The Times-Picayune 05-03-2025

FRIDAY

@ JAZZ FEST

SonRompePeraperformFriday in the Cultural ExchangePavilionStage at the NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival.

CASUAL FRIDAY

Joan Jett,IrmaThomas, SonRompe Pera enlivenJazzFest

Lawmakers tryagain on tax revamp

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

Amonth ago, voters soundly rejected a complicated proposal by Gov.Jeff Landry to revampthe tax section of Louisiana’s constitution.

The defeat hasnot deterredLandry and his legislative alliesfrom trying to take another bite of the apple, albeit in smaller bites.

The governor andhis alliesbelieve that voters rebuffed Amendment 2onMarch 29 because it was too complexand tried to make too many different changes. They note that the numerous changes contained in the amendment were spelled out in a115page bill.

Trucker hat-wearing country singer Luke Combs’ “Where The Wild Things Are” anddreadlocked reggae scion Julian Marley &the Wailers’ “Rastaman Vibration”have very little in common, exceptthat they were both performed within easy walkingdistance of oneanother Friday at theNew OrleansJazz &HeritageFestival. Mostly,Friday felt comfortably crowded and consistently comfortable thanks to overcastskies and themild temperatures.

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It was more than comfortably crowded for Irma Thomas at the overflowing Gospel Tent. Ushers at one point stopped late-arriving fans from entering the tent. Butthose with the patience could slip into the back corner and receive the blessingthat is Irma Thomas singing gospel. She doesn’tdoher secular songsinthe GospelTent, just as she doesn’tdo

Joan Jett,right, and the Blackhearts close out the Gentilly StageonFridayat theNew Orleans Jazz &HeritageFestival.

them when she sings in church on Sundays With adrummer,bassist, guitarist and organist and four backing vocalists behind her,Thomas caressed a set of religious material. As alittle girl,she said, her parentsinsisted she attend Sunday school. The songs

ä Saturday’scubes. PAGE 1D

from those years stuck.

“If you want to sing along, Idon’t have aproblem with that,” she

ä See JAZZ FEST, page 4A

So, after breaking out the popular individual pieces, they are now pushing four specific changes that were part of Amendment 2, which lost at the polls along with three other amendments.

“Voters saidtheywanted to be abletovote on simplerforms of those elements,”said Richard Nelson, the revenue secretary and intellectualauthorofAmendment 2. “This is responsive to that.”

Those changes would:

n Eliminate threeeducation trust funds, pay off retirement debt and use much of

‘He’sjustthatkid’

From platelunches to primetime, John Foster takeshis Cajunroots to Hollywood

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

On anygiven Monday, the daily lunch special at Benoit’s Country Meat Block in Addis is meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy,greenbeansand dessert for $10.99,but these days, every plate lunch comes with aheapingside of John Foster pride.

Located, as the crow flies, about ahalf mile from the Mississippi River,Benoit’s CountryMeatBlock’s roots are deep in Cajun country.The store is ownedby”American

Idol” sensation John Foster’s family,whose grandparents hailfrom Church Point and Lawtell.

When Foster showed up for his “American Idol” audition in Nashville, he brought care packages ofboudin, Benoit’s seasoningand beef jerky from hisfamily’s business in Addis, wherethey sell the full range of Cajun delicacies:hog head cheese, tasso, hot tamales, three types of gumbo,grillades, alligator and 78 other items.

“JohnFoster loves the beef jerky,”his grandmother,Verbie

Benoit, said. “And somebody at ‘American Idol’ lovesthe seasoning because they ordered a bunch thatI delivered the last time we were out there. That’s

what Luke Bryanwas licking offhis fingers becausehesaid it was so good.”

BYDAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

Theembattled secretaryofLouisiana’s environmental agency is leaving for a post with aWashington, D.C., lawfirm after months of controversy from staffers upsetoverher managementstyle andamid high-profile departures. Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality,has accepteda positionwith Earth andWater Law Firm, theGovernor’sOffice said Friday As the next secretary,Gov JeffLandry named Courtney Burdette, aformer 10year DEQ stafferwho left last year earlyinGiacometto’stenure. “I wanttosincerely thank Aurelia for herdedicated service to our State andthe Department of Environmental Quality.Aurelia prioritized environmental

PROVIDED PHOTO By ERICMCCANDLESS Louisiana’sJohn Foster,right, wavestothe audience after learning he’dmade‘American Idol’s’ top 10 on Mondaynight Other contestants, from left, Canaan James Hill, GabbySimone and Josh King are alsointhe top 10.

Keith Spera

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRIS GRANGER

Trump re-ups threat to Harvard’s tax exemption

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Friday re-upped his threat to strip Harvard University of its tax-exempt status, escalating a showdown with the first major college that has defied the administration’s efforts to crack down on campus activism.

He’s underscoring that pledge even as federal law prohibits senior members of the executive branch from asking the Internal Revenue Service to conduct or terminate an audit or an investigation. The White House has said any IRS actions will be conducted independently of the president.

“We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status,” Trump wrote on his social media site Friday morning from Palm Beach, Florida, where he is spending the weekend “It’s what they deserve!”

The president has questioned the fate of Harvard’s tax-exempt status — which a majority of U.S. colleges and universities have — ever since the school refused to comply with the administration’s demands for broad government and leadership changes, revisions to its admissions policy, and audits of how diversity is viewed on the campus That prompted the administration to block more than $2 billion in federal grants to the Cambridge, Massachusetts institution.

Harvard stressed Friday that there is “no legal basis” to revoke its tax-exempt status.

“Such an unprecedented action would endanger our ability to carry out our educational mission,” the school said in a statement. “It would result in diminished financial aid for students, abandonment of critical medical research programs, and lost opportunities for innovation. The unlawful use of this instrument more broadly would have grave consequences for the future of higher education in America.”

7 dead after collision near Yellowstone Park

BOISE, Idaho A pickup truck and a tour van collided on a highway leading to Yellowstone National Park, leaving seven people dead and eight others injured, Idaho State Police said The crash happened Thursday near Henry’s Lake State Park in eastern Idaho, police said in a news release. The state park is roughly 16 miles west of Yellowstone National Park.

Authorities have not said what led up to the crash.

Both vehicles caught fire, the Idaho State Police said in a news release. The driver of the Dodge Ram pickup and six people inside the Mercedes passenger van died. The van was carrying a tour group of 14 people, and the surviving occupants were taken to hospitals with injuries, police spokesman Aaron Snell said.

Air ambulances and emergency paramedics responded to the collision, which remains under investigation.

Ill. man gets 53 years for killing Muslim boy

JOLIET, Ill. — An Illinois landlord who killed a 6-year-old Muslim boy and severely injured the boy’s mother in a brutal hatecrime attack was sentenced Friday to 53 years in prison.

Joseph Czuba, 73, was found guilty in February of murder, attempted murder and hate-crime charges in the death of Wadee Alfayoumi and the wounding of his mother, Hanan Shaheen Judge Amy Bertani-Tomczak sentenced Czuba to 30 years in the boy’s death and another 20 years consecutively for the attack on Shaheen. The judge also sentenced him to three years imprisonment for hate crimes.

Czuba did not speak during the sentencing. Czuba’s attorney declined to comment.

Czuba targeted them in October 2023 because of their Islamic faith and as a response to the war between Israel and Hamas, prosecutors said during the trial.

The boy’s mother said Czuba attacked her before moving on to her son, insisting they had to leave because they were Muslim Czuba’s wife, Mary, whom he has since divorced, also testified for the prosecution, saying he had become agitated about the Israel-Hamas war

Army plans military parade in D.C.

June 14 is its 250th anniversary — and also Trump’s birthday

BY LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Army on Friday confirmed there will be a military parade on President Donald Trump’s birthday in June, as part of the celebrations around the service’s 250th birthday Plans for the parade, as first detailed by The Associated Press on Thursday, call for about 6,600 soldiers, 150 vehicles and 50 helicopters to follow a route from Arlington, Virginia, to the National Mall.

Until recently the Army’s birthday festival plans did not include a massive parade, which officials say will cost tens of millions of dollars.

But Trump has long wanted a military parade, and discussions with the Pentagon about having one in conjunction with the birthday festival began less than two months ago.

The Army’s 250th birthday happens to coincide with Trump’s 79th birthday on June 14. In a statement Friday, Army spokesman Steve Warren said the Army’s birthday

celebration will include “a spectacular fireworks display, a parade, and a daylong festival on the National Mall.”

The pricey parade comes as Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency, run by Elon Musk, have slashed federal government departments, personnel and programs, with thousands of workers losing their jobs, including civilians in the Defense Department

In comments to Fox News Digital, White House officials confirmed a commemorative parade would take place and said it would be one of the first events to kick off a yearlong celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary

When asked about the parade Thursday the White House did not respond, and Army officials said no decision had been made. While officials said there has now been a formal decision to proceed with the parade, there is still no specific cost estimate.

Warren said that given the significance of the Army birthday, they

are looking at options “to make the celebration even bigger, with more capability demonstrations, additional displays of equipment, and more engagement with the community.”

Army planning documents, obtained this week by the AP and dated April 29 and 30, said the parade will include soldiers from at least 11 corps and divisions nationwide.

They said it would involve a Stryker battalion with two companies of Stryker vehicles, a tank battalion and two companies of tanks, an infantry battalion with Bradley vehicles, Paladin artillery vehicles, Howitzers and infantry vehicles.

The plans note that while the parade will begin near the Pentagon, the heavy tracked vehicles — which would include the Strykers — would be stationed near the Lincoln Memorial and join the procession there, so they will not go over the bridge from Virginia.

City officials, including D.C.

Mayor Muriel Bowser, acknowledged in April that the administra-

Drones strike ship carrying aid to Gaza, organizers say

BY SAM MEDNICK and RENATA BRITO Associated Press

TEL AVIV, Israel Drones attacked a vessel carrying aid to Gaza on Friday in international waters off Malta, the group organizing the shipment said, in the latest confrontation over efforts to send assistance to the Palestinian territory devastated by nearly 19 months of war

A nearby tugboat responded to a distress call from the Conscience, which authorities said experienced a fire that was brought under control. The vessel was carrying 12 crew members and four civilians, the Maltese government said, adding that those aboard refused to leave the ship The group was safe and no serious injuries were reported, it said.

The Freedom Flotilla Coalition accused Israel of attacking its ship. The group did not provide evidence for that claim or to show that the fire was caused by drones, but in a video it shared an explosion could be heard Another video showed a fire blazing.

The Israeli army did not respond to a request for comment. Israel has cut off Gaza from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March, leading to what is believed to be the worst humanitarian crisis in the war with Hamas, the Palestinian militant group.

Stranded in international waters

Video taken after the explosions showed two large holes in the ship’s deck, with thick smoke surrounding the vessel. The person recording the footage said the ship had been hit twice and was on fire about 14 miles from Malta. The video was provided by Codepink, a grassroots peace and social justice movement

The ship’s generator was badly damaged and will need to be repaired before continuing, said Charlie Andreasson, who has been involved with the Freedom Flotilla for more than a decade.

It’s unclear where the ship will be able to stop for repairs, said Tighe Barry, a Codepink member who was among a group of activists who took speedboats to the Conscience after the attack. The boats were turned away by Maltese authorities, he said, but one person made it aboard and spoke to the captain.

Barry said the nation of Palau revoked its flag from the Conscience prior to the attack, and authorities in Malta, Greece and Turkey have threatened to confiscate the ship if it comes to port. Barry said the ship is loaded with medicine and food supplies

“To get a new flag will take months, so they’re just stuck out there,” Barry said of the crew

Man jailed days after winning Powerball

BY DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky Powerball winner was arrested and charged with kicking a police officer in Florida days after he won a $167 million jackpot

James S. Farthing, who goes by Shannon, found out Sunday that he won the state’s biggest ever jackpot after his mother called him, according to a media release from the Kentucky Lottery

The lottery said Farthing and his mother were splitting the winnings.

But Farthing, 50, was in a Florida jail by midweek, according to media reports.

He has been charged with battery of a police officer and resisting arrest after a Pinellas County sheriff’s deputy was attempting to break up a fight between Farthing and another person in a hotel when Farthing kicked the officer in the face, according to a police report written Tuesday The officer told Farthing to turn around put his hands behind his back, but Farthing attempted to flee, the police report said Farthing was booked into jail early

Wednesday morning and remained in

custody Friday, according to the county’s online jail records.

Farthing went to lottery headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky, on Monday with his mother, Linda Grizzle, to claim their winnings.

“It’s going to be a good Mother’s Day,” Grizzle told lottery officials. “This is going to pay off my debt.” Grizzle said she called her son Sunday saying she thought they had the winning ticket. They rushed to the gas station where he bought the ticket to confirm it, the lottery said.

“I would have never dreamed it. It hasn’t sunken in yet,” she said.

In an interview with WKYT-TV that Sunday, Farthing said the winnings would help his mother

“I’ve caused a lot of stress on her, you know, I’ve made some bad decisions in life and, you know God’s been good because I’ve kept my faith and done right,” he told the news station.

Online court records in Kentucky show Farthing has been arrested several times in recent years on various charges, including assault and domestic violence.

tion reached out to the city about holding a parade on June 14. At the time, she said that tanks rolling through the city’s streets “would not be good.”

“If military tanks were used, they should be accompanied with many millions of dollars to repair the roads,” she said.

The Army birthday festival has been planned for more than a year and is slated to include displays of Army equipment, military demonstrations, musical performances and a fitness competition on the National Mall.

The late afternoon parade would be followed by a parachute jump by the Golden Knights, a concert and the fireworks.

During his first term, Trump proposed having a parade after seeing one in France on Bastille Day in 2017. Trump said that after watching the two-hour procession along the famed Champs-Elysees he wanted an even grander one on Pennsylvania Avenue.

That plan was ultimately dumped due to the huge costs — with one estimate of a $92 million price tag — and other logistical issues.

Administration asks court to let DOGE into Social Security system

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Friday to clear the way for Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency to access Social Security systems containing personal data on millions of Americans. The emergency appeal comes after a judge in Maryland restricted the team’s access under federal privacy laws. Social Security holds personal records on nearly everyone in the country, including school records, bank details, salary information and medical and mental health records for disability recipients, according to court documents.

Solicitor General John Sauer argued that the judge’s restrictions disrupt DOGE’s urgent work and inappropriately interfere with executive-branch functions. “Left undisturbed, this preliminary injunction will only invite further judicial incursions into internal agency decision-making,” he wrote. Musk insists reducing waste in the program is an important way to cut government spending.

An appeals court refused to immediately to lift the block on DOGE access, though it split along ideological lines. The ruling from U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in Maryland that blocked DOGE from Social Security systems did allow staffers to access data that has been redacted or stripped of anything personally identifiable.

The government says the DOGE team needs access to target waste in the federal government, and asked the justices to put the lower court order on hold as the lawsuit over the issue plays out.

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This photo taken from the ship AEOLUS shows the Conscience on Friday after a drone struck the vessel carrying aid to Gaza off the coast of Malta.

FOSTER

At 75, Benoit says she never anticipated “allofthis” and admits that the foofaraw around her grandson is, at times, overwhelming. Even so, she’sready for the show, in every sense.

“Everyweek, it’s better and better,” she said. “I didn’t know he had more talent to show us, but he does.”

She has her suitcase ready and arosary in her purse. She is heading back to Hollywood, along with 31 family members, to watch John Foster Sunday night in the “Top Ten” show of the ABC singing competition.

They will all be in the audience cheering him on, but his grandmother will also be praying.

“I pray for him— not necessarily forhim to win,” she said, “but for God to be with him.”

Benoit says she’snot worried that all of the fame will go to her grandson’shead.

Shesaw thespark earlyin him and recognized when he was 4years old that he had bright lights and abig future ahead.

He’s continuing hissecond semester at LSU studying biology,doing classes online

He’sstill got dreams of be-

cominga doctorone day. His grandmother says he wants to be an oncologist.

“Hehas such agood head on his shoulders that Idon’t think that he could ever stray from anything good,”she said.

“He’sjust that kid.”

Yes, he’ssmart, she said —co-valedictorianofhis graduating class last year Yes, he’stalented —top 10 on “American Idol.” Butwhat his grandmotherismost proud of is that “he’sagood Christianboy.”

She had thoughts regarding one of his middle school teachers who said she always thought Foster wouldbecome governor of Louisiana one day

“Wealways told himtobe

president,” hisgrandmother said.

Behind themeatcounter

Back in Addis,the folks behind the meat counter have theirown stories to tell.

RickBourgoyne has workedatBenoit’sCountry Meat Block since 1988, and he has amessage for people: JohnFoster is astage name Hisfullname is JohnFoster Benoit.

“I was telling his daddy Isaid, ‘I hope people don’t think that’shis last name because he is aBenoit, and this (thestore) is Benoit’s,’” Bourgoyne saidabout Foster.“His middle nameis Foster, just like his daddy and his grandfather’s. He’s

thethird.”

Blake Sarradethas worked at the store for 17 years.

The twohave watched Fostergrowup.

Foster to performing.

Regina DeBenedetto has only worked at Benoit’sfor two years, but she’sall-in for Foster on “American Idol.”

do something, andhelistens to it, and then he brings it on stage.”

the savings from that move to supplement salaries for teachers and support staff.

n Give parish governments the optionofending the property tax on business inventory

n Eliminate the Revenue Stabilization Fund and use the freed-up money to fill up the rainy day fund and cover the cost of phasing outthe inventory tax.

n Impose alimit on how much the state can increase spending each year on education, health care, prisons and all other government programs Each of thevarious measures, if approved by the Legislature, would go before voters individually in 2026 and take effect only with voter approval.

“It’smore easily digestible,” said state Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro,who sponsored the bill that became Amendment 2. “Many, many people called me (after the March 29 vote)and said they liked the concepts, but it was too much.”

No major opposition has emerged yet to the four proposals as they begin to work their way through the Legislature.

Landry and Nelson believed that Amendment 2 contained so many good provisionsthat voters would overlook the parts they didn’tlike. The strategy failed, and now Landry and his legislative allies are pushing only the individual changes that they think voters would accept. Dead and buried is acontroversialpartofAmendment 2that wouldhave made it somewhat easier

to remove propertytax exemptions by taking them out of the constitution and giving the Legislaturethat decision. Religious-minded conservativescontributed to the defeat of Amendment 2bycampaigning against it because of that provision.

Another elementof Amendment 2that is not being revived: aprovision to enshrine alower individualincome taxrate in theconstitution.The current rate allowed is 4.75%, but theLegislature last year imposed alower 3% rate. Without alower constitutionallimit,the Legislature in theory could raise therate to 4.75%.

Emerson, whoauthored the bill that becameAmendment 2, is back withtwo of thebite-sized pieces.

Her House Bill 473 would liquidate threeeducation trust funds and use the$2 billioninthoseaccountsto retire achunk of the debt owed by the Teachers Retirement SystemofLouisiana. Paying off that debt in turnwouldfreeup$320 millionin payments that the state and local school boards have beenmaking every year.

Of thatmoney,Emerson, Landry and legislative leaders have said they would use $200 million to allow local school districtstoturn a $2,000 one-year payment to teachers —and a$1,000 payment to supportstaff —into an annual pay raise.

The $2 billioninthe trust funds has been generating $50 millionayear to provide early childhood education for about 2,000 kids and cover other annual education costs. Lawmakers have said they would have plenty of money to payfor those programs becausepaying theteachers and support

staff more would take only $200 million of the $325 millioninannualsavings from no longermaking the debt payments.

“Thisisreally abouttrying to makesmarterfinancial decisions and pay our teachers as well,”Emerson told colleagues.

Rep. Daryl Deshotel, RHessmer, is sponsoring House Bill 366 togive parishes theright to decide whether to abolish theproperty tax on business inventory. Eliminatingthattax has been alongtime goal of business interests but one that parisheshaveresisted because of thetax revenue they would lose.

TheLandry administration believes that about40 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes wouldget ridofthe inventorytax.

Deshotel’sbill includes a sweetener tomake parishes wanttoopt out—theywould receive up to $15 million, based on their collections, to makeupfor the lost property tax revenue.

Themoney for the parisheswould come from the moneythat would be freed up by foldingthe Revenue Stabilization Fund into the rainy day fund.

That’swhatEmerson is proposing to do through House Bill 678.

Emerson toldmembers of the Ways andMeansCommittee on Mondaythat the Revenue Stabilization Fund has so muchmoney in it ($2.7 billion) thatlawmakerscan put it to better use. Under current law, all corporate taxrevenue collected above $600 million each year flows into that fund, so the amount in it has grown rapidly in recent years.

Under Emerson’sbill, about $2 billion of the $3 billion wouldbeusedtofill up

“He works here someduring theChristmas holidays,” Sarradet said. “Butwe’ve also watched him perform locally.Weknewhewas good, but he keeps getting better.”

They both give someofthe credit to his uncle, Gaylen Martin, who is alocal musician,for introducingJohn

therainy day fund, which currently has$1.1 billion in it. Another $265 millionorso from repealing the Revenue Stabilization Fund wouldgo to the 40 or so parishes that opt out of the inventory tax.

Eliminating the Revenue Stabilization Fund would not only create money for these one-time spending proposals. It would also allow corporate tax revenue over $600 millionper year that has been flowing into thatfund to be available for spending on popular government programs. Corporate tax revenue in 2025 is projected to be $1.2 billion, so eliminating theRevenue Stabilization Fund is expected togenerate

She voted for him 30 times Monday night by texting the number 13 to 21523. She said sheencourageseveryone else to do the same.

“He’sagreat person. I’ve seen, since I’ve watched the show,thathelistens to what they say,” DeBenedetto said.

“The coaches will tell him to

hundreds of millions of dollars for the general spending fund.

As part of Emerson’s HB678, if voters approve eliminating the Revenue Stabilization Fund, Louisiana’sincome tax would drop from 3% to 2.75% and the standard deduction for people over65would double.

In the same vein, under Emerson’sHouse Bill 578, Louisiana’ssales tax, which is thecountry’s highest, would drop from an average 10.12% to 9.87%, still the highest.

Whetherheends up asuperstar or adoctor,the folks at Benoit’sknow one thing forsure: JohnFoster Benoit will remain one of their own. They’ve always known he’s got the right ingredients talent, humility and adash of Cajun seasoning.

Email Jan Risheratjan. risher@theadvocate.com.

Rep. Phillip Tarver,RLake Charles, is sponsoring House Bill 295, which would attempt to rein in the growth of government spending on an ongoing basis. Acomplex formula would establish the limit, but it would not affect spending on one-time programs. “The basic idea is we don’t want government spending to growataratefaster than inflation or the state’s population,” Tarver said. “If we keep losing people, it shouldn’ttakemoremoney to serve fewerpeople.” Under his bill, the Legislature could spend above the growth limit with atwothirds vote. His amendment would not affect aseparate restriction on government spending known as the expenditurelimit.Thatlimit affects both annual and onetimespending.

stated matter-of-factly.

“Just be here to praise.”

With that, she eased into a slow-burn “Jesus Loves Me” burnished by the barest hint of church organ It was heartfelt and lovely.

Thomas is, of course, deep New Orleans But all sorts of international flavors could be sampled Friday at the Fair Grounds

The band 007 pronounced “double-oh seven,” just like James Bond, but actually inspired by a song by Jamaican rock-steady star Desmond Dekker marked its 25th anniversary at the Lagniappe Stage inside the Grandstand’s paddock area.

For that quarter-century, the members of 007 have dedicated themselves to mastering rocksteady music, a sort of 1960s Jamaican music middle ground between ska and reggae.

Anchored by longtime G. Love & Special Sauce drummer Jeffrey Clemens, 007 also features New Orleans singer-songwriter Alex McMurray and the New Orleans Klezmer Allstars’ Jonathan Freilich on guitars and Iguanas saxophonist Joe Cabral on bass. All four have a feel for the music. Clemens’ vocal inflections were also true to the music’s feel.

At Congo Square Benin International Musical came across like an Afro-pop garage rock band that also veers into hip-hop. The drummer/vocalist, guitarist, bassist, keyboardist and a female singer/rapper traveled a long way to be at Jazz Fest. Their set represented musical styles bouncing back and forth across the Atlantic Ocean. A repeating guitar riff that sounded like a grungier “La Bamba” continued for several bars before the full band fell in.

Leaving Benin International Musical, I ran into a Mexican parade with an oversize head figure, women with elaborate dresses and headpieces, and a dozen mostly brass musicians behind them. Their brass blended with the Free

DEQ

Continued from page 1A

improvements to our air, land, and water, while also keeping a focus on the jobs and businesses that often suffer from red-tape and overregulation,” Landry said in a statement. “We are grateful for her actions to improve the Department and wish her the best in her next endeavor.

Landry’s statement didn’t address Giacometto’s rocky tenure at DEQ, nor did Giacometto’s resignation letters to employees and the governor Giacometto, a former wildlife and fisheries director in President Donald Trump’s first term, came in with Landry’s initial cabinet, promising to streamline

Agents Brass Band’s “Made It Through That Water” as they passed the Jazz & Heritage Stage. At the Gentilly Stage, Hurray For the Riff Raff’s Alynda Segerra led her ensemble through understated Americana snapshots throughout the latter part of the set. It sounded fine on a cool day at Jazz Fest, if maybe a tad understated for the slot right before Joan Jett & the Blackhearts. There was absolutely nothing understated about Son Rompe Pera, one of the most buzzed-about Mexican bands at Jazz Fest The bassist sported a T-shirt that proclaimed “Cumbia is the new punk.” The final 20 minutes of Son Rompe Pera at the Jazz & Heritage Stage — they performed earlier in the day at the Cultural Exchange Pavilion — proved the point

DEQ and align it to promote economic development while still protecting the environment.

But her leadership style rubbed employees the wrong way triggering a state audit of the agency’s workplace culture. In public statements responding to accusations, Giacometto argued the criticisms were false and part of the price she was paying from a few disgruntled employees to bring transformational change to the agency

“I was not appointed to take the easy or popular road I am inspired daily by the dedication of LDEQ’s hard working employees, and I am not going to allow a few to undermine their great work and the success of this agency,” she said in a response to one scathing letter from a former agency

A shirtless, heavily tattooed musician took a wild solo on a xylophone. Later he would parade around holding a painted papiermache bull atop his head. He was joined by a second musician on the same xylophone. Meanwhile, the drummer and two percussionists — one of them also shirtless and heavily tattooed — were whipping up a furious rhythm. One of two guitarists knocked out a punkish solo as the bassist helped hold it all together Just when it seemed like the energy level couldn’t get any higher, the musicians from the Mexican parade arrived onstage for a no-holds-barred charge through “Cariñito,” a Peruvian cumbia song that, over the past 40 years, has become something of a Latin American music standard. Son Rompe Pera and their onstage guests turned into joyous punk cumbia.

human resources lawyer and ethics attorney several weeks ago.

According to Politico Pro, Giacometto had been in the running in early December for a new post as a deputy Interior secretary with the Trump administration, but the nomination went to one of her competitors, Kate MacGregor, in January

At the time, the DEQ workplace audit, made public in late February was still pending.

In the weeks before Friday’s announcement, Giacometto continued to make public appearances, recently testifying before a legislative panel this month on streamlining permits for nuclear reactors in the state.

In an email sent to employees on Friday, Giacometto said it was “bittersweet” news to tell them she was

Julian Marley and the current incarnation of the Wailers were far more laid back than Son Rompe Pera. But their collective groove was both steady and deep as they tapped into the shared Wailers / Marley legacy

The reached back to Bob Marley’s 1967 collaboration with the Wailers, “Stir It Up,” then fast-forwarded a decade later to “Waiting In Vain,” from the Marley / Wailers “Exodus” album.

The vibes were so good that New Orleans police chief Anne Kirkpatrick posed for photos with fans from the passenger seat of a NOPD Polaris stopped on

leaving for her new job in Washington after her time at DEQ.

“Over the past 17 months, I have been privileged to lead this agency through transformative initiatives that have made a significant impact on our environment and communities. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the support and collaboration I have experienced from each of you,” she wrote.

Giacometto also detailed her accomplishments: modernizing the department’s internal infrastructure, including a permit dashboard; cutting the agency’s budget by 2.5%, or $5 million, for the La. DOGE process; and creating teams to address long-standing environmental problems, including the dusty red mud ponds in Burnside.

the dirt track. Jett and her Blackhearts sported all black at the Gentilly Stage. Between songs during the middle section of her set, a tech dashed out to clip printed lyrics to a stand in front of Jett — no teleprompter needed. The lyrics were for lesser songs in the Joan Jett oeuvre, such as “Lie To Me” and, especially a flat “Different.

But then the tech took away the lyric sheet stand as Jett returned to more familiar territory with “Love Is Pain.” Momentum built even more with a right-on “Everyday People.”

In a statement Friday, Roger Ward now the former human resources lawyer who sent a critical letter about Giacometto to media outlets earlier this month when he resigned, called her departure “long overdue but fantastic news for DEQ and its employees” after the “nightmare” of her tenure.

“The damage she has done to the agency is immense and it is a shame that it took so many complaints and departures to finally get the governor to address her egregious and narcissistic behavior,” Ward wrote.

He added that employees are thrilled with the appointment of Burdette, praising her for her smarts and “temperament to lead the agency.”

Before Burdette’s time at DEQ, she was previously an attorney with the Louisiana

And then, finally, the beat and riff that everyone was waiting for arrived: “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Cell phones started filming all across the field. The opening “aahhh” of the subsequent “Crimson and Clover” was wellreceived. And Jett and the Blackhearts were firing on all cylinders for “I Hate Myself For Loving You” and the final charge through “Bad Reputation.” Those last few songs demonstrated why Jett’s reputation is what it is.

Email Keith Spera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

Board of Ethics and an assistant attorney general with the Louisiana Department of Justice handling civil cases.

“Courtney has played a pivotal role at LDEQ for a decade, and it is exciting to bring her leadership and experience back to the Department,” Landry said in his statement. “I am confident that Courtney will continue to move the department in a direction that protects our environment while also fighting for Louisiana businesses over bureaucracy.”

Burdette earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Howard University and her law degree from LSU, the Governor’s Office said. She is married and has two children.

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

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Luke Combs performs Friday on the Festival Stage during the sixth day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Hurray For the Riff Raff performs Friday on the Gentilly Stage at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Meschiya Lake and the Little Big Horns perform Friday in the Blues Tent during the sixth day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Karen Rice and Tammie Most wear their Jazz Fest hats Friday during the sixth day of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Trumpbudgetseeks sharpspendingcuts

BY LISA MASCARO and JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON The White House releasedPresident Donald Trump’s2026 budget proposal Friday,hoping to slash, if not zero out, spending on many government programs. It seeks a sweepingrestructuring of the nation’sdomestic priorities reflective of the president’sfirst 100 days in office and sudden firing of federal workers.

Trump’splan aims for steep cuts to child care, disease research, renewable energy and peacekeeping abroad, many already underway through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency,all while pumpingupbillions forthe administration’smass deportations agenda.

The budget drafters echo Trump’spromises to end “woke programs,” including preschool grants to states with diversity programs. And they reflect his vow to stop the “weaponization of government” by slashing the Internal Revenue Service, even as critics accuse him of using the levers of power to punish people and institutions he disfavors.

Overall it’sa sizable reduction in domestic accounts

—ofnearly23%,the White House said. At the same time, the WhiteHouse said it is relying on Congress tounleash $375 billioninnew money forthe Homeland Security andDefensedepartmentsas part of Trump’s“big,beautifulbill” of tax cuts and spending reductions.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, welcomed the proposalas“a bold blueprint thatreflects

the valuesofhardworking Americans and the commitment to American strength and prosperity.”

Budgets do notbecome law but serve as atouchstonefor the coming fiscal year debates. Often considereda statementofvalues, this first budget since Trump’sreturn to the White House carries the added weight of defining theRepublican president’ssecondterm pursuits, alongside his

partyinCongress. It comes as Trumphas unilaterally imposed what could be hundreds of billions of dollars in tax increases in theformoftariffs,setting off atrade war that has consumers, CEOs and foreign leaders worried about apossible economic downturn.

Democrats assailed the budgetasadevastating foreshadowing of Trump’s vision for thecountry “President Trumphas

made hispriorities clearas day: he wants to outright defund programsthat help working Americans,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. This, she said, “while he shovels massive tax breaks at billionaireslike himself andraisestaxes on middleclassAmericans withhis reckless tariffs.”

The White House Office of Management and Budget, headed by Russell Vought, achiefarchitect of Project 2025fromthe conservative Heritage Foundation, provided contours of aso-called skinny version of topline numbers only

It covers only the federal government’s discretionary spending, now about $1.83 trillionayear on defense and nondefense accounts. Trump’steam drops that spending by $163 billion, to $1.69 trillion, aportion of thenation’s nearly $7 trillion budget that includes far more programs and services. Federal budgets have been climbing steadily,ashave annualdeficitsthatare fast approaching $2 trillionwith annual interest payments on the debt almost $1 trillion.That’sthanks mostly to the spike in emergency COVID-19pandemic spending, changes in the tax code

that reduced revenues and theclimbingcosts of Medicare, Medicaidand other programs. The nation’sdebt load, at $36 trillion, is ballooning.

Among some of the White House’s proposedhighlights:

The State Department and international programs would lose 84% of their money andreceive $9.6 billion, reflecting deep cuts already underway,including to the U.S. Agency forInternational Development. The Health andHuman Services Department would be cutby$33.3 billionand the Education Department’s spending would be reduced by $12 billion. The Centers forDisease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health would all face steep reductions.

The Defense Department would get an additional $113.3 billion and Homeland Security would receive $42.3 billion more. Much of that is contingent on Congress approving Trump’sbig bill. Congress is already deep intothe slogofdrafting of Trump’sbig bill of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered funds for the administration’s massdeportation effort —apackage that, unlike the budget plan, would carry theforce of law.

Budget slashesNASAfunds,kills Artemisproject aftermoonlanding

BY RICHARD TRIBOU Orlando Sentinel (TNS)

President Donald Trump’sproposed budget looks to end the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft and Gateway space station centraltoNASA’s existing Artemis program —but onlyafter asuccessful moon landingasthe nation remains in arace with China

Apreliminary overview ofthe White House’splanned 2026 discretionary budget released Friday dubbed SLS and Orion as “grossly expensive and delayed,” citing that

each launch costs the government $4 billion and theprogram overall is 140% over budget

It’s amongbillionsincuts for the overall $18.8 billion proposed budget for NASA, which forthe current fiscal year is nearly $25 billion. Ultimately,Congresswill pass abudget and it often counters presidential proposals

The Trump administration looks to drop funds toward Artemis’ future launches by $879 million with agoal of endingthem after the Artemis III flight

“The budget funds aprogram to

replace SLS andOrion flights to themoon with more cost-effective commercial systemsthat would supportmore ambitious subsequent lunar missions,” the White Houseproposalstated. “The budgetalso proposestoterminate the Gateway,a small lunar space station in development withinternational partners, which would have been used to supportfutureSLS and Orion missions.”

NASA flew thesuccessfuluncrewed Artemis Imissionthat orbitedthe moon in 2022 andhas its first crewed mission, ArtemisII,

Courtbattlelikelyoverorder

to defund public broadcasting

BY STEPHENBATTAGLIO Los Angeles Times (TNS)

President Donald Trump issued alatenight executive order Thursday calling for an end to government dollars for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the taxpayer-backed entity that provides funding to public media outletsthe president described as “left wing propaganda.” But Trump’songoing effort tocut federal funding of public media outletssuchasPBS and NPR already is facingstiff opposition.

The CPB immediately fired back Friday, with astatement asserting that thepresident does not have the power to cut offits funding. “Congressdirectly authorizedand funded CPB to be aprivate nonprofit corporation wholly independent ofthe federal government,” the CPB said ina statement The White House isexpected to go to Congress with aformal request to claw back the $1.1 billion currently allocated for theCPB over the next two years But the president’sexecutive order will not help if the White Houseistaken to court

over theissue, which appears likely

PBSPresident Paula Kerger said in a statement that the service is “exploringall options.”

“Thepresident’s blatantly unlawful Executive Order, issuedinthe middle of the night, threatens ourabilitytoservethe American public witheducational programming, as we have for the past 50-plus years,” Kerger said.

NPR Chief Executive KatherineMaher called Trump’sorder “an affront to the First Amendment rightsofNPR andlocally owned and operated stations throughout Americatoproduce and air programming that meetsthe needs of their communities.”

Thepresident’sannouncement of the executive order —titled “President Trump Finally Ends the Madness of NPR, PBS”— camewith alitanyofstories described as “examples of the trashthat has passed for ‘news.’”

Theexamples included an NPR story on eatinghuman placentas, apractice thathas beenaround for decades, and a2017 documentary about atransgender teen on PBS.

Judgetemporarily blocks administration from dismantlinglibrary services agency

BYMICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Afederal judge agreed to temporarily block the Trump administration from taking any more steps to dismantle an agency that funds and promoteslibraries across the U.S. U.S. District Judge Richard Leon ruled Thursday that plaintiffs who sued to preserve the Institute of Museum and Library Services are likely to show that the Republican administration doesn’thave the legal authority to unilaterally shutter the agency,which Congress created. The American LibraryAssociation and the American FederationofState,County and Municipal Employees

filed alawsuit lastmonthto stop the administration from gutting the instituteafter President Donald Trump

signedaMarch 14 executiveorder that refers to it and several other federal agencies as “unnecessary.”

Keith Sonderling, the agency’snewly appointed acting director,subsequently placedmany agency staff members on administrative leave, sent termination notices to most of them, began cancelinggrants and contracts and fired all members of theNational Museum and LibraryServices Board “These harmsare neither speculative nor remediable,” Leon wrote. Thejudge saidhewas issuing a“narrow” temporary restraining order that preserves the status quo at the agency without granting all of thereliefthatplaintiffs attorneyswereseeking. It bars the administration fromtaking any moresteps to dissolvethe agencyorits operations, fire any staffers

or cancel contracts while the lawsuit is pending.

The institutehas roughly 75 employees and issued more than $266 million in grantslast year Government lawyerssaid Trump’sexecutive order requires theinstitutetoreduce its work to only thatwhich is required by statute. They also arguedthatthe district court doesn’thave jurisdiction over plaintiffs’ claims.

Cindy Hohl, president of theAmerican Library Association, saidthe cut in fundingisalreadyimpacting libraries across the country,including in rural areas wherelibraries are setting up their summer reading programs. “Many libraries thatalready have contracts with performers and educators, they’re having to find other ways to be able to pay for their assistance with programs,” she said.

gearing up to fly around the moon no later than April. Artemis III, still on NASA’s calendar forsummer 2027, would return humans to thelunar surface forthe first time since Apollo 17 in 1972.

TheTrump budget proposal looks to keep the humanexplorationbudget the highest line item withmore than $7 billion —including$1billion in new investments to pursue Mars-focusedprograms That’s the only program with a proposed increase.

Thebiggest loserinthe proposed budget is space science with cuts

of more than $2.2 billionfollowed by morethan $1.1 billion in cuts to Earth science, mission support and more than $500 millionfrom space technology “Inlinewiththe administration’s objectives of returning to the moon before China and putting aman on Mars, thebudgetwould reduce lower priority research and terminate unaffordable missions such as the Mars Sample Return mission that is grossly overbudget and whose goals would be achieved by human missions to Mars,” the proposal stated.

those benefits endwithretirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocket can come as a shock,leading people to put off or even go without care

Simply put— without dentalinsurance, there may be an importantgap in your healthcare coverage.

Medicare doesn’tpay for dental care.1

That’sright. As good as Medicare is, it wasnever meanttocovereverything. Thatmeans if you wantprotection,you need to purchase individual insurance.

Early detection canprevent small problems from becoming expensive ones.

The best waytopreventlarge dental bills is preventivecare. TheAmerican Dental Association recommends checkups twice ayear.

Previousdentalwork canwearout

Even if you’ve hadquality dental work in the past, you shouldn’t takeyourdental health forgranted. In fact,yourodds of having adental problem onlygoupas you age.2

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, speaks as President Donald Trump,right, listens Thursdayduring aNational DayofPrayerevent at the White House in Washington.

BY ANDREA GALLO Staff writer

The Times-Picayune |The Advocate was named “Newspaper of the Year” and won theFreedom of Information Award at the Louisiana Press Association’sannual Better Newspaper Contest.

The awards, which were announced Thursday evening, included honors for news, sports, feature and opinion writing as well as photography,headline writing and more. The newspaper won the Freedom of InformationAward forits coverage of an attempt in the Louisiana Legislature to

repeal the state’spublic records laws, which ultimately failed

“Wepublished many stories detailing the law’spotentialimpact,and we highlighted howpublic records helped to exposemajor cover ups in Louisianahistory,” thenewspaper wrote its contest entry letter

Thenewspaper also swept the investigative reporting category inits division.

Judges honored reporters Joseph Cranney and Jeff Adelson for their”Broken City” series on infrastructure failures in New Orleans; reporter Andrea Gallo for her stories on child welfare failuresacross Louisiana; and reporter Sam Karlin for his ”Breaking Point”series on theproperty insurance crisis alongthe coast

Other award winners from

TheTimes-Picayune|The Advocateinclude:

n First place for best front page, staff

n First place for best headline, Andrea Daniel

n First place for best breaking news story, Charles Lussier

n First place for best feature story,Jan Risher

n First place for best news story,Tyler Bridges

n First place for bestregular column (SamHanna Award), Stephanie Grace

n First place for best investigative reporting(Gibbs Adams Award), Joseph Cranney and Jeff Adelson

n First place for best sports story,WilsonAlexander

n First place for best sportscolumn, ScottRabalais

n First place for best news

photo, Javier Gallegos

n First place for best feature photo, Michael Johnson

n First place for best news video, Chelsea Shannon, Ian McNultyand Chris Granger

The Acadiana Advocate andSt. Tammany Farmer, which arejudged in differentdivisions, alsowon variety of awards. They include:

n First place for best headline, Chris Martin

n First place for best breaking news story,Claire Taylor and Stephen Marcantel

n First place for best news story,Alena Maschke

n Firstplacefor best singleeditorial, Arnessa Garrett

n First place, best layout anddesign (Gary Hebert Award), staff

n First place, bestfront page,St. Tammany Farmer

staff n First place, best breaking news story,St. Tammany Farmer staff

n First place, best feature story,Kim Chatelain

n First place,best news story,Jessica Saggio

n First place, regular column (Sam Hanna Award), Jessica Saggio

n First place, best investigative reporting (Gibbs AdamsAward), Alex Lubben

n First place, best sports story,Joseph Halm

n First place, best sports column, Joseph Halm

n First place,best news photo, Grant Therkildsen

Scientific societiessay they’llstepuponclimate report

Assessment required by law nowinquestion

BY SETH BORENSTEIN AP science writer

WASHINGTON Twomajor scientific societies on Fridaysaid they willtry to fill the void from the Trump administration’s dismissal of scientists writing acornerstone federal report on what climate change is doing to the United States.

The American Meteorological Society and the AmericanGeophysical Union said they will work together to produce peerreviewed researchdocuments assessing the current andfuture nationalimpacts ofclimate change because ascience-based report required by law is suddenly in questionunder President Donald Trump.

Earlier thisweek, Trump’s Republican administration told about 400 scientists working on the National Climate Assessment thatthey were no longerneeded and that the report was being reevaluated.That report, coming once every fourto five years, is required by a 1990 federal law and was due out around 2027. Preliminary budget documents show slashing funding or eliminatingoffices involved in coordinating that report, scientistsand activists said “Weare filling in agap in the scientific process,” AGU President Brandon Jones said. “It’smore about ensur-

waters as theyleave their homeonMarietta

ingthat science continues.” Meteorological society past president Anjuli Bamzi, aretired federal atmospheric scientistwho has worked on previous National Climate Assessments, said one of the most important parts of the federal report is that it projects 25 and 100 years into the future.

With theassessment “we’re better equipped to deal with the future,” Bamzi said. “Wecan’tbeanostrich and put our head in the sand and let it go.”

TexasTech University climatescientist Katharine Hayhoe, alsochief scientist at TheNature Conservancy, saidthe two organizations joining to dothisreport “is a testamenttohow important it is that thelatest science be summarized and available.”

and Jemaria

Hayhoe,who wasa lead author of reports in 2009, 2018 and 2023, said “people arenot awareofhow climate change is impacting the decisions that they are making today, whetherit’sthe size of thestorm sewer pipes they’re installing,whether it is theexpansion of the flood zone where people are building, whether it is the increases in extreme heat.”

They need that knowledge to figure out how to adapt to harms in thefuture and even thepresent,Hayhoe said.

The national assessment, unlike globalUnitedNations documents, highlights what’shappening to weather notjustinthe nationbut at regional and local levels.

Jones said he hopes thesocieties’ work can be done in just one year

BY MIKE STOBBE Associated Press

NEW YORK MoreU.S. children have died this flu season than at any time since the swine flu pandemic 15 years ago, according to afederalreport released Friday

The 216 pediatric deaths reported by the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention eclipse the 207 reported last year.It’sthe most since the 2009-10 H1N1 global flu pandemic.

It’sastartlingly high number, giventhat the flu season is still going on. The finalpediatric death tally for the2023-24 flu season wasn’t counted until autumn

“This number that we have now is almost certainly an undercount,and one that when the season is declared over,and they compile all the data —it’salmost certain to go up,” said Dr.Sean O’Leary,ofthe AmericanAcademy of Pediatrics.

There are likely several contributors to thisseason’sseverity,but abig oneisthat fewer children are getting flu shots, added O’Leary,a University of Coloradopediatric infectious diseases specialist

The flu vaccination rate for U.S.children hasplummeted from about 64% five years ago to 49% this season.

Flu vaccinations maynot prevent people from coming down with symptoms, but research showsthey arehighly effective at preventing hospitalizations anddeaths, O’Leary said.

The season has not only beenhardon children. CDC officials havedescribedit as “highly severe,” and estimate thatsofar there have been at least 47 million illnesses, 610,000 hospitalizationsand 26,000 deaths this season.

CDC officials have information about underlyingconditions on nearly5,200 adults who were hospitalized withfluthis season, and 95% had at least oneexisting health problem. But among 2,000 hospitalized children with moredetailed healthinformation, only about53% had an underlying condition —including asthma and obesity

The CDC report did notsay howmanyof the children who died were vaccinated. The agency didnot make an expert available to talk aboutthe flu season.

Thegood news is that flu indicators have beenwaning since February,and last week all 50 states were reporting low or minimal flu activity

The season has seen moreofamix of flu strain circulating than in many other years, with two different Type Astrains —H1N1 andH3N2 —causing alot of infections. But CDC data released earlier this year suggested flu shots weredoing apretty good jobat preventing deaths and hospitalizations.

The CDC continuestorecommendthat everyoneages 6months and older get an annual fluvaccine.

Childhoodvaccinations in general have been declining, driven by online misinformation and the political schism that emerged around COVID-19 vaccines.Robert F. Kennedy Jr.has also echoed some of the rhetoric of antivaccine activists since taking over as the nation’shealth secretary

But there may be other reasons fewer childrengot flu shots this year,O’Leary said

Many pediatricians offices are understaffed and are not holding as many afterhours vaccination clinics as in thepast. Also, more Americans are getting their vaccinationsat pharmacies, but some drugstores don’tvaccinate children, he said.

cal,mental,spiritual,and community health and wellbeing through the increasingfrequency andintensity of extreme events, increasing cases of infectious and vector-borne diseases,and declinesinfood andwater quality and security.”

In 2018, during Trump’s firstterm, theassessment wasjust as blunt, saying: “Climate change creates new risks and exacerbates existing vulnerabilitiesin communitiesacrossthe UnitedStates, presenting growing challengestohuman health and safety,quality of life, and the rate of economic growth.”

ButUniversity of Illinois climate scientist Donald Wuebbles,who ledone of 2018’stwo national reports, said he worriesabout what kind of document this new administration will try to issue, if any “I think they’ll put out

somethingthatwill, like it’ll be scientifically based, but it will be pretty crappy,” WuebblestoldThe Associated Press. Watering downorkilling the national assessment will notkeep themessage about the importance of climate change from getting out, Wuebblessaid. The scientific societies’effortsto fill thevoidwill have some value because it will be a statementofthe scientific community,and, in the end, he said, science is aboutdata and observations.

“Weknow this is an extremely important problem

We know it is humanactivities driving it. So the question is: What do you do about it?” Wuebbles said.

Stormsand wildfires don’t careifit’sa redstate or a blue state, Hayhoe said.

“Climate change affects us all,” Hayhoe said. “Itdoesn’t matter how we vote.”

The last climate assessment report, released in 2023, said that climate change is ”harming physi-

ASSOCATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By GEORGEWALKER IV

MarquettaWheeler,right, withSamaria Williams

Shaw,walk through flood

DriveinHopkinsville, Ky., April 4.

Acouplestrong to severe storms arepossible, bringing theriskfor strong winds, hailand lightning. Heavyrainispossible, too, whichcould lead to street floodinginlocalized spots. Afew more storms maylingerintolateSaturday afternoon as acoldfront pushes into theGulf South. This front will bringmuchnicer weatheron Sunday as it will be less humid and mostly sunnywithhightemperaturesaround 80 degrees.Beautiful weathercontinuesintoMonday.A more rainyand stormy pattern lookstoreturnlater Tuesdaywithmorestormsinthe forecast Wednesdayand Thursday.HumiditywillreturnstartingTuesday and high temperatures dailywillbein thelower 80s with partialsunshine

BY BETH HARRIS Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Ruth Buzzi, who rose to fame as the frumpy and bitter Gladys Ormphby on the groundbreaking sketchcomedy series “Rowan &Martin’sLaughIn” and made over 200television appearances during a45-year career,died Thursday.She was 88. Buzzi died at her home in Texas, her agent Mike Eisenstadt said. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’sand was in hospice care. Shortlybeforeher death, herhusband Kent Perkins,had posted a statement on Buzzi’sFacebook page, thanking her many fans and telling them: “She wants you to know she probably had morefun doing those shows than you had watching them.”

Buzzi won aGolden Globe and

BY CHRISTOPHER WILLS and JOHN O’CONNOR Associated Press

SPRINGFIELD,Ill.

Former Illinois

Gov. George Ryan, disgraced by a corruption scandal that landed him in prison yet heralded by some for clearing the state’sdeath row, has died. He was 91. Kankakee County Coroner Robert Gessner,afamily friend, said Ryan died Friday afternoon at his home in Kankakee. Ryan started out asmall-town pharmacist but wound up running one of the country’slargest states. Along the way,the tough-on-crime Republican experiencedaconver-

wasa two-time Emmy nomineefor theNBC show that ranfrom1968 to 1973. She wasthe onlyregularto appear inall six seasons, including thepilot.

“RuthBuzzi was acomedic genius,” Nancy Sinatra postedonX

“Working alongside her on LaughIn was the most fun Ieverhad working.I treasured herfriendship and Iamheartbroken to wake up to the news thatshe is gone.I love you,Ruthie.”

Buzzi was first spottedby “Laugh-In” creator andproducer George Schlatter playing various characters on “The Steve Allen ComedyHour.”

Schlatter was holding auditions for “Laugh-In” when he received apicture in the mailofBuzzi in herOrmphby costume, sittingina wire mesh trash barrel. The character was clad in drab brown with

‘Rowan

HenryGibson, Ruth Buzzi and Gary Owenspose for the mediain2002 in Hollywood

her bun covered by

ted in themiddle of her forehead. “I think Ihired her becauseof

sion on the death penalty and won international praise by halting executions as governor and, eventually,emptyingdeath row He served only one term as governor,from 1999 to 2003, that ended amid accusations he used governmentoffices to reward friends, win electionsand hide corruption that played arole in the fiery deathsofsix children. Eventually, Ryan wasconvicted of corruption charges andsentenced to 61/2 years in federal prison. During hismore than five years behind bars,Ryanworkedasa carpenter and befriended fellow inmates, many of whom addressed him as “governor.” He was re-

leased in January 2013, weeksbefore his 79thbirthday

He’d been defiant heading to prison. The night beforehewent in,Ryaninsisted he was innocent andwould prove it. But when Ryan asked President GeorgeW.Bush to grant him clemency in 2008, he saidheaccepted the verdict against him andfelt“deep shame.” Ryan was still serving his sentence when his wife, Lura Lynn, died in June 2011.

Born in Iowa and raisedin Kankakee, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, followed his fatherinbecoming apharmacist and had six children. In 1968, Ryan was appointedto

Ruth Buzzi, sketch player on ‘Laugh-In,’dies

my passion forGladys Ormphby,” he wroteinhis 2023 memoir“Still Laughing ALife in Comedy.”“I must admit that the hairnet and therolled-down stockings did light my fire.” BornRuth Ann Buzzi on July 24, 1936, in Westerly,Rhode Island, she was the daughter of Angelo Buzzi, anationally known stone sculptor Buzzi gother national television break on “The Garry Moore Show” in 1964. She played Shakundala the Silent,abumbling magician’sassistant to DomDeLuise’scharacter Dominic the Great.

She was asemi-regular on “That Girl” as Marlo Thomas’ friend.

Buzzi appeared in music videos with“WeirdAl” Yankovic,the B-52’sand thePresidents of the United States of America.

She did hundreds of guest voices in cartoon series including “Pound Puppies,” “Berenstain Bears,” “The Smurfs” and“TheAngry Beavers.” She wasEmmy nominated forher six-year run as shopkeeper Ruthie on “Sesame Street.” Her movie credits included “FreakyFriday,”“Chu Chu andthe Philly Flash,” “The North Avenue Irregulars” and “The Apple Dumpling GangRides Again.” Buzzi was active on social media andhad thousands of followers whom she rewarded with such oneliners as “I have never faked asarcasm” and“Scientists saythe universe is made up entirelyofneurons, protons and electrons. They seem to have missed morons.” Buzzi retired from acting in 2021 and suffered aseries of strokesthe following year.Her husbandtold The Dallas Morning News in 2023 that she had dementia.

fill an unexpired term on the county board, beginning aquick rise in politics. Eventually,heserved as speaker of theIllinois House, lieutenant governor,secretary of state and, finally,governor Aglad-handing politician from the old school, Ryan emphasized pragmatism over ideology.His willingnesstoset aside partyorthodoxysometimes put himat odds with more conservative Republicans. In 2000, after signing off on the execution of one killer,hedecided not to carry outany more. In virtuallyhis last actasgovernor,he emptied death row with pardons and commutations in 2003.

“Because the Illinois death penalty system is arbitrary and capricious —and therefore immoral —I no longer shall tinker with the machinery of death,” Ryan said. Before year’s end, he would be charged withtaking payoffs,gifts and vacations in return for steering government contracts and leases to cronies, as well as lying to investigators and cheating on his taxes. Much of the illegal activity took place duringRyan’stwo termsas Illinois secretaryofstate, including the 1994 deaths of six children. Theyburned to death after their minivanstruck apart that had fallen off atruck whosedrivergot his license illegally from Ryan’soffice.

Singer-songwriterJillSobule, knownfor ‘I Kissed aGirl,’diesinfire

BY HALLIE GOLDEN Associated Press

Jill Sobule, the award-winning singer-songwriter whose witty and poignant writing first attracted widespreadattention with the gay-themed song “I KissedaGirl,” died in ahouse fire Thursday.She was 66. Her death was confirmed by her publicist, David Elkin, in an email Thursday afternoon. It was not immediately clear how the fire in Woodbury,Minnesota, started.

“Jill Sobule was aforce of nature and human rights advocatewhose musiciswoven into our culture,” JohnPorter,her manager,said in a statement. “I hope her music, memory,& legacy continuetolive on and inspire others.”

Duringher more than three decades of recording, Sobule released 12 albumsthat addressed such complex topics as the

deathpenalty,anorexia nervosa, reproduction and LGBTQ+ issues. Her first album, “Things Here AreDifferent,” was released in 1990.Five yearslater,she received widespreadattention forher hit singles, “Supermodel,” from the movie “Clueless,” and “I Kissed A Girl,” which, despite being banned on severalSouthernradio stations, madeitintothe Billboard Top20. In 2008, after two major record companiesdumpedher andtwo indielabelswent bankruptbeneath her, Sobule raised tens of thou-

sandsofdollars fromfanssoshe could make anew album. “The oldkind of paradigm, where you’vealwayswaited forother people to do things, you’d have your manager and your agent,” she said at the time. “You’d wait forthe big recordcompany to give you money to do things andtheytellyou what to do.This is so great. Iwanttodo everything like this.” Born in Denver,Colorado, on Jan. 16, 1959, Sobule described herself as ashy childwho preferred observing over participating.

Sobule was known for playing dozens of shows ayear anddescribedher live performances as vulnerable experiences. She said she often doesn’thave aset list and wings it.

“In agood way, Ifeel like I’mstill arookie,”she told TheAssociated Press in 2023. “There’ssomuch moretodoand Ihaven’t done my best yet.”

She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law,James and Mary Ellen Sobule, along with her nephews and cousins.

Sobule

ahairnet knot-

AP FILEPHOTO By NICKUT

&Martin’sLaugh-In’ cast members, from left,

Jazz Festershit by carrecovering

Longtime visitors ‘grateful’ to be alive

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

Susan Leboff remembers hearing something new to herevery day last weekend at the New Orleans Jazz &HeritageFestival, from Eric Gales’ funk-infused guitar licks at the Blues Tent to Kacey Musgraves‘ solo acoustic country ballads from the Festival Stage.

Vote covers taxes, councilrace andbonds

BY BOBWARREN Staff writer

Voters across the metro area head to the polls again Saturday, this time to decide aslew of ballot items highlighted by arunofffor an open Jefferson Parish Council seat, amassive bond issuefor St. Tammany public schools andthe renewal of aproperty taxfor the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. Also on the ballot is abondissue forSlidell Memorial Hospital, asales tax for the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’sOfficeand property tax renewals in Jefferson Parish fordrainage, recreation andthe public library system.

Polls open at 7a.m. and close at 8p.m. Unlike the March 29 election ballot, which had four constitutional amendments, there are no statewideissues to be decided Saturday.Voterturnout, which washigher than expectedin March as the amendments drove voter interest, will likely be lower Almost 22% of votersstatewide cast votes forthe amendments on March 29.

Board rejects housing authority move

ficial citesmold, waterleaks to seek relocation

BYSOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

Citing mold, water leaks and other dangerous conditions, the executive director of New Orleans’ public housing authority called thisweek forthe relocationofthatagency’s main office, arequestthe agency’s board tabled.

The six-member HousingAuthority of New Orleans board rejected Marjorianna Willman’spush in a3-3 vote Tuesday, moving instead to revisit the idea when acommitteeof theboard meets later this month

The agency’sTouro Street office in Gentilly has been plagued for years by mold, air conditioningoutages

She rememberscrossing Gentilly Boulevard and Lapeyrouse

Streetat10:24 a.m. Thursday near the festival gates with her husband andtheir friend.

“Wealways do the same thing: Park in front of the Joan Mitchell Foundationand walk in when it opens. Iremember .thinking we could definitely clear”the crosswalk,said Leboff, 70, of Virginia.

“That’sthe last thing Iremember,” she said. The next thingshe remembered was an ambulance ride to thehospital. Leboff, herhusband and their friend had all been hit by a vehicle as they crossed the street, about ablock from theGentilly Boulevard pedestrian entrance.

The friend’sinjurieswere minor. Leboff suffered afive-stitch gash

on her forehead, lip and mouth injuries and aconcussion.

Herhusband, BruceWeiner, 73, remainedhospitalized Friday afternoon with six broken ribs and a brain bleed

“He is in alot of pain,” Leboff said. “He is lucid. Neither of us is traumatized. .Ithink we mostly just feel grateful thatweweren’t morebadly hurt.”

Leboff says she is “neutral” aboutthe NOPD’s decision on Thursday to classifythe crash as an autoaccident with injury,with

no arrests. Apolicespokesperson saidthe driverremained on the scene.

“I don’tthink it was intentional,” Leboffsaid. “Ifthey wantto charge him, theycould charge him.I know he wasn’taterrorist.”

Following the Jan. 1terrorist attack that killed 14 Bourbon Street revelers andinjuredatleast 57, officials ramped up Jazz Fest security measures, placing concrete and plastic security barriers along

By DAVID GRUNFELD

NewOrleans police officers respond to ascene on Fridayatthe WalmartSupercenter in the LowerGarden District after a man ran over afemale officer and another personwith his car, officials said.

SHOT,KILLED

Officials: Fleeing man runs over officer, pedestrian

BY MARCO CARTOLANO and POET WOLFE Staff writer

New Orleans police shot and killed a man Friday at theWalmartSupercenter in the Lower Garden District after he ran over afemale officer and another personwithhis car,officials said.

At about 10:50 a.m., the New Orleans Police Department respondedtoacall of an officer injuredat1901Tchoupitoulas St., according to Superintendent

Anne Kirkpatrick. Theofficer was working adetail at the Walmart and was flagged down by abystanderwho said aman appeared to be overdosing in avehicle.

The officer administered Narcan to the man, and when he awoke, he began acting “erratically,” Kirkpatrick said. He proceeded to speed off while the officer was partially in thecar,dragging her with him.

“Here our officer was tryingtogive aid to someone to trytohelp themand save them and it turned on adime,” Kirkpatrick said.

Thedriver then hit abystander and a truck parked on the side of the street.

The officer,who landedunderneath the truck, fired at leastone gunshot at the

Louisianafaces surge in whooping

Stateidentifies 164 casessofar this year

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Whooping cough cases are surging in Louisiana, atrend that “could result in arecord high for 2025 —morethan hasbeen seen annually in the state for at least 35 years,” according to anews release Friday from the Louisiana Department of Health.

The Health Department said it has identified 164 cases in just the firstfourmonths of theyear while there were153 cases dur-

cough

ing all of 2024.

“Two deathshaveoccurred amongyoung infants hospitalized with whooping cough,” the Health Departmentsaid. “These were the first whooping cough deathsreportedinLouisiana since 2018.”

Oneofthosedeaths occurred in the latter half of 2024, and one occurredinthe first two months of 2025, aspokesperson for the HealthDepartment said. Louisiana’sincreaseincases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, mirrors national trends, according to theHealth

man, striking him on the side of the chest. Kirkpatrick said the officer was in a“life and death situation.”

Despite being shot, theman continueddriving downthe street untilhe crashed.

Afterthe crash, alieutenant cutthe air bags inside the car so the mancould receive medical assistance. Another responding officer administered first aid.

Kirkpatrick said theinjured officer was stable andalert andthe bystander, though injured,was alive.Theirconditions are currently unknown.

According to the department, the officer has been placed on administrative

See SHOT, page 2B

Bail setfor second allegedQuarter shooter

Teen flaggeddown police,thenleft, authoritiessay

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

On April 13, shortly after gunshots scattered acrowd leaving FrenchQuarter Fest, ateen in ahoodie flagged down New Orleans police. “Mypartnerisshot,” Jayden Mark,17, allegedly told officers as he led them to the 100 block of DecaturStreet. “Callmymomma,JJ,” the vic-

tim —one of five wounded in a shootout —told Markasofficers rendered aid, according to an arrest warrant. Markallegedly asked for the mother’s number,took the victim’sbackpack and left without being arrestedover arole that police now believe he played in adowntown gunbattle with as many as three alleged shooters, according to courtdocuments While Mark fled, other officers arrested anotheralleged gunman, Christopher Parker,25, at Decaturand Canal streets after abrief foot chase. New Orleans

STAFFPHOTO

ä See JAZZ, page 2B

Graduate student sues university, officer

Suit alleges Tulane protest arrest misrepresented

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

A Tulane University graduate student sued the school and a former member of its police force, alleging that the police officer misrepresented the student’s actions when he was arrested following a pro-Palestinian protest at the school last year, according to court records

Khalif Birden, a 26-year-old graduate anthropology student, was arrested several days after protesters set up an encampment on Tulane’s campus on April 29, 2024. According to the lawsuit, during the protest, Tulane police officer Nathaniel Wolf was standing on a tent that Birden attempted to pull away, and Wolf fell to the ground. The lawsuit alleges that Wolf was uninjured and acknowledged he

fell on his own, but then later swore out an affidavit against Birden that didn’t reflect what happened.

Birden was booked with resisting a police officer with force, which is a felony, and “remaining in places or land after being forbidden,” a misdemeanor

A New Orleans judge later found Birden not guilty on all counts. He has not been allowed back on campus, however, because the school found he had violated its conduct standards, and he has not been able to complete his doctoral studies.

His attorney said his conduct hearings with the school are ongoing.

In his lawsuit, Birden alleges that Wolf, who no longer works for the university, made “material misrepresentation” of the incident that led to Birden’s arrest. The lawsuit argues that Tulane, which trains university police officers according to Louisiana standards, should also be held liable.

Birden is seeking compensation for “general and special damages,” but did not specify an amount, along

with attorney fees and other legal costs.

Mike Strecker, a spokesperson for the university, declined to comment on the case but said in a statement that although Tulane “fundamentally respects the right to protest and regularly supports lawful demonstrations on campus” it does not “tolerate behavior that violates university conduct policies and/or the law.” Strecker confirmed that Wolf is no longer employed by the university Attempts to reach Wolf on Friday were unsuccessful.

Students across the country who participated in pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses over the past year continue to face consequences, ranging from discipline by their schools to, in some cases, detainment by federal agents. At Tulane, seven students who took part in a peaceful protest this March are under investigation by the university and some could face suspension or expulsion.

In New Orleans, dozens of stu-

Plaquemines oil leak now under federal control

BY CHAD CALDER Staff writer

The U.S. Coast Guard said Thursday that it has federalized the ongoing effort to contain an oil spill that began April 26 in lower Plaquemines

Parish

The Coast Guard said that the unified command had more than 180 responders involved in the mitigation effort as of Thursday morning, including six MARCO skimmers and six drum skimmers. Roughly 11,700 feet of 18-inch containment boom is in place, with another 2,300 feet on standby

Responders have also deployed 544 bales of absorbent boom to protect nearby islands, and the effort has thus far recovered about 32,718 gallons of oily water mixture. The Coast Guard says there have been no reports yet of impacted wildlife.

COUGH

Continued from page 1B

Department. The spread of the illness is also leading to an increase in reported hospitalizations and deaths.

“Since September 2024, 40 people in Louisiana have been hospitalized with whooping cough,” the Health Department said “Seventy percent of those hospitalizations have occurred among babies younger than 1 year old.”

Whooping cough is a respiratory illness that’s very contagious. It’s caused by bacteria that spreads from person to person in the air through coughing, sneezing and close contact.

Early symptoms may look like the common cold and include a

BOARD

Continued from page 1B

and other problems, said Willman, who took over as director of the housing agency in late January To protect staff, the agency should instead enter lease negotiations for a new office space on Poydras Street in the Central Business District, she said.

“I’ve never worked in a place with conditions like this, and I don’t want to wait for somebody to get hurt or ill,” Willman said. In photos and a video, her staff showed outer walls and pipes of the two-story brick and cement building covered in what they said was asbestos, algae and rust. Also shown was water that had pooled beside the agency’s mechanical equipment, and rain that streamed in through an office window during a storm in April.

Staff members regularly set up buckets to catch water leaks, Willman said. Before the split vote, board Commissioner Carol Johnson said she wasn’t “too keen on going downtown in a high-rise building,” which she said may be harder for HANO’s clients to access. Johnson voted against the plan, calling it a “knee-jerk reaction.”

She said the agency should take more time to explore other options, though she also said that “HANO needs to move, without a doubt.

It’s not healthy.”

Other board members argued that the agency should act quickly, and

Spectrum OpCo LLC, which the Coast Guard has said is responsible for the spill, was previously in charge of the response

The Coast Guard said it does not know how much oil has leaked from the company’s Garden Island Bay production facility into the surrounding marshland.

A well control contractor is on the scene and well-intervention equipment, including cutting tools, a capping stack, piping, a crane and storage barges, are on their way and being staged.

The Coast Guard said aerial surveys are ongoing, and air monitoring has not indicated any immediate concerns in the response area. A vessel safety zone of one nautical mile remains in place, as does a two-mile, 2,000-feet elevation flight restriction

The cause of the leak is still under investigation, the Coast Guard said.

runny or stuffy nose, low-grade fever and mild cough, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A week or two after symptoms begin, coughing fits can start Coughing fits can last as little as one week and as long as 10 weeks. In babies, early symptoms may include life-threatening pauses in breathing, and whooping cough may appear like the common cold for the entire illness, according to the CDC.

Pertussis can spread from person to person once symptoms start and “for at least 2 weeks after coughing begins,” according to the CDC.

“Infants under the age of 1 year are most affected by whooping cough, showing the highest reported rates of infection and the greatest likelihood of se-

dents and local activists staged protests on Tulane’s campus last year before pitching tents on a campus lawn along St. Charles Avenue. The encampment stayed in place for about a day until law enforcement officers, including Louisiana State Police troopers, dismantled it and arrested 14 people, including five Tulane students and two Loyola University students.

All have since been acquitted of the charges, which were misdemeanor counts of remaining in a place that they were ordered to leave.

Matt McLaren, a New Orleans attorney representing Birden in the criminal case and the lawsuit, declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but said that while the consequences that Birden and other student protesters have faced raise similar free-speech issues, “we believe Mr Birden’s case is significantly different than just an infringement on his First Amendment rights.”

Two killed in separate wrecks in St. Tammany

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

Two people were killed in separate car crashes in St. Tammany Parish on Interstate 10 Wednesday night, State Police said in a news release.

One crash claimed the life of Tyler B. Israel, 30, from Arabi. The other claimed the life of a pedestrian whose identity has not yet been released.

State Police said Israel was driving a 2002 Toyota 4Runner eastbound on I-10 near the U.S. 190 exit in Slidell when he struck a 2025 Mazda CX 50 for reasons still under investigation.

Israel, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Mazda, who was wearing a seat

vere complications and death,” according to the Louisiana Department of Health. “The bacteria that cause whooping cough are often unknowingly spread to infants by close family or caregivers.”

The Health Department has offered some tips on how to handle whooping cough:

n Vaccination is the best way to prevent serious complications from illness, but protection from the vaccine fades over time. The DTaP vaccine — for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis — is for children younger than 7. The Tdap vaccine is for older children, teens, and adults, and is a booster dose protecting against the same diseases.

n Infants can’t receive a pertussis-containing vaccine until they are 2 months old That can leave

that entering negotiations for the Poydras Street location didn’t preclude considering other options.

“We’ve been knowing this, and shame on us as a board,” said board Chair Percy Manson, who voted for the move. “This is a health hazard. We can no longer allow the employees and staff to continue to work under these types of conditions.” Manson declined to say how long the board had been aware of the issues.

Tyra Johnson Brown, the city’s director of housing policy and community development, told the board that Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration is “in full support” of a relocation HANO receives federal funding but is locally controlled, with four of the current board members appointed by Cantrell, including Johnson and Manson. The proposed move comes as

Cantrell’s administration has struggled to address maintenance issues at government offices, police stations, libraries and other public buildings throughout the city Willman made her pitch to the board hours after city officials announced a plan to move Department of Public Works employees from dilapidated trailers on North Broad Street to a new location. Under Willman’s proposal, the agency would negotiate to enter a six-year lease for one or one-anda-half floors of office space at 1615 Poydras St., a couple of blocks from City Hall. Willman said that the space was available at a below-market rate of $10 per square foot.

In a letter to the board on Tuesday, housing authority counsel Keva Landrum wrote that the cost of the Poydras Street office would come out to around $100,000 less per year

Continued from page 1B

reassignment per standard protocol pending the outcome of the investigation.

At the Walmart, customers had to pause their shopping while dozens of police officers investigated the scene, roping off the area surrounding the big box store.

One shopper, Harry Gilbert of New Orleans, said he was there with a neighbor when his car was damaged by the man’s vehicle before the officer arrived.

Gilbert saw two police officers head to the scene to check on the driver He then saw the man reverse his car and quickly pull out, dragging the officer as she held on to the door

Gilbert did not see the shooting after the car left the Walmart lot, but he heard two shots and said police swarmed onto the scene.

“It was like an Al Pacino movie with action all morning,” Gilbert said. “They started shooting, people were screaming, a lady was hit in the leg by the car.” Gilbert said his car’s bumper and right fender came off as a result of the crash.

“There’s a lot of work for me to do to pick up the car, get it fixed,” Gilbert said. “But, I’ll make it through.”

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

belt, was uninjured. Troopers from State Police Troop L responded to that incident at 8:30 p.m. Just over an hour later at 9:45 p.m., State Police investigated a single-vehicle fatality crash that killed a pedestrian who was walking on the eastbound I-10 twin span bridge.

Police said a 2021 Chevrolet Malibu was traveling eastbound between Irish Bayou and Old Spanish Trail and struck a pedestrian who had entered the left lane for reasons still under investigation. The pedestrian, whose name has not been released pending notification of family, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver who was wearing a seat belt, was uninjured.

young babies at high risk for severe disease.

n “The best way to protect newborns from whooping cough is for pregnant women to receive a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy,” according to Health Department guidance. “Pregnant women should also get the Tdap vaccine during the third trimester of any pregnancy Evidence shows that infants are less likely to develop pertussis early in life if their mother received the Tdap vaccine during pregnancy n Review your and your children’s immunization history Contact your health care provider about any questions related to the DTaP and Tdap vaccines.

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

than the agency currently spends to maintain its Touro Street office, which it owns. The agency currently spends between $547,000 and $600,000 per year on maintenance, utilities and janitorial services at the building, Landrum wrote.

A recent estimate found that it would cost $1.5 million to complete temporary roof repairs and window replacements, according to the letter

“I have witnessed the rain, have talked about these windows for years,” said Brown, Cantrell’s housing director “I think it’s something that you all need to think about and consider.”

Willman said that the leased space would be a temporary measure and that the agency was seeking federal approval and funding to build a new permanent office next to the agency’s Marrero Commons apartments, on the site of the former B.W Cooper complex. If approved, construction would likely take at least five years, she said.

Issues for years

Willman said that the office had dealt with major maintenance issues for “at least 10 years” but that things had “deteriorated” over the past year She said that previous executive directors had been aware of the issues and made efforts to relocate, “but there was never a consensus among all parties as to when, where, how that should happen.”

Willman said that air-conditioning outages since she began at the agency three months ago had led employees to work from home on

JAZZ

Continued from page 1B

Fortin Street and Gentilly Boulevard and deploying 211 additional New Orleans Police Department officers to the area. The barrier setup didn’t include the intersection of Gentilly Boulevard and Lapeyrouse Street. Recent Virginia transplants by way of New York City, Leboff is a retired estate and gift tax examiner for the IRS. Weiner her husband, is a bankruptcy lawyer They have attended Jazz Fest nearly every year since 2008 and became regular visitors to New Orleans after their daughter earned a scholarship to Tulane University The WWOZ members bookended their festing with volunteering, doing projects for Jewish Helping Hands, a nonprofit group that helped Hurricane Katrina victims return to their homes.

As of Friday Leboff was caring for her husband, recovering from her own injuries and arranging extended housing in New Orleans. Their trip will likely stretch beyond their planned Monday departure. She was grateful to Jazz Fest organizers for fully refunding their weekend passes and “bummed” that she and her husband couldn’t attend this weekend. Despite the pain of the crash, Leboff says it won’t stop them from festing in the future.

“(The crash) had nothing to do with Jazz Fest. It could have happened anywhere, to anybody,” Leboff said. “It isn’t our plan to go next year but we do plan to go in the future. We’re a very resilient family.”

several occasions. After Hurricane Francine hit New Orleans on Sept. 11, the office remained closed until a full week later because of damage to the already weak building, according to agency statements at the time. In an interview Wednesday, Willman expressed frustration over the board’s rejection of her proposal.

“We can’t please everyone. In fact I do believe there are some that are just resistant to change,” said Willman. “The difficulty is to help them understand the urgency and that it’s not an option, it’s a requirement.” A 12-year employee of HANO, who asked to remain anonymous because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, said the office has dealt with major maintenance issues for most of his tenure.

On rainy days, staff have become accustomed to moving chairs and desks around to avoid leaks and setting up buckets and pails. He said that spirits lifted in the office earlier this week when rumors spread that a move was on the table. The board’s decision was “a letdown,” he said.

“When we hear that there’s asbestos and stuff like that, we’re wondering why they didn’t do some kind of emergency move,” he said. “Why are we still being subjected to it?”

The Housing Authority of New Orleans is seen at 4100 Touro Ave. in New Orleans.

PARTY AFFILIATIONS

D=Democratic R=Republican

JEFFERSON PARISH

PARISH COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1 TimothyKerner Jr., R Andrea Manuel, D PARISHWIDE LIBRARY

MILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 6.5 mills for 10 years

starting in 2028, generating $29.5 million per year for acquiring, constructing improving, maintaining and operating public library facilities and equipment.

CONSOLIDATED DRAINAGEDISTRICT 2MILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 6mills for 10 years starting in 2027, generating $26.8 million per year for acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining or operating the drainage works within the district.

JEFFERSON RECREATION AND COMMUNITY CENTER AND PLAYGROUND DISTRICT Renew 10 mills for10years starting in 2027, generating $35 million per year for acquiring, constructing, improving, maintaining andoperating recreation facilities.

ORLEANS PARISH

PARISHWIDE LAWENFORCEMENT DISTRICT

Renew 2.46 mills for 10 years beginning in 2026, generating $13.9 million per year for the operation, maintenance and upkeep of jails and other facilities, the districtand the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office. The millage levied each year will be reduced by the millage rate levied that year for the district’s outstanding general obligation bonds.

LAKE VISTACRIME PREVENTION DISTRICT PROPOSITION Levees an annualflat fee on eachresidential parcel within the LakeVistaCrime Prevention District of up to $220 for 4years beginning 2026, generating 165,000 per

VOTE

Continued from page1B

year forsecurity and crime prevention, except for a1% city collectionfee.

PLAQUEMINES PARISH

PARISHWIDE LAWENFORCEMENT DISTRICT Levees a0.25% sales tax starting July 1, generating $8 million per year to pay salaries and benefits of law enforcement personnel and other costs of operating and supporting the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office. It can be increased to amaximum rate of 1% at anytime on or after July 1, 2026.

ST.JAMES PARISH

PARISHWIDE HOSPITAL MILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 4.75 mills for 10 years beginning 2027, generating $3.6 million per year for constructing, improving, maintaining andoperating public hospitalbuildings.

PARISHWIDE BOND PROPOSITION Issue up to $25 million in bonds for up to 20 yearsat interest rates no higher than 6% per year forconstruction andimprovement of parish roads anddrainage projects paid for by amillage rate to be levied in the first year of issuance of .50mills.

PARISHWIDE FIREPROTECTIONMILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 3.91 mills for 10 years beginning 2027, generating $2.7 million per year,with 60% for expenses and capital expenditures for the fire department accredited by the St. James Parish Council (previously operating as six volunteer firedepartments);25% for emergency medicalservices; 12% intoa trust account to provide for parishwide heavy fireequipment, additional water lines andfire hydrants, to improve communicationsand provide other related firefighting equipment; and 3% for providing for administrative costs.

PARISHWIDE LIBRARY MILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 2.48 mills for 10 years beginning 2027, generating $1.7 million for maintaining andoperating the parish’s public libraries.

PARISHWIDE PUBLIC BUILDINGS MILLAGE RE-

NEWAL

Renew 4.93 mills for 10 years

beginning 2028, generating $3.4 million for maintenance and operation of theparish’s public buildings, notincluding hospitals.

PARISHWIDE ROADS MILL-

AGERENEWAL

Renew 4.93 mills for 10 years beginning 2028, generating $3.4 million for repair and maintenance of parish roads.

PARISHWIDE 911 MILLAGE

RENEWAL

Renew 1.25 mills for 10 years beginning 2027, generating $854,347 for construction, operation and maintenance of an enhanced 911 phone system, including the paymentofnecessary dispatch personnel.

CONSOLIDATED ROAD

LIGHTING DISTRICT NO.3A

MILLAGERENEWAL

Renew 1mill for10years beginning 2026, generating $589,854 for providing,maintaining and operating electric lights on thestreets, roads, highways, alleysand public places in the district.

RECREATIONDISTRICT 5

MILLAGERENEWAL

Renew 1mill for10years beginning 2027, generating $290,468 for maintaining and operating recreational facilities in the district.

GRAMERCYRECREATION

DISTRICT MILLAGE RENEWAL

Renew 1mill for10years beginning 2029, generating $374,162 for constructing, operating and maintaining recreational facilities in the district.

ST.TAMMANY

PARISH

PARISHWIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.12BOND

PROPOSITION

To borrow $325 million in bonds for up to 20 years at an interest rate of up to 7% per year to finance the construction, acquisition or improvement of schools and other facilities according to the School Board’s capital improvement plan.

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.8MILLAGE

RENEWAL

Renew 9.75 mills for 10 years

NewOrleans Area Deaths

beginning 2029, generating $455,559 per year for acquiring,constructing, improving maintaining and operating fireprotection and emergency medical service facilities, vehicles and equipment.

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.8MILLAGE

RENEWAL

Renew 9.80 mills for 10 years

beginning 2029, generating $457,895 per year for acquiring,constructing, improving maintaining and operating fireprotection and emergency medical service facilities, vehicles and equipment.

FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT NO.8MILLAGE

RENEWAL

Renew 14.63 millsfor 10 years

beginning 2029, generating $683,571 per year for acquiring,constructing, improving, maintaining and operating fireprotection and emergency medical service facilities, vehicles and equipment.

ST.TAMMANYPARISH HOSPITAL SERVICE DISTRICT NO.2

To borrow $51.52 million for up to 20 years with an interest rate of up to 7% per year to construct, acquire, extend and improvethe district’s hospital and health carefacilities, including projects for cancer and emergency care, outpatient pediatric care, primary careand women’s and infant health care.

SHALLRECREATION DISTRICT NO.6

To borrow $2.4 million for up to 20 years with an interest rate of up to 7% per year to purchase, acquire, construct and improveparks, playgrounds, recreationcenters and other recreational facilities.

SUB-DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO.2OFGRAVITY DRAINAGEDISTRICT NO.5 (MEADOWBROOK SUBDIVISION)

Collect an annual parcel fee of $490 in the district for 20 years beginning 2025, generating $238,140 per year to improvedrainagewithin the district and issuebonds to payfor capital improvements. It would replace a parcel fee of $250 currently authorized through 2026.

St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters Dwayne Wall said if early voting is an indicator,the turnout will be smaller this time around. There were ne ar ly 10,000 inperson early voters for the March 29 ballot, but less than 4,000 forSaturday’sballot, he said. In Jefferson Parish,voters who liveinthe Parish Council’sWest Bank-based District 1will decide arunoff between Jean Lafitte Mayor Timothy Kerner Jr., and Andrea Manuel, a life coach and Spanish language educator.Manuel is aDemocrat; Kerner is a Republican.

Manuel and Kerner

claimed the toptwo spots in athree-candidate field on March29, pushing out Ricky Templet,who finished third and out of the runoff. Manuel and Kerner both had 36% of the vote, although Manuelled by 74 votes, returnsshow Thecandidates are running for theoffice left open when Marion Edwards resigned in January.The district coversGretna,Terrytown, Jean Lafitte,Crown Point, Estelle,Barataria, Grand Isle and parts of Harvey andMarrero.

The ballot in Jefferson Parish also includes the renewal of propertytaxes fordrainage, recreation andthe librarysystem.

In NewOrleans, the Sheriff’s Office is askingvoters to renew a2.46-mill tax that isexpected to bring in around $13.9millionto

help fund operations at the jail. That taxrevenue represents around 20%ofthe Sheriff’s Office’soperating budget.

In St. Tammany, voters parishwide will weigh a $325 million bond issue propositionfor capitalimprovements forthe public school district. Theplan includeswork at 23 of the district’s55campuses,as well as newbuses, technologyand security upgrades and a$30 million STEM andhealth care education center that will be built near the NorthshoreTechnical Community College campus in Lacombe. School officials say the bond issuewill be backed with revenues froman existing13.7-mill tax, and thatthisproposition does notseekany newtax money Also on theballot in St Tammany is a$51.5 million bond issuefor SlidellMemorialHospitalthat would pay for anew pediatric and primary care outpa-

Continued from page1B

police said at the time that multiple shooters had been involvedand that theinvestigation was active and open. When Detective Alyssa VanLew ran the nickname “JJ”throughlaw enforcement databases, she found pictures of Mark, who was wanted for two auto thefts. She also found that he matched the description of one of the French Quarter Fest shooting suspects, police allege. Video footage allegedly revealed amasked Mark fleeing the scene of the shootingatDecatur and Iberville streets at around 8:25 p.m. The man on the video ran up Decatur Street toward Canal Street, briefly getting tangled up in a scooter crash before ditching aGlock43bythe U.S. Custom House in the 400 block of Canal Street, New Orleans police said in an arrest warrant. Mark allegedly pulled up his face maskand interacted with officers at

that point, directing them towardhis injured partner, accordingtothe document,before wandering offtoward Canal Street. Magistrate commissioner Joyce Sallahsigned awarrant forMark’sarrest on April 15. On April 25,a multiagencyViolent CrimeAbatement InvestigationTeam allegedly spotted Markdriving a stolen Toyota Camry with tinted windows and afake license plateonDownman

Road nearChef Menteur Highway,according to Louisiana State Police. When troopers tried to stop him, he allegedly drove over the medianand traveled thewrong way up DownmanRoad,drove through aValero gasstation “ata high rate of speed,”placing customers’ lives in danger,and fled up Chef Menteurtoward the Danziger Bridge, according to police. Mark allegedly struck

Adams, Rita Cliff, Tyrone Coulon, Gregory Dottery,Aaron Dupuy,Maudry Garvin, Patrick LagardeIII,Alfred LaRocca, Joyce Maier, Margaret Pepin, Jean SieversII, James Smith,Rosalie Williams,Steven

member allofhis life.Ty‐roneattendedCarverHigh School andworkedonthe river as aLongshoreman until he retiredafter 24 years.Tyroneleavesto cherish hismemories, his wifeJoyce Cliffand his children, grandchildren, and greatgrandchildren Tyronewas preceded in death by hismother, BerthaWilliamsand son TyroneCliff, Jr.Relatives and friendsofthe family are invitedtoattendhis Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, May3,2025, atSt. Paul Lutheran Church,1625 Annette Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 at 11:00 a.m. Visita‐tionfrom10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. IntermentSt. RochCemetery#2, 1725 St RochStreet,New Orleans, LA70117. Youmay sign the guest book on http://www gertrudegeddeswillis.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis Fu‐neral Home Inc.,incharge (504) 522-2525

Garden of Memories Coulon,GregoryRandal

Coulon, Gregory LaRocca, Joyce

NewOrleans

Gertrude Geddes

Cliff, Tyrone

Dottery,Aaron LagardeIII,Alfred

Pepin, Jean

Smith,Rosalie

Greenwood

Maier, Margaret St Tammany

EJ Fielding

Garvin, Patrick West Bank

DavisMortuary

Williams,Steven

Obituaries

tient center,upgrades and expansionstothe women andinfants center,cancer care clinic and emergency room, as well as additional parking. That bond issue will be voted on by residents in Lacombe, Slidell and most of the eastern half of the parish In PlaqueminesParish, meanwhile,voterswill decide on a0.25% sales tax for the Sheriff’sOffice. The ballot language says the tax, which would be authorized in perpetuity, is expected to generate around $8 million annually to fund salaries, benefits and other costsfor the Sheriff’sOffice. The language also says thetax can be increased to 1cent after July 1, 2026 In Washington Parish, voterswill decide whether to renew a6.43-mill propertytax for theBogalusa schooldistrict. AndinTangipahoa, voterswill decide aracefor ajudgeship on the 21st Judicial District Court.

amarkedLouisiana State Police unit,climbed out the frontpassenger window and tossed firearms off the bridge.Officers recovered the firearms from thegravelparking below andarrested Mark They also arrested two passengers, LamikalNelson, 20, and Jaryod McDaniel, 18, on outstanding warrants forsimple criminal trespass andtheft of amotor vehicle, respectively Police booked Mark on 20 counts —avariety of crimes of violence, drug offenses, gun charges and theft, jail recordsshow They include five counts of aggravated second-degree battery in connection with the shooting. Mark also faces two counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle upon apeace officer,and one count each of obstruction of justice, aggravated obstruction of ahighway of commerce, theft of amotor vehicle, and possession with intent to distribute tapentadol.

As of Friday evening, he remained jailed at Orleans Justice Centerona $357,000 bail. On

Adams,Rita Thomas

BornonApril 28, 1936, in NewOrleans,Rita Yvonne Thomas was raisedinthe heartofUptown New Orleans. Sheservedinvariouscapacities andremained afaithfulmember of Mt.ZionUnited Methodist Churchon Louisiana AvenueinNew Orleansfor over 60 years untilHurricane Katrinain 2005. It was at Mt.Zion United Methodist Church that Rita met herhusband, Rudolph Adams. They were marriedonApril 11, 1963.

Rita'schurchfamilyexpandedtoSt. John's Downtown United Methodist Churchafter relocatingtoHouston,Texas. Sheleaves behind:her son, Gary Terrence Adams; herdaughter-in-law, CatherineRenee Adams; twolovinggrandsons, Andre Isaiah andAntoine Jeremiah Adams; andher angelgreat-granddaughter, Arie Kinsley Adams. Shealso hascousins, RosemaryFavorite, Dorothy Roussell, Floyd Aaron,HonoreAaron Foucha, andTyroneAaron, herhusband'scousins Fredrick Harris(MichelleF Harris), and Charliette Blunt; anddevoted friend she referredtoasher niece, DeleciaSmith Vanzant, as well as other relatives, lifelongfriends, andneighbors. IntermentatHouston National Cemetery

GregoryRandalCoulon ofMetairie, Louisiana passedawayathis home onApril 29, 2025, at theage of69. He wasraisedinKen‐ner,LAand latermoved to ChapelHill, NorthCarolina where he livedfor over 25 years.Heand hisfamilyre‐turnedtoliveinJefferson Parishin2022. He hada great senseofhumor and could always make people laugh andsmile.Heloved totalktoeveryoneand never meta stranger.He was preceded in deathby his parents, HarryJesse Coulon, Jr.and IvySyble Coulon; andhis brother, Harry Dwight Coulon.Greg Randy” is survived by his wife, Nanette Manning Coulon; twochildren, Kristin Coulon andCourt‐ney Coulon;daughter, Julie Brander;and siblings:San‐dra Coulon Harris,Cynthia CoulonHebert, andShane Coulon. He wasanamaz‐ing “Gampie” to hisgrand‐daughterStella Burnette and grandchildrenSophia Monroy, John Monroy, OliverMonroy, andwas loved by numerous nieces, nephews andclose rela‐tives andfriends.Heen‐joyed goingout in hisboat, fishingwithhis grand‐daughter, cookingonthe grill,and watching Nascar racing. Hisgreatestplea‐surewas spending time withhis family, who he loves most dearly.There willbea GravesideService atthe Garden of Memories Cemetery, 4900 Airline Drive,Metairie, LA on Mon‐day,May 5, 2025 at 1:30 p.m.tohonor hislife. Pleasefollowthe blue ar‐rowstothe Chapel of Peace Mausoleumfor ser‐vice. Online condolences may be offeredatwww.gar denofmemoriesmetairie com.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By CHRISGRANGER

NewOrleans police layevidence markers on Iberville Street in the French Quarter after at least four were wounded in a shooting on April 13.

Kerner Manuel

Cliff, Tyrone

Aaron“Jeter” Dottery age 76, anativeofNatchez, Mississippi andresidentof Houma,LA. wasbornon July21, 1948, andentered eternal rest on Wednesday April 23,2025. Visitation will befrom9 a.m. until funeral timeat11:00am Friday May 02, 2025, at Gertrude GeddesWillis-Terrebonne FuneralHome, 617BondSt, Houma LA 70360. He is sur‐vived by hischildren: Audra (Kevin)Teamer, Ron‐tel Jackson(Lucell,Jr.) Hopes andOrlando (Monique) Dottery,Sherryl Danny (Terri)and Anthony (Stephanie) Mahoneyall of Houston,TXand 7grand‐childrenand 15 great grandchildren.Hewas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis wife, Betty MahoneyDottery,his son,MikeMahoney,sib‐lings;Steve,Ernestine and Sam Dottery, Parentsand Grandparents. Gertrude GeddesWillis-Terrebonne FuneralHomeisincharge ofarrangements. Youmay signthe guestbook on http://www.gertrudeged deswillis.com. Gertrude GeddesWillis-Terrebonne FuneralHome, Inc. in charge(985)872-6934.

Maudry Albarado

Dupuy, aresident of LaPlace and anative of Belle Rose, passedon Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in the comforts of her home, listening to the daily Catholic Mass, at the age of 93. As ayoung woman, she worked as aswitchboard operator before meeting her husband, John. Together, they embarked on alife of adventure, traveling the world for John's Air Force career and creating alegacy of love. They lived in Scotland, Greece and on the Isle of Crete, giving their children the opportunity to experience different ways of life. They lived in Houston briefly afterJohn's retirement before choosing to return to Louisiana. After settling their family in LaPlace, Maudry worked for TG&Y and Walmart. She took pride in her work, no matter the department, and earned the respect of those around her for her dedication and commitment. But above all, Maudry was most proud of her role as amother, grandmother, and greatgrandmother. She cherished her family and found her greatest joy in spending time with her loved ones. She is survived by her two daughters, Marlene Dupuy Meades (Flavious) and Patricia Dupuy; two granddaughters, Natalie Meades Keating (Anthony) and Chelsea Dupuy Billiot (Devin); two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Sebastian Keating; and her sister Clara Albarado Capello. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Preston Dupuy; her parents, Walter Albarado Sr.and Palmire Raffray Albarado; eight sisters, Mildred Michellie, Hazel Allen, Gracie Blanchard, Margie Cotton, Audrey Mabile, Evelyn Cotton, Alta Romero, and Palmire Constant; six brothers, Linwood Albarado, Murry Albarado, Eddie Albarado, Fellan Albarado, Warren Albarado, and Walter Albarado, Jr.; two infant brothers, Norris Albarado and Hubbie Albarado; and agreat-granddaughter, Samantha Keating.

Avisitation will be held on Sunday,May 4th, 2025 from 5:00-8:00pm at Ourso Funeral Home, 13533 Airline Highway, Gonzales, Louisiana,70737. Services will be held the following day from 11:00AM-1:00PM at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. Mass will begin at 1:00PM and interment willfollow at Prairieville Cemetery.

Garvin,Patrick Xavier

PatrickXavierGarvin lived alifefullofstories, laughterand heart. Born in Carbondale, Pennsylvania toEmily andRussell Wil‐son Garvin,Pat as most knewhim wasthe eldest of foursiblings. As aproud militarykid,hegrewupall overthe world, from Ger‐manytothe Philippines. Pat served hiscountry with extraordinary bravery. He servedinVietnam from 1965 to 1968 with the173rd AirborneBrigade earning three Purple Hearts, BronzeStarMedal,Combat InfantrymanBadge (CIB), and multiple otherservice awards. Afterserving his country with honor, Pat camehome. Patwas anat‐uralathlete,spendinghis younger yearsplaying every sport he could. He later went on to play foot‐balland baseball at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, andwas on thecusp ofaprofessionalbaseball careerbeforeanelbow in‐juryset himona different path. Afterhis injury,Pat attendedBerkeleyUniver‐sityinSan Francisco, Cali‐fornia, where he methis lifelongfriends,Mike Brown andTed Langan.In 1977, Patmarried Vivian AuroraVasquez.Theywel‐comed their firstdaughter, Katie,in1979, andwel‐comed theirseconddaugh‐ter,Emily,in1982. Pat would always saythatbe‐cominga father washis proudestmoments as his daughters were thelights ofhis life.Hepasseddown his love of the outdoors whether it wascamping, duckhunting, or afew livelyand occasionally frustrating roundsofgolf. After Vivian’s deathin 2007, Patwas devotedto his daughters. Aftersev‐eralyears of beingalone, Pat found love againwith Susan Dusang Lemmon. Theytravelledextensively makingnew memories to‐gether. Patworkedinthe financialindustryasa Fi‐nancial Advisorfor over 30 years,manyofthose years for A.G. Edwards& Sons Inc. In 2019, he retiredfrom the Benjamin F. Edwards’ office in Mandeville Louisiana.Pat worked with manycolleaguesthrough‐out theyears anddevel‐opeda specialfriendship withAlCatalanotto and HamiltonMartin. Patfaced health challenges in his later yearsincluding a strokein 2020, with the samestrength, humor and stubborndetermination he carried throughout hislife. HepassedawayonSatur‐day,April 26, 2025, sur‐rounded by lovedones. He issurvivedbyhis loving and devotedwife, Susan, and daughters, Katieand Emily,stepson,Jimmy Lamz(Nicole),three stepgrandchildren,Maegan, Caleb andElla, alongwith two sisters, Regina Carter and GeorgiaGarvin, and manyother familymem‐bersand friends. Patwas precededindeath by his parents,Emily Sophie LesofskyGarvinand Rus‐sellWilsonGarvin; brother, James Garvin.Wetake comfort in knowingsome‐where beyond this life,Pat and Jamesare together again —two brothers re‐united,swapping stories and sharinglaughteronce more. Pat’sfamilywould liketothank thewonderful staff at PeristyleatBeau Westfor theirloveand support over thepasttwo years with aspecial thank you to Averyand Clayree. Hewillbe missedbyall who knew andloved him. In lieu of flowers, thefam‐ily asks donationsbemade toThe Vietnam Veterans MemorialFund www.vvmf. org.Relatives andfriends are invitedtoattendthe memorialservicesatE.J FieldingFuneral Home 2260 W 21st Avenue,Cov‐ingtonLA70433 on Wednesday,May 7, 2025, at 11:00 AM with visitation on Wednesday beginningat 9:00AM. Intermentwillfol‐low in theSoutheast LA VeteransCemetery. E.J. FieldingFuneral Home has been entrusted with fu‐neral arrangements.The Garvinfamilyinvites youto share thoughts,fondest memories, andcondo‐lencesonlineatE.J.Field‐ing FuneralHomeGuest Book at www.ejfieldingfh com

Reverend Alfred "Joe Lagarde III, age66was bornonOctober 7, 1958 departedthisearthly home onTuesday,April 22, 2025 Joe wasa native of New Orleans,LAand aresident ofHouma,La. Reverend Al‐fredwas baptizedatthe early ageofseven years old by thelateReverend Leonard CelestineatNew St. John BaptistChurch.He was trulya faithfulmem‐ber where he served as a deacon. Whileinspiring countless livesthrough his unwavering faith anddedi‐cation, Reverend Alfred be‐camea devotedpastorand faithfulservant of Godat New St.JohnBaptist Church for20years.On April 28, 2002, Reverend Al‐fredmarried JoyceLovely, Hehad oneadoptive daughter, Princess Williams;and oneadoptive son,Tedrick Taylor;and three stepdaughters, LeTonda,Lechristy andLe‐Jamie.Rev.Alfredleavesto cherish hismemorieshis wife, Joyce; an adoptive daughter, Princess Williams;anadoptiveson ChedrickTaylor; three stepdaughters,LeTonda (Nolan) Porche of Houma, Lechristy (Grenstedt) Win‐tersand LeJamie(Tra' Maine Sr.) of Lafayette LA.; five grandchildrenand two greatgranddaughters; one sister,Alfreda Mae (Sylvester)Parker,two brothers, Ernest (Sadie)La‐garde andMichael (Tiffany) Lagarde; one uncle,JessieMillerIII of NileMichigan; twoaunts, Gayle Jonesand Genevieve MillerbothofHouma; three brothers-in-law, Evans Smith, Willie Lovely and MichaelLovelyall of Houma;and ahostof nieces, nephews, andother relatives.Heisprecededin death by hisparents,Al‐fredLagarde,Jr. and Shirley Miller Lagarde Green;maternalgrandpar‐ents, JessieMillerJr. and Catherine JonesMiller;pa‐ternalgrandparents, Alfred Lagarde Sr.and Mary ThomasLagarde;one sis‐ter,PatriciaLagarde Smith; one brother, Elwood Matthew Lagarde; andhis stepfather, Elwood Matthew Green Sr.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the celebrationoflifeser‐vices on Saturday,May 03 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Resi‐dence BaptistChurch,2605 Isaac Street,Houma,LA 70363. Visitation from 9:00amuntil 10:00am at Residence BaptistChurch and visitation from 5:00pm to7:00p.m.Friday, May 02,2025 at NewStJohn Baptist Church,3862 LA-56, Houma,LA70363. Inter‐mentinEmmanuelB.C Cemetery. Youmay sign the guestbook on http:// www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis FuneralHomeInc., in chargeofservice (985) 8726934.

JoyceC.LaRocca,age 93, passedawayonFriday, April 25, 2025 at home in Metairie. Joyceissurvived byher twochildren, Teresa (Bryant)and James, Jr (Jodie);her sisters, Anesia Roach andCarolyn Torres; aswellasnumerous niecesand nephews. She was preceded in deathby her parents, Joseph and Emily Clement; hersisters, Verna Gautreauxand Gladys“Nan” Reites;and her brothers:Huey“Dickie Clement,Larry Clement, Sr.,and GarrettClement Joyce worked as ahistolo‐gistfor yearsatnumerous facilitiesincluding L.S.U. Medical School,Tulane Medical School,and the Pathology Departmentsof Ochsner Hospital,WestJef‐fersonHospitaland Touro Hospital. ACelebration of Lifefor Joycewillbeheld Monday, May5,2025 at GardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home &Cemetery, 4900 AirlineDrive Metairie, LA70001 with visitation startingat9:00AMfol‐lowed by Mass at 11:00 am and burial.Toorder flow‐ersoroffercondolences,

please visitwww.gardeno fmemoriesmetairie.com

Margaret Louise Maier passedawaypeacefully on April 29, 2025. Shewas bornAugust2,1931, at Baptist Hospital in NewOr‐leans,LA. Sheispreceded indeath by herparents, WilliamMaier andRuthEs‐telle UlmerMaier.She is survivedbyher siblings, WilliamEugeneMaier,and Eleanor Clay Maier. Sheis alsosurvivedby9 nieces and nephews, 19 grandniecesand grandnephews,aswellasmany cousins.She waslovingly called“Aunt Margaret’by all.Margaretwas always interestedinlanguageand earnedher BA in English fromNewcomb College. After college, shelived in New York City forseveral years while sheworkedat VikingPress. Sheenjoyed teachingEnglish at Berlitz Corp. formanyyears and after Katrina, shevolun‐teered to teachEnglish to Hispanicimmigrants here inNew Orleans. Sheloved totellstories abouther ex‐periences at LeverBros. where sheworkedfor decades.Beforeretiringin 1997, sheworkedatStick‐ney Marine andthenatDu‐four, Laskay,and Strouse, Inc. Margaret’s love of modernjazz, opera, and balletmeant that sheat‐tendedinnumerable per‐formances throughout her lifetime. Shealsoloved working crosswordpuz‐zles, sudoku puzzles, and alwayshad abook in tow. Earlier in herlife, herpas‐sions also included art, es‐peciallypainting, andany and allthingsrelated to horses, from collecting fig‐urinestohorseback riding Margaret’sfamilywould liketothank thewonderful staff of VitalCaringhos‐pice. Theirknowledge,sup‐port, andcareprovided great comfortand guid‐ancethrough everymo‐ment. Family andfriends are invitedtoattend avisi‐tationat9:00amonMon‐day,May 5, 2025, at Green‐wood FuneralHome, 5200 Canal Blvd.New Orleans, LA70124, followed by aser‐viceat11:00 am.Interment willbeprivate.For condo‐lences, please visitwww greenwoodfh.com.Inlieu of flowers, please consider donatingtothe Friendsof the NewOrleans Public Li‐brary (friendsnola.org)or the charityofyourchoice.

Jean Cecilia Pepin passedawayonApril 19 2025. Shewas born in New Orleans to Joseph L. Pepin, Sr.,and ElsieFerrand Pepin onMarch 11, 1937. As astu‐dentatValenaC.Jones Ele‐mentary School in the heart of theCreole7th Ward, shewas inspired at a young agetopursueher life’sworkasa teacher. Her degree in education fromDillard University was the startofa career that spannedover30years.She taughtatSt. DavidCatholic School andHelen S. Ed‐wards Elementary School, where shewas recognized asTeacher of theYear. Jeanreceivedher Master ofEducation in Administra‐tionofSupervisonfrom SouthernUniversityof Baton Rouge, which posi‐tionedher fora promotion toprincipal at McDonogh 36ElementarySchool.Her experienceasaneducator helpedtoenrichand in‐spire many young mindsin New Orleans. Aftershe re‐tired,Jeanenjoyed thead‐venture of travelingwith her familyand friends, es‐peciallywithher beloved niecesand nephews. She was avoracious reader who took greatpleasurein reading twonovelsata time. Shewas awordpuz‐zle whizthatcould watch the Saints andother fa‐voritefootball teams, pro‐videplay-by-playcommen‐tary, andsolve puzzles-allofthiswhile shehad a

fabulousNew Orleansdish simmering on thestove Jeanleavesbehindtocher‐ish hermemoryand be in‐spiredbyher selflessness goddaughter andniece,Al‐lison A. Pepin; niece, Dr TiffanyP.Pryor,Ph. D. (Jameau); great-niece, Brit‐ton O. Underwood; greatnephews,Caleb G. Pryor, Gabriel J. Pryor, andLan‐don J. Pryor; great-greatniece,RylynnUnderwood; sisters-in-law, EnnisM Pepin andSherron Pepin Bennett; ahostofcousins fromthe Pepinand Ferrand families;and numerous friends.She waspreceded indeath by herparents JosephL.Pepin,Sr.,and Elsie FerrandPepin,and brothers, Joseph L. Pepin, Jr.,and GlennR.Pepin,and her dearestauntCarmelite Ferrand.You areinvited to attend aMassofChristian BurialatOur Lady of the HolyRosaryCatholic Church,3368 EsplanadeAv‐enue,New Orleans, LA on Monday, May5,2025, at 11:00 am.Visitationand recitationofthe rosary are from9:00amuntil 11:00 am. IntermentSt. Louis# 3 Cemetery. In lieu of flow‐ers,the familyrequests massesand donationsbe madeinJean’snameto: Teach forAmerica https:// www.teachforamerica.org/ donateand theNew Or‐leans Public Library https://friendsnola.org/ support-the-library/.You may sign theguest book onlineatGertrudeGeddes Willis FuneralHome, Inc: Houma,Louisiana (LA) GertrudeGeddesWillisFu‐neral Home Inc. In Charge (504) 522-2525.

Sievers,James J. Plumbers & Steamfitters Local Union60: Funeral serviceswill be held forour lateBrother JamesJ.Sievers,IIon Saturday, May3,2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Westside Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5101 Westbank Expressway, Marrero,LA. By order of John J. Sabathe, President

Attest:Ronald R. Rosser, Business Manager

Rosalie Wilson Smith was born on May12, 1932 tothe union of thelate ClarenceWilson, Sr.and Lucille Brooks Wilson.She acceptedGod at an early age andwas baptized at St. MatthewsBaptist Church,bythe late Rev. DaveHyde. Shethenjoined withBellBaptist Church withher belovedhusband, CalvinSmith,Sr.,under the leadershipofRev.JohnW Young,Sr. Sheservedin the ChoiratBellBaptist Church where sheserved aspresident for fifteen (15) years.Later on in her Christian life,she wasap‐pointed as oneofthe mothers of theChurch under theleadershipof Rev.Elvin Lacey. Sheliked serving Godand shining His Lightinher life.She met andmarried thelove ofher life,CalvinSmith,Sr. Tothisunion,six children wereborn: Joyce, Glenda, Calvin, Jr Gilbert, Herman Lee, andShandra.She leavestomourn andcher‐ish hermemories: children, GlendaJackson,Calvin Smith,Jr. (Shirley), Gilbert Smith (Sherry),Herman Lee Smith(Tiffany),and Shandra Smith; step-chil‐dren, LarryTriggs andShe‐lia Green;a son-in-law, Larry Young;a brother, ClarenceWilson, Jr.; 21 grandchildren;and 17 great-grandchildren.A hostofnieces, nephews, relatives,and friends. She was preceded in death: by her parents, Clarence Wil‐son,Sr. andLucille Brooks Wilson;her husband,

Calvin Smith, Sr., adaugh‐ter,Joyce SmithYoung; three grandchildren, Kim‐berly &Katherine Young and GarlandDwayne Young;step-son, Sam Mason;a brother, Mack P. Wilson;and hersisters, Carolyn Scott, ShirleyJenk‐ins,EllaMae Lorick, ThelmaLeBeau, JanetWil‐son,and KarenWilson. Rel‐ativesand friendsofthe familyare invitedtojoinin the Celebrationoflifeser‐viceonSaturdayMay 03,2025 at Bell Baptist Church,2614 Highway1 Raceland, LA 70394 at 2:00pm. Visitation from 11:00am.until 2:00pm.In‐terment in Church Ceme‐tery. Youmay sign the guest book on www.ger trudegeddeswillis.com Gertrude GeddesWillis-Ter‐rebonne FuneralHomeInc., incharge(985) 872-6934

Steven Williams de‐partedthislifepeacefully atPiedmontHospitalon Sunday, April20, 2025, at the ageof60. He wasa na‐tiveofNew Orleans, LA and aresidentofAtlanta GA. Steven wasa graduate ofFrancis T. Nicholls High Class of 1984. Steve, as he was affectionately known byfamilyand friends, was employedwithDeKalb CountySchool System Lovinghusband of TrudyannWilliams. Sonof the late Samuel Sr.and MerrilLoftonWilliams. Grandsonofthe late Mr and Mrs. SandersLofton, and Mr.and Mrs. Alex Williams.Brother of Michelle McCotry, Merril (Albert)Webster,Wanda Williams,Samuel(Enid) Williams,Jr.,and thelate CherylDeniseWilliams, Michael Williams,and David EmileWilliams, Sr Uncle of Nicole (Andra), Nikia (Tyler), Nidia(Eli) Maurice,Christopher (Tamika), Andre(Angelica), Arielle,David,Jr.,Albert, Jr.,Alton (Kayla), Joseph Elisha,Aramist,Timothy, Nekia,Monika(Tim),Ebony (Delvion),Stacy (Chris), Chelby, Casey(Willie), Jameca(Albert), Coley, Jr (Da’Janell),Stanley,Jr. (Jasmine),Ronnie, Jr.(Tay‐lor), Lance(Ramona), Shaun (Oreal), Katrina, Gary(Chicquita),Luke, Karlos, andthe late Timo‐thy Nicholas Calhoun. NephewofEloise, Linda Mae,Earline,and his mother’slastsurviving sis‐ter,AuntGladys. Beloved godfather of Lance, Chelby, Kyara,Jasmine Harris Jovan,Jasmine,Trey, and Ebony.Brother-in-lawof Coley (Bonnie) Calhoun, Sr.,Timothy Calhoun, Sr RonnieCalhoun, Sr., Stan‐ley Calhoun, Sr.(Darline) Paulette (John) Parker, Sheakliann(Kenneth) Cal‐houn, andthe late Man‐ervia MeeksCalhoun, Guy Lee Calhoun, CynthiaBeth Calhoun, andStephen An‐thony Calhounalsosur‐vived by ahostofgreatnieces, great-nephews, cousins,and dear friends. Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the CelebrationofLifeat Davis Mortuary Service230 MonroeSt. Gretna,LAon Saturday, May3,2025, at 9:30a.m.Visitationwill begin at 8:30a.m. untilser‐vicetimeatthe above named parlor.Interment: Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery-NewOrleans,LA. ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService 230 Mon‐roe St.Gretna, LA.Toview and sign theguestbook, pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com.Face Masks AreRecommended

LagardeIII, Alfred 'Joe'

Maier, Margaret Maier

Williams,Steven

Dupuy, Maudry

Smith, RosalieWilson

Pepin, Jean Cecilia

LaRocca,Joyce C.

BRIEFS FROM STAFFAND WIRE REPORTS

Wall Street extends its gains, reclaiming losses

Wall Street extended its gains to aninth straight dayFriday, marking the stock market’slongest winning streaksince 2004 andreclaiming the ground it haslost since President Donald Trump escalated his trade war in early April.

The rally was spurredbya better-than-expected report on the U.S. job market and resurgent hope for aratcheting down in the U.S. trade showdown with China.

The S&P 500, DowJones Industrial Average andthe Nasdaq composite all climbed. The gains were broad. Roughly 90% of stocks and every sector in the S&P 500 advanced. Technology stocks were among the companiesdoing the heaviest lifting. Microsoft rose 2.3% and Nvidia rose 2.5%. Apple, however,fell 3.7% after the iPhone maker estimated that tariffs will cost it $900 million. Banks andother financial companies also made solid gains. JPMorgan Chase rose 2.3% and Visa closed 1.5% higher

Profits at Exxon Mobil and Chevron fall

Exxon Mobil’sfirstquarter profit slumped to the lowest level in years, stung by weaker crude prices and higher costs

The oil and gas giant earned $7.71 billion, or $1.76 per share, for the three months ended March 31. It earned $8.22 billion, or $2.06 per share, in the yearago period.

The results topped Wall Street expectations, but Exxondoes not adjust its reported resultsbased on one-time events such as asset sales. Analysts polled by Zacks Investment Research expected earnings of $1.74 per share.

Chevron also reported its lowest first-quarter profits in years, with per-share adjusted profit falling to $2.18 per shareonrevenue of $47.61 billion.Similar to Exxon, Chevrondoesnot adjust its reported results based on onetime events such as assetsales Analysts predicted earningsof $2.15 pershare on revenue of $48.66 billion.

The last time first-quarter profits were this low for Exxon was in 2022 and for Chevron, in 2021.

This week, abarrel of U.S. benchmark crudefellbelow $60, alevel at which many producers can no longer turn aprofit. U.S. benchmark crude is down 18% this year and Brent, the international benchmark,isright about there as well. This week, BP and Shell also reported falling first quarter profits.

Microsoft hikes Xbox prices worldwide

Amid abackdrop of ongoing tariff uncertainty,moreand more gamers are facing price hikes. Microsoft raised recommended retailer pricing for its Xbox consolesand controllersaround the world this week. Its Xbox Series S, for example, now starts at $379.99 in the U.S. —up$80 fromthe $299.99 price tag that debuted in 2020.And itsmore powerful Xbox Series Xwill be $599.99 going forward, a$100 jump from its previous $499.99 listing.

“Weunderstand that these changes are challenging,” Microsoft wrote in aThursday Xbox support update andsubsequent statement sent to The Associated Press. The tech giant didn’tpoint to tariffs specifically,but cited wider “market conditions and the rising cost of development.” The price hikes arrive during aturbulentand uncertain time for the gaming industry,largely due to new tariffs implemented by U.S. President Donald Trump —and respondingretaliation fromtargeted countries,notably China. And Xbox players aren’tthe first gamers to feel impacts amid these ongoing trade wars. Preorders for Nintendo’shighly-anticipated Switch 2were also delayed in April as retailersassessed the potential impact of tariffs. Nintendo later confirmed that some Switch 2accessorieswould see price adjustments.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

AirProductsdelaysAscension plant

Companylooking to find buyerfor carbon capture, ammonia portion

BY TIMOTHYBOONE Business editor

Air Products said it is delaying the startup of its $8 billion blue hydrogen manufacturing complex in Ascension Parish and won’tmove forwardwiththe projectuntil it sells offthe facility’s carbon capture and ammonia portions

Theearliest the facility will begin productionwon’t be until 2028 or 2029, Air Products CEO Eduardo

MenezessaidThursdayduringa quarterly earnings call with analysts. “Tobeclear,Air Productsisan industrial gases company anddoes not intend to be aretail marketer of ammonia,” Menezes said. Menezes, who took over as CEO in February, said thecompany hadmoved away from itscore businesses in search of growth.

Air Products halted spending on the blue hydrogen manufacturing plant,Menezes said. He said the companyhas hadongoing negotiations withother companies about handling thecarboncapture and ammonia divestiture.

Air Products announced plans for the clean energy facility in October 2021 and said the facilitynear Burn-

side wouldopen by 2026. The company plans to produce “blue hydrogen” at the plant, which is created by extracting methane from natural gas. Customers would useblue hydrogen to generate electricity andpower vehicles.At thetime of the announcement, Air Products officialssaid the facility would produce more than750 million standard cubic feet per day of blue hydrogen —enough to power 3million cars. The carbon dioxide from that production process would be captured,transported down a37mile pipeline to Lake Maurepas and injected deep underground. But theproject has raised the ire of nearbyresidents, whoare concerned about emissions andthe proximity of the plant to Sorrento

Primary School,and environmental groups, who say the plant will have little climatebenefits andcost taxpayers billionsbecause of thefederal tax credits for carbon capture andstorage.

Community groups and environmentalists said they were pleased with the decision to delay the plant.

“This is great news forall the groups and community members who have been fighting this illconceived project from thestart,” Corinne VanDalen, senior attorney for Earthjustice, said in astatement.

Air Products has promoted the economic benefits of the plant, whichwould create 170 permanent jobs, and said it will help reduce carbon emissionsbymakinghydrogen andammonia.

U.S. employment showsresilience

Employersadd surprising 177,000 jobs

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON— American employers added asurprising 177,000 jobs in April as the job market showed resilienceinthe face of President Donald Trump’s trade wars. Hiring fell slightly from arevised 185,000 in March, but that is above economist projections of 135,000 jobs. The unemployment rate remained at alow 4.2%, the Labor Department reportedFriday.

Trump’saggressive and unpredictablepolicies —includingmassive import taxes—have clouded the outlook for the economy andthe jobmarket and raised fears thatthe American economy is headedtowardrecession Friday’sreport showed employment, oneof the strongestaspectsofthe U.S. economy,remains solid,yet many economists anticipate that anegative impact from trade wars will

Rising prices,high mortgagerates widen affordability gap

BY ALEX VEIGA AP business writer

LOSANGELES Homeownership is receding further out of reach formost Americans as elevated mortgage rates and rising prices stretch thelimits of what buyers canafford Ahomebuyer now needs to earn at least $114,000 ayear to afford a $431,250 home —the national median listing price in April, accordingtodatareleased Thursdayby Realtor.com. The analysis assumes that a

materialize this year forAmerican workers and potentially,Trump

“Politicians can count theirlucky stars that companies areholding on to their workers despite the storm clouds forming thatcould slow the economyfurtherinthe second half of the year,” said Christopher Rupkey, chief economist at fwdbonds, afinancial markets research firm.

Transportation and warehousing companies added 29,000 jobs lastmonth, suggesting companies have built up inventory before imported goods are hitwith newtariffs. Health care companies addednearly51,000jobs and bars, restaurants almost 17,000 and construction firms11,000. Factories lost 1,000jobs. Labor Departmentrevisionsshaved 58,000 jobs from February and March payrolls.

Average hourly earnings ticked up 0.2% from March and 3.8% from ayear ago, nearingthe 3.5%thateconomistsview as consistent with the 2% inflation theFederalReserve wants to see.

Trump’smassive taxes on importstothe U.S. are likely to raise costs for Americans

homebuyer will make a20% down payment, financethe rest of the purchase witha30-year fixed-rate mortgage, andthatthe buyer’s housing costswon’texceed 30% of their gross monthly income —an often-used barometer of housing affordability Based off the latest U.S.median homelisting price, homebuyers need to earn $47,000 more ayear to afford ahome than they would have just six years ago. Back then, themedian U.S. home listing price was $314,950, and the average rate on a30-year mortgagehovered around 4.1%.Thisweek,the rate averaged 6.76%. The annual incomerequired to afforda median-pricedU.S. home first crossed intothe six figures in May2022 andhasn’tdropped be-

and American businesses thatdependon supplies from overseas. They also threaten to slow economic growth.His immigration crackdown threatens to makeitmore difficultfor hotels, restaurants and construction firms to filljob openings.Bypurging federal workers and canceling federal contracts, Elon Musk’sDepartment of Government Efficiency risks wiping out jobs inside thegovernment and out.

Still, Bill Adams, chief economist at Comerica Bank, called the jobs report “reassuringly normal.The fearsofasofter labor market due to tariffuncertainty went unrealized last month …There are signs that businesses are reininginplansfor hiringand capital spending and that consumers are turning more cautious toward discretionary spending.” Americanworkers have at least onething going forthem. Despite the uncertainty about falloutfromTrump’s policies,manyemployers don’twant to risk letting employees go notafter struggling to bring people back from themassive but short-livedlayoffs from the pandemic.

lowthatlevel since. Medianhousehold income was about $80,600 annually in 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In several metro areas, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, NewYork andBoston, theannual income needed to afforda medianpriced home tops $200,000. In San Jose, it’smore than $370,000. Rock-bottom mortgage rates turbocharged the housing marketduring the pandemic, fueling bidding warsfor homes that pushed up sale prices sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars above aseller’sinitial asking price. U.S.home prices soared more than 50%between 2019 and 2024. TheU.S. housing market has been in asales slump since2022, when mortgage rates began to

climb from their pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied U.S. homesfelllast year to their lowest level in nearly 30 years. In March, they postedtheir largest monthly drop since November 2022. It’s not all bad newsfor prospective homebuyers. Home prices are rising much more slowly than during the pandemic housing market frenzy.The national median sales priceofa previously occupiedU.S. home rose 2.7% in Marchfromayear earlierto$403,700, an all-time high forMarch, but the smallest annual increase since August. In April, the

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILEPHOTO By CAROLyN KASTER Vehicle assembly technician KevinZepernick works on a2025 Ford Expeditionduring amedia tour to launchthe 2025 Ford Expeditionat theFordMotor Company Kentucky Truck Plant on Wednesday in Louisville, Ky

OPINION

Watching thepapacy in transition

The papacy is onceagain big news. The coming conclave to pick Pope Francis’ successorisstirring interest worldwide and in Louisiana,astate with deep roots in Catholicism.

The popeheadsa church with1.4 billionfollowers, holding aposition of global leadership. Leo XIII, for example, stood upfor labor and improved working conditions after decades of industrialization; John PaulIIplayed amajor role in defeating Soviet communism.

The first pope was Peter,picked by Christ. He was the “rock”uponwhich thechurch was built. Of all 266 popes, 83 have been canonized as saints, including the first 35 (most of whomwere martyred). Three modern popes —John XXIII, Paul VI andJohn Paul II —have been canonized. Though allmen, popes come withavariety of other traits. Twowere believed to be teenagers. Onewas thought to be over100, butmodern research has cast doubt on that fact. Boniface VI, installedat90, is often considered to have been theoldest pope when elected. Italy has produced the most popes (216); 16 were from France and sixfrom Germany.The Borgia family supplied three popes, the Contis fourand the Medicis four.Six popes were marriedatsome point in theirlives, but only one, Adrian II, wasprobably married while pope.

One pope (Urban VI) served only 13 days. Peter served the longest, about 34years. In 1276, therewere four popes at different times. In 1409, three popes served at the same time (twowere “antipopes”). Benedict IX, the youngestpope,served three nonconsecutive stretches between 1032 and 1048

While papal history goes back 2,000 years, information on earlypopes is scattered andoftenunreliable. To best understand the modern papacy,let’sfocus a moment on the 20 most recent popes whoserved between1740and 2025

The average length of service of these20popes was 14 years. Their average age at election was64, and their average age at theend of their tenureswas 78. To compare,Francis waselected at 76, he served for 12 years and his pontificate endedwhenhewas 88

LeoXIIIdiedinoffice at 93,makinghim theoldest sitting pope of the recent 20.The threeoldest popes at the time of theirelections were BenedictXVI at 78, John XXIII at 76 and Francis at 76. In 2013, Benedict became the sixth pope toofficially resign. He died in 2022 at 95. The longest-serving recent pope was Pius IX, 31 years;the shortest tenure wasJohn Paul I’s32days.

Current papal prospects mentioned in themedia range in age from60to80.

Sometimes popesare selected to makea change, but sometimes they’re elected specifically notto make changes. Italians have asaying:“Aftera fat pope,athinone.” After Francis, what? Ayounger pope? An Asian or African pope? AFrenchorAmerican pope? Amore conservativepope?

The longest papal election took nearly threeyears, 1268-1271, leaving the church without apope for that long. Let’shope this never happensagain

To put papal events into an American historical context —Pius VI was in office whenthe Declaration of Independence was signed, Pius IX waspope during the Civil War, Benedict XV during World War I, Pius XI during the Great Depression andPius XII during World WarII. Popes are sometimes remembered forwhatthey did: Peter for guiding Christianity through atime of danger and uncertainty;Gregory Ifor helping the poor; Urban II for launching theFirst Crusade; Innocent XIIfor stampingout nepotism; andJohn XXIII for launching Vatican II.Somepopes,particularly during the MiddleAges, are remembered for lessthanhonorable pursuits, from torturingopposition cardinals and immoralbehaviortoprofligate spending and the selling of indulgences.Some, more recently,have been criticized for what they didn’tdo, especiallyrelated to the Holocaust andthe sexabuse scandals. Being pope is difficult.The next one will have his hands full steering the church into the future.Let’s wait for the white smoke Ron Faucheux isanonpartisanpoliticalanalyst, writer and pollster from Louisiana.

YOUR VIEWS

‘One

Door’initiativewill modernizeLa. workforce

Asa U.S. senator representing the great stateofLouisiana, I’m proud to support theimportantwork of Reps. Stephanie Berault and Kim Carver to advance Gov.Jeff Landry’s“One Door” initiative. This is acommonsense, forward-thinking approach to modernize Louisiana’sworkforce.

The OneDoor model, already proven successful in Utah, creates a coordinated, streamlined path that connects support services with job training and employment. It makes it easier for all Louisianans to access theresources they need to find highpaying jobs, support their families and contribute to our state’seconomy This has been apriorityfor Landry and Iappreciatehis leadership.

Louisianaranks near thetop nationally in poverty rates, while only 58% of adults are working. At thesame time, we have opportunities in health care, energy and manufacturing that are going unfilled. The status quo is not working. We need to reform our workforce system so people have the resources they need to succeed in their careers and achieve the American dream. That’swhat One Door seeks toaccomplish.

Ourgovernor and state Legislature are taking important steps to fix our

state’sworkforce system.Tobuild on this,Congress needs to reverse bureaucratic hurdles in the federal government that are making it difficult to implement these kinds of reforms. Under current law,states are not allowed to use federal workforce grants to implement flexible models to address workers’ individual needs.

That is why,aschairman of the U.S. Senate’scommittee overseeing labor, Iamchampioning the One Door to Work Act as Congress works to reauthorize theWorkforce Innovation and OpportunityAct. This would unlock resources and better empower states like Louisianatoimplement and build on their OneDoor programs.

Ilook forward to working with President Donald Trump and my colleagues in Congress to advance these policies. Icommend Landry alongside Berault and Carver fortheir leadership in improving Louisiana’sworkforce system.I’m looking forward to the stateLegislature advancing these bills and am committed to assisting their efforts in the U.S. Congress. Working together,wecan increase opportunity and make the American dream areality for all Louisianans.

SEN. BILL CASSIDY serving La. in the Senate since2015

We must have couragetostopassault on ourrights

And then they came for therest of us.

n Rümeysa Öztürk, aTufts University student snatched off aBoston street March 25, by masked men, was taken without due process to afederal facility in Louisiana for the crime of speaking out.

n KilmarAbrego Garcia, aMaryland man with protected legalstatus, a U.S.citizenwifeand a5-year-old child was “mistakenly” deported to anotoriousconcentration camp in El Salvador, alongwith 238 migrants, many with no U.S.criminal records, according to CBS News andBloomberg.com. n Mahmoud Kahlil, an expectant father,college student, legal U.S resident married to aU.S.citizen,was illegally kidnappedbyICE,and held in the federal immigration facility in Jena. His “crime?” Speakingout against the brutalwar in Gaza.

We have the right to free speech and should allbeshouting outrageatthe humanrights abusesofU.S.leaders. Don’t think you’re safe from having your rights strippedfrom you. If

youthink they only comefor Brown people —think again. First, they came for immigrants. Thenfor transpeople. Then they came for pregnant women. Then, the oldand the disabled. Whentheycomefor you, no one will be left to save you because you were afraidtospeak out. We should all be afraid of our governmentofbillionaires. But out of fear comes courage. Witness the April 5Hands Offrallies, massive crowds morally opposed to the abuses of this administration. Together we’ll stop their assault on ourconstitutional rights. But we can’t waittospeak up. Call legislators, tell them their weak cowering is wrong. Jointhe growing number of Americansinthe streets exercising our right to free speech. Millions of people are acting —you aren’t alone. But you are running out of time. Have courage. Speak out now before they comefor you.

SHERRI WILDER NewOrleans

Tulane should push back on Trump’s demands

Ijust received my Tulane reunion reminder.Asagraduate of Tulane (‘05) and the law school (‘10), Louisiana native and NewOrleans local, Iwas excited to participate in the reunion activities. However,I recently read the coverage of Tulane’squiet acquiescence to President Donald Trump’sthreats. Ioppose Tulane’sdismantling of the gender and multicultural affairs office and any efforts to roll back DEI. It is simple: The opposite of DEIispatriarchy and White supremacy It is willfully being ignorant and taking a“colorblind” view of the world. It fails to uphold historical contributions by those whoare not White, hetero, able-bodied males. Tulane’sPRspin is meaningless and its silence is deafening. It’s clear that Tulane is folding and along with it goes a vibrant, dynamic exchange of ideas and teachings and critical thinking.

If this liberal arts institution that has historically prided itself in diversity is so easily capitulating to illegal and racist threats of this administration, Iwill no longer take part in celebrating it. Tulane should stand boldly and fight these racist threats and protect its students. If it will not, that’s shameful, and I’ll take no part in it.

MEGAN SNIDER NewOrleans

Rabalais gave good accounting of what LIVGolfmeans

Golfisnot my thing, but Ifollowed Scott Rabalais’ reporting on the attempted Saudi takeover of the PGA, an American institution. He is to be commended forfair and balanced reporting.

CATHY HIGHTOWER Metairie

Ron Faucheux

AMUDDER’S

BY BETH HARRIS AP racing writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky —The Kentucky Derby is toughtowin, with ahuge field of stampedinghorses and150,000 screaming fans in the stands. Toss in arainy forecast that could turn the Churchill Downsdirt strip into something resembling peanut butter anditgets trickier.

Afield of 19 3-year-oldsisset to run11/4 miles for a$3.1 million prize and the garland of redroses on Saturday Mucking things up is aforecast of 65 degrees (18 degrees Celsius)with a90% chance of rain

The soggy weather isn’tjustabummerfor those wanting the fairest of track conditions. The Derby is also a bigparty and fashion show,and rain means pulling out ponchos —noumbrellas allowed —toprotect the huge hats and floral dresses.

Thirteen of the Derby contenders —including early 3-1 favorite Journalism —havenever racedona wettrack.

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Jamie Tutko wishes he had access toit whenTyFloyd was around.

Floyd’sleading characteristiconthe mound while at LSUwas acarry fastballhe threw at the top of the zone,getting opposing hitters to chase it up.

But, as TrackMan —aball-trackingradar system that traces every movementofa baseball in flight —wouldshow afterwards, the pitch would look great in some moments and not as great during others.

“There were times with Ty (where)his numbers on the fastball were not as good as otherdays,” Tutko, LSU’spitchingdirector of development said. Tutko was able to see Floyd’sTrackMan data when he threwhis bullpens.The problem was that he didn’thave access to the numbers during Floyd’sstarts in real games.

Clods of flying mud hitting their faces could be aturnoff. “I may go through three pairs of goggles,”saidBrian Hernandez Jr ,who will be aboard Burnham Square. Six longshots have experienceinthe muck, withfour winning. Coal Battle is 2for 2, while Japan-based Luxor Cafe is 3for 4. The others are Neoequos and American Promise, trained by 89-year-old D. Wayne Lukas.

The last Derby run on asloppy track was in 2019, when Country House won via adisqualification thathad nothing to do withthe weather.The last muddy track was in 1989, when Sunday Silence won. Trainer Bob Baffertgoes for arecord-setting seventh victory in his return from athree-year suspension. He’ll saddle Citizen Bull, last year’s2-year-old champion. The colt breaks from thedreaded No. 1post, leaving him little choice buttoget to thefront before therestofthe field comes over,potentially cutting him off.

ä See DERBY, page 2C

Inside wild Saints-Carr shoulder injury saga timeline

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Derek Carrand theNew Orleans Saints are in agreement: The 34-year-old has a shoulder injury

But so much else has been leftunanswered, even with theparties recently addressing the situation. Carr saidata LasVegaschurch sermon that he hasanMRI to provethe injury, ripping critics whoexpressed skepticism over the injury.Saintsgeneral manager Mickey Loomis said New Orleans was awaiting clarityonthe situation, stillunsure whether Carr can playnextseason.And the developmentscome amidthe backdrop of the Saints’ drafting the quarterback’spotential successor: Louisville’sTyler Shough. Is everything fine between the Saints and Carr? Did he want atrade? Does he want out? The drama seems to get more bizarre by the day.And withsomany updates, it can be hard to keep track of. Here is an exhaustive timeline of everything that has happened from the moment that Carr suffered his season-ending broken hand last season —when this wild saga truly began. Dec. 8, 2024: Carr exits after injuring his left, non-throwing hand and suffersaconcussion when attempting to leap for the first down with four minutes left in awin over the New York Giants. He’slater diagnosed with abroken hand.

Dec. 9: Despite areport from the NFLNetwork that Carr suffered a“significant fracture” that was “almostcertainly” seasonending, interim coach Darren Rizzi leaves thedoor open forthe quarterback to return. The “reports out there werea little bit

ä LSU at Texas A&M 2P.M.SATUDAy,SECN+

Now,that is no longer the case. Starting this season,the Southeastern Conference has provided Tutko, LSUand therestofthe conference iPadsthatallowthem to access TrackMan data during games. “I’m monitoring (the iPad) and relaying backto(pitching coach Nate Yeskie),like, ‘Hey,this pitch is really working for this guy.This pitchdoesn’t have the greatest shape today,’ “Tutko said. “And it’s all stuff that we can see with our eyes anyways, but just getting thenumbers to objectify it just makes it alot easier for us.

TheiPads have allowed Tutkoand Yeskie to make in-game adjustments for their pitchers more easily.The technology is

ä See LSU, page 5C

BYLUKEJOHNSON Staff writer

Some, but not all of the New Orleans Saints’ weak spots were addressed in last week’sNFL draft. The Saints cameinto the event armed with nine picks, and they used them all to fortify nine differentposition

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

CHARLIE RIEDEL

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARySCHEINUK

LSU starting pitcher Conner Ware looks to throwa pitch against North Dakota State on March 4atAlex Box Stadium

Verstappen delighted at birth of his first child

Four-time reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen arrived at the Miami Grand Prix on Friday as a first-time father after announcing he and partner Kelly Piquet had welcomed a daughter Verstappen had skipped Thursday activities at this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix to be with Piquet, the daughter of three-time F1 champion Nelson Piquet. The couple released no details about the birth, including when his daughter was born. Verstappen and Piquet went public in 2021, and Piquet has a daughter, Penelope, with driver Daniil Kvyat that Verstappen is very close with but this is the first child for Verstappen.

Verstappen joins Nico Hülkenberg as the only active drivers this season with children.

Coal Battle is an underdog’s favorite

72-year-old Louisiana trainer running colt in first Kentucky Derby

BY JOHN CLAY Lexington Herald-Leader (TNS)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Lonnie Briley had been a thoroughbred trainer for over three decades before he finally entered a horse in a graded stakes race.

Three months later the 72-yearold Louisianan is in his first Kentucky Derby

“There’s a lot of people from Louisiana that’s calling and leaving text messages and things of that nature. They’re pretty excited,” said Briley, who added he never expected to be in the Kentucky Derby

And yet here he is with Coal Battle, one of the Kentucky Derby 151’s best underdog stories, the colt having won three consecutive Kentucky Derby prep races, including the Grade 2 Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn on Feb. 23 — Briley’s first graded stakes before the son of Coal Front finished third in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby on March 29 at Oaklawn.

“My rider kind of pulled the trigger a little too soon at the half-mile pole instead of waiting,” Briley said of the Arkansas Derby “He got a little heavy and ran third, he still ran good We were real proud of him.”

With good reason. Co-bred by Hume Wornall of Paris and Jay Adcock of Coushatta, Louisiana, Coal Battle sold for $70,000 at the 2023 Texas Thoroughbred Association Yearling Sales to Briley on behalf of owner Robbie Norman.

“He was always a pretty genuine foal, and he always just kind

of stood out,” said Wornall, whose Beech Spring Farm in Bourbon County is where Coal Battle was born and raised. “He would just always come to you, and if the others took off, he would cut a rug and catch up and be on top right before you knew it.”

“I probably looked at about 20 horses,” Briley said of the Texas sale. “I kept looking him over and then I just kept going back to Coal Battle and I figured he was the one I wanted. He’s a nice colt, a good looking colt, a pretty head on him and a good eye, good long neck, good hip, shoulder a good walk on him All the tools to be a racehorse.”

Briley knows a thing or two about the anatomy of a horse. He started out working in the Louisiana oil fields, working with horses on the side, until Eclipse Awardwinning owner John Franks hired Briley to be his farm manager Briley began training full time in 1991.

Only once (2021) had Briley’s horses earned over $600,000 until Coal Battle ($1.18 million in earnings) came along. The colt won his debut at Evangeline Downs last July before Briley took him to Kentucky Downs last September to run on the turf. A fourthplace finish there was followed by a seventh-place finish in an allowance race at Keeneland in October It wasn’t until Briley took the colt to Louisiana that Coal Battle found his form. He won the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs on Nov 28. Next came a victory in the Remington Springboard Mile Stakes at Remington Park in Oklahoma on Dec 13 for his first Derby qualifying points. Coal Battle won the Smarty Jones Stakes on Jan 4 at Oaklawn, followed by the Rebel Stakes victory at 12-1 in which he bested fellow Kentucky Derby entrants Sandman (third), Publisher (fourth) and Tiztastic (fifth).

Sandman turned the tables in the Arkansas Derby with Publisher running second. “He was a little fresh that day,” Briley said of Coal Battle.

Briley isn’t expecting any problems at Churchill Downs on Saturday

“The weather’s real nice and he’s taken to the track real nice and been training hard,” said Briley, whose jockey, Juan Vargas, will be riding in his first Derby “He’s never been a big work horse, but his works have improved every time he’s worked over here. And it seems like he’s matured a lot more since the Arkansas Derby.”

Meanwhile, back in Paris, the town is thrilled with Coal Battle’s success, Beech Spring Farm having been in the Wornall family for six generations.

“It’s a very humbling experience, I can assure you that,” said Wornall, who will be at Churchill Downs on Saturday “Everybody said, ‘Are you going to go?’ and I said the dam of Coal Battle (Wolfblade) is due to foal and I’m not going unless she has foaled. Well, she foaled Tuesday night. So I’m good to go.”

If Coal Battle finishes first on Saturday Briley would tie Frank Childs (72 with Tomy Lee in 1958) as the third-oldest trainer to win the race, behind Art Sherman (77 with California Chrome in 2024) and Charlie Whittingham (76 with Sunday Silence in 1989).

But can a $70,000 yearling, sold in Texas, with a first-time trainer and jockey, win the Kentucky Derby?

“Today, the way horses are bred, I think anybody can come up with a runner,” Briley said. But not anybody can come up with a runner in the Kentucky Derby

Derby field reduced to 19 with scratch of Grande

BY BETH HARRIS AP racing writer

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Grande has been scratched from the Kentucky Derby, reducing the field for Saturday’s 151st edition to 19 horses

He joins Rodriguez on the sidelines after that colt was scratched on Thursday “Unfortunately, the vets have decided to scratch Grande,” owner Mike Repole posted Friday on X. “He has been battling a slight cracked heel this week which has been improving.”

Repole said various diagnostic

DERBY

Continued from page 1C

“We’re going to tell him to get out of there like he just robbed a bank,” Baffert said. No horse has won from the No. 1 post since Ferdinand in 1986.

Baffert’s other horse, Rodriguez, was scratched Thursday with a bruised foot, moving Baeza into the field. Trainer Todd Pletcher’s only entry, Grande, was scratched Friday for the same reason.

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen tries to snap an 0 for 26 Derby losing streak with a pair of 20-1 shots: Publisher and Tiztastic. Both are next to each other in the starting gate. Sovereignty, the early 5-1 sec-

tests on Grande came back clean, including a PET scan requested by Kentucky state veterinarians.

He said the 3-year-old colt had been “training and looking great” on the track all week.

“We were very confused with all the clean diagnostics and improvement all week, why they rushed to judgment to scratch today,” Repole wrote.

“We are also shocked and confused why this decision was made now. We were given no real explanation why Grande was scratched 36 hours before the race.”

Repole has had this happen

ond choice, won at Churchill Downs last fall. He’ll try to snap an 0 for 13 Derby skid for Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

“I know he loves this track,” jockey Junior Alvarado said, “so I’m sitting on a good run with him now.”

Sandman, the early 6-1 third choice, is the most expensive horse in the field at $1.2 million.

Conversely, 30-1 shot Chunk of Gold was bought for $2,500.

“There’s been a lot of expensive horses not pan out and there’s been a lot of cheap ones that have panned out,” Chunk of Gold trainer Ethan West said.

“It’s not like he’s a big, robust, grand-looking animal. He’s very good-looking, but he doesn’t look like Journalism that’s for sure.” Journalism looked the part of

twice before. In 2011, Uncle Mo was scratched the day before the race because of a gastrointestinal infection.

In 2023, Forte was scratched the morning of the race due to a bruised right front foot. The selfmade billionaire from New York is 0-for-8 in the Derby

“We all love these horses and our number one concern is the safety and welfare of these amazing Thoroughbreds. That is, and should always be the priority,” Repole wrote.

“With all the diagnostics we have taken, the great vets we

the Derby favorite while training during a mostly rain-free week on the track and breaks from the No. 8 post.

“The history of the Derby is usually a pretty vibrant opening quarter-mile,” trainer Michael McCarthy said. ”He’ll be part of that, probably just back off the speed.”

The Southern Californiabased colt’s mother’s name is Mopotism and wanting a name ending in “ism,” co-owner Aron Wellman took inspiration from his old gig as sports editor of the Beverly Hills High School newspaper “Now more than ever in the climate that we’re living in, journalists and responsible journalism is so important,” he said. “It’s so poignant that a horse named Journalism is going to have all eyes on him.”

use, and the experience of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, we are baffled and confused by what criteria vets are using to determine who scratches, who doesn’t and when…especially when every diagnostic tells us the horse is safe and sound.”

Rodriguez’s scratch moved Baeza into the field.

He was the only horse on the also-eligible list, so there will be no replacement for Grande Grande was the lone runner for two-time Derby-winning trainer Pletcher and was to be ridden by Hall of Famer John Velazquez.

Iisalo hired as coach after interim appointment

Tuomas Iisalo, who was appointed interim coach of the Memphis Grizzlies in the waning days of the regular season, was given the fulltime job on Friday and becomes the first Finnish-born coach in the NBA.

The team announced the hiring on Friday but terms of Iisalo’s contract were not released. He joined the Grizzlies as the lead assistant this past season.

Iisalo took over the team on March 28 after the Grizzlies returned home from an 0-5 road trip, the last loss coming at Oklahoma City The road trip led to the firing of Taylor Jenkins the winningest coach in Grizzlies franchise history Iisalo, a native of Finland, was 4-5 in the final nine games of the regular season.

Ruud beats Cerundolo to reach final against Draper With the help of painkillers, Casper Ruud overcame a rib ailment to defeat Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets and reach the Madrid Open final on Friday Ruud will face Jack Draper, who beat Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the other semifinal to make his third final of the year Ruud said he felt something in his rib during the warmup, just before going out on the court He said he “felt it in nearly every shot, especially the serve.”

Ruud received treatment on his rib three games into the match and went on to win 6-4, 7-5 on the Caja Magica center court.

The 15th-ranked Norwegian saved 15 of the 18 break points he faced against the 21st-ranked Argentine.

Formula 1 signs 10-year extension with Miami GP

Formula 1 announced a 10-year extension with the Miami Grand Prix on Friday that will ensure the event remains on the calendar through 2041.

The race debuted in 2022 as the second F1 race in the United States on the schedule.

Sunday’s running will be the fourth in what was originally a 10-year contract between Miami promoters and F1. There are now three F1 races in the U.S. every year

Las Vegas was added to the schedule in 2023 and F1 also makes a stop at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

F1 president Stefano Domenicali stressed how vital Miami is to the series’ portfolio as it continues to grow dramatically in the U.S.

Rangers hire Sullivan after split with Penguins

The New York Rangers have hired Mike Sullivan as coach, days after he and the Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to part ways.

General manager Chris Drury announced the move Friday, bringing in the organization’s top candidate who was out of work for less than a full business week.

Sullivan replaces Peter Laviolette, who was fired after the Rangers missed the playoffs following a trip to the Eastern Conference final last year Sullivan, who coached Pittsburgh to the Stanley Cup back to back in 2016 and ’17, is tasked with trying to turn the Rangers back into an immediate contender

Drury made the move to get Sullivan not long after receiving a multiyear contract extension of his own.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEDEL

Kentucky Derby entrant Coal Battle works out at Churchill Downs on Monday in Louisville, Ky

Popovich retires after 29 seasons

The NBA’s all-time wins leader steps down as coach for the San Antonio Spurs

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

Gregg Popovich stepped down as coach of the San Antonio Spurs on Friday, ending a three-decade run that saw him lead the team to five NBA championships, become the league’s all-time wins leader and earn induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame.

“While my love and passion for the game remain, I’ve decided it’s time to step away as head coach,” Popovich said.

He will remain as team president. Mitch Johnson, a Spurs assistant who filled in for Popovich for the season’s final 77 games, becomes the team’s head coach Popovich, 76, missed all but five games this season after having a stroke at the team’s arena on Nov 2. He has not spoken publicly since, though had addressed his team at least once and released a statement in late March saying that he hoped to return to coaching.

That won’t be happening

“I’m forever grateful to the wonderful players, coaches, staff and fans who allowed me to serve them as the Spurs head coach and am excited for the opportunity to continue to support the organization, community and city that are so meaningful to me,” Popovich said.

Popovich’s career ends with a record of 1,422-869, which does include the 77 games — 32 wins and 45 losses — that were coached by Johnson this season. He also won 170 playoff games with the Spurs, the most by any coach with any one team and the third-most overall behind only Phil Jackson’s 229 and Pat Riley’s 171.

“The best there ever was,” Spurs great Manu Ginobili said last year of Popovich.

An NBA and Olympic champion

Popovich was a three-time coach of the year, led the U.S to a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics and coached six Hall of Famers in San Antonio Ginobili, David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Dominique Wilkins and Pau Gasol. He went up against 170 different coaches during his time in the NBA and there have been 303 coaching changes made in the league, including interim moves, during the Popovich era

“I’ve got a video on my phone that’s, like, priceless,” said Chris Paul, who played for the Spurs this past season — going there, in large part, because of the lure of

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO CHARLIE NEIBERGALL

United States players put a gold medal on oach Gregg Popovich during the 2020 Summer Olympics on Aug. 7, 2021, in Tokyo.

playing for Popovich. “It was us in Oklahoma City, before shootaround, and Pop is doing ballhandling stuff. All these years I’ve always seen Pop coaching in a suit, but I didn’t know how hard of a worker he was when it comes to training.”

That work ethic, Paul said, carried over into this year after the stroke and Popovich’s commitment to his rehabilitation process. He took over in 1996

Popovich, in his role as general manager of the Spurs, made the move to fire coach Bob Hill and promote himself into that job on Dec. 10, 1996. The timing seemed, at best, awkward. The Spurs were 3-15 at that point having played all 18 of those games without Robinson, who was just about to come back from injury Popovich took over on the day that Robinson returned to the lineup.

“A change in direction was necessary,” Popovich said that day

The Spurs hadn’t changed direction again since.

“Coach Pop’s extraordinary impact on our family, San Antonio, the Spurs and the game of basketball is profound,” Spurs managing partner Peter J. Holt said. “His accolades and awards don’t do justice to the impact he has had on so many people. He is truly one-ofone as a person leader and coach.

Our entire family, alongside fans from across the globe, are grateful for his remarkable 29-year run as the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs.”

The fortunes changed — Duncan was picked No. 1 overall in the 1997 draft – but the direction under Popovich always stayed the same.

The first championship came in 1999; others followed in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2014. In his first 22 seasons as head coach, the Spurs had 22 winning records, the first 20 of those seasons winning at least 60% of the time.

His decision to step away now comes with the Spurs having just completed the second year of a rebuild around French star Victor Wembanyama, who arrived touted as the next San Antonio great and has done nothing to suggest he won’t live up to that billing.

“Gregg Popovich’s sustained success as head coach of the San Antonio Spurs is incomparable. There are few people in the basketball community as beloved and revered as Coach Pop,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said.

How he started

Popovich played at the U.S. Air Force Academy, famously wasn’t picked in a bid to make the 1972 U.S. Olympic team — some still say he merited a spot on that

team — and wound up becom-

ing a coach who might have been perfectly content to run PomonaPitzer, a Division III program in California, for the entirety of his professional life. That school had lost 88 consecutive conference games when he arrived; it didn’t take long for Popovich to deliver a conference championship. Eventually, the NBA called. In time, Popovich would be paired with Robinson, then the patriarch of a dynasty fueled by Duncan, Parker and Ginobili. And out of that, Popovich put together a career like none other “Everyone knows the amazing job he’s done and all the accomplishments,” longtime coach Larry Brown said in 2021. “I wish more people really could know the type of person that he is.”

He was famously grumpy, liked to clash with reporters, rarely offered any details of his basketball or private life other than what was necessary It was simultaneously real and an act; Popovich has a much softer side as well — he quietly championed causes like the San Antonio Food Bank for years and wasn’t afraid to make his political views known. And those lucky enough to know him find him hilarious.

A loss in the 2013 NBA Finals crushed Popovich, whose Spurs were in position to close out the Miami Heat in six games, lost Game 6 in overtime after Ray Allen’s 3-pointer with 5.2 seconds remaining in regulation kept the Heat alive, then fell in Game 7.

But in the moments after the final horn, as Miami coach Erik Spoelstra embraced his staff, Popovich joined the hug with a wide smile.

Spoelstra, who became head coach of the Heat in 2008, now becomes the league’s longest-tenured in his current position.

“He’s always just been an incredible example of class, dignity,” Spoelstra said of Popovich “To be able to do that after wins or losses, I just think it’s a great example that you can still have class regardless of how the outcome comes during a game.”

When the Spurs beat the Heat for the title in a finals rematch in 2014, it was Spoelstra who felt the sting of losing.

And once again, it was Popovich who sent congratulations on a job well done.

“There is no one out there like Pop,” Golden State coach Steve Kerr said.

Coach calls lack of free throws ‘crazy’ after Game 6 loss

BY GREG BEACHAM AP sportswriter

INGLEWOOD Calif Denver Nuggets interim coach David Adelman was dismayed and angered by the amount of contact the officials allowed while the Los Angeles Clippers defended Nikola Jokic in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Thursday night.

The Clippers’ physical defense is a prime reason Denver is headed home to play yet another Game 7. Adelman and Jokic are confident the Nuggets will fight back with their season back on the brink. Adelman decried the lenient officiating standards in Denver’s 111-105 loss in Game 6. Jokic shot

only two free throws, and the Nuggets went to the line only nine times compared to the Clippers’ 15 free throws while both teams appeared to be allowed to play physically

“Nikola gets fouled a lot,” Adelman said. “I’m not sure what was happening tonight, but for him to shoot two free throws with the amount of contact that was going on out there was absolutely crazy.

“They put smalls on him. Those smalls were allowed to do whatever they want, so I’m really excited for Saturday that we’re going to be able to do the same thing with their best players, because if that’s the physicality we’re allowed to play with, we’ll react to it, and we will go there in Game 7.”

The group of “smalls” guarding the 6-foot-11 Jokic included

ä Clippers at Nuggets.

6:30 P.M.SATURDAy NBATV

6-foot-8 Nicolas Batum, whose second-half effort played a major role in turning Game 6 in the Clippers’ favor Batum and Ivica Zubac teamed up for an effective effort against Jokic, who scored only five of his 25 points in the second half while going 2 for 9 from the field.

But even Adelman knew the officials didn’t decide another close game in a series between two teams that finished the regular season with the same record.

“This is what I expected, to be honest,” Adelman said. “This felt like a seven-game series. It’s an evenly matched series. There’s so many good players out there, guys that can have nights.”

Nobody had a night for the Nuggets in Game 6, and that’s why they’re headed to Game 7.

Closeout games have been mostly a nightmare for the Nuggets since winning the franchise’s only championship two seasons ago. They’ve lost four of their last five closeout opportunities, including two games in last year’s secondround series with Minnesota. The Nuggets had a 3-2 lead in that series, only to get thrashed by 45 points in Game 6 before losing Game 7 in their home arena the same place they’ll play the Clippers on Saturday Denver has lost four of its past five potential closeout games, beating only the Lakers in the first round last season — but only after losing Game 4 with a 3-0 series lead.

WNBA preseason to be in college arenas

BY DOUG FEINBERG AP basketball writer

Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu are among the players who will get a chance to play one more game in their college arenas as WNBA teams return to campuses for preseason contests.

It’s a trend, started by the Las Vegas Aces last season when they played at South Carolina in a return for A’ja Wilson to her alma mater It gives WNBA teams a chance to capitalize on the popularity of players and they hope it also brings new fans to the league.

Reese will headline the Chicago Sky’s trip to LSU on Friday to face the Brazilian national team and then on Sunday Clark will lead the Indiana Fever to Iowa for an exhibition game against the same Brazilian squad.

“I’m really excited,” Clark said.

“It should be fun. I can’t believe it’s already here. I honestly haven’t been back to Iowa City a ton since I left a year ago now — only been back once for a football game and once for the jersey retirement. But it will be fun to get back there, see some of my former teammates, my friends that are there.”

Both the Fever and Sky games will be on national television. The WNBA will be showing all 15 of its preseason games either on national television or league pass. Clark did have one concern about the trip to Iowa; the basketball arena doesn’t have air conditioning.

“A lot of my family will be coming, so I know they’re excited. I warned everybody, I’m like there’s not air conditioning in CarverHawkeye (Arena), usually don’t play basketball games there in May, so hopefully it stays a little cool in there,” she said, laughing. A trio of former Notre Dame standouts will take the court in South Bend, Indiana, on Friday when the Dallas Wings open the preseason against Wilson and the Aces. WNBA All-Stars Jewell Loyd and Jackie Young both starred for the Irish while Wings standout Arike Ogunbowale also excelled there.

The opener will also mark the debut of No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers for the Wings.

Ionescu and the New York Liberty will close out the preseason schedule on May 12 when the team goes to Oregon to play at her alma mater against the Japanese team — the Toyota Antelopes.

The NCAA’s career triple-double leader never got a chance to say goodbye to the school or the fans because the coronavirus pandemic wiped out the NCAA Tournament her senior season in 2020.

“I don’t really know how I’m going to feel, especially suiting up and stepping on that court again. I might get emotional, just knowing that I finally get to say goodbye to that chapter of my life.”

Scheffler leads at 18 under through 36 after long weather delay

BY SCHUYLER DIXON AP sportswriter

McKINNEY,Texas Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth share a strong desire to win their hometown event, the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The top-ranked player has a great chance to do it first.

Playing with his good friend who is also a fellow Dallas resident and Texas alum, Scheffler padded his lead on Friday, shooting an 8-under 63 to reach 18 under through 36 holes as one of the early finishers in a weatherdelayed second round. About half the field didn’t get to complete the round after a sixhour delay, the last of the players not teeing off until about 15 minutes before sunset at soggy TPC Craig Ranch in a Dallas suburb. They all figure to be chasing Scheffler on the weekend, with Spieth probably too far back to be among the contenders.

Play was suspended for darkness with Scheffler leading Sam Stevens by six shots. Stevens shot 65 on Friday

“This tournament definitely means a lot to me,” said Scheffler, who made his PGA Tour debut at the Byron Nelson in 2014 — four years after Spieth made himself an instant hometown favorite by contending on Sunday as a 16-year-old high school junior “It’s going to be a lot of fun to play here and have a chance to win.”

TPC Craig Ranch, which yields low scores even without pillowsoft conditions, was no match for Scheffler He opened with a 61 on Thursday and his total of 124 beat the previous 36-hole best at the Nelson by two shots.

The two-time Masters champion missed Justin Thomas’ 36hole PGA Tour record from 2017 by one stroke

Spieth couldn’t keep up, although he figures to be safely inside the cut line following a 67 that put him at 6 under Jhonattan Vegas, a Venezuelan who also played for the Longhorns, finished his 69 and was eight shots behind Scheffler after starting the day two back. Ricky Castillo was 10 under in the 18th fairway when play was suspended. Scheffler, bogey-free through two rounds, started on the back nine and parred his first eight holes before an eagle at the par5 18th just before play was suspended. Lightning started the delay, and several hours of rain followed — for the second time in three days. When the players returned, water sprayed from most of the shots in the fairway None of it bothered Scheffler, who hit 12 of 14 fairways and had six birdies over his final nine

holes.

“There were some fairways that were pretty wet, but other than that, I think the golf course held up pretty well,” Scheffler said.

Defending champion Taylor Pendrith shot 71 and was 4 under possibly in danger of missing the cut. The weather forecast had Scheffler believing a long delay was coming before his round even started. Once it came, he spent most of the time in the clubhouse, eating and chatting with players.

“The food is just sitting there,” Scheffler said “So we enjoyed some food, sat there, kind of hung out with some of the guys and didn’t do too much.”

The delay didn’t stop the momentum from the eagle that beat the weather All six of his birdie putts were inside 15 feet.

“We’re on a golf course where you’ve got to make some birdies, and the conditions today were changing a good amount,” Scheffler said. “Obviously with the huge rain delay, that was a challenge as well. Getting back out and playing in some wind and some pretty wet fairways, but overall, it’s great to be playing at home.”

Stevens birdied four his last six holes, including two par 3s, and played the first two rounds without a bogey

The 28-year-old seeking his first PGA Tour victory was second at the Farmers Insurance Open in January

“There’s so many birdies out here and there’s so much golf to be played, I need to keep my head down,” Stevens said.

“And if I get in a situation where I’m in contention with nine holes to go, then I have some memories to draw on.”

AP PHOTO By CHARLIE NEIBERGALL

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever speaks during a news conference on Feb 2 in Iowa City, Iowa.

THE VARSITYZONE

ElusiveTiger

Holy Cross’LukeAppeslips pastthe tag of Acadiana’sTyLamartina to score arun in the thirdinning during the openinggameoftheir Division Iselect quarterfinalbest-of-three series series on FridayatHoly Cross. The game went into arain and had not resumed as of press time.

E.D. Whitetakes series with St.Charles 2-0

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

St. Charles lost aheartbreakingseries opener in extra innings Thursday against E.D. White and was unable to bounce back Friday in LaPlace. No. 7-seeded E.D. White delivered early in the second game of aDivision II select best-of three quarterfinals series with five runs in the bottom of the first inning. TheNo. 2seedSt. Charles scored one run in the topoffifth inning on abases-loaded balk,but that was all they managedina5-1 season-ending loss.

St. Charles nearly held E.D. White to two runs in thebottom of the first, but an error by St. Charles senior thirdbaseman Forrier Fabre resulted in abases- loaded opportunity for E.D. White senior Luke Zeringue. Zeringue cleared the bases with an RBI double to left-center

“(The first inning) was acombination of some of our mistakes, but Ithink you’ve got to give (E.D. White) alot of credit,” St

Charles coach Wayne Stein said. “They ended up getting five hits. We made amistake that led to three extra runs. It would’ve been nice to have had it be 2-0 instead of 5-0.”

E.D. White scored first after junior GrantBarbera deliveredan RBI singletocenter that score senior Jax Triche. SeniorDylan Robichaux then recorded aoneoutsingle to left field that drove in juniorEvan Arcement. Zeringue’s bases-clearing double occurredwith two outs, scoring Barbera, Robichaux and juniorJonthan Lee.

“I think after Game 1, our guys weren’tsatisfied with their atbats,” E.D. White coach Matthew Plitt said.

“I thought they came today with amission to score first, and we accomplished that.”

Seniorright-hander Luke Dewhirststarted for St. Charles and pitched 32/3 innings, allowing two earnedruns. Sophomore Landree LeBlanc entered the game for Dewhirst and threw 21/3 scoreless innings.

E.D. White left-handedpitchers Owen Blanchard and Claude Remondet held St. Charles to one hit. The Comets hadrunners on baseinthe fifthand sixthinnings but stranded apair both times. Junior Dax Pregeant recorded St. Charles’lonehit. Senior Logan Klibert scored on afifth-inning balk. St. Charles, last season’s DivisionIII select state runner-up, ends their season with a23-14 record “It’s been along time before our season was ended before the state championship,” Stein said. “Six yearstobeexact.Ihope the guys that are returning can learn from (this year). “Sometimes Ithink we’vegotten bored withwinning. We’ve just gottoget back to work as a program.”

E.D. White(21-18) advances to the Division II select semifinals andwill face thewinner of No. 3 Loyola Prep and No. 6Hannan. EmailSpencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

Statesoftballtourney delayedbyrain

BYCHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

The four New Orleans area schools in theLHSAA state softball tournament had their semifinal games moved toSaturday and the state championships havebeen pushed back to Sunday because of inclement weather St.Charleshad just begunits

game againstE.D.White in the Division III select semifinals when officials called players off the field because of lightning in the area. Officials decidedabout 90 minutes later to push all remaining games back aday

St. Charles and E.D. White will resume action at noon on Saturday

The Division Iselect semifinals between Chapelle and John Curtis, and between Mount Carmel andSt. Thomas More,will be held at 3p.m. Saturday The Divisions Iand II select championships areset for 3p.m Sunday

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

n No. 2E.D.White (23-9) vs.No. 6St. Charles (25-7),2:30 p.m. Saturday, Field 16 Division III

n No. 1Calvary Baptist1,No. 4Parkview Baptist 0 n No. 2D’Arbonne Woods13, No. 3Notre Dame 11 Division IV

n No. 1Catholic-PC (25-10) vs.No. 5Menard (20-11),3 p.m. Saturday, Field13 n No. 2Opelousas Catholic (23-8) vs.No. 6St John (23-8),3 p.m. Saturday, Field18 Class B n No. 1Quitman 4, No.4Grace Christian 0 n No. 2Stanley 3, No.6Zwolle 2 Class C n No. 9Calvin6,No. 4Summerfield5 n No. 2Northside Christian(13-7)

Newman,McGehee wingirls tennis titles as doublestandems

BY CHRISTOPHERDABE Staff writer

tennis girls team championships with the help of their doubles tandems who also won statetitles on Friday in Monroe. Newman’sGwendolyn Gray and Frances Casbarian wonthe DivisionIII doubles title and McGehee’sFlorence Dupuy and Ana King won Division IV Newmanwon the Division III statetitle with 141/2 points as Gray andCasbarian defeated doubles teams fromSacred Heart in the semifinalsand championship.Sacred Heart, with 101/2 points, had Charlotte Jenkins andEliseScafidel in thestate final.

McGehee wonDivision IV with 91/2 points as Dupuy and King

Aftera

reached the state finals for the third year in arow and wontheir second title together.The first title came two years ago. Runner-up St. Frederick had 71/2 points. In the Division III boys tournament, Brody Matherne of St. Charleswon theDivision III singles state title. Newman (nine points) wasthe runner-up behind St. Louis Catholic (121/2). In Division IV boys, Max LaForge of St. Martin’sadvanced to the singles final and Country Day’s Joseph Hereford and Porter Sinnott reached the doubles finals. Those finals will be played Saturday after rain postponed them from Friday

Contact ChristopherDabeat cdabe@theadvocate.com

fan’sterrifying fall in Pittsburgh,safety measures stressed

TheAssociated Press

NEW YORK When afan flipped over the railing and fell off the 21-foot-high Clemente Wall in right

field at Pittsburgh’sPNC Park on Wednesdaynight, it elicited memories of spectators who have died from similar falls at other major league stadiums.

Kavan Markwood was in critical conditionasofThursday after falling onto the warning track in right field just as Pirates starAndrew McCutchenhit atwo-run double in the seventh inning to put Pittsburgh ahead 4-3. Markwood was tended to for approximately five minutesbymembers of both the Pirates and Cubs training staffs as well as PNCpersonnel, before being removed fromthe field on a cart. He wastaken to the trauma centeratAllegheny General Hospital.

Pittsburgh PublicSafety,which includesPittsburgh Policeand EMS, posted on XThursday that the “incident is being treated as accidentalinnature.”

Fans died after steep falls at ballparks in Arlington, Texas, in 2011 and Atlanta in 2015. Here’salook at some safety measuresinstituted by MLBand itsteams:

Ballparkrailings

Railing heights at ballparksare team decisions based on local laws andcodes.The railing that runs along the Clemente Wall is three feet (36 inches)inheight, which exceeds the building code requirements of 26 inches, according to Pirates vice president of communications Brian Warecki.

Those rail heightshavecome under scrutinyatother ballparks afterfans died. The Rangers raised theheight of the front row rails at their former ballpark by as much as 12 inches to 42 inches in July 2011 after afan named Shannon Stone fell about20feet.

TheAtlanta Braves settled a

lawsuitin2018 withthe family of Gregory Murrey,who died after falling from Turner Field’supper deck threeyears earlier. Murrey fell over arail that was 30 inches high —industry code standards mandated 26 inches or taller Foul ball netting

Until 2015, many ballparks had netting separating fans andthe field only directly behind home plate. Following severalincidents that season in whichfanswere hospitalized after being hit by foul balls, MLB encouraged teams to extend netting or screens to run dugout-to-dugout behind home plate in December 2015. Three years later,all 30 ballparkshad netting reaching to the farends of each dugout. In 2019, a2-year-old girl fractured her skull whenstruck by a foul ball at the HoustonAstros’ stadium. The club later reached a settlement with the girl’sfamily The followingoffseason, MLBannounced seven major league teams would expand protective netting to the foul poles and 15 others would expand their netting generally to theareainthe outfield where the stands begin to angle away from the field.The remainingeight clubs already had installed netting that extended substantially beyond the farend of the dugouts. Alcohol sales

MLB does not mandate alcohol sales cutoffs, but mostclubs have stopped selling alcohol around the end of the seventh inning for years. After newrulesaimedatincreasingthe pace of play ledtoshorter game times in 2023, severalclubs extended alcohol salesuntil the end of the eighth inning. Many of those teamshave reverted back to the seventh-inning cutoff.

(17-8), noon Saturday, Field 13

n No. 3Logansport(22-9) vs.No. 7Mangham (17-11), 2:30p.m.Saturday, Field 18 SELECT Division I

n No. 4JohnCurtis (24-7) vs.No. 9Chapelle (17-10), 3 p.m. Saturday, Field 13 n No. 2St. Thomas More(24-7) vs.No. 6Mt. Carmel (16-13), 3p.m Saturday, Field 14 Division II

n No. 1Vandebilt (31-2) vs.No. 4Buckeye (22-12), 2:30p.m.Saturday, Field 15

STAFF PHOTO By SCOTT THRELKELD

LSUaddsshootingguard Carter from transfer portal

Former Memphisguard made nearly 40%ofhis 3-pointattempts

BY TOYLOYBROWN III

Staff writer

LSU men’sbasketball gained the commitment of Memphis guard PJ Carter from the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-4, 175-pound fifthyear player is the seventh portal addition and the 12th scholarship player on the 2025-26 roster

For Memphis, which ended the season at No. 25 team in AP poll, he played14.4 minutes per game, averaged 5.4 points and made 39.3% of his 117 3-pointers.

“Weare happy to welcome PJ Carter to the LSU program,” coach Matt McMahon said in arelease. “He is aperfect fit with our point guards and forwards because of his ability to shoot the ball at ahigh level.”

Carter’sbest game last sea-

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

All of these players come with some sort of aquestionmark, whether it is age or injury related or both.And it shouldbe noted that New Orleans is not considered an ideal landing spot for free agents at the moment. But if there is mutual interest, these players could help the 2025 Saints.

Possession receiver

It’snot like New Orleans doesn’thave talent in its receiver room. Chris Olaveand Rashid Shaheed make up oneof the more exciting 1-2 punches in the NFL when healthy,and the Saints signed Brandin Cooks this offseason to give them an accomplished No. 3option.

The problem is that all those receivers are similar —Olave, Shaheed and Cooks all stand between 5-foot-10 and 6-foot and all weigh between 180 and 190 pounds —and the Saints have clearly lacked a50-50ball-winner in their offenseever since Michael Thomas went down with an ankle injury in the first game of the 2020 season

The good news is there are still several decorated receivers still available in free agency The potential bad news is that the Saints will almost certainly have competition at the top of the market if that’swhere they want to go.

Keenan Allen: In terms of pure fit, Allenwould be the ideal complement to what the Saints already have. He is a6-2, 211-pound football vacuum whosecareer highlight tape is littered with him making tough contested catches. He is 33 years old, is coming off his least productive season in years(his 49.6 receiving yards pergame with Chicago last year was acareer low), and he may have more attractive options elsewhere. But pair Allen with the downfield speed New Orleans already has, and the Saints could suddenly have one of the more interesting receiver rooms in the NFL.

Amari Cooper: Okay,somaybe Cooper is not necessarily apossession receiver —inthe last three years, he has averaged about 10 drops per season,and he hasn’tcaught more than 60% of his targets since 2021(for reference: Olave has topped 60% in each of his three NFL seasons, and last year was the first time in Allen’s11NFL seasons he didn’ttop 60%). But Cooper can still be auseful NFL player,especially if he’snot asked to be the team’sNo. 1option. Tyler Boyd: He is coming off apedestrian seasonwith theTennessee Titans (390 yards,0 touchdowns) andhas nottopped 800 receiving yards in aseason since 2021, but New Orleans wouldn’t be asking Boyd to be aprimary receiver threat.Heisstill someone who can move the chains when the ball goes his way,with 11 of his 39 catches converting third downs last year,and his 6-2, 203-pound frame would give the Saints abigger target Edge rusher

After re-signing Chase Young in free agency,the Saintsare bringing back virtually the same crew of defensive ends from last year’steam. There are some goodplayers in thatgroup, but there’snoquestionNew Orleans could benefit from some additional pass-rushing juice —especially if newdefensivecoordinator Brandon Staley wants to implement a3-4 base that includes the smaller,bendier edge rushersthat the Saints never botheredaddinginpreviousit-

son was a19-point performance against Rice on Feb. 2, making 5of 7from beyond thearc.

TheAtlanta native startedhis collegiatecareer at Campbell, where he played 16 gamesintwo years.

He spenthis thirdcollege season at GeorgiaHighlands College,a junior college.Hethenplayedat theTexas-San Antonioduringthe 2023-24seasonbeforehis most recentcampaignatMemphis.

Carter’sbest season in Division Iwas at UTSAwhere he averaged 9.5 points and2.4 rebounds and made 40.3% of his129 3-pointers.

“PJ made 98 triples over the last two seasons at 40%, so we love his abilitytospace the floor,” McMahon said. “With his6-4 frame, PJ was also astrong perimeter defender on Memphis’ NCAA Tournament team last season. We are

erationsoftheir defense.

As with receiver,thereare still alot of big names left in the free agency pool when it comes to veteran pass rushers.

Za’DariusSmith: He will turn 33 years old in September,but Smith appears to still have plentyinthe tank.The threetime Pro Bowler split last season between Cleveland andDetroit andstill managed to rack up nine sacks and17quarterback hits. It was hisfourth time in the last six seasons he’srecorded at least nine sacks.

Matthew Judon: Though he was adisappointing addition to Atlanta’sdefense last season, managing just 51/2 sacks, Judon is just two years removed from a151/2-sack season with theNew EnglandPatriots. In the right role, he could still be aproductivepass rusher in sub defensive packages. Like Smith, he will turn 33 this season

Dennis Gardeck: Thereare some injury concernshere, as Gardeck tore his ACL in Week 7 lastseason.Healso hasn’tbeen nearly as productive as some of theother available passrushers, with 17 career sacks. Finally Gardeck is undersized, at just 6-foot and232 pounds. Butifthe Saints want abuy low candidate to add to their pass-rushing group, Gardeck makes alot of sense. He had athree-sack game lastseason before his injury,and hasracked up six-and sevensack seasons before.

Cornerback

This isn’t as pressing aneed as it was before the Saints drafted Quincy Riley in the fourth round, butit’salso fair to say the Saints are currently going into the2025 season withaslittle experience in their corner room as they’ve hadinyears.

The only returningcorners from last year’steam who playedatleast 200 defensive snaps are Alontae Taylor and Kool-Aid McKinstry.New Orleans signed freeagent Isaac Yiadom,who played well with theteam in 2023 buthas very little startingexperience in his career.Beyondthemand Riley, their depth includesRico Payton, Rejzohn Wright and Travion Fluellen (combined career defensive snaps: 21)

Maybe the Saints aredone making moves at corner,but it feels like they could still use some more help.

AsanteSamuel Jr.: Can you believe he’sstill on the market? Samuel is just 25 years old and has beena productive NFL starter throughout his career,but there are apparently medical concerns that have prevented him from inking his first free agent contract: Alingeringstinger issue forced him to miss 13 games last season. Still, Samuelhas experience with Staley,and it’sworth wondering if theSaints could entice him on thesame sort of dealYoungsigned with theteam last offseason.

Rasul Douglas: He will turn 30 years old in Augustand is coming off aroughseasonwith Buffalo, butthere was arecent stretch where Douglas was one of themost productivedefensive backs in football. From 2021-23, Douglas picked off 14 passes and returned three of them for touchdowns

Kendall Fuller: After signing a$15 million freeagent contract with Miami last season,the Dolphins released Fuller in Februaryto make himafree agent. He has experience bothasaslot and boundary corner,which would give theSaints more flexibility in the way they deploy the secondary

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

excited to add his experience and shot-making.”

The 23-year-old is the second transfer added since LSUhired Ronald Dupree as the program’s general manager on April 17.

The other portal additions for McMahon were UNLVpoint guard Dedan Thomas, UC Davis forward Pablo Tamba, Northeastern guard RashadKing, Mississippi State center Michael Nwoko, Portland guard MaxMackinnon andOmaha forward Marquel Sutton.

The rest of the roster comprises of returning big men in Jalen Reed andRobert Millerand incoming freshmenMattGilhool (center), Jalen Reece (point guard) and Mazi Mosley (guard)

The Tigers ended last season 1418 overall and3-15inthe Southeastern Conference.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILEPHOTO By ASHLEy LANDIS Memphis guard PJ Carter shoots against Rice on Feb.2 in Houston. Carter,a fifth-year senior,isLSU’sseventh transfer portal addition.

LSU-TEXAS A&M GAME 1POSTPONED

something Tutko wishes he had when Floyd was still pitching for the Tigers.

“After the first inning or so, when we’ve seen anumber of pitches, (wewould havebeen) able to say,‘Okay, (thefastball) is really,really good today.Let’s exploitthatand let’scontinue to throw the fastball,’ “Tutkosaid, “or it’s‘Hey,it’snot allthatgood today,solet’stry to go with other areas when it comes to ourpitch usage.’ “

Every school has fiveiPads that can only be utilized during conference games. The tablets are also cutoff from theinternet andonly grantsaccess to anotes app and TrackMan.

Juniorleft-hander Conner Ware has noticed how thenew technology has helped him better understand the shapes of his pitchesduring an outing.

Email Koki Rileyat Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com. LSU Continuedfrom page1C

LSU and Texas A&M did not playonFridaybecause of inclementweather in thearea.The teamswill insteadplaya doubleheader on Saturday. The first game Saturdaywill begin at 2p.m. and the second game will start an hour afterthe first one concludes. Both games are slated to last nine innings and will be available to streamonSEC Network+ Friday’sgameisLSU’s fifthSoutheastern Conference game wherethe start timehas been affected by weather. Last Friday, the Tigers sat througha three hour and 25 minute weatherdelay before their showdown withTennessee. LSUisexpected to turntosophomore left-hander Kade Anderson on the mound and will be slated to face Texas A&M left-hander Ryan Prager Anderson gave up just twoearnedruns in 71/3 innings last week against Tennessee. Prager surrendered only one earned runin52/3 innings last Friday at Texas.

“Maybe your stuff’snot the same and(Tutko) can come up andtell you‘Hey,this is what’shappening withyour pitches,’ and(tells you) things that you need to change,” Ware said LSUcoach Jay Johnson believes that theimplementation of the iPads hasn’tdramatically changed the way LSUhas coached within games. He believesthatthe extra information TrackMan’sdata has provided is agood thing, but relay-

CARR

Continuedfrom page1C

false,” Rizzi says.

Dec. 13-14: Carr enters the final stepofthe concussion protocol but is later listed as doubtful and then subsequentlyruled outfor New Orleans’Dec. 15 showdown against the Washington Commanders.

Dec. 18-21: The NFLNetwork’s Ian Rapoport doubles down on his original report,reporting it is “very unlikely” Carr returns,as he’sstill weeks away from being able to withstand contact. Aday later,Rizzi again disputesthe report andsaidCarris“frustrated” over the reporting. He said Carr is “working his tailoff” to return from his hand injury. He is then ruledout prior to New Orleans’ Monday Night Football game against theGreen Bay Packers.

Dec. 27-29: After Rizzi says Carr’s grip strength was gradually improving, the Saints still rule outthe quarterback ahead of that weekend’sgame againstthe Las Vegas Raiders, Carr’s former team.The quarterback was spotted without a cast that Sunday Dec. 30-Jan.3: Rizzireveals that Carr had participatedina“simulated game” in the week prior to test his grip strength andfunctionality,with the goalfor Carr to do so again before returning to practice sometime thatweek. ButCarr neverreturns and is ruled out for theWeek 18 season finale againstthe TampaBay Buccaneers.

Jan. 6: Carrsays he’s“fully confident”he’ll be back with the Saints next season,telling reporters he’s“absolutely” happy in New Orleans.“Ilove it here,” he said. Carrtells reporters he still needs to gethealthy but expectstobe cleared in the nextfew weeks.

In an interview with ESPN,Carr is adamant he would not takea paycut —“especially with what I put on tape,”hesays. Carr says he would be open to arestructure but wouldn’t“take anything less” than the$40 million he is set to earn.

Feb. 13: At hisintroductory news conference, new coach Kellen Moore gives several noncommittal answersabout whether Carr would be back with the team next season. He says he is excited to go through “this process” but demurswhen asked if Carr would be thestarter Feb.26: The Saints’ brass confirms theyplan to stick with Carrin2025, though they acknowledge they will addresshis contractinsomeway “I feel like we’ve got aguy we can winwith,” Loomissays. Moore says the Saintsfeels “fortunate” to

have Carr, calling him a“big-time quarterback.”

March8: The Saints do asimple restructureofCarr’scontract amove that does notrequire the quarterback’spermission. The teamconvertsall butthe league minimum of Carr’s$30 millionbase salary,aswell as his $10 million roster bonus, to clear up more than $30 million in salary cap space. ESPNreports that before the transaction, Carr wasopen to testing the market, “possibly filling avoid with aquarterback-needy team before free agency.”

March 10: Days after the Saints restructured Carr’scontract, Moore says he anticipated the quarterback being theteam’sstarter when he took the job.“We felt really comfortable with him,” Moore says, addingthey have confidence about the“environment” they can create for Carr

April 1:Atthe NFL owners’ meetings, Moore is asked whether Carr is bought in amid previous rumors thathewas open to atrade. “Yeah, we’re excited to team up,” Moore says. Thecoach,who makes no mentionofaninjury,tells reporters that he expects to see Carr for thestart of New Orleans’ offseason program on April 14.

April 11: News of Carr’spotentially season-ending shoulder injury breaks, three days before the start of the Saints’ offseason program. Asourcewithknowledge of the situation tells the Times-Picayune that Carr’sinjury stemmed from an old shoulder injuryand did notoccuragainst the New York Giants, something Carr’sbrother David would later refute.

April14: Carr does not attend the beginning of the voluntary portionofthe Saints’ offseason program. The quarterback is among ahandful of playerstonot show up. But that same day, Carr is featuredinavideo with his brother David on their YouTube channel in whichtheyreviewa$500,000 Rolls-Royce Spectre.

Also that day,The Athletic’sDianna Russini says on apodcast that people around theleague areviewing Carr’sinjury with skepticism and wonder if it is being used as “an excuse” after he wasn’ttraded.

wApril 16: Sports Illustrated’sAlbert Breer reportsother teams were underthe impression Carr wanted out from New Orleans and that Carr’scamphas told people that the injury stemsfrom the 2023 season, when he suffered an AC spraininWeek 3against the Green BayPackers.

April 23: Loomis acknowledges Carr has ashoulder injury but refuses to elaborate on any other

Koki Riley

ing the infotoplayers in amanner that digestible for the players is just as crucial. “I think it’sabalance,” Johnson said. “Like information is good, but you have to filter it in away that helps the player execute their plan.”

details about the situation. He says the Saints were hoping to get clarity on Carr “in the near future.” April 24: David Carr,Derek’s brother and former quarterback, says on the NFL Network that the Saints starter believes he suffered the shoulder injury on the December play against the New York Giants —not in 2023. He saysthe Saintswere aware of the injury from the“momentithappened” and confirms the quarterback is weighing whether to get surgery “He’strying to findthe answers,” David Carr says.

“After theadrenalinewears off, youdon’t really throw,”David says. “You don’treally throw a ball at game-level tempo afterthat, because he was trying to getback from that injury.So, by thetime they were able to go throw the ball again, it wasstill there, theshoulder wasstill bothering him,soyou start to go through, ‘What do we have to do to get it right?’”

Earlierthatday,Breer had reported that Carr also sought a raise from the Saints earlier in the offseason and then atrade before the team restructured his contract

April 26: After drafting Shough with the 40thoverall pick, Loomissays he expects the Saints to have aquarterback competition next season —but only if Carr is unavailable. “Derek’sthe starter if he’shealthy,” the general manager says, adding there was no update on Carr’sstatus.

April28: Video circulates of Carr speaking publicly aboutthe injury for the first time. During a Las Vegaschurchservice, the quarterback accuses “people lying about me” and having to deal with“nonsense” over apparent skepticism of his shoulder injury “You never know what someone is goingthrough,”Carrsays.“So whydowecontinually try to attack people?And Iwould say, maybe tryingtoattackpeople who Iwould say are doing things theright way.”Carr says he has an MRI to prove his shoulder injury,adding he andthe Saints are “figuring it out.”

Carr also reveals thatover the last fewmonths, his wife had been having health problemsthat included amiscarriage. Carr said he andhis wifedidn’tknowshe was pregnant but had to rush her to the emergency room one day “I say allthattosay:Let’sbea people that doesn’tjudge,point out andthinkthe worstwhenyou don’t really know what people are going through,” Carr says.

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

SATURDAY,MAY3

3:15-4:15

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Take on whatever you encounter andturn anegative interaction intoapositive one. Your gratitude will inspireothersand encouragethemtotakeadvantageof their attributes and good fortune.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) What you learn andthe skills you master will help guideyou in apositive direction thatoffers long-term benefits. Group events will offerunique and unexpected prospects.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Uncover new possibilities. Focusonwhatinterests andconcernsyou most, and you'll discover how to counterwhatyou don't like and enhance whatyou cherish.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Putpressure where needed to ensure you get what you want when you wantit. Use positive tactics that motivate rather than deplete people you're counting on for support

VIRGO (Aug. 23-sept. 22) An open mind will help you gather andretaininformation. Learning and flexibility will bring about positive change. Investin yourself, and you'llgain stability.

LIBRA (sept. 23-Oct. 23) Build momentum and become the drivingforce. Don't sit back waiting for someone else to make the first move. Showeveryone how efficientand hardworking you can be

scORPIO (Oct. 24-nov. 22) Problems will surface if you are stubborn, possessive or take aggressive action. Turn your

attention inward and critique yourself rather than condemning others.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Getto knowsomeonewho interests you. Communication, sharing knowledge andintentions,and making proposals will leaveyou in acushy position that offerssecurityand stability.

cAPRIcORn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Put ahalt on plans if youdon'thave everything in place. Putyourtime andeffort into preparation and locating the best help you can receive. Listen,ask questions and verify facts before you proceed.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Payattention to where your money goes. Workwith abudgetyou can live with andmake aplanthataddresses your essential needs.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Refuse to let your cravings take charge; they will lead onlytoindulgent behavior or expensesyou cannotafford. Stickclose to friends and family who support and look out for you.

ARIEs (March 21-April19) Rev your engine and start an adventure. Whether you travel, socialize or challenge yourself mentally, physically or otherwise,fill your day withexcitement and joy.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. ©2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

cryptograms arecreated from quotations by famous people,past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another

beetLe bAILeY Mother GooSe And GrIMM

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place thenumbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains thesame number only once. The difficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Jack Benny, when talking about comedy, said,“It’s not so much knowing when to speak, as when to pause.” That is so true —timing is everything. And it applies to many bridge deals, not justfor declarer butalsofor the defenders. In today’s deal, who shouldcome out ahead in four heartsafterWest leads his fourth-highest club?

Southopenedwith atextbook weak two-bid:asix-card suit containing two of the topthree or three of thetop five honors, and 6to10high-card points. North jumpedtogame,hoping his side would not immediately lose four blacksuit tricks. Note West’s lead. Fourth-highest applies not only in no-trump but also in atrump contract when you have at least onehonor in thatsuit.

Southhas four potential losers: one spade, one heart andtwo clubs. If either major-suit finesse wins, he is safe. Or if he can drawtrumps, he might be able to discardhislowspadeondummy’sfourth diamond.

East, though, should wonderwhere the defenders can get four tricks.Heshould hope fortwo club winners. He can see a trump trick. So his sidemusttakeone spade. West will not have the ace and king, becausethen he would have led the spade ace, not the lowclub. If West hasthe spade ace, therewill be no problems. But if he has theking, there isn’t

wuzzles

amoment to lose. East must winwith his club ace andshifttothe spadeeight (high denying an honor in the suit). Then the contract must fail. No other defense works. Leading back partner’ssuit is usually right in no-trump, but much lessoftenin atrump contract ©2025 by nEa, inc dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. Forexample: nOOngOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

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

today’s thought

“you are worthy, OLord,toreceive glory and honor and power: for you have created all things, and for your pleasure they are and werecreated.” Revelation 4:11

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard

dIrectIons: make a2-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. allthe words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition. For more informationontournaments and clubs,emailnaspa –north americansCraBBlE playersassociation: info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit ourwebsite:www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiriescontact scrgrams@gmail.com Hasbro andits logo sCraBBlE

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order)to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

WiShinG Well

HErE is aplEasanT liTTlE

the number of letters is

is

bers, left to right. Thenread

Scrabble GramS

roSe

Affordable”), please contact attorney, LaceyM.Moghis at (318) 382-3050 or Lacey@TheLMLawFirm.com 139462-May3-5,3t $157

METAIRIE 212 PINE ST *$1300/mo

Parish Landfill, and you cannot rely on aclass ac‐tion to protectany rights youmay have in connec‐tiontothismatter. Any individualwho falls withinthe aboveclass definitionsand who wishestopursueclaims

sus‐tainedlegally cognizable damages in theformof nuisance, interference withthe enjoymentof their properties and/or diminutionin valueof their properties as are‐sultofthe Defendant(s) actsthatcausedthe emissionofnoxious odors andgases into and untotheir personsand properties.

TheThompsoncom‐plaint, filedonJuly30, 2018, proposed thefol‐lowingclass:

Allpersons domiciledof and/orwithinthe Parish ofJefferson on or after August1,2017 ...,who sustained legally cogniz‐abledamages in the formofnuisance, tres‐pass, interference with the enjoymentoftheir properties, and/or diminutionin property value resultingfromDe‐fendants’ actthat causedthe emission of noxious odorsintoand untotheir personsand properties.

TheLandry-Boudreaux complaint filedonAu‐gust28, 2018, proposed the followingclass:

Allpersons domiciledof and/orwithinthe Parish ofJefferson ,who sustained legally cogniz‐abledamages in the formofpersonalinjury, lostwages,nuisance, in‐terferencewiththe en‐joyment of theirproper‐tiesand/ordiminutionin value of theirproperties asa result of theDefen‐dant(s)’actsthatcaused the emission of noxious odors andgases into and untotheir personsand properties.

publication of this notice onMay 3, 2025, thepre‐scription period (or statute of limitations) which wassuspended by the filingofthe putative class action lawsuits,be‐ginstorun againasto everyonewithinthe pro‐posed classdefinitions pursuanttoArticle 596(A)(3)ofthe Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Failureto file alawsuit mayresultin prescription of your right to file alawsuit If youhavequestions about this notice,you shouldconsult alicensed

et seq. (formallycodified as 46 U.S.C. app. §§ 181, et seq.)for exoneration from or limitation of lia‐bility forall claims for anyinjuries, damages, expenses,costs,and otherlossescaused, oc‐casioned by or occurring during an incident on the Mississippi RiveronMay 24, 2024 involvingthe crew boat MISS LESLIE II allegedlyasa result of deckhand,Shanndon Ruffin, fallingintothe Mississippi Riverand subsequently beingre‐trievedfromthe water, as more fully described in theVerified Complaint. Allpersons having such claims must file theirre‐spective claims,aspro‐videdinRuleF,including paragraphs (4)and (5) thereof, of theSupple‐mental Rulesfor Certain Admiralty& Maritime Claims of theFederal RulesofCivil Procedure, with theClerk of this Courtatthe United States CourtHouse,500 PoydrasStreet,New Or‐leans, Louisiana, and must servea copy thereofonattorneysfor Petitioner on or before the22ndday of August 2025,orbedefaulted If anyclaimantdesires to contesteitherthe right to exonerationfromor

LIVING THE

GREENTHUMB: It’stime for thevivid hues of summer Page 8

ONEINA MILLION: Unusualcurvesand angles in amodernMetairie home Page 16

gathering point yard makesajazzy

Cottagewithhuge Cottagewithhuge gathering point yard makesajazzy

Findingjustthe rightangle

Attorney Richard Millet lives in acharming 1873 side-hall cottage on Esplanade Ridge that’sgreat for entertaining yearround. But during Jazz Fest, he knows all the angles for keeping groups of guestshappy.Jyl Benson tells his story on Page 12.

InsideOut’s missionistogive readers peeks inside the many different ways thatpeople in the New Orleans area live. We profile spaces thatare opulent, or just offbeat;sophisticated or simple; functional or lighthearted; historic or brandspanking new.And anything in between.

Karen Taylor Gist

Meanwhile, photographer John McCusker finds manicured angles and curves that bring awelcome sense of order to front yards. See them in In DetailonPage 7.

And in Metairie, ahome built on awedge-shaped lot includeslotsofintriguing curves and angles, all created to maximize the view of Lake Pontchatrain. Victor Andrews takes us inside on Page 16.

The InsideOut home and gardensection is published every Saturday by The Times-Picayune Questions about InsideOut should be directed to the editor.

INSIDEOUT EDITOR: KarenTaylor Gist, kataylor@theadvocate.com

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:

Victor Andrews, Jyl Benson, Dan Gill, Marni Jameson, Hannah Levitan

COVERDESIGN: AndreaDaniel

COVER PHOTO: Jeff Strout

TO BE FEATURED: Send information andphotos to insideout@theadvocate. com

Please help us by sending information and JPEG photos of your home, or specific spaces inside it, to insideout@theadvocate.com. We love gardens andoutdoor spaces,too. And we’re waiting to hear from you.

AT HOMEWITHMARNI

Thepast has itsplacein the present. PAGE 4

INSIDE STORY

PeggyMartin roses’ uplifting tale. PAGE 6

IN DETAIL

Hedging against life’s chaos. PAGE 7

GREENTHUMB

INSIDE INFO

Home and garden happenings. PAGE 11

COVERSTORY

AJazzFest partyhouse on Esplanade Ridge. PAGE 12

ONEINAMILLION

Angles maximizeviewof the lake. PAGE 16

REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS

Recent transactions in the metroarea. PAGE 17 HOME | DESIGN | GARDEN | REAL ESTATE

Thered-hot hues of summerare here. PAGE 8

1225 ElysianFieldsAvenue• NewMarigny

$475,000

Charming renovated3Bd,2Ba CottageinPrime Location!1-block from St.Claude corridor &st-carline. Perfectblend of historic charm& modern convenience. MinutesfromFrQtr &CrescentPk. Hdwd flrs,13’ ceilgs &lotsofnat’l light. Spacious open-concept liv& dinareas,5 exposedbrick frplcs,elegant cr molding &stylish kit. Lrgbkyd, gateddrvwy w/ off-stprkg& side porch. AMustSee! MatthewLaRose• 504-452-5282 SallyCrawford• 504-235-6113 Reve |Realtors 504-300-0700

800N.RendonSt• EsplanadeRidge Starting @$190,000’s

TheRendonCondominiums •Grand Living 2blockstoBayou St John Completely restored in 2019,schoolbldgconverted to varietyof(26)1&2 bdrm residences w/ onsite prkg &pool. Designed w/ livspaces, soaringceilings, ovszdwindows,reclaimed hdwd flrs &modernkits& baths. Locatedheart of Mid-City,nrFairGrounds (JazzFest!)& City Pk Priced $190’s to $400’s. TheRendonCondominiumsrendoncondosales@gmail.com504-208-1501 Talbot Realty Groupwww.therendoncondos.com 504-525-9763

839Dumaine Street •FrenchQuarter

$1,530,000

Standing tall in theheart of theFrQtr,thiselegant 3-storyCreole4Bd,4Ba, 2,740sqftTownhouse is theepitome of N.O. charm. Flankedbylikebuildings &gracedw/a classiccovered,laced iron gallery, this home is atrueSouthern lady.Grand double parlors, naturallight,12’ ceilings,glitteringchandeliers, pine floors &attention to details. Come be part of themagic!A Must See! Team RightSide 504-233-2551 LATTER &BLUM| Compass• Historic District 504-948-3011

217N.PrieurStreet •Mid-City$650,000

Stunning 2-storyhomew/great attn to detail!Completelydowntothe studs, renovation of an exquisitepropertydatingfromthe 1890’s.You will love the tall ceilings &nat’l lightthat flowsthruout!3Bd,2.5Ba,2,149sf.Origdble parlor openstoall newkit w/ ss appls, &quartzite counters.Primary Suite w/ en-suite Bath.Cov’d porches& massivebkyd. Dreamyouroutdoor life!

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165Cypress LakesDrive •Oak Harbor /Slidell $385,000 LuxuryLivingAtIt’sFinestInThisFrenchCountryHome!Locatedingated community, CypressLakes Estates. 4Bd, 2.5Ba, 3406 sqft home.Stunningfoyer w/ hi ceilings,crmoulding& arches.FormalDin,great forentertaining. Spacious Den, frplc& beautifulwd flrs.Chef’sdream Kit. Split flrplanw/secludedprimary suite& bath.Media rm (could be 5thbdrm).Lrg bkyd.Don’t miss this oppty! Debbie Vititoe 985-707-5170 RE/MAX

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465San CristobalCourt •Oak Harbor /Slidell $439,500 WaterfrontLivingatit’sFinest!Beautiful4Bd,2.5Bahome.Kithasloadsofcabinets, SSAppls&lovelygranitecounters.Breakfastareahasawindowlookingoutoveryour waterfrontviews.Deniswonderfulforentertainingw/frplcthatflowsintoformaldin Cov’dpatio leadstoyourboatslip& newreplacedbulkhead. Bringyour boat,start fishinginLakePontchartrain&enjoyallthatLouisianahastooffer.Gatedcommunity! Debbie Vititoe985-707-5170 RE/MAX Select 985-616-9012

pastKeepingthe

EDITOR’S NOTE: Remember Marni? Of course you do. She recently retired from writing the weekly column that ran in these pages but will still contributethe occasional missive. This is one of them.

Over the years, Ihave earned thereputation as the “stuff police.” Iamforever nagging you to purge, declutter,toss, donate, edit, dump, oust, clear,lighten up and let go. Buttoday,sit down, becauseIamgoing to suggest that you should keep some old things Iknow.Grab thesmelling salts. Iwon’tconfess this often, but hereand for therecord, Iwill concede that certain precious items from days of yoredeserve aplace in our homes today.The critical question becomes, which ones?

First, areview

Beforeyou

review thereasons

arecent wedding,a ringbearer carries a wooden cigar box that belonged to the bride’slate grandfather.The box came from the cigarfactory where he and hisfather (her great-grandfather) worked in the 1940s.Thoughtfully placed items from our past givecan give our present greater signifi

andwhy we get in the messes we’re in.

Let’ssay you get married and merge households. Both you and your partner have a set of six juice glasses. You keep both sets because you’re stubbornthatway.Then you inherit six juice glasses from your mother,and theyremind youofall the breakfasts you had together.Now you have 18 juice glasses.

Multiply that by 100 similar scenarios and add in allthe times you’ve acquired new items without getting rid of the old, and the result is tremendousclutter.

Drawers, closets, cupboards, chests, cabinets and garages filland overfill. We get overwhelmed. The place goes to heck, and we need abackhoe to dig out. This is whyI am hesitant to say:Sometimes, it’s OK —even lovely —tohold onto the past.

Aprofoundimpact

In fact, when we intentionally insert precious items from our past into presentday rituals, the itemand the moment canfeel profoundly meaningful.

At my daughter’swedding last fall, several heirlooms made an appearance.

The ringbearer,the groom’s 5-year-old cousin, carried a wooden cigar box circa 1940 instead of the traditional

velvetpillow.The box once belonged to my father.Most days, it lives on my desk holdingpencils andpens.

Though my dad didn’tsmoke cigars, before he joined the Marines, he and hisfather worked together in acigar factory.Thisbox camefrom that placeand time.

That this otherwise unremarkable wooden box, this little piece of history that bridgesfour generations, had aplace in aceremony that will likely forge thenext generation is more than symbolic. It conveysa quietrespect for those who’vegone before while givingasymbolic nod to time.

At the wedding reception, the bride and groomcut the cake withthe same carved sterling-silver cake cutter thatI used at my wedding, and that my parents used at theirs—again, knitting the generations, imbuing the modern moment with echoes of the past.

That’sthe bigidea. The trick is nottooverdo it.The past is important, but notatthe expenseofthe present.

Keep thesethingsinmind

As you comb through your belongings selecting what to purge,declutter, toss, etc.,

keep an eye out for afew key possessions thatmay warrant preservation, items from the past thatmay play arole in your present or future.

Here aresome filters to help you decide which old items to hold onto: IT SERVES APURPOSE: Keep items from the past if you can use them. Ihave my grandmother’s rolling pin. I don’tneed another.But when I had achance to keep her pine blanket chest,Idid not.Ihave alovely wooden chestthat does thatjob. Idid not need two. Let go of items once they’ve served their useful life, have been replaced, have no place in your life now or no longer fit your lifestyle.

IT TRIGGERS AWARM MEMORY: In my kitchen, Ihave an oil painting of chickens in theircoop thathung in my kitchen growing up. My mom met the artist. Ilike to look at it and bounce off my memories of my mom in the kitchen of my childhood home.

IT BELONGEDTOSOMEONE YOU LOVED: This is acommon reason we cling, and we should have afew pieces that belonged to loved ones who have passed on. Thoseitems can keep us connected. But choosethe small and few over the large and many.Bettertocling to

the crystalvasethan the entire sideboard. When everything is important, nothing is important.

IT’S UNIQUE TO YOUR HISTORY: If you have an irreplaceable heirloom thatreflects your family’s heritage, country of origin or culture, feature it proudly.If it’sinthe attic, how important can it be?

IT HASA STORY: We don’thang ontostuff. We hang onto the storiesbehind the stuff. If an item embodies ameaningful part of your story,hold on. The football you threw in college to scorethe winning touchdown at the championship game may have aplace on apedestal in your den, especially if you

went pro or coached. IT’S EARNING THE SPACEITTAKES UP: My friend Emmy-winning interior designer Mark Brunetz tells clients not to ask, “What do we have to get rid of?” but rather,“What pieces resonate with us today?” Flipping the question makes the process lighter,easier,even joyful. “Don’task whattotoss. Instead ask what’sstill earning its place. If it’snot part of your life now,it’sjust taking up space.”

MarniJameson is the award-winning authorof seven home and lifestyle books. Contact heratmarni@ marnijameson.com.

138N.CortezSt.

rose disvariety thanks rootstock genetics roses rootstock.” stems, propagating, own Bush said them. n fast, gardeners bloom. them

“You to good mainmoisture. eninches This rying pres-

ON THE EDGE(H) LIFE

It takes a lot of labor to keep things as neat and tidy as these manicured hedges. In addition to their gardens, these owners probably value precision, discipline and maybe even some friendly competition. For the rest of use, the visuals are a prefect antidote to life’s everyday chaos.

— Karen Taylor Gist

STAFF PHOTOS By JOHN McCUSKER

GREENTHUMB

GARDEN TIPS

VEGGIES NOW: Vegetablesplanted in Maymust be able to takethe extreme heat of summer.Excellent hot-weather vegetables that can be plantedthis month include amaranth, cantaloupe, cucuzza, cushaw, eggplant (especially thenarrowJapanese types), Malabar spinach, edamame (edible soybean), peanuts, pumpkin, Southernpeas, hot peppers, luffa gourd,mirliton, okra, sweet potato, watermelon and yardlong beans.

LURINGBUTTERFLIES: Pentas,lantana, verbena, zinnia, salvias (manydifferent species and cultivars), milkweed and buddleia are excellent floweringplants to attract butterflies into your garden thissummer.These plants also provide colorful flowers throughout the season. Do not use anyinsecticides (evenorganic) on plants grownfor butterflies.

LOTS TO PLANT: Mayisa transitional monthfor Louisiana gardeners. Intense heat arrives in Maywith daytime highs reachingthe 90s andnighttime lows staying in the 70s.Althoughthe ideal planting season for planting hardytrees andshrubs is past, manyheat-tolerant vegetables, bedding plants, summer bulbs andtropicals canbeplantednow.

STOP THEPODS: Cut offseedpods forming on Louisiana irises.This will help keep the plants fromfallingoverand also wasting energyonunwanted seeds. It is also agood idea to cutoff the seed pods from amaryllis and agapanthus (blooming now) after the flowershave faded.

SUMMER CLEANING: Terra-cottapots are beautiful, but as time goes by,water evaporating from the sides and rim can leavebehindunattractivemineralsalt residues. Remove thesebysoaking empty pots overnight in asolution of one part vinegar to four partswater.Theresidues should come off with astiff brush.

Hothues

It’s time to plantthe vivid flowers that will last throughsummer

As temperatures rise in early May,the cool-season bedding plants that have put on such awonderful display over thelast few monthswill begin to play out. Butdon’tdespair. When coolseason bedding plantsare past their prime, replace the floral display withwarm-season bedding plantsthat can continue through theheat of summer.

Whether in flowerbeds, containers, hanging baskets or window boxes, bedding plantscan help create the colorful landscape that so many gardeners crave. Bedsof beautiful flowers are not low maintenance. Keep in mind that they will need regular care through thesummer when deciding where, how large and how manybeds you will plant.

What to plantwhen

Bedding plantsare classified intotwo groups based on thetemperatures they prefer

Cool-season bedding plants (such as pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, stock and calendulas) do best in thecold to mild temperatures of October through early May

Warm-season bedding plants(such as torenia, begonia, vinca, marigolds and

Apool provides a languidbackdrop forthisyellow celosia(left), coreopsisand purpledahlias. The dahliasaren’t likely to last the wholesummer though. Double zinnias couldbe agood substitute.

FILE PHOTOSBy JEFF STROUT

zinnias) grow and flower best in the warm to hot months of April to October.Because they are sensitive to freeze damage, they are planted after the danger of frost is over. Now is primetimetoplant warm-season bedding plants that will provide color in our landscapes all summer long. Warm-season plants comein two types: annual or perennial.

ä See VIVID, page 10

Dan Gill GREEN THUMB

GREENTHUMB

Stay vigilant and control pests during a wet spring

BY DAN GILL

Contributing writer

Last year, I noticed the yellowing and spotting of some of the leaves on my Knock Out roses.The same thing is happening this year. Can you diagnose and suggest what to use? For some reason, I thought Knock Out roses were virtually disease-free.Also, a few of my daylilies are showing rust spots on the foliage. Should I dig them and discard?

— Debora

The spotted yellow leaves are the result of black spot disease. Knock Out roses, in general, are quite resistant (not immune) to black spot disease. During wet weather conditions, however, even resistant plants can be attacked to some degree. And we have had plenty of rain this spring. So, black spot is affecting your Knock Out roses. Still, there is no need to spray. These roses will get over this disease on their own without your intervention and look better eventually. Rake the fallen leaves regularly and dispose of them.

Blame the wet spring for the bad outbreak of daylily rust this year as well. Daylily rust was first reported in the southeastern U.S. in 2000 and has spread rapidly to many states, including Louisiana. The disease causes the foliage to yellow and brown. Turning an infected leaf over, you will see orange raised spots on the back of the leaf. The rusty orange spores will rub off on your finger

Susceptibility of daylily cultivars to this disease varies — some are very susceptible and others seem fairly resistant. Gardeners have the choice of eliminating the very susceptible cultivars that show the worst symptoms and retaining those that don’t seem to be bothered as much by the disease.

Should a gardener decide to treat the disease, the infected plants should be cut within an

three plants. Do you advise waiting to see what will happen, or should we dig them up and start over? — Gerald

The new green sprouts mean they are alive and have survived the cold Given time, it is likely they will grow back into nice plants — perhaps by mid to late summer. It will be up to you to decide if you are willing to wait for them to grow out. You may prefer to remove them and spend money on new plants, so the spot looks immediately better. It’s your decision

For gardeners waiting and hoping for tropical plants killed back by the severe freezes in January to sprout, if there is no sign of life by now, it’s time to move on. Replace them with new plants now.

Dan Gill is a retired consumer horticulture specialist with the LSU AgCenter. He hosts the “Garden Show” on WWLAM Saturdays at 9 a.m. Email gardening questions to gnogardening@agcenter.lsu. edu.

inch of the ground, and they and all the healthy daylily plants around them should be sprayed regularly with a fungicide. Recommended fungicides include mancozeb (Dithane, Fore), chlorothalonil (Daconil), azoxystrobin (Heritage), propiconizol (Banner Maxx) and triadimefon. Application may need to be repeated as often as every seven to 14 days — follow product label instructions.

Because most of us will not

want to cut our daylilies back just as they are blooming or spray continually, it is likely that the solution to this problem will be to eliminate highly susceptible varieties and utilize existing and new cultivars that are resistant to the disease.

We lost our three Xanadu philodendrons in our backyard to the freezes last January.We were thinking about digging them up and replacing them. However, we now see some small new leaves starting to come up from underground in all

GREENTHUMB

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4018 Magazine Street,New Orleans, LA 70115

504-799-1702

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VIVID

Continued from page 8

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Annuals are short-lived

True annuals are an important group of bedding plants we use to add color to the landscape. These short-lived plants grow from seeds, bloom and die within one growing season. Few true annuals have the stamina to last all the way through our long summer growing season (seven months from April to October), but they are still useful in the summer flower garden.

Some can last longer

Perennials plants grow only spring and summer but can pop up again the next year However, tender perennials, such as impatiens, periwinkles, blue daze, pentas and begonias, are often grouped with the true annuals. This is because in most parts of the U.S. they only last one season before dying in winter’s freezes (“tender” means cannot reliably survive freezes).

But if not for winter freezes, these plants would live and bloom for several years (and sometimes do here when mild winters occur).

Tender perennials grown as annuals have more stamina in the garden than true annuals. While true annuals may play out before summer’s end, tender perennials bloom from late spring until cold weather arrives in November or early December Then, they are removed to make way for coolseason bedding plants.

Consider growing conditions

Choose annuals that are wellsuited to the growing conditions provided by the location where they will be planted. Light is especially important. For beds that receive at least six to eight hours of sun, choose sun-loving bedding plants. In beds that receive about two to four hours of morning sun, choose bedding plants that prefer shady conditions. Even annuals that like

Wear a hat that covers your face and neck while gardening in the summer Also, drink plenty of water and keep out of the sun as much as possible.

WARM-SEASON BEDDING PLANTS

Sun to part sun: Alternanthera*,Amaranthus, Angelonia* , Baby’s Breath Euphorbia, Balsam, Blue Daze* , Celosia, Cleome, Coleus* , Coreopsis, Cosmos (Cosmos sulphureus), Dusty Miller* , Gaillardia, Gomphrena, Lantana* , Marigold, Melampodium, Narrow-leaf Zinnia, Ornamental Pepper* , Ornamental Sweet Potato* , Periwinkle* , Pentas* , Portulaca, Purslane* , Rudbeckia, Salvia* , Scaevola* , Sunflower,Tithonia, Torenia, Perennial Verbena* and Zinnia.

Part-shade to shade: Balsam, Begonia* , Browallia* , Caladium (perennial tuber)* , Cleome, Coleus* , Impatiens* , Pentas* , Salvia* and Torenia.

* denotes tender perennials that have more stamina and last longer

part shade to shady locations, however, will generally not perform as well in full shade where they receive no direct sun during the day

Before you go to the nursery, look at the size of the area to be planted and try to estimate how many plants will need to

be purchased. On average, bedding plants are spaced about 6 to 8 inches apart, but check the tag of the plants you purchase. Beds will look skimpy when first planted, but the plants should grow to fill the bed when spaced properly. Keep a record of how many plants are used in a bed from one season to the next to make this process simpler

Preparation is the key

Prepare beds carefully before putting in the summer bedding plants. This is important for plantings of bedding plants to do their best.

First, remove any weeds or other unwanted plants from an existing bed, or turf if the bed is new Next, turn the soil to a depth of about 8 inches. Spread a 2- to 4-inch layer of compost, rotted leaves, aged manure, composted finely ground pine bark or other organic matter over the bed, and then evenly sprinkle an application of an all-purpose fertilizer.

Thoroughly blend the organic matter and fertilizer into the bed, rake smooth and you’re ready to plant.

Now, the planting

Make sure you plant the transplants into the bed no deeper than they were grow-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By TRAVIS SPRADLING

INSIDEINFO

Mother’sDay tour set for Old Mandeville

The Old Mandeville Historic Association willhost aMother’s Day Home Tour from 2p.m. to 5p.m. May 11.

The theme is “From Creole to Contemporary.”Seven private Old Mandeville homes will open their doors to the public, along with the historic Jean Baptiste Lang House museum,605 Carroll St.

Tickets are available before and on the day of the tour at Lang House,starting at $15. Visit oldmandevillehistoricassociation.org.

Step inside Marigny homes in May tour

The Faubourg Marigny Improvement Associationishosting aSpring Home &Garden Tour of its eclectic neighborhood from noon to 4p.m. May 18.

Explore distinctive homes selected for their historic significance and/or unique character From meticulouslyrestored classics to contemporary models, each home tells astory of preservation, innovation and the enduring charm of the Fau-

VIVID

Continued frompage10

ing in their original container and space them properly. Bedding plants generally look best, and the beds will fill in better,when the rows are staggered.

Lay out the first row of plants spaced properly.The second row is laid behind the first row at the appropriate spacing from it. But stagger the second row from thefirst row so that they form triangles with those plants.

Once the bed is planted, mulchand thoroughly water the plants in. Ilike to use a hose-end fertilizer applicator,and water them in with a fertilizer solution to get them

ABOVE: Richard Millet’s back porch overlooks the deep rear yard and a basketball court. RIGHT: Original wood floors in the dining area next to the kitchen play off of the whitewashed cabinets. The counters and seated island are topped in sparkling Blue Pearl granite

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

The scarlet walls in the grand center hall create a dramatic vibe.

GROUNDS

CENTRAL

Esplanade Ridge site puts 1873 cottage right on the Jazz Fest route

BY JYL BENSON Contributing writer

Throughout the two weekends of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Richard Millet’s home and expansive corner yard become a microcosm of life in New Orleans, where leisure,

COVER STORy

entertainment, culinary and commercial endeavors are conducted as the rest of the world swirls beyond his fence. Since 2005, Millet has been the subject of much envy. His circa-1873 raised five-bay Eastlake center-hall cottage is located at an intersection where thousands pass

each spring, dragging folding chairs, children and water bottles to the golden gates of Jazz Fest. Millet sits on his deep front porch, taking it in, often with hordes of guests who drift from the porch into the nearly 12,000-square-foot yard, perhaps checking on whatever

ä See FEST, page 14

The bright coral color in Millet’s music room forms the backdrop for a collection of pieces by local artists. Guitars, amplifiers and a piano comingle with the art and antiques.

Millet stands in the window where local children sell lemonade during Jazz Fest. Millet said it started when his kids were younger.

FEST

Continued from page 13

tantalizing thing perfumes the air as it roasts on a spit.

Maybe there’s a band playing in the “Garage Mahal” behind the house or friends shooting hoops on the basketball court. Sometimes, artist friends cover the fence surrounding the property with their art, which they sell to passersby.

Across the yard of mature oak, pecan and sycamore trees, a window opening was cut into the wooden fence onto the sidewalk in 2006 so Millet’s children could sell cups of fresh, icy lemonade to the sweltering masses shuffling by.

Now, the children of friends

A carved ceramic plate and bowl by New Orleans potter Michele Benson Huck frame a Victorian lamp.

and relatives get to work the stand if they are on hand.

“The whole lemonade stand thing is for involving younger children and getting them to participate, my children and others over the years. If they hustle and stay on it, they can make some real money,” Millet said.

The back story

Millet, a native of Reserve, and his first cousin Steve Vicknair started going to Jazz Fest 35 years ago. When the house, which had been recently renovated, came up for sale, Millet, a general practice attorney based in LaPlace, jumped on the opportunity to raise his children in the historic Esplanade Ridge neighborhood. Unknown to Millet, the previous homeowner had been as popular for his Jazz Fest gatherings as Millet would soon become for his When the time came, those guests magically appeared along with Millet’s guests, leading to a gathering of people who traveled from as far away as Colorado for a twoweek porch sit.

Millet, Vicknair and a core group of friends gather each year

ABOVE: The kitchen in Richard Millet’s home was timelessly renovated by the previous homeowner.

LEFT: A sculptural bronze torchiere lamp is mounted to the newel post on the home’s interior staircase.

PHOTOS By JEFF STROUT

in the weeks leading uptothe fest for aseries of planning meetings during which they determine what, if any,repairs must be made to the property, menus, entertainment and distribution of responsibilities.

The neighborhood, with its oak-shaded avenues, asmall park, stunning architecture and acollection of shops, restaurants and bars, is ahighly desirable yet still approachable place to live.

It is located along the natural ridge between the Mississippi River and Bayou St. John, initially aNative American trading route known as “The Grand Route of St. John.” Wealthy Creole planters and merchants moved up the spine of the ridge, building grand estates and mansions as they spread outward from the French Quarter.

“The people Ibought the house from saved the house from decay,” Millet said. “I had to save it again after Katrina.”

The hurricanehit just months after Millet purchased it

Preserving therenovation

The first floor,which Millet suspects was once astable, was enclosed long ago and converted into three rental properties. That space needed new Sheetrock, electrical and flooring.

The 2,500-square-foot second floor,where Millet and his family lived, stayed high and dry

In the years since,Millet has left the results of the previous owner’srenovation largely

untouched. The home’soriginal hardwoodfloorsgleam with the polish of age, the original operable transomsare intact above theinteriordoors,the ceiling medallions and crown molding remain within the hall and parlors.

The rooms are paintedwith thesame striking jewel-tones he found in them before overlaying them with local art, muchofwhich he purchased

from his children’sschool fundraising auctionsatthe International School of Louisiana, The WillowSchool (formerly Lusher) and BenjaminFranklin High School as wellasthe City Park Art Market.

An abundanceoffine works by local potter Michelle Benson Huck arefound throughout the home in the formofcarved platters, Ikebanavases filled with just-budding magnolia

blossoms and sculpturalbowls.

“I like to support localsand local art,” Milletsaid.

Period-appropriateantiques are scattered throughout the home, but Milletislessconcerned abouttheir provenance than he is their functionality. Whatappears to be afine 19thcentury French or Swedish demilune sideboardinthe combination music andtelevision room has been pressed into servicetoholda large flatscreen television. An amplifier is parkedbeneaththe delicate cabinet, andthe guitar it supports is on thefloor adjacent.

The home’sopen kitchen looksout over adeep back porch. The floors areofa

LEFT: Extensive tile work and an arched window are highlights of ashared bath. CENTER: Acozy dining nook in the corner of Millet’skitchen will be the site of manyinformal meals throughout the NewOrleans Jazz&Heritage Festival. The glazed ceramic bowlsonthe tableare by New Orleansartist Michele Benson Huck.

classic whitetile withsimple blue accents,the expanse of cabinets is whitewashed, and thecountersand seated island aretoppedinsparkling Blue Pearlgranite. Simple,quality materials andfinisheshave kept the20-year-old renovation timeless.

Abicycling enthusiast,Milletsaidthe proximityofhis home to thecity’smanyculturalaspects endearshim to his home.“Notjust JazzFest, but Saintsgames,Mardi Gras, restaurants, parks. Ireally feel like Ican immerse myself in anything if Iset outonmybike fromright here,” Milletsaid. “I like to keep thecar parkedon weekends whenever Ican.”

A2016 Jazz Fest Congo Square poster by artist GeorgeHunt memorializesthe late bluesman B.B. King.

ONEINAMILLION

A wall of windows in the main living room brings copious amounts of natural light into the soaring two-story space.

linear kitchen is

A saltwater pool and spa take center stage in the open backyard, comfortably cordoned off with mature landscaping that provides privacy and a verdant backdrop for outdoor entertaining.

Unique landscaping and interesting

for $2.545 million.

3-story Metairie home overlooking the lake is a marvel of curves and angles

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

Built in the 1980s, the home at 4809 Neyrey Drive in Metairie still shines as a modern marvel on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain.

Interesting angles, captivating curves and a mélange of window shapes create a striking architectural configuration that is both inviting and intriguing.

With four bedrooms, more than three full baths and more than 4,400 square feet of space, this three-story lakefront home is for sale for $2.545 million.

The structure sits on a pie wedge-shaped property at the end of a cul-de-sac. It’s crafted to fit the space and situated to provide optimal views of the lake and a generous backyard.

An inviting courtyard-type garden is the entre for the home, with the front door nestled in a pair of curving sectors of the structure.

The foyer opens onto the main living area, a vast space that includes a great room, a secluded conversation space and access to the open kitchen and dining area. The soaring

ceiling of the main living area is balanced against the wall of windows that overlooks the lake. A fireplace in the corner anchors the space and creates a focal point.

The semi-secluded conversation area in one of the curved sections of the home also enjoys a two-story ceiling, creating a space that is cozy yet open.

The kitchen, in the center of the first floor area, is a sleek spot for meal preparation, pairing gleaning white cabinets with obsidian-colored counters and stainless appliances, highlighted with aspects of gold for interest and warmth. A passthrough with bar seating opens the space to the great

The dining area, open to the kitchen, has an angled glass wall overlooking the backyard of the home.

room, while a central island affords generous up-close viewing of culinary crafting.

The dining area, which is part of the space, has an angled wall of windows overlooking the verdant rear yard. A seating area abuts the space, providing even more spots for visitors to congregate at the kitchen.

A hall holds two closets and a powder room, plus access to the stairs rising to the upper floors.

The second floor holds two en suite bedrooms that view the backyard. Each also has walkin closets for plentiful storage. Outside of the bedrooms, a space for laundry is in the hall near the stairs.

The second floor also features an office that overlooks the first

lines and curves combine at 4809 Neyrey Drive in Metairie, on sale

PROVIDED PHOTOS By ARON LUKACHER

The

a contrasting area of white cabinets, black counters and golden accents, highlighted by a suite of stainless appliances.

ONEINAMILLION

Panoramic views of Lake Pontchartrain arethe morning and evening vista in theprimarybedroom on thethird floor.A fireplace, right,isahandybonus,asisthe sauna located behindthe fireplace off the raised seating area.

floor’smain living area and holds aconcealed staircase to the primary bedroom on the third floor

Aprivate space for restand rejuvenation, the third floor is the primary bedroom. The linear space has abalcony that overlooks the lake andprovides an expansive view of the waterway

Afireplace provides interest and warmth, while astep-up sitting area greatly expands a relaxation area that alsoholds

the home’ssauna. It sports a window overlooking thelake.

The primary bath features a soaking tub, standing shower, water closet,doublevanity and walk-in closet. Inthe hall, there are agenerous L-shaped walk-in closet and anexercise room filledwith shelves and sportingdoublewindows with aview to the back.

The saltwater pool is ashowpiece of the backyard. It’s setamid an expansive apron of entertaining and lounging

space surroundingthe aquatic features. Mature landscaping anda sturdy fence provide privacyfor the ground level but do not obstruct theviews from the upperfloors. Thehome is listed by Douglas Adams andDavid Smith, of CrescentSotheby’sInternational Realty,(504) 495-2387.

One in aMillion is an occasional series featuring upscale homes forsale in the metro area.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

NEWORLEANS

TRANSFERS ISSUED APRIL 22-26

DISTRICT 1

ANNUNCIATION ST.1011, 1013, POEYFARRE ST.920, UNIT 381: $235,000, Frederic M. Persiand Tania M. MortensenPersi to Joseph W. Prewitt.

ANNUNCIATION ST.1011, 1049, POEYFARRE ST.920, UNIT 104: $475,000, Wren Investments LLC to DanielDoherty Coleman.

CARONDELET ST.334: $305,000, Jonathan Allen Rubenstein to Krystal Louise Krohn Voth.

GRAVIER ST.2215-17: $160,000, Campus Federal CreditUnion to

451-455 South Galvez LLC. ST.CHARLESAVE.625: $100 and othergood and valuable consideration, Russell S. Palmerand Suzanne Mandel PalmertoTyson LykesGeary.

S. GALVEZST. 455: $1,050,000, 455 S. Galvez QB LLCto451-455 South Galvez LLC.

S. NORMAN C. FRANCISPARKWAY 500: $117,500, KeithEdward Johnson and Tina Connor to Erik RichardStrauss Jr.

DISTRICT 2

ARGONNE BLVD.6978: $995,000, Bridget Lewis Kronlage to Elizabeth MetzingerThomas and Joel

ä See ORLEANS, page 18

Nestledinthe Villas sectionofEnglish Turns gated golfcoursecommunity, this beautifullyupdated home offers comfort, privacy, andstyle.Hidden behind beautifulmaturefront landscaping, this 2,900+squarefoot home includes 3spacious bedrooms, 2.5baths,and adedicated first-floor study. Theopenfloor plan is flooded with naturallight andanchoredby rich wood floors throughout.The 2023 totalrenovationofthe bathroom in the primarysuite is atrueretreat with a contemporary soakingtub,bathroom heater,and gracious glassshower, while theupstairsJack-and-Jill bath hasbeen fullyrenovated with modern touches as well.Tonsofrecent upgrades make this atrueturn-keyproperty-including HVACsreplaced in 2022 and2024, waterheaterreplaced in 2024,carpet replaced in 2024,painting andkitchen cabinets refinished in 2024,and more Additionally,enjoy your summers stress free knowingyourwhole home generatoristhere to keep youupand runningall year round. Atruegem in the Villas,scheduleaprivate viewingtoday!

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ORLEANS

Continued frompage17

David Thomas.

BOURBON ST.1224, UNIT 4:

$165,000, David B. Forth White and Ronald J. White Forth to Stephen J. Rohren andTonica Miller Rohren.

BURGUNDYST. 508: $650,000, Michael Gregory Mayerand Tina Genova MayertoChristopher H. Lankfordand Rachel Tilts Lankford.

BURGUNDYST. 1010: $825,000, Brian Rodgers Furness to Karen Porter Alexander.

CANAL ST.1201: $320,000, Alexander T. Wang, JennyChiann I. Jang Wang and Tsong Ruey Wang to Chantell M. Patin, DarrenA.Patin and Deryn A. Patin.

DUMAINE ST.3221-23: $385,000, James Norbert Cupit to Niklas Tillman Morris.

KILLDEER ST.29: $425,000, Lucius C. Spencer IV to MarkSteven Lippardand Mirjana Surducki Lippard.

N. CARROLLTONAVE. 633-35: $720,000, Kyle A. Melancon to Douglas C. Cardinale Jr. andLaurenWooldridge Cardinale

N. DUPRE ST.1201: donation, no value stated, Priscilla Brown O’Quinn to David W. O’Quinn

ORLEANS AVE. 3128: $269,000, David Andrew Harms andSara Johansen Harms to Jason Berntsen.

ST.LOUIS ST.831: $525,000, James Vanpernis to Kathleen M. Allen.

ST.PHILIPST. 1315-17: $405,000, Kenneth J. Mitchell to Allan Jose GravesOcon

URSULINES ST.1118-20: $100

and other good andvaluable consideration, NOGH LLCtoBKC Fund 1LLC.

DISTRICT 3

ALLEN ST.2041-43: donation, no value stated, Edmond Foster Sr. and Gary Foster to Lakeya Mazant.

ALLEN TOUSSAINT BLVD.2652: $226,500,Diana Spears and Donald Spears to Sylvia Sophia Santamaria.

ALVARST. 817-819: $475,000, Andrew Thomas Stephens and Marin Tockman Stephens to Anna Grace Keneda Clute and Matthew Zane Clute.

ARTHUR DRIVE 4431: $2,000, Hollywood 504 Real Estate LLCto Oak Harbor CStoreLLC.

BROOKFIELD DRIVE 10101: $250,000,Alton A. Torregano Jr. and KathyLee Torreganoto Phatz revocable trust.

CAMELOT DRIVE 4501: $80,000, Zachary GibbstoWanda M. Ross.

CAMERON BLVD.5544: $230,000, Jorge A. PerezMaldonado to PercyReed andToyja Hodge Reed.

CHANTILLYDRIVE 4633: $180,000, Hieu Anthony Chung to Milligan Soriano Navarroand Wilian ClintonSanchez Melara.

CHATHAM DRIVE6042: $495,000, John EdwardSchroeder III and Pamela Gauchet Schroeder to Caroline Meehanand Jeremy Brown.

CHEF MENTEUR HIGHWAY 21104: $25,000, Beryl BlanchardLarsen to CherylAnn Guy Riles and Garrett Riles.

CONGRESSST. 1516: $50,000, MTZ Properties LECtoMiles Robert Neslaw

DAUPHINE ST.1429-31: $950,000, Gary Q. Peck to Melissa Kremers and Benjamin Kremers Joint Trust.

DEAUVILLE COURT13018: $75,000, Patricia Elaine ShawMulher and Tatiana Monique Bivonato LienKim Nguyen and Nam Van Nguyen.

DOROTHEA ST.6301: $9,500, MarkJ.AuberttoMiguelAngel Salazar.

E. MARCHAND DRIVE 783: $115,000, Anita Lodge Richards and Michael Wayne Richards to MichaelA.Gibson Jr. and Tavier Jett Gibson.

ELYSIAN FIELDS AVE. 5335: $175,000, Therese Margaret Zartman Schiffman to John L. Quinn.

ESPLANADE AVE. 1015: donation, no value stated, Casmier J. BlandatoSamuel L. Steele III.

ESPLANADE AVE. 835: $252,000, Franco Baseotto and LisaD Fatland Baseotto to Christopher Ryan Flores Carrico and Thomas J. Carrico Flores.

FRANCE ST.1305-07: $90,000, Tyrone LeetoTwin Realty Solutions LLC.

FRANCE ST.1305-07: $120,000, Twin Realty Solutions LLCto Nashama2LLC.

FRANKLIN AVE. 1031, 1039, ST. CLAUDE AVE. 2600-06, 2608: $550,000, MACO Properties LLCto Goofy GuyProperty LLC.

GENTILLYBLVD. 2217: $315,000, BlondyMoses Givens to Alexis Robinson Mooreand Brandon Moore.

HARRISON AVE. 1517, PELOPIDAS ST.1517: $110,000, Succession of MaryW.MurraytoEdwin R. Murray.

HARRISON AVE. 1561-63: $238,000, Susie BeaBateman Todle to

IPF22 LLC.

MARAIS ST.1833: $475,000, 1833

Marais St.LLC to Julie Louise Warren.

MCKAIN ST.3617: $110,000, Marc John Hoerner and Scott Jacob Hoerner to Gibson Legacy Properties LLC.

N. LEMANS ST.13450-52: $95,000, Thuy Al Trinh Tran to N. Lemans St.Rental LLC.

N. PARKWOOD COURT11200: donation, no value stated, Frank Dalvin Myers to Lasonja S. Washington Myers.

PARLANGE COURT12931: $228,965, AniciaVenae Taylor, CarlAvery Taylorand LorenBeth TaylortoJasmine Patterson.

PAUGER ST.1508: $537,000, Joseph D. Lewis Reed and Richard K. Reed II to Sarah BayWileyand WillardClaytonHoagland III.

PAULINE DRIVE 5647: $138,000, J&A Enterprise Solutions LLCto Christian Snowden and Joelle Gomez.

RABBITS ST.3005: $11,000, R&R Realty Holdings LLCtoNext Move Realty LLC.

ROBIN ST.2157-59: $315,000, Alexander Juneau and Jaynie Clelie Juneau to Shoshana Firstand William Henry Costelloe IV ROSALIA DRIVE 4936: donation, no value stated, Alton Joseph Crowden to Christopher J. Crowden.

ST.ANTHONY ST.3007: $360,000, IPF22 LLCtoFrank Jude Bissant and Janice SmithBissant.

ST.DENIS ST.1213-15: $395,000, Ducar Real Estate Investments LLCtoCarla Pesono and Sandra L. Pesono.

TENNESSEE ST.2031: donation, no value stated, LindaVelazquez and Thomas A. Velazquez to Tor-

rin Velazquez.

TOWNSEND PLACE 7639: $1,500,000, JEJ NewOrleans Property LLCtoKCLinenLLC VANCHUDRIVE 5064: $65,000, Linh VanLuong and Phuong Kim Huynh to Hoang Thinh Le. VIENNA COURT 5958: $155,000, Chrishon M. Howard and Joshua S. HughestoLatoya Patricia Donaldson.

WALLACE DRIVE 411: $50,000, Nola Urban Redevelopment LLC to SupremeDevelopersInvestment Group LLC.

DISTRICT 4

CAMP ST.2319: $1,500,000, John A. Jeansonne III, John A. Jeansonne Jr. and Michelle Elise Jeansonne Anderson to Matthew DelDuca andPatricia Kruyff DelDuca.

CARONDELET ST.2601: $132,500, Olga Cook Matherne to Sevgi Turkes Tem.

CONSTANCE ST.2416-18: $535,000, Hannah JoyBruce to Monique L. Boudreaux.

FIRST ST.3626: $222,000, Thomas David Leblanc to Isidore CamptonWolf III andRya Wolf.

JOSEPHINE ST.1020, UNIT A: $245,000, Isaac Christopher MitchellIII andRachel Dawn MitchelltoPKJosephine LLC.

SECOND ST.2823: $244,900, Jaclyn StoddardWalker Herringshaw and Ryan A. Herringshawto Catherine Ploue Smith.

S. GALVEZST. 2305-05: $21,450, Metairie LandCo. LLCtoQuintrill Iral MitchellJohnson.

WASHINGTON AVE. 1225-27: $100 and all othergood and valuable consideration, Lisa Shava Grant and Phillip Andrew Pockett to Justine Nelson and Marco Nelson.

WASHINGTON AVE. 1541: $780,000, TodRichardChambers to Neaux Egrets LLC.

DISTRICT 5

CARLISLE COURT 6015: $70,000, GholamrezaAnvari and Khadijeh HesariAnvari to Thao V. Nguyen and Tuyetmai Thi Nguyen.

DANBURYDRIVE 2621: $360,000, Michelle StengerBresler to Ashlyn Rebennack and Justin B. Rebennack.

DOVERPLACE 6110: $175,000, Cim Trust2023-NRI Mortgage Backed Notes Series2023-NRI to Georgianna Marie Forrest.

ELIZA ST.312: $270,000, Jamayo LLCtoElizabeth Barrett White Blackmore.

FARRAGUT ST.1200: $195,000, RKRTReal Estate Investors LLC to Julie Froman.

FIESTA ST. 4401: $155,000, Kendrick Industries Co. LLC to Doris Enriquez Mendez and Ismael Mendez.

FINDLAND PLACE 209: $47,000, Charles A. Thompson, Edna Jean Thompson Metcalf, Edward Thompson, Florence Thompson Lee, George A. Thompson, John Arthur Thompson, Margaret Thompson Ruckstuhl, Mary Helen Thompson, Michael Ray Thompson, Paul Joseph Thompson, Robert L. Thompson and Ruth L. Thompson Raison to Ginger Fruge Barbier.

FLANDERS ST. 1708: donation, no value stated, Charles C. Henry Sr. to Diane Baudoin Henry.

KABEL DRIVE 1718: $185,000, Bradley Scott Daigle to Marvin A. Reyes Chicas.

KINGSMILL LANE 49: $67,500, Elenora Petty Baldwin to Ryan L. Johnson.

LUNA ST. 3201: $7,250, Higher Ground Development LLC to Lance Herbert Lewis and Terrilynn Ann Johnson.

RIVER OAKS DRIVE 3511: $250,000, Jennifer Elizabeth Cavallari Marshall and Ryan Marshall to Franklin Blakeley and Jessica Boyle Blakeley.

SHEPARD COURT 11: $210,000, Catherine Durel Walker to Rising Sun Housing LLC.

SHIRLEY DRIVE 1208: $195,000, Louise Rimington to Teresa Kresse.

TIMBER HAVEN LANE 5232: $154,500, Jaquan Helton to Margaret Dell Bolder Welch and Thomas Welch.

TIMBER HAVEN LANE 5335: $155,000, Givonna Hymel Lumpkins and Melvin Lumpkins III to Beep Beep Transportation LLC.

WHITNEY AVE. 333-35: $350,000, C Hamp Rental Properties LLC to Diego A. Ruiz Cortes.

DISTRICT 6

ANTONINE ST. 1220: $561,000, Felicia Humphrey to Melissa Reeves Burns and Robert J. Burns Jr.

AUDUBON ST. 2103-05: $580,000, Carol Davis Marx to Courteney L. Brown Murray and Michael Armstrong Murray

BROADWAY ST. 2134: $670,000, Christine Coyle Cooper and Richard W. Cooper II to Amanda Lenz Tedesco and Brian J. Tedesco.

CAMP ST. 5226: $540,000, Barbara Gervis to Rebecca Dabbs Anderson.

CHESTNUT ST. 7008, UNIT 101: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, 7008 Chestnut LLC to Christopher Letter.

COLISEUM ST. 3727: $1,338,000, Janet C. Hoeffel Singer and

REALESTATETRANSFERS

Stephen I. Singer to Megan Ross Manning and Michael Manning.

CONSTANCE ST. 5522: $100,000, Aline Whittaker Williams and Eric H. Williams to Blanche Deleta McCloskey.

DELACHAISE ST. 3113: $325,000, Helen Elizabeth Pope Young to Allison H. Cummins Leblanc and Thomas David Leblanc.

DUFOSSAT ST. 922-24: $615,000, Kenneth D. Clouse and Rosnah Y Clouse to FYF Properties LLC.

GEN. TAYLOR ST. 1032: $265,000, Peyton Brooks Plummer to Lancaster Properties LLC.

JEFFERSON AVE. 2526-2528: $621,882, Amanda Hewitt Bozzi and Andrew James Bozzi to Heidi A. Molbak Verchick and Robert R. Verchick.

MILAN ST. 1833: $1,405,000, Michael O. Hartman and Nina Semsarzadeh Hartman to Scott Randall Sulik Jr. and Siera Renee Sulik.

NASHVILLE AVE. 2619: $526,000, Christina K. Binkley Rubin, James P. Rubin and Saskia Isolde Binkley Rubin to 45 Beechwood LLC.

OCTAVIA ST. 3701: $690,000, Restoration Real Estate Group LLC to Allison Hjortsberg and Robert Hjortsberg.

PINE ST. 2127: $775,000, Edifice Properties LLC to Warren Jacobson.

ROSA PARK 18: $100 and all other good and valuable consideration, Garrett Adam Anderson and Kelley Dize Anderson to Charles Lapeyre and Sibyl Stumm Lapeyre.

STATE ST. 612-614: $100 and other good and valuable consideration, Tatiana Podolkova Langdon and Trajan Langdon to Charles Robert Fulton and Julie

Garitty Fulton.

WALNUT ST. 123, UNIT 3-C:

$725,000, Jacquelyn Louise Monpat Charbonnet to Victory Church.

DISTRICT 7

BELLAIRE DRIVE 201:

$1,125,000, Lewis W. Stirling III and Patricia Gilberti Stirling to Ross Heitmeier.

HAMPSON ST. 8006: $100 and all other good and valuable consideration, Marilyn Branch Goodman to 8006 Hampson LLC.

LOWERLINE ST. 2622: $175,000, Darlyn Mercadal Ramirez and Nicole E. Ramirez Mancuso to Luar LLC.

MARCIA AVE. 5870: $675,000, Chad S. Busha to Shackelford & Associates LLC.

MARYLAND DRIVE 80: $615,000, Heather Bruser Pou and Michael F. Pou to Phillip Taylor Gray

PRITCHARD PLACE 8511:

$265,000, James Matthew Bluett and Valerie Aitken Bluett to Autumn Wren Listen and Lisa J. Listen.

SPRUCE ST. 8008: $505,000, Ceryl Lynn Besch McTernan, Erin McTernan Mistric, Matthew McTernan and Patrick McTernan to Jeanne Frances Howe Viator and Matthew Scott Viator.

ST. CHARLES AVE. 7444:

$190,000, Timothy Young to Jamie Lynn Burns Nguyen and Quang D. Nguyen.

SYCAMORE ST. 7709-7711: $445,000, St. Charles Equities LLC to Francis Victor Kyazze Kasibante.

EAST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FOR APRIL 17-24

HARAHAN

CALVIN AVE. 8001: Jennifer M. Miller to Vinson Properties LLC, $145,000.

ERIN COURT 8: Michelle Gallagher to Olivia Jarrett, $785,000.

MARSHALL DRIVE 8009, UNIT P, BUILDING L: William A. Cunningham to Elizabeth C. Lovelace, $849,000.

RENPASS AVE. 142: Boudreaux Family Irrevocable Trust to Drew A. Duxworth, $214,999.

JEFFERSON

RENCOPAS COURT 127: Darlin L. P. Rodriguez to Cesar Deker, $297,000.

SONIA PLACE 4: Joan A. Heausler

to Perk Properties LLC, $209,270.

KENNER

24TH ST. 1318: Maitrejean Holdings LLC to Csj Holdings LLC, $475,000.

29TH ST. 605: Vontricy S. Mcdaniel to Shonte V. Mcdaniel, donation, no value stated.

ACADIA ST. 8: Wilfredo Woods to Mercedes Ferrer, donation, no value stated.

CALIFORNIA AVE. 3321: Lance M. Riche to Emily Flooring LLC, $80,000.

CHATEAU BLVD. 3277: Leos La LLC to Duane C. Wehle Jr., $275,000. DAVID DRIVE 5520: Maria G. Acourt to Jay P. Dreher, $328,000.

FAYETTE ST. 2708-10: Almeda M. Mclaurin to Khuku D. Rani,

ä See EAST, page 20

$180,000.

GEORGIA AVE. 3209-15: Juan L. Rodriguez to Elmer O. Rodriguez, donation, no value stated.

KANSAS AVE. 2204: Terry A. Phillips to Arlen G. Gonzalez, $213,000.

MAYFAIR LANE672: Glenn H. Templet to Earl Davis Jr., $200,000.

MONTECARLO DRIVE 27: Antoinette C. Giusti to WillardV Badeaux, $340,000.

NORMANDYDRIVE 15: Darne Lanier to Andrea S. Montenegro, $235,000.

OLE MISS DRIVE 3803: Carolyn S. Camus to Dominique M. Jupiter, $245,000.

OSBORNE AVE. 3: Prashanta R. S. Panta to Briana Matute, $277,000.

YENNI DRIVE 356: Archie Keyser Jr. to Sanae Furuhachi,donation,

WEST JEFFERSON

n TRANSFERS FORAPRIL 17-24 AVONDALE

CAPITOL DRIVE 324: Adair Holdings LLCtoVictoria Albrecht, $199,900.

HOMEPLACE DRIVE 4028: Dsld LLCtoRosie L. Turner,$266,485.

RETREATDRIVE 3620: Dsld Homes LLCtoLHaynes, $264,975.

GRANDISLE

AMARIS BLVD.1056: Mary Doucet

no value stated.

REALESTATETRANSFERS

YENNI DRIVE 420: Archie Keyser Jr.toSanae Furuhachi, donation, no value stated.

METAIRIE

40TH ST.3005: A. C. Taorminato Catherine A. Cooke, donation, no value stated.

42ND ST.3204: Abel N. Guidry Jr. to D. Aleman, $265,000.

ACADEMY DRIVE 3909: Shontel A. Trahan to Choleta P. Rosita, $263,800.

AURORA AVE. 1029: Robin Faulkner to Randy J. Sternberger, $240,000.

BEAULAC LANE 4600: Ronald E. Haag to Lisa VHaag-Arnette, $213,000.

BEVERLYGARDEN DRIVE 50: Avd

LLCtoJulia C. Weaver, $1,551,000.

CHALFANTDRIVE 4613: Chase M. DuvernaytoDeborah J. Strzeszkowski, $393,000.

CYNTHIA AVE. 705: James D. Hughes to Camps Properties Nola

to David B. Clause, $700,000.

LA. 11890: Malvina Brownto Melisa Evans, $120,000.

LA. 13011: Perry J. Chighizola to Ascension Living &Outdoors LLC, $250,000.

SANTINY LANE 134: Louis P. Leblanc III to LuanneM.L.Liederman, donation,novalue stated.

GRETNA

BAYWOOD DRIVE 2920: CleoAlexander to JoshuaSmith, donation, no value stated.

BROADWAYDRIVE 213: Hurved A. PricetoFabiannaE.A.Orgeron, $190,000.

LLC, $174,000.

DANNY ST.3013: Rory Picou to Regina G. M. Long, $179,000.

DAVID DRIVE 1913: Senia M. MartineztoJose A. RiveraJr., $248,000.

EAGLE ST.4824: Michael A. DeblasioJr. to John A. Heald, $233,000.

FULTONST. 8809: GladysLopez to LevelUpEnterprises, $100,000.

GLENDALE ST.6301: CourtneyOry to Victoria E. B. Horridge, $268,000

GROVEST. 702: TammyD.Pimley to Jose D. Arita, $150,000.

3805 HOUMA BLVD.UNIT C307: Robert B. WalettoZacharyJ. Eumont,$115,000.

ITHACA ST.4912: Elizabeth A. H. LangfordtoQuinlivan Homes LLC, $250,000.

JAYST. 7916: Steckler Property Investments LLCtoChristina I Bourgeois, $213,000.

JEANNETTE DRIVE 5117: Collin JonestoDannyN.Nguyen, $375,000.

JEFFERSON AVE. 424: James E. Neville to ClaraAnnaloro, $750,000.

BROWNING LANE 2131: Julie T. D. Huynh to Tuan A. Le,$50,000.

CHERRYBLOSSOM LANE 309-F: Azucena DowtoBenjaminJ.Dow, donation, no value stated.

FAIRFAX DRIVE 848: Maria T. R. Polanco to Makinson Etienne, $260,000.

HANCOCK ST.1638: Dolores L. Leblanc to Lamb Shall Lead International Inc., $50,000.

LOUISE COURT248: Kevin J. Robert to Seven HundredSeven Grefer Street LLC, $148,000.

LOUISE COURT252: Edna Graves to Seven HundredSeven Grefer Street LLC, $136,000.

KENT AVE. 3900: Jesse F. Perezto Migdalia Ruiz, donation, no value stated.

LABARRE DRIVE 130: Zakary Rahman to One Hundred Thirty Labarre LLC, $960,000.

LAKE COMO AVE. 4829: Kevin D. LeonhardttoTyler F. Falk, $406,153.

LAKE DRIVE 3617: Lili J. Bao to Anna T. Hui, $880,000.

MANSON AVE. 2117: NancyW WorthytoCassandraM.Bailey, $425,000.

MARIAN AVE. 1017: NicoleE Phegley to La Bmmg 2024 LLC, $145,000.

METAIRIE COURT3124: Paul GiorlandotoWilliam E. Valley, $385,000.

N. HULLENST. 2205: Cordina LLCtoSilver Lake Estate LLC, $1,530,000.

NORA ST.6424: SandraA.L.DuplantiertoWWConstructionLLC, $105,000.

PAGE DRIVE 3812: DavidB.Harrison III to Utai Phromsiri, $195,000.

PARK LANE 2465: Seven Thousand TwoHundredDownman Rd LLCto Patrick J. SylveJr., $304,900.

WALL BLVD.313: Virginia G. Vasquez to Iris O. M. Gonzalez, $175,000.

WALL BLVD.680: TiffanyPeters to SamRaymond EmployeePsp 401k,$155,000.

WEYER ST.925: Kendall J. Meyers to KippyL.Digerolamo, $330,000.

WYNDHAM NORTH 1236: Bennett O. NwankpatoEbere O. Nwankpa, $270,000.

HARVEY

JENNIEST. 2408: MaryB.Wallace

RICHLAND COURT2: Hien T. Tran to Nikolaos Nikolopoulos, $315,000.

TRANSCONTINENTAL DRIVE 800: Milton J. Graff III to Michael J. Graff, donation, no value stated.

WHITNEY PLACE CONDO 630 2712: Louis A. III SandoztoPeggy Green, $160,000.

RIVERRIDGE

ANDREA ST.113: DannyJ.Veade to Shenae A. C. Cummings, $235,000. COVENTRYCOURT125: Jan P. Daigle to Lori Juneau, $218,000.

GARDENROAD251: Jeffrey S. Rudolph to Michael Trouard, $990,000.

RURAL ST.1001: Meghan McCaffery to Marissa Timberlake, $453,400.

SOPHIA ST.312: Kathlyn Lamarque to Courtney Garcia, $317,575.

TULLULAH AVE. 408: StrongDevelopment LLCtoPaige H. Lanier, $710,000.

to Aubry Bonck, donation, no value stated.

KNIGHTSBRIDGEPLACE 3333: Federal National Mortgage Association to Vanessa Pham, $385,000.

LIRO LANE 3821: SmailProperty Development LtdLLC to Iris A. G. Menci, $239,900.

SHERBROOKECOURT15: Karen D. Bartolo to Anita D. Cyprian, $465,000.

S. VILLAGE GREEN ST.1958: Caleb Marbley to Jeymi S. Obando, $218,000.

S. WINDMEREST. 4056: Marsha L. Deitchman to Christina C. Billiot, $187,000.

W. FRIENDSHIP DRIVE 2732: Oscar Osorio to Ls Realty LLC, $239,000.

MARRERO

ALLOAVE. 632: Pearl Homes ConstructionCo. Inc. to Tamara Banks, $153,000.

BRANDI ST.4816: KimJ.Langford to Trever Steib, $270,000.

FOLIAGE DRIVE 2539: Fabianna E. AsenciotoChristy Autin, $296,000. FOLIAGE DRIVE 2789: Danette BourgeoistoKenneth Williamson, $275,000.

GRILLETTACOURT3953: Brita KooystratoVictorVan,$120,200.

RUE JESANN 2520: AnhH.Mai to XuanH.T.Mai,donation,novalue stated.

RUE MONTESPAN 5824: Dsg Properties LLCtoDsg Properties LLC,

REALESTATETRANSFERS

ST. TAMMANy

TRANSFERS FROM APRIL 8-14

ABITA SPRINGS

CHINAWOOD DRIVE 168: Money Hill Plantation LLC to Burton A. Pereira and Theresa Madary Pereira, $245,000.

HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Donald C. Mazerat Sr., Rene Mazerat and others to Donald C Mazerat Sr., donation, no value stated.

MARCI ACRES SUBDIVISION, LOT 38: Charlie Rick Investment LLC to Brad M. Marks and Krystle H. Marks, $190,000.

NEAR ABITA SPRINGS, PORTION OF GROUND: Deborah K. Mahl and Robert J. Mahl to Patrick Goens and Candace Goens, $90,000.

PINE CONE ROAD 28071: Mark A. McCormick and Theresa Ratcliff McCormick to Stephen Kennedy and Lindsey Kennedy, $427,000.

PLANTATION DRIVE, LOT 192: Ralph J. Onstad Jr. to Timothy P. O’Flarity and Kellye F. O’Flarity, $160,000.

RUE CHARDONNAY 205: Marie H. Morelos to Miguel C. Galindez, $32,041.

TEE ST. 73317: Dennis J. Schaibly Sr. to Wendy A. Perez Gallardo, $16,000.

COVINGTON

BREWSTER ROAD, LOT E-4-A: Wesley J. Chatagnier and Leslie B. Chatagnier to Solemnity Builders LLC, $139,000.

BUTLER GREENWOOD DRIVE 118: Eagle Eye Homes LLC to Shawn C. Kirlin, $727,964.

CAPISTRANO COURT 809: Vincenzo Dangelone and Greer E. Guidry to Eric Moss and Devyn Moss, $380,000.

CHEROKEE ROSE LANE 235: Paul J. Hebert III to Melanie Johnson, $390,000.

CONNOLLY ADDITION TO COVINGTON SUBDIVISION, PORTION OF GROUND: Silverback Holdings LLC to Beacon Lighthouse Prop-

WEST

Continued from page 20

$146,850.

SANTA MARIA DRIVE 1104: Xuan H. T. Mai to Anh H. Mai, donation, no value stated.

SAUVAGE AVE. 2043: David B. Ernst to Bianca Comeaux, $175,000.

erties LLC, $595,000.

CRAFTSMAN COURT 312: Barbara P. Cherry to Erika Guarachi-Lima, $223,000

ECHO ST. 70352: Succession of Barbara Ann Mulligan to Julie C. Mulligan and Sean M. Mulligan, $10 and other good and valuable consideration.

LA BRANCHE PLACE 436: Terra Bella Group LLC to Highland Homes Inc., $102,500.

LAKE VISTA ESTATES, PHASE 1, LOT 164: Adam M. Burris and Susan Zito Burris to Sybil Travis, $268,854.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: J. Santos G. Valdez and Vanessa Calderon to Alexis Gaona, donation, no value stated.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Timothy R. Henning and Patricia Gaskill Henning to Don A. McMath and Deborah M. McMath, $330,000.

NEAR COVINGTON, PORTION OF GROUND: Peggy Heine Hobson to Richard P. Laborde and Greta H. Laborde, $40,000.

ORLEANS AVE. 602: Pamela Laborie Seher to Tyler Romano and Courtney Ates, $289,900.

PARMA CIRCLE 12368: Michael Saltaformaggio to Jennifer Goings, $273,000.

RIVER PARK DRIVE 16937: DSLD Homes LLC to Timothy Williams, $254,745.

RIVERDALE DRIVE 118: Todd V. Guidry and Lea R. Guidry to Peter W. Joslyn and Brittany R. Melvin Joslyn, $600,000.

RIVERDALE DRIVE 80: Mary K. Raborn Finch Trust to Jeffrey D. Hufft and Danielle T. Hufft, $950,000.

RIVERLAKE DRIVE 14302: Succession of Glenn C. MacDougall and Pamela L. MacDougall to Barbara G. Botsay, $306,000.

RUTHERFORD DRIVE 449: Neil J. Coig and Stephanie L. Coig to Samuel A. Blaize and Cheryl H. Blaize, $605,000.

S.E. ROBERT ROAD 19378: Sherri S. Montgomery to Johnathan Montgomery, $80,000.

TERRACE LAKE DRIVE 616:

SINGLETON DRIVE 6148: Shadow Trucking LLC to Tremise Lane, $235,000.

WAGGAMAN

DANDELION DRIVE 929: Coast Builders LLC to Gregory Barthelemy, $340,900.

DANDELION DRIVE 941: Coast Builders LLC to Jazmyn A. Dixon, $356,900.

Richard S. Fielding II and Katie Fielding to Tyler W. Broome and Amy P. Broome, $312,000.

W. 29TH AVE. 317-19-21: Church of Jesus Deliverance Temple to Gavin M. Guidry, $170,000.

W. K ST. 70366: Drew A. Cruz and Amanda M. Mayeux Cruz to Adam N. Breazeale, $230,000.

FOLSOM

NEAR FOLSOM, PORTION OF GROUND: Hale Property Holdings LLC to Minette Belle Investments LLC, $528,500.

TOWN OF FOLSOM, LOTS 6-10, SQUARE 116: Stephen A. Bridges and Cheryl L. Bridges to Cheyenne Real Estate LLC, $80,000.

LACOMBE

CHOCTAW SPRINGS SUBDIVISION, LOT 64, SQUARE 13: Northshore Management Group LLC to James L. Wehrlin Sr. and Lynn B. Wehrlin, $49,000.

CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 35A, SQUARE 8: Burgess Inc. to Brookeshire Property Development LLC, Brooke A. Martin and others, $11,800.

CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 38-A, SQUARE 8: Burgess Inc. to Brookeshire Property Development LLC, Barret G. Margin Jr. and others, $11,800.

CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 40A, SQUARE 8: Burgess Inc. to Brookeshire Property Development LLC, $11,800.

CYPRESS PARK SUBDIVISION, LOT 41A, SQUARE 8: Brookeshire Property Development LLC, Burgess Inc. and others to Magnolia Land Group LLC, $11,800.

KIMBALL ST. 66324: Regions Mortgage to Christian G. Porretto and Jacqueline M. Restivo, $155,000.

LACOMBE ACRES ANNEX SUBDIVISION, LOT 1, SQUARE 7: Lorraine A. Tassin to Tabatha G. Lawrence, $12,000.

ROWLEY DRIVE 30796: DSLD Homes LLC to Noel W. Williams Jr. and Dionne M. Williams, $264,680.

ä See TAMMANY, page 22

S. KENNER AVE. 107: Pauline Ngoc to Kevin M. Troescher Jr., $490,000.

SWEET BAY LANE 9500: Sander E. E. Square to Estrella C. A. Espinoza, $380,000.

WESTWEGO

HERMAN ST. 129: Aaa Properties Investment LLC to Veronica Guzman, $193,000.

Continued from page 21

ROWLEY DRIVE 30821: DSLD Homes LLC to Darrell Adams Jr. and Chantal Adams, $268,680.

TAMMANY FOREST SUBDIVISION, LOTS 11, 12, SQUARE 7: Inspiration Industries LLC and Blue Cup LLC to Christopher Rashad Myers, $16,500.

MADISONVILLE

BOXELDER COURT 100: Trudy C. Cupstid to Warshauer Construction Co. LLC, $105,000.

CLAYMONT COURT 409: Succession of Barbara A. Kimbrell Prosser and Ian D. Prosser to 409 Claymont LLC, $1, plus other good and valuable consideration.

DUMMYLINE ROAD 337: Earl B. Angelo Jr. to Tri Heath and Troy Heath, $52,000.

GITZ LANE 167: Daryl F. Stanga and Dodie R. Stanga to Paula M. Wust, Richard A. Wust and Angela M. Wust, $375,000.

GOLDEN OAK LANE 7051: BMI Construction LLC to Gary Holman and Cynthia Holman, $746,298.

MADISON AVE. 101: Ernest J. Cambre to Christian T. Kearns and Sophia Kearns, $205,300.

NEAR MADISONVILLE, LOT E1: Starfish & Sand One LLC to Gloriabelle LLC, $45,000.

PINE ST. 805: Elaine G. Tyrney, Paul D. Tyrney and Diana M. Tyrney Perilloux to John E. Nelsen and Tammy T. Nelsen, $68,333.

PINEY RIDGE CIRCLE 641: Timothy E. Haws and Kimberly B. Haws to Thomas J. Landa and Kimberly P Landa, $345,000.

RU DU SUD 21: Xin Dong to Mi-

REALESTATETRANSFERS

chael F. Wilson, $230,000.

SPIKE DRIVE 71648: DSLD Homes LLC to Terry Beard, $230,885.

SPIKE DRIVE 71652: DSLD Homes LLC to Vanessa Tijerina, $211,160.

TROPHY LANE 12109: DSLD Homes LLC to Kimberly Beth Nunez, $227,535.

MANDEVILLE

AMERICA ST. 2321: Brian P. Legier and Ashley H. Legier to Emanuel Rodriguez and Michelle Y. Colar, $290,000.

BLUE HERON DRIVE 111: David Askegren and Marion B. Askegren to Ross Kelt and Kelly Kelt, $525,000.

CITY OF MANDEVILLE, LOTS 5, 6, SQUARE 13: John C. Crane and Amy J. Ross Crane to Sophie Xiaocui Crane, donation, no value stated.

EVANGELINE DRIVE 271: Jerry M. Hollander Jr. and Sheila S. Hollander to Stephen Jeffcoat and Katie H. Jeffcoat, $700,000.

FAY ST. 821: Cynthia R. Goza and Christine M. Palmer to Matthew Estes, $265,000.

KINGSWOOD SUBDIVISION, LOT 5: BMI Construction LLC to Braxton J. Duffourc and Madeleine M. Duffourc, $549,900.

LONGWOOD DRIVE 104: Chad L. Bloodworth and Jennifer V. Bloodworth to Rhett Reynolds and Natalie Reynolds, $690,000.

MADEWOOD DRIVE 110: Steven D. Crossland and Shinjea P. Crossland to Asa Armbruster and Ashley Armbruster, $367,000.

NEAR MANDEVILLE, PORTION OF GROUND: ND Limited Management LLC to AFT Holdings Inc., $670,124.

OAK ST. 636: Jennifer Dean to Katie R. Seaman, $358,000.

RED MAPLE DRIVE 390: Noel W. Williams Jr. and Dionne M. Williams to Matthew J. Pinero and Kayla A. Heker, $460,000.

ROBYN PLACE 13: Chad E. Hobbs and Tessie A. Rachal Courville Hobbs to Bradley J. Doucet and Taylor K. Fradella Doucet, $632,000.

RUE DEGAS 1205: James Chauvin and Martha Richard Inzenga Living Trust to Spencer GrahamWinkles and Kristen Crain Graham-Winkles, $392,500.

SWEET BAY DRIVE 849: Jeremy Rodrigue to Loi Van Dao and Ngoc H. Nguyen, $415,000.

THACKERY ST. 67227: Successions of Paul D. DeBrock Jr. and Joan O. Bendix DeBrock to Dat Tan Nguyen and Thi Ngoc Lieu Ho, $335,000.

TOWN OF MANDEVILLE, LOT 13A, SQUARE 372-B: Lizabeth S. Gruber to Casey Ball, $237,500.

TRACE LOOP 97-103: Mandie S Battaglia and Daryl A. Battaglia Jr. to Maricela E. Ortiz Beltran, $525,000.

PEARL RIVER

HONEY ISLAND SWAMP ROAD

39390: Truman 2021 SC9 Title Trust to LS11 Landholdings LLC, $60,000.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: James A. Harvel Jr. and Laura P. Singletary Harvel to Justin G. Harvel and Gina D. Harvel, $12,000.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: James A. Harvel Jr. and Laura P. Singletary Harvel to Derrick J. Harvel, $22,500.

NEAR PEARL RIVER, PORTION OF GROUND: Richard O. Wornat and/ or Lena J. Wornat revocable living trust to Sidney P. Landry and Stephanie K. Landry, $125,000.

TAYLOR ST. 39091: Coast Builders LLC to William Dew, $462,500.

SIXTH WARD

NEAR SIXTH WARD, LOT 1B1-B: Bridget H Zisk and succession of Edward J. Zisk Sr. to Tammy C. Fanz and Taylor M. Watkins, $45,000.

SLIDELL

10TH ST. 1729: Michael M. Bentley and Carmen T. Bentley to Nicholas G. Pinterick and Parris N. Huffman, $365,000.

AUGUSTA LANE 221: Lan Thi Dang and Nathan Leland Wu to Mario Perrier and Stasha Perrier, $579,000.

BEECH ST. 1417-19: Maria Harrison to Rarity Rentals LLC, $147,000.

BLUEBIRD ST. 2506: Leboeurf Property Investments LLC to Keith J. Kostosky and Rene C. Kostosky, $205,000.

BRADFORD DRIVE 524: Martin Ronis and Lisa R. Ronis to James E. Richardson and Victoria M. Richardson, $290,000.

BROADMOOR DRIVE 1524: Jennifer L. Hendrix to Bernard L. Eckholdt III, $178,000.

CANAL BANK DRIVE 772: Edmond J. Restivo III and Kasey L. Jenkins to Southern Christian Home Solutions LLC, $309,437.

CYPRESS MEADOW LOOP 56: Keith Forest, Karen Forest Dressel and Kim F. Pope to Joseph Thibodeaux and Taylor G. Thibodeaux, $170,000.

DELTA RIDGE AVE. 6684: D. R. Horton Inc. Gulf Coast to Nicholas E. Handy, $391,145.

DOUBLOON DRIVE 62: John L. DeGeneres and Peggy M. DeGeneres to Shane J. Karter and Melissa M. Karter, $367,000.

EDEN ISLES SUBDIVISION, LOTS 3739, UNIT 1: New Orleans Magnolia Homes LLC to 7462 Belle Chasse Hwy LLC, $180,000.

GRAND SPRINGS ROAD 5614: D. R. Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Jorielle A. McKnight and Blair A. Odum, $260,625.

HARBOR DRIVE 1580, UNIT 222: John O. Smith and Vivian H. Smith to Alexey C. Ledwith, $81,000.

HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB SUBDIVISION, LOT 5, SQUARE 17: Kathleen K. Palisi to Yessenia E. Lopez Portillo, $7,000.

HOLMES DRIVE 331: David J. Dragon and Joyce P. Dragon to Aaron M. Hoppe, $174,000.

KINGS ROW DRIVE 1265: Mario Perrier and Stasha T. Perrier to Latoya Daniels, $275,000.

LAKE D’ESTE DRIVE 163: Amy S. May to Jose V. Ramirez and Abby A. Garcia Arzola Ramirez, $220,000.

LAKEWOOD DRIVE 1521: Matthew B. Williams and Carmel A. Williams Everard to Aaron B. Conners and Vicki H. Conners, $224,900.

LIVE OAK DRIVE 79: Samantha L. Festa to Dylan Suarez and Erica Suarez, $255,000.

LIVE OAK ST. 1542-44: Jeremy Navarre and Keyla Navarre to Zomana Holdings LLC, $10.

LORI DRIVE 1120: Jackson D Smock to Scottland R. Johnson Sr. and Kimberly Johnson, $340,000.

MASTERS POINT COURT 218: Kevin J. Chimento and Robin H. Chimento to Michael G. Vopal and Kayla A. Vopal, $550,000.

MOONRAKER DRIVE 427: Gregory Fryson Jr. to Chu Jun Fryson Richard, donation, no value stated.

MORGAN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 47, 48, SQUARE 5: Cherland LLC to Jonathan J. Banegas Najera and Ana Silva Flores, $9,000. N. JAYSON DRIVE 204: Shane J. Karter and Melissa M. Karter to Jesse Smotherman and Haley Samms, $335,000.

NEAR SLIDELL, PORTION OF GROUND: Kristalaine Galatas to Danny T. Williams Jr. and Victoria O. Williams, $30,000.

OAK HARBOR MOORINGS SUBDIVISION, PHASE 4, LOT 87: National Residential Nominee Services Inc. to David Armour and Krystal Armour, $549,000.

OAK HARBOR-MOORINGS SUBDIVISION, PHASE 4, LOT 87: Eric W. Potter and Annette C. Potter to National Residential Nominee Services Inc., $549,000.

OAK LANDING LANE 112: Deionne A. Duplessis to Commonwealth Management Partners LLC, $268,854.

PELICAN BAY DRIVE 713: D. R.

Continued frompage22

Horton Inc.-Gulf Coast to Ermia Conner, $225,083.

PONTCHARTRAIN DRIVE 3675: NormanChampagne and Akiko Champagne to La SaisonProperties LLC, donation, no value stated.

PONTCHARTRAIN DRIVE 3838, UNIT C-102: E&A Covington Inc. to NOLA Direct HomeBuyer LLC, $52,000.

WEST MORGAN SUBDIVISION, LOTS 40-43, SQUARE 43: Succession of Anne B. Roccaforte to Patrick B. Huval and Eileen B. Huval, $5,000.

SUN/BUSH

LA. 40 20971: Jordan McKee and LauraMarie Matherne McKee to Christian Legoria and Colleen Legoria, $220,000.

NEAR BUSH, PORTION OF GROUND: James R. Durand and LeeM.Durand to Jimlee LLC, no value stated.

NEAR BUSH, PORTION OF GROUND: Eduardo M. Pagoaga to Dustin Perezand Jaymi Holifield, $185,000.

By The Associated Press

Today is Saturday,May 3, the 123rd day of 2025. There are 242 days left in the year

Todayinhistory:

On May 3, 1999, the Bridge Creek–Moore tornado struck theOklahomaCity metropolitanarea, causing 41 deaths and nearly 600 injuries; the tornado’stop wind speed of 321 miles per hour was the highest ever recorded on earth.

On this date:

In 1802, Washington, D.C., was incorporated as acity.

In 1937, MargaretMitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, “Gone with the Wind.”

In 1948, theSupremeCourt, in Shelleyv.Kraemer,ruled that covenants prohibiting the sale of real estate to Blacks or members of other racial groups were legally unenforceable.

In 1979, the Conservative Party ousted the incumbent Labour government in Britishparliamentary elections;

TODAYINHISTORY

FILE

Crewswork on the Old Man of the Mountain in Franconia, N.H., in the 90s in an effort to protect the 40-foot-tall landmark.

Conservative leader Margaret Thatcher would become the first female U.K. PrimeMinisterthe following day

In 1986, aboard the long-shot

Lookingfor lastinglovelater in life

horse Ferdinand, Bill Shoemaker becamethe oldest jockey to win the Kentucky Derby at age 54.

In 2003, the “Old Manofthe Mountain,”a 40-foot-tallgranite outcropping in Franconia, New Hampshire, that bore the resemblance of ahumanface in profile, collapsed despitedecades of preservation efforts.

In 2015, twogunmen were killed by aSWATteam in Garland, Texas, after they opened fire outside apurposely provocative contest forcartoon depictions of the ProphetMuhammad.

In 2018, afederal grandjury in Detroitindicted former VolkswagenCEO MartinWinterkorn on charges stemming from thecompany’s diesel emissionscheating scandal (UnderGermany’sconstitution, he could not be extradited to the U.S. to face charges.)

Today’sbirthdays: Singer Frankie Valli is 91. Sen. JimRisch, RIdaho,is82. Sen. Ron Wyden, DOre., is 76. SingerChristopher Cross is 74. Actor AmyRyanis 57. Actor Bobby Cannavale is 55. Music executive-entrepreneur Damon Dashis54. Actor Christina Hendricks is 50. Actor Dule Hill is 50. Country musician Eric Church is 48. Golfer BrooksKoepka is 35. Actor Rachel Zegleris24.

In 2016, in astunning triumph for apolitical outsider, Donald Trump all but clinched theRepublican presidential nominationwith aresounding victory in the Indiana primaryelection that knocked rivalTed Cruz out of therace.

DearAnnie: I’m aretired, divorced man who had afulfilling career,but Inow struggle to find female companionship. Iwas mostly focused on my career and got married in my mid-40s, partlyout of loneliness, and together we have adaughter in her 20s. Looking back, Idon’tthink Iwas ever truly in love with my ex-wife. My ex-wife cheated,stole from me, as well as didother things no one should do to their spouse. She had aterrible temper.Looking back, Ishould have divorcedher many yearsbefore Idid.

Iattend church, belong to some organizations and attend some activities. Ihave apassion forcooking andentertaining. I am somewhat able to approach women. Other people tell me I’m reasonably handsome, kind, polite, modest, abit chivalrous

and know how to have fun with others. Idon’tsmoke, and I drink very little alcohol. Ido still have asex drive.

Despite datingsome women since my divorce manyyears ago, I’m having trouble finding someone I’m interested in having along-term relationship with.

Ihave troubledealingwith my life alone, and as aconsequence, Iregularlysee apsychiatrist and take medicationfor depression. It does helpsome. Should I get counseling again, anddoyou have any advice for me? Ireally don’twant to remainlonely and depressed for the rest of my life. —Good Man in the Storm Dear Good Man: It saysalot that you’re so willing andopen to finding anew connection despite your previouslyrocky go-rounds at love. You’velived throughhardship, and yet you remainhopeful,which is something you should be proud of. Youhave so much life left to liveand youshouldn’tfeel any shame for still wantinglove,

intimacy and companionship in these golden years

Finding someonewho shares yourvaluesand interests is a great place to start. Signing up for asingles cookingclass or attendinganevent hostedbyyour churchmight introduce you to women your age that you have thingsincommonwith.And Ido advise getting back into counseling.

Combined with yourmedication andcommitmenttobuildinga fulfilling future, the right therapist will help youuntangle the trauma of your previousrelationships and learn to spot any red flagsearly in your next one. Yousound like acaringfather and athoughtful man that someonewould be luckytocall apartner.Keep an open mind andopenheart —just because you’vebeen burned before doesn’tmean theright flame isn’tout there.

Send your questions forAnnie Lane to dearannie@creators. com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PHOTO

Annie Lane

DEAR ANNIE

KARI KRAMER AYALA OWNER/BROKER, CRS