The Times-Picayune 02-28-2026

RENOVATING HISTORY

TheD-Day exhibitatThe National WWII Museum in NewOrleans is gettingamajor revamp

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Since it firstopened in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum, the heart of The National WWII Museum in New Orleans has long been its 8,000-square-foot D-Day exhibit.

Over 25 years, tens of millions of dollars and 10 million visitorslater,the museum hasmaxed outits seven-acre campus in the Central Business District and the original exhibit is due for overhaul.

“This exhibit was here on opening day,” said Peter Crean,the museum’svice president of education.

“While the story is the same, the way we tell it is going to be better.”

Forthe nextseveral months,The D-Day InvasionofNormandy’stwo galleries will be closed for amajor renovation that isset todebut with four galleries by June 6, 2027, the 83rd anniversaryofD-Day, when the Allies invaded western Europe

Amore analog displayfeatures the landing craft, both by air and sea, in one of theoriginal sections of The National WorldWar II Museum. This wing is closing for amajor renovation that will feature improveddisplays using more interactive technology

French Quarter Fest seeks newtitle sponsorship

Chevron’s‘significant’ contribution is beingcut back

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

For13years, Chevron served as the French Quarter Festival’stitle sponsor

The company’sfinancialsupport was so sizable that the free, springtime, downtown New Orleans festival has billed itself as the “French Quarter Festival Presented by Chevron” much like that other bigspringtime festival is officially the “New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival Presented by Shell.”

Butthe 2026 French Quarter Festival, which is April 16-19, won’thavea titlesponsor. Chevron cut back its contributions for 2026 and won’t be involved with the 2027 event.

According to representatives of both Chevron and the festival, the company decided last summer to wind downthe sponsorship.

“Each year,Chevroncarefully reviews our community partnerships and makesdecisions based on anumber of factors, including the location of our operations and assets,” Chevron spokesperson Chris Merrifield said via email. “Decisions relatedtothisyear’scivic andcharitable allocations weremade in August.

“Chevron will support French Quarter Festival in 2026, though not as title sponsor.After more than adecade of working together,we have also made the decisiontoconclude our partnership after this year’sevent.”

BY HALEYMILLER Staff writer

Congressional questioning shedslight on relationship

BY STEPHENGROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON FormerPresi-

dent Bill Clinton told members of Congress on Friday

that he “didnothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse ashe faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over hisconnections to the disgraced financierfrom morethan two decadesago “I saw nothing, and Idid nothing wrong,” the former Democratic president

BillClinton ä See CLINTON, page 3A ä See HISTORY, page 4A

said in an opening statement he shared on social media at the outsetofthe deposition. The closed-door depositionendedafter morethan six hours of questioningfromlawmakerswho said he answered everyquestionposed to him. The deposition in Chappaqua, New York, marked the first time aformer president has been

compelled to testify to Congress. It came aday afterClinton’s wife, former Secretary of StateHillaryClinton, sat with lawmakers for her own deposition. Bill Clinton has also not been accusedofany wrongdoing. Yetlawmakers are grappling withwhat accountability in theUnited States looks like at atimewhen men around

Students applying to LSU in Baton Rouge will once again need to submit standardized test scores after the Board of Supervisors voted Friday to drop the test-optional policy from the flagship campus.

“It will be just anothervariable that we use in atotal comprehensiveevaluation of the students,” LSU system President Wade Rousse said.

Sincethe COVID-19pandemic, applicants have been able to choosewhether to include SATorACT results. LSU madethe test-optional policy official in June 2022, following the trend of otheruniversitiesthat questioned whether test scores serveasareliable indicator of future academicperformance. But ChancellorJames Daltonsaidinstitutional data no longer supports de-emphasizingstandardized test results. For students who chose nottosubmit scores from2021 to 2024, average retention rates were4.3% lower and average first-term GPAs were 0.29 points lower than their counterparts who includedscores with theirapplication,according to LSUdata.

See LSU, page 4A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

L.A. firefighter says he warned about brush fire LOS ANGELES A Los Angeles firefighter testified in a newly released deposition that he told colleagues the ground was still smoldering from a brush fire days before authorities say it reignited into the most destructive blaze in city history Scott Pike, a firefighter with the Los Angeles Fire Department, said he told colleagues the ground was still hot when he was sent in to help clean up a New Year’s Day brush in the hillsides near the scenic Pacific Palisades neighborhood. Pike’s comments came in a sworn deposition taken in a lawsuit that was filed by fire victims. The deposition and those of other fire officials were made public this week after city attorneys had moved to keep it confidential for a month.

“I could feel the heat coming off of it, and I didn’t even want to use my gloved hand because it was hot, so I just kicked it with my boot to kind of expose it. And there was like red hot, like coals,” Pike said in the deposition. “I even heard crackling.” Pike said he was working an overtime shift and mentioned it to other firefighters who were out in the field, but they didn’t seem to think much of it. He said he told a supervisor there were still hot spots, but it wasn’t his job to challenge orders.

“I felt like I got kind of blown off a little bit,” Pike said “I saw something, I said something Alexander Robertson, an attorney for the fire victims, said he obtained a court order to depose a dozen firefighters tasked with mopping up the Jan. 1 fire. Pike was the only one who indicated fire officials had been warned the blaze had not been fully extinguished when they packed up and left the scene, Robertson said.

Russian drone caught in Swedish airspace

STOCKHOLM A Russian drone carried out an unauthorized flight off southern Sweden earlier this week while a French aircraft carrier was docked in the port of Malmö, the Swedish military said Friday, in what the defense minister said was a violation of his country’s airspace.

The armed forces said in a statement that a Swedish naval vessel detected a drone taking off from a Russian signals intelligence ship in the Öresund strait, which separates Sweden from Denmark.

The military said that systems on board the Swedish ship, the HMS Rapp, took countermeasures to disrupt the drone. It said the Russian ship, the Zhigulevsk, had entered Swedish territorial waters and the Rapp approached it to monitor its transit through the strait.

The French nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is in the southern Swedish city of Malmö this week as part of regular NATO exercise activities.

Malmö is located on the Öresund, opposite Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen French military spokesperson Guillaume Vernet said the drone was detected on Wednesday and handled by Swedish forces integrated into a security system around the carrier

2 trans men sue Kansas over law invalidating IDs TOPEKA, Kan. — Two transgender men are suing Kansas over a new law that invalidated their driver’s licenses and about 1,700 others for reflecting people’s gender identities and not their sex assigned at birth arguing that the measure is “dehumanizing.”

The men filed their case Thursday, the same day the law took effect, and argue that it violates rights to privacy personal autonomy and due legal process guaranteed by the Kansas Constitution. The men also are challenging the law’s tough, new enforcement provisions for the state’s 3-year-old policy of barring transgender people from using public restrooms or other single-sex facilities associated with their gender identities.

The men want to block the law, which also invalidated roughly 1,800 transgender people’s birth certificates. They filed their case in district court in Douglas County, where they live, which is home to the main University of Kansas campus and is a liberal bastion in a red-leaning state.

Trump says he’s ‘not happy’ with Iran talks

President indicates he’ll give them more time

BY SAM MEDNICK, MICHELLE L. PRICE and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel President Donald Trump said Friday he’s “not happy” with the latest talks over Iran’s nuclear program but indicated he would give negotiators more time to reach a deal to avert another war in the Middle East

He spoke a day after U.S. envoys held another inconclusive round of indirect talks with Iran in Geneva. As American forces gather in the region, Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a far-reaching deal on its nuclear program, while Iran insists it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes and denies seeking a nuclear weapon.

“I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that. We’ll see what happens. We’re talking later,” Trump told reporters as he left the White House on Friday “We’re not exactly happy with the way they’re negotiating. They cannot have nuclear weapons.”

Despite Trump’s negative assessment, one of the mediators of the talks later Friday appeared to issue a public plea to let the negotiations continue. Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has been mediating the talks, said on CBS’s Face the Nation that he felt a deal was within reach if the process could play out

“If I was President Trump, my only advice is just to give those negotiators enough room enough space to really close these remaining areas that we need to discuss and agree upon,” he said.

Trump sounded more pessimistic, telling reporters as he visited Texas on Friday that Iranian negotiators “don’t want to quite go far enough. It’s too bad.”

He reiterated that he did not want to see Iran allowed to enrich any amount of uranium and said the oil-rich nation should not need to enrich uranium for an energy program.

When asked by a reporter how close he was to deciding on whether to launch a military strike, he said, “I’d rather not tell you.”

Earlier in the day, he was asked at the White House about the risks of the U.S. getting involved in a drawn-out conflict if it strikes Iran.

“I guess you could say there’s always a risk ” Trump replied. “You know when

there’s war, there’s a risk of anything, both good and bad.”

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to make a quick trip to Israel early next week, the State Department said. The U.S. Embassy in Israel had earlier urged staff who want to leave to depart, joining other nations in encouraging people to leave the region and signaling that U.S. military action might be imminent.

The announcement of Rubio’s visit and Trump’s latest remarks could indicate a longer timeline for any potential strike.

The State Department said Rubio would visit Israel on Monday and Tuesday to “discuss a range of regional priorities, including Iran, Lebanon, and ongoing efforts to implement President Trump’s 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza.” It offered no other details.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has long urged tougher U.S. action against Iran, and has warned that Israel will respond to any Iranian attack

Before his trip, Rubio declared Iran to be a “state sponsor of wrongful detention,” and the State Department may invalidate U.S. passports for travel to Iran.

He said the move was due to the country’s continued arrests and imprisonment of “innocent Americans” and citizens of other countries for use as political leverage. The move does not automatically carry any penalties, but Rubio said that if Iran doesn’t stop, he could make it illegal to use a U.S. passport for travel to or from Iran. That restriction currently only applies to North Korea.

A confidential report from the U.N. nuclear watchdog meanwhile confirmed that Iran has not offered inspectors access to sensitive nuclear sites since they were heavily bombed during the 12-day war launched by Israel last June. As a result, it said it could not confirm Iran’s claims that it stopped uranium enrichment after the U.S. and Israeli strikes.

The report was circulated to member countries and seen by The Associated Press.

The announcement of Rubio’s visit came just hours after the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem implemented “authorized departure” status for nonessential personnel and family members, which means that eligible staffers can leave the country voluntarily at government expense.

In an email, U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee urged staff considering departure to do so quickly, advising them to focus on getting any flight out of Israel and to then make their way to Washington.

Official says Pakistan in ‘open war’ with Afghanistan after latest strikes

BY MUNIR AHMED and ABDUL QAHAR AFGHAN Associated Press

ISLAMABAD Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged cross-border attacks overnight in a dramatic escalation of tensions that led Pakistan’s defense minister to say on Friday that the two countries are in a state of “open war. Afghanistan launched an attack on Pakistan late Thursday, saying it was in retaliation for deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan border areas Sunday Pakistan then carried out airstrikes in Kabul and two other Afghan provinces early Friday, saying it targeted military installations. Tensions have been high for months. Border clashes in October killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected militants. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militant groups that stage attacks against it and also of allying with its archrival India.

A Qatari-mediated ceasefire ended the intense fighting in October, but several rounds of peace talks in Turkey in No-

vember failed to produce a lasting agreement. The two sides have occasionally traded fire since then.

Qatar once again appears to be mediating. Its minister of state, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz al-Khulaifi, spoke Friday with the foreign ministers of Afghanistan and Pakistan in an effort to de-escalate tensions, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on X.

Afghanistan’s attacks against Pakistani military targets was meant as “a message that our hands can reach their throats and that we will respond to every evil act of Pakistan,” Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said. “Pakistan has never sought to resolve problems through dialogue,” he said.

After the Afghan strikes, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif posted on X: “Our patience has now run out. Now it is open war between us.”

Asif said Pakistan had hoped for peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces in 2021 and expected the Taliban, which seized power in the country to focus on the welfare of the Afghan people and regional stability

President raises idea of ‘friendly takeover of Cuba’

BY WILL WEISSERT Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump said Friday that the U.S. is in talks with Havana and raised the possibility of a “friendly takeover of Cuba” without offering any details on what he meant.

Speaking to reporters outside the White House as he left for a trip to Texas, Trump said Secretary of State Marco Rubio was in discussions with Cuban leaders “at a very high level.”

“The Cuban government is talking with us,” the president said. “They have no money. They have no anything right now But they’re talking to us, and maybe we’ll have a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

He added: “We could very well end up having a friendly takeover of Cuba.”

Trump didn’t clarify his comments but seemed to indicate that the situation with Cuba, a communistrun island that has been among Washington’s bitterest adversaries for decades, was coming to a critical point. The White House did not respond to requests for more information Friday

The president also said that Cuba “is, to put it mildly, a failed nation” and “they want our help.”

His remarks came two days after the Cuban government reported that a Florida-registered speedboat carrying 10 armed Cubans from the U.S opened fire on soldiers off the island’s north coast. Four of the armed Cubans were killed, and six were injured in responding gunfire, ac-

cording to Cuba’s government. One Cuban official also was injured.

Cuba has been on Trump’s mind since at least early January, after U.S. forces ousted one of Havana’s closest allies, Venezuela’s socialist President Nicolás Maduro. Trump suggested in the aftermath of that raid that military action in Cuba might not be necessary because the island’s economy was weak enough — particularly in the absence of oil shipments from Venezuela that stopped after Maduro was taken into custody — to soon collapse on its own.

“We’ve had a lot of years of dealing with Cuba. I’ve been hearing about Cuba since I’m a little boy But they’re in big trouble,” he said Friday

Then, noting the exile community from the island living in the U.S., Trump said there could be something coming that “I think (is) very positive for the people that were expelled, or worse, from Cuba and live here.” He did not elaborate.

The U.S. has maintained a strict trade embargo on Cuba since 1962, the year after a failed, CIA-sponsored invasion of the island at the Bay of Pigs. Trump nonetheless indicated earlier this month that talks with Cuban officials were underway Cuba’s government confirmed earlier this week that it was communicating with U.S. officials following the shooting of the American boat. Rubio has said the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Coast Guard are investigating what happened.

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and THOMAS BEAUMONT Associated Press

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump just can’tseem tochoose among friendsinthe Texas Senate

Republican primary

So when he travels to the state on Friday for his first post-State of the Union trip, where he plansto promote his energy and economic policies, Trump will haveall three candidates in the competitive race join him —just days before his party casts ballots in the primaryrace.

Sen. John Cornyn is battling for his fifth term and is being challenged by stateAttorney General Ken Paxton and Rep. Wesley Hunt in aprimary fight that has become viciously personal. And allthree men, missing the covetedendorsement from Trump, have been trying to highlight their ties to him as they ramp up their campaigning ahead of Tuesday’svote. Cornyngot a headstart on Friday,whenheflew on Air Force One for the Texastrip and posted multiple photos of his ride on social media.

During abriefexchange with reporters in Texas, Trump said he’s “pretty much” decided who to endorse in the primary,but that“no,” he would not disclose hispick just yet.

Trump landed in Corpus Christi shortly before 3p.m. local time and was greeted by Gov. Greg Abbott, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and officials at the nearby Port of Corpus Christi. Ahead of Trump’svisit, Energy Secretary Chris Wright au-

CLINTON

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theworld havebeen toppled from their high-powered posts for maintaining their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

“Men —and womenfor thatmatter —ofgreat power and great wealth from all across the worldhave been able to get away with alot of heinous crimes and they haven’tbeenheld accountable and they have not even had to answer questions,” said Republican Rep. James Comer,the chair of the House Oversight Committee, before the deposition began Friday

Hillary Clinton told lawmakers Thursday that she had no knowledge of how Epstein had sexually abused underage girlsand had no recollection of even meeting him. But Bill Clinton will have to answer questions on awell-documented relationship with Epstein and his formergirlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell,even if it was from the late 1990s and early 2000s.

thorized a12% expansion in liquefied natural gas exports at Cheniere Energy’sCorpusChristiterminal making it the secondlargest LNG export project in the U.S.

For his part,Trump will be seeking to ride the message of his State of theUnion address from Tuesday,where he declared areturn to economicprosperity anda more secure America—two centerpiece argumentsfor Republicansasthey campaign to keep their congressional majorities this fall.

Trump’shesitation to endorse in the Texas Senate primary speaks to the tricky dynamics of the race.

Cornyn is unpopular withasegment of Texas’GOP base, in part for hisearlydismissivenessof Trump’s2024 comeback campaign and for his role in authoring tougher restrictions on guns after the 2022 school shootinginUvalde,Texas.

ButSenate GOP leadership and allied groups seeCornyn as thestronger general election candidate, in light of aseries of troublesthat have shadowed Paxton.

Paxtonbeat impeachment on fraud charges in 2023, and has faced allegations of marital infidelity by his wife, state Sen. Angela Paxton.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune and SouthCarolina Sen. Tim Scott,chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, have urged Trump to endorse Cornyn.Theyand allied campaign groups argue that the seat would cost theparty hundreds of millions more to defend withPaxton as the candidate.

signs of Epstein’sabuse.

Still, Republicanswere relishing the opportunity to scrutinize theformer Democratic president under oath.

“Noone’s accusing anyone of anywrongdoing, but Ithink theAmerican people have alot of questions,” Comer said.

Bill Clintonquestioned Republicanshavewanted to questionBillClinton about Epstein for years, especially as conspiracy theoriesarose following Epstein’s2019 suicide ina New York jail cell whilehefaced sex trafficking charges.

Thosecalls reachedafeverpitchlate lastyear when several photosofthe former president surfaced in the Department of Justice’sfirst release of case files on Epstein and Maxwell, aBritish socialite who was convicted of sex trafficking in December2021 but maintains she’s innocent. Bill Clinton was photographedona plane seated alongside awoman, whose face is redacted,with hisarm around her.Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in apool with another person whose facewas redacted.

BillClinton, in his opening statement, said that he would likely often tell the committee that he did not recall the specifics of events from more than 20 years ago.But he also expressed certainty that he had not witnessed

Epstein also visited the WhiteHouse several times during Clinton’spresidency,and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work.Comer claimed thecommittee hascollected evidence that Epsteinvisited

NASA revampsArtemis moon landingprogram

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

NASA saidFriday it’s revampingits Artemis moon exploration programtomakeitmore like the fast-paced Apollo programhalf acentury ago, adding an extra practice flight before attempting ahigh-risk lunar landing with a crew in two years.

Theoverhaul in the flight lineup came just two days after NASA’s new moon rocket returned to its hangarfor more repairs, anda safety panelwarned thespace agency to scaleback its overlyambitious goals for humanity’sfirst lunar landing since 1972.

Artemis II, alunarfly-around by fourastronauts, is off until at least Aprilbecause of rocket problems.

The follow-up mission, Artemis III, had been targeting a landing near the moon’ssouth pole by another pair of astronauts in aboutthreeyears. But with long gaps betweenflights and concerngrowing over the readiness of alunarlanderand moonwalking suits, NASA’s new administrator Jared Isaacman announced thatmission would instead focus on launching a lunar lander intoorbit around Earth in 2027 for dockingpractice by astronauts flying in an Orion capsule.

the White House 17 times andthat Bill Clinton flewon Epstein’sairplane 27 times Democraticlawmakers said theyalso posed tough questions to Bill Clinton abouthis relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

“Weare only herebecause he hid it from everyone so well for so long,”Bill Clinton said in his opening statement. “And by thetimeitcame to light with his 2008 guilty plea, Ihad long stoppedassociating with him.”

Comer pledged extensive questioning of the former president. He claimed that HillaryClinton hadrepeatedly deferred questions about Epstein to her husband.

Bill Clinton wentafter Comer for calling his wife before the committee, telling him that“including her was simply notright.”

The committee was working to quickly publish atranscript and video recording of her deposition.

Hasaprecedent been set?

Democrats, whohavesupportedthe push to getanswers from Bill Clinton, are arguing that it sets aprecedent thatshould also apply to President Donald Trump, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein.

“I think that President Trump needs to manup, getinfront of this committeeand answer the questions and stop calling this investigation ahoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, thetop Democrat on the committee, on Friday Comer has pushed back on

The newplancalls foramoon landing —potentially even two moon landings —byastronauts in 2028.

“Everybody agrees. This is the only way forward,” Isaacman said.

The hydrogen fuel leaks and helium flowproblems that struckthe Space LaunchSystem rocket on the pad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center earlier this monthhad also plagued the first Artemistest flight without a crew in 2022.

Another three-year gapwas loomingbetween Artemis II and themoon landing by astronauts as originally envisioned,Isaacman said.

Isaacmanstressedthat “it should be incredibly obvious” that three years between flights is unacceptable. He’d like to get it down to one year or even less.

Isaacman, atech billionaire who bought his owntrips to orbit andperformed the world’sfirst private spacewalk, took the helm at NASA in December

During NASA’s storied Apollo program, he said, astronauts’ first flight to the moon wasfollowed by twomore missions before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on themoon.

What’smore, he added, the Apollo moonshotsfollowedone another in quick succession just as the earlier Projects Mer-

that idea, saying that Trump hasanswered questionson Epstein from thepress.

Trump on Friday expressed remorse at Bill Clintonbeing forced to testify. “I likeBill Clinton, and Idon’t like seeing him deposed,” he told reporters as he departed the White House en route to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Democrats are also callingfor theresignation of Trump’sCommerce SecretaryHoward Lutnick. Lutnick was alongtime neighbor

cury and Gemini had rapid flight rates,sometimes coming just a few months apart.

Twenty-four Apollo astronauts flew to the moon from 1968 through 1972, with 12 of them landing.

“No oneatNASAforgottheir historybooks. Theyknewhow to do this,” Isaacman said. “Now we’re putting it in action.” To pick up the pace and reduce risk,NASA will standardize its Space Launch System rockets moving forward, Isaacman said. These arethe massive rockets that will launch astronauts to the moon aboard Orion capsules. At the same time,ElonMusk’s SpaceX and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Originare speeding up their work on thelanders needed to get the astronauts from lunar orbit down to the surface.

Isaacman said next year will see an Orion crew rendezvousing in orbit around Earth with SpaceX’sStarship, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon or both landers. It’s similartothe methodical approach that worked so well during Apollo in the late 1960s, he noted. Apollo 8, astronauts’ first flight to themoon, was followed by two more missions before Armstrong and Aldrin aimed for the lunar surface.

“Weshould be getting backto basics anddoing what we know works,” he said.

of EpsteininNew York City but said on apodcast that he severedtieswithEpstein following a2005tour of Epstein’shome that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

Thepublic release of case files showed that Lutnick actually hadtwo engagements with Epstein years later.He attended a2011 event at Epstein’shome, andin2012 his family hadlunchwith Epstein on his private island. “He shouldberemoved from office and, at amini-

mum, should come before thecommittee,” Garcia said of Lutnick. Republican Rep.Nancy Mace questioned Hillary Clinton aboutLutnick’srelationship to Epstein during the deposition on Thursday On Friday morning, Mace joined in calling for the commerce secretary to comebefore the committee.

“I believe we will have the votes to subpoena him,” Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

HISTORY

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Though it took place in northern France, the invasion is a particular point of pride in New Orleans. The daring amphibious attack in June 1944, that was a cornerstone in the eventual defeat of the Nazis, was made possible by Higgins landing craft which were built right in the city

The historic battle remains crucial to the museum’s telling of the history of the global war But after 25 years, the museum curators felt it was high time for an update, with new artifacts, oral histories and contemporary interactive displays.

Exhibition technology has advanced over the past quarter century, Crean pointed out, and the museum has continuously collected artifacts as they became available. Roughly 50% of the historic objects that will appear in the update were acquired since the exhibit was first installed.

Crean said that future visitors can expect to see a complete 101 Airborne Division paratrooper uniform, a contraband crystal radio from an American prisoner of war camp, and a pistol carried by the late Wallace Stroble, a 22-year-old paratrooper who was famously photographed shaking

FESTIVAL

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Emily Madero, president and CEO of French Quarter Festivals Inc., the nonprofit that produces the festival, confirmed that Chevron alerted the festival team months ago about the decision.

“This was Chevron’s call,” Madero said. “It’s been a very amicable and mutually supportive process.”

Company invested millions Corporate sponsorships are crucial to a festival’s bottom line, as talent fees, insurance, production costs and other expenses continue to rise. The French Quarter Festival does not charge admission. It must cover its approximately $7.5 million in annual expenses through sponsorships, in-kind contributions, donations, grants and sales of food, beverage and merchandise. In 2025, sponsorships accounted for slightly more

Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied commander in chief, speaks with American paratroopers at an undisclosed location in England, June 6, 1944, prior to plans to participate in the first assault on the coast of France during D-Day.

PROVIDED

than $2 million of the festival’s income.

The title sponsor is typically a festival’s most generous donor For major festivals, title sponsorship amounts can reach well into six figures annually

Chevron’s contribution over the years has been “significant,” Madero said. “They’ve invested millions into our nonprofit and helped us scale up. We’re very grateful.”

Beyond “Chevron” being part of the festival name, the festival’s Cajun and zydeco stage was called the “Chevron Stage.” The company’s logo was featured prominently on signage.

For 2026, Chevron is “still one of our largest investors,” Madero said. Chevron is sponsoring an evening concert series and will have a hospitality area and a presence in the opening day parade.

“We thank the French Quarter Festival team for their great collaboration over the years and look forward to seeing everyone at the festival’s Chevron Evening Con-

cert series in April,” Merrifield said.

A coalition of left-leaning local organizations called Chevron Out of French Quarter Fest — which object to Chevron’s environmental record and engagement in geopolitical affairs — issued a news release this week claiming credit for forcing Chevron and the festival to cut ties by “applying consistent public pressure since November.”

However, both Madero and Merrifield said that Chevron’s decision to scale back was made months earlier and was based on the company’s internal priorities.

“This transition was not the result of any external influence,” Madero said.

Search is on

Meanwhile, French Quarter Festivals Inc. has organized a selection committee of local and national advisers to aid in the search for a new title sponsor

“This has been on our radar for some time,” Madero said. “We’ve

Gen. Eisenhower’s hand as he prepared to be dropped behind enemy lines.

Though the galleries devoted to D-Day will be temporarily closed, the myriad major exhibits in the rest of the sprawling museum remain open, including the sunlit atrium that displays an actual Higgins boat, not to mention an airplane that carried paratroopers on D-Day, and a sinister German anti-aircraft used to fend off the invaders.

The museum has not revealed what the renovation, designed by Gallagher & Associates Architects, will cost. In June, the museum launched a $300 million fundraising campaign for the next phase of expansion through 2035, which focuses less on physical footprint and more on increased traveling exhibitions, education resources, endowment, collections, content and expertise.

Last year, the museum also acquired three adjoining properties on Magazine Street for office space, meeting rooms and storage That area near the Higgins Hotel is part of the museum’s education corridor, where a new educational facility under construction at Magazine and Poeyfarre streets.

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@theadvocate.com.

set in motion a strategy to navigate the transition.”

The goal is to find a new sponsor “ready to meet us where we are in this moment in time. That’s our job, to ensure the festival’s longterm success.”

After 13 years of Chevron sponsorship, the festival “is in a different position,” Madero said. “This is a great opportunity to put ourselves out there and consider new partnerships.”

Not having a title sponsor for 2026 hasn’t affected the French Quarter Fest’s operations, Madero said. The festival, which draws hundreds of thousands of revelers downtown for a four-day celebration of New Orleans and Louisiana music and food, has expanded its footprint this year and added more music to the opening Thursday

“We’ve planned for this,” she said. “Would it affect us next year if we didn’t replace Chevron? Absolutely.”

Email Keith Spera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

LSU officials said they will not draw a line for how well students must perform on the tests to qualify for admission but rather use the scores as a piece of the portfolio when considering applicants.

“We’re not setting a hard minimum for admissions,” Dalton said. “We’re going to use it as one component of our comprehensive evaluation of students.”

The change to the admissions policy passed unanimously Still, some supervisors expressed concern that the return to mandatory standardized test scores could hurt students who are from rural areas, lack access to study resources or have other extenuating circumstances

“There are plenty of kids who we want at LSU who don’t come from households where they can afford to get that additional help on testing,” Supervisor James Williams said.

He also said some tests display known socioeconomic and geographic biases.

“When the test is designed by so-and-so from the Northeast, and they’re phrasing questions that our kid from Bunkie doesn’t really get because they don’t have to shovel snow or whatever it is they do in their test question, then they don’t get it,” Williams said. “They don’t get the question.”

Other supervisors said they understood the potential weaknesses of test scores but felt admissions officers would be able to take all aspects of the student’s application into account.

They argued the change aligns with other institutions that have reversed course on relaxed test policies in recent years.

“You see Chapel Hill, Florida and our peers, Alabama and others, moving towards bringing this back as a tool,” board member Scott Ballard said. “That gives me confidence.”

Though many universities around the country are bringing back test score requirements, Louisiana’s institutions — and even LSU’s individual campuses — have yet to reach a consensus. Loyola University New Orleans and Tulane University are both test-optional, while LSU Shreveport and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette each maintain testing policies. Test scores are still mandatory for the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students, the state scholarship program run by the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance, regardless of institutions’ specific testing policies.

The renewed focus on test performance comes amid recordbreaking freshman application and enrollment numbers at LSU, with the number of students applying nearly tripling over the past decade.

“We are committed to elevating the flagship, which includes our broader research enterprise, to become one of the top 50 research institutions in America,” Rousse said. “That requires alignment of resources, stronger management, improved facilities and an unapologetic commitment to measuring ourselves against those top-performing peers. It also requires admission standards that reflect our ambition.”

The reinstatement of test scores in Baton Rouge admissions will roll out in two phases, according to the policy For the summer 2027 semester, potential students with cumulative weighted GPAs below 3.5 will need to submit test scores with their application. Starting in the summer 2028, all applicants will be required to include test results.

Rousse said the new policy mirrors LSU’s balance of “excellence and accessibility” moving forward.

“A standardized test score does not define a student,” Rousse said “However, standards do define elite institutions. That is the balance we are seeking.”

Pentagon, Scouting America reach deal to keep ties

BY BEN FINLEY and JAMIE STENGLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Pentagon has made a deal with Scouting America that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Friday would maintain their century-old partnership but refocus the organization away from diversity initiatives and other “woke” policies he accused it of embracing in recent years.

Hegseth put heavy emphasis on Scouting America’s acceptance of transgender youth, saying the organization will require members to use their “biological sex at birth and not gender identity.” But Scouting America, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America, said the agreement does not change existing policies regarding transgender youth and that they are welcome.

vice merit badge and waiving registration fees for the children of military personnel.

Under Hegseth, the Pentagon has taken aim at the military’s partnership with Scouting America, decrying its historic rebrand in 2024 and other changes in recent years that he sees as part of “woke culture” efforts that he wants to root out.

Hegseth

“We have transgender people in our program and we’ll have transgender people in our program going forward,” Scouting America President and CEO Roger Krone told The Associated Press Several of the negotiated changes mirror what the organization suggested to the Pentagon in January, including discontinuing its Citizenship in Society merit badge introducing a Military Ser-

Hegseth said in a video posted on X that Scouting America’s applications will list only options for male and female and the one checked must match the applicant’s birth certificate. He didn’t say how that would be enforced. The group would clarify that youths of opposite genders assigned at birth cannot share bathrooms, tents or other similar spaces, he said. Krone said the group’s application already has only two boxes one for boy and one for girl — and that they were already asking about sex assigned at birth. He didn’t offer clarity on how that was reviewed or enforced.

“We do not put boys and girls together in intimate spaces and in order to do that we need to have some knowledge of who they are,” he said.

Krone said “structures” in the organization accom-

The Pentagon has made a deal with Scouting America that Defense

said Friday would maintain their century-old partnership but refocus the organization away from diversity initiatives and other ‘woke’ policies he accused it of embracing in recent years.

modate transgender youth, noting that there are family troops that include both genders but offering no more details. He said there was nothing in discussions with the Pentagon that changes the way the programs are run.

Hegseth, meanwhile, said in his video that the Pentagon will “vigorously review” the changes Scouting America has made in six months and cease its support of the organization if it fails to comply “We hope that doesn’t happen, but it could,” Hegseth said “Ideally, I believe the Boy Scouts should go back to being the Boy Scouts as originally founded, a group that develops boys into men.

Maybe someday.”

In a statement Friday, Scouting America noted its need to comply with an executive order from President Donald Trump targeting DEI programs.

The Irving, Texas-based organization also pointed out that it maintained its new name and “preserved our service to the more than 200,000 girls who participate in our programs.”

The organization began allowing gay youths in 2013, ended a blanket ban on gay adult leaders in 2015 and announced in 2017 that it would accept transgender students. It began accepting girls as Cub Scouts as of 2018 and

into the flagship Boy Scout program, renamed Scouts BSA, in 2019.

Scouting America said the policy changes deepen the organization’s partnership with the military, which has included Scouts meeting on or near military installations in the U.S. and abroad.

“Scouting America is one of the most reliable pipelines to the United States Armed Forces our country has ever known,” the organization added. “Scouts are significantly more likely to serve in uniform than the general population. Eagle Scouts are heavily represented in ROTC programs, service academies and mili-

tary leadership tracks.”

Hegseth’s other anti-DEI efforts have ranged from ending all military training at “woke” Harvard and other Ivy League schools to claiming that the independent military newspaper Stars and Stripes will no longer include “woke distractions.”

He rolled out the move with Scouting America on Friday as tensions have escalated with Iran and the Trump administration considers possible military action after massing the largest force of U.S. warships and aircraft in the Middle East in decades.

The Pentagon said earlier this month that it was reviewing its relationship with Scouting America, claiming it had “lost its way” in many ways and calling the organization’s DEI efforts “unacceptable.”

“Scouting America’s leadership has made decisions that run counter to the values of this administration,” the Feb. 6 statement said “including an embrace of DEI and other social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances.”

The U.S. military and the Boy Scouts have had longtime ties, including the military providing logistical support for the National Boy Scout Jamboree since its inception in 1937. The military also has maintained a strong relationship with the Eagle Scouts, whose members often enlist.

AG announces indictment against 30 more people in church protest

BY SARAH RAZA Associated Press

Attorney General Pam

Bondi announced federal charges Friday against 30 more people who are accused of civil rights violations in a January protest inside a Minnesota church where a pastor works for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Bondi said on social media that 25 people were in custody and more arrests would follow The new indictment comes a month after independent journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort and prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong were charged for their alleged

MINNESOTA

roles in a protest at Cities Church in St. Paul. Bondi accused the group of attacking a house of worship.

“If you do so, you cannot hide from us — we will find you, arrest you, and prosecute you,” she wrote on social media.

A livestreamed video posted on Facebook shows people interrupting services at Cities Church on Jan. 18 by chanting “ICE out” and “Justice for Renee Good,” a reference to the woman who was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis on Jan 7.

Protesters descended on

Cities Church after learning that one of the church’s pastors also serves as an ICE official. The protest drew swift condemnation from Trump administration officials and conservative leaders for disrupting a Sunday service.

In total, 39 people now face charges of conspiracy against religious freedom and interfering with the right of religious freedom. The new defendants had initial court appearances and were released.

Lemon and Fort said they were at the church as journalists covering news. Levy Armstrong was the subject of a doctored photo posted by the White House showing her crying during her arrest

Video shows nearly blind refugee being released by Border Patrol

Man found dead 5 days later

By The Associated Press

BUFFALO N.Y In the moments after Border Patrol agents dropped him off at a Buffalo doughnut shop, surveillance video recorded Nurul Amin Shah Alam stepping gingerly through the empty parking lot in his county-issued jail booties. He pulls up his hood against the cold as he walks past a drivethru window then paces away into the night.

Five nights later, the nearly blind refugee from Myanmar was found dead in the street, raising questions

about whether federal agents could have done more to ensure his safety when they released him from custody, miles from his home, without informing his family or lawyer

The video obtained by the Investigative Post shows Shah Alam, 56 after agents dropped him off at a Tim Hortons on the night of Feb. 19, the day he was released from a county jail where he had been held for a year Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan has said the restaurant was closed at that time.

Thenonprofitnewssitesays the footage it obtained shows Shah Alam being let out of the Border Patrol van, which can be seen driving away, then

walking by the restaurant’s locked front door

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said this week that agents chose “a warm, safe location” for the dropoff.

Shah Alam was found dead Tuesday outside the arena where the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres play A woman called 911 to report his body lying in the sidewalk. It was unclear how he got to that downtown spot from the restaurant several miles away Buffalo police were reviewing footage throughout the city in an attempt to identify his movements. The county medical examiner was investigating the cause of death.

Federal prosectors won’t appeal ruling barring death

By The Associated Press

The three have pleaded not guilty.

The indictment says the “agitators” entered the church in a “coordinated takeover-style attack” and engaged in acts of intimidation and obstruction.

“Young children were left to wonder, as one child put it, if their parents were going to die,” the indictment says.

A lawyer for the church praised the Justice Depart-

ment for charging more people.

“The First Amendment does not give anyone — regardless of profession, prominence, or politics license to storm a church and intimidate, threaten, and terrorize families and children worshipping inside,” Doug Wardlow said in a statement.

The revised indictment adds new allegations when compared to the original

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filed in January It says two people “conducted reconnaissance” outside the church a day before the protest and recorded their visit on video, with one saying, “My thoughts are to be able to close up this whole alleyway right here.”

The court filing quotes one protester as chanting in the church, “This ain’t God’s house. This is the house of the devil.”

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The judge, a former Manhattan federal prosecutor appointed to the bench by President Joe Biden, also threw out a gun charge but left in place stalking charges that carry a maximum punishment of life in prison.

To seek the death penalty, prosecutors needed to show that Mangione killed Thomp-

NEWYORK — Federal prosecutors said Friday they won’t appeal a judge’s ruling that bars them from seeking the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In a letter, Deputy U.S. Attorney Sean Buckley told Judge Margaret Garnett that the government will not ask the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse her decision, clearing the way for a trial beginning in September His state murder trial is set to start in June. Garnett last month dismissed a federal murder charge — murder through use of a firearm that had enabled prosecutors to seek capital punishment, finding it legally flawed. She wrote that she did so to “foreclose the death penalty as an available punishment to be considered by the jury” when it weighs whether to convict Mangione in the December 2024 killing in Manhattan.

son while committing another “crime of violence.” Stalking doesn’t fit that definition, Garnett wrote in a 39-page opinion, citing case law and legal precedents. The ruling disrupted the Trump administration’s bid to see Mangione executed for what U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi called a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” It was the first capital case brought by the Justice Department in President Donald Trump’s second term. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty in the federal and

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carry the possibility of life in prison.

Moreno, regional parish leaders meet

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Mayor Helena Moreno met Tuesday night for more than two hours with the presidents of seven other metro area parishes the first such meeting among the New Orleans area’s top leaders in years and an indication of the priority

the new mayor is placing on regional cooperation Moreno disclosed details of the meeting on Friday at the Greater New Orleans Inc. annual luncheon. She said the gathering was an offthe-record brainstorming session held over a dinner at the Windsor Court, organized and paid for by GNO Inc. She sought the meeting,

she said, because she wanted to revive connections with her peers in other parishes that have fallen by the wayside in recent years.

“I’d been hearing from different parish presidents that they felt they had a closed door to the Mayor’s Office for so long,” she said. Dinner table topics focused on common areas of interest, including workforce training, regional transit, insurance, transportation, infrastructure, public safety, eco-

nomic development and coastal restoration.

There also was brief talk of a regional water treatment plant, which Moreno has pitched as a solution to saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River

It’s the first of what Moreno and other parish leaders said they hope will be many such gatherings.

“We want to keep these meetings happening,” said Moreno. “Especially going into the legislative session.” Moreno was the surprise guest speaker at the GNO Inc. annual meeting and luncheon. More than 1,000 business, civic and community leaders packed into a ballroom at the Hyatt Regency for the

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

testified that he watched his secretary take an envelope with the tax return and head to the mail room with it. His accountant testified that he completed the

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Trial starts in former DeRidder

mayor’s sex

BY MEGAN WYATT Staff writer

In the first full day of a trial involving former DeRidder Mayor Misty Roberts, her son and nephew testified that Roberts provided them and their friends with alcohol during a July 2024 house party before having sex with one of their friends.

Roberts faces two felony charges of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and indecent behavior with a juvenile. A panel of six jurors was seated late Thursday in the case, which has been delayed for months

The jury hearing the case against Roberts on Friday listened to testimony from Child Advocacy Center interviewers Patra Minix and Annelise Eaglin, along with Roberts’ minor son and her nephew who both attended the house party

The jury also heard from a DoorDash driver who said he delivered emergency contraceptives to Roberts’ house after the alleged incident Her son, who The Acadiana Advocate is not naming because he is a minor, said during a March 20, 2025, interview with Minix that aired to the jury through video that his friends were celebrating his birthday at their house, swimming and drinking alcohol his mother provided.

Later during the party, he said his mom and his friend were upstairs alone When they came downstairs everything escalated, he told Minix. His friends left.

Minix asked in the interview what his mom and friend were doing upstairs

“They were — just, like — they were having sex,” he said.

He and his mom argued, with him saying “that she was in the wrong.” He said his mother was intoxicated and did not remember the incident.

He described it as a “onetime mistake” and asked Minix what was going to happen to his mom.

In addition to the video testimony, Roberts’ son also took the stand Friday.

Prosecutor Charles Robinson asked him to review a photo taken that night that depicts Roberts wearing a bikini top while facing a teen boy in the home’s upstairs game room. The bottom half of their bodies is obscured by furniture in the photo.

A defense attorney for Roberts, Adam Johnson, asked her son if he actually saw his mother having sex with his friend.

Her son said he could not confirm they had sex from what he saw, but in his “human mind” it looked like it

When asked by Robinson if he wanted his mom to be found “not guilty,” her son said yes.

Roberts’ nephew, who was also a minor at the time, said during an Aug. 13, 2024, interview with Eaglin at the Child Advocacy Center in Alexandria that he saw his aunt and friend “doing stuff” on the couch

case

in the game room.

“From what I gathered, they were f******,” he told Eaglin When Eaglin asked how he got that impression, since he said he couldn’t see what Roberts was or wasn’t wearing, he said “just the motion.”

Later, when Roberts and the friend came downstairs, he said his aunt was “going crazy.”

On the witness stand, Robinson asked Roberts’ nephew to review text messages with his aunt in the days after the alleged incident.

Roberts’ nephew wrote that he would always stand behind her, no matter what, and told her not to do anything stupid because she has people who love her

“That shouldn’t have happened,” Roberts wrote to him “I’m scared to death.”

She also asked her nephew to “Please make sure he doesn’t say anything.”

Robinson also asked Roberts’ nephew if he recalled getting a text message from his mother instructing him to “lie till you die” about what happened at the party The teen said he remembered the message.

Roberts’ nephew said he and his cousin went upstairs out of instinct to see what Roberts and his friend were doing Roberts’ nephew said he took a video through Snapchat of the scene from the top of the stairs but didn’t save it

The nephew told another defense attorney for Roberts, Todd Clemons, he had never seen Roberts in such as state as she was that night. He described during cross examination how his aunt had been through a divorce and was later in an abusive relationship with another man who took his own life a few months before the night in question

His aunt had “kind of spiraled” since then, he said. Clemons pointed out that at no point in his text exchange with his aunt did Roberts explicitly refer to having sex with the teen. The DoorDash driver who testified Friday also said he delivered Plan B emergency contraceptive for a customer named Misty who lives at the address of the former mayor The driver, Paul Smith, said he was familiar with the house because he and his wife take their children trick or treating in the neighborhood. A few days after the delivery Roberts was arrested and accused of having sex with a teen boy

“That was the talk around town,” Smith said. “And here we are now.”

Judge Kent Savoie, who sits on the 3rd Circuit, is acting as an ad hoc district judge for the case because of the recusals of the other district judges. He declared a mistrial last month before a jury was seated after an appeals court threw out one of the felony charges against Roberts. Roberts was re-indicted on both charges earlier this month.

SU students to receive posthumous degrees

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

Exactly one year after Southern University student Caleb Wilson died during a hazing ritual, the school’s Board of Supervisors announced he will be receiving a degree.

Southern University Chancellor John K Pierre said during a Friday Board of Supervisors meeting that Wilson will receive his degree posthumously during the spring commencement. Wilson, a 20-year-old student and trumpet player for the Human Jukebox, died after an off-campus

hazing ritual involving the Omega Psi Phi fraternity sparking national attention and packed vigils on the campus and in New Orleans. Multiple people involved now face criminal charges, which are moving through the court system. Pierre also announced that Kavon Barnhill, a 21-year-old Southern Student who died in a car crash in December, will also be receiving his degree.

“These were both outstanding scholars,” Pierre said. “We think this is an honor we should bestow upon the family.”

EBR Black History Trail unveiled

System consists of two parts highlighting major events in city

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

On Juneteenth in 1953, Black residents of Baton Rouge launched a bus boycott against the city’s racially segregated bus system — a protest later studied by Martin Luther King Jr ahead of the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

In 1961, the U.S. Supreme Court heard Garner v. Louisiana, the first Sit-In Movement lawsuit heard by the high court and a case stemming from three Baton Rouge lunch counter sitins fighting segregation.

And in 1967, A.Z. Young led more than 600 people in the longest Civil Rights march from Bogalusa to Baton Rouge.

These moments in the city’s history are now memorialized along the new East Baton Rouge Parish Black History Trail System, which local leaders unveiled Friday morning downtown.

Created in partnership by the Walls Project, Downtown Development District and EnvisionNBR, the trail system consists of two parts: the downtown Greenway Civil Rights Trail and the EnvisioNBR Legacy Trail in north Baton Rouge. The ribbon-cutting for the Greenway Trail occurred shortly after 10 a.m. downtown, while organizers unveiled the Legacy Trail around 1 p.m at Mary J. Lands Park.

Morgan Udoh, the director of public art for the Walls Project, said during her opening comments that “while this trail does center Black American history let us be clear, this is American history.”

“It is a story of organized courage, discipline, and innovation and democratic progress, and that is something that we can all be proud of and inspired by,” she continued. “May this trail remind us that Baton Rouge did not just witness change. It innovated, tested and perfected it.”

Mayor-President Sid Edwards spoke briefly at the opening ceremony and thanked the groups for their work.

“To tell our story in Baton Rouge,

MAYOR

Continued from page 1B

“We are so much stronger as a region,” Moreno said during remarks to the crowd. “I want to have consistent meetings so we can find common ground around projects and initiatives and work together.”

Felt different

Business leaders have been preaching the need for better regional cooperation since the 1980s, when Louisiana’s oil-dependent economy began losing jobs and companies to Texas and other Southern states.

In the decades since, organizations like GNO Inc. have made strides in helping the metro area market itself regionally At the political level, however progress has waxed and waned over the years.

After Hurricane Katrina, regional leaders worked feverishly together to lobby for federal money and coordinate rebuilding the area.

“It is a story of organized courage, discipline, and innovation and democratic progress, and that is something that we can all be proud of and inspired by. May this trail remind us that Baton Rouge did not just witness change. It innovated, tested and perfected it.”

MORGAN UDOH, director of public art for the Walls

more of these events, more of these things need to happen,” he said. “But I’m happy that we’re standing here today and we could be a small part. We’re the ones that win from it.”

Important people, culture, events

The EnvisioNBR Legacy Trail covers the neighborhoods of Bogan Walk, Easy Town, Eden Park and Greenville Extension, and it features significant sites including Capitol Senior High School and the Morgan Quality Grocery Store, which recently received new signage and restoration.

Anchoring the trail is a new mural painted across the basketball court blacktop at Mary J. Lands Park. Artist Ashli Ognelodh Curry designed the piece, which depicts three professional basketball players who grew up in the neighborhood: Brandon Bass, Seimone Augustus and Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

“I think those images are important for people coming up who think there are some things that are not attainable for Black people, but that’s not the case This portrays a different narrative,” Curry said. “That’s what I’m constantly trying to highlight That there’s Black excellency, and also there deserves to be greatness in communities of color.”

Along the Greenway Civil Rights Trail, utility boxes decorated with murals showcase landmark events, people and culture beginning with Reconstruction, and the art includes QR code links for more information.

Artist Bryson Boutte designed the downtown murals and said he felt “really honored” for being chosen for the project.

“I’m just honored to be the person that I would look at, as like a 9-, 10-, 11-, 12-year-old and be like, ‘That’s what I want to be,’” he said. “I am speaking for the things that I always wanted to

Former Mayor Ray Nagin said the Regional Planning Commission regularly held meetings during his terms that included parish presidents, who rotated chairmanships among themselves. Mitch Landrieu, as mayor, served as chair of the Regional Planning Commission and was known to meet with parish leaders throughout his two terms. And former Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s director of intergovernmental affairs, Arthur Walton, said while she was in office she or staffers often attended meetings hosted by the Parish Presidents of Louisiana Association.

While important, GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht, who moderated Tuesday night’s discussion with the parish leaders, said this gathering felt different. It was conversational and focused on relationshipbuilding.

“We haven’t had a gettogether of all of the parish presidents and the mayor in my 18 years in this role,” he said Friday

speak for These are the kind of projects that I always wanted to do growing up.”

‘This is still an ongoing struggle’ Attendees at both sections of the event were invited to explore the trails on foot, by bus or on bikes, and Joan Garner, the daughter of John Garner and a historical consultant, led a tour of the downtown markers.

She explained the background behind the U.S. Supreme Court case her father was involved in, which the Supreme Court Historical Society deemed one of the most significant oral arguments in the court between 1955 and 1993. The case emerged from sit-ins at S.H. Kress, Sitman’s Drug Store and the original Greyhound Bus Station, where Southern University students attempted to integrate the lunch counters. Police arrested the students, including John Garner and they were charged and convicted of disturbing the peace.

The new mural is located on an electrical box in front of the 19th Judicial District Court, the court in which the group was convicted, Joan Garner explained. The group sued, leading to the eventual U.S. Supreme Court hearing.

“This particular case speaks to both the 14th Amendment and the First Amendment, with the First Amendment saying that the students simply sitting, even though they didn’t say anything, constituted an act of free speech,” she said.

Many of the desegregation battles were also focused on economics.

At a mural about the Baton Rouge swim-ins, which worked to desegregate the city’s swimming pools, Garner spoke about how Black residents paid taxes for pools they could not use, had to fund separate pools for their communities and paid fees to access those facilities.

She connected that to today’s economic disparity, when more than 31% of Black residents are below the poverty level compared with 12% of White residents.

“While we have policy changes, some policies still need to be changed. The economic impact still exists in the present. That’s one thing I hope people take away from this,” she said. “This is still an ongoing struggle. We can’t say it’s one and done because things are desegregated, because the economic costs still exist.”

Attendees at the dinner included Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng, Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley, Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller, Washington Parish President Ryan B Seal, St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell, St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper and St. James Parish President Pete Dufresne.

St. John the Baptist Parish President Jaclyn Hotard and St. Bernard Parish President Louis Pomes were unable to attend.

The leaders now have their own text thread and plan to meet quarterly

“The stronger those relationships are in a region, the better the whole region is served,” said Lee Sheng. Annual gathering

In addition to the emphasis on regional cooperation, Hecht, during his Friday speech, touted New Orleans’ economic development wins over the past 12 months. He cited a historic drop in violent crime, a successful Su-

per Bowl and billions in new projects in the region. Those investments include the multibillion-dollar Venture Global LNG expansion in Plaquemines Parish and the $850 million ElementUSA critical minerals refining facility planned for St James Parish. He said near-term priorities include breaking ground on the Louisiana International Terminal in St. Bernard Parish, kick-starting the ambitious River District development upriver from the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, and the long-stalled Charity Hospital renovation. Staff writers Blake Paterson and Willie Swett contributed to this story

Artist DennisParker,who also is aprofessor of cello at LSU, standsinfront of his gun parody sculptures, ‘Weapons of Choice,’each made from amusical instrument.The sculptures are featured in his exhibit,‘Dennisparkercelloetc,’in the Arts Council of GreaterBaton Rouge’sShell Gallery. Allpieces are for sale with proceeds benefiting scholarships forthe LSUSchool of Music

PLAyINGAROUND

Musicalsculptures meanttobring a giggle,artistsays

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

At the end of each day, Dennis Parker slips into his backyard shed to search for something to make him laugh. He may see it in the way abroken gun grip matches with asaxophone bell or in matching aclaw-foot chair leg to apile of keys and hammers from atrashed piano.

“At the end of the day,Ineed funny,” Parker said whilesurveying the newly installed show of his creations in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’sShell Gallery.“If Ican’t make myself laugh,then it’s not worth doing it.”

The show,“Dennisparkercelloetc,” is open to the public on March 1, with areception from 6p.m. to 9p.m. on March 11 at the Cary SaurageCommunity Arts Center,233 St. Ferdinand St. It runs through April 17.

The exhibit featuresParker’s sculptures created from defunct musical instruments and found objects. Alsofeatured are collages by his wife, artist Jaqueline Dee Parker Proceeds benefitscholarships

All art, includingthe collages, is for sale with proceeds benefiting scholarships for the LSU School of Music,where Parker has spent the past 32 years teaching as aprofessor of cello. And in those 30-plus years, he’s also been creating sculptures in his shed. One of those sculptures, abird in flight fashionedfrom aviolin, once hung outside the LSU School of

BABY

apartment and then barricaded himself inside the residence for 45 minutes.

One of the videos shows aman that Kenner police identified as Cage speeding from pursuing officers before violently crashing into aparked, occupied vehicle and the side of an apartment on Elm Street in Metairie. He is then seen scrambling over the hood of avehicle before dashing into an apartment justasarmed officers close in. Cage waslaterarrested

FULLER

Continued from page1B

Music’sRecital Hall’sentryway Parker removed thesculpture when renovation work began on the recital hall in August. It nowflies amongother birds created from violins andcellos in the Shell Gallery

They mingle with his dogs, small pianos and awallfilled with gunshaped pieces he calls “Weapons of Choice,” each parodying firearms with acomical title.

Take,for instance, the saxophone attached to adetached gun grip. The sax’sbellpointsdownward,creating theimpression that if fired, the bullet would fly toward its shooter

“I callthis one, ‘Shoot Yourself in the Foot Gun,’ ”Parker said, while pointingtoaneighboring piece with an imitation cigarette attached to a guitarneck. “And this one is called ‘Smoking Gun.’

Titles arecomical

The titleshave away of altering the pieces, smoothing their edges into something light and funny Parker began making found-object sculptures after buying his first band saw

“I’ve always enjoyed making things oneway or the other,” he said. “I built my houseinBatonRouge, then went out and bought aband sawand started making birdhouses and bird feeders, andthat morphedinto pianos, which then became musicstands and furniture.”

His pianos aren’tactually fullscale instruments but small music boxes, each carrying its own brand of humor.One of the pianosinthis show is even equipped with keys made of Scrabble tiles spellingout “Off Key.”

“Every year, different ideascome along, and you kind of go with it,” Parker continued. “I’ll makesome sculptures until I’msick of them,

and booked with second-degree kidnapping, domestic abuse-aggravated assault, aggravated flightfrom an officer andseveral other charges, according toKenner Police Deputy Chief Mark McCormick. The woman identified by authorities as Cage’sgirlfriend, Kamira Scott, 25,of Norco, was also arrested and booked with aggravated assault with afirearm and disturbingthe peace. According toMcCormick, themother of Cage’s 5-month-old son drove with the baby to ahomeonAugusta AvenueinKenner to bring afew items to Cageon Monday evening

thenI’ll move to something else. I just love using tools and using my hands.”

As amusician, Parkernaturally gravitated toward using musical instrumentparts in his sculptures. Friends often donatebroken and trashed instruments to thestash in his shed, which he said is overflowing.

“These areinstruments thatwould have ended up in alandfill,” he said. “I inherit instrumentsfrom the Kids Orchestra and the instrument repair people.Theyinclude stringed instruments,brass and woodwinds. This is away to give them new life.

Oldorganpipes andpiano pieces also beendonated to Parker’sstash. This show features apeacock made from old piano keys and hammers attached to aclaw-foot leg from a broken antique chair

Butnone of the sculptures are complete without its title.

“At theend of the day,Iwant to make peoplelaugh,” Parkersaid. “That’swhy Iwanttostick titles on the sculptures, because youcan look at it just for what it is visually,but thenyou wonder what it means. So, if youread thetitle, anditmakes you giggle, then I’m happy.”

It’s made the gallery’smanager Mike Weary,laugh.

“I love the levityinthis show,because some artists tendtobeglum,” saidWeary,who’salsothe Arts Council’sartist-in-residence. “So, it’sa breathoffresh air to get somethingthat’ll make you smile.”

Hours at the artscenter are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. Visit artsbr org.

Email RobinMiller at romiller@ theadvocate.com.

Whenthe mother,24, parkedout front, Cage and Scott stepped out of the house, botharmed with handguns, accordingtoMcCormick. “They both pointed the weapons at her (the mother) and demanded the child,” McCormick said.

Cage andScott then took theinfant and drove off, authorities said.

As the baby’s father,Cage wasn’t breaking the lawby requesting his child. Butdoing so at gunpoint and as a convicted felon whoisnot supposedtohaveaweapon is illegal, McCormick said.

Cagehas convictions for burglary,second-degree battery and possession of

University appoints seventhpresident

BY MEGAN WYATT Staff writer

Ramesh Kolluru was appointed as the seventh president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette on Friday after being named as thelone finalistrecommended by asearchcommittee earlier this week.

Kolluru has served as UL’s interim president sinceNovember andisthe former vicepresident of research, innovation and economicdevelopment of the university. His appointment comes three months after public pushback against the board’sinitial plans to installKolluruaspresident without a search.

TheULsystemBoard of Supervisors voted unanimously for his permanentappointment at a Friday meeting in Baton Rouge that started 40 minutes late because of atree blocking one lane of the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge.

Kollurugaveanopening statementand answered questions from board members, whodeclined to go into executive session to discuss his appointment.

His top three priorities, Kolluru said, are to focusonthe university’sfinancial situation; grow enrollment and revenue; and prepare the university for the next generation of faculty students and industry needs.

“Let’sget it done,” Kolluru said after the vote. “Let’swork together and buildauniversity our faculty, staff, students and state deserve.”

Kolluru wasone of 12 people to apply for the position. He and twoother semifinalists, HiteshKathuria, atenured professor and former provost andexecutive vicepresident for academic affairs at Empire State University in Saratoga Springs, NewYork, and RichardLudwick,formerpresident and current president emeritus of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, interviewed on campus earlier this week.

The university has been withouta permanent president since July,when longtime President JosephSavoie abruptly stepped down. Since then, the board has named two interim presidents, first Jaimie Hebert, who has since returned to his position as provost, and Kolluru.

The decision to form a search committee came last fall after speculation the UL system board would forgo a search and installKolluru as presidentwithout anyinput fromfaculty, stafforstudents. Professors and the public pushed back against initial plans to fill the job without a search

contraband in acorrectional center that barhim from possessing afirearm, according to JeffersonParish court records.

“That (taking the child) occurredduring the commission of afelony, the aggravated assault,” McCormicksaid. “The child is considered at risk,and it is considered kidnapping.”

The mother wenttothe Kenner PoliceDepartment to make areport. Investigators determined that Cage had taken the child into New Orleans, so Kenner police asked State Police for assistance, McCormick said.

Around 10:30 p.m., Cage’s vehicle was spotted on In-

terstate 10 in Kenner and again in the parking lot of a business at the intersection of North LesterAvenue and Airline Drive in Metairie, authorities said.

State Police troopers tried conduct atraffic stop, but Cage sped off, according to arrestreports.Heled the troopers on abrief,highspeedchase on Airline that endedinthe 600 block of NorthElm Street when he crashed intothe brickwall of the apartment building, authorities said.

When Cage later surrendered, authorities realized that neither Scott nor the baby were with him, according to McCormick. Investi-

UL system President and Presidential SearchCommittee Chair Rick Gallot promised in January acommitment to “maintainingtransparency at every step.”

ButKolluru’sappointment cameafter little public discussion or explanation.

The 21-member presidential search committee did not publicly discuss how they narrowed 12 candidates to three semifinalists last week,nor did members explain howtheydecided to name Kolluru as the sole finalist this week.

Gallot maintained that the committee’sdecision-making process was open and transparent, pointing to the public interviews that took place Monday and Tuesday During interviews this week, Kolluru said he projects growing enrollment from16,100 to 27,500 students and increasing annual research funding from $254 millionto$500million within adecade. He said he’d grow enrollment by emphasizing recruiting, alongwith retention and graduation rates, making sure everygraduate has “twocompeting job offers that they can select from” by the time they walk across the stage.

Kolluru acknowledged how difficult the past several months have been as the university’sbleak financial reality came to public light —a$50 milliontotaldeficit, with$25 millionofthatbeing arecurring structural deficit —and the resulting staff and budget cuts, first under Hebert then under Kolluru.

Kolluru wasborn and raised in India. In 1992, he came to UL, where he earned his master’sand doctoral degrees in computer science. He’slived in Lafayette since. He is married to Padma, aULalumand information technology systems analyst forthe city of Lafayette. They have twins: ason,Paresh, and daughter,Roma, who arepremedstudentsatTulaneUniversity Research expenditures increased from $62 million in 2012 to $254 million in 2024 at UL.The university also achieved Carnegie’sR1status, which signifies high research activity,in2021 and 2024 under his leadership.

In December,Kolluru said in apacked town hall meeting that he expected to end the fiscal year on June 30 with a $10.5 million deficit. During interviewsthis week, those projections changed: Kolluru said he expects to end the fiscal year without adeficit through acombination of property sales and fundraising efforts. UL received board approval Thursday to sell five properties —a 600-acre experimental research farm in St. Martinville, a50-acre ecology center near Carencro, aresidential homenear UL’s research park campus, an empty lot and a fraternity house.

gators learnedthatCagehad left the baby in good health with arelative in New Orleans. Scott, who is from Norco, was arrested Tuesday in St CharlesParish, McCormick said.She waslater transferred to the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center Cage wasalsobooked with disturbing the peace, hit-and-run driving, driving without alicense, aggravated obstruction of ahighway, being aconvicted felon in possession of afirearm and illegal use of afirearm Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate. com.

Continued from page 1B Ready to SimplifyYour Next Chapter by Downsizing or Securing a Stress-Free Future?

return, and the secretary

testified that she mailed it

But an attorney for Towbin pointed to aSupreme Court decision from 2014 in the case of Lon Burns, who was disqualified as acandidate for Orleans Parish district attorney for lack of proof that his tax returns reached the state.

Fuller,who is among the most active trial lawyersat the criminal courthouse at Tulane Avenue and South Broad Street, sought to qualify for the Section Jseat that

opened up last yearwhen veteranjudge Darryl Derbigny stepped down under pressurefromthe Louisiana Supreme Court over abadly bloated docket.

Fuller’sattorney,Gregory Carter, urged Grinstead to keep Fuller in the race, citingapreference in the state constitution for inclusive elections.

Fuller said his tax returns for the tax year in question netted arefundand thathe’s never receivedany notice from stateorfederalgovernments about afailure to filefor that year He testified that he knew the tax rule for candidates and was assured he’d filed.

“I’ma superparanoid person,” Fuller testified. “I wanted to avoidthis very situation.

Fuller was poised to run forthe seat against Andre Gaudin Jr., aprosecutor who has led the screeningdivisionunder District AttorneyJasonWilliams. Gaudin is poised to assume theseat barring asuccessful appeal by Fuller

The election was scheduled to takeplace in May

Fuller saidWednesday that he planned to appeal, though theruling is asetback.

“Despitethe imminentappeal,the realityisthatNovember’s electoral climate will be more favorabletomy

campaign efforts,” Fuller said afterward.

Fuller’sappeal was pending Friday

It’s been adecade since Fuller,who favorssharply cutsuits, hassizedupa black robe.

In 2016, theLouisiana Supreme Court appointedhim to preside over adifferent vacantcourt sectionasa “pro tem” judge. But before he took the bench, Fullerrelinquished the rule so he could continuetodefendalocal tow truck driver,Cardell Hayes, over the killing of retired Saintsstar Will Smithafter avehicle crash in theLower Garden District.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Cahn III, Mike NewOrleans

Lake Lawn Metairie

Cahn III, Mike

Obituaries

Cahn III, Mike E.

Mike E. Cahn III, 54, of New Orleans passed away February 24, 2026. He was born in New Orleans on August 16, 1971, to Mike E. Cahn and Sandra Rabin Cahn. He graduated from the New Orleans Police Academy and served as an

active-duty police officer for17yearsuntil 2006. Mike continuedasa reserve police officer with the department ultimately achieving the rank of Captain. After leaving the NOPD, Mike ultimately went to workatthe Roosevelt Hotel as Director of Security. Awayfromwork, he enjoyedfishing with hissons and spending time with his family. Mike was preceded in death by his parents.

Survivorsinclude his sons, Cole and Chance Cahn; brother, Cory (Sarah) Cahn; sister, Whitney (Maura) Cahn; nephews and nieces, Matthew, Catherine, Thomas, Alex, and Jake Cahn.

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the funeral service at 1:30 pm on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home,5100 PontchartrainBlvd,New Orleans.Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm prior to the service.Interment willbe in Metairie Cemetery To view and sign the family online guestbook and shareyour memories of Mike,please visit

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BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

State Farm to issue $5B in insurance dividends

State Farm will issue $5 billion in auto insurance dividends to its customers this summer, with a one-time payment of about $100 per vehicle, the Bloomington, Ill.-based insurance giant announced Thursday

The largest dividend in State Farm’s 103-year history was driven primarily by lower collision repair costs in 2025, the company said.

The distributions cover more than 49 million vehicles insured by State Farm across the country, with the actual amount varying by state and premiums paid.

State Farm said the dividend was enabled by “a stronger than expected underwriting performance” last year, according to the news release.

The company also touted lowering auto insurance rates in 40 states in recent months by an average of 10%, amounting to a premium savings of $4.6 billion. Lower premiums were made possible by decreasing repair costs and fewer collisions in 2025, the company said.

Keeping the lid on home insurance rates continues to be a nationwide challenge for State Farm, the company said.

Block, citing gains from AI, cuts 40% of staff

BANGKOK Shares in the financial technology company Block soared more than 20% in premarket trading Friday after its CEO announced it was laying off more than 4,000 of its 10,000 plus employees, reconfiguring to capitalize on its use of artificial intelligence.

“The core thesis is simple. Intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company,” Jack Dorsey said in a letter to shareholders in Block, the parent company to online payment platforms such as Square and Cash App. “A significantly smaller team, using the tools we’re building, can do more and do it better,” he said Dorsey’s comments explicitly naming AI as a key driver behind the move were also posted on X, or Twitter, a company he co-founded. The assertion that the job cuts will add to Block’s profitability and efficiency led investors to jump in and buy, analysts said.

“For years, we have debated whether AI would dent jobs at the margin. Now we have a public case study in which the CEO explicitly says that intelligence tools have changed what it means to build and run a company,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary “Other large employers have announced tens of thousands of cuts in recent months Some have downplayed the AI link. Block did not,” he said.

OpenAI gets $110B from tech powerhouses

ChatGPT maker OpenAI has received $110 billion in funding from Amazon, SoftBank and Nvidia, putting the technology company’s pre-money valuation at $730 billion.

Amazon is leading the trio of tech heavyweights in commitments, putting up $50 billion, followed by $30 billion each from Nvidia and SoftBank, said OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman on Friday Other investors are anticipated to join as the funding round progresses. Amazon will start with an initial $15 billion investment and will invest another $35 billion in the coming months under preset conditions.

“These partnerships expand our global reach, deepen our infrastructure, and strengthen our balance sheet so we can bring frontier AI to more people, more businesses and more communities worldwide,” he wrote. Altman said that ChatGPT has more than 900 million weekly active users, and more than 50 million consumer subscribers.

“We are entering a new phase where frontier AI moves from research into daily use at global scale,” he said.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Stocks down, oil up on AI, war fears

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEWYORK U.S. stocks sank Friday as Wall Street kept punishing companies that could become losers in the artificial-intelligence revolution, while oil prices climbed with worries about tensions between the United States and Iran.

The losses came as investors returned to knocking down software companies and other businesses they suspect could get supplanted by AI-powered competitors.

Salesforce, whose platform helps customers manage their relation-

ships with clients, fell 2.3%. It gave back much of its 4% gain from the day before after reporting a better profit than analysts expected.

The pain has also hit private-equity companies that have bought or lent money to software companies, which need to withstand the AI threat to keep repaying those loans. Apollo Global Management dropped 8.6% for the one of the sharpest losses in the S&P 500.

Blue Owl Capital, which has been a target for investors because of the loans to it’s made to the software industry, fell 6%.

Even the companies currently

seeing their revenue and profit soar because of AI-related demand are under pressure. Nvidia fell 4.2% and was the heaviest weight on the U.S. stock market. Rival chip companies also fell. Worries are hurting such companies not only about whether their stock prices rose too high in recent years but also whether the huge spending driving their growth can continue. Can big spenders like Amazon and Alphabet make back all their billions of dollars in AI investments through higher productivity and profits

Trump orders agencies to stop using Anthropic AI technology

Company said it wouldn’t accept DOD’s demands

BY MATT O’BRIEN and KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration on Friday ordered all U.S. agencies to stop using Anthropic’s artificial-intelligence technology and imposed other major penalties, culminating an unusually public clash between the government and the company over AI safety

President Donald Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials took to social media to chastise Anthropic for failing to allow the military unrestricted use of its AI technology by a Friday deadline, accusing it of endangering national security after CEO Dario Amodei refused to back down over concerns the company’s products could be used in ways that would violate its safeguards.

“We don’t need it, we don’t want it, and will not do business with them again!”

Trump said on social media.

Hegseth also deemed the company a “supply chain risk,” a designation typically stamped on foreign adversaries that could derail the company’s critical partnerships with other businesses.

Anthropic had said it sought narrow assurances from the Pentagon that its AI chatbot Claude would not be used for mass surveillance of Americans or in fully autonomous weapons. The Pentagon said it was not interested in such uses and would only deploy the technology in legal ways, but it also insisted on access without any limitations.

The government’s effort to assert dominance over the internal decision-making of the company comes amid a wider clash over AI’s role in national security and concerns about how increasingly capable machines could be used in high-stakes situations involving lethal force, sensitive information or government surveillance.

Trump said Anthropic made a mistake trying to strong-arm the Pentagon. He wrote on Truth Social that most agencies must immediately stop using Anthropic’s AI but gave the Pentagon a sixmonth period to phase out the technology that is already embedded in military platforms.

“The United States of America will never allow a radical left, woke company to dictate how our great military fights and wins wars!” he wrote in all caps. After months of private talks exploded into public debate this week, Anthropic said Thursday that the government’s new contract language would allow “safeguards to be disregarded at will.” Amodei said his company “cannot in good conscience accede” to the demands Anthropic can afford to lose the contract.

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON U.S. wholesale prices came in hotter than expected last month. The Labor Department reported Friday that its producer price index, which measures inflation before it hits consumers, rose 0.5% from December and 2.9% from January 2025. Economists had forecast a 0.3% increase for the month and 1.6% year over year according to a survey by the data

firm FactSet.

Excluding food and energy prices, which bounce around from month to month, so-called core wholesale prices rose 0.8% from

But the government’s actions posed broader risks at the peak of the company’s meteoric rise from a little-known computer science research lab in San Francisco to one of the world’s most valuable startups.

The president’s decision was preceded by hours of top Trump appointees from the Pentagon and the State Department taking to social media to criticize Anthropic, but their complaints posed contradictions.

Top Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on social media Thursday that Anthropic’s unwillingness to go along with the military’s demands was “jeopardizing critical military operations and potentially putting our warfighters at risk.” Hegseth said Friday that the Pentagon “must have full, unrestricted access to Anthropic’s models for every LAWFUL purpose in defense of the Republic.” Trump’s social media post also mandated the company “better get their act together and be helpful” during a six-month phaseout period or there would be “major civil and criminal consequences to follow.”

However, Hegseth’s choice to designate Anthropic a supply chain risk uses an administrative tool that has been designed for companies owned by U.S. adversaries to prevent them from selling products that are harmful to American interests.

Virginia Sen. Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, noted that this dynamic, “combined with inflammatory rhetoric attacking that company, raises serious concerns about whether national security decisions are being driven by careful analysis or political considerations.” Anthropic didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment on the Trump administration’s actions.

The dispute stunned AI developers in Silicon Valley, where venture capitalists, prominent AI scientists and a large number of workers from Anthropic’s top rivals OpenAI and Google — voiced support for Amodei’s stand

December and 3.6% from January 2025 — both higher than forecasters had expected. The year-overyear increase in core prices was the biggest since March of last year Driving the increase was an uptick in the wholesale price of services, led by higher profit margins for retailers and wholesalers. The increase suggests that companies are passing along the cost of President Donald Trump’s tariffs to their customers.

in open letters and other forums.

The move is likely to benefit Elon Musk’s competing chatbot, Grok, which the Pentagon plans to give access to classified military networks, and could serve as a warning to two other competitors, Google and OpenAI, that have still-evolving contracts to supply their AI tools to the military Musk sided with Trump’s administration, saying on his social media platform X that “Anthropic hates Western Civilization.”

But one of Amodei’s fiercest rivals, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, sided with Anthropic and questioned the Pentagon’s “threatening” move in a CNBC interview and a letter to employees that said OpenAI shared the same red lines. Amodei once worked for OpenAI before he and other OpenAI leaders quit to form Anthropic in 2021.

“For all the differences I have with Anthropic, I mostly trust them as a company, and I think they really do care about safety,” Altman told CNBC, hours before he gathered employees for an all-hands meeting Friday

Retired Air Force Gen. Jack Shanahan, a former leader of the Pentagon’s AI initiatives, wrote on social media this week that “painting a bull’s-eye on Anthropic garners spicy headlines, but everyone loses in the end.” Shanahan said Claude is already being widely used across the government, including in classified settings, and Anthropic’s red lines were “reasonable.” He said the AI large language models that power chatbots like Claude, Grok and ChatGPT are also “not ready for prime time in national security settings,” particularly not for fully autonomous weapons

“Retailers’ tariff bill has come down marginally in the last few months, but they have continued to lift their selling prices,” Samuel Tombs, chief U.S. economist at Pantheon Macroeconomics, wrote in a commentary And core good prices climbed 0.7% from December and 4.2% from January 2025 on hefty increases in the prices of cosmetics, pet food, some metals and metalcutting machinery Energy prices were down as gasoline prices dropped 5.5% from December and 15.7% from a year earlier Wholesale food prices also fell. The producer price report comes two weeks after the Labor Department reported that consumer prices rose just 2.4% last month compared to a year earlier, closing in on the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Economists had worried that Trump’s double-digit taxes on im-

ports would drive inflation higher

Their impact has so far been more modest than expected — although inflation remains higher than the Fed would like.

Wholesale prices can offer an early look at where consumer inflation might be headed. Economists also watch it because some of its components, notably measures of health care and financial services, flow into the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge — the personal consumption expenditures, or PCE, price index. In December, PCE inflation rose faster than economists had forecast, climbing 2.9% from a year earlier biggest such increase since March 2024.

Harry Truman once said that if youwantafriend in Washington, get adog. Fourteen yearsago,asa resident of the nation’scapital, Idid justthat. More accurately,God gave me adog —and picked exactly the right one. Clipper,awhite Cavachon witha few wisps of light apricot, was aflawless mix of CavalierKing Charles spaniel and bichon frisé. He was ahappy,sociable littlefellow,22pounds of charm.You would swear he smiled, and he always seemed toenjoy posing forthe camera. He was the right size —big enough and small enough, atleastfor me —and he adored human interaction He was my first dog since Iwas 12. Cavachonsare known for their affectionate, friendly,gentletemperaments, and Clipper was theposter boy for all three. He gavesomanykisses, Isometimes thoughtofrenaming him Licker.Henever bit anyone, norgavea thought to doing so. Clipper was full of love. He stuck by methrough ups and downs. It was pure joy watching Clipper play with my grandson, Porter.Clipper would lick Porter’sface again and again, and my grandson —laughing from the belly —would pretend hewantedClippertostop while gleefully letting him continue. Asthe referee,I enjoyed the game as much as thetwo delighted participants Seventeenmonthsago,aveterinariantold me Clipper had bone cancer in one of his front legs. Like anyone who hears news likethat,I wasdevastated. Fortunately,Igot good advice from doctors atthe Metairie Small Animal Hospital and fromsupportive family members. The best option wastoamputateas soon as possible.

Clipper came through surgery with flying colors. He was brave and trusting. Withinafew days,hewas getting around remarkably well. One vettold me that Godgives dogs three legs andone spare. Clipperwas doing his best without the spare.

After six chemotherapy treatments, theoncology staff at MedVet gave him a“Certificate of Achievement.” They lined up in the hallway at the medical center and applauded my littlefellow as he hopped toward me. Clipper wearing his “graduation”cap —a photo of which now hangs above the computer I’m typingon— filled me withpride.

Clipper lived agood, longlife —always happy, always ready for the next adventure.But in recent months, he began slowingdown.Day by day,he wasn’t himself. After hours of examinations and Xrays, Iwas told the cancer was back andhad metastasized to his ribs. Another devastatingday

Eventually, you could see the flash of pain in hisbig, brown eyes, as if he was asking me, “What’shappening?” Three weeks ago, Clipper went to heaven.

Losing abeloved pet brings agrief that is quiet and heavy.Ifyou’ve been throughit, you know

Dogs teach us how to love byshowing whatunconditional love looks like. That’swhy the Almightysupposedly said when he created them, “I will send them without wings so no one suspectsthey areangels.” All of our pets are angels, andClipperisnow cheerily playing with the others. Ifeel that he’sstill by my side, my perfect little angel. That isn’tmeanttobea tear-jerker,but ahappy fact Fortunately,our society has learned over the years how to best care for pets. They’re notanimals to be left out in the yard; they’re family —tobeloved, respected andprotected.

The American Veterinary MedicalAssociation estimates that more than 56 million American households have dogs and 43 million have cats, up 20% since 1988. In 2024, more than 4million shelteranimals were adopted.

Acartoon Isaw recently uplifted my spirits, andI hope it will hearten yours if you’ve ever had apet. It shows aman arriving at thepearly gates,yearsafter his pet made the journey.He’sgreetedbya beaming St.Peter who tellshim, “Somebody’sbeenwaitingfor you.”

Ican see Clipper,happily wagginghis tail. He was my best friend.

Ron Faucheux is anonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana.

Republicansgamingthe system with SAVE act

Iread with great interest the Feb.15column by Mark Ballard regarding theso-called SAVE America Act being pushed by Republicans in Congress.

As stated by Ballard,potential voters would be required to present acertified birth certificate, passport or other documentation to prove citizenship when they register tovote. Also, they would be required to show government-issued picture ID when going to vote. As noted by Ballard,Louisianaalready requires government-issued photo IDs when voting.

Supposedly,this bill is designed to combat voter fraud. However, as stated by Ballard,voter fraud is an extremely rare occurrence in Louisiana. Additionally,from what Ihave often read, voter fraud in national elections is also very rare.

U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise and

Mike Johnson act as if people opposing theSAVEAmerica Act are against having to show apicture ID when going to vote. This makes me wonder if they have cast votes in Louisianaelections, since for years it has been required that voters present apicture ID in order to vote. As indicated in Ballard’scolumn, asserting that opponents of the SAVE Act object to having to present apicture ID when voting ignores thedifficulties manypeople, such as thosewho have moved from one state to another or married women, would have in obtaining the required documentation to register tovote. Thus, it is obvious that the socalled SAVE America Act is really aSave Republicans From Defeat in the Upcoming Congressional Elections act.

JACK QUARLESJR. NewOrleans

Don’tput illegal immigrants in onebasket

It cannot be said enough that “criminals” are different from undocumented immigrants(or “illegal aliens,” if one wants to insist on that term).

The choir director at my church, Orlin,and his wife, Lucia, were “illegals.” Their first two daughters died in infancy due to pollution and inadequatehealth care in Honduras. After their thirddaughter Camila was born, Orlin and Lucia had understandable fears about keeping her alive in Honduras. They felt that their best option to protect her was to come to the United States, even though they did not have lawful permission. They trusted that theU.S. was great and graceful enough to offer understanding and compassion

These “illegals” paid our countryback. Lucia raised their children in faith. Orlin worked as a welder in the shipyards. They led our Spanish language choir and were involved in faithformation through thearchdiocese’sHispanic Apostolate. In my experience as aCatholic

and an immigration lawyer,I have had theprivilege to serve many incredible, even heroic, “illegals.” Ihave also learned that it’snot so unusual for “illegals” to be holy, like Orlin and Lucia.

The New OrleansPolice Departmenthas long recognized that criminal law enforcement is different from immigration enforcement. As has been painfully apparent over the past months, immigration enforcement is often at odds with public safety

Idon’tbelieve it’ssimply coincidence that New Orleans’ historic drop in crimeand increased immigrant population overlap.I also believe that trust-building measures, like therescinded 2016 immigration policy,have helped to bring about this incredible accomplishment. The 2016 NOPD immigration policy recognized that immigrants, irrespective of their status, are an integral part of our community.Failing to protect them leaves us all less safe and less great.

MARCO BALDUCCI NewOrleans

Letters like Cathy Brouillette’sin the newspaper on Feb. 16 are worrisome. To me, President Donald Trump’swords and behaviors do not speak of qualities Ifind desirable. Ifind his speech and actions fearfuland provoking of dangerousness if not seen in the light of truthful revelation. His personality traits are found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. An older term would classify Trumpasa “malignant narcissist.”

Iwonder from what precisely Brouillette determines Trumptobe religious? Christianity? The teachings of Jesus Christ and the beliefs of Trumpare diametrically opposite. From the start, his lack of compassion was seen as he tried to provoke humor by making funofthe disabled reporter

Being goal-oriented is aquality when those goals are noble. Assertiveness is desirable when it does not encompass stepping on others’ rights and privileges. Idofind Brouillette morethan abit confused in her assessments. But, as she concludes in her letter,that’sawhole other topic. CAROL POOLEY Donaldsonville

Iread with interest Dave Hebert’s letter of Feb. 11 on whobears the blamefor the current unrest over the administration’simmigration enforcement policy.Hebert was correct in that the Biden administration did allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants into this country.But you can’tblamethe Biden administration forthe current enforcement policies. That is what the protesting is about. It’s about the manner in which the policy is being implemented, not the enforcement itself

CLIFFORD WILLIAMS Baton Rouge

IN TH ZONE

BY RODWALKER Staffwriter

Saddiq Bey refused tolet the New Orleanslose Thursday night.

Even when the Utah Jazz rallied to keep this from beingthe blowout that itonce was,Bey shut it down Bey finished with 42 points, including 14in the fourth quarter,tolead the Pelicans to a129-118victory at the Delta Center

It was the second-most points scoredbyaPelicans player this season, only trailing the 44 points scored by Trey Murphy in aloss to theMilwaukeeBucks.

For Bey,itwas aseason-highand the second-most points he’sscored inhis career.His career-high of 51 came four seasons ago,whenhe was playing withthe

Reecetakes

BY TOYLOYBROWN III

Staff writer

With tired legs in double overtime and every possession matteringmorethan thelast freshman Jalen Reece wascomposed with the ball in his hands Robert Miller flipped his screento face the LSU benchonthe right sideline, andOle Miss guard Eduardo Klafke couldn’tstay in front of Reece,who dribbled oncetoward the top of the key.The freshmanpoint guard saw the passingwindow open as Miller dove to the basket In thesameway onewould roll dice,Reece delivered aright-handed bounce pass to the spot that only his 6-foot-10 teammate could catch the ball and dunk it with ease, giving LSU a92-90 advantage with4:38 left. The passcreated one of the four field goals LSU scored in thesecond overtime to beat Ole Miss 106-99 on the road Wednesday.The assist also gave the 6-foot Reece his first career double-double, finishingwith11points, 10 assists and only one turnover

Detroit Pistons in agame against the Orlando Magic. Beyalso had seven assists and grabbed five rebounds as thePelicans(18-42) won their third straight game. “I justcame in and tried to play hardfor my team, my guys,”Bey said in hispostgametelevision interview. “I was just trying to be aggressiveand takewhatthe team gives me. My teammates did agreat job of finding me. Coaches did agreat job of putting me in great positions.”

Beyshot14of20from thefloor, including5-of-9on 3-pointers. He also knocked down all nine free throws He had plenty of help. Zion Williamson finished with 20 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

ä See PELICANS, page 3C

Mooreis more active in Saints’ draftwork in 2026

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS Kellen Moore’ssecond offseason with the New Orleans Saints has been alot less hectic than the first. Without thewhirlwindofwinning the SuperBowl withPhiladelphia,finalizing a coaching staffand then sprinting to the offseason, Moore finally has had timetotake a breath —and to put his energyinto different projects.

Afterthe Senior Bowl,Moore metwith college scouting director Jeff Ireland and his staff to begin adeep dive on the prospectsfor the NFLdraft. As acoordinator, Mooreusually wouldwaittodig into the draft until after he completed his free agency evaluations.

“I’vealready gotten thefirstlap,firstimpression for all these draft-eligible guys,” Moore said. Moore made another lap this week at the scouting combine,where he satinonprospect meetings to collect additional information. In between, he made time to speak with reporters. Here’swhat stood out from the session.

HelpingShough

Moore knows theSaintshavetorun the ball better in 2026. That wasamongthe glaring issues he noticed duringa thorough reviewofhis first season. The Saints failed to have a500-yard rusher forthe first timesince 1998, the year before they gave up the farm to draftRicky Williams. Moore said they have to be better

Besselman, LSUguard battlingheart condition, relishes finalmoments with team at PMAC

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

As soon as Izzy Besselman walked onto the floor,her smile brightened. She had been here before. But the emotionsofthis momentfelt alittle different and for good reason.

BeforeThursday,Besselman hadn’tappeared in agame for 705 days. That’snearly two full yearsofsitting.Watching Searching —not only forafirm answer to the question of why shecouldn’tplaybasketball anymore,but also foranending

ä LSU at Mississippi State 3P.M.SUNDAy,SEC NETWORK

shecould enjoy on herterms. Not those of theheart condition that took away the past two years of her playing career Besselmangot thatclosure Thursday at the end of the LSU women’sbasketball team’s win over Tennessee. Coach Kim Mulkey subbed her into the actionwith 45 seconds left in the fourth quarter,giving the Pete ä See LSU, page 3C

LSU guard Izzy Besselman walks onto the courtinthe fourth quarter of agame against Tennessee on Thursday at the Pete Maravich AssemblyCenter STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

4:30

7:30

7:30

7:30

9

9

9:30 p.m. Gonzaga at Saint Mary’s ESPN

9:30 p.m. UCSB at UC Irvine ESPN2 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

1:30 p.m Maryland at Michigan FOX

5 p.m. Kansas at Oklahoma St. FS1

7

5

Buckeyes Tate a fan of QB Shough

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

INDIANAPOLIS

About a month

ago, Carnell Tate was on a podcast when the Ohio State receiver was asked which quarterback he’d love to play with most in the NFL.

He said he’d be happy with whoever could get him the ball. But after mentioning Buffalo QB Josh Allen — who wouldn’t want to be with an MVP? — he brought up a surprising name: Tyler Shough. He noted that the New Orleans Saints quarterback had been “balling.”

What made him say that?

“He had a great back half of the season,” Tate said Friday at the NFL scouting combine. “He won five games for the Saints, stretching the field and being very accurate.”

It would be a pairing that many would welcome.

Tate is in the mix to be the first wideout taken in this year’s NFL draft, but he could still be available when the Saints pick eighth overall.

The Saints, in particular, are in need of another dynamic weapon around Shough, and Tate fits the prototype At 6-foot-3, he ran a variety of routes and won in all sorts of ways for the Buckeyes. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch this past season on 51 catches for

PRESS FILE PHOTO By JAy LAPRETE

Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate runs a route during a game on Oct. 4 in Columbus, Ohio.

875 yards and nine touchdowns. He’d also be a complement to Chris Olave, whom Tate knows well from their Ohio State connection.

“They might be out there looking for another weapon to pair up with Chris, so to help Tyler in his career,” said Tate, who has met with New Orleans. “It would be a great opportunity to go out there and help the Saints win.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@theadvocate.com

QB Pavia plans to throw at

Pavia, runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting, said Friday he will throw passes at the

scouting combine.

The quarterbacks are scheduled to go through drills on Saturday Heisman winner and expected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza of Indiana said he would wait until his pro day on April 1 to throw passes. Pavia said he will not go through additional on-field drills and will instead wait for Vanderbilt’s pro day on March 18.

He is viewed as a later-round pick largely because of his size Pavia measured at just less than 5-foot10. Mendoza, by comparison, is 6-5. Now he hopes to transfer that play over to the NFL, and Pavia perhaps poked fun at himself regarding his on- and off-field reputation.

Cowboys place franchise tag on receiver Pickens

The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on George Pickens on Friday, a move that would guarantee the receiver $27.3 million in 2026 while the sides work on a long-term contract Dallas used the non-exclusive tag on Pickens, a person with knowledge of the move told The Associated Press, meaning he can negotiate with other teams but the Cowboys can match any offer The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because details of the tag weren’t announced

The Cowboys had been expected to use the tag on Pickens since last fall when he began to flourish in his breakout 2025 season coming off a trade from Pittsburgh, where his career got off to a rocky start.

Atlanta Falcons dismiss assistant coach Lewis

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis on Friday, just hours before he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault case. The dismissal came shortly after the Falcons said they were looking into allegations that surfaced on social media

“We are aware of allegations regarding LaTroy Lewis,” the Falcons said in a statement before making the move to fire Lewis. “We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

A direct message seeking comment was sent on social media

The allegations date to Lewis’ time at the University of Michigan, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season.

Lee moves up the LPGA Singapore leaderboard

on first and second down to open up explosive plays. He stressed improving in the red zone and in short-yardage situations when it comes to the run, too. Any changes will be made with second-year quarterback Tyler Shough in mind.

“Any offense is going to be steered by the quarterback position,” Moore said. “Once that narrows its focus, it allows me to be a lot more specific as what you want to do. That’ll be a full offseason journey I’m excited about that just from Tyler’s perspective, just to be able to go through a full offseason, go through in his training camp and clean up the system and narrow our focus.” Free agents TBD

Moore was asked repeatedly about the Saints’ key free agents, such as cornerback Alontae Taylor, linebacker Demario Davis and defensive end Cam Jordan Moore kept close to the vest how the Saints and general manager Mickey Loomis will approach each of those decisions

“Those are obviously conversations that Mickey’s having with those guys just to see where they’re at, first and foremost,” Moore said. “All those guys we love to death, and we’d love to keep as many of these guys as we possibly can.

“We’ll let that process take care of itself.”

That includes running back Alvin Kamara, who technically isn’t a free agent but has an $18

million cap hit that looms large over next season. Moore didn’t indicate whether the Saints would ask Kamara to take a pay cut or consider moving on but did note it was unfortunate that Kamara missed the last six games with a knee injury

“Our team was finally starting to play a little bit better collectively, (and) I think he would have reaped some benefits from that,” Moore said. Kamara finished with a careerlow 471 yards rushing, and his 3.6 yards per carry average also

was a personal worst. Reunions?

Because he’s been an offensive coordinator at three stops before landing in New Orleans, Moore has overlap with some notable players who are set to be free agents. The 37-year-old, for example, coached tight end Dallas Goedert and running back Kenneth Gainwell in Philadelphia He worked with Chargers guard Zion Johnson in Los Angeles and Chargers guard Mekhi Becton in Philadel-

phia Even less significant pieces like wide receivers Jalen Tolbert (Dallas) and Jahan Dotson (Philadelphia) have crossed paths with Moore.

Moore couldn’t speak about any specifics on those individuals because they’re still under contract.

But generally, is he a fan of getting the band back together?

“It’s a good question,” Moore said. “I think there’s value in just having people that are familiar with a system or familiarity with yourself on a personal level, but I don’t think it’s the necessary thing.

“Especially now, the rest of the team we’ve been invested with over a year More than anything, when you have coaches who have worked with those guys (before), you just have a better understanding probably who you’re getting and what their strengths are and how they’ll fit into the culture of the team.”

Moore’s first year saw the Saints bring in tight end Jack Stoll and wide receiver Brandin Cooks to help others acclimate to his offense. And on defense, defensive end Chris Rumph, defensive tackle Jonah Williams and safety Terrell Burgess reunited with defensive coordinator Brandon Staley

But those were smaller-scale moves that hardly encompassed New Orleans’ offseason approach, which involved signing safety Justin Reid, trading for defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, and re-upping defensive end Chase Young and tight end Juwan Johnson. A mix of the two strategies again makes sense for Moore’s second season. Email

SINGAPORE Three-time major winner Minjee Lee improved on her first-round score by eight strokes Friday for an 8-under 64 to move into a tie for second place at the HSBC Women’s World Championship.

The No. 4-ranked Lee, one of nine top-10 players in the LPGA Singapore field this week, had an eagle and six birdies and tied for the round of the day on the Sentosa Golf Club’s Tanjong course. Lee was one stroke behind firstround leader Auston Kim, whose 69 left the American with a leading two-round total of 9-under 135.. Lee was tied with Ariya Jutanugarn (67) and Haeran Ryu (68). Hannah Green finished with three birdies in a row for a 66 and moved into a tie for fifth.

Dodgers don’t expect Snell to be ready on opening day SCOTTSDALE,Ariz. The Los Angeles Dodgers do not expect two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell to be ready for opening day as he works on coming back from a shoulder injury that has lingered since last season.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that the lefty has been throwing on flat ground, not the mound, and is making progress.

Snell was limited to 11 games last year in the regular season, going 5-4 with a 2.35 ERA. He was 3-2 in six postseason starts and helped the Dodgers repeat as World Series champions. In a spring training game against San Francisco, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave up two runs and five hits while striking out five over three innings.

LSU topples Memphis, Nicholls State

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

Kylee Edwards and Destiny Harris hit home runs and Cece Cellura pitched her second complete game as the Tigers beat Memphis 11-2 in the second game of the LSU Invitational at Tiger Park Friday Edwards started a seven-run rally in the second with a solo homer, her first as a Tiger after transferring from Mississippi State. Harris hit a two-run shot, her second, as the Tigers put the game away with a four-run fourth inning to win in five innings via the mercy rule. LSU knocked off Nicholls State, 3-1, in the early game as pitchers Tatum Clopton and Jayden Heavener combined on a one-hitter

In the nightcap, the No. 17 Tigers took advantage of three walks, a hit batter and four hits in the second inning to break the game open early Edwards hit her first home run as a Tiger over the center field fence, Jalia Lassiter hit a run-scoring double and Alix Franklin contributed a two-run single up the middle. Three more runs came in on bases-loaded walks to Char Lorenz and Maci Bergeron and another on an error

“We did a good job executing our plan,” LSU coach Beth Torina said. “Not swinging out of the zone. That’s how we felt in a couple of games where we didn’t execute the

way we wanted.” The Tigers showed strong defense behind winning pitcher Cellura (3-0), who allowed four hits, struck out three and walked two

while pitching her second complete game The infield erased a baserunner when Ariel Davis tried to advance from second and then tried to return to the bag on a

grounder to LSU second baseman Sierra Daniel. She threw to Avery Hodge at third, who threw to shortstop Edwards for the tag out. The Tigers also got Jazmine

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C

Dejounte Murray, playing in just his second game since returning from a torn Achilles injury, was one assist shy of a double-double. Murray had 17 points, nine assists and four steals.

“It’s amazing,” Bey said about Murray “He really controls the tempo and controls the pace. He did a great job. To see him play at this level as soon as he got back is great.”

The Pelicans are now 2-0 with the starting lineup of Murray, Williamson, Bey, Herb Jones and DeAndre Jordan. They are 3-0 since interim coach James Borrego moved Jordan into the lineup at center

The Pelicans outscored the Jazz 41-23 in the second quarter to pull away The quarter included a 10-0

run, capped off by a Williamson dunk that gave the Pels a 66-53 lead.

The Pels led by as many as 27 before the Jazz made a late run and cut it to 125-118 late. But Bey answered with back-to-back layups to seal the win

The Pelicans finished with a season-high 37 assists in what was their sixth consecutive win against the Jazz (18-41).

It was a good start to the 6-game road trip for the Pelicans, who improved to 5-2 over their last seven games.

The Pelicans play the Jazz again Saturday and the Los Angeles Clippers Sunday They follow that up against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, then back-toback games Thursday and Friday against the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns.

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

REECE

Continued from page 1C

The 19-year-old is playing his best basketball of the season season and will be crucial in LSU’s next game against Oklahoma (1414, 4-11 SEC) at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center Reece has started the last four games and is averaging 13.5 points on 40.5% shooting, 7.0 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.5 turnovers per game. His improvement comes with rediscovering whom he is, Reece said after his 14-point and five-assist performance in a seven-point loss to No. 17 Alabama last Saturday

“Just playing more free,” Reece said. “The coaches have great trust in me to do what I have to do to help the team win. So I just got to keep playing hard for everybody Just keep showing why I’m here. This is what I’m supposed to do.”

LSU (15-13, 3-12) aims to win a second straight game for the first time in Southeastern Conference play on Saturday One reason the feat hasn’t been accomplished is because of the absence of starting point guard Dedan Thomas, who had season-ending foot surgery after playing in only three conference games.

Coach Matt McMahon discussed on the LSU sports radio network Monday how Reece had to “evolve” from being a bench guard focused on avoiding turnovers to a scorer and orchestrator of the offense.

“Had a four-to-one assist-toturnover ratio in the nonconference, but was really more as DJ’s backup, just a setup guy,” McMahon said. “Not very aggressive offensively, just looking to get everyone involved and then really guarded defensively I think where he’s taken the next step here, he’s been really aggressive attacking off the dribble.

Maravich Assembly Center crowd a chance to toast her senior night “It was definitely surreal,” Besselman said. “It felt good to just go out there one last time We have the best fans in the country, so it meant a lot.” Besselman is a Baton Rouge native She starred in both hoops and volleyball at Episcopal, then began her collegiate basketball career as a walk-on. Across her freshman and sophomore seasons, she subbed in at the end of the Tigers’ blowout wins — 39 of them, to be exact. LSU put Besselman on scholarship in the middle of her junior year At the time, she was about eight weeks into the 10-month ordeal in which she figured out she was one of about 70 million people worldwide battling some form of dysautonomia — a nervous system disorder that can cause abnormally high heart rates. Besselman told The Advocate on Tuesday that she’s a “very func-

Mack trying to stretch a double into a triple when center fielder Lassiter hit Edwards and her relay to Hodge at third was in plenty of time. The Tigers also turned a double play when Hodge snagged a line drive and doubled Kennedy Semien off first base.

“All the girls in the infield love defense, I love defense, too,” said Edwards. “We’re all athletes and we’re going out there and having fun. We want to make the big plays and it’s something we talked about in the fall. We want to make the hard plays look easy and that’s what we did tonight.”

LSU 3, Nicholls State 1 Runs and hits were hard to come by in the first game, but Clopton and Heavener combined on a onehitter and Tori Edwards drove in the tiebreaking run with a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning. Bergeron, returning to the line after missing two starts because of injury, followed Tori Edwards with a run-scoring single for an insurance run. Lassiter knocked in LSU’s other run with a base hit in the third inning, one of five against three Nicholls State pitchers.

Clopton (5-1) went five innings and faced only three batters over the minimum with two strikeouts, no walks and two hit batters. Heavener struck out two and walked one to get her first save this season.

He’s been very good off our ballscreen actions. You’ve seen his percentages go up from behind the 3-point line.”

As the only true point guard left on the roster, Reece is rarely turning the ball over against ball pressure and is making the right reads. His passing chops are popping on the box score as he’s tied for sixth in assists per game (4.4) in SEC play Among the top 10 leaders in assists in the conference, Reece is averaging the second-fewest turnovers (1.6).

The Orlando, Florida, native also isn’t hesitating to take open shots, making 9 of 19 of his 3-pointers in the last four games and 36.4% in SEC play Reece couldn’t buy an outside jump shot to start his career, making 3 of 17 in the first 13 games.

The shooting growth extends to the free-throw line as he has made 81.8% on 22 attempts in conference compared to 62.5% on 16 at-

“It was definitely surreal. It felt good to just go out there one last time. We have the best fans in the country, so it meant a lot.”

IZZy BESSELMAN, LSU guard

“Izzy is probably the most selfless person I know,” Flau’jae Johnson said, “only because she literally knows she’s not gonna play She shows up to every film session. She showed up on time, ready to go. She always has her opinion about what we’re doing and what we’re trying.

tempts in nonconference. What McMahon appreciates as much as the shooting success and passing reads are the intangibles.

“He’s handled this very well,” McMahon said. “I think he’s a great competitor He’s tough. He’s one of our toughest players on the team. He can play the whole game.” Reece never came out in the Tigers’ 10-point loss at No. 22 Tennessee, finishing with only one turnover He played 47 minutes in LSU’s win over Ole Miss and more than 37 minutes in both of his other two starts.

His growth is coming at the right time because he’s indispensable for LSU.

“We’re just gonna keep fighting for the rest of the season,” Reece said. “I think we just got to keep playing hard, keep playing for each other At the end of the day, we’re a family So if we just keep staying together, everything will work out.”

She shot only 3 of 10 from the field and 3 of 9 at the free-throw line on Thursday against the Lady Vols, but she still made a few key plays in the second half and finished with 10 points. Now she needs only 25 more to become just the sixth player to score more than 2,000 career points in a Tiger uniform.

In March, Johnson will likely hit that mark, then receive her final curtain call at the end of one of the NCAA Tournament games that will be played in the PMAC.

Besselman got hers on Thursday, when Mulkey waved her off the bench and onto the floor for the first time in two years.

said

way Her teammates agree.

“She’s very smart. She’s like another coach out there, and she’ll do whatever it takes to help us win. Like, whatever we need.” Besselman and Johnson are the last two holdovers from LSU’s 2022-23 national championship team. They were each honored on Thursday alongside Amiya Joyner, a transfer forward who spent the first three seasons of her career at East Carolina. Johnson is an LSU program great.

“Izzy’s priorities in life are in order,” Mulkey said “While she loves basketball, she’s got her national championship ring, she got to play in front of her hometown friends and family, she understands that she’s trying to play basketball when most people that have her condition are just trying to live and survive.

“So Izzy’s a great, great young lady and teammate.”

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

THE VARSITYZONE

Corner kick keys SSA’stitle winoverTeurlings

BY JOSEPH HALM Staff writer

St. Scholastica sophomore Ella McCollum practicedthe play hundreds of times

The Doves have beenextremely effective on set pieces this season, so when junior Bailey Tardo lined up her corner kick, it felt like second-seededSSA might finally break through.

Tardo’sleft-footed ball bent perfectly toward McCollum, who headed it home in the 50th minute as the Doves completed their 3-peat with a2-0 win over fifth-seeded Teurlings Catholic during the LHSAA Division II state champion-

shipmatch at Southeastern’s Strawberry Stadium onFeb. 27. “Wework alot on set pieces,” St. Scholasticafifth-year coach Glenn “Benji” Benjamin said. ”Wehave aplethora of corners that we do. We have some incredible leftfooters on our team, whocan whip the ball in the box. Our first intentonacorner is to put it straight into the goal. Ella is really good in the air We’ve been talkingto herall day, asking whenshe was goingtoget that header,and shegot it.”

McCollum gave allthe credit to Tardoonthe goal.

“It was an amazingball straight tomyhead,” Mc-

St.Scholastica’sElla McCollum, center,heads the ball in for agoal as TeurlingsCatholic’sgoalkeeper Madilynn Broussard defends during the DivisionIIstate championshipgameon FridayinHammond.The Doveswon 2-0

Collum said. “It was the best feeling in the world. This is

Father,daughterbothchase trophies in soccer titleDH

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

From the middle of the field, she can hear his voice. She’ll hear it again Saturday at Strawberry Stadium in Hammond, when Dominican freshman Madeleine Millet steps onto the turf for the Division Istate final at 5p.m.

Shouting from the stands will be her father,Matt Millet, whose Brother Martin team takes the field 21/2 hours later in the boys final.

“It will be abusy day in the Millet household, for sure,” Matt said.

It’sarare championship day: afather cheering for his daughter beforecoaching his own team for atitle.

If everything goes right, both could leave Hammond as state champions —Dominican against Mount Carmel, Brother Martin against Jesuit.

“I’m excited to see her compete,”Matt said.

Hammond isn’tnew to the Millet family.Matt led Holy Cross to five state titles beforetaking over at Brother Martin in 2024. He knows the thrill of championship soccer.

But Saturday will feel different. Then, he had only his players to consider. This time, his attention will be split between his team and hisdaughter For the first match, he will be dad.

“Always screaming,” Madeleine said with a smile.

“It’shard for me to sit and watch,” Matt admitted.

In Saturday’ssemifinal against St. Joseph’sinBaton Rouge, he stood apart from the other parents, focused primarily on his daughter.When he wanted to get her attention, he pinched his lowerlip with his thumb and index finger and let out asharpwhistle.

“Get it together!” she remembered hearing. His voice has followed her since age 7, when she played on an all-boys team coached by her dad. Now in high school,she has Brother Martin graduate Al Silvas as her head coach and her dad as the coachfor herLouisiana Fire girls club team. This summer will mark the third straight year he’scoached that team.

“He’shard on me, but it’s good,” she said.“He pushes me.”

SOCCER GLANCE

2St. Scholastica2,No. 5Teurlings Catholic 0(girls) No. 3Teurlings Catholic vs.No. 4 Prairieville (boys), 7:30 p.m. Saturday’s games Division I No. 1Mount Carmelvs. No. 3Dominican (girls), 5p.m. No. 1Jesuit vs.No. 2Brother Martin (boys), 7:30 p.m.

MaggieMillet, aretired longtime volleyball andsoccer coach at CountryDay, keeps aclose watch on her son and granddaughterduring matches.

Forall that he might shout, Madeleine shows no frustration toward dad.

“She respects his knowledge,”Maggie said

“I think it’sagood relationship, coach to player He sees herstrengthson the field.”

Madeleine’smom,Kelly, sits with the other parents during matches. On big nights, shebrings an oversized cutout of her daughter’sface, liftingitabove the crowd whenever she makesa play

“When he coaches, he does agreat job of balancingsupport withchallenge,” she said. “He holds heraccountable like any other player.He’salso her biggestbeliever.”

Mattand Kelly both played soccer in high school and reached the finals as players, Mattwinning atitle with De La Salle and Kelly playing for Ben Franklin.

Their younger daughter, seventhgrader Charlotte, will soon join Madeleine on thehigh school fields.

Mattsees alittle of himself in bothdaughters.

“She’stough, which is why she’splaying as a freshman,” Matt said of the center midfielder.“She can push and shove when need be.”

After Dominican’ssemifinal win, Madeleine returned to New Orleans with her teammates.Seated with her mom andsister among theoverflow crowd at Pan American Stadium, she watched her dad’sBrother Martin team win

“I felt good for my dad because Iknew he wanted bothofustogotothe finals,”she said.

Saturday will be thebiggest stage they’ve ever shared. He’ll arrive with his Brother Martin team shortly before Dominican and Mount Carmel get underway

“I plan on being able to watch the whole game,” he said.

At somepoint,hemay have to step away tomeet with his team. If he does, he won’tbefar from the field. Close enough to pinch his lower lip, let out that sharp whistle and shout. From themiddle of the field, she’ll hear it

thebest day of my life. I’m just so happy right now.Af-

ter the goal, we kept up the intensity and got the job done.”

Sophomore Molly Montgomery,who won Most Outstanding Player honors, put the game away in the 70th minute as she blasted a30yard shot into the back of the net to secure SSA’s 10th state title.

“I don’tevenremember it to be honest,” Montgomery said about her goal. “The adrenaline was pumping. I don’thave any words to describe it.It’sliterally insane. The flashing lights, it’sliterally just adream that I’ve dreamtabout.”

The Doves (16-5-6) dominated the scoring opportu-

nities in the first half and outshot the Rebels 15-1, but junior goalkeeper Madilynn Broussard recorded nine first-half saves to keep the gamescoreless. Benjamin made atactical change at halftime,putting more Dovesinthe midfield, andthatswitch paid dividends. SSAscored twiceand wrapped up afourth state titlefor St.Tammany Parishschools in thepastthree days.

“We’vebeen working since the beginning of the season to get to this point,” Montgomery said. “I really wanted to getthe 3-peat, especiallyfor theseniors. They deserve it.”

Classy ending

BY CHRISTOPHERDABE Staff writer

Carver coach Blair Brinsonpulled open the door and enteredthe locker room of theteam that just ended his season. The celebration inside faded. The Buckeye girls turned and listened.

He hadn’t faceda team like this —one that buried eight 3-pointers in the first half,built alarge lead and then steadied itself late for a73-55 victory Thursday in the LHSAA Division II select quarterfinals.

Thesecond-year head coach wanted to express his gratitude.

“At the end of the day it’sabout advancing this game,” Brinsonsaid. “We allplaya small part in this gigantic puzzle.”

Allfive Buckeyestarters scored before the first quarter ended and the Panthersled by 17 at halftime The lead grew to 24 before Carver trimmed it to 11 but could get no closer as Buckeye sank 9of10freethrows down thestretch.

Ledby6-foot-3 senior Lybi Crosswith20points, including two 3-pointers, andfive blocked shots, fifth-seeded Buckeye(24-

Girls basketball

Thursday’s quarterfinals

DivisionIselect No. 1John Curtis 59, No.8 Captain Shreve37

DivisionIIselect No. 5Buckeye 73,No. 4Carver 55 DivisionIII select No. 3Sacred Heart 49,No. 11 D’Arbonne Woods 32 No. 4Holy Savior Menard47, No. 5 De La Salle 32

DivisionIVselect No. 3Ouachita Christian 38, No.6 McGeHee 18 DivisionInonselect No. 3Prairieville 65,No. 6Salmen 54 No. 2Slidell 56, No.7 Denham Springs 38

Class C No. 4Evans 51, No. 5Phoenix25 State tournament glance At University Center, Hammond Monday’s semifinals Division IV nonselect: No. 2Merryville vs.No. 3Arcadia, 1p.m. Class C: No. 2Calvinvs. No. 3Pleasant Hill, 2:45 p.m. Class C: No. 1Simpson vs.No. 4 Evans, 4:30 p.m. Division IV nonselect: No. 1Midland vs.No. 5East Feliciana, 6:15 p.m.

GIRLSBASKETBALL

6) ranits winningstreakto 18 gamesand will face topseeded Madison Prep in the state semifinals next week.

“Thathasn’thappenedbefore —coach coming in and talking to my girls,” Buckeye coach Tori Thompson said. “I really appreciate him coming in, congratulating our girls, very classy It shows whatkind of program he’s trying to run here, and Iappreciate that. They had agreat season.”

The appreciation went both ways. With roughly 100 Buckeye supporters crowding ahallway outside the gym afterthe game, theyopeneda path forthe Carver players and families and applauded as they walked between them and toward an exit.

Thatsportsmanship stood in contrast to an early fourth-quarter moment when security escorteda Buckeye fanout of the gym after an apparent verbalexchange witha Carversupporter escalated.

Thetension faded once the game ended, whenseveral Buckeye fans came to the floor andshook hands with Brinson, congratu-

PREP REPORT

No. 1Bell City vs.No. 5 Zwolle, 2:45 p.m. Class B: No. 2Pitkin vs.No. 3Fairview,4:30 p.m. Division III nonselect: No. 2Oak Grove vs.No. 3Westlake, 6:15 p.m Division III nonselect: No. 1French Settlement vs.No. 5Ville Platte, 8p.m. Wednesday’s semifinals

Division IV select: No. 2JSClark Leadership vs.No. 3Ouachita Christian, 1p.m. Division IV select: No. 1Southern Labvs. No. 4Cedar Creek, 2:45 p.m. Division II select: No. 2University Labvs. No. 3Parkview Baptist 4:30 p.m. Division II nonselect: No. 1Sterlington at No. 4Woosman, 6:15 p.m. Division II nonselect: No. 2LaGrange at No. 3North Vermilion, 8p.m. Thursday’s semifinals Division II select: No. 1Madison Prep vs.No. 5Buckeye,1p.m. Division Iselect: No. 1John Curtis vs.No. 4Huntington, 2:45 p.m. Division Iselect: No. 3St. Joseph’s Academy vs.No. 7Teurlings Catholic, 4:30 p.m. Division Inonselect: No. 1Zachary vs.No. 4Neville, 6:15 p.m. Division Inonselect: No. 2Slidell vs No. 3Prairieville, 8p.m.

lating his team for how it played hard until the end.

“I appreciate my girls being able to lock back in and not let that distractthem from what our job is here, and him still being able to communicatewithour community andtellthem, ‘Thank you,’ ”Thompson said.“Andour community being able to go to him and say, ‘Thank youfor having us.’ It’s huge.” The turnout wastypical for traveling Buckeyesupporters. The school brought asimilarly sized crowd to Douglass last season for a second-round playoffgame that ended with Natalie Graves’ buzzer-beater for the win.

“That’swhat’ssogreat aboutthe communityof Buckeye —the community that we bring with us, even threehours from our home,” said Cross, whoremembered how “the gym exploded” when Graves madeher shot.

Crossalsoappreciated thelocker-room visitfrom Brinson, the opposing coach.

“You don’tsee thattoo often, you know?” Cross said. “That just shows how much respect there is for this game.”

BYGUERRYSMITH

The Tulane football team will play eightconsecutive American Conference games without abreak in 2026 under new coach Will Hall. The league released its schedule this week, and the GreenWave’s lone open date will be the week before it opens against Army at home on Oct. 10. It travels to Memphis

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

the following Friday,faces TexasSanAntonio athome on Oct. 24, plays at CharlotteonFriday,Oct. 30, entertainsTulsa on Nov.7,goes to Rice on Nov.14, hosts North Texas on Nov. 21 andfinishesat South Florida oneither Nov.27or Nov.28. The Wave will not playNavy, UAB, Temple and EastCarolina, missing theMidshipmen and Blazersfor thesecondconsecutiveseason. Other features: n The Friday game at Charlotte will come afterthe 49ers have an open date.

n This will be thefirst time since 2017 all of Tulane’shome games will be on Saturdays. n The Wave’sYulman Stadium finale against North Texas will be arematch of the 2025 American Conference championship game the Green Wave won at the same venue. As has been revealed earlier,Tulane will begin the year at reigning ACC champion Duke (Sept. 5) before hosting South Alabama(Sept. 12), playing at Kansas State (Sept. 19) andhosting Southern Miss (Sept. 26).

This is the first time the Wave hasfaced two Power Four conference teams on the road since 2021, when ahomegameagainst Oklahoma was moved to Norman, Oklahoma,because of HurricaneIda and the first timesince 2014 (Duke, Rutgers) two games against Power Four teamswere supposed

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

high allweekend, so if you’re sneezing that’sprobablywhy.Green Wave baseball weatherlooksgreat.

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Jay Johnson has aproblem, but it’s agood onetohave. LSUhas too many capable hittersand not enoughspots in the lineup for them all to play

It’san issue the Tigers also had last season, when therewere five outfielders for three spots and aplatoon at third base. But it wasn’tsomething thatwas expected to pop up again this season, with three fewerpositional players on the roster than last year

“I think it’s aversatileteam,” Johnson said. “There are alot of waystoattack things and skin a cat, and things we’ve been looking at during practice time and practice settings that give usa little more versatility.”

The LSU offense has been hitting the cover off the ball to begin 2026. The Tigers came into this weekendwith.355/.476/.612 splits as ateam and 15 home runs. Alloftheir hitterswithat least four starts had no worse than a.387 on-base percentage. Arelatively weak nonconference schedulehas played amajorroleinLSU’s dominance, but the Tigers’ best performances have come against the better teams they’ve faced to thispoint LSU scored 10 runs against Kent State, ateam that won two of threegames over Tennessee last weekend. The bats also drove in 14 runs against Indiana, nine vs. Notre Dame and 11 in aseven-inning victory overCentral Florida.

“(We) scheduled (Kent State) because Ibelieve they’ll go win aboatload of games,”Johnson said, “and that impact on our RPI and quality wins and allthat,and get tested.”

The lineupdepth and versatility have played amajor rolefor LSU. Withoutsenior Chris Stanfield in left field, who has been outsince thethird game of the year with abruised left hand, Johnson hasbeen able to rotate more players into the lineup. High Point transfer Brayden Simpson has earned extra time, moving to aposition— left field

—that he’d never played be-

fore in college. Sophomore John Pearson continues to getsteady at-bats against left-handed pitching. Freshman Mason Braun has gottenthe same opportunity against righties.

Fifth-yearseniorTanner Reavesand freshmanOmar Serna have been in the mixfor more playing time as well. Reaves has played at secondbase, third and left field, while Serna has notched most of his starts at catcher

“I think the combination of John Pearson and Brayden Simpson has been productive in (Stanfield’s) absence. Ithink MasonBraun is goingtobea greatplayer here,” Johnson said. “Omar, getting him extra time is really important. He’sgoing to be agreat player.You’relooking at areally good middle of the orderin2027, where two of those guys —asfreshmen, coming into anationalchampionshiprepeating team —are getting significant playing time.”

But when Stanfield returnsto an everyday role in left field, opportunities for Pearson, Simpson, Braunand Reaves will be more limited. Junior Jake Brown in right field andsophomore Derek Curiel in center are going to playevery day. The same can be said forjuniorStevenMilam at shortstopand Grand Canyon transfer Zach Yorke at first base. There’sa chance that Oregon State transfer Trent Caraway at thirdbaseor Kansas State transfer Seth Dardar at secondcould be looped into aplatoon with Simpson or Reaves. But Carawayand Dardar arehitting the ball well andhaveearned starts against same-handed pitchers, Carawayasa rightyfacingrighthanded arms and Dardar as a lefty facing left-handers. Sophomore Cade Arrambide at catcher won’tstart every day behind the plate, given the physical grind of theposition. That should provideSernawithatleast one start aweekmoving forward

But given how valuable Arrambide’s bat is,he’ll likely be the DH in games where he doesn’t catch, meaning that even fewer opportunitieswill be afforded to Simpson, Braun, Pearsonand Reaves.

LSUbaseballfaces some toughlineupdecisions

“(Chris returning) justgives us moreoptions to utilize guys to be successful at acertainspot that canhelpuswin agame,”Johnsonsaid. “So I’d maybe look at it alittle bit differently.”

Among Simpson, Reaves, Braunand Pearson, thelatter twohave been the better hitters to this point. Pearson blasted hissecondhomer of the year on Tuesday andwas 5for 11 at the plateheadinginto thisweekend. Braun was one of LSU’sbesthittersinthe preseason and helda .542on-base percentage before Friday’sgame against Dartmouth. Reaves and Simpson have more defensive versatilitythan Braun

or Pearson, although Brauncan play corner outfield andfirst base.Simpson has experience at three infield spots, alongwith left field. Reaves was in aplatoon withMichael Braswell at third base last year, despite arriving in BatonRouge as primarily a second baseman and outfielder Simpson andReaves’ versatilityondefense could be helpful if Johnson decided to loop eitherone of theminaplatoon withCaraway or Dardar,but it probably won’thelpthem in their quest to earn regular atbats at DH. Braun and Pearson appear to have the upper hand in thatdepartment, as Reaves and Simpson haven’ttaken an at-bat

as the DH this year

There’sstill alot of baseball to be played, including another week of games in nonconference play followingthisweekend LSU’slineup depth andversatilitywon’t be trulytesteduntil its Southeastern Conference slate begins in March. But until then, Johnson will be forced to make more difficult decisionsashetries to optimize LSU’sattack heading into SEC play

Email Koki Riley at koki.riley@theadvocate.com. For more LSU sportsupdates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Expand your interests, skills and circle of friends. Participate in events that offer greater freedom to be yourself and live in the moment. Socializingwill lead to curiousencounters.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Offerhope to those going through tough times. A kind gesture will lead to rewards that changeyour life. An unexpected turn of events will alter how you earn or handle your money.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Pay attention to detail andwork to make your household run more efficiently and effectively. Compromise and compassion will be calledfor today.

GEMInI (May21-June 20) Afinancial change thatencourages saving, investing smartly and working hardtosecure your position will put your mind at ease. Aconversation will change your perspective.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Check the facts and figures, and make choicesthat raise your profile and possibilities.Be open to suggestions but boldinyour opinions. Put your time, energy, heart andsoulinto gaining ground.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Take apassionate approach to whatever you do, andyou'll gain respect and loyalty. Inside information that comesyour way will give youanopportunity for financial gain.

VIRGo(Aug.23-sept. 22) Participating in activities will give you awindowinto how others are doing. Achange of location or to your surroundings will have a

positive impact on your health, wealth and emotional well-being.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Setboundaries and put abudget in place before you get involved in someone'splan. Don't let anyone limit what you can do. Considerthe outcome, and don't sell yourself short

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Setout on an adventurethat offersromance, intrigue,insight and opportunity. Socialize, share your thoughts and intentions, and invest more in selfimprovement, personalgains, love and romance.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec.21) Be careful what you wishfor.Someone will be eager to lead you astray if you give them achance. Don'tfall for emotional blackmail or fake compliments. Listen carefully and respond with truth and conviction.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Avoid rash decisions thatcan affect your finances or lifestyle. Lead the waywith gratitude and compassion, and the results will exceed your expectations

AQuARIus (Jan.20-Feb. 19) Putyour energy where it brings thehighest return. Discipline andinnovative ideas will help you get ahead. Look for unique waystoput your skills to good use.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2026 by nEa, inc dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptogramsare created from quotations by famous people, past and present.Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy'scLuE:u EQuALs K

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Yesterday, we sawwhatwould have been an effective atypical pre-emptive openingbid.Iftheopponentsaregoingto produce wild leaps into the stratosphere youneedtoknowhowtodefendyourself.

Look at the Northhandinthe diagram South opens one spade, and West intervenes with three diamonds, aweak jump overcall. What shouldNorth do?

Yes,West’sbidwouldnormallyfeature only asix-card suit,but he wasswayed bytheunfavorablevulnerabilityandalso wondered if his side might makethree no-trump.

Afteraweakjumpovercall,responder, with support for partner’s major, should bid one level higher than originally intended.

Here,athree-spade response would promise anormalsingle raise. With his actual game-invitational limit raise, Northcorrectly jumped to four spades. And if his hand had been even stronger, he would have cue-bid four diamonds, whichwould havesaidnothingabouthis holding in diamonds.

Againstfourspades,Westledtheheart five. Eastwon with his king and cashed the ace, Westdropping asneakytwo. When East led another heart, Southwas notsurewhat to do.Discarding risked West’s ruffing with alow trump. Then the spade ace would have been the setting trick.

Eventually,Southruffedwithhisspade king, andWestinwardly smiled whenhe followed suit. However, when Westtook the next trick with his spadeace, he was endplayed. He tried the club eight, but dummy’s nine forced out East’s queen. Southwon with his king, drew trumps, and claimed four spades, oneheart(dummy’squeen), one diamond, three clubs anda diamond ruffinthe dummy ©2026 by nEa, inc.,dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

wuzzles

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which createsa disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”

toDAy’sWoRD DEcIPHER: dee-SYE-fer: Decodeorinterpret the meaning of.

Average

Time

Canyou

dIrectIons: make a2-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. allthe words are in theOfficial sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition For moreinformation on tournamentsand clubs, emailnaspa –northamerican sCraBBlE playersassociation: info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visitour website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contact scrgrams@gmail.com. Hasbro andits

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must contain the numbers1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numberswithin theheavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (in any order)to produce the target numbers in thetop-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

WiShinG Well

numericalpuzzle designed to spellout

the numberofletters is

is

left

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GREENTHUMB

There’saperennial for every need. PAGE 4

GARDEN ADVICE

Howtoget your lawn readyfor spring. PAGE 5

HOME WORKWITHLOUIS

Whathome colorssay aboutyou. PAGE 8

INSIDE STORY

Chapel reno elevatesheart of historic campus. PAGE 10

COVERSTORY

Social media gardener fills apartment with exotic greenery. PAGE 12

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 18

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 18

InsideOut’s missionistogive readerspeeksinside themanydifferent ways thatpeople in the New Orleans area live.Weprofile spaces that areopulent, or just offbeat;sophisticated or simple; functionalorlight-hearted; historic or brand-spanking new.And anything in between.

Please help us by sending information andJPEG photos of your home, or specific spaces inside it,toinsideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens and outdoor spaces, too. And we’re waiting to hear fromyou

The InsideOut home and gardensection is published everySaturdayby The Times-Picayune. Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor.

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: Lauren Walck, lauren.walck@theadvocate.com CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Victor Andrews, LouisJ.Aubert, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill, Dominic Massa

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel

COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout TO BE FEATURED: Sendinformation and photos to insideout@ theadvocate.com

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GREENTHUMB

is awarm-seasonbedding plant. There are manyperennial

REPEAT

Perennials are the delight of the flower gardener.Showy and colorful like annuals, their longer lives make thema less transient part of the garden. Their ability to live for years allows themtobecome old friends thatcan provide you with beauty for many seasons. These plantsoffer exciting opportunities and more return on investment when compared with annuals. Now is agood timeto transplant or divide perennials already in your landscape, and now

through Aprilisanexcellent time to plant newperennials

Perennials can live forthree or moreyears. Unlike annuals and biennials,perennials do notdie after flowering andsetting seeds. Technically,trees andshrubs are perennials.But gardeners usethe term perennialasanabbreviation for“hardy, herbaceousperennial” —a groupofnonwoody plantsthat reliably survive thewinter cold

GREENTHUMB

Fertilizer, aeration and pest control are at the top of the lawn care list

BY DAN GILL Contributing writer

When is the right time to rent an aeration machine and apply elemental sulfur to my lawn?

I was going to rent one soon but found some conflicting information online. I found people saying now is a fine time to do it, others saying to wait for late March and others saying to wait for the fall. I have centipede grass and alkaline soil and I live in Algiers. My grass is already starting to green up from winter dormancy. — Robert Recommendations on the internet may vary widely because gardening activities are done at different times in different parts of the country Be sure the information you are looking at is provided by sources here in the Gulf Coastal South, hardiness zones 8 and 9. LSU AgCenter websites provide gardening information specifically for Louisiana gardeners Also, we use lawn grasses here that are different from those used in most of the rest of the U.S.

Do lawn care activities like aeration, dethatching and filling when the grass is in active growth and can

Wait until you are mowing regularly weekly, generally sometime in April. But there is no hurry You can do it anytime during the summer through August.

Fertilize in late March using a low phosphorous (middle number) lawn fertilizer or one labeled for centipedegrass.

Centipede does prefer acid soil and may not perform quite as well in the slightly alkaline soils of the south shore. But applying elemental sulfur to acidify the soil is of limited benefit. Sulfur works best when incorporated into the root zone (upper 8 to 10 inches of soil). When applied to the surface, it will strongly acidify the upper inch or two but may have little effect on deeper soil. You may apply sulfur, but the benefit may not be as significant as you expect.

GARDEN TIPS

MADE IN THE SHADE: Need cool season color in a part shade area? The best choices are cyclamen, primroses, pansy, viola, nicotiana, foxglove and forget-me-not.

PICK ME!: Finish harvesting any fruit still remaining on citrus trees.The fruit stores well on the tree, but ultimately, the quality will begin to decline.This does not apply to Valencia oranges that ripen in spring.

recover from the procedure.

Our lawns are just beginning to wake up from winter dormancy, and now would not be a good time to disturb the grass by aerifying it.

I have a question concerning applying the weed killer atrazine to my lawn to control dollarweed. Should I use a pump sprayer or a sprayer attached to my hose? — Anthony You may use either The hose applicator is faster and easier to use. But

GROOMING GROUND COVERS: you may clip ground covers back now before new growth appears to remove unattractive foliage, rejuvenate the plants and control growth. Liriope, monkey grass, ferns (if browned back by freezes), wedelia, Japanese ardisia and Asiatic jasmine among others can be cut back with a lawn mower adjusted to its highest setting (make sure the blade is sharp), a string trimmer or even hedge clippers on small plantings. Selectively remove unattractive leaves on aspidistra (cast iron plant) and holly ferns (and other evergreen ferns) by hand.

GREENTHUMB

PERENNIALS BY GROWING CONDITIONS

Sunny wet

Your landscape may have a wide variety of growing conditions, from dry and sunny to wet and shady Luckily for local gardeners, there are perennials adapted to almost every need. Here’s a short list of a few reliable perennials that do well here in various growing conditions.

— Dan Gill

Sunny dry

Areas that receive 6 to 8 hours or more. Excellent drainage. Do not generally require irrigation once established.

n Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora)

n Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

n Color Guard Yucca (Yucca filamentosa “Color Guard”)

n Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus “Sprengeri”), also does well in shade

Sunny average

Areas that get 6 to 8 hours of sun or more. Well-drained beds. Irrigate during hot, dry weather in summer

n Salvia: There are many perennial salvias in a wide range of heights and colors that do well here

n Goldsturm Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia fulgida “Goldsturm”)

n Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)

Areas that get 6 to 8 hours of sun or more. Will tolerate locations that stay wet for extended periods after rains or plant near ponds. They can also grow in average conditions.

n Mallow, Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos)

n Pink Muhly Grass (Muhlenbergia capillaris)

n Louisiana Irises (Iris spp. and hybrids)

n Calla Lily (Zantedeschia aethiopica)

Shady dry

Areas that receive 2 to 4 hours of direct sun preferably morning sun. Generally do not require irrigation once established.

n Aspidistra, Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior)

n Lirope (Lirope muscari)

n Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum)

n Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum “Variegatum”)

Shady average

Areas that receive 2 to 4 hours of sun. Irrigate during hot, dry weather in summer

n Ligularia (Farfugium japonicum)

n Ground Orchid (Bletilla striata)

n Holly fern (Cyrtomium falcatum)

n Indian Pink (Spigelia marilandica)

Shady wet

Areas that receive 2 to 4 hours of sun. Will tolerate soil that stays wet for extended periods after rains.

n Strawberry Geranium, Strawberry Begonia (Saxifraga stolonifera)

n Ivy Violet (Viola hederacea)

n Royal fern (Osmunda regalis)

n Acorus, Sweet Flag (Acorus gramineus)

Continued from page 4

grown for their attractive flowers or foliage. Some perennials are evergreen and never go completely dormant, while others lose their leaves and essentially disappear at certain times of the year, usually winter.

Utilizing perennials is different from planting annuals. Keep in mind that when an annual is finished blooming it is pulled out and replaced with something that will continue blooming. When a perennial finishes blooming it is left in place, and other plants in other locations must continue the floral display.

Transplanting

Gardeners often move perennials around trying to find a location where they will look and grow their best, or just to try out a different combination After a year or two, a gardener may realize that another location for the plant would be better.

Transplanted in March, most perennials will barely miss a beat if you are careful to dig up most of the root system and replant immediately in a new location. Do not transplant perennials in active growth, such as Louisiana irises, calla lilies and Easter lilies.

Dividing perennials

Some perennials are best divided every year or two, but most can be left alone for two to three years or even longer Dividing helps control the size of the plant and the space it occupies, as well as rejuvenating it. Dividing perennials is also a good way to create more plants you can share with friends or plant in other areas of your landscape.

To divide perennials, first dig up the entire clump using a shovel or garden fork. Study the clump carefully and note the crowns or shoots present. Decide how many pieces to divide the clump into.

PERENNIALS

Continued from page6

Generally,each divisionshould have several crowns or shoots. Determine where to make the cuts so that youavoid cutting through crowns or damaging shoots. Finally,carefully cut apart the clump with alarge, sharp knife. Replant or pot up the divisions immediately.

Planting perennials

Early spring is agood time to plant perennials. Perennials may not look like much when you purchase them in early spring. Youmust be able to imagine how they will look when they bloom in two or three months, or even at the end of the summer.

ADVICE

Continued from page5

you must be especially careful where the spray goes. Apply it to the lawn only.

Hose-end sprayers aregreat for large lawnareas. Pump sprayers give you better control over where thespray goes and would be better for smaller lawns that have numerous beds of shrubs and flowers.

It’syour choice depending on what you think will work best for your situation.

Ihaveaproblem with my banana shrub.The leaves have lots of white bumps on them and yellowspots.What is the cause and what should Ido?

Joy

Your banana shrub (Michelia figo)isinfested with false oleander scale insects.They feed on the sap, which weakens the plant, and they makethe leaves look unhealthy andcan cause leaf drop.

To control them, treat the shrub with asystemic insecticidal soil drench now (Fertilome Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench are two examples). Or,you may spray the plant with alight horticultural

Commercial growers have overcome this to some extent by producing perennials in larger containers that arrive at nurseries in late spring. These larger perennials can be planted later —inApril and May with good results. This allows gardeners to purchase plants in bloom, but theypay ahefty price for them.

Plant perennials into wellprepared beds spacing them according to information on the label, references or local advice. Most perennials will grow considerably larger than the size of the young plant you purchase. Do not crowd them Plant with the top of the root ball even with or slightly above the soil of the bed. Many perennials will rot if planted toodeeply.Ifthe roots are in atightly packed mass, pull apart and

Evergreen banana shrubsmake fragrant,creamy yellow flowers.

oil (Year-Round SprayOil and other brands).The existing scales and symptoms will per-

GREENTHUMB

spread the roots out somewhat when planting. Asmall amount of slow release fertilizermay be placed in the planting hole. Firm the soil around the plant, thenwater newly planted perennials thoroughly.Mulch the bed to control weeds.

Selectingperennials

Success with perennials in Louisiana depends largely on

sist on thegrowth alreadyaffected.Dead scales will tendto cling to the leaves.But watch the newgrowth thisspring. It should remain clean andfree from scale insects.

Dan Gill is aretired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter.Hehosts the “Garden Show” on WWLAM Saturdays at 9a.m. Email gardening questionsto gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

proper selection. Avoidthose thatonly grow well north of hardiness zone 8. To survivehere, perennials must be able to endure the heat, humidity and rain of summer and mild winters.

Most of the perennials offered in local nurseries andgarden centers will grow well in ourclimate.When looking at perennial recommendations online or in books, make sure they are coming from sources familiarwith our Gulf Coast climate.

Choose perennialsthatwill thrive in the growingconditions of the bed where they are planted. Is the bed sunny or shady,dry or damp?There are perennials thatare adapted to virtually every location in your

landscape.

Decide on acolor scheme. Select perennialsthat bloom at varioustimesofthe year forextendeddisplays of color Heights must be considered, withtallerperennials planted toward the back andshorter ones toward thefrontofthe bed. Anddon’t forget to choose perennials witha variety of textures andgrowth habitsto create interest andcontrast in thecomposition. With thoughtful planning, perennials can servemanypurposes andattractively enhance your landscape in avariety of ways.For recommendations on perennials that do well here, emailmearequest.

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

Louis Aubert

HUE DAT?

Thecolor paletteyou use in your home says alot about your personality

Most everyonehas afavorite color.Atone time, little girls were encouraged to favor pink and little boys were pushed toward blue. Butcultural influences like those aside, your favorite color carries meaning about you, and that meaning can translateinto your home.

Color choice can indicate some of aperson’s traits, attitudes and values. Can color within your home display these samevalues? Color psychology asserts that colors impact human emotions and behavior.Dothe colors that surround us do the same?

Warm colors such as yellow, red and orange are associated with energy and optimism. Cool blues and greens evoke calm and tranquility.Think of medicalfacilities, oftendecorated in soft blues and greens.

ABOVE: Black is the colorof mysteryand elegance.

“Life is about using thewhole box of crayons.” —

LEFT: Colors of the rainbowfrom an illustration in the book ‘Painting the Town,’about the roleofcolor in NewOrleans architecture.

PRCPHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Louis J. Aubert is aprofessionalmemberofthe AmericanSociety of Interior Designers and an avid preservationist. Someofhis mostvisible New Orleans projects include makinginterior colorselections for Gallier Hall, Trinity Episcopal Church and the LouisianaSupreme Court Royal Street Courthouse, and both interior and exterior selections for St. Stephen’sBasilica. Contact him at mrcolour@aol.com.

Themeaning of color

It can be fun to explore what each hue represents. Begin by asking yourself which color,or colors, are your favorites. Be honest, and let’ssee if the attributes applied to each color apply to you and if they’revisible in your home.

BLUE symbolizes trustand security.Summarized in the expression “true blue,” if it’s your favorite, you are reliable and trustworthy.Perennially popular,blue appears in the home in many ways —since colonial times, fabrics and paint have been used to classiceffect. Blue-and-white china remains popular today.And there is a grand blue-painted room at The Historic New Orleans Collection.

RED indicates energy and determination, but it is also associated with danger,evil and passion. Either used in great quantity or as an accent, red always makes astrong statement. Fashionmaven Diana Vreeland told New York designer Billy Baldwin that she wanted her living room to “be agarden —a garden in Hell.” Baldwin followed her wish and created a room virtually smothered in a very bold, predominantly red floral fabric.

YELLOW brings to mindcreativity and optimism. Pollyanna was thedefinitive yellow person, with asunny disposition and an insatiable desire to explore new ideas. Sir John Soames is given creditfor creating the first color-saturated room in the early 19th century.The entire room was sunny yellow: painted walls, drapery and upholstery were all of asingle shade of yellow.

ORANGE combines the passion of red and the joy of yellow. Orange people are energetic, social and full of life, and so is the home decorated in these colors. Palm Beach, Florida, may lay claim to this combination of colors —orange with hot pink, tangerine with bright turquoise or teal —but there is no reason you cannot decorate asunroom with these happy hues.

GREEN is associated with na-

HOMEWORKWITHLOUIS

death and mourning, it’s highly valued in fashion forits slimming quality.Designer Billy Baldwin insisted that every room should contain atouch of

“Everycolor has an emotion.” — UNKNOWN

black as avisual exclamation point. This might appear as a black lacquered tableorsimply ablack lampshade.

Adding iconic Barcelonachairs withblack leather bring calm andsimplicitytoaninterior. Boldcolor accents, such as red anda largecontemporary painting, addpunchtoablack-andwhiteinterior

tureand balance, butit’salso associated with money,ambition, envy and greed, proving once again that we are complex beings and no one is perfect. Green was used effectively in thecorridors and stairwells of Gallier Hall in New Orleans and would work as well in your home. Green is agreat background for all-wood finished furnitureand works equally well with either gold- or silvertonedpictureframes.

PURPLE brings to mind images of royalty,luxury and spirituality.People who favor this color are often drawn to creative pursuits. Imagine combining ecclesiastical purple with pagan orange for amemorable interior.This is also agreat color combination in the garden.

PINK brings to mind love, tenderness, companionship

and youth. It’s no wonder that Barbieembraced this color and in so doing, influenced millions of little girls. Those who love pink are said to be blessed with empathy and care greatly about the feelings of others. As Miley Cyrus said, “Pink isn’tjust a color; it’s an attitude.”

BROWN is grounding and puts an emphasis on the value of tradition and practicality.While perhaps not the mostexciting of colors, preference for brown indicates the abilitytosee beauty in life’ssimple pleasures. Plus, it doesn’tshow dirt. Rich brown leather club chairs evoke the look of amen’sclub, while the combination of chocolatebrown and Tiffany blue equates to instant drama.

BLACK is the color of mystery, elegance and sophistication. Although also associated with

WHITE is associated withpurity and new beginnings, thus the perennial white wedding gown. White bespeaks order and cleanliness and is associated withthe modernist lifestyle

GRAY is thecolor of sophistication,and it balances chic andstability. While solid and reserved,itmakes astatement both traditionaland fashionforward.Whenusing gray,itis importanttomix textures fora moreinteresting interior

Contractors fixed plaster cracks and water damage in the historic chapel, updated the sound system and added an elevator, restroom and bridal suite for the wedding parties of Jesuit alumni who return to get married.

WRITTEN IN THE STARS

Jesuit High School consults with the Vatican Observatory to add a unique aspect to its chapel

BY DOMINIC MASSA Preservation Resource Center

For nearly 75 years, the Chapel of the North American Martyrs on Jesuit High School’s Mid-City campus has been a central focus in student and alumni life. Dedicated in September 1953, it is where thousands of students, teachers

The ceiling of the chapel, once covered with acoustic tile, now bears images of constellations as they might have appeared over New Orleans more than 2,000 years ago on the night of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.

Liturgical artist Jaclyn Warren painted the realistic portraits of the eight North American martyrs for whom the chapel at Jesuit High School is named.

By

INSIDESTORY

andfamilies have attended Massand where graduates return for homecoming each fall. It’s so special to some alumni that they choose it as the spot for theirwedding and even their funeral.

When the Rev.John Brown, S.J., became Jesuit’spresident in 2021, he witnessed theimportance of the chapel but also saw something more.

“It needed not just functional improvements, but Ialso saw ways we could enhance its beauty,”hesaid. “Worship space is never only functional. Making things beautiful is fundamental to expression This space is such an important part of campus life here, Iknew it could be so much more.”

Brown and his team raised money for amultimillion dollarrenovation. Functional repairs included fixing plaster cracks and water damage, updating the sound system and adding amuch-needed elevator,restroomand bridal suite to make the chapel more attractive for weddings.

The artistic improvements, overseen by Brown and creative director Brittany Donnes, are even more striking.

The ceiling, oncecovered with acoustic tile, now bears adark blue stretched canvas,

where images of stars depict constellationsastheymight have appeared over New Orleans more than 2,000 years agoonthe night of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. For the design, theteam worked with the Rev.David Brown, S.J., a New Orleans native, former Jesuit physics teacher and an astronomer at theVatican Observatory.

Adorning thewalls of the chapel are portraitsofNorth American martyrs, agroup of eight Jesuit missionaries sent to upstate New York and Canada duringthe 17thcentury Killed during their missionary

work among warring Iroquois, Mohawk and Huron tribes, themartyrs were canonized in 1930.

While generations of Jesuit studentsknow them because of the chapel bearing their name, John Brown felt the renovation was the perfect time to honor their legacy

The school commissioned portraitsbylocal liturgical artist Jaclyn Warren, featuring elementsbased on research done by Brown and others. “I really wanted to help our young men understand thehistoricity of themartyrs and their lives and deaths,”he

said. “Each of them is painted in arealistic style but in prayer or worship.”

Brown called the recently completed work phase one of the project. It was done by Ryan Gootee General ContractorsLLC, led byCEO Ryan Gootee, President Michael DeGruy and project manager Patrick Thomas, all Jesuit alumni, as well as architect ScottWelty.Brown said phase two may include moreartistic elements, including stained glass windows.

“I’ve gotten nothing but positive reaction to the work,” Brown said. “It showshow much we careabout the spiritual lives of our students even

after they graduate, when they come back to fulfill their spiritual needs. That is avital part of our ministry,now performed in an even morebeautiful space.”

This story wasreported by Dominic Massa forthe Preservation Resource Center,anonprofit whose missionistopreserve NewOrleans’ historic architecture, neighborhoods andcultural identity.Massa, executive vice president andchiefoperating officer of WYES-TV,isalongtime NewOrleans journalist anda 1994 graduateofJesuit. For information,visit prcno.org.

COVER STORy

SPACE TOGROW

A Warehouse District apartment comes alive with exotic plants

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

On social media, Dustin Burke calls himself The Botanist Barber.

This sums him up succinctly.

A hairstylist with the Beauty Lounge by trade, the area native’s 700-square-foot Warehouse District apartment on a leafy block is a veritable indoor jungle packed with thriving foliage specimens he sources locally from We Bite Rare & Unusual Plants, Harold’s Plants and Rose Garden Center.

So vast is his collection that it has burst forth from his private space into a shared communal hallway illuminated by a bank of north-facing frosted plate-glass windows.

ä See PLANTS, page 14

collection of exotic plants.

By

This disco ball, a pandemic-era purchase, is a highlight of Dustin Burke’s home, casting sparkles of light everywhere.

PLANTS

Continued from page 12

The approach to Burke’s home is as lush and ethereal as the space he shares with Zuri, a spunky 4-year-old dark brindle female French bulldog, who greets guests with enthusiasm while reserving her most ardent gazes for Burke.

“Zuri doesn’t care about plants,” said Burke, 37. “I can leave them on the floor, and she just ignores them, but she does judge my friends and me when we are hanging out. She gives us the side eye.”

It comes naturally

Burke was born into his obsessive hobby

“My mother always gardened and had plants at our house in Metairie when I was growing up,” Burke said, “so I have been around this my whole life.”

His passion for plants and flowers extends to his wardrobe and a sinuous, trailing tattoo Devin Derbes, of Electric Ladyland, administered to Burke’s back. It features a large vase bearing three richly detailed flowers.

“It is ‘The Women Who Have My Back.’ It represents my sister, my

mother and my grandmother,” he said.

A towering bird of paradise Burke scored for $24 at Rose Garden Center dominates a corner of the living room under the watchful eyes of Buddha and a sleek black panther.

A Florida Ghost philodendron and a Golden Dragon philodendron coexist on a counter between the open kitchen and living room. Burke supports the aroids’ growth with vertical poles.

As they have grown skyward, they have integrated themselves with the

pendant light fixtures extending down from the ceiling. The plants’ occupation of what was intended to be a place to dine necessitates that he host dinner gatherings with his friends around his cocktail table while sitting on his sectional sofa.

Mirrors, candelabras and art

Burke offsets his collection with gilded candelabras and mirrors, original and customized works of art, and eclectic furnishings he picks up mostly

Artwork and exotic plants enliven the kitchen.

on Facebook Marketplace and locally from Junk’s Above thrift store in MidCity.

High double-hung, south-facing windows and a collection of daylight-balanced, full-spectrum grow lights bathe Burke’s thriving assemblage in light. Fittingly, the smoke of exotic incense perfumes the air. A massive, real-deal ’70s-era mechanized disco ball spins languorously in front of a window, its mirrored surface capturing the light and sending prisms throughout the room.

Using

He bought the truly impressive score for $50 during the COVID pandemic, Burke said. Across the room, another disco ball reflects upon itself from the mirror under which it is hung. At the end of the art-and-mirror-bedecked hall leading from the front door to the living room, gold mirrored tiles in the shape of beehive cells climb up the wall and across the ceiling, creating a cocoonlike effect.

Burke attributes his success

with plants to sticking with tropical midcanopy species such as monstera, philodendron and anthurium, which prefer the same light and water conditions.

“When I lived at home, I had an outdoor plant collection. When I moved here five years ago to be close to work, I transformed it into an indoor collection,” Burke said. “I love that I was able to make that transformation with the proper care.”

Adding a deck to your yard is a form of hardscaping, which refers to the nonliving elements of a landscape.

How to enhance your home with hardscaping

BY ANGIE HICKS

Ask Angi (TNS)

Your lawn and garden may get the attention, but the real framework of your outdoor space is built from hard, durable features that shape how you live outside. That framework is called hardscaping, and it’s one of the most effective ways to improve both the function and value of your home. Walkways, patios, decks, walls and firepits don’t just look good; they guide

movement, manage water, reduce maintenance and turn a yard into usable living space. Winter is an ideal time to plan these projects so you’re ready to build when warmer weather returns. You can get on contractors’ schedules and start planning now

Hardscaping refers to the nonliving elements of a landscape, usually involving stone, concrete, wood and metal. Decks, patios, driveways, fences, retaining walls, ponds, pergolas and firepits all fall

into this category

These features give structure to your yard and help control how people, water and sight lines move through it. They also solve everyday problems. Hard surfaces need less upkeep than turf, hold up better during droughts and stay attractive year-round. Just as important, they expand your living space by creating outdoor rooms for cooking, entertaining, relaxing or simply passing through without trampling the lawn.

Most hardscape projects fall into a few familiar categories. Walkways and paths are among the simplest additions, but they make an outsized impact by guiding foot traffic and protecting grass and garden beds. Driveways function the same way on a larger scale. Decks and patios extend living areas outdoors. Pergolas and gazebos provide shade and create defined outdoor “rooms.” Retaining walls reshape sloped yards and control erosion.

Costs vary widely Small projects like prefabricated firepits or fountains may only run a few hundred dollars. Larger installations, such as patios, retaining walls, porches or outdoor kitchens, can climb into the tens of thousands. High-end projects can go much higher. Labor, permits, demolition, grading, drainage work and local building costs all affect the final number.

Successful hardscaping begins with planning. Work

JEFF STROUT

Blending plantingsaround solid features likeapergola softens edges and keepsthe spacefrom feelingharsh orunfinished.

with the natural shape of your yard instead of fighting it. Think about how people will move through the space and avoid blocking access points or future pathways. Identify focalpoints, such as atree, firepit or seating area, and build outward from there. Drainage deserves special attention. Hard surfaces shed water quickly,and poor planning can leadto pooling, erosion or foundation issues. Slopes, drains and rock channels help direct water safelyaway from the house. Blending plantings around solid features softens edges and keeps the space from feeling harsh or unfinished.

compare them carefully.Look for licensed, bondedand insured contractors with experience in projects like yours. Ask forreferences and check reviews. Onceyou choose a

Some projects are manageable DIYjobs. Simple gravel paths or edging canbetackled with basic tools andpatience. Anything involving structural loads, excavation, utilities or permits is best left to professionals.

pro, put everything in writing, including materials,quantities, timeline and payment schedule. Red flags include vague

When hardscaping,drainagedeservesspecial attention. This permeable driveway helpstokeep rainwater from pooling in the yard.

estimates, unusually low bids or large upfront payment requests. If something feels off, walk away.Tosavemoney, consider bundling projects, handling basic prep work yourself, or choosing materials commonly available in your region. Done right,hardscaping lasts for decades. With thoughtful planning and the right professional, these projects can turn your yard into a durable, usable extension of your home that works for you every day of the year

Some projects are manageable DIY jobs. Simple gravel paths or edging can be tackled with basic tools and patience. Anything involving structural loads, excavation, utilities or permits is best left to professionals. Mistakes in these areas can be expensive and unsafe.

When hiring, start with a clear plan.Measure dimensions, choose materials and decide on finishes before requesting quotes. Ask whether excavation, grading, sealing and cleanup are included. Get at least three estimates and

$2,149,000

Stunning 3-Story Priv Oasis. Steps from St Charles Ave! LotsofUpgrades. Gated Compound over 8,200 TotalSqft w/ 5Beds, 7.5Baths &prkgfor

888BARONNE

Availablefor Purchase Now! 8selectpenthousesthatoffer aunique & exclusivelivingexperience with potentialfor rental income viaanoptional professionally managedrentalprogram.2 and3bedroom floorplans areavailable rangingfrom1271SFto1906SF, allwithgenerously sizedroofterracesthatoffer extraordinaryNew Orleans skylineviews Each penthouseissoldfully furnishedand is designer decoratedwith allhousewares- atrueturnkey purchase.Buildingamenities include aspectacular roof sundeckw/pool/spa& comfortableseating & grilling areas, stateofthe artgym andgameroom/lounge.Garage parkingavailability. Locatedsteps from theSouth Market District, Superdome, French Quarter, andCBD.Don’t miss this Opportunity! Prices startat $851,900

INSIDEINFO

Tree Giveaway to offer 700 free trees

NOLA Tree Projectwillgive away 700 trees to residents of the greater New Orleans area from 8a.m. to noon Saturday at Pitot House, 1440 Moss St. Residents in Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany,St. John theBaptist parishes and others can get one free tree per household at the Big TREEsy Giveaway.Aselection of 40 different species will be offered.

Citrus trees from Becnel’s nursery in Plaquemines Parish will be available for purchase, starting at $50. Also available are Hass avacado and Arbequina olive trees. For information on thesale, the trees and the workofthe organization, visit nolatreeproject.org.

Press Street Gardens

host plantsale, market

Aplant sale will be from 10 a.m. to 3p.m. Saturday at Press Street Gardens, 800 Homer Plessy Way, in New Orleans.

Shoppers will also find baked goods, honey products and more. Among the vendors are Rotglow Farm, Delta Flora Native Plants, Bottomlands Nursery,Rainbow in the Dark, Moon Baby Bakery and Honeywild.

NOLATreeProject will give away 700 trees to residents

Ikebanaexhibit, class slated in Baton Rouge

An exhibition of work by clubmembers and ademonstration on the basics will be part of two days of Ikebana enthusiasm at theend of the month.

Ikebana is theJapaneseart of flower arrangingthat features distinctive styles and, often,unique containers for thedisplays.

Ikebana International Baton RougeChapter will mark its 65th anniversary with an exhibit from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Saturdayand Sunday at Baton RougeGarden Center,7950 Independence Blvd. Amaster in theIchiyo School ofIkebana, Diane Saye, will then conduct a

class at 1p.m. March 1onthe basics.

For information, visit the Facebook page Ikebana International Baton Rouge 42.

Shop, dine, play on Tchefuncte River

The Spring Garden Market by theMadisonville Garden Club will be from 9a.m. to 3p.m. March 7.

“Shop, Dine and Play along theTchefuncte River” is the theme with avariety of offerings that include succulents and air plants, fruit trees, vegetables, shrubs, flowers and seasonal homedecor.

Also, there will be live music, food trucks, books, jewelry and baked goods. For information, visit theFacebook page for theclub.

St.Tammany Master Gardenersseminar set

“Seeding is Believing”will be thespring seminar for the St.Tammany Master Gardener Association from 8a.m. to 1p.m. March 27 at theCastineCenter at Pelican Park in Mandeville.

Speaker presentations will include “Seeds of Sustainable Landscaping —Tips to Keep Your Garden Growing,” “ManagementofSoil Seedbank for Landscapes” and “Seeding for Success —In-

formation on Starting Plants from Seeds.”

Other presentations focus on tropical house plants, cold weather seed starting, growing garden roses, using native plantsinthe home landscape and making food and medicine with spring weeds. Registration is required by March 20.

Tickets are $25.Visit stmastergardener.org.

City Park seeking Litter Cleanup Krewe

Volunteers interested in joining City Park’sLitter Cleanup Krewe on Tuesday can meet at 9a.m. at the Volunteer Center, 1031 Harrison Ave.

Volunteers will work to remove litter throughout New Orleans City Park.

The park will provide volunteerswithawater bottle refilling station, trashgrabbers and bags, work gloves, first aid kit, and sunscreen and bug spray. Participantsshould bring a personal reusable water bottle, weather/outdoor work-appropriateclothing (closed-toe shoes aremandatory) and a hat or other sun protection. Registration is required at friendsofcitypark.volunteerhub.com.

Have ahome and garden event coming up? Send it to events@theadvocate.com.

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

NEWORLEANS

n TRANSFERS ISSUED FEB. 13-17

DISTRICT 1

JOHN CHURCHILL CHASE 610, UNIT 1002, PARKINGSPACE 33: $299,000, Jonathan Allen Rubenstein to Ibrahim M. Muasher.

JULIA ST.835, UNIT 5: $200,000, Evan Brion Lindholm to Julie M. Dedbant.

POYDRAS ST.3: donation, no value stated, Rajan Pandit to Grish Roy Pandit andMinakshi Kaushal Pandit.

POYDRAS ST.3: donation, no value stated, Grish RoyPandit and Minakshi KaushalPandit to Rajan Pandit andRMP Residence Trust.

S. PIERCE ST.125-1251/2,127-1271/2:

$323,000, Dixon Investments 1LLC to Diego A. Rivera,KarlaSilvaRivera andPaulMichael Domingue Jr.

DISTRICT 2

BARRACKSST. 1301-03: donation, no value stated, Andrea Zayasto ZayasFamily Living Trust.

GOV. NICHOLLS ST.1015: $320,000, Crystal Morales Gauthreaux and JeramieJ.Gauthreaux to ENSA Investments LLC.

GOV. NICHOLLS ST.1531: $150,000, Liberty Bank andTrust Co.to Cultural Properties LLC.

IBERVILLE ST.4901: $625,000, Flanagan Family Trust andBeck M. Flanagan to KiranR.Gullage.

MARSHAL FOCH ST.5830: $659,000, Brent James Sibille andPaula Harville Sibille to James T. Hannan andKatherine OsborneHannan. MILNE BLVD.6425: $670,000, Emily A. Bishop Leftwichand Kevin TeagueLeftwich to Cecelia Cody Brewingtonand Charles Brewington.

N. WHITE ST.935: $320,000, Heather NicoleGravesand Matthew Kirk Derieg to Virginia McCrae Child.

ST.PETER 810: $250,900, RickyE Zehr andTina Chellis Jennings to Paula FalcoGautand Richard Lowell Gaut.

ST.PETER ST.3028-30: $420,000, Carlos Tandron Perry to Danielle Marie Dow.

ST.PHILIP ST.830, UNIT H: donation, no value stated, Christopher V. Lopez to OonaFinn.

URSULINES ST.1129, UNIT A: $212,000, Adam Jonathan Tustin

and Melody Hunley Tustin to Jennifer L. Kennedy and Tyler C. Kennedy.

DISTRICT 3

ALFRED ST. 4210: $355,000, AAA Properties Investment LLC to Valery Peguero Terrero.

AMERICA ST. 4104: donation, no value stated, Charles C. Richard to Trimika R. Moon.

ANDOVER DRIVE 9761, MEANS AVE. 7621: donation, no value stated, Roulette Marguerite Robinson to Brock Anthony Boult.

ANNETTE ST. 1614-16: $120,000, Alfred Barbarin Jr. and Trichonda Green Barbarin to Windcrest MHP LLC.

BURKE ROAD 7600: $266,000, Glennis G. Cobb Jr. to Larone Johnson Jr.

CARTIER AVE. 4719: $75,000, Clarence Blackmon Jr. to JCRS Investments LLC.

CHARBONNET ST. 2131, 2135:

$25,000, Leonel Alcantara to Marvin Canaca.

CHARLMARK DRIVE 4701: donation, no value stated, Deanne L. Renard and Talmadge R. Renard Sr. to Renard Family revocable living trust.

DAUPHINE ST. 5209: donation, no value stated, Lawrence T. Weathersby Sr. to Chiquita Porter Weathersby.

ELAINE ST. 52393, 52394, 52395: $15,000, Succession of Alvin Peter Burrell, Clara Burrell, Eric C. Burrell, Joan Armand Russell Earls and succession of Morris Burrell Jr. to A-1 Disposal LLC.

FLOOD ST. 2015: $13,000, Real Investment Firm LLC to Tip of The Spears Builders LLC.

FRANKLIN AVE. 3030: $125,000, Dupres Pump Repair Service Inc. to 3030 Franklin Ave LLC.

FRANKLIN AVE. 919: $430,000, Celeste Gilbert to William Robert Savoie.

FRIAR TUCK DRIVE 4701: $200,000, Jacquez Griffin, Raven Porter, Robert Drewry Hayes, Roberta Drewry Hayes and Tajae Wills to Edwin Drewry

GALLIER ST. 1231: $212,000, L.B.G. Properties LLC to Keri A. Satterfield.

HARBOURVIEW DRIVE 6628: $12,000, Beverly Gaudin Thomas to Brian T. Carr.

INDUSTRY ST. 2350-52: $87,500, Saint C. Jones to Bearchild Co. LLC.

KILLDEER ST. 1706: donation, no value stated, Andrew Scott Dunn III and Kendall Forster Dunn to Andrew Scott Dunn III Trust.

LEDA COURT 1537-1539: $517,500, Leda Properties LLC to Bryan

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Richard Goldstein, David Rethmeyer, Donna Olsen and Kelly Marie Ardoin Goldstein.

MANDEVILLE ST. 2001: $225,000, Sophie M. Ashley Petric to Arien Hall and Luisa Graziella Abballe.

MARAIS ST. 1609: $245,000, Restoration Nola LLC to Rachel Pellegrini.

MARSEILLE ST. 4911: $25,000, Manh Thi Vu to Hien Luu Vu and Nguyen Dinh Vu.

MAYO ROAD 7143: $260,000, Roxanne Doley Robinson and William Robinson III to Joseph Zoilo Alvarez.

MENDEZ ST. 4616: $25,000, Wesley Recasner to Aaron Recasner.

MORRISON ROAD 8501: $135,000, Raymond Joseph Biagas to David Biagas and Kina Murrie Biagas.

NORTHGATE DRIVE 7106: $108,000, Geralda E. Finney Manning to 7106 Northgate LLC.

N. VILLERE ST. 4113: $230,000, Ana Isabel Lopez Perez and Aristeo

Cupa Garcia to Christina A. Spiteri.

PAULINE DRIVE 5919: $350,000, 5919 Pauline LLC to Alexander Warshawsky.

POITEVENT AVE. 7351: $100,000, Navy Federal Credit Union to Terry L. Cowart.

PRENTISS AVE. 4008: $114,000, Rozanna Parker to Donnell Carroll.

SPAIN ST. 813-15: $843,500, Bertucci Investment Group LLC to George Allen Hero and Pamela Smallwood Hero.

TOURO ST. 1515: $45,000, Frederic P. Sutter to Salem Development LLC.

WISTERIA ST. 2357: $220,000, John Henry Thomas Jr. and Myrtle Stewart Thomas to Kate Temple Wilson.

DISTRICT 4

JACKSON AVE. 1441, 1444, UNIT 3-F: donation, no value stated, Calvin W. Criddle to Calvin W.

Criddle Living Trust.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 2323:

$1,164,000, William G. Borovsky to Richard Nola Gem LLC.

WASHINGTON AVE. 1629: $199,000, 1629 Washington LLC to Lauren Jensen Horn and Travis Joseph Horn.

DISTRICT 5

ATLANTIC AVE. 427-29: donation, no value stated, Barry Rollins Fernelius and Rachel Elizabeth Huckins Fernelius to Katherine Jane Fernelius.

HUNTLEE DRIVE 3401: $180,000, Roland Francis Lemoine to Carmen Avesta Jordan Wong.

HUNTLEE DRIVE 610: $33,000, Vincent J. Glorioso III to JRBK Ventures LLC.

NAVIGATION COURT 10: $510,000, Jennifer Lee Kuhne to Taryn

Rashelle Radebaugh and William Walker Radebaugh IV

SHIRLEY DRIVE 1327: $70,000, MCLP Asset Co. Inc. to Trinity Real Estate Group LLC.

TULLIS DRIVE 7054: $75,000, George Glenn Mullen and Regina Martin Mullen to Diamond Investment Properties LLC.

DISTRICT 6

ANNUNCIATION ST. 4411-13: $400,000, Carrie Fox Schneider to Kenneth Curtis Steele.

BARONNE ST. 3319: $100,000, Todd Valenzuela to Delta Avenue Partners LLC.

CAMP ST. 4122: $100, Koi Fish LLC to Jonathan K. Johnson and Molly Atherton Johnson.

CONSTANCE ST. 4128-4130:

ä See ORLEANS, page 20

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORLEANS

Continued from page 19

$360,000, Nola Legacy Properties LLC to Brandy Darby and James Darby.

NAPOLEON AVE. 605-07:

$510,000, Raymond P. Armstrong Jr. to Gabriela Marie Bantau.

NAPOLEON AVE. 1812-14:

$650,000, Paul R. Richard Jr. to Vito A. Petretti.

ROBERT ST. 3314: $315,000, Allison B. Hjortsberg and Robert W. Hjortsberg to Gerard Fred Gerarve III.

STATE ST. 500: $1,295,000, Crescent City Developers LLC to Anandraj Kanwar and Katie Melder Kanwar.

UPPERLINE ST. 1124: $510,000, Allard Basement LLC to Daphne Goulas Jones.

DISTRICT 7

14TH ST. 200: $510,000, James Thomas Hannan and Katherine Osborne Hannan to Carey Ryan Roberts and Nora Josephine Bloemer Roberts.

BIRCH ST. 8319-8321: $339,000, LPE Development LLC to Allison Garvey and Robert Meraglia.

CAMBRONNE ST. 3218-3220:

$25,000, Goodpad Properties 1 LLC to Thirty Four Acres Holdings LLC.

HICKORY ST. 8828-88281/2:

$169,000, Theresa Pearson Daily to James Gustave Kinney.

S. CLAIBORNE AVE. 8335-37: $175,000, Frank Baker Arnemann Jr. to Michael J. Brady.

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR FEB. 13-19

HARAHAN

FUNSTON ST. 301A: Elemental Style & Structure LLC to BB Fibers LLC, $805,252.

KENNER

42ND ST. 1741: Mengjie Li to Xiao X G. Li, donation, no value stated.

CHATEAU BLVD. 4208-4210: Barbara S. Buisson to Dimitrius M. Chisholm, $364,000.

HELENA ST. 2326: Leamsi J. Quintana to Z&H Holdings LLC, $539,000

INDIANA ST. 3040: R&I Investments LLC to Syed H. Jilani, $318,000.

MOISANT ST. 915: Dolores B. Thuer to On Dura Enterprises LLC, $78,000.

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR FEB. 13-19

AVONDALE

BLANCHE DRIVE 141: Two Thousand One Hundred One Longwood Drive LLC to Kierra B. Lyons, $152,000.

ELAINE DRIVE 157: New Orleans Property Ventures Inc. to Lois G. White, $210,000.

BARATARIA

BLVD. MARRERO 2876: Sophia N. Pham to Luis G. M. Castillo, $115,001.

PETIT BERDOT DRIVE 720: Elizabeth F. Lomax to Kevin M. Lomax, donation, no value stated.

METAIRIE

12TH ST. 3000: Celso E. Hernandez to LV Real Estate LLC, $560,000.

AIRLINE PARK BLVD. 2109: Frances D. Jorden to CM1 Homes LLC, $283,000.

ATOM AVE. 6201: Ama Investment Group LLC to Seven Hundred Twenty Four Remodeling LLC, $165,000.

AVE. B 2100: Avd LLC to Cliston III Bodine, $1,950,000.

BLANKE ST. 6304: Kristin Northup to Cheryl Orellana, $300,000.

COURT ROADWAY 2124: Nicholas Tusa to Macel T. Buckland, donation, no value stated.

EAGLE ST. 4833: David Kopf to Margaret N. Kopf, $160,598.

FIG ST. 1841: Ellen D. Vincent to

GRAND ISLE

LA. 1 1764: William P. Mckee to LJH L.T.D., $200,000.

LA. 1 1842: Benjamin E. Hebert to LJH L.T.D., $350,000.

PEACH ST. 143: Mary D. Smith to Rosemarie B. Normand, $84,000.

SANDY POINT LANE 1: Celso E. Hernandez to Dyana L. Saylors, $740,000.

GRETNA

BELLE CHASSE HIGHWAY 2340: Wilkerson Investments LLC to Two Thousand Three Hundred Forty Belle Chasse Hwy LLC, $225,000.

Cary J. Vincent, $250,000.

FOCIS ST. 115: Paul M. Sternberg to One Hundred Fifteen One Hundred Seventeen Focis Street LLC, $1,500,000.

HASTINGS ST. 4508: Gwen B. Bylsma to Melissa R. Barone, $277,000.

KHAN COURT 11: Oster Developers LLC to Nancy Roussel, $1,345,000.

LOVELAND ST. 4716: Michelle R. Davies to Phillip M. Rahm, donation, no value stated.

METAIRIE LAWN 12-309 2521, UNIT 12, BUILDING 309: Edward G. Gernon to Richard A. Long, $110,000.

N. TURNBULL DRIVE 2313: Southern Excellence Home Solutions LLC to Sukru Sagir, $475,000.

NEYREY DRIVE 4600: Wesley R. III Gladhart to Ellen Cousans, $409,000.

PASADENA AVE. 617: Michelle S.

DRAKE LANE 1401: Anthony V Rabathaly Jr. to H & V Ventures LLC, $171,800.

N. LEXINGTON AVE. 2124: Dorothy R. Townsend to Rachel E. Townsend, donation, no value stated.

HARVEY

FAIRMONT DRIVE 604: Nancy J.S. Mayeux to Keenon A. Leblanc, $147,000.

LOCH LOMAND DRIVE 1201-03: Alnoco LLC to Natalia Diaz, $245,000.

N. DELLS ST. 4048: Kim L.B. Johnson to Gehad A. Hajkhalil, $130,000.

Carroll to D. Cole Development LLC, $95,000.

RIVERSIDE DRIVE 6200: Darren Malbrough to Hasan A. Alshaar, $30,000.

SIMONE GARDEN DRIVE 3716: Marie R. Vinti to Phuong A. Vu, $250,000.

TRUDEAU DRIVE 425: Ama Investment Group LLC to Manuela I Ayala, $85,000.

TURNBULL DRIVE 500-04: English Living Trust to New Horizon Investment & Holdings Group LLC, $519,000.

W. ESPLANADE AVE. 213: Dominic D. Palozzola to Amy J. Lesme, $98,500.

RIVER RIDGE

CAMILLE DRIVE 9005: King Me Flips LLC to Anthony N.T. Nguyen, $390,000.

PAULA DRIVE 9929: George C. Torlage to Frank Bouchon, $219,000.

NATCHEZ TRACE DRIVE 110: Wilbert A. Watson Jr. to Israa M. Falweh, $525,000.

NORTH HARPER DRIVE 2319: Christy L. Nguyen to Logan J. Bradley, $335,000.

MARRERO

ACRE ROAD 6601: Riley A. Gasdia to Jaelyn Heim, $260,000. AVE. A 814: Michael A. Scholl to Brandon E. Jones, $200,000. AVE. J 413-415: Moneer M. Issa to Alexis Manshack, $299,000.

BARATARIA BLVD. 2876: Sophia N. Pham to Luis G.M. Castillo, $115,001.

BATISTE DRIVE 2616: Quicken Loans LLC to WAJ Design & Build LLC, $96,900.

BAY ADAMS DRIVE 2625: Ethan Smith to Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC, $107,334.

BECKER ST. 5929: Rosa E. Rauschkolb to Tara Blunt, $167,500.

ERIN DRIVE 2733: Rhonda S. Bass to Sar Real Estate LLC, $76,000. N. TURNBULL DRIVE 1613: Marie Stiegman to Leigh F. Chenevert, $225,000.

WOODSTREAM DRIVE 5320: Colton Schnabel to Andrew W. Moret, $202,000.

WESTWEGO

FARMON ST. 139: Melanie Percle to Mark D. Giddens, donation, no value stated.

OTTO ST. 132: Eddie J. Hebert to Nicole M. Hebert, donation, no value stated.

ST. TAMMANy

n TRANSFERS FOR FEB. 2-6

ABITA SPRINGS

ABITA MEADOWS SUBDIVISION, PHASE 1, LOTS 1-71: Lonesome Development LLC to DSLD Homes LLC, $5,609,000.

HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB

SUBDIVISION, LOT 22, SQUARE 39: David M. Hymel and Cynthia F. Hymel to Southern LandPro LLC, $1,000.

LA. 435 22398: Ladouceur Law Firm LLC to 22398 Hwy 435 LLC, $615,000.

LITOLFF SUBDIVISION, LOT 12B, SQUARE 4: AMG Builders LLC to Logan E. Marbury and Lisa M. Marbury, $80,000.

MAIN ST. 22200: Little Rose Properties LLC to Theresa Bewig, $586,500.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Pamela R. Miley to Pat McCormick Homes LLC, $70,000.

SLICE ST. 73181: Matthew Miquet to Donta J. Mason, $38,000.

SNEAD DRIVE 27543: David J. Miller and Deborah Koppenol to James E. Sinclair and Sharon L. Sinclair, $14,900.

TEE ST. 73224: JP & KP WA LLC to Donald W. Creel and Jennifer A. Creel, $5,000.

TOWN OF ABITA SPRINGS, LOTS 1A, 2A: Succession of Wilson A. Duplantis to Austin Cooley and Nicole B. Cooley, $100,000.

COVINGTON

ARLINGTON AVE. 397: Centanni Construction Co. Inc. to Stephanie Ariatti, $1,019,333.

BERTEL DRIVE 120: Evangeline Business Park LLC to Henri S Theriot, donation, no value stated.

BOCAGE COURT 531: Core Management LLC to 531 Bocage Court LLC, $225,000.

CALDEN COURT 19697: DSLD Homes LLC to Jeffrey M. Stortz, $279,770.

EMERALD FOREST BLVD. 350, UNIT 26-108, PARKING SPACE 122: David L. Evans and Sue E. Olsen Thiele to Kevin T. Phayer, Karen H. Phayer and Graham E. Melancon, $127,500.

HEATHERSTONE LANE 104: Ryan Juneau, Patrick J. Juneau and Dianne M. Juneau to Andrea M. Thomas, Gregory Boudreaux and Elizabeth Boudreaux, $367,000.

KINGS FOREST SUBDIVISION, LOT 3, SQUARE 5: R&R Rare Finds LLC to Dolyn M. Barrilleaux and Rosa-

REALESTATETRANSFERS

rio D. Barrilleaux, $300,000.

L ST. 70409: Gerald S. Boesch Jr. and Megan J. Boesch to Nana Pops 5833 LLC, $187,500. LA. 25 75464: Goat Show LLC to James M. Seghers, Michelle A. Seghers and others, $1,106,000.

MILLIKENS BEND 680: Sreelatha Pulakhandam and Rahul Dixit to David C. Mouledous and Bryan A. Trevathan, $800,000.

MINOR SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Maurmont Properties LLC to River Chase Master Owners Association Inc., donation, no value stated.

N. DOGWOOD DRIVE 82: Ronny L. Cooksey and Kathryn Fauss Cooksey to Henry C. Smith II, $461,500.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Nolan Development LLC to Reid M. Roubion and Anna S. Roubion, $550,000.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Stephen N. Bairnsfather, Barry C. Bairnsfather and others to Christopher D. Raykiewicz and Barbara P. Raykiewicz, $45,000.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Jane Valley Tomsic to Mitchell W. Valley, donation, no value stated.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Stephen W. Valley to Mitchell W. Valley, donation, no value stated.

NORTH ST. 71525: Maximum Move LLC to Emily Shuff, $475,000.

RIVER CLUB DRIVE 1712: Jason D Dahlberg and Tera S. Dahlberg to Robert J. Dill and Brittany A. Dill, $242,000

S. CORNICHE DU LAC 849: NAF Cash LLC to William J. Alfred IV, $723,188

SAGE ALLEY 146: Bardwell Construction Co. LLC to Cynthia Peters, $649,900.

THETA AVE. 74509: Chana Giacone to Bryson Husser, $249,900.

THUNDERBIRD DRIVE 46: Dardel Properties LLC to Kyle Lawson and Michelle Lawson, $2,236,550.

VILLAGE OF NORMANDY OAKS SUBDIVISION, PHASE 2-B, LOT 85: Laura A. Bordelon Estate to Dennis R. LeBlanc, donation, no value stated.

WOODCREST DRIVE 205: Daniel M. Koyn and Deann E. Toncre Koyn to Donald K. Midkiff and Helena F. Midkiff, $322,000.

ZELLIE LANE 17804: Nicholas B. Haak and Angela C. Haak to Kristie Webre, $145,000.

FOLSOM

JACKSON ST. 13028: Larry E. King, Scott E. King and others to Carl F. Lockett, $30,000.

LOUIS DRIVE 207: Succession of Charlene M. Hamilton to Carly A. Motichek and Mary C. Erler, $337,500.

OLIVE ST. 82281: Rickie A. Dufour to Jacqueline Liberto, $242,500.

LACOMBE

BERRY TODD ROAD 28794: Roy J. Zamora Jr. to Mark A. Wall, $200,000.

BRIER LAKE ESTATES, PHASE 5, LOT 136: Brandon M. Jeanmarie and Amelia B. Jeanmarie to Frank Rose III and Sabrina Duncan Rose, $105,000.

CLOVERLAND ROAD 27052: Jesse T. Poole III to David J. Darby Sr. and Angela V. Darby, $42,000.

CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 3, SQUARE 8, LOT 12, SQUARE 11: Burgess Inc. to Fallon Invest-

ments LLC, $22,000.

FOREST GLEN SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Larry J. Alexander and Courtney R. Alexander to Pine Plantation LLC, $10 and other valuable consideration.

FOREST GLEN SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Rodney Vick and Karen J. Vick to Charles E. Dillon, $20,000.

LACOMBE PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 1, SQUARE 130: Succession of Lois B. Keller to Mark J. Courtney and Craig C. Courtney, $9,250.

NEAR LACOMBE, PORTION OF GROUND: Jacqueline A. Vidrine to Charlie Rick Investment LLC, $39,000.

NEAR LACOMBE, PORTION OF GROUND: Wendy C. Pippen, Wanda C. Olson and others to James A. Cousin and Tuesday C. Cousin, $24,167.

SUNSET OAK BLVD. 60381: DSLD Homes LLC to Tifani E. Bush, Mark Garcia and Manuel Garcia Jr., $285,175.

MADISONVILLE

BEDICO CREEK SUBDIVISION, LOT 831: Grand Homes LLC to Panno Construction LLC, $75,000.

CHAMBLY COURT 70404: Catherine E. Medina to Douglas T. Jelks, $265,000.

HESTER ST. 39: Brookfield Enterprises LLC to Gary Beal, $325,000. NIGHT HERON LANE 642: Alvarez Construction Co. LLC to Deqian Wang and Na Wang, $523,577. RED FOX RUN BLVD. 113: Chris Lacoste and Cheryl Hudson Lacoste to Dale Navalance and Barbara Navalance, $5,500.

ä See TAMMANY, page 22

and Kisha B. Barras, $800,000. MASTERS POINTCOURT217: Carrington Mortgage Services LLC to SecretaryofVeterans Affairs, $535,642.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: PennyChiassonDenneytoEthan M. Fonteand Allison D. Fonte, $140,000.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: MarieS.Frierson, Eleanor P. Rodriguezand others to Cleveland J. Pichon Jr., $100,000, donation.

NORTHWOOD DRIVE 147: Succession of Gameel GabrieltoLeland Kibler, $116,000.

ORIOLE ST.2207: Babylon Realty LC to Melburn E. Dennis Jr., $197,000.

SPILLWAYMANOR DRIVE 5136: D. R. Horton Inc.-GulfCoastto Wayne A. Knight Jr., $279,900. SUNSETBLVD. 2348: Newton A. Perry and ClaraL.Perry to Judge G. Raspino Jr., $825,000.

SWAN ST.2030: Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to Lisa A. Pflug, $10 and other good and valuable considerations.

U.S. 90 52524: Mack D. Stewart and Angie G. Stewart to Michael R. Judge and Kathleen W. Judge, $768,750.

W. LAKE DRIVE 458: LakeshaN Logan and John M. LeetoAjoura Rama and Hoai Do, $319,400. W. PEARL DRIVE 160: Succession of JamesF.HartSr., James F. Hart Jr. and Joshua P. HarttoDaniel L. Devereauxand Stephanie Rae Devereaux, $400,000.

WAKE RESERVE ROAD 5428: D. R. Horton Inc.-GulfCoastto Edgardo Rodriguez-Mestreand Sonia N. Beltran-Soto, $359,900.

WEST MORGAN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 18-20, SQUARE 41: Dragonfly Enterprises Inc. to Lakeisha Sylve, $10,000.

WINDSOR DRIVE 35326: Planet Home Lending LLCtoSecretary of Veterans Affairs, $110,877.

SUN/BUSH

BOB BAXTER ROAD 81011: Kerry A. Puig to Sarah A. Cherny, $366,000.

NEAR SUN,PORTION OF GROUND: RobertL.DewittJr. and Rhonda DewitttoLane R. Dewitt and Kayleigh S. Dewitt, donation, no value stated.

Dating,equalityand breaking oldpatterns

Dear Annie: Formost of my life, Ipicked the wrong partners. Over time,I realized it wasn’t bad luck. Iwas choosing what Ihad seen, not what Ihad actually done the work to earn. Those patterns came frommy family and the system Igrew up in, and Ikept recreatingthem.

Afew years ago, Ileftthat behind and made afull 180.I simplified my life, built routines and took responsibility for my choices insteadofrepeating familiar dynamics. The calmer and more groundedmy life became, the cleareritwas thatmyold way of dating no longer matched whoIamnow.

To avoid repeating thosemistakes, Ichanged the structure completely.I don’task women out anymore, not out of fear or passivity,but becauseI don’t want to project or pull someone intomylife based on impulse. I

will always sayyes if awoman asks meout and shows me what sheenjoys, and I’m upfront aboutthis. I’m not waiting to be chosen. I’m choosing a structurethatrequiresmutual initiative from the start.

Here’smyquestion: We live in aworld where women are oftenexpected to wait for men to initiate. If that’sthe case, howisthat anequalsystem?

Howdotwo people build abalanced relationship when one sideisexpected to lead and the other to wait? Is choosing notto initiate ahealthy way to break old patterns, or am Imisunderstanding howequality in dating actually works? —Dating With Intention

Dear Dating With Intention: First, kudosfor the work you’ve done.You’verecognized unhealthy patterns, clarifiedwhat youwantinstead and taken real stepstobuild asteadier life. Wanting arelationship based on mutualeffort ishealthy,and thoseare thebonds thattend to last.

Thatsaid,equality in dating

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,Feb. 28, the 59th day of 2026. There are 306 days left in the year.

Todayinhistory:

On Feb. 28, 1993, agunbattle erupted at areligious compound near Waco, Texas, when Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco and Firearms agents tried to arrest Branch Davidian leaderDavid Koresh for stockpilingillegal weapons; four agents and six Davidians were killed as a51day standoff began. (On April 19 of that year,FBI agents stormed the compoundwith tear gas and armored vehicles, with dozens dead beforethe standoff wasover).

Also on this date:

In 1844, amassive 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded as the shipwas sailing on the Potomac River, killing Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur,Navy Secretary

doesn’tnecessarily mean identical roles. Refusing to make the first move may protect you from old patterns, but it can alsostopaconnection beforeit has achance to form. For many women, initiative isn’tabout dominance; it’ssimply asign you’re interested.

Youcan asksomeone out thoughtfully —without impulse or projection —and still staytruetothe balance you’ve worked hardtobuild. The mutual effortyou’relooking for has to include you from the jump if there’sany hope of something meaningful taking hold.

Dear Annie: Ifelt compelled to reach out regarding “Stolen Story,” the woman who was repeatedly rapedwhile incarcerated and whosefriend is writing abook including those experiences as if they wereher own.

As an EnglishPh.D. who studied autobiography,I’m sure you’re aware thatacardinal rule of memoir is that the materialmust be true to the best

of the author’s recollection. I’m writing becauseIfelt your advice to this traumatized reader didn’tgofar enough.

If the friend self-publishes this book through Amazon, there may be little the reader can do. But if thefriend secures alegitimate publisher, even asmall press, “Stolen” should stepupand notify the publisher that the account is false. Doing so would notonly nip the problem in the bud, but alsospare thepublisher reputational damage, disgrace, monetary loss and potential lawsuits associated with publishing a memoir thatisn’t true.

Ihope you still have this reader’s contact information so

ThomasW.Gilmerand several others; President John Tyler, who also was aboardthe ship, was uninjured

In 1953,FrancisH.C. Crick announced that he and fellow scientist JamesD.Watsonhad discovered the double-helix structureofDNA.

In 1983,the finalepisode of thetelevision series “M*A*S*H”aired; nearly 106 millionviewers saw the finale,which remains themostwatched episode of any U.S. television seriestodate.

In 2013,Benedict XVIbecamethe first pope in 600 years to resign, ending aneight-year pontificate. (Benedict was succeeded the following monthby Pope Francis.)

In 2014,President Barack Obama delivered ablunt warning to Moscowabout reportsof military activity inside Ukraine by Russiaand said “there will be costs” for anyintervention.

In 2024, Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky,the longest-serving U.S. Senate leader in history, announced he would step down from the leadership role the following November.(Twelve months later,the octogenarian senatorsaid his termending in January 2027 would be his last).

Today’sbirthdays: Rock singer Sam the Sham (akaDomingo Samudio) is 89. Actor-directorchoreographer TommyTune is 87. Hall of Fameauto racer Mario Andretti is 86. Nobel Prize-winning economist Paul Krugman is 73. BasketballHall of Famer AdrianDantley is 71. ActorJohn Turturro is 69. ActorRobertSean Leonardis57. Musician Pat Monahan (Train) is 57. Actor Tasha Smithis55. Hockey Hall of Famer Eric Lindros is 53. Actor Ali Larter is 50. Country musicianJason Aldean is 49. NBAguard Luka Doncic is 27.

you can share this with her, if she hasn’talready considered it herself. —Advocate for Truth DearAdvocate for Truth: Thank you for your letter.You’re right, and afew other readers raised this same important concern. Writing can be healing for this woman, but only if it’srooted in her own lived experience.

“Stolen” said her friend has talked about this project on and off for years without following through, so it maynever come to pass —but if it does, the only honest path forward is telling a story that truly belongs to her.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.