off his infant son.

In Chelsea, Massachusetts, teachers union president Kathryn Andersonsaid immigration enforcement has been more disruptive to learning than the COVID pandemic, which moved school online for months. The school system lost asignificantnumberof studentsthis year and absenteeism is higher than usual.

“Right now, kids of allbackgrounds are being prevented from going to school because of theextremelyrealfearthateitherthey or their family members will be separated,” said Anderson, who is not part of the lawsuit. “As an edu-

cator having to help kids move through and exist in that fear (has) been anear impossible task.”

During aChicagooperation in October,agents released tear gas that engulfed aschool playground. Theylater arrested ateacher inside of her preschool during morning drop-off. DHSsaid agents had attemptedtopulloverthe car shewas riding in before she got to school and said she barricaded herself inside, forcing agents to enter.The woman, who haswork authorization,was eventually released.

In Minneapolis, agentsscuffled with bystanders after pursuing a man onto ahigh school campus as school wasending forthe day Fear tricklingintoclassrooms

The court filing includedtestimonyfrom 60 teachers and health careworkers from18stateswho described how immigration enforcement near their schools and medical facilities haschallenged their work. All submitted their testimony anonymously

Onemiddleschoolteacher said half of thestudents stayed home amid arumor about immigration enforcement nearby

The following month, astudent at the school wasdetained while at abus stop.

Elsewhere,aspeech pathologist describedtearful meetings with immigrant parents fearful that signing documents to get their child special education services would draw the attention of immigration enforcement.

Ahigh school teacher said many students, including immigrants still learning English, switched to virtual learning after aparent was arrested by ICE at aschool bus stop. But the virtual option is only offered in English, and the teacher said they feared the students are falling behind.

Ateacher at another school said astudent was detained by ICEata schoolbus stop and neverreturned to class after being released. Now, when students ask whether they can be arrested at school, “I can no longer reassure them that campus is safefrom ICE.”

THE GULF COAST

Little haschanged in longtime Gulfport chickenspot

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

Fried chicken, biscuits and dinner rolls glistened with oil and butterunderthe heat lamps as locals slid trays down the buffet line, pausing for sides until their plates disappeared beneath Cajun rice and red beans.

The lunch crowd —mostly gray-haired, save for afew stiff cowboy hats —settled into tables and booths, the same seats they’d claimed for years. Some conversed over diet colas and plates doused with Louisiana Hot Sauce; others sat comfortably alone, content in their owncompany.Nancy Sinatra, then Patsy Cline, played from the speakers, singingstories of failed love.

Perhaps over the years, time skipped past Cajun’sFabulous FriedChicken —and yes, it is quite fabulous —inGulfport,Mississippi. That still seems true today, even as the Gulf Coast rapidly grows in both populationand development, including new offices and boutiques neighboring the restaurant Owner TomHarvey,who opened the first shop in 1979 with hisfather,seems to recognize his own resistancetochange.For thefirst twoorthree years, hiswife, Patricia, mixed the spices by hand until they finally agreed to geta machine —adecision that came only after many discussions, they said, laughing together in alemon yellow booth.

Just over amonth ago, chicken tenders were added to the menu, the first addition in years. That required some convincing In aworld of debit cardsand mobile payments,the chickenshop accepts cash only.And don’tget your hopes up: That is unlikely to change any time soon.

While little has changedinside the restaurant, the opening of Cajun’sitself waspartofa larger shift in South Mississippi,asit was among the firstrestaurantsto

bring Cajunfood to theCoast Back when TomHarveyand his father opened their first storefront in Biloxi’sEdgewater Village, étouffée appeared on the menu

adish customers didn’teven know howtopronounce.Today,Cajun food stretcheswell beyond Louisiana’sbayous and the sole of its boot,into neighboring states like

Mississippi Butthe Harveys, whohad never been in the restaurant business, didn’topen Cajun’s withthat missioninmind. Their reasoning, in fact, was rather simple.

“Weliketoeat fried chicken,”

TomHarvey said.

As aNew Orleansarchitect designed the building, thefamily perfected the fried chicken. Tom Harvey,along with hisfather,his wife andanyone willing to tastetest, spent about ayear making and mixing spices for recipes that have remained unchanged for 47 years.

“Weworeour friends andfamily out on fried chicken,” Patricia Harvey said.

The restaurant started as atakeoutplace, pairing its main dish withCajun rice before transitioningtoa buffet in 1982.Thatwas around the sametimeCajun’swas expanding acrossthe Coast, with storefronts in D’Iberville, Pass

Christian and Ocean Springs, before franchising in 1989. Thefirst out-of-state storeopenedinBaton Rouge,followedbylocations in Florida and Alabama.

Those shops are no longer around. The Harveys stopped franchising after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the originalCajun’s. When they returned after the storm, little remained. Asingle gaslight stood amid the wreckage, spewing gas onto the ground.

The only Cajun’snow sits along Pass Road in Gulfport, where carrots are peeled, cabbage is cut and red beans simmer before the doors open to alineofcustomers at 10:30 a.m. If they’ve been coming long enough, they know the menu will be the same as it was yesterday —and the year before.

That’sbecause TomHarvey’s philosophy on the food is as simple as the reason he opened Cajun’sin the first place.

“If something’snot selling real good,” he said, “Something’swrong with the recipe.”

Hisfavorite dish on themenuis the fried chicken.PatriciaHarvey, meanwhile, favors nearly everything, from the brownies topped with ice cream to the coleslaw and fried fish. Unlike many restaurants along the Coast, the fish doesn’tcome from the Mississippi River or the Gulf. Instead, it’san Alaskan deep-water fish, caught in “the Gulf of Alaska, Iguess,” Tom Harvey said with ahint of dry wit. Cajun’sold commercial jingle, which once rang fromtelevisions across Mississippi,had itsown opinion: “Red beans and rice, they taste so nice and our biscuits can’t be beat. It’s thegreatestfried chicken in the whole wide world.” It’s hard to say what therest of the world has to offer when it comes to fried chicken. No longer confined to the South, the delicacy now appears in nearly every corner of the globe. Popeyes can even be found on the streets of London and Paris —telling signs that the times have indeed changed for fried chicken. Butalong thesideofthe road in Gulfport, you’ll still find someof the South’sgreatest.

Poll:Coldaffecting more Americans

BY ISABELLA O’MALLEY and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Associated Press

WASHINGTON Millions in North America kicked off 2026 withbitterly cold temperatures, with manysaying it’s been years since they’ve experienced such frigid winter weather

“Pipes that neverfroze on me for 15 years froze,” said Chris Ferro, 58, from Brooklyn, New York,about the abnormallycold temperatures heexperienced in January and February Ferro owns several residential properties in Albany and said multiple days of below-freezing temperatures preventedhim from doingrepairs and renovations. He said he was thankful that none of the pipes burst and that this winter had the same bitter cold he remembers from when he was young, which contrasts with the relatively warmer winters he experienced in recent years.

About 6in10U.S. adultssay they’ve been personally affectedbysevere cold weather or severe winter storms in the past five years, according to a new poll from The Associated PressNORC Center for Public Affairs Research. That’sanincrease from an AP-NORC poll conducted in February 2025, when about half of U.S. adults said they’d been affectedbyextreme cold.

The finding points to the growing prevalence of experienceswithcold weather,oratleast people’sperceptions of them, after amassive winter storm broughtfreezing temperatures to theEastCoast andcausedwidespread poweroutages in the South. In awarming world, people’sreactions to cold weather are subjective.

Scientific research indicates the first quarter of the 21st century was unusually warm by historical standards —mostly duetohuman-induced climatechange —and abnormallycold winters are happening lessfrequently in North America. Because this type of extreme cold occursless frequently,experts say Americans are experiencing it more intensely now than they did in the past and prolonged cold spells are unfamiliar to many people especiallyyoungerAmericans.

In the summer of 2024, an AP-NORC poll found that about 7in10U.S.

experienced workorschool cancellation as aresult of winter storms or extreme cold, compared with 15% of adults who live in the West Tempsand climatechange

Amongall of thepeople who experienced somekind of severe weather eventinthe past fewyears —includingextremeheat, extreme cold, major droughts or watershortages, hurricanes or severe tropical storms, major flooding, wildfires, tornadoes —about two-thirds believeclimate change was acause.

adults had experienced extremelyhot weather or extreme heat waves in the prior five years.

Higher bills, more cancellations

Themostrecentsurveyfound that just in thepastyear,Americans’ lives have beenupended in multiple ways by coldweather

About 7in10Americans say that in the past year,their electricityor gasbills have been higher than usual because ofwinter storms or extreme cold. About 4in10haveexperienced awork or school cancellation because of winter storms or extreme cold, roughly one-third have experienced a power outage, and about3in10have had atravel cancellation or delay

Annie Braswell, 66, from Greenville, NorthCarolina, said January andFebruary felt like “it hadn’tbeen that cold in 40 years” and thather utility bill doubled compared with normal. She said it was adramatic change from the weather she experienced last summer when she endured many days at or above 100 F.

“I just take life one day at atime, and Irealize these are things that Ican’t change,” Braswell said about how she copes with the extreme temperatures.

Heat waves andextreme cold requiremore heating and cooling to keep temperatures inside homes and buildings comfortable, which leads to higherutility bills. Electricity prices are risinginthe U.S.and an APNORC poll from October 2025 found that nearly4in10U.S. adults say the cost of electricity is a“major source” of stress for them. Bill McKibben, alongtime climate activist, said he thinks rising electricityprices will have amajor political impact.

The effects of cold weather were feltacross wide swathes of thecountry. About 6in10Midwesterners, abouthalfofSoutherners,and about 4in10Northeasterners saythey’ve

“I thinkclimate change is anatural thing thathappens …tosomeextent it’ssped up by some things,” such as pollutants released from factories and the shipping industry,said Joseph Bird,21, acollege student in Provo, Utah, who identifies as an independent.“Ithink it increases the frequency of extreme weather is how I’d see it,” said Bird.

Democrats andindependents who experienced anykindofsevereweather event are muchlikelierthanRepublicanstosee climatechange as acause.

There’saparticularly large gap between conservativeRepublicans —only about 3in10who experienced an extreme weather event think it was related to climate change —compared withliberal Democrats,the vast majority of whom think climate change was involved.

While rising atmospherictemperatures area result of globalwarming, scientists saythat extreme cold outbreaks acrossNorth America area feature of climate change. The Arctic polar vortex, aswirling area of low pressureand cold air that is typically trapped over the North Pole throughout the year,can stretch down and infiltrate regions further south. Scientific research indicates such polar vortex disruptions are happening more frequently due to rapidly warming temperatures in the Arcticand shrinking Arctic sea ice.

Overall, the vast majority of U.S. adults, 80%, have experienced some kind of severe weather eventinthe past five years, although they are much likelier to report experiencing extremely hot weather or extreme heat waves and extreme cold in the past fiveyearsthanany otherkind of major weather events, including major droughts or watershortages, hurricanes or severe tropical storms, major flooding, wildfires, tornadoes, or other severe weather events or weather disasters.

be made in honor of Stanton Shuler at Ochsner HealthDepartment of Philanthropy, 1514 JeffersonHighway#1E617, NewOrleans,LA70121 or theCulverEducational Fund, CulverAcademies, 1300 Academy Road Culver, Indiana 46511 or donorsmay make their gifts online at: https://ww w.givecampus.com/campa igns/8112/donations/new

Simpson, Audrey Faris

AudreyFaris Simpson, born May3,1931, passed away surrounded by loved ones on February 17, 2026, at 94. She was preceded in death by herbeloved husband of 66 years, Herbert Simpson,and herparents, Dr.Henryand Sybil Faris. Survivedbyher special cousin andgodson,Nick Faris, Jr.and otherclose relatives, Theresa, Mary Beth and Frances. Special thanks to hercaregivers Francia, Patty, Rosieand Vicki, andspecial friends, Debbie andMarianne Relativesand friends are invited to attendservices at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA on Monday, February 23, 2026. Visitation will be from 12:00PM untilMass begins at 1:00PM.The mass will be officiatedbyFr. Alex

Strong, Robert Alexander 'Bob' Robert Alexander Strong III died on Sunday, January 25, 2026. He was born August 11, 1948 to Elizabeth and Delbert Strong Sr.who predeceased him as didhis brotherDelbertStrongJr. Bob is survivedbysisters SheelahBlack, Sarah Ray and5 nieces and nephews. He workedathis belovedLaCrepe Nanou as server, bartender andofficemanager for over 30 years. AMemorialService will be held in the chapel at St Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church,1545 State St.on Monday, March2 Visitation at 12:30pm, Service at 1:30pm. Youcan share thoughts andmemories at: HTTPS://neptuneso ciety.com/obituaries/1032 9866

Joseph M. Sutton, "Joey" to hisfriends andfamily, passedawayFebruary 16, 2026 leaving behind alegacy of creativity, athletic grit,and profound kindness. Born in 1946 and raisedinNew Orleans, Joey grew up at theIsidore

Newman School and spent his life embodying the unique spirit of his hometown. An athlete at his core Joey was rarely happier than when he was competing. Whether it was youth sports or his years as a ranked tennis player, he thrived on the energy of the game. Even aftera stroke in 2012 shifted his pace, his love for sport remained acentral partof his life as he transitioned into an enthusiastic spectator of golf and tennis.

While Joey held alaw degree from Tulane University, his heart belonged to the out-of-thebox world of entrepreneurship. He took the family's traditionalFrench Quarter retail business and reimagined it, creatinga haven for vintage jewelry and curiosities that reflected his own eclectic and inventive personality.

Joey's greatest talent, however, was his ability to see the good in people.He was amentor by nature, always offering the compassion and push someone needed to reach their full potential. He didn't justinhabit the world; he sought to improve it through every person he touched. He will be deeply missed by his wife, Lois Harris Sutton; his children, Rachel (Dr. Matthew) Freeman and Cym (Jesse) Kibort; his stepsons, Scott (Sara) and Judd (Sarah Knight) Harris; and his sisters, Suzanne Ratner and Candice Rosenblum. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Joshua and Charles Freeman; Julia and Audrey Kibort; and Millie, Elizabeth, and Isaac Harris

The family would like to express profound gratitude for Joey's many devoted friends and caregivers, especiallyLashon Lafrance, Jerome Tilquit, and Freddie de la Houssaye. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Touro Synagogue or Dress for Success.

Tierney, Bridget Katherine

BridgetKatherine Tier‐ney peacefully entered into eternal rest on February 12, 2026, surrounded by family. She livedher life answer‐ing poet Mary Oliver’s en‐duringquestion… “What willyou do with your one wildand precious life? by livingfully,thoughtfully, and generously.” Sheloved poetryand believed deeply inreflection,meaning,and presence, qualitiesthat shapedthe wayshe loved othersand understood the world.BornonDecember 31, 1948, in Batavia, Illinois, Bridget wasthe daughter ofthe late Clifford andthe lateDorothy Tierney. From anearly age, herfaith was central to herlife. As a child,she famously substi‐tuted Neccowafers for communion,a smallbut telling sign of howseri‐ously,and creatively,she took matters of thespirit. She leaned deeply into Ig‐natianspirituality, andin 2003, shewas welcomed intothe Episcopalfaith as a priest.A placewhere she found atradition that fully embracedher intellect, reverence,compassion, and call to serve. Bridget wasprecededindeath by

herbrother-in-law, Merwin Stroup, andher grandson Garrett Velasquez. Sheis survived by herbrother, Larry Tierney(Mary Alyce); her sister,SheilaStroup; her children,JeffJohnson (Sarah),Jenny Velasquez (Bobby),and Greg Johnson (Kate Ionna); andher beloved grandchildren, Kirsten,Reagan(Brandon), Rachel, Andrew (Brianna), Reilly, Eamon, andMatias. She wasalsoa proud great-grandmother to Ade‐laide,Rowan,and Cecilly, who broughther immense joy.A womanofconviction and simplicity, Bridgetwas a firm believer in the Lententradition of re‐straint.Inthat spirit,and witha characteristic touch ofhumor,the family stronglyencourageschari‐table donationstothe Episcopal Relief &Develop‐mentFund in lieu of memo‐rial flowers, noting that no one in thefamilycan keep flowersorplantsalive any‐way.Bridget will be lifted upduringa 10:00 a.m. ser‐viceatChristChurch Cathedral,New Orleans, LA, on Saturday,February 28. Herremains will be in‐terredimmediatelyfollow‐ing theservice in the cathedral’s columbarium, and areception will be heldatthe cathedralthere‐after.Bridget’s life was markedbyfaith,curiosity, love, andlaughter. She leavesbehinda legacy of thoughtfulliving, faithful service,and agentlere‐mindertocherish andre‐spond fullytoour ownwild and precious lives. ArrangementsbyJacob Schoen& Son Funeral Home. Condolencesmay beleftatwww.schoenfh. com

In lovingmemoryofour father, Robert(Bob) Daniel Walsh, Sr.Hepassed away peacefully at hishome in Mandeville on February15, 2026.Hewas 84 years old. Bob was born on December25, 1941, in the Bronx, New York. He was preceded indeath by his parents, Frank &Viola Walsh. He has two brothers, FrankJr. &Donald Walsh. Bob married Genevieve Maiolo Walsh on May30, 1959,and they have four children,all of whom were borninNew Rochelle, New

York. They moved to Metairiein1977. He remarried Fonda Chambers Walsh in 1991. They remained married untilher death on August 13, 2025. Bob leavestocherish his memory his children, Robert Walsh Jr, Kevin Walsh, JosephWalsh (Nola), and Daniel Walsh (Elaine); his grandchildren, Lauren, Julie, Marianne, Genevieve,Jordan, Maci, Taylor, Brennan, Trevor Kaden, Mia, Jacob and Jesse; and hisgreat grandchildren, Alco, Evieana, Noah, Liam, Leif,Azalea, Aubrey, Brooks, Gianna, Aria, Rowen, Everly, Ember, William, Skylerand Destin. Funeral arrangements: Lake Lawn Metairie Tuesday, February 24th, visitation9 am-11 am, service following. To view and sign theonline guestbook, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m.

Ward, Paul Andre

Paul Andre Ward left us unexpectedlyfrom afall on January14, 2026, at the ageof63. Paul was born in Groton, CT butgrewupin KennerattendingBonnabel HighSchool and UNO, but he was along-term resident of NewOrleans and theFrench Quarter

Tragically gone to soon Paul enjoyed family friends, traveling and his passionasanantiques dealer in the French Quarter.Having grown up in afamily of dealers who begantheir careers in the NewOrleans Flea Market, Paul with his sisters and brotherwouldbetiedto thehip of their mother each weekend at themarket and estatesales around thecity. Paul had a passionfor doll collecting along with his mother, both members of theUFDC and locally with Les Poupee D'Orleans. Carnival Season was aspecial time for Paul who lovedparades, festivitiesand Mardi Gras costuming.Enjoying theannual walks withthe Pete Fountain Half Fast Walking Club. In the early 80's Paul openedMelrose antiques on Magazine St. which started his dreamcareer towardsthismarvelous adventure. Paul would go on to relocate to the French Quarter to open Collectible Antiquesthat has been afixture on LowerDecatur for more than 25 years. Paul's beautiful smile,friendlywelcome and knowledge (we can't knoweverything) endeared himtolocals, national and international customers, who would re-

turn againand again to see what treasurescould be discovered in his unique shop.Most endingupas greatfriends. Eclecticand unique, Paul's shopremindedpeople of their grandma's house or an atticfrozen in time! Paul is preceded in death by his parents Clarence Eugine and Dolores Welker Ward;sisterinlaw JeanineWard. Survived by hishusband, Jeffery Fountain, abrother PeterM.Ward of Kenner, sisters Christine AWard Armstrong (Jerry Armstrong) of Arkansas, Susan KWard Bond (TammeyBond) of Moss Point,MS, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Relatives and friends are invited to acelebration of Paul's life to be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. (in Metairie Cemetery) on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, withvisitation beginning at 11:00AMand serviceat 1:00PM. Interment willfollowwitha Second Line to thefamily tomb. In lieu of flowers,dona-

tionstoProject Lazarusin Paul'shonor preferred. great-grandfatherof GabrielBarry, Harley Zar, and PackerZar. Brother of thelateMargaret Creppel (Foster), Lucrecia LeBlanc (Percy), Viola Creppel (Eddie),Lillian Kreger (Joseph), Rose Millet (Charles), Celestine Falterman (Ralph), and AndrewZar (Lurecia). Stevenisalso survivedby numerousnieces, nephews, cousins, and extended familywho loved himdearly

Zar, StevenPaul

StevenP.Zar, Jr., passed peacefully at theage of 96. Stevenwas thebeloved husband of thelateJoann Zar. Cherished father of Clark Zar (Linda), PollyZar Waguespack(Poche), William Zar, and KellyZar (thelateMona), andthe lateKeith Zar. He was the proudgrandfatherof Brandy Fonseca (Chris), Bryan Zar (Brooke) William Zar, Jr.(Mallory), Adam Zar, HaileyZar, and Jeffrey andthe adoring

Relativesand friends are invited to attend Funeral Serviceson Monday, February 23, 2026 at Westside Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5101 WestbankExpressway, Marrero,LA70072. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. untilthe Funeral Mass at noon. Intermentimmediately follow at St.Pius Mausoleum in Crown Point, LA. Memories andcondolences canbeshare at www.westsideleitzeagan. com

NOLA.COM | Sunday, February 22, 2026 1bn

310 GUSTE RESIDENTS COULD BE DISPLACED

Too many units at public housing complex are vacant, HUD says

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

More than 300 residents could be forced out of Guste Homes High Rise in Central City after federal officials said too many units at the public housing complex are vacant Residents fill about 77% of the 12-story building’s apartments But the Department of Housing and Urban Development, which funds the high rise for elderly and disabled people, mandates that at least 88% of the apartments be filled

In December, HUD told New Orleans’ public housing authority that if a building assessment shows Guste has failed to meet HUD’s rules, the authority must give every Guste resident a voucher to find housing elsewhere in New Orleans over the next five years.

Guste appears to meet the department’s definition of a “deeply distressed, high-vacancy public housing development,” said Ben Hobbs, assistant secretary of HUD, in a Dec. 15 letter to the Housing Authority of New Orleans. The edict has set off a clash between federal and local housing officials who say that closing the complex would harm its 310 residents. They say that there is no guarantee Guste’s residents will find landlords

willing to rent to them and that HUD should instead approve other spending to repair the building so it can lure more tenants.

Closing Guste “is an unacceptable proposition that would not best serve the residents,” said Marjorianna Willman, the head of HANO, in an email.

Cynthia Wiggins, president of the Guste Homes Resident Management Corporation, which works with HANO to manage the complex as the only residentled public housing management company in the city disputed that the property was in disrepair

“The property is not distressed Over the past several years multiple capital repairs and systems improvements repairs have been made,” she said.

The closure of Guste would mark the final blow to New Orleans’ once-large stock of high-rise public housing, after others were demolished and replaced with housing vouchers or converted into townhome developments in the past few decades.

“I don’t want anything to happen to this building,” said Debra Tousant, 72, who has lived at Guste for six years. “We keep in touch and look out for each other — we walk the hallway, we stick together.”

Deferred maintenance

The high-rise, which was constructed in the early 1960s, was taken over by a resident-led management company in 2000 after years of efforts by residents seeking to assert greater control over their housing

Under the arrangement, the resident corporation is entirely responsible for managing the property, while the housing authority audits the company’s finances each year and has oversight of certain large purchases.

Over the years, deferred maintenance has driven tenants out of the building and spiked its operating costs, Willman said earlier this month. As a result, more and more units have become vacant.

The vacancy rate reached nearly 23% in fiscal year 2025, far above HUD’s cap of 12% A recent HANOcommissioned assessment found that it would cost almost $60 million to “modernize” the building, and that most of the building’s components were in either “fair” or “poor” condition.

“There’s been a lot of missed opportunity for decades to modernize the development, and because of those missed opportunities the cost to redevelop the property has skyrocketed,” said Willman, who took over as director of HANO in January of last year

Last year, it cost HANO

$8.2 million to run Guste. That’s almost double the $4.4 million it would have cost to provide vouchers to all of Guste’s tenants, Willman acknowledged.

Yet replacing the units with tenant-based vouchers is the wrong approach given the city’s affordable housing shortage, she said.

A 2024 study found that the vast majority of landlords would not accept housing vouchers, and voucher holders often struggle to find units that fall below the “fair market rent.” In 2025, a voucher holder could lease a two-bedroom in New Orleans for between $1,411 and $2,131 depending on the ZIP code.

Instead, Willman wants HUD to pitch in federal and bond funds to repair Guste without displacing residents. Some building units, per that plan, would be subsidized through housing vouchers, rather than through ever-shrinking traditional public housing dollars.

In a letter to HUD on

Canal Place faces reset with closure of Saks Fifth Avenue

Loss of anchor tenant brings attention to future of shopping center

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

As Saks Fifth Avenue prepares to close its Canal Place store, attention is turning to what comes next for the three-story anchor space in New Orleans’ most prominent shopping center

The store is slated for closure as part of parent company Saks Global’s bankruptcy restructuring, opening up about 75,000 square feet of prime commercial real estate at the foot of Canal Street. Saks representatives said it is expected to remain open through the end of April.

Securing a suitable successor to Saks the mall’s lone anchor tenant for the past 43 years — is a high-stakes decision with repercussions for the city Canal Street, once the city’s preeminent shopping corridor, has struggled since the 1990s with the departure of department stores and specialty retailers, including, most recently, the closure of Palace Cafe last year and the impending exit of Adler’s jewelry store. City leaders, including Mayor Helena Moreno, and Canal Place officials have said finding another high-end tenant for the space is a top priority and that they are already working on leads.

Retail experts say that, given the dwindling pool of luxury retailers in an era of e-commerce, it won’t be easy

“We’ve done enough leasing in the last 10 or 20 years to know that if the nice, fancy retailer leaves, you’re not going to have one right behind it,” said Jonathan Walker, senior commercial sales and leasing executive at Maestri-Murrell. “There’s just not a ton of high-end retailers that are calling us right now saying, ‘Hey, we need space in your market.’”

Saks Fifth Avenue currently occupies nearly 30% of the retail portion of the mixed-use Canal Place development, which also includes a hotel and office tower under separate ownership. The Shops at Canal Place, the retail portion of the development, is currently 90% leased.

Saks’ departure will leave the mall with two, vacant multistory storefronts and a vacancy rate of nearly 30%. In November 2025, Anthropologie moved out of its spot at the corner of North Peters and Iberville streets and opened a new store at Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie.

Peter Bergner, managing director of development for the mall’s owner New York-based O’Connor Capital Partners, said he does not expect the Saks closure to trigger additional departures.

“The tenants in the mall do very well,” Bergner said. “We’ve spoken to all of them, and no one intends to close.”

Once Saks shuts its doors for good, Bergner said management will renovate or reconfigure the space before a new tenant moves in. He couldn’t say how long the space will remain empty

“It depends upon work that the new tenant — or tenants need to get done,” Bergner said. “It’s our goal to have somebody in there as quickly as possible.” Bergner declined to say how many possible

Jefferson Parish crime hits another record low in 2025

Level lowest since statistics started being compiled

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Serious crime in unincor-

porated Jefferson Parish

dropped 10% in 2025, marking the lowest level since the department began compiling such statistics in the 1970s.

It is the sixth time since 2010 that the crime rate’s decrease has set a record,

according to data from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office.

“Again, another record low, which has been phenomenal,” Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joseph Lopinto said Friday

The downward trend matches declines reported in neighboring Orleans Parish and across the country

Lopinto attributed the decreases to the deputies and investigators in his department and technology improvements that allow them to promptly catch criminals.

“The cases are better The

criminals are jailed quickly, and then they don’t have the opportunity to reoffend,” he said. The statistics from the Sheriff’s Office do not include the municipalities of Kenner Gretna, Harahan, Westwego, Jean Lafitte and Grand Isle.

The department reported decreases in six of the seven major categories of crime recorded by the FBI. The only uptick in 2025 was in homicides, according to Lopinto.

There were 21 homicides last year when compared

with 19 in 2024. Despite the 10% increase, Lopinto noted it was below the 35 homicides the department has averaged over the past 15 years.

“We had a number of domestic homicides last year,” Lopinto said.

On Thanksgiving Day, Darius Guerin was booked with fatally shooting his brother St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Shaquille Guerin, 35, in Waggaman. Two months earlier, Carmella Battiste was

Friday, Willman argued that the property shouldn’t be closed because it houses elderly and disabled people, which HANO’s previous leadership failed to tell HUD. Willman said she is hopeful after speaking with HUD leaders that her request will be approved.

“I think they understood (our concerns) and I do think we have a good chance to be exempt,” said Willman.

Willman said HUD officials told her this month that their push to shutter Guste is in line with other plans affecting 42 other U.S. public housing authorities. All of it comes as President Donald Trump’s administration has vowed to shrink the country’s already diminished stock of traditional public housing.

A spokesperson for HUD did not respond to a request for comment.

Residents respond Willman and Wiggins, the resident property manager chief, agree on the need to keep Guste open, but disagree on how the property got to this point. Though Wiggins pointed to a slew of repairs at Guste, she at the same time blamed any issues with the property on HANO’s leadership. She said the authority has taken

CANAL

tenants have expressed interest in the Saks space or how much revenue the store generated, though he noted that the company’s financial distress was evident long before it filed for bankruptcy protection.

“We were totally cognizant that they were having financial problems, he said.

Another lone anchor?

When Saks Fifth Avenue made its New Orleans debut in 1983, the Canal Street retail landscape included more than half a dozen luxury department stores. In the wake of Katrina, it was the sole downtown department store to reopen, rebuilding after suffering an estimated $20 million of damage in a fire. Today, several former luxury retailers on Canal have been converted to condos or hotels. And, nationally, only a handful of department store chains are still in business. As online shopping has reshaped retail patterns in recent years, many mall owners have leaned into more experiential concepts like fitness centers, medical clinics or entertainment venues to fill holes left by departing anchor tenants. These days, discount stores like Burlington and Five Below are the main clothing stores leasing large vacant spaces, which is one of the biggest challenges Canal Place will face, Walker said

“Let’s be honest, trends change. You can’t expect (Saks), just because they were an awesome retailer in the ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, to be there forever,” he said. “This is real estate, it’s ever-changing, so the fact that they were there for that long is pretty amazing.”

Though Canal Place owners have vowed to move fast to replace the store, Kirsten Early, director of retail with SRSA Commercial Real Estate, said that, realistically, it will take time. “The goal will be to secure the right tenant, one that drives traffic and enhances the overall shopping environment,” she said. “Before that happens, the space needs to be vacated and properly marketed.”

“An 18-month timeline would not be unusual for a transaction of this scale,” she added.

Another consideration is whether to keep the space with three stories of enclosed retail space connected by escalators or to

a piecemeal approach to repairing things over the years.

“Our hands are tied because we don’t have control of the capital dollars,” said Wiggins.

Wilbert Washington, 77, an 11-year Guste resident, said that maintenance at the building is inconsistent.

“Some things get done, some things don’t get done,” Washington said. “The whole building needs to really be cleaned.”

But at the same time, Washington said he worried that it would be difficult to find another place to live with a voucher.

“It’s going to be kind of hard because a lot of places don’t want to take your voucher,” he said.

Tousant praised the staff at Guste and said that the building is well-maintained. Tousant said she worried that if residents are given vouchers, they would be forced into fur-

ther afield neighborhoods that are less connected to services.

“A lot of us are disabled and don’t have anybody to help,” Tousant said.

Wiggins also said that Guste residents need to be involved in decision-making about the future of the building, noting that Willman did not consult Guste leadership before sending an initial response to HUD or meeting with HUD officials on earlier this month.

Willman said Thursday that she “followed the protocol that was dictated by HUD” and that she wanted to get a “clear understanding” of the process “before we start talking about what’s going to happen.”

“I can promise you every stakeholder will have an opportunity to sit at the table,” said Willman.

Email Sophie Kasakove at sophie.kasakove@ theadvocate.com.

subdivide it and lease it to multiple tenants

“It’s more likely that a single, strong retail user backfills the location,” Early said, noting that it may make sense to find a complementary use for the third-floor space, currently the site of the Saks menswear and shoe department.

But should the perfect tenant appear, mall management could decide it’s worth the cost to subdivide the space and lease it out separately

“If they need one story, you’ll find a way to make it work. If they need two,

if they just want to be on top, you’ll make it work,” Walker said. Bergner said subdivision of the Saks space was possible, though not inevitable. Canal Street

While the Saks departure is a blow to Canal Street, the lower end of the thoroughfare — and its surrounding neighborhood has seen billions of dollars in new investments in recent years. Projects include a $435 million transformation of Caesars New Orleans that included a new casino hotel, improvements

to the Port of New Orleans’ cruise ship terminal, now the nation’s sixth largest, and plans by the Audubon Nature Institute to connect Goldring Woldenberg Park, which begins at the foot of Canal next to the Audubon Aquarium, to a new downriver park at the Gov Nicholls Street and Esplanade Avenue wharves.

Also nearby is the Four Seasons luxury hotel and condominiums, which opened in 2021. And a new initiative, Celebrate Canal!, led by civic leader Sandra Herman, is focused on how

arrested after authorities say she used an SUV to hit and fatally injure her husband, 68-year-old Sebastian King, on a West Bank back road.

Among the victims last year were three children allegedly killed by a parent, including 3-year-old Josiah Winzy Sheriff’s Office detectives allege his mother Alexis Welsh, 32, smothered the toddler in their Harvey home.

Drone response

The Sheriff’s Office saw double-digit declines in rape, robbery, burglary and auto theft. Assaults were down 10% and thefts were down 7%. Of the 7,150 serious crimes reported in 2025, Lopinto said that 5,235 of them were thefts.

“If we’re going to effect further change, we’ve got to get those numbers down,” he said.

Sheriff’s Office officials said they believe they’re already on their way to reducing that number In November, the department deployed a fleet of 19 first-responder drones around the parish.

The drones quickly respond to 911 calls, giving officers critical information before deputies arrive, including suspect descriptions and even hiding places.

Just this week, Lopinto said a drone helped deputies collar six people accused of stealing $3,400 worth of merchandise from the Lululemon store in Lakeside Shopping Center On Wednesday, store employees dialed 911 after shoplifters fled the store with items they hadn’t paid for, Lopinto said.

Responding deputies began following a blue Nissan Altima that the suspects were seen entering. Concerned deputies called off the case when the car blew through red lights on busy Veterans Boulevard, according to authorities.

But a first-responder drone hovering high in the air continued to follow the vehicle to a residence in the 3400 block of Lime Street in Metairie. Deputies later executed search warrants and arrested six subjects, including three juveniles, according to authorities.

to revitalize vacant storefronts along the avenue. Herman and several downtown business leaders did not respond to requests seeking comment about what the Saks closure means for Canal Street or what might come next.

Seth Knudsen, CEO of the Downtown Development District, said the Adler’s and Palace Cafe closures are unrelated to Saks’ decision, which is the result of a corporate bankruptcy

“Overall on Canal Street, the occupancy is pretty high and pretty stable,” Knudsen said. “The spaces that are vacant, we generally know the reasons, and it’s not that there’s a consensus that it’s not possible to have a successful business on Canal Street.”

Email Jonah Meadows at Jonah.Meadows@ theadvocate.com.

Maliah Horton, 17, Barren Dyer, 20, and Gekiara Connor, 19, were booked on several charges, including possession of stolen property, theft and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile, according to arrest reports.

“This technology really helps us to catch criminals and get better information for follow-up investigations,” Lopinto said. “When we do our job catching them, then we prevent many more crimes from happening.”

Novak, Timothy

Olano, Darlene

Sappington, Bobby Cassanova,John Shuler,Stanton ClarkJr.,Harold Simpson,Audrey Diermann Jr., Charles WalshSr.,Robert Dolley,MaryAnn Ward,Paul EverySr.,Cornell

with others and grow in his own beliefs.

More than any title he held,Johnny willberemembered forhis warmth, wisdom, and humor. His legacy livesoninthe laughter he inspired, the guidance he offered,and thegratitude he modeled everyday

Aheartfeltthank youis extended to Johnny's caregivers who have been devotedtohim and ourfamily:Becky, Paul, Quan, Harriet H., and KJ.

memorialsmay besentto Holy CrossHigh School NewOrleans,the St.Louis Cathedral,orCatholic CommunityFoundation. To view andsignthe online guestbook, visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m.

Majestic Mortuary Hare,Jean LenoirSr.,Johnny Dolley, MaryAnn Amato

Hosch, Gordon

Holmes Sr., Willie St Tammany

Jacobsen,Anne Audubon

Kelly, Stephanie Powell, Joseph La Nasa,Willie West Bank

LeBlanc, Victoria

LenoirSr.,Johnny

DavisMortuary

Lowrie Jr., Robert EverySr.,Cornell Mothe McCarron, Katherine Moore, Donna LeBlanc, Victoria Morse, Marsha West Leitz-Eagan Novak, Timothy

Rappold, Dennis

Rohm,Gloria

Sappington, Bobby

Sayre, Donald

Shuler,Stanton

Simpson,Audrey

Strong III, Robert Sutton, Joseph Tierney, Bridget WalshSr.,Robert Ward,Paul

ZarJr.,Steven EJefferson Garden of Memories

McCarron, Katherine

Leitz-Eagan

Hosch, Gordon

Jacobsen,Anne

Kelly, Stephanie

Sayre, Donald NewOrleans

Charbonnet

Moore, Donna

DW Rhodes

Holmes Sr., Willie Greenwood

Rohm,Gloria

JacobSchoen

Tierney, Bridget

Lake Lawn Metairie

Cassanova,John

ClarkJr.,Harold

Diermann Jr., Charles

Hare,Jean

La Nasa,Willie

Morse, Marsha

The familyinvites youto join them in honoring Johnny's memory at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. NewOrleans, LA 70124 on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, between 11 am and 2pm. In lieu of flowers,pleaseshare a memory or ajoke in Johnny's honor To view and sign the family online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawn metairie.com.

ZarJr.,Steven ClarkJr., HaroldStratford

Obituaries

John DavidCassanova, lovingly known as Johnny, passed awayonFebruary 13, 2026, at theage of 80. Johnny was bornon October 14, 1945,inNew Orleans,Louisiana to the late Oswald Anthony Cassanova,Sr. and Roberta McCabery Cassanova. He was the loving husband of Pamela Landry Cassanova for57 years, and adevoted fathertoAmy Cassanova Tabak (Jonathan), Regina Cassanova-Dupart (Jheri), and Jeanne Cassanova Rachuba (Reggie). He was aproud and loving grandfathertoJacob, Charlie, and Harriet, who brought him immeasurable joy.

Johnny graduatedfrom Fortier High Schoolbefore continuing his studiesat LSUNO,where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. He went on to receive hisJuris DoctorfromTulane Law School, amilestone that marked the beginning of a distinguishedlegal career. For more than 50 years, he practiced as asolepractitioner,earning respect for his intellect, dedication, and the compassion he showed everyclient.

Prior to receiving his college degrees, Johnny proudly served in the U.S. Army as aMedical Corpsmanand was honorably discharged. Histime in the service wasa source of deeppride and provided him with the structure and direction that shaped the rest of his life,helpinghim pursue and achievethe goals that followed.

Alifelonglearner and adventureratheart,he earned his private pilot's license, areflectionofhis curiosity, discipline, and confidence.Hewas an avid chess player, relished tellingjokes, and found joy in conversations and companionship. His sense of humorand perspective on life enabledhim to connect

Harold Stratford Clark, Jr. passedaway peacefully on February 17, 2026. He was 80 years old, ahusband, father, and grandfather Harold'sparents, Rosina and Harold, Sr.,preceded himindeath, as didhis sister, Rosalene Sanzone,and his three"doggies," Samurai, Monroe,and Stellar.

His loving, devoted wife, Agnes Loria Clark, survives him, as do his children, AngelaBeard and Matthew Clark,their spouses, Jason Beard and Kristen Clark, his grandchildren, Viviana and LillaBeard,Florence and Francesco Clark, and his Godchild, Mia Jacomine.

Harold grew up in New Orleans. He was bornon May 27, 1945, theson of a WorldWar II Marine and feisty, lovable ItalianAmerican mother from BelleChasse. Soon, he'd havea little sister, who was lovably spiritedtoo. The family traveled and had fun together. EdgewaterGulf was oneof their favoritedestinations. Youmay haveheard of some of thesilly times Rosalene and Harold enjoyed togetherormaybe youwere there with them.

To knowHaroldisto knowhis passionatefaith, hisdevotion to Catholicism, and his lifelong connectiontoeducation. He servedthe Church as aeucharistic minister and lector at St. Raphael and Our LadyofGuadalupe parishes,and throughhis membership in theKnights of Columbus. In the1980s, theArchdioceseofNew Orleans recognized him withthe Order of St Louis Medallion, which is the highest honorbestowed by theArchdioceseofNew Orleans on laypeople. It recognizes outstanding servicetoone's parish.

He had an insatiable appetite forlearning. He studied theology, mathematics, counseling, languages,and thearts. St Raphael,Cor Jesu, William

Carey College,and Loyola University graduated him. He held master's degrees in theologyand counseling In his unique style, he synthesizedthose loves with hopefor deeper understandings of thefundamentals of life.Heheaded theLiturgy Committeeat Holy Cross High School in theNinth Ward,where he taught from themiddle1980s into theaughts. We think it fairtoconclude that he rightly enjoyed his reputationfor being a cherished teacher,and maybe atouch eccentric. He lovedmusic, played thedrums, guitar, and sang.Heloved listening to (and sometimes to thediscomfort of his wife and children, mimicking)Elvis and1960s rock nroll. His childhoodbandallowed him to meetDr. John, who then went by Mac. He even acted in afew plays television shows, and commercials. If youasked Dad, an episode of Walker Texas Ranger,starring Chuck Norris, definitely ranked at thetop of Dad's list of acting credentials. Among theartsheloved most were themartialarts. He studied and competed in kickboxing and Shotokan Karate.He foundedthe KarateClub at HolyCross and took the club to compete in tournamentsacross thecountry He and histeam didquite well over years. One of his star pupils, Devin Fadaol, went on to compete successfullyacross theworld Harold held memberships in theLouisiana and Japan karateassociations. Harold is deeply missed by his family,friends, former students, teachershe mentored,and most likely also by thehungry neighborhoodanimals who lookedtohim forsnacks. Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend the Funeral Mass at OurLady of Guadalupe Church and International Shrine of St. Jude, 411 N. RampartSt. in NewOrleans, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:30AM.A visitation will be held at thechurch beginning at 9:30AM. The interment willfollow the Mass at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum.

To view and sign theonline guest book, please visit LakeLawnMetairie.com

Diermann Jr., Charles Robert

Charles Robert "Charlie" Diermann, Jr., died surrounded by his loving family on Feb.16atthe ageof 85. Charlieissurvivedby his devotedwife of 63 years, Susan "Susie" ArdoinDiermann; his four children, Denise Diermann Galloway (Bill), Donna Diermann Soper(Will), Dawn Diermann Treigle, and Charles Robert Diermann III(Amy); eight grandchildren, Austin Clay Soper(Emily), Tristan Killgore Diermann (O'Brien), Corey Scott Soper, Lucy Claire Galloway, JacobCharles Treigle,CharlotteAnne Galloway,

Richardson, andHarry MillsTreigle;two greatgranddaughters, Anna Claire Soperand Chloe MaeSoper;and many nieces andnephews. He wasprecededin death by hisparents, CharlesRobertDiermann, Sr andMary Borman Diermann;and twosisters, Gloria Holmes Cusimano andCharleeneDiermann Serio. ANew Orleanian all of hislife, Charliewas born on July 4, 1940. He went to Annunciation Grammar School wherehewas an altar server andnamed "Ideal Boy" in 8th grade. He received afullacademic scholarship to Holy CrossHigh School and graduatedin1958. He then attendedLouisiana State University NewOrleans (LSUNO), before embarking upon a40-year career in theshipping industry. For many years, he waspresidentofTMT Shipping& Chartering at theformer WorldTrade Center in New Orleans, apositionthat providedCharlieand Susie the opportunity to travel with colleaguesand friends. During his professional life, he served on theboardofdirectors of theWorld Trade Clubof Greater NewOrleans,and he held memberships with theNew Orleans Board of Trade, International House and thePlimsoll Club. He wasalso amember of the Sonsofthe American Revolution genealogical society.

Charliewas alifelong Catholic, marrying hissenior prom dateand the love of hislife, Susie, at St JamesMajor Church on Aug. 18, 1962. Their wedding took place onemonth after Susie'sfather passed away, andthe couple soon welcomedher motherinto theirhome. Charlieand Susie raisedtheir children in St.Andrewthe Apostle Parish,where thefamily wasactive formanyyears. In retirement,Charliecontinued to honor hisfaithby serving on theboardof Catholic Community Foundation andvolunteeringatthe St.Louis Cathedral andthe Old Ursuline Convent Charlieloved hisnative NewOrleans and relished everyopportunity to share the city'sunique culture andcuisine withfamily, friends andbusiness associates. For the last 10 years, he enjoyeda Wednesday nightritual with dear friends andHoly Crossclassmates at Ye OldeCollegeInn Charliehad aterrific sense of humor and a thousand watt smilethat charmed friends and strangers alike.Hewas a hobbyist carpenter;he couldfix anything; and he wasa fabulouscook—all qualitieshis familyand friends duly appreciated He wasalso aloyal fan of theHoly CrossTigers, the LSUTigers, theNew OrleansSaintsand,more recently, each of theuniversitieshis grandchildren attended. Most of all,Charlie was agenerousman,kindand loving to his family, and considerate andhelpful to anyone he encountered. He also hadmanynicknames, butthe onehewas most proudofwas Pops. Throughouthis life,his greatest passion washis wife, hischildrenand his grandchildrenand being presentfor andsupportive of theireverypursuit.

Afuneral mass willbe held on Friday, Feb. 27, at St.Catherine of Siena Catholic Church,105 Bonnabel Blvd., Metairie, LA, 70005, at 1:30 p.m.,precededbyvisitation at 12:30 p.m. at the church In lieu of flowers,

Mary Ann(Amato) Dolley passedawaypeacefully surroundedbyher familyonFebruary 16, 2026.

Mary Ann was born in NewOrleans in 1928 and moved to Southern California in theearly 1960's. ShemarriedRobert C. Dolley in 1970. Sheissurvived by six sonsand theirspouses; Dock (Debbie), David (Nancy), William (Ginger) Robert (Julia), Thomas (Anne-Claire)and Darryl (Tamara), manygrandchildren andgreat grandchildren,her brotherAnthony Amato, hersister Grace (Amato) Kuhne,her sisterin-law Lynda (Dolley) Ward. Sheisprecededinpassingbyher husband, Robert C. Dolley, herbrother HenryAmatoand her grandson, Ryan Kimberly. Afuneral service willbe held from10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on 2026-02-28 at Fairhaven Memorial Park, 1702 FairhavenAvenue.

CornellEvery,Sr. de‐partedthislifeatWestJef‐fersonMedical Center on Tuesday,February3,2026 atthe ageof67. He wasa nativeand resident of Mar‐rero, LA.Cornell wasa 1976 graduateofWestJefferson HighSchool.Hewas are‐tired Longshoreman/ Handyman. Loving father ofCornell Martin,Jr. Grandfather of thelate Cornell AnthonyMartinIII. Devoted sonofSelenaH Every andthe late Adam Every,Jr. Grandson of the lateAdam, Sr.and Amy Every,Eddie, Sr.and Ce‐celia Harris.Beloved brother of Adam (Lana) Every III, LeoEvery,Sr., ThelmaHunter, Maxine Every,and thelateLeroy Every,Sr.,ErnestEvery,Sr., Royal AceEvery,LoisE Slyve,ElaineEvery,Louise Every,Corrine Charles, and Shirley Matthews. Cornell isalsosurvivedbya host ofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Davis MortuaryService,6820 WestbankExpressway, Marrero,LAonMonday, February23, 2026, at 10:00a.m. Visitation will begin at 8:30a.m. untilser‐vice time at theparlor. In‐

4B ✦ Sunday,February22,2026 ✦ nola.com ✦ TheTimes-Picayune terment: Restlawn Park Cemetery-Avondale,LA. To viewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com.

Hare, Jean Aswad

Jean Aswad Hare, 90, passed away peacefully on February17, 2026. Jean wasa proud graduate of St. Mary's Dominican High School and Loyola University of New Orleans. She furthered her education with additional certification classes at DominicanCollege, reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning.Jean devoted her life to education as an elementary school teacher. She taught at St. Angela Merici School, where she received a25year service award. Her classroom was always a welcoming place every student knew they could stop by for apeppermint from the basket she kept on her desk.A devoted parishioner of St. Angela Merici Church for more than 50 years, Jean served for many years as aliturgical reader. She was alsoa former member and past president of SALA, the St. Angela Ladies Auxiliary. Jean was an active member of the Jefferson Chorale, an affiliate of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society, where she cherishedweekly rehearsals and the camaraderieoffellow members. An avid reader throughout her life, she found joy in books, music, chocolate, and most of all her family. She deeply loved her children and grandchildren. Sheis survived by her daughters, Lori Hare Noble (Charles Noble, Sr.), Beckie Hare Daniel (Jeffrey Daniel), and Nancy Hare Lavie (David Lavie); her son, William Hare II (Ramsey Schmitz Hare); and her grandchildren, Amanda Noble, Kathryn Noble, Charles Noble, Jack Gab, Fletcher Lavie, Remy Lavie, and OliviaLavie. She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Dr William Hare; her parents, Kalil Basile Aswadand Pepilia Schexnaydre Aswad; and her brothers, Alan Aswad (Marjorie), Kay B. Aswad (Carol), and Roland Aswad (Doris). Services will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans on Saturday, February 28, 2026 with visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery. As a devoted teacher and proud alumna of St. Mary's Dominican High School, education remained dear to Jean's heart. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Jean's memory to St. Mary's Dominican High School.

Willie HenryHolmes, Sr affectionately knownas Snipe” and“Champ”,to his family, friends, andfor‐mer riverfront co-workers Hewas oneofeight chil‐dren, born on August 5, 1935, in Natchez, MS,tothe lateFrank Holmes and Clara Dunbar Freeman. He was atruecountry boyand loved telling thesamesto‐riesoverand over again about hisupbringingin Natchez.For thosewho knewhim very well, these stories neverchanged and willforever be embedded inour memories!Manydid not know that Willie wasa songwriterand recorded several love songsbackin the 1960's. He lovedto paint scenerylikethe fa‐mouspainter,Bob Ross (with theiconicAfro).He baked beautifulcakes madejewelry--rings outof nut bolts, belt buckleswith coins, leatherlaced wal‐

lets,and money clips. He alsoloved to shoot pool fish,playhis piano, har‐monica, andguitar. At 90 years old, he wassoproud ofthe factthathewas never on anyprescription medications.Hetook great careofhimself,was al‐waysneat, clean, smelled good andworewellstarchedclothes.Heeven operated on himselfat times yes, operated, which also included stitches! He exercised often,loved workinginthe yard, cuttingdowntrees, and wasstill mowing the lawn. He wasableto fix anything--hewas indeed a jackofall trades!Funny fact: Over thedecades,he celebratedthree different birthdates--August3rd,Au‐gust5th,and August 10th. After HurricaneKatrina,he found that histruebirth‐day wasAugust5th!So confusing,thatmanyfam‐ily memberscould notre‐memberhis birthday!He relocated from Natchez to New Orleansinthe 1950's atage 15. He wasa long‐timeemployeeofthe New Orleans Employers- Inter‐nationalLongshoremen’s Association andworkedas a Longshoreman on the riverfrontfrom1961 until his retirement in 1997. He was unitedinholymatri‐monytoNevadaMcKnight, and they hadbeenmarried for 65 years. He and Nevadaresided in NewOr‐leans forwellover70 years.In2019, they gave up everythingtheyknewand had,demonstrating uncon‐ditional, brave, andselfless lovebyrelocatingtoCony‐ers,GA, forthe sole pur‐poseofcaringfor theirail‐ing twin daughter,Rhonda. Hedepartedthislifeon Wednesday,January 7, 2026, at home in Conyers, GA. He wasprecededin death by hisparents and his stepson, MichaelOshay McKnight. He wasthe last surviving childofeight sib‐lings:two sisters, Eliza Mondora” Dunbar John‐son andEloise“Mymee” HolmesHarris; five broth‐ers,Walter“Polk”Sanders, Clay“Dudda” Wilkins Grant “Nuug” Dunbar,Jr., LeviDunbar; andJames “Mud” Wilkins.Those left tocelebrate hislifeand cherish hismemoriesare his belovedwife, Nevada McKnightHolmes, Conyers, GA; threechildren: ason, Willie HenryHolmes, Jr (Gwendolen) Columbus, GA; twin daughters, RhondaHolmesJayroe(the lateJohnHenry)Conyers GAand Charleston,SC; Wanda Holmes Nunn (Ersk‐ine,Jr.), Apopka,FL; four grandchildren:WillieHenry Holmes, III, Columbus,GA; BiancaHolmesThomas, Columbus, GA;Tyson McK‐night,Fairburn, GA;Erskine Nunn, III, Apopka,FL; and AshleyNunn Scoltock-Gar‐cia,Apopka, FL; five great grandchildren:Rylie Holmes, NevaehThomas, MaverickThomas, Nadia Williams,Aidan Williams and IvyScoltock-Garcia; two very specialnieces: VeraSmoot,Natchez,MS and Thelma MontgomeryDaniels,Natchez,MS; a veryspecial greatniece, NicoleBlackwell,Snellville, GA; daughters-in-law,a hostoflovingnieces, nephews,great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and otherrelatives and friends.His Memorial Ser‐vicewillbeheldatD.W RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAvenue on Sat‐urday,February28, 2026, at 2:00pm. ThememorialSer‐vicewillbelivestreamed byvisitingwww.facebook com/D.W.RhodesFuneralHo me/live .Visitationwill begin at 1:00 pm.Please visit www.rhodesfuneral. com to sharecondolences and sign theguestbook

Gordon A.

Gordon Hosch, born on August 5, 1941,closed out his TaccountsonFebruary 11, 2026, and went home. He was abeloved husband father,and grandfather. He is survivedbyhis wife, Katherine (Kathy) LeDoux Hosch of 61 years, his daughterPaigeHosch Heurtin and her husband Fred of Atlanta, GA; his sons,the late Keith Hosch of Metairie, LA, and Kyle Hosch and hiswife Christine, of Vienna,VA. He is also survivedbyhis grandchildren, Alex and Kate Hosch, and the late baby Angus Frederick Heurtin; his brotherGlenn Hosch and his wife, Karen of Poplarville,MS; his sister-in-law, Anna White of Groves, TX;and numerous nieces and nephews. He

was preceded in deathby his parents, Adolph Gordon Hoschand Vera Thomas Hosch. Gordonwas anative of NewOrleans and a resident of Metairie. He graduated from Alcee Fortier High School in New Orleans. Gordon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting fromLSUNO (now UNO), aMaster of Business Administration fromthe Universityof Arkansas, and aPh.D. in Accounting fromLouisiana StateUniversity. He was on theaccounting faculty at theUniversity of New Orleans for46years. While on the faculty at UNO, Gordonwas theChairman of theDepartment of Accounting,the Coordinator of Graduate Programs in Accounting and an Assistant Deanin theCollege of Business. Upon retirement,hewas a ProfessorEmeritus of Accounting.Gordonwas a CPAinLouisiana (ret.)and received aLifetime Membership/Service Award fromthe Society of Louisiana CPAs andthe American Instituteof CPAs, and he was the CollegeofBusiness Alumnus of theYearin 1983. He received numerous teaching and service awards whileonthe faculty at UNO. In addition, Gordonwas theKPMG ProfessorofAccounting He was amember of Phi KappaPhi,BetaAlpha Psi, DeltaSigma Pi,and the Accounting Association. During his tenure at UNO, he co-authored six editions of agovernmental accounting textbookand several chaptersingovernmental handbooks. Gordon was also amember of Dawn Busters Kiwanis. He was devotedtohis wife, children, grandchildren, son-in-law,and daughterin-law.Gordon willbe greatlymissedbyall Visitation willbeheldon Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home,4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd Metairie,LA, from10:00 am -11:00 am, followedbya Prayer Service.Inurnment will immediatelyfollowat GreenwoodCemetery, 5190 CanalBlvd.,New Orleans, LA.Inlieuofflowers, the family wouldprefer acontributiontothe Department of Accounting CollegeofBusiness, University of NewOrleans, NewOrleans, LA 70148 for ascholarship in the Department of Accounting at UNO.

Jacobsen,AnneBelle Law

Anne BelleLaw

Jacobsen, an original resident of ElmwoodPark Subdivision in Metairie Louisiana died peacefully at home on Sunday, February 1, 2026. Anne was born on April 27, 1930 in NewYork City. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 55 years, Robert G. "Bob" Jacobsen in 2005, her parents, Harry Law and Kathryn Hallock Law, and hersister, Elva Doris Law Casson. She is survivedbyher loving children Robert W. Jacobsen and Elaine K. Jacobsen, her daughter-inlaw, Vicky L. Jacobsen, two grandchildren, Devin R. Jacobsen and Katherine A. Jacobsen, and Devin's wife, Hailey R. Jacobsen. Anne grew up in Queens, NewYork and graduated fromJulia Richman, an all-girlspublic highschoolinManhattan where she especiallyliked water activities. "Outlaw Annie" was an avid "Bobby Soxer" and popular music fan, highlighted by seeing Frank Sinatra at the Paramount.She worked brieflyasa WallStreet receptionist (known affectionatelyas"Miss Information") before marrying Bob in 1949 and joining him for abig changeof scenery to Golden, Colorado. She and Bob treasured outdoor activities during theirearlymarriageyears in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming,and Montana, as well as socializing at Naval facility Officer Clubs when Bobwas fulfillinghis reservepilotduties. She livedand worked in the Bay and southern areas of California whileBob served in Korea. After Bob was transferred by Mobil OiltoNew Orleans in 1963,

she relishedlocal dining experiences and participating in NewOrleans Geological Society Auxiliaryactivities. She took pleasure in frequent visits to BissonetManed Downs Country Club, whereshe likedcooling off in thepool and weekly square dancing with Bob. Anne was a60-plus year member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Metairie and served for many decadesonthe altar guildasthe expert forthe toughest linenstains. She took satisfaction in needleworkcrafts, and delighted in baking, especiallywhile listening to classictunes on theradio.She was known by generationsof neighborsasthe "Cookie Lady."

The family expresses deep gratitude forthe many doctors and nurses at JeffCare mental health center for supporting Anne over thecourse of six decades, and for her oncologis, JayneGurtler and her staff for their decade-plus of expert care. With their help, Anne and her family experienced countless joys together. Anne's son daughter-in-law, and grandchildrenwould also like to thank Elaine for her exceptional dedicationas Anne's caregiver.

Adatefor hermemorial servicehas notbeenset. In lieu of flowers,the family encourages donations to acharity of your choice.

The family invitesyou to share your thoughts,fond memories,and condolences online at www.leitz eaganfuneralhome.com.

It is with overwhelming sadness that we announce thepassing of Stephanie Laborde Kelly. Her bright light was called home to be with our Lord on Sunday, February 15, 2026, whilesurrounded by her family and lovedones. She was born in NewOrleans, Louisiana in 1954 to Pearl K. Hagler and Lester H. Hagler. She waspreceded in death by her parents, her sister, Suzanne Zabalaouiand her brother, Barry Hagler.Stephanie had ahuge heart and contagioussmile. She loved her dogs and her family fiercely. She enjoyed volleyball, basketball and even bowled a300 game. She willbedeeply missed by her daughter, Lynn Laborde, her son, Wayne Laborde Jr,her stepson, ChetKelly,her granddaughter,Isabella Friedrichs and her greatgrandsonCJNauck Services willbeheldat Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Metairie, Louisiana on Monday, March 2, 2026. Visitation willbefrom 11:00 am -1:00 pm with a servicetofollow. Fond memories or condolences may be shared at www.leitzeaganfuneralho me.com.

Willie Mae HundleyLa Nasa, 88, passedaway peacefully on January29, 2026, with her 3sons at her bedside.Willie was born in Kosciusko, Mississippion January23, 1938, to Joseph Floyd Hundley and Willie Myrtle Allen. She was preceded in deathbyher husband of 59 years, August JosephLaNasa, her parentsand brother,Ray DoyleAllen, and granddaughter, Vickie Lynn LaCombe, and is survived by her three sons, Robert Jeffrey La Combe,Alfred John La Nasa, and Philip JosephLaNasa (m. Rachel), and grandchildren,Lucy,Jake, and Nina. Willie was agraduateof

WarrenEaston High School, class of 1955. She workedfor SouthCentral Bell andthenasa secretaryatthe Jones Walker law firmbeforemarrying Augie in 1965. Shebecame afull-time wife, mother, andhomemaker but still hadtimeinthe early 1970's to draw plans, contract, anddecorate the5,000 square foot familyhome

For the vast portion of Willie's life, she lovedto gardenand make floral arrangements (winning many blue ribbons),entertain, cook (winning contests), travel, andmake jewelry. Willie wasthe life of theparty andthrew the best parties for herfamily, friends for theirspecial occasions, and themany clubsthatshe belongedto. Willie wasfun,creative, colorful,fulloflife, loving caring, generous, compassionate, self-less, talented, andhad atrueservant's heart.

After Augie, hersons, and grandchildren, Willie's greatest joyinlifewas givingofher time and talents by volunteering for many charities andorganizations. Hertop threewere: Ronald McDonald House/Children'sOncology ServicesofLouisiana Willie wasa member of the searchgroup for aHome Away FromHome for temporary housingfacilities for familiesofcancerpatients. Shewas instrumental in acquiringthe original houseonCanal Street that furnishedsupport for families andchairedthe sale of ticketsfor theatrical presentationsfor four years to raise money for the House Sheservedonthe Board of Directorssince itsinception andonfundraising andpublicrelations committeesand wasPresident from 1983-85.

Louisiana Garden Club Federation Willie wasa Life member; Prayer Request chairman 2011-13; Vendor chairman for five of thestateconventions; chairman of aproject "Greenthe Coast" sponsored by NationalGarden Clubs, Inc.,and served as chairman of thededication in CityParkofthatproject in 2010. Shewas amember of theState Convention committeeheld in JeffersonParish in April 2013.

The Friends of CityPark From 1987-2014, Willie was asupporterofthe children's programduring Christmas in theOaks and purchasing ornamentsfor thechildren. Shewas a volunteeratChristmas in theOaks until2014. Also Willie wasa member of the Popp Society, which was. formed to restorethe Popp Fountain, anda memberof thecommittee "Popp for a Brick," afundraiserselling bricks to pavethe way. Willie was amember of theNational Garden Clubs/ NationalCouncil Of State Garden Clubs, Inc. Anyone whoknewWillie andher creativity would notbe surprisedthatshe wonits poetry contest (with over 800 poems submitted across America) in 1994 with herpoem "Wildflower, Oh Wildflower".In2002, Willie designeda Christmas Tree Ornamentthatwas presented to NationalGarden Clubs, Inc.,and wasplaced on theirtreein Washington, D.C. Shewas acharter member of The Pirate's AlleyFaulkner Societyfrom1991 to 2014, served on itsadvisory council, and wasa memberofthe first fundraising gala, "HappyBirthday, Mr. Faulkner". Willie hadnatural organizational and leadership skills. If she became involved in an organization, shesoon was leading a committeeorserving as an officer. She wasPresident of: NewOrleans Garden Society(1970-71); New OrleansWoman's Club (1976-78) (also philanthropicchairman (1972-73), Programchairman (197576), Tourchairman for the Tutankhamun exhibit at NOMA(1977), and served as chairman of the Education andService to theCommunity for several years); Ladies Leukemia League(1988-89) (also ChairmanofBlood Drive in Mobile Facility fortwo years. Life member.); GoodwillIndustries(198990); SocietyofLouisiana ArtistsinMetal(2003-06) (and editor of itspublication "TheSlammer"); Lake Forest Garden Club (200709); The Federated Council of NewOrleans Garden Clubs, for fiveyearsand past chairman of 15 of the 25 committees,servedas Chairmanofthe dedication of theNativePlant Garden in CityParkin2010, Chairmanofa BlueStar Memorial By-way Marker andthe flagpoleand American flag installation Director of "Sunken Gardensproject,Habitat forHumanity Landscaping project, and "Seeds of Service"inNew Orleans. In addition to these

Presidential roles, Willie served as Chairman for the:Gentilly Garden Club (also Register and Treasurer); Japanese Garden SocietyofNew Orleans(membership drive and sponsorship for thegarden in the New OrleansBotanical Garden); Spina Bifida Association (Chairman, Louisiana/ NationalFundraising Campaignand composed TheSpina Bifida Creed whichwas accepted by the NationalSpina Bifida Association); and theNew OrleansOpera Association (chairman of studentsubscriptionsales in (1976-77). Willie was on the Board of DirectorsofGrace HouseofNew Orleansand Lake Terrace Property OwnersAssociation.She also served on the Membership Committee of TheInstitute of Human Understanding;was aCub ScoutDen Mother during the1970's; served many years with thestudents at WorkersofMagnolia School (helpedestablish thegreenhousethatisstill growing); and wasa memberfor manyyearsofthe Volunteers of America and chaired manyoftheir fundraisers.

Willie gave of herselffor so many years, and didso humbly, with great love, andneversought recognition.Her efforts, though, didnot go unnoticed.Willie received manyawards, including:

Certificate of Appreciation with Keyto theCityfromMayorMoon Landrieufor hosting the U.S. Conference of Mayors in NewOrleans (1972); Boy Scouts of America "Recognitionfor Unselfish, DevotedLeadership (1976); written up as a leader in theOrleans Guide newspaper(1977); chosen Woman of theYearbythe Junior Membership of the NewOrleans Woman's Club for outstanding,unselfish endeavors for the communitywiththe mentally andphysicallyhandicapped, theaged, andfor hercivic andpolitical work (1979); Certificate of Merit for serving on theTurf Committee for theSugar BowlStadium; chosen Woman of theYearbythe Junior Membership of the NewOrleans Garden Society(1980); recognized with agavel andplaqueby theChildren'sOncology Service of Louisiana's Board of Directorsfor her unselfish work to the Ronald McDonald House (1985); Honorary Member of theNew Orleans Saints Wives; received aplaque/ gavel from Goodwill IndustriesVolunteer Service for unselfish dedication (1990); receivedthe Federated CouncilofNew OrleansGarden Club's "Woman of theYear Award"(1998); and was namedintothe Louisiana Garden Club Federation's "Circle of Roses" for outstanding leadership and work in the gardenclubs of Louisiana (2013). Shealso received: aCertification of Appreciation for OutstandingService from theLadies Leukemia League; aCertificate of Appreciation for co-chairingthe volunteers at Christmas in theOaks in CityPark(1989); the "Livingand Giving"award from theJuvenile Diabetes Foundation of Louisiana; theSt. Elizabeth's Guild CommunityActivist Award "City Stars"; and the award of "TenOutstanding Persons" from the Institute of Human Understanding Whilehappy to have been recognized for her work, Willie wasespecially honored to have received theNational Valley Forge Honor Certificate in recognition of an outstanding contributioninthe category of Individual Achievement(1986), anational award in recognition of an outstanding contributionwhich strengthens an understanding and appreciation of the rights and responsibilities of citizenship in afreesociety, and TheGreat Lady/Great Gentleman Award (2014), an award whose recipient is chosen by aSelection Committee composedof professional and business leaders in thecommunity andwhichhonorsand recognizes outstanding volunteer service by men and women in theGreater New Orleansarea. Willie also wasanactive member of so many other charitableand community organizations andheld numerouscommittee leadership positions -literallytoo many to list. Herfamily, andthe many whoselives she touchedand made better, will miss Willie andher livelyspirit andinfectious personalityand smile. AFuneral Mass will be celebrated at Lake Lawn MetairieFuneral Home on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12 PM.Visitation will be held from11AMuntilMass begins. Interment will be private. In lieu of

flowers, the familyasks that you make donations to the RonaldMcDonald House in her memory: RMHC of South Louisiana, Attn:GraceMcIntosh, 210 State Street, Building 4, New Orleans, LA 70118

LeBlanc, Victoria Richoux

Victoria Richoux LeBlanc passedawayon February14, 2026, sur‐rounded by herlovingfam‐ily at theage of 91. She was anativeofLarose, LA and aresidentofMarrero, LAfor thepast65years She wasthe belovedwife ofthe late Malcolm LeBlanc for57years.Lov‐ing mother of Heidi Leblanc andthe late Tim Leblanc.Grandmother of CoryBoudreaux,Jason Boudreaux,Jaime Boudreaux andBridget Faucheaux (Jason). Greatgrandmother of Curtis Ava,Ela,Marc, andHunter. Daughterofthe late Mr Edwin RichouxSr. andMrs VictoriaD.Richoux.Sister ofJeanJacob (Curtis), RonaldRichoux (Becky), the late JimmyRichoux (Dian), thelateEdwin Ri‐choux Jr thelateMae Knockart, thelateLeroy Ri‐choux,the late Herman Ri‐choux,the late Verna Schmidt, thelateJune Punch,and thelateLee Ri‐choux.Victoriawas a parishioner of Mary Help of ChristiansChurch,for‐merly knownasSt. Rosalie, inHarvey, LA formany years.She retiredfromJef‐fersonParishSchoolBoard in2000 after 30 yearsof employment. Shewas a lovingmotherwho loved being with herfamilyand cherished everymoment withher precious grand‐childrenand great-grand‐children. Friendsand fam‐ily areinvited to attend a funeralmassatMaryHelp ofChristiansCatholic Church, (Formally St.Ros‐alieCatholicChurch),600 SecondAve in Harvey,LA onWednesday,February 25, 2026,at1 p.m. Visitation willbegin at 10 a.m. until1 p.m.Interment at West‐lawnMemorialParkCeme‐teryinGretna, LA immedi‐ately followingthe funeral mass. In lieu of flowers, pleaseconsiderdonations toMaryHelpofChristians Church. MotheFuneral Homeisassisting thefam‐ily during this most diffi‐culttime. Thefamilyin‐vites youtoshare thoughts, fond memories and condolencesonlineat www.mothefunerals.com.

JohnnyLee Lenoir,Sr. entered into rest on Febru‐ary 7, 2026. AFuneralSer‐vicewillbeheldonSatur‐day,February28, 2026 at 10:00 am at CalvaryTaber‐nacle C.M.E. Church,3629 Dryades St., NewOrleans, LA70115. Visitation will begin at 9:00 am.Burialwill beprivate.Professional arrangementsentrusted to MajesticMortuary(504) 523-5872.

Robert Cadwell Lowrie, Jr., known lovinglyasBob, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2026, at

riage with hisbeloved wife, Vivian CornellLowrie ("Ditty"), whom he met at WayneState University, and togetherthey raised their three sons,Kevin, Chris, and Stefan After servinginthe U.S Army, Bob earnedgraduate degrees from Yale University and Johns Hopkins Universitybefore beginning alongand impactfulcareeratTulane University as aresearcher and professor. He devoted his life to combating mosquito-borne diseases through both international work and localservice with St. Tammany Parish Mosquito Abatement. In retirement, Bob and Ditty treasured time with family,especiallytheir five grandchildren.Bob spent his final years in Tampa, Florida near Stefan, passing peacefully surrounded by lovedones. His legacy of service and love will be rememberedalways. Amemorialservice will be held at afuturedate Please sharea memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com

McCarron,Katherine 'Minnie'

Katherine“Minnie”Mc‐Carronpassedquietly from thislifeinthe earlyhours ofFebruary9,2026, at East Jefferson GeneralHospital (LCMC)inMetairie. She was ninety yearsold,just shy of herninety-first birthday, which would havedawnedonMardi GrasDay as if thecityshe loved hadmeant to carry her home with thesound ofmarchingbands and cries of joy. Born February 17, 1935, in NewOrleans, Minniewas thecherished daughterofAugustPaul Landryand Katherine Claas Landry,bothof whomprecededher in death.She is survived by her brothers,Charles A. Landry, Sr.ofAmite,and ThomasJ.LandryofLa‐combe.She wasthe de‐voted wife of Charles Mac” Murray McCarron Sr.,who died in 1995, and the loving mother of her son,Charles “Chuck” Mc‐Carron, Jr who passedin 1979, losses sheborewith a quiet steadiness that markedher life.She leaves behindher beloveddaugh‐ter,Katherine “Kat”Brown ofMetairie; herspecial daughter-in-law,Carolyn Ostendorf;her grandsons, Christopher CharlesBrown ofLos Angelesand Matthew Ostendorfof Cincinnati;her grand‐daughter-in-law,Ashley Charbonnet-Brown; and her “greatest” greatgranddaughter,Amabelle Story CharbonnetBrown; and herconstantpet com‐panion, Smokey Brown. Within them,there is no doubt that herspiritwill linger. Minnie wasraisedin the LowerGardenDistrict onSoniatStreet, where the shade from thecity’soaks and sound of itsstreetcar formedher earliest memo‐ries. Sheattended Eleanor McMainSecondary School and laterLoyolaUniversity New Orleans, leavingher studiestobegin work as a Medical Research Technol‐ogist at Tulane Medical Center. What beganasop‐portunity became voca‐tion. Forthirty-eightyears she devotedherself to sci‐entificinquiry,bringingto her work adisciplined mindand asincere wonder for howthe worldisor‐dered andunderstood.In time, sheturnedher tal‐entstoa secondchapter, working in thesecurityin‐dustryatSecuritySupply, Inc. andlater at Security Pro WarehouseinMetairie alongside herdaughter and belovedson-in-law, Michael R. Brown, who passedawayin2018. There was satisfaction forher in sharedlabor,inbeing use‐ful,instandingshoulderto shoulderwithfamily. Min‐nie possessed an integrity thatwas steady andun‐adorned.She delightedin intelligent conversation and theexchangeofideas She gathered herkin with the same devotion,orga‐nizingthe McCarron family reunion in the1990s so that scatteredbranches might again know their roots. Herlovefor NewOr‐leans wassteadfast and particular,and no season stirred hermorethanCar‐nival,with itspageantry and promiseofrenewal.A faithfulparishioner of St Edwardthe Confessor Catholic Church,she served many yearsas president of theHilltop‐pers; andofthe Parish Council; andalsogaveher timetothe Catholic Daugh‐tersofthe Americas and the Tulane University Women’sAssociation. In

2004, shereceivedthe St Louis Awardinrecognition ofher devotedservice to her parish community.A visitationwillbeheldon Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.,followedbya MassofChristian Burial at 12:00 p.m. at St.Edward The ConfessorCatholic Church at 4921 W. Metairie, Ave.Metairie, LA 70001. A reception will follow at 1:00 p.m.atthe Garden of Mem‐ories FuneralHomeHospi‐talityRoom at 4900 Airline Dr. Metairie,LA70001. In the hushthatfollows her passing,there remainsthe measure of alifelived with disciplineand tenderness withcuriosity andfaith Likethe city sheloved Minnieendured,cele‐brated, andgatheredher peopleclose.And like Mardi Gras morning, she leavesbehindbothache and brightness. To order flowersoroffercondo‐lences, please visitwww gardenofmemoriesmetairi e.com.

Donna MarieMoorewas bornonApril 24, 1955 to RosemaryMcDonaldand the late Jerry McDonald Fromthe very beginning, she carriedwithinher a quiet strength andradiant spiritthatwould touch countless lives. Donna grewupalongside hersib‐lings,Jerry,Cheryland Michael McDonald,form‐ing bondsofloveand loy‐altythatwould remain throughouther life.For 46 devoted years, shewas the lovingand steadfastwife ofLouis Moore. Theirmar‐riage wasa testamentto commitment, partnership and enduring love.To‐gethertheybuilt afamily rooted in faith,resilience and service. Donna was the proudand devoted motheroffourchildren and herlegacylives vi‐brantly within each of them. Sheisalsosurvived byfourgrandchildren,as wellasa host of nieces and nephews, allofwhich weredeartoher.Relatives and friends; Priest and ParishionersofBlessed Trinity Catholic Church; Employees of CharityHos‐pital andVAMedical Cen‐ter areinvited to attend the funeral. AMassof Christian burial honoring the life andlegacyofthe lateDonna MarieMoore willbeheldatBlessedTrin‐ity Catholic Church,4230 South BroadStreet,New Orleans,LA70125 on Mon‐day,February23, 2026 at 11 am. Intermentprivate.Visi‐tation10aminthe church

A repast will follow in the church hall. Please sign on‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

Marsha Muench Morse, born in NewOrleans, LA on September 19, 1951, passed away peacefully at her residence on February 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.Marsha attendedMount Carmel Academy in 1969 and was in theHonor Society. She received aBachelor of Science Degree in Business Administrationfrom LSUin NewOrleans. Marsha retired fromStewart Enterprises/ SCIafter over 35 years of servicewhere she advanced to Vice President.She was employedwith American Cemetery Consultants since 2015 until her death. She wasa member of the Choir at St.Peter Catholic Church in Covington, LA Marsha fought acourageousbattleofmultiple myeloma for 16 years. She was an amazing wife, mother, sister, grandmother and friend to allwho knew her. She was preceded in death by her parents, WilliamAnthony Muench and Mary Kathryn Allgeier Muench and her

nephew David William Antony. Marsha is survived by her beloved husband of 53 years, Harold D. Morse, Jr.; her loving childrenTiffany Morse Yancey (Jason) and Clifford JamesMorse;her sisters Jo Ann AntonyTalken (Joe), and Mary (Alice)Muench Pringle (Frank); her brotherBishop Emeritus Robert W. Muench DioceseofBaton Rouge, LA;her adoring grandchildren, Jakob Luke Yancey, Sydney Marie Yancey, Joshua Alexander Yancey and VictoriaRose Yancey,; her nephew Dino L. Carlomagno II;her nieces Kathryn Pringle Rivé and Daiann Antony; and her greatnieces Sophia Rivé,Sadie Rivé,Lauren Dazet Antony and Camryn McGregor.The family wouldliketogivespecial thankstoACC (American Cemetery Consultants) and Foundations Hospice of Covington, LA forall your care and support Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend the visitationatSt. Peter Catholic Church, 125 East 19th Avenue,Covington, LA 70433 on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.,followed by Memorial Mass at 11:00 a.m. Interment willtakeplace in St. JosephAbbey Cemetery. In lieu of flowers,masses preferred. To view and sign theonline guestbook, please visit www.lakelawn metairie.com

Timothy Charles Novak, 56, passedaway on February 15, 2026, following abrief illness. He was born on June 11, 1969 and was alifelong resident of NewOrleans.

Timbuilta successful career in transportation as alogistics engineer, dedicating much of his professionallife to theindustry. Outside of work, he was an avid chef who found great joyincooking for thosehe loved. He cherished time with his family and especially enjoyed traveling, creating memories and experiencesthat willbetreasured forever He was preceded in death by his sister, Christine "ReeRee" Ann Novak, whom he loved dearly. Her passing left a space in his heart and we take comfort in imagining their joyful reunion.

Timleavesbehindhis devoted wife of 30 years, Tracy Haslauer Novak, his cherished children Brendan Charles Novak and Isabella Annise Novak, hismother, Janet Buchler Baker, his stepfather, Brian Baker and his father, WalterCharles Novak. He is also survivedbyhis sisters, Julie NovakAiton (Bruce)and Lauren Baker Badeaux (Seth), his brothers-in-law, Jonathan Haslauer (Jamie) and Max Haslauer (Alicia) and his mother-in-law, Beverly Haslauer.

He was aproud and loving uncle to his nieces and nephews, Avery, Preston, and AmeliaBadeaux, Julia and Jackson Haslauer and Maxwell,Ethan, and BenjaminHaslauer. He is also survivedbyhis lifelong best friend,Douglas Castro

The family extendstheir heartfelt gratitudetothe MICU team at Ochsner Medical Center fortheir compassionate and attentive care.

Tim willbelaid to rest at Lake Lawn Funeral Home 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.,New Orleans, LA on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation willbeginat 11:00 a.m. followedbya Mass at 1:00 p.m. witha privateinterment at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers,donations may be madetothe Cystic FibrosisFoundation in honorofhis children, Brendan and Bella, who meant theworld to him.

Darlene Matranga Ford Olano passedawayon September 13, 2025, at the age of 80. She wasbornin NewOrleans,Louisiana, andwas along-time residentofCovington, Louisiana. Darlene was an alumni of St.Mary's Dominican High School. Hercareerasa human resources administrator for Hibernia andWhitneyBank showcasedher commitmenttoher profession. Shewas also aproud member of theDriftwood CountryClub, whereshe formed lastingfriendships andenjoyed many memorable moments. Darlene andher husband Dick, enjoyed travelingintheir motorhome for vacations, but mostly to LSUfor football, basketballand baseball games. They made many friends andmemories in theLSU sportscommunity. Shealso lovedmeeting for lunchwith herDominican Alumnilife-longfriends. Darlene is survivedbyher devotedhusband, Richard "Dick" Olanoof31years. Sheisalso survived by her loving daughters, Lisa Ford Cookmeyer (Ricky), Dayna Ford Berthaut(Fred Richardson), andstepdaughterAlycia Olano Ward(Ron). Herlegacy continuesthroughher grandchildren, Lindsey Van, Chase Cookmeyer, Cole Cookmeyer, Ford Gelpi,Haley Gelpi,Reese Berthaut, HarrisonWard, andGeorgiaWard, as well as hergreat-grandchildren,Scarlett Skinner and Juliet Skinner.She was preceded in death by her parents, AnthonyJoseph Matranga andDoris HoernerMatranga, hersisterPatricia Matranga O'Neill,and herbrother AnthonyJoseph Matranga Jr.The familywould like to extendspecial thanks to Dr.Ricardo Blanco for his care and support.Darlene will be remembered for her warmth,positivity, generosity, dedication,and the love she shared with all whoknewher.Relatives andfriends are invited to attendservicesatLake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Visitation will be from 10:30am untilthe Memorial Mass beginsat12:00pm.

deep appreciation forthe valuesoffamily, faith,and community.Brent's life was atestament to hisen‐duringloveand commit‐menttohis wife of 59 years,MaryKennedy Pow‐ell.Together, they builta life filledwithjoy,raising their children Leslie Powell Hundt(Tim) andJoseph Brent "J.B." Powell Jr.Brent was adotinggrandfather toHannahDodd, Patrick, John, andAndrewHundt, and Prestonand Reagan Powell. He treasuredthe moments he spentwithhis grandchildren andgreatgranddaughter,Adelaide Dodd. Brentalsoleavesbe‐hind, to cherishhis mem‐ory,his siblings,Woodie JulianPowelland Ginger Sue Meyer, as well as a hostofextendedfamily members andfriends,all ofwhomheloved greatly. Analumnus of Southeast‐ern LouisianaUniversity, Brent furtheredhis educa‐tionatThe National Com‐mercial LendingGraduate School at theUniversityof Oklahoma, which paved the wayfor hissuccessful career.For 25 years, he servedasa respected commerciallenderfor sev‐eralbanking institutions where hiskeen insightand integrity were valued by colleaguesand clients alike.Brent's entrepreneur‐ial spirit ledhim to become a partnerinSoutheast In‐vestments,a real estate in‐vestmentcompany,where heappliedhis financial acumentothe benefitof the community. An avid fishermanand hunter, Brent found solace andjoy inthe naturalbeautyofthe world.His love forthese pursuitswas more than a hobby;itwas away for him to connectwith friends,family, andthe en‐vironment he so deeply ap‐preciated.Throughouthis life, Brent'swarmperson‐alityand generous spirit touched thelives of many Hewas aman of integrity and kindness, always ready to lend ahelping handorshare awordof advice. Hislegacyoflove, dedication, andservice to otherswillcontinue to live oninthe hearts of thosehe leavesbehind. Relatives and friendsare invitedto attenda visitation on Wednesday,February25, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. at SaintMar‐garet Mary Church in Slidell. AMassofChristian Burialwillbegin at noon Brent will be laid to rest in St. Joseph AbbeyCemetery following Mass. Memories and condolencesmay be expressedatwww.Aud ubonFuneraHome.com

siblingsand many nieces and nephews. Dennis will be lovingly remembered. Powell, Joseph Brent

Rohm,GloriaThurman

Joseph "Brent"Powell, ofSlidell, Louisiana, passedawayonFebruary 18, 2026, at theage of 80 BornonJune 9, 1945, in Mo‐bile, Alabama, to thelate Woodieand AugustaPow‐ell, Brentgrewupwitha

on June

OPINION

OUR VIEWS

La.can stop over-detaining inmatesby reviewing practices

Afundamental protection against tyranny,an imperative not just by the Constitutionbut by normative ethics and basic human decency,is that nobody should be deprived of liberty (or life or property) “without due processoflaw.”

An obvious corollary to that imperative is that if the law,after alegitimatetrial, sentences someone to serve acertain amountoftime behind bars, any imprisonment beyond that sentenceisa violation of theconvict’sright to liberty In that light, it is encouraging,but notyet satisfactory, that Louisiana reportedly hasmade progressinfixing an old habit of keeping inmates in prison beyond what aresupposedtobe their release dates Until recently,the problem wasquite bad.In 2023, theU.S. DepartmentofJustice reported that Louisiana, since at least 2012, had held as many as thousands of prisoners beyond the releasedates set by their sentencesorregulations. In 2019,this newspaper reportedthatthe state “routinely” keeps inmates “weeks,months, [even] years aftertheir release dates.”Federal judges have blasted the statefor itspractices In October 2025, federal district judge John W. deGravelles granted class actionstatus to lawsuits seeking redress for the alleged abuses of prisoner rights, but state Attorney General Liz Murrill argues that “everything in thelawsuitsiseither long outdated,out-of-context or just flatly false.”

William Most, an attorney whorepresents people claimingto have been over-detained,asserts that the problems continue.

Either way,state officials report that they have taken major steps tocorrect the errors, and anew audit released Feb.4did notdetail anycurrent instances of over-detention.

Nevertheless, the audit wasanythingbut a declaration that all is well. Forthe fifth consecutive year,the audit found thatLouisiana’s prison system has notfollowed proper proceduresin calculating release dates.The properdateof releasecan move up for good behavior or back for disciplinary infractions. Auditors insist that the Department of Public Safety &Corrections should have asecond person review, as afailsafe,any initialchange in release datesthatis entered into the system.

State officials say the secondary-reviewrequirement is burdensomeand unnecessary,and that anew software system calculatesrelease dates automatically Obviously,this is all open tointerpretationand judgment. What is not in disputeis that Louisiana had along-standing over-detention problem that remains enmeshed in potentially costly court fights. With this in mind, it behooves the corrections department to erronthe side of caution, and thus to comply withthe auditor’s suggestions.

Legislators and Gov.Jeff Landry,meanwhile, should continue providingclose oversight. When basic human rights are at stake and have arecordofbeing violated,extra attentionis warranted.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Attorney whousedAIinhot water

Perhaps we should forgive Covington attorney JohnR.Walker or,at least, be willing to afford him alittle grace. He was admitted to the bar in 1983 and, as he notes in one filing, is a43year veteran of the legal profession. So it is perhaps easytobelieve his explanation for mistakes he made in alawsuit involving thecityofMandeville. Walker sayshedidn’tunderstandthe “limitations and potential pitfalls”ofthe cuttingedge tools he was using to help him writealegal brief. Plenty of folks struggle to adaptto new technologies ButWalker’sstruggles withtechnology might get him fined or otherwise punished when he has to go beforea judge next week. So what exactly did he do?

whole cloth. And Walker didn’tnotice beforefiling.

U.S. District Judge Brandon Long was not amused.

“The Courthas chosentoignore most of Plaintiffs’ arguments brought in itsresponse motionbecause many, if not all, of Plaintiffs’ case citations are to cases that do not exist,or, if theydoexist, incorrectlyquote from or inaccurately describe its facts and holding,” he wrote in aruling that went against Walker’s client.

again. It would be easy, at this point, to dismiss the tale as just aone-off example of alazylawyerand the seductiveness of AI. But Walker is far from unique

“Presumably,” Long continued, “this is the result of an astonishingly careless use of generative AI …A failure by licensed attorneys to performeven acursory check to ensure their cited caselaw actually exists is wholly unacceptable.”

Per his own admission, Walker filed amotion in the case that, is normal, included caselaw citations and quotations. Butinwriting themotion, he used two generative AI programs: Westlaw Precision AI and ChatGPT

The programs,Walker said, “hallucinated” cases.Made them up out of

To Walker’s credit, he took full responsibility and threw himself on the mercy of the court.

“I was new to using these toolsand did not appreciatethe limitations of and potential pitfalls in using such tools, including therisk thatChatGPT would ‘hallucinate,’”hewrote He vowed it wouldnever happen

The last threeyearshave seen hundreds of documented cases of attorneys failing to checktheir AI-written briefs forfictional content worldwide, according to adatabase maintained by Frenchresearcher Damien Charlotin. In some cases,attorneys have been finedorotherwise punished. Walker probably should be, too. None of this should be surprising. These AI models are seductive precisely because they seem so authoritative Real or not, what they produce looks good.And if theycan fool longtime practitioners like Walkerwith their bunkum, whatchance do us laypeople have?

Perhaps that’sthe real powerofAI: It’snot actually intelligent, but it’s very good at making us believe it is.

Email Faimon A. Roberts III at froberts@theadvocate.com.

It’sclear that our country’sdemocracy and itstraditions are important to mostcitizens.One of the most common themes in letters these days is thehealth of our democracy and whether political leaders are infringing on our constitutional rights.

As elections approach, of particular concern in Louisiana are changes to how we vote and who is allowed to vote.

rightsina democracy,soit’sunderstandable that many worry when rules change.

est, with seven writers opining on the issue.

Closed party primaries this year will require voterswho do not belong to apolitical party to choose which party’sprimaries they will participate in.

Ournewspaper has done extensive reporting on this change, and our Editorial Boardhas urged all voters to check their registration early to make sure they will be able to vote in theprimaryoftheir choosing.

Butother issues that readers have raised concerns about arevoter ID laws and efforts to purge voter rolls. Votingisone of our most fundamental

Efforts to stifle freedom of speech and of the press have also been on your mind. Some feel that we have entered a period where citizensare being intimidated, if not outright harassed, when they seek to exercise these rights. That’s concerning because ahealthy democracy relies on the free exchange of ideas, even if they are unpopular

Ourreaders often provide an importantbarometer of public sentiment. So we listen when you say you are feeling fearful about thefuture of our democracy.Wewant to hear what you believe we need to do to repairdivisions and unitebehind common goals.

Turning to our letters inbox, Ican give you thenumbers forthe previous two weeks. From Feb. 5-12, we received 72 letters, and immigration was the topic that drew the mostinter-

The next biggest concern was voting, which was the subject of four letters. Three letters talked about issues along the Mardi Gras parade route. Then we had anumber of topics that prompted twoletters, including abortion pills, prisons and criminal justice. From Feb. 12-19, the hottest topic was Mardi Gras, not surprisingly.Wehad 13 letters about issues related to the holiday or parades.

Immigration was second among your concerns that week, with eight letters on the subject. Elections and voting prompted twoletters.

As election season swings into high gear,please continue to let us know about your experiences with voter registration or any other election-related issues. We’ll be watching, as we know you will.

Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | Opinion Page Editor.Email her at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com

COMMENTARY

Landry learns cooperativespiritisscriptfor CVS

time.”

Sometimes the bestprescription for dealing with powerful corporations is cooperation, not confrontation. Whateverthe reasons, Gov.Jeff Landry is suddenly singing the praises of CVS, the pharmacy giant, after spending many months treating it as apublic enemy.The encomiums, as we shall soon see, come for anew development —a pharmacy scholarship program for Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Louisiana at Monroe —well worth celebrating. First, though, consider some background, which is bothironic and interesting.

the multiple-ownership practices

Murrill may well be right, meaning CVSand United may be wrong, about howthe laws govern vertical ownership structures. (She’sstill dead wrong about their First Amendment rights, but that’sadifferent subject.)

Last year,Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill waged legislative and court battles against CVS andUnited Healthcare of Louisiana, which they accused of unfairly driving up prices by improperly leveraging their ownership of multiplesectors of the drug supply chain. Murrill also filed suit to stop CVS from—Lord forbid! using its First Amendment rights to ask customers to oppose legislation Landrywas pushing against

Murrill, with Landry’s support, went so far as to demand that the Louisiana Department of Health suddenly end its contractual arrangements for Medicaid insurance with aCVS affiliate and with United, specifically becauseof the ongoing litigation.When CVS in December entered legal settlement talks with Murrill —settlements that on Friday finally were consummated with a$45 million pledge from CVS—Murrill quickly dropped her opposition to the CVSaffiliate’sMedicaid insurance. (After ample pushback from legislators, United’scontract also, wisely,was extended).

Nonetheless, Landry was so invested in Murrill’shardball tactics thatwhen your humble scribe noted (correctly) that theunplanned ban of the two insurance

providerscould leave hundreds of thousands of Louisiana patients in asort of limbo, he accused this columnist on multiple social media platforms of being “a shill for big corporations that prey upon consumers.”

As of this week,though, Landry no longerconsidersCVS an ogre that devoursunsuspecting Louisiana patients. Apparently, the transformation from predator to benefactor is transactional: Allit takes is afee of $5 million, payable to aworthy cause. Rather than wanting to slay CVS, Landry now saysheis“excited” to partner with thedrugstore king and“grateful for their commitment to helping Louisiana’snextgeneration succeed!”

The governor’s about-face was precipitated by acorporate good deed. CVSannounced a$5million scholarship initiative for students seeking adoctor of pharmacy degree at Xavier or ULM.

As Landrysaid, “When we create opportunities for our students to learn, train, andbuild their careers righthere at home, we’re strengthening our workforce and our communities at the same

The governor is right. Moreover,ifhehad anything to do with facilitating CVS’ donation, he too merits compliments.

Both colleges have admirable pharmacy programs. Xavier’s pharmacy school is known far and wide for its excellent graduates, and it produced Mary Muson Runge, who half acentury ago became the first Black and first woman to lead the American Pharmacists Association. ULM boasts, amongothers, Brian Primeaux, theManager of Clinical Pharmacy Services at the renowned MD Anderson Cancer Center

The timing of the scholarship announcement was particularly poignant,coming (by happenstance) on the very day that longtime XavierPresident Norman Francis, the educational and civil rights icon, died at age 94. It was Francis who movedXavier to concentrate on training health specialists, including pharmacists, thus carving out adistinctive educational niche long before the national trend toward science/math education.

So, one could say all’swell that

ends well. Still, there are lessons here. The first is that big corporations are neither demons nor angels; they are just organizations seeking to makemoney while providing goods and services for which people are willing to pay They aren’tanimate; they are literally impersonal.

Businesses are, however,run by human beings. Sometimes those human beings are selfish, but sometimes they have humane instincts. Often, of course, they blend several very human traits. Various metaphors (and clichés), therefore, apply: building bridges rather than barricades, using honey instead of poison, carrots rather than sticks.

One way or another,CVS is now making asmallish but still eminently valuable contribution to the future of the industry —asociologically valuable one —inwhich it is amajor player For the health of the state, perhaps morefriendliness from the governor might attract even greater beneficence.

Email Quin Hillyer at quin hillyer@theadvocate.com

Some Republicansare stillinCassidy’s corner

in his corner,though,and that’s hismost powerful peers in Washington.

It’sfair to say that Louisiana’s rip-roaring U.S. Senate race would be amuch calmer affair if not for the disruptive energy of one Donald John Trump. Indeed, it’sonly because of Trump that Bill Cassidy, the two-term incumbent nowin the fight of his life for athird, is even remotely controversial. Some voters are mad that he voted to convict Trump back in 2021for inciting the Jan. 6attack on the U.S. Capitol. Others are angry that he tried to get back into the newly reelected president’sgood graces last year by enabling the confirmation of RobertF.Kennedy Jr.tohead the Department of Health and Human Services, even though Kennedy’s wackadoodle ideas on healthcare couldn’tbefurther from what Cassidy’sown expertise as aphysician tells him.

There’sone group that remains

Senate Majority Leader John Thune of SouthDakota came to Baton Rougetocampaign with Cassidy shortly before Trump cast his lot with U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow inthe state’snew Republican primary.Thune reportedly urged the president to leave well enough alone, tonoavail.

South Carolina U.S.Sen. Tim Scott, who chairs the National Republican Senatorial Committee, is another big-name supporter Whether this will help Cassidy’scase at all is verymuch in doubt. Senators from other states obviously don’tvote in Louisiana elections, and the NRSCisunlikely to spend in astate that is allbut guaranteed to stay in the Rcolumn when other seats that could cost Republicanstheir majority are very much in play

Butitistelling. That these establishment Republicans —the same people who have largely

ceded their independent roles in confirmation, legislation and oversight of the executive branch —are chafing at Trump’s heavy hand suggests that maybe, just maybe, there’ssome desire for independence left in theU.S. Capitol after all.

Trump’sinvolvement will surelyplay well withmany of theLouisiana voters who support him. Butifyou’reasitting Republican senator,his call for Letlow to challenge Cassidy couldn’t possibly have been welcome. If apetulant president can recruit an opponent for asenator whohas done everything to supporthis agendasince his return to theWhiteHouse —even when it forced him to humiliate himself, sellout hisprofessional standards and verylikely put American lives at risk —then what could it mean for the rest of them if they darestray?

Also, what effect might this have on their agenda? As Thune toldthe president, according to The New York Times’ account,

Trump’sendorsement of an opponent could well free up Cassidy to actually followhis ownconscience on future votes. It could also cost Trump Cassidy’shelp on the health carelegislationthat Trump hopestopassbefore the midterms, on which the Louisiana senator is expected to be a major playerasbothanexpert and chair of the committee that oversees health, education, labor and pensions. Should Cassidy somehow pull offawin despite Trump’sopposition, it could free him entirely over the next couple of years.

Andhere’sthe good news for those whoare hoping Congress will reassert its constitutional roleasacheck on presidential power:The Letlowendorsement could backfire even further by letting othersenators know there’snoguaranteed return on absolute loyalty.

It’sworth noting thatTrump isn’tjustgoing after one of his own here in Louisiana. He’salso refusing to back another veteran

establishment Republican who’s been areliable vote for his agenda.Texas U.S. Sen. John Cornyn faces aprimary challenge from the state’s much more controversialattorneygeneral Ken Paxton, even though, as Cornyn hasworriedaloud in recentdays, aPaxtonprimary victory would give Democratsanopening to take the seat Trump hasalso talkedatvariouspoints aboutnot supporting otherRepublicans who normally back him but on rare occasions don’t, although it’sunclear whether he’ll followthrough or use the threat as leverage. This much is clear,though: He’s alreadygiven up his leverageoverCassidy,now that he’s basically declared him persona nongrata.AsThune warned, Cassidy’sreally gotnothing left to lose Now if only he’d finally start acting like it.

Email Stephanie Graceat sgrace@theadvocate.com.

Norman Francisbuilt leadersacrossall disciplines

It’snot the norm for university presidents to continue in their roles beyond five to sevenyears these days. Apresident with a ten-year tenure is someonewho really beat the odds.A20-year tenure is amiracle. Four-plus decades is darn near worthy of sainthood. Only afew in modernday American higher education have had presidential tenures of that length or longer.Norman C. Francis wasone of afew In his 47 years as president of Xavier University of Louisiana, Francis achieved citywide, statewide, nationwide and global fame. He’sthe man who built the nation’sonly historically Black Catholic university into an academic powerhouse. He’sthe man who made aCatholichigher education institution competitive with better-funded Catholic higher educationinstitutions. He’sthe manwho took St. Katharine Drexel’s dream to heart and built out her vision, making it his own.

national figure that he is today

He also leaves behind alegacy of leaders he coached,encouraged, groomedand nurtured to continue hisGod-given mission work. Loren J. Blanchardwas a Xavier student when Francis was president in the early 1980s. Likeanumber of Xavierites, Blanchard remembers when Francis asked him his last name and proceeded to tell himhis family history Blanchard knew now-famous musician and trumpeter Terence Blanchard was his cousin, but he didn’tknow howhewas related until Francis told him. That interaction became deeper and important. Loren Blanchard earned his graduatedegrees andstarted his education career.Hereturned to Xavier as chair of the education departmentfor 10 years. After Hurricane Katrina significantly damaged the Gert Town campus, Francis asked Loren Blanchard to return to be apart of rebuilding the campus— and thecity.He returned as provost.

building abetter society through higher education.

AntoineGaribaldi’sfive siblings attended Xavier.Hewent to Howard University in Washington,D.C. But Francis got him to return home to NewOrleans as he grew hiseducation career.He worked for Francis as chairman of the education department, then as dean of arts and sciences and as vice president foracademic affairs, the first lay person to hold that role. Though he had several opportunities to go elsewhere, he stayed at Xavier to be apart of somethingspecial. “Xavier was agreat opportunity,” he said, and Francis was “supportive of education (as amajor) when others were not.”

dents and manyother university leaders. “They are department chairs, deans and faculty-senate leaders, too,” added Blanchard. Former NewOrleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu isn’tsurprised. “He wasbright enough to be mayor,achief justice or the president of the United States,” Landrieu said. “But he decided to go to that Catholic school, invest alot and accomplish much so that others could do even more.”

It included civil rights, social justice and educational excellence as apart of his good work Francis died at the age of 94 on Wednesday He leaves behind aloving family of daughters, sons,other relatives and close friends wholoved himbefore he became theinter-

He learned alot about higher education,leadership and life underFrancis.You might call it the Norman C. Francis Leadership Academy. “I had afront-row seat daily as provost,” he said. “I’d listen to the things he’d tell me, thelittle things I’demulate the thingshewoulddo.”

To this day,hehas abook of Francis’notes and quotes. He’sone of many Somebecame attorneys, doctors, engineers, judges or public servantslike U.S. Rep. Troy Carter Xavier was one of the leadership stops made by Monique Guillory.She was aspecial assistant Now,she’spresident of Dillard University.Tuajuanda C. Jordan was aXavier associate dean and faculty member.She studied Francis andleadership and recently retired as president of the prestigious St.Mary’sCollege in Maryland after serving from 2014-2025. More than afew followed Francis’ footsteps and focused on

Garibaldi wentontobecome the sixth, and first African American, president of Gannon University,a Catholic diocesan university,before becoming the longest-serving president of the University of Detroit Mercy Just last month, Blanchard, president of the14,000-student University of HoustonDowntown, waschosen by the California State University (CSU) BoardofTrustees as president of California State University, LongBeach (CSULB), aschool with about 44,000 undergraduate and graduate students. He knows Francis-mentored university presidents. There are Francis Academy provosts, vice presi-

Francis didn’tlimit his impact to Xavier students, faculty and staff. Former NBCsportscaster Bryant Gumbel didn’tattend Xavier University,but his father did. Francis and Gumbel’sfather wereschoolmates. The elder Gumbel fought in the warand attended the New Orleans school as aveteran, an older student with awifeand a family.Francis had great respect forhis dad. When Gumbel’sfather passed away,Francis called him to offer his condolences, his encouragement and his support. That call developed into aspecial, lifelong relationship.

Francis has taken his muchdeserved seat in Heaven. He can rest in peace, and in power

And he can look downonthe Norman C. Francis Leadership Academygrads continuing his good trouble and his good work.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com

ARed

and

22, 1929 in NewOrleans

Louisiana.Gloriawas pre‐ceded in deathbyher hus‐band, Hugh Christian Rohm, herparents,Joseph EdwardThurmanand Cora Borey Thurman, andher brother Ronald Joseph Thurman. Sheissurvived byher son, Gerald J. Rohm daughters,Laura C. Lei‐dinger(Myron) andGailA Johnson (David). Sheis alsosurvivedbyher grand‐children, JamieR.Moore (Eric), Kate T. Rohm (Stew‐art), BrianH.Rohm(Caro‐line),Rebecca L. Ducote (Christopher),Erica M. Lei‐dinger(Ben),NealJohnson (Angela), andChristina J. Carrier (Joshua), 20 greatgrandchildren,niecesand cousins.Gloriagrewupin the Lakeview neighbor‐hood of NewOrleans and graduated from McDonogh 35HighSchool.She lived her adultlifeinMetairie, Louisiana where sheand her husband reared their three children.Asa home‐maker andmother, she was loving,giving, caring kindand sacrificing.Gloria was always smiling, opti‐mistic, laughing,and posi‐tive, findingjoy helping other people.After her childrenweregrown,she workedoutside of the homeasa receptionist at a local veterinary clinic and volunteered at East Jeffer‐son Hospital formany years.Gloriawas adevout Catholic andpracticed her faith as amemberofSt. Clement of Rome Parish. Gloriawillbegreatly missedbyall whoknew her.Relatives andfriends ofthe familyare invitedto attend thefuneral service onThursday,February26, 2026, at Greenwood Funeral Home, 5200 CanalBlvd., New Orleans. Visitation from11:30 am to 12:30pm, followedbya Rosary,with MassofChristian Burial at 1:00pm. Privateburialwill followatGreenwood Cemetery. Thefamily would like to extend their gratitude to Gloria’s care‐takersand hospicenurses for theirlovingservice through the finalyearsof her life.Inlieuof flowers, pleasedonatetoThe De‐mentiaSociety of America inGloria'sname. Memories and condolencescan be sharedonlineatgreen‐woodfh.com

Bobby Ray Sappington, 87, of Metairie, LA passed awayonFebruary 3, 2026. He was borninHumboldt, Tennessee, graduated from Tupelo High School and joined the U.S.Air Force shortly thereafter. A proud veteran, he specialized in airtraffic control until he was honorably discharged in 1961.Hewent on to become anair traffic controller spending most of his career at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. Bob was amember of American Legion Post 350 and had apassion for ModelAFords. He is survived by his wifeof61years, Joelle Kempff Sappington, his daughter Kimberly Sappington Pels, and his threegrandsons, Hayden, Griffin and Bennett Pels. He isprecededindeath by his parents, Ethel Hay andJarrett Griffin Sappington,his daughter Victoria LeeSappington, and his brothersJerry and Charles Sappington Relativesand friends of the family are invited to attend Funeral Serviceson Thursday, February26, 2026 at 12:00p.m. at Lake LawnMetairieFuneral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Interment will follow serviceinMetairie Cemetery. Visitation on Thursdayisfrom10:00a.m. -12:00 p.m.

Sayre,Donald Alan

Alan Sayre, areporter forThe AssociatedPress formorethan30years, died at home in Destrehan, Louisiana, on February 11. He was 71. He was born on November 7, 1954, in Longview, Texas to Sidney and Frances Sayre.He married his devoted and belovedlifepartner, Terri LewisSayre, on April 18, 1993. Growing up in Longview, Alan frequently madethe local newspaper for his top grades and chose journalismashis future professionwhilein highschool. After graduating fromBaylorUniversity, he reportedthe news for radio stations in BryanCollege Station and San Angelo. He joined theAPin 1979, starting in Austin, Texas,before moving to Dallas. He spent most of his threedecadesatthe AP in Louisiana, covering politics in BatonRougeand business in theNew Orleans bureau. He was known forbeing adogged, speedyreporterondeadline and for his deepvoicedgreeting when answering thephones: "APSayre." His coverage included statepolitical battles, thegrowthoflegalized gambling, including videopoker, theGulf of Mexico oiland gas industry, and therecovery of the state'seconomy after Hurricane Katrina,among many otherstories. Alan lovedhorse racing,betting onlya dollar or twoafter studyingthe racing form at theNew Orleans Fairgrounds. He taught his daughter how to pick the winners, scribblinghis calculations in pencilonthe form. He was afan of the

Kevin McGill-among many others -for their friendship with Alan over the years. Funeralserviceswill be held at Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home,4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie,LA, on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation willbegin at 11 a.m.,followedbya Memorial Service at 1p.m In lieu of flowers,the family is requesting that donations be made to St.Jude Children's Research Hospital

Stanton EarlShuler, noted local physician passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2026, surrounded by his family.Hewas 91. Stanton is survivedby Adrienne Maître Shuler, his wife of 67 years, his daughterSusan Hall (Stephen), his sons Stan (Jeanie) and Christopher(Kristi). He was theadoredBirdieto his seven grandchildren: TaylorHall Ambrose (Tom), JenniferHallMyers (Chris), Ashley Shuler Faciane (Dixon), Jonathan Shuler (Breanne Dicke), Rachel Shuler, William Shuler and EvelynShuler, his sisters SharonLong Hammet of Washington DC and Sandra Crawford of BatonRouge,Louisiana as well as many beloved nephews, nieces, friends and colleagues. He was thrilled to welcome his eight greatgrandchildren into his family over the past sixyears. Stanton is

Forecasts and graphics, exceptfor Damon’sOutlook, provided by AccuWeather,Inc. ©2026

andleadership. As amemberofThe Boy Scouts of America, he achieved the rankofEagle Scout, adistinction that shaped the wayhelived hislifeboth personally andprofessionally. Hishighschool years were spent at Byrd High School in Shreveport and hissummers at Culver Military Academy in Indiana.Helater returned to Culverasa camp counselor for 4yearsasa sailingteacher at The Naval School.

He attendedTulane University wherehewas a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternityand played on thegolf team, serving as captain for two years. Stanton earnedhis medical degree at Tulane Medical School wherehe waselected amember of theAOA honoraryfraternity andwas amember of Nu SigmaNu. He interned at Ochsner Foundation Hospital in NewOrleans followed by a pediatric residency at UCSF, San Francisco, CA wherehewas chiefresident and was awarded a Wyeth fellowship. He went on to do apediatric fellowship with an interest in renaldisease at Great Ormond Street Hospital for ChildreninLondon, England.

He served as Director of thePediatric RenalClinic at Balboa Hospital in San Diegoasa Lieutenant Commander in theNavy.

guided theOchsner Retirementand Investment Committees. He retired from Ochsnerin2022 after 57 years of service Beyond medicine, Stanton lived afulland spirited life. He served on theboard of theNew OrleansCountry Club, wherehewas afive-time golf club champion, andon theboard of MetairiePark CountryDay School. He wasa member of several Carnival organizations including Rexand the Pickwick Club. Alifelonggolfer, Stanton washonored to compete with theUnited States SeniorsGolf Association,travelingnationallyand internationally, serving on itsboard, andforming lastingfriendships throughthe game he loved. For 19 summers,he andAdriennespent cherished time in Hamilton, Montana, at TheStock FarmClub, wheretheyenjoyed countless rounds of golf andmade lifelong friends.

Histruesanctuary, however,was thefamilyfarm, Hard Times II, in Perkinston, Mississippi. There, surrounded by family andfriends, he wasa devotedsteward of the land, cultivating native gardens, carvingbeautiful duck decoys, bow hunting, mowingendless acresofgrass, andenjoying asimple afternoonofpond fishing with aDr. Pepperand a Snickers bar in hand. For him, life didnot getbetter than that. Stanton "Birdie"Shuler lovedthe game of life passionately andwill be dearly missed. The Shuler Familywould

Stanton joined the staff of theOchsner Clinicin 1965 as amember of the Pediatric Nephrology department.Hebecame interested in the useofcomputers in medicine as well as theapplicationsofnuclearmedicine, both at that time cuttingedge technologies. He wasa leader who persuadedOchsnertoinvest in desktop computers, understanding thepotential to assistwith managementoflarge databanks. He also facilitated the development of Ochsner's Nuclear Medicine departmentwhichhechaired. Althoughnot aradiologist, he recognized the imporClinicand in hislater years

Graves wouldbeagreat S SPORTS

Cane’s co-founder checks all theboxes needed to succeed Benson when thetimecomes

Todd Gravesfinallyspoke intoexistence ahypothetical manyNew OrleansSaints fans have pondered in recentyears Yes, in fact, he would love toone dayown the Saints.

Speaking to TMZ Sports, theRaising Cane’sco-founder acknowledged that he’dlike to own an NFL team andsaid the Saints would obviously “make sense”because of his local ties and buddingfriendship with Gayle Benson.

Jeff Duncan

Predictably,Graves’ comments caused astir.Heprefers to keep alow profile, so it was unusual to hear him publicly address the issue of potential NFL ownership. He likes and respects Benson and the last thing he would want is to be seen as some kind of stalking horse to her ownership. After all, she and her trustees will determine who becomes the next owner And that scenario is likely tobeaways off. At 79, Benson isn’tgoing anywhere anytime soon.She remains in good health and

keeps herself in great shape with daily workouts.

“Mrs. Benson has addressed this issue publicly anumber of times where she has madeitvery clear that she has no intention of selling aminority stake in theteam, nor does she plan to sell the team prior to her death,”Saints spokesman Greg Bensel said Friday.“Upon her death, bothteams will be sold and all of theproceeds will be distributed through her charitable trust toavariety of initiatives and organizations with the sole focus being to support theoverall bettermentofour cityand state.” ä See DUNCAN, page 5C

BYLUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

When the New Orleans Saints removed SpencerRattler from thestartinglineupmidway throughthe 2025season,asizablecontingent of people questioned whether the team was making the right call becauseofthe promise Rattler showed.

Now,the question is entirely different: Should the Saints consider shopping Rattleraround the league? Or should they hang onto him and develop himasabackup to Tyler Shough, whoseized the jobaftertakingover for Rattler in Week 9?

The answer may depend on whether other teams approach the Saints withanoffer they can’t turn down. New Orleans selectedRattler in the fifth round of the

2024 NFL Draft out of SouthCarolina, and unlike most fifth-roundpicks,hehas played alot of football in the first two years of his career

Guiding an injury-riddled offensethat was mostlyfilled withbackups,Rattler struggledwhile playing in seven games(sixstarts)asa rookie.But though he compiled a70.4 passer rating and took 22 sacks, Rattler showed flashes of abilitythroughout his time in the lineup. After Derek Carr’sretirement in 2025, Rattler beat out Shough for thestartingjob out of training camp and showed whyearly in theseason:Hewas playing decisive football within the offense’sparameters, for the most part avoidingthe negative plays that plaguedhim throughout his rookie season.While wins did notcome,

Brown, Arrambideshine in LSU’swin over Irish

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

JACKSONVILLE,Fla. What impressed Notre Dame coach Shawn Stiffler the most about LSU’soffensive approach Saturday? Not what the Tigers did, which was substantial, but what theydidn’tdo.

“They understand the value of not swinging,” Stiffler said after LSU’s9-4 victory.“They don’tchase. They have a really,really great knackofwhichpitch to handle.

“It’sfunny,but by doing nothing,they create so much more pressure than just standing there swinging.” Sometimes, apparently, lessreallyis more. TheTigershavehad much more offense than their first two opponents in the Live Like Lou JaxCollege Baseball Classic at VyStar Ballpark. Afteropeningthe classic by pounding Indiana14-7 on Friday,LSU has acombined23runs here with atotal of 30 hits, alongwith 19 walks. The Tigers haven’t relied on thelong

ball, either.Just two of their hits here are homeruns: Zack Yorke’sthree-run blast against Indiana thattouched off aninerun rally in theeighth inning andCade Arrambide’stwo-run homer in the fourth against Notre Dame.

“Our offensive approach has beengreat,” LSUcoach JayJohnson said.“We’veleft stuff on the table. That’show good it’sbeen. That’sa credit to our hitters.

“Wehave avery smartteam. Alot of college at-bats. Alot of experience. We’re really patient.Wetrain to be good at that.

ä See LSU, page 7C

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Believe it or not, the LSU women’sbasketball team maystill have ashot at landing a No.1seed in the NCAA Tournament.

It looks like there’s still apath, albeit a narrow one, for the Tigers to move back into considerationfor oneofthose spotsin the bracket. They’ll just need to break off a six-game winning streak,starting at 3p.m Sundayvs. Missouri (SEC Network) and ending in the SEC Tournament championship. It’s unlikely.But it’s certainly possible, especially if LSU can play in the rest of its matchups the wayitdid Thursday in the fourth quarter of its comeback road win over Ole Miss.

“The thing about this team,” coach Kim Mulkeysaid, “I don’teverget upsetatthis team. Imean, Icoach hard, get on them and challenge them.”

But, as Mulkeypointedout, the Tigers(234, 9-4SEC) have playedwellenough to win all but one of their games.

LSU hasfourlosses, andthreeofthem were close battles. Kentucky,Vanderbilt and South Carolinabeat theTigers by an average margin of 4.3 points. They missedkey free throws against the Gamecocks, turned the ball over afew too many times against the Commodores and fell victim to abuzzerbeater against the Wildcats.

“So those are all learning opportunities,” Mulkey said. “We’re always in the ballgames.”

The NCAA selection committeerevealed Feb. 14,beforethe loss to SouthCarolina, that it had LSU ranked eighth overall, penciledintothe tournament field’slastNo. 2 seed.

Barringa surpriseupset, UConn,UCLA and South Carolina should each hold onto their No.1 seed until the bracket is set on March 15, which leaves Texas, Vanderbilt, Michigan, Louisville and LSU battling for the last top seed.

On TV AUTO RACING

2p.m. NASCAR Cup: Autotrader400 FOX MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11 a.m. Boston U. at LehighCBSSN

11 a.m. UABatMemphis ESPN2

NoonOhio St. at Michigan St. CBS

1p.m. TowsonatDrexel CBSSN

1p.m.RobertMorris at Wright St.ESPNU

3p.m. UTSA at Tulsa ESPNEWS

3p.m. FAUatNorth Texas ESPNU

3p.m. Iowa at Wisconsin FS1

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

11 a.m.Pittsburgh at NorthCarolinaACCN

11 a.m.Virginia at Louisville CW

11 a.m, Mississippi at South Carolina ESPN

11 a.m.Michigan at Iowa FOX

11 a.m. Providence at UConn FS1

11 a.m. Alabama at FloridaSECN Noon Oregon at Indiana BTN

1p.m.Stanford at FloridaSt. ACCN

1p.m. Syracuse at NC State CW

1p.m. Tennessee at Oklahoma ESPN

1p.m. DukeatClemson ESPN2

1p.m. SouthernCal at OhioSt. FS1

1p.m. Mississippi St. at TexasSECN

2p.m. Nebraska at Washington BTN

2:30 p.m. Marquette at Villanova PEACOCK

3p.m. Iowa St. at TCU ESPN

3p.m. Kentucky at Vanderbilt ESPN2

3p.m. Missouri at LSU SECN

4:30 p.m. WisconsinatUCLA PEACOCK

5p.m. Notre Dame at SMU ACCN

5p.m. Michigan St. at Minnesota FS1 GOLF

noon PGATour:Genesis Invitational GOLF

2p.m.

PGATour:Genesis Invitational CBS MLB SPRING TRAINING

noon N.y. Mets vs. N.y.yankees MLBN

2p.m. L.A. Dodgers vs.San DiegoMLBN NBA

noon Cleveland at Oklahoma City ABC

2:30 p.m. Denver at Golden State ABC

5:30 p.m. Boston at L.A. Lakers NBC

8p.m.Orlando at L.A. Clippers NBATV MEN’SSOCCER

8a.m.Fulham FC at Sunderland USA

8:55 a.m. Rangers at Livingston CBSSN

10:30 a.m.Arsenal at Tottenham Hotspur USA

5p.m.Monterrey at Pumas UNAM CBSSN

8p.m.Colorado at Seattle FS1 TENNIS

3p.m.DelrayBeach-ATP TENNIS BOBSLED

6:15 a.m. Four-Man Bobsled: Run4 NBC

10 a.m. Four-Man Bobsled: Runs 3-4 NBC CEREMONY

1p.m.2026 Closing Ceremony NBC CROSS-COUNTRYSKIING

10:45 a.m.Women’s50km Mass Classic NBC CURLING

6a.m.Women’sGoldFinal NBC HOCKEY

6:45 a.m. Hockey Preview NBC

7:10 a.m. Men’sGoldFinal NBC

LSUfalls to No.25Alabama

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

LSU had an opportunitytoearn its first ranked win against No. 25 Alabama.

Coach Matt McMahon’sgroup knew how much that result could help boost its resume during this trying season. While it battled in thefirst half and made acomeback attempt late, it was denied victory by the CrimsonTide.

LSU lost to Alabama 90-83 on Saturdayatthe Pete Maravich Assembly Center McMahon said the difference in the game wasthe free-throw line disparity —the Tigers went 16 of 22 compared to Alabama’s30of 37 —and his team’stendency to settle for difficult two-point shots when it was run off the3-point line.

“I thought we took alot of tough twos in that 12 to 17 foot range, and kind of took the bait on some of those difficult shots,” the fourth-year coach said. “I know there was apoint there in the game wherewewere shooting over 50% from 3and around 32% from two, and that’snot agood formula for us.”

LSU (14-13, 2-12) has now lost five straight games —its longest losing streak of the season. Alabama (23-9, 13-6) earneda sixth straight win.

Marquel Sutton had 21 points and six rebounds. Jalen Reece had 14 points, five assists and three turnovers.Max Mackinnon,LSU’s top scorer in conference play, was unable to find arhythm, finishing with eight points and shooting3 of 16 overall The Tigers made acoupleof late pushes despite trailing by as

to

LSUguardRashad

many as 16 points with 7:11 remaininginthe game.

PabloTambahad someaggressivedrives andscores at thebasket.After missing afree throw on an and-one finish, Sutton collected the offensive rebound and PJ Carter made atop-of-the-key 3-pointer to make the score81-75 with 2:38 remaining.

Coach Nate Oats’ team is among the mosthigh-poweredoffenses in thenation, leading the country in scoring (92.7) and second in made 3-pointers(12.7). Theirfast-paced scoring style is led by point guard Labaron Philon,who is third in the SECinpoints per game (21.2) and fourth in assists (5.0).

LSU center Mike Nwoko substitutedout of thegamewithout fouls at the 17:18 mark for Robert Miller.Less than aminute later the sophomore made his presence known with ablock under the basket.

Millerwas notonlya positive earlyasa rim protector,but he also displayed quick hands on the perimeter.Hepoked the ball loose from Philon on theperimeter and dove to the floor for asteal. That forced turnover ledtoa transition 3-pointer for Sutton, giving the team a9-6 advantage. Suttonhad astrong start as he drove to thehoop for post-ups for hisseven points in the first five minutes.PJCarter and Rashad King, whowas replaced by Max Mackinnon in the starting lineup, bothgave the team good minutes, finishing with13and 12 points, respectively The Tigers remained competitivefor theentire first half thanks to their standout defense early Alabama started 4of13fromthe field, making only one 3-pointer Reece applied subtle pressure in the backcourt on Philon, and the team was aggressive in the

MEN’STOP 25

half-court, taking away 3-pointers andfunneling opposing guards’ contested looks. Philon was 1of 5from the field at halftimeand finished with eight points.

The defensive intensity was strong enough that at the 10:30 mark, LSUforced arare turnover on afive-second call on asideline inbound by Alabama’sAmari Allen.

Afterstarting 1of7on3-pointers, Alabama responded by making four of its next five. Alabama guardAden Holloway had agamehigh 10 points in the first half LSUlost its lead with 5:27 leftin the first half andtrailed43-40 at halftime.The biggestmistakein the first half for coach McMahon’s team was Miller picking up athird foul. He returnedtothe game with twofouls at the2:48markofthe first half. With 2:15 left, the team’s best defender reached for an onballsteal and waswhistled after playing eightminutes.

The Crimson Tide played with new life to open the second half, scoring on itsfirstfourpossessions.Center Aiden Sherrell took over as ascorer TheAlabama sophomore got back-to-back stops on Nwoko, who missed ahook shot and astepthrough layup. Sherrell tallied nine pointsinthe first six minutes of the second half Sherrell finished with12points and 10 rebounds.

Miller had zero points, three rebounds,threeblocks, anda steal in 10 minutes. LSUoutscored Alabama by four in thetime Miller played.

LSU’snext game is against Ole Miss at 8p.m. at TheSandy and John Black PavilioninOxford, Mississippi

No.4 ArizonatopplesNo. 2Houston

The Associated Press

HOUSTON Anthony Dell’Orso tiedaseasonhigh with22points and No. 4Arizona toppledsecondranked Houston 73-66 on Saturday to move into sole possession of first place in the Big 12 Conference Arizona (25-2, 12-2),which opened theseason 23-0, won its second straight game following consecutivelossestothen-No 9Kansas and then- 16th-ranked Texas Tech, that knocked the team out of the No. 1spot in the AP Top 25 poll. The Wildcatswere down by two before scoring the next 12 points to make it 60-50 with about five minutesremaining. The Cougars missed eight consecutive shots andhad three turnoversinthat stretch to allow Arizona to build the lead. Houston (23-4, 11-3)hadn’t scored in about eight minutes when Emanuel Sharp made two free throws with 4 1/2 minutes to go. Kalifa Sakho made twomore free throws to cut the lead to 6054 with less than four minutes remaining. It had been more than 10 minutes since the Cougars made a field goal when a3-pointer by Kingston Flemings got them within 61-57, but Arizona got four straight points by Jaden Bradley to pad the lead with just overa minute left.

Flemingshad 17 points and Sharp added 14 for the Cougars, who lost consecutive games for the first time this season after falling 70-67 at No. 6IowaState on

Monday night to end asix-game winningstreak. TheCougars struggledtotake care of the ball, committing 12 turnoversthat led to 16 pointsfor the Wildcats. Arizona ledbyasmany as 10 in the firsthalfand wasupbyfour earlyinthe second half before the Cougars usedan8-2 runtomake it 44-42, giving themtheir first lead of thegame with about14minutes left NO.20ARKANSAS 94, MISSOURI 86:

In Fayetteville,Arkansas, Billy Richmond III scored 21 points and Darius Acuff Jr.added 20 topace No. 20 Arkansastoawin over Missouri on Saturday Arkansas (20-7, 10-4 Southeastern Conference) improved to 7-0 in games followinga loss this season while alsostaying in contention for the SEC regular-season title. TheHogsare in second place, two games behind conferenceleading Florida with four games still to be played.

NO.21LOUISVILLE 87,GEORGIA 70:

In Louisville, Kentucky,Mikel BrownJr. scored 19 points, including seven during a17-2 run midway through the second half thathelpedpropel No. 21 Louisville past Georgia Tech 87-70 on Saturday. TheCardinals (20-7, 9-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) nevertrailed but allowed the Yellow Jackets to get within 44-35 just after halftime.

NO.13TEXAS TECH100, K-STATE72: In Lubbock, Texas, Donovan Atwell had 26 points with six 3-pointers, Christian Andersonscored 21 and No. 13 Texas Tech beat Kan-

sas StateonSaturday in thefirst game for the Red Raiderssince standout post JT Toppin’sseasonending knee injury Texas Tech (20-7, 10-4 Big 12) maintained adouble-digit lead aftermaking nine consecutive shots, including three3sina row by Atwell, during a26-10 run in just under seven minutes for a40-20 lead with6:20 left in thefirst half.

NO.12FLORIDA95, OLE MISS 75: In Oxford, Mississippi, Alex Condon scored24points and No.12Florida tightened its grip atop the Southeastern Conference standings with awin over Ole Miss onSaturday Florida(21-6, 12-2 SEC) entered as theconference leader with atwo-game cushion in theloss column over Alabama, Arkansas and Tennesseewith fourgames remaining TENNESSEE 69, NO.19VANDERBILT65: In Nashville, Tennessee, Ja’Kobi Gillespie scored 17 points as Tennessee outlasted No. 19 Vanderbilt in aback-and-forth affair on Saturday Aturnaround jumper by Nate Ament, who was double-teamed by Commodores Jalen Washington and Chandler Bing, gave the Volunteers(20-7, 10-4Southeastern Conference) a66-65 lead with lessthana minute to play.Ament finished with13points.

NO.14VIRGINIA 86, MIAMI 83: In Charlottesville, Virginia, Chance Mallory drewafoulona3-point attempt with 3.6 seconds to play, andthensankall three free throws tolift No. 14 Virginia to an win over Miami on Saturday Jacari Whitecameoff the bench

Canada wins Olympic goldinmen’s curling

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO,Italy The Canadianmen brushedaside earlier accusationsofcheating and beat Britain for Olympic gold in curling on Saturdayatthe MilanCortina Games. Brad Jacobs’ team defeated BruceMouat’s all-Scottish squad 9-6inside Cortina’s historic ice arenatogive curling powerhouse Canadait’sonlygoldofthe Olympics in the sport.

It’sCanada’sfirst gold in men’s curling sincethe 2014 Sochi Games, when they also beat Britain in the final with Jacobs as the skip. This is his first Olympics sincethen— he lost in theCanadian Olympic trials for2018 and 2022.

Mouat wasoff on the freeze and Canada chippedBritain out of the house forthree in the ninth end.

Suns star Booker out for aweekwith hipstrain

PHOENIX Phoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker will miss at least oneweekbecause of aright hip strain that happened against the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday

The team made the announcement on Saturdaybefore agame against the Orlando Magic. Booker is averaging 24.7 points, 6.1 assistsand 3.9 rebounds over 44 games this season. The 29-yearold recently missedseven straight games with asprained right ankle.

TheSunsalsosaidthatrecently signed guard Haywood Highsmith is continuing to recover from right knee surgery last offseason. The team said Highsmith is making “good progress.”

Cardinalssigninfielder Urías to a1-year deal

JUPITER, Fla. The St. Louis Cardinals have signed infielder Ramón Urías to aone-year contract with amutual option for2027, the team announced on Saturday

The 31-year-old Urías played most of his career with the Baltimore Oriolesbeforegetting traded to the Houston Astros in the middle of last season. Between the two teams, he hit .241 with 11 homersand 44 RBIsin 2025.

Urías had his best season in 2022 when he hit 16 homers and won aGold Glove at third base,which is hisprimaryposition. He also has experience at second base, shortstopand first base.

To make room forUrías on the roster, right-handedpitcherZak Kent was designatedfor assignment.

Thitikultakes 3rd-round

lead in Thailand tourney

World No. 1Jeeno Thitikul birdiedher final three holesSaturday fora 6-under 66 andatwo-stroke lead going into the final round of her homeLPGAThailand tournament.

to score17points, hitting five 3-pointers forthe Cavaliers (243, 12-2 Atlantic Coast), whowon their eighth straight.

NO.17ST.JOHN’S 81,CREIGHTON 52: In New York, Bryce Hopkins had 15 pointsand 10 rebounds as No. 17 St.John’sbreezed past Creighton on Saturday for its 13th straight victory —marking the school’s longest winning streak in 41 years.

Dylan Darling scored 17 points off the bench and Zuby Ejiofor added 15 for the first-place Red Storm (22-5, 15-1 Big East), who ledwire-to-wire andheld Creighton to 32% shooting in their 18th win in 20 games.

NO.16UNC 77, SYRACUSE 64:InSyracuse,New York, Henri Veesaar returned to the starting lineup and scored 19 points in leading No. 16 NorthCarolina to awin over Syracuse on Saturday The 7-foot center,who averages 16.4 points and 9.0 rebounds for the TarHeels, missedthe Tar Heels’ past twogames, mostrecently Tuesday’s 24-point loss at N.C. State.

No. 9NEBRASKA 87, PENNST. 64: In Lincoln, Nebraska, Pryce Sandfort scored 20 of his career-high 33 points in the first half andfinished witheight 3-pointers, leadingninth-ranked Nebraska in an rout of Penn State on Saturday The Cornhuskers (23-4, 12-4 BigTen) bounced back from a 57-52 loss at Iowa on Tuesday and moved into atie forthird place in theconference with their dominant performance against the league’slast-place team.

Thitikul made a15-foot birdie putt on the par-3 16th to break away from afour-way tie for the lead, then sawher eaglechip justslide past the hole on 18 beforetapping in for abirdie.

Thitikul had a54-hole total of 20-under 196 at the Siam Country Club Old Course.

In second place wasHyo Joo Kim after a65. Allisen Corpuz (67), second-round leader Somi Lee (72) and Chizzy Iwai(68) were tied for third, three strokes behind Thitikul.

No. 18 Saint Louis,VCU fined by Atlantic10

The Atlantic 10 has issued reprimands and fined both No. 18 Saint Louis and VCU for violating the conference’ssportsmanship policy following ascuffle between the twoteams near theend of abasketball game. The conference said in astatement that it would not issue suspensions and praised game officials forhandlingthe situationin “exemplary fashion.”

The A-10 did not disclose the amount of the fines, but said they would be according to conference policy

On Friday,the coaches from Saint Louis andVCU were preparing to shake hands when the benches cleared with 1.1 seconds left. With its 88-75 victory,Saint Louis (25-2, 13-1 Atlantic 10) prevented VCU (21-7, 12-3) fromtaking over first place.

Hunter:‘We’rejusttryingto keep themomentumgoing.’

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Coming off massive winsatUAB and North Texas, the surging Tulane men’sbasketball team (16-10, 7-6) should be supremely confident for its home game with Rice (1115, 5-8) on Sunday (1 p.m.,ESPN+).

Then again, nothing has made any sense in the AmericanConference this season.

Defying alllogic,the American is 39-49 in home conference games. Eight of the league’s 13 teams have been better on the road than as hosts, and the Green Wave and Owls fit the pattern.

Tulane is 2-4 at Devlin Fieldhouse and 5-2 away from it. Rice is 2-5 in Houston and 3-3 on the road, including an unlikely 66-64victory at second-place Wichita State in January

In other words, the Wave will have no easy task as it tries to(virtually) lock up aspot in the 10-team American Conference tournament against the Owls and improve its odds to get abye or multiple byes.

“Wejust have to keep the momentum going,” Tulane coach Ron Hunter said. “As Itold the guys theother day,we’ve got five days left, and Ineed them to be good for five days. Let’sput all our focus on each game and just worry about the next game right now.”

Tulane entered the weekend in afour-way tie for fifth place with Memphis, Charlotte and Temple —ahalf-game behind fourth-place UAB anda game-and-a-half back of second-place Tulsa and Wichita State. The 49ers won Saturday,so the Wave will need avictory to keep pace in acritical, bunchedup race. The top two seeds will not play until the tournament semifinals. The No. 3and 4seeds will get byes until the quarterfinalround.The No. 5and 6seeds will receivefirstround byes.

On fire Scotty Middleton’sbenching for Luke Rasmussen at theend of January unleashed apure-shooting behemoth in February

After hitting four 3s in six attempts in Tulane’scome-frombehind win at North Texas on Wednesday,Middleton is 14 of 22 (63.6%) from long range in the past six games, providingmuch-needed firepower for ateam that can bog down offensively.Not coincidentally,the Wave won four of its last five.

“Things started to turn for us when we putLuke in the lineup at the end of the Charlotte game, and not so much for Luke but what it’sdone forScotty,” Hunter said. “It’skind of reachedhim a little bit, so now we are getting great bench production, which we weren’tgetting before. We

LSU

Continued from page1C

If the Tigers win six straight, picking up one or two victories over the SEC’stop teams in Greenville, South Carolina, along the way, then they’dbe29-4overall and 15-4 in league play on Selection Sunday. That’s astrong resume, especially becauseit would include atournament title in the nation’stoughest conference.

have somebody that can come off the bench and score. Right now he may be playing his best of his college career.”

Middleton, ajuniorwho transferred from Seton Hall, has made four treysinback-to-backgames, equalinghis careerhigh. He also grabbeda team-best sixrebounds against North Texas

“I don’tthink there was any adjustment (coming off the bench),” he said. “Coachsees what the team needs at thetime. There is no secret sauce or anything like that. Ialways keepthe same routine,and I’m reaping the results of it right now.”

Stat stuffers

Tulane’sRowan Brumbaugh and Rice’sTrae Broadnax have posted remarkably similar numbers, leading theirteams in scoring, rebounds,assistsand steals.

Brumbaugh, a6-foot-4junior whotransferred from Georgetown before the 2024-25 season, averages 18.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 as-

Texas (25-3, 10-3) and Vanderbilt (24-3, 10-3) would each drop at least one more game in that scenario, which would leave the selection committeechoosing between abunch offour or five-loss teams for the last No. 1seed. LSU could have victoriesovertwo of them.

TheTigers couldn’thaveimagined that possibilityhad they lost to theRebels on Thursday.But because they erased a13-point thirdquarter deficit and pulledout the win, they still can. Junior guardMiLaysiaFulwi-

sistsand 1.8steals. He is second in theAmerican in scoring and third in steals. Broadnax, a6-foot-4 senior who transferred from Mount St. Mary’s in 2024-25, averages 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and1.3 steals. “He (Broadnax)’sgot to see bodies,” Huntersaid. “Wehaveto makesure we do agood job. Their record doesn’tindicate their talent level becausehe’sa very talented guard.”

Lagniappe

Tulaneis3-0 against Rice since theOwls joined the American in 2023-24. The Wave also won their last threemeetingsinConference USA in 2012-13 and 2013-14. …Rasmussen has missed10consecutive 3-point attempts since hitting oneearly in thesecondagainst SouthFlorida on Jan. 28. …Tulane is second in the league in blocked shots with 5.23 per conference game. Percy Daniels is ninthindividually (1.4) in that category despiteaveraging only 15.9minutes off the bench.

ley led the comeback, scoring 10 of her career-high 26 points in just thelast seven minutes of the fourth quarter “Wehave each other’sback,” Fulwiley said. “And regardless of howwe’re playing or who’sgoing off or who’snot doing as well, we have each other’sback,and we want to win.”

LSU has been given aNo. 3NCAA Tournament seed in each of the first fourseasonsofMulkey’stenure. TheTigershaven’tlanded aNo. 2 seed since2008, and they haven’t

BY LES EAST Contributing writer

James Borrego waslooking for much better defense and he got it. The New Orleans Pelicans’ interimheadcoach alsogot balanced scoring as lagniappe in his team’s126-111 victory against the Philadelphia76ers on Saturday night in the SmoothieKing Center Borregoemphasizedbeforethe gamethat the Pelicans’ fate rested primarily with defensive improvementover its 139-118 home loss to Milwaukee on Friday

The first half wasn’tgreat as the Pelicans fell behind 65-57, but the second half was much better and the gameturned on New Orleans’ 40-26 edge in the third quarter that led to a69-46 second-half advantage.

“It was afull team effort,” Borrego said. “Itwas agreat overall response from last night.”

Jordan Poole scored 23 points, Zion Williamson had 21, Saddiq Bey had20, Herb Jones had 14, Bryce McGowens 13, Karlo Matkovic 12, Herb Jones 12 and Derik Queen 10 for the Pelicans (16-42), whowill play the Golden State Warriors at 7p.m.Tuesday in the Smoothie King Center

“Poole wasfantastic,” Borrego said. Borrego’ssearch forimproved defense included him inserting 6-foot-11 center DeAndre Jordan into thestarting lineup alongside 6-10 Queen. Jordan had played in just two games thisseason, the last being his only previous start on Oct. 29 at Denver He respondedwith six points and 15 rebounds in 31-plus min-

utes.Hehad 11 rebounds in the first half, the first time he has had double-figure rebounds in afirst half since Nov. 20, 2022.

“I have fresh legs,” Jordan quipped afterward.

“DeAndre raised everybody’s level,” Borrego said. “He was ready. He hasbeen atotal pro and he has elevated our program in so manyways.”

Tyrese Maxie scored 27, New Orleans native Kelly Oubre Jr had25, VJ Edgecombe had 14 and Quentin Grimes added 11 to lead the Sixers (30-26).

Beyscored 10 points as New Orleans began the third quarter with a19-11 run to tie the score at 76. The score was tied twice more before Fears made two freethrows andMatkovic added six pointstogive the Pelicansa 97-91 lead at the end of the third quarter

Matkovic made one3-pointer andMcGowensand Poolemade one each to help New Orleans expand the lead to 115-97 midway through the fourth quarter

The Sixers scoredthe first eight points of the game, but Bey scored eight as the Pelicans heated up andgrabbeda 14-11 lead Philadelphia rebuilt the lead to seven before holding a29-24 lead at the end of the first quarter

The lead reached nine points as the Sixers scored the first four points of thesecond quarter,but Williamsonscoredeight points during a19-8 run that gave New Orleans a43-41 lead. Oubre made two3-pointers, Maxey had a3-pointer and a three-point play and Edgecombe and Jabari Walker each had a three-point play as Philadelphia surged to a65-57 halftimelead.

earned aNo. 1seed since 2006.

The only way LSU can ensure that it would avoid running into eitherofthe nation’s top twoteams (UConnand UCLA) until the Final Four thisseason is by landing a No. 1seed. If the Tigers get one of the No. 2seeds, then the selection committee could decide to put themnext to either the Huskies or the Bruins at thetop of oneofthe bracket’sfour regions. This year,Sacramento, California, and Fort Worth, Texas, are thetwo sites that will host

the Sweet 16 and the Elite Eight. LSUtraveled to Albany,New York, andSpokane,Washington to play those two rounds the past two seasons.

The Tigers fell one step shy of the Final Four both times. Now they’retrying to climb back over that hump.

And yes, they still have achance to do it as aNo. 1seed.

“All of us want to win,” Fulwiley said. “It’snot just afew of us.It’s all of us, and we just keep playing. We’re hard, we’re tough.”

THE VARSITY ZONE

Hammond-bound

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

One shot hit the crossbar Another one barely cleared the goal frame. For one half, Mount Carmel showed frustration at not being able to build on its one-goal lead in a state semifinal against Benton on Saturday at Pan American Stadium. Those fortunes changed after halftime. Senior Stella Junius scored two goals after the break to go along with the one from senior Lily Francingues in the opening minutes, and No. 1 Mount Carmel secured a 3-0 victory that put the reigning state champion Cubs back in the Division I state final to face district rival Dominican Those New Orleans schools will play Saturday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond.

The goals for Junius came on a header off a corner kick from junior Sally Chapoton and on a chip-in after a long free kick from freshman Sidney Chase Junius had another shot in the first half that hit off the crossbar

Chase had a long free kick that barely cleared the goal frame, after she drilled another early attempt that got intercepted by the Benton goalkeeper

“I never get upset when we don’t make them because I know we’re going to do it again,” Junius said about those missed scoring chances. “I just get mad at myself; maybe there was more I could have done. Like the (the one hit off the crossbar), maybe I should have hit it lower.”

Junius made the most of her chances after halftime The header off the kick from the right corner bounced once and into the net The free kick from Chase bounced high for Junius to get off a shot that deflected off the right post before caroming in.

“It was kind of was one of those perfect balls that every coach describes, where it just bounced right where it needed to go,” Junius said about the feed from the strong-legged Chase.

Francingues opened the scoring when she headed the ball to her feet, turned toward the goal and used her left foot to put the ball

Jesuit’s Burks breaks 8 seconds in 60 hurdles

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Jesuit’s Ja’ir Burks felt focused as he prepared to run the Division I 60-meter hurdles at the LHSAA’s state indoor track and field meet on Saturday at LSU’s Carl Maddox Fieldhouse.

Burks entered the event with the goal of running a time of less than 8 seconds and he achieved that goal in the prelims, running a 7.93. He said his mind never wandered to his competition as he prepared for the final, just on himself.

“Just focusing on my technique and just staying to myself and focusing on my race,” said Burks, who swept both hurdle events at the LHSAA state outdoor meet as a sophomore. When the starter’s gun was fired Saturday, Burks hurdled his way toward the finish line to win in 7.88 seconds, just 0.04 seconds off the state composite championship record of 7.84 set by Broderick Davis of Scotlandville in 2023. Scotlandville’s Fayden Brown finished second to Burks on Saturday in a time of 8.16, while Easton’s Jeron Bickham was third in 8.24. In those brief seconds during Saturday’s final, the Jesuit junior refused to let distractions creep in.

“Honestly, (my mind) just goes blank,” he said about what he thinks about during the race.

“I can’t even put it into words.”

While achieveing his goal of running below 8 seconds in the 60 hurdles felt great for Burks, he said seeing his hard work pay off felt equally gratifying.

Now, Burks doesn’t want to look too far in the future, but he’s hoping for more personal records at the state outdoor meet in May and the Nike Nationals in June.

He’ll just have to stay focused.

in the top right corner of the goal frame.

“That was on my left foot, and I’m not left-footed,” said Francingues, who has put in extra work recently on more efficiently using her nondominant foot.

The state final will be a rematch from when Mount Carmel (21-2-3) and No. 3 Dominican (23-0-5) tied 1-1 in regulation last month, but Dominican claimed the district title on penalty kicks.

In the postseason, any tie after regulation goes to extra time.

In the other semifinal Saturday, Dominican’s Stella Zippert scored the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over No. 2 St. Joseph’s in Baton Rouge.

“It’s hard to do it twice,” Mount Carmel coach Alexi Petrou said about winning another title. “We’re in good position.

“We’re hitting our form at the right time. And now you’re 80 minutes from possibly doing it backto-back, which not many teams do. So, you’re trying to make a little bit of history.”

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Newman knocks out Episcopal in 2 OTs to reach Div. IV final

BY WILLIAM WEATHERS Contributing writer

A week after scoring the goahead goal in a second overtime, three-time reigning Division IV state champion Newman worked late into Friday’s semifinal for a return trip to the state championship. The sixth-seeded Greenies, who trailed by a goal for 72 minutes, pulled even with Episcopal in the 76th minute and Lili Arjmand provided the game-winner in the 85th minute for a 2-1 victory in double overtime against the second-seeded Knights at EHS’ Memorial Field.

“We had to up our intensity and we did,” Newman coach Doug Freese. “We got outhustled a bit in the first half. I said if we get one, we’re going to win the game. This is a team that’s very battletested. All year we’ve played the best teams in the state to be ready for this.”

DOUG FREESE, Newman coach Late

Newman (13-7-3), a 15-time state champion, faces the winner of Saturday’s Calvary BaptistPope John Paul II semifinal, in Wednesday’s state championship at 5 p.m. at Southeastern Louisiana’s Strawberry Stadium.

“We just ran out of gas,” Episcopal coach Lynn Bradley said. “I think we put in a heck of a lot of effort in the first half. I thought we played really well and were the better team.

“Then in the second half, fatigue set in. It was a big effort from the girls, but you could tell they were getting a bit gassed. Newman kind of bided their time and was patient. They’re an experienced team.”

This marked the fourth straight postseason Newman and Episcopal crossed paths.

The Greenies won 2-1 in last year’s semifinal in New Orleans and stopped the Knights in consecutive state title matches in 2023 and ‘24.

Episcopal (19-4-0) grabbed the lead four minutes into the match. Annabel Laugier ran onto a bounding long ball and headed it over Newman goalie Bizzie Guy (three saves), who had come off of her mark.

Episcopal senior goalie Maddie Teague kept the Newman scoreless with a pair of saves in the

STATE INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD RESULTS

Final results from the LHSAA indoor track and field meet held Saturday at LSU’s Carl Maddox Fieldhouse. Girls

Division I

Field Pole vault: 1. Scarlett Petticrew, Lafayette, 11-11.75. 2. Olivia Woods, St. Thomas More, 11-05.75. 3. Miranda Weeks, Mount Carmel, 11-05.75. 4. Annabelle Griffin, Live Oak, 10-11.75. 5. Alivia Singletary, Iowa, 10-11.75. Shot put: 1. Kaci Fulton, Barbe, 42-03.25. 2. Kai Richard, Zachary, 39-08.50. 3. Journi Douglas, Ruston, 3708.75. 4. Zaniyah Carter, Parkway, 37-07.25. 5. Kaylanii Proby, Captain Shreve, 35-10.75. High jump: 1. Kennedy Papillion, St. Joseph, 5-09.25. 2. Taylor Bennett, Barbe, 5-03. 3. Shelby Ledet, Airline, 5-03. 4. Addilyn Dufrene, John Curtis, 5-03. 5. Mackenzie Hayes, Mandeville, 5-03 Triple jump: 1. Noelle Williams, Alexandria, 39-02.25. 2. Emoiree Rogers, St. Joseph, 37-05.75. 3. Alayah Stanley, West Feliciana, 35-07.75. 4. Bethany Long, Lafayette, 35-07.75. 5. J’Niyah Alexander, Zachary, 35-01. Track 4x800: 1. St. Joseph, 9:42.16. 2. Lafayette, 9:48.26. 3. Ruston, 9:53.42. 4. Byrd, 9:58.75. 5. E.D. White, 10:10.42. 60: 1. Amalia Terry-Lee, St. Joseph, 7.60. 2. Destiny Harrison, Liberty, 7.60. 3. Dai’Jah Robertson, Easton, 7.72. 4. Gabriella Glover, Ouachita Parish, 7.73. 5. Naleah Crandle, Mandeville, 7.74. 4x200: 1. Lafayette, 1:42.25. 2. Zachary, 1:43.11. 3. Alexandria, 1:43.12. 4. St. Joseph, 1:43.37. 5. Mandeville, 1:45.20. 1600: 1. Grace Keene, Northshore, 4:54.09. 2. Keira Melan, Dutchtown, 5:04. 3. Emma Aldana-Huegla, Willow School, 5:07.79. 4. Lucy Thomas, Baton Rouge High, 5:13.86. 5. Cate Barbier, St. Joseph, 5:24.48. 400: 1. Jaleyia Woods, Woodlawn, 56.16. 2. Ja’Hanna McGinnis, John Curtis, 56.49. 3. Hayla Demery, Byrd, 56.96. 4. T’Avion Clark, Ruston, 57.43. 5. Tay’Lee Crump, Lafayette, 58.54. 800: 1. Grace Keene, Northshore, 2:19.34. 2. Riley Siner, Lafayette, 2:19.59. 3. Aaryam Saleh, Teurlings Catholic, 2:21.25. 4. Keira Melan, Dutchtown, 2:22.77. 5. Camille Rembert, Barbe, 2:24 Division II Field Triple jump: 1. Alaysia Titus, Lafayette Christian, 36-11.75. 2. Savannah Thompson, Thomas Jefferson, 36-04.75. 3. Jada Recasner, Newman, 36-00.75. 4. Cali Cain, University, 36-00.25. 5. Teyler Johns, Lafayette Renaissance Charter, 34-11.25. Shot put: 1. Jelani Jonson, Donaldsonville, 36-00.25. 2. Kyla Charles, Highland Baptist, 35-05.25. 3. Chidera Ajoku, St. James, 34-11. 4. Carly Meynard, Menard, 3405. 5. Laila Hudson, Lafayette Christian, 33-08. High jump: 1. Emma Smith, Delcambre, 5-06. 2. Semaj Malveaux, Lake Charles College Prep, 5-01.75. 3. Makayla Hiles, Episcopal, 4-11.75. 4. Ella Grace Hebert, Ascension Episcopal, 4-09.75. 5. Rylan Varnado, Parkview Baptist, 4-09.75. Long jump: 1. Alaysia Titus, Lafayette Christian, 17-07. 2. Treasure Mathews, ARCA, 17-05.50. 3. Zoey Hodges, Episcopal, 17-00.50. 4. Kenli Addison, Madison Prep, 16-10. 5. Savannah Thompson, Thomas Jefferson, 16-10. Pole vault: 1. Rachel Owens, ARCA, 11-01.50. 2 Olvia Marcantel, Menard, 10-00. 3. Emma Romano, Northlake Christian, 9-06.25. 4. Jaycie Willis, Iota, 9-06.25. 5. Makenzi Davis, Highland Baptist, 9-00.25. Track 60: 1. Makayla Miller, Madison Prep, 7.78. 2. Kassidy Washington, University, 7.80. 3. Tiffany Foxworth, Episcopal, 7.81. 4. Kenli Addison, Madison Prep, 7.82. 5. Caitlyn Lang, Northlake Christian, 7.85. 4x200: 1. Lake Charles College Prep, 1:46.72. 2. Madison Prep, 1:46.87. 3. University, 1:49.41. 4. ARCA,

“We had to up our intensity and we did. We got outhustled a bit in the first half. I said if we get one, we’re going to win the game.”

14th and 17th minutes on shots from Arjmand. A 40-yard shot from Newman’s Brooke Montano also clanged off the crossbar in the 32nd minute.

Teague was under constant pressure in the final 10 minutes of regulation, registering four of her 11 saves during that span until freshman forward Eleanore Robinson picked up a loose ball in the box and scored in the 76th minute.

Newman, which put 13 of 17 shots on target, gained possession in the first overtime after it appeared one of its players had the ball kicked off of them by an Episcopal defender Instead, the Greenies were awarded a corner kick which Teague punched out into the box which Arjmand collected and scored into the right side of the goal.

“I’m devastated and I’m really disappointed for them,” Bradley said of her 12-member senior class. “I don’t know if I could have asked any more from them. I’m proud of them. I walk away with no regrets. I asked the players to give me everything and they did and more.”

8:08.54. 3. Jesuit, 8:11.47. 4. East Ascension, 8:14.76. 5. Zachary, 8:14.79. 60 hurdles: 1. Ja’ir Burks, Jesuit, 7.88. 2. Fayden Brown, Scotlandville, 8.16. 3. Jeron Bickham, Easton, 8.24. 4. Jude Schlegel, Catholic High, 8.30. 5. Zalen Bennett, Hammond, 8.33. 60: 1. Micah Green, Rummel, 6.79. 2. Sterling Wright, Chalmette, 6.87. 3. Macario Dade, Ouachita Parish, 6.88. 4. Chauncey Wilkins, Huntington, 7.01. 5. Laiken Jordan, Ponchatoula, 7.05. 4x200: 1. Catholic High, 1:29.43. 2. Zachary, 1:30.78. 3. Ruston, 1:30.80. 4. Huntington, 1:31.63. 5. East Ascension, 1:31.97. 1600: 1. Brennan Robin, Parkway, 4:14.97. 2. Jayden Williams, Airline, 4:19.68. 3. William DeCuir, Catholic High, 4:19.82. 4. Connor Fanberg, Jesuit, 4:22.43. 5. Rowan Silk, Denham Springs, 4:22.43. 400: 1. Jaylen Jackson, Hammon, 49.17. 2. Harrison LaLande, Catholic High, 49.43. 3. Henry Mensman, Catholic High, 49.61. 4. Ke’Mondrick Hunter, Ruston, 50.22. 5. Nasir Ceazer, Rummel, 50.26. 800: 1. Tytan Johnson, West Monroe, 1:55.87. 2. Brayden Berglund, Mandeville, 1:55.93. 3. Cohen Aucoin, Thibodaux, 1:57.27. 4. Julian Lee, Belle Chasse 1:57.81. 5. Al Johnson, Hahnville, 1:59.05. Division II Field Triple jump: 1. Tayven Carter, Delhi Charter, 45-02.25. 2. Granger Collins, University, 43-06. 3. Bra’Jon Melancon, North Iberville, 43-01. 4. Jeremiah Smith, Glen Oaks, 41-06. 5. David Thomas, Lake Charles College Prep, 41-03.75. Long jump: 1. Tayven Carter, Delhi Charter, 23-00.75. 2. William Plaster, Lake Charles College Prep, 2108.25. 3. Keshaun Toney, East Feliciana, 21-01.50. 4. Beckett Wilson,

1.

6-04.75. 2.

Cuartas,

5.

6-02.75. 3. Keshaun Toney, East Feliciana, 5-10.75. 4. Thomas Carter, Slaughter Community Charter, 5-10.75. 5. Jeremy Mitchell, Episcopal, 5-10.75. Shot put: 1. Lamar Brown, University, 55-11. 2. Justin Suire, Highland Baptist, 54-04.75. 3. Kaleb Campbell, 49-04.50. 4. Dylan Kolenovsky, Newman, 48-03.50. 5. Jordell Baise, North Iberville, 47-05.25. Track 4x800: 1. Ouachita Christian, 8:24.85. 2. Glen Oaks 8:26.19. 3. Lake Charles College Prep, 8:36.24. 4. University, 8:39.75. 5. Episcopal, 8:40.44. 60 Hurdles:

1:49.84. 5. Episcopal, 1:50.38. 1600: 1. Varenka Zhuk, Country Day, 5:09.09. 2. Lucy Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 5:09.47. 3. Molly Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 5:13.14. 4. Bella Biggerstaff, Ascension Episcopal, 5:15.58. 5. Kaitlyn Sawyer, Hathaway, 5:21.07. 400: 1. Jerny Stevens, Lake Charles College Prep, 58.11. 2. Kenli Addison, Madison Prep, 58.12. 3. Myah Trahan, Midland, 58.21. 4. Malajia Hubbard, East Iberville, 58.90. 5. Madelyn Argote, Newman, 59.58. 800: 1. Georgia Theriot, Parkview Baptist, 2:19.00. 2. Coco Alvarado, Country Day, 2:19.60. 3. Ada Mere Episcopal, 2:21.65. 4. Kaitlyn Sawyer, Hathaway, 2:25.61. 5. Varenka Zhuk, Country Day, 2:26.50. Boys Division I Field Shot put: 1. Joseph Rivet, Alexandria, 60-09.50. 2. Jack Torrance, Catholic High, 58-01. 3. Dar’Reyus Scott, Denham Springs, 57-01.50. 4. Spencer Waguespack, Jesuit, 55-11. 5. Keidrick Bailey, Zachary, 53-07. Long jump: 1. Damien Richard, Destrehan, 22-05. 2. Owen Moller, Brother Martin, 21-10.25. 3. Miles Torres, Easton, 21-10. 4. Gavin Ellison, Benton, 20-10.75. 5. Jamarion Meady, Prairieville, 20-10.75. Pole vault: 1. Blake Guidry, E.D. White, 15-05. 2. John Henry Overton, Catholic High, 14-11. 3. Houston Hunt, Live Oak, 14-05.25. 4. Jack Evans, Fontainebleau, 1311.25. 5. Eli Hegwood, Walker, 13-05.25. Triple jump: 1. Damien Richard, Destrehan, 45-01.75. 2. Malik Brown, Ponchatoula, 4-07. 3. Cody Nelson, Ouachita Parish, 43-06. 4. Chandler Hartman, Ellender, 43-06. 5. Dedrick Tillman, Barbe, 43-05. High jump: 1. Austen Nelson, Dutchtown, 6-08.75. 2. Travon James, Ellender, 6-06.75. 3. Tramare Byrd, East

SAINTS

Rattler kept the Saints competitive in games against some of the NFL’s premier teams.

Rattler’s rate statistics all improved from Year 1 to Year 2, including touchdown percentage (1.3% increase), interception percentage (0.3% decrease), passing success rate (8.5% increase), sack percentage (2.25% decrease) and passer rating (16.1-point increase).

Wide receiver Chris Olave saw enough to believe Rattler is a starting-caliber quarterback something he made sure to bring up upon the conclusion of the 2025 season.

“Spencer’s a great quarterback

— I don’t believe he’s a backup quarterback in this league,” Olave said. “In this world nowadays, everybody wants to point the finger if something is going wrong. I feel like Spencer’s done a great job when he was back there starting at quarterback. He deserves another opportunity to be able to be a starting quarterback in this league.

“I don’t feel like there’s 32 quarterbacks better than him.”

Still, Shough clearly established himself as an improvement over Rattler in 2025, removing any doubt about a quarterback competition going into 2026. So: Should the Saints try to cash in while Rattler’s stock is high, or hang onto him because they (perhaps better than most teams) understand the value of a capable backup quarterback?

Quarterbacks are valuable trade chips, and that is true for basically anyone who has a shred of upside at the position

Consider three players: Sam Howell, Kenny Pickett and Joe Milton. Howell, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 draft who threw 21 in-

terceptions in his lone season as a starter, has now been traded three times — all as part of a pick swap that improved the draft positioning for the team that had previously held his rights.

Pickett, a former first-round pick who never lived up to his draft status, has also been traded three times. In fact, both Howell and Pickett were traded for draft considerations twice in the span of five months last year

Milton, who was selected a round later than Rattler in the 2024 draft, was traded to the Cowboys in exchange for a fifthround pick this past summer despite playing in only one NFL game as a rookie.

All of those players were traded to be backups elsewhere. If a team saw enough in Rattler to consider letting him compete for a starting job, much the same way he did last year, it would be reasonable to expect a fourthround pick or better in return which would be an improvement on the Saints’ initial investment in Rattler

But that would require another team to not only be interested, but also willing to part with an asset that could help speed along the development of the young quarterback it is acquiring. And the Saints may not want to be the one to initiate trade talks.

While Rattler does have some value as a potential trade chip, he also costs the Saints pennies against the dollar — he will count $1.2 million against the team’s 2026 salary cap and $1.3 million in 2027 while providing a strong depth option at the most important position on the field.

He also knows coach Kellen Moore’s system. It would be hard to blame New Orleans for considering that more valuable than an early Day 3 pick.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

DUNCAN

Continued from page 1C

While the teams have not enjoyed as much success as she’d like in recent years, Benson has been a terrific steward of the teams for the city and state. She understands the responsibility of her position and, above all, is loyal to New Orleans. She has spent much of her recent tenure trying to secure successful futures for both teams in the state. As we all know, though, Father Time is undefeated. Eventually, she will have to sell the teams, as stated in Tom Benson’s succession plan. Benson has designated a number of trustees to handle the sale of both teams. When that happens, Graves will certainly be a strong candidate. He checks every box:

He’s local. A native New Orleanian, he was raised in Baton Rouge and has spent his entire life in Louisiana except for his college years at Georgia.

He’s viable. Forbes recently listed his net worth at $22 billion, which makes him the wealthiest person in the state and one of the wealthiest in the country He’s more than qualified to buy an NFL team. He cares. Through his various donations and sponsorships of local sports teams and events, particularly LSU, he has shown a commitment to strengthening the local community and sports scene And he seemingly has the league’s endorsement Rest assured, he’s on the NFL’s radar Graves gained bona fides by donating to several important causes at Super Bowl LIX. It wasn’t an accident that he served as the grand marshal of the NFL’s Super Bowl parade and co-hosted a fireside chat for the Manning Family Children’s Hospital event. When the time comes Graves will be well-positioned to become the fourth owner in Saints franchise history But he’s far from a shoo-in. The competition will be fierce. There are only 32 NFL clubs, and they are incred-

Analyst puts Nussmeier in third round of NFL draft

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Garrett Nussmeier seemingly helped his draft stock with a strong performance at the Senior Bowl last month.

CEO of Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers Todd Graves sits next to New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson during an NBA game on March 17 at the Smoothie King Center

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

ibly valuable assets.

The Seattle Seahawks recently went up for sale, and industry experts expect the team to sell for $7 billion to $10 billion. The final sale price is projected to exceed the $6.05 billion paid for the Washington Commanders in 2023.

With such skyrocketing valuations, NFL teams, including the Saints, are approached regularly by vetted investors interested in buying their teams or pieces of them.

The NFL has strict guidelines for ownership transfers. Prospective owners can form groups with up to 25 total partners, but the league requires the principal owner to hold at least 30% of the total equity of the team’s value. With teams selling for $6 billion and maybe more soon, that would mean $1.8 billion or more in cash This stipulation alone limits the candidate pool to a privileged few

While the Benson trustees will have a fiduciary duty to the beneficiaries of the trust, they don’t necessarily have to go with the highest bidder Trustees can argue that a slightly lower bid is “better” if the bidder has more liquid capital, a cleaner background for NFL vetting or a better plan for the team’s long-term stability — all of which protect the trust’s assets.

Because the NFL is a private entity and requires the approval of at least 24 of the 32 NFL team owners (a three-fourths majority) for any ownership change, fit is critically important. If the owners don’t like a specific person — regardless of how much money they have — the trustees can’t force the sale. Consequently, trustees usually only present a buyer they know the league will ratify And Graves, by all accounts, would qualify No, the question on Graves isn’t whether he would be a good owner for the Saints or another NFL team. By all accounts, he would.

The better question is, will he eventually become the Saints’ owner?

That answer remains to be seen — and is a long way off.

Now, the former LSU quarterback will look to carry that momentum into next week’s NFL scouting combine. After being named the Senior Bowl MVP, Nussmeier has a chance to further impress teams at the combine with another round of interviews and testing. But where will the 24-year-old eventually land? Nussmeier is arguably one of the trickier evaluations in this year’s class after a disappointing, injury-marred campaign damaged the perception that he could become a top 10 pick.

Where does that leave him?

“I like him as a third-round pick,”

NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said on a conference call Thursday “I feel like that’s the sweet spot for him. But we’ve seen in years past that guys can get elevated, so maybe there’s a chance he goes in the second round. But I like him more as a third-round player who’s got a real interesting skill set in terms of contact delivery.”

Jeremiah, a former scout, praised Nussmeier’s ability to operate from the pocket despite the LSU product’s undersized 6-foot-1 frame. The analyst said Nussmeier “doesn’t need a lot of foot space to operate,” while praising his arm and toughness.

Jeremiah said Nussmeier’s game reminds him of NFL veteran Andy Dalton — the former Saints quarterback who was a long-time starter for the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals picked Dalton in the second round, 35th overall, in 2011.

“(The Senior Bowl) was a nice rebound for him,” Jeremiah said of Nussmeier

“He’s really, really tough,” Jeremiah said. “It was butt cold at the Senior Bowl, man It was windy and it was cold and it didn’t seem to have much of an effect on him, which is a great sign for him going forward.” Nussmeier’s toughness included playing through a mysterious abdominal injury that plagued him throughout the 2025 season until he was shut down in November At the Senior Bowl last month, Nussmeier told reporters that he still wasn’t 100% healthy, but had focused on his rehab and retraining his throwing motion “from the ground up.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Team Gaither outlasts Team Robinson to win the HBCU Legacy Bowl, 27-23

BY DARRELL WILLIAMS

Contributing writer

Team Gaither beat Team Robinson, 27-23, in the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl on Saturday at Tulane’s Yulman Stadium.

To the victors go the spoils, as they say, as running back JaQuan Kelly and linebacker Erick Hunter of Team Gaither — which featured players from the East Coast and Midwest — were chosen offensive and defensive MVP, respectively

However Team Robinson composed of players from conferences such as the Southwestern Athletic Conference — had bright moments of their own, as well.

Leading the way was defensive back Blake Davis of Grambling, whose 44-yard interception return on the last play of the third quarter cut Team Gaither’s lead to 2720 just as it appeared they were in control.

Wide receiver Jon McCall of Kentucky State who prepped at Sophie Wright High in New Orleans, had to share time with many wideouts, but he made his presence felt when he was in. McCall tied the receptions-high with five, but had 65 yards, including a 32yard catch in the second quarter

“I wanted to show my speed — my 40 time is in the high 4.3s, but I also wanted to improve my route running, getting in and out of cuts,” said McCall, 6-foot-2, 200.

“I would have liked to get the ball more, but this game was for a lot of guys to get a chance to show that they can play on the next level.

“Hopefully, I showed enough to get drafted or get invited to some teams’ camp.”

Southern University tight end

Dupree Fuller wanted to show he can do anything any tight end can do, even though he’s not a 6-5, 270-pounder

Right after Team Gaither cornerback Aaron Harris returned an interception to the 1 that led to Kelly’s second touchdown and the 27-13 lead, Fuller had a 22yard reception to the 1 with 1:37 left in the third quarter Two plays later, however, Team Robinson

quarterback Cam’Ron Ransom of Bethune-Cookman was picked off by North Carolina Central cornerback Jelani Vassell, one of the game’s top plays.

“I felt I made the type of play I made all season,” said Fuller “I’ve shown I’m a good receiver but I wanted to show that I can block, that I’m a good blocker

“And, I think I’ll be better at it with practice this week. One thing the coaches showed me was how to use and place my hands better when blocking.”

Team Robinson coach Tremaine Jackson of Prairie View said he was proud of how his players performed without much practice.

“This was the last game for many of these players,” he said.

“For all of them, it was about getting an opportunity, and they made the most of it.” Jackson said Team Gaither’s Kelly “was awesome,” getting 76 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries, and a 37-yard run. He was also impressed by North Carolina quarterback Walker Harris, who completed 4-of-9 passes for 49 yards and a touchdown and moved

the team well. Gaither’s big offensive and defensive lines also impressed him, he said.

He ticked off a litany of players who played well and hard, including Grambling defensive lineman Bryce Cage of Baton Rouge, and 6-3, 330-pound guard Tony Roundtree of Savannah State.

He said McCall showed he can help an NFL team with his speed and athleticism.

“He plays with such a high motor, and he can run,” Jackson said. “His change of direction was really good all week. He’s a playmaker He stood out in the game at times, but his week stood out. I’m really hoping the best for him.”

Davis said the pick-six was huge.

Stating the obvious, he said Fuller put them in a position to maybe win the game.

“That kid is strong he blocks well, and he takes a lot of pride in the way he plays and the way he practices,” Jackson said. “On the play that got us down to the 1, I told him I was glad he didn’t do that against us (Prairie View).

LSUscoreswalk-off winoverULin10th

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU shortstop Kylee Edwards entered the Tigers’ game Saturday with a.143 battingaverage andone run batted in through 13 games but made that adistant memory with onebig night. Edwardshad threehitsincludingawalk-offtripleto score Char Lorenz with the game-winner in the 10th inning of atense 2-1 victory against UL in the Purple and Gold Challenge at Tiger Park.

The Tigers (10-4) then played MichiganState in the doubleheader’ssecond game, which started an hour late.

Edwards, ajuniortransfer from Mississippi State, hit a2-1 pitch over the head of right fielder Lily Knox with two out. Lorenz,who had walked with two out, scoredeasily as the Tiger dugout emptied and mobbed Edwardsatthird base.

Jayden Heavener (4-2) was the winning pitcher after entering the game in relief of Cece Cellura,who allowed five hits and one unearned run with three

LSU

Continued from page1C

We don’twant to kick field goals in the red zone; we want to score touchdowns.

“Wedid that today.”

The No. 2-ranked Tigers extended their best startin

fiveseasons under Johnson to 7-0 and won their 15th straight game overall, extending back to last year’s NCAA Baton Rougeregional

The Fighting Irish, who lost to Central Florida 4-2 in 10 innings Friday night despite six perfect innings from starting pitcher Jack Radel, fell to 2-3.

Right

fielder Jake Brown led the LSU attack with the Tigers’ first four-hit game of the season. He was originally credited with going 3-for5, but after the game, ascoring decision was changed from an error on third baseman Parker Brzustewicz to ahit, raising Brown’sseason average to .514. Brown was on base with a one-out single in the fourth inning when Arrambide filling the designated hitter’s slot in the lineup insteadof his usual role as catcher left theyard. He smasheda 1-1 pitch from Notre Dame reliever Garrett Snyder to straight away center,right over the 400-foot sign at VyStar Ballpark. Arrambide explainedthat the plate patience that Stiffler admired in the Tigers helped him on that at-bat

“I took achangeup for a strike, then thought Iwas very likely to get afastball,” Arrambide said. “He laid a fastball in there, and Iput a good swing on it.

“Quality at-batsare what we train to have. Inever try to chase pitches. Iwant to make the pitcher work to get me out, notjust make outs.” LSU led Notre Dame 7-0 at that point, more than enough support to make awinner out

strikeouts in eight innings. At onepoint, she retired 10 consecutivebatters.

UL’s Sage Hoover was the hard-luck losing pitcher, keeping LSU at bay despite givingup10hitsand five walks. She struck out six while throwing172 pitches. Edwardsalsoknocked in the Tigers’ otherrun witha single in the secondinning, triplingher season’sRBI output Heavener came on after Cellura gaveupa leadoff triple to HaleyHartinthe ninth. She walked Emily Smith on fourpitches but got apop-up outfromCecilia Vasquez. Pinchrunner ErinArdoin appeared to steal second unchallenged but wasruled out for leavingthe baseearly afterLSU appealed for avideo review Heavener put out the fire on agrounder to Edwards at shortstop to endthe inning and then she struck out the sideinthe top of the 10th.

LSU had plenty of opportunities with baserunners in every inning but the first but stranded 13 runners. Sierra Daniel tripled with two outinthe seventh andMaci Bergeron had achanceto walk it off but hit aflyball

to center field for thethird out. In the eighth, Alix Franklin walkedwithone outand wenttosecondona base hit by Ally Hutchins. Lorenz fouled out,but KyleeEdwards walked to load the bases,bringing on Maddox McKee, whocame on as a replacement for designated playerRylie Johnsonand hitalinedrive to left field. ButHart came in fast and made adivingcatch to keep the game alive. Both teams gotunearned runs early in the game. In the second, Tori Edwards walked,stole second and went to third on catcher Kennedy Ma rc eaux’s throwing error.Two outs later,Lorenz walked and Kylee Edwards singled to score Tori Edwards.

TheCajunstied it in their next at-bat. Lorenz dropped Mia Liscano’sflyball in left fieldfor atwo-baseerror with oneout. Dayzja Williams sacrificed her to third andMarceauxsingledher home. Cellura gave up a base hit to Hart but struck outSmith to end the inning. LSU closes out the weekend against Howard at 1:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tulane rallies, clinches series againstHarvard

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributingwriter

Previewing Tulane’s home-opening series, coach Jay Uhlman said thekey to winning would be knocking out Harvard’sstarting pitchers andgetting to the bullpen. It took agood while on Saturday,but he proved prescient Trailing8-2 whilebeing outhit 9-2, theGreen Wave finally chased Luca Alaghebandwith aleadoff singleinthe sixthinning and erupted for nine runs off of threerelievers to complete acomeback 11-9 series-clinching victory at Turchin Stadium

Tulane (4-2) avoided a damaging loss against a team that finished14-28 last season.

“I told them to find a way to win,”Uhlmansaid. “We’re nevergoing to apologize for how it went. The fact they hung in there and kept competing, to me, that’sthe best part.”

Harvard(0-2) helped out by issuing four walks and plunking abatter in the critical seventh inning as Tulane scored fourtimes on only onehit —a hard RBI single by Jason Wachs —totakeits first lead,108. Thetying run came in when Trent Liolios took one off the back from freshman left-handerBrett Gable with thebases loaded. Tanner Chun, who already was 3-for-3witha double,kept the batonhis shoulderto plate the go-ahead run on a3-2 pitch that missed the zone.

“I just told myself to stay simple,”Chun said. “That was what the coaches were preaching —keeping it simple and doing thejob and bringing thenext man up.” Tulane appeared to be in all sortsoftrouble when

Tulane outfielder Tanner Chun, shown last season against UNO,went 3-for-3 with three RBIsagainst Harvard on Saturday

starting pitcher Beau Sampson, who already had given up two runs in the first, surrendered agrand slam on aline shot that carried over the right field wall in the second. He leftafter the next batter doubled —the sixthhit he allowed along with two walks while recording only four outs.

“He wasn’tlocating, and then whenhedid locate, it wasoverthe middle of the plate,” Uhlman said. “He got whacked. For most of the game, they hit us. They weren’t cheapies. Last week (against Loyola Marymount) Bo wassogreat and we didn’tpick him up. This week it wasreversed.”

Despite the terrible start, Tulane made enough good plays to overcomeit. Shortstop Kaikea Harrison snagged aline drive in the fourth to keep the deficit at 7-2. TheCrimson loaded the basesinthreeconsecutive innings but produced only one run out it. Arelay from defensive replacement

James Agabedis to catcher Johnny Elliott prevented the tying run from scoring in theeighthona single to left field, cutting down TylerShulmanafter he hesitatedbefore rounding third. That out preserved a10-9 lead.

“He (Agabedis) was just in the game,”Uhlmansaid. “That was huge.” Tulane addedinsurance on TyeWood’ssacrificefly in the bottom of theeighth, and Rice graduate transfer TomVincent pitched aclean ninth for his first save. The comeback started with afour-hit, four-run sixth. Wood andWachs singled offfreshman reliever Davis Kahn right after he entered. Chun followed with atwo-RBI double that deflected off the wallinleft field. MatthiasHaasdoubled downthe leftfield line to score Chun.

“Webelieve we can turn any gamearound,” Chun said.“We have that type of team. The talk in the dugout wasjuststayinglocked in and staying hungry.” Designatedhitter Nolan Nawrocki scored three times, stealing back-to-back bases on his way to Tulane’s first runinthe second.The Wave swiped four bases for the second consecutive day Elliott’sleadoffdouble in the ninth —his second extra-base hitinfourgames after having twoall of last season at USC —led to the final run. Reliever Aiden Rath got the wininhis first appearance afterexperiencing an elbowissue in the preseason.

“Wejust tried to stay the course,” Harrison said. “No disrespect to the other team, but we have an identity and just have to play our game.” The series finale will be noon Sunday

Ohtani settoplayinCactus League gamesbeforeWBC

WHO: LSU(7-0) vs. UCF (4-1 entering Saturday’splay)

WHEN: 2p.m. CST Sunday

WHERE: VyStar Ballpark (11,000),Jacksonville, Florida

ONLINE/TV: D1Baseball.com

RADIO: WDGL-FM, 98.1(Baton Rouge); WWL-AM, 870 (New Orleans); KLWB-FM, 103.7(Lafayette)

RANKINGS: LSUisNo. 2byD1Baseball.com;UCF is unranked

PROBABLE STARTERS: LSU— TBA; UCF— TBA PREGAME UPDATES: www.TheAdvocate.com/lsu ON X(FORMERLYTWITTER): @RabalaisAdv

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: TheTigersclose out the weekend going for the series sweep after alsobeatingIndiana 14-7 Friday.TheTigershave pounded out acombined 30 hits against theHoosiers and Irish while also drawing 19 walks. Neither teamwas expected to announce a pitcher until after Saturday night’sUCF-Indiana game, but LSU is likely to startsophomore right-hander William Schmidt(1-0, 6.75 ERA).

—Scott Rabalais ON DECK

PROVIDED PHOTO By LSUATHLETICS

LSU outfielder JakeBrown bats during agameagainst NotreDameonSaturday at VyStar Ballparkin Jacksonville, Fla.

of startingpitcher Cooper Moore (2-0). He ran into a little difficulty after cruising through the first four innings, allowing arun in the fourth andtwo in the fifth,but gave the Tigers asecondstraight quality start. Moorestruck out six and walked justone batter in 52/3 inningsofwork.

“I felt really good,” Moore said, “flooding the (strike) zone. That’sone ofmy strengths as apitcher.Putting upzeros andletting the defenseworkbehindme.” RelieversEthan Plog, DevenSheerin and DaxDathe combinedfor 31/3 innings of

onehit, one-run relief while striking out eight to make Moore’sstintstandup.

Sheerin had to workout of a bases-loaded jam in theseventhafter issuing apair of walks on top of onebyPlog, but gotout of it with astrikeout and asoft liner to Milam.

“Both of themhave tremendous stuff, but both are very young pitchers,” Johnsonsaid of Plog and Sheerin. “This is great experience for them.

“Weneed those guys to be good. Our ceiling is higher with them pitching well.”

Yorke alsohad apair of hits, as did second baseman SethDardar,who doubled andscored in the second and followed thatwith an RBI double in thethirdtodrive in shortstopSteven Milam.

“As many good hitters as we have,” Johnson said, “no onefeels like it’s just on them to getitdone.”

TheTigerswrap up their trip to Jacksonville on Sundayinthe final game of theclassic against UCF First pitch is set for 2p.m. and will be streamed live on D1Baseball.com. The Golden Knightswere4-1 goinginto Saturday’ssecondgame against Indiana, which playsNotre Dame at 10 a.m.

BY JANIE MCCAULEY Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. Shohei

Ohtani playedfor the first time in what is expected to be only acoupleofCactus League games for the twotime reigning WorldSeries champion Los Angeles Dodgers before he departs thedesert to joinJapan for theWorld Baseball Classic.

He was in the lineup leadingoff as designated hitter and went 1for 3with an infield single, groundout and strikeout during theclub’s spring training openerSaturdayafternoon against theAngels at TempeDiablo Stadium

Ohtani hit aroller for a single to start the game then grounded outtosecond on six pitchesthe next inning, thenstruck out swinging in his second atbatofthe inning to end the Dodgers’ six-run second that put Los Angeles up 9-0.

He called it aday after that andran off the field out of agate in right field during apitching change in the second, when countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto exited from what manager Dave Roberts said wouldbe his only spring start before he also joins the Japanese team for the WBC —but Yamamoto announced after his outing that he expects to pitch again Feb. 27 against theSan Francisco Giants.

“Sometimes he takes two andhefeelsgood or he wantsthat third at-bat,” manager Dave Roberts said of Ohtani. When asked about Ohtani’stravel plans, Roberts smiled andsaid, “I promised I’d try.”

“I knowthat it’s going to be soon. He’sgoing to play in acouple Cactus League games, but I’m notexactly sure when hisplane ticket is.Hehasn’tsaid,” Roberts said. “SoIdon’t knowwhat

day he’sgoing to join Team Japan.”

Ohtani is scheduled to pitch against live hitting Sunday —and Roberts has already said the 31-year-old two-waystarshould be in the Cy Young Award conversation this season.

Reigning World Series MVP Yamamoto hadbeen scheduled to throw twoinnings and around 35 pitches.Hegaveuptwo runs and threehitsin1 2⁄3 innings with three strikeouts.

“I waslooking forsome stuffIneeded to get back before Igoback to Japan and join the team. Iwas looking forward to the feeling, the delivery and those things,” Yamamoto said in Tempethroughinterpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda.“And then when Iwas coming out of the game, Doc came to the mound and he said ‘good luck in the WBC,’ but Ihave one moregame to pitch.”

Beforehand, Roberts spoke of what will be a thoughtful build-up process forYamamoto given his lengthy postseason in which he pitched six times.

“Obviously him going

and pitching for Team Japan, he’sgoing to be kind of trying to rampitupand get prepared so Ithink it’sjust moreofwhat he does strike one, use his secondaries and be efficient and get someouts,” Roberts said. Once Yamamotoreturns to Los Angeles’ camp, he will be scheduledfor around four innings and60 pitchesinitially,according to Roberts. The 27-year-old Yamamoto, whosigned a$325 million, 12-year contract in December 2023, went 3-0 with a1.09 ERAinthe Dodgers’ seven-game World Series against the Toronto Blue Jays—sohis workloadis something the Dodgers will monitor closely “I think it’suptoall of us to be mindfulofworkloads and short term, long term and all of that stuff, which we are,” Roberts said. During his remarkable World Series, Yamamoto struck out 15 andwalked two over 17 2⁄3 innings, allowing tworunsand 10 hits He and Randy Johnson are the onlypitchers since1969 to winthree games in one World Series.

OUTDOORS

First bass!

Zelda Stephenson, an 11-year-old sixth grader at Episcopal School in Baton Rouge, astounded her family when she caught this massive bass on her first fishing trip to the banks of the Calcasieu River last weekend. She became the envy of thousands of south Louisiana bass fishers who’ve hoped to catch what appeared to be a 6-pound bass after learning how to cast her Zebco spincast just days before the trip Even more unimaginable is she baited her hook with a nightcrawler

OPEN RECREATIONAL SEA-

Let nature be your No. 1 fishing guide

BY JOE MACALUSO

Contributing writer

The more things change in our pursuit of bass — all the new things along with sac-a-lait and the many species Louisiana anglers call “bream,” the more fishermen need to pay attention to the agesold lessons pass ed along to us by previous generations of freshwater veterans.

New things?

Yep. Bladed jigs, heavy jigs, scented soft-plastic lures and the newfangled electronic devices can mask the need to pay attention to the tried-and-true time tables that trigger trips into south Louisiana waters.

Like what?

The time to start paying attention to getting your sac-a-lait tackle in order came when willow trees began showing their first green leaves.

For bass, check out budding water oaks. For bluegill and chinquapin, the new green showing on pecan trees is a time-tested sign.

All that new growth was a signal the ground had warmed, and was a sign the water had warmed to temperatures triggering spawning time for those individual species.

rising barometric pressure.

Still, the next warm-up is on the way, and it’s time to check water temperatures in your favorite spots to know if it’s time to take to the water

The time table goes like this: sac-a-lait are the first to spawn. They like water temps in the upper-50s to low-60s. That’s about the time male bass move to spawning spots to prepare nests ahead of the time when waters warm to the lower-to-mid-60s spawning trigger Bluegill go a little later, then chinquapin (redear sunfish) wait until water temps hit the low-70s. True, there are variables. With the sun getting higher in the sky, it’s sunlight that warms our waters. Rain, wind, extended periods of clouds, cold fronts, water clarity and water levels along with barometric pressure affect all waters.

Nevertheless, get ready We’re close to prime time for what usually is the best fishing time of the year

The Atlantic side

ter having seasons as short as two days in recent years. So NOAA Fisheries has opened this request to public comment, and there have been the usual objections from groups claiming the red snapper populations cannot stand this increased take. Public comment is open through March 10. Life jacket loaners

BoatUS’ Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has opened its application process for a new digital check-out pilot Life Jacket Loaner Program. The foundation hopes parks, marinas, campgrounds, fire departments, fuel docks and waterfront businesses will apply for loaner life jackets by March 26 It’s funded by a $375,000 Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund grant. The application website: BoatUS.org/Life-JacketLoaner/Apply

FLY TYING SESSION: 7 p.m., Bluebonnet Regional Library

9200 Bluebonnet Blvd., Baton Rouge. Open to the public. Materials and tools available for beginners. Website: www. rsff.org

WEDNESDAY

LA. SHRIMP TASK FORCE

MEETING: 10 a.m., Terrebonne Parish Main Library, 151 Library Dr., Houma.

THURSDAY

ACADIANA BUGS & BREWS:

6 p.m., Pack and Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Casual fly tying and local beers provided. Open to the public. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@ gmail.com. Website: www packpaddle.com

SATURDAY

CENLA FLY FISHING 101:

HUNTING SEASONS QUAIL, RABBITS & SQUIRRELS: Through Feb. 28, statewide, private lands only

SNIPE: Through Feb. 28, statewide.

GEESE/CONSERVATION ORDER: East & West zones through March 15. Limited to take of blue, snow and Ross’ geese only. No daily nor possession limits. Hunters allowed to use electronic calls and shotguns capable of holding more than three shells.

FISHING/SHRIMPING

SHRIMP: Fall inshore season closed in Zones 2 & 3 & portions of Zone 1 except Breton/ Chandeleur sounds. Outside waters from Caillou Boca west to Freshwater Bayou Canal closed. All other outside waters open.

8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., BookerFowler Hatchery, 10 Joan Stokes Rd., Forest Hill. Open to public. No fee, preregistration required. Casting, tackle setup, fly selection. Kisatchie Fly Fishers event. Website: kisatchiefly.org

Jr. SW Bassmasters AMELIA — Age-group results from the Junior Southwest BassmastersDenham Springs’ February tournament held from the Amelia public landing with anglers, their hometowns (when available), number of bass weighed in parentheses (5bass limit), total weight in pounds and big-bass winners: 15-18 age group: 1, Anthony Tapia Jr., Bourg (5) 11.51 pounds. 2, Blake LeRay, Brusly (5) 9.71. 3, Ayden Albarez, Addis (2) 2.18. Big bass: Tapia, 3.83 pounds. 11-14: 1, Khloe Morales, French Settlement (5) 10.0. 2, Jase Russell (5) 9.61. 3, Lane LeRay, Brusly (5) 9.2. Big bass: Keegan Felder, Denham Springs, 2.91.

7-10: 1, Nathaniel Watts, Livingston (5) 9.7. 2, Charles Leonard, Lakeland (5) 8.13. 3, Rowan Tapia, Bourg (3) 4.69. Big bass: Watts, 2.71. Adult division: 1, Destin Morales, French Settlement (5) 13.06. 2, Scott Nobile, Paulina (5) 11.92. 3, Anthony Tapia, Bourg (5) 11.51. Big bass: Morales, 3.33. Bassmaster Elite ALEXANDER CITY, Ala. — Final top 5 from the four-day Lippert Bassmaster Elite held on Lake Martin with anglers, their hometowns, number of bass weighed in parentheses (5-bass daily limit), total weight in pounds and ounces and prize winnings. Also listed are Louisiana anglers, the big-bass & contingency winners. Only the top

SONS: Flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers & wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.

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

LDWF UPDATE

CLOSED: Hope Canal Road/ boat launch (Maurepas Swamp WMA, levee construction); Price Lake Road (Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge) weekdays from March 2-20 (repair hurricane damage); Section of La. 975 through Sherburne WMA closed through June 12, 2026 (replace bridge) access from U.S. 190 and I-10 open. EMAIL: jmacaluso @theadvocate.com

50 in the 101-angler field moved to the third round, and only the top 10 advanced to the final round: Top 5: 1, Fisher Anaya, Eva, Alabama (20) 54 pounds, 6 ounces, $100,000. 2, Brock Mosley, Collinsville, Mississippi (20) 52-14, $20,000. 3, Emil Wagner, Marietta, Georgia (20) 50-13, $15,000. 4, Easton Fothergill, Grand Rapids, Minnesota (20) 50-11, $13,500. 5, Joey Cifuentes III, Clinton, Arkansa (20) 48-11, $11,750. Louisiana anglers: 16, Tyler Rivet, Raceland, (15) 33-11, $6,500. 78, Caleb Sumrall, New Iberia (10) 18-11. 96, Greg Hackney, Gonzales (10) 16-13. Phoenix Boats Big Bass: Michael Iaconelli, Pitts Grove, New Jersey 5-3, $2,000. Rapala CrushCity Monster Bag: Anaya, 15-12, $2,000.

United States, Canada set for Olympic gold showdown

STEPHEN WHYNO AP hockey writer

MILAN Dylan Larkin has been thinking about the U.S facing Canada for gold at the Olympics for a year All the dreams he had as a kid crystalized after he and his teammates lost to their rival in the final of the 4 Nations Face-Off.

“I’ve thought about it so much,” Larkin said. “It’s what everyone wanted, this matchup in a gold-medal game. Yeah, I’ve thought about it a lot.”

Those thoughts become reality Sunday when the North American countries that have become the preeminent

global hockey powerhouses face off in a titanic final of a best-vs.-best tournament with many of the NHL’s biggest stars. The U.S. against Canada on the biggest stage in sports should be hard-hitting, quick-skating, must-see entertainment. “It’s gonna be a big-boy game,” Canada’s Tom Wilson said. “It’s going to be as fast and physical and skilled as you can ever imagine. Right now it’s the two big countries for hockey in the world. Every single guy is going to be doing everything

they can at every single moment.”

Favorites reach the final Canada and the U.S entered the tournament as the favorites and played like it

Each team went undefeated, winning all five games, with the U.S. outscoring opponents 24-8 and outshooting them 201-124 and Canada 27-8 and 202-106.

“It’s two of probably the best teams ever, maybe,” U.S. winger Matthew Tkachuk said. “We’ve got a lot of respect for the players over there and what they’ve done in the past, and we want to be the team that comes out on top.”

Some fishermen read those signs during last week’s warm-up, which, in turn, sent some sac-a-lait and bass to shallower water and stake out prespawn territories.

All that will go away with the projected early-in-theweek cold front and rapidly

Earlier this year, federal fisheries managers announced a plan to turn over red snapper management to the states in the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. Then, two weeks ago, a proposal was announced to issue Exempted Fishing Permit requests for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina fishermen, a move that would allow recreational red snapper anglers the chance to have seasons ranging from 39 days to 62 days this year af-

ADVERTISEMENT

On your calendar Wildlife and Fisheries’ staff announced a March 14 (9-11:30 a.m.) fee-free beginner-friendly reptiles and amphibians seminar at the Woodworth Education Center south of Alexandria. The purpose is to help hunters and hikers to learn to “accurately identify common local snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs, salamanders and alligators found in Louisiana’s forests and bottomlands.” Added to that list is addressing concerns of hunters encountering venomous snakes and “seasonal wildlife activity patterns.”

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REXBALL: MerrittLaneIII,KelseyFrench

Nell Nolan SOCIETY

Moments after the double grand march at the conclusion of the 2026 Carnivalseason, the monarchs of the Rex Organization andof theMistick Krewe of Comus, founded respectively in 1872 and 1857, stood as aformidable foursome on the stage at the New Orleans Marriott,the site of the Comus bal masqué. The RexGrand Ball and imperial reception took place acrossCanal Street in the Grand Ballroom of theSheratonNew Orleans Hotel. In accordance with tradition —and at the invitation of the Mistick Krewe —the Rex court joined the Comus one toclose the festive season. The shining moment occurred on theMarriott ballroom stage in frontofthe double throne bench when Rex H. Merritt Lane III and hisqueen, Miss Kelsey Grace French,and the unnamed Mistick Krewe’smonarch, addressed as Comus, and his queen, Miss Lucile McGlinchey Monsted, acknowledged their applauding audience with asweep of three scepters and the cup of Comus. It wasadazzling finale to Mardi Gras 2026, as well as tothe spirit of the season and itspageantry and pomp.

n Three Rs

“Rebirth and Renewal” titled the Rex parade that traveled its customary Uptown route. Recalling that every culture has told such tales, the 2026 Rex peregrination featured a beautiful array of symbolically and artisticallyrich examples of revival stories andlegends, furthering the universality of mankind’shopes for renewal and focus on the eternal. The incorporated name of Rex is the “School of Design.” The parade’sfirst stop was at The Josephine on Napoleon Avenue, where his majesty Rex made appropriate toasts. Assembled werethe courts of both Rex and Comus.

His queen, Kelsey French, joined him hours later,where they,assignificant royalty,appeared on the white-canvased ballroom floor of the Sheraton after the playing of theMarine CorpsBandNew Orleansin recognition of the Rex organization’straditional homagetothe

DININGSCENE

Trythese spotsfor healthyeatingafter MardiGras

At the end of another Carnival season,many wearyrevelers may be seeking the solace of aslower pace and less indulgence.

At the juice shop and healthy foods deli the Green Fork (1400 Prytania St. and 336 E. Boston St. in Covington), some customers will arrive lookingfor love and compassion

satisfying sandwiches and plates, and Iespecially like the surfer’s breakfast (eggs, spinach and poblano pumpkin seed aioli on a whole wheat English muffin).

Ian McNulty WHAT’S COOKING

“Love” is the menu name for apotent-looking green juicemade from spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, tart apples and other vegetables. “Compassion” starts with the same mix of dark leafy greens and adds pineapple and lime to the mix.

Iconsidered love and compassion, but decided Ineeded stronger medicine after alongparade weekend and went right forrenewal instead.

Renewal is ajuice at Green Fork that’sthe color of the carrots and oranges that form its base. It tastes like asalad blended with the kind of very spicy salsa thewaitress at ataqueria might warn you to use sparingly

The kick came from jalapeno, garlic and turmeric, with and honey and cilantro to even things out. It immediatelylit up the senses, and then mellowed into the gratification of doing oneself a nutritional solid.

Afood writer’s resolution

Everyone knows New Year’s resolutions don’tstand much of achance in New Orleans with Carnival season starting just days after the calendar turns. But after the last parades,there can be time for respite and healthier choices despite the Lenten fish fries, crawfish boils and St. Joseph’saltars ahead.

As afood writer trying to keep up with the rapacious appetites and ever-changing restaurant scene in this town, I’ve worked out afew tactics to balance the nutritional books. One is periodically replacing aconventional meal with asmoothie or juice, or by mixing together abasic bowl of roasted vegetables so restrained it qualifies more as maintenance than lunch.

My own post-Mardi Gras reso-

lution is to addatleast afew more of these clean meals, knowing the tide of new restaurants and upcoming festivals means more indulgent eating ahead Andit’seasier to do when eating outasmore cafes and restaurants step into the nicheofhealthy alternatives, even here in theland of po-boysand bread pudding. I spentsome time between parade weekendsscoutingnew spotsand returningtoreliable standbys.

Lunchasselfcare

Downtown, just afew steps off theSt. Charles Avenue parade route recently lined with cheesesteak carts and corndog vendors, thesignfor theAntidote Juice café (734 Union St., 504-2588708) resembles aEuropean pharmacy with aplus symbol jutting out bythe entrance.

Inside, you findatiny,upbeat shop swiftly producing smoothies, juices and asmall menuof breakfast dishesand bowls for quick CBD meals.

Istarted with the Budda Lovaz smoothie, with yogurt and coconut water,mangoand berries and adoseofhempseeds, herbs and collagen for good measure.

Avegan grain bowl, based on quinoa,beetsand sweet potatoes,

smoothie lunch.

It was another growing local shop, theDaily Beet, where I learned to love an açai bowl, and to pronounce it (ah-sah-ee, which Itend to say abit like aCajun exclaiming joy).

Grimace purple, with mellowtartflavor,this bowlisasmoothie to eat with aspoon, with awhole landscape of virtuous garnishes including granola, coconut and berries.

Likethe Green Fork, the Daily Beet was an early entry into New Orleanshealthy eats spots, gettingits startatSt. Roch Market back in 2015 before opening its first standalonelocation in the SouthMarket District downtown (1000 Girod St., 504-605-4413) and then asecond in the Irish Channel (3300 Magazine St., 504-766-0377).

This time, though, Iwent all in on asmoothie dubbed Fortune Teller,loaded with blueberries and mango, coconut water yogurt and bee pollen, in ashade of blue that makes the açai bowlseem demure by comparison.

Stealthy healthy

Youcan find ahealthy reboot at spots that are not necessarily all about the lighter and brighter approach, too.

Bearcat Café(2521 Jena St. and 845 Carondelet St.), forinstance, divides its menubetween “bad cat” dishes (buttery shrimpand grits, abacon-lover’sbreakfast club sandwich) and “good cat” dishes.

In that second category,oldschool pork chops and pancakes are recast as alow-carb, paleofriendly dish with mashed cauliflower grits and romesco (a sauce of peppers and nuts). Wash it downwith acharcoal lemonade and feel the cleanse.

Finding healthy food that’s quick, convenient and affordable is akey to keeping goal mealson track. That’sone reason to love HiVolt Café(1829 Sophie Wright Place, 504-324-8818), the busy buzzy Lower Garden District coffeeshop.

Between the tempting breakfast burritos and acroissant filled with ham and Havarti, there’s asleeper healthy hit with the Ozzy bowl. This one makes abed of quinoa and kale forapair of poached eggs with cherry tomatoes and avocado formore flavor Resolution,resolve

was made satisfyingly flavorful with Green Goddess dressing. Somelocal concepts have grown intochains, famously Smoothie King (multiple locations),now aglobal brand, but also the smaller Main Squeeze Juice Co. (multiple locations), which has handy locations around thearea for aquick juice or

This second one replaced aformer Smashburger outlet, trading greasy patties foravocado toast and superfood smoothies.

Across town, visiting Lamara (1300 N. Broad St., 504-920-9991)

can feel like teleporting into a piece of California cafe culture in the heart of New Orleans, with asoothing setting between big sunny windows, softtones and green plants.

This vegetarian kitchen makes

But to take ameal off without completely going hungry,there’s nothing quite like the smoothie and juice route. The idea is to pour acondensed cornucopia of vitamin-packed plants into your body by the gulp.

Back at Green Fork, while sipping my spicy renewal juice in the car,I had the glimmer of an idea that it would actually pair very well with areposado tequila. But that wasmyMardi Gras mind thinking. Ihad to stay on track. Resolutions don’tkeep themselves after all.

Mr E. Howell Crosby and Miss Tatum Lady Reiss,daughter of Mr.and Mrs. James J. Reiss III.

Paces behind the 2026 royalty were the pages, Masters HenryHood Kolb and Edward Briggs Smallpage, whose great-great-grandfather, Clifford Favrot, reigned as Rex in 1957, and his aunt Charlotte SmallpageSapir held the scepter in 2006. Other family members reigning as queen of Carnival were Lynn Favrot Nolan,1973, and MaryStewartSmallpageBailey, 1985.

Then came the maids and dukes, who were paired as Emma Rose Baumer and John Stafford Charbonnet, BrookeColeman Reiss and Christopher Richard Schmidt, Lillian Lair Hooper and DouglasBernhardt Heebe, Cameron Sinclair Andrews and Walker Rowan Reynolds, Susan Anne Le Clercq and LukeHilliard Charpentier,Kate Faulkner Bensel and William Davis Hardie, Charlotte Sydney Wirthand Christian Gibbs Hooper Jr., and Eleanor Katherine Cowan and Thomas Andrew Wisdom.During their just-concluded debutanteyear, severalhave worn crowns for other krewes: Misses Reiss, Proteus; Bensel, Osiris;and Wirth, Achaeans.

Anumber of the 2026 court members have connectionsto Rex royalty and/or maids, dukes, pages and debutantes (presented to the monarchs) from the past Maid Brooke Reiss’ father,James, worethe crown in 2022, andher aforementioned sister,Tatum, reigned last year.Their cousin, as Katherine Elise Ballard,was the 1989 monarch. Going back three centuries, Eleanor Cowan’sgreatgreat-grandmother,Caro Labatt, wasqueen of Carnival in 1877. That year,aformal Rex paradeof 25 designed floats established a tradition of Mardi Gras.

Concerning the dukes, John Charbonnet’s father, Storey;grandfather John;and aunt Anne Charbonnet Goliwas reigned in 2020, 1988 and 1990. Will Hardie’sancestors, Matthew J. Sanders and Eben Hardie, were hailed as Rex in 1902 and 1962. Similarly,Chris Schmidt had royal ancestors in Hugh McCloskey,1913, and Frederick Watkins Evans, 1923. Rex royalty in the family of Tommy Wisdom has included A.B. Freeman, 1932; Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin,1953; Richard W. Freeman, 1959; and many monarchs surnamed Freeman over the more recent years.His sister, Helen Elizabeth Wisdom,reigned as the 2024 Comus queen.

The 2026 regal pair, RexMerritt and queen of Carnival Kelsey have extensive regal lineage. His majesty’sgrandfather,Joseph Merrick Jones, and daughter Sarah Eleanor Lane held the scepters of 1958 and 2020. Her majesty Kelsey’sfamily traces royaltyto 1889, John G. Schreiver,the first of five kings. Both of her paternal grandparents, Dr Ronald J. French and FloraFenner French who happened to be born on the same day,also

happened to enjoy royalty in 2007 and1959. Adebutante trio was presented to monarchs Merritt and Kelsey.They wereMisses Mary Cooper Moore,Alexandra KayMurphy and Helen Claire Thompson. They were announced, as weretheir parents, andgiven adecoration from Rex Just prior to theappearance of thethreedebutantes,aspecial Rex decoration was presented to Lt.Gen Leonard F.Anderson IV, Commander,U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserveand U.S. Marine Corps Forces South. Noted were several distinguished guests, including New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and her husband, Chris Meeks;New OrleansPolice Department Chief Anne Kirkpatrick;Saints and Pelicans owner GayleBenson;and Archbishop James F. Checchio,ofthe Archdiocese of New Orleans, whowas accompanied by Monsignor Christopher Nalty His cousin Elizabeth Shaw Nalty wore theRex crown in 1991. TheRex ball committee for the154th year of the reignwas headed by chairman St. DenisJ VillereIII and assistant ball chairman G. PerryEastman IV Both have extensive Rex connections, many regal. In addition to them, 33 men form the committee, including ball narrator Mark C. Romig and James J. ReissIII, ex-officio. Completing thepro-

gram of the ball were thegrand march of theRex members and their dance, general dancing (or mingling, reception style),the arrival of the captain of Comus,and final dancing or socializing.

n ‘Nature:

The Ultimate Artist’

Such was the title on the beautiful invitation extended by theMistick Krewe of Comus for Shrove Tuesday (Mardi Gras evening) at theMarriott. Patricia Hardin was the artist. Approximately two hours after thestartofthe Rex Grand Ball, theComus captain and lieutenants arrived to invitethe Rex court to their masked ball in the Marriott. It is always atriumphal momentwhen theRex monarchs and their entourage appear and theguestsatthe Comus ball see them for the first time.

Her majesty Lucile McGlinchey Monsted, called Lucy,and the daughter of Mr.and Mrs. CharlesNiels MonstedIV, was the aforementioned queen of the Mistick Krewe. She succeeded the 2024 monarch, Miss MaryGrace Jenkins, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Richard Scott Jenkins. Maids to queen Lucy were Misses Priscilla RandleAucoin, Ashley Conner Ellis, Eliza Brandon Favrot, CarolineLeBon Henry, Sarah Crusel Henry, Caroline Grace LeBourgeois,and Elizabeth McLundie Bolton Schmidt.Five were addressed as “Your Majesty” by select krewes in thepast weeks: Ashley Ellis, Twelfth Night Rev-

elers, whose ball on Jan. 6opened theCarnival season; Eliza Favrot, theKnights of Momus; Caroline Henry,Mithras; Caroline “Nina” LeBourgeois, Atlanteans; and Ellie Schmidt, Mystery.Masters Alexander Charles NavarroJr. and Sanders Tipton Powell were the pages of Comus, theking, and Masters Henry James Schwing and Devereux Parker Moring III, those of the queen. The maids and pages have quite afew Comus-court connections, such as Sarah Henry’sgrandmother, CarolynCrusel Wogan, queen in 1965, whofigured at the ball with spouse John.Her majesty Lucy counts anumber of male ancestors as royals and holders of important positions within the organization,the Syntax Society.Her in-attendance grandmother,as Jessie Wing Sinnott (and later Monsted), reigned in 1962, and her aunts, as Caroline Monsted,Anne Wing Monsted and Muffin Labouisse, wore Comus crowns in 1993, 1996 and 1999. At the Comus ball, where theJimmy Max-

well Orchestra entertained, the brace of debutante queens, Kelsey andLucy, were striking cynosures in their regalfinery.Monarch Kelseyappeared in a gorgeousgown created by Suzanne Perron St.Paul thatfeatureda sweetheartneckline andanA-line silhouette.A favorite Rexfloat inspireda motif of liliesand butterflies thatbecame beaded andencrustedgold-lace appliqués adorning the regalrobe. The ensemble was completed with the parure worn by her grandmother, Flora Fenner French, during herroyal rule of Rexin1959. Her majesty Lucy’sgown, with its shaped Empire waist, shining silver lamé and intricate beading, including hundreds of minute starburst of rhinestones and bugle beads, was a custom creation of Royal Design House. Designer KatieJohnson wasinspired by the gownworn by Lucy’s grandmother in 1962, the above Jessie Wing “Winkie Sinnott Monsted, and used its design forthe 2026 garmentthat wasencrusted with thousands of rhinestones, Austrian crystals, set stones and seed pearls, set atop feather-like lace —anod to the organization’smotifs. The gown wascompleted by aflutter of three-dimensional beaded butterflies. Both royals completed their sartorial splendor with glistening crowns, jewelry,scepters, mantles and Medici collars. The effect thrilled the Carnival eye. More design cameinthe form of the invitations from Rex and Comus, as well as bejeweled pins given by the royalty to select guests. At the balls, the pins were either affixed to ball gowns or worn as pendants on athin silk cord, white for Rex, and blue for Comus. They were sported by such ladies as the spouse of Rex, Elly Lane,aformer Mystic queen, as were Maria Wisdom,CourtneyFreeman,and Kia Brown, spouse of apast Rex, Christian T. Brown. Also, Erica Reiss,amother and spouse of Rex royalty,and of a 2026 Rex maid, Brooke. Noted, too, were Kara VandeCarr and Fionuala McGlinchey Monsted, the royal mothers of this year’smajesties. Always the highlight and the evocation of decades of tradition, the closing gesture at the Comus ball during the meeting of the courts is the above-mentioned sweep of three scepters and the sparkling cup. Carnival 2026 and Mardi Gras were thus concluded. In turn, each royal departed the Marriott ballroom, which was covered in pristine white canvas. The first to leave was queen Lucy, and the last, Rex Merritt. His final gesture appeared to be aflyfishing thrust. Smiles and applause abounded.

At the invitation of their majesties, the two queens, ajoint gala supper followed back in the Napoleon Ballroom of the Sheraton. Along with late-night breakfast fare, dancing to the Phunky Monkeys beckoned. Their song, “Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” said it all. In 2027, new monarchs will command attention starting on Jan. 6and concluding Feb. 9. Within that period, dozens of kings and queens will be honored and the powers of merriment and mystique will be recreated as they were so joyfully on Shrove Tuesday by Rex Merritt, Comus, and their majesties Kelsey and Lucy.All hail!

TRAVEL

Some of theSouth’s best storiesare foundinlyrics

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Icould be anywhere

In my heart I’m always there

Where they drink sweet teaand they raise you to be polite.

No changin’ who Iam

That’sthe way I’ve always been No matter what state I’m in I’m in asouthern state of mind.

—DairusRucker,“SouthernState of Mine”

Darius Rucker doesn’t needto pinpoint aspecific place when he closes his eyes and thinksof home

And though home for therockerturned-country singer-songwriter is Charleston, South Carolina, he knewwhen writing “Southern State of Mine” that he could be home anywhere in the South

can be found in musicologistAlan Lomax’scollection at The Smithsonian. Other recordings were made and commercialized beginning in the early 20th century,probably the most notable being renditions by Woody Guthrie andLouisiana’s own blues legend, Huddie “Leadbelly”Ledbetter

But The Animals immortalized it through lead singer Eric Burdon’shauntingvocalization, which naturally piqued the curiosity of listeners not just in the States but throughout theworld.

Follow themusic trailto find out if it’s truthor fiction PROVIDED

Because it’sinthe South where storytelling is an art —where people will stop and listen to a tale about akid named BillyJoe or contemplate the heartache of a man who is mired in the blues of his personal crossroads.

Sometimes, whenthe stories aren’tenough, they pack their bags and follow the lyrics to see where these stories happened. Itdoesn’t matter if the storiesare truthor fiction, they were inspired by a place in the South.

Once there, with alittle bitof imagination set to amelody,they come to life.

Here are three suggestions of lyric trails to follow:

Thereisahouse in NewOrleans

In 1964, The Animals madean internationalhit from an old blues song, “The House of the Rising Sun.” It shot up to No. 1onmusic charts in both the United States andUnitedKingdom, yetthe group wasn’tthe firstto record it.

Theearliest versions of this song

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

Wasthere really aHouse of the Rising Sun? First, take intoconsideration that themelody originated outofthe Appalachian folk tradition andpreceded the lyrics by quite afew years.Nosinglesongwriter is creditedfor the “House” lyrics, though Georgia Turner and Bert Martin first wrote them down from Lomax’soriginal recording. That said, apopular theoryfor the inspirationbehind the lyrics points to aFrench Quarter house at 826-830 St. Louis St.

It’s saidthe house, aformer brothel, was named for Marianne LeSoleil Levant, whose surname in translation would mean “The Sun.”

Butisit true?Some historians and musicologists are skeptical, saying “Rising Sun” could have beena commonnamefor various disreputableestablishments.

Still, the St. LouisStreet house offers travelers aspecific address to aplace perfect forspeculation.

Even The Animals’ lead singer made his own pilgrimage there in 2000 to experience what may have been theinspiration for his hit.

Burdon told The Los Angeles Timesthathe connected with the houseatoncewhenthe owner invited himfor avisit. He joked that theowner made him sing “House of the Rising Sun” acappella for 40 minutes.

“Whatcan Itellyou?” he said “The house was talking to me.”

Pass thebiscuits, please

Theusual questions surrounding

droveitout of the lot and onto the highway

Billie Joe McAllister have moreto do with what he andthe narrator were throwing off the Tallahatchie Bridge andwhat, exactly, drove him to jump off said bridge tohis death.

Thequestionofwhere the bridge is located usually ranks third when Bobbie Gentry’s1967 hit, “Ode to Billie Joe” flows through earbuds or speakers

The song follows alunchtime conversation amonga Mississippi Delta family in the heatofsummer,where it’s revealed that Billie Joe hasjumped tohis deathfrom the Tallahatchie Bridge, which crosses the Tallahatchie River

The town is called Choctaw Ridge in Carroll County. Both are real, as is the Tallahatchie River, which flows through the county Gentry,whose real name is Roberta Lee Streeter,lived there.

Butwhat about the bridge?

There aretwo bridges that cross the river near Choctaw Ridge, but theState of Mississippi has markedonly one with ahistorical marker,which stands on Grand Boulevard on theedgeofGreenwood, Mississippi. The second bridge is ametal structure in Money,Mississippiw, thatreplaced awooden bridge, which burned in 1972. It has no marker,but Gentry hassaidthe original wooden bridge was the inspiration forher song. Check out both for good measure.

Thatway,all bases will be covered in thestory of Billie Joe McAllister

Poor Bobissinkin’ down

Ah, the crossroads along what is now the Blues Trail on U.S. 61 through theMississippi Delta. It’s said this is where an aspiring mu-

sician named Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil to becomeone of the greatest legends to play the blues. Movieshavebeen madeabout thestory, bookshavebeen written, but intrigue doesn’tnecessarily mean the tale is true.

The intersection where Johnson’s purported conversation with the devil is marked by guitar-shaped signs topped by aU.S. 61 highway sign where the highway crosses U.S. 49 in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

The spot is the perfect landmark for selfies, but, as is the case with so many lyric trail stops, there’s contention about this location. Other fans of the story,including bluesguitarist Joe Bonamassa, believe the true crossroads are located where Mississippi Highway 8crosses state highway 1atRosedale, where Johnson grew up. Rosedaleis38milessouth of Clarksdale,soitmight be worth stopping to take aphoto at its quiet crossroads before continuing to the more celebrated stop along U.S. 61. As for Johnson’ssong, “CrossroadsBlues,” it wasrecordedin 1936 and released in 1937. The lyrics asks for God’smercy at the crossroads, yet they don’tmention the devil. Thefocus seemsmore about aman at adecision-making crossroads in his life.

Accordingtothe legend, Johnson aspired to be agreat blues musician and was instructed to take his guitar to acrossroad near his home on the grounds of Dockery Plantation in Rosedale at midnight. There,hewas metbythe devil who tuned the guitar and returned it to Johnson.

This gave Johnson mastery of the instrument, allowing him to becomethe foremost player of the Delta Blues. Is it true? Probably not. But it makes agood story to chase on the lyric trail.

Email RobinMilleratromiller@ theadvocate.com.

Christopher Elliott

Irecently rented aHyundai Sonata from National at Raleigh-Durham Airport.Within minutes of driving off the lot, Istarted hearing noises from underthe car.I drove acouple of exits, then turned around and brought it back. When Ientered the National facility,one of the attendants said, “Well, there’sanother Sonata with thelower engine cover coming loose.”I explained what happened, and arepresentative said no problem, and Igot another car.I had the Sonata for maybe 30 to 60 minutestotal. About amonth later,I gotanemail from National’sDamageRecoveryUnit demanding my insurance information. Icalledand explained Idid nothing to the car —Ijust

Arepresentativesaid that since Ionlyhad the car forsuch ashorttime,I should be good.

But three months later,I gotanother demand. Iappealed,and they denied it with no explanation.I nevergot photos of the damageorexplanations of what they’re claiming Idid. I’ve emailedthree National executiveslistedonyour site but haven’t heardback. I’ve been aloyal National customer for20years. National wants me to pay$2,000for the damage.This is ridiculous! —Walter Gluzkin, MiamiBeach, Fla.

When you returned that defectiveSonata within an hour and an employee acknowledged there was “another” car with the same problem, that should have been theend ofit. National should have

documented this as amechanical failure, not customer damage. The fact that even its own employee recognized this as arecurring issue withthat model should have protected you completely Instead, National’sdamage recovery unit decided to pursue you for money.I’ve lostcount of the number of times I’ve seen this. Usually,customers roll over and surrender their insurance information.But not you. Ithink you could have strengthened your case by getting the employee’sconfession in writing. But honestly,you shouldn’t have needed to. National’sown employee confirmed this was a known defect National’sactions are problem-

atic on several levels. Under moststate consumer protection laws, businesses can’tchargecustomers forpreexisting defects. Also, National should haveprovided you with detailed documentation of the alleged damage, repair estimates and photographic evidence —not just vague demands forinsurance information. Youdid exactly what Iwould have recommended: escalating to National’sexecutives. Ipublish their contact information on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott. org. The fact that they initially ignored your appeals is frankly embarrassing foracompany that claims to value customer service. Most importantly, you were not

apushover.That’sakey ingredient to asuccessful resolution. When you’re right, you have to stand up foryour rights! Icontacted National on your behalf and it reviewed your rental record. “Customer satisfaction is our top priority,” acompany representative told me, “and maintaining acustomer’slong-term loyalty is important to us.” National contacted you and agreed to drop the claim.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy org

HOLLYWOOD SOUTH

NewMcCartney documentaryshows rare side of icon

and forall the people whoalways wondered if the Beatles would ever get back together,itput that notion to rest. So, the film covers an entire decade behind the scenes of McCartney’slife.

Leslie Cardé Director Morgan Neville got married in New Orleans 22 years ago. Not because he had any familial ties to the city, butashe said, “just because he loves it here.” It seems the city loves him right back.

So much so that the New Orleans Film Society elongated its originally planned film festival by aday this past October,just to screen Neville’slatest documentary,“Man on the Run” about musical iconPaul McCartney.Inless than aweek, that film will be available to the public. Neville is no stranger to documentaries, and in fact won the Oscar in 2014 for Best Documentary Feature with“TwentyFeet from Stardom,” detailing the lives of back-up singers.

And, he’sdone celebrated docs about everyone from Bill Gates and Bono to Mister Rogers. So, when McCartney’smanager approached him about directinga documentary about Paul McCartney,according to Neville,there wasnohesitation.

“I felt like my whole life had been leading up to this moment, as Ihad always been abig fanof The Beatles, dating back to when my dad took me to see Paul McCartney when Iwas just 12,” explained Neville.“Dad had been a big Beatles fan and had seen them himself back in 1964, so Iwas well versed in this history.”

The documentary is in no way alook at the Beatles, but takes a singularlookatwhereMcCartney’slife goes after the band’s breakup. It’sanemotional ride, andone that most people know little about. It takes an intimate look at his family life with wife Linda, his formation of theband Wings, and his constant dilemma about re-inventing himself after being amemberofsuch an iconic and beloved band.

“I had always wanted to do a film abouthis relationshipwith John Lennon, as there were so

many different dynamics to that relationship which started when they were kids,” Neville said. “And, his relationship with Linda Eastman was such alove story (Eastman died of breast cancer in 1998 after beingmarried to Paul for 29 years). Paulwas searching for his own identity after the Beatles broke up, and Linda

was always encouraging about whatever it was he wanted to do. Whether it was to form another band, or writeachildren’sbook, her phrase when Paul would ask her about aprospective project would always be, ‘that’sallowed.’”

The film takes us on ajourney from 1970, when theBeatles

broke up, to the death of John Lennon, when he wasmurdered outside The Dakota in New York City,atthe hand of Mark David Chapman. Neville thought this was alogical place to stop the film,asitwas December 1980, and McCartney broke up Wings in 1981. It wasthe end of an era,

To be sure, there have been other documentaries about Paul McCartney,but there’sreally nothing like “Man on the Run,” with its manyinside stories and fresh footage, much of it the product of Linda Eastman McCartney,who wasaprofessional rock photographer in her own right, before ever meeting her future husband. Perhaps the intimate feel of the film comes from the fact that Paul McCartney is an executive producer on this film and contributed greatly to Neville’saccess to those whoknew him best.

“‘Wingspan’, the 2001 biopic, might be the closest documentary to ‘Man on the Run,’ but it was narrated by Paul, and Iwas looking forother voices to give the film another distinct perspective on his life,” Neville said. “Denny Laine (formerly of the Moody Blues) and Paul’sbandmate in Wings was the first person Iinterviewed in 2023, which wasjust before he died. He wastogether with Paul in the band fortheir 10 years of touring the world.” Paul McCartney will be 84 in a fewmonths and still performs at alarge number of concerts and events.

In fact, he played at the Smoothie King Center in NewOrleans on Oct. 29. Neville wasatthat concert. As for“Man on the Run,” McCartney found it revealing and emotional.

“He said it was like looking at a flashback of his life,” recounted Neville. “I’m sure it was avery emotional retrospective, but he never asked me to change anything, and nothing has been changed from the final cut I showed Paul.”

Nextupfor Morgan Neville is a just-finished documentary about Lorne Michaels, the executive producer and man behind “Saturday Night Live” forover half a century now “Man on the Run” is available forstreaming on Amazon Prime beginning Feb. 27.

Contact Leslie Cardé at lesliecardejournalist@gmail.com

Book examines lives of thosewho found inspirationinnature

BY BARBARA B. SIMS

Contributing writer

“SouthernWomen, SouthernLandscapes:CulturalReflections on the Garden, 1870-1970,” by Judith W. Page and Elise L. Smith.UniversityPress of Mississippi, 2026.

While Eudora Welty’sgardenin Jackson, Mississippi, may be themost famous of those discussed in Southern Women, Southern Landscapes,” Louisiana’sCarolineDormon may be the most important.

The scope of Dormon’swork embraced Louisiana’sKisatchie National Forest, aportion of mainly old-growth forested landthat might have lost its natural quality to development without her advocacy

She promoted highway andlandscape beautification using native plants and cultivatedand hybridized native irises.

In an era when women had norole in forestry,Dormon was thefirst person to serve as the education specialist for public schoolsfor the Division of Forestry,LouisianaDepartment of Conservation, and thefirst female memberofthe Society of American Foresters.

“Southern Women, Southern Landscapes” is replete withpaintingsand drawings by Dorman, andwe learn of her friend, folk artist Clementine Hunter

In fact, the coverofthe bookdisplays one of Hunter’s colorful paintings of her favorite flower,the zinnia Hunter’spaintings in recentdecades have been featured innational magazinesand the subject of an exhibition at the LSU Museum of Art in 2024.

Page and Smith presentfascinating accounts of Southern womenand their gardens in Florida, Virginia, Mississippi, North Carolinaand Louisiana from Reconstruction through the civil rights era.

“Page and Smith explore the women’svarious attitudes toward the natural world as they responded tothe disruptions of war andthe restrictions

of race and gender,” the University PressofMississippi website states “Thebook emphasizes the concept of a‘storiedlandscape,’ recognizing that landscapes areboth natural and cultural phenomena that speak to humans whoare open totheir narratives.”

The stories begin with Harriet Beecher Stowe’sdescription of the flora,bothcultivated and wild, in the area near Jacksonville, Florida, where sheestablished awinter home. Her book, “Palmetto Leaves,” was published in 1873.

In “Southern Women,Southern Landscapes,”the chapter on Florida features theworks of writers Zora Neale Hurston and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

So rich anddetailed is the book that it’s impossible to highlight morethan afew individuals, but Welty is unique in that she often spoke of the way she absorbed the natural environments she found herself in —and used the memories that emerged as she was writing fiction.

The other aspect of her gardening hadtodowith thephysical garden her mother,Chestina, designed in 1925 at

their home.

Until 1945, Welty and her mother spent much time cultivating the garden. Today,the Eudora Welty Garden is one of only two public botanical gardens in Mississippi and is recognized as an official stop on the American Camellia Society Poet andwriter Margaret Walker is thefinal gardener/writer discussed. Her historical novel “Jubilee, published in 1966, is afictionalized account of her great-grandmother Margaret Duggans Ware Brown, who was born enslaved and lived through Reconstruction in southwest Georgia.

Though “Jubilee” doesn’ttouch on any experiences Walker had in growing plantsherself, her poetry describes her grandmothers as women who worked theland.

In “Southern Women,Southern Landscapes,”Pageand Smithgive biographical accountsofthe lives of all thegardeners, including stories of the mothers, offspring, servants, neighbors and fellow gardening enthusiasts who encouraged them.

Both of the book’sauthors are academics —Page, aliterary scholar,and Smith, an art historian. They draw from thepublications of the esteemed figures they highlight to address the issues in “Southern Women,Southern Landscapes,”but they also conducted archival research from novels, poetry essays, letters, newspapers, bookillustrations, photographs, folk art and more.

The quality that this book offers, which many others about gardens do not,isthat it does not feature publicsupported national or stateformal spaces, but rather shows what the individual can do and what some have already done.

It might inspire areader to get a trowel and some seeds or pass along plantsand learn what nature can do with alittle help. If digging in the dirt does not appeal, perhaps awalk in somewooded area with acamera or sketch pad could provide an experience akin to the devotion to nature that many have found in creating a garden.

Danny Heitman

Newbook praises pleasuresof La.winters

Winter officially ends next month, but in Louisiana, we assume the gig is already up.

Though it’sonly February,the days grow longer,brighter,bluer,greener and more glorious, like acanvas filling with paint. As winter wanes, fewwill grieve its passing. But in “Winter,” her new book, author ValMcDermid offers alove letter to the year’scoldest season, arguing that the frigid interlude between autumn and spring is worth embracing. She mentions Louisiana as one reason to love what winter offers.

McDermid lives and works in her native Scotland, where winters tend toward the gray,the dampand the blustery.She’sbest knownasapopular mystery writer,excelling in agenre that requires ajust-so arrangement of action and details.

“Winter,” aseries of brief essays about the joys of bundling up foroutdoor adventures or snuggling inside by the fire, doesn’t aspire to that kind of design. It’s loosely discursive in the best sense, like a long chat with a good friend near ablazing hearth.

In one chapter,“The Light Fantastic,” McDermidexalts the pleasures of holiday lights, their brilliance madeall the morevivid because they shine against winter’s gloom.She cites the Christmas lights of New Orleans, which she visited in 1998, as the gold standard forilluminated cheer

“The friend Iwas visiting insisted we had to tour the annual display in Audubon Park,” McDermid recalls. “I’ll admit, Iwas alittle ‘whatever’ about it.”

After seeing Yuletide lights in manyother places, she didn’texpect to be impressed by what the Crescent City had to offer

“I waswrong,” McDermid tells readers. “Wepaid our admission feetodrive into Carousel Gardens and joined aslow-moving line of cars taking their time to get their money’sworth. And it was worth every cent. The display was breathtaking in its beauty,its witand charm, and its sheer scale.”

That’shigh praise from an author who’s seen winter wonders in manyother corners of the globe.

In another chapter,McDermid recounts frosty journeys by rail, including an eventfultrip through the snowybackdrop of Russia.

“There is something quite magical about train travel through adark landscape,” she writes. “There are so fewclues as to where we are.”

Despite her travels —orperhaps because of them —McDermid seemstoappreciate winter best at her homeinScotland. The bare trees beyond her window makeiteasier “to let the wheels turn so the next piece of prose can form in my head,” she notes.

“Winter makes it easy to follow strange tracks in my mind; summer is less straightforward, obscured by green,” she writes.

Illustrated with magical images by artist and printmaker Philip Harris, “Winter” hints that the season is as much astate of mind as aspot on the calendar.It’sall the morereason to enjoy this charming book long after winter has passed.

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com

TRADEPAPERBACK

4. “Justfor theCameras” by Meghan

‘Love Story’ reveals endurance of Kennedy’s style

JFK Jr.’s wife returns to spotlight nearly three decades after her death

BY TRACEE M. HERBAUGH

Associated Press

Grainy paparazzi shots on social media show her hailing a cab in a black slip dress. Walking the streets of New York in an oversize coat. Wearing that signature red lipstick.

Nearly three decades after her death at age 33, Carolyn Bessette Kennedy is back in the spotlight as one of fashion’s most powerful style influencers. The new TV series “Love Story” chronicles her relationship with John F. Kennedy Jr., and many fans are watching for the clothes.

In an era dominated by conspicuous branding and obvious cosmetic enhancements, Bessette Kennedy’s enduring appeal lies in what she did not do. She had no platform, no brand partnerships, no social media presence.

“She looks so different from the people we see now on Instagram,” said Ashley Traher a 45-year-old attorney in Phoenix who grew up admiring Bessette Kennedy from afar “I think we’ll be able to date today’s influencers immediately because of their makeup, clothes, even plastic surgery But Carolyn had an effortlessness that always looks modern and cool.”

Traher, who first encountered Bessette Kennedy as a teenager flipping through People magazine in rural Lamar, Colorado, dreamed of copying her understated elegance.

“Middle-aged me is still trying to emulate her,” she said.

A quiet influencer

Bessette Kennedy rarely gave interviews, communicating with the outside world mostly through her clothes, says Sunita Kumar Nair, who wrote “CBK: Carolyn Bessette Kennedy: A Life in Fashion,” and consulted on the show

“I really got a sense that she was extremely private, and it shows because there’s barely any footage of her speaking,” Nair said Yet Bessette Kennedy’s influence has proven durable. On TikTok and Instagram, accounts such as @allforcarolyn and @carolynbessettepage are devoted to chronicling her wardrobe. Three of her coats

Signature pieces

You can still buy Bessette Kennedy’s exact Charles J Wahba tortoise headband from C.O. Bigelow, a Greenwich Village apothecary where she shopped.

Kennedy’s precise restraint.

Some of the criticism, Nair said, caught the wardrobe team off guard, and led them to pay more attention to every tailoring detail.

That sensibility has quietly shaped contemporary fashion. Brands like The Row have built entire aesthetics around a similar vocabulary “It’s always been there,” Resnick Gick said. “That New York restraint. Masculine tailoring as empowerment.”

What’s old is new again

There’s also been a resurgence of interest in ’90s and Y2K fashion in general, fashion industry observers say Vintage shopping has surged among Gen Z.

Part of it is the cyclical nature of fashion — younger generations wanting to express their own sensibilities, and perhaps seeing the styles of their childhoods as retro, quaint or nostalgic.

Danielle O’Connell, a 30-yearold stylist in New York, said that after years dominated by casual streetwear, maximalist branding and algorithm-friendly spectacle some fashionistas are swinging back toward polish. To dress a client attending the “Love Story” premiere, O’Connell and her Los Angeles-based partner Alix Gropper, naturally turned to Bessette Kennedy as a reference point.

“We wanted that quiet luxury moment,” O’Connell said.

Princess Di, Ralph Lauren

Natalie Decleve, a New Yorkbased homes and style designer, says Bessette Kennedy’s “clean, classic, old-money” style has an American vibe akin to Ralph Lauren.

and a little black dress are being auctioned off this month at The Fashion Auctioneer

Bessette Kennedy, a former Calvin Klein publicist, married Kennedy in 1996. Although her motherin-law, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, was also famous for her style, “she didn’t copy Jackie. She had her own voice,” Nair said. “And it wasn’t something that she just deliberately did when she married John. And this is what I loved about Carolyn. She’d actually dressed like this almost throughout her life ” she said The couple died in a plane crash in 1999.

“It’s the original one. That’s the one,” said Alec Ginsberg, 34, whose family has owned the store for four generations.

“We still have one of the beauty associates who remembers her She was super-sweet. My father remembers her as well,” he said.

Ginsberg has seen more customers coming in over the past couple of years and especially since “Love Story” began airing — because of interest in Bessette Kennedy

“It’s not just the headband, it’s that people want to shop where she shopped,” he said. “Girls will come in and ask if anyone knew her They try to find out little bits of information.”

Recreating CBK’s style for TV

“Love Story,” part of Ryan Murphy’s expanding slate of cultural retrospectives, sparked debate after fans who saw early test images of the actors in costume felt the clothing failed to capture Bessette

“I think that is actually the irony of Carolyn’s clothes, that it does look simple, but it’s actually really not,” she said.

The first few episodes mostly take place during the period before Bessette Kennedy was famous, and her wardrobe is generally approachable — a simple black dress, or jeans and a basic top.

“I’m very interested to see if the character’s clothing choices will change as she becomes more ingrained with the Kennedys,” Traher said. “So far she’s still cool and very ’90s Calvin Klein with the slip dresses, but maybe less polished than she ended up being.”

There’s an “undercover quality” to Bessette Kennedy’s influence, said Rebecca Resnick Gick, a former editor at Vogue and Teen Vogue and a personal shopper She describes the look as “educated tailoring.”

“She looked high-end and wellfitted without being flashy,” she said.

“It’s that same language,” Decleve said. “A very clean version of the ’90s.”

Bessette Kennedy is also compared often to Princess Diana, Decleve noted, because both women managed to look approachable while remaining aspirational.

Actor Sarah Pidgeon, who plays Bessette Kennedy in “Love Story,” said she got a glimpse of the real person underneath the stylish facade.

“There is a bit of mystery about her, you know — she never sat down for an interview. There’s no memoir that she wrote,” said Pidgeon.

“But from everything I’ve learned about her, she was an incredibly ambitious, vivacious, warm, funny woman,” said Pidgeon. “And I think that while her style is replicated so often, there is something about the woman who wore the clothes, and how she embodied them, that makes those photos so enduring.”

Robert Duvall forged abondwithyoung singer at aLa. restaurant

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

In interviews, Hunter Hayes often tellsthe story of howhe first met actor RobertDuvall while performing in adowntown Breaux Bridge restaurant.

The year was 1996, and the Louisiana Grammy Award winner was only days from his fifth birthday.Hewas performing witha local band on the night he met the legendary actor Duvall was in town filming “The Apostle,” in which he not only acted and directed but also wrote. The actor was so impressed by Hayes’performance thatheinvited the young musician to appear in ascene in the film and later presented Hayes with aguitar— his first.

The meeting turned intoa friendship that was pivotal for Hayes as amusician. Butinlight of the Oscar-winning actor’s Feb. 15 death at age 95, reader Cynthia Jardon wanted to know the name of the restaurant where thetwo met.

Whichrestaurant?

“I’ve heard Hunter Hayestell the storyininterviews, but the restaurant is never named,” the Alexandria resident said. “Itwas really ahistorical momentfor them, so now I’m curious about the restaurant. Where did this moment happen? “

That question is easily answered by Hayes’ parents, Leo and Lynette Hayes —the restaurant was Mulate’s.

Lynette Hayes remembers seeing Duvall and hiswife,Luciana, dancing while local band,the Lee

Benoit Band, played. Though Hunter Hayes was only 4, the band ofteninvitedhim to bring his accordiononstage to joininacouple of tunes.

The Hayesfamily lived in Breaux Bridge at the time. Hayes’ parents nowlive near him in the Nashville area.

As for the restaurant,Jardon said theCafe Des Amis was the first restaurantthat came to mind when readingabout theHayesDuvallmeeting.

“I rememberhow famous people whoate there signed thepoles in the Cafe Des Amis,” she said.

“And Iremember seeing an autograph by Robert Duvall on the door.”

Duvall’sinscription? “I love the smellofnapalminthe morning, Bobby Duvall.”

The inscriptionoffers proof that Duvallhad visitedthe restaurant whichopenedin1992, but theautograph, like the restaurant, is no longer there. The eatery closed its doors in 2017,and it has since reopened as the Cafe Syndie Mae.

“All of theautographs are gone,” said Tina Begnaud, executive directorofthe Breaux Bridge Area ChamberofCommerce. “But there were alot of famous people whopassed through there. The formerowner,Dickie Breaux, even had the Beach Boys there onenight.”

So,Mulate’s was the place, and Duvalland his wife, Luciana, were

TODAYINHISTORY

Today is Sunday,Feb. 22, the 53rd day of 2026. There are 312 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On Feb. 22, 1980, the “Miracle on Ice” took place at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York, as the U.S. Olympic hockey team upset the Soviet Union, 4-3. (The U.S. team went on to win the gold medal two days later,4-2, over Finland.)

Also on this date:

In 1732, the first president of the United States, George Washington, was born in Westmoreland County in the Virginia Colony

In 1784, aU.S. merchant ship, the Empress of China, left New York for the first trade voyage of an American ship to China.

In 1819, aweakened Spain, facing revolutions in Latin America, signed a treaty ceding Florida to the United States.

In 1862, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated to afull six-yearterm as president of the Confederate States of America afterhis election the previous November He previously served as the Confederacy’sprovisional president

In 1959, the inaugural Daytona 500 race was held; although Johnny Beauchamp was initially declaredthe winner,the victory was later awarded to Lee Petty In 1967, more than 25,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops launchedOperation Junction City, aimed at smashing aViet Cong stronghold near the Cambodian border In 1997, scientists in Scotland announced they had successfully cloned an adult mammal for the first time, asheep they named “Dolly.”

In 2010, Najibullah Zazi, accused of buying products from beauty supply

stores to make bombs for an attack on New York City subways, pleaded guilty to charges includingconspiring to useweaponsofmass destruction. (He spent nearlyadecadeafterhis arrest helpingthe U.S.identify and prosecute terrorists andwas givena 10-year sentence.)

In 2020, pioneeringBlack mathematician Katherine Johnson,who calculated rocket trajectories and Earth orbits for NASA’s early space missionsand was later portrayed in the 2016 film “Hidden Figures,” diedatthe ageof101.

In 2022, three White men were convicted of federal hatecrimes in the killing of AhmaudArbery,who was jogging through their neighborhood nearBrunswick,Georgia, when hewas attacked in 2020. (The men are servinglife sentences after beingconvicted of murder in state court.)

In 2024,aprivatelander built by Intuitive Machines made the first U.S. touchdown onthe moon in more than 50 years,but the spacecraftonly managed aweaksignaland spotty communicationswith flight controllers.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Paul Dooley is 98. Actor James Hong is 97. Actor Julie Walters is 76. Basketball Hall of Famer JuliusErving is 76. Golf Hall of Famer Amy Alcott is 70. Actor Kyle MacLachlan is 67. Golf Hall of Famer Vijay Singh is 63. Hockey Hall of Famer PatLaFontaineis61. Actor Paul Lieberstein (TV:“The Office) is 59. Actor Jeri Ryan is 58. Actor-singer LeaSalongais55. Tennis Hall of Famer Michael Changis54. Singer James Blunt is 52. Actor Drew Barrymore is 51. ComedianIliza Shlesingeris43. Dancer and singer Genneya Walton is 27. Rapper Molly Brazy is 27.

in town for the seven-week filming of “The Apostle.” Amovie legend Duvall was amovie legend with such roles as Don Corleone’s consigliere TomHagen in “The Godfather” movies, Major Frank Burns in “M*A*S*H,” former Texas Ranger Gus McCrae in “LonesomeDove,” volatile Marine fighter pilot Lt. Col. Wilbur “Bull” Meechum in “The Great Santini” and his Oscar-winning role as Mac Sledge, theformer country music singer who finds redemption,in“Tender Mercies.”

Allthese

Dear Miss Manners: Lately,Ifind that whenever Ischedule even the most mundane of appointments, Iam endlessly nagged by correspondence from thehost: “Please confirm Lady Tuna’srabies booster appointment,” or “Are you still planning to attend our Needle-Felting Calico Cats class at the library?”

RobertDuvall, left,and hiswife Luciana present Hunter Hayes with aguitar for his fifth birthday. The guitar was Hayes’ first.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LyNETTE

Andthat’snot forgetting the role of Lt. Col. Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now,” where his famous “napalm”line becamehis most memorable catch phrase —the samephrase he inscribed on the Cafe Des Amis door

Butthe character of acharismatic Pentecostal preacher named Euliss F. “Sonny” Dewey was his focuswhile filming “The Apostle” in Acadiana. The movie co-starred Walton Goggins, Billy Bob Thornton, June Carter Cash and Farrah Fawcett.

Andthe cast included Hunter Hayes in achurch scene among a

group of churchgoers in the Acadiana area. After hearing the young musician play,Duvall approached his parents’ table and asked if their son could appear in his film Apivotal birthday present

The Hayes family joined the Duvalls fordinner acouple of times afterward, then invited the Duvalls to Hunter’sfifthbirthday party That’swhen Hunter Hayes’ music career forever changed. Duvall not only attended the birthday party but presented the young musician with abeginner guitar and amplifier

But this wasn’tjust any guitar —itwas Hunter Hayes’ first. Hayes didn’twaste any time in learning to play it. Today,heplays guitar,accordion and piano in his repertoire of country pop music and has shared the stage with such artists as Taylor Swift, Hank WilliamsJr.,Merle Haggard, Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash and Stevie Wonder And through it all, Hunter Hayes and his parents maintained afriendship with Duvall, keeping in touch with the actor and exchanging annual Christmas cards. Lynette Hayes remembers the actor as the mostdown-to-earth, kindest and humble person.

NowDuvall is apart of Hunter Hayes’ musical journey

Do you have aquestionabout somethinginLouisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phonenumber andthe city where you live.

Such repetitive messages arrive by post, text, email and sometimes even dreaded phone calls —atall hours of the day These multiple demands for confirmation have grown tiresome.

Perhaps I’mannoyed because such hounding dredges up memories from my dating life.

Gentlemen were so eager to spend time with me that they pestered me endlessly to ensure our date was still on.

The consequence of their exuberance was that Iwould, politely and with fair warning, release them to thewilds: “Something suddenly came up, and Ifear Imust forgo the pleasure of dining withyou …ever again.”

How do Ipolitely discourage restaurants, salons and taxidermists from hounding me? After all, Iam theparty who initiated the appointment, so of course Iwill attend! Furthermore, Iamusually requesting from them acrucial service —say, surgery I’m inclined to escape the unending

confirmation requests by “breaking up” withthe desperate parties, but I’m quite sure it’snot good for my health to dumpmy surgeon simply due to the office’swild desire to make sure Ishow up. Perhapsthe solution is as simple as Miss Manners issuing apolite, but stern, PSAorawitty bon mot discouraging this practice.

GentleReader: As someone who likewise keeps her appointments,Miss Manners also finds it annoying to receive 236,475 emails, phone calls and texts reminding her about them.

Especially when she then finds herself in waiting rooms long past those scheduled times. Many of these reminders are automatic, so unsubscribing from emails or blocking texts is ashort-term solution.

ButifMiss Manners is to issue a declaration, it is that everyone else should stop canceling appointments at the last minute and commit to showing up on time. Youare ruining it for the rest of us.

Dear Miss Manners: Iamwondering how one respondstopeople whooffer rude and unsolicited commentary on one’salma mater

Iwas introduced to the friends of aneighbor,and the question “Where do you go to school?” came up. Itold them, and one of them responded,

“I’m sorry.” He evidently thought himself the soul of wit, but, as Ihave to look fora job with my degree from this school, Idid not find his comment at all amusing. Ilaughed with him anyway, partially because it was expected, but mostly because Iwas startled. Later on, Ifelt like atwitfor laughing. Is there any polite response to a comment such as this one? Idonot wish to laugh at the reputation of a school at which Ihave had agood experience as astudent, nor do Iwish to respond with rudeness.

Gentle Reader: “Why?” comes to Miss Manners’ mind. Or genuinely asking what is funny.Nothing disarms abad joke like taking it seriously And watching the joker splutter an explanation is what really makes it amusing.

Dear Miss Manners: What are the two mainsubjects you should not discuss?

Gentle Reader: There are three: Politics, religion and sex (including gender). If you think this restriction is outdated, you haven’ttried launching these topics lately

Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite,www missmanners.com; to heremail, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St Kansas City,MO64106.

Getting tiredof sister’s low blows

BY HILLELITALIE AP national writer

NEWYORK— If you’re looking for someone to debate thenew “Wuthering Heights” moviewith, you might want to start with Lucasta Miller

She’sa Britishauthor, editor and critic who haspublished an acclaimed study of the Brontësisters and wrotethe preface for the Penguin Classics edition of “Wuthering Heights.”

When she had the chance to see EmeraldFennell’s adaptation of the Emily Brontë novel last week, she was well aware of the liberties takenbythe director,but was otherwise unbothered.

Dear Annie: My sister andI used to be close. Not “talk every day” close, but close enough that Icould call her with good news or bad news and feel like she was on my side. Lately,I feel like I’m auditioning for approval I never get. It started small. If I mentioned apromotion, she’d say,“Must be nice,” and then change the subject. If Italked about a family trip, she’d make a comment about money,like I’m showing off. When I share something I’m proud of, she finds the flaw.When Ishare something I’m worried about, she tells me I’m overreacting. If Idon’t share anything, she complains that I’m distant. The worst part is how she does it in front of other people. At arecent dinner,she laughed and said, “She always has to make everything sound perfect,” and everyone chuckled like it was acute sister joke. I smiled because that’swhat you do when you don’twant to ruin the evening, but I went home and cried in my car like Iwas 16 again. I’ve tried addressing it lightly.I’ve tried being direct. She either denies it (“You’re too sensitive”) or turns it around (“I’m just being honest”). My husband says Ishould pull back. My mother says, “That’sjust how she is,” which somehow makes me feel even more alone. Idon’twant adramatic break. Ijust wantmysister to stop treating me like atarget. How do Iset a boundary without blowing up the family? And how do Istop letting her comments get under my skin? —Tired of Being the Punch Line Dear Tired: I’m sorry.It hurts in aspecialway when the person who’ssupposed to know your heart best keeps aiming right at it. Youcan be compassionate without accepting cruelty The next time she takes aswipe, try saying something simple and steady, like, “That comment stings. Please don’ttalk to me like that.” Then stop engaging. Don’ttry to debate or prove that you’re “not sensitive.” Just be sure to set aclear boundary And yes, it’sworthwondering what’sgoing on with her.Hurt people do hurt people. If this is out of character,she may be struggling with something, feeling insecure, resentful or unhappy in ways she hasn’tadmitted, and it’s leaking out as sarcasm. You can acknowledge that with kindness by saying something like, “You don’tusually talk to me this way.Is something going on?” But here’sthe important part: Her pain may explain her behavior,but it doesn’t excuse it. If she won’tchange, it’s OK to step back from your relationship —not to make apoint but to protect your peace.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

“It would be meaningless to criticize it for that,just as it would be to criticizeagrand operathat plays fast and loose with the plot,”

Miller says. “I wasn’tasking for a faithful adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights,’ but whether it works on its own terms. Andmysense is that it does.”

Fennell’s “WutheringHeights” wasthe box officeleader lastweek-

end, bringing in more than $34millioninNorth Americaalone,despitemostly negative reviews that found themovie both overdone andunsatisfying. Evenbeforeits release, Brontë obsessives questioned someofFennell’schoices: casting Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff instead of adark-skinned actor closer to how Brontë described the character; making explicit the sexual attraction betweenHeathcliff and Cathy that is suppressed in the book; having thefamously dark-hairedCathy,her coloring a literary signpost for danger and allure, played by theblond Margot Robbie.

“All adaptations choices in terms of castingthatdon’t always fit character or character descriptions and this film hascertainly been in thespotlight for that reason,” says Brontëscholar ClaireO’Callaghan, asenior lecturer at Loughborough University in Leicestershire,England. “In terms of Cathy,Iwas skeptical initially,but having seen the film, it is agood performance, and MargotRobbie really brings out

Cathy’sspoiled and selfish nature in ways thatother adaptations have paid less attention to.” Authors have long lamented the fates of their books once filmmakers acquire rights. But countlessadaptationshave servedasshowcases for artful crystallization, or innovative license. “The Godfather” movies are widely regarded as superior to the originalMario Puzo novel, anddiffernotably from the book, even with Puzo assisting on the screenplays. Billy Wilder’sfilm versionofthe James M. Cain thriller “Double Indemnity” had themain protagonist, played by Fred MacMurray,tellhis story through adictation machine, a twist that Cain himself thought so ingenious he wishedhehad used it in thebook.

Among current Oscar contenders, Paul Thomas Anderson’s“One Battle After Another”isthe loosest of takes on Thomas Pynchon’s “Vineland,” whileChloéZhao’s “Hamnet” departsfromthe Maggie O’Farrell novel of the same name in various ways commonto

adaptations, from compressing characters to altering the narrative structure O’Farrell, who helped writethe screenplay,has said hercollaborationwith Zhaowas an education in howtocondense astory for film.

“You know, thebook is mine, it’s my baby,but the film is Chloé’sadaptation,” she toldThe Associated Press in December

“And the film feelsnot like my child, more like akindofniece or nephew. And that’sexactly as it should be.”

“Wuthering Heights” fans are likely to care much moreabout fidelity to the novelthanwould the averagereader of “The Godfather.” ButasO’Callaghan andother Brontë experts note, you’d need a multi-hour streaming series to faithfully replicatethe 1847 book, which runs some 400 pagesand has atimeline extending beyond the livesofCathy andHeathcliff.

The best known versions, including Fennell’sand the 1939 movie starring Laurence Olivierand MerleOberon, essentiallyeliminate the secondhalfofthe book

Doctor officesshouldprovide claritywiththeir scheduling

Dear Heloise: RegardingMr. Kupstas’ commentthat waspublished in arecentcolumn,I expect medical office staff to provide patients with clear schedulinginformation and to treat us as adults.

Ihighly doubt that medical office schedulers tell drug representatives or accountants who review thedoctors’ retirement plansthat they have an appointment at aparticular time but “must comein15minutes early to sign in.”

They just provide an appointment time to them.

disrupted by emergencies, staff shortages, phone calls from the lab or other offices with requests, and patientswho thinkthat their appointmenttime was only a suggestion. I’mbeginning to wonder how thefront office gets anything done, but they do their best to keep everyone on track.

Aperfect day in adoctor’s office when everythingruns smoothly is rare!

Fillingout paperwork or waiting to seeyour doctor has nothing to do withrespect. —Heloise

Onlinepaperwork

If there is paperwork that must be done fora patientat10a.m., this is fine.

Just say so: “Your paperwork appointment with theoffice staff is at 10 a.m.Your appointment with thegynecologist (orwhatever specialty) is at 10:15 a.m.” Patients should show up on time and still be respected. —Francille R., viaemail Francille, manydaily schedulesinaphysician’soffice are

Dear Heloise: In reply to thehint submitted by David J. Kupstas about doctors’ offices, here is my experience: Idon’tknow how techsavvy Mr.Kupstas is, but Iget an email and/or text from the doctor’s office afew days before, asking me to check in early online. If filling out paperwork is warranted, it’s done online. Then, on theday of the appoint-

ment, Iarriveatthe office about 10 minutes early to show my ID and insurance cards. —Ann R., via email Epsomsaltuses

Dear Heloise: Iread your column every day andamgrateful forthe manymoney- and time-saving hints.

An old-timer once told me that for clipping tough toenails, it helps to soak the feet (up to the ankles) in warm water after one-half cup to 1cup of Epsom salt dissolves in thewater for at least 20 minutes.

Not only does this help, but more importantly,I’ve found that this soaking shrinks apainful bunion on my right foot so that my shoes fit comfortably with little, if any, pain.

Epsom salt has several other uses and is availableatmostdrug stores. —John M., in Longview,Washington

Readingcursive

Dear Heloise: As agenealogist, I cannot emphasize enough how important it is to be able to read

cursive writing. All our ancestors’ records were handwritten. If you can’tread cursive, then you can’t read these documents. One day,a teenager wanted to research his family.Hecouldn’tread his greatgrandparents’ marriage license. “What’sthis word?” he asked. “John,” Ireplied. —Anita K., in Mishawaka,Indiana Anita, I’ve received so many letters from readers whofeel like we’ve gotten away from the importance of cursive writing. They want schools to continue to teach this skill, and frankly,I agree with them —Heloise Stainremover

Dear Heloise: Have astain that is hard to remove?

Adab of hand sanitizer will do the trick. Ihave used it on clothing and even on aglass cup with atea stain in it; the stains were gone. Just alittle dab works wonders. Jean M., in Torrington, Connecticut Sendahinttoheloise@heloise com.

AT THE TABLE

Savor simplicity in a generational Cajun family favorite

“I

BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN

Contributing writer

“OK, whose turn is it to go and get the milk?” Mama asked.

“I’ll go,” I said. Although I am the youngest of the four children in the family, getting milk from the dairy was everyone’s job. I collected the stainless-steel pail, the one with the side handle for easy pouring, and I headed to the dairy. Once there, I went to the room with the large bulk tank where the milk was collected after milking.

The stainless-steel tank had a large paddle that circulated the milk, and the chilled tank kept the milk cold until the local milk coop truck came by to collect the fresh milk.

Our dairy farm was one of many small farms in our area. Lafayette Parish during the 1960s and ’70s had about 100 family-owned dairy farms. Nowadays, the whole state of Louisiana

does not have 100 dairy farms. Milk is brought in from midwestern states down to Louisiana. I was told that the shift from local dairy farms to milk being brought in from out of state happened when interstate travel was opened, and trucking milk south became possible and more economical. Cows give more milk in colder climates, so milk production was higher With my pail in hand, I made my way to the end of the milk cooling bulk tank, where there was a large spigot, or milk outlet valve. I would position my pail under the valve and ever so slowly open the valve for milk to drain into my pail. I was careful not to overfill the pail, only filling it halfway I still had to carry the milk back to the house, and I didn’t want it splashing around. Once in the house, Mama usually took over We had glass jugs for storing our milk. Mama poured the unpasteurized, unhomogenized, fresh milk into the jug

and capped the opening with paper tabs to seal it The milk was then placed in the refrigerator

As you might imagine, milk was served as the drink at every meal at our home. My father liked his milk ice cold and sometimes added a couple of ice cubes to his glass to keep it really cold.

As milk was left to cool in the jug in the refrigerator, the cream would rise to the top of the jug. Before we served ourselves a glass, we would shake the jug to distribute the cream into the milk. The taste of that whole milk was delightful. Our milk, to describe it in present-day terms, was grass-fed, whole raw milk.

“Mama, can I have some coffee milk?” I said after having helped with the milk.

“OK.

Aglobal jointventure is planning tobuild Starlab,one of severaldesigns competing to replace the International Space Station, which has been operated by NASAand four other space agencies for the last quarter-century.

PROVIDED RENDERING By STARLAB

WORLD OUTOFTHIS

NewOrleans companyhelping buildthe U.S.’s potential successortothe

InternationalSpace Station

IDEAS INNOVATION &

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

For more thana quarter-century, humans have lived on the International Space Station,a collaborativeorbiting laboratory paidfor by NASA and the space agencies of fourother countries.

Butthat era is scheduled to end in 2030, when NASA will most likely let the ISS,which is nearing the end ofits lifespan, reenter Earth’sorbit and fall into the PacificOcean.

Now,NASA is making plans to replace the historic spacecraft with new versions developed by theprivate sector,and aNew

Orleans aerospace contractor is playing aroleinthe process.

Last fall, the company, Vivace International Corp., won abid to provide engineering, design and fabrication services for Starlab, aroughly $3 billion commercial space station being developed by aU.S.-led global joint venture competingwithseveral other high-profile contenders to launch replacements to the ISS. Because of thecompetitive nature of the work, Vivace isn’t able to disclose the pricetag for its contributiontothe project, but Luke Wright, the company’s

topexecutive,saidthe contract and several others in the pipeline will bring hundreds of hightech jobs to Michoud. Wright,a New Orleans native, saidthe project alsoisanopportunity for his hometown to playa key role as the commercial spaceflightindustry takes off, boosted by technological breakthroughs that make it more affordable thaneverbeforetosend infrastructure into space.

“This will accelerate our country’sability to beat our

ä See SPACE, page 2E

BELOW LEFT: Qualitycontrol inspector Johnnyyates uses a lighttolook for fractures on a high-pressure tank being built by Vivace International Corp.at Michoud AssemblyFacility in NewOrleans East. The tanks, which cancost several hundred thousand dollars each, sometimes holdspecialized gasses worthmillions.

BELOW RIGHT: Vivace executiveLukeWright, center, along with technicianChad Bealer and engineer Dylan Macon, looksatthe frictionstir weldingmachine at Michoud.

Smallerairportsare adding hangars

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

Since the pandemic, commercial air travel has gotten worse in pretty much every way.Delaysare longer. Seats are smaller.Tickets are pricier.And passengers are more hostile. In response, agrowing number of

travelers and wealthy individuals are making the move to private aviation, boosting demand for fueling services, hangar space and concierge-typeservices at fixed-base operators, the plane equivalent of gas stations and

parking garages. Across Louisiana, regional and smaller airports are expanding and upgradingtheir infrastructure, addingnew hangars, new FBO operators andnew services aimed at the private aviation market.

While the state’slargest airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans InternationalAirport,has two large FBOs, both owned by global private equity firms,much of the recent growth has come in markets with smaller airports but growing companies and increased demand for more air service.

Over the past five or so years, fournew FBOs have opened in Baton Rouge, Hammond, Monroeand New Orleans’ Lakefront Airport Otherproviders have expanded existingoperations. Experts esti-

Privatejet boom boosts demand fornew services in Louisiana

mate theinvestments have totaled in the tens of millions of dollars. And they expect thegrowthto continue.

Baton Rouge attorney Brett Furr, whoownsacharterplane company,Baton Rouge AirCharter & Management, and recentlysold his FBO, BTR Jet, said thebiggest appeal of private airtravel is the convenience of not having to deal with airlines, airport security or weather delays. “If you’ve got six people going to Houston for ameeting on Tuesday for four hours, it’snot awhole lot moreexpensive to charter aplane than it is to buy six tickets,” said Furr,apartner at Taylor Porter Plus, smallerplanescan reach

ä See JET, page 2E

adversaries to the moon and our general defense posture,” Wright said during a tour of Vivace’s 150,000-square-foot Michoud production space last week. “It’s also important to this area because Michoud has provided quality jobs for engineers and highly skilled technicians for years We’re going to capitalize on that for aerospace, space travel and national defense.”

Space station competition

Starlab is in play because NASA wants to get out of the space station business, which costs the agency roughly $4 billion annually

Instead, the agency is prioritizing a return to the moon and other space exploration. To that end, it’s hoping the commercial space industry will take over the construction and maintenance of stations that can house astronauts, researchers and even space tourists.

To get things started NASA is funding several competing groups that are pursuing their own designs.

Starlab majority owner Voyager Technologies raised $383 million via an initial public offering last year for its solution. A competing partnership between the Jeff Bezos-owned Blue Origin and Sierra Space is developing a station called the Orbital Reef. Another domestic competitor, Axiom, is planning its own design.

To date, NASA has committed more than $200 million toward Starlab’s total price tag and has made large investments in the other projects as well. All are competing for more public dollars though it’s possible more than one will launch space stations without additional taxpayer help.

Each company’s approach is different. Starlab, which will hold at least four astronauts, is built with research in mind. The Orbital Reef has been described as an outer space modular “business park.” And Axiom infrastructure will start by connecting to the existing ISS before forming its own selfsufficient spacecraft

“Starlab is designed for research, but also for commercial space tourism,” Wright said. “Wealthy individuals could potentially fly up there for a vacation. Katy Perry could stay the night instead of just a few minutes.”

To the moon

The Starlab partners announced the selection of Vivace to manufacture the primary structure of their commercial space station last September. The small company was able to bid on the job after building a track record of making similar

JET

Continued from page 1E

more remote locations with smaller runways.

“The biggest reason people fly privately is to save time,” said Doug Gollan, a longtime aviation journalist who founded a subscription-based buyer’s guide called Private Jet Card Comparisons. “It’s not the ‘Kardashians luxury experience’ or glamorous videos. It’s basically door-to-door time savings.”

Changing market

Last year, saw a record number of private jet flights, around the world and in the U.S., which makes up about two-thirds of the market, according to data from aviation market intelligence firm WingX. Activity in 2025 was up by 34% over 2019 levels.

New business models have also boosted demand. Fractional ownership allows for customers to sign a multiyear contract to buy access to a set number of flight hours on a private jet. Jet cards that come preloaded with $100,000 or more that can be used for private flights without the complications and commitment of full ownership.

Owner-operated jets now make up a minority of flight hours, having been overtaken by charter and fractional jets in 2020.

As a result, revenue for U.S. FBOs has grown more than 25% over the past decade to $6.2 billion and is projected to grow even faster over the next five years, according to market research firm Insight Partners.

Capital investment at capital

Some of the most significant FBO growth in Louisiana has come at Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport, which local users attribute, in part, to a $3.7 million taxiway expansion in 2024 that opened up land adjacent to the airfield for additional development.

Since 2020, there have been 18 new hangars of varying sizes and configurations built at the airport

two by BTR Jet, three by Williams

Vivace International Corp. executive Luke Wright stands next to a sample structure panel

commercial space station at the Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans

the

Vivace,

to provide engineering design and fabrication services for Starlab a roughly

commercial space station being developed by a U.S.-led global joint venture competing with

launch replacements to the International Space Station.

“Starlab is designed for research, but also for commercial space tourism. Wealthy individuals could potentially fly up there for a vacation. Katy Perry could stay the night instead of just a few minutes.”

LUKE WRIGHT,Vivace International Corp. executive

aluminum structures using a special type of welding that’s become common in aerospace.

The company was founded in 2006 in San Antonio to make very lightweight, specialized tanks for satellites and other spacecraft. It moved to Michoud in 2012 to take advantage of attractive rent and amenities after the facility sought new tenants to fill space left behind after the end of the Space Shuttle program.

Several years ago, Vivace began building larger space hardware at Michoud using “friction stir welding,” in which a spinning tool heats up, softens and blends the edges of metal pieces together Once the metal cools, the connections are much stronger than those created by traditional welding.

Wright said the company has been getting more and more work related to the booming private sector space industry, including

fabricating several tanks for an uncrewed spacecraft created by Texas company Firefly Aerospace that landed on the moon last year

“We’re a partner for many of the industry’s lunar payload programs,” he said.

In 2024, Vivace founder Dave Cochran sold a portion of the business to Cerberus, a $70 billion global investment and private equity firm.

At the same time, the company hired Wright, who spent nearly two decades at industrial conglomerate Textron, to be director of operations. Since then, Cerberus bought the company outright and made Wright its top executive.

Today, Vivace has about 70 employees. It does not report annual

revenue figures, which will likely get a boost from its work for Starlab.

Wright said that, when completed, the space station will be the largest pressurized vessel ever designed to launch in one piece. The habitat is nearly 30 feet in diameter, and the entire spacecraft is about six stories tall when including a cone that houses life support equipment and other systems.

“The International Space Station was constructed in space, piece by piece, using the shuttle,” Wright said. “This project aims to build the entire structure on Earth.”

Starlab is one of many subcontractors working on the project. Others will attach armored panels,

Smaller airports like New Orleans Lakefront Airport are responding to a growing interest

is boosting demand for fueling services, hangar space and concierge-type services at fi

private

the plane equivalent of gas stations and parking garages.

Jet Center and 12 by a retired op-

tometrist’s real estate venture, 337.

BTR Jet also has built a new, larger administrative building, and Signature Aviation, the world’s largest FBO chain, has renovated its offices and hangar area.

“We had demand for tenants, so we felt like, if we built the hangars, we would generate enough fuel sales,” Furr said. “We’ve been pretty much continuously full since we’ve been open.”

Local companies with their own aircraft are also getting in on the act. Industrial construction firm

Performance Contractors for one, is completing construction on a new hangar on land adjacent to the recently extended portion of taxi-

way Williams, the airport’s smallest FBO, has plans to build new hangars with space for about 32 more aircraft, aiming to more than double the amount of planes it services.

Owner Luke Lewis said there is a

national shortage of hangar space.

He’s targeting clients who own their own planes, with plans to sell one-third of the new hangar space to owner-operators in a condo-style arrangement.

“Some of them build out little areas in the corner for TV and lounge or whatever,” Lewis said.

“It’s like their own little slice of paradise before they take off in their private aircraft.”

More than half of the spaces have already presold, he said anticipating the construction would be complete in about a year

Expansion across state

At some of the state’s airports, the growth has been fueled by industrial expansion. In Monroe, construction of the Meta data center in nearby Richland Parish helped boost the airport’s 2025 passenger traffic by more than 12% over the previous year Now, plans are underway to build the airport’s second FBO.

life-support systems and more crucial components. It’s a complicated collaboration.

“Every small adjustment by any of these companies can affect what you’re doing,” Wright said. “If they add half an inch to something, we have to redo everything.

Wright’s team in New Orleans will design, engineer and build the structure. A sister company in California, called Votaw, is machining some of the metal panels, which will be sent to New Orleans to be welded together

Vivace’s goal is to complete construction of the cone section by June, and the entire vessel is due to be operational before the ISS is decommissioned at the end of the decade. Wright is hoping Michoud’s strategic location and access to a deep water port will allow more work to be done on site.

“We have a lot of capability here and would love to do more of the assembly,” he said. “It’s hard to move a structure of this size. It makes sense to do as much as possible here.

More work for Michoud

Wright isn’t the only one hoping for more work at Michoud, an 832acre complex in the swamps of New Orleans East with a 65-year history of contributions to space exploration. The facility has also been a crucial source of high-tech engineering and manufacturing jobs in the state.

In the 1960s, NASA and its private contractors used the site to build the rockets that sent Apollo missions to the moon. Later, it was the manufacturing location for the external fuel tanks that powered the Space Shuttle flights. Now it provides several key components for NASA’s Artemis program, which has struggled with delays and cost overruns but is gearing up for its first crewed flight in the next few months.

Vivace, meanwhile, will be competing for more work for companies building satellites, lunar landers, space stations, hypersonic weapons and other areas of expertise.

Wright said the Cerberus acquisition of Vivace, which was officially announced Wednesday, Feb. 18 will help the company scale production capacity, enhance advanced manufacturing capabilities and support a growing portfolio of national security and space programs. But a key milestone will be completing its most high-profile project.

“Starlab is making this replacement for the space station,” he said. “Yes, there’s a competition with the NASA program, which is very important, but they are positioned very well to succeed.”

Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

of a new FBO in Hammond aimed at luxury flyers. Once complete, it will include more than 100,000 square feet of hangar space able to accommodate the industry’s largest private jets, with amenities like a recreation room, private showers and a movie theater in a 10,000-square-foot terminal building.

At New Orleans Lakefront Airport, the owner of charter aircraft company Jazz Aviation last year opened a new FBO, Skyborne. It’s the third FBO at the lakefront airport. CEO Ankur Hukmani is now hoping to build a new private terminal at the site.

Private equity sees opportunity

The growth in the aircraft services market, with its recurring revenue from fuel sales and leases, has made it appealing to private equity, which is buying up FBOs like it has medical practices, law firms and real estate brokerages.

Airport Director Charles Butcher, who also heads the Louisiana Airport Managers Association, said there are a variety of different ownership arrangements between airports, FBOs and airplane hangars.

“Sometimes the FBO owns the hangars, sometimes the airport owns most of the hangars,” Butcher said. “Regardless, for the most part, the airport always owns the ground underneath the hangars.”

Private aviation at Monroe Regional Airport was “dead” prior to the pandemic, according to DaveAir owner Dave McGee, who is building the new FBO in 30,000 square feet of hangar space vacated by Lumen Technology two years ago. It’s an expansion of his flight school and will be an “all-inone” facility, able to store, service and repair planes.

Elsewhere in the state, Rob Scariano’s Sky X Aircraft Services recently completed the first phase of a $16 million construction

“It’s like Monopoly There’s only a certain amount of FBOs on a field, and some of them are longterm leases,” said Gollan. Experts date the trend to 2021, when Signature Aviation, the world’s largest FBO chain with six Louisiana locations, was acquired for $4.7 billion by a Blackstone-led consortium.

“It’s almost like it was the first company or first ownership structure to break the ice, and once that happened, everybody’s like, ‘OK, this is safe, we can do this,’” said Jessica Ballou, an appraiser and a partner in the aviation real estate consultancy BA Group.

In 2020, none of Louisiana’s FBOs were owned by private equity Today, five are, including Furr’s BTR Jet Center, which was acquired in early February by the Miami firm that owns the Velocity FBO Network.

“We’ve had offers in the past,” Furr said. “This was the best offer we had, and we felt like there was a good commonality of how to manage it, be customer-focused, offer quality service, good prices.” Email Jonah Meadows at Jonah. Meadows@theadvocate.com.

TALKING BUSINESS

ASK THE EXPERTS

Developer’s

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Q&A WITH MIKE WAMPOLD

With a portfolio that includes hotels, office buildings, apartment complexes and an 1,800-acre, mixed- use community in Baton Rouge with hundreds of upscale, single-family homes and a school, Mike Wampold is, arguably, Louisiana’s most prolific and experienced real estate developer

He got his start in the early 1980s, using low-interest loans from the Farmers Home Administration to develop apartment complexes in rural Louisiana. His big break came in 1985 when he won two federal contracts, totaling $30 million, to develop military housing at Fort Polk. Before he could break ground, interest rates plummeted, enabling him to finish both complexes with a profit that he would go on to leverage.

A few years later, when a variety of economic crises resulted in a huge inventory of distressed properties on the market, Wampold was able to buy cheap, fix them up and lease them at a premium He gradually amassed a diverse portfolio, often holding onto raw dirt for years or even decades until the timing was right to build. It was a slow-growth strategy that paid off.

Today, Wampold counts among his holdings the historic Whitney Bank building in downtown New Orleans, which he insists he still plans to renovate more than seven years after buying it; hotels in Texas, Atlanta and Clearwater Florida; and some of Baton Rouge’s best known properties, including: I and II Rivermark Centre (the old Chase Bank towers), City Plaza and II City Plaza United Centre (the old Shaw Tower), Bayonne at Southshore (which overlooks the

Milford ‘Mike’ Wampold III, of Wampold Cos., has gradually amassed a diverse portfolio, often holding onto raw dirt for years or even decades until the timing was right to build. It was a slow-growth strategy that paid off.

LSU lake), the Watermark and Renaissance hotels, and Harveston, the mixed-use community

In this week’s Talking Business, Wampold discusses where he sees opportunity across Louisiana, what’s on the top of his to-do list and why he’s more bullish on Baton Rouge than ever. Interview has been edited for length and clarity

You buy and sell so much and are constantly growing and developing.What is the status of Wampold Cos.’ portfolio today?

We still have our original 600 military family housing units in Fort Polk that we finished in 1988 — and plenty of others. But we

have pared it down to what we feel are the best and brightest of our properties Bayonne The Residences at Rivermark (high-end apartments in 14 floors of I Rivermark Center, the old Chase South Tower), Chateau Dijon (a luxury apartment complex off Essen Lane in Baton Rouge), Bayou Shadows in Lafayette. Rivermark was an ambitious project — converting a midcentury,brutalist-style high-rise to mixed use with 168 luxury apartments. How is it doing? It’s doing really well. The apartments are 99% leased and all but one of the seven floors of office is leased.

Rivermark II, the former Chase North Tower, was 100% occupied until McGlinchey Stafford closed and moved out, so now we have one floor in that building that is completely built out, fully furnished and available. So, overall, that project is doing well.

Another of your high-profile projects is the oldWhitney Bank building in New Orleans.Is that still moving forward?

I guess it depends on your definition of forward. We are in the process of gathering economic incentives and a potential joint venture partner I would think in 2026, we’ll establish a definite direction for that building. But the plan is still to convert it to a hotel.

Over the past year we’ve seen several downtown hotels sell at a deep discount as occupancy rates have remained relatively soft. You still believe there is demand for this one?

What you say is true, but I do believe there is demand. What has been built new in the last five years down there? Not much, and the No. 1 complaint you hear is that there are not enough hotel rooms. I think highest and best use for that building is a hotel. It’s a great location, ideal for the business traveler and just two blocks from the French Quarter

What is your main focus these days?

Harveston. It’s the most exciting thing right now on our plate. We are currently under construction on all the infrastructure work for

without a doubt. Why? There has not been overbuilding in this market. Our hotels the Watermark and Renaissance — outperform all the New Orleans hotels I have seen the numbers on. Hotels in downtown New Orleans averaged 60% occupancy last year and their ADR was suffering.

Amid controversial pricing, Chipotle is losing its sizzle

BY CAROLINE PETROW-COHEN

Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Chipotle Mexican Grill, the Cal-

ifornia-based chain known for its bursting burritos and lunch bowls, just finished its worst year ever

Its same-store sales declined last year for the first time since going public two decades ago. The downturn reflects what analysts say is a broader slowdown in fast casual chains — considered a step above fast food but below full-service restaurants.

In a K-shaped economy where the few with money are still spending while everyone else is anxious about rising prices and keeping their jobs Chipotle is stuck in a sour spot. It isn’t a destination for the rich. Instead, it is a skippable splurge for those looking to save.

“Our guests (are) placing heightened focus on value and quality and pulling back on overall restaurant spending,” Chipotle Chief Executive Scott Boatwright said recently after announcing earnings.

In an uncertain economy muddied by tariffs and an immigration crackdown, consumers are cutting back on discretionary spending and increasingly seeking the best value on essentials such as lunch and dinner

Chipotle has boomed in popularity since opening in Denver in 1993. It moved its headquarters to California in 2018.

The burrito staple opened 334 new locations last year bringing its total to roughly 4,000 The company’s net income was $1.5 billion in 2025, virtually flat compared to the year prior Its comparable sales lost steam with a roughly 2% decline in 2025 following a 7.4% increase in 2024.

In an earnings call earlier this month, executives estimated that same-store sales would be about flat in 2026, with 350 to 370 new restaurants slated to open.

“As we move into 2026, the consumer landscape is shifting,” Boatwright said.

He tried to suggest that Chipotle customers are from the upwardsloping part of the K in the Kshaped economy so it will not be planning big price cuts to attract new customers. Boatwright said on the earnings call that 60% of Chipotle’s core customers make more than $100,000 per year

“We’ve learned the guest skews younger, a little more higher income, and we’re gonna lean into that,” Boatwright said.

The company’s suggestion that it doesn’t plan to do much more for cost-conscious consumers sparked an online debate that the burrito giant is no longer for regular people.

McDonald’s demonstrated the

value of offering more value these days It announced recently that its sales surged after the launch of its $5 meal deal last year part of broader value wars among fastfood establishments.

Chipotle has tried to offer value by not raising its prices as much as inflation would require, reviving a rewards program, testing a “happier hour” with lower prices and offering smaller portions at lower prices.

Chipotle came under fire in 2024 for dishing out inconsistent portion sizes but has since recommitted to giving every customer a “generous” helping.

Late last year, Chipotle launched

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a high-protein menu that includes inexpensive options like a cup of chicken or steak for around $4. Protein has been trending as the rise of GLP-1s have many Americans eating less and focused on getting the most out of their meals.

“This is going to be a marquee year for Chipotle to get back on track,” said Jim Salera, a restaurant analyst at Stephens. “Chipotle has traditionally been much more resilient through ebbs and flows of the consumer, but nobody’s immune.”

The company has weathered other challenges in the past. Its business took a hit when it served tainted food that sickened more

than 1,100 people in the U.S. from 2015 to 2018. The company paid a $25 million fine to resolve criminal charges connected with the outbreaks.

Some full-service restaurants are also lowering prices to levels that compete with Chipotle, analysts said. A Chipotle burrito or bowl plus a drink costs around $15, while the value-focused fullservice restaurant Chili’s offers a multicourse meal for under $11.

“The pricing advantage that fast casual has relative to other segments has eroded significantly,” said Aneurin Canham-Clyne, who covers restaurants for the trade publication Restaurant Dive. Middle- and upper-income consumers aged 25 to 30 make up a significant share of Chipotle’s business, but many are looking for cheaper ways to get their meals.

Fast casual chains have to rely on consumers with a range of incomes, not just the top 20% of households, Canham-Clyne said.

“White collar workers making in the low six figures in major cities who are feeling the heat from services inflation or feeling insecure in their jobs as a result of AI, they’re going to be saving a little bit more money,” he said.

Chipotle shares have fallen more than 37% over the past year, and it is not the only fast casual company to struggle in the stock market.

Sweetgreen, headquartered in Los Angeles and catering to a healthconscious Southern California consumer has seen its shares plummet 80% over the past year The Mediterranean bowl spot Cava saw shares fall more than 50% over the same time period.

Canham-Clyne said Chipotle is not yet in dire straits. The brand has proven itself consistent and appealing to those looking for high-quality meals at a lower price than most sit-down restaurants.

“They sell a lot of burritos, they have a lot of stores,” CanhamClyne said. “They can survive a bit of a downturn and continue to grow.”

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

Staff report

SouthLouisiana businesses and nonprofit groups recently announced the followingpromotions, new hires and resignations.

NewOrleans

Darrin McCall has been named president of the Youth Empowerment Project, while Jerome Jupiter willbecome CEO of the community-based nonprofit. Both have extensiv e experience with the organization, McCall as chief of staff and Jupiter as chief operating officer

They succeed Melissa Sawyer,the co-founderand CEO of more than two decades who willstep into an advisory role withthe nonprofit, which began as Louisiana’sfirst reentry program for formerly incarcerated youth.

Amie Lyons has been promoted to president and CEO of Fifth District Bancorp.

Lyonshad been serving on an interim basissince June following the death of CEO Brian North.

LindsayCalub hasbeen elected to the board of directors of Metairie Bank and Trust.Calub is the managing partnerof Duplantier, Hrapmann, Hogan & Maher,having spent more than four decades with what is today oneofthe largest local certified publicaccountant firms in south Louisiana.

The law firm Simon,Per-

agine, Smith &Redfearn announced the addition of eightattorneys, threelegal assistants and two paralegals from McGlinchey Stafford, which recentlyvoted to dissolve New hires include partners Timothy Hurley, Jose Cot, Marcelle Mouledoux KevinFrey and Madison Barton,along with associates Taylor Willis, Hannah Stierwald and Tevin Rosenthal,a recent graduate.

Thelaw firm Carver Darden Koretzky Tessier Finn Blossman &Areaux has opened aMandeville office with addi tio nal at torneys available to meet clients on thenorth shore. David Landry, amember and past chair of the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce, pio-

neered the establishment of the newoffice.

Stephen Scullin,a member,focuses his practice on realestate, financial transactions, commercial lending and contracts.

PatrickStewart,anassociate, focuses on commercial litigation, property lawand energy

BatonRouge

Better Louisiana announced its 2026 board chair and officers, including: Dr.PhillipRozeman as chair for2026-27; Scott Ballard,incoming chair; Spencer Martin,treasurer; Robert Schneckenburger,secretary;and Heather Spillers Poole,immediate past board chair

TheLouisiana Association of Business andIndustry announced its 2026 board of directors andofficers.

Scott Ballard,founder of Ballard Brands andBallard Logistics, will serveaschair, succeeding Golfballs.com founderand Executive Chairman TomCox,who becomesimmediate past chair

RoyOMartin President and CEO Scott Poole was named vice chair; Danos Ventures Owner and CEO Eric Danos becomes secretary; and Kristin Wall,president and CEO of LouisianaWorkers’ CompensationCorp., serves as treasurer

New board members include: Valerie Aymond, of Gilchrist ConstructionCo.; Todd Citron, of Hub CityFord; David Cresson, of the LouisianaChemical Association; JonMcKinnie, of Union Parish Chamber of Commerce; Jen O’Connell, of Taylor Porter; Mawe Takyi, of Asempa Wealth Advisors; Traci Thompson, of CVSHealth; and Todd Weldy, of Placid Refining Co.

The law firm Kean Miller

announced the hiring of three former McGlinchey Stafford attorneys, two in its Baton Rouge office andone in New Orleans Amanda Stout,who hasdefended governm en ts and private employers against whistle blower claims and allegations of discrimination and harassment, and Caroline Taylor,who has represented employers in retaliation, discrim ination and wagetheft claims,will be basedin Baton Rouge. Kather in e Conklin ,a specialist in taxlaw and estateplanning, will be basedinNew Orleans.

Brad Barback and Kaylan Richardson have joined theBaton Rouge office of the la wf ir m Breazeale, Sachse& Wilson.

Ba rb ac k joinsthe firm as apartner,where hispractice will focus on construction and complex commercial liti ga tion, while Richardson joins the firm as a transactional associate with afocusoncorporate,business and real estate matters.

Do you have personnel changes to share or other ideas for our business coverage? Dropusaline at biztips@theadvocate. com.

Fool’sTake: A paycheck giant

AutomaticData Processing (Nasdaq: ADP), also known as ADP, is a longtime dividendpaying stock —and it has increased its payout every year for morethan 50 years. Itsmost recent increase wasasolid 10% bump,and thestock recently yielded2.8%.(It has also been rewarding shareholders via share buybacks.)

More than 75 years old, ADPisaleading provider of employersolutions, best known for itspayrolland humanresources services. It serves morethan 1millioncompaniesofevery type andsize, both in the U.S. andworldwide Given thenature of its business, ADPisnot ahighgrowth company.Itis, however,ahighly andreliably profitableone.Its January earnings report (for the secondquarter of itsfiscal 2026) showed revenue up 6% year over year and earnings pershare up 11% Andits stock hasnotched averageannualgains of 12% over thepast 15 years. ADPcan keep growing by adding morecompanies to serve, andalsobyoffering them moreservices to sign up for.

Businesses withADP’s kind of sustainedprofitabilityare rare. That stability, combinedwithadividend yield that’swellabove the averageof1.1% forall S&P500 componentstocks, makes ADPasolid and reliable income stock.It’s resilient during economic downturns,too, because companies will still need to keep paying workers and managing theirworkforces.

Fool’sSchool: Wayto abetter retirement

Whether retirement is around thecorner or it’s still decades away,there are someactionsyou can

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Aimtohavemultiple income streamsinretirement,sothatifone disappoints, you’llstill have others. These couldinclude Social Security benefits, pensions, annuities, dividends, interest and/or rental income. Youcan gradually make withdrawalsfrom retirementaccounts. You might considerapart-time job foryour first fewyears, too. Other possibilities includerelocating to aless costlyregionortakingin aboarder.You might even considergetting areverse mortgage. The easiest way to amass aretirementwar chest is to regularlyinvest part of your income in oneormore low-feebroad-market index funds over many years. Be sure to learn more aboutSocial Security,because thedecision about when to start collecting your benefits is important. Youcan start as earlyas age62oraslate as 70, and your checks will be bigger or smallerdepending on when you start. (Remember that while starting earlier meanssmaller checks, you’ll also get moreof them.) Find outmore at ssa. gov. In your planning, also considernonfinancialmatters. It’s common fornew retirees to feel aimlessor lonely.Explore activities that youmight enjoy in retirement, including social outlets.

ONE BIG QUESTION

What was the best piece of advice you received early in your career?

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

Whether business or personal, the best advice rarely comes from a textbook.

You can’t find it in a strategic plan or an employee handbook. It’s not emblazoned on the wall. It may not have sounded profound at the time.

But regardless of its origin, it stuck with you for decades, shaped your professional development and helped guide your business philosophy

In this week’s One Big Question, we ask several business leaders from different industries across south Louisiana: What was the best piece of advice you received early in your career?

TIM BARFIELD

principal and president, CSRS, Baton Rouge

They call it “work” for a reason

You’re going to have to do a lot of things you don’t want to do or aren’t comfortable doing, you’re going to have to go out of your comfort zone. But whatever you’re asked to do, whatever you’re called to do, just throw your heart and soul into it and do the best job you can, and learn as much as you can. If you put in the effort and do a good job, people will notice that and give you more opportunities.

That’s what I was told early in my career, and now, when I sit and mentor people, that’s what I tell them. It has served me well, and I still try to live that almost every day If you put that effort in, you may not be the expert like some people are, but people respect you really soon. That’s been a great telltale for my career, which has been a crazy career I’ve done a lot of dif-

ferent things, none of which I was qualified to do when I started.

VICTORIA PHIPPS

vice president of global philanthropy, JP Morgan Chase, New Orleans

It likely was from one of my college professors — I truthfully cannot pinpoint which one — but it’s something that I have carried around with me and that I talk about most frequently when I’m having conversations with young people in their careers.

I was taught to “sharpen the points of my star.” There’s a lot of conversation about being wellrounded in business and in your career, but I don’t subscribe to that. I think you should focus relent-

lessly on your strengths and be intentional about surrounding yourself with people whose strengths offset your weak spots.

In my own career, I spend a lot of time assessing the things that I know I am exceptional at, the things that I’m pretty strong at, and the things that I know I’m never going to be at the top of the heap at, and try to govern myself accordingly We all have things that we either are exceptional at or have the potential to be exceptional at — and we likely will get further faster and deliver more impact by focusing on those things than trying to strengthen the things that might not be our natural assets and strengths.

DEANNA RODRIGUEZ

CEO, Entergy New Orleans

I had just moved to Louisiana and I called one of my colleagues in Baton Rouge, and I said, “Hey, this is Deanna Rodriguez. I’m calling about, blah blah blah blah.” And he goes, “Hey, Deanna, how’s your mama?” I’m like, “What?” He goes, “Well, we should start this conversation with how’s your mama?” I just started laughing. “My mom’s fine.” I loved it. It really stopped me. It got me thinking: That’s where you have to add connectivity to whatever it is that you’re doing.

People are people Do you know about them? Do they know about you? That way, people are more likely to understand where you’re

coming from, and business can be dealt with in a way that is less adversarial and more collaborative. We’re at the (New Orleans City) Council often, and we’re an adversary Sometimes we have angry customers — more often we have happy customers — our team knows this: We need to lean in either way If they don’t know you, if you’re invisible, if they don’t see you, it’s easier to hate somebody that’s a corporation rather than somebody that’s a person.

DENNIS STINE

CEO, Stine Lumber Co., Lake Charles I worked with Buddy Roemer many times. In his speeches, he said, “It’s real simple: Buy low and sell high,” which was the same values as Warren Buffett, and I’ve read every one of his board reports since 1965.

His advice is enduring over time for small businesses or large businesses throughout any and all economic conditions. It was the same principle that he undertook in being a value investor that he learned from his mentor, Benjamin Graham, of Columbia University

It’s all about creating economic value, to add economic value in everything you do. And quite frankly it’s getting harder and harder to do it with an economy that is not good in Louisiana, when we’ve lost 55,000 people in the last five years, and most other states have increased population. We’re struggling. We’re really struggling. And I’m struggling to figure out how I can add value between lost population and increased inflation. I think about it constantly What was the best career advice you ever received? Drop us a line at biztips@theadvocate.com.

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A new program at Southeastern Louisiana University aims to help Louisiana stroke survivors

‘Positive changes’

Southeastern University program helps stroke patients with aphasia

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

When a stroke steals a person’s ability to communicate, the loss is often invisible but life-altering. Conversations halt. Independence shrinks. Isolation creeps in A new program in Hammond aims to help Louisiana stroke survivors reclaim both movement and language.

The program’s origins go back to 2024, when Eddie Hebert stumbled upon a science journal newsletter

about a program in Montana that combined university efforts to provide care and support for stroke patients who suffered aphasia.

“I thought, ‘Well, we could do that at Southeastern,’ ” said Hebert, a Southeastern University professor of kinesiology

His first mission: learn more about aphasia. That’s where Rebecca Parker, a Southeastern associate professor for communication sciences and disorders, came in. Together a year later the pair launched the Physical Activity and

Communication Together program, or PACT The university-based program, open to people with aphasia in Hammond and surrounding Louisiana communities, helps stroke survivors practice speaking, moving and reconnecting socially Aphasia is a language disorder typically caused by stroke that creates difficulties speaking, understanding, reading or writing. One third of all stroke survivors have long-term aphasia and many

ä See PROGRAM, page 2X

Uterine cancer cases are climbing

Survival gaps persist for Black women

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

In January, the American Cancer Society reported that for the first time women younger than 50 had a higher cancer incidence rate than men. Based on 2023 data, cancer incidence rates among women under 50 were 82% higher than among men, up from 51% in 2022. One cancer driving that shift is uterine

cancer

Uterine cancer is a collection of different diseases, but the most common is endometrial cancer, a cancer that forms in the lining of the uterus.

“Those are the majority of the cases that we see,” said Dr Chad Hamilton, gynecologic oncologist at Ochsner Health, based in New Orleans. “Both the incidence rates and the mortality rates are increasing for endometrial cancer.”

As the incidence and mortality of many cancer types are declining in the U.S. uterine cancer cases have been increasing by about 1% per year and the

death rate by 1.5% per year even more among non-White women.

In 2025, an estimated 69,120 uterine cancer cases were diagnosed in the U.S. and 13,860 died from the disease, according to American Cancer Society data. In Louisiana in 2025, 780 new uterine cancer cases were diagnosed with 120 deaths due to uterine cancer

Over the last decade, the incidence for uterine cancers in Louisiana increased from 5.5 new cases per 100,000 in 2011 to 6.4 new cases per 100,000 in 2021, data

ä See CANCER, page 3X

HEALTH MAKER

Sports medicine doctor followed his roots to medicine

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

Dr Christopher (CJ) Tosino is a sports medicine specialist and primary care physician in Acadiana, with expertise in sports-related injuries.

Tosino earned his medical degree from Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Dublin Ohio. He completed a residency at Dublin Methodist Hospital and a sports medicine fellowship at Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine at Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama Tosino, who started working with Ochsner Lafayette General Andrews Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in November, is accepting new patients and referrals for sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and regenerative treatments.

Originally from Ohio, Tosino said he enjoys running, cycling, hiking, golfing, enjoying live music and spending time with his fiancee outside of work. When did medicine become a possibility for your career? Where did your interest begin?

I lean heavily on my roots. I come from a family that originated in the Philippines. My grandfather was a first-generation immigrant. He was the first generation of my dad’s side of the family to disconnect from the usual family trade, which was farming. His family laughed at him, said, “There’s no way you’re going to do it.” He married his childhood sweetheart and immigrated to the United States to start his medical residency in anesthesiology and was a practicing anesthesiologist in Toledo, Ohio, for over 40 years. My father grew up in that household and ended up in medicine as well. He’s still a practicing family physician in northeast Ohio. He’s an incredible doctor He’s an incredible father He’s

Dr Christopher (CJ) Tosino is a sports medicine specialist and primary-care physician in Acadiana, with expertise in sports-related injuries.

an awesome guy in general. I usually tell people that, for better or for worse, I’m becoming him a little bit more.

I’m a former athlete. I played football, baseball, basketball growing up my entire life. I ended up playing baseball in college, and it really gave me a good shot to try to work out for a couple major league teams before I ended up having an unfortunate injury that ended my career

But those experiences — the experiences of being an athlete and a teammate — led me down the path of sports medicine. I want to take care of patients who are motivated to get back to what they love That’s something that pushes me harder and harder, not only as the physician in the room, but also in my own life At what point did you move from athlete to doctor? I was a collegiate baseball

player I was a double major, double minor I think that gave me a sense of accountability and a lot of responsibility to stay on top of my studies and to also try to work as hard as I could to be the best in baseball and to be the best teammate that I could be.

I graduated in 2016 and through my “failed baseball career,” I took a year off in between college and medical school. In that gap year I got a job as a medical scribe at an orthopedic surgery clinic. They took care of Akron University Athletics in Ohio. That was my first true introduction to sports medicine. I think that experience, that insight, gave me more and more determination to eventually get to that, that mountaintop.

My time in my family medicine residency at Dublin Methodist Hospital in Dublin, Ohio, was an

Students at Southern University work in the Physical Activity and Communication Together program to assist stroke patients with aphasia. Anthony Vosbein, from left at top, Goodness Egware, Aiijahnae Leagea, Caroline Dominique, Katelyn Taylor, Rylee Vicknair, Brianna Harper, Jada Clark, Rylan Hiatt, Nicholas Bowden and Asyia Blount. Taylor Tran, from left at bottom, Briana Boyle, Emily Peltier, Nicole Opdyke, Hannah Bradham, Dr Rebecca Parker, Emily Lambert, Savannah Madere, Kendall Curran and Nancy Webb

Continued from page 1X

have unilateral paralysis or paresis (incomplete paralysis caused by nerve damage). As a result, individuals with aphasia often experience social isolation, depression and poor quality of life.

The PACT program runs year-round, according to the academic calendar semesters with breaks in the winter and summer The program provides physical therapy sessions and communication development activities on Friday mornings. Plus, the 10 patients involved this semester get to socialize with their care team and other participants in the program — caregivers, too.

“There’s such a fantastic range of both physical capabilities and various ways that aphasia kind of manifests itself,” Hebert said.

Exercises, in 30-minute sessions, are primarily focused on coordination, strength and balance. Participants receive individualized support from kinesiology students and faculty who monitor participants

and provide individual feedback and ability level modifications.

Communication activities, in 45-minute sessions, are designed to improve receptive and expressive language skills. Activities are designed and supported by speech-language pathologists and student clinicians.

“We look at their syntax, semantics, phonology We look at pragmatic language. We work on morphology We look at those aspects of language in terms of a social communication model,” Parker said. “We also try to make it engaging and fun.”

Graduate students under Parker’s supervision are also gaining clinical experience working with participants as well.

In addition to the educational, social and physical services PACT provides, the program is collecting research to further inform treatment opportunities for future patients

“The main variable of interest, I think, in the research study component, would be increasing their quality of life,” Parker said.

Each participant is evaluated by Hebert’s team physi-

incredible residency I was delivering babies. I was helping with surgeries. I was in the ER. I was in the hospital. I was on the staff for the Nationwide Children’s Hospital Columbus Marathon. I was on the staff for what’s called the Arnold Sports Festival that’s held by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Columbus, Ohio — professional amateur weightlifting, slap fighting and professional tag.

I got to take care of a local area high school for all their athletes.

I ended up actually choosing an extra year of sports medicine as a fellowship at Auburn University in Alabama, where I got to take care of all the athletes, all the staff.

The head team doctor at Auburn trained and was good friends with Dr James Andrews, who is the godfather of sports medicine, as some people like to say Last October, he called me and asked, “Have you ever been to Louisiana?”

He told me about an opportunity in Lafayette, a new sports institute. They flew my fiancee and me down here, and we were both so in shock and awe of how awesome this community was, how great the providers were. We realized just how beautiful it is down here in Lafayette, and that really drove my decision to take the job.

How has developing, or working in, a new institute been in Lafayette?

Opening up this brandnew space, it’s just beautiful. I don’t know if there are enough words in the dictionary to be able to describe how awesome the complex care that we’re able to provide is.

I’m a primary care sports medicine physician. I have another partner who’s a primary care provider We have general orthopedic surgeons. We have specialists in the shoulder hip, knee, ankle. We’re adding specialists as fast as we’re

Study ties junk food to heart health

Ultra-processed items linked to cardiovascular disease

BY CHRISTOPHER

O’DONNELL

Tampa Bay Times (TNS)

cally, takes a standardized test (the Western Aphasia Battery) on their communication abilities and fills out self-reported evaluation forms about their progress.

Three semesters in, Hebert says that the program’s results are promising. However, the long breaks in summer and winter between school sessions show a regression in the participants’ progress.

“That increase, then decrease, then increase again shows how important the program is,” Hebert said. “Even a once-a-week program is having some positive changes in their capabilities and their lives.”

Enrollment is rolling and open to all who have a referral from an occupational therapist or with approval from a physician. The program is completely free for participants.

“Our target audience for this is people who live within reasonable driving distance of Hammond who would like to participate,” Hebert said.

Space in the program is limited, but Hebert and Parker hope to be able to bring on more participants in the future.

growing.

Also, having physical therapy in the building was a nice addition that we all appreciate as providers to be able to continue care in-house and send patients to physical therapists that are sports medicine trained downstairs. I think the communication availability is invaluable.

Can you speak to any interesting, or new and novel, changes that have been happening in sports medicine? What’s on the horizon?

Both my partner and I are trained in musculoskeletal ultrasound, a noninvasive imaging method used to diagnose muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve and joint conditions. We can diagnose things before we even have to get an MRI, but we also use it for treatment and therapies.

We also do ultrasoundguided steroid injections, trigger point injections and platelet-rich plasma injections (a concentration of a patients’ platelets from their own blood to accelerate healing in injured tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints). That is a relatively new thing. Those are things that are already on the horizon and starting to really take off.

I think everybody wonders about regenerative medicine and stem cell therapies as well. I think that is an area that will be introduced to sports medicine as research and medicine pushes things forward.

We want to be on top of the wave, not behind it. We want to be coasting in with the newest and the best for our patients.

What are three things you want people to know about their health?

I think, unfortunately, most men tend to not care about their health. They’re usually either taking care of their family They’re worried about their job. Or they’re oblivious to the things that may be unknown and under the surface that they don’t know

are happening with their health.

Priority number one is heart health. Heart disease is leading cause of death in men, and things like high blood pressure and high cholesterol can be asymptomatic. I always want to highlight the importance of health maintenance — going and seeing your doctor, getting your physical done, getting some blood work done. Staying on top of your health is always going to be a huge piece to overall living a healthier life. I wouldn’t be a primary care doctor if I didn’t mention cancer screenings. There is a nationwide increase of colon cancer that is contributed by diet or possibly genetics. It’s important that patients rediscuss the new screening age of 45 years old with primary care providers. That way we can make sure that we do so that we can screen and ensure that you are not at any risk for developing something that may end up taking your life. Those recommendations can go for prostate and testicular cancer, too.

I think that the other priority is mental health. It’s not optional anymore. Our mental health is not something we can sweep under the rug. Everybody deals with it to some degree. Speaking out, leaning on support systems, but also knowing that there are so many other support systems that you can utilize is huge. That could start with a conversation with me as a primary-care sports provider my job as a primary care provider is never going to go away I hope it never does for me. I want to make sure that I’m taking care of my patients, not only for their injury, but also the thoughts, beliefs, fears, stresses and anger that come with it.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney @theadvocate.com

Junk foods like sodas and potato chips could be bad for your heart, a new study from researchers in Florida said.

findings. In the meantime, health care providers should advise patients to decrease consumption of junk food, along with adopting other healthy lifestyle changes, it states.

Junk food like sodas, potato chips, packaged snacks and processed meats has long been linked to higher risks of diabetes and hypertension.

Now an increasing body of research is also tying ultra-processed foods to cardiovascular disease.

The latest is a study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University, which found those who consumed more junk food had a 47% higher risk of heart attack or stroke compared with those who ate the least

The findings were stark enough for researchers to warn that the nation’s fondness for processed foods represents an urgent public health priority similar to past efforts to curb tobacco use.

It comes as the food on American tables has come under increasing criticism from U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr as part of his Make America Healthy Again initiative.

The study, which was published in the American Journal of Medicine, calls for more large-scale observational studies to verify its

“These results have major implications for future research as well as clinical care and public policy,” said Charles H. Hennekens, professor of medicine and preventive medicine at FAU Schmidt College of Medicine.

Around 70% of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, and nearly a third of adolescents have prediabetes, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows. A 2016 study found that junk food makes up as much as 60% of American’s diets.

In January the departments of Health and Human Services and Agriculture released new dietary guidelines and described the nation’s diet as a “national health emergency.” The guidelines urged Americans to eat real food like meat, vegetables, fruit and whole grains.

The same message was repeated during Sunday night’s Super Bowl 60 broadcast with an advertisement showing former heavyweight world championship boxer Mike Tyson biting into an apple while the messages “Processed food

kills” and “Eat real food” flashed. It was paid for by the MAHA Center, a new advocacy group aligned with the Make America Healthy Again movement, according to a New York Times report. Florida Atlantic researchers from the Charles E. Schmidt College of Medicine used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2021 to 2023 to conduct their study.

Just under 4,800 adults who provided at least one day of detailed dietary records and information about heart attack or stroke were included in the study The participants reported everything they ate for two days, which researchers used to calculate how much of their diet was ultra-processed food.

For the purposes of the study, ultra-processed foods were categorized as those that are industrially modified and loaded with added fats, sugars, starches, salts and chemical additives like emulsifiers.

“Addressing (ultra-processed foods) isn’t just about individual choices it’s about creating environments where the healthy option is the easy option,” said Hennekens. “Clinical guidance and public health education are necessary to make nutritious foods accessible and affordable for everyone.”

Eat Fit LiveFit

Hot chocolate,reimagined: Cozy comfort without the sugar crash

Wedon’tneedcoldweatheras anexcuseforhotchocolate. Formanyofus,it’sago-to comfortdrinkyear-round.It’swarm, andit’snostalgic,buttraditionalhot chocolatealsocomeswithaheftydose ofaddedsugar —sometimesnearly doublewhat’srecommendedforan entireday.

Thegoodnews?Wedon’thaveto giveupthiscold-weatherritualtomake itworkforourbodies.Today’sready-touseoptionsmakeiteasierthaneverto enjoyhotchocolateinawaythat’smore balanced,nourishingandstillsatisfying. RethinkingHotCocoa

Mostclassichotcocoarecipesand mixesarecenteredonsugarfirst,cocoa second.Asingleservingcancontain20 to35gramsofaddedsugar,withvery littleproteinorfiber,whichhelpsexplain thefamiliarsugarspike(andcrash)that oftenfollows.

Butcocoaitselfisn’ttheproblem. Infact,it’snaturallyrichinflavonoids:plant compoundslinkedtoimprovedblood flow,bettervascularhealthandpotential benefitsforbloodsugarregulationand brainfunction.Cocoamayalsosupport moodandcognitiveperformancethanksto itspolyphenolsandmildstimulanteffects.

Thechallengeisthatmanycommercial productsdilutethesebenefitswithadded sugarandprocessing.Anewgenerationof hotchocolateoptionsisflippingthatscript. Thinklessdessert,morefunctionalcomfort.

Thefollowingarethreeoptionsthat highlightdifferentnutritionalbenefits, dependingonwhatyou’relookingfor

Note:Nutritionfactsareforthe chocolatemixonly.Totalcalories, carbohydratesandsugarwillvary dependingonthemilkused.Iprefera plant-basedmilk,likeRipple,orFairlife, anultra-filteredoptionforcow’smilk.

LakantoMonkFruit-Sweetened DrinkingChocolate

Ifyoulovetraditionalhotchocolatebut wanttoskipthesugarload,lookforblends sweetenedwithplant-basedsweeteners likemonkfruitorerythritolinsteadofcane sugarorcornsyrupsolids

LakantoDrinkingChocolate(available athealthfoodstoresandonline)isa greatexample.Itdeliversthatfamiliar cocoaflavorbutissweetenedwithmonk fruit,whichincludesnoaddedsugar orartificialsweeteners.Withabout30

caloriesandonegramofnetcarbs perserving,it’splant-based,low-carb andeasytopreparewithhotmilkora milkalternative.

Thisoptionworkswellforpeoplewho wantsomethingcomfortingandfamiliar withoutthebloodsugarrollercoaster. It’salsoaneasyswapforfamiliestrying tograduallyreducesugarwithout feelingdeprived.

OMMushroomSuperfood HotChocolate

Anothercategorygainingpopularity isfunctionalhotchocolate:blendsthat includespecificingredientsdesignedto supportwhole-bodywellbeing

ProductslikeOMMushroomSuperfood HotChocolate(availableonline)include adaptogenicmushroomssuchaslion’s mane,reishi,chagaandturkeytail,along withcocoa.Thesemushroomshave beenstudiedfortheirpotentialroles insupportingimmunehealth,stress resilienceandcognitivefunction.

OMalsocontainsafulldose(250mg)of ashwagandha,anadaptogenicherbshown tohelpreducestressandsupportfocus andsleepquality.

Sweetenedwithasmallamountof sugarandmonkfruit,itcontainsjusttwo gramsofsugarper30-calorieserving Theflavorisstillchocolate-forward,but slightlyearthier,makingitacomforting optionforthosecuttingbackoncaffeine orlookingforacalmingeveningritual.

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsnersEatFit nonprofitinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

BY THENUMBERS

1IN3LOUISIANANS ARELONELy, LACK EMOTIONAL, SOCIAL SUPPORT

Lonelinessand lack of social connection are widespread and negatively affect physical and mental health and well-being,according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Positiverelationships and interactions with family,friends, co-workers, and community members can have a protectiveimpact on individual health andwell-being.These relationships can alsohelp mitigate the negativeimpacts of challenges that people face likeliving in an unsafe neighborhood or trouble affording housing or food.

High levels of social isolation increases the risk of developing chronic conditions —depression, cardiovascular disease, hypertension —by25%, research from the National Institutes of Health says These Louisianaparishes had the highest percentage of adultswho reported sometimes, rarely or never

CANCER

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from the National Cancer Institute says. The main driving factor for endometrial cancers is thelifetime imbalance in estrogen versus progesterone, two important hormones that most of the time the body does agood job of keeping regulated. In endometrial cancer,the body is producing too much estrogen. Hamilton says rising obesity rates are likely amajor contributor to the upward trend of uterine cancers. The American Cancer Society estimates that 60%ofuterine cancers can be attributable

getting the socialand emotional support they need, according to the CDC, in descending order:

n East Carroll Parish with 37.8%, n Claiborne Parishwith 34.9%, n Madison Parish with 34.8%, n Morehouse Parishwith 34.3%, n Tensas Parish with 34.1%, n St. Helena Parish with 33.8%, n IbervilleParishwith 32.9%, n St. John the Baptist Parish with 32.7%, n RedRiver Parish with 32.3% n Avoyelles Parish with 32.1%

These Louisiana parishes had the lowest percentageofadults who reported sometimes, rarely or never getting the socialand emotional support they need, according to the CDC, in descending order:

n St.Tammany Parish with 25.4%, n LafayetteParishwith 26%, n CameronParishwith 26.6%, n Livingston Parish with 26.7%,

to excess body weight and insufficient physicalactivity —and are thus potentially preventable. Overall excess body weight andabdominal fatness increases theriskofuterine cancer partlybyincreasing the amount of circulating estrogen, whichisa strongrisk factor becausefat cellsin thebodyconverthormones in the body to estrogen. An excessoffat cells leadstoan excessofestrogen. “It’sanother source of the body producing estrogen to throw thatbalance of estrogen and progesterone off,” Hamilton said.

Other conditions like high blood pressure,diabetes and insulin resistance cancause inflammation in thebody,

whichisalso linkedtoanincreased risk of endometrial cancer

Since 1975, the five-year survival ratefor uterine cancer has decreased from 87% to 81%.Itisnow the fifthleading causeofcancer deaths in women. Additionally,uterine cancer hasone of thelargest racial disparities in survival—84% in White patients, compared to63% in Black patients

Thedisparity is partly because Black women are much less likely to be diagnosedearlywhen the disease is localizedand are more likely to have aggressive subtypes, although neither fully explains the survival gap. “The ratesoverall of endo-

VitalProteinsCollagen HotChocolate

Forthose looking to make hot chocolatemore filling or to support muscle recovery, connective tissue, joints, gut and skin health, collagenbased optionsare worth considering. Chocolatecollagenpowders,like thosefromVitalProteins,mixeasilyinto hotliquidsandprovideabout20grams ofprotein(fromcollagenpeptides)per serving.They’renaturallylowinsugar, oftenlightlysweetenedwithsteviaand blendsmoothlywhenwhiskedorfrothed intowarmmilk.

Incorporating collagenintoour hot cocoa canturnanindulgenceintoa more functional treat–especially helpful during colder monthswhencravings tend to increase

HowtoMakeItCreamy(Without aSugarSpike)

Afewsimpleupgradescanelevateany oftheseoptions:

•Whiskoruseasmallmilkfrotherto preventclumps

•Addapinchofcinnamonorvanilla fordepth

•Forextrarichness,addateaspoonof coconutcream

Thesesmalltweakscanmakeabig differenceinbothtextureandsatisfaction.

TheTakeaway

Hotchocolatedoesn’thavetobean occasionalsplurge,anditdoesn’thave tocomewithasugarcrash.Whetheryou choosealow-sugarclassic,amushroombasedfunctionalblendoracollagenboostedoption,today’sbetter-for-you choicesmakeiteasytoenjoythecomfort ofhotchocolatewhilestillsupporting yourhealth.

metrial cancer are lower in Black women,but high-risk cancer typesare twotothree times higher in Black women,” Hamilton said. “Andwe don’thavegreat reasons for that.”

Like othercancers, uterine cancer can develop when mutations happeninthe DNAcells of the uterus and endometrium, alsocalled the endometriallining. Sometimes, these mutations can turn normal, healthy cells into abnormal cellsthat grow and multiply uncontrollably and invade nearby tissues. Whenthis happens, two main typesofcancer can develop: n Endometrial cancer starts in the endometrium. This is the most common

type of uterine cancer,and it can oftenbecured when detectedearly.Endometrioid cancer is atype of endometrialcancer that starts in gland cells.

n Uterine sarcoma starts in the muscles andsupporting tissues of the uterus. It is much less common,about 10% of all cases, but usually more aggressive. Abnormalvaginalbleeding can be asign of uterine cancer.After menopause, anyamount of blood is considered abnormal.

“If you have any bleeding after menopause, it’ssoimportant to get checked out quickly,” Hamilton said.

For youngerpeoplewho haven’tgone through menopause, abnormal bleeding

can include bleeding between menstrual cycles or after sex, and prolonged or heavy bleeding. Though in manycases abnormalbleeding can be attributed to non-cancerous conditions, it’sbest to talk to health care professionals if thereare anychanges in the menstrual cyclethatare out of the ordinary

“Spotting or abnormal bleeding doesn’tmean something’sthere,”Hamiltonsaid. “The risks are high enough that if everybody would just come in whenithappened, we would be ahead of the game.”

EmailMargaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MARKUS SCHREIBER

Doctors say it’s unlikely people require supplements to cortisol, which is known as the stress hormone.

Doctors: You likely don’t need to control cortisol

Stress hormone has become talk of the internet

BY DEVI SHASTRI AP health writer

Cortisol, what is known as the stress hormone, is the talk of the internet.

Wellness influencers warn about the various symptoms of chronically high cortisol: waking up at 3 a.m., swollen “cortisol face” and accumulating belly fat. And many offer diet and exercise routines that they claim will help.

But do you really need supplements and advice from influencers to control your cortisol? Doctors say it’s very unlikely Don’t be so quick to label this hormone as a villain, they say And if you suspect something is off, talk to a professional.

Cortisol keeps you alive

Cortisol is a hormone and you need it to survive. It comes from the adrenal glands, located above the kidneys, and is one of many hormones at play in times of stress. It can influence inflammation, the immune system, metabolism, blood pressure and many other bodily functions.

Cortisol is incredibly attuned to your body and environment. It fluctuates throughout the day, rising in the morning when you wake up and falling at night before you go to sleep It also rises when you’re sick or in other times of stress, doctors say “Our cortisol level is regulated by the minute,” said Dr Roberto Salvatori, a Johns Hopkins University endocrinologist. “It is very sensitive.”

It’s rare that people have a disorder where cortisol on its own is the cause. If a person’s cortisol level is chronically low, doctors would diagnose them with adrenal insufficiency This includes an autoimmune condition called Addison’s disease, in which the immune system attacks the adrenal gland.

People with Cushing’s syndrome have cortisol levels that are too high Among its causes are tumors, which are usually benign, in the adrenal or pituitary glands. It is treated with medication, surgery or both. Talk to your doctor

The symptoms of either high or low cortisol are wide-ranging and can overlap with signs of other health issues.

Adrenal insufficiency can manifest as fatigue, unintentional weight loss, low blood pressure and loss of appetite. Cushing’s syndrome comes with weight gain, high blood pressure, brittle bones, weight gain around the face and belly, abnormal hair growth in women, sleep issues and more Diagnoses take time, multiple tests and an understanding of a patient’s overall health,

doctors said. Cortisol can be measured through the patient’s saliva, blood or urine.

“There’s a lot of nuance to interpreting cortisol and that’s what makes me a little bit nervous about patients getting cortisol testing for themselves without having some kind of physician oversight,” said Dr Katie Guttenberg, an endocrinologist at UTHealth Houston.

A one-off cortisol blood test won’t provide useful information for most people, she said and could lead to unnecessary stress and medical follow-ups. For example, women who are on birth control will have falsely high cortisol blood results, because of how the medicine works in the body

Be cautious of supplements

Endocrinologists say there are no proven over-the-counter treatments for high or low cortisol, despite claims that supplements like ashwagandha and magnesium are helpful in “lowering cortisol.”

Beyond Cushing’s syndrome, chronically high cortisol is a concern, said Dr James Findling, an endocrinologist with the Medical College of Wisconsin, but more research into treatments is needed.

He worries about people taking unregulated supplements when it’s not always clear what’s in them

“They’re not innocuous,” Findling warned.

Even in patients who have Cushing’s syndrome, the medications have to be carefully dosed, Salvatori said, because an overcorrection could drive cortisol levels too low and cause other health issues.

Manage stress

Salvatori notes there is a condition called “pseudo Cushing’s syndrome,” which is often milder but causes some of the same physical effects despite the patient not having a tumor. It can be caused by alcoholism and other chronic issues.

It is generally treated by addressing the underlying cause, doctors said, like getting the patient to stop drinking.

Endocrinologists are learning new potential benefits for treating high cortisol, said Findling, who studies the condition. For example, it could potentially help diabetics who are on multiple drugs better control their blood sugar

The doctors also acknowledged that stress is highly subjective and Cushing’s syndrome patients can go unheard and undiagnosed.

But their advice for the vast majority of people: Talk to a doctor if you are concerned.

For healthy people, rather than focusing in on one elusive hormone, the doctors recommended going back to the basics of stress management: Eat well, get enough sleep, move your body or go to therapy

“Nothing new about any of that,” Findling said

Researchers link obesity, estrogen use, blood-clotting

LSU Health New Orleans publishes study

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

Obesity combined with estrogen-based medications may significantly increase the risk of dangerous blood clots.

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans published a study connecting obesity and estrogen-based drugs — including hormonal therapies and oral contraceptives — to an increased risk to develop harmful blood clots in veins or arteries in premenopausal women.

Dr Rinku Majumder from LSU Health New Orleans led the study published in November 2025 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

Researchers discovered that the risk of blood clots increases dramatically in premenopausal women with obesity who are taking estrogen-based medications due to a substantial reduction in Protein S, a natural blood thinner that helps prevent harmful blood clots. When Protein S levels fall, blood clot risk rises.

“This study gives us a clearer picture of how everyday factors like weight and hormone use can interact in ways that have real health consequences,” said Majumder professor of interdisciplinary oncology at LSU Health New Orleans. “For cancer patients especially, having this knowledge helps us protect them more effectively.”

LDH expands ‘Louisiana Carrot Initiative’ to 2 more parishes

The Louisiana Department of Health expanded a project encouraging healthy eating among SNAP recipients to Walmart stores in East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes.

The Louisiana Carrot Initiative gives Louisiana SNAP recipients a 30-cent bonus for every dollar spent on fresh produce at participating retailers. Participants can earn up to $25 in bonus benefits each month, which are automatically credited to their benefits card to purchase SNAP-eligible groceries at any retailer accepting SNAP benefits.

By expanding to both East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishes, the program will reach an additional 135,000 Louisianans, according to LDH. Ascension, Calcasieu, Jackson, Lafayette, LaSalle, Rapides, Sabine, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, Webster and West Carroll parishes already taking part in the project.

LDH is working with retailers to expand the program to all 64 parishes.

Tulane study explores mother-to-child infection

Cytomegalovirus, or CMV is an infection passed from mother to child through the placenta and diagnosed in 1 in 200 newborns in the United States — about 20,000 to 40,000 annually

In some cases, about 5,000 newborns each year, the infection can lead to children developing permanent issues like hearing loss or developmental disabilities.

Most people are exposed to the virus during their lifetime, often without symptoms and without ever knowing they have had CMV In healthy children and adults, CMV infections are typically mild or unnoticed.

The concern arises when someone who has never had CMV before experiences a first infection during pregnancy

Researchers at Tulane’s National Biomedical Research Center (previously known as Tulane National Primate Research Center), led by Dr Amitinder Kaur and first author Tabitha Manuel, followed CMV in primates as it infects the placenta during pregnancy and reaches a developing fetus.

The study showed that CMV affects pregnancies in different ways, according to a news release from Tulane: n Some pregnancies had only brief or lowlevel signs of the virus, while one showed more extensive involvement Others had little to no virus detected.

HEALTH NOTES

n Across nearly all pregnancies, CMV was present in the placenta, even when the fetus itself did not show signs of infection.

n Pregnancies with higher amounts of virus in placental tissues tended to have smaller fetuses at delivery, suggesting that placental infection alone may influence growth.

n The study also identified differences in maternal and fetal immune markers that may help identify pregnancies at higher risk for transmission.

The study was conducted in collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School and the Oregon National Primate Research Center Ochsner ALS center marks 10 years of care in Louisiana

Ochsner’s Neuroscience Institute announced its 10-year anniversary of its Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, center Since opening in November 2015, the center served more than 500 patients in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, Michigan and Puerto Rico. The center became a center of excellence, awarded by the ALS Association, in 2018. In 2026, Ochsner is set to open the new Debra H. and Robert J. Patrick Neuroscience Institute. The Institute will bring together Ochsner’s neuroscience programs under one roof, including a multi-specialty early onset dementia clinic, patient education and caregiver support, a state-of-the art neurological rehabilitation center and the ALS center

State launches maternal mortality initiative

The Louisiana Department of Health has announced hospitals for Project Maternal Overdose Mortality, or M.O.M., an initiative to reduce maternal mortality associated with substance use.

The statewide project aims to reduce pregnancy-associated opioid overdose deaths by 80% within the next three years, while protecting an untold number of infants from loss or foster care placement.

The hospitals participating “advance evidence-based, compassionate care for pregnant and postpartum women impacted by substance use disorder across Louisiana,” according to LDH:

n Lake Charles Memorial Hospital for Women

n Lakeview Hospital

n Lane Regional Medical Center

n Ochsner American Legion Hospital

n Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center

n Ochsner St. Anne Hospital

n Opelousas General Health System

n Our Lady of the Angels Hospital

n Rapides Regional Medical Center

n Touro Hospital

n Woman’s Hospital.

New Orleans hosts national summit for lung cancer

The third annual African American Lung Cancer Patient & Caregiver Summit in New Orleans is set for April 23-25 at the Marriott Warehouse Arts District. The weekendlong event will focus on “survivorship, emerging treatments, clinical trials, environmental and clean-air justice, public policy AI in care, mental wellness, financial navigation, caregiver support and patient advocacy.”

The event is free for lung cancer patients and caregivers and includes meals, hotel accommodations and travel and learning materials.

Health Notes is an occasional listing of health happenings around Louisiana Have something you’d like to share? Contact us at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

Experts discuss how much protein is needed in your diet

BY MEG WINGERTER The Denver Post (TNS)

DENVER Protein is having a moment, with federal guidelines significantly raising the recommended amount people should eat every day and products ranging from coffee drinks to Pop-Tarts touting enhanced levels of the nutrient.

Eating enough protein is important for good health, Denver-area dietitians said, but people who want to increase their intake need to make sure they choose quality foods and don’t crowd out healthy carbohydrates and fats.

Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture showed that, as of 2020, the average American already ate enough protein to meet the new recommendations.

The most recent edition of the federal nutrition guidelines, released in early January, raised the recommended floor for protein consumption, setting a range from 50% higher to double the previous recommendation U.S. Health and Human Services

Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr also unveiled a flipped food pyra-

mid, with beef and full-fat dairy among the foods to emphasize at the top. Federal recommendations had ditched the pyramid about 15 years ago for a model plate divided between produce, protein and whole grains. The previous protein guideline was a bare minimum to avoid malnutrition, so raising that was probably the right call, said Jessica Crandall, a registered dietitian nutritionist who works at HCA HealthOne Rose.

Generally, Crandall recommends 60 to 80 grams of protein each day for women and 80 to 100 grams for men. For comparison, a threeounce serving of ground beef has 22 grams, a skinless chicken breast has 18 grams and 6 ounces of Greek yogurt has 15 to 17 grams, according to Washington University in St Louis.

But the right amount for any individual will depend on their body weight, age, level of physical activity and health, with some conditions requiring more protein and others demanding restrictions, Crandall said.

The International Food Informa-

tion Council’s 2024 Food and Health survey found about 71% of Americans were specifically trying to eat protein, up from 59% in 2022. About one in five said they specifically follow a “high protein” diet, making it more popular than calorie counting, low-carb or Mediterranean food plans.

People who work in nutrition have known about protein’s importance to the muscles and immune system for quite some time but public perception of it has changed significantly in recent years, said Kelly Elliot, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Saint Joseph Hospital. “It’s interesting how marketing sways the public and how the public sways marketing,” she said.

While protein shakes and bars have been staples among the gymgoing set for some time, other food brands are getting in on the game.

Snickers and Pop-Tarts unveiled higher-protein options, and Thomas’ bagels added a line about protein content to the front of the packaging for their existing products. Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts recently debuted drinks

enhanced with whey protein, and Chipotle’s menu now promotes a “protein cup” of chicken and a chicken taco, designed to offer a similar mix of protein, fat and carbs to a protein bar, said Stephanie Perdue, Chipotle’s interim chief marketing officer

“We’ve seen growing demand for protein-forward choices across more occasions, especially snacksized portions at accessible prices,” she said in a statement. “We’ll carry this focus throughout 2026, with our culinary team driving protein-led innovation informed by customer behavior and emerging trends across our restaurants and digital channels.”

As more people get the message that they need to increase their protein intake — despite the fact that most Americans already eat enough — food companies have responded by adding protein in unexpected places, including pretzels, chips and even bottled water, said William Hallman, a psychologist at Rutgers University who studies how people think about food.

Emphasizing protein creates a “health halo” around products that

makes people think they’re a better option, even if the manufacturer had to increase sugar and fat to mask the taste of protein powder, he said.

“Consumers think it’s healthier for them, and that’s the problem,” he said.

Brands highlight the positive aspects of their food, but that doesn’t mean that every high-protein product is a good choice, Elliot said. Consumers need to consider other factors such as sugar and saturated fat content, and whether the ingredients list includes a string of additives, she said.

The new nutrition guidelines also warned the public to avoid added sugars and ultra-processed foods, while maintaining the existing advice to limit saturated fat for heart disease prevention.

The new nutrition guidelines may encourage products to continue jumping on the protein bandwagon, but in the long run, food companies will have to consider whether the costs of fortifying their products are worthwhile in an increasingly crowded marketplace, Hallman said.

By Amanda McElfresh amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Thisstory is brought to you by OchsnerHealth.

UHeart Health Can’t Wait: Ochsner HealthExpertson Protecting Your Heart Before40

pto80% of heart disease, including heart attack and stroke,ispreventable with regular screenings,control ofchronic diseases and a healthy lifestyle.Adopting heart-healthyhabits earlier in lifeisnow moreimportantthan ever,asagrowing number of adults arebeing diagnosed with heart disease beforethe ageof40. Heart diseasehas long been considered acondition thatprimarily affects older adults,but Ochsner Health physicians saythatperception no longer matches reality. Increasingly, theyare diagnosing serious heart conditions in people in their 20s,30s and 40s,some of whom initially appear healthyand active. Experts attributethis to acombinationofgenetics andlifestylefactors,underscoringtheimportance of early screening and empowering individuals totakeanactiveroleintheirhealth.

Thatwas the case forEllen Pino,aBaton Rougebusinessowner,mom of three and competitivetennis player. Duringaroutine tennis practice in October 2022,Pino felt likeher heart briefly stopped, then began beating rapidly. HerApple Watchindicated her heart rate wasmorethan200 beats per minute. Similar episodesbegan happening almost daily.Pino,then in her mid-30s,also noticed thather resting heart rate wasoften morethan 100beats per minute, even when she wasrelaxing at home

“It didn’tmakeany sense. I’mactive and healthy. Iplaytennis severaltimes a week. Ieat healthy. Idon’tsmoke. Irarely drink,”Pino said. “It wasscary,and Iknew something waswrong from the first timeit happened. My chest gottight, and it literally took my breath away;then my heart was suddenly poundingvery hard. It wasavery distinct feeling.

Afterseveral months of theepisodes,PinoconnectedwithPavanMalur,MD, acardiologist at OchsnerMedical Complex–The Grove.Dr. Malur immediately placed Pino on a24/7 heart monitor,which confirmed his suspicions thatsame day. Pino wasdiagnosed with supraventricular tachycardia (SVT), arhythm disorder If left untreated, SVTweakens the heart overtime, especiallywith frequent or prolongedepisodes, potentiallyleadingtoheartfailure, stroke,or,inrarecases,suddencardiacarrest

EllenPino(left)sitsdownforacheck-upwithPavanMalur,MD,Cardiology,OchsnerMedicalComplex-TheGrove(right).

Since sharing her story with morepeople, Pino has referred multiple friends and acquaintances to Dr.Malur.Likeher,theyare often activeadults in their 30s and 40s.Some have had similar concerning symptoms while othersare awareofafamily history of heart diseaseorother risk factors.

“I think the useofsmart devices alsoplays arole in younger people comingtousmore often. Many people wear thosetomonitor their heart ratesand other health metrics,” Dr.Malur added. “Lately,alot of patients who arediagnosed with aform of AFib notice irregularities on their watches beforeI seethem. The devices aremoreaccurate and reliable than even afew yearsago.”

While wearable technologycan help people keep bettertrack of their health on adayto-daybasis,itcan’treplace wellnessvisits with trained physicians

“The demographic shift is broad, but the riseisparticularly noticeable in people with obesity, sedentary routines and strong family histories of early heart disease,”said SamyA Abdelghani,MD,cardiologistatJohnOchsner Heartand Vascular Institute–Slidell. “The most common pattern is earlier onsetofhigh blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol and insulin resistance or Type 2 diabetes,often alongside weight gain, lowactivity levels,poor sleep and high stress.”

SamyA.Abdelghani,MD Cardiologist JohnOchsnerHeartand VascularInstitute–Slidell

“Anirregular heart rhythm canlead to a weakening of the heart muscle or astrokeifa blood clot develops,” Dr.Malur said. “In some people, their blood pressuredrops to avery lowlevel, which cancausethem to faint. That canbedangerous if someone is driving or in another environmentwherepassing out can causethem to be in harm’sway.”

Dr.Malur said thatwhen cardiac conditions arediagnosed,modern medications and operations canoften resolvethe problem. Pino was referred to Michael Bernard, MD, section head of electrophysiologyat Ochsner Medical Center -New Orleans,and underwent acatheter ablation proceduretocorrect the misfiring areas of her heart

Dr.Abdelghani said common symptoms of heart problems can include chest pain or tightness, shortnessofbreath, feelingsof discomfort or heaviness, dizzinessorfainting. Symptoms can be subtle in some individuals, whichmakes regular primary care visits so important.

“I went from having symptoms every single daytomaybe every couple of weeksatthe most,” Pino said. “I’mstill kind of shocked thatall of this happened. Ifeel like thepeople at Ochsnertrulysaved my life.I

Reshma A. Bhanushali, MD,primary care specialist at OchsnerLafayetteGeneral InternalMedicine, said atypical appointmentshould include blood pressureand blood sugar measurements,aswell as an accurate check of aperson’sweightand body massindex(BMI). People whohaveexperienced heart-relatedsymptoms maybereferred to acardiologist forcardiac monitoring,anechocardiogram or tests to determine their coronary calcium score, a measureofplaque in the arteries leading to the heart,which can be an early indicatorofcoronary artery disease.

ReshmaA.Bhanushali,MD Primarycaredoctor OchsnerLafayetteGeneral

Increasingly,thosetests reveal high blood pressure cholesteroland blood sugar— conditions that maynot have immediate symptoms,but canput aperson at risk of serious futurecomplications if

thatsmart lifestyle choices canmeaningfully reduce aperson’srisk of heart disease even when geneticsare not ideal,”Dr. Abdelghani said.

In particular,Dr. Abdelghanisaidhehas seen improvementamong adults who adopt an exerciseroutinethatcombines aerobic activityand strength training, eataMediterranean-style diet heavyinvegetables, fruit,beans,nuts,seeds and fish, maintain a healthysleep schedule, and avoid all formsof tobacco and vaping.

“Establish routine primary care early and treatyourhealthlikealong-terminvestment. Know your numbers, move consistently and eatinawayyoucansustainforyears,”hesaid. “If youdoafew basics well, most people can dramatically lowertheir lifetime risk.”

Dr.Bhanushali added thatpatients should seek outphysicians, like thoseatOchsner who will listen to their concerns and discuss their lifestyles to uncoverany risk factors.

“A lot haschanged to lead to this trend of heartdiseaseatyounger andyounger ages,” Dr.Bhanushalisaid.“Ourgrandparentsdidn’t have the stressofsocialmedia.Theyprobably walked to work, and therewas alot more physical activityinthatgeneration without actually calling it exercise. So,our genetics cannot be changed, but our lifestyle canbe.

She stressedthataheart-healthylifestyle has long-term benefits forevery organ, including importantprotections forbrain health as people age.

“Sometimes,people don’trealizehow poor habits canbedetrimental to their health. Thoseconversations areoften eye-opening,”she said. “Theseare young adults who have alot of lifeahead of them. The sooner we canaddressany problems theyare having, thesoonertheycan getback to the thingstheyenjoy.”

I’mstillkindofshocked thatallofthishappened. Ifeellikethepeopleat Ochsnertrulysavedmy life.Idon’tknowwhatthe repercussionswouldhave beenhadInotadvocated formyselfandmyhealth.

Astronger heart. Astronger you.

DaleR. | CardiologyPatient

Dalewasstrugglingwithsevereheartfailurewhenhiscareteam recommendedaleftventricularassistdevice(LVAD)tosupport hisheartfunction.WiththeexpertiseofSapnaDesai,MD,andSelim Krim,MD,Dalereceivedtheadvancedcareheneededtomove forward.Now,he’sbacktotheactivitiesthatbringhimjoy,gaining strengtheverydayandlivinglifeonhisterms.Whateveryour reasonsarefordoingthethingsyoudo—we’veonlygotone.You.

TolearnmoreabouttheJohnOchsnerHeart&VascularInstitute, visitochsner.org/cardio

LOUISIANA

New-agelearning

Museum’s partnership bridgesgapsin earlyeducation

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

There’splenty to do at Knock Knock Children’sMuseum, even if you’veonly just celebratedyour first birthday From crawlingthrough aplastic cypress tree trunk or sliding out of an eagle’snest, to dressing up as aswamp critter and completingablock puzzle with other kids, the Crawbaby Learning Zone at Knock Knock is made so even the youngest visitors can learnwhile having fun.

Now,the Crawbaby zone has anew sponsor who’sbringing opportunitiesfor Louisiana’syoungest learners to visit and explore: Volunteers of America.

“We’re extremely excited about this partnership. Not only are we sponsoring this beautiful exhibit that is going to enhance infant toddler development, but we’re also sponsoring hundreds oftickets so that families do not have to face abarrier to come and enjoy this,” said Tonya Harden, director of the Partners in Childcare division with Volunteers of America.

Volunteers of America is anearly 130-year-old charityorganization operating across the country,with more than 15,000 professionals working to provide affordable housing, skilled nursing care,veterans’ services and more.

The South-CentralLouisiana branch of VOA servesEastBaton Rouge and 26 other parishes in thestate.

Its Partners in Childcare division helps to refer parents to child careproviders, traincaretakers and fundraise forchildren’seducational experiences like those at Knock Knock.

At aribbon-cutting ceremony outside of the children’smuseum,leaders with Volunteers of Americaannouncedthey would sponsor theCrawbaby zone as part of their mission to make earlychildhood education and child careavailable for more Louisianans

This partnership is aidedbyfunds from the state’sWorkforce Child Care

TaxCredit,which helps Volunteersof America collect donations from business ownersfor their various early child care initiatives.

“Wewant to pour(this funding) back into this age group and into families, and what better way than to support one of thepillars of ourcommunity,which is our Knock Knock Children’sMuseum,” Harden said.

Alackofearly childhood opportunities

Thepartnership withKnock Knockwas soughtout specifically because the Louisiana Department of Educationhas emphasized how important the infant-to-toddler learning period is.

Not only is that developmentalperiod moreimportant for children than previously thought, but there’salso not alot of resources available, Harden said, so she and her team are bolstering their support for infants and toddlers.

“There are hundreds of families on the waiting listfor child care assistance in our community,” she said, “Hundreds. So, how can we fill in that gap of those families, those children who need quality, hands-on learning experiences?”

State data from the early 2000s,when Louisiana’soriginal child tax credit package was passed, showedonly 27% of 4-year-old children in Louisiana were enrolled in public child care.

These numbers haven’t improved enough yet for Harden, whocites day care expensesasamainbarrier to families.

“The deficit is so wide,and it costs so much for one child to be educated for a whole year,” she said.

For a4-year-old child to be in care fora year,itcosts theaverage Louisiana family $8,153, or 9.7% of the medianfamily income.

Kayla Paul, who attended the ribbon cutting with her 2-year-old son Pilar,said that child care is an expense new parents don’toften thinkof. Luckily,getting Pilar into aprograminBaton Rouge wasn’tdifficult

“It was prettyeasy. We didn’thave anywait list,” Paul said. “This is my secondbaby, andmyfirst child also went to Greater King David Nursery,but we didn’thave any issues.”

As his mom spoke, Pilarran up the plushstairs to the Crawbaby zone’seagles nest, looked out over thefaux-branches, and quickly slid down the slide.

While it might seem liketoddlers are too young to benefit from schooling, that time is actually one of the mostimportant periods forchildrentobelearning and experiencing new things, said ChristinaMelton, executive director of Knock Knock.

“I think it’simportant to remember that something like 90% of brain development happens beforea child enters kindergarten,” Melton said. “Soreally trying to form these little synapses in theirlittle brains early-on is really crucial.”

Meltonsaid exploring astimulating

ä See LEARNING, page 2Y

an Rishe

The boring parade?

It’s4:37 on aFridayafternoon as Isit to write this week’s column —and Iamout of words. I’m tired. Not sleep-for-a-week tired. Just ready-to-go-home tired. Decision-fatigue tired Edited-too-many-words tired. Like so many across Louisiana, Ifeel like Ijustran amarathon —somanyparades, so many parties, so many late nights,so many king cakes. Andthen, time did its thing, andTuesday became Wednesday After allthe foofaraw,weare easing back into ordinary time ordinary in the everydaysense, notthe church-calendarone

Five days after Mardi Gras, Louisiana is back to its other rhythm. By now, most of the piled-up laundryhas been washed.Costumes, wigs,headpieces and beadsare back in the closet.At ourrentalhome as we rebuild from ourAugust2025 house fire, we have packed up Mardi Gras in oneofour many boxes. It’swaiting for next year with so many others, each labeledin black marker Fornow,the music has stopped. Emails have resumed. Even for Louisianans whodon’t observeLent, the quietthatfollows Carnival feels earned.Lent is often describedasaseason of giving something up, but subtractionhas its own kind of generosity.Afew empty evenings.A calendarwithout colored blocks. Aflower bedweeded before Louisiana’s spring makes its many demands.

Experience makes onefact undeniable:Life cannotbelivedat afull-time crescendo

My fourth-grade piano teacher, Mrs. Edna Earle Gibson,insisted on honoring the dynamics. Crescendo means building volume Decrescendo means lessening. Music requires both. We have to pauseand lower the volume.Thatsaid, there’snothing gradualbetween Mardi Gras andAsh Wednesday Celebration is beautiful —but maintenance keepsaplace functioning.

Louisiana hasjustsurviveda wholelot of sparkle,but there’s beauty in matte finishtoo. Amatte finishdoesn’t demand attention. It holds its color quietly with asurface thatdoesn’t shout. Matte-finish paint absorbs light rather thanthrowing it back.Itholds steadywithout flash or fanfare.

Carnival is gloss. Ordinary days are grain. Gloss dazzles underbright lights.Graincarries the weight of daily use.

Parenting hasits shiny moments, but most of it hasamatte finish. Parenting isn’tlivedat crescendo Neitherismarriageorfriendship. Andyet,crescendo hasits appeal.The music, the crowd,the bright lights.It’sintoxicating —noone organizes aparadefor maintenance. However,doing so would be a very Louisiana thing to do.Bill it as the Boring Parade. It could be ahit. Ican see it already. The Boring Paradewould feature its own brandoffloats.

The LaundryKrewe would rollbyona flatbedtruck with clotheslinesstrung endtoend, white sheets snapping in the breeze, mismatched socksflapping behind. The Insurance Adjusters float would sport folding tables, clipboards, flashlights andsomeone carefully examining aroof. The

ä See RISHER, page

ASK THE EXPERTS

La. woman champions cardiovascular health

Survivor started out as heart association volunteer

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE

Staff writer

Katie Ferguson is a heart disease survivor, caregiver advocate and community leader in Acadiana. After being diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm and bicuspid aortic valve, she underwent open-heart surgery in January 2023 and now champions awareness of women’s cardiovascular health.

She served as the immediate past chair of American Heart Association’s Greater Acadiana Go Red for Women campaign. A 2020 Fellow of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Ferguson dedicated more than 15 years to caring for a catastrophically injured family member and advocating for caregiver rights. She is also a recipient of the Lafayette Commission on the Needs of Women award for her advocacy and community service.

This interview was edited for length and clarity

What first pulled you into heart advocacy work, and how has that connection evolved over time?

In 2005, I was just a volunteer I had friends who worked for the association, and it was always an organization that I paid close attention to because heart disease ran in my family My father had a heart attack, and my grandfather had open-heart surgery back in the late ’70s. It’s something I knew I needed to pay attention to.

Fast forward to 2021: I was diagnosed with an enlarged ascending aorta.

That brought it all back

LEARNING

Continued from page 1y

environment like the Crawbaby zone is useful for that development, especially when paired with interactions with a trusted adult or other young children.

“This special little swamp is specifically designed for that age group, and it’s one of the only designated spaces for that purpose in the entire capital region,” Melton said.

Volunteers of America began providing free tickets in November to families with young children at child care facilities across the parishes the organization supports.

So Pilar Paul, and the other kids from Greater King David’s Nursery, are not the

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Katie Ferguson served as the immediate past chair of American Heart Association’s Greater Acadiana Go Red for Women campaign.

because, for 20 years, I was raising money for heart awareness and heart health. It was one of those full-circle moments where 20 years later I was able to give the survivor story at the 20th anniversary for Go Red for Women in Acadiana.

The advocacy and fundraising work I was doing 20 years before partially saved my life When they got in there, they found out I had a bicuspid heart valve. I had to have a mechanical heart valve For both the graft and the valve, the research was paid for through American Heart Association dollars. It was very humbling and made me proud of the work I did years prior What are the statistics for heart disease?

One in three women are going to die from heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. That’s more than all cancers combined. One in four men are going to die from heart disease.

A lot of times, when people have cancer, for example, it physically shows on the outside. Most heart disease does not show, so most people aren’t aware that every

first attendees to explore the zone for free.

Other ways to support

Neither the deficit in available child care, nor the state’s child care tax credits, are new

The 2007 legislation provides a partially refundable credit for families, child care providers and businesses for contributions to child care in various forms, including child care center construction costs and payments for child care on behalf of a company’s employees.

For families, these credits pay for the child care itself, while for child care professionals, the credit helps support their salaries and to encourage more early childhood teachers to join the field.

Volunteers of America

Q&A WITH KATIE FERGUSON HEART DISEASE SURVIVOR

80 seconds a woman will die from heart disease.

It’s prevalent in different populations. We’re recognizing that more research needs to be done on females, African Americans, Native Americans, etc. The more we’re able to diversify, the more we are able to help others.

What small, realistic lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference for heart health?

What comes to mind immediately is changing eating habits. You can still have the cookies, but have one instead of five. Instead of having a full sandwich, have a fold-over sandwich to have less bread and more protein.

Small changes start adding up. All of that ultimately affects your overall health, but definitely your heart health.

How has volunteering with the American HeartAssociation changed the way you think about your own health?

I’m more intentional now I’m intentionally trying to make sure I have enough protein and drink enough water every day I intentionally walk, if something is one or two blocks away, as opposed to taking my car Whenever you have something as wild as open heart surgery, you recognize that the more you can do every day the better off you are.

How is the American Heart Association working toward solutions in Lafayette?

Money that’s raised does go to nationals for research, no doubt, but they have focused in the past 10 years to start putting money back into local communities.

Right now, they’re focusing on areas such as food safety and partnered with

operates a child care referral agency of their own, which sources donations from Louisiana businesses interested in the credit, then sets their own goals for how best to use that money to promote early childhood learning.

“How will we want to invest this back into early childhood? What initiatives do we want to go forth this year? What’s needed?”

Harden said about how Volunteers for America prioritizes how to spend those funds. “Some of it is classes to build a workforce. We have a very-high turnover rate in early childhood educators, so we look at ways that we can keep the workforce together.”

One example is a program that gives out $100,000 to Louisiana teachers to make over

the Second Harvest Food Bank. They purchased freezers to help with foods that need to be refrigerated, blood pressure cuffs and things for local public libraries. The association has also been putting dum-

their classrooms with.

Another is how Volunteers for America brings child care experts and educators to train the caregivers at the various facilities they support.

As part of their partnership, the children’s museum will soon be hosting these trainings as well.

But for 19-month-old Rylee Grant, who joined other toddlers in running around the Crawbaby zone after the ribbon cutting, the most important part was having a new space to play in and explore.

“She’s been all over,” her mother Jaeda Grant said.

“She’s been loving rocking back and forth on this boat.”

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

mies in local high schools so that teachers can use these mannequins to perform CPR and teach their students. They’re putting blood pressure check stations in public recreation centers —

RISHER

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crowd cheers politely

The Calendar Krewe’s giant planner would have neatly blocked squares mapping out the spring a dentist appointment, an oil change, the parentteacher conference. Individual highlighters would be placed in onlookers’ hands.

The Maintenance Department would be the traditional last float. People in work boots carry tool boxes. Someone replaces a faucet mid-route. The crowd simply nods in appreciation.

Throws for the Boring Parade would include coupons, spare buttons, laundry pods (wrapped safely,

trying to meet people where they are and give them the tools to actively stay on top of their heart health.

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

of course), and packets of flower and bird seeds.

The Boring Parade would issue a strict no-glitter ban. Attendees would wear khaki shorts or capris, comfortable shoes and sun hats.

But I digress.

The truth is that 24 years of writing Sunday columns in Louisiana has reinforced the same lesson: Endurance requires rhythm. Some weeks demand repetition rather than applause. Some weeks look a lot like the Boring Parade.

At 6:48 p.m. on a Friday, this column is nearly finished. For now the parade has passed. Dinner still needs deciding. The whites still need folding. That is the rhythm.

Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

LSU Shreveport Olympian to launch healthy youth initiative

Statewide project released in conjunction with Winter Games

MATT VINES LSU Shreveport

Three-time U.S. Olympian

Kendrick Farris is launching a statewide school-based initiative to advance youth wellness and expand access to plant-forward nutrition.

The FEED initiative, which stands for Fueling Every Eater’s Development, is designed to support the roll out of the Healthy Kids Act across Louisiana in conjunction with the 2026 Winter Olympics this February and beyond.

Farris, an LSU Shreveport graduate who got his weightlifting start at the on-campus USA Weightlifting Development Center, will visit schools and deliver interactive assemblies focused on active lifestyles and plantforward nutrition.

“I believe this initiative promoting movement, nutrition literacy and plant-forward eating to underserved youth can uplift students, schools, and families while making Shreveport a model for health equity,” Farris said. “As a three-time Olympian, husband, and father of four, I have seen firsthand how access to food, movement and education shapes long-term outcomes.”

The Healthy Kids Act legislation includes guidelines to improve school lunch nutrition by removing ultra-processed foods and foods with certain dyes and additives.

Farris is partnering with the Louisiana Department of Education along with other entities like the locally-based Heartwork Institute in this initiative.

Farris, whose diet has been fully plant-based for more than a decade, advocates for more access to and education about plantrich meals.

“I help young people understand how to fuel their bodies

with accessible foods like lentils, beans, hummus, fruits, vegetables and other plant-rich meals that support both performance and long-term health,” Farris said. “I changed my diet after my second Olympics (2012 London Olympics) “I discovered my Hebrew an-

cestry, and I aligned my lifestyle more intentionally toward holistic performance — spiritually and physically That shift transformed how I trained, recovered and ultimately how I now coach and mentor youth.”

In addition to nutrition, Farris intends to enhance after school

and summer programming and conduct fitness activities to include community workouts, plant-based taste testing and local athlete engagement.

The Shreveport native is the only American male to break two U.S. records in two different weight classes en route to three

top-11 Olympic finishes in his weight class. He also captured two Pan American championships. Farris recently educated youth at a Rockford, Illinois, weightlifting meet and is active locally and nationally in the youth health and education space.

Delivering a Secure Supply of Energy

With thousands of Shell employees acrossthe state, we areworking everyday to provide energy security forthe United States

Together,weare powering progress forabrighter future. Louisiana is whereweliveand we’reproud to call it home

As thelargest deep-wateroperator in theGulf of America, Shellhas along history of leading theway in producing thesecure, reliable energy our world needs. None of this would be possible without thedrive and innovative spirit of generations of Louisianians

FAITH & VALUES

Louisiana Hinduism combines ancient, modern practices

BY JON PARKS Contributing writer

A visit to the Datta Temple, a Hindu place of worship in Baton Rouge, is an experience both ancient and modern at once. Priests lead chants and perform rituals that have been practiced for millennia, and incense and candles create a sense of eternal mystery

Meanwhile, the lighting, sound and live streaming are controlled from iPads, and the priests sometimes reference their smartphones to lead the chants.

“We may be the world’s oldest religion,” says temple priest Harish Jagarlapudi, “but we have to keep up with technology.”

The temple, tucked in a quiet corner of an industrial park, provides an apt symbol for the Hindu communities in Louisiana — they’re often hiding in plain sight.

Most Louisianans know little about their Hindu neighbors, many of whom have immigrated to the U.S. from India. They may have come for work or for university, but they have found a home here and have established thriving communities of Hindu practice in south Louisiana.

The world’s third-largest religion, Hinduism has at least 1.2 billion adherents across the globe, mainly concentrated in India. When many think of India or Hinduism, they think of yoga, spicy vegetarian food or festivals like Holi and Diwali.

Like any religion or culture, the truth is deeper than the stereotypes.

What’s it like to move to the Deep South and live as a practicing Hindu? Many said they have been pleasantly surprised by the openness and kindness they’ve experienced here For those who immigrated here, their country of origin will always be “home,” but they feel like they are equally at home in Louisiana.

As the Hindu community has grown, so has the curiosity and awareness among their neighbors.

“We have many school groups that come to visit our temple and learn about our faith,” says Piyush Maisuria, coordinator for the Hindu Temple of New Orleans in Metairie. “Sometimes we have more requests than we can accommodate.”

While the Hindu community is becoming more recognized, there are still many misconceptions — and not everyone has been so generous. Some in Louisiana confessed that they have faced discrimination because of their clothing, their accent or their bindi the red dot on their forehead that represents the “third eye” and the seat of wisdom and intellect Nidhi Sthanki recounts being teased for the Indian meals she took to school.

“I used to have such delicious Indian food that I’d bring from home, because there weren’t a lot of vegetarian options at the cafeteria,” Sthanki said. “Then some of the students said my food was ‘disgusting,’ and I never wanted to take my food there again.”

Sthanki wrote a book, The Magical Promise,” about her experiences as a Hindu growing up in the United States, as a way of reaffirming her cultural identity and her faith.

Many Hindus follow a strict vegetarian diet, an extension of the Hindu belief that all forms of life are precious and should be protected which can present a challenge at restaurants, which may prepare vegetarian foods side-by-side with meat dishes At sandwich shops, for example, Hindu patrons may ask the servers to change gloves after they’ve handled meat

The practice of devotion is an integral part of daily life for Hindus Some perform rituals at home two or three times a day, a time-intensive

Temple priests lead chants during services at Datta Temple recently in Baton Rouge. The day’s veneration focused on Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. In her honor, school children, students and all seekers of knowledge were blessed as part of the ritual. While many believe Hindus worship thousands of different gods, they actually consider these to be different facets of the One Eternal Brahman.

process that involves ritual bathing, prayers and offering food at their home altar

They attend temple activities weekly and go more often during the numerous Hindu festivals that occur throughout the year

“I’ve seen our community grow from 200 attendees in 2019, to more than 400 at our biggest festivals last year,” says Srinivasan Ambatipati, one of the volunteer leaders at Sri Krishna Balaji Temple in Lafayette. “It’s been wonderful to see the Indian community grow here, and to see how Lafayette has embraced its Hindu citizens.”

Holi, the festival of colors, became an official yearly event by proclamation of the mayor of Lafayette in 2014, Ambatipati said.

Asha Sthanki says one thing outsiders should know about Hindus and their faith is that it is not a single belief or practice but “a way of life that’s grounded in values like compassion, discipline and respect for diversity.”

“The best way to learn about Hinduism is to come experience it,” says Bala Subramanian, noting that all temple activities are open to the public “Come to our worship time. Share a meal with us, and let’s learn from one another.”

Jon Parks is a pastor, writer and musician residing in Baton Rouge. Reach out to him at jon@ jonparks.net with any questions or comments.

Forest Service examines ban on commercial huckleberry picking

BY STEVE LUNDEBERG

Contributing writer

Editor’s note: This story, created by Steve Lundeberg for Columbia Insight, is part of the AP Storyshare. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world. Nine months after announcing a moratorium on commercial huckleberry harvesting, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest wants to gauge public sentiment regarding how well the 2025 ban worked. On its Facebook page, the forest has posted links to a feedback form and a news release explaining its desire to “hear about your 2025 huckleberry experience.”

“Great year Even better than years past since commercial picking wasn’t allowed,” wrote one commenter

“Best year ever!” added another While providing argument that the pause may have been a step in the right direction, “great” and “best” aren’t entirely accurate descriptions of a Pacific Northwest resource that’s been under pressure for more than a century

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1.32 million acres along the Cascade Range’s western slope in southwest Washington and includes the 21,000acre Indian Heaven Wilderness, home of the legendary Sawtooth Berry Fields.

Named for the first director of the U.S. Forest Service, the forest is bounded to the north by Mount Rainier National Park and to the south by the Columbia River Prior to the moratorium — whose announcement came amid lobbying from tribal nations, forest users and local government officials to address dwindling huckleberry numbers, enforcement limitations and disputes among harvesters — the Gifford Pinchot had been the only national forest still allowing the large-scale, com-

mercial harvesting of huckleberries.

Perspectives gathered via the feedback form “will help inform decisions about whether and how to offer a commercial huckleberry program for the 2026 season and beyond,” said forest spokeswoman Amanda Kill.

The Forest Service is using multiple methods to make people aware of the survey, Kill said, including postcards and flyers that have been shared with various stakeholders and partners.

Huckleberries, which can sell for up to $200 a gallon, are a relative of the blueberry They remain an important traditional food for the region’s Native American tribes, under whose stewardship the berries thrived for millennia.

A series of developments following White settlement, though, including 100-plus years of forest fire suppression and prohibitions on cultural burning, have eaten away at habitat for the roughly one dozen species of huckleberries native to the Pacific Northwest

A popular ingredient in consumer products ranging from lip balm to ice cream, from wine to honey, huckleberries can’t be cultivated, meaning supplies are limited to what grows in the mountains.

“There are no domesticated varieties,” said Stephen Cook, a University of Idaho professor who studies huckleberries. “We can produce plants that grow in a greenhouse, and we can outplant them, but it doesn’t matter what we do, when we outplant them they die within three or four years. Very seldom do they flower.”

Tribal rights, picking limits

An 1855 treaty gave the Yakama Nation the right to hunt, fish and gather food, including huckleberries, throughout their ancestral homeland, whether on or off the reservation that had been created for the Yakama. It didn’t take long, however, for the federal government to begin falling short of honoring the treaty

During the Great Depression, thousands of white huckleberry harvesters descended upon the Sawtooth fields, leading in 1932 to what’s known as the Handshake Agreement: 2,800 acres of the Sawtooth fields would be reserved for tribes during each summer’s huckleberry season.

The agreement, codified in the forest’s cultural resource management plan in 1990, prohibited non-Indian harvesters from picking huckleberries east of Forest Road 24.

At about the same time, the Gifford Pinchot’s permitting system for commercial pickers went into effect. In 2024, the last year before the ban, a commercial harvester could purchase a two-week permit with a 40-gallon limit for $60, or a season-long permit with a 70-gallon limit for $105.

Personal-use pickers, who are not affected by the ban, also need a permit; it’s free and is good for up to three gallons per year

The forest sold more than 900 permits in 2024 and says that annual harvests range between 50,000 and 70,000 gallons.

“In the last 10 years it’s been really bad,” said tribal picker Elaine Harvey, a member of the Kah-milpah Band of the Yakama Nation. “Thousands of commercial pickers take the berries before we can get there; they clear it out.”

For the tribes, harvesting doesn’t begin until after an annual huckleberry ceremony in late July or

early August, and unlike commercial pickers who use “rakes” tools that look like a cross between a comb for grabbing berries and a dustpan for collecting them tribal harvesters pick with their fingers

“They used to wait till tribes had had their ceremonial feasts, but now people are just going out there to gather berries,” said Brigette McConville, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and a Columbia Insight board member “The rakes are damaging to the huckleberry bush If commercial picking is allowed again, they should ban the use of the rakes.”

“I don’t have data, but rakes have to do some damage,” added Cook “People who are concerned about them have a right to be.”

Misunderstood berry

Another concern is that while huckleberries have been culturally important for thousands of years and economically significant for more than 100, they continue to pose questions that science struggles to answer

“New starts are almost always associated with stumps of some conifer, but we don’t understand pollination for huckleberries,” Cook said “We don’t know that insects are truly necessary for pollination activity That leaves us in a quandary: How do we protect or restore something when we don’t even understand how it

reproduces?” Botanical mysteries aside, the reevaluation of commercial harvesting on the Gifford Pinchot that began with last year’s ban seems like a good place to begin.

Harvey said the influx of commercial pickers from Seattle, Portland and even California had become a free-for-all with virtually no regulation. Over the past two decades, McConville said, commercial picking simply devolved into a “disrespect of the resource.”

“In the last 15 years they’d been harassing us, intimidating us, siccing dogs on us, bringing weapons against us,” said Harvey, referring to commercial harvesters. “Women and elders have been scared to go up and pick alone, and we never let our children run in the forest like I did as a kid. Last year we felt safe to camp, safe to pick, safe to let the kids run free. There were actually berries on the bushes for us to harvest. It was like the clock went back to a time when it was peaceful.”

Peace and commercial picking don’t have to be mutually exclusive, said McConville, who has on occasion purchased commercially harvested berries.

“If I don’t have time to get out there and pick, I don’t mind paying someone for the time they put in, the fuel, the food, the man-hours,” she said. “But it’s fair to have a stricter policy, and the Forest Service should have more employees to patrol and check how people are gathering, check their permits. And there should be some education component to the permitting process, an understanding of the berries’ importance to native people.”

Determining if, when and how to offer commercial huckleberry harvesting in the future is all part of the current feedback gathering effort, said Kill. The first decision will cover what happens this year The Forest Service is in ongoing discussions with partners, interested parties, tribes and the wild foods industry

SUNDAY, FebrUArY 22, 2026

grams

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

todAY's Word — snAPPisHLY: SNAPish-lee: Curtly; arising from annoyance.

Average mark 44 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 63 or more words in SNAPPISHLY?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

super Quiz

Louie in a rush

It was the last round at the club’s Saturday night duplicate and Hard Luck Louie’s game had not been going well He estimated that he had a below-average score and he wanted to head for the bar to drown his sorrows. He playedthisdealtooquicklywhen he covered the king of spades lead with dummy’s ace East ruffed and there was no way for Louie to come to 10 tricks. Down one and off to the bar, cursing his luck on the way out.

Lucky Larry played this deal a round earlier. Larry was having his usual solid game and he gave this deal the attention it deserved. Larry played low from dummy on the opening spade lead and also played low on the spade continuation. West persisted with another high spade Larry played low from dummy once more and ruffed in hand. He drew trumps in three rounds and discarded a diamond on the ace of spades. Larry conceded a club to the defense and claimed 10 tricks. Larry had given up on

a fair chance for an overtrick because he knew it was possible, at this vulnerability, for West to have seven spades for his pre-empt, rather than six. Well done!

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2026 Tribune Content Agency

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Social events will lead to new beginnings. Doors will open through the connections you make. Love, romance and the exploration of new possibilities are on the rise. It’s up to you to make things happen.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Connections can make a difference to your financial outcome. Put in the effort, use your imagination and draw on your expertise to develop a lucrative plan.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) If you want to accomplish what you set out to do, work quietly, and don’t draw unnecessary attention. Focus on using your discipline and imagination to help people and make a difference.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) The impression you make will impact how others treat you. Be bold and take initiative, and the returns will be excellent. If you love someone, let them know. Romance is apparent if you are open to it.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Emotional challenges will require thought. Don’t make promises you cannot afford. Monitor your time, energy and money carefully to avoid setbacks. Rethink and redirect your plans to meet your needs.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Place your feet firmly on the ground and take a realistic look around you. What you discover will determine what’s next. Too little thought and planning will get you in trouble.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Engage in direct, from-the-heart talks, and initiate conversations that resolve issues. Participating in events that address your concerns will lead to interesting encounters.

LIBRA (Sept 23-Oct 23) Set limits before you engage in anything that can cost you financially emotionally or physically Indulgent

behavior will lead to regret and can affect your reputation.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Choose compassion and understanding over anger and disruption. Social events will lead to interesting encounters and conversations. If you love someone, tell them so.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Stay home. Be wary of fast-talking scammers. If something sounds too good to be true, know enough to walk away Set standards that suit your needs.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Opportunity is within reach. Don’t limit what you can do by the company

you keep. Step out and see what’s available in your community and make the most of whatever situations you encounter AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take the plunge and follow through with your ideas. Life is too short to waste your time stressing over things you cannot fix. Apply pressure where necessary and work to make a difference.

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

1. Lorry.2.Windscreen.3.Cot.4.Handbag. 5. Petrol. 6. Torch. 7. Braces. 8. Pram. 9. Nappy 10. Flat. 11. Waistcoat. 12. Flyover. 13. Biscuit 14. Post. 15. Interval.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Saturday's Cryptoquote: It wasnot theapple on the tree butthe paironthe groundthatcaused the trouble in the garden of Eden.—Elizabeth Barrett Browning