The Times-Picayune 04-27-2025

SATURDAY @ JAZZ FEST

LilWayne, theRoots draw vast crowd

‘Hewas apope amongthe people’

Mighty andmeeksay farewell to Francis duringVatican

@ JAZZ FEST

ä Nan Parati’s hand-drawn signs are aJazz Fest tradition Page 1B

ä Sunday’s cubes. Page 10D

Lil Wayneunderestimated his own popularity.Hedidn’trealize just how vast his crowd was Saturday at theNew Orleans Jazz &HeritageFestival’smain Festival Stage.

“I thought that was theglare,” he said as he gazed outfrom behind apair of sunglasses that were more like an aviator’s face mask. “Make some noise back by the porta-potties.”

Saturday was the hottest and, by far,the most crowded day at Jazz Fest so far this year Alarge chunkofthat crowd enough to fill theentire Festival Stage field from fronttoback came for thefirst-ever Jazz Fest performance by New Orleans’ marquee rap export The set wasbilled as “Lil Wayne &the Roots.” It turned out to be more like“The

ä See JAZZ FEST, page 16A

Fightover Medicaid has huge stakes forLouisiana

Congresstodetermine program’s future in next fewweeks

BY MARK BALLARD |Staff writer

WASHINGTON —The futureof Medicaidwill be determined over thenext 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

ä See MEDICAID, page 10A

peripheries and reflected his

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.”

ä See FRANCIS, page 4A

Keith Spera

Johnson

ä Faithful celebratethe pope’slife. PAGE 5A

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILEPHOTO Pope Francis died on Mondayatage 88.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByEVANVUCCI

The coffinofPopeFrancis is carried into St Peter’sSquare for his funeral at the Vatican on Saturday. Worldleaders and rank-and-file Catholic faithful have said farewell to Pope Francis in afuneral that highlighted hisconcernfor people on the

wish to be remembered as asimple pastor

Trump

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

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.

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. 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

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

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.

Novo-Ogaryovo residence outside Moscow.

Trump

Zelenskyy

Russian President Vladimir Putin listens Saturday during a meeting at the

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

“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

A 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.

POPE FRANCIS: Dec. 17, 1936 - April 21, 2025

Faithful celebrate the pope’s life

BY VANESSA GERA Associated Press

VATICAN CITY Thousands of young people from around the world had come to Rome expecting to rejoice this weekend in the canonization of the first millennial saint during the Vatican’s Holy Year They ended up bidding farewell to Pope Francis instead, 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 a similar way,” said Marco Falchi, who traveled from his home near Perugia with his wife and 11-year-old son. He and his wife credit Francis with reviving their spirituality, and they named their son, Francesco, after him.

The family is also devoted to the cause of sainthood for Carlo Acutis, a young Italian who died in 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 Jubilee of Adolescents, 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 convinced Francis would have been pleased. “Especially since this was the jubilee for adolescents, he certainly didn’t want a day of mourning but he wanted a day of joy,” he said.

‘. I grew up with Francis’

There was a clear blue sky over St. Peter’s Square. Some people camped out the night before to get a good 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’s death.

“I bought my ticket for Carlo,” said Reyes Arribas, a 23-year-old from Valencia, Spain. “And then suddenly Pope Francis died, so I came to the funeral.”

She confessed that while she admired Francis, she felt a closer affinity to his 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 the suspended canonization were gratified that they could celebrate Francis, loved by many for his humility and concern for the poor “I feel like I grew up with Pope Francis,” said Jessica Naranjo, a 27-year-old from Austin, Texas. “I felt very connected with him in the way he advocated for social justice and the environment. This was a big loss for me.”

“I”m disappointed that I’m here celebrating the pope’s life instead of celebrating with the pope,” she said.

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

“The plans have changed, but we are still so glad to be here for this historical moment,” Kalen said, a Bosnian flag draped over her shoulders. “We are sad about each death. But we do believe that Pope Francis is in a better place.” Young Catholics

After St. John Paul II died in 2005, the mood was different. The faithful made pilgrimages from his Polish homeland and elsewhere to mourn a towering figure of

the 20th century in a spirit of deep sadness and loss. Francis had a different style. During his 12-year papacy, he urged people to

maintain a sense of humor, and that spirit seemed to guide many participants

Saturday Groups of young people

filled St. Peter’s Square before the funeral Mass. One from a parish in Cassano Magnago in the northern Italian province of Varese

danced in circle and sang religious songs. The pope’s death during Easter season filled them with a sense of peace, one

teenager said. “It’s a good sign,” said 16-year-old Matteo Cozzi. “The death of a pope at Easter is a sign of hope.”

Tito’s Handmade Vodkaisready tobring smooth sips

There’snothingquite like thejoy of Jazz Fest in NewOrleans.The soulfulsoundsof world-renowned musicalperformers, the aromas of localfoodfavorites like crawfish breadand crab po-boys, andthe exhilaration that comesfromdancing alongsidenew and oldfriends makethe two-weekendevent a full-sensory experience

Tito’s Handmade Vodkawillbeapartof that experience for thethousands of Jazz Fest attendeesthisyear. Thebrand is expanding itsTito’sQuarter activation near theFestival Stage, complete with interactivefeatures, opportunitiestolearn more aboutthe vodka, andseveral Tito’s team memberson-site to answer questionsand educateattendees about thestory behindthe spirit

“It’sall aboutconnectingpeoplewiththe brandand sharingthe spirit of hospitality with thecommunity,” said T.J. Mathias, Director of Sponsorships andExperientialfor Tito’s Handmade Vodka. “Wewantedtosponsor JazzFestforaverylongtime,andlastyearwas thefirstyearwe were able to make it happen

We took alot of time both last year andthis year to thinkabout theculture of this festival andwhatitmeans to NewOrleans.Wewant to have atruepresenceamidanevent that is very homegrown.”

Tito’s itself hashomegrown roots, opening 28 yearsago as thefirst legaldistilleryin Texas. Thecompany remainsbased in Austin andiscommitted to distilling thesmoothest vodkaaround—made from corn,naturally gluten-free, andeasytosip,mix,and share with friends

“Weliketosay wemakevodka-flavored vodka.Wemakeonethingandwemakeitright. Ourproduct isall aboutquality,consistency andheart,” said EmilyGoggin, FieldSales Director for Tito’s Plains Division.“Sincewe don’t have aflavor,you canmix Tito’s with whatever your heartdesires.There is abroad spectrum of flavors that mixwellwithTito’s, whichgives consumersalot of flexibility on how they want to enjoyit.”

In addition,the Tito’s Strawberry Lemonade hasproventobeafavorite amongfestival-goersfor itsfusionofsummersweetness and tangyzest. ChristinaCrean,RegionalSales Activation ManageratTito’s, said cocktails that infusecitrusand fruity flavors tend to be themostpopular forwarmspringdays.

“We’ve also heardofpeople buildingtheirownseltzerbar if they arehosting apre-festivalgathering,”Creansaid. “You start with Tito’s and soda waterand mixinwhat youwant. Herbalgarnishes like mint andbasil canbea greattouch.The bestpart aboutTito’sisthatyou don’t needtoaddmuchtoittoenjoy asmoothproduct.”

This will be itssecond year at Jazz Fest,but Tito’s hasa long historyofactivations at festivalsaroundthe country Mathiassaidit’simportantto theteamtomakesureeachactivationmeshes well with theoverall vibe of thefestivaland reflects theevent’s personalityand fans “Wereallytry to buildsomething specific to each of them,” he said.“Oneofthe things we love aboutJazzFestisthatitfeels like youreallyexperienceNew Orleanswhenyou arethere.Thatwas somethingwetookvery seriouslywhenitcametimetolookathow to make oursponsorship come to life.”

of localnonprofits,suchasSPROUTNOLA, an organization dedicatedtosupporting sustainablefarmersandcommunitygardeners. “New Orleansisdefinitely acitywehold very close,”Crean said.“We feel it aligns well with ourown values of authenticity andcommunity.We’re here forthe long haul andare always interested in growingour relationshipsthroughoutthe city.”

TheTito’ssponsorshipandactivationatJazz Fest is just oneway thebrand is building its presence in NewOrleans.Crean notedthat thecompany hasbeenalongtimesupporter

Visitwww.titosvodka.comforinformationon Tito’s products,recipeideas andmore. Please drinkresponsibly,knowyourlimitsand only consume alcoholifyou areoflegal drinking age. Neverdrink anddrive

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GREGORIO BORGIA

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

By Amanda McElfresh, amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

This articleissponsored by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Should Medicaidcover doulas?

Supporters sayitcould reduce Louisiana’s maternal mortality

BY HALEY MILLER Staff writer

Reproductive health advocatesin

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

Rep. Dustin Miller,D-Opelousas, filed the bill, which recently passed the House Committee on Health and Welfare.

Miller

Similar bills were heard in the House andthe Senate last year,and both failed to reach the governor’sdesk —one of them didn’tpass because of potential cost

“There’safiscal note on this bill, but if youlookatit, it’s arelatively low-cost investment forwhatwe save on the back end,” Susan East Nelson, executivedirector of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families, said during ameeting of the House Committee on Health andWelfare

The

fiscal noteattached to thebill estimated that bringing doulaservices under Medicaid would cost less than $1 millionbut did not provide aprecise figure.

“When we talk about the money that we’re saving, we’re notjust talking aboutless 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 oftenhelpcreatebirth plans,prepare women emotionally and mentally for childbirth and advocatefor their comfort and preferences when it comestothings like pain relief or birthing positions.

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

PROVIDED PHOTO

DivineBailey-Nicholas

visits, three postpartum visitsand assistance throughlabor

Supporters of the bill argue that expanding access to doula care wouldimprove 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 thedifference that doulas can make if they were accessible to any mom who’sonMedicaid,” said Frankie Robertson, founder and president of social justice consultingfirm TheAmandla Group.

Doulas canreducemortality rates

Evidence shows women who receiveone-on-one, nonclinical support such as doula care through the pregnancy and birth processhave fewer C-sections, which are generally riskier and moreinvasive than vaginal birth.Theyalsoreportmore positive feelings about the experience overall, accordingtoa 2017 systematic reviewfor thehealth care database Cochrane Library Divine Bailey-Nicholas, certified lactationcounselor, doulatrainer and founder of Community Birth CompanioninOpelousas, said doulascan translatemedical jargon and help during childbirth.

She navigated birth in ahospital settingwith herfirst daughter,who was premature. As aBlack woman, Bailey-Nicholassaid she can feel unheard by the medical system andasifdecisions abouther bodyare nother own.

Midwives and doulas help ensure decisionsare made collaboratively between the patient and the medical team, shesaid.

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

State data showsclear disparities between whitefamilies and families of colorwhen it comestomaternal andinfanthealth outcomes. The pretermbirth rate amongBlack babies in thestate is 1.5 times higher than other babies, according to the March of Dimes 2024 Louisiana ReportCard.

Doulasalone cannot rectifythe factors that give rise to these statistics, Bailey-Nicholas said.

“Theystill have to seetheir doctors, andthey still have to have doctors that are willingtotalktothem andsee them as humans, right?” Bailey-Nicholas said. “Doulasare part of the win, but they’re not all of it.”

Thelegislation’s future

The bill was unanimously approved by the House Committeeon Health andWelfare andrecommitted to the Committee on Appropriations, where it died last year due to thefiscal note.

“I want to feel good about it,” Robertson said. “There’sbeen several yearsofeducation on basics —what is adoula? Why are doulas important?”

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

“Theycan do atremendous 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 supportfor the bill.

“I think this bill is phenomenal,” Hughes said. “Andgiven our awful maternal health outcomes,wejust can’tafford not to do this.”

Email Haley Miller at haley miller@theadvocate.com

Saturday,May 3rd 12:00 Noon-2:30p.m.

Sunday,May 4th 11:30a.m.- 1:30p.m.

Spring Flower Fest Continues! Celebrate the creativity of our KID smART/Bloomberg Arts Interns with seedplanting, Edible Garden exploration, flower crafts, chalk art, and treats!

Formore info or tickets,please visit: LCM.org

Scalise led House delegation to Vatican WASHINGTON —U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise,R-Jefferson, leda 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 congressionaldelegation. Louisiana hasabout 1millionCatholics, mostly living in the southern parishes.

to elect anew pope in the coming weeks,” Scalise said in aprepared statement. The funeraltook place SaturdayinSt. Peter’sSquare

CAPITOL BUZZ staff reports

“As alifelong Catholic,Iamhonored to represent the House in paying ourrespectsand praying for the soul of Pope Francis, as Catholics allaround the world grieve,and as Churchleadersprepare

“It is my honor to send this Congressionaldelegation, 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 ledincluded:FrenchHill, RArk.; Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.; BrendanBoyle, DPenn.; Ann Wagner, R-Mo.; TomSuozzi, D-N.,Y.; John Joyce, R-Pa;PeteStauber, R-Minn.; ScottFitzgerald, R-Wis.; andLaura Gillen, D-N.Y

CAN YOUSOLVE THEBUDGET?

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

Nowyou can tryto crack the riddle of Louisiana’sbudget foryourself,playing both governor and Legislature.Asthe real officials gather at the State Capitol to debate raising or cutting taxes— and spending —you can do the same.

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

The Solvethe Budget feature is acollaboration among the Public Affairs ResearchCouncil of Louisiana,The Advocate|Times-Picayune and theLSU Reilly Centerfor Media and Public Affairs.

Ochsner Children’s leads theregion in pediatric cardiology withalegacyofexcellence, lifesaving careand avision forthe future

By Amanda McElfresh amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Thisstory is brought to you by OchsnerChildren’s Hospital

Overthe past severaldecades, Ochsner Children’sHospital in NewOrleanshasestablisheditself as one of the best pediatric heart centers in the nation, providing comprehensive care forchildren with complexheart conditions.Ithas been the siteof numerous breakthrough procedures, including implanting the first Alterra/ Edwardsvalve, the first Harmonyvalve and the first Piccolo device in pediatric patients.Ochsner Children’sdoctors have perfected thosetreatments and performed hundreds of other procedures, sometimes on babies weighing just afew pounds,thatenable them to lead healthy, normal lives

“One of the thingsIenjoythe most about working at Ochsner Children’s is the relentlesspursuit of excellence among our pediatric subspecialists and pediatricians,” said Dr.Ivory Crittendon, apediatric cardiologist at Ochsner Children’s. “Wehavea strong commitmenttokeeping on par with some of the best children’shealth centers in the country.Seeing thatdesiremakes you want to work even harder.Aseverybody continues to excel and succeed, it pushes everyone elsetobebetter.”

Thatlegacy of excellence is embedded into the cultureofOchsner.In1975, Ochsner performedthe world’sfirst procedureonapediatric patienttoclose aheart defect without surgery.In1983 Ochsner started the first ECMO program in the southeast and the fourth such program in the country.And, in 1985 Dr.John Ochsner performed the first pediatric heart transplantinthe Gulf South.

“One of the thingsthatstands out to me about Ochsner is thatit’sextremely easytocoordinate care here, even if it’sa complexcase,”Dr. Crittendon said. “I’ve neverhad an issue coordinating up to four or fivesubspecialists foraprocedure. We also takepride in scheduling procedures as quickly as possible, helping to alleviate the anxietyparents feel when their child needs our expertise.

Dr.Crittendon said thatstrong communication alsooccursbetween doctorsand families

“You build some pretty strong relationships in this field,”hesaid. “It’s not uncommon forparents to call their specialist hereiftheir child has acold becausetheytrust us so much. They seeusasjust as importantastheir pediatrician. Thoserelationships are quitespecial to us.”

Jennifer and Bryan Broussard experienced thatfeeling of connection at Ochsner firsthand last year.Their daughterCorinne, noweightmonths old, wasdiagnosedwithacomplexheartdefect beforeshe wasborn.After being referred to Ochsner Children’s, theywerequickly impressedwith the confidenceand skills of Dr.JessicaMouledoux; apediatric cardiologist,Dr. Benjamin Peeler; chief

Dr.JessicaMouledouxwith Corinne,JenniferandBryanBroussard

of pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgery,and the rest of their team. Their knowledgeofCorinne’scondition and faith thatitcould be resolved gave the Broussardspeace of mind thattheir baby would be in the best possible hands

“Fromthe time we arrived, they answeredall of our questions and walked us through exactly what to expect before and after her surgery,” Jennifer Broussard said. “Everyone wasvery confident and caring in the waytheyexplained everything. Nothing waseveracomplete shock. Everyone from thesurgeons to the nursesand respiratory therapists to the cafeteria ladies who took my order everydaywerevery professional and kind. Theyweretruly amazing.”

Thebiggestbenefit forthepatientof prenataldiagnosisis thatwecanensure theproperstaffis inplacewhenthe babyisborn

JessicaH.Mouledoux,MD Pediatriccardiology

Dr.Mouledoux said modern technology allows morebabies likeCorinne to be diagnosed with specific conditions before birth. Forexample, Ochsner Children’s is one of ahandful of hospitals in the country to offer fetal cardiac MRI as a diagnostic tool, which gives doctorsmore insightintoababy’sparticular defects and surgical needs

“The biggest benefit forthe patientof prenatal diagnosis is thatwecan ensure the proper staff is in place when thebabyis born,”Dr. Mouledoux said. “Manyofthese babies need continuous IV medications to stabilizethem beforesurgery.With prenatal diagnosis and adelivery plan, we canensuretheyare very stable beforean operation. It’salsoabenefit to the family becausetheycan preparementally and physically fora neonatal hospital stay, which canbequitelengthy.

Dr.Peeler,who performed Corinne’s successful surgery,said he is often reminded of howfar pediatric cardiology has advanced. At one time, Dr.Peeler said limited technologymeantthatmany babies were diagnosed using an X-ray and astethoscope, and surgeons didn’t knowthe details of aheart defect until an operation wasunderway.Thatled to children being sicker and lowersurvival rates, he said.

“It’sacompletely differentworld today, with massiveimprovements in results,”

Dr.Peeler said. “Now,weexpect more than 90 percentofpatients to survive well into adulthood. When we diagnose in utero, we knowexactly whattoexpect

when the babyisborn. If theyneed a special treatmentormedication, they receiveitina timely fashion. Thatmeans thatwhen Igointothe operating room, my work canbe100 percenttherapeutic. It’snot adiscovery mission.

Thankstothe care she received at Ochsner Children’s, Corinne is now an activeinfant. When out-of-town relatives visited overthe holidays,some were surprised to learn she had been so critically ill.

“She’scrawling everywhereand pulling herself up on the couch.She’sbabbling a lot and eating food off the table,”Jennifer Broussard said. “Most people would never knowwhatshe’sbeen through. She’sa normal, healthybaby.

Dr.Peeler said the pediatric cardiology surgeons at Ochsner Children’snow perform morethan 150 differenttypes of procedures,including repairing holes in the heart and valves thatdonot work properly to helpingaheart work better if only one side is pumping properly.The patients rangeinage from lessthan one month old to 18 yearsorolder

“Wecan’tdothe jobofsurgery well unlessthe overall pediatric cardiology program is quite good, and that’salways been the case here,” he said. “That’svery importanttowhatIdo. Iappreciate the opportunitytoworkwith such astrong pediatric cardiologyteam thatisgreat at diagnosing and treating patients in a nonsurgical fashion and then referring them to us when an operation is needed.”

The physicians and clinicians of Ochsner Children’swill be able to enhance thatcollaboration even more when The Gayle and TomBenson Ochsner Children’sHospital opens in early 2028 Locatedonthe campus of Ochsner Medical Center –New Orleans,the fivestory,343,000 squarefoot building is being designed specifically with kids and families in mind.

“Taking care of infants and children is such afamily-centeredprocess,”Dr. Mouledoux noted. “The bigger rooms in the newhospital will mean parents can comfortably stayinthe room and interact with the medical team. That’simportant becausewewantparents to be involved in their child’scare. Therewill alsobe places forfamilies to relax, eatand handle their daily tasksthatyou takefor granted beforeyou have ababyinthe hospital for weeks. To me as aphysician, thatphysical space is imperativefor helping everyone have apositiveexperience here.”

Dr.Peeler said he alsobelievesthe new hospital will help Ochsner Children’s continue its legacy of innovation and successbyattracting some of the most elitepediatricians in the field to pursue ongoing work in areas such as interventional cardiology, cardiac stem cell treatments,heart transplants and mechanical assist devices.Ochsner is alsothe first and only children’shospital thatcurrently provides catheter-based mechanical heart support forpatients with refractory heart failure.

“Successbreeds success, and Ithink when physicians seethe successwe’re having in pediatrics,theyare going to want to be apart of it,” noted Dr.Peeler

JessicaH.Mouledoux,MD Pediatriccardiology OchsnerChildren’sHospital

IvoryCrittendonIII,MD Pediatriccardiology OchsnerChildren’sHospital

BenjaminPeeler,MD Chiefofpediatricandadult congenitalcardiacsurgery OchsnerChildren’sHospital

Dr.TerryKing(left)andDr.NoelMills(right) onApril8,1975,aftersuccessfullyperforming theworld’sfirstnon-surgicalclosureofacongenitalheartdefectatOchsner.Thistrailblazing proceduremarkedamonumentalleapforward incardiaccareandofferedhopetocountless childrenandadultsfacingsimilarconditions.

Massive explosion rocks Iranian port

At least 8 killed, 750 hurt in blast linked

to missile fuel

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

MUSCAT, Oman A massive explosion and fire rocked a port Saturday in southern Iran purportedly linked to a shipment of a chemical ingredient used to make missile propellant, killing eight people and injuring about 750 others.

Helicopters dumped water from the air on the raging fire hours after the initial explosion, which happened at the Shahid Rajaei port just as Iran and the United States met Saturday in Oman for the third round of negotiations over Tehran’s rapidly 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 acknowledged that “our security services are on high alert given past instances of attempted sabotage and assassination operations designed to provoke a legitimate response.” Iranian Interior Minister Eskandar Momeni gave the casualty figure in an interview on state television. But there were few details on what sparked the blaze just outside of Bandar Abbas, which burned into Saturday night, causing other containers to reportedly explode. The port took in a shipment of “sodium perchlorate rock-

et fuel” in March, the private security firm Ambrey said. The fuel is part of a shipment from China by two vessels to Iran first reported in January by the Financial Times. The fuel was going to be used to replenish Iran’s missile stocks, which had been depleted by its direct attacks on Israel during the war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“The fire was reportedly the result of improper handling of a shipment of solid fuel intended for use in Iranian ballistic missiles,” Ambrey said.

Ship-tracking data analyzed by The Associated Press put one of the vessels believed to be carrying the chemical in the vicinity in March, as Ambrey said. Iran hasn’t acknowledged taking the shipment. The Iranian mission to the United Nations didn’t respond to a request for comment on Saturday. It’s unclear why Iran

wouldn’t have moved the chemicals from the port, particularly after the Beirut port blast in 2020. That explosion, caused by the ignition of hundreds of tons of highly explosive ammonium nitrate, killed more than 200 people and injured more than 6,000 others. However, Israel did target Iranian missile sites where Tehran uses industrial mixers to create solid fuel.

Social media footage of the explosion on Saturday at Shahid Rajaei saw reddish-hued smoke rising from the fire just before the detonation. That suggests a chemical compound being involved in the blast — like in the Beirut explosion.

“Get back get back! 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!

Iran and U.S. hold talks on Tehran’s nuclear program

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

MUSCAT, Oman Iran and the United States held in-depth negotiations in Oman over Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program on Saturday ending the discussions with a promise for more talks and perhaps another highlevel meeting next weekend.

The talks ran for several hours in Muscat, the mountain-wrapped capital of this sultanate on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula

A person 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 Araghchi told state television after the talks that the parties exchanged written points throughout the day in discussions that he described as “very serious and work-focused.”

“This time, the negotiations were much 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 disagreements have been resolved. Differences still exist both on major issues and on the details.”

A senior U.S. administration official said that the talks were “positive and productive.”

“This latest round of direct and indirect discussions lasted over four hours,” the official said on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks. “There is still much to do, but further progress was made on getting to a deal. We agreed to meet again soon, in Europe, and we thank our Omani partners for facilitating these talks.” Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who has mediated the two previous round of talks in Muscat and Rome, offered a positive note at the end of Saturday’s negotiations.

Iran and the U.S. “identified a shared aspiration to reach agreement based on mutual respect and enduring commitments,” al-Busaidi posted on X. “Core principles, objectives and technical concerns were all addressed Talks will continue next week with a further high level meeting provisionally scheduled for May 3.”

Araghchi arrived Friday in Oman on the eve of the talks and visited the Muscat International Book Fair, surrounded by television cameras and photojournalists Witkoff was in Moscow on Friday to meet with Russian President

Vladimir Putin, and arrived on Saturday to Oman.

The talks seek to limit Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the U.S. has imposed on the Islamic Republic closing in on a halfcentury of enmity.

President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal isn’t reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels.

als stored in the port area” for the blast, without elaborating.

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

Shahid Rajaei has been a target before. A 2020 cyberattack attributed to Israel targeted the port. It came after Israel said that it thwarted a cyberattack targeting its water infrastructure, which it attributed to Iran. Israeli officials didn’t respond to requests for comment regarding Saturday’s explosion.

showed the injured crowding into at least one hospital, with ambulances arriving as medics rushed one person by on a stretcher Hasanzadeh, the provincial disaster management official, earlier told state television that the blast came from containers at Shahid Rajaei port in the city, without elaborating. State television also reported that there had been a building collapse caused by the explosion, though no further details were offered.

The Interior Ministry said that it launched an investigation into the blast. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also offered his condolences for those affected in the blast.

Get back!”

On Saturday night, the state-run IRNA news agency said that the Customs Administration of Iran blamed a “stockpile of hazardous goods and chemical materi-

Social media videos showed black billowing smoke after the blast. Others showed glass blown out of buildings kilometers, or miles, away from the epicenter of the explosion. State media footage

Shahid Rajaei port in Hormozgan province is about 650 miles southeast of Iran’s capital, Tehran, on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil traded passes.

TheSon of aSaint communitycontinues to uplift alumni as they navigate youngadulthood

By Stevie

Cavalier Licciardi| stevie.licciardi@theadvocate.com

This articleisbrought to youbySon of aSaint

Creating connectionsthatlasta lifetime—this is thebenchmark of successfor Sonofa Saint, a non-profitorganizationthatprovidesmentorship, wraparound services,and opportunitiestoyoung boys in NewOrleans whohavelosttheir fathers. Theorganizationwas foundedin2011byBivian “Sonny”Lee IIIwho lost hisfathertoaheart attack at an earlyage.The programinducts newmentees startingatage 10,and participants remain involved untilthe ageof21. As Sonofa Saintapproachesits 15th anniversary, thefullscope of itsimpactcomes into view as alumni begintofind successintheir youngadulthood

“Wewillbefifteenyears oldonJanuary 1, 2026, andthatisgreatfor ourlegacy, for ourtenure, and forwhat’sstill building,”saidElliotHutchinson, Creative Director at Sonofa Saint, whostarted as a volunteerwiththe organization nearly 10 yearsago “But it’s interestingbecause with thetypeofwork we do,the full journeyfor each mentee takesclose to 11 years. So,insomeways, we arestill just hitting ourstridewiththese fifteen years.”

AccordingtoHutchinson, thefirstfew classesof alumni arenow reachingthe pointinyoung adulthood wheretheyare startingfamiliesand embarking on theircareers.AsSon of aSaint alumni branch out into therealm of adulthood, thegenuine relationshipstheyhaveforgedthroughouttheir journeywill serveasfoundationalsupport in theiradult lives.

When participants enterthe SonofaSaint community, they areassignedtoanin-housecase team.Thatteamconsistsofcasemanagers, mental health specialists,aswellassuccesscoaches,who work in tandem to addressand supportthe individualized needsofthe child, whetheremotionally, psychologically, or academically

Additionally,eachboy enrolled in SonofaSaint is paired with an adultmalementorthrough aseriesof organicopportunities andextracurricular activities SonofaSaint recognizes theimportanceofallowing youngmen to choose amentorbased on personal connectionsand shared interests. In turn,the mentor commitstomaintaining astrongconnectionwith hismentees for yearstocome.

SonofaSaint also makesroomfor theboysto connectwithvolunteersand staff throughvarious programs andscheduled engagements, whichare typicallyupwards of 30 permonth. If aparticipant wishes to exploreanew mentorship over time arrangements canbemadeinvolving thementee, thenew mentor,staff,and theparticipant’s family

“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 Anderson also shared howhedeveloped meaningful connectionswithseveral staff members, as well as long-timeSon of aSaint partnerand supporter, LonNichols,DirectorofHuman Resources for Felipe’s Taqueria

“WhenIfirstmet Lon, he wasa realsticklerfor therules,which Idefinitely needed,” Anderson said “OnceIgot to know him andactuallytalkedtohim,I sawhow Lonisapersonwho willbring outthe best in anyone.Hecan push youtoyourlimits. Somehow, he knowsyourlimitsbetterthanyou do. He’s like the perfectrolemodel.”

“Cemon hasalwaysstood outasaleader, even in hisyounger years,”Nichols said.“Whetherthrough hisdedicationtolearningevery position within his work environmentorthe respectheshows to everyonearoundhim,hehas earned hissuccessevery step 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,” Andersonsaid. “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 month of 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 for hisgrandmotherwhose 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.” Sonofa Sainthas wovena multi-dimensional tapestry over theyears that extendsacrossdisciplines,industries, andgenerations.The program empowers youngmen to delveintofields that ignite theirinterestwhile providingaccess to resources that willnurture theirwell-beingand aspirations. TheSon of aSaint Headquarters, affectionately knownas“TheClubhouse”,isalwaysbustlingwith activity.Mondaythrough Thursday,academic resources areavailable,including acomputer lab, library, tutors, andevenaroboticsclub. On theweekend, themodular furnitureand creatively designed spaces shapeshifttoaccommodatevarious recreationalactivities. Cookinglessons,movie nights, fishing trips, fitness training,video gaming andso much more, providelasting memories andlifelessons that willenrichthe livesand relationshipsofthese youngmen for yearstocome.

“Son of aSaint savedmylife, if I’mbeing honest,” Anderson said.“It taught me howtobeaman.” Formoreinformation,ortosupport SonofaSaint as theGiveNOLADay 2025 charitable donation period approaches from April29toMay 6, please visit: www.sonofasaint.org.

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC NEWS AGENCy PHOTO By MOHAMMAD RASOUL MORADI Firefighters work Saturday as black smoke rises in the sky after a massive explosion rocked a port near the southern city of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

or Medicare, lowerprescription drugprices andthe protection of

on March12inWashington.

MEDICAID

Housewant to cut the federal budgetby$1.5trillion —and the committee that oversees Medicaidhas been taskedwitheliminating $880 billion.

That has raised alarm among doctors,hospitals andstate budget officials, who fear reductions to Medicaid could leave low-income Americans without health insurance or blow holes in state budgets.

Medicaid is astate-federal program that provides health insuranceto83million Americans. Louisiana has one of the highest rates of residents on the program —1.6 million people, or about athird of the population.

Louisiana congressmenwill also play an outsized role in the debate: Johnson and Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, are the House’s highest-ranking members and are steering its budget strategy.And Rep. Troy Carter,DNewOrleans, sits on the committee that is responsible for Medicaid.

Republicans insist theywill not be cuttingactual health care for anyone on Medicaid who deserves it.

weighing roughly21scenarios to decide how many to include in the final bill

Those ideas match those reported byKFF —Kaiser Family Foundation, aSan Francisco-basednonprofit that researches health issues —and Politico, thepolitical trade publication.

Some options would require states to pick up more of the cost of Medicaid, something many Republicans have long supported.

“Medicaid is meant to be astate-federal partnership. States are supposed to pay for 40% of the cost.Most states are paying for less than 15%,”Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-BatonRouge, said April 16 on X. “States have beencutting Medicaid for decades. People should not be asking what is thefederal governmentdoing, they should be asking why aren’t the states doing more.”

“No one has talked about cutting onebenefitinMedicaid (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 healthcare away from the disabled who need it,” Scalise said.

Just how “waste, fraud and abuse” is defined and howitisapplied to Medicaid could lead to an epic fight that could endanger Trump’sdesire to revamp the federal government.

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

“Obviously,we’re open to finding opportunities, if they exist, to be more efficient and to root out waste, fraud or abuse. But we’re going be ever mindful of dismantling systems and resources that mean somethingtothe American people,” said Carter,who is a member of the Democratic minority on the House Energy’sHealth Subcommittee that gets afirst crack at the bill this week.

What mightcutslooklike?

House committee members working on Medicaid budget plans have been told not to discuss those proposalsinpublic. Butaccording to an internal memo seen by The Advocate |The Times-Picayune and interviews with members of the health subcommittee from both parties, the panel is

Oneidea being considered by the House committee is to reverse aBiden ad m i n i st rat i on decision to increase federal matching funds, which would save about $25 billion butcost statesmore. Other proposals would change the federal medical assistance percent age, or FMAP,the formula that determines how much the federal government contributes to each state’sMedicaid program. If Congress lowered the FMAP percentage for every state that expanded Medicaid rolls underthe Affordable Care Act, which includesLouisiana, it could save an estimated $561 billion —but require statesto shoulder more of the costs. Another proposalwould reduce FMAP for higherincome states to the tune of $387 billion

Cutstothe federal share of Medicaidwouldhave a major impact on Louisiana, where government-subsidized health care accounts for about $21 billion each year,ofwhich state’staxpayers are expected to put up about$3.2 billion.

Anotherpossibility on thetable,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 forservices thefederal government pays. Currently,states are guaranteed federal support for actual spending; states that exceed the “cap” would have to pay the overage.

Another $100billioncould be saved by requiring Medicaidbeneficiaries to work.

“What we’re talking about is returning work requirements, for example, so youdon’thaveable-bodied young men on aprogram that’s designedfor single mothers and theelderly disabled,” Johnson said. “They are draining resources from people who areactually due that. If youclean that up and shoreitupyou save alot of money and youreturn the dignity of work to young menwho need to be out working insteadof playing videogames all day.We have alot of fraud, waste and abuse in Medicaid.”

Carter said he and fellow Democrats on the committee will scrutinize those

ideas closely

“Wewill listen carefully We will read the options and the suggestions that theRepublican Party presents, or that theTrump administration presents, and we will go through it witha fine-toothedcomb,”Carter continued.

Howmuchisspent?

Outright fraud does exist in Medicaid. It’sa huge program with lots of moving partsand thus atempting targetfor scammersand thieves.

Butwhen individual cases are compiled, the data shows the amount of fraud is little differentthanwhat private insurance encounters, federal watchdogs say TheHealth Department’s Office of Inspector General, theU.S. Department of Justiceand theGovernment Accountability Office found very few beneficiaries weregaming the system for monthlypayments. Mostly it was people working for clinics, nursing homes, pharmacies, equipment supplies, physicians and the like seeking payments for ambulance runs not taken, prescriptions not filled, medical services not rendered, andthe like,according the Health Department’sfraudand abuse control report.

Fraud units nationwide reported 1,151convictions and $1.4 billion in recoveries for fiscal year 2024.

Atotal of 94.9%ofthe payments made on behalf of Medicaid in 2024 were proper,with all i’sdotted andt’s crossed,the Government Accountability Office found. About $31.1 billion were improper because providers did notcorrectly fill outthe forms,according to the reports.

Usually it was physicians not submitting theproper documents supporting the medical necessity

“It’sa big number,” Timothy Hill, acommissioner with the Medicaid and CHIPPaymentand Access Commission, which advises Congress andthe Department of Health and Human Services, said Thursday at aKFF seminar.“But the vast majorityofthe improperpayments, 74%, 75% across the country and consistently year to year, are around documentation issues. …Itdoesn’tmean thatsomebody didn’tget care. What it does mean is that therules that the agencies establishedfor getting payment weren’t followed.”

Hill said paperwork errors are not an issue that, if fixed, would reducethe cost of Medicaid.

“Allthoseerrors could be corrected.The total outlay of theprogramcould stillbethe same,but they would be in complianceas opposed to be counted as an error,” he said.

What’s thetimeline?

Johnson hopes thefull budget legislation will clear bothchambersand land on the president’s desk beforeMemorial Day,infour weeks.

Republicans on thecommittee overseeing Medicaid hope to have abill ready for avote by May 9. It would then go beforethe full House.

TheMedicaiddebateis only one piece of alarger budget puzzle. Johnson andScalise are

trying to balance the demands of far-right members fordeeperspending cuts withmoderateRepublicans who don’twant Medicaid incapacitated. They can only afford to lose thesupport of three GOP members if Democrats stay united in opposition andeveryone shows up forthe vote. Carter says he wants to make sure the process isn’t rushed.

“This is whyweneed in-depth research rather than just accept the talking points,” Carter said. “When we do it quickly,werisk the chance of missing things that are important and making bad policies that could hurt things. If you wantto find the bug in the flour,you need sift carefully,not just toss out the bag.”

Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate. com

University of NewOrleans distinguishedalumnicall forsupport andaction

Everyyearsince 1986,the University of NewOrleans AlumniAssociation selectsanalumnus or alumna to be recognized as theHomer L. Hitt Distinguished Alumnus of theYear. Forthe recipient, thereisno greater honorthantoberecognizedbyyouralma materassomeone worthy of such distinction. As recipients,weknowthatwerepresent everygraduate across allprofessions andvocationsand sharein theirsuccess.Thatsuccessisoften theresultofthe exceptionaleducation andtrainingreceived at the University of NewOrleans,combinedwithpersonal perseverance.Asproud graduates, we know firsthand thetransformativeimpactUNO hashad on ourlives andthe potentialitholds forfuturegenerations.Itis essentialfor allofus—alumni,community members, andsupporters—to rallybehindthisvital institution. We arecomingtogethertoemphasize thecritical importance of UNOtothiscity, region,state,and country, andtourgecontinued andincreased support. Yes,UNOfacesfinancialchallenges,butasindividuals whobelieve in thepower of educationtotransform livesand strengthen communities, we recognizethe university’s essentialrole. Nowisthe time forhope, collaboration, anda renewedcommitmenttoeducation.Highereducation drives innovation,fosters a skilledworkforce,and fuelseconomicgrowththrough research anddevelopment.Institutionsoflearning andresearchare at theheart of thriving economies, in places like SiliconValley, Austin,Boston, andthe Research Triangle in NorthCarolina.

Since1958, theUniversityofNew Orleanshas been acornerstone of opportunity,shaping future leaders, fosteringinnovation,andcontributingtotheeconomic

JamesJ.Donelon III

Special Counsel, McGlinchey StaffordPLLC

TimothyP.Ryan FormerChancellor, University of NewOrleans

SusanO.Hess Community Activist

DavidR.Sherman Co-ManagingPartner, Chehardy+Sherman+Williams

Harold J. Heno Jr Retired InsuranceExecutive Joseph P. Raspanti Attorney, RaspantiLaw Firm LLC

Thomas M. Kitchen Retired President&CEO Stewart Enterprises, Inc FormerPresident AvondaleIndustries, Inc. Gary B. Froeba ManagingDirector, TheOmni GroveParkInn &Spa

Donald J. Landry FormerLodging Executive President,Top TenInc

Gary N. SolomonSr. Chairman andCEO,Crescent Bank&Trust

Clarence J. “Clancy” DuBosIII Journalist,FormerChair Gambit Communications

Edward W. “Rocky”Kolb Professor, University of Chicago, DeptofAstronomy/Astrophysics

andculturalvibrancyofour region.However,like many public universities, UNOisfacingchallenges that threaten itsability to continue delivering the high-quality educationand accessibility that have always beenits hallmark.The long-termimpactofthe pandemic,the nationwide declineinthe college-age population,andrisingoperationalcostsduetoinflation have allpresented obstacles. Yet, theuniversityhas respondedwithboldactionstoaddressthesechallenges Change is nevereasy, but it is necessary.Weare proud of thesteps UNOhas takenand supportthe university in itsefforts.These measures aremakingadifference This is wherewe, as alumni,ask foryourhelp. The future of UNOdepends on thesupport of itsgraduates,local businesses,and thebroader community. Financialcontributions,mentorship, andadvocacy allplayaroleinensuringUNO remainsa beacon of opportunityfor generationstocome. Whether throughdonations,offeringinternshipopportunities, volunteering,orspreading thewordabout thevalue of aUNO education, everyeffortcounts. Together,wecan help UNOemergestrongerthan ever.Asalumni,wehavearesponsibilitytogivebackand ensure that future students have thesameopportunities we had. Letuscometogetherasone communityto supportthe University of NewOrleans—aninstitution that hasshapedour livesand will continue to shape thefutureofNew Orleansand beyond Sincerely, HomerL.Hitt DistinguishedAlumniofthe University of NewOrleans 1986-2024

AllanB.Colley President, DupuyStorage & Forwarding LLC

Walter J. Boasso Member,Boasso Industries LLC

Greg C. Rigamer BDPC,LLC

JamesB.Letten Attorney,ButlerSnowLLP Former United States Attorney, Eastern District of Louisiana (Retired) Commander, United States Navy Reserve(Retired) James“Jim” Tucker President& CEO, CommCare Management Corporation PeggyScott LaBorde Producer &Journalist, WYES-TV ErrolLaborde Owner& Editor-in-Chief, RenaissancePublishing

Robert A. Savoie Dean,College of Business,Loyola University, NewOrleans Newell D. Normand Host,WWL-Radio RoyA.Glapion Vice President/Member,The Beta Group

Mark C. Romig Senior Advisor, NewOrleans & Company JulieStokes

DavidR.Gallo President& CEO, GalloMechanicalLLC

Bivian L. “Sonny”Lee III Founderand CEO, Sonofa Saint LaceyMerrick Conway Regional Vice President, Latter &Blum | Compass Lauren R. Gibbs CEO, Gibbs Construction Company, Inc AvrilM.Habetz Managing Partner& CEO, Northwestern Mutual of

Mississippi KheriD.Billy CEO, ReconcileNew Orleans

Scalise

IndiasaysPakistani troops firedatpositions at

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-

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 tourist attack, Indiasuspended acrucial water-sharing treaty and closed the only functional land border crossing. It revoked visas issued to Pakistanis with effect from Sunday Pakistan retaliated by cancelingvisas issued to Indians, closing its airspaceto Indian airlines,and suspending trade with its neighbor

Nationalsfrombothsides began heading to theirhome countriesthrough the Wagah border near Pakistan’seasterncity of LahoreonFriday. PakistaniPrimeMinister ShehbazSharif on Saturday vowed the government would respond “with full force andmight” to Indian attemptstostop or divert the flow of water He also saidPakistan was open to participatinginany “neutral, transparent and credible investigation”into the tourist attack.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DARyASIN

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EDUCATION

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.

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

Critics

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.

If You’re Over ThirtyThis is the BEST TREATMENT youcan usefor your SCIATICA,BACKPAIN, and HERNIATEDDISCS

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I firstcametoLeBlancSpine Centerwith numbness in my arms andlegs. Iwas also experiencinglower back pain andneckpain. I hadbeensufferingwiththisfor over10years

Ihad previouslytriedone epidural injection in my lowerbackand physical therapy, an I wasstillsuffering with thesesymptoms. Since beginning Spinal Decompressiontreatments, Ihavehad consistent improvement in my back condition,and Iamnow 70%improved! Iam liftingwithout pain,sleepingbetter, andI now have theability to walk withouttiring! Iwould highly recommendDr. LeBlancand LeBlanc SpineCenter!

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IcametoDr. LeBlancbecause Ihad been sufferingwithseveresciatica. Thepaininmylow back andlegswas so severe that Ibegan staying home rather than attendingsportingorsocial events Ibegan Spinal Decompression treatments and sincethen, Iam70% improved! Iamfeeling well enough andenergetic afterworking allday to cook,dohousehold chores,attendfunctions etc. Ihavemoremobility andI am notexhausted from thepain! Thestaff andDoctors here are wonderful.Everyoneissokindand friendly and will do whatever is needed to decreasethe pain What Ilikemostabout my care at LeBlancSpine Center is THERESULTS!Ihighlyrecommend LeBlancSpine Centerdue to thenon-invasive treatmentand results! As amatteroffact, Ihave recommendedDr. LeBlanctopeoplealready SabrinaRuggiero Customer ServiceRepresenative/Insurance Agent Hometown-Plaquemine, LA

Roots, then the Roots & Lil Wayne.”

The Philadelphia hip-hop crew that is the house band for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” hit the stage right at the scheduled 5:30 p.m. start time. For the next 45 minutes, drummer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson powered the band across a set that showed off the Roots’ dexterity Black Thought rapped over horns, a sousaphone and guitarist “Captain” Kirk Douglas’s heroics. It was a solid Roots set.

But it was not the main attraction. Lil Wayne finally arrived onstage at 6:13 in a black warmup suit, baggy white dress shirt, black tie, the aforementioned shades and an Eddie Van Halen guitar strapped around his neck.

Over the next 45 minutes, Lil Wayne was Lil Wayne: funny, ridiculous, charismatic, profane, often all at once. The structure provided by the Roots kept the set moving and on track. Even though many songs were cut short always with a curt “thank you” from Wayne — his fans got about as solid of a set as could be expected.

Tank and the Bangas, the act depicted — in distant, abstract form — on James Michalopoulos’ 2025 Jazz Fest poster, occupied the slot before Wayne on the main stage.

Frontwoman Tarriona “Tank” Ball’s background is in poetry; she often weaves delicate spoken word segments into Banga shows. But there was nothing delicate about the final 30 minutes of the Bangas set in front of one of the largest audiences the band has ever faced. Quiet passages would have been a tough sell in such a setting.

Instead, the Bangas brought the funk and energy Ball sported a blue and pink, short-skirted fringe ensemble and sneakers. Her dancers wore heatappropriate silver shorts and cropped halter tops The musicians, including a brace of horns, wore bright colors on a bright day Her wordplay was buttressed by a continuous groove and constant movement.

Parts of “Don’t Stop Believing” got wrapped around a long musical workout Ball asserted “I Got the Juice.” On this hot day, she did.

During the penultimate slot at the Jazz Tent, drummer Adonis Rose and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra staged a tribute to the late great Frankie Beverly Beverly and his band Maze were longtime Jazz Fest favorites; the current incarnation of Maze is slated to play its own tribute at Jazz Fest’s Congo Square Stage next weekend. They’ll need to work hard to be as on point as Rose and company were in last minutes of the set. In keeping with Maze tradition, the musicians all wore white. NOJO’s abundance of horns

filled out arrangements. On “Joy and Pain,” the big ensemble settled into a groove similar to the one that triggered a mass Electric Slide when Maze played Congo Square and, during the Essence Festival, the Caesars Superdome The local vocalist who goes by Mecca Notes dug into

“Southern Girl” with gusto. In a perfect quirk of scheduling, Jazz Fest on Saturday was bookended by two New Orleanians who have gone on to stardom: Lil Wayne and, at the Gentilly Stage, Harry Connick Jr Connick noted his intention to “keep the jazz in Jazz Fest.” To that end, he gave a

shout-out to a litany of New Orleans piano greats, and asked listeners to pretend they were all at the Maple Leaf Bar He introduced King Oliver’s “Doctor Jazz” with, “I can guarantee you this is not being played across the Fair Grounds at Lil Wayne’s set.”

What was being played at Lil Wayne’s set? Samples of 20 or so songs from throughout his career Often it was just a verse and hook, as he and the Roots moved through “Mr. Carter,” “I’m Going In,” “Uproar,” “Fireman,” “Blunt Blowin’,” “John” and “Rich as Fuc.” Within the first five minutes, he’d uttered a certain hyphenated expletive, the first word of which rhymes with “brother” and the second of which rhymes with

“trucker,” more often than in the entire history of Jazz Fest.

Pairing “Lollipop” with “Mrs. Officer” earned a big response. In the latter half of the set, he and the Roots dialed back with a sequence of quasi-ballads. They finished a few minutes after 7 p.m. with “A Milli.” Once Lil Wayne showed up, he didn’t want to leave.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

Tank and the Bangas perform on the Festival Stage during the

Samantha Masterson dances in the shade of an umbrella by the Jazz & Heritage Stage on Saturday.

Harry Connick Jr highlights musicians in the band on the Shell Gentilly Stage during the third day of Jazz Fest.

Lil Wayne performs with the Roots on the Festival Stage during the third day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Saturday

STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER

Crowds gather to see Lil Wayne perform with the Roots at the Festival Stage during the third day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Saturday.

ICE deportations raise major concerns amid crackdown

Lawyers say immigrant mom of infant, 3 U.S children deported

BY MARC LEVY Associated Press

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have in recent days deported the Cubanborn mother of a 1-year-old girl — separating them indefinitely — and three children ages 2, 4 and 7 who are U.S citizens along with their Honduranborn mothers, their lawyers said Saturday

ä Judge says 2-yearold from Louisiana was deported to Honduras.

The three cases raise questio ns about who is being deported, and why and come amid a battle in federal courts over whether President Donald Trump’s immigration 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 lawyers or their family

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have in recent days deported the Cuban-born mother of a 1-yearold girl — separating them indefinitely — and three children ages 2, 4 and 7 who are U.S citizens along with their Honduran-born mothers, their lawyers said Saturday.

members and then deported within three days or less.

The American Civil Liberties Union, National Immigration Project and several other allied groups said in a statement that the way ICE deported children who are U.S. citizens and their mothers is a “shocking — although increasingly common abuse of power.”

Gracie Willis of the National Immigration Project said the mothers, at the very least, did not have a fair opportunity to decide whether they wanted the children to

stay in the United States.

“We have no idea what ICE was telling them, and in this case what has come to light is that ICE didn’t give them another alternative,” Willis said in an interview “They didn’t gave them a choice, that these mothers only had the option to take their children with them despite loving caregivers being available in the United States to keep them here.”

The 4-year-old who is suffering from a rare form of cancer and the 7-yearold were deported to Honduras within a day of being

U.S. judge temporarily stops west Texas deportations under Alien Enemies Act

BY JOHN RABY Associated Press

A federal judge in west Texas joined other courts in temporarily blocking the deportations of Venezuelan immigrants under an 18thcentury wartime law known as the Alien Enemies Act

U.S. District Judge David Briones in El Paso, Texas, issued the ruling Friday while he ordered the release of a couple accused of being members of a Venezuelan criminal gang. Briones wrote that government lawyers “have not demonstrated they have any lawful basis” to continue detaining the couple on a suspected alien

enemy violation. A message left with an attorney for the couple wasn’t immediately returned Saturday. The couple is accused of being part of Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration has designated a foreign terrorist organization. Trump has invoked the Alien Enemies Act from 1798 that lets the president deport noncitizens 14 years or older who are from a country with which the U.S. is at war Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court blocked, for now the deportations of any Venezuelans held in northern Texas under the act. The high court also ruled anyone be-

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ABC’s “This Week”: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent; former national security adviser 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”: Tom Homan, the White House

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arrested with their mother, Willis said.

In the case involving the 2-year-old, a federal judge in Louisiana raised questions about the deportation of the girl, saying the government did not prove it had done so properly

In Florida, a Cuban-born woman who is the mother of a 1-year-old girl and the wife of a U.S. citizen was detained at a scheduled check-in appointment at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Tampa, her lawyer said Saturday Heidy Sánchez was held without any communication and flown to Cuba two days later She is still breastfeed-

ing her daughter who suffers from seizures, her lawyer, Claudia Cañizares, said.

Cañizares said she tried to file paperwork with ICE to contest the deportation Thursday morning but ICE refused to accept it, saying Sánchez was already gone, although Cañizares said she doesn’t think that was true.

Cañizares said she told ICE that she was planning to reopen Sánchez’s case to help her remain in the U.S. legally, but ICE told her that Sánchez can pursue the case while she’s in Cuba.

“I think they’re following orders that they need to remove a certain amount of people by day and they don’t care, hon-

estly,” Cañizares said.

Sánchez is not a criminal and has a strong case on humanitarian grounds for allowing her to stay in the U.S., Cañizares said, but ICE isn’t taking that into consideration when it has to meet what the lawyer said were deportation benchmarks.

Sánchez had an outstanding deportation order stemming from a missed hearing in 2019, for which she was detained for nine months, Cañizares said. Cuba apparently refused to accept Sánchez back at the time, so Sánchez was released in 2020 and ordered to maintain a regular schedule of check-ins with ICE, Cañizares said.

ing deported under Trump’s declaration deserved a hearing in federal court first and are given “a reasonable time” to contest their pending removals.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

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 theRev.Martin Luther King Jr.speak out against the city’ssegregated schoolsystem and the entrenched poverty in poor communities.

Sixty years on, Lucaswas back on the Boston Common on Saturday to celebrate the anniversary of what became known as the 1965 Freedom Rally.Hejoined othersin calling for continued activism against many of the same injustices and inequities that King fought against, and in criticizing President Donald Trumpand hisadministration for current divisions and fears about race and immigration across the country.

“The message was that we stillhaveworktodo,” said Lucas, 75.“It was alot of inspiration 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.

King’sson, Martin Luther King III, gave akeynote speech,saying he never thought racism would still be around and on the rise like it is today

BOSTON GLOBE PHOTO By JOHN TLUMACKI

Doreen Wade, ofCambridge, Mass., raises her fist in the air Saturdayatthe Parkman Bandstand on Boston Common, to commemorate the 60thanniversaryofthe 1965 Freedom Rally on BostonCommon, which featured Martin Luther King Jr.She was6years old when shemarched with herfamily in 1965

premacy, of state-sanctioned violence,ofeconomic exploitation,ofauthoritarian rhetoric.”

The original protest rally in 1965 brought the civil rights movement to the Northeast, aplace Martin Luther King Jr.knewwellfromhis time earning adoctorateintheologyfromBostonUniversity and serving as assistant minister at the city’sTwelfth BaptistChurch. It wasalso the place where he met his wife, who earned adegree in music education from the New England Conservatory

tivesingovernment, 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.

people understand this, 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’s howweprepare ourselves. So it’s never amatter of unqualified. It’samatter of being excluded.”

“We’re having aconversation aboutdemocracy.Thisis the promissory note —public education, public housing, public health, access to public art,” Paris Jeffriessaid. “All of these things area part

of democracy.Those are the things that are actually being threatened right now.”

King III

“Wemust quadruple our efforts to create a morejust and humane society ,” he told the crowd. “We used 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 dad showed us how to stay on the battlefield, and mom, throughout their lives. They showed us how to build community.”

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

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

“Weare living through perilous times,” she said. “Across the country,weare witnessing adangerous resurgence of White su-

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.”

“Itwouldbe demagogic and dishonest for me to say that Boston is aBirmingham, or to equate Massachusetts with Mississippi,” he said. “But it wouldbemorally irresponsible were Itoremain blindtothe threat to liberty, the denial of opportunity,and the crippling poverty that we face in some sections of this community.”

The Bostonrally happened after PresidentLyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Actof1964 andmonths ahead of the enactment of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed in August. King and other civil rights movement leaders had just come off the Selma to Montgomery march in Alabama, also referred to as Bloody Sunday,weeks beforethe Boston rally.The civil rights icon also was successful in the1963Birmingham campaign promptingthe end of legalizedracial segregation in theAlabama city,and eventually throughout the nation.

Saturday’srally came as the Trump administration is waging war on diversity, equityand inclusion initia-

TheDefense Department at one point temporarily removed training videos recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen andanonline biography of Jackie Robinson. In February,Trumpfired Air Force Gen. CQ Brown Jr., achampion of racial diversity in the military, as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Brown, in the wake of Floyd’skilling, hadspokenpublicly about his experiences as aBlack man,and was only the second Black general to serve as chairman.

The administration has fired diversity officers across government, curtailed some agencies’celebrations of Black History Month and terminatedgrantsand contracts for projects ranging from planting trees in disadvantagedcommunities to studying achievement gaps in American schools

Martin Luther King III told The Associated Press that the attacks on diversity make little sense, noting, “Wecannotmoveforward withoutunderstanding what happened in thepast.”

“It doesn’tmean that it’s about blaming people. It’s not about collective guilt.It’s aboutcollective responsibility,”hecontinued. “Howdo we becomebetter? Well,we appreciate everything that helped us to get to wherewe are. Diversityhasn’thurt the country.”

King said opponents of diversity have floated an uninformednarrative that unqualified people of color are taking jobs from White people, when the reality is they have long been denied the opportunities they deserve.

“I don’tknowifWhite

Imari Paris Jeffries, the president and CEO of Embrace Boston, which along withthe cityput on the rally, said theevent wasa chance to remindpeople that elements of the “promissory note” King referred to in his “I Have ADream” speech remain “out of reach” for many people.

wellness with innovative programs andon-site resources

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As part of itssustainabilitymission,Cornerstone actively seekstocollaborate with co-locating companiesthatshare itscommitmenttocleaner andmoreefficientmanufacturing processes. But sustainability at Cornerstoneextends beyond production.It’saholisticapproachthatincludes employeewell-being, communityhealthand workplacesatisfaction.

is superconvenientfor us to have on-site. The advice Iwould give is to make sure youenjoy your workout, andyou’llhavebetteroutcomes.”

Thecompany’s on-siteFitness Center,which opened in 2003,servesasthe epicenterofphysical health activity at CornerstoneEnergyPark. With free weights, cablemachines, treadmills andmore, thegym is tailored to accommodate employeesatall fitnesslevels. ForMichael Naquin,amaintenance mechanic,the gymhas made alife-changingimpact. “BeforeIstarted workingatCornerstone,I was300 pounds.Today,I’m at 214pounds,”he said.“Theon-site gymhas helped me maintain andfurther that progress. Youjusthavetokeep showingup. Jonathan Folse, amaintenance mechanic appreciatesthe convenience of thegym during hisworkday.“As mechanics, we stay very active on-siteinspectingequipment,climbingstructuresand conducting maintenancethroughout thefacility. By coming to thegym on my lunch break, Ican spendmoretimewithmyfamily during theevenings.”

Establishedin2020, theCornerstone Wellness Programisatestament to thecompany’s commitment to thelong-termhealthofits employees Theprogram emphasizes awareness, prevention education, andbehaviorchangeasthe pillarsfor helpingemployees achievetheir personal health goals. Throughvarious initiatives,the program encourages abalancedlifestyle,increasedfitness, andmentalwell-being, allwhile contributing to lowerhealthcarecosts andimprovedjob performance. Employeesare givenaccesstoawide rangeofmentaland physical health resources reinforcinga cultureofcareand support.

“We’re thrilled to have so many employees whofrequentour FitnessCenter,”saidNatalie Naquin,Cornerstone’s full-timeOccupational Health Nurse, whobringsover18years of experience in both hospital andindustrial settings “Bysupportingemployeehealthand wellness and offeringaconvenientand funway to getactive, we arecontributing to asustainable workplace andahealthier community.

At theheart of theprogram is theWellworks WellnessPortal, auser-friendlydigital hubthat motivatesemployees to take charge of their health.Employees earn points throughvoluntary participationinwellnessactivities, andthose points canbeexchanged forrewards

“I usethe WellworksWellnessPortaland reached225 points last year,” said Matthew Steel, acrane operator at Cornerstone. “The gym

Thewellnessculture isn’tconfined to theworkplace. Employees areencouragedtoparticipate in at-homewellnessactivitieslikethe Walking Club Programand theWeightLossChallenge whichfostercamaraderie andhealthy competition.These programs have becomestaples of theemployeeexperienceand arepopular for theirmeasurablebenefits andcommunity feel Cornerstone’semphasisonwellnessisemployee driven.The companycontinues to invest in new offerings andresources basedonfeedbackfrom itsworkforce.Educational components like lunchtimenutrition seminars,healthscreenings, andchronic diseasepreventionsessionsare routinelyadded to keep theprogram dynamic andimpactful

“Whether they work at adesk or in thefield from mechanicsand craneoperators to maintenancetechnicians andoperators—Cornerstone’s on-sitegym andlargerWellnessProgram offer employeesoptions to achievetheir fitness goals andincorporate regularexerciseintothe workday,”Natalie Naquin explained. Andit’snot just thegym-goers whobenefit. The broadercommunity feelsthe positive effects as employees bringhealthier habits home to their families.Improvedmorale, increasedjob satisfaction, anda collective commitment to wellness ripple outward, creating apositivefeedbackloop that benefits thecompany,its people,and the neighborhoodstheylivein.

As BriceBrasington, anothercrane operator putit, “Ifyou want to feel better allaround, start goingtothe gym. Forthose at Cornerstone, you’re alreadyon-site,somakethe most of your time anduse thegym.” By prioritizing employeewellnessaspart of its overarchingsustainabilitystrategy, Cornerstone Energy Park is provingthatlong-term business success is builtona foundation of health,balance andsharedvalues. To learnmoreabout Cornerstoneand their commitment to sustainability andwellness, visitwww.cornerstonechemco.com

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

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

PROVIDED PHOTO

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

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.

-Michael C.

MardiGrasIndians reflectedinartist’swork

Cartoon sculptures, inflatables, show N.O. culture

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Thisisthe first yearartist Compton III has shown hisworkatthe NewOrleans Jazz &Heritage Festival, and he’soff to agood start. The 34-year-old New Orleans native’sCongo Square booth isn’tjust the must-see exhibit at the festival. It’sthe must-see exhibit anywhere in town.

Compton III, who is known professionally by that name, is atoy maker.Sort of. He createsplasticfigurines of Crescent City characters in a cuddly cartoon style, with affectionately wry references to the local culture.

One of his little characters, called Z’Bo, is costumed as a Zulu parade rider with abillowing Afro wig, oversized beads, coconut clutched in one hand, cigarinthe other,and characteristic face

paint. SometimesZ’Bo’s coconuthas afuse like abomb. Sometimes, thewig is blond In one case, his tracksuit is SantaClaus red, trimmed in white.

Compton III saidhegrew up partially in the 9th Ward and partially on the West Bank, where he attended Edna Karr High School. He didnot,he said,haveany formal art training.Instead, when he graduated from Southeastern Louisiana University with adegreein biology,hebegan aprogram in dental training wherehe learned to make exacting moldsand castings of teeth.

Happily for art lovers, ComptonIII used those skills to make something other thanreplacement incisors. He said the smooth, colorful style of his sculptures was inspired in part by video games. Compton III said he wants hiswork to be “playful, so it makes the inner child of anyone smile.”

“If you’re fromNew Orleansyou recognize them,” he said of his characters, “andifyou’renot,they draw youin” to learn about them Compton III’snewestchar-

Compton

acter is called Spy Boy and is modeled on afully feathered Mardi Gras Indian,with braids dangling beneathhis headdress, fists clenched and eyebrows knit in intensity

Whydoes the otherwise adorable little fellow have a tear running down his face?

That’sbecause, the artistexplained,beneath the splendid Black masking Indian tradition liesalonghistory of ra-

cial inequity and hardship. Compton III said the Mardi Gras Indian customisespecially close to his heartbecause his grandfather,Bro Leonard, masked back in the 1960s and‘70s. Thebiggest of the sculptures in his Jazz Fest booth is acartoon interpretation of granddad, complete with asuit sewn withsequin designs The use of sequins was

Poll:Trump focusedonwrong issues

BY SEUNG MIN KIM and LINLEY SANDERS Associated Press

WASHINGTON Many Americans 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.

“He’sreally doing the stuff that he said he was going to do,” said Tanner Bergstrom, 29,aRepublican from Minnesota. He is “not makinga bunch of promises and getting into office and nothing happens. .Ireallylike that. Even if it’ssome stuff Idon’t agree with, it’s stilldoing

of the White House in Washington.

whathesaidhewas goingto do.”

Thosewho were surprised by Trump’sfirstfew months seem to have hadarude awakening. The people who say Trump’sactions were not what they expected —who aremostly Democratsand independents —are more likely to say Trump has had mostly the wrongpriorities andthat he has beena poor or terrible president,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’shandling ofthe presidencymore broadly but said she did not approve of hishandling 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”and that Russian President Vladimir Putin “is not to be trusted.” Melnyk,who voted for Trump largely for hispositions on immigration, said she wished the president

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 approves 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 withthe policies he’s put in as far as border protection andAmerica standing for itself again as far as the tariffs.”

“We’re only three months in, but so far,sogood,”said Carlos Guevara,46, who lives in Florida. Guevara, a Republican, said DOGE has been a“smash hit” and on tariffs,and while there may be short-termpain,“if that does encouragebusinessestostart manufacturing here then that’ll wash out over time.”

Democrats have amuch bleaker outlook on theeconomy than theyheldbefore Trump took office. The poll also found that the vast majority of Democrats think he has “gone toofar” on deportations and tariffs.

GabrielAntonucci,26, aDemocrat whorecently

moved to South Carolina, said Trump’ssecond term is “just alot more ridiculous” thanhehad anticipated.

“It really seems like he is doingeverything he can to makethe wrong decisions,” Antonucci said. “Things are probably going to be worse in four years than they are right now.”

The AP-NORC poll of 1,260 adultswas conducted April 17-21, using asample drawn from NORC’sprobabilitybased AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The marginofsampling error for adultsoverall is plus or minus 3.9 percentage points

more commoningranddad’s era. Compton III learned to sew them with the help of Big Chief Demond Melancon, of the Young Seminole Hunters.

Honoring afamilytradition

Theartistsaidthat, according to family lore, his grandfather had intended to someday create aburntorange suit, but thatnever

cametopass. So Compton III did it forhim, using that hue as thebase color of all hislittleSpy Boys. Andone giant one. The 16-foot-tall, inflatable SpyBoy standsatopDurio’sHouse of Style barber shopand hair salonat1832 Gentilly Blvd.,justablock or two from the Gentilly entrance to the Jazz Fest. Compton III said his inflated Mardi GrasIndianwas first created for atemporary installation on theroof of the Barnett Hotel, andhas poppedupina fewscattered locations since. Compton III’shomegrown pop art is beyond adoubt brilliant.The FairGrounds racetrack,where the Jazz Fest takes place, is madefor gambling, and any art world handicapper would bet that ComptonIII is astar in the making. His next sculpture, he said, will be aBaby Doll. Compton III’scharacter sculptures start at $400. His Bro Leonard piece is $20,000. Ask to see his character pins, priced at $15. His art will be on display at the Jazz Festival during the first weekend only

By The Associated Press

QAMISHLI, Syria RepresentativesofKurdishgroups in Syria calledSaturday fora democratic state that gives the country’sKurds theirethnic rights afterthe fall of Bashar Assad.

Some 400 people representing Syria’smain Kurdish groups met in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli to unifytheir positions amonth after Syria’s newrulers signed abreakthrough deal with Kurdish-led authorities in the northeast.

KurdsinSyria were marginalized during the 54-year Assad family rule, with many denied citizenship and wrongly described as Arabs. Astatement issuedatthe end of the one-day meeting that was attended by groups including the U.S.backed Syrian Democratic Forces, theDemocratic UnionParty,and theKurdish NationalCouncil called fora “fairand comprehensive” solution for the Kurdish cause in a“democratic and decentralized country.”

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON President DonaldTrump speaks withreporters Fridayashe and firstladyMelania Trump departonMarine Onefrom the South Lawn

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

III stands inside his tent by the CongoSquare StageonFriday during the second dayofthe NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival at the Fair Grounds in NewOrleans.

Steltz,GeorgeEdward 'The Maestro'

George Edward Steltz

over theworld andalways encouraged others to do thesame. Italy, theAmalfi Coast, andthe Isle of Capri were theirfavorites.They even traveled to theOrient andRussia. LasVegas was hisfavoriteU.S.cityto visit. He Lovedthe casinos andwas an avid craps player.Heloved LSU(his alma mater).He was blessedtoattend many LSUgames andwatched twoofhis grandsonsplay in the2003 and2007 Na‐tional Championship gamesinthe Superdome. He andLorrainewerein TigerStadium forBilly Can‐non’s famous Halloween run. He loved fishingwith hisson andgrandsons in GrandIsleand Delacroix. George wasa constant presence at hisgrandchil‐dren’s sports games, school functions, andgrad‐uations, showinghis unwa‐vering support. He cher‐ishedfamilyvacations in

survived andmissedbyhis stepmother,Mildred Stokes,fourbrothers, Ter‐ries Stokes (Asmia), Gary Stokes (Louise),Folzia Whatleyand RavinWhat‐ley(Linda),six sisters, Dar‐leen Jenkins(Larry), Michelle Maize, Juanita Jenkins(Vincent),Mattie Wilborn(Willie), Mae James(Danny),and PrinceeWhatley.Herbert wasthe grandfatherof12 grandchildren, twogreatgrandchildrenand ahost of nieces,nephews andrel‐atives.Hewas preceded in deathbyhis parents, Robert Stokes andCharlie Bell Whatley, twosisters oneniece andone brotherin-law.Relatives and friendsofthefamilyare in‐vitedtojoininthe Celebra‐tion of Life ServiceonMon‐day, April28, 2025, at Gertrude Geddes Willis-Ter‐rebonne FuneralHome, 617 Bond Street,Houma LA 70360 11:00a.m.Visitation

each and every person who touched his life.All are welcome to attend his internment on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2025, at theGeorgia National Cemetery on Scott Hudgens DriveinCanton, Georgia at 9:00am. In lieu of flowers,pleaseconsider making acontributiontoa hospice charity or to cancer research, as these were causes near and dear to his heart.Toshare your fond thoughts, memories, and condolences, please visit www.vlm.cem.va.gov.

“The Maestro,”passed away on Easter Sunday April20, 2025, at theage of 91. He wasbornonJuly20, 1933, to thelateGeorge andMercedesSteltz. He wasthe brotherofthe late AnnSteltzStechmann. He is survived by hisbeloved wife Lorraine Goff Steltz of Townsend, Barbara

wasthe cherisheddaugh‐terofMyrtleand Anthony Joseph NatalJr. Aproud graduate of Sacred Heart High School,Barbara car‐ried herNew Orleansspirit with graceand warmth throughout herlife. In her younger years, shefound love andadventure when shemet herfuturehus‐band andsoulmate, Hall Townsend, throughthe Padua20’sClub. Theirlife together was filledwith shared passions,enduring companionship, anddeep affection. Barbarawas a member of TheCPA Wives Club,BetaSigma PhiSoror‐ity, AARP, andthe NewOr‐leansA’s ModelA Ford Club where sheshared many good timesand val‐uedfriendships.She is pre‐cededindeath by her belovedhusband,Hall Townsend, whose memory remained ever closetoher heart. Barbaraissurvived by andwas lovingly cared

attend thevisitationat Leitz-EaganFuneralHome, 4747 Veterans Memorial Blvd., near ClearviewPkwy in Metairie,LAonFriday May2,2025 beginningat 11:00 AM with aFuneral Mass to follow at 1:00 PM in Leitz-EaganFuneral Home’s Chapel.Interment will be in Metairie Ceme‐tery.Fondmemoriesand condolencesmay be shared at www.leitzeaganf uneralhome.com.

HOME-DELIVERED EVERYDAY

2-year-old citizen deported to Honduras

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

Former Federal Reserve building sold

Revival plans slated for N.O. site

BY ANTHONY MCAULEY Staff writer

Alexander Ackel, who bought the old Federal Reserve building in the Central Business District with his partner Al Morris earlier this month, is adamant about one thing: They will not be converting the unique, century-old structure into a hotel.

“It is sinful to me that they wanted to turn this into a hotel,” said Ackel, referring to a sale of the building to hotel developers that fell through last year The neoclassical monolith at 147 Carondelet St., which was built by the Federal Reserve in 1923, is known for its robust construction, featuring 3-footthick steel-reinforced concrete walls, and a 38-ton solid steel door protecting the main vault area on the first floor

“We’re going to turn this back into what it was intended to be used for when it was built in the 1920s, except in the modern sense,” said Ackel, a precious metals dealer and owner of New Orleans Silver and Gold, whose head office is two blocks away on Gravier Street.

Sitting in empty offices next to a life-size cardboard cutout of the late David Oreck, the building’s most recent owner, who was best known as the founder and pitchman for his namesake vacuum cleaners, Ackel outlined his plans.

Ackel and Morris plan to first revamp the areas designed to store valuables, which includes the unique historic vaults that cover three of the building’s six floors. Though Oreck had renamed the building “The Security Center” and rented out part of it for secure storage, Ackel said they plan to revamp the vault areas and offer them for use as a gold depository for securities exchanges, for high value auctions and the like. They also plan to reactivate the “Federal Ballroom” and other areas as event spaces and to install a museum on the first floor to highlight the building’s history

They plan to rename it “The Old Federal Reserve Building.”

“I used to live next to David Oreck when I was a teenager, and I’ve always had a box here since I started as a precious metals dealer,” said Ackel, who is 37 “I used to leave here and say, ‘I’m going to buy this place, I’m going to buy this place,’ but I didn’t think it would ever be possible.”

He said he’s been fortunate that the price of gold has tripled since he got into the business 15 years ago, while the old Fed building ended up being offered at a deep discount to its original offer price

The former Fed building was an emblem of a time when that part of the Central Business District was

Baton Rouge-born 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 “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

SATURDAY @ JAZZ FEST

SIGN LANGUAGE

Nan Parati’s 3,000 hand-drawn signs a New Orleans Jazz Fest tradition

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

Early afternoon on the 2025 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival‘s opening day found Nan Parati in her happy place: a Fair Grounds horse barn near the Congo Square Stage.

Parati arrived at 5:30 a.m., then commenced hand-lettering small signs for the festival’s beer booths and backstage dressing room trailers.

By lunchtime, she’d knocked out more than 300.

Inevitably, more assignments would pop up as the festival site came to life like a giant, multi-cell organism.

Fortunately, Parati draws as fast as she talks.

“People say, ‘How long does it take

you to make a sign?’ It’s 40 years, and three minutes,” she said. “You do something for that long, you get fast.”

Quint Davis, the festival’s longtime producer/director, often describes Jazz Fest as “handmade.” With Nan Parati, that’s literally true.

Since 1985, her hands have helped create and curate Jazz Fest’s visual aesthetic. Each year, she inscribes 3,000 or so signs with thick markers She draws the 600-plus stage signs with band names, plus countless yellow signs that provide direction for festgoers and staffers.

She named the serif typeface used for yellow signs “Fun Times Roman.”

Her cursive script on stage signs? That’s “Nan-u-script.”

Her stage signs are prized Jazz Fest souvenirs. Outside of the festival, she sells customized signs via Fleurty Girl, the New Orleans-centric retailer, and her website.

She likes to say that she is the most collected, yet unknown, artist in the world. Her work is certainly wellknown to anyone who has ever attended

Jazz Fest

“We’re the runway to the airport that is Jazz Fest,” Parati says of her Barn 12 workshop and crew. “Everything has to go right through this runway to take off.”

Arriving at the Fair Grounds five hours before Jazz Fest’s gates open is Parati’s typical routine.

“It’s the calm before the craziness,” she explained. “It’s still dark. It’s quiet. When the sun starts coming up, it’s this beautiful thing that happens.”

Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, she watched her father, a graphic designer, work in his home studio.

As an exchange student in Germany in the 1970s, she hitchhiked across Europe. In her early twenties, she spent six months living in a village in the West African nation of Senegal that she’d heard about from a friend in the Peace Corps.

“I wanted to go where I didn’t know anything at all,” not even the language, she said. “I wanted to see what it was

ä See SIGN, page 2B

Official proposes $1 million for Gretna projects

Upcoming special election makes some question timing

BY LARA NICHOLSON Staff writer

Just days before the May 3 election, an interim Jefferson Parish Council member is proposing spending $1 million on Gretna projects and leaving the incoming candidate with less than $500,000 in discretionary spending for the rest of the year Spending in Gretna has already been a hot topic during the race for the District 1 seat, thanks to

candidate and Jean Lafitte Mayor Tim Kerner Jr., whose campaign has centered on spreading the wealth more evenly On Wednesday, at the final meeting before the new District 1 council member is determined, interim council member Joe Marino III plans to bring forth resolutions to secure $1 million for Gretna projects. He is proposing to give Gretna $750,000 to renovate its farmers market pavilion, and another to help fund Gretna Fest for $250,000. Marino said the $750,000 was approved by the Parish Council in March 2024 but never formalized through a contract, which

he’s now looking to rectify Gretna Fest, meanwhile, annually receives hundreds of thousands of dollars from the district through its tourism fund.

Marino added that the goal of his tenure was to uphold projects spearheaded by Marion Edwards, who suddenly retired from the District 1 seat in January, and that these resolutions are a continuation of that promise. Some, however question the timing.

“It is a significant amount of money, so I do think it is unusual for an interim person this close to the election to be determining a sum of that significance,” said

at-large council member Jennifer Van Vrancken. “That said, I do think Councilman Edwards, who was elected to that position, would probably make similar expenditures, so it is what it is.”

The election for his seat, between Republican Kerner and Democrat Spanish educator Andrea Manuel, takes place three days after the meeting, on May 3. Marino is registered under No Party and is not endorsing either candidate.

Each of the seven district council members possess discretionary accounts that are typically replete with millions of dollars

ä For the art: Karl Denson is a late-night Jazz fest icon. PAGE 1D

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Artist Nan Parati writes a name on a sign for a dressing room during the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Thursday.

like to be a brand-new baby all over again.” In the village, she “was the resident White person. I just entertained them by being White.”

She performed the only task for which she was qualified: babysitting the village children while their parents worked in the fields. “Every time I tried to do any of the work they did, I’d mess it up.”

New Orleans ‘by accident’

Back in the United States, Parati moved to New Orleans “by accident.” She took a train from North Carolina for what she thought would be a 10-day visit. She quickly realized that “these are my people” and stayed.

Days later, she got a job at the original Toulouse Theatre in the French Quarter At the time, “One Mo’ Time,” the Vernel Bagneris musical set in vaudeville-era New Orleans, was in production Her duties included keeping tabs on James Booker, the supremely talented but troubled New Orleans pianist.

“What a way to be introduced to New Orleans,” she said. She moved on to a job in the produce department of the Whole Food Co grocery on Esplanade Avenue, which was later acquired by the expanding, Texas-based Whole Foods Market.

At Whole Food, she was “great at talking to people, and really bad at stacking and cleaning vegetables.”

After two weeks, Peter Roy eventually president of the entire Whole Foods Market chain — fired her She talked him into transferring her to the cheese department.

Her regular customers included New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint. But she wasn’t very good at selling cheese, either Roy fired her for a second time Fortuitously, the store’s sign maker left simultaneously Parati pleaded her case to Roy: “That’s my real job!

DEPORTED

Continued from page 1B

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.

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 officials 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

I promise I can write signs!”

So Roy gave her one last shot. She wove puns into her signs, such as a notice about “day-old” bread that referenced Harry Belafonte’s “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song).”

She painted murals and decorated the store’s windows, and eventually became the grocery’s head of advertising

From Clinton to Buffett

In 1985, a staffer from the nearby Jazz Fest took notice and asked Parati to draw signs for the festival’s stages. It likely helped that she was exactly the sort of free spirit the festival attracted in those days.

The next year, she did stage signs and parking lot signs too. From there, her work snowballed.

One day, Quint Davis spotted her painting the Jazz Fest logo on a banner freehand. He invited her to work on the stages and décor for Bill Clinton’s presidential inaugural celebration, which Davis’ company, Festival Productions Inc., produced in Washington.

In 1993, Davis recruited her on behalf of his pal Jimmy Buffett to convert City Park’s Tad Gormley Stadium into a stadium-sized Margaritaville for an upcoming concert.

Buffett liked the results so much that he thanked Parati from the stage and hired her and her team for a subsequent tour

“Being on the road with Jimmy Buffett? It was fun,” Parati confirmed

Every detail scrutinized

At Jazz Fest, Parati manages a 30-person team — referred to either as the “art department” or “signs and décor” — that designs, creates and hangs all Jazz Fest signage and art, much of which is fabricated at Stronghold Studios in Mid-City

Every detail is scrutinized.

Davis once asked them redo the Styrofoam likeness of Professor Longhair at the Festival Stage peak because he wasn’t happy with Longhair’s teeth Very few fans would have noticed such a detail,

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.

but Davis did.

When Hurricane Katrina hit, Parati was working at the Green River Festival in Massachusetts. Stranded, she settled in Massachusetts, but spends most of the spring festival season in New Orleans. Design and planning for the upcoming Jazz Fest’s look starts each Jan. 1.

The actual sign-making kicks into high gear after Jazz Fest finalizes its scheduling “cubes” a month before the festival.

Each band name on a stage sign is proofread twice. Parati doesn’t have a favorite name to write, but does have a least favorite, which she won’t reveal. She loves drawing the letter “s.”

Her style has evolved. Her “Nanu-script” is thicker now, often accessorized with swirls and stars.

“The signs talk to me,” she said.

“It is not uncommon for me to finish a sign and then the sign looks at me like, ‘Mmm-hmm. Is that what you want to send out there?’ And I do it again.

“I’m not really crazy That’s just

FEDERAL

Continued from page 1B

the financial heart of New Orleans.

Once known as “bankers row,” the area in recent decades has largely transformed into a tourist area, with historic buildings such as the former Cotton Exchange and the former New Orleans Public Service Inc. building converted to hotels, and the entire Whitney Bank block set for a similar fate.

The history of the Federal Reserve’s presence in the city itself tells the story of New Orleans’ changing economic position within the region.

A year after the Federal Reserve Bank was created in 1913, New Orleans was passed over in favor of Atlanta when the 12 regional reserve banks were designated. The Georgia capital already had eclipsed New Orleans as a regional commercial and financial hub, so New Orleans was given the consolation prize of be-

GRETNA

Continued from page 1B

to spend largely as they please from various revenue sources. Behind the agreement

The $750,000 for the farmers market will come from the district’s health and fitness fund, made up of proceeds from the lease of West Jefferson Medical Center to LCMC Health in 2015. The fund must be used toward health and fitness projects.

how my life is.”

Welcome to Nanlandia

A cottage industry has grown up around Parati, her signs and her personality Her gift of gab is showcased on her periodic podcast, “Welcome to Nanlandia.”

She and a business partner have a restaurant in Ashfield, Massachusetts, called Wicked Good Café. She made a sign for Mitch Landrieu’s office door when he was mayor; now she does signage for the New Orleans Book Festival, which was co-founded by Landrieu’s wife, Cheryl. She was commissioned to create a “What Would Irma Do?” sign — a tribute to Irma Thomas for a woman who would later go to work for the New Orleans Pelicans. For the past three seasons, Parati has made signs for the Pelicans.

She also draws signs for the French Quarter Festival, the Newport Folk and Jazz festivals in Rhode Island, and festivals in New York and Illinois.

ing a branch to the Atlanta reserve bank, said Claire Loup, historian for the Federal Reserve in New Orleans.

The New Orleans Fed operated out of various rented premises until the property on the corner of Carondelet and Common streets was bought.

New Orleans architect Rathbone DeBuys, whose best known works include Bogalusa City Hall and Loyola University’s Thomas Hall and Marquette Hall, then was commissioned to design the building.

The neoclassical design prioritized sturdiness, with a steel superstructure built on a massive foundation of Georgia granite. Above each window was mounted a golden eagle. A heavy but unadorned cornice was erected above that, topped by the building’s fifth story, according to Mike Scott.

The total construction price tag was $1.25 million, which would be approximately $22.5 million in 2025 dollars when accounting for inflation.

Neighborhood Improvement and Beautification District to repair its private neighborhood pool because they could not find a public use for the funds. He also changed the revenue source for numerous other health and fitness projects.

If passed, the health and fitness fund will be depleted, and the next elected council member will have about $440,000 to use for the rest of the year.

She has applied for copyright protection for two of her distinctive typefaces; her application is under review with the U.S. Copyright Office.

“My lawyer writes a fair number of letters saying, ‘You can’t do that,’” Parati said. “I guess I’m honored that people want to copy it, but unh-unh, it’s mine. It’s my livelihood. I’m very encouraging of other people developing their own styles. But these are mine.” Making Mick Jagger’s door Being an artist is only part of the job. The other is functioning under pressure.

For the Rolling Stones’ historic performance at the 2024 Jazz Fest, the band designed its own stage backdrop, which the festival team had rendered in a heavy vinyl fabric.

Two days before the show, Tague Richardson, Jazz Fest’s site director for decades, approached Parati with a surprise: Mick Jagger wanted a discreet door built into the backdrop. It had to be a specific material and size.

And it had to be ready by 9 a.m. the next morning for rehearsals. Parati sprang into action. In a stroke of luck, she already had the required material on hand. She found a seamstress willing to pull an all-nighter to create the door, which Parati and her crew then installed.

Jagger never said a word about it That, said a friend of Parati’s who worked for the Stones, was the best compliment she could get. And having a picture of Mick Jagger onstage next to her Rolling Stones stage sign is, in her opinion, “better than a gallery show.” Ultimately she believes hitchhiking in Europe and her stay in Senegal helped prepare her for her Jazz Fest life.

“I was always having to come up with immediate fixes for so much. I think that’s what set me up for this kind of life. I love it.

“I don’t see much of the festivals. But I have a really good time.”

After the Federal Reserve moved to a new location at 525 St. Charles Ave. in 1965, the building changed hands several times — first to oilman and financier Louis J. Roussel for $2.45 million ($24 million in 2025 dollars), and eventually to Oreck in 1980.

Oreck’s newspaper ads at the time explained that the facility offered numbered accounts similar to the Swiss banking system, temperature-controlled vaults and safe deposit boxes guarded by armed security He also located one of his floor care centers on the ground floor, though that was discontinued when he sold the home appliances company in 2003.

After Oreck died in 2023, at age 99, the building was put on the market at an initial asking price of $7 million. Potential buyers who had considered a hotel conversion couldn’t make that work financially and dropped out, according to Scott Graf, a broker at Corporate Realty The building was bought

berg had $15 million to spend when he came into the role after she transitioned from his district to the at-large role.

District 1 election

Discretionary spending in District 1 — specifically in downtown Gretna — has been in the spotlight in this election cycle as Kerner ran his campaign on vows to spread public dollars more evenly across the district.

by Ackel and Morris this month for $3.5 million (about 15% of what it originally cost to build, not including the 1945 expansion).

“Seeing the younger generation of New Orleans entrepreneurs investing in downtown is a good sign for the Central Business District,” said John Georges, who partnered with Ackel’s late father, George Ackel Jr a prominent real estate developer in Jefferson Parish, in several business ventures. Ackel’s grandfather was former Public Service Commissioner George Ackel Sr Georges owns The TimesPicayune | The New Orleans Advocate with his wife, Dathel Coleman Georges. Al Morris, who is a minority owner in the new building, is founder and owner of Crescent Holdings Co., whose interests include a signage business, car care and tire centers, and solar roofing.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

Gretna. Gretna officials, however, say they’ve lost trust in him over his comments. He’s said he’s willing to accept that to bring transparency to voters.

Marino, also from Gretna, said the election has put an “unprecedented and unproductive” amount of attention on discretionary spending.

The farmers market pavilion intends to upgrade its lighting, sound system, roof, electrical system, signage, seating and more, the draft agreement says.

Marino said he’s not aware of why a contract wasn’t drafted back when the money was allocated, calling it an “omission.”

As a result, the health and fitness account never properly reflected the dedicated $750,000, and other projects were inadvertently funded using the same money, Marino said.

To free up dollars in the health and fitness fund, Marino took back $250,000 that Edwards had dedicated to the Timberlane

Deano Bonano, District 3 council member, said it’s not unusual for council members to deplete their resources before leaving office, and that the incoming council member can cancel the contract.

“I’m going to support it, and if whoever wins the District 1 seat wants to withdraw it, I’ll support it as well,” Bonano said.

District council members Hans Liljeberg, Arita Bohannan and Byron Lee said they will support the resolutions. At-large council member Scott Walker was not available for comment Thursday or Friday.

Van Vrancken said it often “varies” depending on the person whether funds are depleted before exiting. She noted that Lilje-

He accused his thenopponent Ricky Templet, a former council member who was knocked out of the primary, of being part of a political “machine” that concentrated council funds on projects in Old Gretna, likening it to “Disney World.”

Manuel, who largely flew under the radar before the primary, has framed herself as a candidate “concerned about the needs of all communities,” and not a candidate “who has an ax to grind.” Kerner has emphasized that his goal is to build up District 1’s other communities — which include Terrytown, Jean Lafitte, Crown Point, Estelle, Barataria, Grand Isle and parts of Harvey and Marrero — rather than tear down

“It’s unfortunate right now that we are having a discussion in light of the political environment that we’re in right now with this upcoming election and the fact that some regular and ordinary decisions have been made political targets,” Marino said.

Email Lara Nicholson at lnicholson@theadvocate. com.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Artist Nan Parati talks to Ali Wild in the art department during the first day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans on Thursday.

Boudreaux, Joyce

Chachere, Ernest

Evans, Patrick

Falgoust, John

GalkowskiJr.,Walter

Gaston, Barbara

IrbyJr.,Joseph

Knobloch, Nims

Kulas, John

Kullman, Merrilee

Lanaux, Mary

Madrid,Kevin

Matherne,Ralph

Messmer,Mildred

Odinet,Barry

Ofstad,Kristine

Palmisano, Eileen Parker,Bonnie

Pecoraro,Sandra

Redmon Jr., Harry Rideau,Kirby Rosenwasser, Lawrence

Roy, JoAnn

Steen,Wiley

Steltz,George

Stokes, Herbert

Theriot, Ronald

Townsend, Barbara

EJefferson

LA Muhleisen

Roy, JoAnn

Leitz-Eagan

EaganJr.,Aristide

Steltz,George Townsend, Barbara

Neptune Society

Kullman, Merrilee

NewOrleans

DW Rhodes

Chachere, Ernest Madrid,Kevin

Gertrude Geddes

Stokes, Herbert

Greenwood

Ofstad,Kristine

Kulas, John

JacobSchoen Lake Lawn Metairie

Boudreaux, Joyce Collins,Audrey

Coxe,Mary

Crosbie, Delores

David, Tom

Derbes,Elyse

Falgoust, John

GalkowskiJr.,Walter

Gaston, Barbara

Cooper, Clifton

Lanaux, Mary

EJ Fielding Mothe

Collins,Audrey Cooper, Clifton Matherne,Ralph Coxe,Mary Messmer,Mildred Crosbie, Delores Palmisano, Eileen David, Tom Parker,Bonnie Derbes,Elyse EaganJr.,Aristide

Obituaries

Boudreaux, Joyce Culotta

JoyceCulotta Boudreaux was born on January 14, 1940, andentered into eternal lifeon Monday, April 21, 2025, at the ageof85. Shewas borninNew Orleans and lived inMetairiefor most of herlife. Shewas the daughter of the late SarahMigliore Culotta and Peter Arthur Culotta. She was also precededindeath by herhusband of 38 years, LesterA Boudreaux, Jr Joyceissurvived by her son, Kevin G. Boudreaux, Sr. (wifeJan) and daughter, Rebecca Boudreaux Short (husband Abby), her grandchildren, Courtney Boudreaux Poupart (husband Shane),Kevin G. Boudreaux, Jr.(wife Megan),Benjamin Boudreaux, Alyson Boudreaux, Madeline Short,CarolineShort and great-grandchild, Jackson Poupart. She is also survived by her sisters, Anna C. Maunoir (late husband Peter) and Pat C. Yaeger (late husband Joseph), her brother-in-law,Theodore Boudreaux,her special friend, MarilynMaddox,as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. Joycegrewupinthe Irish Channel very closeto her school, Redemptorist High School whereshe graduated in 1957. She was also adevoted Catholic and wasa parishioner of St. AngelaMerici Church since1979. The family wouldlike to thankHospice Specialists of Louisiana for their special care and compassion. Relativesand friends areinvited to attend afuneralservice onTuesday, April 29, 2025atLakeLawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100PontchartrainBlvd. New Orleans, LA. Visitation willbeheld from 10AM-12 PM with aMasstobegin at 12 PM. Internment will follow at AllSaints Mausoleum In lieu of flowers,Joyce wouldliketohave masses saidinher nameordonations made to St. Judein her memory. To shareyour fond thoughts, memories, and condolences, please visit the online guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

With sadnessweshare thepassing of Ernest G. Chachere,onMarch 31 2025. Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview serviceinformation,sign online guestbook,send flowers andshare condo‐lences

Gaston, Barbara Collins, Audrey Gisevius

Knobloch, Nims

Pecoraro,Sandra

River Parish

HC Alexander

Rosenwasser, Lawrence

St Tammany

Audubon NewOrleans

IrbyJr.,Joseph

late RoyE.Gisevius and Mildred Fischer Gisevius.

Audrey is also precededin death by her husband of 55 years, Floyd R. Collins; siblings Joyce Gisevius Cassidy(Charles) and Beryl Gisevius Moran (Lyle); granddaughter ChristiLee Collins. She is survivedbyher children Lynn Collins Juhl (Jerry) and CraigA.Collins (Charlene Nikolaus); grandchildrenTressica Juhl Gomez,BrandyJuhl Fischer (Jayson), Melissa Juhl; greatgrandchildren

IsabellaGomez, Alexandria Fischer, ShelbyFischerand Ava Fischer as well as numerous relatives and friends.Relativesand friends are invitedtoattend thevisitationon Wednesday,April30, 2025, at 11:00 am followedbya Funeral Mass celebrated by Rev. Lance Campoat 1:00 pm in theChapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home. Interment in Lake Lawn Park and Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, Massespreferred. To view and sign thefamily guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

guestbook at www.ejfield ingfh.com.

Coxe, Mary Hargis

Maryland. After meeting JimCrosbie in Annapolis, MD theymarriedand moved to Jim's home state of Louisiana to open his first veterinary practice Later,Dee earneda law degree from Loyola Law School andwentontobecome the first female Assistant District Attorney in St.Bernard Parish where she practicedfor many years untilher retirement.

CliftonGraybill Cooper age67, of Covington, Louisiana, went to be with theLordonThursday,April 17, 2025. He wasbornon September2,1957, in Roanoke, Virginia.Heis survived by hislovingwife of 16 years, HelenMoore “Muffet” Cooper;children, BethanyMader (Corben), Samantha Beavers(Corey) andAlexCooper (Heather); stepchildren,Marvin Heebe(Ellen) andClark Heebe(Jill); grandchildren, Colton Cooper,Evander Cooper,Leeland Beavers, RileyBeavers,Maverick Beavers, Oliver Beavers, AmyMader,CarterMader HaleyCrasto(William), Jack Heebe, HelenHeebe, Beck Heebe, DavisHeebe, LibbyHeebe, andone grandchild on theway;and great-grandson,Dyar Crasto.Heisalsosurvived by hissiblings, Tony Cooper (Diane)and Chris Cooper (Barbara); niece, Rachel Cooper (Jonathan Duffy); cousins, Caroline Ceciland Lois (Dave); uncle,PaulGraybill (Rose); andmanyextendedfamily membersand friends. He wasprecededindeath by hisparents,Eugene Lawrence Cooper andMar‐ianLucille Graybill Cooper Clifflived brieflyinBirm‐ingham,Alabama,and At‐lanta, Georgia, before growingupprimarily in Harahan, Louisiana, andat‐tendingEastJefferson High School.Helater livedin In‐dianaand completedan associate’sdegreeinthe‐ology from BoyceBible Col‐lege at Southern Baptist TheologicalSeminaryin Louisville,Kentucky, before ultimately relocating to Covington, Louisiana, where he metand married Helen“Muffet”Cooper.He pastored multiple churches throughout Louisiana, Kentucky,and Indianaduringhis career He wasanactivemember of BogueFalayaBaptist Church andmorerecently attended Live OakMission‐aryBaptist Church.Hehad also preached at Creekside BaptistChurch in Loranger in recent years. He wasa loving husband,father, grandfather, andfriend, andhewillbedearly missed by hisfamilyand community.Memorialdo‐nationsmay be made to Live OakBaptist Church or to theSt. Tammany Out‐reachfor thePrevention of Suicide. Relativesand friendsare invitedtoat‐tend thefuneral services on Saturday,May 3, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at Live Oak MissionaryBaptist Church, 78273 Highway1077, Cov‐ington,Louisiana,withvisi‐tation beginningat9:00 a.m. Privateinterment will follow in BogueFalaya BaptistChurch Cemetery, anda celebrationoflifere‐ceptionwillfollowthe in‐terment at theCooper Family Home.E.J.Fielding FuneralHomeofCoving‐ton, Louisiana, is honored to be entrustedwithMr. Cooper’s funeralarrange‐ments. Hisfamilyinvites youtoshare thoughts memories,and condo‐lences by signinganonline

Mary Hargis Coxe passed away at her Uptown home on April 19, 2025, spending her last days surrounded by family and her dearest friends.A lifelong resident of New Orleans, Mary was born on May9,1945. Mary was the daughter of thelateMilton Josephand Rhoda Meyer Hargis. Due to thedeath of her mother when she was twoyears old, Mary was raisedbyher grandparents, thelateWalter Conrad and Mary Louise SairMeyer. Mary attended HolyNameofJesus, Mercy Academy and Loyola University. Mary managed QualityRestorations, her husband's construction company where she gainedinvaluable business experience that enabled her to transition to asuccessful 38-yearcareer in theartsasthe Director of DyansenGallery and Martin Lawrence Gallery, bothlocated on Royal Street. She was preceded in death by her husband John Marshall Coxe, and later, her dear friend,Dr. Manuel (Manny) Paez,MD. She is survivedbyher son, Jack Coxe, stepsons, Leland(Kathy), David, and Johnny (Carol) Coxe, and her brother, Dr. Robert Hargis, MD of Covington, grandchildren, Hope Gann, Christopher Coxe (Brittni), and StefanieCoxe (Christian), nieces, Rhoda Hackman (Jeff), Mary Hathorn (Miles), and Rachel Rush (Allen), and numerous greatnieces and nephews. Throughout her final journey, Mary was lovingly cared for by her closest friend, Janie Strayhan, as wellasPinky Daigre, Suzie McKinney, Linda Green and others Their compassionand support brought comfort and dignity to Mary's two-year battle with cancer. The Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00AMon Thursday,May 1, 2025, at St.Rita CatholicChurch, 2729 Lowerline St.New Orleans, LA.70125. Visitation willbegin at 9 :00 AM. Burial willfollow, privately, at Metairie Cemetery at theMeyer family tomb AcelebrationofMary's life will be held on May 22nd at Martin Lawrence Galleryat6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers,donations in Mary's memory can be madetoSt. Rita Catholic Church Building Fund at https://stritanola.com/pla nned-giving or by mailing to 2729 Lowerline Street, NewOrleans, LA 70125. To view and signthe Family online guestbook, please visit www.lakelawnmetairi e.com

Whethershe wasgoing to thebeachfor aweekend or spendingtimeabroad, Deeloved travelingand touredcountriesonnearly everycontinent. She also enjoyed reading,watching theNew OrleansPelicans, staying on top of current events, and committing hertimeand resources to charitableorganizations.

More than anything, Dee lovedspending time with herclosefriends,children andgrandchildren

Familyand friends are invited to attendthe visitation for DeeonTuesday April 29, 2025, from 9:0011:00 a.m. with Funeral Mass to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.inNew Orleans. Mass willbeginin thechapelat11:00 a.m. with aburialinMetairie Cemetery to follow In lieu of flowers, please donate to Friends of City ParkinDee's honor.Their address is 1PalmDrive NewOrleans,LA70124

Tom V. David passed away on April 21, 2025, at the age of 85, surrounded by family, after abrave battle foughtagainst pulmonaryfibrosis. He was born on October26, 1939, in Burden,Kansas to Samuel and Hazel David andwas alongtime residentofMetairie. He is survived by his belovedand devotedwife Judy, hisdaughters, Michelle Uría and Kemela David, and his two stepchildren, BradleyScott Johnson(GraceMeek) and Jill JohnsonAnderson (Chris Anderson). He was blessed with four granddaughters, Isabella Uría (Juan Carlos Lopez), Alejandra Uría (Matthew Zellner),HannahPlatte, andMallory Platte (Joe Meyers) andninestepgrandchildren, Scott Johnson (Olivia Gallego), William Johnson, Ashley Harris(John Harris), Adeline Johnson, Price Addy, Allison Addy, Camillia Bouvier,John Thomas Bouvier,and Kaitlyn Bouvier.His family expanded with wonderful great-grandchildren, AmaiaLopez-Uría, Emiliano Lopez-Uría, and AnaLucia Zellner-Uría and step-great-grandchildren J.T. Harrisand Claire Johnson.

Tom received aDoctor of VeterinaryMedicine fromKansas State University School of VeterinaryMedicine in 1965 and enjoyed asuccessful career as an equine veterinarian.

Afuneral service will be held on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Lake LawnFuneral Home 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA. Visitation will be held from 12 PM-2 PM with aservice beginningat2 PM.There will be aprivate burialimmediately following In lieu of flowers, the familyrequestsdonations be made to theManning FamilyChildren'sHospital.

1966). She moved to San Francisco in 1978 and built abeautiful life with countless wonderful friends. Elyse lovedhikingthe gorgeous trails of Northern California, live music (especially at Jazzfest), photography,art exhibits, dance performances, and the NewOrleans Saints. An avidtraveler,Elyse circumnavigated theglobe many timesover. Herbags were always packed, and shewas ready to join any adventure.Elyse wasprecededindeathbyher parents andher brother Charles Joseph Derbes III Sheissurvived by fivesiblings: Sheryl Derbes Brown, LewisJoseph Derbes (Sheila), Jean DerbesRatte (Geoffrey),DeniceDerbes (Michael Vales), and Janis Derbes deVerges (Paul); hertwelve nieces and nephews: Charles Brown (Paula), Bryan Brown (Donna), LewisDerbesJr. (Sheri), Megan Derbes McCarthy (Dennis), Kathryn Derbes Ratte EmilyRatte Pidot (Philip), John Ratte (Antonella Montagna), Hanlon deVerges (Rebecca), Douglas deVerges (Ashley), Courtney deVerges Connick (Lorcan), Andrew Vales andChristian Vales; and seventeen great-nieces andgreat-nephews:Lewis III,Molly, Garrettand Elliott Derbes;Elisabeth, Andrewand Audrey Brown;Colleen, Mairin Elisabeth and Delaney McCarthy; Charles,George andHenryPidot; Pauland Parker deVerges; and Brooks deVerges. Relativesand friends are invited to attenda celebration of Elyse'slifetobe held at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA on Monday, April 28, 2025. Visitation will begin at 10:00 AM with afuneral Mass to follow at 11:30 AM celebrated by Father Cassian Derbes, O.P. Intermentwill be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to ProjectOpenHandofSan Francisco (openhand.org) or thecharity of your choice.The familyinvites you to share memories and condolencesonline at www.lakelawnmetairie.co m.

EaganJr.,Aristide Charles

Aristide CharlesEagan Jr., 98, of NewOrleans, Louisianadiedpeacefully on March14, 2025. He was preceded in deathbylov‐ingwifeLaura.Hewillbe missedbymanyloving familymembers and friendsincluding children grandchildren, andgreatgrandchildren. Privateser‐vicestobeheldfor family only

Delores Sahf Crosbieof NewOrleans, Louisiana, passed away on Thursday, April17, 2025, at theage of 84. Delores "Dee" was preceded in death by her belovedhusband, James "Jim"Morton Crosbie, III, D.V.M.; her parents, Iver and Louise (Nechanicky) Sahf; her brother, John Sahf; and sister, Lorraine Habiger (Joe). She is survivedbytwo children, Cynthia "Cindy" Crosbie and James Crosbie,IV(Katie); her grandchildren, ZoeCrosbie and Morgan Crosbie of NewOrleans, LA;her brother, Robert Sahf (Bonnie) of Brainerd, MN; several nieces, nephews and many friends. Dee was born and raised in Owatonna, MN, graduated fromOwatonna High School, and went on to practice as aregistered nurse forseveral years in

It's difficult to summarize agreat man's life in a few words, but thosewho knew Patrick wouldbecertainhewould nothave wanteditany otherway "Not too flowery" he would often say. So here goes...Patrickwas aman with integrity and character. Patrickwas aman with adeep and intense love for hisfamily. Patrick wasa man witha passion for helpingothers. Patrickwas aman with amischievous sense of humor. Patrick wasa man whoenjoyed life to thefullest. Patrick wasquite simply andprofoundly hiswife's best friend, herrock, heradvisor, herone andonly, her everything. Patrickwas his children'sexample of what it meanttobea solid human being; amentor, a friend, agiverofwisdom, an encourager of beingindependentand asupporter of all theirhopes and

Cooper,Clifton Graybill

David, Tom V.

Evans, Patrick Albert

Crosbie,Delores Sahf

Derbes,Elyse

Elyse Derbes passed away peacefullyon Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 81 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Born on March16, 1944, in Los Angeles, California to the lateCharlesJoseph Derbes,Jr. andMarie CronvichDerbes,Elyse wasa graduate of the Academy of theSacred Heart(Classof1962) and Tulane University (Classof

Audrey Gisevius Collins passed awayonThursday, April 17, 2025, at the ageof 96. Shewas born in New Orleans,Louisiana on November 28, 1928, to the

dreams. His familywas his world, his purpose, his light. He spent his childhood in Metairie, LA. conquering one adventure after another and enjoyed his studies and athletic endeavors at Rummel High School. Although he was a stellar athlete and mathematician, Patrick knew he wanted to be apsychologist as ateenager. He got his undergraduate degree from U.N.O. and his Masters/Doctorate from U.S.M. As aClinical Psychologist, he gave over 40 years helping others .serving was in his DNA. He cared deeply about the people he counseled and celebrated their progress. His work was his joy, his mission, his destiny. Patrick loved to ride his bike, grill on his Green Egg, fish, talk to his children and sisters weekly and dine out, hold hands, teaseand laugh with his wife. We are all walking in agrief-filled fog right now but Patrick wouldn't want that forus. He would want us all to know...he loved his life. (Memories from his sisters) As achild, he was adventurous, catching snakes, turtles, araccoon, and even attempting to catch aneighbor's escaped pet monkey-only to fall out of the tree and breakhis arm. He enjoyed agood prank, like cutting off the water during a shower or turning the hose on one of his sisters when they walked outside. Anatural andgifted athlete, Pat wasalways the first chosen on neighborhood teams for our favorite game "jailbreak" and always the eventual champion in our hours-long pingpong tournaments. At Rummel, he ran track and was astarting forward when Rummel competed in the 1972LAstate basketball championship game. Though only 6'3" he was assigned the formidable task of guarding 7'0" Robert Parrish (later known as "the Chief" of the Boston Celtics) because of his excellent defensive skills. He matured into acaring and protective older brother, devoted to his family. Pat seemed toinstinctivelyknow when someoneneeded support, encouragement, or just a good laugh. He is preceded in death by his parents (Robert Farrell and Helen KuehneEvans) and brother (Bobby Evans). He is survived by his wife (Terese Gargiulo), sons (Connor Patrick &Dylan Thomas) daughter (MollyClaire), sisters (Sheila Hutchinson &Helen Evans) and many well loved nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Falgoust, John Robert

John Robert Falgoust, 82, passedaway peacefully on April 22, 2025, surrounded by his lovingfamily aftera brief illness. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 61 years Margaret Trapani Falgoust; his two children, John RobertFalgoust, Jr (Nancy) and Anne Falgoust Ott Johnson; and his cherished grandchildren, Caroline Kelly Falgoust and John Robert Falgoust,III ("Jack"), who lovingly called him "Papa" and "Pops." John was born on October 13, 1942, in Mayfield, Pennsylvania, where he spenthis early years untilhis family moved to NewOrleans to be closer to family. He graduated from Alcée Fortier High School in 1960 and Louisiana State University in New Orleans in 1964 with abachelor's degree in accounting.John began hiscareer as aCPA at Peat Marwick Mitchell and Price Waterhouse, and served in the U.S. Army National Guard. Hiscareer evolved from accounting to management consulting, and he went on to executive roles in the financialservices industry. In 1989 he joined New York Life where he guided his clients with integrityand compassion. John was a man of principal and deep faith and served as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and adorer for many years at St. Catherine of Siena Church. He was an avid golfer, who shot his age, and was afixture at his grandchildren's school and sporting events. Above all, John loved spending time with his family -he was never ready for family gatherings to end and was always sad when it was time to say goodbye. He lived life to the fullest up

until he becameill for the last two months of hislife Visitation and afuneral Mass willbeheldon Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 105 Bonnabel Blvd, Metairie, LA 70005, with visitation starting at 10:30 a.m. and the funeral Mass at noon. Aprivate burial servicewillfollow Mass at Metairie Cemetery in All SaintsMausoleum. In lieu offlowers,please consider donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.Toviewand sign the online Guestbook, please visit www.lakelawn metairie.com

Walter J. Galkowski, Jr., age72, passed awayathis home in River Ridge, Louisiana,onMonday, April 14, 2025.

Walterleaves behindhis loving wifeof47years, Nancy Lee McDaniel; his beloveddaughter,Susan Galkowski; his threesisters, Joan Hayes(Paul), Nancy Bodnar (Ray), and Tricia Brandt (Bill);one brother, Jim Galkowski (Lorraine); his nephew, BrianBonventre;his niece, Abby Peterson (Garrett); two great-nephews, Lucas Bonventre and Henry Peterson; and one greatniece, Kara Bonventre. He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter and Irene Galkowski. Walterwas born in Hicksville, NewYork on January 21, 1953. He was a veteran of the U.S.Army, and whilestationed in Hawaii, he met his future wife, Nancy, aveteran of theU.S.Navy.

Walter worked for over 30 years with Pan American LifeInsurance, retiring in 2009. He was alsoa co-ownerofthe River Shack Tavern on River Road in Jefferson. Hewas a30plus year memberof the Krewe of Endymion,a memberofKnights of Columbus, and aparishioner of St. Matthew the ApostleCatholicChurchin RiverRidge

Relatives and friends areinvited to attend the Funeral Mass in the chapel of Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home,5100 PontchartrainBlvd.inNew Orleans, on Saturday,May 3, 2025 at 2:00PM. Avisitation willtakeplace at the funeralhome beginning at 12:00PM. The interment willbeprivately heldata later date.

Walterloved animals and had many rescue dogs overthe years, and he enjoyedfeeding the birds and squirrels. In lieu of flowers, please considera donation in his memorytothe Best Friends Animal Society, www.bestfriends.org.

To view and signthe online guest book,please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.

Gaston,Barbara Gary

BarbaraGaryGastonof Metairie,LApassedaway peacefully at theage of 73 on Monday April21, 2025 surrounded by herfamily. Shewas born in NewOr‐leans, LA on February 24, 1952 to Paul S. Gary Jr.and Rosemary Tabary Gary Touzet.After graduating from Academyofthe Holy Angels (Class of 1970),Bar‐bara immediatelywentto work in thebusinessoffice of Porter Stevens Menswear in theCBD. After severalyears,Barbara beganemploymentwith ReliantInsurance Company where shemet herfuture husband,Sam Gaston.She andSam were marriedin 1982 andshortly thereafter movedtoEuless, TX where they liveduntil Sam'spass‐ingin2016. Barbaraloved to travel, even if it meanttraveling alone. Earlyinher work ca‐reer shetraveledalone to

Hawaii,despite this being her firsttime on an air‐plane. Herlastsolotrip wasin2018 whenshe trav‐eled to thecityofher dreams,the BigApple, New York City.Barbara also en‐joyedgoing to thebeach, watching oldmovies, gar‐dening,and reading. Hav‐ingnochildrenofher own, Barbaraespeciallyenjoyed spending time with her nieces andnephews Barbaraisprecededin deathbyher husband Samuel E. Gaston III, her parents,and herstep-fa‐ther,MorrisE.Touzet. She is survived by herbrother Paul S. Gary III (Lloydell) sister NancyG.O'Neal (Dave) andbrother Wayne C. Gary.She is also sur‐vivedbyher nieces and nephews, ChrisO'Neal (Stacy), Kelly O'Neal,Ben Gary (Blythe),GregGary (Stephanie), Matt O'Neal (Bentley) andEmily For‐beck (Ashton) andsix greatniecesand nephews. Family andfriends arein‐vitedtoattendthe visita‐tion andmemorialmassat OurLadyofthe Rosary Catholic Church at 3368 Es‐planadeAve., NewOrleans, LA 70119 on Tuesday, April 29,2025. Visitation will beginat10:30 a.m. until the mass at 12:00 Noon.Burial at St.Louis Cemetery No.3 will immediatelyfollowthe mass. Areception at the EventCenteratLakeLawn Metairie FuneralHome, 5100 PontchartrainBlvd, New Orleans, LA 70124 will follow theburialservice In lieu of flowers, masses arepreferred or contribu‐tionstoSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org. Thefamilywould like to thankthe staff of St Catherine'sHospice and Colonial Oaks Living Cen‐terfor theircareofBar‐bara during this last year

“Sameasiteverwas” Joseph Earl Irby Jr of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on April17, 2025, at theage of 73.Hewas born on July 9, 1951, in Meridian, Mississippi,and wasa na‐tive of Vancleave, Missis‐sippi.JoeygrewupinVan‐cleave,Mississippi.Bythe time he wasfouryears old, hisbrother,Donnieand his baby sister,Carolewere born.JoeyacceptedJesus as hissaviorasa young boyand wasbaptizedin Vancleave. Joey wasan avid all-around sportsman, enjoying most sports, hunting, and fishing. Joey went to Vancleaveschools throughthe eleventh grade, where he played basketball,baseball, track, andfootball. Upon moving to Hahnville, La,in1967, he concentrated mostly on baseball andbasketball. Joey attended Nicholls StateUniversityfor two years. From playing tennis at thecommunity center in Vancleaveasa youngster, Joey continuedplaying here andthere throughthe years, honing histennis skills ,teachingtennisand became very good.Byhis earlytwenties, hiscareer movedveryrapidly as he became thetennispro and then thedirectoroftennis at theHiltonHotel in Ken‐ner, Louisiana. Throughthe years, he became atennis pro, coach, ordirector amongstother facilities such as:ColonialCountry Club,EdenIsles,and Chamale’ Cove Tennis Club Joey transitioned into salesasa national sales repwithRosignolSki Com‐pany andbecameanavid snow skier, skiing at most US Skiresorts,while being an Ambassador forall things Rosingnol: skigear, clothing,skis, racks, etc. With adesiretoreturnto tennis,hebecamea na‐tional salesrepresentative with Head Tennis andSki Company. He traveled ex‐tensivelypromoting Head at Pro-Am venuesand ten‐nisevents, showcasing Head racquets,clothing, andall gear andmerchan‐dise,aswellas, NewBal‐ance andTailsportswear, settingupclinics, andes‐tablishing national ac‐counts. This included many prestigioustennisvenues, such as theUSOpen. Upon moving to Eden Isles, Joey became theregionalsales repfor customsvansand taught tennis at Northshore High School andstarted to competein localtennisagain.Joey andDonnieNatel were best friendsfor over 45 years, winning many ten‐nistournaments,including BeachClubfor twoconsec‐utiveyears,thenSlidell City Champions, andnu‐

merous othertourna‐ments, also competing in USTA events,winning local, state, andsectional events.The slogan or greeting, “Sameasitever was” took hold during this awesomefriendship. Per‐haps at Joey’s Life Celebra‐tion with allofhis many friendswewillbetoldthis story. DonnieIrby, Joey’s brothermadethe remark “Joeywas thebestbig brotherthatanyonecould ever have.” They enjoyed many yearsofhunting, fishing, snow skiing, and MardiGrasparades.Don‐niesaidtheyhad 8- 10 huntingcamps over the yearsand they were all namedWhite Tail Motel. Ourhomeinhighschool wasalwaysoverflowing with allofour friends, hangingout,listening to music, laughing,shooting pool,and living thelife. Joey’s best friend,Henry P. Calamari,got Joey back into tennis after asix year absenceoftennis. Joey andHenry teamed up and played mostly USTA tennis leagues, winning stateand sectionals.Joeywas teach‐ingtenniswithHenry’s sis‐ter, Julie, at Pope John Paul (2019-2024) in Slidellwhen he wasdiagnosed with cancer.Henry andJoey were diagnosedwithcan‐cerwithina monthofeach otherand they wouldtext or talk dailytokeep each otherpositive. Joey said that Godand hisfriend, Henry, kept himbeingposi‐tive till theend.Charlie Primm, Tracy’sstepdad andJoeybecamefast friendsafter Joey asked Charlietohelphim move into hisnew home in Slidell. Forthe next 25 years, they enjoyed fishing, hunting, swimming pool, volley ball,and feasting on Joey’s blackenedcatfish andredfish cooked to per‐fection, alongwithbacon wrappedshrimpand jalapeno cheesepoppers Joey wasprecededin deathbyhis parents, Joseph Earl Irby Sr.and NeldaJeanGamblin Irby; aunts, Judy Inabinette,Lois Irby,Mildred Irby andIrene Creel;his uncles,Benton Gamblin,GroverAllen, BobbyNell, RoyIrby, Glen Irby,HarveyIrby, andJim Creel;brother-in-law, C.B. Smith; cousins, Mona Gam‐blin,Ricky Allen, Stephen Irby,DebbieCreel Estes, CathyCreel Hagan, and Joanne Irby Sagerstrom Joey leaves behind,to cherishhis memory,his longtime significant other of 25 years, TracyErickson, who wasinstrumentalin beingwithhim through nine months of chemoand allhis appointments;one sister,CaroleIrby(Virgil) of BatonRouge,Louisiana; onebrother,G.Don Irby (Linda)ofAlexandria, Louisiana; nephew,Justin Irby (Gina) of NewOrleans, Louisiana; hisonlyniece ChelseaLanglois(Charlie) of Walker,Louisiana; grandniece,London (Aaron)ofWalker, Louisiana; grandnephews ZacharyofHammond, Louisianaand Luke of Walker,Louisiana;greatgrandnieces, Selahand Tinsley; great-grand‐nephew,AdenofWalker, Louisiana; aunts, Francis Allen, of Hurley,Missis‐sippi andMae Gamblin,of Vancleave, Mississippi;un‐cles,MarshallInabinette andGlenn Gamblin,ofVan‐cleave,Mississippi; cousins, Doug Allen, Chip Gamblin,GinaGamblin Boyd Inabinette (Vanessa), RayInabinette (Cathy), AnnCreel,Royce Robinson Lindaand FrankBeseke, Jimmyand LindaCreel Jerry Creel,Barbara Davis, andCathy Joines and KarenIrby. Carole says, “YES!Tothe best big brotherever! Reflecting upon alifetimeofloving Joey Irby,myoldest brother, I’ve come to real‐izeweare alikeinsomany ways.Wenever meet a stranger. We smile as we talk.Joeywas my sports mentor,shootingback yard goals andplaying horseuntil dark-thirty. We both lovedridingbikes, walking, andworking out, lifestylebychoice. We both eatsimilar, stay very ac‐tive,liketoshop, and watchnewsshows.Don’t call either of us whenthe news is on!You’vegot to dressthe part of thesport youare playing! Show up prepared,dressedforthe sportinyourlatest. This will raiseyourgamelevel! HA!And make youmore successful!Joeywas so sweet,kind, generous and helpful. Everyone who knew himloved him. Joey’s lifetime friendsfrom childhood who will miss himdearly: The Jones/Flurry Family,Tippy, Trudiand CandyKing, Dougie Vaughn, George McRaney, JimFlurry,and Virgil Barton.Thanksto Joey’s good friends, Dan andSharonDeblanc, own‐ersofSouthside Café in Slidell, LA,and Donnie Natelfor thefuturehosting of Joey’s Celebrationof Life at alater date an‐nounced throughsocial media. Burial arrange‐mentsare entrustedwith AudubonFuneralHome& CremationServicesof Slidell, LA.Joeyrequested

aprivate gravesideburial with immediatefamily. Joey’s wishes were to have hisurn interned with his motherinVancleave,Mis‐sissippi.Memoriesand condolencesmay be ex‐pressedatwww.Audubon FuneralHome.com

Knobloch, Nims Philip 'Sonny'

Nims "Sonny" Philip Knobloch passedaway at hishomeinMetairie, LA on April 22, 2025 at 86 years of age. He wasbornon December 30, 1938 in New Orleans, LA to Nims Philip Knobloch,Sr. and Edna Pearl Landrum Knobloch. He wasthe husband of Barbara Boudreaux Knobloch,who passed away just acoupleofdays after him, andSonnywanted all to know that Barbara washis true soulmate and the love of hislife. They both pledged theirlives to loving eachother,working hard andcreatinga home of love andhappiness for theirchildren. DidBarbara spoil Sonny? Yes, she did, andinreturn,itmade Sonnyworkharder and smarter to give heranythingshe wanted. Sonny himself couldonlyhope andpraythatmorepeople couldreally know and share as much love as he andBarbara hadfor each other. Sonnywas the founder andCEO of Help Service Co, Inc. and Smartway SolutionsInc Sonnywas very inventive andcreative in bringing change to theair conditioningand heating industry. He enjoyed sharing and helpingother contractors understand thebusiness sideaswell as the technical sideoftheir company. He wasa very active member in both thelocal andnational Air Conditioning and Heating Contractors Association Hispassion was to keep people comfortable and save them money, which wasreflective in hisown twoinventions.Sonnyinvented and patentedanAir Conditioningand Heating Remote Monitor System that wouldreporta problemusually beforea homeownerknewaboutit. His second patentedinvention wasthe world's first Talking Thermostat for central air conditioning andheating systems. To hissurprise,with additional voicefeatures, this allowed thevisuallyimpairedtobeabletoprogram andcontrol their comfortintheir home. He wasaffiliatedwith numerousorganizationsand took partinmultiple roleswithin some organizations: member of Free and AcceptedMason(Square andCompass Lodge #417), 32 Degree member of Scottish Rite Freemasonry, member of Farhad Grotto M.O.V.P.E.R., past PresidentofFarhad Grotto Dune-buggy Patrol, treasurer of Farhad Grotto Board of Trustees, past Presidentofthe Air Conditioning& Refrigeration Dealers Association,advisor on the boardofthe Air Co nditioning/Heating / Refrigeration News,active on theeducation committeefor AirConditioning Contractors of America, active member of theNew OrleansEnergyAdvisory Committee,and he received aNational Award for hisworkinenergyinnovation from theDOE.He is survived by histhree sons, Kenneth, Keith, and KoreyKnobloch.Heisprecededindeathbyhis parents andsister,Joyce O'Brien.A jointservice for d b ill b

Sonnyand Barbara will be held on Friday, May2,2025 at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.New Orleans, LA 70124. The visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. untilthe funeral mass at 1:00 p.m. Theinterment will follow at Lake Lawn ParkMausoleum.

Kulas, John P.

John P. Kulas, DDS., belovedhusband of Paule (Vandevoorde)Kulas passedawayonApril 25, 2025 at home after amultiyear battlewithdementia. John grew up in SanAnto‐nio, Texas. Laterhecame to NewOrleans to attend Loyola University,graduat‐ingwithhis DDS.Having been in ROTC throughout high school andcollege,he wasdeployedbythe U.S. Navy,withhis newbride PauletoSan Diego, then Japan, Hong Kong andthe Philippinesworking as a dentistonthe USSDixie Afterserving hismilitary duty he returned to reside in NewOrleans andgointo privatepractice. John is survived by Damian Kulas, PhillipKulas andMary ThereseKulas-Smith and herhusband ScottHunter Smith. He wasprecededin deathbyhis belovedwife Paulein2006 andhis father LeoKulas,and mother Velma. On weekends he couldbefound continuing hisloveofthe outdoors andmarksmanship learnedinthe Navy,atthe SaintBernard Rifleand Pis‐tolrange.Hewas also a previous boardmemberof L'UnionFrancais. Aspecial thanks to Serenity Hospice fortheir supportinhis finalmonthsand special recognitiontohis dedi‐cateddaily caregiver, TanyaUrdaneta. In lieu of flowers, please donate to theCancerAssociationof Louisiana(CALA)orthe Alzheimer'sAssociationof NewOrleans.The family will receivefriends Wednesday, April30from 11 a.m. until 1p.m.atJacob Schoen &Son Funeral Home,3827 CanalSt. A mass of Christianburial will be celebrated at 1p.m in theJ.Garic Schoen Chapel with entombment to follow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. Arrange‐mentsbyJacob Schoen & SonFuneral Home.Condo‐lences maybeleftatwww schoenfh.com

Merrilee Wickstrom Kullman,borninNew OrleansonFebruary 24th, 1945, passed away peacefully in NewOrleans on March10, 2025 after along andsometimes feisty battlewith dementia. Merrilee waspreceded in death by herbeloved husband, Frederick S. Kullman (Freddy) Sheissurvived by her childrenHillaryWickstrom Gage,Amy Yildizli (Turgay), Josh Gage (Jessica Pullano), andher daughterinspirit, KatharineArcher, along with hergrandchildren Imogen Archer Walker,

Galkowski Jr., WalterJ.

Irby Jr., Joseph Earl

Kullman, Merrilee Wickstrom

Juliet Archer Walker, Aiden Gage, Grace Gage, and Josephine Gage. Merrilee is also survived by her sister, Cynthia Wright, and her brother, Charles Wickstrom (Elizabeth Joyce). Merrilee also had a special place in her heart for her nephew, Marc Wright, who lovinglycared for her when she needed help, abond that remained strong untilhis passingin 2022. She also adored her nephew David Wright and his family, who were an important part of her life. Merrilee's familywas extensive.She was warmly welcomed and deeply cherished by the Kullman family, becoming an integralpart of their lives after her marriage to Freddy She leaves behind beloved sister and brother in laws andstep-nieces and nephew,

Merrilee attended IsidoreNewman School in New Orleans and All Saints College in Vicksburg, Mississippi graduating in 1964, where she formed lifelong friendships with classmates. Once you were in her circle, you were in for life. She valued her friends as much as her family,and her loyalty was unmatched.

After earning adegree in physical therapy from Oklahoma University, Merrilee was alifelong BoomerSooner, even nicknaming her son "Boomer" (a moniker he quickly outgrew).

Merrilee's life was a beautiful blend of love laughter, and plenty of delicious food (just never canned peas). She was an amazing cook and baker, known far and wide for her famous pecan pie. She and Freddy hosted legendary Christmas parties where she made bread, pies, gumbo, and soups, all from scratch, ensuring everyone left with afull bellyand a smile.

Alover of dance, Merrilee loved ballroom dancing, apassion she shared withher mother, she loved tap dancing and even taught Jazzercise. In Bellingham, she and her neighbors on High Noon Road embraced clogging, practicing, performing, and laughing through the whole process. Merrilee's love of music was constant. She instilled alove of musicinher children and took them all to the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival,a tradition that lives on. She was alifelong fan of Irma Thomas, adored Jimmy Buffett, and was atrue Parrot Head.Inthe 1980s, she and her sister Cynthia hosted unforgettable boat drink parties, always with great tunes and plenty of laughter. Her love of ice cream was as strong as her love for music, until the end she never turned down ascoop.

Merrilee had adeep passionfor travel and explored the worldextensively. She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, hot air ballooned in Turkey, safaried in Africa, biked through Italy, rode the train across Europe, danced in Argentina, Heli hiked the Canadian Rockies (twice) and enjoyed many other places, always eager for her next adventure. Despite her global adventures, she always held a special for her She frequently back to ing those tions close life. Gardening and important Merrilee's wasn'to den, she Master serving Master Whatcom also dedicated time to helping Bellingha ter held her heart. Merrilee's generosity, live on she touched. behind and laughter. mortal Buffet" some of had ag way." To all dividuals Merrilee, heartfelt presence fort and years so able. grateful. Acelebration plannedf April 30 2:30 pm Park Clubhouse In lieu familyr to be women's PlannedP name Lanaux,MarySue

Cairns

Mary SueCairnsLanaux, age84, of AbitaSprings andformerlyofMandev‐ille,passedawayonApril 24, 2025. Shewas born De‐cember 17, 1940 in Alexan‐dria,LA. Belovedwife& best friend of 63 years to, Michel EmileLanaux, Sr Herparents were Dr Adrian BennettSr. &Mary AdelineCairns. Mother of SusanElizabeth Snyder of DesMoines, Iowa,Michel EmileLanauxJr. of Abita Springs, LA,and Thomas BaldwinLanauxofAustin, Texas. Shewas thesister of thelateDr. Adrian Ben‐nett Cairns,Jr, Thomas E. Cairns andthe late Robert F. Cairns.She wasGrand‐mother of 8- Elizabeth Fretz, ChristopherSnyder& Finn Snyder (Charles & SusanE.Snyder),Michael andNathanael Lanaux (MichelE.Jr. &Brenda Lanaux)and Madelynn, Adrian,and AidenLanaux (ThomasB.& Monica Lanaux). Shewas Great Grandmother of 3- Jack Fretz, Dean Fretzand June Snyder.MarySue wasa graduate of St.Martin’s EpiscopalSchool andat‐tended OleMissUniversity. Whilethere shewas a member of KappaKappa Gamma sorority.She loved gardening, Bridge,biking, playingScrabbleand good movies.Relatives and friendsare invitedtoat‐tend thememorialservices at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home,2260 W. 21st Avenue, CovingtonLA70433 on Thursday,May 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with visitation on Thursday beginningat 9:00 a.m. Intermentwillbe private. E.J. Fielding Fu‐neralHomehas been en‐trustedwithfuneral arrangements.The Lanaux family invitesyou to share thoughts,fondest memo‐ries,and condolenceson‐line at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home GuestBook at www ejfieldingfh.com

Madrid,Kevin Jehosafat With sadnessweshare thepassing ofKevin Je‐hosafatMadrid, on April 19, 2025. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtoview serviceinformation, sign online guestbook, send flowersand sharecondo‐lences

Matherne,Ralph C.

Burke, ElizabethBurke and Saul Gonzalez.Hewas pre‐cededindeath by hispar‐ents,Stephen andElda Matherne,his brothers Harold (Vivian),Robert (Irene), Steven (Carmen), andMurphy(Helen)and hisdaughter-in-law Shirley Matherne.Hewas aloving, protective,and devoted husband,fatherand grand‐father.Through hisloyalty andgenerosity, Ralph made alasting impact on thelives of thosearound him. He will be remem‐beredfor hisloveoffamily andgood company. Please consider making adona‐tion in hislovingmemory to theWounded Warrior Project(woundedwarrior‐project.org).Private fu‐neralserviceswereheldat MotheFuneralHome, Har‐vey, LA on Friday,April 25, 2025 with intermentat Westlawn Memorial Park in Gretna.Familyand friends areinvited to sharecondo‐lences andmemoriesby visiting:www.mothefunera ls.com

Messmer,Mildred Maronge'Millie

Mildred“Millie MarongeMessmer,was born on August 5, 1928and passedawaypeacefully on April20, 2025 at theage of 96. Belovedwifeofthe late EmmanuelK.Messmer Loving mother of Faye MessmerDaigleand mother-in-lawofHerbert Paul Daigle.Grandmother of Rachel Daigle Folse (Ricky) andJamie Daigle May(Tadd).Great-grand‐mother of Hailey Folse, Ian May, JacobFolse,Graham May, andAddison May. Daughter of thelateHarold P. Marongeand Bertha FevrierMaronge.Sisterof thelateHaroldP.Maronge Jr., LloydMaronge (Betty), Curtis Maronge, andFaye d’Aquin(Clifton).Sister-inlawofLeona Marongeand MickyMaronge,the late ElizabethMessmer and CatherineMessmer Guidry Also survived by loving nieces,nephews,other rel‐atives andfriends.She was alifelongresidentofMar‐rero,LAand longtime em‐ployee of Perino’s Seafood Shewillbesadly missed. Thefamilywould like to thankthe staff of OurLady of Wisdom Healthcare and NotreDameHospice for theircareand compassion during this time.Millie’sre‐questwas fornoservices to be held at this time.She will be interred at West‐lawn Memorial Park in Gretna.Pleasekeep her andher familyinyour prayers. Mothe Funeral Home is assistingthe fam‐ily. Family andfriends are encouraged to sharecon‐dolences andmemoriesby visiting:www.mothefunera ls.com

herparents,JohnOfstad andCorneliaBellaartOfs‐tad, andher siblings,Arie Birger Ofstad,JohnHenry Ofstad,and Cornelia Ofs‐tadD’Amico (Francis). She is survived by hersister, SofieOfstadLundgren;sis‐ter-in-law KarenPerer Ofs‐tad; andmanynieces, nephews, great-nieces great-nephews, andcousins who lovedand adored her. Kristinewas born in NewOrleans,LA, on De‐cember 11, 1957. Sheat‐tended St.Michael Special School,StriveCenter, ARC, andMagnoliaCommunity Services,where shemade many friendsand spread herinfectiousand uncon‐ditional love andjoy forlife to others.She wasa fierce competitor in theLouisianaSpecial Olympics swimming and bowling events anda long-time member of theHappy Bowlersand Special RollersBowling Clubs. Kris‐tine lovedeveryoneshe metand took greatinter‐estintheir children and pets.Her love of music, es‐pecially K. C. andthe Sun‐shineBand, will bringjoy to familyand friendsfor‐ever.Kristinewillbedearly missed by allofthose who knew andloved her. The familywould like to thank the nursesand staff of Metairie Healthcare Cen‐ter, who provided residen‐tial care forKristineinher last years. Also,special thanks to thestaff of Com‐passus Hospicefor the care andcomfort they pro‐videdtoKristineand her family. Privateservices were held at an earlier date

Palmisano, Eileen MariePoillion

Eileen MariePoillion Palmisano, born October 29, 1955, wasthe daughter of Elaine Mary LaBauve andthe late Lawrence Joseph Poillion,motherof BryanLawrencePalmisano (Angela) andgrandmother of Alysia Palmisano. She wasprecededindeath by hertwo sisters, Lynda Susanand ReneeJeanette Poillion.Eileen graduated from St.JulianEymard Catholic School andO Perry Walker High School Shevolunteered at West JeffersonHospitalfor 18 yearsand wasa member of Christ theKingCatholic Church in Terrytown. Eileen leaves many friendsespe‐cially Lester Guillot, Sr.and hisfamily, LindaSchiroand theresidents of OurLady of Wisdom Health Care Center at 5600General de Gaulle Drive, NewOrleans LA.Friends andfamilyare invitedtoattend thefu‐neralmassat11a.m.on Wednesday,April 30,2025 in theChapelofOur Lady of Wisdom;visitationbe‐ginningat9 a.m. Theinter‐ment will take placeimme‐diatelyfollowing mass at St.Louis Cemetery #3 in

cherishedher constant companion, LaceyGirlher Yorkie.A specialthank you to Bonnie’s lifelong friend Bonnie Tonglet (Gerald) for herconstantfriendship throughout theyears and fortakingher to lunches with “The SassyLassies allgraduates of Redemp‐torist High School.For Sandilyn Brunetand Julie Taylor foralwaysmaking sure shewas included in allactivities, functionsand travels. Thefamilywould like to expresstheir sin‐cere appreciation to Guardian AngelHospice, NurseMaria andstaff for theirkindnessand dedica‐tion to thelovingcareof theirpatients. We would also like to thankher care‐takers,Paula LaChica, ShirleyBurkert andMarie fortheir loving care throughthe goodtimes andthe many strugglesof dementia.Relatives and friendsofthe familyare in‐vitedtoattend theMemor‐ialMassatSt. Joseph Catholic Church,610 Sixth Street,Gretna, Louisiana, on Tuesday, April29, 2025 at 11:00 am.Visitationfrom 9:00 until mass. Interment will be at alater date.In lieu of flowers, thefamily requests memorial dona‐tionstobemadetoSt. Michael’sSpecial School, 1522 Chippewa St NewOr‐leans, Louisiana70130, https://www.stmichaelsp ecialschool.com/supportsmss/remembrancesform cfmormemorialmassesat either St.JosephCatholic Church, 610 SixthSt. Gretna,Louisiana 70053 or InfantJesus of Prague Church,700 MapleDr.,Har‐vey, Louisiana70058. Fam‐ilyand friendsmay view andsignthe online guest book at www.mothefunera ls.com

SandraPagnac Pecoraro, beloved wife of B.J. Pecoraro, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at herhomein Metairie, Louisiana. She wasborninNew Orleans, Louisiana on December 1, 1939, to thelateEugene Peterand Leone (Nomie) Lemoine Pagnac.Sandrais themotherofJoseph AnthonyPecoraro(Davina) andEugene (Gino) Gerard Pecoraro (Patricia). Grandmother of Gia Marie Katzenmeyer(Andy), NicolasJoseph Pecoraro (Becca), Seth Tillman and Matthew Tillman.Great grandmother of Josie Katzenmeyer, Stella Katzenmeyerand Ada Katzenmeyer. She was lovingly called"Mim" by her adoring grandchildren Sandrawas thesister of thelateEugenePeter Pagnac, Jr.(Linda). She wasa graduate of Sacred HeartHigh School. Sandra treasured hertimewith herfamilyand friends.

School for theDeaf, 201 PasadenaAve.Metairie, LA 70001

RedmonJr., Harry Smith

Harry S. Redmon Jr passedawayonApril 23, 2025. Born March24, 1934, he wasthe son of Harry S. Redmon Sr.and Mary Redmon,and thehusband of JaneC.Redmon. One son, Harry Redmon III,precededhim in death He is survived by ason, Marshall Redmon (Missy); fourstepchildren, Steve Victory(Lanie), Leigh Moss (Robby), LaneMosby (Billy) and DerekVictory (Ashley); and eleven grandchildren, Jordan Redmon,Melissa Redmon Slaughter (Matthew), Hunter Redmon,Jane and Thomas Victory, Hartson andMaddox Moss, Taylor and CheneyMosby,and John andTatumVictory. After graduating from St.Martin'sEpiscopal School, he attended Louisiana State University, whereheearned degrees in microscopic paleontology andlaw.Thereafter,he served in theJudge Advocate General Corpsof theUnited States AirForce attaining therankofcaptain. Upon hishonorable discharge, he joined the law firmthennamed Phelps Dunbar Marks Claverie andSims, ultimately serving tenyears as itsmanagingpartner. He wasa member of several bar associations andsocieties,including theAmerican Collegeof Trial Lawyers. Adevoted LSUalumnus, upon hisretirement in 1996, aprofessorship was endowed in hisname at thelaw school. Hiscivic activitiesincluded service on theboard of theLSU HealthFoundation, on whichhebecame president andchief endowment officer. He also served on theboards of WYES and Bridge House. He wasamember of social organizations includingthe NewOrleans CountryClub, thePass Christian Yacht Club, The Boston Club, Stratford Club andThe RexOrganization. Special thanks to Mary JaneMcAlister, VeAnn Bourgeoisand Dr. Kenneth Smith for theircompanionship, care,and comfort. Amemorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at St Martin'sEpiscopal Church Metairie, Louisiana. Areception willfollow at the NewOrleans Country Club. In lieu of flowers, donationsmay be made to the LSULaw School.

Pecoraro,SandraPagnac

OUR VIEWS

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.

OPINION

From thepeople’sbusinesstofamilybusiness

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 are paying attention to public opinion. It can be skewed, however,because most people are more apt towritewhen they oppose ameasure than when they support it.When possible, we try to

SQUARE

indices soar.And how nice it would be to becomeone of theinsiders who get aheads-up right before announcements are made. Butone investmentthat 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 the bills that are drawing themost attention. Advocacy groupsthat 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’d like to hear from, please don’thesitate to write to us.

Going to our letters inbox, Ican give you thenumbers from the week of 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.

For an upcoming feature,weasked youtoconsider matters of religious faith We want to know: Howimportant is your faithtoyour daily life, and what role, if any, should it playinpublic life?

Send responses to letters@theadvocate.com.Wewill publish aselection of the best responsesina future edition.

Arnessa Garrett

Froma Harrop

TOWN

COMMENTARY

BubbaHenry wasa secret intellectual

Quin Hillyer

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 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. 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

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

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

Henry was oneofthe leaders of thereformers who changed all

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.

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.

“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

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

“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-

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.”

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?

ous in the proposed legislation.”

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

Will Sutton

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.

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

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.

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

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.

“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.”

“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.

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

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-

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.

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.” 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

Steven Roberts

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.

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

his favorable score on trade matters.

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.

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,

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

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.

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.”

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.

NewOrleans Forecast

Kirby "Boy" Rideau, September21, 1937 -April 13, 2025. Kirby "Boy" Rideau,a beloved brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully of natural causes on April 13, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Opelousas, Louisiana, on September 21, 1937, Kirby later made his home in New Orleans, Louisiana. He was aproud anddedicated retired merchant marine, whose work took him across the world and fueled his lifelong passion for travel, history,and world geography. Kirby was the son of the late John Rideau andOlivia Mitchell-Rideau, and one of fifteen children born to that union. He is lovingly remembered by his sister, Elsie Mae Gallaud (New Orleans, La.), and brother, Shirley Rideau (Beaumont, Tx.) He leavesbehind ahost of devoted nieces, nephews,great-nieces, great-nephews, extended family, and many cherished friends who will miss his vibrant spirit, storytelling, and unwavering love for family. Kirby will be remembered for his adventures and knowledge, his kind heart, and the joy he brought to those around him.

Memorial arrangements will be announced at alater date.

theupper patternwill bringsome changes startingThursday.The upper high pressureridgethat has kept us warm and humid will shift away from us, and atrough of lowpressure will swing to our north.This should help afew scattered showers and storms to form mainly in the afternoons Thursday through nextweekend.Noone daybrings asuper high chance of rain, but we’ll likely have somerain around ForecastFrom

Rosenwasser, Lawrence 'Larry'

It is with aheavy heart toannouncethe passingof Lawrence“Larry” Rosen‐wasseronApril 15,2025 Larry wasbornonSeptem‐ber 23,1947 in Brooklyn, NY. He graduatedfromLSU where hislovefor purple & goldthrived.Larry is sur‐vived by hiswife, Marsha, daughter, Tobi (Ashley) granddaughter,Michaela, SIL Margoand Mara,broth‐ers Robert Rosenwasser, MD, MBA(Deborah),and Steve.Larry wasanathlete who couldcatch everyball thrownhis way. He is re‐memberedasa hero with a boundless vocabulary and vastknowledge. Thus,his nickname“Mr.Dictionary. Larry’s greatest posses‐sionwas hisfamily. His mostadmired traits were his wisdom,loveand sense ofhumor.May Larry’s memorybea blessing

JoAnnRoy,age 84 passedawaypeacefully on Monday, April21, 2025, at Summerhouse Ashton Manor in Luling.She was bornOctober 4, 1940, in New OrleanstoJosephEu‐gene andMathilda (Klundt) Robichaux. Along‐timeresidentofKenner, she enjoyedparticipating inmanysocialorganiza‐tions.She wasa member ofthe Kenner LionessClub, RedHats, andservedon

the flower committeeofSt. MaryMagdalenCatholic Church.She cherished spendingtimedoing craft projectsand visiting with her familyespecially her two GreatGrandsons Daw‐son andBishopDauterive JoAnn is survived by daughters Susan(Pat) Dekat,Renee Roy, andson Joseph(Julie) Rexford. Her grandchildren Blake (Zayba) Rexford, Elizabeth (Jordan)Dauterive,William “Billy” Rexford, and Jonathan(Tabetha) Rex‐ford, hersisterDolly Twilbeck, andmanynieces and nephews. Sheispre‐ceded in deathbyher hus‐bandAbraham Roy, previ‐ous husband William“Rex” Rexford,Jr.,her son William“Billy” RexfordIII, parents Joseph and MathildaRobichaux,and sisters CatherineBright and Mary Lane Carpenter. The Family will hold apri‐vatecelebration of herlife and intermentata later date. To sharememoriesor condolences,pleasevisit www.muhleisen.com

WileySteen passed away peacefully on April 8, 2025 at ahospital near his residence in Pasadena, Maryland. Wiley's daughter, LaraHelen, was with himwhen he died Wileywas born on January21, 1941 in Fort Worth, Texas to Wiley Hall Steen, Sr. and Helen MarthaGreen Steen.He grew up in NewOrleans and attended St.Martin's Episcopal School from the fifth gradethroughgraduationin1958. Wiley was a NationalMeritScholar and Valedictorianofhis class. He was recognized fornot missing asingle dayof schoolinfour years of high school! Wileywas agood athlete who played football as quarterback and basketball,and also ran

track. He was elected "Mr. St.Martin's"bythe student body.

After graduating from high school, Wileyattended theUniversity of Houstonand majored in petroleumengineering. Shortly after starting school, he met Ellen "Puddin"Simmons from Columbia, Mississippi. They were immediatelyattracted to each otherand married in Columbia in January1961. That was the start of aloving, adventurous 58 year marriage. Except for Wiley's workinternationally years later, Wileyand Ellenwere inseparable

Wileyworkedinthe oil and gas industry as a drilling consultant.He started in Lafayette, LA.in 1963, working on wells in theU.S butin1970 he and his family moved abroad, first to Italyand then to Malta and Singapore,ashe continued his work in the Mediterraneanand South Asia.

The family returnedto theStates in 1976 and settled in Spring,TX. After working briefly with his father developing chemicals for use in oiland gas exploration, he worked independently for majoroil companies on "troubled" wells. This required spending weeks at atime in Angola and Nigeria, butalso in Louisiana. Wiley thoroughly enjoyed sharing his many years of experience by teaching a three-day course on well controltopetroleum engineering undergraduates at various universities.

The years in Spring were happy ones. Wiley was able to spend alittle more time at home. This is when he discovered anew talent, coaching girl's soccer and softball.Hethoroughly enjoyed coaching and spending time with his daughter LaraHelen. When Wileyretired from hiscareer in theenergy industry, he became Ellen's"junior partner." She had developed expertiseintitle researchand acquisition of rightsofway, primarilyfor pipelinecompanies. This worktook them to small towns all over theWest Coast,Midwest, Central Texas,and serendipitously,toLake Pontchartrain's Northshore.

In 1996, withLara grown, theempty nesters left Spring and movedto Slidell, Louisiana because they wanted to live on the

water.Reflecting their sense of adventureand theirinclination towards theunconventional, they boughtand lived on the "Bumboat", an old wooden vesselwell known to New Orleansmariners. They later added asecondboat for guest quarters, whichthey cleverly christened "The Waterbed".Theyresided on theBumboat until Ellen's death in 2019. They lovedSlidell andthey lovedtheir life on the Bumboat.

After Ellen'sdeath, Wileybegan to have some health issues, so he moved to Pasadena, Maryland to be near hisbeloved Lara Helen, and herfamily.

Wileyhad many interests. He lovedtraveling andbeing abletoshare theseadventures with his family. He traveledtoover 40 countriesmost in Asia, Africaand Europe. UofH sportswas at or near the top of thelistofinterests. He wasveryproud to be TKE fraternity member staying active until his health limited hisinvolvement. He lovedthoroughbred horseraces, an interest he picked up from his father. He andEllen ac-

quired four horses in Kentucky, wherethey trained, butthatventure wasshort-lived.Without question,Wiley'sprimary interest wasfamily. Wileywas interesting and entertaining. He hada wonderful, andalso unusual, sense of humor. He was aconversationalist to the pointthat he wouldparticipateindiscussions and offer opinions aboutalmost any subject, manyofwhich he knew somethingabout. He hadanunmatched memory,and he knew it Aboveall,hewas aloving, devotedhusband, father, grandfather,brother and uncle. Hisdevotion to familywas apparent to all who knew him. Wileywillbemissed. Acelebration of life for Wileywill be held at the First United Methodist ChurchofSlidell May10th , 2025 at 11am.

Rideau, Kirby J.

Steen, WileyHall

Roy, JoAnn

DEATHS continued from

‘NO-FLAW KID’

Saints draw on Banks’ past to projectafoundationalplayer

BY MATTHEWPARAS Staff writer

Three years ago, Kelvin BanksJr. didn’t enrollatthe University of Texas until the summer

This usually wouldn’tbeabig deal, butfor high-profile recruits, it hasbecome common to graduate high school early andarriveoncampus as soon as possible. The coaches can begincoaching, and the kids getmoretime to acclimate to the program.

So when Banks finally got the chance to step on thepractice field as afive-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.

“All right,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

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

When the draft started Thursday night, the New OrleansSaints had nine picks at their disposal. When it finished Saturdaynight,they had nine new players on their roster For the first time in years, theSaints did not make atrade in this year’s draft, electing to keep alloftheir original selections. The last timethe Saints had made at leastnine selections in a draft was 2015. Afterthe draft, general manager Mickey Loomis quipped, “That’sprogress, Iguess.” Loomis said the Saints had options throughout the drafttomove up or down, but they felt comfortable with their selections —especially onDay 3, where Loomissaid hebelieved the Saints received strong valuewith

BY SCOTT RABALAIS Staff writer

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 theemeraldspace, dropping theputttovault himself and fellow Zurich Classic reigning champion ShaneLowry to 22-under-par194 on Saturday after asizzling11-under 61. “Itwas sort of quitea comfortable putt,” McIlroy said. “A little bit of left to right early,abit of right to left at the 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 year’stournament.

But someone forgot to tell ahost of teams, many of them with players vying to earn their first career PGA Tour victories. They madeeasyworkofa gettable TPCLouisiana course in its mostgettable format, leaving the marquee grouping of McIlroyand Lowry with worktodoifthey’retoliftthe tournament trophy again.

Andew Novakand Ben Griffin, both pursuingPGA Tour winnumberone,chasedthe setting sun to put daylight between themselves

See ZURICH , page 4C

NF DRA

MORE INSIDE

Tigers in theNFL: SevenLSU players draftedoverthe weekend, 5C

HotinCleveland: QB Sanders selected by Browns 5C

outrightbest

Banksmade the kind of impact the New Orleans Saints are hoping to get by drafting the 21-year-oldwiththe ninthoverall pick in this year’sNFL draft onThursday

their picks

“That was kind of the theme today,” Loomis said. “There were someguys we really didn’texpect to be available and they were. So that’swhy there wasn’talot of movement for us.”

New Orleans selected five players on Day 3: Oklahoma linebacker Danny Stutsman (4-112), Louisville corner QuincyRiley (4-131), Kansas running back DevinNeal (6-184), UCLA tight endMoliki Matavao(7-248)and Syracusedefensive endFadil Diggs (7-254).

Stutsman hadjustone private predraft workout —withPeter Sirmon, the Saints linebackers coach.

“Obviously there’sa lot that goes into the process, but you’ve got to make the most of the opportunities you’re presentedwith and Ithink I

In terms of filling aneed,Banks should help provide immediate answers upfront. That could be at left tackle, aspotthatwould allowlast year’s starter —TalieseFuaga —to move backtohis natural position 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 pickundernew coach Kellen Moore. In New Orleans, Moore will need anew generation of leaders to set atone and pave theway to help

See BANKS, page 5C

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 the sameframeofconflicted reference in women’sbasketball between LSU’sKim Mulkey and South Carolina’sDawn Staley This becameablazing rivalry when Mulkey arrived at LSU in 2022, quickly leading the Tigers in 2023 to their first NCAA title. Staley’sGamecocks have beaten LSU every time during that stretch and bookended the Tigers’ national title with championships of their

and

STAFFPHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

Griffinhitsout of asand trap at the 18th green during the Zurich Classicon

at TPC Louisiana in Avondale.

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3:30 p.m.*Pittsburgh at L.A. Dodgers MLBN

6p.m. PhiladelphiaatChi. Cubs ESPN

NBAPLAYOFF ROUNDUP

Noon Newyork at Detroit ABC

2:30 p.m.L.A.Lakers at Minnesota ABC

6p.m.Boston at Orlando TNT

8:30 p.m.Indiana at MilwaukeeTNT NHL

Noon Winnipeg at St.Louis TBS

2:30 p.m.CarolinaatNew JerseyTBS

5:30 p.m.Washington at Montreal TBS

8:30 p.m.Los Angeles vs.Edmonton TBS

MEN’S SOCCER

5:30 a.m. AC MilanatVenezia CBSSN

8a.m.EmpoliatFiorentina CBSSN Man U. at Bournemouth USA

5:55 p.m.Pumas UNAM at FC Juarez FS2

WOMEN’S SOCCER

10 a.m.#Como vs Lazio CBSSN UFL

11 a.m. D.C. at Arlington ESPN

2p.m.Houston at SanAntonio ESPN

*Joinedinprogress

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

RABALAIS

Continued from page1C

dimension as LSU announced the signing of former South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwileyout 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 RavenJohnson and the addition of former FloridaState guard Ta’Niya Latson —the nation’sleading scorer this season, her then-Seminoles were eliminated by LSU in the NCAA second round —Fulwiley perhaps saw her path to becoming a starter blocked. Her addition to the Tigers’ restocked roster for 2025-26 isn’twithout imperfections. For

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

Jan. 24 in Columbia, S.C. South Carolinawon 66-56.

hercareer,the rising junior is shooting 43.2% from the floor and30.2% from 3-point range to score 11.7 points per gameinjust 18.7 minutes per game played. She is prone to making turnovers andisn’t thetrue point guard LSUlikely was seeking when the portalwindowopened. But there are those two words fromStaleyagain: “generational talent.” She was the nation’s13thrankedprospectbyESPNcoming 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 addition of aguard-heavy No. 1-ranked recruiting class. Of course, it seemed that way

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.

in 2023-24 with the addition of Hailey VanLith. That square peg never quite fit into the round hole theTigers needed VanLith to fit into. One could express the sameskepticism with Fulwiley, but there is no reason to think she can’tbenefitLSU in amajor way.There is even less reason to thinkMulkey should have passed on trying to land aplayer of her skill.

LSUalso has picked up forwards Kate Koval of Notre Dame and Amiya Joyner of East Carolina in the portal, but it still has work to do. The Tigers are battlingUConn forWisconsin forward Serah Williams. Without her,LSU willbevery good. With her,the Tigers will be considered among the handful of national title contenders. Either way,Fulwiley is here and not there, there being South Carolina. The schedule isn’tout yet,but theGamecocks will visit LSUatsome point in the new year That game already was going 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.

The Associated Press

OUTDOORS

May adds speckled trout to anglers’ list

BY JOE MACALUSO

Contributing writer

May arrives Thursday and, in ad-

dition to the opening of the private recreational red snapper season, the hundreds of thousands of inshore fishermen are seeing speckled trout in their future.

This small-boat fleet, which takes in most of our state’s charter-fishing operations, will be entering a second fishing summer under new speckled trout regulations.

Need a refresher on the new rules?

For speckled trout, the daily creel limit is 15 with a “keeper” slot limit at a minimum measurement of 13 inches up to 20 inches. You’re allowed to keep two specks longer than 20 inches 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 not while fishing.

What’s more, this will be the first summer with new redfish catch rules: a minimum “keeper” length of 18 inches with a maximum of 27 inches; four is the new daily limit; redfish measuring longer than 27 inches must be returned to the water; and, there are the same two-day and charter-crew restrictions as for speckled trout.

Now, the bigger question. Has there been a discernible difference in trout catches since new rules were implemented last summer?

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

To a man, these always-on-thewater guys said it’ll take a minimum of 3-5 years in Pontchartrain and as long as 5-8 years in the Grand Isle-Barataria area to know if there can be a full recovery to the

Mike Gallo was fishing deep under a cork to take this speckled trout from the lower reaches of the Pontchartrain Basin. Gallo, a veteran charter guide, joined other guides to say it’s too early to know if last summer’s new speckled trout regulations have had an effect on overall trout numbers. And, like the others, he said most fishermen are battling muddy waters and winds to catch trout lately

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

Then you can reference what Chas Champagne said about is experience in Pontchartrain waters last summer

“Last August and into September I threw back a thousand 12-13 inch trout. Yes, a thousand,” Champagne said. (The new regulations raised the minimum size limit from 12 to 13 inches.)

“By November and December, we had the best (trout) catches

we’ve had in eight years,” he said.

“You have to know the seasons for trout here and know our peak times are late in the year.”

Veteran charter skipper Mike Gallo said the lack of storms and hurri-

canes helped stabilize the catches in the lower Pontchartrain and in his main targets in Lake Borgne.

“Depending on the day, a lot of fish are being caught, but I don’t know if that’s because of new size limit,” Gallo said. “It’s much too soon for us to tell What’s helped us over here is that we’ve not had a hurricane on the east side (of the Mississippi River) in three years, and that’s three full spawning cycles, which might explain why we’re seeing a bunch of fish.

“I know one thing. If a 12-inch trout is released when it has not spawned and it grows, then it will spawn in the next cycle, and we can hope without storms to get a fourth, fifth and a sixth uninterrupted spawning cycles, then we’ll be in great shape.”

SPRING SQUIRREL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY

LICENSE/ BOAT REGISTRATION RENEWAL: LDWF office, 2045 Lakeshore Drive, Suite 438, New Orleans. Call LDWF Licensing (225) 765-2898

THURSDAY

LA. WILDLIFE & FISHERIES COM-

MISSION MEETING: 9:30 a.m., Joe Herring Room, state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters, Quail Drive, Baton Rouge.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY

FFI GULF COAST CLASSIC: 9 a.m.-

5 p.m. daily, Gulf State Park Learning Campus, Gulf Shores, Alabama. Fees $10-$15. Seminars, casting clinics, fly tying. Fly Fishing Film Festival May 3. Hosted by Gulf Coast Council of Fly Fishers International event. Website: ffigulfcoastclassic.com

FRIDAY-SUNDAY

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

Louisiana’s spring squirrel hunting season opened Saturday and runs through May 25 on private lands, and a limited May 3-11 season is open on more than 40 of the 55 state-managed wildlife management areas. This season is closed on most federal lands, including the Kisatchie National Forest Included among the 40 are Attakapas, Elm Hall, Grassy Lake, Hutchinson Creek, Joyce, Lake Boeuf, Lake Ramsey Savannah, Manchac, Maurepas Swamp, Pearl River, Pomme de Terre, Richard yancey, Sandy Hollow, Sherburne, Spring Bayou,Tangipahoa Parish School Board, Thisthethwaite and Tunica Hills WMAs.

The bag limit is three per day.you need a basic hunting license if you’re 18 and older, and, to access the WMAs, a WMA access permit if you don’t have a Senior Hunting/Fishing License, a Louisiana Sportsman’s Paradise License or a Lifetime Hunting/Fishing License.

And,Wildlife and Fisheries is sending its annual hunting survey to randomly selected hunters Monday.The agency’s Wildlife Division is asking recipients to respond to this online survey.

SATURDAY FLY FISHING 101: 9-11 a. m., Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge. No charge. Basics of casting rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, adults to accompa-

ny 15-and-younger. Preregistration required. Call Shop (225) 757-7286. Website: orvis.com/batonrouge

HUNTING SEASONS

TURKEY: Area A: through May 4;

Moving closer to the Mississippi River, longtime charter skipper Ryan Lambert, who calls Buras home, said it’s much too early to predict the effects of the new rules, but said the river dictates the fishing production in his area.

“When the wind dies, we’re catching on both sides of the river,” Lambert said “Earlier this year there was the 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 If the water is muddy and the wind blows wrong, well, but the days when the wind blows right (from the southeast) and we get clean water pushing up against the muddy water, then the fish will hold in the crystal clear water and we catch fish. It’s that simple.”

The Buras area, especially the east side of the Mississippi River, holds redfish and trout, and it’s redfish that has put this area southward to Venice on the fishing map.

“We are seeing a lot of 17-inch redfish right now,” Lambert said “Every boat of ours (on Wednesday) released between 50 and 80 rat (undersized) reds. That’s what we’re seeing and we know those fish will grow.”

Redfish are not the main target 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. 1 to The Fourchon.

“We’re catching larger trout right now but we’re having to find clearer water to do it,” he said.

“Just this week, the fish (trout) began to take croaker, and that’s good for us. There are a lot of (brown) shrimp, too, and that means plenty of food for trout. We just need for the wind to lay It’s been blowing 20 knots from the southeast here for several days and that means lots of dirty water.”

Dreher said he bases his opti-

Area B: through April 27; Area C closed.

SQUIRRELS: Statewide, May 3-25, private lands only AROUND THE CORNER

MAY 4—BASSMASTER HIGH SCHOOL & JUNIOR SERIES: Buggs Island, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Website: bassmaster.com

MAY 8—JUNIOR SOUTHWEST BASSMASTERS MEETING: 7 p.m., Seminar Room, Bass Pro Shops, Denham Springs. Boys & girls agegroup bass tournaments for ages 7-10, 11-14 & 15-18 anglers. Call Jim Breaux (225) 772-3026.

MAY 8-11—BASSMASTER ELITE SERIES: Lake Fork, Yantis, Texas. Website: bassmaster.com

MAY 8—GULF COUNCIL SHRIMP/STATISTICAL COMMITTEES MEETING: 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Council office, 4107 West Spruce Street, Suite 200, Tampa, Florida. Website: gulfcouncil.org

MAY 9—GULF COUNCIL ECOTECH COMMITTEE MEETING: 7:30 a.m.3:30 p.m.. (CDT), via webinar. Website: gulfcouncil.org

MAY 9-10—MLF BASS INVITATIONAL: Pickwick Lake, Counce, Tennessee. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com

MAY 10—FLY FISHING 101/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 accompany 15-and-

mism on increased speckled trout numbers to the action taken by Wildlife and Fisheries staff and the Wildlife and Fisheries Commission three years ago for a closed 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,” he said “As for the trout regulations, the only difference is what we’re seeing are larger trout, just not the numbers we have had, and the customers don’t seem to mind catching fewer, but larger trout.”

Dreher said most of the redfish catches in the lower Barataria Basin come from fishermen running far north of Grand Isle into marsh ponds. The redfish showing up along the barrier islands either don’t make the 18-inch minimum size or are longer than the 27-inch maximum.

Another concern with the downsizing of the daily limit was the effect on marinas and live-bait sales. Buggy Vegas, at Bridge Side Marina on Grand Isle, said the live-bait business is booming.

“We don’t hear complaining about the limits,” he said. “It seems customers think 15 is plenty enough, and everybody is still buying live bait.

“Right now, we’re seeing a lot of brown shrimp and that’s good for us, good for the fish and good for the fishermen.”

Brown shrimp are the main target for Louisiana’s spring inshore shrimp season. They’re smaller than white shrimp but equally tasty, but catch numbers have fallen in most of the last 10 spring seasons. The opening of the spring inshore shrimp season throughout Louisiana’s coastal marshes will dominate Thursday’s Wildlife and Fisheries Commission meeting set for 9:30 a.m. at state 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: Inshore season closed except in Breton/Chandeleur sounds & all outside waters open.

CLOSED SEASONS: Greater amberjack, red snapper (private recreational season opens May 1); gag, goliath & Nassau groupers in state/ federal waters. The recreational take of bluefin tuna was closed April 23 by federal fisheries.

OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Gray triggerfish, flounder; lane, blackfin, queen and silk snappers & wenchmen among other snapper species; all groupers except closed for goliath & Nassau groupers in state/federal waters.

LDWF UPDATES

CLOSED: Pearl River WMA (Old U.S 11 gate & shooting range; flooding); Hope Canal Road/boat launch (Maurepas Swamp WMA, levee construction); Blackhawk Boat Landing, Annie’s Lake, Lincecum, Union Point, Dobbs Bay & Routen Camp roads and the Warren Trailhead (Richard Yancey WMA, flooding, culvert failure); Grassy Lake WMA all roads & trails (flooding). EMAIL: jmacaluso@theadvocate.com

Joe Macaluso

ZURICHCLASSIC

FROM THEGALLERY:QUICK TAKESFROMTHE ZURICH CLASSICHEADINGINTOSUNDAY’SFINAL ROUND

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.

after finishing the second round of theZurichClassic at TPC Louisiana on FridayinAvondale.

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

andthe rest of thefield. Novak, who lost asudden-death playoff one week earliertoJustin Thomas at the RBC Heritage, birdied the tough par-3 17th and the par-5 18th to also shoot a61and get in at 27-under 189. That’sthreestrokesclear of 2024 Mexico Open champion Jake Knapp and Frankie Capan, the latter also seeking hisfirst 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.

“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.

“It makes it fun,” Griffinsaid. “Everything about the format is fun. It’sjust an added game that we can compete against each other with. We’re on the same side,but it’s funtochangeitup alittle bit.”

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.

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.”

Knapp and Capan shot matching6-under 30s on both nines to compile the day’sbest score, a 12-under 60 that doubled the red figurebeside their names to put them at 24-under 192 with Hisatsune and Kanaya. 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 games and making afew putts out there.”

Tied for fourth at 23 under were twomoreteams outfor career victory No.1:twin brothers Nicolaiand 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 the PGA Tour’sonly 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 Shane Lowryreact on the18thgreen

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

BANKS

Continued from page1C

the organization becomeannual contenders again. And the Saints believe they’ve started that process with Banks, atwo-time captain at Texas who Sarkisian called “the perfect Longhorn.”

“It gives them somebody who went through it,” Flood said. “Kelvin wasabig partofwhat we had to do here in changing this organization.”



Banks said he becameaman early in his college career

Facing Will Anderson and Dallas Turner of Alabama —two of the nation’stop pass rushers who are now both in the NFL —inthe secondgameofyourcollegiate career will do that. Banks didn’t back down.

It also set thestage of what he’d see over the next few years.

“It just meant alot,” Banks said, “having to grow up fast.” Not manyfreshmen arethrown into the fire, but perhaps even more rare was the lackofsurprise 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 cometoincludefishing 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 prepare him. Those early lessons included studying film. When his son was 9or10, the Bankses wouldpore over filmofBanks Jr.’sgames, studyupcoming opponentsand watch the best from the NFL “He tookthat and made it his own,”Banks Sr.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 occasionally knocked off his spot, he can recover 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 able to concentrate, whetherhis team needs afour-minute drive to seal the victory or come from behind with atwo-minute drill. “In the NFL, every game is competitive,” Flood said.“I

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

mean, all the games. There’sso many gamesevery weektocome down to atwo-minute drill. Yeah, he’s absolutely readyfor that.”

At Texas, Banks also went through achallenging family situationthat he rarely talked about untillast season. His mother,Monica, foughta life-threateningillness that causedher to collapse after one of Banks’ gamesduring his freshman year and later put her on aventilatorin2024. That same year, Monica’s doctors discovered she needed gallbladder surgery, whichended up saving her life.

These days,she’sdoing well. As aresult of her illness, Monicahad to relearn how to walk and speak. Duringthe saga,Banks Sr.remembers how his son wouldn’tlet it “deter” him. Neither of his parents would 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 gotto be here to see it.” 

At anLSU coaching clinic last month, Saintsoffensive coordinatorDoug Nussmeier stood in front of aroom of high school coaches and spokeabout culture. He told them that culture —football’sfavorite buzzword —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 areality for Texas.

Flood would often notice how Banksinteractedwithyounger teammates, notafraidtopull them asidetosay “that’snot how we do ithere.” The tackle wasn’t loud or boisterous, but he helped setthe standard.

For that standard to take root, Banks had to be reliable. And he was. Banks’ durability was a strength forthe Longhornsasthe lineman missedonly onegame for an injury over hislastthree years, and that is undoubtedly appealing 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, TheNFL 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 all thoseyears ago.

“I know it soundsdisingenuous when Idescribe what Kelvin’slike, but this is really whathe’slike,” Flood said. “He’sano-flaw kid.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt paras@theadvocate.com

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.

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

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

Afterfalling in draft, Sanders enters Browns’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 144thoverall selection by Cleveland on Saturday,comes to ateam that willhaveaquarterback competitiongoinginto trainingcamp in July

“I know I’mgoing to fit in perfect,” Sanderssaidonaconference call. “I feel like it’sfirst gettingin, showing the respect to the vets, showing them I’m here readyto work, show the coaches and have themunderstand I’m here ready to work so they can actually understand the real me. That’s what I’m trulythankful to have is the opportunity for people to actually see thereal me and not be ableto seestuff that could be true or not.” Sanders —the sonofPro Foot-

SAINTS

Continuedfrom page1C

capitalizedonthat,”Stutsmansaid. Stutsmangivesthe Saints additionaldepth at linebacker for defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s new3-4 schemeand apotential successor to All-Pro middle linebacker Demario Davis. He wasa productive player as athree-year starter for the Oklahoma defense, tallying376 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, eight sacks and three interceptionsinhis four-year career He was afinalist for theButkus Awardlastyear,whenheearnedconsensus All-America and first-team all-Southeastern Conference honors. Loomis singled Riley out 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 and accumulating 54 pass breakups over sixtotal seasonswithMiddle Tennessee and Louisville. Lastseason, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Rileybroke up 15 passes and intercepted twoin10 games.When asked where his ball skills comefrom,Riley credited his experience playing baseball as acenter fielderwhenhewas younger

“Tracking the flight of the ball, distance, when it’s going to hang, when it’sgoing to fall,” Riley said. “That just helped me at (defensive back) having confidence, so now when I’m looking for the ball, I don’thave to panic. It just comes natural to acertain extent.”

The lasttimeStaley called defensive plays, his Los Angeles Chargers teams used alot of match zone

QuarterbackShedeur Sanders takes part in passing drills during Colorado’spro dayonApril 4. Sanders was drafted by the Cleveland Browns on the final day of the draft.

ball 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 had40quarterbacks make at least one start over the past 26 seasons, including 11

LOOMIS: CARR IS STARTING QB IF HEALTHY

Mickey Loomis said he expects the New Orleans Saints to have aquarterback competition —but only if Derek Carris unavailable for 2025.

“Derek’sthe starter if he’shealthy,”the Saintsgeneral manager said.

Loomis reinforcedthat the 34-yearoldwill be the team’sstarter if he’s healthyenough to play, despitedrafting quarterback Tyler Shoughinthe second round. But the Saintsare still waitingfor clarity about whether Carr’sshoulder injury will sidelinehim for all of next season.

Loomis said nothing has changed on Carr’sstatus, even after the quarterback’s brother, David, said on the NFL Network that the Saints starter has been in contact withthe team.

“We’ll getthat sortedout,”Loomis said.

“We’re in the business of quarterback.There was an opportunitytoget aguy we valued really highly and he was available to us.”

If Carrcan’t play, Shough figures to compete with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the starting job Matthew Paras

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 make plays in the zone or go down there, get in somebody’s face and lock them up,” he said.

Neal ran for4,343 yards in his college career,breaking Kansas’ all-timerushingrecord and becoming the Big12’sfifthall-time leading rusher He may have hurt his draft prospects when he ran a4.58-second

during Kevin Stefanski’stenure as coach.

This will be thefirst time since Stefanski was hired in 2020 that thestartingspot isn’tsettled going 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.

Cleveland this monthsigned Joe Flacco, whowent 4-1 as astarter in 2023 and led the Browns to theplayoffs foronly the fourth timesince their return. Theyalso acquiredformer Steelers first-round draft pick Kenny Pickett in atrade with Philadelphia at the start of free agency on March12.

Berry appeared to findhis rookie QB in Oregon’s DillonGabriel late in the third round Fridaynight.However,the Browns hadsome moredraft drama to create.

40-yard dash at thecombine, but his speed didn’tappear to hurt him at Kansas.Neal averaged nearly6 yardsper carry forhis career on 760rushing 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-miss guy,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 was with 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 atornACL 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 hisone 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, andheisalsoanexcellent athlete, running a4.57-second 40-yard dash and posting a9.36 Relative Athletic Score.

Staff writer Matthew Paras contributed to this report.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

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.

AP FILEPHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

Tulane DB Ransaw taken in third round

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

Although Caleb Ransaw played nickelback for Tulane last fall, coach Jon Sumrall insisted he could excel anywhere in the secondary

The Jacksonville Jaguars agreed with that assessment, grabbing Ransaw in the third round of the NFL draft on Friday night and projecting him as a safety At No. 88 overall, he is the second earliest Green Wave player selected since Matt Forte went in the second round all the way back in 2008, trailing only running back Tyjae Spears, who was taken 81st by the Tennessee Titans in 2023. Spears was coming off American Athletic Conference offensive player of the year honors. Ransaw was a third-team all-league pick, but the Jaguars liked what they saw when he lined up at safety in Senior Bowl practices.

“He’ll have the entire defensive back group that he’ll be moving in and out of, but to start it will be at the safety spot and then we’ll go

from there,” Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said. “If you look at his stats, what stands out is his tackle ratio.

“The root word of the safety position is safe, and he can make sure that if someone gets loose, he can get them down.”

Jacksonville traded down from the No. 70 pick before making Ransaw their second defensive back selection, following Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter at No. 2 overall. Ransaw opened eyes at the NFL combine when he ran a 4.33 in the 40-yard dash — the third-fastest time among defensive backs in Indianapolis while also turning in one of the best broad jumps and vertical leaps in his position group.

Those numbers alleviated some concern about his statistics at Tulane. Although he finished the year with 33 tackles, including four for loss, he did not have an interception and was credited with only three breakups.

“He was put in a ton of man tasks, and his eyes weren’t on the ball,” Gladstone said. “Once he got to the Senior Bowl and he was play-

ing with vision to the quarterback, he had a lot of on-ball production in that setting. That certainly caught our attention.”

Ransaw spent three years at Troy before following Sumrall and his staff to Tulane. Intangibles often make the difference between success and failure in the NFL, and Sumrall said Ransaw has the right makeup.

“He is a football junkie,” Sumrall said. “He had an illness about a year ago and I went to visit him in the hospital, and was in the hospital bed watching PFF (Pro Football Focus) and other DBs in this year’s class that he thought he could compare to. He loves the game.”

Robinson gets drafted

On Saturday, cornerback Micah Robinson was picked by the Green Bay Packers in the seventh round with the No. 237 overall pick. Robinson transferred to Tulane this past season after playing four years at Furman. This past season he recorded 33 tackles and intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown.

HIGH SCHOOLS

Jesuit pitcher gets chance to reflect

Saunders in the third inning and then a three-run, inside-the-park home run by No 9 hitter Jackson Dugan during a four-run sixth.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Jake Moreci has pitched in big moments for Jesuit since he was a freshman.

“Sitting in the dugout, you saw all four years flash in front of you,” Moreci said as he reflected on the four seasons he pitched and played shortstop while on the Jesuit varsity “And then you finally get to end your career here with a win.”

ing and try to get back healthy for the playoffs was a real struggle because I know how bad he wants to pitch,” said Dugan, his catcher “Especially since it’s his senior year and we had a lot of games at home toward the end of the season, so to see him pitch the last game at John Ryan, it’s a lot.”

We stress good defense, and he trusted his guys behind him, and we trust him on the mound. Whenever he’s throwing strikes, it’s easy to play with him.”

Now a senior, the right-hander tossed a shutout in what might have been the final home game of his high school career in an 8-0 victory against Alexandria that completed a twogame sweep of an LHSAA Division I select regional playoff series Saturday at John Ryan Stadium.

Moreci won largely with the backing of a pair of two-out RBI singles by Harry Leche and Ryan

The win advanced fifth-seeded Jesuit (24-10) to face No. 4 St Thomas More (24-7) on the road in the state quarterfinals.

Jesuit could return home for the semifinals only if No. 8 John Curtis can knock off reigning state champion Catholic-Baton Rouge in another quarterfinal. Not that Jesuit is thinking that far ahead.

Moreci hadn’t pitched in about a month because of elbow discomfort that flared up after his most recent outing, making the shutout on Saturday even more worthy of celebrating.

“To see him have to stop throw-

Moreci struck out five with one walk, one hit batter and six hits allowed as the defense came through when it was needed most. Alexandria (18-16) started the sixth with two singles but the next three batters struck out, flied out and grounded out — the final out on a throw that senior first baseman Tyler Sciambra backhanded on a bounce. In the seventh, Alexandria had runners on second and third when second baseman Derek Delatte cleanly fielded a grounder for the final out.

“(Moreci has) always been a bulldog,” Jesuit coach Kenny Goodlett said. “He’s going to get on the mound and fill up the zone. He lets the team play behind him.

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS

When Dugan rounded the bases for his inside-the-park home run, the sophomore said he “was thinking three” when the ball bounced over the head of the fielder, “and whenever (Goodlett) started giving me the wave around third, I honestly didn’t want it. I was starting to fall around third, but once he gave me the go, I knew I had to get on my horse and score for my guys.”

Junior shortstop Marshal Serio drove in three runs, including a two-run single in the seventh.

“We came up with some timely hits, which is what we need in the playoffs or anytime of the season,” Goodlett said. “And it’s good to see in the playoffs.”

Jesuit did not allow a run in either game. Connor Donnelly struck out five and walked none in a 4-0 victory that opened the series on Friday

SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS

St. Charles knocks off Hannan in 8 innings

BY MIKE GEGENHEIMER Contributing writer

Both Hannan and St Charles Catholic had opportunities to win on Saturday St. Charles made the most of those opportunities. Hannan was less fortunate.

The No. 3 Hawks fought to force extra innings in the Division II select girls softball quartefinal, tying the game at 1-1 with one out in the bottom of the seventh. But ultimately that was not enough as they suffered a 4-2 upset at the hands of the No. 6 Comets in eight innings.

“We do this a lot,” Hannan senior second baseman Makenzie Jackson said. “We start behind and we always come back. I had faith that we would (come back). But it just didn’t work out in our favor.” It took some late dramatics, but the game was even through seven innings.

St. Charles took the lead in the fourth on an RBI double by pitcher Kiley Perilloux. And it appeared that might be enough for the win with Perilloux pitching a four-hit, shutout going into the final inning.

But with the season on the line, Hannan scored the game-tying run on a fielder’s choice by first baseman Grace Furlow who legged out a potential season-ending double play With the defense focused on Furlow, Jackson, the team’s only senior, sprinted home where she slid under the tag for the run. Hannan coach Becky Lambert said it was a play the Hawks practiced all season — sending Jackson home with two outs and this time it gave Hannan one final chance in extra innings.

“Run hard and slide,” Jackson said of her mindset running home.

“I knew she was throwing at me, but we’ve been working on don’t stop. If you know you can score, then don’t stop.”

It didn’t take the Comets long to rally for the victory in the eighth after a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs.

That’s when Perilloux stepped to the plate to launch a 3-run double just out of reach of the Hannan left fielder The junior went 2 for 4 with four RBIs on top of allowing only two runs on eight hits and striking out two in a complete-game performance.

“I was telling myself to breathe and that it was OK,” Perilloux said. “And I knew if I didn’t get it done, then my teammates behind me would pick me up and get it done.”

Hannan managed to add one run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by catcher Riley Williams, but that’s where the comeback effort ended.

Hannan pitcher Ava Kullivan gave up four runs on six hits and had six strikeouts.

“We had a good season. Overall, I think they learned a lot and they did well,” Lambert said “But we have to get better If we’re going to advance, we have to deal with pressure better and make

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Tulane safety Caleb Ransaw catches the ball during the Green Wave’s pro day on March 25 at the New Orleans Saints’ indoor practice facility in Metairie.

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 LSU two 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 its last eight conference gamesand fell under .500 in conference play forthe first time this season.

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

For the first time all season, LSU made a change in its rotation last week.

Instead of starting redshirt sophomore right-hander Chase Shores, LSU turned to junior left-hander Conner Ware on April 19 in its series finale againstAlabama

“Coach Johnson told me at like 10:45 a.m. that Iwas going to start,” Ware said. “So I waskind of thankful forthat. Didn’thavea lot of time to think about it.”

The move was asurprise, especially since Shores was listed as the probable starter earlier in the week and had started in every series finale leading up to the matchup.

“I just felt like to hold them down as best we could,” LSU coach Jay Johnson said after that game, “we just were going to need more guys.”

Johnson’sdecision indicates the third weekend starting spot is up for grabs, areality thatwas reemphasizedonThursday when Johnson announced that he would not declare aSunday starter before this weekend’sseries with Tennessee.

“I’m just very grateful to havethatopportunity last week,” Ware said.“Andifthey trustmeenoughtogivemethe ball again, then I’d be happy to.” Ware and Shores are the favorites to earn thenod again Sunday.Shores has struggled in anumber of starts, but he’salsoshowed signs of reaching his potential in outings against Oklahoma, North Alabama, Omaha and Purdue-Fort Wayne.

Despite having a5.44 ERA, Shores wasthe No.1recruit in Texas, accordingtoPerfect

Game, for areason.

“I’m very comfortable starting him.Ihave been for,whatever,10weeks in arow,” Johnson said April19. “Sothat didn’tchange This was alittle bit of a, ‘Hey,how do we getthrough tonight (without) your twobest guys out of thepen?’ “

Given the matchup, Ware hasastrong case to get the ball first for asecond consecutiveweek. Tennessee started five lefthandedhitters anda switch hitter during Fridaynight’sgame. TheVolunteers also had at least four lefty batsintheir starting lineup in each of their four games leading up to this weekend’sseries.

Twooftheir best hitters, second baseman Gavin Kilen and first baseman Andrew Fischer,are left-handed. Before thisweekend, Kilen was batting.412 and hadan.843 slugging percentage, whileFischer leads theteam in home runs with 16.

MostofAlabama’stop hitterslast week were left-handed. It was areason Johnson pointed to when asked why he started Ware instead of Shores.

Other candidates to start Sunday include freshman right-hander William Schmidt andredshirt sophomoreright-hander Jaden Noot.They are the only other Tigers who have started agamebesidesWare,Shores, junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson and sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson.

ButShores andWare should be thefavorites to takethe ball first in what will be a crucial matchup against the Volunteers. Noot and Schmidthave yettomake astart in SoutheasternConference play

“I think every kid’sdream is to play in a big SEC series like this,” Ware said. “Big schools going at it. Yeah, it’sexciting.”

“It was atough day.Obviously, we didn’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.

“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 wasagood matchup.The first inningwas 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 wasdispleased 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 the ball hard andlow through the middle of thefield,” 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’tmissit.”

Before the memorable night began, everyone had to wait. A205-minute weather delay pushed the first pitch from 6:30 p.m. to 9:55 p.m. The game lasted threehours and 22 minutesand didn’tconclude until 1:17 a.m.

“That’slike the fifth or sixth timethis year that we’ve kind of just sat around at thefield foracouplehours,”Jonessaid,“butwe’vegota lot of things to do here to keep us entertained.”

The night 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 Mayerspitched the ninth inning,surrendering arun-scoring double to Kilenthatextendedthe Vols’ lead to three

“There’sacouple of big-leaguers in that lineup, for sure,” Johnson said.

LSUdidn’tgetitsfirsthituntilthesixthinning whenJonessingledupthemiddlewithtwoouts.

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.

“The ball explodes up and away from a righty, and ironically he can do it to alefty too,” Johnson said. “And there’sthreedifferentoff-speed offerings, and it just it makes it really hard to square up.

“I thought we hada very good plan against him, andthe only part of it we really executed was we made him work.

FILE PHOTOByPATRICK DENNIS

Torina talks with Tori Edwards at third base in the firstinning

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU pitcher Conner Ware deliversapitch againstMississippi State in the second inning of theirgame on March 29 at Alex Box Stadium.

I’vegone to Mardi Gras andit’snot really my style. With Jazz Fest, thefact that people arethere for art makes the whole scene just so vibrant.” KarlDenson

FOR THE ART

BY KEITH SPERA | Staff writer

On the historic second Thursday of the 2024 New Orleans Jazz &Heritage Festival, saxophonist

Karl Densonspent twohours onstage with the RollingStonesinfrontof40,000 fans

MORE @ JAZZ FEST INSIDE

Sunday’s cubes Page 10D

Buthis day— or more accurately,his night— was still young. Sevenhoursafter he left theFair Grounds, Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe hitTipitina’sfor alate-night gigthat started at 2a.m Didhecatcha napin between?

“Most definitely,” Denson confirmed during arecent interview “I’m abig fan of the nap.”

It’sbeen 50 years, but some people still don’t think it’s safe to go back in the water The blockbuster1975 movie “Jaws,”about amonster great white shark that terrorizesa NewEngland beachtown, marks ahalf-centurythis summer.yetfor many people, thehorrorfeels as recent as the last timetheynervously steppedinto the surf.

We’retaking alook at this culturalphenomenon, andwe wanttohear from you. For example, wherewereyou when you first saw“Jaws”? Howmanytimeshaveyou seen it since? Did it changeyour life, and if so how?

Whydoyou think “Jaws” has had such alasting effecton the public,including sequels, more attention to sharks and subsequenthitslike“Shark Week”and “Sharknado”? Emailusatholidays@theadvocate.com.We’ll include some responses in astoryabout the movie and itslonglastingimpact. Includeyour nameand town, and(not for publication) adaytime phone number

‘The Welfare Rock’ monument in Baton Rouge weighs 18 tons and has four sides.

He’ll likely need several throughout the 2025 Jazz Fest. KarlDenson’sTiny Universe lit up the Fair Grounds’ Congo Square Stage on opening Thursday On Friday,May 2atthe Orpheum Theater,he’ll preside over “Exile on Bourbon Street II: The Bobby Keys Cuts.” Denson, two fellow Rolling Stones sidemen —keyboardist Chuck Leavell andvocalist Bernard Fowler —longtime Keith Richards collaborator Ivan Neville and singer-guitarist Jackie Greene will spotlight Stones songs that featured Bobby Keys, theband’slate, legendary saxophonist. Thoseare Denson’s “official” bookings. But the longtime stalwart of Jazz Fest’safter-hours scene plans to hang in New Orleansfor theentire spanof this year’sfestival.Which means he’ll popuponstage withhis New Orleans friends and collaborators throughout the week.

“I’m really looking forward to setting up camp, going out to hear my friends play,doacouple sit-ins and just absorb the vibe of the

See DENSON, page 8D

“Ithas four sides, and it’sart deco in style,” the Baton Rouge resident said. “But there isn’t any explanation forit, and it just seemsout of place. I’mcurious about the story behind it.” The answer starts with its creator,Iannelli, whowas an art world celebrity in the early 20th century.Heworked closely with architect Frank Lloyd Wright and maintained friendships with the likes of Wassily Kandinsky “As ametaphor forAmerica’s THEWELFARE ROCK

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Sometimes amonument will follow the footsteps of its creator Oneday,itstands in avisibly prominent spot. The next day it’stucked away andforgotten, which seemstobethe combined story of Baton Rouge’s“The Welfare Rock” monument and its artist, Alfonso Iannelli. However,that’snot saying the monument isn’tnoticed outside theIberville Building on North FourthStreet. It caught Mark Jeffers’ eye while driving past and piquedhis interest enough

to stop foracloser look. Four sides

PROVIDED PHOTO

Saxophonist and singer KarlDenson leads his ownKarlDenson’sTinyUniverse and has, since2014, played sax with the Rolling Stones.

PROVIDED IMAGE Saxophonist Karl Denson boards the Rolling Stones’tour jet.

DINING SCENE

Jamila’s Cafe departsJazzFest, butrestaurantabides

arestaurant that has remained steady even as decades of change accrue in our own lives.

Ian McNulty WHAT’S COOKING

“Happy times!” was the greeting from Moncef Sbaa as he showed us to abooth at Jamila’sCafe. He practically sang the words. Crossing the small dining room, under aceiling painted witha perpetual cheery blue sky,hedelivered the same salutation to acollege-aged couple and thento the neighbors at the next booth catching up over couscous

“Happy times” could be the motto at Jamila’s. It’sembedded in Sbaa’sown courtlyexuberance and in the beaming pride of his wife, Jamila herself, when she brings tajines out from her kitchen.

It’spart of the personality of the Tunisian restaurant the couple has run on Maple Street for more than 30 years.

For nearly as long, they’ve brought the same energy to the NewOrleans Jazz &Heritage Festival as food vendors. Since 1997, they’ve imbued the festivalmenu with their North African specialties, and one unique greencrawfish bisque.

The restaurant continues,but Jamila’slong tenureatJazz Fest appears to be over.It’snot taking part this year

Moncef Sbaa stops short of calling it an official retirement from the festival, in the spirit ofnever say never.But he allows thattheir Jazz Fest chapter has likely ended.

Traditions,relationships

Fielding afood booth over the two long weekends of Jazz Fest takes atremendous lift. Forthe Sbaas,the passing years have made the balancing act between thefestival and their restaurant hardertomanage Jazz Fest food is prized forits steadfast consistency.Vendors from small, often family-runbusinessesreturn each year,and some for decades. That lays the foundation for people to buildtheir own traditions around favorite dishes, and even buildrelationshipswith the people who serve them.

The rub is how that kindof longevity inevitably leadstodecisions of whether to carryon, how to pass the torch or when to say farewell

Many foodvendors have maintained amulti-generation presence at Jazz Fest. And as others have stepped awayinrecent years, Jazz Fest has refreshed its ranks with newer restaurants bringing their own culinary styles.

But learning Jamila’swas bowing out fromthe fest struck me as

an urgent reminder to takenothing we love for granted and to find ways to connect. That meant it was time for dinner at Jamila’s. AJazzFestmenu, revisited

While theSbaas’ festival days may be done, Moncef affably scoffs at any suggestion of retiring from the restaurant business

soon.

“Weget joy here, from our customers, our friends,” he said. “You’ve got to enjoy what you have in this life. It gives you energy,and makes you happy.”

The Sbaas are from the same part of Tunisia, the coastal city of Mahdia, though they met in theU.S. They opened Jamila’s in 1994, blending recipes from Jamila’sfamily,adding dashes of aFrench bistro and, eventually,a touch of local seafood.

Andthat is essentially how the restaurant remains today

People whohave been dining at Jamila’sthrough the years will find the samecabin-like dining room, with lace half-curtains veiling the windows, the samefiligreed lantern on theceiling, even someofthe same Arab dance musiccassettes on the sound system

There areaspects that could seem outdated, except they feel too specificallylike Jamila’s, too much apartofthe personality of

It had been too long since my last visit, and there were many dishes Iwanted again, like the tuna-stuffed phyllo pies called brik and the lambbrochettes.

Instead, Idecided to chart a meal of the dishes Jamila’slast served at Jazz Fest. They are all here.

First was the merguez lamb sausage, madeinto one of the great po-boys of Jazz Fest, here an appetizer grilled to acrinklycrisp surface and leftjust abit rosy within, perfect when dabbed with somethick harissa hot sauce.

Then it wasthe Tunisian salad, crunchy with apple and cucumber,sooften alight intermezzo on the hottest Jazz Fest days.

And on those hot days, how counterintuitive did awarm, creamy bisque sound? Yetthe version created at Jamila’sisa touchstone of the fest forme. It is green with zucchini and spinach, rich with cream, layered with seafood stock and popping with crawfish tails.

Lamb tajine wasserved on paper plates at the festival. At the restaurant, it arrives in its namesake clay pot, shipped over by Moncef’s family three decades ago to help equip the then-new cafe. Start with ascoop of saffron rice, then spoon out aportion of lamband stew,and taste the complex mixofsweetand spice and savory

There was chocolate mousse, but dessert isn’tthe true finale at Jamila’s. Meals instead end with Moncef splashing your hands with abit of orange blossom water from asilver kettle, aparting ritual followed by numerous goodbyes.

The Sbaas say they will miss Jazz Fest and especially the camaraderie with other vendors, though they may still contribute to that feeling. They plan to attend Jazz Fest, on the other side of the booth for once. They say they might even volunteer if aneed arises. Then they’ll return to Maple Street to prepare the bisque and merguez and continue happy times at their own pace.

Email Ian McNultyat imcnulty@theadvocate.com.

Sites andSounds

■ Flock around theClock

Four hours of pre-vernal festivity filled the social calendar when City Park Conservancy’sLark in the Park unfolded with outdoor activity Tania Hahn and Melissa Warren and SandraHenry werethe popular event’sco-chairs. The twotop sponsors were Majestic Oak category’s Hahn EnterprisesInc., followedby Cameron HenryJr.,president, Louisiana Senate, the Cypress Category Individual sponsors in the remaining sponsoring categories were TimothyRyan, Susan and MichaelDavis,Lori and BobbySavoie, Laurie and Paul Sterbcow,City Council member JoeGiarrusso, Dr Peter and Karen DeBlieux, Duaine Duffy,Dr. and Mrs. BartFarris, Mr.and Mrs. Eric France, Gregory Holt,Anne Teague Landis and Cuyler Boad, Mr.and Mrs. DarrylLeal, Mr and Mrs. David Purvis, Dr.and Mrs. CharlesV.Sanders, GarySells, Dawn and Dr MikeSmith, Christina Swift and David Theriot, and Barbaraand David Waller.LindsayMahoney made rounds as thefundraising events manager Under aclear-top tent, guests lined up for libations. Purveying were RNDC (Republic National DistributingCompany), Sazerac, and Coca-Cola United. Fourteen restaurants fed the “Let’sFlock Together!”crowd thatmilledabout the spacious grounds of the gorgeouslyilluminated New Orleans Botanical Garden andalso,within the Pavilion of the TwoSisters.

Further al fresco features were themoon-like lighting stands, the array of cafe tables toppedwith white linens, larger tables covered in silvercloths and centered with arrangements of tulipsand roses, and the naturalbeautyofthe area. Movingon, the Lark levity included bid business. Describedas “fantastic,” the auction packages donatedbylocal businesses —and purchased —addedtothe caper’s coffers. More than 16 million visitors experience City Park (and its 1,300 acres of urbanforestand trails)each year

Within the pavilion, food stations and amassivecharcuterie spread invited the appetite. Alarge bar in themiddle of the room served, among other drinks, asignature one, Buffalo Trace Old Fashioned.

Meanwhile music added merry momentum. For theone-hour patron party,jazz guitarist Steve Masakowski was the featured artist.For thethree-hour gala, and under the on-stage lavender-bluelighting,Where Y’acht, aYacht rock cover band, renderedsmooth sounds, and some more spirited, forthe crowd to take dance-floor wings.

■ To the Victor belongs theSongs

And so it was for LukeSutliff,a baritone from Denver, Colorado, with degrees from theJuilliard School and Rice University,and the winnerhereinthe Crescent City of the recent Ericand Dominique Laffont Competition of TheMetropolitan Opera, Gulf CoastRegion. The final round of competition, whichshowcased adozen contestants, took place in Loyola University’s Roussel Hall with Priti Gandhi as theMetropolitan Opera Judge. The associate judges were David Neely, University of Maryland School of Music, and Meredith Wallace, The Atlanta Opera. Michael Borowitz, LSU Opera and Opéra Louisiane, was thepianist Competition notables included president Carol E. Domina, national adviser (and world renownedsoprano) LisetteOropesa, GulfCoast Region Co-Directors Mrs.Bruce A. Gordon (Melissa) and Dwayne O. Littauer, Gulf Coast Region Director Susan Garic Mitchell, New Orleans District Directors RebecckaCoe and Joanne Mantis andGulf Coast Region Chairman Emerita Mrs.Charles L. Dupin, Diane. Mrs. Harry C. Stahel, Claire,presides over the support group, Amici. Adiscussion on stagefeatured Philip Straub Amici Volunteer Committee, and soprano Irini Kyriakidou, Opus Opera After the competition, attendeesassembled in an area of RousselHall for areceptionthatwas florally embellished by arrangements of posies in colorsof purple, light lavender,and yellow.Periperichicken skewers, aselection of cheeses and salami, andother taste treats were provided by Loyola Catering. Glasses of cheer were also raised

■ Sedona Dance

Nell Nolan SOCIETY

Playingup thesouthwest atmosphere of Vals restaurant on Freret Street and its choice tacos and nachos (amongother delicious chomps), theHoly Name of Jesus School’s gala and auction staged “Sunset in Sedona.” The gala committee took it akick further by adding themed décor, including handpainted cowboy boot vases filled with flowers in sunset shades of pinks and oranges. Kern Studios provided alife-size bull that was placed by the entryway arch, and becameaprime spot for picture taking.The DJ boothwas draped with ahandmade sunset backdrop and accessorized by oversize cacti from the above studios.

From thetaco window,Vals served amenu of barbacoa beef, fish and sweet potato tacos. Elsewhere the attractionswere chips, salsa and guacamole, and fordessert, churros with chocolate sauce. The frozen margaritas were alibation hit.

The silent auction’s115 itemsdrew constantattention with an exclusive guest membership and2026 parade ride of the Krewe of Orpheus donated by Kern Studios as the top-selling one. “Sunset in Sedona” also featured a $5,000 tuition raffle that was drawnthree days after the event.

To record the western revelry,Pat Garin Photographer LLC andNew Orleans Photo Booth Company plied their trade. They snapped images of the spot-on crowd, whosported cowboy hats and bootsasa sartorial nod to the southwest. For purchase werebandanas that could be embroidered by Dressed NewOrleans, and Phoenix Shop, which sold custom branded cowboys hats and donated aportion of sales to theschool.Holy Name studentscould also purchase bandanas and have a“Boots and Bandanas Day” the week of thegala. Topsponsors included InsulTech, Mathis Brierre Architects, The Husky Hat and a dozen others. Key attendees included the Rev Mark E.Thibodeaux,SJ, Holy Name of Jesus pastor; school principal Kirsch J.Williams and husband Dr Mark Williams, superintendent of Catholic Schools for theDiocese of Houma-Thibodaux; 2025 gala chairs Emilie Moseley and Miriam “Mimi” Becnel;auction committee members MaryBeth Green,Katie Baxter and Kate KelleyBibens;and ParentTeacher Club President Caroline Young with husband Steven.Also, Courtney and Will Nalty,Amoryand Edward Levert, Monica and Taylor Gallant, the school’s Amy Nolan,and countless others within aposse of 240, whotook over the entire restaurant. When it was time to kick up some funonthe dance floor,the “Sedona” set darted out forthe country-to-pop tunes of DJ Baby Daddy

Twodays before thecompetition at Loyola, Amici extended an invitation for cocktails and dinner at the Metairie Country Club honoring theabove judges. The hosts were Rebeccka Coe, Melissa and Bruce Gordon,Dwayne Littauer,Joanne Mantis, Susan and Judson Mitchell,and Claire and Harry Stahel Since that competitive day in New Orleans, winner Luke Sutliff has won the Laffont Competition —National Semifinals and the week-later Eric and Dominique Laffont Grand Finals Concert,bothatthe Metropolitan Opera in New York. No doubt for Sutliff, adreamed-of future in song awaits.

PHOTOSByKENNy MARTINEZ

Bobbyand Lori Savoie, Tania Hahn, Melissa Warren

RebeccaDietz, Cameron Henry, Sandra Henry

Richard and LaceyWalter,Joe Giarrusso

Barbara and David Waller

STAFFPHOTOSByNELL NOLAN

Philip and Emilie Moseley, Miriam and Karsten Becnel

Katie Baxter,MaryBeth Green

Mark and KirschWilliams,the Rev. Mark Thibodeaux, S.J.

Kate KelleyBibens, Patricia Daigle

PHOTOSByMARy STROUT

Melissa Gordon, Luke Sutliff, DwayneLittauer

Joanne Mantis, Rebeccka Coe Camille Robles, Susan Garic Mitchell

A.J.and DevieFriedman, Claire Stahel,Bruce Gordon

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 inTexas

An article by Airbnb ranks the mostwish-listed listings in each state with theideathatyou don’t need to travel acrossthe country tohave aone-ofa-kind experience.

Accordingto the listing, this LadoniaAirbnb, hosted by Highpoint Treehouses co-hosts Steve and NancyTaylor,isthe most unique treehouse destination you will find.

This tree house is for guests ages 12 yearsand older,and houses up to four guests with two bedrooms,two beds and onebathroom.There is also a covered fire pit and otheramenities provided

The interior has amodern farmhouse style,and there are five balconies and sixfloors.The third floor has ascreened porch witha hottub, and the sixth floor has acrows-nest 50 feet in theair where you can swing in ahammock 40 feet off the ground fully surrounded by extra-tall railings. There are also anumber of trails to take by footor by bike to take advantageofthe country

The listing notes that each of the balconies has unique perspectives of nature and shade

The Taylors were happytohear thattheyreceived the distinction of most wish-listedhomein Texas.

“So fun to hear that after being open threeyears with 5-star reviewsfrom allguests, all thework haspaid off and othershaveheard and wantto comestay,”they said.

They were surprised when they received their first out-of-state booking and now theyhavehosted guestsfromover 30 states in thesmall country town.

“After 25 years, we are on the vergeofcompleting the 8,000-acre Lake Ralph Hall andthatwill bring even more activities for ourguests,” they said. “Our guests have more funcomingwhile being immersed in nature that will allowtheir souls to catch up.” Local animals that guestsmay see includedeer, wild hogs, raccoons,armadillos, opossums, rabbits, bobcats, squirrels, owls, red-tailedhawks and many other varieties of birds.

Email Molly Terrell at molly.terrell@ theadvocate.com

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

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. Ifeel the owner did notmaintainthe 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,the airconditioner vent would leak.The owner of the vanlied and said Ileft the vent open. Ihaveavideo, butbecause they don’thaveabefore and aftervideo, 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 not cause anydamageand returned the vaningreat condition.They said as much

RVshare shouldn’tmake you pay for someone else’sdamage. Butwhose responsibility was this leak?

First, we should probably back up and talk about RVshare. Think Airbnb for recreational vehicles

Therental 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. Andyou

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 atakeawayfrom this 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.

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

HOLLYWOOD SOUTH

La.insidersdiscuss future of thefilmindustry

Call it the perfect storm, or merely aconfluence of factors that has adversely affected film and television production across the United States.

Leslie Cardé

Louisiana, once the most popular film location in the country, currently hasnothing shooting.

Thelocal production sheetsare blank. Everyone,from actors and behind-the-scenes crews tocasting directors and studio heads, is feeling the pinch.

Seasoned actor Billy Slaughter, who has 130 productions under hisbelt and is vice presidentof SAG-AFTRA Louisiana, shared his philosophy about the causes of the major domestic downturn in film production.

“There’sbeen amassive rolling back, generally, and atightening of purse strings on those projects that have been greenlit,” Slaughter said. “Half of what is being produced is going overseas, or to Canada. It’scheaper there, considering labor costs and materials. Studioheads will go where their money stretches the farthest.

“The 25% left shooting domestically in the U.S. used to essentially be divided up between five production hubs (Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, New Orleans and Albuquerque), but we now have (roughly) 75% of states with tax incentives, whereas at one time Louisiana was the only one.

“The pie is sliced so thin, that the mathdoesn’tcomputeanymore. There’snot enough to go around for sustainability.”

Absenceofstudioproductions

2025 has seen adismal absence of major studio productionsin Hollywood South. Casting director Liz Coulon saidthe last film

sheworked on was “Friday Night at Freddy’s 2.”

“That animatronic film wrapped in February,and it’sbeen pretty quiet since then, with only ahandful of projects,” Coulon said. “I’m currently talking to someone about alow-budget SAGfilm looking to shoot here in November/December.That story is basedinNew Orleans, and the writer/director loves New Orleans.” But until someone signs on thedotted lineand the project lands here,itcould be just another part of theever-present rumor mill, she said. Looking at an international productionlist of films being shot across the globe, the story is clear.While Los Angeles may have 25% of the bigger-budget films being shotintheir backyard, the story after that is all about Canada: from British Columbia to Quebec, and everywhere in between. Other productions have movedtoEurope. Even Australia has gotten in on theact.

Perhaps best illustrative of what’shappening here involves arecent comment by actor Rob Lowe, host of the successful new gameshow,“The Floor,” whose show has moved abroad after shooting the pilot in Hollywood.

“Weare now shooting in Dublin, Ireland,” said Lowe. “Believe it or not, it’scheaper to bring 100 American contestants to Ireland than it is to walk across thelot at Fox anddoitthere.”

Discussionswithpowersthatbe

Many in theindustry believe the time for action is now.For Jason Waggenspack, CEO of The Ranch film studios and president of Film Louisiana, that means having discussions with the powers that be in Baton Rouge, as well as studio execs in Hollywood.

“There will always be ebbs and flows in this industry,” Waggenspack said. “But we need to focus on how we as astate can we be moreefficient and more economical. We’reworking with the Legislature to be morecompetitive and attractive for people to film here.

“You cannot compete with Bulgaria,” he said. “That said, Louisianaisone of thecheapest

places in the U.S. when it comes to resources, labor and materials. On average, we are nearly 18% lower thanother cities domestically,soyour studio dollar goes further here.

“Wehave the best crews and the greatest locations, so we need to enhance our incentive program, and make people aware of the advantages in shooting their projects here. Trust me, at somepoint, people are going to get tired of traveling 16 hours to Europe to get to work.”

Negotiations and connections are clearly the nameofthe game.

Casting director Brett Caballero, whosupplied talent fortwo of the fewproductions shot here this year (“The Drama” and working-titled “Bluefin Tuna”), explains that they werepackaged together by A24 Films, both starring Robert Pattinson.

“Studios can piggyback productionsfor the tax credits,” Caballero said. “’The Drama’ filmed here in the beginning of the year

followed by afive-week shoot in February/March for‘Bluefin Tuna,’ which is atakeoff on the old NBCreality show ‘ToCatch aPredator,’ which turned undercover sting operations on alleged pedophiles into compelling reality television.

“The budgets weren’thuge, we werestrict about local hires to save on costs, and we even cast nontraditional actors, like cops, because of the storylines.’”

Optimistic,but prepared

Casting director Meagan Lewis is abit moreoptimistic about Hollywood South’sfuture. With offices in both New Orleans and Atlanta, she’shad alot of bigname, high budget projects to her credit, including the just-released “Sinners.”

TwoPrimetime Emmysand numerous nominations have cemented her track record.

“Yes, we’re in aslump, but I believe we’ll be back up and running by the end of the year,” Lewis said. “I have ahorror film coming to town, wanting to shoot in the Garden District, and Ihear three different companies are looking at Second Line Stages for possible shoots.

“If you’ve been in this business long enough, you can avoid acareer change, but my motto is, ‘Prepare for the potato famine, and get ready to take adifferent job.’

Casting director Ryan Glorioso is waiting to land afeature, and in the meantime just cast acouple of commercials, but his sentiment echoes that of nearly everyone in the industry

“Noone has given up hope,” Glorioso said.

“We’re here, ready to work, and willing to go wherever we need to. Sometimes it only takes one show creator to turn things around forastate.

“Look how Taylor Sheridan, who’screated ‘Landman,’ ‘1883’ and other long-running series has transformed Texas. We just need someofthat here.”

Contact Leslie Cardé at lesliecardejournalist@gmail.com

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Glorioso

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“herbig black valisethatlooked like the head of ahippopotamus” and Pitty Sing, hercat. Laughs abound until she meets amurderer,using her final moment to greet him as oneofher own children. Her gesture affirms theidea

9. “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

Afoul-mouthedneurologist

Dear Miss Manners: My teenage son had begun seeing anew neurologist, who is highly recommended and seems to be very skilled

Howtoget

respectfully?

We have had two appointments with this doctor, and both times, he used at least ahalf-dozen swear words in the 20-minute appointment.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

He’syoung, very friendly,very informal, and probably thinks it’snobig deal because my son is a teenager.Heworks for the pediatric hospital, and I’m hoping he doesn’tuse the same languagewhen giving medical care to young children!

But it’svery uncomfortable for me, and my son agrees that it seems strange. It seems so inappropriate for aprofessional person!

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 see him again in six weeks. Is there away to bring this up

Gentle reader: At thenext appointment, ask to speak with thedoctor first while your son remains in the waitingroom.Then tell himthatbothyou andyour son appreciate thework he is doing, but that you (and the boy’sother parent,if applicable) ask that henot use swear wordsduring appointments. Tell himthat youare trying to seta different example for your son. The doctor will conclude that you have no senseof humororconcept of the modern world.This is fine, so long as he understands that youmean what you say —and thatyou arethe customer Youand your soncan have alaughaboutitinthe car afterward.Hewill have beeninthe waiting room during yourdiscussionwith thedoctor not because he cannot know what is happening, but because it will helpconvince thedoctor that you are serious.

Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners. com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail com.

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,April

27, the 117th day of 2025

There are 248 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On April 27, 2011, during the four-day 2011 Super Outbreak, 112 tornadoes touched down across the southeastern United States, killing 319 in the deadliest day of tornadoes in the U.S since 1925

On this date:

In 1521, Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan was killed in the Battle of 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 the Warof1812 as U.S. forces defeated the British garrison in presentday Toronto;U.S. Brigadier General Zebulon Pike and 37 other American soldiers were killed near the end of the battle when retreating British forces exploded the ammunition magazine of FortYork as the Americans approached.

In 1865, the steamer Sultana, carrying freed Union prisoners of war,exploded on the Mississippi River near Memphis, Tennessee; as many as 1,800 were killed in the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history

In 1994, former President Richard M. Nixon was interred following afuneral service attended by all five of his 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 the United States; he was later convicted in aFrench court of laundering drug money and received aseven-year sentence.

In 2012, the space shuttle Enterprise, mounted atop ajumbo jet, sailed over the New York City skyline on its final flight beforegoing on display as part of the USS Intrepid Museum.

In 2015, rioters plunged part of Baltimore into chaos, torching apharmacy, settingpolice carsablaze and throwing bricks at officershours after thousands attended afuneral service for Freddie Gray,aBlack man who died from asevere spinal injury he’d suffered in police custody

In 2018, NorthKorean leader Kim Jong Un made history by crossing over to South Koreatomeet with President Moon Jae-in; it was the first time amember of the Kim dynasty had set footonsouthern soilsince theend of the Korean War in 1953.

In 2019, agunman opened fire inside asynagogue near San Diego as worshippers celebrated the last day of

Passover,killing awoman and woundingarabbi and two others. (JohnEarnest, aWhite supremacist, was sentenced to both federal andstate life prison terms for theshootings ) Today’sBirthdays: SingerKate Pierson (The B-52’s) is77. Guitarist Ace Frehley is 74. Sen.Jim Justice, R-W Va., is74. Basketball Hall of FamerGeorgeGervin is 73 SingerSheena Easton is 66 Sen. Cory Booker,D-N.J., is 56.Actor Sally Hawkins is 49. Musician Patrick Stump (FallOut Boy)is41. Actor William Moseley is 38. Singer Lizzo is 37. Tennisplayer Nick Kyrgios is 30.

Dear Heloise: My four kids wreak havoc on my refrigerator! There always seemstobe something sticky clinging to each shelf. Ihave to clean theshelves nearly every other day Can you recommend ahint for my situation? —M.R., in Oklahoma M.R.,here is asimple method that Iuse all the time: After cleaning all of theshelves, carefully wrap each shelf with clear cling wrap. When the cling wrap getsmessy,just remove it

and grab another sheet of cling wrap to protect your shelves. —Heloise Charging forawedding

Dear Heloise: My first cousin and Iwereveryclose growing up, but now that her wedding is coming up in mid-August,she has gotten very demanding. Ibelieve she’s forgotten her manners. She wantstocharge people to go to her wedding. We come from alarge family,and thegroom’s family is fairly large as well. Both of them want to have this huge blowout wedding, but they really can’tafford it. She asked my opinion about charging

people afee, and Itold her that I’m against it. Itold her to scale back the wedding to amuch smaller and simpler affair instead. The future bride was so angry at the idea that she said I wasn’tinvited. They plan on asking for $100 for single people and $150 for couples. Ithink the whole idea is tacky! Is this a“thing” or the “new wedding trend” these days? —B.T., in Missouri B.T., Ihate to say it, but this is not the first time I’ve heard of abride and groom charging for entrance to their wedding. From the letters Iget, it never works out well. People are invited to a

wedding to help acouple celebrate the beginning of an important chapter of their lives. It’satime to share the happiness and excitement of the moment with others. The bride and groom (or their families) pay for their wedding, so if they can’tafford the wedding that they want, perhaps they should wait and save until they can pay for the wedding that they’re dreaming of. After all, there’smuch moretoagood marriage than just the wedding ceremony! —Heloise Email heloise@heloise com.

weeks,” Denson said.

“I’ve gone to Mardi Gras and it’snot really my style. With Jazz Fest, the fact that people are there for art makes the whole scene just so vibrant. The Jazz Fest audience is the best.”

From avant-jazz to LennyKravitz

At 68, Karl Denson moveseasily between two totallydifferent musical universes: theblues/ funk/R&B/rock of his Tiny Universeand the universally beloved catalog of the World’sGreatest Rock ’n’ Roll Band.

His musical journey began in Orange County,California. In fourth grade,heaspired to learn saxophone but got talked intothe cello instead. “I love cello now, Iwish I’d kept it up,” he said. “But it wasn’tverycool in fourth grade, and carrying it home was a pain in the ass.”

His older brothersplayed flute and sax. Asax got handed down to young Karl, and he foundhis calling.

During high school in Santa Ana, California, he was thesaxophonist in aMexican wedding band called De Nada.

“I made alot more money in high school than Idid in college,” he recalled. “By college, Ihad decided to be an ‘artist’ —Iwanted to play avant-garde jazz.”

Told that John Coltrane was the greatest saxophonist,Denson sought out Coltrane records, which were sometimes given to him for free.

“The reason they weregiving them to me was because it was late-Coltrane crazy stuff (like) ‘Interstellar Space’ and ‘Livein Seattle’ with Pharoah Sanders. I’d be saying to myself, ‘Do you really like this?’ It made sense kinestheticallywith the saxophone, to be making alot of noise.”

At California State University, Long Beach, he veered into avantjazz, churning out challenging, mostly improvised, atonalmusic inspired by AnthonyBraxton, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and free-jazz pianist Cecil Taylor. Then in his early 20s, Denson had an epiphany at aCecil Taylorconcert.

“After about 45 minutesofhim banging on the piano, Ithought, ‘Thisisalot more fun to play than to listen to.’ So that was it.I

started working on tonal music from that pointon.

“The thingabout the avant-jazz was, it was all dudes.There were no girlsthere. My epiphany was, ‘I want girls to come to my shows. If the guy brings his girlfriend, I wanther to wanttocome back.’

“The roots of jazz is dance music. Iwas tryingto get back to that. Ihung my hatonthe fact that whatI do should be danceable.”

To that end,heco-founded the Greyboy Allstars. Taking inspiration from West Coast boogaloo, a synthesis of Latin rhythmsand soul/R&B, the Greyboy Allstars were “enough of everything at thesame time to makea lot of inroadsearly on.”

They found anappreciative audience on thejam band circuit amongGratefulDeadand Phish fans.

Denson appeared in Eddie Murphy’stwo “Coming To America” movieswith thefictional band SexualChocolate.

He later launched KarlDenson’sTiny Universe in part so he could singmore. It became “about crossingall the boundaries, an allencompassing take on live music.”

In the late 1980s, he met an unknown singer, guitaristand songwriter named Lenny Kravitz. Denson played saxonKravtiz’s “Let Love Rule” and“Mama Said” albums.

At thetime, Kravitz couldn’tafford to tour with both asaxophonist anda backing vocalist in his

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band. So he hired avocal coach to teach Denson and his other musicians how to sing. Denson still uses thevocal exercises he learned while in Kravitz’semploy Unlike Denson’scollege avantjazzbands, Kravitz had no trouble attracting women. Oneyear during Jazz Fest, Kravitz was the surprise guest for alate-night Tiny Universe show at Tipitina’s. When themusicians cameout for thesecond set, Denson recalled, “there were no dudes in thefront The women had completely moved all theguys out ”

‘It’sthe freaking RollingStones’

In college, Denson would occasionally field drunken audience requeststo“’play someBobby Keys, man.’”Hedidn’tknow who Bobby Keys was but resolved to find out

“That’s when Irealized he was theguy withthe Rolling Stones. As aresult, Istarted studying him and became afan of Bobby Keys in my early 20s.”

Decades later,when Keys could no longer tourwith theRolling Stones —hedied in 2014 —Denson stepped in. “I really felt like it was meant to be.”

It was Kravitz, afriend of Mick Jagger’s, who tipped off Denson that the Stones needed anew saxophonist. Kravitz also sent Jagger tracks from his catalog that featured Denson’splaying.

Denson submitted arecording of the Stones’ “Can’tYou Hear Me

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Knocking” from his performance of the entire “Sticky Fingers” album with New Orleans guitarist Anders Osborne.

Withoutever actually auditioning, Denson was hired. He has toured with the Rolling Stones since 2014, usually splitting saxophone duties onstage with TimRies.

“I was totally prepared forit musically,but the ‘hang’ is next level,” Denson said. “Trying to keep your cool while you’re watching the world’sbiggest band go through their routine it’slike, ‘What the hell am Idoing here? That’sMick Jagger.That’s Keith Richards.’ It’s surreal.”

Sharing the stage with such icons was moreofanadjustment than facing stadium-sized crowds.

“People are like, ‘What’sitlike playing in front of 60,000 people?’ It’snot 60,000 people —it’sthe freaking Rolling Stones listening to you! That’sthe big deal.”

At theStones’ 2024 Jazz Fest show,which included guest appearances by Irma Thomas and Dwayne Dopsie, the sidemen were given timetoshine. During “Miss You,” Denson, Ries and bassist Darryl Jones all embarked on long solos.

Jagger,Richardsand Ronnie Wood “really enjoy playing music,” Denson said.“They’re notjusta business. It always blows my mind hearing Mick after rehearsals. He’ll stick aroundwithSteve(Jordan, the drummer), or withCharlie (Watts) when he was alive,and play

guitar forahalf-hour, or practice harmonica. Theyreally are just guys who like to playmusic.”

More than adecade into his gig with the Rolling Stones, he’sstill in awe of the band’scatalog. The hits get priority at concerts, but Jagger and Richards resurrect obscurities during the weeks of rehearsals that precede atour

“They’ll come in and just pick random tunes,” Denson said. “One timethey played ‘Thru and Thru’ (from 1994’s‘Voodoo Lounge’ album). It’s abeautiful piece of music.

“The first day,they listened to it, and Keith kind of picked at his guitar,but they didn’treally rehearse it. The second day,they kind of half-rehearsed it but were not really getting it. The third day,they played it twice. By the second time, they’ve got it.

“They’re always listening to traditional bluesy stuff, but then they write these gorgeous songs that are completely out of the box.”

He’slooking forward to showcasing Bobby Keys’ contributions to the Rolling Stones’ catalog at the Orpheum on May 2.

“Me and Tim(Ries) always remark on how lucky we are that Bobby snuck in there and got somesaxophone on these tracks. I think Bobby’ssolo on ‘Casino Boogie’ (from 1972’s‘Exile on Main St.’) is one of the greatest pieces of saxophone ever done. It’s on a Wayne Shorter level, of the simplicity of afew notes that really mean something.”

The “Exile on Bourbon Street” show starts at 9p.m., early by Denson’slate-night Jazz Fest standards.

“Twenty-five years ago, we couldn’tget the regular slots, so we started taking the late-night slots. People liked what we did with them,soit’sbecome athing. I’dmuch rather play at 9:30 and finish at midnight. But you do what you do.”

For Denson, that meansinhabiting twovery different musical universes.

“Doing Jazz Fest with the Rolling Stones, that’sway stranger of aday than playing my late-night gig. That’slike awhole other world.

“I’m 10 years into that world, but I’m40years into my own world. I’mfine with going back to my life.”

Email KeithSpera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

crown.3 Unexpected bills likethis can be arealburden especially if you’re on afixed income.

Ask about the

Dear Annie: Ioften read letters in your column from people —usually parents, often mothers who say they’ve been cut offby their adult children, sometimes oversomething that seems minor,like aforwarded Facebook post. As a 70-year-old who’sseen this dynamic play out many times, Ican’thelp but wonder: Are we always getting the full story?

In my experience, estrangement is rarely as one-sided as it’sportrayed

greatdeal of paintoothers.

My question is: Howdoyou, as an advice columnist, weigh the likelihood that there’smore to the story than what’sbeing shared? And do you ever feel it’s important to remind letter writers —and readers that repair might require adeeper lookattheir own role in the estrangement?

violations.

While sometimes the cutoff is truly unfair,more often it’s the result of years of hurt, boundary violations or unresolved conflict that the letter writer may not acknowledge. I’ve known people who see themselves as victims, whenintruth they’ve caused a

CURIOUS

Continued from page1D

cult of celebrity,hehad become enormouslyfamous,” author David Jameson wrote in his 2013 book, “Alfonso Iannelli: Modern by Design.” “Then he was forgotten.”

Acelebrity artist

But Iannelli still hadcelebrity status when the state of Louisiana, under the administration of Gov.Earl K. Long, commissioned him to create amonument to stand outside the Department of Public Welfare Building at 755N Third St. in BatonRouge.

The building was constructed on the former home site of Mexican Warhero Zachary Taylor, the only Louisiana resident elected to the presidency.The structure later was renamed the A.Z. Young Building, in honor of the Louisiana civil rights leader

The Young Building was demolished in 2007, making way for the A.Z. Young Park, catercorner from Capitol Park.But the monument, according to a2006 Advocate article,was movedto its current place at the northend of the IbervilleBuilding at 627N Fourth St., before the demolition.

No plate, no lights,nobenches

A2016 articleinThe Advocate noted, “This beautiful statue near the Iberville Building has no art-

—WonderingAbout the Other Side

Dear Wondering: Youraise a wise and necessary point. Iagree —there are always two sides to every story,and in my experience, the truthusually lives somewhere in themiddle. Estrangement is rarely abouta single Facebook post or one hurtfulcomment; more often,it’sthe last straw in apile of long-unspoken hurts,unresolved tensionsorrepeated boundary

ist plate,nolights, no benches.”

They consulted the State Library of Louisianafor information, which turned up Iannelli as the artist.

Still, the library’sinformation was slightly different from that filed in Louisiana’sPercentage for Art program, which created “J. Iannelli” for the sculpture.

“Based on the style, dateand medium,itmay actually be linked to Alfonso Iannelli,awell-known Chicago sculptor who collaborated with Frank Lloyd Wright and was activeuntil his deathin 1965,” program director Scott Finchsaidthisweek. “Iannelli did work in architectural ornament andsandstone, so thiscould plausibly be apiece from his studio.”

It is, indeed, from Iannelli’sstudiowhere it was created in three pieces, eachcarved from Indiana limestone.

Installedin1956

Iannelli cametoBaton Rouge in 1956 to piece together thethree blocks ofhis four-sided, 18-ton sculpture. Yes, that is how much this monument actually weighs. according to Martin L. Tanney’s photointhe June 12, 1956, edition of theState-Times.

The photoshowsthe artist installing the sculptureinits original location.

“Sculptor Alfonso Ianelli is shown blasting away with his air hammeron‘TheWelfare Rock,’ nearthe front entrance to the State Welfare Building,’ Tanney

When Irespond to letters, Ido so withthe understanding that I’m hearing one person’sversion of events. Sometimes it’sclear they’re omitting alot. Other times,they may be genuinely unaware of how their words or actions have affected others.

That’swhy Ioften urge letter writers to look inward, reflect honestly and consider seeking professional guidance to better understand what went wrong really wrong. Healing doesn’t come from rewriting the past to feel better.Itstarts with owning your part in it

Thanks for thethoughtful reminder that accountability is just as important as empathy in these situations.

Dear Annie: I’ve noticed that some of my friends and Iseem to have

very different preferences when it comes to communication —especially around texting versus phone calls. As an adult with ADHD, Ifind texting fareasier Phoneconversations can be overwhelming; people often talk too slowly for my fast-moving brain, and Istruggle not to interrupt. Texting lets me process at my own pace, multitask while Iwait for areply and conserve social energy when I’mfeeling drained. Ialso wonder if somepeople who avoid phone calls might be dealing with hearing loss or other challenges that makeverbal conversations moredifficult. For those who find typing hard, I’ve discovered the voice-to-text function can be ahelpful bridge; it takes some getting used to, but it really does makecommunication easier

wrote about the photo.

Tanney’sdescription of the sculpture may be themost accuratesince it came from Iannelli, himself.

“Iannelli’spiece of sculpture weighs 18 tons and depicts the various welfare services —old age assistance, aid to children, aid to theneedy and visual care. ‘The old man and the old woman are being protected by thestate,’ the

sculptor says, ‘which is symbolized by the pelican. The child representsthe coming generation.’”

Born in Italy

Iannelli wasborn in Andretta, Italy,in1888 and immigrated to America 10 years later.Hestudied under Gutzon Borglum,who sculpted Mount Rushmore, then in 1914, Iannelli created several Spritesculptures forChicago’s

So here’smyquestion: How can friends with very different communication styles find arespectfulmiddle ground —especially when one person thrives on phone calls and the other finds them exhausting? —Prefer to Text, Not Talk Dear PrefertoText: Many people prefer texting forall the reasons you mentioned. However,the key is to find acompromise. Let your friends know that texting helps you stay connected without feeling overwhelmed. And if they really need acall now and then, maybe schedule it so you’re prepared. Good friendships aren’t built on the method of communication; they’re built on mutual respect.

Send yourquestions forAnnie Lane to dearannie@creators com.

Midway Gardens. This modernist entertainment venue in Chicago was considered architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s masterpiece of public architecture. Midway Gardens was torn downin1929, but afew of Iannelli’sgeometric sculptures survived and are on display in Phoenix.

Iannelli also worked with famed NewBauhaus 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 industrial designs, which included the art deco Sunbeam T9 toaster in 1939.

Iannelli, along with his wife Margaret, established Iannelli Studios in Park Ridge, Illinois. The building is now occupied by the Kalo Foundation, anonprofit organization “dedicated to preserving the rich artistic legacy of the city.” Iannelli died in 1965, and though his namehasn’tcompletely faded in the art world, it isn’ta household namelike that of his colleague Wright. And though his Baton Rouge sculpture is relatively unnoticed, it still stands. Do you haveaquestionabout something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phonenumber andthe city where you live.

PROVIDED PHOTO FROM PARK RIDGE HISTORICAL SOCIETy Chicago sculptor Alfonso Iannelli designed and created ‘TheWelfare Rock’ monument, which stands outside the Iberville Building in Baton Rouge.

SUNDAY,APRIL27

BUSINESS

SPLITTING THEBILLS

Will Green, who took the helm of the Louisiana Association of Businessand Industryin2023, said he’s confident that this year’s two-monthregular sessionwill end with more victories for his members,but insurance is likely to be the biggest fight.

PROVIDED PHOTO

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Louisiana’spowerful business lobby had abanner year in 2024, winning long-sought taxchanges and education reforms,aided by anew governor and aRepublican supermajorityinBaton Rouge.

But on some of its top issues this year,the Louisiana Association of Businessand Industry is facingmore friction.LABI, whichrepresents more than 2,000 employers and is aforce in Louisiana politics through campaign contributions and its

influential legislative scorecard, is backing astring of proposals that would make it harder for people to win big payouts over car accidents, which it argues will lower auto insurance rates.

It’salsotrying to stoplegislation that would create moreregulatoryhurdles forcarbon capture and sequestration projects, and fighting to get morefunding for early childhood education at atime when competition for statedollars is fierce.

“Whatadifference ayear makes, right?” LABI President Will Green saidinaninterview

to discuss his objectives as this year’ssession gets underway Last year,the state Legislature movedtorepeal the corporate franchise tax and flatten corporate and personal income taxes, while raising salestaxes.Lawmakers also created anew program to helpLouisianafamilies pay for private education with tax-funded grants. Green said 50 legislative and regulatory measures were enacted under LABI’s plan to transform Louisiana into an economic leaderin

Afteracquisition,parking aidtechstartup

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

ParkZen, aBaton Rouge tech 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.

dustry all morning.”

Citinganondisclosure agreement, Chatzopoulossaid he was unable to share details of the acquisition, but industry insidersestimatethe deal was worth severalmilliondollars.

ParkingGuidance, whichhas been in business since2013, installs andoperates parking technology hardware, including sensors installed on the ceilings of parking garagestotrack availability of parking spaces.

“This is ahuge opportunity for us,” ParkZenco-founder Manos Chatzopoulos said Tuesday by phone while attending an industry trade show.“I’ve been getting congratulations from people in the in-

ParkingGuidance

CEO Derek Frantz didn’t respondtorequests for comment Co-founded in 2020 by Chatzopoulos, an LSU associate professorof astrophysics, and real estate financier George Triarchou,ParkZen uses smartphone data to help drivers hunt forparkingspacesinthe same waythat Waze or Apple’smaps help them avoid traffic snarls. The company’s customers include universities, airportsand otherbusinessesaround the country

The companies teamed up in 2023 to provide parking hardware and software for the Baltimore/Washington International Airport.

“The airportwas looking for a consumer-facing apptoremind drivers where their car was parked basedonlicense plate data,” Chatzopoulos said. “Wecame along for therideonthatproject andbuilt the mobile app.”

The successful collaboration set the stage for the recent acquisition.

The deal comes at atimewhen the roughly $120 billion U.S. parking

ä See PARKING, page 2E

STAFFFILE PHOTOByJAVIER GALLEGOS

NewOrleans

LauraCannon hasjoined Hinshaw& Culbertson as apartner Cannon will be part of the appellate team within the Government Practice Group. Her practice focuses on appellate cases related to commercial litigation, insurance matters and consumer financial services. Shepreviously served as a criminal justice actattorney for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Cannon began her law practice at McGlinchey Stafford and

practiced with other firms in New Orleans. She earned abachelor’s,cum laude,inpolitical science and historyfrom Tulane University and alaw degree,magna cumlaude, from Tulane University Law School.Cannon served as law clerk for the U.S. District Judge Stephen Higginson on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Judge Nanette Jolivette Brown ofNew Orleans.

AdvantageCapital has expanded its senior leadership team.

Franchesca Lorio was namedchief financial officer and Anne Johnson is thefirm’snewest managing director. Both women have decades of

BUSINESS BRIEFS

Walmarttoremodel18

south Louisiana stores

Eighteen south Louisiana

Walmart stores are scheduled to be remodeled this year as part of the retail giant’sefforts to overhaul more than 650 locations across the U.S.

The work will involve updates such as new signage, expanded onlinepickup departments and private screening roomsinthe pharmacy

The stores scheduled for remodeling are:the Natchez Drive, Robert Boulevard and Pontchartrain Drive locations in Slidell; the Coursey Boulevard and O’Neal Lane locations in Baton Rouge; 880 N. U.S. 190and 2800 N. U.S. 190inCovington;Veterans Memorial Boulevard in Metairie; South Range Avenue in Denham Springs; La. 42 in Prairieville; La. 1inPort Allen; La. 3089 in Donaldsonville; West Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette; Northeast EvangelineThruway in Carencro;

PARKING

Continued from page1E

industry looks for ways to boost profits despite challenges created by the rise of remote work, ride-hailing platforms and ecommerce —all of which have reduced demand.

Companies that ownor manage parking lots areturning to tech companies to help them maximize profits, according to industry reports. Solutions include apps that let drivers reserve spaces in advance, sensors that automatically charge drivers when they pull in and outofparkingspaces, and tech that will automatically adjust prices for parking spaces based on demand.

Parking Guidance’sacquisition of ParkZen givesthe company more artificial intelligencedriven and data-driven software solutions for its customers,said Chatzopoulos.

Icyinspiration

Chatzopoulos began brainstorming atech solution to parking adecade ago, when he was a postdoctoral fellow at theUniversity of Chicago. His daily routine involved lots of driving around looking for aparkingspace, followed by long walks in cold conditions.

He figured there had to be abetter way to avoid parking hassles, which he said cause unnecessary carbonemissions, lossofproductivity and traffic accidents.

Chatzopoulos,who by day uses supercomputer simulations to understand supernovas and stellarevolution,appliedhis skills in dataanalysistotackle themore down-to-earth challenge.

“I realized most parking problems weren’tjust about too few spots; they were about people not knowing where open spots actually were,” he said. “I knew Icould use data to bridge that information gap and makeparking way less stressful.”

Afterhestarted workingat LSU in 2016, Chatzopoulos joined forces with Triarchou to launch ParkZen.

Today,ParkZen is usedby about adozenschools,including the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee.The startup also has a$2millioncontract with the Virginia Department of Transportation covering 59 commuter parking lots. Chatzopoulos declined to disclose revenue details, citingcompetitive concerns.

‘Great exampleofincubation’ In 2022, ParkZenwon a$100,000 investment after taking first place in apitch competition during Baton Rouge Entrepreneurship Week, run by the nonprofit busi-

experienceand have held leadership positions withthe company LaurenKilbourne has joined the company as vice president of the TaxConsulting Team. Shewas previouslymanagerof

NewMarketTax Credit applicationsatCherry Bekaert.

BatonRouge

Ontario AvenueinBogalusa; Odd Fellows Road in Crowley; La. 70 in Morgan City; and Archbishop Hannan Boulevard in Meraux.

Construction at all of the locations is slated tobeginthisyear andWalmart expects theworkto be finishedbythe end of 2025.

Forte, Tablada acquires BR engineering firm

Forte and Tablada has acquired ProfessionalEngineering Consultants, joining two longtime Baton Rouge engineeringfirms.

Terms of the deal were notdisclosed.

Both companies were established in the 1960s.

Officialssaid thepurchasewill enhance Forte and Tablada’sabilitytoprovide water,sewer,and public utility infrastructure expertise to clients.

Thedeal gives Forte and Tablada aworkforce of 130 staffers, with afocus across engineering andsurveying disciplines.

ness incubator Nexus Louisiana.

The investment came from InnovationCatalyst, aBaton Rougebased nonprofit that invests in localentrepreneurs, andits subsidiary, the RedStick Angel Network.

Chatzopoulos used the injection of cash to hire asalesperson and software developers. The company also became a“virtual tenant” at Nexus, where it received coaching and other support services.

Nexus President and CEO Tony Zanders said ParkZen’sParking Guidance deal is proof that the Baton Rouge entrepreneurial ecosystemworks —even if the deal isn’tassplashy as the 2021 exits of New Orleanstech companies Lucid, Levelset and Turbosquid. The Lucid deal alonewas worth more than $1 billion.

Bill Ellison,CEO of Innovation Catalyst and theRed StickAngels, said he was planning another major investment in ParkZen, along with aSouth Carolina-based venture capital fund, when ParkingGuidance made its acquisition offer

“Wehad the deal done, but Manossaidhehad an offer to be acquiredthat was toogood to pass up,” Ellison said.

‘Leading innovation’

ForChatzopoulos, theParking Guidancedeal is achance to offloadsome of the responsibilities of astartup foundersohecan focusonhis favorite aspectsof the business —leadinginnovation

He wants to continue to make parking easierfor students, and he envisionsaday when enough drivers are using his software that it will work outside of designated parking lots.

He also hopes to sell ads based on customers’locations. And he wantstogrow the company’s services in the paid parking sector,which he describes as amore “dense and competitive space.”

Now,he’ll be pursuing those goals aspart amore established venturethat hasinstalledroughly 200 parking guidance systems encompassing360,000 parking spaces at airports, universities, hospitals and corporatecampuses.

The company has offices in Houston, Dallas, Orlando, Miami, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and, now,Baton Rouge. BothParkZen partnersand all three employees will remain with thecompany

“This is what Silicon Valley calls an ‘acqui-hire,’ ”Zanders said. “They aren’tjust buying the ParkZentech and sending the team off to Hawaii for avacation.The skills they are bringing to the table will help PGSfurther expand into the software space.”

Email Rich Collins 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

theSouth. Green,who took thehelmof LABI in 2023 aftereightyears at the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association, saidhe’sconfident that this year’s two-month regular session will end with more victories for his members, but insurance is likely to be the biggest fight “On casualty and car insurance?” Green said. “We’vegot a ton of work left to do.”

LABI hasaligned itself with Insurance Commissioner Tim Templeand acrop of lawmakers on legislation that Green said will “prevent jackpot justice”and attract new insurers, eventually lowering rates.

But on some measures, LABI is at-odds with Gov.Jeff Landry, who said he wants ”a balanced approach” that favors neither trial lawyersnor insurers. Landry angered thebusiness lobby last year by vetoing one major piece of legislation opposed by triallawyers andwateringdown several other measures before agreeing to support them.

In the first week of this year’s session, Landry appeared before aHouse committee to stump for a bill opposed by thebusiness lobby that would give Temple the power to reject excessive auto insurance rate increases. Thegovernor said it’s no wonder residentsare frustrated, as insurance companies “continue to report record profits while our rates continue to rise.”

The outcome of this year’s fight could help shed light on LABI’s clout in the Capitolunder Landry, said Jan Moller,executive directorofInvest in Louisiana, which hasn’ttaken aposition on the auto insurance legislation but frequently clashes with LABI on issues like raising theminimum wage.

“Most of these battles areRepublican on Republican in away that we haven’tseen before,” said Moller,who noted thatfor decades, Republicans have been in lockstep with LABI in opposing the trial bar.“Youhave aconservative governor taking an oppositeposition. It’s atest of thegovernor’spowers, andatestofhow much influence LABI really has.”

LABI is also opposing efforts by agroup of mostly rural, Republican lawmakers to put restrictions on carbon captureand sequestra-

Garett May is thenew president and CEO of West Jefferson Medical Center Maywas most recently chief operating officer of Crestwood MedicalCenterin Huntsville, Alabama and earlier was CEO of Merit HealthNatchez in Natchez, Mississippi. He earnedabachelor’sand a master’sinbusiness administration from Mississippi College and alaw degree from Mississippi School of Law.

BUSINESS HONORS

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-

tion. Greensaidmisinformation around carbon capture is fueling fears that it could pollute drinking water or pose asafetyhazardand said it is up to LABI andother industry groups to build trust with thepublic so that they aremore open to the technology

“If we do this right, we can bring millions of dollars in jobs andinvestments to Louisiana,” Green said. “We’vegot thetalenthere. We’ve gotthe businesseshere We’ve got the infrastructure here.”

Affordable childcare‘crisis’

On other issues, LABI faces less controversy but will still need to sway legislators. The group’snext biggest priority besides auto insurance is expanding access to early childhood education forworking families, Green said.

Louisiana has amongthe lowest labor force participation rates in thecountry,meaningthere are fewer workers here than elsewhere. Green saidthatmanyof thepeople whohave leftthe labor force are parents with young children who can’t afford high-quality child care.

“It really is acrisis,” said Mary Beth Hughes, LABI’s director of governmentalaffairs. “Especially when we’re talking about all of the huge economicdevelopment projects that are coming to Louisiana, if we don’thave the workforce to supportthem,it’sahuge problem.”

LABI is urging lawmakers to provide funds for the state’sChild Care Assistance Program, which helps low-incomefamiliespay for high-quality early childhood education so parents can go to school or re-enter the workforce.

Landry’sbudget proposalrecommended setting aside around $78million in state funding forthe program. LABI and others are hoping to boost that to $87 million if funding becomes available.

Employee absences and turnover due to child care issues cost Louisiana’seconomy $1.3 billion annually,according to an analysis from the Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, anonpartisan think tank focused on improving outcomes for Louisiana’syoung-

Dr.AdithyaHari has joined the faculty of PenningtonBiomedical Research Center as an assistantprofessor and physician/nuclear oncologist in clinical science.

Hari will develop aresearch programinnuclear medicine and will dedicate aportion of his time to patient care througha clinical partnership with Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center He earnedamedical degree from Kurnool Medical College and adoctorate in clinical and translationalscience from Case Western Reserve University.Hari completeda fellowship in nuclear oncology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

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.

est children. Libbie Sonnier, thePolicyInstitute’s CEO, said Louisiana’s business community has been atrailblazernationally in making the argument for funding early childhood education and lauded Green’s efforts to elevate the issue.

LABI is also backing abill that would restructure theLouisiana Workforce Commission to makeit aone-stop shop forresidents looking forjob training.

DOTD overhaul,taxes

LABI is also supportive of apush to overhaulthe stateDepartment of Transportation and Development.

Green pointed to arecent report from the National Transportation Research Groupthat found that halfofLouisiana’s major roadsare in poor or mediocre condition and 1,500 bridges —or1in10spans are poor or structurally deficient. “A good transportationsystem is absolutely afactor in economic development and attracting and growing business,” Green said.

Senate President Cameron Henry hasalso made restructuring of DOTD atop priority In arecentinterview,hesaid DOTD underformer Gov. John Bel Edwards helped lure acompany to arural part of north Louisiana by promising it would fix broken bridges but never followed through.Green shared asimilar story,saying faulty infrastructure madeitdifficult forone of his members to transport apiece of 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 end in July 2026 that reimburses businesses for the inventory tax paid to local governments.

That’sneeded,Green said, after voters in Marchrejecteda constitutional 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

Lorio Johnson

May

Kilbourne

Redman

Ellison-Frost

TALKING BUSINESS WITH KERRy DUET

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 alargestashof cash at theirhouse, Ioften joke: “Give me your address.”

who monitor the financial health 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.

Michelle Singletary

THE COLOR OF MONEy

My attempt at humor is away to get them to see that stockpiling too much cash is nota good idea. There’s the risk of it being stolen or destroyed in afire or severe storm. And with some institutions offering high-yield savings accounts, people give up the opportunity to earn adecent interest rate on their money

However,there is growing anxiety about the safety of our financialinstitutions.

Here’swhy: The independence of the federal agencies charged withprotectingour funds is being undermined.

Last week, President Donald Trump fired Todd Harperand Tanya Otsuka, the Democratic board members of the National Credit Union Administration, which supervises and insures more than 4,400 federally insured credit unionswith $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 astatement following the firings. Rust is director of financial services for the Consumer Federation of America.

Only one board member remains: Kyle Hauptman,the Republican appointed by Trump in 2020. He is now the chair

“If aPresident can fire an NCUA Board member at any time, how will we maintain public trust in our nation’sfinancial services’ regulatory system?” Harper asked in astatement on LinkedIn, calling the move “illconceived and politically motivated.”

Meanwhile, afederal hiring freeze and staff reductionshave left the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.short-handed. In January,the administration rescinded job offers to more than 200 new bank examiners —the employees

Remember, just twoyears ago, three major banks collapsed— Silicon ValleyBank, Signature Bankand First Republic Bank. Downsizing the FDIC just doesn’t make sense.

Oneconcerned reader emailed me asking about how I“would advise about protecting assetsin banks.”

Other readers have raised similar concerns over the last several weeks about the safety of their deposits in banks and credit 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. As anonswimmer, she was so frightened by the fall thatshe panicked and couldn’tregain her balance.

It’slike that with Trump’s policies, which have knocked the economy out of balance. His firing of officials on independent boards and at certain watchdogagencies raises concerns over whether therules governing the safety of insured accountswillbejust as easily dismissed.

Given the numerous lawsuits challenging the movesofTrump 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 betteroff keepingvast amounts of cash at your 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 debit card.

Butifyou’re trulyinapanic about the federal protection of your deposits, letyour congressional representative know howyou feel. That’sbetterthan keeping your money under your mattress. FDIC and NCUAInsuranceprotection 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 stag

Motley Fool

Texasunmannedvesselstartup buys La.shipyard

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Mavrookas

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

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.

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WelcometoThe Zimpel Life -where creativity, culture, &communityblend seamlessly. This classic NewOrleans2-bedroom, 2-bath shotgunhome is located just ablockoff Oak St on the belovedZimpelStreet-home to the legendaryZimpeltons &renowned forits warm,bohemian spirit.Stepinsidethisvibrantartist’s haven, wherestunning murals by acclaimed artists likeJeremyNovy, Muck Rock,Katrina Brees,&Shannon Rockefeller adorn the walls,turning everyroom into alivinggallery.The welcoming frontporch, made forrocking &relaxing,sets the tone forahome filled w/ personality&light. Highceilings,originalwood floors, &anabundanceofnatural light create an open,airyvibethroughout.Enjoyyour morningcoffee on the coveredside patio,draped in vibrant colors &curtains that offer extraprivacy.Thespacious livingareafeatures custom-built wood shelving &acharming dining nook w/ an original,non-working fireplaceframed in intricate tile.The kitchen is designed forboth functionalityand style,w/tile flooring,custom wood cabinetry, sleek granitecountertops,&a butcher block-style island-perfectfor conversation whileyou preparea delicious mealonthe gasrange.Both generously sized bedroom suites offer amplecloset space, ensuring plenty of room forall your storage needs. Step into your privatebackyardsanctuary, completew/a vintage outdoor clawfoot tub,nestled beside atranquil fish pond &the soothing sound of awaterfall.Steps from the legendaryMaple Leaf Bar&Jacques-Imo’s, one of the city’s most iconic restaurants.The streetcar, onlya blockaway, connects youtothe French Quarter, CBD, Tulane,Loyola,&beyond.The neighborhood is rich w/ artgalleries,bookstores,coffee shops, restaurants, salons,&artisanmerchants.Thisisn’t justahome; it’s asanctuary. Come liveTheZimpel Life, where everyday is infused with creativity&connection.

Responsiblefor managing thefeedingandnutrition of allthe Polo Horses includingselectingand pur‐chasingoffeed. Responsiblefor med‐icatingofthe Horses as needed or as di‐rected by aveterinarian(i.e.,deworm‐ing, collectingsamples,etc.).40 Hours/Wk.Positionrequiresone (1) year verifiable experience as aHorse Groom.Nominimum educationisre‐quired.There is no requirementfor the employee to live on thepremises, and this is notanoptionfor thepermanent role.Pleasesendresumes/inquiries to Mr.David Fennelly at Summergrove Farm,LLC,18379 Hwy. 40,Covington,LA 70435;Tel:225-399-3017;Email:joyce‐lyn@dhfholdings.com.

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Slidell, LA

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James Bentley

12/20/2024

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Mary Bentley

NewOrleans, LA 6/28/1941-1/4/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

WilliamBartholomew

Pointe àlaHache, LA 2/7/2025

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Frances Baxter

1/25/2025

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JohnBel Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 2/23/1980-2/12/2025

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Felton Bercy

7/7/1948-2/2/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Herbert BartholomewIII

1/10/1947-1/1/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

EvaBeck

Metairie,LA 2/20/2025

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Judith Bell

7/12/1963-1/15/2025 RadneyFuneralHomein Mobile,AL

Ronald Berenger

NewOrleans, LA

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Gail Bass

6/12/1951-1/7/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

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1/1/1940-12/24/2024

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KatieBell

Westwego, LA 1/4/2025 DavisMortuaryService

Gail Berger

Avondale,LA 2/26/2025

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GlennBernal

1/27/1936-1/13/2025

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Jean-PierreBienvenu

Metairie,LA 11/9/1973-1/22/2025

JacobSchoenand Son FuneralHome

Suzanne Bernard

Metairie,Louisiana 11/3/1952-1/4/2025

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WilliamBilleaud

St.Louis, MO 8/25/1936-2/17/2025

Kriegshauser Mortuary West

Thomas Bernard

2/2/2025

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St.Bernard,LA 6/11/1941-12/27/2024

Serenity FuneralHome

Robert Bernhard

NewOrleans, Louisiana 12/8/1946-1/4/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Edward BernsJr.

NewOrleans, LA 3/20/1940-3/12/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Lynda Blackburn

Sevierville,TN 6/3/1946-11/29/2024

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Kirk Blanchard

Metairie,LA 11/20/1949-11/29/2024

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NewOrleans, LA 7/13/1954-2/24/2025

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Rose Blue

NewSarpy,LA 9/20/1939-3/5/2025

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ElouiseBienemy

NewOrleans, LA

5/29/1927-1/26/2025

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Milton Boackle

Slidell, LA

5/9/1938-12/23/2024

St.Bernard Memorial Gardens

Nadyne Bienert

Covington, LA 1/17/1943-3/7/2025

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George Bolden

10/17/1959-2/6/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

DorothyBonvillain

8/22/1922-2/23/2025

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Henrietta Bolding

4/11/1951-12/14/2024

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JohnBoothJr

Violet,Louisiana 2/17/1942-1/5/2025

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHome& Gardens

James Bollinger

Houston, Texas 6/16/1945-2/3/2025 Integrity FuneralCare

Joshua Bordelon Jr.

St.Bernard,LA 7/27/2011-3/14/2025 Heritage FuneralDirectors

Wade Bolotte

1/21/2025

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NewOrleans, LA 1/31/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

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Hammond, LA 1/18/2025

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Covington, LA 1/11/2025

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Janet Bonneé

NewOrleans, LA 3/11/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Ellis Bordelon Jr.

Metairie,LA 3/28/1944-2/17/2025

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JosephBonomoloJr.

Gonzales,LA 8/6/1952-1/8/2025 Church FuneralServices

Curtis Bordenave Jr

NewOrleans, LA 2/7/2025

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GlennBohne Jr.

10/25/1978-1/18/2025

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2/17/2025

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Paul Borgatti

Mandeville,Louisiana 9/23/1941-1/22/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

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ChristineBorne

Metairie,LA

10/27/1957-1/9/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Patricia Borne

1/22/1957-1/16/2025 Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Lawrence BotelerJr.

Metairie,LA 4/24/1947-3/9/2025

FayBotnick

Columbus,Ohio

6/26/1926-1/22/2025

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Julie Boudreaux

Knoxville,TN

5/4/1941-1/3/2025

CremationSociety of East Tennessee

Shirley Boudreaux

NewOrleans, LA 11/17/1925-3/23/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Daniel Bourgeois

Marrero,LA

9/23/1951-2/23/2025 MotheFuneralHome

June Bourgeois

2/10/1939-12/28/2024

Greenwood FuneralHome

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Rita MaeBourgeois

Gonzales,LA 10/17/1924-3/19/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Paul Brauninger

St.Rose, LA 4/17/1956-1/19/2025

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Ruth Bourgeois

Reserve, LA 3/1/2025

PatrickH.Sanders Funeral Home in LaPlace

RaymondBreaux

NewOrleans, LA

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Roland BourgeoisSr.

1/20/1936-3/16/2025

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Sheldon BrechtelJr.

NewOrleans, LA

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Shelia Bourne

1/12/1964-2/23/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

MildredBrekeen

RiverRidge,LA 6/29/1929-1/7/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Ellis Bourque Jr

Lacombe, LA 10/27/1943-12/18/2024

DT Williams FuneralHome

Lynne Brennan

NewOrleans, LA 9/24/1934-3/21/2025

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DavidBouza

Hammond, LA 9/5/1943-2/11/2025

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JohnBowers II

Covington, LA

12/12/1947-2/25/2025

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MarilynBracey

Algiers, LA 2/8/2025

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Wilhelmina Briggs

10/31/1940-2/22/2025

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BeverlyBright-Filmore

10/21/1946-2/21/2025

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EffieBrisco-Sims

Conyers,GA 12/24/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

LouisBrocato

Metairie,LA 2/8/1938-1/13/2025

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Nathan Brocks

Slidell, LA 3/25/1949-2/15/2025

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Virginia Briant

12/4/1945-1/5/2025 EJ Fielding FuneralHome

Stacey Brock-Stokes

Houston, TX 2/21/2025

DavisMortuaryService

BarbaraBridges

NewOrleans, LA 7/7/1933-3/9/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Virginia Brooks

1/17/1940-2/22/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

JoyceBridges

1/19/1957-2/13/2025

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DeborahBrown

8/3/1950-3/3/2025

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Terrytown, LA

4/25/1948-1/30/2025

PatrickSanders Funeral Home

Dr.EuphemieBrown

SanFrancisco,CA 10/24/1944-9/30/2024

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Lily Brown

12/23/2024

CharbonnetFamily Services in Violet

Lionel Brown

NewOrleans, LA 10/1/1944-2/23/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Patricia Brown

6/16/1968-1/26/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Robert (Bob) Austin Brown

Covington, LA

10/30/1937-3/11/2025

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CarolynBrowning

Prairieville,LA

10/26/1948-3/9/2025

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Shirley Brown-Jones

NewOrleans, LA 8/13/1949-2/25/2025

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Ronald BrownSr.

10/23/1944-12/31/2024

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Sylvia Bruce

Slidell, LA 3/13/2025 HonakerFuneralHome

CelesteBrustowicz

4/7/1961-2/8/2025

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Frannette Bryant

BatonRouge,LA 5/2/1942-12/31/2024

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Gail Brumfield

NewOrleans, LA 11/9/1945-2/13/2025

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FrancisBucher

Harahan, Louisiana 10/10/1922-1/5/2025

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JahsirBrumfield

8/4/2024-2/5/2025

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Betty Buisson

NewOrleans, LA 6/15/1936-1/28/2025

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Laplace, LA

6/9/1965-12/29/2024

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KevinBunn

3/16/2025

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Algiers, LA 7/26/1924-1/24/2025 MotheFuneralHome

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1/26/2025

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Patricia Bruno

Algiers, LA 1/6/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Peyton Bruns

West Palm Beach,FL 10/19/1944-11/11/2024

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Joycelyn Burnett

10/30/2024

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JohnBusalacchi

Metairie,LA 10/16/1957-12/23/2024

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ShaybreyoneButler

NewOrleans, LA 11/6/1987-12/24/2024

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Troy Buttone

NewOrleans, LA 12/23/2024

EmoryByrd

Metairie,LA 3/26/1953-12/19/2024

Neptune Society

RalphCadow Jr

NewOrleans, LA 10/17/1940-12/19/2024

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Jeannine Burgess

Harahan, 7/24/1938-12/29/2024

McKneelyFuneralHome

DelorasCager

1/3/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

JosephBurke

Gretna,LA 1/16/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

MichaelCaillouet

Metairie,LA 1/1/1957-2/23/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

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JacquelineCain

11/17/1938-1/16/2025

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NedraCain

Metairie,LA 10/25/1936-2/24/2025

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Salvador Calcagno Jr.

7/28/1940-3/22/2025

GreenwoodFuneralHome

CarrieCaldwell

NewOrleans,LA 1/21/1939-12/21/2024

Richardson FuneralHome

FannieCalloway

Houma, LA 2/23/1956-1/17/2025

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AllenCamardelle

Harvey,LA 1/25/1954-12/25/2024

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JohnCampbell

Slidell, LA

1/8/1947-1/16/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome in BatonRouge

Shirley Campbell

Arabi, LA 10/28/1930-1/19/2025

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHome

George Cancienne Jr

Reserve,LA 1/10/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

GrantCandies

PearlRiver,LA 2/29/1988-3/23/2025

Williams FuneralHomein

PearlRiver

JosephCaparotta

3/21/2025

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Kathleen Carmouche

BatonRouge,LA 10/16/1949-3/25/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street in BatonRouge

BarbaraCarpenter

7/10/1966-12/21/2024

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Albert Carpenter, Jr.

NewOrleans,Louisiana 8/9/1942-1/24/2025

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AlvinCarter

3/6/2025

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Will Cates

Cartersville,GA

7/7/1934-3/1/2025

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Susan Carter

Covington, LA 2/23/1953-1/7/2025

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Keenan Causey

2/24/2025

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Nicholas Cascio

7/11/1953-1/17/2025

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McNealCayette

NewOrleans, LA 8/22/1945-3/5/2025

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Mary Katherine Casey

NewOrleans,LA 11/29/1930-3/26/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

EmanuelCeazer Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 1/23/1977-2/17/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

CharlesCarriereIII

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Edwina Carruth

Covington, LA 4/20/1942-1/3/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

Taylor Casey

Metairie,LA 9/4/1954-2/11/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

ErrolCelestine

Dallas, TX 10/26/1949-2/13/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

MichaelCastjohn

Chalmette,LA 11/3/1958-12/29/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

BonnieCelestine-Collins

Houma, LA 2/12/1981-2/1/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillisTerrebonne FuneralHome

Joan Caston

Metairie,LA 12/29/1946-1/8/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

Sgt. ReynardCennett

Harvey,LA 2/22/2025

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Robert Catchings

NewOrleans,LA 2/18/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

RichardChambers Sr

1/18/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

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JacquelynChampagne

Laurel,MS 10/12/1939-3/2/2025

Memory Chapel Funeral Home

MaeChampagne

2/28/2025

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Raceland

Donald Chenevert

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Thibodaux, Louisiana

12/21/1946-3/17/2025

Thibodaux FuneralHome

Janet Chighizola

Kenner, LA 11/9/1948-1/25/2025

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DavidChapman

NewOrleans, LA

5/18/1964-2/22/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

ElizabethChopin

NewOrleans, Louisiana 7/20/1938-1/11/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gloria Charbonnet

8/12/1930-2/13/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Donald Civello

NewOrleans, LA 12/11/1935-3/19/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Patricia Charles

2/17/2025

EstelleJ.WilsonFuneral Home

Louise Clark

NewOrleans, LA

3/23/1929-3/1/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

FrankCharles III

7/16/1951-3/15/2025

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MauriceClark

2/3/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Vernon CharlesSr.

NewOrleans, LA 9/12/1949-2/18/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

StephanieClay

Luling, LA 1/25/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

Ruby Chauvin

Metairie,Louisiana 3/28/1930-3/15/2025

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AldenClesi

Metairie,LA 2/25/1935-1/30/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

LorraineCollette

Metairie,LA 11/8/1929-1/15/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Mary Clouatre

Madisonville,Louisiana 7/27/1915-3/23/2025 TharpFuneralHome

OrgieCollins

3/5/1938-2/20/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

James Cobb III

Pass Christian, MS 9/19/1959-3/4/2025

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CecilColon,Jr.

Asheville,NC 6/21/1930-1/2/2025

GroceFuneralHomeatLake

Julian

DebraCochennic

NewOrleans, LA 2/27/1954-1/12/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Frederick Combs

Harvey,LA 1/11/1942-12/22/2024

Martha Cockerham

7/19/1933-1/27/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Harold Cook

NewOrleans, LA 12/26/2024 TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Calvin Cockerham Jr.

1/26/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Lawrence Cook Jr.

Terrytown,LA 1/18/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Tammy Colbert

NewOrleans, LA 5/8/1960-2/15/2025 DennisFuneralHome

ThurmanCooley II

NewOrleans, LA

4/2/1948-1/21/2025 Majestic Mortuary Service

SherrylClements

10/29/1951-1/21/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son

Gerard Colin

NewOrleans, LA 7/27/1951-2/13/2025

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Eugene Cooper

3/7/1996-3/19/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

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Gloria Cooper

3/12/1929-12/15/2024

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IrwinCooper III

Belle Chasse,LA 11/2/1957-1/18/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Daniel Cooper Jr.

Slidell, LA 1/27/1935-1/2/2025 HonakerFuneralHome

CarolynCopeland

Covington, Louisiana

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Steven Copley

1/17/1954-3/16/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Zelpha Corkern

Carriere, MS 2/10/1936-1/15/2025

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Donald Corley

BatonRouge,LA 4/6/1959-12/30/2024

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JohnCorll III

NewOrleans, LA 5/20/1953-1/6/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

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MarleneCostanza

Mobile,AL

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

MildredCostict

Belle Chasse,LA 8/24/1942-1/25/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Marrita Cottone

NewBraunfels, TX 3/30/1927-2/20/2025

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Dianne Coyle

Covington, LA 4/3/1947-1/15/2025

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Willa Cristina

Harahan, LA

8/29/1926-2/1/2025

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GwendolynCraft

10/9/1959-1/20/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

LillianCrochet

NewOrleans, LA 9/8/1927-3/14/2025

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WilliamCraig

Pass Christian, MS 10/1/1985-1/16/2025

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PearlCrockett

NewOrleans, LA 7/9/1948DennisFuneralHome

Kynomi Courtney

2/28/1982-12/29/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Brenda Crawford

Slidell, LA 2/14/2025

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SamCrosby

Slidell, LA 1/15/1949-2/9/2025

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ConnieCousins

1/16/2025

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Dianna Crawford

2/21/2025

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HelenCrotty

Algiers, LA 2/18/1943-2/13/2025 MotheFuneralHome

StephenCouvillon

NewOrleans, LA 1/6/2025

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MichaelCrawfordSr.

9/30/1955-2/1/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Evelyn Crowley

Hammond, LA 2/5/1939-1/13/2025

L.A. Muhleisenand Son FuneralHome

Hugh CowanJr.

Metairie,LA 1/19/2025

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JoAnn Cox

Slidell, LA 11/14/1942-2/13/2025

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BradleyCrenshaw

NewOrleans, LA 4/18/1961-12/31/2024

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AliceCrumrine

NewOrleans, LA

8/3/1946-2/22/2025

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BelvaCrinel

NewOrleans, LA 6/19/1942-3/7/2025

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Lawrence Cuiellette Sr.

9/2/1943-3/11/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

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EthelCulotta

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Edna Cupples

12/29/2024 MotheFuneralHome

Arnell Curtis

Chalmette,LA 5/13/1944-3/18/2025

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George Cusachs

Metairie,LA 6/17/1936-1/30/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Antionette Dabney

NewOrleans, LA 6/21/1962-3/9/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

WilliamDaniels

NewOrleans, LA 1/19/1930-2/5/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

DierdraDardis

NewOrleans, LA

11/3/1944-3/16/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Mary da Roza

NewOrleans, LA 3/9/1930-3/7/2025

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MargueretDauphin-Smith

7/11/1948-1/19/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Eunice Davis

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Philip Davi

Slidell, LA 1/13/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

FlorineDavis

Marrero,LA 3/16/2025

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Mary Davids

NewOrleans, LA 7/19/1938-1/30/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Gail Davis

1/8/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

MarilynDavidson

HotSprings,Arkansas 1/6/1930-12/19/2024

Caruth-HaleFuneralHome

JohnDavis

12/7/1947-3/4/2025

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CarrieDavis

9/6/1946-1/23/2025

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Chae’Davis

NewOrleans, LA 1/21/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Charlene Davis

10/10/1959-1/11/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Donna Davis

NewOrleans, LA 2/23/2025

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Willie DavisJr.

Algiers, LA 2/3/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Shena Day

9/19/1961-3/15/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Yvonne Dayries

NewOrleans, LA 12/31/1938-2/1/2025

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ElsieDeal

Amite,LA 10/24/1948-2/15/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

MarleneDavis

NewOrleans, Louisiana 4/25/1951-1/28/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

DorisDeckwa

Metairie,LA 9/3/1939-3/3/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Huel DavisJr.

NewOrleans, LA 6/23/1958-2/19/2025

Majestic Mortuary

JoyceDeichmann

Gretna,LA 1/12/2025

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Harvey

James DavisJr.

Terrytown,LA 4/26/1966-12/24/2024

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Arabi, LA

JohnDavisJr.

Mandeville,LA 9/29/1941-3/18/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

6/17/1950-2/11/2025

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George delMarmol

Linda Delaney Jefferson, LA 3/1/2025

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Denise Delo

Metairie,LA 11/1/1957-2/15/2025

JacobSchoenand Sons FuneralHome

Edna DeSilva

Metairie,LA 6/14/1932-1/5/2025

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Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gail Demery

NewOrleans, LA 7/4/1941-12/29/2024

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MelanieDeslatte Brown

Austin,Texas

5/30/1970-3/10/2025

Cook-Walden/ForestOaks FuneralHome

JuanaZambranode Mladenoff

NewOrleans, LA 2/27/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Perry DeMolle Jr.

BatonRouge,LA 3/16/1988-2/18/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

Glenna DiBenedetto

Kenner, LA 9/26/1946-2/18/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Mary Dickenson

Covington, LA 5/12/1941-3/19/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

Annetta Dominick

NewOrleans, LA 3/2/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

JosephDominickIII

NewOrleans, LA 2/24/1950-1/31/2025

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Donald Dorand

Madisonville,LA 12/28/1947-3/25/2025

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Myrtle Dorsey

NewOrleans, LA 1/9/2025

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Yvonne Drennan

Gretna,LA 2/19/2025

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Metairie,LA 9/21/1938-3/18/2025

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HermannDuchmannJr.

Metairie,LA 2/28/2025

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LilianDucos

Metairie,LA 11/24/1936-3/18/2025

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WilliamDeMouySr.

5/13/1953-3/15/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Jerome Dickerson Sr

NewOrleans, LA 1/9/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

EnolaDouglas

TexasCity,TX 1/27/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Rev. Dr.AustinDennisSr.

Harvey,LA 3/4/2025

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Donielle Dillard

12/31/2024

Littlejohn FuneralHome

RichardDouvillier

NewOrleans, LA 1/13/2025

JacobSchoenand Son FuneralHome

EthelDent

5/6/1927-1/8/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

ElizabethDillon

3/15/1929DennisFuneralHome

Sally Dowd

Covington, LA

8/16/1945-2/4/2025

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Herbert DerkinsJr.

Avondale, LA 9/27/1956-3/11/2025

NewOrleansFuneraland CremationService

AlvinDokes

NewOrleans, LA 5/5/1978-3/20/2025

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Toby Drake

NewOrleans, LA 6/14/1960-2/15/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

NewOrleans, LA 11/26/1952-2/6/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

WendelDufourJr.

IdaDucre 1/29/1964-12/29/2024

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Ernest Dugas

Metairie,LA 5/27/1940-2/20/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Sylvia Duhe

9/25/1940-2/28/2025

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Ernest Dumas

NewOrleans, Louisiana 2/3/1942-1/4/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Edward Durosseau Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 3/5/1942-3/17/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Gilbert Dumas

12/18/2024

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GwendolynDusset-Green

NewOrleans, LA 2/24/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

WilliamDunham

NewOrleans, LA 3/9/1926-1/20/2025

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DorisDwyer-Hood

9/19/1948-1/20/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

KeithDuplantier

Seattle,WA 2/10/1956-12/13/2024

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Melvyn Duplantis

Sugarcreek,Ohio 6/24/1941-2/11/2025

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Lola Duplessis

Algiers, LA 2/23/2025

PatrickSanders Funeral Home

JosephDuplessisSr.

1/24/2025

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VanDupree

Bridge City,LA 6/15/1974-3/12/2025

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Kenneth Elliott Sr.

2/1/1962-1/3/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Carlos Espinosa

Metairie,LA

2/4/1971-12/25/2024

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DeolaEllis

10/11/1946-1/5/2025

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JoyceEugene

3/15/2025

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Patricia Ellis

Metairie,Louisiana 5/15/1943-2/3/2025

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Ashley Evans

Baltimore, MD 6/11/1981-3/10/2025

SolLevinson& Bros

Walter EasonSr.

Opelousas,LA 2/23/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

Alfred Ellis Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 9/6/1968-1/15/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

JaniceEvans

NewOrleans, LA 12/14/1948-12/28/2024

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WinstonEdgerson Jr

Gretna,LA 12/24/1960-12/28/2024

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Mark Ellis Sr

NewOrleans, LA 3/7/1977-3/2/2025 DavisMortuaryService

George Exnicious-Cason

NewOrleans, LA 6/11/1957-3/19/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

MildredEdwards

Hahnville,LA 7/27/1934-2/18/2025

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June Engelbrecht

Columbus,OH 6/22/1940-1/25/2025

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Marcia Fabacher

NewOrleans, LA 6/4/1947-10/15/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JohnEhrlicher

Norco, LA

3/9/1959-3/1/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home

AdaEngler

Austin,TX 1/14/1935-3/21/2025 Harrell FuneralHome

RichardFaber

Reno, NV 7/6/1948-2/15/2025

Neptune SocietyofNorthern CaliforniainNovato,CA

James Elliott

2/22/2025

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Lawrence Ernst

Metairie,LA 1/1/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Eloise Faciane

5/12/1942-3/9/2025

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Pass Christian, Mississippi 8/10/1941-12/1/2024

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Atlanta, GA 11/20/1934-1/6/2025

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Albert Farrier

Slidell, LA 12/26/1963-3/8/2025

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JohnFassbender

Metairie,Louisiana 2/15/1941-1/15/2025

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KevinFaucheux

Covington, LA 8/22/1965-3/14/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Rosemary Favaloro

Mandeville,LA 11/15/1924-2/3/2025

Neptune Society

Patricia Fernandez

Mandeville,Louisiana 3/10/1938-3/13/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

Calvin Ferran

NewOrleans, LA 11/23/1929-3/14/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

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Julie Fine

RiverRidge,LA 11/6/1948-3/18/2025

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AvaFlowers

NewOrleans, LA 3/11/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Merlin Firmin

12/16/2024

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Eugene FischerJr.

Metairie,LA 2/28/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Thomas Fisher

Madisonville ,LA 11/26/1953-2/9/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

Mary Flatley

Metairie,LA 10/21/1942-12/31/2024

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Gerald Flattmann

Natchez, MS 11/3/1943-1/11/2025

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LeroyFleming

BatonRouge,LA

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Alma Flores

12/19/1944-2/24/2025

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Clarence Ford

12/12/1936-1/15/2025

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Edward Fobbs

12/21/1953-3/2/2025

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Samuel Ford

Covington, Louisiana 12/17/1926-3/6/2025

Serenity FuneralHome

Daniel Foil

Franklinton, LA 1/18/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

StephenFord

Joelton, TN 9/28/1957-12/28/2024

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GaylordFoley

NewOrleans, LA 7/23/1949-2/25/2025

A. HamiltonPlatinum FuneralService

Ronald Foster

Metairie,LA 7/11/1948-3/2/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AllenFonenot,Jr.

neworleans, la 1/1/0001-1/1/0001

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gerald Foucha

Marrero,LA 1/23/2025

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Ruth Fontenelle

RiverRidge,LA 2/1/1931-2/15/2025

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RichardFowler

Belle Chasse,LA 2/14/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Eugene Fontenot

10/22/1957-2/11/2025

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Claire Fradella

Slidell, LA

11/25/1927-2/10/2025

Audubon FuneralHomein

Slidell

Harold FonteSr.

Cleveland, TN 8/11/1927-1/1/2025

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Thomas Fraiche

Metairie,LA 5/29/1969-2/7/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

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Thomas Fraiche

Metairie,LA

3/3/1936-2/26/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

Cornelia Frey

Metairie,LA 6/20/1933-11/11/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

MylusFranklin Jr.

Slidell, LA 2/17/1944-2/22/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Robert Frost

Gulfport, MS 9/3/1925-1/13/2025

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Edward Freed

RiverRidge,LA 4/20/1972-1/7/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Thesma Fulton

11/28/1939-2/14/2025

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Joan Freel

2/2/2025

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ChristineFunchess

4/3/1933-1/15/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

George Freeman

NewOrleans, LA 5/13/1939-1/22/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

DeloresGabriel

Avondale,LA 1/26/1937-12/2/2024

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Sylvia Freeman

NewOrleans, LA 1/18/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

PeterFreeman

Cumming, GA 11/22/1940-12/10/2024 SouthCareCremation& FuneralSociety in Alpharetta,GA

Sheldon Freeman Sr.

Terrytown, LA 10/2/1935-2/9/2025

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Kenneth Gaillot

Hammond, LA 9/1/1945-3/19/2025

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Melissa Gannuch

BatonRouge,LA 5/14/1972-3/14/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Gloria Gaines

NewOrleans, LA 12/18/1928-2/11/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

JackGaritty

Metairie,LA 9/22/2003-2/27/2025

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BrotherHenry Gaither

3/3/1944-12/28/2024

Edmond FaheyFuneral Home in BaySt. Louis, MS

Jessica Garrison

2/8/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

LouisGaliano Sr.

1/27/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

RaymondGarrity Ed.D

Metairie,LA 1/7/2025 Garden of Memories

Herbert Gallicio

Gretna,LA 9/2/1934-2/6/2025

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JosephGagliano

Metairie,LA

Greenwood FuneralHome

Allison Gamble

Chicago, IL 2/27/1962-3/23/2025

CremationEnterprises

MarilynGagliano

Metairie,LA

7/29/1935-12/30/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

StephenGamble

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Donald Gagnon

Covington, LA 1/12/1930-2/28/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

Covington, LA 10/30/1930-3/27/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHomeand CrematoryofHammond and Ponchatoula Rene GandolfoSr.

Covington, LA 1/17/1942-2/12/2025

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Gloria Gatlin

George Gast Jr NewOrleans, LA 7/28/1942-3/2/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

Jude Gattuso

Gretna,LA 3/10/1972-12/27/2024

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Lucien GauffJr.

LaPlace ,LA 3/2/1936-2/1/2025

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Hubert and Victoria Gauthreaux

McNeill, MS 2/15/2025

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Hubert Gauthreaux III

Gretna,LA 6/19/2003-1/1/2025

Westside Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Patricia Gautier

Hahnville,LA 3/3/2025

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LeRoyGautreaux

7/22/1928-1/30/2025 MotheFuneralHome

KatieGavin

Algiers, LA 8/11/1928-1/12/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

JosephGeeck Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 2/20/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Billy Geiger

Mandeville,LA

3/2/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

AllenGendron

2/5/2025

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FrankGennusa

Franklinton, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Caress George

Avondale,LA 3/18/2025 DavisMortuaryService

Melvin George

NewOrleans, LA 3/6/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Claudette Gereighty

2/6/2025

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Robert Germany

Benton, LA 4/5/1937-2/17/2025

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Birdie Gibson

NewOrleans, LA 1/11/1950-1/15/2025

Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home

SidneyGelpi Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 7/24/1935-1/1/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

Owinda Gibson

NewOrleans, Louisiana 8/27/1939-1/1/2025

CharbonnetFamily Services -New Orleans

Mary Gleason

NewOrleans, LA 4/14/1945-1/11/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

DarrylGiesemann

NewOrleans, Louisiana 8/7/1957-1/8/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JohnGodfrey

Metairie,LA 5/7/1942-1/24/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Victor Giglio

Port Gibson, MS 11/9/1941-12/27/2024

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home

RosemarieGoetz

Alpharetta,Georgia 11/19/1942-1/15/2025 FischerFuneralCare

PatrickGiles

2/11/2025 Richardson FuneralHome

Jo Goff

NewOrleans, LA 1/26/1929-3/4/2025 MotheFuneralHome

TascoGilmore

11/1/1966-1/29/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Kenneth Gilson

Jackson, MS 1/27/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Lois Girtley

Marrero,LA 1/31/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

LoraleeGibson

Metairie,Louisiana 3/4/1933-1/29/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Robi Givens

12/31/2024

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

WayneGordon

BarbaraGorden Chicago, IL 2/4/2025

NewOrleans, LA 4/30/1948-2/21/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Byrone Gougisha

8/8/1954-12/29/2024

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Bonita Graff

RiverRidge,LA 6/24/1928-1/8/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Memory IN LOVING

Maurice Graham Jr.

Covington, LA

12/11/1942-1/1/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

John Grant

NewOrleans, LA 2/15/1938-1/31/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Mary Grassel

Riverview,FL 11/27/1946-1/19/2025

Affinity Direct Creation Service

CarmenGravois

Gonzales,LA 5/19/1929-3/23/2025

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DarrylGray

Marrero,LA 2/11/1967-1/20/2025

DavisMortuaryService

JerryGray

Granbury, TX 12/10/1961-1/21/2025

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Adean Green

12/19/2024 Littlejohn FuneralHome

Melvin Green

NewOrleans, LA 12/28/2024

DavisMortuaryService

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Lawrence Green Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 2/4/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Betty Griffin

NewOrleans, LA 1/26/1942-2/27/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Terry Guice

Austin,TX 1/27/1946-2/8/2025

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Lily Guidry

1/10/2025

HCAlexanderFuneral Home

LaverneGrimaldi

2/10/1948-12/25/2024

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Robert Guidry

2/8/1954-1/24/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Willie Grinstead

NewOrleans, LA 4/6/1944-1/2/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Lynne Grisafe

2/24/2025

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JoyceGros

Marrero,LA 2/18/1931-1/8/2025

MotheFuneralHome

JessieGrosJr.

Marrero,LA 9/25/1929-2/17/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Patricia Growe

NewOrleans, LA 7/31/1952-2/25/2025

DennisFuneralHome

JoelHaas

Covington, LA 12/2/1961-1/24/2025

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Edward HabisreitingerSr.

Metairie, LA

12/8/1931-1/18/2025

L.A. Muhleisen &Son FuneralHome

Charles Haley

NewOrleans, LA 2/5/1952-2/7/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Tina Guidry

Marrero,LA 2/8/1972-2/18/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

SteveHalm

Independence, LA 3/1/1953-1/16/2025

EmmanuelGuillotJr.

NewOrleans, LA 10/29/1937-1/25/2025

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Eric Halverson

Shreveport, LA 3/31/1971-2/6/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AlbertaGullage

Avondale, LA 12/28/2024 DavisMortuaryService

ChadHam

NewOrleans, LA 11/7/1964-1/2/2025

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Dominick Gulotta

3/8/2025

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Lois Hammet

Louisville, KY

3/14/1934-2/21/2025

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FrankHaab

7/23/1940-1/12/2025

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Garnet Hardin II

NewOrleans, LA

12/28/1950-12/17/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Memor

Syvonne Hargis

Mandeville,LA

8/18/1929-3/17/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

BarbaraHaydel

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NewOrleans, LA 5/6/1939-12/16/2024

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AdèleHarlow

Mankato,Minnesota 1/10/1971-1/3/2025

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JohnHayesJr.

Mandeville,LA 1/11/1939-3/2/2025

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Claudette Harris

8/18/1942-2/4/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

FrankieHarris

NewOrleans,LA 7/20/1934-2/4/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

JoAnn Harris

Metairie,LA 6/23/1932-2/19/2025

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PeterHarrison

3/27/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

James Hart Sr.

Slidell, LA 11/13/1940-3/10/2025

WayneHartlin

Mandeville,LA 1/27/1961-2/16/2025

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AlphonseHenderson Jr.

12/22/2024

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

LeroyHenderson Sr.

2/28/2025

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Lois Hernandez

Kenner, LA

12/3/1939-2/8/2025

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Daniel Higgins

NewOrleans, 2/16/1947-12/30/2024 No funeralhome

FayHayes-Washington

NewOrleans, LA 7/26/1928-12/29/2024

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JosephHennessey

Houston, TX 6/12/1947-1/29/2025

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FrancisHiggins, Jr

Wilmington, NC

12/28/1940-1/17/2025

QuinnMcGowen Funeral Home-Bradley Creek Chapel

Belinda Hazel

Belle Chasse,LA 1/1/0001-1/1/0001

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Betty Henry

10/8/1931-12/26/2024

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Gerard Highstreet

Metairie,LA 7/22/1952-3/13/2025

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Robert Head

Lewisburg, WV 1/7/1942-2/19/2025

Wallace andWallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg, WV

Maureen Hebert

Mobile,AL 3/2/2025

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JudieHeckel

Slidell, LA

8/14/1942-1/30/2025

HonakerFuneralHome

DottieHeiss

Metairie,LA 2/1/2025

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GloriaHenry

NewOrleans, LA 2/14/2025

DavisMortuaryService

George Hill

Metairie,LA

6/12/1932-12/15/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

SylvesterHenry

NewOrleans, LA 2/11/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Linda Hill

1/27/1947-12/22/2024

Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home

Yvonne Henry

NewOrleans, LA

8/12/1942-12/24/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

PearlHill

4/15/1936-12/16/2024

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Mary Herasymiuk

2/17/2025

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Lloyd Hill Jr

7/21/1953-1/11/2025

DW RhodesFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

DennisHilton

NewOrleans,LA 3/20/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Wesley HollingsworthSr.

10/25/1958-3/22/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

WayneHilton

NewOrleans,LA 12/30/2024

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

CherylHolmes

Hammond, LA 3/13/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

GeraldineHimmaugh

St.Rose, LA 9/1/1933-2/9/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

WilliamHolmesSr.

2/15/1938-2/19/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Ronald Hines Sr.

11/2/1949-3/23/2025

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StephenHinyub

2/24/2025

MotheFuneralHome

DennisHirstius

Pearlington, MS 12/13/1945-3/3/2025

Reimann FuneralHome

Lise Hotard

Vancleave, MS 8/14/1946-2/20/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

BrotherJohnHotstream, S.C.

BatonRouge, 3/19/1937-12/25/2024

LSUSchool of Medicine Bureau ofAnatomical Services

Estella Howard

5/4/1939-12/25/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

HenryHitzman

Lacombe, Louisiana

10/27/1946-1/10/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

Felton Howard

Houma, LA

2/16/1946-12/8/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillisTerrebonne FuneralHome

PatrickHodge

NewOrleans,LA 8/6/1962-2/8/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Moonyeen Howat

Metairie,LA 3/9/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

StephenIngram

Metairie,LA 8/28/1938-12/21/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Claire Howson

Harahan, LA 2/19/1935-1/30/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JamienIsaac

Killona,LA 5/19/1983-3/9/2025

RobottomMortuary

OlgaHubsch

Hammond, LA 7/29/1924-1/18/2025

Jim'sFuneralHomein Hurst, TX

DoloresHudson

NewOrleans, LA 3/24/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Toye Hughes

NewOrleans, LA 3/24/1962-1/3/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

GwendolynHunter

NewOrleans, Louisiana 4/14/1962-2/21/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Dr.Glenn Hymel

NewOrleans, LA 12/7/1946-2/7/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

Hugh Howat

Metairie,LA 2/21/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

CarolIkerd

Hammond, LA 2/23/1953-2/15/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

EvangelineIshem

NewOrleans, LA 4/7/1919-1/6/2025

Majestic Mortuary

Lynn Isom

NewOrleans, LA 5/8/1950-2/7/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

AbbieJackson

NewOrleans, LA 12/9/1965-2/9/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

AnnJackson,M.D

Thibodaux, Louisiana 11/6/1931-2/1/2025

Ordoyne FuneralHome

CarolynJackson

NewOrleans, LA

Heritage FuneralDirectors

DwayneJackson

NewOrleans, LA 4/27/1983-3/13/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Memory IN LOVING

JoAnn Jackson

NewOrleans,LA 2/29/1952-2/21/2025

TheBoydFamily Funeral Home

WilliamJackson

NewOrleans,LA 9/26/1960-2/4/2025

DennisFuneral Home

Joe Jackson Jr

Marrero,LA 1/17/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Marrero

James Jackson Sr., MD

Thibodaux,LA 4/18/1932-2/22/2025

Ordoyne FuneralHomein Thibodaux

KennethJackson Sr.

1/21/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Todd Jackson Sr

Harvey,LA 9/23/1963-2/20/2025

Gertrude Geddes Willis FuneralHome

CharmaineJacobsCarrere

NewOrleans,LA 2/18/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

FrancisJagot

Metairie,LA 9/18/1941-1/1/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

ConstanceJames

Kenner, LA 7/28/1958-2/17/2025

Earl Jeansonne

Metairie,LA 6/26/1933-3/23/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

CorneliusJames

NewOrleans, LA 5/1/1950-2/15/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Rosalie Jemison

Metairie,LA 6/30/1932-2/5/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Jesse James

3/2/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

GussieJenkins

Harvey,LA 2/8/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Marrero

Varice James

2/28/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof JeffersoninRiver Ridge

Sha'Conia Jenkins

12/25/1991-3/7/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Walter James

12/29/2024

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Apollo Johnson

NewOrleans, LA 7/16/1969-1/3/2025

JonesMemorialFuneral Home in Luling

LeRoyJames

NewOrleans, LA 10/4/1943-1/31/2025

Neptune SocietyinKenner

BarbaraJohnson

Metairie,LA 5/17/1936-2/22/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

AaronJames Sr

3/3/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

JosephJasminJr.

Marrero,LA 12/22/2024

DavisMortuaryService

ElverJohnson

12/29/1935-1/14/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

EthelJohnson

Bridge City,LA 1/14/2025

DavisMortuary Service

KendrickJohnson

NewOrleans, LA 9/4/1977-1/5/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Kenneth Johnson

Harvey, LA 10/29/1958-1/23/2025

DavisMortuary Service

LeonardJohnson

NewOrleans, LA 1/14/1978-12/31/2024

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

PaulinaJohnson

Napoleonville,LA 4/10/1931-1/24/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Donaldsonville

CarolynJohnson

Pensacola,FL 2/9/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

SandraJohnson

Harvey, LA 5/29/1943-2/16/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Claudette Johnson

NewOrleans, LA 3/9/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Shelia Johnson

NewOrleans, LA 2/2/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Memory IN LOVING

Murphy Johnson Jr.

NewOrleans, LA

7/2/1953-1/27/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Jovonda Jones

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Temple,GA 6/14/1959-1/12/2025

WhitleyGarnerFuneral Home

RichardJohnson Jr.

1/11/1985-1/13/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Lawrence Jones

HotSprings,Arkansas 6/17/1946-1/24/2025

GrossFuneralHome& Crematory

EddieJohnson Sr.

Texarkana, TX 5/1/1958-12/24/2024

Doyle'sFuneral Home in Slidell

Denise Johnston

8/21/1942-2/27/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Jeanne Johnston

Metairie,LA

8/20/1944-1/5/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

BeverlyJones

1/21/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Domani Jones

Harvey,LA 4/7/2024-1/8/2025

DavisMortuaryService

EliskerJones

NewOrleans, LA

12/29/1940-1/27/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

LeroyJones Sr.

3/10/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

EdwinJoseph

2/9/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Linda Jones

Mandeville,LA 2/27/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Tionne Joseph

NewOrleans, LA 1/23/1978-1/6/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

LouisJones

NewOrleans, LA 8/6/1935-3/7/2025

Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home

Jamal Julien

NewOrleans, LA 1/16/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

SMSgt. Mark Jones

NewOrleans, LA 9/16/1969-1/15/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

MathildeJumonville

Foley,Alabama 1/4/2025

Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes& Crematory

NasontaJones

1/22/1984-2/16/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Claude Juncker

9/3/1950-12/18/2024 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Ruby Jones

NewOrleans, LA

9/22/1937-2/7/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

StonitaJune

Lacombe, LA

2/7/1949-1/25/2025

HonakerFuneralHomein Slidell

StephanieJones

Kenner, LA 2/27/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Cora Jupiter

5/17/1939-1/18/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

ManuelJustin

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

CarolynKahrs

Slidell, LA 1/22/2025

HonakerFuneralHomein Slidell

DavidKain

NewOrleans, LA 11/4/1943-1/10/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Louise Kaufman

NewOrleans, LA

12/28/1930-12/22/2024

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Calvin Kaufmann

NewOrleans, LA 4/15/1943-1/26/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lucille Kelley

1/20/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

PatrickJuneau Jr.

Lafayette,LA 12/31/2024

Delhomme FuneralHomein Lafayette

Memory IN LOVING

JamesKelleySr.

7/18/1948-1/1/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Gloria Kelson

NewOrleans, LA 5/23/1941-3/11/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Wilhelmina Kendrick

NewOrleans, LA 1/8/1935-2/26/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Gordon Kennedy

NewOrleans, LA

11/24/1950-1/25/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Terry Kennedy

Covington, LA

4/22/1958-1/1/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

VerneKennedy

Gulf Breeze, FL 11/24/1941-2/28/2025 Family-Funeral& CremationinPensacola,FL

Wendolyn Kent Sr

2/26/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Howard Kenyon

1/7/1943-2/14/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

IanKersting

NewOrleans, LA 1/4/2025

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

JacobSchoenand Son FuneralHome

Donna Kilgore

Atlanta, GA

9/22/1927-12/19/2024

H.M. Patterson &SonOglethorpe Hill Chapel in Atlanta, GA

Thelma Kimble

12/24/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

WilliamKimble

NewOrleans, LA 7/21/1944-2/9/2025

CharbonnetFamily Services in Violet

Ragan Kimbrell

Charlotte,NC

12/15/1948-12/14/2024

McEwen FuneralServicePineville Chapel

Bobby KimbroughSr.

1/3/1950-2/21/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Margaret King

Slidell, LA

10/31/1950-2/1/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Peggy Kliebert

Algiers, LA 3/26/1940-1/17/2025 MotheFuneralHome

JohnKreeger

Covington, LA 10/11/1946-1/9/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

Charlene Kline

2/3/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Julie Kroger

Lafayette,LA 6/26/1956-12/22/2024

Martin &Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette

MarilynKlotz

Metairie,LA 8/11/1935-12/31/2024

Greenwood FuneralHome

MerrileeKullman

NewOrleans, LA 2/24/1945-3/10/2025

Neptune Society

Margaret Knee

Chesapeake, VA 8/17/1950-3/17/2025

H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments in Chesapeake, VA

Gerald Knighton

Slidell, LA 4/19/1944-2/27/2025

Williams FuneralHomein PearlRiver

Shirley Kopf

10/25/1924-2/12/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

JohnKouloubis

Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

LouisKlein

Kenner, LA 11/12/1943-2/11/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Bonny Kraus

NewOrleans, LA 5/6/1966-11/7/2024

August Kuntz

Covington, LA 10/29/1923-3/18/2025

Grace FuneralHome

Dr.Michael Kurtz

8/26/1941-3/1/2025

Harry McKneely& Son FuneralHomeinHammond

James Kynerd Jr.

Luling, LA 1/18/1963-3/22/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Samuel LaChuteJr.

Harvey,LA 4/30/1940-2/19/2025

Westside Leitz-Eagan FuneralHomeinMarrero

JohnLaCombe Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 8/27/1939-2/25/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Memory IN LOVING

BrianLaCoste

Metairie,LA 2/18/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Erma Lacy

1/27/1940-1/9/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

JamesLaForestJr.

Marrero,LA 7/20/1934-2/1/2025 MotheFuneralHome

EveLaFrance

1/1/1932-1/28/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

HelenLaGarde

Alpharetta,GA 3/8/1925-1/5/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Hunter LaGrange

Hahnville,LA 3/3/2003-3/12/2025 RobottomMortuary

Jeannette Lambert

8/29/1961-3/14/2025 Rose Lynn FuneralHome

Eloise Lampkin

Westwego, LA 2/28/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Tanina Lampton

Gretna,LA 2/20/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

SarahLaneair

9/15/1950-1/30/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

MaryAnnLandeche

Luling, LA 2/28/2025 Falgout FuneralHome

Leslie Lange

8/21/1949-3/23/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Albert Landry

Manchaca, TX 9/30/1948-3/8/2025 PellerinFuneralHome

CleatterLandry

NewOrleans, LA 11/23/1945-2/28/2025

JacobSchoenand Son FuneralHome

DianeLandry

Destrehan, LA 4/21/1958-3/4/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home in Norco

Russell Landry

Harahan, LA 10/5/1929-3/25/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Susan Landry

Gretna,LA 2/13/1939-1/28/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Steven LandrySr.

Orange County, TX 3/3/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

SimonLaSalle

1/24/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

JohnLastrapes V

BatonRouge,LA 12/23/1941-1/24/2025

Rabenhorst FuneralHome& Crematory- Government Street

Cecilia Langford

Harvey,LA 1/24/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Margaret Laughlin

Birmingham,AL 1/25/1936-2/11/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Betty Langley

Luling, LA 3/22/1942-2/16/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home in Norco

Amanda Lawson

7/10/1998-3/8/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Isabell Lanier

Folsom,LA 4/20/1932-1/16/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

LandonLanza

Diamondhead,MS 3/6/1959-2/24/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

BrantLarrimer

Harvey,LA 2/23/1939-2/12/2025 MotheFuneralHomein

Harvey

RogerLarue

NewSmryna Beach,FL 4/5/1947-2/8/2025

NewOrleans, Louisiana 7/22/1973-2/6/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Margie Lea

IonLazar Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lloyd Leaber Jr

Gretna,LA MotheFuneralHome

Camille Le Blanc

1/6/2025

TharpFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Cindy LeBlanc

Metairie,LA

12/15/1948-3/11/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Warren Lee

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Gretna,LA 10/10/1946-3/12/2025

CrossMemorialFuneral Home

DianaLeBlanc

Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

CoreyLegendre

NewOrleans, LA 11/30/2024

DennisFuneralHome

Mary Leblanc

2/18/1936-12/28/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

GraceLemieux

2/15/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Toni Ledbetter

Covington, LA 9/6/1939-3/15/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

EthelLedet

BatonRouge,LA 2/8/1928-1/30/2025

ResthavenGardens of Memory andFuneralHome in BatonRouge

GraceLeDuke

7/6/1954-2/6/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

Samuel LeDuke Jr

2/2/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

ClaraLee

Gretna,LA 3/4/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Thomas Leumas

Metairie,LA 1/29/1963-1/10/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Irma Lind

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

HenryLevet

Bedico,LA 1/21/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Lyle Lindberg Jr.

Metairie,LA 7/16/1946-1/9/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

WayneLevet

Metairie,LA 4/2/1936-12/29/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

MichaelLintonSr.

Houma, LA 12/29/2024

Samart FuneralHomeof Houma

MichaelLeMoine

Gonzales,LA 9/1/1951-3/20/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

Curtis Lewis

NewOrleans, LA 12/16/1948-1/21/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Shirley Lipscomb

NewOrleans, LA 3/10/1937-1/25/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

MarilynLemons

12/12/1948-2/6/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

GregoryLewis

NewOrleans, LA 8/15/1959-2/23/2025 RobottomMortuary

LanceLenfant

NewOrleans, la 3/5/2025-10/23/1980

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Monica Lewis

1/13/1955-3/4/2025

PatrickH.Sanders Funeral Home in LaPlace

Robert Leonick

10/23/2024

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

RooseveltLewis

9/26/1959-3/5/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

RedLerille

Lafayette,LA 6/9/1936-3/14/2025

Martin &Castille Funeral Home in Lafayette

Sylvia Lewis

Slidell, LA 1/14/1939-3/17/2025

Audubon FuneralHomein Slidell

NewOrleans, LA 9/18/1939-1/26/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Margaretta Livas

AnnieLivas Gray,LA 3/24/1940-3/1/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillisTerrebonne FuneralHome

Spencer Livingston

NewOrleans, LA

2/13/1953-12/27/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

ManuelLlorens II

1/22/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Donnelly Lockhart Sr.

Covington, LA

8/9/1936-1/17/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

WilliamLouis

NewOrleans, LA 3/10/2022-2/6/2025

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

CharbonnetFamily Services in NewOrleans

CraigLoewe

Lacombe, LA 4/18/1944-3/9/2025

Affordable FuneralHomein Lacombe

DavidLovich

Metairie, 1/20/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

CarolynLofton

4/11/1959-1/4/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

SondraLogan

Covington, LA 10/3/1935-2/19/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

Kelly Long

12/30/2024

MotheFuneralHome

MarilynLowe

Metairie,LA 1/26/2025

Williams &Southall Funeral Home in Napoleonville

JohnLynott

NewOrleans, LA 1/31/1936-2/23/2025

Neptune Society

Dr.MaryLystad

Bethesda,MD 4/11/1928-12/30/2024

RobertA. Pumphrey Funeral Home Bethesda-Chevy ChaseinBethesda, MD

BruceMacaluso

Pensacola,Florida 2/20/1952-12/27/2024

Family-Funeral& Cremation

Anne Lowenburg

NewOrleans, LA 7/18/1929-2/13/2025

ClaudelLumar Jr

Westwego, LA 2/4/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Harold Longaker

NewOrleans, LA 12/9/1938-3/18/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

Sylvia Lumas

2/27/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Zella Longino

Marrero,LA 3/13/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Philip LundgrenSr.

10/9/1946-2/19/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Jesse Longmyle Jr.

9/16/1943-3/12/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Penny Lusignan

12/4/1953-2/2/2025

MotheFuneralHome

Daniel Mahler

9/10/1969-12/27/2024

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Edward Maise

5/3/1942-1/9/2025

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHome

Lisa Manale

Gonzales,LA 3/27/1955-3/16/2025

OursoFuneralHomeGonzales

BarbaraMackie

NewOrleans, LA 3/13/1942-2/11/2025 Heritage FuneralDirectors

LoraineMancuso

Kenner, LA 10/19/1927Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

DarleneMadison

1/6/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

Gina MancusoChampagne

Chalmette,LA 1/1/0001-3/20/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Supt.Dr. Benson Magee

Franklinton, LA 6/7/1928-1/16/2025

Crainand Sons Funeral Home

Paul Mandella,Jr.

St.Rose, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Robert Maggio

Slidell, LA 9/12/1948-12/24/2024

Audubon FuneralHome

Sulochana Mandhare

NewOrleans, LA 1/26/1937-12/13/2024

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

Julia Magoffin

2/2/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Hazel Maness

Gretna,LA 9/19/1927-2/21/2025

MotheFuneralHomein

Harvey

Memory IN LOVING

JohnManzella, Jr

RiverRidge,LA

7/6/1940-3/14/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Louise Marchand

1/7/1932-1/12/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

James MarinelloSr.

Metairie,LA 5/21/1942-3/8/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

OraMarioneaux

NewOrleans,LA 5/5/1937-2/1/2025

Gertrude Geddes Willis FuneralHome

JosephMarkezich

Metairie,LA 10/24/1963-3/27/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Della Marsalis

Metairie,LA 2/8/2025

DennisFuneral Home

JackieMartes

NewOrleans,LA 9/27/1942-1/20/2025

TheBoyd FamilyFuneral Home

Colleen Martin

NewOrleans,LA 11/21/1953-1/26/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

DanMartin

Marrero,LA 1/5/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Arthur Matthew Jr

Metairie,LA 3/2/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

JaneMartin

Hattiesburg, MS 4/9/1945-12/7/2024

Freeman FuneralHomein Waynesboro, MS

Jerrelyn Martin

Marrero,LA 12/26/2024

DavisMortuaryService

Larry Martin

NewOrleans, LA 8/17/1947-3/21/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Jorge Martinez

Metairie,LA 2/16/1934-1/13/2025

EvangelineFuneralHomein NewIberia

AlvinMartinSr.

1/26/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Herbert Martin Sr

Avondale,LA 5/25/1933-1/17/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

JohnMasters Sr.

11/1/1932-2/23/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

Paul Mayeaux

Mandeville,LA 3/21/1941-2/27/2025

EJ Fielding

Burnette Matthews

NewOrleans, LA 1/24/1947-2/13/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

LeolaMcBride

NewOrleans, LA 10/18/1928-1/22/2025

DavisMortuary Service

Gracie Matthews

Westwego, LA 1/6/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Daniel McCabe

Metairie,Louisiana 9/27/1943-12/29/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lenda Matthews

10/26/1945Gertrude GeddesWillis Terrebonne FuneralHomein Houma

Stephenson Matthews

NewOrleans, LA 1/30/1950-1/28/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis

Josie Maurer

NewOrleans, LA 9/5/1930-3/7/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Anne Maurin

Metairie,LA 9/16/1937-2/10/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Mary May

7/21/1934-1/31/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

DianaMcCarthy-Cundin

NewOrleans, LA 6/12/1944-1/20/2025

Lakelawn Memorial

Antoinette McCloud

NewOrleans, LA

7/11/1963-3/14/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

CherylMcClure

Petoskey,MI 8/12/1949-2/22/2025

Stone FuneralHome

Hope McCollam

Atlanta, GA 1/28/1928-11/28/2024

H.M. Patterson &SonOglethorpe Hill inAtlanta, GA

Dana McCormick

7/14/1958-1/30/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Memory IN LOVING

RudolphMcCormick Sr.

1/3/1933-3/12/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Robert McCulloughJr.

Abita Springs,LA 2/5/1953-1/13/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

Dr.GaryMcDonald

Covington, LA 12/16/1943-2/8/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

June McGehee

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

WilliamMcGough

Covington, LA

8/17/1928-2/25/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

LeatriceMcGrail

7/4/1921-1/1/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Lawrence McGrath

Covington, LA

10/7/1947-2/19/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

TerenceMcKee

BatonRouge,LA 7/22/1930-3/3/2025

OursoFuneralHomein Gonzales

RooseveltMcKnight, Jr.

Houston, TX 8/21/1973-2/24/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lutricia McNeil

11/5/1970-1/28/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Carl McQueen

PearlRiver,LA 2/5/1941-2/19/2025

D.T. Williams FuneralHome in PearlRiver

Carole McQuiston

Mandeville,Louisiana 8/19/1937-2/16/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

Anna Medo

NewOrleans, LA 3/11/1923-2/12/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

DeborahMelancon

NewOrleans, LA 9/29/1952-1/28/2025

Neptune SocietyinKenner

Mary Merceron

Metairie,LA 1/5/1939-2/28/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JaneMerritt

1/21/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Fred Mesa

Metairie,Louisiana 8/17/1946-3/2/2025 TharpFuneralHome

Gladys Johnson

Metairie,LA 4/15/1937-3/26/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Wilbur Meneray

NewOrleans, Louisiana 11/23/1942-2/22/2025

JacobSchoen& Son

Robert Mercadel

11/17/1955-3/1/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Goldie Meunier

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Edmond Michot Jr.

Abita Springs,LA 10/28/1932-2/22/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Martha Miesch

Kerrville,TX 12/22/1940-3/13/2025

Grimes FuneralChapels in Kerrville,TX

JosephMilazzo Jr.

RiverRidge,LA 10/18/1945-3/15/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

Tulsa, OK formerly of New Orleans, LA 1/9/1947-2/8/2025

MulhearnFuneralHomein Monroe

MichaelMiller

Col. JohnMillarUSARet. Honolulu, HI 5/18/1952-5/17/2024

BorthwickMortuaryin

Honolulu, HI

PaulaMiller

Metairie,LA 6/2/1941-3/18/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Ronald Milliet

Slidell, LA 1/1/0001-1/1/0001

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

DavidMilling

NewOrleans, Louisiana 1/1/0001-1/1/0001

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

FrancisMinor Jr.

Amite,LA 1/4/1943-3/9/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

JohnMipro Jr

Metairie,LA 1/4/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Directors

Eddy Mitchell

NewOrleans, LA 12/11/1939-3/5/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Olga Mitchell

NewOrleans, LA 12/24/2024

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Vivian Mitchell

NewOrleans, LA 12/6/1945-12/30/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

WayneMitchell

Destrehan, LA 12/20/1955-12/30/2024

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

Rev. Dr.Henry Molden Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 6/1/1927-3/7/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Ella Molison

NewOrleans, LA 3/12/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Directors

James Monclair

2/7/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

John Monguillot andCatherine Seiler

NewOrleans, LA

Church FuneralServices in St.Amant

CarlaMonteleone

Longmont,Colorado 1/14/1934-12/25/2024

AftercareCremation& Burial Services

BessieMontgomery

NewOrleans, LA 4/27/1932-1/29/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Milton Montgomery Jr.

1/10/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

JohnMook

St.Bernard,LA 8/15/1936-1/28/2025

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHomeinSt. Bernard

Belle Moore

7/3/1943-1/22/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Linda Moore

NewOrleans, LA 7/12/1953-2/26/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

WilliamMoorman

Ponchatoula, LA 10/5/1947-3/14/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

BonnieMorice

Gretna,LA 6/5/1949-2/23/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Mark Murov

Austin,TX 11/6/1948-10/31/2024

Cook-Walden FuneralHome inAustin,TX

Yvonne Morise

Metairie,LA 7/17/1937-2/10/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

ScottMurphy

NewOrleans, LA 1/21/1944-2/5/2025 Church FuneralServices

Simone Morlas

10/27/1929-3/26/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Rev. BarbaraMurray

6/25/1946TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

SalvadoreMortillaro

Covington, LA 9/2/1943-2/5/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

James Murray

Arabi, LA 12/28/1937-3/15/2025

CharbonnetFamily Services in Violet

Rockne Moseley

NewOrleans, LA 3/21/1952-2/19/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Russell Mouton

NewOrleans, LA 4/17/1990-3/4/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

Mary Morgan

NewOrleans, Louisiana 1/23/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JudgeSalvadoreMulé

Folsom,LA 3/7/1932-1/1/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

KedrickMorgan Sr.

Metairie,LA 9/22/1986-12/26/2024

DavisMortuaryService

Ruth Mullen-Forrest

NewOrleans, LA 5/22/1960-2/20/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

JohnMurray

Phoenix,AZ 10/16/1958-2/23/2025

PrestonFuneralHomein Phoenix,AZ

JoyceNarcisse

Buras, LA 2/23/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

KevinNarcisse Sr

Point-Ala-Hache, LA 1/19/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Terry Nash

Harvey,LA 12/29/2024

DavisMortuaryService

Memory IN LOVING

DeborahNasser

Wilmington, DE 9/19/1951-3/14/2025 McCreryand Harra

Darren NealySr.

NewOrleans, LA 10/14/1962-1/1/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

MathildeNelson

NewOrleans, LA 6/27/1941-1/21/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Robert Nestor

NewOrleans, LA 6/29/1931-12/23/2024 Greenwood FuneralHome

Edmond Nicholas

Convent,LA 12/19/1959-1/25/2025 Hobson BrownFuneral Home in Garyville

Hilton Nicholas

Convent,LA 2/3/1952-12/25/2024 Hobson BrownFuneral Home

JohnNiemietz

Covington, LA 2/9/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

RebekahNoll

Tomball, TX 7/9/1925-2/13/2025

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AdelineNorred

Belle Chasse,LA 9/23/1936-3/25/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Toni Nottingham

Destrehan, Louisiana 3/27/1958-12/18/2024 Neptune Society

Frances O'Brien

3/16/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Lynn O'Brien

NewOrleans, LA 8/10/1933-1/11/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

Walter Oates

Luling, LA 7/30/1943-2/28/2025

JonesMemorialFuneral Home in Luling

Rise Ochsner

NewOrleans, LA

7/28/1944-2/22/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Denise Nix

NewOrleans, LA 1/22/1966-3/14/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Sister Elma Olivera SSF

NewOrleans, LA 9/15/1929-2/16/2025

Majestic Mortuary

Susan Pansano

NewOrleans, LA 1/25/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

LoleitaOrdon

2/15/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Zelia Papin

Metairie,LA 11/24/1932-3/22/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

MarleneOubre

Vacherie,LA 6/7/1937-2/3/2025

Treasures of Life Funeral Services in Gramercy

Margaret O’Regan

NewOrleans, LA 9/11/1951-1/25/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

FrancisO’Rourke

NewOrleans, LA 9/12/1942-2/10/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Narvaletta Parker

6/4/1936-12/19/2024

ProfessionalFuneral Services

WayneParker

Avondale,LA 1/1/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Everette Pace

Bush,LA 7/8/1932-1/1/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Adrienne Paciera

NewOrleans, LA 2/14/1952-3/10/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Mary Oden

2/19/1954Greenwood FuneralHome

Marjorie Paletou

Charlottesville,VA 8/20/1938-1/10/2025

Hill &Wood FuneralHome in Charlottesville,VA

Memory IN LOVING

ZacharyParrott

Metairie,LA 1/25/1994-2/14/2025 MotheFuneralHomein Harvey

Gerald Pastor Jr.

Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Patricia Patrick

Huntsville,AL 6/15/1939-2/11/2025

Laughlin ServiceFuneral Home

Angela Patterson

NewOrleans, LA 3/16/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

RaymondPaulhus

Vancouver, WA 10/5/1943-3/22/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

MarylynPecoraro

Slidell, LA

7/17/1934-2/8/2025

HonakerFuneralHome

OscarPerez

Worcester, MA 7/5/1941-12/22/2024

Kelly FuneralHomein Worcester, MA

Kane Penton

11/6/1981-1/12/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

Norman Penton

Metairie,LA 1/18/2025

TharpFuneralHomein Metairie

TedPerdue

Daphne,AL 12/30/1955-12/21/2024

JoeMorrisand SonFuneral Home in Pensacola,FL

James PereaJr.

Bogalusa,LA 11/13/1947-1/17/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

HernandezPerez Jr.

Gretna,LA 5/29/1933-12/22/2024

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Gasper Peri Jr.

Poplarville,MS 1/26/1940-2/25/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AlicePerkins

9/16/1930-12/26/2024

CharbonnetFuneralHome

AnnPerkins

Abita Springs,La 2/6/1943-1/27/2025

Grace FuneralHome

WilmaPerrilliat

Marrero,LA 2/22/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Janet Pesce

2/23/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Margaret Peters

Kenner, LA 11/23/2024

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

EdwinPeters Jr.

Abita Springs,LA 12/23/1944-3/22/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

James Peters Jr

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Warren PayneJr.

NewOrleans, LA 11/12/1952-2/26/2025 DavisMortuaryService

Mary LouPerelli

GrandPrairie,Texas

Lone Star Cremation

Judy Perkins

NewOrleans, LA 3/7/2025

DavisMortuaryService

AlmediaPhoenix

NewOrleans, LA 3/3/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Shirley Payton

NewOrleans, LA 2/21/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Denise Perez

Covington, LA

9/30/1956-3/6/2025

Serenity FuneralHomein Covington

Dr.Thais Perkins

Zachary, LA 3/20/1957-1/16/2025

Tracey Piazza

Kenner, LA 1/18/1976-1/23/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lovell Payton Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 10/17/1953-2/27/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Lynn Perez

NewOrleans, Louisiana

8/25/1946-3/9/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

EddiePerkinsJr.

3/6/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

VincentPicataci

NewOrleans, LA 2/3/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Memory IN LOVING

Mary Picot

NewOrleans, LA 2/9/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

JanicePicou

9/12/1924-2/28/2025 Majestic Mortuary Service

CharlesPierre

NewOrleans, LA 5/28/1949-3/11/2025 CharbonnetLabat Glapion

Lana Pierre

12/25/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

MichelePierre

Ama, LA 1/21/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Irving PierreSr.

1/14/1924-1/10/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

RandolphPistorius

Tylertown, MS

7/2/1947-2/10/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gary Plaisance

Marrero,LA 1/29/1955-1/23/2025

MotheFuneralHome

Jeffrey Plauche

Slidell, LA 4/25/1956-12/27/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Donna Pobrica

Belle Chasse,LA 1/18/2025 MotheFuneralHome

MadisonPoché Jr.

12/25/2024

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Joan Policastro

NewOrleans, LA 1/9/1934-1/23/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

Randy Pomfrey

2/16/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

ClydePonthieux

Columbia,MS 12/29/1936-2/9/2025 Colonial FuneralHomein Columbia,MS

PaulaPizzolato

Maringouin, La 3/24/1965-1/3/2025

Niland's FuneralService

Melvin Porche

NewOrleans, LA 2/25/1967Heritage FuneralDirectors

Olivia Prudence

Kenner, La 7/15/1954-1/17/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Ernest Posner Jr.

Madisonville,LA 11/27/1932-2/28/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

Jesse QuietJr.

NewOrleans, Louisiana 7/28/1956-1/22/2025

RhodesFuneralHome

Olga Powell

NewOrleans, LA 3/5/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

DarleneRabalais

Covington, LA 12/2/1948-1/2/2025

EJ Fielding FuneralHome

Emmett Poynot

Mandeville,LA 7/6/1943-2/28/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

JosephPrater

Metairie,LA 4/5/1938-2/1/2025

PatrickH Sanders Home & FuneralDirectors

Mary Etta Prestigiacomo

Metairie,Louisiana 7/25/1949-3/4/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Dr.Leo PrevostJr.

Fayetteville,NC 4/9/1954-1/30/2025

Rogers andBreece Funeral Home in Fayetteville,NC

Robert Ponti, Sr.

Metairie,LA 3/12/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lawrence PriceJr.

3/12/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

LynRabalais

Gretna,LA 3/3/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

NewOrleans, Louisiana 2/3/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Martha Raby

Larry Rabin Harvey,LA 1/17/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Thomas Radecker

Metairie,LA 6/14/1931-1/20/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Emily Radosta

NewOrleans, LA 10/13/1977-2/5/2025

Garden of Memories

Memory IN LOVING

Andrea Ragas

Harahan, LA

6/8/1950-3/14/2025

Neptune Society

DorisRatcliff

NewOrleans, LA 3/12/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

John Raines Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 3/11/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

SallyRalicki

NewOrleans, LA 3/6/1954-2/23/2025 MotheFuneralHome

JimmieRatcliff

1/22/2025

Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home,Inc

Emily Raymond

2/11/1951-1/11/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

CatianaRamsey

1/13/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

AlvinReed

12/30/2024

CharbonnetFuneralHome

Ruby Ranatza

Waggaman,LA 1/21/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome

Joan Reed

NewOrleans, LA 6/21/1938-2/15/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

DorothyRicard

8/22/1942-1/7/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Edna Ricard

9/15/1940-2/11/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

MauriceRicard

Belleville,IL 9/13/1954-2/23/2025

Teat Chapel FuneralHome andCremationService

Alfred Richard

Metairie,LA 3/9/1962-12/23/2024

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

AlvinRichard

NewOrleans, LA 10/14/1932-1/24/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

HayesRichardsonSr.

2/8/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

WilliamRichardsonSr.

Marrero,LA 3/2/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Marrero

James Richoux

Marrero,LA 11/19/1939-2/16/2025

MotheFuneralHome

MalcolmRicks

12/16/1954-3/10/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Ronald Riggle

Chicago, IL 2/10/1965-1/2/2025

CremationSociety of Illinois

Terecita Randall-Smothers

Covington, LA 10/22/1956-12/26/2024 Affordable FuneralHome LLC

WilliamReeves

NewOrleans, LA 8/16/1941-2/1/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

BarbaraRichard

Kenner, LA 6/25/1949-12/25/2024

Neptune SocietyinKenner

Camille Rivers

NewOrleans, Louisiana 1/3/1941-1/6/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Kenneth Rando

Memphis, TN 10/23/1964-8/18/2024

Mahlon Reinhard

Gretna,LA

6/25/1940-2/5/2025

MotheFuneralHomesMarrero

Catherine Richard

Friendswood, TX 5/10/1961-3/2/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lawrence Rivet

Slidell, LA

7/25/1934-1/14/2025

MotheFuneralHome

Linda Randolph

6/24/1943-12/30/2024 Bardell’sMortuary

JuanitaReynolds

NewOrleans, LA 9/7/1956-3/7/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

DeborahRichard

Slidell, LA 4/14/1964-12/30/2024

Audubon FuneralHome

JohnRobert III

Slidell, LA 3/9/2025

HonakerFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Robert Roberts

NewOrleans, LA 12/8/1941-1/13/2025 JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

DorothyRobertson

NewOrleans, LA 2/7/1938-1/23/2025 HarryMcKneely& Son FuneralHomeinHammond

Kurt Robert Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 7/10/1963-12/8/2024 RhodesFuneralHome

Annabell Robinson

7/3/1952Robinson Family Funeral Home in Belle Chasse

Lois Robinson

7/24/1948-1/5/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Robert Robinson

9/27/1962-1/23/2025 DennisFuneral Home

Dr.SandraRobinson

NewOrleans, LA 3/22/1944-1/8/2025 Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

WilliamRobinson

NewOrleans, LA 6/10/1947-3/18/2025 Heritage FuneralDirectors

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Suphronia RobinsonHolden

NewOrleans, LA 2/5/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

ClydeRobinsonJr.

Westwego, LA 8/8/1963-3/1/2025 DavisMortuaryService

MalcolmRobinsonJr.

2/17/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

Kathleen Rockwood

NewBraunfels, TX 5/10/1948-2/4/2025

Doeppenschmidt

Donald Rodgers Jr

7/8/1975-12/30/2024

Robinson Family Funeral Home

DavidRodriguez

Woodville,TX 9/3/1942-1/19/2025

RileyFuneralHome

MamieRogers

Marrero,LA 9/22/1942-3/14/2025

MotheFuneralHomein Marrero

NancyRohm

Mandeville,LA 10/26/1953-2/27/2025

Neptune SocietyinKenner

MichaelRomanoSr.

NewOrleans, Louisiana 5/13/1967-12/30/2024

NewOrleansFuneral& CremationService

Joan Rome

1/24/2025

MotheFuneralHome

JosephRooney Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 12/16/1926-12/22/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Antoinette Rosales

Destrehan, LA 3/24/1955-3/13/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home

JuliusRosenfield

NewOrleans, LA 4/22/1931-1/1/2025

Heritage FoundationinNew Orleans

Emily Roth

Irvin,TX 1/10/1963-11/19/2024

Aria CremationServices & FuneralinIrvin,TX

RaymondRogers

Kenner, LA 1/13/2025

Samart FuneralHomein Houma

Lillie Rouse

1/19/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

ChristopherRoussel

Madisonville,LA 5/10/1990-1/23/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

EvaRoussell

Vacherie,LA 12/15/1942-3/19/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Joan Roussell

Selma,AL 11/15/1938-2/2/2025

Charbonnet-Labat-Glapion FuneralHome

James Roy

1/18/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

ElizaRoyal

NewOrleans, LA 12/11/1924-3/9/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Robert Ruhlman

Metairie,LA 1/26/1960-3/24/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

DorothyRotolo

St.Matthews, SC 8/7/1924-12/19/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Wanda Ruiz

NewOrleans, LA 3/3/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Memory IN LOVING

CynthiaRush

NewOrleans, LA 3/8/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Mary Samuels

2/3/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

James Russell

Chalmette,LA 1/29/1933-1/17/2025

St.Bernard Memorial FuneralHome

Bryan Sanders

4/7/1970-2/12/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Jimmie Russ Jr.

Avondale, LA 12/18/1932-2/10/2025 DavisMortuaryService

Leatha Sanders

NewOrleans, LA 2/6/2025 Littlejohn FuneralHome

BarbaraSacrite

6/27/1935TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

James Sanders III

Covington, LA 1/13/1941-11/7/2024 EJ Fielding FuneralHome

HerbertSt. Martin Jr

Garyville,LA 1/23/2025

Millet-GuidryFuneralHome in LaPlace

Brittany Sandifer

NewOrleans, LA 10/9/1990-2/19/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

EdithSassone

Bush,LA 8/1/1927-1/13/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gerard Satterlee

Gonzales,Louisiana 12/27/1946-2/15/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

DorisSawyer

3/16/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Mary Scamardo

Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

LoyceSchexnaildre

Metairie,LA 8/16/1937-3/14/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

RosarioSchilleci

NewOrleans, LA 9/15/1937-3/22/2025

Schilleci Family

Walter Schleh

1/3/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

James Schluter

Metairie,LA 12/11/1940-2/2/2025

Neptune SocietyinKenner

Danny Schmitt

Metairie,LA 3/7/1944-1/17/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Emilio Schneider Orellana

Kenner, LA 10/3/1936-3/5/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AnnieSt. Paul

1/20/1931-1/17/2025

LouisSandoz, III

Metairie,LA 2/5/1945-1/26/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

ClaudiaSchexnayder

Lutcher, LA 9/23/1952-1/8/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lloyd Schroeder

Jefferson, Louisiana 7/14/1925-2/15/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AllenSt. PierreSr.

Garyville,LA 2/6/1930-2/28/2025 Millet-GuidryFuneralHome

Albert Saputo

NewOrleans, LA 1/20/1961-3/20/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

Larry Schexnaydre

Destrehan, LA

9/9/1937-1/18/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home in Norco

Gerard Schuler

Kenner, Louisiana 1/25/1927-12/29/2024

Serenity FuneralHome

DominicSaltaformaggio

3/10/2025

H.C.AlexanderFuneral Home in Norco

ValSarris

Covington, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Patricia Schilleci

NewOrleans, LA 10/14/1938-3/4/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Ellie Schurmann

Metairie,LA 11/28/1944-1/28/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Memory IN LOVING

Mary Schwartz

Covington, LA

1/9/1944-1/12/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

Patricia Schwartz

Metairie, 1/21/1938-12/30/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

ClaudiaScott

12/1/1938-12/22/2024

ProfessionalFuneral Services

MertealScott

NewIberia, LA 9/26/1947-3/9/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

VernitaScott

NewOrleans, LA 7/16/1957-2/18/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

JohnSeago

Covington, Louisiana

7/25/1943-1/11/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

KarenSeals

Mandeville,LA

8/5/1943-2/20/2025

Grace FuneralHomein

Covington

LeeSear

Metairie,LA 8/25/1931-1/7/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

EddieSeaton

1/3/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

RoyShort

Metairie,LA 10/17/1933-12/10/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

HelenSegura

2/6/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Ignatius Sias Sr.

10/13/1934-2/27/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof JeffersoninRiver Ridge

Devon Shelton

Metairie,LA 11/29/2007-3/17/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

IsraelSidneyJr.

1/28/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

DavidShelton Sr.

Harvey,LA 12/2/1924-1/31/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Yvonne Sigur

2/8/1935-1/16/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Walter Shepherd

HotSprings Village,AR 10/21/1967-2/19/2025

Caruth-HaleFuneralHome in HotSprings,AR

Dale Simmons

Marrero,LA 10/22/1953-12/30/2024

DavisMortuaryService

Yvonne Sheridan

3/7/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof JeffersoninRiver Ridge

JoleneSherlock

Covington, LA

3/17/1938-3/8/2025

Neptune Society

Linda Short

Slidell, LA

4/5/1943-12/27/2024

Audubon FuneralHome

WilliamSirmonJr.

Luling, LA

2/1/1943-3/11/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

JoyceSison

Metairie,Louisiana

3/12/1934-3/17/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

TheresaSlack

Phoenix, LA

7/22/1974-2/24/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

AlvinSmith

Fresno, CA 10/18/1938-2/15/2025

Farewell FuneralServices in Fresno, CA

AnnSmith

Destrehan, LA 6/7/1942-3/13/2025

RobottomMortuary

CharlesSimms

1/22/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Audrey Smith

BatonRouge,LA 5/27/1938-2/15/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Levy SimonJr.

1/18/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

CarolynSmith

NewOrleans, LA

8/13/1951-2/27/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Milton Sims Sr.

2/3/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

CherylSmith

Marrero,LA 3/10/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Memory IN LOVING

GwendolynSmith

12/29/2024

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

JohnSmith

Orlando, FL

8/4/1934-12/20/2024

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

KevinSmith

Mandeville,LA 12/25/2024

MotheFuneralHome

LauraSmith

1/22/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Leroy-JosephSmith

2/21/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Marvin Smith

NewOrleans, LA 2/21/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

PatriceSmith

Westwego, LA 2/28/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Patricia Smith

Covington, LA 2/6/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

SandraSmith

NewOrleans, LA 10/24/1943-2/16/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

ViolaSmith

Destrehan, LA

2/12/1925-2/20/2025

RobottomMortuaryin Reserve

MichaelSmith Jr.

2/15/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Herbert SmithSr.

RiverRidge,LA 3/29/1937-1/26/2025

Neptune SocietyinKenner

Southern SmithSr.

8/13/1957-1/30/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillisTerrebonne FuneralHomein Houma

SharonSnyder

4/22/1945-1/5/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

JohnSolomon Jr

Kenner, LA

3/27/1945-1/30/2025 Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Robert Songy

Gretna,LA 2/12/2025

Westside/Leitz-Eagan FuneralHomeinMarrero

UnaSongy

LaPlace, LA 1/15/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

Myrtle Soniat

Slidell, LA 3/1/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Perry Soniat du Fossat

Slidell, LA 2/11/1939-12/21/2024

Audubon FuneralHome

TracySorina

10/5/1969-2/3/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome

Florence Soulant

Slidell, LA 11/14/1929-1/4/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Baptiste Souquet

5/12/1938-1/19/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

MarilynSouther

Metairie,LA 7/25/1931-1/28/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Lisl Spangenberg

SantaClarita,CA 1/25/1950-3/9/2025

Rose Family FuneralHome &Cremation

NewOrleans, LA 2/26/1951-12/11/2024

DavisMortuaryService

George Spicuzza

Earl Speakman Van, Tx 9/17/1954-12/7/2024 Hilliard FuneralHome

Jeanne Spitzfaden

NewOrleans, Louisiana 10/3/1939-1/2/2025

Emma Squire-Lewis

NewOrleans, LA 11/17/1915-1/28/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

FrankStansburyJr.

NewOrleans, LA 10/21/1950-1/21/2025 Greenwood FuneralHome

Frances Starkey

NewOrleans, LA 10/20/1952-1/5/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

JohnStassi II

Metairie,LA 9/11/1937-1/1/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

VelmaStauter

Marrero,LA 9/3/1931-3/2/2025 MotheFuneralHome

IN LOVING

Memor

PierreSteib

Vacherie,LA 11/3/1932-3/12/2025

Treasures of Life Funeral Services

Samuel Stephens

Kenner, LA 2/3/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

Theodora Sternberg

NewOrleans,Louisiana 9/6/1924-3/18/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JoeyStevens

SanFrancisco,CA 9/27/1968-1/27/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Ruth Stevens

Marrero,LA 1/16/2025

DavisMortuaryService

StanleyStevenson

Marrero,LA 3/2/2025

DavisMortuaryService

SterlingSteward

Baltimore,Maryland 11/11/1970-2/26/2025 ProfessionalFuneral Services

Joshua Stodghill

Metairie,LA 1/16/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Susan Stoetzel

Covington, Louisiana

12/30/1961-1/6/2025

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home

Dr.HaroldStokes

Palm Desert,CA 2/8/1937-1/13/2025

Neptune Society

Thomas Sutherland

Covington, LA 8/23/1947-2/2/2025

Grace FuneralHomein Covington

Samuel Sykes

8/25/1966-2/23/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Melvin Stokes

NewOrleans, LA 12/30/2024

DavisMortuaryService

DaisySylve

Harvey,Louisiana 3/2/1934-12/18/2024

CrossMemoiralFuneral Home

Louise Stone

NewOrleans, Louisiana 12/25/1951-1/7/2025

Dickey Brothers Memorial FuneralHome

Paul Tarto

Metairie,LA 1/10/1964-2/24/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home in Metairie

Berney Strauss

NewOrleans, Louisiana 9/12/1951-3/11/2025

RadneyFuneralHome Mobile

Steven Tassin

Metairie,LA 11/9/2024

Garden of Memories Funeral Home &Cemetery

Dr.Craig Stroebel

Metairie,LA 1/6/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

JacquelineTate

Ama, LA 2/18/1950-1/9/2025

RobottomMortuaryin Reserve

George Sumner

Metairie,LA 6/23/1941-2/24/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

SamSumwalt

Covington, LA 4/16/1951-1/15/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

ZenobiaTaylor

1/27/1943Bardell’sMortuary

MichaelTeague

Pearland, TX

7/8/1942-3/14/2025

Forest Park SouthFuneral Home

Albert Teal

Buras, LA 10/19/1990-2/7/2025

Westside/Leitz-Eagan FuneralHomeinMarrero

SabrinaTemple

3/10/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Matthew Tenedorio

Picayune,MS 10/6/1999-1/1/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

Dave Terrick Jr

2/14/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

James Tate

NewOrleans, LA

4/9/1986-3/24/2025

Craft-Ginn Chapel in Tylertown, MS

JoyceThedy

Metairie,LA

1/2/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Mack Taylor

Kenner, LA 12/13/1928-12/31/2024

Freeman FuneralHome

Jeannette Thimmesch

Woodville,MS

8/27/1925-12/31/2024

Newman FuneralHomein Centreville,MS

Memory IN LOVING

Brenda Thomas

Houston, TX 10/28/1950-1/1/2025

Lynette Thomas

NewOrleans, LA 3/15/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

Robert Thomas

7/30/1949Majestic Mortuary

Ronald Thomas

2/23/1948-1/5/2025

TheBoydFamily Funeral Home

LouisThomasJr.

7/27/1941-2/8/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Anthony Thompson

1/8/2025

DW RhodesFuneralHome

ElliottThompson

Marrero,LA 9/26/1971-3/14/2025

DavisMortuary Servicesin Gretna

Simeon Thompson

NewOrleans, LA 1/22/2020-2/11/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Hillery Thompson Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 12/12/2024

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

Walter Tillery

Marrero,LA

6/6/1936-1/29/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

Kenneth Tobin

NewOrleans, Louisiana 4/17/1950-2/28/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Carmen Tome-Daly

3/19/2025

E. J. FieldingFuneralHome in Covington

ConstanceTomlin

Atascocita, TX 10/19/1947-1/20/2025

AdvantageFuneral& CreamationServices

WilliamTooker Jr

Great Falls,MT 2/16/2025

O'Connor FuneralHome& Crematory in Great Falls, MT

WilliamToombs

Avondale, LA 3/6/2025

MotheFuneralHome

Noël Toomey

St.Catharine, KY 7/28/1936-1/27/2025

Hale-Polin-Robinson FuneralHomein Springfield,KY

Francis Torres

Lilburn, GA 7/26/1942-12/13/2024

Floral Hills FuneralHomein Tucker,GA

Dr.MichaelTownsend

NewOrleans, LA 2/21/1957-1/8/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

WilliamTracy III

Jefferson, LA 9/14/1958-2/3/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Robert Traill

Folsom,LA 6/9/1929-3/11/2025

E. J. FieldingFuneralHome

Peggy Trainor

NewOrleans, LA 3/9/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Marrero,LA 3/17/2025

WilliamTraylor

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Jeremy Treaudo

Marrero,LA 3/17/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Marjorie Tregre

Bridge City,LA 1/28/2025

MotheFuneralHome

MotheFuneralHomein Marrero

Lawrence Triche

Audrey Tremé Reserve, LA 12/31/2024

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

Tara Trim

PaloAlto,CA 3/26/1975-3/13/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

JosephTroiano

La Place, LA 3/17/1957-2/1/2025

Neptune Society

CarrollTrosclair

2/11/2025

Leitz-EaganFuneralHome

LauraTrueblood

NewOrleans, LA 3/12/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Lawrence Trunk Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 4/15/1938-1/10/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

BarbaraTshida

BatonRouge,Louisiana 2/27/1934-1/5/2025

White FuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Lawrence Tullier

NewOrleans, LA 9/14/1955-2/15/2025 MotheFuneralHome

George Turner

9/8/1948-2/6/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Amelia Usand

1/12/2025

RichardsonFuneralHomeof Jefferson

Charlotte Valatkavage

Columbia,Md 3/19/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Joycelyn Valeton

Metairie,LA

7/30/1935-1/18/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

UlyssesVanCourt

Gretna,LA 1/2/2025

MurrayHenderson Funeral Home

CindyVan Dam

NewOrleans, LA 1/16/2025

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

De’Shawn Varnado

Slidell, LA 8/28/2002-12/17/2024

DavisMortuaryService

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Claire Varvaro

St.Rose, LA 2/12/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHomeinKenner

Toni Vaughan

BatonRouge,La 3/7/1967-2/3/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Sister Mary Tekakwitha Vega SSF

NewOrleans, LA 8/5/1928-2/19/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Jean Vegas

NewOrleans, LA 5/13/1946-12/5/2024

Bagnell &Son Funeral Home in Covington

CharlesVeith

Houston, TX

6/7/1945-12/31/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

DoreeneVenturella

PearlRiver,LA 11/10/1955-3/18/2025

Audubon FuneralHome

Patricia Venturella

Mandeville,LA 5/13/1941-1/22/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

RichardVerrettSr.

Atlanta, GA 3/1/1937-1/22/2025

D.W. RhodesFuneralHome

Robert Viator

Metairie,LA 3/24/1936-3/15/2025

L.A. Muhleisen& Son FuneralHome- Kenner

Metairie,Louisiana 12/6/1955-1/6/2025

Betty Vicknair

Garyville,LA 1/5/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome

Clarence Virgil

NewOrleans, LA 8/1/1989-2/12/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Kenneth Vogt

Metairie,LA 1/30/2025

TharpFuneralHomein Metairie

LouisWagenhauser Jr

Madisonville,Louisiana 5/1/1943-1/20/2025

Serenity FuneralHome

Donald Wagner

NewOrleans, LA 8/30/1955-12/4/2024

JacobSchoen& SonFuneral Home

CherylWaits

LaPlace, LA 2/27/2025

Millet-Guidry FuneralHome in LaPlace

CynthiaWaker

NewOrleans, LA 10/22/1949-3/13/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JanineWalker

ClareWaldo Schriever, LA 3/16/2025 MotheFuneralHome

Covington, LA 1/28/1944-1/30/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

Edward Wallace

Mandeville,LA 7/27/1954-1/22/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Hersha Wallace Jr

Norristown, PA 11/5/1950-12/17/2024

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

James Wallace

Clemson, SC 8/18/1932-3/7/2025

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central, SC

LouisWallace

NewOrleans, LA 9/12/1940-2/1/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Marjorie Wallace

NewOrleans, LA 1/16/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Farra Wall

Memory IN LOVING

Mary Wallace

12/17/2024

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Nathan Wallace

Carriere, MS

7/31/1938-12/26/2024

Audubon FuneralHome

DebraWalters

NewOrleans, LA

7/21/1956-2/25/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Marion Walton Sr.

Metairie,LA

1/26/1934-1/25/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome

JohnWarning

NewOrleans, LA

8/2/1967-2/12/2025

Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home

CarolynWashington

7/28/1953-1/29/2025

CharbonnetFamily Services in Violet

Gerard Washington

1/22/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Brenda Watkins

Covington, LA

3/26/1939-1/28/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome in Covington

Gail Watkins

6/17/1954-3/7/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

GeraldineWebber

6/27/1943-1/31/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Charlie Watkins

BatonRouge,LA 4/14/1956-2/21/2025

Hall Davis& Sons Funeral Service

JohnWehrerSr.

Harvest,AL 10/6/1941-3/12/2025

Garden of Memories Funeral Home

AnitaWatsky

NewOrleans, LA 5/29/1942-3/23/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Andrew Weir

11/20/2024

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Shirley Watson

NewOrleans, LA 12/2/1927-1/15/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

Kenneth Wenn

Metairie,LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

BeverlyWatts

NewOrleans, Louisiana 3/19/1922-12/21/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

WarrenaWhitaker

Kenner, LA 3/10/1947-12/4/2024

Neptune SocietyinKenner

LeskaWeakley

Slaughter,LA 9/15/1937-3/22/2025

Church FuneralServices

Gail White

Harahan, LA 11/15/1937-2/27/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Sherman Weary

Marrero,LA 3/7/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

ChesterWeatheroy Jr.

NewOrleans, LA

Heritage FuneralDirectors

CharlesWhited

NewOrleans, Louisiana

12/20/1954-2/15/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Haydel WhiteJr.

1/13/1956-9/18/2024

Majestic Mortuary Service

Alonzo WhiteSr.

12/9/1984-3/9/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

Evelyn Whitfield

NewOrleans, LA 3/12/2025

ProfessionalFuneral Services

MadelineWilkerson

NewOrleans, LA 1/31/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Leatrice Wilkins

Metairie,LA 12/9/1931-3/9/2025

Judith White

Houston, TX 6/1/1949-3/23/2025

WoodlawnFuneralHomein

Houston, TX

Cornelis Willems

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Margie White

Metairie,LA 4/21/1944-3/19/2025

Peoples UndertakingInc.in McComb,MS

AltheiaWilliams

NewOrleans, LA 1/3/2025

DavisMortuaryService

Memory IN LOVING

BobbieWilliams

Harvey,LA 1/28/1939-1/7/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Larry Williams

Mandeville,LA

9/29/1938-1/1/2025

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

BradleyWilliams

NewOrleans, LA 1/1/2025

Littlejohn FuneralHome

LeonardWilliams

8/12/1948-2/5/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

CarolynWilliams

2/11/1949-3/8/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

Lynette Williams

NewOrleans, LA 12/14/2024

DavisMortuaryService

CordineWilliams

Westwego, LA 3/19/2025

DavisMortuaryService

TerrellWilliams

1/23/2025

Majestic Mortuary Service

Dr.Henry Williams Ed.D

NewOrleans, LA 5/23/1925-1/28/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

CharlesWilliams III

NewOrleans, LA 6/27/1987-1/13/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

IvoneWilliams

RiverRidge,LA 3/27/1937-2/6/2025

Richardson FuneralHome

Frederick Williams III

NewOrleans, LA 10/26/1935-1/9/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

JoyceWilliams

1/4/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

DesireeWilliams-Jones

NewOrleans, LA

7/26/1955-2/4/2025

JP HolleyFuneralHomein Columbia,SC

Larry Williams

NewOrleans, LA 4/7/1953-2/27/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Charlie Williams Jr.

12/17/1955-2/8/2025

DennisFuneralHome

CalebWilson

Kenner, LA 2/27/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof JeffersoninRiver Ridge

NathanielWilliams Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 12/1/1952-1/10/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Gladiola Wilson

NewOrleans, LA 9/9/1942-2/4/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

Samuel Williamson

Westfield, IN 10/1/1953-1/8/2025

Randall &RobertsWestfield Road FuneralCenterin Noblesville,IN

Billy Williams Sr.

Kenner, LA 4/8/1944-1/12/2025

DennisFuneralHome

DennisWilliams Sr

Plaquemine,LA 2/28/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Willie Williams Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 5/27/1934-3/3/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Mary Willis

1/3/2025

Richardson FuneralHomeof Jefferson

BradleyWilliams Jr.

Marrero,LA 1/6/2025

DavisMortuaryServices

KarenWilner

8/3/1946-11/25/2024

E.J. Fielding FuneralHome

JohnWilson

Harvey,LA 2/8/2025

DavisMortuaryService

KeithWilson

NewOrleans, LA 2/10/1978-2/8/2025

DennisFuneralHome

PatriceWilson

Laplace, LA

Hobson BrownFuneral Home

Rita Wilson

Slidell, LA 3/6/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Robert Wilson

Gretna,LA 7/22/1941-3/14/2025

MotheFuneralHome

Vanessa Wilson

2/8/1959-3/24/2025

DennisFuneralHome

Memory IN LOVING

Charlie Wilson Jr.

7/7/1939-1/30/2025

PatrickH.Sanders Funeral Home

Jamal Wilson Sr

NewOrleans, LA 12/30/2024

DavisMortuaryService

KevinWilson Sr.

11/4/1959-1/15/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Herman Winchester

NewOrleans, LA 3/1/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Gretna

Claire Winder

1/16/1952-1/1/2025

D. W. RhodesFuneralHome

MichaelWindsay Sr.

NewOrleans, LA 6/23/1973-3/3/2025

TheBoydFamily Funeral Home

Althea Winesberry

2/5/2025

CharbonnetFamily Services in Violet

AnnWink

NewOrleans, LA 7/31/1933-3/6/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

EthelWinterstein

Harvey,Louisiana 9/27/1937-2/7/2025

Neptune Society

Visitobituaries.nola.comtoexpressyourcondolences.

Janie Young

Harvey,LA 1/25/2025

DavisMortuaryService in Marrero

Robert Wise

Metairie,LA 10/5/1938-3/10/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

AnnieWright

NewOrleans, LA 2/9/1929-2/5/2025

Gertrude GeddesWillis FuneralHome

Alan YedorSr.

Harvey,LA 7/9/1945-3/8/2025

MotheFuneralHomein

Harvey

WilliamYochum

Harahan, LA 1/29/1941-2/9/2025

Leitz-Eagan FuneralHome in Metairie

Amarie Young

NewOrleans, LA 8/16/2019-2/17/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

BeverlyYoung

Marrero,LA 12/27/2024

DennisFuneralHome

GraceYoung

Algiers, LA 2/4/2025

Robinson Family Funeral Home

Denise Zardies

10/2/1953-3/10/2025

CharbonnetLabat Glapion

JohnYoung

NewOrleans, LA

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

CherylZettler

Seattle,WA 7/23/1944-1/26/2025

Emmick Family Funeral Services in Seattle,WA

Keishell Young

2/3/2004-3/24/2025

PatrickH.Sanders Funeral Home in LaPlace

Shirley Zibilich

Mandeville, 11/5/1934-12/9/2024

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Kenneth Young

NewOrleans, LA 11/11/1959-2/17/2025

TheBoyd Family Funeral Home

Jeanne Zoerner

Covington, LA

12/29/1948-1/14/2025

E. J. Fielding FuneralHome

Rose Young

9/20/1938-3/18/2025

Greenwood FuneralHome

HenryYoungblood

Slidell, LA 10/26/1933-3/12/2025

Heritage FuneralDirectors

RalphYoung,Jr.

NewOrleans, LA 5/19/1943-1/3/2025

Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home

Gertrude Zanders

Richardson FuneralHome

with deepest

Sympathy

POUNDFOR

POUND

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staffwriter

Greg Lutz stillremembers hisfirst crawfish season. Working toward his doctorate and living in atraileroutside Lafayette, he split time between research at LSU and workinga 64-acre crawfish pond with aseasoned Louisiana fisherman.

“At the end of the day,there’d always be afew pounds left over,” Lutz said. “He’d say,‘Well, they don’twant that. They’re not gonna buy that.You take that home.’” By the end of the season, Lutz joked, he would’ve traded crawfish forhot 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 andeconomic role in Louisiana.

Steaming red crawfish piledhighon yesterday’s newspaper is astaple of

Louisiana tables in springtime. Beyond mudbugs’ place in local tradition, the crustacean offers something else: apotentially healthy,sustainable seafood option.

The catch is knowing how it’spreparedand where it camefrom

High protein, lowfat

Crawfish maybesmall, but they offer thegold standard of nutritional value.

“Low in calories, high in protein,” said Mandy Armentor,aregistered dietician and nutrition agent with the LSUAgCenter based in Abbeville.

Astandard three-ounce serving of tail meat (peeled from about1.25pounds) contains around 70 calories, 14 gramsof protein, one gram of fatand about 115 milligrams of cholesterol. Crawfishdeliver20grams of proteinper 100 calories, making it one of the most proteindense foods, beating out chicken, beef, salmon and eggs. Catherine Champagne, anutrition re-

searcher at LSU’sPennington Biomedical Research Center,saidthe cholesterol content in crawfish is notaconcern for most people because they’re low in saturated fat.

“They’re relatively low in fatand calories,” said Champagne. “It’sahealthy choice.”

They’re also packed with key micronutrientslikecopper, manganese, selenium and B12, which are all greatfor overall health, brain health and immune system protection, Armentor said.

Crawfish contain about 200 to 300 milligrams of omega-3 fatty acidsper serving. That’snot as much as cold water fish like salmon, butmorethan white fish such as cod or tilapia.

The communal way they’re eaten can also encourage healthier eatinghabits.

“When you have to sit thereand peel it, you slow down,” Champagne said.

While crawfish is naturally lean and

ä See CRAWFISH, page 3X

Risk of dementia canbe reduced

BY SHANTELL GOMEZ and MARGARET DeLANEY Contributing and staff writers

Watching someone suddenly struggle to remember simple everyday things is heartbreaking. The personisstill 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 potentialcausesand risk factorsfor dementia for years. In 2024, the Lancet CommissiononDementiaPrevention, 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 LDLcholesterol, 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,aLafayettenative 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 withthese lifestyle modifications addressing the 14 risk factors.

Even those with agenetic predisposition to dementia can decrease their risk through healthy choices: n prioritizing cognitively stimulating activities throughout life, n minimizing exposure to harmfulnoise, n staying socially activeand 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.

Theroleofdietinbrain health

The Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention forNeurodegenerative Delay,orMIND 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 wellasthe Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet that was

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Jordan Jones stirscrawfish as theyboil at the booth for C&M Crawchicks during Crawfête in March in BatonRouge.

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

Continued frompage1X

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

Champagne

“It is scientifically proventolower blood pressure, lower the risk of stroke, lower the risk of cardiovascular events and works to improve metabolism regardless of your size,” Champagne said.

All three diets (the MIND, Mediterraneanand DASH) highlight plant-basedfoods and limit the intake of animal and high saturated fat foods.

Research shows that individuals who followedthe MINDdiet experienced a53% lower risk of developing Alzheimer’sdisease.

“Eventhosewho adhered to the diet moderatelydemonstrateda reducedrisk,” said Lafayette neurologist, 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

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

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.

Keller

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-

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

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

patient care.

Eat Fit Live Fit

BRO UGHT TO YO UB Y

Rosemary garlic biscuits:A healthier reimagining of abelovedcomfort

food

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

“I

Source:Centers forDisease Controland Prevention

Molly Kimball 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,”hesaid. “Ifyou have ahistory of diabetes, make sure you have your insulin withyou.Ifyou have a history of asthma, make sure you have an extra asthmapump with you, 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.

Keeping youwell,so youdon’t missa beat

JAZZ FEST

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 mid-

March. 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

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