The Advocate 04-25-2025

Land in St.Landry leased forwindfarms

Mississippi gotits firstwind farmlast year,whenAES

project located on private propertyinTunica County.According

projects are in development in Louisiana.

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staffwriter

Private wind developers are quietly inking lease agreements with landowners in parts of rural Louisiana for whatcould be the state’s first land-based wind farms, even as President Donald Trump takes aim at renewable energy projects in general andthe wind industry in particular

According to public records, at least five utility-scale wind projects are in development in Louisiana Twoofthose projects are based in St. Landry Parish in Acadiana. Three others are in Madison, Tensas and West Carroll parishes in thenortheastern part of the state.

“Onshore wind is areadily deployable, utility-scale renewable energyresource that can help meet this existing demandbyLouisiana businesses and attract new investments.”

of revenuefor both landowners and local governments, he said.

Bill revived to curb nursing home suits

JENNy NETHERTON, senior program manager at the SoutheasternWind Coalition

As of yet, no wind turbines have been erected in Louisiana, and the projects are likely years away from coming online.But theysignal a new wave of interest in winddevelopment in Louisiana, made possible by tallerturbinesand technological advances that are allowing developers to access faster winds.

St. Landry Parish President Jessie Bellard said landowners have signed leaseagreements with two separatedevelopers, AES Corporation, aVirginia-based power company that operates on four continents, and Toronto-based Cordelio Power,which has projectsacross Canadaand the U.S. The wind farms could provide anew source

They could also help attract new investments to Louisiana from industriesthat are transitioning awayfrom planet-warmingfossil fuels and toward renewable energy,economic developmentofficials say. Thedeals come as thewind industryisfacing an uncertainfuture. On his first day in office, Trump signed an executive order temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal watersand pausing the issuanceofapprovals,permits andloansfor all wind projects. Last week, the Trumpadministration orderedconstructiontostopona fully permittedoffshore wind project in the Northeast that would provide power to half amillion New York homes. The wind industry also relies

ä See WIND, page 9A

SENIOR SNIGHT NENIOR IGHT

Legislationwould shield management

BY ANDREAGALLO Staff writer

companies

Louisiana’snursing homes rank among the nation’sworst, clocking high rates of pressure sores, concerns about overprescriptionofantipsychotic medications and dire shortages of staff.

But state lawmakers took the first step at ahearing Wednesday night in curtailing lawsuits against management companies for nursing homes —and other health care companies —who dictate their levels of staffing and spending.

Senate Bill 134 from Sen. Thomas Pressly,RShreveport, would change the definition of health care provider in Louisiana, lumping in administrative, staffing and custodial services under the term.Itwould also expand thedefinition of malpractice to include administrative duties, staffing and care performed in a“supporting capacity.” The changes to the definitions are meanttoprevent lawsuits citing administrative negligence againstnursing home managementcompanies,

ä See BILL, page 9A

CAN YOUSOLVE

THEBUDGET?

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Nowyou can trytocrack theriddle of Louisiana’s budget foryourself,playing bothgovernor and Legislature.Asthe real officials gatheratthe State Capitol to debate raising or cutting taxes— and spending —you can do thesame.

Just go to solvethebudget.comand answeryes-or-no questions.

The Solvethe Budget feature is acollaboration among the Public Affairs ResearchCouncil of Louisiana,The Advocate|TheTimes-Picayune and the LSU Reilly Center forMedia and Public Affairs.

PROVIDED PHOTO

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

National Weather Service

to resume translations

The National Weather Service will resume translating its products for non-English speakers.

The weather service paused the translations this month because its contract with the provider had lapsed. Experts said the change could put non-English speakers at risk of missing potentially life-saving warnings about extreme weather

The weather service said Thursday the contract has been reinstated, and the translations will resume by the end of the day Monday.

Lilt, an artificial intelligence company, began providing translations in late 2023. That replaced manual translations that the weather service had said were labor-intensive and not sustainable. It eventually provided them in Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, French and Samoan.

Nearly 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home, including 42 million Spanish speakers, according to 2019 Census data.

The translations are important during extreme weather events, but general weather forecasts are also essential for people who work in tourism, transportation and energy, experts say California serial cat killer suspect arrested

LOS ANGELES An Orange County man who police believe killed more than a dozen neighborhood cats after luring them to his property was arrested Wednesday, according to authorities.

Over several weeks the Santa Ana Police Department has received multiple reports of suspected animal abuse and missing cats.

Alejandro Oliveros Acosta, 45, of Santa Ana, was arrested Wednesday and booked at the Santa Ana City Jail on felony charges related to animal cruelty, authorities said.

Yessenia Aspeitia, a media relations coordinator for the Santa Ana Police Department, said officials couldn’t provide the exact number of cats the suspect is believed to have harmed, but it is over a dozen. Authorities allege Acosta was positively identified by several victims and witnesses as the man who lured their cats away from their homes.

Investigators are currently assembling a timeline of the alleged incidents, Aspeitia said Officials are combing local social media groups for accounts of stolen or missing cats to incorporate alongside formal reports made to the department over the course of several weeks.

Local cat owners in recent weeks have shared photos on social media of their missing cats and home security footage showing a man luring them away from their homes. Wis. base investigated for flipped portraits

MADISON, Wis. — The U.S. Army has suspended a Wisconsin training base’s first female commander after discovering portraits of President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had been flipped around to face a wall The Army has posted an undated statement on Fort McCoy’s website saying Col. Sheyla Baez Ramirez has been suspended as the base’s garrison commander. The statement said the suspension isn’t related to any misconduct but provided no other details, saying the matter was under review The Department of Defense on April 14 posted photos on X showing portraits of Trump and Hegseth on the base’s chain of command wall had been turned to face the wall, along with photos showing that they had been flipped back to face the corridor

“Regarding the Ft. McCoy Chain of Command wall controversy WE FIXED IT!” the post read. “Also, an investigation has begun to figure out exactly what happened. ” Baez Ramirez assumed the role of garrison commander at Fort McCoy in July 2024 after serving as chief of the Reserve Program, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

Judge halts parts of election order

Congress and states, not president, have power to regulate elections, she says

BY ALI SWENSON Associated Press

NEW YORK A judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from immediately enacting certain changes to how federal elections are run, including adding a proofof-citizenship requirement to the federal voter registration form.

The decision is a setback for President Donald Trump, who has argued the requirement is needed to restore public confidence in elections. But the judge allowed other parts of Trump’s sweeping executive order on U.S. elections to go forward for now, including a directive to tighten mail ballot deadlines around the country

Trump’s March executive order overhauling how U.S. elections are run prompted swift lawsuits from the League of United Latin American Citizens, the League of Women Voters Education Fund, the Democratic National Committee and others, who called it unconstitutional.

U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in Washington sided with voting rights groups and Democrats, saying that the Constitution gives the power to regulate federal elections to states and Congress — not the president. She noted federal lawmakers are currently working on their own legislation to require proof of citizenship to vote.

In a 120-page decision on Thursday, she said the plaintiffs had proven that the proof-of-citizenship requirement would cause their clients irreparable harm and go against the public interest, while the government had offered “almost no defense of the President’s order on the merits.”

Accordingly, she granted a preliminary injunction to stop the citizenship requirement from moving forward while the lawsuit plays out.

The judge also blocked part of the Republican president’s order requiring public assistance enrollees to have their citizenship assessed before getting access to the

federal voter registration form.

But she denied other requests from a group of Democratic plaintiffs, including refusing to block Trump’s order to require all mailed ballots to be received by Election Day nationwide. She also did not touch Trump’s order to open certain databases to billionaire Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to allow it to review state voter lists to search for noncitizens The judge said those arguments brought by Democrats were either premature or should be brought by states instead.

The plaintiffs had argued Trump’s proof-of-citizenship requirement violated the Constitution’s so-called Elections Clause, which gives states and Congress the authority to determine how elections are run.

They also argued that Trump’s order asserts power that he does not have over an independent agency That agency the U.S. Election Assistance Commission, sets

Man charged with arson in breakout of N.J. blaze

Authorities say man set wooden pallets on fire

BY MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

A man set a bonfire using wooden pallets in New Jersey’s Pine Barrens and left them without fully extinguishing the blaze, sparking a quick-moving wildfire with smoke affecting air quality in the New York City area, authorities said

Thursday

Authorities arrested 19-year-old Joseph Kling of Waretown, New Jersey, and charged him with arson and aggravated arson in the fire that’s still burning in southern New Jersey The wildfire was described as starting with “an improperly extinguished bonfire.”

Judge James Gluck told Kling during a brief court appearance Thursday the state sought to have him detained pending trial and he wouldn’t be released. Kling spoke briefly, only to clarify that his next court appearance was set for Tuesday “Thank you Have a good day,” he said when the judge dismissed him.

A public defender representing Kling during the hearing told the judge she had “nothing further” when he asked.

Emails to the public defender’s office said Thursday it could not comment on a pending case so early in the process.

A voice message was left at a possible phone number for Kling.

Authorities first spotted the blaze Tuesday morning from a fire tower when a smoke column appeared amid the pines. Law enforcement said they used a GPS to plot the origin of the fire and determined the cause was a bonfire that hadn’t been put out. They said they determined Kling was responsible for setting the pallets on fire and left before it was out. It’s unclear how they linked him to the blaze or where he was arrested.

It’s peak forest fire season in the vast pine wilderness that covers more than 1 million acres and firefighters are contending with low humidity and the aftermath of a drought in the region.

The fire had grown to more than 23 square miles on Thursday, approaching what officials believe to have been the largest wildfire in the state in the last two decades.

Parade shooter gets life sentence

BY SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

WAUKEGAN, Ill. — The suburban Chicago man who admitted to fatally shooting seven people and wounding dozens of others during a 2022 Independence Day parade was sentenced Thursday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lake County Judge Victoria Rossetti handed down seven sentences of life in prison for 24-year-old Robert Crimo III, as prosecutors requested, for the firstdegree murder charges after hearing emotional testimony from survivors and the relatives of those killed in the shooting. She also sentenced Crimo, who did not attend the two-day hearing, to 50 years for 48 counts of attempted murder

“This court has absolutely no words that could adequately describe and capture the horror and pain that was inflicted on July 4,” the judge said. She added that Crimo, who did not attend the sentencing, “is irretrievably depraved, permanently incorrigible, irreparably corrupt and beyond any rehabilitation.”

The proceedings have been marked by unpredictable behavior including Thursday when Rossetti briefly paused

the hearing because Crimo changed his mind and was being escorted to the hearing. However, his defense attorneys later said it was for an unrelated issue and he went back to his Lake County jail cell.

Crimo also declined to offer a statement to the court through his attorneys.

The judge ordered consecutive sentences, and Crimo “will die in prison,” his public defender, Gregory Ticsay, said.

“He’s always known that he was facing life in prison,” Ticsay said. “He has spared this community the lengthy trial.”

Dozens were wounded in the shooting in the suburb north of Chicago. They ranged in age from their 80s to an 8-yearold boy who was left paralyzed from the waist down.

Crimo pleaded guilty last month just before jurors were due to report for opening statements. He previously backed out of a plea deal, fired his public defenders and reversed his decision to represent himself. He signed his name and Donald Trump’s when he waived his right to trial.

Crimo has also skipped several hearings, despite warnings from Rossetti that the case would proceed without him Prosecutors and Rossetti said that Crimo did not show any regret.

voluntary voting system guidelines and maintains the federal voter registration form.

During an April 17 hearing, attorneys for the plaintiffs had said requiring proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form would complicate their clients’ voter registration drives at grocery stores and other public places.

Aria Branch, counsel for the Democratic National Committee and other Democratic plaintiffs, also argued the executive order’s effort to tighten mail ballot deadlines would irreparably harm her clients by forcing them to reallocate resources to help voters navigate the changes.

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said it was disappointed by the ruling.

“Few things are more sacred to a free society or more essential to democracy than the protection of its election systems,” said Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights.

Whooping cough cases rising again

BY DEVNA BOSE Associated Press

Whooping cough cases are rising, and doctors are bracing for yet another tough year

There have been 8,485 cases reported in 2025, according to preliminary data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That’s twice as many cases as this time last year, based on the CDC’s final tally Rates of whooping cough, or pertussis, soared last year, which experts said wasn’t unexpected. The number of cases fell during COVID-19 because of masking and social distancing. Plus, experts said, the illness peaks every two to five years. But experts say the outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses, like measles and whooping cough, could be indicative of changing attitudes toward vaccines.

U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates fell last year, and the number of children

with vaccine exemptions hit an all-time high.

“There’s unfortunately been increasing anti-vaccine sentiment in the United States,” said Dr Ericka Hayes at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

“Our recovery is not nearly as quick as we expected it to be and we needed it to be. And again, when you fall below 95% for vaccinations, you lose that herd immunity protection.”

Whooping cough tends to peak around this time of year and in the fall. It’s usually spread through respiratory droplets in the air, when people with pertussis cough, sneeze or breathe close to others. The symptoms are similar to a cold but the cough becomes increasingly severe with a distinctive sound a “whoop” as the person tries to take in air It is treated with antibiotics. In the past six months, two babies in Louisiana and a 5-year-old in Washington state have died from whooping cough.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT SLOCUM Firefighters battle a house fire Wednesday in Lacey Township, N.J.

Landry blasts delayinapproving privateeducation contract

Companyhelping to runGATOR voucherprogram

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

Aclash between Gov. Jeff Landry and legislative leaders over funding for private education escalated Wednesday when lawmakers put off voting on akey contract,drawing asharp rebuke fromthe governor Landry’s signature education program, called LA GATOR, will give eligible Louisiana families tax dollars to pay for private school and expenses like tutoring and laptops. Aprivate company is helping run the new program, and the Legislature must approve aone-year extension of the company’scontract, which expires in June

But when the $1.9 million extension came before the JointLegislative Committee on the Budget Wednesday,the Senate leader reiterated concerns about the program’soverall cost, and avote on the contract was pushed to next month.

Landry,aconservative Republican who says tax dollars should follow students to private and religious schools, decried the delay on social media. Lawmakers’ failure to approvethe contract extension puts the state education department in “crisis mode,” threatening its ability to ensurestudents receive a“proper education,” he wrote on X.

“The thousands of parents whosignedupfor the GATOR scholarship are des-

Gov.

perate forhelpand action,” he added Senate PresidentCameron Henry,R-Metairie, said thebudget committee will approve the contract at its meeting next month. Before that, he wanted to use Wednesday’shearing to inform lawmakers and the public about the potentially huge cost of subsidizing privateeducation for thousands of students, he said.

“Of allthe things we have in the budget rightnow,this is the one itemthat can grow the fastest out of control,” he saidduringthe hearing. “That’swhy Iwant to spend this amountoftimeonit.”

The debate over how much public moneytogivefamilies for private education is part of alarger puzzle over Louisiana’sbudget. Landry has orderedastate government hiring freeze, andlawmakers are trying tofind money to prevent apay stipendfor teachers from vanishing

Recently,disagreement over funding for LA GATOR has burst intopublic view

Landry wantstogive familiesnearly$94 millionin privateeducation subsidies next school year,but Henry saidthis month that lawmakers want to include no more than $50 million for LA GATOR in thestate budget that must be finalized by July In response, abillionairebacked group that promotes school vouchers ran television adsonEaster Sunday urging voters to tell state legislators to “fully fund Landry’splan.” The pressure campaign is arepeat of last year,when Landry appeared in TV ads criticizing lawmakers who wanted to scale back LA GATOR and hosteda town-hall meeting at aCatholic school in Henry’sdistricttopromote the program

Thefamilies of nearly 40,000 studentshaveapplied forthe private-educa-

tion grants, which can range from about $7,600 for lowerincomefamiliestonearly $15,300 for students with disabilities. About 35,000 of those students meet the program’seligibility criteria, which prioritize low-income families, students with disabilitiesand students in the state’sexisting schoolvoucher program,which LA GATOR will replace.

Landry and state SuperintendentofEducation CadeBrumley,who testified Wednesday,have touted the application numbers as evidence of high parental demand. But Henry suggested thatitwas misguided to allow tens of thousands of families to apply when the state is planning to award only afew thousand grants.

Landry’sproposal would pay for up to 12,000 students to getgrants, whileHenry’s plan would cover fewer than6,000 students. He said Wednesday thatifall 35,000

eligible studentswho applied got grants, it would cost the state $350 million.

“I don’tthink that’srealisticatthistime— Idon’t think that will ever be realisticinLouisiana,” Henry said, adding that he worries the stateis“giving parents false hope.”

Brumley said the open application process wasnecessary to gauge interest in the program, adding that the EducationDepartment made clear to familiesthat“just because you apply doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to have aseat.”

He alsonoted that theLegislature passed legislation last year establishing the LA GATORprogram,and theEducation Department is now responsible forenacting it.Todothat, Brumleysaidthe agency needs the vendor,New York-based Odyssey,tomanage enrollmentand an online marketplacewherefamilieswill

use their grants to purchase educational services and pay tuition. Last year,lawmakers on the budget committee balked at aproposed threeyear contract with Odyssey worthupto$11.3 million. In response, the Education Department revised it to a one-year deal that must be extendedannually.Ifapproved, theamended contract would extend through June 2026.

Odyssey is expected to launch the LA GATOR marketplace in July so participating families can begin paying tuition forthe fall. But the company’scontract must be finalized for that to happen, Brumley said.

“The longerwewaiton this contract, themorelikely it is to not launch successfully,” he told lawmakers.

Email Patrick Wall at patrick.wall@theadvocate. com.

BY PHILIP JANKOWSKI

The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

AUSTIN,Texas— Aschool choice program that will fundamentally changeTexas education by sending public dollars toward private schools is headedto the governor’sdesk.

The state Senate voted Thursday to send Senate Bill 2toGov.Greg Abbott, whohas promised to swiftly sign themeasure creating education savings accountsafter working for more than two years topass aschool voucherlike proposal.

On avote of 19-12, theSenateapproved theESA proposal thatthe House passed last week after amarathon debate inthe Legislature’slowerchamber

The Senate approved theHouse’sversion of the bill,which allowed the bill to avoida conference committee in which lawmakers from both chambers would have smoothed out differences between thetwo proposals.

House Republicans rebuffed every Democrat attempt to alter the plan, including a last-ditch effort to force Texans to vote on the proposal.

SB 2creates an ESA program that allows parents to apply for roughly $10,000 of taxpayermoney per child.Those selectedfor an ESA can use the moneytopay forprivate school expenses,such as tuition,uniforms, meals and educational materials.

Lt. Gov.Dan Patrick has been pushing for asimilar programfor more than adecade. The Senate has passed numerous versions of aschool choicebill in previous sessions Texas’ efforts gained momentum in the past two years after Abbottbegan campaigning on the issue. He criss-crossedthe state making the case for his school choice proposal at friendly receptionsatChristian private schools.

The state’sleading Republicans hailed passage of the bill while Democrats lamented

what they seeasthe first steptoward defunding the state’spublic school system, which educatesthe vast majority of K-12 students.

Supporters of school choice saythe proposal gives parentsmore options for their children’s education and allows low-income families access to schools that otherwise would be out of their reach.

Opponentssay Abbott’sschool choice plan undermines public education and sends taxpayercash to schools that arenot subject to thesame standards and regulations as public schools. They notethe lack of private school options in high-poverty areas andhow such campuses do not have to follow the same rules as public schools, such as in providing services to kids with specialneeds.

Democrats had few options to derail the bill. In previous sessions, they counted on a contingent of mostly rural Republicans in the Houseto voteagainst similar proposals.

But Abbott campaigned againstmany of those GOP “no” votes after hisschool choice push failed in 2023. He spent millionsfrom hiswar chest, helpedbya record$12 million in campaign donations from Pennsylvania billionaireand school choice megadonor Jeff Yass, to unseat them.

It worked. At leastnine incumbent GOP representatives lost. Several othersopted to not seekreelection. In the end, only two House Republicans voted against SB 2after a14-hourdebate last week.

Democrats might seek retribution.The House Democratic Caucus is floatingthe option of killing all proposed amendments to the Texas Constitution during this session.

Thestratagem comeswithpolitical risk.

Should Democrats usethe tacticfor revenge over school choice’sapproval, it wouldkill popular proposals that include increasing property tax homestead exemptionsand amultibillion-dollarfund for medical research into dementia.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Jeff Landrysaid Wednesdaythat adelayinapproving acontract for the newLAGATOR program,which helps families pay for privateschool, could threaten students’ abilitytoget a‘proper education.’

Tens of thousands pay final respects

Vatican keeps the doors open overnight

BY COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press

VATICAN CITY So many mourners

lined up to see Pope Francis lying in state in a simple wooden coffin inside St. Peter’s Basilica that the Vatican kept the doors open all night due to higher-than-expected turnout, closing the basilica for just an hour and a half Thursday morning for cleaning.

The basilica was bathed in a hushed silence as mourners from across the globe made a slow, shuffling procession up the main aisle to pay their last respects to Francis, who died Monday at age 88 after a stroke.

The Vatican said more than 90,000 people had paid their respects by Thursday evening, a day and a half after opening. The basilica closed for just a short time Thursday morning, and will stay open Thursday night as long as there are mourners, the Vatican said.

The hours spent on line up the stately via della Conciliazione through St. Peter’s Square and through the Holy Door into the basilica has allowed mourners to find community around the Argentine pontiff’s legacy of inclusion and humble persona

Emiliano Fernandez, a Catholic from Mexico, was waiting in line around midnight, and after two hours still had not reached the basilica. “I don’t even care how much time I wait here. It’s just the opportunity to (show) how I admired Francisco in his life,” said Fernandez, whose admiration for the pope grew during his 2016 visit to Mexico.

Robert Healy, a pilgrim from Ireland, flew on the spur of the moment from Dublin just to pay his respects.

“I think it’s just really important to be here, to show our respect to the Holy Father,” he said. “We flew from Dublin last night, we’re staying for one day, home tonight then. We just felt it was really important to be here.”

Among the first-day mourners was a church group of 14-year-olds from near Milan who arrived for the now-suspended canonization of the first millennial saint, as well as a woman who prayed to the pope for a successful operation and an Italian family who brought their small children to see the pope’s body

“We came because we didn’t bring them when he was alive, so we thought we would bring them for a final farewell,” said Rosa Scorpati, who was exiting the basilica Wednesday with her three children in strollers. “They were good, but I don’t think they really understood because they haven’t yet had to deal with death.”

Like many others, the Scorpati family from Calabria was in Rome on an Easter vacation, only to be met with the news of Francis’ death on Easter Monday Out of devotion to the pope and his message of inclusion, the grieving faithful joined the procession of mourners that wended from St. Peter’s Square through the basilica’s Holy Door, with the repentant among them winning an indulgence, a form of atonement granted during the Jubilee Holy Year From

there, the line extended down the basilica’s central aisle to the pope’s simple wooden casket

After three days of public viewing, a funeral Mass including heads of state will be held Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. The pope will then be buried in a niche within the St. Mary Major Basilica, near his favorite Madonna icon.

Security

Italian authorities have tightened security around the Vatican, adding drones to foot and horse patrols to their controls along the Tiber River and Via della Conciliazione, which leads to St. Peter’s Square, to secure the area for mourners and foreign delegation expected for the funeral.

The Vatican said 130 delegations are confirmed, including 50 heads of state and 10 reigning sovereigns. Among those confirming their attendance are U.S. President Donald Trump with the First Lady Melania Trump, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The prefect of Rome, Lamberto

Giannini, told a news conference on Thursday that “I believe that the ‘security machine’ is ready,” but will remain flexible and ”ready to reshape and above all transmit a sense of serenity.”

Paying respects

The death of Francis capped a 12-year pontificate characterized by his concern for the poor and his message of inclusion, but he was also criticized by some conservatives who felt alienated by his progressive outlook.

A procession of priests, bishops and cardinals accompanied Francis’ body Wednesday on its journey from a private viewing inside the Vatican to St. Peter’s Square. The pageantry contrasted with the human interactions of rank-and-file mourners at the public viewing.

Francis lay in state in an open casket, perched on a ramp facing mourners, with four Swiss Guards standing at attention. As the crowd reached the casket, many lifted their smartphones to snap a photo.

One nun accompanying an el-

Young nun waits hours in line to say goodbye

BY REBECCA PRECIUTTI and GIADA ZAMPANO Associated Press

VATICAN CITY — Peruvian nun

Alba Socola waited in line for almost five hours with thousands of other Catholics on Wednesday to enter St. Peter’s Basilica and give her final farewell to the late Pope Francis. She believed the special moment of prayer was well worth the wait.

“It’s like praying for our church and asking the Lord, through the intercession of the pope, to continue guiding us,” the 27-year-old said while waiting in line to enter the basilica. People began filing through

derly woman with a cane walked away sobbing, “My pope is gone.”

Such despair was rare. The mood was more one of gratitude for a pope who had, by example, taught many people to open their minds.

“I am very devoted to the pope,” said Ivenes Bianco, who was in Rome from Brindisi, Italy, for an operation. “He was important to me because he brought many people together by encouraging coexistence.” She cited Francis’ acceptance of the gay community and his insistence on helping the poor Humbeline Coroy came to Rome from Perpignan, France, for the planned canonization Sunday of 15-year-old Carlo Acutis, which was suspended after the pope’s death. She stayed to pay respects to Francis, enjoying exchanges with Japanese mourners they met

to pay their final respects on the first of three days of public viewing ahead of the funeral on Saturday

Socola said Francis encouraged young people to play a more active role in the church.

The nun said the moment when she stood in front of Francis’ coffin was “a moment to pray” for the entire Catholic Church and call for much-needed peace around the world.

“It was a great thrill to be there. And the most important thing is that it invites you to pray and be silent,” Socola said, before posing for a photo with other nuns and leaving St. Peter’s Square.

as they waited under the sun in St. Peter’s Square.

“For me, it is a lot of things. In my job, I work with disabled children, and I traveled to Madagascar to work with poor people. Being here, and close to the pope, is a way of integrating these experiences, and make them concrete,” she said.

Cardinals convene

Cardinals continued to arrive in Rome for Saturday’s funeral, and numbered 113 by Thursday During a morning session “the cardinals started a conversation on the church and the world,” the details of which remain private. No sooner than May 5, after nine days of official mourning, cardinals under 80 years of age will meet in a conclave to choose a new pope.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS By ALESSANDRA TARANTINO

Faithful pay their respects to Pope Francis lying in state inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Thursday.

A woman takes a picture of a photograph of the late Pope Francis that reads ‘Please, don’t forget to pray for me’ during a Mass in his memory at the Chiesa di Santo Spirito in Sassia outside the Vatican on Thursday.

La.lawmakers consider newethicsrules

Statewatchdog couldfacemore stringentregulations

BY ALYSE PFEIL |Staff writer

Some state lawmakerswant to set more stringent rules for how the board that enforces Louisiana’s ethics laws investigates publicofficials, arguing thatthe boardhas too much latitudewhen it comes to probing accusations of wrongdoing.

Butsomegood-government groups worry the proposal could make it too difficult to look into allegations of unethical behaviorand too easy to quash investigations that areneeded to determine if any wrongdoing actuallytook place.

HouseBill674 wouldmakedozens of changes to the ethicscode, including settingupnew procedures for the LouisianaBoard of Ethics,which enforces conflict-ofinterest, nepotism and campaign finance laws.

Of particular significance are new protocols for investigating alleged violations of ethics laws. The procedures wouldrequirea twothirds majority vote of the board to proceed with any investigation into possible violations. And they would allow officials under investigation to ask courts to intervene and limit or block an investigation.

Currently,the boardisrequired by law to investigate any sworn complaints it receives, anditdoes so without the need for avote.Otherwise, the board can investigate when “it has reason to believe” there may be aviolation witha two-thirds majority vote.

“The bill increases procedural safeguards for respondents to ethics complaints,” said Stephen Gelé, an attorney who helped put together thelegislation andwho for years hasrepresented clients in matters before the Louisiana Board of Ethics.

Gelé is currently representing Gov.JeffLandry in pending charges broughtbythe ethics board for failingtodisclose private air travel provided byapolitical donor when he was attorney general.

Gelé said in an email that he helped compile the bill with the input of “many stakeholders,” includingattorneysand accountants familiar with ethics boardprocedures, public officials who have been investigated or charged, legislators, public policy organizations and the ethicsboard administrator,whichserves as the board’s general counsel

“These safeguards are consistent with long-standing principles of American dueprocess,” he said, citing as examples the right to counsel, the right not to selfincriminateand proportionality, amongothers.

But, while acknowledging the importance of due process, some watchdog groupsfearthe rulesare too strict.

“I thinkittips alittletoo far in terms of protecting elected officials from investigations,” said Steven Procopio, president of the Public Affairs Research Council, anonpartisan Louisiana public policy research organization.

Procopio noted that alaw passed last year gave state legislators and thegovernor powertoappoint anyone of their choosing to the ethics board.Previously, members were selected from alist of candidates providedbyleaders of the state’s privatecolleges.

Thefact that everyboardmemberisnow appointed by an elected official,together with the proposed two-thirds vote requirement, means that “any third of them can stop an investigation,” Procopio said.

“You don’t needa majorityvote to kill something,” he said. “Out of 15 people, you need five.”

Rep. BeauBeaullieu, R-New Iberia, is sponsoring the legislation and chairs the House and Governmental Affairs committee, which in recent months held hearings looking

into the ethics board’sprocedures

“Wehad people over thecourse of the lastyear talk about their uneasiness with some of theinvestigations that have taken place by the board,” he said Wednesday during ahearing on the bill, which advanced outofBeaullieu’s committee withoutany opposition. What wouldthe bill change?

Before votingonwhether to launch an investigation, the Board of Ethics would be required to consider several factors, including whether:

n Thepersonhas already rectified thepotential violation

n The board would “more likely than not finda significantviolation”

n An investigationwould “support the purposes” of thestate’s ethics code

n Sufficient information is available to support an investigation

n The expenses to undertake the investigation “weighed against the severity of thepotential violation.”

If, after considering thefactors, the board votedtobegin an investigation, it would need to follow new, detailed procedures forthe investigation.

Barry Erwin, chief policy officer of Leaders for aBetter Louisiana, noted that looking into potential violations is part of the job of the ethics board.

“Wedon’twant to createunnecessary hurdlesjust to consider and investigate aviolation,” he said.

An initial investigation into potential wrongdoing allows the boardto“get to the bottom of things” andhappens before formal charges are brought and heard by ajudge, Erwin explained.

Otherchanges

Under theproposal, once an investigation begins, thesubject of the inquiry could ask adistrict court for an order to place certain limits or conditions on an investigation —orstop it altogether The bill would alsocreate new

rulesfor theboard to issuesubpoenas or requests for records or sworn statements.

Anyone on thereceiving end of a request for information or subpoena would have to respond within 30 days. Andincases of refusal to comply,the ethics board could ask adistrict court to issue an order requiring compliance.

But the board could issue asubpoena onlywith a“finding that the importance of the information sought outweighs the burden of producing the information.”

And it could only gather verbal sworn testimony “under conditions agreed uponbythe subject of the investigation.”

At variousstages in the process, theboard would need to provide noticetothe personunderinvestigation of having aconstitutional right to counsel and aconstitutional right not to incriminate oneself.

The board would also have to meet aset of new requirements before deciding whether to bring formal chargesafter an investigation: createa report of the investigation, provide it to the subject, and allow thesubject to respond to the report.

Only after that process, and with atwo-thirds vote of the board, could adecision be made to bring formal charges for violations of ethics laws.

Privatefarefor official business

Separate from proposed changes to ethicsboardinvestigations, the legislation would expand how far statelawmakers could traveland have the bill paid for by someone else.

In cases of public speaking engagements, lawmakers could acceptcomplimentary food, lodging and travelarrangements in any country in North America or any U.S. territory or state.

In cases of events organized “for information purposes,” lawmakers could travel forfree anywhere in the U.S. In cases “for entertainmentpurposes,” they could travel for free within 50 milesoftheir

homedistrict or the State Capitol.

Rules about public disclosures of donated lodging or transportation would not change under the bill. “Wedidn’tchange any of the reportingrequirements. Allwe did wasincreasethe geography,” Gelé told lawmakers Wednesday. “I expanded the geography to the entirety of North America when we did this broad revision.”

The bill would also set up rules for how public officials should list the value of complimentary private airfare on public disclosure forms.

For any “air transportation by private aircraft,” they could value the flight using standard commercial or charter flight fees for acomparable trip, theactual cost of the private flight, generally accepted accounting principlesora method consistent with federal regulations. Public officials are sometimes invited to travel on someone’sprivate plane, Gelé explained. “That has to be reported. The problem is that as apractical matter,the accountants and the lawyers, including myself, were always not sure what number to put down.”

The case in which Gelé is representing Landry deals with formal chargesbrought by theethics board in August 2023. The board alleges Landry failed to disclose free private flights provided by a political supporter,a requirement under law

According to the charges, Landry received free round-trip air travel on aprivate plane for a meeting of theAttorney General Alliance held in Hawaii in June 2021, when he was attorney general. Greg Mosing, apolitical supporter,owns Stanton Aviation, the company that provided the flight. Gelésaid that, should House Bill 674 becomelaw,itwould have no impact on the case, nor would the proposed rule changes have altered whether charges were filed in the first place.

Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse.pfeil@ theadvocate.com.

BY TARA COPP |Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had an internet connection that bypassed the Pentagon’s security protocols set up in his office to use the Signal messagingapp on apersonal computer,two people familiar with the line told The Associated Press. The existence of the unsecured internet connection is the latest revelation about Hegseth’suse of the unclassified app and raises the possibility that sensitive defense information could have been put at risk of potential hacking or surveillance.

Known as a“dirty”internet line by the IT industry, it connects directly to the publicinternet where the user’sinformation and the websites accessed do not have the same security filters or protocols that the Pentagon’ssecured connections maintain.

Other Pentagon offices have used them, particularly if there’saneed to monitor information or websites that would otherwise be blocked. But the biggest advantage of using such aline is that the user would not show up as one of the many IP

addresses assigned to the Defense Department—essentially the user is masked, according to asenior U.S. officialfamiliar with military networksecurity. But it also can exposeusersto hackingand surveillance. A“dirty” line —just like any public internet connection —alsomay lack the recordkeepingcompliance required by federal law,the official said Allthree spoke on condition of anonymity todiscuss asensitivematter The two people familiar with thelinesaid Hegseth had it set up in his office to usethe Signal app, which has become aflashpoint following revelations that he posted sensitive details about amilitary airstrike in two chats that each had more than adozen people. One ofthe chatsincluded his wifeand brother,while the other included President Donald Trump’stop national security officials.

Askedabout Hegseth’s use ofSignalinhis office, which was firstreported by TheWashington Post, chief Pentagon spokesmanSean Parnell saidthe defense secretary’s“use ofcommunications systems and channels

is classified.”

“However,wecan confirm that the Secretary has never used and does notcurrently use Signalonhis government computer,” Parnell said in astatement.

It’s the latest revelation to shakethe Pentagon.Besides facing questions from bothDemocrats and Republicans about his handling of sensitive information, Hegseth hasdismissed or transferredmultiple close advisers, tightly narrowing his inner circle and adding to the turmoil following the firings of several senior military officers in recent months.

Trumpand other administrationofficials have given Hegseth their full support They have blamed employees theysay were disgruntled for leaking information to journalists, with Trump saying this week: “It’sjust fake news. They just bring up stories.”

“I have 100% confidence in the secretary,”Vice President JD Vance toldreporters Wednesdayabout Hegseth. “I know the president does and, really,the entire team does.”

Hegsethinitially was goingtothe back area of his officewherehecould access

Wi-Fi to use his devices, one of thepeople familiarsaid, and then he requested aline at his deskwherehecould

—apersonal computer; another for classifiedinformation;and athird for sensitive defense information, both people said.

Indiaand Pakistan ramp up spat afterKashmir attack

BY AIJAZ HUSSAIN, SHEIKH SAALIQ and RIAZATBUTT Associated Press

SRINAGAR, India India and Pakistan cancelledvisas for their nationals to each other’scountries and Islamabad warned New Delhi for suspending awater-sharing treaty Thursday

The moves came after Indiablamed Pakistan for adeadly attack by gunmen that killed 26 people in disputed Kashmir India said all visas issued to Pakistani nationals will be revoked with effect from Sunday,adding thatall Pakistanis currently in India must leave before their visas expire based on the revised timeline. The country also announced other measures, including cutting the number of diplomatic staff, closing the only functional land border crossing between the countriesand suspending acrucial watersharing agreement.

In retaliation, Pakistan closed its airspace for all Indian-owned or Indian-operated airlines, and suspended all trade with India.

Tuesday’s attack in Kashmir was the worst assault in years, targeting civiliansin the restive region that has seen an anti-India rebellion for more than three decades.

The incidentshocked and outragedIndians, prompting calls for action against

BY KIM CHANDLER Associated Press

their country’sarchenemy, Pakistan. TheIndian governmentsaid theattack had “cross-border”links to Pakistan, without publicly producing any evidence to support thatclaim.Pakistan has denied any connection to the attack, which was claimed by apreviously unknown militant group calling itself theKashmir Resistance. Pakistan’sNational Security Committee condemned India’s“belligerent measures.” It said that while Pakistan remained committedtopeace, it would never allow anyone to “transgress its sovereignty, security,dignity and inalienable rights.”

Governmentministers on bothsides have hinted that thedispute could escalateto military action.Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar told local Dunya News TV channel that “anykinetic step by Indiawill see atitfor-tat kinetic response.” Indian Defense MinisterRajnath Singhpledged Wednesday to “not only trace those who perpetrated the attack but also trace those whoconspired to commit this nefarious act onour soil,” and hinted at the possibility of military strikes. Indiaand Pakistan each administer apart of Kashmir,but both claim theterritory in its entirety.New Delhi describes allmilitancyin KashmirasPakistan-backed terrorism.Pakistan denies

ProsecutorssaidOsgood cut her throat afterheand his girlfriend sexually assaulted her.

this,and many Muslim Kashmiris consider the militants to be partofahomegrown freedom struggle.

The killings have put pressure on Indian PrimeMinister Narendra Modi’sHindu nationalist government to respond aggressively

“India will identify,track and punish every terrorist, their handlersand their backers,”Moditolda rally

Thursday

His government announced aseries of diplomatic actionsagainst Islamabad while hinting at plans for more punishment.

India’sForeign Secretary Vikram Misri announced Wednesdaythatanumber of Pakistanidiplomats were asked to leave New Delhi and Indian diplomatswere recalled from Pakistan. Diplomatic missions in both countrieswill reduce their staff from 55 to 30 as of May 1.

India’sforeign ministry advisedIndians citizens not to travel to Pakistan and asked those currently there to return.

Pakistanhas responded angrily thatithas nothing to do withthe attack and warned that any Indian attempttostop or divertflow of water would be considered an “act of war” and met with “fullforce across thecomplete spectrum” of Pakistan’s national power

In Pakistan, dozens of demonstrators rallied in

somecities, including outside the Indian High Com-

missioninIslamabad, against India’ssuspension of the water treaty,demanding their government retaliate.

ATMORE, Ala. An Alabama man who dropped his appeals and said he deserved to die for the rape and murder of awoman in 2010 was puttodeath Thursday evening. JamesOsgood, 55,was pronounced dead at 6:35 p.m. CDT following alethal injection at asouth Alabama prison, authorities said. Ajury in 2014 convicted Osgood of capital murder in the death of Tracy Lynn Brown in Chilton County

Osgood recently told The Associated Press that he had droppedhis appeals last year, adding, “I am guilty of murder.” In aletter to his lawyer explaining his decision to seek an execution date as soon as possible, he wrote that he wastired and no longerfelthe was“even existing.” Brown, 44, was found dead in her homeon Oct.23, 2010, after her employer became concerned when she didnot show up for work.

ProsecutorssaidOsgood admittedtopolicethat he andhis girlfriend sexually assaulted Brownafterdis-

cussing how they had shared fantasies about kidnapping andtorturing someone. The pair forced their victim to perform sex acts at gunpoint.They saidOsgood then killedBrown by cutting her throat. Hisgirlfriend, who was Brown’s cousin, was sentenced tolife in prison.

Thejury foundOsgood guiltyafter about 40 minutesofdeliberation and unanimously recommended thedeath sentence.

Hisinitial deathsentence wasthrown outbyanappeals court ruling that jurors were given improper instructions.Athis resentencing in 2018, Osgood asked to be executed, saying he didn’t want thefamilies to endure another hearing.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByFAREED KHAN

Supporters of the Pakistan Murkazi Muslim League partychant slogans in Karachi, Pakistan, on Thursday

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By MUKHTAR KHAN

People participate Wednesdayduring acandlelight protest after adeadly attack in Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Hundreds of scientific research grants abruptly axed

Researchers fear certain keywords created targets

BY MATT O’BRIEN AP technology writer

Ashley Dayer’s dream of winning a National Science Foundation grant to pursue discoveries in bird conservation started when she was an early-career professor with an infant in her arms and a shoestring laboratory budget.

tions, medical research and the private sector

The NSF’s director, Sethuraman Panchanathan, defended the agency’s priorities but then quit on Thursday, saying he had done all I can to advance the critical mission of the agency.”

feeders were affecting wildlife, but also people’s mental well-being.

bon Society and with the aim of engaging those who have historically been excluded from natural spaces and birdwatching groups.

funding was terminated, other than that their abstracts included terms like “censorship” or “misinformation.”

summer without a grant to fund his salary

Are more cuts coming?

Competition is intense for NSF grants, a key source of funding for science research at U.S. universities. It took three failed applications and years of preliminary research before the agency awarded her one.

Then came a Monday email informing Dayer that President Donald Trump’s administration was cutting off funding, apparently because the project investigating the role of bird feeders touched on themes of diversity, equity and inclusion.

“I was shocked and saddened,” said Dayer, a professor at Virginia Tech’s department of fish and wildlife conservation. “We were just at the peak of being able to get our findings together and do all of our analysis. There’s a lot of feelings of grief.”

Hundreds of other university researchers had their National Science Foundation funding abruptly canceled Friday to comply with Trump’s directives to end support of research on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the study of misinformation. It’s the latest front in Trump’s anti-DEI campaign that has also gone after university administra-

More than 380 grant projects have been cut so far, including work to combat internet censorship in China and Iran and a project consulting with Indigenous communities to understand environmental changes in Alaska’s Arctic region. One computer scientist was studying how artificial intelligence tools could mitigate bias in medical information, and others were trying to help people detect AI-generated deepfakes. A number of terminated grants sought to broaden the diversity of people studying science, technology and engineering.

NSF, founded in 1950, has a $9 billion budget that can be a lifeline for resourcestrapped professors and the younger researchers they recruit to their teams. It has shifted priorities over time but it is highly unusual to terminate so many midstream grants.

Some scientists saw the cuts coming, after Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz last year flagged thousands of NSF-funded projects he says reflected a “woke DEI” or Marxist agenda, including some but not all of the projects cut Friday

Still, Dayer said she was “incredibly surprised” that her bird project was axed.

A collaboration with other institutions, including the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, it tapped into Project Feederwatch, a website and app for sharing bird observations.

Dayer’s team had collected data from more 20,000 Americans on their birdwatching habits, fielding insights on how outdoor

The only mention of the word “diversity” in the grant abstract is about bird populations, not people But the project explicitly sought to engage more disabled people and people of color That fit with NSF’s longtime requirement that funded projects must have a broad impact

“We thought, if anything, maybe we’d be told not to do that broader impacts work and to remove that from our project,” Dayer said. “We had no expectation that the entire grant would be unfunded.”

Agency director quits

On the day the grants were terminated, Panchanathan, the NSF’s director since 2020, said on the agency’s website that it still supported “research on broadening participation” but those efforts “should not preference some groups at the expense of others, or directly/indirectly exclude individuals or groups.” Less than a week later, Panchanathan had announced his resignation.

The NSF declined to share the total number of canceled grants, but Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency, run by billionaire Elon Musk, posted on X that NSF had canceled “402 wasteful DEI grants” amounting to $233 million. It didn’t say how much of that had already been spent. Grants typically last for several years.

Caren Cooper, a North Carolina State University professor of forestry and natural resources, said she expected her work would be targeted after it made Cruz’s list. Her grant project also sought to include people of color and people with disabilities in participatory science projects, in collaboration with the Audu-

“We’ve been trying to make contingency plans,” Cooper said. “Nonetheless, it’s an illegal thing. It’s violating the terms and conditions of the award.”

Misinformation work cut

Along with eliminating DEI research, NSF said it will no longer “support research with the goal of combating ‘misinformation,’ ‘disinformation,’ and ‘malinformation’ that could be used to infringe on the constitutionally protected speech rights of American citizens across the United States in a manner that advances a preferred narrative about significant matters of public debate.”

Several researchers said they weren’t sure why their

“The lack of transparency around this process is deeply concerning,” said Eric Wustrow, an engineering professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder whose grant aims to study and combat internet censorship in countries like China and Iran. “Did they just Ctrl+f for certain words, ignoring context?”

NSF said on its website that “there is not a list of words” to avoid, but that misinformation research is no longer aligned with NSF’s priorities.

Wustrow said his research supports free speech and access to information around the world, and he plans to appeal the decision to terminate the funding. Meanwhile, he’s looking at potentially working for free this

The NSF declined to say if more cuts are coming. The terminated funding mirrors earlier cuts to medical research funding from the National Institutes of Health.

A group of scientists and health groups sued the NIH earlier this month, arguing that those cuts were illegal and threatened medical cures.

Dayer is still figuring out what to do about the loss of funding for the bird feeder project, which cuts off part of summer funding for four professors at three universities and their respective student teams She’s particularly worried about what it means for the next generation of American scientists.

“It’s just this outright attack on science right now,” Dayer said.

BY JONEL ALECCIA

Associated Press

The Agriculture Department will not require poultry companies to limit salmonella bacteria in their products, halting a Biden Administration effort to prevent food poisoning from contaminated meat

The department on Thursday said it was withdrawing a rule proposed in August after three years of development. Officials with the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service cited feedback from more than 7,000 public comments and said they would “evaluate whether it should update” current salmonella regulations.

The rule would have required poultry companies to keep levels of salmonella bacteria under a certain threshold and test for the presence of six strains most associated with illness, including three found in turkey and three in chicken If the levels exceeded the standard or any of those strains were found, the poultry couldn’t be sold and would be subject to recall, the proposal had said.

The plan aimed to reduce an estimated 125,000 salmonella infections from chicken and 43,000 from turkey each year, according to USDA. Overall, salmonella causes 1.35 million infections a year, most through food, and about 420 deaths, according to the U.S.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The withdrawal drew praise from the National Chicken Council, an industry trade group, which said the proposed rule was legally unsound, misinterpreted science, would have increased costs and create more food waste, all “with no meaningful impact on public health.”

But the move drew swift criticism from food safety advocates, including Sandra Eskin, a former USDA official who helped draft the plan.

The withdrawal “sends the clear message that the Make America Healthy Again initiative does not care about the thousands of people who get sick from preventable foodborne salmonella infections linked to poultry,” Eskin said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the USDA said it would delay by six months the enforcement of a final rule regulating salmonella levels in certain breaded and stuffed raw chicken products. Enforcement, which was set for May 1, now begins Nov 3.

That covers foods such as frozen chicken cordon bleu and chicken Kiev dishes that appear to be fully cooked but are only heattreated to set the batter or coating. Such products have been linked to at least 14 salmonella outbreaks and at least 200 illnesses since 1998, according to the CDC.

Trumpurges Russia to ‘STOP!’after attack on Kyiv

BY AAMER MADHANI and SAMUEL PETREQUIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Thursday offeredrarecriticism of Vladimir Putin, urging the Russian leader to “STOP!” after adeadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv,Ukraine’s capital.

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV Not necessary,and very bad timing. Vladimir,STOP! 5000 soldiers aweek are dying.” Trump said in apost on his Truth Social platform. “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!

Russia struck Kyiv with an hourslongbarrage of missiles and drones. At least 12 people were killed and 90 were injured in the deadliest assault on the city since last July

Trump’sfrustrationis growing as aU.S.-led effort to get apeace agreement between Ukraine and Russia has not made progress Trump lashed out at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday and accused him of prolonging the “killing field” by

refusing to surrenderthe Russia-occupiedCrimean Peninsula as part of apossibledeal.Russia illegally annexed that area in 2014.

With hisassertion thatPutin demonstrated “very bad timing” with the massive attack, Trump appeared to

suggest that theRussian leader was doing himself no favors towardachieving the Kremlin’s demandthat any peace agreement include Russia keeping control of Crimea as well as Ukrainian territory in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and

Kherson regions it has seized since invading in February 2022.

Later Thursday during an Oval Office meetingwith NorwegianPrimeMinister

Jonas Gahr Støre, Trump said that Crimea was taken from Ukraine withoutafight.

He also noted thatannexationofthe Ukrainianpeninsula happened under President Barack Obama’swatch.

AskedwhatPutin is doing now to help forge apeace deal, Trump responded, “stopping taking the whole country,pretty big concession.”

But the notion is one that Ukraine and much of Europe have fiercely pushed back against, arguing that Russia pausing aland grab is hardly aconcession.

Zelenskyy has repeated many times that recognizing occupiedterritory as Russia’sisared line for Ukraine.

He noted Thursday that Ukraine hadagreed to aU.S. ceasefire proposal 44 days ago as afirst step to anegotiated peace, but thatMoscow’sattacks had continued.

Trump’scriticism of Putin is notable because Trump has repeatedly said Russia is more willing than Ukraine to get adeal done.

“I didn’tlike last night,” Trumpsaid of Russia’smassive attack on Kyiv,which led to him criticizing Putin.

“I wasn’thappy with it.”

In hisdealingswithZel-

enskyy and Putin, Trump has focused on which leader has leverage. Putin has “the cards” and Zelenskyy does not, Trump has said repeatedly.Atthe same time, the new Republican administration has taken steps toward amore cooperative linewith Putin, for whom Trump has long shownadmiration.

Trumpinhis meeting with Norway’sGahr Støre was to discuss the war in Ukraine, U.S. tariffs and other issues. Norway,amember of NATO and strong supporter of Ukraine, shares aroughly 123-mile borderwith Russia GahrStøre said in asocial media post Thursdaythat he would underscore during the talks that “close contact between Norway andthe USAiscrucial.”

“Wemust contribute to alasting andjust peace in Ukraine,” he said.

TheWhite House announced Tuesday that Trump’s specialenvoy,Steve Witkoff, would visit Moscow this weekfor anew round of talks with Putin about the war.Itwould be their fourth meeting since Trump took office in January

BY HOLLYRAMER and COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

CONCORD,N.H. Afederal judge on Thursday blocked Trump administration directives that threatened to cut federal funding forpublic schoolswithdiversity, equity and inclusion programs

The ruling came in alawsuit brought by the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, which accused the Republican administration of giving “unconstitutionally vague” guidance and violating teachers’ First Amendment rights.

Asecond judge on Thursday postponedthe effective date of some

U.S. Education Department antiDEIguidance, ruling in aseparate case filed by the American Federation of Teachers in Maryland. In February,the department told schoolsand colleges they needed to end any practicethatdifferentiatespeople based on their race. Earlier this month,itordered states to gather signatures from local school systems certifying compliance with civil rights laws, including the rejection of what the federal government calls “illegal DEI practices.”

The directivesdonot carry the force of lawbut threatentouse civil rights enforcement to rid schools of DEIpractices.Schools were warned that continuing such prac-

tices “in violation of federal law” could lead to U.S. Justice Department litigation and atermination of federal grantsand contracts.

U.S. District Court JudgeLandya McCafferty in New Hampshire said theApril letter does not make clear what thedepartmentbelieves aDEI program entails or when it believessuch programs cross theline intoviolating civil rights law.“The Letter does not even define what a‘DEIprogram’ is,” McCafferty wrote.

Thejudge also saidthere is reason to believe the department’s actions amount to aviolation of teachers’ free speechrights.

“A professor runs afoulofthe 2025 Letter if she expressesthe

view in her teaching that structural racism exists in America, but does not do so if she denies structural racism’sexistence. That is textbook viewpoint discrimination,” McCafferty wrote.

An EducationDepartment spokesperson did not immediately respond to arequest forcomment.

States were given until the end of Thursday to submit certification of their schools’compliance, but some have indicated they would not comply withthe order. Education officialsinsomeDemocratic-ledstates have said the administration is overstepping its authority and that there is nothing illegal about DEI.

TheFeb. 14 memo from the department, formally known as

a“DearColleague”letter, said schools have promoted DEI efforts at theexpenseofwhiteand Asian American students. It dramatically expands theinterpretation of a2023 Supreme Court decision barring the use of race in college admissions to all aspects of education,including, hiring, promotion, scholarships, housing, graduation ceremonies and campus life. In the ruling in Maryland, U.S District Judge Stephanie Gallagher postponed that memo. She found it was improperly issued and forces teachers to choose between “being injured through suppressing their speech or through facing enforcement for exercising their constitutional rights.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVGENIyMALOLETKA

AUkrainian serviceman carries adog out of ahouse damagedbya Russian airstrikeina residential neighborhood ThursdayinKyiv, Ukraine.

whohave been on the hook in recent years for multimillion-dollar verdictsinfavor of patients and their families. The proposed change to the law would force patients to file suit instead under Louisiana’sMedical MalpracticeAct, which caps damages to $500,000 in total and limits them to $100,000 for the provider —inthis case, a nursing home management company

“If this bill was law in 2021 when Hurricane Ida hit Louisiana, Bob Dean would have been completely protected for his administrative negligence, without adoubt,” testified DeniseBottcher, statedirector of AARP Louisiana. “This bill is abad policy.Itwould leave hundreds of thousandsoffamily members, caregivers,older adults, without avoice.”

Dean owned several nursing homes in Louisiana and sent 843 of his elderlyand infirm residents to atepid warehouse during the storm. Residents there criedout for help but received little attention, according to nurses who staffed the warehouse and state inspectors who visited. Urine and excrement piled up in thefacility, which did not have enough bathrooms, whilesome residentsspent days in wheelchairswithout being moved or receiving correctmedications.

The state eventually shutdown the warehouse, evacuatedthe residents andclosedDean’snursing homes. Dozens of his patients were hospitalized and many died, with coroners determining five deaths to be storm-related.

Dean was arrestedand faced a bevy of lawsuits, including aclassaction suit from his former nursinghome patients and their surviving family members against his nursing home management com-

WIND

Continued from page1A

heavilyonimports, and higher costs from Trump’s new tariffs could discourage new projects, analysts say While the administration is trying to thwart the development of new wind projects, some nearby states have embraced wind power for years and tied it into their powergrids.

Texas has 239 wind-related projects while Oklahoma has 29, with thousandsof turbines between them that provide asignificant portion of electricity to area customers.

Mississippi got its first wind farm last year, when AES beganproducing electricity at its 184-megawatt Delta wind project located on privatepropertyinTunica County.Its customer is the tech giant Amazon, which is spending $16 billion to construct two new data centers in the state and has agoalofreachingnet-zero carbon emissions for allof its operations by 2040. Bellard toured the 14,000acre wind farm in October and said that each of its41 turbines takes up less than an acre of farmland. That’s a vastly smaller footprintthan solar farms, which have stirred opposition in some rural areas for locating on

pany.The suit led to a$12.5 million settlement from Dean’sinsurance proceeds.Hepleaded no contest to countsofcruelty to theinfirm, Medicaid fraud andobstruction of justice.

TheLegislature considered a similarbilllastsession, but jettisoned it amid public blowback aroundthe Dean case.

But the Louisiana Nursing Home Association told lawmakers Wednesdaytoignore comparisons betweenDean’scase and thepotential changes to the law,noting that Dean was not amember of theLNHA. Theysaidmanagement companies were supposed to be classified as health care providers under theMedical Malpractice Act since alaw changein2003 that has since been“eroded.”

AndWes Hataway,the legal and policy directorfor theLouisiana NursingHome Association,said that ablitz oflawsuitsagainst nursing homes has threatened to upendthe industry. Pressly also testified that the law was intended to ensure that medical facilities stay afloat in thestate.

“We’re going to have those health care facilities turning in their keys because they can’t do businessin this state anymore,” Hataway said.

Thefight haspinnedtwo powerful groups against each other for thesecond year inarow at the Capitol. Nursinghomes —who are prolific donors to state lawmakers andhold strong sway at theCapitol —have argued that trial lawyers usethe lawsuits to line their pockets.Meanwhile, attorneyswho represent patients say that if nursing homesfocused as much on patient careasthey have on concerns aboutlegal verdicts,theywould face fewer complaints in court.

TheLouisiana Nursing Home Association especially pinpointed one law firm,Garcia and Artigliere, as responsiblefor threatening to bankrupttheirindustry

Matt Coman, aNew Orleans attorney with thefirm, testified

land that could otherwise be used for agriculture.

“It’snoinconvenienceto thefarmingindustry,” Bellard said of wind farms.

In astatement, AESconfirmed that it has active lease agreements for two potential windprojects in Louisiana, one in St. Landry and Evangeline parishes and another inMadison Parish. Thecompanywouldn’t say how much acreageithas undercontract or its project timeline.

Cordelio Power didnot respond to alist of questions

The proposed projects range in size, withsome callingfor afew dozen wind turbinesand others more than 100, according to interconnection requests filed with the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, which oversees the regional power grid.

Unlikeinthe Southwest, wind development inthe southeastern United States is arelatively recent trend. The region has long been overlooked by developers because of its slower wind speeds, thoughtechnological advances aremaking projects in this part of the countrymore economical.

To be sure, theindustry is facing pushback in some Deep Redstates that have yet to see significant investment from wind developers. Arkansas recentlysent a bill to the governor’sdesk

Sen.Thomas Pressly,a Shreveport Republican, has filed abill that would changethe definition of health care provider in Louisiana, lumping in administrative, staffing and custodial services under the term.

alongsideseveral of hisclients aboutthe horrorsthatthey’dseen at nursing homes whose management companies they said squeezed staffing toturn profits. Coman read out lines from depositionsofmanagement companies, who conceded that they do not provide health care despite the potential definition change.

He referenced how themanagement companyofLTACofLouisiana, which his firmsued, had scrapped awoundcare nurse position from the company.Coman represented aman whodiedofa bedsorethere, and his family got a$2.2 millionverdictagainst the long-term acute care facility Family members of residents whoweremistreatedinLouisiana nursing homes waited all dayto testify at thehearing, whichwas initially scheduled for Wednesday morning but did not end until after 9p.m.

Drema Cambre testified about the infections andsepsis that her mother, Grace St.Pierre, de-

that industry supporters saywould essentially put amoratorium on new wind farms in that state.

No suchlegislation has been filed in Louisiana, however.Under bothRepublican Gov. Jeff Landry and his Democratic predecessor, John BelEdwards, the state has tried to position itself as an energy hub that embraces traditional fossil fuels, renewable sourcesof energy and the infrastructure needed to produce it all.

Abill filed by stateRep. Kimberly Coates, R-Ponchatoula, would require land-based wind farmsto get apermit from the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources before constructing projects. She said she doesn’toppose landbased wind farms and simply wants to put rulesinplace before moving forward.

Wind industry advocates say there’sa cleardemand amongcommercial and industrial customers for renewableenergy. Jenny Netherton, senior program manager at the Southeastern Wind Coalition, points to the waitlist forsolar power from Entergyas evidence.

“Onshore windisareadily deployable,utility-scale renewableenergy resource thatcan help meet this existing demand by Louisiana businessesand attract new investments,” Netherton

velopedatChateau St. James in Lutcher.Cambre said she only discovered after her mother’sdeath that shehad fallen 35 timesatthe facility Cambre sued Priority ManagementGroup, whichruns the nursing home along with more thana dozenothers acrossLouisiana During atrial last year in St. James Parish,the judge found that the nursing home companyviolated discovery orders by withholding emails relevanttothe case.Those included awarning that astaffer sent to management saying residentsweresuffering because the nursing homedid not have enough staff. ASt. JamesParishjury awardedCambre $3.5 million in thecase.

“Chateau St. James was significantly understaffed when my mother resided there,” Cambre said. “I understandthis bill will protect nursing home companies like Priority Management whounderstaff nursing homes forgreater profit at theexpense of good care for the people who live there, like my mother.”

Geoffrey Stewart described visitinghis mother, Cynthia,ata nursing home in ChurchPoint where she developed pressure ulcers becausestaff did notturnher every two hours. He said he paid $7,400 each month for her stay.Stewart has alawsuit pending against Acadia St. Landry Nursing &Rehabilitation; it’s still going through a medical review panel andhas not yetreached districtcourt in Lafayette.

“WheneverIvisited, Ihad to go search foremployees to come and turn my mother,”hesaid.“Ihad to bring cash with me every time Iwent to give moneytocome and turn my mother In theend, she sufferedterribly.”

Otherattorneys critiqued the law as well.

Attorney Chip Wagar, who represents patients in medical malpractice cases, referenced anoth-

er caseinAscension Parish. Staff strapped an elderlywoman into a wheelchair, didnot check on her and she slipped down and was asphyxiated by the strap, he said.

The nursing home faced an administrative negligence lawsuit. Those types of incidents should not be covered under medical malpractice, he said.

“Thiswould takemisrepresentation, fraud and conduct having nothing to do withmedicine, and sweep it underthe (Medical Malpractice) Acttolimit thatnursing hometo$100,000,” he said.

State Sen. Jay Luneau,D-Alexandria, grilled nursing home representatives about how the bill would work, re-upping aline of questioning that he startedlast year in the bill’sinitial version. He asked how creating such an expansive definition of medical malpractice would affect someone’sability to sue if they fell on aspill on anursing homefloor

“The simple fact is thatmedical malpractice covers unintentional tortsthatoccurduring the delivery of health care,” Hataway said. “Ifa person slips and falls in ahospital, Idon’tsee how that’sanunintentional during thedelivery of health care.”

Luneau said thebillwas “the most broadly writtenbill” he’d ever seen.

“It appears to me that the wordingofthis is very broad and very encompassing, and everything would be malpractice,” he said. In the end,Luneau wasthe only memberofthe Senate Health and Welfare Committee to vote against the bill. Along withPressly, those voting in favor wereSens. Katrina Jackson-Andrews, D-Monroe; HeatherCloud, R-TurkeyCreek; Bob Hensgens, R-Abbeville; Valarie Hodges, R-Denham Springs; and Robert “Bob” Owen, R-Slidell. Chairman PatrickMcMath, R-Covington, did not vote.

The bill heads next to the Senate floor

said.

Wind energy is also among thecheapestformsofpower in the country,and isn’tat the whims of fluctuating fuel prices, like gas-fired plants, she said.

Cameron Poole,energy and innovation manager at Greater New Orleans Inc., said thatland-based wind farmscould attractnew investments in Louisiana from industries that are seeking renewable energy to power their operations. He described the technology as another “tool”inthe state’s economic development“tool kit.”

The projects could also provide job opportunities forstudents enrolled in a new, two-year programat Nunez Community College that trains studentstobe entry-level wind turbine technicians, Poole said. Bellard is bullish on what wind farms could mean for St.Landry Parish’scoffers, notingthat property taxes arehigher for commercial

rather than agricultural land. In December,the St. Landry Parish Council approved anew ordinance setting outpermitting requirements forwind farms. Wind farms arealso aboon forlandowners, who on av-

erage receive around $6,700 per yearfor eachmegawatt of wind power produced on theirproperty, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.The AES project proposed for Acadiana is projected to generate around 156 MW of power

BRIEFS

FROM STAFFAND WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street rallies for third day

Wall Street’srally kept rolling Thursday as better-than-expected profits for U.S. companies piled up,though CEOs said they’re unsure whether it will last because of uncertainty created by President Donald Trump’strade war The S&P 500chargedhigher and pulled within 11% of itsrecordset earlier thisyear. The Dow Jones Industrial Average andthe Nasdaq composite increased.

Tech stocks helped leadthe way,including ServiceNow after the AI platform company delivered astronger profit for the start of 2025 than analysts expected. The company,whose AI agents help clients manage their customers, saw its stock jump 15.5%afteritalsogavea forecast range for upcoming subscription revenue that beatsome analysts’ expectations.

Toycompany Hasbro wasa winner and jumped 14.6% after reporting better profit and revenuefor the latestquarterthan analysts expected. It cited strong growth forits Magic: The Gatheringgame, among other products Switch 2preorderssee ‘overwhelming’ demand

U.S. preorders forthe Nintendo Switch2 kicked off shortly after the clockstruck midnight Thursday.But chaos soon ensued amid high demand.

Scores of consumershoping to be among the firsttoown Nintendo’s latest gaming console —set to officially launch June5 —jumped online to try to snag a preorder.And while some lucky buyers found success, many others raninto frustrating delays or saw listings appear to quickly sellout at participating retailers like Target, Walmart andBest Buy in the wee hours of thenight. Among the headaches, social media users shared painfully long wait times, screenshots of error messages or carts that suddenly appeared empty— whilesomereported receiving confirmation emails that were soon followed by notices about the orders being canceled.

Nintendo acknowledged the “very high demand” in an update about those interested in purchasing the Switch 2from its own My Nintendo Store.The company said it would be “workingdiligently to fulfillorders,” but notedthatdelivery by June 5was not guaranteed —urging those who want to increase their chances of getting the console at the launch date to visit aparticipating retailer

The sizable (and speedy) demand for Nintendo’sSwitch2 isn’tsurprising. The new gaming console has been marketed as bigger and better than itspredecessor of eight years past with highly-anticipated features includinganinteractivechat, larger screen and new games.

U.S. to ease rules on self-driving cars

U.S. automakers developing self-driving cars will be allowed moreexemptions from certain federalsafetyrulesfor testingpurposes to help them competeagainstChinese rivals, the Transportation Department said Thursday

The department also said it will streamline crash reporting requirements involving selfdriving features and will move toward national rules for the technology to replace apatchworkofstate regulations

The new exemption procedures will allow U.S. automakers to apply to skip certain safety rules for self-driving vehicles if they are used only forresearch and other noncommercial purposes. The exemptionswerein place previously for foreign, importedvehicles whosehome country rulesmay be different than those in the U.S. The crash reporting rulebeing changed has drawncriticism from President Donald Trump’s adviserElonMuskasonerous and unfair.His car company,Tesla, has reported manyofthe total crashesunder theruleinpart because it is the biggest seller of partial self-driving vehiclesin the U.S.

Airlines trim flights, pull outlook

Domestictravel demand slows

BY MICHELLECHAPMAN AP business writer

Major U.S. airlines are reducing their flight schedules and revising or withdrawing theirprofit outlooks forthe yeardue to less domestic travel demand as sentiment about the national andglobal economies sours.

American Airlines pulled its financialguidancefor 2025 on Thursday,joining rivalsSouthwestand Delta indeclaring the economic outlook too uncertain to provide full-year forecasts. Allthreeairlines cited weakeningsales among economyclass leisuretravelers.

“Wecameoff astrong fourth

quarter,saw decent business in January,and really domesticleisure travel fell off considerably as we wentintothe February time frame,” American AirlinesCEO Robert Isom toldCNBC.

Consumer reluctance to book vacationswould correspondwith a newpoll that showed many people fear the U.S. is entering arecession and thatPresident Donald Trump’s broad and haphazardly enforced tariffs will cause prices to rise

There’salso increasingconcern aboutinternationaltravelers. Michael Feroli, chief U.S.economist at J.P.Morgan, said in aclient note that anti-American sentimentcould be spurring atravel dropoff, with data showing thatinternational visitors to the U.S. are running about 5% lower than ayear ago.

“In recent weeks, there have

been numerous newsstories about tourists canceling trips to the U.S. in protest of the perceived heavyhandedness of recenttrade policies,” he wrote. “This pointstopotentially another channel to consider in assessingthe effects of tariffs on economic activity.” American Airlines said it would give an update on its full-year guidance “asthe economic outlook becomes clearer.” Airline executives said sales among business travelers andfor premiumseats on long-haul international flights remained solid. Southwest Airlines reported late Wednesdaythatitwould trim its flightschedulefor thesecondhalf of theyear due to lowerdemand. Thecompany also said it could not reaffirmits 2025 and 2026 outlooks forearningsbefore interestand taxes,given “current macroeco-

nomic uncertainty.”

United Airlineslastweek gave two different financial forecasts for how it may perform thisyear,one if there’sarecession and one if not. The airline said it plannedtoreduce its scheduled domestic flights by 4% starting in July in response to lower-than-expected demand for economyfare tickets.

“Wethink there is areasonable chance things can weaken from here,” United CEO Scott Kirby said. Delta Air Lines, the nation’s most profitable carrier,predicted as recently as January that the company was on track forthe best financial year in its history.Earlier this month, the airline scratched its performance expectations for 2025 and said it was putting a planned flight schedule expansion on hold.

Poll showseconomicfaith faltering

BY JOSH BOAK and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Associated Press

WASHINGTON— Americans’ trust in President DonaldTrump to bolsterthe U.S.economy appearstobefaltering, witha new poll showingthat many people fear the country is being steeredintoarecession and thatthe president’sbroad and haphazardly enforced tariffs will cause prices to rise.

Roughly half of U.S. adultssay that Trump’strade policies will increaseprices “a lot” andanother 3in10think prices could go up “somewhat,” according to the poll by TheAssociated Press-NORC Centerfor Public Affairs Research.

About halfofAmericans are “extremely” or “very”concerned about the possibilityof the U.S. economy going into arecessionin thenext few months. While skepticism about tariffs is increasing modestly,that doesn’tmeanthe public

is automatically rejectingTrump or hisapproach to trade. However,the wariness could cause problems for apresident who promised voters he could quickly fix inflation. Threemonthsinto his second term, Trump’shandling of the economy and tariffs is showing up as apotential weakness. About 4in10Americans approve of the way theRepublican president is handlingthe economy andtrade negotiations. That’s roughlyinline with an AP-NORC poll conducted in March.

About half of U.S. adults, 52%, areagainst imposing tariffs on allgoodsbrought intothe U.S. from other countries. That’supslightly from January,when apoll found that 46% were against tariffs.Driving that smallshift largely appears to be adults underage 30 who didn’tpreviously have an opinionon tariffs Not quite 100 days intoTrump’ssecond term in the WhiteHouse, peoplearound the country are bracing for possible disruptions in how they spend,work and live. The U.S. economy remains solid for the moment with moderating inflation and ahealthy4.2% unemployment rate, yet measures such as consumer confidence have dropped sharply

Trumphas used executive actions to remold the globaleconomy.He’simposed hundreds of billions of dollars ayear in new import taxes—albeit partially suspending someofthem —launching afull-scale trade war against Chinaand pledging to wrap up deals with dozen of other countries that are temporarily facing tariffs of 10%.

Many Americans are not convinced this is the right approach. About 6in10say Trump has “gone too far” when it comes to imposing new tariffs,according to the poll.

About 6in10U.S. adults are “extremely” or “very” concernedabout the costofgroceriesinthe next fewmonths, while about half are highly concerned about the cost of big purchases, such as acar,cellphone or appliance. Less than half are highly concerned about their abilitytopurchase thegoodsthey want— asign of the economy’sresilience so far.

Retirement savingsare asourceofanxiety —about 4in10Americans saytheir retirementsavings are a“major source” of stress in theirlives. Butfewer —only about2in 10 —identify thestock marketasa major source of anxiety

United States home salesslowdowninMarch

Numbersindicate

BY ALEX VEIGA AP business writer

Sales ofpreviouslyoccupied U.S. homesslowed in March, alackluster start to thespring homebuying season as elevated mortgage rates and rising prices discouraged home shoppers. The numbers were also downinsouth Louisiana. Existing home salesfell 5.9% last month from February to aseasonally adjustedannualrateof4.02 millionunits, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. The March sales declineisthe largest monthly drop sinceNovember

2022, when sales fell 6.7% from the previous month, and marks the slowestsales pace for themonth of March going back to 2009. Salesalso fell 2.4% compared withMarch last year.The latest home sales fell short of the 4.12 millionpace economists wereexpecting, according to FactSet.

South Louisiana homesales were also down in March. In the New Orleans area,there were 859sales last month, down 13.5% from the 993 sales in March2024, according to figures from theNew Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors. TheBaton Rouge area hada 5.8% drop in March, from 774 sales in 2024 to 729, according to theGreater Baton Rouge Association of RealtorsMultiple Listing Service.

The average cost of aU.S. mortgage,which climbedtoits highest

level in two months last week, is asignificantbarrierfor would-be homebuyers, said LawrenceYun, NAR’schief economist. “Residential housing mobility, currently at historical lows, signals the troublesome possibilityofless economic mobility for society,” Yun said.

Homepricesincreasedonan annual basis forthe 21st consecutive month, althoughata slower rate.The national median sales price rose 2.7% in March from a year earlier to $403,700, an all-time high forMarch,but thesmallest annualincrease since August. Mediansales prices droppedyear to year by 1.9% in BatonRouge,to $255,000, and 1.8% in New Orleans, to $270,135 The U.S. housing market has been in asales slump since2022, when

mortgage rates begantoclimb from pandemic-era lows. Salesof previously occupied U.S.homes fell last year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. Higher mortgage rates also dampened the startofthe spring homebuying season in 2024. This year,after climbing to ajustabove 7% in mid-January,the average rate on a30-year mortgage has remained mostly elevated,climbing last week to 6.83%, its highest levelineight weeks,according to mortgage buyer Freddie Mac. The averagerate eased this week to 6.81%.

Homes purchased last month likely went undercontractinFebruary andearlyMarch,whenthe average rate on a30-year mortgage rangedfrom6.89% to 6.63% according to Freddie Mac.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByNATHANHOWARD

ElizabethMahon, owner of baby store Three Littles, unpacks strollers and other inventoryordered by customers on April 16 ahead of tariffdriven price increases at her Union Market location in Washington.

Chinadeniesit’sintalks with U.S. over tariffs

BY HUIZHONGWU Associated Press

BANGKOK China on Thursday denied any suggestion thatitwas in active negotiations with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump over tariffs, saying that any notionofprogress in the matter was as groundless as “trying to catch the wind.”

China’scomments come after Trumpsaid Tuesdaythatthings were going “fine with China” and that the final tariff rate on Chinese exports would come down “substantially” from the current 145%.

Guo Jiakun, aspokesman for China’sForeign Ministry,said during adaily briefing on Thursday that, “For all Iknow,China and the U.S. are not having any consultation or negotiationontariffs, still less reaching adeal.”

“China’sposition is consistent, and we are open to consultations and dialogues, but any form of consultations and negotiations must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and in an equal man-

at the 137thCanton Fair in Guangzhou in southernChina’sGuangdong province.

ner,” Commerce Ministry spokesmanHeYadongsaid.

“Any claims about the progress of China-U.S. trade negotiations are groundlessastrying to catch

the wind and have no factual basis,”the spokesman said.

Trumphad told reporters earlier in theweek that“everything’sactive” when asked if he was engag-

Police:Wounded,sword-wielding womanstealscar,spurringchase

BY MITCHELL WILLETTS

The Charlotte Observer(TNS)

Awoman wearing amotorcycle helmet and waving asword at an Indiana police officer stole his car and led authorities on achase that ended violently in Kentucky, officials say AChandler police officer was responding to areckless driver call at about 9a.m. Monday in WarrickCounty whenthey first encountered the suspect,Indiana State Police said in anews release

Shewas lateridentifiedas Nina Devillez, 31,ofSanta Claus, Indiana, records show Devillez wouldn’tpull over,sothe officer pursued her until she crashed into aditch, police said. However,she emerged from the wreckwithwhat“appeared to be asword” and began waving it at the officer,who

opened fire,hitting Devillez “at least once,” police said. Despite being wounded,she gotinto the officer’spatrol vehicle andspedaway “The suspect was ableto elude police until aRockport Police officer theChandlerPolice traveling southonU near C.R.350 Nor attemptedtostopt licevehicle, butthe continued totrav at speeds of more mph,” therelease said Shortly after crossin Kentucky,Devillez the road and crashed field,according toI

At that moment,ad with the Daviess Sheriff’s Departm rived at the scene and Indiana officer yelling mands at Devillez,w wasignoring, records Thedeputy said

was bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds. She triedtorun away,but apparently wasn’t able to, so she startedswinging her helmet at an officer,the deputyreported,accordingto

ingwithChina, although histreasury secretaryhad said there were no formal negotiations.

AskedThursdayabout China denying therewere any conversations ongoing with the United States, Trump said, “Theyhad a meeting this morning,” before adding, “it doesn’tmatterwho they is.”

The U.S.president, aRepublican, has expressed interest in a way to climb down from his massive retaliatory tariffs on Chinese imports to the U.S. There are mounting business andconsumer concernsthatthe taxeswilldrive up inflationand potentiallysend theeconomy into arecession.

The Trump administration throughout Thursday continued to send mixed signals.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he hada“very successful bilateral meeting” on Thursday with South Korea, indicating that the twocountries could settle on the “technical terms” for an agreementasearly as next week. Yetwithin minutes of Bessent

saying that, Trumpfell back on his argument fromWednesdayand saiditwould be “physically impossible” to go through negotiations with dozens of countries and“we are going to, at somepoint, just set prices fordeals.”

“Some will be tariffed,” Trump said. “Sometreated us very unfairly.They’ll be tariffedhigher than others.”

Trump had put 145% tariffs on imports from China, while China hit back with 125% tariffsonU.S products.While Trumphas given other countries a90-day pause on the tariffs, as their leaders pledged to negotiate with the U.S., China remainedthe exception.Instead Beijingraisedits owntariffs and deployed other economic measures in response while vowing to “fight to the end.” For example, Chinarestrictedexportsofrare earth mineralsand raised multiple cases against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization.

China also made it clear that talks should involve the cancellation of alltariffs it currentlyfaces.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NG HAN GUAN

Aworker chatswith avisitor at the booth for Exotica Freshener Co., a U.S. companyselling fresheners, April 15

on Chris Drive

through the

Multiple businesses closed for the day and at least 40 people evacuated from a townhome

Flooding triggers rescue operation

At least 40 people evacuated from complex in Addis

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

A deluge in Addis on Thursday morning forced multiple businesses to shutter for the day and around 40 people to evacuate from a townhome complex off La. 1 South, carrying the essentials with them as they prepared to take shelter with friends and family members.

After they were driven through knee-deep water to safety in the back of a West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office pickup truck, a woman and two children walked along the highway, lugging backpacks and tote bags toward another vehicle. Both kids were still in their pajamas — unicorns for the girl, “Bluey” cartoons for the boy

“Poor babies, I hate to see that,” Addis Police Chief Jason Langlois said, watching them go from atop a tan military vehicle the police were using as a high-water rescue truck.

“You know they wasn’t planning on their (spring) break to be like this.”

The rescue mission started midmorning. Langlois said the water had nowhere to go. Normally, heavy rain drains west to the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway he said, but the canal was

ABOVE: Corporal Dupuy rides on a fourwheel drive vehicle as teams from the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Department work to evacuate residents on Chris Drive due to flooding on Thursday.

LEFT: An Entergy worker walks back to his truck while checking on the power lines on Thursday.

Venezuelan man pleads guilty to sex trafficking

State considers new tax on vape products

Bill would levy 33% of total cost

BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN Staff writer

The Louisiana Legislature is considering changing how vape products are taxed in a way that is widely expected to increase the price of those products.

Advocates for House Bill 517 by state Rep. Ken Brass, D-Vacherie, say it would lower youth vaping rates and health care costs. Opponents do not think it would serve as an effective deterrent to vaping and would instead simply tack on new costs for Louisianans already struggling with their checkbooks.

Those views came head-to-head during a House Ways and Means Committee meeting on Tuesday, when the panel decided to send HB517 to the full House for a vote. The committee’s Democrats all voted in favor of the bill, while Republicans were split.

Currently, vape products are taxed based on the amount of liquid in them, at 15 cents a milliliter HB517 would instead tax vape products and electronic cigarettes at 33% of their total price. Those taxes are mostly paid by wholesalers, though the costs are often passed on to consumers.

Brass said HB517, which Gov Jeff Landry’s administration backed, was meant to address the youth vaping crisis by deterring the practice.

“Ultimately, my goal is to put our kids

ä See VAPE, page 3B

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

Dadrius Lanus is

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Residents walk

water while evacuating

after heavy rain caused flooding in Addis on Thursday.

complex off La. 1 South.

Mangets25years in deathofWalkerwoman

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

AGonzales man originally charged with second-degree murder in the death of a60-yearoldWalker woman was sentenced Monday to 25 years in prison

Monday after pleading no contest to the lesser charge of manslaughter Bobby Schneider,36, brought 60-year-old Sarah Santini home to herhouse in Walkerafter a get-together October2023. The

pair gotintoanargument, duringwhich Santini hit Schneider. In response, he strangled her and stabbed her in the chest, killing her. Schneider then disposed of her body and moved her car,according to arrest reports.

Schneider’sdefense attorney and the parish’sDistrict Attorney’sOffice reached an agreement to lowerthe murder charge to manslaughter. Schneider pleaded no contestMonday to the reduced charge in Livingston Parishdistrictcourt.

Patrolsraisedas Miss.River rises

Corpstests

spillway opening

BY MIKE SMITH Staff writer

The rising Mississippi River has prompted the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local officials to increase precautionary measures along levees from Baton Rouge to Venice, but it remains unclear if the Bonnet Carre Spillway will have to be opened for the first time since 2020.

The Corps announced that the river was expected to rise above 15 feet at the Carrollton gauge in New Orleans on Tuesday, which roughly translates to 15 feet above sea level. That triggered what the Corps calls aPhase II flood flight, necessitating daily patrols of levees to spot any seepage or other

potential problems.

Aspillway opening is triggered when the river flow reaches 1.25 million cubic feet per second, which tends to translate to around 17 feet on the Carrolltongauge.The Corpsran atestopening of Bonnet Carre on Monday in preparation for the possibility

APhaseI flood fight began April14, when the river hit 11 feet on the Carrollton gauge. That meant twice-weeklyinspections of the levee system. During Phase I, allsubsurface constructionwithin 1,500 feet of theriver levees must be suspended unlessa waiver is granted by the Corps and the local levee district.Under Phase II, all waivers are suspended.

Email Mike Smith at msmith@theadvocate com

Officials: Bonnet Carré Spillwaylikelyopening

No date announced; waterlevels being monitored

BYJOSIEABUGOV Staff writer

Apartial opening of the Bonnet Carré Spillway “seems acertainty now,” Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes said in emailed comments Thursday,asrecent forecasts indicated afurther rise in the level of the Mississippi River

The opening, which is determined by the U.S. ArmyCorps of Engineers, would likely begin next week, according to Grymes. He said that the question now is howlong the spillway may need to divert river water into Lake Pontchartrain.

“When we look at how the rate of flow has been going up over the past three to five days, it’s probablygoing to getto that criticalthreshold,” Grymes said,meaning that aspillway opening is “very likely.”

The Corps has not announced aBonnet Carré opening, and officials said they are continuing to monitorthe forecast.The agency typically declares an opening around two days before the operation would begin, said Matt Roe, aspokesperson for the New Orleans district.

AccordingtoNational Weather Service forecasts as of Thursday morning, the river will crest in New Orleans at 16.9 feet on May 2and then gradually drop in the following days.

The spillway,located in St. Charles Parish, is typically opened by the Corps when the river flow rate hits 1.25 million cubic feet per second, which usually corresponds to ariver level of around 17 feet on the Carrollton gauge in New Orleans. But at this phase in the flood cycle, higher

flow rates are translating to slightlylower elevation, said Roe. An opening might be triggered at 16.5 or 16.6 feet.

This wouldbethe first time the BonnetCarré has opened since 2020. The riverhas been rising over the past couple months, which is common in the spring as rainfall fromstorms in the Midwest and South trickle down toLouisiana. Earlierthis week, theCorps ran a“testopening” of one of the 350 bays that compose the spillway in anticipationofapotential opening.

Miss.opposed to opening Openingthe spillway alleviates pressure on the levee system in south Louisiana, but the rushoffresh water into the lake can hurt commercial shrimp and oyster fisheries.

TheMississippi Sound Coalition, representing local governments, fishers and the tourism industry,sent alettertothe Corps last week urging the agency to limit any spillway opening due to these potential harms.

“Operations of the Bonnet Carré Spillway in floodyearslike 2011 and 2019havecaused extremeadverse effectsonthe oyster reefs, dolphins, fisheries and natural resources of the Mississippi Sound,” it said in astatement. “The openingsin2019 aloneessentiallywiped outmany natural oyster reefs in theSound.”

Mississippi Lt.Gov Delbert Hoseman sent a letter to theCorps objectingtoaspillway opening, saying thatrepeated freshwater diversions “have devastated Mississippi’scoastal ecosystem, crippled our seafood industry,endangered public health, and severely harmed our tourism economy.”

Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@ theadvocate.com.

The judge ordered a35-year jail sentence with 10 yearssuspended and$4,000 owed in restitution for damage to the victim’s car Gregory Baker,who also was arrested for his connection to Santini’sdeath, had pleaded no contest to unlawful disposal of remainsand was sentenced in July to three years in prison.

Sheree Santini Griffin, the daughter of the victim,told the court Monday about thedevastating impact her mother’skill-

ing hashad on herand family members.

“Myfamily is foreverbroken over this great tragedy,” she said. Other members of her family werealso in court.

Santini Griffin said the last time shesaw her mother wasonher birthday.Now,the day is apainful reminder of the last time she saw hermother alive.

“She loved caring forher family andfriends,”she said about hermother Avoiding alongtriallifted a

weight off SantiniGriffin, but shesaidthe sentencewas “not anything close to whatwewere hoping for.”

Aftermentioningher faithin God, the daughter told Schneider in court: “I forgive you.” In response, Judge Jeffrey Johnson told Schneider,“If you need any evidence that God exists, you just saw it.”

Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@theadvocate. com

FLOODING

Continuedfrom page1B

already high when the downpour started.

“This is probably the worst I’ve seen it sinceI’vebeen here,and I’ve been here since 2003,” Langlois said.

By noon, some of the water had begun to recede. Ahandful of families declined to evacuate, instead surveying thescene from theirfront stoops or wading through the murkywater.Langlois estimated the water had reached 4to6inchesinthe townhomes hit thehardest by theflood.

The Sheriff’s Office and theAddis Police Departmentopened the Addis VFW Hall off Myhand Street to evacuees, but by theafternoon, only one resident had usedit. An officer posted at thelocation said that because the highways were open, those displaced by the flood were more likely to stay withfriends and family members.

Theflashfloodarrived just weeksafter voters rejected arenewal of theproperty tax funding the parish’s drainage system, which includes 700 miles of canals and ditches.

West Baton Rouge Parish Council Chair CareyDenstel said the parish could have the “gold standard” of drainage infrastructure, but 6to9inches of rain in afew

hours will push any system to its limits.

“Sometimes you can’tdo anything about Mother Nature, especially whenyou get that kind of rainfall in

such ashort period of time,” Denstel said. Email HaleyMillerat haley.miller@theadvocate. com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

AWest Baton Rougesheriff’svehicle drives through highwater on ChrisDrive to helpevacuate residents dueto flooding in Addis on Thursday.

Plansmadefor Jan. 1FrenchQuarter victims’ memorial

Landry establishes committeeto find site

Staff report

Gov.Jeff Landry is planning a permanent memorial in New Orleans to honor the victims ofthe Jan. 1Bourbon Street attack, his office said this week.

The governor signed an executive order on Wednesday toset up the French Quarter Terrorism Attack Memorial Commission,which will create amemorial siteinhon-

or of the14peoplewho died and dozens of others whowere injured after Shamsud din-Jabbardrove hisvehicleintoBourbon Street crowdsonNew Year’sDay

The commission will have ayear to send the governor its recommendation for aproposed site.

“Wegrieve with the families and friends of the victims and stand united in ourresolve to remember and honor them,” Landry said in astatement. “This Commission is committed to ensuring that the victims of January 1st arenever forgotten. Through apermanent

memorial,wewill honortheir lives andcreate alastingplace of remembrance, resilience, and unity for years to come.”

Amakeshift memorial cropped up at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal streets in the days after theattack,with crosses, portraits, flowersand candles to honorvictims.ArtistsRoberto Marquez and Jodesha Baldwin and Lutheran Church Charities were among manywho madecontributions.

Thememorial was later moved to The Presbytère on Jackson Square. The Landry-convened

body will decide on amore permanent space. The commission will be composed of:

n Five victims or family members of victims (other victims or victims’ families will serve as exofficio members) n First lady Sharon Landry or her designee n The senior coordinator forVictims Advocacy in the Office of the Governor (who will serveasChair)

n Lt. Gov.Billy Nungesser,orhis designee

n Senate President Cameron

Henry or his designee

n HouseSpeaker Phillip DeVillier or his designee

n Mayor LaToya Cantrell or her designee

n NewOrleans City Council

President JP Morrell or his designee

n Aresident of the French Quarter n Abusiness owner in the French Quarter n Alaw enforcement officer Names of commission members will be announced later,Landry said.

David Bordelon, ethics administrator for the agency,said if the Ethics Board agrees, “a settlement is possible at any time prior to a (administrative) hearing.”

The 36-year-old Lanusis in his second term on the School Board and served for oneyear as its president. He also has worked as theexecutivedirector of 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge, andinMarch was hiredas executive director for the Louisiana Democratic Party. In February 2023, Lanus’ sister,KenyataLands, was hired as aclerk at EBR Readiness High, 4375 East Brookstown Drive. Her annual salary topped out at $26,000 a year. She resignedfromthe school systemearlier this month, whichLanussaid was

in response to thefindings of the Ethics Board. Lanus said his sister previously worked for theschool system forafew years and left for another jobbefore Lanus was elected tothe boardinfall 2018. Lanus pointed out that statelaw bars board membersfrom hiring the vast majority of school employees,leaving that duty to the superintendent, in this casethen-Superintendent SitoNarcisse

Louisiana’snepotism law containsexemptionsfor some school employees, namely classroom teachers andbus drivers,provided boardmembers disclose such employment. For instance, former East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member David Tatman annually disclosed thathis wife, Maria,worked as ateacher in the school system However, none of those exemptions apply to school

clerks like Lands. Lanus filed his own disclosure form in 2023 naming his sister,her job and the date of her hiring, but did notexplain in theform why she qualified foranepotism exemption.

Lanus saidinaninterview that, at worst, he thought his sister might be forced to leaveher school job, but he didn’tthink there would be afine since he had self-disclosed the whole matter.

This is not the first time Lanushas tangled withthe state Ethics Board. He challenged alatefee forfiling alatecampaign finance report during an unsuccessful May 2010 run for the state Legislature. An administrative court later dismissedhis appeal when Lanus failedtoshow up for court.

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate. com.

VAPE

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first,” he said, addingthat the bill also would improve health care outcomes and save the state money

Targetingyouth vaping

The2023 LouisianaYouth Tobacco Survey found that nearly 1in3high schoolers vaped. In Louisiana, you must be 21 to purchase vape products But that doesn’talways hap-

GUILTY

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officers to conduct apresentencing report on ZambranoChirinos. The judge didnot set adate for the sentencing hearing. Theman couldbe deported by federal immigrationofficials.

When deGravelles asked if he was agreeing the plea deal because he is guilty, Zambrano-Chirinos expressed contrition for his crimes.

“Yes, your honor. I’mfull of shame,” he answered through atranslator Federal authorities describe TdA, Venezuela’s largest gang, as abrutal criminal organization responsible for kidnappings, extortion, bribes, attacks on U.S. law enforcement officers and the assassination of aVenezuelan opposition figure.The group has strongholdsinseveral South American countries, but its increasing presence in U.S. territories prompted the Department of State in February to designate TdA as aglobal terrorist group as part of the Trump administration’seffort to ratchet up immigration enforcement.

Sex‘stashhouses’

TdA’s sex operation came onto the federal lawenforcement’sradar weeks before three Venezuelan nationals were arrested in Baton Rouge last year.Special agents from Homeland Security began investigating after the U.S. Border Patrol notified themofthe prostitution ring on April17, 2024. One of the female victims was questioned by Border

pen, accordingtothe survey, whichsaid4 in 5youth reported being abletopurchase vapes from stores. Smoking caused $863.2 millioninMedicaid costs in Louisiana, according tothe Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Eric Weinzettle,the American Lung Association’sdirector of advocacy forLouisiana, said a10% increase in vaping costs isassociated with a13% to 22% decrease in youth use. Youth are “one of the most price-sensitive populations,” Weinzettle saidinaninterview

Patrol agents at the El Paso, Texas, crossing in March 2024 andbegan providing federal authorities information aboutthe operation. She identifiedZambranoChirinos as aleader andtold investigators he ranTdA’s sex trafficking enterprise in the U.S. She also identified hisgirlfriend,OsleidyVanesa Chourio-Diaz, as playing akey role, investigators alleged.

Zambrano-Chirinosenteredthe United Statesin December 2023 near Eagle Pass, Texas.

Border Patrol agents detained him and later released him. He traveled to New Jersey,where he lived with arelativefor ashort period.

Months later,hebegan his relationship with Chourio-

Concerns aboutcosts

But others said they did notbelieve raising the cost of vape products woulddeter youthfromusing them. In 2023, Louisiana passed a lawthattookmanypopular flavored vapes,suchasElf Bars, off the shelves.

JodiBucknerofLyons SpecialtyCompany,awholesale grocerydistributor,said that, because Louisiana limits which vape productsmay legally be sold, youthtend to usepopular but“illicit” products. Increasing taxes

Diaz,27, whowas living in Texas at the time. The two decided to move to Louisiana to livetogether,and that brought them to Baton Rouge.Here, they began their scheme to recruitprostitutes by bringing them into the U.S. illegally,according to federal charging documents

They rented an apartment in the 1600 block of South Harrell’sFerry Road for the women to performsex acts for money Oneofthe victimstold authorities Zambrano-Chirinos had “stash houses” in five states where he set up women for thesex trade. She estimated he had30women workingtopay off debts to the gang in Louisiana, Texas, Virginia, New Jersey and Florida.

on legallysoldproducts, therefore, would do nothing to lower youthvape rates, she argued. Some Republican legislatorsalso said they wereskeptical thebill would deter youthfromvaping.

“I’m sure allthe representatives here know and understand how much pressure their constituents are under withincreased taxes, increased insurance. They’re going underwater,” said Rep. Beth Billings, R-Destrehan, who voted against sending the bill to the House. “I don’t see that kids are going to be

Zambrano-Chirinos facilitated the victims’travel plans, bought them airline tickets to fly to BatonRouge, and told themtotell immigration officials and border agents they was seeking asylum from Venezuela.

Thewoman saidZambrano-Chirinos promised her immigration paperwork, pledged to hook her up with an immigration attorney and get her whole family entry into the U.S. When she arrived in Baton Rouge, members of the group picked her up from theairport and took her to buy clothes and makeup, then transported her to theapartment, where she began working.

Three people werearrested last year and indicted for allegedly running thesex trafficking operation in Ba-

paying this tax. Isee that adults will be paying the tax.”

Jack Casanova, president of theLouisiana Association of Wholesalers, said the bill could increasethe tax on popular products by as much as 600%.

Atax on afour-pack of Vuse Alto would go from $5.40 acarton to $31.20 acarton, he said.

Ultimately,HB517 made it out of committee in a9-6 vote. But the committee rejected another bill that would have raised the tax on ciga-

ton Rouge after adistressed Spanish-speakingwoman called911 fromthe South Harrell’sFerry Road apartment on April 26, 2024, and told dispatchers she and anothervictim were being held captive.WhenEastBaton Rouge deputies responded to the apartment, officers found astack of cash,lubricants, used condomsand other evidence of atrafficking operation.Federal prosecutors said officersalso seized aledger that showed howmuchmoney thetwo womenearned each day and also kept arunning tally of how muchboth victims owed.

Alber Herrera Machado, 24, was taken into custody at the apartment. Federal investigators describedhim as thewomen’s handler, hired

rettes from $1.08 per pack to $1.41 perpack.Thatproposal, House Bill 390, wassponsored by MandieLandry, DNew Orleans. Brass has asecond bill House Bill 398, which would increase the tax on smokeless tobacco products,such as chewing tobacco, from 20% of the invoice to 33%. The Ways and Means Committeehas not yet considered that bill.

Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.

by Zambrano-Chirinos as an “enforcer” to keep watch over them and manage their rendezvous with clients. Herrera and Chourio-Diaz have both pleaded not guilty and are still fighting their respective cases.

TheBaton Rougestash house wasa 24/7 operation, and the womenwere allowed to sleep only between 4and 8a.m. if theydidn’thave customers during those hours, court records indicate. The womengot to keep 15% of what they earned, and the rest of the profits went toward their debt. One of the victims told investigators shehad to work off $30,000 and was under the gang’scontrol until she did. Email Matt Bruceatmatt. bruce@theadvocate.com.

Anderson, Travis Hall Davisand SonofPortAllen, 1160 LouisianaAve Port Allen, LA at 11:00am.

Benjamin-Lazard, Elouise

OurLadyofthe Rosary Church 12911E Main St Larose,LAat11am.

Black,Alex StAloysiusCatholic Church at 11am

Browning, Lynn ResthavenFuneral Home at 10:30 a.m.

Crockett, Denovas

St.Paulthe Apostle Catholic Church, 3912Gus YoungAvenue, at 1p.m

Daigle,Marguerite

OursoFuneral Home in Pierre Part, LAat 11am

Dupuy,Delores

St.Thomas More at 2p.m

Ezim Jr Harry ComfortEvent Hall, 7715 Tom Drive, at 5p.m

Kerr,Darryl Greenoaks FuneralHomeat10a.m

LaPorteSr.,Thomas Greenwell SpringsBaptistChurchin Greenwell Springsatnoon.

Mire,Victor

St.John theBaptistCatholicChurch in Brusly at 10:30a.m

Robbins,Elizabeth

St.Patrick's Catholic Church Ferriday, LAat 2:30pm

Rollins, Ruth

Second St.JohnBaptistChurch,242 Avondale Garden Road in Avondale,at 10 a.m.

Roman, Billie

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHome, 701 Virtue Street in Chalmette,atnoon.

Sanders,Melvin

St.MarkUnitedMethodist Church 6217GlenOaksDr. at 11am

Shepard, Marilyn

St.Patrick Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m.

Troxell Sr Marlin

ResthavenFuneral Home at 2pm

It is with heavy hearts and deep sorrow thatwe announce the passing of Bill Altenloh, aman who embraced life with aspirit of adventure and unbounded enthusiasm.Hewas a man who enjoyed motorcycling, cigars, opera, and adventure

Bill was astaunch, outspokenConservative and willing to have arobust discussion with anyone who was otherwise. He livedlifeonhis own terms, embracing each day with a smile, senseofhumor, and commitment to doing right byothers

Bill'sskillatretelling an experienceasanengaging story was legendary. He truly filled up any room he wasinwith charm and genuine interest in others. He deeply lovedhis childrenand family. He was a devoted husband -strong supportive,and present. He was precededin death by his parents as well as abrother, Scott Altenloh.Billissurvived by his wife, Susan Saurage-Altenloh, son, WilliamJ Altenloh II (Kayla),daughters Rebecca Radabaugh and Jennifer Sacco, brothers Robert Pawlik andDaniel Altenloh, and favorite mother-in-law, Donna Saurage. He also leaves behind alarge circleof friends and extendedfamily- especially hisbeloved nieces and nephews -who will forever rememberhis larger-than-life presence. Agraveside memorial service willbeheld in BatonRouge, Louisiana.In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Houston Hospice at https://www.ho ustonhospice.org/ or to a favoritecharity.

PaulineYuhasz Bartus,a belovedmemberofthe Al‐bany community,transi‐tioned to theafterlife on Easter Sunday,April 20 2025, at theage of 99,sur‐rounded by hercherished familyather daughter’s home.BornonMarch 10 1926, in Cleveland, Ohio, Paulinewas thedaughter of Paul andElizabeth Yuhasz.Upongraduating from St.Charles High School in St.Charles,Illi‐nois in 1944, Paulinepur‐sued hereducation in busi‐ness before relocating with herfamilytoLouisiana in 1946. Herprofessionalca‐reer spannedseveral decades, during which she served theLivingston Parish School Boardfrom 1947 to 1952and again from 1965 to 1995, holding variouspositions,includ‐ingexecutive secretaryto thesuperintendent. Ade‐vout Christian, Pauline’s unwaveringfaith ledher to serveinvarious capacities within theAlbanyPresby‐terian Church/AlbanyHun‐garian Presbyterian Church,including Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder, andclerk-of-session Herinvolvement extended beyond religiousmatters as sheactivelypartici‐patedinthe Árpádhon HungarianSettlementCul‐turalAssociation, Hungar‐ianSettlementHistorical Societyand theLouisiana RetiredTeachersAssocia‐tion.She wasa devoted wife,mother, grandmother andgreat-grandma;her love forher familywas evi‐dent in everyaspectofher life.She is survived by her son, LouisPaulBartus (Wendy)ofLoranger; daughter,Karen Windham (Mark) of Knoxville, TN; andher devoteddaughter andcaregiver,Donna Hill (Doug) of Albany,whom shared herhomewithher momfor thepastnine

years. Paulineisalso blessedwithgrandchil‐dren,including Ashley Bar‐tusWindham (Sandra) Jenna Alissa Hill,John LouisBartus, Alanna Wind‐ham-Stooksbury(Bran‐don),Christopher Paul Bar‐tus(Teresa), AmyWind‐hamMcKinney(Lance), andDanielLouis Bartus Additionally,she is sur‐vivedbygreat-grandchil‐dren,ElijahKnox, Aiden Windham-Stooksbury, Tucker Stooksbury, Vera ElizabethMcKinney, StokelyBaxterMcKinney, Hunter Stooksbury, Adelyn Michelle Windham, and EzekielAshleyWindham Paulineisalsosurvivedby specialsister-in-law, MaryAnne Batchelder; many nieces andnephews; former specialcaregiver Opal Magliolo andchild‐hood friend,GertrudeRup‐penthalofBatavia,Illinois. MembersofPauline’sfam‐ilywho passed before her includeher husband of 66 years, LouisCharles Bar‐tus; parentsPauland Eliza‐beth Yuhasz;infantson DavidLouis Bartus,sister ElizabethBetty Frindikand specialfurbabies Pepper andNikki.She remained closewithchildhood friendsArleneTurnbullof Monroe,Michiganand Flo‐renceGecheiofCleveland, Ohio until theirpassing in lateryears.Paulineen‐joyedattendingmeetings andeventswithher hus‐band,going to church and having lunchwithmem‐bers afterwards,traveling, shopping,lunch-outings andattendingSilver Sneakers exercise group until thepassing of her husband.Inlater years, Paulinelooked forwardto specialget-togethers and celebratingbirthdays with herfamilyand honorary familymembers,Gregand Debbie Hill,Wayne Davis, TammyDavis,and others specialtoher.Paulinealso cherishedher tripsto northMississippi to spend time with herson-in-law’s family, who always wel‐comedher with open arms Throughout theyears Paulinespent extended stayswithher daughter Karen, andher familyin East Tennessee. They em‐barked on variousadven‐tures, exploringthe moun‐tains, indulginginshop‐ping,attendingspecial events,and creating unfor‐gettable memories with

hergrandchildren and great-grandchildren. Paulinefound greatjoy in attendingchurch services andeventsatMarietta Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, where shewas consistently wel‐comedand embraced as a valued member of their congregation.Her passing leaves behind avoidthat cannot be easily filled, but hermemorywillforever in‐spirethose who knew her. TheBartusfamilyex‐pressestheir profound gratitudetoAlbanyHun‐garian Presbyterian Church forhosting aspecial church serviceand fellow‐ship in honorofPauline’s 99thbirthdayrecently. The unexpected gesturedeeply touchedher andher fam‐ily. Thefamilyextends theirheartfelt appreciation to Clarity Hospiceand staff at TheCrossing,particu‐larlyKim Marionneaux, JoyceKohler, WendiReed CarlaBrumfieldand Chap‐lain Gary Williams,for their unwavering love,care, and supporttoPaulineand her daughter,Donna,thispast year.Theyalsowantto thankOchsner Cancer Cen‐terand OchsnerMedical Staff fortheir exceptional care,compassionand sup‐port throughout herlater years. Family andfriends areinvited to avisitation forPaulineonSaturday, April26, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at theAl‐bany HungarianPresbyter‐ianChurch.There will be a funeralservice in the church starting at 2:00 p.m.,honoringPauline’s life andthe impact shehad on thelives of those around her. Intermentwill follow at Albany Hungarian Presbyterian Church Ceme‐tery.Memorial donations canbemadetoAlbany HungarianPresbyterian Church,POBox 119, Al‐bany,Louisiana 70711; HungarianSettlementHis‐toricalMuseum, PO Box 1909, Albany,Louisiana 70711; or theÁrpádhon HungarianSettlementCul‐turalAssociation, Albany, Louisiana70711.

Alex KellyBlack("Kelly")wenttosee his Lord and SavioronApril 17, 2025, surrounded by his family. Kelly, as he was knowntoall,was born in Tallulah, Louisiana, on June 23, 1940, and raised on Lake Bruin in Tensas Parish.Hetook great pride in hisroots and wasproud to tell all whowould listen about his affinity and affiliation for Tensas Parish Kellysharedhis camp and hiscontagious affection for Lake Bruin with hundredsofpeople over the years. In 1964, Kellygraduated from the University of SouthwesternLouisiana (now University of Louisiana-Lafayette), wherehemet thelove of hislife, Merilyn Williams, a fellow accountingstudent. Sincetheir marriagein 1965, Kellyand Merilyn were inseparable. Their devotion to each other was plain for all to see. Kelly established A. KellyBlack CPA where he and Merilyn workedalongside each otherfor over fortyyears. Their office on Brentwood Drive wasa place where many people stopped by to visit, share acup of coffee, and learnlifelessons. Kelly wasanincredibly generousperson whocontributed to countlesscharitable causes. Hispassion was supporting individuals with special needs. Kelly hada sister-in-law and a grandson with Down Syndrome, and throughouthis life,hesupportedcharities that enhancedthe lives of individuals with special needs. Kellyissurvived by hiswife,Merilyn,and his twosonsBrandon (Blake) and Barton (Esther);his eightgrandchildren, Patrick, Frances, Clayton, Adele,Evan,Kirby, Stewart,and Alex;his sister LaDean Dunbar (Robert);

Mary

Altenloh, WilliamJ.'Bill'

sisters-in-law, Jane Roussel (John) and Ava Williams Ellis; and many special nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Bascom Black and Mamie Guice Black.The family will receive relatives and friends at St Aloysius Catholic Church onFriday, April 25, 2025, at 9:30 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM. Interment will be on Saturday April 26, 2025, at Legion Memorial Cemetery in Newellton, Louisiana,at 10:30 AM. Pallbearers will be Patrick Black, Evan Black,Stewart Black, Alex Black, Mike Dunbar, Blake Roussel, and Brian Black. In lieu of flowers, please consider adonation to St Lillian Academy for special needs students in Kelly's name or adonation to St. Joseph Catholic Churchin St. Joseph, Louisiana. "Well done, good and faithful servant." You will be sorely missed.

BlanchardIII, James Hubert 'Jimmy'

JamesHubertBlanchard III, knownas“Jimmy” passedawayonSunday, April20, 2025, at theButter‐flyWinginBaton Rougeat theage of 88. He wasa na‐tive andlifelongresidentof Grosse Tete.Jimmy wasan Army Veteranand retired oil fieldgaugerwithSupe‐rior OilCompany after 30 yearsofservice.A private gravesideservice washeld at St.JosephCatholic Church Cemetery in Grosse Tete on Thursday,April 24 at 10 am,conducted by Pastor JonNelsonand bur‐ialfollowed. Jimmyissur‐vivedbyhis wife of 65 years, Gaylyn Hoffman Blanchard; sixchildren, DavidBlanchard,Stacey Blanchard, ValAnn Blan‐chardRoccaforte(Donald), Dwayne Blanchard, Delanie Blanchard, andTaraBlan‐chard; severalgrandchil‐dren;two sisters, Darlene Chauvin, Lanelle Stewart (Larry). Jimmywaspre‐cededindeath by hispar‐ents,James Hubert Blan‐chardJrand Vivian Blan‐chard. Jimmywas an avid sportsmanwitha passion forhuntingand fishing. He especially enjoyedfamily gatherings andcookouts Please sharememoriesat www.wilbertservices.com

McArthur Branch, Sr., age 77 of Clinton, LA departedthis life, Sunday, April 13, 2025. Viewing at St. John Missionary Baptist Church,6148 Gilead Rd., Clinton, LA on April 26, 2025, from 9:00 AM until religious service at 11:00 AM Arrangements entrustedto Richardson Funeral Home, Clinton, LA.

Burns, Furonia

11:00am. PastorDennis Hebert, Sr.officiating. IntermentRoselawn MemorialPark, Baton Rouge, LA Funeral Service Entrusted to Hall Davis and Son. www.halldavisandson.com

Coleman, Tressler Franchesca 'Tress'

Tressler,affectionately known as Tress, was born on September9,1965; enteredeternal rest on April 10, 2025surrounded by friends and family.

Serviceswillbeheldat GFL Cathedral on Saturday, April 26th, 2025 at 10AM. 8930Plank Road Baton Rouge, LA 70811

Coleman, Warren 'Ronnie' 'Big C'

Warren “Ronnie” “Big C” Colemandepartedthislife on Monday,April 8, 2025, at hisresidence in Thibodaux, LA.Hewas 82, anativeof Thibodaux, LA.Visitation on Friday April25, 2025, at Williams &SouthallFuneral Home from 4:00pm to 6:00pm.VisitationonSat‐urday, April26, 2025, at Mt Zion BaptistChurch from 9:00am to religious ser‐vicesat11:00am.Inter‐ment in thechurch ceme‐tery Arrangements by Williams &SouthallFuneral Home,1204 ClevelandSt. Thibodaux, LA (985) 4472513. To sign theguest book andoffercondo‐lences,visit ourwebsite at www.williamsandsouthall funeralhome.com

It is with profoundsorrowand solemnreverence that we announce the passing of CharlesEdward Davis,who departed this earthlylifeonthe 11th of April, in the year of our Lord 2025, at the distinguished ageof90. Apublic viewing shall be held in his honoronSaturday, the 26th of April, commencing at 9:00 AM at Winnfield FuneralHome,where family andfriends maygather to paytheir final respects. A CelebrationofLifeshall follow at 11:00AM. His earthlyremains shall be laid to rest at Louisiana National Cemetery at alater date. The distinguished &solemn arrangements have beenentrusted to the careofWinnfield Funeral Home of Baton Rouge& C. D. Slaughter, FDIC

Grover, allofBaton Rouge. Ahost of nieces, nephews, otherrelativesand friends Preceded in death by her latehusband,Rev.Jessie Grover, sons, Jessie Lee Groverand BabyGrover. Sixsistersand threebrothers. IntermitinMacedonia Penterostal Cemetary, Ethel, La. Entrusted to Charles Mackey F.H.

Honeycutt, Elsie

ElsieHoneycuttslipped

quietly intothe arms of Jesus on April18th, 2025, at theButterflyWing at the Baton Rouge General Mid City. Elsiewas abeloved educatorand guidance counseloratChristian Life Academy from 1981 until 2017. Elsie'stwo greatest lovesinlifewas helping her studentsplantheir futuresand sharing her love of Jesus. She received two Master's Degrees, one in religious studiesand the otherineducation from LSU. She was aproud Tiger graduateand fan. Elsie lovedcheering on theLSU Women's Basketball.When she wasn't cheering for the Tigers,Elsie was cheering for all of the Christian Life Academy athletic teams. Elsiewas an avid fisher woman, had many stories of her recent catches, and many Thibodeaux and Boudreaux jokes.

Elsieissurvivedbyher niece, Julie E. Burton; nephew, David Burton; greatnieces and nephews, Brett-Ashley Hammerl, Andrew Cockerham, Loren Burton, Myles Burton, and Bronwyn Burton; and numerous greatgreat nieces and nephews. She is precededindeathbyparents, Wood H. Honeycutt and ElnoraHoneycutt; and sister, LindaK.Honeycutt.Service will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge,LA70815 on SaturdayApril 26th. Visitation willbegin at 12pm with aMemorial serviceto beginat2pm.

Clark "Bit" Humphrey

Sr age90, of Baton Rouge, Louisianapassedaway on Tuesday, April15, 2025.

Clark is survivedbyhis daughter, Shawn Humphrey (Jay Cudd), his granddaughter, Jessica Che'Winters, his greatgranddaughter, Breanne Dupuy, his son-in-law, Michael Avil Winters, and his granddaughter-in-law Lindsly Laird Winters.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carol C. Humphrey, his son, Clark M. Humphrey,Jr.,his daughter, FaithH.Winters, his granddaughter,Lara LeaWinters, his father, Sam Humphrey, and his mother, Claudie Alford Humphrey. In lieu of flowers, memorial giftsinClark's name may be madeto Alzheimer'sServices, http://www.alzbr.org/" Agraveside service for Bit willbeheldSaturday, April26, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Greenoaks Funeral Home & Memorial Park, 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, Louisiana70815.

Entered into eternal rest on April 10, 2025 at the age of 100. Survived by her daughters, Effie B. Scott, Joyce L.

grandson; 2sons-in-law. Visitation Saturday, April 26, 2025, TrueLight Baptist Church, 3836 North Street, BatonRouge, LA., 9:00 am until religious service at

Grover,Rosia Turner Sister Rosia T. Grover passed away, April 6, 2025 at Lane MemorialHospital. Shewas born in Pinckneyville, Miss. to the union ofNelson andEstellT Turner on September8 1937.She united in marriagetoRev.JessieGrover on July 20, 1958, and to this unionthree children were born.Visiting, April26th at New LightMissionary B.C., 650 Blount Rd.Baton Rouge, 10:00a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. Sheleavestocherish herloving memories; sister, Rebecca Jackson; son, Arnold(Kathy) Grover and granddaughter,Jessica O.

Jefferson Sr., WilliamLee WilliamLee Jefferson, Sr., alife-long resident of Plaquemine,Louisiana passedawayatOchsner Hospital on Sunday,April 20, 2025 at theage of 82. Public visitation will be held Friday,April 25, 2025 from 5-7:00 p.m. at Hurst MethodistChurch,58225 CourtStreet,Plaquemine, LA,Rev.HuriceOubre,Pas‐tor. Agraveside service will be held on Saturday April26, 2025 at11:00 a.m. at GraceMemorialPark, 60455 BayouJacob Road Plaquemine.Incaseofin‐clementweather,services will be held in theMau‐soleum.Servicesentrusted

to Pugh’s Mortuary (225) 687-2860.

Johnson,Jamie Alexander

"You sawmebeforeI wasborn. Everyday of my life wasrecordedinyour book.Every moment was laid outbeforea single day hadpassed."-Psalms 139:16 (NLT)Jamie Alexan‐derJohnson,a resident of Ethel, passed away on Monday,April 21,2025 on whatwould have been his 50th birthday.Heisa for‐merspecimenprocessor with LabCorp, andMed Tech at OurLadyofthe Lake,Celgene Corporation andWestFeliciana Parish Hospital.Visitationwillbe on Saturday,April 26, 2025 at CharletFuneralHomein Zacharyfrom9am until serviceat11am. Burial will be in POCCemetery, Clin‐ton. He is survived by his wife of 20 years, Tracy-Lynn Hedges Johnson. Hispar‐ents,Alexand PamJohn‐sonand Davy Ann“Angel” andLarry Williams.Sib‐lings, JamesScott Johnson andwife, Rebecca,Allison Hansen andhusband, Chuck, AprilShowalter Sean Williams andwife, Justine, Jonathan Williams, ChelseaWilliamsand Michaeland KristiCarpen‐ter. Numerous nieces and nephews. Jamieispre‐cededindeath by hisfa‐ther-in-lawand mother-inlaw, Johnsonand Audrey Hedges.Grandparents, Dr JamesA.Johnson,Jr. and Margaret Johnsonand his “Nana”. Pallbearerswillbe JamesScott Johnson, Cruze Hurlburt,Michael Carpenter, Will Dart,Jason Davis, andBilly Tilly. Jamie lovedhis family, cared deeply forhis friends, and livedhis life with laughter andjoy.Hegraduated high school from Silliman Insti‐tute in Clinton. He gradu‐ated from LSUinBaton Rougewitha Bachelor of SciencedegreeinMicrobi‐ology in 1999 andfurthered hiseducation by graduat‐ingfromLSU HealthSci‐ence Center in NewOr‐leanswitha Bachelor of SciencedegreeinMedical Technology in 2004. He at‐tended BethanyChurch in Baker. Afterworking 10 yearsinthe medical field, Jamiebecamea pro-life missionary to thepreborn He wouldspend time at theabortionclinic and reachout to themothers in need to tell them about Jesus' unfailing love mercy, andgrace in their time of need.Heenjoyed playingRoyal Matchand watching BennyJohnson andgameplaythrough videos on YouTubeinhis free time.Healsohad a knackfor workingoncom‐puters andusing hiswon‐derful math brainatsolv‐ingproblems. He waskind, gentle,and neverspoke a badwordtowardanyone. He lovedhis Lord Jesus with allhis heart. He will be misseddearlybyall who lovedhim.Share sym‐pathies, condolences,and memories at www.Charlet FuneralHome.com.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, Aaron Campbell, Alexander Campbell, Jr Taylor Jami‐son, AlronJohnson, Laneisha Johnson, Miesha Johnson, Skye Johnson, AlanaScott, AnthonyScott II, Boston Scott, Aden Plain, D’AnthonyPlain andTierah Plain. He attended Belfair Church,5550 FloridaBlvd., BatonRouge,LA, 70806 where services will be held,Saturday, April26th at 11:00 A.M. with visitation from 9-11 A.M. conducted by Pastor JonBennett. Fu‐neralarrangementsare by CapitalFuneralHomeand internment at Heavenly GatesMausoleum

Jones,Leora Deanne Smith 'Mommiee'

Ahomegoing celebration for Leora "Mommiee" Deanne Smith Jones, 85, will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at Lighthouse Missionary Baptist Church (321 Center Street,New Iberia, LA). Visitationwill be held on Saturday, April 26, at LighthouseMissionary Baptist Church,New Iberia, at 8:00am. Following theservice,entombment will be held at Greenoaks Memorial Park(9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge,LA). Pastor AllenR.Randle, Sr.will officiate theservice.Full obituary canbefound at www.fletcherfuneralhome s.org.

KyrenPierre“K2”Lacy passedawayonSaturday, April12, 2025, in Houston, TX.Hewas 24, anativeand resident of Thibodaux, LA Visitation on Saturday, April26, 2025, at DavidSto‐pher Gymnasium, 220 NSU ColonelDr.,Thibodaux,LA 70301 from 8:30am to 10:30am followed by Cele‐brationoflifeat11:00am IntermentinMoses,Allen Chapel,Calvary Cemeter‐ies, E12thatMcCulla St Thibodaux,LA70301. Kyren is survived by hisparents, KandaceWashinton and KennethLacy; siblings, KerrionLacy, KahjiLacy, Kyra Lacy,JaydenAllen andLiamWard; hispater‐nalgrandfather,JohnLacy; hisaunts, Rochelle Morris, JeanineWashington, Laurie Washington,and Crescent Washington;his uncles Darryl Buggage, Anthony Rainey,JohnLacy, Calvin Lacy,RonnieLacy, and WayneLacy; ahost of otherrelatives andfriends He wasprecededindeath by hismaternalgrandpar‐ents,TheodoraWashing‐tonand Herman Washing‐ton; paternal grandpar‐ents,Betty PriceLacy. Arrangements by Williams &SouthallFuneral Home, 1204 ClevelandSt.,Thibo‐daux,LA(985) 447-2513. To sign theguest book and offercondolences,visit our websiteatwww.william sandsouthallfuneralhome. com

Albert L. Johnson, Sr movedontohis heavenly home on April12, 2025, at theage of 82.Hewas sur‐rounded by lovedonesat hishome. Albert wasborn on February,27, 1943 to the late Benjamin F. Johnson, Sr andGeorgia SmithJohn‐soninBaton Rouge, LA.He wasone of four sons and wasa graduate of Capitol Senior High School,Class of 1960. He wasemployed at TheAdvocateand re‐tiredwith over 30 years service. He also retired from theEBR School Board where he worked as a school busdriverfor more than 20 years. Albert is sur‐vivedbyhis belovedwife of 29 years, Rita D. John‐son, hissonsAlbertJohn‐son, Jr., AnthonyScott, daughter,SandraCampbell andchildreninlove, An‐thonyPlain andTerry Plain.

McGovern, Richard

Richard McGovernof Central passedawayon April 21, 2025, at theage of 78. He wasretired from Exxon Refinery,anAir Forceveteran serving in Vietnam, anda graduate of Central High School. He is survived by his childrenScottMcGovern Chad &Jennifer McGovern, Leigh &Mark Miley, and Alicia& JarrodSeguin; grandchildrenTaylor & TannerMagee, LayneMiley, Camryn Miley, Claire McGovern and Gracie Jackson &Katie Seguin; great-grandchildren Emma &Mia along with numeroussiblings, nieces, and nephews. Thank you to Pinnacle Hospice fortheir excellent care andsupport.Memorial serviceswillbeprivate

Chiquita Shawntell Rogersaffectionately known as "Teena" was born on December 01, 1982, to Lois F. Hooper and CharlieJ.Earl Jr.inPortAllen, Louisiana. Shetransitioned to hereternalhomeon April 14, 2025. Sheleaves to cherish hermemories herchildrenChantrel Whaleyand Shontrel Whaley Jr anda host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Eric D. Smith Sr., anative of Zachary, LA transitioned on April 16, 2025. He was53yearsofage. He wasa veteran Corporal of theUSMarineCorp. He wasemployed with the Louisiana Department of Insurance. He leaves to cherish his memory,a devoted, loving andloyal wife, Amanda LewisSmith; oneson,EricSmith Jr.; mother,LennieH.Smith; threebrothers, Robert Smith, Jr., Keathon J. Smith, RonaldSmith andone sister, Wendie Stines; two Godchildren, Trey Dawson and Jamison Parker; anda host of dear familyand friends. ViewingApril 26, 2025 at 12:00 pm untilservicesat2:00 pm at Rosemound Baptist Church 11188 Old LaurelHillRoad St.Francisville,LA.

Rogers,Chiquita Shawntell 'Teena'

Lacy,Kyren Pierre 'K2'

Smith Sr., Eric Dannelle

Davis,Charles Edward

Branch Sr., McArthur

Johnson Sr., Albert L.

Martin, Geraldine B. Vaughns, Lilly B. Ennis and Ruth B. Williams; sister, Gladys W. Johnson Preceded in death by her parents, Jackson and Calena Wright; husband, Lawrence Burns; 7sisters; 4brothers; 1-great

OPINION

Give locals authorityovercarboncapture

The head of the octopus starts in Cancer Alley,and tentacles spread throughout the state. Representatives of two distinctly different Louisiana nonprofit environmental groups, from very different parts of the state and with seemingly different bases and interests, have collaborated as private citizensto inform politicians that thecarbon capture and sequestration issue is out of control. Afew politicos and fat cats in Baton Rouge want to risk everything for little benefit to the people.

Members of RISE St. James and the Louisiana CO2 Alliance have joined together to inform the public about the importance of House Bill 4, which authorizes aparish governing authority to determine whether carbon dioxide injection wells may be permitted within its jurisdiction.

Republican state Rep. Charles Owen has introduced the bill. The bill includes three additional Republicanco-sponsors.

Politicians in this state have thrived on our divided environmental politics. Those days are over

TheLouisiana CO2 Alliance is nowworking with activists throughout thestate to stop Baton Rouge from imposing wasteful, taxpayer-funded carbon capture andsequestration schemes on communities that don’t want them and won’t benefit from them.

Carbon capture is aprocess by which carbon dioxide pollution is captured before being emitted into the atmosphere. Instead, it is liquefied andshippedvia pipeline to be injected into the earth and massive caverns.

What connection exists between activists in southwestern Louisianaand throughoutthe stateand theRiver Parishes, such as RISE St.James? Thinkofthe river parishes as the head of the octopus and all of thenew pipelines that will originate from there throughout therestofthe state as the tentacles.

These projectsthreaten the state’smost valuable drinking water aquifers andnatural resources, livelihoods and way of life. The Chicot aquifer in the southwest is asignificantsource of groundwater in theregion, in-

AI is helpinginhealth care,but misguided regulationswillhurt

In Louisiana, we face significant challenges when accessinghealth care, food and transportation for medical care. These struggles aren’t distant —they impact ourfamilies and the communities we belongto. Yet, too many of our citizens still struggle to get the care they need when they need it most. Primary care is the gateway to health care,capturing more than 500 million office visits a year.About 90% of our more than 230,000 primary care physicians are using electronic health records that contain rich, actionable data for our health and for innovation. However, the data on how to keep us healthy remains often untouched or out of reach for medical professionals.

Finally,there is the taking of our rights. Eminent domain, the legal process that allows lands to be obtained in the public benefit, is being perverted to allow the taking of private land forindustrial benefit. Let’sbereal. Most of us will see no benefit —not in our schools, universities or public services. This is plain bad, no matter whether you’re aRepublican, Democrat or any other party affiliation. This is beyond politics. It’s about healthy living, which is the greatest form of wealth and one that mostLouisianans understand and value.

cluding all or parts of Allen, Jeff Davis, Beauregard, Calcasieu and 11 more parishes.The Air Productsproject starting up in Ascension Parish would store millions of tons of CO2 beneathLake Maurepas, anational treasure, one of the nation’sfew remaining wilderness marshlands. There are significant concerns about groundwater contamination.Nocontainment is perfect. When theEarth forms tiny fis-

sures and cracks, this allows CO2 to escape. As CO2 travels through cracks, it extracts heavy metals such as manganese and anaturally occurring form of radiation called radium, knowntocause human cancer.These are carried into theaquifer and can make thewater unsafeand unhealthy, costing millions in treatment and healthcare costs. In addition, southeastern Louisiana’sclimate is prime forcorrosion.

We all have something at stake. HB4 is pending in the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. We need you. We need your voice. The waytoahealthy Louisiana is to take care of our environment and give the people a voice. That’swhy we call on each of you to express your opinion, get involved and call, email or write your own state representative and tell them what you think about HB4.

Sharon C. Lavigneisthe founder of RISE St.James.Roland Hollins is an AllenParish police juror

Taxpayersare paying the pricefor library‘compromise’

Let’scall this “compromise” what it really is: a$52 million heist from the EastBaton Rouge Parish Library system, disguised as a deal.

Arelatively new and critical way we can start addressing thesechallenges is through the use of artificial intelligence in health care. AI has the potential to improve efficiency, enhance patient careand helpbridge the gaps in our health care system However,there has been movement within the Louisiana state government to limit the use of AI in health care, which could preventusfrom fully utilizing this innovative technology Any regulations surrounding AI must be developed with aclear understanding of how it works andhow it can improve care. Those crafting these policies must engage with health care professionals whoare working on both the clinical and technologicalsides on ways tobest implement and leverage AI to improve health outcomes. Lawmakers must trust the experts who understand the technology and its enormous potential to transform health care. AI, like any tool, can have both benefits and risks. But overregulating it, as some states like Coloradoand California have done, would deny patients the opportunity to benefit from atechnology that could help them

live longer and healthier lives. On the other hand,misusing AI, like any tool, could certainly cause harm. The key is to approach AI with balance, creatingguardrails to AI implementation that do not holdback development or utilization of the technology In Louisiana, institutions like LSU Health Sciences Center andFranciscan Missionaries of OurLady Health System are alreadypartnering with Duke University to advance AI in health care, making it moreaccessible and allowing us to democratize this technology for communities across the state. If anew drug were developed that could save lives, we would want it outthere as quickly as possible.

The same should be true for AI. AI hasalready improved our healthcare system, streamlined administrative tasks, enhanced clinical trials,aided in disease diagnosis and even assisted with imaging and radiation therapy AI can further help alleviate some of theburden on our health care system, especially given theshortageofphysicians, medical staff, and hospital beds in Louisiana. By reducing the time spent on administrative tasks, AI allows health care providers to focusmore on patient care. It’s alreadybeingused to match patients with clinical trials, assist with data management andeven predict health outcomes in ways that improve preventativecare.

Louisiana must not shy away from innovation. While AI is still in its early stages in health care, it’salready making adifference. To limit its use is to prevent Louisiana from moving forward andaddressing some of the most pressing healthcare challenges ourstate has. Let’smove forward with caution, but also with purpose. Together,wecan ensure that AI benefits all Louisianans

Dr.Tonya Jagneaux is chief medical informatics officer at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge.

Formore than30years, the people of BatonRouge have overwhelmingly supported the library’sdedicated tax —not once, not twice, but fourtimes at the ballot box, and by significant margins. That tax has funded not only the buildings and books, but the programs thattouch everypartofour community— from earlyliteracy to workforce development, digital access to senior services.

Now,asmall group of officials, behind closed doors,has decided to circumventthe public and slash 25% of the library’soperational budget. That’snot acompromise. That’s atheft of public trust.

Let’s alsobeclear: The original proposal to rededicate 100% of the library’smillage was never meant to pass. It was ascare tactic —a manufactured crisis floated as abargaining chip to force the library into accepting adeal like this one. And it worked. This wasn’ta good-faithnegotiation —itwas extortion. The library wasn’tsupported by this administration; it was strong-armed intosurrendering a quarter of itsbudget just to survive.

To add insult to injury,the very mayor behind this deal doesn’teven have alibrary card. The person slashing avital public service doesn’tuse it himself, but thousands of BatonRouge residents do.Families. Seniors. Job seekers. Students. Teachers. They rely on the librarynot just for books, but for computers,homeworkhelp, educational programming, workforce training and for asafe, accessible public space.

And it’snot just the library being looted. TheCouncil on Aging and mosquitoabatementdistricts are being raided too, with their dedicated mileages swept up to patch the gaping budget hole caused by the St.George breakaway.Services thathelp our mostvulnerable residents and protect publichealth are being sacrificed quietly and without public input.

And after all thatpillaging? Parish officials are still asking voterstoapprove anew parishwide taxincrease. Let thatsink in: first, theysiphon millionsfrom well-run, voterapproved agencies. Then theycome back to those same voters with their hands out. This

is exactlywhat Iand multiple economists warned would happen morethan adecade ago if St. George moved forward. Themathnever worked. And now the people of Baton Rouge are paying the price. Libraries don’tjust housematerials. They hire staff. They host story times.They teach digital literacy.They close theequity gap and open doors for every generation. A25% cut meansfewer programs, hours, locations and peopleserved. It’s notbelt-tightening, it’s mission-breaking. And perhaps mostegregiously,this decision robs the voters of theirright to weigh in. The full library tax was up forrenewal thisyear —a moment when the public couldonce again show theirstrongsupport. Instead,this “deal” strips downthe tax, permanentlyreallocates a portion of it elsewhere anddeniesthe people the opportunitytovote on the full measure they’ve trusted and endorsed for decades. Make no mistake, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system hasreceived, and will continue to receive,more support at the polls than Mayor SidEdwards or any member of the Metro Council, past or present. The voters trust the library.Itworks. It delivers. It builds community quietlyand effectively, without political drama or dysfunction This is not fiscal responsibility. This is fiscal deception.It’sacynical power grab that jeopardizes one of the few public institutions in Baton Rougethat actually works, and works for everyone.

Let the people vote. Let the library thrive. Don’t steal what we’ve built together

M.E. Cormier is aBaton Rouge-based consultantwho was campaign manager forformer Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome’s2024 reelection bid.

industrial

NewOrleans to Baton Rougecould become the source for acarbon emissions capture and storagecomplex.

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK East Baton RougeParish Mayor-President Sid Edwards

ROOM FOR DEBATE IMMIGRATION

The wrongful deportation ofKilmar AbregoGarcia, aSalvadoran manwho crossed the border illegally and was living in Maryland, hasigniteda firestormaround the Trumpadministration’streatmentofmigrantsand defiance of courtorders. Officialsadmit theman was sent to aprison in El Salvador by mistakebut insist they can do nothing about it now. Meanwhile, his family members and supporters are putting pressure on the administrationtosecure his release. Some Democrats see an ominous precedentifAbregoGarcia’sdetention is allowedtostand.Are aggressivedeportation efforts veering into lawlessness? Hereare twoperspectives.

Thewrong narrative is hiding thetruth

In politics, creating andthen owning thenarrative is the best waytodeceive the public, especially when acompliant media helps promote it and ignores later information that contradicts the initial narrative. Such has been the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, anative of El Salvador, who violated U.S. immigration laws andhas lived in Maryland for the last 13 years The media describe him as a “Maryland man” simply because he has been living in that state, butfor feweryears than he lived in hisnative country

Themystery of one immigrant’sdetention

Cal Thomas

The Department of Homeland Security characterizes him quite differently.Assistant Department ofHomeland Security

Secretary Tricia McLaughlin hasanalternative and accurate narrative:“Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, illegal alien from El Salvador,and suspected human trafficker.The facts revealhewas pulled over with eightindividuals in acar on an admitted three-day journeyfrom Texas to Maryland with no luggage.The facts speak for themselves, and they reek of human trafficking.The media’ssympathetic narrative about this criminalillegal gang member has completely fallen apart. We hear far too much about the gang members and criminals’ false sob stories and not enough about their victims.”

Abrego Garcia has also been described in some media reports as a“family man.” In 2021 his wife applied foraprotective order,saying he beat her.Hehas admitted never to have been alegal U.S.resident. In April 2019, an immigration judge ordered him detaineduntil adeportation hearing. In October of that year,another immigration judge ordered AbregoGarcia deported, but the orderwas never overturned and has never expired,and he remained in Maryland

Donald Trump was presidentin2019. He must have missed that one. Last week, Sen. Chris VanHollen,a Democrat and areal “Maryland man,”

visited Abrego Garcia in his upgraded prison surroundings and cameback claiming Abrego Garcia had been denied “due process.” As noted, Abrego Garcia received due process before two immigration judges. Is VanHollen that misinformed? Several Republicans and conservative commentators have noted VanHollen has said virtually nothing about the victims of MS-13 and victims of other criminal aliens.

Does VanHollen think this is the best way for Democrats to improve their dismalpoll numbers? Maybe he should join Sen.Bernie Sanders, theVermont democratic socialist,and AOC, asocialist congresswoman from New York, on their anti-oligarchy road show.There areprobably afew seatsavailable on that large $15,000 per hour private jet ferrying them around. Oh,the carbon footprints they are leaving!

President Trumpran on and won largely on closing the border and deportingthosewho broke the law to come to America. Polls show amajority still support hisdeportation efforts.

Last week the mother of Rachel Morin appeared in the White House briefing room. Patty Morin described how her daughter,amother of five, was raped and murdered andher body stuffed in atunneldrain.WhiteHouse Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt asked where was Van Hollen’ssympathy for her and other victims?

Good question.

Isense acampaign theme for Republicans in next year’scongressional elections with relatives of others who have beenraped andmurdered tellingtheir stories to the public. Votersare largely on their side and not on the side of Democrats who have again picked thewrong issue, mistakenly hoping it will return them to power

Email Cal Thomasattcaeditors@tribpub. com

After all the talking and arguing about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, theillegal border-crosser and alleged gang member deported by theUnited States and now imprisoned in El Salvador,there is still afundamental unanswered question about the case: Why is he imprisoned in El Salvador?

“Wedeport many people to El Salvador,” notes ArtArthur,alongtime immigration judge who now studies the subject for theCenter for Immigration Studies. “Generally,they arrive at the airport, walk out and live their lives. Why is Abrego Garcia in prison?”

Someofwhat follows is based on arecent conversation with Arthur There was speculation involved because there is much we don’tknow about the case. We started with the bigquestion.

“Why did theSalvadoran governmentput this guyinjail —that’sa question Idon’tknow,” Arthur said. “What Ithink is that everybody has this case backwards. People think President Donald Trumpthrew this guy out of the U.S. because he wants to throw out all MS-13 in the U.S. It makes moresense that the Salvadoran government asked for this guy back.”

“There’snoreason why the Trump administration would want this guy in jail in El Salvador,” Arthur concluded. “Aslong as he is out of theUnited States, that’swhat we care about. The only organization that would wanthim in jail in El Salvador is the governmentofEl Salvador.”

There’snodoubt that Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has been waging an intense and enormously successful war against gangs in his country.He’spretty much put an end to Barrio 18, which played arole in theAbrego Garcia case. And he has done alot of damage to MS-13.

We know that the Trumpadministration agreed to pay El Salvador $6 million to imprison about 300 members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua whowere sent earlier this year.Given that the U.S. says the TdA members work with the Venezuelan government, it would makesense not to send them back to Venezuela, and send them to El Salvador instead. And we know that Bukele put them,along with the Salvadoran members of MS-13 the U.S. also sent back, in the notorious CECOT prison.

“There must be somereason that the Salvadoran government put Abrego Garcia into the prison that they put all the MS-13 members into,” Arthur said. “As Iunderstand it, it’s strictly agang prison.” Arthur added that Abrego Garcia’soriginal alibi, from his 2019 run-in with U.S. immigration authorities, wasthat his family had been extorted by Barrio 18 over the profits of their small pupusa business and that therefore he feared returning to El Salvador.Itisaclassic gang tale, Arthur said. Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia is no longer aresident of CECOT;welearned from the visiting Democratic Sen. Chris VanHollen of Maryland that, under the intense glare of publicity, Salvadoran authorities moved Abrego to alower-security facility in Santa Ana. At least four House Democrats have traveled to El Salvador to line up to see Abrego Garcia, whohas becomeamuch sought-after figure in Democratic politics.

But at the bottom of it all, we still don’tknow whyAbrego Garcia is in prison. Knowing the answer to that essential question would take us along way toward understanding this latest Trumpadministration cause celebre. Byron York is on X, @Bryon York

Byron York

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJOSE LUIS MAGANA

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, thewife of Kilmar AbregoGarciaofMaryland,who wasmistakenly deported to El Salvador,speaks during anewsconferenceatCASA’sMulticultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., on April 4.

Saints beef up O-line, select OT Bankswith No.9pick

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

Kellen Moore is comingoff aSuperBowl championship that was powered in part by astar offensive line, and he used his first draft pick as the New Orleans Saints head coach on one of the premier offensivetackles in the 2025 class

The Saints selected Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks with the No. 9overallpick, adding a6-foot-5, 315-pound player who started 42 games in three collegiate seasons, all at left tackle.

“It was adreamcome true,” Bankssaid about getting the call from the Saints. “ Once you feel your phonevibrate, and you answer the phone and hear theGMand the head coach talkingtoyou, it’sa sobering moment.” Banks, aformer five-star prospect, earned All-American honorsineach of his three seasons at Texas; he was aFreshman AllAmerican in 2022, asecond-team All-American in 2023 and afirst-team All-American last year

The Humble, Texas, native missedjust one game in his college career —lastyear’s Southeastern Conferencetitle game —because of an ankle sprain he suffered against Texas A&M. He possesses several of thetraits the Saints covetintheirprospects.Hewas a productive playeratahigh level, allowing

AP FILE PHOTOByMICHAEL WOODS

Texas offensivelineman Kelvin Banks sets up to block againstArkansas during the first half of their game on Nov. 16 in Fayetteville, Ark. Banks was drafted by the Saintswith the No. 9overall pick onThursday.

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Tuesday was as ugly as it getsfor LSU. TheTigers lost their first midweek game of theseason to NorthwesternState in blowout fashion, 13-3 in seven innings. It wasthe first time in program history they had lost by the 10-run rule to anonconference team.

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Will Campbell told his parents before theNFL draft they could not cry when he got picked, but even he could not hold back thetears.

In an interview withthe NFLNetwork,Campbell stopped as soon as he begantospeak. Hislip quivered. Tears welledinhis eyes. Campbell looked toward the ceiling above the stage and breathed in, collecting himself as the crowd cheered.

“I worked my entire life to be up here to be able to getmyname called by afranchise like NewEngland,” Campbell finally said, hisvoice cracking. “Itmeanseverything to me.” Campbell was picked No. 4overall Thursday night by thePatriots,makinghim thehighest-drafted offensive lineman in LSUhistory.Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca, the No. 26 overall pick in 1998, was the school’sonly other offensive lineman to go in thefirst round since the

“You can’tbeaprisoner to feelings good or bad in this game, because it takes you away from execution,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “So as Isaid,learn the lessons (from it) andthen leavethe momentand thenlive in the next moment, and that’sabout preparingfor this weekend.”

Conventional wisdom would suggest that theembarrassing defeat comes at an inopportune time. Reigning national champion Tennessee comes to Alex Box Stadium for athree-game series beginning on Friday

Super Bowlera began in 1967. Campbell was the first offensive lineman off the board in Green Bay,Wisconsin, and the Patriots madehim the first pick for new head coach MikeVrabel. Though some believehewill have to play guard because of his shorter arm length, Campbell was drafted as aleft tackle to protect quarterback Drake Maye, the No. 3overall pick last year LSU has now produced atop 5pick in six of the past seven NFLdrafts. Campbell followed linebacker Devin White, quarterback Joe Burrow,wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, cornerback DerekStingleyand quarterback Jayden Daniels, giving LSU the mosttop 5picks from one school in that span. Ohio State is second with five. Early in the season last year,Campbell told Patriots executive Eliot Wolf and area scout Alex Brooks that he wanted to getdrafted by NewEnglandwhentheyvisited apractice. He remembered watching dynastic Patriots

(6:30 p.m.,SEC Network+).

But is that true? Does Tuesday’sresult spell trouble for the Tigers this weekend?

LSU under Johnson has played well in midweek games prior to aseries in Southeastern Conference play,going 30-6 despite Tuesday’sloss.But when the Tigers have lost,they have typically bounced back the next weekend. Theyhavewon four of fiveseries followingamidweekloss, andhavewon thenext game after amidweek defeat in all but one instance (a2022 loss to Florida in aseries LSUeventually won)

“Weall go through adversityinlife —have

afamily memberdie —and thenIthink true toughness is when you show up when things aren’tgreat,” Johnson said, “and that’swhat Iwant our team to do. And Ithink they can do that.”

Here’sa look at howLSU hasperformed following amidweek loss during SEC play over the last 10 seasons. 2014: LSU dropped just one midweek game to Tulane, a3-2 defeat in 11 innings. The result translated into more losses over that weekend as the Tigers got swept by Florida on the road.

ä See CAMPBELL, page 4C

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJEFF ROBERSON

LSU offensivetackle Will Campbell, right, poses withNFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the New England Patriots withthe fourth overall pick during the first round of the NFLdraft on ThursdayinGreen Bay, Wis.

On TV

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10 a.m.LPGA: ChampionshipGolf

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7p.m.CarolinaatNew JerseyTBS

9p.m.Los Angeles vs.Edmonton TNT MEN’S SOCCER

7p.m.HFX WanderersFCatValour FC FS2

Knicks beat Pistonsfor a2-1 lead

BY LARRYLAGE AP sportswriter

DETROIT Karl-Anthony Towns

scored31points, Jalen Brunson had 30 and the NewYork Knicks held on for a118-116 win over the Detroit PistonsonThursdaynight to take a2-1 lead in the first-round series.

OG Anunoby added 22 points for New York. Game 4isonSundayin Detroit.

The Pistons have lost eight straight home playoff gamessince 2008, pulling within one ofanNBA record setbyPhiladelphiafrom 1968 to 1971.

When Detroit won at New York in Game 2, the franchiseended aleague-record, 15-playoff game losing streak to take homecourt advantage, but the Knicks snatched it back.

Brunson, who won the NBA’s Clutch Playerofthe Year award on Wednesday,made consecutive layups late in the game to give the Knicks aseven-point lead.

TimHardaway Jr.connected on a3-pointer with 5.8 seconds left to pull the Pistons within three Brunson made one of two free throws with 3.5 seconds left for afour-point lead after Detroit’s coaches, players and fans were screaming for an over-and-back violation to be called.

The All-Star guard made another free throw with 0.5 seconds left and missed the second intentionally

Detroit didn’tget afinal shot off because Jalen Duren’spassfrom in front of histeam’sbench went out of bounds on theotherside of the court.

Townswas aggressive offensively fromthe start, scoring 11 points in the first quarter.The 7-foot center made 4-of-8 3-pointers after combining to shoot 1of5 beyond the arc overthe first twogames Detroit’sCadeCunningham scored 24 points and had 11 assists, but missed 15of25shotsand had six turnovers. Hardaway had 24 points, makinga career playoff-high seven 3-pointers. Dennis Schroder scored18pointsand Duren had 16 forthe Pistons NewYorkled 33-27afteranemotionally charged opening quarter Brunson wascalled for aflagrant foul on Hardaway midway through the first and in the finalminute of thequarter,New York’sMitchell Robinson and Detroit’sPaul Reed were engaged with each other and Townsintervened and pushed Reed,who had to be held back from retaliating. The Knicks pulled away with 21-3 run to take a14-point leadlate in the first half and were ahead 66-

53 at halftime. Detroit pulledwithin one point twice in thethird, but theKnicks wentonanother surge to take a

10-point lead into the final quarter andthe cushionwas comfortable enough to hold off Detroit’sattempts to rally

Chippiness heatingupinNBA playoffs

BY MICHAEL MAROT AP sportswriter

INDIANAPOLIS Theusually good-

natured Indiana Pacers star, Tyrese Haliburton, has shown he refuses to back down from his Milwaukee Bucks rival andfellow All-Star,Damian Lillard.

It’s been part of thechippiness and chirpingthat is beginning to heat up as it usually does during theNBA playoffs. Haliburton has asuccinct explanation for what fans have seen in Pacers’ series with the Bucks, saying the teams simply don’tlike one another It doesn’tseem there is much love lost between Golden State and Houston, or the Los Angeles Lakers and the MinnesotaTimberwolves. But for Milwaukee and Indiana, the animosity is about more than just one series. Haliburton responded when Lillard started chattering during atimeout in Game 1ofthisfirstround playoff series. He did it again when the players were jawing at one another late in Game 2. And if it happens again when the series resumes in Milwaukee, just ashort drive from Haliburton’s hometown of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, it will likely be more of the same. “He wants to win, Iwant to win and we’re in the highest level, the most contentious moment here in the playoffs,” Haliburton saidafter the Pacers took a2-0 series lead. “So it’sjust competition at the end of the day.But we don’thave to sit here and act like there’sany secret. We don’tlike

CONROy

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL

MilwaukeeBucks guard DamianLillard gestures after athree-point shot against the Indiana Pacers duringtheir game Tuesday in Indianapolis.

them, theydon’tlike us —that’s just what it is.

It’seasy to understand howthe Pacers-Bucks matchup reached this intensity —Game 3will be their18thmatchup since the start of last season and Milwaukeedesperatelywants to avoida thirdstraight first-round exit, the second straight to Indiana.

Ayear ago, Indiana won four of the five regular-season matchups and then ousted the Bucks 4-2 by winning three of the lastfour playoff games.

This year,Milwaukeewon three of four during the regularseason buthas lost thefirst two in the postseason, where chippiness is thenorm.

That’s just playoff basketball, whichcomes with heightened physicality.

But forthe two All-NBA guards in theIndiana-Milwaukeeseries, thestakes mayhave firstratcheted up when Haliburton celebrated adecisive 3-pointer in the final minute of Indiana’s128-119 victoryover Milwaukee in the 2023 NBA Cupsemifinals —stealing Lillard’ssignature Dame Time move by looking at his wrist. He’s done it sincethen, too.

And then, of course, there was last season’sdispute over aball, which sent two-timeleague MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo racing into thePacers locker room afterhe’dscored acareerhigh 64

points.

Milwaukee coach DocRivers believes the flareups that wereso common during his NBA playing career,one of the mostphysical eras in league history,are moreof asideshow.

“When yougive atech to two guys who don’tdoanything they were staring at each other, theyweren’tgoing to fight there’snotech needed,” he said, referring to an initial scuffle between Gary Trent Jr.and Pascal Siakam.“Like, sometimes, can we just get on with the damn game? Like, it’s ridiculous.Thattooklike 25 minutestosortout andnothing wasthere.”

Siakam doesn’tseem terribly fazedbyany of it

“I meanifyou need an edge in the playoffs,” saidSiakam, who joined the Pacers in atrade in January 2024, “wehave problems.”

Haliburton, who hasbeen apart of all the recent Milwaukee-Indiana showdowns, saysplaying the Bucks is different.

“Everybody says league rivalries aren’t here anymore.It’s right here,” thePacersguard said.

“We’veplayedlikeamillion times over the last twoyears. I’ve seen every coverage they could throw at us, andIthink thoseguys probably feel the same way aboutus. But there are still alot of games to play, so I’m sure there will be more heated moments, more competitive moments.

“The extracurricular stuff is extracurricular,but it’s fun.

LSU targeting USF transferDLGooden

LSU football has been on the lookout for defensive linemen in the spring transfer portal, and now it is hosting oneofthe topavailable this weekend in Baton Rouge. Former South Florida defensive lineman Bernard Goodenhas avisit scheduled, asourceconfirmed. His agency said in asocial media post he will come to LSUfrom Thursday to Saturday Gooden, asenior from Montgomery,Alabama, recorded 35 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 1½ sacks while starting 11 games last season. He receivedhonorable mentionallAAC honors fromthe league coaches. Gooden, who’slisted at 6-foot-1 and 280 pounds, began his career at Wake Forest, where he redshirted as afreshman. He recorded seven tackles in 12 games ayear later before transferring to USF

Spire releases crew chief Childersafter 9races

SpireMotorsports has parted ways with championship-winning crew chiefRodneyChilders after only nine races with the team Childers,one of thewinningest active crew chiefs in the Cup Series, won the 2014 championship with Kevin Harvick at StewartHaas Racing. When thatteam closed, Childers moved to Spire to crew chief Justin Haley Through the first nine races of theseason,Haley is 23rd in the Cup standings. His best finish this year is 10th at Homestead, but Haley is coming off a13th-place finish at Bristol, where he scored aseason-high 13 stage points. Ryan Sparks, competition director and former crew chief, will be Haley’screw chief forthe rest of this season.

Alcaraz blames injuries for Madrid withdrawal Home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from theMadrid Open on Thursday because of muscle injuries, saying he didn’twant to risk making things worse before the French Open. The third-rankedSpaniard blamedhis injuries on the “really tight”schedule that is part of the “demanding sport” of tennis. Alcaraz said he has not fully recovered fromthe upper leg ailment that bothered him during the BarcelonaOpenfinallastSunday. He also saidhehas aleftleg injury His first appearance at the Caja Magica in Madrid was scheduled for Saturday.Alcaraz is atwo-time champion in Madrid, having won in 2022 and 2023. He wasthe second seed this weekand in the same half of the draw as Novak Djokovic

Jones has been elected to join the HallofFame Twenty-one years after Smarty Jones won the Kentucky Derby and Preakness, the chestnut colt has been elected to the National MuseumofRacing andHallof Fame.

TheHallofFameannounced Thursday thathewas thelone candidate in the contemporary category to appear on the majorityofballots,with 50%plusone vote required for election. It was his first year on the ballot.

BredinPennsylvania, Smarty Jones won eight of nine career starts andwon the Eclipse Award for 3-year-old males in 2004. Thatyear he became the first undefeated Kentucky Derby winner since Seattle Slew with a 23/4-length victory

NBA great Kidd joins ownership of soccerclub

NBA great Jason Kidd has entered the soccer world by joining the ownershipgroup of English Premier League club Everton.

BY RODWALKER Staff writers

One of the New Orleans Pelicans key executives won’tbe returning.

Swin Cash, who served as senior vice president of basketball operations and player development, and the Pelicans are partingways, asourceconfirmedto The Times-Picayune.

The news was first reportedby Shamit Dua of In the N.O. Cash had worked with the Pelicans since 2019. It is thesecond major move in the Pelicans’ front office.

ThePelicansfired executive vicepresident of basketball operations David Griffin on April 14,the day after theteam finished theseason with a21-61 record. It’sthe second worst record in franchise history Cash, a3-time WNBA champion andinductee in both the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame and the Naismith Hall of Fame, was one of the first hires Griffin madewhenhetook over

the Pelicans in 2019.

“Winning is afrequency,and you don’tlearn how to tune to it unless you’ve hadtodoit, and Swin knows howtofind that frequency,” Griffin said when he hiredCash “She’s won championships at every levelofbasketball, and because of that, Iknowunequivocally she knows that championship frequency.She knowsthe thought process, and she understands howtoraise people to be that and to feel that.” It is oneofthe first keymoves JoeDumars has madesince he was named Griffin’sreplacement

earlier lastweek. According to a Tuesdayreport by Marc Spears of AndScape, Dumarshired Troy Weaver to becomethe team’s newsenior vice presidentofbasketball operations. Weaver,like Dumars, hadpreviously worked with the Detroit Pistons. Cashretired fromthe WNBA in 2016 aftera stellarplaying career that included having her jerseynumberretired at UCONN and also winning two gold medals in the Olympics.

EmailRod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com

The Hall of Famepoint guard and current Dallas Mavericks coach said he was “honored” to join Roundhouse Capital Holdings, which is part of the Friedkin Group that took control of Everton last year

The group also ownsItalian team Roma. In astatement released ThursdaybyEverton,executive chairman Marc Watts said Kidd’s “knowledge andwinning mentalitywillbeanincredible resource.” Kidd won an NBAtitle as aplayer with the Mavericks in 2011 and was atwo-time Olympic gold-medal winner withthe U.S. national team

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DUANE BURLESON Newyork Knicks center Karl-AnthonyTowns goes to the basket against Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren on Thursday in Detroit.

ZURICHCLASSIC

FROM THEGALLERY:QUICKTAKES FROM THURSDAY AT THEZURICHCLASSIC AT TPCLOUISIANA WEATHER

Friday in Avondale

Appropriately April: Partly cloudy and warmwith achance of astray shower. High 84.

LEADING/LURKING

Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, childhood friends fromthe San Francisco Bayarea, set a courserecord with a14-under par 58.

The brother/brother team of Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmarkwas one strokeback.

WHERE’S RORY?

Masters champion/world No. 2

RoryMcIlroyand Shane Lowry, the 2024 Zurich champions, gotoff to abirdie-birdiestarton10and 11 and went birdie-eagleon1and 2, but playedthe remaining 14 holes in just 3undertoshoot an 8under 64.They’re tied for28th.

Rory McIlroy tees off on the 13th hole during the Zurich Classic at TPC

Louisiana on Thursday in Avondale.

PHOTO

STAFF

By BRETT DUKE

Atestamenttogreatness

Notevenjetlagor acold candampen

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Two-man teamsplaythe following format: Thursday:Four-ball (bestball)

Friday:Foursomes (alternate shot)

Saturday:Four-ball (bestball)

Sunday:Foursomes (alternate shot)

TICKETS/PARKING

Daily tournamenttickets are $45 each. Childrenunder15are admittedfreewith apaying adult, as are activemilitary. Public parking is at NOLAMotorsports Park, 11075 Nicolle Boulevard, withanew entrance near the third hole

BY SCOTTRABALAIS Staff writer

McIlroy’splay Jeff Duncan

How good is Rory McIlroy?

His opening round at the Zurich Classic on Thursday was atestament to his greatness on the golf course. In his first roundofcompetition since winning The Masters, McIlroy essentially delivered his Cgame while posting abest-ball score of 8-under-par 64 with playing partner Shane Lowry The score was good for a16th-place tie in the 80team field after 18 holes and was nothingshort of remarkable, given the circumstances by which it came. In addition to battling the swampy Louisiana heat andhumidity and the challenging TPC of Louisiana tract, McIlroy also had to combat:

1. The effects of anasty cold; 2. Lingering jet lag from atrans-Atlantic flight roughly 36 hours earlier; 3. Rust from a10-day respite following his historic win at The Masters on April 13 “It was OK,” he said afterward, while clearing his throat from congestion. “Weboth felt like we left a few shots out there, but it wasn’taterrible day.”

Far from it.

Most of the other 159 golfers in the field would have gladly taken ascore that kept them within six shots of the first-round lead set by the team of Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo. McIlroy,ofcourse, isn’t just another golfer.He’sthe

$39.95

best player in theworld, one of just six players in history to completeacareer Grand Slam.

McIlroy’s first round of competitive golf since his historic winwas far from perfect.Itcertainlydidn’t matchthe theatrics of his dramatic final round at Augusta National 10 days earlier

In fact, it was pretty much exactly what he predicted it would be duringhis pre-tournament news conference with local reporters on Wednesday Some good. Some bad. And alot of near-misses, “almosts” and “what-ifs.”

McIlroy sleepwalked through thefirst nine holes, leaning heavily on Lowry to carry the team to a4-underpar 32 at theturn. He then rallied on the second nine with abirdieonNo. 1, an eagleat No.2and abirdie on No. 4.

His and Lowry’slone hiccup came on No. 6, when they bothfound the water with their tee shots, leading to theirlone bogey of the day

“Shane got off to areally good start, and Ididn’t do anything,” saidMcIlroy,who, likeLowry,was dressed in all-black attire.

“Shane joked Icould have got acouple extra hours in bed if Iwanted to. But yeah, Iplayed abit better coming in.”

For McIlroy,itwas the first chance to bask in the glory of hiscathartic victory two weeks ago. Agallery of about 200 fans greeted himfor his 7:52 a.m. tee

timeonNo. 10, where he wasintroduced forthe first time in his decoratedcareer as “Masters champion Rory McIlroy” to an enthusiastic round of applause (“I could getusedtothat,” he quipped)

The gallery swelled throughout the day, peaking at around 1,000 by the time he andLowry completed their five-hour round just before 1p.m. If anyone in the gallery wasdisappointed by McIlroy’slukewarm performance, they didn’tshow it. He andLowry were greeted by enthusiastic cheers throughout the day, many in the adoringcrowd offering congratulations on his heroicsjust 10 days earlier.

“It was brilliant to see so many people out there on aThursday morning,” McIlroysaid. “Wehad a great time playing in front of them last year.…It’salways nicetoplayinfront of asupportive, enthusiastic crowd,and looking forward to doing more of thatover the next fewdays.”

McIlroywas still feeling less than 100 percent after the round. He planned to grabanap after lunchin hopesthathis body would respond to the extra rest.

“Friday andSundayare the important days in this tournament,” McIlroysaid. “If youcan shoot good scores on those days, you can moveupthe board pretty quickly.”

The good news forZurich officials is McIlroy andLowry are in thehunt. They’ll head into Friday’s round of alternate-shotplay firmly in the mix to defend their title. If McIlroystarts to find his A-game, the rest of thefieldwill once again be playing forsecond.

When the ZurichClassic began on agloomy Thursday morning, thefocus was all on the marquee pairing of 2024 championsShane Lowryand Rory McIlroy, the latter making hisfirst competitive swings since an historic and emotional Masters wintwo weeksago. By the time the day ended,atleastsome of thespotlight was shared by the outof-left-field, left coastduo of Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo, who set thecourse recordwhileprompting fans at TPCLouisiana and watching on televisionto ask, “Who are those guys?”

Those guys, childhood friendsfromthe SanFranciscoBay area,sankjust about every putt they looked at en route to breaking the course record with a 14-under par 58 in the four ball (best ball) format, with bothplayers hitting their own ball and recording the best score.

The existing course record of 59 had beentied just about an hour and a half earlier by thebrothers Nicolai andRasmusHojgaard of Denmark.

ApairofPGA Tour rookiesfresh off thefeeder Korn Ferry Tour,the 28-year-old Salinda and 27-year-old Velo have a combined world ranking of 526 (Salinda163, Velo 363).

Velo has missedthe cut in eight of 10 tournaments so far this year,while Salinda has athird in theMexico Open to his credit.

Butonthis day,they bested major champions like McIlroy,Lowry,Collin Morikawa, Zach Johnson and Jason Dufner with a brilliant round that included afront nine 10 under 26 also believed to be acourse record.

Askedwhat was working wellfor them,Salinda smiled andsaid: “Everything.”

Velo wasmoreexpansive, andcomplimentary of his

playing partner

“He made aton of putts,” Velo said. “He one-putted damn near everygreen it seemed like. Very easy to playgolfwhenyou have a partner that’sstacking it and making alot of putts.”

Salindaand Velo charged from the start with birdies on the first six holes before Salinda madea5-foot eagle putt on the par-5seventh hole. That was followed by four more birdiesthrough the 11th.

The pair only madetwo birdiesinthe finalseven holes, but it was more than enough as the tournament flips Friday to the considerably more demanding alternate shot format.

The conditions helped scoringfor everyone.The lift, clean and place rule wasineffect because of the threat of rainy weather that never materialized.The only wind kicked up briefly as theclouds burned off in the afternoon.

“It wasstill alittle bit wet,”saidNicolai Hoggard, who teamed with his brother to birdie 10 of their last 11 holesafterstarting on the 10th. “Then the sun came outand youhad perfectconditions. But there’s barely(any) windand we took advantageofthatto start with.”

The way best ball works, oneofthe day’smostremarkable shots didn’tend up counting.

TomHoge, playingwith McIlroy and Lowry,hit into the rightrough on the 426yard par-4 fifthhole. He muscled theballout of the rough, and while doing so gouged about a4-inch long

piece of cypress root that shot in thefairway as his ball danced to within five feet of the cup. But Hoge didn’teven have to attempt aputt because his partner Kevin Chappell, aWednesday replacement after twotime Zurich winnerBilly Horschelwithdrew, made his 12-footer for birdie to helpthe team get intoatie for11th with a9under 63. Hoge and Chappell were one stroke better than Lowry and McIlroy.The latter was determinedtohonor his commitmenttoplayin NewOrleans with his friend and fellow Irishman despite coming down with acold and hardly touching aclub sinceclaiming theMasters green jacket April 13. Lowry helped their team’s cause throughout the day, chipping in for birdie on the 10th hole (their first) andthen making birdie on the par-4 11th. McIlroymadebirdie outofthe rightrough on the par-4 first hole, then smashed along second shot on the par-5 second hole to 11 feet to makeeagle.

“Shane got offtoareally good start,” McIlroy said. “I didn’tdoanything. Shane jokedI couldhavegot a couple extrahours in bed if Iwanted to. Iplayed abit better coming in.

“Itwas OK.Wefeltlike we left afew shots out there, but we were just saying the twofoursomes days on Friday and Sunday here arethe importantdaysin this tournament, and it’s important for us to obviously post agood score tomorrow.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT LUDTKE

Miami quarterback Cam Ward poses with NFLcommissioner RogerGoodell after beingchosen by the Tennessee Titans with the firstoverall pick during the firstround of the NFLdraft on ThursdayinGreen

THEPICKS AREIN

Ward goes to Titans at No.1inNFL draft; Hunter picked 2ndbyJaguars

BY ROBMAADDI AP pro football writer

GREEN BAY, Wis. Cam Ward has gone from zero-star recruit to No. 1pick in the NFL draft. Travis Hunter is taking his versatility to Jacksonville following ablockbuster deal.

After the Tennessee Titans selected Ward first overall, theJaguars moved up from No. 5toselect the Heisman Trophy winner with thesecond pick. Hunter,aplaymaking wide receiver and cornerback at Colorado, wants tobecome the first full-time, two-way player in the NFL since Chuck Bednarik did it with the Philadelphia Eagles more than 60 years ago.

The Jaguars gave the Cleveland Browns aton to give Hunter that opportunity “I’m super excited to go home,” said Hunter,whose hometown is Boynton Beach, Florida. “It means alot that they gave up so much.It means they believe in me.”

Meanwhile, Colorado’sShedeur Sanderswas passed over byevery team that had aneed for apotential franchise quarterback, even though some draft analystshad him rated higher than Ward When the Pittsburgh Steelers took Oregon defensive tackle Derrick HarmonatNo. 21, Sanders’ chances of being selected in the first round diminished. He likely would need the Browns, Giants, Jets, Saints or Steelers tomake a trade to move back into theend of the round.

TheNew York GiantschosePenn State edge rusher AbdulCarter with the No. 3pick, bolstering an already strong pass rush. Carter led the country with 23 1/2 tackles for loss and had 12 sacks last season.

The New England Patriots took LSU left tackle Will Campbell with thefourth pick, giving quarterback Drake Maye more protection. Campbell broke down in tears on stage, saying: “I’m gonna fight and die to protect him.” Michigan defensivetackleMason Graham went fifth to Cleveland. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty was picked at No. 6 by the Las Vegas Raiders.

The New York Jets selected Missouri offensive tackle Armand Membou with theseventh pick Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan went to the Carolina Panthers with the No. 8pick.

The New OrleansSaints chose Texasoffensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr.atNo. 9. Michigan’s Colston Loveland became thefirst tight end off the boardwhenthe

CAMPBELL

Continued from page 1C

teams win whenever he sawthem on TV,and he liked the peoplein the franchise, especiallyVrabel, a former linebacker who was hired in January

“Coach Vrabel is my kind of guy,” Campbell said. “He’sall ball and no BS, and that’swhatI want to play for.He’svery hands-on. He loves the players that he coaches and Ijust want to be part of that.”

Their connection deepened as Campbell went throughprivate workouts and avisit. Last week, Vrabel and othermembers of the Patriots staff came to Baton Rouge

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEFF ROBERSON Coloradowide receiver Travis Hunter poses withNFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being chosen by the Jacksonville Jaguars withthe second overall pick during the first round of the NFLdraft on Thursday.

Chicago Bears selected him at No. 10.

The Titans explored their options with the first pick before it becamecleara fewweeksago that Ward would be their man.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Ward’sname to kick off thedraft, which for the first time was heldnext to historic Lambeau Field. The NFL’s smallest market is hosting the league’sbiggest offseasonevent as thousands of fans from across the country traveled to Titletown forthe festivities.

Goodell rodeabicycle onto the draft stage and was followed by former Packersstars ClayMatthews, JordyNelson, Mason Crosby,Ahman Green andJames Jones, as well as rap megastar and Green Bay superfan Lil Wayne.

As usual, fans booed Goodell when heopened theextravaganza.

Titans fans cheered inside the draft theater after hearing Ward’s name called. An overlooked high school player out of Texas, Ward began his college career at Incarnate Word,anFCS schoolinSan Antonio.Heplayed twoseasons at Washington State after transferring there in 2022 and thenset school recordsinhis only season at Miami, finishingfourth in HeismanTrophy voting.

“Everything thatI went through, nota lotofpeoplewent through the processfrom high schooltothis pointcan make it to this level and continuetohave the same work ethicsince day one, but Ihad God by my sideand if you have that, the resttakescareofitself,” Ward said TheTitans arecoming off a three-win season and have missed the playoffs three straight years.

Ward is thefourth quarterback Tennessee hasdrafted in the first round over thepasttwo decades, joining Marcus Mariota (No. 2, 2015), Jake Locker (No. 8, 2011) andVince Young (No. 3, 2006).

for one more meeting with their potential pick. During aworkout, Vrabel wore ablockingpad on his chest. Campbell punchedand knocked himover

“They taught me some newstuff, and yeah, Imean, Igot him,”Campbell said, smiling. “I’m notgoingto lie; Igot him on theground.”

As hegrew up in Monroe, Campbell dreamed of thismoment. He always liked football, scribbling playsonapiece of paper when he was about 7years old. With his size and athleticism, Campbell turned into atop 50 recruit.

Once LSUoffered ascholarship, Campbell’s decisionwas clear.He considered Oklahoma, but LSU was alwayshis team. His dad’s family usedtotake amotorhome

Saints bankingonBanks to improveoffensive line

Mariota is theonly QB drafted by Tennessee in that span who led the team to aplayoff win. That was back in 2017. Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick in 2023, is 5-16 as astarter in his two seasons withthe Titans. Ward led the country with39 touchdown passes and finished second with 4,313yards passing while leading the Hurricanes to a10-3 record. Ward also had only seven interceptions and completed 67.2% of his passes.

TheBrowns got Jacksonville’s first-round pick (No. 5), picks Nos. 36 and126, and afirst-rounder in 2026 to trade down and clear the way for theJaguars to pickHunter.The Jags also received fourthandsixth-round picks in this draft.

Hunterworea neon pink blazer and flashed abig smile after Jacksonville selected him,even though he hadn’tspoken to theteam since the scouting combine. He caught 96 passes for1,258yards and15 touchdowns while making 35 tackles,breaking up 11 passes and picking off four

The SanFrancisco 49ers took Georgia edge rusher Mykel Williams with the11th pick. Alabama guard Tyler Booker went to the Dallas Cowboys at No. 12. Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant was selected by the Miami Dolphins with the13th pick. The Indianapolis Colts snagged Penn State tight endatNo. 14 and Georgia edge rusher Jalon Walker went 15th to the Atlanta Falcons. Mississippi defensive tackle WalterNolen was pickedbythe Arizona Cardinals at No. 16 and Texas A&M edge rusher Shemar Stewartwenttothe Cincinnati Bengals at No. 17. The Seattle Seahawks took North Dakota State guard GreyZabel with the18thpickand theTampa Bay Buccaneersgot Ohio State wide receiverEmekaEgbukaat No. 19.

to games. There’sa pictureof Campbellwearing an LSUhelmet as ayoung boy In three years at LSU, Campbell became the most decorated offensive lineman in LSU history.And now he’sthe highest-drafted player at the position from theschool.

“I played for ahistoricprogram at LSU, and now to play for one in New England, IguessI’m lucky,” Campbell said. “But I’m just super excited and thankful to wear that logo on theside of my helmetand across the front of my chest.It’s acomplete honor,and I’m just excited.”

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

TheNew Orleans Saints are hoping they can do what the three wordsonthe shinypennant dangling from Kelvin Banks Jr.’s necklace told them to do. “Bank on it,” the necklace read. It’s acatchphrase Banks started using during his sophomore season at the University of Texas. Now MickeyLoomis, KellenMoore and the Saints are banking on their first-round draft selection to be worthy of being chosen with the No.9overall pick Thursday night.

No, it wasn’tthe sexy pick Saints’ fans werestarving for.

Who Dats won’tberushing out to the stores to buyjerseys with “Banks” on theback of it.

Offensive linemen don’tmove theneedle like that.

Butthe Saints aren’tdrafting to win over the fans. They are drafting to try to win games and they showed once again that they believe that winning starts in the trenches.

Moresexy picks like Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Georgia edgerusher JalonWalker werestill on the board, but the Saintsstuck to their guns. Moore believes that teamsare first built on theoffensive anddefensive lines.

For the second straight year and the third timeinfouryears, theSaints usedafirst round draft pick on an offensive lineman.

They draftedTrevorPenning in the first round of the 2022 draft and Taliese Fuaga last year

The Saints hit on the Fuaga pick.

The jury is still out on the Penning pick, although he wasn’ta liability last season after struggling both on the field and withinjuriesinhis first two years. Saints’ general manager Mickey Loomis said Wednesday that the team wasn’tgoing to exercise Penning’sfifth-year option, but said they do like the player

So nowtheyare adding yetanother piece to the linetohelpprotect the quarterback (whoever that may be) and to help improve the running game.

In Banks,the Saintshavealinemanwho wasconsideredthe best one in all of college football last season. He won both the Lombardi Trophy and the Outland Trophy

TheSaints desperatelyneed Banks’ college success to translate to the NFL.

This wastheirhighest draft pick since 2008 when they picked defensive tackleSedrick Ellis with the seventh overall pick. Loomis knowshow badlythey needed to get this one right.

“If we’re picking in the top 10, we’re looking forsomebody that, man, we’regonna countonthis guy for the next 8to10years,” Loomis said Wednesday.“And he’s going to fill that spot, and we’re not going to have to worry about it. For me, that’sagoal.” It’sagoal Banks feels he can deliver “I’m definitelyreadyand preparedtotakeonany challenge that comes in front of me,” Banks said.

The Saints need him to be. Oneofthe most important drafts in Saints’ history is banking on it.

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

only two sacks in his last twoseasons after Texas transitioned to the SoutheasternConference; he displayed excellent athletic skills at the NFL combine, posting a 8.26 Relative Athletic Score; and he was atwo-time team captain at Texas.

In astatement issued through theSaints, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said, “I would tellany player coming into our program if you want to be great,belike Kelvin Banks. His demeanor,his workethic, hisdrive, hisattentiontodetail, his ability to remain consistent in his approach on and off the field. It showsinhis play.” Banks also fitsMoore’sphilosophywhen it comes to building a roster.AtNFL owner’smeetings last month, Moore described establishing astrong foundation alongthe offensive anddefensive lines as “critical.”

“You win andcontrol alot of the games withhow you handle the offensive and defensive lines,” Moore said. “Been around that for along time with Dallas and Philly where that’sbeen ahuge aspect of oursuccessinboththose spots. And so you’ll continue to build it however you need to.”

In Philadelphia last year,Moore hadAll-Pros at left and right tackle and Pro Bowlers at center and left guard. His other starting offensive lineman,Mekhi Becton, signed atwo-year,$20 million free agent deal this offseason. New Orleans’ offensive line now featuresfourfirst round picks, with Banks joining Taliese

Fuaga, Cesar Ruizand Trevor Penning.

The questionnow is where Bankswillplay. Thereweresome questions about Banks prior to the draft about whether he is a better fit at guard or tackle. New Orleans returns both of its starting tackles fromlast year in Fuaga and Penning, and while Penning showed signs of improvementin2024, he hasnot lived up to his first-round draft status yet as an NFL player.It’s possible either Banks or Penning could shifttoleftguard, where the Saints don’thave aclear-cut starter

For Banks’ part, he doesn’t seem to care where he plays.

“I haven’ttalked to them about playing, but I’m gonna play whatever,man,” Banks said. “If I’m (one of) the best fiveonthe field and they give me the opportunity to start andIearnthat right, I’m gonna play wherever they put me.”

Though he strictly played on theleftside in college— and he estimated that he hasn’tplayed on the right side in agame since his sophomore year of high school Bankssaidheoften cross-trained while at Texas, and hasspent time this offseasontraining both on the leftand the right side. Banks is the first player the Saints have selected in the draft’s top 10 picks since they took Sedrick Ellis seventh overall in 2008. He alsocontinued adecade-long trend forthe Saints. NewOrleans has now used a first-round pick (or,inthe case of 2019 when it didn’thave afirstrounder,its first selection) on an offensive or defensive lineman every year since 2015.

Bay, Wis.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy Texasoffensivelineman Kelvin BanksJr. runs adrill at the NFLfootball scouting combine on March 2inIndianapolis.

Rod Walker

Parkview Baptist extends win streak to 11

BY WILLIAM WEATHERS Contributing writer

The

first time through its lineup Parkview Baptist’s batters were in an information gathering mode, trying to process De La Salle senior pitcher Al Shorts.

The top-seeded Eagles collected two runs on one hit through three innings before unleashing a fourrun fourth inning on the strength of two keys hits, resulting in a 6-1 victory over No. 16 De La Salle in the first game of a best-of-three Division III select regional series.

“We heard good things about that pitcher and knew we had a tough fight coming in,” Parkview coach

Phillip Hawke said. “Going into the first inning we wanted to make him work for everything and gain information. Then on the second time through we were hoping to string some things together, take advantage of the mistakes and our guys did a good job when they got two strikes of making him earn his outs.” Parkview Baptist (29-6) extend-

ed its winning streak to 11 games, having won 20 of its last 21 games, and hosts De La Salle (20-13) at 6 p.m. Friday UL signee Sam Mitchell (5-0) yielded three hits, walked four and struck out 11 in five innings. Avery Lee closed out the final two innings, allowing an unearned run on two hits, striking out two and walking one. “I felt good,” said Mitchell, who threw 53 of 85 pitches for strikes. “I had a few more walks than I wanted. I was around the (strike) zone but had small misses. I controlled the bases well and none of them scored which is good. My guys played great defense, and

we held them to zero runs through five.”

Parkview pushed across runs in the second and third innings before extending that lead to 6-0 with a four-run fourth. After a base-running interference call wiped out a run and resulted in two outs, right fielder Clayton Fontenot (2 for 4) sent a two-run triple to right-center field and left fielder Henry Beckers’ run-scoring single to left off reliever Troy Jones, who took over for Shorts after he allowed three hits, six walks and hit four batters in 3.2 innings. Fontenot later injured his knee while fouling off a ball in the sixth

and was helped off the field and is expected to miss the remainder of the series, Hawke said. Parkview took advantage of control problems from Shorts in the second inning and produced a run. A walk to catcher Micah Landry and two wild pitches enabled courtesy runner Gatlyn Grace to reach third before scoring on Cade Durbin’s groundout. The Eagles picked up their first hit in the third on Kelan Guidry’s single against Jones and scored on Beckers’ sacrifice fly to center

“That’s why they’re a good team,” De La Salle coach Aaron Barras said. “You can’t give them things You have to make them earn it.”

Familiar storylines dominated District 4-5A track meet

Catholic, St. Joseph’s win district titles

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

There were plenty of individual storylines.

Scotlandville’s Ferzell Shepard leaped beyond 50 feet in the triple jump again.

Woodlawn’s Jaleyia Woodlawn returned from an injury to run a person best in her specialty, the 400 meters, just to name two.

At the end of the District 4-5A track meet, two key points about the 2025 season remained the same — Catholic High and St Joseph’s Academy ran away with team titles again Thursday night at Southern University’s A.W Mumford Stadium. The Bears won their 24th straight boys district title with a total of 170 points, finishing ahead of Zachary (127) and Scotlandville (114).

SJA rolled up 201 points to win the girls title. Zachary (141) and Liberty (73) followed. The top four finishers advance to regional competition next week. Shepard didn’t plan to take that many jumps, but a foul on first attempt extended his triple jump sequence. He won with a leap of 50 feet, 5 inches and won the long jump in 23-2. Shepard also was part of the winning 4x200 relay “I was only planning to take one jump, but when I fouled I had to do another one,” Shepard said “I got 50 on my second jump. The long jump was the thing I wanted to go 24 feet. I had a 24-10 that barely scratched.” Woods battled the Redstickers Alexandria Stewart in the 400 and 200 meters. Stewart edged Woods by one-hundreth of a second in the 200.

“Usually I get out faster, but this was my first meet back,” Woods said. “I was on one curve and I heard my teammates yell that there were people behind me “I figured, ooh, I better pick it up. Then I saw a shadow, maybe somebody else’s or my own and I took

totals: 1, Catholic 170. 2, Zachary 127. 3, Scotlandville 114 4, Central 64. 5, Baton Rouge High 38. 6, Woodlawn 36. 7, Liberty 34 Field events

Javelin: 1, Robert Conley, Catholic, 183-2. 2, Riley Polito, Catholic, 144-7. 3, Conner Conachen, Zachary, 139-7 High jump: 1, Keithon Womack, Central, 6-8. 2, Caleb Hilton, Zachary, 5-10. 3, Brady Biossat, Catholic, 5-4. Shot put: 1, Keidrick Bailey, Zachary, 53-4. 2, Jack Torrance, Catholic, 48-6. 3, Roman Jenkins, Liberty, 44-4 Long jump: 1, Ferzell Shepard, Scotlandville, 23-2. 2, Marcus Watson, Central, 22-8. 3, Alex Huffine, Catholic, 21-6 Pole vault: 1, Isaac Johannsen, Zachary, 12-6. 2, John Henry Overton, Catholic, 12-6. 3,

off and ended up getting a PR.”

Woods posted a winning time of 55.41 seconds. William Decuir was a double winner in the 1,600 meters and 800 to help lead Catholic.

“I was more pleased with my 1,600 meters today,” Decuir said.

“My ability after I was hurting to stretch and keep moving was important. At the district meet, I want it more than myself, I want it for my school.”

Michelle Daigle (1,600 and 3,200) was a key double winner on the track for the Redstickers, who also got two wins from Jaelyn Jones (long jump, 300 hurdles).

“They’re doing what we asked them to do,” SJA coach Vernnon Langley said. “They responded.”

For Catholic coach Sean Brady, it also was a success story

“It was a great night to run and our kids love this track because it’s so fast,” Brady said “They wanted to win. No one wants to be the team that doesn’t continue the streak.”

Email Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

Ryan Klester, Catholic, 12-0. Discus: 1, Jack Torrance, Catholic, 170-7. 2, Keidrick Bailey, 156-9. 3, Roman Jenkins, Liberty, 143-8. Triple jump: 1, Ferzell Shepard, Scotlandville, 50-5. 2, Genard Green, Scotlandville 45-3. 3, Maurjay White, Woodlawn, 45-1. Track events

4x800-meter relay: 1, Catholic 8:10.90. 2, Baton Rouge 8:16.48. 3, Zachary 8:18.51. 100 meters: 1, Caleb Hilton, Zachary, 10.65. 2, Tyler Jenkins, Zachary, 10.89. 3, Jordan Watkins, Scotlandville, 10.97.

4x200 relay: 1, Catholic 1:26.92. 2, Scotlandville 1:27.12. 3, Woodlawn 1:29.52. 110 hurdles: 1, Fayden Brown, Scotlandville 14.86. 2, Dylan Evans, Scotlandville 15.11. 3, Reece Thompson, 15.33. 1,600 meters: 1, William Decuir, Catholic 4:30.06. 2, Max Gennaro, Zachary, 4:30.71. 3, Jonathan Thompson, Catholic, 4:36.69.

4x100 relay: 1, Zachary 42.68. 2, Woodlawn 43.03. 3, Liberty 44.48. 400: 1, Chandler Sears, BRHS, 48.39. 2, Henry

Mensman, Catholic, 48.86. 3, D’Adario Conway, Scotlandville, 49.76. 300 hurdles: 1, Dylan Evans, Scotlandville 39.48. 2, Fayden Brown, Scotlandville 39.83. 3, Radley Walker, BRHS, 40.84. 800: 1, William Decuir, Catholic, 1:57.56. 2, Kydell Miner, Woodlawn, 1:59.94. 3, Patrick Kelly, Catholic, 2:00.79. 200: 1, Caleb Hilton, Zachary, 21.30. 2, Jordan Watkins, Scotlandville, 22.12. 3, Ashton Wiggins, 22.84. 3,200: 1, Peter Watson, Catholic, 9:55.48. 2, Augustin Juneau, Catholic, 10:03.71. 3, Max Gennaro, Zachary, 10:14.25. 4x400 relay: 1, Catholic 3:19.31. 2, Zachary 3:25.51. 3, Scotlandville 3:27.11. Girls Team totals: 1, St. Joseph’s Academy 201. 2, Zachary 141. 3, Liberty 73. 4, Scotlandville 56. 5, Central 48. 6, Woodlawn 37. 7, Baton Rouge High 21. Field events Javelin: 1, Saylor Woosley, Central, 107-0. 2,

Mary Bellelo, SJA, 103-6. 3, Riley Partin, Central, 86-0. High jump: 1, Keari Stewart, Zachary, 5-2. 2, Paige Ullrich, SJA, 4-10. 3, Wesly Lipari, SJA, 4-6. Shot put: 1, Kai Richard, Zachary, 38-7. 2, Nilah Duhe, Zachary, 33-9. 3, M’Kensye, Liberty, 32-10. Long jump: 1, Jaelyn Jones, SJA, 17-6. 2, Chantel Hall, BRHS, 17-4 1/2. 3, Mackenzie Jones, Liberty, 17-0. Pole vault: 1, Rylan Sheridan, Central, 8-0. 2, Foster Yan-Hamby, SJA, 7-0. 3, Kaitlyn Garidel, SJA, 6-6. Discus: 1, Kai Richard, Zachary, 110-11. 2, M’Kensye King, Liberty, 108-7. 3, Addison Guy, Central, 106-4. Triple jump: 1, Camryn Houston, SJA, 36-2. 2, Jaelyn Jones, SJA, 35-5. 3, Chantel Hall, BRHS, 35-0. Track events 4x800-meter relay: 1, St. Joseph’s 9:45.83. 2, Zachary 10:55.38. 3, Liberty 11:23.63. 100: 1, Destiny Harrison, Liberty, 12.15. 2, Alexandria Stewart, SJA, 12.22. 3, Talar Jackson, Zachary, 12.29. 100 hurdles: 1, Serenity Early, Zachary, 14.83. 2, Keari Stewart, Zachary, 15.40. 3, Amelia Lalonde, SJA, 17.36. 4x200 relay: 1, Liberty 1:41.47. 2, Zachary 1:42.23. 3, Woodlawn, 1:43.88. 1,600 meters: 1, Michelle Daigle, SJA, 5:24.27. 2, Charlotte Beck, SJA, 5:27.18. 3, Blair Smith, Zachary, 5:47.69. 4x100 relay: 1, Scotlandville 48.47. 2,

Scotlandville’s Ferzell Shepard soars through the air after launching off the line in the long jump at the District 4-5A meet on Thursday at A.W Mumford Stadium.

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON Catholic’s William DeCuir starts his kick to the finish line in the lead in the 800 meters at the District 4-5A meet on Thursday at A.W Mumford Stadium.

St. Joseph’s Michelle Daigle leads Charlotte Beck into the turn for the final lap of the 1600 meters at the District 4-5A meet on Thursday at A.W Mumford Stadium.

GO FLYAKITE

The annual Kite Fest Louisiane takes off at 11 a.m. Saturdayatthe West Baton Rouge Soccer Complex, 3383 Rosedale Road,Port Allen.Competitions, retailers, design-a-kite, candy shower, music, food and more. Fireworks at dusk closesthe day. Sunday hours are 11 a.m.-4p.m westbatonrouge.net.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

MACMcANALLY

8p.m. Saturday l L’Auberge Casino, 777 L’AubergeAve., Baton Rouge l $30-$125 l www2.lbatonrouge.com and macmcanally.com

Buffett sideman Mac

McAnally stepstothe spotlight

BY JOHN WIRT

Contributing writer

Mac McAnally hasn’t performed in Baton Rouge since his 2010 guest appearance with Kenny Chesney at BayouCountry Superfest in Tiger Stadium.

McAnally —a singer-songwriterand multi-instrumentalist who worked with thelate Jimmy Buffett for more than 40 years —joined Superfest headliner Chesneyfor their McAnally-composed hit duet, “Down the Road.”

WELCOME HOME

The Baton RougeHome Showtakes place from 10 a.m. to 8p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5p.m. Sundayatthe Lamar Dixon Expo Center’sRev Center,9039 S. St. LandryAve., Gonzales. Get inspiration for your next project fromhome improvement professionals. Free passes availableonlineor$10 at the door lahomeshows-ld.com/Free-Pass.

CELEBRATING THE PLANET

Local vendors, educational workshops, music and interactiveactivitiesfor all ages —it’s Earth DayBaton Rouge2025 from 11 a.m. to 4p.m.SundayatRhorer Plaza, 200 St. Louis St. An opportunity to appreciate nature and learntoprotectthe environment for future generations. Free. eventbrite.com

Roles reversed in January when Chesney made aguestappearance at McAnally’sheadlining debut at the RymanAuditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. They reprised “Down the Road” and sang Buffett’s songs “Come Monday” and “A Pirate Looks at Forty.”The special night also featured apartial reunionofthe Coral Reefer Band, with percussionist Eric Darken and guitarist PeterMayer joiningMcAnally, their fellow Buffett bandmember,onstage.

McAnally previously appeared at the revered former home of the Grand Ole Opry as asideman and openingact. Hissold-out first time topping the Ryman bill was an honor he never thought possible.

“I used to sit on the porch with my dad in Mississippi, listening to what was going on at theRyman,withmyhead up against the radio,” he said. “I never imaginedI’d be in theaudience, let alone on the stage.”

McAnally’sRyman show was poignant for another reason he’d originallyplanned to join Buffett there for the Parrott Head king’sRyman debut

“Weplotted different versions of howJimmywas going to play the Ryman,” McAnally recalled. “He wanted it to be special. We booked it acouple of differenttimes.The pandemic took it down one time. His medical treatment took it down the last time. We never got it done.” Buffett died of skincancer in 2023 at 76 years old. Although he wasn’tphysically atMcAnally’sRyman debut, McAnally believes the spirit of his almost big brother was present.

“I put Jimmy’sguitarand his microphone in the middle of the stage,” McAnallysaid. “I played off to the side, just like I’m more comfortable doing. He was there. Everybody Italked to who was there feels the same way.”

McAnally’sfriendshipwith Buffett began in the mid1970s, shortly before the stillstruggling singer recorded his

Louisiana filmmakerWarrenMitchell lookswithinfor ‘Aspire’ inspiration

BY JUDYBERGERON Staff writer

rite whatyou know, Mark Twain once said. For Baton Rouge filmmaker Warren Mitchell, that is autism. Diagnosed around the age of 2, Mitchell didnot learn what being on the autism spectrummeant until high school at Christian Life Academy “It was like probably the mostsignificant life change thatI’veexperienced, because now everything that I’ve gone through in my life before hadmade sense,” Mitchell,35, explained. “Andeverythingthatwould happeninmylifeorthe obstacles thatI would face later on down the line would be muchmore evident.”

Suchwas thecase for theLSU

graduate when he undertook his first feature film.Writing commenced, then stalled. Raising funds wasslow going. And the fits and startsoffilming,that would make foradocumentary all its own, Mitchell said.

The result, “Aspire,” will be screened 7p.m. Friday at the Manship Theatre. There’ll be ared carpet, aQ&A with the filmmaker and an after-party in the Manship’s Hartley-Vey Studio Theatre.Tickets, $27.10, are still available at manshiptheatre.org.Use thecode

“blue” at checkout foradiscount if you’re buying aticket forsomeone on the autism spectrum Mitchell wrote, directed and stars in “Aspire.”

“I decidedtodrawupon some of

BY HALEYMILLER Staff writer

The South-Korean born, now BatonRouge-based blues musician Hanna PK was dressed in

PROVIDED PHOTO By AMER ZALLOUM

Warren Mitchell and Kasie LaFleur lead the cast of ‘Aspire,’which Mitchell also wrote and directed

PROVIDED PHOTOByJTFLETCHER

Castand crewfor ‘Aspire’ includeback row, from left, Toby Bourg and BlakeMcMurry; middle row, Stevie Pearl, Shannon Stwart, Cassie Stewartand Rachael Knaps; front row, Zamond Herbert, Warren Mitchell, Kasie LaFleur and JT Fletcher

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

The journey is as important as the destination in Agatha Christie’s stories, sometimes even more important.

Sure, everyone wants to know who murdered Samuel Ratchettt after the train leaves the station in Sullivan Theater’s production of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express.” Surely, even audience members will try to figure it out from their seats when the play opens Friday

But most intriguing will be the stops along the way, where veils are lifted to reveal inevitable secrets hidden in each suspect’s past. Or present.

Everyone has secrets

Either way these secrets have a way of changing the course of the story while the Orient Express is stranded in a snowdrift.

“We like to say only one person is guilty but no one on this train is innocent,” said Arden McMillin, the theater’s public relations and marketing manager “You learn something about everyone.”

This makes it difficult for actors when talking about their characters.

“It’s hard to describe our characters without giving away spoilers,” said Delilah Lee Guilbeau, who plays Mary Debenham.

But there’s one character who is exactly who he says he is Agatha Christie’s star detective Hercule Poirot, played by Knick Moore

‘ASPIRE’

Continued from page 1D

my past experiences to put into the backstory of my character And then I also decided to pull in a couple of other moments to be reinterpreted into the movie,” Mitchell said. “And so what I came up with was an indie romantic comedy kind of dramatic as well, where the character that I play, Sam Sullivan, is an autistic man in his early 30s, and he really wants to navigate life as an autistic person, especially from the viewpoint that he’s in and figuring out what he really wants out of life.

“So he decides to move from Shreveport to New Orleans, and he moves in with his cousin Derrick. And during that time, he accepts a job offer at a credit union During that process, he falls in love with one of his co-workers. So through this movie, you’ll see him trying to learn how to function as an adult with autism in the real world and

HANNA PK

Continued from page 1D

when she accepted an invite from Kenny Neal to record at his studio.

“Especially the kind of music I love and play, I feel like my life had to take me to the South,” PK said. PK was raised in Dongducheon, a city in the northern region of South Korea. Her dad was a musician, and she grew up listening to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix. Because her dad’s career was in

Poirot happens to be traveling on the Orient Express, which still offers luxury train rides under the name Venice Simplon-OrientExpress and the Belmond British Pullman.

Orient Express still runs

Though the train’s route has been modified, its track stretched from Istanbul to Paris when Agatha Christie rode it in the 1920s.

The train actually was stranded in a snowdrift about 60 miles outside of Istanbul for about 10 days in 1929, which is said to have inspired Christie’s 1934 best-selling novel.

Sullivan Theater’s production of the 2015 adaptation by Ken Ludwig opens with the discovery of the body of an American tycoon behind the locked door of his compartment. A snowstorm is raging outside, and Poirot has his hands full in unraveling this mystery And though murder is serious business, this version of the play is billed as a dramedy, meaning it’s stocked with equal parts drama and comedy.

“The characters in this version of the play are written with hu-

around people that he’s never met before, especially when it comes to his new romantic relationship, as he has never had that before.”

Simultaneously, his new love interest, Amanda, played by Kasie LaFleur, is learning life through the viewpoint of an autistic person — how to understand it and love the person who has it.

The writing Mitchell’s initial stab at the story was in 2019.

“I got a couple pages down before I hit a roadblock,” he shared.

The next year, of course, brought the COVID-19 pandemic and for Mitchell, an anxiety battle.

“I wanted to take a mental (break) to really think about where I am in my life,” he said. “And I was coming up with so many thoughts, especially with my diagnosis as an autistic person. And when I realized that the thoughts that I was writing down about myself could work well as a monologue for the character that I was trying to create a long time ago. That’s when I

music, for years she resisted the same path for herself, she said.

“I always loved it,” PK said. “But when I was younger, I thought you have to be just so crazy to pursue music. And I felt like I wasn’t crazy enough to go into it.”

She studied business in college and took her first job in Rochester, where she discovered the John Cole Blues Band. Something in her heart responded to the blues, she said all of its heartbreak and triumph.

“He was a real bluesman, and when I saw his band, I knew, that’s the music I really want to learn and do,” PK said “That started my

mor,” said Jon Allen Russo, who plays Monsieur Constantine Bouc. “So, there are times the audience will laugh.”

Speaking of Russo, his character is director of the Orient Express

“It’s the company that runs the Orient Express,” he said. “My character is more of a foil for Poirot, and works against him in a particular way Everything I say is wrong to throw everything off.” 11-member cast

Russo is only one in the ensemble cast of 11, which also includes Brooke Frost as Countess Andrenyi.

decided to dive back in with a refreshed and renewed viewpoint.”

With much inspiration, the words flowed, and from February to October 2022, Mitchell was able to complete the script.

The filming

The first shoots for “Aspire,” set for September 2023, proved to be problematic, starting with building a cast with minimal funds. Mitchell had saved his money from a coffee house job and had some money from crowdfunding, but not nearly enough to pay actors.

“Initially, I didn’t specify any payment, but I promised them that I would give them food and IMDB (Internet Movie Database) credit because this was really my first-ever feature film. And I’m financially in the same boat as they are,” Mitchell said. “The only thing I can offer them is just my love and my passion for making this film.”

Then one of the main supporting actresses had to drop out for personal issues, then a few more actors backed out for assorted reasons.

deep love for it.”

PK said she also found a connection with the blues because of the centrality of intergenerational trauma and struggle. While the history of Black people in the U.S. is very different than that of Koreans, she said, she can empathize with blues music based on common themes of mistreatment and oppression.

She used the Korean concept “han,” which doesn’t have a direct English translation, to describe some of the parallels.

“American people say, ‘I got the blues,’ but Korean people have ‘han,’ ” PK said. “Han can be ex-

“She married a Hungarian count, which makes her a countess, but she’s also a trained medical doctor,” Frost said. “She’s American, but something is discovered about her along the way.”

It would be a spoiler to give away that “something,” just as it would spoil the story in revealing with whom the aforementioned Guilbeau character, Mary, is entangled. Yes, there really is much to digest on the Orient Express, but these characters have nothing but time to digest it as they wait for the train to start running again while Poirot solves the murder

Keeping things stirred in a whirl-

“It literally felt like a horror story, but the one thing that I hate doing is bailing out at the last second because even though some people were doing that, I didn’t want to be one of those people,” he recalled.

“So I tried to do as much as I could, but throughout the problems, the bad luck kept hitting us over and over again.

The wedding shoot Mitchell envisioned for LSU’s Greek Theater in October 2023 was the last straw with an overlapping event involving the LSU Tiger Band resulting in a shooting shutdown.

“And that day, I was just demoralized. I was completely broken,” Mitchell said. “And that was probably my lowest point as a filmmaker I was keeping in mind Murphy’s Law, where everything that can go wrong will go wrong, but even then I could not have anticipated everything.”

For the next two months, the determined Mitchell regrouped and filming restarted in January 2024.

Yes, there were shoots and reshoots and still more shuffling of

plained like a multigeneration’s sorrow, and maybe the things you feel for all the hardship that your people went through.”

Miguel Hernandez, bassist in PK’s band and a prominent member of the Baton Rouge blues scene, said PK’s playing comes from a place of honesty and authenticity, paying homage to the genre while being true to her own life experiences.

“There are lots of musicians out here — all of them can play like the old guys, but when you hear them, you can pick out which old guy they sound like,” Hernandez said.

“Whereas when she plays, she’s

wind of nervous energy along the way is Adam Marks as Hector McQueen.

“He’s very straight-laced, but he has a lot of nervous energy, and he keeps interrupting Poirot during poignant moments,” Marks said. “He really tries to make sure everyone stays in line, but he’s really awkward.”

Meanwhile, McQueen was the secretary for the recently murdered Ratchett, who harbored his own secrets in life.

Rounding out the cast

Rounding out the cast are Oreoluwa Onasanya as Michel The Conductor, Margaret Lipscomb at Princess Dragomiroff, Debbie Upton Carr as Greta Ohlsson, Carole Moore as Helen Hubbard, Justin Rogers as Colonel Arbuthnot and Mike Sager as Samuel Ratchett.

The show is directed by Patricia Wylie with Michael Muffuletto as assistant director

“And we need to add that our set is amazing,” McMillin said. “Shannon Binning is the set designer, and we had a crew of amazing builders who helped her The set is a character, itself, and I think it’s going to surprise the audience. There are even moments that the audience is brought into the set.”

This means everyone in the theater is a passenger on the Orient Express, all waiting on the stranded train to learn who, exactly, murdered Samuel Ratchett.

Email Robin Miller at romiller@ theadvocate.com.

actors. By April’s end, and with a budget now of $4,000, filming wrapped.

The Pangburn Group, Eye Wander Photo and Viking Multi-Media also came on board to offer support.

The takeaway When filmgoers leave the Manship after seeing “Aspire,” Mitchell hopes they exit with a fresh perspective on his condition.

“I want people to leave with the feeling that this autistic guy may not be the kind of person you want to get to know more based on early impressions, but in reality, they just want to be met as a loving and nice and supportive person,” he said. “And especially for people on the autism spectrum, I want them to know that it’s OK to be different. I’m in the same mode as you guys, and I am putting all my eggs in a basket to get to where I want to be as an adult.”

Email Judy Bergeron at jbergeron@theadvocate.com.

got the old style, but her ideas are hers.”

PK said nonblues listeners sometimes assume they “know” the blues, and they can miss the individuality of each artist. She encouraged audiences to leave behind their preconceptions of the blues and go hear the music live.

Her free performance Friday night is at the Juke Joint stage at the West Baton Rouge Museum.

“What people might think that they know might not be all the experience there is,” PK said. “I want people to not be so caught up in the genre and come out and hear it yourself.”

PROVIDED PHOTO By MATTHEW WALKER

Sullivan Theater will open Ken Ludwig’s adaptation of Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ on Friday.

FRIDAY PHATHAT: Live After Five, Rhorer Plaza, 5p.m. HISTORICAL HAPPY

FEATURING

HANNA PK: West Baton Rouge Museum, Port Allen, 6p.m.

ORIGINAL MUSIC

GATHERING: La Divina Italian Café, 6p.m.

CHRIS OCMAND: BLDG 5, 6p.m

CONNOR UNDERWOOD: Stab’s Restaurant, 6p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 6p.m.

ERIC BASKIN DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 6p.m.

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Chris’ Specialty Foods, 6p.m.

KATE PEYTAVIN: Festival de la Prairie, St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville, 6p.m.

SOUTHFIELD BAND: Crowne Plaza, 6p.m.

BESIDE OURSELVES: El Paso, Gonzales, 6:30 p.m.

BO BURKES: Le Chien Brewing Co., Deham Springs,6:30 p.m.

FLOYDBROWN BAND

FEATURING JODY

MAYEUX: El Paso, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

KYBALION: Pedro’s Siegen, 6:30 p.m.

THE LONGNECK

SOCIETY: T’Quilas, Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m.

PHIL CHANDLER: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7p.m.

ALLISON COLLINS

TRIO: Bin 77, 7p.m

JOEY &THE JUMPER

CABLES: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m.

VICTOR, SKIP &CARRIE: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m

PEYTON FALGOUST: Festival de la Prairie, St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville, 7:30 p.m.

HENRYTURNER JR.

&ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m.

BUBBAPLAUCHÉ: Riverbend Terrace II at L’Auberge, 8p.m.

KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND: L’Auberge Event Center, 8p.m.

BRIAN RITTENHOUSE: Hideaway Daiquiri, Walker, 8p.m.

HEADCANNON/DIE WITH NATURE/THE PAUSE: Brickyard South, 8p.m.

BRADY&MARK: Jack’s Place, Port Allen, 9p.m.

CORNERPOCKET: Churchill’s, 9p.m

HEATH RANSONNET: The Vineyard, 9p.m.

HONKY TONK PLAY-

McANALLY

SHOWSTOWATCH

PROVIDED PHOTO By IAN BUOSI

Singer-songwriter Kate Peytavin plays Festival de la Prairie at St.John’sCatholic Church in Prairieville at 6p.m.Friday

BOYS: Big Mike’s Sports Bar &Grill, Denham Springs, 9p.m.

PARTYATJOE’S: Fred’s on the River Prairieville,9 p.m

SUBFLUENCE: IcehouseTap Room, 9p.m.

SATURDAY DENHAM SPRINGS SPRING FESTIVAL: Antique Village, 9a.m.

VICTORIA LEA: Leola’s Café,11a.m. OPEN JAMSESSION: The Smokey Pit, 4p.m.

IAN WEBSTER DUO: Sullivan’s Steakhouse, 5:30 p.m

THAT‘70S BAND: FestivaldelaPrairie, t. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville

5:30 p.m.

CORDON BLUEZ BAND: El Paso-Sherwood, 6p.m

3:05 EXPRESS: T’Quilas, Zachary 6p.m.

ARNETT HAYES: Stab’s Restaurant, 6p.m.

BESIDE OURSELVES: Blue Iguana, 6p.m.

MAIN EVENT TRIO: Papi’s Fajita Factory Watson, 6p.m.

PAPO YSON MANDAO: Pedros,Juban Crossing,Denham Springs, 6p.m

BRYANROMANO: T’Quilas,Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m

DRAMA KINGS: El Paso,Denham Springs, 6:30 p.m FLOYDBROWN BAND FEATURING JODY MAYEUX: Pedro’s Siegen, 6:30p.m.

ROBERT&ERIC: Le ChienBrewing Co., Denham Springs

6:30 p.m.

SHANE MADERE: PizzaArt Wine, 6:30 p.m.

CAMPYLE: 18 Steak at L’Auberge, 7p.m.

BILLYCALLOWAY: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m.

DIZZY: Bin 77, 7p.m.

THE REMNANTS: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 7p.m.

ACOUSTIC NIGHT W/ HENRYTURNER JR.: Henry Turner Jr.’s Lis-

Continued from page1D

“Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes” album and its breakthrough hit, “Margaritaville.”

McAnally’sdecades of studio work with Buffett beganin1980. Buffett featured aMcAnally composition, “It’sMyJob,” on his1981 album, “Coconut Telegraph.” Their acoustic tour together in 1989pre-

tening Room, 8p.m

CHRISOCMAND: RiverbendTerrace II at L’Auberge,8p.m

MACMCANALLY:

L’Auberge Event Center,8 p.m

DAVID HAMBURGER/ JIM TAYLOR: Red Dragon Listening Room, 8p.m.

MODEL CITIZEN/ THE RNB BAND: Phil Brady’s, 8p.m

CHASETYLER BAND: FestivaldelaPrairie, St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville, 8:45 p.m

WILL WESLEY BAND: The Edge Bar at L’Auberge,9p.m

DAMON KING &BO

JAMISON: The Vineyard,9 p.m.

KENDALL SHAFFER: Swamp Chicken Daiquiris, St.Amant, 9p.m. TNT: Churchill’s, 9p.m.

TRUE SPIN: Fred’son theRiver,Prairieville, 9p.m.

TITANIUM RAIN DUO: Crazy Dave’s,Livingston, 9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY

JUSTIN BURDETTE TRIO: Superior Grill MidCity,11a.m

ROBERTCALMES: Cocha, 11 a.m.

ANNA CLAIRE & BRADYGEORGE: Leola’s Café, 11 a.m.

LONGNECK LITE: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 11 a.m.

ERICGAUTREAUX: RedStick Social,noon

DAVID ST.ROMAIN: FestivaldelaPrairie, St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville, 1:30 p.m

CAJUN JAM: West BatonRouge Museum, Port Allen, 3p.m

CHRISALLEN &DAKOTA CIVELLO: Icehouse TapRoom, 3p.m

RIVER RAIN: Fred’son theRiver,Prairieville, 3p.m.

JOSH GARRETT: Chow Yum, 4p.m. AFTER 8: Festival de la Prairie,St. John’s Catholic Church, Prairieville, 5p.m

OPEN MIC JAM: Fat Cat Saloon, Prairieville, 7p.m

MONDAY VICTOR, SKIP &CARRIE: Phil Brady’s 6p.m.

ERICSTELLY: Superior Grill MidCity,6 p.m.

MIKE ESNEAULT: Stab’s Restaurant 6p.m.

TUESDAY

ASHTON GILL: Bin 77, 5:30 p.m JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Superior Grill MidCity 6p.m.

EDDIE SMITH: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

2DOMESTIC 1

IMPORT: Galvez Seafood, Prairieville, 5:30 p.m.

RHETT GUILLOT: BLDG

5, 5:30 p.m.

CAMPYLE: Superior Grill MidCity,6 p.m.

KIRK HOLDER: Bin 77, 6:30 p.m.

KYLEWILSON: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

SONGWRITERS OPEN MIC W/HEATH RANSONNET: Coop’son 621, Gonzales, 7p.m

ANDYPIZZOTRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7:30 p.m.

DIXIE ROSE’SACOUSTIC CIRCLE: Teddy’s JukeJoint, Zachary 8p.m

EDDIE SMITH BAND: La Daiquiris,8 p.m.

OPEN MIC JAM: Brickyard South, 8p.m

THURSDAY

KYBALION: El PasoSherwood, 6p.m

OPEN MIC W/AMANDA JO HESS: Istrouma Brewing, St.Gabriel, 6p.m

JEFF BAJON PROJECT: Superior Grill MidCity, 6p.m

LSU SONGWRITER

SHOWCASE: La Divina Italian Café,6 p.m.

CHRIS LEBLANC: On The Half Shell, Prairieville, 6:30 p.m.

THE BISHOP ELLIS

TRIO: Hayride Scandal, 7p.m

THE STARDUST BOYS: The Brakes Bar, 7p.m

JARED DAWS: Fred’s on theRiver, Prairieville, 7p.m

BATONROUGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA: Raising Cane’s River Center Performing Arts Theater, 7:30 p.m.

SAMMY FIGUEROA: The Manship Theatre, 7:30 p.m.

BRITTON MAJOR: O’Haras Irish Pub, 8p.m

HENRY TURNER JR. &ALL-STARS: Henry Turner Jr.’s Listening Room, 8p.m

BLUES JAM: Phil Brady’s, 9p.m

BRAXTON KEITH/LUCASJAGNEAUX: The TexasClub, 9p.m

Compiled by Marchaund Jones. Want your venue’s musiclisted? Email info/photos to showstowatch@ theadvocate.com. The deadlineis noon FRIDAY for the following Friday’s paper

ceded McAnallyjoining the Coral Reefer Band in 1992. He later produced albumsfor Buffett as well as Toby Keith,Chris LeDoux, George Strait, Amy Grant, Sawyer Brown, Martina McBride and more.

McAnally’sconcerts feature songs from his 16-album solo career,Buffett classics and hitshe’s written for others, such as Alabama’s“Old Flame,”Shenandoah’s “Two DozenRoses”and Sawyer Brown’s “ThankGod for You. He’s accompaniedbyDarken, the

FRIDAY

LIVE AFTER FIVE: 5p.m.-

8p.m., RhorerPlaza, 200 St Louis St. Featuring funk soul band Phat Hat. Free. downtownbr.org/live-after-five/. “JUST IN THEFEMUR”

IMPROVSHOW: 7p.m 225 TheatreCollective, 7338 Highland Road. Inaugural performance. $15. 225TheatreCollective.com.

FAMILYDINNER IMPROV COMEDYSHOW: 7:30 p.m., Hartley-VeyTheatre, Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St.Anevening filled with unscripted hilarity and surprises. Rated R-ishdue to improv content. $14. manshiptheatre.org.

FRIDAYNIGHT LECTURE: 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.,BREC’s Highland Road Park Observatory,13800 Highland Road. Skygazing tips, physics phenomena, space programs and famous events arecovered. Forages 14 and older Free. https://hrpo.lsu.edu/. Also, evening sky viewing 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday.

SATURDAY

RED STICK FARMERS MARKET:

8a.m. to noon, Fifthand Main streets, downtown. Farmfresh produce,goods, cooking demonstrations.breada.org

SPRING FESTIVAL: 9a.m.4:30 p.m.,Antique Village, Denham Springs. Entertainers, vendors, antiques, arts and crafts, children’s activities, rides, games, displays and food. Free.

FAMILYHOUR STARGAZING:

10 a.m.,Irene W. Pennington Planetarium at the Louisiana Art &Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Learn about the stars and constellationsin the local nighttime sky,followedbyanall-ages show. lasm.org.

GREATER BATONROUGE

MODEL RAILROADERS:

10 a.m. to 2p.m Republic of West Florida Historical Museum, 3406 College St. Jackson. Electric trains of all sizes will be running on five different layouts. Free admission and parking.greaterbrrailroaders.com.

LIP SYNC BATTLE: 6:30 p.m., 225 TheatreCollective, 7338 Highland Road. Audience tickets, $12. 225theatrecollective.com.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY

THE CIVIL WARATOAKLEY

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,April 25, the115th day of 2025. There are 250 days left in theyear Todayinhistory: On April 25, 1898, the United States Congress declared war against Spain. The 16-week SpanishAmerican Warresulted in an American victory,after which the United States

Buffett bandmate who plays an array of percussion instruments. Afterbeing behind the scenes as asessionmusician for country stars, asupporting player for Buffett and asongwriterand producer,the 67-year-old McAnally is solo morenow than ever “I did80shows last year,mostly bragging on Jimmy,” he said. “I’ve always bragged on Jim, but I’ve got morereason to these days. He’snot getting to run the regularlap that we always ran together.I sing his songs

PLANTATION REENACTMENT:

10 a.m.-3 p.m Audubon State Historic Site, 11788 La. 965, St. Francisville.See firsthand howsoldiers trained, life during thetime period withperiod dress, battles each day, living histories, open hearth cooking, music and dance. (225) 635-3739.

BASF’SKIDS’ LAB: 11 a.m., 1p.m. and3 p.m.Saturday and 1:30 p.m.and 3p.m. Sunday,Louisiana Art &Science Museum, 100 S. River Road. Explorethe science of chemistry during 45-minute hands-onworkshopsfor scientists ages 6-12 and their accompanying adults. This month’stheme:“pHunFactor!” lasm.org.

SUNDAY “POINTE NOIRE”: 2p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Arural Cajun community reckons witha30-year-old double murder.Isthis folk justice or atravesty of justice? Film screening and filmmaker Q&A. Not rated. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org

HGHHEEL DANCE CLASS: 3p.m., 225 TheatreCollective,7338 Highland Road. Shakira-themed class blending sultry choreography withhigh-energybeats. All skill levels welcome.Limited spaces. $20. 225theatrecollective.com.

“RISE OF THE SWAMP RATS”: 6p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Deep in the marshesofLouisiana, roots arebeing pulledfromthe ground and land is falling away.Who’sthe culprit? Heavy-set semi-aquatic rodentthat brought here a hundredyearsago: nutria rats. Includes filmmaker Q&A. Not rated. $12.50. manshiptheatre.org

MONDAY “THEFALL”: 7:30 p.m Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Abedridden patientina hospital on theoutskirtsof 1920s LosAngelesbefriends afellowpatient, and shares afantastic taleofheroes, myths, and villains on adesertisland withthe littlegirl. Rated R. $11.50. manshiptheatre.org

TUESDAY

RED STICKFARMERS MARKET: 3p.m.-6 p.m Main Library at Goodwood,7711 Goodwood Blvd.Farm-fresh

TODAYINHISTORY

took possession of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.

On this date: In 1507, aworld map produced by German cartographer Martin Waldseemueller contained the first recorded use of the term “America,” in honor of Italian navigator Amerigo Vespucci.

In 1945, during World WarII, delegates from 50

and Imeet the fans who made alifetime habit of followinghis music.”

Aprofessional musician sincehe was13, McAnally sees his life in music as agift.

“A lotofblessings allpilednext to me,” he said. The blessings began withgrowing up in amusical family in the tinycityofBelmont, Tishomingo County,Mississippi. Music became the shy youngster’sconduit to the world. By his teens, he was playing studio sessions in nearby Muscle

produce,goods, cooking demonstrations. breada.org

LOUISIANASNAKE ID FEATURING THE HOOD FAMILY: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m Coates Auditorium, LSU Hilltop Arboretum, 11855 Highland Road. Learn about snakes in this educational and interactive event, aDiscoverNature program for all ages. $10, students and membersof Hilltop and/or LMNGBR, $15, nonmembers; free, Hilltop membersatthe magnolia level($250) and above.Registration is online at www lsu.edu/hilltop FLEXAND FLOW YOGA: 6:30 p.m JoliePearlOyster Bar, 315 NorthBlvd. Rotating instructors and avariety of techniques. Free. TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 18303 Perkins Road. Collect your team and jockey for firstplace.loom. ly/y-CKtQ4.

WEDNESDAY TRIVIA NIGHT: 6:30 p.m., Burgersmith, 27350 Crossing Circle, Suite150, Denham Springs.Collect your team and jockey for firstplace loom.ly/y-CKtQ4.

THURSDAY RED STICKFARMERS MARKET: 8a.m. to noon, Pennington Biomedical Research Center,6400 Perkins Road. Farm-fresh produce,goods and more. facebook.com/ redstickfarmersmarket. TRIVIA NIGHT: 7p.m., Jolie Pearl Oyster Bar, 315 North Blvd.Test your trivia skills withyour friends and family Free. RIVER CITY JAZZ MASTERS SERIES: 7:30 p.m., Manship Theatre, 100 Lafayette St. Featuring percussionist SammyFigueroa. $56-$71. manshiptheatre.org

BATONROUGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRAL SERIES: CARMINABURANA: 7:30 p.m Raising Cane’s RiverCenter Theatre, 240 St. Louis St. $19 and up.brso.org.

CompiledbyJudy Bergeron. Have an open-to-the-public eventyou’dlike to promote? Email details to red@theadvocate.com. Deadline is 5p.m.Friday forthe following Friday’s paper

countries opened aconference in San Francisco to create the Charter of the United Nations. Today’sbirthdays: Actor Al Pacino is 85. Musicianproducer Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA) is 80. Actor Talia Shireis79. NBACommissioner Adam Silveris63. Actor HankAzariais61. Sportscaster Joe Buck is 56. Actor Gina Torres is 56. Actor Renée Zellwegeris56.

Shoals, Alabama, oneofthe 1960s and ’70s major recording centers. “I was such abashful kid,” he said. “I didn’thave the nerve to go to Nashville or Atlanta or NewOrleans or L.A. or New York or Chicago. But Icould go to Muscle Shoals, fail and be home by suppertime. That geography was necessary for us to be having this conversation these manyyears later.”

Email John Wirt at j_wirt@msn. com.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) You can weather any storm you encounter if you remain calm. Keep your thoughts to yourself, assess situations from a distance and don't participate in other people's drama.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Reach out and connect. Attending a reunion, conference or event will positively impact your life. Choose digital gatherings over in-person get-togethers.

cANcER (June 21-July 22) Mismanagement is apparent when dealing with contracts, financial and legal issues. Negotiate on your behalf; you will fall short of your expectations if you let someone else talk for you.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to let what you cannot control take precedence over what you can take care of yourself. Learn from past mistakes, make wise choices and face opposition with composure, experience and solutions.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Observe the reactions of others. Nurture relationships and your reputation at all costs. Stick to the truth and question anything you hear that sounds preposterous.

LIBRA (sept 23-oct. 23) Protect your position, possessions and the people you love. Cap spending while avoiding deception and indulgent behavior.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-Nov. 22) Put your troubles aside, refuse to let anyone bait you and turn your attention to the people

and pursuits that make you happy. Feel good about life, who you are and what you do.

sAGIttARIus (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Restrict your actions, promises and debt. Rearrange your space to accommodate your pursuits, and draw up an agreement if considering a joint venture.

cAPRIcoRN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) When in doubt, ask questions If you want change, make sure it's carefully planned. Eliminating uncertainty will encourage confidence and better negotiating skills.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You can be blunt, but you should refrain from letting anger take the reins. Let innovation, imagination and intuition guide you, and you'll discover how to handle situations with diplomacy.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) You can get things done if you work alone. Go somewhere you won't be bothered and take care of unfinished business. Treat yourself to something special.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Do what you must, don't look back and make everything you say and do count. Let your words flow and your actions unfold and you will enjoy positive results.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

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

toDAy's cLuE: c EQuALs F

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

FrAnK And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of theSudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

nea CroSSwordS La TimeS CroSSword

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

GrouchoMarxsaid,“Achildof5would understand this. Sendsomeone to fetch achild of 5.”

In bridge, it is a“rule” that if you bida suitonthe first round of the auction and partner does not raise your suit, then, if you rebid it in on the second round, you areindicatingatleastasix-cardsuit.You doyourutmostnottorebidinafive-card suit.

However, these days experts permita rebidinafive-cardsuit by responder if opener reverses on round two.

What is areverse? Assuming the auction is uncontested, opener bids firstone suit, thenasecond suit, and if responder wishes to give preferencetoopener’s first-bidsuit,hemustgotothethree-level —three clubs in the given sequence. Afteraone-over-oneresponse,areverse shows avery strong hand; usually 18 to 20 high-card points (but perhaps agood 17)

Here,when North rebidtwo hearts (withsix good hearts, he would have jumped to three hearts); Southcontinued with two no-trump to show his spade stoppers; and North raisedtogame. West led the spade queen. What did Southdo? Declarer had seven top tricks: twospades, four diamonds and oneclub

Realizing that he did not have time to play on clubs (the defenderswouldhave taken at least twospades,one heartand two clubs), South went after two heart tricks. So, he played ahearttodummy’s10. When West proved to have the jack, declarer took nine tricks. ©2025 by NEA,Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

INstRuctIoNs: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 Additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’s WoRD sHAttER: SHAT-er: To break at once into pieces.

Average mark34words

Time limit 45 minutes

Can you find 41 or morewords in SHATTER?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —tItIVAtEs

today’s thought

“Nevertheless Ihave somewhat against you, because you have left your first love.” Revelation2:4

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard