The Times-Picayune 02-25-2026

‘WE’RE WINNING SO MUCH’

TrumpdeliversState

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KENNyHOLSTON

PresidentDonaldTrump deliversthe State of the Union address to ajoint session of Congress in the House chamber at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday.

BY WILLWEISSERT andMICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON PresidentDonald Trump declared during Tuesday’s marathon State of the Union that “we’rewinning so much,” saying he’d sparked ajobs and manufacturing boom at home while imposing a newworld order abroad— hoping that offering along list of his accomplishments can counter approval rat-

ings that have been falling.

His main objective was convincing increasingly waryAmericansthat theeconomy is stronger thanmany believe, and that they should vote for more of the same by backing Republicans during November’smidterm elections. In the process, he shattered his own record, going longer than the 100-minutespeech he gave before ajoint session of Congress last year.

Trump tried at pointstoappeal to

bipartisanpatrioticsentiments, introducing aseriesofsurprise guests that included U.S. military heroes; a former political prisoner released after his administration toppled Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro; andthe Olympic gold-medal-winning U.S. men’shockey team.

“Our country is winning again. In fact, we’re winning so much that we really don’tknowwhattodoabout

ä See WINNING, page 3A

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

Gov.Jeff Landry is asking thestate-created Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corp. to use itsbalance sheet to help payfor strongerroofs forhomeowners in abid to alleviate ahomeownersinsurancecrisis that has proved an enduring political problem Landry,ina letter to LWCC’sleadership dated Monday, notedthatthe nonprofit companyhas sizable reserves and is in astrong financial position. He said unaffordable property insuranceis threatening the state’seconomy,and asked LWCC to commit“aportion of itsexcess reserves” to help pay for fortified roofs, particularly for homeowners coveredbyCitizens, theinsureroflast resort.

“LWCC wascreated to solve amarket failure throughstate enabled action,” he wrote,referring to theLegislature’screation of thenonprofit in the 1990s to stabilize atumultuous workers’ compensation sector.“It now possesses the financial capacity,flexibility and institutional credibility to help solve another.”

Governor wantsLWCCto commit excess reserves ä See ROOFS, page 9A

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

Seniors at aCentralCity public housing complex will be able to use their water for another month while the New Orleans housing authority andthe property’s privatemanager decide who will settle a$1.5 million water bill.

Susannah Kirby,the Sewerage &Water Board’s chief of customer service, told board members of the Housing Authority of New Orleans on Tuesday that the utility would not shut off water at theGuste High Rise for 30 days while theboard decides how to fund the payment.

See GUSTE, page 5A

Letlow’s late disclosure of 210stock trades drawsscrutiny

Ad targetsissue amid race forSenateseat

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow,who President Donald Trump has endorsed to be Louisiana’s next senator,did not follow afederallaw that required her to report 210 individual stock trades over thepasttwo years, according to adocument she filed with Congress last month.

In 100 of those trades, Letlow,RBaton Rouge, reported the transactions more than ayear late, accordingtothe stock trading report —known as thePeriodic Transaction Report —thatshe filed on Jan. 13, 2026. In all, thetrades involved stocks worth anywhere from $225,000 to $3,185,000. Members of Congress providea rangeofthe valuefor each trade. Asuper PACsupporting U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-BatonRouge, is broadcasting TV and radioads

ELECTION 2026

attackingLetlow’sfailure to report thetrades on time. Under a2012 law passed by Congress known as theSTOCK Act, Letlow and all members of Congress have to report individual stock trades within 45 days of the transaction. But thereport she filedlast monthshows that sheviolatedfederal law by failing to do so in those

210 transactions. That was asignificant number, said Kedric Payne,the seniordirector of ethics at the Campaign Legal Center,anonprofit in Washington, D.C. “The public hastohave confidence that the decisions of their elected officials are based on protecting the public interest and not theirfinancial interest,”Payne said. “The onlyway to do that is have accurate reporting of the

ä See LETLOW, page 4A

2 Missouri sheriff’s deputies fatally shot

A man with a long criminal history fatally shot a Missouri sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop and then killed a second deputy in a gunbattle hours later as the deputy tried to save two wounded officers, authorities said Tuesday

“We will be honoring them for a lifetime,” Christian County Sheriff Brad Cole said at a news conference in praise of the slain men. Cole said the suspect, 45-yearold Richard Dean Bird, also was killed. Bird’s death came just after hours after he was charged in a burglary case — the latest in a string of criminal misconduct cases that included a conviction for shooting at Kansas law enforcement more than a decade ago.

Cole said it all started just before 4 p.m. Monday with a traffic stop south of Highlandville in southwest Missouri. He said Deputy Gabriel Ramirez was found dead in the roadway afterward.

NYC officers pelted with snowballs during fight

NEW YORK New York City police are investigating after officers were pelted with snowballs while responding to a massive snowball fight at Washington Square Park in Manhattan

A video of the fracas shows two uniformed officers pacing a walkway in the park Monday as snowballs fly at them from all directions, hitting the officers and covering them in snow

The officers, growing visibly frustrated, shoved at least two people to the ground as snowballs continued to whizz by. At one point, a person runs up behind an officer and mushes some snow onto his head. One of the officers can be seen rubbing his eye toward the end of the video. In a statement Tuesday, the New York Police Department said multiple uniformed officers were struck in the face with snowballs and were “removed by EMS in stable condition” to a nearby hospital, but did not disclose additional information on their injuries.

Jessica Tisch, the city’s police commissioner called the behavior “disgraceful” and criminal” and said the department is investigating. Police have released images of two people the department is searching for in connection with the incident, asking for the public’s help to identify them.

Ex-Los Angeles fire chief sues the city over firing

LOS ANGELES The former Los Angeles fire chief has filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging that her ouster was part of an orchestrated effort to smear her conduct and decision-making so Mayor Karen Bass could avoid accountability for the most destructive wildfire in LA history Bass sacked Kristin Crowley a month after the January 2025 Palisades Fire, and her dismissal was followed by finger-pointing between the ex-chief and City Hall over the blaze’s devastation and the fire department’s funding. In March of that year, Crowley lost an appeal to the City Council to win back her job. Crowley’s lawsuit filed last week alleges that Bass spread misinformation to protect the mayor’s political reputation following the fire.

The mayor’s office said the lawsuit has no merit.

Severe floods in Brazil kill at least 25

JUIZ DE FORA, Brazil Severe floods in southeastern Brazil have killed at least 25 people and left dozens missing in the state of Minas Gerais, officials said Tuesday Meteorologists warned more rain is expected in the region in the next few days.

The torrential rains began Monday in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, about 192 miles north of Rio de Janeiro, forcing about 440 residents to evacuate their homes.

Minas Gerais’ fire department says it is searching for 43 people who went missing since late Monday. A video shared by the department showed flooded streets in Juiz de Fora and Uba, where a river veered off its course

Northeast digs out from brutal snowstorm

Weather disrupted flights, canceled school

BY JAKE OFFENHARTZ and MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

NEW YORK Millions across the northeastern United States on Tuesday contended with treks to school and work as they dug out from a major and in some areas record-breaking — storm that blanketed the region with snow, canceled flights, disrupted transit and downed power lines.

Even as the snow moved north Tuesday, giving way to sunshine in parts of the region, the National Weather Service warned another storm originating in the Great Lakes was right around the corner, though it’s not forecast to be nearly as severe.

Many large school districts remained closed, including in Boston and Hartford, Connecticut. But in New York City, more than 900,000 students in the nation’s largest public school system had a regular day, Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared, inviting kids to pelt him with snowballs over his decision.

Many students and their caregivers seemed open to taking the mayor up on that idea, as they scrambled over mountainous snow banks and dodged salt spreaders

during the morning drop-off.

“We’re walking on thin ice here. One more day would’ve been fine,” said Danielle Obloj, the parent of a Brooklyn fifth grader “They should never have let these kids come back to school.”

Nearly 1 in 6 teachers called out sick Tuesday the first day back after the blizzard and a midwinter break, city officials said.

Mamdani, a Democrat, and Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels noted that families rely on inperson school for education and many other things, including parents’ ability to go to work. The officials also maintained that it would have been complicated to roll out remote learning at the end of a midwinter break.

Others hailed the city’s efforts at snow-clearing.

“It was much better than last time — an easy commute, no problems whatsoever,” said Raul Garcia, as he exited a cab with his three school-age children. “We thought it was going to be really bad walking, but looking at the streets, they’re so clean.”

Preliminary attendance data shows 63% of the roughly 900,000 students came in, Samuels said. City data show the average atten-

dance rate for the last school year was about 90%. Mamdani said about 12,000 of the school system’s 78,800 teachers called out sick. The city called in more than 5,000 substitutes Philadelphia switched to online learning Monday and Tuesday, while districts on Long Island and elsewhere in the New York suburbs canceled school again Tuesday Monday’s storm that meteorologists are calling the strongest in a decade dumped more than 2 feet of snow in parts of the Northeast. More than 3 feet fell in Rhode Island — surpassing snow totals from the historic Blizzard of 1978 that struck the Northeast, the National Weather Service said.

By Tuesday morning, roads began to reopen, mass transportation came back online in some cities and power had returned for some of the hundreds of thousands who had lost electricity in Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware and Rhode Island. More than 100,000 remained without power in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, which operates essentially on a single circuit, according to Douglas Foley, president of electric operations for the utility Eversource.

Iranians worry over buildup of U.S. military

Last-chance round of negotiations nears

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — As the United States assembles its greatest military firepower in decades in the Middle East, Iranians are warily awaiting the next round of talks with the U.S. in Geneva this week negotiations that many see as a last chance for their ruling theocracy to strike a deal with U.S President Donald Trump.

Some say the situation feels hopeless. Battered by decades of sanctions, heightened by Trump’s 2018 decision to withdraw from Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers, Iranians also just suffered through the bloodiest crackdown on dissent in the country’s modern history In January, security forces killed thousands of people and detained tens of thousands more. Still, Iran heads into the Thursday talks “with a determination to achieve a fair and equitable deal — in the shortest possible time,” Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted Tuesday on X.

As Iranians await the outcome of the Geneva negotiations, many fear the outbreak of a war that could surpass Iran’s bloody 1980s conflict with Iraq.

That conflict sparked a patriotic response from Iranian volunteers. But now the prospects of a war with the U.S. have riven a population that includes hard-line supporters of the theocracy and those who feel Iran is splitting at the seams.

“Every morning when I get up, my brain is full of chaos,” said Sepideh Bafarani, a 29-year-old woman who works

in a women’s clothing store. “It’s a possible war and an ongoing bad economic situation.”

Rasool Razzaghi, a 54-year-old resident in the capital, Tehran, shared similar concerns ahead of the talks.

“I predict that if both sides really mean what they are saying, a war will start,” he said.

For weeks, Trump has talked about an “armada” now largely in place off the coast of Iran, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. He has also sent the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, from the Caribbean toward the Mideast.

Overall, at least 16 U.S. Navy ships will be assembled, according to a U.S. Navy official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to detail sensitive military movements.

That’s comparable to Operation Desert Fox in 1998, when American and British forces bombed Iraq for four days over Saddam Hussein’s refusal to comply with U.N. Security Council resolutions about weapons inspections.

Reward raised to $1M in search for Guthrie

BY JOHN SEEWER Associated Press

“Today” show host Savannah Guthrie said her family is now offering a $1 million reward for information leading to the recovery of her mother, Nancy Guthrie, who went missing from her Arizona home more than three weeks ago.

Savannah Guthrie said Tuesday that her family is still holding out for a miracle and hopes her mother will be found alive, but she also acknowledged that they realize it might be too late.

“She may already be gone,” Savannah Guthrie said in an Instagram post. “She may already have gone home to the Lord that she loves and is dancing in heaven.”

Nancy Guthrie, 84, was last seen at her home just outside Tucson, Arizona, on Jan. 31 and was reported missing the next day. Authorities believe she was kidnapped and the FBI released surveillance videos of a masked man who was outside Guthrie’s front door on the night she vanished.

Drops of her blood were found onthefrontporch,butauthorities haven’t publicly revealed much evidence. Since the first days of her disappearance, authorities have expressed concern about Nancy Guthrie’s health because she needs vital daily medicine. Savannah Guthrie said her family needs to know where her mother is no matter what happened

“Someone out there knows something that can bring her home,” she said

Several hundred people are working the Guthrie investigation, and more than 20,000 tips have been received, the Pima County Sheriff’s Office has said. The FBI and other agencies are assisting

The porch camera footage released two weeks ago, which showed a man wearing a backpack and gloves outside Nancy Guthrie’s house, gave investigators their first major break. But it also has fueled intense speculation

it. People are asking me, ‘Please, please, please, Mister President, we’re winning too much. We can’t take it anymore,’” Trump said before introducing the team.

The hockey players, wearing their medals and sweaters that said “USA” in large letters, drew a bipartisan standing ovation. Trump pointed to the Democratic side of the chamber and quipped, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen them get up.”

In another made-for-TV moment, Trump announced he would be awarding the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America’s highest civilian honor to the hockey team’s goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck.

Trump made a similar surprise announcement in 2020, bestowing the award on conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh during the speech.

Trump championed his immigration crackdowns and his push to preserve widespread tariffs that the Supreme Court just struck down. He drew applause only from Democrats while describing the high court’s overturning his policies, which he called “an unfortunate ruling” while insisting “everything was working well” before it came down.

The president vowed to plow ahead, using “alternative” laws to impose the taxes on imports and telling lawmakers, “Congressional action will not be necessary.” He also made a bold prediction, suggesting that some day tariffs would “substantially replace” the modern income tax system. Trump argued that the tariffs are paid by foreign countries despite evidence that the costs are borne by American consumers and businesses.

“It’s saving our country,” Trump said of tariffs.

The Supreme Court justices in attendance were the same who came to Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress last March: Chief Justice John Roberts, as well as Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan. Trump greeted the justices after previously slamming Coney Barrett for siding with the majority against his tariffs, despite him appointing her to the high court in his first term.

Democrats also stood for Trump vowing to crack down on insider trading by lawmakers, prompt-

ing Trump to offer, “I’m very impressed.” Not everybody applauded though. Rep. Mark Takano, a California Democrat, yelled, “How about you first!” Rep. Rashida Tlaib, a Michigan Democrat, called out, “You’re the most corrupt president!”

When some heckling continued, Trump proclaimed, “You should be ashamed of yourselves.” Later he pointed at Democrats and proclaimed, “These people are crazy,” adding, “Democrats are destroying our country.”

Democratic Rep. Al Green was escorted from the chamber after he unfurled a sign of protest that read “Black People Aren’t Apes!”

The sign appeared to be a reference to a racist video the president posted that depicted former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama depicted as primates in a jungle. Green was also removed during Trump’s address last year

Before he began speaking, Senate Democrats blocked a bill to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security, pressing for new limits on immigration enforcement that Republicans have opposed

In response, Trump invited lawmakers from both parties to “protect American citizens, not illegal

aliens” and championed proposals to limit mail-in ballots and tighten voter identification rules. He then devoted large swaths of his speech to warning about the dangers of immigrants and bestowed the Purple Heart on Andrew Wolfe, a National Guard member who was shot while deployed on the streets of the nation’s capital and made his first public appearance since then during the speech.

Trump didn’t say that much about efforts to bring down the cost of living — despite polling showing that his handling of the economy and kitchen table issues have increasingly become a liability Such concerns about the high costs of living helped propel Democratic wins around the country on Election Day last November

There also are persistent fears that tariffs stoking higher prices could eventually hurt the economy and job creation Economic growth slowed in the last three months of last year It is potentially politically perilous ahead of November elections that could deliver congressional wins to Democrats, just as 2018’s blue wave created a strong check to his administration during his first term.

On Tuesday, Trump blamed his predecessor, former President Joe Biden, along with Democratic

lawmakers in the chamber, saying they were responsible for rising prices and health care costs, two issues his political opponents have repeatedly raised against him.

“You caused that problem,” Trump said of affordability concerns. He added a moment later “They knew their statements were a dirty, rotten lie.”

As is typical, Trump also had some notable off-script moments. Referencing prescription drug prices, Trump said, “So in my first year of the second term — should be my third term but strange things happen,” prompting at least one chant in the chamber of “Four more years!”

The president also put forward a new plan to give a modest boost to help some Americans save for retirement if they do not have a retirement account through their workplace in which their employer matches contributions to the fund.

Starting next year, he said, his administration would let those Americans access the same retirement accounts as federal workers and would match their contribution up to $1,000. Trump did not offer details about how he would put the program in place and did not indicate if he would ask Congress to pass the program and fund it. The president also announced

that tech companies involved in artificial intelligence are agreeing to pay higher electricity rates in areas where their data centers are located. Data centers tend to use large volumes of electricity, potentially increasing the cost of power to other consumers in the area.

Trump’s address came as two U.S. aircraft carriers have been dispatched to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran. Trump said, “My preference is to solve this problem through diplomacy.”

“But one thing is certain, I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror — which they are, by far — to have a nuclear weapon,” he added.

The president also recounted U.S. airstrikes last summer that pounded Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, and lauded the raid that ousted Maduro in Venezuela — as well as his administration’s brokering of a ceasefire in Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza.

Less mentioned was Trump’s having strained U.S. military alliances with NATO, thanks to his push to seize Greenland from Denmark and his failure to take a harder line with Russian President Vladimir Putin in seeking an end to its war in Ukraine. Tuesday marked the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war

members’ financialinterests.”

Matt Smith, aspokesperson for Letlow,did not dispute the stock trading violations. But he said Merrill Lynch, her broker,handled the transactions without her input and that she self-reportedher failure to report them on time.

“Congresswoman Letlow did not direct, approve, or have prior knowledgeofany trades,” Smith said. “They were executed independently by athird-party firm with discretionary authority over amanagedaccount This was adelayed reporting issue under the STOCK Act and not insider trading.”

Smith said Letlow would not make herself available foraninterview.Headded that her office would not make available her Merrill Lynch broker and does not have documentation showing that Letlow entrusted her individual stock trading decisions withthe firm.

Letlow’sexplanation that the fault lies with Merrill Lynch is no excuse, said Brian Baird, who as aDemocratic congressman from Washington state sponsored the original legislation that became the STOCK Act

“You can’tsay,‘Ishould be entrusted with the authority by voters to decide tax rates and send kids to war’ but not be able to tell your broker that you’re obliged to follow the rules of the Stock Act,” said Baird, who left Congress in 2011.“If you’re amember of Congress, take responsibility.”

Baird noted that the STOCKAct does notabsolve members who put the blame on afinancial adviser —the onus for timelyreporting falls to the members Baird addedthat Republicans watered down the bill to limit the fine for aviolation to only $200 but said public exposure of members who fail to report trades serves as adeterrent.

Letlow represents the 5th Congressional District, which includes East Baton Rouge and Livingston parishes, the Florida parishes and the parishes extending up the Mississippi River to the Arkansas border.She was first elected to thepositionin 2021, after her husband Luke won the seat and died from COVID-19. She was reelected in 2022 and 2024

Letlow is givingupher congressional seatnow to challenge Cassidy in the May 16 Republican primary State Treasurer John Fleming is also competing in the GOP primary

Three little-known Democrats are running in the DemocraticParty primary on May16.

Letlow’sfailure to file the stock trades on time was first reported by NOTUS,a Washington, D.C., website that covers politics.

Cassidy’sreports do not show that he has traded stocks since 2012 But they do show that his wife, Laura,has bought and sold stocks and has met the 45-day window in every instance butone. In thatcase,

shemade 15 trades on Dec. 7, 2018, buthedidn’treport them until Aug. 7, 2019. Cassidy’scampaign noted it was an isolated incident. Fleming served in the House from 2009-17. He did not report buying or selling stocks. Fleming declined to comment onLetlow’sstock trades but noted he voted for the 2012 STOCK Act In Letlow’sJan. 13 Periodic TransactionReport, she reported that shemade her first trade on May 1, 2024, andwas particularly active over athree-day period beginning on Oct. 23 that year Shecontinued to make trades in 2024 and throughout 2025. Among the stocks she bought or sold were Alcoa, Abbott Laboratories, Apple, Amazon, AT&T,JPMorgan, CVS, Philip Morris and Warner Brothers Letlow has access to a wide range of information as amember of the House. Shesitsontwo House committees: Appropriations and Education &the Workforce. In some cases,Letlow traded stocks in companies within twoorthreedays of her congressional committees holding hearings on topics that touchedupon business activities involving thosecompanies. For example,onJuly23, 2025,the House AppropriationsCommittee debated and approved budgetsfor national security,the State Departmentand international lendingand finance institutions. Letlow joined other Republicans in opposingamendments offered by Democrats. Onesought to increase funding for the United NationsPopulation Fund, while another sought to prohibit theStateDepartment from hosting eventsat property owned byTrump. Within two days, Letlow traded 16 stocks—includingBoeing,Goldman Sachs, Taiwan Semiconductor and Visa —that were worth anywherefrom $16,016 to $240,000.

Smith reiterated that Letlowdid not personally authorizethe trades.

Smith said Letlow began the process of reportingthe individual stock trades by hiring the Washington law firmofDickinson Wright last yeartoreview them. Thatled hertoself-report herviolationsonOct. 25 to the House Committee on Ethics, Smith said On Feb.3,the committee’s director of financial disclosuresentaletter to Letlow sayingthe committee had agreed to her request to waive the $200 late filing penalty

Smith added thatLetlow hasinstituted strong controls to ensure that Merrill Lynch informs her of individual stocktrades to timely report them.

Public pressure has been building onCongress to address concernsthat lawmakersare buying and selling stocksarmed withinside informationthey obtain while carrying out theirwork in Washington

Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican from theBossier Parish suburb of Benton, is supportinga bill that is advancing in the House. It would prohibit legislators

from buyingindividual stocks. But they could continue to own existing stocks and sell themwith 7to14 days of notice.

SmithsaidLetlowsupports themeasure, known as the Stock Insider Trading Act.

So does Cassidy,according to his campaign.

ManyDemocrats and some Republicans say the measuredoesn’tgofar enough andsupport acompeting measure that would prohibit the tradingof stocks in most instances.

Payne saidthat is thebest approach.

He called the Stock Insider Trading Act a“badbill,” saying, “A ban is needed to stop members from trading stock in individual companies. That’sthe only way to eliminate the perception that conflicts of interestwith these stock trades.”

Letlow’sfailuretoreport theindividual stocktransactions has already become an issueinthe Senatecampaign. Apro-Cassidy super PAC, theLouisiana Freedom Fund, cited the NOTUS article to attack her in aTVand radio ad campaign.

In astatement, Letlow put theblame on Cassidy for the ad, even though super PACs by law cannot coordinate their activitieswith candidatecampaigns.

“Bill Cassidy knows he can’tdefend his record,so he’sresorting to desperate, falseattackstodistract from what Louisiana voters haven’tforgotten: he voted toimpeach President Trump,and he’s been out of step with ourparty ever since,” Letlow said.

Forhis part, Cassidysaid in astatement: “Elected officials have access to information the public doesn’t. They shouldn’tbeallowed to cash in on it by trading stocks with that information.”

Nick Albares, aDemocrat running for Senate,saidhe favors the completeprohibition

“Insider trading is wrong, it is illegal andasa U.S.senator,Iwould worktopasslegislation to ban stock trading by membersofCongress,” he said in astatement.

La.child welfareagencyrecruitingfosterparents

Statesigns onto federalpilot program

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Louisiana is one of the first states to join aPresident Donald Trump administration pilot program aimed at increasing the number of families available to care for foster children.

The federalinitiativeis

called AHomefor Every Child and seeks to have a foster home-to-child ratio greater than 1-to-1 in every state, meaning there would be at least one home available for every child in need of foster care.

Currently,Louisianahas about 48 homes to every 100 foster children.

“The goal of our initiative is to have homeswaiting on kids, not kids waiting on homes,” said Alex Adams, assistant secretary at the Administration for Children and Families, adivision of the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services.

Adams, who joined Gov Jeff Landry on Tuesday at the State Capitol to announce the program, said thefederal government

Continued from page1A

The HANO board meeting, the first since apush by the federal government to close the complex went public, exposed tensions between HANO and the property’s resident-led management firm, Guste Homes Resident Management Corp. Both work together to manage the property HANO’sboard has covered Guste’swater bills once before,said Executive DirectorMarjorianna Willman and Asset ManagementDirector Maggie Merrill—in 2024, whenthe boardpulled $361,000 from its reservesto settle an unpaid S&WB bill.

“We’re actually imperiling the reserves for the agency that manages all public housing,” said HANO board Commissioner Joshua Cox. “If that money isn’treplenished, we’re actually risking the entire infrastructureof supporting public housingin the city.” Cox proposed that the board insteadask Gusteto reimburse HANO for any costs it pays out to settle its water bills. The board plans to revisit the issue at aspecial meeting.

Cynthia Wiggins,president of the Guste Homes Resident Management Corporation, has said that neither Guste or HANO should pay butthat both should instead contest the S&WB bills, which she said are too high. Wigginsalso saidthe HANO’sleadership had not done its part to inform

putstoo manyconditions on the money it gives to states for children and family services.

“Too much of that has been paperwork,busy work that hasnot statistically moved the needle on childwelfare outcomes,” Adams said He said that, rather than requiring states to comply with dozens of metrics to get money for child welfare and foster care, thoseinthe pilot programwill report monthly on asingle measure: The ratio of foster homes relative to thenumber offoster children.

The more relaxed reportingrequirementswill take effect this summer, Adams said. AlongwithLouisiana, Missouri and Oklahoma have alsosignedon.

Landry said Louisiana is partnering with the Trump administrationtoreduce unnecessary bureaucracy

The effort goes handin-hand “with President Trump and first lady MelaniaTrump’scommitment to improving the outcomes for children and youthinorat risk of entering foster care,”

Landry said The president signed an executiveorder in Novemberaimed at improving foster careacross thecountry, increasingcollaboration

herthatthe Department of Housing and Urban Development was interested in closing Guste before HANO told the public.HUD hassaid it wants to assess whether thebuilding meets its standards, and if it does not,the building’s 310 residents will be givenvouchers to find housingelsewhere.

Guste’s residents are“angry —theythink HANO is trying to take theirhomes away from them,” she said. “The seniorsare at alevel I’ve neverseen —the outrage.”

Themeeting also exposed sometensionsbetween HANO’sleadershipand its board, as some board members said they weren’taware of HUD’sdirective to HANO before Willman’steamsent outa news release about it on Feb.10.

The 385-unithigh rise is jointlymanaged by HANO and GusteHomes, and only 77% of its units are occupied. The government requires that88% of unitsbe filled, and Willman has acknowledged that the buildinghas grown expensive for HANO to maintain.

But Willman and Wiggins agree that closing the facility,asHUD has proposed, is notinthe best interest of itselderlyand disabled residents. Willman has asked HUD to reconsider and insteadlet Guste access other money it can use to make needed building repairs, and in turn draw tenants.

Thewater issueisa separate one that exposed friction betweenWiggins and HANO, and also shed light on aHANO practiceofpay-

between stateagenciesand private-sector and nonprofit groups,and growingpartnerships with faith-based organizations.

“Ifweare going to increase thenumber of homes per children, the faith-based partnerships are going tobe so important.Louisiana’s beenaleader in that,” Adams said Tuesday

The Louisiana Department of Childrenand Family Services serves 4,328 children in foster care, and there are 2,073 certified foster homes, aratio of 48 homes to every 100 children, Secretary Rebecca Harris said at the news conference Tuesday Thenational averageis57 homesfor every 100 children, she said.

The agency plans to certify1,100 new foster homes andreactivate 200 foster homes by Dec. 31, and it will work toprevent more children from entering the foster system and increase the number of children living in permanent homes, Harris said.

“We’restreamlining kinship certification,strengtheningfoster recruitment andretention,eliminating theunnecessary bureaucracy,improving technology and tracking all of our progress withclear measures,

inghundreds of thousands of dollars out of the agency’sreserves to bring developmentscurrentonwater bills at not just Guste, but at other properties. In 2025, the agency paid the S&WB around $500,000 in reserves to cover past-due bills at other HANO-owned properties, said Willman. Commissioners said that thehousing authorityran therisk of depleting its reserves, which totalless than $20 million. Financial director Stacy Jackson said she did notknow the exact amount.

After Wiggins said the seniors at the building were upsetwithHANO, Willman and the board members suggested holding an open meeting at Guste for residents to ask questions and express concerns.

“Don’tcome right now,” said Wiggins. “Theydon’t trust y’all, because they don’tknow y’all. Let me settle thewater.”

Meanwhile, as Wiggins spoke about the property’s water bills, Willmanand HANOChief CounselKeva Landrum furrowed their brows in confusion.

“I say call the investors, the developersorwhomever,and have aconversation with them, because they have reserve funds for that property,” said Wiggins at one point.

“Which developersare you referring to?”said Willman,perplexed.

The board has not set a date for the special meeting.

Email SophieKasakove at sophie.kasakove@ theadvocate.com.

she said.

Harris said working closely with local communities, reducing the red tape for foster certification, and increasing support for foster parents— including higher reimbursement rates for expenses—are part of that plan.

Harrisand Landry “are certainly moving in a positive direction to help increase the homes for foster children andthe support they give to foster parents, whichissovitally important,” said Luke Allen, interim CEO andCOO of Methodist Children’s Home,which trains and supports astatewide network of therapeutic foster carefamilies and works closelywith Childrenand Family Services.

Ensuring the agency has enough resources to provide support to foster par-

ents and that fosterparents get adequate financial reimbursement will help reduce thegapsinfoster care, Allen said.

Streamlining the process of recruiting andcertifying foster parents will also help close the gap, he said.

The DepartmentofChildrenand Family Services expects to increase reimbursement rates forfoster parents beginning in the next fiscal year,which starts July 1, Harris said in an interview Tuesday

Reimbursement goes to foster parentstocover room and board, clothing and other basic necessities. Rates vary basedongeographic region and medical needs, forexample.

“Whatwe’relooking at right now,itwould be above a$5per day increase,” Harris said.

The agency is also launch-

ing anew program called Care Connections, effectively areorganization of the agency’sfoster care functions.

Prev io us ly,r ecru itment, training, licensing and matching children withfamiliesall happened in different parts of the agency.All of those functionseventually will be coordinated under one umbrella.

Another newinitiative, the Community Pathways Network, will bring together a variety of community supports for foster parents, including mentoring, parenting and caregiver classes, respite care, legal services and help with social services benefits, among others, Harris said.

“Weowe it to the foster parents to makesure that we rally around them,” Harris said.

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Houserejects aircraft locatorbill

Legislationaimed to preventmidair collisions

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

BY MICHAEL PHILLIS Associated Press

WASHINGTON Afederal appeals court on Tuesday grilled boththe Trump administration and the nonprofits picked to runa $20 billion “green bank” programoverthe termination of theircontacts, questioning whether federal officials made up reasons to block the program andwhether the nonprofits weredemanding access to money that wasn’ttechnically theirs to control.

The judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DistrictofColumbia Circuit are considering the fateofthe Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, a congressionally-authorized Biden administration-era program aimed at sparking

clean energy investments that the Trump administration hastargetedfor cancellation. Both sides came in forsharp questioning during three hours of oral arguments.

The judgesquestioned the Trumpadministration’s allegations of mismanagementand fraud by the nonprofits, which federal officials did not substantiate in earliercourt filings. They also questioned whetherthe nonprofits could use anyof the money after Congress last year repealed part of alaw that establishedthe green bank.

The full appeals court agreed to rehear thecase after athree-judge panel in September said the Trump administration had broad powertocancel contracts without facing allegations

in federal district courtthat it broke the law andviolated the Constitution by allegedly terminating contracts arbitrarily and refusing to spend money Congress appropriated.It’srarefor the full courttorehearcases, aprocess reserved for the mostimportant. An attorney for the Environmental Protection Agency was questioned over what onejudge said were shifting reasons for cancelinggrants forClimate United Fund and other nonprofits. First in February 2025, the government froze the funds without detailed explanation and alleged waste and fraud, then shifted to general concerns that there wasn’tenough EPAoversight over the program, according to the questioning.

The families of the victims who died when an American Airlinesjet collided with an Army BlackHawkhelicopter strongly supported the measure,and anumberof them watched the votefrom theHouse gallery. Butthe Airlinesfor American trade group,the militaryand the major general aviation groups that represent business jets and small plane owners backeda competing and more comprehensive House bill thatwas just introduced last week.

TimLilley, whose son Sam was thefirst officer on the airliner,said he’sreally disappointed, but he and the other families will continue to press formeaningful reforms.

And hehopes thatwill happen before thenext tragedy “We’re goingtoend up back here having thesame conversation because of another midair (collision) is what’s going to happen. Hopefully —fingers crossed —thatdoesn’t,” Lilley said.

The House failed to approve abill Tuesday that was crafted after last year’s tragic midair collision near Washington, D.C., to require allaircraftflyingaround busy airports to have key locator systems to prevent such crashes. The collision of an airliner and an Army helicopter killed 67 people in January 2025. TheNationalTransportation Safety Board has been recommending such Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast systemsto be installed since 2008. The bill that already passed the Senate would have required aircraft to be equipped with asystem that canreceive data about the locations of other aircraft. The complementary ADS-B Out system that broadcasts an aircraft’s location is already required.

Under the special process that was usedtofasttrack thebill, theROTOR Act needed to receive more thantwo-thirds supportto pass theHouse. It received 264 votes, but 133 other representativesvoted against it. ROTOR stands for“RotorcraftOperations Transparency and Oversight Reform.”

HouseSpeakerMike Johnson, R-Benton,told The Associated Press thatthe Senate and the House will work together to getanaviation safety bill done.“We’re committed to it,” he said. And House Transportation &Infrastructure Committee Chair Sam Graves said the House bill could be marked up in committee as soon as next week. Thatbill is designed to address all 50 of the recommendations the NTSBmade, not just thelocatortechnology,but NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has said the House bill falls short of accomplishing that. But Lilley said the bill Graves helped write needs to be strengthened.

TexasRep.Gonzalesresists callstoresignoverallegations

BY JOHN HANNA and JUAN LOZANO Associated Press

HOUSTON U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas resisted growing calls Tuesday from fellow congressional Republicans to resign overa report of an allegedaffair with aformer staffer who later diedafter she set herself on fire.

Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky joined Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Anna Paulina Luna of Florida and Nancy Mace of South Carolina in demandingthat Gonzales step down immediately.Gonzales is in atough race in Texas’ Republican primary on March 3, facing achallenger he narrowly de-

feated in a2024 GOP runoff. He told reporters he will not resign. Aresignation would leave Republicans with a217-214 majority until March, when the first of three special elections to fill vacancies is set in Georgia.

“There will be opportunities for all of thedetails and facts to come out,” he said “What you’ve seen is not all thefacts.”

HouseSpeaker MikeJohnsonsaidhewould talk to Gonzales on Tuesday Johnson said Monday that theaccusations against Gonzales “must be takenseriously,” but he added, “in every case like this, you have to allowthe investigation to play out and all thefactsto come out.”

“Ifthe accusation of somethingisgoing to be the litmus for someone being able to continuetoserve in theHouse,alot of people would have to resign or be removed or expelled from Congress,” Johnson said. Meanwhile, Mace announced that she has introduced aresolution to force the House EthicsCommission to publicly release its reports and recordsofallegations of sexual harassment against membersof Congress.

Gonzales said in asocial media post last week that he was being blackmailedand then suggested in another post Sunday thatheisthe target of “coordinated political attacks.”

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

U.S. stocks rise after reminder of AI’s upsides

NEWYORK U.S. stocks rose Tuesday after getting a reminder that the artificial-intelligence boom may also have an upside.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% and recovered nearly three-quarters of its sharp drop from the day before. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 370 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%.

Advanced Micro Devices helped lead the market and rallied 8.8% after announcing a multiyear deal where it will supply chips to Meta Platforms to help power its AI ambitions. Under the agreement, Meta also got the right to buy up to 160 million shares of AMD stock for 1 cent each, depending in part on how many chips Meta ultimately buys It’s a reminder of the excitement that built in recent years about the billions of dollars pouring into AI, which could remake the world and create a more productive economy It also helped produce a sharp turnaround from the prior day, when worries about the potential downsides of AI shook Wall Street, particularly companies and industries that investors fear could be made obsolete. Industries as far flung as software, trucking logistics and financial services have recently seen investors suddenly and aggressively punish them for potentially being under threat.

IBM rose 2.7% to recover some of its 13.1% drop from Monday, which was its worst since 2000.

The pain has also filtered out to the private-equity industry, with fears building that loans it made to software companies dependent on recurring revenue may have less of a chance of getting repaid. Blue Owl Capital rose 2.8% to trim its loss for the young year so far to 28.2%.

Warner Bros. gets new offer from Paramount

NEW YORK Warner Bros. Discovery says it’s reviewing a new takeover offer from Paramount, but it continues to recommend a competing proposal from Netflix to its shareholders in the meantime

Warner disclosed Tuesday that it had received a revised offer from Paramount after a sevenday window to renew talks with the Skydance-owned company elapsed Monday Paramount confirmed it had submitted this proposal, but neither provided further details on the bid. The company was widely expected to have raised its offer

A Warner Bros. Discovery buyout would reshape Hollywood and the wider media landscape — bringing HBO Max, cult-favorite titles like “Harry Potter” and, depending on who wins the Netflix v. Paramount tug-of-war, potentially even CNN under a new roof. Consumer confidence improves modestly

WASHINGTON The American consumer’s confidence in the U.S. economy improved slightly in February after cratering a month earlier

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index rose to 91.2 in February from an upwardly revised 89 last month.

A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market rose four points to 72, remaining well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. It’s the 13th consecutive month that reading has come in under 80. The measure of consumers’ assessments of their current economic situation fell by 1.8 points to 120. Respondents’ references to prices and inflation were little changed but remain elevated Mentions of trade and politics increased, while references to labor market conditions eased as perceptions of the job market improved modestly this month.

The country’s labor market has been stuck in a “low hire, low fire” state, economists say, as businesses stand pat due to uncertainty over Trump’s tariffs and the lingering effects of elevated interest rates.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

FedEx joins call for Trump tariffs refund

After Supreme Court ruling, over 1,000 companies file lawsuits

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN Associated Press

FedEx is suing the U.S. government, the latest company to request a refund on what it paid for tariffs set by President Donald Trump last year after the Supreme Court ruled that the tariffs are illegal.

More than 1,000 companies have filed suit in the U.S. Court of International Trade in efforts to recoup costs from the illegal tariffs, including large U.S. corporations like Costco and Revlon. Most of the lawsuits were already in process ahead of the Supreme Court decision Friday

FedEx said in a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade that they have “suffered injury” from having to pay the tariffs and that the relief they’re seeking from the court would redress those injuries.

Tim Meyer, a law professor at Duke University, said each case is likely to have to be tried individually “We’re going to have to wait

and see how the government decides to handle the refund claims,” he said. “And then if the government chooses not to set up a process for the refunds, ultimately the Court of International Trade is going to have to adjudicate over a thousand cases.”

The National Retail Federation said in a statement on Friday that the Supreme Court’s ruling provided certainty for U.S. businesses and manufacturers.

“We urge the lower court to ensure a seamless process to refund the tariffs to U.S. importers,” it said. “The refunds will serve as an economic boost and allow companies to reinvest in their operations, their employees and their customers.”

The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s far-reaching global tariffs on Friday Trump said he was “absolutely ashamed” of some justices who ruled 6-3 against him, calling them “disloyal to our Constitution” and “lapdogs.”

At one point he even raised the specter of foreign influence without citing any evidence. The court’s ruling found tariffs that Trump imposed under an emergency powers law were unconstitutional, including the sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs he levied on nearly every other country

The Treasury had collected more than $133 billion from the import taxes the president has imposed under the emergency powers law as of December, according to federal data. The impact over the next decade has been estimated at $3 trillion. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York found U.S. businesses and consumers are paying nearly 90% of the tariffs that Trump has imposed. Trump has vowed to collect tariffs through other means. He reached for a stopgap option immediately after his defeat Friday at the Supreme Court: Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days. But any extension beyond 150 days must be approved by a Congress likely to balk at passing a tax increase as November’s midterm elections loom.

Hegseth warns Anthropic to expand tech access

BY MATT O’BRIEN, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press

WASHINGTON Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth gave Anthropic’s CEO a Friday deadline to open the company’s artificial intelligence technology for unrestricted military use or risk losing its government contract, according to a person familiar with their meeting Tuesday Anthropic makes the chatbot Claude and is the last of its peers to not supply its technology to a new U.S. military internal network.

CEO Dario Amodei repeatedly has made clear his ethical concerns about unchecked government use of AI, including the dangers of fully autonomous armed drones and of AI-assisted mass surveillance that could track dissent. Defense officials warned they could designate Anthropic a supply chain risk or use the Defense Production Act to essentially give the military more authority to use its products even if it doesn’t approve of how they are used, according to the person familiar with the meeting and a senior Pentagon official, who both were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity The development, which was reported earlier by Axios, underscores the debate over AI’s role in national security and concerns about how the technology could be used in high-stakes situations involving lethal force, sensitive information or government surveillance. It also comes as Hegseth has vowed to root out what he calls a “woke culture” in the armed forces.

“A powerful AI looking across billions of conversations from millions of people could gauge public sentiment, detect pockets of disloyalty forming, and stamp them out before they grow,” Amodei wrote in an essay last month.

The person familiar called the tone of the meeting cordial but said Amodei didn’t budge on two areas he has established as lines Anthropic won’t cross fully autonomous military targeting operations and domestic surveillance of U.S. citizens.

The Pentagon objects to Anthropic’s ethical restrictions because military operations need tools that don’t come with built-in limitations, the senior Pentagon official said. The official argued that the Pentagon has only issued lawful orders and stressed that using Anthropic’s tools legally would be the military’s responsibility

The Pentagon announced last summer that it was awarding defense contracts to four AI companies — Anthropic, Google, OpenAI and Elon Musk’s xAI. Each contract is worth up to $200 million.

Anthropic was the first AI company to get approved for classified military networks, where it works with partners like Palantir The other three companies, for now, are only operating in unclassified environments.

BY MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP business writer

Facebook owner Meta Platforms will buy artificial intelligence chips from Advanced Micro Devices in a deal that will also give it the opportunity to buy up to a 10% stake of the chip company. News of the AMD deal comes just days after Meta announced a long-term partnership where it will use millions of chips and other equipment from Nvidia for its artificial intelligence data centers.

Meta will buy AMD’s latest chips, the MI450, to help power data centers. The 6-gigawatt agreement will see shipments supporting the first gigawatt deployment set to start during the second half of this year The agreement could potentially be worth more than $100 billion.

AMD is looking to keep pace with Nvidia in the AI craze

that’s widely viewed as the biggest tectonic shift in technology since Apple co-founder Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone. Nvidia carved out an early lead in tailoring its chipsets known as graphics processing units from use in powering video games to helping to train powerful AI systems, like the technology behind ChatGPT and image generators. Demand skyrocketed as more people began using AI chatbots. Tech companies scrambled for more chips to build and run them. While the appetite for AI chips is still large, there are some concerns about how much companies like Meta are spending on AI and whether they can make back their huge investments through higher profits and productivity in the future.

For Meta, the company has been pushing to revive its commercial AI efforts as the company faces tough competition

from rivals such as Google and OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT In June, the company made a $14.3 billion investment in AI data company Scale and recruited its CEO Alexandr Wang to help lead a team developing “superintelligence” at the tech giant And in December Meta bought artificial intelligence startup Manus, as the owner of Instagram continues an aggressive push to amp up AI offerings across its platforms.

AMD issued Meta a performance-based warrant for up to 160 million shares of its common stock at $0.01 a piece, structured to vest as long as certain milestones are achieved.

The first tranche vests with the initial 1 gigawatt of shipments, with additional tranches vesting as Meta’s purchases scale to 6 gigawatts.

Shares of AMD jumped more than 9% before the market open Tuesday

By early this year, Hegseth was highlighting only two of them: xAI and Google. He said in a January speech at Musk’s space flight company, SpaceX, in South Texas that he was shrugging off any AI models “that won’t allow you to fight wars.”

Hegseth said his vision for military AI systems means that they operate “without ideological constraints that limit lawful military applications,” before adding that the Pentagon’s “AI will not be woke.”

The defense secretary said Musk’s artificial-intelligence chatbot Grok would join the Pentagon network, called GenAI.mil. The announcement came days after Grok which is embedded into X, the social media network owned by Musk — drew global scrutiny for generating highly sexualized deepfake images of people without their consent.

OpenAI announced in early February that it, too, would join the military’s secure AI platform, enabling service members to use a custom version of ChatGPT for unclassified tasks.

Landry didn’tspecify how much in funding he wants LWCC to dedicate to fortified roofs, or where exactly the money would go. But the Louisiana Department of Insurance spends about $30 million ayearongrants to homeowners to help put fortified roofs on their homes, which typically lead to lower home insurance costs.

It’salso not clear whether the LWCC board can legally send money to fortified roofs, or whether it would require anew law

LWCC Chief Strategy Officer Seth Irby saidTuesday the company is reviewing the request

LWCC is aprivate, mutual workers’ compensation company owned by our 18,000+ policyholders,which are businesses acrossthe state,” he said in an email. “Wetake our fiduciary responsibility to our policyholders seriously,astheir dollars are used to take care of injured workers. We haven’tspoken to thegovernor about this request to fund improvements in private residential household roofs.”

The company is amutual insurer, meaningitreturns its profits to policyholders, which are businesses who get workers’ compensation insurance through the firm. The Times-Picayune reported last week that while the state’sfortifiedroof grantprogramhas helped many adopt stronger roofs, it is not nearly keeping up with demand. State data shows that onlyabout20% of homeowners who registeredinlotteries for the program received agrant

TheLWCC is runbya board of directors that include Louisiana Insurance Commissioner TimTemple, state lawmakers, and several members appointed by thegovernor. Boysie Bollinger,abusiness owner and donor to Landry and other politicians, is also amember Aspokesperson for Temple did not respond to ames-

sage Tuesday Financials filed with regulators show the LWCC has been strong enough financially to deliversignificant profits to itspolicyholders in recent years. From 2020 to 2024, thefirm sent more than$540 million in dividends to policyholders, documentsshow

Thecompany had about $1.6billioninassets that year,mostly in bonds, and hada$901 million surplus.

TheLouisianaAssociation of Business and Industry which represents thousands of Louisianacompanies andhas aseat on theLWCC board, declined to comment Landry has largelystayed outofthe propertyinsurance debate so far, signing apackage of bills byTempletoloosenregulationson insurer.But as premiums kept rising, he pushed last year for acontroversial lawtoallowTemple toreject rate hikes by insurers, something Temple vowed he wouldn’tuse.

In hisletter to LWCC, Landry saidthat while LWCC is not astate agency, “its existence is inseparable from deliberate state action.” He said LWCC hasaccumulated “extraordinary financial strength” since itsinception becauseofthe Legislature’s actions.

“When families cannot insure theirhomes at areasonable cost,workers relocate, employers struggle to attract andretaintalent,and economic growth slows,” he said. “Housingaffordability andinsurance availability

arenow inseparable from workforce stability —and therefore LWCC’slong-term success.”

He asked LWCC to partner with theDepartmentofInsurance and Citizens to help put morefortified roofs on homes.

Fortified roofs —which use better materials and techniques and include a verification system to make sure they’re built right— have emerged as abipartisansolution to the ongoing insurance crisis.

Aftera series of hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, a dozeninsurers doingbusinessherewent belly up. The reinsurance market, responding to therising threat of extreme weather because of human-caused climate change, as well as inflation, raised costs on insurers significantly

As aresult, tens of thousands of homeowners in south Louisiana have facedstaggering property insurance hikes, andhuge numbers were forced onto the rolls of Citizens,which chargeshigher rates by design.

The Legislature last year also set up atax credit program for people who pay for afortifiedroof on theirown dime, and established asystem where$30 million ayear flows to the grant program from revenue generated by theInsurance Department

Still, some housing advocates andlawmakers have called for more action, including more funding for roofs.

Asidefrom fortified roofs, Temple hasushered in aseries of policies that loosened rules on insurers, making it easier to raise rates and droppolicyholders. Rates are still rising but not by the double-digitamounts seen in previous years, in part because the reinsurance industry saw aflood of capital that is driving down costs of protection.

Zelenskyy: Ukrainians ‘not broken’

Countrymarks

4years sinceRussia’s all-outinvasion

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Ukrainian President

Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared Tuesday that Russia has not “broken Ukrainians” nor triumphed in its war,four years afteraninvasion that has severely tested the resolve of Kyiv and its allies and fueled European fears about the scale of Moscow’sambitions.

In ashowofsupport,morethan adozen senior Europeanofficials headed to the Ukrainian capitalto mark the grim anniversary of the conflict, which has killed tens of thousands of people, upendedlife for millions of Ukrainians, and created instability far beyond its borders.

Zelenskyy said his countryhas withstood the onslaught by Russia’s bigger and betterequipped army whichover the past year of fighting captured just 0.79% of Ukraine’s territory,according to the Institute for the Study of War, aWashingtonbased think tank. Russianow holds nearly 20% of Ukraine.

“Looking back at the beginningof theinvasionand reflecting on today, we haveevery right to say: We have defended our independence, we have not lost our statehood,” Zelenskyy said on social media,adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin has “not achieved his goals.”

“He has not broken Ukrainians; he has not won this war,” Zelenskyy said. Despite the show of defiance, Ukraine has struggledtohold off Russia’sonslaught, and the warhas brought widespread hardship for Ukrainian civilians. Russia’saerial attacks have devastated families and denied civilians power and running water Putin made no mention of the anniversary nor did he say how the war was going when he spoke at a meeting in Moscow of top officials of the FederalSecurity Service, or FSB, on Tuesday

However,hetold them that the threat of Ukrainian attacks on Russian soilhas grown. Ukraine has

increasinglydeployed long-range drones that it hasdevelopedto strike oilrefineries, fuel depotsand military logistics hubs more than 600milesinside Russia.

As the war of attrition enters its fifth year,a U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the largest conflict on thecontinent sinceWorld WarII appearsnocloser to apeace deal. Negotiations are stuck on what happens to the Donbas, eastern Ukraine’sindustrialheartland that Russian forces mostly occupy but have failedtoseize completely,and the terms of apostwarsecurityarrangement that Kyivisdemanding to deterany future Russian invasion.

The U.N. GeneralAssembly called Tuesday for an immediate ceasefire anda comprehensive

peace in Ukraine, rejectingaU.S. attempt to eliminate language stressingthe country’ssovereignty and territorial integrity Washington supports an immediateceasefire, U.S. DeputyAmbassadorTammy Brucesaid before the vote, butopposed language stressingUkraine’s territorial unity because it would “distract” from the peace talks. The 193-member General Assembly approvedthe originalwording 107-12, with theUnited States among the 51 countries abstaining. Zelenskyyurges Trumptovisit

At amakeshift memorial in Kyiv’scentral square, where thousands of small flags and portraits showphotosoffallensoldiers, Zelenskyysaid he would like U.S

PresidentDonaldTrump to visit andwitness for himself Ukrainian suffering.

“Only then can onetruly understand what this war is really about,” Zelenskyy said. When later askedhow four years of war had changedhim, Zelenskyy said, “I don’thave timefor friends or friendships.”

Trump, whoonce vowed to end thewar in aday,has repeatedly changed his tone toward Putin and Zelenskyy over the past year: sometimes criticizing theUkrainianleader’snegotiating position while reaching outtothe Russian leader and at others lashing outat Putin for heavy barrages and appearing moresympathetic to the Ukrainian predicament.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmi-

tryPeskov said that theinvasion would continue in pursuit of Moscow’sgoals. They include ademand that Ukraine renounce its bid to join NATO, sharply cut its army, and cede vast swaths of territory

Zelenskyy said he expected afresh round of U.S.-brokered talkswith Russiawithinthe next 10 days.

A‘nightmare’ forUkrainians

The number of soldiers killed, injured or missing on both sides could reach 2million by spring, with Russia sustaining the largest number of troop deaths forany major power in any conflict since WorldWar II, areport last month fromthe Center forStrategic and International Studies estimated.

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Judge rejects motion to disqualify prosecutors

Defense alleges conflict of interest in Kirk case

BY HANNAH SCHOENBAUM Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY A Utah judge on Tuesday declined to disqualify the local county attorney’s office from prosecuting the accused shooter in Charlie Kirk’s killing after the defense argued there was a conflict of interest because a prosecutor’s daughter was present when Kirk was shot.

Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty against Tyler Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Robinson’s attorneys urged the judge to remove the Utah County Attorney’s Office because they allowed a deputy county attorney to work on the case despite knowing that his adult daughter was in the audience when Kirk was shot.

The defense also argued in court documents that prosecutors were quick to announce their intent to seek the death penalty, which they said was evidence of “strong

emotional reactions” that merited disqualifying the entire team.

State District Judge Tony Graf ruled Tuesday that there is “not a significant risk” that Deputy Utah County Attorney Chad Grunander’s loyalty to his daughter will affect his work or interfere with Robinson’s rights.

“Prosecutors need not be immune to the emotional response of others to prosecute a case,” Graf said.

An estimated 3,000 people were at the outdoor rally to hear Kirk when he was struck while taking questions. A cofounder of Turning Point USA, Kirk helped mobilize young people to vote for President Donald Trump.

Grunander’s daughter, whose identity has not been disclosed to news media covering the case, testified in court that she did not record video of the shooting or the aftermath. She was looking at the crowd and did not learn until after she ran to safety that it was Kirk who had been shot, she told the court earlier this month.

Utah County Attorney Jeffrey Gray testified this month that he thought about seeking the death penalty before an arrest had been made in the case, and his colleague’s daughter in no way influenced the decision.

Graf found that the daughter’s presence did not factor into Gray’s decision.

U.S. military boards third oil

tanker in Indian Ocean

BY BEN FINLEY and

KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON U.S. military forces boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea in an effort to target illicit oil connected to Venezuela, the Pentagon said Tuesday An organization that tracks ship movements said the vessel was the only tanker left to pursue after more than a dozen fled the coast of Venezuela following the capture of the South American country’s

authoritarian then-president, Nicolás Maduro.

The boarding is the 10th interdiction of an oil tanker conducted by the Trump administration since it began targeting vessels connected to Venezuela in December The others were seized in the Caribbean or North Atlantic.

U.S Southern Command said in a post on X that U.S. forces boarded the Bertha overnight, conducting “a right-of-visit, maritime interdiction and boarding.”

“The vessel was operating in defiance of President Trump’s established quaran-

tine of sanctioned vessels in the Caribbean and attempted to evade,” the post said. “From the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean, we tracked it and stopped it.”

A U.S official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to discuss an ongoing operation, noted that as with the previous two boardings conducted in the Indian Ocean, the Bertha was not formally seized but rather placed under U.S. control. The official said the Bertha’s fate will be determined by the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.

BY LINDSEY BAHR AP film writer

Robert Carradine, the youngest of his prolific Hollywood family and whose biggest hit was the 1984 comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” has died at 71.

In a Tuesday statement, his family said he lived with bipolar disorder for two decades.

His brother told Deadline that Carradine died by suicide.

“We want people to know it, and there is no shame in it,” Keith Carradine said. “It is an illness that got the best of him, and I want to celebrate him for his struggle with it, and celebrate his beautiful soul. He was profoundly gifted, and we will miss him every day.”

Known for both his film and television work, Robert Carradine worked steadily in the industry for over 40 years. Though he collaborated with some of the most respected directors of the day, he never gained the worldwide recognition of his more famous siblings Keith Carradine (also the father of Martha Plimpton) and half-brother David Carradine, who died in 2009.

Actor Robert Carradine, known for ‘Revenge of the Nerds, died at 71.

Robert Carradine, a Los Angeles native and son to character actor John Carradine was introduced to audiences with roles on the television series “Bonanza” in 1971 and in the John Wayne Western “The Cowboys” in 1972.

Robert Carradine’s biggest hit would come in 1984 with the off-color comedy “Revenge of the Nerds,” in which he played head nerd Lewis Skolnick, with his

abrupt, infectious and guttural laugh. He reprised the role for the big-screen sequel and two made-for-television follow-ups, and continued to pay homage to the beloved character with a guest role on the series “Robot Chicken” and as a co-host (with “Revenge of the Nerds” co-star Curtis Armstrong) of the pop culture competition show “King of the Nerds,” which aired for three seasons. In the late 1980s and 1990s, according to the family statement, Carradine realized his racing ambitions and was a driver for Lotus. In the 2000s, Carradine gained small-screen success in The Disney Channel’s “Lizzie McGuire” as the eponymous character’s father “It’s really hard to face this reality about an old friend,” Hilary Duff, who played Lizzie McGuire, wrote on Instagram. “There was so much warmth in the McGuire family and I always felt so cared for by my on-screen parents. I’ll be forever grateful for that. I’m deeply sad to learn Bobby was suffering.

Brazil’s SupremeCourt begins trialofsuspectsin2018killing

Slaincouncil member became symbol of resistance

BY MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press

SAOPAULO The trial of the suspects accused in the 2018killing of RiodeJaneiro councilwoman Marielle Franco and herdriver began Tuesday in Brazil’sSupreme Court. The shocking, high-profile case turned the politician —who defended the human rightsofBrazil’smarginalized communities into aglobal symbol of resistance.

Afive-judge panel will rule on charges against former congressmanChiquinhoBrazão; hisbrother who was amember of aRio government watchdog,Domingos Brazão; his assistant Robson CalixtoFonseca;policeinvestigatorRivaldo Barbosa andformer

police officer Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira.

After afull dayofstatements fromboth sides, the Supreme Court session was adjourned until Wednesday morning, when the judgeswill rule.

Franco, aBlackand bisexual politician, was killedatage 38 along with her driver Anderson Gomes in adrive-by shooting.

Allthe suspectshave so far denied anyconnection with thekilling of the councilwoman.

Prosecutors say many of the charges comefromplea bargain deals signed with former police officers Ronnie Lessaand Élcio Queiroz, sentenced in October 2024for thekilling to 78 and59 years in prison, respectively

The Brazão brothers were arrested in 2024 as alleged masterminds of thecrime. Investigations have linked themtovigilante groups knownasmilitias,which oftenantagonizedFranco.

Then-Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowskisaidatthe time of the arreststhat theinvestigations suggested thatChiquinho Brazão was especially upsetabout abill thathis then-colleague Franco sponsored at the citycouncil about regulation of land for public housing.

The trial started Tuesday morning with Justice Alexandre de Moraes reading asummary of the case. DeputyAttorney-General Hindenburgo Chateaubriandthen took the stand to argue that allfive suspects should be foundguiltyas charged.

Theprosecutoradded thatthe Brazãobrothers leda criminalorganizationwhose primary target was Marcelo Freixo, aleftist politician and current head of Brazil’s government tourism agency,becauseheinterfered withtheir businesses. Franco worked with Freixo before she was elected councilwoman.

Lebanonurges militant grouptoavoid getting involved in U.S.,Iranfight

BY JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

GENEVA—

Lebanon’sForeign Minister Youssef Rajji on Tuesday urged the Iran-backedmilitant group Hezbollah not to get involved in anyfighting between theUnited States and Iran, expressing concerns about anew possible conflict with Israel.

Rajjitoldjournalists in Geneva thatLebanese officials had been warned that in the event of another Israel-Hezbollah war, Israel would strike harderagainst civilianinfrastructureacrossLebanon than in the previous round of fighting. The appeal comes amidgrowing concerns thatthe U.S. might carry outnew strikesagainst Iran.Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as asecond U.S. aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East. The U.S. and Iran have signaled theyare prepared for war if talks on Tehran’snuclear program fizzle out

Rajjisaid Lebanese authorities had appealed to Hezbollah, which hasfought several wars with Israel,most recently in 2024,not to respond in any way that could trigger “bad situations” for Lebanese

civilians.

“Lebanon has received signs that the Israelis could strike civilianinfrastructure andmaybe the airport” in Beirut, Rajji said in Geneva, where he was attending aHuman Rights Council session. During the last Israel-Hezbollah war,in2024, the airport was not hit and remained operational throughout the conflict. In a monthlong war between the two in 2006, Israel struck the Beirut airport. Many Lebanese civilians have been killed, wounded or displaced in previous rounds of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollahlaunchedrockets into Israel aday after the militant Palestinian group Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering thewar in Gaza.After months of low-level fighting, the conflictescalated into afull-scale warinSeptember 2024, when Israel launched bombardment that killed muchofHezbollah’sleadership, followed by aground invasion, severely weakening HezbollahbeforeaU.S.brokeredceasefire nominally halted the fighting. Israel has continued to launchnear daily strikesinLebanon since the November 2024 ceasefire, whichitsays aim to stop Hezbollah from rebuilding.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJAMEyKEATEN

| Wednesday, February 25, 2026 1bn

Boil-water advisory lifted in N.O.

Service had been stifled, more than a dozen schools, businesses closed

BY BEN MYERS and MARIE FAZIO Staff writers

The Sewerage & Water Board on Tuesday lifted a boil-water advisory for a large portion of the East Bank, following a massive water main break on South Claiborne Avenue the previous morning that stifled water service and forced more than a dozen schools and several businesses to close.

RTA apologizes over shelved proposal

Paratransit plan drew criticism

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

The CEO of the Regional Transit Authority and its board chair issued apologies Tuesday to community members upset by a shelved proposal that would have curtailed services for people with disabilities.

During a monthly meeting of the RTA board, CEO Lona Edwards Hankins said the agency’s communication about cuts to paratransit service in portions of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish was “less than stellar” and showed that the RTA had room to improve.

“I’m going to own that,” Hankins told board members and residents in comments that were followed by a similar mea culpa from board Chair Fred Neal Jr Neal said he was “glad that the community spoke up” and issued a “sincere apology for the confusion” on behalf of the board.

The RTA in February began telling riders that effective March 1, it would offer paratransit, or shuttle service for older or disabled riders, only for trips that begin and end within three-quarters of a mile of its bus system.

The policy would have excluded nearly all of the West Bank and portions of Metairie and Kenner in Jefferson, where the RTA currently provides trips. It would have also excluded English Turn and New Aurora in Algiers, and Venetian Isles in New Orleans East After an outcry among transit advocates and government officials, the RTA on Friday said it would pause implementation Hankins confirmed Tuesday that riders “will continue to get served” beyond the boundary In 2025, the RTA completed around 11,100 trips in those areas, about 7% of all paratransit trips that year

The turnabout is the latest drama to entangle the public transit authority’s paratransit service, which has faced criticism for missed pickups and long trips. The service was dinged in September by federal regulators for violating disability-rights laws. It also comes as Mayor Helena Moreno is preparing to place her own members on the board. The mayor’s spokesperson said Monday that Moreno is moving “swiftly to recruit new leadership” for the seven-member board.

The mayor can appoint five of those seats, and administration officials told Neal earlier this month that they planned to have the appointments in place by mid-March.

Complaints and concerns Commissioner Mitchell Guidry Jr., who was appointed by Moreno

The advisory — which spanned across the French Quarter, the Central Business District and most Uptown neighborhoods — lasted a little over 24 hours. The initial boilwater advisory included parts of Mid-City and Tulane-Gravier, but S&WB officials later said they made a mistake and removed those areas. Although sample testing showed tap water is free of bacteria, par-

ents at some of the affected schools were still waiting Tuesday afternoon to learn if students would return to class on Wednesday All affected schools finally announced they would reopen on Wednesday with several announcements coming just before 5 p.m. Officials said water pressure would remain lower than normal through the end of the week while repairs are made, and some school

administrators were concerned about unworking toilets and fire suppression risks.

“Reliable water pressure is essential for safe school operations, including the use of drinking fountains, restrooms, handwashing stations, and other essential systems,” the Orleans Parish School Board said in a news release. The 48-inch underground water main near the busy intersection of

South Claiborne Avenue and Toledano Street burst early Monday, causing water to gush up through the roadway and flood several blocks. The cause of the break is under investigation, although officials noted the 88-year-old water main is nearing its end of life — as is much of the 1,600-mile New Orleans water transmission network.

“The bottom line is we have an old system, and until we have a repair program that routinely

Statue returns home

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

in a brief she created with AI, then “misled, evaded, and violated her duties as an officer of the court.” The appeals court said she could have lessened her punishment had she come clean

Attorney John Walker, of the Covington-based Jones Fussell firm, appeared to take that guidance to heart as he apologized profusely to Long who was nominated to the bench by former President Joe Biden.

“It shocked me. It embarrassed me. I’ve had sleepless nights ever since,” Walker said. “I just can’t be more sorry.”

The hearing also offered a window into how lawyers for high-paid firms may divvy up work while agreeing to affix their names to court

documents they never mean to read. The punishment came in a lawsuit that Long tossed this month over the controversial Sucette Harbor development on Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville Walker represented landowner LSU Health Foundation New Orleans, and he was tapped to file an opposition to a motion by the city of Mandeville to dismiss the case. Walker admitted that he used ChatGPT and another tool, WESTLAW Precision AI for the job. Chat GPT filled his brief with phantom cases, or mischaracterized real cases, that Walker admitted he never checked “To this day it blows my mind it has that capability” to invent cases, said Walker, 69 “I don’t have a good excuse.”

The brief he filed in June 2025 included “at least 11 case citations” that were

service be offered within three-quarters of a mile of an agency’s bus routes. But for several years, the RTA has serviced a much larger area.

made up, misquoted or misused, Long said Tuesday The misconduct wasn’t in using AI, Long found, but in a failure to check the results.

Along with Walker, Long ordered attorneys Michael Riess and Johanna Lambert, of Riess LeMieux in New Orleans, and Thomas Huval, also of Jones Fussell, in court to explain. Riess, Lambert and Huval all denied knowing Walker had used AI or that they’d reviewed it.

Attorneys for the city of Mandeville first flagged the bogus citations last June, though no one seemed to notice. All four lawyers who apologized Tuesday said they hadn’t seen it until this month, when Long called them into court.

Huval testified that he’d been on vacation and off the grid when Walker circulated a draft and never read it

himself. He said the law firm recently created an internal AI policy in response.

“I have seen firsthand what it has done to Mr. Walker, and I don’t want to see it happen to another person,” he said.

Riess apologized while also denying he had an ethical obligation to check the citations in the brief. Riess said he didn’t use AI himself.

“I don’t know how to use it. It scares me,” he said.

Long credited the four lawyers for their “candor and humility” while rendering his decision. Along with the fine, he ordered Walker to attend two hours of class in generative AI for lawyers.

The judge declined to sanction the other three attorneys, however, finding “public admonishment” from the notoriety was enough.

when she was on the City Council, said Tuesday that the RTA needs to make paratransit “more comfortable for riders,” saying he’s heard of some dialysis patients who have spent more than an hour on the shuttle. Guidry also urged RTA leadership to be more collaborative with its counterparts in Jefferson Parish That point was echoed by Liljose Marie Tompkins, a longtime paratransit rider, who said at the meeting Tuesday that “riders have been in uproar about” the potential “breakup” with Jefferson Parish. She noted that riders rely on the service to get to businesses, like Target, that exist only in Jefferson Parish ADA requirements

The RTA, as a condition of its federal funding, is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide paratransit that is comparable — both in trip duration and geographic access to the level of service offered on its fixedroute bus system. At a minimum, the law requires that paratransit

CONDOS

Continued from page 1B

In 2022, the agency adopted a policy allowing riders traveling between Jefferson Parish and New Orleans to use the service. And in 2024, the agency signed a five-year agreement with Jefferson Parish — which operates its own paratransit service in which they agreed to handle interparish trips for residents of their respective parishes.

Previously riders had to coordinate getting picked up and dropped off by the RTA and Jefferson Parish at designated drop-off points. They also paid twice as much in fares.

The agreement between the RTA and Jefferson Parish says that each agency will provide trips for residents of their respective parishes to and from anywhere in the neighboring parish. Hankins, who signed the agreement, said Tuesday she wasn’t sure how far into Orleans Parish the Jefferson Parish shuttles traveled.

RTA officials have discussed a potential change in their service boundaries for

billed as a showpiece building that would draw wealthy national investors to New Orleans and reinvigorate a portion of the downtown riverfront. Though initial purchasers included high-profile owners like Drew Brees and Sean Payton, the building appeared to have trouble attracting a broader swath of buyers.

While the condos have always been for available for sale, they were not actively marketed or publicly listed until this month Keeping luxury properties off public databases is a way to maintain an aura of exclusivity and command higher prices, according to real estate experts. But in the case of the Four Seasons, it didn’t work. In 2024, the project’s developers said sluggish sales of the luxury units were contributing to financial troubles with the project’s lender.

The financial issues surrounding the Four Seasons have not impacted the relationship with the Four Seasons hotel management company, which has a long-term agreement to operate the 341-room hotel on the lower floors of the high-rise and the 92 condos on upper floors.

Since hitting the market in early February, two of the units have received purchase offers and are under contract, both to local buyers, said Christine Lutz, director of new development sales for The Dawn McKenna Group.

“We have had an incredible renewed interest from people in this project,” Lutz said.

The project’s lead developer, Massachusetts-based Carpenter & Co., and local partner, Paul Flower of Woodward Interests, did not respond to requests for comment.

Rough few years

The Four Seasons was an ambitious conversion of the former World Trade Center — once the center for global trade in a city whose port was among the nation’s busiest — into a luxury high-rise. It began nearly a decade ago, when the city selected the WoodwardCarpenter group to redevelop it Construction was delayed for

several months, saying the status quo has put a strain on their operations. In December, an RTA spokesperson said the agency was in the “research and planning phase of realigning paratransit services” with the boundary and that “any next steps would require board consideration and public notice.”

But on Feb. 1, the agency began informing riders about the shift in an automated phone message. The board did not approve the plan, and Jefferson Transit didn’t learn of it until Feb. 11, when parish officials reached out to ask about rumors circulating among Ochsner employees.

The RTA backtracked on the policy Friday, after transit advocacy group RIDE New Orleans sent a letter asking the agency to hold off and Moreno’s deputy mayor for health and human services, Dr Jennifer Avegno, asked for more information. Jefferson Parish on Monday also sent a letter asking the RTA to delay the move.

Hankins said she texted Jefferson Parish officials Monday and that they’re working to set up a meeting.

Communication issues

The RTA also faced criti-

cism Tuesday for its approach to communicating service disruptions to riders.

Shirani Jayasuriya, RIDE’s director of communications and outreach, said during Mardi Gras, riders reported having to wait more than an hour for buses to arrive and having to walk long distances at night after service changes weren’t communicated. She said the RTA’s LePass app also linked to a nonexistent webpage for bus routes.

Courtney Jackson, RIDE’s executive director, requested that RTA leaders meet with its rider-led organizing arm to discuss how the agency’s current communication plan “does not translate from paper to pavement.” She said solving the issue should be “low-hanging fruit.”

“From fixed route to paratransit to ferry service, there’s been a real failure in communications,” Jackson said. “It’s hindering people’s ability to go to jobs. It’s hindering people’s ability to go to health care.

The time is now to make these changes.”

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate. com.

BOIL

Continued from page 1B

replaces and repairs the system, we’re going to have situations like this,”

S&WB Executive Director Randy Hayman said on Tuesday

A state road construction project was also underway at the break site, with work focused on milling the asphalt surface, pavement repairs and new asphalt overlay, according to Daniel Gitlin, a state Department of Transportation and Development spokesperson. The $3.2 million project started this year and is expected to wrap up this summer

The spokesperson, Daniel Gitlin, said there is no indication the construction work had anything to do with the break.

Neighbors reported seeing frequent water leaks on South Claiborne Avenue over the last several weeks, starting around the time of the hard freeze in January Hayman said the S&WB had been scheduled to inspect the leak on Monday before the water main broke.

two years by an ultimately unsuccessful lawsuit filed by one of the unsuccessful bidders. The project took another three years to complete. By the time it opened in 2021, the hospitality market was struggling to recover from pandemic-era shutdowns. Interest rates had more than doubled and construction costs had skyrocketed The project’s total cost ultimately topped $560 million. In the fall of 2023, a group of wealthy foreign investors who collectively invested more than $50 million in the project, were notified that the Four Seasons project had been “adversely affected by conditions currently affecting the real estate industry nationally and worldwide” and that, “the developer has been unable to improve net operating income of the hotel or sell enough residential condo

units.”

In February 2024, the investors were told that Carpenter had defaulted on its loan agreement with the project’s New York-based lender Madison Realty Capital and had been instructed to find new sources of capital or prepare to sell. Madison threatened to foreclose on the property At the time, Flower said the developers were in talks with the lenders and working toward a resolution.

In the nearly two years since, the developers have been able to stave off the foreclosure threat, according to city officials with knowledge of the project. Though it’s not clear what kind of deal has been reached, the two sides are continuing to negotiate.

On Monday, Annie McBride, who heads the New Orleans Building Corp the city agency that technically owns the building, said

the city has been kept up to date on the developments and that the building has not been sold and is not in foreclosure. Madison Realty did not respond to a request for comment.

New strategy

The newly listed condos for sale include a variety of floor plans, ranging from one-bedroom units to multibedroom penthouses. Four penthouses on two upper floors are raw shells that can be customized by the buyer

Four other units are decorated and fully furnished as “model homes” to give prospective buyers an idea of what can done with the space.

“We are using them as models but they could be sold turnkey,” Lutz said. She said she plans to list a select group of units on the MLS in the

The break on South Claiborne was the second major water main rupture in less than a month. A break on Panola Street in January also caused a boilwater advisory and street flooding.

S&WB officials have long warned that the city’s water mains need replacing but that it lacks the funding to do so. Hayman’s predecessor Ghassan Korban, said in November 2024 that half the system is more than 80 years old and nearing the end of its life span. Hayman said the agency is looking for ways to detect early leaks, analyze pipe conditions and come up with additional ways to stabilize old pipes as opposed to seeking funding for a system-wide replacement.

“These are all things that we’re able to do in 2026,” Hayman said. “We will challenge the entrepreneurs in the business sector to bring us new ideas that we can use.” Securing the system to prevent regular water main breaks would cost around $200 million, he said. The cost of replacing all the aging water mains is unclear

coming days.

“We are very excited to enlist the brokerage community and have their participation,” she said.

The units will join nine other condos in the building that were already on the market. The resale units range from a one-bedroom unit with a $1.3 million asking price to an unfinished penthouse comprising the entire 31st floor that was listed in late December for $23 million.

The asking prices per square foot for the resale units are the highest in the state, according to real estate broker Glenda Bach with Compass, who is listing several of the resale units and currently has one sale pending in the building. They range from $1,200 per square foot to more than $2,040 per square foot, she said.

Asking prices for some of the developer-owned condos could be lowered to help them sell. Asked about price adjustments, Lutz said “we will rebalance some of the pricing.”

The market for New Orleans luxury condos was slow last year, according to Bach, who specializes in high-end downtown properties But she said activity has picked up since the beginning of 2026.

“We have a new mayor, Mardi Gras was great, people felt safe,” she said. “The city is in a great place.”

One of the units that isn’t currently listed for sale is that of prominent businessman Donald “Boysie” Bollinger He took his 30th floor penthouse off the market last fall after listing it for sale in 2023 for $19.5 million.

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

‘FishHatchery’ fire continuestosmolder

Rainexpected to help dampen area later this week

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

The wildfire near Interstate 12 in Lacombe continued to smolder Tuesday, spewing smoke and creatingahaze over the highway,but officials said there were no new risks from the blaze that had shut downa stretch of the interstate for several hoursSunday night and burned an estimated 180 acres.

“We’ll have to continue to babysit it until we get a good rain that fullyextinguishes it,” St. Tammany Parish Director of Homeland Security andEmergency Operations Clint Ory said Tuesday Thereisa60% to 70% chance of showers and thunderstorms late Thursday night and Friday,said Kevin Gilmore,a meteorologist at the National WeatherService’s officein New Orleans

That could bring up to three-quarters of an inch of rain —not a“drought buster,” Gilmore said,but something to help with the recent dry conditions that are ripe for wildfires.

Much of southeast Louisianawas under red flag conditions Sunday due to low humidity and high winds.

Forecasters and emergency officials had warned of

re shut down the interstate for three hours on Sunday.

the potentialfor wildfires.

There were less strong winds Tuesday compared to previous days, said Gilmore, but the low humidity remained. Gilmore saidthe National Weather Service had afire danger statement in effect, andwhile not at the levelofared flag warning, it indicates anelevated fire risk.

Humidity was expected to increase starting Tuesday night.

Firefighters continued to monitor theareaTuesday, both on thegroundand with drones, saidMichael Geissler,the chief of St. Tammany Fire Protection District No. 3inLacombe. However,hesaid there was no active firefighting at this point Geissler’s departmentresponded to aflareupMonday night,when somefire madeitoutside theperimeternearFish Hatchery

road and I-12 established by theLouisianaDepartment of Agriculture and Forestry

Geissler said he expected theywould have to continue to respond to flareups until therewas rain or higher humidity.

“When wasthe last time we hopedfor higherhumidity?” the Fire Department joked in apost on Facebook.

Thecause of Sunday’s fire, which has been named

the “Fish Hatchery” fire,is under investigation by Agriculture andForestry

Officials have said the fire did notdamageany homes. Still, in interviews at their homes on Fish Hatchery road on Monday,the ownersofa family farm said some of their fences and pasturesweredamaged by the fire,while another residentexpressed concerns aboutcontinued airquality issues.

Testingreveals eateries’use of localshrimp

Company determines which restaurants serving imports

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

If you’re eating seafood at Covington restaurants, there’sagood chance your dish will be made with wild-caught, domestic shrimp, according to new testing.

Acompany that has been carrying out genetic testing at restaurants across the South to determine whether they are serving foreign imports instead of domestic shrimp focused its efforts on the St.Tammany Parish city recently.Twenty-one of 24 restaurants, or 87%, were confirmedtobeserving “authentic American wildcaught shrimp,” said the company,SeaD Consulting. Of the three serving imported, farm-raised shrimp, one openly acknowledged that its productwas from Ecuador, while the other two were misleading customers, it said.

One restaurant had signage indicating some of its seafood may be imported, but “staff verbally represented the shrimp as Gulf

shrimp and the restaurant website claimsonly local Louisiana seafood is used.”

The menu at the other listed Gulf shrimp, though testing revealed that was false, SeaD said in astatement.

TheCovington testing, which occurred Feb. 1213,was thelatestround to occurinthe NewOrleans area, with mostly positive results.

In Metairie,83% of restaurants tested wereserving domestic seafood, while in New Orleans itself, the numberwas 87%. The West Bank performed farworse, though,with around onethirdof tested restaurants selling importedshrimp, the company found.

An eight-state study released by SeaD last year found that 65% ofshrimp dishes testedwere inauthentic. The restauranttesting stretched from Texas to North Carolina

SeaD hascalledfor stronger enforcement of laws requiring labeling of imported seafood. Louisiana’sstruggling shrimping industry has lined up behind thetesting,callingon stateauthorities to use the results to crack down on the practice of mislabeling seafood.

In Louisiana, the state Health Department isresponsible for compliance

withlabeling laws at restaurants. The department did notrespondtoarequest for comment.

SeaD spokesperson Glenda Beasleysaid the company planned to meet withHealth Department representatives at Wednesday’smeeting of the state’s shrimptaskforce.

“Weare happy to share all theresults of thegenetic testing with theLouisi-

Daycareworkerpleads guilty to burningbaby

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

ANew Orleans day careworker

was headed to prison this weekafter pleading guiltytojuvenile cruelty charges, accused of intentionally burning an infant’shandina bottle

warmer Victoria Saulter,29, expressedremorse to the child’smother over the 2023 burning as she stood shackled in court Monday,soon after she pleaded guilty to second-degree cruelty to juveniles and cruelty to juveniles. Criminal District Judge RobinPittman sentenced Saulter to five years in prison with an additional three years suspended.

Police said Saulter placed the 6-month-old girl’shand into abottle warmer that can reach nearly 195 degreesFahrenheit at McMillian’s

First Steps ChildCarecenter on South ClaiborneAvenue in Hoffman Triangle.

The girl’smother told police that her fatherdroppedoff thebaby about 7 a.m.thatmorning. Staff of thecentertold the mother that video surveillance showedSaulter place thegirl’s hand inside the bottlewarmer.

Adoctor told police the girl had second-degree burns on allfive fingers ofher left hand. He said boiling water and steam likely caused the injury,court records show Saulterslathered thegirl’shand in petroleum jelly but waited hours to reportthe injury,police said.

“I understand the harmthat I caused,” Saultersaid as she faced the girl’s mother Monday.“Iwish that didn’thappen. Ireally do. But it did.” Thechild, now 3, is doing OK, the mothersaid.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Abadie,Merlin

BrownSr.,Llowellyn

Dicharry Sr., Joel Ford, Glenn Gaudet, Thomas Haack,Ann Hare,Jean JacksonSr.,Terrence LeBlanc, Joseph LeBlanc, Ray Lemoine, Robyn LocascioSr.,James McCarron, Katherine Mitchell, Lynn Oye, Maria Pericone,David Pisciotta,Anthony Seely, John Waiters,Kang Wilson, Evelyn EJefferson Garden of Memories

McCarron, Katherine Oye, Maria Pisciotta,Anthony NewOrleans Boyd Family BrownSr.,Llowellyn Charbonnet

JacksonSr.,Terrence LeBlanc, Joseph Waiters,Kang

test to avoidletting restaurantsthat are mislabeling but notrandomly selected off the hook. Fraud can also occur throughout the supply chain, so restaurants could incorrectly believe they’re selling local catch.Testing revealed the below Covington restaurants were serving authentic shrimp: n Abita Roasting Co.

n Bayou Boil NGeaux Covington

n Bergeron’sBoudin & Cajun Meats Covington

n Buster’sPlace Restaurant and Oyster Bar

n Copeland’sofNew Orleans

n DelPorto Ristorante

n DiCristina’s Italian and Seafood Restaurant

n Don’sSeafood

n Gallagher’sGrill

n Garcia’s Famous Mexican Food

n Habanero’s

n Half Shell Oyster House

n LOLA Restaurant

ana Department of Health, upon theirrequest, for investigation and enforcement,” AndrewBlanchard, head of the task force, said in SeaD’sstatement.

“When local shrimp is so abundant, transparency remains critical for maintaining consumer trust andsupporting Louisiana fishermen.”

SeaDdoes not reveal the restaurants that failedthe

BY BOBWARREN Staff writer

Ateenager was killed in a drive-by shooting Sunday afternoononanInterstate 55 entrance rampinthe Hammond area, according to the Tangipahoa ParishSheriff’s Office.

TheSheriff’sOffice said the shooting happened around 2p.m. on the I-55 northbound entrance ramp at UniversityAvenue. Deputies found two vehicles pulled over on the entrance rampwith oneofthe drivers, 18-year-old Javion Steptoe, dead from agunshot wound. Twoother occupants from the vehicles were unharmed.

TheSheriff’sOffice said the two vehicles,a black Kia sedan driven by Steptoe, anda newer

n NewOrleans Food & Spirits

n New Orleans StyleSeafood

n Pat’sSeafood

n Rusty Pelican

n The Chimes

n The Greyhound

n Valencia n Vazquez Restaurant Seafood &Po-Boy

Email Mike Smithat msmith@theadvocate. com.

model blue Ford Mustang driven by arelative of the victim, had pulled over to exchange an item Athird vehicle drove past with someone shooting at the two vehicles, and Steptoe was hit, the Sheriff’s Officesaidina news release Monday The Sheriff’sOffice said it has limited information about the suspects or amotive. Detectives have asked anyone whowas in the area of I-55 and University Avenue around 2a.m. Sunday to report anysuspicious vehicles or activity they observed in the area.

DW Rhodes Mitchell, Lynn Lake Lawn Metairie Haack,Ann Hare,Jean Seely, John St Tammany BagnellSon LocascioSr.,James EJ Fielding Pericone,David West Bank Mothe

LeBlanc, Ray

Obituaries

Abadie,Merlin Henry 'Mike'

Merlin H. "Mike"Abadie, Jr.passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 18,2026 at theage of 68. He wasthe belovedhusband of 40 years to Jeanne Jolet Abadie. Loving father of Brandon Abadie (Kirstin) andRyan Abadie (Gabrielle). Sonofthe late Merlin Abadie, Sr.and EmilyR.Abadie.Brotherof Alan Abadie (Charlene), Terrie Neal,Charmaine Dupree,JulieBradbury (Keith) andthe late MerlineCaruso (Conrad). Proudgrandfatherof Oliver Abadie and Kamryn Abadie. He is also survived andfondlyremembered by many nieces, nephews, cousinsand dear friends.

Born in NewOrleans,LA, Mike became alongtime residentofMeraux, acommunityhedidn'tjust live in,but truly served and loved. For more than 20 years, Mike dedicatedhimself to hisworkasa Superintendent with Professional Construction Services. He took pride in building things that would stand strongfor generations. But perhaps even more meaningfulwas his service to St.Bernard Parish as Special Assistant

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✦ Wednesday, February25, 2026 ✦ nola.com

to Parish President Junior Rodriguez in the difficult days following Hurricane Katrina. When his community needed steady hands and adetermined heart, Mike was there. He helped rebuild not just buildings, but hope. His commitment during that time spoke volumes about his character. He was resilient, loyal, and deeply devoted to the place he called home.

Outside of work, Mike enjoyed life with his family and friends.Hewas apassionate fan, always cheering on the New Orleans Saints and LSU Tigers. Whether it was gameday excitement or friendly banter, his enthusiasm was contagious.Win or lose, his loyalty was consistent.

Mike also treasured time spent traveling in his younger years,especially beach trips with his beloved "Jackson Blvd Crew." He valued those moments of laughter and friendship. He also had many fond memories of being amember and riding in the Krewe Of Carrollton with his friends.

Above all,Mike cherished his family. Holiday gatherings were sacred to him, especially the Ruddock Family Christmas Party and Reunion. He understood that the greatest legacy we leave behindis not in titles or accomplishments, but in the love we give and the memories we create. Around those holiday tables, in the warmth of family tradition, Mike was right where he belonged.

Mike will be remembered for his years of service, his loyalty to his community, his unwavering support of his teams, his love of friends, and most of all, his devotion to family. His legacy lives on in the buildings he helped raise the community he helped restore, the traditions he upheld, and the countless lives he touched. Though he may be gone from our sight, he will never be gone from our hearts.

In lieu of flowers,the family requests memorial contributions to the Chalmette High School Alumni Association in Mike's name. Afitting tribute to aman who believed in giving back.

Relatives and friends are invited to attenda memorial gathering to be held at ST. BERNARD MEMORIAL FUNERAL

HOME, 701 W. Virtue St., Chalmette, LA on Thursday, February 26,2026 from 9:00AM-11:00AM, followed by amemorial service in Mike's memory beginning at 11:00AM. He will be laid to rest in Hope Mausoleum in New Orleans, LA.

LlowellynG.Brown,Sr., a resident of NewOrleans Louisiana,passedaway peacefullyonSaturday, February14, 2026, at the age of 71,surrounded by his loving family. He wasa proud 1972 graduate of JosephS.Clark Senior High Schooland laterattended Delgado Community Col‐lege. Llowellynalsohonor‐ablyservedinthe AirForce NationalGuard.Atthe time ofhis passing, he wasa faithfuland devotedmem‐ber of theSociety of Knowledge,aninterde‐nominationalministry. Llowellyn wasa loving and devoted husband,father, grandfather,and friend to many. He leaves to cherish his memory,his devoted wifeof42years,Constance Williams Brown; hisson, Llowellyn G. Brown, Jr.; his grandson, AndreBrown; his uncle,RobertBrown; his godmother,Saundra Ann Medina (John);sis‐ters-in-law Brenda Williams,Sybil D. Williams and Lena L. Brown; broth‐ers-in-lawFrank Williams Jr. (Shelyander),Thaddeus Williams,and Derald Chriss; andhis close cousin, DanatusKing, whomheloved as a brother.Healsoleavesa hostofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives, and friends. He waspre‐ceded in deathbyhis fa‐ther, Joseph Brown, Sr.; his mother, EliseMercadal Brown;his brother, Joseph Brown,Jr.;and hissister, Cabrini B. Jefferson. Family and friendsare invitedto attend aHomegoing Cele‐bration on Thursday,Feb‐ruary 26, 2026, for10:00 a.m.atThe Boyd Family Fu‐neralHome, 5001 Chef

MenteurHighway,New Or‐leans,Louisiana.Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. Pas‐tor DonatusKing, officiat‐ing.Interment will follow atMount Olivet Cemetery New Orleans, Louisiana. Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Dicharry,JoelDavis

JoelDavis Dicharry, Sr. of Diamondhead, Mississippi, passed away at home on Sunday, February 8th, 2026

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1947, he is precededindeath by hisparents,Verne Dicharry, Sr. and VevaDavis Dicharry; his beloved first wife, Roseanne Cooling Dicharry; his granddaughter Nina Dicharry; his brother Verne Dicharry, Jr. andhis sister-in-lawSusie Dicharry.

Joelissurvived by his wifeSallySimons Dicharry, his childrenJoel Davis Dicharry, Jr.(Rachel) and Holly Dicharry;grandchildrenJacob Dicharryand Thomas Shepherd Dicharry; two brothers, Thomas Dicharry and Dreux Dicharry, one sister, Suzanne Dicharryand his stepsons Garrett Hogue and CharlieHogue Joel was agraduate of CatholicHigh School in Baton Rouge and held an associate's degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management fromJeff DavisCommunity College in Pass Christian, Mississippi. He worked for several years in the hospitality industrybeforehe becamea long-time employee of Royal CupCoffee, from where he retired as DistrictSales Managerfor Louisiana and Mississippi. He was aproud U.S. Navy VietnamVeteran, having servedona shipinthe Da Nang River (among other places) from 1967-1969

He was amastercraftsman woodworker who loved to ridehis "Indian" motorcycleasmuch as possible. Joel was astalwart, loyal,true friend and was agenuinely kind, loving soul. His happy attitudeand personality touchedand affected many.Hewillbemissed.

Family and friends are invited to attend afuneral mass on Wednesday, March 4th, 2026,atOur Lady of the GulfCatholic Church, 228 S. Beach Blvd Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 39520at11:00 a.m. Visitationwillbegin at 10:00a.m. Interment will take placeata later date. Donations may be made to the AnimalShelter of Hancock County. Edmond Fahey Funeral Home is honoredtoserve the family of JoelDavis Dicharry, Sr

Ford, Glenn Thursday,February 12, 2026,Glenn Ford entered eternal rest at the ageof 68. The son of late Willie George Ford, Sr.and late Flowerzella Franklin Ford was born June 23, 1957,fatherofGlenda Nellon. Glenn leaves to cherish his memories, hisdaughter, grandsons-Akili Buthelezi and Traydives Williams, Jr.all of Dallas, Tx., sisters-Betty Charles Broussard (late Bobby), Carolyn Ford Fields (Edward)ofHarvey, La., Shirley Ford of New Orleans,La.,aunt-Mandy Franklin Forbes of N.O., manynieces, nephews, cousins otherrelativesand friendsalsostaffand tenants of Sterling Ultimate Care and Hartford House. Glenn is preceded in death by his parents, brothersRev. Melvin Franklin Ford, Sr., J.C.Ford, Sr. andWillie George Ford, Jr Relatives, Friends, Pastorsand membersof Asbury United Methodist Church, Mt.Sinai MBC, Sterling UltimateCareand HartfordHouse are invited to attend the Memorial ServiceatSt. Matthew UnitedMethodist Church, 1100 Verret St N.O.,La. 70114, Friday-February27, 2026,10:00a.m Rev.Emily Carroll officiating.

Thomas AndrewGaudet, 84, passedaway on February 18, 2026, in the comfort of his home in the peaceful community of Lizana, MS.,where he had resided for many years close to friends who were family to him. "Tommy," as he was lovingly known, was bornonApril 16, 1941, in NewOrleans, LA, and was adopted by Paul Archibald Gaudet and his wife, Alice Davis Gaudet. Growing up,Tommy was especiallyfond of playing football,becomingvery talented at thegame, and eventually played college football at Vanderbilt University. After graduating fromVanderbiltwitha Bachelor's degree, he joined theUnitedStates Marines, where he proudly served until receiving a medical discharge. Tommy was an avid bridge player and thoroughly enjoyed playing in many tournamentsover theyears. He was activeinpolitics, working on several campaigns in Louisiana during the60's and 70's. Tommy cherished his lifelong friendship with his good buddy,RussellMitchell, and hisfamily.After Russell's death, Tommy continued to holdtight to his memories of Russell and surrounded himself with theloveofRussell's niece, PeggyLuke, and her family.During this time, in his lateryears, Tommy started reading theBible and begantolove theLord. DespiteTommy'sstubbornness, his heart was filled with love that he generouslyshared with those around him. Tommy will be missed by allwho knew and lovedhim. He is preceded in death by his father,PaulGaudet,his mother, Alice Gaudet, and his step-mother, Lucy CarrollGaudet; hisstepbrothers, LeighCarrollIII andFrederick Sinclair Carroll;his sister, Michelle Gaudet Burris; one brother -in-law, Terry Carl Retersdorf; one sister-inlaw, SheilaKerrigan Carroll;and twonephews, LeighCarroll IV and Alfred Gaudet Hodges. Tommy is survivedbyhis step-brother, Joseph Wheadon Carroll,and his wife, Susan Breit CarrollofMandeville, LA;one half-sister, Mary Gaudet Retersdorf, of Pass Christian, MS; and one sister-in-law, Jacqueline WolfeCarroll of Pass Christian, MS. He also leavesbehindnumerous nieces, nephews, extended family,and friends. The family wouldliketoextend their heartfelt thanks to theLukefamily foralways loving Tommy as theirown and taking such good care of him. Interment for Tommy willbeheld Saturday, February 28, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m.,atLiveOak Cemetery in Pass Christian. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to servethe Gaudet family,and we ask that youremember them in your thoughtsand prayers over thecoming days

Haack, Ann KendallHobson

Ann Kendall Hobson Haack diedpeacefullyat home on January18, 2026. She was 96 years old. Born in Vidalia, LA,on November 9, 1929, Ann was thedaughterofWilliamJ Kendall and MaryLouise NettervilleKendallof Natchez,MS, where she grew up.Ann graduated fromThe Masters School in DobbsFerry, NY,and attendedSophie Newcomb College,where she met John B. Hobson, III. In their early married life,she and John livedinNatchez, MS, and then moved to New Orleans to raisetheir five children. John Hobson died tragicallyonJanuary 2, 1971. One world ended but anotherone openedin 1973 when Annmet Frederick Haack. Annand Frederick were soonmarried and moved to Saudi Arabia.They livedan amazing life togetherfor 45 years and resided in Saudi Arabia,India,

London, and California and traveling extensively throughout five continents, before settling back in NewOrleans 15 years later. Ann and Frederick immersed themselves in New Orleans life forthe next 30 years, until Frederick's death in 2018 at 98 years old. Many summers were spent in Maine with old and new friends and family,but aboveall,theytreasured their timetogether at their belovedfarm in Mississippi

Ann is survivedbyher son, J. Kendall Hobson of Murphy, NC and New Orleans;and her four daughters, Ann Soniat, Dodge Hobson (Ivens Robinson), Mary Louise Hobson,all of New Orleans; and Laura Hobson Larson (John Keith), of Alexandria,VA; 8grandchildren: Jessica Elder, John K. Hobson (Sarah), Lessley Fitzpatrick (Fletcher),William Feltus, Eliza Feltus (JP), Langley Robinson(Jo), Welles Robinson, and Emma Hobson Feltus(Dan), and 7 greatgrandchildren, and by Frederick's children, Scilla Smith and Frederick L. Haack, Jr. and theirchildren and grandchildren. Ann'ssister, Mary Louise Kendall Robinson, predeceasedher.

Ann was amember of Garden StudyClub of New Orleans, theNew Orleans Country Club, theNew Orleans Lawn TennisClub, theBiltmore Forest Country Club, NC,and the Colony Club,NY. The family wouldliketo thank LeobardaYates, Dolores Trejo, Nidia Zeledon, Carolyn Mayo, and Sandra Crawford for thekindness and compassion they showed Ann. Amemorial service will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1329 Jackson Ave. in NewOrleans, on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers,please considermaking adonation in Ann'shonor to TrinityEpiscopal Church. To view and signthe online guest book,pleasevisit LakeLawnMetairie.com

Jean Aswad Hare, 90, passed away peacefully on February 17, 2026. Jean was aproud graduateof St.Mary's Dominican High School and Loyola University of NewOrleans. She furthered her education withadditional certification classes at Dominican College,reflecting her lifelong commitment to learning. Jean devotedher life to education as an elementary school teacher.She taught at St. AngelaMerici School, where she received a25year serviceaward.Her classroomwas always a welcoming place every student knew they could stop by fora peppermint fromthe basket she kept on herdesk. Adevoted parishionerofSt. Angela Merici Church for more than 50 years, Jean served formany years as aliturgical reader. She was also a

former member andpast presidentofSALA, theSt. Angela Ladies Auxiliary. Jean wasanactive memberofthe Jefferson Chorale, an affiliate of the JeffersonPerformingArts Society, whereshe cherished weeklyrehearsals andthe camaraderie of fellow members.Anavid reader throughouther life, shefound joyinbooks, music,chocolate, and most of all herfamily. She deeply lovedher children andgrandchildren.She is survived by herdaughters, LoriHareNoble (Charles Noble,Sr.), Beckie Hare Daniel(Jeffrey Daniel), and Nancy Hare Lavie (David Lavie); herson,William Hare II (RamseySchmitz Hare); and hergrandchildren,Amanda Noble, Kathryn Noble,Charles Noble,JackGab, Fletcher Lavie, Remy Lavie, and Olivia Lavie. She wasprecededindeathbyher husband of 34 years, Dr. William Hare;her parents, Kalil BasileAswad and Pepilia Schexnaydre Aswad; andher brothers, Alan Aswad (Marjorie), Kay B. Aswad (Carol), and Roland Aswad (Doris). Serviceswillbeheld at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New OrleansonSaturday, February 28, 2026 withvisitationfrom11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.,followed by a Funeral Mass at 1:00 p.m. Intermentwill follow at GreenwoodCemetery.Asa devotedteacherand proud alumna of St.Mary's Dominican High School, education remained dear to Jean's heart. In lieu of flowers, the familywelcomes donations in Jean's memory to St.Mary's Dominican High School.

Terrence DemitriusJack‐sonSr. enteredeternal rest on Sunday,February8 2026. He wasbornonAu‐gust 25, 1965, in NewOr‐leans, LA,tothe union of thelateHodgesand Inez AlverezJackson.Terrence wasa proudgraduateof Alfred B. LawlessHigh School,Class of 1984. He laterattended Delgado Community College. He wasa former employee of Costco WholesaleCorpora‐tion andU.S.Gypsum.De‐votedhusband of Tracey SmithJackson.Beloved fa‐ther of Toia TiaraJackson Smith(Justin), Tesha TierneiJackson,Terrence DemitriusJackson Jr., and MykiaSmith (niece). Adored grandfatherof Austin andAmirSmith BrotherofLechall,Bruce, andlateBarreyLee Jack‐son(Tania).Alsosurvived by ahostofnieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, otherrelatives,and friends. ACelebrationSer‐vice honoring thelifeof thelateTerrenceDemitrius Jackson, Sr.willbeheldon Thursday,February26, 2026, at Franklin Avenue BaptistChurch,8282 I-10 ServiceRoadSouth,New Orleans, LA 70126 at 10:00 am.Visitation9:00amin thechurch.LiveStream Celebration: www franklinabc.com. Please sign theonlineguestbook at www.charbonnetfuner alhome.com.Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors, (504) 581-4411.

LeBlanc, Joseph Samuel

Joseph Samuel LeBlanc, a native andresidentof New Orleans, LA,entered eternal rest on Friday,Feb‐ruary 13, 2026. ACelebra‐tionservice honoring his lifewillbeheldatGreater Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church,2771 Dan‐nellStreet,New Orleans, LA70113,onFriday, Febru‐ary 27, 2026 at 11 am, BishopE.Craig Wilson,Of‐ficiating. IntermentSouth‐eastLouisiana Veterans Cemetery, 34888 Grantham College Drive, Slidell, LA 70460. Visitation 10 am in the church.Pleasesignon‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504)581 4411.

RayJosephLeBlanc en‐tered into eternalreston February21, 2026. Beloved husband of NatalieMallini LeBlanc for69years.Fa‐therofRay LeBlanc(Brid‐get)and Steven LeBlanc (Julie).Grandfather of Dr Bronwyn LeBlanc, Corey LeBlanc (Wilaiwan),Shelby Crawford(Devin).Greatgrandfather of CyrusCraw‐ford. Sonofthe late Ed‐wardLeBlanc andAnnette VedrosLeBlanc.GreatgrandsonofJulia Boudreaux LeBlancand JosephLeBlanc andAmelia ThibodeauxVedrosand JosephVedros. Brotherof the late DorisReese.Age 91years,a native of New Orleans,and resident of Harvey, LA.Ray graduated fromGretnaHighSchoolin 1953 andworkedatthe De‐partmentofAgriculture NationalFinance Center at Michoud for37years until retirement. Rayand Natalie loved to travel andvisited mostofthe United States Theytook many cruisesto Hawaii, Alaska,South America,Europe, Egypt, and NorthAfrica. Raywas anusher at St.Marthafor manyyears.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theFuneral Service in theChapelof Mothe FuneralHome, 2100 WestbankExpy.,Harvey, LA onMonday, March2,2026 at11a.m IntermentHook & Ladder Cemetery, Gretna, LA.Visitationwill beheldfrom9 a.m. until masstime.

Lemoine, RobynMevers

RobynMeversLemoine March 25, 1972– February 19, 2026. RobynMevers Lemoine,borninMetairie onMarch 25, 1972,passed awaypeacefullysur‐rounded by herlovingfam‐ily on February 19, 2026, at the ageof53. Sheissur‐vived by herlovingpar‐ents, Jack G. Mevers and ReginaS.Mevers; herchil‐dren, Taylor Calcote (Matthew)and Nicholas Lemoine (Caeley); her brother,JackG.MeversJr. (Jenny);her sister,Alexa Mevers(Austin); andher beloved grandson,Luke Calcote,who broughther endless joy. Herfamilywas the center of herworld and shecherished every momentspent with them She wasprecededindeath byher grandparents AdolphB.Meversand Theresa M. Mevers,Elray DaceGisclardand BettyM Gisclard. Andher god‐mother, DarleneL.Saia. Robyn graduatedfromAn‐drewJackson High School in1990. Shebegan herjour‐ney with themedical prac‐ticeofDr. KennethCombs and Dr.Brobson Lutz as a part-timeemployeewhile

attendingcollege.In2004, she rejoined thestaff fulltime, andfor nearly 20 years,she proudlyserved asthe business manager for thepractice.Robyn built lastingrelationships with patients andstaff alike,treatingeveryone she encounteredwithkind‐ness, warmth,and genuine care. Robynloved allthings New Orleans. Shelooked forward to Jazz Fest each year, couldn’t wait to catch a shoe from Musesduring Mardi Gras andtreasured eveningsspent enjoying amazing dinnersthrough‐out thecity. Thefamily would like to extend heart‐feltgratitude to herwon‐derfulsurgeon Dr.Adarsh Vijay.Dr. JayneGurtler and her amazingnursesand staff at theRidgelake of‐fice as well as to Dr.Ken‐nethCombs andDr. Brob‐son Lutz fortheir contin‐ued support. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe visitation at Lake LawnMetairieFuneral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.,New Orleans, LA 70124 on Saturday,Febru‐ary 28,2026, from 9:00 a.m. to11:00 a.m.,followedby Massat11:00 a.m. Shewill beburiedprivately at St Bernard Memorial Gar‐dens. Robynwillbere‐memberedfor her strength, herloveoflife, and herdeep devotion to her family.She will be deeply missed andforever loved.

James Terrance LocascioSr. (Jimmy, Pops, PawPawBud), anative of New Orleans, Louisiana, was born on July 17, 1936. He passed awaypeacefully,surroundedbyfamily at LakeviewHospitalon Thursday, February19, 2026,atthe ageof89. Jimmy was amember of theILA 3000 and workedas aLongshoreman forover 30 years. He proudly served in the UnitedStates NavyReserve,carrying with him the discipline and loyalty that definedso much of his life.Hewas the beloved husband of the late Marilyn Oswald Locascio and adevoted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was Dad. He was Pops. Andyou alwaysknew whereyou stoodwith him. An avid fisherman, Jimmy was forever insearchofhis favoritecatch —the speckled trout— and swore by grass shrimp forbait. Thanksgiving was afamily tradition filled with shucking oysters fordressing though more thana few nevermadeittothe pot. There were countless memoriesonMercier Street —boiling crawfish, eating Pops' barbecued chicken, and gathering with extended family Camping tripstoMoney Hill remaintreasured memories. Later in life, Jimmy enjoyedtryinghis luck at the casinos. What a life. What great times. Jimmy is survived by his children: Joseph T. Locascio(Susan),Lorrie LocascioWorthy (Edmund), and JamesT LocascioJr. (David R. Gonzales);his grandchildren: Kaitlin L. Locascio (Dunc T. Fulton), J. Kyle Locascio, Amanda Worthy Briganti (Edward), and Ashley Worthy Brewer (Heather); and his greatgrandchildren: June Hazel Fulton-Locascio, Myra Monroe Fulton-Locascio, Julia Ann Briganti, BenjaminMichael Briganti and Hallie Grace Briganti. He is also survived by his sisters: Judy Voelker(Joe), Janice St. Philip(Chuck), and Joycelyn Storniolo along with ahost of nieces and nephews. He was precededindeath by hisfather, Joseph A.Locascio; stepmother,EugeniaB Locascio; mother, Evelyn Saunders Locascio; brother,JessieJ.Locascio (Celie); and sister, Jean Kaufmann. The family wishes to thankthe doctors, PAs, nurses, and staff at Lakeview Hospitalin Covington fortheircompassionate care.Afuneral forJamesT.LocascioSr. willbeheldatthe Bagnell and SonFuneral Home on February 26. Visitation beginsat10:00AMwithfuneral service to follow at 12:00PM.

McCarron,Katherine

'Minnie'

Katherine“Minnie”Mc‐Carron passedquietly from this life in theearly hours of February 9, 2026, at East JeffersonGeneral Hospital (LCMC) in Metairie.She wasninetyyears old, just shyofher ninety-first birthday,which would have dawned on Mardi Gras Dayasifthe city she lovedhad meanttocarry herhomewiththe sound of marching bandsand criesofjoy.BornFebruary 17, 1935, in NewOrleans, Minniewas thecherished daughter of August Paul Landry andKatherine Claas Landry,bothof whom preceded herin death. Sheissurvivedby herbrothers, CharlesA Landry,Sr. of Amite, and Thomas J. Landry of La‐combe. Shewas thede‐votedwifeofCharles “Mac”MurrayMcCarron, Sr whodiedin1995, and thelovingmotherofher son, Charles“Chuck” Mc‐Carron,Jr.,who passedin 1979, lossesshe bore with aquiet steadiness that marked herlife. Sheleaves behind herbeloved daugh‐ter, Katherine“Kat” Brown of Metairie;her special daughter-in-law, Carolyn Ostendorf; hergrandsons ChristopherCharles Brown of LosAngeles and Matthew Ostendorfof Cincinnati;her grand‐daughter-in-law, Ashley Charbonnet-Brown;and her“greatest”greatgranddaughter, Amabelle StoryCharbonnetBrown; andher constant petcom‐panion,SmokeyBrown Within them,there is no doubtthather spirit will linger.Minniewas raised in theLower Garden District on Soniat Street,where the shadefromthe city’s oaks andsound of itsstreet car formed herearliestmemo‐ries.She attended Eleanor McMain SecondarySchool andlater Loyola University NewOrleans,leaving her studiestobegin work as a MedicalResearchTechnol‐ogist at Tulane Medical Center.Whatbegan as op‐portunity became voca‐tion.For thirty-eight years shedevoted herselftosci‐entificinquiry,bringingto herworka disciplined mind anda sincerewonder forhow theworld is or‐deredand understood.In time,she turned hertal‐ents to asecondchapter workinginthe security in‐dustry at Security Supply, Inc. andlater at Security ProWarehouse in Metairie alongsideher daughter andbeloved son-in-law, MichaelR.Brown,who passedawayin2018. There wassatisfactionfor herin shared labor, in beinguse‐ful, in standing shoulder to shoulder with family.Min‐niepossessedanintegrity that wassteadyand un‐adorned. Shedelighted in intelligentconversation andthe exchange of ideas. Shegatheredher kinwith thesamedevotion, orga‐nizing theMcCarronfamily reunion in the1990s so that scatteredbranches mightagain know their roots. Herlovefor NewOr‐leanswas steadfastand particular,and no season stirredher more than Car‐nival, with itspageantry andpromise of renewal. A faithful parishionerofSt. Edward theConfessor Catholic Church,she served many yearsas presidentofthe Hilltop‐pers;and of theParish

Council; andalsogaveher time to theCatholicDaugh‐ters of theAmericasand theTulaneUniversity Women’sAssociation. In 2004, shereceivedthe St LouisAward in recognition of herdevoted serviceto herparishcommunity.A visitation will be held on Friday,February27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.,followedbya MassofChristian Burial at 12:00 p.m. at St.Edward TheConfessor Catholic Church at 4921 W. Metairie, Ave. Metairie,LA70001. A receptionwillfollowat1:00 p.m. at theGardenofMem‐oriesFuneralHomeHospi‐tality Room at 4900 Airline Dr.Metairie, LA 70001. In thehushthatfollows her passing, thereremains the measureofalifelived with disciplineand tenderness, with curiosityand faith. Like thecityshe loved, Minnieendured,cele‐brated,and gathered her people close. Andlike MardiGrasmorning,she leaves behind both ache andbrightness. To order flowersoroffercondo‐lences,pleasevisit www gardenofmemoriesmetairi e.com.

Lynn MarieMitchell foughta good fight, fin‐ished herraceand kept the faith.Lynntransitioned peacefullyonFebruary12, 2026, at thehomeofher sisterand brother-in-law She wasbornonFebruary 7,1950, to thelateRuffin MitchellSr. andRosemary Johnson Mitchell. Awoman ofdeep joyand vibrant spirit, Lynn lovedher fam‐ily fiercely andshowedup for them in ways both big and small. Whetheritwas a holidaygathering,a birthdaycallorsimplysit‐tingand talkingfor hours, she made thepeopleshe loved feel seen andcher‐ished.A proudNew Orlean‐ian at heart, shelived for Mardi Gras season and counted down thedays eachyeartoJazzFest. The Krewe of Museshelda spe‐cialplace in herheart,and she looked forwardtore‐ceiving herMuses shoe every year,a traditionthat brought herimmensehap‐piness. Sheleavestocher‐ish hermemory, herson, Louis Riley, III; hersiblings, RuffinMitchell, Jr., Frances (Sylvester) Johnsonand TalmadgeMitchell (Martha); andher bonus sister, EvaWashingtonAn‐derson. Shealsoleavesa hostofbeloved nieces nephews andextended familymembers who adoredher andwillforever carry herspiritwiththem. Through life’s joys and challenges, Lynn remained faithful, loving andstrong. Asthe Scripturereminds us, “Henceforththere is laidupfor herthe crownof righteousness, which the Lord, therighteous Judge, willaward to heronthat day”(2Timothy 4:8).Her lifewas aremindertocele‐brate fully, love deeply and never miss aparade. She willbeprofoundly missed and foreverremembered. Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the CelebrationofLifeat FranklinAvenue Baptist Church,8282 I-10 Service Road(South),New Orleans, Louisiana70126 on Friday

February 27, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.Visitationwillbegin promptlyat9:00a.m.until service time.Interment: RestlawnParkCemetery and Mausoleum, 3540 US90, Avondale,Louisiana 70094. Arrangements by D.W.RhodesFuneral Home 3933 Washington Avenue Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoshare con‐dolencesand sign the guestbook her. Hermemorywilllive oninthe hearts of allwho knewand lovedher.Family and friendsare invitedto attend hercelebration of LifeService on Friday,Feb‐ruary 27, 2026 for11AMat GardenofmemoriesFu‐neral Home,4900 Airline Dr.,Metairie, LA 70001. Visi‐tationbeginsat10AM. In‐terment will follow at Gar‐den of Memories Ceme‐tery. Pastor Dennis Watson ofCelebration Church,offi‐ciating

Oye, MariaDelrobe

MariaDelrobe Oye passedawaypeacefully on February22, 2026, at the age of 61, in RiverRidge Louisiana,the same com‐munity where shewas bornand raised.Maria was the belovedcompanion of Sammy Zito anda devoted mothertoRobertScheffof Santa Monica,California. She wasa cherishedsister toGenevieve OyeofSan Andresand JohnnyOye of Tampa,Florida.She is also rememberedwithloveby her sister-in-law, Patricia Schexnayder (Donald),and brother-in-law, C. Mack Zito. Mariahelda special place in theheartsofher stepchildren, CassidyJuno, Carey Daniel,and Caitlyn Dupre.She waspreceded indeath by herparents, Amporaand HenryOye Maria will be deeply missedbyher dear friends, ToniSchexnayder and Maria Garcia,aswellas manyextendedfamily members andloved ones whose livesshe touched withher kindness, warmth and friendship.Maria’s life was definedbyher love for family, herloyal friend‐ships,and thecareshe showed to thosearound

David PeterPericone, Sr., age 57, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, passed away on Friday, February 20, 2026. He wasbornonJune29, 1968, in NewOrleans, Louisiana. He is survived by his parents, PeterM."Pete" Pericone and Darlene AienaPericone; sister,Lisa Pericone Irby (Jeff); children,David "D.J." Pericone, Jr AshleyPericone Swartzendruber(Aaron), Joseph Pericone (Chevie Willyard), and John Pericone;and manyextended familymembers andfriends David was a1986 graduate of ChalmetteHigh School andattended DelgadoCommunity College. He was amusic producer andradio talk showhostasa young man, hisfavorite showbeing "Banjo Talk". Later in life, he workedfor manyyears as atelephone technician with AT&T. He was also a devoted Christian andfollowerofChrist. However, hisgreatest roleswerebe-

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In tariff case, JusticeBarrett remindsus

that ‘context’ matters

As amatter of policy,the Supreme Court’s decision in the tariff case known as Learning Resources., Inc. v. Trump is good for Louisiana

As amatter of law,Louisiana’sown Justice Amy Coney Barrett notably continued to chart acourse independentfromthe president who appointed her, admirably seeking to apply what shecalls theConstitution’s“text in context” to protect the proper separation of powers.

We only wish Louisiana’s most prominent elected officials would use the occasiontotry dissuading President Donald Trump fromhis economicallyand constitutionally misguidedobsession with tariffs. So far they either have been notablysilent or,inthe case of Gov.JeffLandry, have ignored home-state interests by denouncing thehighcourt.

Those home-state interests are considerable

As we noted last March, in recent years Louisiana has boasted four of the nation’sten busiest ports (measured by tonnage). Both by discouraging imports and by catalyzing retaliatory action by other nations against the U.S., major tariffs by their very nature tend to depress port activityand allthe spinoff economic benefits. Indeed,once Trump’stariffs took full effect last year, statistics showedport activity nationwide camecrashing down Louisiana’scoffee industry—importing, packaging and serving —was oneofthose that proved particularly vulnerabletosetbacks from tariffs.Moreover, despiteTrump’s ceaseless claims to the contrary,the vast majority ofeconomists agreethat high tariffs causemorepain than benefit for the nationaleconomyasa whole. Louisiana’s U.S. senators and representatives, led by Speaker Mike Johnsonand Majority Leader Steve Scalise, should be touting Louisiana’sand the nation’sinterests in keepingimport taxes low

Those, of course, are policy considerations As fundamental law,wefind persuasive theargument that Congress has not come closetoso broadlydelegating to thepresident thelegislature’s constitutionallyassigned powerto“originate allbills for raising revenue” and “tolay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises.”

Here’swhere Barrett comes in. While six justices—three usually called liberal,three called conservative —reached that same basic conclusion,theydid so through markedly differing sets of reasoning.Barrett, as is her wont, found herself writing her ownconcurring opinion representingessentially amidpoint between thetwo subfactions. Legal experts can debate who is right, or whether the midpoint in this case best captures the constitutional and statutory intent. Eitherway it is encouraging to see Barrett yet again forging athoughtful, carefulpath rather than walkingin lockstep with anyparticular team (or evenappearance thereof) within thecourt’schambers. No matter what the policy considerations,public trust in the Supreme Court is bolsteredwhenjustices are seen as thoughtfully applyingthe law rather thanplaying politics.

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

OPINION

Denial of parole for Shreveport momcruel

The denial of parole for Tiffany Woods is not only amiscarriage of justice but acruel and heartless decision that disregards the extraordinarycircumstances surrounding her case. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, one of themost devastating natural disasters in U.S. history,created unimaginable chaos and suffering for countlessfamilies, including Woods’. To dismissthe impact of this catastrophe, as Leone Fitzgerald, director of victim assistance for theDA’soffice in Caddo Parish, did by stating they are “getting alittle tired of hearing about”Hurricane Katrina, is ignorant or mean-spirited or both. Woods’ story is one of survival under extreme duress. She made adesperate decision in theface of limited resources and overwhelming stress, adecision that tragically ended in the loss of herinfant son.Yet, instead of compassion,she has been met with apunitive system that fails to recognizethe broader context of her actions.

The parole board’sdecisiontodeny her release, despite her exemplary rehabilitation, low risk assessment and strongsupportsystem, is astark reminder of the systemic cruelty embedded in our justicesystem. Woods has served years in prison, reformed her life and demonstrated her readinesstorejoin society.To force her to waitanother five years to reapply for parole, or 10 yearsfor her release, is not justice. It’sheaping crueltyupon cruelty

The commentsfrom the DA’s office, particularly thedismissive remark about Hurricane Katrina, reflect aprofoundlack of empathy and understanding. Katrina was not merely an “excuse”; it was alife-altering event that uprooted families, destroyed communities and left survivors in astate of chaos anddesperation. To trivializeits impact is to ignore the lived experiences of those who endured it.

JESSICA COGAN NewOrleans

Statemadestrides in health care,education this year

As we end the Year of the Snake and begin theYear of the Horse, as a Vietnamese-American, it is customary for me to reflect on the experiences of the past year and thank those whowere central to those experiences.Two areas where positive change occurred that are crucial to thelives of our children arehealth care and education.

Each year around30,000 Louisianians are diagnosed with cancer One-third will die of the disease, and another one-third will seek treatment from MD Anderson in Houston,the nearestNational Cancer Institute-designated cancer center However,inthe pastyear,Louisiana made great strides in healthcare by aggressively pushing for NCI designation. Spearheading NCI designation the pastyear was Dr.SteveNelson, the chancellor of LSU HealthSciences Center New Orleans. He brought partners together andnegotiated with local institutions, universities, healthcare systems and federal leadersinapushfor NCI designa-

tion Thus, Iwould like to thank Gov. Jeff Landry and state leaders for their willingness and leadership in pushing for NCI designation forLouisiana, and Icertainly thank Nelson, under whose leadershipand vision NCI might finally become areality forthe people of Louisiana. There is much to celebrate in education as well as Louisiana has made great strides to improve the quality of education and elevate student performance the past year.Working in conjunction with theBoard of Elementary and Secondary Education and the governor’sadministration, theLouisiana Department of Education under Superintendent Cade Brumley has dramatically improved K-12 education. Louisiana jumped from 49th to 32nd place on The Nation’s Report Card. When we focus consistently on success, the commitmentofthe leaders and thepeople of Louisianawill elevate our state to a higher level.

JOSEPH CAO BESE member District1

Earlyeducation is best investmenta statecan make

As aLouisiana business owner and former state speaker of the House, I understandLouisiana’seconomicchallengesfrom both aprivate-sector and legislative perspective.Louisiana’slongterm economic success depends on a strongworkforce, competitive businesses andcommunities wherefamiliescan thrive.One of themost effective ways to achieve allthree is through strategic investmentinearlychildhood education. Businesses across Louisiana consistentlyname workforce availabilityasa top challenge. Parents cannot workwithoutaffordable, reliable child care. When familiesare forced outofthe workforce, employers lose talent, productivity declinesand economicgrowth slows. High-qualityearlychildhood programs keep parents working andhelpstabilize local economies. Earlychildhood education is also one of thestrongest return-on-investment opportunities available to policymakers. “An ounce of prevention is worth apound of cure,” as the saying goes. Research showsthat every dollar invested in high-quality early learning can return multiple dollars in future savings through higher graduation rates, increased earnings, reduced reliance on public assistance and lower involvement with the criminal justice system.Inother words, early childhood investments reduce future government costs.

Just as important, early learning strengthens the futureworkforce itself. Children arrivingatkindergarten ready to succeed are morelikely to read on grade level, graduate highschool and enter careers that support Louisiana’s growing industries. This is workforce development at its earliest and most cost-effective stage. The path forward is clear.Louisiana should prioritize fiscally responsible, targeted investments that expand access to high-quality early childhood programs, leverage public-private partnerships and focus on accountability and measurable outcomes. By aligning early childhood funding with workforce and economic development strategies, the state can ensure taxpayer dollars produce long-term value. If Louisiana is seriousabout economic prosperity,wemustbeseriousabout investing in thevery foundation of our workforce, our children.

JIM TUCKER president and CEO CommCare Management Corporation

Focuson unitingstate, notmisguided waronDEI

The U.S. Department of Education, the same department that President Donald Trump wants to demolish, has launched an investigation into the Louisiana Board of Regents’ master plans and executive budget goals that focus on increasingthe number of “underrepresented minorities” earning certificates and diplomas at public colleges and universities across the state.

The goals in question are worthy in my book. But the federal education officials think focusing on “allraces other than white,Asian, non-residents and unknown/not reported” is too narrow an emphasis and therefore discriminatory.The way they read Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, that is aviolation of federal law

Gov.Jeff Landry wantsthe feds to expand the investigation to look beyond the Regents, digging into individual higher education institutions to find discrimination and get rid of it.

“Let me be clear: Louisiana is done with woke DEI policies. Discrimination against ANYstudent will not be tolerated,” the governor said in astatement issued Monday “This issue began under the previous administration, and we are fixing it. That is why,I’ve formally requested that the investigation be expanded to EVERYpublic higher education institution in Louisiana.”

First of all, so-called DEIpolicies didn’tbegin with the Joe Biden presidency or the John Bel Edwards gubernatorial administration. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette started enrolling Black students in 1954, before Iwas born and the year of the Brown v. Board of Education schooldesegregation ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court Other Louisiana higher ed institutions admitted Black students after the 1964Civil Rights Actbecame law.Nearly all public and private colleges and universities went beyond admitting Black studentsto admitting other underrepresented student groups, implementing specificpolicies to better ensure greaterdiversity —and therefore

LSUstudents navigate campusbetween classes Feb.12near the student union.

amore well-rounded education experience. This is notnew.Neither is the fight to stop it.

We’ve called it tolerance, multiculturalism, pluralism and more, most recently including diversity, equityand inclusion.

Unlike so many Iknow and love, I’m not stuck on DEI. I’ve seen theseeffortscalleda number of things and I’ve witnessed improvements, and failures, across the decades.

DEIwas agood group of letters until it became too successful. Callitwhat you will in 2026 and beyond, but we’re witnessing the dismantling of efforts that have made younger generations more accepting and more welcoming to people not like them.

Under growing pressure, Louisiana State University,our state’s largest publicuniversity,and Tulane University,our state’smost eliteprivate university,changed their nomenclaturetomake their goals more appealing as Trump,

Landry and others work to make higher ed institutions less open to others, and therefore more White. LSU’sDivision of Inclusion, Civil Rightsand TitleIXwas rebranded as the Division of Engagement, Civil Rightsand TitleIX. Tulane’sOffice of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is now theOffice of Academic Excellence and Opportunity.

Pressuring Louisiana higher education leaders to slow or stop providing morediverse sets of educational experiences is not agood move.

Iwant to see more Black, Hispanic, Asian, women and disabled studentsdothe same. Oneofthe best ways to make sure that happens is to measure it Toss away the measuring tape and we’re guessing that what brings us closer will happen without making sure everything fits.

Replacing DEI withWhitewokenessisn’t theway to go.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Should Trumpshake up Cabinet?

Rubio is more than just the good cop

Nearly amonth into his second year in office, President Trump’s Cabinet has been remarkably stable. No Cabinet memberhas quit, been fired, pushed out or otherwise left the building. The questionis whether that is agood thing. A president does not want to let his political enemies hound his top Cabinet officials out of office. On the other hand, by the end of an administration’sfirst year, it’susually clear that one, or twoormore of the president’s Cabinet just aren’t working out. That is the issue confronting Trump today. Compare the situation to Trump’s first term. There was alot of movement, for avariety of reasons. Firsttoleavewas White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, who resigned on July 28,2017, six months into the administration. Then Homeland Security Secretary John Kellyresigned on July 31 to become the new White House chief of staff. Then, on Sept. 29, 2017, Health and Human Services Secretary TomPrice quit under pressure over spending publicmoney on private travel.

On March 13,2018, oneyear and nearly two months into the administration, Trump fired Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. On March 28, 2018, Trump fired VeteransAffairs Secretary David Shulkin over Shulkin’suse of public funds for a European trip. On April 26, 2018, CIA Director Mike Pompeo left to

become the new Secretary of State.

On July5,2018, Environmental ProtectionAgency administrator Scott Pruitt resigned while under several investigations. And on Nov 7, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions was pushed out over Trump’s anger about theappointment of a special counsel in the Russia collusion matter.

None of this was terribly unusual. Trump’sfirst-year turnover was very similar to the first-year changes in the Cabinets of RonaldReagan, George H.W.Bush, Bill Clintonand Barack Obama. (GeorgeW.Bush hadlittle change in his first term.) Trump hadmore second-year changesthan those predecessors, but still, all administrations have had significant Cabinet-level changes in nearly every year

So what about Trump now? After ayear with less turnoverthan any president in at least two generations, there’sablunt and obvious question: Are there any Cabinet members who need to go?

Don’tlook forany definitive answers here. Somewould say DHSSecretary Kristi Noem. Some would say AttorneyGeneral Pam Bondi. Others point to Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and others. Some of Trump’s supporters want to see no changes at all. Of those who would like to see the president move things around, Noem is probablythe name most mentioned. That’sespecially true after aWall

Street Journal article alleging all sorts of unhappiness withher work inside DHS, including rumors concerning her topaide, Corey Lewandowski.

Returning to Washingtonon Monday,Trump was asked about the Noem situation. This is from aWhite House pool report: “The president declined to weigh in on allegations about the nature of Secretary KristiNoem and her aide Corey Lewandowski’srelationship, or whether [Trump] wantsNoem to remain in herposition for long. He said he didn’tknow about the allegations but would ‘find out about it.’”

That’s not exactly afull-throated vote of confidence. Still, the problem for Trump in dealing with Noem is the same problem he would face withremoving any other Cabinet official. Doing so would undoubtedly give Democrats aburst of energy and make them resolve to keep up and intensify their attacks on the president and hisCabinet.Trump’sadversaries would have ascalp, and thatwould make themwant another one, and another,and so on. It’s just human nature, and it is also an iron rule of politics. But Cabinet turnoverisalso a rule in politics. And everyone in Trump’sCabinet has already outlived anumber of predecessors who servedinTrump’sfirst administration. Change is coming Email ByronYork at byork@ washingtonexaminer.com.

My first reaction to Secretary of State MarcoRubio’s speech, delivered on Valentine’s Day,atthe Munich Security Conference, was, “Last year,President Donald Trump sent thebad cop,VicePresident JD Vance. This year,hesentthe good cop,Rubio. Progress.”InFebruary 2025, the audience at Munichtook Vance’s comments as insults. In February 2026, theaudience, as evidenced by itsstanding ovation,took Rubio’sascompliments Yet, as even journalists writing on deadline quickly discerned,Rubio’s words werenoless critical than Vance’sofwhat have been European elites’ cherished policies.

Michael Barone

“Mass migration,” Rubiosaid, is “a crisiswhichistransforming anddestabilizing societies allacross theWest.” He decried a“climate cult”and “energypolicies” that “impoverished ourpeople.” He condemned policiesthat “outsourced oursovereigntyto international institutions” and“invested in massive welfare states.” Redmeat substance, suitablefor deliveryatany of the three Trump Republican National Conventions —more than have nominated anyone person,the president might remind you, except forPresident RichardNixon. But leavened, as theabove quotationssuggest, with frequent employmentofthe first-person pronouns andadjectives— “we” (69 times in thetext, by my count), “us” (11), “our” (65).

“Whatcomforted worried attendees,” wrote Michael Froman,head of theCouncilonForeign Relationsand Obama trade negotiator,“was the undertoneofthe secretary’s remarks.”

Butitwasn’tjustthe undertone that hadmanyRepublicansand others start thinking of Rubio as apossible futurepresidentialcandidate, despite his recentavowals of support forVance forthe Republican nominationin2028. Andasanational leader withanintellectually serious grasp of history.Rubio began by summoning memories of the first Munich conference, in 1963, whenthe Iron Curtain ran through adividedGermanyand theBerlin Wall wasjusttwo years old.

Halfwaythrough thespeech,hewentfurtherback,to thepostwar years when “our predecessors,”faced with a“Europeinruins”and expanding Communism, “recognized that decline wasachoice, anditwas achoicethey refused to make.” An interesting way to frame thedecisionsthatproduced theTruman Doctrine andthe NATO treaty Againstthat, he describedthe post-Cold Wareuphoria that“therules-based global order” would replace nationalinterest.“Afoolishidea,” he said unemolliently, that “has cost us dearly.”ATrumpian take, followedby an implicit denunciation of opening up traderelations withChina Rather than dwell on that critique,however,hesegued back to “centuries of shared history,Christianfaith,culture, heritage, language, ancestry,” allparts of “the common civilization to which we have fallenheir.”

This might have rankled, and perhapswas intendedto rankle,the European Unionleaders who,out of secular conviction or forfear of angering Muslim immigrants, successfully blocked mentionofEurope’s “Christian roots” in theEUcharter

As he neared his peroration,Rubio celebrated ChristopherColumbus and theEnglish, Scots-Irish, French,German, Spanishand Dutch roots of AmericansfromDavy Crockettto“the cowboy archetype born in Spain.” Rep.AlexandriaOcasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), in Munichfor herfirst security conference, ridiculed that last claim, apparentlyunaware that theAmericas hadnohorsesuntil Hernan Cortes brought sometoMexicoin1519.

More importantly, Rubio’semphasisonAmerica’sEuropean heritageisarebuke of theFranz Fanon-inspired theory, fostered on campuses fordecades andsweeping the streets in post-Oct. 7, 2023, “anti-Zionist” demonstrations,thatcolonialismwas thegreatestevil in history, andthat Europeans and Americansshould do penance fortheir complicity.

Europeans are or should be aware, from the totalitarian tides of the 20th century,that there are worse evils than colonialism —and that to exclude difficult-to-assimilate immigrants is to commit anotherHolocaust.

But rather than belabor that last point, Rubio instead made the point earlier that “it washere, in Europe, where the ideas that planted the seeds of liberty that changed the world were born.” Including “the rule of law,the universities and the scientific revolution,” plus Mozart and Beethoven, Dante and Shakespeare, Michelangelo and Leonardo, the Beatles andthe Rolling Stones.

Europe should be “proud,” aword he repeated half a dozen times, “of its heritage and its history.” Proud of a“spirit of creation and liberty that sent ships out into uncharted seas and birthed our civilization,” “with a Europe that has the means to defend itself and the will to survive.”

Among American and European elites, open expression of pride is something, well, just not done. They prefer to denounce the “systemic racism” of their fellow citizens or the “oppressive colonialism” of their forebears, to disparage the motives of “settlers” and idealize the virtues of the “indigenous.”

Butpride in one’snation andone’s civilization,properly understood,isnot awarrantfor self-satisfaction but a summons to duty,areminder that forustowhommuch hasbeen given, much is asked.InMunich, Rubio was notjustTrump’sgood cop but amature American leader towering above thecrowd.

MichaelBaroneisonX,@MichaelBarone.

lowerAtchafalaya River due to southwesterly winds of 20 to 25 mph with gusts to 30 mph. Otherwise, expect a mostlysunny,warmer,more humid and breezy day. Temperatures this afternoon will rise into the mid-70s. Winds todaywill be stronger

ing aproud dadtohis four children, loving son and brothertohis parents and sister, and caring friendto everyone he knew. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to acharity of your choice. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the memorial service on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 12:00 PM at North Cross Methodist Church, 311 Highway 21, Madisonville, Louisiana, with visitation beginning at 11:00 AM.

E. J. Fielding Funeral Home of Covington, Louisiana, is honored to be entrusted with Mr. Pericone's funeral arrangements. His family invites you to share thoughts, memories,and condolences by signing an online guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Pisciotta,Anthony 'Tony'

Anthony“Tony”Pis‐ciotta,age 77, of NewOr‐leans,Louisiana,passed awaypeacefullyonFebru‐ary 11, 2026, surrounded by the love of hisfamily. Born onNovember25, 1948, An‐thony liveda full andvi‐brant life centered on faith, family, friendship,and hardwork. He is preceded indeath by hisbeloved wifeof53years,MaryAnn Salvant Pisciotta;his par‐ents, thelateFrank and Rosie Pisciotta;and hissis‐ter-in-law, AnnSalvant Reason(late Douglas).He issurvivedbyhis devoted son,Timothy Pisciotta (Stormie);his cherished granddaughter,PaislyPis‐ciotta;his sister,AnniePis‐ciotta Chiasson;his brother-in-law, Lionel Sal‐vantJr. (Georga);and his godmother,Laura “Goo Goo” Ianetta. Anthonyis alsosurvivedbyhis beloved nieces and nephews:Cynthia Chias‐son,ChristenChiasson, Kasie SalvantBarraco (late Joseph),ChadLacy, Tony McKinney, andMichael McKinney, alongwith many great-nieces and

DEATHS continued from nephews, cousins, ex‐tendedfamilymembers, and dear friends. Anthony was theproud co-ownerof A &M Security andElec‐tric, alongsidehis beloved wife, Mary Ann. He also dedicated more than 26 years of servicetothe Or‐leans LeveeDistrict, where heservedasFacilityMain‐tenance Manager. Anthony had alovefor antiqueau‐tomobilesand found great joy in travelingand attend‐ing greatcar showsacross the country. He wasanac‐tivememberofseveral car clubs,including Horseless CarriageNew Orleans, Early V8 Slidell, andSt. Bernard CarClub. Whether cruisingaround theworld withfamilyand friendsor gathering with fellow en‐thusiasts,hetreasured every mile andevery mem‐ory.Anthony wasalsoa proud member of the11th WardMen’s Club,and never passedupa good cardgame-especially a livelyround of Vegaswith those he lovedmost. He willbefondlyremembered for his“uselessknowl‐edge” on almost anysub‐ject, hisunforgettable tick‐les andrib-counting games,and thewarmthhe brought into everyroom Heenjoyed baking Italian cookies, decorating,and lovinglyh Altar at years.T brought ness, bu content neous itmea withthe Anthony mentt strongw manyf through legacyl countle created hesha The fa heartfe medical EastJef providing carewit sion, an ity.Relat the fami tendthe den of Home& Airline 70001 on ary 26,2 10:00 am ningat1 burial. missed Toorder condolen

www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com

John W. "T-John"Seely passed away at hisKenner home on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the ageof90. He was born on January31, 1936, in Thibodaux, Louisiana and was raised on Milan Street in Uptown NewOrleans. He attended Alcée Fortier HighSchool. After high school, he proudly served his country as amember of theUnited States Army from 1956 -1958. He was employed at American Can Companyand Western El tricbef starti hi

Cynthia Vollmers Seely. The family wouldliketo extend their gratitudeto theentirestaff of Care Associates Hospice,particularly Georgette and Angel,his caretakers; Stephanie Ponder; Donna Foto; and all of the family and friends who assisted in his care. Relatives and friends are invitedtoattend the funeral services at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd in NewOrleans, on Friday, February 27, 2026. Visitation willbegin at 10 AM with aMass following in thechapel at 12 PM. John willbelaid to rest in Lake Lawn Park immediatelyafter theMass has concluded To view and sign the family guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com

Hennessy Brown, Jasmin Waiters,James Waiters, IV, Tejah Waiters, Spencer Waiters andeighteen great-grandchildren.Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to attend thefuneral A Mass of Christianburial honoringthe life and legacyofthe late Kang Yop Pak Waiterswillbeheldat Our Lady of Guadalupe Church andInternational ShrineofSt. Jude,411 N. Rampart Street,New Or‐leans,LAonFriday, Febru‐ary 27, 2026 at 9:30 am.En‐tombmentSt. LouisCeme‐tery#3, 3421 Esplanade Ave., NewOrleans,LA. Pleasesignonlineguest‐book at www.charbonnetf uneralhome.com. Charbon‐net LabatGlapion,Direc‐tors(504) 581-4411.

Wilson. Evelyn leave to life her memory andlegacy along with two Daughters, Tamaika Wilson(Roy Wilson) &Loreal Wilson, twoSon's, Byron and Brian Wilson, fiveGrandchildren; Darius, Taylor,Liam, Lathan Wilson &Erin McKenzie,one Great Grandchild; Christian Wilson, twoSisters; Frederica Villere,Beryl McCormick,three Brothers; Charles, Robert, JefferyWilson. Evelyn is preceded in death by her parents Griffin T. WilsonSr. &Evelyn J.S Wilson, one Sister; Ida MaeBasserone, four Brothers; Griffin WilsonJr., Micheal Wilson, Earl &Wayne Meyers. Funeral Service:Friday, February 27, 2026, at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church,2241 SouthLiberty St.N.O.L.A with aviewing from 10AM followed by service at 11AM

and sister-in-law,

Christopher Carter,Jade Hall,India Kilgore(John),

SPORTS

Lead back out

Jets’ decision on RB Hall, other developments shape Saints’ course

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS NFL executives typically like to speak in code. They’re extremely careful — some would say paranoid — not tip their hand on upcoming decisions They will say they’re constantly evaluating all options or are open to listening. They will try to say just enough without saying anything at all Sometimes, there are exceptions.

“We’ll find a way to keep Breece (Hall) here if we can’t get a deal done,” New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey said Tuesday

With that, the top running back for this year’s free agent class won’t be a free agent at all, it seems.

Mougey confirmed the Jets will use either the franchise tag or the transition tag on Hall if a long-term deal isn’t ham-

mered out before the league’s March 3 tag deadline. But the Jets’ decision to keep Hall creates ripple effects for running back-needy teams — including the Saints.

Mougey’s remarks weren’t the only comments that could affect the Saints’ free agency Across the combine Tuesday, as numerous general managers and

Bummed LSU fans debate fate of McMahon

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

One sound has become more common at LSU basketball home games since January

There have been some boos at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center as the season continues to spiral In some cases, the team has been trounced from the first minute and booed within 10 minutes of the game. This occurred Jan. 6 against South Carolina, the lowest-rated team analytically in the SEC. Before losing by 10 points, the Tigers trailed 24-5 with 14:18 left in the first half. In its 14-point loss to Mississippi State the second-worst SEC team analytically — fans booed LSU going into the locker room trailing 44-21 at halftime LSU (14-13, 2-12 SEC) sits last in the Southeastern Conference before its next game against Ole Miss (11-16, 3-11) at 8 p.m. Wednesday at The Pavilion in Oxford, Mississippi.

The Advocate spoke to four LSU basketball fans before LSU’s 90-83 loss to No. 17 Alabama on Saturday about this season and coach Matt McMahon. Three of the four fans said they’re unsatisfied with the season because of the consistent losing.

coaches spoke, there were a number of hints and clues that could be useful when free agency begins March 9.

RB ripples

Though Hall won’t be available, Kenneth Walker might be.

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider declined to say whether the team would use the franchise tag on the reigning Super Bowl MVP If Walker does become a free agent, he’d be in line to be the top name available. Like Hall, Walker is young (25) and coming off a strong season in which he rushed for more than 1,000 yards.

The Saints are thought to need another back after a lackluster campaign that saw them finish 28th in rushing. New Orleans’ problems in the run game

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

Brent Lockhart, 57, has attended games since he was a teenager and said he’s “disappointed” with the product on the floor He also said he’s perplexed by how the Tigers lose so often. “I know we got a lot of talent,” Lockhart said. “I think McMahon’s a good coach. Not really sure what’s going on. I know we lost our best player, best two players, in our point guard (Dedan Thomas) and Jalen Reed. But it’s just you go on the road, and you lose by three. You come home, you lose by 30.

“I’m not sure what’s going on. Just real disappointed, because I’m a huge basketball fan.”

Zion leads Pels to win as Murray comes back

BY LES EAST Contributing writer

Dejounte Murray made his longawaited return from injury and Zion

Williamson made sure it was a successful one. Williamson scored 26 points in Murray’s first game in more than a year to lead the New Orleans Pelicans to a 113109 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night in the Smoothie King Center

Saddiq Bey added 18 points, Jordan Poole scored 12 and Karlo Matkovic had 10 for the Pelicans (17-42), who begin a six-game road trip Thursday with the opener of a two-game set in Utah over three days.

Murray, who suffered a ruptured right Achilles tendon on Jan. 31, 2025, finished with 13 points, three assists, two rebounds, one steal and four turnovers in 24 minutes.

De’Anthony Melton scored 28, Moses Moody had 24, Brandin Podziemski had 16 points and 16 rebounds, and Gui Santos had 15 points and 11 rebound for the Warriors (30-28).

Golden State played without its top three scorers Steph Curry (knee), Jimmy Butler (who suffered a seasonending knee injury last month) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness).

The Warriors started the third quarter with a 20-11 run that ended with Moody’s two free throws to give them their first lead of the game at 59-57 midway through the period. Williamson scored on a drive to tie the score. Golden State scored the next four

BY GUERRY SMITH Contributing writer

PHOTO By DAVID

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson hits a 3-pointer against the Golden State Warriors during the first half on Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center Williamson scored 26 points in the Pelicans’ 113-109 victory. ä See PELICANS, page 3C

A little more than four months after its expected completion date, the Tulane indoor practice facility opened Tuesday to positive reviews. The bubble, which has a 60foot high inflatable roof, is located in the Claiborne parking lot just outside Turchin Stadium and near Yulman Stadium. It will be available for all 17 of the school’s Division I sports but is set up as a 65-yard football field plus a full end zone. When needing to work out indoors for the past 12 years, the Green Wave has made the crosstown trek to the Saints’ practice facility or gone to the Superdome, with neither venue guaranteed on short notice. “It’s beautiful just to kind of look around,” linebacker Makai Williams said of the

“It’s beautiful just to kind of look around. The turf is really nice. It’s the same turf that we use on our game field. We can do anything in here. I’m super excited.”

MAKAI

WILLIAMS,Tulane linebacker

opened at the school’s University Square campus near the Mississippi River the facility is the culmination of many years of planning that included a site change after the arrival of athletic director David Harris. A space near

On TV MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

5p.m. Wake Forest at Boston CollegeACCN

6p.m. Maryland at Nebraska BTN

6p.m. Omaha at S. Dakota CBSSN

6p.m.Florida at Texas ESPN2

6p.m. Illinois St. at N. Iowa ESPNU

6p.m. Butler at Villanova FS1

6p.m. St. John’satUConn NBCSN

6p.m. Georgia at Vanderbilt SECN

6:30 p.m. Xavier at Providence TRUTV

7p.m. Pittsburgh at Stanford ACCN

8p.m. Ohio St. at Iowa BTN

8p.m.UNLVatGrand Canyon CBSSN

8p.m. Texas A&M at ArkansasESPN2

8p.m. Mississippi St. at Alabama ESPNU

BROADCASTHIGHLIGHTS

8p.m. Kansas St.atColorado FS1

8p.m. DePaul at Creighton PEACOCK

8p.m. LSU at Ole Miss SECN

9p.m. SMU at California ACCN

10 p.m. WisconsinatOregon BTN

10 p.m.Santa Clara at Saint Mary’sCBSSN

10 p.m.Washington St.atLoyolaESPNU

10 p.m.Utah St. at San DiegoSt. FS1

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

7p.m. Michigan at Ohio St. PEACOCK COLLEGE SOFTBALL

5p.m. Mississippi St. at GeorgiaTech ACCN GOLF

7:30 p.m. LPGA: SentosaGolfClubGOLF MLB

noon Detroitvs. PhiladelphiaMLBN

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

6:40 p.m.Oklahoma City at Detroit ESPN

9:05 p.m.Boston at DenverESPN NHL

6:30 p.m.Toronto at Tampa BayTNT

9p.m.Vegas at Los Angeles TNT MEN’S SOCCER

10:50 a.m.Antigua vs. British Virgin Islands FS2

12:45 p.m.AlNassr at Al-NajmaFS2

2p.m.GalatasarayatJuventus FC CBSSN

2:50 p.m.Puerto Rico vs.Bonaire FS2

5:55 p.m.O&M FC at FC CincinnatiFS2

8:25 p.m.Cartaginés at Vancouver FS2

10:25 p.m.San Miguelito at Los AngelesFS2 WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

7p.m.SaltLakeatAustin USA

Tigerisonthe clock

Woodshas afew bigdecisions facing himnextmonth

LOSANGELES Tiger Woods kept everyone guessing —afavorite hobby of his —with one word and asmug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table

“No,”hereplied.

Thegrin indicated therewould be nothing to add. To borrow a phrase from Dan Hicks at NBC when Woods forced aplayoff in the 2008 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines, “Expect anything different?”

He wasn’tabout to rule out playing in the Masterswith two months to go. And having not competed in more than ayear,Woods just doesn’tknow yet. Butbig decisions are looming for Woods in thenext month.

The Masters gets all the attention because ared shirt on Sunday hasbecome nearly as common as agreen jacket at AugustaNational.But there’salso that small matterofthe Ryder Cup.

heart Woods looked good last week in hisrole as tournament host at the GenesisInvitational.Morethan one person noticed thepurpose in hisstep —and howbig he looked —just walking through the locker room. He was comfortable in his news conference andinthe CBS booth with Jim Nantz and Trevor Immelman

Goodenough to competewhile walking 72 holesatAugusta?

Woods kept them guessing, too. He said he is hittingfull shots— “Not wellevery day, but Ican hit them,” he said —and theAchilles tendon he ruptured ayear ago is no longer an issue, rather it’s the recovery from aseventh back surgery in September to replace adisk in his lower back.

predictable options andfew surprises.

Meanwhile, the next two weeks mightoffer hints on how much progress Woods is making on the jobtakingupmostofhis bandwidth.

PGA Tour Enterprises CEO Brian Rolapp is expected to give an update, pulling back the curtain as much as he can, on the progress of thenew schedule.The committee is lookingatthe sequence of events—asplashy start and a finish that makes sense —with an eye on big markets.

Woods said the final work might notbedoneintimefor 2027,perhaps only portions of what to expect.That wouldseem to indicate alater start to the season (Aloha, Hawaii) andmoving around some of the postseason events.

BRIEF FROM STAFFAND

Braves, pitcher Saleagree to $27M contractfor ’27

ATLANTA— Left-hander Chris Sale andthe Atlanta Bravesagreed to a contract on Tuesday adding $27 million forthe 2027 season.

A36-year-old who wonthe 2024 NL Cy Young Awardinhis first season with Atlanta, Sale agreed to a deal that includes a$30 million team option for2028

Atlantaacquired Sale from Boston in December 2023 andheagreed to areworked$38 million,two-year contract that includedan$18 million club option for 2026. The Braves exercised theoption in November Sale is 25-8 with a2.46 ERA in 49 starts andone relief appearance with theBraves. He made theAllStar team twice, raising his total to nine

His11.1strikeoutsper nine inningsare themostamong pitchers with 1,500 or moreinnings.

NFL receives no tush push ban proposal this year

INDIANAPOLIS— NFL executive Troy Vincent toldreporters at the scouting combine in Indianapolis that no team submitted aproposal to banthe controversialquarterback sneak before the deadline this year forclubs to propose rule changes. The league could still explore modifying therules regarding pushing and pulling players.

Woods is the top choice —the only choice at the moment —tobe captain for the 2027 matches in Ireland, just like he wasfor the last Ryder Cup before he turned it down. Officials were forced to wait longer than ever before announcingKeegan Bradley as captain at Bethpage Black. Now the PGA of America is askingWoods to decide before the Masters whether he wants the job. Twopeopleinformed of the situation describe it more as asoft

deadline than an ultimatum. They spoke on conditionofanonymity becausethese mattersare private. TheRyder Cupcaptaincyhas become atime-consuming job, and Woods sounds as though he is busier thanever.His mostimportant role is chairman of the Future Competition Committee as it workstoward one of thebiggest andmost complicated overhauls of thePGA Tour schedule.

Woods offered as much when he said, “I thought Ispent alot of hours practicinginmyprime. It doesn’teven comparetowhat we’ve done in theboardroom.”

Thisiswhat drives him at the moment. He would love to be at theMasters, where in 2024 he set the record by making his 24th consecutive cut. He is aplayer at

Agedoesn’thelp.Heturned 50 at the end of last year and recovery takes longer As for theRyder Cup captaincy, it’sall about timeand priorities. Woodsisdriven by the idea that as muchashehas done for the game already(think prizemoney), he can do even more as achief architect that reshapes themodel of golf at the highest level.

So when theRyder Cupcameup, hisfirst response was he hasn’tdecided.

“I’m tryingtofigureout what we’re trying to do with our tour,” he said. “That’sbeen driving me hours uponhours every dayand tryingtofigure outifIcan actually do our team —Team USA and our players andeveryone that’s goingtobeinvolved in the Ryder Cup —ifIcan do it justice.”

By thetime theazaleas are bursting withblooms in early April, Woodscould be wearing yet another hat as Ryder Cup captain. Or the PGA of America will move on toaPlan Bthat includes

The tour has been looking at moving some of the premier West Coast stops to August for better (warmer)weather and prime-time viewing.

To move Riviera to August would make sense except golf in LA doesn’thavea history of big attendanceinAugust, and title sponsor Genesis already has a PGA Tour event in July(Scottish Open).Torrey Pines? It was worth noting the strong attendance this year by officials fromWisconsinbased Sentry,currentlythe title sponsor at Kapalua.

PebbleBeach hasa massive car show that dates to 1950 and is amongthe best in theworld in themiddleofAugust. That tournamentisunlikely to movetosummer “There’sbeen alot of moving parts over the last couple years,”

Woods said. He was speaking about the tour He could just as easily be talking abouthimself

Koepka starts charitable donations

Contributionsof $5 millionpart of hisPGA Tour return process

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

LOS ANGELES One of theconditions for Brooks Koepka to return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf wasa$5millioncontribution to charity.That process is underway,with $1 million goingtothe Nicklaus Children’sHealthCare Foundation, the primary charity of the Cognizant Classic. Koepka also designated(with PGA Tour approval) $1.5 million to 10 other charities. That list included theALS Bridge Foundation, whichlongtime Acushnet executive Peter Broome recently launched.

Golf Notebook

Broome, well known from his 30 years in theindustry,was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease in August 2024. His mission with ALS Bridge Foundation is to accelerate the search forlife-saving solutionsand close thegap between laboratory discovery and when patients receive treatment

The foundationisdirecting 100% of proceeds toward programs that accelerate drug trials, improve diagnostic access, and fuel collaborative research across the United States and Canada

Part of the fundraising includes an auction of exclusiveexperiences provided by alist that includes Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler Ryder CupcaptainsKeegan

Bradleyand Luke Donald, and CBS announcer Jim Nantz Corey Conners, TaylorPendrith and Montreal Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki are leading the auction offers in Canada.

The other$2.5 million of Koepka’scontributions will be equally distributed to charities selected by eligible PGATour members, such astheir foundations or other charitiestheysupport.

Chacarra on PGATour

Eugenio Chacarra was the biggest college star LIV Golf signed when the Saudi-funded league launchedin2022. He wasthe No 2amateur in the world at Oklahoma State, and he won in his first season onLIV

But it wasn’tlong before he started contacting various PGA Tour officials, and Chacarra left LIV after 2024withaneye on getting to the PGA Tour,whichhe called alifelong dream.

He gets astartnext week as a sponsor exemption to the Puerto Rico Open.His onlyother time competinginaPGA Tour-sanctioned event was last year in the Scottish Open,co-sanctioned by the European tour.Chacarra is aEuropean tour member from winningthe Hero Indian Open last year

“Mygoal since Iwas little is to be on the PGA Tour,” Chacarra said Tuesday. “I’m excited to finally get achancetoplayonthe PGA Tour.I’ve been workinga lot of thesecoupleweeks at home. I neededsometime to resetand focus on what’s the most important thing for me right now, that’sto get on the PGA Tour as quick as possible.” Chacarra, a25-year-old from Spain, says he has no regrets

about joining LIVbecausehefelt that move wasrightfor him at the time. He said upon leaving LIVGolf, “I see what it’slike to win on the PGA Tour and how your life changes, how you get majoraccess and ranking points. On LIV, nothingchanges,there is only money.Itdoesn’tmatter if you finish 30th or first, only money.” “I think Iwas losinga littlemotivation to get better outthere on LIV at the last year Iwas there, so it wastimefor me to move on and start anew pathway,”hesaid while on avideo call. His best route to the PGATour might be getting one of 10 cards to theleading players in Europe because he playsa fullschedule there.

Thomas returns Justin Thomas had his first competition in five months Mondaynight whenheplayedwith hisAtlanta Drive team in aTGL match.Thomas has been out since back surgery in November.Heannounce dhe will return to the PGA Tour next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. “I obviouslywanttoand would love to play well next week, but I’m also understanding that it’ll be almostfive, six months since I’ve playedacompetitive tournament,” he said. “I’m notexactly expectinganythinggreat.But at least everybody else will be struggling withmeatBay Hill, so that’ll make me feel alittlebit better hopefully.”

The Philadelphia Eagles behind the strong legs of quarterback Jalen Hurtshave masteredthe short-yardage strategy.After the Eagleswon the SuperBowl following the 2025 season, the Green Bay Packers authored arule change proposal to prohibit offensive playersfrompushing, pulling, lifting, grasping or encircling arunner, which would haveeffectivelyoutlawed the tush push.

Suns forward Brooks out with fractured left hand PHOENIX Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks hadsurgery Monday to repair afractured left hand and will missatleast the next fourto-six weeks before being re-evaluated, the team said Tuesday The 30-year-old Brooks was hurt during Saturday’sgameagainst theOrlando Magic. He’saveraging acareer-high 20.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

TheSuns have been one of the NBA’ssurprise teamsthisyear with a33-25 record, buthavesuffered arecent rash of injuries. Theteam’stop three leading scorers —All-Star guard Devin Booker (strained hip), Brooks and Grayson Allen (knee/ankle) —were sidelinedfor a92-77 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday

Grand jury won’t indict former NBA player Beverley

RICHMOND,Texas ATexas grand jury has declined to indict former NBAguard Patrick Beverley after he wasarrested last year on an accusation that he hadassaulted his sister Authorities in Fort Bend County, southwest of Houston, had arrested Beverley in November afterhis sistertoldinvestigators he grabbed herbythe neck,slammed heragainst awalland punchedher in theface, according to court records.

Thegrand jury on Monday declined to indict Beverley on one count of assault of afamily member. Beverleyhad been free on a $40,000 bond.

Beverleyplayedfor 12 seasons in the NBA, starting his career with the Houston Rockets.

SEC finesKentuckycoach Pope for criticizing referees

LEXINGTON, Ky Kentucky men’s basketball coach Mark Pope has been fined$25,000 by the Southeastern Conference forcomments he madeafter the Wildcats’ loss to Auburn on Saturday

The SECannounced the fine Tuesday afternoon, afew hours beforeUKwas set to takeonSouth Carolina in anotherroad game amidthe first three-game losing streak of the Pope era.

TheleaguesaidPopehad been finedand “issueda public reprimand” as aresult of his “postgame conduct and comments related to officiating” after Saturday’sgame.

The league’sannouncement referenced SEC Bylaw 10.5.3, which states that “coaches,players and support personnelshall refrain from allpublic criticism of officials.”

La.rappers to entertainUNO hoopscrowds

UNO

BY RASHAD MILLIGAN Staff writer

The UNO men’sbasketball team will have two special performances by Louisianabased hip-hop acts to cap the first regular season of MasterP taking on asignificant role for theprogram MasterPisthe president of basketball operations and an assistant coach for UNO men’s basketball. At 5p.m.Saturday,Choppa will perform at halftime forseniornight in agame against McNeeseState. Then at 7p.m. Monday, H3adband Shawtywill take

Tigers basketballteam addsanother Australian

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

Owen Foxwell became the fourth player the LSU men’s basketball team added to its 2026 recruiting class on Monday

The 6-foot-2,195-pound guard is a22-year-old professional player in the National Basketball League of Australia. This season, Foxwellisaveraging 11.1 points on 41% shooting, 4.5 assists, 3.0 reboundsand 1.3 steals in 24.3 minutes per game for the South East Melbourne Phoenix. He makes35.2%ofhis 3-pointersand is second on his team in assists while averaging only 1.5 turnovers.

Foxwell is the second Australian native in LSU’s2026 recruiting class. The Tigers signed four-star forward Marcus Vaughns, who hails from Melbourne, Australia, and early enrolled at the university for the spring semester

Vaughns —a6-foot-8, 215-pound wing— arrived on campus on Dec. 30 and hasbeen training with the team ever since.CoachMatt McMahonsaidVaughnswill not be playing this season and will have a“five-month head start”for his freshman season in 2026-27. He last played at Australia’sCentre of Excellence.

Foxwellisin hisfifthseason in the NBL, playing every season with the Phoenix. Inhis first year during the 2021-22 season,hewas a developmental player who played onlyfourgames.

LSU’snewestguard also hastwo younger brothers who play basketball. Joel Foxwell, 20, plays at Portland of the West Coast Conference.

Thefreshman is averaging 16 points on 41.1% shooting and6.8 assists. Theyoungest is Austin Foxwell, 18, who is in his first season as adevelopmental player for South East Melbourne.

LSU already hasanAustralian player on itscurrent teaminseniorguard Max Mackinnon, anative of Brisbane,Australia. Mackinnon playedatthe Centre of Excellence andbriefly in the NBL1,the semi-professional basketball league of the NBL. He startedhis college basketball career at Elon and transferred to Portland for hisjunior yearbefore joining LSU for the 2025-26 season.

LSUassociate head coach David Patrickalso hasties to Australia. Thelongtime college coach has been an assistant coach forthe Australian National Team since 2019. The Tigers’other commitmentsinthe 2026 recruiting class are forwards Kevin Thomas andHerly Brutus. The6-6 Thomas and 6-5 Brutus are listedasthe No. 71 and 88 players in the country,respectively,according to ESPN,and have already signedwith the program.

HILARySCHEINUK

thefloor at halftime at Lakefront Arena when the Privateersface Southeastern Louisiana. Thegames are part of the Higher Learning Future StudentsGame Day Event. Admission is free for both games with avalid high school ID, and parents are admitted for free with their student. Seating is limited and availableona firstcome, first-served basis. UNO is coming off of a 77-73 win against Southland Conference leader Stephen F. Austin(25-4, 18-2 Southland) on Monday in Nacogdoches, Texas.

The Privateers have won seven of their last 10 games. The Privateers (14-15, 128) noware tied forthird in theconference withTexas Rio Grande Valley and have clinched aspot in the Southland ConferenceTournament set for March 8-11 in Lake Charles.

“Congratulations to the team on making the [conference tournament],” Master Psaid in anews release. “We have to support our own. We appreciatethe support all year,and now it’stimetofinish strong.

“When we show up forour students and our university,

we’re investing in the future of New Orleans. This is abouteducation,opportunity and building something that lasts.” On Saturday,UNO will face the second-place team in the Southland in McNeese (24-5, 17-3), whichbeatthe Privateers 82-63 on Jan. 24 in Lake Charles. On Monday,UNO faces last-place Southeastern (821, 5-15), which the Privateers defeated 79-76 on Jan. 12 in Hammond.

Email Rashad Milligan at rashad.milligan@ theadvocate.com.

LSU

Continuedfrom page1C

Cheryl Ard, aformer LSUstudent who has attended men’s basketball games consistently for 39 years, is similarly puzzled “It’shad ups and downs,” shesaid.“It’snot good that we’ve hadsomeplayers that have gotten hurt, and it’s affected it andit’sfrustrating. Sometimes they start offgreat, and then they just tank. Like the last game, they were behind so many points, and then they came back and they only lost by three (against Texas).”

The only fan to express optimism aboutthis season was LSUstudentKyle Thibodeaux. Thesenior said he hasgonetoevery homegame during McMahon’stenure.Thibodeaux said beforethe loss to Alabama that theteam still has achance to make the NCAA Tournament.

“I mean, it’sa little rough, butwe’re still in thebubble,”hesaid. “Wecan still make it if we win out, if we beat Bama, we got it. Istill believe in us.”

When the fans were asked whether season-ending injuries to Reed and Thomaswere the primary

reasons for the team’s poor record, all acknowledged their impact.

Twosaid that it’sonly a part of theteam’sstruggles LSUsophomore Revius Norrissaidthe basketball team has been “tough to watch” but that injuries are asignificant reason.

“I do think alsoit’sjust kind of amomentum thing because, once players get injured, then the morale kind of drops, andit’skind of hard to come back from that many injuries,” Norris said.

Allfour were asked whether McMahon should be fired afterthis season. Lockhartwas themost definitive about getting anew coach.

“Ready for achange, Ibelieve,”hesaid. “I’m happy thathecame when we were in direneed. Program was in shambles,but it’sprobably timefor a change.

“I thoughtthere wasgoing to be achange acouple weeksago, honestly.”

Norris said afiring should be considered.

“Four yearsand no tournament, that’ssomething you got to look into because you don’twant to go in the next season and make it fiveand rather be safe than sorry,” he said. “So Ido

thinkthey got to look into that more.”

Ard saidshe’snot sure McMahon should be fired. She also said she wasn’ta fanofformer coach Will Wade’sdeparture after being fired for causebecause of committing NCAA violations.

“I didn’tlike that they fired Will Wade,” she said. “Year after Will Wade lefthere, he went to Lake Charles (atMcNeese State), then their team won their division, and they wenttothe NCAA Tournament.And, you know,we stayed at home and didn’t do (anything).”

Thibodeaux wasthe most supportive of McMahon, although he didn’tdirectly saythe university should keep him after his fourth year “I saw alot of people hate (on) McMahon,” Thibodeauxsaid. “I love McMahon.He’ssucha great guy.It’supinthe air It all depends on theAD, and it depends on the boosters.”

Early shot

LSU first baseman Zach yorke, right, celebrates with center fielder Derek Curiel after hitting a two-run home runinthe firstinning against McNeese State on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium The game ended after presstime. Forarecap, please visit nola.com.

PELICANS

Continued frompage1C

points, but Derik Queen had three consecutive Pelicans field goals to help themtake a77-72 leadatthe endofthe third quarter

The Warriors pulled even at 82-82 before Williamson scored eight points and Bey added fivetohelp New Orleans open up a99-89 lead midway throughthe quarter Golden State got within three points, butBey convertedathree-point play with 1:47 leftand Murray added alayup with 1:04 left. On the Pelicans’ first possession, they ran aset play in whichDeAndre Jordan fed Murray for alayup, and

Murray went on to score four points in slightly more than fiveminutes during the period. New Orleans led by 14 points twice before Podziemski made alayup to trim thelead to31-19 at the endofthe first quarter

The Pelicans rebuilt the lead to 14 on three occasions

early in the second quarter beforegoing cold. They made justtwo field goals in the finalseven minutesof the half, oneofwhichwas Williamson’sfirst 3-pointer since Feb.12, 2025. GoldenState scored the last fivepointsofthe quarter to closewithin 46-39 at halftime.

Mugs, shirts,hats posters, books.

Something for everyone at the T-PStore!

STORE.NOLA.COM

FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Sacred Heartsenior‘sets agreat example’ alongsidesister, cousins

BY SPENCERURQUHART Staff writer

Amultisportathlete’sdaily schedule is jam-packed, andthat’s especially true for Sacred Heart senior Leah Varisco. While it’scommon for Sacred Heart athletes to play multiple sports, Varisco takes on the challenge of playingbothbasketball and soccer during the winter sports season. She’sbooked up throughout the rest of the year as well, beginning with cross country in the fall and concluding withoutdoor track and field in thespring Varisco is akey contributor in all four sports she’sparticipating in and has competed at the varsity level since middle school.She’s Sacred Heart’sall-time leading scorer in basketball as the school’s first player to reach 1,000points “(Varisco) has had areally good impact,” Sacred Heart basketball coach Courtney Ward said. “Being able to balance the multiple sports, she’sthe definition of what Sacred Heart is. Being able togive girls the opportunity to do multiple things, balance it and excel academically.She encompassesall of those things.”

Leah is the oldest of fourVarisco girls taking the court or the field for Sacred Heart this season. Her younger sister,Rosie, is asophomore whoalsoplays basketball and soccer Their cousin,Lily Varisco, is a junior who plays basketball, and their other cousin, Coco Varisco, starts as afreshman in soccer

Their aunt, Michel Varisco Gleason, is married to New Orleans Saints legend Steve Gleason, and the couple regularly attends Sacred Heart games.

sists. Sacred Heart reached the Division III semifinals this season, and she scored agoal in a2-1 semifinal loss to Parkview Baptist.

“(Leah Varisco) is asignificant factor in our success,”Sacred Heart soccer coach Michael Plaisance said.“She sets agreat example for us as amultisport athleteand sets the mold for the extremely hard work thatgoes intoit. She’sajoy to coach and is always focused on the game.”

She competes in multiple track andfield events,including the 4x800 relay,the 1600 and the 3200. Distancerunningisher specialty, as she’sbeen aTimes-Picayune All-Metro cross country selection multiple times.

After her senior year at Sacred Heart,Varisco plans to attend college and pursue acareer in the medical field.

SurgingTulane menlooking to knockoff Tulsa

BY GUERRYSMITH Contributing writer

Hit with center Gregg Glenn’s drowning in late July,the surging Tulane basketball team has done its best to compensate forthe devastating loss of its spiritual leader

Nothing will eliminate the emotional toll, but Wednesday night’shomegameagainst Tulsa (6:30 p.m.,ESPN+) will provide areferendum on just how far theGreen Wave has comeonthe court.

Awinneroffourina row and five of its last six, Tulane (17-10, 8-6) can make areal pushfor a top-four seed anda double-bye to the quarterfinal round of the American Conferencetournament by beating the secondplace Golden Hurricane (22-6, 10-5).The Wave came up empty against teams of similar caliber earlier this year,losing 96-75 to Utah State on aneutral court and falling 88-71 to Akron, 97-83 to league-leading South Florida and 75-61 to Wichita State at home. Is Tulane ready to take the next step?

“This is my 40th year in this business, and Ihavenever been around abunch of young people thathave this type of character,” coach Ron Hunter said. “The thingswe’ve been through this year,I’m always going to rememberthis group. This group could have quit along timeago.”

formerLafayette College walkon Luke Rasmussen —now on half-scholarship at Tulane —asa starterfor high-priced SetonHall transfer Scotty Middleton. The switch benefited both of them Eventhough Rasmussenhas scored only 13 points in thepast six games, hisalertness defensively and ability to swing the ball on offense has helped tremendously. Hiswillingness to guard big men hassaved Ringgold and shot-blocking backupcenter Percy Daniels from getting into the constant foul trouble that plagued them earlier in the season. At the same time, Middleton hasgottenwhite hot, sinking 17 of 28 3-pointers for an astounding 60.7% success rate since coming off the bench. He has hit 11 treys in thepastthreegames,becoming particularly lethaloncatch-andshootopportunitiesfrom either corner with his quick release.

“Unfortunately, it took me a long time to gettothatlineup, but Scotty’splaying terrific right now,” Hunter said. “Between he andAsher (Woods), theirconfidence level can’tget any higher, and we need that.”

“It’sreally special (to play alongsidefamily members),” Leah Varisco said. “It’ssomethingthat I know alot of people can’texperience,soit’sa great opportunity. Being able to playwiththemisso fun

“(Gleason)isa really great inspiration for everyone, and Ialways look to himfor inspiration. Seeing (him and Michel) there(at games) makesuswant toplay harder.”

LeahisSacred Heartbasketball’sstarting point guard and is averaging13points and six assists pergamethisseason.She’s grown as avocal leader on the court over theyears, helpinglead Sacred Heart to its first state championship game appearance last year

She has also accounted for 45 percent of Sacred Heart soccer’s points through goals scored or as-

“I know it’smylast year,soI’ve just been trying togive even more effort,” Varisco said. “It’s been really special to me.I want to go all the way in basketballagain.Wedid it last year,and Ithink we can do it again.”

Sacred Heart basketball is the No. 3seed in the Division III select playoffs andisscheduledtohost No. 11-seeded D’Arbonne Woods in the quarterfinals on Thursday Seniors Libby Fitzpatrickand Sophie Lo are key pieces alongside Varisco.

“We’re looking for all those seniors to play their best at the right moment,” Ward said. “They’reprepared, they’vebeen there before, so it’snot ashock to them. Ithink they have the opportunity and the skillset to (makeaplayoff run).”

Email SpencerUrquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Keysoccerplayers to watchatstate

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

The LHSAA state soccer championships run from Wednesday to Saturday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond. Here is alist ofkey players from each of the eight New Orleans-area teams in the finals.

Boys

Wyatt Hutchins,Brother Martin, Sr.: The leading scorer with26goals and sixassists on ateam that is in the state finals for the first time since 2002. Nathan Wellman (20 goals, nine assists) also leads inscoring. Other key players includeversatile junior KadenRossi andsenior Everett Walker Casey Parker-Karst, Jesuit, Jr.: Thetop scorer in the two most closely contested matchesinrecent weeks, with two goals apiece in wins against Brother Martin andBaton Rouge. Jacob Kee broke a2-all tie when he scored against Brother Martin to clinch the No. 1seed. Those teams will meet in Saturday’sDivision Ifinal.

Harry Wall, NorthlakeChristian, So.: Scored twice in overtimetoknock off Pope John Paul II in the semifinals and advance the Wolves to their first state final since 2019. He leads with 36 goals and 20 assists, with senior Stevie Tujague (20 goals,22assists) not far behind. Senior Braden Finklea plays center back.

Girls Stella Zippert, Dominican, Jr.: Her 51 goalsfor the season and135 for her career are school records for ateam that is back in the state finals for the first time since it won in 2022. Evelyn Ieyoub is another

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Newman forward Liliane Arjmand,left, gains control of the ball off a throwinagainst Loyola defensemanKatelyn McNeill in theDivision IV state championship game on Feb.18, 2025, in Hammond.

record holder with 31 assists along with her 20 goals this season.

Thereare concrete reasonsfor hope.Sophomore Tyler Ringgold, a6-foot-8transfer whoarrived from TexasA&M last year as a perimeter-orientedsmall forward, has becomemore and more comfortable filling in forGlenn’s versatility as an initiator from the high post. He tied his season high with four assists last Thursday at North Texas before handing out five against Rice on Sunday while averaging 14.0 points on 10-of-17 shooting with 12 rebounds and six steals. He also lost atooth in the Rice game, forcing him to leave for a few minutes but not affecting his playwhen he returned. He went back to his hometownofBaton Rouge on Monday to have it surgically re-insertedand participated in Tuesday’spractice.

“Without Tyler,wedon’tdoany of this,” Hunter said. “The kid’s awarrior.His valuehas been incredible on both ends of the floor He’sundersized every single night, and he just keeps battling.” With the offense stagnating during afive-game skid in January,Hunter insertedseldom-used

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

extended well beyond justits rushers, but no back on the team even reached 500 yards. The Saintshadn’thad that happen since1998, when Lavar Smith ledwith 457 yards.Throw in Alvin Kamara’s contractual uncertainty and Kendre Millercoming offofa torn ACL, and it’seasy to seewhy theSaintscould be in the market foranother runner

Other backs who could be in this year’sfree agent class include Detroit’sDavid Montgomery,Atlanta’sTyler Allgeier Denver’sJ.K. Dobbins, Jacksonville’sTravis Etienne, San Francisco’sBrian Robinson and Pittsburgh’sKennethGainwell.

Woods —living up to his second-team All-American Conference preseason designation—is averaging 18.3 points during the four-gamewinning streak while hitting at leasttwo-thirds of his shots in three of them and adding seven steals.

Preseason American player of the year Rowan Brumbaugh is averaging 18.0 points, 5.1 rebounds and4.3 assists over the past six games.

“We’removing the ball alot better than we have all year, and we’re allaccustomed to our (complicated matchup) defense,” Brumbaugh said. “I’dsay it’s those two things the most.” Tulsa, which was 20-3 before a three-game losing streak, leads theAmerican in 3-pointers per game (10.4) and3-point percentage(.388). StartersMilesBarnstable, TylenRiley andDavid Green allhavehit more than503s, but Tulane has held league opponents to 29.8% shooting fromlongrange —alower number than at any time this century for afull season. “They are an incredible shooting team, so we have to limit the 3s,” Brumbaugh said. “Wehave a great plan. We’reall really confident going into this game.”

in 2023.

“You have to paywhatyou think aplayer is worth, or somewhere near that,” Hortiz said. “We’ll seewhat happens with Zion, where the market goes, if he gets to the market. We’ll stay engaged with him through the process.”

The Saints have aneed at left guard, in particular,after trading Trevor Penning last season andwith Dillon Radunz’scontract expiring.

Other notable guards whose contracts are set to expire include Buffalo’sDavid Andrews, Pittsburgh’sIsaac Seumalo, Cleveland’sWyatt Teller,Tennessee’sKevin Zeitler, the Jets’ Alijah Vera-Tucker and possibly Cleveland’sJoel Bitonio if he elects to continue his playing career

Alenne Nitcherisakey defender in frontofgoalkeeper Evelyn Aucoin, with five saves in a1-0 semifinal against St.Joseph’s. Stella Junius, Mount Carmel, Sr.: The LSUtrack andfield signee leads in scoring with 15 goalsand fiveassistsfor ateam that won the state title last season, the eighth in program history.Josie Randol, Sally Chapoton and Lilah Grandbouche each have nine goals. Elle Vodanavich is akey defender Kaitlyn Brady,Hannan, Sr.: The Providencesignee is the engine of the offense for ateam that also includes juniorforward Maggie Wylie, the lone goal scorer in the Hawks’ 1-0 semifinal that put them in the state final for the first time since2023. Junior Brennyn O’Rourke leads on defense. Shealan Briniam, Pope John Paul II, Sr.: The leading scorer with32goals and15assistsfor ateam thatalso counts senior center back Sophie Onitimaraand senior keeper Lilly Juneau amongkey players. Juneau stopped two penaltykicks in the semifinals.

Of those, the Saints coaching staff already has history with Gainwell as coach Kellen Moore overlapped with therunning back during the2024 season in Philadelphia. Even without Hall, that’s a pretty good group.

Interior push

LiliArjmand, Newman, Sr.: Twiceselected as the outstanding player in the LHSAA state finals during the Greenies’run of threeconsecutive championships,the Rhodes College signee hopes to makeitfour in arow in the Division IV title match against Pope JohnPaul II. Freshman Eleanor Robinson scored the tying goal beforeArjmand’sovertime winner in thesemifinals.

ContactChristopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

TheSaints’run game likely won’timprove without addressing theinterior of the offensive line.Fortunately for them,this free agent class is stacked with interior offensive linemen.

Chargersgeneral manager Joe Hortiz said that they’ve had discussions about re-signing Zion Johnson, but he acknowledged there’sarange in what the franchise is willing to pay.Ifhedoes hit themarket, Johnson would make alot of sensefor the Saints because he’sgood in the run, durable and knows Moore’soffense after Moore served as the Los Angeles offensive coordinator

What’sthe going rate for atop guard these days? They aren’t cheap. Seven guards make more than $20 millionper year,and 15 make at least$16 million.But for theSaints, it could be aworthy investment.

Email MatthewParas at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Raiders GM talks around interest in QB Mendoza

BY MICHAEL MAROT AP sportswriter

Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek never uttered the name Fernando Mendoza while speaking at the NFL’s annual scouting combine Tuesday

He didn’t need to.

As Spytek ran through the list of traits he needs in a franchise quarterback humility, selflessness, a relentless student of the game, capable of setting the tone in the locker room — it seemed he was using the same words and phrases so often used to describe Mendoza by his college teammates during last season’s Heisman Trophy campaign. And for the team holding the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft, selecting Mendoza seems natural.

“It’s such a hard game, your competitive spirit has to run really high,” Spytek said. “You’ve got to be willing to play through, you know, tough circumstances and to me, it always goes back to the love of the game. The guys that truly love football, they love to practice, they love to prepare, they love to watch film, they love to play hurt, so I think those things are kind of uncompromising.”

Mendoza showed all of that and more in his only season at Indiana. He demonstrated his moxie with

an incredible last-minute throw to beat Penn State; missed only one play of the Big Ten championship game after getting injured on his first throw; and twisted his way into the end zone for the decisive score in the national championship game at Miami.

The Raiders certainly could use some of that magic after using 10 different starting quarterbacks over the past four seasons. They haven’t had a clear-cut franchise quarterback since Derek Carr was released in February 2023.

Geno Smith was supposed to fill the void after being acquired in a trade last offseason, but a 10-game losing streak sent the Raiders spiraling to a 3-14 mark, putting Smith’s future with the franchise in peril.

Now, Las Vegas is looking for a fresh start.

The Raiders fired coach Pete Carroll and replaced him with Klint Kubiak, the offensive coordinator for Super Bowl champion Seattle, and now have a chance to find the perfect pairing for running back Ashton Jeanty, last year’s firstround pick.

“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek said. “I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away either. So, you know having another quality player that can play the quarterback position could help. You have a young quarterback, you want to have a great offensive line,

Chiefs TE Kelce won’t test free agency; Bucs receiver Evans might

BY ROB MAADDI AP pro football writer

INDIANAPOLIS Travis Kelce is playing for the Kansas City Chiefs or retiring Mike Evans is returning for another season and will explore his options. The future of both superstars was among many topics at the NFL scouting combine on Tuesday Kelce is scheduled to become a free agent next month. A person with knowledge of Kelce’s thinking told The Associated Press the four-time All-Pro tight end will not test the market. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because free agency hasn’t started. If the 36-year-old Kelce returns for a 14th season, it’ll be in Kansas City with coach Andy Reid and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs, of course, want him back.

“I think we’ve kind of taken a different approach with Travis in the sense that we’ve prepared for either scenario,” GM Brett Veach said. “Coach had mentioned on Friday (that) he’s had great dialogue with Travis. On our end, myself, (assistant general manager) Chris Shea and Travis’ crew, we’ve had some good dialogue there. I’m sure we’re going to see him here just like we will all the other players’ agents and we’ll continue that dialogue. Travis is the best, he’s an icon and hopefully he comes back and we’ll just let that process play out.”

Kelce, an 11-time Pro Bowl selection, had 76 catches for 851 yards and five touchdowns last season when Kansas City’s run of dominance in the AFC West ended. The Chiefs have reached the Super Bowl five times in the past seven seasons, winning three

“It’s not your typical — hey, 27-year-old first time in free agency,” Veach said. “Travis has done everything, he’s accomplished everything — he’s about to get married, he’s got a lot going on. So, I don’t think there’s an element of us not trying to — you need some sort of deadline (or) timeline but at the same time, it’s Travis Kelce so we’re just going to continue to have positive dialogue and see where this thing ends. I think we’re trying to position ourselves that either way, we have a plan moving forward.” Evans is planning to play a 13th season but it may not be with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver had his streak of 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons end when he missed nine games because of injuries.

“I love Mike, and we’d love to have Mike back,” general manager Jason Licht said. “And he’s earned the right to (test free agency) with his resume. Mike, as a person, what he’s meant to this entire community, the fan base, all of us, I could go on and on, which we have, he’s earned that right We’d love to have Mike back. We’re just seeing how the process goes.”

Falcons GM set to release QB Cousins

Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS The Atlanta Falcons have informed quarterback Kirk Cousins they plan to release the 14-year veteran when NFL free agency opens next month, new general manager Ian Cunningham said Tuesday

a run game, all the things that can like really limit his chances to have him really get killed — and a great defense, too.”

The Raiders believe the centerpiece of their defense will continue to be Pro Bowl defensive end Maxx Crosby, who has been the subject of trade speculation this offseason. Spytek said Tuesday he speaks routinely with Crosby as he rehabs at team headquarters and that he expects Crosby to be in a Vegas uniform next fall.

But will he be joined by Mendoza, who led what had been the worst program in FBS history to Indiana’s first national championship in a season filled with highlights?

While Spytek said he will listen to trade offers and won’t put need ahead of value, it sure seems like Mendoza would be the perfect match for Las Vegas — right down to his Boston roots and embrace of Raiders co-owner Tom Brady, who played for both the Patriots and in Florida, where Mendoza attended high school

“I think whoever is playing quarterback for the Raiders has a unique opportunity to learn from the best,” Spytek said. “You know Tom’s got a lot of humility to him, and just because he did it a certain way, he doesn’t have expectations that you do it that way too. But there are some things he’s uncompromising on, and I think that whoever the quarterback is for the Raiders, I think Tom is a great resource.”

“What he’s done in his career, we owe that to him just to allow him some clarity going into free agency,” Cunningham said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Cousins played two seasons with the Falcons with mixed-atbest results, signing a $180 million contract about six weeks before Atlanta drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick in 2024. Penix won the job in 2025 before a season-ending knee injury made Cousins the starter again down the stretch. Cousins started 22 of 34 games over the past two seasons, going 12-10. He threw a league-most 16 interceptions in just 14 games in 2024. The 37-year-old is 88-77-2 as a starter with Washington, Minnesota and Atlanta. With his recently reworked deal, Cousins would have his 2027 salary ($67.9 million) fully guaranteed if he were to remain on the roster by the third day of the new league year

The Falcons also placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts on Tuesday, preventing him from becoming a free agent. Pitts, the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft, earned second-team All-Pro honors after he had a career-high 88 receptions and five touchdowns last season. His 928 yards receiving were the second most among NFL tight ends, behind only Arizona’s Trey McBride. Pitts is expected to make about $16 million this year under the franchise tag. Next Tuesday is the deadline for teams to use the franchise or transition tag on players.

Broncos

PAYTON RELINQUISHES PLAY-CALL-

ING DUTIES: Broncos coach Sean Payton confirmed Tuesday at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis that he’s handing off play-calling duties to his new offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Payton said he began seriously considering a promotion for Webb from quarterbacks

coach/passing game coordinator to OC during the 2025 season. Payton replaced his longtime offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi with Webb after the Broncos’ loss to New England in the AFC championship. Webb, 31, has been integral in the development of quarterback Bo Nix, who is 25-10 in two seasons. He’s considered one of the up-and-coming young offensive minds in the NFL Before his promotion to stay in Denver, he interviewed for head coach openings with the Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills this cycle despite never having been a coordinator

“He’s extremely talented,” Payton said. “With regards to play-calling, I think he’ll be really good at it. I know it’s like, ‘Man, are you going to give up play-calling?’ And I would only do that if I felt like it would help our team.

“I’ll still be involved in what we do offensively just as I am with what we do defensively,” Payton added. “But I do think he has a gift. I think he’s real sharp I’m glad he’s on our staff.”

Steelers

QB DECISION NOT EXPECTED TO LINGER: With Aaron Rodgers undecided on whether to return for a 22nd season in the NFL, the Pittsburgh Steelers are anticipating quicker clarity about their quarterback situation this time.

General manager Omar Khan said he doesn’t have a deadline in mind for determining whether the team will need to look elsewhere. Though Rodgers put off retirement last year to play for coach Mike Tomlin, the hiring of Mike McCarthy as Tomlin’s successor has increased the chance of Rodgers returning because of the 13 seasons he played for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers.

“He knows how we feel, and we know how he feels about us,” Khan said Tuesday “There’s a mutual respect there.” After being released by the New York Jets, Rodgers had serious talks with the Minnesota Vikings before they decided to move ahead with J.J. McCarthy last year. Rodgers ultimately waited until June to join the Steelers. They won the AFC North with a 10-7 record but lost their seventh straight playoff game since the 2016 season.

TULANE

Continued from page 1C

and available for our sports programs,” he said inside the bubble during a preview Monday night.

“So to arrive at a day where we now are able to do that is just an awesome thing because it shows our continued commitment to making sure our athletes have the best they can.”

University officials have emphasized repeatedly it will not be a football-only facility but the drive for an indoor practice area started with football. Although rain and lightning have not been a serious disruptor of the morning practice schedule the past few seasons the threat is always there.

“I love the Saints’ practice facilities and I love being in the Superdome, but sometimes trying to get that arranged when hurricane weather just came through or something like that might be tough,” Williams said. “The fact it’s a five-minute walk from the Wilson Center (athletic offices), if that, really helps a lot for us and other sports.” New football coach Will Hall seconded that notion.

“It is a game-changer for our players,” he said. “A studentathlete’s daily schedule is so regimented and detailed with workouts, classes, tutors, etc.

“This facility will allow our athletes’ daily routine to be more consistent, no matter the weather conditions.”

The primary entrance is a revolving door to stabilize air pressure. There are four emergency doors.

The spacious interior is wider than a regulation football field. A goal post is suspended from the ceiling behind the end zone but does not come down to the ground, giving more flexibility for other sports to use the entire facility

The field also has an Angry Wave logo, with Harris saying two more were planned for the exterior along with a green band about 20 feet high around the building plus signage.

“It’s a significant investment to be able to do something that helps us in a way we’ve always envisioned,” Harris said. “We’re excited it came out really nicely I think we’re going to get some great usage out of it.”

With two major projects completed, Harris said the next focus is on improvements to Yulman

Tulane’s indoor practice facility which is wider than a regulation football field, will also be used for sports other than football.

Stadium, including upgrading the sound system, working on seating, enhancing the Glazer Family Club and potentially replacing a scoreboard that had some malfunctions this past season.

“We’ve heard quite a bit about things we can do to make the experience there better,” he said.

“We’ve gotten feedback from fan surveys after the games.”

Coaching vacancy

A source confirmed that defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson is leaving Tulane for Arkansas, as first reported by Football Scoop. Wilkerson joined the Wave in 2024 under Jon Sumrall and initially decided to stay with Hall before getting the offer from the Razorbacks.

This is the second time Hall has lost an assistant to Arkansas in his coaching career Cody Kennedy, who has reunited with him as offensive line coach for the Wave after performing the same role when Hall was offensive coordinator in 2019-20, left Southern Miss for the Razorbacks soon after agreeing to accompany Hall to Southern Miss before the 2021 season. Tulane opens spring practice March 9.

Purse: $3,311,005

Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Men’s Singles Round of 32 Daniil Medvedev (3), Russia,def. Juncheng Shang, China, 6-1, 6-3. PabloCarrenoBusta, Spain, def. Denis Shapovalov, Canada, 6-2, 6-4. Jenson Brooksby, United States,def.Zizou Bergs, Belgium, 6-3, 6-4. AlexanderBublik (2), Kazakhstan,def.JanLennardStruff, Germany, 6-3, 6-4. Arthur Rinderknech,France, def. Fabian Marozsan, Hungary,3-6,6-3,6-4 KarenKhachanov(7),Russia,def. Alexander Shevchenko, Russia,6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-3. TallonGriekspoor, Netherlands,def.Otto Virtanen, Finland, 6-3, 6-4. Jiri Lehecka(8),Czechia,def.LucaNardi Italy, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2. Ugo Humbert, France, def. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Greece, 6-4, 7-5. Alexei Popyrin, Australia,def.KamilMajchrzak,Poland, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Jakub Mensik (6), Czechia,def.Hubert Hurkacz, Poland, 6-4, 7-6(7) Andrey Rublev(5),Russia,def. Valentin Royer, France, 6-3, 6-4. Men’s Doubles Round of 16 Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori (4), Italy, def. N. SriramBalaji, India, andNeil Oberleitner, Austria, 5-7, 7-6 (8), 10-5. Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Henry Patten (3), Britain, def. Yuki Bhambri,India, and AndreGoransson, Sweden,6-1,6-4. WTAWorld Tour Merida Open Akron Results Tuesday At

LIVING

TAKE THE BAIT

SushibyUsa newstylish downtownN.O. spot with speakeasyvibe

BY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

The Mexican restaurantTa-

SUSHI BY US

Enter via Tacos Del Cartel, 1010 Girod St. l 4p.m. to 10 p.m Wednesday to Sunday, till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

cos DelCartel sets atheatrical scene, with alife-like tree of rose-coloredfoliage branchingabove birria tacosclipped to miniature laundry lines on tables. Book atable at Sushi By Us, however,and that might seem like mere prelude. Sushi By Us is arestaurant withina restaurant. It goes big on the speakeasyidea, though the design andmenu are anything but soft-spoken. Walk through Tacos DelCarteltofind an unmarked door in the corner,which slides open to reveal the undersea cove of Sushi By Us Coralshapes seem to float fromthe ceiling. Walls have ascale pattern. Fixtures and sconces and moldings have Victorianflair.Itfeels like dining in the stateroom of afantastical vessel, abit Jules Verne meets “The Little Mermaid.”

Off the

Chicken bonne femme is alongtime, off-the-menu specialtyatTujague’s Restaurant in NewOrleans, fried and covered with garlic and parsley

Off the ,in the

Tujague’smarks 170years with specials from itslonghistory

BY IANMcNULTY Staff writer

First there’ssomething like an old-fashioned,made from Japanesewhiskey washed withshiitakes and ahint of truffle, with earthy rawmushrooms sprouting out over the spirits. Then you’re dunkingwhat initially presents as adynamite roll into clarified butter,and wondering if you’ll ever want adynamite roll any other way again. To end, don’tmiss the matcha lava cake, because thename sells it short.It’sasoufflé of fusion flavor and an utter delight that would be worth atrip on its own.

Whois‘Us?’

Sushi is right on the name, but this is not aconventional Japaneserestaurant, even by modern standards of gold leaf and foie gras as nigiri garnish

It is the latest from Veho Hospitality Group, the restaurant companystarted by Vilexis and Danny Cruz, whoalsocreatedTacos Del Cartel and the nearby Taquerias Carnalito, the fast-casualtaco stand.

Sushi by Us takes inspiration from the idea of Nikkei cuisine, the Japanese-expat cuisine closely associatedwith Peru.

There’sanoff-themenu dish at New Orleans’ secondoldest restaurant, an insider’stip spread by word of mouth over generations

Butafter digging in, there’s no concealing that you had thechicken bonne femme at Tujague’sRestaurant —made with 40 cloves of rawgarlic. It’sawhole friedchicken served with potatoes and finishedwiththe key piece, a heapingportion of persillade, which is aroughlychopped hash of parsleyand allthat garlic.

Chefs and restaurateurs celebrate on stageat North America’s 50 Best Restaurantsevent in Las Vegasin 2025.

It’sa memorable dish, one of many that Tujaque’sisoffering to mark 170 years since it opened in 1856. Only Antoine’s has alonger history

Aslate of specials will be offered throughout 2026 to introduce diners to Tujaque’sculinary history —and perhaps reintroducethe restaurant itself, aclassic that has changed agreat deal yet still endures.

If youknowyou know

Therestaurant will feature amonthly specialdish from thearchives. That starts with chicken bonne femme for March, and it’sabit of acoming-out party

Although it has been part of theTujague’srepertoire foras long as anyone can remember, you had to know aboutit.

“It was always something the regulars knew about. You had to ask for it, and if we had chicken, we would make it,” said Sergio Cabrera, who has worked at Tujague’s for close to 40 years, starting as busser, now as amanager “Wewould bring it out as lagniappe, sometimes as asurprise if there was acelebrity dining with us,” he said. “Butit was neveradvertised. People just had to know.”

That was aquirk of what had long been Tujague’s defining dining format, its table d’hote service, whichisalso getting aglow-up for the anniversary

See TUJAGUE’S, page 2D

BY IANMcNULTY Staff writer

The

created at Tujague’sRestaurant in 1918, is an enduring specialtyatthe New Orleans restaurant.

Tujague’sRestaurant in NewOrleans dates to 1856 and movedtoits current location at 429 Decatur St. in 2020.

By The Associated Press

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 25, the 56th day of 2026. There are 309 days left in the year

Today in history:

On Feb. 25, 1964, Muhammad Ali (then Cassius Clay) became world heavyweight boxing champion for the first time as he defeated Sonny Liston in Miami Beach

Also on this date:

In 1870, Republican Hiram R. Revels of Mississippi was sworn in as a U.S. senator, becoming the first African American member of either house of Congress.

In 1913, the 16th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, giving Congress the power to levy and collect income taxes, was declared in effect by Secretary of State Philander Chase Knox.

In 1956, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev railed for hours against the brutality and “cult of personality” of his late predecessor, dictator Josef Stalin, in a speech to a Communist Party congress.

In 1986, President Ferdinand Marcos fled the Philippines after 20 years of rule in the wake of a tainted election; opposition leader Corazon Aquino — the first woman to lead the country assumed the presidency

In 1991, during the Persian Gulf War, 28 American soldiers were killed when an Iraqi Scud missile hit a U.S. barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

In 1994, American-born Jewish settler Baruch Goldstein opened fire with an automatic rifle inside the Tomb of the Patriarchs in the West Bank during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, killing 29 Muslims before he was beaten to death by worshippers.

In 1997, a jury in Media, Pennsylvania, convicted chemical fortune heir John E du Pont of third-degree murder, deciding he was mentally ill when he shot and killed world-class wrestler David Schultz. (Du Pont died in prison in December 2010 while serving a 13- to 30-year sentence; he was 72.)

In 2024, the U.S and Britain struck 18 Houthi targets in Yemen, answering a recent surge in attacks by the Iran-backed militia group on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, including a missile strike that set fire to a cargo vessel.

Today’s birthdays: Former talk show host Sally Jessy Raphael is 91. Actor Tom Courtenay is 89. Film director Neil Jordan is 76. Rock musician-actor John Doe (punk band X) is 73. Comedian Carrot Top is 61. Actor Tea Leoni is 60. Actor Sean Astin is 55. Singer Daniel Powter is 55. Comedian-actor Chelsea Handler is 51. Actor Rashida Jones is 50. FBI Director Kash Patel is 46. Actor Jameela Jamil is 40. Golfer Hideki Matsuyama is 34. Actor Isabelle Fuhrman is 29. Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is 26.

SUSHI

Continued from page 1D

Here, the Latin American influence bends closer to Mexico. The inspiration, though, comes from Spain where Danny Cruz, a fútbol fanatic, travels frequently to cheer on Real Madrid. It was in Madrid where he met chef Johan Pereira, who had come through Salvaje, the global restaurant brand known for its high-style take on Japanese fusion cuisine. Together, they opened the original Sushi By Us in Madrid. The name, Cruz explains, is a riff on the trend of people naming sushi restaurants after themselves. He thought Sushi By Us sounded more inclusive They later sold the Madrid restaurant to focus on growing Veho Hospitality in the U.S., and the chef came to New Orleans to open this new iteration.

Sampling sushi

After passing through the taco restaurant, sushi diners will find a space the size of a private dining room with no windows and closely spaced tables. The atmosphere envelops; the details abound Open the menu, printed on fine paper, to find an approachable selection, with nothing too exotic, though with original twists in flavor and presentation. Rolls are multistory constructions of seafood and sauce, but otherwise straightforward, and the small array of nigiri pieces are gently customized. Gorgeously colored cuts of salmon have just a hint of leche de tigre, the classic ceviche marinade. Tuna has a suggestion of smoke, as if whisked over a charcoal fire. Order the moriawase to get a chef’s tasting platter of sashimi, nigiri and rolls with a billowing kettle of dried ice riding along purely for visual effect. The house take on tiraditos, a Peruvian dish similar to sashimi, blend elements of ceviche with juicy sauces under cuts of fish.

Bao are filled with short rib or alligator (this second one served in a tourist-shop alligator head), though the squishy steamed buns

TUJAGUE’S

Continued from page 1D

The butcher’s breakfast Tujague’s has been on a journey along Decatur Street, to put it mildly, landing at its current location in 2020.

It was originally located 811 Decatur St., before moving (for the first time) in 1914 to 823 Decatur St. Both locations were across from the French Market, and Tujague’s served essentially as a dining room for the market’s butchers and merchants. Their days started early, and their meals came early too, in a tradition dubbed “the butcher’s breakfast.”

Through virtually it’s entire history Tujague’s served only a table d’hôte meal, a fixed-price progression of dishes.

Generations of New Orleans people knew this started with an intensely-sharp shrimp remoulade, a soup (or gumbo), boiled beef brisket, an entree (initially one plate of the day later a choice of dishes) and bread pudding, usually with black coffee served in short glasses at the end.

There was a pivotal change following the 2013 death of longtime owner Steven Latter His son, Mark Latter, suddenly found himself in charge of the restaurant and its legacy Determined to keep it financially viable in the modern era, he introduced a new a la carte menu, running alongside the table d’hôte tradition.

Brisket is back

are begging to be replaced by the excellent nixtamalized tortillas from Tacos Del Cartel.

Then diners can progress through main course entrees, like sirloin served on sizzling on a platter (with another tableside smoke show) and lamb chops or grilled salmon.

Best bites

Here’s what I recommend: Get a selection of sushi and appetizers, then one of the fried rice dishes as anchor The rice with duck had meat that was cooked medium and tender with a distinct rice grain, closer to crisp than fluffy but still toasty

The dynamite roll (Dinamita on the menu) was the first thing on our table. It’s made with surimi with crunchy panko and roe, and when dunked in clarified butter it tastes richly golden and sweet, like a crab roll gone to a lobster boil. It was the best bite on our table, until, that is, dessert.

Let’s just call it the matcha lava soufflé. It arrives in a ceramic bowl so hot it could’ve been pulled from a volcano. When the spoon cuts in to the dark, rounded top, the green matcha interior spills out. A dollop of ice cream immediately begins melting into it, and each bite becomes this creamy, mellow umami delight, like some higher order of pistachio.

One more round

This is a date night place, and the small confines lend themselves to couples or small groups at most. It offers a different Japanese restaurant experience, adventurous and playful, looser in style than restaurants focused on omakase and also more approachable. Atmosphere here counts as much as the food Plan to spend about $100 per person to sample around with drinks.

After dinner, exit not the way you came through Tacos Del Cartel, but via a side door, concealed from the dining room And suddenly like Alice blinking back to real life, this undersea wonderland disappears and you’re standing across from a parking lot, perhaps contemplating a margarita back inside Tacos Del Cartel to round out the night.

on the side. At least, that is the memory of it.

Following the elder Latter’s death, his family sold the property at 823 Decatur St. to local real estate mogul Mike Motwani, thus uncoupling ownership of the historic restaurant from its historic home.

When a new lease came due, the younger Latter said moving the restaurant was the only way it could survive as a business. The old location has sat empty in the years since.

TUJAGUE’S RESTAURANT

429 Decatur St., (504) 525-8676 l Dinner daily brunch Friday to Sunday

Tujague’s has served both ever since, even through the latest move. The beef brisket, however, has been missing. It was chased off the menu by higher prices for the once-lowly cut, along with higher labor costs. In the old days, the restaurant had one person in the kitchen devoted to preparing the brisket alone.

For the anniversary year, though, Tujague’s is restoring the brisket to the table d’hôte menu.

The hunk of meat arrives on the table with all the bluntness you’d imagine from a butcher’s breakfast of a century ago. It’s no flair, all flavor, with a hamper of Creole seasoning cooked into the fibers of the fork-tender beef, with a snappy tomato-horseradish sauce

AWARDS

Continued from page 1D

and its associated programs and events, and the city will be the backdrop for industry watchers and dining aficionados keeping up with the ratings. This ranking covers restaurants in the U.S., Canada and parts of the Caribbean (restaurants in Mexico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic are covered in a separate ranking, Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants).

50 Best, a brand from U.K.based media and events company William Reed Ltd., partnered with New Orleans & Co., the city’s tourism sales and marketing agency, to bring the event here. 50 Best praised the city’s food culture as a fitting destination to gather the “North American restaurant community” and to celebrate “the city’s enduring legacy and the chefs and restaurants pushing the region’s culinary culture forward.”

Walt Leger III, president and CEO of New Orleans & Co., said in a statement that hosting the new event is “part of a larger effort to amplify our culinary scene” and “raise the profile of New Orleans as a global travel destination and a culinary center of excellence.”

Up the street, Tujague’s is now very much at home in another much larger historic building. What once felt like a time capsule of the past is now a Creole restaurant adapting to the times. The kitchen is also better equipped, which bodes well for the future of chicken bonne femme.

Garlic, add chicken

The name chicken bonne femme, or “chicken good wife,” references its rustic style, evoking a country matriarch working wonders with a few basic ingredients.

The persillade topping is similar to a more contemporary fried chicken made famous by the late chef Austin Leslie, and still served at Jacques-Imo’s Café and its sister restaurant Crabby Jack’s.

Tujague’s takes it several steps further In “Tujague’s Cookbook,” by Poppy Tooker, the recipe calls for 40 cloves of garlic per chick-

How it works

Like the group’s other rankings, the list of North America’s 50 Best Restaurants is determined through an assessment by an anonymous panel that includes, according to the group, “chefs, restaurateurs, food and beverage journalists, educators, and well-traveled gourmets.”

50 Best says “any style of restaurant in the region is eligible for votes and restaurants do not have to fit any criteria or tick any preordained boxes to be considered. Voters are simply asked to name their eight best restaurant experiences of any kind across the voting period.”

Top-ranked restaurants do tend to be upscale, and often are tasting menu restaurants. Last year, two New Orleans restaurants made the debut ranking for North America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Emeril’s Restaurant, which later earned two stars from the separate Michelin Guide, was ranked No. 30. Dakar NOLA, which would pick up a Michelin-recommended distinction last year, ranked No. 6. The No. 1 spot last year went to Atomix, a Korean tasting menu restaurant in New York.

50 Best also has parallel global and regional lists for bars, and New Orleans has shown well in this category

en. When served, it is practically breaded with the punchy, potent mixture. The garlic’s pungency, with the contrasting bright, clean flavor of parsley attaches itself to the chicken’s juices as you bite through the crisp skin. The potatoes become chips to scoop up more. Chicken bonne femme turns up at other Creole restaurants, including Galatoire’s. Here, as with most other renditions, it is baked chicken with potatoes and far less garlic.

Tujague’s version has always been fried. In the old location, which had a tiny, archaic kitchen with no deep fryer, that meant a slow, laborious pan frying. That’s one reason its availability was always limited.

Today, Tujague’s uses deep fryers, and these should get a workout in March during the dish’s special run. Latter says it’s possible the dish could eventually find a spot on the regular menu after all, if demand is there. March will tell if garlic lovers will flock to it.

Additional anniversary specials planned so far include seafood stuffed mirliton in April and crawfish bisque in May

The restaurant also has a special brunch special with two courses for $18.56, served Friday through Sunday And there’s a special around the grasshopper, the green, creamy brandy cocktail created here in 1918. You can try a short “demi” version for $1.70.

Last year, two New Orleans bars made the North America’s 50 Best Bars with Jewel of the South in the French Quarter ranked No. 4, and the Uptown lounge Cure rounded out the list at No. 50.

More global attention

The city has been racking up more important accolades on an international level. Last year, Time Out named New Orleans the top food destination in the world, and the Michelin Guide began its ratings of restaurants here.

Tales of the Cocktail brings its conference and international awards for the spirits and bar business to New Orleans each summer, and in January, Southern Hospitality Weekend debuted from local restaurant company the Morrow Group as a new industry conference. This summer, the city will again host two related global competitions, Bocuse d’Or and Coupe du Monde de la Patisserie (aka the Pastry World Cup). Equated to the World Cup of cuisine, teams representing countries from North America and South America will compete in New Orleans to earn a spot at the finals for each event, held in Lyon, France.

This continental qualifier round will be held July 25-26, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in conjunction with the Louisiana Restaurant Association’s annual trade show

n Carnival Chromatics

The Original Illinois Clubpresented “A Magical Celebration of Princesses of Color” as thetheme for its recent Carnival ball and debutante cotillion in theGrand Ballroom of the Jung Hotel. Thegala eventalso hailedthe club’sfounding in 1895.

After the overture, master of ceremonies Huiet JosephIII and 2026 ball captain BobbyDuplessis were introduced.The latter characterized FloydNorman, Disney’s first Black animator,whose storytelling sensibilitieshelped define characters of color. In keeping withthe theme andrecalling the timeless tunes from theWalt Disneysongbook, the LeroyPero Ensemble of Baton Rouge played “When You Wish Upon aStar,” the first of thesignificantsongs. Later, there was aballet performance fromthe troupe,StudioG Dance.

The Lighting of the OIC Crest openedthe 2026 ball, which then paid homage to the 2025royal court, headed by her majesty Riley Noel Baptiste,daughter of Mr VanBaptiste and Ms. Raquel DuFauchard. The royal debutantes were Misses Lydia ShelbyBenward, Diamond Bolds, Kennedy Gabrielle Boutte, Bailey Alexis Bush, Dacia Renee Chilangwa,Michaela Gabrielle Gray,Kai Elizabeth Jones and Tamia Lynn Williams.

Former monarchs AnthonyF.Maheia (1990) and Charles F.Webb Sr (1993 and 2024), along withpage Caden AlexanderDavis,escorted the 2026 King Illinois, Darren AlbertPatin. “Hail! Hail! Hail!” greeted the new majesty. He wasoutfittedinacouture-inspired ensemble of regal authority thatconsisted of astructured jacket, ahigh ruffledneckline, acape and bold mantle, coordinated trousers, andornate footwear Debutante chairman Dr Otis Gowdy Jr introduced the 2026 debutantes, starting with royal debutante maid Cameryn McKenzi Davis. Misses Makayla Ashanta Allen, Kaybree Anai Cushenberry,Akemi Jordan-Lee Toney,AlainyShilohRoche and BrooklynBonny Boe were the royal debutantes.

Before the grand arrival of her majesty,Messrs. Billy Allen, Quentin Brown, RobertBuford,ColbertClark, Christopher L. Hammond, Cavin Davis, C.J.Pesnell and Dr RobertNewsome played arole.

To the “Marcia Trionfale” from the opera“Aida,” Queen Illinois Alyssa Mackenzie Larks,daughter of Mr AlfredLarks II and Dr Angelle McConduit-Hammond andstepdaughter of Mr.Christopher L. Hammond, made her stunningappearance. Her escorts were above Messrs. Hammond(OICpresident) and Clark, King Illinois, respectively in 2023 and2014, and page Colin JruTurner Queen Alyssa was radiant in adesign by Korbelle that featured asculpted silhouettewitha fitted bodice,a sweeping train (which depicted, in shades of blue,acathedral), and heavy overall beadingonthe gowntocreate aluminous effect as she processed.Whenshe took her place on the golden throne withKing Patin, an endearing picture fused with the monarchal one. Theroyalty were niece and uncle Among the ensuing formalities were the traditional

toasttothe monarchs, theroyal promenade, and dancing by thedebutantes and club members to thetraditional “Chicago Glide” waltz to themusic of “Dance, Dance Queen Illinois.”

Amongthe manynoted were regal mother Angelle, who caught the eye in agown of striking red with intricate beading. Mrs. Patin, Chanttell, also projected sartorial splendor.Noted, too were prominent guests Royand Ines Glapion, Ernest and Kelly Legier,Bart and Dr Karen Becnel Moore, Dr Stephen and Nancy Hales, Dr Warren and Gail McKenna (her majesty’s proud grandmother), Gina Swanson, Judge Omar and Carla Mason,Lawrence Robinson,and Cardelland Christy Ross. To mention afew.They sat at tables covered in black linens and centered with Carnival-inspired centerpieces. For

Jaden and Alyssa Larks, ChristopherHammond and Angelle McConduit-Hammond

n DestinationRoyalty

“Dr Angelle McConduit-Hammond and Mr ChristopherHammond request the pleasure of your company at aFormalCelebration honoringtheir daughter Alyssa MackenzieLarks”headed thepretty invitation that stated the Sheraton Metairie as the location.Softromanticivory and pink were the featured colors within the ballroom, where candles of differentheightsand chandelier effects centeredthe tables tocreateanatmosphere of elegance. In keeping with the party’s palette,honoree Alyssa wore asoft pink ball gown with avoluminous skirt and embellishmentofintricate lace appliques and subtle beading. Her mother chose agown of richbronze andwarm metallic undertones. Always ahighlight, thepresentation of debutante Alyssa (and soon-to-be queen) captured the collective attention.Tribute waspaid to the radiant honoree in many forms. More aspects of the lovely levityincludedthe dinner menuofgreen salad, main course choice, and drizzled cheesecake; andparty favorsofpersonalized luggage tags. In additionto thosegifts, OIC members, wivesand debutantes received toiletry bags. Among the many delightinginthe formality andfun were the hosting Hammonds, deb brother Jaden Jamison Larks, master of ceremonies Norman Robinson, Deacon and Mrs. Larry Calvin,state Sen. Royce and Krystal Duplessis,former Urban League of Louisiana CEO Erika McConduit Peters (who made apresentation on behalf ofU.S. Rep Troy Carter), Darren and Chanttell Patin, Denise McConduit, and Drs. Warren McKenna Jr.,Thomas Mims and RobertMatheney and their wives.

Entertainment came in lots offorms. Saxophonist Jeremy Benoit greeted guests, adynamic line of African dancers from KennethKynt Bryan Flash Mob New Orleansled the way for the honoree’sentrance, and to getthe group moving and grooving, Robert“DJ Bounce Brother”Carpenter beckoned with the beat

dining, Messina’sCatering &Events prepared tasty buffet selections. Reflecting on their revels, Queen Illinois Alyssa Larks related her pride in joining along line of Illinois Queens and her gratitude in representing the club. Similarly,King Illinois Darren Patin said how proud he wastohave his “nameetched in the annals of this publically historic organization” and the honor of reigning alongside his beautiful and talented niece. “All Hail! All Hail! King and Queen Illinois 2026!”

n Pretty in Pink “Cami”was bannered atop the invitation sent by Dr Claudine Davis and Mr Cavin Davis for aparty at The Royal Palm in Harvey to honor their daughter, Cameryn McKenzi Davis, thefuture OIC royal debutantemaid. Semiformal was theattire. Claudine Davis planned theparty that featured decorations by the venue’s NicoleThacker and her team. In keeping with thethematic pink, Cami chose aball gown of that color that was fashioned with afitted bodice, enhanced withcrystals and beading, and a layered skirt in rosecolored tulle. The debs wore formal, pastel colored gowns and Cami’smother, an a-line, plum tealength dress. During the course of the presentation, state Sen. Royce Duplessis presented Camiwith aproclamation.Other recognitions ensued. Applauding these choice moments were the Rev HenryDavis,Original Illinois Club members and their wives, Aloma Hutchinson, David Beaulieu,and the junior Cedric Davilliers, the Troy McGowans, the junior Cyril Davilliers, the Clifford Spears Sr., Mrs. Michelle Davis Robair, Ms. Wanda Rouzan, the Darren Battistes, the junior Marlin Guzmans,and the Kendrick Millers.All relished thehors d’oeuvres, such as crawfish balls and fried fish, which preceded the dinner of gumbo, jambalaya and turkey.Party favors included personalized mini Tabasco bottles, pralines, OIC shot glasses, and OICwine stoppers. The Free Agents Brass Band with Zulu Trampsand themusic making of DJ PJ notched up theexcitementeven more. Fun permeated the premises. Both partyhonorees, Alyssa and Cami, along with their co-debutantes (and manyparents), will treasure the recent revelry and the thrills they experienced when the spotlight turned on them, with Carnival brilliance, at the 124th ball and cotillion.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Take care of domestic, legal, financial or medical issues. It's time to shed the past and to embrace personal growth and the life you desire. Get moving!

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself Conversations will escalate quickly if you discuss a touchy situation. Bide your time, and the tide will turn.

tAuRuS (April 20-May 20) Put your money and possessions in a safe place, and keep your secrets to yourself. Focus your attention on learning something new, gathering information and verifying facts.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Let common sense guide you. Refuse to let your emotions spin out of control and cause you to act in haste. The best way to deal with whatever is going on around you is to take a time-out.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Be sure to go over every detail carefully. Dealing with institutions and government agencies will command attention. Be a good listener, and you'll gain an unexpected edge.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Gather information and use what you discover to make a difference. How you engage with others will set the tone for what's to come. Keep life simple and live within your means.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Look out for your best interests. Your success will not please your competitors, but you can win the support you need to move

forward without negativity or opposition.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-oct. 23) Be careful when sharing information. Someone will twist your words if it helps them get ahead. You are best off representing yourself in situations that can affect your reputation.

SCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Don't let the little annoyances get to you. Selfimprovement will serve you better than will trying to change others. A positive attitude will help you gain respect and loyalty.

SAGIttARIuS (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't share personal information. Stick close to home, and you'll save money and avoid people who annoy you. Keep your emotions in check and say no to temptation.

CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Fend for yourself Back away from anyone who tries to dictate what you can or can't do. You are overdue for a change, and it's up to you to enforce what's in your best interest.

AQuARIuS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) It's time to further your agenda. Don't ignore an opportunity that appears unexpectedly. If you want something, it's up to you to make the first move. High energy and a positive attitude will help you excel.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

In “The Merchant of Venice,”William Shakespeare wrote, “At thelength, the truthwill out.”

Whenever you playbridge, dwell at length on your long suitsbecause, in truth, they will usually generate extra tricks. Someplayers are too wedded to high-card pointsand forget to add value foralong suit.

WhenIwatchedthisdealbeingplayed, IlikedSouth’s one-no-trumpresponse. His hand wassosoft, with defensive, not offensive, values. (He thought about passing, but no one woulddothat today.)

Then North surprised me by raising to two no-trump. Yes,hehad only17highcardpoints,butheshouldhaveaddedtwo pointsforhissix-cardsuitandjumpedto three no-trump. True,ifWesthad been psychic and led adiamond, the contract wouldprobably have gone down two. Butheunderstandably chose aspade, selecting the 10, showing zero or two higher honors by partnership agreement Southwon with his queen and played a club to dummy’s queen East shouldhave ducked this, which would have perhaps tempted South into an indiscretion. (Hemighthave, for example, playeda heart to hisqueen. Then West could havewon and returned to aheart.)

wuzzles

However,East wonthe trick and shifted to alow heart. West wonwithhis ace and returned aheart. In the fullness of time, declarer took nine tricks. It would have been much better play forSouthtohaveledhisclubjackattrick two, so he couldhave stayed in hishand to repeat the club finesse if it were winning (or, here, East ducked). ©2026 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InStRuCtIonS: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’S WoRD ConnIVES: kuh-NIVES: Conspires

Average mark21words

Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 32 or morewords in CONNIVES?

yEStERDAy’S WoRD —WAtCHFuL

waft watch what awful talc thaw tufa calf chat claw cult haft half halt haul hula fact fault flat flaw latch lath

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.

Puzzle Answer ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

WiShinG Well

$366.00

Nicotine Study –The City Planning Commission is directed to conduct a studyonretailestablish‐mentsthatsellcannabis, tobacco andnicotine products andtoprovide recommendationsre‐gardingupdatedregula‐tion of theseuses, in‐cludingbut notlimited to thedefinition of thenew uses,use standards, sig‐nage regulations, and densityrestrictions, as applicable This studyisintendedto supplant thestudy com‐missionedbythe Council throughmotionM-25-379. THECITYPLANNING COMMISSION,INACCOR‐DANCEWITHMOTIONM25-470 ANDTHE CPC’S RULES, POLICIES,AND PROCEDURES WILL HEAR ALLINTERESTEDPARTIES WHOWISHTOSPEAK ON THECANNABIS, TOBACCO ANDNICOTINESTUDY ALLINTERESTEDPARTIES AREENCOURAGEDTOAT‐TEND ANDALL RELEVANT COMMENTS AREEN‐COURAGED.THE CPC WILL FOLLOW THEPUB‐LIC HEARINGRULES ES‐TABLISHEDWITHINITS ADMINISTRATIVE RULES, POLICIES ANDPROCE‐DURES.YOU MAYSUBMIT WRITTENCOMMENTSTO THEEXECUTIVE DIREC‐TORINADVANCE BY MAIL (1300 PERDIDOSTREET 7THFLOOR,NEW OR‐LEANS, LA 70112) OR BY EMAILTO CPCINFO@ NOLA.GOV THEDEADLINE FORWRITTEN COM‐MENTSFOR THIS HEAR‐INGIS5PM,MONDAY, MARCH2,2026. February 18, 25 and March4,2026 Robert Rivers ExecutiveDirector

allpersons interested in this matter shallappear before

February 11, 2026

INVITATION TO BID Sealed Bid No. 26-6943

Provide Drainage Maintenance Services as needed

Sealed Bid No. 26-6943

The City of Kenner (also referenced as “Kenner” and Owner”) will receive sealed bids for: PROVIDE DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE SERVICES AS NEEDED

Bidders may obtaincopies of thebid documentsand submit bids electronically by visitingwww.centralauctionhouse com. Sealed bids may alsobereceived by mail or in-person until Monday,March 16, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. CST,bythe City of Kenner in the Finance Department locatedat: 1610 ReverendRichard Wilson Drive BuildingD Kenner,Louisiana 70062

All interested parties are invited to attendthe BidOpening on the same dayat10:00 a.m. in theCityofKenner,Building

D Auditorium, 1610 Rev. Richard WilsonDrive,Kenner Louisiana, at which timethe bids willbepublicly read CITY OF KENNER /s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer

Advertisement: The Advocate February 11, 2026 February 18, 2026 February 25, 2026

INVITATION TO BID Sealed Bid No. 26-6944

February 11, 2026 Repair and Maintenance Services of I-10Street Lighting Sealed Bid No. 26-6944

The City of Kenner (also referenced as “Kenner” and Owner”) will receive sealed bids for:

REPAIR AND MAINTENANCESERVICES OF I-10 STREET LIGHTING

Bidders may obtaincopies of thebid documentsand submit bids electronically by visitingwww.centralauctionhouse.com.

Sealed bids may be received by mail or in-person until Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. CST,bythe City of Kenner in the Finance Departmentlocated at: 1610 ReverendRichard Wilson Drive BuildingD Kenner,Louisiana 70062

All interested parties are invited to attendthe BidOpening on the same dayat10:00 a.m. in theCity of Kenner, Building DAuditorium, 1610 Rev. RichardWilsonDrive,Kenner Louisiana, at which timethe bids willbepublicly read CITY OF KENNER

/s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer

February 25, 2026

Furnish andInstall Athletic FlooringatMussBertolino Gym

Sealed BidNo. 26-6950

TheCityofKenner(also referenced as “Kenner”and “Owner”) willreceive sealed bids for: FURNISH AND INSTALL ATHLETIC FLOORINGATMUSS BERTOLINO GYM

Bidders may obtain copies of thebid documents by visiting theCityofKenner’swebsiteatwww.kenner.la.us. Bidders mayalso obtain copies of thebid documents and submit bids electronically by visitingwww.centralauctionhouse.com. Sealed bids may also be received by mailorin-person until Friday, March27, 2026 at 9:45 a.m. CST by theCityof Kenner in theFinance Departmentlocated at: 1610 ReverendRichard Wilson Drive Building D Kenner,Louisiana 70062

All interestedparties are invited to attendthe BidOpening on thesame dayat10:00 a.m. in theCity of Kenner,Building DAuditorium, 1610 Rev. RichardWilson Drive, Kenner Louisiana, at which timethe bids willbepublicly read.There willbeanoptional pre-bid meeting on Thursday,March 12, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CST at Muss Bertolino Gymlocated at 600 West EsplanadeAvenue,Kenner, LA 70065. Allinterested bidders are encouraged to attend. CITY OF KENNER

/s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer

Advertisement: TheAdvocate February25, 2026 March 4, 2026 March 11, 2026

INVITATION TO BID Sealed Bid No. 26-6951

February 25, 2026

SupplySodiumHypochloriteasneeded Sealed BidNo. 26-6951

TheCityofKenner (alsoreferenced as “Kenner”and “Owner”) willreceive sealed bids for: SUPPLYSODIUM HYPOCHLORITE AS NEEDED

Biddersmay obtaincopies of thebid documents by visiting theCityofKenner’swebsite at www.kenner.la.us.Bidders mayalso obtain copies of thebid documents and submit bids electronically by visitingwww.centralauctionhouse.com. Sealed bids may also be received by mailorin-person until Monday, March30, 2026 at 9:45

Advertisement: The Advocate February 11, 2026 February 18, 2026 February 25, 2026

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed Bid No. 26-6945

February 11, 2026

CONTRACT TO PROVIDE SCHEDULE 80 PVC PIPES AS NEEDED

Sealed Bid No. 26-6945

The City of Kenner (also referenced as “Kenner” and Owner”) will receive sealed bids for:

CONTRACT TO PROVIDE SCHEDULE 80 PVC PIPESAS NEEDED

Bidders may alsoobtaincopies of thebid documentsand submit bids electronically by visitingwww.centralauctionhouse.com.

Sealed bids may also be received by mail or in-person until March 13, 2026 at 9:45 a.m., by theCityofKenner in the Finance Department located at: 1610 ReverendRichard Wilson Drive Building D Kenner,Louisiana 70062

All interested parties are invited to attendthe BidOpening on the same dayat10:00 a.m. in theCityofKenner, Building DAuditorium,1610 Rev. RichardWilson Drive, Kenner Louisiana, at which timethe bids willbepublicly read. CITY OF KENNER

/s/ElizabethHerring

By virtue of a WritofSeizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026,at12:00 o'clock noon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 8233 SCLAI‐BORNE AV NEW ORLEANS, LA 70118 LOT2 -SQUARE 343 7THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 730214 WRIT AMOUNT: $228.14

Seized in the above suit, TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be

ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 27 THELAW OF‐FICESOFHER‐SCHELC.AD‐COCK,JR.,L.L.C (225) 756-0373 DENNISF.WIG‐GINS,JR.

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

GAGE VERSUS TEXMICHAEL ARMENTOR A/K/ATEX M. ARMENTOR A/K/ATEX AR‐MENTOT AND BARBARASUE ARMENTOR A/K/ABARBARA S. ARMENTOR A/K/ABARBARA ARMENTOR

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-391

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty towit: 203 NEIL AV NEWORLEANS LA 70131 SQUARE J, LOT2 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN:947939 WRIT AMOUNT

CQ :9 939 WRIT AMOUNT: $40,111.11

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 23 THELAW OF‐FICESOFHER‐SCHELC.AD‐COCK,JR.,L.L.C (225) 756-0373 DENNISF.WIG‐GINS,JR. TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 7031 MANCHESTER STREET,THIS CITY, IN THEMATTER IN THE MATTER ENTITLED:J.P MORGAN MORT‐GAGE ACQUISI‐TION CORP.VER‐SUSWILLIAM

on the ground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421

Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City onFebruary26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

7031 MANCHES‐TERSTNEW OR‐LEANS, LA 70126

LOT: A-2, SQUARE:19 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT WRIT AMOUNT:

$179,674.00

Seized in the above suit

TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 1 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, LLC504-5819444

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026

JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 5752 BANCROFT DRIVE, THIS CITY,IN

THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:NATION‐STAR MORT‐GAGE LLCVER‐SUSLOUELLA P. GIVENS HARD‐ING, (A/K/A LOUELLA PEARL GIVENS, LOUELLA PEARL HARDING, LOUELLA P. HARDING, LOUELLA PEARL GIVENS HARDING, LOUELLA GIVENS HARD‐ING) ANDTHE OPENED SUC‐CESSION OF CHARLESHARD‐ING, (A/K/A CHARLES COR‐NELIUSHARD‐ING) AND41EN‐CAMPMENT,LLC

to make a de positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice, and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 4 ALBERTELLI LAW, P.A. 813221-4743 PENNY DAIGRE‐PONT

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026

JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 3589 MIMOSA CT, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:FI‐DELITYBANK VERSUS STACY N. WARREN

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-2325

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parishof Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 3589MIMOSA CT NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70131 LOT457SQUARE 126 5THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1075163 TALL TIMBERS SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $117,454.19

THATCERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4202 S ROMANSTREET, THIS CITY,IN THEMATTER EN‐TITLED:U.S BANK TRUST NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UALCAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEEFOR DETERMINATION MORTGAGE TRUSTVERSUS TYSONGROUP, LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-6830

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the above entitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026,at12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 4202 SROMAN ST NEW OR‐LEANS, LA 70125 LOT: 1AND ONEHALF (1/2)OF ORIGINAL LOT NO.2,SQUARE: 704 SIXTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1421284 WRIT AMOUNT: $298,093.05

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order.NoPer‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 6 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

Building, 421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1924-26 DAUPHINE ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70116 LOT;:15, SQUARE:158 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1388543

WRIT AMOUNT: $1,913,724.77

Seizedinthe abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 10 LAWOFFICES BAKER, DONEL‐SON, BEARMAN, CALDWELL & BERKOWITZ504566-5211

JOSEPH P. BRIGGETT

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS4840 DODT AVENUE, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKATHE BANK OF NEWYORK, AS TRUSTEEFOR THECERTIFI‐CATE HOLDERS OF THECWABS INC.,ASSETBACKED CER‐TIFICATES, SE‐RIES 2004-3VERSUS SHERNITA KENNEDY

Note: The pay ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order.NoPer‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 17 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 EMILYA MUELLER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026

JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 7130 NEPTUNE COURT, THIS CITY,IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:LIBERTY BANK AND TRUSTCOM‐PANY VERSUS DONALD J. DAVISSR. AND AULONKA DION NIXON DAVIS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2023-3284

By virtue of a Writ of FieriFa‐cias directed to me by theHon‐orable Judges of CivilDistrict Courtfor the Parish of Or‐leans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

7130 NEPTUNE CT NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70126 LOT2,SQUARE1 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT LAKEFOREST SUBDIVISION NO.2,PARTA WRIT AMOUNT: $151,987.77

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS220507 BROADWAY ST,CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:ERICH HEIDINGS‐FELDER AND JEANNINE KENNY HEID‐INGSFELDER VERSUS 700B15, LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-8533

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 2205-07 BROAD‐WAYSTNEW ORLEANS, LA 70118 LOTB -SQUARE 51 6THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1421311 WRIT AMOUNT: $400,000.00

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING. SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 21 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE, APLC 504-8379040

lowing de scribedprop‐erty to wit: 4956 MEADOW BANK ST NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128 LOT14- SQUARE 3 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN:202029400 SHERWOOD FOREST EAST NO.3 SUBDIVI‐SION WRIT AMOUNT: $152,181.67

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 11 LAWOFFICES JACKSON &MCPHERSON L.L.C504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLICNOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4520 LENNOXBOULE‐VARD,THISCITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: ROCKET MORT‐GAGE,LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/AQUICKEN LOANSINC VERSUS THEUN‐OPENED SUC‐CESSIONOF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOF RICHARDA BARROWA/K/A RICHARD A. BARROW A/K/ARICHARD BARROW

sonal Checks FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 13 LAWOFFICESOF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR. LLC (225) 756-0373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 6825 E CORONETCT, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:WELLS FARGOBANK, N.A. VERSUS JUAN PAUL SCOTTA/K/A JUAN P. SCOTTA/K/A JUAN SCOTT ANDDANIELLE ROBERTSSCOTT A/K/ADANIELLE R. SCOTTA/K/A DANIELLE SCOTT

STREET, THIS CITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED:SE‐LECT PORTFO‐LIOSERVICING INCVERSUS

ERIC JARED IGLESIAS A/K/A ERIC J. IGLESIAS A/K/A ERIC IGLESIAS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-6179

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 1015

MELPOMENEST NEWORLEANS, LA 70130 LOT: 15, SQUARE:141 FIRSTMUNICI‐PAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1114069 WRIT AMOUNT: $140,208.48

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-6824 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the above entitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City onFebruary26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 5752 BANCROFT DR NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70122 LOT: 6, SQUARE: 46 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 712387 OAKPARKGAR‐DENS WRIT AMOUNT: $173,657.10

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, ParishofOr‐leans

RB 7 GRAHAM,ARCE‐NEAUX& ALLEN, LLC 504-5228256 FOERSTNERG MEYER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1924-26 DAUPHINE STREET,THIS CITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: B1BANK VERSUS LION DEVELOP‐MENT GROUP, LLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-7737

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE A NS Case No: 2025-9470

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-8446

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10162 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 6825 ECORONET CT NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70126 LOT18- SQUARE 4 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 962174 PARC BRITTANY SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $229,820.66

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 18 LAWOFFICESOF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR. LLC(225) 7560373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE

Seized in the above suit TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026 JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 L l A

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on February 26, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing described prop‐erty to wit: 4840 DODT AV NEWORLEANS, LA 70126 LOTS:13AND 14, SQUARE:17 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 759318 WRIT AMOUNT: $38,038.06

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 18

NEWMAN MATHIS BRADY &SPEDALE A PROFESSIONAL LAWCORPORA‐TION 504-8379040

WAYNEA.MAIO‐RANA

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 1/21/2026 & 2/25/2026

JAN21-FEB252T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4956 MEADOW BANK STREET,CITYOF NEWORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED:LAKE‐VIEW LOAN SER‐VICING,LLC VERSUS CHRISTYQ JACKSON CI VI

S Case No: 2024-4010

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil DistrictCourt forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026 at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐ib d

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribed prop‐erty to wit: 4520 LENNOXBD NEWORLEANS LA 70131 SQUARE A, LOT 11 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQ MIN:1320209 WRIT AMOUNT: $170,704.60

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks.

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 14 LAWOFFICESOF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR., LLC(225) 7560373

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1015 MELPOMENE STREET,THIS

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS20132015 PAINTERS ST,CITYOFNEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED: PANORAMA MORTGAGE GROUP, LLC VERSUS MOR‐GANNICOLE WILLIAMS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-6548

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2013-2015 PAINTERS ST

PAINTERS ST NEWORLEANS LA 70117 LOT7 -SQUARE 1017

3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1412471 WRIT AMOUNT:

$278,138.76

Seized in the above suit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 20 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 EMILYA MUELLER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

Parish of Or leans

GH 19 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 AMYR.ORTIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4101 STEPHENGIRAD AVENUE,THIS CITY,INTHE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:JPMOR‐GANCHASE BANK,NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATIONVERSUS THEOPENED SUCCESSION OF GENELVERDUN JAMES, (A/K/A GENELJAMES, GENELVERDUN) ANDCLIFTON CHARLES JAMES, JR., CLIFTONC JAMES, JR. (A/K/A CLIFTON CHARLES JAMES, JR., CLIFTONJAMES JR.,CLIFTON JAMES

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2022-9476

METAIRIE BANK &TRUST VER‐SUSWOODROW W. RANDALL CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-2717

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 11141N FOREST PARK CT NEW ORLEANS, LA 70128 LOT9 -SQUARE A 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1396941 FOREST PARK EAST SUBDIVI‐SION WRIT AMOUNT: $265,416.05

TALL TIMBERS SUBDIVISION, SECTION7 WRIT AMOUNT: $417,753.86

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 25 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE APLC 225-3433456 JEFFERY TOEPFER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS28212823 N ROCHEBLAVE ST, CITY OF NEWORLEANS IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: ROCKET MORT‐GAGE,LLC F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC F/K/A QUICKENLOANS INC. VERSUS IRA THOMPSON A/K/AIRA D. THOMPSON

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-4973

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026 at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2800 1STST NEWORLEANS, LA 70113 LOTX-1SQUARE 390 4THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQ MIN: 1432353 WRIT AMOUNT: $265,325.07

WRIT AMOUNT: $264,141.73

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified Check or Money Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 25 CHRISTOPHER COURT, THIS CITY,IN

FIONA

H PEDEN, F.H. PEDEN) ANDAU

VERITASTRUST

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2023-3027

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City onApril 2, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 920 SCARROLL‐TONAVUNITT NEWORLEANS LA 70118 LOTS:1,2,3,4,5 26 ANDB, SQUARE:108 SEVENTHMU‐NICIPALDIS‐TRICT ACQMIN: 1346049 WRIT AMOUNT: $275,998.24

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floorofthe Civil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 4101 STEPHEN GIRARD AV NEW ORLEANS, LA 70126 SQUARE 18,LOT 5 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1437764 WRIT AMOUNT: $139,267.10

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 23 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE, APLC 225-3433456

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 3641 REDOAK COURT, THIS CITY,IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:HAN‐COCK WHITNEY BANK VERSUS DARRENMARK HARRIS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-2442

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1937 MIRABEAU AV‐ENUE,THISCITY, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:LIBERTY BANK AND TRUSTCOM‐PANY VERSUS BEACON LIGHT INTERNATIONAL BAPTIST CHURCH A/K/A BEACON LIGHT INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES: DARRYL S. BRIS‐TER; AND DIONNE FLOT BRISTER

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-9581

By virtue of a Writ of FieriFa‐cias directed to me by theHon‐orable Judges of CivilDistrict Courtfor the Parish of Or‐leans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit:

1937 MIRABEAU AV NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70122 LOT: B, SQUARE: 1 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT WRIT AMOUNT: $2,380,249.64

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSale di‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2821-2823 N ROCHEBLAVE ST NEWORLEANS LA 70117 LOTB -SQUARE 1318 3RDMUNICIPAL

DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1318234 WRIT AMOUNT: $160,635.82

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 22

LAWOFFICES OF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR., LLC(225) 7560373

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 27 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE, APLC 225-3433456 WAYNEA.MAIO‐RANA

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 724 PELICANAV‐ENUE,THISCITY, IN THE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:U.S.BANK TRUSTNA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOTIN ITSINDIVIDUAL CAPACITY,BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2023-AVERSUS BRIANELLISON A/K/ABRIAN LEEELLISON A/K/ABRIAN L. ELLISON

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 29 THELAW OF‐FICESOFHER‐SCHELC.AD‐COCK,JR.,L.L.C (225) 756-0373 DENNISF.WIG‐GINS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEARNG MUNIC‐IPAL NUMBERS 2553-2555 N MIRO ST,CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:U.S BANK TRUST NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UAL CAPACITY BUT SOLEYAS TRUSTEEFOR HOMESMORT‐GAGE TRUST VERSUS PELI‐CANPROS, LLC AND KEITHMGUIRE CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10393 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 2553-2555 N MIRO ST NEW ORLEANS, LA 70117

THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:FREE‐DOMMORT‐GAGE CORPORA‐TION VERSUS RODNEY J. RI‐CARD,DEIDRA RICARD LOPEZ A/K/ADEIDRAR LOPEZA/K/A DEIDRA LOPEZ, KEVINJOSEPH RICARD A/K/A

KEVINJ.RICARD A/K/AKEVIN RI‐CARD ANDROD‐NEYANTHONY

RICARD A/K/A

RODNEY A. RI‐CARD A/K/A RODNEYRICARD

THEREON BEAR THEMUNICIPAL NO.25CHRISTO‐PHER COURT, NEWFORLEANS, LA 70128

WRIT AMOUNT: $97,098.66

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 6

Seized in the above suit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment ofadjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

BD 21 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 EMILYMUELLER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 11141

N. FOREST PARK CT,CITYOF NEWORLEANS IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: METAIRIE BANK &

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the above entitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 3641 REDOAK CT NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70131 LOT: 14, SQUARE:114 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1401030 TALL TIMBERS

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 26

TAYLOR PORTER BROOKS & PHILLIPS225387-3221

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 2800 1STST, CITY OF NEWORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:FIRST AMERICAN BANK AND TRUSTVERSUS THEMOUNT SALEMMIS‐SIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH OF NEWORLEANS

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-28

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-4220 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 724 PELICANAV NEWORLEANS LA 70114 LOT: 20 BIX, SQUARE:34-35 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT MIN: 1461011 WRIT AMOUNT:

LOTS UAND VSQUARE 1165 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1377242 WRIT AMOUNT: $148,357.17

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 3 DEAN MORRIS, LLC318-3881440

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-1037 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: ACERTAIN LOT OR PORTIONOF GROUND,TO‐GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILD‐INGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALLRIGHTS, WAYS,PRIVI‐LEGES, SERVI‐TUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGINGORIN ANYWISE APPERTAINING, SITUATED IN THETHIRD DIS‐TRICTOFNEW ORLEANS, STATE OF LOUISIANA, IN CHRISTOPHER COURTSUBDIVI‐SION,ACCORD‐INGTOPLANOF UNIVERSALEN‐GINEERS, INC. DATEDDECEM‐BER14, 1978, APPROVED BY THECITY PLANNING COM‐MISSIONONAU‐GUST 13, 1980, NO.183/78 OF SUBDIVISION DOCKET, RECORDED IN COB764, FOLIO 572, BEINGA RE‐SUBDIVISIONOF LOT1 A, SEC‐TION 3 OF TH LAKRATT TRACT, DESIG‐NATEDASLOT 25, IN SQUARE BOUNDEDBY CHRISTOPHER COURT, CURRAN ROAD,VINCENT ROAD,MORRI‐SONROAD, AND GANNONROAD, LOT25COM‐MENCES THENCE 248.80 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF GANNON ROAD ANDCHRISTO‐PHER COURT ANDMEASURES THENCE 50 FEET FRONT ON CHRISTO‐PHER COURT, SAME WIDTHIN THEREAR, BY A DEPTHOF100 FEET BETWEEN EQUALAND PARALLEL LINES. ALLASMORE FULLYSHOWN ON MORE RECENT SURVEY MADE BY GILBER KELLY& COUTURIE,INC THEIMPROVE‐MENTS THEREONBEAR

HALLIDAY, WATKINS& MANN P.C. AT‐TORNEYSAT LAW

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1202 N GALVEZ STREET THIS CITY,IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:WELLS FARGOBANK, N.A.,AS TRUSTEE, FOR PARK PLACESE‐CURITIES,INC ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005WCW2 VERSUS ESTATE OF JULIE LANELLE BENNETT CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-2062 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 1202 N GALVEZ ST NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70119 LOT: A, SQUARE; 263 SECOND MUNIC‐IPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1454496 WRIT AMOUNT: $82,113.12

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH

JACKSON & MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 CRIS R. JACK‐SON

TheN.O.Advo‐

cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

ceed to sell by public auction, on theground

floorofthe Civil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026 at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 9304-9306 FIGST

NEWORLEANS, LA 70118 LOT: B, SQUARE: 438

SEVENTHMU‐NICIPALDIS‐TRICT ACQMIN: 1439944 WRIT AMOUNT: $273,000.00

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACEMASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

Sheriff Parish of Or‐leans GH 9

JACKSON& MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 KATE A. SOTO‐LONGO

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026

FEB25-APR1-2T

rected to me by theHonorable JudgesofCivil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 1446 HARRISON AV NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70122 LOTS 35 AND36 -SQUARE2875 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1165800 WRIT AMOUNT: $32,416.75

AND TEMPERA TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 10 ALBERTELLI LAW, P.A. 813221-4743 PENNY DAIGRE‐PONT

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T

CUADRADO (A/K/A LOLA I. CUADRADO) CI

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT PORTION OF GROUND, BEARINGMU‐NICIPALNO. 5740 EASTOVER DR,THISCITY, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED:BANK OF LOUISIANA VERSUS LIONEL BURNS, JR

rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April2,2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon,the fol‐lowing de‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: 5740 EASTOVER DR LOTNO. 6, SQUARE "B" THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT EASTOVER SUB‐DIVISION, PHASE1 ACQMIN 1099117 WRIT AMOUNT: $208,838.70

sonal Checks FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans BD 1 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE 225343-3456 ROBERT A. MATHIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/25/2026 & 4/1/2026 FEB25-APR1-2T described as

CERTAINLOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND,to‐gether with allthe build‐ings andimprovements thereon, andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,appurte‐nances andadvantages thereuntobelonging or in

and of record in theoffice of theClerk andRecorderof theParishofEastBaton Rouge, Stateof Louisiana, as LOTNUM‐BERSIXTY-SIX (66),said subdivision, said lothav‐ingsuchmeasurements anddimensionsand

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

SusanHutson Sheriff, i h f O

to me by th H bl

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐C C S

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by h bl

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. AC AS S