The Times-Picayune 03-18-2026

Fundingoptions mulled forS&WBrepairplan

BY BENMYERS Staff writer

After demandsfrom New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and City Council members, the Sewerage &Water Board on Monday released aplanfor overhauling the city’swater mains. The question is how to come up withbillions of dollars to payfor it.

Old water pipes have been aknownproblem for decades, but other priorities like drainage and roads have garnered more resources in recent years. Afterwater main breaks causedfourfloods in sixweeks, the

water transmissionsystemnow topsalong list of infrastructure needs.

Moreno and S&WB Executive Director

Randy Hayman have already said they would seek state andfederal funds, which could help chip away at immediateneeds But the overall cost of reviving awater transmission system on its deathbed is likely to far exceed thecontributions of other government agencies.

Theutility for now is focused on urgent repairs and 34 miles of large water mains thatare more than 100 years old, which it says couldexceed $700 million alone. That represents just 2% of the system

2025 shutdown costly forLa. crawfish plants

Visa issues create shortage of workers

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Last fall, Don Benoithad been making planstohire80 seasonalmigrant laborers to workathis crawfishprocessing plant during the upcoming spring season, and he was applying for guest-worker visas just like he had for the past eight years. But the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history would soon throw his

plans —and hisbusiness into disarray

It’s now March, and Benoit, whoowns D&TCrawfish in Abbeville, doesn’thave any migrant workersathis plant to peel and boil crawfish andprepare tail meat to sell at grocery stores. He just has his small, year-round crew of about 30 local employees, which can’t process near the volume the business typically does.

“You lose awhole season,” andthe ability to process about 2million pounds of crawfish, Benoit said

ä See SHUTDOWN, page 12A

On Tuesday,Moreno and Hayman offeredarange of ideas butstoppedshort of callingfor increases in water rates, which have been stagnant since 2020 but could be adifficult sell to the public while Moreno is already attempting to increase the$24 monthly sanitation fee.

“The funding piece, that’sthe first thing thatI looked at last night,” Moreno said. “How do we starttoget this funding?”

Debtfinancing throughbond sales is the typical way to pay for massive capitalupgrades, but the S&WB says it has

Letlow

ELECTION 2026

Douglass,Kennedy both relatively small

BY MARIEFAZIO Staff writer

Twohistoric New Orleans high schools, John F. KennedyHigh School and Frederick Douglass High School, will merge operations next school year at Kennedy’sGentilly campus, according to KIPPNew Orleans officials. KIPP NewOrleans’ board of directors voted last week to combine theschools, which they attributed to rising costs, major repairs needed to Douglass’ building on St. Claude Avenue andthe pressure of decliningcitywide enrollment, whichwill likely lead to school closures across the district.

The combined school will operate under the Kennedy name, Douglass principal Towana PierreFloyd wrote in aletter to families Tuesday.Pierre-Floyd will lead the combined school, she said, and Douglass teachers will move over to Kennedy “Looking forward, Iamconfident that this combination with JFK will allow us to draw on the strengths of each school to strengthenwhat Iknowtobethe strongest school in the city,” Pierre-Floyd wrote. The plan to effectively fold Douglass, an A-rated school with deep roots in NewOrleans, into Kennedy High School is sure to provoke strong reactions from community members and families. School closures and consolidations can be contentious, especially at schools

See MERGE, page 7A

U.S. SENATE

BY TYLERBRIDGES Staff writer

U.S.Rep.Julia Letlow has continuedtoduck calls for TV debates withher main Republican opponents,U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy and state Treasurer John Fleming, as she campaigns to be Louisiana’snext senator On March6,Cassidy challenged Letlowtodebate him

three times in advance of the May 16 Republican primary Letlowhas counteredbyoffering to participateina debate only on the program of conservative radio talk host Moon Griffon, whoregularly calls Cassidy “Psycho Bill.” Cassidy has sought to up the ante on Letlow by taunting her daily Tuesday, his campaign noted, marked the 11th day sinceCassidy called forthe threeTVdebates.Itthenreferred to news accounts that Letlow failed to follow con-

gressional rules whenshe was more than ayear late in reporting210 individual stock trades. Letlow blamed her financial advisers forthe late disclosures. “Senator Cassidy is ready for atelevised debate anytime —the only question is whether Letlow will finally show up forthe pot of gold,” Cassidy’scampaign said in the statement. “Based on her stock trading violations, we do know she has an eye for

ä See DEBATE, page 11A

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Pipe bomb suspectsays pardon applies to him

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump’ssweeping act of clemency for rioters who stormed the U.S. Capitol also should apply to aman charged with planting pipe bombs near the national headquarters of the Democratic and Republican parties on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot, the suspect’sattorneys argue in abid to get his case dismissed In acourt filing Monday,defense attorneys assert that Trump’sblanket pardonsextend to the charges against BrianJ ColeJr. becausehis allegedconduct on Jan. 5, 2021,is“inextricablytethered” to what happened at theCapitol on the following day.They’re asking U.S. District Judge Amir Ali to throwout the case before trial. Justice Department prosecutorsdidn’timmediately respond to the defense’srequest. In aprevious court filing, prosecutors said Cole, under questioningby FBI agents, denied that his actionswererelatedtothe Jan. 6 proceedings at theCapitol.

On his first day back in the White House last year,Trump pardoned, commuted the prison sentencesand orderedthe dismissal of all1,500-pluspeople charged in the attack by amob of his supporters.

Hiroshima survivor Shigeaki Mori dies

TOKYO— ShigeakiMori, aJapanese atomic bomb survivorin Hiroshima and ahistorian but best known for abig hughe was given by then President Barack Obama during hishistoricvisit to the city adecade ago, hasdied. He was 88.

Born in 1937, Mori was 8years old when he survived the Aug. 6, 1945, U.S.attack only 11/2 miles away from the blast. About 30 years later,helearneda little known fact: American prisonersofwar held in Japan were among those killed by theatomic bomb droppedbytheir own country

Working as afull-time company employee, Mori researched U.S. and Japanese official documents and tracked down 12 American POWs. He wrote letters to their bereaved families in the U.S. who didn’tknowhow their loved ones had died. The U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima instantly destroyed the city and killed tens of thousands. The death toll by the end of that year was 140,000. Asecond bomb dropped on Nagasaki killed another 70,000.

Mori authored abook, “The Secret of the American POWs Killed by the Atomic Bomb,” published in Japanese in 2008. The book won him aprestigious Kikuchi Kan Prize, and was later translated into English His researcheventually led to U.S. confirmation of the deaths of the 12 captured American service members in the bombing. “The researchI spentmore than 40 years was not aboutpeoplefrom the enemy country.It was about human beings,” Mori later said

2men charged with smuggling ants in Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya— AChinesenational and aKenyan man were charged Tuesday with unlawfully dealing in wildlife species afterthey were found in possession of hundreds of live ants stored in specialized tubes.

The case was the latest focused on the alleged smuggling of ants in the East African country, where authorities last year described agrowing trend in the trafficking of ants to markets in Europe and Asia. Officialshave not said if the ants are sought after as pets or for other purposes.

The suspects, identified as Zhang Kequn and Charles Mwangi, appeared in acourtroominthe Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Tuesday.They were also charged with conspiracy to commitafelony.

Prosecutors say Kequn had beensourcing the ants from Mwangi, allegedly paying $463 for an initial batch of 600 ants and $540 for another batch of 700

The suspects were arrested on March 10 after authorities found them possessing 1,948 garden ants, stored in specializedtubes, and anadditional 300 ants in tissue rolls.

Israel killstwo topIranian officials

Iran launches more attacks on neighbors in response

BY JON GAMBRELL, JULIE WATSON and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Israel killed two senior Iranian security officials in amajor blow to the Islamic Republic’sleadership as it facesits greatest test in decades, and Iranresponded Wednesday withrenewed missile and drone attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors andIsrael.

sile sites along Iran’scoastline near the Strait of Hormuz that were posing arisk to international shipping. With oil prices rising, Trump hasdemandedthat roughly ahalf-dozencountriessendwarships to ensure ships can pass through the strait but said he has not gotten any support. The European Union’s top diplomat said the 27-nationblocdoes notwant to be dragged into the conflict with Iran. “This is not Europe’swar,” Kaja Kallas told EU lawmakers Tuesday. “Wewerenot consulted.”

CO IN T MI EAST NFLICT HE DDLE AS

Ali Larijani, secretaryofIran’s Supreme National Security Council, wasconsideredone of the mostpowerful figures in the countrysince Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in an airstrike on the first day of thewar.Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani was the head of the Revolutionary Guard’s all-volunteer Basij.

Iranconfirmed the killings of both men, who were key to Iran’sviolent crackdown on protests in Januarythat challengedthe theocracy’s47-year rule.

Iran launched abarrage of missiles toward Israel on Wednesday as sirens sounded acrossthe central part of the country and loud explosions wereheard in TelAviv.Israel’smedical service, Magen David Adom,saidtwo people were killed in Ramat Gan, adistricteast of TelAviv

Saudi Arabia,Kuwaitand other Arab states also faced barrages of Iranian-fired missilesanddronesWednesdaythatwere intercepted by air defense systems.

With concerns growing about aglobal energy crisis, an Iranian official said Tehran hadnointention of relinquishing itstight grip on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, acrucial waterway for oil.

President Donald Trump saidNATOand most other allies have rejected hiscalls to help secure thestrait.

IsraeliDefense Minister Israel Katzsaid Tuesday that Larijani and Soleimani “were eliminated” in strikes overnight. The Israeli military said it also struck more than10Basij posts across Tehran.

IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the killings were aimed at “undermining this regime to give theIranian people theopportunitytoremove it.”But there have been no signs of anti-government

protests sincethe warbegan, as many Iranians shelter fromthe American and Israeli strikes. TheIranian judiciary’s news agency,Mizan, quoted the Revolutionary Guard as confirming thekilling of Soleimani. OtherIranianstate mediaconfirmedLarijani’s death.

Larijani,aformer parliamentary speaker,was a senior policy adviser to the late Khameneionstrategy in nuclear talks with the Trump administration.He was sanctionedbythe U.S. TreasuryinJanuaryfor his role “coordinating”Iran’s violentsuppression of nationwide protests.

Soleimaniwas also sanctioned by the U.S., theEuropean Unionand other nations, over his role in suppressing dissent for years through the Basij

The killings of thetop officials came on theeve of “Chaharshanbe Souri,”or the FestivalofFire, shortly beforethe Persian new year.Authorities have sent

threatening textmessages telling the public not to turn outfor thefestival, warning the celebrations could be used by “rioters.”

In the United Arab Emirates, explosionsrang out earlyWednesdaymorning in Dubai, followed by amissile alert. The government’s Dubai Media Officesaid “the sounds heardacross parts of the city” were the successful interceptions by air defense operations.

Iran’sgriponthe Strait of Hormuz, through which afifth of the world’soil is transported, is sparking concerns about tightening energysupplies— unnerving the world economy.

Afew ships have crossed through the strait, and Iran has said the waterway technically remains open —just not for the United States, Israel andtheirallies. About 20 vessels have been struck.

U.S. CentralCommand said Tuesdaythe U.S. military has fired multiple 5,000-pound deep penetrator bombs on Iranianmis-

Meanwhile,the International Atomic Energy Agency said Wednesday it received areport from Iran that its Bushehr nuclear power plant complexhad been hit by aprojectile but there were no injuriesand the plant suffered no damage. It reiterated the call by IAEA’s leader,Rafael Mariano Grossi, “for maximum restraint during the conflict to prevent risk of anuclear accident.”

TheIsraeli military continuedits strikesonIranbacked Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. Astrike in theNabatiyeh district killed three people and wounded another,Lebanon’shealth ministry said Wednesday.Rescue teams weresearching foreight missing people, it said.

Israel’sstrikes have displaced more than 1million Lebanese —roughly 20% of the population —according to the Lebanese government, which says 912 peoplehave been killed. In Israel, 14 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire. At least13U.S.military members have been killed.

Topcounterterrorismofficialresigns over Iran war

Kent says Iran posedno

imminent threat

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and DAVID KLEPPER Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Joe Kent, thedirector of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced his resignation on Tuesday,citinghis concerns aboutthe justification for military strikes in Iranand saying he “cannot in good conscience”back the Trump administration’s war

“Iranposed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerfulAmerican lobby,” Kent saidinastatement posted on social media, making claims President Donald Trump hasdenied.

Kent, aformer Green Beret and political candidate with connections

to right-wing extremists, was confirmedlastJuly on a52-44 vote. As head of the National Counterterrorism Center, he was in charge of an agency tasked with analyzing anddetecting terrorist threats

Hisresignationdemonstrates that the une ase aboutthe warwithin Tr um p’s base extends to at least one senior member of his Republican administration

The leadership change comes at atime of heightened concern aboutterrorism followingseveral recent violentattacksin the U.S.

Kent’sdecision came down to thereasoning behind thestrikes on Iran, he wroteinhis resignation letter

Trumphas offered shiftingreasonsfor thestrikes

and has pushed back on claims that Israelforced the U.S. to act.House

Speaker Mike Johnson has suggested the WhiteHouse believed Israel was determined to strike on itsown, leaving the Republican president witha“very difficult decision.”

Speaking with reporters in theOval Office on Tuesday,Trumpsaid he always thought Kent was“weak on security” and if someone in his administration did not believeIran was athreat, “we don’twantthose people.”

“They’re not smart people, or they’re not savvy people,” Trump said. “Iran was atremendous threat.”

Ayear ago, in nominating Kent, Trump praised him as aman whohad “hunted down terrorists and criminals his entire adult life.”

DirectorofNational Intelligence TulsiGabbard, whoseoffice oversaw Kent’swork,wrote in a social media post Tuesday

Trumppostpones Chinatrip

BY COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON President DonaldTrump is delaying adiplomatic trip to China that had been planned for months but began to unravel as he pressured Beijingand other world powers to use their military might to protect theStrait of Hormuz.

Trump said Tuesday while meetingwith Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin in the Oval Office thathewould be going to China in five orsix weeks’ time insteadofatthe end of the month. He said he would be “resetting” his visitwithChinese President Xi Jinping.

“We’reworking with China; they were finewith

it,” Trump said. “I look forwardtoseeing President Xi. He looks forward to seeing me, Ithink.”

Trump’svisit to China is seen as an opportunity to build on afragile trade truce betweenthe two superpowers, but it has become tangled in his effort to find an endgame to thewar in Iran. Soon after pressing China and other nations to send warships to secure access to Middle Eastern oiloverthe weekend, Trump indicated his travel plans depended on Beijing’sresponse, though he addedTuesdaythatthe U.S.didn’tneed help from the allies who rebuffed his request.

In aSunday interview withthe Financial Times, Trump said he wanted to

know whether Beijing wouldhelpsecurethe straitbefore he departed for the late-March summit.

On Monday,hetold reportersthathehad requested adelay of aboutamonth because of the demands of the war

“I think it’simportant that Ibehere,” Trump said. “And so it could be thatwedelay alittle bit. Not much.”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent,who met with Chinese Vice Premier He LifenginParis this week for anew round of talks meant to pave the way for Trump’strip, saidany changes to the schedule would be because of logistics,not becauseTrump was trying to pressure Beijing.

that it was up to Trumpto decide whether Iran posed a threat.

“After carefully reviewing allthe information before him, President Trump concluded that theterroristIslamist regimeinIran posed an imminent threat and he took action based on that conclusion,”Gabbard wrotein the post. She did not mention her own views of the strikes. Democratsstrongly opposedKent’sconfirmation because of his past tiesto far-right figures and conspiracy theories. But following his resignation, Sen. Mark Warner,ofVirginia,the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said Kent’s concernsabout the war in Iranwere justified.

Trump, Rubiocallfor newCuban leaders

Latest blackout underscores deepening economic crisis

BY MILEXSY DURÁN Associated Press

HAVANA President Donald Trump on Tuesday pledged imminent action against Cuba’ssocialist government as his moves against the island bring the U.S.’ longtime opponent deeper into crisis.

Aday after Trump’ssanctions on Venezuela, including astop to vital oil exports to Cuba, contributed to Cuba’s latest nationwide blackout, Trump andSecretary of State Marco Rubio both said that the administration sees the island nation as the next country where the U.S. can expand its influence.

“Cuba right now is in very bad shape,” Trump said.

has been offered about who the administration might like to seecome to power

Many Cubans do notbelieve that Díaz-Canel holds much power in Cuba, anyway,asopposed to revolutionary founding father Raúl Castro and his family

With little reliable information tricklingout of Havana or Washington, experts are watchingclosely for clues about what’sinthe works.

The government blames its woes on aU.S. energy blockadeafter Trump in January warned of tariffs on any country thatsells or provides oil to Cuba.

Rubio, who is of Cuban heritage, said the island “has an economythatdoesn’tworkin apolitical and governmental system. They can’tfixit.”

thepossibilityofa “friendly takeover of Cuba.” While Cuba produces 40% of itspetroleum and has been generating its own power,ithasn’tbeen sufficient to meet demand as its aging electric grid continues to crumble.

ACubanofficialsaidMonday that Cuba is open to trading with U.S. companies, but such promises have been made before.

“And we’llbedoingsomething with Cuba very soon,” he added. Until recently,Trump’s commentsonchange in Cuba might have beenconsidered remarkable.But they come after his administration’s military raid that captured then-President Nicolás MaduroinVenezuelaand the launch of U.S. military strikesagainst Iran.

“Some pieces of this story as they’re trickling out,don’t adduptome,” said Michael Bustamante, aCuba expert and associate professor of history at theUniversity of Miami. “I can’tquitefigure out what the endgame is here for either side.”

“So they have to change dramatically,” Rubio said. “What they announced yesterday is not dramatic enough. It’snot going to fix it.”

Cuba’s Ministry of Energy and Mines said on Xthat the island had restored the electrical system in the western townofPinar del Rio and the southeastern province of Holguin and that some“microsystems” were beginning to operate in various territories.

The Trumpadministrationislooking for President Miguel Díaz-Canel to leave as theU.S.continuesnegotiating with the Cuban government,accordingtoa U.S. official and asource with knowledge of talks between Washington and Havana. No detail

Police:Employeehospitalized aftershootingatGa. VA clinic

Gunman was killed,officialssay

BY EMILIE MEGNIEN and JEFF MARTIN Associated Press

JASPER,Ga. There was a shooting Tuesday at aDepartment of Veterans Affairs clinic in asmalltown at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Georgia, and the gunman was shot and killed, police said.

AVeterans Affairs employee was taken by helicopter to ahospital after the gunfire Tuesday afternoon,VA spokesman Peter Kasperowicz said. Jasper police responded to the scene about1:30 p.m.

Tuesday,the city said in a statement. Outside theVA clinic,the officers confronted thegunman, who was shot and killed, authorities said.

The gunman was fromthe Jasper area, Jasper Police ChiefMattDawkins told reporters at the scene. But details about him werenot immediately released.

“Wedon’tknow what ledup to it,” Dawkins said.

Jimmy Mooney was shopping atanearby Goodwill store when he heardgunfire.

“Weheard the gunshotsgoing off,” he said. “There was probably 17ofusinside the Goodwill that was shopping, and, they had come and told us to getinthe back of the store and during thattime we could see the officers run-

ning down thehill. Gunshots startedgoing off.”

The Jasper police chief said the Federal Bureau of Investigation will be investigating the shooting along with theGeorgia Bureau of Investigation.

When asked about thesuspect’sbackground, aPickens Countysheriff’s spokesman said he didnot know whether he had amilitarybackground.

The clinic will remain closed for therest of the week, Kasperowicz said.

“VAisrescheduling appointmentsasnecessary and ensuring Veteransand staff have access to counseling and chaplain services in the wake of this tragic event,” he said in an email.

Electricity was slowly being restored to hospitals and some homes Tuesday afternoon,but officialswarned thatthe crumblingpower network could fail again.

TheTrump administration is also demanding that Cuba release political prisoners and move toward political and economic liberalization in return for alifting of sanctions. Trump has also raised

State-ownedmedia reported that by late Monday power had been restored to 5% of residents in the capital, Havana,representing some 42,000 customers. U.S. sanctions and economic pressure have exasperated the misery many Cubans are experiencing.

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Master’s degree in EducationalLeadership; minimumfiveyears school administration experience; Louisiana principal certification(or eligibility); demonstrated instructional leadership; experiencewithboard governance, charteraccountability,grant writing, fundraising, and teamleadership.

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Debate brews on school funding

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

A debate over school funding is brewing in Louisiana as school superintendents call for an overall increase in per-student dollars while education policymakers seek a more limited boost. Meanwhile, some lawmakers say the state’s entire approach to school funding needs a fresh look.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education last week proposed giving schools roughly $30 million extra in state aid to account for the rising cost of insurance, retirement systems, utilities and other operating expenses. Even with the boost, officials say the state still would end up spending less on education next fiscal year due to declining enrollment, which determines how much money schools get.

While superintendents say they welcome any extra state money some argue that the baseline amount the state gives each school district, about $4,000 per student, is long overdue for an increase The Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, which notes that the per-student amount has increased by less than $600 in the past 20 years, wanted a 1.375% boost that would have cost about $40 million. But as Gov Jeff Landry and the Republican-controlled Legislature look to rein in spending and lower taxes, observers say that any substantial hike in perstudent funding is highly unlikely Instead, lawmakers such as Senate Presi-

dent Cameron Henry say they want to better understand how schools spend the roughly $4.3 billion the state provides for K-12 education before they consider a raise.

“We need to figure out where that goes before we add anything else to it,” he said last month.

The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools recently launched a review of the state’s education funding system, which will be paid for with private money and led by former state Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek. Caroline Roemer, the association’s executive director, said one goal is to justify requests for additional state aid by determining how much it actually costs to educate each student.

“I think to just say, ‘We need more dollars,’ is not good enough,” she said “You need to back it up with a rationale and data that shows what you need more dollars to do.”

School funding boost

The state education board determines how much money to give schools, but the Legislature must approve the formula. This year, the board opted against asking for an overall increase. Instead, it proposed hiking just the amount that schools get for operating expenses, such as fuel, from $100 to $147 per student. The 47% increase reflects the amount of inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, since the state last increased this funding stream in 2008.

BESE member Kevin Berken, who chairs the board’s finance committee, called it a reasonable request that will result in net

savings because the state’s declining student population is expected to reduce overall education spending by $42 million.

“We believe this is the formula that the Legislatures can get behind,” he said, “and should get behind.”

The board did not request funding for specific initiatives that it has in the past, such as student tutoring and extra pay for certain hardto-fill positions, because Landry included those efforts in his proposed state budget. The board also did not ask for one-time teacher pay raises because a proposed constitutional amendment, which will go before voters in May, would free up money for permanent raises.

BESE also declined to seek a higher per-student amount, which is the biggest portion of state aid schools receive and the part with the fewest spending restrictions.

In the past, the state raised that baseline funding by as much as 2.75% annually to keep up with inflation, but the annual raises mostly stopped after the 2008 Great Recession The amount has increased just twice since then, to its current $4,015 per student.

Doris Voitier, the long-

time superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish school system who helped develop the state’s school-funding model, said funding was intended to keep up with inflation. Instead, costs have risen sharply including salaries and benefits, property insurance, building materials and technology for students — but per-student state aid has barely budged.

“It is woefully inadequate at this point,” she said. “If that per-pupil (amount) had been increasing in the way that the original writers of this formula intended, I don’t think we would be in this position.”

But state officials said the Legislature is more likely to support increasing aid for specific purposes, such as tutoring or operating costs, than boosting the baseline amount schools get.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said lawmakers told him in recent years not to ask for more state money because schools received billions in federal aid during the pandemic. The COVID money has since expired, but lawmakers have not expressed a desire to make up for that by boosting state aid, he added.

“I haven’t had a single leg-

islator tell me that,” he said. Revisiting the formula

At the core of the debate is Louisiana’s system for determining how much money each school system receives a formula called the “Minimum Foundation Program.”

The formula was developed in the 1990s as many states were updating their funding systems partly in response to litigation — to account for the huge disparities between poor and wealthy communities, which have far more local tax revenue to put into their public schools. Louisiana’s formula determines how much it costs to educate each student, giving schools extra money to meet the needs of students who have disabilities, are still learning English, are homeless or come from lowincome families. The formula then calculates how much of the financial burden local communities should bear, with the state contributing more to poorer parishes with smaller tax bases. Under the formula, Louisiana’s highest-poverty districts receive about 17% more state aid per student than wealthier districts, according to an analysis by EdTrust, a national group that advocates for more resourc-

es for underserved students. However, when local revenue is factored in, wealthier districts end up with about 8% more per student.

Tr amelle Howard, EdTrust’s Louisiana state director said the formula’s power to close the gap between districts and ensure schools can meet students’ needs depends on how much money the state puts into the formula.

“Those provisions only reach their full potential if the base funding is adequate,” he said in an email. What counts as “adequate” funding is a perennial question The Legislature established a task force a decade ago to study it, and now the charter school group’s review is taking up the question as it tries to calculate how much it currently costs to educate students in Louisiana.

BESE President Simone Champagne said the board plans to wait for the report’s conclusions before requesting any future per-student aid increases. She added that she strongly supports any re-examination of the funding formula.

“The (Minimum Foundation Program) hasn’t been looked at for 30 years,” she said. “So we think that’s a wonderful idea.”

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Senate Republicanslaunchdebateonvotingbill

Effort couldlastdays or even weeks

BY MARYCLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Republicans launched an unprecedentedeffort on Tuesday to hold the Senate floor andtalkfor days aboutabillthat they know won’tpass —anattempt to capture public attentiononlegislation requiring stricter voter registration rules as President Donald Trumppressures Congress to act before November’smidterm elections.

The talkathon could last aweek or longer,potentially through the weekend, as Senate Majority Leader John Thune tries to navigate Trump’sinsistence on the issue and Democrats’united opposition. Trump has urgedThune to scrap the legislative filibuster,which triggers a60-vote threshold in the 100-member Senate, or find another workaround to pass the bill, butThunehas repeatedly saidhe doesn’thave the votes to do that. Instead, Republicansintend to make along, noisy show ofsupport for the legislation, which would require Americans to provetheyare U.S. citizens before they register to vote and to show identification at the polls, among other things. It’s a risky strategy,with no guarantee it will be enough for Trump, who has said he won’tsign other bills until the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act —also knownasthe SAVE America Act or the SAVE Act —ispassed.

The floor debate is expected to eventually end with afailed vote. Republicans need 60 votestoad-

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D speaks March 10 to reporters after aweekly Republican luncheon at the Capitol in Washington. Republicans launched an effortonTuesday to hold the Senate floor and talk fordaysabout the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which is unlikely to pass.

vance thebill to afinalvote, butthey hold 53 seats,and all 45 Democrats and bothindependents, who caucus with the Democrats, oppose it.

Thedebate will“put Democrats on the record,” Thune said. He added that“howitends remains to be seen.”

TheSenate voted 51-48 Tuesday to begin thedebate, with Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowskithe only Republican voting againstmoving forwardonthe bill.

In asocialmediapostonTuesday morning, Trump issued awarningto any Republican who doesn’t support the bill: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!’”

Trump says, withoutevidence,

thatDemocrats can only win in the midterms if they cheat andexplicitly said Republicans need theSAVE America Act to win in November

The House passed the legislation earlier this year,but theSenate turnedtootherissuesasitbecame clear that Republicans didn’thave thevotes to passit.

ButTrump madeclear he wasn’t satisfied and pushed theSenate to act. TheRepublicanpresident has said he won’tsign other legislation, including abipartisan housing bill backed by theWhiteHouse,until the voting bill passes.

Thebillcontainsa slew of provisions thatTrumpand his mostloyal supporters have pushed as part of abroad effort to assert federal control over elections. It would require

voters nationwide to provide proof of citizenshipwhenthey register andtoshowacceptedvoter identification when casting aballot.

It would also create new penalties for election workers who register voterswithout proof of citizenship andrequire statestohandvoter data over to the Departmentof Homeland Securitysofederal officials could screen forvoterswho areinthe country illegally

Trump also wants new provisions added to the bill, including aban on mostmail-in ballots.

“It’ll guarantee the midterms,” Trump saidofthe bill last week. “If you don’tget it, big trouble.”

Democrats andmanygroups that champion voteraccess say there is little evidence of noncitizens voting and say thebill would disenfranchise millions of voters —including Republicans —bycreating new burdens to prove citizenship.

It is alreadyillegal to vote if you arenot aU.S. citizen,but thebill would lay out strict new rules for paperwork that most people would have to presentinpersontoregistertovote. Opponents of themeasure saythose documentsare not alwaysreadilyavailablefor many peopleand arguethat it would kill voter registration effortsand unfairly penalize young people who are registering to vote for the first time,married women who change theirname andpeople who cannot travel to present their documents, among othergroups.

While Republicans have focused on the bill’snew requirements to show identification when they show up to vote, Democrats say they are most concerned that the legislation would allow the federalgovernment to take voters off the rolls.

Schumer said that Democrats are not opposed to voter identification but “this is about purging the voter rolls in amassive way,soyou never even get the chance to show avoter ID when you showed up to vote.”

Trump, backed by Republican Sen. MikeLee of Utah, haspushed for atalking filibuster,whichwould forceDemocrats to talk for days or weeks to delaypassage of the bill. But Thune and the larger GOP conference rejectedthatidea, arguing that it would end in failure after giving Democrats astage and the opportunity to offerendless amendments, potentially adding their priorities to the bill.

Republicans are instead taking over the floor with their own speeches, proceeding under regular order but operating outside the normal time limits that arecustomary when debating legislation Democrats are expected to answer with their own procedural hijinks, potentially forcing Republicans to come to the floor at allhours for votes, meaning theywill needto stay close to the Senate for the duration.

Leesaidlast week thatit’sunclear howitwill allplayout. He said he thinks Trump “understands that we need to put in an aggressive effort here.”

“And alot of that,” he said, “is going to have to be determined in real time as we go about it.”

The extent of Trump’ssatisfaction with theprocess, Leesaid, “will depend on whether, in his view,we gave it everything we have.”

On Monday night, Lee was rallying Trump’sbase voters on X.

“Once we’re on this bill,” he wrote, “we must stay on it until it’s passed into law.”

Vaticanappeals court declares mistrial in case againstcardinal

BY NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME The Vatican appeals tribunal declared amistrial Tuesday in the Holy See’s big “trial of the century,” a stunning blow to both Pope Francis’ legacyand Vatican prosecutorswho had puta cardinal and several other people on trial over alleged financial crimes.

In a16-pageruling, the appeals court ruled that Francis and Vatican prosecutors both made procedural errors that nullified the original indictment against CardinalAngelo Becciu and the others and re-

quired anew trial. Thecourt set aJune 22 as thedate for thenew trial to begin.

Defense lawyerssaid such aruling was significant if not historic, since it amounted to aVatican court declaring that an act of the pope had no effect.

Therulingwas awin for thedefense and ahuge setbacktoVatican prosecutors, whohavebeen scrambling to salvagetheir case. The prosecution and 2023 convictions against Becciu and others had been held upby the Vatican and late pope as evidence of his willingness to crack down on financial

misconduct in theHoly See. Becciu’s lawyerssaidthe ruling showed they were right in arguing thatthe defense was put at an unfair disadvantage from the start.

“It shows that from the first moment, we were right to raise the violation of the right to defense and to request that the law be respected to have afair trial,” Becciu’slawyers Fabio Viglione and Maria Concetta Marzo said in astatement.

The case had as its mainfocus the Vatican’sinvestment of $413 million in aLondon property. Prosecutorsalleged brokers and Vatican

monsignors fleeced the Holy See of tens of millions of euros in fees andcommissions to acquire theproperty, and then extorted theHolySee for $16.5 million to cedecontrolofit.

The originalinvestigation spawned two main tangents involving Becciu, once a leading Vatican cardinal and future papal contender.He was convicted of embezzlement andsentenced to 51/2 years in prison. The tribunal convicted eight other defendants of embezzlement, abuse of office, fraud and other charges and imposed tens of millions of dollars in restitution to the Holy See. All defendants maintained theirinnocence andappealed aftera two-year trialthat opened aPandora’sbox of unwanted revelations about papalransom payments to Islamic militants,Vatican vendettas,espionage andother dirty laundry of theHolySee.

BY JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

LONDON Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Russia and Iran “brothers in hatred” on Tuesday as he sought support from U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at atime when theIranwar hasrobbedmomentum from U.S.-brokered talks to end Russia’sinvasion of Ukraine. Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s allies not to forget about his country, andsuggested the U.S. and others should make

useofUkraine’santi-drone technology during aMiddle East war that has also revived Russia’sailing economy through increased oilrevenue and could soon limit Kyiv’s access to vital Western air defense systems, which are needed in the Middle East.

“The regimes in Russia andIran are brothers in hatred andthat is why they are brothersinweapons,” Zelenskyy told lawmakers in Britain’sParliament. “And we want regimes builton hatredtonever,never win in anything.”

Holding talkswith Zelenskyy at 10 DowningStreet, Starmer said “(RussianPresident Vladimir) Putincan’t be the one who benefits from the conflict in Iran, whether that’soil prices or thedropping of sanctions.”

The meeting came days after theU.S.temporarily waived some Russian oil sanctions in abid to ease pressure on globalsupplies triggeredbythe war in the MiddleEast, which was sparkedbythe joint U.S.-Israelistrikes on Iran starting Feb. 28.

like Douglass that have engaged alumni networks.

The consolidation comes as NOLA Public Schools and charter school officials grapple with a districtwide enrollment drop, which can create a financial pinch for schools. Some charter operators have voluntarily consolidated or closed schools in recent years, but last month the Orleans Parish School Board signaled that it may force more schools to close in order to downsize the district.

Neither Douglass nor Kennedy, which has a C rating from the state, has seen a drop in enrollment. But as relatively small schools with under 700 students each, the merger will allow them to pool their resources and boost funding for sports, band and other extracurriculars, KIPP officials said.

They also said the move will help shore up operations for years to come and move Douglass students to a better building as its current campus “continues to crumble and there is no viable path to renovation,” Pierre-Floyd wrote.

KIPP New Orleans will also move KIPP Central City Primary, which served pre-K to 4th grade, into the building that houses KIPP Central City Academy, which serves grades 5-8 The programs will remain separate.

“New Orleans is entering a new chapter in public education and thriving schools will require scale, stability, and long-term vision,” KIPP New Orleans said in a statement. “At KIPP New Orleans, our focus is on building schools that will serve students and families across the city for generations to come.”

The consolidation means the end of the decades-old Frederick Douglass High School name, which is sure to provoke strong emotion in New Orleans, where many historic schools never reopened after Hurricane Katrina

The school at 3820 St. Claude Ave. opened in 1940 as Francis T. Nicholls High School, named after a Confederate general. It was renamed Douglass in the 1990s. One of the lowest performing schools in the city, it did not reopen after Hurricane Katrina. However, KIPP Renaissance moved into the historic St Claude Avenue campus in 2016 and, a few years later, changed its name to Frederick Douglass High School. An alumni group that represents Nicholls, Renaissance and Douglass graduates did not respond to inquiries.

KIPP also runs Kennedy High School, which originally opened in 1966 in campus on Wisner Boulevard next to City Park. The building was destroyed in Katrina and demolished in 2011, but the school’s strong alumni network kept up calls for its rebuilding, and KIPP took over the school in 2019. (KIPP also operates Booker T. Washington High School, located Uptown.)

In her letter to Douglass families, Pierre-Floyd acknowledged the difficulty of losing the school name and said school leaders were planning ways to keep its legacy alive. Initial ideas include a Douglass seal for 2027 graduates’ diplomas, maintaining a Douglass homecoming court next year and hosting a sponsored Douglass reunion.

Douglass’ partnership with Bard Early College, which allows students to take college level courses and graduate with an associate degree, will relocate to Kennedy’s campus. PierreFloyd said in an interview the school planned to add Douglass to Bard’s name.

“The level of commitment I feel about maintaining Douglass as a strength is personal,” said PierreFloyd, who has worked at the school since its Renaissance days and whose two sons graduated from Douglass. “Douglass will have some really explicit ways it’ll live on.”

The merger will move

students out of Douglass’ campus, which was severely damaged in Hurricane Ida in 2021. Even after a recent renovation of the auditorium the 1939 building shows its age. The gym floors and stairwells sometimes produce condensation because the school was never designed to have a heating and cooling system, she said “Bringing our high schools together is the best path forward for our school and will allow us to leverage what has made us special,”

Pierre-Floyd said, “while also benefiting from the elements that have made John F. Kennedy High School an institution over the past 50 years.”

Across the New Orleans school system and the KIPP network of schools, enrollment is projected to decline.

Last month, New Schools for New Orleans told the Orleans Parish School Board

that based on projected enrollment decline of 3,400 students, up to nine schools — including two to three high schools — should close by the 2029-2030 school year Board members hinted that tough decisions are in store, including the closures of long-standing high schools.

Dana Peterson CEO of NSNO, said the merger seems “ultimately good for KIPP and for the system.”

Despite the citywide decline, enrollment has been steady at Douglass, which has 640 students, and Kennedy, which has 660. But as relatively small schools, they could have landed on the district’s list of schools to close or combine in order to downsize the district.

In her letter to families, Pierre-Floyd said merging Douglass and Kennedy allows the school to decide their future on their own terms.

“NOLAPS has indicated that they will be forced to decide which legacy high schools will close,” PierreFloyd wrote to families. “My responsibility to you is to assure that what drew each of you to FDHS can continue, and this plan allows that to happen before decisions are made for us.”

Other schools have taken it upon themselves to voluntarily close or consolidate operations. Earlier this year, Einstein Charter Group announced the closure of Sarah T Reed High School and the consolidation of its three other elementary and middle schools, citing low enrollment across its network.

Though another New Orleans East high school, Livingston Collegiate Academy, will take on Reed’s name and identity next year, the Michoud Boulevard school that has been home to Reed since the 1980s will be shuttered.

Notice is hereby given pursuant to Article 7, Section23(C) of the Louisiana Constitution and R.S.47:1705(B) that apublic hearing of FireProtectionDistrict No.4 of the Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana will be held at its regular meeting place in the Council Chambers of the Joseph S. Yenni Building, located at 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard, Second Floor,Jefferson, LA 70123 on May 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. to consider levying additionalorincreased millage rateson property without furthervoterapproval or adopting the adjustedmillage ratesafter reassessment and rolling forwardtorates not exceeding the prioryear’s maximum. The amount of taxrevenues forthe current year are$660,201. The estimated amount of taxrevenues to be collectedinthe next year from the increasedmillage is $841,696, and the amount of increase in taxesattributable to the millage increase is $181,495.

This spring, celebrateeverythingthatmakes ourstate “Sportsman’s Paradise“atthe LouisianaSportsman Show,presented by Shell, March20–22 at theSt. John theBaptist Parish CommunityCenterinLaPlace

TheSt. John theBaptist CommunityCenter offersspaciousareasfor exhibits,crafts, anda Food Courtfeaturing Louisianafavorites.The easily accessiblefacilityhas ampleroomfor free parking.

That’s notall—you canalsomeetAmerica’s Favorite Fisherman, JimmyHouston,for photos, autographs,and expert fishingtips.

On Friday,March 20,activemilitarypersonnel, veterans,and first responders receivefree admission in honoroftheir service.

Fuel Your Outdoor Obsession Explorethe latest rods,reels andbait, boats builttochase open water, ATVs made forthe mud, plus tractors,golfcarts, mowers andseriouspower equipment. If it powers your hunt, your ride,oryourfishingtrip– you’ll seeithere.

Cast it.Catch it.Win Learnwinningtactics from seasoned captains

during interactiveseminarsatthe bass tank, then putyourskillstothe test in astocked pond

$1,000 FishingChallenge Official Rules:

•RegistrationRequired: Youmustregister to participate.

•Childrenmustbeaccompaniedby anadult

•Event Start: FishingbeginsSaturday, March21at12:00 p.m.

•Event Ends:FishingendsSunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m.

•Catch ataggedfish foryourchanceat

$1,000 cash or many othergreat prizes

•Winners willbeannounced andprizes awardedat4:00p.m.Sunday.

Meetthe Legends In addition to outdooriconJimmy Houston, rubshoulders with othertop fishingpros.Snap a photo. Hear thestories.Talkfishingall weekend long Dogs areWelcome Retrievercompetitionswilltakeplacethroughoutthe show,soattendees areinvited to bring theirdogstotakepartortojust watch.

Family FunThatHooks Everyone

This isn’tjust ashow– it’s an experience.The funand active Kid’sZoneisperfect for families

•STEMactivitieswithLouisiana Educators willbeatthe show on Saturday from 11:00a.m.to3:00p.m

•The HarryHurst WetlandWatcherswill be thereonSundayfrom10:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Kids andadultscan view andtouch baby alligators, snakes,and otherreptiles througha unique educationalexperience

Otherhighlightsinclude afreefishingtournament forkidsSaturdaymorning,inflatables, hands-on demosand interactiveexhibits. SeeYou in LaPlace, March20-22

TheLouisiana SportsmanShowwillbeheldat theSt. John theBaptist CommunityCenterand Thomas F. DaleyMemorialParkonHighway 51

Show timesare:

•Friday, Noon–7:00p.m •Saturday, 9:00 a.m. –7:00p.m •Sunday, 10:00a.m 5:00 p.m. Fordetails,schedules,and tickets, visitwww louisianasportsmanshow.com.

no bonding capacity because its annual water revenue, about $120 million annually, barely covers day-to-day operations and existing debt service. Only about $3.6 million is available this year for capital water repairs

“We’re able to keep the train moving,” said Hayman of water rate revenue, though he added that rates haven’t changed in six years. “We have very little left to do the big-ticket items that we need to do, the long-term items that we need to do.”

Moreno suggested securing bonds with more than $20 million in annual tourism sales taxes that flows to the S&WB as part of the city’s 2018 “fair share” deal with state officials.

She said that could raise as much as $200 million, which at least would pay for the most urgent repairs and get a start on the 100-year-old mains.

Asked about raising water rates, Moreno said she would prefer a new parcel fee that would be controlled by the council and would pay for a variety of infrastructure needs. Moreno pushed for a parcel fee in her first term as a council member at large, but dropped the effort when the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

The parcel fee would replace a stormwater fee proposal the S&WB has been working on for more than two years but hasn’t released. The stormwater fee is seen as a way to force nonprofit and taxexempt property owners to pay for drainage, which is funded with property taxes. Moreno said the parcel fee is preferable because it wouldn’t be restricted to a single system.

She also said the S&WB needs to come up with its own funding solutions.

“What are their ideas now?

That’s what I’m asking for I have no problem, of course, collaborating and being part of the solution, but what are they bringing to the table as well?” Moreno said Hayman said he would seek support from trade associations like the National Association of Clean Water Agencies — where he serves on the board to lobby for a new federal funding source for distressed water utilities.

“We have to try to find some

type of programmatic funding that is more than just a one-time shot, that allows us to have funding over multiple decades,” Hayman said “That may mean that we have to create something different in Washington.”

Hayman was circumspect when asked about Moreno’s ideas for pledging fair share money and a parcel fee, and said it was the first time he’d heard of the latter idea.

He said S&WB was conferring with financial advisers, noting that sales taxes are not historically used to secure bonds.

Most council members either did not respond to questions or said they hadn’t had a chance to review the S&WB plan, which is likely to come up at a City Council committee meeting Wednesday District D council member Eu-

gene Green said the state should pay for the water mains from revenue generated by state properties such as the Superdome, Convention Center and City Park.

“Maybe there needs to be a new look at the way that infrastructure

and operations of our city already contribute so much to our state,” Green said.

Council President JP Morrell, a frequent S&WB critic, said he was still reviewing the plan, but that it “seems to be a reaction to criticism and an attempt to shape their failing narrative that they are doing something other than haphazardly reacting to foreseeable infrastructure challenges.”

For residents struggling to pick up the pieces after water main breaks flooded homes and cars, a remedy can’t come soon enough.

BilliJo Dolton said she and her family are still sorting through what’s salvageable in their home near the corner of South Carrollton Avenue and Panola Street, which flooded after the third major rupture on March 9. Dolton

woke up to calf-deep water that morning, and her frustrations have only mounted since then, as the stench of mold grows, and strangers have begun to rummage through garbage she threw out on the sidewalk.

“It’s like we can’t catch a break,” she said.

Dolton said she is “dumbfounded” the S&WB couldn’t come up with a faster plan.

“It should not take a brain surgeon or master scientist to figure this out. We are built on alluvial soil. There should have been plans to keep these pipes updated all along,” Dolton said.

Staff writer Joni Hess contributed to this report

Email Ben Myers at bmyers@ theadvocate.com.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Amazon offers new deliveries for a charge

NEW YORK Amazon said Tuesday that it has started offering faster U.S. deliveries of selected products for a fee, including pantry staples, clothing, overthe-counter medications, cleaning supplies and electronics.

The announcement comes as Amazon is seeing increased competition from Walmart and is also looking to satisfy shoppers’ increasing demands for faster delivery

The e-commerce colossus said customers in more than 2,000 cities, towns and suburban areas can now choose to have orders from its speedyshipment inventory of 90,000 items delivered in three hours

The charge is $4.99 for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 for nonmembers.

One-hour delivery slots are available in hundreds of places, including major metropolitan areas like Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, and smaller cities such as Des Moines, Iowa and Boise, Idaho, the company said. Prime members will get charged $9.99 for the service, which costs nonmembers

$19.99, Amazon said.

BBC asks court to dismiss Trump’s lawsuit

LONDON The BBC filed a motion Monday asking a U.S court to dismiss President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against it, warning that the case could have a “chilling effect” on robust reporting on public figures and events.

The suit was filed in a Florida court, but the British national broadcaster argued that the court did not have jurisdiction, nor could Trump show that the BBC intended to misrepresent him.

Trump filed a lawsuit in December over the way a BBC documentary edited a speech he gave on Jan. 6, 2021 The claim seeks $5 billion in damages for defamation and a further $5 billion for unfair trade practices.

Last month a judge at the federal court for the Southern District of Florida provisionally set a trial date for February 2027.

The BBC argued that the case should be thrown out because the documentary was never aired in Florida or the U.S In a 34-page document, the BBC also argued that Trump failed to “plausibly allege facts showing that defendants knowingly intended to create a false impression.”

The document further claimed that “the chilling effect is clear” when Trump is “among the most powerful and high-profile individuals in the world, on whose activities the BBC reports every day.”

The documentary, titled “Trump: A Second Chance?”, was aired days before the 2024 U S. presidential election

Closing arguments begin in Twitter trial

SAN FRANCISCO Closing arguments kicked off Tuesday in a trial pitting Elon Musk against Twitter shareholders who say the world’s richest man engaged in a pattern of deceptive behavior that misled investors as he attempted to back out of his $44 billion deal to buy the social media platform in 2022.

The civil trial in San Francisco centers on a class-action lawsuit filed just before Musk took control of Twitter which he later renamed X, in October 2022, six months after agreeing to buy the embattled company for $44 billion, or $54.20 per share. The price represents a sliver of the Tesla CEO’s fortune, now estimated at $839 billion.

Much of the trial focused on Musk’s claims about the number of bots on Twitter Musk testified, as he long contended, that Twitter had a much higher number of fake and spam accounts than the 5% it disclosed in regulatory filings. He used what he called Twitter’s misrepresentation of the number of fake accounts on its service as a reason to retreat from the purchase

Oil prices rise, but stocks steady

U.S. crude surpasses $96 a barrel

BY STAN CHOE Associated Press

NEW YORK Oil prices continued to climb on Tuesday because of the war with Iran, but U.S stocks held steadier this time around.

The S&P 500 rose 0.2% to add to its gain from the day before, which was its biggest since the war began.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 46 points, or 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.5%.

It’s a break, for now at least, from the usual playbook since the start of the war, where stock prices have tended to go in the opposite direc-

tion of oil prices. The fear in financial markets has been that a longterm disruption to the global flow of oil could send prices so high for so long that it damages the global economy Not only would higher gasoline prices sap households’ budgets, it could also push companies to pass on their own higher transportation costs to customers.

On Tuesday, the price for a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2.9% to settle at $96.21. Brent crude, the international standard climbed 3.2% to $103.42. But they pared even bigger gains from earlier in the morning, and they’re either roughly where they were at the end of last week or below Delta Air Lines offered an encouraging signal about the

strength of the economy after raising its forecast for revenue for the first three months of 2026. It said it’s seen demand to fly accelerate into March from both businesses and households. And that looks to be enough to offset higher prices for jet fuel because of the spike in oil prices.

Delta said it still expects to report a profit for the start of 2026 that’s in line with its earlier forecast.

Delta’s stock flew 6.6% higher, and it helped other airline stocks trim their own sharp losses for the year so far United Airlines climbed 3.2%, and Southwest Airlines rose 2.2%.

Another big winner was Uber Technologies, which drove 4.2% higher after announcing an expansion of its partnership with Nvidia. They plan to launch a fleet of autonomous vehicles using Nvidia’s technology, beginning with Los Angeles and San Francisco in the first half of next year

Some beaten-down stocks in the financial industry, meanwhile, recovered losses from earlier in the year That includes several that got swept up in worries about whether software businesses and others potentially under threat by AI-powered competitors will pay back all their loans. Blue Owl Capital gained 4.5%, and Ares Management rose 6.6%.

American Airlines gained 3.5% after saying it’s also likely to report stronger revenue growth for the start of this year than it had forecast earlier

Flight cancellations, delays continue after storms dump snow, head east

Winter weather snarled schedules across country

BY EMIILIE MEGNIEN and RIO YAMAT Associated Press

ATLANTA Travel disruptions continued Tuesday in the U.S. as airlines worked to recover from a powerful storm system that had already snarled flight schedules a day earlier

Carriers canceled more than 1,000 U.S. flights on Tuesday and delayed about 4,200 others, according to flight-tracking site

FlightAware. The disruptions were most severe at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, with over 200 flights canceled and roughly 450 delayed.

The disruptions follow a chaotic Monday for air travel, triggered by powerful storms that dumped snow by the foot in the Midwest and swept through the eastern half of the country leading to thousands of cancellations at major hubs, including in New York, Chicago and Atlanta Gusts approached 50 mph in parts of New York, the National Weather Service said.

Kelly Price, who was trying to get home to Colorado after a family vacation in Orlando, Florida, said her Sunday night flight wasn’t canceled until early Monday

“By that time, the only place for us to sleep was the airport floor So we’re all tired and frustrated,” she said, adding that the soonest flight she and her family could book doesn’t leave until Tuesday afternoon.

Air travel was already under pressure before the storms. A partial government shutdown that began Feb. 14 has thinned staffing at some security checkpoints, at times leading to longer lines. And airports are crowded with spring break travelers and fans heading to March Madness, the annual NCAA men’s and women’s college basketball tournaments.

On Monday alone, more than 4,800 U.S. flights were canceled Delays topped 12,800. They included about 600 canceled flights at Chicago O’Hare International Airport, more than 500 at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson and roughly 450 at New York’s LaGuardia Airport, according to FlightAware. The Federal Aviation Administration also issued ground stops and delays at several major airports as conditions worsened.

The storms also unfolded just as airport security screeners missed their first full paycheck over the weekend. The ongoing shutdown affects only the Department of Homeland Security, which includes the Transportation Security Administration.

Democrats in Congress have said Homeland Security won’t get funded until new restrictions are placed on federal immigration operations following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this year

It is the third shutdown in less than a year to leave TSA workers temporarily without pay Once the government reopens, employees will have to wait for back pay

Some airports have reported longer security lines due to staffing shortages as more TSA workers take on second jobs, can’t afford gas to get to work or leave the profession altogether Homeland Security has said more than 300 TSA agents have quit since the shutdown began.

In Atlanta, Mel Stewart and his wife arrived four hours earlier than usual on Monday for their flight out of Hartsfield-Jackson to make up for longer TSA lines.

“I think it’s being politicized way too much

— way too much,” Stewart said of the shutdown. “And these people are working. They work hard, and for TSA people not to get paid, that’s silly.”

Outside the Atlanta airport, TSA union leaders held a news conference Monday warning that air travelers could face increasingly long wait times as the shutdown continues. Supporters held signs reading, “We want a paycheck, not a rain check.”

Many TSA workers “are coping with eviction notices, vehicle repossessions, empty refrigerators and overdrawn bank accounts,” said Aaron Barker, a local leader with the American Federation of Government Employees. Even so, he said many officers continue reporting to work despite mounting financial strain.

Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Associated Press reporters Margery A. Beck in Omaha, Nebraska, and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this report.

BY LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK Bank of America has tentatively settled a lawsuit claiming it ignored suspicious financial transactions involving Jeffrey Epstein while he was sexually abusing hundreds of girls and women. The proposed settlement was revealed in filings in Manhattan federal court on Monday, the same day that billionaire financier Leon Black was originally scheduled to be deposed in the case. Terms were not disclosed. The bank declined to comment through a spokesperson.

Though not a defendant, Black was recently described as a “critical witness” in the case by Sigrid McCawley, a lawyer for Epstein victims.

During a hearing last week,

a lawyer for Black persuaded Judge Jed S. Rakoff to postpone Black’s deposition for 10 days on the grounds that the parties were close to settling. The lawyer Michael Carlinsky, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday In a statement, McCawley paid tribute to the “brave and fearless voices” of Epstein victims, saying their “road to justice” has been long and trying, but the Bank of America settlement “is one more step on the road to much deserved justice.”

The October lawsuit accused the bank of ignoring $170 million Black paid from a Bank of America account to Epstein purportedly for “tax and estate planning advice.”

It said the bank ignored “numerous red flags” of improper finan-

cial dealings, and “went far beyond what a non-complicit bank would have done and instead assisted Epstein in setting up the necessary financial structure to operate his sex-trafficking venture.”

The lawsuit, brought on behalf of a woman identified in court papers only as Jane Doe and “all others similarly situated,” said the woman was living in Russia when she met Epstein in 2011 and was “coerced into a cultlike life.”

It said she was paid by Epstein through a Bank of America account as she was controlled “financially, emotionally, and psychologically” by Epstein from 2011 through 2019 as he sexually abused her on at least 100 occasions, including raping her and forcing her to engage sexually with other women for his sexual gratification.

The lawsuit alleged that Epstein paid her rent and income from a phony job through a Bank of America account, and held her immigration status “over her head, until her ultimate escape when Jeffrey Epstein died.” Epstein died in a federal jail in August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. He was known for his connections with wealthy and powerful men, and the lawsuit said he used it to his advantage in his attacks on women. The recent Justice Department release of millions of pages of documents from law enforcement probes of Epstein show he had regular contact with CEOs, journalists, scientists and prominent politicians long after his 2008 conviction in state court in Florida on sex crimes charges.

DEBATE

Continued

treasure.”

In an interview Tuesday, Fleming said he’ll participate in adebate withthe two other candidates anytime, anywhere

James Carville, the famed Democratic political strategist who lives in New Orleans, saidLetlow is following astandard strategy for aperceived campaign frontrunner

“She’sinaprevent defense,” Carville said, using afootball term for ateam trying to sit on alead.“She doesn’twant to expose herself.”

Schedulingdebates?

Louisiana PublicBroadcasting and Leaders for a Better Louisiana scheduled aTVdebate on April 16 at LPB’sstudiosinBaton Rouge. But Letlow said she couldn’tappear because the House was scheduled to be in session that day

Barry Erwin, chief policy officer for aBetter Louisiana, said his group responded by telling Letlow’soffice on March 5that they would reschedule the debate —but haven’theard back from Letlow KTBS-TV in Shreveport, which has offered to host a debate for Nexstar stations in Louisiana, also hasn’t gottena response from Letlow,anchor Jeff Beimfohr said.

The debate question comes at atime when Cassidy and asuper PACsupporting him have beenassaulting Letlow’srecord, thanks to abig moneyadvantage. Shehas yettohit back forcefully Cassidy,astomach doctor from Baton Rouge, is seeking athird term. He is facing arestive Republican electorate because he voted to convict President Donald Trump on impeachment charges of inciting an assault on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters on Jan. 6, 2021. Letlow jumped into the

“It’sour job to show up and takequestions. We have an obligation to do so. I’m big on transparency andaccountability.Candidates should be most

JOHN FLEMING, state treasurer and U.S. Senate candidate

race two months ago after Trumpendorsed her. She was atop administrator from theUniversityofLouisiana at Monroe who ran for theHouse in 2021 after her husband Luke won theseat, then died of COVID-19.

Fleming, pointing to his votingrecord during eight years in the U.S. House representing northwest Louisiana, has said repeatedlythat he is the most conservative candidateinthe race. He was elected state treasurer in 2023.

Cassidy, Letlowand Fleming have allreleased polls showing themselves in the lead.

Thetop two finishers on May16 will advance to a June 27 runoff. The winner of that race will face one of three Democrats in theNovember general election: Nick Albares, Jamie Davis or Gary Crockett. Pearson Cross, apolitical science professor at ULMonroe, questioned Letlow’s decisionnot to engage in debates

“She’sthe personwho is not very well known,” he said

Limitedmedia interviews

Besides eschewing aTV debate, Letlow has also been limiting interviews with Louisiana-based media since she qualifiedfor the Senate race in mid-February Her campaign did not make her available for this article.

Aspokesperson said she has conducted sixTVor radio interviews sincethe qualifying period five weeks ago.

In contrast, Cassidy briefs reporters weekly on his latest activities and then takes questions. He also has done other interviews with Louisiana-basedreporters in Washington and in Louisiana.

Flemingmakes himself available to reporters on a daily basis.

During his call with reportersTuesday,Cassidy called on Senate Democrats to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats say they will do so once Republicansagreetolimits on immigration agentstoprevent theviolence in Minneapolis

that led to the deaths of two protesters.

Cassidy also called on Democratstoapprove the SAVE America Act. It aims to prevent voting by noncitizens, although critics point out that it is already illegal and extremely rare.

Asked aboutLetlow’srefusal to agreetoa TV debate withhim,Cassidy said, “In this election,Ithink adebate is important. Thepeople of Louisianawant to know who has delivered for thepeople of Louisiana. Ihave delivered.”

He continued: “I have delivered over $16 billion to the state overall, including $13 billionfromthe bipartisan infrastructure bill. I have passed dozens of pieces of legislation.Congresswoman Letlow hasnorecord like that.”

Make Moon theref?

In astatement, Letlow’s campaign said she is willing to debateCassidy “InaRepublican primary, that debateshouldhappen

on aconservative platform where Republican voters arealreadytunedin,”the campaign said. “The Moon Griffon Showisanobvious place to start.”

But Cassidy saida statewide televised debate at night would reach amuch bigger audience than an appearanceonGriffon’smorning radio program, saying “his listenership is pretty small.”

Griffonsaid he would treat Cassidy fairly but added, “I callhim Psycho Bill because he’s alloverthe place. He was forTrumpbefore he wasagainst Trump, and now he’swith Trumponce again. That’skind of psychotic.”

Griffon addedthat Cassidy hasn’tappeared on his program since he votedto convict Trump.

Cassidy also wasasked why he didn’tagree to adebate during his 2020 reelection campaign.

“I was going to win that race,” he said. “Frankly, that’sadebate where adebate would nothavemadea difference.”

While Cassidy mentioned onlyLetlow when he issued his debate challenge earlier this month, he said he welcomes Fleming appearing on the stage. Fleming said he would like to debate Letlow and Cassidy “It’sour jobtoshowupand take questions,” he said. “We have an obligation to do so. I’mbig on transparency and accountability.Candidates should be mostaccessible to thegeneral public.Ifthey’re not accessible now,they never will be.”

For 27 years, KEDM-FM, the public radio station in Monroe, interviewed members of Congress whorepresented the 5th Congressional District. Letlow endedthat practicewhenshe took officein2021, said JayCurtis, the station’sgeneral manager “We’ve been unable to reestablishthatconnection with our listeners and the memberofCongress,” he said.

Thegovernmentshutdown, which started Oct. 1and ended Nov.12, created delays in the H-2B temporary workvisa program right as Louisiana crawfish processors were readying their applications.

And, at the end of January,when thefederal government finally announced it wasmaking thousands of extra visas available as in years past, it did so with new requirements. Only paperwork listing worker start dates in January and beyond would be considered for visas, leavingout awhole groupofbusinesses that had prepared applications seeking laborers to begin work inNovember and December

“Wewere in apanic,” said Danielle Toups Young, Benoit’sattorney,who owns alaw practice in Eunice and specializesintemporary work visas.

Employers who had been looking for workers to start in November and December were essentially cut outofthe visa pool, Young said.

“Thecrawfish industry had a massive scramble of, ‘What dowe do?’”said Andy Brown, national affairs director for Louisiana Farm Bureau Federation

“Ultimately,itdidn’tmatter,”he added. “If you had astart date in October,November or December, you didn’tget workers.”

TheU.S.for years hasgranted far fewer H-2B visas than the number that businesses apply for,and employer interest in the program has been growing recently.But this time, the shutdown and policy changes added more turmoil, businessesand attorneys said

“The numbers ran outmuch quicker than we’ve ever seen it,” said Loan Huynh, an employment-based immigration attorney in Minneapolis and expert on temporary work visa matters. “There are more employers using the H-2B program.”

Huynh, Brown and Young all said that while Louisiana’scrawfish processors are just now havingahard time getting the workers they need through the visa program, that problemhas been around for years —eventhough there is great demand for seasonal migrant labor among American businesses.

“The problem is bigger than us,”

Young said.“We just are feeling it because it’screeping into our local economy now.”

What happened?

TheH-2Bvisaprogram allows businesses to bringmigrant workers to the United States to fill temporary,nonagricultural jobs that American workers arenot taking. Crawfish processing, which happens after harvest, is considered nonagricultural under the program Congress set ayearly cap of 66,000 visas under the program, which hasn’tbeen updated since the1990s. But the Department of Homeland Security,which includes immigrationenforcement, hasdiscretiontoissue “supplemental” visas every year.This year,itreleased nearly 65,000 extra visas, the same amount released in the three years prior

Louisianacrawfish processors start H-2B visa applications in the fall so workers getapprovalfrom the federal government to start work in winter and early spring.

Crawfishplantstypically need workers to start arriving in December,with thebusinessescontinuing to bring in workers in January,February andMarchfor aharvest season that lasts roughly

from January through June.

According to LouisianaFarmBureau estimates, the state has 20 to 25 crawfish processing businesses, all of which have some need for seasonal migrant workers.

At least15crawfish plants didn’t getany of thetemporarywork visas they applied for this year, FarmBureau datashows.

Young said that, of the 20 clients shehas with crawfish plant operations,11did not get temporary work visas approved this year

That’sa big difference from years past. Since she startedher own practice in 2018, Young said shecan recalljust one crawfishindustry client that did not get the H-2B visa application it sought

But the problemdoesn’tjust affect processingplants. It also affects farmers, whoraise crawfish in giant ponds spanning tens of acres,where they are harvested before being sent to processors.

“Myconcern is now Iwon’tbe able to sell my product,” said Ben Deshotels, acrawfish farmer “These processors haven’tgot their labor,sothere’sa big portion of my crop that’sgonna stay in the field that’ll never get sold.”

Processors turn crawfish into tail meat that gets soldingrocery

stores. “That portion of our crop is gonna go unharvested and have to stay in the fields,” Deshotels said. Many farmers like Deshotels and Adlar Stelly use their ponds to raise bothcrawfish and rice.

“We’re growing rice at aloss to feed thecrawfish we won’t be able to sell,” Stelly said. What canbedone?

In the immediate term, Huynh, the immigration attorney, said that Congress can “absolutely” address theproblembyreleasing additional H-2B visas.

“But that’sgonna take legislation,and that’sgonna take political will,” she said.

Because Congress has notyet finalized the budget for DHS, she said, “there’sstill hope”for federal lawmakers to do something this year

Sheadded: “There is no reason for us to do this to U.S. employers, to makeitsodifficult for them to hire labor that they so desperately need, and it really is politics standing in the way of allowing the U.S. economy to grow.”

Brown, of the Louisiana Farm Bureau, said the H-2B program has been broken foralong time.

“Weneed our federal delegation to exercise theirleadership positionsand to fix this for Louisiana and fix it for the country,” he said.

There’sahost of waysCongress could fix theproblem,Brownsaid, one of theeasiest being that it could remove the cap on the number of H-2B visas.

Young said asolution targeting the crawfish industry would be to grant crawfish processorsan exemption from the caponH-2B visas.For the visa program as a whole, lawmakers could look at increasing thetotal numberofvisasinthe program,orthey could allowemployers returning to the programnot to be subjecttothe cap, she said.

What does Congress say?

Once Benoit, the crawfish plant owner,learned in February that hisapplication for worker visas was rejected, he organized aFeb 18 meeting at Uncle T’sOysterBar in Scott to bringthe problemtothe attention of Louisiana officials and see if there wasany waytofixthe problem

In attendance were Lafayette Republican U.S. Rep. ClayHiggins, representatives from Republicn U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy’soffice, Ville PlatteRepublican state Rep

Rhonda Butler,representatives from the Louisiana Farm Bureau and LSU,along with Young and crawfish processors, Benoit said. Benoitisstill without theseasonal migrant workers he applied for. Higgins and Cassidy did not respond to requests for commentfor this story

Aspokesperson forU.S. Rep. JuliaLetlow,R-Baton Rouge, said she “is continuing to evaluate ways we can assist”regarding Louisiana’s shortageofseasonal migrant workers. U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge,also said he is “working to find asolution” to the problemand last week sent aletter to DHSurging immediate action.

“These businesses followed the standard applicationprocess, as they have everyyear, andwere still left without the workers they depend on,” Fields said.

Democratic U.S. Rep Troy Carter,ofNew Orleans, had asimilar view

“When Louisiana crawfish processors are reporting zero seasonal workers approved through the H-2B visa program, it’sclear something is broken,” Carter said.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, andHouse Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, did not return requests for comment.

Demand forworkers

Business owners, immigration attorneys andadvocates notedthat employers only use the H-2B visa program after they’ve shown the Department of Labor that there aren’tenough American workers available to do acertain job.

Young said the H-2B program is expensive forbusinesses, many of whom use it as “a last chance, a last resort.”

“Crawfish processing is very seasonal,” Benoitsaid. “It’sa three-month job. It’s hard to get an American to come to work forjust threemonths. And thenit’shard, you’re on your feet allday peeling crawfish. It’s just not ajob that mostAmericans want.”

The federal government also has wage requirements for employersusing theprogram. Benoit would have to pay migrant workers at his plant about $14 an hour this year

“All of these jobs are advertised andavailable to anyAmerican citizen that wantstocome and do them,” saidBrown. “It’snot displacing American workers, and we’ve proven that fordecades now.”

Moreno presses pause on trash fee hike

Review to gauge accuracy of service locations

service data as part of his ongoing review of City Hall spending.

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Mayor Helena Moreno is pressing pause on efforts to increase the monthly fee that households pay for once-a-week garbage and recycling pickup to give auditors time to review the accuracy of city data on service locations.

But Moreno backed off on that request Tuesday to give Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack time to verify the number of households served. Waguespack is working to right the city’s finances.

Moreno at a news conference last week urged the City Council to raise the $24-per-month fee to cover the full cost of sanitation services. It only generates a fraction of the revenues needed, requiring City Hall to spend $24 million from its general fund to fill the gap.

Court denies millions to N.O. lawyer

La. Supreme Court rejects payday in Port of New Orleans deal

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

The Louisiana Supreme Court has rejected a multimillion dollar payday for one of New Orleans’ most prominent attorneys and political players, after two Louisiana courts found his former business partner had unfairly excluded him from a lucrative deal with the Port of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

The high court said attorney Ike Spears didn’t earn his share of a $5 million contingency fee because he did little to no casework to help attorney William Hall secure FEMA reimbursements for the port’s rebuild after the storm.

“This case illustrates a notorious problem in our profession,” Justice Jay McCallum wrote in Friday’s opinion, quoting a 2010 law journal article. “ ‘Despite their many advantages, co-counsel relationships sometimes go terribly awry and the lawyers wind up pitted against one another like scorpions in a bottle.’ ” Spears had twice prevailed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court, and a panel of appeals court judges agreed, finding in January that Hall “breached his fiduciary duty” to Spears, blocking him from participating in the port litigation

Both courts ordered Hall to pay half of his earnings — more than $2.5 million — along with attorney fees, court costs and at least 15 years of interest. Hall’s attorneys pegged the judgment amount at about $5 million.

But the Supreme Court was unanimous this month in finding Spears had nixed his deal with Hall when he backed out of it.

“After Mr Spears declined to participate in the joint representation of the Port, the joint venture or other contractual relationship between Mr Spears and Mr Hall was extinguished, along with any associated obligations,” the order states Neither Spears nor his attorney, Dominick Impastato, responded to requests for comment. Dane Ciolino, Hall’s attorney, said the court’s decision could help clarify how attorney fees get divvied.

“Some lawyers (want) to get paid for doing no work, for just delivering clients, and this makes it clear that that’s not going to be allowed,”

The fee hasn’t changed since 2011, and the city cut service from twice-a-week pickup following Hurricane Ida

“We must ensure that the cost for services is accurate as we work to reset the fee, therefore, I agree with the auditor that an audit to verify the number of households being serviced is essential,” Moreno said in a news release Waguespack flagged issues with the age and accuracy of sanitation

“I think it’s imperative that we get the household count right,” Waguespack said in the release.

“This is just another step in the process to make sure the general fund is no longer subsidizing a cost that should be borne by its residents.”

Moreno warned last week that essential services like public safety could see cuts in next year’s budget if the sanitation fee wasn’t increased. Moreno’s attempt to find new

revenues comes at a time when the city’s finances are in a perilous condition. At one point earlier this month, the city had just $30,000 in its general fund,

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Health officials: 21,000 people to lose Medicaid

Work requirements coming next year

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

Louisiana health officials expect about 21,000 people in the state will lose Medicaid coverage when new work requirements for the program take effect next year, a projection that is lower than estimates from outside groups of far larger coverage losses.

The rule that certain people receiving Medicaid demonstrate they are working, in school, in job training or volunteering to keep their coverage was part of the recently passed federal law H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” In Louisiana, about 1 in 3 people rely on Medicaid for health care coverage.

The state Health Department’s estimate, announced at a budget meeting Monday, is based on how many people the requirements apply to and how many people are already meeting work requirements, said Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein, who called some sharply higher estimates “the absolute worst-case scenario.”

Some of those analyses, drawing on national data and past state experiences, estimated coverage losses in Louisiana could reach tens of thousands more in some cases over 100,000 people — if people who are eligible for Medicaid lose coverage because

of paperwork issues.

The state is already seeing a sharp decline in Medicaid enrollment following the end of pandemic-era protections, which kept people from being kicked off the program until April 2023.

Louisiana’s Medicaid rolls grew from around 1.5 million in February 2020 to 1.9 million in March 2023, then dropped to 1.4 million by November 2025, according to federal data compiled by Kaiser Family Foundation.

That decline leaves enrollment 6% below pre-pandemic levels, making Louisiana one of a relatively small number of states with fewer enrollees than before COVID-19.

Calculated estimate

In an interview, Greenstein and Medicaid Director Seth Gold said about 320,000 of 1.51 million Louisiana Medicaid enrollees would fall into the group required to meet the work requirements, meaning they are not exempt through disability, age or having young children.

To get to their estimate, state officials subtracted people who are already meeting the requirements or are expected to qualify for exemptions. About 132,000 people are already working, based on wage data. About 18,000 meet similar requirements through SNAP, and others may qualify for exemptions based on medical conditions.

After those adjustments, officials estimate roughly 125,000 to

130,000 people may need to take an additional step to verify work, training or volunteer activity

The state then applied national estimates of how many people typically comply with similar requirements to arrive at the projected 21,000 people who could lose coverage. Greenstein said the state expects losses to be lower than in earlier work requirement experiences in other states, such as Arkansas, because Louisiana plans to rely more on automatic verification. There were several logistical issues with Arkansas’ setup, such as a website that was only operable from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We just don’t think that extrapolating the Arkansas experience is worth much more than extrapolating the performance of the Flintstones’ family car to a Tesla today,” Greenstein said. “It’s not even apples and oranges. It’s like pebbles and fruit.”

The state plans to expand outreach, including through social media, to make sure people understand the new requirements and deadlines. Louisiana is working with its workforce development system to provide job placement, resume assistance and training programs.

“The goal is not to get rid of people from Medicaid,” Greenstein said. “It’s to help Louisianians move from dependence to independence.”

Michael Karpman, a researcher at the Urban Institute who has authored reports on the work re-

MORENO

Continued from page 1B

more than 100 accounts with various funds. The 2026 budget that the council approved last year at Moreno’s direction includes $150 million in spending cuts to City Hall departments and once-perpay-period furloughs for 14% of the city’s workforce,

EVIDENCE

Continued from page 1B

roughly 700 employees.

To alleviate the city’s budget woes, city leaders have continued to scrounge for loose change. At Moreno’s request, the New Orleans Building Corporation a public benefit corporation that owns, leases, develops and manages real estate assets for the city — agreed Tuesday to transfer $15 million in excess funds to City Hall. That’s on top of a $6.5 mil-

Johnson’s attorney argued Monday that there was no probable cause for his arrest, while seeking to have the gun excluded from Johnson’s looming trial for Chedville’s killing. Criminal District Judge Camille Buras denied the motion, ruling the weapon admissible.

Johnson, 18, is the youngest of four defendants facing first-degree murder and attempted murder charges in the Jan. 14, 2024, shooting.

Chedville and two others were struck by bullets outside a Shell gas station at Chef Menteur Highway and Downman Road. All three were rushed by ambulance to University Medical Center, where Chedville died the following morning Johnson was a few weeks shy of his 16th birthday in March 2024 when six New Orleans Police Department patrol officers descended upon him in the 2900 block of Eagle Street, led there by an officer monitoring surveillance cameras from the city’s Real-Time Crime Center NOPD Detective Makayla Dulaney testified that she noticed Johnson over video with a hand in a jacket pocket, adjusting something in his pants as he walked with another teen. She took it to be a gun and briefed the cops patrolling the area; her hunch proved right. It was against Louisiana law at the time for adults to carry a con-

lion transfer in December

Annie McBride, the corporations’ CEO, said the goal is to recoup those funds by selling off or leasing “underutilized city properties” and renegotiating existing city leases. Moreno has tasked the corporation with identifying the top 25 city-owned properties that could quickly be put back in commerce, as part of her search for additional revenues.

quirement impacts, described a loss of 21,000 as “very optimistic.”

“It’s lower than the coverage loss that we project under our high-mitigation scenario,” Karpman said, referring to modeling that accounts for states taking key steps, like automatic verifications, to keep people from falling off the Medicaid rolls unnecessarily In an analysis released in April, the Urban Institute estimated up to 132,000 adults in Louisiana would lose Medicaid under work requirements. National estimates from the Congressional Budget Office said the requirements would result in 4.8 million people without health insurance by 2034.

Karpman said the work requirement will result in people who still qualify losing coverage because of stricter paperwork policies.

“Many people are projected to lose coverage even though they are working or could potentially qualify for an exemption,” Karpman said.

Efforts to automate

Louisiana plans to verify eligibility and work activity using existing data sources, including wage data and medical claims, to reduce the need for people to submit paperwork.

Officials said about 40% to 50% of Medicaid renewals are already completed automatically using existing data.

Under the new system, information about income or medical conditions could be pre-filled during the renewal process. For ex-

Continued from page 1B

Ciolino said. “Ike Spears didn’t do any work in this case, and he came awfully close to getting a $5 million fee for doing nothing.”

Spears is a well-known attorney and political consultant with close ties to former Congressman Cedric Richmond, a New Orleans Democrat who went on to serve in the White House under former President Joe Biden. Last year, Richmond played a key role in Helena Moreno’s mayoral victory and co-chaired her transition team.

Spears handled some legal matters for the port before Hurricane Katrina and had worked with several of its commissioners. After the storm, he approached Hall to team up on legal work for the port.

According to his 2010 lawsuit, Spears introduced Hall to decision-makers like Gerald Gussoni Jr., and Gary LaGrange, the port’s executive attorney and president at the time. Spears arranged an October 2005 meeting where he and Hall pitched their representation to the two men.

Two months later, the

ample, wage data could be used to confirm employment, and medical claims could be used to identify people who qualify for exemptions.

If the state already has that information, beneficiaries would not need to take additional steps.

Officials said the work requirement will also be built into the standard application and renewal process, rather than requiring separate monthly reporting.

‘We worry about everyone’ Research from the post-COVID period has shown that many people lose coverage because of administrative issues rather than ineligibility, including missed notices or difficulty completing paperwork.

In Louisiana, sometimes that’s because a person moves around a lot or is displaced because of a hurricane.

Greenstein said the state is trying to stop that from happening through automation But it’s not clear how many people might drop off who still qualify, he said.

“We don’t know the answer to tell you the truth, and it’s concerning,” Greenstein said. “We worry about everyone on the program.”

Officials said more detailed information about how the program will work will be released over the next year as the state prepares for its start in January

Staff writer Meghan Friedmann contributed to this report.

Email Emily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate.com.

port’s board awarded a legal services contract to Hall and Spears Spears and Hall initially planned to work on the FEMA claims and catastrophe losses in tandem.

But Spears backed out about six months later Port officials had refused to give the duo a percentage fee on future settlements, instead settling on a fixed, $200 hourly wage

At a bench trial in 2023, Hall testified that Spears said he was “not interested in doing any chicken s*** hourly work.”

Spears said he didn’t recall using such strong language but made clear he wouldn’t work for hourly pay and didn’t sign the contract. Days later, Hall entered into an hourly-wage agreement without him.

But the terms of that deal would change as a dispute with the port’s insurers prompted Hall to enlist help. He brought in William “Chip” Merlin, a Florida-based attorney experienced in insurance litigation.

Like Spears, Merlin refused to work by the hour Gussoni, the port’s executive attorney, testified that the board agreed to pay him a contingency fee for his expertise.

New Orleans police investigate a double shooting at the intersection of Carondelet and Common

on Jan. 17, 2024. Seven weeks later Robbie Johnson was arrested for an unrelated incident with a

waistband that ballistics testing later tied to the fatal shooting

cealed gun without a permit and remains illegal, in most instances, for juveniles to carry concealed weapons. From Johnson, police seized a pistol with an extended magazine that police claim was one of three guns used in the shooting that left Chedville dead. According to a police affidavit, gas station surveillance showed multiple people shooting from a silver Mitsubishi Eclipse One of the shooters exited and fired more gunshots before the SUV sped off.

The vehicle was spotted leaving a house on Skyview Drive before the shooting. New Orleans SWAT officers raided the house days later and found four guns, one of which was police tied to the homicide. During the raid, police arrested Johnson’s three alleged accomplices Bryceson Jones, Derrick Ivy and Darrius Jenkins. Those three men have been charged in a separate double shooting in the Central Business District on Jan 17, 2024 little more than 48 hours after Chedville gasped his last breath.

Shooting in the CBD In that case, two people were wounded when shooters pulled up in a stolen Chevy Silverado to Carondelet and Common streets and fired a barrage of bullets. Investigators later found the torched Silverado abandoned beneath the Seabrook Bridge with several spent shell casings inside.

Police tied the shooting to an organized crew of teenage carjackers that roved the Poydras Street corridor stealing vehicles left

Hall said Gussoni told him to keep the deal from Spears, whom the port was in the process of suing for malpractice, according to the Supreme Court order The port sued Spears about a week before it executed the contingency contract with Hall and Merlin. Gussoni, in his depositions, said he didn’t recall telling Hall not to share the renewed contract with Spears. Port officials reached a $117.5 million settlement with its insurer in 2008 Hall’s share of the attorney fees was about $5.1 million — minus $900,000 he’d already been paid in hourly wages. Spears claimed a breach of their “joint venture” and sought half of Hall’s settlement fee, claiming he wouldn’t have secured the contract without him. Civil District Judge Jennifer Medley agreed after two days of testimony, and the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal upheld her decision this year But the Supreme Court found that no joint venture remained once Spears parted ways with Hall.

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

running and unattended near the Superdome, Caesars casino and in front of hotels.

Jones, Jenkins and Ivy were all indicted on two counts apiece of attempted murder in that case. Admissibility of the gun

Robbie Johnson was not charged in relation to the CBD shooting. He’s also denied any involvement in Chedville’s slaying, according to court records show Public defender Aaron Zagory argued that an “officer’s best guess” from a crime center across town wasn’t enough to target Johnson.

Detective Dulaney testified that she recognized Johnson as a juvenile when she spotted him on surveillance footage from previous auto theft and burglary cases. Buras found that the video the detective saw “was sufficient to justify officer Dulaney’s suspicions.”

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

U.S. Senate confirms Trump’snominee

St.Johnfor judgeship

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT Staff writer

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday approved President DonaldTrump’snominee, Anna St. John, as afederal judge in the Eastern District of Louisiana, based in New Orleans, on a 51-45 vote.

Both of Louisiana’s sena tors votedfor St. John and praised her nomination.

“Anna stood up for Americans in court,”Sen. BillCassidy,R-Baton Rouge, said in anews release. “Because of this, we can trust her to put the Constitutionand Louisianans first.” Sen. John Kennedy,RMadisonville, praised her as well.

“I know the Eastern District of Louisiana is in good hands with Anna St. John on the federalbench,” he said in astatement.“Sheknows our Constitution like the back of her hand and has the smarts and experience to be agreat, fair judge.”

St. John, a46-year-old Gulfport native, graduated from LSU and Columbia Law School, and clerked for 5th Circuit Appeals Court Judge Rhesa H. Barksdale, alsobased in NewOrleans

RIVER

Continued from page1B requires aspecial permitting process for the designated rivers. Under Owen’sbill, there would be no Louisiana Scenic River permit and review process for channelization, clearing and snagging, channel realignment, reservoir construction, anddredging operations for drainage purposes on the West Pearl Riverbetween Lock 1and the Rigolets, said Scenic Rivers Program manager Amelia Wolfe. The exemption from the process for the listed activities forthe West Pearl River would be effective from Aug. 1, 2026, to Aug 1, 2033.

Wolfe said Owen’sbill mimics an exception in the law for the Comite River in East Feliciana and East Baton Rouge parishes that was in place betweenAug 1, 2018, and Aug. 1, 2026. Following his unsuccessful effort last year,Owen had previously indicated that he planned to bring back aversion of thebill focused just on the Pearl River Owen said in an interview that part of the West PearlRiverwas at risk of changing course andthat he was also concerned about silting. He said they

Sheiscounsel in aboutique New Orleans law firm and is general counsel with the Hamilton Lincoln Law Institute, aWashington-based conservativethink tank In her work for the institute, St. John foughtagainst what she has called unfair class-action settlements Hernomination was more controversial than those of some other recent Louisiana judges. Democrats criticized hercommentsand “friendofthe courtbriefs” in politically charged cases Sen. Dick Durbin, the ranking Democrat of the House Judiciary Committee, said during acommittee hearing over hernomination that “Ms. St.John’srecord reflects apartisan ideology and raises seriousquestions about her ability to impartially administer justice.”

Criticsalsofaultedher for testifying against alaw passed in2022withbipartisan support that exempted victimsofsexualharassmentinthe workplace from having their complaints considered behind closed doorsinforcedarbitration. St. John saidshe wanted to make clear to lawmakers that arbitrationcan often lead to victimsgetting more money St. John’sconfirmation leaves onlyone vacancyon the12-judge Eastern District bench.

needed to do dredgingon theriver and build some weirs.Hesaidthe Scenic Rivers permittingprocess could delay projects. Last year’sbill, in addition to temporarily removingthe PearlRiver,would also have removed eight other St.Tammany rivers from scenicrivers status program, as wellastributaries to theTchefuncte River

Owen had said the 2025 bill’sgoal was to make it easier to clean up the rivers, de-snag and improve drainage and reduce flooding. But the bill sparked backlash fromsome environmental groups and residents, who argued that removing protected status could negatively affect water quality. The bill never made it out of the Senate Natural Resources Committee.

Matthew Allen, avocal opponent of last year’sbill and the executive director of theSt. Tammany-based environmentalgroup Northshore River Watch, said he wantedmore information from Owen aboutwhat cleanup projects hehoped to see on the West Pearl River this time around

“If they give me details of aproject that makes sense we would support it, but there are no details withit, and he’snever reached out to us,” Allen said

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Boudreau Sr., Ray

Burnett, William Cantin,Ronald

ChauvinJr.,Raoul

Faust, Vernell

Fray,Diane

HalleySr.,Kenneth

Jackson, Bryant

Lee, Gay

Perez, Frank

Richmond, Paul

Smith,Jimmie

Snyder, Catherine Thomas,Myrtle

Vales,Alice EJefferson

Garden of Memories

Boudreau Sr., Ray Richmond, Paul NewOrleans Charbonnet

HalleySr.,Kenneth

DW Rhodes

ChauvinJr.,Raoul

Estelle JWilson

Thomas,Myrtle

Lake Lawn Metairie

Burnett, William

Snyder, Catherine

Vales,Alice

St Bernard

CharbonnetLabat

Jackson, Bryant

cededindeath by hisde‐voted wife of 70 years, Jacqueline“Jackie”Bayhi Boudreau; hisparents,and siblings: UlyssesBernard BoudreauJr.,Katherine Benezech, Mary AliceHo‐tard, StephenBoudreau, Barbara Burke, Talbot Boudreau, Herman Boudreau, andWarren Boudreau. Rayproudly servedasa Sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard. Hewas amemberofSt. MaryMagdalenparish since 1955 andworked withCYO,Boy Scouts and sportsinthe parish for manyyears.Hewas presi‐dentofthe NewOrleans GolfAssociationand St JohnGolfCluband amem‐ber of Green AcresCountry Club. Rayissurvivedbyhis 4 children:Ray Joseph “RJ” Boudreau(Rose), Pamela JeanShows (Neil),Ralph James Boudreau (Joanie) Kim Mary Boudreau (Mitch);6 grandchildren: Ray Boudreau III (Sarah), Amy Boudreau Dubuc (Michael),KatiBoudreau Kelley(Ryan), Megan BoudreauCaire (Matthew), RyanJames Boudreau (Caroline), andHunter JosephShows (Catherine); and 20 great-grandchil‐dren: Isabelle,Blake and Bryce Boudreau;Audrey, Camile, Josieand Drew Dubuc;Antionette andAva Kelley; Hattie, Walter and LouiseShows,Zoe Gemma,Blaise, Philomena and AgnesCaire;Simon Ramseyand Saylor Boudreau; andgrand-dog, Ratso.Ray also leaves be‐hinda step sister,Patricia Magee, as well as numer‐ous nieces andnephews, cousins,and otherrela‐tives.Ray will be dearly missedbyall.The family would like to thankhis caregivers(Myra,Keisha and Kristy) fortheir dedi‐cationand compassion as wellasthe staff of Williamsburg Senior Living Center. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe FuneralServices atGardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home &Cemetery, 4900 AirlineDrive,Metairie, LA70001 on Friday,March 20, 2026. Visitation will begin at 9:00 AM with a Massat11:00 AM followed byinterment.Inlieuof flowers, please consider donatingtoArchbishop ChapelleorArchbishop Rummel, archbish‐opChapelle.org/giveor giverummel.com. Online condolences maybeof‐fered at www.gardeno fmemoriesmetairie.com

Faust,

Vernell

West Bank

Mothe

Cantin,Ronald

Fray,Diane

West Leitz-Eagan

Perez, Frank Obituaries

Boudreau Sr., RayJoseph

RayJosephBoudreauSr. entered into eternalrest onMarch 16, 2026 at the age of 97. He wasbornon January 24, 1929 in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana to thelate UlyssesBernard Boudreau Sr. andMildred Talbot Boudreau.Ray waspre‐

Burnett, William Ronald

William Ronald Burnett passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, surrounded by theloveofhis family. Ron, or "Captain," as he was affectionatelycalled by many, was borninNew Orleans, Louisiana, on November 9, 1941, to Ira Henry and ElizabethLouise Burnett.RaisedinMobile, Alabama, he became adiehard University of Alabama football fan. He graduated from Livingston State College(now University of WestAlabama) wherehe was aproud member of Tau KappaEpsilon Fraternity. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brotherKenneth, and his wife Kathleen.

Ron's career with Crawford &Company broughthim to Atlanta, Georgia, and then later to NewOrleans wherehemet thelove of hislife, KathleenBurnett(née Mercante). Together, they raisedtwo loving daughters, AimeePorteous (Tommy) andElizabeth Burnett. He spent hislife devotedtohis family, his Catholic faith, andvolunteer work in thecommunity. He remained dedicated to hisalma mater as president of thealumniassociation andasanactive fraternity alumnimember, frequentlyattending campusevents. He enjoyedbeinganamateur photographer,especially taking picturesonMardi Gras day in theFrench Quarter andon hislong-anticipated retirementtriptoIreland. His volunteerefforts in the NewOrleans'community andboard memberwork will also notbeforgotten. Despite thedifficulties he faced over the past 14 years in losing his wife and sufferinga debilitating stroke, he focused on the joys in hislife--his daughters and granddaughters, Emma andLucille Porteous.Ofall hislifeaccomplishments, he was most proudofhis girls. Ronisloved andmissed by many, and his family wouldliketoextend a warm thankyou to the staff at InspiredLiving,his amazing caregiver Amber Avila, and Anvoi Hospice, whoensuredhis dignity untilthe very end. Those whoknewRon will rememberhim in crimson redand ahoundstooth hat, and his spirit will live forever in thewords of the great Bear Bryant: "Ifyou want to walk theheavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, 'Roll Tide, Roll!'" We love you andwill miss you,Dad, until we meetagain Relativesand friends of thefamilyare invited to attend servicesatLake Lawn MetairieFuneral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd, NewOrleans,LA, on Friday, March 20, 2026. Visitation is from 10:30 A.M.until noon, with aMemorial Mass beginning at noon Intermentwill follow at All SaintsMausoleum in MetairieCemetery.To view and sign thefamily guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

retirement he worked se‐curityfor theCityofGretna PoliceDepartment. Ronald issurvivedbyhis loving wifeof69and ahalfyears, Grace GattusoCantin. Ronaldwas awonderful fa‐therofRonaldG.Cantin, Jr (Michele),Randolph Randy” G. Cantin (Re‐becca), andRenéG.Cantin. Hewas theproud grandfa‐therofRonaldG.Cantin, III (Gretchen), RenzoG.Can‐tin (Jade),Kristen C. Lieber (Ben),Christopher G. Can‐tin (Ashton),and Jennifer Sims(Jamey).Great-grand‐fatherofRowan G. Cantin SawyerG.and Olive“Ollie” Lieber, Luca G. and LeightonR.Cantin, Jasmine S.Svensson(Zach), and JaytinSims. Great-greatgrandfather of Hunter Sims. BrotherofBenjamin J.Cantin, III andthe late Richard P. Cantin (Jean‐nette). Also survived by his brother-in-lawPhilipA Gattuso (the late Roberta), sister-in-law MattieG Macaluso(thelate Joseph);aswellas, many cousins,nieces, nephews, and friends. Thefamily would like to expresstheir sincerest gratitudetothe Doctors andnursesat Touro Hospital,WestJef‐fersonMedical Center,Tu‐lane, University Medical Center, St.MichaelsHome Health, andGuardianAn‐gelsHospice fortheir care ofRonald. Averyspecial thank youtoAllison Carter Relatives,friends as well asthe membersofthe Knights of Columbus 1905 GretnaItalian-American Society,Chevron Employ‐ees,GretnaPoliceDepart‐ment, his"Swinging Set" GolfClub, andthe parish‐ionersofSt. Anthony Church-Gretnaand St JosephChurch-Gretnaare invited to attend theFu‐neral Mass on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at 1PMat St. AnthonyCatholic Church,925 Monroe St in Gretna, LA.Visitationwill begin at 11:30AM.Intern‐mentwillfollowatHope Mausoleum,4841 CanalSt. inNew Orleans, LA.Inlieu of flowers, please make donations to St.Anthony Church-GretnaorSt. JosephChurch-Gretnaat https://stjosephgretna com. Please visitmothefu‐nerals.comtoviewand signthe online guestbook.

St Bernard ChauvinJr.,Raoul V. 'Ralph'

Cantin,RonaldGerard

Ronald Gerard Cantin entered into eternalrest intoGod’s loving arms on Tuesday,March 10, 2026 Hewas born in NewOr‐leans on July 12, 1936 to the late Marguerite Silver Cantinand thelateBen‐jamin Joseph Cantin,Jr. As a native of Algiers, Louisiana,Ronaldattended bothSt. Joseph andHoly NameofMaryCatholic Schools. Aftergraduation highschoolheattended LSU andSLU.InSeptember of1955 he beganworking atChevron Chemical in Belle Chasse for42years andretired in 1997. After

RaoulV.“Ralph” Chau‐vin,Jr.,age 80, succumbed tohis battlewithleukemia and peacefully entered intoeternal rest sur‐rounded by familyonSun‐day,March 8, 2026, in New Orleans,LA. He wasbornin New Orleans, LA,May 8, 1945, andwas aresidentof Harvey, LA since1982. He was averyproud graduate ofSt. AugustineHigh School in NewOrleans and Worsham CollegeofMortu‐ary ScienceinChicago Raoul’s journeyinthe fu‐neral profession was shapedthrough hisfamily relations with both Unity FuneralParlors,Inc in Chicago andRhodesFu‐neral Home in NewOr‐leans,LA. Subsequently,he workedfor HancockWhit‐ney Bank as an officerand manager andretired in 2012 after serving30years Precedinghim in death

4B ✦ Wednesday, March 18, 2026 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune were hisparents,Raoul V. Chauvin,Srand Inez (Prudeaux)Chauvin;pater‐nal grandparents:Raoul Francis andCecelia (Diaz) Chauvin;maternalgrand‐parents:Georgeand Louise (Casimere)Prudeaux; his beloved andlong-time companion Deanna "Dee O'Reilly; sisters: Belvia Is‐abelle andAthalia Piernas (Henry, deceased); one brother,ArmandJ.Chauvin (Vickie). He leaves to cher‐ish hismemory, hiswife, Leslie R. ChauvinofCov‐ington, LA;his children: Raoul V. “Dutch”Chauvin, III (Cynthia)ofNew Or‐leans,LA, AllysonChauvin (Jennifer Valteau) of Cov‐ington, LA.; onesisterAve‐lineKimbell (Willie) of Mesa, AZ;two grandchil‐dren: Phoebe andBrennan Chauvin of NewOrleans, LA; anda multitudeof nieces, nephews, other familymembers andmany close friends. Everyone loved Raoul. Truly, it's hard tothink of asingleperson who didn’t.Hemadepeo‐ple feel seen andvalued, not throughgrand ges‐tures butthrough small, consistentactsofkind‐ness. He listened deeply Helived with agentlewis‐dom that made life better for thoselucky enough to knowhim.Hewas adeep thinker,someone who moved throughthe world withcuriosity andinten‐tion. When others were overwhelmed,hewas the cool head,the steady pres‐ence, theadult in theroom evenwhennoone else could manage to be.He was alover of knowledge and storiesand couldpull the perfectjokefroman endless mental libraryat justthe rightmoment. And ofcourse, Raoulloved the Saintswiththe kind of de‐votiononlytruefansun‐derstand. He wasa season ticketholderand nevera fair-weatherfan—he showedupthrough every high, everyheartbreak, every “maybe next year”, and NEVERleftthe game early!Gamedaysweresa‐cred, andhis loyaltywas unwavering,a reflection of the wayheapproached everythingand everyone hecared about. Through his yearsatSt. Augustine HighSchool,Raoul became partofabrotherhood that shapedhim forlife, onehe carried with pride. The friendships he formed there were loyal, joyful, and enduring bondsthat lastedacrossdecades Plans fora Celebrationof Lifewillbeannounced at a later date.Inlieuof flow‐ers,pleaseconsidera do‐nationtoeitherThe Ameri‐can Cancer Society (CMML)orStAugustine HighSchool (https://lad iesforpurplescholars.org/ )

Faust,Vernell Phillips

Slidell,LA- Vernell Phillips Faust, age 85, passed awaypeacefully on March 8, 2026. Vernell,affectionatelyknown as "Ms. V.", made herway in 1965 from the small island of Guanaja,Honduras to New Orleans where she met and marriedTyrone G. Faust. Coming froma humble background, she was very empathetic and sensitive to the needs of others. Vernell possessed avery strong work ethic andwas meticulousineverything that she did. Shehad a lively, fun spirit anda sweetness which touched everyone Vernell is predeceased by her parents, Hazel Haylock and Ernest Phillips, and her sister, Marcy Haylock McNab. Vernell is survived by her dear friend and former husband, Tyrone G. Faust brother,Percy Phillips (Alice Phillips) and her threechildren, Adele P. Faust (Glenn Williams), LouisT.Faust (Ajsa Nikolic) andJaneen Coble (John Coble-deceased); Grandchildren, Lina Faust MaxFaust, Christina Coble Smith and Jacqueline Coble LeBlanc;Great grandchildren, Layla LeBlanc, Amelia LeBlanc, Emerson Smith and Jaxon Smith; Sister-in-Law, Donna MaeLoy (Vincent); and numerous nieces and nephews. Services willbeheld at St. BernardMemorial FuneralHome located at 701 W. Virtue Street, Chalmette,onFriday March 20, 2026. Visitation willbe9:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. with mass at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visitwww.stbernardmemo rial.com

DianeChampagne Fray age 84,a cherishednative ofNew Orleans, Louisiana, and longtime resident of Gretna, passedaway peacefullyonMarch 13 2026, in Marrero, Louisiana. BornonFebruary4,1942 Diane embodied alife markedbydedicationto family, faith,and commu‐nity. Dianewas aproud graduateofUrsulineAcad‐emy andpursued herstud‐ies in medicaltechnology at Loyola University New

Orleans. Herprofessional career reflectedher com‐mitment to serviceand care, having worked dili‐gentlywiththe StateBoard ofHealthand Barbe's Dairy.Those who knew her admired hersteadfast spirit—shewas knownasa truepepper, resolute and unwaveringinher convic‐tions.A devotedmember ofthe St Cletus Catholic Church,CCD,and the LadiesClub, Dianeplayed anactiveroleinparishlife and served as Fair Chair‐person, bringing enthusi‐asm andleadershiptoher community.She cherished her involvementwiththe Krewe of Iris,embracing the rich cultureand joyof Mardi Gras.Gardening reading,and spoilingher grandchildren andgreatgrandchildren were among her favorite pastimes, which broughther im‐mense happiness. Diane was thebeloved mother of David Fray (Vonda), Jimmy Fray(Faith),and Robert Fray(Misty).She wasa lov‐ing grandmothertoChad (Nicole), Jessica, Jack, Alex, Austin (Jessica), and Hunter,aswellasa proud great-grandmother to Tan‐ner,Jayden, Bailey,and Athena. Dianewas thede‐voted daughter of thelate James Champagneand Alice Reinecke Champagne and is preceded in death byher husband of 55 years, DeaconRalph T. Fray.The familyextends profound gratitude to thecompas‐sionate nursesMelissa and Paula who lovingly cared for Dianeathome, as well astoJade, Keeley,Clarise Ivy, Rachel,Heather,Bay‐ley,Kate, Chris, Deidra,and the entire skillednursing facilitystaff who sup‐portedher with kindness andprofessionalism.Spe‐

cial thanks arealsogiven toJaneand herstaff at TranquilLiving, where Diane spenther finaldays withdignity andcomfort Visitationwillbeheldon March 20, 2026, from 11:30 a.m.to1:30p.m.atStCle‐tus Catholic Church,lo‐cated at 3600 Claire Ave, Gretna, LA 70053. This will befollowedimmediately bythe funeralservice from 1:30p.m.to2:30p.m.atthe samelocation. Burial arrangementswilltake place at alater date at Greenwood Cemetery Diane’s life touchedmany heartsand hermemory willbehelddearbyall who had theprivilege of know‐ing her. As afaithful parishioner andvibrant memberofher community, she leaves alegacyoflove, commitment, andspirited determination.Her family invites allwho knew Diane tohonor herlifeand spirit inprayerand reflection duringthe services at St CletusCatholicChurch The love shesharedand the livesshe enriched stand as alasting testa‐menttoa remarkable woman who livedfully and withgreat purpose. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St Jude Chil‐dren'sHospital. MotheFu‐neral Homesentrusted witharrangements.

Brown, John Chambers, Larry Cagerand Marcus McDaniels,aswellasa hostofother extended familymembers anda ro‐bustcircleoffriends who loved himdearly. ACele‐bration servicehonoring the life of thelateKenneth Joseph“K9”Halleywillbe heldinthe Chapel of Char‐bonnetLabat GlapionFu‐neral Home,1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Friday,March 20, 2026 at 10 am.Interment ProvidenceMemorialPark. Visitation9 am in the chapel. Please sign online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion Directors (504) 581-4411

208-2138 (504)358-4232

JEROME L. ROBINSON AND PERRILYNALEXIS-HARRIS,OWNERS 9611 HIGHWAY23, BELLE CHASSE,LOUISIANA

KennethJoseph“K9 Halley, Sr., wasbornonNo‐vember10, 1984 at Tulane HospitalinNew Orleans, LAtoGenevaHalleyand ReginaldMcCoy.Hewas raisedinNew Orleans, sur‐rounded by family, commu‐nityand friendshipsthat helpedshape theman he became. On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Mr.Halley peacefully transitioned fromthislifeafter acoura‐geous battle with kidney failure.Thoughhis depar‐tureleavesa deep void,his strengthofspiritand the lovehesharedwillremain withall who knew him. Kenneth wasprecededin death by hisbeloved grandparents, Geneva Hal‐ley,GabeGallowayand NettieL.King; aunt,Nancy Ann Cole;uncles, Robert Thomasand Thomas “Tommy” Halley;brother, Josef C. Brownand nephew Mario McCoy. In addition tohis parents, Kenneth alsoleavestocherish pre‐cious memories,loving wife, JameanikaHalley; children, KenyaA., Kenneth J.Jr.andKyron M. Halley Kendall J. andKendell J. Carter; siblings,Regina and TalithaHalley, Chaunteion,Moniche and Reginald McCoy, Jr., Cedric

Jackson, Bryant Bryant Jacksonpassed awayonSunday, March8 2026. ACelebration service honoringthe life of thelate Mr. Jacksonwillbeheldin the chapel of Charbonnet FamilyServices, 4917 E. Judge PerezDrive,Violet, LA70119 on Friday,March 20, 2026 at 11 am.Inter‐mentBethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery,Braith‐waite,LA. Visitation 9am inthe chapel.Pleasesign onlineguestbook at www charbonnetfuneralhome com. Finalarrangements entrusted to Charbonnet FamilyServices(504)3021520.

offer affordableburials,cremation,and life insurance majesticmortuary.com ResthavenMemorial Park 10400Old Gentilly Road,New Orleans, LA 70127 Servingthecommunityforover75years

Gay Rita Jastram Lee, of Hammond, Louisiana passed awayonSaturday, March 14, 2026, at the age of 89.She was born on July 10, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughterof the late Lloyd Jastram and Orlea Enniger Jastram. A devoted parishioner of Holy Ghost Catholic Church in Hammond, Louisiana, she was acherished member of the community and abeloved mother and grandmother. Aresident of Hammond for over twenty years, Gay was also aformer resident of Kenner, Louisiana, and Picayune, Mississippi Throughout her life, she demonstrated asteadfast love and dedication to her family. She took great joy in spending time with her children and grandchildren. Gay had apassion for clothing and fashion. Sheloved playing games, celebrating holidays, and was abig fan of LSU and the Saints. Gay was a sweet soul and everyone that knew her loved her. Shewill be deeply missed by so many. Gay is survived by her children, William Hugh "Bill"Lee III, Karen Lee Arnouville (Chris), Linda Lee LaMonte, and Felicia Kay Lee Brown (Troy); grandchildren, Virginia, Nicole, Jacob, and Hannah; step-grandchildren, Kristina and Kenneth; great grandchildren, Chloe, Paul, Lantz and Ivy; several step-great grandchildren; sister, Jeanne Hingle; and numerous nieces, nephews,great nieces and nephews,and many friends. In addition to her parents, Gay was preceded in death by her husband, William Hugh Lee Jr.; stepgrandchild, Korie; sister and brother-in-law, Renelda and Joe Marchand; and brother-inlaw, Norwood Hingle. Family and friends will be received at Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 600 North Oak Street, Hammond, Louisiana 70401 on Thursday, March19, 2026 from 9:00 am until the Funeral Mass begins at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gay Lee's memory to Catholic Charities at www.donate.catholicchar itiesusa.org.Arrangements have been entrusted to HarryMcKneely &Son Funeral Home and Crematory of Hammond and Ponchatoula. An online guest book is available at www.harrymckneely.com.

Frank William

Frank William Perez went to be with the Lord on Friday, March 13, 2026 at the ageof80. He was the beloved husband of Cataline Matherne Perez for 58 years. Loving father of Melissa Perez Rodivich (Marc) and proud grandfather of his favorite granddaughter,Abbey "BooBoo" Marie Rodivich. Son of the late Agnes and Landry Perez, Sr. Brother of Elizabeth Sevin (the late Keith) and the late Landry Perez, Jr. Brother-in-law of Dean Matherne (Gail), Michael Matherne (Diane), Christine Newman (the late Ronald) and the late Allen Matherne, Sr. (Nancy). Frank is also survived by ahost of nieces, nephews, God-children, cousins and dear friends. Frank loved bowling and was the owner of Coach's Pro Shop, where he sold bowling equipment and shared his passion for the sport with many in the community. He also had a deep love for racing and vintage Ford cars, proudly driving his Ford known as "Sweet Melissa." Frank was the owner of Wego Speed, where he sold high-performance car parts and operated amachineshop specializing in

loved music, particularly doo-wop, Buddy Holly, and the Beach Boys. In his sparetime, he enjoyed building model cars and had an impressive collection Alifelong resident of Westwego,Frank proudly served in the United States National Guard.Hewas also adevoted parishioner of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Church. Above all, Frank loved his family, and he will be dearly missedbyall who knew and lovedhim. Family and friends are invited to attend the visitation forFrank on Friday, March 20, 2026 beginning at 10:00AM at OurLadyof Prompt Succor Church,146 4thStinWestwego. Funeral Mass willbegin at 12:00PMand burialwillimmediately follow at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Cemetery.

Richmond,PaulNorman

Paul Norman Richmond age 99,was called home to the Lord on Saturday March 14,2026. God's honey-dolistwas growing, and Paul wasjustthe one for thejob.Paulwas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, Norman KirbyRich‐mondand AliceScofield Richmond; hissisters, Kathryn andDiana;and his youngest son, Robert Bobby" Richmond.Heis survivedbyhis devoted wifeof56years,Ann Dar‐lene; hischildren: Pam, Norman, Sandy, CJ,and June;his grandchildren: Clinton,Dean, Rachel, Zachary,Nathaniel,Su‐sanna,Jessica,and Joe Joe;and hisgreat-grand‐children: Sean,Addison, Dylan,and Abigail. Born in SaltLakeCityin1926, Paul spent hisearly yearsmov‐ing with hisfamily, firstto Chicago and then to Lake‐view, NewOrleans,where hecameintohis ownasa young man. He joined the local modelairplaneclub, workedasa bike courier for theneighborhood drug‐store,and attended War‐ren Easton High School.In 1944, at eighteen yearsold hewas inducted into the U.S.Navyand trainedasa PTboatcrewman,earning the rate of FiremanFirst Class andserving in the Philippines with the 7th Fleet during WorldWar II. BackinNew Orleans, Paul got to work andnever re‐allystopped.Heworkedas a mechanic at the first Harley-Davidson shop in town, spentnearlytwo decades at thefamilybusi‐ness, La-MoRefractory SupplyCompany,and filled the gaps with carpentry and handyman work that showcased whateveryone who knew himalready un‐derstood: if Paul Richmond was doingit, it wasgoing tobedoneright.Inlater years he kept up therental propertiesheand Darlene ownedtogether, fixing and improving them thesame way he dideverythingelse. Outside of work therewas alwaysa projectand al‐waysa purpose. As a young manitwas his1948 Harley-Davidson Panhead, and as theyears went on it becameham radio, slot cars, computer building, and keepingthe pool at the RichmondResortinsolid order.Inthe late 1980s, while going door-to-door withDarlene to gather sig‐natures fora localcause PauldiscoveredLight‐house BaptistChurch around thecornerfromhis home. Soon after, he ac‐ceptedChristashis savior, and hisfaith became the foundationofhis remain‐ing decades. Paul wasa quick-witted, strongminded, andalwayscuri‐ous tinkerer,witha crafts‐man's handsand an engi‐neer's mind.Heap‐proachedeverythingat 200% -there wasno halfway,nogood enough, noleaving ajob unfinished Thingshebuilt lasted.Paul believed in hard work,re‐

sponsibility,and theim‐portanceofmakingthings better, andheinstilled those values in hisfamily along with asense of pur‐poseand accountability thathelived by everyday Hekeptthemlaughingand smiling until theveryend There is nowa Mr.Rich‐mond-sizedholeinall of our hearts,but we find comfort knowingheis somewhere withoutpain orsuffering (and some‐where he canclimba 20foot ladder or pull himself out of an empty pool with a rope withoutgivingDar‐lenea heartattack). We weresolucky to have had him foraslongaswedid but he will stillbeso deeply andendlessly missed. Thefamilywould liketothank Jennifer Sanchez,Rosey DeLaTour, Dr. DavidPollet, Scott Burgess, andCherryl Scott ofHeart of Hospiceaswell asthe KindredAngelsfor their compassionatecare and support. Family and friends areinvited to at‐tendthe memorial services onSaturday, March21, 2026, at Garden of Memo‐riesFuneral Home &Ceme‐tery, 4900 AirlineDrive Metairie, Louisiana70001 Visitationwillbegin at 10:00 am,witha service following at 12:00 pm fol‐lowed by burial.Toorder flowersoroffercondo‐lences, please visitwww gardenofmemoriesmetairi e.com.

Jimmieage 81, Passed away on March 14, 2026 at Home, was thebeloved husband of 59 years to Sarah JoAnne Smith; father of Elizabeth Bellegarde (Marcel) and Tamara Newman (Joe); grandfather of Devan and Joseph Newman II;great-grandfather of JosephNewman III. Aresident of Kenner, Jimmie was apround US Army Veteran. He willbe deeply missed.

Snyder, Catherine Turnbull 'KT'

Catherine (KT) Turnbull Snyder passed away peacefully in her home at theage of 76 on March 13 after alongillness. She was born in NewOrleans August 12, 1949 to thelate James F. Turnbulland Helen Ferrandou Turnbull. KT graduated from St. Martin's Episcopal School and studied elementary education at LSU, graduating in 1971. She taught thirdgrade in arural schooloutsideofDurham, NC forfour years.

An avid tennisplayer, she tooka joboverseeing an indoortennisclub in St Louis, MO until thebirthof her first child.

KT moved back to Metairiein1981, where she was activesocially and professionally. She loved teaching aerobic dance. She had alonglistof clients selling Etcetera clothingfrom her home. She became alicensed tour guide and workedfor many years in thehospitalityindustry.

KT was activeinthe Junior League of New Orleans. She wasa past Co -Chairman of theJunior League of NewOrleans' Decorator's ShowHouse. She supported her chil-

dren's education and school.She served for a year as president of the Country Day Parents' Association.

KT was amember of several book clubs, garden clubs, theOrleans Club, Sybarites, bridge groups, and even an investment club.She was along-time parishionerofSt. Martin's Episcopal Church, serving on thevestrythere. Throughout her illness, she has had thesupport of many devoted friends.

KT willbemissedby her childhoodsweetheart and husband of 55 years, David W. Snyder. She was preceded in deathbyher parents, James and Helen Turnbull,aswellasbyher sister, CarolHellman.She is survivedbyher son, James H. Snyder (Florie Claire) and her daughter, Lindsay Ritthaler (Cory), as well as by her beloved grandchildren, Mason Snyder, ColinSnyder, PrestonSnyder, Menzie Parker,Miles Ritthaler and Alexis(Lexie) Ritthaler. Memorial services will be held at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. NewOrleans, LA 70124 on Saturday, March 21st at 1:00pm, withvisitation starting at noon. Interment willbeprivate.A separateCelebrationof Life will be held Tuesday, March 24 from 3:00-5:00. Please contact family for specificlocation. To view and sign theonline Guestbook,pleasevisit www.lakelawnmetairie .com

Myrtle Olivia Berfect Thomas, aresidentof Bowie,Maryland, anda na‐tiveofNew Orleans, Louisiana,peacefully tran‐sitionedatthe blessedage of88, on March7,2026 Myrtlewas preceded in death by herlatefather, SamuelBerfect Sr., mother, RuthReeseBerfect,step‐mother, MattieBellBer‐fect, brother, Samuel Ber‐fectJr.,(Sonja),sisters GlendaBerfect Henry, Ruth Berfect Dickerson(Nolan), and Ruby BerfectVeal (Jerome). Sheissurvived byher son, Michael (Cheryl), granddaughter Micaa',brothers, John Ber‐fect(Carlene),Nathaniel Berfect,Peter Berfect(An‐nette), andDavid Berfect, sisters,Joyce BerfectShel‐ton (James Jr deceased), Neomi Berfect-Culler (Jerome), andDr. Cynthia Berfect-Shelby(Huegh, Sr.). Sheleavestwo god‐children: Welden Shelton and AngieMickens.She alsoleavesa host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friendswho will forever cherishher mem‐ory.Myrtlewas amember ofNew Zion BaptistChurch inNew Orleansunder the leadershipofPastorC.S GordonJr.,where she faithfullysanginthe choir. Relatives andfriends of the family, also Pastor,officers and membersofNew Zion Baptist Church,Progres‐siveBaptist Church, Sammy Berfectand theDi‐mensions of Faith, andVal

andLoveAliveChoirsare invited to attend her Homegoing Celebrationat New Zion BaptistChurch 2319 ThirdStreet,New Or‐leans,La. 70113, on Friday March 20, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.Visitationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until 10:00 a.m. service time.Interment: RestlawnParkCemetery, 3540 US-Hwy.90, Avondale, LA70094. Arrangements entrusted to Estelle J. Wil‐son FuneralHome, Inc. 2715 Danneel St., NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.estellejwilsonfh.com.

Vales, Alice Louise Lapeyre

Alice Louise Lapeyre Vales, 93, daughter of EmileMinorLapeyre and Louise DupontLapeyre, died on March 9, 2026. Alice Louise wasbornin Houma,LA, andeducated by theMarianitesofthe Holy Cross. After graduation,she attendedthe Collegeofthe SacredHeart in GrandCoteau, Louisiana, earning aB.A. in ElementaryEducation (1954). Ayear later,she began teaching at the Academy of theSacred HeartinNew Orleans, whereshe remained for twoyears.

Shemet andmarried EdmundRandolph Valesin 1956. She is survivedby threeofher four children: AnaMaria Vales(latehusband, Richard Caldwell), Michael RandolphVales (Denice Derbes), and Stephen LapeyreVales (Rebecca). She wasprecededindeathbyher son, PhilipMinorVales (1997).

Hergrandchildren are: Nicholas Hasslock and Noah Hasslock (Erin) Andrewand Christian Vales, Joshua Vales (Maggie),Sarah ValesPetit (Chase), and Jonathan Vales (Lauren).Her greatgrandchildrenare:Noah Jr andGabrielHasslock, Kady andVivian Petit,Jackson andEdenVales. Following herhusband'sdeathin 1980, she assumedthe responsibilities of managing hisconstruction business, EdmundR.Vales and Associates. Alice Louise enjoyed participatingin thesociallifeofHouma and NewOrleans because of hergregarious nature.

Shewas amember of the OrleánsClub andS.Y.C. Throughthe Junior League of NewOrleans,she enjoyed volunteerworkat theNew OrleansMuseum of Art, theSymphony WYES,and achoir that broughtmusic to hospitals. At herparish church, St.FrancisXavier,she taughtChristian Doctrine to lower elementary school children. Shefondlyrememberedteaching children confined to Charity Hospital. Alice Louise was adaily communicant and recitedthe St.JohnPaulII Rosary with persistence Few couldout do hergenerosity of time,compassion,encouragement of others,and service Relativesand friends are invited to attendthe visitation at St.Francis Xavier Catholic Church,444 MetairieRd. Metairie, LA 70005, on Monday, March 23rd,2026, at 10:00 am, followedbya Mass at 11:00 a.m. Intermentwillbeprivate. In lieu of flowers, please donate to St.Francis Xavier Church andSchool: rgriffin@sfxchurch.com or NotreDame Seminary: https://nds.edu/donatenow/nds.edu/donate-now/ .Toviewand sign theonline guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m.

IN LOVINGMEMORYOF

Mary Klein

Apr 10,1949- Mar18, 2024

This remembrance may arrive later than expected, but it comes with intention and love —a quiet offering to Mom, because she deserved to be honored in words that felt true and worthy of her vibrant life.

Mary passed away on March 18, 2024, leaving behind alife marked by deep feeling, resilience, and generosity. She loved music and musical theater and found her greatest joy among the friendships she built through her theater community, where her vibrant spirit and expressive energy truly came alive. Those friendships and creative moments were asource of

happiness that shaped much of her world.

She was known for her generosity of heart, often giving more than she had and offering support whenever someone she loved found themselves in need.

Her life will be honored with amemorial gathering in Canton, Ohio. Her cremated remains will be laid to rest at North Lawn Cemetery alongside her family.

Mary is remembered for her love of music, her vibrant presence among friends, and the lasting stories she leaves behind.

Recent rulings in long-running school desegregation cases highlight whywebelievethe continuing oversight by federal courts of these cases is important and should not beshortcircuited.

Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion ruled thatSt. James Parish schoolswere still significantly segregatedafter 60 years and that district officialshad largely failed to comply with the measures outlined in a 2017 consent decree to remedy thatfact. Papillion, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, urged the two sides to gettogether on asolution. That came after asimilarrulingina desegregationcaseout of St.Johnthe Baptist Parish in January,where U.S. District Court Judge Jay Zainey,nominated by PresidentGeorge W. Bush, said that its school district still haswork to do before he would dismiss itsdesegregation order,though he expressed opennesstolifting it at some point. Both cases are headedfor appeal. We would argue that these twofederal judges are doing what we hope all federal judgesdo in cases where the future of ourchildrenisat stake. They are evaluatingevidenceand not rushing to make decisions just so we can closea chapter in ournation’shistory andmoveon. Make no mistake, that isthe pressuretheyare facing these days. The Department of Justice under the Trump administration hasstatedit wants to get rid of the desegregation cases, which date back to the 1960s when Black families and civil rights groups filed suit to make districtscomplywith the1954 Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board ofEducation that“separate but equal”was unconstitutional.

About adozen Louisiana school districts still have active desegregation orders, and Attorney General Liz Murrill, with Gov. Jeff Landry’s blessing, is aggressively seekingtheir dismissal. So far they have notched victories in Plaquemines and DeSoto parishes, which were released from federal oversightinrecent months.But asidefromthe cases mentioned above,judgeshave been reluctant to dismiss the cases in Concordia and St. Maryparishes Someargue that theseorders hamper school districts’ abilitytooperate as they mustmeet strict requirementsfor adding new programs and submit regular reports to theJustice Department. Others say the cases havedraggedon toolong and federal oversight wasnever meant to be permanent.

Those arguments have some validity.But thedistricts have known fordecades what benchmarks they need to meet.Itisa slap in the face to school districts whohave met them to dismiss desegregation orders against those who haven’t.

And let’skeep in mind thegoal. We want every Louisiana student to havethe opportunity to attend aschool where theycan succeed.If districts are providing that, they should easily be able to show it to the courts, whosedemands have been very reasonable so far.Whatthey should not be allowed to do, however, is run out the clock on their obligationstostudentsbecause it’sjust too hard to meet them.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE

HERE AREOUR

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

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

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

Democrats need to end the DepartmentofHomeland Security shutdown, now morethan ever.TSA agents, Coast Guard, Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection agents,FEMA staff and other necessary personnel who are essential for homeland security must be fully funded now.There is no doubt that multitudes of Iranian and other terrorists were allowed to enter theU.S. during theBiden years. It will probably not be if additional terrorist attacks in the USA happen, but rather when.

President Donald Trumpshould be applauded for being proactive instead of being reactive to somenew 911 catastrophes orchestrated by theregime that perpetually screamed, “Death to America,” and murdered and maimed so manyAmericans over the past 47 years. Defanging the No. 1sponsor of terror in theworld needed to be done eventually.Years of kicking thecan down theroad only emboldened the evil Iranian regime to spreadits terror acrossthe region and around the

Icouldn’tbelieve these three politically astute columnists, Ron Faucheux, Stephanie Grace and Quin Hillyer, used an entire page and tiptoed around theelephant (pun intended) plaguing Rep.Julia Letlow’scampaign. The newspaper even covered the story of her failure to file stock purchases within the required time. Under the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) Act of 2012, members of Congress are generally required to disclose financial transactions such as stocks, bonds and commodity futures exceeding $1,000 —within 45 days of the transaction. While some rules suggest a30-day window after

Ihate to disappoint Duke Truby,but Idon’tbelieve that the majority of his statistics nor his statementsabout the newspaper are correct. Iama 78-yearold White woman who has have always read the newspaper.While Ihaven’t agreed with everything that was printed, Ialways thought the articles were factual and fair

world. The U.S. and the world now have asafer future forour children and grandchildren to pursue happiness. Pure evil only understandsstrength, not appeasement. Democrats agreed that Iran must not have nuclear weapons. However,they were always afraid to do anything about it, further emboldening this evil regime. President Joe Biden’spathetic warning of, “don’t” to Iran, regarding its threats to further attack Israel after the Oct. 7massacre of Israeli citizens was particularly empty and weak. It took President Trumptofinally act upon Biden’shollow warning of “don’t.” It would be easier forthe Iranian people to takeback their country if their population had been allowed to bear arms. This is aperfect example of why respecting and supporting the Second Amendment must always be a part of the U.S. to arm its citizens for self-defense from arogue police state, terroristsand criminals. WADE PERRIN Marrero

notification of atrade, the absolute maximum deadline is 45 days. According to theStock Trading Report,Letlow waited over ayear to file notification. According to the congresswoman’soffice, the error was due to athird-partyinvestment firm Columnist Stephanie Grace did say, “Cassidy supporters are trying to associateher with Nancy Pelosi, which is comical, if you think about it.” No, it isn’t, not if you elaborate aboutthe comparison with Pelosi’sincreased wealth from trades she said were madebyher husbandand not her LORRE LEI JACKSON River Ridge

The section now labeled “Your Views” is exactly that —the readers’ views. Ihave written manyofmyopinions to the newspaper,but only one has been published. Whatever you consider liberal commentary is someone’sviewpoint

LYNEDWARDS Jackson

The recent story,“How Trump’s Medicaid, food stamps overhaul could squeeze Louisiana’sbudget,” expertly detailed the financial strain facing our state. However,asanoncologist, Iamequally concerned by the logistical barriers these changes, specifically the 80-hour monthly work requirement, will create for our patients and their families facing alifealtering diagnosis of cancer Ihave had the privilege of caring for patients in Louisiana for over 20 years. For nearly adecade, Ipracticed in Acadiana before returning to New Orleans. Ihave seen firsthand how cancer treatment renders some patients physically unable to care for themselves independently,let alone meet work or volunteer mandates. Between recovery from surgery, chemotherapy and/or radiation, many patients struggle simply to get out of bed, regardless of their background or political leanings. Studies show nearly three-quarters of cancer patients miss work due to their diagnosis; for them, awork requirement isn’tjust ahurdle —it’samedical impossibility

While federal law allows for “medically frail” exemptions, Louisiana must now define who qualifies. People with cancer and their caregivers should not be forced to fight awar of paperwork while they are fighting for their lives. We all know someone whose life has been impacted personally by cancer,either directly or through afamily member. Our state is disproportionately burdened by this malady.May we cometogether and urge our Louisiana lawmakers to ensure that cancer patients are automatically exempted from these requirements to prevent life-threatening disruptions in care.

CHANCELLOR DONALD NewOrleans

The DeepState has never been deeper The Swamp (along with the East Wing) are gone, replaced by the cesspool of crime and corruption. Hail to the felon!

PATRICK TOOLE NewOrleans

‘Sinners,’ MichaelB.Jordanwin forthe culturewithLa. talent

NewOrleanian makeup artist Allison LaCour wasn’tonthe stage at theAcademy Awards program, and her name wasn’t called. But she was in theDolby TheatreinOvation Hollywood Sunday night when Louisianafilmed “Sinners” won an Oscar,then another,then another and yet another

andcrew stand up….Youguys are amazing….You all are winners in my book.” LaCourstood proudly,accepting the praise and thanks.

The highly acclaimed movie had fourOscar winners:

n Best Actor: Michael B. Jordan, for his dual roles as identical twins Smoke and Stack, the sixth Black man to win that award category

n Best Original Screenplay:Ryan Coogler,the movie’sdirector and producer who wrotethe script,won his first Oscar n Best Cinematography:Autumn Durald Arkapaw, aBlack Creole-Filipino photographer,isthe first womanto win the award n Best Original Score: Ludwig Göransson, aSwedish composer,musician and producer who hasearned his third Oscar in this category

The cast andcrew celebrated with Coogler,Jordan, Arkapaw and GöranssoninCalifornia and here at home

LaCour was on her waytothe Dolby Theatre at the Ovation Hollywood,a shopping center,inHollywood,whenI caught up withher before theprogram started. She was riding in stylewith Sherri Hamilton, Lana Mora andTene Wilder,all membersofthe Sinners hair and makeup team.

“We’re pulling up to the theater now,” shesaid, quickly interruptingthe conversation to check on thedrop-off spot. “It’ssoexciting to be here.”

When producer,directorand screenwriter Coogler accepted hisOscar for screenwriting, he said, “All my cast

New Orleans actors Gralen Bryant Banks, Aaydn Encalarde and Sam Malone wereinLouisiana. Banks caughtclips. Encalarde was at an Oscars watch party with her mom and friends. Malone was catching pieces of the show while getting acouple of kids ready for bed. Banks, from Uptown, played Patterson, the first customer the nightthe new dance and music joint opened. He spent six weeks filming with “Sinners.”Encalarde played the teen whotook money to watch a carand turned in the thieves who were trying to steal it. Malone played one of thosethieves, the one who got shot in the butt.

“Yeah, I’m watching,” Malone texted me as he watched someofthe program, “kinda bitterly because Iwas really hoping Delroy (Lindo) and Ms. Ruth would win. Really all categories.”

Many ofuswere hoping for more wins. Thoughthe academy got it wrong in the Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and other categories, Coogler Jordan andour locals were winners before this filmaward season.

“It’sbeen abeautiful run. It’sbeen abeautifulyear,” LaCour told me the next morning as she prepared to catch an early flightback to New Orleans. As akey makeup artist on the movie, LaCour didajob that anumber of big studios normally have one of their own fly in to handle.

Aself-described “7th Ward baby,” Encalarde was 13 years old when “Sinners” was made. She’ll be 15 next week.“Ididn’t realize theimpact that the role would have, but I’m beyond grateful,” sheshared with me.

Malone got his jollies from his three

days of shooting, not Sunday night Banks, ahospitality expert, culture bearer and WBOK radio host,called themovie “an instant classic,” amovie he paid to see eight times I’m elated for Coogler,Jordan, Arkapaw and Göransson. I’mhappy for Banks, Encalarde, LaCourand Malone. Sinners is aphenomenal movie that digs deeper than surface-level horror, twistingplotsand surprises. Even if it is unintentional on the part of some who see it, Coogler successfully uses thescript and “Sinners” charactersto challenge our thinking about systematic White oppression and supremacy that continue to attack, and threaten, Black people, Black joy and Black love. How could aBlack man do that? It’s aWarner Bros. movie with adifferent deal. Coogler’sWBdeal with Proximity Media, his company,gives him firstdollar gross revenue rather than waiting to reap financial benefitsonce the production company recoups expenses; full creative and final-cut control and, amazingly,complete ownership rights after 25 years. That is special.

For thosewho haven’tseen the movie, watch it. For those who saw the movie and missed this context,watch it again.

“Sinners” is an instant classic. Movie buffs, cinematographers, fans, scholars,writers will be watching it, teachingfrom it and using its themes to challenge evil, naive oppression, especially for those who don’tsee them among those groups.

Coogler led our Louisianacreatives and others to makeanimpactful movie. Ihave aquestion: Will we watch, listen and be better? Email Will Sutton at wsutton@theadvocate.com.

If Iranianbombs hadnuclear warheads

The single biggest reason Donald Trump won the last election boils downtotwo words: gas and groceries. Joe Biden’sfailure to control prices on those key commodities enabled Trump, whohas never wonamajority of the popular vote, to capture asecond term.

Now, Trumpishanding his enemies the identical issue he used to defeat them. His attack on Iran has spread chaos throughout the Middle East and ignited cost increases in fuel and food that threaten to dislodge his control of Congress in next fall’selections and decimate the remainder of his presidency

Tanker traffic has virtually shut downinthe region while both sides are pummeling drilling sites, storage facilities and shipping ports. “Weare looking at what is by farthe biggest disruption in world history in termsofdaily oil production,” energy historian Daniel Yergin told The Wall Street Journal. “Ifitgoes on forweeks, it will reverberate across the global economy.”

The average price Americans pay at the pumphas shot up to $3.54 agallon, as of this writing, an increase of 44 cents in just aweek and 62 cents over the last month. Diesel fuel, used mainly to power heavy trucks and farm machinery,has risen even moresharply

As Democrats discovered in 2024, this issue is particularly powerful —and painful —because folks know exactly what it costs to fill their tanks. Even when they’re not stopping forgas, they pass stations blaring the inflated prices on brightly lit signs. Moreover,this blow lands as voters are already upset over the cost of living, with 62% disapproving of Trump’shandling of inflation in anew NBCpoll, while only 36% approve.

Much remains unknown, primarily how long the war will last and how much damage it will do to oil supply chains. But Trumpcontinues to send contradictory signals about his goals and intentions. In the sameday he declared, “We’ve already won in manyways,” but then insisted that the war will continue “until the enemy is totally and decisively defeated.”

Criticism of President Donald Trump’sbombingcampaign against the Iranian regime continues from most Democrats anda few Republicans. Therewas atime in America —unknown to younger generations —when once American troops were involved in awar the nation mostly unified behind them

Today,there are no restraints as awar is seen as merely acontinuation of politics as usual. Criticism emboldensthe enemy and puts more American military personnel in danger.That appears to be of little concern to the critics.

Anew poll by NPR/PBSNews/Marist found 56% of those surveyed oppose, or strongly oppose, military action against Iran. Forty-fourpercent support, or strongly support, the announced intention by the administration to render Iran incapable of developing nuclear weapons.

Have they considered avictory by the U.S. and Israel would likely decapitate the ayatollah regime and replace it with agovernmentthatisnot only more friendly to the U.S., Israel and the West, but also allows for freedoms now denied the Iranian people?

One wonders whether answers might have been different had respondents been asked aquestionrelated to asuccessful outcome and the threat of failure?

Another question pollsters should ask is this:Ifweand the Israelis had done nothing and Iran managed to develop anuclear weapon, what would critics say?

Consider the indiscriminatebombing of countries, including Arab and Muslim countries,throughout the region. If nuclear warheads had been on those missiles andif the Iranian regime had been allowed todevelop ICBMs capable of reaching America’s East Coast, what then? It would be too late to do much about it and millions might die in anuclear holocaust

This is the case the Trump administration has failed to sufficiently make to help shape public opinion in his direction.

The president needs to deliver an

Residents watch as smokerises from anearbybuilding during an Israeli strikein central Beirut,Lebanon, last week.

Oval Office addressinwhich he says this is apre-emptive strike designed not only to save lives in theregion, but to save American lives which would be in jeopardy should the ayatollahs manage to remain in power

Thereissomething else about which the administration —and previous administrations —have not given the attention it deserves. Thatisthe religious component.The ayatollahs and their supporters don’t fear death. Their twisted theology has convinced them that they will be transported to Heaven should they die at the hands of “infidels.” This is not asecret.Itispart of their religious doctrine. They have been preaching it for centuries.

Thelatescholar of Islam Bernard Lewis viewed the historical goal of Islam as a“comprehensive, divinely sanctioned mission to bring theworld under Islamic law (Sharia) through jihad(armed struggle).” Its goal, he wrote, was toobtain asingle, unified

Islamic polity …viewing thefaith as a “total,all-encompassing system of life rather than just apersonal, spiritual, or legal sector.” He wrote that it is an “obligation for all Muslims to make war against (infidels) and against those whofollow them. (especially Jews)” The extremists, he wrote, are for heaven and those whoare not with them are for hell. How does one negotiatewithpeople who hold such beliefs?Defeat must be theonly goal —either theirs, or ours.

For more Lewis quotes go to Goodreads.com and search for BernardLewis.

Victory over the ayatollahs might quickly turn public approval around, as would returning gas prices to their previous low level. Victory might come more quickly if more of the public got behind thewar effort.

Email Cal Thomasattcaeditors@ tribpub.com

This uncertainly aggravates uneasiness in world markets. “This warstarts underwater, and it’sonly going to grow moreso, which is going to hurt Republicans on the ballot,” Democratic pollster Cornell Belcher told The New York Times.“Perhaps one could inoculate some of that if they had acentral message that resonated, but they have anew rationale every other day —way too manymixed messages, which only adds to voters’ confusion and suspicions.”

Trumpinsisted on social media that oil prices “will drop rapidly” once Iran is defeated, and he argues that the short-term pain is “a very small price to pay forU.S.A., and World, Safety and Peace. ONLY FOOLS WOULD THINKDIFFERENTLY!”

Safety and peace are certainly noble goals, but they remain highly intangible and difficult to convey.The price voters pay,however,is all too real. And Trumphas largely failed to convince manyAmericans that the sacrifice is worth it —not only in higher prices but in lost lives.

“Presidents have this power,and if they use it and they don’teducate the public, the public gets very angry and disenchanted and turns against the government,” warns presidential historian Michael Beschloss in the Times Complicating Trump’sproblem is that his foes know precisely how vulnerable he is politically and are trying to maximize the cost he endures by deliberately crippling oil exports.

“Iran is wagering it can outlast the United States and Israel —not militarily,but by grinding the war into abrutal contest of endurance,” writes Reuters. “Its strategy is stark: Unleash drones and missiles, cut vital energy routes and jolt global markets hard enough to force Washington to blink first.”

The potential economic fallout from aprolonged conflict only starts at the gas pump. American farmers, already suffering from Trump’stariff and immigration policies, are particularly vulnerable.

“Nearly athird of the world’sfertilizer travels through the shuttered Strait of Hormuz,” reports Semafor.“As farmers across the Northern Hemisphere prepare to plant spring crops, they fear supply chain disruptions will send their costs soaring.”

Awide range of goods and services —from airline tickets to fabrics and plastics made from petroleum —could be impacted. And virtually every consumer item that’sshipped by truck or air would have to reflect higher fuel costs. Starting with groceries.

Elections are eight months away.But Trump has armed his foes with an arsenal of lethal weapons that will be used against him

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.

LSUnot dancing yetagain

WhyLSU couldkeep McMahonafter missing NCAA Tournament4times

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

We all know the reasons Matt McMahon could be fired.

Analysis

LSU basketball’sdisappointing season end has become routine forthe fourth-year coach. His team wasn’tcloseto earning an at-large bidin the NCAA Tournament again. After an 87-82 losstoKentucky in the first round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, McMahon’s record sits at a60-70 overall and 17-55 in the SEC.

LSU (15-17, 3-15 SEC)finished last in the SEC and has been among the bottom two teams in the league standings three times in four seasons.

Patience is not often afforded to highmajor coaches with this résumé. Despite the uninspiringtrack record, the university hasn’tmade achange, perhaps opting not to pay the roughly $8 million buyout for the remaining three years on McMahon’scontract.

With each passing day,the pool of coaching candidatesshrinks. Even as rumors swirl around Will Wade’sreturn, leaving NC State after one season, LSU hasn’tcreated acoaching opening and hasn’tcontacted him,Wade said. The decisiontochangeleadership isn’tone made in avacuum. Verge Auseberry,who was hired as athletic director in November 2025, has already agreed to dole out largeamountsofdollars in football

LSU hired Lane Kiffin to asevenyear,$91 million deal, making him among the highest-paid college football coaches. He and Georgia’sKirby Smart are the only football coaches who will earn at least $13million per year before incentives. LSUalso has to pay the buyout for fired coach Brian Kelly, agreeing to payhim $54 million.

If the school wants anew coach, it’ll havetopay McMahon’s buyout and the millions it would take for anew hire —which could be pricey ifit’snot a

ä See MCMAHON, page 4C

The Tigers haven’t come close to making the NCAA Tournament in his four seasons as coach.

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

New OrleansPelicans center Yves Mis-

si joined an exclusive club Mondaynight, puttinghim in company with some of the best bigmen in franchise history

He joined David West, Demarcus Cousins, Anthony Davisand Zion Williamson as theonly players in team history to grab 10 rebounds with fiveassists and five blocked shots. Davis did it five times and Cousins did it twice.

Missi’sthoughts on hearing his name listed with those other four?

Ididn’teven know Ihad five assists until someone mentioned it at the end of the game.”

Missi finished with10rebounds, five blocked shotsand five assistsinthe Pelicans’129-111 victory over theDallas Mavericks at theSmoothie King Center

“Itmeans alot,” Missisaid. “Justbeing able to helpmyteammates. We gotthe win and that’sthe most important thing.

Jordan says he’d be OK with

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Cam Jordan said he went back to theNew OrleansSaintslocker room recently to grab afew items “on theoff chance” he doesn’t return to the black and gold next season. That’show his free agency has gone.

Jordan remains unsigned after hitting the market last week, and after appearing on former teammate TerronArmstead’s podcast,the 36-year-old said he hasthree options that he and his wife have talked over “There’saset value Ihave in my mind,”

Jordan said. “Value is to theeye of the beholder at this point. Valuemeansposition, rotation, —monetary,sure,but more along the lines of, ‘If Iwant to get 10, 12, 13 sacks this next season, thenIneed to be in the best position to do so.’

That value, he said,could be in NewOrleans. Or it could be elsewhere. Jordan, who has been living in his native Arizona this

The five assists wereacareer high for Missi.The five blocks tied hiscareer high, set last year when he was arookie. Even more impressiveisMissi is only 21, making him the youngest player in this exclusive club to hit the10-5-5

Missi’sblock partyvs. Mavs puts himinelite companyinPelicans’ history ä See MISSI, page 4C

leavingSaints

offseason,saidhe’d even consider acoldweather city for“the right price.”

Jordansaidhe’d love to stay withthe Saints, but wouldn’tjust staysothat he could be with one team his entire career “As muchasIlove the city of New Orleans, as muchasIwant to be in the city of New Orleans …ifthings don’tadd up to what Iconsider as value, Iunderstand the business nature of it all,”Jordan said. “In my mind, of course you see guys my age resign to the team because that’sthe only team they’ve ever been with and you’re like, ‘Hell yeah. We love that.’ But that’stohis situation. That may not be to my situation.” Jordan is coming off his best season in years as he led theSaintswith 101/2 sacks, his highest output since 2021. That has

ä See JORDAN, page 3C

Pitching amongconcernsafter series loss at Vandy

BYKOKI RILEY Staff writer

NASHVILLE,Tenn. – It was an up-anddown weekend for LSU baseball in its opening series of Southeastern Conference play Against Vanderbilt, theTigers dropped Friday’sseries opener 13-12 on atwo-run, two-out,gamewinning home run, gotcrushed 11-3 on Saturday andearnedan emphatic 16-9 victory on Sunday Here are five takeaways from a wacky weekend for LSU.

Pitchers struggle

Sophomore right-hander Casan Evans on Friday, juniorrighthander Cooper Moore on Saturday and sophomore right-hander

ä TheGrambling at LSU game ended after press time. FOR ARECAP GO TO

William Schmidt on Sunday,for the most part, struggled as LSU’s weekendrotation in its opening series in SEC play Evans had command issues,resulting in five walks andsix earned runs inthree innings. He couldn’t locate hisslider andhad too many pitches that were nowhere near the strike zone. His issuesappeared to be mechanical, as many of his misses were low and toward hisglove side. Moore’s outing thenextday

wasn’t much better,allowing four earned runs on sevenhitsinfour innings.Hewas inefficient throwing 79 pitchesinfourinnings before exiting. He consistently found trouble and had adifficult time finishing off hitters with two strikes, atheme for the pitching staff throughout the weekend.

“They did anice job fighting our pitchers with two strikes, and it made it really hardtoput (them) away,” coach Jay Johnson saidafter Saturday’sgame. “I thinkthey dida good job tonightagainst Cooper.” Schmidt hadthe bestouting of thetrioonSunday, getting six strikeouts and limiting the

LSU,

LSUpitcher Casan Evans had control issues on Friday against Vanderbilt Evans went three innings, allowing sixruns on five hits, with five walks and five strikeouts in the Tigers’ 13-12 loss.

NCAA is full of top NBA prospects

Freshmen Dybantsa, Acuff among the stars

BY AARON BEARD AP basketball writer

It was early in the final week before March Madness when BYU’s AJ Dybantsa opened his Big 12 Tournament run by scoring 40 points, breaking a freshman singlegame record held by NBA great Kevin Durant.

“I’m just trying to win games,” Dybantsa said afterward

By Selection Sunday, Darius Acuff Jr had completed a threegame tear through the Southeastern Conference Tournament that secured Arkansas’ first title in 26 years.

“Downhill was working all weekend and today,” he said.

And that’s how this freshman class stocked with high-end NBA talent rolled all year, making the extraordinary look routine — so much so that the NBA is concerned about teams tanking to improve their chances at landing one of these talents in June.

From Dybantsa and Acuff to Duke’s Cameron Boozer and Kansas’ Darryn Peterson as headliners, the potential class of draft prospects is considered among the deepest in years if all go the oneand-done route as expected.

And they’ve arrived at the NCAA Tournament to play in the sport’s marquee event. It’s now the March of the freshmen, possibly all the way to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

“I know most of those guys. They’re all having great years,” Acuff said during his SEC run.

“They’re playing special. It’s great to see all the young guys playing great.”

Filling the bracket

Start with the East Region, where top overall tournament seed Duke has the 6-foot-10, 250-pound Boozer (22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds) as the leading force in an often-withering inside-out attack.

The East also has a potential top overall pick in Peterson, a 6-6 guard averaging 19.8 points even while being in and out of the lineup all year for the fourth-seeded Jayhawks; and a potential top-10 talent in 6-5 guard Mikel Brown Jr. from sixth-seeded Louisville.

In the West, the 6-foot-9 Dybantsa did nothing to harm his status as the long-running favorite to go No. 1 overall in the NBA draft while averaging a national-best 25.3 points for the sixth-seeded Cougars. Acuff is there, too, the 6-3 point guard who just set an SEC Tournament record

by averaging 30.3 points — and getting anywhere he wanted — while playing 117 of 120 possible minutes for the fourth-seeded Razorbacks.

Arizona tops the West, led by its own promising NBA freshmen prospects in 6-4 guard Brayden Burries (15.9) and 6-8 forward Koa Peat (13.6).

South No. 2 seed Houston is led by 6-4 guard Kingston Flemings (16.4 points), while third-seeded Illinois found a star in four-star prospect Keaton Wagler a 6-6 guard averaging a team-best 17.9 points.

In the Midwest, sixth-seeded Tennessee has slender 6-10 forward Nate Ament, who has averaged 20.3 points since mid-January while coach Rick Barnes has pointed to his gains in playing through contact.

And the tournament list could’ve been even longer if not for South 6-seed North Carolina losing 6-foot10 freshman Caleb Wilson (19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds) to a seasonending thumb injury in early March.

Tuesday’s release of The Associated Press All-America teams reinforced the freshman surge. Boozer was a unanimous first-team pick, joined by Dybantsa and Acuff on that top quintet. Wagler and Wilson were second-team picks, Flemings a third-teamer

“You knew they were extremely talented, but you just never know how they’re going to adjust moving to this level,” Tar Heels coach Hubert Davis said of the freshman class. “I know a lot of people think going from high school to playing at this level, the transition is easy It is not.”

Productive rookies

Freshmen made it look that way all year, even beyond the spotlightseizing pro prospects.

This year, 24 freshmen are averaging at least 16.0 points on the NCAA’s leaderboard as of Tuesday. That’s nearly triple the annual average from the 2011-12 season through last year (8.8), with no more than 15 reaching that mark in any season during that span.

The numbers had been particularly low in recent years, when the sport got older with players who competed during the COVID-19 pandemic sticking around college with an extra year of eligibility to play five seasons. During that time, only 17 freshmen hit that 16-point threshold in the past three seasons combined.

Yet this year, freshmen accounted for 10 40-point games, up from seven in the previous seven seasons combined.

Acuff led that list with 49 in a

double-overtime loss at Alabama, while Wagler scored 46 against eventual Big Ten champion Purdue. Louisville’s Brown dropped 45 on N.C. State to break the Atlantic Coast Conference freshman singlegame record — set by last year’s No. 1 overall NBA draft pick in Duke’s Cooper Flagg — and Flemings had 42 against NCAA-bound Texas Tech.

Dybantsa did it twice, first with 43 against Utah in January before last week’s 40 points against Kansas State He later broke Durant’s overall scoring record for a single Big 12 Tournament in a loss against Houston.

“I coached six years in the NBA,” Cougars coach Kelvin Sampson said. “So I sat on the front of that bench and watched everybody from Allen Iverson to Rip Hamilton, to LeBron, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Dubinski, Jason Kidd, all of those guys.

“You know, some of them just have the bucket gene. I don’t think you can teach that. For us, we have to recruit it. For the NBA, they have to draft it But Dybantsa has got the gene.”

Evaluating draft potential

ESPN analyst Fran Fraschilla figures this freshman-led draft class could be the best since the 2003 group that had LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade among the top five picks.

“If you don’t get a top-3 pick, there’s going to be a lot of consolation prizes for the tankers right down to probably 8 or 9 or 10,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”

Fraschilla has Dybantsa, Boozer and Peterson as his top prospects, while Acuff — with potential he compares to NBA star Damian Lillard and Wilson and Flemings are next in a top tier set to offer “instant production” at the next level.

He also said Burries and Brown could develop into all-star talents, and he’s high on Ament’s long-term prospects as he gets stronger to handle physical play.

Fraschilla figures most NBA teams are “75% of the way home” in their evaluations of potential draft prospects, though he notes: “There are still guys that can help themselves.”

“A piece of it is the NCAA Tournament, a piece of it will be interviews and background, a piece of it might be talking to these kids at the combine,” Fraschilla said. “Here’s the way I’d put it: the NCAA Tournament is like getting an extra-credit question on your final exam. You can go from a B to an A.” Maybe so, but it sure looks like this freshman class has long since been on the Dean’s List.

Freshman stars fill out All-America first team

BY DAVE SKRETTA AP basketball writer

Duke forward Cameron Boozer

BYU star AJ Dybantsa and Darius Acuff Jr of Arkansas arrived this season as part of what could go down as one of the most heralded freshman classes in college basketball history They lived up to their billing, too, and were announced Tuesday as first-team AP All-Americans

Boozer was a unanimous choice among the 61 voters that select the weekly Top 25 for The Associated Press, following in the footsteps of Cooper Flagg, who also was a unanimous choice as a freshman for the Blue Devils last season. Dybantsa was a first-team pick on all but four ballots, while Acuff was a first-team selection on 47 of the ballots.

Yaxel Lendeborg of Michigan and JT Toppin of Texas Tech rounded out the five-member first team. “He’s all about his teammates,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said of Boozer, who was the AP’s national player of the week twice during the season. “He’s not about numbers. He’s about winning. And I think when your best player’s that way, it becomes contagious, and it

has a big effect on the rest of the group.”

Such a team-first attitude was on display by all the first-team picks; each helped their team to the NCAA Tournament

Boozer took the Blue Devils to ACC regular-season and tournament titles and helped them earn the top overall seed. Lendeborg also helped the Wolverines earn a No. 1 seed. Arkansas is seeded fourth, Texas Tech seeded fifth and BYU seeded sixth

“This has been the best year of my life, honestly. I’ve had so much fun,” said Lendeborg, the first Michigan first-team All-American since Trey Burke in 2012-13. “Just how much I’ve learned this year in general has really helped me out, and is really molding me to be better in the future no matter what I’m doing in my life.”

Arkansas had not had a firstteam pick since Sidney Moncrief in 1978-79 before Acuff was chosen. Dybantsa, the nation’s top scorer at 25.3 points per game, joins Jimmer Fredette and Danny Ainge as the Cougars’ only firstteam selections.

“When I left the NBA to come to college,” BYU coach Kevin Young said, “one thing I noticed is just a lot of guys, their processing speed

New Orleans signs former Vikings RB Chandler

The Saints signed veteran running back Ty Chandler to a oneyear deal, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed. Chandler, a 2022 fifth-round draft pick, spent four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings. Chandler’s deal is worth the league minimum (roughly $1.2 million), a source said. Chandler appeared in only three games last season, rushing for 47 yards on 17 carries. He missed most of the year with a knee injury

The Saints’ agreement with Chandler provides depth after they made a splash to begin free agency last week by signing running back Travis Etienne. Coach Kellen Moore has been non-committal to longtime starter Alvin Kamara’s future.

Charlotte fires men’s basketball coach Fearne

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte 49ers fired basketball coach Aaron Fearne on Tuesday after he went 47-51 in three seasons at the helm.

Charlotte was 17-17 this season and lost 86-64 to South Florida in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. The 49ers finished tied for fifth in the regular season AAC standings with a 9-9 record.

After going 19-12 in Fearne’s first season in 2023-24, the 49ers lost several players through the transfer portal and were 11-22 the following season.

Charlotte athletic director Kevin White said “while difficult, making a head coaching change is necessary to allow for greater success.”

Another WNBA negotiation drags on with no deal

NEW YORK Another marathon negotiating session between the WNBA and its players union didn’t end with a new collective bargaining agreement.

The two sides met for the eighth consecutive day on Tuesday, and while they said progress was being made heading into Monday’s negotiating session, there was still work that needed to be done when the sides ended discussions for the night around 3:30 a.m. EDT Neither side spoke to reporters after the session, but both had said earlier Monday that progress had been made over the last few days.

The WNBA and union have met face-to-face for around 90 hours since the first in-person bargaining session last Tuesday

Cole set to return from Tommy John surgery

TAMPA, Fla. — Yankees ace Gerrit Cole is set for his spring training debut in the latest step in the New York right-hander’s recovery from Tommy John elbow surgery Cole is scheduled to throw one inning as the starter Wednesday in an exhibition against the Boston Red Sox at Steinbrenner Field. The 2023 American League Cy Young Award winner pitched in two spring training games last year before the surgery that sidelined him the entire 2025 season.

AP ALL-AMERICA TEAM

First Team Cameron Boozer, Duke, 6-9, 250, Freshman; Miami, Florida; 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists (61 of 61 first-place votes, 305 points) AJ Dybantsa, BYU, 6-9, 210, Freshman; Brockton, Massachusetts; 25.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists (57, 295) Yaxel Lendeborg, Michigan, 6-9, 230, Senior; Pennsauken, New Jersey; 14.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists (47, 273) Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas, 6-3, 190, Freshman; Detroit, Michigan; 22.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.4 assists (47, 264) JT Toppin, Texas Tech, 6-9, 230, Junior; Dallas, Texas; 21.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists (12, 163)

Second Team Joshua Jefferson, Iowa State, 6-9, 240, Senior; Las Vegas, Nevada; 16.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.9 assists (15, 162) Braden Smith, Purdue, 6-0, 170, Senior; Westfield, Indiana; 14.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 9.0 assists (12, 150) Jeremy Fears, Michigan State, 6-2, 190, Sophomore; Joliet, Illinois; 15.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, 9.2 assists (10, 139) Keaton Wagler, Illinois, 6-6, 180, Freshman; Shawnee, Kansas; 17.9 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.4 assists (8, 131)

was way slower AJ’s is extremely high. So I can tell him something in the game, or in a film session, and he’s going to carry it over.” Toppin was a second-team AllAmerican for the Red Raiders last season, when he helped them reach the Elite Eight. Now, he is the only first-team pick in Texas Tech history, even though his season ended in February with a torn ACL in his right knee.

Caleb Wilson, North Carolina, 6-10, 215, Freshman; Atlanta, Georgia; 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists (4, 119)

Third Team Kingston Flemings, Houston, 6-4, 190, Freshman; San Antonio, Texas; 16.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists (8, 111) Labaron Philon Jr., Alabama, 6-4, 185, Sophomore; Mobile, Alabama; 21.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 4.7 assists (5, 109) Thomas Haugh, Florida, 6-9, 215, Junior; New Oxford, Pennsylvania; 17.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists (1, 101) Christian Anderson, Texas Tech, 6-3, 180, Sophomore; Atlanta, Georgia; 18.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, 7.6 assists (5, 68) Graham Ike, Gonzaga, 6-9, 250, Senior; Aurora, Colorado; 19.7 points, 8.2 rebounds 2.4 assists (0, 67) Honorable Mention Michael Ajayi, Butler; Jaden Bradley, Arizona; Brayden Burries, Arizona; Rueben Chinyelu, Florida; Zuby Ejiofor, St. John’s; PJ Haggerty, Kansas State; Ebuka Okorie Stanford; Darryn Peterson, Kansas; Bennett Stirtz, Iowa; Tyler Tanner, Vanderbilt; Bruce Thornton, Ohio State.

“JT Toppin is genuine. He’s an unbelievable competitor He’s real,” Red Raiders coach Grant McCasland said following the injury “You know how much JT loves our team and how hard he competed and how much he cared about that group. To understand that this is difficult and JT has a long road, to watch him weep and see how much this meant to him is hard.”

Cole threw a 35-pitch bullpen session Thursday and has reached 97.5 mph with his fastball while also throwing breaking pitches. Boone reiterated the Yankees’ plan for the 35-year-old to make his season debut in late May or early June.

Bucks’ Antetokounmpo out with knee issues

MILWAUKEE Giannis Antetokounmpo wasn’t available for the Milwaukee Bucks’ game against Cleveland on Tuesday night after leaving a victory over Indiana two days earlier

The Bucks said the two-time MVP had a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise.

Antetokounmpo didn’t play in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s 134-123 win over the Pacers after landing awkwardly when he dunked late in the third period. Antetokounmpo downplayed the injury after the game.

“I’m just going to go back home, sleep, see how I feel tomorrow, try to lift some weights,” Antetokounmpo said. “If I have a little bit of discomfort, then I’ll go from there. As of now I’m not really bothered.”

Chio’s perfectnight nets heranother SEChonor

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

After aregular season in which she has consistently been the best gymnastinthe Southeastern Conference, LSU’s Kailin Chio wasrewarded for saving her bestfor last Chiowas namedSEC specialist of theweek Tuesday,her sixth and final conference honor for 2026 regular season after ahistoric performance Fridayin the Tigers’

198.075-197.100 victory over Arkansas.

The sophomore from Henderson, Nevada, posted three perfect 10s in her three eventsthat night on vault, balance beam andfloor.She is the first gymnast to postthree 10.0 scores when performing in only three events.

The last LSU gymnast to get threeperfect 10s in one meet, current assistant coach Haleigh Bryant, hadthree in four events in 2023 against West Virginia.

“Not that we expect it,but we’re not surprised at all,” LSU’s Konnor McClain said of Chio. “She does it every day in the gym. Her growth has been amazing to watch. She could take two years off and do the same meet on Friday.She’sincredible.”

Chio has an NCAA-best nine 10.0 scores and is rankedfirst nationally in the all-around andonvault and beam. She’salso tied for fourth

on floor with teammate KaliyaLincoln andistiedfor 25th on uneven bars.

Chiowasn’teligible to be SEC gymnast of the week, which she has won five timesthis year,becauseshe didn’tcompeteasan all-arounder. That honor went to Florida’s Selena Harris-Miranda,who hadasecond straightperfect 10 on beam.Arkansas’ Allison Cucci was the SEC freshman of the week.

Readyfor SECs

LSU coach JayClark rested Chio on bars Friday,but it’sexpected that shewill compete in all four events going forward, starting with Saturday’sSoutheastern Conference Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma

TheNo. 2-seeded Tigers will be in SessionIIat7 p.m. against No. 1Oklahoma, No.3 Floridaand No 4. Alabama. The meet will be televised on the SEC Network.

Clark said histeam has reached thepostseason in about as good a place as possible at the end of ademanding regular season.

“Wehavecometothispointina relativelygood spotphysically,” he said. “We’re nursing some things, but so far nothing catastrophic.

“You can’task to be in amuch better place than we are right now.”

Home gym?

Clark saidhewouldliketosee at least asemi-permanent site for theSEC Championships, much like

Nashville, Tennessee, forthe SEC men’sbasketball tournament and Hoover,Alabama, for SEC baseball.

The meet is going to Tulsa for the first time(Oklahomajoined the SECin2025),was in Birmingham, Alabama, in 2025 and the Smoothie King Center in 2024.

Clark doesn’twant to see the gymnastics championshipgotooncampus sites as SEC softball does. He’sadvocated forthe Smoothie King Centertobeaplace where SEC gymnastics visits regularly

“For me it’sabout having it in citieswhere fans want to travel with NBA-caliber arenas like what we have in New Orleans,” Clarksaid.

“Itlooks like we’regoing to Tampa at some point. Those are the kinds of placesweneedtogofor the continuedgrowth of our sport.”

Clark said he has advocated for New Orleans because “we’ve sold it and people want to come. We’ve shown we can put 11,000 people in the stands. It’sbetterfor TV and thestudent-athletes.”

No site forthe SEC Championships have been announced beyond this year

For more LSU sportsupdates, sign up for our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

Best in theWest are flexing with torrid starts to theseason

BY ERIC OLSON AP sportswriter

West Coast college baseball aficionados are puffing out their collectivechests one monthinto the season, and theyhave good cause. UCLA, Southern Californiaand Oregon have combined to win 53 of their first 59 games. Before the sport’sepicenter moved to the Southeastern Conference in the 1990s, the power resided west of the Rockies. SinceOregon Statewon the2018 national championship, no other team from the West has reached the finals over eight College World Series. The crumblingofthe Pac-12 and defections of UCLA, USC, Oregon andWashington to the BigTen shookuptraditionalists.For them, the fast starts by theBruins,Trojans and Ducks are good tonic.

UCLA (17-2, 6-0) is the consensusNo. 1team, out to its bestconference start since 1977 and has won 11 straight games for its longest streak since 2020. The Bruins also have the projected No. 1 pick in theMLB amateur draft in shortstop Roch Cholowsky, arising star in slugger Will Gasparino and an ace in San Diegotransfer Logan Reddemann.

USC(19-1, 5-1) seta program record with its19-0start, the Trojans’ longest win streak since 1955. Theloss, 2-1atNorthwestern, came Saturday as it was snowing in Evanston, Illinois

The Trojans have been nailson the mound andinthe field. They lead the nation with a1.61ERA and4.79 hits allowed per nine innings and aretied for first with five shutouts.Grant Govel has allowed one earned run in 33 innings (0.27) andMason Edwards has given up one in 30 innings (0.30) andissecondnationally with 52 strikeouts.

The Ducks (17-3, 5-1) have won six straight after freshman Angel Laya’sbase hit in thebottomofthe ninthinning Sundayproduced a 7-6 walk-off win over Indiana. Oregon looks likeacomplete team, with Drew Smith batting.450 and slugging .900 and Will Sanford leadinga strong pitching staff with a3-0 recordand 1.37 ERA over 26 1/3 innings.

In the polls

UCLA, Texas and Georgia

Tech are thetop three teams by D1Baseball.com, Baseball America and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The Bruins run-ruled UC Irvine and swept Michiganathome last week. Texas (18-1) beat Texas State to improve to 16-0 and then took itsfirst loss in the opener of itshome series against Mississippi, 9-8 in 11 innings. The Longhorns won the next two to takethe series. Georgia Tech (17-3) runruled West Georgia and took two of threeatClemson.

Surprise for LSU

The LSU Tigers (14-7, 1-2 SEC) entered the season as defending national champions and aco-No. 1 in the preseason Top25s,and now theyaren’teven ranked. Following a8-0 start,the Tigers have lost seven of 13. Since losing to McNeese State on Feb. 24, LSU has dropped games to Northeastern and Louisiana-Lafayette and lostseries against Sacramento State and Vanderbilt

“Our guys take alot of pride in this,” coachJay Johnsonsaid, “and they haven’tplayed as well as they wantto, andthere are some negative feelings that come along withthose things. Youhave to get past being embarrassed or afraid to fail, and Ithought there weresome good steps in that direction this week.”

JakeBrownismashing witha .419 battingaverage,11homers and37RBIs, but the Tigers are last in theSEC in ERA (5.24) and fielding (.964)

Cleanup spot

Notre Dame’sNoah Coy and Davis Johnson each hit grand slams in a10-run fourth inning that led to a14-11 win at Louisville on Friday.The Irish droppedthe next two games in the series. North Carolina has won five in a row after taking threefrom California for itsfirst road sweep in twoyears Here’ssomething you don’tsee often in thetransfer portal era: Indiana’s entire starting lineup and starting pitcher in Sunday’sgameatOregonwere recruited by the Hoosiers out of high school, afirst in coach Jeff Mercer’seight seasons. West Virginia’sMaxxYehlthreweight shutout innings in an 8-0 win over Baylor,and his 12 strikeoutswere most on the road by aMountaineerspitcher since 2019.

Beers-Chavez duo leadsSooners into MarchMadness

BY CLIFF BRUNT AP sportswriter

Oklahomascoring leaders Raegan Beers and Aaliyah Chavez are almost opposites.

Beers is astrong, steady 6-foot-4 senior center who was afirst-team All-Southeastern Conference selection. Chavezisa mercurial 5-foot10 freshman point guard who was a second-team choice. Coach Jennie Baranczyk has made the combination work, as the duo has powered an offense that ranks third nationally with nearly 87 points per game. The Sooners

JORDAN

Continued from page1C

(24-7), seeded fourth in theSacramento4Region, will host No.13 seed Idaho (29-5) on Friday night in the first roundofthe NCAA Tournament.

Chavez is theteam’sleading scorer with 18.4 points per game. In her breakout moment, shescored 15 points in overtime to lead the Sooners past then-No.2SouthCarolina. Still, sheis shootingjust 37.8% from the field and 31.4% from 3-point range on the season

PartofBaranczyk’schallenge has been giving Chavez freedom as her highly recruited starbalances her natural tendency to take over as a

seemingly ledtoa complicated negotiation after Jordan took asignificant pay cut last offseason. He said in January that he couldn’t“do that again.”

There’salsothe matter of playing time Jordan ranks 17th all-timewith 132 sacks, butwantstoclimb higher up the listtosolidify his Hall of Fame credentials. The Saints have used Jordan as arotational pass-rusher the past two seasons, and depending on what else the team does in the offseason, there’s a chance his snaps could decrease further if he were to return.

“I know what Iwant to do, what Iwantto accomplish,” Jordan said. “Ifthat doesn’t line up (with the Saints), that’sfine as well.

scorer with the need forher to distribute. Chavez had seven assists in regulationagainst South Carolina before the scoring explosionin overtime, showing she can do both well against elite competition. Even with the growing pains, Baranczykloves having Chavez on her side.

“I don’tunderestimateher in any game, in any situation,” Baranczyk said. “She’snot out here to prove herself or to prove anything. She wants to play Oklahoma basketball, and that’sactually 100% of whoshe is and whyIabsolutely love coaching her and whyher team absolute-

Just because Ilove the city and the organization, doesn’tmean the organization or the city has to love me back.

“The city has and always will, but I’mjust simply saying.”

That said, Jordan sounded as if he were afan of whatthe Saints have done in free agency.Asked to put on his “media hat,”

Jordan said he thinks the Saints have had the best offseason so far.Hepraised the additions of linebacker Kaden Elliss, running back Travis Etienneand guard David Edwards.

“They got somegreat additions,” Jordan said. Buttellingly, since he’snot undercontract, Jordan referred to the Saints as “they,” not “we.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@ theadvocate.com

ly loves playing with her.”

Chavez is a93.9% free-throw shooter on 115 attempts,soshe often createsproblems when she drives, even when her shot is off.

Beers is apowerhouse in the paint who affects the game on offense, even whenshe doesn’thave theball. She averages 15.7 points on 61.5% shooting and grabs 10.4 rebounds pergame.

Beers surpassed 2,000 career pointsduring an SECTournament win over Florida

“While thatisanindividual achievement, Ialso see that as a team achievement,” shesaid, “and

I’m so thankful for the group that Igot to achieve that with, and excited forour run that we’re going to keep goingon.”

TheSooners are much more than atwo-person team. Junior forward Sahara Williams averages 12.5 points and 7.9rebounds. Senior guard Payton Verhulst averages 11.9 points pergame and sophomoreguard Zya Vann averages 10.5.

Apossible rematch with South Carolina looms in the Sweet 16, but Baranczyk is focused on an Idaho team thatwon the BigSky Tournament.

Broncos get star WR Waddle from Dolphins

By The Associated Press

The Denver Broncos’ offseason is no longer muted.

The Broncos are acquiring standout wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a blockbuster deal that sends three draft picks to the Miami Dolphins, including a first-rounder, two people with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press on Tuesday

Both spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn’t been announced. The Dolphins will receive the 30th-overall pick in next month’s NFL draft along with picks in the third and fourth rounds. Denver will get Miami’s fourth-rounder along with Waddle.

The Broncos were the only team not to sign a free agent outside of retaining their own players before making this deal.

Waddle gives Bo Nix another main playmaker along with Court-

land Sutton, boosting a passing offense that finished 11th in the NFL last season.

Waddle’s arrival will give the Broncos a bona fide top wide receiving duo for the first time since the late Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders, who helped propel Denver to a Super Bowl championship a decade ago.

The Broncos were the AFC’s No. 1 seed last season but lost to New England in the snowy AFC championship game without Nix, who broke his ankle in a game against Buffalo in the divisional round.

Denver’s defense was one of the league’s best and produced an NFL-high and franchise-record 68 sacks, led by Nik Bonitto’s 14.

The Broncos’ offense was another story, often sputtering until Nix’s fourth-quarter heroics. Denver won a dozen one-score games in 2025 and had 10 comebacks during

MISSI

Continued from page 1C

benchmark in a game.

“I thought he was fantastic,” said interim coach James Borrego “Really all of our bigs were. But Yves specifically in impacting the rim. The way he’s rebounding out there. He affects our defense in so many ways. I love his energy, his spirit He’s becoming that rim protector for us.”

The Pelicans finished with 12 blocks in the game. The previous high this season was 11, which they had done five times. Herb Jones, Derik Queen and Jordan Poole had two each and Trey Murphy had one.

“Just having each other’s back and being there for each other,” Missi said about the defensive effort. “That’s the main thing Defense is something that has been emphasized lately. Being able to rebound and get some stops and be in position.”

The emphasis on defense, coupled with the Pelicans finally being fully healthy, has translated to more wins. The Pelicans (23-36) are 8-4 over their past 12 games. They have won their past five games in the Smoothie King Center and will try to make it six in a row Wednesday night when they host the Los Angeles Clippers in the first of back-to-back games.

The Pelicans are in the middle of a stretch where nine of 10 opponents are teams that will be either in the playoffs or the play-in tournament. They are 1-1 against those teams bound for the postseason, beating the Toronto Raptors and losing to the Houston Rockets in a nailbiter Monday’s win over the Mavs was the one game against a nonpostseason team. Now they get the gauntlet. They play the Clippers twice, followed by the Cleveland Cavaliers on Saturday After that is a three-game road trip to face the New York Knicks, Detroit Pistons and Raptors again

The Pelicans’ success will depend on how well they can defend. “It’s about getting more stops and getting more possessions than the other team,” Missi said. “Whoever gets the most possession is most likely going to win the game.” Missi is averaging 5.5 points and 5.6 rebounds this season. His numbers are down from last season when he averaged 9.1 points

Continued from page 1C

Commodores to three hits. But two of the hits he allowed were home runs, and his command was shaky. He walked three and hit another, although the final hitter he walked may have been because of the back tightness he was pitching through in the fifth inning.

Johnson pulled Schmidt after his third walk, but said he could’ve continued to pitch if he had to and said he would be fine physically

“He just started to miss up in the zone, and I thought he was protecting it a little bit,” Johnson said “That guy’s health is the key to my life for the next 18 months. So it just wasn’t really worth it.”

The hitter-friendly conditions at Charles Hawkins Field factored into the rocky weekend for the starters. The turf field, wind blowing out to center field, unexpectedly warm weather and tight dimensions, especially in the corners

— 310 feet to left field and 320 to right — made it tough on pitchers.

“The wind was howling out today,” catcher Cade Arrambide said Sunday “I think of (when Vander-

at the Smoothie King Center

and 8.2 rebounds on his way to being named second team on the All-Rookie team. He’s started just nine games this season, compared to 67 a year ago, but the improvement he’s shown has been evident.

His blocks are slightly up.

“We’re using him a number of ways defensively,” Borrego said.

“Then he gets out and runs He’s all over the offensive glass. He’s made tremendous strides.” With just 12 games remaining in the season, Missi is hoping to finish strong. Although the Pelicans haven’t been eliminated from the

bilt) hit a fly ball to center field off Schmidt. At first, I was like, ‘Oh, that should be a routine fly ball,’ and then it just kept carrying. But, it’s just a part of (the game).”

Offensive surge in context

Give credit where credit’s due: LSU’s offense was much better this weekend

The Tigers were patient at the plate and, besides Saturday, drove the ball into the air Nine extrabase hits and 22 walks don’t happen on their own.

But if there was ever a weekend for LSU’s bats to get going during SEC play, this was the week. Vanderbilt is known for its pitching, but the Commodores’ staff was dealing with injuries to five arms, including Saturday starter Austin Nye. And on top of all that, Vanderbilt was missing its veteran starting catcher, Colin Barczi. Nye and Barczi had a chance to appear in the series but didn’t. Combine those absences with the same park conditions that were hurting LSU’s pitchers, and it was going to be hard for the Commodores to keep LSU’s offense at bay, despite the Tigers’ struggles heading into the series.

play-in tournament, it’s pretty much out of reach But there’s still something to play for “Building good habits, defensively and offensively,” Missi said. “Move the ball. Be there for each other Build that chemistry for the team. We are building something up for next year That’s the main thing. We know the record is not the best. Just go out there and play and get some wins and get ready for next year.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

The walks

It was a maddening weekend for LSU fans for many reasons, but the walks were at the top of the list. Without the walks, especially on Friday, LSU likely wins the series. The Tigers, including hit by pitches, issued 29 free passes. They walked 21 in the first two games alone, and 12 of the hitters who either walked or got hit by a pitch ended up scoring.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect was that the arms that struggled typically don’t have this many issues with their command.

Evans had never walked more than three batters in a game since arriving at LSU until Friday, nor had sophomore left-hander Cooper Williams, who only walked 13 all of last season.

“Casan’s an elite strike-thrower, he’s an elite strike-thrower,” Johnson said. “Cooper Williams is an elite strike-thrower and did not throw strikes tonight.”

Sophomore left-hander Ethan Plog walked two of the five hitters he faced despite heading into the weekend as a trusted arm in relief for Johnson. Moore also struggled with his command, despite it being

an 11-game winning streak. Nix has gone 25-11 in his two seasons, including the playoffs. But he’s done it largely without a true No. 1 receiver or top-tier tight end. Denver’s offense also lacked a playmaker in the backfield after J.K. Dobbins suffered what turned out to be a season-ending foot injury in mid-November Waddle, a first-round pick in 2021, had three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons to begin his career but hasn’t reached that total since 2023.

The 27-year-old Waddle has averaged 81 receptions, 1,098 yards receiving and six touchdowns over his five-year career He had a career-high 104 catches as a rookie and had 1,356 yards receiving in 2022, when he led the NFL with 18.1 yards per catch.

Overall, Waddle has 373 receptions for 5,039 yards and 26 TDs.

MCMAHON

Continued from page 1C

lesser-known mid-major name.

There’s also the issue of the transfer portal if McMahahon is gone, especially if the majority of the nine LSU players with more eligibility leave with a coaching change. Top player Dedan Thomas has said part of his reason to transfer to LSU was McMahon’s history of coaching NBA point guards like Ja Morant at Murray State. Ausberry could also decide that the staff is better off unchanged. McMahon already has a potentially important voice for his cause. Francis Missionaries of Our Lady Health System president and CEO E.J. Kuiper was one of six on the search committee, including Ausberry, that resulted in the hiring of Kiffin. He publicly backed McMahon following LSU’s 106-99 double overtime win at Ole Miss on Feb. 25.

“LSU MBB beats Ole Miss in Oxford!! Matt McMahon is a good coach,” Kuiper wrote in an Instagram story “Took over a program that was in shambles and had to deal with key injuries all season long. He deserves another chance.”

Ausberry may also account for the role injuries played in how this season unfolded. The Tigers opened 12-1 in their nonconference schedule, including an impressive 12-point win over SMU, a No. 11 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Everything shifted the day before the SEC opener Thomas injured his left foot and only played three conference games. The junior averaged a teamhigh 16.2 points on 49.3% shooting, an SEC-high 7.1 assists and only 1.8 turnovers per game in nonconference play His absence compounded the loss of forward Jalen Reed, the team’s expected secondbest player, to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in the sixth game. The trend continued in this season’s final game when backup center Robert Miller was out for the first time in his career The Tigers’ top defender “was suspended for violation of team rules,” McMahon said after the Kentucky loss. The last notable point the pro-

his calling card. Nearly 40% of his pitches on Saturday were out of the zone. Schmidt’s ball rate, on the other hand, did eclipse the 40% mark.

Arrambide’s strong weekend

After a dip in production during LSU’s slide in nonconference play, Arrambide turned things around at the plate. The sophomore catcher went 5 for 13 with two doubles, a walk and three RBIs, looking more comfortable than he did a year ago against SEC pitching.

“The guys that we face on (our) staff are just like the best of the best,” Arrambide said. “And so when I’m seeing that every day in the fall, I guess I can get a little bit more comfortable seeing that (level of stuff).”

Arrambide’s strong weekend helped lengthen out an LSU lineup that needed it. With fifth-year senior Seth Dardar and senior Zach Yorke struggling, the Tigers have had to rely on Steven Milam and Jake Brown and Derek Curiel too many times.

Placing pressure by putting runners on base is a key tenet of Johnson’s offensive philosophy A strong year at the plate for Arrambide is a necessity if LSU wants to become that kind of team.

gram may consider if it keeps McMahon is the hiring of general manager Ronald Dupree. The 2025 LSU Hall of Famer was hired on April 7, which was 14 days after the transfer portal window opened.

Dupree, the former director of global scouting for the Milwaukee Bucks, was tasked with lightening the load of team-building on McMahon’s shoulders.

He’s expected to lead NIL negotiations with players, form relationships with agents and evaluate prospective talent. Dupree was hired too late in the offseason to have a big impact.

Dupree told The Advocate last year that he wasn’t involved in the five transfer portal additions the Tigers made up to that point.

The last three players added while Dupree was on staff were starting forward Pablo Tamba and bench guards PJ Carter and Ron Zipper Dupree should have his fingerprints on the entire roster construction this time to make McMahon’s winning team. That process has begun, not counting the high school recruiting class. LSU gained the commitment of 22-year-old Australian professional guard Owen Foxwell in late February From the financial realities, injury misfortune and a general manager primed to be more involved, McMahon may have enough in his favor to afford him a fifth season at LSU.

“I think we have an elite leadership team, administrative team, and I’ll certainly respect whatever decisions they make moving forward,” McMahon said.

Going forward

Winning Sunday’s game kept LSU in the hunt for 15-plus SEC wins, which would give the Tigers a good chance at hosting an NCAA regional. Road series in the conference are tough to win, but avoiding a sweep this weekend was paramount, especially given Vanderbilt’s early-season struggles. However, for as big as Sunday’s win potentially was, we’re still early enough in the season that LSU’s quality of play is a stronger indicator for its future success than the results of the games themselves. Yes, LSU was an out away from winning this weekend’s series, but, perhaps more importantly, the Tigers did not play like a team that deserved to win an SEC series on the road. LSU still has plenty of talent to become that type of club, but it isn’t there yet for many of the reasons listed above. It will, however, have many opportunities to prove it can be the team fans envisioned before the season started, starting next weekend against Oklahoma, which just won twice in three games against Texas A&M.

Email Koki Riley at koki.riley@ theadvocate.com.

Peptalklifts ReutherinMCA win

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Paige Reuther gave up athreerun home run and put two more runners on base, leaving Mount Carmel’scoaches considering a pitching change before the fourth inning ended. But after getting the next two batters to fly out,Reuther returned to thefirst-basesidedugout for apep talk from pitching coach Kurt Traub, telling the Mount Carmel junior he believed in her and that she needed to believe in herself.

“Hetoldmethat, andI’m like, ‘You’re right,’ ”said Reuther,in her third season as Mount Carmel’sprimary starting pitcher

Things turned around from there. As Saige Vichot andEmri Roussel drove in the tying and go-ahead runs in the late innings, Reutherretiredthe final 11 batters in Mount Carmel’s5-4 victoryover Chapelle on Tuesday in amatchup between the Nos. 1and 2teams in theLHSAA Division Iselectpower ratings.

Vichot’stwo-RBIdoublemade the score 4-4 before Reuther returned to the circle for the bottom of the fifth inning. In the sixth, Roussel doubled in another run that provided all the support Reuther needed to lock down the win. With two outs in the seventh,Reuthergot thefinalbatteronafoul out to firstbaseman Nat Johnson, who caught the ball directly in

frontofthe Mount Carmel dugout entrance. Reuther struckout sevenand walked two. She allowed five hits, four of them in oneinning.

“Wewerediscussing on theside

of possibly takingher out,” Mount Carmel coach Curtis Matthews said. “It was one pitch, one pitch, one pitch. She got through it.” After thepep talk, “She came out and we got the Paige thatwe

love,”Matthewssaid. “She came out smoking.” The win put Mount Carmel (13-3, 3-0 District 9-5A)inpositiontopossiblysweepthe Catholic League for the secondyear in arow.Last

Youngwants to be readyfor bigmoments

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. Cameron Young had given up on his own expectations, and for good reason

week,Mount Carmeldefeated

John Curtis with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning fora3-2 comeback victory.The Cubs will face Dominican next week.

“This team is truly becoming afamily,and that’swhat we preach at Mount Carmel,”Matthewssaid. “They’re therefor each other in the ups and downs. If one strikes out, the other one is picking them up. And we knew if we cameand did our job today, we could put batonballand score some runs.”

The lead changed four times, the final one on Roussel’sline-drive double to center field with runners on second and third and one out in the sixth inning.

“Our team really focuses in the late moments, andweall cometogether and bring our energy,” said Roussel, who hadthree hits and scored arun.

Chapelle’s TaylorAllenbunted in arun for a1-0 lead in the third.

Mount Carmel No.9hitter Paisley Bell singledintwo runs fora2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. Chapelle’sKelsie Schmidt blasted a three-run homer for a4-2 lead in thebottom of theinning, before Vichot’sdouble downthe left-field line tied the score.

Chapelle (14-3, 2-1) came into the gameatNo. 1inthe power ratings.

“I think we needed to make abetter adjustment,” Chapelle coach Scott O’Brien said about his team’s hitting in the late innings. “But hats off to Paige. She did a fantastic job.”

Hawks, Magic, Heat, Hornetsall surgingas playoff chaseintensifies

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

Seeing him pose with ThePlayersChampionship trophymakes it easy to forget that he once tied aPGA Tour record with seven runner-up finishes —all of them in a30-month span —before winning. His Sunday stroke average for those silver medals was 67.5. Someonewas always alittle bit better Young missed winning twomajors by awhisker hisrookie year in 2022. He made double bogey from abunker on the16th hole in the PGA Championship and finished one shot out of aplayoff

“One of those times I’m going to shoot 5under on the back and that’sgoing to be good enough,” he said that day at Southern Hills. Twomonths laterheshot 5under on the back nine at St. Andrews. Cameron Smith shot 30 and beat himbyone.

But the 28-year-old NewYorker hadbig expectations for his biggestmoment at The Players. Young was tied for the lead with Matt Fitzpatrick on the fearsome 18th tee at the TPC Sawgrass, the entire left side of the fairway framed by water he had found onlythe day before. Young had 18 holes to recover from that shot, no room for error on this one.

“My thought process over that ball is one, making sure that I’m committed to my line. And two, the overarching thought is I’m going to hit the best shotofmy life right here,” Young said. “I don’tknow if Ican think of one that’sbetter.”

Tiger Woods had his “better than most” putt on the islandgreen 17thin2001. Young had his “longer than anyone” moment on the 18th on Sunday with a375yard drive that will become part of Players Championship lore. It was asurprising admission from Young, who keeps so much under wraps. The beard is reminiscent of Dustin Johnson, the emotional flatline of David Duval.

“First time that thought’sreally popped in my mind,” Young said. “And Ithink Idid what Iintended. It’s one of the best shots I’veever hit in my life.”

It was only his second PGA Tour victory,but the bodyof work —seven runner-up finishes, three top 5s in the majors, a big performance in the Ryder Cup —would suggest more is to come. How much more? That might require setting goals, and Young has been down that road before.

“I’m kind of trying to give up

on that, in terms of looking at where Iamversus whereIthink Ishouldbeinmycareer,” Young said, adding that his expectations used to be “wildly unreasonable” withoutsharing what they were.

“This is ahard game,” he said, “and there’salot of people that arereally good at it.”

There are players to chase, like Scottie Scheffler and RoryMcIlroy,and there are players running alongside him. All of them arehighly skilled.

Eightofthe 10 winnersonthe PGATour this year are in their 20s, two of them (Scheffler and Collin Morikawa) already multiple majorchampions.

Chris Gotterup (26) wasn’t on anyone’sradar until he left Rutgers for Oklahoma as asenior and won the Jack Nicklaus Award as the best player in college. Gotterup now has four wins, three of them in the last eight months.

Jacob Bridgeman (26) made it to the Tour Championship last yeardespite not playing in half of themajors and half of the signature events.Helooked strong winning at Riviera, and he was right back in the mix at The Players until acouple of shots found thewater Gotterup,Youngand Bridgemanhave compiled more world ranking points in 2026 than anyone. It’sfair to assume big stuff is on thehorizon for them. ForYoung,there are goals and there are expectations, and there

is adifference.

He set abig goal ayear ago to play in theRyder Cup at Bethpage Black,where he won aNew York StateOpen. He dreamed of being on that U.S. team the day it was announced when he was a junior high school.

Fastforward to 2025 and Young was No. 67 in the world with four monthsleft to qualify.Hehad gone 11 startssince his last top 10 and had missed six cutsduring that stretch.

That’swhen he hired his Wake Forest teammateKyle Sterbinsky to caddiefor two weeks, which turned into two months, which turned into a job. Sterbinsky has aknack for reading greens. “I knew he wouldbeagood fit before I hired him,” Young said.

The goal was not to win or live up to his expectations. It was to get to East Lakefor the Tour Championship, his only hope of Ryder Cup consideration. He managed to do both.

The goal this year wasn’t aboutwinning. It wasabout having enough chances so he would be readyifthe situation presenteditself at theMasters. This is more discipline than wild expectations.

“My goal is tobeprepared for playing lateonSunday at Augusta,” Young said. “It’s not necessarily to win, it’s not to do any certain number of things. It’stobeready and comfortable when that momentcomes.”

MIAMI Atlanta is on a10-game winning streak, its best stretch in more than 11 years. Orlandoand Miami just ran off seven straight victories. Charlotte might be playoff-bound for the first time in adecade.

The Southeast Division is good?

Seems so. At least, it’s not historically bad as was the case last seasonwhenthe Hawks, Magic, Heat, Hornetsand Washington Wizards combined for the worst record by anydivisioninNBA history.And it’spossible the division could send four teamstothe playoffs forthe first time since 2014.

Division races and championships don’tmean much anymore and haven’tfor some time.But the four Southeast teams in themix with playoff hopes —everybody but Washington —sureseemasthough they are feeding offone another and have been since the All-Star break.

“I would say that’sprobably a factor,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “Everybody also knows what time it is right now.You have to make moves. Youhave to do something. And we knew that coming out of All-Star break.”

Everyone gotthe message. Most everyone, that is.

The Wizards seemtohave no interest in winning right now, proven by the waythey played defense— or not against Miami’s Bam Adebayo in his 83-point gamelast week. They’ll start anew next year, they hope,withTraeYoung and Anthony Davis to build around.

Otherwise, the division is rolling. The five teams are acombined40-25 since the break, the best mark by any division in the NBA during that stretch. Atlanta is 11-1, Miami has gone 9-3, Orlando is 10-4, Charlotte is 8-5 and Washington is 2-12. This is how good theSoutheast has been in recent weeks: Atlanta was ninth in the EasternConference after aloss to Miami on Feb.20. TheHawks were 9-0 since that game going into Monday night —and were still ninth in the East.

Monday’swin pulled Atlanta into atie withPhiladelphiafor eighth place; the Hawks own the tiebreaker,soifthe season was over now,theywould be the No. 8seed going into the play-in tournament.

Imagine: a10-game winning streak,and you moveupone spot.

“Everybody’strying to be

aggressive but also solid at the same time,” Hawks coach Quin Snyder said. “I think that’sreally important.We don’twant to be gambling. We just want to make people work.”

Charlotte is fun to watch, unless you’re on the other bench. Kon Knueppel is aserious challengertohis former Duke teammate, Dallas’ Cooper Flagg, for Rookie of the Year.The Hornets shoot abunch of 3s, they playfastand they’vegot alittle swagger.

The Hornets added through the draft. The Hawks might have addedbysubtraction; trading Young endedall the speculation abouthis future in Atlanta and hisnow-former teamis20-10, the third-best record in the East, just ahalf-gamebehind Detroit and Cleveland since that deal got done.The Heat, they just try to outwork everybody —asalways —and found somegems in Pelle Larsson and Kasparas Jakucionis to go alongside the likes of Adebayo.

And the Magic,they evidently just needed alittle conflict. Teamsdon’talways flourish whencoaches and star players clash. Orlando might have done just that. It was clear earlier this season —acouple of times this season,actually —that Magic coach JamahlMosley and starforward Paolo Banchero weren’tintotal lockstep. Bancherosaid some things,Mosley subtly clapped back, and things seemed goofyupnear Disney World.

Funny thing is, when the Magic seemed to be in trouble everything started to work

“We’re bothcompetitors,” Banchero saidwhen asked abouthis relationship with Mosley. “There were times where Iwas frustrated and Iwasn’tplaying as wellasI think Ishould be.But it never became me pointing the finger at him or being disrespectful. It was allconstructive; he’stalking to me, I’m talking to him. And winning, it cures everything. Something I feel Ilearned at Duke is when there’salittle bitofconflict, it makes you lock in alittle more.

Less than amonth remains in the regular season. The jostling between the Hawks, Heat, Magic and Hornets could go all the way to the wire.The Southeastmight nothaveabonafide,can’t-miss, title favorite in that group —but it does have four teamsthatcould be hitting their best stride at the right time.

“It’sjust this time of year,” Mosley said. “Every gamematters.”

SCOREBOARD

UL at Houston, 6:30 p.m. Northwestern State at Tulane, 6:30 p.m.

College softball

State scores, schedule

Monday’s games LSU 7, TexasA&M 2

Tuesday’s games Nicholls 10, Alcorn 0

Southeastern Louisiana 9, Jackson State 0 Wednesday’s games Louisiana Christian at Southern(DH), 1p.m.

College basketball

Men’s NCAA Tournament

Tuesday’s games

EAST UNC Wilmington 68, Yale 67

SOUTH

Liberty 77, George Mason 71

South Alabama at Auburn, n

MIDWEST Howard 86, UMBC83 Wichita State 74,Wyoming 70 Texasvs. North CarolinaState at Dayton, Ohio, n

SOUTHWEST Davidson at Oklahoma State, n Stephen F. AustinatTulsa,n

12:11 2-5 0-0 0-2 12 4 Williams 5:11 0-2 0-0 0-0 10 0 Smith 4:59 1-3 1-2 0-1 00 3

Totals 240:0044-104 9-1413-51 27 22 111

Percentages: FG .423, FT .643

3-Point Goals: 14-39, .359 (Christie 4-6 Washington 4-8, Marshall 2-4, Middleton 2-7, Bagley III 1-1, Poulakidas1-5, Johnson 0-1, Nembhard0-2, Smith 0-2, Flagg0-3). Team Rebounds: 7. Team Turnovers: 1.

Blocked Shots: 3(Flagg, Johnson, Williams).

Turnovers: 11 (Flagg 4, Nembhard3,Middleton 2, Johnson, Smith)

Steals: 10 (Christie 2, Flagg 2, Middleton 2, Bagley III, Poulakidas, Smith, Washington)

TechnicalFouls: None. FG FT Reb

NOLA Min M-AM-A O-TA PF PTS

Bey 35:00 8-18 6-6 1-6 31 23

Willimsn 28:31 11-13 5-9 1-4 11 27

Missi 28:10 1-4 2-4 3-10 51 4 Jones 28:39 4-9 1-1 1-3 43 10

Murphy32:44 7-15 1-2 0-7 72 17

Fears 24:41 7-14 0-2 1-6 52 17 Queen 20:44 2-4 4-4 1-6 21 9

Matkvc19:50 5-7 1-1 2-10 12 13

Poole 18:11 2-9 0-1 0-1 23 4 Hawkins 1:45 1-1 2-2 1-2 00 5

Peavy1:45 0-1 0-2 1-2 10 0

Totals 240:00 48-9522-3412-57 31 16 129

Percentages: FG .505, FT .647

3-Point Goals: 11-35, .314 (Fears 3-7,Matkovic 2-2, MurphyIII 2-9, Hawkins 1-1,Queen 1-1, Jones 1-3, Bey 1-6, Poole0-6)

Team Rebounds: 9. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 12 (Missi 5, Jones 2, Poole 2, Queen 2, MurphyIII). Turnovers: 14 (Fears 3, Missi 2, Murphy III 2, Queen 2, Bey,Jones, Peavy, Poole, Williamson). Steals: 7(MurphyIII 2, Bey,Fears, Matkovic Queen, Williamson). TechnicalFouls: None. Dallas 26 28 32 25 —111 New Orleans 32 35 36 26 —129 A_16,787 (16,867). T_2:07.

College baseball

State scores, schedule

Monday’s games No games scedhuled.

Tuesday’s games Northwestern State at Southern, n Southeastern 3, Oklahoma 0 Southern Miss 4, Nicholls 0 Tulane 5, UNO 2 GramblingatLSU,n Wednesday’s games UNO at ULM, 6p.m.

ADVERTISEMENT

FARWEST St. Thomas at Seattle, n UNLVatUCIrvine, n Wednesday, Mar. 18

SOUTH Navy at Wake Forest, n

MIDWEST Prairie View A&M vs.Lehigh at Dayton, Ohio, n Kent State at IllinoisState, n Dayton at Bradley,n Miami (OH) vs.SMU at Dayton, Ohio,n

FARWEST George Washington at Utah Valley,n Sam Houston at New Mexico, n Murray State at Nevada, n Saint Joseph’s at Colorado State, n UIC at California, n Thursday’s games

SOUTH South Florida vs.Louisville at Buffalo, N.Y.

1:30 p.m. Siena vs.DukeatGreenville, S.C.,2:50 p.m. McNeese vs.Vanderbilt at Oklahoma City 3:15 p.m. VCUvs. North CarolinaatGreenville, S.C. 6:50 p.m. Saint Louis vs.GeorgiaatBuffalo, N.Y.,9:45 p.m

MIDWEST TCUvs. Ohio State at Greenville, S.C., 12:15 p.m Troy vs.NebraskaatOklahoma City,12:40 p.m. High Point vs.Wisconsin at Portland, Ore., 1:50 p.m. North Dakota State vs.Michigan State at Buffalo, N.Y.,4:05p.m. Pennsylvania vs.IllinoisatGreenville, S.C. 9:25 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Hawai’i vs.Arkansas at Portland, Ore., 4:25 p.m. Idaho vs.Houston at Oklahoma City,10:10 p.m.

FARWEST TexasA&M vs.Saint Mary’s at Oklahoma City,7:35 p.m. Kennesaw State vs.Gonzaga at Portland, Ore., 10 p.m. Friday’s games EAST Furman vs.UConn at Philadelphia, 10 p.m. SOUTH Santa Claravs. Kentucky at St. Louis,12:15 p.m. Wright State vs.Virginia at Philadelphia, 1:50 p.m. Hofstravs. Alabama at Tampa, Fla., 3:15 p.m. Iowa vs.Clemson at Tampa, Fla., 6:50 p.m Missouri vs.Miami (FL)atSt. Louis, 10:10 p.m.

Many Americans arefortunate to have dental coverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits end with retirement,payingdental bills out-of-pocket cancome as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care.

Simply put—without dental insurance, there may be an important gap in your healthcare coverage.

When you’re comparingplans ...

 Look forcoveragethat helps pay formajor services. Some plans may limitthe number of procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plans may require you to payhundredsout of pocket before benefits are paid

 Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Some plans have annual maximums of $1,000.

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

That’s right. As good as Medicare is, it was never meanttocover everything. That means if you want protection, you need to purchase individual insurance.

Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensiveones.

The best way to preventlargedental bills is preventive care. The American Dental Association recommends checkupstwice ayear.

Previous dental work canwear out

Even if you’vehad qualitydentalwork in the past,you shouldn’t take your dentalhealth forgranted. In fact, yourodds of havinga dental problem only go up as youage.2

Treatment is expensive— especiallythe servicespeople over 50 often need.

Consider these national averagecosts of treatment. $274for acheckup $299 for afilling $1,471 foracrown.3 Unexpected bills likethis canbeareal burden, especially if you’re on afixed income.

“Medicare&You,” Centersfor Medicare& Medicaid Services,2025. 2 “Aging changesinteeth and gums”, medlineplus.gov,4/17/2022. 3 FairHealth, Inc. National average dental fees.Datacurrent as of July 2025;subject to change

“Absolutely love” “I absolutelylove my dental insurance. My dentaloffice files the claims,leaving me with very littlebalancetopay.” DorothyP TN

MIDWEST Tennessee State vs.IowaState at St. Louis, 2:50 p.m. Queens vs.Purdue at St. Louis, 7:35 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Akron vs.Texas Tech at Tampa, Fla., 12:40 p.m.

FARWEST LIU vs.Arizona at San Diego, 1:35 p.m. Utah State vs.Villanova at San Diego, 4:10 p.m. Northern Iowa vs.St. John’s at SanDiego, 7:10 p.m. UCF vs.UCLA at Philadelphia, 7:25 p.m. California Baptist vs.Kansas at San Diego, 9:45 p.m. Women’s NCAA Tournament Wednesday’s games SOUTH Richmond vs.NebraskaatDurham, N.C., 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Stephen F. Austin vs.Missouri State at Austin, Texas, 9p.m. Thursday,’s games EAST Binghamton at Mercyhurst, 6p.m. Bradley at GeorgeWashington, 6p.m. Drexel at St. Bonaventure, 6p.m. Lehigh at Monmouth, 6p.m. Missouri at Seton Hall, 7p.m. NJIT at Merrimack, 7p.m. Navy at Harvard, 7p.m. St. John’s at Columbia,7p.m.

SOUTH Maryland-Eastern ShoreatWakeForest, 6 p.m. Utah at Eastern Kentucky,6:30 p.m. Georgia Southern at Miami (FL),7p.m. Quinnipiac at George Mason, 7p.m. Samfordvs. Southern UniversityatColumbia, S.C.,7 p.m. UT Rio Grande Valley at Austin Peay,7p.m.

MIDWEST UMBC at Ohio,7p.m.

Georgia Tech at Kansas State,7:30 p.m. Troy at Kansas, 7:30 p.m. Chattanooga at North Dakota State, 8p.m. Arizona State vs.VirginiaatIowaCity,Iowa, 9p.m.

SOUTHWEST Louisiana Tech at Rice, 8p.m. McNeese at TexasA&M, 8p.m.

FARWEST Northern Colorado at Air Force, 8:30 p.m.

Alabama A&M at BYU, 9p.m. Sam Houston at Portland, 9p.m.

UC Davis at Pepperdine, 9p.m.

UC Irvine at SanDiego State, 9p.m. Utah Valley at SanFrancisco,9p.m. Wisconsin at Oregon State,9p.m.

Loyola Marymount at Stanford, 10 p.m. Santa ClaraatCalifornia, 10 p.m. Friday’s games

SOUTH Charleston at Duke, 11:30 a.m.

Murray State vs.Maryland at Chapel Hill, N.C., 3p.m.

Western IllinoisatNorth Carolina, 5:30 p.m. Jacksonville at LSU, 6p.m.

Morehead State at Radford, 7p.m. Stetson at Florida International,7p.m. Villanova vs.Texas Tech at Baton Rouge, La., 8:30 p.m.

MIDWEST Gonzaga vs.Ole Miss at Minneapolis, 3:30 p.m. Holy Cross at Michigan, 5:30 p.m. Green BayatMinnesota, 6p.m. Tennessee vs.North CarolinaState at Ann Arbor, Mich., 8p.m. SOUTHWEST UC San Diego at TCU, Noon Virginia Tech vs.Oregon at Austin, Texas, 1:30 p.m. South Dakota State vs.Washington at Fort Worth, Texas, 2:30 p.m. Colorado State vs.Michigan State at Norman, Okla., 7:30 p.m. Idaho at Oklahoma, 10 p.m. Saturday’s games EAST James Madison vs.Kentucky at Morgantown, W.Va

Featherweight Scooter

4-6, 6-4, 6-4. Nikoloz

Shimabukuro(16),Japan, 6-2, 6-1. Rafael Jodar (12),Spain,def.BenjaminBonzi (15),France, 6-4, 6-4. LiamDraxl, Canada, def. JayClarke, Britain, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4. Women’s Singles Qualification Anastasia Zakharova(5),Russia, def. Rebecca Sramkova(22),Slovakia,6-3, 6-2. Linda Fruhvirtova (24),Czechia,def.Varvara Lepchenko, United States,6-3,6-2 Talia Gibson(19),Australia,def.Kamilla Rakhimova (6), Russia,6-3,6-4 KatieVolynets(10),UnitedStates,def. BiancaAndreescu,Canada, 7-5, 6-2. AliaksandraSasnovich (21),Belarus,def Renata Zarazua(7),Mexico,6-3,6-4. Kimberly Birrell (1), Australia,def. Yuan Yue (23),China, 6-2, 2-6, 6-4. Lulu Sun (12),New Zealand, def. Donna Vekic (14),Croatia, 6-3, 6-3. ElvinaKalieva, United States,def.Diane Parry (18), France, 6-4, 6-0. Rebeka Masarova(17),Switzerland, def. Ella Seidel (3), Germany, 6-1, 5-7, 7-5. SinjaKraus (16),Austria, def. Darja Semenistaja(11),Latvia,6-2,6-3 Yuliia Starodubtseva(15),Ukraine, def. Mary Stoiana, United States, 6-2, 6-2. Viktorija Golubic (2), Switzerland, def. Nikola Bartunkova(13),Czechia,6-3,3-6, 7-6 (3).

Pamela B.,Verified Customer “Freedom in aFeather!” sturdy enoughfor afullday out.I canfinally enjoyplaceslikethe zooagainwithout pain. When Idecidetowalk,

COCKTAIL CON DEN TIAL TI FI

Newnorthshore

after-hourshub a secret no onecan keep to themselves

BY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

Asmall town is no place to keep a secret. Butindowntown Covington, Little Blue Door (320 Courthouse Alley) still felt likeaninsider’s tiponthe first visit, and the mystique held up on asecond outing, too.

Head down aone-block side street and you find the blue door itself, gleaming against the white brickwall like an invitation to see what’swithin. Walking through feels like crossing into self-contained realm of twilight ambiance and timeless cool, anightand-day differencetothe quiet street outside.

The proprietors, Lauren Chaar, Trevor Robért and Ryan Turnage, are service industry veterans from the New Orleans hospitalityscene whomet working at CarouselBar,the famous French Quarter lounge in the Hotel Monteleone. They crossed the lake to start theirown thing,joinedby Turnage’shusband, Derek Scontrino, as business partner

They were out to bring more cocktail culture of New Orleans to the northshore,and tookspecial inspiration from the Paris cocktail destination the Little Red Door

They openedLittle Blue Door early in 2026inanarrow space that was once partofthe adjacentbookstore, Danes Books &Gifts (322 Courthouse Alley).

and his partners opened in downtown Covington.

Shaken,stirred,stylish

The space is smaller thana streetcar and always seems to be rolling. Even on weeknights, it feels like there’sSaturday night energy at Little Blue Door

The bartenders bounce between hospitality tasks and cocktail making as if they have three arms. Chaar mightbestirring onecocktail while shaking another and talking with a patron about their next round all at once. Robért gives tours of bottles lining the shelf as if making introductions at acocktail party.Many of them are unfamiliar

As they built the bar,they asked distributors specifically for lesserknown labels, the oppositeofthe coveted allocation bottles other bars clamor to get. These arethe building blocks for acreative approachto cocktails, and as Robért explainsit, a way to introduce people to new experiencesaround the cocktail hour

This ledtoa drinkcalledNoLeft Turns (the name riffsonthe sparse U-turn situation along nearby U.S 190). It’s agin cocktailwith the dusky sunlight of aturmeric liqueur blended with egg white and cayenne It’s smooth andcomplex, with aspice

ä See COCKTAIL, page 2D

LIVING

circuit yster he

BY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

Old New Orleansbarsare layeredwith stories and character that accrueover years and generations. At Bud Rip’s(900 Piety St.) in the Bywater,one piece of the past has recently been uncovered,literally,and is back in action foraweekly oyster happy hour

It’s part of acircuit of very different oyster happy hours to emergenearby, forming apossible oyster tour for bivalve lovers, including onewitha theatrical flair,another with unbeatable valueand still another bringing morevariety from the local oyster harvest. At Bud Rip’s, the long bar runs almost the length of the room,from the pool table at one end to an L-shaped counter at the other by the cornerdoor.Underneath aplywood covering, though, there’sa century-old oyster bar with amarble top and aworkspace just below It’s been dormant and essentially hidden for long enough thatplenty of regulars didn’teven know their corner spot hadan oyster baruntil BudRip’s broughtitback to lifelast fall. Ian Schnoebelen sets up shop from

classic ambiance and modernstyle.

Brothers building on N.Y. successinthe Quarter

BY IAN McNULTY Staff writer

HOLYWATER 622 Conti St., projected openinglate spring2026

In NewYorkCity, brothers Alex andMiles Pincus have built arestaurant group called Crew It’sknown for beautiful settings, including on historic sailing vessels,and for afixation on oysters. The brotherscame to love oysters naturally while growing up in New Orleans, where theyalso learned about hospitality from close familyinthe business. Soon, they will open anew restaurant in the French Quarterthat draws afull circle back homeand brings new life to a storied building. Holywater is taking shape at 622 Conti St.,withrenovations underway for aplanned opening later this spring. The three-story building has been dormant since2019, with thedemise of thedessert shop and restaurant Salon by Sucre. To lead thekitchen,Alex Pincus recruited ahighly regarded name in local dining, AlexHarrell, previously of Sylvain, his own Angeline, the ElysianBar and, most recently,the Gloriette in Covington.

By

Today is Wednesday March 18, the 77th day of 2026 There are 288 days left in the year

Today in history:

On March 18, 1925, nearly 700 people died when the Tri-State Tornado struck southeastern Missouri, southern Illinois and southwestern Indiana; it remains the deadliest single tornado in U.S. history

Also on this date:

In 1922, Mohandas K Gandhi was sentenced in India to six years’ imprisonment for civil disobedience (He was released after serving two years.)

In 1937, in America’s worst school disaster nearly 300 people — most of them children — were killed in a natural gas explosion at the New London Consolidated School in Rusk County, Texas.

In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed an executive order authorizing the War Relocation Authority which forced Japanese Americans into internment camps during World War II.

In 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Gideon v. Wainwright, ruled unanimously that state courts were required to provide legal counsel to criminal defendants who could not afford to hire an attorney on their own.

In 1965, the first spacewalk took place as Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov went outside his Voskhod 2 capsule, secured by a tether.

In 1990, two thieves posing as police officers subdued security guards at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum of Art in Boston and stole 13 works of art valued at over $500 million in the biggest art heist in history; the works have not been recovered.

In 2014, Russia under President Vladimir Putin illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine, a bold land grab that set the stage for Russia’s eventual full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In 2018, a self-driving Uber SUV struck and killed a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, in the first death involving a fully autonomous test vehicle.

Today’s birthdays: Composer John Kander is 99. Actor Brad Dourif is 76. Jazz musician Bill Frisell is 75. Filmmaker Luc Besson is 67. TV personality Mike Rowe is 64. Singer-actor Vanessa L Williams is 63. Olympic speed skating gold medalist Bonnie Blair is 62. Rapper-actor Queen Latifah is 56. Actor-comedian Dane Cook is 54. Singer Adam Levine (Maroon 5) is 47. Actor Lily Collins is 37. Actor Ciara Bravo is 29.

OYSTER

Continued from page 1D

4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Fridays, opening oysters for the bar crowd.

These are the familiar wild, reef-harvested oysters, as opposed to the offbottom cultivated type, and they have happy hour pricing ($8 for half dozen, $15 for full dozen).

Old meets new

The idea of a seafood Friday is a New Orleans bar tradition that persists, especially around crawfish boils, but it was once much more common. This Friday oyster happy hour feels like a taste of the old days at a bar that balances vintage and modern. There’s been a bar under this roof since sometime in the mid-1800s, said owner Bailey Smith, who has run Bud Rip’s for the past dozen years. It’s been called Bud Rip’s since the one-time longshoreman-turned-politico Edward “Bud Rip” Ripoll Jr bought it in 1960. That name endures, though the bar has changed with the character of its neighborhood.

It has the look of a saloon, with ceiling and walls sheathed in a textured patina of pressed tin as lights over the bar subtly shift in color The clientele is a diverse as any in town, and there are even disco dance parties. It’s still a beer-anda-shot place, if that’s what you want, but it makes nice cocktails, too.

A chef’s next act

Smith wanted to bring the oyster bar back and found the right person for the task in Schnoebelen, an accomplished fine dining chef in a past life who keeps coming up with delicious projects and happens to live a few

COCKTAIL

Continued from page 1D

that changes across the palate. The house-take on a Pimm’s Cup gets a dose of Moroccan mint tea, and the Pressed Olive is a martini with olive oil-infused gin and vermouth on the side, which drinkers can add to spec themselves.

If nothing immediately appeals on the specialty list, just order a classic and give it a minute Likely someone else will get a drink from the list that catches the eye and will inspire the next choice.

There’s no food, apart from a surprisingly good bar mix. It would be hard to find room for anything more anyway But there’s always food talk.

After hours start early in Covington and even before 9 p.m. people working at the nearby restaurants turn up for post-shift drinks, first the waiters, then the managers. Whatever other chat may go around the Little Blue Door, this is a great place for a restaurant gossip.

There’s much to discuss these days, and as Covington’s dining scene grows it has a new cocktail hub for to pre-game or keep the night going.

QUARTER

Continued from page 1D

On the menu

The new restaurant will share some DNA with another called Holywater, which Crew runs in New York. That one is in a subterranean space and has been hailed for its impressive design and robust take on oysters and seafood. It also has a strong undercurrent of New Orleans flavor, from Sazeracs to gumbo.

The New Orleans Holywater will have a similar menu with fruits de mer towers, caviar, burgers, fried chicken, lobster rolls, charbroiled lobster frites and gumbo among the options. Oysters will feature prominently, with a selection from the East, West and Gulf coasts, and an oyster called Sailor Baby which Crew developed to spec with a farm off Long Island.

Crew runs a half-dozen concepts in New York. It started in 2014 with Grand Banks, which turned a 1940s-vintage sailing ship into a floating oyster bar on the Hudson River Crew culinary director Kerry Heffernan, who Alex Pincus de-

LITTLE BLUE DOOR

320 Courthouse Alley, Covington 2 p.m. ’til Wednesday through Sunday (hours may vary for special events downtown)

scribes as the group’s “spiritual guide,” was previously executive chef at Eleven Madison Park, where he worked with Danny Meyer developing his Shake Shack burger concept.

Three stories of history

In New Orleans, the building itself will be a defining feature of Holywater

It dates to 1837 and began as a chandlery, outfitting ships working the Mississippi River In the 1970’s and ‘80s it was Melius Bar a name that lives on with a bar and grill in Bucktown. The history and texture of the building are what drew Crew to this French Quarter spot.

“It couldn’t fit into what we do any better,” Alex Pincus said. Holywater is designed to be a casual, social space. A set of French doors will open from the street to an oyster and cocktail bar on the first floor The second floor will have the main dining room with balcony seating, and a small lounge in the back that can be a private dining room. Eventually, the owners plan to open the third floor as a lounge and event space, possibly with live music

A hospitality family

This new Holywater is located at what Alex Pincus calls “the epicenter” of his formative years. His first family home was around the corner on Royal Street. His father, Ronald Pincus, managed nearby hotels, first the Roy-

hour, but he does make a mignonette sauce with cilantro and lime and has blazing-hot habanero sauce from the Rosalita’s menu to dab on the oysters.

tory of oysters from Bright Side Oysters, one of the fine off-bottom types from Grand Isle waters (“Bright Side after dark” is another tagline). The spent shells may get recycled to fill a pot-

ABOVE: In downtown Covington, the bar the Little Blue Door serves craft cocktails in a stylish setting LEFT: There’s no food, apart from a surprisingly good bar mix. Craft cocktails are the thing Martinis can be customized by the patron with vermouth.

By DAVID GRUNFELD

STAFF PHOTOS

al Orleans Hotel (now the Omni Royal Orleans) and later the Hotel Monteleone; his mother, Anne Pincus, operated a praline brand in the Quarter (they serve her pralines at the New York Holywater).

This isn’t the first venture for the brothers in their hometown. In fact, Alex Pincus thinks of Holywater as a prequel to the New York edition, in the style of “Star Wars” movies looping back to origin stories.

That’s because he had initially planned to open it in New Orleans. Instead, he and his brother partnered with the Ace Hotel brand and the result was Seaworthy, the downtown oyster bar and restaurant that’s now operated by the Barnett Hotel. The Pincus brothers have recently resumed consulting on the operation of Seaworthy “I’m glad we waited and had an opportunity to do the test run in New York,” Alex Pincus said of Holywater “What’s missing (in New York) is whatever is on the air in New Orleans that makes people act the way they do and feel the way they do. That’s the one thing I couldn’t bring to New York.”

Email Ian McNulty at imcnulty@theadvocate.com.

hole, the Oysters Dandy DIY contribution to the city’s infrastructure improvements.

A movable feast

The neighborhood oyster happy hour moves to Wednesdays, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m at Faubourg Wines (2805 St. Claude Ave.), the wine shop/wine bar Little Moon Oysters, another off-bottom producer around Grand Isle, shucks its beauties outside, raw and chargrilled, while the bar pours wines by the glass. Sometimes this weekly gathering intersects with the shop’s periodic wine tastings too.

A few blocks away at St. Roch Market (2381 St. Claude Ave.), a hand-painted plywood sign outside now advertises oysters by

the sack or as a happy hour special. The sign itself has a throwback appeal to the days when this historic building was a seafood market marked with such advertisements. Now it’s a modern food hall, and the beautiful, curving oyster bar between the other food stalls is often clustered with people slurping down raw dozens At happy hour (3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday), a dollar-anoyster deal keeps the shuckers busy These are wild reef oysters. Get a glass of cava or a cocktail at the adjacent market bar and wait for a platter to take shape.

Email Ian McNulty at imcnulty@theadvocate. com.

steps away He and his wife, Laurie Casebonne, together ran some of the best New Orleans restaurants of their time at Iris and Mariza (both now closed, though not remotely forgotten by their fans). Schnoebelen landed on Food + Wine’s list of best new chefs in 2007 when Iris was first turning heads. They later started Rosalita’s Backyard Tacos, initially as a speakeasy popup in their own backyard. It developed into a restaurant on St. Claude Avenue. That restaurant closed in 2024. But a back-to-its-roots version of Rosalita’s materializes again for a taco Tuesday pop-up at (where else?) Bud Rip’s, weekly from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Schnoebelen also has a pop-up appearance at the bar for Nashville, Tennessee-style hot chicken sandwiches (and for Lent, Nashville-style hot catfish sandwiches) on alternating Saturdays (from 8 p.m.). He’s planning to start a weekly crawfish boil at the bar, too, likely after Easter Schnoebelen keeps things simple for oyster happy

At the bar Smith has introduced an unconventional happy hour drink list, including a Mezcal martini that shines brightly next to the fat, briny bivalves. The bar also has pastis, a classic French oyster pairing with its strong anise flavor, and happy hour wines for $5. Meet the Oysters Dandy

There are more oyster deals nearby I’ve discovered. Just upriver, a collective of oyster lovers under the name Oysters Dandy set up outside Anna’s Bar (2601 Royal St.) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays. Oysters Dandy is something like a pop up with a dash of street theater and a louche counterculture vibe. It feels like stumbling into an artsy cocktail party on the street corner “Bring your pearlfriends” is one the Oysters Dandy taglines

There are props There are motorcycles. There’s music. It feels like there should be bubbles in the air, but maybe that’s just the upbeat vibe of it all.

A curiously undersized bathtub holds an iced inven-

Charlotte LaCour,Benjamin Acosta

n Children’sCarnival Club

What do you do for a theme the year after agala centennial ball?The number 100 symbolizes completeness and high achievement. It’samajor milestone and deserves recognition. In local Carnival circles,acentenary organization advances into an esteemed category So, what does one do with the subsequent celebration to mark 101 years?

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

David Bisschop, Julia Jane Ruddock, Beau Hemmer; Standing: Vivian Lorio, Caroline LaCour,Lucius Spencer

ONCEUPON ATIME

Captain, Jack Gallois, Mark LaCour,Jared

June McDermott

Seated: Christopher Hodnette, Johan Larsson, TeddyHemmer;Standing:Mary Claire Hodnette, Rosalie McDermott, Phoebe Ogden

GingerLaCour,Bonnie Slaughter-Acosta, Kerry Foley-Kessler,Kenneth Mann

The Children’sCarnival Club donned thinking caps and came up with the perfect theme: “101 Dalmations.” The tableau was right on target for the tales (tails!) of canine crime and the classic villainess, Cruella de Vil, who set out to steal Dalmatian puppies to make afur coat. In choice roles were David Creel Bisschop, Pongo; Julia Jane Ruddock,Perdita; Vivian Cherie Lorio,Pepper; Caroline Best LaCour, Cruella de Vil; Lucius ClaySpencer V, Horace; Beaumont Matthew Hemmer, Jasper; and Matthew Gerard Bartomeo Jr ,Patch. Furr-get about the coat! All eyes turned to the beautyofthe royal mantles as wornbythe 2026 royalty,King and Queen Once Upon aTime, IraBenjamin Acosta and Charlotte Spencer LaCour. Their parents are Dr.and Mrs. Scott James Acosta and Mr.and Mrs. Mark Joseph LaCour Prior to the ball in the Armstrong Ballroom of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, each young monarch related finding out about the exciting royal honor in October 2025. Intended-queen Charlotte received ajewel box shaped like acrown. The ball started at dusk with the entrance of the captain andthenthe krewe. Applause was full for the arrival of the 2025 majesties, Connor Fredrick Langston and Amelie Marie Sharpe, whoruled over the centennial ball andtheir court Both were outfittedintheirroyal regalia of the preceding year The next entrancewas thatofthe current monarchs, the above Benjamin and Charlotte. He was attired in arhinestone-encrusted white silk satin tunic that was embellished with silver cloth insets. Her majesty wore aFrench silk satin princessstyle gown with apleated side sweepand a skirt overlaid with silver lace encrustedwith rhinestones in aswirl leafpattern Ilane Hartman Designs createdboth majestic garments. Serving as pages were Jackson William Gallois, Mark Joseph LaCour Jr and Jared Bennett Spencer Jr ;and, as captains, James Beauregard Kessler, Lane Sarah Connell, Ann Frances Hodnette and June HarperMcDermott. Six princesses graced the court: Brynn Ruth Matrana, Addison Leight Guidry, Juliette KavanaghWhitehead, Sierra Mariner Spencer,Charlotte Ann Graben and Isla Rae Geoghegan. Then came dukes Theodore Matthew Hemmer,Johan Alexander Larsson,LukeJackson Connell, Christopher Michael Hodnette, SamuelLawrence Bisschop and Alexander Louis Gallois, and maids Rosalie Frances McDermott, Phoebe Kehoe Ogden, MaryVivianSparacello, MaryClaire Hodnette, Elise AnneMunson and Erin Luz Munson. Messrs. Charles Childress Jr and Mark Bickham, along with Dr.W.Kenneth Mann Jr., servedasthe ball’scommittee chairmen Twodebutantes of the season,who figuredin aformer CCCcourt, werelimelighted. They were Alice Lane Read Calhoun and Sloane Alexandra Paysse.Within the recent past, both havebeen queens;the former of the2025 SpringFiesta, and two months ago, the latter of theCaliphs of Cairo. Still more pageantry included the“101 Dalmatians” tableau; the royal entertainmentby the New Orleans Youth Ballet (Richard Rholdon, ballet master) of the Maria and Joseph Giacobbe School of Dance; the presentation of the Royal Proclamations; and thepresentation of royalgifts to St. Michael Special School. Special remembrances and recognitionhonored the 85-year,the 50-year and the 25-year monarchs. The grand march,the court dance, andthe krewe drill, all with music by the Jimmy Maxwell Orchestra, ensued beforethe grandfinale. Applauding throughout were royal mothers BonnieSlaughter-Acosta, in apeacock blue gown with afull skirt, and Ginger LaCour, in an Yvonne LaFleur dressofembossed organza in aleaf pattern. Seatedinprominent boxes, as well, were Mmes. L. ClaySpencer,Oscar McDuffieGwin IV,Robert J.A.Williams, Patrick T. Ranieri, JamesFisher Maddox,and Jean Paul Hymel. Also,Dr. Jean LaCour,BrookeAnne Austin, Patricia Gallagher,Elizabeth Sewell, Collette Bleu Acosta,and Mr.and Mrs.Alfred Edwin Stacy III. Aspecial —and surprise —feature of the youthful gallivanting was the appearance of the Jaywalkers Band andtheir modified, but lively,second line More music occurred duringthe supperthanks to Party-TymeProductions with DJ Robbie Cox.Guests enjoyedgumbo,chicken andwaffles, an ice cream station and a“decadent” almond cake. The table centerpieces consistedofwhimsical carriages, crowns, and English lampposts that were all illuminatedwith tiny whitelights and thematic polka dot ribbons as anod to “101 Dalmations.”

Of course, the ultimate nod was to King andQueen Once Upon aTime, whose reign showed that fairy tales can have happy endings. Somewhere, aDalmatian puppy also wagged atail for joy

n Arthurians In thecherished mythmaking of British literature surrounding King Arthur,the Knights of the Round Table, Merlin, Guinevere, and Camelot, early Welsh, Celtic, and Latin sources are blended in these tales of chivalry, romance andthe pursuit of the Holy Grail. Now,and closer to home, we have theArthurians,who staged their 2026 Carnival ball in theWinter Palace. Arthur XXXXV,his royal entourage, and the krewe members arrived by streetcar at the palace, heralded by bagpipes from theKilts of Many Colours,Merlin, and abrace of KnightsChamberlain. Missing were the ladies. Another quest became imminent. Upon their arrival at thepalace, the entourage retired to thesecond floor After their descent ashort while later,and in surprise fashion, Merlin tapped two ladies-in-waiting, Mrs.Timothy Jacquet, Marie,and Mrs. Robert Jolly,Rebecca. Merlin then went in search of Guinevere and after much excited anticipation, Mrs. ElroyEckhardt, Judy Rush, was chosen to reign over the ball with King Arthur.Last year that honor was accorded to Mrs. Frank Arnemann, Eileen Hofrichter,who was escorted to thethrone, where she was presented withabouquet of red roses. Guinevere of 2024 was Mrs.W. Kenneth Mann Jr., Naomi. Green garlands hanging from theceiling and containing myriad tiny lights that decorated the ballroom,while thebilliard room wastransformed into adining room with two buffet tables centered by Meade Wenzel‘s floral arrangements. The room was constantly filled by attendees, whosavorerd the sumptuous spread by Pigeon Catering. Additional features werethe lively music of The New Leviathan Oriental Foxtrot Orchestra led by John Craft;the piping by the Kilts of Many Colours; theball chairmanship by Warren J. Greenwood Jr ;and the krewe favor,which elicited manyasmile. The pin depicted King Arthur arriving at the Winter Palace on arunaway camel the year the traditional elephant, the formermode of transport to the ball, wasunavailable to carry Arthur Amongthose reveling in the royalty,and general formal fun, were Hugh Blair,Carly and Duncan Friedman, Marie and TimJacquet, Donna and Chris Elliott, Peter Kastl with Valerie Besthoff, Susan and Butch Greenwood,Deborah and Albert Lujan, Nancy and Nick Matulich,TerryHauve and Wendi Sweetland, MaryBeth and Seth Nehrbass, DonaldMaginnis,the fittingly first-named Arthur and Caroline Nead, Kimand Josh Reyher,Devie and A.J.Friedman, Joan and Alan Sheen,Michelle and JudsonChase,and Emily and Tommy Ryan.Toname afew of the Camelot crowd, whocongratulated the unidentified Arthur and the three selected ladies. “I was so surprised,”said her majesty Judy,avery pleased new queen, whonow joinsthe ranks of esteemed, and real-life, Guineveres.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Take your time, explore the possibilities, reveal your plans and keep communication flowing. Gather information and get the lowdown on someone or something you want to pursue or learn more about.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Lock onto something tangible, and work away until you are satisfied. Discarding clutter will give you a fresh perspective. Refuse to let emotional ties stand in the way of reason and doing what's best for you.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Size up situations and launch changes necessary to reach your goals. Call on experts for a quick lesson on do-it-yourself tactics that will help you stick to your budget.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Keep busy. Idle time is the enemy, and overreacting will create controversy. It's better to take on a physical project that will tire you out and help you accomplish a personal goal.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Express yourself and wait for a response. You may not like everything you hear, but it will help you fine-tune your plans and give you a fighting chance to come out on top.

LEo (July 23-Aug 22) Pick up the pace, and don't stop until you are happy with what you achieve. A financial gain looks promising, and the option to expand your interests will ease stress and boost confidence.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Embrace what life has to offer. Stretch yourself to

meet demands and show everyone what you can do. High energy, enthusiasm and empathy will carry you forward with gratitude.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Fixate on getting things done. A lifestyle change will encourage you to trust your judgment over others' and to make choices that ease your stress and enhance your comfort.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Put a positive spin on your day. Being true to yourself and saying no to temptation will pay off. Don't complicate your life or your relationships. Honesty is crucial.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Financial, medical and contractual matters will require discussions. Avoid overspending on something you don't need. Don't bother trying to persuade someone to see things your way.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan 19) Size down, simplify, rethink and start over. A change is overdue, but first, you need a budget-friendly plan. A partnership will help lower your overhead and ease stress.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Redesign your budget to fit your income. A heartto-heart talk with someone will shed light on the possibilities and how you can make the most of whatever situation you face.

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

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Denis Waitley, afounding member of the National Council on Self-Esteem, said, “Success is almost totally dependent upon drive and persistence. The extra energy required to make another effort or try another approach is the secret of winning.” That is true, but sometimes, at the bridgetable,tryingforanextratrickcan prove veryexpensive. Still, occasionally adefender can dangle atempting carrot thatleavesdeclarerthinkinghehasanocost shot at an overtrick

In this deal, South is in three no-trump, and West leads theheart 10. How might West tempt declarer into an indiscretion?

Southshould open oneno-trump. Yes, theclubholdingoftwohonorsdoubleton isaminus,butthefive-cardsuitisacompensatingplus.

Declarer starts with seven toptricks: threehearts(giventheopeninglead),one diamond and three clubs.Obviously, he will attack clubs.However, West can set anastytrap for South Declarertakesthefirsttrickinhishand and cashes the club king. West should playhisfive.Then,whenSouthcontinues with the club queen, West shoulddrop his eight.Heistrying to make it look as though he started withJ-8-5 and East with the 6-4-doubleton(and wasstarting ahigh-low with his six).

If declarer falls forthe ruse, he will win the third trick with hisqueen and suddenly find that he cannot make the contract. Instead, South must overtake hisclub queen with dummy’s ace and continue withthe club 10 to driveout West’s jack. Then declarer gets at least three hearts, one diamond and five clubs ©2026 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’s WoRD HEREuPon: HEER-uh-pon: Immediately after this

Average mark22words

Time limit 35 minutes

Can you find 31 or morewords in HEREUPON?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —LAnGuoR

loran lorn lunar lung along argon gnar gnarl goal groan guar gular ulna oral organ rang roan rung

GramS

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Puzzle Answer ken ken

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

majormodification ap‐proval letter,and techni‐callycompleteapplica‐tion areavailable forre‐view at theLDEQ, Public RecordsCenter, 602 North5th Street,Baton Rouge, LA.Viewing hours arefrom8:00a.m.to4:30 p.m.,Mondaythrough Friday (exceptholidays) Theavailable informa‐tion canalsobeac‐cessedelectronicallyon theElectronicDocument Management System (EDMS)onthe DEQpublic websiteatwww.deq louisiana.gov. Additional copies may be reviewed at theJefferson Parish Library-Avondale h d l

y Branch,558 Avondale Garden Road,Avondale, LA 70094. Previous noticeshave been publishedinthe Advocate andthe New OrleansAdvocateonFri‐day, January9,2026. Individualswitha dis‐ability, who need an ac‐commodationinorder to participateinthe public hearing, should contact Doug Bordelon at 225219-1325 or Doug. Bordelon@la.govfour business days priorto thedateofthe public hearing. Inquiriesorrequestsfor additional information regardingthispermitac‐tion should be directed to Stan Hazard,LDEQ, WastePermits Division P.O. Box4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313, phone(225) 219-3103. Personswishing to be in‐cluded on theLDEQper‐mitpublicnoticemailing list,wishing to receive thepermitpublicnotices viaemail by subscribing to theLDEQpermits pub‐licnoticeListServer, or forother public partici‐pation relatedquestions

Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐

trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: CERTAINPOR‐TION OF GROUND,TO‐

NANCES THERE‐UNTO BELONGINGOR IN ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING, SITUATED IN THETHIRD MU‐NICIPAL DISTRICT OF THECITYOF NEWORLEANS

GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILD‐INGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREONAND ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS,PRIVI‐LEGESAND PRESCRIPTIONS, SERVITUDES, ADVANTAGES ANDAPPURTE‐

SECTION23OF THELAKRATT TRACT (FORMERLY NEWORLEANS LAKESHORE LAND COMPANY SUBDIVISION) DESIGNATED AS LOTNO. 5E1A 1, ALLINAC‐CORDANCE

WITH AN ACTOF RESUBDIVISION DATED SEPTEMBER11, 1975, BY J.J. KREBSAND SONS,INC., C.E., ANDLED AS A TITLE CHANGE ON OC‐TOBER24, 1975,

IN COB731, FOLIO604 UNDERREG‐ISTRYNO. 178091, SAID LOTBEING MORE PARTICU‐LARLYDE‐SCRIBEDAS FOLLOWS, TO WIT:

CITY OF HARAHAN LEGALS

None ORDINANCE FOR INTRODUCTION (FIRSTREADING)

The following Ordinance was proposedbyCouncilman Asbill.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1

An Ordinance approving theresubdivision of 370 Oak Ave, Lots 36, 37, &38, Square N1, Harahan City Subdivision,City of Harahan, ParishofJefferson, State of Louisiana, as per aplan made by KLS Group Inc, dated October22, 2025.

The followingOrdinance was proposed by Councilman Chatelain. PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-2

An Ordinance Repealingand Reenacting Section 1Of Ordinance No. 1957 Relative to theCompensationofthe

Municipal Clerkfor theCity of Harahan;Providing foran

Experience-Based SalarySchedule; Providingfor Certification-

Based CompensationLevels; Providing forCredit of Prior

Municipal ClerkExperience; And Otherwise Providing with Respect Thereto

The following Ordinance was proposed by Councilman Asbill.

PROPOSED ORDINANCE NO. 2026-3 An Ordinance amending theHarahan Code of Ordinances Section 19-3 Subsection(2)b relative to Harahan Regulatory Court Hearing Proceedings.

OLD BUSINESS

None

NEW BUSINESS 1. Monthly Financials –Brief councildiscussion

2. Consider June Council Meeting datechange. The June meeting is currently scheduled forJune 18, 2026.

Council Discussion

1. Eric Chatelain

2. Tommy Budde

3. Paul Johnston Councilman Asbill proposeda new dateofJune25, 2026 at 6:30PM. Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain,Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing MOTION PASSES/DATE CHANGE APPROVED

3. Notice of GarbageFee Increase. Any increases in cost to thecity for garbage and trash collection and disposal are authorized to be billed to theresidents and users of the services. Based on the2.7% CPI-U increaseimposed by the City’scurrent garbage contract, thegarbageservice charge on each consumer’s water bill will be increased from$17.22 per month per can to $17.68 per month per can. This will become effective immediately

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing

Council Discussion

1. Paul Johsnton

2. Tommy Budde

3. Eric Chatelain

4. Tommy Budde

Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevote was as follows: YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain,Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSES/GARBAGE INCREASE APPROVED

4. High and low contentABO application forRandazzo’s Family Restaurant, located at 1821 Hickory Ave, forRobert Norman Jr Eric Chatelainsaid he spoke to thePolice Chief and the Assistant Chief,and all is good forthis ABO. Councilman Chatelain was asked to relay that to thepublic since theChief was unable to attendtonight’smeeting.

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing Motion by Councilman Chatelain to approve. Second by Councilman Asbill.

Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain, Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSES/ABO APPROVED

5. The St. RitaDads’ Club membersrespectfully request permission to sell beer andwine at theannualSt. Rita Dads’ Club Car Show &Cook-Off. The Eventwill be held on Saturday April 11, 2026, from10:00am until 3:00pm in the St. Rita Schoolyard. All proceedsfromthe eventwill be used for charitable purposesbenefiting St. RitaParish. We will coordinate any trafficand security needswith theHarahan

Police Department. We lookforward to hosting asafe and enjoyable community event in theCity of Harahan.Wealso look forward to seeingyou, council members andother city officials in attendance. Sincerely,Bryan Rauch

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing

Council Discussion

No Discussion Motion by Councilman Asbill to approve.

Second by Councilman Chatelain.

Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevotewas as follows: YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain, Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSES/PERMISSION GRANTED

6. Mayor ProTem Appointment

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing

Council Discussion

1. Jason Asbill

Councilman Asbill nominated Eric Chatelain as theMayorPro Tem. Motion by Councilman Asbill to approve.

Second by Councilman Ricks

Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevote was as follows: YEAS:Asbill, Budde, Chatelain, Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None MOTION PASSES/MAYOR PRO TEM APPOINTED

7. 7707 7th Street Structural AssessmentRecommendation

Mayor Baudier opened thepublic hearing.Noone spoke.

Mayor Baudier closed thepublic hearing

Council Discussion

1. Jason Asbill 2. In accordance with State Law Councilman Asbill made a motion to condemn theproperty and order immediate demolition after due notice.

3. Mike Ricks

4. Jason Asbill Mayor Baudier spoke.

5. Eric Chatelain 6. Paul Johnston

Mayor Baudier then called forthe vote, thevote was as follows: YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain,Johnston, Ricks NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAIN: None

MOTION PASSES/DEMOLITION APPROVED

Abrief discussion on this subject continuedafterthe vote.

ADDRESS THE COUNCIL No one addressed thecouncil.

SECRETARY’S REPORT Secretary’sreport forJanuary 2026 Total revenues

$1,628,365.74

REPORTS Police Chief Lepre is absent.MayorBaudier read themonthly stats on his behalf.Councilman Asbill spoke. Councilman Budde spoke. Councilman Chatelain spoke. Councilman Johnstonspoke. Councilman Ricks spoke. Mayor Baudier spoke.

PAYBILLS Bills paid in January2026 Total expenditures $1,016,435.35

EXECUTIVE SESSION None

ADJOURN Motion by Councilman Asbill and seconded by Councilman Ricks to adjourn themeeting at 7:15PM.

MayorBaudier called forthe vote, thevotewas as follows:

YEAS: Asbill, Budde, Chatelain,Johnston, Ricks

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAIN: None

MOTION PASSES/MEETING ADJOURNED

A. Thefollowing matter involving pending litigation may be considered (Court, Case Number, Parties):

1. Wood Materials LLC, Wood Resources LLC v. Cityof Harahan, 24thJDC, Case 761-783, Div: “K”

2. Melanie Seelingv.City of Harahan, et al, No C-734196 19th JDC,Div ?, Case734-196

3. Adamsv.CityofHarahan, US District Courtfor the EasternDistrict of Louisiana, Section H, Div1,Civil Action Number 20-2794

4. B&M PropertiesLLC v. CityofHarahan, et al, 24th JDC, Case 854-700, Div: “G”

5. 1600 Hickory AveLLC v. CityofHarahan, et al, 24th JDC, Case 866-373, Div: “G”

B. Thefollowing matter involvingprospective litigation for which formal writtendemandhas been made, may be considered.

C. Thefollowing matters involvingdiscussion of the character,professional competence, or physical or mental healthof: Name:

Submittedby: Carrie Heustis Carrie Heustis, City Clerk (Electronically Signed)

BEGINNINGAT THEINTERSEC‐TION OF THE SOUTHLINEOF INTERSTATE HIGHWAY 110RIGHT OF WAYAND THE SEAT LINE OF BUNDYROAD, WHICHPOINT IS THE NORTHEAST COMEROFOLD LOT5E1,HIGH‐WAY1 10 RIGHT OF WAYAND

forinformation discussed at theconference. Furthermore, failuretoattend thepre-bid conference and inspection does not relieve the successful bidder fromthe necessity of furnishingmaterials or performing any work that may be required to complete the work in accordance with the specification with no additional cost

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that theCouncil of

on

aPublic

Harahan will

19, 2026, at theHarahan CityHall Council Chambers, 6437 JeffersonHighway,Harahan, Louisiana, 70123, at 6:30PM The meetingwill be livestreamed.A link forthe broadcastwill be posted on thecitywebsite.

The followingagenda items will be considered:

RESOLUTIONS PROPOSED RESOLUTION 2026-4 AResolution

ADISTANCE OF216.66 FEET

TOTHE POINT OFBEGINNING; SAIDLOT BEING A PORTIONOF ORIGINAL LOT 5E1

FORINFORMA‐TIONALPUR‐POSES ONLY: IMPROVEMENTS THEREONBEAR MUNICIPAL NO 9200 I10SER‐VICEROAD, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70127 WRIT AMOUNT: $405,000.00

Seized in the above suit TERMS -CASH. Thepurchaser atthe moment ofadjudication tomakea de‐posit of tenper‐centofthe pur‐chase price, and the balance withinthirty daysthereafter

p ment must be Cash, Cashier's Check,Certified Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING.

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 21 HINSHAW& CULBERTSON LLP504 9048060 HEATHERL ALEXIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cateDate (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER815 17 HOMER STREET, THISCITY, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED: AP DI‐RECTLLC VER‐SUS FLOYDL REEVES,ALMO‐NIA CLARKAND REPUBLIC FINANCELLC

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-1484

By virtue of a Court Orderdi‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by

public auction, onthe ground floor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onMarch 19 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: THAT PORTION OFGROUND, to‐getherwithall the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, and allthe rights, ways, privi‐leges,servi‐tudes,appurte‐nancesand ad‐vantagesthere‐untobelonging or in anywise appertaining situated in the ParishofOr‐leans,State of Louisiana,inthe Fifth District of the City of NewOr‐

y leans, desig‐nated as Lot24

A of Square No 159 (SquareNo. 150 by title) accord‐ing to asurvey byGilbert,Kelly & Couturie,Sur‐veyors, dated October 18 1969. Square 159 is bounded by Homer, Belleville, New‐ton andElmira Streets,and Lot 24A commences at a distanceof110 feetfromthe cornerofHomer and Belleville Streets and measures thence 40 feet front on Homer Streetwith a width in the rearof30feet bya depth on thesideline nearerElmira Streetof128 feet, 10 inches and 5lines (128’10’’5’’’) with

a first depth on the opposite side lineof96feet, 7 inchesand 4 lines (96’7"4'’’) title,96feet, 7 inches and5 lines (96'7"5'") ac‐tual; thence 10 feetparallelto Homer Street running toward Elmira Street anda fur‐therdepth to the rear line of 32feet, 3inches and 0lines (32'3"0’’’).Lot 24 A is composed of all oforiginalLot 24and therear 10feetoforigi‐nal Lots 1, 2and 3

Improvements bear Municipal Nos.815 17 Homer Street

AppointedNo‐taryKeith A. Doley

TERMS -100% CASHATTHE MOMENTOFAD‐JUDICATION Note:The pay‐mentmustbe Cash, Cashier's Check,Certified Check or Money Order.NoPer‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS AND TEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPONENTERING BUILDING. SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 1 BREAZEALE, SACHSE &WIL‐SON,L.L.P.504 584 5471 WESLEY M. PLAISANCE

TheN.O.Advo‐

cateDate (s): 2/11/2026 &

3/18/2026 FEB 11-MAR182T $129

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUNDBEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS 3040 BRUXELLES STREET,CITYOF NEWORLEANS, IN THEMATTER ENTITLED: HOME FINANCE, LLC VERSUS MANIFESTED MIRACLES PROPERTIES, LLCAND RIVA J. LAVOY,GUAR‐ANTOR

Case No: 2025-6277

By virtue of a WritofSeizure and Sale di‐rectedtomeby the Honorable JudgesofCivil DistrictCourt for theParishof Orleans,inthe above entitled cause,I will pro‐ceed to sell by publicauction, onthe ground floor of theCivil DistrictCourt Building, 421 LoyolaAvenue, inthe FirstDis‐trict of theCity onApril 23 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon the following described prop‐ertytowit: TWOCERTAIN LOTSOF GROUND, TO‐GETHERWITH ALL THEBULD‐INGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND

Note:The pay‐b

Sealed Bid No. 26-6956

The City of Kenner (also referenced as “Kenner” and “Owner”) will receive

bids for:

CLAMPS, COUPLINGS, PVC AND ETC. AS NEEDED

Sealed bids will be received until Friday,April 10, 2026 by 9:45a.m. CST,bythe CityofKenner in theFinance Department located at: 1610 Reverend Richard Wilson Drive Building D Kenner,Louisiana 70062

All interested parties are invited to attend the Bid Opening on the same day at 10:00a.m.inthe CityofKenner,Building D Auditorium, 1610 Rev.RichardWilson Drive,Kenner,Louisiana, at which time the bids will be publicly read CITY OF KENNER

/s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer Advertisement: The Advocate March 11, 2026 March 18, 2026 March 25, 2026

INVITATION TO BID Sealed Bid No. 26-6957

The City of Kenner (also referenced as “Kenner” and “Owner”) will receive sealed bids for: KENNER CITY HALL BUILDING CROOF REPAIRS AND WINDOW REPLACEMENT

The proposed work (“Work”) includes: Replacement of existing modified bitumen roof system with new modified bitumen roof system at lower roof, replace existing gravel ballasted built-up roof with new modified bitumenroofsystem at upper roof and replace existing aluminum windows with new impact resistant aluminum curtain wall systems.

Sealed bids will be received until April 16, 2016 at 9:45 a.m by the City of Kenner in theFinance Departmentlocated at: 1610 ReverendRichardWilsonDrive |Building D| Kenner,Louisiana 70062

Allinterestedparties are invited to attend the Bid Opening on the same day at 10:00 a.m. in the CityofKenner,Building D Auditorium, 1610 Rev.RichardWilson Drive, Kenner,Louisiana, at which time thebids will be publicly read.

There will be apre-bidmeeting on April 1, 2026 at 10:00

a.m. at City of Kenner Building DAuditorium,1610 Rev Richard Wilson Drive, Kenner,LA70062. All interested bidders are encourage to attend.

All bids must be in accordance with the Contract Documents (which include, but arenot limited to, alldocuments, sections terms, provisions, and any requirementsprovided forinthis bid) on file with Meyer Engineers, Ltd. 4937 Hearst Street, Suite 1B,Metairie, LA 70001, the Design Consulting Professionals (also referenced as “Design Professional”) forthis project

Copies ofContract Documentsfor review or for use in preparing bids may be obtained from rom Meyer Engineers, Ltd (4937 Hearst Street, Suite 1B, Metairie, LA 70001), upon depositof $50.00 (refundable) for ahardcopy set and/ or $25.00 (non-refundable) for an electronicset on USB Flash Drive foreach set of documents. Depositsonthe first set of documents furnished bona fide prime bidders will be refundedupon return of the documentsingood condition no later than ten (10) days after receipt of bids.Onother sets of documents furnished to primebiddersand on all sets furnished to subcontractors thefull deposit will be refunded upon return of thedocumentsingood condition no later than ten(10) days after receipt of bids.

The Contractor shallhold aLouisiana Contractor’slicensein Building Construction Classification.

Bidders may also obtain copies of Contract Documents for review and may also submit bids electronically by visiting www.centralauctionhouse.com. CITY OF KENNER

/s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer Advertisement:

by the City of Kenner in the Finance Department located at: 1610 Reverend Richard Wilson Drive Building D Kenner,Louisiana 70062 All interested parties are invited to attend the Bid Opening on thesame day at 10:00 a.m. in the CityofKenner,Building D Auditorium,1610 Rev.RichardWilson Drive, Kenner,Louisiana, at which time the bids will be publicly read. Therewill be an optional pre-bid meeting on March 31, 2026 at 10 am in theCityofKenner Building DAuditorium, 1610 Rev.Richard Wilson Drive, Kenner,LA70062. After thepre-bid meeting, site visits will be held at each location on March 31, 2026 from 11:00am-12:30pm. All interested bidders areencouraged to attend.

CITY OF KENNER /s/Elizabeth Herring Chief Financial Officer Advertisement: The Advocate March 18, 2026 March 25, 2026

INVITATION TO BID

Sealed Bid No. 26-6960 March 18, 2026 Lead Safe Hazard Reduction (LSHR) Bid Packet #7

Sealed Bid No. 26-6960

The

ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS,PRIVI‐LEGES, SERVI‐TUDES ANDAPPURTE‐NANCES THERE‐UNTO OR IN ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING SITUATED IN THE THIRDDISTRCT OF THIS CITY,IN THESQUAREN0. 1937, BOUNDED BY BRUXELLES TREASURE, ABUNDANCE STREETSAND PARISAVENUE, DESIGNATED BY THE LETTERSY AND Z. ACCORDING TO APLANOF GILBERT& KELLY, SURVEY‐ORS, DATED FEBRUARY 25, 1932, ABLUE PRINTOF WHICHISAN‐NEXEDTOAN ACTOF SALE BEFORE OLIVER H. DEBEZIES NOTARY PUBLIC, DATEDMARCH 7, 1932, LOT Y FORMS THECORNEROF BRUXELLESAND TREASURE STREETS, AND MEASURES TWENTY FEET FRONTON BRUXELLES STREET,BYA DEPTHAND FRONTON TREASURE STREET OF ONE HUNDRED TWENTY (120') FEET,HAVING EQUALAND PARALLEL LINES.ACCORD‐INGTOA PLAN OF GILBERT& KELLY, SURVEY‐ORS, DATEDNO‐VEMBER 12, 1937, ABLUE PRINTOF WHICHISAN‐NEXEDTOAN ACTBEFORE OLIVER H DEBEZIES,NO‐TARY PUBLIC DATEDNOVEM‐BER19, 1937, LOTZ MEA‐SURESTHIRTY (30')FEET FRONTON BRUXELLES STREET,BEGIN‐NING AT A POINTTWENTY (20')FEET FROM THECOR‐NEROFBRUX‐ELLESAND TREASURES STREETS, AND HAVING A DEPTHBE‐TWEEN EQUAL ANDPARALLEL LINES OF ONE HUNDREDAND TWENTY (120') FEET.ALL AC‐CORDANCE WITH SURVEY BY B.F.M. COR‐PORATION, DATEDJANUARY 23, 1987, ACOPYOF WHICHISAT‐TACHDTHERETO AND MADE A PART HEREOF THEIMPROVE‐MENTS THEREONBEAR THEMUNICIPAL NO.3040 BRUX‐ELLESSTREET NEWORLEANS, LOUISIANA. THESALEMADE ANDACCEPTED SUBJECTTOTHE FOLLOWING: 1) FENCEEN‐CROACHMENT OF 0.5FEET AND 0.35 FEET ON SIDELINENEAR‐

EXHIBIT"2" WRIT AMOUNT:

$321,079.32

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 18 MCGLINCHEY STAFFORD,PLLC JONANN GIBLIN

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1719 SHIRLEYDR, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTER EN‐TITLED:DATA MORTGAGE INC., DBAESSEX MORTGAGE VER‐SUSTRINIESHA V. HENRY

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10843

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil DistrictCourt forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clock noon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1719 SHIRLEYDR NEWORLEANS, LA 70114 LOTC -SQUARE 11 5THMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1332718 ALBERNAPLACE SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $100,098.52

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

Susan Hutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans RB 4 DEAN MORRIS, LLC318-3881440 CANDACEA COURTEAU

(s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS3217 CONTISTREET, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:FIRST HORIZONBANK VERSUS TER‐RENCEJAMELL BELT

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10656

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026,at12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 3217 CONTIST NEWORLEANS, LA 70119 LOT: 6, SQUARE: 426 SECOND MUNIC‐IPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1461484 WRIT AMOUNT: $33,386.68

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 5 DEAN MORRIS, LLC318-3881440 CANDACEL BOWEN

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

p ceed to sell by public auction, on theground

floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 16 ENGLISH TURN DR NEW ORLEANS, LA 70131 LOT19ASQUARE 9-A 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1406053 PARIS OAKS SUBDIVISION WRIT AMOUNT: $278,435.05

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH

Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS

ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 10 GRAHAM,ARCE‐NEAUX& ALLEN, LLC504-5228256 FOERSTNERG MEYER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 31243126 BROADWAY STREET,THIS CITY,INTHE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:STAN‐DARD MORT‐GAGE CORPORA‐TION VERSUS QUINTINGAR‐RUS

CI VI L

DI

AN S Case No: 2024-8405

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 3124-3126 BROADWAY ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70125 LOT7,SQUARE 9, SIXTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT, ACQMIN: 1180888 WRIT AMOUNT: $102,076.06

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment

of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, ParishofOr‐leans GH 11 GRAHAM,ARCE‐NEAUX& ALLEN, LLC504-5228256 LOUISG.ARCE‐NEAUX

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN

PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 2518 TOUROST, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:SOUTH‐WEST STAGE FUNDING, LLC DBACASCADE FINANCIAL SERVICES VER‐SUSDEMETRIA FARRIATAYLOR, INDIVIDUALLY ANDASSURVIV‐INGSPOUSEIN COMMUNITY WITH NICHOLAS TAYLOR,JR.

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10471

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23,

2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 2518 TOUROST NEWORLEANS, LA 70119 LOT#18SQUARE 1375 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1354587 WRIT AMOUNT: $145,799.59

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 12 JACKSON&

Joseph P. Lopinto, III in his capacity as Sheriff of Jefferson Parish, hereby notifies hisintent to donate, auction, retain or destroyunclaimed property in accordance with JP Ordinance 31-8unless otherwise claimed by the owner within 30 days of publication of this notice.

Property may be claimed by contacting the JeffersonParish Sheriff’s Office Propertyand Evidence Division, located at 1801 West Bank Expressway,Harvey,LA700548, or by calling 504-376-2384. All claimants must provide proof of ownership beforeany property may be released.

Item #Description Owner

A-06480-21 Motorolacell phone SN: 355…581 Found A-06480-21 Blkbifold wallet AntonioMontgomery A-11104-21 Blkfolding knife ,silver folding knife Joseph Montgomery

B-02520-21 Brown wallet Merton Bailey

B-02520-21 Blkpurse MichelleBregman

B-03200-21 14 round magazine Found B-09334-21 Important tapers Evangala Ridgeway

B-09988-21 Blkwallet Jesse Coleman

B-15176-21 Iphone Found

B-20214-21 Samsung cellphone, note book Bianca Polk C-03132-21Notebook found H-07079-20Samsung cell phones, lap topEricBooker and/or Lance James

A-13364-21 Hyper led flashlight screwdriver and staple gun, brown overalls Daniel Whitehead

A-19442-21 Wallet cont commission card and Id Fredrick Theophile

A-19442-21 Backpack cont. paper for EdwardPetro

B-13303-21 Purse cont itemsand money Angelle Dastin

B-19202-21 Wallet with id Clifford Penton

C-00271-21Samsung cell phone and cordFound

C-01620-21 Women wallet cont id and money Lynn Payne

C-01873-21 Bosch level laser Found

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date PUBLIC NOTICE JEFFERSON PARISH SHERIFF’SOFFICE

C-05102-21 Lg cellphone andt-moble cell phone Terrence Jones

L-02747-20 Ray ban sunglasses Found

L-02747-20 Cricket flip phone Found

B-07960-21Credit cards andreceipts Kevin Williams

B-15962-21Apple I-pad SN: GG7…F88Found

C-05747-21 T-Moblecellphone and Motorola cellphone Wain Thompson

D-09473-21 Motorola cellphone Shanti Kamalo

D-21203-21 6” knife woodenhandle in sheath Found

D-22678-21 Lanyard with keys Brenda Gleason

E-07922-21 Apple cellphone with case Found

E-05684-21 Glock casewith receipt BryantWalker

E-05846-21 Apple cellphone Rufus Moses E-06652-21 Purse with items for Jane Devillier

C-05701-21 Money ,walletfor Annette Jenkins C-15578-21 Cell phone SN:AA4…575 JeffGandolfo C-20489-21 Walletand moneyKevinBranchs C-21823-21 Walletand id PatrickPierre C-22135-21 Walletand id Jamie Miller D-00406-21 Earbuds, holster, gum and charging cable Found D-03195-21 Glock magazineFound D-03441-21 Bag of clothesand walletfor RoyaleWilliams D-04164-21 Giftcards Found D-05423-21 Tracfone Found D-06705-21 Apple cellphone DwayneHayden D-06725-21 Charger,perfume,walletFound D-10797-21 Glock MagazineFound D-13812-21 2- knifes Michael Dufrene D-16150-21 Walletcont id andcredit

D-16242-21

MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 CRIS JACKSON

TheN.O.Advo‐

cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026

mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE

SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 7933 SHEEPHEAD STREET,THIS CITY,IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:NATION‐STAR MORT‐GAGE LLCVER‐SUSSHAWN PEPP,SR. (A/K/A SHAWNPEPP)

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-3092

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil DistrictCourt forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 7933 SHEEP‐HEAD ST NEW ORLEANS, LA 70126 LOT: 29A SQUARE:E THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1390380 WRIT AMOUNT: $189,426.64

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 16 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 AMYR.ORTIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

Case No: 2025-7909

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 4228 ERATOST NEWORLEANS, LA 70125 LOT: 5, SQUARE: 506 FIRSTMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1391059 WRIT AMOUNT: $254,471.84

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 13 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, L.L.C. 504-5819444 CRIS R. JACK‐SON

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICESALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 11630 MORRISON ROAD,THIS CITY,IN THEMATTER EN‐TITLED:U.S BANK TRUST NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION, AS TRUSTEEOF DWELLING SE‐RIES IV TRUSTVERSUS STEVEN T. YOUNG, SR A/K/ASTEVENT YOUNGINDIVID‐UALLYAND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE IN COMMUNITY WITH SHERA BURRELLYOUNG A/K/ASHERA YOUNG

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR T FO R PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-332

ACQMIN: 734365 WRIT AMOUNT: $65,919.44

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans BD 14 JACKSON& MCPHERSON, LLC504-5819444 CRIS R. JACK‐SON

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS7807 LEHIGH STREET, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:NEWREZ LLCD/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SER‐VICING VERSUS THE OPENED SUC‐CESSIONOF DIMITRICHAN‐DLER BARTON (A/K/A DIMITRI CHANDLER)AND ERIKAC.BAR‐TON

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-8211

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026,at12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 7807 LEHIGH ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70127 LOTS:30 &31, SQUARE:66 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN:201821644 WRIT AMOUNT: $34,232.14

(s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS2309 FRERET STREET, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:UMB BANK,NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOTIN ITSINDIVIDUAL CAPACITY, BUTSOLELYAS LEGALTITLE TRUSTEEOFLVS TITLETRUST XIII VERSUS THEUN‐OPENED SUC‐CESSION OF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOFLEONA ESTELLE WASH‐INGTON A/K/A LEONAESTELLE WASHINGTON A/K/ALEONA E. WASHINGTON A/K/ALEONA WASHINGTON A/K/AESTELLE WASHINGTON

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-8139

By virtue of a Writ of FieriFa‐cias directed to me by theHon‐orable Judges of CivilDistrict Courtfor the Parish of Or‐leans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 2309 FRERET ST NEWORLEANS, LA 70113

LOT: M, SQUARE: 354 FOURTH MUNIC‐IPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN:200456367 WRIT AMOUNT: $39,767.55

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson

Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 14

VERSUS WEL‐DONTHADDEUS ANTOINEAND EUNICE WALTON ANTOINE(F/K/A EUNICE WAL‐TON)

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10377

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1434 FATS

DOMINO AV A/K/A1434 CAF‐FINAVNEW OR‐LEANS, LA 70117 LOT: H, SQUARE: 577

THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1373699 WRIT AMOUNT:

$129,352.06

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonal Checks FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 15 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

FEB11-MAR182T $91

NEWORLEANS, LA 70119 SQUARE 575, LOT14 FIFTHMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQ MIN:1398266 WRIT AMOUNT:

$501,415.16

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 19 NEWMAN MATHIS BRADY &SPEDALE A PROFESSIONAL LAWCORPORA‐TION 225-3433456 JEFFREY M. TOEPFER

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

RB 20 WHITLOWLAW FIRM,LLC SHARON S. WHITLOW

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

FEB11-MAR182T $89

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4711

SHALIMAR DR, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUSTCOM‐PANY,AS TRUSTEEFOR AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE SE‐CURITIES INC.

ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-R5 VERSUS THEUNOPENED SUCCESSION OF ANDUNKNOWN HEIRSOFGLO‐RIAM.JASON A/K/A GLORIA M. JASON A/K/A GLORIA JASON ANDWAYNE ROBINSON

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-5869

THIS CITY,IN THE MATTERENTI‐TLED:FMM BUSHNELL LONG LAKES, LLCVER‐SUSK.JAI,LLC ANDCHRISTIN ALEXIS GRADY CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-676 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil DistrictCourt forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1329 TOUROST NEWORLEANS LA 70116 SQUARE 510, LOT2 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQ MIN:1352179 WRIT AMOUNT: $171,722.14

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, the following describedprop‐erty to wit: 11630 MORRI‐SONRDNEW ORLEANS, LA 70128 SQUARE A, LOT4 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- 100% CASH AT THE MOMENT OF AD‐JUDICATION

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

GH 17 LOGS LEGAL GROUPLLP 504838-7535 AMYR.ORTIS

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date

LAWOFFICES OF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR. LLC(225) 7560373 COREYJ.GIROIR

TheN.O.Advo‐

cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

FEB11-MAR182T $98

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 633 SOUTH ROCHEBLAVE STREET,THIS CITY,INTHE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:BANKOF LOUISIANAVER‐SUSLIONDE‐VELOPMENT GROUP, LLC, DERRICK RILEYAND RACHELEANN RILEY

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-2967

THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 5708 WILTON DR, CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:LACAPI‐TOLFEDERAL CREDIT UNION VERSUS MORRIS E. JAMES, SR ANDCLEO ROBINSON JAMES CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2024-11365 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 5708 WILTON DR NEWORLEANS, LA 70122 LOT22- SQUARE 2 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1295560 BURBABKGAR‐DENS SUBDIVI‐SION WRIT AMOUNT: $68,370.97

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirstDis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 4711 SHALIMAR DR NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70126 LOT2 -SQUARE K THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN:200519136 WRIT AMOUNT: $58,196.34

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 20 NEWMAN, MATHIS,BRADY &SPEDALE, APLC 225-3433456 WAYNEA.MAIO‐RANA TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 4858 GABRIELDRIVE THIS CITY,IN THE MATTERENTI‐TLED:RICHARD MARGOLIN VER‐SUSLAUREN WHITNEY STAFFORD,INDI‐VIDUALLY AND AS INDEPENDENT ADMINISTRA‐TRIX OF THE SUCCESSIONOF GENE BEARD STAFFORD,ET AL

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theStale of Louisiana, in theParishof Orleans, in the THIRDDISTRICT OF theCityof NewOrleans,in EVANGELINE OAKS SUBDIVI‐SION,SECTION "8", in SQUARE NO.16thereof, bounded by GabrielDrive Hammond Street,New Or‐leansSewerage &Water Board Tact,CeriseAv‐enue andDwyer Road,desig‐natedasLOT NO.368, allin accordance with thesurvey of AdloeOrr, Jr & Associates,C E.,dated July 6, 1961, redated November 18, 196S,a copy of which is an‐nexed to an actbefore Philip E. James, Jr Notary Pub‐lic, datedNo‐vember 18, 1965, recorded in COB670, folio 116, which said Jotcommences at adistanceof 428.67 feet from thecornerof GabrielDrive andHammond Street,and measurethence 60 feet fronton GabrielDrive, the same in widthin therear, by a depthof9 Ifeet between equal andparallel lines.

Forinforma‐tional purposes only

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear lite Munici‐palNo. 48S8 GabrielDr.,New Orleans, LA 70127. Thepropertyis assessedunder Bill No.39W947008. Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

BD 10

JAMESE USCHOLD, PLC 504 528 9500

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

RB 13 LAWOFFICESOF HERSCHEL C. ADCOCK,JR. LLC(225) 7560373

CI VI L DI ST RI

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

FEB11-MAR182T $97

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 633 S ROCHEBLAVE ST

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

AN S Case No: 2022-5504 By virtue of a Court Orderdi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon

FEB11-MAR182T $98

p erty )

CI

CO

Case No:

2025-8476

S

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground

floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on March19, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

ACERTAIN LOT OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, and allthe rights ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andad‐vantages there‐untobelonging or in anywise appertaining, situated in the ThirdDistrictof

theCityof New Orleans, in Square No.2873 boundedby Pelopidas, Ju‐monville,Sen‐ateand Alfred Streets, desig‐natedby theNo. 15 on asurvey drawnbyJ.J Krebs& Sons Surveyors, datedJanuary 25, 1954, an‐nexedtoan actpassedbe‐fore Jerome Me‐unier,according to which said lotcommences at adistanceof thirty twofeet from thecomer of Jumonville Street andmea‐suresthirtytwo feet fronton Pelopidas Street,same width in the rear,bya depth of onehundred andthirteen feet,six inches,between equaland paral‐lellines.All as more fully shownonsur‐veyby Dufrene Surveying& En‐gineering, Inc. datedJune 13, 1996, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoa prior act, except that PelopidasStreet is nowknown as Harrison Av‐enue andthe depth of 113.50 feet between equal andparallel lines("Prop‐)

WRIT AMOUNT: $86,260.81

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chase price, and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 8 HALLIDAY, WATKINS& MANN P.C. AT‐TORNEYSAT LAW ELIZABETHC PRICE

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 2/11/2026 & 3/18/2026

FEB11-MAR182T $129

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTAIN PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBERS1835, 1839-39 ½ NORTHCLAI‐BORNE AVENUE,CITY OF NEWOR‐LEANS, IN THE MATTER ENTI‐TLED:CARLO DEMATTEO,LLC VERSUS PHUC H. PHAM

CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-7834

1835, 1839-39 1/2N CLAI‐BORNEAVNEW ORLEANS, LA 70116 LOTS:N &O SQUARE:751 THIRDMUNICI‐PALDISTRICT ACQMIN: 1310246 WRIT AMOUNT: $80,364.28

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

Susan Hutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans GH 1

CARLODEMAT‐TEOLLC RYAN M. CASTEIX

By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon, thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date (s): 3/18/2026 & 4/22/2026 mar18-apr22-2t

PUBLIC NOTICE SALE BY SHERIFF JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT THAT CERTION PORTIONOF GROUND BEAR‐INGMUNICIPAL NUMBER 1822 MANDEVILLE ST CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, IN THEMATTEREN‐TITLED:SELENE FINANCE, LP VERSUS DEIRDREF JOHNSON, DA‐TIVE TESTAMENTARY EXECUTRIXOF THESUCCES‐SION OF ROSE‐MARY H. JOHN‐SONAKA ROSE‐MARY HUBBARD JOHNSON CI VI L DI ST RI CT CO UR TF OR PA RI SH OF OR LE AN S Case No: 2025-10941 By virtue of a Writ of Seizure andSaledi‐rected to me by theHonorable Judges of Civil District Court forthe Parish of Orleans, in the aboveentitled cause, Iwillpro‐ceed to sell by public auction, on theground floor of theCivil District Court Building,421 Loyola Avenue, in theFirst Dis‐trictofthe City

y on April23, 2026, at 12:00 o'clocknoon thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: 1822 MANDEV‐ILLE ST NEWOR‐LEANS, LA 70117 LOT5-B SQUARE SQUARE 882 3RDMUNICIPAL DISTRICT ACQMIN: 1276116 WRIT AMOUNT: $46,268.64

Seized in the abovesuit, TERMS- CASH Thepurchaser at themoment of adjudication to make ade‐positoften per‐cent of thepur‐chaseprice,and thebalance within thirty days thereafter

Note:The pay‐ment must be Cash,Cashier's Check, Certified CheckorMoney Order. No Per‐sonalChecks. FACE MASKS ANDTEMPERA‐TURECHECKS AREREQUIRED UPON ENTERING BUILDING

SusanHutson Sheriff, Parish of Or‐leans

RB 7 DEAN MORRIS, LLC318-3881440 ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG

TheN.O.Advo‐cate Date