The Advocate 03-20-2025 by The Advocate

Celebrating St. Joseph

The St. Joseph’s Altar is a tradition born in Sicily, thanking St Joseph for relief from drought. The traditional St. Joseph’s Altar is constructed in the shape of the cross, with three levels honoring the Holy Trinity A statue or picture of Joseph, often seen holding the baby Jesus, stands at the center of the highest tier with flowers surrounding him.

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

See WATER, page 5A

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

After the Louisiana Supreme Court on Tuesday ended a lawsuit challenging the validity of one of four proposed constitutional amendments on the March 29 ballot, it is now up to voters whether to approve the mass of changes to state tax law that are part of the measure. The lawsuit ﬁled in February argued the ballot language for Amendment 2 was biased and

ä See COURT, page 5A

man’s ﬁnal minutes in execution chamber observed

BY JOHN SIMERMAN

man’s spiritual adviser, dressed in a black robe, appeared through a side window as prison ofﬁcials led him into the death chamber It was 6:17 p.m. inside Camp F at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, where no one had been executed since 2010.

Laminated signs on the walls cautioned: “Nitrogen hypoxia system is active and pressurized.”

became apparent: The condemned

A pair of meters on a wall in the viewing room put the air at a healthy 20.7% oxygen, though it

was quiet and heavy as a pair of curtains rose on Louisiana’s first execution using nitrogen gas. Jessie Hoffman Jr appeared through the picture window He was already strapped onto the execution table and draped in a plush gray blanket. A blue, industrial-grade respira-

tor covered his face, leaving little of Hoffman to see as he lay at an incline facing the window, arms splayed on the cruciform table.

Only a portion of his neck and his hands were visible, thumbs touching foreﬁngers in a sacred Buddhist pose, as Angola Warden Darrel Vannoy reached for a microphone.

“Would you like to make a last statement?” Hoffman, 46, tossed his head to the side and seemed to say noth-

ing. He’d also declined a last meal, a prison ofﬁcial said later Vannoy adjusted a valve on the mask covering Hoffman’s face. “The state will now carry out the execution of condemned inmate Jessie Hoffman,” he said. There would be no signal for

Witness attends execution at Angola ä See EXECUTION, page 4A

Hoffman

STAFF PHOTOS By JAVIER GALLEGOS

The Rev. Cary Bani blesses the St Joseph’s Altar at the noon Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral on Wednesday.

ABOVE: Ladies of the Cathedral volunteer Karen Rimes, right, smiles as she serves parishioner Rose Marie Pizzolato at Wednesday’s celebration.

RIGHT: Parishioners line up to donate and look at the St. Joseph’s Altar after Mass on Wednesday.

Trump threatens Houthi rebels amid airstrikes

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — President Donald Trump threatened Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday that they’ll be “completely annihilated” as American airstrikes pounded locations.

Strikes hit Sanaa, Yemen’s rebel-held capital, as well as their stronghold of Saada on Wednesday night, the Houthi’s al-Maisrah satellite news channel reported It aired footage showing ﬁreﬁghters battling a blaze in Sanaa and damage at a sheep farm in al-Jawf It also said strikes happened overnight Tuesday. The first strikes this weekend killed at least 53 people, including children, and wounded others.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social website that “tremendous damage has been inﬂicted upon the Houthi barbarians.”

“Watch how it will get progressively worse — It’s not even a fair ﬁght, and never will be,” Trump added. “They will be completely annihilated!”

Newly released JFK files reveal more about CIA

DALLAS Newly released documents related to President John F. Kennedy’s 1963 assassination gave readers more details Wednesday into Cold War-era covert U.S. operations in other nations but didn’t initially lend credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories.

Assessments of the roughly 2,200 ﬁles posted by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on its website came with a huge caveat: No one had enough time as of Wednesday to review more than a small fraction of them. The vast majority of the National Archives’ more than 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released.

An initial Associated Press review of more than 63,000 pages released this week shows some were not directly related to the assassination but rather dealt with covert CIA operations, particularly in Cuba. And nothing in the ﬁrst documents examined undercut the conclusion that Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in Dallas on Nov 22, 1963.

“Nothing points to a second gunman,” said Philip Shenon, who wrote a 2013 book about the assassination. “I haven’t seen any big blockbusters that rewrite the essential history of the assassination, but it is very early.”

Ex-engineer accused of stealing Eminem music

A former Eminem studio engineer was charged Wednesday with stealing the rapper’s unreleased music and selling it online, federal prosecutors announced.

Investigators say more than 25 songs have been played or distributed online without the consent of Eminem or Interscope Capital Labels Group, which owns Eminem’s music. The music was stored on password-protected hard drives kept in a safe at Eminem’s studio in a Detroit suburb, according to an FBI afﬁdavit.

Joseph Strange, 46, of Holly, Michigan, was charged via a criminal complaint with copyright infringement and interstate transportation of stolen goods, Acting U.S. Attorney Julie Beck in Detroit said. Strange, who lost his job at Eminem’s studio in 2021, could face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of both counts.

Vernal equinox marks start of spring season

Spring is here ofﬁcially, at least. The vernal equinox arrives Thursday marking the start of the spring season for the Northern Hemisphere and the fall in the Southern Hemisphere. On the equator, the sun will be directly overhead at noon. Equinoxes are the only time when both the north and south poles are lit by sunshine at the same time. The events have been marked and celebrated around the world for centuries. Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, is based on the spring equinox, for example. And at the Mayan site Chichen Itza in Mexico, people gather during the equinox to watch the sun create a shadow pattern that resembles a serpent descending a building called El Castillo.

Israeli troops retake part of Gaza corridor

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, JULIA FRANKEL and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip — Israel said Wednesday its troops retook part of a corridor that bisects Gaza, and its defense minister warned that attacks would intensify until Hamas frees dozens of hostages and gives up control of the territory

The military said it had retaken part of the Netzarim Corridor that divides northern Gaza from the south, and from where it had previously withdrawn as part of a ceaseﬁre that began in January

That truce was shattered Tuesday by Israeli airstrikes that killed more than 400 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry

The advances on the ground by Israel on Wednesday which included sending more troops to southern Gaza — threatened to drag the sides into all-out war again. The ceaseﬁre had given warweary Palestinians some respite, allowed a much-needed surge of humanitarian aid into Gaza — and led to the release of dozens of hostages who had been held for more than 15 months.

Within Israel, the resumption of

airstrikes and ground maneuvers has raised concerns about the fate of roughly two dozen hostages held by Hamas who are believed to still be alive Thousands of Israelis took part in anti-government demonstrations in Jerusalem, with many calling for a deal to bring the captives home.

A Hamas spokesman, AbdelLatif al-Qanou, said the moves by ground forces in Gaza was a clear sign that Israel had backed out of the truce and was reimposing a “blockade.”

There have been no reports of rocket attacks by Hamas since Tuesday’s bombardment.

Also Wednesday, the United Nations said one of its employees was killed in Gaza and ﬁve others were wounded in an apparent strike on a guesthouse. It was not immediately clear who was behind the strike, the U.N. said.

The military said its “limited ground operation” in Gaza would create a “partial buffer between northern and southern Gaza.”

It wasn’t immediately clear whether the move would entirely block Palestinians from traveling north or south through the Netzarim Corridor Israel used the roughly 4-mile corridor as a military zone during

the war It ran from the Israeli border to the coast, just south of Gaza City, the territory’s largest metropolitan area. Israel said airstrikes on Wednesday hit dozens of militants and militant sites, including the command center of a Hamas battalion. It denied Palestinian claims that it hit the U.N. guesthouse.

Fares Awad, an official in the Gaza Health Ministry, said an Israeli strike on a gathering of mourners in the northern town of Beit Lahiya killed 17 and wounded 30. The Israeli military had no immediate comment.

Until Israel withdrew from Netzarim in January, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who had ﬂed northern Gaza for the south were prevented from returning throughout the war Many of them have since returned.

But Israel Katz, the Israeli defense minister, said the military would soon order Palestinians to evacuate from combat zones.

Katz said Tuesday’s aerial bombardment “was just the ﬁrst step” in Israel’s plan to ratchet up the pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages and give up control of Gaza. Until it does, Israel will attack “with an intensity that you have not known.”

System brings blizzard conditions to Midwest

BY HANNAH FINGERHUT and MARGERY A BECK Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb

Another storm system is affecting millions of people in the middle of the U.S leaving parts of the Midwest and Great Plains under blizzard conditions and a broad swath of neighboring states at risk of high winds and wildﬁres.

Roughly 72 million people were under a wind advisory or warning Wednesday with winds gusting over 45 mph, according to Bryan Jackson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center

At this time of year, cold air lingering in the north collides with warm air from the south to produce strong, low pressure systems, Jackson said. But Wednesday’s weather is the third storm system to rapidly develop in recent weeks and bring high winds to a large swath of the U.S., a “very active pattern” since February, Jackson said.

At least 42 people died over the weekend when dynamic storms unleashed tornadoes, blinding dust and wildfires — leaving behind uprooted trees and ﬂattening hundreds of homes and businesses across eight U.S. states in the South and Midwest.

A band from southwestern Kansas up to central Wisconsin was expected to see as little as 2 inches of snow or as much as 1 foot Wednesday. Combined with high winds, forecasters warned of whiteout conditions

The Kansas Department of Transportation closed more than 250 miles of Interstate 70 from the Colorado border east to Salina, Kansas, because of winter weather

The first stretch to close in western

Kansas was also impacted by last week’s high winds. Eight people died after a dust storm resulted in a pileup of 71 cars and trucks.

Blizzard conditions early Wednesday led to near-zero visibility in south central Nebraska, the state patrol said in a Facebook post urging people to stay off the roads. More than 160 miles of Interstate 80 cutting east from Lincoln west to Lexington was closed Wednesday morning. By midday, nearly 70 miles of Interstate 29 running along the border between eastern Nebraska and western Iowa had closed. Stalled cars, jackknifed semitrailers, crashes and downed power lines contributed to road closures throughout the area. Power outages affected households and businesses as heavy snow and high winds knocked down tree branches and snapped utility poles, affecting at least 100,000 customers in Nebraska and 30,000 in Iowa. The sudden storm left many in the region with weather whiplash, following a springlike Tuesday with temperatures in some parts reaching beyond 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Putin, Zelenskyy agree to limited ceasefire

BY HANNA ARHIROVA Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine and Russia agreed in principle to a limited ceasefire after President Donald Trump spoke with the countries’ leaders this week, though it remains to be seen when it might take effect and what possible targets would be off limits to attack. The tentative deal to partially rein in the grinding war came after Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuffed Trump’s push for a full 30-day ceasefire. The difficulty in getting the combatants to agree not to target one another’s energy infrastructure highlights the challenges Trump will face in trying to fulfill his campaign pledge to quickly end to the war

After a roughly hourlong call with Trump on Wednesday that both leaders said went well, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters that “technical” talks in Saudi Arabia this weekend would seek to resolve what types of infrastructure would be protected under the agreement.

But it was immediately clear that the three parties had different views about what the pact entailed, with the White House saying “energy and infrastructure” would be covered, the Kremlin saying the agreement referred more narrowly to “energy infrastructure,” and Zelenskyy saying he’d also like railways and ports to be protected.

“One of the ﬁrst steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure,” Zelenskyy said on social media following his call with Trump, which came a day after the U.S. president held similar talks with Putin. “I supported this step, and Ukraine conﬁrmed that we are ready to implement it.”

During their call, Trump suggested that Zelenskyy should consider giving the U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their long-term security, according to a White House statement from Secretary of State Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEHAD ALSHRAFI

Displaced Palestinians carry their belongings Wednesday

they travel from Beit Hanoun to Jabaliya, a day after Israel’s renewed offensive in the Gaza Strip

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MARGERy BECK Snow covers the streets Wednesday following a storm in Omaha, Neb.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Justice Department resists judge’s order

More details on deportation flights demanded

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Justice Department is resisting a federal judge’s demand for more information about flights that took deportees to El Salvador arguing on Wednesday that the court should end its “continued intrusions” into the authority of the executive branch.

It’s the latest development in a showdown between the Trump administration and the judge who temporarily blocked deportations under an 18th-century wartime declaration. President Donald Trump has called for the judge’s impeachment as the Republican escalates his conﬂict with a judiciary after a series of court setbacks

over his executive actions.

U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg, who was nominated to the federal bench by Democratic President Barack Obama, had ordered the Trump administration to answer several questions under seal, where the information would not be publicly exposed. There were questions about the planes’ takeoff and landing times, and the number of people deported under Trump’s proclamation.

The judge has questioned whether the Trump administration ignored his court order on Saturday to turn around planes with deportees headed for the Central American country which had has agreed to house them in a notorious prison. In court papers ﬁled hours

before the deadline to respond Wednesday, the Justice Department said the judge’s questions are “grave encroachments on core aspects of absolute and unreviewable Executive Branch authority relating to national security, foreign relations and foreign policy.” The department said it was considering invoking the “state secrets privilege” to allow the government to withhold some of the information sought by the court.

“The underlying premise of these orders is that the Judicial Branch is superior to the Executive Branch, particularly on non-legal matters involving foreign affairs and national security The Government disagrees,” Justice Department lawyers wrote.

Everyonewants to avoidtax.Whenpeoplethink about avoiding taxes, they usually thinkabout avoiding income tax. But, Louisianaresidents have to be concernedwithseveraltypesoftaxeswhentheyareplanningtheirestates

FederalEstateTax–DidYouKnow?

Thefederal estate taxappliestoestates of peoplewho areresidents in anyof the50states. When it applies, it is significant. Essentially,whena person dies, we have to addupthe fair market valueofeverythingthe deceased owned–their house, cars, bank accounts, IRA’s, 401(k)’s,lifeinsurance, stock, businessestheyown,real estate andmore. Since2013, newfederal estate tax lawswerepassed.Theexemptionamountis$13,610,000fordeathsoccurringin 2024,andtheestatetaxrateis40%

WhatAboutTheSurvivingSpouse?

Before 2010, eachspousehad an estate taxexemption. If theestateofthe first spouse to diedid not usetheir exemption, it wouldbelostand thesurviving spousecouldnotuseanyoftheexemptionofthefirstspousetodie.Howeverin 2013,“portability”was kept in place –the survivingspousecan now increase theirexemptionbytheamountoftheunusedexemptionamount ofthedeceased spousewhodiedafter2010. Butportabilitymustbeexercisedtimely

HowToAvoidCapitalGainsTax

Thetaxthatoftencreepsuponpeoplepeopleiscapitalgainstax.Capitalgains is paid when you sell an assetthathas appreciated in value. Example: you buy astockfor$20,000andlatersellthestockfor$100,000.Youwillhave$80,000 ofcapitalgain,andyoumustpaytaxonthis.Howyoustructureyourbequests to your spouseand your familycan have asignificantimpact on how much capitalgainstaxyourheirswillhavetopay.Whenyoudie,yourassetswillbe “stepped-up”andyourheirswillgetanewvalue

BY COLLIN BINKLEY and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday calling for the shutdown of the U.S. Education Department, according to a White House ofﬁcial, advancing a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that’s been a longtime target of conservatives.

The ofﬁcial spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement Trump has derided the Department of Education as wasteful and polluted by liberal ideology However, ﬁnalizing its dismantling is likely impossible without an act of Congress which created the department in 1979.

A White House fact sheet said the order would direct

Secretary Linda McMahon “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”

The Trump administration has already been gutting the agency Its workforce is being slashed in half and there have been deep cuts to the Ofﬁce for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers data on the nation’s academic progress.

Advocates for public schools said eliminating the department would leave children behind in an American education system that is fundamentally unequal.

“This isn’t fixing educa-

tion. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot. And we’re not about to let that happen without a ﬁght,” the National Parents Union said in a statement. The White House has not spelled out formally which department functions could be handed off to other departments, or eliminated altogether At her conﬁrmation hearing, McMahon said she would preserve core initiatives, including Title I money for low-income schools and Pell grants for low-income college students. The goal of the administration, she said, would be “a better functioning Department of Education.” The department sends billions of dollars a year to schools and oversees $1.6

SMOKE ‘EM, TIGERS!

Giftsof$19,000PerYearPerPerson (UsedToBe$10,000PerYearPerPerson)

Youmayhaveheardyoucandonateorgive$19,000eachyearperpersonwithout gifttaxconsequences.Typically,noonepaysincometaxonagiftregardlessof thevalueofthegift.Asizeablegiftwillhaveestateandgifttaxconsequences.

YOUAREINVITEDTOAFREEWorkshopToLearnHowTo:

•Minimizeoravoiddeathtax;

•Makesureyourestateutilizestheexemptionavailablefordeathsoccurringin 2024;

•ProperlysetupyourWillorLivingTrustsotherewillbenotaxuponthedeath ofthefirstspouseregardlessofthesizeoftheestate;

•Ensurethatyourheirsreceiveastep-upintaxbasis–notjustwhenthefirst spousediesbutagainwhenthesurvivingspousedies;

•Utilizethe2024annualgifttaxexclusiontomakegiftsof$18,000peryearper person duringyour lifetime to reduce your taxableestateatyour death…and MUCHMORE!

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By ARIANA CUBILLOS

Jasmin Ramirez holds a photo of her son, Angelo Escalona, at a government-organized rally

Tuesday protesting the deportation of alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang, who were transferred to an El Salvador prison, in Caracas, Venezuela. Ramirez said she hadn’t heard from her son since he called to say he was with a group of migrants about to be deported on Friday.

Arizona executes man convicted of 2002 murder

BY JACQUES BILLEAUD and SEJAL GOVINDARAO Associated Press

FLORENCE, Ariz. An Arizona man who kidnapped and murdered his girlfriend’s ex-husband was executed Wednesday, the second of four prisoners scheduled to be put to death this week in the U.S Aaron Brian Gunches, 53, was lethally injected with pentobarbital at the Arizona State Prison

Complex in the town of Florence, John Barcello, deputy director of Arizona’s department of corrections, told news outlets. He was pronounced dead at 10:33 a.m.

Gunches fatally shot Ted Price in the desert outside the Phoenix suburb of Mesa in 2002. He pleaded guilty to ﬁrst-degree murder in 2007.

Sitting up on a gurney, covered with what looked like a white onesie and tucked in with a sheet, Gunches looked straight ahead and had no ﬁnal words before the execution, witnesses said.

According to Barcello, the prisoner took a few heavy breaths and let out a snoring-type sound after the lethal injection “By all accounts, the process

went according to plan without any incident at all,” Barcello said. Gunches’ execution had originally been scheduled for April 2023, but was called off after Democratic Gov Katie Hobbs ordered a review of the state’s death penalty procedures. Late last year, Hobbs ﬁred the retired judge she had appointed to conduct the review, and the state’s corrections department announced changes in the team that lethally injects death row prisoners. The lethal injection was administered through IVs inserted into Gunches’ arms, according to a handful of news media representatives who witnessed the execution.

In the state’s two previous executions, the IV had been inserted into

the prisoner’s femoral artery

The media witnesses reported no visible problems with the execution. But Dale Baich, a former federal public defender who teaches death penalty law at Arizona State University and witnessed the execution, said he believed Gunches suffered from pulmonary edema, when ﬂuid seeps into the lungs and causes people to drown in their own ﬂuids.

“The eight deep breaths and chest heaving, the gurgling sounds, and Mr Gunches trying to catch his breath, are all signs of pulmonary edema,” Baich said “Even though it may have looked peaceful, it was not.”

The Associated Press left an email message with corrections of-

SCENE OF GAS EXECUTION OF JESSIE HOFFMAN JR.

when the ultrahigh grade nitrogen called for in Louisiana’s new execution protocol would begin to enter the mask and kill Hoffman Ofﬁcials said in a brieﬁng later that it happened at 6:21 p.m and that the gas ran for 19 minutes.

Tubing led from the wall under the blanket at Hoffman’s right hand. At 6:22 p.m., his breathing became uneven. His chest rose and he made a jerking motion.

A minute later, Hoffman’s body shook and his ﬁngers twitched. He appeared to pull at the arms of the table, which is bolted into the ceramic tile ﬂoor of the cinder block chamber.

ﬁcials seeking comment. Michael Kiefer, of the Arizona Mirror, said he did not see any signs of pulmonary edema, such as a shaking or jerking of Gunches’ abdomen. For his last meal, Gunches had a double western bacon cheeseburger, two sandwiches, french fries, onion rings and baklava for dessert.

Gunches is the second person executed this week in the U.S. Louisiana executed a man on Tuesday and two more executions were scheduled in Florida and Oklahoma on Thursday Arizona is the ﬁrst state with a Democratic governor to execute someone since 2017, when Virginia did so under then-Gov Terry McAuliffe.

Her husband then, Andy Elliott, declined to attend Hoffman’s execution and no other family member chose to witness it. Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Secretary Gary Westcott denied Hoffman’s family and lawyers a place among the witnesses.

The Rev Reimoku Gregory Smith, the Buddhist spiritual adviser Hoffman chose to accompany his death, knelt on a rug from a few feet away, rarely taking his eyes off Hoffman. An oxygen monitor rested nearby on a sill. Hoffman’s head remained tilted toward the room with the nitrogen tanks.

reprieves, remained still and silent while Hoffman died under bright fluorescent light.

At 6:38 p.m., Smith cast his eyes downward toward the ﬂoor as he knelt. A few minutes later Vannoy pressed a button, and the curtains descended.

Hoffman’s hands began to clench. His head stayed turned to his right. His breathing slowed. Birds could be heard chirping under cloudless skies near dusk from the witness room, which included only state officials and news reporters, divided by a wall Hoffman was 18 when he kidnapped, raped and shot 28-year-old Mary “Molly” Elliott execution-style in a remote area of St. Tammany Parish in November 1996. A duck hunter found her naked and dead on Thanksgiving morning.

At 6:26 p.m., Hoffman’s head moved inside the mask. Less than a minute later a few seconds before 6:27 p.m., he jerked slightly It would be the last signiﬁcant movement Hoffman would make, in a life he’d mostly spent on death row

Rhythmic, deep vibrato chanting and popping soon could be heard from the obscured chamber Part of Hoffman’s state-approved spiritual send-off, the pops and chants continued for more than four minutes before they wound down. When the curtains rose again at 6:52 p.m Smith had left the room. Westcott, the corrections secretary, had entered it. Vannoy announced that the execution was complete, placing the time of death at 6:50 p.m. Hoffman’s face had been made visible for the first time, the mask used to kill him now removed.

To his left, Vannoy stood in a charcoal suit and black loafers, beside an anonymous prison official. Minutes passed. Hoffman’s breathing slowed, then became imperceptible.

On the wall behind his head, a pair of red phones, installed in case of a need to communicate last-minute

His head was tilted back, teeth exposed in a grimace, as the curtains slowly descended once more.

Editor’s note: John Simerman, staff writer for The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, was one of two media witnesses allowed to view the execution of Jessie Hoffman Jr

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON In an effort to limit fraudulent claims, the Social Security Administration will impose tighter identity-prooﬁng measures

— which will require millions of recipients and applicants to visit agency field offices rather than interact with the agency over the phone

COURT

Continued from page 1A

misleading in violation of state law and that it didn’t comply with constitutional requirements for proposed amendments. The plaintiffs, two teachers and a pastor, asked the court to block Amendment 2 from taking effect.

But the Supreme Court dismissed their case, and it barred them from any future attempts at suing over the issues they raised

The ruling afﬁrms that Louisiana’s election procedures “will be upheld,” said Secretary of State Nancy Landry, the state’s chief election ofﬁcer and named defendant in the suit.

“We continue to remind voters that Amendment 2 will be on the ballot,” she said.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who spearheaded the appeal, applauded the decision, saying the court sided with her “ofﬁce’s

Beginning March 31, people will no longer be able to verify their identity to the SSA over the phone, and those who cannot properly verify their identity over the agency’s “my Social Security” online service will be required to visit an agency field office in person to complete the verification process, agency leadership told reporters Tuesday

The change will apply to new

defense of the ballot language.”

At a broad level, Amendment 2 asks voters to decide if state lawmakers should have more power and flexibility to decide which revenue streams fund government and how to spend that money It would also lower a constitutional cap on state income tax rates, make it more difﬁcult to increase government spending and make it harder to pass new tax breaks, among dozens of other complicated changes to tax policy

Gov Jeff Landry, whose administration played a central role in crafting the tax amendment, celebrated the decision.

“This case was flawed and attempted to silence the voice of the people. The people can now speak,” he said in a statement.

When the high court ruled Tuesday, there had not yet been a hearing on the merits of the case, nor had the challenge gone through a review by the state appeals court, the typical progression for legal challenges.

Social Security applicants and existing recipients who want to change their direct deposit information.

Retiree advocates warn that the change will negatively impact older Americans in rural areas, including those with disabilities, mobility limitations, those who live far from SSA ofﬁces and have limited internet access.

Commission on Thursday is set to decide how to determine whether salt water is intruding faster than expected.

The Southern Hills aquifer, the area’s main source of drinking water, has faced a long-term threat from salt water moving north underground across the Baton Rouge Fault, a geological crack that generally tracks Interstates 10 and 12.

A recent analysis suggested salt concentrations from just south of the fault are similar to brackish water Ocean water is about five times saltier than the groundwater near the fault.

Baton Rouge Water officials say they would comply with a request for data from the commission but believe a move to also launch an investigation, at a potential cost of $50,000, would duplicate that effort.

Baton Rouge Water says the chloride increases in one of the scavenger wells, which are designed to deflect the encroaching salt water, appear to reﬂect a coincidental shift in operations at Lula Avenue that likely changed the ﬂow pattern of groundwater after a production well went down.

”We know the scavenger well is doing its job because the water at Lula is a good quality,” said Adrienne Mire, chief administrative ofﬁcer and vice president of Baton Rouge Water “Chloride levels remain low Right where they’re supposed to be overall. That’s a good thing.”

The Lula Street station, just east of Acadian Thruway, has seven wells providing 8.6% of Baton Rouge Water’s overall production, though only three operate usually at any one time, company ofﬁcials said.

The scavenger system south of the Lula station protects it with two wells working together One draws off brine from a higher salinity

bottom layer of the aquifer and sends that water to the Mississippi River The other well taps the upper, less salty part of the same layer to pull in replacement fresh water from farther north.

Research done to install the scavenger system predicted it would shield the Lula street station for decades before eventually being overwhelmed by the salty water drawn toward it.

Groundwater commission member Matt Reonas, a state Ofﬁce of Conservation policy planner, says that’s why it’s important to take a closer look

A resolution to be voted on by the commission would ask for a wide range of information about affected wells and any plans for new supply options to replace those that might be threatened by salt water

An expert hired for a study would review the information and make recommendations.

During a recent commission meeting, Patrick Kerr, president and CEO of Baton Rouge Water argued that his company will provide

The plan also comes as the agency plans to shutter dozens of Social Security ofﬁces throughout the country and has already laid out plans to lay off thousands of workers. In addition to the identity verification change, the agency announced that it plans to expedite processing of recipients’ direct deposit change requests — both in person and online to one business day Previously, online direct deposit changes were held for 30 days.

But the Supreme Court agreed to take up the matter and settle the dispute once and for all.

“Time is of the essence given that early voting commenced March 15 and is ongoing,” the ruling states. “Considering the interests of judicial economy, the need to provide a deﬁnitive resolution of the issue, to prevent confusion or concern about infringement of the right to vote, or the effect of electoral choice, we elect to exercise our plenary supervisory authority under (the constitution).”

The plaintiffs’ constitutional objections to the ballot question had “no merit,” says the unsigned ruling.

The 4-3 decision was supported by Justices William Crain, Cade Cole, Jay MaCallum and Jeff Hughes. Chief Justice John Weimer and Justices John Michael Guidry and Piper Griffin dissented.

Represented by New Orleans attorney William Most, the plaintiffs argued the title of the ballot question is not truly a “brief summary

data, so the resolution to investigate isn’t necessary

“Let us give you what we have, and you tell us whether it’s enough. And if it’s not, we’ll work with you to write the rules to ﬁgure out how to do it better,” Kerr said. “So, we are concerned about these aquifers. We are aligned in our need to protect these aquifers.”

Reonas countered that a speciﬁc resolution to investigate is warranted.

“I feel like this commission needs to make a dedicated focus on what’s happening there right now,” he said.

The slow process of saltwater intrusion is driven by heavy pumping north of the fault.

That has driven controversy over how to reduce pumping and whether another water source should be used. Environmental groups argue major industries that tap the aquifer should use water from the Mississippi River instead.

David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

of the proposed changes,” as the constitution requires.

They also said dozens of changes to Article VII, the section of the constitution dealing with state taxes and ﬁnance, don’t actually constitute “a revision of an entire article,” another constitutional requirement to ﬁt all of the changes under one ballot question.

But the court’s majority said “the ballot language for the proposition at issue is framed in ‘simple, unbiased, concise, and easily understood language,’ ” in accordance with Louisiana state election law

“There is no requirement that every detail of the proposition be stated on the ballot,” states the decision, which also asserts the full amendment has been publicly viewable online for three months.

In a statement Wednesday, Most said the plaintiffs “were weighing their options” and called the high court’s decision to bypass standard hearing and appeals court proce-

“The Social Security Administration is losing over $100 million a year in direct deposit fraud,” Leland Dudek, the agency’s acting commissioner, said on a Tuesday evening call with reporters — his ﬁrst call with the media. “Social Security can better protect Americans while expediting service.”

dures “unusual.”

He highlighted concerns over transparency raised in the dissents of Guidry and Weimar

Weimar said the decision of the Supreme Court served to effectively “upend the normal judicial process,” the absence of which “erodes the respect for the fairness and impartiality of the system of justice.”

“Louisiana has a system of justice that allows for public hearings, the right of review by a court of appeal, and then and only then, a request to this court by way of a writ of certiorari to hear the matter,” Weimar wrote.

Guidry in a separate dissent said speciﬁc questions over the legality of the amendment are not clearcut.

“I strongly disagree with the majority that the proposed ballot language is sufﬁcient and transparent to accurately summarize and put voters on notice concerning what they are being asked to vote for or against,” Guidry wrote.

EU aims to break U.S. security dependency

BY LORNE COOK Associated Press

BRUSSELS — The European Union on Wednesday announced a new drive to break its security dependency on the United States, with a focus on buying more defense equipment in Europe.

The EU’s executive branch unveiled its “Readiness 2030” security strategy with the threat of Russian aggression at the forefront of concerns. NATO intelligence estimates suggest that Russia could be capable of launching an attack in Europe again in three to ﬁve years.

Last month, the Trump administration signaled that U.S security priorities lay elsewhere — on its own borders and in Asia — and that Europeans would have to fend for themselves and Ukraine in the future. That was as Europe’s biggest land war in decades entered its fourth year Under the strategy, member

countries will be urged to buy much of their military equipment in Europe, working mostly with European suppliers — in some cases with EU help to cut prices and speed up orders. They should only purchase equipment from abroad when costs, performance or supply delays make it preferable.

In recent years, the 27 EU nations have placed about two-thirds of their orders with U.S. defense companies.

To qualify for new loans, they would have to buy at least 65% of equipment from suppliers in the EU, Norway or Ukraine.

“The security architecture that we relied on can no longer be taken for granted,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

“We must buy more European. Because that means strengthening the European defense, technological and industrial base That means stimulating innovation. And

that means creating an EU-wide market for defense equipment,” she added.

The strategy resembles the RepowerEU scheme that the commission proposed in 2022 to wean the bloc off Russian natural gas after President Vladimir Putin ordered his forces into Ukraine and used energy as a weapon to try to undermine EU support for Kyiv

That strategy saw the EU’s dependence on Russian gas imports fall from 45% in 2021 to 15% in 2023.

The new blueprint was unveiled on the eve of a summit of EU government leaders. At emergency talks on March 6 they signed off on proposals to ease budget restrictions and create a $164 billion loan plan for defense projects Defense ﬁrms in the U.S., U.K., and Turkey would be excluded from the loan plan unless those governments sign security agreements with the EU.

BY SUSAN HAIGH and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK A Columbia University student activist detained by the U.S. government over his participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations can challenge the legality of his detention, but the case should be heard in New Jersey, rather than in New York or Louisiana, a federal judge ruled Wednesday Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a legal U.S. resident with no criminal record, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8. He was held overnight at an immigration detention center in New Jersey before being moved to an immigration facility in Jena.

Judge Jesse Furman in Manhattan called the legal challenge an “exceptional case” in need of careful legal review to determine whether the government “violated the law or exercised its otherwise lawful authority in an arbitrary and discriminatory manner.”

Furman said New Jersey was the appropriate venue because Khalil was detained there when his lawyers sued the government.

Federal authorities argued to move the case to Louisiana, saying Khalil was there because of a lack of available detention center beds in the metropolitan New York region and because of a bedbug infestation at a lockup in Elizabeth, New Jersey Khalil’s lawyers said the transfer was a “retaliatory” action separating Khalil from his lawyers and an effort to ﬁnd a jurisdiction where judges may be more favorable to the Republican administration’s unusual legal claims.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Government lawyers had said that if the case wasn’t sent to Louisiana, New Jersey was also a proper venue.

In a statement released by the American Civil Liberties Union Khalil’s wife, Dr Noor Abdalla, called Furman’s order a “first step.”

“His unlawful and unjust detention cannot stand. We will not stop ﬁghting until he is home with me,” said Abdalla, a dentist and U.S. citizen who is pregnant with their ﬁrst child.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has cited as grounds for Khalil’s deportation a rarely-used statute giving him sweeping power

Vatican says pope better, no longer needs ventilator

By The Associated Press

ROME Pope Francis’ condition continued to improve Wednesday and he hasn’t needed to use the mechanical ventilation mask to help him breathe, the Vatican said in signalling further progress in his recovery from double pneumonia. The 88-year-old pontiff is also reducing his reliance on high-ﬂow supplemental oxygen during the day, the Vatican said in a medical bulletin. His pneumonia infection, while not completely eliminated, is under control, the Holy See press ofﬁce said.

Francis concelebrated Mass on Wednesday, which is an important feast day for the Catholic Church and is the anniversary of his installation as pope 12 years ago. Francis has been at Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Feb. 14 for a complex lung infection that turned into pneumonia in both lungs. He has been receiving respiratory and physical therapy to help strengthen his lungs. For two nights in a row, he hasn’t needed to use the noninvasive mechanical ventilation mask, which pumps oxygen into his lungs, and doctors said its use had been “suspended.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VIRGINIA MAyO

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen rings a bell Wednesday to signify the start of the weekly College of Commissioners meeting at EU headquarters in Brussels.

Council approves restaurant zoning

Neighbors protest plan for Perkins Road spot

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

A plot of land on Perkins Road

has been rezoned to allow for a restaurant able to serve alcohol, despite objections from residents of the surrounding neighborhood.

On Wednesday, the East Baton Rouge Parish Metro Council approved a zoning change for property on the corner of Perkins Road and Virgil Street — known to many as the “old gas station” after hearing from about a dozen neighbors who said the move would worsen already dangerous trafﬁc conditions in the area.

The property is leased by Gabrielle McKellar, who operates a pop-up sno-ball stand at the site and requested the zoning change.

Residents said a restaurant serving alcohol would add to the area’s parking woes and increase the hazard of pedestrians being hit by a car on the tight corner with limited visibility

Robert Reed, who lives two doors down from the location, said the intersection is already “dangerous.”

He said he regularly witnesses pedestrians forced to walk into the winding Perkins Road to avoid parked cars at the business currently there.

“This is with a small sno-ball stand. What will it be like with a restaurant serving alcohol for eternity?” Reed asked council members.

Though some residents said they didn’t mind the sno-ball stand, all spoke in opposition to the council approving alcohol service at the address.

“’We want to gather young people, but we also want a liquor license.’ Somehow, that just is seeming contradictory to me. I’m sorry honey,” Perkins Road resident Deborah Roe said to McKellar in front of the council.

Racca addressed a ﬂurry of rumors that have surrounded the location over the past week.

McKellar told council members she hopes to turn the business — which is in council member Jen Racca’s District 12 into a “family-friendly” venue for adults and children that serves sandwiches, small plates and wine.

STRIKE A BARGAIN Top DEQ lawyer departs

Baby jaguar to make zoo debut

Cub plans public appearance April 4

BY ELLYN COUVILLION Staff writer

The baby jaguar that’s been bonding with her mom behind the scenes at the Baton Rouge Zoo will make her ﬁrst public appearance April 4, zoo ofﬁcials said Wednesday

The 5-month-old cub, Lacumba III, is the ﬁrst jaguar born at Baton Rouge Zoo in more than 30 years. She also was the first jaguar born in the United States since 2022, according to the zoo. Before her birth, Lacumba’s mother Jenny had experienced stillborn litters.

Her name honors the original “Lacumba,” Southern University’s jaguar mascot in the early 1970s Lacumba was the ﬁrst live exotic mascot at a historically

Black college or university

Baby Lacumba will meet the public on exhibit at the zoo’s “Southern University Day” on the ﬁrst Friday in April.

In addition to the baby jaguar cub, the day will feature early admission and discounted ticket prices for Southern University students, alumni and faculty, with university identiﬁcation.

Jaguars are the third-largest cat species in the world and are native to Central and South America. In the wild, they make their homes in jungles and grasslands, but they have faced severe habitat loss, according to the World Wildlife Fund.

“This event is a tribute to the legacy of Southern University and the vital role conservation plays in preserving species like the jaguar,” said Brittany Tully, Baton Rouge Zoo spokesperson.

Email Ellyn Couvillion at ecouvillion@theadvocate.com.

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

The top lawyer for the state Department of Environmental Quality has left for a federal government position, creating another opening in the agency’s leadership circle.

W. Noah Hoggatt is the latest in a string of top executives who were tapped by Secretary Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto only to leave within a year’s time. Hoggatt became DEQ’s executive counsel last April. Some of those executives have left with criticisms of Giacometto’s leadership style, while others have said they were simply moving to different spots in Gov Jeff Landry’s administration Giacometto and Landry have defended her leadership, saying she is seeking to create a more business-friendly approach while protecting the environment.

See DEQ, page 2B

Woman dies after shooting near Our Lady of the Lake

A female employee at Our Lady of the

al Medical Center died after being shot Wednesday afternoon in a parking lot across the

from the hospital, Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr said. The shooting was apparently a domestic incident, and the suspect remains at large, Morse said. Officers working security at the hospital were informed of the shooting near the intersection of Hennessy Boulevard and Brittany Drive about 4 p.m. The victim was going to

said. Executive leaves for federal position

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Resident Rufﬁn Hamilton looks over his shoulder as a customer lies on a mattress and bed frame for sale during a yard sale in North Baton Rouge on Thursday

gunman

said.

Hoggatt

PHOTO PROVIDED By BATON ROUGE ZOO Lacumba III, the jaguar cub born at the Baton Rouge Zoo last fall, is now ready to meet the public, zoo officials said.

CRIME BLOTTER staff

page 2B

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MARGARET DELANEy

Owner Gabrielle McKellar serves classic Louisiana sno-balls at 1808 Sneaux along Perkins Road on June 10, 2024. The plot where the snoball stand operates has been rezoned to allow for a restaurant.

Paper mill fined over sulfur releases

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

A Bogalusa paper mill known for chronic odor problems has accepted a $500,000 ﬁne from federal regulators over alleged monitoring breakdowns and elevated air releases of sulfur compounds that can produce a rotten egg smell.

International Paper, the owner of the mill, also agreed to operational and inspection changes, employee training and recordkeeping improvements and potential upgrades of a key incineration furnace that was the focus of regulators’ concerns, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency settlement Known as a “consent agreement and final order,” the deal caps nearly four years of consultation between EPA and International Paper over alleged U.S. Clean Air Act and state environmental violations from the paper mill dating from 2017 and 2018.

International Paper, which did not respond to requests for comment, is a publicly traded worldwide company with a market value of nearly $28 billion and net earnings of $557 million in 2024, despite flat sales in its North American industrial packaging business. Under the deal, signed Feb. 20, the company did not admit to the violations alleged in the settlement nor in earlier notices of violation that led to the agreement. In operation for more than a century, the pulp mill and related corrugated box plant are a mainstay of Washington Parish’s lumber industry and was the parish’s third-largest employer in 2024, with 650 workers, according to parish School Board audit figures. The mill recently survived a round of closures by International Paper that will shutter the Red River containerboard mill in Campti by April, according to state economic officials.

Environmental groups, however, have criticized the EPA for not doing enough to control all hazardous emissions from the mill and others like it.

The International Paper Mill in

for chronic

problems, has accepted a

fine from federal regulators over alleged monitoring breakdowns and elevated air releases of sulfur compounds that can produce a rotten egg smell.

The Bogalusa pulp mill also operates, in part, under older and now replaced federal hazardous air rules that allow the plant to exclude air exceedances due to startups, shutdowns and malfunctions.

BLOTTER

Continued from page 1B

Workers at the hospital reported the woman had been receiving threats from an ex, Morse said.

The hospital was placed on lockdown after the shooting. The lockdown was lifted after about 45 minutes.

Baton Rouge Emergency Medical Services was dispatched to respond to a reported gunshot victim. However, the EMS team was called off en route when it was confirmed that the wounded person had already been taken to the hospital via private vehicle, according to an EMS spokesperson

“Our Lady of the Lake is a beacon of healing for our community and today that sacred space was shattered by a tragic act of violence,” Chuck Spicer, president of the hospital, wrote in a news release. “We lost a member of our work family, a mother, and a friend to many

“I want to thank law enforcement for their quick response, the team members who jumped into action to provide care, and our security who ensured the safety of our facilities.”

Woman killed after trailer detaches

A woman was killed Tuesday morning in Pointe Coupee Parish after two tanker trailers veered off the roadway striking her as she stood in her driveway

Rotten egg smells have been a source of regular complaints to state regulators, according to agency records.

The Bogalusa mill uses the kraft chemical recovery process to make pulp from wood and manufacture paper products. It also uses a chemical from the wood, known as lignin, to help power its operations in addition to natural gas.

However, the mixture of chemicals used to break down the wood is well known to produce a smell, what one paper from a forestry trade research association calls “kraft odor.”

The sulfur-based chemicals typically released are hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide.

EPA notices of violation dating from 2021 and 2023 that led to the settlement zeroed in on a series of emissions exceedances of those sulfur-based hazardous air pollutants, but also alleged a failure to report a gap in the monitoring of nitrogen oxides when continuous monitors were down for 187 hours.

The ﬁnal settlement only dealt with alleged violations related to emissions of “total reduced sulfur,” monitoring rules for that category of sulfur-based chemicals, and measures to prevent unrecorded air releases and leaks.

Nitrogen oxides contribute to particulate pollution and ground-level ozone that can enter the bloodstream and, with long-term expo-

Susan Shows, 74, of Lakeland, was standing in her driveway around 9:30 a.m when the tanker trailers detached from the 2024 John Deere tractor that was pulling them and hit her

The John Deere had been traveling south on La 1, just north of U.S. 190, near Oscar What caused the tankers to detach and veer off the road is unknown, according to a news release from Louisiana State Police.

Shows suffered serious injuries after she was hit. She was taken to a hospital, where she later died State Police don’t think impairment was a factor in this case, but standard toxicology tests were taken from the tractor driver

Police involved in two nonfatal crashes

Two crashes involving Baton Rouge Police Department cars occurred on Sunday and the department has launched internal investigations into each

Cruiser strikes bicyclist

First, a BRPD cruiser struck a bicyclist in the intersection of Louise Street and Thomas H. Delpit Road in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The cruiser was marked, responding to a call at the time, had its lights on and was traveling through the intersection with a green light, a spokesperson for BRPD said.

The bicyclist suffered serious injuries and was taken to

sure, can worsen respiratory conditions, like asthma, and cardiovascular problems, according to the EPA.

Hydrogen sulﬁde and other sulfur compounds can cause headaches, vertigo, fatigue and neurological problems with long-term exposure, according to the EPA.

In two instances cited in the settlement, for example, the mill exceeded the air standard for total reduced sulfur on Aug. 14, 2017, and again on Sept. 27, 2017, on average over 12-hour periods those days. State regulators sometimes just missed catching them.

On the August 2017 date, TRS emissions were 75% higher than the 12-hour standard, the settlement alleges, citing the company’s own reporting to regulators.

The day before the alleged sulfur emissions exceedances on the afternoon of Sept. 27, 2017, a member of the public complained to the EPA, saying that “’you can really see and smell the smoke (coming from the mill),” according to state a Department of Environmental Quality report.

A state inspector first showed up the next day, on Sept. 28, 2017, and made subsequent visits and inspections through midOctober but only detected a mild odor during visits in early October A records check found no emissions exceedances or process upsets on Sept. 26, 2017, and the 10 days beforehand, according to the DEQ report.

A few weeks later, in a required quarterly submis-

a hospital, the spokesperson said.

Off-duty officer involved in head-on crash

On Sunday night, an unmarked cruiser driven by an off-duty BRPD officer was involved in a head-on collision in Zachary

According to the Zachary Police Department, the BRPD vehicle was northbound on Zachary Slaughter Highway when it collided head-on with a car traveling the other direction.

Both vehicles struck each other on the front passenger sides, a spokesperson with Zachary police said. The crash remains under investigation. Both drivers suffered minor injuries and were treated by EMS on site.

According to Zachary Fire Department, the BRPD cruiser caught ﬁre shortly after the crash but was quickly extinguished.

Investigations

Internal BRPD investi-

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TUESDAY, MARCH 18,

2025

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MEGA MILLIONS: 27-28-31-32-33

DEQ

Continued from page 1B

In an email sent to staff March 10, Hoggatt wrote that he was resigning “in order to move into a federal position” and that it was “an honor and a pleasure” to work with the agency’s “talented and dedicated legal” and Criminal Investigation Division staff.

“Throughout my time at LDEQ, I’ve been consistently impressed with your wide breadth of knowledge, professionalism, and dedication. I wish you all nothing but the best in your continued service and future endeavors,” he wrote. The resignation formally took effect March 11, according to state civil service ofﬁcials.

the agency

While majorities liked their direct managers and jobs, near majorities had far less positive views for executive leadership More than three-fourths reported low morale, and about one-third also reported working in a toxic environment.

A small percentage reported being asked to do things that they believed were procedurally or legally improper

Though the audit was driven by workplace concerns that have arisen during Giacometto’s tenure, it doesn’t indicate that employees were asked directly in the survey about her leadership individually

sion, International Paper ended up reporting to DEQ and EPA exceedances of sulfur emissions on Sept. 27, 2017.

In two other cases, in February 2018 and May 2018, International Paper was accused of failing to report exceedances of sulfur emissions to regulators.

EPA inspectors later found them in backup data from the plant’s required continuous monitoring system for sulfur, the settlement alleges.

In another alleged violation, International Paper left six bypass valves without a seal or other way to know whether they had been opened and were releasing hazardous air emissions.

Since International Paper bought the paper mill from Temple-Inland in 2012, the company has spent close to $490 million on upgrades. International Paper is planning another upgrade to replace equipment that ties into a furnace that was the main source of alleged emissions violations in the EPA settlement in hopes of improving operational efﬁciency according to a proposed state air permit.

The upgrades are expected to lead to newer federal air rules applying to the plant that further limit exclusions for air exceedances, though in other cases older rules will remain in effect, according to permit records.

David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

gations into both incidents have begun. The ofﬁcer in the head-on collision has been placed on administrative leave, while the ofﬁcer who struck the bicyclist has not.

Toxicology samples were taken from all drivers in each crash, as is standard BRPD procedure for crashes resulting in serious bodily harm involving ofﬁcers.

Hoggatt didn’t say in the email what federal position he was taking and didn’t respond to requests for comment Wednesday DEQ ofﬁcials also hadn’t immediately responded to a request for comment.

Rumored for several weeks, Hoggatt’s departure means the loss of an ofﬁcial who oversees the many legal matters raised by DEQ’s regulation and enforcement of environmental laws.

He also was often at Giacometto’s side last year in public settings at the State Capitol.

During unplanned interactions with the media in those settings, he would on occasion step in to try to end interviews with Giacometto if they strayed off script. His loss also came a little more than a week after a state workplace audit and employee survey was made public Feb 28 and turned up mixed views of

PROTEST

Continued from page 1B

Hearsay that the business is going to be a bar is untrue, she said, pointing out that the zoning permit allows only for alcohol service in a restaurant setting. Racca also told McKellar that if she gets complaints regarding the area’s parking because of the new business, she will personally call Police Chief Thomas Morse Jr and ask him to make sure citations are written.

Though it allows for alcohol sales, the new zoning permit is actually a “down-zoning” in that it allows for those sales only in a restaurant setting.

Racca said under the former designation, a liquor store, vape shop or other businesses could set up shop at the location.

“I love Poet’s Corner. What this hinged upon was the ‘down zone,’ ” Racca said, adding she understood the neighborhood being protective of what businesses pop up.

“This was cleaned up

Despite the concerns emanating from DEQ under Giacometto, civil service data shows the agency’s turnover rate was below the state average in the 2024 ﬁscal year, which included the first six months of the secretary’s tenure. The state average voluntary turnover rate is 14.3%; DEQ’s voluntary rate was 10.2%, according to an annual report. Like some others of Giacometto’s departing executives, Hoggatt is a military veteran. He served in the Marine Corps with two combat deployments in Iraq, according to his agency biography He previously worked for the Louisiana Public Service Commission and, in his private sector work, worked as an in-house counsel for an oil and gas company and later handled energy disputes and negotiations for clients. David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

for any future use in the future. We’ve protected it,” she said. After the council’s approval, resident Kevin Bongiorni said he felt like the city-parish’s Planning Commission was “dismissive” of the neighbors’ concerns on Tuesday night, and was not surprised with Wednesday’s outcome after hearing the commission say Racca was helping McKellar and architects throughout the recent permit process. “It just seems that there’s very little concern or input from the community and neighborhood in their decision-making,” Bongiorni said. “They’ve made the decision but it seemed like the ﬁx was in.”

Despite the rationale of the Planning Commission, Racca and the rest of the council, residents left Wednesday’s meeting unhappy

“We’ll see you at the polls,” one said as while boarding the City Hall elevator

Email Patrick SloanTurner at patrick.sloanturner@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Bogalusa, known

odor

$500,000

Obituaries

Cambre, Harrell John Harrell John Cambre passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2025 at his home in Clinton He was 64 years old An employee of Terrell Plumbing, he loved ﬁshing, hunting and LSU baseball He is preceded in death by his wife of 27 years, Cindy H Cambre, his parents Clinton and Marie Cambre, his sister Judy C McQueen and his in-laws Harrell is survived by his twin brother, Darryl and wife, Sherri and Wayne and Donna Kay Cambre, two sisters, Cindy and Bobby Guilbeau and Ruth and Ellis Whitehead A brother-inlaw Jim McQueen and nu‐merous nieces and nephews Visitation will be on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Charlet Funeral Home in Zachary from 9 am until Rite of Christian Burial at 11 am Pallbearers will be Ellis Whitehead, Robby Guilbeau, Alex Cambre, Jim McQueen, Seth Dozier and Jeffrey Terrell. Share sym‐pathies, condolences and memories at www Charlet FuneralHome.com

Regina Landry Daigle passed awaypeacefullyat Landmark of Plaquemine on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the age of 88. She was adevoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Regina was a resident and native of Bayou Pigeon, LA. Visitation will be held at Wilbert Funeral Home, Plaquemine on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 10am to 2pm with Mass of Christian Burialat St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, Plaquemine at 3pm. Interment will follow at Grace Memorial Park, Plaquemine. Regina is survived by her sons and daughter, Craig Daigle,Sr. (Ruby), Darrel Daigle, and Melanie Daigle Haydel (Shane); grandchildren, Craig Daigle, Jr. (Dixie), Erin Daigle (Raymond), Britta Haydel Lopez (Eddie), Trey Haydel (Jade), and Connor Case (Victoria); great-grandchildren, Sydney Daigle, Shelby Begue (Matthew), Micah Daigle, Carson, Caleb, Cade, and Cohen Weber, Carter and Shaylee Tullier, Liam Haydel, Beckham Case, and Hyacinthe Lopez; great-great grandchildren, Porter Begue, and Baby Begue; siblings, Harriet Michel (Jimmy), and Natalie Hebert (Randy); and numerous nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Caffery Daigle; great-grandson, Noah Daigle; parents, Leroy and Agnes Landry; in -laws, Alberta and Devillier Daigle; and brothers, Claude and Rodd, Sr. Landry. Pallbearers will be Craig Daigle, Jr., Connor Case, Trey Haydel, Micah Daigle, Carson, Caleb, Cade, and Cohen Weber. Regina enjoyed spending time with her family, especially cooking for them and living on the Bayou! Special thanks to the staff at Landmark for their loving care.

Nolan, J.C and Fabian

Anthony RDaniel Sr. was born to the late Robert and Dorothy WDanielin 1952. He transitioned from his earthly home on March 12, 2025. He leavestocherish his memories, Anthony Daniel JR, Katie Franklin, Erica, Sondra, and Junita Franklin. Four Grandchildren and Four Great Grandchildren. Two sisters, six brothers and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Daniels, LaKarice Visitation services for LaKarice Daniels will be held Friday March 21, 20205 at Charles Mackey Funeral Home, 1576 Robin St A public visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m until 11:00 a.m Interment: Pri‐vate. Professional services entrusted to Charles Mackey Funeral Home.

She was employedby the State of Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and aresident of Clinton, LA. She died Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 5:53 p.m. at Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center. She was 73, a1970 graduate of East-Clinton High School.

Visitation will be heldat Richardson Funeral Home, Clinton, on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm. Areligious service will take place at Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 9147 Hwy 422, Norwood, on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., with Bishop George Veal officiating. Interment will follow at the church cemetery. She is survived by her loving son, MarshallS Thomas, Jr.; four devoted sisters: Beulah D. Robertson of Baton Rouge,Rose D. Doolittle of Baker, LA, Earnestine D. Gordon of Clinton, LA, and Loretta D. Dunn of Baton Rouge. She was preceded in death by herparents, two sisters, threebrothers, and other relatives.

Ferachi, Beulah Hebert

Beulah Hebert Ferachi, our beloved mother with a gentle heart and peaceful spirit, passed away on March 18, 2025, at the age of 101. She was born Octo‐ber 5, 1923 in Plaquemine, La. Beulah married Vincent A Ferachi on August 24, 1947; they were married for 58 years until his passing Vincent and Beulah worked together and established Ferachi Oil Co.; she eventu‐ally retired in 1987. She was a lifetime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and Altar Society Those left to cher‐ish her memory are four children, Glenn (Fran) Fer‐achi, Kenny (Debbie) Fer‐achi, Joycelyn (Barry) Lamothe and Janet (Mark) Abernethy; sister, Shirley Hebert Rivet; brother Floyd Hebert, 11 grandchil‐dren, Keith (Tiffany) Fer‐achi, Kyle Ferachi, Kellye (Fritz) Carville, Kade Fer‐achi, Kenny Jr. (Gretchen) Ferachi, Kaci (Chris) No‐bles, Dr. David (Melissa) Ferachi, Dr.Larry Ferachi Jr. Tony (Jessica) Lamothe Jaime Lamothe, and Jill (Jordan) Wright and 20 great-grandchildren Beu‐lah is preceded in death by her husband, Vincent A Ferachi; her parents, Alcee and Irene Hebert; son, Dr Larry Ferachi, Sr.; sister, Herd Schexnaildre; and brothers, Morris, Alcee, Nolan J.C. and Fabian Hebert. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations may be made to St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or St John the Evangelist 100 Years Capital Campaign. Pall‐bearers honored to serve will be her grandsons

Hebert In lieu of ﬂowers donations may be made to St John the Evangelist Catholic Church or St John the Evangelist 100 Years Capital Campaign Pall‐bearers honored to serve will be her grandsons Keith, Kyle, Kade, Kenny Jr, David Larry Jr. and Tony Visitation will be held at Wilbert Funeral Home in Plaquemine, on March 20 from 5 pm to 8 pm and again at St John the Evan‐gelist Catholic Church in Plaquemine on Friday, March 21, from 8 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10 am Entombment will be at Grace Memorial Park fol‐lowing mass. Our family extends heartfelt gratitude and thanks to the caring staff of Pinnacle Hospice PHS caregivers Marie Pos‐ton and Kristle Green A special thanks to Father Greg Daigle Please share memories at www wilbert services com.

With our heartsfilled with bothsorrow and the peace of knowing she is in the loving arms of ourSavior, we announce the passing of Gloria, adevoted wife, loving mother, and a woman of unwavering faith on March 14, 2025 at the age of 83 at Golden Age Healthcare &Rehabilitation Center. As ayoung mother, she was astay-athome mom who was active with her four children. As her children grew, she served as achurch secretaryand eventually retired from being ateacher's aide for special needschildren. She found joy in serving others, sharing her faith, and spending time with loved ones. She had a warm heart and always ready with akind word and ahelping hand. She was always someone her children could go to foradvice, love and support She was along-time resident of Denham Springs and Baker, Louisiana. She is survived by her husband, Don Fuqua, her children, Darlene Whittlesy (Stephen), DeAnna Cole (Lance), Damon Hughes (Christie), her grandchildren Kolby, Savannah, River, Blake, Kyle, Cade, Micah, Haven and two great grandchildren Vivian & Lilith, her sibling Doyce McGuffee (Linda). Gloria was preceded in death by her parentsShelley and Eathel Horn McGuffee, sister Sylvia Gathright (Herbert), brother Merrell McGuffee (Betty), first husband Dr. David Hughes, and son Houston David Hughes Jr.

We would like to thank all the staff at Golden Age Nursing Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center and Baton Rouge Hospice for their compassionand care given to our mother.

As we honor her wishes, asmall graveside service to celebrateGloria McGuffee Hughes Fuqua will be directed through Riser and Son Funeral Home and held at Rosefield Cemetery in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana on Saturday, March 22nd at 11am. In lieu of flowers, the family request adonation to your church in honor of our mother.

Her memory will forever be etched in ourhearts, and we will miss her dearly. May her example of faith and love continue to guideus.

Allen, LA .Entombment St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, Brusly, LA. Funeral Service entrusted to Hall Davis and Son. www.halldavisandson.com

Patricia “Patty” Jane Pattison Harrison beloved wife and mother of five children passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025, surrounded by family Patricia, the oldest of five siblings grew up in New Orleans and lived there for all of her childhood years with her parents, Lizetta and Thomas Pattison, and siblings Mike Beth Terry and Judy. Patricia attended Warren Easton High School and Hotel Dieu Nursing School Soon after finishing nursing school, Patricia married John Harrison They initially lived in New Orleans, then Texas and Puerto Rico while John served in the USAF as a dentist. During this time, Patricia gave birth to her two sons, James and Charles, and her daughter, Maureen They eventually moved to Houma, Louisiana where she had two daughters, Amy and Marian Patricia was a de‐voted and loving wife and mother. She also served as a dedicated nurse, caring for others at Terrebonne Medical Center, in home health, and at mental health rehabilitation hospi‐tals. Patricia truly enjoyed vacationing at the beach with her family and taking her children and their friends on beach trips. Pa‐tricia was a devote Catholic and was active in the family’s church parish She also enjoyed garden‐ing, playing bridge with her friends and traveling. One of her greatest adventures was her trip to Ireland. Pa‐tricia is preceded in death by her husband, John, her father, Thomas, mother, Lizetta and brother, Mike She is survived by her sib‐lings, Beth, Terry, and Judy, her children James Charles, Maureen, Amy, and Marian and eight grandchildren, Colin, Jack‐son Emma Quinn, Aidan Jeremy, Hagan, and Rachael Family and friends will celebrate Patri‐cia’s life with a memorial mass at Most Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church on Friday March 28, 2025, with visitation at 10:30 a.m and the mass at 11:00 a.m

Jackson, Monica Lynette Monica Lynette Jackson transitioned to her "Brand New Life" on March 06, 2025, at ClarityHospice in Baton Rouge, LA. Memorial Services March 20, 2025, at 7p.m. at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church 23030 Talbot Dr. Plaquemine, LA.Cherishing Monica's legacy of sweet memories are great nieces whom she helped rear, Adriana Johnson and Ayana Johnson; brother, Lawrence Jackson; nieces Ashante Camper, Breia Gordon, and Karesa Hall; nephews, Brandon Gordon and Lawrence (Keisha) Hall Jr.

Jackson, Ronald G. 'Ronnie'

baseball and was part of the LSU Coaches Committee. Ronnie loved beingon the water and could be found on his boat on weekends. Ronnie is preceded in death by his loving wife, Elizabeth "Betty" LeJeune Jackson, of 60 years. He is survived by daughters, Rhonda Jackson Bush (Bryan), Julie Jackson Fife (Brad); sons, Brian Jackson, and Monroe Jackson; grandchildren,Courtney Jackson, AlexJackson Forester (Dustin), Baylie Fife Aguirre (Ernesto), Cody Fife, Madison Jackson Massimini (Vinnie), Mary Jackson, Morgan Jackson, andZack Jackson; andnumerous great grandchildren.Visitation will be held at St. Thomas More, 11441 Goodwood Blvd, on Friday, March21, 2025 from 10 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Please visit www.greenoak sfunerals.com to leave condolences to the family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a Leukemia foundation of your choice.

Michael J. 'Mike'

Michael "Mike" Shaddinger, passed away on March17, 2025 at the age of 81, in Gonzales, Louisiana. Born on March 6, 1944, Mike lived alife filled with passion and dedication to the things he loved. He was an avid model train and railroad enthusiast, ahobby that reflected his meticulous nature and love for detail. His interests extended to drag racing, motorcycles, and custom cars, revealing aspirited passion for speed. Mike worked as a mechanic as well as apoliceman.Heproudly served in the National Guard, demonstratinghis sense of duty and servicetohis country. He was acaring husband, father, paw paw, brother-in-law, uncle, and friend. He is survived by his lovingwife of 59 years, Deborah Richard Shaddinger; his children, Troy Shaddinger Nassar, Dana Shaddinger, Johnny Shaddinger, and Ronnie Shaddinger (Sherri); and his treasured grandchildren, Elizabeth, Samantha(Auhtym), Victoria, Quincy Jr, Joshua, Ava, Sophie, andPearl Shaddinger. He also enjoyed the companyofhis great-grandchildren Ozwald Steib and Ezra Shaddinger. Mike was a cherished brother to Mary Jo Varnado (Tommy), Shasta Shaddinger, and Scott Shaddinger (Shelly). Mike was preceded in death by his son, Quincy Shaddinger Sr., andhis parents, Oswald "Shot" and Maxell Shaddinger. His memory is atapestry woven with love, laughter, and unforgettable moments shared with family and friends. Avisitation will be held Thursday March 20, 2025 at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church 1022 N. Burnside Gonzales, LA at 9:00 am followed by a funeral mass at 10:00 am. An inurnmentata later date.

Granger, Barbara In Loving Memory of Barbara Jean Hawkins Granger. Aresident of Port Allen, LA, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025. Visitation, Friday, March 21, 2025 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Hall's Celebration Center 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, LA.Visitation continues on Saturday, March 22, 2025, 9:00 am until religious service at 11:00 am Holy Family Catholic Church, 319 North Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen, LA .Entombment St. John Baptist Church Cemetery, Brusly, LA. Funeral Service entrusted to Hall Davis and Son. www.halldavisandson.com

Ronald Gerard Jackson, anative of Texas, and alife -long resident of Baton Rouge, passed away on March 18, 2025, at the age of87. Ronnie was adeeply devoted Catholic and known for his passionof faith. He served as aEucharistic Minister at St. Thomas More Catholic Church where he was a parishioner for 50 years. Ronnie was amember of KnightsofColumbus and The Krewe of Denham Springs. For over 40 years he enjoyed tailgating and attending LSUfootball games with his friends and family. He was also very passionateabout LSU baseballand was part of the LSU Coaches Committee. Ronnie loved being on the water and could be found on his boat on weekends. Ronnie is preceded in death by his loving wife, Elizabeth"Betty" LeJeune

Gloria Carol Underwood Justice passed away peacefully on her92nd birthday, on March 13, 2025, at her home on the Bend Road (Watson, La.), barely "upthe road" from 2sycamore tress which once framed the home where shewas born. She was agraduate of Live Oak High School, and earned her music degree from the LSU School of Music.She taught music in her home to numerous pianostudents, and freely shared her gift of music for over 74 years at her beloved Live Oak Methodist Church. Shebegan playing for worship services at age 8, was the "interim" choir director for 23 years, and played for countless worship services including weddings and funerals. Carol's entire life was guided by her love of faith and family. Like Jim, Carol never met astranger, and the door to her home was always open to friends and family. She was an avid, lifelong LSU fan,but the center of her world were the joys and triumphs(no matter how great or small) of her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, friends and everyone she took under wing. She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter Howard Underwood, and Hazel Carroll Underwood, and her husband, James W. Justice. She is survived by two daughters, Carol Ann Sutton (Scott) and Jill Marie Rushing (Joel) and one son, William Howard Justice (Amy); six grandchildren, Andrew David Sutton (Elizabeth), Daniel Paul Sutton (Jenny), Travis David Rushing (Lauren), Molly Anne Rushing (Daniel), Margaret Rose Carmichael (Andrew)and Samuel Lemoine Justice; seven great grandchildren Willow Ann Sutton, Gregory Scott Sutton,Shepherd James Sutton, Campbell Grace Rushing, Carson James Rushing, AliceRose Carmichael and Charles William Carmichael. Visitation will be held at Live Oak Church in Watson, on Saturday, March 22 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., followed by funeral service at 11:00 a.m. conducted by Reverend Mark Crosby and Reverend Stephen Hebert, followed by burial, and then reception at the Family Life Center. Donations can be made to Live Oak Church or the Justice Scholarship Fund.

Joyce Dunbar

Dunbar Pate en‐

and

Edwin C. Williams Jr., affectionately knownasE.C. and "Band Man," passed away on March 12, 2025, at age 90. Adevoted educator, musician, anddeacon, he taught for 39 years at the LouisianaSchool for the Visually Impaired and played bass guitar at Fairview Baptist Church. A graduate of L.B. Landry High School and Southern University A&M College, he was aproud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is survived by his children:Beverly Austin Carolyn Ike (Fred), Lemor Smith (Daryl), Keith Williams (Shirley), Dale Williams (Sheleen), Christopher Johnson (Michelle), Clifford Johnson (Claudette), Ralph Johnson,Sean Williams, and YusufWilliams, along with numerousgrandchildren and extended family. He waspreceded in death by hiswife, Eva J. Williams, and daughter, Nia Williams. Funeral services will be held Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Fairview Baptist Church, 1636 Braddock St., Baton Rouge, LA. Visitation:9:00 AM -11:00 AM. Arrangements entrusted to Wilson Wooddale Funeral Home, 1553 Wooddale Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

Daniel, Anthony Ray

Harrison, Patricia Pattison

Shaddinger,

Fuqua, Gloria Hughes

Justice, Gloria Carol Underwood

Dunn, Geraldine 'Jerry'

Daigle, Regina Landry

Williams,Edwin Clifford

Pate,

OUR VIEWS

Death reminds us that the fight against hazing is not over

It is with indescribable sadness that we read of the death of Caleb Wilson, a 20-year-old Southern University student who died in an alleged fraternity hazing incident last month. In the aftermath, three men have been arrested on counts of felony hazing One also faces a count of manslaughter

The resolution of any criminal charges is a process properly left to the court system. But Wilson’s death highlights the fact that the laws under which these men may be charged have not eradicated the pernicious practice of hazing. We likely do not need to remind readers that state laws making hazing a felony were passed in 2018 after the tragic 2017 death of LSU student Maxwell Gruver, who died of alcohol poisoning while trying to pledge a fraternity Gruver’s death provoked a broad reckoning with the pervasive practice across Louisiana campuses

But laws are not the only attempt to address the problem. Southern University has strict anti-hazing policies, as does Omega Psi Phi, the fraternity Wilson was attempting to join. But none were sufﬁcient to prevent what happened to Caleb Wilson.

It’s not difﬁcult to see why hazing has continued. Few things create faster or stronger bonds between humans than a shared “ordeal.” In initiation rituals, these manufactured ordeals test and strengthen a recruit’s loyalty to the organization

What’s more, hazing has a long history in American higher education and especially in Greek organizations. Over the last century, as laws and policies cracked down on the practice, hazing has often moved underground and off campus. That’s what has made it so difﬁcult to police.

Wilson’s death should provoke another broad evaluation of how to do so. Already, some steps have been taken. Southern has suspended all club and Greek life recruiting through the end of the year, and Omega Psi Phi, the fraternity involved, was ordered to stop all activities.

Other measures are likely to follow Southern University Board Chair Tony Clayton has suggested removing responsibility for recruiting and initiating new members of Greek organizations from undergraduate chapters to graduate chapters made up of “professional men and women.

Former state Rep. Ted James, a member of the Black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha, and state Rep. Vanessa LaFleur, a member of the Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, also said they plan to reinforce anti-hazing policies and measures, especially by speaking out against the practice. We applaud these efforts. We know that hazing is deeply ingrained and difﬁcult to root out. That’s why any attempt to further reduce it will need to extend beyond new laws or policies — which do little if they are ignored — to include educating students on the dangers and potential consequences of hazing Adopting such a multi-level approach offers the best hope of preventing another tragedy. Caleb Wilson’s life, along with that of Maxwell Gruver demands nothing less.

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

OPINION

Medicare must keep its promise to seniors

I’m a Louisiana senior who has paid into Medicare my entire working life — decades of hard-earned wages to ensure care in my later years. Now, as a Medicare patient, I rely on my doctor for checkups and managing health challenges. But a 2.83% cut to physician payments that took effect on Jan. 1 threatens that care. These cuts are just the latest in a long list of troubling statistics facing Medicare patients like me. The American Medical Association reports that practice costs have soared over 50% since 2001, yet Medicare payments to physicians, adjusted for inﬂation, have dropped 33%. While hospitals have seen hefty increases — nearly 80% — physician payments have inched up only 10%. Physicians feel it, and so do we. Some may limit Medicare patients or shutter their doors — options no senior should face. Surveys show 1 in 5 doctors might leave their practices soon, worn thin by ﬁnancial pressures. For me and countless others from New Orleans to Shreveport, losing a doctor means scrambling for

care, often far from home That’s not the Medicare I paid for.

I’ve earned fair treatment, as have all seniors. We need physicians to be reimbursed properly so they can keep serving us. Congress has dodged this issue too long, offering temporary fixes or nothing at all. That must change. My friends and I are encouraging Speaker Mike Johnson to support H.R. 879, the Medicare Patient Access and Practice Stabilization Act, to reverse the recent cut starting April 1 and add a 2% payment boost to steady practices. Then, lead on a permanent fix: Tie payments to inflation so doctors aren’t squeezed while costs climb.

I’ve trusted Medicare to honor my contributions. Now, I’m counting on our very own Speaker Johnson to ensure it does — by keeping physicians paid fairly and accessible. Seniors across Louisiana deserve that security ANNE PRICE deputy chair Republican Party of Louisiana Bossier Parish

Watch what Trump is trying to do to the press

This is in response to the article, “White House says it ‘will determine’ which news outlets cover Trump” by The Associated Press on Feb. 26. Every day we are affronted, appalled and assaulted by the narcissistic, tyrannical and calculated actions of Donald J. Trump. This is an assault that began not on Jan. 20, 2025, but on Jan. 6, 2021. And tragically, when the insurrectionists of Jan. 6 were pardoned, that was akin to pouring acid into a wound.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN

Buoyed by politicians like Gov Jeff Landry, the extremist Republican Congress, a questionable Supreme Court the New Apostolic Reformation movement, the White supremacist movement, and growing nationalism, we are on a dangerous road to an authoritarian government, and an erosion of our freedoms — including one of the most important, freedom of the press. In yet the latest affront, the Trump administration wants to control the press and essentially control what the American

people are told and not told.

The press is one of the key tenets of democracy

Being aware of what is happening in our government is how we keep power in check and ensure there are checks and balances, so our freedoms and constitutional rights are not assaulted and eroded.

One of Trump’s most dangerous lies is that the press is the enemy of the people. The press, especially now, is needed more than ever to ensure that the public — Democrats, Republicans, Independents, whatever one’s political party have access to all information about our government.

During a recent global conference in Europe, JD Vance stated that those who speak out against nationalism are the “enemy within.” Ironically, the biggest “enemy within” the United States today resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

GLORIA DAUPHIN Gretna

Federal workers don’t deserve how they are being portrayed

I am a recently widowed retired federal worker It pains me to see the Trump/Musk debacle slashing the employment of federal workers in what is touted as reducing waste and cutting fraud.

The current federal workforce as a share of all U.S. workforce is at 2%, an all-time low The largest number of federal workers are in health care, including Veterans Affairs hospitals.

My husband of 44 years died in September While grieving the loss of my partner, I tried to change my health insurance coverage from “self plus one” to “self-only” during the October open enrollment. I was informed by the sympathetic woman at my health insurer that this change had to be coordinated by the Ofﬁce of Personnel Management. The October open enrollment is OPM’s busiest time of year There is no online option to make any life status change and calls to OPM during open enrollment aren’t answered because they don’t have the staff to do so.

In November, I wrote OPM and included my husband’s certified death certificate. OPM returned the death certificate and told me they would send the form I needed to complete. I received the form through the mail on Feb. 20.

If President Donald Trump and his puppeteer Elon Musk were really interested in reducing government fraud and abuse, they would invest in computerized and secure systems to complete government business, not in slashing the number of federal employees.

The Trump/Musk team’s actions endanger cybersecurity veteran and civilian health, responses to natural and man-made disasters and access and enjoyment of national parks, and they entail many unidentiﬁed risks.

The government employees I worked with throughout my career and in my grief have been competent and caring. They don’t deserve the mischaracterizations and wholesale loss of employment engendered by the Trump/Musk team.

DEIDRE

CHARLOT New Orleans

Saints obsession an incurable, wonderful ailment

“We really need a guard. Why haven’t we made a strong play for a starting left guard?!?”

Note the “we.”

This is how obsessive New Orleans Saints fans many tens of thousands of us — talk about Louisiana’s major professional football team. It’s visceral. Sure, other fan bases identify with their teams, but there really is something different, something profound, in the combination of a love affair and borderline codependency between the Saints and our fans. (“Our,” not “their.”)

the coach he refused to leave, and then became an All-Pro, and a whiskey-swilling quarterback who had been a tailback before a car accident so bad that doctors feared he might never walk again.

And as if Danny Abramowicz and Billy Kilmer didn’t provide enough underdog vibes, we then latched onto a half-footed kicker whose astonishing 63-yard ﬁeld goal couldn’t be heard on live radio because a swarm of bees ﬂew into the transmitter

ways with a sense of humor: Four years before the famous “baghead” fans during the 1-15 season in 1980, the Saints played so badly in a 1976 season-opening 40-9 loss to the Vikings that the biggest (and perhaps only) cheers came for a paper airplane lofted from one sideline terrace that managed to waft all the way to the other side. And never let it be said that Saints fans aren’t trend-setters: That paper airplane feat catalyzed a brief mania of paper airplanes in losing NFL stadiums across the land.

alive!

We all know this instinctively and experientially, of course, but it’s still worth considering why and how this love-dependency happened.

Was it that the denizens of this state so accustomed to beating nature’s odds, so scrappily insistent on joy amid hurricanes and epidemics, identiﬁed so strongly with the early, misﬁt Saints?

There we were with our two most prominent players being a slowfooted wide receiver who was cut from the team but literally told

At least kicker Tom Dempsey had a “normal,” un-jokeiﬁable name. Unlike his successor, Happy Feller, and unlike Joe Don Looney D’Artagnan Martin, Cephus Weatherspoon, Wimpy Winther, or the nickname my dad had for Margene Adkins — Margarine Adkins — because he supposedly had “butterﬁngers” and couldn’t hold onto the ball.

Saints fans embraced our woebegone team not just despite the seemingly doomed prospects, but in some ways because the odds against us were so long. And al-

Louisiana needs to get a plan to fix ailing infrastructure

Resolutions for 2025:

Put together a plan to fund and replace the bridges on U.S. 90 between Slidell and Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, by the end of 2026.

Pass a recurring, dedicated tax that will raise a minimum of $500 million per year and increase yearly with the rate of inﬂation to increase transportation funds.

The recently passed changes regarding taxes have been hailed as a success that will avoid the “ﬁscal” cliff previously forecast for ﬁscal year 2025 and may even provide a surplus. A large portion of that “success” was due to moving the sales tax on new vehicles previously dedicated to the transportation department back into the general fund.

“It’s good that they don’t have a ﬁscal cliff to deal with next year, but there is a reliance on temporary changes” to cover the shortfall, said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, a left-leaning think tank.

It is easy to move money around in the good years to provide an appearance of making a dent in the backlog of infrastructure projects. It is much harder to fund those projects with a stable, recurring money source when any type of new tax is summarily rejected.

Fiscal responsibility of the Legislature is not just about cutting taxes. It is about ensuring that enough money is coming into the state to properly fund needed services. Given the enormous backlog of infrastructure projects, this has obviously not been done in this area.

MARK DELANEY Jefferson

We need civility before we can begin to address state’s issues

If we all truly want Louisiana to be a better place to live, there is a New Year’s resolution that would go a long way toward achieving that goal. Each of us, every day should resolve to treat everyone with whom we interact with the same love, compassion, kindness, dignity, respect and charity that we always display after each natural or manmade disaster After this, all the other important things can more easily be accomplished BO BIENVENU Prairieville

So, yes, the Saints matched the whimsy of their southern Louisiana home. And when, under Tom Benson and Jim Mora, the Saints ﬁnally began winning, the emotional cocktail produced a longlasting high.

Of course, years later everybody well understood how the Saints became an ongoing symbol of civic renewal after Hurricane Katrina. Steve Gleason’s blocked punt; Drew Brees’ mind-bending excellence; the onside kick; the Super Bowl victory Oh, how great it felt to be with the Saints,

Since then, we’ve had selfinﬂicted wounds (the Seahawks going “Beast Mode,” the “Minneapolis Miracle”) and awful breaks (the Rams mugging Tommylee Lewis without a ﬂag, the Vikes’ Kyle Rudolph committing unpenalized offensive pass interference). The repeated heartbreaks combined to add to Saints fandom an us-against-the-world mentality that made the bond between team and supporters even more allencompassing. There’s nothing, anywhere, like a Saints-obsessed fan a fan, for example, like the one in my own mirror

That’s why, once the free-agent “tampering” window opens, some of us refresh our Saints web search at least 20 times a day all the way to and through the ﬁrst week after the NFL draft. We keep hoping for that free agent, rock-solid guard to come aboard, hoping not to lose our favorite Saints veteran, hoping for the “wow” of an unexpected splash of a dazzling receiver or runner somehow ﬁtting under our salary cap.

General Manager Mickey Loo-

TOWN SQUARE | PRIORITIES FOR LOUISIANA

At the beginning of the year, we asked you to make a New year’s resolution for the state.We received a number of responses addressing everything from roads to education. Here are some of the best suggestions we received.

Mississippi River

Goal should be for state to be at the top of all rankings

Louisiana ﬁrst. Be among the ﬁrst of the states for good things for a change. I’ve noticed for a very long time that with anything good, our state always ranks at or near the bottom. Anything bad, yes you guessed it, our state is always at or near the top. Let’s put forth every effort to be a top leader in the good things for the great state of Louisiana, where people will want to come and raise a family because we have great education opportunities, safer environment, affordable housing and great health care. Now, that’s a great gumbo recipe for a good New Year’s resolution. PATRICIA B FREDERICKS Baton Rouge

mis’ annual cap manipulations are like a high-wire act, infuriating but also adding to the spectacle and fun.

The same obsessive fan-hood is why we all think that reading a host of scouting reports and watching ﬁve minutes of highlight footage can give us better judgment than Loomis on a potential college draftee. We all have our “I-toldja-so” stories about how we were on record desperately wanting to draft Alvin Kamara (hooray!), Pro-Bowler Cooper Kupp (the Rams got him) and Chiefs tackling machine Nick Bolton, while conveniently forgetting that we swore Kellen Mond (out of the NFL already) would be the next superstar quarterback. We think we know so much, and by gosh, if the Saints would just listen, we’d be back in the Super Bowl again. And oh, in case you’re wondering, the Saints need to draft safety Nick Emmanwori this year His athleticism and production, you see, are off the charts, and Quin Hillyer can be reached at quin.hillyer@theadvocate.com.

Take concrete steps to reduce gun violence

In February, the newspaper reported that a 27-year-old plumber was killed by a stray bullet while returning to a job after buying parts. His grieving father said, “It could have happened to anybody Anybody could have been there at the wrong place at the wrong time”

In recent years, Baton Rouge residents know gun violence has happened to “anybody.” High-proﬁle incidents include a young woman waiting for a train to pass on Government Street, a young boy leaving a barbershop with his family before Thanksgiving, a toddler killed at a poolside birthday party and a young boy hit by a stray bullet while lying in his bed. These random people were killed simply because they were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The level of gun violence in Louisiana is staggering. Right now, in 2025, Louisiana ranks second nationally in the number of gun deaths per 100,000. On average, 1,153 people die and 3,345 are wounded by guns each year, and between 2013 and 2022, the rate of gun violence in Louisiana rose by 46% as compared to 36% nationally Furthermore, Louisiana spends $14.3 billion each year for costs associated with gun deaths and injuries, money spent on police investigations, medical care and judicial costs.

In 2024, Louisiana lawmakers passed a “constitutional carry” bill that allows anyone at least 18 years old to carry a concealed ﬁrearm without a permit. Additionally, a permit, background check or ﬁrearms registration is not required when buying a handgun from a private individual. This is unfortunate, because in states with permitless concealed carry laws, gun violence has increased by 10%.

Public safety should be our state’s top priority, and currently, that is not the case. Lawmakers in Louisiana know that states with more comprehensive gun safety laws have fewer incidents of gun violence, so let’s do something about it. Let’s make our state safer by conducting background checks, requiring owners to be trained and repealing the concealed carry law These things work in other states, safer states, so let’s try them here to save lives, reduce costs and lessen the anguish caused by guns. Some people hold onto the notion that the only way to stop a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun. However, the statistics cited above do not distinguish between bad guys, good guys or random people who just happen to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. To make our state safer, we must take steps to reduce gun violence, and that’s my New Year’s resolution for Louisiana. Let’s make a commitment to something because as we all know, gun violence can happen to anybody — but it’s more likely to happen in Louisiana.

JANICE HINSON

Baton Rouge

Quin Hillyer

PROVIDED PHOTO By RANDy ROUSSEL

Janice Hinson GUEST COLUMNIST

LSU forward Aneesah Morrow drives up court against Vanderbilt forward Jane

Jan. 13 at the PMAC Morrow was named a second-team All-American by The Associated Press.

TOP HONORS

LSU’s trio of stars receives AP All-America team nods

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

The LSU women’s basketball team has one of the top trio of stars in the country, and on Wednesday, each of them were recognized with 2025 Associated Press All-American honors.

Aneesah Morrow is a second-team All-American, Flau’jae Johnson is a third-team All-American, and Mikaylah Williams is an All-American honorable mention.

Morrow is now a three-time All-American. Last season, she was an honorable mention, and in her sophomore year at DePaul, she was named to the third team. Johnson and Williams appeared in the awards for the ﬁrst time in their careers. LSU was one of four programs that put multiple players on the three AllAmerica teams. The others were Notre Dame, UConn and Southern Cal.

Including Johnson and Morrow, ﬁve

players from the Southeastern Conference made one of the three teams.

Texas forward and SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker was named to the first team, while Kentucky point guard Georgia Amoore earned a spot on the second team Vanderbilt freshman guard Mikayla Blakes took one of the third-team slots.

Former LSU point guard Hailey Van Lith was voted onto the third team.

She’s also now the Big 12 Player of the Year, the star who guided TCU to a ﬁrstplace ﬁnish in its conference, a conference tournament title and an NCAA Tournament No. 2 seed.

The Tigers’ three stars led them to a No. 3 seed in the Big Dance.

Johnson, a junior, scored a careerhigh 18.9 points per game, while shooting 47% from the ﬁeld and 37% from 3-point range.

ä See LSU, page 6C

selection Second team

G Georgia Amoore, Kentucky

G Olivia Miles, Notre Dame

G Ta’Niya Latson, Florida State

F Aneesah Morrow, LSU

F Sarah Strong, UConn Third team

G Hailey Van Lith, TCU

G Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt

G Flau’jae Johnson, LSU

F Kiki Iriafen, Southern Cal

F Audi Crooks, Iowa State Honorable mention (alphabetical order): Raegan Beers, Oklahoma; Sonia Citron, Notre Dame; Katie Dinnebier, Drake; Joyce Edwards, South Carolina; Yvonne Ejim, Gonzaga; MiLaysia Fulwiley South Carolina; Rori Harmon, Texas; Izzy Higginbottom, Arkansas; Aziaha James, N.C. State; Lauren Jensen, Creighton; Taylor Jones, Texas; Chloe Kitts, South Carolina; Ayoka Lee, Kansas State; Cotie McMahon, Ohio State; Te-Hina Paopao, South Carolina; Sedona Prince, TCU; JJ Quinerly, West Virginia; Kiki Rice, UCLA; Shyanne Sellers, Maryland; Serena Sundell, Kansas State; Makayla Timpson, Florida State; Harmoni Turner, Harvard; Mikayla Williams, LSU

Southern wins first NCAA tourney game

BY CHARLES SALZER Contributing writer

After traveling more than 1,800 miles to play its First Four game against UC San Diego, the Southern women’s basketball team looked right at home Wednesday night. The Jaguars took control with red-hot shooting in the first half and withstood every run the Tritons came up with in the second half. The result was a 68-56 win, the first for Southern in seven trips to the NCAA Tournament. The win advances No.16-seeded Southern (21-14) into a first round game on Friday The Jaguars will face UCLA, the No. 1 overall seed at 9 p.m. Friday After the game was tied 2-2, Southern led the entire game. UC San Diego (2016) trailed 40-20 at the half, but sliced the deficit to 49-40 entering the fourth quarter. The Tritons got as close as

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

For

worked closely with the defensive San Francisco. really excited to work with him Yiadom said. “I love the way he the way he’s detailed and the way defensive backs. Now that he’s D-coordinator again, I think he’ll get a cook some stuff up.” adom spoke about Staley as someone willing to adapt his defenses on a

basis, depending on the opand what they do well which, as a he appreciates. feel like we play a little bit of

that’s always a good mix to have. not one-dimensional, it’s not like offenses can sit there and pick you apart. I’m excited about that

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Nwaba in the first quarter of their game on

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

5:50

6:10 p.m. Arkansas vs. Kansas CBS

6:25 p.m. yale vs Texas A&M TBS

6:35 p.m. Drake vs. Missouri TRUTV

8:25 p.m. Utah St. vs. UCLA TNT

8:45

6 p.m.

4 p.m.

1:50 p.m.

vs San Diego MLBN NBA

6:30 p.m. Brooklyn at Indiana NBATV 9 p.m. Chicago at Sacramento NBATV NFL

Big 12 Pro Day: Day 2 NFLN MEN’S SOCCER 11:50 a.m.Turkey vs. Hungary FS2 2:30

Scheffler’s Masters dinner includes ravioli

Dish to blame for PGA star’s injury to right hand

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

Scottie Scheffler added a few wrinkles to the menu for the Masters Club dinner he will host for past champions. And yes, there will be ravioli. Ravioli is to blame for Schefﬂer still trying to reach full strength in his right hand.

Glass punctured his palm when he used a wine glass to cut ravioli he was making for Christmas dinner, requiring surgery that kept him out of golf for a month.

He is serving cheeseburger sliders and ﬁrecracker shrimp again as appetizers, along with a choice of ribeye or redﬁsh for the main course. He added Texas-style chili from the recipe of Randy Smith, his longtime swing coach.

As for the ravioli?

That’s listed as “Papa Scheff’s Meatball and Ravioli Bites.” That was a specialty of his father, Scott Schefﬂer, when Scottie was growing up.

“Any time he made them, we were all jacked up about it,”

Schefﬂer said Wednesday during a conference call for the Masters “Thought it would be fun to put them on the menu this year And the raviolis were a nice touch, as

Georgia man

BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

CHICAGO A former Georgia warehouse worker for the Augusta National Golf Club was sentenced to one year in prison Wednesday for transporting millions of dollars’ worth of stolen Masters tournament me ing one of Arnold green jackets. Richar 40, pleaded guilty count of transportin across state lines. He appeared cago’s federal cour and red tie. With his parents in the courtroom apologized for U.S. District Judge son Coleman handed down the sentence.

10.

well.”

Schefﬂer won’t be making them, so all is well. Now it’s a matter of getting the pieces together as he goes after a third Masters green jacket on April 10-13. The Masters

champion lost out on his typical start to the season by missing The Sentry at Kapalua and The American Express in the California desert while waiting for his hand to heal While the hand is pain-free,

Schefﬂer said it has taken time to regain full strength in it.

“I have absolutely no pain in the hand, but getting the full total range of motion out of my hand is a little bit of a different story just because you’re not able to use a certain muscle for almost a month’s time. You have to build back strength in that hand.”

Schefﬂer has two top 10s in his

ﬁve starts since returning at Pebble Beach, with his worst finish a tie for 25 in the Phoenix Open. He has one more tournament, the Houston Open next week, before heading to Augusta National.

“I think it would be silly to say that it didn’t set me back a little bit because I had to take a good amount of time off,” he said. “I’m a right-handed golfer So any sort of injury you have to that hand, especially a surgical one, is going to have some sort of effect.

“But each day, my hand continues to improve,” he said. “My body continues to get back to where it needs to be, and I think my swing is coming around, as well. So I’m deﬁnitely excited about the improvements that I’m making.”

Scheffler is two weeks away from reaching 97 consecutive weeks at No. 1 in the world ranking. Tiger Woods is the only other player to hold the top spot longer Woods had streaks of 264 weeks and 281 weeks Schefﬂer will try to join Woods, Nick Faldo and Jack Nicklaus as the only repeat champions at Augusta National.

sentenced for theft of Masters memorabilia

who then sold them online at a markup, according to prosecutors.

Globensky was paid through a limited liability company set up in his wife’s name, among other ways. The scheme lasted for more than a decade, earning him over $5 million.

send them to a Florida-based seller

Webpage on Jackie Robinson goes down

A Department of Defense webpage describing baseball and civil rights icon Jackie Robinson’s military service was restored Wednesday after it was missing earlier in the day

That development came after pages honoring a Black Medal of Honor winner and Japanese American service members were taken down the Pentagon said that was a mistake — amid the department’s campaign to strip out content singling out the contributions by women and minority groups, which the Trump administration considers “DEI.”

The page on Robinson includes biographical information about his Army service during World War II, which occurred prior to his famously breaking baseball’s color barrier in 1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Wings to play Clark, Fever on bigger stage

DALLAS The Dallas Wings, who have the No. 1 overall pick in next month’s WNBA draft, will play their June 27 game against 2024 top pick Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever at the home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.

The Wings announced Wednesday that the game will be held at the 20,000-seat American Airlines Center, where Clark played in the Final Four with Iowa two years ago. That is about 20 miles from College Park Center at UT-Arlington, which has a capacity of 6,251 and where the Wings are playing their 10th and expected final season since the franchise moved from Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 2016. They are planning to move next year into an arena being renovated that is part of the Dallas convention center

Athletics, Giants, Phillies games available locally NEW YORK — Fans of the Athletics, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies will be able to stream their games on a direct-to-consumer basis this season through MLB. tv Viewers in the team’s home markets who do not have cable or satellite subscriptions will be able to purchase a package and watch games live or on demand without blackouts, along with live pre- and post-game shows.

“I deeply regret the decision that led me to this moment,” he said, his voice breaking. “I have taken full responsibility for my actions and remain committed to doing everything in my power to make amends.”

Globensky and his attorney did not respond to reporters’ questions as they left federal court. Under the sentence, he will also have to pay more than $3 million in restitution and face one year of supervised release. Federal prosecutors had sought a 16-month sentence, while defense attorneys wanted probation.

Globensky took items from the warehouse for sellers in Florida,

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C

Williamson finished with 29 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 3 steals. The Pelicans (19-51) snapped a three-game losing streak. They responded in a big way after Sunday’s 46-point blowout loss to the Detroit Pistons. Murphy tore his labrum and partially tore the rotator cuff in his right shoulder in the opening minute of that game.

Murphy’s absence wiped 21.2 points per game from the Peli-

“The violation of trust was very y ify the third party as “Individual A,” along with an associate “Individual B.” Hayes said Globensky also preemptively sold his house and gave the proceeds to the government

The items, which were stolen between 2009 and 2022, included such historic memorabilia as tickets to Masters tournaments in the 1930s, as well as T-shirts, mugs and chairs, according to prosecutors.

Among the stolen legendary green jackets were those won by Palmer, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen. Some of the stolen goods were recovered in the Chicago area, which is why the court case was at the downtown courthouse.

Globensky who had worked at the warehouse since 2007, would secretly photograph items and

cans’ lineup. “You try to move forward,” Green said prior to Wednesday’s win in Minnesota. “It’s by committee. That won’t be on one particular player Guys will do it together That’s a part of the beauty in basketball is you get a chance to step on the ﬂoor together and get after it. We’ll need guys to step up in Trey’s absence.” They did The Pelicans trailed by as many as 14 in the first half, but roared back to take a 62-61 lead. Williamson scored 16 of his points in the first half. CJ McCollum, who had one of the worst games of his NBA ca-

Globensky would then sneak out items that they were interested in, taking small quantities to avoid the risk of Augusta National’s auditing practices, according to court documents. Items were hidden in an offsite storage facility and shipped.

Prosecutors say the money was used to fund a luxurious lifestyle, including $370,000 to buy vehicles and a boat, $160,000 for Disneythemed vacations and $32,000 for items at Louis Vuitton, according to court documents made public earlier this month.

In court, Globensky’s defense attorney, Thomas Church, said it wasn’t uncommon for employees to occasionally take items from the warehouse, his client had expressed remorse and wasn’t a danger to the public.

“This is not a case where he went and broke into any vaults. He didn’t manipulate any data or access any electronic data,” Church said in court, explaining that his client saw the opportunity to take items that were set to be destroyed or weren’t selling.

The total loss to Augusta National was more than $3 million, according to prosecutors. An Augusta National spokesman asked for comment Wednesday pointed to a victim impact statement submitted to the court during the hearing.

“We were severely disappointed to learn several years ago that a former Augusta National employee betrayed that principle, and our

reer Sunday, bounced back to help Williamson shoulder some of the load. McCollum ﬁnished with 18 points, bouncing back from a game he made just 1 of 15 shots, including 0-for-7 on 3-pointers. Bruce Brown came off the bench and had 15 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. The Pelicans’ starting lineup of McCollum, Williamson, Jose Alvarado, Kelly Olynyk and Yves Miss was the 35th different one the Pels have used this season. Olynyk, Missi and Jordan Hawkins scored 13 points each. The Pelicans play the Timberwolves (40-31) again Friday

trust, by stealing from the Club, Tournament and even a number of legends whose accomplishments at the Masters and in the game of golf are revered by all,”

Augusta National said in the letter “In short, the employee made signiﬁcant personal gain with no regard for the impact his selﬁshness would have on the Club, players, the Tournament, and his fellow employees.”

Augusta National hosts the annual Masters golf tournament each year in April, which Scottie Schefﬂer won last year Palmer, who died in 2016 at age 87, won four green jackets.

He’s widely credited with introducing golf to the masses and hit the ceremonial tee shot every year at the Masters for years after he stopped playing in the tournament in 2004. Getting a ticket to the Masters also gives fans the chance to buy exclusive merchandise that’s not ofﬁcially sold online.

But the green jackets are particularly guarded by the Georgia company that owns Augusta National Golf Club and the Masters golf tournament.

The company sued in 2017 to stop a golf memorabilia company from auctioning off items, including a champion’s green jacket.

Augusta National Inc. ﬁled a federal lawsuit against the Floridabased auction company seeking to stop it from selling a champion’s green jacket and two member green jackets, along with other items.

The A’s and Giants package will be available for a monthly cost of $19.99 and can be bundled with MLB.tv’s out-of-market games for $39.99 a month. The Phillies package is $24.99 per month and can be bundled with the out-of-market package for $44.99 per month.

Openly gay soccer player faces online death threats

ADELAIDE,Australia The ﬁrst openly gay man to play in Australia’s domestic soccer league says he’s still subject to death threats four years after going public about his sexuality Josh Cavallo, who plays for Adelaide United in the A-League, told the FIFPro Footballers Unﬁltered podcast that “in a world of football, being a gay player is a very toxic place.” Cavallo was 21 in 2021 when he decided to come out, acknowledging his video message “took the world of football for a shock.” He still regards it as “the best move and decision” he’s made, but warns that there’s “mountains of downside.” Cavallo didn’t detail the online threats. He continues to train and play as a professional footballer every week.

Bettman says NHL, NHLPA will begin CBA talks soon NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Wednesday the league and the Players’ Association will sit down to begin negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement the week of April 1. Bettman and other league officials updated general managers on the situation at their annual spring meeting this week and got their thoughts on potential CBA changes that could be considered.

Unlike some more contentious situations in previous decades that led to work stoppages, there is optimism about getting a resolution done in the coming months well before the current agreement expires in September 2026. The working relationship between the league and union is at its highest point in recent history with business booming setting records.

AP PHOTO By ABBIE PARR

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson dunks the ball during a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday in Minneapolis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

Scottie Scheffler lines up his shot on the second green during the final round of The Players Championship on Sunday in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. The Masters begins April

THE VARSITY ZONE

West Feliciana’s Tristen Harris soars through the air in the long jump at the Class 4A outdoor track championships on May 4 at LSU’s Bernie Moore Stadium. Harris earned a silver medal in the long jump at the Nike Indoor Nationals in New york.

Taking it up a notch

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

For some high schools, the track season won’t kick into high gear until April. However, one of of the Baton Rouge area’s top competitors established a state record and two others combined for three runnerup finishes over the past week in national events.

East Ascension’s Kiristen McGirt posted a state record mark in the shot put at a local outdoor meet, while Parkview Baptist’s Aiden Monistere and West Feliciana’s Tristen Harris recorded silver medal performances and season or personal bests at

national indoor meets.

McGirt, a University of Tennessee signee, became the ﬁrst Louisiana girl to surpass the 50-foot barrier in the shot put after a 50 feet, 4 inches toss at Zachary’s Bronco Relays last Thursday McGirt also had a season’s best 134-0 throw in the discus.

“I did it on the first throw,” McGirt said of her record shot put effort. “I wasn’t sure (it was 50 feet), so I waited until they measured it. It felt very fluid and it was honestly the first time in a few days that I felt a rhythm after a technical change we made.”

Harris, a South Carolina signee, placed second in the long jump at the Nike Indoor Nationals in New York. She

jumped a season best of 20-53/4

“I really enjoyed it since it was my last Nike Indoor meet,” Harris said. “I really was hoping to win it, but to get a season best so far for this year is good.

“We’ve been working on ﬁxing my form for (the long jump) and also the 60 (meters). I’m excited to see what happens outdoors now.”

Monistere ran two personal bests in taking silver medals at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in Boston.

“It was really fun and I learned from the experience,” he said. “I was running against a lot of guys I already knew The two-mile was a big surprise. My focus was more on the mile going into the meet.”

Monistere ran a time of 8 minutes, 46.78 seconds in the two-mile race and 4:06.31 in the mile.

All-State nominations

Coaches are reminded to submit nominations for the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s all-state girls/ boys basketball teams by Friday

Players nominated must be ﬁrst-team all-district selections. Include full season and district statistics, along with the player’s height. A list of performances is helpful, too.

Also include any other notes about recruitment and signees. Send nominations to Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com.

Sunstrom’s complete game lifts U-High

BY WILLIAM WEATHERS

Contributing writer

Not only was University High pitcher Grant Sunstrom effective in Wednesday’s 6-3 victory over St. Michael, he also helped set up the Cubs’ pitching for success this weekend.

Sunstrom, a Louisiana Tech commitment, threw his third complete game of the season and in doing so, kept the Cubs’ pitching intact for a key road trip to CatholicNew Iberia on Saturday “When we go there, we’ll

have all of our pitchers and that’s huge,” U-High first year coach Jon Ramsey said.. “They’re another quality opponent just like St Michael. With where we are, we need to keep getting victories against good teams.”

U-High (13-6) gave Sun-

strom early support. The Cubs took a 5-0 lead in the top of the ﬁrst with four hits while taking advantage of two errors and two hit batters.

Run-scoring hits came from Lane Mixon and Trey Sotile. Mackie Musgrove capped the inning with a sacriﬁce ﬂy against starter Nathan Perere (0-1).

“You have to get ahead on guys early and that helps decrease your pitch count,” said Sunstrom, who allowed six hits and three runs to go with seven strikeouts and two walks. “If I can do that,

then I can go a long way.” St. Michael (10-11) scored once in the first on a Charlie Broyles double and added runs in the third on a single from Drew Bruno and fourth on a single from Parker Fife. Raymond entered the game in the top of the second and slowed down UHigh’s offense over 41/3 innings. He yielded three hits and struck out two and left after issuing a leadoff walk in the seventh to Mixon, who scored on pinch-hitter Zach Joubert’s sacrifice fly off reliever John Martinez.

Ohtani thrilled Tokyo fans with towering homer

BY DAVID BRANDT AP baseball writer

TOKYO Shohei Ohtani’s every step swing and smile were intensely followed this week during his homecoming at the Tokyo Dome, an event that would make most mortals wilt under the pressure. The Japanese slugger was introduced before each at-bat to loud roars that continued until a few seconds before the pitch, when the crowd went into a silent trance that’s normally reserved for events like Wimbledon or the Masters. Every mighty hack — even if it produced a foul ball drew gasps as roughly 42,000 fans waited to see if the national hero would deliver And then, he did. Because of course he did.

Ohtani hit a towering solo homer in his return to Japan, taking Chicago Cubs pitcher Nate Pearson deep with a ball that barely cleared the fence in rightcenter ﬁeld and helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 6-3 to sweep the two-game series in Tokyo.

“It’s kind of ridiculous,” Dodgers teammate Tommy Edman said. “It like he’s just playing a video game. We’re all out there grinding, trying to do anything we can to win a game, but he’s just playing a different game altogether

“It is pretty crazy to see the stuff he does on a daily basis.”

It’s hard to fathom how much pressure Ohtani felt during his much-anticipated return to his home country, and manager Dave Roberts said he could feel the star’s emotions, particularly during the Japanese national anthem on Tuesday night.

It seemed like his picture was on half the billboards in Tokyo, and a huge chunk of the pregame advertisements on the center field video board featured his face.

After admitting to some nerves during Tuesday’s opener, the slugger was more relaxed a day later

It led to another baseball moment that will live in MLB lore for quite a while. Ohtani turned on a 99 mph fastball from Pearson

and the crowd roared as the ball traveled on a majestic arc deep into the outﬁeld. A few fans reached for the ball but couldn’t make the catch. Cubs outﬁelder Pete Crow-Armstrong threw the ball back into the stands and a 10-year-old Japanese boy was the lucky recipient to a valuable souvenir

“I was happy I was able to hit a homer off a pretty good pitcher,” Ohtani said “I thought the ball was going to travel a little bit more, but I’m glad it at least got in (the stands).”

The homer was upheld after an umpire review and gave the Dodgers a 6-2 lead, much to the delight of the roughly 42,000 in attendance.

It was another example of Ohtani rising to the moment in a big occasion. The 30-year-old also homered in an exhibition game on Saturday against the Yomiuri Giants.

“I know Shohei puts his pants on like we all do one leg at a time,” manager Dave Roberts said “But if there’s ever a superhero, I think Shohei just seems like a superstar In the biggest of games, the biggest of moments, he always seems to deliver.”

The homer was Ohtani’s third hit in the two-game Tokyo Series. He was 2 for 5 with a double and a single in the Dodgers’ 4-1 win on Tuesday night.

“I’m happy that my teammates got to experience Japan on and off the ﬁeld, but most importantly coming away with two wins is something really huge for us,” Ohtani said. “I’m glad we’re going to head back to the U.S. on a good note.” Ohtani — who finished 1 for 3 with two walks on Wednesday had two more plate appearances after the homer He was intentionally walked in the seventh, which was met with loud disapproval from the fans. Ohtani had one more chance in the ninth with runners on first and second with one out, but drew another walk to load the bases before Tommy Edman grounded into a double play It did little to damper the mood in Tokyo, where Ohtani’s excellence was on display again.

Doubles George Harrod/Milo Johnston, Dunham def. Cole Duhe/Joseph Berry 6-1, 6-1; Chris Oliver/Wait Harrod, Dunham def. Kason Tanner/Kyler Faul 6-1, 6-2; Lucian Pham/Cooper Eenigenburg, Dunham def. Carson Guy/Colton Stokes 6-0, 6-2 Parkview 3, BR High 2

Singles Benjamin Daniel, BRHS def. Reid Scott, 6-3, 6-2; Henry Chen, BRHS def. Wade Teague 6-3, 6-2

def. Matt Macaluso, 7-6, 6-3, 1-0(11-9) Doubles Ronen Monceret/Preston Edwards, DSHS def. Leyton Conley/Jacob Kostelak, 6-7 (6-8), 6-2, 1-0 (10-3); Gabe Daigle/Hays Tibbets DSHS def Carter Evins/James Cashio 6-1, 6-2; Aiden Westerhaus/Dean Palermo, Prairieville def. Cole Acosta/Ryan Gelpi 3-6, 6-3, 1-0(10-7); Nick Enamorado/Dedrick Jeansonne, DSHS def. Nordy Samson, Drew Lacroix 8-7(13-11) Dunham 3, Ascension Christian 2 Singles Josh Miller, ACHS def. Bennett Lassiegne 6-1, 6-0; Brennan Pearce, ACHS def. Adam Nesheiwat 6-1, 6-2

Doubles Jackson Belcher/Samuel Bullentini,

Parkview def. Ved Kandula/Ryan Nguyen 6-2, 6-1; Edwin Redding/ Alexander LeBlanc, Parkview def. David Shen/Ryan Shen, 6-0, 6-2; Cameron LeBlanc/Logan Parker, Parkview Baptist def. Alexander Nguyen/Whitman Thompson, 6-1, 6-4

Girls tennis

Denham Springs 5, Prairieville 1

Singles Sara Torri, DSHS def. Avery Falcon 6-3, 6-1; Ja’Dince Babin, Prairieville def. Adalyn Farrell, 6-7, 6-3, 1-0(11-9)

Doubles

Macy Dry/Halle Huddleston, DSHS def. Jolie Champagne/Adalyn Landry 6-4, 0-6, 1-0(10-6); Kendyll Davis/ Sophie McCarty, DSHS def. Layah

Gladstone/Riley Falcon, 6-0, 6-1; Valeria Ortiz/Ivana Smith, DSHS def. Mia Clouatre/Adalyn Guidry 6-3, 6-0

Emma Anderson/Cameron Burger, DSHS def. Alia Laracuente/Callie Townsend, Prairieville 8-5

Dunham 5, Ascension Christian 0

Singles Bailey Adams, Dunham def. Novalee Gros 6-1, 4-6, 10-1; Jordyn Mooney def. Gabi Urban 6-2, 6-1

Doubles

Adora Dinh/Josephine Johnston def. Lucy Levert/Abby Berry 6-0, 6-0; Campbell Banks/Bella Dupont def. Addison Le/Kaitlyn Ellingburg 6-0, 6-0; Claire Nesheiwat/Elizabeth Ortiz def. Elizabeth Akin/Oakly Guilliot 6-0, 6-0 Baton Rouge High 3, Parkview Baptist 2

Singles

Meredith McNulty BRHS def. Mallory Wiley 6-1, 6-3; Jordan Hurt, Parkview def. Asha Reddy 4-6, 6-3, 10-5

Doubles Pearl/Duplechin, Parkview def. Beamon/Tessier 7-5, 6-3; Brown/ Spencer, BRHS def. Trosclair/Pino, 7-6, 7-6; Sheridan Jones/Amelie Kutter, BRHS def. Alexis Powell/Allison Cate 6-4, 6-1

TRANSFORMING TRAUMA RECOVERY

Guillaume Spielmann,PhD Lead TraumaResearcher, Our Ladyofthe LakeHealth AssociateProfessor of Kinesiology, LSU Health

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By HIRO KOMAE Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani follows through on a solo home run in the fifth inning of an MLB Tokyo Series game against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday in Tokyo. The Dodgers won 6-3.

Wade to leave McNeese State for NC State job

Former LSU coach readying Cowboys for first-round tourney game against Clemson

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

Former LSU men’s basketball coach Will Wade has reached an agreement to be the new coach at North Carolina State, according to reports from Joe Giglio and ESPN

The deal is reportedly not yet finalized with Wade currently coaching No. 12 seed McNeese State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cowboys play No. 5 Clemson at 2:15 p.m. Thursday Wade coached at LSU from 2017-22 after two years leading VCU. He went 105-51 in ﬁ ve sea-

ä McNeese St. vs. Clemson, 2:15 P.M.THURSDAy TRUTV

sons and led the Tigers to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022.

Before the 2022 NCAA Tournament, he was ﬁred four days after the university received a notice of allegations from the NCAA, which included several Level I violations involving the men’s basketball team.

After the conclusion of the 2021-22 season, Wade took a season away from coaching college basketball and was hired at McNeese State.

He was ultimately given a twoyear show-cause order and a 10game suspension in June 2023 for three Level I violations.

Wade has led the Cowboys to a 57-10 overall record and back-toback NCAA Tournament appear-

ances in two seasons. The team was 30-4 last season, and fell to Gonzaga in the Round of 64.

Wade has ﬁve tournament appearances overall between his time at VCU, LSU and McNeese State. He has a 253-106 career coaching record.

LSU has been led by coach Matt McMahon since Wade’s exit. In the three seasons under McMahon, the Tigers are 45-53, missing the NCAA Tournament each year

The program finished with a disappointing 14-18 record this season and declined its bid to the National Invitational Tournament.

Sources said McMahon will be back for a fourth season and that LSU will provide more NIL funding as the staff directs its attention to the transfer portal

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

Unselﬁshness, depth have become calling

BY STEVE REED

sportswriter

card for South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Midway through the first quarter of South Carolina’s Southeastern Conference Tournament quarterfinal game against Vanderbilt, coach Dawn Staley sensed her team needed a boost with the scored knotted at 9-9. Backup point guard MiLaysia Fulwiley checked into the game.

Fulwiley closed the quarter with a ﬂurry, making two remarkable plays. She grabbed a long rebound and outraced two Commodores to the basket for a layup causing one of them to trip over her own feet — with 19 seconds left. As Vanderblit looked for a last-second shot, Fulwiley bolted in front of a pass, raced the ball up the court and, sensing the game clock was about to expire, pulled up for a 3-pointer and knocked it down. Just like that, the Gamecocks led by nine.

Fulwiley would finish with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists and four steals in just 22 minutes as South Carolina went on to win 84-63. The Gamecocks’ bench outscored Vanderbilt’s 33-4 that day and Fulwiley would go on to make the all-tournament team as South Carolina won all three games by at least 18 points. After the game, Staley called Fulwiley a “generational talent,” saying she can do things that she’s never seen before from a female basketball player. Not bad for a reserve Fulwiley is one of several South Carolina reserves who could start for almost any other team in the country And yet she seems content with coming off the bench

Top seeds have faced tricky paths in the transfer portal era

BY AARON BEARD AP basketball writer

It seemed a perfect and even relatively safe setup for Arizona.

The Wildcats held a No. 2 seed in last year’s NCAA Tournament and headed to Los Angeles within their long-running Pac-12 regional footprint with a chance to reach the Final Four

Instead, a sixth-seeded Clemson team that had traveled across the country and hadn’t reached a regional ﬁnal in more than four decades sent the Wildcats home.

“It’s all about matchups at the end of the day,” said Tigers forward Ian Schieffelin, who had 14 points in that upset and is part of Clemson’s ﬁfth-seeded team this year “Whether you’re a 6 or an 11, it really doesn’t matter.”

That’s always been one of the biggest selling points of March Madness, that anything-can-andwill-happen vibe on everything from buzzer-beaters and memorable upsets to the best teams abruptly stalling at a shocking time. But the road to college basketball’s biggest stage for the top seeds has been even trickier in the four tournaments since the COVID-19 pandemic, with lowerseeded opponents making deeper runs to put more potential chaos into the bracket.

It just so happens that volatility has come amid the growing use of the transfer portal, which has granted freer player movement to distribute talent more widely in the college version of free agency That’s been particularly true with many players carrying a ﬁfth year of eligibility after competing during the pandemic, though this year largely marks the final crop of those players coming through the tournament.

Tougher ask

“I think winning a championship is harder the path is harder,” said ACC Network analyst Luke Hancock, who was the Final Four’s most outstanding player during Louisville’s run to a later-vacated national title in 2013. “You don’t have teams that have just ﬁve, six, seven upperclassmen who have played together three, four and ﬁve years, where they play a certain way and know each other and there’s continuity

“It’s more about how you build your team, roster management, how you can navigate the portal. I think there will be more variance.”

There’s already been an uptick in that starting with the bizarre “bubble” tournament of 2021, both when compared to the four years

immediately before the pandemic as well as going back to the expansion of the tournament to 64 teams in 1985. A look at the combined seeds of teams reaching speciﬁc points in the tournament offers a glimpse as to just how much, with higher averages indicating the presence of more teams with bigger numbers alongside their names in the bracket.

And trouble has come throughout the bracket for the teams carrying those No. 1, 2 or 3 seeds, most notably Fairleigh Dickinson joining UMBC as the only 16-seeds to take down a No. 1 by beating Purdue in the 2023 ﬁrst round.

Final Four

The average combined seeds of teams in the Final Four was 17.0 from 2021-24, up from 13.5 from 2016-19 and 11.3 for the 35 tournaments from 1985-2019. It was only two years ago when 4-seed UConn was the top team in an unusual Final Four in Houston, marking the first time there was no 1-, 2- or 3-seed in the national semifinals dating to ‘85. Additionally, there has been at least one team seeded eighth or lower in four consecutive Final Fours for the first time dating to the 1985 expansion, with 11thseeded N.C. State as last year’s improbable example.

Elite Eight

The average combined seeds for teams in the regional finals has been 38.3 from 2021-24, up from 27.8 from 2016-19 and 25.6 dating to 1985. The biggest outlier came in 2022, when St. Peter’s stunned Kentucky in Round 1 on the way to becoming the only 15-seed ever to reach a regional ﬁnal.

The Peacocks’ opponent? Another surprise team in eighth-seeded North Carolina, which went all the way to the national title game. Meanwhile, only six No. 1 seeds have reached the Elite Eight from 2021-24. That’s half the total of the same span immediately before the pandemic.

Sweet 16

Just getting to the tournament’s second week has been tricky, too. The average combined seeds since the pandemic is 77.5. That’s up from 66.3 immediately before the canceled 2020 tournament and 70.6 from 1985-2019.

The aforementioned 2023 tournament had only two No. 1 seeds — Alabama and Houston — survive the opening weekend. And that had happened only three times previously going back to 1985 (2000, 2004, 2018).

for the Gamecocks, who enter the NCAA Tournament as a No. 1 seed for the ﬁfth straight year in search of their third national championship in four seasons.

“I think here we all just have the same mindset, and that’s winning,” Fulwiley said “Whether you’re doing it from coming off the bench or starting the game. We all just want to win. I think the ﬁrst group, they pushed the bench to be a better version of ourselves.”

That second-ranked South Carolina (30-3) has a plethora of riches when it comes to talent is nothing new Staley has built a powerhouse in Columbia, not unlike what Connecticut and Tennessee have done in previous decades, and there’s no shortage of players who want to play for the two-time national coach of the year and three-time national champion To do so often

means a direct path to the WNBA. South Carolina’s bench is the best in women’s college basketball, and it’s not even close. The Gamecocks average 41.5 points per game from their reserves — nearly 10 points more than the next closest Division I team. The Gamecocks, which host 16 seed Tennessee Tech in their NCAA opener on Friday, are averaging 80.5 points per game this season, but it’s not uncommon for their leading score to have fewer than 15 points.

“For South Carolina, it isn’t about who is the leading scorer — that’s a team over there,” Texas coach Vic Schaefer said earlier this year With that bench talent comes a tricky balance Staley has to strike. It begins with recruiting players willing to buy into her team-ﬁrst concept, meaning those who start may have to surrender minutes to reserves if they’re not playing well, and reserves who don’t know how much they’ll play, if at all.

SOUTHERN

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closing seconds to hold off the Tritons. Soniyah Reed scored 19 of her career-high 24 points in the ﬁrst half. Aniya Gourdine added 17 points and a team-high 7 rebounds. Tionna Lidge made 6 of 8 shots on her way to 12 points. For the game, Southern made 25 of 51 shots (49%) and outrebounded UCSD 36-29. Sumayah Sudapong led UCSD with 19 points. Southern made 1 of 4 shots to

open the game. After that, Reed found her rhythm and the rest of the team followed along. She made three first-quarter 3-pointers and the Jaguars took a 19-11 lead into the second quarter After UCSD cut its deficit to 19-13, Southern went on an 11-0 run. Aniya Gourdein and Aleighyah Fontenot made 3-pointers and Reed continued her run making baskets on four consecutive possessions during one stretch. Southern ended the half shooting 58% from the field and led 40-20 at halftime. Defensively, Southern held the Tritons to 28% from the field.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy

Fairleigh Dickinson guard Grant Singleton celebrates after a basket against Purdue in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Columbus, Ohio on March 17, 2023.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NELL REDMOND South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacts as her team plays against UConn in Columbia, S.C on Feb 16.

PROVIDED FILE PHOTO By MCNEESE ATHLETICS

McNeese State coach Will Wade celebrates the Cowboys’ Southland Conference Tournament championship win against Lamar on March 12 in the Legacy Center in Lake Charles.

Vikings committed to McCarthy as starting QB

The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS The Minnesota Vikings have committed to moving forward with J.J. McCarthy as their starting quarterback this season after deciding not to offer Aaron Rodgers a contract, a person with knowledge of the decision said Wednesday

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Vikings were not commenting publicly on their plans.

NFL notebook

Rodgers, the four-time NFL MVP award winner, was released last week by the New York Jets. With Pro Bowl pick Sam Darnold departed in free agency for the Seattle Seahawks after his breakout performance, the Vikings prepared to turn their offense over to McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in the 2024 draft whose rookie year was spent rehabilitating from surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee. Trade inquiries from other teams for McCarthy were rejected, the person said.

Rodgers was widely reported to be interested in joining his former rival from his time with the Green Bay Packers, and Vikings leaders took their time to consider the bold move of bringing in a 41-year-old player whose ability, accomplishments and personality have the potential to alter a locker room dynamic that by all accounts contributed to Minnesota’s 14-win ﬁnish last season. The Vikings also have been able to spend big on free agency this month because of the ﬂexibility afforded by a quarterback on a rookie contract, primarily bolstering their defensive and offensive lines.

They still need another veteran to help support McCarthy and capably ﬁll in if he were injured again, however, for the bridge role they originally envisioned for Darnold.

The Vikings wanted former New York Giants starter Daniel Jones back, but he signed with the Indianapolis Colts for a stronger opportunity to win the job. Minnesota’s primary backup for the previous three seasons, Nick Mullens, signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The only other quarterback currently on the roster is Brett Rypien, who has four career starts in six years in the league.

The most proven available quar-

terbacks on the market are currently Joe Flacco and Ryan Tannehill, though the Vikings could work out a trade for one or ﬁnd someone else available later in the offseason once teams adjust their rosters after the draft, or even during training camp once health and performance more clearly dictate depth charts around the league.

Dolphins

Former Saints LB Gay signing 1-year deal with Dolphins: Veteran linebacker Willie Gay agreed to a one-year contract with the Miami Dolphins, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Wednes-

Ban on tush push among proposed NFL rule changes

BY JOSH DUBOW

AP pro football writer

The Green Bay Packers have formally proposed a rule change to ban the tush push and the Detroit Lions proposed that playoff seeding be done based on record instead of automatically placing division winners in the top four spots. Teams made several other proposals released Wednesday that will be added to additional ones made by the competition committee to be considered at the league meetings later this month, including a change to the overtime rule and the so-called legal tampering period in free agency

Any rule change must be approved by 24 out of 32 team owners.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst said last month at the scouting combine that his team wanted to ban the tush push, which is a modiﬁed quarterback sneak where two or three teammates line up behind the quarterback and push him forward to help him try to gain the yardage necessary for a ﬁrst down or touchdown Philadelphia has used the play successfully behind Jalen Hurts for the past three seasons in shortyardage situations, including during a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl 59. Other teams have tried to use it as well but without the success of the Eagles. The proposed rule states that

SAINTS

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Like Yiadom, he saw someone willing to ﬁt the week’s game plan to the opponent.

“It was cool every week seeing the game plan come together,” Williams said. “He wasn’t stubborn about, ‘We have to do it this way every week.’ It was ‘What is the offense showing on tape, and how can we put our guys in the best position?’” Moore drew some similar praise.

While Stoll wasn’t with the Eagles for their Super Bowl run last year — he was on their practice squad until November, when he was waived and the Miami Dolphins claimed him — his couple of months with Moore as the coordinator were informative.

He sees Moore as someone who finds ways to put his players in the right position to make plays

no offensive player may “immediately at the snap, push or throw his body against a teammate, who was lined up directly behind the snapper and received the snap, to aid him in an attempt to gain yardage.” Doing so would result in a 10yard penalty

The playoff change proposal by the Lions would have led to signiﬁcant changes last season when Minnesota had to go on the road for a wild-card game against the Rams despite winning four more games than Los Angeles in the regular season. The Vikings would have hosted a game as the third seed under the proposal.

The Chargers also went on the road as a wild-card team against division-winning Houston despite having one additional win.

Under the proposed rule, the ﬁrst tiebreaker among tied teams would be based on winning the division.

The Eagles proposed a change in overtime rules to align it more like the playoffs when each team is guaranteed an opportunity to score. The proposal would extend regular-season overtime from 10 minutes to 15 and the game wouldn’t end if the team that got the ball ﬁrst scored a touchdown.

League executive Troy Vincent said last month that changes were needed to overtime rules to decrease the advantage of winning the coin toss. Receiving the ball first has become more of an advantage than before 2011, when overtime was sudden death. Re-

something he saw play out with the Eagles last year, when the normally pass-heavy Moore shifted his offense to feature Saquon Barkley and Philadelphia’s standout offensive line.

“He’ll do everything he can to make sure all the players are successful, which I think in turn leads to a team being successful in an offense,” Stoll said. “He’s a brilliant offensive mind. Seeing how he adapted his offense to the personnel that they had in Philly that’s something that I thought was phenomenal.

“He had his system he had with Dallas and LA, and when he took it to Philly he saw the personnel and adjusted his system accordingly to make it successful. I think that’s something that is very difficult to do. Obviously it worked out pretty well for him.”

Clapp spent two seasons with the Chargers. Staley was his head coach for both of them, and Moore was his offensive coordinator for

day

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the signing. ESPN ﬁrst reported the deal. Gay played for New Orleans in 2024 after spending the ﬁrst four seasons of his career with Kansas City A second-round pick by the Chiefs in 2020, Gay won back-toback Super Bowls with Kansas City in 2023 and 2024.

He started 47 games for the Chiefs — and nine playoff games recording 233 tackles, five sacks, 17 tackles for loss and four interceptions in the regular season He had 29 postseason tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble and 1/2 sack.

For the Saints last season, Gay recorded 28 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and three pass breakups.

Commanders

Commanders rework Samuel’s contract to guarantee $17M in 2025: Deebo Samuel and the Washington Commanders have reworked the wide receiver’s contract to guarantee $17 million this season with $3 million in additional incentives, according to a person with knowledge of the move.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the team did not announce the restructuring. Samuel, 29, is entering the ﬁnal season of the three-year, $71.55 million extension he signed with San Francisco in 2022; his previous base salary wasn’t guaranteed. The Commanders acquired him from the 49ers on March 1 for a ﬁfthround pick in next month’s draft.

Samuel is one of several highproﬁle additions made by secondyear general manager Adam Peters after his team’s improb-

able run to the NFC championship game, led by Offensive Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington also traded for standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil and signed defensive linemen Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise, cornerback Jonathan Jones and safety Will Harris.

Samuel, who immediately becomes the No. 2 receiver for Daniels after Terry McLaurin, made 51 catches for 670 yards and three touchdowns last season with the 49ers. The South Carolina product has 334 receptions for 4,792 yards and 22 TDs since making his NFL debut in 2019.

Rams

CB Witherspoon re-signs for a 3rd season with Rams: Cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon agreed to a one-year contract Wednesday to return for a third season with the Los Angeles Rams.

Witherspoon started every game for the Rams during the 2023 season, but went unsigned last summer He returned to the Rams’ practice squad last Sept. 11 and soon resumed a major role on the defense, starting ﬁve regular-season games and both postseason games for the NFC West champions while ﬁnishing with 31 tackles and one interception.

The Rams aren’t waiting this year to secure Witherspoon, who is entering his ninth NFL season. The Northern California native spent his ﬁrst four NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before playing two years for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Witherspoon frequently played alongside starting cornerbacks Darious Williams and Cobie Durant for the Rams, who are expected to look for cornerback depth in the draft next month.

ceiving teams won 56.8% of overtime games from 2017-24, up from 55.4% from 2001-11.

Other changes

The Lions proposed that illegal contact and defensive holding penalties would not give the offense an automatic ﬁrst down.

The Steelers proposed that teams would be allowed to have one video call or phone call with prospective unrestricted free agents from other teams and their agents during the two-day negotiating window before the start of the league year

Currently teams are allowed to talk only to agents during this period. It also would allow for teams to arrange travel for prospective free agents as long as the travel didn’t start until after the league year

The Lions proposed that players put on injured reserve before or on the day that rosters are cut to 53 shouldn’t count on the 90-man roster limit, unless they will be designated to return during the season.

Several clubs proposed allowing teams to prepare the special kicking balls before the day of the game like they can with regular balls.

Washington proposed allowing teams to obtain scouting credentials for games in Weeks 17 and 18 for potential playoff opponents in the conference and requiring teams hosting wild-card games to grant scouting credentials to any team in their conference that is in the playoffs

his second year He called the offense he ran under Moore in 2023 his “favorite offense that I’ve been in” during his seven-year playing career

He liked everything about it, from the playbook to the game day operation. And, as an offensive lineman he specifically enjoyed the adaptability of the run game.

Last season, New Orleans predominantly deployed a zone run scheme. It was largely effective, but there were notable weeks where the rushing offense was shut out by a smart defense across the line of scrimmage.

While Moore’s rushing offense struggled in his lone season with the Chargers, Clapp still saw a scheme that emphasized attacking opposing defenses’ weak spots.

“The way to describe it is probably anything and everything,” Clapp said. “They will use anything that will expose a weakness, or anything that we feel that our

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looks to throw against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 4 in Pittsburgh.

Burrow among several QBs featured in new season of Netﬂix series

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow, Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins and Detroit’s Jared Goff will be featured on the second season of Netﬂix’s “Quarterback” series.

The streamer announced the series will debut in July with a promotional video released on Wednesday

“Quarterback” debuted in 2023 and was one of Netflix’s top-streamed series. Last year, NFL Films, Omaha Productions and 2PM Productions had the series “Receiver,” following ﬁve wide receivers and quarterbacks throughout the 2023 season.

Burrow, Cousins and Goff had their 2024 season chronicled on and off the ﬁeld.

Burrow led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, but had his house broken into in December while the Bengals were in Dallas facing

group can do better than your group.”

Left (guard) unanswered

Before he rejoined the New Orleans Saints last week, offensive lineman Will Clapp played more than 1,000 snaps in his three seasons away from the team. Most of them were at center — not guard. But as he returns for a second stint, Clapp likely realizes he could be asked to play more guard this time around. That’s a spot, after all, that remains a giant question mark for the Saints after the ﬁrst wave of free agency Last year, the Saints used ﬁve different players at left guard because of injuries and poor performance. And so far this offseason, New Orleans has taken a quieter approach to address the position.

On paper, Clapp could be in the mix to compete at guard, alongside Landon Young, Nick Saldiveri and

the Cowboys in a Monday night game. Cincinnati ended the season on a ﬁve-game winning streak and ﬁnished 9-8, but missed the playoffs.

Cousins — who also was on the first season of “Quarterback” — signed a four-year $180 million contract last March with the Atlanta Falcons that included $100 million guaranteed. Cousins, however, was benched as rookie Michael Penix started the final three games. Atlanta finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs after leading the NFC South late in the season. Goff was a finalist for AP NFL Most Valuable player after he led Detroit to consecutive division titles and the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the first time in franchise history with a 15-2 record. Goff passed for 4,629 yards and 37 touchdowns, but the Lions were eliminated in the divisional round by Washington.

Kyle Hergel. “I haven’t talked to (the coaching staff) about any roles,” said Clapp, the former LSU product whose ﬁrst stint with the Saints was from 2018-2021. “Nothing’s been deﬁned yet.”

Of course, the Saints may not be done adding to the position. Several notable guards remained unsigned, including Lucas Patrick (last year’s primary starter at left guard for the Saints) and Brandon Scherff. The draft also remains an option for New Orleans to add another interior lineman.

More cap space

The Saints have roughly $30 million in 2025 cap space available after restructuring several contracts early this week. The Saints performed simple restructures on both receiver Cedrick Wilson and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, creating more than $4 million in 2025 cap space in the process.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By RyAN SUN

Minnesota Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy stands before a game against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 24 in Inglewood, Calif.

Jan Risher

Sharing a bit of Kentucky in a Louisiana kitchen

Typically with this column, readers send in recipes, and I cook them in my kitchen. Then, we compare notes. This week is different.

Recipe, Kentuckystyle Barbecue, Beans and Cornbread 2D

When Stephanie November invited me into her New Orleans kitchen to make some of her mother’s favorite Kentucky dishes, I said, “Absolutely!” November, the daughter of a high school band director and home economics teacher, grew up in Princeton, Kentucky Her mom, Brenda Stephens, was a marvelous and generous cook. In full disclosure, I ﬁrst met November and her mom 15 years ago when our young daughters were in “Charlie Brown” together

Watching the young cast sing about Charlie Brown being a good man and happiness being two kinds of ice cream over and over again, she and I became friends. We bonded, in large part, over being the children of school teachers in small Southern communities.

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

In her New Orleans home, Stephanie November chops up barbecue pork to make one of her mother’s signature dishes

Since those days, we’ve both moved to different cities, but we’ve stayed in touch. When she proposed teaching me to make one of her mom’s classic Kentucky dishes, I couldn’t resist. Not only because it would be fun to visit, but because her mom was one of my favorite people. I love celebrating her memory Stephens was the kind of person who spread joy Her generosity was contagious. She passed those genes on to her daughter

As we were preparing the dishes, she told me about how every night at dinner, her dad would ﬁgure out how much the cost for the meal was. He

ä See THE DISH, page 2D

LIVING

Tuna Crispy-Rice is a make-ahead dream recipe for Lent and beyond

BY APRIL HAMILTION | Contributing writer

Iwas raised on fresh ﬁsh, farm stands and Mom’s fried chicken on the east coast of central Florida. Each of these provisions had its cadence.

Fried chicken was always a Sunday affair, the farm stands a weekly stop. Fresh ﬁsh was every Friday, especially during Lent. My brothers skipped down to the beach to see what was biting and Mom would cook it up. If they returned empty-handed, our meatless meal was eggs and toast and fresh squeezed orange juice, today’s trendy breakfast for dinner My truth is that the fresh catch, or any seafood, was on my “no thank you” list until college when I experienced a perfectly blackened mahi mahi on a spring break trip to the Caribbean. From this conversion, my world changed and now the ﬁrst place I turn to on any restaurant menu is “today’s catch.”

Tuna Crispy-Rice

PHOTO By APRIL BUFFINGTON

Try this trick for the microwave

Dear Heloise: I wanted to share a hint that I’ve never seen before I always keep a small jar of water in my microwave in case I happen to turn it on by mistake when it’s empty This tip has saved me from disaster You can also eliminate unwanted odors by putting some vinegar in the jar and letting it

sit overnight. Thanks for all your great ideas! — Molly S., Dayton, Ohio Men using coupons

Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: I am responding to your question about men using coupons. I’m a happily married 80-year-old man who is ﬁnancially well-off. I have no idea how long I’ve been using cou-

pons, but it’s been several decades. I used to do most of the grocery shopping, but now that I can’t drive, my shopping has been reduced. I’ve been using coupons for decades. To me, coupons are tax-free money, so why not take advantage of them? — Len Smith, via email

Send a hint to heloise@ heloise.com.

5. Brown cornbread pancake on one side until little holes start showing near the edges and it is ready to be ﬂipped with a spatula.

This is a do-ahead dream recipe if planning ahead is an option. Make the rice, pat it out and chill it overnight before cutting it into little squares and browning/ crisping in a hot skillet. The water ratio here is from the rice package — follow the instructions according to the rice you use.

FOR THE RICE:

2 cups uncooked short-grain rice (sushi rice)

3 cups water for the rice

¼ cup unseasoned rice vinegar

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1½ teaspoons fine salt

Coconut oil for cooking

1. Place the rice in a ﬁne mesh strainer and run cold water through it for 1 minute, until the water is running almost clear Shake the strainer to remove most of the water from the rice.

2. Combine the rinsed rice and 3 cups water in a medium saucepan with a tightﬁtting lid. Set over mediumhigh heat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to mediumlow Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let it continue to steam for 10 minutes

3. Fluff the cooked rice with a large fork and transfer to a large bowl.

4. In a small bowl, whisk

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Continued from page 1D

together the rice vinegar, sugar and salt until the sugar is dissolved. Drizzle over the cooling rice in the bowl and fold together to incorporate.

5. Line a 13-inch by 9-inch baking pan with plastic wrap. When the rice is cool, turn it out into the prepared pan and press ﬁrmly into a half-inch-thick layer, dampening fingers if the rice sticks to your hands. Cover the baking pan with a sheet of plastic wrap and slash a few holes in the wrap with a paring knife to let it dry out just a bit while it chills. Refrigerate overnight or freeze for 1 hour

6. When the rice is cold, transfer the whole slab to a cutting board, carefully removing the plastic wrap. Cut into 4 dozen rectangles with a sharp knife.

7. Heat 1 tablespoon of

heat skillet on medium heat until butter melts.

4. Pour batter about until it spreads to about 4 inches in diameter

6. Flip pancake and cook about 3 to 5 more minutes, depending on heat.

7. Serve on a plate and top with the barbecue and beans mixture.

Brenda’s Chex Mix

Recipe by Brenda Stephens. Makes 7 quarts.

6 cups salted dry-roasted peanuts, mixed nuts or cashews

1. Preheat oven to 275 F

2. Melt butter

3. Once butter is melted, add onion salt, garlic powder, celery salt, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco.

THE DISH

Continued from page 1D

took great pride in eating at home and on a budget.

“My brother and I were just talking about how most every night at dinner, my dad would itemize the fact that we were feeding the four of us this whole meal for under $7,” she said. “Dad was the one that was always mindful about what the calculus of the per-person cost was versus what that would have cost us to eat out.”

Her mother’s signature recipe was Chex Mix, which she shared in droves

We followed her recipe last week. The dish was so synonymous with Stephens that they even put her recipe on the back of the prayer card at her funeral. November and I made the Chex Mix with cashews, and November told me that growing up they would

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday, March 20, the 79th day of 2025. There are 286 days left in the year Today in history On March 20, 1995, in Tokyo, packages containing the deadly chemical sarin were opened on ﬁve separate subway trains in a domestic terror attack by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, causing 14 deaths and injuring more than 1,000.

On this date: In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping his exile on Elba, beginning his “Hundred Days” rule. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s inﬂuential novel about slavery, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was ﬁrst published in book form after being

have used salted peanuts.

“Because they were cheap,” she said “That’s the theme of this whole demo. Except for the cashews, what we’re making is inexpensive — and it would stretch.”

Every home economics teacher I’ve ever known was a master of stretching. There’s no coincidence that “economics” is part of the title.

“My dad would have told you that, ‘Oh you don’t need cashews when you can buy peanuts for half the cost,’” she said November said the economics of a meal played a big role even on holidays in the Stephens household. On Christmas Eve, her parents hosted an all-day open house. People would come and go. Her mother made a gigantic pot of what she calls, “Barbecue, beans and cornbread,” which is a pork and beans and barbecue concoction on a cornbread

TODAY IN HISTORY

serialized in the abolitionist newspaper The National Era; it would become the best-selling novel of the 19th century In 1854, the Republican Party of the United States was founded by opponents of slavery at a schoolhouse in Ripon, Wisconsin In 1996, a jury in Los Angeles convicted Erik and Lyle Menendez of ﬁrst-degree murder in the shotgun slayings of their wealthy parents. (They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.) In 2014, President Barack Obama ordered economic sanctions against nearly two dozen members of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle and a major bank that provided them support, raising the stakes in an East-West showdown

5. Pour melted butter mixture over cereals and stir well.

6. Bake for one hour, stirring thoroughly every 10 minutes.

7. Cool completely before portioning into containers for sharing.

4. In the largest roasting pan you have (a 16-quart pan is ideal), combine cereals, crackers, pretzels and nuts.

pancake — something I had never tried before.

“Maybe this is what a hoecake is?” November said as she was ﬂipping one of the cornbread pancakes. “But we always just called this cornbread when we made this dish.”

One critical component of the dish is the barbecue sauce. November recommends a sauce she describes as “tomato based but vinegar forward — mustardy and not a vinegar sauce because that is different.”

I knew exactly what she meant.

You, too, can send in the recipe for your signature dish. Each week, Jan Risher picks a different dish to prepare. She compares notes with the cook who sent in the recipe. If you’ve got a great dish you think others would love, email Jan. Risher@theadvocate.com.

over Ukraine. In 2018, in a phone call to Vladimir Putin, President Donald Trump offered congratulations on Putin’s reelection victory; a senior ofﬁcial said Trump had been warned in brieﬁng materials that he should not congratulate Putin. Today’s birthdays: Actor Hal Linden is 94. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Pat Riley is 80. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Orr is 77. Guitarist Jimmie Vaughan is 74. Film director Spike Lee is 68. Actor Holly Hunter is 67. Model-entrepreneur Kathy Ireland is 62. Actor David Thewlis is 62. Actor Michael Rapaport is 55. MMA commentator and former champion Daniel Cormier is 46. Actor-singer Christy Carlson Romano is 41. Tennis player Sloane Stephens is 32.

My brother-in-law is from Japan and crafts sushi as elegantly as any of the masters. I once took a class in his restaurant kitchen and realized the skill requires more than a sharp knife. I do enjoy dabbling in the art and employ my sushi rolling mat for extensive kitchen fun. (More on this later stay tuned) In my Baton Rouge neighborhood, I am now two handshakes away from the freshest ﬁsh. Cue the glee when the inquiry arrives from my friend Alison: “Would you like some fresh my son just caught?”

Fill in the blank. I recall the red snapper that fed my crowded table and the grouper filets that I blackened per my Caribbean taste memory Last week, the fresh catch call was tuna. I could not believe my luck. I pondered the myriad menu possibilities before picking up this prize. I imagined a single serving that I could stretch to feed two and instead was handed three tenderloin-sized hunks of sushi-grade tuna. My mind flashed to my last trip home to Florida when a generous fisherman shared the bounty with my nephew Thomas and his girlfriend Brianna. I only half observed their process of making rice, dicing the tuna and mixing it with

some special sauce. They cut the slab of cooled rice into squares and seared them in a hot skillet ﬁlled with coconut oil which perfumed the whole house with nutty fragrance. They plated their spicy tuna concoction onto platforms of crispy rice and garnished each piece with avocado and fresh jalapeño. In a single phone call, I was able to recreate the delicacy with Brianna’s reassurance, “First of all, I measure with my heart,” followed by “It’s not hard at all.” Now that my grown-up tastebuds appreciate the bounty of the sea, I am ready to spring into action when the generous neighborhood ﬁsherman shares his haul.

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Stephanie November shares her family recipe of a western Kentucky favorite, barbecue, beans and cornbread.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Discipline and hard work will pave the way to a better lifestyle. Get out, be active and do your best to choose healthy alternatives. A professional change looks promising.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Tidy up your finances, investments and spending habits. Put debt to rest and pay down outstanding balances. Sell off unnecessary items. Fiscal health will improve your physical health.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Take uncertainty out of the equation by being blunt about what you want to know. Positive change begins with the facts, a plan and taking the initiative to make things happen.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Partnerships will lead to opportunity. It's OK to wheel and deal, but if you want a relationship to be ongoing, you'll have to include compromise, honesty and a strong moral compass.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) You'll have to weigh today's pros and cons when doing business, buying and selling or handling matters that can influence your reputation. Change is inevitable.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Put your thinking cap on and prepare to learn. Let your heart lead the way. Expose yourself to new concepts and technology that helps spin old favorites into something new and exciting.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Emotions will surface over situations you encounter at home or work. Be ready to look

for alternative methods to make ends meet. Accurately assessing your cost of living will help you get ahead.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Take a break and do something that will spark your imagination and give insight into how you can put your attributes to better use. Love, partnerships and social engagement will enhance your life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Stop obsessing about the past and focus on what you can do to build a better future. Put your energy into learning, exercising your rights and making things happen. It's your life to live, so get moving.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Tidy up loose ends, clear the path and start anew. Refuse to let the past hold you back when it's time to put your best foot forward and find your passion.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Get involved in something that matters to you. The people you meet and the difference you make will change how you feel about your life and what you do for an income.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Consider what you enjoy most and turn it into an occupation or favorite pastime. Whether it concerns work, money or morals, satisfying your soul will impact you profoundly and shape your path forward.

By Andrews McMeel Syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

peAnUtS zItS FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS CurTiS

BY PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Julia Child said, “I think careful cooking is love, don’t you? The loveliest thing you can cook for someone who’s close to you is about as nice a valentine as you can give.”

Yourbridgepartnerwillbeveryhappy if you play bridge carefully, whether or not on Valentine’s Day. In this deal, how should South play in four spades after West leads the heart king?

In Standard American, the auction is straightforward.Ifyouusetwo-over-one game-force, North would rebid three spades,andSouth,withaminimumopening, would sign off in game. Declarer has four potential losers: one diamond and three clubs. He has only nine top tricks: six spades, one heart and two diamonds. South can hope that East has the club ace, or try to establish dummy’s diamond suit. But the actual layout is the one that South should fear. If he takes the first trick, draws trumps and plays on diamonds, East will win a trick and can shift to the club queen Then, as long as neither defender tries to cash a heart trick, declarer will lose one diamond and three clubs. What is the secret?

South must keep East off the lead. And the way to do that is not to win the first trick; let West take it. Suppose he continues with another heart.

wuzzles

Finally, declarer cashes dummy’s remaining two diamonds, throwing club losers from his hand.

Declarer wins with dummy’s ace and discards a diamond from his hand. Then he plays a trump to his ace before attacking diamonds South takes dummy’s two winners, ruffs a diamond high, and (when they split 3-2) draws trumps ending on the board.

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

Previous answers:

word game

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

toDAY’s WoRD uPRosE: UP-roze: Stood up or got out of bed.

Average mark 22 words Time limit 30 minutes

Can you find 28 or more words in UPROSE?

YEstERDAY’s WoRD — nEoGEnEsIs

thought

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

3/17/2025 2:54:33PM Jury Type: Petit Judge: Judge: Elizabeth A. Engolio Date: Monday,April 7, 2025

ALEXANDER, ABRA LUNDY 16185 DEER BUCK RUN ROSEDALE, LA 70772-3830 11/09/1981

ALEXANDER, ELIZABETH SLOANE 58140 ROBERTSON ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3642 10/03/1956

ALEXANDER, LATANGA DARNELL 6100 MARGARETDR#1STGABRIEL, LA 70776-4650 12/06/1982

ALLAIN, TAMMI COURTADE 27000 BRADY LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5949 06/18/1971

ALLAN, JAMES 54820 MAYORDOC FOLEYSTWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2035 03/24/1950

ALLEN, SHALANDA LEWIS 32455 LEONA AVEWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2423 12/13/1970

ANDERSON JR, HOSEA KENDRICK 77410 PARISH LN MARINGOUIN,LA70757 05/13/1992

ANDERSON, JASON JERODE 59001 WWHARLEAUX ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2966 10/15/1982

ANDERSON, KAYLA LASHA 1897 PINEGLEN DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4618 02/12/1990

ANDERSON, MALCOLM 22650 AIDAN RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5253 11/10/1958

ANDERSON, TAYLAR LASHAY54915 GLEASONSTWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2308 12/02/1994

ANGELLOZ, CHRISTINE ELIZABETH 15820 HWY 77 ROSEDALE,LA70772 04/11/1952

ARNOLD, TREVOR SCOTT 24722 FERDINAND ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4028 08/04/1986

ATWAN, LAYLA 230 FIELD HOUSE AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4444 03/27/2001

BABIN, SANDRA JEAN 32645 WILLOWSTWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2221 11/07/1952

BALDWIN, KATELYN MICHELLE 34805-A HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7216 10/24/1996

BALLARD, TRAVIS D62905 ROSE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7803 02/09/1962

BARBARIN, CHRISTIAN MILES 56110 MEDINE RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4429 07/02/2001

BARBER-SAMPSON, DONNA 18080 WILLOW ST #3GROSSE TETE, LA 70740 07/06/1959

BARBIER, ANNE L23775 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5538 12/10/2003

BARRICK, MORGAN GLYNN STORY 2245 ELMCREST WAYSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5356 08/21/1997

BARRILLEAUX, HANNAH ELISE 4695 POINT CLAIR RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4108 10/09/1997

BARRILLEAUX, REESE ADAM 27000 BRADY LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5949 11/11/1999

BATTON, MARYTAYLOR 57930 PANAMST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4142 12/07/1974

BENNETT,EDDIE 32380 HWY 405 WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2049 06/28/1951

BESSIX, SHERRYTURNER 24765 PATUREAU LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5900 08/19/1969

BESSIX, TURAND JEVON 15320 HARRIS ST ROSEDALE, LA 70772-0294 10/19/1977

BICKHAM, REBECCA SUSAN 25865 SAWMILL RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5406 06/27/1954

BLANCHARD, ZACHARYCOLE 5465 POINT CLAIR RD CARVILLE, LA 70721-2108 10/19/1994

BOURGOYNE, JARRED PAUL 24654 PECAN PLACE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3804 07/14/1987

BOURQUE, GERALD J76945 BIG DEE DR GROSSE TETE, LA 70740 06/28/1960

BRANDAU, MEGHAN FAITH 24515 HOLLYDRPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3807 05/02/2006

BREAUX, ROWDY P55925 MEDINE RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4431 04/02/1965

BREWER, CYNTHIA JEAN 5445 BAYOU PAUL RD ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5106 12/24/1958

BRIGALIA, ANGELA BARBIER 20160 SALLIE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5322 01/10/1977

BROUSSARD, CHRISTOPHER 510 SOUTH CLUB AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4452 10/26/1970

BROWN, HAYLEY MENDOZA 58445 VILLAGE COURTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7420 08/30/1973

BROWN, RAEGAN AKIRA 1420 ST FRANCIS LN ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4917 11/14/2005

BURKS, STEPHANIE ANN 32990 ADAMS DR WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2606 03/12/1986

BURNETT,LESLIE C 57876 HOMESTEAD DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2108 01/29/1946

BURON, EMILYM 59920 BELLEVIEW RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6504 08/01/1998

BUTLER, SHANTEL M610 BAYOUPAUL LN ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5403 08/04/1979

CALLEGAN, JUSTIN LUKE 39060 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7731 05/28/1995

CARBO, MICHAEL JOSEPH 58145 ELM ST 2PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3257 05/05/1952

CARLIN, DIANE MICHELLE 23455 WILBERTSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2651 03/04/1965

CARTER, LATANYAWYNETTE 57770 ELI CRAIG ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4526 08/06/1979

CARVILLE JR, ALFRED J 60775 BAYOU JACOB RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5531 01/21/1940

CAVANAUGH, ANNIE LABBE 57620 ERWIN DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4506 10/31/1981

CHRISTOPHER, NAKIASHANTELL 10650 1ST ST MARINGOUIN, LA 70757 07/13/1983

COLEMAN, KEVIN 32205 HWY 405 WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2005 06/25/2001

COLEMAN, LANCE 25905 TENANT RD E19 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6590 10/24/1976

COLLINS,ANGELA M 59370 EVANGELINE AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3418 07/31/1980

COLLINS,TIMOTHY LEROY 59370 EVANGELINE AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3418 07/17/1964

COLLOR, KELSIA MONIQUE 77040 SALARIE LN GROSSE TETE, LA 70740 05/18/1974

COLLURA, SUSAN LEWIS 10145 KIMBALL DR MARINGOUIN,LA70757 08/17/1954

COLTHARP,DEBRA JANE 10635 BAYOURDMARINGOUIN, LA 70757 05/13/1954

COOKE, BOBBY EARL 24645 BELLEMOORDRPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764 11/03/1994

DAIGLE, ANGELINE MARIE 36865 HWY 69 BYPASS #AWHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4450 11/21/1966

DARVILLE, KANESHIA SHANTRICE 4771 MARYLAND ST ST GABRIEL, LA 70776 10/23/1992

DAVIS, BRIANKEITH 56920 BBREAUX STREETBAYOU GOULA, LA 70788 01/20/1984

DAVIS, HILDRED MARIE DORSEY58090 BARKERSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2524 11/11/1956

DAVIS, MARIAH 57997 CENTERSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4311 12/25/1990

DAWKINS, CHERYL TRACEY 1513 RAVIER LN SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3520 08/08/1965

DEAN, TIMOTHY SHANE 32810 HWY 405 WHITECASTLE, LA 70788-4802 06/05/1997

DEDON, REAGAN MARIE 740 PECAN DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5506 12/12/2005

DELAUNE, AMY CLAIRE 35761 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7607 03/24/1983

DEMPSEY,MARVIN EARL 58140 WASHINGTONSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4056 04/17/1974

DESSELLES, AUDRA B 58480 TRABEAUX LN WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-4211 06/10/1971

DORSEY,COLLAND JERMAINE 10925 MILL ST MARINGOUIN,LA70757 10/09/2005

DOUCET,BRIANA DENEE 1945 ROLLINGWOOD DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5358 07/11/1991

DOUCET,NONA MARIE1315 KNOTTAWAYDRSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5210 09/18/1958

DOZIER, BLAKE EDWARD 24545 HEBERTSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4007 01/25/1992

DOZIER, CHAD JOSEPH 24425 DOZIER DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5555 03/13/1987

ELDRIDGE, RYAN DOUGLAS 76132 ROSEDALE RD ROSEDALE, LA 70772 07/05/1978

ENGOLIO, ELIZABETH A57894 ORANGE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2120 02/04/1979

FALCON, CHAUNCY NICOLE 32430-ABOWIE ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2406 11/13/1987

FAVROTH, ADEN D 58245 SHERBURNE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4015 06/01/2005

FEAST,VINCENT EARL 77170 PARISH LN MARINGOUIN,LA70757 01/08/1955

FEHN JR, DOMINICK J455 SOUTH CLUB AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4441 02/10/1967

GALES, JOYCE M23989 FLENIKENLNPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3013 04/06/1955

GALES, MICHELLE CHIQUITA 1895 ROLLINGWOOD DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5355 11/22/1978

GARVIN, PATRICIA A20225 TONI LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5309 06/18/1954

GEORGE, LACIEFAYE22115 HWY 77 GROSSE TETE, LA 70740-3619 06/01/1988

GEORGE, MARLENE A29850 HWY 75 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6108 10/27/1953

GEORGETOWN, JOELL 58259 MERIAM ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2813 10/27/1983

GERACE, BARBARA ANN 25560 TENANT RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6534 12/20/1956

GERK, TRISTIANJ 25405 HWY 77 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5432 02/23/2006

GONZALEZ, MARLENE 24305 CALVIN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3646 05/28/2000

GORE, ZANE WELTON HUNTER 32566 MAYORMAURICE BROWN ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2510 04/18/1993

GOVERNOR, TIJAH TYQUINCYIA 55030 CYPRESS ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2350 07/14/1994

GRACE, KHRISTOPHER ROBERT1365 BESSONLNSUNSHINE, LA 70780-3522 09/01/1999

GRANTJR, JAMES ANDREW 20050 CHARLES ORYDRPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5311 02/22/1966

GRAVOIS, COLIN BENEDICT 1455 TASAJILLO DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5337 07/17/1985

GREEN, LARRYJ 4930 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PKWY ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4207 09/23/1968

GREEN, SADIE THOMPSON 77225 LANDRYDR# 10 MARINGOUIN, LA 70757-3236 10/18/1958 GREEN, TYISHA CHERIE 56390 BREAUX ST BAYOUGOULA, LA 70788-3007 07/28/1979 GRIM, KIMBERLYKAY 1915 BESSONLNSUNSHINE, LA 70780-3528 01/27/1992

HAYDELL,

HEBERT, JONATHAN AUSTIN 1395 HWY 75 SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3109 12/01/1995

HEBERT, LESLIE BLANCHARD 58665 HWY 404 WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-424108/22/1972

HEDGES, APRIL MARGUERITE 57949 NEW ERWIN DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2327 07/19/1977

HENSON, RANDY LEE 32790 GRACIE LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7113 10/27/1965

HILBOURNE, CORINAMARIE 23000 JACOB ST #BPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-231704/27/1981

HILLERY, ELEANOR L55275 CAMBRE ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-211201/09/1958

HOLLINS, KHRISHEND LEVBRE 4855 MARYLAND ST ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-425008/02/2002

HUNT JR, ROBERTBRADLEY 76730 ARTHUR RD ROSEDALE, LA 70772 10/01/1989

HUNTER, DARRIN D 57675 TRUE HOPE LN #APLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4541 01/21/1968

JACKSON, ANDRA DIONNE 4677 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR PKWY ST GABRIEL, LA 70776 01/15/1981

JACKSON, AUTRYPETER 24110 DUNN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-371104/01/1975

JACKSON, MICHAEL WAYNE 57736 BRODE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-454007/12/1976

JACKSON, TINEKA MONIQUE57642 TRUE HOPE LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-454110/15/1983

JAMES, CHRISTOPHER SEAN 57835 GUIDRYSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2101 06/23/1996

JENKINS, CHRISTIAN L58525 NATS ALYPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2888 12/05/1980

JENKINS, SHENETTAMILLIGAN 59110 WWHARLEAUX ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2967 12/05/1972

JOHNSON,ANN TULLIER 21995 TALBOT DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5212 02/06/1960

JOHNSON,SEAN ROBERT 25345 COMMODORE ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4407 09/11/2003

JONES III, FREDERICKPAUL 32350 BOWIE ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2404 10/11/1993

JONES, REGINALD JEROME 59215 RIVER WEST DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-6552 10/27/1964

JONES, SHAUNTAMARIE 58460 BARROW ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-4208 08/10/1988

JORDAN, LORETTA57630 ELI CRAIG ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-454205/08/1967

JUMONVILLE, MERYL C55950 MEDINE RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-443111/26/1949

KAISER, EVAN MICHAEL 1446A HWY 75 SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3208 07/09/1990

KELLY, CHRISTOPHER E57109 CPL HERMAN BROWN JR DR BAYOU GOULA, LA 70788-3120 05/08/1979

KING, ALONZO DENNIS 5445 POINT CLAIR RD #S-9 CARVILLE, LA 70721-2114 10/27/1959

KING, ETHAN JAMES 26100 WINTER ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-632809/26/1998

KRAFT,TIMOTHY58375 CANAL ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3509 09/07/1987

KYLE, JOANNE DILS 58075 HOMESTEAD DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5200 07/13/1950

LAMOTHE, JOYCELYN ANN 22230 TALBOT DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5215 08/06/1956

LANDRY, ANGELE RENEE 58108 CANAL ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3617 03/10/1970

LANDRY, MARYLAVERN 33330 BOWIE ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2717 01/31/1963

LANG, TRAYVAUGHNMARQUELLE 5525 ROSE DOWN AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-5211 01/30/2001

LANGLINAIS, ANDREW CHARLES 59655 HWY 1148 #51PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5334 08/19/1999

LATHAN, CASEY DANIELLE 76775 MAGNOLIA ST GROSSE TETE, LA 70740 04/05/1984

LEBAN, ALEX MCDONALD 24330 CHURCH ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-375805/21/1956

LEBLANC, OLIVIA ALYSE 1386 HWY 75 SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3110 04/04/1999

LEE, RYAN EDWARD 23963 BAYTOWN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3007 01/05/2006

LEGENDRE, BERNARDINE M58500 ST CLEMENT AVEPLAQUEMINE, LA 707643532 12/14/1948

LEGRANGE, BRENT ALAN 23480 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-553502/03/1971

LEWIS, COLBY WILL 24720 STASSI RD #C PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5951 12/29/2003

LEWIS, KAREN VINCE 13645 HWY 411 MARINGOUIN, LA 70757-4111 10/07/1961

LEWIS, KATIE DUFRENE 370 SOUTH CLUB AVESTGABRIEL, LA 70776-4440 09/10/1989

LEWIS, TYLER 1560 TASAJILLO DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-5339 12/21/1994

LOCKETT,TANNAQUE SANSONI58390 MERIAM ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-284807/03/1972

LODGE, DONTAE 1835 BESSON LN SUNSHINE, LA 70780-3527 03/05/2003

LOVETTE, DAVID W58224 MAIN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2520 01/23/1971

MARTIN JR, ELTON 32865 ADAMS DR WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-260307/27/1970

MAYHEW,ANGELIQUENICOLE 63085 ROSE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-7804 08/24/1979

MCKINLEY,DCARLOS MONTRELL 32580 MAYOR MAURICE BROWN ST WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-2510 08/30/2004

MEDINE, BRIAN PHILIP 31945 ALOYSIA RD WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-3506 08/24/1958

MELLIEON,BRANDON TROY 58475 NATS ALYPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2856 03/09/1972

MESSINA, BECKY LEE 59285 HARVEST LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3077 07/12/1981

MILEY,ROSE C58655 BELLEVIEW RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3954 12/12/1971

MILLER, JAMIE LYNNETTE 1400 LIVE OAK DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776 06/28/1989

MOREL, MARYCLAIRE 25308 CLEMENT ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-440403/02/2000

MORGAN, JOHN P57860 ORANGE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-211802/19/1964

MYLES, MYARENE 57772 SENATOR GAYBLVDPLAQUEMINE, LA 707644438 09/23/2005

NEWMAN,LAMAR DENZLE 6435 HWY 74 ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-454402/28/1998

NORTHERN,JEREMY77235 OAKS AVEROSEDALE, LA 70772 10/08/1984

PARSONS, RHONDA H20115 SALLIE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-532206/04/1959

PATIN, SHANNON S24450 KIRTLEY DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-550907/13/1966

PAYTON, JENNIFER 26195 HWY 77 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5704 04/20/1976

PERSICK, DARLENE CROWE 63110 BAYOU JACOB RD PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5604 08/31/1953

PIERRE, ALVIN ROY 58886 ALLEN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3048 09/03/1955

PRICE, BENJAMIN HENRY 1210 ETTADRSTGABRIEL, LA 70776-562401/08/1987

PRYER JR, WILBERT57943 MCARTHUR ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-436408/25/1957

PUGH, DANIELLE MARIE 25245 PATUREAU LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5905 03/12/1978

PUGH, JAMES 25251 PATUREAU LN PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5905 07/29/1980

RANDALL, PENELOPE L58578 WARE DR PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-424811/07/1973

REED, DEAUNDRIA 5655 MAGNOLIA DE PERCY DR CARVILLE, LA 70721 03/18/2001

REED, KELVIN 5617 POINT CLAIR RD #DCARVILLE, LA 70721 11/21/1994

RICHARD, FARRON RICHARD 22165 WALKER ST #LOT 23 PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-2038 10/20/2004

RIDER, SHELETER L2135 JAKE LN SUNSHINE, LA 70780-350401/08/1964

RILLS, BRICE CHRISTOPHER 23430 EAST ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-250805/27/1988

ROBINSON,GALE EJELLA 57845 DESOBRYSTPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-375506/26/1954

ROGERS, NINA ELAINE JOHNER 725 PECAN DR ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-551101/16/1950

SANCHEZ, DANNYRAY 57840 SENATOR GAYBLVDPLAQUEMINE, LA 707644442 12/18/1953

SANCHEZ, JASON MONTRELL 2175 BAYOU PAUL LN ST GABRIEL, LA 70776-4932 04/06/1999

SENECA, MARK PATRICK 20390 CHARLES ORYDRPLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-5314 02/04/1966

SHAHEEN,RONALD PHILLIP 32975 ADAMS DR WHITE CASTLE, LA 70788-260507/14/1964

SMITH,CLAUDIA BEVERLY58706 ALLEN ST PLAQUEMINE, LA 70764-3050 11/05/1963

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THOMAS, AQUILA ANN 77460 COMSTOCK ST MARINGOUIN, LA 707573729 12/14/1964

THOMAS, TREVION JORDAN 10530 COATES ST MARINGOUIN, LA 70757 11/14/1997

BRIEFS

Wall Street rallies after Fed decision on rates

U.S. stocks climbed Wednesday after the Federal Reserve said the economy still looks healthy enough to keep interest rates where they are. Wall

Street also got a boost from easing yields in the bond market

The S&P 500 jumped. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq composite also rose.

Stocks also got a boost from lower Treasury yields in the bond market. When Treasurys are paying investors less in interest, they can encourage investors to pay higher prices for stocks.

Greenpeace must pay $650M in protest case

Environmental group Greenpeace must pay more than $650 million in damages for defamation and other claims brought by a pipeline company in connection with protests against the Dakota Access oil pipeline’s construction in North Dakota, a jury found Wednesday Dallas-based Energy Transfer and subsidiary Dakota Access had accused Netherlandsbased Greenpeace International, Greenpeace USA and funding arm Greenpeace Fund Inc. of defamation, trespass, nuisance, civil conspiracy and other acts. The damages owed will be spread out in different amounts over the three entities.

Greenpeace said earlier that a large award to the pipeline company would threaten to bankrupt the organization. Following the nine-person jury’s verdict, Greenpeace’s senior legal adviser said the group’s work “is never going stop.” The organization later said it plans to appeal the decision.

Energy Transfer called the verdict a “win” for “Americans who understand the difference between the right to free speech and breaking the law.”

The case reaches back to protests in 2016 and 2017 against the Dakota Access oil pipeline and its Missouri River crossing upstream of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s reservation

Attorneys for Energy Transfer alleged Greenpeace paid outsiders to come into the area and protest, sent blockade supplies, organized or led protester trainings, and made untrue statements about the project to stop it.

Ben & Jerry’s alleges CEO unlawfully fired Ben & Jerry’s says its CEO was unlawfully removed by its parent company, Unilever, in retaliation for the ice cream maker’s social and political activism.

In a federal court ﬁling late Tuesday, Ben & Jerry’s said Unilever informed its board on March 3 that it was removing and replacing Ben & Jerry’s CEO David Stever Ben & Jerry’s said that violated its merger agreement with Unilever, which states that any decisions regarding a CEO’s removal must come after a consultation with an advisory committee from Ben & Jerry’s board Unilever acquired Ben & Jerry’s in 2000 for $326 million At the time, Ben & Jerry’s said the partnership would help the progressive Vermont-based ice cream company expand its social mission.

But lately, the marriage hasn’t been a happy one. In 2021, Ben & Jerry’s announced it would stop serving Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem. The following year, Unilever sold its Israeli business to a local company that said it would sell Ben & Jerry’s under its Hebrew and Arabic name throughout Israel and the West Bank.

Last May, Unilever said it was planning to spin off its ice cream business — including Ben & Jerry’s by the end of 2025 as part of a larger restructuring. Unilever also owns personal hygiene brands like Dove soap and food brands like Hellmann’s mayonnaise.

Fed keeps key rate unchanged

Two cuts still expected this year

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and signaled that it still expects to cut rates twice this year even as it sees inﬂation staying stubbornly elevated

The Fed also now expects the economy to grow more slowly this year and next than it did three months ago, according to a set of quarterly economic projections also released Wednesday It forecasts growth falling to 1.7% in 2025, down from 2.8% last year,

and 1.8% in 2026. Policymakers also expect inﬂation will pick up slightly, to 2.7% by the end of 2025 from its current level of 2.5%. Both are above the central bank’s 2% target.

Even though the Fed maintained its forecast for two cuts, economists noted that under the surface there were signs that the central bank is likely to stay on hold for some time. That is likely to keep borrowing costs for mortgages, auto loans and credit cards unchanged in the coming months.

Eight of the 19 Fed ofﬁcials said they see only one or zero rate reductions this year In December, four were projecting one or less rate cuts.

“It will be harder for them to cut rates this year with inﬂation

moving sideways,” said Michael Gapen, an economist at Morgan Stanley

Fed Chair Jerome Powell, at a news conference, said that President Donald Trump’s tariffs have started to push up inﬂation a bit and would likely stall out the progress the central bank has seen in reducing inﬂation in recent years.

“I think we were getting closer and closer” to price stability, Powell said. “I wouldn’t say we were at that. I do think with the arrival of the tariff inﬂation, further progress may be delayed.”

But he added that the Fed does still expect inflation to get back nearly 2% by the end of next year That statement suggests Powell is more inclined to see the inﬂationary effects of tariffs as a one-time

change, rather than an ongoing rise in prices.

“They’re talking about tariffs in a totally different way,” compared to their last meeting in January, said Luke Tilley chief economist at Wilmington Trust.

Fed policymakers also expect the unemployment rate to tick higher, to 4.4%, by the end of this year, from 4.1% now

The economic projections underscore the tight spot the Fed may ﬁnd itself in this year: Higher inﬂation typically would lead the Fed to keep its key rate elevated, or even raise rates. On the other hand, slower growth and higher unemployment would often cause the Fed to cut rates to spur more borrowing and spending and lift the economy

Venture Global has export OK

More countries can get LNG from Cameron Parish site

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Business editor

Venture Global said it has received approval from the U.S. Department of Energy increasing the number of countries that can receive liqueﬁed natural gas from its second Cameron Parish facility

The approval means Venture Global can export LNG from its Calcasieu Pass 2, or CP2, project to any country, including Europe Previously the plant was limited to exporting to the 20 countries the U.S. has free trade agreements with, which includes nations such as Australia, Canada, Israel, Korea, Mexico and Singapore.

“Expanding U.S. LNG exports bolsters our economy, supports American jobs and provides reliable, secure AMERICAN energy production to the American people and our allies around the world,” the Energy Department said in a post on X.

Venture Global CEO Mike Sabel thanked

the Trump administration for returning to “regulatory certainty” that allows the company to expand LNG imports. President Donald Trump has repeatedly vowed to move ahead with permitting LNG facilities quickly, while the Biden Administration paused export permits for CP2 in order to study its impact on global warming. This is the ﬁfth LNG-related approval from the Energy Department since Trump returned to the White House two months ago.

“This will enable us to provide our allies around the world with American LNG in just a few years and for decades to come,” Sabel said in a statement.

The process for making a ﬁnal investment decision on CP2 was launched earlier this month. Venture Global said it has purchase agreements with companies such as ExxonMobil, Chevron and China Gas for the LNG produced at the plant.

Sabel said CP2 is “getting ready to launch as soon as we get maybe a couple more permits from the federal government.”

The LNG export business has been booming in Louisiana since at least 2010 when Cheniere Energy ﬁrst applied to ship the fuel

from its then-planned Sabine Pass terminal in southwest Louisiana. Three other LNG terminals have opened in the state since then, most recently Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG, which started production in December Venture Global announced plans earlier this month for an $18 billion expansion of Plaquemines LNG, which would make it the largest exporter in North America.

CP2 would pump out about 20 million tons of LNG annually, which would make it the third-largest LNG exporter in the nation. Environmental groups criticized the Energy Department’s export approval, noting that comments on CP2 will be accepted until Thursday afternoon.

“By conditionally approving this massive project, Trump’s Department of Energy is once again failing to protect the American people from an unnecessary LNG project set to generate billions for corporate executives and leave everyday people with higher energy costs,” Mahyar Sorour, Sierra Club director of beyond fossil fuels policy, said in a statement.

Email Timothy Boone at tboone@ theadvocate.com.

Purdue Pharma submits settlement plan to resolve opioid lawsuits

BY GEOFF MULVIHILL Associated Press

Purdue Pharma asked a bankruptcy judge late Tuesday to consider the latest version of its plan to settle thousands of lawsuits over the toll of the powerful prescription painkiller OxyContin, a deal that would have members of the Sackler family who own the company pay up to $7 billion.

The ﬁling is a milestone in a tumultuous legal saga that has gone on for more than ﬁve years. Under the deal the family members — estimated in documents from 2020 and 2021 to be worth about $11 billion — would give up

ownership of the company in addition to contributing money over 15 years, with the biggest payment up front.

Family members resigned from Purdue’s board, stopped receiving money from the company and ceased other involvement before it ﬁled for bankruptcy protection in 2019 as it faced lawsuits from thousands of state and local governments, plus others.

The new entity would be run by a board appointed by state governments, and its mission will be to abate the opioid crisis that has been linked to hundreds of thousands of deaths in the U.S. since OxyContin hit the market in 1996. The first

wave of deadly overdoses were tied to OxyContin and other prescription drugs, and subsequent waves have involved heroin and more recently illicit versions of fentanyl. This settlement plan was hammered out in months of mediation involving groups that sued Purdue, and nearly all of them are supporting it, according to mediator reports ﬁled in court. Approval would take at least several more months.

A previous version had bankruptcy court approval but was rejected last year by the U.S. Supreme Court because it protected members of the Sackler family from civil lawsuits even though none of them ﬁled for bankruptcy

protection themselves. Under the new version, plaintiffs will have to opt in to get full shares of the settlement. If they do not, they can still sue Sackler family members, who agreed to put in about $1 billion more than under earlier plans.

The Sacklers’ cash contribution would depends in part on how many parties join the settlement and on the sale of foreign drug companies. Some of the money they put into the settlement is to be reserved to pay any judgments if they are sued and lose; but if that doesn’t happen, it’s to go into the main settlement. Members of the family continue to deny any wrongdoing.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Venture Global CEO Michael Sabel, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and Venture Global Executive Co-Chairman Robert Pender talk during a tour of Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG export facility on March 6 in Plaquemines.