The Advocate 04-27-2025

Fightover Medicaid has huge stakes forLouisiana

Congress to determine program’sfutureover thenextfew weeks

BY MARK BALLARD |Staff writer

WASHINGTON —The futureofMedicaidwill be determined over the next few weeks after months of speculation over how potential cuts could affect Louisiana.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, and President Donald Trump are trying to pass “one big, beautifulbill” that will achieveTrump’s priorities like extending his 2017 taxcuts, tougher border security,more defense spending and exempting tips from taxation. To help pay for it, Republicans in the House want to cut the federal budget by $1.5 trillion —and the committee that oversees Medicaid has been tasked with eliminating$880 billion That hasraisedalarm among doctors, hospitals and state budget officials, who fear reductions to Medicaid could leave low-income Americans withouthealth insurance or blow holes in state budgets. Medicaid is astate-federal program that provides health insurance to83million

ä See MEDICAID, page 16A

St.Georgeschool billsfindlittle initialopposition

Toughest step will be parish,state approval

BY CHARLES LUSSIER |Staff writer

Legislation to create aschooldistrict to match the new city of St. Georgeisoff to theraces and has met little initial opposition.

It is anotable contrasttothe immediate fierce battles thatsimilar proposals faced in 2012 and 2013, whenthe new district was tobecalled the Southeast BatonRouge CommunitySchoolSystem. The city of St. George, of course,isnow areality after abitter,yearslong incorporation effort Supporters have returned to theLegislatureto finish what they considered unfinishedbusiness

ä See ST.GEORGE, page 12A

‘Hewas apope amongthe people’

BY NICOLE WINFIELD and COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press

VATICAN CITY World leaders and rank-and-file Catholic faithful bade farewell to Pope Francis in afuneral Saturday that highlighted his concern for people on the peripheries and reflected hiswishtoberememberedasa simple pastor.Though presidentsand princes attendedthe MassinSt. Peter’sSquare, prisoners and migrants welcomed Francis’ coffinathis final resting place in abasilica across town. According to Vatican estimates 250,000 people flocked to thefuneral Mass at theVatican and 150,000 more lined the motorcade routethrough downtown Rome to witness the first funeral procession for apope in acentury.Theyclappedand cheered “Papa Francesco” as his simple wooden coffin traveled aboard amodified popemobile to St. Mary Major Basilica,

31/2 miles away As bells tolled, the pallbearers brought the coffin past several dozen migrants, prisoners andhomeless people holding white roses outside the basilica.Onceinside, the pallbearers stopped in front of the icon of the Virgin Mary that Francis loved. Four children deposited the roses at the foot of the altar before cardinals performed theburialriteathis tombina nearby niche.

“I’m so sorry that we’ve lost him,” said Mohammed Abdallah, a35-yearold migrant from Sudan who was one of the people who welcomed Francis to his final resting place. “Francis helped so many people,refugees like us, and many other people in the world.”

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByEVANVUCCI

carried into St Peter’sSquare for his funeral at the Vatican on Saturday. Worldleaders and

Catholic faithful have said farewell to Pope Francis in afuneral that highlighted hisconcernfor people on the peripheries and

flected his wish to be remembered as asimple

Johnson Trump

ä Faithful celebratethe pope’slife. PAGE 6A

Protesters chant after arrest of Wis. judge

MILWAUKEE Protesters chanted and marched Saturday outside the FBI after agents arrested a Milwaukee judge accused of helping a man evade immigration authorities. The case has escalated a clash between the Trump administration and local authorities over the Republican president’s sweeping immigration crackdown. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan is accused of escorting the man and his lawyer out of her courtroom through the jury door last week after learning that immigration authorities were seeking his arrest. The man was taken into custody outside the courthouse after agents chased him on foot.

President Donald Trump’s administration has accused state and local officials of interfering with his immigration enforcement priorities The arrest also comes amid a growing battle between the administration and the federal judiciary over the president’s executive actions over deportations and other matters.

On Saturday, protesters chanted “Immigrants are here to stay” and held up signs saying, “Liberty and Justice for All” outside the FBI’s Milwaukee division. Dugan was taken into custody by the FBI on Friday morning on the courthouse grounds, according to U.S Marshals Service spokesperson Brady McCarron She appeared briefly in federal court in Milwaukee later Friday before being released from custody. She faces charges of “concealing an individual to prevent his discovery and arrest” and obstructing or impeding a proceeding.

Letter written on board

Titanic sells at auction

LONDON A lettercard penned by one of the Titanic’s most wellknown survivors from on board the ship, days before it sank, has sold for $399,000 at auction.

In the note, written to the seller’s great-uncle on April 10, 1912, first-class passenger Archibald Gracie wrote of the illfated steamship: “It is a fine ship but I shall await my journeys end before I pass judgment on her.

The letter was sold to a private collector from the United States on Saturday, according to auction house Henry Aldridge & Son in Wiltshire, England. The hammer price far exceeded the initial estimated price of about $80,000.

The letter is believed to be the sole example in existence from Gracie from on board the Titanic, which sank off Newfoundland after hitting an iceberg, killing about 1,500 people on its maiden voyage.

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge described it as an “exceptional museum grade piece.”

Trump doubts Putin willing to end war

U.S., Ukraine leaders meet at pope’s funeral

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

ROME President Donald Trump said Saturday that he doubts Russia’s Vladimir Putin wants to end his war in Ukraine, expressing new skepticism that a peace deal can be reached soon. Only a day earlier, Trump had said Ukraine and Russia were “very close to a deal.”

“There was no reason for Putin to be shooting missiles into civilian areas, cities and towns, over the last few days,” Trump said in a social media post as he flew back to the United States after attending Pope Francis’ funeral at the Vatican, where he met briefly with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

sharply contrasted with Trump’s positive assessment that the two sides were “very close to a deal” after his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Putin in Moscow on Friday.

publicly urged the Russian leader to “STOP!” after a deadly barrage of attacks on Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.

Trump also hinted at further sanctions against Russia.

“It makes me think that maybe he doesn’t want to stop the war, he’s just tapping me along, and has to be dealt with differently, through “Banking” or “Secondary Sanctions?”

Too many people are dying!!!” Trump wrote.

The new doubts aired by Trump come as the president and top aides intensify their push to come to a deal to end the war that began in February 2022 when Russia invaded Ukraine.

The comments also

Israeli strike kills 10

Mediators try to restart ceasefire

BY WAFAA SHURAFA and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip An Israeli airstrike flattened a three-story home in Gaza City on Saturday, killing 10 people — half of them children — as Arab mediators scrambled to restart a ceasefire.

Israeli strikes killed at least 49 people in the past 24 hours, according to health officials. The dead in the early morning airstrike in a neighborhood in western Gaza City included three women and five children, according to Shifa Hospital, which received the bodies.

Israel’s military said that it had struck a Hamas militant and the structure where he operated collapsed, adding that the collapse was under review

“There is no one from the resistance among them,” said Saed Al-Khour, who lost his family in the strike.

“Since 1 o’clock until now we have been pulling out the

remains of children, women and elderly people.” He stood amid the rubble, under a tilted ceiling. Three other people were killed in the Shati refugee camp along Gaza City’s shoreline Hamas said Saturday that it had sent a high-level delegation to Cairo to try and get the ceasefire, shattered last month by Israeli bombardment, back on track. Israel has vowed to continue the war until all hostages are returned and Hamas is destroyed or disarmed and sent into exile. It says it will hold parts of Gaza indefinitely and implement U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for the resettlement of the population in other countries, which has been widely rejected internationally

Hamas has said that it will only release the dozens of hostages it holds in return for Palestinian prisoners, a complete Israeli withdrawal and a lasting ceasefire, as called for in the now-defunct agreement reached in January

Hamas said that its delegation will discuss with Egyptian officials the group’s vision to end the war which also includes reconstruction.

The Trump-Zelenskyy conversation on the sidelines of the pope’s funeral was the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since they argued during a heated Oval Office meeting at the White House in late February That confrontation led the White House to briefly pause U.S. military assistance and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Days after ordering the pause, Trump also announced he was “strongly considering” imposing new sanctions and tariffs on Russia to try to prod Putin to negotiate in earnest. Trump has not yet followed through on the threat — something even some of his staunch Republican allies are now pressuring him to do. In fact, when Trump announced new global tariffs this month, one major economy he excluded was Russia’s.

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, on Friday urged Trump to “put the toughest of sanctions on Putin,” arguing there is “clear evidence that he is playing America as a patsy.”

It’s the second time in a matter of days that Trump has rebuked Putin, whom the American president rarely publicly criticizes.

On Thursday Trump

After their brief meeting Saturday, Zelenskyy’s office had said the U.S. and Ukrainian teams were making arrangements for the leaders to talk again Saturday But Trump went directly to the Rome airport after the funeral and boarded Air Force One for the 10-hour flight back to the United States.

Zelenskyy’s spokesperson, Serhii Nykyforov, said Trump and Zelenskyy did not meet again in person because of their tight schedules.

Zelenskyy called it a “good meeting” on social media after the funeral.

“We discussed a lot one on one. Hoping for results on everything we covered. Protecting lives of our people. Full and unconditional ceasefire. Reliable and lasting peace that will prevent another war from breaking out,” said the Ukrainian leader who also held talks Saturday with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “Very symbolic meeting that has potential to become historic, if we achieve joint results. Thank you.”

The White House said the discussion was “very productive.” The meeting lasted about 15 minutes inside St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, where Francis often preached the need for a peaceful end to the war, just before Trump and Zelenskyy took their seats at the outdoor funeral service.

Russia says it has reclaimed Kursk region

Ukraine says it is still fighting there

BY SAMYA KULLAB and KATIE MARIE DAVIES Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine All Ukrainian troops have been forced from parts of Russia’s Kursk region, which Moscow lost control of last year to a surprise Ukrainian incursion, Russia’s top general said in a Kremlin meeting Saturday Ukrainian officials denied the claim.

Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff for Russia’s Armed Forces, gave Russian President Vladimir Putin the news in a meeting Saturday, Peskov told Russian state news outlet Interfax.

In a statement, Putin congratulated the Russian soldiers and commanders and said that Kyiv’s incursion had “completely failed.”

“The complete defeat of our enemy along Kursk’s border region creates the right conditions for further successes for our troops and in other important areas of the front,” he said.

Ukrainian officials, however, said the fighting was still continuing. “The statements of representatives of the high command of the aggressor country about the alleged end of hostilities in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation are not true,” Ukraine’s General staff said Saturday

“The defensive operation of the Ukrainian Defense Forces in certain areas in the Kursk region continues.

The operational situation is difficult, but our units con-

tinue to hold designated positions and carry out assigned tasks, while inflicting effective fire damage on the enemy with all types of weapons, including using active defense tactics,” it added.

The Ukrainian army stunned Russia in August 2024 by attacking across the border and taking control of an estimated 500 square miles of land. The country’s leaders believed the capture of Russian territory might help in any future peace negotiations, but their gains were slowly eroded and Ukrainian troops continued to lose control of the territory throughout early 2025. Gerasimov also confirmed Saturday that North Korean soldiers fought against Ukrainian troops in Russia’s Kursk region. Gerasimov said that they took part in “combat missions shoulder to shoulder with Russian servicemen during the repelling of the Ukrainian incursion” and “demonstrated high professionalism, showed fortitude, courage and heroism in battle.” In the fall, Ukraine, the U.S. and South Korea all said that North Korea, which previously had supplied weapons to Moscow had deployed 10,000-12,000 of its troops to Russia to fight in Kursk. Moscow and Pyongyang until now had responded vaguely to the South Korean and Western claims of the troop deployment, emphasizing that their military cooperation conforms with international law, without directly admitting the presence of the North Korean forces in Russia.

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Trump

Zelenskyy

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens Saturday during a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

SPUTNIK PHOTO By BALEXANDER KAZAKOV

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BABENKO

Rescue workers clear the rubble Thursday after a Russian strike in a neighborhood in Kyiv, Ukraine.

FRANCIS

Continued from page 1A

Earlier, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re eulogized history’s first Latin American pontiff during the Vatican Mass as a pope of the people, a pastor who knew how to communicate to the “least among us” with an informal, spontaneous style.

“He was a pope among the people, with an open heart towards everyone,” the 91-yearold dean of the College of Cardinals said in a highly personal sermon. He drew applause from the crowd when he recounted Francis’ constant concern for migrants, exemplified by celebrating Mass at the U.S.-Mexico border and traveling to a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece, when he brought 12 migrants home with him.

“The guiding thread of his mission was also the conviction that the church is a home for all, a home with its doors always open,” Re said, noting that with his travels, the Argentine pontiff reached “the most peripheral of the peripheries of the world

An extraordinary meeting about Ukraine

Despite Francis’ focus on the powerless, the powerful were out in force at his funeral. U.S. President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.N. SecretaryGeneral António Guterres and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined Prince William and continental European royals leading more than 160 official delegations. Argentine President Javier Milei had pride of place given Francis’ nationality, even if the two didn’t particularly get along and the pope alienated many in his homeland by never returning there. In an extraordinary development, Trump and Zelenskyy met privately on the sidelines. A photo showed the two men sitting alone, facing one another and hunched over on chairs in St Peter’s Basilica, where Francis often preached the need for a peaceful end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Thousands flocked to the Vatican Francis choreographed the funeral himself when he revised and simplified the Vatican’s rites and rituals last year. His aim was to emphasize the pope’s role as a mere pastor and not “a powerful man of this world.”

It was a reflection of Francis’ 12-year project to radically reform the papacy, to stress priests as servants and to construct “a poor church for the poor.” He articulated the mission just days after his 2013 election, and it explained the name he chose as pope, honoring St. Francis of Assisi “who had the heart of the poor of the world,” according to the official decree of the pope’s life that was placed in his coffin.

The white facade of St. Peter’s glowed pink as the sun rose Saturday and throngs of mourners rushed into the square to get a spot for the Mass. Giant television screens were set up along the surrounding streets for those who couldn’t get close.

Police helicopters whirled overhead, part of the massive security operation Italian authorities mounted, including more than 2,500 police, 1,500 soldiers and a torpedo ship off the coast, Italian media reported

Many mourners had planned to be in Rome anyway this weekend for the now-postponed Holy Year canonization of the first millennial saint, Carlo Acutis. Groups of scouts and youth church groups nearly outnumbered the gaggles of nuns and seminarians.

PROVIDED By UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS OFFICE

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday.

A

a

“He was a very charismatic pope, very human, very kind, above all very human,” said Miguel Vaca, a pilgrim from Peru who said he had camped out all night near the piazza. “It’s very emotional to say goodbye to him.”

A special relationship with the basilica Francis, who was also the first Jesuit pope, died Easter Monday at age 88 after suffering a stroke while recovering from pneumonia.

Even before he became pope, Francis had a particular affection for St. Mary Major, home to a Byzantine-style icon of the Madonna, the Salus Populi Romani. He would pray before the icon before and after each of his foreign trips as pope.

The popemobile that brought his coffin there was made for one of those trips — Francis’ 2016 visit to Mexico and was modified to carry a coffin.

The choice of the basilica was also symbolically significant given its ties to Francis’ Jesuit religious order St. Ignatius Loyola, who founded the Jesuits, celebrated his first Mass in the basilica on Christmas Day in 1538.

The basilica is the resting place of seven other popes, but this was the first papal burial outside the Vatican since Pope Leo XIII, who died in 1903 and was entombed in another Roman basilica in 1924.

Following the funeral preparations can begin in earnest to launch the centuries-old process of electing a new pope, a conclave that will likely begin in the first week of May In the interim, the Vatican is being run by a handful of cardinals, key among them Re, who is organizing the secret voting in the Sistine Chapel.

German Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who will participate in the conclave, said the outpouring of support for Francis at his funeral showed the clear need for the next pope to continue his legacy

Crowds waited hours to bid farewell

Over three days this week, more than 250,000 people stood for hours in line to pay their final respects while Francis’ body lay in state in St. Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican kept the basilica open through the night to accommodate them, but it wasn’t enough. When the doors closed to the general public at 7 p.m. Friday, mourners were turned away in droves. By dawn Saturday, they were back, some recalling the words Francis uttered the very first night of his election and throughout his papacy

“We are here to honor him because he always said, ‘Don’t forget to pray for me,’” said Nigerian Sister Christiana Neenwata. “So we are also here to give to him this love that he gave to us.”

PHOTO

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EMILIO MORENATTI

A priest gives communion to a nun during the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Saturday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALESSANDRA TARANTINO

A view of the funeral of Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Saturday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GREGORIO BORGIA Dean of the College of Cardinals Giovanni Battista Re spreads incense around the coffin of Pope Francis during his funeral in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Saturday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDREEA ALEXANDRU

nun holds

photo of Pope Francis while attending his funeral in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Saturday.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MAURO SCROBOGNA

The coffin of Pope Francis is transported Saturday in front of the Colosseum in Rome on its way to St. Mary Major where he was buried.

LOUISIANA POLITICS

Should Medicaid cover doulas?

Supporters say it could reduce Louisiana’s maternal mortality

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

Reproductive health advocates in Louisiana are trying once again to bring doula services provided during and after pregnancy under Medicaid coverage.

Miller

Rep. Dustin Miller, D-Opelousas, filed the bill, which recently passed the House Committee on Health and Welfare. Similar bills were heard in the House and the Senate last year, and both failed to reach the governor’s desk — one of them didn’t pass because of potential cost

“There’s a fiscal note on this bill, but if you look at it, it’s a relatively low-cost investment for what we save on the back end,” Susan East Nelson, executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, said during a meeting of the House Committee on Health and Welfare.

The fiscal note attached to the bill estimated that bringing doula services under Medicaid would cost less than $1 million but did not provide a precise figure.

“When we talk about the money that we’re saving, we’re not just talking about less C-sections and things like that, we’re talking about the societal cost of the death of a mom,” Nelson said.

Doulas are nonmedical professionals who offer support and guidance to pregnant clients. They will often help create birth plans, prepare women emotionally and mentally for childbirth and advocate for their comfort and preferences when it comes to things like pain relief or birthing positions.

The legislation would ensure Medicaid reimbursement for doula services before, during and after childbirth, including five prenatal

PROVIDED PHOTO

Divine Bailey-Nicholas

visits, three postpartum visits and assistance through labor

Supporters of the bill argue that expanding access to doula care would improve the poor maternal and infant health outcomes in Louisiana, where the maternal mortality rate per 100,000 live births is 37.3, compared to the national rate of 23.2.

“Just imagine the difference that doulas can make if they were accessible to any mom who’s on Medicaid,” said Frankie Robertson, founder and president of social justice consulting firm The Amandla Group.

Doulas can reduce mortality rates

Evidence shows women who receive one-on-one, nonclinical support such as doula care through the pregnancy and birth process have fewer C-sections, which are generally riskier and more invasive than vaginal birth They also report more positive feelings about the experience overall, according to a 2017 systematic review for the health care database Cochrane Library Divine Bailey-Nicholas, certified lactation counselor, doula trainer and founder of Community Birth Companion in Opelousas, said doulas can translate medical jargon and help during childbirth.

She navigated birth in a hospital setting with her first daughter, who was premature.

As a Black woman, Bailey-Nicholas said she can feel unheard by the medical system and as if decisions about her body are not her own

Midwives and doulas help ensure decisions are made collaboratively between the patient and the medical team, she said.

“They’re not doing things to you,” Bailey-Nicholas said. “It feels like a companionship.”

State data shows clear disparities between white families and families of color when it comes to maternal and infant health outcomes. The preterm birth rate among Black babies in the state is 1.5 times higher than other babies, according to the March of Dimes 2024 Louisiana Report Card.

Doulas alone cannot rectify the factors that give rise to these statistics, Bailey-Nicholas said.

“They still have to see their doctors, and they still have to have doctors that are willing to talk to them and see them as humans, right?” Bailey-Nicholas said. “Doulas are part of the win, but they’re not all of it.”

The legislation’s future

The bill was unanimously approved by the House Committee on Health and Welfare and recommitted to the Committee on Appropriations, where it died last year due to the fiscal note.

“I want to feel good about it,” Robertson said. “There’s been several years of education on basics what is a doula? Why are doulas important?”

During the House committee meeting, Rep. Peter Egan, R-Covington, said legislators should consider how to license or certify doulas before the bill reaches the House floor Doulas are currently not required to earn certification through state or national professional boards.

“They can do a tremendous amount of good,” Egan said. “There is that potential as well for not doing good and probably doing some harm.”

Rep. Jason Hughes, D-New Orleans, reaffirmed his support for the bill.

“I think this bill is phenomenal,” Hughes said. “And given our awful maternal health outcomes, we just can’t afford not to do this.”

Email Haley Miller at haley miller@theadvocate.com.

Scalise led House delegation to Vatican WASHINGTON U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, led a 10-member delegation of representatives to the funeral services of Pope Francis in Vatican City

Scalise is the highest-ranking Catholic in the House and the only Catholic in Louisiana’s eightmember congressional delegation. Louisiana has about 1 million Catholics, mostly living in the southern parishes.

to elect a new pope in the coming weeks,” Scalise said in a prepared statement.

BUZZ staff reports

“As a lifelong Catholic, I am honored to represent the House in paying our respects and praying for the soul of Pope Francis, as Catholics all around the world grieve, and as Church leaders prepare

The funeral took place Saturday in St. Peter’s Square. “It is my honor to send this Congressional delegation, during which participating Members will celebrate the life of Pope Francis and the teaching of the Catholic Church,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton.

The delegation Scalise led includ-

Everybody’s a critic when it comes to government. Especially taxes and spending

Now you can try to crack the riddle of Louisiana’s budget for yourself, playing both governor and Legislature.As the real officials gather at the State Capitol to debate raising or cutting taxes — and spending — you can do the same.

Just go to solvethebudget.com and answer yes-or-no questions.

The Solve the Budget feature is a collaboration among the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana,The Advocate|Times-Picayune and the LSU Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs.

ed: French Hill, RArk.; Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; Brendan Boyle DPenn.; Ann Wagner, R-Mo.; Tom Suozzi, D-N.,Y.; John Joyce, R-Pa; Pete Stauber, R-Minn.; Scott Fitzgerald, R-Wis.; and Laura Gillen, D-N.Y

POPE FRANCIS: Dec. 17,1936-

Faithfulcelebrate thepope’slife

BY VANESSA GERA Associated Press

VATICAN CITY Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekendinthe canonization of the first millennial saint duringthe Vatican’s Holy Year.They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francisinstead, with their exuberance giving an uplifting tone to Saturday’s otherwise somber funeral.

“He always said you have to be joyful about life, you have to live life in asimilar way,” said Marco Falchi, who traveledfrom his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving theirspirituality, and they namedtheir son, Francesco, after him.

The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for CarloAcutis, a youngItalian whodiedin 2006 from leukemia and inspired faith in many young Catholics. They planned their trip to Rome around that.

The canonization of Acutis had been scheduled for Sunday during the first-ever JubileeofAdolescents, dedicated to teens. It was suspended after Francis’ death on Monday Falchi was struck by the lack of deep mourning at the funeral for the pope, and he is convincedFrancis would have been pleased.

“Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn’twant aday of mourning buthe wanted aday of joy,” he said.

‘. IgrewupwithFrancis’

There was aclear blue sky over St. Peter’sSquare.

Some people camped out the night before to get agood spot. Many stood respectfully,their hands folded, as they followed the Mass on large screens. Radio broadcasts in multiple languages added to the hum of humanity.They applauded when Francis’ simple wooden coffin was moved outdoors.

Tens of thousands of Catholic faithful had planned their trips before the pope’sdeath.

“I bought my ticket for Carlo,” said Reyes Arribas, a23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. “And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so Icame to the funeral.”

She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt acloser affinitytohis predecessors, St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI. Her feelings for Acutis, however,are very strong. She excitedly praised him as “the first saint of young people” because he was immersed in the technological world of today

Even those who were

disappointed by thesuspendedcanonization were gratified that theycould celebrate Francis,loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor

“I feel like Igrewup with Pope Francis,” said Jessica Naranjo, a27-year-old from Austin, Texas.“Ifeltvery connected with him in the way headvocated for social justice and the environment. This was abig loss for me.”

“I”m disappointed that I’mherecelebrating the pope’s lifeinstead of celebrating withthe pope,” she said.

Ana Kalen,a 22-yearold medical student, traveled to Rome for the Acutis canonization with agroup from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

“The plans have changed, but we are stillsoglad to be here for this historical moment,” Kalen said, a Bosnian flagdraped over hershoulders. “Weare sad abouteachdeath.But we do believe thatPope Francis is in abetterplace.”

YoungCatholics

After St.JohnPaul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages fromhis Polish homeland and elsewhere to

mourn atowering figure of the20thcentury in aspirit of deep sadness andloss. Francis had adifferent style. During his 12-year papacy,heurgedpeople to maintainasense of humor, andthat spirit seemedto guide manyparticipants

Saturday Groups of young people

filled St. Peter’sSquare before thefuneralMass. One from aparish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese danced in circle andsang religious songs. Thepope’sdeath during Easter seasonfilled them withasense of peace, one teenager said. “It’s agood sign,” said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi “The death of apopeatEaster is asign of hope.”

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

PHOTOByGREGORIO BORGIA

Aviewofthe funeral of Pope Francis in St.Peter’sSquare at the Vatican on Saturday.

Massive explosionrocks Iranianport

At least14killed, 750hurtin blastlinked to missilefuel

BY JON GAMBRELL

Associated Press

MUSCAT, Oman Amassive explosion and fire rocked a port Saturday in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of achemicalingredient used to make missile propellant,killing 14 people and injuring around 750 others.

Helicopters and aircraft dumped waterfrom the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei port. The explosion occurredjust as Iran and the United States met Saturday in Oman for thethird roundofnegotiations over Tehran’srapidly advancing nuclear program.

No one in Iran outright suggested that the explosion came from an attack. However,even Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who led the talks, on Wednesday acknowledgedthat “our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke alegitimate response.”

State media offered the casualty figures. But there were few details on what sparked the blaze just outside of Bandar Abbas, causing other containers to reportedly explode.

The port took in ashipment of the missile fuel chemical in March,the private security firm Ambrey said. The fuel is part of ashipment

work Saturdayasblack

aportnear the southerncity

of ammonium perchlorate fromChina by twovessels to Iran first reported in Januarybythe FinancialTimes Thechemical used to make solid propellant for rockets was going to be used to replenish Iran’smissile stocks, which had been depleted by itsdirect attacksonIsrael during the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling ofashipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles,” Ambreysaid Ship-tracking data analyzed by TheAssociated Press put one of the vessels believedtobecarryingthe chemical in the vicinity in March, as Ambreysaid. Iran hasn’tacknowledged taking the shipment. The Iranian mission to the United Nations didn’trespond to a request forcomment on Saturday.

It’sunclearwhy Iran wouldn’thave moved the

chemicalsfrom the port, particularlyafter the Beirut portblastin2020. That explosion, caused by the ignition of hundreds of tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, killed more than 200people and injured more than 6,000 others. However,Israel did target Iranian missile sites where Tehranuses industrial mixerstocreatesolid fuel.

Social media footage of the explosion on Saturday at Shahid Rajaei saw reddish-hued smoke rising from the fire just before the detonation. Thatsuggests achemical compound being involved in the blast —like in theBeirut explosion.

“Get back getback! Tell the gas (truck) to go!”a man in one video shouted just before the blast. “Tell him to go, it’s going to blow up! Oh God, this is blowing up! Everybody evacuate! Get back! Get back!”

On Saturdaynight,the state-run IRNA news agency said thatthe CustomsAd-

Iran andU.S.holdtalks

on Tehran’s nuclearprogram

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

MUSCAT, Oman Iran and the United States held in-depth negotiations in Oman over Tehran’srapidly advancing nuclear program on Saturday,ending thediscussions with apromise formoretalks and perhaps another highlevel meeting next weekend. The talks ran for several hours in Muscat, the mountain-wrapped capital of this sultanate on the easternedge of the Arabian Peninsula Aperson close to Steve Witkoff,the U.S.special envoy to the Middle East, acknowledged that the meeting had started and later ended. The source spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. Iranian state television also reported their conclusion.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchitoldstate television after the talks that thepartiesexchangedwritten pointsthroughout the day in discussions that he described as “very serious

andwork-focused.”

“Thistime,the negotiationsweremuch more serious than in the past, and we gradually entered into deeper and more detailed discussions,” he said. “We have moved somewhat away from broader,general discussions —though it is not the case that all disagreementshave been resolved. Differencesstillexist both on major issues and on the details.”

Asenior U.S. administration official said that thetalks were “positive and productive.”

“This latest round of direct and indirect discussions lasted over four hours,” the official said on conditionof anonymity todiscuss the talks. “Thereis stillmuch to do,but furtherprogress was made on getting to adeal. We agreed to meet againsoon, in Europe, and we thankour Omani partners for facilitating these talks.” Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has mediated thetwo previous

round of talks in Muscat and Rome, offered apositive note at the end of Saturday’snegotiations.

Iran and the U.S. “identified ashared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect andenduring commitments,” al-Busaidi posted on X. “Coreprinciples, objectivesand technicalconcerns were alladdressed. Talks will continue next week with afurtherhigh levelmeeting provisionally scheduled for May 3.”

Araghchi arrivedFridayin Oman on the eve of the talks and visited theMuscat International Book Fair, surrounded by television cameras and photojournalists. Witkoff was in Moscow on Friday to meet withRussian President Vladimir Putin, and arrived on Saturday to Oman.

The talks seek to limit Iran’snuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of thecrushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on ahalfcenturyofenmity

ministration of Iran blamed a“stockpileofhazardous goods and chemical materials stored in the port area” for the blast,withoutelaborating.

An aerial shot released by Iranian media after theblast showed fires burning at multiple locationsinthe port, with authorities later warning about air pollution from chemicals such as ammonia, sulfur dioxide andnitrogen dioxide in theair.Schools and offices in Bandar Abbas will be closed Sunday as well.

Shahid Rajaei hasbeen a target before.A 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel targetedthe port.Itcame after Israel said that it thwarted acyberattacktargetingits water infrastructure, which it attributed to Iran. Israeli officials didn’trespond to re-

quests forcomment regarding Saturday’sexplosion. Social mediavideos showed black billowing smoke after the blast. Others showed glass blown out of buildings miles away

arriving as medicsrushedone personbyona stretcher

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from the epicenter of the explosion.State media footage showed the injuredcrowding into at least one hospital, with ambulances

ISLAMICREPUBLICNEWSAGENCy PHOTO By MOHAMMADRASOUL MORADI Firefighters

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IndiasaysPakistani troops firedatpositions at border

BY AIJAZ HUSSAIN, RAJESH ROY and MUNIR AHMED Associated Press

SRINAGAR, India Pakistani soldiers fired at Indian posts along the highly militarized frontier in disputed Kashmir for asecond consecutive night, the Indian military said Saturday,astensions flaredbetween thenucleararmed rivals followinga deadly attack on tourists last week.

India described the massacre, in which gunmen killed 26 people, most of them Indian tourists, as a“terrorattack” andaccused Pakistan of backing it.

Pakistan denies the charge. The assault, near the resort town of Pahalgam in India-controlled Kashmir, was claimed by apreviously unknown militant group calling itself theKashmir Resistance.

It was the restive region’s worstassault targeting civilians in years. In the days since, tensions have risen dangerously between India and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir. The region is split between them and claimed by both in its entirety

The Indian army said Saturday that soldiersfrom multiple Pakistani army posts overnight opened fire at Indian troops “all across the Line of Control” in Kashmir.“Indian troops responded appropriately with small arms,” the statement said. There were no casualties reported, the statement added.

There was no comment from Pakistan, and the incidents couldnot be independently verified. In the past, each side has accused the other of starting border skirmishes in the Himalayan region.

Markets and bazaarswere open in Pakistan-adminis-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DARyASIN

Kashmiri villagers inspectthe debris of the blown-up home of Ahsan Ul Haq Shiekh, amilitant whoofficials sayis involved in the deadlyattackontourists in Pahalgam,on Saturday at Murran villageinPulwama, south of Srinagar, Indian-controlled Kashmir

tered KashmironSaturday, andthere was no sign of evacuations from villages nearthe LineofControl. After the touristattack,India suspended acrucial water-sharing treaty andclosed the only functional land border crossing. It revoked visas issued to Pakistanis with effect from Sunday Pakistanretaliatedby cancelingvisas issued to Indians, closingits airspace to Indian airlines, and suspending trade with its neighbor Nationals from bothsides began heading to their home countriesthrough the Wagah border near Pakistan’seastern city of Lahore on Friday Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday vowed the government wouldrespond “with full force and might” to Indian attemptstostop or divert theflow of water He also said Pakistan was open to participating in any “neutral,transparent and credible investigation” into thetourist attack On Saturday, aPakistani official from the disaster management agency,Saeed Qureshi,accused Indiaof

suddenly releasing large amounts of water into the Jhelum River,raisingfears of flooding in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir Authorities told residents living along the riverbank to evacuate, Qureshisaid Aspokesman for India’sExternalAffairs Ministry was notimmediately available for comment.

New Delhi describes all militancy in Kashmir as Pakistan-backed terrorism, acharge Pakistan rejects. Many Muslim Kashmiris considerthe militants to be part of ahome-grown freedom struggle.

Rebels havebeen fighting Indianrulesince 1989 for uniting theterritory,either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country With tensions high, Iran offered mediation, while U.S. President Donald Trump saidheexpected them to work out their differences.

“Tehran stands ready to use itsgoodoffices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forgegreater understanding at this difficult time,” IranianForeign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi said on Friday

ICEdeportationsraise major concerns amid crackdown

Lawyerssay immigrantmom of infant,3U.S children deported

BY MARC LEVY Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa.— Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have in recent days deported the Cubanborn motherofa1-yearold girl —separatingthem indefinitely —and three children ages 2, 4and 7who are U.S. citizens along with their Honduran-born mothers, their lawyers said Saturday

The three cases raise questions about who is being deported, and why,and come amid abattle in federal courts over whether President Donald Trump’simmigration crackdown has gone too far and too quickly at the expense of fundamental rights. Lawyers in the cases described how the women were arrested at routine check-ins at ICE offices, given virtually no opportunity to speak with lawyersor their family members and then deported withinthree days or less.

ICE deported children who are U.S. citizens and their mothers is a“shocking althoughincreasingly common —abuse of power.”

Gracie Willis of the NationalImmigration Project said the mothers, at the very least,did nothave afair opportunity to decide whether theywanted the children to stay in the United States.

ä Judge says 2-yearold from Louisiana wasdeported to Honduras.

“Wehave no idea what ICE wastelling them, and in this case what has come to light is that ICE didn’t give them anotheralternative,” Willis saidinaninterview. “They didn’tgave them achoice, that these mothersonly had the option to take their children with them despite lovingcaregivers beingavailableinthe United States to keep them here.”

The 4-year-old whois suffering from arare form of cancer —and the 7-yearold were deported to Honduras withina dayof being arrested with theirmother, Willis said.

In thecaseinvolving the 2-year-old,a federal judge in Louisianaraisedquestionsabout thedeportation of the girl, saying the governmentdid notprove it had done so properly

Immigration and CustomsEnforcement

born mother of a1-year-old girl— separating

days

2, 4and 7who are U.S. citizens along withtheir Honduran-bornmothers, theirlawyers said Saturday.

an Immigration andCustoms Enforcementoffice in Tampa, her lawyer said Saturday Heidy Sánchez was held without any communication andflown to Cuba two days later.She is still breastfeeding her daughter,who suffers from seizures, her lawyer, Claudia Cañizares, said.

to reopenSánchez’scase to help her remain in the U.S. legally,but ICE told her that Sánchez can pursue the

casewhile she’s in Cuba “I think they’re following orders that they need to remove acertain amount of people by day and they don’tcare, honestly,” Cañizaressaid.

Sánchez is not acriminal and has astrong case on humanitarian grounds for allowing her to stayinthe U.S., Cañizares said, but ICEisn’ttaking that into consideration when it has to meet what the lawyer said were deportation benchmarks.

Sánchez had an outstanding deportationorder stemming from amissedhearing in 2019,for whichshe was detained forninemonths, Cañizares said. Cuba apparently refusedtoaccept Sánchez back at the time, so Sánchez was released in 2020 and ordered to maintain aregular schedule of check-ins withICE, Cañizaressaid.

The American Civil Liberties Union, National Immigration Project and several other allied groups said in astatement that the way

In Florida, aCuban-born woman who is the mother of a1-year-old girl and the wife of aU.S. citizen was detained at ascheduled check-in appointment at

Cañizares said she tried to file paperwork with ICE to contestthe deportation Thursday morningbut ICE refused to accept it,saying Sánchezwas already gone, although Cañizares saidshe doesn’tthink that was true.

Cañizaressaidshe told ICE that she was planning

SUNDAY NEWS SHOWS

ABC’s“This Week”: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; former national securityadviser Jake Sullivan.

NBC’s“Meet the Press”: Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt.

CNN’s “State of the Union”: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins; Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.; Rep. Yassamin Ansari, D-Ariz.

CBS’“Face the Nation”: TomHoman, theWhite House executive associate director of enforcement and removal operations; Sen. JeanneShaheen, D-N.H.; Russian Foreign MinisterSergey Lavrov; Gary Cohn, IBM vicechairman and former Trump administration National Economic Council director “Fox News Sunday”: Sen. John Kennedy,R-La.; Rep.AdamSmith,D-Wash. TheAssociated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

agents have in recent

deported the Cuban-

them indefinitely—and three children ages

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from more than adecade ago with the school district

If successful,the new St. George school system would be the fifth public school district in East Baton Rouge Parish, joining Baker,Centraland Zachary in gainingeducationalindependence from the parish school system. Its boundaries would match those of the city of St. George.

Testifying at the Legislature, St. George Mayor Dustin Yates recalled that detractors justified not giving residents of the area aschool district by deridingthe area as just a“collection of neighborhoods.”

action on the Senate floor

Edmonds recounted many meetings he has heldwith interested parties in advance of filing these bills in an effort toease the legislation’s advancethrough the Legislature.

“Wehave doneeverything we possibly couldtoget this in theproper posture that we have here today,” Edmonds said.

An exampleisaprovision thatrequires an agreement between the parish school system and St. George residents for ongoing crossdistrictenrollment in each district’s magnetprograms. Fierce opposition from families with children in magnet schools was crucial in the failure ofthe 2012 and 2013 legislation.

“Today,weare no longer acollection of neighborhoods,” Yatessaid. “We arethe fifth-largest city in the state of Louisiana.”

Supporters say the new school district is an overdue answer to the poor quality of many Baton Rouge public schools. Opponents argue a St. George school district would exacerbate racial segregationinthe parish, reduce the quality of education for poorer children in the Baton Rouge public schools left behindand encourage more breakaway school districts in the future.

SB25,aproposed con stitu ti o n al amendment tofund thenew proposed district, is thebillwiththe toughest journeyahead.

Sailed throughcommittee

The two bills —Senate Bill 25 and Senate Bill 234 —that would create a St. George school district passed without dissent and without question Wednesday through areceptive Senate Education Committee. Their passage was helped by the fact that the lead author,Sen. Rick Edmonds, R-St. George, serves as chair of that committee. Rep. Emily Chenevert,R-Baton Rouge,iscoauthor.Both bills now await

Under Louisiana law, supportersofa new school district need to win atwothirds vote of the state Legislaturetoput anamendmentto thestate constitutiononthe ballot. That amendment then would need to pass with amajority vote of the entire stateand theentire parish affected, in this case, East BatonRouge.

Edmonds amended his bill to push thestatewide referendum back from this November to April 18, 2026. If voters agree, the planistoopenthe doorsof

the newSt. George school district in July 2027.

EBRsayslittle

EastBaton Rouge Parish leaderssofar have saidlittlepublicly aboutthe legislation. No one from the East BatonRouge Parish school system spoke on Edwards’ bills when they came up Wednesday

SuperintendentLaMont Cole said the school system is monitoring the legislation and acknowledged “there’s been agreat deal of discussion and reflectionhappening around the potential implicationsofthe legislation —some of which may not yet be fully understood or appreciated.”

Cole, however,saidhe will take his cues from the nine-memberparishSchool Board andwhatever position it ends up taking The school system was not so cautious adecade ago. In 2012, not just one but twoBaton Rouge school superintendents spoke in oppositionatthe initial hearing of the legislation, including Bernard Taylor,who had just been hiredand was weeksaway from officially starting the job. The parish School Boardsoon after voted to officially oppose the legislation.

One current School Board member,Dadrius Lanus, did testifyWednesday, speaking for himself, saying he wanted the committee “to understand the fiscal impact of what youare getting ready to do.” He said thatsome 10,000-plus students could be impacted by thecreation of thenew district, andthe parish school system would

posters, books.

lose significant funding.

Lanus also disputed complaints aboutthe quality of public schoolsinthe St. Georgearea, noting that they are amongthe highest performing in the district. He said the school system hasworkedhard to lift up those schools.

“Wehave done everything possible to fix alot of the concerns andthe problems,” Lanus said. No position

Absentfrom Wednesday’s SenateEducationhearing was the Baton Rouge Area Chamber On Friday, aBRAC spokesperson said the board of directors of thebusiness lobbying organization “does nothaveaposition on this legislation.”

In spring 2012, BRAC came out in opposition to the legislation thatyear,saying it had “too manyunknowns” that hadthe potential to “createfinancial disarray or lowerthe quality of education overall.”

In August 2012, BRAC and theBaton Rouge Area Foundation released areport ar-

guing that any push to carve anotherschool districtout of theEastBatonRouge school systemneededtoaddress thefinancialimpactofthe schools left behind and that those costs “cannotbeleft to the declining number of schools andschoolchildren that will remain in thedistrict.”

‘Legacy’ costsstill at issue

The only opposition voice fromthose 2012 and2013 debates who returned Wednesday was Belinda Davis.She is president of One Community,One School District, a group formed 13 years ago to fight the Southeast Baton Rouge breakaway school district proposal.Davis went on to serve from 2020 to 2023 on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Davis pointed to spring break as areason for low turnout from opponentson Wednesday,because many people were out of town.

She also noted that Edmonds placed only one of the bills, SB234, on the committee agenda late the day before, so many were not aware it

was being discussed. In hertestimony,Davis noted that the current St. George legislation still fails to properly address manyof the financial problemsidentified in that 2012 BRAC/ BRAF report, particularly when it comes to so-called “legacy” costs. St. George residentshavebenefited from thesecosts,particularly when it comes to retirees, but in breaking away they would leave the parish school system to shoulder them alone.

“These costs, estimated over adecadeago,ranged from approximately $40 millionto$200 milliondepending on how they were calculated,” Davis said. Edmonds disputed Davis, pointing to language in the bill that calls upon St. George to pay someofthose legacy costs over time.

Afterward,Davis said the current legislation deals only with the costs of those who retire from the parish school systemand arerehired by St. George schools, butfailstodealwiththe entire set of retiree legacy costs.

Creating connectionsthatlasta lifetime—this is thebenchmark of successfor Sonofa Saint, a non-profitorganizationthatprovidesmentorship, wraparound services,and opportunitiestoyoung boys in NewOrleans whohavelosttheir fathers. Theorganizationwas foundedin2011byBivian

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“WhenyouareinSonofaSaintyoustayconnected It’s adecades-long, lifelong collaborationprocess, Hutchinson said Cemon“CC”Anderson’sjourney exemplifies everythingSon of aSaint hopestoinstill in thelives of itsyoung men. Andersongraduated from Sonofa Saintin2019, andthe mentorshefound throughthe organizationcontinuetoplaya pivotalroleinhis life today. Hisdesignatedmentorwas ChrisMusco,but Andersonalsosharedhow he developedmeaningful connectionswithseveral staff members, as well as long-timeSon of aSaint partnerand supporter, LonNichols,DirectorofHuman Resources for Felipe’s Taqueria

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“Cemon hasalwaysstood outasaleader, even in hisyounger years,”Nichols said.“Whetherthrough hisdedicationtolearningevery position within his work environmentorthe respectheshows to everyonearoundhim,hehas earned hissuccess everystep of theway.Watchinghim grow into theaccomplished manager, leader,and father he is todayhas been an absolute privilege. Hisgenuine smileand hiscommitment to making others better aretruly inspirational. This past December,Andersonwas promoted to Restaurant ManageratFelipe’sTaqueria’sUptown location,after moving throughthe ranksstartingin 2021.Tosupport histransitionintothisleadership role,Felipe’sprovidedAndersonwiththe opportunity to participateinthe Dale Carnegie Leadership TrainingProgram last month.

“I neversaw myself becoming amanager.It’snot easy,and it’s been abig change,” Anderson said.“Now, Iamresponsible for thewhole restaurant.” AccordingtoAnderson, the3-day training programprovedtobea valuable resource,illuminating keyaspects of leadership,including howto take initiative,delegatetasks,manageemployee mistakes,and foster apositiveand trustingwork environment.

Theconnectionbetween Felipe’s Taqueria and SonofaSaint endures, with meaningful andimpactfulwaystonot only supportthe organization’s young menteesintheir career opportunities, butalsothe nonprofit’s holistic mission. Forthe entire monthof May, Felipe’s Taqueria willraise moneyfor Sonof a Saintbyofferingthe round-up option for guests at allfourNew Orleansrestaurantlocations.Round-up fundraisersgivegueststhe option to rounduptheir totalcheck to awhole dollar amount as adonation to acharity or communitycause.ThisMay,Felipe’s Taqueria willmatch thecollectiveround-updonationsmadebytheir guests to benefit Sonofa Saint. Severalyears ago, whileattending collegein Maine, Andersonmadethe decision to return home to care forhis grandmotherwhose health wasfailing at thetime. Hisgrandmother,who washis guardian for much of hischildhood,has sincepassedaway, but Anderson fondlyreflects on hismemoriesofher and howitbrought asmile to her face to seehim succeed during histimeatSon of aSaint “She prepared me forthe worldasbestasshe could,”sharedAnderson. “She gottomeetmywife andmydaughterbeforeshe passed,and shewould be proudofthe manthatI’vebecome.”

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Yates

Edmonds

Poll:ManyinU.S.say Trumpfocused on wrongissues

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press

WASHINGTON Many Ameri-

cans do not agree with President Trump’saggressive efforts to quickly enact his agenda, anew poll finds, and even Republicans are not overwhelmingly convinced that his attention has been in the right place.

Americans are nearly twice as likely to say Trump has been mostly focusing on the wrong priorities as to say he has been focusing on the right ones, according to the survey from TheAssociated Press-NORCCenter for Public Affairs Research.

Further,about 4in10

Americans say Trump has been a“terrible” presidentin hissecond term, and about 1 in 10 say he has been “poor.” In contrast, about 3in10say he has been “great or ”good,” while just under 2in10say he has been “average.”

Most haven’tbeen shocked by the drama of Trump’s first 100 days. About 7in10

U.S. adults say the first few months of Trump’ssecond term have been mostly what they expected, and only about 3in10say the Republican president’sactions have been mostly unexpected. But that does not mean they are pleasedwith how those opening months have gone.

In fact, Democrats seem even unhappier with the reality of the second Trump term than before he was swornin on Jan. 20. About three-quarters of Democratssay Trump is focused on the wrong topics and about 7in10think he hasbeen a“terrible” president so far.That is an increase from January,when about 6in10anticipated that he would be “terrible.”

Rahsaan Henderson, a Democrat from California, said “it has been one of the longest100 days I’ve ever had to sit through.”

“I think the next four years will be atest of seeing who can resist the most and continue defying whatever he’s trying to do, since he defies everything, including the Supreme Court,” said Henderson, 40.

Republicans are largely standing behind the president, but are ambivalent about what he has chosen to emphasize. About 7in10 say he has been at least a“good” president. But onlyabout half say he has mostly had the right priorities so far, whileabout one-quartersay it has been about an even mix and about 1in10said Trump has mostly had the wrong priorities.

proves of how he is handling the presidency.About onethird of U.S. adults have afavorable opinion of Vice President JD Vance, including about 7in10Republicans

ThoseRepublicans interviewed wereparticularly fond of efforts to scale back thesizeofthe federalgovernment ledbybillionaire outsideadviser Elon Musk and Trump’scost-cutting initiative, theDepartment of Government Efficiency

“Overall, Iwould have to say that I’m happy with the Trump presidency,” said Matthew Spencer,30, aRepublican from Texas. “I think that theDepartment of Government Efficiency has made

great strides in reducing our spending, and Ialso agree with putting America first. Iagree with the policies he’s put in as far as border protection and America standing foritself again as faras the tariffs.”

“We’re only three months in, but so far,sogood,” said Carlos Guevara, 46, who lives in Florida. Guevara, a Republican,saidDOGEhas been a“smash hit” andontariffs, and while there maybe short-term pain,“if that does encourage businesses to start manufacturing here then that’llwash outovertime.”

Democrats have amuch bleaker outlook on theeconomy than theyheld before

Trumptook office. The poll also found that the vast majority of Democrats think he has “gonetoo far”ondeportations and tariffs. GabrielAntonucci,26, aDemocrat who recently movedtoSouth Carolina, said Trump’ssecond term is “just alot moreridiculous” than he had anticipated. The AP-NORC poll of 1,260 adults was conducted April 17-21, using asample drawn from NORC’sprobabilitybased AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designedtoberepresentative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.

Thosewho were surprised by Trump’sfirstfew months seem to have hadarude awakening. The people who say Trump’sactions were not what they expected —who are mostly Democrats and independents—are more likely to say Trump has had mostly the wrongpriorities and thathe has been apoor or terriblepresident,comparedwiththe people who mostly expectedhis actions. About 4in10inthe surveyapprove of howTrump is handling the presidency overall. The issue of immigration is arelativestrength. According to the poll, 46% of U.S. adults approve of his handling of the issue,which is slightly higherthan his overall approval. But there are also indications that foreign policy,trade negotiationsand the economy could prove problematic as he aims to prove hisapproach will benefit the country Trump’sapprovalonthose issues is much lower than it is on immigration. Only about 4in10U.S. adultsapprove of how he is handling each.Republicansare less likely to approve of Trump’s approach to trade and the economythanimmigration.

There are additional signalsthatsome Trump supportersmay notbethrilled with hisperformance so far.The share ofRepublicans who say he has been at least a“good” president has fallen about10percentage points since January.They also have grown abit more likely to say Trumpwill be either “poor” or “terrible,” although only16% describe hisfirstfew months that way. RepublicanStephanieMelnyk, 45,fromTennessee, is supportive of Trump’shan-

“He’sreally doing the stuff that he said he was going to do,” saidTanner Bergstrom, 29,aRepublican from Minnesota. He is “not making a bunch of promises and gettingintooffice and nothing happens Ireally like that. Even if it’ssomestuffIdon’t agree with, it’s stilldoing what hesaid hewas going to do.”

dling of the presidency more broadly but said she didnot approveofhis handling of foreign affairs, particularly on the war in Ukraine. Melnyk’sfamily emigrated from Ukraine and she said Trump is “trying for aquick fix that’s notgoing to last” andthat RussianPresident Vladimir Putin “is not to be trusted.”

Melnyk,who voted for Trumplargely for his positions on immigration, said shewished thepresident would stayonscript.

“He sounds like he can be verycondescending, and it sounds like my way or the highway,” Melnyk said. “It’s like, dude. You’re not 12.” It’s common, though, for a president’sstanding to be at itsbestbefore takingoffice and beginning the workof governing. And Trump continuestohold high approval from Republicans About4in10Americans have afavorable opinionof Trump, roughlyinlinewith his approval number.Among Republicans,the figure is about double: About 8in10 Republicanshave apositive view of the president,and aboutthe same share ap-

Boston celebrates MLK’s1965Freedom Rally

Advocatesurge

continued fight againstinjustice

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

BOSTON As aBlack teenager growing up in Boston, Wayne Lucas vividly remembers joining about 20,000 people to hear the Rev.Martin Luther King Jr speak out against the city’s segregated school system and the entrenchedpoverty in poor communities.

Sixty years on, Lucas was back on the Boston Common on Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of what became known as the 1965 Freedom Rally.Hejoined others in calling for continued activism against many of thesameinjustices and inequities that King fought against, and in criticizing PresidentDonaldTrump and his administration for current divisions and fears about race and immigration across the country

“The message was. that we stillhaveworktodo, said Lucas, 75. “It was a lotofinspiration by every speaker out there.”

The gathering drew several hundred people on arainy and windy day,conditions similar to those during the 1965 event. It was preceded by amarch by asmaller group of people, mostly along the route taken to the Boston Common 60 years earlier.Upto125 different organizations took part.

BOSTON GLOBEPHOTO By JOHN TLUMACKI

Doreen Wade, ofCambridge, Mass., raises her fist in the air Saturdayatthe ParkmanBandstand on Boston Common, to commemorate the60th anniversaryofthe 1965 Freedom Rally on Boston Common, which featured Martin Luther King Jr.She was 6years old when she marched with her family in 1965.

ous resurgence of White supremacy,ofstate-sanctioned violence, of economic exploitation,ofauthoritarian rhetoric.”

Theoriginal protest rally in 1965 brought the civil rights movement tothe Northeast, aplace Martin LutherKing Jr.knewwell from his time earning a doctoratein theology from Boston University and serving as assistant minister at the city’sTwelfth Baptist Church.It was also the placewhere he methis wife, who earneda degreeinmusic education from the New England Conservatory

theTrumpadministration is waging war on diversity,equityand inclusion initiatives in government,schools and businesses around the country,including in Massachusetts

Sincehis Jan.20inauguration, Trump hasbanned diversity initiativesacross thefederal government.The administration haslaunched investigations of colleges public and private—that it accuses of discriminating against White and Asian students with race-conscious admissions programs intended to addresshistoric inequities in accessfor Black students.

qualified people of color are taking jobs from White people, when the reality is they have long been denied the opportunities they deserve.

“I don’tknow if White people understandthis,but Black people are tolerant,” he said.“From knee-high to agrasshopper, you have to be five times better than your White colleague.And that’show we prepare ourselves. So it’s never amatter

of unqualified. It’samatter of being excluded.”

ImariParis Jeffries,the president and CEO of Embrace Boston,whichalong with the city put on the rally, said the eventwas achance to remindpeoplethat elements of the “promissory note” King referred to in his “I HaveADream”speech remain “out of reach” for manypeople.

“We’re having aconver-

sation aboutdemocracy This is the promissory note —public education, public housing, public health, accesstopublic art,” Paris Jeffries said. “All of these things are apart of democracy.Those arethe things thatare actually being threatened right now.”

Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.

King III

King’sson, Martin Luther King III, gave akeynote speech, saying he never thoughtracismwould still be around and on the rise like it is today “Wemust quadruple our efforts to create a more just and humane society,”hetoldthe crowd. “Weused to exhibit humanity and civility,but we have chosen temporarily to allow civility to be moved aside. And that is not sustainable, my friends.”

He added, “Today,we’ve got to find away to move forward, when everything appears to be being dismantled, it seems to be attempting to break things up. Now,you do have to retreat sometimes. But dadshowed us how to stay on the battlefield, and mom, throughout their lives. They showedus how to build community.”

The gathering was near the site of a20-foot-high memorial to racial equity, which shows Martin Luther King Jr.embracing his wife, Coretta Scott King.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, aMassachusetts Democrat, said the work of 1960s civil rights leaders remains unfinished, with too many people still experiencing racism, poverty and injustice.

“Weare living through perilous times,” she said.

“Across the country,we are witnessing adanger-

In hisspeech, King told thecrowd that he returned to Boston not to condemn the city but to encourage its leaders to do better at a time when Black leaders were fighting todesegregate theschools andhousing and working to improve economic opportunities for Blackresidents.King also implored Boston to become aleader thatother citieslike New York and Chicago could follow in conducting “the creative experiments in the abolition of ghettos.”

“It would be demagogic anddishonest for me to say that Boston is aBirmingham, or to equate Massachusetts with Mississippi,” he said. “But it wouldbe morally irresponsible were I to remain blind to thethreat to liberty,the denialofopportunity,and the crippling poverty that weface insome sections of this community.”

The Boston rally happenedafter President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and months ahead of theenactment of the VotingRights Act of 1965 signed in August King and other civil rights movement leadershad just comeoff theSelma to Montgomerymarch in Alabama, also referred toasBloody Sunday,weeks before the Bostonrally.The civilrights icon alsowas successfulin the 1963 Birmingham campaignpromptingthe end of legalized racial segregation in theAlabama city,and eventually throughout the nation

Saturday’srally came as

TheDefense Department at one point temporarily removedtraining videos recognizing theTuskegee Airmen andanonlinebiography of Jackie Robinson. In February,Trump fired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., a champion of racial diversityinthe military, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown, in the wake of Floyd’skilling, had spoken publicly abouthis experiences as aBlack man,and was only thesecond Black generaltoserve as chairman

Theadministrationhas fired diversity officers across government, curtailed some agencies’ celebrations of Black History Month and terminated grants and contractsfor projects ranging fromplantingtrees in disadvantaged communitiestostudying achievement gaps in American schools.

Martin Luther King III toldThe Associated Press that the attacks on diversity make little sense,noting, “Wecannot move forward without understanding what happened in thepast.”

“It doesn’t mean that it’s aboutblamingpeople. It’s not about collective guilt.It’s about collective responsibility,”hecontinued. “How do we become better? Well, we appreciate everything that helped us to get to where we are. Diversityhasn’thurt thecountry.”

King said opponents of diversity have floated an uninformednarrative that un-

On anygiven day, staffmembers from theICARE PreventionProgram,adivisionoftheEastBatonRouge Parish School System,are helping children of allages copewiththechallengesofgrowingupintoday’ssociety Theymaybefacilitatingadiscussionaboutthedangers of vaping,underagealcohol use, bullying andmaking healthydecisions,especiallyinthe areasofsocial mediause or misuse.Theymay step in with areferral to counseling services if astudenthas gone througha traumaticexperience. Or,theymay be workingwith teachers on ways to recognizestudentsincrisisand supportthose students or even theirfamilies.

“There is more of aneedthaneverbecause we’ve hadanuptickinviolenceand substanceabuse in our community,”saidErinPourciau-Bradford,Director of ICARE. “Our missionistohelpall students as well as providesupport to theirfamiliesthrough those difficultiesinanon-judgmentalway.Wewanttocreate an environmentwherein it’s okay forstudentstotalk aboutwhattheyare experiencing andhow they can make healthierchoices for themselves.”

ICAREhas been in existenceinBaton Rougefor more than 43 years. Pourciau-Bradfordnoted that itsstaff workswiththousands of students during the school year,including thoseinpublic, privateand charterschools.The staffiscontinually assessing itsprogramming andofferings to make sure they arerelevant. Forexample, therehas beenmoreofan increasedemphasis on social-emotionallearning, trauma-informedcareandtechnologyinrecentyears.

“A lotofthatcameabout becausesomuchtrauma is happeningintoday’s society. Students and teachers areencouragedand supportedinhaving open conversationsabout howitaffects them and howtheyfunctionwhenthose concerns or issues arehappening,” Pourciau-Bradfordsaid. “Adding more information on technology wasa necessity becauseofthe rise of social mediaamong students andhow theuse andormisusecould possibly lead to unhealthyirreparable outcomes.” Pourciau-BradfordsaidICAREusesatieredmodelof support.Theuniversalpartencompasseswholeschool programming, whichmight mean aguest speaker or communityagencyleading discussionsoractivities on acertain topicwiththe majority of thestudentson acampus. Themiddletieristoworkwithstudentsin smallgroupsettings,especiallyiftheyhaveexperienced arecent trauma or loss,aswellasclassroom lessons thataretailoredforsmallersettings.Thesmallesttier is individualized to students whohavespecific needs

andrequire tailored prevention services

“Our specialistsare embedded in theschools.One of thethingsIemphasize at thebeginningofevery school year is to buildarapport with theprincipals andteachersbecause they arethe campus supporters that willleanonyou in acrisis. When astudent needs supportorhelp, we encouragethemtothink of theI CARE Prevention Programand utilizeour services with confidence,”Pourciau-Bradfordsaid.

TheICAREteamalsotailorsitsprogrammingtobe age-appropriate, even though some common themes arepresent.For example, prevention sessions with elementary students abouthealthy relationshipsmay startwithwhatitmeanstobeagoodfriend.Middleand highschoolprogramsaddressmoreintensetopics,such as bullying,socialorpeerissues, angermanagement anddatingviolence.

“Theworkthatwedoprogressesasthestudentsget older,”Pourciau-Bradfordsaid.“Ourwholestrategyis to startconversations when students areveryyoung butdosoinanage-appropriateway.Ourprincipalgoal is to provideyears of rich conversationsregarding varyingaspectsofsocietygearedtowardsmakingour students healthierand happieradultsfollowing their schoolingexperiences.”

TheI CARE Prevention Programisfundedalmost entirely by apropertytax that is on theMay 3ballot fora 10-yearrenewal.Grantsand othersupplemental fundingare notalwaysguaranteedand aregenerally very limited. Meanwhile, Pourciau-Bradfordsaidthe ICARE PreventionProgramisplanningtodoaresetaspartof itsongoingworktomakesureitsprogrammingmatches theneedsofstudents,theirfamiliesandtheEastBaton RougeParishcommunity.The plan is to employeean outsideconsultantthatwilloffer recommendations andsuggestions aboutwaystoenhance theI CARE Prevention Programinareas such as parent-driven programming,vapingeducationandteachingstudents aboutthedangersofdrinking,whichmightalsoinclude textingorother distractions whiledriving “Were-evaluate internally everyyear, but Ithink it’s good for an outsider to come in from time to time to assess what we aredoing andlet us know howwe canbemoreeffective,” Pourciau-Bradfordsaid. “We want to utilizetaxpayers’dollars in thebestway possible whileproviding thebestservicespossibleto thestudentsofour parish.” Visithttps://ebrschools.org/ancillaryservices/ studentsupport/icare/tolearn more aboutI CARE

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Americans. Louisiana has one of the highest rates of residents on the program —1.6 million people, or about athird of the population.

Louisiana congressmen will also play an outsized roleinthe debate:Johnson and Rep. Steve Scalise, RJefferson, are the House’s highest-ranking members an da re steeri ng itsbudget strate gy And Rep. Troy Carter D-New Orleans, sits on the committee that is responsible for Medicaid.

Republ icans insist they w ill not be cutting actual health care for anyone on Medicaid who deserves it.

“No one has talked about cutting one benefit in Medicaid (to abeneficiary)who is duly owed,” Johnson said after recessing theHouse on April 10. “Wehave to root out fraud, waste and abuse. We have to eliminate, for example, on Medicaid people who are not eligible to be there.”

The House GOP saysit will target waste, fraud and abuse in the program.

Trump and Johnson say about $51 billion is lostto fraudand abuse each year; Scalise has estimated $60 billion.

“That’sthe theft of hardworking taxpayers’ money That’staking health care away from the disabled who need it,” Scalise said.

Just how “waste, fraudand abuse” is defined and how it is applied to Medicaid could lead to an epic fight that could endanger Trump’sdesire to revampthe federal government.

Carter and other Democrats are skeptical of the changes Republicans seek under the banner of fighting waste.

“Obviously,we’re opento finding opportunities,ifthey exist, to be more efficient andtorootout waste, fraud or abuse. But we’re going be ever mindful of dismantling systems and resources thatmeansomethingto the Americanpeople,” said Carter,who is amember of the Democratic minorityon the House Energy’sHealth Subcommittee that gets a first crack at the bill this week.

What mightcutslooklike?

House committee members working on Medicaid budget plans have been told not to discuss those proposals in public. But according to an internal memo seenby The Advocate |The TimesPicayune and interviews with members of the health subcommittee from both parties, the panelisweighing roughly 21 scenariosto decide how many to include in the final bill.

of Medicaid in 2024 were proper,withall i’sdotted andt’s crossed, the Government Accountability Office found. About $31.1 billion were improper because providers did not correctly fill outthe forms, according to the reports. Usually it wasphysicians notsubmittingthe proper documentssupporting the medical necessity

“It’sa big number,”Timothy Hill, acommissioner withthe Medicaidand CHIP Payment andAccess Commission, whichadvises Congress and the DepartmentofHealth and Human Services, said Thursday at a KFF seminar.“But the vast majority of the improper payments, 74%,75% across the countryand consistently year to year,are around documentation issues. It doesn’tmean that somebody didn’tget care. Whatit does mean is that the rules that the agencies established forgetting payment weren’tfollowed.” Hill said paperworkerrors arenot an issue that, if fixed, would reducethe cost of Medicaid.

Cartersaidheand fellow Democrats on the committee will scrutinize those ideas closely

“Wewill listen carefully

“All those errors could be corrected. The total outlay of the programcould still be the same, but theywould be in complianceasopposed to be counted as an error,” he said.

We will read the options and the suggestions that the Republican Party presents, or that the Trumpadministration presents, and we will go through it with afine-toothed comb,” Carter continued.

Howmuchisspent?

What’s thetimeline?

Those ideas matchthose reported by KFF —Kaiser FamilyFoundation, aSan Francisco-based nonprofit that researches health issues —and Politico,the political trade publication. Some optionswouldrequire statestopick up more of thecost of Medicaid, something many Republicanshavelongsupported.

“Medicaid is meant to be astate-federal partnership. States are supposedtopay for 40% of thecost. Most states are paying for less than 15%,” Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, saidApril 16 on X. “States havebeen cutting Medicaid for decades. People shouldnot beasking what is thefederal government doing, theyshould be askingwhy aren’tthe states doingmore.”

One idea being considered by theHouse committee is to reverse aBiden administration decisiontoincreasefederal matching funds, which wouldsaveabout $25billion butcost states more. Other

Outright fraud does exist in Medicaid. It’sa huge program with lots of moving parts and thus atempting target for scammers and thieves.

proposals would change the federal medical assistance percentage,orFMAP, the formula that determines how much the federal government contributes to each state’sMedicaid program.

If Congress loweredthe FMAPpercentage for every state thatexpanded Medicaid rolls under the Affordable Care Act, which includes Louisiana, it could save an estimated $561 billion —but require states to shoulder more of the costs. Another proposal would reduce FMAPfor higherincome states to thetuneof $387 billion.

Cuts to thefederal share of Medicaid would have a major impact on Louisiana, wheregovernment-subsidized healthcare accounts for about$21 billioneach year, of which state’staxpayers are expected to put up about $3.2 billion.

Another possibility on the table, which wouldsave about$22 billion, is repealing aMay 2024 minimum

staffing rule for nursing homes.

And up to $900 billion could be cut by limiting the total amount for services the federal government pays. Currently,states are guaranteed federal support for actual spending; states that exceed the “cap” would have to pay theoverage.

Another $100 billion could be savedbyrequiring Medicaid beneficiaries to work.

“What we’retalking about is returning work requirements, for example, so you don’thave able-bodied young men on aprogram that’sdesigned for single mothersand theelderly disabled,”Johnsonsaid. “They aredraining resources from people who are actually due that. If you clean that up and shore it up you save a lotofmoney andyou return the dignity of work to young men who need to be out working instead of playing video games all day.We have alot of fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid.”

Butwhenindividual cases arecompiled,the data showsthe amountoffraud is little different than what private insuranceencounters,federal watchdogssay The Health Department’s OfficeofInspector General, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Government Accountability Office foundveryfew beneficiariesweregaming thesystem formonthly payments. Mostly it was people working for clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies, equipment supplies, physicians and the like seeking payments forambulance runs nottaken,prescriptions notfilled, medical services notrendered,and thelike, according theHealthDepartment’sfraud and abuse controlreport.

Fraud unitsnationwide reported 1,151 convictions and$1.4 billioninrecoveriesfor fiscal year 2024.

Atotal of 94.9% of the payments madeonbehalf

Johnson hopes the full budgetlegislation will clear both chambers and land on thepresident’s desk before Memorial Day,in four weeks. Republicans on thecommitteeoverseeingMedicaidhopetohaveabill ready for avote by May 9. It would then go before the full House. The Medicaiddebate is only one piece of alarger budget puzzle. Johnson and Scalise are trying to balance the demands of far-right members fordeeper spending cuts with moderate Republicans who don’twant Medicaidincapacitated. They canonlyaffordtolose the support of three GOP members if Democrats stay united in opposition and everyone shows up for the vote.

Carter says he wantsto make sure the process isn’t rushed.

“This is why we need in-depthresearch rather thanjust accept the talking points,” Carter said. “When we do it quickly,we risk the chance of missing things that are important and making badpolicies thatcould hurt things. If youwanttofind thebug in theflour,you need sift carefully, notjusttossout the bag.”

ASSOCIATED

Military funeralheldfor WWII kamikaze pilot

U.S. naval captain orderedburial at sea

BY AUDREY MCAVOY and MARI YAMAGUCHI Associated Press

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii A Japanese pilot slammed his Zero fighter plane into the USSMissouri and ignited afireball on April 11, 1945, during the Battle of Okinawa. The suicideattack instantly killed the pilot, but none of the battleship’screw members were badly hurt.

The Missouri’scaptain ordered amilitary burialat sea with full honors, marking one of the more unusual and little-knownepisodes of World WarII. The pilot received the same funeral that the ship would have given one of its own sailors

Eighty years later, theMissouri is amuseum moored at Pearl Harbor,Hawaii,not farfromthe submerged hull of the USS Arizona, which sank in the 1941 Japanese bombing that propelled the U.S. into the war.OnApril 11, three of the captain’s grandsons marked the anniversary of the attack and burial with the mayors of Honolulu and the Japanese city of Minamikyushu, from which many kamikaze pilots set off on their suicide missions.

“This is one of the ship’s great stories and explains, in part, why the ship became an international symbol of peace and reconciliation within two years of itslaunchingand rather than justaninstrument of destruction,” said Michael Carr,CEO of the Battleship MissouriMemorial.“This is aremarkable story of compassion and humanity,even in the midst of one of the worst battles of World War II.” Japan launched asuicide attack campaign as alast-ditch measure to push U.S. forces back late in the war,when it was hopelessly losing.

ing agiant plume of smoke. The crew controlled the fire within five minutes

The dent left by theattack is stillvisible on theMissouri’shull.

Capt. WilliamCallaghanordered the funeral to be held the next morning.

The crew collected red andwhite cloth andsewed a makeshift“rising sun” flagso he could be buried under his own colors, said Frank Clay, curator of the Battleship Missouri Memorial. They cleaned the body,wrappedit in canvas and placed it on a tray againstthe rail beneath the flag.

grandfather neverspoke of theburial and his family didn’tlearn about it until 2001. He said his grandfather had empathy and asense of dignity,whichwas reflected by the funeral.

TheImperial Navyfounded theKamikaze Tokko Tai, which translates as Divine Wind SpecialAttackCorps, andthe Imperial Army followed with its own unit. Internationally theirmissions are called kamikaze, butin Japan they are better known as “tokko,” which means “special attack.”

Thepilots flewhastilyconstructed planes andevenreconnaissance and training aircraft because the military lacked sufficientequipment. Theytook off ononeway flights with just enough fuel to reach their targets. Kamikaze sanktheir first ship on Oct. 25, 1944, when a navy Zero pilot smashed into the USSSt. Lo in the Philippine Seawhile carryinga pair of 550-pound bombs. Britain’sImperialWar Museum says they killed 7,000 Allied naval personnel in all.

Theirinitial 30% success rate fell to about8%bymid1945 due to decliningcrew skills, dwindlingaircraft capabilities and improvedU.S. defenses

Some 4,000 pilotsdied on suicide missions, about 2,500 navy and more than 1,400 army,mostofthemuniversity students drafted in late 1943. Many launched from Chiran,a tea farming town that today is part of Minamikyushu,a cityinsouthwest Japan. Themissions became more intense as Japan’s

outlook grewmoredire and the military showcased the sacrifice of the pilots to drum up patriotism and support forthe war.Those who failed to take off or survived wereconsidered a disgrace.

Despite stereotypes of kamikaze as super-patriots who volunteered to die, manywere not, as shown by their carefully nuanced last letters to lovedonesand survivor accounts.

“They werevictims of war,” saidHiroyuki Nuriki, mayor of Minamikyushu, who noted the pilotswere only around 20 yearsold and had futures.

“I’msure they didn’twant to die, but they still had to go,” he said. “That’sthe tragedy of war, and that’s why we should never starta war again.”

The Battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days, withfierce fighting on land and sea. On April 11 theMissouri fendedoff aerial assaultsfrommultiple directionsand already had downed one kamikaze plane when asecond approached.

The Missouri’sgunners hit the Zerofighter witha5-inch round. Theplane plunged, but it leveled out about 20 feet above the ocean and headed for theship’sstarboard side.

The crash ripped off the plane’sright wing, which landed on the deck. Fuel in thewing caught fire, unleash-

WWII planefound on Pacific floor, with abomb

MARK PRICE

The Charlotte Observer(TNS)

AWorld WarIIbomber has been discovered 3miles deep in the Pacific Ocean, and it’sstill fully armed with an 83-year-old bomb fixed to the wing, NOAA Ocean Exploration says.

The DouglasSBD Dauntless dive bomber fell to the seafloor trapped insidethe USS Yorktown, which was sunk by aJapanese submarine afterthe 1942 Battleof Midway

Theheavily damagedaircraft is one of at least three vintage bombers found piled atop each other in the aircraftcarrier’shangar on April 20, and the sight was “game-changing” for historians.

Nearly 150 aircraft were lost at the Battle of Midway and none have been located

on the battlefield —until now.

“The significance of this can’tbeoverstated.This is acombat veteran SBD from the Battle of Midway Theseare theplanesthat won that battle,” historian Russ Matthews of the Air/ SeaHeritage Foundation said during alivebroadcast of thediscovery. “Not just that, but fora twist of fate, abomb that could have beendropped ona Japanese ship.”

“This is an absolutely historic moment in underwater exploration,” another historian said. “We’ve always wanted to find aircraft associated with the Battle of Midwayand here it is.”

TheYorktown vanished about1,000 miles northwest of Honolulu, and wasrediscovered by aU.S. Navy and National Geographic expedi-

tionin1998. The wreck site was documented by Ocean Exploration Trustin2023, but cameras werenot sent inside.

NOAAOcean Exploration took that risk over theEaster holiday weekend and the three planes were located in the carrier’sNo. 3elevator shaft

Historians believe the “fully armed” bomber —found upside down —was “likely part of Yorktown’sreserve force on thefirst morning of thebattle,” NOAA says.

The other two planes have amore unique history,historians said.

“Another plane, with the figures‘B5’boldly legible on itsfuselage, is currently believed to be BuNo 4581, an SBD-3 assigned to Bombing Squadron Six from USS Enterprise,” NOAA said in a news release.

Marinerifle guards gave agun saluteand abugler played taps. The chaplain gave an invocation andsaid, “Commit his body to the deep.” The crew tipped the trayand the body slid into the sea.

It was the only known instanceofU.S. forces holding amilitary funeralfor akamikaze pilot

Some crew members resented the ritual,while othersgrumbledbut later came to believeitwas theright thing to do, Clay said.

Ed Buffman, who wasa teenage gunner’s mate 2nd classonthe Missouri, said he did not dwell on it: “The next dayyou’reready to go back and battle again.”

Little is known of Callaghan’sreasonsfor ordering the ceremony,which appeared on theship’sdaily schedule for meal times and other routine activity

Carey Callaghan said his

Aremarkablething, Cal-

off Guadalcanal.

Environmentalstewardship is an importantpart of themission at ExxonMobil BatonRouge,and its team memberscollaborate with localuniversities, environmentalorganizationsandgovernmentagencies to developsolutions that benefit both industry and theenvironment Oneplace wherethisenvironmental stewardship happensisthe Wildlife EducationBuilding(WEB) andArboretum around ExxonMobil’s BatonRouge facilities.This200-acrespace,hometoover1,600 treesand diversewildlife, serves as aresourcefor school groups,clubs andcampers to learnmoreabout habitatcreation,healthy ecosystems andtheir role in theenvironment.Since last summer,hundredsof students have participated in STEM projects in the space, as well as nature walksand hands-on activities likebuildingbirdhousesandlearningaboutpollinators. TheWEB andsurrounding spacehas made such a positive impact that last year,the national Wildlife HabitatCouncildesignateditasasilver-levelCertified Wildlife Habitat.

“Thisrecognition reflectsthe dedication of our team to creatingecosystemsthatnot only protect localwildlifebut also engage andeducate thenext generation,” said Tara Bazille, ExxonMobil Baton RougeEnvironmental Advisor. “Webelieve that by balancingeconomicgrowthwithenvironmental responsibility, we canbuild abrighterfuturefor our communityand theplanet.”

litter.The majorityof thelitter (33percent) wasplastic, while 17 percent waspaper Smaller amounts of styrofoam,glass, metaland othermaterialshave also been collected.

Anotherproject for ExxonMobil hasbeenits work alongthe MonteSanoBayou,which is located adjacent to thecompany’s facilities in NorthBaton Rouge. Thebayou is part of theBRECparksystemand is recognized as acriticalstormwaterdemonstration site by theLouisiana Stormwater Coalition(LSC) for itsvital role in absorbingstormwaterand reducing floodinginBaton Rouge.

In July 2024, alitterboomwas installedacross MonteSanoBayou thanks to an investment by ExxonMobilincollaborationwiththeLSCandOsprey Initiative LLC. This floatingbarrier is designed to preventlitterfromcontinuingtomovedownstream, andthe collectedlitterisassessedtodetermine its source,withthe ultimate goal of reducing it “Aslong-standing membersofthe NorthBaton Rougecommunity,weare dedicatedtoenhancing thequality of life forour neighborsand employees,” said Regina Davis, ExxonMobil ComplexRefinery Manager. “Our collaborationonthisinitiativereflects ourcommitmenttomaintainingthehigheststandards ofrespectandcarefortheneighborhoodssurrounding ourfacilities.” So far, theboomhas collectedclose to 1,000poundsof

“Wehopethatthislitterboomwillhelpkeepthe bayouclean andfreeoftrash anddebris,”saidJeff Kuehny,Directorofthe BotanicGardens at Burden andLSC co-founder.“Over thepasttwo-plusyears,we have proudlyworkedwithExxonMobilonhands-on cleanupsofthebayou,andweweregratefultoenhance this work with theinstallationofapermanent litter removalboom. By reducing andpreventinglitterin thebayou,wewillstrengthenour efforts to improve stormwater management,beautifyour community andsupport acleaner MississippiRiver andGulf. ThreeExxonMobilprojectswerealsorecently celebrated at theLouisiana Department of Environmental Quality’sEnvironmental Leadership Program Awards foroutstanding leadership in theareas of PollutionPreventionand EnvironmentalOutreach. Theprojectsrecognized included wastereductionsat theBaton RougeComplex andPlasticsPlant as well as communityand environmentaloutreachprograms in NorthBaton Rouge. In addition to this work,ExxonMobilisaproud sponsorofLovethe Boot Week,anannualinitiative acrossLouisianatocleanuplitterandbeautifyspaces Keep LouisianaBeautiful,the organizationthathosts Love theBootWeek, awardedExxonMobilthe Clean BizLeadershipAward in 2023 for itsdedicationto themission andits operationalpractices to support acleaner andgreener community. ExxonMobil’s commitment to creating apositive impact in BatonRouge goes beyond asingular corporateinitiative. It encompassesacomprehensive series of efforts aimedatfostering acleaner,more resilientfuturebycollaborating with

laghansaid, wasthat three yearsearlier, his grandfatherlosthis brother, Rear Adm. Daniel Callaghan, to Japanese gunfire

PHOTO FROM NATIONALARCHIVES

AJapanese Zero fighter plane hit the USSMissouri in waters off Okinawa, Japan, on April 11, 1945.

-Michael C.

THE GULF COAST

LuckyDogsopens a cart in BaySt. Louis

Expansionanother bite into thehistory of the French Quarterstaple

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

For nearly 80 years, late-night partyers on Bourbon Street have drunkenly staggered to Lucky Dog carts stationed in the heart of New Orleans for an ultra-processed American delicacy dripping with chiliand relish.

The French Quarterispackedwith bastions of haute cuisine, fromthe James Beard Award-winning Jewel of the South to the world-famous Brennan’s. Butdespite its many culinary accolades, Lucky Dogs has been astaple that’ssold over 21 million hot dogs since 1947.Itwas even the inspiration behindthe fictitious Paradise Vendors stand in John Kennedy Toole’s“A Confederacy of Dunces.”

In recent years, its popularity has expanded beyond New Orleans, with carts landing in Baton Rouge, Hammond and now,its first out-of-state venture in Mississippi.

Buoys Bar,alocal hot spot on the beach in Bay St.Louis, announcedon socialmedia last month that Lucky Dogs is serving on their boardwalk, earning athumbs-up on Facebook from the city’smayor,Carnival krewe and shopping district

The expansion shows thatthe American desire for hasty service and cheap prices goes beyond the bustling locations where hot dog stands predominantly thrive, like New York City and Chicago. The classic dish doesn’tcatertoa specific clientele, landing in the hands of more than just revelers scrounging forabite to eat past midnight.

Founder Steve Loyacano created Lucky Dogs with the intent of sellingafast food that would satisfy anyone’shunger pangs. It dawned on him that while the FrenchQuarter is overflowing with chic restaurants, it

Buoys Bar in BaySt. Louis has added the first out-of-stateLucky Dogcart.

also hasits fair shareofbars. Andafteranight of heavy drinking, people crave aquick bite to eat, rather than afive-course meal.

“In real life, Paradise HotDogs areLucky Dogs,”a Times-Picayune reporter wrote in 1981. “Tube steaks for the hungry.Abacchanal for the drunken. Nectar for the Bourbon Street beehive. Hot dogs fresh from the womb of the mother ship.”

Outsideofserving anationallyloved food, Lucky Dogs’ branding attracted acascading line of customersdaily, especially at the1984 World’sFair,when the7-foot cart was replaced with alengthier one made from sheet metal.

The company debutedits 10-footlong cart,shaped like ahot dog with mustard-drizzledsausagecradled in abun, designedbyanother local shop. Dressed in striped smocksand paper hats, vendors would push the cart to the corner of Bienville and Bourbonstreets, where they occasionally hawked their wares.

“Most people’sattention was attractedtothe carts,” Loyacanoadmitted in a1981 interview,“But Ilike to think we put out agood product, too.”

Theproduct is, in fact, just as unforgettable as the branding, outliving acatalogue of local institutions —Schwegmann’s, K&B, McKenzie’s —that did not stand the test of time.

EmailPoet Wolfe at poet.wolfe @theadvocate.com.

OceanSprings waterfront home most wishlisted Airbnb in Miss.

Cabinhas hottub, fire pitand more

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

Astrikingly orange home

perchedonhighstiltsoverlooking the Gulf of Mexico was ranked themostwishlisted vacation rental in Mississippi.

Lastmonth, Airbnb compiled alist of the most desired listings in the U.S., based on internal guest searches. The data revealed that some vacationers are interested in propertiesin private, forested areas —like atriangular cabin in Many and atreehouseoutside of Dallas —while others are hoping to resort to awaterfront getaway as summer approaches.

Nestled in the Belle Fontaineneighborhood, the Ocean Springs property spans 1,708 square feet with three bedrooms, five beds and two baths, according to the listing. Most of the interior adheres to contemporary designs,withwhite walls and aglowing neon sign that reads “The Ocean Springs House” in gold cursive above thecouch.

Ahomebase for outdoor activities, therental features afire pit besiegedbylounge chairs and string lights, as well as kayaks and aprivatehot tub that sits on abalcony.Near the fire pit are soft white sands, separatingthe Gulf waters from acres of grassland.

Theproperty’s No. 1ranking is understable forreasons beyond itsserene nature —it’s settled in an artistic hub known for its ever-growing dining scene, artand boutique shopping.

Ocean Springs was once voted one of America’shappiest seaside towns by Southern Living’sreaders, largely in part of

A. Amethystand Diamondtip bangle,2mm,$1,450B.Pearl anddiamond bangle bracelet,4mm,$2,190 C. Pearland diamondtip bangle,4mm,$1,850D.Amethystand diamondpendant,$1,850E.Amethyst anddiamond earrings,$4,650F.Rhodolite Garnet anddiamond pavé bangle,4mm,$4,190G.Amethyst anddiamond pavé bangle,4mm, $4,190 H. London Blue Topazand diamond pavé bangle,4mm,$4,190 I. Amethystand diamondclosedbanglebracelet, 6mm, $2,975 Allitems arecrafted in 14Kgoldand sterlingsilver.

itswaterfrontviews, live oaks and bustling downtown. And just outside of it is Biloxi, an area that attracts thousands every year with its casinos and beaches.

Though it reigns as oneof the oldest cities in Mississippi, Ocean Springs is home to amix of historic andcontemporary institutions. The downtown area is filledwith restaurants, including Vestige —a James Beardaward finalist that specializes in Japanese-inspired cuisine— and Tatonut Donut Shop, abakery that has been using potato flour as its“secret”ingredi-

ent since 1960.

For decades, Ocean Springs, Bay St. Louis and Biloxi alike have attracted an influx of New Orleanians whowantatemporary escapefroma more chaotic city life.

But on anational level, there has been an increase in nearby summergetawaysand spontaneous travel. The rise comesatatime when scheduling atrip is nearly effortless, thanks to remote workdrivenbythe pandemic andeasily accessible websites forbooking vacationrentals and plane flights.

About 25% of guest searches were for trips within 50 to 300 miles, according to Airbnb in the list of most-wished rentals. Anothertravel-related company, American Express, said in its 2024 Global Travel Trends Report that78% of respondents found spontaneous trips appealing and 44% favored spontaneity over planning while traveling.

Email Poet Wolfe at poet. wolfe@theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTOByAIRBNB

Nestled in the Belle Fontaine neighborhood, the Ocean Springs, Miss., property spans 1,708 square feet with three bedrooms, five bedsand twobaths.

‘Roaddiets’are bucked by Trumpadministration

Lane removals were used to calm traffic

BY JEFF McMURRAY Associated Press

Astylist was just starting her shift at asalon in Kansas City,Missouri, when acar smashed through the storefront window and landed in thewaiting areaafew feet away

Such crashes were so commonalong31stStreet that business owners regularly texted one another photos showing the damage caused by vehicles speeding along thefour-lane road lined with shops, bars and restaurants, which drivers used as ashortcut between major highways.

“A wide roadmakes people think, ‘We’ll just drive as fast as we want on it,’”said Ryan Ferrell, who owns the property housing the salon, abookstore andapartments above.

When concrete sidewalk barriers didn’twork, Ferrell and other business leaders campaigned to put the street on a“road diet.”

Removing lanes has been atool numerous citieshave used for years to calm traffic, despite resistance from some Republican governors.

President Donald Trump’s administration doesn’tlike it either Federal transportation officials once heralded road diets for cutting crashesby 19% to 47%, but criteriafor an upcoming roundofroad safetygrants say projects aimed at “reducinglane capacity” should be considered “lessfavorably,”the administration said.

Forcing travelers into more constrainedspaces “canlead to crashes, erratic maneuvers, and afalse sense of security that puts everyone at risk,” the U.S. Department of Transportation said in an email statement to The Associated Press.

“The update reflects the Department’sconcerns about the safety hazards associated with congestion.”

Subtract trafficlanes

Kansas City saved some money when it converted 31st Street in 2022 because agas line was goinginanyway It reopened with onelane in each direction instead of two, ashared turn lane near thesignalized intersections, better pedestrian crossings and protected on-street parking spaces.

Road diets are now an almost automatic partof the process in KansasCity whenever astreet is up for repaving.

For years, federal guidelines said lane reductions were usuallyappropriate on roads carrying fewer than 25,000 vehicles aday.Most of the city’sfour-lane roads don’tmeet that threshold. BobbyEvans,an urban planner at the Mid-America Regional Council who has workedonKansas City’s

road diets, calls the strategy“asmashingsuccess” andone of the most effective tools atreducingspeed, crashes and injuries.

“In the architectural worldyou’d callitenvironmental determinism,” Evanssaid.“Youwantto make it so they don’tfeel comfortable goingtoo fast. You’re really not slowing them down. You’re bringingthem back to thespeed limit.”

Rethinking speed

Numerous other cities have credited road diets with improving safety. Philadelphia cited a19% dropininjurycrashes. Portland, Oregon, saw a more than 70% decline in vehicles traveling at least 10 mph over the speed limit. The average speed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, fell by 5mph on some roads within months.

But Jay Beeber, executive director for policy at the National Motorists Association,anadvocacyorganization for drivers,saidmost road diets represent an illadvised effort to forcevehicles offthe road. The number of vehicles may decline on dieted roads, butthen surrounding roadshaveto absorb the traffic, he said.

“Those cars have to go somewhere,” he said. “Cars are likewater.They seek theirown level.”

Leah Shahum,who directs theVisionZero Network, a nonprofitadvocating for street safety, saidroad diets areinexpensive and supported by yearsofresearch CitiesinRepublican-led states are among the convertsand Shahum isn’tsure if the Trump administration’snew guidance will make them reconsider

“I certainly hope that does not bleed over intoindirectly discouraging communities from using this proven safety countermeasure ” Shahum said. “That would be areal loss.”

Impact in emergencies

Trump’stransportation department citeddelivery and emergency vehicles

among its concerns.

WhenUniversity of Iowa researchers surveyed firstresponders in Cedar Rapids,their study published last year found no noticeable difference in response time when aroad diet was in place.

There was, however,a perceived need to educate drivers aboutwhattodo when an ambulance uses a center turn lane to pass.

Cara Hamann, an associateprofessor of epidemiology who co-authored the study,saidshe recalledno major examples of EMS or fire trucks being unable to get through.

“The road diet didn’t cause alevel of congestion that slowedthemdown,” shesaid.

Resistance before Trump

Even beforeTrump,skepticism was growing in some red states.

SanAntoniospent years planning to repurpose a formerly state-owned portionofits Broadway Street by removing vehicle lanes and improving astretch for bikesand pedestrians. But Texasabruptly reclaimed the road in 2022 and nixed theproject as GOPGov Greg Abbott ran for reelection andcalled for an end to anti-car policies.

“Theybasically used Broadway as apolitical football,” saidBryan Martin, owner of Bronko Bikes, an electric bike repair shop.

Florida’sRepublican Gov RonDeSantis signed abill last year calling for a180day review period and several other stepsbefore a local government can eliminatealane. He saiditwould preventactivists from intentionally clogging roads to slow vehicles

Not all the pushback has come from Republican-led states.

During the pandemic, Culver City,California, implemented aroad diet to prioritize walking, biking andtransit. Butwhencars returned and traffic backed up for miles,the cityreversed theplan. Some residents suedin

Vancouver, Washington, saying the city should have put its road diets up for a public vote

“I’ve seen people passing in theshoulderorthe bike lane,” said Justin Wood,one of theopponents. “It creates more opportunity for conflict.”

Evans, theplanner in Kansas City,saidroaddiets can’tstop all reckless drivers.

“Ifyou are bound and determined to go 12 miles over the speed limit on a three-lane road, you’re going to have to engage in some stupid, dangerous driving,” Evans said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByCHARLIE REIDEL

Awoman and her dogs cross 31stStreet in Kansas City, Mo., where the city implemented a‘road diet,’reducing the street from four lanes to twoinanefforttoreduce speeding and accidents.

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Newdetails emerge aboutseizure of Peanut thesquirrel

Social media star waseuthanized

BY MICHAEL HILL Associated Press

New York environmental workers who came with a warrant looking for Peanut the squirrel found the scampering social media star on abathtub. His housemate, Fredthe raccoon, wasina suitcase in abedroom closet.

Soon after the Oct. 30 seizure,bothanimals were euthanizedand Peanutbecame amartyr— held up as asymbol of government overreach by political candidates, includingRepublican vice presidential candidate JD Vance, who invoked Peanut’sname during arally just days before the presidential election.Stateand Local officials were inundated with angry messages and even bomb threats.

How did events in asleepy corner of upstate New York snowball so dramatically?

Records recently released under freedom of information requests show complaintsabout the P’nuts Freedom Farm Animal Sanctuary were initially treated with little urgency by the state Department of Environmental Conservation —but that changed in the weeks leading up to the fateful seizure amid new complaints and the reported arrival of raccoons to the sanctuary Government officials laid the groundwork for euthanizing the animals so they could be tested for rabies in the days before the seizure.

Yetastate employee also lined up awildlife rehabilitator to take Peanut, if needed.

Afinal phone call to discuss Peanut’sfate was made after the squirrel bit the gloved thumb of awildlife biologist, according to records.

Whowas Peanut?

Peanut, also known as P’nut, was the star of the sanctuary run by Mark Longo and Daniela Bittner in Southport near the Pennsylvania line. Online videos show the squirrel skittering on Longo’sshoulders, holding and eating wafflesand wearing atiny cowboy hat.

Longo said he found Peanut years ago in NewYork City after the animal’s mother was hit by acar It’sagainst New York state law to possess awildanimal without alicense, though Longo and Bittner took steps last year to become wildlife rehabilitators.

Fred the raccoon was dropped off at the sanctuary last summer

The spirited interactions between the animals and their human companions racked up views —but documents show they also drew the attention of critics and state wildlife authorities

The road to seizure

The DEC knew aboutthe sanctuary since at least January 2024.

“A report came in of arecent news story about this facility,” reads an incident report. “There are imagesof anon-releasable squirrel being referredtoasa‘pet’ and being dressedup and showcased for publicity reasons.”

One self-described wildlife rehabilitator and former neighbor emailed authorities multiple times with complaints about how the animals were being treated In May, aconservationof-

PROVIDED PHOTO

Peanut, asquirrel whowas astar on social media, lived as a pet withMark LongoinSouthport, N.y.

ficer spoke to Longo and was told that Peanut and another baby squirrel were sent to Connecticut. Longo said in arecent interviewthat was true,but that Peanut later cameback

When afresh complaint cameinthat month, one officer wrote, “no judge will give us asearch warrant for asquirrel.”

“Unfortunately this isn’ta bigcrime, it is just aviolation,” aconservationofficer wroteinresponse to acomplaint that summer.“Mark won’t letmeinto his house without asearch warrant. There is justnothing more Ican do at this point. Iam sorry.”

Views shifted byOctober amid more complaints and the arrival of Fred the raccoon —a species that can carry and transmit rabies.

One correspondent alleged Longo was “keeping araccoon inasmallcage inhis house. Ifollowhim on TikTok.” DEC workers viewedvideos on Facebook,TikTok andInstagramand reached out to the Chemung County health department State environmental officials asked acounty health official ifthey recommend testinganimalsfor rabies “as aprecaution for human safety ”Thatwouldrequire the animals to be killedso brain tissuecould beexamined.

The county, in turn, checked with astate health departmentexpert, who advised the animals would need to be tested if there

was anypotential of rabies exposure. Aweek before the search, the countyemailed theDEC:

“Wefully expect thatall ‘wild’ animalsinthe home will need to be euthanized and sent for rabies testing due to thenature of thehuman contact.”

Ajudge signed asearch warrant authorizing the seizure of illegally possessed wildlife.

Bite gone wrong

Ateam of aboutadozen searchersconvergedon Longo’sproperty around 10:30 a.m. on themorning of Oct. 30.

Longo said the squirrelwas taken to Connecticut, according to the incident report though he later conceded to TheAssociatedPress that was alie in ahighly stressful moment

Bittnerrevealed to searchersthe raccoon wasinan upstairscloset.Fred was in an open suitcaseonthe floor, which was zippedclosed and moved to give workers room to transfer theraccoon into a carrier.

Peanut’sseizure was more dramatic. Thesquirrelbit the state wildlifebiologist through athick leather glove withanitrile exam glove underneath. The worker had a bleeding wound, according to aDEC email.

A“visibly upset” Longo pleaded withsearchersnot to take Peanut and said the squirrel was alargesource of income for the farm,according to incident reports.

“He stated he knew we

would be euthanizing it,” the report reads DidPeanutneedtodie?

Anger over Peanut’s fate revolves around the belief by critics that he was needlessly killed.

Longo believes euthanization was alwaysonthe government’sagenda,citing the pre-search emailindicating that testing on theanimals was expected. Longo and Bittnersaid they did not witnessanyone getting medical attention during theseizure.

ADEC report indicates the agency took steps before the raid to place thesquirrel with awildlife rehabilitator, if needed “for temporay holding/rehabbing.” The agency also coordinated with local animalcontrol in caseanimals needed to be euthanized.

Thedocuments suggest Peanut’s fate was ultimate-

ly sealed at the end of the search, whenacall wasmade to acounty health department official about the “high profile” case. Astate DEC worker recalled in areport that thepersononthe phone said “both animals should be tested as aprecaution as she didn’twant to chance it.”

That’sbecause both animals were in direct contact withpeople in thehome and the squirrel bit someone.

County officials have said they had to follow rabies protocols from the state.

“Sad but it has to be done,” acounty health officialwrote in an emailthatafternoon.

“The poor animals didn’tdo anything wrong.”

The rabies tests were performed quickly,though officials didn’tpublicly disclose the negative results until almost two weeks later

By then, Peanut’s death had made headlines around

the world. Bombthreats weremade to the DEC buildings. Government inboxes filled up with emails containing invective like “BURN IN HELL,” “SHAME ON YOU!!!”A caller to the state left amessage beginning, “I want to knowexactly why youfreaks killed Peanut the squirrel. Youpeople are insane.” TheDEC conducted an internal investigation after the seizure, eventually promising to add anew deputy commissioner for public protection and to develop abodycamera policyfor itsofficers

“Wehave carefully reviewedall thepublic feedback andweunderstandthe distress caused to communities throughout the state,” acting Commissioner Amanda Lefton said in aprepared release last month. “Weknow that we can do better moving forward.”

By Amanda McElfresh,amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

This isn’t just aboutsecondchances.It’sabout rewritingfutures AcrossLouisiana,adult learners arestepping intoclassroomsnotwithshameorregret—butwith purpose, power, andpromise.Manyare parents determined to buildbetterlives fortheir children, workersbreaking free from low-wage incomes, andindividualsreclaimingdreamsoncesetaside Behindeachofthese storiesisthe continued movement ledbythe LouisianaCommunity and TechnicalCollege System (LCTCS)and itspartners. It’s amovementfueledbybelief in human potential—onethatmeets learners wherethey areand helpsthemrise.

KristenHardnett’sjourney is oneofmany. At 50,she didn’t just earn herhighschooldiploma throughEmpower 225, sheunlockeda newlife. Herstory,likethousands more,isproof that when adulteducationisdoneright,itdoesn’tjustchange résumés. It changesentiretrajectories.

“I wasacustomerservice representative at an insuranceagency, whichwasn’ta badjob,but Iwas stuckmaking$12 an hour,” Hardnett said “I knew Icould do better.And more than that Iwantedtobea better role modelfor my son. I couldn’t askhim to finishschoolifI hadn’t done thesame.Earningmyhighschoolequivalencywas theright thingtodo. Ihavenoregrets.”

Today,HardnettisanambassadorforEmpower 225and avocal advocate foradult education. She speaks at conferences,encouragespeers,and is preparingtoenrollatBaton RougeCommunity Collegetopursueher dreamofbecominga licensed mental health counselor. Alongthe way, she’sapplyingfor jobsthatsupport children with autism—likeher son.

DirectorofAdult Educationfor LCTCS. “Not everyone hasthe same goal,and ourprograms arebuilt to reflect that.Whether someonewants abetterjob,tohelptheir kids with homework,or to finally readfluently—we’re here to help them getthere.”

Adulteducation services areoffered at no cost acrossallLCTCSinstitutionsanddozensofpartner sitesstatewide—including schools, churches,and communitycenters At RiverParishesCommunity College(RPCC), adulteducation is more than aprogram—it’s acommunity.ChancellorQuintin Taylor says that’s intentional. From studentIDbadgestoaccesstocampus resources,adult learners arefullyintegrated into thecollege environment. Butthe real gamechanger? Theopportunity to pursue workforce trainingatthe same time they work toward their high school equivalency.

“Our integrated educationand trainingmodel allows students to stackcredentials andearn industry-based certificationswhile earningtheir diploma,” Taylor said.“It motivatesthemand

showsthemwhat’spossible—notjust ajob,but a career they canbeproud of.”

RPCC also provides robust advising,tutoring, andacademicsupport,recognizingthatconfidence andconnectionare as importantascurriculum. “Peopledon’t drop outofhighschoolbecause they aren’t smart,”Taylorsaid. “Lifegetsinthe way. We’reheretoshowthem that theirstory doesn’tend there. We’reheretohelpthemwrite thenextchapter.”

“Twoyearsago,Iwouldn’tbetalkingaboutthese things,”she said.“ButIknowthere arepeopleout therewho’vefallenbythe wayside. If Ican help someoneelsebelieve in themselves,thenthat’s what I’mgoing to do.

Kristen’sstory is onevoice in agrowing chorus of adultlearnerswho arebreakingbarriers, discoveringtheir value, andreclaimingtheir stories—eachfortheirownreason.Someareyoung adults wholefthighschooltoo soon.Othersare single parentsseeking stabilityorolder adults chasingconfidence,literacy, or simply thepride of achievement.

“Wealwaysstart with aconversationabout whytheyare here,”saidErinLandry, Executive

AprilPorterfieldhaswitnessedtransformation firsthand. As ExecutiveDirectorofVolunteer InstructorsTeachingAdults(VITA), aLafayette-basednonprofitand LCTCSpartner,she believes that adulteducation is aboutmorethan academics—it’s aboutrebuildingself-worth. “Earning adiploma isn’tjustacredential,”she said.“It’s proofthattheycan finish what they started. That they matter.Thatthey’re capable.

VITA’sone-on-onetutoringmodelpairsstudents with volunteers whooften sharesimilar backgroundsorcareergoals.These relationshipsoffer more than instruction; they providementorship, accountability,and hope “Matchingstudentswithmentors from similar fieldsshows them that theirgoals arepossible, Porterfield said.“It makessuccess feel realand reachable.”

AcrossLouisiana,adultlearnersarereclaiming theirfutures—one classroom, onecredential,one breakthrough at atime. Whether they’reseeking better jobs, supporting theirfamilies, or fulfilling long-helddreams, thesestudentsare provingthat it’s nevertoo late to learn, grow,and lead

As AdultEducation Advocacy Monthshines a spotlightontheir progress,the messageisclear: withtherightsupport,everylearnerhasthepower to change theirstory—and in doingso, change theircommunity To learnmoreabout adulteducation opportunities near you, visitwww.lctcs.edu/workready-u

LSU president touts research gains as federal cuts loom

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

Since taking the reins of Louisiana’s flagship university four years ago, LSU President William F. Tate IV has celebrated some big wins.

The public university shattered enrollment records last fall, with nearly 42,000 students across its eight campuses and online and its highest-achieving class of incoming freshmen ever

This week, LSU announced another milestone: The university spent a record $543 million on research during the 2023-24 academic year with most of the funds coming from federal grants and contracts. The research has improved Louisiana’s agricultural yields, led to advances in cancer treatment, protected the state’s coasts and fisheries, enhanced cybersecurity and promoted the energy industry, the university said

“The momentum is jaw-dropping,” Tate said in an interview Wednesday at the state Capitol, where he’d come to tout the school’s accomplishments during its annual “LSU Day” celebration Yet LSU also faces headwinds that could disrupt its progress and derail its research.

The National Institutes of Health and the U.S. Department of Energy have said they will slash research funding for universities. The moves have been challenged in court, but they could cost universities billions of dollars if enacted. The financial uncertainty led Tate to enact a systemwide hiring freeze last month.

President Donald Trump has also threatened to cut funding to universities that promote diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, which Trump calls discriminatory And his administration has revoked international students’

Q&A WITH WILLIAM F. TATE IV

PRESIDENT OF LSU

visas, though federal officials said Friday they would temporarily restore the students’ legal status. Closer to home, LSU is navigating questions from lawmakers about its enrollment practices, state hiring restrictions and a possible reduction in state-funded scholarships.

The Times-Picayune and The Advocate asked Tate about LSU’s recent gains and the challenges ahead The interview has been condensed and edited for clarity

How did LSU get to this record level of research activity?

It’s grown 14% a year for the last three years.

The plan was very clear: We were doubling down on our identity as an A&M school where agriculture and mechanical was going to drive what we did. We came up with our ”pentagon” strategy of agriculture, biomedical science, coastal research, defense and energy.

The momentum is jaw-dropping relative to where we were four years ago. It was a business plan that’s now coming to life.

It’s exciting for students. You can go to a place where people are actually working with companies, innovating and creating solutions to problems.

What’s the status of LSU’s federal research funding?

Right now we’re not affected because all of the those decisions (to reduce funding) are in court.

If the NIH (National Institutes of Health) one happened, that’s a $12 million hit for us as a system.

Department of Energy is about a million dollars that we would have to come up with ourselves.

Our hope is that there is a negotiation and we can come up with a rate that actually covers our cost

for doing research.

If the federal cuts are upheld, what would be the impact at LSU?

Potentially you would not have funding for some staff, researchers and students. We’ve been operating with the perspective that we can make it through this year Then in the out years we would have to make some decisions.

All of our letters to graduate students right now are conditional. You’re admitted conditioned on having the financial support to take care of you.

That’s a very precarious situation because you’re talking about the most talented students in the country You’re basically telling them they have a conditional opportunity to go to our school as opposed to saying you’re definitively coming and we’re going to help you get a Ph.D. in physics or astronomy or microbiology or agriculture.

We can’t definitively say that right now and some of them will decide not to do it. That’s a talent loss for the country

The chancellor of LSU’s medical school in New Orleans recently said that Gov Jeff Landry’s state-government hiring freeze could have a “devastating” effect on the school. Can you talk about that?

We’re in a competition for clinicians either we hire them or someone else does.

We have health care partners that have to have these clinicians because they’re doctors who actually serve people while they simultaneously teach. If we don’t hire them, another organization might. That keeps us from growing our research. It keeps us from having the people we need.

A big part of our request to the state will be: We’ve got to be able to hire our clinical faculty They

legislative friends to educate them as best we can.

We’re trying to help everyone understand the full impact of any decision. I feel comfortable with the fact that they’re very open to being educated.

The bill was recently amended to add an extra stipend for LSU’s TOPS students. Does that go far enough?

You know that’s really a question for the parents.

More than a dozen international students in Louisiana were among those whose visas were revoked. Have any LSU students been affected?

I have not received any information that suggests we’ve had any visas revoked or any visa problems at all.

aren’t really paid with state dollars, they generate their own revenue. So we’re hopeful that those kinds of requests will be able to be dealt with.

One way LSU generates revenue is by enrolling out-of-state students, who pay higher tuition. Can you talk about that?

The strategy is to maintain or increase the number of in-state students, which is basically what the data says we’ve done. And because LSU is a very big brand in the higher ed marketplace, we can take in more out-of-state students who are very qualified.

For every one we admit, they pay for two students who are actually here. So they subsidize the current students.

What I always say is we’re the biggest in-migration tool in the state of Louisiana. If we keep just one or two out of every 10, that’s a really talented set of people who are going to come here and be taxpayers and add value to our state.

A bill in the Louisiana Legislature would set new rates for the state’s TOPS college scholarships that are higher at most schools, but lower at LSU (for some TOPS awards). What’s your stance on the bill?

Well we’re working with our

WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THE STATE HOW TO TACKLE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES FACING LOUISIANA SCHOOLS. HAVE AN IDEA?

About 4% of LSU students are international. What is the university doing to support them?

Well I think on all of our campuses our teams are working with the students to help them understand the policies going on in the country and to just affirm that we value them.

Critics argue that the Trump administration’s efforts to force changes at universities pose a threat to academic freedom. What are your thoughts on that?

The foundational purpose of the university is the pursuit of truth. Our job is to be able to pursue and discover what is real and

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSU President William F Tate IV speaks Feb. 6 during the 30th annual Black History ceremony at the U.S District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, in Baton Rouge.

84% of coral reefs hit by worst bleaching event on record

‘We’re looking at something that’s completely changing the face of our planet’

BY ISABELLA O’MALLEY Associated Press

Harmful bleaching of the world’s coral has grown to include 84% of the ocean’s reefs in the most intense event of its kind in recorded history the International Coral Reef Initiative announced Wednesday

It’s the fourth global bleaching event since 1998, and has now surpassed bleaching from 2014-17 that hit some two-thirds of reefs, said the ICRI, a mix of more than 100 governments, nongovernmental organizations and others. And it’s not clear when the current crisis, which began in 2023 and is blamed on warming oceans, will end.

“We may never see the heat stress that causes bleaching dropping below the threshold that triggers a global event,” said Mark Eakin, corresponding secretary for the International Coral Reef Society and retired chief of the Coral Reef Watch program of the U.S

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

“We’re looking at something that’s completely changing the face of our planet and the ability of our oceans to sustain lives and livelihoods,” Eakin said Last year was Earth’s hottest year on record, and much of that is going into oceans. The average annual sea surface temperature of oceans away from the poles was a record 69.57 degrees Fahrenheit.

That’s deadly to corals, which are key to seafood production, tourism and protecting coastlines from erosion and storms. Coral reefs are sometimes dubbed “rainforests of the sea” because they support high levels of biodiversity — approximately 25% of all marine species can be found in, on and around coral reefs.

Coral get their bright colors from the colorful algae that live inside them and are a food source for the corals.

Prolonged warmth causes the algae to release toxic compounds, and the coral eject them. A stark white skeleton is left behind, and the weakened coral is at heightened risk of dying

The bleaching event has been so severe that NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch program has had to add levels to its bleaching alert scale to ac-

count for the growing risk of coral death.

Efforts are underway to conserve and restore coral.

One Dutch lab has worked with coral fragments, including some taken from off the coast of the Seychelles, to propagate them in a zoo so that they might be used someday to repopulate wild coral reefs if needed. Other projects, including one off Florida, have worked to rescue corals endangered by high heat and nurse them back to health before returning them to the ocean.

But scientists say it’s essential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that warm the planet, such as carbon dioxide and methane.

“The best way to protect coral reefs is to address the root cause of climate change. And that means reducing the human emissions that are mostly from burning of fossil fuels everything else is looking more like a Band-Aid rather than a solution,” Eakin said.

“I think people really need to recognize what they’re doing inaction is the kiss of death for coral reefs,” said Melanie McField, co-chair of the Caribbean Steering Committee for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, a network of scientists that monitors reefs throughout the world.

Bleached coral is visible at the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, off the coast of Galveston, Texas, in 2023.

The group’s update comes as President Donald Trump has moved aggressively in his second term to boost fossil fuels and roll back clean

energy programs, which he says is necessary for economic growth.

“We’ve got a government right now that is working

very hard to destroy all of these ecosystems removing these protections is going to have devastating consequences,” Eakin said.

Details of judge’s suspension revealed

Johnson Rose must repay judiciary, complete extra education

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Baton Rouge judge Eboni John-

son Rose was the focus of five judicial misconduct complaints in little more than a month’s span last year

The mistakes she made on the bench in four different 19th Judicial District Court criminal cases were so alarming, Louisiana Supreme Court justices took the unusual step of immediately removing her from the bench last August while an investigation into her actions played out.

That investigation reached its terminus last week when the Supreme Court, in a hotly contested split decision, agreed to a two-month unpaid suspension for Johnson Rose. Three jurists on the state’s court of authority including Chief Justice John Weimer — lobbied to have heftier fines and stiffer sanctions levied against the first-term district court judge.

Louisiana black bear population bouncing back

Species looking for food in residential areas

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Louisiana black bears are more common in northern and coastal parishes, but could that be changing?

Black bears have been spotted roaming around the greater Baton Rouge region in the past week, leaving residents to wonder if there are more black bears than normal this year

A bear went up to residents’ front doors in Holden on Tuesday Zachary residents found a bear calmly wandering through their yards Monday And instead of an Easter bunny a bear made its rounds Sunday in

the residential Watson area.

But John Hanks, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries large carnivore program manager, assures residents this is normal for springtime in this area.

“This time of year all the way to the summer — there is a lot of food availability,” Hanks said.

Since temperatures are rising, bears are more likely to be spotted as they look for food in the next few months — in any parish.

Bears, especially younger males, travel farther out for food and for less competition during breeding season in the summer, Hanks said. Some male bears will travel 20 miles a day looking for a mate. So, while bears are

ä See BEAR, page 2B

Judge says 2-year-old U.S. citizen deported to Honduras Friday

Officials say mother had active deportation order

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

A 2-year-old Louisiana girl who is a U.S. citizen was deported by Trump administration officials this week with “no meaningful process,” a federal judge wrote in a court order late Friday night.

U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents had flown the child a Baton Rougeborn girl described in court records by the initials V.M.L. to Honduras. She was deported Friday along with

her mother and 11-year-old sister who were not U.S. citizens and had active deportation orders for entering the country illegally

The 2-year-old appeared to have been deported despite pleas from immigration attorneys and the girl’s father to ICE officials, including in an earlier legal filing, that asserted she had been born in Louisiana and was a U.S. citizen, according to court records. Deporting a citizen is “illegal and unconstitutional,” Doughty a Trump appointee, wrote in his order “The government contends that this is all OK because the mother wishes that the child be deported with her,” Doughty said.

ä See DEPORTED, page 2B

But a majority of the justices agreed that the embattled Johnson Rose deserved a second chance. According to a consent order she reached with the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana, Johnson Rose escaped the kind of harsh suspension that has befallen other troubled Louisiana judges in the past. The Advocate obtained and reviewed a copy of the joint petition for discipline by consent. The 97-page report indicates Johnson Rose conceded to making a number of mistakes that violated judicial canons that govern Louisiana judges’ behavior Investigators determined she misapplied the law in a handful of rulings she made that were “contrary to the plain lan-

guage” of state statutes. They said she failed to show competence, and her errors “undermine(d) faith in the confidence of a fair and impartial judiciary.”

But Johnson Rose never skirted her miscues and fully cooperated with the Judiciary Commission throughout the investigation. Although her misconduct was “egregious” and serious, there were significant mitigating factors that worked in Johnson Rose’s favor

Valiant visit

STAFF PHHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Fran Raney picks her grandson, Noah Ramsey, off the Mike the Tiger statue outside of the LSU Tiger Cage on Wednesday.

Police: Man killed in gas station robbery

Staff report

A man was gunned down early Friday in an apparent robbery outside a gas station on Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, with the suspect fleeing the scene on a bicycle, according to police.

The incident occurred about

JUDGE

Continued from page 1B

and warranted a “sanction far short of removal,” according to the report.

“Due to her inexperience, she has, at times, clearly placed efficiency over accuracy Or been too willing to rely upon certain representations provided to her by attorneys appearing before her and/or has not taken the time necessary to make sure her understanding is on a solid footing,” attorneys for the Judicial Commission wrote.

“The misconduct committed was not the product of bad faith, done for personal gain, or due to laziness or indifference; nor were Judge Rose’s actions at issue undertaken to exploit her position or to satisfy any personal desires,” the report went on to state Order for suspension and more Johnson Rose, her attorney and members of the Judiciary Commission signed the discipline order March 28. The state Supreme Court finalized the agreement in a subsequent order released Wednesday Johnson Rose will remain suspended from her judicial duties for another two months — this time without pay She was also placed on probation for two years and ordered to pay the judiciary $11,196 to cover portions of the investigation as well as part of the tab for her temporary replacements.

During one of the two months of her unpaid suspension, Johnson Rose must regularly sit in on criminal proceedings and observe other, more seasoned judges. She can’t sit in on cases involving her father or uncle, who are also judges in the same courthouse. She must complete an extra 10 hours of continuing legal education training both years she is on probation and meet quarterly with a mentor judge chosen by the Judiciary Commission for consultation. Following her suspension, the commission will designate a judge to observe her in court periodically for the first month she is back on the bench

If Johnson Rose fails to comply with those terms, state Supreme Court justices can again remove her for an additional four months of unpaid suspension, which were deferred. The Judiciary Commission investigated each of the complaints through its Office of Special Counsel. Investigators determined Johnson Rose’s immediate disqualification was necessary to protect the public from a “substantial threat of serious harm” due to the flood of complaints against her in a such a short period In March 2024, the judge convicted Donald Steele, a former Baton Rouge police officer accused of sexual misconduct against a Southern University student, of “misdemeanor grade” malfeasance in office. Attorneys pointed out there is no such offense in Louisiana law, and she acquitted the defendant three weeks later, drawing intense objections from prosecutors. The First Circuit Court of Appeal overturned Johnson Rose in September and reinstated Steele’s felony conviction.

12:15 a.m. at the Exxon at 7234

Airline Hwy Officers arriving at the scene found 30-year-old Alejandro Gonzales-Martinez, who had been shot during a robbery, Baton Rouge police said in a release. Gonzales-Martinez was taken to a hospital where he later died from his wounds, police said.

Then in May 2024, Johnson Rose had to vacate the guilty plea of Texas lawyer who admitted to setting his ex-girlfriend’s Baton Rouge home on fire, after the judge realized she suspended too much of the man’s prison time.

But the commission reserved its harshest criticisms of Johnson Rose’s behavior for a pair of cases that reached disposition in April 2024.

Botched verdict

Eleven days after she reversed the verdict in Steele’s case, Johnson Rose had another run-in with state prosecutors. The judge, who is Black, accused East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore’s office of “systematically targeting Black men” during an April 29, 2024, sidebar with prosecutors and public defenders in her courtroom. The judge fumed that attorneys were requesting another postponement in a domestic battery case that languished on her docket, and sought to have the defendant plead guilty to crimes he denied committing. She was upset that the conviction was not expungeable and would remain on the defendant’s criminal record forever

“The young man doesn’t have any fricking felonies. And I know that the DA probably wants every young Black man in prison, but I don’t,”

Johnson Rose told attorneys during the bench conference, according to transcripts.

“And this case is goddamn 4 years old now,” she also said “And that’s the best that y’all can come up with? You’re just going to what, stick every n***** in jail?”

In the days after, Johnson Rose met privately with Assistant District Attorney Chaz Morgan, one of the prosecutors involved in the sidebar, and later with East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. The judge apologized for her behavior during the bench conference Yet during both meetings, she sought to address the perception that prosecutors routinely try to strike Black prospectives from jury panels in criminal cases and a perceived bias in plea offers made by the state.

Moore reported Johnson Rose to the Judiciary Commission after transcripts of the sidebar were released publicly and her comments were aired on news telecasts. Investigators weren’t swayed by the fact that Johnson Rose didn’t realize the bench conference was being recorded and thought the comments would remain between her and attorneys. They said her use of a racial slur in the courtroom became “very public” and eroded public confidence in the courts.

“In short, there can be no excuse for what Judge Rose said, and Judge Rose, to her credit, does not offer one. She takes full responsibility,” the consent order said.

Johnson Rose agreed it was inappropriate to address her grievances during the private conversations with Moore and Morgan and told the Office of Special Counsel she doesn’t believe the District Attorney’s Office is racially biased.

State investigators concluded Johnson Rose “applied impermissible pressure on the state to alter its plea offer” when she denied their

The suspect rode away from the scene on a bicycle His identity remains unknown as the investigation continues, powlice said. Anyone with additional information relative to the investigation is asked to contact the Violent Crimes Unit or Crime Stoppers at (225) 3894869 or (225) 344-7867.

request for continuance and lobbied for a better deal on the defendant’s behalf. Consequently, all charges were dismissed.

One day after the contentious sidebar, state Supreme Court justices overturned the conviction of a Baton Rouge teacher accused of bashing a car on a flooded street with a baseball bat and threatening its occupants with a gun. Johnson Rose presided over the teacher’s 2023 trial and originally read out a verdict of “not guilty,” but then returned everyone to the courtroom and issued a guilty verdict, saying the jury had misunderstood the instructions and inadvertently rendered the wrong outcome.

The Supreme Court, in overturning the verdict, ruled that Johnson Rose had improperly met with jurors alone after the trial and violated constitutional protections against double jeopardy One of the justices went so far as to question her “professional competency.”

Two sets of polling slips provided to the jurors during deliberations in the trial were lost. Investigators said Johnson Rose mishandled her “administrative responsibilities” as a judge by failing to deliver the slips to the Clerk of Court so they could be preserved in the record.

In a sworn statement, Johnson Rose admitted to the Office of Special Counsel the verdict forms and polling slips given to jurors were “confusing and incorrect.” She said she worked with her staff immediately after the debacle to revamp the forms in accordance with state law to prevent any future hiccups. Mitigating factors in the findings

In making their recommendation, the Judiciary Commission compared Johnson Rose to other judges who have been disciplined for making what the panel called “quirk errors” from the bench. The most recent was in October The state Supreme Court suspended St. John the Baptist District Judge Vercell Fiffie for six months without pay and fined him $9,125 after he disobeyed an order from the Fifth Circuit appeals court, recalled two bench warrants issued by another district judge, and refused to sign multiple arrest warrants in cases when there was probable cause. The Supreme Court found that Fiffie was resistant to feedback from the Judiciary Commission and “displayed a pattern of uncooperation” throughout the process. But Johnson Rose showed sincere remorse and took responsibility for her misgivings, the commission said. The panel took note of significant changes she made to correct her failures even before she was removed from the bench, such as fixing the verdict forms in her criminal cases. She underwent counseling, got a judge to mentor her and brushed up on her training. Last month, Johnson Rose completed a graduate program for judicial studies at the University of Nevada-Reno.

“She has further pledged to continue undertaking such significant efforts once allowed to return to the bench, to further ensure similar legal errors do not recur in the future,” the discipline report stated.

Email Matt Bruce at matt bruce@theadvocate.com.

BEAR

Continued from page 1B

normally found in parishes closer to Shreveport, it is not impossible to find them farther south.

“It’s always been like that,” Hanks said.

The Louisiana black bear population has bounced back significantly in recent years after being a threatened species for decades, so much so the state brought back black bear hunting season for the first time in 35 years last December and is now expanding it.

Hanks said this year the odds of seeing a black bear are on par with the past two to three years, but the odds of seeing a black bear are “higher now

DEPORTED

Continued from page 1B

“But the court doesn’t know that.” A White House spokesperson did not respond to multiple text and phone messages Saturday An ICE spokesperson did not respond to emailed questions about the case.

Doughty ordered a May 16 hearing at the federal courthouse in Monroe “in the interest of dispelling our strong suspicion that the Government just deported a U.S citizen with no meaningful process.”

The case highlights how Trump’s sweeping second-term immigration agenda is ensnaring people who may not be subject to deportation, particularly without a formal legal process.

The administration in recent weeks flew hundreds of Venezuelan men to a notorious prison in El Salvador under an agreement with that country’s president, spurring questions from federal judges about what they have described as a lack of due process the men received before their removal.

Louisiana has played a central role in Trump’s immigration crackdown in part due to its large number of ICE detention facilities, including an Alexandria facility connected to an airport from which the agency conducts deportation flights. The state is second only to Texas for the number of immigrants it holds in ICE detention.

Detained, deported

According to court filings in the Western District of Louisiana by immigration attorneys representing the 2-year-old girl’s father, Adiel Mendez Sagastume, ICE agents detained the child on Tuesday in New Orleans along with her mother, Jenny Carolina Lopez Villela, and her sister, who were attending a routine ICE check-in that morning. The family lives in the Baton Rouge area.

The father’s attorneys described communicating with ICE agents multiple times before the girl was deported. Yet federal officials refused to release V.M.L. to a legal custodian, Trish Mack, who was appointed by her father, even after the lawyers pointed out that the girl is a U.S. citizen, the attorneys said.

In response to Sagastume’s filing, Justice Department attorneys said that the little girl’s mother “made known to ICE of-

than 15 years ago.” Jerry Mitchell, of Holden, said he has lived in Louisiana for 61 years and has never seen a live bear until now Mitchell said a black bear walked right up to his front door a few days ago.

“It’s actually pretty amazing,” he said. “I find it strange they don’t mind coming right up to your home.”

Mississippi’s black bear population, which is partly made up of Louisiana black bears, is also growing. Bears from Mississippi and Arkansas can also find their way into Louisiana, Hanks said.

To avoid attracting bears, residents should secure food and bird feeders and remove garbage outside. Black bears rarely get aggressive, but bearwise.org has tips for what to do in an encounter

ficials that she wanted to retain custody of V.M.L.” and that she wished to bring the girl with her to Honduras.

Filings indicate that after being taken to an ICE detention center in Alexandria, the girl, her sister and her mother were put on a plane and sent to Honduras on Friday Court filings and a press statement by immigration attorneys indicate that the mother, Lopez Villela, is pregnant.

In his order, Doughty wrote that he called the administration’s lawyers shortly after noon on Friday “so that we could speak with V.M.L.’s mother and survey her consent and custodial rights.”

The government lawyers called back shortly after 1 p.m. and said that speaking with V.M.L.’s mother “would not be possible, because she (and presumably V.M.L.) had just been released in Honduras,” Doughty wrote.

The administration’s actions spurred an outcry from immigration advocates and attorneys. In a news release, the ACLU of Louisiana criticized a lack of careful review that preceded what they described as the stunning step of deporting a United States citizen.

“These types of disappearances are reminiscent of the darkest eras in our country’s history and put everyone, regardless of immigration status, at risk,” said Homero Lopez, an attorney with the Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy organization and former immigration judge, in the release.

The ACLU said that the Trump administration had deported another mother and two additional children, both of whom the organization described as U.S. citizens, the same week as V.M.L. was returned to Honduras with her mother

The families “had lived in the United States for years and had deep ties to their communities,” the ACLU said.

Glynn Wayne Altazan passed awayathis home on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the age of 64. He was a resident and native of Erwinville, LA. Glynn was a welder for Point Solitude Manufacturing. Visitation will be held at Wilbert Funeral Home, Port Allen on Monday, April 28, 2025, from5 to 9pm. Glynn is survived by his children, Levi Barbier and wife Nikki, Jessica Angel and husband Mike, Jamie Harrison, and Joshua Harrison; grandchildren, Kalee, Nation, Brittain, Laiden, Cypress, Baylee, Jayce, Brylee, Jacqualyn,Brady, and Joseph; greatgrandson Lane;siblings, Wanda VanNorden, Darryl Altazan and wife Carolyn, and Lizette "Beetsa" Hebert; sister-inlaw, Gwen Altazan Landry; godchild, Angie Schouest; and numerous nieces and nephews.Preceded in death by his wife, Jackie Altazan; parents, Elward and Lucille Gautreaux Altazan; siblings, Elward "Braco", Jr., Norman, Brett "Crack" Altazan; nephews, Darren and Derek Altazan; and niece, Skylar Jordan. Glynn loved fast cars, workingonanything mechanically and riding motorcycles. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and fabricating. Glynn also loved his family, especially his grandchildren.

Karen "KK"Bellue, 66, passed away on April 21, 2025. She was aloving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed raising her children, taking family vacations at The Beach Club (while enjoying aBushwhacker on the beach), and riding her bike around the neighborhood. KK leaves behind her loving anddevoted husband of 40 years, Russel Bellue, Jr.;two children, Rusti Marie Bellue and her spouse, Cameron Argento, and Joseph Lee Bellue and his spouse Allison Bellue; her granddaughter, Lillian Joy Bellue and another one on the way. She is also survived by her siblings, Yvonne Iglesias, Janice Aspern (Von), Robert Iglesias (Liz), and Joanne Doyle (Wayne). She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Joy DavisIglesias. Out of respect for KK's wishes, the family held asmall, intimateservice forher immediate family. Pallbearers are Joseph Bellue, Cameron Argento, Logan Maurello, Devon Maurello,and Wayne Doyle. KK was laid to rest in Greenoaks Memorial Park Cemetery in Baton Rouge, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donation be made in her name to St. Jude Foundation. The familywould like to thank everyone for their continued love and support during this time. You may visit www.greenoaksf

Boyett, Jerauld Coleman'Jerry'

JerauldColeman Boyett ("Jerry"), passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2025. Jerrywas bornonJune 7, 1938, in Pensacola,Florida Helived in Baton Rouge where he raised his family and retired from Shell Chemical,and movedto Gulf Shores, Alabama. Jerryenjoyed life to the fullestand washappiest on the waterthrowing his cast net, fishing with arod and reel or just apoleor shrimping.Healsoloved playing his guitarand singing. He and his wife Delia enjoyed travelingand campingand pretty much coveredthe U.S. and Mexico. He is survived by his wifeof68years, Cordelia Boyett, his brother, Tommy Boyett and wife, Anita Boyett, his daughter, Jerrie Landry and husband Richard Landry, and his son, Robert Boyett and wifeBernie Boyett, Grandchildren, Joseph Lockwood, ShellyLockwood and Benjamin Boyett,Great -Grandchildren, Gabby Stephens, Karissa Stephens and Chloe Lockwood. He was precededin death by his parents, Helen and C.H. Boyett and his son, MontyBoyett.

Visitation willbeat 11:00and servicebeginning at 12:00onMonday, April28, 2025, at Pensacola Memorial Gardens andFuneral Home,7433PineForestRoad, Pensacola,Florida 32526.

Cochran, Walter Thomas

WalterThomas Cochran passed awayonFriday April 18, 2025atthe ageof 75. Walter was born in New Orleans,LAand aresident of Plaquemine, LA. Walterproudly servedin the UnitedStatesArmyas aArmy Ranger in the Vietnam Warfrom1967-1968 during the Tet Offense. Walter worked his way from Mechanic to Master Mechanic. He was amember of American Post in New Orleans.

Belovedhusband to Sinthia Muller Cochran. Father to Aaron, Brenda, Larrie and Whitney Cochran, Tomis Berry and the late Malcolm Lemoine. Grandfather to Anjaleigha, Averi, Dakota and Mackie Cochran.

Sonofthe late Eloise and Fletcher Cochran.

Special thanks to The Crossing Hospice and Angelic Services

Relatives andfriends areinvited to attend the Memorial Service to be heldMonday April28, 2025 at the Louisiana National Cemeteryat1pm.

JosephLeonDiebold, Jr was born on Sunday, February 6, 1939, and passed away on Tuesday, April22, 2025, at theage of 86. He was anativeofNew Orleans, LA,and aresident of Prairieville,LA. Joehonorably served his country in theAir Force Reserves. He graduated from Istrouma High School in 1957. After 39 yearsofservice, he retired fromExxon Chemical Plant,without ever taking aday off. Joe is survivedbyhis sons, Greg Dieboldand Brent Diebold and wife, Stephenie; grandson, David Diebold; sister-in-law, JackieBoyd and husband, Baker; and a host of otherlovingfamily members and friends.Heis precededindeath by his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Walters Diebold; and parents, JosephL.Diebold,Sr. and Eula Marie Knight Diebold. Visitation willbe at Greenoaks Funeral Home,9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge,LA, on Tuesday, April29, 2025, from 12pmuntil thetime of funeral services at 2pm, officiatedbyBrother Jay Avance. Burialwillimmediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. The family wouldliketoextend aspecial thankstothe Baton Rouge GeneralBluebonnet ICUunit, for their efforts to help our dad, and their kind attention to every detail.Family and friends are invitedtosignthe online guestbookatwww.greeno aksfunerals.com

Patrick"Pat" NobleDooley, 72, of BatonRouge, Louisiana, passed away on April18, 2025. Patwas known for his sharp wit, creativespirit, and unforgettable stories—often funny, sometimesedgy, and alwaysdeliveredwith perfect timing He was born and raised in BatonRouge and graduated fromBroadmoor High School. Patearneda BA in English from LSU, aMaster's in Radio,TV, and Film from OleMiss, aPh.D. from Bowling Green StateUniversity, and aJuris Doctoratefrom LSU. Over the years, he workedasa lawyer, house painter,car salesman, and storytellerin-chief in every role. He waspreceded in death by his parents, Neal and Anna Dooley,and his brother, Jap Dooley. He is survivedbyhis children, Shannon DooleyHannon, Larkin Dooley(Chelsea), ColinDooley, and Meg Baker (Jarrod); grandchildren, Andre, Lucas, Charlie, Jack, June,and Teddy; hisbrother,Mike Dooley;and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Patloved art, music, movies, spontaneous adventures, and animals—especially his spoileddogs. He was known to keep snacks in his pockets for whichevergrandchildor petcame asking first.He approached life with creativity, mischief,and a sense of humor that made himunforgettable. If youknew Pat, you've got astorytotell—likely one that endsindisbelief and laughter. He never missed achance to entertain, surprise,orstirthings up just enough to make it memorable. Agathering to celebrate Pat's life will be held

Thursday,May 1, from 4-8

p.m. at Christ's Community Church, 26574 Juban Rd, DenhamSprings, LA

Grant,Frederick William'Ted'

Frederick William "Ted Grant peacefully passed away April20, 2025. Ted was born August 2, 1926 in WestMonroe, Louisiana. He was marriedtohis belovedwife Rita Aucoin Grant on June 12, 1954. Ted and Rita were both active members of First United Methodist Church in Baton Rouge for morethan50 years. Ted was aretired Army Colonel with more than 36 years of service and aveteran of World War II and theKorean War. Ted attendedWestPoint, and earneda bachelor's and master's in business administration at LSU. He was aCPA and worked for Kaiser Aluminum, and Hill Medical formorethan40 years. Ted was aselfproclaimed M.O.M.(mean old man), butthose of us who knew him best,knew a kind and giving man. His motto was "Life is Good" Ted is survivedbyhis nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Rita AucoinGrant;parents, Fred M. Grant and Elvie Sutcliff

Grant; and brother, Boyd S.

Grant. The familywould like to thank, Dr. Susan Richarme, Amedisys Home Health, Williamsburg and caregivers Dan, Willy, Augustine andAngie. Visitation for Ted will be held at RabenhorstFuneral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd., on TuesdayApril 29, 6- 8pm; continuing on Wednesday April 30, 9- 10 am. There will be ashort funeral service at 10 am followed by burialatGreenoaks Memorial Park.

Lazarus Sr., Gerald Wayne'PaPa'

Gerald W. Lazarus Sr,also knownas"PaPa",born on October7,1943, passed away at his home in Walker,Louisiana on 04/23/ 2025. Gerald wasthe belovedhusbandofJanice Gaudin Lazarus,with whom he shared 60 fun and memorable years of marriageand gave him threechildrenthatheconsidered hisgreatest accomplishments: Milissa LazarusReyna (Juan), Mamie Lazarus Moffett (Sean), andGerald W.

LazarusJr. (Tonya); Grandchildren:Tory Lazarus, Courtney Hunt (Luke), Cody Moffett (Hailie), and BreannaMoffett (Todd), Tripp Lazarus; as well as numerousgreat-grandchildren whom he adored. He retiredfromthe Local 406 Operatorsand Engineers. Knownfor hisjovial personality, his pranks and picking, he hada remarkableability to bringsmiles to those around him. You couldalways findhim at theAmite stockyardon Tuesdays andSaturdays looking to see what they hadworth looking at and then catchingupwith old friends. Gerald's legacy lives on throughthe laughterheinspired,the love he gave freely, andthe memories cherished by all who knew him. Untilnexttime Papa, watch over this crew andkeepthemin-line.You truly have thebest seat now! Please visit www.chu rchfuneralservices.com for all arrangements.

Barry EmileLusted, age 71, of Baton Rouge Louisiana, passed away on February 25, 2025. He wasa well-loved and respected classical guitarist and guitar instructor. Barryperformed in various local venues andtaughtguitar

Dooley, Pat

Bellue, Karen 'KK'

Lusted, BarryEmile

4B ■ Sunday,April 27,2025 ■ theadvocate.com ■ TheAdvocate through the Division of Continuing Education at LSU, at Trafton Academy, at Episcopal High School, and in aprivate studio for over 50 years. He was an avid scuba diver andspear fisherman. He also had a love and gift for cooking. He was alife-longmember of Broadmoor United Methodist Church. Above all, he was passionate about his family and friends.Barry is preceded in death by his parents, Emile Warren Lusted and Hilda Barr Lusted. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Dona Lusted; his children, Lori Nesbitt (Nick) and Luke Lusted (Jennifer); grandchildren, Nora Nesbitt, Nathaniel Lusted,and Bennett Lusted; brother, John Lusted (Cathie); sister, Hilary Cheek (Larry); and many dear friends. Avisitation will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday,May 3atBroadmoor United Methodist Church followed by a memorial service at 11:00 AM. The familywishes to thank thecompassionate staff at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center and Baton Rouge General Bluebonnet. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the music ministry of Broadmoor United Methodist Church.

Jacqueline Jones Matthews departed this life on Tuesday on April 15, 2025age 65. Anative of Plaquemine and resident of Baton Rouge,La. Visiting at Roscoe Mortuary 58635 Meriam St Plaquemine on Sunday April 27, 2025 from 4to6pmReligiousservice at NewHope Baptist Church 5856 Greenwell Springs Rd BatonRouge 70806 on Monday April 28, 2025at12Noon Interment Louisiana National Cemetery.She is survivedbyher beloved husband Thomas RMatthews, loving Sons Michael and Eric Johnson, Daughter Sable Jones. 4 sisters Barbara Dempsey (Cliff), Karen Gray, Mary Arbuckle (Sandy), Alberta Lee(Ernest) 2brothers Kevin Gray(Nadine) and John Butler Gray. Arrangements Entrusted to Roscoe Mortuary

McCarthy, Rose Mary Fadaol

Rose Mary Fadaol McCarthy, age 93, returned home to her Heavenly Father on April 23rd, 2025. Born on April 27, 1931, in Opelousas, Rose was alifelong resident of the community sheloved so dearly. Adevout Catholic, she graduated from the Academyofthe Immaculate Conception in 1948. Shewas a founding and active parishioner of Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church. Her unwavering faith was aguiding force throughout her life, and she lived each day with grace, humility, and love for God. Rose's professional life was marked by dedication to excellence. She was the co-proprietor of The New Drug Store and Park Vista New Drug Store for many years,where she served her community with care and commitment. Later, she became a sales associate at Olinde's Furniture Store where she worked for an impressive 38 years. She was aMemberofthe American Legion Auxiliary and received the Rotary International Paul Harris Award. Rose always felt that her proudest and greatest accomplishments were her children. She will be forever missed and cherished by her three children: William (Billy) John McCarthy, Jr. and his wife Lori (Lafayette); Dr. Michael (Mike) Patrick McCarthy (Baton Rouge); and Patricia (Pat) Ann McCarthy (Opelousas) and significant other Tim Basile. She was the absolute best Maw Maw to her grandchildren: Sophia and

Graham. She is also survivedbyher sister, Eleanor (Poochie) Lubecke,along with many loving nieces, nephews and extended family members who mourn her passing. She is now reunited with her parents,MaryMarie Nassar Fadaol and Joseph Charles Fadaol, Sr as wellasher siblings:Joseph(Sam) Fadaol, Nicholas (Nick) Fadaol,William(Bill) Fadaol, Robert(Bobby) Fadaol, George Fadaol, Evelyn Fadaol Foret, Agnes FadaolKovach, Kathryn Amelia Fadaol, Dorothy (Ann) Fadaol Launey,and Victoria(Vickie) FadaolViator.A Memorial Mass of ChristianBurialwillbe held at 11:00onMonday, April 28, 2025, celebrated by The VeryReverend Monsignor Keith J. DeRouen at Our Lady Queenof Angels Catholic Church located at 2125S.Union St., Opelousas, Louisiana 70570. Agatheringoffamilyand friends will begin at 10:00AMwith aRosary service at 10:30AMled by Marie Leblanc. Rite of Committaland inurnment willfollow at Bellevue Memorial Park in Opelousas. The familyextendsheartfelt thanks to allofthose who cared for Rose during her illness. Theywish to especially thankthe staffofCompassus Hospice for their kindness and tender care and toTim Basile forhis many acts of kindness. Rose Mary McCarthy lived alife filledwith love for God, for family, for community.She leaves behind alegacy that willcontinuetoinspire allwho werefortunate enough to know her. Maythese memories bring comfortand peace to those whoselivesshe touched.Family and friends areinvited to sign and viewthe online guestbook at www.lafondardoin.com.

Lafond-Ardoin Funeral Home of Opelousas, 2845 South Union Street, Opelousas, LA 70570, (337) 942-2638, has been entrusted with the funeralarrangements

McCoy, Joyce May JoyceMay McCoy, aloving mother, grandmother and friend, passed away peacefully at Ochsner O'Neal on Friday,April18, 2025, at theage of 83. She wasa residentofBaton Rouge, LA and anative of Augusta,KS. Agraveside service will be heldon Monday,April 28,2025, at Port Hudson National Cemetery at 11am, conductedbyPastorGray Pearson. Joyceissurvived byher daughters, Cindy LeJeuneand husband Greg "Whitey", CandyGuerrero and husband Paul,Misty Allred and husband Chester,and Tiffany Musso; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband,William Paul McCoy;and siblings, Jack Gardner, Betty Greenwood and Bonnie Wolfe. Joyce enjoyed gardening,caring forher rescuedanimals and spendingtimewith her family.Inlieuofflowers donationsmay be made to ASPCAinJoyce's memory

Thomas A. Mott, born on January7,1947, passed away on Friday,April 25, 2025, at hishomeinBrusly at theage of 78. He wasa native of Plaquemine and resident Brusly.Thomas wasa proudU.S.Marine who builthis career in the Marinesasanaircraftme‐chanic andretired as SSGT. PerThomas’ wishes he wascremated. Aprivate memorial servicewillbe held at alater date Thomas is survived by his wife,Linda Faye Bezet Mott of Brusly;a stepson, Harold D. Durden Jr.and wife JodieDurdenofAL; onesister, Leslie FayeMott of Addis; twostep-grand‐children,Carly AnnHarrell andhusband BrettHarrell, MollyFayeDurden; one nephew Thomas Deselle andwifeMichelle Deselle; agrand-nephew, DevinDe‐selle. Thomas waspre‐cededindeath by hispar‐ents,LeslieW.Mottand AnnieMae CastaniaMott; asister, Mrytle Ruth Mott; nephew,JosephDeselle,II; andfatherand mother-inlaw, Paul Theophileand EssieBezet.The family wouldliketoextendspe‐

cial thanks to Lisa Beraud andAudubon Hospice (Jonte andBrittany) and sitters, DorisPorterand Sandra Windham. Please sharememoriesatwww wilbertservices.com.

WoodrowLeo Overton, “Lee”,a lifelong resident of Clinton, passed away peacefully at hishomeon Tuesday, April22, 2025. He was83years oldand aU.S Army veteran. Aprivate familyfuneral will be held on Monday,April 28, 2025, at OurLadyofthe Assump‐tion Catholic Church in Clintonfrom1 pm until Mass of ChristianBurialat 2pm. Burial will be at Ma‐sonicCemeteryinClinton Leeissurvivedbyhis wife of 58 years, SaundraPicou Overton. Theirchildren, RichardOverton andwife, Becca,ofBaton Rouge; Jean Paul Overtonand wife,Rebecca,ofHouston, TX;LexleeOverton of BatonRouge;WoodrowLeo Overton, Jr.and wife,Cyndi of Norwood;SidneyJof‐frionand husband,Jeffof BatonRouge;and Colette Sallas andhusband,Jeffof Corinth, TX.19Grandchil‐dren:MaggieJo, Hattie, Mary Kate,Bess, John Henry, Callie,David,So‐phie,LA, Caitlee, Woodrow Leo, Holden Lee, Ann, He‐lene,Jillian,Riley, Saundra, Addie, andKamryn. 2Great Grandchildren: Dalton Lee andEmber.Heispreceded in deathbyhis son, Francis DavidOverton,his parents, Helenand JudgeWoodrow Overton, hissisters,Paula Overton, andChristine OvertonRandolph. Leewas an Attorney forover 57 years, he startedhis own practice with hiswiferight outoflaw school.A former assistantdistrictattorney forthe 20thJudicialDis‐trict, Leehad alongand distinguishedcareer as a triallawyerwho passion‐atelyfoughtfor hisclients. He also wasco-founder andpartner of Hill Country Real Estate andfounder andownerofEagle Ameri‐canInsurance Company. Some of hisformer mem‐berships includeAmerican TrialLawyers Association, LouisianaTrial LawyersAs‐sociation, FelicianaBar As‐sociationand the LouisianaBar Association. He wasalsothe founding Presidentofthe Clinton Jaycees,and former Presi‐dent of theClintonLions Club,aswellasformer leader of BoyScout Troop 60. Leewas agraduateof theNew Mexico Military Institute, Roswell, NM, LouisianaState University andLouisiana StateUni‐versityPaulM.HebertLaw Center.Hewas alifelong fan of LSUfootball,loved classiccorvettes, wasan avid outdoorsman who lovedto fish,hunt,snow skiand ride hisproperty with hisbeloved dogs.He metthe love of hislife, Saundra, at 11 yearsold whentheyhad their first date to aboy scoutdance in Clinton. Leewas aworld traveler,havingvisited over 40 countrieswithhis dear wife.Hewas proudof hisservice in theUnited States Army as aSpecialist E5 –a veteranofForeign Warwho wasawarded the Army Occupational Medal, Berlin.Pallbearers will be RichardLeonOverton,Jean Paul Overton, Woodrow LeoOverton Jr., Holden Lee Walker,LAOverton,David Roccaforte, andWoodrow LeoOverton III. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dorman Bunch, Jeff Sallas,JeffJof‐frion, Mitchell Waller,and ShaneMcBride.Special thanks to Dr.Jeffrey Hyde MD,Dr. DarleneNemeth, thestaff of AudubonHos‐pice,and Lee’swonderful caregivers over thepast year anda half including Shun, Barbara, Janet, Geraldine, Shell, MeMe, Mary andChiquitaand AudubonHospice.Inlieuof flowers, memorial dona‐tionsmay be made to Our Ladyofthe Lake Children’s Hospital or St.JudeChil‐dren’s Hospital

Gerald Grey Phares, Jr. went to be with theLord on April23, 2025, at theage of 88. He was born& lived in LA attending Central City schools. DuringHShe singly operated adairy farm, milking thecowsbefore school, where he was voted'most likely to succeed'. After HS he obtained aBAfrom LSUinAgriculture &a MA in Banking where he was voted President of his class at theLSU Banking School. Hisemployment includedpositions as President of various Agricultural Banks around thestate.His final career was as owner/ operator of the Book Warehouse on Florida Blvd. He touched thelives of many people,especiallyhis grandchildren, whom he picked up from home during thesummer and took to workwith him so they couldlearn hard work &responsibility.Healso took them camping during the summer where he taught them about nature and healthy fun. Gerald was generous, charismatic, and unconditionally honest & direct. After Retirement he &his wife became involved with theBRCamillia Society, where he also served as club President Geraldwas precededin death by his wife of almost 70 years, SharonRobinson Phares, having5 daughters, 12 grandchildrenand 20 great-grandchildren Gerald wasalways willing to help family,friends& strangers withhis strength,optimism &values. Gerald'svaluessolidified when he became a born-again Christian, serving theLordwithintensity. It may be said by most that knew him, that he Served HisGeneration Well. Gerald is survived by daughters: BambiCarpenter(Brent), LydiaFellner (Fred),MandyManda (John), Alanna Davis (Max), and SissyHughes (d. Mike). Pall bearers are grandchildrenChancellor Carpenter, CameronCarpenter, Caleb Fellner, JosephGolmon, Gabe Jacobs,Josh Hughes, Michael Polozola, and SharonFellner as honorary. Please joinusonMondaymorning at Live Oak Church, 34890 LA-16, Denham Springs, LA 70706 for a visitationbeginning at 9:00AM until thefuneral serviceat11:15AM

Pinsonat, Barbara Sue Haney

Barbara Sue HaneyPinsonat passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the age of 77. Shewas born in Clinton, LA, and wasa residentofBaton Rouge,LA. Barbara is survivedbyher children, Brian KeithPinsonat (Angie),and Stacey LynnWylie (Duane);grandchildren, Brian Charles Wylie,Corey Blake Wylie,and Sam Michael Perise; brother, Gary Lynn Haney(Sue); and ahostof otherfamilymembersand friends. Sheisprecededin death by herhusband, Charles"Blue" KermitPinsonat; and parents,Milburn "Buddy" and Evelyn Haney. Visitation will be at Greenoaks Funeral Home 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge,LA, on Friday, May 2, 2025, from 4pm to 7pm. Visitation will resume at Greenoaks on Saturday, May3,2025, from 12pm untilthe time of funeral servicesat2pm. Burial will immediatelyfollow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. Familyand friends are invited to sign theonline guestbook at www.greeno aksfunerals.com

Katherine Mary Prejean Mouch, belovedmother, grandmother,and greatgrandmother,passed peacefully at herresidence in Addis on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, surrounded by her familyatthe age of 93. She wasbornonMay 28, 1931, to herparents Pauland Viola Hotard Prejean.Katherinemarriedthe love of her life RoyThomas Mouch, with whom she established herhomeinAddis, Louisiana. They were shy of 70 years together.She hasbeen reunited with our wonderfulDaddy, whom she missed terribly. Katherine willbesadly missed by all whoknew her. She wasdevout Catholic whocherished her faith. Katherine attended andgraduatedfromBrusly High School andthento businesscollage and workedfor theState of Louisiana. Shewas a homemaker, babysitter, busdriver, workedfor the WBR Register of Voters officeand workedthe voting pollsinWBR for over 50 years. Katherine enjoyed square dancing,clogging andbelongedtomany

dance clubsoverthe years. She also enjoyed goingtothe camp in Pierre Partwith familyfor gettogethers. Katherine belongedtoseveral organizationsincluding beinga charter member of the Brusly/AddisCatholic Daughtersofthe Americas Court2079 for 52 years, Westside Cloggers, WestsideGarden Club, member of theAmerican Legion in Port Allen, Addis Historical Society, and shewas areligion teacher,and EucharisticministerofSt. John the Baptist Catholic Church Sheloved watchingNBA basketballgames, Wheel of Fortune, and thedaily soap operas. Lovedher daily crosswordpuzzles jigsaw puzzles,finda word andplayingcards. Katherineissurvived by herseven children, Roy, Jr., Wendy (John), Joni (Billy), Mark (Wanda), Randy (Karen), Angelle(Pat), andJuanita (Kevin);nineteen grandchildren; numerousgreatgrandchildren; sister,Betty Landry; brother, Harold "LuLu"Prejean (Julie);and sister-in-law,Robbie Prejean.She wasprecededin death by herhusband, Roy T. Mouch; grandson, Austin Morain;parents, Pauland Viola Hotard Prejean;and siblings, Paul, Bobby, Margaret,Johnny, Leslie,Louis, Patricia, andGlynnPrejean.Relatives andfriends are invited to join the family for visitation at Wilbert Funeral Home, Port Allen on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, from 5to9pm with a rosaryat7pm andatSt. John theBaptist Catholic Church,Brusly on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 9am untilMass of Christian Burial at 11am, celebrated by Father Arun John and concelebrated by Deacon Mike Chiapetta.Entombmentwillfollow at the church cemetery.Pallbearerswill be hergrandsons In lieu of flowers, thefamily requestmemorial donationsbemade to St.John theBaptist Catholic Church BuildingfundorSt. Joseph Hospice.Thanks to hercaregiverswho lovingly caredfor her, also to Father John andDeacon Mike for theirspiritual guidance. Thefamilywould like to extenda heartfelt thank you to everyonewho kept ourmother in prayer in her time of need.Katherine wasa loving,dependable, dedicatedwife,mother, andfriendtomany. Her memory willliveoninthe hearts of herfamily, friends, and themanylives she touched throughher life. Shehad become an adoptive mothertomany as they lost their own mothers.Please share sympathies, condolences andmemories online at www.wilbertservices.com.

Overton, Woodrow Leo'Lee'

Matthews, Jacqueline Marie

Mott, Thomas A.

Prejean Mouch, Katherine Mary

Phares Jr., Gerald Grey

Pursnell, Allan Johnston

Allan Pursnell, devoted husband, father and grandfather, died Thursday, April 24, following a brave struggle with cancer. Allan was born January29, 1948 in Atlantic City, New Jersey to Anthony Henry Pursnelland Helen Suders Pursnell.

He and his wife, Pamela moved to Baton Rouge in 1976 where he had along career, first as areporter for the Morning Advocate and later as Assistant Commissioner for the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

Allan was aman of many talents, chief among themcaring for his family: his beloved wife, Pamela his son Justin, his daughter Laura Lindsay (Ned) and the Lindsay sons, Edward, Ethan and Eli upon whom Allan heaped grandfatherly love and praise.

He is also survived by his cousins, Joe Korba, LindaMusso (Dr. Joseph Musso), brother-in-law, David Soignier (Amy), sister-inlaw, Marsha Roberts (Michael) and brother-inlaw, Charles Raiford, Jr., nephews, Joshua B. Raiford, Michael J. Roberts, Matthew Roberts, Reagan Soignier and Jacob Soignier.

To hismany friends,he was amaster storyteller who could make the most mundanetale absolutely hilarious.

His newspaper colleagues considered him a Renaissance man, with interests ranging from the violin, study of his Italian heritage, reading and sailing tothe stock market.

Funeral services willbe held at St. Jude the Apostolic Church, 9150 Highland Rd., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at 11 a.m. with visitation from 9a.m. -11a.m. Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Edward, Ethan and Eli Lindsay and nephews, Matthew Roberts, Reagan and Jacob Soignier. If you wish to honor Allan's memory, please consider acontribution to St. Jude The Apostle School 9150 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, 7733 Perkins Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810 or acharity of your choice.

April 21, 2025. She was surrounded by her husband, children, and grandchildren. Brenda was born on July 13, 1945, in Eupora,

Mississippi,asthe youngest childand only daughterofOlivia and Charles Lawrence. Her family later moved to Houston, Texas, whereshe graduated from CypressFairbanksHigh School in Cypress, Texas. Acheerleader with abrightand spirited heart, Brenda carriedthat sameenergy and warmth throughout her life. Shewas the beloved wifeofNicholas "Nick" Romero, Jr.and aproud and devotedmotherto Daniel Shapiroand wife Aimee, DavidShapiro and wifeEugena, and Mary Shapiro. She wasalsoa loving stepmother to Melissa Lewis, Angela Bueche and husband Chad Lovingly known as "Ganny,"she cherishedher grandchildren: Jacob Shapiro, Chase Baldwin, Ali Miller, Samuel Shapiro, Laci Baldwin, Joe Shapiro, Emily Shapiro, Kaitlyn Shapiro,Grant Shapiro, Sophie Shapiro, andgreatgrandson,MaxwellMiller. Sheshared with them her loveofnature, creativity, and what it meanstolove with her wholeheart, through laughterand art. Kind and fulloflife, Brenda had agiftfor bringing beauty into the everyday. Sheloved to playthe piano and was apassionate fisherman who found joyinthe outdoors.Asa talentedartist,she expressed this throughher art. Herwork,rangingfrom oilstowatercolors, appearednot onlyoncanvas butany surface thatinspired her,including wooden duck decoysand driftwood she and Nick collected from Louisiana bayous Herfavoritesubjects—fish, ducks, flowers, dogs, and more—reflectedher deep connectiontothe natural world. Brenda'sdream of having herown art studio in her home on the water and amongst the trees was fulfilled. In thispeaceful spacefilledwithbrushes, driftwood, fabrics, craft supplies,Paw Paw'swoodwork, and photos,sketches, and clippings of inspirations,she experimented with different media and painted countless pieces, sharing themwithher familyand friends. Her art was made availabletothe publicthrough her own smallbusiness and contributions of her works to Ducks Unlimited Brenda lovedtodance andhavefun socializing with friends and family. During the yearsshe and Nick livedinBayou Corne, the two hosted countless Mardi Gras celebrations that werelively, musicfilled"happenings," with food, laughter, friends and loved ones.

Shehad aservant's heart,a sharp wit, an infectious laugh, and adeep, abiding lovefor the people in her life.Brendabrought light,silliness, creativity, and comfort wherevershe went, and her presence, alongwith her many famous recipes including everyone's favorite dessert, "Mississippi Mud," willbe deeply missedbyall who knew and loved her.Her spirit livesoninevery brushstroke,laugh around the table, and recipe. She livesoninthe hearts of her friends, family,and grandchildren who allcarry her joyforward.

Family and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Serviceat11:00a.m. on Monday,April28, 2025, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway. Avisitation will be held at the funeral home beginningat9:00 a.m.A reception will follow Familyand friends may signthe onlineguestbook

or leavea personalnote to thefamily at www.resthav enbatonrouge.com

Romero, Jerome Anthony'Jerry'

AMass of Christian Burial willbecelebrated on Friday, May 2, 2025 at 3pm in theCathedralofSt. John theEvangelist in Lafayette, LA.Jerome "Jerry" Anthony Romero, age 74, passed away peacefully on Wednesday,April 23, 2025 at Hospice of Acadiana's CalcuttaHouse surrounded by his threechildren and family

The family requests that visitationbeobserved on Friday, May 2, 2025 from 1:00pm until time of services. Interment willbe held in theSt. John Cemetery immediately following theFuneral Mass at 3pm and willbeofficiated by Father Chester Arceneaux and DeaconKirkDuplantis. Jerry's legacy liveson through his loving three children; daughter, Shannon Romero Coxand her husband, Stuart, of San Marcos, TX; son, Mathew Romero and his wife, Jennifer, of Youngsville, LA; and daughter, Bryce Romero Georg and her husband, Derek, of Austin, TX. He was aproud and loving grandfather to seven grandchildren; Klein Bresinger,ReidBresinger, Bronson Romero,Carleigh Romero, Owen Romero, PresleyGeorg,and Jetson Georg.Hewillbedeeply missed by his brother,Dr. Robert Romero;sister-inlawCarolynRomero, and a host of cherished nieces and nephews.

Jerrywas precededin death by his parents, John Harry Romero, Sr.and Mildred ChargoisRomero; his brothers, CaptainJohn Harry Romero, Jr., USAF and Dr.RussellCharles Romero; his sister-in-law, CarrieRomero Durand; brother-in-law, Frank Durand, and nephew, John Harry Romero, III.

Jerrywas aproud graduateofCathedralCarmel HighSchool and attended theUniversity of Southwestern Louisiana. He built asuccessful career in the sales industry forover five decades. Much of his character and accomplishmentswere shaped by his upbringingand thestrong workethic instilledbyhis parents working alongside his family at theRomero and MontgomeryDry Cleaning business in Lafayette.

The Romero family wouldliketoextend their heartfelt gratitudetothe staff at Maisonde Lafayette, especially the caretakers on hall 300 for your love and compassion during thelast nine months. Sincerethanks also to thededicated doctors, nurses, and aidesat Our LadyofLourdesHospitaland theentireteamat Hospice of Acadiana's CalcuttaHouse. Your kindness and care willnever be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers,the family kindly asks that memorial donations be madetoHospice of Acadiana, Our LadyofMercy of

Baton Rouge,LA. or the CathedralofSt. John the Evangelist of Lafayette, LA View theobituary and guestbookonline at www.Cremation SocietyAcadiana.com

Geraldine Mae Ducote Stephens passedaway on Saturday, April19, 2025, at theage of 95. Visitation willbeatSt. Thomas More, 11441 GoodwoodBlvd., BatonRouge,LA, on Monday, April28, 2025, from 9:30am until theMass of Christian Burial at 11am. Burialwill immediatelyfollow at GreenoaksMemorial Park Familyand friends are invitedtosignthe online guestbookatwww.greeno aksfunerals.com

Natalie Ann CookStiltner was bornonJuly 14, 1966 in Big Spring, Tx and passed away on April15, 2025 after abrief illness. She is precededindeath by her mother Ann Cook (RN), and father Lt. Col. Loyal Scott Cook.She is survivedbyher husband Mike Stiltner, child Bri Howell,stepsons Clarke, Jacob,and Noah Stiltner, her "favorite" brother Scott Cook,sister-in-law PaulaCook, and niece MeredithCook. Natalie graduated with aBBA in Accounting from Southwest Texas State University and laterwith a Master's Degree in ISDS from LSU. She was botha CPAand Certified Internal Auditor,working in theinsurance industry for over 20 years, mostly with

LWCC;asUndersecretary for theLouisiana DepartmentofRevenue andthen Culture Recreationand Tourism; andfinallyasthe ownerofanaccounting consultingcompany, CFO Source of LouisianaprovidingCFO servicestosmall businesses. Nataliehad many passionsthatdefinedher,the primary onebeing herfamily. Shewas also very passionate abouther church andcovenantgroup,fashion,animal rescue,art,music,and travel. Afuneral service and celebrationoflifewill take place at First United Methodist Church on Saturday May3rd at 11:30. Visitation at thechurch will precedethe service beginningat10:00. In lieu of flowers, donationscan be made to Cat Haven of Baton Rouge

Thibodeaux, John Claude

Mr.JohnClaudeThibodeaux, Sr aresident of Prairieville, passedaway at theage of 82 years old. Mr.Johnwas born on September 8, 1942 in Plaisance,LA. to parents Alexander andDorothy Thibodeaux. Mr.Johnenjoyed gardening, cooking, traveling, sailing, skiing, hiking,anythingnaturerelated and goingtothe grocery store. Mr.Johnisa graduate of Redemptorist High School in 1960 and retiredfromEthyl Corp in Baton Rouge andAlbemarle Corp in Houstonafter 31 years of service in 2004. He is survived by hisloving wife of 40 years, Suzy Broussard Thibodeaux; children, John Claude Thibodeaux Jr Randall Todd Thibodeaux (Dionne), Cindy Marie Thibodeaux, TinaMarie Thibodeaux Mroski (David), Jeffrey Gordon Roberts(Molly), AndreaRoberts Herrin (Paul); seventeen grandchildren, Jordan,Scotty, Koby, Shane, Rhett, Krystal,Rachel, Blane, Cooper, Parker, Katherine,Jack, Devin, Rachel, Taylor,Alex andElla; eighteen greatgrandchildrenand ahost

of nieces andnephewsand siblings, Ronald GeneThibodeaux (Joel), Glenda Marie Thibodeaux and sister-in-law,Betty Nettles Thibodeaux. Preceded in death by parents, Alexander andDorothyVidrine Thibodeaux; first wife of 23 years, Barbara Digirolamo Thibodeaux; older brother, JamesLeander Thibodeaux andyoungerinfant brother,PaulTerry Thibodeaux. Thefamilywill like to thankSherry, Cindy, Barbara, Shontell and thegraciousstaff of Home Instead as well as Shantell, Raven,Kimberly, Donya, Jessica andthe kind generousstaff of Clarity Hospice.A visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge,LA., on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, from 10:00am untilservice time of 12:00pm.

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Howto place a Memorial Ad

Many Americans are fortunate to havedental coveragefor theirentire working life,through employer-provided benefits. When those benefits endwithretirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock, leading people to put off or even go without care Simply put— without dentalinsurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

Stiltner,Natalie Cook

Romero,Brenda 'Ganny'

BrendaSue "Ganny" (Lawrence) Romero, of Denham Springs, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on Monday,

Stephens, Geraldine Ducote

OPINION

Keep Bourbon Street open

After the deadly New Year’sDay attack on Bourbon Street, scrutiny of security gaps that left the FrenchQuarter vulnerable wasuniversally welcomed. The deathsof14people whena terrorist was abletodrive atruck on asidewalk, then down the street in theearly morninghours, is atragedy that demands answers.

So we were glad to see Gov.Jeff Landry,New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell andothers vow early on that there would be acomplete and open investigation. We also approvedwhen New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick took quick action in naminga security consultanttolookatways to preventsimilarattacks in the future.

That consultant, aNew York-based firm called Teneo, has produced a43-page report with several recommendations that deserve serious consideration. Butthe onethatisdrawing the most discussion is one we cannot support:closing Bourbon Street permanently to vehicular traffic.

One of the most iconic streets in theworld —and onethat is pivotal to ourstate and local economy —Bourbon also sitsatthe center of a real neighborhood where people liveand work daily.Residentsand business owners rightly worry about what such aclosure wouldmean for their livelihoods. They wonderiftakingtraffic off Bourbon would create congestioninother parts of the Quarter.They question whether emergency vehicles would beabletoreach them without problems.

We share these concerns andalso would add that part of the charm of our most famousstreet is the vibrant life that existsthere. Closing off Bourbon to cars could be aprelude to making theQuarteradifferent kind of placealtogether —one that is difficult to access andcut offfrom the rest of the city

The plan outlined in thereport is to close Bourbon to traffic from Canal to Dumaine,including all cross streets. Deliverieswould be allowedduringcertain hours, andstaggered barrierswould allow access to driveways.It also says that the pedestrian-only zonecould be extended to otherstreetsinthe future Cantrell saysthe recommendations arebeing reviewed. It will ultimately beuptothe City Council to determine if closing cars to Bourbon makes sense.Wewould urge themtoget input from residentsand stakeholders before taking anyaction

Butwewould rather see thecityfocus on some of the other recommendations in the report, which pointed out some glaring failures that need to be remedied. It urges the city to seek apermanent top-tier federal risk rating,or SEAR 1, for Mardi Gras, which providesaccess to federal resources. It calls for theremoval of trashcansthat could be used to conceal explosivesfrom parade routes. It also calls forimproving the intelligence-gathering capabilities of the NOPD.

It strongly criticized the lack of coordination between the city’sOffice of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness andthe police department. It particularly pointed outthe neglect of “tabletopexercises,” whichusedtobe routine, where officials from various agencies gather ahead of major events tomodelwhat could go wrong and how to respond. We argue theseare thereal steps thatthe city needsto take to ensure the safety of residents andvisitors to the French Quarter.Closing Bourbon to carswould make headlines, but it is this kind of behind-the-scenes workthat has been sorely lacking. We are pleased to seethat Kirkpatrick isn’twaiting to implementsome of theserecommendations.

We know that many are still grieving lost loved ones and recovering from injuriessuffered in the attack. They arenever farfrom our thoughts. We all have an interest in making sure no one can ever inflict such horroruponus again. We believe that can be achievedwithout sacrificing the French Quarter’sbeatingheart.

Donald Trump’sdefenders have taken great offense to suspicions by Democrats and others that the Trumpfamily and its close circle are doing insider trading to profit from market convulsions There’sno“proof,” they say It’strue that there’sbeen no proof so far,but there’ssurely enough smoke to warrant an investigation. Problem is,the Trumpadministration has fired theinvestigators or replaced them with people who won’tinvestigate. To quoteaWall Street Journal headline, “TrumpAdministration Retreats from White-Collar Criminal Enforcement.”

Whence comes thesmoke? For starters, it comes from the total lack of consistency in Trump’spronouncements on tariffs. The administration announced that iPhones, laptops and other tech products would be exempt from the“so-called reciprocal tariffs” against China that run as high as 145%, theJournal noted. “But on Sunday morning, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said tariffs on electronic goods would go up again in the future.”

See thegame? When Trumpannounces new tariffs,stock prices crater.When he announces aretreat, the

When theLegislature is in session, there is no shortage of opinions about what our state lawmakers are doing. Bills are moving swiftly through the process, and sometimes we can’tget all your letters in before they become law.But we will try our best to create opportunities for you to have your voice heard. We believe there is no better check on legislative overreach than an engaged citizenry.We know lawmakers arepaying attention to public opinion. It can be skewed, however,because most people are moreapt to write when they oppose ameasure than when they support it.When possible, we try to

indices soar.And how nice it would be to becomeone of theinsiders who get aheads-up right before announcements are made. Butone investment that stopped jumping at every hint of trade sanity: U.S. Treasury securities. Once considered theworld’ssafest place to keep money at times of economic stress, theworld’sinvestors are moving out of U.S. government bonds. They now seeAmerica as an increasingly unstable country no longer governed by theold rules of capitalism but by crony and familyinterests. And extortion.

Wall Street Journal, thank you again for yet another headline: “Trump’s$1 Billion Law FirmDeals Are the Work of His Personal Lawyer.” That would be Boris Epshteyn, indicted in Arizona for trying to overturn Trump’s2020 election loss in that state. And he has pleaded guiltytodisorderly conduct in abar Epshteyn doesn’twork forthe government.Hedoesn’t even have a government email address. But he’s been shaking down law firmsdeemed opposed to the Trump agenda forpro bono, that is, free, work. On April 12

alone, five law firmssubmitted and agreed to hand over about $600 million in legal services, gratis. Several law firmshave hired Trump-friendly lobbyists.

Others, however,have resisted the intimidation. Law firmshave every right to represent clients opposed to actions by the Trumporany other administration.

Astounding how the MAGAright accuses anyone they disagree with of being a“socialist” and then throws into the dumpster the guardrails and respect forimpersonal decisions that help capitalism function.

Four years ago, Trumpcalled crypto “a scam.” He told Fox News that he objected to crypto because it competes with the U.S. dollar.But Trumphas a long history of regarding ascam as an opportunity.Trumpisnow deregulating crypto as his family goes into everything from bitcoin mining to stablecoins. The people’sbusiness has been given over to afamily’sbusiness. Small wonder that the free world is bailing out of America.

Froma Harrop is on X, @FromaHarrop. Email her at fharrop@gmail.com

feature arange of letters on all sides of an issue. We also often receive guest columns from those behind thebills that are drawing themost attention. Advocacy groups that lobby legislators are also frequent contributors.Westrive to provide aforum where experienced voices can give insight into the legislative process. If there is aspecific issue you’d like to know more about or alawmaker you’dlike to hear from, please don’thesitate to write to us.

Going to our letters inbox, Ican give youthe numbers from the weekof March 27- April 3. That week, we received 66 letters. The hottest topic was

the defeat of the four constitutional amendments on the ballot March 29. We received 12 letters on the topic, with mostwriters seeking to explain the opposition to the measures. Next, you were interested in what is going on at Tulane University,which has been threatened with cuts by the Trumpadministration. We received three letters on that topic. And lastly, immigration, the protests at Tesla dealerships and the protests by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in various cities werethe subject of two letters each.

Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | OpinionPageEditor.Emailher at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.

Arnessa Garrett

Froma Harrop

COMMENTARY

BubbaHenry wasa secret intellectual

More than four decadesafter he left public life, former state House Speaker E.L. “Bubba” Henry was no longer afamiliar figure to most Louisianans. But Henry, who died April 23 at age 89, helped make state government considerably better

Quin Hillyer

Before Henry in the late 1960s helped lead areformist group called the “Young Turks,” the Legislature wasn’t merely the somewhat wild and woolly place it was in, say,the 1980s and early 1990s, butsowild andwoolly that people today have ahard time believing the stories.

PROVIDED PHOTO By BEN BAGERT

FormerSpeaker E.L. ‘Bubba’Henry, left, and former statelegislator Ben Bagert, right,reminisce in 2021 about the ‘young Turks’ group of which theywere apartof50years earlier

that. After theYoung Turks successfully pushed for rule changes, legislators actually were given thechance to analyze the budget before voting on it.(Gee, what aconcept!) As this newspaper’s Tyler Bridges reported, lobbyists had been allowed freely toroam theHouse floor and even use the members’ voting machines. Junior legislators weren’tgiven advance notice of committee meetings and had no staff. The Turks changed all that, too.

In Henry’snext term, he became the speaker who nursed through theLegislature acall for anew,reformist constitutional convention, which he then oversaw as chairman.

was taking too long, but they had somegreat legal minds in that convention whotook their time in order to do areal good job, especially on the bill of rights.”

In theend, convention delegates approved the new document, 1211, and the public ratified it in a statewide vote.

The key then and in Henry’s speakership, Bagert said, was that “he was an intellectual disguised as acountry boy.Hehad charisma and people found it easy to follow him.”

Bagert also praised Henry’s “zany sense of humor,” which sometimes got in the wayofkeeping the House in order

theless, he didn’tmake the runoff, but when straight-laced Republican DaveTreen won that runoff by awhisker,Treen appointed Henry as his commissioner of administration —essentially the state government’sday-to-day chief operating officer Treen’sadministration accomplished morethan mostpeople remember,but it notoriously often washobbled, at times to the point of near-paralysis, by power struggles between his twotop advisers, John Cade and Billy Nungesser Nonetheless, said Bagert, “Bubba did create somemovement when otherwise there would have been stasis. He ran agood office. He steered the ship well. He kept it in the channel.”

The late John Hainkel, also a Young Turk before later becoming both speakerand stateSenate president, told me once of alegislative session reaching itsmandatory end date without having passed abudget —a legislative calamity.Asthe clock high on the wall neared midnight, someone figured that if they stopped the clock, they could claimthe legislative day hadn’tended, andanything passed hours later would still be valid. When they couldn’tfind aladder to reach the clock,they resorted to other tools. Food and drink back then were allowed on the House floor,solegislators started throwingchickenbones and whiskeybottles at theclock until one well-aimed throw broke the darn thing.Ithink Iremember Hainkel saying that the budget that finally passed about4 a.m. was deemed valid

Longtimelegislator Ben Bagert introduced the first bill calling for theconvention (although Gov Edwin Edwards had another legislator introduce an altered version keeping more power in the governor’shands) —and, though Bagert didn’tattendthe convention itself, he closely followed its every move.

Henry was oneofthe leaders of thereformers who changed all

“Bubba was really agreat leader in that convention,” Bagert told me. “There were times it looked like the convention would be a failure, but he held it together.A lot of people were critical that it

“Every once in awhile,” Bagert said, “his sense of humor got the best of him andhewould say something to crack the House up, but then he would slam the gavel and with a[mock]tone of indignationreprimand us forbeing out of order.”

It all worked. The House ran smoothly under his leadership and wrote new lawsexpanding governmenttransparency and keeping special interests more restrained

Henry ran forgovernor in 1979 and, to my 15-year-old eyes, made an attractive presentation. None-

When Treen lost his bid forreelection, Henry leftpublic office forgood, instead embracing a role as an elder statesman worthy of consultation. Still only 48 at the time, he nonetheless had left an indelible mark, forthe better, on the government of the state he loved. In the state’spolitical history,Henry merits aplace not just in the pantheon of greats, but in that pantheon’supper echelon. Quin Hillyer canbereached at quin.hillyer@theadvocate.com.

GOP, whyexposechildren’scriminalhistory?

Last year,the GOP-controlled Louisiana Legislature passed and Gov.Jeff Landry signed intolaw the “Truth and Transparency in theLouisiana Criminal Justice System” during aspecial session focused on crime. After years of protecting youth offenders with confidentiality governed by the Louisiana Youth Criminal Code, Republicans decided that moving four years of juvenile court data into a single online system and requiring the online publication of court minute entries for children charged with violent crimes on or after Jan. 1, 2024, was the way to go. All for the sake of transparency An earlier versionofthe transparency law,in2023, would have forced youth offenders in Caddo, East Baton Rouge and Orleans parishestobeapart of apilot program. The idea was dropped after youth activists and advocates pushed back on the effects in what are predominantly Black parishes.

the sausage is wrapped, packaged anddistributed as law.The bill that led to Amendment3moved through theLegislature, was refined, gotpushback but madeit throughasaconstitutional amendmentthat voters could approve or reject. It would haveput moreminors in adult courts and in adult prisons with longer sentences. But more than 66% of voters rejected the amendment. It didn’t have to get that far.

broadly across thejustice system while calling that confidentiality and change some legal definitions without anew,confidential public access system.

Iasked thebill’ssponsor,state Rep.Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, about it.

It’simportant to watchwhat’s happening in the Legislature during the sausage-making before

House Bill 445 isn’texactly like Amendment3,but it is worrisome.

Here’show thePower Coalition for Equity and Justice breaks down the two bills:

Last year’sHouse Bill 1aimed to publicize some juvenile court records, madecertain juvenile records accessible to the public, and focused on youths accused of violentcrimes and repeat offenders.

This year’sHB445 would specifically make juvenile records part of achild’s“criminal history,” applytoall juvenile records, would share juvenile records more

“HB445 IS NOTadisclosure bill,”she wroteinatext, capitalizing “is not.” “It removes none of theguardrails in place regarding juvenile records. It allows the records to be maintained electronically.All parishes.”

As Isee it, we’re not talking about adult offenders, we’re not talking aboutviolent youth offenders.We’re not talking about children whohave been accused of kidnapping, rape or murder We’retalking about children who might be charged with truancy, violating curfew andunderage use of alcohol

ous in the proposed legislation.” She told me one of her concerns is that adult court judges don’t have acomplete picture when they have youths in their courts, sometimes because ayouth from one parish might have their case heard in aparish that doesn’t have access to criminal history records.

“The bill simply provides a complete and accurate picture of the individual in front of those authorized to have access to the information,” she continued. “It does nothing more.”

Child advocates don’tsee it that way Attorney Lauren Hall, apolicy associate with the Louisiana Center for Children’sRights, said Villio’sbill is aconfidentiality jab.The way she and other child advocates see it, theTruthand Transparency law madeviolent youthcrimecases more public, and this measure would target children with misdemeanors and nonviolent first offenses.

When Hill testified against the bill at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge, she madeseveral points, including that the bill “threatens to takeaway the confidentiality that is an essential part of juvenile rehabilitation.” Children accused of misdemeanors and have never been in trouble before would lose confidentiality protections, and the bill would “remove theprovision explicitly excluding juvenile records from the adult criminal justice database,” she said.

In addition, “This bill will not improve transparency.Itwill prevent children from getting jobs and successfully growing into early adulthood, if their records are accessible in the adult criminal justice database,” she added.

Villio said people shouldn’t“assumethere’ssomething nefari-

An updated electronic database would resolve that, she said. Or,in her words, “Maybe we should go back to stone documents carried by horses.”

No, Idon’tthink any of us want stone tablets, documents delivered by people on horseback or even by buses or trains. Though somemight speed in avehicle, delivery by automobiles or trucks wouldn’twork welleither.The right people need the right information at the right time, and astatewide electronic database forjuvenile records sounds like a good idea.

I’mconcerned about what might happen in the sausagemaking, and Iwant to err on the side of protecting children. Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Amoral messenger’sfinal warningtothe United States

On Easter morning, the day before he died, Pope Francis met Vice President JD Vance, adevout defender of President Donald Trump’s virulent anti-immigration policies.Francis andVance exchanged brief pleasantries, but afew minutes later,anarchbishop read the pontiff’s holiday homily,which decried “how much contempt is stirred upat times towards the vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants.” It was the last of many occasions when the pope played his role as moral messenger,embracing the marginalized aroundthe globe, especially migrants driven from their homes by conflict,povertyand disaster He did not criticize Trumpor Vance by name, but he has often branded the president’scrusade against foreigners a“disgrace” and “not Christian.”

Will Sutton Steven Roberts

his favorable score on trade matters.

Catholic Church. not to give in to narratives that discriminate against and cause unnecessary suffering to our migrantand refugee brothers and sisters,”he wrote. The fight over foreigners is playing out on many fronts. The president is only thelatest in along line of American demagogueswho have demonized alien “others” for political gain, and he’sconvinced that despite Francis’ moral opposition, he’swinning thebattle for public opinion. During thecampaign, he called immigration the No. 1issue that would win him the election and added,“That beatsout theeconomy.Thatbeatsitall out to me; it’s not even close.” Indeed,hewon 59% of theCatholic vote, ajump of 12 points over 2020, when he lost narrowly to thesecond Catholic president,Joe Biden.

Arecent report by acoalition of religious groups says that 3out of 5undocumented immigrantswho could be subject to deportation by Trumpare Catholics, many from Latin andSouth America. But Catholic voters remain ambivalent on this issue, especially those whose families came here several generations ago from countries like Ireland, Italy and Poland, manyofwhom lack sympathy for thenewcomers.

he is starting to lose somelegal skirmishes.

The administration has been using an 18th-century statute, the Alien Enemies Act, to justifythe expulsion of hundreds of Venezuelans accused of belonging to violent gangs. In an unusual predawn order,the SupremeCourt temporarily barred the White House from further deportations under that law

Harvie Wilkinson, aRonald Reagan appointee widely admired in conservative legal circles, wrote:

“The government is asserting a right to stash away residents of this country in foreign prisons without the semblance of due process that is the foundation of our constitutional order.”

In February,for instance, the pope issued an unusual open letter to America’sCatholic bishops denouncing mass deportations. “I exhort all the faithful of the

An AP-NORC poll reports that 49% approve of how Trumpis handling the immigration issue —his highestratingonany issue tested,and 11 points higher than

Anthea Butler,aprofessor of religion at the UniversityofPennsylvania, analyzed this split for theReligious News Service and NPR: “On one hand, you have a big, giant denomination who is going to be profoundly affected by people being renditioned —and I’m going to use theword renditioned —out of this country who are faithful and loyal Catholics. Butonthe other hand, you have Catholic suburbanites and others who voted for Trumpwho are like, ‘OK, this is cool.’”

ButifTrumpiswinning the political contest over immigration,

Andwhile the court did not reach the underlying legal issues in the case, it wasnoteworthy that only two of the six conservative justices —Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito —dissented from theorder Georgetown Law professor Steve Vladeck told The Washington Postthat the court’sruling was “a sign that amajority of the justices have lost their patience with the procedural games being played by the Trumpadministration,” at least as it relates to the cases involving the Alien Enemies Act.

Apanel of Fourth Circuit appellate judges waseven morecritical of Trump’spolicies. Judge J.

As Trumpcontinues to defy court orders and constitutional principles, the voices of alarm are growing louder.“The choice before the administration could not be stated moreclearly —or moreconsequentially,” wrote columnist DanBalz in the Post.

“Does this president believe in the rule of law or does he believe he has unfettered power to act as he wishes?”

As Pope Francis has warned, this crucial question has moral as well as practical consequences.

“The vulnerable, the marginalized and migrants” might be political pawns to Donald Trump, but they are all children of Godto the Holy Father

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail.com.

Baton Rouge Weather

‘NO-FLAW KID’

Host of teamseye

PGA winat Zurich

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

ä Zurich Classic 2P.M. SUNDAy,CBS

The rain lifted, the skies parted, and when thehorn blewtoresume playafter a90-minute weather delay there wasRory McIlroy, standing on thebackofthe 18th green facing adouble-breaking 30-footer foreagle. The Northern Irishman expertly negotiated the emerald space, dropping the putt to vaulthimself andfellowZurich Classic reigning champion ShaneLowry to 22-under-par 194 on Saturday after asizzling 11-under 61.

“It was sort of quite acomfortable putt,” McIlroy said. “A little bit of lefttoright early,a bit of right to leftatthe end. Obviously, agreat way to finish.”

For some of the fans cheering loudly forthe newMasters championand career Grand Slamwinner, thatmight have been the end of thestory to the thirdround of this

Saints draw on Banks’ past to projectafoundationalplayer

BY MATTHEWPARAS Staff writer

Threeyearsago,Kelvin BanksJr. didn’tenroll at the University of Texas untilthe summer

This usuallywouldn’tbea bigdeal, butfor high-profile recruits, it has become common to graduatehigh school early andarriveoncampus as soon as possible. Thecoaches can begin coaching, and the kidsget moretime to acclimate to the program.

So when Banks finally got thechance to step on the practice fieldasa five-star freshman that July and work against the other athletes that had amonths-long head start, offensive coordinator Kyle Flood went over to chat with coach Steve Sarkisian

“Allright,that’s ourlefttackle,” Flood told him. “It took about two days.”

From Day 1—orDay 2, to be precise —Banks was adominantplayer who coachesrelied on as aprogram cornerstone. At thestart of Banks’ three-yeartenure, theLonghorns were coming off a5-7 season. By the end of it,Texas had made the College Football Playoff.

That sort of transformation requires amuch larger buy-in than just one lineman, but Flood said for that to happen, ateam’sbest players have to lead the way.And Banks was among Texas’ best players, if not the outright best.

Banks made the kindof impact the New Orleans Saints are hoping to get by draftingthe 21-year-old with the ninth overall pick in thisyear’sNFL draft on Thursday

SHAPING

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INSIDE

Tigers in theNFL: SevenLSU players draftedoverthe weekend, 5C HotinCleveland: QB Sanders selected by Browns, 5C

In terms of filling aneed,Banks shouldhelpprovide immediate answersupfront. That could be at left tackle, aspotthatwould allowlast year’sstarter —TalieseFuaga —to move back to his naturalposition of right tackle. Or it could be at guard, the biggest question markfor the offensive line

But don’tlosethe significance of Banks becoming the Saints’ first draft pickunder newcoach Kellen Moore

In NewOrleans,Moore will need a new generation of leaders to set a tone and pave theway to help theorganization become annual contenders again. And theSaints believe they’ve started that process with Banks,a two-time captain at Texas who Sarkisian called “the perfect Longhorn.” “It gives them somebody whowent through it,” Flood said. “Kelvin wasa big part of what we had to do here in changing this organization.



Banks said he becameaman early in his college career Facing Will Andersonand Dallas Turner of Alabama —two of the nation’stop pass rushers who are now both in the NFL —inthe second game of your collegiatecareer will do that. Banks didn’tback down.

Ohio State’sWoody Hayes and Michigan’sBoSchembechler had their 10-Year War, that stretch from 1969-78 when their careers collided and they did everything they could to beat the other Ithink we’re in thesame frame of conflicted reference in women’s basketballbetween LSU’s Kim Mulkey and SouthCarolina’s Dawn Staley This became ablazing rivalry when Mulkey arrived at LSU in 2022, quickly leading the Tigers in 2023 to their first NCAA title. Staley’s Gamecocks have beaten LSU every time during that stretch and bookended the Tigers’ national title with championships of

Scott Rabalais

STAFFPHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

Ben Griffinhitsout of asand trap at the 18th green during the Zurich Classicon Saturday at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.

ä See ZURICH, page 4C

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NuggetsdownClipperstotie series 2-2

INGLEWOOD,Calif.

Aaron Gordon slammed down Nikola Jokic’s miss as time expired to lift the Denver Nuggetsover the Los Angeles Clippers 101-99 on Saturday to tie their playoff series 2-2. Video review confirmedthe ball left Gordon’shands abovethe rim just before the buzzer sounded after the Nuggets had blown a 22-point lead.

Jokic had 36 points, 21 rebounds and eight assists to lead the Nuggets. Michael Porter Jr.and Christian Braun had 17 points apiece.

Kawhi Leonard scored 24 points for the Clippers.Norman Powell added 22 and IvicaZubachad 19 points, 12 reboundsand six assists.

The Nuggets splittheir two games at the new Intuit Dome. Game 5isMonday in Denver Askirmish between the teams near the end of the firsthalf resulted in six technical fouls, including on Jokic.

The Clippers led for the first time in the game at 97-96on Bogdan Bogdanovic’soffensive rebound and basket with 1:11 remaining.

Jokic’sfree throw and basket put Denver backinfront, 99-97, beforeZubac tiedit.

J. TERRILL

ASSOCIATED PRESPHOTO By MARK

DenverNuggetsguard Jamal Murrayshoots as Los Angeles Clippers centerIvicaZubac defends during the first half in Game 4ofthe firstroundplayoff series on Saturday in Inglewood,Calif.

Jokic’s3-pointattempt fromthe right side soared long over the basket, but Gordon sprang for the rebound with JamesHardenonhis back and slammed it down. The teamswere left in suspense while the referees reviewed the play The Nuggets outscored the Clippers35-19 in thethird to

lead 85-65. THUNDER 117, GRIZZLIES 115: In Memphis,Tennessee, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 38 points andthe Oklahoma City Thunder advanced to the Western Conference semifinals by beating the Memphis Grizzlies on Saturday to complete afour-game sweep.

Jalen Williams added23points for the top-seeded Thunder,who led the NBA witha 68-14 record this season and becamethe first team to reach the second round. They will awaitthe fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets or No. 5Los Angeles Clippers in the next round.

“I didn’tfeel like my mindset was anydifferent,”Gilgeous-Alexander said. “Every night Istep on thefloor to be the best version of myself.I hadn’t been in thepast (games), but tonight Iwas pretty close to it. Ithink because Ikept the same mindset, it allowed me to just play free.” CAVALIERS 124, HEAT87: In Miami, Donovan Mitchell didn’thave a great shooting day. DariusGarland was in street clothes, outwith an injury And Cleveland rolled anyway moving to thebrink of Round 2. Jarrett Allenscored22points, De’Andre Hunteradded21and theCavaliers —bullying Miami around all day —handed the Heat their worst playoff loss witha 12487 win Saturday to take a3-0 lead in theirEastern Conference firstround series. The Cavs took control with a 33-5 runearly,outrebounded Miami 46-29 and outscored the Heat 60-30 in the paint.

LSUaddsdefensive tackle outofportal

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

Staff writer

LSUfootball landeda commitment Saturday from South Florida transfer defensive tackle Bernard Gooden, sources confirmed with The Advocate, giving the Tigers one of the top players available in the spring transfer portalwindow Gooden began avisit to Baton Rouge on Thursday evening, according to his agency,and was scheduled to stay until Saturday LSUsecured his commitment before he took any other trips. Gooden, asenior fromMontgomery,Alabama, recorded 35

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their own in 2022 and 2024. But almost all of the games have been highly competitive and highly emotional, even spilling over intoashoving match in the 2024 Southeastern Conference Tournament final.

On Friday,the rivalrytook on a new dimension as LSU announced thesigning of former South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley out of the transfer portal. There are so many chapters to this book that could makefor some very heavy reading. To summarize,Fulwiley is from Columbia, South Carolina, the hometown of the Gamecocks (perhaps she is the “player to be namedlater” after former LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri took over the program there) Fulwiley is aplayer Staley has described as a“generational talent.” She was South Carolina’s spark plug off the bench the past two seasons as the Gamecocks won one NCAA titleand played for asecond this year against UConn. But with the return of star guard Raven Johnson and the addition of former Florida State guard Ta’Niya Latson —the nation’s leading scorerthis season, her

tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 11/2 sackswhile starting 11 games last season.Hereceivedhonorable mention all-AAC honors from the league coaches Gooden beganhis career at Wake Forest. He sat out the 2023 season after transferring to South Floridabecause of NCAA transferrules,the team said in his bio. Once hewas back on thefield last season,Gooden tied for second on theteam in tackles forloss. LSUwantedto add an experienced defensivetackle, and Gooden was itstop target. He wasthe first transfer to commit to the Tigers thisspring. OneLSU

player,freshmandefensive tackle Dilan Battle,entered thetransfer portal in this window,which closed Friday night. Gooden is expected to join the defensive tackle rotation right away alongside seniorJacobian Guillory,and sophomoresDominick McKinley and Ahmad Breaux. Redshirt junior Shone Washington andTexas transfer SydirMitchell alsocould have roles.

Listed at 6-foot-1and 280 pounds, Gooden will be a3-technique in defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s front. LSU was impressed with his twitchinessand explosiveness as an interiorpass rusher,traits that

S.C. South Carolina won66-56.

then-Seminoleswere eliminated by LSU in the NCAA second round —Fulwiley perhaps saw her path to becoming astarter blocked. Her addition to theTigers’ restocked roster for 2025-26 isn’twithout imperfections. For her career,the rising junior is shooting 43.2% from the floor and 30.2% from 3-point range to score 11.7 points per gameinjust 18.7 minutes per game played. She is prone to making turnovers and isn’t thetruepoint guard LSUlikely was seeking when the portal window opened But there are those two words

from Staley again: “generational talent.” She was thenation’s13thrankedprospect by ESPN coming out in 2023 (Mikaylah Williams was No. 2), afive-star point guard. ESPN women’sbasketball analyst Charlie Crème called her ability to take over agame as “electrifying” and “spellbinding.” The thought of her running afastbreak alongside her now backcourt teammates Flau’jae Johnson and Williams is intoxicating. It’saneasy argument to makethat LSUgoes into next season withthe nation’sbest backcourt,especially withthe

Djokovic talks ‘newreality’ after three-match skid

After losing asecond straight opening match and three in arow overall, Novak Djokovic said he is facing a“new reality” in his tennis career

Djokovic’s public coming to termswith his rare losing streak cameafter he fell in straight sets to Matteo Arnaldi 6-3, 6-4 in his first match of the Madrid Open on Saturday in Spain.

Djokovic,37, lost his opener to Alejandro Tabilo at the Monte Carlo Masters twoweeks ago.

“I was hoping Ican play one morematch than Iplayed in Monte Carlo. (It’s) kind of anew reality forme, Ihave to say,trying to win amatch or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament,” he said.

Giants legendaryLBsacks Carter’sjersey request

Abdul Carter gave it ashot, figuring he had nothing to lose.

Sure,Lawrence Taylor’sNo. 56 is retired by the NewYork Giants and is one of the mostrevered jersey numbers in franchise history. But Carter,the No. 3overall pick in the NFL draft Thursday night, idolizes Taylor and wanted to wear his number

L.T.sacked those dreamsquickly Taylor heard of Carter’srequest and, while honored, thinks the formerPennState pass rushershould makehis own legacy

“Hehas to be theplayerthathe is,” Taylor told ESPN.“He can’tbe another Lawrence Taylor.”

Carter wore No. 11 at Penn State, butthat number is also retired by the Giants forquarterback Phil Simms

Former St. Louis GM Jocketty dies at age 74 Jocketty died Friday in the Phoenix area, former Cardinals manager Tony La Russa toldthe team after speakingwithJocketty’s wife Sue.

The Cardinals announced the death Saturday TheCardinals won the National League CentralDivisionseven times under Jocketty’sleadership. St. Louis also won National League championships in 2004 and 2006 and their 10th World Series title in 2006.

matchthe aggressive style Baker wantstocreate upfront.

“This defense, forever and ever, we talk about the defensive tackles are the tip of the spear,” Baker saidinspring practice. “We’ve gottobeable to create knockback andhavoc. Ithoughtwegot alittle stale from that standpoint last year,and that’sonme.”

With Gooden’scommitment, LSU onceagain has the No. 1transfer class in the country,according to the247Sports rankings. It had been jumped by Texas Tech earlier in the spring portal window.Gooden will be the 17th transfer to join the team this offseason.

addition of aguard-heavy No. 1-ranked recruiting class. Of course, it seemed that way in 2023-24 with the addition of Hailey VanLith. That square peg never quite fit into the round hole the Tigers needed VanLith to fit into. One could express the same skepticism with Fulwiley, but there is no reason to think she can’tbenefit LSU in amajor way. There is even less reason to think Mulkey should have passed on trying to land aplayer of her skill.

LSU also haspicked up forwards KateKoval of Notre Dame and Amiya Joyner of East Carolina in the portal, butitstill haswork to do. The Tigers are battling UConn for Wisconsin forward Serah Williams. Without her, LSU will be very good. With her, theTigers will be considered among thehandful of national title contenders. Either way,Fulwiley is here and not there,there being South Carolina. The schedule isn’tout yet, but the Gamecocks will visit LSU at some point in the new year That game already wasgoing to be appointmentviewing. It’s even more of aspectacle now Whatever reasons drove Fulwiley off the South Carolina roster and onto LSU’s, emotions are sure to be heightened. Iwouldn’tmiss the next edition of the LSU-South Carolina rivalry for the world.

In histenurewithSt. Louis, Jocketty either drafted or acquired Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina, Mark McGwire, Adam Wainwright, Chris Carpenter,David Eckstein, Jason Isringhausen, Jim Edmonds, Scott Rolen and others.

Twins acquire INF Clemens from Philadelphia Phillies

TheMinnesota Twinsacquired infielder Kody Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday Clemens, the 28-year-old son of seven-timeCyYoung Award winner Roger Clemens, was designated for assignment by the Phillies on Wednesday.The Twinswere in need of anotherinfielderafter rookie Luke Keaschall broke his forearm in Friday’sgameagainst the Angels.

Minnesota is expected to use Clemens as abackup at first and second base, but he also has played third base and both corner outfield positions in the majors.

Clemensplayed56games with the Tigers in 2022 before spending parts of the last twoseasons in Philadelphia.

This year,hewas hitless in six atbats in limited playing time with the Phillies.

Front-nine birdiespree ties Ryu for LPGA lead

THE WOODLANDS, Texas— Haeran Ryu capped afront-nine run in the Chevron Championship with achip-in birdie, then held on in tricky wind conditions Saturday forashare of the third-round lead with Mao Saigo.

On agusty, sunny dayatThe Club at Carlton Woods in the first women’s major tournament of the year,Ryu parred thefinal nine holes for a4-under 68. Saigo followedwith69tomatch Ryuat 9-under 207.

Ryu opened with a65onThursdayfor ashare of thelead with YanLiu,then shot a74tofalltwo strokes back.

On Saturday, aftera bogeyon the third hole, she birdied No. 4 and ran off four straight on Nos. 6-9.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By NELL RAyMOND

The Associated Press

OUTDOORS

Mayaddsspeckledtrout to anglers’ list

BY JOE MACALUSO

Contributing writer

May arrives Thursday and, in addition to the opening of the private recreational red snapperseason, thehundreds of thousandsof inshore fishermen are seeing speckled trout in their future.

This small-boat fleet, whichtakes in most of our state’scharter-fishing operations, will be entering a secondfishing summerunder new speckled trout regulations.

Need arefresher on the new rules?

Notebook

For speckled trout, the daily creel limit is 15 with a “keeper” slot limit at aminimum measurement of 13 inches up to 20 inches. You’re allowed to keep twospeckslongerthan20inches among your 15 keepers.

Other stipulations bar the charter skipper and his crew from keeping fish, and you’re allowed to have a two-day limit on land, but notwhile fishing.

What’smore, this will be the first summer with new redfish catch rules: aminimum“keeper” length of 18 inches with amaximum of27 inches; four is the new daily limit; redfishmeasuring longer than27 inches must be returned to the water; and, there are the same two-day and charter-crewrestrictions as for speckled trout.

Now,the bigger question. Has there been adiscernibledifference in troutcatches since newrules were implemented lastsummer?

It’stoo early to tell was theconsensus among the four charter skippers from the Grand Isle, Buras and Lake Pontchartrain areas.

To aman, these always-on-thewater guys said it’ll take aminimum of 3-5 years in Pontchartrain and as long as 5-8 years inthe Grand Isle-Barataria areatoknow if therecan be afullrecovery to the

MONDAY RED STICK FLYFISHERS FLYTYING:

7p.m., Orvis Shop, 7601Bluebonnet Boulevard. Open to public. Hands-on cliniccovering basics of fly tying. Materials/tools provided. Website: rsff.org

TUESDAY-THURSDAY COMMERCIAL FISHING LICENSE/ BOAT REGISTRATION RENEWAL: LDWF office, 2045 LakeshoreDrive, Suite438, NewOrleans.CallLDWF Licensing(225) 765-2898

THURSDAY

LA. WILDLIFE &FISHERIES COMMISSION MEETING: 9:30 a.m., Joe Herring Room,state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters,Quail Drive, Baton Rouge.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

FFI GULF COAST CLASSIC: 9a.m.-

5p.m. daily,GulfState Park Learning Campus, Gulf Shores,Alabama. Fees

$10-$15. Seminars, castingclinics, fly tying. Fly Fishing Film Festival

May3.Hosted by Gulf Coast Council of Fly FishersInternational event. Website: ffigulfcoastclassic.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

LA. HIGH SCHOOL/JUNIOR BASSMASTER STATECHAMPIONSHIP: Ouachita River, Monroe. Call Tommy Abbott (504) 722-6638.Website: louisianahighschoolbassnation.com

MikeGallo was fishing deep under acork to takethis speckled trout from the lowerreaches of the Pontchartrain Basin. Gallo, aveteran charterguide,joinedother guides to sayit’stoo early to knowiflast summer’snew speckled trout regulations have had an effect on overall troutnumbers. And, likethe others, he said most fishermen are battling muddywaters and winds to catch trout lately

numbers state Wildlife and Fisheries marinebiologists believe for speckled trout to reach a“sustainable population.”

Then youcan referencewhat Chas Champagne saidabout is experience in Pontchartrain waters lastsummer

“LastAugust and intoSeptember Ithrewback athousand 12-13 inch trout. Yes, athousand,” Champagne said. (Thenew regulations raised the minimumsizelimit from 12 to 13 inches.)

“By Novemberand December, we hadthe best (trout)catches we’ve had in eight years,” he said.

“You have to knowthe seasonsfor trouthereand know ourpeak times arelate in theyear.”

Veteran charter skipper MikeGallo saidthe lack of storms and hurri-

canes helped stabilize the catches in the lowerPontchartrain andin his main targetsinLake Borgne

“Dependingonthe day, alot of fishare being caught,but Idon’t know if that’s because of new size limit,”Gallo said. “It’smuch too soon for us to tell.What’s helped us over here is that we’ve not had ahurricane on the eastside (ofthe Mississippi River) in three years andthat’sthreefull spawning cycles, which might explain why we’reseeing abunch of fish.

“I knowone thing. If a12-inch trout is released when it hasnot spawned and it grows, then it will spawn in the next cycle, and we canhope, withoutstorms,toget afourth, fifth anda sixth uninterrupted spawning cycles, then we’ll be in great shape.”

CALENDAR

SPRING SQUIRREL SEASONGETS UNDERWAY

Louisiana’sspringsquirrel hunting season opened Saturday andruns through May25onprivate lands, and alimited May3-11season is open on more than 40 of the55state-managed wildlife management areas. This season is closed on most federallands, including theKisatchie National Forest Includedamong the40are Attakapas, ElmHall, Grassy Lake, HutchinsonCreek, Joyce, LakeBoeuf,LakeRamseySavannah, Manchac, MaurepasSwamp, PearlRiver,Pomme de Terre, Richard yancey, Sandy Hollow, Sherburne, Spring Bayou,Tangipahoa ParishSchool Board, Thisthethwaite and Tunica Hills WMAs.

Thebag limit is three per day.youneed abasichunting license if you’re 18 andolder, and, to accessthe WMAs, aWMA accesspermitifyou don’t have aSeniorHunting/Fishing License, aLouisiana Sportsman’sParadise Licenseor aLifetime Hunting/Fishing License. And,Wildlife andFisheries is sending its annual hunting surveyto randomly selected hunters Monday.The agency’sWildlife Divisionis askingrecipientstorespond to thisonlinesurvey.

SATURDAY FLYFISHING 101: 9-11 a. m.,Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge.Nocharge.Basics of casting rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. Allages, adultstoaccompa-

ny 15-and-younger. Preregistration required. Call Shop(225) 757-7286. Website: orvis.com/batonrouge

HUNTINGSEASONS

TURKEY: Area A: through May4;

Moving closer to theMississippi River, longtimecharter skipper Ryan Lambert,who calls Buras home, said it’s much too early to predict the effects of the newrules, but said the river dictates the fishing production in his area.

“When the wind dies, we’recatching on both sides of the river,” Lambertsaid.“Earlierthisyearthere wasthe fear the(January) freeze would hurt,but the freeze did not do much damage.

“There are still plenty of fish, but here we have to keep an eye on the river.Ifthe water is muddy and the wind blows wrong, well, but thedays whenthe wind blows right (from the southeast) and we get clean water pushing up against themuddy water,then the fish will hold in the crystalclear waterand we catch fish. It’sthat simple.”

The Buras area, especially the east side of the Mississippi River holds redfishand trout, andit’s redfish that has put this area southwardtoVenice on the fishing map.

“Weare seeinga lotof17-inch redfish right now,” Lambert said.

“Every boat of ours (on Wednesday) released between 50 and 80 rat (undersized) reds. That’swhat we’re seeing and we knowthose fishwill grow.”

Redfish are not themaintarget in Grand Isle-Barataria waters, at least not for Frank Dreher,who said most of the charter skippers operating on the island and north up La. 1toThe Fourchon.

“We’recatching larger trout right now,but we’rehaving to find clearer water to do it,” he said.

“Just this week, the fish (trout) began to take croaker,and that’sgood forus. There are alot of (brown) shrimp, too, andthatmeansplenty of food for trout. We just need for the wind to lay.It’sbeen blowing 20 knots from the southeast here for severaldays and that means lots of dirty water.”

Drehersaidhebaseshis opti-

Area B: through April 27; Area C closed.

SQUIRRELS: Statewide, May3-25, private lands only AROUND THE CORNER

MAY4—BASSMASTER HIGHSCHOOL &JUNIOR SERIES: Buggs Island, Mecklenburg County, NorthCarolina. Website: bassmaster.com

MAY8—JUNIOR SOUTHWEST BASSMASTERS MEETING: 7p.m., Seminar Room, Bass ProShops, Denham Springs.Boys&girls agegroupbass tournamentsfor ages 7-10, 11-14 &15-18 anglers. Call Jim Breaux (225) 772-3026.

MAY8-11—BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES: LakeFork, Yantis,Texas. Website: bassmaster.com

MAY8—GULF COUNCIL SHRIMP/STATISTICAL COMMITTEES MEETING: 7:30 a.m.-4:30p.m., Council office, 4107 West Spruce Street, Suite200, Tampa, Florida. Website: gulfcouncil.org

MAY9—GULF COUNCIL ECOTECH COMMITTEE MEETING: 7:30 a.m.3:30 p.m..(CDT), via webinar. Website: gulfcouncil.org

MAY9-10—MLF BASS INVITATIONAL: Pickwick Lake, Counce,Tennessee. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com

MAY10—FLYFISHING101/PANFISH: 9-11 a. m.,Orvis Shop,Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge.Fee free. Basics of casting, rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, adults to accompany15-and-

mism on increased speckled trout numberstothe action takenby Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission three years ago for aclosed season on taking flounder

“Now,this year,from February to today, I’ve caught more flounder near this island that in the past eight to nine years,”hesaid.“As for thetrout regulations,the only difference is whatwe’re seeing are larger trout, just not the numbers we have had, and the customers don’tseem to mind catching fewer, but larger trout.”

Dreher said most of the redfish catchesinthe lowerBarataria Basin come fromfishermenrunning farnorth of Grand Isle into marsh ponds. The redfish showing up alongthe barrier islands either don’tmake the 18-inch minimum size or are longer than the 27-inch maximum.

Another concern withthe downsizing of the daily limit was the effect on marinas and live-bait sales. BuggyVegas,atBridge Side Marina on GrandIsle, said the live-bait business is booming.

“Wedon’thear complaining about the limits,” he said.“It seemscustomers think 15 is plenty enough, andeverybody is still buying live bait.

“Right now,we’re seeing alot of brown shrimp and that’sgood for us,goodfor thefish andgoodfor the fishermen.” Brown shrimp are the maintarget for Louisiana’sspring inshore shrimp season. They’re smaller than whiteshrimpbut equally tasty, butcatch numbershave fallen in most of the last 10 spring seasons. The opening of the spring inshore shrimp season throughout Louisiana’scoastal marshes will dominate Thursday’sWildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting set for 9:30 a.m.atstate Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.

younger. Preregistration required. Call Shop (225) 757-7286.Website: orvis.com/batonrouge

FISHING/SHRIMPING

SHRIMP: Inshoreseasonclosed except in Breton/Chandeleursounds& all outside watersopen

CLOSED SEASONS: Greater amberjack, redsnapper (private recreational seasonopensMay 1); gag, goliath& Nassau groupersinstate/ federal waters. The recreational takeofbluefin tuna wasclosed April 23 by federal fisheries.

OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Gray triggerfish, flounder;lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers &wenchmen among othersnapper species; all groupersexcept closed for goliath &Nassau groupersin state/federal waters.

LDWF UPDATES

CLOSED: Pearl River WMA (Old U.S. 11 gate&shooting range;flooding);HopeCanal Road/boat launch (MaurepasSwamp WMA, leveeconstruction);Blackhawk Boat Landing, Annie’s Lake, Lincecum, Union Point, Dobbs Bay& Routen Camp roads and theWarren Trailhead (Richard YanceyWMA, flooding, culvert failure); GrassyLakeWMA allroads &trails (flooding)

EMAIL: jmacaluso@theadvocate.com

Joe Macaluso

ZURICHCLASSIC

FROM THEGALLERY:QUICK TAKESFROMTHE ZURICH

WEATHER

Sunday in Avondale

Coming to aboil: Partly cloudywith aslight chance of rain. High 86.

LEADING/LURKING

AndrewNovak andBen Griffin shot an 11-under-par 61 to takea three-stroke lead into Sunday’s finalroundat 27-under 189. JakeKnapp/ FrankieCapan shot the round of the day, a12-under 60, to stand in second at 24-under 192.

WHERE’S RORY?

Masters champion/world No. 2RoryMcIlroyreturned from a90-minute weather delay to draina30-foot eagleputt on 18. That put himself and Shane Lowry, the 2024 Zurich champions, at 22-under 194 with an 11-under 61. They’rein atie forsixth place.

Shane

FridayinAvondale.

on the18thgreen after finishing the second round of theZurichClassic at

Zurich’s 19th hole about food,fun andenticement

Call it juju, superstition or the luck of the Irish, but Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry are not about to mess with success.

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

Two-man teamsplay the followingformat: Thursday:Four-ball (bestball)

Friday:Foursomes (alternate shot)

Saturday:Four-ball (bestball)

Sunday:Foursomes (alternate shot)

ZURICH

Continued from page1C

year’stournament.

But someone forgot to tell a host of teams, many of them with players vying to earn their first career PGA Tour victories. They made easyworkofa gettable TPC Louisiana course in itsmost gettable format, leaving the marquee grouping of McIlroy and Lowry with worktodo if they’retoliftthe tournament trophy again.

Andew Novak and Ben Griffin, bothpursuing PGA Tour win number one, chased the setting sun to put daylight between themselves andthe rest of thefield. Novak, wholost asudden-death playoff one week earlier to Justin Thomas at theRBC Heritage, birdiedthe tough par-3 17th andthe par-5 18th to also shoot a61and get in at 27-under 189. That’sthree strokes clear of 2024 Mexico Open champion JakeKnapp and Frankie Capan, thelatter also seekinghis first PGA Tour win, as well as winless Ryo Hisatsune and Takumi Kanaya of Japan.

Novak and Griffinhave their own game within agame going this week, competing with each other to seewho can have the most chip-ins.

TICKETS/PARKING

Admission is $45. Activemilitary and children under 15 with paying adult are admitted free. Parking is at NOLA Motorsports Park, 11075 Nicolle Blvd.Final round is on Golf Channelfrom noon-2 p.m., CBSfrom 2p.m.conclusion.

putts out there.”

increases annually on the PGA Tour,tournamentorganizers have learned to playtotheir strengths.

Oneofthe Zurich’sbiggest trump cardsisNew Orleans’ nightlife andcuisine.

Ayear afterwinning the Zurich Classic in their firstvisit to New Orleans, the Irish golfing buddies have stuck to the same routine that brought them a championship here ayear ago. Their itinerary includes thesame lineup of local restaurants, among them Gautreau’s and Arnaud’s, where theyfamously purchaseda1982 bottleof Chateau Lafite Rothschild, which is priced at $4,000.

“We’re just trying to have fun. That’sthe best way for us toget the best out of ourselves,” McIlroy said Saturday,after heand Lowryscorched the TPC of Louisiana for an 11-under 61. Lowry and McIloryare not the only Zurich Classic golfers enjoying the local restaurant scenethis week. For many,around of 18 at the tournament is regularly followed by areservation at one of the city’sworld-class restaurants for anight of food and conviviality with teammates and family members

“That’sone of the best parts about this tournament, is the food,” said Kurt Kitayama, a10year PGA Tour veteran. “Being Collin (Morikawa’s playing) partner,heknows all the spots, so we get to have some really good team dinners,and it’salot of fun.”

None of this, of course, is by accident. The tournament’s hospitality apparatus is amajor part of its popularityonthe PGA Tour.And overthe years,asthe competition to lure eliteplayers

The Fore!Kids Foundation, which operates the tournament for the PGA Tour,isequipped to succeed in this department. Several of its members are prominent restauranteurs, including Katie Casbarian (Arnaud’s),Tony Cvitanovich (Drago’s) and Melvin Rodrigue (Galatoire’s).

Between them and longtime tourism and hospitality executives Tony Abadie, David Blitch ad Mark Romig, arestaurant reservation is usually just aphone call away.And that call almost always goes through Anne Barnes, the longtimeFore!Kids Foundation memberwho works in player services andacts as the tournament’s unofficialconcierge.

“Wehave this underground network, it’slike the six degrees of Kevin Bacon,” Rodrigue said. “Somebody knows somebodyat just aboutevery placeintown and we’re goingto get them in (for dinner).”

Tournament officials said many of therestaurants hold an extra table or two off the books during Zurich week for last-minute reservations. Andthe veteran staffs knowtomaintain discretion with star players such as McIlroy and Lowry.

“It can be abig table or alastminuterequest and it doesn’tmatter what level of player,it’scriticalthatwe’re abletomeet their desires,” saidRomig, alongtime hospitality and tourism executive.

“Wewant to makesure they enjoy themselves at thetournament and leavefeelinggood about New Orleans.”

Over the years, as the tournament’sconcierge service has grown and becomemore popular, traditions have started to develop among some players.

PGA Tour pro Billy Horschel has played in theZurich for most of the last decade. He and his team have madeahabit of dining at Desi Vega’sSteakhouse at least once before thestartofthe tournament,where longtime friend Vega holds court withHorschel, his friends and family Xander Schauffle and Patrick Cantlay,who missed thetournamentfor the first time in years this week, have been regulars at GW Fins.

Morikawa has become afan of theMediterranean fare at Shaya and makes apoint to eat there annually.Hetook Kitayama with him this year

“I could order anything off that menuand be happy and satisfied,”said Morikawa, who missed thecut this year.“It’sa fun week to go out and have food because there’ssomuch, and every year you kind of try somethingnew essentially.”

The city’sfood reputation is such that tournamentdirector Steve Worthy has madeitamajor selling point during his recruiting trips to other tournaments on thePGA Tour.Players regularly ask him for tipsand inquire about new hotspotsashemakes the rounds each spring.

“It’s huge,”Worthy said. “Like every other tournament, we want to play to our strengths and put our best foot forward, and the great good in New Orleansiscertainly abig factor.Ifithelps tip thescales in our favor for when they’re picking where they’re going to play,that’s exactly what we’re looking for.”

“Wewere doing some jabs at each other,and it sort of became athing on the first day after we chipped in three times on the front nine,” Novak said.

“Itmakes it fun,” Griffinsaid.

“Everything aboutthe formatis fun. It’s just an added game that we can compete against each other with. We’re on the sameside, but it’sfun to change it up alittlebit.” Knapp and Capan shot matching6-under 30s on both nines to compile the day’sbest score, a 12-under 60 that doubledthe red figurebeside their names to put them at 24-under 192 with Hisatsune andKanaya.

The Japaneseduo were one of seven teamstoshoot 61 on a daythat, aside fromthe thunderstorm that rumbled through mid-afternoon, produced benign scoring conditions.

“I really think we both had a good chanceonmostevery hole, and in abest ball it’s nicetojust have alot of looks at it,” said Capan, aPGA Tour rookie.“Ifelt like we did areally good jobof just kind of taking care of our own gamesand making afew

Tied for fourth at 23 under weretwo more teams outfor career victory No. 1: twin brothers Nicolai and Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark and second-round leaders Isaiah Salinda and Kevin Velo.The Hojgaards went outin 6-under 30 on the front nine en route to a64. Salinda andVelo, starting at 17 under,overcame a slower start to birdie twooftheir last four holes and shoot 66. That wasabout thehighest scorepossible to keep ateamin contention Saturday.Playing the easier four-ball (best ball) format, players shredded thePete Dye-designed course,with the field averaging just atickbetter than 64 forthe day

“I feel like we playedpretty well,” Lowry said. “Weknew we were going to have to go out and shoot areally low score. There’s not much wind out there, and the course is fairly gettable,and in four-balls you want to be shooting at least 10 under.”

As in Friday’ssecondround, play Sunday will shift to the more difficult Foursomes (alternate shot) format. There’s more planning involved as playershave to strategize arotation that will be best in terms of who tees off on whichhole. Many teams also have to decide on whichplayer’s brand of ball to play,asisthe case with McIlroy and Lowry

They are attempting to be the first team to repeat as Zurich Classic champions since the tournament switched to thePGA Tour’s only two-team format in 2017.

“As long as we keep having fun outthere,that’ll be thebestway for us to get the best out of ourselves,” McIlroy said.

BY ERIC OLSON

AP collegefootball writer

LINCOLN, Neb Derek Wacker is living the dream of many boys whogrew up in small town Nebraska, and he’sholding onto it as long as he can. Wacker is awalk-on football player for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He has no scholarship, no NIL deals and no idea if he’ll still be on the team in the fall.

The undersized linebacker was in on afew tackles in ascrimmage among third- and fourth-string players at MemorialStadium on Saturday.Afew thousand fans showed up to watch, so the day just might endupbeing his career highlight.

“I feel I’ve made alot of jumps thisoff-

season and I’mreadytoattack it againcome summer,”hesaid. “Status with the team? Keep working and we’ll find out in the end. I don’tthink anyone knows at this point.”

Thedays of walk-ons in college football and other sports are numberedbecause termsofthe looming $2.8 billionHousevs. NCAA antitrust lawsuit settlement requires Football Bowl Subdivision teamstopare their rostersto105 players. The average FBS roster was 128 players in 2024.

Programs had been operating under the assumption the 105-man limit would go into effectthis fall, but thejudge overseeing the case has indicated she wants thesidesto phase in limitsover time

“There’salittlebit of stress because of the uncertaintyofthe eventsgoing on,” Wacker

said. “Noone really knows forsurewhat’s going to happen. Ihave to trust my coaches, trust God, have faith andkeep working and everything will be all right in the end.” Rhulewas awalk-on,too Of the 129players on Nebraska’s current roster,64participated in Saturday’sscrimmage. Most were walk-ons like Wacker Coach Matt Rhule hasabond withthe payyour-own-way players. He wasa walk-on linebacker at PennState, and he has spoken often this spring abouthow he dreadshavingtotellsome of them they won’tbewith theteam going forward. Wacker is from Yutan, atown of about 1,400 that’s45minutes north of Lincoln. He playedsmall-school high school footballand

received someinterest from Minnesota and acouple Division II schools. His sights were always squarely on Nebraska, with or without ascholarship. “I was adie-hard Husker fan growing up,” he said. “There’snowhere I’drather be than here.Ibleed Huskerred andit’sanamazingfeelingtocomeand playinMemorial Stadium in front of fans andinfront of my family.” Nebraska’swalk-onprogramdates to 1962, whenLangston Colemanhitchhiked from Washington,D.C., to Lincolnafter he hadwrittentocoach BobDevaney asking forachance. Devaney wrote back he had no scholarship to offer but would give him afairshot. Colemanletteredthreeseasons from 1964-66.

Nicolai Hojgaard watches hisputt slide past the hole on the18th green on SaturdayinAvondale.

STAFFPHOTOSBySCOTT THRELKELD

Takumi Kanaya tries to guide his second shot on 18 during the Zurich ClassiconSaturdayatTPC Louisiana in Avondale.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE

RoryMcIlroyand

Lowryreact

TPC Louisiana on

Jeff Duncan

NFL DRAFT

LSU finishes with sevenplayers drafted

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Three LSU players were selected on the last day of the 2025 NFL Draft as defensive end Bradyn Swinson, offensive lineman Miles Frazier and offensive lineman Garrett Dellinger came offthe board Saturday Swinsonwas picked No.146 overall in the fifth round by the NewEngland Patriots, and Frazier went laterinthe fifth round to the Detroit Lions. Dellinger followed them in the seventh round when the Baltimore Ravens used the 243rd pick on the last of LSU’s offensive linemen.

With the selections, LSU finished with seven players taken in the 2025 NFL Draft: offensive tackle Will Campbell, tight end Mason Taylor, offensive tackle Emery Jones,defensive end Sai’vion Jones,Swinson, Frazier and Dellinger. LSU had four offensive linemen taken in the same draft for the first time since 1947.

As the seventh round ended, several former LSU playersbegan signing as undrafted free agents or accepting invitations torookie minicamps.

Cornerback Zy Alexander signed

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

It also setthe stage of what he’d see over the next few years.

“It just meant alot,” Banks said, “having to grow up fast.”

Not many freshmen arethrown into the fire, but perhaps even more rare was the lack ofsurprise when it happened. Flood said what unfolded in the summer of 2022 made the Texas coaching staff more than comfortable trusting him to hold his own.And even in Banks’ own family,they knew he was up to the task What makes someone ready for that stage?

“I always told him to perfect his craft,” Kelvin Banks Sr.said He wanted his son to have anormal childhood. He wanted him to have the freedom to explore his interests, which have come toincludefishing and reviewing barbecue restaurants.

But the father,who was an offensive lineman who played indoor football with the Conroe Storm, football was partoftheir family.Sonaturally,his took aliking to the sport —and dad did the best he could to preparehim Those early lessons included studying film. When his son was 9or10, the Bankses wouldpore over film of Banks Jr.’sgames, studyupcoming opponentsand watch the best from the NFL.

“He tookthat and made it his own,” BanksSr. said. “Heran with it. And that’sthe type of person he is. He’saprofessional.”

Banks Jr.’sphysical gifts also allowed him to be ready for the challenge. Flood, who alsoserves as the Texas offensive line coach, said the lineman has “great natural length and power.” But the tackle’smost underrated trait? His core strength, Flood said. By having astrong core, Banks is “very rarely off balance.”And when he is occasionallyknocked off his spot, he canrecover quickly to sustain contact and finish plays. According to Pro Football Focus, Banks allowedonlyfive sacks in 42 career games. Then there’sthe mental component. Flood said Banks has a“unique ability”tofocus on the game, no matter the stakes. The lineman is abletoconcentrate, whether his team needs afour-minutedrive to seal the victory or come from behind with atwo-minute drill.

“In the NFL, every game is competitive,” Flood said.“I mean, all the games. There’sso many games every week to come down to atwo-minute drill. Yeah, he’sabsolutely ready for that.”

At Texas, Banks alsowent through achallenging family situation that he rarely talked about until last season. His mother, Monica, fought alife-threatening illness that caused her to collapse after one of Banks’games during his freshman year and later put her on aventilator in 2024. That same year,Monica’sdoctors discovered she needed gallbladder surgery,which ended up saving her life.

These days, she’sdoing well. As aresult of her illness,Monica had to relearn how to walk and speak. Duringthe saga,Banks Sr.re-

withthe Seattle Seahawks;defensive lineman Paris Shand signed with theBuffaloBills;and safety Major Burns signed withthe ChicagoBears,accordingtosources. Defensive linemanGio Paez accepted aspot in the ChicagoBears’ rookie minicamp, asource said.

RunningbackJoshWilliams signed with the TampaBay Buccaneers, according to TomPelissero of theNFL Network. Linebacker Greg Penn had not signed as of press time.

After falling further than his originalprojection, Swinson went early in thefifth round. He became the second LSU player to be picked by the New England Patriots this yearafterCampbell was taken No. 4overall.

Swinson broke out as asenior last year, finishing withateamhigh 13 tackles for loss, 81/2 sacks and12quarterback hurries. He beganhis career at Oregon but transferred to LSU after three seasons. Later in the fifth round, Frazier was selected with the 171st overall pick. Frazierwas athree-year starter for LSU after beginning his career at Florida International. He started 39 games for the Tigers, primarily at right guard. He could be aversatile player in theNFL with

LOOMIS:CARR IS STARTING QBIFHEALTHY

Mickey Loomis said he expects the New Orleans Saints to have a quarterback competition —but only if Derek Carr is unavailable for2025.

“Derek’s thestarter if he’s healthy,” the Saints general manager said Loomis reinforced that the 34-yearold willbethe team’s starter if he’s healthyenough to play,despite drafting quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round. But the Saints are still waiting for clarity about whether Carr’sshoulder injury will sideline him for all of next season.

Loomis saidnothinghas changed on Carr’s status, even after the quarterback’s brother, David, said on the NFL Network that the Saints starter has been in contact with the team. If Carr can’tplay, Shough figures to compete with Spencer Rattler and JakeHaener for the starting job. Matthew Paras

members how his son wouldn’tlet it “deter” him. Neither of his parentswould have it any other way

On draftnight, Monica was there on thecouch when Banks got the callthathewas amember of theSaints. “She was very proud,” Banks Sr.said, “and I’m glad she got to be here to see it.”



At an LSU coaching clinic last month, Saintsoffensive coordinatorDougNussmeier stood in frontofaroom of high school coaches andspokeaboutculture. He told them that culture —football’sfavoritebuzzword —isn’t amatterofquotes on awall or a page in the team’splaybook.

“The players have to live it,” Nussmeier said.

Speaking overthe phone, aday after Banks was drafted,Flood reiterated thesameidea.And Banks, hesaid, made that arealityfor Texas.

Flood would often notice how Banksinteractedwithyounger teammates, notafraidtopull them aside to say “that’snot how we do it here.” The tackle wasn’t loud or boisterous, but he helped set the standard.

For that standard to take root, Banks had to be reliable. And he was. Banks’durability was a strength forthe Longhornsasthe lineman missed only onegame for an injury over his last three years, and that is undoubtedlyappealing for aSaints team that was ravaged upfront last season.

“Justthrough his process, he’s everything you want your organization to represent,” Moore said after theSaints drafted Banks.

On draft night, Moore left the door open about whether Banks wouldplay tackle or guard at thenext level.Scouting reports from The Athletic and theNFL Network suggest Banks, because of his shorter 33-incharms,may be better suited for the inside.

On the broadcast, The NFL Network’sDaniel Jeremiahsaid he thinks Banks could “holdup” at tackle,but that he’d be “hell on wheels” at guard.

Banks saidhe’ll play anywhere.

Asked about his thoughts on the debate, Flood saidhedoesn’thave “any doubt” that Banks could thriveattackle in the NFL. Just like he saw during Banks’ first two days allthose yearsago.

“I know it sounds disingenuous when Idescribe what Kelvin’slike, but this is really what he’slike,” Flood said. “He’sano-flaw kid.”

LSU offensivelineman Garrett Dellinger,left, and offensive lineman

Will Campbell runthroughadrill before kickoff on Sept. 1atAllegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Both Dellingerand Campbell were drafted during the NFLdraft weekend.

his experienceatguard andtackle. LSU had sent four offensive linemen to the draft, and Dellinger was the last onetocome off the board. He reunited with Emery Jones, who had been picked by the Ravens in the third round.

Aconstantpresence on theLSU offensive line thepastfouryears, Dellinger appeared in 41 games andmade30starts. He played multiple positions, but the majority of his starts cameatleft guard. Dellinger missed the final four games

of the 2024 regular season with an ankle injury

Those selections came after Emery Jones and Sai’vion Jones were picked late Friday night in the third round.

Emery Jones, aBaton Rouge native andformerCatholicHighstar, waspicked 91st overall by the Baltimore Ravens.

Jones took over at right tackle early in his freshman year.He started 36 games there at LSU and became atwo-time second-team All-SEC selection. LSU tried to convince him to return for his senioryear,but Jones wasready to start his professional career Sai’vion Jones went 101st overall to the Denver Broncos, who traded up in order to draft him. Jones, a Vacherie native, put together his best season as asenior last fall, recording 40 tackles, 71/2 tackles for loss, 41/2 sacks and eight quarterback hurries.

In Denver,Jones reunitedwith former LSUdefensivelinecoach Jamar Cain, who’sentering his secondseason in thesame role with the Broncos.

For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

Saints wrap up draft with unexpected finds

BYLUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

Whenthe draft started Thursday night,the New OrleansSaints had nine picks at theirdisposal. When it finishedSaturday night, they had nine new players on their roster For the first time in years, the Saints did not make atrade in this year’s draft, electingtokeep allof theiroriginalselections. Thelast time the Saintshad madeatleast nine selections in adraft was 2015. Afterthe draft, general manager Mickey Loomis quipped, “That’s progress, Iguess.”

Loomis saidthe Saints hadoptionsthroughout the draft to move up or down, but they felt comfortable withtheir selections —especially on Day 3, where Loomis said he believedthe Saints received strong value withtheir picks.

“That was kind of the theme today,”Loomis said. “There were someguys we really didn’texpect to be available andthey were. So that’swhy there wasn’talot of movementfor us.”

New Orleansselected five players on Day 3: Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman(4-112), Louisville corner QuincyRiley (4-131), Kansas running back Devin Neal (6-184), UCLA tight endMoliki Matavao (7-248) and Syracuse defensive end Fadil Diggs (7-254).

Stutsmanhad just oneprivate predraft workout —with PeterSirmon, the Saints linebackers coach.

“Obviously there’salot thatgoes into the process, but you’ve gotto make the most of the opportunities you’re presented withand Ithink I capitalizedonthat,”Stutsmansaid.

Stutsmangivesthe Saints additionaldepth at linebacker for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’snew 3-4schemeand apotential successor toAll-Pro middle linebacker Demario Davis.

He wasaproductive player as athree-year starter for the Oklahoma defense, tallying 376 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, eight sacksand threeinterceptions in his four-year career He was afinalist for theButkus

AP FILE PHOTOBySTEW MILNE Oklahoma’sDannyStutsman defends during the second halfof agameagainst AuburnonSept. 28 in Auburn, Ala.Stutsman was selected by the Saints on Saturday

Awardlastyear,whenheearnedconsensus All-America and first-team all-Southeastern Conference honors. Loomis singled Rileyout as someone the Saints specifically did not believe would be available where theypicked him. He showed impressive ball skills throughout his college career,intercepting 15 passes andaccumulating 54 pass breakups over sixtotal seasons with Middle Tennessee and Louisville Lastseason, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Rileybrokeup15passes andintercepted two in 10 games. Whenasked where his ball skills comefrom, Rileycredited hisexperience playing baseball as acenter fielder when he wasyounger “Tracking the flight of the ball, distance, when it’sgoing to hang, when it’sgoing to fall,” Riley said. “That just helped me at (defensive back) having confidence, so now when I’m looking forthe ball, I don’thave to panic. It just comes natural to acertain extent.”

Thelast timeStaley called defensive plays,his LosAngelesChargers teamsused alot of match zone coverage, in which the defense shows zone coverageatthe line of scrimmagebut cantransition into man depending on what the offense is doing. Louisville played asignificant amount of match zone during Riley’stimethere.

“I can makeplays in the zone or go downthere, get in somebody’s face and lock them up,” he said. Neal ranfor 4,343yards in his college career,breaking Kansas’ all-time rushingrecord and becoming theBig 12’sfifthall-time leading rusher He may have hurt his draftprospects when he ran a4.58-second 40-yard dashatthe combine, but his speed didn’tappear to hurt him at Kansas. Neal averaged nearly 6 yards per carry for his career on 760 rushing attempts, andhefinished with 49 career rushing touchdowns.

“I think I’mapatient runner that has great vision and great feel for different run schemes,” Nealsaid. “I’mamake-you-missguy,but I can also use my power as well. I believe, formyself, I’maneverydowntype of back.”

In Matavao, the Saints took a6-6 athlete wholed the Bruins with 41 catches for506 yards receiving last season. NewOrleans added to the position amonth after re-signing Juwan Johnson to athree-year, $30.8 million contract.

Matavao waswith the Bruins for the last two years after spending his first two seasons at Oregon. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com described him as a“big in-linetight end whose flashes as apass catcher helped to improvehis draft stock. “

The Saints also have several injuriesattight end, withTaysom Hill coming off atorn ACL and Foster Moreau suffering aknee injury late last season.

The Saintswrapped up theirclass with an intriguing prospect on the edge in Diggs, whobegan his career with Texas A&M before transferring to Syracuse as agraduate.

In his one season with theOrange, Diggs recorded 7.5sacks and 14 tackles forloss. He finished his career with 15.5 sacks in 45 games.

The 6-4, 257-pound Diggs has impressive length, with a79-inch wingspan, andheisalso an excellent athlete, running a4.57-second 40-yard dash and posting a9.36 Relative Athletic Score.

Staff writer Matthew Paras contributed to this report.

QB SandersentersBrowns’ competition

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

BEREA, Ohio— Andrew Berry said Friday night that it was less about where Shedeur Sanders gotpicked than what he would do with the opportunityafter getting selected. It turnsout,the Brownsgeneral manager was prophetic in describingwhatheexpects outofthe player who becamehis fifth-round pick thenext day Sanders, who was taken withthe 144th overallselection by Cleveland on Saturday,comes to ateam that will have aquarterback competition goingintotrainingcampinJuly

“I know I’mgoing to fit in per-

fect,” Sanders said on aconference call. “I feel like it’sfirst getting in, showing the respect to the vets, showing them I’m here ready to work, show the coaches and have themunderstand I’mhere ready to work so theycan actually understand the real me.That’swhat I’m trulythankful to have is the opportunity for people to actually see therealmeand notbeableto seestuff thatcould be true or not.” Sanders —the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders —comes to afranchise thathas failed repeatedly to findalongtermanswer at the position since returning to the league in 1999. TheBrowns have had40quarter-

backs makeatleast one start over the past 26 seasons, including 11 during Kevin Stefanski’stenure as coach.

This will be thefirst time since Stefanski was hired in 2020 that thestartingspotisn’t settledgoing into the summer as the Browns attempt to dig themselves out of their disastrous 2022 trade forDeshaun Watson. Watson’sdays in Cleveland are numbered as he potentially will missthe entire 2025 season while recovering from aruptured AchillestendonsufferedinJanuary That occurred just three months after he initially injured it against Cincinnati.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

THE VARSITYZONE

JOHNSON

St.Amant powers past East Ascension

Reigning champion Gators goingbacktostate tourney

BY ROBINFAMBROUGH Staff writer

Thingsbriefly looked good for 12th-seededEast Ascension as the Spartans took a1-0 lead in the top of the first on St. Amant.

But in aDivisionInonselect quarterfinal softball game between Ascension Parish rivals, the term long shot did not favor the underdogs.

Fourth-seeded St. Amant hit three home runs while running away with a16-6 victory in five innings on Saturday at St.Amant

“Weknew what they were going to come in and try to do,” Gators catcher Brooke Rabalais said “But we also knew we haditcovered.

“Wefelt comfortableatthe plate. It’s not about us playing EA, it’sabout us doing the things we know we can do.”

With thewin, thethree-time reigning champion Gators (23-9) advance to playtop-seeded Sam Houston in a5 p.m. Friday semifinal at the LHSAA softball tournament at Sulphur’sNorth Frasch Park.

Conventional wisdom says it

is difficultfor ateamtobeatan opponent threetimes in one year

Now theGators have done it for thesecond time infour postseason appearances.

East Ascension (19-13) had upset fifth-seeded Hahnville to advance to meet District 5-5A rival St.Amant in aquarterfinal for the first timesince 2011. The teams combined for 17 hits.

“Both sides hit the ball really well,” EastAscension coach Toni Ricca said. “As thegame went on, they hit theball alot harder “Wewould have loved to win, but this does not diminish what these girlshavedone. This wasn’t our time.”

TheSpartans scored in thetop of the first on an RBIsingleby McKenzie Creel. Rabalais, St Amant’scleanup hitter,was at the heart of three scoring surges.

In the bottom of thefirst, Rabalais’ two-runsingle keyed afourrun inning. She added an RBI on fielder’schoice in the second inning and thensmasheda grand slam to centerfield that gave her team acommanding12-1leadin thethird inning. East Ascension fought back

Adelynn Bradberry’stwo-run homer in the fourthgot theSpartanscloser.Creel,the Spartans’ designatedplayer/pitcher,added athree-run homer in the fifth. Junior pitcher Braylee Decoteau was steady for St.Amant, scatteringeighthits. Decoteau and Kenley Triche expedited the end of the game with back-toback homeruns in thebottom of thefifth. Rabalais and Olivia Johnson drew back-to-back walksahead of Decoteau’shome run that made it a15-6 game. Triche followed with another home run to endthe game via 10-run rule.

“I was just looking to get ahit …Iwasn’tthinking about ahome run,” Decoteau said. “Pitching wise, Ihad trust my defense to make plays andmoveontothe next pitch when they hit it.”

St.Amantcoach Amy Pitrenoted that theGatorshad theirbest week of practice leading up to Saturdayand added, “Be sure to say I’mveryproud of them,because Iam.”

Email RobinFambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

BASEBALL, SOFTBALL PLAYOFFREPORT

Division IV Bidistrict No. 20 Catholic-PC 12, No. 13 St. John (1811) 4 Regional schedule No. 20 Catholic-PC (14-17) at No. 4Ascension Christian (24-9) No. 11 Riverside Academy(19-11) at No. 6 Ascension Catholic (22-10)4p.m. Tuesday No. 10 Central Private (20-14)atNo. 7Ascension Episcopal(21-8), 6p.m. Wednesday Class B Regional schedule No. 11 Anacoco(12-16) at No. 6Holden (1811), 6p.m. Thursday Class C Regional schedule No. 9False River Academy(6-15) at No. 8 Calvin (10-14), 4:30 p.m. April 30 Dodson-St. Joseph’s-Plaucheville winner at No. 1Family Christian (14-14), 4:30 p.m. Wednesday Plainview-Evans winner at No. 3Maurepas (13-14), TBA Episcopal 10, Rosepine 4 Episcopal 011 080 0—10 81 Rosepine 301 000 0—471 W— Brody Bailey.Leaders: EPISCOPAL: Josh Heatly (2-3, 2RBIs), Carter Guillory (1-3, 3RBIs, 2Rs); ROSEPINE: D. Hayes(2-4), B. Coody (3B) U-High 10, St. Thomas Aquinas 4 University 003 100 6–10130 St. Thomas Aquinas112 000 0– 43 2 W— Nicholas Zeringue. L—Brock Baudean. Leaders: STA:Cam Gangi1-4, 2B, RBI; Gavin Ledut 1-3, RBI.U-High: Ethan Hopkins 2-4, 2B, 2RBIs; Mackie Musgrove2-4, 2RBIs; Jaris Hamilton 2-4, 2B, 2RBIs.Team Records U-High 23-9, St. Thomas 18-18 Softball

Nonselect Division I Regional scores No. 8LiveOak 8, No. 9West Monroe 4

U-High pullsaway late forwin over St.Thomas Aquinas

BY CHARLES SALZER Contributingwriter

University High showed its lateinning moxieSaturdayafternoon as the Cubs pulled away late to post a10-4 win over St.Thomas Aquinas in the regional round of the Division III select playoffs

The win clinched the best-ofthreeseries forthe second-seeded Cubs, who defeated No. 15 St. Thomas Aquinas 6-3 on Friday

The win advances U-High (23-9) to thequarterfinals where it will host No.7Calvary Baptist.

Despite playing at home, U-High was the visiting team forSaturday’sGame 2. Thescore was tied 4-4 through six innings, but the Cubs struck forsix runs on six hits and an error in the top of the seventh.

Cubs reliever NicholasZeringue gotthe final outinthe bottom of thesixth, andpitched arounda two-out walk in the seventh to earn the win.

“St. Thomas came outand gave us everything they had. Theybattled,” U-High coach Jon Ramsey said. “Weweren’tassharp as we can be early in the game, but fortunately foruswefocused enough to getthe jobdonelater.It’sbig for us to win in twogames.”

U-High’swinning rally started with aone-out single by Ethan Hopkins. He went to third on ShepherdGammon’ssingletoright afterastrong throw by Falcons right fielder Luke Pegler.Hopkins was called safe on the play, andthe

call was upheld after an umpire’s meeting.

From there, Mackie Musgrove’s two-run double and an infield throwing error to the plate helped the Cubs take control by pushing across six runs.

“It’sbaseball,” St. Thomas Aquinascoach Brandon Efferson said of the callatthird. “Wecan’t look at thatone playasthe reason we lost,but it definitelydidn’t help.”

U-High gotnine hits out of its first four batters and finished with 13. JakeMcCann, JarisHamilton, Hopkins and Musgroveall hadtwo hits.

St.Thomas (18-18) scored first, and took a2-0 lead with single runs in the first and second innings. Gavin Ladut’ssacrifice fly drove in the first run, and Graham Gares scored from third on awild pitch in the second.

Hopkins had atwo-run double as U-High came back with three runs in the third. St.Thomas answered with tworuns in the bottom half of the inning before theCubs manufactured arun in the fourth to tie the game4-4.

“All year long, when we’ve faced adversity,we’ve come back to win games,” Ramsey said. “Wefought against somevery good teamsearly in the year,and that prepares us for this type of environment. We’re notgoing to give up. We’regoing to fight until the end.”

Email RobinFambrough at rfambrough@theadvocate.com

Live Oakdefeats Denham Springs in marathon game

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

Top-seeded Live Oak beating No.

16 Denham Springs 12-11 to sweep abest-of-three series in aDivision Inonselect regional-round baseball playoff game won’telicit an emotional response statewide. The nine-inning game likely will resonate withplayers andthose in attendance for years as an indelible addition to the rivalry the two Livingston Parish schools share.

“Wemade alot of mistakes, but we alsomade some great plays out there both teams did,” Live Oak coach Jesse Cassard said. “I will say this, Denham Springs did not want to lose.Itwas adogfight. It was like amarathon.

“I’m notsurewhatwewould have done tomorrow if we hadaGame3 Jace (Griffin) would have started, anditwouldbea matter of how long he could go. But… (itwas)just agreat high school game.”

Because of pending weather issues, Friday’sgametime was pushed up an hour to 5p.m. But thatdidn’thelp because there was aweather delay of nearly 31/2 hours.

By the time the game ended after1 a.m. Saturday, the Eagles (275) hadJace Griffin on the mound. Griffin, thefinal pitching option for Live Oak, was peggedasthe starter for an if-necessary third game.

Live Oak had its outfielders playing shallow with twoouts in the bottom of the ninth. Cassard said he wanted to eitherthrowout a runnertoend the game or possibly concede runs to end it.

Instead, Griffin covered first, beating Devin Reis to the base on a ground ball to end agamethat lasted nearly 4hours after it started.

There werenoweather delays once the game played at Live Oak began. The teams combinedfor 21 hits and each used five pitchers. The battle of wills was stopped only by Adam Beeson’sankle injury in the top of the ninth. Beeson was injuredsliding into third base. The crowd was silent andso were the players as they stood on the fieldastowelswere held up to shield Beeson as athletic trainers Jack Caballero and Sloane Allen tended to Beeson. The lights on the field were turnedoff briefly so no photos or video could be taken as Beeson wascarried off the field and taken to ahospital.

There were emotionswithebbs and flows. Live Oak led6-0 after two innings. Atwo-RBI hit by Brock Davis helpedstakethe Eaglestoa huge lead.

KaydenBoyer’sthree-run double highlighted afive-run third inning for Denham Springs. The Yellow Jackets scored four moreinthe fourth and seized a9-6 lead.

Live Oak scored four times to regain the lead in the sixth on an RBI single by Cassard’sson, Cal, only to see Denham Springs tie it in the bottom half of the inning. Jace Landry finishedwith three hits to lead Denham Springs(23-14) CameronWashingtonhad twohits and three RBIsfor Live Oak.Washington’stwo-run single in the top of the ninth gave theEaglesa 12-10 lead.

“Wehosteda playoff game, we won aplayoff series and won 20plus games. …Those things haven’t happened at DenhamSprings in almost 10 years,” Denham Springs coach Kyle Cedotal said. “If I’m going to lose, I’m going to lose with this group. Icouldnot be more proud.”

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL

East Ascension second baseman Madison Stevens,right, fieldsa throwasSt. Amant’sBailey Ducote steals second base in the second inning of aDivisionI nonselect quarterfinal playoff game on SaturdayatSt. Amant.

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

Elroy Bates shared adaily routine with his son, who returned home to the U.S. Virgin Islands after his junior baseball season at Benedict College in South Carolina.

Bates walked afew miles each morning through their neighborhood in St. Croix.His son, TajBates, ran, hoping his fatiguewould dull his underlying unease during the summer of 2024.

In theafternoon,hereconvened with his dad at the baseball field with two other players, one being his cousin Tyrone Lake, apitcher at Coppin State.

Bates’ trainingconsisted of performing 200 swings and retrieving 100 groundballs. He knew these efforts for acouple of summer months helped himremain sharp ahead of his senior year. The former Division II player didn’tknow yet thatitwouldbeinBaton Rouge for the Southern baseball team.

The 5-foot-10, 200-pound slugger didn’t have abaseball home after entering the transfer portal on May 1, applyingtoabout 200 schools, sending almost as manyemails and not receiving asingle response.

“I was getting frustrated because Iput up good numbers,” said Bates, who was top five in three statistical categories in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. “I think good enough to at least get achance at anyschool,but nobodywas hittingme back.”

Any angst Bates felt was mellowed by the prevailing words of his family,who told him not to worry,the opportunitytoplayDivision Ibaseball was going to happen. The chance came after he receivedanemail fromSouthern and got hisonly offerin July

“Extremely proud to seethat he continued striving for greatness,” said Zhara O’Reilly Bates, his mom. “He knew from avery young age that he wantedtopursue…aDivision Ischool.

“He sethis mind to something, andhe (went down) theright path of achieving what he set up to do.”

Bates is more than acontributor for Southern (16-23, 8-11 SWAC), which beat MississippiValley State 13-12onSaturday. He’s one of the best players in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.Entering the weekend, thethird baseman/catcher hada .368 batting average, nine home runs,47RBIs anda.656 slugging percentage in 32 games.

The productivity comes from the workthe 21-year-old has put in his entire life.While he enjoyed thebeachesofhis island and played chess as early as 4yearsold,Elroy Bates remembered the days his sontook him to the baseball field topractice as akid.

The love for the game runs in the Bates’ bloodline as several members played baseball and softball.

Bates’ godfather Leroy Simmondsplayed 22 games in the rookie league for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ team in 1987. Hiscousin

LSUsufferssecond mercy-rule SECloss

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributingwriter

The season got decidedly worsefor a struggling LSUsoftball team Saturday TheNo. 10 Tigersstaggered into an orange-and-blue buzzsaw as No.8Florida hung a14-4 mercy-rule loss on the Tigers at Tiger Park.

TheGators,who lead theSEC in home runs, pounded out three while building an 8-0lead before LSUhad abase runner.The 14 runs allowed were aseason-high for LSU, and the 13 hits by Florida matched theseason-high allowed by LSUtwo weeks ago at Texas A&M.

TheTigers respondedinthe bottom of the third inning with four runs, threeon Tori Edwards’ 17th homer, but Florida scored sixruns in thenext threeinnings to give LSU its second mercy-rule loss in league play LSU(37-11, 9-10 SEC) has lost seven of itslast eight conference gamesand fell under .500 in conference play forthe first time this season.

“It was atough day.Obviously,wedidn’t pitch well at all,”LSU coach Beth Torina said. “Wejust couldn’tseem to find the answers for them. With agood offense, you can’thave an off day and try to get people out.

Mackeel Rodgerswas afourth-round draft pick for the Kansas CityRoyals in 1999. Another cousin, Arnold Brathwaite, played baseballatSouthern andwas an assistant coach at his alma mater from 1998-2003. Southerncoach Chris Crenshawmade his first contact with Bates at the Minority Prospects HBCU All-Star Game in Houston last season. The Jaguars needed promising hitters for 2025, and Bates fit their need and more.

“He can hit, that’shis thing,” Crenshaw said. “That’swhat he shows up with every day.He’sa competitor as well. He competes hard. He competes like no other That’sone of the positives about having him around.”

Thecompetitive nature was honed in baseballaswell as volleyball, which was the collegesport he was originally recruitedto play after graduating from St. Croix Central HighSchool. That winning spirit is also abyproduct of beingcoached by former baseball players in his family,Simmonds and Rodgers, who taught him to “be thebest version of yourself every timeyou step on afield.”

The stigma of the Division II label is not Bates’ only sourcefor motivation. He also has agratitude for Southern, which he wants to prove right for believing thatheis goodenough

“Hewas always overlooked becauseofhis size, and sometimes it ain’t the size, it’sthe heart,” Crenshaw said. “He comes froma good family,he’sanappreciativekid.Hetell me thank you all the time for giving him the opportunity,and Itell him, ‘I appreciateyou giving me theopportunitytocoach him.’ ”

“Theyswing big, capitalize on mistakes and have agood plan. After the first inning, (starter) Jayden (Heavener) didn’t feel well,she washaving some issues.It worked against us because she was agood matchup.The first inning was great, but she couldn’tcontinue on.”

Heavener,who usually pitches the second game of theseries, gave up solo homers to Mia Williams and AvaBrown in the secondinning. Shewas pulled after starting the third with asingle and awalk. TatumClopton relieved her and got twoouts before allowing atwo-run single by Reagan Walsh.

Awalk and afielder’schoice loaded the bases for Williams,who hit agrand slam into the center-field stands to double the lead.

“They’re agreat offense, agreat team We knew thatvery well,”saidClopton who was charged with 10 of the runs. “We saw what part of our plandid work and did not work. We have agreat opportunity to turn the page and getbetter,figure out away to get them out. Keepfighting and never giving up.”

After the grand slammade it 8-0, Edwardsfollowed an RBI single by Jalia

Lassiter with aline-drive homerthatjust cleared the top of the left-field wall to cut the deficit to 8-4. But the Tigers hadonly one hit and four base runners the rest of the way.

Torina and assistant coach Bryce Neal werevisibly andaudibly unhappywith homeplate umpire Ronald Burkhart’s strike zone throughout the day,whether battingorinthe field.Torinawentfaceto face with himonone occasion,and Neal cameout of the dugout afew times to question his calls.

Torina declinedtocommentdirectly after the game.

“I don’tknow if I’mallowed to comment on that but you could see how Ifelt in the gameand take my comments from my actions,” she said.

Torina also was displeased with her team’s performance and madeitclear in the postgamehuddle.

“I wasdisappointedinsomeofthe responsesfromsome people,disappointed in the fight from some people,” Torina said. “I’ve got to have the whole bench, the whole team moving forward. So, we’ll try to makeanadjustment in that area tomorrow,get everybodyonboard and moving forward together.”

The teams play at 5p.m.Sunday and wrap up the series with a6 p.m.game Monday

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

The game was all but over Junior Ethan Frey’sground ball to third base figured to be the first out ofthe ninth inning. It was aroutineplayasLSU trailed3-0 and had just three hits all Friday evening and early Saturday morningagainst Tennessee. But third baseman Dean Curley made a poor throw to first base,allowing Freyto reach on an error before Curleymade a second error two batters later.Redshirt junior Tanner Reaves then walked to loadthe bases,suddenly putting the go-aheadrun at the plate with two outs.

Four batters later,juniorLSU slugger Jared Jones was mobbed by teammates afterhitting awalk-off, three-run home as the No. 7Tigers scored sixtimes in the inning to capture a6-3 victoryover No. 6Tennessee at Alex Box Stadium. The comeback was just thethirdtime LSU hadever ralliedfrom a3-plus rundeficitafter getting shut out throughthe first eightinnings. “Tonight was awesome,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said. “Proud of theteam.”

Following Reaves’walk, fifth-year senior pinch-hitter Dalton Beck came up with a clutch single up the middle that drove in two runs and cut the LSU deficit to one. It was just his second hit of the season

“He hit 18 home runs last year at Incarnate Word and wantedtocome here,”Johnsonsaid. “In asense, he almost kindofrecruited us when he wentinthe portal and then went and did abillion summer classes to be transfer eligible as afifth-yearguy, and then has not one second complained about being arole playeronthisteam.”

The Tigers were down totheir final strike after Beck’ssingle, but freshman Derek Curiel rapped agame-tying single past the diving first baseman to send the remaining LSU (35-8, 13-6 SEC) faithfulintoa frenzy

Jones ended the game four pitches later He blasted a452-foothome run over thebatter’seye in center field to hand LSU the1-0 leadinthe series. “It was a1-2 count. Coach justlikes to talk

about fighting, hitting theball hard and low throughthe middle of the field,”Jones said. “Andthatwas kind of my main goal with two strikes.

“Just battle. The winning run was on third so asingle would have done thejob. Just get afastball in the zone and don’tmiss it.”

Before the memorable night began, everyone had to wait. A205-minute weather delay pushed the first pitchfrom6:30 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. The game lasted threehours and 22 minutes and didn’tconclude until 1:17 a.m.

“That’slike the fifth or sixth timethis year that we’ve kind of just sataround at thefield foracouplehours,”Jonessaid,“butwe’vegota lot of things to do here to keep us entertained.”

Thenight started out as aclassic pitcher’s duel betweenLSU sophomoreleft-hander Kade Anderson andTennessee left-handed aceLiamDoyle. Theytradedzeroesuntil the sixth inning, when Tennesseethird baseman Andrew Fischer singled home second basemanGavin Kilen with nobody out Anderson lasteduntilthe eighth inning, allowing just six hits andstriking out 11 batters. He exited forjunior right-hander Zac Cowan after aone-out double from Fischer Tennessee(34-8,12-7) extended itslead against Cowan. Awild pitch allowed Fischer to advance to third base before he eventually scored on asinglethat snuckthrough adrawnin LSU infield for a2-0 Tennessee lead.

Juniorright-hander Jacob Mayers pitched the ninth inning, surrendering a run-scoring double to Kilen that extended the Vols’ lead tothree.

“There’sacouple of big-leaguers in that lineup, for sure,” Johnson said.

LSU didn’tget its first hit until the sixthinning when Jones singledupthe middle with twoouts.

The Tigers wereunable to run Doyleout of thegameuntilthe seventh inning after he walkedsophomore Jake Brown withtwo outs. Doyle, ajunior,finished his night with justone hit allowed and three walks in 62/3 innings.Hehad six strikeouts.

Asweepingstaircase,poolcabana, hidden fridge anddog-washing stationadd panachetonew builds

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE

Staff writer

Louisiana loves agood parade

—inevery sense of theword

Each year,the Home Builders Association of GreaterBaton Rouge hosts its ParadeofHomes event for members to showcase recent innovations in the home building industry anddisplay neworremodeled homesinthe Baton Rouge area. The two-weekend event runs through April 27and again on May 3-4. Self-guided toursallow ticket holders to gather ideas and inspiration, meet builders and see the latest design trends in architecture,décor and technology.Some homesare listed on the market to buy, while others have alreadybeen purchased

“Parade of Homes is the best public-facingevent that we do,” said Karen Profita, executive director of the Home Builders Association ofGreater Baton Rouge. “It’sachance to show off our builders.”

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

In March, the dean of LSU’sPaulHebert Law Center and Isat near each other in alarge auditorium at an LSU event. Truthbetold, on that day, Ithought Dean Alena Allenwas astudent— avery politestudent andmaybe agrad student, but still astudent For Allen, who started her job at LSU in July 2023, the gap between perception and reality is acommon theme. At 46, she is armed with aYale Law degree, astrong teaching record, aclear sense of purpose and a200-piece Barbie collection. She is no stranger to shattering stereotypes.

At our lunch at Mestizo, my first question was, “What is the secret to your youthful appearance?” Her one-word answer was simple, “Genetics.”

Settingthe tone from thestart Iwas not the first to mistake her forastudent.

She was 30 years old when she started teaching law at the University of Memphis. “I look young now,soI even looked younger then,” she said. “I was riding up the elevator,and astudent said, ‘Oh, whodoyou have fortorts?’ Ismiled and Isaid, ‘I have Allen.’ The student waslike, ‘Oh, Ihave her too. She’snew.Nobody knowsanything about

See CLASSIC, page 4D

The associationincludes more than 800 members, half of whom are builders and the other half offering services in the industry —suchaselectrical, lighting, security,interior design and more. This year,41homes arein the parade, ranging from $200,000 to $3.5 million, whichpeople can view beforehand on the app, “HBAGBRParade of Homes.”

Parade homes are in Baton Rouge, Zachary,Prairieville, Geismar, Gonzalesand Denham Springs.Tickets for tours are availablefor $20, at paradegbr fun/tickets or on theapp.

“Out of everything we do, most of the year we’re focused internally,” Profitasaid. “This is our chance to focus on the public and show off what all our members do.” On Highland Road At 7845 Highland RoadinBaton Rouge,Craft: Realty,Interiors and Homes is showcasing afive-bedroom, 4,493-square-foot homethat is both warm andmodern.The sale price for the home is $2.2 million In all Craft houses, co-owner Brandon Craft says that his team designs open-concept interiors

Millions of music fans will ask the same question in the coming months: “What in the world are the Rolling Stones doing on atribute album to a Creole-speaking, accordion player from Opelousas, Louisiana?” Before the Stones became rock icons with 250 million records sold, they were studying the accordion boogie and blues of Clifton Chenier, heralded as the king of southwest Louisiana dance music called zydeco. “Clifton wasagreat influence on me,”

Alook at kitchen and adjoining room of the house at 7845 Highland Road. The house will be featured onthe annual Parade of Homes.

The home at 8274OakridgeDrive will be featured on the annual Parade of Homes in Baton Rouge.

PROVIDED PHOTO Dean Alena Allen, Paul HebertLaw Center at LSU

Herman Fuselier

Sharks Get Award

The Livingston Parish Council recently honored the DSHS Shark Team at one of its board meetings. Council Chairman Billy Taylor presented the Shark team with a resolution of commendation. Shown are, from left, (front center) Taylor; front row, Alexa Rodriguez, Juan Rendon-Garces, Madison Sanders, Adalyn Farrell, Shark team sponsor Mark Zweig, Parish President Randy Delatte and Councilman Ricky Goff; back row, Council members Erin Sandefur, John Mangus, John Wascom, Ryan Chavers, Dean Coats, Joe Erdey and Lonny Watts. Shark team members not pictured are Khadija Henni and Mohamed Henni.

STEM Sharks team advances to national championships

The Denham Springs High School STEM Sharks enterprise design engineering team is a national finalist for the 15th annual Samsung Solve for Tomorrow competition. The contest recognizes high school initiatives that propose innovative solutions to critical issues in communities.

The Sharks team was selected to design a software application and device to educate and bring understanding to residents who have questions and concerns about the carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) project proposed for the Lake Maurepas area

Students created an app that will allow residents to get information about CCS, current (simplified) conditions on the lake, conditions at a site of their choice, and information on how to contact authorities if a leak is suspected. The app is available for any device

Team members collaborated with professors at LSU and Southeastern Louisiana University, as well as Dr Katherine Romanak, a world-renowned expert on CCS from the University of Texas. They also worked with scientists and analysts with the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources and Client Innovation Center of Baton Rouge to develop their project.

Samsung aims to enable students to seek novel solutions using STEM to address the many concerns that face communities According to Dr Romanak, this project model can be used worldwide.

The Sharks Team will travel to Washington, D.C., Sunday-Tuesday as one of only 10 national finalists selected from the 50 state winners in the competition involving thousands of high schools and middle schools across the country The team is guaranteed a $50,000 award in Samsung technology and classroom supplies, along with paid travel for team members.

Children’s advocacy leader addresses Inter-Civic Council

Leaders of local nonprofit and community service organizations learned about the vital role that judicially appointed volunteers perform to help abused and neglected children at the April 8 meeting of the Inter-Civic Council of Greater Baton Rouge at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant.

Allison L. Traxler executive director of Capital Area Court-Appointed Special Advocates

(CASA) since 2022, discussed her organization’s advocacy on behalf of children struggling with abuse or neglect within the foster care system. Court-appointed special advocates are concerned men and women who receive training and support from supervisors and staff to guide them in the often difficult and challenging work of ensuring favorable outcomes for children in court proceedings.

Stephanie Charles, of Epilepsy Alliance Louisiana and ICCGBR vice president, introduced the guest speaker

During the “member spotlight,” Elizabeth Dent Sumrall, of the Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank, which observes its 50th year of operation in 2026, and Donald Green Sr , of City to City Riderz each gave a brief report on their organization’s services and activities.

Kathy Coleman, of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana and ICCGBR president, encouraged those present to network with and support events conducted by other member organizations during the busy spring season. Members introduced themselves by name and organization and announced upcoming events of interest to the general public.

Linda Henning, of Baton Rouge Botanic Garden Foundation, offered an invocation and Dr Richard Flicker of the Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Sweet

Adelines performs at Lincoln Center in New York City

The Baton Rouge Chorus of Sweet Adelines just hit a historic high note, taking center stage at the iconic Lincoln Center in New York City

The chorus was selected to perform in the 10th anniversary celebration of Total Vocal, a standout event in the Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) series. The performance was under the direction of Deke Sharon, often dubbed the “father of contemporary a cappella.”

Out of ensembles chosen from around the globe, Baton Rouge Chorus was the only representative from Louisiana and the only Sweet Adelines group to make the cut.

Adding even more local star power to the stage was Shelley Regner, Baton Rouge native and star of all three “Pitch Perfect” films. Sharon not only directed the “Pitch Perfect” music but also produced NBC’s “The SingOff.”

ICCGBR

The Inter-Civic Council of Greater Baton Rouge met at Olive Garden Italian Restaurant on April 8 Gathered are, from left, Donald Green Sr and Shannon Green of City to City Riderz, Elizabeth D. Sumrall of Baton Rouge Regional Eye Bank, ICCGBR President Kathy Nevels Coleman of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Information Center of Louisiana, Linda Henning of Baton Rouge Botanic Garden Foundation, guest speaker Allison L. Traxler, executive director of Capital Area Court-Appointed Advocates, Kelsi Wallin of Hospice of Baton Rouge, and Dr Richard Flicker of Baton Rouge Area Society of Psychologists.

Baton

Rouge Chorus of Sweet Adelines

The Baton Rouge Chorus of Sweet Adelines performed at the Lincoln Center in New york City on April 12.

Top Ladies of Distinction

The Top Ladies of Distinction inducted five new members during a March 22 ceremony at Drusilla Seafood Restaurant. Gathered are, front row, from left, Top Lady Rhonda Harris, Top Lady Constance Carroll, Top Lady Blanche Smith and Top Lady Errin W. Gaines; back row, Cheryl Ann Whitfield, Vikki Lee, yolanda Martin Singleton, Regina Barrow and Dominique Pointer

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES

The Community column runs Sundays in the Living section and accepts submissions for news of events that have taken place with civic, philanthropic, social and religious auxiliary organizations, as well as academic honors. Submissions should be sent by noon Monday to run in the upcoming Sunday column. Because of space limitations, organizations that meet monthly or more are limited to one photo per month. If submitting digitally, we prefer JPG files 300KB or larger If taking a photo of a group, have them stand or sit shoulder-to-shoulder If more than six people are in the photo, arrange them on multiple, distinct rows.Avoid strong background light sources. Identify those pictured by first and last names as viewed from left to right, row by row.We prefer emailed Community column submissions to features@theadvocate.com.We also accept submissions by mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge LA 70821.A phone number must be included.

LASM Saturday session to focus on Egyptian-style pottery

Staff report

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum, 100 S. River Road, will feature local ceramicist Bill Moore in its Studio Saturdays series from 10 a.m. to noon on May 17. Moore will lead a hands-on, open-format pottery demonstration focused on Egyptian-style pottery, sharing his expertise and passion for the craft with participants.

This event is free with general admission and free for museum. Moore, a retired physicianturned-accomplished ceramic artist, specializes in functional pottery designed for everyday

use. Over the years, Moore has studied with renowned teachers in North Carolina and now brings his knowledge to inspire a new generation of pottery enthusiasts. During the demonstration, Moore will showcase the process of throwing pottery on the wheel, as well as discuss glazing and firing techniques. His interactive teaching style encourages questions and engagement throughout the session.

“Through this demonstration, I hope to inspire others with the same joy I feel when working with clay,” Moore said “I want to give people the opportunity to witness the process firsthand and spark

their own creativity.”

This Studio Saturday is open to all ages and provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the rich history and techniques behind Egyptian pottery Attendees also will have the chance to create their own pieces under the guidance of museum staff at a separate hand-building table. In addition to the demonstration, Moore will have his pottery available for purchase with all proceeds benefiting the museum’s mission and programs.

This event is free with general admission and free for museum members. For more information, visit lasm.org.

The Louisiana Art & Science Museum’s May 17 Studio Saturday will feature ceramicist Bill Moore in an hands-on demonstration focused on Egyptian-style pottery.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO

Red Hatters

The GLAD Red Hatters met for lunch at Drusilla’s Seafood Restaurant on March 18. Shown are, from left, Stuart Greer, Ruth Glatt Beverly Grant, Liz Walker Carol LaRouche, Judy Smith and Linda Crane.

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTO By LOUISIANA ART & SCIENCE MUSEUM

TRAVEL

Treehousevibes foundoutside of Dallas at this Airbnb

BY MOLLYTERRELL Staff Writer

Atreehouse in the small town of Ladonia, outside of Dallas, is the most wish-listed Airbnb in Texas.

An article by Airbnb ranksthe most wishlisted listings in each statewiththe ideathat you don’tneed to travel across the country to have aone-of-a-kind experience.

According to the listing, thisLadonia Airbnb, hosted by Highpoint Treehouses co-hosts Steve and Nancy Taylor,is themost unique treehouse destination you will find.

This tree house is for guestsages12years and older,and houses up tofourguests with two bedrooms, two beds and one bathroom. There is also acovered fire pit andother amenities provided.

The interior has amodern farmhouse style, and there arefive balconies and six floors.The third floor hasascreenedporch with ahot tub, and the sixth floor has a crows-nest 50 feet in the air,where youcan swingin ahammock40feet offthe ground fully surrounded by extra-tall railings. There are also anumber of trailstotake by foot or by bike to take advantage of the country The listing notesthat each of thebalconies has unique perspectives of nature and shade

The Taylorswere happy to hearthatthey received the distinction of mostwish-listed home in Texas.

“So fun to hear that after being open three years with 5-star reviews from all guests,all the work has paid off and others haveheard and want to come stay,” they said. They were surprised when they received their first out-of-state bookingand nowthey have hosted guests from over 30 states in the small country town.

“After 25 years, we are on theverge of completing the 8,000-acreLakeRalphHall andthatwillbring even more activities for ourguests,” they said. “Ourguestshave more fun coming while beingimmersedin nature that will allow their souls tocatch up.” Local animals that guestsmay seeinclude deer,wild hogs, raccoons, armadillos, opossums, rabbits, bobcats, squirrels, owls, redtailed hawks and many other varietiesof birds.

Email Molly Terrell at molly.terrell@ theadvocate.com

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

The LadoniaTreehouse, TOP,islocated outside of Dallas, Texas,and the mostwish-listed Airbnb in Texas.The interior, BOTTOM LEFT,isdone in a moderntownhouse style, with ascreened-in porch, BOTTOM RIGHT,that has ahot tub PROVIDED PHOTOS

RVsharekeeps atraveler’sdeposit afterrentalvan leaks

Irented aMercedes vanfor two weeks through RVshare, arental company. It rained on the wayhome, and water leaked through the air-conditioner vent.

when we returned it. Ifeelthe owner did not maintainthe van, which caused the damage. Can youhelp?— Aaron Olbrich, Morgan Hill, Calif.

couldn’thave taken a“before” video becauseitwasn’training. Butwhile you rented thevan, it did rain—exposing theproblem and faulty maintenance.

cover you in caseofanaccident or damage causedbyinclement weather

Christopher Elliott

After Ireturned the van, RVshare charged me by keeping my $1,500 deposit. Here are afew facts about our rental. First, when it rained, theairconditioner vent would leak.The owner of the vanlied and said Ileft the vent open. Ihaveavideo, but because they don’thaveabefore and after video, they are denying my deposit.

Another fact: The owner of thevan put it back in service right away.Sowhere’sthe damage?

Ihad to shorten my trip by aday because of the leaky van. And getthis: Ihad insurance! We paid $1,372 for apolicy

Iwould like my $1,500 depositback. I did notcause anydamageand returned the vaningreat condition.They said as much

RVshare shouldn’t make you pay for someone else’sdamage. Butwhose responsibility was this leak?

First,weshould probably back up and talk about RVshare. Think Airbnb for recreational vehicles

The rental process works about the same, except that some of its policies more closely resemble those of acar rental company

According to RVshare’sterms of service, actsofGod such as rain, hail and wind are the renter’s responsibility.Atthe same time,there’sanimplied warranty thatthe RV you rent is roadworthy and thatthe roof won’tleak.

I’ve examined the videos you took of the Mercedes van, and to me, it appears there was some kind of leak in the roof. And you

Ican’tverify if theowner returned thevan to service, but if that is true, that’sabig red flag. It means thenext renter might also have to pay for damages that they didn’tcause. (In the car rental industry,this is called the ding-and-dent scam.)

Ithink you might have fixed this by sending abrief, polite appeal to one of the RVshare executives Ilistonmyconsumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. This appeared to be enough of aborderline casetomerit asecond look.

Irecommend reviewing the terms of your rental carefully beforeyou drive away in acar, van or recreational vehicle. If you areworried, you can always purchaseinsurance that will

Icheckedwith RVshare about your case. Arepresentative said you did indeed have insurance, but you chose the basic insurance policy offering liability coverage, windshield damage and campsite liability.You also put down arequired$1,500 security deposit

RVshare says youhad the option of adding a$79 security deposit waiver, but declined. Ithink youwere probably feeling alittle feefatigue at thatpoint, which is completely understandable. If you had chosen the waiver,you would have avoided the $1,500 fee, according to RVshare

“The ownerreported thatthe damages amounted to $2,972 and withheld the security deposit,” a representative said.

RVshare says it’sbeen working with you during the dispute pro-

cess. It says it spoke with your wife and“due to the unforeseen weather eventand the fact that it is unclear if the owner providedthe propermaintenance post-trip, we arerefunding the security deposit in good faith,” a representative told me If there’s atakeaway fromthis case, it’sthatyou need to choose your insurance coverage carefully —especially whenrenting aspecialty vehicle like an RV But there’s also alessonlearned for RVshare.Maybe it offers too many insuranceoptions, which confuses its customers. Why not just include insurance in all rentals, which would eliminate future cases like yours?

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

where the kitchen, living room, dining room and back patio touch

On Highland Road, theback patio features electricretractable screens that open to agunite swimming pool with ahot tub and abuiltin fire pit. Inside, the natural light in the entryway shines on the custom millwork that Craft’swife,Cherith (who runs Craft Interiors) designed herself. The house alsoincludesa versatile wine room/study,large butler pantry and bunk bedroom.

Brandon Craft said he wanted the future owners to have an “overwhelming senseofsecurity” livinginahouse that is so visibly seen from the road. To achieve that, he designedgated entrances on each side of the house.

“Wewanted the best of both worlds here, being on Highland Road,” Brandon Craft said. “We wanted you to have the presence of being on Highland Road andyet theprivacy,being in aspace that is alittle bit more out there.”

The wood floors, doors and accents in the home make for aspace that is cozy yet elevated

In DenhamSprings

In Denham Springs, woodenaccents addpanache throughout the 6,832-square-foot home at 25040 4-H Club Road by Hollingsworth Design.

Though the home is grand from the outside, the space inside still feels inviting, open and ready to entertain guests.

At first glance, one might noticethe sweepingstaircaseinthe grand foyer,but the collection of windows to the side of the foyer deserve attention too. The entire front of the house is illuminated by natural light.

“This gallery of windows just sets this house apart from all the other houses that we’ve done,” said Katherine Post, Hollingsworth’s design manager.

Hollingsworth Design collaborated with Jesse Netterville of Southern Designs Construction on this home, which Netterville has purchased for himself, andinteriordesigner Jeff Taaffe. Thesale price for the home is in the $3.5 million range.

CLASSIC

Continued from page1D

her.’ And Isaid, ‘I heard she’s mean.’ And he was like, ‘Oh, good to know.’” Afew minutes later,whenthe same student walked into the classroom and saw his newprofessor,heturned bright red. But he had it easy that day compared to the first student she called on. She still remembers that the student’sname was Emily “I said, ‘Can you tell me the facts of Vosberg vs. Putney?’ And she said, ‘No, Ican’t.’ AndI said, ‘Why not?’ And she said, ‘Well, I didn’tknow where to look forthe assignment.’ And Isaid, ‘It was posted.’ And she said, ‘Sorry.’” Allen went on to ask why the student, who was sitting toward the back of the room filled with90 students, didn’tthink to ask someone else. The student offered no excuses or explanations.

At which point, Allen walked toward Emily and said, “‘Here’sa copy of the case.Read it now,and we’ll wait.’” And she waited there withher armsfolded as the studentread the case.

“Thank God Iwore deodorant today.The faces of the students, like the color drained,” shesaid. “It wasreally, reallyuncomfort-

LEGEND

Continued from page1D

Mick Jagger told Far Out magazine in a2020 interview.“We first listened to him around 1965 when we went to the States. Ilovethe wayhejust grabs ablues number and adapts it to his style.” Jagger and the Stones perform on “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” a14-song album that salutes the centennial of Chenier’s birth, June 25, 1925. Chenier became aGrammy HallofFame musician and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner with admirers across the globe. The tribute album, released on musician Joel Savoy’sValcour Records label based in Eunice, pairs rock, folk and blues icons with zydeco andCajun musicians performing Chenier classics. The record was officially announced April 24 with the release of the first single, “ReleaseMe” featuringLucinda Williams,swamp pop legend Tommy McLain and

STAFF PHOTOSByJAVIER GALLEGOS

Brandon and Cherith Craft, of Craft: Realty,Interiors and Homes,are showcasing a five-bedroom, 4,493-squarefoot homeat7845 Highland Road as part of the annual Parade of Homes.

KarenProfita, left,executive director of the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge, and Chase Dantin, of Dantin Builders, open the sliding doorofthe bar/theatre room that opens into the screened-in patioduring atour of ahouse at 8274 OakridgeDriveonApril 16. The house will befeatured in the annual Parade of Homes.

Post noted that founder and lead designer AaronHollingsworth prideshimself on designing homes with aclear center line that goes to the back of the house, which allows for symmetrical sidesand an automatic view to thebackyard. That principleisevident in this house, which features an expansive

able. Butinmymind, at that moment,I was like, ‘As young as I look, beingBlack, beingfemale, there’snogood way to handle this other than to be draconian, right?’”

She felt likeshe had to set the tone from theget-go.

The student read the case. Allen grilled herfor 5minutes and movedon.

“Toher credit, she did afabulous job under pressure,”Allen said. “And that class eventually elected me professor of the year when they graduated.”

She considers herself “a natural introvert” andrecognizes that teachingrequires acertain level of extrovertedness. She considers building authentic connections with students over thecourse of asemester as thebest part of the job

Allen says, of all of theclasses she’s taught, shekeeps in touch with most of thepeople in that one, includingEmily.

“I think it’sastory that first impressions aren’talways accurate, right?” shesaid

Home andheart

Forthe NewOrleans native, moving backtoLouisiana was about more than ajob.

Priortoreturning, she was deputydirector for the Association of American Law Schools and professor at theUniversity of

backyard designed by Ben Sommers of GroundsPro Landscape

Outside, visitorscan enjoy afull outdoor kitchen, fireplace, pool, courtyard, two ponds and aresortstyle cabana with atelevision.

Inside, the five-bedroom home was built with two kitchen islands, ascullery with ahiddenfridge and

Arkansas School of Law

When she got thejob at LSU, a friend who knows her well sent agift —a“YouCan Be Anything Barbie.”

“And so that Barbie doll is proudly displayed in my office,” she said.

Allen graduated from Dominican High School and earned her undergraduatedegree at Loyola in New Orleans. She’sCatholic and enjoys going to church at St. Francis Xavier in Baton Rouge. She loves Bao and Dorothy’sSoul Food Kitchen

She has appreciated the return to thefamiliar friendliness of her childhood.

“When somebody calls me ‘baby,’ my heart sort of leaps ’causeyou just don’thave that in Memphis,”she said. “And certainly not in New Haven and D.C.”

She also appreciates the heat and said she will take “99 over 49 any day.”

Even so, home’sbiggest draw for thesingle mother of three was her mother andaunt

“They makemylife work,”Allen said. “Because Ireally don’t thinkIcould do my job without thelevel of support that Ihave.”

Life beyond law

Allen’s oldest son is asophomoreatTulane University—and is picking up speed on his way toward becoming atrack star.Her

wine cooler,a laundry room with a dog-washing station and hidden doggy door that leadstoasmall, private yard and amainbedroom that includes acloset withalaundry nook.

Otheramenities include afour-car garage and amother-in-lawsuite.

“I cannot wait for people to see this house,” Post said. “We’re over the moon.”

Building fora cause

Throughout the year,the Home Builders Association of Greater Baton Rouge supports local nonprofits through The Home Builders Foundation, the charitable, philanthropic arm of HBA that raises money to assist families and children in need.

Overthe years, the association has donated money to severalBaton Rouge nonprofits. This year they are donating money to the Baton Rouge Epicurean Society, whichhas partnered with the association forthe Parade of Homes.

Twoyears ago, Chuck Dupree, founder of Dupree Construction, managedthe build of ahouse in theHarvestonneighborhood that was used for afundraiser for the Gardere Community Christian School in BatonRouge. The house is currently undercontract, and

daughter is ajunior at University High and also runs track. Her younger son is afirst grader at University Lab School.

“I spend alot of time at track meets,” shesaid.

Having the twoyounger children in school directly across the street from her office at LSU is another perk Iasked if her kids understand that she’sabig deal.

“The older two do, especially around football season,” she said. “I’m abig football fan—whether it’sNFL or college.”

She’snot that into basketball but makes an exception at LSU

“I’m ahuge KimMulkey fan, so Iwatch LSUbasketball because of Kim,” she said.

The only funreading she has time for right now is with her youngest

“We’re on thelast three ‘Amelia Bedelia’ books,” she said. “And ‘Nate the Great.’ He also loves ‘Fly Guy.’” Amid all her responsibilities, she’salso managing the process of building anew house in Baton Rouge.

Callingand clarity

Allen was only 21 when she started Yale Law School.

“I was theyoungest person in my class, and if Icould do it again, Iwould not have gone to Yale at 21. Iwould’ve taken agap

once it’ssold, the proceeds will go to the school.

“Wehad acommitment to donate,” executive director Profita said. “It should be over $100,000 that we’ll be able to donate.”

One of Dupree’s homesat13702 GreenWing Lane, Baton Rouge, also in Harveston, is featured in this year’sParade of Homes. The 4-bedroom corner lot homeissituated next to the neighborhood park and includes off-street parking.

The sale price forthe homeisin the $700-900,000 range.

Inside, alarge bay window in the kitchen provides views of the park while also allowing natural light to flood the home. Thecabinets in the kitchen are coated in aneutral Sherwin-Williamspaint color,“SW 9587 Mushroom,” which adds dimension against the white walls.

The two-storyhome includes four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a study and side courtyard entrance to the outdoor living area. In Oakbrook Subdivision At 8247 Oakridge Drive in Baton Rouge,DantinBuilders hasdesigneda 5,576-square-foot home that exudes modernity with black, white andgoldaccents, high ceilings and afloating staircase. The sale pricefor thehome is in the$1.5 million to $2.5 million range.

Someofthe features in the home are one-of-a-kind forDantinBuilders, including the lack of baseboards throughout the homeand fluid millworkonthe fireplace in the living room

Outside, the living space features apool and patio with retractable screens and an outdoor kitchen.Other amenities in the home include ahomeoffice, walkin butler’spantry,exercise room and three-car garage.

“When you spend ayear and half or twoyearsworking on something —designing it, planning it —you’re proud of it,” said builder Chase Dantin. “Me andmyteam spend alot of time working on different aspects of theproject. Youput pieces of yourself in these homes. It’sfun to be able to show other people what you can do.”

For more information and to view all houses included in the Parade of Homes, visit paradegbr fun/homes.

year,” she said. These days, her message to law students, especially “three-plusthree” students (who start law school after three years of undergrad), is that they are going to have people’slives in their hands, and they need acertain level of maturity to really appreciate the gravity of that.

She said law school applications nationally are up 20% this cycle, and there is alot of debate about why.

“Ifyou believe in justice, if you believe in the rule of law certainly in my lifetime, there’s never been abetter time to go to law school,” Allen said. “Because Ithink whether you’re conservative or liberal, it really doesn’t matter.”

She does have questions if a person’smotivation forgoing to law school is solely to makealot of money —being unsure what the future holds with AI’s potential to write legal documents or give cheap, legal advice —and the overall value proposition.

“But if you’re going into it because your heart is really in the work, certainly immigrants need you. Teachers need you,” she said. “There’ssomuch need. So, Ithink there’snever been abetter time to go to law school.”

Email Jan Risheratjan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

Tuttle,Steve Earle, David Hidalgo, Sonny Landreth, Jon Cleary,AJ Haynes and Kam Franklin. Homegrown accordionistsinclude Clifton’sson, C.J. Chenier,along with Nathan Williams Sr., Geno Delafose, Roddie Romero,Anthony Dopsie and Curley Taylor

Grammy winner Steve Riley and the Stones perform “Zydeco Sont Pas Sales,”with Jagger singing the Creole lyrics. The single will be released this summer

Profits from record sales will be donated toaChenier memorial scholarship at the Center for Louisiana Studies at the University of LouisianaatLafayette. The fund will offer financial assistance to studentslearning zydeco accordion in UL’s traditional music program No worriesofstolenlicks

at the Verbum DeiHigh School auditorium in South Central Los Angeles.

Landry tells Chenier that Mick Jagger with the Rolling Stones wants to meet him.Chenier replies, “That magazine. They did a good articleonme.”

Jagger arrives by limo, afraid to causeascene. Landry assures Jagger all is well as he and Chenier connect during the intermission.

“All of asudden, this group of people come with autograph papers,” said Landry.“Jagger starts backing up, andthey walkright by him to get to Clifton.”

ticed Jagger and the band at atable near the bandstand. But Beau Jocque noticed and told owner Johnnie Blancher,“That’swhy I turned my back, so they wouldn’t steal my licks.”

“Zydeco Boss” Keith Frank. Otherfeatured artistsinclude Jimmie Vaughan, TajMahal, CharleyCrockett, RubenRamos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Myers, Marcia Ball, John Hiatt, Johnny Nicholas, ShannonMcNally,Molly

The Stones’ long interest in Chenier and zydeco is the stuff of legend and lore. In Michael Tisserand’s“Kingdom of Zydeco” book, Lafayette saxophonist Dickie Landry tells thestoryofbringing Jagger to a1970s Chenier dance

Beforetheir 1994 concert in the Superdome, the Stones watched zydeco sensation Beau Jocque at thefamed dance hall/bowling alley,Rock ’N’ Bowl. Music writer Keith Spera recounts that the band had to pay the iron-clad $5 cover charge. When aStones security guard asked cover enforcer Sherry Blady Pitreifshe was serious, Pitre shot back, “Ishegoing to let me into his concert forfree?” Later,the dancers barely no-

Lafayette’sDwayne Dopsie, nicknamed “The Jimi Hendrix of the Accordion,” had no worries of stolen licks when he performed last year with the Stones at the NewOrleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. More than 500,000 cheered as Dopsie joined the band on stage for“Let It Bleed,” the title song from their 1969 album. “I felt like we had been knowing each other foralong time,” said Dopsie. “Wejust hit it.” Stay tuned formore lore as the Stones dance with zydeco and its king continues.

HermanFuselierisexecutive director of theSt. Landry Parish Tourist Commission.Alongtime journalist covering Louisiana music andculture, he lives in Opelousas. His“Zydeco Stomp” show airsatnoon Saturdays on KRVS 88.7FM.

PROVIDED PHOTO By LOUISIANA FOLK ROOTS/TODDMOUTON Aconcertposter for zydeco legend Clifton Chenier

WelfareRockaforgotten monument with abig artist

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Sometimes amonument will follow the footsteps of its creator Oneday,itstands in avisibly prominent spot. The next day, it’s tucked away and forgotten,which seems to be the combinedstory of Baton Rouge’s“TheWelfare Rock” monument and its artist, Alfonso Iannelli.

However,that’snot saying the monument isn’tnoticed outside the Iberville Building on North Fourth Street. It caught Mark Jeffers’ eye while driving past and piqued his interest enough to stop for acloser look.

Foursides

“It has four sides, and it’sart deco in style,” the Baton Rouge resident said. “But thereisn’tany explanation for it, and it just seems out of place. I’m curious aboutthe story behind it.”

The answer starts with its creator,Iannelli, who was an art world celebrity in the early 20thcentury He workedclosely with architect Frank Lloyd Wright and maintained friendships with the likes of Wassily Kandinsky

“As ametaphor for America’s cult of celebrity,hehad become enormously famous,” authorDavid Jameson wrote in his 2013 book, “Alfonso Iannelli: Modern by Design.” “Thenhewas forgotten.”

Acelebrity artist

But Iannelli still hadcelebrity status when the state of Louisiana, under the administrationofGov Earl K. Long, commissioned him to create amonument to stand outsidethe Department of Public Welfare Building at 755N.Third St. in Baton Rouge.

The building was constructed on theformer home site of Mexican Warhero Zachary Taylor,the only Louisiana resident elected to the presidency.The structure later was renamed the A.Z. Young

PARK RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETy ChicagosculptorAlfonso Iannelli designed and created ‘The Welfare Rock’ monument,which stands outside the Iberville Building in Baton Rouge.

Building, in honor of the Louisiana civil rights leader

The Young Building was demolished in 2007, making way forthe A.Z. Young Park, cater-corner fromCapitol Park. But themonument, according to a2006 Advocatearticle, wasmoved to itscurrent place at the north endofthe Iberville Building at 627 N. Fourth St before thedemolition.

No plate, no lights,nobenches

A2016 article in The Advocate noted, “This beautiful statue near the IbervilleBuilding has no artist plate, no lights, no benches.”They consultedthe StateLibrary of Louisiana for information, which turned up Iannelli as the artist. Still, the library’sinformation was slightly different from that filed in Louisiana’sPercentage for Artprogram,which created “J. Iannelli” for thesculpture.

“Based on the style,date and medium,itmay actually be linked to Alfonso Iannelli, awell-known Chicago sculptor whocollaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright and was activeuntil his death in 1965,” pro-

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,April 27,the 117th day of 2025. There are 248days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On April 27, 2011, duringthe four-day 2011 Super Outbreak, 112 tornadoes touched down across the southeastern United States, killing 319 in thedeadliest dayoftornadoes in the U.S.since 1925.

On this date:

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battleof Mactan in the Philippines as he attempted to expand Spanish colonization in the region In 1813, the Battle of York took place in Upper Canada during theWar of 1812 as U.S. forces defeated the British garrison in present-day Toronto; U.S.Brigadier GeneralZebulon Pike and37 other American soldiers were killed near the endof the battle when retreatingBritish forces exploded the ammunition magazineof Fort York as the Americans approached. In 1865, the steamer Sultana, carrying freed Union prisoners of war,explodedon the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee; as many as1,800were killed in the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history

In 1994, former PresidentRichard M. Nixon was interred following afuneral service attended by all fiveofhis successors, at the Nixon Presidential Library and Museum in Yorba Linda,California

In 2010, former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega arrived in France after being extradited from theUnitedStates; he was later convicted in aFrench court

gram director Scott Finch said this week.“Iannelli did work in architectural ornament and sandstone, so this couldplausibly be apiece from his studio.”

It is,indeed, from Iannelli’s studio where it wascreated in three pieces,eachcarvedfromIndiana limestone.

Installedin1956

Iannelli came to Baton Rouge in 1956 to piece together thethree blocks of his four-sided, 18-ton sculpture.Yes, thatishow much this monument actually weighs,

according to MartinL.Tanney’s photo in the June 12, 1956, edition of the State-Times. The photo shows the artist installing the sculpture in its original location.

“Sculptor Alfonso Ianelli is shown blasting away with his air hammer on ‘The Welfare Rock,’ near thefront entrancetothe State Welfare Building,”Tanney wrote about the photo.

Tanney’sdescription of the sculpture maybethe most accurate since it camefrom Iannelli himself.

“Iannelli’spiece of sculpture

weighs 18 tons and depicts the various welfare services —old age assistance, aid to children, aid to the needy and visual care. ‘The old manand the old womanare being protected by the state,’ the sculptor says, ‘which is symbolized by thepelican.The child represents the coming generation.’”

Born in Italy

Iannelli wasborn in Andretta, Italy, in 1888 andimmigrated to America 10 years later.Hestudied under Gutzon Borglum, who sculpted Mount Rushmore, then in 1914, Iannellicreatedseveral Sprite sculptures forChicago’s Midway Gardens.

This modernistentertainment venueinChicago wasconsidered architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of public architecture. Midway Gardens was torn down in 1929, but afew of Iannelli’sgeometric sculptures survived and are on display in Phoenix.

Iannelli also worked with famed New Bauhaus founder and artist László Moholy-Nagy,and his public works include Chicago’sAdler Planetarium’sart deco plaques, the Rock of Gibraltar relief on the face of the Prudential skyscraper, also in Chicago. He also wasknownfor his industrialdesigns, whichincluded the art deco Sunbeam T9 toaster in 1939.

Iannelli, alongwithhis wife Margaret, established Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge, Illinois. The building is now occupied by the Kalo Foundation,anonprofitorganization “dedicated to preserving the rich artistic legacy of the city.” Iannelli died in 1965, and though hisname hasn’tcompletelyfaded in theart world, it isn’ta household name like that of hiscolleague Wright. And though his Baton Rouge sculpture is relatively unnoticed, it still stands.

Email RobinMilleratromiller@ theadvocate.com.

of laundering drug money andreceived a seven-year sentence.

In 2012, the space shuttle Enterprise, mountedatop ajumbo jet, sailed over the New York Cityskyline on itsfinal flight before going on display as part of the USS Intrepid Museum.

In 2015, rioters plunged part of Baltimore into chaos, torching apharmacy, setting police cars ablaze and throwing bricks at officers hours after thousands attended afuneral service for Freddie Gray,aBlack man whodied from asevere spinal injury he’d suffered in police custody.

In 2018, NorthKorean leader Kim Jong Un made history by crossing over to SouthKorea to meet with President Moon Jae-in;it was thefirst time amember of the Kim dynasty had set foot on southern soil since the end of the Korean Warin 1953.

In 2019, agunman opened fire inside a synagogue near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of Passover,killing awoman and wounding arabbi and two others. (John Earnest, aWhitesupremacist, was sentenced to both federal and state lifeprison terms for the shootings.)

Today’sBirthdays: Singer KatePierson (The B-52’s) is 77. GuitaristAce Frehley is 74. Sen. JimJustice, R-W.Va., is 74. Basketball Hall of Famer George Gervin is 73. SingerSheenaEaston is 66. Sen. Cory Booker,D-N.J., is 56. Actor Sally Hawkins is 49. Musician Patrick Stump (Fall Out Boy)is41. Actor William Moseley is 38. SingerLizzo is 37. Tennis player Nick Kyrgios is 30.

Dear Miss Manners: My teenage son had begun seeing anew neurologist, who is highly recommended and seems to be very skilled. We have hadtwo appointments with this doctor, and both times,heusedatleasta halfdozen swear words in the20-minute appointment. He’syoung, veryfriendly,very informal, and probably thinks it’s no big deal because my sonisa teenager.Heworks for thepediatric hospital, and I’m hoping he doesn’t use the same language when giving medical caretoyoung children! But it’svery uncomfortable for me, and my sonagrees thatit seems strange.Itseems so inappropriate for aprofessional person!

it in the car afterward. He will have been in the waiting room during your discussion with the doctor not because he cannot know whatishappening, but because it will help convince the doctor that you are serious.

Of course I’ve heard all these words before, but Idon’tenjoy hearing casual swearing. Imissed my chance to say something in the appointment. We’ll seehim again in six weeks.Isthere away to bring this up respectfully?

Gentlereader: At the next appointment, ask to speak with the doctor firstwhile your son remains in the waiting room. Then tell him thatbothyou and your son appreciate the workheisdoing, but that you (and the boy’s other parent,ifapplicable) ask that he not use swear words during appointments. Tell him thatyou aretrying to set adifferent example for your son.

The doctor will conclude thatyou have no sense of humor or concept of the modern world. This is fine, solong as he understands thatyou mean what yousay —and thatyou arethe customer

Youand your son can have alaugh about

Dear Miss Manners: While having dinner at afive-star restaurant, he took out 15 assorted vitamins and supplements, placing them on his bread plate. Then he used his dinner plate for the buttered bread. Taking supplements is fine, Ijust feel there’sabetter waythan lining themup on aplate at arestaurant. When the server offered dessert, he stated, “I’m too full, but I’ll have abite of yours.” Imade light of it, saying, “No,I’m not sharing. It’sall for me,” and everyone laughed. He was serious, and would’ve sampled it, I’m certain. How to handle?

Gentle reader Pronouns are so muchmore helpful when they are attached to clear antecedents. That the “he” in questionwas near enough to reach your dessert suggests anything from ahusband to aboyfriend to ablind date to adinner partner.Your certainty that he wasserious about sampling your dessert implies you do have some uncertainty —and therefore indicates amore casual connection.

This being so, Miss Manners agrees with handling him as you did, which is that his boorish behavior with the vitamins is his own concern, but he must keep his hands off of you and yours.

Email Miss Manners at dearmissmanners@gmail.com.

STAFF PHOTO By ROBIN MILLER

‘The Welfare Rock’ monument in Baton Rougeweighs 18 tons and has four sides.

‘Andor’takes ‘StarWars’ to new, rebellious places

BY ANDREW DALTON AP entertainment writer

BEVERLYHILLS,Calif.— “Andor” returned forits secondseason on Disney+ with athree-episodepremiere last weekand the weight of the “Star Wars” galaxy seemingly on its shoulders.

But creator Tony Gilroysays he and his collaborators felt little pressure from Disney and Lucasfilmasthey sought to tell the story of agrowing revolutionaryresentment against the Galactic Empire andthe birthofthe Rebel Alliance leading up to the events of the 2016 film he scripted, “Rogue One.”

“Wetook no creative notes on this show,” Gilroy,whose deepscreenwriting resume also includes four films in the “Bourne” franchise and 2007 Oscar nominee “Michael Clayton,” whichhealso directed. He told The Associated Press that “I’ve never had this muchfreedom before, even in final-cut films thatI worked on. The latitude was astonishing.”

The forthcomingseason, whose production was delayed by Hollywood’s2023 strikes, arecoming with high expectations from fans who have been disappointedinother recent “Star Wars” TV offerings, with no new movies released in the franchise in six years.

The new episodes trace how the spark lit in Diego Luna’sCassian Andor in the 2022 first season spreads through the galaxy.And they do it with characters and arcs rarely found in this realm before “This second season, it’sabout all the layers, and the social and political climate that needs to happen for arevolution to erupt,for a rebellion to exist,” Luna told theAP.

“The universe of ‘Star Wars’ never stopped to tell the story of these regular people that becomes crucial for the history that we know.”

Gilroy drew inspiration from a broad range of historical and fictional sources.

“Who’sever goingtoget another

chance to do another1,500 pages on revolution again, with this much money and this much muscle, and everything else?” he said.

Epic scope

But as epicasthe story is, its most essential moments are marked by intimate, one-on-one conversations.

“I start small,”Gilroy said. “I work teaspoon byteaspoon.

That includesa season-opening scene that starts with Cassian giving ayoung imperial mechanic the courage to help him in amajor heist. He sellsher on the ecstatic feelings of destiny rebellion can bring.

“It’s quite beautiful and idealistic also, likea revolution has to be, It’s agreat reminder of how romantic the ideaofrevolution is,”Luna

said. Cast members sayitcan feel revolutionary working forGilroy whopasses on thesame freedom to them that Disneygives to him They’re neverkept in the dark withthe sort of script-rationing andsecret-keeping that are the norm in major franchises.

“He doesn’tbelieve in withholding information as power,” said Adria Arjona,who plays Andor’s partner Bix Caleen. “Before Iread episodeone,I knew theend.It’s just unheard-of.”

Her character’sarc in particularbrings real-world elements including addiction and even darker formsoftrauma unlike anything “Star Wars” has shown before. Stretching the‘Star Wars’canon Gilroysaid he didn’t have to fight

over the galaxy’scanon at all. He had to get used to certainelements when he first worked within the franchise —nopaper, no hinged doors, no knives, forexample. But it’snot necessarily held as sacred.

“I’ve seen canon stretch so much,” he said. “Itwas really tight on ‘Rogue.’ But alot of things have changed since then.”

The overall direction of the show was basically determined when workbeganonthe series five years ago.

“I know whatI’m doing withCassian,”Gilroy said. “I know that the first year is the making of arevolutionary and the road to Damascus, that’sthe first year,Iknow I’m leading to Rogue,I know where he’sgonna end up.” Otherelements, like the route MonMothma (Genevieve O’Reilly)

takes fromrespectable senator to leader of the rebellion, werenot predetermined. They werediscovered in thewriting andinthe performances. Herearly-season path includes awedding ceremony full of rituals —and dances —new to “Star Wars” that Gilroyinvented out of whole cloth.Hesaid oneofthe pleasures of getting to make something so large andsprawling is that he has gotten to use nearly every writing thought he has had.

“All Idid forfive yearswas just max outmyimagination,” Gilroy said.

ReturningfromSeason1

Mothma is among the “Rogue One” characters who appeared in thefirst season andreturnfor the second, along with Forest Whittaker’sradical rebel Saw Gerrera, who this season givesaspine-tingling calltoarmsthat is teased in the trailer: “Revolution,”he preaches to an underling, “is not forthe sane!” Season2 alsoseesthe emergence of “Rogue One” characters forthe first time in theTVseries, includingAndor’sdroid sidekick K-250, played by Alan Tudyk, and Death Star builder Orson Krennic, played by Ben Mendelsohn.

Luna took special pleasure in the return of Tudyk and his robot who speaks with no filter

“I had so much fun playing with him,and having him back meansa lot,” he said.

Thethree episodes gel to form what’sbasically a21/2 hour movie, with Cassian stuck among rival rebel factions, Bix living in afarming communityamid an imperial crackdown, and MonMothma having to play the patrician matriarch at her daughter’swedding, before allthreeare pulledinnew directions. Theentire series has been planned in those kinds of clusters.

“Wereally think of it that we made eight movies in five years,” Gilroy said.

BY MARIA SHERMAN

AP music writer

NEW YORK When acouple decided to taketheir relationship further on the most recent seasonof“LoveIs Blind,” the moment was soundtracked with afamiliar song: Billie Eilish’s “Birds of aFeather.”

It wasn’taflash-in-thepanmusical surprise. The season was stacked withfamiliar needle drops —Miley Cyrus’ “WreckingBall,” Justin Bieber’s“Holy,” Ariana Grande’s“Into You,” Selena Gomez’s“Lose Youto Love Me” —agesture away from the little-known, sometimes generic pop songs that used to meet the show’smost emotional moments.

Show creator and Kinetic ContentCEO Chris Coelen attributed the pivot to the show’sanniversary.

“Wedecided, in this Season 8, to coincide with our fifthanniversary,toreally embrace popular music in abig way,” he said. “And so, we ended up using throughout the entire season and in every episode —we used popular music cues.” “Love Is Blind” isn’tthe

only reality show that walks the linebetween what viewers have labeled “real songs” and unfamiliar music.

Wheredoesitcomefrom?

It’snot artificial intelligence, where “nobody controls the copyright,” says “The Bachelor” music supervisorJodyFriedman.

“There’stoo much risk involved with using AI music in these projects.”

Excluding big-time pop records, themusic usedon television comes from a number of sources. It can be custom, original music by the show’scomposers. It can be licensed directly from artists, or from sync agents, production music libraries or a“one stop,” what supervisorscall acompany that hasthe rights to license boththe master recording and the composition rights.

Music supervisors might also turn to covers of wellknown songs.Onthe most recent season of “The Bachelor,”Friedman used a cover of Phil Phillips’ “Sea of Love,” aclassic ’50stune. It’s more affordable to pay to license acover than the original recording —“and

creatively,it’samodern take on an old song,” he says.

“Love Island USA” music supervisor SaraTorres also uses covers.

“That can bring in other listenersthat may notnecessarilybeinto pop, butif they hear thesong in adifferent genre, it might pull them in, to go back and listen to theoriginal version,” shesays.

Music libraries —companies that representmusic catalogs for licensing purposes —are key, too, because if asong is too expensive to license, asupervisor can insteadfind asong that evokes thefeelingofBTS’ “Butter” withouthavingto pay for it

“The indie libraries, let’s say, for TV,couldbeanywhere from$1,000-1,500 perneedle drop use,” says Friedman. For TV shows in general, bigger commercial songs can range from $20,000 to upward of $100,000, with high-profile songs earning more depending on theuse, he says.

Using‘real songs’

The use of instantly rec-

ognizable popmusic differs from program to program

“LoveIsBlind” has used popular music in the past, but sparingly.Coelen points out the use of Lee AnnWomack’s“IHope YouDance” in BlissPoureetezadi and Zack Goytowski’sstoryinSeason 4. Butthe frequencyofTop 40 hits in the most recent season is new

He says the benefit of using these songs, creatively, is that it “elevates theexperience,” for theviewer: “Emotions aresoconnected to certain pieces of music, andtheycan conjureup feelings that we relate to.”

Kinetic Content declined TheAssociated Press’ request to speakwith the show’smusicsupervisor, Jon Ernst.

“Love Island USA” featuredsongs likeChappell Roan’s “Kaleidoscope” and Sabrina Carpenter’s“Please Please Please” in its most recent season.Executive producer James Barker points out that the original U.K. showhas always used commercial music, and thereforethe U.S.version has endeavored to do thesame.

“The show is meantto

feel like you’re on vacation with your best friends. Of course, whenyou’re on vacation,you’re sharing music,” he says. “I think that translates into how we create the show.”

Torres agrees. Sheadds that the show typically uses more commercial music in the beginning of the season, andthenagain in the finale —“youwant that bigimpact.”

Becausethe show has aquickturnaround time, withsix episodesa week “whatever happens in Fiji on Monday airs Tuesday in America,”asBarkerdescribes it —the showteam “pre-clears” over athousandsongs,justincasethey work for aparticularnarrative moment. Thatmeans requests are sent out to publishers andlabelsahead of time,but they’re not paid foruntil thetracks are selected

Ashow withmore lead time, “The Bachelor” has long used commercial songs in itsprogramming. This year’sseason,the show’s 29th, had several memorable musical moments, including aCardi B, Bad Bunny and J

Balvin needle drop when “I

Like It” played as the cast madetheir waytoMadrid.

“This is my first season with ‘The Bachelor,’ but historically they’ve used Colbie Caillat, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys,” lists Friedman. “TheyusedBillie Eilish last season. This season we used aDavid Guetta track, Dropkick Murphys for the episode in Boston. There’sa Karol Gtrack.” He adds “The Bachelor” does use alot of recognizable pop songs, typically one or two per episode.

“Each episode does have a budget. So, while they may splurge on apop song, the rest of the budget” is spent on other music that comes at alower cost, he says. Will therebemore?

For “Love Is Blind,”Coelen says simply:“Theanswer is yes.”

Barker from “Love Island USA” agrees.

“Not only are you engaged with the characters, but the songsand artists that you care about listening to at homeare being represented on television,” he adds. “It’s just abridge between us all.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

DiegoLuna starsasCassian Andor in Season 2of‘Andor’ on Disney+.

Photos by staffphotographer Hilary Scheinuk

Freshfromwinning abig award, poet looksatN.O.

Tulane

professorreflects on herart,and what’s next

BY RACHEL MIPRO

Contributing writer

Karisma Price grew up in New Orleans, thenattendedColumbiaUniversity and earnedher MFAinpoetry fromNew York University.Price’sdebut poetry collection, “I’m Always so Serious,”usedher connection to New Orleanstoexplorethemes such as Blackness, family and the impact of Hurricane Katrina.

As an assistant professorofEnglish at Tulane University,a screenwriter and amedia artist,she’skept busyportraying the worldaround her through avariety of mediums.

Price recently receiveda WhitingAward in the poetrycategory, becoming one of 10 writers honoredthisyear. The annual award, which comes witha $50,000 gift, is given to writers identified as emerging talents in nonfiction, drama,poetry and fiction.

The following interview has been editedfor lengthand clarity.

Let’sstartwith the award itself.What does this award mean to you?

Oh, it’s fantastic. First of all, it’s abig surprise.Itfelt likea secret writing spy mission,because youget arandom phone callone day. Iwas taking anap,soIcalled them back,and, you know,when you’re half asleep, “I’m like,ifthisisa dream,I’m going to be so mad.” But it wasreal. They don’ttellyou who nominated you, the judgingpanel is anonymous, all youget to know is that you won and that thereare people rooting for you. Even though Idon’tknowwho it is specifically,itgave me areally nice boost of confidence in myself andmywriting. TheWhiting is avery important award. Alot of great writers who’ve had very successful careers have wonit. This is an emerging writersaward.Itjustlets me know that I’m on the right track. It motivates me to just keep itgoing. Ilove that word emerging too,becauseit’sall about your potential, both through past works and in the future.Doyou have anything new you’re working on?

Well, Iamworking on asecond collection of poems,and I’m also working on anovel, which is veryhard. There’s alot of action in it, as opposed to poetry.There is narrative poetry, but poetry is more so meditation on an idea or subject.SoI’m workingonasecond collectionofpoems anda novel.

Wow. Can you tell me alittle bit about the themes of these?

The themes of the poetry collection,I write fromapre- and apost-Katrina landscape. Sosome of itisabout the landscape and theecosystem, particularly becausewelive in aplace very vulnerable to hurricanes.It’sabout community andBlackness andhow residents are doingpost-Katrina, andthe gentrification that has come from that,and howitishardertolive. Especially if you’re from here originally, thereisa NewOrleans that only lives in memory,especially now thatwe arepost-Katrina. Howlong have youbeen writing? Wasthere anypoint when one dayyou wokeup and said,“I’m going to be apoet?

In the seventh grade, Iwas like, “Oh, I’ll be apoet.” Itook a creative writing class,and Ialways likedstories. Ialways call my parents the firstpoets. They aren’tpoets, but theygrew up together,sothey had known each other since the third grade. So when they have astory,it’ssomeonethey mutually know. They both tell the story because they were both there, loving each othersincethey were 8. In the Black community,and poetry in general, it firststarted as oration.Itwasn’toriginally written down. When you think about“TheOdyssey,”“The Ili-

ad” and Greek mythology,you would sit people around andthe person, Homer and whoever else, would memorize it andgive youthis epic poem. So listening toalot of storytelling,I feel also contributed to me being astoryteller

Tell me about your own writing process.What is that like?

Ifeel like alot of my writing takes place when I’m moving around, whether I’m walking or driving. For mostwriters, a lot of writing starts, you know,just thinking in your head until youeventually put it on paper.Sofor me, alot of thinking is involved, especially if I’m in motion.That really helps my brain turn on. And this is more of awide-ranging question here, but where do you think American poetryisheaded? We’reinafairly turbulent time right now.Doyou see that impacting anything with writers and future generations?

Unfortunately,this is not the first time we’vebeen going through someturbulent times as acountry.When there’sany type of emotional or political turmoil, artists create things. They create thingstokeep themselves sane. They create things to respond to thepolitical climate. So Idofeel thatweprobably,inthe next few years, we’ll be getting bodies of workthat respond to thetime. Artists, we have aresponsibility to bring information forward. We’renot preachers, but we do present things in whatever creative manner we work in. So Idothink that this will bring about many artistsresponding to,and creating, bodies of work.

FlanneryO’Connor’sbeliefinredemptionastimelyasever

As my wife andIhoneymooned in Charleston, South Carolina,three decades ago, Iducked intoa localbookstore and bought acopyofFlannery O’Connor’scollected stories.

O’Connor’sfiction wryly comical andsometimes violent —was unusual reading foraman in the first daysofweddedbliss. But my bride andIwere in the Deep South,and O’Connor, agreat Southern writer,struckme asapromising guide.When I’d studiedO’Connor as a college student in Louisiana, some of heroddball characters seemed like folks I’d known.

Icouldn’thaveknown, as our week in Charlestonunfolded, howeerily O’Connor’s themes wouldchime with our travels. Not farfromour charming bed-and-breakfast, the wife of aprominent business owner wasfound

murdered. The soft sublimity of ourfirst days of marriage wasshadowedbythe aftermath of adark deed. All of this came back to mind this spring as O’Connor’sfansmarked the centennial of herbirth.

Born on March 25, 1925, O’Connor was drawn to the connectionbetween grace andsuffering, whichrested at theheart of herfiction and deep Catholic faith. She knew pain up close, often confined to herhome in Milledgeville, Georgia,because of thelupus that claimedher life in 1964. Ahundredyears after her birth, O’Connor’sbeliefthat

possibility can growfrom abroken worldseems as timely as ever In spiteofher illness —or perhapsbecause of it O’Connor was enormously productive,rising forMass each morning, then writing until herfrailbodyforced her to stop.Her storiesbrim withsometimes hilarious eccentrics, thekinds of quirky characters who might now fill thecast of aCoen brothersmovie.O’Connor’sgift for comedy made thegrimturns in herstories allthe more shocking.

In “A Good ManIsHard to Find,”a silly oldgrandmother joins afamily road trip to Florida with“her big black valisethatlooked likethe head of ahippopotamus” andPitty Sing, hercat. Laughs abound until she meets amurderer,using her final moment to greet him as oneofher own children. Her gesture affirms theidea

“The New Menopause”byMaryClaireHaver 10. “Poems of Parenting”byLorynBrantz

that even in theface of evil, we can shapeour destiny through moral choice.

In this way,acharacter first seen as aclown attains a redeeming nobility.

My favorite O’Connorstory is “Good Country People,” wherethe only real violence involvesinjured pride.It concernsbooksmart Helga, who thinks cynicism is a form of sophistication.She’s easily outwitted by an apparentrube,who tells her, “you ain’tsosmart. Ibeen believing in nothing sinceIwas born!”

The prospect of redemption definedFlannery O’Connor’s complicated life andwork, anditcontinuestochallenge andinspireher many readers. As sheput it,“My subject in fiction is theaction of grace in territory largely held by thedevil.”

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com

1. “Enchantra”byKaylie Smith

2. “Den of Vipers” by K.A. Knight

3. “The Crash” by Freida McFadden

4. “WardD”byFreidaMcFadden

5. “How to SolveYour Own Murder by Kristen Perrin

6. “LightsOut”byNavessa Allen

7. “Wildest Dreams” by L.J. Shen

8. “Quicksilver”byCallie Hart

9. “The Twisted Throne”byDanielle L. Jensen

10. “The Boyfriend”byFreida McFadden

PHOTO By BEOWULF SHEEHAN

2024 Whiting Award winner KarismaPrice grew up in NewOrleans.

DannyHeitman AT RANDOM

BY DEBRA TAGHEHCHIAN

Contributing writer

“Did you order the bread pudding?”

“No, why?”

“Oh, you missed out on the best dessert!”

This would have been the typical conversation when talking to anyone who had gone to Don’s Seafood&Steakhouse in downtownLafayette. Althoughthe restaurant is closed and has been demolished, its legacy as having the best bread pudding in town persists.

If you like very dense, cinnamon-laced bread pudding with a caramel-type topping, then this bread pudding maynot be what youare looking for.This bread pudding is souffle-like witha light and fluffy meringueontop. Also, the rum sauce is creamy like melted vanilla ice cream with arum flavor

Ilearned this recipe when I was in high school,and it has always been our family favorite. Ihave made it for so manyfamily occasions, and it is always requested by my brother,John. With every bite, Iamtransported and connected to those many occasions.

That is what good food has the power to do.

Like most of my recipes, Ilike to use basic ingredients witha focus on freshness,qualityof ingredients, and technique.You may have all the ingredients on hand to make this recipe at any given time.

Here are afew pro tipsto keep in mind:

n Use the freshest eggsyou can find and allow them to come to room temperature.

n Make sure that your bowl and beaters are very well cleaned and have no oil residue.

n Separate your eggs one by one. If any of the yolk gets mixed with the egg white, you cannot use.Your meringue willnot rise.

n Read the full recipe before you begin.

Bread Pudding alaDon’s

Makes 9-12 servings Ilike to serve the bread pudding and the sauce at different temperatures. Example:

Warm pudding withcold sauce or cold pudding with warm sauce.

4egg yolks

1cup sugar

1(12-ounce) canevaporated milk 2cups milk

1teaspoon vanilla extract 1 3 cup (6 tablespoons) melted butter 9slicesofwhite bread

1. Combinethe egg yolks and sugar and mix with awhisk. Once well combined, gradually addthe evaporatedmilk

2. Nextadd the milk, vanilla and butter.Stir to combine.

3. Tear thesliced bread intomedium-sized pieces and addtothe milk mixture. Stir to combine. Themilk mixture will be absorbed by the bread

4. Pourthe mixture into an 8-inch-by-11-inch baking dish.

5. Allow to rest while the oven is preheating to 450 F.

6. Bakefor 20 minutes or until thebread pudding is slightly puffed and some of the bread pieces arebrowned.

7. Remove from oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350 F.

Meringue

4egg whites 1pinchofsalt 1/2 cup sugar

1. Place eggwhites in aclean mixing bowl andbeat until they just begin to foam.

2. Addapinch of salt (this will help to stabilize the eggwhites).

3. Increase speed and beat until soft peaks form.

4. Gradually add sugar while beating and beat until firm peaksform.

5. Spread meringue over the bread pudding andbakefor 10 to 15 minutes or until the meringue is golden in color

6. Removefrom oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

RumSauce

Makes 1 1/2 cups 1/2 cup evaporatedmilk

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup sugar

2tablespoonsbutter

1heaping tablespoon of cornstarch dissolved in 3 tablespoons water 1/2 teaspoon rum flavoring

1. Combineevaporated milk, milk, sugar and butter in a3-quart saucepan.

2. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture just begins to boil. Addthe dissolved cornstarch and stir.The mixture should im-

mediately thicken.

3. Remove from heat, add rum flavoring and place in abowl or measuring cup to cool.

STAFFFILE PHOTOS

SPLITTING THEBILLS

Will Green, who took the helmofthe Louisiana Association of Business and Industryin2023, said he’sconfident that this year’s two-month regular session will endwith more victories for his members, but insurance is likely to be the biggest fight.

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Louisiana’s powerful business lobbyhad abanneryearin2024, winning long-sought taxchanges and education reforms, aided by anew governor and aRepublican supermajority in Baton Rouge

legislative scorecard,isbacking astring of proposals thatwould makeitharder for people to win big payoutsover car accidents, which it argues will lowerauto insurance rates.

to discuss his objectives as this year’ssession gets underway

It’s also trying to stop legislationthat would create more regulatory hurdles forcarboncapture and sequestrationprojects, and fightingtoget more funding for early childhood educationata time when competition forstate dollars is fierce.

Last year,the state Legislature moved to repeal the corporate franchise tax and flatten corporate and personal incometaxes, while raising sales taxes. Lawmakers also created anew programtohelp Louisianafamilies pay forprivate education with tax-funded grants. Green said 50 legislative and regulatory measures were enacted under LABI’s plan to transform Louisiana into an economic leader in the South.

Butonsomeofits top issues this year,the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is facing more friction. LABI, which represents more than 2,000 employers and is aforce in Louisiana politics through campaign contributions and its influential

“What adifference ayear makes, right?” LABI President Will Green said in an interview

PROVIDED PHOTO ä See LOBBY, page 2E

Afteracquisition,parking aidtechstartup

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

ParkZen, aBaton Rougetech startup that helps drivers find parking spots, has found apermanent space of its own. Last week, Houstonbased Parking Guidance Systems announced that it has purchased ParkZen in adeal that combines an undisclosed amount of cash and equity.The transaction followstwo years of collaboration between the two companies.

industryall morning.”

Citing anondisclosure agreement,Chatzopoulos said he was unable to share details of the acquisition, butindustryinsiders estimate thedeal was worthseveral million dollars.

ParkingGuidance, whichhas been in business since2013, installs andoperates parking technology hardware, including sensors installed on theceilings of parking garagestotrack availability of parking spaces.

“This is ahuge opportunity for us,” ParkZen co-founder Manos Chatzopoulos said Tuesday by phonewhile attendinganindustry trade show.“I’ve been getting congratulations from peopleinthe

Parking Guidance

CEO Derek Frantz didn’t respond to requests for comment Co-founded in 2020 by Chatzopoulos, an LSU associate professor of astrophysics, and real estate financier George Triarchou, ParkZen uses smartphone data to help drivers hunt for parking spaces in the same way that Waze or Apple’smapshelpthem avoid traffic snarls. The company’s customersinclude universities, airports and other businesses around the country

The companies teamed up in 2023 to provide parking hardware and software for the Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

“The airport was looking for a consumer-facing apptoremind drivers where their car was parked based on license platedata,”Chatzopoulossaid. “Wecame along for therideonthatproject andbuilt the mobile app.”

The successful collaboration set the stage for the recent acquisition. Thedealcomes at atimewhen the roughly $120 billion U.S.

STAFF FILE PHOTOByJAVIER GALLEGOS Manos Chatzopoulos,co-founder of ParkZen, shows off the app, which aims to help drivers find parkingspots. Houston-based

BatonRouge

Dr.Adithya Hari has joined the faculty of Pennington Biomedical Research Center as an assistant professorand physician/nuclear oncologist in clinical science.

Hari will develop aresearch program in nuclear medicine andwill dedicate aportion of histime to patient care through aclinical partnership with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center

He earned amedical degree from Kurnool MedicalCollegeand adoctorate in clinical and translational science from Case WesternReserve University.Hari completed afellowship in nuclear oncology at Memorial SloanKetteringCancer

Center

NewOrleans LauraCannon has joined Hinshaw&Culbertson as apartner Cannon will be part of the appellate team within theGovernment Practice Group. Her practice focuses on appellate cases related to commercial litigation,insurance matters and consumer financial services

She previously served as acriminal justice act attorneyfor the5th U.S. Circuit CourtofAppeals. Cannon began her law practice at Mc-

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Walmarttoremodel 18

south Louisiana stores

Eighteen south Louisiana Walmart storesare scheduledto be remodeled this year as part of the retail giant’sefforts to overhaul more than 650 locations acrossthe U.S.

The work will involve updates such as new signage, expanded online pickup departmentsand private screening rooms in the pharmacy

The stores scheduled forremodeling are:the Natchez Drive, Robert Boulevard and Pontchartrain Drive locations in Slidell; the Coursey Boulevard and O’Neal Lane locations inBaton Rouge; 880 N. U.S. 190 and 2800 N. U.S. 190 in Covington;Veterans Memorial BoulevardinMetairie; South Range Avenue in Denham Springs; La. 42 in Prairieville; La. 1inPortAllen; La.3089 in Donaldsonville; West JudgePerez Drive in Chalmette; Northeast Evangeline Thruway in Carencro;

PARKING

Continued from page1E

parking industry looks for ways to boost profits despite challenges created by the rise of remote work, ride-hailing platforms and e-commerce —all of which have reduceddemand.

Companies that own or manage parking lots are turning to tech companies to help them maximize profits,according to industry reports.Solutions includeapps that let drivers reserve spaces in advance, sensors that automaticallycharge drivers when they pull in and out of parking spaces, and tech that will automatically adjust pricesfor parking spaces basedondemand.

Parking Guidance’sacquisition of ParkZen gives the company more artificial intelligencedriven and data-driven software solutions for its customers, said Chatzopoulos.

Icyinspiration

Chatzopoulos beganbrainstorming atechsolution to parking adecade ago, when he was a postdoctoral fellow at theUniversity of Chicago. His dailyroutine involved lots of driving around looking for aparking space, followed by long walks in coldconditions.

He figuredtherehad to be abetter way to avoid parking hassles, which he said causeunnecessary carbon emissions, loss of productivity and traffic accidents

Chatzopoulos, who by day uses supercomputer simulationsto understand supernovas and stellar evolution, applied his skills in data analysis to tackle the more down-to-earth challenge.

“I realized most parking problems weren’tjustabout toofew spots; they were about people not knowing where openspots actually were,” he said. “I knew Icould use data to bridge that information gap and make parking way less stressful.”

After he started working at LSU in 2016, Chatzopoulos joined forces with Triarchoutolaunch ParkZen. Today,ParkZen is used by about adozen schools, including the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee. The startup also has a$2million contract with the Virginia Department of Transportation covering 59 commuter parking lots. Chatzopoulos declinedtodisclose revenue details, citing competitive concerns.

‘Great exampleofincubation’

In 2022, ParkZen wona$100,000 investment after taking first place in apitch competitionduring Baton RougeEntrepreneurship Week, run by the nonprofit business incubator Nexus Loui-

Glinchey Stafford andpracticed withotherfirmsinNew Orleans

She earned abachelor’s, cum laude, in political science and history from Tulane University anda lawdegree, magnacum laude, from TulaneUniversity Law School.Cannon served as law clerkfor the U.S. DistrictJudge Stephen Higginson on the 5thCircuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown of New Orleans

AdvantageCapital hasexpandedits seniorleadership team Franchesca Lorio was named chief financialofficer and Anne Johnson is the firm’snewest managing director

Both women have decades of experienceand have held leadership positions with the company LaurenKilbourne has joined the company as vice president of the TaxConsulting Team.

She was previously manager of NewMarket TaxCredit appli-

BUSINESS HONORS

cations at Cherry Bekaert.

Ontario AvenueinBogalusa; Odd Fellows Road in Crowley; La. 70 in Morgan City; and Archbishop Hannan Boulevard in Meraux.

Construction at allofthe locations is slated to beginthisyear andWalmart expects the workto be finished by the end of 2025.

Forte, Tablada acquires BR engineering firm

Forte andTablada has acquired Professional Engineering Consultants, joiningtwo longtime Baton Rougeengineering firms

Terms of the deal were notdisclosed Both companies were established in the 1960s.

Officialssaid the purchase will enhance Forte and Tablada’sability to provide water,sewer,and public utility infrastructure expertise to clients.

The deal gives Forte and Tablada aworkforce of 130 staffers, with afocus across engineering andsurveying disciplines.

siana.

The investment came from InnovationCatalyst,a BatonRougebased nonprofitthat invests in local entrepreneurs, and its subsidiary,the RedStick Angel Network

Chatzopoulos usedthe injection of cash to hire asalesperson and software developers. The company alsobecamea“virtual tenant” at Nexus, whereitreceived coaching andother support services.

NexusPresident and CEO Tony Zanders said ParkZen’sParking Guidance deal is proof that the Baton Rouge entrepreneurial ecosystem works —even if the deal isn’tassplashy as the 2021 exits of New Orleans tech companies Lucid, Levelset and Turbosquid. TheLuciddeal alone was worth more than $1 billion.

Bill Ellison, CEOofInnovation Catalyst and the Red Stick Angels, said he was planning another major investment in ParkZen, along with aSouthCarolina-based venture capital fund, when Parking Guidance made its acquisition offer

“Wehad the deal done,but Manos saidhehad an offer to be acquired that was too good to pass up,” Ellison said ‘Leading innovation’

For Chatzopoulos, theParkingGuidancedealisa chance to offload some of theresponsibilities of astartup founder so he can focus on his favorite aspects of thebusiness —leading innovation

He wants to continue to make parking easier for students, and he envisions aday when enough driversare using hissoftware that it will work outside of designatedparking lots.

He also hopes to sell ads based on customers’ locations. And he wants to grow the company’s services in thepaidparking sector,which he describes as amore “dense and competitive space.”

Now,he’ll be pursuing those goalsaspart amore established venturethathas installed roughly 200parkingguidance systems encompassing 360,000 parking spaces at airports, universities, hospitals and corporate campuses.

The company has offices in Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and, now, Baton Rouge. Both ParkZen partners andall three employees will remain with thecompany

“This is what Silicon Valley calls an ‘acqui-hire,’” Zanders said. “They aren’tjust buying the ParkZen tech and sending theteam off to Hawaii for avacation. The skills theyare bringing to thetable will help PGS further expandinto thesoftware space.”

Email RichCollins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

Leadersfor aBetter Louisiana’s Committee of 100 added 10 new membersduring thefirst quarter

The newmembers are: Denise Bottcher,state director,AARP; Paul Brummett,president and CEO,JD Bank; Brian Haymon,CEO, Loadstar Product Handling Services; Karl Hoefer,regionalpresident,First Horizon; JayLapeyre,president,Laitram; Todd Little,managing member, Little &Associates; Malcolm Murchison,special counsel, BradleyMurchison Kelly &Shea; Matt Saurage, innovation manager,Community Coffee; Kevin Simpson,manager of Southeastpolicy,Shell; and Guy Williams,president andCEO, Gulf Coast Bank &Trust

The New Orleans Real Estate Investors Association, anonprofit tradeassociation,has updated its leadership.

Linda Locascio hasbeenappointed president of the association, after previously serving as vice president. She replaces Nicolas Zepeda, who servedaspresident for the past two years. He will continue to serve as adirector of the organization. Stephen Keighery has joined the board as director of marketing and memberships.

David Birdsong hasbeen appointed vice president and will continue as director of legal affairs.

BetsyBirdsong is now director of

LOBBY

Continuedfrom page 1E

Green, who took the helm of LABI in 2023 after eight yearsat the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, said he’sconfident that this year’s two-month regularsessionwill end with more victories for his members, but insurance is likely to be thebiggest fight.

“On casualtyand car insurance?” Green said. “We’vegot aton of workleft to do.”

LABI hasaligneditselfwithInsuranceCommissionerTim Temple and acropoflawmakersonlegislation that Green saidwill “prevent jackpot justice” and attract new insurers, eventually lowering rates

But on some measures, LABI is at-odds with Gov.Jeff Landry, whosaidhewants ”a balanced approach” thatfavors neither trial lawyers norinsurers. Landry angeredthe business lobby last year by vetoing one major piece of legislation opposed by trial lawyers and watering down several other measures before agreeingtosupport them.

In the first week of this year’s session,Landry appeared before aHouse committeetostump for a bill opposedbythe business lobby that would give Templethe power to reject excessive auto insurance rate increases.The governor said it’s no wonder residents are frustrated, as insurancecompanies “continue to report record profits while our rates continue to rise.”

Theoutcome of this year’s fight could help shedlight on LABI’s cloutinthe Capitolunder Landry, said Jan Moller,executive director of Invest in Louisiana, which hasn’t taken aposition on the auto insurance legislation but frequently clashes with LABI on issueslike raising the minimum wage.

“Most of these battles are Republican on Republican in away that we haven’tseenbefore,” said Moller,who noted that for decades, Republicans have been in lockstep withLABI in opposing thetrialbar

“You have aconservative governor taking an opposite position. It’sa test of the governor’spowers,and atestofhow much influence LABI really has.”

LABI is also opposing efforts by agroup of mostly rural,Republican lawmakerstoput restrictions on carbon capture andsequestration.

Green said misinformation around carbon capture is fueling fears thatitcould pollute drinking water or pose asafetyhazard and said it

national memberbenefits, after being treasurer.She replaces Jason Cole,who moves to treasurer after he was director of national member benefits. Konstantin Ginzburg is director of digital infrastructure, and Stephanie Woodside is programming director.

Jessica Manzella and Carol Logreco are continuing to serve as board members.

ElizabethEllison-Frost hasbeen appointed to the Board of Commissionersfor the Ernest N. Morial New OrleansExhibition Hall Authority Ellison-Frost is community relationsmanager for PBF Energy in Chalmette. She previouslyworked forExxonMobil Refining &Supply Ellison-Frost serves on multiple boards, including theNew Orleans Chamber of Commerce, WomenUnited, the PontchartrainConservancy,UnitedWay of Southeast Louisianaand the St. Bernard EconomicDevelopment Foundation. She earneda bachelor’sinpolitical science from LSU and amaster’sincreative writing from the University of Louisiana at Lafay-

is up to LABI and other industry groups to build trust with the public so thatthey are more open to the technology

“If we do this right, we can bring millions of dollars in jobsand investments to Louisiana,” Green said. “We’vegot the talent here. We’ve got the businesses here. We’ve got the infrastructure here.”

Affordable childcare‘crisis’

On other issues, LABI faces less controversybut willstill need to sway legislators. The group’snext biggest priority besides auto insurance is expandingaccesstoearly childhoodeducation forworking families, Green said.

Louisiana has among the lowest labor force participation rates in the country,meaning there are fewer workersherethanelsewhere Green said that many of the people who have left the labor force are parents with young children who can’t afford high-qualitychild care.

“Itreally is acrisis,”saidMary Beth Hughes, LABI’s director of governmentalaffairs. “Especially when we’re talking about all of the huge economic development projects that are coming to Louisiana, if we don’thave the workforce to support them,it’sahuge problem.”

LABI is urging lawmakers to provide fundsfor thestate’s Child Care Assistance Program,which helps low-income families payfor high-quality early childhood education so parentscan go to school or re-enterthe workforce.

Landry’sbudget proposal recommendedsetting aside around $78 million in state funding for the program. LABI and others are hoping to boostthat to $87 million if funding becomes available.

Employee absences and turnover duetochild care issues cost Louisiana’seconomy $1.3 billion annually,according to an analysis from theLouisiana PolicyInstitute for Children,anonpartisan think tank focusedonimproving outcomes for Louisiana’s youngest children.

Libbie Sonnier,the Policy Institute’sCEO, said Louisiana’s business community has been atrailblazernationally in making the argumentfor funding earlychildhood educationand laudedGreen’s efforts to elevate the issue.

Garett May is thenew president andCEO of West Jefferson Medical Center May was most recently chief operating officer of Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville, Alabamaand earlier was CEO of Merit Health Natchez in Natchez,Mississippi. He earned abachelor’sand a master’sinbusiness administrationfromMississippi College and alaw degree from Mississippi School of Law.

ette.

Dr.Leanne Redman, of Pennington Biomedical Research Center, hasbeenhonored by the American Society for Nutrition.

Redman, associate executive director for scientific education anddirector of the Nutrition ObesityResearch Center at Pennington, is this year’s recipient of the E.V.McCollum Award. The awardgoes to aclinical investigator who is perceived as amajor creative force, activelygenerating newconcepts in nutrition and personally seeing to theexecution of studies testing the validity of these concepts. She hasbuilt an independent research program around women’s health, primarily in research that focuses on female infertility, pregnancy and the development of childhood obesity from the womb Herresearchhas broughtmore than$50 million to PenningtonBiomedical in the past 15 years. Redman is an authority on body weight regulation and has publishedmorethan250 research papers on the topic as wellason women’shealth, obesity and nutrition.

Green pointed to arecent report from the National Transportation Research Group that found that half of Louisiana’s major roadsare in poorormediocre conditionand 1,500 bridges —or1in10spans are poor or structurally deficient. “A good transportation system is absolutelya factor in economic development andattracting and growing business,” Green said.

Senate President Cameron Henry hasalsomaderestructuring of DOTD atop priority In arecent interview,hesaid DOTD underformerGov.John BelEdwards helped lure acompany to aruralpart of north Louisiana by promising it would fix broken bridgesbut neverfollowed through. Green shareda similar story,saying faulty infrastructure madeitdifficult forone of his memberstotransport apieceof machinery to ajob in Texas, costing the business “millions of dollars aday in delays.” Green said LABI is also hoping to restore atax credit that’sslated to endinJuly 2026 thatreimburses businesses for the inventory tax paid to local governments.

That’s needed,Green said,after voters in March rejected aconstitutional amendment that would’ve provided local governments an incentive to stop collecting the tax.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com. and followhim on Twitter, @blakepater

LABI is also backing abill that would restructure theLouisiana WorkforceCommission to makeit aone-stop shop forresidents looking for job training. DOTD overhaul,taxes LABI is also supportive of apush to overhaul the state Department of Transportation and Development.

Cannon

Lorio Johnson

Redman

Ellison-Frost

Home construction groupaddressingworkershortage

BY ADAM DAIGLE Acadiana business editor

With the rain still coming down on the Sunday of what was becoming the floods of 2016,Kerry Duet, of the Design Center of Acadiana, got aphone call from one of her builders.

The rising waters meant two things: Awave of homerepairs was imminentand there might not be enough qualified workers todo the jobs. So the caller quickly got to the point: “Well, Kerry,what are yougoing to do about this?”

Duet called ameeting the next morning, and whathappened after that call set the wheels in motion for the Master Guild of Acadiana, aprogram Duet and others started as away to train workers forthe home construction industry.The guild is aco-op that merges the efforts of employers,educatorsand professional organizations to meet industry needs in the Lafayette region and in south Louisiana And the needs, Duet said, are significant. Astrong majority of employees operating at amasterlevel are age 50 or above,the industry has a55% turnover rate, and only 3% of young adults are pursuing the construction trade.

Areport from the NationalAssociation of Home Builders agreed. To address the nation’shousing shortage, thousandsofskilled construction workers are needed.

“Weare in aworld of hurt regardless of what demand is,” she said “Whether people wanttobuild pool houses right now or new subdivisions, it doesn’tmatter.Welive in southLouisiana, and if youjust wait aminute, we’regoingtoget whacked by some storm and have to rebuild.There’snoreason to ever stop developing aworkforce for the trades in my lifetime.”

One Acadianarecently honored the guild with its inaugural ConnectEd Award as part of its ConnectEd initiative that linkseducators with industry to promote career-connected learning.The guild was noted for its four-step process —recruit, train, coach and retain.

In this week’sedition of Talking Business, Duet talks more about how the conditions that gotthe

Kerry Duet,owner of the Design Center of Acadiana, helped launch the Master Guild of Acadiana, aco-op that mergesthe efforts of employers, educators and professional organizations, as away to trainworkers for the home construction industry.

program started, howthe guild is unique to not only Louisiana but across thecountry and how she has made acareerout of an industry often dominated by middle-aged men. This interviewhas been edited for clarity Tell me more about the industry’sworkforce needs.Is there maybe anumber of people employers could hire today?

Volume-wise is not where we’re focusing. It’sthe depth of experience that we’re going for.One of the thingswe’ve been able to accomplish that I’m really proud of is that if you talk to any of our recruits theyhave experience. They have been able to experience multiple trades. We have one recruit,Sam, whoisaproject manager now for Habitat for Humanity.She spent some time with an arborist, with timber framers and in landscaping. She was able, through herrecruit

journey,toget exposed to all these different parts of the build, which is making her really effective.

So, back me up abit on the recruiting process.How doesthatprocessgowithrecruits and connecting them to the training resources theguild offers?

The idea that people decide what they want to do and go learnitand then do it is not true in ourindustry

Therehas to be some kind of inclination. Oneofthe hardestthings to try to extract from aperson is what it is they’re capable of. The onlyway that we candiscover the innate talent is to getthemworking quicklyand gettheminsupportive roles wherethere’snorisk involved.One of my recruits was a38-year-old engineer who didn’t want to be in the oil field anymore. He had to start out site-keeping at $10anhour,likeeveryone else. If you’re really good, that means you won’tdoitlong.

How active is the guildrecruiting?Doyou, say, speak at high schoolsorcolleges?Are we targeting 18- to 25-year-olds? More like 16 to 62. We run multiple recruiting rounds ayear We runrecruiting rounds in high schools and the general public. We usually trytosync themupwith job fairs.Wehaveawork-readytraining linedup, sometimes the same day. We recruit andsay,“Hey, if you want ashot, just come to class at 3o’clock.” This year,we’re also running areentrycohort, which is for the oneswho are getting ready to be released fromprison. We’re trying to recruit fromthe prisons thatalready have trades training going on so we canrecruit people who can come out and run at anew career hard. Take me backtohow the guild gotstarted. Thedemand soared after the flood. So what happened when you called that meeting? If you’ve ever lined up acontrac-

tor,you’ll know whatafeat this is. I walked in, andthere were 27 skilled subcontractors looking at me.I didn’t even have aplan.Wepassed around aclipboard and had everybody put their contact information on it andwhattheylike to do.Weorganized the list and gave everyone acopy. We decentralizedthe contracting, and everything wentchaotic fora littlewhile,and already it was chaos out there. Then the labor started to be imbalanced. Guys couldn’tget things started because they were waiting on everybody else.Thenwestarted figuring out the size of the crews and realized how disproportionate it was. Everybody can’tbeatileguy.Wehad to balance it out. How did you land in this industry? Ihad dropped out of college because Igot pregnant. Iwas workingatStage. Iwas theyoungest assistant manager Stage had ever had. Iwas 19. Igot promoted becauseIcould countmoney faster than anyone they had ever seen. Iwould work until 8or9atnight, and Iwanted aday job. I’m from Bayou Lafourche, and Hurricane Lili passed. We’re born knowing how to mitigate and what the inside of awall looks like. Iwalked into Hollier’sFlooring &Remodeling because they were close to Stage. They hired me basically because I was young and knew how to work a computer and Ihad this post-storm experience just from growing up. They sent me with an estimator and he showed me how to draw to scale.I’vealwaysdrawn sinceIwas akid. It’swhatI can do.I pickedit up, andtheysaidIhad drawn faster than anybody who hadever picked it up. They sent me out in the field. Ilearned really quick and wanted to listen to them because Iama high performer.When Ishoot it, I want it to be abull’s-eye. Because Icould draw,when Iwould go out there and they’d describe what they wanted, I’dgrab apiece of paper,draw it and say,“Like this?” And they’d go, “Yeah, like that. Can you draw another one like that that Ican give to my client?” And that’s how Ibecameadesigner

EmailAdam Daigle at adaigle@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Readersquestionstability of banks

Typically,when people ask me if they should keep alarge stash of cash at theirhouse, Ioften joke: “Give me your address.”

who monitor the financialhealth of banks to reduce the risk of a failure.

Fool’s

Take:

Value

for uncertain times

so a50-basis-point movewould be 50/100 of one, or half apercentage point.

My attempt at humor is away to get them to see that stockpiling too much cash is nota goodidea. There’s the risk of itbeing stolen or destroyed in afire or severe storm. And with some institutions offering high-yield savings accounts, people giveupthe opportunity to earn adecentinterest rate on their money

However,there is growing anxietyabout the safety of our financial institutions.

Here’swhy: The independence of the federal agencies charged with protecting our funds is being undermined.

Last week, PresidentDonald Trump fired Todd Harperand Tanya Otsuka, the Democratic board members of the National Credit Union Administration, which supervises and insures morethan 4,400 federally insured credit unions with $1.78 trillion insured shares and deposits and 142.3 million members, according to its most recent report.

“This is the latest in astringof actions by the Trump administration to subvert the law and undermine financial regulators that keep Americans’ money safe,” Adam Rust said in astatementfollowing the firings. Rust is director of financial services for the Consumer Federation of America. Only one board memberremains: Kyle Hauptman, theRepublican appointed by Trump in 2020. He is now the chair

“If aPresident can firean NCUA Board member at any time, how will we maintainpublic trust in our nation’sfinancial services’ regulatory system?” Harper asked in astatement on LinkedIn, calling the move “illconceivedand politically motivated.

Meanwhile, afederal hiring freeze and staff reductionshave left the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. short-handed.InJanuary, the administration rescinded job offers to more than 200 new bankexaminers —the employees

Remember, just twoyears ago, three major banks collapsed— Silicon ValleyBank, Signature Bank and First Republic Bank. Downsizing the FDIC just doesn’t make sense.

Oneconcerned reader emailed me asking about how I“would adviseabout protecting assets in banks.”

Other readers have raised similarconcerns over the last several weeks about the safety of theirdeposits inbanks andcredit unions.

It’snot alaughing matter Here’swhat I’ve said.

Youare not being paranoid On onefamilyvacation to the beach, my sister slipped in afew feet of water near the water’s edge.Asanonswimmer,she was so frightened by the fall that she panicked and couldn’t regain her balance.

It’slike that with Trump’s policies, whichhave knocked the economy out of balance. His firing of officialsonindependent boards and at certainwatchdog agencies raises concerns over whether the rulesgoverning the safety of insured accountswillbejust as easily dismissed.

Given the numerous lawsuits challenging the moves of Trump and hispolitical appointees, you’re not irrational to wonder about the safety of your insured bank deposits.

Butfor now,Ihave no reason to believe you’re better off keeping vast amounts of cashatyour home.

If it makesyou feel better,get asafe that’swaterproof and fireresistant,and keep afew hundred dollars for an emergency in case, for instance, astorm knocks out power and you can’tuse acredit or debitcard.

Butifyou’re trulyinapanic about the federal protection of your deposits, letyourcongressional representativeknowhow you feel.That’sbetter than keeping your money under your mattress. FDIC and NCUAInsurance protection is still in place.

TheFDIC insures deposit products, including savings and checking accounts, money market deposit accountsand certificates

of deposit If you’re unsure whether your money is federally insured, use the FDIC’stool, the Electronic Deposit InsuranceEstimator. It helps consumers figure out on a per-bank basis how much of their money,ifany,exceedscoverage limits. Insuranceworks by ownership categories. The standard coverageis$250,000 per depositor, per insuredbank, foreach account ownership category NCUAprotects members’ share accounts at federally insured credit unions. It’ssimilartothe deposit insurancecoverageprovidedbythe FDIC. Members can calculatethe amount of insured coveragebyusing the NCUA’s Share InsuranceEstimatoratMyCreditUnion.gov. No one has ever lost asingle dollarofinsureddepositsata federally insuredbank or credit union. Notice, though, that the key point is insured deposits.

Nondeposit productsare not covered It’s important to note that the FDIC and NCUAdon’tcover nondeposit products, evenifthey were purchasedata federally insuredinstitution. These include stocks, bonds, mutual funds, annuities, insurance products and cryptoassets.

There is anonprofit corporation, the SecuritiesInvestorProtection Corp.,created under the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, that covers securities(or stocks), mutualfunds and bonds. But it’snot the equivalent of the FDIC or NCUAfor securities. Instead, the SIPC helps you recover missing cash or securitiesif your brokerage firm goesunder. It won’tcover lossesif, for example,your investments decline,as many retirement accounts have because of Trump’strade war.

The limit of SIPCprotection is $500,000, which includesa $250,000 limit forcash.However, you can have separate coverage fordifferent account registrations at the same firm. Forinstance,individual, joint and IRA accountsare typically treated as distinct for the purposesofSIPC coverage

EmailMichelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost com.

When the stock market seems shaky,manyinvestors shifttheir focus from high-flying growth stocks to undervalued stocks. Agreat way to invest in seemingly undervalued stocks is via the Vanguard Value ETF (ticker: VTV). The ETF tracks theCRSP U.S. Large CapValue Index by investing directly in its component companies. The index features stocks that have been screened using avariety of metrics —including ratios of price to book, price to forward earnings, price to historical earnings, price to dividend andprice to sales —to focus on undervalued stocks. Investing in this ETFprovides some exposure to midcap stocks, too.

The ETF’sultralow expense ratio (annualfee) of 0.04% meansinvestorspay $4 per $10,000 they have in the ETF.Thus, the Vanguard Value ETF is one of the least expensive and most efficient ways to investinmorethan 300 value stocks.

Compared with the S&P 500, the Vanguard Value ETF has less exposure to the technology and consumer discretionary sectors, and outsized exposure to financials, health care, industrials, consumer staples, energy,utilities and real estate. Many companies in these sectors paydividendsand are valued more for their current earnings than their potential growth.(The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends theVanguard Value ETF.)

Fool’s School: Termstoknow

Here are somefinancial terms youmay run across that are good to understand: Aggressive growth fund: Amutual fund or exchange-traded fund that aims to growvalue forshareholders by investing primarilyinstocks of fast-growing companies. It aims for above-average returns but also tends to have above-average risk.

Asset classes: Kinds of investments with similar traits. Three of the major ones are cash, bonds and stocks.

Basis point: Most often used as a measure of changes in interest rates.One basis point is onehundredthofapercentage point,

Capital gain/loss: The difference between the price at which an asset is sold and its original purchase price (or “basis”).

Commodities: Goods that are generally the samenomatter the producer —such as crude oil, silver gold, coffee, soybeans, wheat or beef.They’re traded in large quantities on an exchange.

Cost basis: The original price paid foraninvestment (including commissions).

Equities: Generally,afancy name forstocks.

Escrow: An arrangement whereby athird party holds funds securely to facilitate atransaction. Escrow is commonly used in real estate, such as when funds are held by a mortgage lender to cover tax and property insurance payments.

Free cash flow: The cash that’sleft over after expenses —including bills from suppliers, salaries, new equipment and advertising —are accounted for.

Gross domestic product (GDP): The value of all goods and services provided within the borders of a country

Joint venture: In the business world, typically apartnership between twoormore companies to achieve apurpose while sharing expertise, costs and profits. No-load fund: Amutual fund that does not charge asales commission.

Securities: Financial assets that can be easily traded; common types include stocks, bonds and certificates of deposit.

Ask the Fool:

What is stagflation

I’ve heard America maysoon experience stagflation.What’sthat? —F.E., La Crosse, Wisconsin Stagflation, acombination of the words stagnation and inflation, is an economic environment marked by high unemployment, rising prices and slowing economic growth. It can be hard foraneconomy to get out of stagflation: Remedies for slow growth (such as stimulating borrowing by lowering interest rates) often increase inflation, but remedies forinflation (such as raising interest rates) often put brakes on growth.

Someeconomists are indeed worried about stagflation in the near future, due to factors including tariffwars and government layoffs

Motley Fool

Texasunmannedvesselstartup buys La.shipyard

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

In the not-too-distant future, the Navy mightbedeploying fleets of unmanned shipsthroughout the world, and some of them might be manufactured in Louisiana. That’sthe vision of former Navy SEAL and defense technology entrepreneur Dino Mavrookas, whose Austin,Texas-based startup Saronic last week announced the acquisition of Gulf Craft, ashipyard in Franklin. Terms of the deal were not made public.

Saronic, which reports a$4billion valuationbased on potential militaryand commercialcontracts, said it will use the 100-acre facility to produce unmanned surface vessels —essentially water drones —starting with a150foot autonomous surface vessel dubbed the Marauder.The company has already produced smaller autonomous vessels at itsinland headquarters.

“Weacquired Gulf Craftbecause we believe in their culture and what they’ve been able to produce to date,” Mavrookas said. “Wesee the value they can bringtoscalingproductionofour autonomous surface vessels, so we’re going to invest heavily there.”

Founded by ScottTibbs in 1965, Gulf Craft produced roughly 400 vesselsoverthe last halfcentury, including many crew boats that ferried workersand supplies to and from offshoreoil rigs.

Mavrookas said Saronic will invest $250 million in the shipyard overthe next four years,while creating500 new jobs and producing up to 50 unmanned surface vessels annually.The firstMarauders could come off the line within the next 12 months.

Among those to cheer the deal is House Speaker Mike Johnson, aBenton Republican who visited Saronic’sheadquartersearlier this month.

“The investment of Saronic in Louisiana’sshipbuildingindustry will grow our economy,create high-quality jobs and bolster America’smaritime strength,” he

said.

Mavrookas said money will be spent modernizingGulf Craft’s infrastructure, acquiring new machinery and updating the facilities.

Saronic has retained the shipyard’sroughly30-personworkforce.Inaddition to hiring more shipbuilders, welders and electricians, thecompanyplans to create jobs for engineers, technologists andnaval architects, whowilldevelop and scale production of its medium unmanned surface vessels, or MUSVs.

Mavrookas said the shipyard’s location, expertise and facilities are well suited to develop, test and produce thecompany’s first MUSV model, whichisdesignedtocarry

weapons and other military equipment, or transport two full 40-foot shipping containers for commercial purposes. The ship has apayload capacity of 40 metric tons andisdesigned to travel up to 3,500 nautical miles or stay in place for morethan30 days. The Gulf Craft deal comes two months after Saronic closed a$600 million round of funding led by San Francisco angel investor Elad Gil. Much of that money is earmarked to build alarge shipbuilding facility that Mavrookas is calling “Port Alpha.” Saronic said the company intends to invest over $2.5 billion to developthe shipyard, which would hire thousands

of people to produce hundreds of unmanned vessels annually

While the company is searching for alocation, it purchased Gulf Craft to begin production now Saronic’sacquisition of Gulf Craft comes as the Trump administration toutsefforts to revitalize the U.S. shipbuilding industry, which requires investment in infrastructure, production models and workforce.

Mavrookassaidit’simportant for the U.S. to narrowthe shipbuilding gap with China.

“Our whole mission is to redefine maritime superiority for the U.S. andour allies around theworld, andwejust made the decision very early on that we have to do

that through autonomy,” he said. “Autonomy lets youstrip95% of the complexity out of the ship, and manufactureatavery high rate, so you can actually change how we do shipbuilding to regain that shipbuilding manufacturing superiority that we once had.”

Email RichCollinsatrich. collins@theadvocate.com.

PresidentTrumpCuttingRed Tape to StrengthenLouisiana’sSeafood Industry

Thisarticle is broughttoyou by the Louisiana CommercialFishing Coalition LLC Louisiana’scommercial fishing families have longbeenthe backbone of the state’s working coast.Fromshrimp docksinTerrebonnetooysterreefs in Plaquemines,Louisiana’sfishermen arevital to the state’s economyand the nation’sseafoodsupply.Now,a national push to reduce unnecessary regulationsin the fishing industry offersaturning point forLouisiana’sshrimpersand other local fleets burdened by outdated, one-size-fitsall rules.Thisinitiative could revitalize the industry by aligning federal policies with the realities of modern seafood production. PresidentDonaldTrump’sExecutive Order on Promoting AmericanSeafood Competitivenessand EconomicGrowth calls formodernizing U.S. fisheries management, giving Louisiana’sleaders achance to adopt reforms thatboost efficiency and sustainability. AWin for ShrimpersFacing RedTape Louisiana’sshrimpindustryfaces rising costs,low-cost imports,and regulatory burdens unrelatedtoon-the-water realities.Shrimpersoperate on razor-thin margins,strugglingwith outdated, onesize-fits-all policies.The Executive Order directs federal agencies to review and remove unnecessary regulations, which could lead to faster permitting, clearer rules,and fewerduplicative requirements forshrimpers. Thesechanges will encourageinvestmentinmodern gear and vessels,making the industry more competitiveina challenging market.

Louisiana lawmakersnow have a model to follow—one thatrespects local knowledgeand promotes science-based decision-making. Louisiana shrimpers deservearegulatory approach thatreflects the unique dynamics of Gulf fisheries,with rules thatevolveasconditions changeand as newdatabecomes available. “Louisiana shrimpershavebeen asking forcommon-sensereforms for years, and it’sencouraging to seethe federal governmentfinally recognizehow outdatedregulations have become,”said AcyCooper,Presidentofthe Louisiana Shrimp Association. “The ExecutiveOrder is astepinthe rightdirection, but we need BatonRougetofollowsuit.Our fishermen arecompeting with foreign imports,rising costs,and rules thatdon’treflect what’s really happening on the water. If Louisiana wantstoprotect this industry and the working families behind it,weneed to cut the redtape and start managing our fisheries with real-world experience and modern science.

Smarter Science,Better Decisions

TheExecutiveOrder mandates modernization of fisheries science and data collection, along-overdue reform thatwill benefit every fishery in the state Shrimpershavelong raised concerns about seasonal closures,gear restrictions and bycatchregulations thatare based on incompleteoroutdateddata. Better science leadstosmarter,adaptiverules that support sustainability. As climate change and salinityshifts affectshrimp production acrosscoastal Louisiana having up-to-date data will enable officials to makeinformed decisionsthatbetter balance sustainabilityand industryneeds. Modernizing Oversightfor All of Louisiana’s Fisheries Louisiana’sshrimpers, crabbers and oyster harvestershavelongfaced layers of overlapping rules,often with little coordination between state and federal agencies.This fragmentation leads to confusion and inefficiencies

The expansionofexemptedfishing permits (EFPs) allows local fleetstotest newgear,techniques, or management approacheswithout being bound by rigid one-size-fits-all rules.This flexibility empowers fishermen to adapt to changing environmental conditions,reduce bycatch, and innovate to remaincompetitive all while continuing their tradition of sustainabilityand stewardship

Defending DomesticSeafood Unfair international competition from countries withlax environmental and labor standards has devastatedLouisiana’s shrimpmarkets. Strengthening trade enforcement and boosting the Seafood ImportMonitoring Program (SIMP) areessential steps toward protecting Louisiana’shardworking seafood producers from being undercut by cheap,low-qualityimports.Ensuring a levelplaying field with fair,transparent trade will help safeguardthe integrityof Louisiana’sseafood industry State-levelaction canreinforce these federalgoals by creating stronger local seafood labeling laws,promoting the consumption of domesticseafood, and cracking down on deceptiveimport practices.Thesemeasures will help restore consumertrustand support Louisiana’s seafood industry ACall to Action for Louisiana

PresidentTrump’sExecutive Order signals anew eraofregulatory reform and investment in America’scommercial fishing communities.But forLouisiana’s seafood industry to fully benefit,state legislators must act as well. This means reassessing outdatedgeographic restrictions,removing duplicative regulations,and investing in real-time data and science thatreflectthe realities of today’sGulf fisheries.Local innovation must be supported by aregulatory environment thatrespondstoboth environmental changes and technologicaladvances Louisiana’sshrimpers, oyster harvesters,crabbers, and menhaden fishermen all deservelegislation thatrewards stewardship,embraces innovation, and supportsthe livelihoods of the hard-working fishermen and their families who maketheir living from the water.

By aligning withthis national momentum, Louisiana canreassert itself as aseafood powerhouse—not just becauseofour history,but becausewe’re committed to astronger,morecompetitive futurefor our working coast

PROVIDED IMAGE

Austin, Texas-based defense technology startup Saronic plans to manufacture the Marauder,a 150-foot autonomous surfacevessel, at Gulf Craft, a shipyard between Lafayette and Houma.

Mavrookas

Memory IN LOVING

JANUARY–MARCH2025

BROUGHTTOYOU BY

Memory IN LOVING

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ShanBarton

BatonRouge,LA 5/8/1974-3/9/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

BeverlyAyo

St.Amant,La 2/20/1937-2/7/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

SelmaBarbier

Napoleonville,Louisiana 7/15/1920-1/30/2025

Landry'sFuneralHomeLabadieville

ByronBasco

BatonRouge,LA 5/22/1970-1/8/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Mary Babin

Prairieville,LA 2/27/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

DianaBarkate

BatonRouge,LA 3/1/1962-1/15/2025

Ascension FuneralHome

JaniceBatiste

Labadieville,LA 1/25/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

Memory IN LOVING

Darius Faveroth

Bayou Goula, Louisiana 3/14/1998-3/23/2025

EleanorBeattie

St.Francisville,LA 9/29/1946-2/17/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenham Springs

JosephBeauvais

PortAllen, LA 1/26/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein PortAllen

Raye Beck

BatonRouge,LA 12/26/1926-12/20/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

CharlesBecnel

BatonRouge,LA 2/19/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Herbert Bell

NewRoads,LA 10/27/1957-3/14/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Philip Berthelot

BatonRouge,LA 4/13/1977-2/4/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Dianne Bennett-Talbert

DryRidge,Kentucky 7/25/1937-3/11/2025

EllistonStanley

Paul Berthier

Glynn, louisiana 11/12/1954-2/18/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

James Benson

BatonRouge,LA 12/10/1944-1/21/2025

Ford-Stewart FuneralHome in Jonesboro, GA

Jerome Benson

BatonRouge,LA 8/23/1948-12/25/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHomesEast

Lollie Bergeron

BatonRouge,LA. 7/26/1927-2/26/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

JohnBecnel

Thibodaux,LA 12/29/2024

Landry's FuneralHome

Lawrence Bergeron Jr.

Belle Rose,LA 1/11/1935-2/24/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

CharlesBell

NewRoads,LA 7/21/1972-2/24/2025

Hall Davis& SonFuneral Home

BarbaraBernard

BatonRouge,LA 2/21/1953-1/30/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

GeraldineBell

BatonRouge,LA 2/17/2025 Millerand Daughter Mortuary

Edward Bernhard

BatonRouge,LA 6/16/1946-1/18/2025

LairdFuneralHomein Natchez, MS

Robert Biletnikoff

BatonRouge,LA

Greenoaks FuneralHome

JessieBillings

Plaquemine, LA 11/10/1926-1/11/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

SandraBertman

BatonRouge,LA 1/18/1938-3/13/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

SandraBizette

Lakeland, La 3/16/1956-3/12/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

SilasBesnard Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 10/6/1945-3/7/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

JohnBessonett

DenhamSprings,LA 11/5/1939-1/10/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

TerenceBeven

BatonRouge,Louisiana 3/30/1933-1/1/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

James Beverly

Baker, LA 4/17/1955-3/7/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

CraigBiggio

BatonRouge,LA 4/22/1953-2/4/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Gerald Blackwell

BatonRouge,LA 2/15/1975-12/27/2024

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

BarbaraBlackwood

BatonRouge,LA 4/22/1933-3/9/2025

Hixson FuneralHome

JosephBlakesJr.

1/22/2025

RhodesUnitedFidelity

Myrtle Blanchard

Napoleonville,LA 9/21/1938-2/17/2025

Landry'sFuneralHomein Labadieville

Columbus Blount

Holden,LA 12/18/1924-3/14/2024

SealeFuneralService in Livingston

Memory IN LOVING

Earl Bodman

Bradenton, FL

10/7/1938-12/22/2024

Shannon FuneralHomein

Bradenton, FL

EmilyBond

8/30/1948-1/15/2025

CrainFuneralHomein

Franklinton

Robert Bone

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/13/1956-3/7/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

AgnesBorrel

BatonRouge,LA 10/18/1954-1/7/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

RoyBorrel

BatonRouge,LA 8/10/1949-1/24/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Mary (Betty)Bossom

Gonzales,LA 4/7/1934-3/2/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

EdithBoudreaux

BatonRouge,LA 5/12/1924-3/1/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

BarbaraBourg

Donaldsonville,Louisiana 1/4/1944-2/15/2025

OursoFuneralHomeDonaldsonville

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Leon Bourgeois

St.Amant,Louisiana 7/15/1937-1/12/2025

Church FuneralServices

Robert Bourgeois

BatonRouge,LA

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Philip BourgeoisJr.

Zachary, LA 1/9/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Anna Boutte

PortAllen, LA 12/30/2024

WilbertFuneralService

LeeBoutwell

BatonRouge,LA 10/21/1930-2/27/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

CarolynBowman

Prairieville,LA 8/10/1938-2/26/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

JohnBowman

BatonRouge,LA 5/16/1973-3/4/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

WilliamBoyd Sr

Denton, TX 6/3/1952-1/18/2025

Bill DeBerry Funeral DirectorsinDenton, TX

August Bradford

Donaldsonville,LA 3/16/1925-2/5/2025

OursoFuneralHomeDonaldsonville

DeborahBradford

BatonRouge,Louisiana 1/31/1935-1/7/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

WilliamBradford

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

JoyceBraud

BatonRouge,LA 1/30/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Ruby Breaux

Pierre Part,LA

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

Shirley Breda

Gallatin,TN 4/6/1929-12/6/2024

Sellars Family Heritage at Gallatin in Gallatin,TN

BerkleyBoyd

Livingston, LA 8/13/1947-3/11/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Thad Bridges

CentralFuneralHome

Arleen Brignac

Prairieville,LA 3/1/1941-3/11/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Loretta Brignac

BatonRouge,LA 7/14/1931-1/14/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

PierreBrignac Jr.

PortAllen, LA 2/13/1947-2/10/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

GraceBrister

BatonRouge,LA 11/22/1936-1/18/2025

Donna Brian Greenwell Springs,LA 1/17/1944-2/13/2025

BatonRouge,La 10/11/1962-2/8/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Pietra Brocato

BatonRouge,LA 1/17/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

PaulaBrock Steiner

Theodore,AL 9/16/1971-1/4/2025

Mobile FuneralHomein Mobile,AL

DeborahIrving

BatonRouge,LA 3/20/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Memory IN LOVING

GloriaBrooks

NewRoads,LA 8/16/1946-3/18/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

RooseveltBrown

BatonRouge,LA 12/1/1937-2/18/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

GeraldineBroussard

3/13/2025

Church FuneralServices

KevinBroussard

BatonRouge,La 7/19/1957-12/23/2024

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

LeonardBrowder

BatonRouge,LA 1/17/1994-1/6/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Susie Brown

Thibodaux, LA 1/28/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

CarolynBrowning

Prairieville,LA 10/26/1948-3/9/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in NewOrleans

DouglasBumpurs

Plaquemine, LA 8/20/1943-12/30/2024

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

Shelia Burks

BatonRouge,Louisiana 11/11/1960-3/3/2025

Verrette's Pointe Coupee FuneralHome

Glenda Bussey

Zachary, LA 1/9/1936-3/16/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

StanleyBrowning

Greenwell Springs,LA 5/9/1929-3/12/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Jessica Butler

Thibodaux, LA 1/1/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

SophoniaCamel

White Castle,LA 1/11/1944-3/22/2025

Roscoe Mortuary in Plaquemine

Larry Campbell

BatonRouge,LA 7/20/1940-12/29/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHomeGovernment Street

Rose Campo

Napoleonville,LA 10/9/1930-1/17/2025

Landry'sFuneralHomein Labadieville

Suzanne Cannatella

Ponchatoula, LA 10/20/1962-3/23/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

AlvinBrown

CharlesMackeyFuneral Home

ClaraBrumfield

Amite,LA 9/29/1950-2/5/2025

McKneelyFuneralHomein Amite

MichaelButler

BatonRouge,LA 8/29/1955-2/28/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Walterine Cannatella

Melville,LA 2/16/1936-1/29/2025

Lafond-ArdoinFuneral Home in Opelousas

Audrey Brown

BatonRouge,LA 3/29/1941-2/23/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

D'ShawnBrown

BatonRouge,LA 11/22/2002-1/20/2025

A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralService

Mary Brown

BatonRouge,LA 8/24/1924-2/13/2025

Winnfield FuneralHome

Frannette Bryant

BatonRouge,LA 5/2/1942-12/31/2024

McKneelyFuneralHomein Amite

Angela Calhoun

DenhamSprings,LA 8/12/1955-12/7/2024 Church FuneralServices

DeloresCannon

Gonzales,LA 12/1/1944-1/17/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

JohnBrydels Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 3/5/1930-3/24/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

ErvinCallahanJr.

PortAllen, LA 1/4/1939-2/13/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

ElizabethCannon

BatonRouge,LA 12/9/1922-2/4/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Betty Bullion

BatonRouge, 8/19/1926-1/18/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

HarrellCambre

Clinton, LA 3/16/2025

CharletFuneralHomein Zachary

CherylCardelli

Bueche, LA 4/8/1969-12/23/2024

WilbertFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

SabrinaCarey

BatonRouge,LA 3/6/2025

Miller &Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Mary Carmichael

Opelousas,Louisiana 8/19/1929-2/15/2025

Melancon FuneralHomeCarencro

Kathleen Carmouche

BatonRouge,LA 10/16/1949-3/25/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

MichaelCarpenter

SantaFe, NM 9/18/1936-2/9/2025

CremateSimplyin Albuquerque,NM

AntonioCarrillo

BatonRouge,Louisiana 6/20/1936-3/25/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

AncilCarruth Jr

Wilson,LA 1/5/2025

CharletFuneralHome

BrianCashio

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Greenwell Springs, Louisiana 1/30/1955-3/12/1955

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home -Baton Rouge

Betty Cater

Centreville,MS 2/4/1936-2/2/2025

Newman FuneralHome

Clarence Cavalier

Plaquemine,Louisiana 5/26/1930-12/31/2024

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

Randi Cedotal

Plaquemine,LA 8/29/1990-1/10/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

DorothyChairmonte

BatonRouge,LA 8/21/1930-2/7/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Lola Chambers

DenhamSprings,LA 5/22/1931-1/17/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Kelvin Carter

BatonRouge,Louisiana 10/7/1959-3/7/2025 A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralServices

DavidChaney

BatonRouge,LA 9/23/1947-12/29/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome

AlidaCasey

BatonRouge,LA 11/6/1929-1/27/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

NancyChapaneri

Zachary, LA 6/23/1952-1/9/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Mark Claflin

SaintGabriel,LA 6/4/1948-2/26/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

KimberlyChapman

BatonRouge,LA 8/26/1948-3/10/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Albertha Clark

Zachary, LA 12/30/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

LemenerChapman

Zachary, LA 3/2/2025

CharletFuneralHomein Zachary

SandraChedraui

Windham, NH 5/14/1973-2/2/2025

Carrier Family Funeral Home &Crematory

DouglasChenevert

BatonRouge,La 9/5/1949-1/26/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

ElizabethChristian

Hoover,AL 10/25/1999-1/15/2025

W. E. Lusain FuneralHome in Hoover,AL

Jerry Christian

Birmingham,AL 10/28/1933-1/16/2025

WE Lusain FuneralHomein Hoover,AL

Wilson Chaney

BatonRouge,Louisiana 1/3/1937-3/20/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

GayleChustzAllison

BatonRouge,LA 11/29/1941-1/15/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Arthur Clark

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Elnora Clark

Fort Worth, TX 4/23/1937-1/23/2025

Laurel Land FuneralHome in Dallas, TX

Virgie Clark

Marrero,LA 3/2/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Loretta Clements

Gonzales,LA 11/9/1942-1/1/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

JimmieClipps

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

JohnClouatreJr.

Hendersonville,NC 8/27/1964-2/16/2025

Shuler FuneralHomein

Hendersonville,NC

Memory IN LOVING

RexCochran

BatonRouge,LA. 4/30/1937-1/20/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

NeldaCoffee

Conroe,TX 3/11/1940-1/29/2025

Neptune SocietyinHouston, TX

CarrieCole

Gonzales,LA 2/16/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

Alberry Coleman

BatonRouge,LA 7/20/1943-1/23/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

JohnColeman

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

JosephColeman

BatonRouge,LA 4/11/1946-1/4/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Ernest ColemanJr.

Maringouin, LA 1/21/1965-2/3/2025 A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Rev. Joe ColemanSr.

Zachary, LA 2/1/2025

Miller &Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Adam Collins

PortAllen, LA 12/30/2024

WilbertFuneralServices of PortAllen

EltonCorley

Gonzales,LA 11/18/1941-1/3/2025

Church FuneralServices

CarolynCollins

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Mary JaneCollins

Nashville,TN 10/17/1940-2/22/2025

Compassion Funeral& CremationServices

JimmieCothern

BatonRouge,LA 9/2/1942-12/30/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

HelenCoulter

Beaumont,TX 2/27/1937-2/24/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

L.M. Comeaux, Jr

Brusly,LA 1/23/1953-1/3/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

BarbaraCox

Brusly,LA 7/13/1943-3/4/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

SterlingCooks

Napoleonville,LA 3/9/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

Patricia CoxBergeron

Kentwood, LA 2/8/2025

ClydeCooper

BatonRouge,LA 10/5/1954-3/7/2025 CentralFuneralHome

Charlotte Craft

Houston, Texas 11/4/1941-1/10/2025 MulhearnFuneralHomeMonroe

KarenCooper-Workman

Hammond, LA 9/29/1939-1/24/2025

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHomeinHammond

Emma Copes

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

BrianCritney Jr

White Castle,LA 1/31/2025

Pugh'sMortuary

Clarence Crockett Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 6/16/1941-1/27/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Lawrence Crocram

BatonRouge,LA 9/21/1956-12/29/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Anna Crosby

BatonRouge,LA 8/16/1935-1/30/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

DawynCruz

Napoleonville,LA 1/25/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

AmyCuret

Hammond, LA 11/3/1986-1/13/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHome

JoyceCraig

BatonRouge,Louisiana 6/26/1952-1/23/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Ronald Curtis

DenhamSprings,LA 8/15/1952-2/24/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Nellie Cristina

BatonRouge,LA 7/22/1950-12/26/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Patricia D'Amico

BatonRouge,Louisiana 4/13/1947-12/30/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

MazieDaglis

Conyers,GA 1/7/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Regina Daigle

Bayou Pigeon, LA 9/9/1936-3/19/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

SandraDaigle

Hammond, LA 12/25/1943-1/31/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

AnthonyDaniel

9/12/1952-3/12/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Bobby Daniel

Walker,LA 4/8/1940-1/16/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Thomas Daniel

BatonRouge,LA 8/5/1949-2/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

LaKarice Daniels

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

SandraDardeau

Gonzales, 6/3/1947-1/25/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Judy David

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BatonRouge,LA 12/4/1947-12/1/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

DorothyDavis

BatonRouge,LA 2/28/1951-1/1/2025

Carney andMackey Funeral Home

VickiDecker

DenhamSprings,LA 8/11/1962-12/29/2024

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHome- Hammond, LA

SharonDecuir

BatonRouge,LA 7/1/1967-2/2/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

GwendolynDavis

BatonRouge,LA 4/22/1933-1/30/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Shirley Dejean

BatonRouge,LA 10/13/1935-2/21/2025

Lynda Dawkins

Plaquemine, LA 8/8/1940-2/10/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein Plaquemine

Patricia DeLage

BatonRouge,LA 3/19/1936-1/3/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Margaret Dawson

BatonRouge,LA 1/9/1935-11/30/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Mary Day

Edmonds,WA 11/13/1945-3/16/2025

Rose-NeathFuneralHome inArcadia

Leon Dayries

Shreveport, LA 8/7/1962-1/2/2025

AuldsFuneralHome

Linda DeBate

BatonRouge,LA 2/23/1938-2/1/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Darrenka Dellihue

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Keiron DennisJr.

BatonRouge,LA 8/17/2003-2/6/2025

MIller& Daughter Mortuary

SavannahDent

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Carl Deshautel

PortAllen, LA 10/31/1954-2/22/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

Delmas Delaune

Mount Hermon, LA 4/14/1945-3/26/2025 Church FuneralServices

Ronald Desselle

Zachary, LA 5/8/1942-2/7/2025

CharletFuneralHomes,IncZachary

Roland DeLaune

Georgetown,TX 6/26/1944-1/29/2025

Ramsey FuneralHome& Crematoriumin Georgetown,TX

VernellDeLaune

Gonzales,La 11/30/1931-2/23/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

DonDelaville

BatonRouge,LA 2/22/1935-1/25/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Samuel DiVincenti Sr

BatonRouge,LA 5/17/1949-3/16/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Mary Dixon

BatonRouge,LA 9/18/1942-2/1/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Margaret Dolhonde

BatonRouge,LA 9/26/1925-1/30/2025

ChurchFuneralServices

Memo

Theodore Donaldson

BatonRouge,La 9/6/1933-3/16/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Benjamin DornierJr.

Paulina, LA 1/17/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

Margarette Dotson

Baker, LA 2/19/2025

Miller &Daughter Mortuary

TannaDoucet

Fordoche,LA 5/12/1958-2/15/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

Dustin Drago

BatonRouge,LA 2/1/1982-1/6/2025

Ascension FuneralHomein Gonzales

Shirley Drott

TheWoodlands,TX 7/27/1935-1/20/2025

Niland's FuneralService

JamesDucote

Bueche, LA 3/14/1936-2/10/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

Andrew Duhe

St.Amant,LA 2/4/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

JohnieDukes

BatonRouge,LA 5/29/1930-2/20/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

ErvinDunham

BatonRouge,LA 5/30/1927-1/27/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

GeraldineDunn

Clinton, LA 2/7/1952-3/13/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

MattieDunn

BatonRouge,La 3/31/1949-2/24/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Brenda Dupeire

Brusly St.Martin,LA 2/16/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Florence Duplessis

Darrow, La 4/22/1938-3/11/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Jerome Dupuy

Liberty, MS 1/14/1947-1/31/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

DavidEasterly

DenhamSprings,LA 1/4/1951-1/14/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

DanEvans

Prairieville,LA 4/12/1935-1/12/2025

Church FuneralServices

VannieEdwards

Norman,AR 6/16/1936-1/28/2025

Smith Family FuneralHome in Glenwood,AR

MildredEvans

BatonRouge,LA 3/30/1939-2/27/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Shirley Ehrlicher

BatonRouge,LA 11/20/1947-2/2/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Lionel Every

Thibodaux, LA 3/9/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Thibodaux

KearneyElisar

Gonzales,LA 11/13/1936-12/31/2024

Church FuneralServices

Dr.Harry Ezim Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 5/11/1956-1/2/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

CecilEllis

St.Amant,LA 12/29/1945-1/24/2025

Ascension FuneralHomein Gonzales

Seth Falcon

Pierre Part,Louisiana 11/27/1986-2/28/2025

Church FuneralServices

Herbert Eackles

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Lionel Emery

BatonRouge,Louisiana 8/1/1949-2/21/2025 Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

CarolFannaly

DenhamSprings,LA 8/29/1972-1/17/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHomein

Ponchatoula

HenryEnete

Daphne,AL

HughesFuneralHome& CrematoryinDaphne,AL

Melissa Faucheux

Gonzales,LA 1/19/1948-3/9/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

JosephErwin

Bogue Chitto,MS 7/6/1937-12/19/2024

BrookhavenFuneralHome in Brookhaven, MS

CathyFeig

BatonRouge,LA 1/2/1943-2/18/2025

Memo

LOVING

Brenda Felps

Clinton, LA 3/14/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Beulah Ferachi

10/5/1923-3/18/2025

WilbertFuneralServices

SuzannFerachi

BatonRouge,LA 9/23/1943-1/28/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

JamesFergerson

BatonRouge,LA 7/3/1960-1/3/2025

BakerFuneral Home

Patricia Flacy

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BatonRouge,LA 11/11/1940-2/2/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Martin Flanagan

BatonRouge,LA 6/7/1951-2/11/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

LeroyFleming

BatonRouge,LA

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

AliceFoster

Franklin,Louisiana 11/6/1940-3/6/2025

Ibert'sMortuary

Robert Foster

Hammond, LA 11/13/1943-2/9/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHomeand CrematoryofHammond and Ponchatoula

LURENZAFRANCOIS

BatonRouge,Louisiana 10/26/1932-1/24/2025

na

Martha Fleshman

BatonRouge,Louisiana 3/10/1924-1/23/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Danny Franklin

Innis, LA 3/17/1958-3/6/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

Thomas Fronek

Zachary, LA 1/15/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Gloria Fuqua

DenhamSprings,LA 7/28/1941-3/14/2025

RiserFuneralHomes

James Furlow

Greenwell Springs,LA 10/30/1942-2/9/2025 Church FuneralServices

Mary Furlow

BatonRouge, 5/11/1941-1/20/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Erline Ferguson

Ponchatoula, Louisiana 8/31/1932-12/8/2024

Church FuneralServices

Nora Fontenot

Covington, Louisiana 2/26/1942-2/19/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Larry Franklin

BatonRouge,LA 7/31/1955-1/24/2025

Pugh'sMortuaryin Plaquemine

James Gage Jr.

Morganza, LA 1/27/1966-3/13/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Linda Ferguson

Ethel, Louisiana 10/1/1944-12/30/2024 Church FuneralServices

DeborahForbes

Walker,LA 9/18/1953-1/10/2025

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHome

Mary Franklin

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

VincentGagliano

Long Beach,MS 4/7/1955-1/24/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

SandraFiser

St.Francisville,LA 4/15/1972-1/8/2025

LairdFuneralHomein Natchez, MS

Betty Ford

Zachary, LA

8/6/1960-3/4/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Janet Freeman

Riverside, CA 5/23/1934-1/4/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

Willie Gaines Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 7/1/1936-12/25/2024

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

EdwinFisher

BatonRouge,LA 3/29/1944-12/21/2024

BettyeFord

BatonRouge,LA

Desselle's FuneralHome

LeoraFritton

BatonRouge,LA 8/30/1931-1/1/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHomesEast

BrotherHenry Gaither

3/3/1944-12/28/2024

Edmond FaheyFuneral Home in BaySt. Louis, MS

Memory IN LOVING

Pete Galik

BatonRouge,LA 11/10/1936-2/1/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

TaynaGalloway

BatonRouge,LA 9/17/1959-2/13/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Melissa Gannuch

BatonRouge,LA 5/14/1972-3/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

ScottGarner

BatonRouge,LA 1/20/1961-2/13/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Vickie Garon

Clinton, LA 7/9/1948-2/11/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Corinne Garrison

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Mary Garvin

Plaquemine,LA 3/8/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

Ruth Gascon

PortAllen, LA 11/28/1925-1/16/2025

WilbertFuneralHomeof Plaquemine

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Sheila Gassie

NewRoads,LA 6/27/1946-12/30/2024

Niland'sFuneralService

Billy Geiger

Mandeville,LA 5/13/1946-3/2/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

Robert Gaston III Ed.D

BatonRouge,LA 1/2/1938-1/20/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

CarlaGaudin

SaintAmant,Louisiana 11/28/1963-2/8/2025

BarbaraGautreau

Gonzales,LA 8/17/1938-3/7/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

CarolGautreau

St.Amant,LA 11/3/1946-3/28/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

SandraGautreaux

Baker, LA 10/16/1949-1/1/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Lavonne Gavin

BatonRouge,LA 12/28/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Walker,LA 10/5/1943-2/8/2025

McLin& Manley Funeral Home andCremation ServiceinWalker BertaGay

Jerry Gilbert

Brusly,Louisisana 7/20/1949-3/17/2015

Roscoe Mortuary

AllenGendron

2/5/2025

Falgout FuneralHomein Raceland

CharlesGills Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 4/1/1947-2/11/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JennieGentile

Prairieville,LA 9/7/1959-2/19/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

Shirley Ginn

Lafayette,LA 11/28/1952-2/18/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

WilliamGeorgeIII

BatonRouge,LA 2/10/1946-1/19/2025

Church FuneralServices

Jamerica Givens

Rosedale,LA 7/17/1972-2/13/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

GILBERTGEUBELLE

Covington, LA 3/9/1936-12/21/2024

Neptune Society

WilliamGlasper Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 2/11/1931-3/6/2025

A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralHome

TheresaGex

BatonRouge,Louisiana 12/19/1924-1/12/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JoyceGoetzinger

Richmond, VA 2/10/1940-2/3/2025

Joseph W. BlileyFuneral Home

Wiilie Ghoram

Zachary, LA 3/17/2025

Millerand Daughter Mortuary

Jimmy Goins

Destin,FL 7/12/1948-2/1/2025

Davis-WatkinsFuneral Home in Destin,FL

CarrollGibson

BatonRouge,LA 11/10/1937-1/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Bill Golleher

BatonRouge,Louisiana 12/23/1947-1/17/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Memory

LouisGonzalesSr.

Torbert, Louisiana

9/6/1946-1/9/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

MariaGonzalez

BatonRouge,LA 7/15/1971-3/1/2025

James Gordon

Slaughter,LA 1/6/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

JoyceGordon

BatonRouge,Louisiana 8/7/1932-3/12/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenham Springs

JoyceGotch

BatonRouge,LA 3/4/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Larry Goux

Dickinson, Texas 12/19/1937-1/17/2025

JamesCrowder Funeral Home

AltonGraham

Torrance, CA 6/14/1927-1/9/2025

Neptune SocietyinSan Pedro, CA

Jan Graham

Prairieville,Louisiana 7/15/1950-2/10/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

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RaymondGraham

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

BarbaraGranger

PortAllen, LA 2/1/1937-3/7/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Carmen Gravois

Gonzales,LA 5/19/1929-3/23/2025

TharpFuneralHomein Metairie

CarlaGray

BatonRouge,LA 8/18/1981-2/8/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Clarence Gray

Maringouin, LA 8/28/1946-2/3/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

CloddieGray

Zachary, LA 4/30/1951-2/6/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Joe Greensberry Jr

BatonRouge,LA 10/25/1943-2/3/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Colette Greer

Mandeville,LA 2/17/1943-1/16/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein

Covington

Jacque Gregory

Prairieville,LA 9/15/1948-1/21/2025

Church FuneralServices in St.Amant

Margaret Gremillion

BatonRouge,Louisiana 9/28/1937-3/20/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Gwendolyn Danielle Grissom

Grosse Tete,LA 5/10/1938-1/3/2025

Church FuneralServices

CharlesGroat

BatonRouge,LA 3/25/1940-3/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Harry Gray

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Dianne Guedry

Liberty, MS 2/19/1947-12/27/2024

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

CurvyGreen Jr.

Bayou Goula, LA 8/7/1968-3/8/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JosephGuidroz

PortAllen, La 8/27/1938-12/29/2024

Niland'sFuneralService

Gary Guidry

BatonRouge,LA 1/30/1951-2/11/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JosephGuilbeau

Plaquemine,LA 1/28/1928-3/19/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

JamesGuillory

Jackson, LA 3/16/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Dawn GuillotTessmer

BatonRouge,LA 2/11/1965-1/7/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Wendy Guion

Rayne,Louisiana 3/13/1962-1/23/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

FannieGuy

BatonRouge,LA 8/19/1934-1/19/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Bert Guerin

Walker,LA 5/18/1933-3/22/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Monroe Guy

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/23/1943-3/3/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

CarolynHahn

BatonRouge,LA 10/2/1938-1/17/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

DelbertHahn

BatonRouge,LA 2/8/1934-1/12/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Ruth Haile

Baker, LA 3/18/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

AnnHair

Hammond, LA 9/19/1932-3/3/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Sherry Haley

BatonRouge,LA 10/23/1947-1/26/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Lora Hall

Baker, LA 1/24/1924-2/13/2025

CentralFuneralHomein

Central

Paul Halphen

Zachary, LA 1/21/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Chad Ham

NewOrleans, LA 11/7/1964-1/2/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors in NewOrleans

AliceHamilton

Greenwell Springs,LA 3/13/1946-1/5/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Larry HarlauxSr.

Ventress, LA 9/23/1947-1/2/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

MichaelHamilton

Greenwell Springs,LA 12/23/2024

CharletFuneralHome

StephenHarmonJr.

Fernandina Beach,FL 1/4/2025

Integrity Cremations in Fernandina Beach,FL

RichardHamilton

NorthPadre Island, TX 10/6/1949-2/26/2025

Mary Harper

BatonRouge,Louisiana 10/16/1950-3/26/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JohnHammond Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 1/7/2025

Millerand Daughter Mortuary

Susan Harper

Port Charlotte,FL 6/11/1960-2/23/2025

Roberson FuneralHomes & Crematory

BonnieHammons

BatonRouge,LA 12/6/1934-2/15/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Jerry HarrellJr.

Gonzales,LA 8/28/1971-2/28/2025 Church FuneralServices

DelorisHampton

St.Francisville,LA 5/13/1947-1/25/2025

Betty Harris

Slidell, Louisiana 6/22/1946-2/28/2025 Roscoe Mortuary

Hollis Hano Jr

Baker, Louisiana 6/16/1934-1/7/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

JenniferHarelson

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/8/1998-2/3/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Franquell Harrison

Zachary, LA 7/17/1987-3/14/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

MunfordHarrison

PortAllen, LA 2/10/1949-3/6/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Patricia Harrison

Houma, LA 3/9/2025

ChurchFuneralServices and Crematory

Courtney Hart Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 12/16/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

HarrisHathaway

Walker,LA 1/22/1957-2/5/2025

McLin& Manley Funeral Home andCremation Service in Walker

Edgar Hawkins

Waldron,AR 7/27/1942-1/6/2025

RobertsFuneralHomein

Booneville,AR

Bishop Eugene Harris

BatonRouge,LA 3/12/1936-1/7/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

GrantHawkins

BatonRouge,LA 3/9/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Berlin HarrisJr.

BatonRouge,LA Greenoaks FuneralHome

Rosa Hayes

Morganza, La 8/18/1942-1/4/2025

Verrette's Pointe Coupee FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Rosa Haynes

BatonRouge,LA 4/2/1931-1/5/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

LeeHaynes

BatonRouge,LA 2/1/1936-2/24/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Mack Hearne

BatonRouge,LA 8/10/1929-2/18/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

CliftonHebert

Walker,LA 1/19/2025

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHome

FreddieHebert

BatonRouge,LA 2/11/1943-3/23/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Mary Hebert

BatonRouge,LA

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Pamela Hebert

Denham Springs,Louisiana 9/20/1951-12/27/2024 SealeFuneralHome

Lawson Heidingsfelder

PortAllen, LA 3/21/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein PortAllen

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

ConstanceHenderson

Cumming, GA 9/29/1948-1/24/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Mary Henderson

Prairieville,LA 8/27/1949-2/27/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

AdeleHeuvel

BatonRouge,LA 5/22/1929-2/4/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

GeraldineHilburn

BatonRouge,LA 10/27/1937-1/30/2025

CentralFuneralHomein

Central

JoyceHenry

CharletFuneralHome

ClaraHill

BatonRouge,LA 2/4/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

BruceHernandez

BatonRouge,LA 5/19/1949-1/21/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

DeloresHernandez

Plaquemine, LA 6/6/1941-1/4/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

Jaime Hernandez

St.Francisville,LA 11/12/1974-1/5/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

HalHerringtonJr.

Wesley Chapel,FL 7/29/1962-3/4/2025

Cremations of Greater TampaBay in Tampa, FL

Vanessa Hersh

Fair Oaks Ranch, TX 4/27/1957-1/12/2025

MeadowLawn Memorial Park in SanAntonio, TX

Thelma Hills

Baker, LA 2/16/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Bette Hinckley

BatonRouge,LA 2/26/1949-1/18/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

HenryHitzman

Lacombe, Louisiana 10/27/1946-1/10/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

LeroyHill

Baker, LA 11/24/1944-1/20/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Linda Hodgeson

SignalMountain, TN 5/29/1940-1/15/2025

CompanionFuneral& CremationService in Cleveland, TN

Phillip Hill

BatonRouge,LA 7/27/1950-2/21/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

PaulineHolly

Labadieville,LA 12/26/2024

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Terry Hill

BatonRouge,LA 7/13/1972-12/26/2024

Hall Davisand SonFuneral Service

Robert Hopper

Kalona,IA 10/29/1949-3/22/2025

Beatty &Peterseim Funeral Home in Kalona,IA

Luemelia Hilliard

SaintFrancisville,LA 5/12/1939-1/27/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

BrotherJohnHotstream, S.C.

BatonRouge, 3/19/1937-12/25/2024

LSUSchool of Medicine Bureau ofAnatomical Services

Matthew Hillman

Lafayette,LA 9/1/1982-3/5/2025

Walters FuneralHomein

Lafayette

CherylHoward

Dallas, Texas 12/25/1962-2/10/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Memory IN LOVING

Judith Howe

BatonRouge, 10/9/1946-12/28/2024 Greenoaks FuneralHome

James Hubbard

BatonRouge,LA 1/24/1943-1/10/2025 Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Warren Huff

StAmant, Louisiana 1/3/1942-12/31/2024 Church FuneralServices

YatesHuffJr.

BatonRouge,Louisiana 11/9/1947-12/29/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

WilliamHuffty

7017 Silver Springs Baton Rouge,LA 12/16/1936-1/8/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

FrankHughes

Mandeville,LA 3/2/1935-3/1/2025 GraceFuneralHome

TimothyHulin

Prairieville,Louisiana 11/18/1950-3/24/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Julie Hullinger

BatonRouge,LA 12/3/1963-3/7/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Peggy Hunt

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BatonRouge,LA 10/27/1931-9/26/2024 Greenoaks FuneralHome

AlanaIrvin

DenhamSprings,LA 3/12/2025

Millerand Daughter Mortuary

Robert Hunt

Batchelor, LA 2/16/1947-12/31/2024

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

StephenHunt

Zachary, LA 4/26/1958-3/17/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Joan Hussey

Roswell, GA 8/20/1933-12/27/2024

RoswellFuneralHomein

Roswell, GA

KattieHutchinson

Jackson, LA 1/13/2025

CharletFuneralHome

MichaelHymel

2/17/1967-2/23/2025

ResthavenFuneralHome

HelenIngram

BatonRouge,LA 12/7/1938-2/1/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Gerald IrelandSr.

Donaldsonville,LA 1/26/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Donaldsonville

AnthonyJacksonSr.

BatonRouge,LA 3/17/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

Angela Jackson

BatonRouge,LA 10/15/1971-12/26/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

BollingJamison,Sr.

Jarreau,LA 6/26/1952-1/3/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

JoyceJackson

Zachary, LA 11/18/1929-1/12/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Alfred Jarreau

BatonRouge,LA 10/20/1947-3/21/2025 CentralFuneralHomein Central

MarieJackson

Zachary, LA 4/5/1942-1/20/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Iola Jarreau

Erwinville,LA 2/22/1937-2/5/2025

Niland'sFuneralService in NewRoads

Monica Jackson

Plaquemine, LA 1/20/1966-3/6/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Patricia Jarreau

BatonRouge,LA 7/1/1945-1/24/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

RalphJackson

BatonRouge,LA 8/15/1929-1/17/2025 ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

IV Jeansonne

Prairieville,LA 12/31/1938-1/16/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Ronald Jackson

BatonRouge,LA 8/29/1937-3/18/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

Edna Jefferson

Plaquemine, Louisiana 11/27/1947-1/22/2025 Roscoe Mortuary

Tammy Jackson

DenhamSprings,LA 1/28/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein Plaquemine

REV. LONNIEJEFFERSON JR

BATONROUGE,LA 10/6/1952-1/4/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

ClaudiaJefferson Robinson

BatonRouge,LA 12/17/1950-1/28/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

James Jenkins

BatonRouge,LA 4/5/1932-3/9/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Carrie Johnson

BatonRouge,LA 12/13/1937-3/11/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome in NewOrleans

CharlesJohnson

Addis, LA 12/29/1971-2/23/2025

Wesley FuneralHomein Plaquemine

CorneliusJohnson

BatonRouge,LA 4/10/1948-1/23/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

RayJohnson

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BatonRouge,LA 5/15/1948-1/23/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Ruth Johnson

BatonRouge,LA 1/6/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

CharleyJohnson Jr

BatonRouge,LA 4/17/1979-3/6/2025

RestingPlace FuneralHome -Baton Rouge

Edward Johnson Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 4/6/1959-1/7/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

LouisJohnstonJr.

Slaughter,LA 7/1/1942-3/25/2025

Church FuneralServices in Walker

Herbert Jones

BatonRouge,LA 9/2/1940-2/1/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

PatrickJuneau Jr

Lafayette,LA 12/31/2024

Delhomme FuneralHomein

Lafayette

Jenitt Jones

BatonRouge,LA 2/10/1947-2/13/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

CarolynJupiter

Napoleville,LA 1/12/1958-3/21/2025

Demby& SonFuneral Home

Jennice Jones

PortAllen, LA 11/18/1955-2/13/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

GloriaJustice

Watson, LA 3/13/1933-3/13/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Milton Jones

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Robert Keating,Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 7/6/1932-1/31/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Opal Jones

BatonRouge,LA 1/29/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

JohnKellerman

BatonRouge,Louisiana 5/31/1968-1/29/2025 ChurchFuneralServices

Georgette Johnson

Thibodaux,LA 1/23/2025

Williams& Southall Funeral Home in Thibodaux

DedrickJones

BatonRouge,LA 9/12/1986-2/18/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

CharlesJordan

Zachary, LA 1/8/2025

CharletFuneralHome

DorisKelley

Prairieville,LA 4/2/1938-3/4/2025

OursoFuneralHomein

Gonzales

LouisJohnson

BatonRouge,LA 6/11/1951-2/21/2025 Richardson FuneralHome

DouglasJones

BatonRouge,LA 12/29/1943-3/4/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Babbette Joseph

Donaldsonville,LA 8/7/1933-2/18/2025

Demby& SonFuneral Home

CharlesKelly

DenhamSprings,LA 10/31/1932-1/23/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

PaulinaJohnson

Napoleonville,LA 4/10/1931-1/24/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

DuaneJones

Lynnville,TN 7/5/1946-2/27/2025

Oakes& Nichols

Delinda Joseph

Zachary, LA 6/5/1964-1/30/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JessieKelly

BatonRouge,LA 7/5/1931-1/14/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

PercyKelson

Darrow,Louisiana 8/4/1949-2/14/2025

Lawson-RollinsPurple Shield FuneralHome

Eric Kocke

3/24/1958-2/5/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein Plaquemine

EdwinKennedy

Maurepas,LA 2/2/1949-1/8/2025 Church FuneralServices

DouglasKozan

Lake Rosemound, LA 1/4/2025

CharletFuneralHome

James Kessel

Prairieville,LA 11/9/1952-12/25/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Betty Kraft

Pride, Louisiana 9/15/1943-1/20/2025

CentralFuneralHome

Herman KilbourneIII

Wilson, LA 10/14/1974-1/2/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Rose Kimball

Abbeville,LA 1/19/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein Plaquemine

FannieKinchen

BatonRouge,LA 12/2/1960-2/24/2025 CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Nels Kjeldsen

BatonRouge,LA 1/3/1937-12/29/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Virginia Knobbe

Marienthal,KS 1/19/1941-12/17/2024

Price& Sons FuneralHome in Leoti, KS

SelmaLandry

Brusly,LA 2/23/1927-12/29/2024

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

Mary Lane

BatonRouge,La 9/19/1954-1/22/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Mary Lanes

Clinton, LA 7/23/1949-12/21/2024

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Patricia Laenger

Prairieville,LA 1/25/1942-3/15/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

CharlesLangford

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Jeannette Lambert

8/29/1961-3/14/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

JohnLastrapes V

BatonRouge,LA 12/23/1941-1/24/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

BeverlyLandaiche

Gonzales ,Louisiana 8/20/1943-3/2/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

BarbaraLaurent

NewRoads,LA 12/21/1947-1/14/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

BrianLandry

White Castle,LA 6/19/1956-2/21/2025

OursoFuneralHomein White Castle

Geraldine "Gerry"Laurent

BatonRouge,Louisiana 2/25/1937-12/31/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Linda Landry

Donaldsonville,LA 1/22/1946-1/9/2025

OursoFuneralHomeDonaldsonville

JohnLavigne

Gonzales,La 3/2/1940-3/23/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Donald Lawrence

Donaldsonville,LA 12/25/2024

Demby& SonFuneral Home

Jerry Lawson

Livingston, LA 10/10/1935-3/17/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

JustineLay

BatonRouge,LA 3/12/1943-2/23/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

GloriaLeBlanc

St.Francisville,LA 12/22/1941-2/17/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

LeeLeBlanc

BatonRouge,LA 2/6/1929-1/2/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

RichardLeBlanc

Shreveport,LA 10/11/1943-2/17/2025

Osborn FuneralHomein Shreveport

Iris Lauzervich

DenhamSprings,LA 12/14/1935-2/10/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Rita LeBlanc

NewRoads,LA 9/11/1927-1/30/2025

Niland'sFuneralService in NewRoads

Memory IN LOVING

Virginia LeBlanc

BatonRouge,LA 2/28/1944-2/2/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Stafford LeBray

Galvez, LA 1/18/2025

HambricksFamily Mortuary in Gonzales

Ruth LeCompte

Baker, LA 2/20/2025

CharletFuneralHome

DeloresLecoq

NewRoads,LA 1/20/1944-2/14/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

EthelLedet

BatonRouge,LA 2/8/1928-1/30/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

WilliamLefeaux

Maringouin, LA 3/8/1954-1/24/2025

Church FuneralServices

EvaLeJeune

Plaquemine, LA 2/10/1938-2/11/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

KendrickLemar

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Corinne Lemoine

BatonRouge,LA 7/22/1928-1/5/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

MichaelLeMoine

Gonzales,LA 9/1/1951-3/20/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

Horace Lee

Plaquemine, LA 1/29/2025

Pugh's Mortuary in Plaquemine

JohnnieLendo

BatonRouge,Louisiana 4/27/1934-3/6/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Services

Jalen Lee

BatonRouge,LA 12/23/2002-3/23/2025

Schaffer Family Funeral Home in Rosedale

RedLerille

Lafayette,LA 6/9/1936-3/14/2025

Martin &Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette

Otis Lee

BatonRouge,LA 6/22/1930-2/11/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Venella Lilly

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Narcille Lorio

Albuquerque,NM 4/8/1936-2/18/2025

French Funerals & Cremations -Lomas in Albuquerque,NM

DeborahLindsey

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

WilliamLoudonJr.

Central, LA

12/7/1945-2/16/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

DebraLink

HaltomCity,TX 1/16/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Donaldsonville

PortAllen, LA 3/8/1978-1/9/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Services

SonyaMarie Lively

BatonRouge,LA 4/23/1937-1/30/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

James Lockwood Jr

BatonRouge,LA 8/7/1933-1/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Vernon Long

BatonRouge,LA 9/28/1933-1/23/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

CarolynLorio

Decatur,Georgia 6/29/1928-1/9/2025

CremationServices of Atlanta

CarolynLewis

Baker, Louisiana 10/27/1965-1/7/2025

McLin& Manley Funeral Home andCremation Service

Jamie Lorio

Aiken, SC 8/19/1952-2/20/2025

Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home

Russell Louis

BatonRouge,LA 10/7/1944-2/11/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

CarrollLowe

Ethel, Louisiana 9/25/1943-2/24/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

LorraineLowe

BatonRouge,Louisiana 5/2/1924-2/24/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

MarilynLowe

Metairie,LA 1/26/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

BonnieLuker

BatonRouge,Louisiana 12/23/1934-1/4/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

JimmieLouis

Memory IN LOVING

Wendy Lurvey

League City,TX 9/25/1973-12/26/2024

CrowderFuneral Home in Webster, TX

RichardLynch Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 9/26/1955-1/16/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Rosena Machen

Zachary, LA 2/12/2025

Miller &Daughter Mortuary

Julia Maddox

BatonRouge,LA 8/25/1930-3/18/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

EdithMagruder

BatonRouge,LA 6/30/1936-1/5/2025

Newman FuneralHome

PatrickMaher

Metairie,LA 1/30/1950-12/31/2024

Neptune SocietyinHouston, TX

Camille Malbrough

Prairieville,La 1/25/1937-12/27/2024

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Paulette Maloid

NewRoads,LA 9/4/1954-1/26/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

GeraldineMalone

Mansfield, Texas 8/19/1940-12/29/2024

OursoFuneralHomeDonaldsonville

RooseveltMartin

NewRoads,LA 1/15/1946-12/31/2024

Verrette's Pointe Coupee FuneralHomeinNew Roads

Lisa Manale

Gonzales,LA

3/27/1955-3/16/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Arthur Martinez

BatonRouge,LA 3/13/1948-1/30/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home

JoAnn Mancuso

BatonRouge,LA 6/14/1939-3/14/2025

Church FuneralServices in St.Amant

James Manuel

Erwinville,La 2/1/1961-2/21/2025

Niland'sFuneralService

EvaMarks

BatonRouge,LA 1/31/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein PortAllen

MarioMarretta

Central, LA 1/6/1924-2/25/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

BonnieMarshall

Clinton, LA 2/28/1936-2/17/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

LauraMarshall

Morgan City,LA 8/22/1954-3/24/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Jeremy Matthews

Jackson, LA

5/18/1988-3/13/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Johnny Matthews

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Tyrone Martin Sr

Lutcher, LA

Brazier-WatsonFuneral Home in Donaldsonville

Robert Matthews

BatonRouge,LA 8/27/1940-3/6/2025

MJRFriendlyServices FuneralHomeinDenham Springs

JoyceMascarella

5/17/1931-1/31/2025

BakerFuneralHomein Baker

Mary Mattire

BatonRouge,LA 2/7/2025

Millerand Daughter Mortuary

KarenMatherne

French Settlement,La 8/20/1950-2/12/2025 Church FuneralServices

Edward Mayeaux

Harahan, LA 10/27/1938-2/4/2025

ChurchFuneralServices in St.Amant

Donell Mathews

Marin, CA 3/12/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Glynn Mayers

Clinton, LA 3/19/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Linda Matirne

BatonRouge,LA 1/13/2025

WilbertFuneralService

Anna Mayet

Pierre Part,LA

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

MarcoMatte

Zachary, LA 1/19/2025

CharletFuneralHomein Zachary

Broderick Mazone

Detroit, MI

1/26/1988-12/19/2024

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Judy McCants

Baker, LA

4/6/1938-1/4/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

AldrichMcCastle

BatonRouge,LA 2/11/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

GwendolynMcCauley

Jackson, LA 3/24/2025

CharletFuneralHomein Zachary

MelodaMcCrary

Denham Springs,LA 2/9/1943-1/25/2025

SealeFuneralService in Denham Springs

Audrey Mc Elroy

Pearland, Texas 3/8/1921-1/24/2025 CrowderFuneralHome

Joan McQuiddy

Prairieville,LA 5/9/1948-2/11/2025

Lonestar Cremation

Donald McGehee

Innis, LA 1/17/2025

Niland'sFuneralHome

JarrodMcRight

BatonRouge,LA 10/3/1976-2/10/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Molly McGraw

St.Francisville,LA 2/1/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Matthew Meche

BatonRouge,LA 10/30/1986-1/24/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

JacquelineMcInnis

BatonRouge,LA 11/15/1932-3/16/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services in NewOrleans

Danny Melancon

DenhamSprings,LA 7/10/1954-3/19/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Mary Michel

BatonRouge,LA 4/2/1949-1/31/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

DarlaMickelborough

Prairieville,Louisiana 1/22/1963-2/11/2025

ChurchFuneralServices

ElectaMickens

Labadieville,LA 1/27/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Azalea Miller

BatonRouge,LA 1/13/1987-3/4/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Harold McCullough Sr

Walker,LA 12/13/1934-2/27/2025 Church FuneralServices

CarolynMcKenney

White Castle,LA 2/23/1952-3/2/2025

Roscoe Mortuary in Plaquemine

Rebecca Melancon

BatonRouge,LA 1/24/1963-1/29/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

DorothyMiller

BatonRouge,LA 5/1/1932-1/14/2025

Brown-McGehee Funeral Home in Bogalusa,LA

KayMcDaniel

Cleveland, TN 9/20/1958-1/3/2025 CompanionFuneral& CremationService

JohnMcKiney

BatonRouge,LA 5/30/1940-3/1/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Violet Menard

Lafayette,LA 5/2/1932-3/19/2025

Martin &Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette

MaeliseMillet

Gramercy,LA 2/21/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

Kenneth McDonald

Denham Springs,LA 7/2/1959-12/12/2024

SealeFuneralService in Denham Springs

FrankMcLavy

DenhamSprings,Louisiana 7/5/1943-3/6/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

JohnMeyer

BatonRouge,LA 12/10/1944-2/23/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Ronald Millet

Vacherie,LA 9/19/1938-2/12/2025

Ordoyne FuneralHomein

Thibodaux

Shirley McDonald

Denham Springs,Louisiana 8/24/1934-12/30/2024

Brandon GThompson FuneralHome

Pamela McNicol

BatonRouge,LA Greenoaks FuneralHome

JacquelynMichael

Gramercy,LA 1/12/2025

Brazier-WatsonFuneral Home

Laurie Minarik

St.Gabriel,LA 6/1/1962-1/29/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Memory IN LOVING

Thomas Minniear

BatonRouge,LA

10/9/1934-3/15/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

NancyMiranda

BatonRouge,LA 12/15/1937-1/19/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

SadieMire

Gonzales,LA 10/5/1930-2/4/2025

Church FuneralServicesin St.Amant

Bertha Mitchell

Jackson, LA 3/18/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Eunice Mitchell

Baker, LA 1/23/1934-2/3/2025

BakerFuneralHome

ElseyMitchellSr.

Zachary, LA 9/12/1943-3/5/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Lois Mix

Addis, LA 11/16/1935-3/2/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

AlvinMix III

BatonRouge,LA 11/18/1960-2/16/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Felix Mollere Jr

Paincourtville,LA 3/4/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

CharlesMonteilh

Zachary, LA 2/14/2025

CharletFuneralHome

MarilynMoorman

BatonRouge,LA 4/14/1940-3/19/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Donald Morales

Brusly,LA 3/16/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

Mary Mullenix

BatonRouge,LA 10/12/1942-2/20/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

RichardMunson

BatonRouge,LA 8/1/1941-2/19/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Tracey Montgomery

Zachary, LA 1/18/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

ProsperMoran

SaintAmant,La 10/4/1942-1/2/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Glenn Murphy

Independence, LA 12/4/1952-12/29/2024

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHome- Hammond, LA

EarnestMontgomery Sr.

2/27/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Linda Morris

DenhamSprings,LA 7/25/1950-1/1/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Betty Murray

Plaquemine, LA 2/5/1937-3/25/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

JoannMontrose

BatonRouge,Louisiana 9/14/1933-1/10/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

MichaelMontz

Maurepas,LA 8/22/1944-3/19/2025

McLin& Manley Funeral Home andCremation ServiceinWalker

SharonMoore-Butler

BatonRouge,LA 12/19/1942-3/19/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Mitchell MooreSr.

BatonRouge,LA 1/23/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Johnny MorrisJr.

Denver, CO 7/18/1956-3/3/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Paul Musson

Zachary, LA 3/26/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Shawntine Morrison

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

CynthiaMyers

BatonRouge,LA 8/28/1952-2/21/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Kenyatta Morrison Johnson

BatonRouge,LA 2/15/1975-12/18/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

LauraMulkeyMcKnight

BatonRouge,LA 9/18/1932-3/9/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JuanitaMyers

Gonzales,LA 1/4/1929-2/13/2025

ChurchFuneralServices in St.Amant

Hazel Neal

Mandeville,Louisiana 1/11/1931-3/12/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Memory IN LOVING

BertellNelson

BatonRouge,La. 10/19/1938-3/18/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Sandy Netters

BatonRouge, 6/1/1956-12/20/2024

A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralService

Evelyn Netterville

BatonRouge,LA 6/21/1940-3/11/2025

Newman FuneralHomein Centreville,MS

JenniferNetterville

BatonRouge,Louisiana 11/9/1936-3/5/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

BatonRouge,LA 5/5/1955-2/11/2025

SealeFuneralService in Denham Springs

Marjorie Nichols

RockyNicholas Baker, Louisiana 6/8/1934-1/4/2025 Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Monica Nicholson

BatonRouge,LA 1/22/1955-12/23/2024

Church FuneralServices

LaverneNiessner

Greenville,OH 2/19/1939-1/27/2025

Zechar BaileyFuneralHome in Greenville,OH

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Lloyd Norwood

BatonRouge,LA 7/1/1938-12/18/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

GregoryOden

BatonRouge,LA

Church FuneralServices in St.Amant

AliceOliver

BatonRouge,Louisiana 9/21/1935-1/8/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Robert Ourso

BatonRouge,LA

Kohl's Legacy Funeral Home inAnchorage,AK

Phyllis Page

Malvern, PA 10/13/1924-12/7/2024

LoganFuneralHomein Exton, PA

Robert Painter

Gonzales,Louisiana 4/17/1926-2/20/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Carole Panepinto

Plaquemine, LA 8/31/1945-1/12/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

RonwichParker

Belle Rose,LA 1/3/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Paulette Pasos

Kenner, LA 12/28/1960-2/12/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

Dora Passantino

Bayou Pigeon, LA 11/9/1957-3/15/2025

WilbertFuneralServicePlaquemine

JoycePate

St.Francisville,LA 3/13/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

BarbaraPatrick

Plaquemine, LA 12/9/1943-1/24/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

LouisPatrick Jr

Napoleonville,LA 3/3/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

Audrey Patterson

BatonRouge,LA 6/21/1941-3/4/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

T. Ellis Peak Jr

BatonRouge,LA 8/19/1924-3/10/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

James Pearley

Donaldsonville,LA 12/28/2024

Demby& SonFuneral Home

AnnPedescleaux

Darrow,Louisiana 11/15/1929-2/22/2025

Ascension FuneralHome

Mary Peeples

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

NancyPenn

Dallas, TX 11/6/1939-12/28/2024

Sparkman FuneralHomein Richardson, TX

Dr.Thais Perkins

Zachary, LA 3/20/1957-1/16/2025

Norman Patterson

BatonRouge,Louisiana 10/15/1937-1/30/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

LeonaPerque

Gonzales,LA 3/29/1931-3/19/2025

ChurchFuneralServices in St.Amant

AlvinPatterson Jr.

Paincourtville,LA 2/16/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Wilmer Perry

Sicily Island, LA

Newman FuneralHomein Centreville,MS

Memory IN LOVING

June Persac

Prairieville,LA

6/29/1946-3/23/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

CharlesPeters

BatonRouge,La 8/16/1933-1/6/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Donna Peterson

Hermann, Missouri 8/29/1947-1/20/2025

Toedtmann-Grosse Funeral Home

Althea Petite

Gonzales,LA 7/3/1936-2/18/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

LundyPetite

Prairieville,LA 2/18/2025-2/21/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

Reggie Pevey

Ponchatoula, LA 12/26/1927-2/23/2025

Harry McKneely &Son FuneralHome

AnnettePhillips

BatonRouge,LA 6/11/1940-1/17/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

KarenPhillips

Denham Springs,LA 6/19/1958-2/28/2025

SealeFuneralService in Denham Springs

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Esther Picou

Clinton, LA 2/24/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Ulysse PitreJr.

BatonRouge,LA 11/20/1928-1/9/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

George Pierce

PortAllen, LA 3/9/1937-1/29/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Shawanda Plain

BatonRouge,LA 11/13/1987-1/7/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JacquelinePierre

1/27/2025

Pugh'sMortuaryin Plaquemine

LillianPierre

Pearland, TX 5/20/1944-3/17/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home -Baton Rouge

Loretta Pierre

White Castle,LA 11/1/1959-1/23/2025

Roscoe Mortuary in Plaquemine

James Piner

Pineville,LA 2/28/1937-1/21/2025

PalestineMethodist Church

Sallie Pinson

Zachary, LA 1/12/2025

CharletFuneralHome

JodiPipes

BatonRouge,LA 11/19/1974-2/6/2025

Legacy CremationServices in Boutte

Rosa Preston

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/12/1938-1/2/2025

WinnfieldFuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Harold Price

BatonRouge,LA 8/23/1938-2/5/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

JuanitaPoole

Zachary, LA 2/18/1947-1/6/2025

CharletFuneralHome

MarilynPrice

BatonRouge,LA

RabenhorstFuneralHomeEast

AnnPope

McKinney, TX 7/30/1926-12/12/2024

Dalton& SonFuneralHome

Leslie PriceII

BatonRouge,Louisiana 8/25/1947-12/30/2024

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Evelyn Porter

NewRoads,LA 8/12/1952-12/27/2024

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

RalphPrice, Sr

Central, LA 11/12/1937-1/5/2025

CentralFuneralHome

RaymondPost

BatonRouge,LA 11/3/1939-3/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Gary Pourciau Jr.

Erwinville,LA 5/25/1967-3/7/2025 WilbertFuneralHome

DorothyPowders

Suffolk, Virginia 11/30/1927-1/1/2025

Parr FuneralHomeand Crematory

Pamela Pullen

BatonRouge,LA 11/22/1947-3/14/2025

Niland'sFuneralService in NewRoads

Rosa Pullins

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

ElenoraPurpera

BatonRouge,LA 7/7/1922-3/14/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

EDNAMAEPURVIS

Denham Springs,LA 9/10/1942-1/20/2025

Brandon GThompson

MildredQuartararo

BatonRouge,LA 2/19/1940-12/29/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Gwen Ragusa

BatonRouge,LA 2/19/1959-2/6/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

James Ramsay

BatonRouge,Louisiana 5/30/1941-12/23/2024

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

MaxRichards

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

BatonRouge,LA 7/23/1934-2/27/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Coralie Richardson

Vicksburg, MS 7/16/1937-2/6/2025

ForrestRichardson

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/1/1950-1/21/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Larry Richardson

BatonRouge,La 12/10/1951-1/7/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

AllenRobertson

Stephensville,LA 1/12/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Frances Robertson

Zachary, LA 1/14/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Lisa Robertson

Clinton, LA 12/21/1969-3/7/2025

MercyFuneralHome

Robert Robertson

BatonRouge,La 10/5/1934-2/8/2025

MJR FriendlyService FuneralHome- Denham Springs

LeoRobinsonJr.

Paulina, LA 2/16/2025

Brazier Watson Funeral Home

WilliamRochester

Patchuta, MS 8/1/1941-12/21/2024

Colonial Chapel Funeral Home in Laurel, MS

Arthur Rodrigue Jr

Wilburton, OK 8/25/1934-2/18/2025

Waldrop FuneralHomein Wilburton, OK

GwendolynRodriguez

St.James,LA 3/14/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Donaldsonville

BeverlyRicks

Plaquemine, LA 12/19/1961-1/21/2025

Roscoe Mortuary in Plaquemine

Kenneth Rando

Andrew Randall Memphis, TN 10/23/1964-8/18/2024

Tommy Reid

Amite, LA 5/20/1945-2/19/2025

McKneelyFuneralHome

Roderick Richard

Torbert, Louisiana 1/26/1974-1/8/2025

Hall Davis& SonFuneral Services

Chattanooga,TN 3/7/1932-2/22/2025

CharletFuneralHomein Zachary

DwightRobertsSr.

BatonRouge,LA 9/10/1952-3/13/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

CarlyleRogillio II

2/14/1926-3/5/2025 CharletFuneralHome

Susan Riordan

BatonRouge,LA 4/25/1943-12/31/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

HeloiseRivere

BatonRouge,LA 2/1/1927-3/13/2025

Church FuneralServices

LeeRobert

NewOrleans, LA 5/18/1944-1/23/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

AliceRobinson

Baker, LA 1/12/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

AudryRomeJr.

Romeville,LA 2/2/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

AnthonyRobinson

BatonRouge,LA 6/21/2007-3/10/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Lois Romero

Plaquemine, LA 11/7/1928-2/19/2025

WilbertFuneralService in Plaquemine

James Robinson

Plaquemine, Louisiana 10/1/1962-2/10/2025

Roscoe Mortuary

LeroyRomig

Maringouin, LA 4/4/1943-12/29/2024

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

JohnRoss, Sr

Denham Springs,LA 10/20/1958-1/6/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

CharlesRushJr.

Mount Juliet, TN 12/25/1945-2/17/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

WilliamRouillier

Paulina, LA 1/7/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

Davonte Russ

12/30/2024

Demby& SonFuneral Home

RobinRoussel

Paulina, LA 1/7/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHome

MauriceSaaleJr.

Geismar, LA 2/11/2025

Church FuneralServices

NormaRoutt

BatonRouge,LA 2/5/1945-1/31/2025 Church FuneralServices

FrancisSadler

BatonRouge,LA 9/28/1935-12/19/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Gerard Satterlee

Gonzales,Louisiana 12/27/1946-2/15/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AlbertaSaunders

BatonRouge,Louisiana 1/14/1943-1/20/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Coralie Savoie

BatonRouge,LA 11/7/1935-3/21/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

DorothySavoy Hotard

SaintAmant,LA 11/23/1934-3/17/2025

Church FuneralServices and Crematory

Mary Rouyea

St.Amant,LA 4/13/1939-1/2/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

KarvellSt. Cyr

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Adrian Scallan

BatonRouge,LA 8/13/1947-2/10/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Jerome Schexnayder

Belle Rose,LA 11/23/1959-2/12/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

AgnesSchexnaydre

Darrow,LA 12/9/1933-3/20/2025

ChurchFuneralServices in St.Amant

Patricia Schilleci

NewOrleans, LA 10/14/1938-3/4/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

RosarioSchilleci

NewOrleans, LA 9/15/1937-3/22/2025

Schilleci Family

Harvey Schwartzberg

BatonRouge,Louisiana 8/28/1928-3/1/2025

Rabenhorst

Kentrell Royal

BatonRouge,LA 11/19/2009-12/26/2024 Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

AllenSt. PierreSr.

Garyville,LA 2/6/1930-2/28/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

JohnScarle, Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 4/3/1951-1/2/2025 McKneelyFuneralHome

Cody Scivicque

DenhamSprings,LA 9/14/1991-3/13/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

WilliamRupeter

Zachary, LA 12/11/1955-1/25/2025 Fall Creek FuneralHomein Pineville

James Saizon

PortAllen, LA 2/4/2025

Church FuneralServices and Crematory

ClaudiaSchexnayder

Lutcher, LA 9/23/1952-1/8/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in Metairie

Georgeiana Scott

BatonRouge,LA 10/15/1930-2/22/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Blanca Rush

BatonRouge,LA 2/27/1949-3/4/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Russell JohnSanders

BatonRouge,LA 9/2/1946-1/12/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home

Jacquelynn Schexnayder

BatonRouge,Louisiana 4/5/1938-1/4/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

AllenSeal

Harrison,AR 5/7/1940-3/6/2025

Holt Memorial Chapel in Harrison,AR

Memory IN LOVING

PatrickSettoon

Hammond, LA 2/15/1934-3/13/2025

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHomeinHammond

MichaelShaddinger

Gonzales,LA 3/6/1944-3/17/2025

Church FuneralServicesin St.Amant

LeeShaffers

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

KrishanSharma

BatonRouge,LA 2/22/1935-2/11/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

StacySharpe

BatonRouge,LA 6/3/1968-1/20/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

MichaelShay

BatonRouge,Louisiana 11/13/1943-12/30/2024

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Susan Shows

Lakeland, LA 1/24/1951-3/18/2025

Niland'sFuneralService in NewRoads

Jude Sigur

Gonzales,LA 12/1/1969-2/7/2025

Church FuneralServices

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Marguerite Simmons

BatonRouge,LA 7/9/1926-2/15/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

LouisSimms

1/30/2025

RhodesUnitedFidelity FuneralHome

Calvin Simon

Gonzales,LA 1/25/1953-1/7/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

BonnieSimoneaux

Napoleonville,LA 2/15/1946-1/22/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

MarieMarcy Simoneaux

BatonRouge,LA 8/21/1939-1/7/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Shirley Simpson

MiramarBeach,FL 7/23/1933-2/8/2025

DavisWatkins Funeral Home

StephanieSimpson

St.Francisville,LA 1/28/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Clifford Singer,Jr.

DenhamSprings,LA 7/16/1932-1/3/2025

Greenoaks FuneralHome

PatsySmith

Prairieville,LA 2/27/1939-3/11/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Larry Singleton

Fort Worth, TX 7/16/1962-3/12/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home

Warren Harvey Smith

BatonRouge,LA 11/13/1954-3/16/2025

ChurchFuneralServices & Crematory

WilliamSirmonJr.

Luling, LA 2/1/1943-3/11/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

Willie Smith

1/16/1929CharletFuneralHome

Brenda Smith

BatonRouge,LA 4/22/1948-12/23/2024 Greenoaks FuneralHome

DavidSmitherman

BatonRouge,LA 9/1/1938-2/11/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Dixon Smith

BATONROUGE,Louisiana 9/15/1922-12/30/2024

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

IrwinSmith

BatonRouge,LA 3/3/1933-2/22/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Jan Smith

BatonRouge,LA 2/16/1960-1/12/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Aubrey Sincere

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Jessica Smith

BatonRouge,LA 12/28/1984-1/23/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Isaac SmithJr.

Donaldsonville,LA 2/12/2025

Demby& SonFuneral Home in Donaldsonville

EddieSmith Sr.

BatonRouge,LA 1/17/2025

Millerand Daughter

Mortuary

Falfon Smith, Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 5/16/1957-2/2/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Esther Smothers

Napoleonville,LA 12/28/2024

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Memo

Dr.RuthSmothers

Lafayette,LA 2/9/1947-1/9/2025

SyrieFuneralHomein

Lafayette

Rita Smullin

Dallas, TX 11/15/1933-2/20/2025

DavidSnyder

Baywood, LA 11/17/1942-3/22/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Monica Soday

BatonRouge,LA 8/23/1963-3/17/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

CandaceSoulier

BatonRouge,LA 12/22/1989Greenoaks FuneralHome

Brittany Southall

Thibodaux,LA 2/14/2025

Williams& Southall Funeral Home in Thibodaux

FerdinandSouthallJr.

Maringouin, LA 2/17/1939-3/18/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Curtis Southall Sr.

Plattenville,LA 1/26/2025

Williams& Southall Funeral Home in Napleonville

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

DorothySpears

Plaquemine, LA 1/5/2025

Pugh'sMortuary

ClydeSpears, Jr

BatonRouge,Louisiana 8/6/1976-12/28/2024

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

LeroySpearsSr.

BatonRouge,LA 8/29/1941-1/27/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home

EvaSpencer

Gonzales,LA 12/6/2024

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

JohnSpustek

Oscar,LA 10/20/1964-1/15/2025 A. Wesley's FuneralHome

Shirley St.Angelo

Dequincy, Louisiana 9/15/1958-1/15/2025 HamptonInn

JohnGregoryStacy

BatonRouge,LA 11/26/1951-1/1/2025

Church FuneralServices and Crematorium

SarahStampley

BatonRouge,LA 2/2/1937-1/27/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Albert Stanley

BatonRouge,Louisiana 7/31/1950-2/11/2025

CapitalFuneralHome

Gerald Stansberry

Jackson, 10/14/1957-1/11/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Roland Stansbury

NewIberia, LA 10/1/1943-2/26/2025 Hargrave FuneralHome

Jai Steib

Vacherie,LA 2/6/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

TinishaStevens

BatonRouge,LA 12/6/1980-1/29/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Calvin StevensSr.

3/29/2025

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

James Stewart

BatonRouge,LA 3/17/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Samuel Stewart

Gonzales,LA 2/12/1936-2/4/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Marianne Steintrager

BatonRouge,LA 8/7/1936-3/17/2025 Greenoaks FuneralHome

James Stiglets

BatonRouge,LA 7/10/1930-2/19/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

LeoStephen

BatonRouge,LA 3/15/1942-2/3/2025 MJR FriendlyService FuneralHome- Denham Springs

Amelia Sterling

St.Francisville,LA 1/15/2025

Miller& Daughter Funeral Home

AliceStevens

BatonRouge,LA 10/8/1953-1/9/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Katherine Stone

BatonRouge,LA 6/28/1938-1/19/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Sheldon Strasner

BatonRouge,LA 2/10/1959-3/25/2025 ChurchFuneralServices

DianeStrickland

Tickfaw, LA 9/1/1946-1/17/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

KimberlySullivan

Baker, LA 6/12/1970-2/7/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenham Springs

Missy Sullivan

Amite, LA 10/27/1981-2/5/2025

McKneelyFuneralHomein Amite

HerbertSumrall Sr

BatonRouge,LA 11/5/1930-1/17/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Jimmie Swindle

Gonzales,LA 11/14/1944-2/6/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

RaymondSwinney

BatonRouge,LA 2/26/2025-4/4/1939

Greenoaks FuneralHome

DorothyTalkington

Livingston, La 2/25/1927-3/3/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Elvira Taplin

BatonRouge,LA 11/11/1953-1/10/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

GloriaTaylor

BatonRouge,Louisiana 3/20/1931-2/6/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

HelenTaylor

St.Francisville,LA 2/26/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Monica Thibodeaux

BatonRouge,LA 10/10/1955-12/28/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

Lucille Taylor

Donaldsonville,LA 3/2/2025

Dembyand SonFuneral Home in Donaldsonville

Shona Thibodeaux

BatonRouge,LA 1/18/1970-3/8/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

WilmaTaylor

SaintAmant,LA 10/14/1933-3/8/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

BarbaraThomas

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Janette Templet

St.Amant,Louisiana 4/24/1937-1/6/2025

Church FuneralServices

Lucy Thomas

BatonRouge,La 1/11/1932-1/5/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

Terry Templet"Stump"

Sorrento, Louisiana 3/22/1947-2/27/2025

Church FuneralServices

Virginia Thomas

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Ronald TempletSr.

Gonzales,LA 8/9/1942-2/20/2025

Church FuneralServices in St.Amant

Arkell Thomas Jr.

DenhamSprings,LA 8/18/1961-2/9/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Shirley Tennart

BatonRouge,LA 3/11/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Jesse Theriot

Donaldsonville,LA 5/8/1939-1/23/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

Curtis Thompson

Greenwell Springs,LA 2/13/2025

Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHomeinHammond

EmoryThompson

Gonzales,LA 7/5/1943-1/26/2025

Lawson-RollinsPurple Shield FuneralHome

June Tircuit

Prairieville,LA 5/13/1943-1/11/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Kobi Tircuit

BatonRouge,LA 11/2/2001-3/10/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Cinderella Tolliver

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Terry Toney

BatonRouge,LA 12/27/1953-12/17/2024 ChurchFuneralServices

Senior Thomas Jr

Maringouin, LA 3/22/1958-3/6/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

Ronald Touchet

PortAllen, LA 3/18/1948-12/30/2024

WilbertFuneralHome

BarbaraThompson

BatonRouge,LA 5/6/1950-3/5/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

Judith Toups

Mandeville,LA 1/21/1945-2/8/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

Memory

JoeyTrabeaux

Gonzales,LA 11/6/1958-2/3/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

Emerson Trask

BatonRouge,LA

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home

JohnTriplett

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Lynn Trosclair

Gramercy,LA 3/26/2025

Rose Lynn FuneralHomein Lutcher

RichardTroullierSr.

8/28/1935-2/13/2025

Demby& SonFuneral Home

CharlesTruax

DenhamSprings,LA 9/24/1941-3/3/2025

SealeFuneralService in DenhamSprings

Jocelyn Trumble

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Allison Truxillo

PortAllen, LA 3/21/2025

WilbertFuneralHomein PortAllen

BarbaraTshida

BatonRouge,Louisiana 2/27/1934-1/5/2025

White FuneralHome

Hugh Tucker

Zachary, Louisiana 6/22/1964-3/1/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

HelenTyree

SanFrancisco,CA 2/27/1945-1/2/2025

McAvoy-O'Hara Company Evergreen Mortuary in San Francisco, CA

JoAnn VanMuylem

SantaRosa, CA 12/24/1950-12/16/2024

SantaRosaMortuary, Eggen &Lance in SantaRosa, CA

MichaelVarnadore

Zachary, LA 3/9/2025

CharletFuneralHome

Toni Vaughan

BatonRouge,La 3/7/1967-2/3/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Carl Vaughn

BatonRouge,LA 12/24/1962-3/1/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JulietVaughns

BatonRouge,La 11/12/1935-1/6/2025

Desselle's FuneralHome

KenWall

BatonRouge,LA 2/17/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Leamenia Veal

Zachary, LA 8/11/1997-2/6/2025

A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralService

Rachel Wall

Prairieville,LA 1/24/1967-2/14/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Willie Veals

BatonRouge,LA 9/19/1940-3/2/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomein BatonRouge

Sean Wallace

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Avor Vit

BatonRouge,LA 1/21/1930-12/30/2024

Greenoaks FuneralHome

NancyWalter

BatonRouge,LA 10/12/1940-2/14/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Kenneth Wackett

Baker, LA 8/10/1947-1/18/2025

CharletFuneralHome

CarolWalters

BatonRouge,LA 2/13/1937-3/5/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

Wilson Waguespack

5/19/1926-1/12/2025

DennisWalker

12/29/1951-1/15/2025

McKneelyFuneralHomein Amite

HildaVaughn

Florence,AL 8/28/1932-1/17/2025

DebraWalkerKelly

BatonRouge,LA 6/13/1964-2/11/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Thomas Warner

BatonRouge,LA 12/19/1963-1/18/2025

RabenhorstFuneralHome& Crematory -Government Street

SarahWarren

Litchfield, CT 7/9/1935-2/3/2025

Ballard-Alcoa FuneralHome in Benton,AR

JoAnn Wascom

Walker,Louisiana 8/11/1945-2/3/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

Memory IN LOVING

Rosa Wascom

BatonRouge,Louisiana 6/24/1942-1/1/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHomesEast

DavidWascome

Houston, Texas 9/21/1979-3/2/2025

BrooksideFuneralHome

Bishop Washington

BatonRouge,Louisiana 5/30/1935-1/18/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home -Baton Rouge

Ruth Washington-Square

BatonRouge,LA 11/30/1935-2/5/2025

Richardson FuneralHomein Clinton

MasonWatkins

Brusly,LA 10/15/1954-1/29/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Charlie Watkins

BatonRouge,LA 4/14/1956-2/21/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Martha Watts

Livingston, Louisiana 2/25/1934-3/23/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenham Springs

LeskaWeakley

Slaughter, LA 9/15/1937-3/22/2025

Church FuneralServices

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

JosephWebb

NewOrleans, Louisiana 8/10/1967-3/22/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Vernon Wesley Jr.

Maringouin, LA 12/20/1995-3/1/2025

A. Wesley's FuneralHome in Maringouin

MaeWest

BatonRouge,LA 11/10/1932-1/23/2025

MJR FriendlyService FuneralHomeinDenham Springs

Dayneise Wheeler

BatonRouge,LA 9/7/1953-1/17/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

AlbraWilliams

3/17/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

DakaraiWilliams

BatonRouge,LA 12/29/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

Florence Williams

BatonRouge,LA 5/11/1921-1/28/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Kenneth Williams

Thibodaux, LA 1/26/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Margaret Williams

NewRoads,LA 8/8/1946-3/6/2025

SedrickWillis

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Rosemary Williams

BatonRouge,LA 1/22/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

CalebWilson

Kenner, LA 2/27/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof JeffersoninRiver Ridge

RoyWilliams

Thibodaux, LA 2/18/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home

Mary Wilson

Clinton, LA 9/19/1928-1/6/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

TheresaWilliams

BatonRouge,LA 3/23/2025

Miller& Daughter Mortuary in Zachary

Thomas Williams

BatonRouge,Louisiana 6/26/1940-1/30/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

Carl Williams Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 8/22/1937-1/1/2025

Richardson FuneralHomein Clinton

EdwinWilliams Jr

BatonRouge,LA 8/22/1934-3/12/2025

Wilson-Woodale Funeral Home &CremationServices

HenryWilliams Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 11/22/1954-1/1/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Clinton

SharonWilson

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

Clarence Wilson Jr

Bayou Goula, LA 2/20/2025

Pugh'sMortuary in Plaquemine

Paul WiltzJr.

PortAllen, LA 2/12/2025

WilbertFuneralHome

MontralWinfieldSr.

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

SharonWinsey

BatonRouge,LA 4/3/1953-2/6/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

Memory IN LOVING

Teynac Wood

BatonRouge,LA 12/1/1947-1/6/2025

Johnson FuneralHomein

Lake Charles

Julie Wright

Visitobituaries.theadvocate.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

BatonRouge,LA 11/6/1952-2/26/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome

Reverend Gerard F. Young

BatonRouge,LA 6/15/1935-1/4/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Marianne Zimmerle

Youngsville,Louisiana 7/24/1939-3/21/2025

PellerinFuneralHomesBreauxBridge

SelbyWoodward

Ponchatoula, 7/13/1951-12/24/2024

Church FuneralServices

CharlesWright

Maringouin, LA 11/25/1950-2/14/2025

Hall Davisand SonFuneral Service

Lisa Worthy

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

EleanorYoung

Donaldsonville,LA 2/25/2025

Demby& SonFuneral Home

Larry Young

BayCity,Texas 10/20/1956-12/26/2024

Miller& Daughter Mortuary

BrianZito

BatonRouge,Louisiana 2/27/1977-2/5/2025

SealeFuneralServiceDenhamSprings

StanleyYoung

Bayou Goula, LA 2/16/2025

Pugh'sMortuary

DebraWright

CharlesMackey Funeral Home

GaynellYoung

Zachary, Louisiana 9/18/1956-3/2/2025

Wilson-Wooddale Funeral Home -Baton Rouge

LeroyYoung

Woodstock,GA 3/12/1938-3/8/2025

Winnfield FuneralHomeof BatonRouge

IN LOVING MEMORY...

BY EMILY WOODRUFF

Staff writer

Greg Lutz still remembers his first crawfish season. Working toward his doctorate and living in a trailer outside Lafayette, he split time between research at LSU and working a 64-acre crawfish pond with a seasoned Louisiana fisherman.

“At the end of the day, there’d always be a few pounds left over,” Lutz said “He’d say ‘Well, they don’t want that. They’re not gonna buy that You take that home.’”

By the end of the season, Lutz joked, he would’ve traded crawfish for hot dogs Four decades later the LSU AgCenter aquaculture specialist loves the mudbugs as much for their flavor and nutrition as for their environmental benefits and their cultural and economic role in Louisiana.

Steaming red crawfish piled high on yesterday’s newspaper is a staple of

Louisiana tables in springtime. Beyond mudbugs’ place in local tradition, the crustacean offers something else: a potentially healthy, sustainable seafood option.

The catch is knowing how it’s prepared and where it came from.

High protein, low fat

Crawfish may be small, but they offer the gold standard of nutritional value.

“Low in calories, high in protein,” said Mandy Armentor a registered dietician and nutrition agent with the LSU AgCenter based in Abbeville.

A standard three-ounce serving of tail meat (peeled from about 1.25 pounds) contains around 70 calories, 14 grams of protein, one gram of fat and about 115 milligrams of cholesterol. Crawfish deliver 20 grams of protein per 100 calories, making it one of the most proteindense foods, beating out chicken, beef, salmon and eggs.

Catherine Champagne, a nutrition re-

searcher at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, said the cholesterol content in crawfish is not a concern for most people because they’re low in saturated fat.

“They’re relatively low in fat and calories,” said Champagne. “It’s a healthy choice.”

They’re also packed with key micronutrients like copper, manganese, selenium and B12, which are all great for overall health, brain health and immune system protection, Armentor said.

Crawfish contain about 200 to 300 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acids per serving. That’s not as much as cold water fish like salmon, but more than white fish such as cod or tilapia.

The communal way they’re eaten can also encourage healthier eating habits.

“When you have to sit there and peel it, you slow down,” Champagne said.

While crawfish is naturally lean and

Risk of dementia can be reduced

Lifestyle changes, daily brain activities help, La. doctors say

BY SHANTELL GOMEZ and MARGARET DeLANEY

Contributing and staff writers

Watching someone suddenly struggle to remember simple everyday things is heartbreaking. The person is still physically present, but as their memory declines, personality and sense of self begin to disappear

The loss and care required takes an enormous toll on families.

Researchers have examined potential causes and risk factors for dementia for years. In 2024, the Lancet Commission on Dementia Prevention, Intervention and Care suggested that up to 45% of dementia cases may be prevented by fully addressing 14 lifestyle risk factors including:

n not completing secondary education, resulting in less cognitive reserve, n hearing loss, n high LDL cholesterol, n depression, n traumatic brain injury, n physical inactivity, n diabetes, n smoking, n hypertension, n obesity n excessive alcohol consumption, n social isolation, n air pollution, n and untreated visual loss.

Dr Virginia Kellner, a Lafayettenative and neurologist, emphasizes the point that lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of dementia. Kellner says that up to half of dementia cases could be prevented with these lifestyle modifications addressing the 14 risk factors.

Even those with a genetic predisposition to dementia can decrease their risk through healthy choices: n prioritizing cognitively stimulating activities throughout life, n minimizing exposure to harmful noise, n staying socially active and avoiding isolation; n addressing vision loss when possible; n maintaining healthy sleep and stress management habits.

The most critical period for making these changes is midlife, between the ages of 18 and 65, though benefits can still be seen later in life.

The role of diet in brain health

The Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay, or MIND diet, targets the health of the aging brain. This diet combines the healthy diets based on food found in countries near the Mediterranean Sea, as well as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet that was

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Jordan Jones stirs crawfish as they boil at the booth for C&M Crawchicks during Crawfête in March in Baton Rouge.

HEALTH MAKER

N.O. heartdoctorhas passionfor global health

Cardiologist has provided resources to Uganda

BY MARGARET DeLANEY

Staff writer

Dr.Craig Sable, aworld-renowned pediatric cardiologist, has rejoined the New Orleans teamas the associate chair of pediatrics for academics as the co-director of the Ochsner Children’sCongenital Heart Center

Sable is an international leader in pediatric echocardiography,telemedicine, rheumatic heart disease and global cardiovascular disease. He held multiple positionsinhis 27 years at Children’sNational Hospital in Washington D.C. including chief of cardiology,director of global health initiative and executive director of telemedicine. He is also an adjunct professor of pediatrics at George Washington University School of Medicine. Sable has authored 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts (including several in the New England Journal of Medicine and Lancet Journals). He has been aprincipal or co-investigator for several NIH, American Heart Association and foundation grants. His passion is global health Sable has done work in Uganda since 2002, visiting more than50 times to help advance echocardiography,catheterization and surgery at Uganda Heart Institute, improve care of children and youngadults with congenital and rheumatic heart disease, support research in rheumatic heart disease and train the next generation of Africancardiologists. While he left Louisiana in his early career for Washington D.C., he fell in love with New Orleans— he has ridden in the Krewe of Hermes for 13 years.

How did you becomeinterested in working with children with heart disease overseas?

In New Orleans in the early 90s, Iworked with the team at Ochsner to set up one of the firsttelemedicine programs in the country to improve access to babies being born with heart problems around thestate of Louisiana —which was incredibly underserved at the time My experience here made me aware of how great the disparities were between people who were born in places with good access and poor access to care. That’s so magnified with congenital and acquired heart disease in children, where children have asurvival rate for

Dr.Craig Sableisapediatric cardiologist in NewOrleans.

heartsurgery andfor most conditionsbetween 98 and 100%,but only 10% of theworld has access to that life-saving heart surgery That inspired me, when Iwas in Washington D.C., to try to change the course for children in less-privileged countries.Istarted going to Africa in the late 90s, and Idid my first of probably 50 trips to Uganda in 2002.

What progress has been made working with childrenwho need heartsurgeryinUganda?

Ourinitial workwas to work with several differentnonprofits to be able to help diagnose and bring kids to other countries for heart surgery.Wewould seethese childrenatage oneortwo whowould have been fine if they lived in the U.S. Itsoundssortofsimplified, but for alot of thesecases, it’splumbing or fixing ahole; it’srelieving a blockage or fixing aleak.

If we can get the kidssurgery, that changes their total outlook and life expectancy.Also, alot of these kids live in villages where up to a hundredofpeople’slives are impacted by onesick kid.

There are programs in New Orleans that have takencare of some of thesekids. But unfortunately, that’sjustthe tipofthe iceberg.

After transferring many kids out of Uganda for surgery,itbecameclear that the onlyreal way forward was to help build asustainable heart surgery program in country. In 2007, we did the first surgical trip, where instead of bringing abunchofkids out, we were able to use thesame funds and take careof20kids instead of two, anddo heartsurgery in Uganda.

The ultimate goal, which we’ve achieved to somedegree, is to teach thelocals andbuild the infrastructure to teach the local team howtodoheartsurgery on their

cheese and red meat.

Cognitiveengagement

createdbydoctors at Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.

Dr.Cathy Champagne, alead developer of the DASH diet, said it was ameal plan easy to stick with and works for the whole family

“It is scientifically proven to lower blood pressure, lower the risk of stroke, lower the risk of cardiovascular events and works toimprove metabolism regardless of your size,” Champagne said.

All three diets (the MIND, Mediterranean and DASH) highlight plant-based foods and limit the intake of animal and high saturated fatfoods Research shows that individuals who followed the MIND diet experienced a53% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’sdisease.

“Even those who adhered to the diet moderatelydemonstrateda reduced risk,” said Lafayetteneurologist, Kellner

TheMINDdietencourages the consumption of:

n extra-virgin olive oil (used as primary cooking oil)

n six or more servings perweek of green leafy vegetables

n other vegetables (at leastone serving per day)

n two or more servings of berriesper week

n three servings daily of whole grains

n seafood (at least once aweek)

n poultry (twice aweek)

n beans and legumes(at least four servings aweek)

n nuts (at least five or more servings per week).

Foods to avoid withthe MIND

diet include fried and fatty foods, sweets andpastries, butter and trans-fat margarine, whole-fat

own.

We still do visits whereweimprove the training. In 2024, the hospital in Uganda didalmost 300 heart surgeries withonly eight performed by visiting teams.

We still have alittle work to do, but we’ve been able to buildsomething that we’re really proud of.

What is congenital heartdisease?

Congenital heart disease, or holes in the heart, is the most common birth defect that affects about one out of 100 kids. Probably half of those kids need heart surgery to survive.

Andover alifetime, aquarter of the kids are probably critical, meaning they need some form of treatment in the first year of life. Thisisaubiquitous problem that’s the same everywhere.

What inspired you to study cardiology?

Whatisn’tthe sameeverywhere is there’sasecond pediatricheart problem called rheumatic heart disease, which very few people have heard of in the United States because it’snot very common here.

Rheumaticheart disease is caused by the body’sreaction to a sore throat. If you get strep throat and you don’tget penicillin, your immune system can attack the heart, especially if you live in an area that’sreally crowded, and you

Although improving diet and exercise will help lower therisk factors involved in dementiaand brain aging, peoplemust also work to keep the brain active throughoutlife.

Kellner advises that any activity that challenges the brain —such as reading, solving puzzlesor learning anew instrument or language —can help build cognitive resilience.

Even little things,like memorizing agrocery list instead of relying adigital list on the phone,can be beneficial

Dr.JeffKeller,the director of theInstitute forDementiaResearch &Prevention at PenningtonBiomedicalResearchCenter anda professor of aging and neurodegeneration, said these little measures to test the mind, go along way with latter-life brain aging.

Astudy published in Neurology in 2021 found that high levels of cognitiveactivity, suchasreading, playing games like checkers, puzzlesand writing letters, can delay the onset of Alzheimer’sdisease by five years among those aged 80 years andover

Another study from Journal of the American Medical Association Open, published in July2023, found that frequently engaging in brain-challengingactivities, including journaling, playing chess and solving crossword puzzles was associated with alower risk of developing dementia amongolder adults.

“Theseactivitiesincrease the cognitivereserve, or mental library,” Keller said. “As new books are added, thelibrary grows biggerand bigger.Building this library of information in your brain creates abuffer for memoryloss.” Although keeping the brain ac-

get strep throat multiple times. It was ahuge problem in the United States until 1960 when we kind of started using widespread antibiotics, including penicillin

My grandmother had it when she was growingupinthe 1910s and 1920s. Igrew up watching her be sick. It inspired me to get involved in cardiology.And ironically,I’m leading the way andtakingcare of acondition that she suffered from acentury ago.

Thiscondition,over time, can lead to heart valve damage. It affects over 50 million peopleinthe world,and it causes almost halfa milliondeaths.

In the countries thatwevisit, surgery is the answer for manywith end stages of the disease. However if we find it early andgivekids penicillin, we can prevent them from ever needing surgery.Part of our work in Africa is thatwe’ve built ahuge research infrastructure in Uganda andnow partner with multiplecountries around the world to try to prevent rheumatic heart disease.

In Louisiana, what are new technologies or new research that will impactthe pediatric cardiologyhealth space? Someofthe most excitingdevelopments in theworld of pediatric cardiology are focused on imaging

across thespectrumoflife. We’re now able to do fetal echoes and diagnose heart disease at 12 or 14 weeks gestation —which is incredible.

Andit’snot only ultrasounds. We’re now able to do fetal MRIs that include the heart. For along time, it was really hard to getmotion picture. Now,wehaveacouplepeople that are really advancing the abilitytomakepictures of the fetal heart,which for critical heart disease, is really importanttoknow aboutitbefore birth.

There’sahuge change from the heart before andafter babies are born. We can miss an opportunity to start babies on life-savingmedicationsorprovide life-savinginterventionsifwedonot have these images. Thecombination of prenatal imagingwithearly postnatal care can have ahuge difference. On theotherspectrum,wehave manyadults with complex congenital heart disease, and there are a wide varietyofnew innovationsin terms of both catheter-based and surgical treatmentthat can makea difference.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@theadvocate. com.

tive throughout life is essentialto reducingthe risk of cognitivedecline, managing other risk factors (like depression, isolation and environment) must accompany those activities.

Social,environmental factors

Social isolation is aconsiderable risk factor for dementia, increasing the likelihood of the condition by 27%. Staying socially engaged helps the brain become more resilient.

To address this challenge, Kellner recommends community involvement, family gatherings and joining clubs —anything that fosters connection.

Stress management is an essential factor,thoughanindirect one. Chronic stress increasesinflammation and cortisol levels, which cancontribute to dementiarisk by worsening vascular issues.

“Stress can also lead to depression,which has been linkedtoincreased dementia risk,” Kellner said Louisianaresidents mayalsoface environmentalrisksdue to airpollution. Matter from industrial processes, vehicle emissions and wild-

fires has been linked to vascular damage in the brain.

“We’re still learning aboutthe direct effects, but minimizing exposure to pollutants is asmart move for long-term brain health,”she said Habits like exercising, reading and eating well can be incorporated at any age. Assessmentsare availablethrough primary care providers forthose concerned about any

cognitive issues.

For youngergenerations, the best adviceistoestablisha foundation of good health early “Aim for thehighestquality education possible, stay physically and mentally activeand care for your overall health,” Kellner said.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@theadvocate. com.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

TheLouisiana Health sectionisfocused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and re-examining tried and true methods on ways to livewell.

Health editions will also profile people whoare advancing health forthe state of Louisiana. Do youhavea health story? We want to hear fromyou. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Dr.Craig Sable conducts acardiac ultrasound (echocardiography) in aremote partofUgandatodetect rheumatic heartdisease.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Advancing Alzheimer’sresearch holdspromise for more effective treatments, earlier detection and enhanced patient care.

Eat Fit Live Fit

BRO UGHT TO YO UB Y

Rosemary garlic biscuits:A healthier reimagining of abelovedcomfort food

Molly Kimball

Assomeonewho grewupon flaky,freshly bakedbiscuits—and nowspendsherdays helpingpeoplefind healthierwaystoenjoy theirfavoritefoods—I’m thrilledtosharea recipethatchecksboth boxes.Theserosemary garlicbiscuitshitthat savory-satisfyingnote withouttheneedfor refinedwhiteflour.

Gluten-free,vegetarianandlow-carb,these rosemarygarlicbiscuits arealsoincrediblysavory,fluffyandfullofflavor.Ilovethembecause they’retrulyreminiscentof a“realbiscuit.”TheyweredevelopedbymyfriendBen McLauchlin,whoworkedwithusonthedessertand bakeryrecipesforourEatFitcookbook.Whileexperimentingwithleftoverdoughfromhislemonscones,he decidedtoadaptitintoasavorybiscuitthatcombines therobustnuttinessofgarlicwithfresh,pineynotesof rosemary.

Usingcoconutoilinsteadofbutterkeepsthebiscuits plant-basedwhilestilldeliveringrich,satisfyingtexture. Coconutoilcantypicallybeswappedinforbutterata 1:1ratio(tablespoonfortablespoon).It’saplant-based fatthatremainssolidatcoolertemperatures,making itagreatstand-inforbutterinbakedgoods,offeringa similartextureandrichness.

RosemaryGarlicBiscuits Makes10biscuits

1¾cupalmondflour ¼cupcoconutflour 2½teaspoonsbakingpowder ¼teaspoonsalt 4tablespoonsSwerveGranular 1tablespoonchoppedfreshrosemary 2tablespoonschoppedfreshchives ½tablespoonchoppedgarlic ½teaspoonxanthangum 4tablespoonscoconutoil,chilled 1egg(roomtemperature) 4tablespoonsunsweetenedalmondmilk

Insteadofall-purposeflour,Benusesalmondflour andcoconutflour,whichoffermoreprotein,fiberand plant-basedfatsforsteadierenergyandglucoselevels. Anotherkeytothisrecipeisxanthangum.Itservesthe functionofgluten(providingstructureandtextureto bakedgoods),sodon’tskipitoryoumaywindupwith acrumblymess.

Theserosemarygarlicbiscuitsareadeliciousaddition toanymeal—weeknightdinners,brunchorasanaturallygluten-freeoptionwhenyouhaveguestsover.They alsomakefantasticbreakfastsandwiches.Justslice open,addscrambledorfriedeggs,andtopwithyour favoritecheeseorprotein.Youcanmakeabatchahead oftimeandfreezethem,thenpullthemouttoreheatin theovenwheneverabiscuitcravingcalls.

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsner’sEatFit nonprofitinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia. Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

Prevention —well overthe national averageof13.1teen births per 1,000. Mississippi hadthe highest rate of teen births in the nation with 24.9 teen births per 1,000, followedbyArkansas with 23.8 teen births per 1,000.

Babies borntomothers between ages 15 to 19 arenearly twice as likely to die in their first year of life as those bornto mothers between 30 and 34, according to the CDC.

Teenagers’ bodies are smaller and their hips are narrower than womenin their 20s and30s. Physicians saythose factors maymaketeens less prepared physiologically to givebirth,leading to more pretermbirths, lowbirth weights and complications during delivery.

From 2022 to 2023,the birth rate forteenagers ages 15 to 19 declined in 17 states (Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky,Maine, Michigan, Mississippi,

CRAWFISH

Continued frompage1X

high in protein, it canquickly becomeunhealthy depending on how it’sprepared. If boiled (more on this in aminute), it’susually healthy,Armentor said. “But when we start frying it, or putting it in an au gratin,orsome pasta dishes that are cream-based, then …we’re negating thehealthy benefits.”

Frying crawfish adds fat, throwing off the nutritional balance. Most people who are boilingupa pot of crawfish in thebackyard are going to include aseasoning mix

in the remaining 33 states” including Louisiana, according to analysisfrom the CDC.

Southern statesstill remainthe outliers with high rates of teen births:

n Mississippi (24.9 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Arkansas (23.8 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Louisiana (23.7 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Kentucky(20.7 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Oklahoma (20.6 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Tennessee (20.4 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Alabama (20.1 teen births per 1,000 women)

These states had the lowest ratesof teen births: NewHampshire (4.6 teen births per 1,000 women)

That changes the health calculus a bit, according to Champagne, becauseofthe high sodium content.

“All of the Cajun seasoning,salt is the first ingredient,” Champagne said Instead, Armentor recommends sticking to spices like garlic,red pepper andlemon.

An environmentalwin

In addition to being healthy on the plate —oroften, afolding table

crawfish are also awin for the environment

“It’s aboutasnatural andsustainable of aseafood as you could find anywhere, really,” saidLutz, the aquaculturespecialist. Nearly all Louisiana crawfishare

Preheatovento400degrees.Greaseabakingsheetorround bakingpan.

Inamedium-sizedbowl,mixtogetheralmondandcoconut flourwiththenext7ingredients.Workcoconutoilinto flourmixturewithaforkoryourhandsuntilitresembles breadcrumbs.Setaside

Inasmallbowl,beattogethereggandmilk.Add5 tablespoonsoftheegg-milkmixturetotheflourmixture (leavingalittleeggandmilkforbastingthetopofthe scones)andmixuntilwellcombined.

Transferdoughtoanalmond-flouredcountertoporcutting board.Shapethedoughintoasmallcircleabout2inches thick.Usingabutteredchampagnefluteorsmallbiscuit cutter,cutbiscuitsoutofdough.Placebiscuitsclosetogether onacookiesheet.(Whentheycook,youwanttheedgesto touchsotheystaysoft.)Bakefor13-16minutes,oruntiltops aregoldenbrownaroundtheedgesandthedoughiscooked through.Removebiscuitsfromovenandtransferthemtoa bowllinedwithabreadcloth,clothnapkinorkitchentowel tokeepthebiscuitsmoistandwarmforserving.

Perserving(1biscuit):220calories,18gramsfat,8grams saturatedfat,180mgsodium,14gramscarbohydrate(6 gramsnetcarbs),3gramsfiber,2gramssugar(0added sugar),7gramsprotein

n Vermont (5.7 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Massachusetts (5.8 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Connecticut (6.8 teen births per 1,000 women)

farm-raisedinseasonalrotation with rice, creating aproductive system that uses land, labor and equipment that might otherwise sit idle. After rice is harvested, farmers flood the fields and let the leftover nutrients breakdowntocreatea natural food chain for the crawfish.

Crawfish farmsalsoserve as habitats for other animals.

“A crawfish farm is really like an artificial wetland,” Lutz said. Migratory andwadingbirds,critters like opossums and river otter,turtles andfrogs can be foundincrawfish farms, alot of which have been “crowded out” of other habitats over the last 100 years, he said.

Unlike other types of aquaculture such as salmon farming, crawfish

n Maine (7.2 teen births per 1,000 women)

n Rhode Island (7.5 teen births per 1,000 women)

n NewJersey(7.5 teen births per 1,000 women)

farmingrequires fewresources. The water used in ponds is typically drawn from bayous and canals and is often cleaner when it leaves the pond than when it entered, thanks to the natural filtering processes at work, said Lutz.

Louisiana’scrawfish industry

Louisiana is the leading producer of crawfish in the UnitedStates, accounting forapproximately 90% of the nation’s supply,according to the Louisiana Crawfish Promotion and Research Board, an industry group.

However,not all crawfishonthe market originate from Louisiana. Frozen crawfish tail meat is imported fromChina and other countries,

where production practices andenvironmental standards may differ Lutz said that in those countries, crawfish are often farmed from wild sources ratherthancontrolled ponds. Whenshopping, Armentoradvises checking the label. If it’saproduct of Louisiana, it will say so.

Thesedays, Lutz spends less timepulling crawfish traps and more timeanswering questions for Louisiana’scrawfishfarmers, who generateabout $300 million for the

annually Buthehasn’t lost hisappreciation for what he calls

“I still enjoy

achance,” he said.

Staffgraphic

Source:Centers forDisease Controland Prevention

RD,CSSD

Stay on funsideofthe medicaltent

Follow thesetips to stay safe this festivalseason

BY MICHAEL MERSCHEL American HeartAssociation News (TNS)

As aveteran of morethan 20 musicfestivals,Los Angeles law student Christian Langstonhas seen alittle bit of everything.

Musically,he’sseen indie rock bands and electronic dance music extravaganzas. He’switnessed unbelievable spectaclessuch as agiant flame-spouting metal octopus in Las Vegas –and that time EDM act Ookay brought out smooth-jazz saxman Kenny Gfor asolo.

He’s also been around arange of health crises. He’shad friends who needed medical helpfor cuts, scrapes or because they didn’tdrink enough water andneededanIV. And he’sseen medical workers weave their way through crowds to help people dealing with dehydration or drug issues.

Doctors whoworksuchevents have seen it all, too.

“Every eventisunique in and ofitself,” said Dr.Matt Friedman, emergency medical services fellowship program director at Maimonides MedicalCenterand an assistant professor of emergency medicineat SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University,both in Brooklyn.

He’sworked at venues ranging from New York City’sYankee Stadium, where he’slead housephysician, to the Gorge Amphitheaterin remote central Washington.

With heavy metalorcountry crowds, he’sseen “a fair amount of blunt trauma, either from the mosh pit or from fights.”

For EDM crowds,the mostcommon emergency has been drug toxicity.And when he’sworked the massive Burning Man festival, which draws tens of thousands of people to the Nevada desert, he’s dealt with eye problems from blowing dust, as well as injuries from accidents.

“People are frequently intoxicated, and people frequently are engaged in high-risk activities like climbing,” which is “not agreat combination,” said Friedman, who

alsoisnationalmedical director of CrowdRx, whichprovidesmedical services at large events.

Whatever your own idea of an excitingfestival —whether it’s Lady Gaga and Missy ElliottatCoachella in California in April or Luke Combs and Olivia Rodrigo at Bonnaroo in Tennessee this June —hereare some of the health issues doctors saythey commonly see— andadvice on avoiding them

Stay hydrated

“Not drinking enough water may be the most likely reason someone will end up in amedical tent,”said Dr.Katie FitzGibbon, an emergency medicine physician at UPMCin Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The combination of outdoor heat and excessivealcohol leaves alot of people feelingmiserable, said FitzGibbon, lead author of a2017 study on medical care at EDM festivals. “If you could make sure you’re hydrating for acouple of days before you go, and notjust chugging water the day that you’re there,that probably would be agood idea.”

Dr.Alison Leung, aclinical assistant professorofemergency medicine at the University of Florida in Gainesville, also said thatthe bulk of cases she’sseen at festivals are “heat-related or related to not eating enough or not drinking enough water.”

Langston has seen howthis happens. Oneofhis favoritefestivals, theElectric Daisy Carnival, takes placeatLas Vegas Motor Speedway, where he’sexperienced triple-digit temperatures well into the night.

“You could be completely sober, and people were still passing out from dehydration, because you’re notthinkingabout water– you’re thinking about, ‘I have to get across the speedway to the next stage because my favoriteartist is playing.’”

Leung, who has worked or attended festivals fromMoonrise in Baltimore to Coachella in Indio, also is the associatemedical director for Sumter County EMS. She said many major music festivals “are very good at providing cooling areas and hydration stationsfor participants.”

If you’reallowed to bring in a refillablewater bottle or hydration pack, “I alwayshighly recommend that,” she said, and if you drink alcohol, drink abottle of water between

every one or twoalcoholic drinks.

Know theweather

Heat isn’tthe only temperature concern, Leung said. At desert venues or at aplace like the Gorge Amphitheater or Burning Man, where shewas oneofthe medical directors for the field hospital last year,itcan be scalding during the day but freezing at night, she said.

“Many people wear verylittle clothing at these festivals,” said Leung. “They don’trealize it gets cold,”and medical workers hand outfoil-like emergency blankets to warm them up. Afriend, she said, jokingly likens the people in such gear to “baked potatoes.”

While Leung recommends bringing asmall fan to help you stay cool during the day— anddon’t forget the sunscreen, of course —“bring ajacket”toavoid becoming abaked potato aftersundown,she said “Bring layers.”

Keep theshoes sensible

“Yourchoice of attire andfootwear is really important,” Langston has learned. Attire can be apart of the fun at afestival, he said, but people can be more concerned about looking good than beingpractical. He’shad friends in “crazy”strap outfits who’vefallen on aFriday, thensuffered for the rest of the festivalweekend.

So, wear sturdy shoes that can stand up to allthe walking and dancing you’ll be doing, Leung said. “

Youwanttomake sure that you’re not going to be wearingsomething that you can easily trip in or sprain your ankle in, like apair of high heels or platforms.”

And carry achange of socks, Langstonadvised, “because if you get blisters at oneo’clock in the morning, andthen you keep going, andyou have three moredays of that, it can becomemiserable.”

FitzGibboncan vouch forthat.

At one largeEDM event, shesaw asteadystreamofpeople needing bandages because of ill-fitting shoes.

Bringessential medications

People sometimes forget important medications, said Friedman, who with Leung was aco-author of a2021 National Association of Emergency Medicine Services Physicians positionstatementonmass gathering medical care.

“Ifyou,for example,haveahistory of anaphylaxis, bring your EpiPen,” he said. “Ifyou have a history of diabetes, make sure you have your insulin with you. If you have ahistory of asthma, makesure you have an extraasthma pump withyou, just in case.”

Don’toverindulge

Ever since someofthe grandparents of today’sfestival fans were warned about the “brownacid” at Woodstock, recreational drugs have been part of the concert scene.

Leung saidthat “whether or not we wanttoacknowledge that as acon-

stant presence at festivals, it’sgoing to be available.”

Unfortunately,FitzGibbon said, many people at these festivals are younger,“and common sense is not always as readily present as we wishitwould be.”

So,while “it obviously goes withoutsaying, ‘Don’t use drugs that you find in the bathroom,’”FitzGibbon said, some people do. And sometimes, that type of behavior gets them in lethal trouble

Euphoria-inducingdrugs such as MDMA predominate at EDM festivals.Inhighdoses, MDMA can lead to afatal increase in body temperature. It also can disrupt the heart rhythm and cause spikes in blood pressure.

Friedman describesthe problem at festivals as “a lack of moderation”for attendees whotry multiple stimulantsatonce. He’s also had patients who thought they weretaking astimulantthatturnedout to be apotent opioid, which depressed their breathingtothe pointthatthey needed to be putona ventilator For people who plan to use drugs despite the risks, manyfestivals have stations where pills can be tested to make sure they’re what the user is expecting, Leung said. Sheencouragedthose whocan to carrynaloxone,theover-the-counter nasal spray that temporarily reverses theeffects of opioids. If someone is unresponsive and not breathing normally,AmericanHeart Associationguidelinessay to call 911 andstart CPR while someone else retrieves an automated external defibrillator,ifone is available. If opioids are thought to be involved, give naloxone,use the AEDand continue CPRuntilEMS arrives.

“You just never know when you might be able to save alife,” Leung said.

Have aplanand sticktogether

When you arrive at afestival, scoutout the medical tent and know where theexitsare,FitzGibbonsuggested It’s agreat ideatogowithfriends who can keep an eyeonone another, shesaid.

And stay in agroup, Friedman said. Make sure youhave extra batteries for your phone, andarrange foraplace to meet in case of aproblem.

STAFF PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

The Onward Brass Band performs on the Louisiana Fish FryStageduring the last dayofthe French Quarter Festival on April 13.

Ochsner Transplant Institute gives newhope to patients and familiesacrossthe region

By Amanda McElfresh amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Thisstory is brought to you by OchsnerHealth.

he Ochsner TransplantInstitutein

TNewOrleans stands as anational leader in organtransplantsurgery Since 1984, Ochsner’s team of renowned physicians,surgeons,nursesand support specialists have successfully performed morethan 8,000 life-savingliver,kidney, pancreas,lung and heart transplants from both living and deceased donors. This makes Ochsner TransplantInstitutethe most activeand experienced transplant center in theregion.

Last year,Ochsner TransplantInstitute’slung transplantprogram marked a major milestone of its ownwithits 500th successful lung transplant

CourtneyShappley,DO Pulmonologist OchsnerMedicalCenter-NewOrleans

“It’sahugedeal. Lung transplants are not performed as often as liver or kidney transplants.Acenterlikeoursmay perform hundreds of liver and kidneytransplants in ayear,while lung transplants aremuch lesscommon,”said CourtneyShappley, DO, pulmonologist,Ochsner MedicalCenter-

New Orleans.“Last year we performed 14 lung transplants,and ourgoal is always to continuetobuild on successful outcomes of the previous year As the only lung transplantprogram in Louisiana, we feel proud to be able to offer this life-savingprocedure andcomprehensive specialized care to patientsacrossthe state and beyond.”

Wehaveahigh volumeandhigh complexity.We’re themostactiveand mostexperienced transplantcenterin theregion.

Dr.Shappley said most lung transplant patients suffer from end-stagelung diseasecaused by conditionssuch as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), idiopathicpulmonary fibrosisand cystic fibrosis. Aset of international guidelines helps physicians determine when apatient maybea lung transplantcandidate,taking factorsintoconsideration such as disease state, signs of lung function decline and frequentinfections, among others.

DennisSonnier,MD Abdominaltransplantsurgeon

“When patients come in fora transplant, they areonoxygenand areweakened from theeffectsoftheir diseaseand lack of physical activity,” Dr.Shappleysaid. “By the time theyleave thehospitalafter atransplant, they areoff oxygen and breathing more normally.Itcan takemonthsfor patients to adjust to their medicationregimen and gettheir strengthback.Around six months after the transplant, most patients saythey arefeeling normal again. They cangoback to work, run a5Korbabysit the grandkids. It is truly amiracle to seeevery time.

Approximately 103,000 men, women and children areonthe national organ transplantwaiting list,and anew person is addednearly every eightminutes.Each organdonor cansaveuptonine lives and impact75morelives

In addition to transplants from deceased donors, the OchsnerTransplantInstitute also has robust living donor programs for the liver and kidneys.AtOchsner,about 30% of kidneytransplantpatients receive

Ochsnerclinicians,organrecipients,livingdonorsanddonor familiesgathertowatchLouisianaOrganProcurementAgency (LOPA)raisetheDonateLifeflagatOchsnerMedicalCenterin NewOrleansonApril11

organs from living donors,either someone theyknoworatotal stranger.Ochsneris alsohometothe only living liver donor program in Louisiana not only foradult patients, but childrenaswell. Its surgeons handle some of themost difficult living liver transplantcases,including re-transplantation, which involves asecond transplant, and transplantation of patients withportal vein thrombosis,the formationofa blood clot in the veins of your liver

DennisSonnier,MD Abdominaltransplantsurgeon OchsnerMedicalCenter-NewOrleans

We have ahigh volume and high complexity. We’rethe most activeand most experienced transplantcenterinthe region,”said DennisSonnier,MD, abdominal transplantsurgeon, Ochsner MedicalCenter– NewOrleans.“We have alarge team of peoplewho areall very specialized in organ transplantation and howtotakecareof

both donorsand recipients before, during and after their operations.”

Dr.Sonnier said thatthe team includes surgeons,anesthesiologists,nurses, nurse coordinators,pharmacists,dietitians and social workers.

Since performing Louisiana’sfirst liver transplantin1984, theexpert teams at Ochsnerhaveperformedmorethan 3,000 successful liver transplants forboth adults and children. Each year,morethan 125 patients undergoaliver transplantatthe OchsnerTransplantInstitute.

Today, Ochsner continues to build on its strong reputation as an organtransplantcenterwith newtechniques thatare among themost advanced in medicine. Dr Sonnier said one of the biggest innovations at Ochsner is the useofminimally invasive surgery fortransplants

“Ochsnerisnow utilizingroboticsurgery tools to performkidney transplants forboth donor andrecipient,”hesaid. “With this minimally invasiveapproach, ourpatients canheal faster andfeelbettersooner.”

Living donorscan donate asingle kidney or apart of their liver to a family member,friendorstranger. Dr Sonnier said most people who need akidney transplantcan wait forfive yearsormore, and many neverreceivethe transplant theyneed.The livertransplantwaiting list is alsolong, withmost patientswaiting at least severalmonths,and oftenlonger Living and deceasedorgan donation offershope forcountless patients who may face ayears–long waiting list Forthese individuals,every daywithout a donor canbring heighted uncertainty as conditions mayworsenwithtime. Thegift of organdonationisanextraordinaryact that Ochsnerphysicians and care teamswitness first-hand, even in themostunexpected and challenging circumstances serving as apowerful symbol of compassion and generosityfromthosewho choosetogive.

“Through their generosity,organ donors truly give the gift of life,”Dr. Sonnier said Visit ochsner.org/save9 formore informationabout howtobecomeanorgan donorinLouisiana.

LOUISIANA

GROWINGHOME

HarryTompson Center expandsday shelterfor theneedy andunhoused

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Like many cities, New Orleanshas struggled to address its homelessness crisis in away that is both compassionate and effective.

While there are no easy solutions,a day shelter on the edge of the Central Business District, the Harry Tompson Center,isshowing the way, providing its “guests” with clean showers, private bathrooms, device charging stations and other vital services to help them find apermanent home.

Over the past few years, the Harry Tompson Center has helped about150 individuals ayear,onaverage, qualify for housing —a monthslong process that involves assessment, handholding, paperwork, medical screeningsand behavioral health counseling. The center helps hundreds moreeach year ready themselves for that process.

But that’sjusta fractionof the more than 17,000 mostly men and some women whoavail themselves of the center’s hygiene services. The Harry Tompson Center sees hygieneasa gatewayto greater care,sothe real way to measure its effectiveness isbythe number of folks who gothere to take ashower

“If you are standing around waiting for ashower,one ofour housing case navigators can comearound andtalk to youand begin to have that initial conversation,” said Paisleigh Kelley,the center’scommunications director.“It opens the door.”

Now,the Harry TompsonCenter is opening that door even widerwith an expanded facility thatwill make hygiene servicesmore accessible —and, staffers hope,more enjoyable —thereby enabling the organization to serve more people.

In early March,the center cutthe ribbon on an expandedhygiene areawith 10 showers, six private bathrooms and twice as many sinks as before, 18 in all, with hot water.The new space also has alaundry facility, where astaffer will wash guests’ clothes, and alarger,better-lit commonarea.

The facility is notonlymore spacious butalso more functional.

“It’sa betterutilizationof space that is beautiful and will help us betterfulfill ourmission,” said thecenter’s Executive DirectorEmily Wain.

The $2.1 million project marked the first phase of atotal $3.6 million overhaul of the center.Phase two, now underway,includes the build-out of three medical treatmentrooms, fourcounseling/case managementrooms, threeprivate phoneboothsand newadministrative offices.

The newspace is scheduledtobecompleted in late fall.

“This will enable us to really kick things up anotch and do an even better job for those we serve,” said Wain. “We’re hopingtoexpand our medical services from two days aweek to five.”

Beautifulcollaboration

TheHarry Tompson Center was founded in thelate 1990s by thelate Rev Harry Tompson, apopular Jesuit pastor and high school administratorinNew Orleans, who also founded Café Reconcile and The Good Shepherd School.

It began when Tompson started offeringsnacks and other assistance to needy people at the communitycenter building nexttohis church, Immaculate Conception on Baronne Street. After Tompson’s death in 2001, volunteers took over the organization and officially incorporated it as a501(c)(3) afew years later

In 2007, as thecitybegan rebuilding after Katrina, the center movedtoits present locationinthe parking lotbehind St.Joseph’sCatholicChurchon TulaneAvenue.Itpartnered with the pastor of St. Joseph’sand with Lantern Light Ministries, another local nonprofit that servesthe homeless, to createwhat is known as Rebuild.

In the nearlytwo decades since, Rebuild has evolved into apartnership of four organizations, each working independently yetcollaboratively to care for thehomeless andneedyindistinctand complementary ways.

The Harry TompsonCenter provides hygiene and other basic services to help stabilize guests and prepare themfor housing.

Lantern Light serves breakfast and lunch daily.Italsoprovides regular mail service andhelps people secure state ID cards —two critically importantservices to those living on the streetsand seeking jobs or housing.

DePaul USA, which joined Rebuild in 2012, places guests in housing and

works to keep them housed, trying to ensurethey get thetype of support they need once they’ve moved into an apartment.

St.Joseph’s, thefourth partner in Rebuild, makes thepropertyinits parking lot available for free.

“It’sreally abeautifulcollaboration,” Wain said. “It’sa partnership in the true sense of the wordand we all really work well together,even while staying in our own lanes.”

‘Inittogether’

Wain came to New Orleans from St. Louis in 2004 as amemberofthe Jesuit Volunteer Corps, aservice program for young adults. Herplacement as aJV was with theHarry Tompson Center, back when it was operating from the space on Baronne Street.

“I thought Iwould stay ayear or two and thenfigure out what to do with my life,” she said.

Morethan two decades later,she’s firmly entrenched in New Orleans, with ahusband and twochildren, and has built hercareer at the Harry Tompson Center.In2020, weeks into theCOVID pandemic, she was tapped to succeed longtimeexecutive director,Vicki Judice, who still volunteers at the center and serves on its board.

“It’shard to capture in words how special this placeis,”Wainsaid. “Even in the hardtimes,I’m surrounded by amazing people, guests, staff, volunteers. We’reinittogether.”

Her days at the center are unpredictable,crazy and rewarding. Of late, she’sbeen preoccupiedwith keeping services running as smoothly as possible amid the din of buzz saws andhammers,making sure last-minute glitches —dryers that aren’t heating quite enough, erratic water pressure —are resolved.

Shealsostays busy coordinating

At 30,000 ft, embarrassment hasanupside

When asked, “What wasthe mostembarrassing thing you’ve ever experienced?,” Ihave aclear answer Abit of background is required: In preparation forthe 2009 Congrès Mondial Acadien, which was set to take place in New Brunswick, Canada, organizers invited agroup of Louisiana journalists to makethe trip up north foraweek of festivities in 2008.

The goal wasfor us to tell the people back homeabout the big event coming up. Hopefully,lots of Broussards, Poches, Landrys, Heberts and all the rest of the people with Acadian in Louisiana would makethe trip to connect with long-lost cousins and get in touch with their roots. At the time, Ilived in Lafayette and had twodaughters whowere 11 and 7. It wasthe weekschool wasstarting —anexhausting timefor parents with school-age children. The lists of things to buy and send to school with them is long.

All in all, lifewas busy and full. Before we left, Ibarely had a chance to look at the list of names of people whowere going on the trip and realize that Ididn’tknow asingle soul. They had chartered abus forustodrive from Lafayette through Baton Rouge to pick up morefolks and then make our waytothe airport in New Orleans.

We leftextra early on ahot August morning. Iamnot amorning person and realized as Iwas running out the door at 5a.m., with my favorite pillow in hand, that Ihad forgotten afew things. This was before airlines did their best to force people to do carryon only.Wewere all checking our bags. After all the traveling Ihad done, Ihad apersonal policy of things Ialways took with me on the plane.

Iran back in the house and grabbed the short list of mandatory itemsI had forgotten and stuck them in my pillowcase, which I’ve done on manyoccasions.

We madeittothe grocery store parking lot and met the others from Acadiana going on the trip. Iboarded the bus and unsuccessfully began to try to take a nap on our way to the airport. As planned, we stopped in Baton Rouge and picked up sometelevision journalists. David D’Aquin, whogrew up in Lafayette, was among that crew

By the timeweall boarded the plane, Iwas so tired. Istuck my pillow in the overhead compartmentand took my aisle seat, waiting forthe timethe little bell would ding and Icould finally take along nap.

All of the rest of the group, about 20 people, were seated behind me —including various television anchors and abevy of newspaper reporters. When the little bell dinged, Istood up, grabbed my pillow and promptly began to go to sleep.

About 10 minutes later,someone tapped me on my leftshoulder,which was to the aisle. Iwas incredulous. Why would someone deliberately wake me up when Iwas clearly sleeping? Iturned around and could see that the entire group’seyes wereonme. D’Aquin, whoworked forNBC33 and Fox 44 in Baton Rouge, had tapped my shoulder

He wassitting across the aisle, arow behind me. When Iturned toward him, he leaned forward and pointed toward the center of the aisle between us. He then whispered/ yelled over the engines and said, “You dropped something.”

Ilooked downtothe airplane aisle, with asinking feeling of

ä See RISHER, page 2Y

STAFF PHOTOSByBRETT DUKE

Emily Wain, executivedirector of the HarryTompson Center,sits at the center recently in NewOrleans.

Showers at the Harry TompsonCenter are available for the needyand unhoused

Q&A WITH JANE PATTERSON

Baton Rouge expert shares tips for hummingbird season

Education chair holds 20 years of experience

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

Jane Patterson, the president and education chair of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, started her birding odyssey in 2005 when she spotted a bird in her backyard that she didn’t know The discovery set her on a 20-year path of birding and birding education. After taking classes at LSU, joining and then becoming president of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, Patterson is a go-to source for birding information. Her passion goes beyond spotting birds and extends to teaching others about the intricacies of different species and the keys to successful bird-watching. She teaches birding classes in the spring and the fall at the LSU Hilltop Arboretum. To date, she has taught more than 700 people in her birding classes at Hilltop Arboretum. She shares her hummingbird wisdom here.

What was the initial draw for you to become interested in birding?

I was a gardener before I was a birder Twenty years ago, about this month, I had a bird feeder in our yard. I had my first digital camera, and I was taking pictures of birds in my yard when I found a bird that I wasn’t familiar with.

I tried to use my husband’s 1974 Field Guide to figure out what bird it was. It was a pain to figure it out, but I finally did it. According to the little map in the book, I had a rare bird in my yard. Because I’m a geek, I went to the internet, and this was before Google. I prowled around and discovered that the bird was a house finch, and it would have been a rare bird in 1974, but the house finch has expanded its range across all of North America, so it wasn’t rare in 2005.

In that process, I started learning about Louisiana, and I discovered that LSU is an ornithological treasure, and Louisiana is an amazing place for birds I started doing basic birding classes at

Hilltop. This was even before I was with the Audubon Society just to share my excitement with other people. I was also seeing that kids were migrating more and more indoors, and not playing outside not in touch with nature. I thought that birds would get kids interested in the outdoors, so I started a bird club for kids.

In the summer months, what should people do to prepare for hummingbirds?

After May, people may ask, “Where are my hummingbirds?” Well, they’re busy nesting if they’re still here. The best thing to do when it’s really hot is take your feeders down so you don’t have to maintain them. Instead, you may want to add some plants to your garden, so the birds can use those flowers.

In the fall, when nesting starts winding down, you’ll notice an uptick in August and it peaks in mid-late September as they’re moving back through on their way to Mexico and Costa Rica again. Through the Louisiana Birding Observatory’s banding program, we know it takes a ruby-throated hummingbird two days to fly from Baton Rouge to Costa Rica, which is pretty amazing.

Can people still see ruby-throated hummingbirds in south Louisiana in late April?

The ruby-throated hummingbird — which is the only hummingbird that breeds in the eastern U.S. and winters in southern Mexico and Central America starts returning to the Ba-

ton Rouge area in early to midMarch. Some do stay here all summer and breed, but many more of them are just passing through on their way north.

Some of them head all the way into Canada, and they won’t get there until the early part of May

There are still some coming in and coming through, so we see this uptick in our feeders in April and early May and then that tapers off. During the breeding season, unless you are in a territory where the hummingbirds are breeding, you may not see them for most of May, June and July

How should people arrange their feeders to attract hummingbirds?

The most important thing about a feeder is making sure you have one that can be cleaned thoroughly, because one of the things that people don’t do is change the nectar often enough. They tend to hang it out there, and it gets really gross, which can actually make the hummingbird sick. You want a feeder that can open up completely so you can clean all the nooks and crannies. During the spring, cleaning and replacing the nectar every three to four days is fine

I have a video on our YouTube, Baton Rouge Audubon channel, on hummingbirds and winter hummingbirds. Secondly, you don’t want any yellow parts on the hummingbird feeder because yellow attracts bees and wasps. They don’t hurt

SHELTER

Continued from page 1y

with volunteers, some of whom help out once or twice a week in their spare time; others, like Sr Kathy Obermann, who come daily to man the charging stations and is indispensable to daily operations.

When she has time to take a break, she enjoys sitting with guests in the Rebuild courtyard, with its wide benches shaded by lush palm trees and tall bamboo.

“It’s really cool when you share community with people,” she said “I can’t tell you how many people in the course of a day ask me about my two little boys They’re not saying it to be polite. They really care.”

Team effort

Planning for the Harry Tompson Center’s construction project started more than two years ago and was long overdue, Kelley explained.

“Our center is constructed of modular trailers and wooden decking and was never designed to be permanent,” Kelley said. “Heavy usage, weathering and the wearand-tear of nearly 18 years of foot traffic were threatening the structural integrity of our facilities.”

On top of that, showers and toilets were falling through the floors, creating unsafe and unsanitary conditions, and the center was outgrowing the office space, which it shares with DePaul USA.

In late 2022, the board, led by longtime board president Mary Baudouin, created a capital campaign committee, chaired by CPA

Jane Patterson, president and education chair of the Baton Rouge Audubon Society, started birding 19 years ago as an offshoot of gardening and now spends her time hosting educational events and birdwatching classes in the community

the hummingbirds, but they’re pigs, and they’ll drink it all.

Third, you don’t want to use any red dye in the nectar You just want to make your own with sugar and water Don’t use any commercial dyes because you’re trying to simulate Mother Nature, and she makes the container red, but doesn’t make the nectar red.

Is there anything else you want people to know about hummingbirds?

We do get different hummingbirds in the winter time, particularly in the Baton Rouge area It’s very possible to get other species of hummingbirds in the colder months.

Hummingbirds have an amazing spatial memory. If they find food opportunities as they travel north, they very often will go to those same locations to check if there’s food there. People have described that when they look out and there’s a hummingbird hovering out where they had a feeder last year, and that’s their cue to get their feeder out. For more information, visit braudubon.org.

Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

RISHER

Continued from page 1y

Stephen Romig. With help from board members Paul Buras, James Pellerin and others, they began fundraising. They raised the money, hired architects and engineers, secured permits from the city and put the project out to bid.

It broke ground in early 2024 and phase one was completed about a year later When the new facility opened, guests were amazed and raved about the comfort of the showers and the luxury of having hot running water to shave with in the sinks.

“To see the appreciation our guests have for what we offer here is really special,” Wain said. “It’s about meeting them where they are and hopefully, many times, leads to something more.”

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

what I was going to find. There, to my horror, were my panties that I had “carefully” placed in my pillowcase earlier that morning. I believe in always having certain necessities with me in the cabin — and there they were for all to see. They had been looking at them for 10 full minutes, debating what to do.

D’Aquin later told me that when the flight attendant started down the aisle with the drink cart, he couldn’t take it anymore. He had visions of them getting caught in a wheel. All I knew was that I had to be with this group of people for a full week. How was I going to recover?

I said, “Thank you,” picked up the panties, put them back in my pillowcase, buried deeper this time, and tried to go back to sleep. But my face was burning. I

was mortified. I wasn’t sleepy anymore. I took the next two hours on the flight to talk to myself and gear myself up for making light of the most embarrassing moment of my life. When we arrived in Canada, I did my best to acknowledge the hilarity of the situation. I sought D’Aquin out in particular We had mutual friends. I had heard he was funny He was. We started to laugh about it. We became friends. Seventeen years later, he is one of my best friends. I officiated his wedding. He remains a light in my life.

I don’t know if we would have become friends had “the airplane panty incident,” the most embarrassing moment of my life, not occurred. Enduring embarrassment, according to lots of research, can be a factor in leading to success. If my embarrassing experience is an indicator, I would say that the research is right.

Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Kip Barard and Sister Kathy Overmann chat at the Harry Tompson Center in New Orleans.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Hummingbirds flock to a feeder

PROVIDED PHOTO

David D’Aquin giving Jan Risher a hug after they both read to classes at United Way’s Dr Seuss Day in Lafayette in 2020.

From client to volunteer, nowexecutive director

Nonprofitoffers services to low-income residents

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

In 1978, Julia Richard visited the Thensted Center of Grand Coteau when she was looking for assistance to purchase ahome. She talked with Sister Margaret Hoffman, of Society of the Sacred Heart,founder of the center,and they cametoan agreement.

Hoffman paid half of the down payment, and Richard paid the other half. Richard paid it back —half with cash and half with volunteer hours.

Soon enough, Richard began volunteering with the Thensted Center to give back.

“I offered to volunteer becauseI was justsopleased with the fact that this sister didn’t know me, but she trusted me,” Richard said.“My giving back was to be able to volunteer as often as Ipossibly could.” At the time, Richard didn’tthink that volunteering at the Thensted Center would be long-term.However,over several years, she went from answering the phones and distributing food to being program director,and then seven years later, to being executivedirector of the center in 1996.

“My thoughts were not that Iwas gonna stay here in the future,” she said. “I thought Iwould be here to help out as much as Icould,but I’ve been heresome 30 oddyears. Ienjoyed it, and Ilearned so much from Sister Margaret Hoffman and from the people we served.”

In January, the 72-year-old director stepped back to be the administrative assistant to the new director, Jeannine Gilbert.

“I told her Iwould stay herewith her and be the angel beneath her wings to support her,” Richard said. Servicingany andevery need Grand Coteau is arural town in St. Landry Parish with ahigh number of veterans and disabled residents. Aquarter of itselderly residents, and nearly half of the children, live below the federal poverty line. According to ALICE, which stands for

Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing numberoffamilies who are unable to afford thebasics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, andtechnology,29% of St. Landry Parishlivesbelow the poverty line. The town is most well known for its200-year-old boarding and day school, the Academy of the SacredHeart

Hoffman began the Thensted Services in 1974 andnamed it after Father Cornelius J. Thensted, a priest known forhis civil rightsand humanitarian efforts in St. Landry Parish. The Thensted Centerbuildingopened in 1982 and primarily serves the rural communities of Bellevue, Grand Coteau, Sunset andArnaudville,but the center hashistorically helpedanyone who shows up inneed regardless of race, creed, ethnicityorgender.

The programs and services offered are direct responses to the documented needs of the community

“I think alot of people don’tunderstand thedifference between urban and rural,” said Sister BonnieKearney,asister of the Society of the Sacred Heart, who now lives in New Orleans.

Kearneytaughtatthe Academy of the Sacred Heart in Grand Coteau for several years.

In herwork and service, shehas gained an understanding of the dif-

ferent needs rural and urbanpopulations have

“The reason Thensted Centerisso important is becauseitservices any and every need thatcomes to it,” Kearney said. “Thelocal seniors, veterans, children and needy are seen, fed, clothedand helped by the workthatJulia hasstarted, pushed and struggled to getfunded.”

Kearney says that Richard offers direct, compassionate and consistent care, with lovefor each one served.Richard also writes grants, collaborates with organizations in the Opelousas area, hostsmonthly lunch and learns,runs asummer enrichmentprogram for children anddistributesfood to the elderly and disabled every Wednesday

In March 2024, Richardorganized amedical and social services event at theThenstedCenterwithhospice providers, medical personnel, mental health services, gift bags, spiritualityoptions and other social services from allnearby areas.Peoplecame by buses and cars, stayed the day and received free medical tests and feedback from health care workers.

Of all theprograms that the centerprovides, Richard is particularly passionate about the Representative Payeeand Budgeting Program for individuals who need assistance in coordinating finances to liveindependently. She is arepresentative payee

through theDepartment of Social Security’sRepresentative Payment Program,whichprovides benefit payment management forbeneficiaries whoare incapableofmanaging their Social Security or SupplementalSecurity Income payments. Richardservesinthatrolefor her clientsthat areunable to manage theirfinances.

Thecenter runs asub banking budgeting program whereRichard teaches financial education and provides financialguidancefor herelderly and disabled clients. She meets with each participant and developsabudgetingplan that prioritizeshousing, utilities and food.

The clients’ money is deposited to thecenter, andthe center pays theirbills,divides theremainder and portions it out for each client so monthly fixedincomes will last through the month.

Treateachother like family

Richard says the center is able to manage so manyprograms and

meet so many needs becausethey treat oneanother likefamily “Wesay,‘Good morning, Thensted family,’ and‘How are you today, Sister?’ when working together,”Richard said. “Weall have this joy and this spirit thatGod gives us thatfills us so it’s not so tiring. Thechallenge is rewarding.”

Relationshipsand trustare priority for Richard She knows whatit’slike to ask for help, so shehonors each person with dignity.She saystheir clients arecomfortable asking for personal needs because theyknowthe center values their privacy Richard’s years of organizingand serving have allowed her to grow spiritually.Ingiving to the community,the community has given back to her “You never know who may show up andneed help,” Richard said about herday-to-daylife at the Thensted Center.“Ilove whatI do andlovethe peoplethatIserve.” For more information, visit thenstedcenter.org.

Julia Richard, right, receivesthe RotaryClubThe Service Above Self Award from MaryBobb Singleton, avolunteer for the Empowering Seniors Program.

FAITH & VALUES

Aspiring ministers partake in cadaver mock funerals

Professor aims to help students get comfortable with death

BY BOB SMIETANA Contributing writer

Several years ago, theology professor Mike Tapper asked a group of young, aspiring pastors how many had ever been to a funeral.

Less than half, it turned out. Many had never been in the same room as a dead person.

Tapper, who teaches in the school of theology and ministry at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, worried what might happen when his students found themselves ministering at a church.

“I don’t want their first officiated funeral to essentially be their first funeral experience,” he said.

That’s why Tapper and some of his students began taking trips to the school’s cadaver lab. The idea was to get them used to being around someone who had died. The students first visited the lab in March during Lent, the time of the church year when Christians prepare for remembering the death and resurrection of Jesus during Holy Week. They then performed a mock funeral for the cadavers they met in the lab It took some getting used to.

Joshua Martin, a third-year student in Tapper’s Theology and Practice of Christian Worship class, said he’d been to a funeral before, so he did not think going to the cadaver lab would be a big deal. Then, he started to worry a bit.

“I thought, this is going to be serious,” he said.

Caden Mack, also a third-year student, said he “definitely did not see it coming when I signed up for the class,” but the visits to the cadaver lab sounded like a good idea

Not everyone in the class was thrilled with Tapper’s plan. Naomi Rugh, a third-year student, said she cried in class the first time she heard about the upcoming trip to the cadaver lab. In the days leading up to the first visit, Rugh said she spent a lot of time asking herself what God wanted her to learn from the experience and how might it prepare her for a future in ministry She also thought of Jesus, recalling the Bible said he became acquainted with death for the sake of his followers.

“What am I going to learn from this for other people?” Rugh asked herself

Britt Storms, an associate professor and anatomist who teaches in the physical and occupational therapy programs at Indiana Wesleyan, oversees the school’s cadaver lab. While the cadavers — whom Storms refers to as “friends” — were donated to use for learning, not every student needs to encounter them, she told RNS.

“I’m not going to bring an accounting student in just to see the bodies,” Storms said.

When Storms’ dean approached her about working with Tapper, she thought it was a good idea. But she had some concerns, mainly whether students were properly prepared for the experience. Medical cadavers, she said, “don’t look like us anymore,” which can be a shock.

Storms said she also has very clear rules about cadavers being treated with respect. There’s no photography or videography allowed while students are working with them. She collects phones from students when they enter the lab and tolerates no nonsense, she said.

“I put the fear of God in them,” she said.

Storms also gives every cadaver a new name to remind students to show respect for the person who donated their body “That’s not Table No 7,” she said, “that’s Sherlock.”

Martin said when he first entered the lab, Bernadette, one of the cadavers, was face down, so he didn’t feel much of a connection. He thought, “This is what we look like when we die.”

But when the cadaver was turned over, that changed.

“I started thinking, this was a person with a story,” Martin said. “This was somebody who had a life, and there’s something beautiful to the fact that they’re continuing to teach people past the point where they were alive.”

During the students’ first visit to the lab, the hoods on the cadaver tables were open so the students could experience what it was like to be in their presence. On the second visit, the hoods were closed much like a casket at a funeral service — and their assignment was to perform parts of a funeral service, including a welcome, Bible readings, a eulogy and graveside prayers. Rather than read from a script,

each student planned out the services and wrote a brief eulogy for which students were given a brief synopsis of the donor’s life to draw from. For example, one of the people who donated their body was a grandfather who loved to fish and to spend time with his family

“These students are much better prepared today than they were even a few weeks ago to actually officiate funerals early in their ministry,” said Tapper, who hopes to continue the cadaver lab visits for his students.

Zoe Stroud, a third-year student, agreed.

“It was a sacred event that we wanted to be worshipful,” she said. “I came out feeling way more prepared to give a funeral than I went in.”

For at least one student, taking part in the mock funeral became overwhelming. Bi Khaimi was assigned to give a eulogy for a cadaver named Penelope, and as he began to write her story he also began to grieve. He became overwhelmed with sorrow while doing the class funeral and could not go on.

“I could not bring myself to go to the last bit of it because it became too personal,” Khaimi said.

Still, he said the experience was good for him and that he’d feel better prepared if called on to officiate a funeral, knowing the emotions he might have to deal with.

Rugh said Tapper gave students the option of doing an alternative assignment instead of visiting the

cadaver lab, which she considered. She eventually decided to go, though, in part because it would help her better prepare for Easter and understand what Jesus went through in the crucifixion. “God went through that so that we could be redeemed,” she said.

A free-transit prescription for healthier communities

BY ELIZABETH HEWITT

Contributing writer

A few years ago Christiana Sylvaine stopped driving. Diagnosed with narcolepsy, she’d had a few incidents behind the wheel that scared her So she sold her car and turned instead to the two bus lines that ran within blocks of her home in Kansas City, Missouri.

When Sylvaine boarded the bus, she never paid a fare.

That’s because Kansas City’s public bus system stopped charging riders altogether in 2020, becoming the largest city in the U.S. to adopt a zero-fare policy

For Sylvaine, saving money on parking, gas and bus rides gave her more financial flexibility. And she believes that free use of the bus system had an impact on her health. When a health issue came up, she didn’t hesitate to seek medical care.

“I was more inclined to not just brush it off or something like that, because I had access really easily to those bus services,” she says. The connection between transportation and health may not be obvious. But how people get around communities is interconnected with physical and mental wellbeing. Easy access to public transit is linked with direct health impacts, like increased levels of physical activity Transportation also opens doors to other factors that contribute to health as Sylvaine found with her health care appointments.

“It’s the linkage between you and all of these other things that impact your health,” says Amanda Grimes, an associate professor of health sciences at the University of Missouri–Kansas City. “Access to food itself is a social determinant of health. But how do you get access to food? It usually takes transportation.”

Across the U.S 5.7 percent of adults don’t have access to reli-

able transportation to get around for their daily needs. One in five Americans who don’t have access to a car or public transportation have gone without necessary medical care.

According to Kelly Clifton, an associate professor in transportation planning at the University of British Columbia, transportation is important not only for people to be able to get to necessary destinations — like work or the grocery store — but also to partake in leisure activities.

“The mere nature of being able to engage in society wholly sets you up for health success, better health outcomes from the get-go,” Clifton says.

In North America, many cities lack reliable public transportation systems. Even where there are transit options, there can be barriers that stop some people from being able to use them, she notes. Forms of fare collection that rely on credit cards, for instance, aren’t accessible to people who do not have a bank or credit card.

In many municipalities, there are programs that give reduced or free rides to certain people, like older adults, students or people with limited incomes. But even those programs can have limitations. If users need a special bus pass, they risk losing their transportation if they misplace it.

In Kansas City, before the zero-fare policy, some programs offered rides to residents who needed transportation to a medical appointment. But those could be difficult to navigate, and many people didn’t know about them, according to Amy Scrivner, of BikeWalkKC, a transportation advocacy organization. Adopting a policy that allows anyone to ride for free removed a lot of those hurdles.

“That is just one more easily accessible resource that just wasn’t there before,” she says.

Across the U.S., many transit systems temporarily eliminated fares in the height of the pandemic, but some municipalities are opting to keep fare-free policies for the long haul. A quarter of transit agencies in Virginia are operating without fares. Albuquerque, New Mexico made zerofare permanent last year

Outside of large cities, transit systems tend not to make much money from fares. Reducing them also cuts wait times and reduces the burden on low-income riders.

Advocates for zero-fare systems say that the increased mobility they offer supports health, but now, researchers in Kansas City are working to understand just how much A project led by Grimes and colleagues at the University of Missouri–Kansas City is looking at the immediate and indirect health impacts. (Sylvaine works as an assistant on the research project.)

The researchers are finding a clear health benefit: physical activity

People who use the bus in Kansas City take more steps per day than the average American, according to Grimes.

A walk to the bus station may not seem like a lot, but Grimes explains that incorporating more movement into daily life is linked to benefits when it comes to health factors like obesity, blood pressure and heart disease. “Every minute we can add really translates into improved health outcomes.”

Preliminary findings are showing a range of other benefits for residents. In a survey of 50 bus users, people reported that using the free public transportation system boosted their health, made it easier to get to their jobs and improved access to food and health care, according to Grimes. Many people also shared that removing the bus fare relieved a lot of finan-

cial stress.

One woman with young children told researchers she needed to bring her kids with her every time she went to the grocery store so a single trip used to cost about $10. Without the bus fare, the family had more money to spend on food.

Kansas City residents also appear to be using the bus more frequently since the system became free. During the pandemic, public transportation ridership dropped everywhere, but Kansas City rebounded faster than other places, according to Jordan Carlson, professor of pediatrics at Children’s Mercy Hospital and University of Kansas City–Missouri. As of early 2024, bus ridership in Kansas City was about 24 percent higher than in other similar cities.

“We know that riding the bus contributes to physical activity, and we know that more people are riding the bus, and they’re riding it more often than they would be if it wasn’t free,” says Carlson, who is a leader of the research project.

In the next phase of the project, researchers will try to get an even deeper understanding of the impact of a zero-fare system on health by looking at data from a major health care system in Kansas City. They’ll be considering health factors like cholesterol, blood pressure and risk for diabetes and heart disease.

Health benefits have followed in other regions that have removed public transportation fees. In the U.K., a program that provides free bus passes to people over age 60 was found to have benefits for brain health People who used the free bus passes also had higher rates of physical activity and lower levels of social isolation.

A free-fare program for women in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu

resulted in women saving 800 rupees a month, almost $10, which went toward household expenses including education and health care. The benefits go beyond improved health for individuals, explains Joey Lightner, a University of Missouri–Kansas City researcher involved with the project. Higher public transportation usage can improve air quality by reducing the vehicles on the road. There are also social benefits, like spending more time outside and building relationships.

“It’s about how the community works together and the health of the community as a whole,” says Lightner “Transportation is key in that.”

As promising as the zero-fare model is for community health it is limited by how well the system itself functions. Some Kansas City neighborhoods are not wellconnected to bus lines, requiring residents to walk long distances. And infrequent service means bus riders often have significant wait times.

There are also broader hurdles in many North American cities, where people who don’t have to use public transportation often choose not to.

“We still have a long way to go about changing the culture around public transit,” says Carlson. The long-term future of the fare-free system in Kansas City is uncertain. The City Council voted in April to keep buses free for at least a year Other U.S. cities are also considering a similar model, including Washington, D.C.

From Carlson’s perspective, there is a lot to learn from Kansas City’s experience, and how the model is supporting people and their health.

“This free fare is really cool because it is impacting, I think, the people who really can benefit most from this,” he says.

Ian Milbourn, from left, Christopher Paterson, Zoe Stroud and Chad Harbert at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, in March 2025.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Chad Harbert, left, and Clayton Watkins perform a mock funeral for cadavers at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana, in March.

SUNDAY, April 27, 2025

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

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

todAY's Word — GreMLins: GREMlins: Small mischievous gnomes. Average mark 39 words Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 56 or more words in GREMLINS?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

Landon HorTon

Know your percentages

Today’s deal illustrates why good players, or players who want to be good, invest some time into learning some of the basic bridge percentages. It is not that complicated, and it does not take a math ‘whiz’ it just takes a little time and effort

Any activity worth your time deserves a little effort.

East wins the opening trump lead with his ace and shifts to a low spade. West wins with the ace and shifts to a diamond. Should declarer take the diamond finesse or rise with the ace and hope for four tricks from the club suit? The chance for a successful diamond finesse is 50%.

The chance for the six missing clubs to split 3-3 is 36%. So we should take the diamond finesse, right? Not so fast. There is also a chance for the doubleton jack of clubs to fall — an additional 16% chance It’s a coin flip now

Unless you want to go out and conquer the tournament world, knowing the exact percentages is not necessary Rounding them off into numbers that are easy to remember will usually be enough.

wuzzLes

super Quiz

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D.

SUBJECT: FAMOUS BUILD-

AND STRUCTURES You are given the loca-

Identify the famous building or structure. Alternate answers may be possible. (e.g., Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Answer: Burj Khalifa or Burj Al Arab.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, Texas. Answer________ 2. Pisa’s Cathedral Square, Italy Answer________ 3. Acropolis, Athens, Greece. Answer________

Liberty Island, New York. Answer________

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washing-

There is also an 8% chance that West will have five or more clubs, making a finesse for the jack a sure thing. That makes the club suit about a 60% chance to provide four tricks. Rise with the ace of diamonds!

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2025 Tribune Content Agency goren Bridge

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Refuse to succumb to anger when it’s best to stay busy Alter your surroundings to make your life more efficient and comfortable. Don’t argue or get involved in a no-win situation.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Spontaneity can be exciting but not always fruitful. Take a moment to map out the best way forward. Too much of anything will impact your expectations and results adversely

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Pay attention to how you look, feel and use your skills. Simplify your life-

style to ease stress. Refuse to let temptation undermine you or put you in harm’s way LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Don’t give anyone the chance to complain or criticize. An unusual event will be an eye-opener into what’s possible. Diversify challenge yourself mentally and stay calm in emotional situations. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sept 22) An open mind will lead to positive feedback and an interesting suggestion regarding your skills, experiences and goals. Commit from the heart and follow through. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Prepara-

tion is everything. Leave nothing to chance, and do not let yourself fall short when trying to make a good impression. Let your charm and talent lead the way

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Sit tight, be observant and refuse to let anyone bait you into an argument. Look at what you’ve achieved and what’s still on your bucket list, and you’ll feel optimistic about your prospects.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 23-Dec 21) Choosing brawn over brain will give someone the impression they can take advantage of you. Don’t lead someone on or try to

buy love. Just be honest and yourself.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Play fairly but without fear Organization and preparation will be your ticket to the winner’s circle. Trust your instincts, implement your strengths and courage, and let no one outmaneuver you.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Try something new Expand your mind and initiate lifestyle changes that will lead to better health. Do things uniquely and with personal gratitude, and you’ll excel. PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Do your fair share, but don’t let anyone

compromise or take advantage of you. Take better care of yourself by knowing when to say no. An environmental change will be uplifting. ARIES (March 21-April 19) It’s OK to be different and to stretch your boundaries and skills to find peace and happiness. Make your environment less toxic and more productive.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact.

© 2025 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

1. Alamo Mission. 2. Leaning Towerof Pisa. 3. Parthenon. 4. StatueofLiberty. 5. WhiteHouse. 6. Empire State Building.7.Big Ben (Great Bell of the Great Clock of Westminster). 8. Gateway Arch. 9. TajMahal.10. SydneyOpera House. 11.One World Trade Center.12. Eiffel Tower. 13.Space Needle. 14. The Pentagon. 15. Blue Mosque or Hagia Sophia.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

There should be achildren'ssong: "Ifyou're happyand youknowit, keep it to yourself and let your dad sleep." —Jim Gaffigan

jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly

FoXtrot/ by BillAmend dustin /bySteve Kelley&JeffParker