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High schools see drop in enrollment School Board to vote on whether to close Comeaux

Southside High School has seen an increase of about 100 students when comparing enrollment data from October 2019 to February 2026. Acadiana, Carencro, Lafayette, Northside and Comeaux high schools have all seen a decrease in enrollment. Comeaux has seen the largest deBY ASHLEY WHITE Staff writer crease in enrollment — nearly 570 students — with 643 students enrolled, acAll but one of the high schools in La- cording to a Feb. 1 count. That declining enrollment is one of fayette Parish have seen a decrease in enrollment since 2019, according to en- the reasons Lafayette Parish School Board members said they are considerrollment data.

ing whether to close the school, rezone students and move the district’s career center to the Comeaux campus. The proposal was announced Tuesday, and the board will vote on it at its Thursday meeting. If approved, Comeaux students would ﬁnish out the school year as is and then be rezoned to either Acadiana, Lafayette or Southside high schools. The district would then have two years to renovate the Comeaux campus to turn it into the

HIGH SCHOOL ENROLLMENT NUMBERS

School Feb. 1, 2026 Oct. 1, 2019 Change Acadiana High 1,485 1,733 -248 Carencro High 1,005 1,102 -97 Lafayette High 1,789 1,900 -111 Northside High 633 644 -11 Comeaux High 643 1,210 -567 Southside High 1,799 1,690 109 *Note: Early College Academy and David Thibodaux STEM are both magnet academies without zoned students, so their ä See DROP, page 4A enrollment was not included in this chart.

2026 LEGISLATURE EDUCATION

Bills target private pre-K rules

Resignation deepens ﬁght over judicial discipline Letter accuses improper action taken against judges

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

would ease the regulations while also requiring public preschools to be licensed. But Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, introduced a competing bill this week that fully exempts private and religious preschools from the regulations — effectively voiding the key component of Act 409. Her proposal, Senate Bill 402, will come as a relief to private schools that warn that complying with the new regulations will be costly and complicated and could trigger tuition hikes and pre-K closures.

A former state Supreme Court justice resigned in dramatic fashion last week from the Judiciary Commission, accusing the body of failing to hold judges accountable for wrongdoing, days before Gov. Jeff Landry urged the Louisiana Legislature to pass legislation to rein in “Judges need to judges. “I have realized that I be aboveboard serve no purpose as a mem- and accountable ber,” former Justice Chet as their actions Traylor wrote in a letter to determine Landry explaining why he the way our resigned from the commission, which investigates citizens view our complaints against judges government.” and can recommend their CHET TRAyLOR, discipline to the Supreme Court. He called for more former La. Supreme transparency around judiCourt justice cial discipline and alleged that complaints against judges often go unaddressed. “Judges need to be aboveboard and accountable as their actions determine the way our citizens view our government,” he wrote. “I only wish that my serving could have turned the tide.” Traylor’s scathing remarks stand out in a state where judges often close ranks and rarely speak publicly — and are forbidden from doing so about active cases. His letter paints Louisiana as rife

ä See BILLS, page 4A

ä See DISCIPLINE, page 4A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Two bills have been filed in the Louisiana Legislature aimed at the state’s new law regulating private preschools.

One would ease regulations; another would end them

islature last year, Act 409 imposes stringent licensure rules on prekindergarten programs at private schools but exempts programs at public and Montessori schools. Proponents say the law strengthens protections for young children in BY PATRICK WALL private settings, but critics — inStaff writer cluding two private schools that Competing bills in the Louisiana unsuccessfully challenged the law Legislature that aim to quell the in court — call the regulations exuproar over a new state law regulat- cessive and unnecessary due to the ing private preschools take starkly schools’ existing safety protocols. Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton different approaches: One proposal would revise the law, while the other Rouge, who authored the original legislation, responded to the comwould gut it. Passed unanimously by the Leg- plaints by ﬁling a bill last month that

Iran targets ships, oil facilities as economic concerns mount BY JON GAMBRELL, SAM MEDNICK and DAVID RISING Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran ﬁred on commercial ships Wednesday and targeted Dubai International Airport, CO ONFLICT escalating a campaign of bottling IN THE T MIIDDLE up the oil-rich Persian Gulf as global EAST AST energy concerns mounted and American and Israeli airstrikes pounded the Islamic Republic. Iran’s response to the surprise Israeli and U.S. bombardment that started 12 days ago has upended trade routes, choked supplies of

WEATHER HIGH 66 LOW 43 PAGE 8A

INSIDE

ä U.S., other countries will tap strategic reserves. Page 3A ä Trump unclear on explaining Iran endgame. Page 3A ä As war continues, price of everything could be affected. Page 5A fuel and fertilizer coming out of the Gulf and threatened air trafﬁc through one of the world’s mosttraveled regions. Both sides have dug in, hoping to outlast the other. An Israeli intelligence assessment, meanwhile, found Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah

Mojtaba Khamenei, was wounded at the start of the war — on the day when his father and predecessor, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. An Israeli intelligence official and a reservist with knowledge of the assessment spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter with the media. They gave no details on the nature of the injuries. The 56-year-old, whose wife was also killed in the Israeli strike, has not been seen since becoming supreme leader on Monday. Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iranian

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By HASSAN AMMAR

Flames rise from an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut’s southern suburbs, ä See IRAN, page 4A on Wednesday.

Business ...................10C Commentary ................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................6A Deaths .........................4B Opinion ........................2B Comics-Puzzles .....7C-9C Living............................5C Sports ..........................1C

101ST yEAR, NO. 255

2A ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

Thompson wins Miss. Democratic primary

BOLTON, Miss. — Longtime U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson won the Democratic nomination for Mississippi’s 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday, beating back a primary challenge from a young antitrust lawyer with experience working in Washington. The 78-year-old civil rights leader who chaired the House Jan. 6 Committee has held his seat for more than three decades and serves as a ranking member on the House Homeland Security Committee. He is one of several long-serving representatives who have recently faced opposition from younger members of their party. He was opposed by Evan Turnage, a 34-year-old who formerly served as counsel to then-Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren. However, Thompson easily defeated Turnage, much like he has with other primary challengers in the past. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith won the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in a separate primary election.

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Epstein’s accountant testifies

up friendships with some of aware of Epstein’s sexual abuse according to Democratic Rep. SuHouse lawmakers dig struck the world’s most powerful men. and had not seen any of his victims. has Subramanyam. Barak has not Kahn “was under the impression Comer, R-Ky., also said that been accused of wrongdoing and into financial portfolio that Epstein made his money as a lawmakers conﬁrmed during the has said he regrets his friendship

BY STEPHEN GROVES Associated Press

WASHINGTON — House lawmakers were digging into Jeffrey Epstein’s sprawling ﬁnancial portfolio on Wednesday as a committee deposed his former accountant and tried to understand his connections to some of the world’s wealthiest men. Richard Kahn, who worked closely with Epstein for years and now serves as an executor of his estate, appeared for the closed-door deposition on Capitol Hill. He told lawmakers that he had not personally seen evidence of Epstein’s sexual abuse, but provided a fuller picture of how Epstein acquired his wealth. The wealthy ﬁnancier made hundreds of millions of dollars over two decades, during which he

tax advisor and a financial planner,” said Rep. James Comer, the Republican chair of the House Oversight Committee. Lawmakers argued that a fuller picture of Epstein’s finances could help the public understand how, for years, he was able to get away with trafficking and sexually abusing underage girls. “Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring would not have been possible without Richard Kahn, who managed Epstein’s money for years, authorized payments, including payments to victims and survivors,” said Rep. James Walkinshaw, D-Va., who added that Kahn told them he was unable to recall details of some of the transactions and communications that he was asked about. Kahn has said that he was un-

deposition that Epstein received significant amounts of money from former retail shopping chain executive Les Wexner, hedge fund manager Glenn Dubin, tech entrepreneur Steven Sinofsky, investor Leon Black and the Rothschilds, a wealthy banking family. None of those people have been accused of wrongdoing in their relationships with Epstein, but Democrats on the committee argued that anyone with ties to the wealthy ﬁnancier should be scrutinized. Wexner was deposed by the committee last month, and Comer has also called on Black, among several others, to appear for transcribed interviews. Kahn also told lawmakers that Epstein had ﬁnancial ties to Ehud Barak, who was the prime minister of Israel from 1999 to 2001,

Social Security watchdog opens probe into alleged mishandling of data

4 fined, banned from park after vandalism DETROIT — Four people from Illinois accused of vandalizing the cliffs at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior in Michigan were fined and banned from entering the park for a year, the U.S. Department of Justice said Wednesday. The punishment comes after park rangers on patrol came upon several vessels along the cliffs of the Pictured Rocks lakeshore, where the visitors had been carving large letters into the cliff faces and collecting over 100 pounds of rocks with the intent to take them home, according to the announcement by Timothy VerHey, the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan. The rangers cited the Illinois visitors for defacing and collecting park resources, and in December, they were ordered to appear in U.S. District Court in Marquette to answer for the violations. Each was ordered to pay a $500 fine and was banned from Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore for a year. One of the four individuals was ordered to pay an additional $250 fine for taking the rocks, according to VerHey’s office.

Head priest accused of stealing baseball cards PITTSBURGH — The head priest and dean of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh is facing charges after being accused of stealing more than $1,000 in baseball cards from a Walmart. The Very Rev. Aidan Smith was arrested Feb. 27 by police just after leaving the Walmart in Economy Borough, just outside Pittsburgh, with 27 packs of baseball cards concealed under his clothing and in a cardboard box, according to court records. Smith, 42, was charged with receiving stolen property and retail theft. Police responded to a call from Walmart security, who said Smith was in the store again after having stolen from it in previous days. Police said Walmart security video shows Smith also taking baseball cards each of the four previous days and leaving without paying.

Old science satellite plunges back to Earth CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — An old NASA science satellite plunged uncontrolled from orbit and reentered over the Pacific on Wednesday. The U.S. Space Force said the Van Allen Probe A came in west of the Galapagos Islands. NASA expected some of the 1,323-pound spacecraft to survive entry, with most of it burning up in the atmosphere. The space agency put the risk of bodily harm at 1-in-4,200. Its twin, the Van Allen Probe B, is still orbiting Earth, but no longer functioning. Launched in 2012, the two spacecraft flew through the Van Allen radiation belts that surround Earth, studying them for seven years before ceasing operation.

with Epstein. Comer also said Wednesday that the committee has reviewed over 40,000 documents that it subpoenaed from JPMorgan Chase and Deutsche Bank. Epstein was connected to at least 64 business entities, according to Comer. Republican President Donald Trump has strongly denied any wrongdoing in his own ties to Epstein, and Comer said that Kahn had never seen any financial transactions between Epstein and Trump. Comer said that Kahn is the latest witness to testify that they had never seen Trump doing anything wrong with Epstein. “The investigation’s about getting the truth to the American people, trying to ﬁgure out how the government failed, answer questions we all have,” Comer said.

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

President Donald Trump poses for a photo Wednesday during a visit to Thermo Fisher Scientific in Cincinnati.

Trump touts lowering drug prices, slams Massie

what was happening in Iran was “an He’s endorsed challenger that excursion that will keep us out of a war.” added of Tehran, “for them, it’s a war. of Republican who has He For us, it’s turned out to be easier than thought.” vocally opposed him weLater, at the Kentucky rally, Trump

BY WILL WEISSERT and SAGAR MEGHANI Associated Press

HEBRON, Ky. — President Donald Trump on Wednesday touted lowering prescription drug prices in Ohio and campaigned in the Kentucky district of Rep. Thomas Massie, calling his fellow Republican a “nutjob” he said should lose their party’s upcoming primary. It was a full day on the road as Trump attempted to project economic and political strength even as war in Iran has scrambled financial markets and hurt his poll numbers. Massie is one of the few remaining Republicans who has dared defy Trump in Congress, and the president took the unusual step of holding a rally in Massie’s northern Kentucky district. He gleefully told the crowd, “I just can’t stand this guy” and called him “stupid” and a “disaster.” “We’ve got to get rid of this loser,” said Trump, who has endorsed Massie challenger Ed Gallrein in Kentucky’s primary on May 19. The event felt like vintage Trump from his reelection bid in 2024 — so much so that he briefly called Gallrein, a farmer, businessman and retired Navy SEAL, to the stage. There, Gallrein declared, “Tom Massie stands with the ladies of ‘The View.’ Mr. President, we stand with you!” The trip was a test of Trump’s ability to cleanse his party of those who oppose him, but also to try to stay on an economic message increasingly strained by the military action launched by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. Polls show that Americans were increasingly wary of Trump’s handling of the economy even before the conflict began, and fighting there has derailed Trump’s messaging, as the low gas prices he once bragged about are now surging and stocks that had set record highs have slipped.

Iran looms large in Ohio and Ky. stops Trump’s swing began with a tour of Thermo Fisher Scientific in suburban Cincinnati. There, he discussed his administration’s efforts to persuade major manufacturers to lower prescription medication prices so that they are closer to what is charged abroad. “I used some very strong negotiating talent to get every single country to almost immediately approve,” he told reporters. But the president also told reporters

suggested the conflict wasn’t about to end, saying, “We don’t want to leave early, do we? We’ve got to finish the job.” He said that Iran was on the verge of rebuilding its nuclear capabilities, saying that fighting needed to continue so, “We don’t want to go back every two years.” That contradicts many previous Trump claims and justifications for the U.S. and Israel launching strikes on Iran — not the least of which was Trump saying U.S. strikes last summer had obliterated that country’s nuclear capabilities. Also Wednesday, Trump did an interview with Cincinnati’s WKRC-TV and said he planned to tap the nation’s Strategic Petroleum Reserve, in an effort to bring down gasoline prices. “Right now, we’ll reduce it a little bit, and that brings the prices down,” Trump said, without providing details. “We’ll be back on track in a pretty short while,” Trump said. “Prices are coming down very substantially. Oil will be coming down.”

Trump laces into Massie At the rally, the president stressed the importance of Republicans winning the midterms, ticking off his administration’s accomplishments while telling the crowd, “The midterms are going to be very, very important to keep it going.” But that doesn’t extend to Massie, who Trump called “the worst.” Massie is an outspoken Trump critic who opposed the White House-backed tax and spending measure and bucked Trump by pushing to have ﬁles related to the sex trafﬁcking investigations into Jeffrey Epstein released. He’s also criticized the U.S. strike on Venezuela that toppled then-President Nicolás Maduro and, most recently, the war in Iran. Massie told the Cincinnati Enquirer that Trump’s endorsement is “all my opponent has going for him.” adding that Gallrein “has promised to be a rubber stamp when he gets to Washington D.C. and I don’t think people here want a rubber stamp.” Since November, the president has made stops in Pennsylvania, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina and Texas — though his speeches have sometimes been more focused on his own political grievances than on his plans to help lower everyday costs across the country. Even on Wednesday, Trump spent long stretches mocking his Democratic predecessor, President Joe Biden.

WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration’s internal watchdog is investigating a whistleblower complaint into what it describes as a former Department of Government Efﬁciency worker’s potential misuse of data obtained from the Social Security Administration. According to a document the Associated Press obtained Wednesday, the SSA’s inspector general informed the leadership of four congressional committees that it was launching the probe after receiving an anonymous complaint. The Washington Post on Tuesday reported that a former DOGE software engineer had allegedly told several co-workers that he possessed two tightly restricted databases of U.S. citizens’ information and had at least one data set on a thumb drive that he would share with his new employer. The SSA said the allegations have been refuted by the agency, the former em-

ployee, and the company. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said in a statement that the allegations, if true, would represent “one of the largest known data breaches in American history” and called for a “full public accounting.” The Social Security Administration maintains records on hundreds of millions of people — including health diagnoses, income, banking information, familial relationships and personal biographic data. The agency has faced lawsuits over alleged mishandling of government data and DOGE’s access to sensitive personal information. Last August, whistleblower Charles Borges, who worked as the chief data officer at the Social Security Administration ﬁled a disclosure to the special counsel’s ofﬁce, stating that more than 300 million Americans’ Social Security data was put at risk after DOGE officials uploaded sensitive information to a cloud account not subject to oversight.

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CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST Oil shock prompts countries to open strategic reserves Trump says U.S. will tap stock ‘a little bit’

known as the Strategic Petroleum Reserve — despite there being no requirement. But for other countries, tapping their reserves means that they will eventually need to replenish what was removed. “Because of that, countries tend to keep reserves for a last-resort scenario, should the disruption be prolonged,” said Maksim Sonin, an energy executive who works with Stanford University’s Hydrogen Initiative.

BY MATT SEDENSKY and WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS Associated Press

NEWYORK — A widening war in Iran has halted oil tankers, made targets of refineries and spooked investors worried about the cascading impact of spiking energy prices. In response, the International Energy Agency agreed on Wednesday to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, with the Paris-based organization pledging to make 400 million barrels of oil available from its member nations’ stockpiles. The announcement marked a shift in momentum in government response to the war upending the flow of oil, with other global leaders previously indicating reluctance to tap into stockpiles. Since war erupted in the Middle East on Feb. 28 with the U.S. and Israel’s joint attacks on Iran, the flow of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped, cutting off a vital passageway where roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil sails through on a typical day. Major producers in the region like Iraq, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also cut production because they are running out of storage space. And Iran, Israel and the U.S. have all struck oil and gas facilities, worsening supply concerns. That has sent prices soaring with

Timing a release is tricky PHOTO PROVIDED By U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGy

A section of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve facility is pictured in West Hackberry. dramatic swings almost every day. On Monday, Brent crude oil surged to as high as nearly $120 a barrel, before falling to under $90 after President Donald Trump suggested the war could be near an end. But attacks have continued to escalate since. Countries around the world hold vast quantities of oil that they can use in the event of a crisis. Because oil is a global commodity and ﬂooding the market with a sudden stream of new supply has international implications, countries often talk to one another before tapping reserves. That includes coordinating with the IEA, an organization created in the aftermath of the 1973 oil crisis. It has 32 members — including Germany, Austria and Japan, all of whom

confirmed Wednesday that they would be tapping parts of their reserves. The U.S., Mexico, Australia and other major countries are also part of the IEA. IEA members currently hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, with a further 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government obligation. The largest-ever previous collective release of emergency stocks by IEA member countries was 182.7 million barrels following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Each of the IEA member countries promises to have a reserve at least equivalent to what they import in a 90-day period. The U.S. exports more than it imports, maintaining its own reserve —

Opting to use oil reserves is never a simple calculation, particularly when linked to a war with constantly shifting parameters and no clear timeline. When nations tap into strategic reserves in situations like the war in Iran, the oil is sold into the global marketplace, theoretically increasing supply and thus, lowering prices. “The key question on drawing down these reserves remains one of, ‘How long will this conflict last?’ ” said Tom Seng, an energy ﬁnance professor at Texas Christian University. “And, more importantly, ‘How long will the Strait of Hormuz remain blocked?’” Oil reserves have been tapped when the market has faced major disruption in the past, including wars in Iraq, Libya and, most recently, in Ukraine. Kenneth Medlock, senior director of the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University, said it’s not a matter of whether the current conﬂict is serious enough to merit

intervention, but whether the precise moment has arrived. “The price is up but it could get worse,” Medlock said. “What happens if this drags on for two, three months? Then you run into a situation where you lose your buffer.”

Shift in discussions Before Wednesday, countries were reticent to tap reserves. Over the weekend, Trump downplayed the idea of turning to the U.S. reserve, maintaining that supplies were ample and prices would soon fall. But that changed on Wednesday, when the president told WKRC Local 12 in Cincinnati that his administration would tap into the SPR “a little bit” to bring down prices. Representatives from the Group of Seven major industrialized powers met earlier this week and also previously held off on using strategic reserves. Still, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said Monday the group was “ready to take necessary and coordinated steps in order to stabilize markets, such as strategic stockpiling.” Talk of tapping into national reserves helped ease energy markets earlier this week. But crude prices actually ticked up after the withdrawal was conﬁrmed Wednesday, with Brent rising 4.8% to settle at $91.98. That is far higher than the roughly $70 it was selling for less than two weeks ago. Analysts maintain the IEA’s release of 400 million barrels is a short-term bridge, making up for just a few weeks of lost supply.

Trump says U.S. is winning, is less clear in explaining endgame BY AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Facing jittery global markets and drooping poll numbers since launching a war with Iran, President Donald Trump has cycled from calls for “unconditional surrender” to sounding amenable to an end state in which Iran trades one hard-line ayatollah for another. Shifting comments from the Republican president and his top aides are adding to the precariousness of the 12-dayold conflict, which is impacting nearly every corner of the Middle East and causing eco- Trump nomic tremors around the globe. With neither side budging, the war is now on an unpredictable path and a credible endgame is unclear. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday it was up to Trump “whether it’s the beginning, the middle or the end” of the war. Trump, during the course of one speech at a House Republican gathering Monday, went from calling the war a “short-term excursion” that could end soon to proclaiming “we haven’t won enough.” “We have hit them harder than virtually any country in history has been hit, and we’re not ﬁnished yet,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Wednesday. The vacillation has fueled criticism from those who say Trump lacks a clear goal. “They didn’t have a plan,” Sen. Mark Kelly, DAriz., told reporters. “They have no timeline. And because of that, they have no exit strategy.”

Constantly shifting goal Since ordering the Iran bombardment, Trump has continually shifted his timelines and goals for the war. Over the past few days, Trump has called for the “unconditional surrender” of Iran’s leaders, while suggesting he had already succeeded in achieving his objective of decimating Iran’s military. At the same time, Trump’s team has sought to soothe anxious Americans that the war will not be long and drawn out even as the president has insisted he has not ruled out the option of using U.S. ground troops. The U.S. military says it

has effectively destroyed the Iranian navy and made huge strides in defanging Iran’s ability to launch missiles and drones at its neighbors. Yet the critical Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil passes on a typical day, remains essentially closed to business, and Iranian leaders are unbowed. The Revolutionary Guard said Iran would not allow “a single liter of oil” through the vital waterway until the United States stopped its bombing campaign. Ali Larijani, Iran’s top national security official, offered a menacing message on Tuesday after Trump had threatened to attack Iran “TWENTY TIMES HARDER” if Tehran stopped oil flowing through the strait. “The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats,” Larijani wrote on X. “Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.” Trump ally Newt Gingrich, a former Republican House speaker, said the administration should have moved on securing the strait on Day One of the conflict. “If they can’t keep it open, this war will in fact be an American defeat before very long, because the entire world, including the American people, will react to the price of oil if the strait stay closed very long,” Gingrich said in an appearance on Fox Business.

Recent polling shows Trump’s decision to attack Iran has not come with the rallying-around-the-flag effect that has typically accompanied the start of recent U.S. wars. About half of voters in Quinnipiac and Fox News polls said the U.S. military action in Iran makes the U.S. “less safe,” while only about 3 in 10 in each poll said it made the country safer. A CNN poll found about half of U.S. adults thought the military action would make Iran “more of a threat” to the U.S., while only about 3 in 10 thought it would lessen the danger. In that CNN poll, about 6 in 10 U.S. adults said they trusted Trump “not much” or “not at all” to make the right decisions about the U.S. use of force in Iran. European allies are treading carefully after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez faced the wrath of Trump, who deemed them not sufficiently supportive in backing his war of choice. Trump on Wednesday lashed out again at Spain, which has said it will not allow the U.S. to use jointly operated bases in southern Spain in any strikes not covered by the U.N. charter. “I think they’ve been very bad — not good at all,” Trump said. “We may cut off trade with Spain.” Even German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who has been broadly supportive of Making case to Americans the U.S.-Israeli campaign Trump has struggled to against Iran, said on Tuesmake his case to Americans day that “more questions about why preemptive ac- arise with every day of war.” tion against Iran was necessary and how it squared Claims on school bombing with his pledge to keep the Trump has chosen to deUnited States out of the “for- flect responsibility for the ever wars” of the past two bombing of a girl’s school decades. Thus far, seven in southern Iran on the first U.S. troops have been killed day of the conflict, killing at and about 140 injured in the least 165 people. Trump on Saturday blamed retaliatory salvos from Iran. One of several reasons the attack on Iran, saying its Trump has offered to justify security forces are “very inlaunching the war was that accurate” with munitions. he had a “feeling” that Iran On Monday, after the inwas getting set to attack the vestigative group BellingU.S. cat posted verified video White House press sec- that showed a U.S. Tomaretary Karoline Leavitt hawk cruise missile hitting slightly amended that posi- a Revolutionary Guard faciltion, telling reporters that ity near the school, causing the president “had a feeling” the explosion, Trump again that was “based on fact.” insisted it could have been But Pentagon officials Iran’s fault but said that he have told congressional would accept whatever a staffers in private briefings U.S. investigation into the that the U.S. does not have matter might find. intelligence indicating that The president erroneIran was planning to pre- ously claimed that Tehran had access to Tomahawks, a emptively attack the U.S.

U.S.-manufactured weapon system that is only available to the U.S. and a few close allies. Asked by a reporter, Leavitt did not directly answer why Trump falsely asserted that Iran has access to the U.S.-made missile.

Instead, she responded in part that “the president has a right to share his opinions with the American public” while noting “he has said he’ll accept the conclusion of that investigation.” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.,

told reporters that Trump’s claim “is beyond asinine.” “Again, he says whatever pops into his head no matter what the truth is,” Schumer said. “And we all know he lies, but on something as formidable as this, it’s appalling.”

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BILLS

inside schools to be unlicensed. Williams and his wife drew attention to that gap when they testiﬁed at a legislative hearing last year that their 3-year-old daughter was assaulted by another child at their private preschool, which did not need a license. The school denies the allegations and says it complies with all state laws. Barrow’s legislation established some standards that apply to all preschools, such as minimum stafﬁng levels, and required preK programs at private schools to obtain the same “early learning center” license as freestanding

preschools and day cares. Barrow said that she did not include public and Montessori schools because they already are held to higher standards in certain areas, such as staff-to-student ratios. The law, which Gov. Jeff Landry signed, stirred outrage among the roughly 250 private schools with pre-K programs that had to apply for day care licenses by Jan. 1. School leaders said it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to comply with the new staffing and training requirements, background checks and site inspections. Two Christian schools sued

data. The school has continued to see a decline in enrollment since 2019 when Southside High, which opened in 2016 and included many students who were previously zoned for Comeaux, started to serve grades 9-12. Comeaux isn’t the only high school to see a decline in enrollment. Acadiana, Carencro, Lafayette and Northside have also seen declines, though not as dramatic as Comeaux. Lafayette High is at about 70% capacity, Acadiana and Carencro are at about 65% capac-

ity each; and Northside High is at about 50% capacity. Southside is at about 110% capacity. If the board approves the plan to close and rezone Comeaux, Southside would welcome about 200 students. District leaders said that could be achieved through “roaming teachers” who would use open classrooms during another instructor’s planning period. Comeaux’s supporters have argued its decline in enrollment is in part because the district rezoned students to Southside and then dis-

invested in the school’s facilities and leadership. The board has proposed measures the past two school years that would move students from the campus. In fall 2024, the board considered closing Comeaux and moving the Career Center to its campus as part of a district optimization plan. The vote failed 5-4. In May, the board voted to move the visual and performing arts academy from Comeaux to Lafayette High. A new performing arts wing was built at Comeaux in 2022 after the program was moved from La-

fayette High in 2016. Declining enrollment isn’t unique to LPSS high schools. In total, the district has seen a decline in student enrollment. Comparing fall 2019 to February 2026, the district has about 3,025 fewer students enrolled. That’s partly due to an increase in homeschooling after the COVID-19 pandemic, an increase in the amount of seats available at area charter schools, more state support for funding private school education and a steadily declining birthrate.

“I do believe that the judiciary commission should be firm. We want to be very firm, and we want consequences for people’s actions,” she said. “Certainly judges need to be held to a higher standard.” Currently, judges can only be sanctioned or removed from the bench by order of the state Supreme Court. The judiciary commission can recommend discipline to the high court, but the justices do not have to follow their suggestions. Judges in Louisiana are not subject to recall elections. Removal from office is an extraordinarily rare step that the Supreme Court has only taken twice in the last 16 years. While Traylor and lawmakers allege that the system is failing, some former judges have described an honorable commission that became more transparent in recent years. “I didn’t find the commission did anything wrong the whole time I was there,” said Ed Walters, who served on the panel between 2017 and 2021. “I never met nicer or more well-meaning people who worked hard to do the right thing for the public and do the right thing for the judge.” The state Supreme Court announced changes in 2020 to the judicial discipline process, making it more open by allowing cases to become public once the Judiciary Commission files a notice of hearing against a judge. Before then, judicial discipline

cases remained cloaked in secrecy unless the Supreme Court weighed in on them. An investigation from The Advocate | The Times-Picayune found that just 2% of cases the commission investigated between 2008 and 2018 reached the threshold to become public. Still, complaints against judges remain confidential in their early stages, and the Supreme Court has maintained rules that complainants, judges and witnesses are not supposed to discuss them unless the investigation leads to a notice of hearing against a judge. The Judiciary Commission also maintains ways to privately handle a complaint against a judge, including sending them confidential “reminders, cautions or admonishments” that are never publicly disclosed. Judges and others who favor the current system have warned that pending legislation could put judges under pressure from the governor and throw off the balance of power between the judiciary and executive branches. One of the most controversial proposals geared toward judicial accountability comes from state Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, who has long complained about the efficacy of the commission and raised concerns that the state relies too heavily on the judiciary to police itself. Morris’ Senate Bill 123 would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment giving the governor the power to remove judges and district attorneys from office,

pending a trial and two-thirds vote from the state Senate. Landry has expressed support for the measure, though he has also said the new oversight power need not necessarily go to him. “It doesn’t have to be me; they could give it to the Senate or attorney general or whomever, but something has to be done to bring everybody under control,” Landry told reporters on Monday, the opening day of the legislative session. In 2024, Morris successfully sponsored a constitutional amendment that enabled the governor, Senate president and House speaker to appoint five new Judiciary Commission members. Previously, panels of judges selected all commission members. Over the past year and a half, Louisiana has seen several highprofile cases of judges accused of misconduct or incompetence. Most recently, Attorney General Liz Murrill asked the Judiciary Commission to investigate how Orleans Parish Juvenile Court judges were handling teens in electronic monitoring programs. In one case, Malik Cornelius failed to comply with his monitoring program for months leading up to the killing of Jacob Carter, a tourist in New Orleans. Cornelius was convicted in connection with the killing. Carter’s family also filed a complaint with the Judiciary Commission, asking it to investigate the judge who assigned Cornelius’ ankle monitor. That complaint was

dismissed. In his resignation letter, Traylor said another judge, who was implicated in multiple instances of misconduct, got off too lightly with “what amounted to an eight month paid vacation.” His statement refers to 19th JDC Judge Eboni Johnson Rose, who was subject to a monthslong investigation by the Judiciary Commission. It found that two convictions were thrown out due to mistakes made in her courtroom. She also convicted a man of malfeasance in office, and then acquitted him three weeks later; the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal later reinstated his conviction. In a split decision, the Supreme Court approved a deal in which Johnson Rose accepted an unpaid, two-month suspension, agreeing that she deserved a second chance because she showed contrition. That happened eight months after she was placed on paid leave. Johnson Rose also drew heat for using a racial slur during a sidebar, when she accused East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore’s office of unfairly targeting Black men. State investigators found she “applied impermissible pressure on the state to alter its plea offer.” In December, the Supreme Court did take the unusual step of removing 19th JDC Judge Tiffany Foxworth-Roberts from the bench because she lied about her military service while campaigning for office. Officials also accused her of a fraudulent burglary insurance claim for about $40,000.

at least 759,000 people have been internally displaced in Lebanon, while more than 92,000 others have crossed into neighboring Syria. Elsewhere, two Iranian drones hit near the Dubai airport, home to the long-haul carrier Emirates and the world’s busiest for international travel. Four people were wounded but flights continued, the Dubai Media Office said. At Oman’s Port of Salalah, firefighters battled a blaze Wednesday at fuel storage tanks after days of Iranian attacks, according to the Oman News Agency. The U.N. Security Council voted Wednesday to approve a resolution demanding a halt to Iran’s “egregious attacks” on its Gulf neighbors. “The international community is resolute in rejecting these Iranian attacks against sovereign countries that are threatening the stability of the peoples, especially in a region of strategic importance to

global economy, energy, security, and security of global trade,” said Bahrain’s U.N. ambassador, Jamal Alrowaiei. The 13-0 vote in the U.N.’s most powerful body reﬂects Iran’s isolated position as it has aggressively responded to Israeli and U.S. strikes. China and Russia — two Iranian allies — abstained from the vote. Their U.N. ambassadors called the proposal “extremely unbalanced” in not mentioning the strikes against Tehran that began the war. Russia’s U.N. ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said it might leave the impression that Iran, “on its own volition and out of malice, conducted an unprovoked attack on Arab states.” Iranian U.N. Ambassador Amir Saeid Iravani said the resolution “deliberately ignores the root causes of the current crisis.” Iran has effectively stopped cargo trafﬁc through the narrow Strait

of Hormuz, through which a fifth of all traded oil passes. It has also targeted oil fields and refineries in Gulf Arab nations, aiming at generating enough global economic pain to pressure the United States and Israel to end their strikes. At least 12 incidents involving vessels around the strait have been confirmed since fighting began, according to two global trackers, and at least seven mariners have been killed. A projectile hit a Thai cargo ship off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze. Authorities are searching for three missing crew members from the Mayuree Naree after 20 were rescued by the Omani navy, according to Thailand’s Marine Department. The United States has pledged to keep the strait open and has led intense airstrikes targeting Iran’s navy and the port city of Bandar Abbas. The U.S. military said Tuesday it destroyed 16 Iranian mine-

layers near the strait. Some tankers, believed linked to Iran, continue to get through the strait, making so-called “dark” transits — meaning they aren’t turning on trackers that show where they are. Vessels carrying sanctioned Iranian crude often turn off their trackers. The commodity-tracking firm Kpler said Iran has restarted crude exports through its Jask oil terminal on the Gulf of Oman. A tanker loaded roughly 2 million barrels at Jask on March 7, it said. Simultaneous blasts rocked Beirut’s southern suburbs Wednesday night, producing large fires and plumes of smoke. The Israeli military said it was responding to dozens of Hezbollah rockets ﬁred simultaneously across northern Israel. One rocket hit a house near the Israeli town of Karmiel, lightly injuring two people, according to Israeli rescue services.

Continued from page 1A “I don’t see it being feasible, plausible or practical,” said Russell Marino, head of Hosanna Christian Academy in Baton Rouge, adding that the school might shut down its 120-student pre-K program if the law stands. That “would be devastating to the community we serve.” The bill caused a stir in the Capitol this week when Mizell introduced it at the start of the new legislative session. Barrow said she hadn’t been consulted about the bill and denounced it as a “step backward” for child safety, and a Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday where Mizell’s bill was up for debate was abruptly canceled. Mizell did not respond to phone calls or emailed questions. Baton Rouge Republican Sen. Rick Edmonds, who chairs the Education Committee and helped craft SB402, said he canceled the meeting to allow for changes to the bill, which he said is a routine part of the legislative process. Roger Williams, a Metairie parent who has fought for stricter oversight of private preschools, said he believed Barrow’s bill addressed most of the concerns raised about Act 409. He said he was not included in the development of Mizell’s bill, which he argued leaves private pre-K students with fewer protections. “With this type of rollback,” he said, “kids will not be safe.” Act 409 closed a loophole in state law that allowed pre-K programs

DROP

Continued from page 1A Career Center. The current W.D. and Mary Baker Career Center, which offers 12 industry programs, currently serves nearly 500 students and has a waitlist of 450 students. The Comeaux campus can hold about 1,700 students, which means it’s using about 38% of its capacity. There are 1,063 students zoned for the school, according to district

DISCIPLINE

Continued from page 1A

with judges who are “incompetent or so arrogant that they think they are above the law,” and it says there is a lack of “meaningful action” against them. The former justice’s comments are one of the starkest signs of a push for stronger oversight of the judiciary by lawmakers, Landry and some judges. The movement has even spilled over to a race for a Supreme Court seat, with one candidate seizing on Traylor’s comments and promising to bring accountability to the bench. “As a sitting judge, what I have to say is not going to be popular and may get me in trouble with some of my colleagues, but it has to be said,” 22nd JDC Judge Billy Burris, who is running to represent the northshore on the Supreme Court, said in a video posted to Facebook on Tuesday night. “The Supreme Court is in charge of holding judges accountable, and as your next Supreme Court justice, you can count on me to do exactly that. It is time to bring transparency to this process.” Burris is running against 1st Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Blair Downing Edwards for the seat vacated by Justice Will Crain, who is now on the federal bench. Both candidates are Republicans. In an interview, Edwards also committed to holding judges accountable.

IRAN

Continued from page 1A President Masoud Pezeshkian, wrote on social media that he had heard Mojtaba was wounded but that friends said “he is healthy and there is no problem.” In Tehran late Wednesday, witnesses said they heard loud airstrikes, explosions and heavy ﬁre by anti-aircraft batteries. They could also hear the buzzing of drones overhead. A person driving to Tehran described overcast skies as smoke from bomb and missile blasts mingled in the air that smelled of burnt powder and gasoline. They spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal. The fallout across the Middle East widened as Israel struck what it said were targets connected to Iranbacked Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The U.N. refugee agency said

safety and school-accountability measures established by Act 409. “That is deﬁnitely not a direction we need to go in,” she said. “And it’s one that I would personally get up and speak very heavily about.” While Mizell has not yet spoken publicly about her proposal, it’s already garnering support. A private school advocacy group put out a call to parents to speak in favor of the bill at Wednesday’s committee meeting before it was canceled. Marino, the Hosanna Christian Academy executive director, said he believes Mizell’s plan is the only real solution because the day care regulations simply won’t work in a school setting. The rules would require separate spaces and staffers within the school solely for pre-K students, which Marino said would be unaffordable and contrary to the school’s model. “It’s really untenable what they’re asking schools to do,” he said. “It’s a totally different environment and structure.” In a statement provided by a spokesperson, the Archdiocese of New Orleans said Catholic schools already “operate under strong and well-established safety standards,” including health and safety inspections, employee background checks and mandatory reporter training. The Archdiocese’s statement also said that the licensing rules would keep pre-K students from being fully integrated into the school community, “which is what parents have chosen when deciding to send their children to early childhood programs in a Catholic school.”

in federal court, arguing that the law unconstitutionally targeted religious schools, but a judge dismissed the lawsuit last month. Barrow’s new proposal, Senate Bill 240, would make some major changes to the law. It eliminates the exemption for public and Montessori schools and creates a new type of license specifically for preK programs inside schools. That license would allow school-based pre-K programs to follow the same rules as schools when it comes to health inspections, background checks and training, rather than day care rules. In a brief interview Tuesday, Barrow said her bill maintained strict safety standards while fixing problems that private schools identified with Act 409. “We heard them,” she said. “We tried to address all of their concerns.” Rather than dial back the new restrictions on private preschools, Mizell’s bill would remove them entirely. It extends the licensing exemption that Act 409 gives public and Montessori schools to private schools, effectively restoring the gap in state law that had allowed school-based pre-K programs to be unlicensed. It goes further, saying that other types of programs that serve young children also do not need day care licenses. The exempted programs include summer camps that enroll children as young as 3 years old, Bible camps serving children of any age and afterschool or weekend dance, cheerleading or sports programs. Barrow said she believes the bill would jeopardize the stricter

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, and Sen. Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, seated, have introduced competing bills to address private schools’ concerns with a new law regulating private pre-K programs.

Views on disciplinary process

Questions over judges’ conduct

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 5A

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CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST

War affecting prices at pump and beyond BY CATHY BUSSEWITZ, MAE ANDERSON and CHRIS RUGABER

ported quickly could see price hikes more quickly than packaged foods, which are less perishable, Ortega said.

AP business writers

NEW YORK — As the war in Iran ratchets up, the price of crude oil has been swinging sharply. Consumers are already feeling the effects of the war and its destabilizing effect on worldwide energy production. Gasoline prices are climbing, and many people will find some of the most immediate economic pain at the pump. But you don’t have to drive a car to be affected. Nearly all goods — including food — that are bought and sold must travel from where they’re produced. Those costs will climb with higher gasoline, diesel and jet fuel prices. And the spike in oil prices — surpassing $110 a barrel, then retreating — will likely be a big factor for U.S. inflation. As the war continues, some experts say the price of, well, everything could be affected. “The longer this lasts, the more significant the shock would be,” said Gregory Daco, chief economist at consulting firm EY-Parthenon.

Gas prices likely to continue rise Gasoline, diesel and jet fuel are made from crude oil. As the cost of crude climbs, so do the prices of those widely used products, which keep equipment, cars, buses, delivery trucks and airplanes running. Across the U.S., drivers were paying an average of $3.58 for a gallon of regular gasoline Wednesday, compared with $2.98 before the war started. Prices have increased about 20% since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran. Prices vary across states. In California, drivers were paying $5.34. Some of California’s refineries have shut down in recent years, so the massive state relies on imports of gasoline and other reﬁned products from Asia. By contrast, the average price in Louisiana, which has oil production and reﬁneries, was $3.20. The spike in oil prices is likely

Oil prices could push inflation With U.S. oil prices increasing by roughly 42% from their prewar levels, to roughly $95 a barrel from about $67 before the conflict, that could push up inflation in the United States from 2.4% in January to 3% or higher in the coming months, according to a rough estimate by economists at JPMorgan. Economist Daco, of EY-Parthenon, estimated that the bump in gas prices could push monthly inflation to as high as 1% in March, which would be the highest monthly increase in four years. Yearly inflation would near 3% in that case. “That’s a significant shock in and of itself,” Daco said.

Consumer spending could drop

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAMIAN DOVARGANES

Marcus Hopkins, a street performer, does a backflip in front of advertised gas prices Monday in Los Angeles. to further push up gasoline prices, and could be felt more signiﬁcantly in Asia and Europe, which are more dependent on Middle Eastern oil and gas than the United States.

Cost of shipping and goods rises The price of diesel — which powers 18-wheeler trucks — has been climbing, too: to $4.83 a gallon in the U.S., a 28% jump since the war started. “Can’t underscore what a massive jolt this is to the logistics, trucking, (agriculture) sectors,” Patrick De Haan, a petroleum analyst at GasBuddy, wrote on X Monday. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway that carries a ﬁfth of the world’s crude oil and liqueﬁed natural gas, already has caused problems for the shipping industry. Quickly rising oil and gas prices will add to the burden. Fuel prices account for 50% to

policy at Michigan State University. But if oil prices remain high for a month or more, he said, “we’re in different territory.” Higher oil prices impact the agricultural sector in two ways, Ortega said. They raise the cost of inputs such as fuel for farm equipment and the fertilizer, which is derived from natural gas. They also raise demand for soybean oil, palm oil and other vegetable oils that can be used as replacements for petroleum-based fuel. But Ortega said on-farm costs are only a small part of what consumers pay at the supermarket. A larger share comes from the cost of processing and transporting food, which uses a lot of energy. Eventually, groceries may get hit “Food gets to the grocery store The spike in oil prices likely on diesel, whether it’s on a truck won’t be felt immediately at U.S. or on a boat,” Ortega said. If oil prices remain elevated, grocery stores, said David Ortega, a professor of food economics and fresh foods that must be trans-

60% of the total operating cost of shipping goods by ship, according to Patrick Penﬁeld, professor of supply chain practice at Syracuse University, so higher fuel prices have a huge effect on the industry. “When fuel prices start to go up, everything starts to slow down,” Penﬁeld said. “So your ships slow down, your trucks slow down. People are less apt to ship things via air. And it really kind of causes a drag on the economy when fuel price go up.” Fuel surcharges will also rise — as shipping companies aim to pass along higher costs to their customers, ultimately making goods more expensive.

Mark Mathews, chief economist and executive director of research at the National Retail Federation, said higher gas prices would likely affect consumer spending, particularly lower-income shoppers. U.S. households pay on average $2,500 a year, or nearly $50 a week, to ﬁll up their tank, he said. If consumers are paying, say, $10 more per week, he said, their budgets are certainly affected. “How do they offset that?” he said. “Going out to a movie theater or going to a theme park or going out to eat — all those areas would be ... more likely see cuts.”

Some see hope prices stay down Mathews expects that retailers will absorb higher transportation costs for a while — as many did with higher tariff s — before they increase prices. Ed Anderson, a professor of supply chain and operations management for the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, said shippers won’t immediately pass on costs to customers. “If the conﬂict is only in the short run, companies will eat it,” he said.

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Public Notices Sheriff Sales

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PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with L.R.S. 3:1609 and LAC (A), the 7:XV.314 Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry, Louisiana Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, has established a boll weevil eradication zone, the Louisiana Eradication Zone, consisting of all the territory within the state of Louisiana. Notice is further given that all producers of commercial cotton in Louisiana are required to participate in the boll weevil eradication pro‐ including cost gram, sharing, in accordance with the Boll Weevil Erad‐ ication Law and regula‐ tions. This includes, but is not limited to, report‐ ing of cotton acreage and destruction of cotton plants and stalks by De‐ cember 31 of each crop year. A copy of the law and rules and regula‐ tions may be obtained from the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission, 5825 Florida Blvd. Ste. 3002, Baton Rouge, La. 70806, telephone number (225) 922-1338. Notice is also given that the planting of noncom‐ mercial cotton is PRO‐ HIBITED in Louisiana un‐ less a written waiver is obtained from the Com‐ missioner of Agriculture & Forestry in accordance with LAC 7:XV.319(C). To request a waiver, submit a written application to the Department of Agri‐ culture and Forestry, at the address provided in this notice, stating the conditions under which such written waiver is re‐ quested. 178503-feb 26-mar 5-12-3t $56.73

Public Notices Sheriff Sales

SHERIFF'S SALE BANK NA‐ DEUTSCHE TIOANL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE FOR GSAMP TRUST 2005-HE2 MORT‐ PASS-THROUGH GAGE SERIES CERTIFICATES, Versus No. 2005-HE2 20254993 ORANONG IN‐ WILBURN TARACHAK ORANONG I. A/K/A WILBURN A/K/A ORA‐ NONG WILBURN, PATRI‐ KAYE WILBURN CIA ROMERO A/K/A PATRICIA KAY WILBURN A/K/A PA‐ TRICIA K. WILBURN A/K/A PATRICIA WILBURN A/K/A PATRICIA KAYE ROMERO PATRICIA K. A/K/A ROMERO A/K/A PATRICIA ROMERO A/K/A PATRICIA WILBURN ROMERO A/K/A PATRICIA W. ROMERO, JAMES CAROL WILBURN, JR. A/K/A JAMES C. JR. A/K/A WILBURN, WILBURN, JR., JAMES DEANNA LYNNE WILBURN A/K/A BROUSSARD DEANNA LYNNE WILBURN DEANNA L. A/K/A WILBURN A/K/A DEANNA WILBURN A/K/A DEANNA LYNNE BROUSSARD A/K/A DEANNA L. BROUSSARD A/K/A DEANNA BROUS‐ A/K/A DEANNA SARD BROUSSARD WILBURN DEANNA W. A/K/A BROUSSARD AND TRINA WILBURN CHARLENE A/K/A TRINA SHULTS WILBURN CHARLENE A/K/A TRINA C. WILBURN A/K/A TRINA WILBURN A/K/A TRINA CHARLENE SHULTS A/K/A TRINA C. A/K/A TRINA SHULTS A/K/A TRINA SHULTS WILBURN SHULTS A/K/A TRINA W. SHULTS, HEIRS JAMES CAROL OF WILBURN A/K/A JAMES C. WILBURN A/K/A JAMES WILBURN 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF GROUND, WITH IMPROVE‐ MENTS, BEING SITUATED IN SECTION 3, TOWNSHIP 11 SOUTH, RANGE 5 EAST, PARISH, LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA, CONTAINING 2.34 ARPENTS, MORE OR LESS. SAID PARCEL BEING AND DESIG‐ KNOWN NATED AS PLOT F ON PLAT OF SURVEY NO. 2 BY N. FONTENOT, PAUL DATED FEBRUARY 2, 1970, A COPY OF WHICH IS AT‐ TACHED TO ACT NUMBER 555726 OF THE RECORDS THE CLERK OF OF COURT’S OFFICE FOR THE PARISH O LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA MADE A PART HEREOF BY REFERENCE THERETO. SAID PARCEL HAS AN EASTERN LINE MEASURING 137.58 FEET, A SOUTHERN LINE MEA‐ SURING 627.25 FEET, A WESTERN LINE MEASUR‐ ING 137.58 FEET AND A NORTHERN LINE MEA‐ SURING 627.07 FEET. SAID PARCEL HAS THE FUR‐ THER DIMENSIONS, MEA‐ BOUND‐ SUREMENTS, ARIES, SHAPE, FORM, LO‐ CATION AND CONFIGURA‐

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Public Notices Sheriff Sales

TION AS WILL BE SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY. MUNICIPAL ADDRESS: 313 ROAD, HARDWARE BROUSSARD, LA 70518 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS

THE FULL PURCHASE Notices BY CERTIFIED AMOUNTPublic FUNDS Sheriff Sales PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $36.04 SHERIFF'S SALE

LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $45.90

MORTGAGE FREEDOM Versus CORPORATION No. 20253508 TANNER DO‐ IRON

FINANCE OF AMERICA RE‐ VERSE LLC Versus No. 20257646 LINDA A. POOLE A/K/A LINDA POOLE 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THOSE FOUR CONTIGU‐ OUS LOTS OF GROUND, WITH ALL TOGETHER AND IM‐ BUILDINGS PROVEMENTS AND THE PARTS COMPONENT WITH ALL THEREOF, RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES AND SERVITUDES THEREUNTO APPERTAIN‐ ING, SITUATED IN SEC‐ 42, T10S, R4E, TION PARISH, LAFAYETTE BEING LOUISIANA. AND DESIG‐ KNOWN NATED AS LOTS 211, 212, 213, AND 214. EDWARD PARK SUBDIVISION, SAID TOGETHER LOTS FRONTING ALONG CRAW‐ FORD STREET, AND HAV‐ SUCH MEASURE‐ ING DIMENSIONS, MENTS, AND CONFIGURATIONS AS ARE BOUNDARIES MORE FULLY SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY ROLAND W. LAURENT, DATED MAY 29, 1968, AT‐ TACHED TO THAT CER‐ TAIN ACT OF CASH SALE DATED JUNE 5, 1968 AND FILED UNDER ENTRY NO. RECORDS OF 525146. PARISH, LAFAYETTE MUNICIPAL LOUISIANA. ADDRESS: 200 CRAWFORD STREET, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $35.19 SHERIFF'S SALE MORTGAGE FREEDOM Versus CORPORATION No. 20252948 CHRISTIAN MOORE AND KALEIGH HEBERT 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF TOGETHER GROUND, ALL IMPROVE‐ WITH MENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING AND ALL AP‐ PURTENANCES THEREOF, BEING KNOWN AND DES‐ IGNATED AS LOT ONE THIRTY-TWO HUNDRED (132) OF THE GLADE SUB‐ DIVISION, A SUBDIVISION THE PARISH OF OF LOUISIANA LAFAYETTE, ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY R. DOUGLAS MCGEE, JR., L.S., ATTACHED TO THAT ACT RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NO. 1984-35630, 1985-15114 AND 199124914, AS AMENDED BY THAT ACT AND PLAT OF RECORDED SURVEY UNDER ENTRY NO. 199728417, AND MADE PART HEREOF BY REFERENCE, AND BEING DESCRIBED REFERENCE WITH THERETO AS HAVING A FRONTAGE ON PATHWAY LANE AND HAVING SUCH BOUND‐ DIMENSIONS, ARIES AND MEASURE‐ MENTS AS ARE MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY. MUNICI‐ PAL ADDRESS: 104 PATH‐ WAY LANE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY

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15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL BUILD‐ AND IMPROVE‐ INGS MENTS THEREON AND ALL THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES AND SERVI‐ TUDES THERETO PER‐ TAINING, BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT THIRTY-SIX (36) OF SUG‐ ARLAND ESTATES, A SUB‐ DIVISION OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SHOWN ON THAT CER‐ TAIN PLAT OF SURVEY DATED NOVEMBER 29, 2006, PREPARED BY PAUL L. MIERS ENGINEERING, LLC, RECORDED UNDER ACT NO. 06-52312 OF THE RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AND MADE A PART HEREOF BY THERETO REFERENCE HAVING SUCH AND DIMENSIONS, OTHER AND MEASUREMENTS AS ARE BOUNDARIES MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY (“PROPERTY”). MUNICI‐ PAL ADDRESS: 206 OAK HILL LN., YOUNGSVILLE, LA 70592 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $33.69 SHERIFF'S SALE HAWKEYE LIEN SERVICES No. 20244680 Versus MARK G ARCENEAUX, ET AL 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of COMMISSION TO SELL is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: PROPERTY ASSESSMENT NUMBER: 6061126: SEC 26 R3E (.9986 AC) T9S (100X435) (USUFRUCT TO JAMES ROBERTS), BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED AS: THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF LAND SITUATED IN SECTION 26, TOWNSHIP 9 SOUTH, RANGE 3 EAST, LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, HAVING A FRONT OF 100’ ON THE NORTH SIDE OF D. ARCENEAUX ROAD BY A DEPTH BETWEEN PARAL‐ LEL LINES OF 435.00’, BEING BOUNDED AS FOL‐ LOWS; NORTH BY D. ARCENEAUX ROAD, WEST AND SOUTH BY MRS. STANLEY SONNIER OR AS‐ SIGNS, AND EAST BY TRACT 8A OF THE PARTI‐ TION OF PROPERTY OF MR. AND MRS. DAVID ARCENEAUX OR ASSIGNS, AND BEING MORE FULLY IDENTIFIED ON A PLAT OF SURVEY BY EDMOND E. DUPRE, JR., DATED FEBRU‐ ARY 16, 1979, ATTACHED TO FILE NO. 79-016323 OF RECORDS OF THE PARISH, LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA. BEING A POR‐ TION OF THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED: ONE CERTAIN TRACT OF LAND WITH ALL IM‐ PROVEMENTS THEREON THEREUNTO BE‐ AND LONGING SITUATED IN PARISH OF THE LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, CONTAINING THIRTY-ONE AND ONE-HALF (31 ½) AR‐ PENTS, AND IS BOUNDED AS FOLLOWS: NORTH BY LAND OF EDWIN SMITH, OR ASSIGNS, SOUTH BY OF ANTOINE LAND DOMINGUE, OR ASSIGNS, BY LAND OF EAST CLEMILE BERNARD, OR ASSIGNS, AND WEST BY LAND OF JEAN CAILLET OR ASSIGNS. BEING A PART OF THE SAME PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY JAMES ROBERTS BY CASH SALE DATED JUNE 23, 1979, AND RECORDED AS FILE NO. 79-016323 OF

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THE RECORDS OF PARISH, LAFAYETTE PROPERTY LOUISIANA. 100 FEET MEASURES FRONT ON D. ARCENEAUX ROAD AND 435 FEET DEEP PARALLEL BETWEEN LINES. THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS BEING 411 D ARCENEAUX ROAD, SCOTT, LA 70583. ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $42.91 SHERIFF'S SALE HOME BANK, N.A. Versus No. 20257142 JASON PAUL ROBINO 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL BUILD‐ AND IMPROVE‐ INGS MENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES, AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING OR IN ANY‐ WISE APPERTAINING, LO‐ CATED IN SECTION 35, TOWNSHIP 10 SOUTH, 5 EAST, RANGE PARISH, LAFAYETTE BEING LOUISIANA, AND DESIG‐ KNOWN NATED AS LOT 7, MAGNO‐ LIA RIDGE, AS SHOWN ON THE SUBDIVISION PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY ENGINEERING DUBROC INC., DATED JULY 27, 2001, LAST REVISED MARCH 20, 2002, AND RECORDED APRIL 18, 2002, UNDER ACT NO. 02-017750 IN THE OF THE RECORDS PARISH LAFAYETTE CLERK OF COURT’S OF‐ FICE. THE LOT HAVING A FRONTAGE ON LANTANA COURT WITH SUCH FUR‐ THER DIMENSIONS, MEA‐ BOUND‐ SUREMENTS, ARIES, SHAPE, FORM, LO‐ CATION AND CONFIGURA‐ TION AS SHOWN ON THE SUBDIVISION PLAT OF SURVEY AND IS BOUNDED WESTERLY BY LANTANA COURT, NORTHERLY BY LOT 8, EASTERLY BY PROPERTY LOCATED IN BEAU CLOS SUBDIVISION, AND SOUTHERLY BY LOT 6. BEING THE SAME PROPERTY ACQUIRED BY JASON PAUL ROBING BY ACT OF CASH SALE FROM JOHN AL LINGO OF EVEN DATE AND RECORDED IN THE RECORDS OF THE PARISH LAFAYETTE CLERK OF COURT’S OF‐ FICE. THE PROPERTY OR ITS ADDRESS IS COM‐ MONLY KNOWN AS 103 LANTANA COURT, BROUS‐ SARD, LA 70518-7618. ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $38.83 SHERIFF'S SALE LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVIC‐ ING, LLC Versus No. 20257305 NIRAV PATEL AND KIRITKUMAR PATEL 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: LOT 41, A CERTAIN PAR‐ CEL OF GROUND IN ACA‐ DIAN LAKES SUBDIVI‐ SION, PHASE 1 “A RESI‐ DENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD TO‐ DEVELOPMENT”, GETHER WITH ALL THE AND IM‐ BUILDINGS PROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, WAYS, APPURTE‐ SERVITUDES, NANCES AND ADVAN‐ TAGES THEREUNTO BE‐ LONGING TO OR ANYWISE APPERTAINING, SITUATED THE PARISH OF IN LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA. AS SHOWN ON PLAT RECORDED AS FILE NUM‐ BER: 2020-00043600, OF THE CLERK OF COURT’S OFFICE FOR LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA. (THE “PROPERTY”) MUNICIPAL ADDRESS: 127 NOVA LAKE

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Public Notices Sheriff Sales

DRIVE, DUSON, LA 70529 PURCHASING ANYONE PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $31.97 SHERIFF'S SALE LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVIC‐ ING, LLC Versus No. 20257635 TYLER CHRIST‐ IAN FRUGE A/K/A TYLER C. FRUGE A/K/A TYLER AND MEGAN FRUGE MICHAELA MARTIN A/K/A MEGAN M. MARTIN A/K/A MEGAN MARTIN 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: ONE CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL THE AND IM‐ BUILDINGS PROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL THE RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, WAYS, APPURTE‐ SERVITUDES, NANCES, AND ADVAN‐ TAGES THEREUNTO BE‐ LONGING OR IN ANYWISE APPERTAINING, SITUATED THE PARISH OF IN LAFAYETTE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, IN THAT SUB‐ KNOWN AS DIVISION WOODLANDS OF ACADI‐ ANA, 3RD PHASE, ON THE OFFICIAL PLAN THEREOF, ON FILE AND OF RECORD FILE NO. 2020AT 00019472, IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK AND OF THE RECORDER PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, AS LOT NUMBER NINETYFIVE (95), SAID SUBDIVI‐ SION, SAID LOT HAVING MEASUREMENTS SUCH AND DIMENSIONS AND BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH AND RE‐ SERVITUDES STRICTIONS OF RECORD AND AS SHOWN ON THE SUBDIVISION OFFICIAL MUNICIPAL AD‐ MAP. DRESS: 204 TREESCAPE DRIVE, LAFAYETTE, LA 70508 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $35.83 SHERIFF'S SALE LLACG COMMUNITY IN‐ VESTMENT FUND Versus 20246554 GLORIA No. GAGO BREAUX AKA GLO‐ RIA GAGO-ARIAS BREAUX 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of AMENDED SEIZURE AND SALE issued in the here‐ entitled and inabove numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale and sell for cash, appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: LOT 3, UNIT 3, ST. JOSEPH AS TOWNHOUSES, SHOWN BY REFERENCE TO A PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY RICHARD G. SPIKES, DATED JULY 6, 1983, RECORDED JULY 28, 1983, UNDER ENTRY NO. 83-27618, RECORDS OF PARISH, LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA, BEING THAT CERTAIN LOT OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITH ALL THE BUILDINGS IMPROVEMENTS AND THEREON, AND ALL THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING OR IN ANY‐ WISE APPERTAINING, SIT‐ UATED IN THE SECTION 64, TOWNSHIP 9 SOUTH, 4 EAST, RANGE PARISH, LAFAYETTE FRONTING LOUISIANA, 47.73 FEET ON CURTIS AND HAVING STREET, SUCH OTHER METES AND BOUNDS AS ARE SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY BY CRAIG P. RLS, DATED SPIKES, MARCH 24, 1992, A COPY OF WHICH IS ANNEXED TO AN ACT RECORDED AT ENTRY #92- 010306; SUB‐ JECT TO RESTRICTIONS, SERVITUDES, RIGHTS-OFWAY AND OUTSTANDING RIGHTS OF MINERAL RECORD AFFECTING THE MUNICIPAL PROPERTY. ADDRESS: 200 C-CURTIS ST., LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 ANYONE

PURCHASING

ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026

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Public Notices Sheriff Sales

PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026

SHERIFF'S SALE

only. Restrictions apply, representative for warranty offer details.

Public Notices Sheriff Sales

PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $36.90 SHERIFF'S SALE PELICAN STATE CREDIT Versus No. UNION WENDELL J. 20257740 SMITH 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN PARCEL OF TOGETHER GROUND, ALL IMPROVE‐ WITH MENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING AND ALL AP‐ PURTENANCES THEREOF, BEING KNOWN AND DES‐ IGNATED AS LOT FOUR (4) OF WILLOWCREEK SUBDI‐ VISION, PHASE 1. A SUB‐ DIVISION OF THE PARISH LAFAYETTE, OF LOUISIANA ON THAT CER‐ TAIN PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY ALDON A. LEBLANC, P.E. & P.L.S., AND ATTACHED TO THAT ACT RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NO. 2002-25683 AND MADE PART HEREOF REFERENCE, AND BY BEING DESCRIBED WITH REFERENCE THERETO AS HAVING A FRONTAGE ON BLANCO DRIVE AND HAV‐ ING SUCH DIMENSIONS, BOUNDARIES AND MEA‐ AS ARE SUREMENTS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY. IN‐ CLUDING THAT CERTAIN MOBILE HOME IMMOBI‐ LIZED BY THAT ACT RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NO. 2005-50895 OF THE RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA. SAID TRACT HAS BEEN DE‐ ERRONEOUSLY SCRIBED IN THOSE CER‐ TAIN ACTS RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NOS. 20165949, 2014-19134, 20141548, 2013-35636, 201239411 AND 2005-50894 AS BEING DESCRIBED ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY DATED MAY 20, 1958 BY G.K. LANGLINAIS RECORDED UNDER ENTRY 396135 OF THE NO. RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA, PARISH, TRACT DE‐ WHICH SCRIBED ON THAT CER‐ TAIN PLAT OF SURVEY IS THE TRACT OF LAND OUT OF WHICH WILLOWCREEK SUBDIVISION PHASE I WAS DEDICATED, WHICH IS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY BY ALDON A. LEBLANC, P.E. & P.L.S. RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NO. 2002-25683 OF THE RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA. THE MUNICIPAL ADDRESS IS 107 BLANCO DRIVE, YOUNGSVILLE, LOUISIANA 70592

LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $33.04 SHERIFF'S SALE PENNYMAC LOAN SER‐ VICES, LLC Versus No. 20247503 WILLIAM CODY WILCOX A/K/A WILLIAM WILCOX A/K/A C. WILLIAM WILCOX 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: LOT 300, COUNTRY LAKES PHASE II SUBDIVISION, LOCATED IN SECTION 9. T10-S, R-3-E, LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SHOWN ON THAT CER‐ TAIN SURVEY ENTITLED FINAL PLAT OF COUNTRY LAKES PHASE II PRE‐ PARED BY BARRY J. BLE‐ ICHNER, PE, PLS, LLC, FEBRUARY 18, DATED 2014, AND RECORDED FEBRUARY 20, 2014 AT FILE NO. 2014-0006346, RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA. MU‐ NICIPAL ADDRESS: 303 SILO ROAD, RAYNE, LA 70578 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $31.33 SHERIFF'S SALE PLAINS COMMERCE BANK No. 20253431 Versus BENSON AMANDA BROUSSARD AND JASON THOMAS 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL BUILD‐ AND IMPROVE‐ INGS MENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING AND ALL AP‐ PURTENANCES THEREOF, BEING KNOWN AND DES‐ IGNATED AS LOT ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-THREE (183) OF WOODLANDS OF ACADIANA, PHASE II, A OF THE SUBDIVISION PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA, SAID LOT HAVING SUCH SHAPE, DIMENSIONS, FORM, BOUNDARIES AND MEA‐ AS ARE SUREMENTS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON THAT CERTAIN PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY MR ENGINEERING & SUR‐ VEYING, INC. DATED JAN‐ UARY 27, 2016, LAST RE‐ VISED JANUARY 11, 2018, ATTACHED TO THAT CER‐ ACT RECORDED TAIN FILE NUMBER UNDER OF THE 2018-3159 RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH CLERK OF COURT,

Public Notices Sheriff Sales

WHICH PLAT OF SURVEY IS MADE A PART HEREOF BY REFERENCE THERETO. WHICH HAS THE AD‐ DRESS OF 208 WOOD‐ DRIVE, STONE LAFAYETTE, LA 70508 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $36.04 SHERIFF'S SALE PROVIDENT FUNDING AS‐ SOCIATES, L.P. Versus No. RANDALL J. 20256027 DUHON 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL BUILD‐ AND IMPROVE‐ INGS MENTS THEREON AND THEREUNTO, AND WITH RIGHTS, WAYS, ALL SERVITUDES, PRIVILEGES APPURTENANCES AND THEREUNTO APPERTAIN‐ ING, AND BEING KNOWN AND DESIGNATED AS LOT 165 OF OSSUN HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION, EXTENSION 2, A SUBDIVISION OF THE PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, LOUISIANA ON THAT CER‐ TAIN PLAT OF SURVEY PREPARED BY GERALD G. REAUX, DATED FEBRUARY 28, 1983 AND REVISED AU‐ GUST 22, 1983, ATTACHED TO THAT ACT RECORDED UNDER ENTRY NO. 8332314 AND MADE A PART HEREOF BY REFERENCE AND BEING DESCRIBED REFERENCE WITH AS HAVING THERETO DIMENSIONS, SUCH BOUNDARIES AND MEA‐ AS ARE SUREMENTS MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY. (THE “PROPERTY”) MU‐ NICIPAL ADDRESS: 116 DRIVE, SWEDISH LAFAYETTE, LA 70507 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $34.76 SHERIFF'S SALE US BANK NATIONAL AS‐ SOCIATION, NOT IN ITS CAPACITY INDIVIDUAL BUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEE FOR RMAC TRUST, SERIES Versus No. 2016-CTT LUIGI VE‐ 20257490 DOVATTI 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL BUILD‐ AND IMPROVE‐ INGS MENTS THEREON, AND ALL RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVI‐ LEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐ PURTENANCES, AND AD‐ THEREUNTO VANTAGES BELONGING OR IN ANY‐ WISE APPERTAINING, LO‐ CATED IN SECTION 85, TOWNSHIP 10 SOUTH, 4 EAST, RANGE PARISH, LAFAYETTE BEING LOUISIANA, AND DESIG‐ KNOWN NATED AS LOT 46, THE GLADE SUBDIVISION, AS SHOWN ON THE SUBDIVI‐ SION PLAT OF SURVEY

Public Notices Sheriff Sales

PREPARED BY R. DOU‐ GLAS MCGEE & ASSOCI‐ ATES, LTD., DATED OCTO‐ BER, 1984, LAST REVISED APRIL 25, 1985, AND RECORDED AUGUST 13, 1991, UNDER ACT NO. 91024914 IN THE RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH CLERK OF COURT’S OF‐ FICE. THE LOT HAVING A FRONTAGE OF 60.00 FEET ON SHADOWBRUSH BEND WITH A DEPTH BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES OF 110.00 FEET AND IS BOUNDED NORTHERLY BY SHADOWBRUSH BEND, EASTERLY BY LOT 47, SOUTHERLY BY LOT 57, AND WESTERLY BY LOT 45, ALL OF THE GLADE SUBDIVISION. MUNICIPAL ADDRESS: 211 SHADOW‐ BRUSH BEND, LAFAYETTE, LA 70506 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $37.55 SHERIFF'S SALE WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A. No. 20254549 Versus P. CHRISTOPHER A/K/A MEILLEUR CHRISTOPHER MEILLEUR LAUREN H. AND MEILLEUR A/K/A LAUREN MEILLEUR 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of SEIZURE AND SALE is‐ sued in the hereinabove entitled and numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale sell for cash, and appraise‐ ***WITH*** ment, to the last and highest bidder, at public at the auction, LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***APRIL 15, 2026*** ,the following de‐ scribed property, to wit: THAT CERTAIN LOT OR PARCEL OF GROUND, TO‐ GETHER WITH ALL IM‐ PROVEMENTS THEREON AND ALL THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES AND THERETO SERVITUDES BEING PERTAINING, AND DESIG‐ KNOWN NATED AS LOT 12 OF SUBDIVI‐ MONJARDIN OF LAFAYETTE SION, PARISH, LOUISIANA, AS SHOWN ON THAT CER‐ TAIN PLAT OF SURVEY DATED SEPTEMBER 19, 2011, PREPARED BY SPEC ENGINEERING & CON‐ WHICH IS SULTING, RECORDED UNDER FILE NUMBER 2011-37368 OF RECORDS OF THE PARISH, LAFAYETTE AS COR‐ LOUISIANA, RECTED BY ACT OF COR‐ RECORDED RECTION FILE NUMBER UNDER OF THE 2011-40235 RECORDS OF LAFAYETTE PARISH, LOUISIANA AND MADE A PART HEREOF BY THERETO REFERENCE AND HAVING SUCH DI‐ MEASURE‐ MENSIONS, MENTS AND BOUNDARIES AS ARE MORE FULLY SHOWN ON SAID PLAT OF SURVEY. MUNICIPAL AD‐ DRESS: 210 RUE DE FRE‐ BROUSSARD, LA JUS, 70518 ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: MARCH 12, 2026 & APRIL 9, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $35.83

Reporting you can trust on stories that matter

SUBSCRIBE TODAY PRINT ADVERTISING WORKS

ANYONE PURCHASING PROPERTY AT SHERIFF'S SALE IS GIVEN UNTIL 2:00 P.M. ON SALE DAY TO PAY FULL PURCHASE THE AMOUNT BY CERTIFIED FUNDS PUBLISH ON: FEBRUARY 12, 2026 & MARCH 12, 2026 LAFAYETTE PARISH SHER‐ IFF'S OFFICE MARK T. GARBER, SHER‐ IFF $42.91 SHERIFF'S SALE PENNYMAC LOAN SER‐ VICES, LLC Versus No. 20247307 STEVEN AN‐ PAUL A/K/A THONY STEVEN A. PAUL A/K/A STEVEN PAUL AND THE UNOPENED SUCCESSION OF AND UNKNOWN HEIRS OF ROXANNE MALVEAUX PAUL A/K/A ROXANNE MALVEAUX PAUL A/K/A ROXANNE M. PAUL A/K/A ROXANNE PAUL 15TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT ---- PARISH OF STATE OF LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA Notice is hereby given that by virtue of a writ of AMENDED SEIZURE AND SALE issued in the here‐ entitled and inabove numbered cause I have seized and taken into my possession and will offer for sale and sell for cash, ap‐ ***WITHOUT*** praisement, to the last and highest bidder, at public auction, at the LAFAYETTE PARISH GOV‐ ERNMENT BUILDING, 1010 LAFAYETTE STREET, 2ND in Lafayette, FLOOR Louisiana, between the legal sale hours com‐ mencing at 10:00 A.M. on WEDNESDAY, ***MARCH 18, 2026*** ,the following described property, to wit: LOT 8, FAIRGROUNDS NORTH, PHASE III “A SIN‐ GLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT” LOCATED IN THE SECTION 35, T8S, R4E CITY OF CARENCRO, PARISH, LAFAYETTE LOUISIANA, PREPARED BY PAUL L. MIERS L..S, PAUL L MIERS ENGINEERING,

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 7A

lll

Trump, House GOP disagree on strategy for midterms President insists voter ID law will ‘guarantee’ victory in November

Johnson suggested on Tuesday that there were ways for lawmakers to continue their work amid Trump’s threat to not sign legislation. The speaker noted that the Constitution allows legislation to become law if it’s sent to the president but isn’t signed within 10 days.

BY STEVEN SLOAN Associated Press

DORAL, Fla. — President Donald Trump insisted he had the answer for Republicans anxious about losing their congressional majority this year: build on an already strict national voter identiﬁcation law to ban mail ballots and restrict transgender rights. “It’ll guarantee the midterms,” he told Republicans gathered in the ballroom of his golf course just outside Miami on Monday. “If you don’t get it, big trouble.” Less than 24 hours later, House Republican leaders highlighted their priorities. And the voting bill, which Trump has rebranded from the SAVE Act to the SAVE America Act, wasn’t high on the list. Rep. Lisa McClain of Michigan, the House GOP conference chair, spoke of tax cuts for families, energy independence and the socalled Trump accounts for newborns as she described “real results for real people.” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Jefferson said his colleagues were working with Trump to “make life more affordable for working families.” Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota, the House majority whip, recounted “win after win” as he proclaimed “working families are keeping more of their hard-earned money in their pockets.” As House Republicans close out their annual ideas conference on Wednesday, an election year disconnect is emerging. Just a few seats shy of losing their majority, senior Republicans are eager to emphasize the party’s work to lower costs, none of which is easy to accomplish with only a few votes to spare. Trump, mean-

Johnson aims to shift focus

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN

President Donald Trump gestures as Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn.; House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton; Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson; and Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Mich., applaud Monday at the Republican Members Issues Conference at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. while, is often focused elsewhere. The war he initiated in Iran has disrupted the party’s message on affordability, with GOP leaders here facing frequent questions about the rising cost of gas, which House Speaker Mike Johnson, RBenton, described as a “temporary blip.” The voting bill Trump is pushing is rooted in his insistence that he won the 2020 presidential election, claims rejected by dozens of courts and his own attorney general at the time. At times, the president was even dismissive of the traditional pocketbook issues other Republicans preferred to highlight. “Every time I go out, save America, sir. SAVE America Act,” Trump said at the GOP event. “That’s all they talk about. They don’t talk

about housing. They don’t talk about anything. That’s what they want to talk about.” Johnson, who is close to Trump and appeared onstage with him this week, is hardly distancing from Trump’s push for the voting bill. On Tuesday, he denied there was any daylight between his colleagues and the White House. “We’re all on the same page,” Johnson said. “The president and I are exactly in lockstep.”

Challenging path ahead for GOP But the path ahead is rocky. In an effort to gain leverage over lawmakers, including some Republicans, Trump said he won’t sign other legislation into law until the voting bill is passed. That raises the prospect of Congress grind-

ing to a halt just as lawmakers are asking voters to send them back to Washington. Passing legislation that comports with Trump’s demands will also be challenging. The House has already passed a version of the bill so the changes Trump is seeking would require fresh action by the chamber. The dynamic isn’t any easier in the Senate, where Republicans are struggling to pass the measure without Democratic support. And that was before Trump asked for additions, saying Republicans should “go for the gold.” In the meantime, other high-proﬁle work lies ahead for Congress, including reopening the Department of Homeland Security and conﬁrming its new leader.

Faced with a tough political calculus, Johnson is trying to shift focus to Democrats, in particular over the DHS shutdown, which has prompted security lines to swell at some airports over the past few days. “If you missed a wedding or funeral or are worried about missing your flight for spring break this weekend, you have Democrats to blame,” he said. Republicans spent much of this week trying to remind voters of what they didn’t like about life before Trump returned to office. There were frequent mentions of inflation and border crossings under former President Joe Biden. The question that may animate this year’s election, however, is whether voters are more interested in the shift from Biden to Trump or are more focused on what’s ahead. If voters are more future-oriented, that could represent an additional hurdle for the GOP. About one-third of Americans mentioned inflation or personal finances as topics they wanted the government to address this year, according to an AP-NORC poll from December. Hardly any mentioned concerns about voting laws or election security. Under a blazing Florida sun on Tuesday afternoon, a handful of House Republicans gathered to make the case that they were listening and deserve another term in power. “We’re not sitting back on our laurels,” said Rep. Beth Van Duyne, R-Texas. “We recognize there is still plenty for us to do and we’re working on that.”

U.N. panel says hate speech by Trump, others has led to human rights violations BY STEFANIE DAZIO and TERRY TANG Associated Press

GENEVA — A U.N.-backed panel of independent experts focusing on racial discrimination says racist hate speech by U.S. President Donald Trump and other American political leaders, along with a crackdown on immigration in the United States, have led to “grave human rights violations.” The Geneva-based Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issued its decision Wednesday. The decision, made under the committee’s early warning protocol, is not legally binding but seeks to hold a country — in this case, the U.S. — to its own international commitments. The committee said it also was “deeply disturbed” by the use of derogatory and dehumanizing language around migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers. Committee members attributed a reported rise in racial discrimination to “racist hate speech” targeting those groups but did not point to any specific data. Besides speech, there is also concern about the impact of politicians and other public

figures weaponizing stereotypes to incite hate crimes and discrimination. “Portraying them as criminals or as a burden, by politicians and influential public figures at the highest level, particularly the President,” the committee said in a news release, “may incite racial discrimination and hate crimes.” Trump, as well as Presidents Joe Biden and Barack Obama, have been in office when the U.N. condemned systemic racism, hate and discrimination. But the panel this time specifically cited Trump’s speech as part of the problem. They did not single out Biden or Obama for their rhetoric. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection also were singled out for racially profiling people of color and conducting identity checks that often seemed arbitrary. “This United Nations assessment is just as useless as their broken escalator, and their extreme bias continues to prove why no one takes them seriously,” said White House spokesperson Olivia Wales, who noted Trump’s work reducing crime and securing the U.S. border. “No

one cares what the biased United Nations’ so-called ‘experts’ think, because Americans are living in a safer, stronger country than ever before,” she added. In the report, the committee alleges the U.S. is not living up to its obligations as a party in the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, which the U.N. adopted in 1965. The report noted incidents involving “discriminatory, dangerous and violent methods” have left eight people dead in the last three months, including two U.S. citizens protesting in Minnesota. The use of lethal force in those two cases was tantamount to “arbitrary deprivation of life and other gross violations of international human rights law,” the panel stated. Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers who are detained also deserve humane and equal treatment free from discrimination under the Convention. But, these groups have been denied basic essential services, including health care, education and social support, the report states. The committee is calling on the U.S. to review wheth-

erations, including around schools, faith-based institutions and hospitals, repealing “discriminatory measures” related to asylum

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8A ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

Acadiana Forecast TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

lll

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

ALMANAC

AIR QUALITY

LAFAyETTE THROUGH 5 P.M. WEDNESDAy

YESTERDAY

TEMPERATURE

High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low

MODERATE

81°/72° 72°/53° 93° in 1911 30° in 1924

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

READING 52

TODAY

PRECIPITATION

Sunny and pleasant

Windy and cooler HIGH

LOW

HIGH

66° 43°

Local Summary

Nice with sunshine

LOW

HIGH

74° 52°

Partly sunny

LOW

76° 61°

HIGH

LOW

81° 48°

Breezy in the morning

HIGH

Mostly sunny; pleasant

LOW

HIGH

58° 39°

LOW

70° 58°

Mostly sunny, windy and cooler today. Winds north 15-25 mph. Clear tonight. Winds north-northeast 4-8 mph. Warmer tomorrow with plenty of sun. Winds south 4-8 mph. Clear to partly cloudy tomorrow night.

National Summary

Thunderstorms are expected to drench the Southeast today. Some storms will bring hail and localized damaging wind gusts. As rain departs the Northeast, some snow will mix in over some interior locations. Rain and snow are in store for western Washington, northwestern Oregon and the northern tier of the Plains as heat bakes much of the Southwest.

LOUISIANA FORECAST

RIVER STAGES MISSISSIPPI

Monroe 63/41

Shreveport 65/43

Jackson 64/39

Longview 65/43

Many 67/41

Hattiesburg 65/37

Alexandria 64/40

Memphis Vidalia-Natchez Red River Landing Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Reserve New Orleans OHIO

Cairo COMITE

Near Olive

Baton Rouge 68/41 Beaumont 69/47

Port Arthur 69/52

Lafayette

AMITE

Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent

New Orleans 68/51

Lake Charles 68/43

TICKFAW

Montpelier Holden

Houma 69/43

ATCHAFALAYA

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

TIDES HIGH

Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) 2:10a Shell Beach 9:07p South Point, Marsh Island 4:33p Cypremort Point 5:58p Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) 5:19p Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) 4:21p Wine Island 6:27p

First FT. LOW

FT.

HIGH

Second FT. LOW

FT.

0.5 1.1 1.6 1.4 0.9 1.2 1.1

-0.2 -0.3 -0.1 -0.1 -0.2 -0.4 -0.3

---------------

3:17p 9:16a 3:57a 8:14a 4:25a 2:43a 5:27a

---------------

Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

FLOOD STAGE 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

17.00 25.60 27.80 12.70 7.10 5.51 3.40

+2.14 +0.36 +0.20 -0.30 -0.20 -0.39 -0.09

34.91

+1.33

1.13

-5.29

18 29 8

2.84 28.66 4.87

-4.75 +0.76 +0.40

13 15

5.32 9.35

-0.69 +0.07

47 34 29 20 12 6

11.94 8.32 7.68 5.78 4.20 2.60

+0.46 +0.20 +0.25 +0.06 none -0.04

GOOD

24 hours through 5 p.m. Wed. 0.00” Month to date (normal) 1.80” (1.50”) year to date (normal) 10.22” (11.49”)

MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

SOURCE: AIRNOW.GOV

NEW

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Tornadoes kill 2 in Indiana and raze buildings in Illinois BY NAM Y. HUH and KATHY McCORMACK Associated Press

KANKAKEE, Ill. — Major storms whipped up tornadoes that killed at least two people in northwest Indiana and leveled buildings in Kankakee, Illinois, authorities said Wednesday, as another round of rain, hail and strong winds made its way through the region. Several intense supercell thunderstorms moved across northern Illinois and northwestern Indiana on Tuesday, including one responsible for at least four tornadoes, according to the National Weather Service ofﬁce in Chicago. The storms shattered windows, tore off roofs and smashed vehicles in Kankakee. Wood planks and other debris littered yards, streets and parking lots. A landscape and garden center was seriously damaged, some parts completely destroyed. Storms also dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain and left piles of hail in the Grand Rapids area in western Michigan, said Alex Manion, a weather service meteorologist in Detroit. Streets ﬂooded, leaving a cars stranded with water up past their doors in some places. The weather service said crews are determining the strength and number of tornadoes, and that parts of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio remain under a tornado watch Wednesday. Suspected tornadoes last week killed four people in southwestern Michigan and two in eastern Oklahoma.

Community left in tatters The storm spawned a tornado that killed an elderly couple in their home in Lake Village, in northwestern Indiana, Newton County Coroner Scott McCord said. Their names have not been released. Crews rescued some who were trapped in their damaged homes, at least 70 utility poles were knocked down and many roads are unpassable, Newton County ofﬁcials

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

Toppled trees lean against a home Wednesday in the aftermath of a powerful storm that ripped through the area a day earlier in Lake Village, Ind.

CHICAGO TRIBUNE PHOTO By STACEy WESCOTT

Debris from destroyed homes and property is seen Wednesday in Aroma Park, Ill. destroyed, and multiple large trees were uprooted. Jennifer Telford, 49, said she hid in her basement in Lake Village, from where she followed news reports of the storm. She didn’t hear the tornado that struck to the south, but said she heard the hail as it pelted her roof. “The siren in town didn’t go off,” she said. “The sirens outside town did.” She said power had been restored at the truck stop where she works Wednesday morning but that elsewhere, “everything is closed due to the downed trees and power lines.” About 4,300 customers in Lake Village and surrounding communities were without power late Wednesday Rode out storm in bathtub morning, the Northern IndiDavid Ferris, of Lake Vil- ana Public Service Co. said lage, said he, his wife, and on its website. their dogs “rode it out in our downstairs bathtub.” They Giant hailstones fall were unscathed, except for In Kankakee, the storms losing power. Ferris, who is produced exceptionally large a paramedic, helped to res- hail, ranging from 3 to 5 inchcue and treat injured people. es in diameter. One 6-inch di“We had another house ameter hailstone may have where a guy crawled out,” set a new state record, the Ferris said. “He was hav- weather service said. A tornado touched down ing some trouble breathing because he was covered in near the Kankakee fairhouse insulation.” grounds before traveling Ferris said a Family Dollar northeast into the small substore and a gas station were urb of Aroma Park, where it

said Wednesday morning. “Please do not come here. Do not try to help right now,” Sheriff Shannon Cothran said in a video update Tuesday night in front of a destroyed Lake Village home. Laurie Postma, a spokesperson for the Lake Township Volunteer Fire Department, said the storm injured less than 10 people in Lake Village. Cothran said Wednesday that no other signiﬁcant injuries have been reported but that search and rescue operations continue. Lake Village is about 60 miles southeast of Chicago and 25 miles west of Kankakee County, Illinois, where at least one tornado struck Tuesday night.

caused extensive damage, the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office said. Nine people in Kankakee County suffered minor injuries, officials there said at a news conference Wednesday. Kevin Birk, a meteorologist in the NWS Chicago office, confirmed at least one tornado touched down in the area Tuesday evening. Newlywed Cassidy Sinwelski, 23, said she and her husband were aware of the tornado watch in their Kankakee neighborhood and were expecting a run-of-themill storm until her husband spotted dark clouds barreling toward them. “We went into the bathroom, got a piece of plywood and within minutes, I closed my eyes, the lights flickered, and we just — there was nothing,” Sinwelski said. Then she heard loud rumbles and the sound of shattering glass. “I just kept crying out for God, because I didn’t know what else to do,” she said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

A person searches through his belongings in Aroma Park, Ill., on Wednesday amid debris in the aftermath of a powerful storm that ripped through the area a day earlier.

ings, and lots of them are destroyed,” Tholen said. “This is our 50th year in business, and this was not how we planned to kick off our spring.” Staff had just left for the day when the tornado hit Tuesday afternoon, she said. Thankfully, no one was hurt. “You know, we make our living in the next 12 weeks,” Tholen said. “We’ll figure something out to open, but it’s just … it’s crazy. But again, everybody’s safe, so we’re thankful for that.” In Aroma Park, just southeast of Kankakee, restaurateur and village trustee Kathleen Slavin watched Garden center destroyed the destruction of the tornaTholens’ Garden Center on do and “baseball-sized hail” the south side of Kankakee from the village hall, where was hit hard by the tornado, she had been attending a vilowner Nancy Tholen said lage board meeting. Wednesday. “It took down trees that “We have multiple build- are probably over a hun-

dred years old, huge trees came down. It took out main power lines,” Slavin said. Her friend, 69-year-old Ruth Denoyer, swept up glass after the tornado blew out her windows and pummeled her home. “It took our whole garage down, our pool, we have broken windows in the house, glass everywhere.” Denoyer said. “But we still have a roof, unlike some people out here.” Associated Press journalists Hallie Golden in Seattle; Sarah Brumﬁeld in Cockeysville, Maryland; Hannah Schoenbaum in Salt Lake City; Margery Beck in Omaha, Nebraska; John O’Connor in Springﬁeld, Illinois; and AP video journalist Laura Bargfeld in Lake Village, Indiana, contributed.

METRO

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

T h u r s d ay, M a r c h 12, 2026

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Public records exemptions proposed

University executive searches could be shielded BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Public universities could soon be able to keep job applications for top leadership positions and the names of donors out of the public eye as legislators consider new exemptions to Louisiana’s public records law. One exemption would allow universities to shield all records of

2026 LEGISLATURE

“I have concerns whenever there’s a reduction in the public’s right to know,” Procopio said. “I don’t think citizens and the anyone applying to an executive who is applying. public should have to justify why “As we know, job at public universities until fiWednesday. “I want to keep the they get to see government’s nalists for the position are named. sometimes someconfidentiality of executive-level workings,” he said. “I think the The term “executive” includes — one does not want case needs to be made on why a job applicants.” but is not limited to — presidents, to do that. They Steven Procopio, president public record should be limited.” chancellors and athletic coaches. want to be kept priSeveral of Louisiana’s public of the Public Affairs Research Sen. Mark Abraham, R-Lake vate so that where Council of Louisiana, a govern- universities have conducted highCharles, who is sponsoring the they’re serving Abraham bill, noted that people can request now, they don’t ment watchdog group that advo- profile searches for top brass in records related to university hir- know they’re applying to another cates for transparency, said he is recent months. ing processes, like chancellor or university,” Abraham said during concerned about how broad the ä See RECORDS, page 4B presidential searches, and find out a public hearing on the measure legislation is.

Musical lineup released

Festival International to fill downtown stages April 22-26 BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Festival International de Louisiane is getting ready to celebrate its 40th year in downtown Lafayette, and music lovers can now see where and when their favorite acts will be playing across Festival’s seven stages. This year’s festival will feature local favorites like Zachary Richard, Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, Dustin Dale Gaspard and Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic. A wide range of international acts will also make their way to Louisiana in celebration of Festival International’s importance as the country’s largest international music festival. Groups like Nomfusi, Las Cafeteras, Cimafunk and Country Gongbang are scheduled to play their signature high-energy shows next month, representing the sounds of South Africa, Mexico, Cuba and South Korea — among other nations booked for the 2026 event.

COMING INTO FRAME

ABOVE: Hancock Whitney associates, from left, Samantha Abshire, Kimberly Bodin and Tina Thornton build a wall Wednesday at a home on Ike B Street in Lafayette with the help of Habitat for Humanity’s Brian Arnold, right, as part of Women Build. LEFT: Abshire carries materials.

ä See LINEUP, page 4B

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic will perform April 26.

Moncus Park’s spring Festival to pair music, historic home tours calendar full of variety BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

In addition to its seasonal More than 60 events, events, Moncus Park delivers a of free, mission-driven including movies, lineup programming that advances enfestivals on tap vironmental stewardship and ac-

BY JA’KORI MADISON

Staff writer

This spring, Moncus Park will host more than 50 free programs and signature events from March through May. Located at 913 Johnston St., the park will feature signature events, movies at Moncus, outdoor ﬁtness classes and nature walks. Moncus Park will also host Acadiana’s Louisiana Iris Festival, one of the largest collections of cultivated Louisiana irises in the United States.

cessible wellness. Here is a full list of the upcoming events at Moncus Park:

Signature spring events n Movies at Moncus Presented by Home Bank, Friday, 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Moncus Park will host a screening of “Zootopia,” inviting families to bring blankets and lawn chairs for an evening under the stars. The event features themed pre-movie activities, lawn games and local food vendors.

ä See MONCUS, page 4B

The Sterling Grove neighborhood of Lafayette consists of stately homes, tree-lined streets and friendly residents who are willing to open their doors to the community. The Sterling Grove Festival will be held March 20-21 in the Sterling Grove Historic District, centered on North Sterling Street. The block is home to historic houses like the Charles H. Mouton house at 338 N. Sterling St., the Givens house at 324 N. Sterling St., and the John Nickerson house at 310 N. Sterling St. These properties have been restored and are available to rent or host events — and during the festival, they are included in a list of historic home tours high-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Tours of the John Nickerson House will be available during the Sterling Grove Festival.

lighting the history of the neigh- tion seat owned by Lafayette’s founder, Jean Mouton. borhood. His son, Charles, constructed That history is traced back to the founding of Lafayette. The ä See FESTIVAL, page 4B Mouton home was once a planta-

2B ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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OPINION T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/opinions

OUR VIEWS

Immigration policy hits La. where it hurts — crawfish industry The trade and immigration policies of the Trump administration have rippled through the nation’s economy in myriad ways, and Louisiana has not been immune to their effects. In recent months, we’ve catalogued the ways tariffs have affected our ports, our retailers and even our coffee shops. Our farmers are particularly exposed, with trade wars threatening the ability of rice growers and other commodity producers to export their crops. We also know that much of our agricultural sector relies on labor that is done by workers from other countries. And President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration has had far-reaching effects. So it should not have been a surprise to learn recently that Louisiana is taking a hit where it could be felt particularly hard — in the crawfish trap. Louisiana farmers say they don’t have the workers they need during the peak of the harvest due to a lack of temporary visas for laborers. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain recently told legislators that he’s hearing from farmers that the issue is threatening their livelihoods. Migrant workers who peel and process crawfish typically are allowed into the country on H-2B visas for seasonal, nonagricultural jobs. He’s reached out to federal officials who said the quota has already been reached for H-2B visas this year. But crawfish plants that used to get around 100 visas a year told him this year they haven’t gotten any. Strain has been actively seeking answers, taking our farmers’ concerns all the way up the chain in Washington. He’s talked to folks at the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the agency in charge of the visa program, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. He’s raised the issue with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Labor and even the White House. The response he’s gotten back isn’t encouraging. Federal officials say there’s nothing they can do. The problem is only getting more urgent as we are in the middle of crawfish harvesting season, which runs from December to June. Rice farmers typically also raise crawfish, and rely on that income stream to supplement their income. That revenue is more important now as there is a glut of rice in the fields due to countries turning away from buying U.S. crops amid trade negotiations. Strain has called on Louisiana’s congressional delegation to get involved, and we echo his plea. It is Congress that has allowed these trade and immigration policies to move forward without significant input. Members of Congress are supposed to be looking at local interests of the people who send them to Washington. Louisiana’s crawfish industry isn’t just important to our culture and cuisine. It contributes over $300 million to the state’s economy annually. If that doesn’t get the attention of our representatives in D.C., maybe they’ll begin to feel the pinch when our crawfish pots run dry.

Democrats Our country can’t take a say much more of this insanity caninhave Senate How many insane acts will it take for Republicans to remove the president? How much lying will it take? How much corruption and criminality? How much greed and grift? How much cruelty? Just how much will it take? Apparently, for Republicans, the answer is more. After only a year, thanks to President Donald Trump and his party, the United States has degenerated from a vibrant, progressive republic to a violent, chaotic, backward-looking dictatorship. Nearly two-and-a-half centuries of sporadic progress have been obliterated in one short year. And this we are to celebrate? The president who strong-armed a Nobel Prize recipient into gifting him her medal has declared war on Venezuela, Minneapolis, the Constitution, education, the press, the law, elections, reality, comedy and now Iran. He was

just on television crowing about how much he personally had lowered gas prices. Well, never mind about that now. With the uproar he’s instigated in the Middle East, oil supplies are now disrupted, and you know what that means. The president who chickened out of military service and derided soldiers as suckers and losers is now talking about giving himself a Congressional Medal of Honor. Well, why not an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize and the grand prize of the Pillsbury BakeOff while he’s at it? News ﬂash, Don: The Medal of Honor is for bravery, not stupidity. It is insane. Unfortunately, the cabinet, which could remove him via the 25th Amendment, is as crazy as he is.

election with simple switch

I just learned an interesting bit of election information. By listing your voter registration as “no party afﬁliation,” a person can vote in the closed primaries for either the Democrat or Republican candidate of choice. Since I am currently registered as a Democrat, this change in voter registration gives me the opportunity to vote for U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy in the upcoming closed primary without becoming a Republican. This process is simple to accomplish and can be completed over the internet. It requires only that you have your driver’s license to verify an audit code and your license number. If enough Democrats follow along, perhaps we can prevail in reelecting Cassidy. Although I never thought that I’d be backing a Republican candidate. I believe that Cassidy has made many positive contributions to our state and is worth our support for reelection. He is certainly more ideologically independent than the other two Republican candidates who are running.

MICHAEL RUSSO Baton Rouge

War brings hope for families hurt by Iran’s regime The war against Iran prompts me to revisit the killing of Lafayette native Lex Trahan, 19, by Hezbollah in Beirut, Lebanon, on Oct. 23, 1983 — including our successful civil lawsuit against Iran for the Trahan family, resulting in a $50 million judgment by a U.S. federal court. Background: A truck ﬁlled with 2,500 pounds of explosives broke through U.S. barricades. The detonation killed 241 servicemen — the deadliest post-World War II attack on Americans overseas. As of 2025, over 18,000 claimants (representing thou-

sands of individual judgments) have been deemed eligible for compensation from the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund — a signiﬁcant majority of these claims stemming from terrorist actions involving Iran. Courts have awarded over $150 billion in judgments, yet only $7 billion has been paid to victims. Hopefully, Iranian assets will be seized forthwith and all of the judgments satisﬁed.

MAYLEE SAMUELS Baton Rouge

WARREN PERRIN Lafayette

Epstein victims were failed by many

Some conservatives may find it hard to support Trump

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published

identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’s city of residence. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor, The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

YOUR VIEWS

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

To the subscriber that wrote, “Letters should cater to views of customers.” I agree. I, too, have noticed many of the opinion letters are more liberal. And yes, you are correct that the majority of readers of our state’s major news publication are likely conservative and/or Republican. But please take into consideration the unprecedented state of our country at this time. Also, take into consideration that the newspaper has to work with the letters they receive. I imagine it would be difﬁcult to compose an opinion letter that defends many of the policies being implement-

ed by our current Republican leaders. Think of the grossly unqualiﬁed appointees who are currently serving at the top levels of our government. Think of the inhumane treatment of immigrants and everyday Americans that we are witnessing. Think of the tariffs being imposed (most illegally) and the resulting high cost of living we are experiencing. I could go on and on, but I can’t help but think that many conservatives are not satisﬁed with the current state of events. And if they are, they may not be proud of writing a letter stating such.

The Epstein ﬁles have raised a lot of questions, many of which remain unanswered. The one question not asked is: Where were the parents of these 14-year-old girls to allow them to be placed in this situation? This is obviously child abuse, and the parents should have been prosecuted.

DR. TOOLEY TOWNS Baton Rouge

JENNIFER WARD Baton Rouge

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 3B

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COMMENTARY Economic development in Louisiana is (r)evolving well adds a major extra element. Most govIn an underappreciated advancement, Louisiana, as of March 3, is a ernment revolving funds dole out loans leading innovator in industrial recruit- for economic development projects but rely on the borrowers to do all the work. ment. This is great news — a credit to FastSites is far more proactive. state legislators, to Gov. Jeff In this program, the state Landry and to Susan Bourgeois, recognizes properties that offer the secretary of Louisiana Ecogreat possibilities for economic nomic Development. projects but suffer from some The great news comes via a major drawback, such as a lack brilliant new program called of water service or access to Louisiana FastSites, which is a Quin high-transition power lines or particularly creative form of a Hillyer adequate access roads. Without “revolving fund.” A revolving waiting for some private invesfund is a financial instrument that spends or loans money at the front tor to find the money, buy the property ends of projects, then secures repayand pay for the missing element, Fastments (of one sort of another) from the Sites instead pays to provide those ultimate buyer or user of the property missing elements on the front end so as or entity involved, and then uses the re- to make the properties “market-ready” for rapid conversion into productive paid money to finance another project enterprises. — and so on. The initial FastSites fund has $150 The additional capital, therefore, can million to be used in increments of bejump-start an almost endless series of projects without requiring any new tween $1 million and $25 million. Applifinancing after the initial investment. cants are required to put up matching Private charitable organizations use refunds, show that their project offers a clear benefit to the state and likely volving funds to buy up and refurbish return on investment and pay back abandoned houses to help bring whole neighborhoods back. Government enti- the state’s outlay (and possibly more) ties in various states use them (but not within five years. The state’s arrangeas creatively as Louisiana FastSites) ment could even include a permanent as economic development tools. Forrevenue-sharing arrangement so that money keeps flowing back into the mer U.S. Rep. Richard Baker, R-Baton FastSites fund, allowing it not just to Rouge, proposed a massive revolving be made whole but actually to grow fund of sorts as a way to recover from without additional appropriation of taxHurricane Katrina, but the George W. Bush administration, alas, thought payer funds. the managerial oversight would be too “It’s clear that speed-to-market is complicated and opted for more costly a primary driver in decision-making straight grant programs instead. for investors,” Bourgeois said. “How So, it’s not as if a revolving fund is a quickly you can get from consideration new concept. It has proved successful to decision to execution on a project is in numerous contexts, all across the fundamental to winning projects right country. now.” But Louisiana FastSites, created by Meanwhile, she said, “most states Act 365 of the 2025 legislative session, will not have an endless budget to just

go buy property. There are lots of private and public entities that would love to own property but plenty lack that critical element that make it so-called ‘shovel ready.’” By identifying the critical element and providing it, FastSites makes it possible to move to project execution in a more timely, and therefore, more economically viable way. “Speed and repayment are the keys here,” Bourgeois said, while crediting her deputies Ileana Ledet, chief of economic competitiveness, and Landon Lemoine, director of strategic investments, for so quickly turning last year’s legislation into a working program. On March 3, her department announced the first 19 site investments, spanning 16 parishes, with examples ranging from projects for the Acadiana Regional Airport to the Port of Caddo Bossier to Jefferson Parish’s Avondale Global Gateway maritime industrial center. “‘Site readiness’ is the secret sauce of economic development,” said Michael Hecht, president of GNO, Inc., in celebrating the first site investments. Think of it this way: Louisiana now has a revolving fund with site readiness as a beneficial twist. If you use AI to ask what revolves and twists at the same time, the very first answer is a gyroscope. Gyroscopes are most famously used to keep ships or aircraft moving steadily forward even while rocked by crosscurrents. If FastSites works as an effective gyroscope to keep the state’s economy moving forward, well, that makes it a tremendously useful, job-creating device. Email Quin Hillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

What’s next for Cuba after collapse? The Museum of Socialism, aka Cuba, is plummeting in a tightening gyre. The 67-year-old Communist regime, which has existed during 14 U.S. presidencies (counting Donald Trump twice), might not survive into a 15th. Its iron fist grips an island prison that has fewer than 11 million — perhaps under 9 million — inmates. In this decade, more than a million have escaped; the regime considers this George partly a safety valve, exporting dissidents. Most Will have gone into America’s Cuban diaspora. “Cuban society is a rudderless, drifting hulk,” writes Juan Antonio Blanco, president of a Madrid-based think tank, in the Journal of Democracy. “Amid the institutional anomie, ordinary citizens endure a daily hell of ever-increasing hardships.” Fidel Castro, who perhaps was a billionaire when he died in 2016, was proudly anti-bourgeois, telling Cubans: “We are not a consumer society.” He got that right. Cuba, a threadbare geopolitical irrelevancy, was once famous for cigars and sugar. It has had to import tobacco from Spain and sugar from Brazil. The Financial Times reports that drivers wait hours to fill their gas tanks. Garbage accumulates in streets because refuse trucks lack fuel. Airlines avoid Havana because fuel is unavailable. Abandoned hotels, built for tourism that never materialized, line Havana’s waterfront. Soviet-era oil-fired electricity generators fail from lack of maintenance. People trek from the provinces to Havana to buy expensive candles that burn for about an hour. Patients who need operations are told to bring to the hospital their own sheets, gauze, bandages, even scalpels. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Michael J. Bustamante, chair in Cuban and CubanAmerican Studies at the University of Miami, says “an outbreak of dengue and other mosquito-borne viruses has reached epidemic proportions.” In the 1930s, apologists for Josef Stalin’s use of terror and engineered famine to produce socialism, complacently said, “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.” George Orwell’s acid reply: “Where’s the omelet?” Mendicant Marxism, dependent for decades on

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By RAMON ESPINOSA

A baker sells baked goods along the streets of Havana last week. Soviet subsidies, then on Venezuelan oil from the Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro regimes, is discredited everywhere outside Western universities’ humanities departments. When Castro came to Manhattan in 1960, novelist Norman Mailer swooned: “One felt life in one’s cold, over-argued blood.” Director Oliver Stone, emblem of Hollywood progressivism, advised of Castro in 2003: “We should look to him as one of the Earth’s wisest people.” Castro may have been the last charismatic totalitarian to enchant the Western left. In the 1960s, Jean-Paul Sartre, France’s celebrity existentialist (existentialists believed that life is absurd, so they should be, too), said Castro exemplified “direct democracy.” Cuba’s democracy has indeed been unmediated by elections. Castro promised elections at his trial in 1953, and in his manifesto from the mountains in 1957, two years before he got to Havana. Cuba has had only two presidents since Castro, then 81, retired in 2008: his brother Raúl (who is 94 and still influential) and, since 2018, Miguel Díaz-Canel. Blanco argues that since Castro’s death, Cuba has transitioned from a Communist state to a mafia state. The distinction is without much difference. Under communism, the dominant class was the bureaucracy. Now the country’s main sources of wealth have been privatized to serve essentially the same oligarchic interests. Today, as before, writes Blanco, “nothing works

except the system of repression.” According to the Cuban Observatory of Human Rights, 89% of Cubans consider themselves living in “extreme poverty.” Seventy-two percent consider power outages Cuba’s main problem; 71% say food shortages. Only 15% have constant access to running water. Seventy percent do not regularly eat three meals a day. On Jan. 29, President Donald Trump declared Cuba “an unusual and extraordinary threat.” This absurd finding enables a U.S.-enforced oil embargo that might tip Cuba into, at best, social entropy. Then what? Cuba’s internal security apparatus has reduced society to a dust of individuals. There is no latent capacity for organic democratic expression, as Solidarity became in Poland in the 1980s, when, suddenly, a third of the nation joined it. If Cuba soon completes its collapse into the status of a failed state, flotillas of the desperate might sail 90 miles north. Eleven months before he was murdered by a Castro admirer, President John F. Kennedy, author of the feckless 1961 Bay of Pigs attempt to overthrow Castro’s regime, spoke in Miami to survivors of this fiasco. They gave him a Cuban flag. He vowed: “I can assure you that this flag will be returned to this brigade in a free Havana.” Planting that flag there will be easier than planting the institutional structures of freedom. Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com.

Hometown high school athlete does a good deed SWAMPSCOTT, Mass. — “No star fades faster than that of a high-school athlete,” the author John Grisham wrote in his 2006 book “The Innocent Man.” Today’s column is about a high school athlete whose star never faded — and whose star is casting a gentle light over the community he electrified as a football halfback, basketball guard and baseball shortstop for the Swampscott High Big Blue more than a half-century ago. I suppose that calling Dick David who later was a Yale Shribman Jauron, gridiron standout and played and coached in the NFL, a high school athlete probably minimizes his achievements. But for those of us who grew up in this small town north of Boston with the shimmery harbor a commentator prone to exaggeration and with a fanciful imagination once compared to the Bay of Naples, Jauron will always be remembered for his exploits on the green fields and perspiration-encrusted gym of our hometown. Now, just a year after his death, Jauron — who played for the NFL’s Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals, and was head coach of the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills — has added another garland to the memory of perhaps the town’s greatest role model. That’s because what will endure long after the deaths of those of us who watched him play high school and college ball, and all of us who have dined out on Dickie Jauron stories for more than a half century, is the $2.2 million posthumous gift he and his wife, Gail, made to Northeast Arc, the local social-services agency for those with disabilities and for children at risk of developing them. “This is a transformative gift,” said Jo Ann Simons, who heads Northeast Arc. “We’ll use it to expand our recreation and sport programs for people who don’t have access to existing community recreation programs.” Mr. Jauron wasn’t pushed out of football following being fired, in 2009, as the coach of the Bills. He simply left football. He did it to care for Mrs. Jauron, who had early-onset Alzheimer’s, and everyone in town knew that was why he suddenly departed the gridiron game. Jauron was known for being taciturn in the New England way; it may have been no coincidence that he romped on the fields in the very town where Calvin Coolidge, not known for his garrulousness, spent his 1925 presidential summer at 35 Littles Point Road, down the street from where my Aunt Eileen and Uncle Herman lived in my childhood. Gail Jauron was much the same. Even those who noisily advertised that they were in the know — and we know who they are — didn’t know that Gail, who died in January, had a Ph.D. in philosophy from Harvard. Her thesis, pointedly, examined how people with intellectual disabilities were treated. Later, she taught people with disabilities basic life skills at local community colleges. “For 11 years, because of her condition, my mom was stuck in time,” said Kacy Jauron, the former director of special events for Northeast Arc and part of its development team. “Now she comes into clear vision, along with how she found the great opportunities that my dad’s life in football gave her — the platform to be involved in community service.” From the stores at Vinnin Square to the sands of Phillips Beach, Jauron still is remembered as the quiet fellow whose principal characteristics weren’t his contribution to a football dynasty but instead his modesty and generosity. For he was the boy who climbed a ladder to help his neighbor Roz Stone paint her house, only to be ordered down to the ground when Coach Stan Bondelevitch saw him as he drove down Bay View Avenue; he worried that his star player might fall. Dick hardly knew me; he graduated from our three-year high school just before I entered it. Yet he called one day after he returned home and moved next door to my mom to say he’d keep an eye on her as she slipped into memory loss. He offered to shovel her walk when it snowed. It was important to Jauron that he resisted going uptown, leaving his hometown friends behind for the allure of the glamorous people athletes he met on celebrity golf outings or in the green rooms of network interview shows. Simons, who was in high school with Jauron, is struck by a great irony. “The thing about Dick was how quiet he was, how he never looked for attention,” she said. “But because of this, he is getting attention, and of course, it is out of looking out for others.” The star still shines. Email David Shribman at dshribman@postgazette.com.

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4B ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

Proposed bill targets ‘stolen valor’ lll

Measure would create law against falsely claiming military honors BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

The Louisiana Legislature is considering a bill to make falsely claiming a military honor a crime — a move to align state statutes with federal law. The legislation, authored by state Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, RPort Allen, would make it illegal to claim to have served in the U.S. military or to have received a military honor. The proposed law, SB51, applies speciﬁcally to claims involving the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, the

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Air Force Cross, the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. Pretending to have earned one of these distinctions would become an offense punishable by a $5,000 fine and up to a year in prison. The law would apply to someone duplicating such an award, or someone who once held it but has since had it revoked. The bill also stipulates that anyone falsely claiming to have served in the military could be punished by up to a $10,000 fine or up to five years in prison. Kleinpeter said he penned the bill after being encouraged by Charlton Meginley, the secretary

Check out the full schedule for Festival International 2026, taking place in downtown Lafayette:

masters’ Talk: Urban South Brewery (New Orleans) n 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Michael Juan Nunez (Louisiana) n 8:15 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: Dance to Festival Playlist n 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Dwight James & the Royals (Louisiana)

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

SATURDAY, APRIL 25

Continued from page 1B

SCÈNE OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL FAIS DO DO n 6:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush (Louisiana) n 8:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Chris Ardoin & Zydeco NuStep (Louisiana)

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

SCÈNE OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL FAIS DO DO n 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Jourdan Thibodeaux et les Rôdailleurs n 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: NOVALIMA (Peru) n 9:15 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Doctor Nativo (Guatemala) SCÈNE LUS INTERNATIONALE n 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.: Sinkane (Sudan) n 7:30 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies n 8:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.: Zachary Richard (Louisiana) n 9:45 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.: Subatomic Sound System + Screechy Dan + Norwood Fisher (Jamaica/U.S.) LUS LA CRAFT BIERGARTEN n 5:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Brewmasters’ Talk: Parish Brewing Co. (Broussard, LA) n 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: $ideQue$t ft. Gino V. and Zach Edwards (Louisiana) n 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.: The Revelers (Louisiana) n 9:30 p.m. to 10:45 p.m.: Bas Clas (Louisiana)

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

SCÈNE OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL FAIS DO DO n 5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Beauséjour (New Brunswick) n 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sinkane (Sudan) n 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.: Nomfusi (South Africa) SCÈNE LUS INTERNATIONALE n 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: NOVALIMA (Peru) n 7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.: Natu Camara (Guinea) n 8:45 p.m. to 10 p.m.: Rhiannon Giddens (U.S.) SCÈNE WELLCARE LAFAYETTE n 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Thomé Young (New Brunswick) n 7:15 to 8:30 p.m.: Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars (Louisiana) n 9 p.m. to 10:15 p.m.: Las Cafeteras (U.S./Mexico) SCÈNE FRANCOSPHÈRE CODOFIL n 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Amis du Teche (Louisiana) n 7:15 p.m. to 8 p.m.: Sola Violins International Fiddle Summit n 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.: Vishten (Prince Edward Island) LUS LA CRAFT BIERGARTEN n 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Brew-

MONCUS

Continued from page 1B Parking is $10 per vehicle to support ongoing operations and maintenance at Moncus Park. n Acadiana’s Louisiana Iris Festival, Sunday, March 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The park will host Acadiana’s Louisiana Iris Festival, a spring celebration set among one of the largest collections of cultivated Louisiana irises in the United States. The festival features expert-led iris tours, interactive self-guided iris walks

SCÈNE OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL FAIS DO DO n 8:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: Breabach (Scotland) n 12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Geno Delafose & French Rockin’ Boogie (Louisiana) n 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Breabach (Scotland) n 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) n 5:45 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: Subatomic Sound System + Screechy Dan + Norwood Fisher (Jamaica/U.S.) n 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: Natu Camara (Guinea) SCÈNE LUS INTERNATIONALE n 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Vishten (Prince Edward Island) n 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Country Gongbang (South Korea) n 4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Nomfusi (South Africa) n 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m.: Las Cafeteras (U.S./Mexico) n 7:45 p.m. to 9 p.m.: Cimafunk (Cuba) SCÈNE WELLCARE LAFAYETTE n 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.: Acadiana Symphony Youth Orchestra (Louisiana) n 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.: Slap Dragon (Tennessee) n 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Blue Monday Allstars Celebrate Lee Allen Zeno (Louisiana) n 4:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.: Sally Baby’s Silver Dollars (Louisiana) n 6:15 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.: Delgres (France/Guadeloupe) n 8 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.: GIVERS: “In Light” Live! (Louisiana) SCÈNE FRANCOSPHÈRE CODOFIL n Noon to 12:30 p.m.: French Immersion Children’s Performance (Louisiana) n 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Dustin Dale Gaspard (Louisiana) n 2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Thomé Young (New Brunswick) n 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Jacques Surette (Nova Scotia) n 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Bonsoir, Catin (Louisiana) n 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: Mike Dopsie & Zydeco Entourage (Louisiana) PAVILLON DE CUISINE n 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Mathieu Lippé (Québec) n 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Boma Bango (DR Congo/Colombia/Louisiana) n 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Karma & the Killjoys (Louisiana) n 6:45 p.m. to 8 p.m.: KC Jones (Louisiana) LUS LA CRAFT BIERGARTEN n 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Brewmasters’ Talk: Gnarly Barley Brewing Co. (Hammond) n 2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: Primera Linea (Cuba) n 4:15 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.:

2026 LEGISLATURE of the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The two men testified in committee that Louisiana is one of 15 states that does not have a stolen valor statute. While the offense exists in federal law, Kleinpeter said Louisiana needs its own statute because federal authorities might not have the bandwidth to pursue every case. A federal stolen valor law was ruled unconstitutional in U.S. v.

Dance to Festival Playlist n 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: Mike Dean Band (Louisiana) n 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Dance to Festival Playlist n 7:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.: Cashier (Louisiana) SONIC SCÈNE DES JEUNES n Noon to 12:45 p.m.: Nomfusi (South Africa) n 1:15 p.m. to 2 p.m.: F.I.R.E. Expressions Performing Arts Conservatory n 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Burke Riley Trio (Louisiana)

SUNDAY, APRIL 26

SCÈNE OCHSNER LAFAYETTE GENERAL FAIS DO DO n Noon to 1:15 p.m.: Slap Dragon (Tennessee) n 1:45 p.m. to 3 p.m.: Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas (Louisiana) n 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.: Country Gongbang (South Korea) n 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.: Vieux Farka Touré (Mali) SCÈNE LUS INTERNATIONALE n 12:30 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Voices of Progressive Gospel Choir (Louisiana) n 2:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Sonny Landreth (Louisiana) n 4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.: Delgres (France/Guadeloupe) n 5:45 p.m. to 7 p.m.: Stephen Marley (Jamaica) SCÈNE WELLCARE LAFAYETTE n 12:15 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys (Louisiana) n 2 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: Breabach (Scotland) n 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.: Silver Birds Steel Orchestra (Jamaica) n 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.: Doctor Nativo (Guatemala) SCÈNE FRANCOSPHÈRE CODOFIL n Noon to 1 p.m.: The Babineaux Sisters (Louisiana) n 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Beau Cheval (Louisiana) n 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: Prends Courage (Louisiana) n 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.: Corey Ledet Zydeco & Black Magic (Louisiana) PAVILLON DE CUISINE n 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: Jacques Surette (Nova Scotia) n 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: Yvette Landry Trio (Louisiana) n 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Beauséjour (New Brunswick) LUS LA CRAFT BIERGARTEN n 12:45 p.m. to 2 p.m.: Battle of the Bands: 2nd place (DINGER) & 1st place (5AM) (Louisiana) n 2:15 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: Brewmasters’ Talk: Rally Cap (Baton Rouge) n 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.: School of Rock Lafayette (Louisiana) n 5 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.: The Amazing Nuns (Louisiana) SONIC SCÈNE DES JEUNES n 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.: Country Gongbang (South Korea) n 1:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: Lafayette Lion Dance (Louisiana) n 3 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.: Mathieu Lippé (Québec).

Parish Judge Tiffany Foxworth Roberts, whose campaign claims to have been a veteran of Desert Alvarez in 2012, with the U.S. Su- Storm as well as the wars in Iraq preme Court ﬁnding that the falsi- and Afghanistan contributed to ty of the defendant’s claims to be her being taken off the bench late a veteran did not forfeit his First last year. “I’m very proud of my record. Amendment right to make those claims. A revised version of the I know the 252,000 veterans from Stolen Valor Act was passed the the state of Louisiana are very proud of their record,” Meginley following year. Meginley gave an example from said. “My service means someLouisiana of a man falsely claim- thing, and their service means ing to have received a Purple something. This is just a way of Heart, including by having a li- protecting the integrity of one’s cense plate referencing the honor, military service.” The bill passed a committee and and who received money through is set to be heard by the Senate. these claims. While not mentioned by name, Meginley also referenced the Email Quinn Coffman at quinn. ouster of former East Baton Rouge coffman@theadvocate.com.

RECORDS

Continued from page 1B LSU late last year selected former McNeese State University President Wade Rousse as president of the LSU system with the backing of Gov. Jeff Landry, and it hired James Dalton to be executive vice president of the LSU system and chancellor of LSU. For LSU’s search last year to replace former President William F. Tate IV, LSU put together a search committee in June, held its first search committee meeting in August and publicly announced three finalists in late October. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette last month named Ramesh Kolluru president after the hiring process initially provoked public pushback over transparency concerns. And Southern University is in the process of finding its next president. The legislation, Senate Bill 289, advanced out of committee Wednesday after it was changed slightly to limit

April 7 and May 5, 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. n Nature Walks: April 14 and May 12, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. n Bird Walk and Survey: March 17, April 21 and May 19, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. n Trail Trek: March 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. n Garden Talks: March 31 and April 28, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

jeopardy by applying. A separate section of the legislation would allow “any record that identifies or could lead to the identiﬁcation of a private donor or prospective donor” to a university or an afﬁliated foundation to be exempt from public disclosure. The amount of a donation and how money is spent would still be subject to public disclosure laws, however. Abraham said donors’ names remain confidential when they give to Tiger Athletic Foundation, LSU’s third-party fundraising arm, for example, but that’s not the case when they give directly to LSU. Another section grants an exemption for proprietary research, unpublished data, grant applications, intellectual property and industry partnerships when disclosure could lead to a competitive disadvantage for the university. Procopio said during a public hearing on the bill Wednesday that the proposed exemption for research and private donors “are either current practice or current law.”

FESTIVAL

Continued from page 1B the home that merges Greek Revival and French Creole architectural elements and can be seen while driving on Mudd Avenue, two blocks north of the Northeast Evangeline Thruway. The festival was founded in 2017 by the neighborhood association to highlight this slice of Lafayette, often unnoticed by people driving past on the Thruway. It was revitalized last year by property investor Ravi Daggula and community partners like Designing Women of Acadiana, and is returning this year with more music and its signature neighborhood block party vibe. Sterling Grove resident Robin Bostick, owner of Bouki’s Baker, has lived in the neighborhood all her life. She was born and raised in her home, which originally belonged to her grandparents, and said that several of her neighbors have also been on the street since they were kids. “I have a cookie business, and when people show up to get their orders, they all say how beautiful the street is, and how they’ve never been here before,” said Bostick. “Sometimes I feel like it’s a hidden gem. “I’ve always lived on the

n Pure Barre in the Park: March 23, April 27 and May 18, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. n Tai Chi, April 9, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Family Wellness Programs presented by Lafayette Pediatric Dentistry n Mom Walks: Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. n Mommy and Me: April 3, 9:30 a.m. Youth Fitness n Kids Fitness with KidHealth and wellness Strong: May 4, 9:30 a.m. to Fit for All Series, present- 10:30 a.m. Nature and sustainability ed by Louisiana OrthopaeEnvironmental programs dic Specialists and Ortho- Community and belonging are given by the MJ Sindler pedic Urgent Care Community Hour: n Family Game Night: n Yoga in the Park: Family Fund for Culture and Media and include: Wednesdays, 6 p.m. to April 2, May 7, 6 p.m. to n Conservation Club: 7 p.m. 7 p.m.

presented by Kathryn Leonard in honor of Jim Leonard; an artisans market; live music by Q Major, The Violinist; food trucks; educational partners throughout the Iris Zone; children’s crafts hosted by Little Pearls Pediatric Dentistry; and iris plant sales. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per vehicle to support ongoing operations and maintenance at Moncus Park.

which high-level job searches at universities would not be subject to the public records law. For example, academic deans were removed from the list. Abraham said in an interview that the committee’s changes were intended to limit the exemption just to searches for presidents, chancellors and athletic coaches. But Procopio noted the bill still explicitly says the term “executive” is not limited to that list of three jobs. “I think that still needs to be fixed,” he said. When asked about the language that says the exemption includes but isn’t limited to just those three jobs, Abraham said, “I might have to change that language too.” The measure also currently says that, once finalists for an executive job are selected, the application records of finalists and anyone else who applied for the job would become public. But Abraham said he plans to review that section since the aim of the bill is to ensure that the job security of applicants isn’t placed in

FILE PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

The Jourdan Thibodeaux band plays for the crowd at the 2025 Sterling Grove Festival in the historic neighborhood on the northside of Lafayette. The festival was founded in 2017 by the neighborhood association to highlight this slice of Lafayette. northside, and I think there’s so many people with no clue about this area and how it’s a big part of Lafayette’s history. People take pride and love that they live here, and I think it’s great for the festival to bring attention to this historic neighborhood.” This year’s festival will feature music by artists on stages at the historic homes, in addition to food and arts vendors: n Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys n Jourdan Thibodeaux et Les Rôdailleurs n Julian Primeaux n Ruben Moreno n CC Adcock & the Lafay-

n Trivia Night: Thursday, May 14, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. n Language Café: March 19, April 16, May 21, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. n Community Drum Circle: May 28, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Pack Walks presented by Camp Bow Wow: n Bunny Hop Celebration, April 13, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. n Mental Health Awareness Month Gathering, May 11, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Full event details are available at moncuspark. org/events. Follow @moncuspark on Facebook for updates and seasonal announcements.

ette Marquis n LVVRS n Honest to Bob n Chère Élise Trio n Major Handy n Michael Juan Nunez and The Blues Orchestra n Chubby Carrier n 4 Horses n Rusty Metoyer n Bonsoir Catin n Geno Delafose More information, such as stage schedules and home tour tickets, is available on the Sterling Grove Festival website. Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.

LOTTERY TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 2026 PICK 3: 2-3-5 PICK 4: 4-7-5-3 PICK 5: 4-1-4-5-5 MEGA MILLIONS: 16-21-30-35-65 MEGA BALL: 7 Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

Funerals Today Banks, Kendall

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T h u r s d ay, M a r c h 12, 2026

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Frisky LSU fails to prolong season LSU and Kentucky (20-12) played needs to answer is whether Matt Kentucky pulls McMahon will remain as coach. a back-and-forth matchup until the fourth-year coach is 60-70 game ﬂipped thanks to a 12-1 run away as McMahon’s The overall and hasn’t made the NCAA that gave the Wildcats a 77-65 lead with 6:54 remaining. During that future in doubt Tournament. “Thought it was an entertaining run, 6-foot-10 Kentucky forward

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The LSU basketball season was on the line Wednesday. A loss to No. 9-seeded Kentucky in the Southeastern Conference Tournament would end the campaign, and No. 16-seeded LSU played spiritedly in a Bridgestone Arena that was dominated by Kentucky fans. It wasn’t enough as the Tigers fell 87-82. The next question LSU (15-17)

college basketball game,” McMahon said. “Really admire the ﬁght and resiliency of our players. I thought they prepared the right way all week and came in here ready to ﬁght, compete at a high level. Played with great togetherness. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to knock down enough shots there in the second half, nor get enough stops.” When asked about his future, McMahon said he’s grateful to be the coach and that he will “certainly respect whatever decisions” the athletic administration makes.

Brandon Garrison, who had 17 points, made two 3-pointers. Entering the contest, he was 2 of 14 from beyond the arc this season. The back-to-back Garrison threes put Kentucky up 71-64 and made it sound like a home game for the Wildcats. LSU didn’t give in, as a fastbreak layup by Jalen Reece cut the deficit to 79-74 with 2:53 remaining. But the Tigers couldn’t get enough stops to overcome the Wildcats. Max Mackinnon had 28 points on

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Max Mackinnon, left, drives past Oklahoma guard Dayton Forsythe on Feb. 28 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. Mackinnon scored 28 points Wednesday in the SEC Tournament, but the Tigers fell ä See LSU MEN, page 3C 87-82 to Kentucky.

LATE TUESDAY

S E L E C T I O N S U N D A y • 7 P. M . S U N D A y • E S P N

Freshman C Serna comes up big for LSU BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson is fouled by Tennessee guard Nya Robertson in the third quarter on Feb. 26 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Room to improve LSU women need to shore up these areas for national title run

BY REED DARCEY

national championship. The Tigers are certainly capable of returning to the Final Four. They’re expectThe conference tournaments are over, ed to get a No. 2 seed when the NCAA sewhich means it’s time for the LSU wom- lection committee unveils the full bracket en’s basketball team to push for another at 7 p.m. Sunday on ESPN, and that seed

Staff writer

would be the highest one they’ve earned since 2008. LSU was a No. 3 seed in each of the ﬁrst four seasons it played under coach Kim Mulkey.

ä See LSU WOMEN, page 3C

The first 41/2 innings on Tuesday for Omar Serna weren’t pretty. The LSU freshman catcher struck out in the first and grounded out to shortstop in the third. Behind the plate, he had trouble catching pitches and corralling them in the dirt. And that was before he threw a ball into cenä LSU at ter field on a stolenVanderbilt, base attempt in the 6 P.M. FRIDAy, SECN+ fifth. But all it takes is one swing to change the course of an evening, which is exactly what happened for Serna at Alex Box Stadium. With the Tigers trailing 4-2 to Creighton in the fifth inning, Serna launched a 455-foot grand slam that breathed life into an offensively attack that desperately needed it. LSU won the game 8-4 to snap a skid of four losses in five contests. “I walked out of there, and I was like ‘Let’s go,’ ” Serna said. “This is exactly what we needed.” Serna isn’t a finished product, but his talent is undeniable. He has a tremendous arm behind the plate and can hit the ball a country mile. The latter skill was on full display Tuesday when he smacked the first home run of his collegiate career. He entered the at-bat with a batting average below .200. Tuesday also isn’t the first time he’s struggled on defense

ä See LSU BASEBALL, page 3C

UL bats, Smith’s relief fuel victory BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

Tuesday was a productive night for the UL lineup. That was a good thing because pitching was a bit spotty until sophomore right-hander Parker Smith entered the game in the ﬁfth inning of the Ragin’ Cajuns’ 11-7 win over Texas-Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday at Russo Park. “It was important to get a win to get that taste out of our mouth (from Sunday’s loss),” UL coach Matt Deggs said. The Cajuns are 13-4 overall, while the visiting Vaqueros fell to 7-10. UL’s originally scheduled Wednesday game against McNeese State was postponed because of expected bad weather, so UL’s next game is 6 p.m. Friday against South Alabama at Russo Park. “I really liked our offense tonight,” Deggs said of the 11-run STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP output sparked by eight stolen UL pitcher Parker Smith hurled three shutout innings to help the Cajuns bases. “I don’t know how many claim an 11-7 win over UT-Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. bags we got, but we were able to

“It’s like night and day. He (pitching coach Taylor Sandefur) has made a world of difference, proving to me that I can pitch at this level.” PARKER SMITH, UL pitcher, on his improvement run tonight. We continued to really execute the run-and-hits.” It might not have been enough without the stability Smith provided on the mound. “I thought Parker was the guy of the game tonight,” Deggs said. Smith pitched three shutout innings while surrendering only one hit and striking out one on just 31 pitches. “It’s like night and day,” Smith said of his improvement from last season. “He (pitching coach Taylor Sandefur) has made a world of difference, proving to me that I can pitch at this level. “He kind of tweaked my mechanics a little bit, just kind of

made things more consistent, and then the mental side of it, just really making me more conﬁdent in my stuff on the mound.” Smith’s ERA is 2.31 on the season. “I’ve added one or two (pitches), but really just throwing those two — the fastball and the slider — a lot better than last year,” he said. “Really just the command is what’s really helped me this year.” Ty Roman started for UL and lasted 31/ 3 innings and 65 pitches while allowing three runs on six hits, one walk and striking out four. “Ty gave us a good start,” Deggs said. “I wanted 100 competitive pitches. I think we got 65, so that’s a good start. Hopefully, he can build on that and become the anchor in the middle of the week.” Garret Carter had an off night, yielding two runs and two hits in two-thirds of an inning for UL. The Cajuns’ scoring onslaught began with two runs in the ﬁrst inning, and UL ended up scoring in

ä See UL BASEBALL, page 3C

2C ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV

AUTO RACING 9:30 p.m. Formula 1: practice APPLE TV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL 6:45 p.m. World Cup: Puerto Rico vs. U.S. TruTV COLLEGE BASEBALL 6 p.m. Georgia Tech at Clemson ACCN MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL TOURNEYS 10:30 a.m. Atl. 10: G.Wash. vs. Fordham USA 11 a.m. Big Ten: TBD vs. Ohio State BTN 11 a.m. ACC: TBD vs.Virginia ESPN2 11 a.m. Big East: TBD vs. St. John’s NBCSN 11:30 a.m. Big 12: TBD vs.Texas Tech ESPN 11:30 a.m. SEC: Kentucky vs. Missouri SEC 1 p.m. Atl. 10: TBD vs. George Mason USA 1:30 p.m. Big Ten: TBD vs.Wisconsin BTN 1:30 p.m. ACC: TBD vs. Miami ESPN2 1:30 p.m. Big East: Creighton vs. Set. Hall NBCSN 2 p.m. Mount.West: TBD vs. Utah St. CBSSN

2 p.m. Big 12: TBD vs.Arizona ESPN 2 p.m. SEC: TBD vs.Tennessee SECN 4 p.m. Atl. 10: Rh. Island vs. Duquesne USA 4:30 p.m. Mou.West: TBD vs. G. Canyon CBSSN 5:30 p.m. Big Ten: TBD vs. Purdue BTN 6 p.m. ACC: TBD vs. Duke ESPN 6 p.m. Big 12: TBD vs. Houston ESPN2 6 p.m. American: TBD vs. Charlotte ESPNU 6 p.m. Big East: TBD vs. UConn FS1 6 p.m. SEC: TBD vs. Georgia SECN 6:30 p.m. Atlantic 10: TBD vs. Davidson USA 8 p.m. Big Ten: TBD vs. UCLA BTN 8 p.m. Moun.West: TBD vs. S.D. St. CBSSN 8:30 p.m. Atlantic Coast: TBD vs. N. Caro. ESPN 8:30 p.m. Big 12: TBD vs. Kansas ESPN2 8:30 p.m. American: TBD vs. N.Texas ESPNU 8:30 p.m. TBD vs.Villanova FS1 8:30 p.m. SEC: TBD vs.Texas A&M SECN 10:30 p.m. Moun.West: TBD vs. N. Mex. CBSSN

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL Southland championship ESPNU GOLF Noon PGA Tour: Players Champ. Golf 10:30 p.m. LIV Golf: Sentosa FS1 HORSE RACING 2 p.m. America’s Day at the Races FS2 MLB SPRING TRAINING Noon Boston vs. Minnesota MLBN 5 p.m. Atlanta vs. Pittsburgh MLBN 8 p.m. Kansas City vs. San Diego MLBN NBA 6 p.m. Philadelphia at Detroit PRIME 8:30 p.m. Boston at Oklahoma City PRIME MEN’S SOCCER 6:55 p.m. Tigres UANL at FC Cincinnati FS2 8:55 p.m. Seattle at Vancouver FS2 TENNIS 1 p.m. ATP,WTA: Indian Wells Tennis 4 p.m.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL

Degeyter shuts out Acadiana

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

Lafayette High pitcher Hunter Degeyter delivers during Tuesday’s District 3-5A opener at Acadiana High. The Lions won 5-0.

Houston Astros All-Star closer Josh Hader will begin the season on the 15-day injured list, manager Joe Espada told reporters Wednesday. Hader, who dealt with biceps tendinitis while throwing bullpen sessions in the offseason, didn’t pitch after Aug. 8 last year because of a shoulder capsule strain. He had progressed to throwing and playing catch, but the 31-yearold left-hander has not appeared in any spring training games and his buildup will extend past the Astros’ opener against the Los Angeles Angles on March 26. Hader was 6-2 with 28 saves in 29 chances with a 2.05 ERA in 48 appearances last season, his second since joining the Astros as a free agent for a $95 million, ﬁveyear contract.

Syracuse basketball fires Autry after three seasons

Pitcher leads way in Lafayette High win When Hunter Degeyter has pitched this season, Lafayette High has been unbeatable. The senior threw a shutout in a 5-0 victory against Acadiana in the District 3-5A opener on Tuesday, allowing five hits and four walks with two strikeouts. “I felt great about my stuff,” said Degeyter, who is 4-0 for the Mighty Lions (12-3, 1-0). “I was in the bullpen feeling some stuff out. I came onto the field feeling good. I tried a new slider grip today, and it ended up working out great.” Acadiana (13-5, 0-1) got backto-back hits in each of the first two innings and had JL Malbrew and Jude Feehan on base with no outs in the second, but came away empty after a popped-up bunt, a Degeyter strikeout and a flyout ended the threat. “He wouldn’t let me take him off the mound,” Lions coach Sam Taulli said of Degeyter, who received a mound visit after walking the leadoff batter in the seventh. “With the wind like this, we switched to fastballs in, instead of away. Throw a little two-seam in and not let them extend. It paid off in the middle innings.” Lafayette scored two runs in the second inning on a bunt single, a sacrifice fly, two walks and another bunt to the pitcher where courtesy runner Griffin Buxton beat the throw home from third base. Tagg Trahan’s bunt single was the Lions’ only hit off Acadiana starter Taylon Videaux, who went four innings allowing three runs (one earned) with six walks and a strikeout. “They do very well with runners in scoring position,” Taulli said of Trahan and Brendan Shullaw, who laid down the bunts out of the eight and nine hole. “They’re not guys who are going to drive the ball out of the yard, but they’re really good at putting the ball on the ground. That’s Trahan’s fifth or sixth drag bunt for a hit.” Parker Abshire and Ryan Cahanin each scored in the fifth inning as the Rams committed two errors. Cahanin, a freshman shortstop, led the Lions with two hits and two runs scored. He could also draw the start on the mound in the next game against Acadiana later this week. Lafayette added an insurance run in the seventh when designated hitter James Fontenot drove in Cahanin. Degeyter and Brodie Dugas, who scored a run, each walked twice. “We had a little luck on our side where the ball was bouncing our way,” Taulli said. “When it’s like that, you have to take the opportunities that are given.”

Astros All-Star closer Hader to miss opening day

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By REBECCA BLACKWELL

Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo is congratulated by forward Keshad Johnson after reaching 83 points, the second-highest single game total in NBA history, against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday in Miami.

Historic night

Adebayo’s 83-point scoring outburst was one to remember in Miami, but not everyone was pleased with how he got there

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

NBA’S HIGHEST SINGLE-GAME POINT TOTALS

Player (team) Points Date MIAMI — The Miami Heat led the Washington Wizards by 25 points Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors) 100 March 2, 1962 with 2:56 left. The game was esBam Adebayo (Heat) 83 March 10, 2026 sentially over, the outcome decidKobe Bryant (Lakers) 81 Jan. 22, 2006 ed. And Bam Adebayo got called Wilt Chamberlain (Warriors) 78 Dec. 8, 1961 for an offensive foul that, under Luka Doncic (Mavericks) 73 Jan. 26, 2024 normal circumstances, would not have mattered. David Thompson (Nuggets) 73 April 9, 1978 These were not normal circumWilt Chamberlain (Warriors) 73 Jan. 13 and Nov. 16, 1962 stances. Adebayo already had 77 points on Tuesday night and the Heat teams at Adebayo in the final minwanted more. So, coach Erik Spoel- Miami 150, Washington 129 FG FT Reb stra emphatically challenged that WASH. utes. They fouled Heat players Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS offensive foul call. Every Heat Coulibaly 34:39 2-7 6-8 0-6 7 3 10 just to keep Adebayo from scoring, 39:35 6-13 6-7 0-4 2 4 22 player, assistant coach and staffer Riley though they saved most of their Sarr 19:40 12-19 0-0 2-6 1 3 28 jumped off the bench, celebrating Carrington 35:58 5-7 2-4 0-4 6 1 12 fouls for Adebayo himself. He was 22:38 7-12 0-1 0-2 2 4 17 that decision. The challenge failed T.Johnson Gill 25:08 3-4 0-0 1-5 3 5 6 fouled 26 times — the most any 23:00 5-12 4-4 0-1 0 5 17 player has been fouled in at least — refs got the call right — but it Hardy 18:00 3-7 2-2 1-5 2 3 8 was clear what the moment meant Chmpgnie Cooper 14:41 2-5 2-3 0-0 1 1 6 the past 20 seasons, and 12 times Vukcevic 6:41 1-3 0-0 0-2 1 5 3 more than he had ever been fouled. to Miami. 240:00 46-89 22-294-35 25 34 129 Adebayo wound up scoring 83 Totals “The fourth quarter just turned Percentages: FG .517, FT .759. points. It was the second-highest 3-Point Goals: 15-36, .417 (Riley 4-7, Sarr into not a real basketball game,” T.Johnson 3-7, Hardy 3-8, Vukcevic 1-2, total by any player in any game 4-7, Wizards coach Brian Keefe said. Carrington 0-1, Cooper 0-1, Coulibaly 0-1, Champagnie 0-2). in NBA history, passing Kobe Adebayo had 31 points in the first Team Rebounds: 12. Team Turnovers: 1. Bryant’s 81 and trailing only Wilt Blocked Shots: 3 (Sarr 2, Hardy). quarter, 12 in the second quarter Turnovers: 23 (Carrington 7, Cooper 4, Chamberlain’s 100. and 19 in the third. He had 62 Hardy 3, Champagnie 2, T.Johnson 2, Vukpoints going into the fourth. The “The thing you love about it, and cevic 2, Coulibaly, Gill, Sarr). Wizards couldn’t stop him, no matwhy everybody roots for Bam, is Steals: 6 (Carrington, Champagnie, Cooper, Coulibaly, Riley, T.Johnson). because he does all the winning Technical Fouls: Coulibaly, 4:49 third. ter what they tried. things,” Spoelstra said. “He does the FG FT Reb “The whole first 31/ 2 quarters ... I Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS things that aren’t recognized. He MIAMI was like, all right, they’re just going Gardner 25:43 2-4 0-0 3-8 2 4 4 puts his body out there, he’s avail- Larsson 24:26 3-7 4-5 0-2 1 1 10 to let me go,” Adebayo said. “And Adebayo 41:54 20-43 36-43 1-9 3 3 83 then, you turn around and you’ve able, he is a rugged competitor.” Jakucionis 29:45 2-3 1-2 1-5 6 4 5 The Heat, who won 150-129, obvi- Mitchell 24:06 5-9 2-2 3-7 5 1 12 got four people guarding you.” Jaquez Jr. 27:53 2-5 0-0 2-6 8 1 5 ously loved it. Not everybody did. Everything the Heat did in the Smith 22:46 2-4 0-0 0-3 5 4 5 There were immediate detrac- Fontecchio 22:17 6-7 3-3 3-6 1 3 18 fourth quarter was about getting 18:54 3-6 1-4 1-1 0 1 8 tors who pointed to Adebayo’s K.Johnson Goldin 1:08 0-1 0-0 1-1 0 0 0 Adebayo points. Bryant’s 81-point 1:08 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 game wasn’t different in that reabsurd, one-of-a-kind stat line — Keels 240:00 45-90 47-5915-483122 150 43 field goal attempts, 22 3-point Totals gard. Percentages: FG .500, FT .797. attempts and, most of all, NBA 3-Point Goals: 13-43, .302 (Adebayo 7-22, 3-4, Jaquez Jr. 1-2, Smith 1-2, Parallels to other big nights records of 36 free throws and 43 Fontecchio K.Johnson 1-4, Gardner 0-1, Jakucionis 0-1, Larsson 0-3, Mitchell 0-4). attempts — as proof of stat-padOn Jan. 22, 2006, the Los Angeles Team Rebounds: 13. Team Turnovers: 1. Lakers took 38 shots in the second ding. Some even went as far as to Blocked Shots: 5 (Adebayo 2, Jakucionis, half and Bryant took 28 of them. question the integrity of the game, K.Johnson, Larsson). Turnovers: 16 (Adebayo 5, Mitchell 3, though to be fair, many also cel- Smith 3, Gardner 2, Fontecchio, Jakucionis, They took 17 shots in the fourth Larsson). that night; Bryant took 13 of those, ebrated Adebayo’s night. Steals: 16 (Smith 4, Gardner 3, Adebayo 2, including all 13 of the Lakers’ free“Look, bruh had 83 points. Bruh K.Johnson 2, Larsson 2, Fontecchio, Jakuthrow attempts in the final 12 minshot 43 foul shots,” former Heat cionis, Mitchell). Technical Fouls: None. point guard Jason Williams said in Washington 29 33 35 32 — 129 utes. It’s not terribly uncommon; 40 36 37 37 — 150 when a guy really has it going, his a video posted to social media. “I Miami A — 19,700 (19,600). T — 2:30. don’t know if I shot 43 foul shots teammates just keep giving him “We had three guys collapsing the ball. in one season.” (Williams, for the record, attempted only 41 free around him to keep him from get“We left him in,” then-Lakers throws in his final two NBA sea- ting close to the basket, but he took coach Phil Jackson said that night, us with him with his tremendous “until he got to 80.” sons combined.) When Adebayo’s game went fistrength,” the Knicks’ Darrall ImA crazy finish hoff said that night, as quoted by nal, not everyone seemed thrilled There were at least four instanc- The Evening News of Harrisburg, by the point total. “A rather melancholy footnote es of Heat players fouling down Pennsylvania. “Late in the game, the stretch, with a big lead, to ex- the Warriors fouled us deliber- in NBA history occurred,” the tend the game and get Adebayo ately to regain possession and that legendary Lakers public address the ball back. That’s also what the guy really tore down the floor to announcer Lawrence Tanter said to the crowd before a game in Los Philadelphia Warriors did in the keep his record assault going.” Angeles, as he revealed that Adefinal moments against the New Sounds familiar. York Knicks on March 2, 1962 — The Wizards threw double-, bayo had passed Bryant. A few the night Chamberlain scored 100. triple- and sometimes quadruple- people booed.

Adrian Autry has been fired as head basketball coach at Syracuse after three seasons. The school announced the decision Wednesday, one day after the Orange lost 86-69 to SMU in the first round of the ACC Tournament. Syracuse lost its final six games and 12 of the last 15 under Autry to finish 15-17. Autry was 49-48 over three seasons after replacing Jim Boeheim and failed to reach the NCAA Tournament. The four-year Syracuse starter under Boeheim and later his associate head coach took over for the retiring Hall of Famer in 2023. Syracuse finished with consecutive losing seasons for the first time since 1968-69. Autry was 2434 in ACC regular-season play in his three seasons.

Masters wins third gold of Winter Paralympics

The medal count is now at 22 for Oksana Masters, the most decorated American winter paralympian. Masters won the para crosscountry 10km interval start sitting race on Wednesday for her third gold in four events at the Milan Cortina Games. She had won the cross-country sprint on Tuesday and the para biathlon sprint on Saturday. Masters just missed out on the podium on Sunday by ﬁnishing fourth in the para biathlon individual sitting. Wednesday’s feat allowed her to equal the three golds she won at the 2022 Beijing Winter Paralympic Games. Masters now has eight Winter Paralympic gold medals to go along with her four victories at the Summer Paralympics.

Vertigo to keep Bowman out of 2nd NASCAR race

Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman will miss a second consecutive NASCAR race because of vertigo and will be replaced by Justin Allgaier at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. “Alex continues to work closely with doctors toward being medically cleared, but he’s still experiencing some lingering symptoms,” said Jeff Andrews, president and general manager of Hendrick Motorsports. Bowman was too ill to continue during the March 1 race at Circuit of the Americas in Texas and was replaced midrace. Allgaier won in NASCAR’s second-tier series at Las Vegas a year ago while driving for JR Motorsports, an afﬁliate of Hendrick Motorsports.

Bills quarterback Allen restructures his contract Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has agreed to restructure his contract in a move that frees up approximately $12 million in muchneeded salary-cap space for the team entering the NFL’s new year. The move converts $15.2 million of Allen’s salary this season into a signing bonus, and it comes a year after he signed a $330 million contract extension that runs through 2030. What is essentially a move on paper for Allen is signiﬁcant for the Bills because it provides general manager Brandon Beane payroll ﬂexibility to add players in free agency. The Bills were projected to be about $4 million over the cap entering the day. They were about $32 million over the cap a week ago.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 3C

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Ravens pivot from Crosby to land DE Hendrickson BY JOSH DUBOW

AP pro football writer The Baltimore Ravens landed their star pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, Maxx Crosby is back in Las Vegas for now, and Daniel Jones is staying in Indianapolis as part of a busy start to the new league year. The biggest move Wednesday came when the Ravens agreed to a four-year, $112 million contract with four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson a day after backing out of a trade with the Raiders for Crosby over a failed physical, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Hendrickson, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2017, was an All-Pro for Cincinnati in 2024 when he led the NFL with 171/ 2 sacks. He played in only seven games because of injuries last season and had four sacks, but he has reached double digits in sacks four times in the previous ﬁve seasons. It was a quick pivot for the Ravens after the surprising development Tuesday night when Balti-

more pulled out of the trade that was supposed to send two firstround picks to Las Vegas. Crosby had surgery in January to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He missed the final two games of the season because of the injury despite wanting to play through it at the time. The Raiders, who have been among the biggest spenders in the opening days of free agency, now must figure out what to do with Crosby. Las Vegas still has plenty of cap room to keep the five-time Pro Bowler on the roster with his $30 million salary if the team can’t find another trade. Jones and the Colts agreed on a two-year contract that is worth up to $100 million. He will receive $88 million over the next two seasons with $50 million guaranteed instead of playing on the $37.8 million transition tag. He can make an additional $12 million through incentives. Jones led the Colts offense to a productive 10-game start. But following the bye week, he played through a hairline fracture in his left leg and then wound up suf-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF DEAN

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson looks on during a game against the Detroit Lions on Oct. 5 in Cincinnati. fering a season-ending torn right Achilles tendon in early December. Jones set career-highs in passer rating (100.2) and completion rate (68%) as Indianapolis ranked ﬁfth in the NFL in scoring at 28.9 points per game before he went down for

the season. Buffalo reached a three-year agreement with pass rusher Bradley Chubb, who agreed to terms with the Bills shortly after the Miami Dolphins announced his release. The 29-year-old Chubb has eight

LSU WOMEN

LSU BASEBALL

One of those runs ended with the national title. This one could extend that far, too, but only if the Tigers improve in some key areas. Let’s examine what Mulkey needs to emphasize to her team before it begins its NCAA Tournament run inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center next weekend.

this season. But there was a reason why MLB had interest in drafting the Houston native out of high school. He was a top-135 player in ESPN and MLB.com’s draft rankings. “Obviously, there are some growing pains,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “It’s a tough position to play, but I think his improvement is remarkable from fall scrimmages until now defensively.” Serna’s big blast was the highlight, but Tuesday also was a step forward for the offense overall. The Tigers had nine hits and walked six times. Grand Canyon transfer Zach Yorke went 2 for 4, and junior Jake Brown smacked his ninth home run of the year in the eighth inning, a two-run shot that stretched LSU’s lead to four. Tuesday night was also the return of senior outfielder Chris Stanfield, who has been out since the third game of the season with a left-hand injury. He replaced fifth-year senior Tanner Reaves in the fifth inning and finished the game as the left fielder. Stanfield struck out in his only at-bat, but he also caught three fly balls, including the final out of the game. Johnson said LSU will still need to ease Stanfield back into the lineup before he reassumes his everyday role. “There’s an arc to doing this responsibly that I’m trying to manage,” Johnson said. “But man, I love having him back.” LSU (13-5) needed a combined effort on the bump to finish off Creighton (5-8). Freshman right-hander Reagan Ricken earned his first career start, but it was short-lived. He couldn’t escape the second inning as Johnson turned to five more pitchers to record the last 24 outs. The most impressive outings were from redshirt sophomore right-hander Deven Sheerin and Oregon left-handed transfer Santiago Garcia. Sheerin tossed 21/3 scoreless innings after entering the game in the fifth. Garcia

Continued from page 1C

Defense, rebounding To be clear, LSU excels in both areas. It led the SEC in rebounds per game (46.4) in league play, and it allowed its conference foes to score only 88.3 points per 100 possessions, according to Her Hoop Stats. That was the third-best rate in the SEC. What’s important to note here, though, is that when the Tigers don’t defend or rebound to their standard, they usually lose. LSU is at its best when it’s forcing missed shots, grabbing them off of the defensive glass and kick-starting its transition attack. The Tigers tend to get stuck on offense when they’re forced to play slower games. Just look at the two SEC Tournament games LSU played this season. In the quarterﬁnals, Oklahoma missed 46 shots and turned the ball over 22 times. LSU erupted for 112 points — the second-most points any team ever has scored in the event. The next day during a semiﬁnal clash with South Carolina, the Tigers scored only 77 points. The Gamecocks rebounded nine of the 21 shots they missed in the second half, taking away most of LSU’s transition opportunities. They also turned the ball over just four times. “There’s just a small margin of error that you can have to beat elite teams,” Mulkey said. “We think we’re an elite team, but we’re not there to win those close games against the South Carolinas, the UConns.” Defense and rebounding are always Mulkey’s top two priorities. Those two facets take on added importance when March rolls

LSU MEN

Continued from page 1C

STAFF PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

LSU’s Mikaylah Williams drives the base line for a score as Missouri’s Abbey Schreacke defends in the second half of LSU’s 108-55 win over Missouri on Feb. 22 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

around and the matchups become run into a team that can execute do-or-die. its offense even when LSU is playing sharp defense. The Tigers will Half-court offense need to counter with some ball When the Tigers were forced to movement, dribble penetration and play half-court offense in their outside shooting in the half court. losses to Texas and South Carolina this season, they struggled Free-throw shooting to find high-percentage looks. It sounds trivial, but free-throw Things were clicking for the shooting can decide games. In 2023, Tigers in the first half of Satur- a couple of key misses at the stripe day’s matchup, when they were propelled LSU through a Sweet 16 forcing missed shots, getting matchup against Utah. out in transition and attacking Would the Tigers have beaten the rim. Then the Gamecocks South Carolina in February had switched to a zone defense, they not missed nine freebies? Poslowing down the game and tentially. Flau’jae Johnson went to forcing LSU into some tough the line late in the fourth quarter shots. with a chance to give LSU a 74-73 “I’d have to look at film to lead, and she missed both of her see,” Mulkey said. “Did we re- looks. ally get away from (attacking The Tigers are shooting an acthe rim)? Or did they take it ceptable 74% from the free-throw away from us? They started line this season, but in their last playing a lot of zone, and that four games, they’ve converted takes away some things in there. only 67%. For perspective, Ten“So give South Carolina credit. nessee has been the SEC’s worst They didn’t stay in man, and so free-throw shooting team this year, maybe that changed it a little and it’s converting 67% of its free bit.” throws. LSU shouldn’t be so reliant on LSU can improve at the line, and its transition attack. At some point it will need to after the Big Dance in the tournament, the Tigers will begins.

SEC TOURNAMENT GLANCE At Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tenn.

11-of-17 shooting and four rebounds for LSU. Mike Nwoko had 16 points and 12 rebounds. Reece had 11 points, seven assists, six rebounds and only one turnover. Nwoko played one of his best games of the season despite being the only center available for the Tigers because backup big man Robert Miller missed his first game of the season. “He was suspended for violation of team rules and was not with us on the trip,” McMahon said about Miller. Nwoko was a reliable paint force. The junior transfer from Mississippi State did well cleaning the glass, and he was the early aggressor on offense for the Tigers. He scored the team’s ﬁrst two baskets around the basket. His second score was an improbable putback where the ball bounced off the top of the backboard and through the net. LSU took a 12-11 lead after Nwoko made a pair of free throws. He had a team-high 13 points and six rebounds at halftime. Kentucky wing Kam Williams played for the ﬁrst time since Jan. 21 when he suffered a foot injury.

First Round

Wednesday Kentucky 87, LSU 82 Auburn 79, Mississippi St. 61 Texas vs. Ole Miss, n Oklahoma vs. South Carolina, n

Second Round

Thursday, March 12 Missouri vs. Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. Tennessee vs. Auburn, 2 p.m. Georgia vs. Texas-Ole Miss-winner, 6 p.m. Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma-South Carolinawinner, 8:30 p.m.

Quarterﬁnals

Friday, March 13 Florida vs. TBD, noon Vanderbilt vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m. Alabama vs. TBD, 6 p.m. Arkansas vs. TBD, 8:30 p.m.

Semiﬁnals

Saturday, March 14 TBD vs. TBD, noon TBD vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m.

Championship

Sunday, March 15 Semiﬁnal winners, noon

The former Tulane player and Lafayette native drained a transition 3-pointer, his ﬁrst shot attempt of the game, to cap the Wildcats’ 7-0 run, extending their lead to 23-17 with 10:09 remaining in the ﬁrst half. While the Tigers held steady in the rebounding battle, they were not shooting at a high percentage from the field early. Several of their looks were contested, and some layups rolled off of the rim.

The Tigers didn’t let the game get out of hand, though. Their paint-oriented attack returned after Pablo Tamba drove to the basket for an up-and-under post move on Kentucky 6-foot-11 forward Andrija Jelavi , who jumped on the fake. That was followed by a Nwoko jump hook, cutting the deficit to 25-24 with 7:58 remaining before halftime. “We were trying to be faster than them,” Tamba said. “They did a good job of taking advantage of the mismatch.” Reece commanded the LSU offense. The freshman point guard’s best play was a drive and kick to Mackinnon for a 3-pointer that cut LSU’s deficit to 46-43 at halftime. Kentucky kept a one-possession lead as it leaned on the scoring from second-team All-SEC guard Otega Oweh, who had 13 points in the first half. “Oweh, just such a difficult cover,” McMahon said. “He’s so good there in the mid-range.” Early in the second half, Tamba had six points and four rebounds, including the highlight of the day. He was given space near the freethrow line area and took off for a vicious driving dunk with one hand over 7-foot defender Malachi Moreno. The officials reviewed the play as Tamba hit Moreno in the face

with his off arm during the dunk. Tamba was given a Flagrant 1 foul, which was his third personal foul. After two free throws for Moreno, Kentucky took a 49-47 lead with 18:24 left. Mackinnon’s aggression as a shot creator increased in the second half. The 6-6 guard scored over shorter defenders in the mid-range and decisively drove for layups after off-ball screens. He scored 18 in the second half. “Everyone screened for each other,” Mackinnon said of his second-half play. “Knocked down some shots … (but) I would take a win (over scoring) any day, and I mean that.” Oweh, who finished with 23 points, made clutch baskets after Garrison’s spurt. “Great credit to Kentucky,” McMahon said. “Game they needed, and they found a way to make the plays to get it done there in the second half. But I thought our players came to play, competed at a high level. They were connected as one. Thought that the spirit was where it needed to be. Kentucky was just a better team at the end of day.” Kentucky advance to play No. 8 Missouri at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at Bridgestone Arena, while LSU waits to see what direction its program is headed.

seasons of NFL experience. He spent the past three-plus years in Miami, including missing the entire 2024 season because of a torn knee ligament. He had 81/ 2 sacks last season. All-Pro safety Kevin Byard left Chicago to reunite with his former coach Mike Vrabel, agreeing to a one-year, $9 million deal with New England. Byard played under Vrabel for ﬁve-plus seasons in Tennessee. Washington agreed to terms with edge rusher and former LSU standout K’Lavon Chaisson on a one-year contract worth $12 million, with $10.3 million guaranteed. The Commanders also reached deals with linebacker Leo Chenal, safety Nick Cross, cornerback Amik Robertson and tight end Chig Okonkwo. Jacksonville agreed to a twoyear deal with former Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez, giving the Jaguars another option in the backﬁeld after losing Travis Etienne in free agency to the Saints. Rodriguez rushed for 500 yards and six TDs last season for Washington.

Late Tuesday

LSU 8, Creighton 4 Creighton (5-8)

LSU (13-5) ab r h bi ab r h bi Gump 3b 5 0 0 0 Curiel cf 4 1 1 0 McHugh dh 4 0 1 0 Brown rf 4 2 2 2 Deters rf 4 1 0 0 Dardar 2b 3 0 0 0 North ss 3 2 2 0 Ruckert 2b 1 0 0 0 Capece c 3 1 1 1 Milam ss 4 1 1 1 Wachsmann cf 3 0 1 2 Yorke 1b 4 1 2 0 Baillargeon 1b 3 0 0 0 Braun dh 1 0 0 0 Rice lf 3 0 1 1 Yamin ph/dh 1 1 1 0 Venteicher 2b 4 0 0 0 Serna c 3 1 1 4 Reaves lf 2 1 1 0 Stanﬁeld pr/lf 1 0 0 0 Caraway 3b 3 0 0 0 TOTALS 32 4 6 4 TOTALS 31 8 9 7 Creighton 022 000 000 — 4 6 3 LSU 100 140 02X — 8 9 2 Creighton — 2B — Lew Rice (1) SF — Lew Rice (1) SB — Ben North (1) HBP — McHugh (1); Capece (1) E — North (2); Capece (1) DP — 2 LSU — 2B — Brown (1) HR — Brown (1); Serna (1) SB — Brown (1) HBP — Milam (1); Yorke (1); Yamin (1); Caraway (1) E — Serna (1); Ricken (1) Creighton IP H R ER BB SO Ruhl 1 2 1 0 2 1 Burke 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 Stratton 1 ⁄3 2 1 0 0 1 1 Curtin (L, 0-2) ⁄3 1 3 3 0 0 Hauser 1 1 1 1 2 0 Wendt 2 1 0 0 1 2 Prindl 0 1 2 2 1 0 Adams 1 0 0 0 0 1 LSU IP H R ER BB SO Ricken 1 2 2 2 1 1 Dathe 0 0 0 0 1 0 Plog 11⁄3 0 2 2 2 1 Rizy 12⁄3 2 0 0 0 1 Sheerin (W, 1-0) 21⁄3 1 0 0 1 4 Garcia (S, 1) 22⁄3 1 0 0 0 4 HBP — Burke, Curtin, SheaWendt, Plog, Sheerin PB — Capece (1) Umpires — Home Plate: James Ainsworth First: Kevin Kennedy Second Base: Zachary Edgens Third Base: Blake Thames Start — 6:35 pm Time — 3:43 Attendance — 10,287

replaced him with one out in the seventh and ended the game on his own. “That’s a massive weapon,” Johnson said when he was asked about Garcia’s performance. “And I’m really proud of him. He maybe didn’t have the ﬁrst outing that he wanted to have, but his last three have been really good. That was electric tonight. That’s a big-time, game-changing piece for our bullpen.” Garcia and Sheerin combined to strike out eight batters and allowed just two hits in ﬁve innings. LSU didn’t give up another run after surrendering two in both the second and third innings. LSU’s next game Friday marks the beginning of Southeastern Conference play as the Tigers travel to Nashville, Tennessee, to take on Vanderbilt. First pitch is set for 6 p.m., and the game will be available to stream on SEC Network+.

UL BASEBALL Continued from page 1C

five of eight innings. Drew Markle singled in the first and scored on Rigoberto Hernandez’s groundout ahead of Colt Brown’s RBI double. UL got four more in the second with some sloppy defense from the Vaqueros to complement Lee Amedee’s RBI double. Brown finished 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Markle was 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Amedee finished 2-for-3 with an RBI. Of UL’s 11 hits, only two were extra-base hits to continue the Cajuns’ lack of pop in home games. The Cajuns were outhit 13-11 but were able to make up for it with the running game. “We just got to use our feet and turn that thing, but I liked our offense,” Deggs said. “I’m proud of them. It was a good turnaround win for us. “You’re going to lose every now and then. The trick is, the good teams turn it back around real quick. They were hungry tonight.”

4C ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Northside stuns No. 1 MPA

HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL

Seven area high school pitchers to watch this year

Vikings advance to state final for first time in 20 years

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

Northside High will play for its first basketball state championship in 20 years. The No.12-seeded Vikings were the biggest underdogs of the LHSAA state tournament on paper but stunned No. 1 Madison Prep 65-61 on Wednesday afternoon in the Division II select semifinals at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles under firstyear coach Troy Jones. The last time I’ve been here was in 2012 as a senior (for Peabody),” said Jones, whose Vikings will face the winner of Wednesday night’s game between No. 2 Peabody and No. 3 Washington-Marion in the finals at 2 p.m. Saturday. “To be on the big stage as a coach means the world to me.” The Vikings (24-5) got 26 points from Jaydon Francis and 23 from Treylon Angelle, who scored 14 points in the first half on 6-of-7 shooting. Northside led 11-5 after one quarter and trailed 23-22 at the half when Madi-

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

Northside guard Treylon Angelle goes to the basket against Madison Prep during their Division II select semifinal game on Wednesday at Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. Angelle scored 23 points to help the Vikings knock off No. 1 Chargers 65-61. son Prep (31-5) hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer. “Treylon is one of those guys who loves to attack the rim,” Jones said. “I tell him all the time to keep attacking. His shots fell tonight. He can shoot it, but he’s more of a slasher.” Francis, on the other hand, provided the dagger with 18 fourth-quarter points. The

junior ﬁnished 3 of 6 from 3-point range and sank 9 of 10 free throws in the final period. When the Chargers brieﬂy took a 55-54 lead following a 10-0 run, Francis answered with a three-point play. “I was just being calm, trusting my coach and listening to the game plan,” said Francis, who grabbed

seven rebounds and dished out four assists. Angelle added three rebounds and three steals. Khilon Woods totaled six points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals. Jayden Jones had ﬁve points, ﬁve boards and a steal, and Tashawn Coleman chipped in a point, four rebounds and two steals.

PREP REPORT Baseball Tuesday’s scores Barbe 10-14, Carencro 0-0 Lafayette High 5, Acadiana 0 Northside 11, Jeanerette 0 Teurlings 4, Loreauville 1 Southside 5, Sulphur 3 Lacassine 8, Episcopal of Acadiana 3 Kaplan 14, David Thibodaux 1 Lafayette Christian 4, Denham Springs 3 Beau Chene 2, Breaux Bridge 1 Franklin 11, Westgate 5 St. Edmund 5, Pine Prairie 2 Ascension Episcopal 12, Gueydan 0 Berchmans 26, Abbeville 15 Alexandria 8, Vermilion Catholic 0 New Iberia 10, Sam Houston 8 Church Point 3, St. Martinville 1 North Vermilion 12, Jennings 2 St. Louis Catholic 7, St. Thomas More 6 Opelousas Catholic 2, Rayne 1

Thursday’s games

Acadiana at Lafayette, Carencro at Barbe, New Iberia at Sam Houston, Southside at Sulphur, Breaux Bridge at Beau Chene, Comeaux at David Thibodaux, Westgate at North Vermilion, Northside at Peabody, Rayne at St. Thomas More, Church Point at Mamou, Erath at Delcambre, Pine Prairie at Iota, Kaplan at Catholic-NI, Centerville at St. Martinville, Midland at Lafayette Christian, Welsh at

Lafayette Renaissance, Westminster at Loreauville, Notre Dame at Lake Arthur, Vermilion Catholic at Ascension Episcopal, Westminster-LAF at Highland Baptist, Bunkie at St. Edmund, Episcopal of Acadiana at Jeanerette.

Softball Tuesday’s scores Iota 7, Loreauville 2 Opelousas Catholic 6, Church Point 1 Southside 9, Lafayette High 8 Kaplan 15, Abbeville 0 Kaplan 15, St. Martinville 0 Teurlings 7, Rayne 1 North Vermilion 5, St. Thomas More 0 Sam Houston 17, New Iberia 2 Lafayette Christian 16, Elizabeth 1 Northside Christian 16, Lake Arthur 0 DeRidder 8, Eunice 7 David Thibodaux 18, Northside 0 Acadiana 7, Barbe 2 Cecilia 4, Beau Chene 3 Westminster 17, Lake Charles Prep 6 Highland Baptist 17, Lafayette Renaissance 9 Acadiana Renaissance 15, Lake Charles Prep 5

Thursday’s games

Margaret Oge, St. Thomas More (Sr.) The team’s only returning starter, Oge was the District 4-4A MVP last season after going 20-6 with a 2.18 ERA. She allowed 71 runs (52 earned) on 141 hits and 72 walks, while striking out 120 in 1661/ 3 innings.

Lexi Greene, Kaplan (Jr.) The Pirates’ ace was the District 5-3A MVP last season when she went 28-3 with a 1.79 ERA. In 172 innings, Greene allowed 61 runs (44 earned) on 123 hits and 51 walks, while striking out 259. Greene is no slouch in the batter’s box either, as she hit .485 with ﬁve home runs, 16 doubles and two triples while collecting 35 RBIs, 52 runs and 33 stolen bases.

Madaline Johnson, Notre Dame (Sr.) Johnson is part of a dynamic duo in the circle for the Pios along with Bella Smith. As a junior, Johnson went 17-2 with a 1.81 ERA. She allowed 42 runs (25 earned) on 86 hits and 24 walks, while striking out 68 in 962/ 3 innings.

Saige Cherry, Iota (Jr.)

Bridge at Westminster, St. Thomas More at Comeaux, David Thibodaux at North Vermilion, Eunice at LaGrange, Northside at Rayne, Ville Platte at Opelousas, Opelousas Catholic at Rayne, Teurlings at Westgate, Abbeville at Erath, Acadiana Renaissance at Kaplan, Loreauville at Church Point, Sacred Heart at Iota, North Central at Northwest, St. Martinville at Highland Baptist, Delcambre at Catholic-NI, Lafayette Christian at Midland, Welsh at Lafayette Renaissance, Notre Dame at Lake Arthur, Gueydan at West St. Mary, Lake Charles Prep at St. Edmund, Hanson at Vermilion Catholic, Northside Christian at Glencoe.

Boys basketball LHSAA state tournament At Burton Coliseum, Lake Charles

Monday’s games

No. 6 Southern Lab 55, No. 2 St. Martin’s 50 No. 1 Gibsland-Coleman 66, No. 4 Saline 41 No. 2 Pleasant Hill 70, No. 2 Plainview 40 No. 2 Zwolle 48, No. 3 Quitman 42 No. 4 Lacassine 72, No. 8 Pitkin 63

Tuesday’s games

No. 1 Lincoln Prep 58, No. 4 Central Catholic 42 No. 3 East Iberville 59, No. 2 Lakeview 42

Acadiana at Southside, Lafayette at Carencro, Barbe at New Iberia, Crowley at Beau Chene, Breaux

Things are beginning to heat up on the softball field, and several Acadiana-area teams appear to have what it takes to make state championship runs. Last season, St. Thomas More (Division I select) and Opelousas Catholic (Division IV select) finished as state runners-up, while Kaplan (Division III nonselect), Notre Dame (Division III select) and Northside Christian (Class C) reached the semifinals. But if they and other state tournament hopefuls have dreams of hoisting a state championship trophy this season, how they fare in the circle will be pivotal. Here are seven area pitchers to watch this season.

No. 1 Ferriday 64, No. 4 West St. Mary 56, OT No. 3 Brusly 72, No. 2 Northwest 56 No. 1 Wossman 55, No. 4 Bossier 49

Wednesday’s games

No. 12 Northside 65, No. 1 Madison Prep 61 No. 1 John Curtis 47, No. 12 CatholicBR 38 No. 2 Alexandria vs. No. 11 Karr, n No. 1 Marksville vs. No. 5 Mamou, n No. 2 Peabody vs. No. 3 WashingtonMarion, n

Thursday’s games

No. 3 Country Day vs. No. 2 Dunham, 1 p.m. No. 1 Calvary Baptist vs. No. 4 DeLaSalle, 2:45 p.m. No. 11 Green Oaks vs. No. 2 Madison, 4:30 p.m. No. 1 Zachary vs. No. 4 Denham Springs, 6:15 p.m. No. 6 Central vs. No. 2 Ruston, 8 p.m.

Friday’s games

No. 1 Lincoln Prep vs. No. 6 Southern Lab, noon No. 1 Gibsland-Coleman vs. No. 2 Pleasant Hill, noon No. 3 East Iberville vs. No. 1 Ferriday, 4 p.m. No. 4 Lacassine vs. No. 2 Zwolle, 6 p.m. No. 1 Wossman vs. No. 3 Brusly, 8 p.m.

After going 10-2 last season with a 2.61 ERA, Cherry has picked up where she left off, posting a 1.87 ERA and 49 strikeouts this season. Offensively, Cherry has a .391 batting average with a home run and 12 RBIs.

Kallie Gibson, North Vermilion (Sr.) The ace of the Patriots’ staff, Gibson went 11-7 with a 1.94 ERA and 152 strikeouts last season. She also hit .449 with ﬁve home runs, 12 doubles and 20 RBIs.

Briley Lovell, Southside (So.) The Sharks’ ace and possibly top hitter, the Houma Christian transfer has been everything Southside had hoped for. She went 10-7 with a 3.44 ERA last season, striking out 151 batters in 122 innings. In the batter’s box, Lovell hit .387 with a .496 on-base percentage, seven home runs and 31 RBIs.

Kennedy Leblanc, Teurlings Catholic (Fr.) The Rebels have a lot of talent in the circle and Leblanc is one of their best. She is 2-1 with a 1.50 ERA and six strikeouts. Offensively, Leblanc is hitting .500 with four doubles, 11 RBIs and seven runs for the Rebels (7-3). Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.

SCOREBOARD Hole-in-one

SEC Tournament

Will Handjis Course: Webb Memorial Hole, yardage: No. 3, n/a Club selection: 7-iron Witnesses: Brian Barger, Dane Hupp, Craig Rhodes

Odds NBA FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG at DETROIT 14½ (220½) Philadelphia at OKLAHOMA CITY 6 (216½) Boston

College basketball

FAVORITE at MIAMI (OH) George Washington at VIRGINIA Iowa Kentucky Iowa State at TOLEDO at GEORGE MASON Alabama A&M at WISCONSIN Louisville at SETON HALL at TENNESSEE at ARIZONA at UTAH STATE at AKRON at DUQUESNE at NORFOLK STATE Middle Tennessee at KENT STATE at DAVIDSON at SOUTHERN at NC CENTRAL at UT ARLINGTON at W. KENTUCKY College basketball

LINE UNDERDOG 7½ UMass 5½ at FORDHAM 5½ NC State 1 at OHIO STATE 3½ at MISSOURI 4½ at TEXAS TECH 1½ Bowling Green 3½ Saint Bonaventure 1 at TEXAS SOUTHERN 6½ Washington 2½ at MIAMI (FL) 3 Creighton 6½ Auburn 15½ UCF 6½ UNLV 13½ Buffalo 1½ Rhode Island 7 South Carolina State 1½ at LOUISIANA TECH 3½ Ohio 7½ Loyola Chicago 4½ UAPB 1½ Mary.-Eastern Shore 5½ Southern Utah 1½ Kennesaw State

Men’s college basketball State scores, schedule Southland Conference Tournament At Lake Charles Semiﬁnals Tuesday Stephen F. Austin 60, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 58 McNeese 84, Texas-Rio Grande Valley 80, 3 OTs Championship Wednesday McNeese State 76, Stephen F. Austin 59

At Nashville, Tennessee First Round Wednesday Kentucky 87, LSU 82 Auburn 79, Mississippi St. 71 Texas vs. Ole Miss, n Oklahoma vs. South Carolina, n Second Round Thursday Missouri vs. Kentucky, 11:30 a.m. Tennessee vs. Auburn-winner, 2 p.m. Georgia vs. Texas-Ole Miss-winner, 6 p.m. Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma-South Carolinawinner, 8:30 p.m.

American Conference Tournament

State scores, schedule

At Birmingham, Ala. First round Wednesday Memphis vs. Tulane, n FAU vs. Temple, n Second round Thursday Charlotte vs. Memphis-Tulane-winner, 6 p.m. North Texas vs. FAU-Temple-winner, 8:30 p.m.

TOURNAMENTS

SWAC Tournament

National scores

Atlantic 10 St. Bonaventure 99, La Salle 80 Loyola Chicago 75, Richmond 67 Atlantic Coast North Carolina State 98, Pittsburgh 88 Louisville 62, SMU 58 Big 12 Iowa State 91, Arizona State 42 UCF 66, Cincinnati 65, OT Big East Providence 91, Butler 81 Big Ten Iowa 75, Maryland 64 Washington 83, USC 79, OT Mountain West UNLV 73, Wyoming 70 SEC Kentucky 87, LSU 82 Auburn 79, Mississippi State 61 Southland McNeese 76, Stephen F. Austin 59 SWAC Prairie View A&M 71, Bethune-Cookman 67

Kentucky 87, LSU 82

At Huntsville, Alabama First Round Tuesday Missouri St. 75, FIU 72 New Mexico St. 68, Jacksonville St. 63 Quarterﬁnals Wednesday Liberty vs. Missouri St., n Sam Houston St. vs. Jacksonville St., n Thursday Louisiana Tech vs. Middle Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. W. Kentucky vs. Kennesaw St., 8 p.m.

KENTUCKY Min M-A M-A O-T A PFPTS Jelavic 14 3-4 0-0 1-3 0 0 7 Moreno 12 0-1 4-4 3-3 0 2 4 Aberdeen 37 6-13 3-4 0-2 3 2 16 Chandler 30 3-8 1-2 0-1 3 0 8 Oweh 39 8-19 7-10 2-8 3 3 23 Garrison 26 7-9 1-2 2-5 2 2 17 Dioubate 21 3-6 1-1 1-7 2 5 7 Williams 17 1-3 0-0 0-2 1 2 3 Johnson 3 1-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 2 Totals 200 32-64 17-23 9-31 15 16 87 Percentages: FG .500, FT .739.

Quarterfinals Tuesday UTRGV 76, Northwestern St. 67 Stephen F. Austin 63, Nicholls 60 Semifinals Wednesday McNeese St. 67, Texas Rio Grande Valley 52 Stephen F. Austin 64, Lamar 59 Championship Thursday McNeese State vs. Stephen F. Austin, 4 p.m. At College Park, Ga. Second Round Tuesday Florida A&M 55, Bethune-Cookman 52 Ark.-Pine Bluff 81, MVSU 74 Quarterfinals Wednesday Alabama A&M 72, Florida A&M 68 Ark.-Pine Bluff 64, Alcorn State 60 Thursday Southern vs. Jackson St., 10 a.m. Alabama St. vs. Grambling, 4:30 p.m.

Reb

Birmingham, Ala. Tuesday FAU 74, Charlotte 70 Temple 86, Tulane 77, OT Second round Wednesday North Texas 80, FAU 57 UTSA 59, Temple 51 Quarterﬁnals Thursday Tulsa vs. North Texas, noon South Florida vs. TBD, 2:30 p.m.

Pro basketball Detroit Boston New York Cleveland Toronto Miami Orlando Philadelphia Atlanta Charlotte Milwaukee Chicago Brooklyn Washington Indiana

Tuesday’s games

W 51 48 40 40 40 39 38 32 32 31 23 21 21 20 16

L 15 17 24 25 25 26 27 32 33 35 41 44 45 45 50

Pct .773 .738 .625 .615 .615 .600 .585 .500 .492 .470 .359 .323 .318 .308 .242

Philadelphia 139, Memphis 129 Atlanta 124, Dallas 112 Miami 150, Washington 129 Detroit 138, Brooklyn 100 Phoenix 129, Milwaukee 114 Houston 113, Toronto 99 San Antonio 125, Boston 116 Charlotte 103, Portland 101 Sacramento 114, Indiana 109 Chicago 130, Golden State 124, OT L.A. Lakers 120, Minnesota 106

Thursday’s games

Tuesday Delaware 66, Kennesaw St. 47 Jacksonville St. 82, UTEP 77 Quarterﬁnals Wednesday Louisiana Tech 72, Delaware 43 FIU 76, Jacksonville St. 66 Thursday Sam Houston St. vs. Liberty, 11:30 a.m. Middle Tennessee vs. Missouri St., 2 p.m.

W 46 43 41 40 36 37 35 35 34 33 27 27 17 16 15

Oklahoma City San Antonio Houston L.A. Lakers Minnesota Denver Phoenix L.A. Clippers Golden State Portland Memphis Dallas New Orleans Utah Sacramento

Cleveland at Orlando, n Toronto at New Orleans, n New York at Utah, n Charlotte at Sacramento, n Houston at Denver, n Minnesota at L.A. Clippers, n

Conference USA Conference

NBA conference glance EASTERN CONFERENCE

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Wednesday’s games

American Conference Tournament

At College Park, Georgia Second round Tuesday Prairie View 65, Alcorn St. 56 Jackson St. 68, Grambling 65 Quarterﬁnals Wednesday Prairie View 71, Bethune-Cookman 67 Florida A&M vs. Jackson St., n Thursday Texas Southern vs. Alabama A&M, 2 p.m. Southern vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff, 8:30 p.m.

Conference USA Tournament

Women’s college basketball Southland Conference Tournament

FG FT Reb LSU Min M-A M-A O-T A PFPTS Nwoko 35 5-9 6-8 3-12 2 3 16 Sutton 36 5-12 0-0 3-7 0 2 11 Tamba 30 2-5 2-4 3-4 1 4 6 Mackinnon 33 11-17 4-6 2-4 1 4 28 Reece 38 5-11 1-2 0-6 7 1 11 King 19 3-6 0-0 0-0 0 3 7 Carter 8 1-4 0-0 0-0 0 0 3 Totals 200 32-64 13-20 11-33 11 17 82 Percentages: FG .500, FT .650. 3-Point Goals: 5-20, .250 (Mackinnon 2-6, Sutton 1-2, Carter 1-4, King 1-4, Reece 0-4). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 2 (Sutton, Tamba). Turnovers: 9 (Mackinnon 3, Nwoko 3, Reece, Sutton, Tamba). Steals: 1 (Reece). Technical Fouls: None.

SWAC Tournament

3-Point Goals: 6-22, .273 (Garrison 2-3, Jelavic 1-2, Williams 1-3, Aberdeen 1-5, Chandler 1-5, Dioubate 0-1, Oweh 0-3). Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None. Blocked Shots: 3 (Garrison 2, Jelavic). Turnovers: 5 (Aberdeen, Chandler, Dioubate, Garrison, Oweh). Steals: 5 (Garrison 2, Aberdeen, Oweh, Williams). Technical Fouls: Aberdeen, 9:29 second. LSU 43 39 — 82 Kentucky 46 41 — 87

Philadelphia at Detroit, 6 p.m. Phoenix at Indiana, 6 p.m. Washington at Orlando, 6 p.m. Brooklyn at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m. Milwaukee at Miami, 6:30 p.m. Dallas at Memphis, 7 p.m. Denver at San Antonio, 8 p.m. Boston at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m. Chicago at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m. Friday’s Games Cleveland at Dallas, 6:30 p.m. Memphis at Detroit, 6:30 p.m. New York at Indiana, 6:30 p.m. Phoenix at Toronto, 6:30 p.m. New Orleans at Houston, 7 p.m. Minnesota at Golden State, 9 p.m. Utah at Portland, 9 p.m. Chicago at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games Brooklyn at Philadelphia, noon Milwaukee at Atlanta, 2 p.m. Charlotte at San Antonio, 2:30 p.m. Washington at Boston, 5 p.m. Orlando at Miami, 7 p.m. Denver at L.A. Lakers, 7:30 p.m. Sacramento at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

College baseball L 18 22 25 25 28 29 28 30 31 33 37 38 48 48 50

Pct .719 .662 .621 .615 .563 .561 .556 .538 .523 .500 .422 .415 .262 .250 .231

GB — 3½ 6 6½ 10 10 10½ 11½ 12½ 14 19 19½ 29½ 30 31½

State scores, schedule Tuesday’s scores

UL 11, Texas-Rio Grande Valley 7 Southern 20, Dillard 7, 7 innings Nicholls 12, Jackson State 2, 7 innings Mississippi State 11, Tulane 7 UNO 14, Mississippi Valley State 0 LSU 8, Creighton 4

Wednesday’s games

McNeese at UL, ppd. Nicholls 5, Xavier 4 Southeastern at South Alabama, n

Thursday’s games No games scheduled

GB — 2½ 10 10½ 10½ 11½ 12½ 18 18½ 20 27 29½ 30 30½ 35

College softball State scores, schedule Tuesday’s game LSU 12, Nicholls 2

Wednesday’s games

Southern Miss at Southeastern, 5 p.m. Nicholls at Jackson State, 5 p.m.

Thursday’s games No games scheduled

World Baseball Classic Tuesday’s games Japan 9, Czech Republic 0 Canada 3, Puerto Rico 2 Israel 6, Netherlands 2 Italy 8, United States 6

Wednesday’s games Canada 7, Cuba 2 Italy at Mexico, n Dominican Republic at Venezuela, n

Friday’s games

South Korea at Pool D Winner, 6:30 p.m. Pool A Runner-Up at Pool B Winner, 8 p.m.

Tennis BNP Paribas Open

At Indian Wells Tennis Garden Indian Wells, Calif. Purse: $9,415,725 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor

Men’s singles

Round of 16 Cameron Norrie (27), Britain, def. Rinky Hijikata, Australia, 6-4, 6-2. Daniil Medvedev (11), Russia, def. Alex Michelsen, United States, 6-2, 6-4. Carlos Alcaraz (1), Spain, def. Casper Ruud (13), Norway, 6-1, 7-6 (2).

Women’s singles

Round of 16 Iga Swiatek (2), Poland, def. Karolina Muchova (13), Czechia, 6-2, 6-0. Jessica Pegula (5), United States, def. Belinda Bencic (12), Switzerland, 6-3, 7-6 (5). Elina Svitolina (9), Ukraine, def. Katerina Siniakova, Czechia, 6-1, 1-1, ret.

Transactions FOOTBALL

National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Released QB Kyler Murray. CAROLINA PANTHERS — Waived DT Popo Aumavae. CLEVELAND BROWNS — Tendered S Ronnie Hickman as a restricted free agent. Acquired T Tytus Howard from Houston in exchange for a 2026 ﬁfth-round draft pick (from Las Vegas). Signed C/G Elgton Jenkins, G Zion Johnson, LB Quincy Williams and TE Jack Stoll to contracts. DALLAS COWBOYS — Acquired DL Rashan Gary from Green Bay in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round draft pick. DETROIT LIONS — Placed DE Josh Paschal on waivers. GREEN BAY PACKERS — Re-signed C/G Sean Rhyan to a contract. Released CB Nate Hobbs. Acquired LB Zaire Franklin from Indianapolis in exchange for DL Colby Wooden. HOUSTON TEXANS — Released DT Mario Edwards. MIAMI DOLPHINS — Re-signed TE Greg Dulcich and CB A.J. Green III to contracts. Released LB Bradley Chubb with a post-June 1 designation. MINNESOTA VIKINGS — Signed S Tavierre Thomas and DLs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave to contracts.

LIVING

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

T h u r s d ay, M a r c h 12, 2026

5cN

Steak and potatoes a proper St. Patrick’s Day start BY LINDA GASSENHEIMER Tribune News Service (TNS)

Beef, potatoes and leeks, lightly coated in a rich beermustard sauce, are the stars of this hearty one-pot meal. It’s perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day or for any night you’re craving a comforting, ﬂavorful dinner. Beer ranges in color from pale gold to deep amber. This recipe calls for a dark beer, which adds depth to the sauce. Leeks look like a giant scallion with broad, dark green leaves that are tightly wrapped around each other. The quickest way to clean the leaves is to trim the root end and make 4 to 5 slits from top to bottom. Run the leaves under cold water to reach the dirt trapped between the leaf layers.

TNS PHOTO By LINDA GASSENHEIMER

Quick Beer-Sauced Steak and Potatoes

Yields 2 servings. Recipe is by Linda Gassenheimer. 2 teaspoons olive oil ¾ pound grass-fed beef tenderloin, cut into 1-inch pieces ¾ pound red or yellow potatoes, with skin, cut into 1-inch pieces 2 medium leeks, cleaned and sliced (about 2 cups) 11 ounces beer 4 tablespoons cider vinegar 2 tablespoons coarse-grain mustard 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 tablespoon water Salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 scallions, sliced (about 1⁄3 cup) 1. Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat. Add beef and brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Remove to a plate and set aside. 2. Place potatoes in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high 3 minutes. 3. Add the leeks and potatoes to the skillet. Saute 1 minute. Add the beer and vinegar to the skillet and cook 2 minutes. Add the mustard and stir into the ingredients. 4. Mix cornstarch with the water and stir into the ingredients in the skillet. Return the meat to the skillet and continue to cook 1 minute. A meat thermometer should read 135 F for medium rare. Add salt and pepper to taste. Divide between 2 dinner plates and sprinkle the scallions on top. NUTRITION INFO PER SERVING: 549 calories (26 percent from fat), 16.0 g fat (5.4 g saturated, 6.6 g monounsaturated), 84 mg cholesterol, 41.8 g protein, 50.1 g carbohydrates, 5.5 g ﬁber, 333 mg sodium.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Baked Stuffed Shrimp

WORDS WISE from the

Baked Stuffed Shrimp

Serves 4

1 cup breadcrumbs, divided ¼ cup parsley, freshly chopped 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning 1 garlic clove, minced ½ cup mayonnaise ½ cup butter, divided, melted 1 pound crabmeat, claw 20 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 lemon, juiced 1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray. 2. Mix half of the breadcrumbs, parsley, Creole seasoning, garlic, mayo and butter in a large bowl. Add crabmeat, melted butter; mix stufﬁng well. 3. Place a shrimp on a flat work surface. Slice horizontally through the middle, careful not to cut through to the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Repeat with remaining shrimp. 4. Stuff each shrimp with a heaping tablespoon of mixture and place in prepared baking dish. Mix remaining melted butter and lemon then spoon a small amount over each shrimp. 5. Bake in the preheated oven until shrimp are opaque and stufﬁng begins to brown, 15 to 18 minutes.

For Women’s History Month, chef Kevin Belton honors the kitchen matriarchs who shaped him As Women’s History Month unfolds, I ﬁnd myself reﬂecting on the hands that guided mine in the kitchen — hands that kneaded dough, stirred pots and more importantly, shaped the chef I’ve become. These weren’t just women who taught me recipes, they were architects of a philosophy that cooking is an act of love, discipline and respect. My earliest culinary education began at home, watching my mom and grandma move through the kitchen with a rhythm that seemed almost choreographed. But it wasn’t just about what they cooked, it was how they cooked. “Clean as you go,” my mom would remind me, wiping down counters between tasks, never letting chaos accumulate. It seemed tedious to my younger self, but I understand now that she was teaching me something profound: respect for

Kevin Belton the workspace, respect for the process and respect for those who would eat the food. My grandma taught me something even more intangible but equally essential: Food prepared without love is just sustenance, but food prepared with care becomes nourishment for the soul. I watched her cook for family gatherings, her movements deliberate and tender, as if each stir of the pot was a prayer. She never rushed, never cut corners and the result was always the same.

ä See MATRIARCHS, page 6C

Low-fuss dumpling lasagna gets steamed on the stovetop Dumpling Lasagna

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/ TNS PHOTO By GRETCHEN McKAy

BY GRETCHEN McKAY

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) Lasagna never fails to please, but its preparation — and storage of leftovers — can be a hassle. But portioning the layered dish into individual servings before cooking and steaming it on the stovetop? Now you’re talking. Suddenly lasagna is both quick and easy.

This craveable recipe, a variation on what’s been making the rounds on social media over the past few months, all the Recipe, features great ﬂavors you 6C ﬁnd in an Asianstyle soup dumpling: juicy pork seasoned with garlic, green onion and chopped cabbage, a savory mix of soy and oyster sauces, Shaoxing wine and toasted sesame oil.

But you can skip the tedious work of wrapping wonton after wonton around scoops of ﬁlling to make 20 or 30 small packages you can fry or boil. For this dish, you layer the meat and wrappers like a parfait or seven-layer dip in ramekins (or small soup cups or bowls). After topping off the minilasagnas with a little water or

ä See LASAGNA, page 6C

6C ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Praline Cake baking dish and smooth the top. Bake 22 to 32 minutes, until a cake FOR THE BROWN SUGAR tester inserted into CAKE: the center of the pan 1 cup buttermilk comes out clean. ½ cup butter 6. Remove from the 2 cups light brown sugar, oven and set on a wire packed rack, then immedi2 large eggs 1 tablespoon vanilla ately start the praline extract topping and heat your 2 cups all-purpose flour oven’s broiler. 1 teaspoon baking soda PRALINE TOPPING ½ teaspoon salt 1. Combine all the FOR THE PRALINE frosting ingredients in a TOPPING: small saucepan and set ½ cup butter the pan over medium PROVIDED PHOTO heat. Bring to a slow 1 cup light brown sugar, packed boil, stirring often. Praline Cake 1 cup pecans chopped 2. Once the topping ½ cup heavy cream boils, cook for 3 to 5 a large mixing bowl and ¼ teaspoon salt let cool for 5 minutes. Add minutes, until the mixture brown sugar, eggs and vanil- just starts to thicken. 1. Preheat the oven to la extract. Beat with an elec3. Pour over the cake, then 350 F. Spray a 13- by 9-inch tric mixer set to medium put the cake in the oven 4 baking dish with cooking speed for several minutes, inches below the broiler. spray and dust lightly with until well combined. Broil 30 seconds to 1 minute, ﬂour. Set aside. 4. Whisk the flour, bak- until the frosting starts to 2. Combine the buttermilk ing soda, and salt in a small bubble and turns light goldand butter in a small sauce- bowl and, with mixer set to en brown. Don’t walk away pan set over medium heat. low, gradually beat into the from the oven because this Heat, stirring often, until butter-egg mixture until just will happen quickly. 4. Remove from the oven the butter is melted. If the combined. Stir a few times to mixture starts to boil, turn make sure all of the dry in- and cool before serving because praline topping is the heat down. gredients are incorporated. 3. Pour that mixture into 5. Scrape into the prepared very hot.

Serves 10-12

MATRIARCHS Continued from page 5C

People didn’t just eat her food, they felt embraced by it. Both of these recipes are versions of recipes Mom and Grandma made for us with so much love and care. These lessons became the foundation of everything I do in the kitchen, but it was the legendary Leah Chase who showed me how to carry those values into a professional realm. I’ve been going to Dooky Chase’s Restaurant since I was a toddler, and Chase was a constant presence. She was a queen in her domain, commanding respect while radiating warmth. I remember once, in my eagerness to experiment, asking her about adding cream to a particular recipe. She didn’t say a word. She simply gave me that look, stern but loving, the kind only a woman who has mastered her craft can give. That look said everything: Respect the tradition, understand the why before you change the what, and never

compromise the integrity of a dish for the sake of trends. Chase didn’t just cook Creole food. She preserved culture, fed freedom ﬁghters and created a space where everyone, regardless of race or status, could gather around a table. She taught me that being a chef is more than technical skill. It’s about being a custodian of history, a bridge between generations and a servant to the community. Then there was Yvonne Blount, the fourth-generation owner of Antoine’s, one of the oldest family-run restaurants in this country. We didn’t have a formal mentor-mentee relationship in the traditional sense. I never worked for her, but she became a friend and guide as I navigated this industry. Blount understood the weight of legacy. Running a restaurant with such deep roots required not just business acumen but a reverence for what came before. She showed me that longevity in this business isn’t about chasing every trend; it’s about staying true to your vision while adapting with grace.

Her friendship reminded me that women in this industry must support one another, lift each other up and create space for the next generation. These women didn’t just teach me how to cook, they taught me how to live. They showed me that a clean kitchen is a reﬂection of a clear mind, that love is the most important ingredient, and that our work in the kitchen is never just about feeding bodies — it’s about nourishing souls and preserving the stories that make us who we are. This Women’s History Month, I celebrate them, not as distant ﬁgures of inspiration, but as the foundation upon which I stand. Kevin Belton is resident chef of WWL-TV and has taught classes in Louisiana cooking for 30 years. The most recent of his four cookbooks, “Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana: Flavors from the Parishes of the Pelican State,” was published in 2021. Email Chef at chefkevinbelton@gmail. com.

Dumpling Lasagna Serves 4. Recipe is from Gretchen McKay, Post-Gazette. FOR GROUND PORK MIXTURE: ¾ pound ground pork ½ cup chopped or finely shredded napa or green cabbage 2 thinly sliced green onions, plus more for garnish 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine or mirin 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon oyster sauce 2 garlic cloves, finely minced 1-inch knob fresh ginger, grated or minced FOR SOUP: 1 package wonton wrappers Water or broth, for filling ramekins Chili oil or chili crisp, for garnish

The pork mixture is portioned into the bottom of a 6-ounce ramekin.

1. Prepare the dumpling ﬁlling. In a large bowl, combine ground pork, chopped cabbage, green onions, Shaoxing wine or mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil, oyster sauce, minced garlic and ginger. Use your hands or a fork to mix everything together until well combined. 2. In small soup bowl or 6-ounce ramekin, add a layer of ground pork mixture, then a dumpling wrapper, pressing down gently with your ﬁngers. 3. Continue with another layer of filling and then a

wonton wrapper, pressing gently as you go. Add 1 more layer of pork filling, until the ramekin is nearly full. (There should be three layers of pork.) 4. Add 1⁄3 cup of water or vegetable/chicken stock, then top off with another layer of wonton wrap. Press the dumpling wrapper down gently with ﬁngers so it is submerged in the liquid. 5. Repeat with 3 more ramekins/soup bowls. 6. Place ramekins in a large pot and add water halfway up the sides. Cover with a

lid and boil and steam for 20 minutes, or until the pork is fully cooked and the wonton wrappers are soft and tender when pierced with the tip of a knife or pressed with your ﬁnger. Note: If all the ramekins don’t ﬁt in the pot at the same time, you will have to cook the lasagnas in batches. 7. Carefully remove ramekins/bowls from the steamer using tongs, place on a plate and finish with a drizzle of chili oil or generous spoonful of chili crisp. Top with sliced green onions, and serve warm straight from the ramekin.

I used ground pork (because its fat makes it juicy) and chopped green cabbage in the filling, but you also could use ground chicken or shrimp — or make it completely vegetarian with tofu. Or, punch up the flavor with the addition of mushrooms or carrots. Definitely don’t forget a generous spoonful of chili crisp or swirl of spicy chili oil before taking that first awesome bite. The deep umami flavor of the condiments will add a rich, textural finish that makes the

dish irresistible. Wonton wrappers are usually tucked among the vegetables in your grocery’s refrigerated produce aisle. Shaoxing wine is a nutty amber-colored cooking wine that adds complexity and depth of ﬂavor to many Chinese dishes (it’s a staple in Chinese cooking). If you can’t ﬁnd it, substitute dry cooking sherry or a dash of mirin, a Japanese sweet rice wine. The lasagnas reheat well the next day in the microwave.

LASAGNA

Continued from page 5C broth, the ramekins are steamed on the stove top until the wonton wrappers are soft and wonderfully tender and the pork is fragrant and cooked through. There is a catch: You have to have a large and wide enough soup pot to comfortably ﬁt four ramekins, and it has to have a lid. Otherwise, you’ll need to do the cooking in batches.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/TNS PHOTO By GRETCHEN McKAy

Going out with a bloom spins the plate to bring Dear Heloise: I kept an African violet on my desk at everything into view. This clever reuse keeps matework that never bloomed, no matter how much I rials out of landfills and cared for it. An makes fridge orgaolder gentleman nization easy. — Jerry at the company S., via email who grew African Kitty-food dust violets at home under grow lights Dear Heloise: I have offered to take discovered a way mine home. He nur- Hints from to get rid of all the Heloise “dust” that comes in tured it carefully my cat’s dry food. and, once buds apI measure out the proper peared, returned it to me amount, put it into a small in full bloom. For several sieve, and shake it over years, whenever the blosthe sink. The “dust” is resoms faded, I gave the violet back to him, and he moved, and the food bowl coaxed it to bloom again. is no longer messy. — Janice Eventually, he retired. F., in Youngstown, Ohio After his retirement, the violet — sitting quietly on Built-in protection my desk — began to bud Dear Heloise: Many smartand bloom on its own for phones already have a tool the very first time. After to block unwanted calls. To this final display, it never minimize unwanted calls, bloomed again. I like to open your phone’s settings, think that the last flowertap on the phone settings, scroll to “Silence Unknown ing was its tribute to the Callers,” and toggle it on. kind man who cared for When this setting is it so lovingly. — Debbie, via enabled, calls from numemail bers that are not in your Spin and store contacts, recent calls or suggestions will be sent Dear Heloise: Here’s a directly to voicemail. You clever recycling idea. A can ask unknown callers friend of mine repurposes the glass plate and rotating to leave a message if their base from old microwaves call is important, since most spam callers typias a lazy Susan for her refrigerator. The rotating cally hang up without leavtray organizes condiments, ing one. sauces and jars. Instead of Activating this simple shuffling bottles, my friend setting can greatly mini-

mize interruptions, allowing you to enjoy a more peaceful, productive day. — Kasey, in Prescott,Arizona

Getting rid of pet hair Dear Heloise: I am a longtime reader writing in with a tip! If you live with furry family members, you know that pet hair clings to upholstery and carpets no matter how often you vacuum. Before you plug in the vacuum, try this: Run a small shower squeegee over sofas, chairs and carpeted stairs. The rubber edge pulls up embedded pet hair and gathers it into easy-toremove piles — even the hair that your vacuum misses. For carpeted areas, here’s a “twofer.” Wear rubber garden clogs, and gently drag your feet back and forth across the carpet. The rubber soles create friction that loosens and clumps hair together. You’ll pick up more before vacuuming and give your inner thighs a little workout at the same time. Fewer hairs in your vacuum result in fewer trips to empty the canister. A win all around! — Barbara Coker, a San Antonio reader for years Send a hint to heloise@ heloise.com.

Putting parameters around public expressions of grief a suicide victim, and that Dear Miss Manners: A stuthey remove spontaneous dent at my child’s high memorials that show up on school died from suicide campus within five days. at the very end of the last Months later, the long school year. The young public mourning man was a popular of this child conbaseball player on the school’s team, tinues. Eventually, and he was from I felt something a socially popular needed to be said, family in my neighand I posted on a common social borhood. Judith media platform for There were mulMartin neighborhoods. I tiple tributes to him MISS did not mention the made by well-meanMANNERS young man’s name ing members of the or even the name of community: Green the school. I acknowledged ribbons were tied on trees that the organizers of all throughout the neighborhood, along with every tree these tributes had the best in the median of the street intentions, but then prothat goes from the neighvided the expert consensus that these kinds of tributes borhood to the school; a can have very serious unmemorial ceremony and balloon release were held intended consequences for at the school’s baseball mental health. field; and the lights on sevThe response to my post eral nearby high-rise office was overwhelmingly posibuildings were changed tive. I only got one negato green one night in his tive piece of feedback, honor. Flags and yard signs from a woman I think is were also created. The a friend of the family and student council announced one of the organizers of all that everyone should wear these tributes. She pressed green to school on what me to take down my post, would have been his 16th said the social media birthday. platform was not the apThe problem with this propriate place to discuss is that all the experts on this and that I should have teen suicide recommend brought it up in a neighborschools not organize hood board meeting. memorials, moments of Were these months too silence, plant trees, etc. for short a time to wait before

addressing this? Was the social media platform the wrong place to address it? Gentle reader: One does not debate grief. It is not only unseemly, it is unproductive. Posting on social media was a mistake, but not for the reasons given by the organizer — and her idea of raising it at a neighborhood board meeting would have been equally bad. None of which invalidates your concern for the health and safety of other children in the community; you merely need to have the discussion in a forum that is not open to the boy’s parents. They are grieving, and do not want to think that they may inadvertently be party to demonstrations that may lead to other suicides. There is also nothing to be gained by opposing the organizer, whose attention, understandably, is on the boy’s family. Miss Manners would have you talk — behind the scenes — to responsible and disinterested parties at the school, or any other institutions that may be planning further memorials. Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com.

TODAY IN HISTORY By The Associated Press Today is Thursday, March 12, the 71st day of 2026. There are 294 days left in the year. Today in history: On March 12, 1930, Mohandas Gandhi began his 24-day, 240-mile “Salt March” to the Indian village of Dandi (then called Navsari) as an act of nonviolent civil disobedience to protest the salt tax levied by colonial Britain. Also on this date: In 1912, the Girl Scouts of the USA had its beginnings as Juliette Gordon Low of Savannah, Georgia, founded the first American troop of the Girl Guides. In 1928, the St. Francis Dam north of Los Angeles, California, failed, sending over 12 billion gallons of water into San Francisquito Canyon and killing more than 400 people. In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the first of his “fireside

chats,” a series of evening radio broadcasts to the American public. In 1938, Nazi Germany annexed Austria, as German troops crossed the border into the country. In 1947, President Harry S. Truman announced what became known as the “Truman Doctrine” to help Greece and Turkey resist communism during the Cold War. In 1980, a Chicago jury found John Wayne Gacy Jr. guilty of the murders of 33 men and boys. (The next day, Gacy was sentenced to death; he was executed in May 1994.) In 2003, Elizabeth Smart, the 15-year-old girl who vanished from her Utah bedroom nine months earlier, was found alive in a Salt Lake City suburb with two drifters, Brian David Mitchell and Wanda Barzee. (Mitchell is serving a life sentence for kidnapping Smart; Barzee was released from prison in 2018.)

In 2009, disgraced ﬁnancier Bernard Madoff pleaded guilty in New York to the largest Ponzi scheme in history, having defrauded his clients of nearly $65 billion; he would later be sentenced to 150 years behind bars. (Madoff died in prison in April 2021.) In 2021, the city of Minneapolis agreed to pay $27 million to settle a lawsuit ﬁled by George Floyd’s family over the murder of the Black man by police. Today’s birthdays: Politician and civil rights activist Andrew Young is 94. Actor Barbara Feldon (“Get Smart”) is 93. Actor-singer Liza Minnelli is 80. Politician Mitt Romney is 79. Singer-songwriter James Taylor is 78. Actor Lesley Manville is 70. Singer Marlon Jackson (The Jackson Five) is 69. Actor Courtney B. Vance is 66. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois is 58. Actor Aaron Eckhart is 58. Actor Jaimie Alexander is 42.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 7C

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FrAnK And erneSt

bIG nAte

zItS

For better or For WorSe

zodIAC PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Sign up for a seminar, event or activity that will offer a different approach or outcome. Don't be shy; start a conversation that embraces truth, logic and communication. ARIES (March 21-April 19) Lay the foundation for your pursuits, but don't reveal your intentions until you have everything in place. Don't share your personal matters with outsiders or business associates. TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Listen and learn. The information you gather will far exceed what you gain from doing all the talking. A kind gesture will result in rewards and recommendations. GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Put goodness back into your life through your actions. Participate in events that address issues that concern you. A function will lead to an unexpected encounter. CANCER (June 21-July 22) Protect yourself against injury or illness. An emotional situation will erupt if you put yourself in a vulnerable position. There is more power in your words than in your actions. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Discipline will help you make your way to brilliance. Don't let someone else's jealousy or ego ruin your plans. Participating in events that motivate you will spark love. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Plant your feet firmly on the ground and do your thing to the best of your ability. Speak up, embrace changes and broaden your

vision, and you can exceed your own expectations. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Getting into the swing of things and mixing business with pleasure will change the dynamics of your relationships with your associates. An unusual concept you devise will take hold. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Put your energy into bringing about positive change. Use your skills and discipline to bring your vision to life. Find an outlet that helps you relax and makes you grateful for your life choices and prospects. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Spend less time exhausting your resources and more time taking better care of your life, your home and your family. Follow your heart and forge ahead. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) How you handle responsibilities and finances will determine how you relate to others. An open dialogue and willingness to compromise will help you push your through your agenda with support from others. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Reshaping your surroundings to meet your demands will make your life easier. Don't let anyone play emotional mind games with you or lead you astray with misinformation. The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY CeLebrItY CIpher Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

TODAy'S CLUE: E EQUALS P

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

8C ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

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Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday. Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● 9C

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B.C.

Bridge BY PHILLIP ALDER Fulke Greville, an English poet who died in 1628, said, “The criterion of true beauty is that it increases on examination; if false, that it lessens.” At the bridge table, the beauty of a deal can increase upon careful analysis. Sometimes, though, the key play is a falsecard. What should happen in this deal after West leads the heart ace against three no-trump? Before getting to the answer, some pairs use interesting honor leads against no-trump. They choose one card, either the ace or king (I prefer the king), when they have a very strong suit. It asks partner either to unblock an honor or to give count. With that agreement, West would lead his “big” card here, happy if East could throw the queen onto the table. (Assuming the king is “big,” then an ace-lead is from a weaker ace-king holding, asking partner to signal attitude. And a queen-lead is from either a weak king-queen or a good queen-jack.) If that appeals to you, discuss it carefully with your partners. Using standard leads and signals, East should play his heart three at trick one, discouraging. Then South must drop his seven. He has to try to persuade West that East started with Q-3-2 of hearts and wasdoingthebesthecouldbyplayingthe three. Agreed, it should not work. West’s ace-lead should not be from a holding

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

weaker than ace-king-jack-fourth. And if that is true, East can afford to play his queen from Q-3-2. West should shift at trick two, and whichever suit he chooses, East will get in with his club ace and can lead his second heart through South’s queen to defeat the contract by two tricks. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game InsTRucTIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

ToDAY’s WoRD — HARDTAcK: HARD-tak: A saltless hard biscuit, bread or

Bizarro

marmaduKe

cracker. Average mark 14 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 23 or more words in HARDTACK? YEsTERDAY’s WoRD — GEnuInELY gene genie genuine glee glen glue gluey guile elegy engine ennui

eyeing nene nine ugly ingenue ingle inly liege lien lieu line

linen ling luge lune lung lunge lying yule

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “This is the day which the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalms 118:24

Today is a gift from God. Use it wisely. — G.E. Dean

10C ● Thursday, March 12, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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BUSINESS T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/news/business

DOW 47,417.27 -289.24 -0.61%

NASDAQ 22,716.13 19.03 0.08%

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Market remains calm as most stocks fall

NEW YORK — The U.S. stock market remained calm Wednesday, even as the price of oil got back to rising. Since the start of the war with Iran, sharp moves for oil prices have triggered swings up and down for financial markets worldwide, sometimes by the hour. Oil prices briefly spiked to their highest levels since 2022 this week because of the possibility that production in the Middle East could be blocked for a long time, which in turn raised worries about a surge of debilitating inflation for the global economy. High inflation combined with a stagnating economy would create a worst-case scenario called “stagflation” that the Federal Reserve has no good tools to fix. Stagflation fears are rising not just because of higher oil prices but also because of weakness in hiring by U.S. employers. On Wall Street, the majority of stocks fell. Campbell’s sank 7.1% after the soup company reported a weaker profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It was hurt by struggles for its snack business, and it cut its forecasts for revenue and profit this fiscal year. Helping to limit Wall Street’s losses was Oracle, which jumped 9.2%. The tech giant reported stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also raised its forecast for revenue growth next fiscal year.

ExxonMobil set to move legal home to Texas ExxonMobil is poised to move its legal headquarters from New Jersey to Texas in search of a more friendly business environment, the company announced Tuesday morning. The board of directors for the largest U.S.-based oil producing company, which already runs its operations from the Houston suburb of Spring, unanimously recommended to its shareholders that they vote to redomicile the company in Texas. Shareholders will vote on the change at the company’s annual meeting on May 27. If successful, it will move Exxon’s legal home for the first time since it registered in New Jersey in 1882 as Standard Oil Company — the company later changed its name to Exxon, then merged with Mobil Oil Corp. The proposed move will not affect the company’s business operations or employee locations, the company said. ExxonMobil has been headquartered in Texas since 1989, and about 30% of its employees currently work in the state.

Stryker: Cyberattack disrupted networks PORTAGE, Mich. — Stryker, a major U.S. medical equipment company, said a cyberattack disrupted its global networks Wednesday. “We have no indication of ransomware or malware and believe the incident is contained. Our teams are working rapidly to understand the impact of the attack on our systems,” Stryker said in a statement on its website. The logo of Handala, a hacking group linked to Iran, has appeared on company login pages, The Wall Street Journal reported. Stryker’s statement said the cyberattack hit its Microsoft programs. Emails seeking additional information were not immediately answered. Stryker is based in Portage, Michigan, and makes a variety of medical products, from artiﬁcial joints to hospital beds. It had revenue of more than $25 billion in 2025. Alexander Leslie, a senior adviser at Recorded Future, a global threat intelligence company, said what’s notable is the “escalation in target choice and effect.” Attacking a high-profile U.S. health care manufacturer “is exactly the kind of pressure point that creates outsized strategic and political ripple effects,” Leslie told The Associated Press.

S&P 500 6,775.80 -5.68 -0.08%

EURO 1.1567 -0.0042 -0.36%

CRUDE OIL 83.45 -11.32 -11.94%

GOLD 5,167.40 -62.30 -1.19%

6-MO T-BILLS 3.65 0.01 0.27%

30-YR T-BONDS 4.87 0.08 1.77%

Service dog lawsuit settled violating the state’s Human sioner Rebecca Lucero told reportLyft agrees to protect was Rights Act. Both sides then nego- ers. Drivers can’t cancel or refuse a settlement that includes a ride because a passenger has a rights of disabled tiated changes in driver training, and service animal or wheelchair, or riders nationwide updates to the Lyft app that will because they have low or no vision,

BY STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The ride-sharing company Lyft will ensure the rights of blind and other disabled passengers across the country to travel with their service animals under a settlement announced in Minnesota on Wednesday. College student Tori Andres turned to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights after several Lyft drivers refused to let her service dog, Alfred, ride along with her. The agency investigated and determined that the company

make the agreement apply nationwide, not just in Minnesota. “This case is a deeply personal thing to me because I travel pretty much everywhere with my guide dog,” Andres said at a news conference, as her black Labrador lay quietly near her feet, with only an occasional lick or yawn. “He is my eyes. He is my freedom, and he is why I am able to live independently.” The terms require Lyft to train its drivers on the rights of passengers with disabilities, and warn them that they could be “deactivated” and lose their ability to drive for Lyft if they violate the law, state Human Rights Commis-

she said. The state will monitor Lyft’s compliance for three years, she added, and Andres will get a $63,000 monetary settlement. “We expect that all riders in Minnesota and in fact, across the United States, will beneﬁt from these changes,” Lucero said. Changes to the Lyft app include giving riders the option of updating their accessibility settings to notify a driver that they’re traveling with a service animal, and to report if they’re denied service. Some of those features were already in place. Lyft agreed to follow up on every report it gets of driver refusals.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By STEVE KARNOWSKI

Alfred, a service dog who belongs to college student Tori Andres, attends a news conference at the State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn., on Wednesday.

Inflation held steady before attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring Price spikes will challenge federal inflation-fighters

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER and ANNE D’INNOCENZIO

Associated Press Writers

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Inflation remained stubbornly elevated last month as gas prices rose, but it’s a snapshot of consumer prices before a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran sent energy costs soaring. Consumer prices rose 2.4% in February compared with a year earlier, the Labor Department said Wednesday, matching January’s increase. Excluding the volatile food and energy, core prices climbed 2.5% from a year ago, also matching January’s level, which was the lowest in five years. Both remain above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Wednesday’s data has been overtaken by a conflict that began when the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, causing wild gyrations in oil prices as shipping lanes through the Persian Gulf suffered a rare shutdown. Gas prices have jumped sharply and are expected to fuel higher costs broadly. Inflation data for this month will be released in early April. The price spike will challenge the inflationfighters at the Federal Reserve and could slow consumer spending, which drives twothirds of the nation’s economic growth. Prices could retreat if the war ends soon, as President Donald Trump has hinted. But rising oil prices threaten to worsen inflation for at least a few months with Americans already worn down by nearly five years of sharply higher costs. “Affordability” has become a thorny political issue for congressional Republicans with midterm elections later this year. On a monthly basis, prices rose 0.3% in February from the previous month, up from 0.2% in January. Increases at that pace for an extended period would push yearly inflation higher. Core prices moved up just 0.2%, down from a 0.3% rise in January. There were some positive signs in Wednesday’s report, with rental inflation falling to just 0.1% on a monthly basis, the smallest increase in five years. New car prices were unchanged in February and used car prices fell 0.4%. But grocery prices rose more quickly than in January, a trend that has hammered family budgets. They rose 0.4% in February and

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIO CORTEZ

Gas prices are visible on a marquee outside of a Kroger grocery store on Monday in Arlington, Texas. Prices have spiked following a U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28. were up 2.4% from a year earlier. Gas prices increased 0.8% last month, though they’re down 5.6% compared with a year ago. And clothing costs jumped 1.3% just in February, likely due to tariffs. “Ahead of the energy shock, trends in the consumer price index were relatively tame,” said Laura Rosner-Warburton, senior economist at MacroPolicy Perspectives. But she cautioned that the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation measure, which puts less weight on items that are cooling, such as rents, will likely come in higher when it is reported on Friday. Fuel prices are on track to soar 20% this month, she added, “and that’s huge.” Monthly inflation could rise by as much as 0.9% this month, she estimates, which would be the highest in four years. Companies bracing for higher energy costs are already wresting with tariffs, inflation, and growing labor costs. Many still want to avoid passing costs on to customers, but that depends heavily on the duration of the war.

Some analysts warn prices will rocket higher if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed. About 20% of the world’s oil and natural gas is shipped through the narrow channel every day. On Wednesday, a projectile hit a Thai cargo ship off the coast of Oman leading into the Strait of Hormuz, setting it ablaze. Oil prices could soar to $150 a barrel in the coming weeks if shipments don’t resume, according to Wood Mackenzie, an energy analytics ﬁrm. The national average for regular gasoline in the U.S. jumped to $3.58 a gallon Wednesday, according to AAA, an increase of about 20% just in one month. Core prices will be much less affected this month, but could tick higher over time as more expensive gas pushes up airline fares, shipping, and other transportation costs. Darren Rebelez, the CEO of Casey’s General Stores, told investors Tuesday that he doesn’t expect a signiﬁcant pullback in customer spending unless gasoline nears $5 per gallon.

Drone maker partly owned by Trump sons hopes to win contracts Powerus has eye on Pentagon deals BY BERNARD CONDON Associated Press

NEW YORK — Among dozens of companies competing for Pentagon contracts to supply attack drones, one stands out. Powerus is ﬂush with cash and ballooning in size as it buys up rivals and has one other advantage: It is partly owned by President Donald Trump’s two oldest sons. The Trump family has drawn criticism for expanding its real estate business into foreign countries that are trying to curry favor with the president and for making billions of dollars off cryptocur-

rency ventures benefiting from his policies. Grabbing less attention are new ownership stakes in federal contractors providing everything from rocket parts and rare earth magnets to AI chips and computer hardware. The latest Trump venture is hoping to win some of the $1.1 billion set aside by the Pentagon to build up a U.S. manufacturing base for armed drones now that the Trump administration put a ban on importing them from China. Powerus says there is no problem with it bidding for government money that could make the president’s sons richer. “There’s no conﬂict there. Whatever they’re doing, is what they’re doing,” said co-founder Brett Velicovich, referring to the Trump brothers. “Our focus at the compa-

ny has nothing to do with politics.” Asked to comment about potential conflicts, the Trump Organization sent a statement from Eric Trump: “I am incredibly proud to invest in companies I believe in. Drones are clearly the wave of the future.” Founded by U.S. Army Special Operations veterans about a year ago, Powerus makes drones mostly for commercial uses, from spreading fertilizer to putting out forest fires. But it is bulking up fast to supply the Defense Department with armed drones like the ones being used by Ukraine and Russia and, more recently, Iran as it rains havoc on Gulf states allied with the U.S. The company bought three rivals in the past six months and plans to buy more. It just raised $60 million from investors to fund the buying spree and hopes to tap additional fi-

nancing by doing a “reverse merger” in which a private company gets a public listing by buying one already on the stock market, usually a business with little or no operations. The pubic company in this case is Aureus Greenway Holdings, a Florida firm partly owned by Eric and Don Jr. that holds a few golf courses and is listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange. Of the two oldest brothers, Don Jr., is the one most involved in federal contracting firms through a venture capital fund called 1789 Capital. Don Jr. appears well-equipped to help Powerus. He has spoken out about the need for armed drones, appears knowledgeable about the technology and publicly endorsed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth when he was coming under fire during his confirmation hearings.