The Acadiana Advocate 05-18-2025 by The Advocate

CAJUNS END FIVE-GAME SKID IN REGULAR-SEASON

TheMightyMississippi createdLouisiana,but thestate and nation arestruggling to contendwithits challenging newera

BY MIKE SMITH |Staff writer

First in aseries

ABOARD THE HURLEY Mayo Broussard is back at afamiliar bend in the Mississippi River, looking over its deep,muddy currents, helping solve aproblem The world is dependingonit.

The 78-year-old, with abushy white beard and apack of Marlboros in his pocket, is maneuvering across the deck of an ArmyCorps of Engineers dredge ship downriver from BatonRouge. Barges andtugboats arelined up nearby like an armada of commerce. Louisiana’s State Capitol building shimmers in the far-off distance.

Broussard has been up and down this stretch of the Mississippi, watching it andmeasuring it, clearing out the muck buried deep below its surface so the giant vessels stacked with freight from acrossthe globe can pass safely. For him, the calculation is simple:The goods must ﬂow “Bottom line —and whateverit takes, we do it,” Broussard said.

ABOVE: Mayo Broussard, with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, takesabreakonthe Mississippi River near Baton Rouge. ‘The river’s constantlytryingtochangeitself. We’retryingtocontrol it,’hesaid

TOP: The Mississippi River looking upriver with NewOrleans toward theright, withLakePontchartrain in the background

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Butalong theMississippi from Baton Rouge to the Gulf, thatvitalmission is colliding with new realitiesonthe river thathold profound consequences foreveryonelivingbeside it. And as

thenew era emerges, Louisiana and the nation are struggling to contend with it.

Broussard recalls his early years in the industry,doing the dirty work of managingthe mud

being dug up from the depths. There were goods to be shipped and money to be made, andthe river,despite all itstwists and turns, provided adirect path to prosperity.

That’seven more true now, and underneath the ship, the Hurley,isone of adozen curves in theriver between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that stack up with mini-mountains of mud, threatening navigation. It can takemore than amonth to ﬁnish the job here, even for theHurley,the largest dredge of its type in North America. Agiant dustpan-likemachine drops down from the ship, vacuuming sediment and spitting it back out from along pipe to be swept downriver with the currents. When it’sdeep enough for vessels thesize of three football ﬁelds to pass, the workisdone. For now

Fewsee or understand the world that exists along the river.But Broussard, from the tiny town of CoteauHolmes near the Atchafalaya Basin, knows its high-stakes implications.

ä See RIVER, page 6A

Progress slow to come on home insurance

Legislaturestays the course on currentbills

BY SAM KARLIN |Staff writer

Ayear after Republican leaders ushered in aseries of pro-industry changesina bid to alleviate the home insurance crisis in Louisiana, officials are confronting a hard truth: there are few immediate signs of relief Insurance rates are not likely to come downdramatically, at least in the near term And while the ongoing legislative sessionhas put the focusonauto insurance rates, many homeowners in south Louisiana stillface the threat of losing their homes over highpropertyinsurance bills. With homeowners’ insurance rates ticking upward for mosthomeowners since the changes theLegislature adoptedlastyear,lawmakers appear poised to stay the course on a pro-industry strategy

They’ve rejected bills this session that would require insurers to reveal more information about their ﬁnances and to mandate certain levels of discounts for homeowners with fortified roofs. A broad tax break for homeowners paying high premiumsappears unlikely

The lack of progress has frustratedGov.JeffLandry,who is at odds with fellow Republican Insurance Commissioner TimTemple, thearchitectofthe insurerfriendly plan. But industry groups and Temple say they are starting to see signs of improvement. Ahandful of companieshavewon approvalto start writing home insurance policies in thepast year.And ahandfulofcompanies have ﬁled rate decreases,though an analysis of state data from TheTimes-Picayune |The Advocateshows that rate increases are outpacing the declines.

See

BYSTEPHEN

MARCANTEL |Staff writer

Director Patrice Melnick walked among the rooms of the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center on Opelousas’ NorthMainStreet. The rooms detail the history of Louisiana’s third-oldest city, behind Natchitoches andNew Orleans. Aneat triviafact, but what’sless known is that St. Landry Parish had the second largest population of freedmen residing in it after the Civil War. That historymight have been forgotten if it hadn’tbeen forthe work of the museum did to document it in its2023 exhibittitled “Still Rising: Free People of Color in St. Landry Parish.” The

ä See AT RISK, page 5A

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRISGRANGER

Temple Landry

Patrice Melnick, director of the Opelousas Museum and Interpretive Center,stands in front of an exhibit on the historyof the free people of St. Landry Parish.

STAFFPHOTO By STEPHEN MARCANTEL ä

INSURANCE, page 4A

Iran shrugs off threats, to continue nuke talks

TEHRAN, Iran Iran’s president said his country will continue talks with the United States over its rapidly advancing nuclear program but will not withdraw from its rights because of U.S. threats.

“We are negotiating, and we will negotiate We are not after war but we do not fear any threat,” President Masoud Pezeshkian said during a speech to navy ofﬁcials broadcast Saturday.

“It is not like that they think if they threaten us, we will give up our human right and deﬁnite right,” Pezeshkian said.

The negotiations have reached the “expert” level, meaning the sides are trying to reach agreement on the details of a possible deal. But a major sticking point remains Iran’s enrichment of uranium, which Tehran insists it must be allowed to do and the Trump administration increasingly insists the Islamic Republic must give up.

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

Secret Service interviews

Comey over ‘86 47’ post

WASHINGTON Former FBI Director James Comey was interviewed by the Secret Service on Friday about a social media post that Republicans insisted was a call for violence against President Donald Trump.

The interview was part of an ongoing Trump administration investigation and was expected to help authorities assess the purpose and intent of the post and whether Comey intended to communicate a threat to the president, which he has flatly denied. Any decision on whether charges should be filed would be up to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump said Friday, though there’s a high bar in proving that comments or posts amount to direct threats of violence.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem conﬁrmed in a post on X that Comey had been interviewed and said she would “take all measures necessary to ensure the protection” of Trump. The Secret Service is part of the Department of Homeland Security An interview is a standard part of an investigation into comments perceived as potentially threatening but does not suggest that charges are being considered.

At issue is an Instagram post from Thursday in which Comey wrote “cool shell formation on my beach walk” under a picture of seashells that appeared to form the shapes for “86 47.”

Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says 86 is slang meaning “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” It notes: “Among the most recent senses adopted is a logical extension of the previous ones, with the meaning of ‘to kill.’ We do not enter this sense, due to its relative recency and sparseness of use.”

2nd man booked in fires at U.K. PM’s properties

LONDON A second suspect was arrested Saturday on arson charges in connection with a series of fires targeting property linked to U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, police said.

A 26-year-old man was arrested at Luton Airport on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life, police said. The arrest came the day after a Ukrainian man appeared in court on charges of setting ﬁre to Starmer’s personal home, along with a property where he once lived and a car he had sold. Police didn’t provide the nationality of the second suspect.

No injuries were reported from the ﬁres which occurred on three nights in north London between May 8 and May 12. Roman Lavrynovych, 21, didn’t enter a plea Friday in Westminster Magistrates’ Court to three counts of arson with intent to endanger life.

Lavrynovych denied setting the ﬁres and, at this point, there is no explanation for the crimes, a prosecutor said.

Starmer and his family had moved out of his home after he was elected in July

Severe storms rake across the U.S.

At least

27 killed,

including 14 in Kentucky

BY DYLAN LOVAN Associated Press

— Storm sys-

LONDON, Ky.

tems sweeping across parts of the U.S. Midwest and South have left at least 27 people dead, many of them in Kentucky, where what appeared to be a devastating tornado pulverized homes and flipped over a car on an interstate

In Kentucky at least 18 people were killed by severe weather, and at least 10 were in critical condition, Gov Andy Beshear said Saturday. Seventeen of the fatalities were in Laurel County, and one was in Pulaski County

Among the dead was a ﬁreﬁghter with the Laurel County Fire Department who was injured while responding to the deadly weather The fire department did not immediately say how Maj. Roger Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran was injured or when he died.

Kayla Patterson, her husband and their ﬁve children huddled in a tub in their basement in London the county seat, as the tornado raged around them.

“You could literally hear just things ripping in the distance, glass shattering everywhere, just roaring like a freight train,” she recalled Saturday “It was terrible.”

The family eventually emerged to the sounds of sirens and panicked neigh-

bors. While the family’s own home was spared, others right behind it were demolished, Patterson said as the sound of power tools buzzed in the background.

The neighborhood was dotted with piles of lumber, metal sheeting, insulation and stray belongings a suitcase, a sofa, some sixpacks of paper towels.

Rescuers were searching for survivors all night and into the morning, the sheriff’s office said An emergency shelter was set up at a local high school and donations of food and other necessities were arriving.

The National Weather Service hadn’t yet confirmed that a tornado struck, but meteorologist Philomon Geertson said it was likely It ripped across the largely rural area and extended to the London Corbin Airport shortly before midnight

Resident Chris Cromer

1 killed after blast outside California fertility clinic

BY ERIC TUCKER and GENE JOHNSON Associated Press

An explosion that heavily damaged a fertility clinic in the California city of Palm Springs appears to have been intentional, local authorities said. One person was found dead, and the FBI said it was sending investigators, including bomb technicians, to the scene. Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said in a statement Saturday that the blast “appears to be an intentional act of violence” and that several buildings damaged, some severely “There has been one fatality, the person’s identity is not known,” Mills’ statement said. The act was being investigated as a possible car explosion, said two law enforcement ofﬁcials briefed on the matter who insisted on anonymity to discuss preliminary information from an ongoing investigation. Authorities have not disclosed a motive.

FBILosAngelessaidina social media post on X that “assets being deployed include investigators, bomb technicians & an evidence response team.” Investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were also assisting.

The city of Palm Springs said Saturday that the explosion happened at 11 a.m. local time and that residents were being asked to avoid the area around North Indian Canyon Drive near East Tachevah Drive.

Dr Maher Abdallah, who runs the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic, conﬁrmed that his clinic was damaged. He told The Associated Press in a phone interview that all of his staff were safe and accounted for The explosion damaged the practice’s ofﬁce space, where it conducts consultations with patients, but left the IVF lab and all of the stored embryos there unharmed.

“I really have no clue what happened,” Abdallah said. “Thank God today happened to be a day that we have no patients.”

Aerial footage showed a burned-out car in a parking lot behind the building that housed the fertility clinic’s ofﬁce space. The blast caved in the building’s roof and blew a wide debris ﬁeld across a sidewalk and four lanes of the street on the other side of the structure.

Palm Springs is a tony community in the desert about a two-hour drive east of Los Angeles. Its known for upscale resorts and a history of celebrity residents.

said he got the ﬁrst of two tornado alerts on his phone around 11:30 p.m. or so, about a half-hour before the tornado struck. He and his wife grabbed their dog, jumped in their car and scrambled to the crawlspace at a relative’s nearby home because the couple’s own crawlspace is small.

“We could hear and feel the vibration of the tornado coming through,” said Cromer, 46. A piece of his roof was ripped off, and windows were broken, but homes around his were destroyed.

“It’s one of those things that you see on the news in other areas, and you feel bad for people then, when it happens, it’s just surreal,” he said. “It makes you be thankful to be alive, really.”

The storm was the latest severe weather to cause deaths and widespread

damage in Kentucky Two months ago, at least 24 people died in a round of storms that swelled creeks and submerged roads.

Hundreds of people were rescued, and most of the deaths were caused by vehicles getting stuck in high water

A storm in late 2021 spawned tornadoes that killed 81 people and leveled portions of towns in western Kentucky The following summer, historic ﬂoodwaters inundated parts of eastern Kentucky leaving dozens more dead.

About 1,200 tornadoes strike the U.S. annually, and they have been reported in all 50 states over the years Researchers found in 2018 that deadly tornadoes were happening less frequently in the traditional “Tornado Alley” of Oklahoma, Kansas and Texas and more frequently in parts of the more

densely populated and treeﬁlled mid-South area. The latest Kentucky storms were part of a weather system Friday that killed seven in Missouri and two in northern Virginia, authorities said. The system also spawned tornadoes in Wisconsin, brought a punishing heat wave to Texas and temporarily enveloped parts of Illinois — including Chicago — in a pall of dust on an otherwise sunny day

“Well that was something,” the weather service’s Chicago ofﬁce wrote on X after issuing its ﬁrstever dust storm warning for the city Thunderstorms in central Illinois had pushed strong winds over dry, dusty farmland and northward into the Chicago area, the weather agency said. In Missouri, St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said five people died, 38 were injured and more than 5,000 homes were affected in her city

“The devastation is truly heartbreaking,” she said at a news conference Saturday An overnight curfew was to continue in the most damaged neighborhoods. Weather service radar indicated a likely tornado touched down between 2:30 p.m. and 2:50 p.m. in Clayton, Missouri, in the St. Louis area. The apparent tornado touched down in the area of Forest Park, home to the St. Louis Zoo and the site of the 1904 World’s Fair and Olympic Games the same year Three people needed aid after part of the Centennial Christian Church crumbled, St. Louis Fire Battalion Chief William Pollihan told The Associated Press.

Trump says he will call Putin, then Zelenskyy, on Monday

President to push for Ukraine ceasefire

BY YEHOR KONOVALOV and JOANNA KOZLOWSKA Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine President Donald Trump said he plans to speak by phone Monday with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, followed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders of various NATO countries, about ending the war in Ukraine.

Trump said the call with Putin will be about stopping the “bloodbath” in Ukraine.

“Hopefully it will be a productive day, a ceasefire will take place, and this very violent war, a war that should have never happened, will end,” Trump wrote Saturday in a post on his social networking site Truth Social. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov conﬁrmed in comments to Russian media that preparations were underway for Monday’s call.

Trump’s remarks came a day after the first direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv in years failed to yield a ceasefire. Putin had spurned Zelenskyy’s offer to meet face-to-face in Turkey after he himself proposed direct negotiations — although not at the presidential level — as an alternative to a 30-day ceasefire urged by Ukraine and its Western allies, including the U.S. Also on Saturday U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a phone call with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov During a visit to Rome, Rubio suggested that the Vatican could be a venue for Russia-Ukraine peace talks.

In Ukraine, a northeastern town declared a period of mourning after

a Russian drone hit a bus evacuating civilians from front-line areas, killing nine people, Ukrainian officials said. The strike came hours after the Russian and Ukrainian delegations left Istanbul, after agreeing to what would be the biggest prisoner swap to date between the warring parties.

The talks in Istanbul on Friday broke up after less than two hours without a ceasefire, although both sides agreed on exchanging 1,000 prisoners of war each, according to the heads of both delegations. Ukraine’s intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov said on Ukrainian television Saturday that the exchange could happen as early as next week.

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ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TIMOTHy D EASLEy

Dennis Clark goes through the remains of his house on Saturday that was destroyed by severe weather in London, Ky.

PHOTO PROVIDED By ABC7 LOS ANGELES

Debris covers the ground Saturday after an explosion in Palm Springs, Calif.

Israel launches new military operation in Gaza

Netanyahu tells negotiating team to stay at talks

BY IBRAHIM HAZBOUN and SAMY MAGDY Associated Press

JERUSALEM Israel said Saturday it launched a major military operation in the Gaza Strip to pressure Hamas to release remaining hostages, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a negotiating team to remain in Qatar for indirect talks with the militant group.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Operation Gideon Chariots was being led with “great force.” Netanyahu had vowed to escalate pressure with the aim of destroying the militant group that has ruled Gaza for nearly two decades.

The military operation in the Palestinian territory came a day after President Donald Trump concluded his Middle East trip without a visit to Israel. There had been hope that his visit could increase the chances of a ceaseﬁre deal or the resumption of humanitarian aid to Gaza, which Israel has prevented for more than two months.

An Israel ofﬁcial said that Netanyahu was in constant contact throughout the day with the negotiating team in

Doha, Qatar and U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, and instructed the team to remain there.

The ofﬁcial spoke on condition of anonymity, because he wasn’t authorized to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media.

Hamas, which released an Israeli-American hostage as a goodwill gesture before Trump’s trip, insists on a deal that ends the war and leads to the withdrawal of Israeli forces — something Israel said that it won’t agree to.

Israel’s army said on social media it wouldn’t stop until the hostages are returned and the militant group is dismantled. Israel believes as many as 23 hostages in Gaza are still alive, although Israeli authorities have expressed concern for the status of three of them.

More than 150 people had been killed in Israeli strikes in the last 24 hours, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry It said more than 3,000 have been killed since Israel broke a January ceaseﬁre on March 18.

On Saturday afternoon, an Israeli strike killed at least four children in the Jabaliya refugee camp in the north, according to al-Awda Hospital, which received the bodies. Seven others were wounded in the strike, which hit a house A later strike in Jabaliya killed four, the hospital said.

“This is unacceptable.

Protesters hold pictures Saturday of Palestinian children killed during Israel’s

operation in the Gaza Strip in a protest demanding the end of the war

Until when? Until we all die?” asked a sweating Naji Awaisa as he and others ﬂed Jabaliya with their belongings down streets lined with shattered buildings. Smoke from airstrikes rose in the distance.

Airstrikes around Deir alBalah in central Gaza killed 14 people, with the bodies arriving at al-Aqsa hospital. One strike on a house killed eight people, including parents and four children.

A strike hit outside a school sheltering displaced people in Gaza City, killing four, the Gaza Health Min-

istry’s emergency service said.

There was no immediate Israeli comment on the strikes. A separate statement said that the military had killed dozens of ﬁghters while dismantling an “underground route” in northern Gaza.

Hundreds of protesters rallied Saturday night in Tel Aviv, some holding photos of Palestinian children killed in Gaza, with others demanding a deal to end the war and bring all hostages home.

“Let me be crystal clear All of Israeli society, left,

right, secular, religious, stands united in calling for a hostage deal. To miss this moment for a deal would be a betrayal of history, a stain that will never fade,” Dalia Kushnir-Horn, sister-in-law of hostage Eitan Horn, told the crowd.

Gaza is in the third month of an Israeli blockade with no food, water, fuel or other goods entering the territory of more than 2 million people. Food security experts say Gaza will be in famine if the blockade isn’t lifted.

Earlier this week, a new humanitarian organization

that has U.S. backing to take over aid delivery said that it expects to begin operations by the end of the month, after what it described as key agreements with Israeli officials. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation identiﬁed several U.S. military veterans, former humanitarian coordinators and security contractors to lead the effort.

Many in the humanitarian community, including the U.N., said that they won’t participate, because the system doesn’t align with humanitarian principles and won’t be able to meet the needs of Palestinians in Gaza.

Tom Fletcher, the U.N. humanitarian chief, said Friday that there’s already an aid delivery plan with 160,000 pallets of supplies ready to move: “It is ready to be activated — today — if we are simply allowed to do our jobs.”

The war in Gaza began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamasled militants attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has killed more than 53,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants.

Magdy reported from Cairo. Tia Goldenberg contributed to this report from Tel Aviv, Israel.

Hundreds of Rwandans who fled to Congo after 1994 genocide

return

BY RUTH ALONGA Associated Press

GOMA, Congo Hundreds of Rwandan refugees who were living in eastern Congo since the 1994 genocide in Rwanda were repatriated on Saturday, the U.N. refugee agency said, after Rwandan-backed rebels seized key parts of the region. Most of the refugees were women and children, and 360 of them crossed the border in buses provided by Rwandan authorities and were escorted by the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, and aid group Save the Children, local authorities said. The goal is to repatriate 2,000 people, UNHCR said.

country’s development,” said Prosper Mulindwa, the Rwandan mayor of Rubavu, during a brief ceremony at the border

“We are happy to welcome our compatriots. They are a valuable workforce for the

The returnees were transported to a transit center where they will receive emergency assistance and support for reintegration. They were among the hundreds of thousands of Hutus who fled Rwanda after the

state-sponsored 1994 genocide that left up to a million minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus dead. Most had returned when Tutsi-led Rwandan troops first invaded Congo in 1996. But Rwandan authorities said thousands of Hutu militiamen and ex-soldiers had stayed and joined Congo’s army to destabilize Rwanda.

For decades, mineral-rich

eastern Congo has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conﬂict and worsened an already acute humanitarian crisis.

The rebels are supported by about 4,000 troops from neighboring Rwanda, according to U.N. experts.

Among the Rwandan returnees, personal testimonies highlighted journeys marked by exile and a deep connection to a homeland some have never known. Nyirakajumba Twizere was born in 1996 in Congo and had never seen Rwanda. “I never thought this day would come,” he said. “I’m ﬁnally going back to the land of my ancestors.”

Say NOtoSB194

Stop the Big Pharma money grab in Louisiana.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MAyA ALLERUZZO

military

in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Those illustrate an uncomfortablereality for Louisianans: Ratesare not expected to go back to what they were before the crisis began in 2022, which Temple acknowledged.

“It’snot going to come down as sharply as it increased,” he said in arecent editorial board meeting with the newspaper Signsofprogress?

Regulators believe many insurers in Louisianawere underpricing their products before aseries of hurricanes wiped out ahost of companies in 2022 and 2023.And the state is increasingly reliant on the global industry of reinsurance that has seenprices soar every year since 2017, in part because of worsening wildﬁres, hurricanes and other climate change-related disasters.

Still, Temple said that he sees signs Louisiana’smarket is improving. In town halls, he said he’sstarted hearing recently from more people who have seen their premiums drop. And he notedthat he’sapproved 10 additional companies to start writing property insurance here, saying the resulting competition should drive down rates

Customers who get fortiﬁed roofs, in particular,have reported signiﬁcant savings.

But Temple conceded that most Louisianans should not yet expect falling premiums, saying, “I don’tthink we’re there yet.”

Temple also expressed frustration that Landry said last December that he was unhappy with the pace of progress on property insurance. Some of the legislation meant to bring down rates didn’tgointo effect until January,Temple noted.

Temple touted that eight insurers have filed rate decreases, though theInsurance Department laterclarified that three companies have ﬁled for decreases eight times.Still,that outpaces the five total decreases companies asked for in all of 2024. Of the 10 companies that have become newly licensed to write homeowners policies, four of them wonthat approval before the package of laws wassigned last year

One of the companies told The Times-Picayune|The Advocate it is not writing homeowner policies. The others did not return messages forthis story

Most of those companies arerated by AM Best,seen in the industry as the gold standard that indicates the companies arefinancially sound. But three are rated by Demotech,a rating ﬁrmthat has drawn scrutiny for rating companies that researchers say are of lower quality New market share data shows three of the companies had begun writing policiesby the end of 2024: Acceptance Insurance Company,Auros Reciprocal Exchange and Lilypad Insurance Company They collectively had 0.15% of the market. BenAlbright,headoftheIndependent Insurance Agents &Brokers of Louisiana, said

he is seeing some rate drops in commercial propertyinsurance, whichoften leads the market. But he’snot yet seeing widespread premium drops in home insurance, though people do have more optionsfor insurers now, he said.

“I am optimisticthat the homeowners marketisstarting to move in the right direction, butI’m not ready to predict that theaverage consumer will seeadecreaseon their renewal,” Albright said.

‘Difficult path’

As lawmakershavecontinued to embrace pro-insurance industry bills, it appears unlikely thattheywillpass abroad tax break for homeowners who are struggling with highpremiums Landry is pushing House Bill 148 by Rep. Jeff Wiley, R-Maurepas, to give Temple more authority to reject rates for being “excessive,” but the bill is unlikely to have any effect in the short term. Temple hasindicatedhewould not use theauthority because he already reviewswhether rates are backed up by sound math.Hearguedthat rejecting rates arbitrarilywould push insurers out ofthe market.

Another bill by Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, to dole out atax break for lowincome residents to offset premium costs is still alive, recentlywinning narrowapproval from theSenate. Senate Bill 235 still must win approval from the House, but it would give low-income homeowners a$2,000 taxcredit, capped at $10 million ayear Rep. Brian Glorioso, RSlidell, also sponsoreda billto let homeownersdeduct their home insurancepremium fromtheir taxes.But after fiscal analysts estimated it would cost the state nearly

$70 million ayear,Glorioso conceded House Bill 236 has little chance. An even more generous bill by Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge,also has an uphill battle.

Glorioso, whosupported Temple’s package of bills last year,said there’slittle the Legislature can do to bring costs down immediately,absent atax break.

“I never tell anyone your rates aregoing to go down,” he said. “I hope theywill. Realistically, what we’re hoping for is to slowthe growth rate. It’s going to be adifﬁcult path absent some coordination with other states on areinsuranceplanora federalreinsurance plan.”

Watching reinsurance

Insurance companies buy reinsurance to protect their balancesheet muchinthe same way homeowners buy insurancetoprotect their house against ahurricane. In effect,they are sending some of the premium dollarsthey collect to other insurers.

Starting in 2017, when wildﬁresrocked California, costs for reinsuranceroseevery year through 2024, according to an index published by the tradepublication Artemis. That included anearly 30% jump in 2023. And those costs getpassed down to homeowners, who see higher property insurance bills as aresult

The index forecastsaslight dipincosts this year,inpart because aflood of investor capital looking to cash in on the high prices is pushing costsdown.

Still, amovementisafoot to setupafederal reinsurance backstop to helplower costs for homeowners amid worsening naturaldisasters. Greater New OrleansInc., the region’seconomic development arm, is lobbying for such achange. They similarly

pushed for aﬂood insurance solutionamidproblems with the National Flood Insurance Program.

Landry has alsoraised the possibilitythatLouisiana may need federal help. Democrats in Congress have introduced legislation to setupareinsurance backstop,but the idea has not gained traction.

“It’snot sustainable given where thereinsurancemarketisand thelarger number of natural disasters we’reseeing,”Glorioso said. “The only way it’ssustainable, to me, is to expand the national ﬂood

program andinclude allnatural disasters in it.”

Temple’s ofﬁce quietly completed areport in March that lookedatthe possibility of a multistate reinsurance pool or acatastrophe fund like Florida, which established amultibillion-dollar fund to reimburse insurers forpart of theirhurricane losses. But thereport largelypanned the idea, echoing concernsfrom thereinsurance industry that such amove would concentrate risk in hurricane-prone areas.

Temple has opposed the

ideaofa federal intervention, sayingthe privatemarketis capable of delivering affordable homeinsurance.

Another challenge is the setup of insurance being handledbystate regulators. Givingthe federal government the ability to step into that roleseems politically unlikely right now, saidCarolyn Kousky,head of thenonproﬁt Insurance forGood “Notonly is there no political support, but much of the capable federal workforce hasbeen eliminated,” she said.

TheLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center is making progress towardsbecomingthe ﬁrst NCI-designated cancer center in Louisianaand on theGulfCoast

Your place, your pace.

Thedesignation is part of theNationalCancer InstituteCancerCenters Program, whichwas established in 1971 to recognizeinstitutionsthatmeet rigorous standardsfor state-of-the-art research focusedonthe prevention,diagnosis andtreatment of cancer.Thereare currently73NCI-designated centersacrossthe United States.The closest ones to Louisianaare in Texasand Alabama.

Having an NCI-designated center in thestate wouldyield numerous beneﬁtsfor Louisianaresidents. Thosewould includemoreaccesstoclinical trials,attractingtop-tier medicaltalenttothe state, andLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center receiving substantialfunding forvaluableand potentially life-savingresearchthatpatients anxiouslyawait “NCI designationisthe single most transformative eventthatcould occurinthisstate in improving healthcare forall Louisianians said Dr.Steve Nelson Chancellor of LSUHealthNew Orleans. “There is a halo effectwhenyou have an NCI-designated center Notonlydoescancercaresigniﬁcantlyimprove, but allmedical services advancebecause this achievement liftseveryoneup.

Dr.Lucio Miele, Directorofthe LSULCMCHealth Cancer Center,saidmanyinnovations in cancer treatmenthavecomeabout as theresultofworkat NCI-designated centers. Forexample,immunotherapyisnow considered thestandardofcarefor many typesofcancer, andcameabout as adirectresultof NCI-funded research

“Immunotherapy haschanged theprognosis of cancersthatwereonceconsideredincurable,” Dr Mielesaid. “Ithas revolutionized treatment, andit wouldbemoreavailable than it already is to patients throughout LouisianaifweweretohaveanNCI-designatedcancercenterinthe state.

that happen in Louisiana. LSUHealthNew Orleansand LCMC Health have each committed$50 milliontowardthe NCI designationgoal. Thus far, that fundinghas allowed theLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center to invest in numerous resources.Those includehiringmedical investigatorsinpopulationhealth, cancer biology andgenetics, andexperimentalpharmaceuticals “Right now, we have theright number of people but barely so.Tobetruly competitive, we need to bringinabout twicethe minimum levelofinvestigators that areneeded,”Dr. Mielesaid. “We’ve been engagedinaveryaggressiverecruitment effortthat hasresultedinhiringtwo basicscientistsand two cliniciansinthe last fewmonths.Weknowweneedto bringhighly-respectedand highly-fundedresearch scientists to Louisianaifweare to make this happen” Dr.Miele said theLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center does have theright facilities in placetovie for theNCI designation, includingappropriate facilitiesfor clinicaltrials, pathology andbiostatistical work,aswellas200,000 square feet of renovated research space. Allinall,adecisiononLSU LCMC Health Cancer Center’s NCIdesignation is aboutﬁve yearsaway. “Wehaveastrongfoundation, butweneedto grow that foundation.The $100 millionthatwehave invested so farneeds to double as we continue to build ourstaffing andresources,” Dr.Nelsonsaid. “Weare gratiﬁed that thesupport for this effortcomes from thehighest levels,including theGovernor, both LouisianaU.S.Senators, ourLegislature,aswellasmany privatecompanies andphilanthropic organizations includingthe Al Copeland Foundation.The leadership of LSU, includingPresident Tate andthe Board of Supervisors, andGregFeirn wholeads LCMC Health,haveembracedthisboldvisionfor Louisiana. Thereisatremendousamountofexcitementabout ourefforts to do this.” Dr.Miele said communityengagementisalso a core piece of thequest for an NCIdesignation.LSU LCMC Health Cancer Center hascreatedanemail newsletter to shareregular updates, andateam hasbegun hostingcommunity town hall meetings screeningeventsfor certaintypes of cancer and directingpeopletothe nearestmedical center to receivecareupondiagnosis

“Achieving NCIdesignation isn’t somethingwe canaccomplish behindcloseddoors,” Dr.Miele emphasized.“It demandsthatwestepout,engage directly,and trulylistentothe voices in ourcommunities.Their concerns,questions,and livedexperiences must shape theway forwardbecause without them,thismission cannot succeed.”

Dr.Nelsonsaidthe economic impact to Louisianaissubstantial.Previousstudies have shown that forevery NCIdollarinvestedinastate,that amount is multiplied by three. When acancercenter in Kansas received an NCIdesignation,the region sawaneconomicimpactofmorethan$4billion.In Tampa, theNCI-designatedMoffitt Cancer Center hasresultedina$2billion economicimpactper year This is duetojobscreatedatNCI-designatedcenters andthe downstream spending that resultsfromnew jobs, as well as majorinvestments from companiesin industries such as biotechnologythatwanttolocate closetosuchcenters. Adesignatedcancercenter willignitethe nascentbiotech industry andwillbe thecenterpiece of medicalinnovationinLouisiana “MostNCI-designatedcenters areonthe East andWestCoasts. It’s notacoincidence that those arealsowhere themostsuccessful biotechcompanies are,”saidDr. Miele. “Those companieswant access to academic institutions wherediscoveries arehappeningevery day. We believewecan make

Dr.Nelsonconcluded,“When we aresuccessful allofLouisiana andthe region,north andsouth, east andwest, urbanand rural, willbeneﬁtfrom ourefforts.” Visitwww.lsulcmchealthcancercenter.orgtolearn more aboutthe LSULCMCHealth Cancer Center

Our enchanting communityinvites you to explore life’sexciting opportunities anddeﬁesyour expectations of what senior living shouldbe. We arededicated to providing exceptional senior living experiences forthose seeking thebest in life.

TheVincent is morethanjust aplace to live; it’s aneighborhood dedicated to providingcommunity, activity,engagement,and choice. At TheVincent,you’re immersed in an exciting, adventurous, social, and enriching lifestyle.Comebyfor atourand experience thewarmth andsupportofour community foryourself!

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Dr Lucio Miele

Dr Steve Nelson

Brazil confirms firstbirdflu outbreak on commercial farm

By The Associated Press

SAOPAULO Mexico,Chile and Uruguay havehalted poultry imports from Brazil after thecountry confirmed its first bird flu outbreak on acommercial farm, authorities said Saturday.

On Friday,Brazil’s Agriculture

AT RISK

Continued from page1A

display tracks the historyof free people of color across the parish. Some of those same families still reside in the town.

Grant funding was crucial for the project, Melnick said.

“Wecan keep the museum open but we couldn’t do this (without agrant) and this is the kind of project that has an importantimpactonthe community,”Melnick said “If someone is curious and they want to learn more about who they are, where they are, that’spossible This is areally important resource for education and the community.”

Fundingmay become scarce in the future, as President Donald Trump continues apush to dismantle the National Endowment for the Humanitiesand National Endowment for the Arts.

The president’s2026 Discretionary Budget Request seekstocompletely defund and shutterthe agencies, which were created in 1965.

The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities provided $5,000 for the Opelousas Museum to create itsexhibitto highlight St. Landry Parish’s free people’scultural history

Thegrant allowedthe museum to hire agenealogist, adesigner and agraduate student to put together the display

LEH, anonproﬁt and state afﬁliate of the NEH, receives about$1.1 millioninfederal funding, said Executive Director Miranda Restovic. On April 2, the organization received an email letting them know their funding had been cut off.

“NEH has reasonable cause to terminate your grant in light of the fact thatthe NEH is repurposing its funding allocations in anew directionin furtherance of the president’s agenda,” the letter stated “Itdidn’tgivereasons andit didn’tgive remedyoptions,” Restovic said. “Usually you would get an appeal or an opportunity to correct if there wassomething they found wrong.”

The case is similar to state afﬁliates across the country

“This is a50-yearrelationship between the Louisiana Humanities Counciland a federal agency that was literallycanceled overnight,” she added.

‘Local history, projects’ Federal spending accounts for around20% to

and Livestock ministry said China andthe European Unionhad halted poultry imports from Brazil Mexico’sNationalService for Agro-Alimentary Health, Safety andQuality said in astatement Saturday that it suspended temporarily the import of chicken meat, fertile eggs, live birds andother poultry products from Brazil as a precautionary measure.

Chile andUruguay have also haltedpoultry imports, Luis Rua, secretary of international trade at Brazil’sMinistryofAgriculture,

30% of the LEH’s annual budget. In 2024, federal grants made up 16.6%of theorganization’s budget, with 46%coming from state grants and the rest comingfromprivate donors, grants, and earned revenue, accordingtoLEH’s annual report.Ofthat funding, 84% went to programming, with 10% goingtowardadministrative costs.

LEHgrants supportprojectsall over the state,not just theurban cores, Restovicsaid. In addition to the Opelousas museum, the organization has worked with groups in Vermilion, St.Martin, Rapides and Iberia parishes in theAcadiana region.

“A lotofthese projects are typically focused on local history,local projects, and local people who are involved,” Restovic said.

LEHhas also provided grants for cultural events such as Festivals Acadiens et Creoles and the Southern Screen Festival in Lafayette.

But while urbanpartners mightbeabletowrangle funding through another mechanism, it’sreally the rural and smallcommunities that will be hurt by these cuts, Restovic said. Those communities don’t have the resourcesand staff to be able to comb through and applyfor other grants. The LEH actively works with groups around

told local news service Broadcast Agro. Brazil is oneofthe world’s leadingproducers andexporters of poultry,accounting for 14% of global chicken meat production, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. An eggshortageinthe United States following abird fluoutbreak thereboosted Brazilian egg exportstothe U.S., rising by more than1,000% between January and April 2025, compared to thesame period the previous year,accord-

the state to help applyfor funding.

While thecutsdidn’tcome as asurprise,theyhavealready had stafﬁng impacts on the organization, Restovic said.LEH haslost about10 employees,orathird of its staff, since November and ahiring freeze was implemented in January

Some relief has comein theformofprivate donors Restovic said the Mellon Foundation awarded $15 millioninemergency funding to stateendowments forthe humanities councils. Louisiana received $200,000.

‘Wevalue culture, people’ Trumptriedinhis first term to eliminate the NEH and NEA but failed to garner theneeded support from Congress, the only government branchthatis legally authorized to dissolve an agency.Trump’s first-term attacks ultimately backfired and led to Congress increasingspending to the NEA,finding bipartisan support. In 2024, theNEH costtaxpayers $207 million andaccounted for0.004% of the federal budget.

It’sunclear what might happen next; eliminating the agency wouldrequire a majority vote in Congress, something thatcould be possible with theRepublican advantage. Restovic said she is opti-

ing to trade data fromthe Braziliangovernment Brazilian authoritiessaidFriday thevirus wasfound at afacility in thesouthern state of Rio Grande do Sul, adding that acontingency plan has been implemented “not only to eliminatethe diseasebut also to maintain the sector’s productive capacity,ensuring supply and, consequently,foodsecurity for the population.”

The agriculture ministry also saiditnotiﬁed the World Organization for Animal Health, the Min-

misticthatstates’ endowment councils can convince theirCongress members to support the arts and humanities.

“As long as we can continue to cultivateand advocate for our work with our elected officials and hopefully make them understandhow importantthe workthat we do is,” Restovic said.

istriesofHealth andthe Environment andBrazil’strade partners. Restriction on poultry exports follows rulesagreed on with each importing country,based on international health certiﬁcaterequirements, theAgriculture and Livestockministryadded.Dependingonthe typeofdisease, somedeals applytothe whole country while othersinvolve limitsonwhere products cancome from —for example, aspecific state, city or just the area of the outbreak

Melnickisalsoholdingout hopethat the agency will survive, but said Trump’s calls forgutting it are an attack on something deeper

It strikes at the core of the unique cultures and histories that create the American experience “Wevalue culture,wevalue people, who they are, and the art they create —we value those things. So it’san attack on those values. It’s a huge message that whatyou careabout isn’timportant,” Melnicksaid.

Email Stephen. Marcantel at marcantel@ theadvocate.com.

By Amanda McElfresh| amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Theeaseand comfortofbeing aresident in TheVincent Senior Living’s Assisted Living communitygives 94-year-oldJune Youngblood apeace of mind that allows hertohavea structured andbusylifestyle

Youngblood,who holdsadoctorate degree in politicalscience andspent many years workingatLSU,startsher mornings with acup of coffee andreading TheWallStreet Journaland TheWashingtonPostonher Kindle.Her apartment faces an interior courtyardand hasa door that leadsoutside onto asmall porch, whichletsher take in thesunshineand freshair

apartmentaround4:00p.m.sotheycanrelax together untildinnerat5:00. Aftertheir meal,it’sbacktoYoungblood’sapartment forafew hoursofdominoesand ginrummy before Jimheads back to hisapartment for thenight.Onsomeoccasions,Jim takesher outfor amealatalocalrestaurant.

After catchinguponthe news of theday, Youngblood canoften be foundsocializing with otherThe Vincentresidents.Many gatheratafoodcartﬁlledwithcoffee,snacks andother refreshments. Then,she heads foron-site exercise andphysicaltherapy

“I hadpolio when Iwas 13.I didn’t know untilmorerecentlythatthere is acondition called post-polio syndrome that can happen when you’re in your 80s. That’s what happened to me,” shesaid. “I’m still doingmyexercise, though.You just have to take things easy andnot do anythingtoo strenuousorsudden. I’mdoing what Ican to stay active.”

Youngblood also enjoys having lunch with friends in thedininghall. Beyond socialization, they aretreated to arestaurant-style experience everyday,complete with scrumptiousmenuitems including steak, salads,sandwichesand more Yet, what excitesYoungbloodthe most is spendingtimewithher boyfriendJim,who livestwo doorsdownfromher in another AssistedLivingapartment

“I wasn’t expectingtobealive at 94,much less dating anyone,” Youngblood said with alaugh.“He’s in his80s,soIalwaysliketo tell people that I’mdatingayounger man!” Mostdays,JimcomesovertoYoungblood’s

WhileYoungbloodisclosest to Jim, she hasmadeplentyofother friends during her threeyears at TheVincent.She’s become so settledthatshe is nowpartofa large groupofresidents whohelpnewcomers adjust,showing them theropes andmaking themselves availabletoanswer questions as they arise.

Youngblood wasn’t necessarily looking to live in an Assisted Living community just afew yearsago.She hadsettled in Mississippi, buther daughter,who livesin Carencro,saiditwas time forYoungbloodto either move in with herormovetoasenior community. Shesaidshe hasnoregrets abouttakingthe second option

“Lafayette wasfamiliartomebecauseI hadlived in Opelousasfor alongtimewhen Iwas younger, as well as BatonRouge when Iwas at LSU,”she said.“Iwas aTexan by birth, butI’vealwaysbeena Cajunbychoice. IlovethatI canliveinthisapartment in aplace that hasalwaysfeltcomfortable.”

TheVincent Senior Living is located at 2201 VerotSchoolRoadinLafayette Multipleassistedlivingapartmentﬂoorplans areavailable with allutilities included, a full-sizemicrowave andrefrigeratorand stainlesssteel sinksand disposals. Assisted Living residentsalsohave access to daily activities,amovie theater, libraries, on-site bistro,beauty salonand wellness center for rehabilitationservices.Otherservicesinclude weekly housekeeping andlaundry,group andprivate transportation andmedication management.Visit vincentseniorliving.com or call 337-329-9892 to learnmore.

This articleisbrought to youbyThe VincentSeniorLiving.

Continued from page 1A

He also senses the ultimate futility of the work he has spent his life performing.

“The river’s constantly trying to change itself. We’re trying to control it,” he said. “One day, Mother Nature’s going to prevail. She’s going to have the ﬁnal say-so, no matter what we do.”

‘The river is different’

The Mississippi River built south Louisiana with its sediment. It is the reason New Orleans was founded. It supplies the region with drinking water, provides jobs for its people and serves as one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. But it has always made for an uneasy bargain.

Louisiana’s reliance on the Mississippi means the mighty river can take away as much as it gives — and both the state and the nation are reaching a moment of reckoning. Decades of human interference with the river’s course fusing with the power of its natural ﬂuctuations have left south Louisiana vulnerable in myriad ways. Drinking water and infrastructure are increasingly threatened, the rapid disappearance of the land near its mouth poses risks to communities and shipping, and the battle to keep the river from shifting course is an ever-present challenge.

These are not far-off, theoretical problems. But public awareness of their serious, urgent challenges is scant.

New Orleans and its suburbs have already had to scramble to ﬁnd ways to deal with the threat of salt water moving up the river and corroding drinking water systems. Sea level rise, combined with the dredging of the river for shipping and breaks in its lower banks, is worsening the problem to the point that hundreds of millions of dollars may have to be spent to deal with it.

The Bird Foot Delta, the gangly splotches of land at the river’s mouth resembling its name, providing protection for shipping routes and communities farther inland, is sinking at an astonishing rate of about a half-foot per decade, and projected sea level rise will worsen it.

The delta has already lost more than half of its wetlands over the last century As it gradually withers in the decades ahead, the nation may have to decide how to maintain a reliable shipping route to enter and leave the Mississippi — at a potentially high cost and with signiﬁcant implications for global commerce. Louisiana’s shipping interests are also ﬁghting to adapt in other ways. Growth in vessel size has led to the deepening of the river channel, and the Port of New Orleans is warning that it must build a new, expansive terminal and related infrastructure farther downriver in St Bernard Parish in the face of opposition from residents.

The principal reason: Ships have become so large, with containers stacked so high, they cannot fit under the 165-foot-high Crescent City Connection bridge crossing the river in New Orleans.

Underlying it all is the river’s course itself. It is constantly seeking to break through in its search for the fastest way to the Gulf, necessitating the elaborate Old River Control Structure north of Angola keeping it from jumping course to the Atchafalaya River Its operations are currently being reassessed.

Below New Orleans, after the levees end the river has broken through in spots more recently.

There are beneﬁts to this in terms of land building in a state fast losing its coast, but shipping interests are worried, and scientiﬁc modeling indicates it is worsening saltwater intrusion

All of these issues are quietly intensifying in the background of south Louisiana’s daily existence, adding to the question facing coastal communities additionally threatened by land loss, storms and skyrocketing insurance rates: How long into the future can they remain viably livable, and at what cost?

It’s already preoccupying scientists, shipping leaders and the Corps of Engineers. Two far-reaching studies are underway and the results may serve as a test of whether the nation is prepared to address the concerns they identify The two studies, both lasting ﬁve years and designed to complement each other, are delving into a wide spectrum of concerns along the lower Mississippi basin across parts of seven states.

In Louisiana, that means everything from the Old River complex

to saltwater intrusion and underwater mudslides that endanger oil and gas infrastructure. Incorporated into them will be the changing river’s effects on the communities that rely upon it.

The Trump administration’s cost-cutting and rejection of the science surrounding climate change, meanwhile, may further complicate the challenge. One example on the horizon: The Corps’ study is not yet fully funded, not to mention solutions to the problems it identiﬁes.

It has been nearly a century since the lower river’s modern shape took form with the construction of the vast levee system and control structures that hold it in place — paradoxically protecting Louisiana from ﬂooding while setting its land loss crisis in motion. Decisions taken in the near future in response to a new set of challenges will determine the river’s next era.

“Thomas Jefferson thought this was the most important place in North America,” said Donald Boesch, a respected coastal scien-

tist and New Orleans native who was instrumental in securing $22 million from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine for one of those sweeping studies, focusing particularly on the delta.

“That’s not changed. It’s really very important in terms of the national commerce in and out of the river to the world. That makes it strategically important for the nation. And then, with that, of course, is that the decisions we make also affect where and how long you can live.”

Sam Bentley, an LSU geologist co-leading the National Academy-sponsored study, said “none of these things are unconnected” while seeking to convey the importance of the moment. He noted that a century has passed since the last sweeping plan to manage the river

“The river is different. The Gulf of Mexico is different,” said Bentley, whose research on underwater mudslides around the Bird Foot has shed new light on the problem.

“And so we need to have a new set of tools to manage it.”

‘A generational impact’

The giant blue cranes tower above the New Orleans riverbank, hovering next to a container ship stretching nearly three football ﬁelds long. Blue, red and yellow metal boxes rise atop its deck, stacked like mismatched Legos.

Before arriving here, at the terminal at the end of Napoleon Avenue, the MSC Agrigento had been to ports in Mexico and Houston. It would later cross the Atlantic and make its way into the Mediterranean, with stops in Spain and Italy Ronald Wendel Jr stands nearby, aboard a Port of New Orleans ﬁre boat bobbing on the river currents talking about the past, present and future of the shipping industry in the city where he grew up.

“New Orleans was founded to have a port at the bottom of the Mississippi River,” said Wendel, the port’s acting CEO at the time, who recently left for the private sector “So everything about New Orleans started by being a port.”

At its heart, New Orleans has always been a port city, the main reason such a motley collection of cultures collided here, from the haunting history of enslaved African Americans to the arrival of Europeans with varying motivations.

The ﬁrst steamboat to work the river, beginning in 1811, was called the “New Orleans,” and at one point in the 19th century the city was considered the world’s fourthlargest port, Tulane geographer Richard Campanella noted But it has never been steady sailing, with fortunes ﬂuctuating like the river stages themselves.

The modern river took shape after the great ﬂood of 1927, whose biblical proportions left a permanent mark on Louisiana. Business interests played a major role in decision-making then, advocating for the river levee to be blown up south of New Orleans to protect the city eventually carried out, inundating St. Bernard and Plaquemines parishes. It was later determined that the dynamiting essentially had no effect on New Orleans’ fortunes, as author John Barry explains in his monumental book “Rising Tide.” In the ﬂood’s aftermath, the nation embarked upon a project so

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

The Marathon Garyville refinery and the Cargill Reserve Grain Terminal are reliant on the Mississippi River

STAFF FILE

PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers dredges the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge in 2024, clearing out the muck buried below its surface so giant vessels stacked with freight can pass safely

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

A light brown plume of sediment at the very end of the Mississippi River flows out into the Gulf off the coast of south Louisiana.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

The Mac Ubery VIII container ship passes under the Crescent City Connection as it heads up the Mississippi River to the Port of New Orleans.

RELYINGONTHE RIVER

It has beena century since the modern lower Mississippi Rivertook shape.A convergence of issuesare requiring anew set of strategies central to Louisiana’sfate.

OLD RIVER CONTROL STRUCTURE: Controls the flow between the Mississippi and Atchafala ri entingthe

PORT OF NEW ORLEANS:The city haslong

Staffgra

Sources: CH2M Hi

splotche land at the end of the river are fast disappearing. Subsidence, erosionand sea levelrise are posing serious concerns for residents and shipping interests.

*Accordingtothe most severe scenario modeledbythe state

large and consequential that it changed Americanhistory.The MississippiRiver and Tributaries Projectbuiltthe levee system as it is known today,keeping the communities nexttoitsafefrom ﬂooding while providing areliable shipping lane.

Since that time, shipping along the river itself from Minneapolis on down has exploded fromaround 19 million tons in 1934 to 480million in 2022 —anincrease of nearly 2,500%. Four Louisianaports between Baton Rouge and the Gulf, including the Port of New Orleans, have regularly ranked amongthe top 15 in the nation.

More than half of thenation’s grain exports pass through the Port of South Louisiana, situated between New Orleans and Baton Rouge. But keeping up with the changing industry has alwaysbeen a challenge. Alitany of strategies have been contemplated over the years, including grand plansabandoned to history

They included “Centroport, USA,” an ambitious idea torelocate Port of New Orleans facilities to theMississippiRiver Gulf Outlet andAlmonasterarea, with alock built in St. BernardParish It was canceled in the 1980s,and the lock, opposed by St. Bernard, wasnever built. The MRGO, responsible for widespread wetlands destruction and blamed for funneling storm surge into the city during Hurricane Katrina,isnow shut off with adam. Amovement also took shape, spurred in part by planningfor

Ronald Wendel Jr., once the Port of NewOrleans’ acting CEOwho recently leftfor the private sector,said,‘NewOrleans was founded to have aportatthe bottom of the Mississippi River.Soeverything about NewOrleans started by beinga port.’

the1984 World’sFair,toredevelop

New Orleans’ riverfront for tourism,conventions and other public uses instead of the wharves for shipped goods That movement eventually won out,helping laythe groundwork for projects like theErnest N. Morial Convention Center and the Warehouse District, definitively setting New Orleans on atourismdependent course. Port business was also well on its way to being transformed through thegrowing use of containershipping. Another turningpoint hasarrived.The Port of New Orleans

is banking on growth in container shipping for itsbusiness model, but the expanding size of vessels and what theycarryposes adilemma. Ports like Mobile, Alabama,and Houston threaten to steal away moreofNew Orleans’business if the largerships cannotpassbeneaththe Crescent CityConnection to the Napoleon Avenue terminal throughout theyear,they say Shipping interestshave sought two ways of dealing with growing vessel sizes. Oneisa plantobuild a new terminaldownriver in St.Bernard and associated roads and in-

frastructure, eliminating the need for thelarger ships to navigate the bridge.

Thoseplans aremovingforward, though St. Bernard ofﬁcials, again seeing themselves as being bulliedbyNew Orleans, are firmly opposed, and Plaquemines Parish is proposing an alternative. It is unclear whetherSt. Bernard can derail theproject.

Hundreds of millions in federal andstate money have already been committed to it. One Port of New Orleans ofﬁcialsaidrecentlythe port would be reduced to a“niche” role in the industry without the project, expected to cost at least $1.8 billion,though opponents contenditwill be farhigher Wendel said the port hasspent manyhours listening to St. Bernard residents and making changes to bring them on board.

“I’manative New Orleanian. This is important to me.This is generational impact,” he said as theboat meanderedupriverfrom the Crescent City Connection and thecity skyline. “I really wantmy grandchildren to be telling their grandchildren oneday that ‘oh,my grandfather was abig part in helping keep the port growing.’” ‘Tofeedthe world’ The other strategy is not as immediatelynoticeable to residents, but so far has been more impactful, both because of shipping and its unintended effects. That has been to deepen the river itself Thebiggerships have deeper drafts,causing largervessels to lighten their loads during certain

times of the year to travel upriver, adding costs to thejourney —another threat to port business. Congress responded in the 1980s by providing theCorps withthe authority to deepen the lower river channel from 40 feet to 55 feet. The Corps proceeded in stages, ﬁrst going to 45, thento50, now completedtoDonaldsonville. Digging down to 55 feet is notonthe books. But there wasacatch. Saltwater intrusionupthe Mississippi had occasionally been aproblem during low-water periods, even as far back as the1930s,but theCorps acknowledged the deepening project would worsen it. It is not aminor issue. More than amillionpeople in southLouisiana depend on the river fordrinking water. High salt content can pose risks for people with kidney diseaseorhighblood pressure, as well as infants and pregnant women.But that is only part of the concern.

The region’swater infrastructure includes an unknown though certainly large—number of lead pipes threaded throughout their systems that salt water dangerously corrodes.

In New Orleans alone, the numberhas been estimated at over 50,000 —though 100,000 service lineshavebeen classiﬁedasunknown. One estimate shows Louisiana with nearly 267,000 service lines containing lead.

“Itwill increase the corrosion of thepipe,and that will also cause ä See RIVER, page 8A

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

RIVER

Continued from page 7A

chemicals like lead from the pipe material to leach into our drinking water,” said Tiong Gim Aw, an expert in environmental health sciences at Tulane University.

Because of that, the Corps spelled out a plan to “mitigate” the effects — not solve it completely, but reduce it to the level it was before the deepening of the river

The plan included building an underwater barrier, or sill, in the Mississippi when necessary to block the salt water’s advance, though it would be constructed above lower Plaquemines Parish, leaving those coastal communities to cope with the problem in other ways.

But evidence is emerging that the saltwater problem is worsening more severely than envisioned because of the river deepening combined with other factors, particularly breaks in the lower Mississippi’s banks bleeding out water ﬂow. The barrier, or sill, has now had to be built three years in a row after having previously been necessary about once a decade.

The sill was also shown to be insufﬁcient in 2023. With river levels especially low, the sill slowed the salt water’s advance, but it was eventually overtopped, requiring the Corps to heighten it.

A notch was left in the middle of the sill to allow enough space for ships to pass, limiting trafﬁc to one way in that location. The disruption to shipping was minimal, said Sean Duffy, executive director of the Big River Coalition, which advocates for commercial navigation interests.

It also set off panic in the New Orleans region, leaving officials to ﬁgure out how the metro area would be supplied with drinking water should the salt water reach treatment plants, as was being predicted. The White House declared a federal emergency

For a solution for that year alone, New Orleans planned to build a temporary pipeline stretching farther upriver, at a cost of up to a quarter of a billion dollars. It turned out not to be necessary, but it is widely acknowledged now that sea level rise may help worsen the problem as it gains pace.

Permanently upgrading treatment plants to deal with salt water would be an extreme cost. Replacing lead pipes also comes with a hefty price tag.

New Orleans would have to spend $1 billion to replace all of the city’s lead service lines by 2037, a deadline that had been set under the Biden administration the Sewerage and Water Board estimates.

The Environmental Protection Agency says no level of lead should be considered safe in drinking water ‘Threat to health of populations’

There are other related problems.

In lower Plaquemines, unprotected by the sill, the high salt content appears to have reacted with disinfectants normally used for drinking water That seems to

neers, also approximate, shows that around 3 feet of sea rise would see the wedge move 4 miles to 8 miles farther upriver, reaching a given location three to six days sooner than it does today

Meselhe and his colleagues also ran modeling comparing 2023 conditions to 1994 data. The rudimentary results found that if no sill would have been built, the saltwater wedge would have advanced about 20 miles farther upriver in 2023.

Asked about the problem while out on the river Wendel asserted that the port would always take the community’s interests in mind, but that saltwater intrusion has long been an issue, even before the recent deepening. As for the models showing it worsening, he said experts at the Corps would have to answer those questions.

cent worsening. The crevasses’ effects on saltwater intrusion involve how they slow the river The weakened currents make it more difﬁcult for the river to push back the salt water moving up from the Gulf in the shape of a wedge along the bottom when the Mississippi is low A crevasse as large as Neptune Pass can also be a problem for navigation. The slower currents allow sediment to drop out and build up along the bottom, creating a hazard for vessels, leading the Corps to dredge in areas it hasn’t had to before. Its strong pull also produces a countercurrent posing dangers for ships.

have produced an unusually high level of disinfectant byproducts collectively known as DBPs — that can be harmful to health in cases of long-term exposure.

The parish’s Port Sulphur water system was hit with a violation by state authorities in part because of that. It was graded an “F” by the state Department of Health in 2023, also partly for that reason.

Aw, the environmental health expert, said high levels of DBPs in drinking water over many years can cause problems with the liver, kidneys or central nervous system. There may be an increased cancer risk but there is no conclusive evidence, he said.

Plaquemines was better prepared in 2024, installing advanced ﬁltration machines using reverse osmosis technology at three plants in the lower parish But it is a costly, temporary solution, running an estimated $1 million per month to rent the machinery last year Purchasing them and ensuring upkeep would be far more.

On the front lines of the problem, Plaquemines is instead planning other solutions, mainly expanding the capacity of its infrastructure to be able to pump more water from farther upriver But if those upriver plants were also affected, the parish would be back to relying on water brought in on barges and the filtration machines, parish officials say In Orleans and Jefferson parishes, the filtration machines are inad-

equate to deal with the far larger amounts of water consumed there.

A report compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency following the 2023 saltwater intrusion, obtained by The Times-Picayune | The Advocate, warns of the need to prepare for future occurrences and dire consequences.

“It was clear that a saltwater intrusion could precipitate a signiﬁcant if not severe threat to the health of populations involved and to the immediate- and long-term viability of the infrastructure and water systems themselves,” it said.

Modeling by both the Corps and academics has been delving into the challenge, including how best to build or position a sill to deal with it. Ehab Meselhe, a Tulane professor who has conducted a range of modeling independently and for the state, said the threat may become more severe if seas rise as predicted toward the end of the century

Some modeling, while rudimentary, has shown that around 5 inches of sea level rise could move the saltwater wedge a couple miles farther upriver, Meselhe said, though there’s also lots of uncertainty related to breaks in the lower Mississippi’s banks.

Projections for sea level rise along Louisiana’s coast by 2100 range far higher — from around 3.5 feet to roughly 9 feet above 2000 levels. Analysis by the Corps of Engi-

“We need this to feed the world,” he said of shipping along the river, speciﬁcally naming grain exports from the Midwest. “The whole Mississippi River is not just the Port of New Orleans. There are ports all up and down this river bringing in deep-draft vessels all the way to Baton Rouge.”

Dangerous stretches

Indeed, new modeling is showing that three key factors are worsening saltwater intrusion when the river is low They include the deepening of the river for shipping, but also sea level rise and breaks in the lower river bank, weakening the Mississippi’s ﬂow

The biggest factor in the most recent academic modeling has been the breaks in the river bank far down in Plaquemines Parish, commonly referred to as crevasses, Meselhe said. One in particular, called Neptune Pass, has been taking as much as 16% of the river’s ﬂow since it drastically widened when the Mississippi was exceptionally high and powerful in 2019, notes coastal scientist Alex Kolker who has closely studied the channel.

In total, only 20% of the river’s water at New Orleans was making its way down through the three main channels in the Bird Foot to the Gulf, one study analyzing 2022 data determined.

Corps modeling so far also suggests the crevasses may be the most signiﬁcant factor in the re-

Finally, Corps modeling illustrates how sea level rise combined with the crevasses and land subsidence could be problematic, effectively deepening the breaks in the river and potentially creating new ones. The good news concerning the crevasses is that partial solutions may exist. The Corps is planning to construct a sill to reduce the ﬂow of Neptune Pass while still allowing it to build land with sediment ﬂowing through it. That plan has come as somewhat of a relief to coastal advocates who do not want it shut off completely For them, the crevasses are acting as natural river diversions, building land the way the Mississippi did before the levees were built. But that does not address sea level rise or the other existing and future crevasses. Reducing emissions and heading off the worst effects of climate change may be the only true solution when it comes to limiting rising seas.

The issue is in such ﬂux and poses so many risks that the Corps is planning to build a physical model on a section of the river to study saltwater intrusion and sill dynamics.

Mead Allison, a Tulane University geologist co-leading the National Academies study on the lower river, points out the range of emerging challenges, but said he nonetheless sees hope. He notes the gargantuan task of creating New Orleans in the ﬁrst place in what was essentially a swamp whose land was “jello.”

“And we managed a way to create a navigation channel through one of

the most dangerous stretches

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

A marker for an oil pipeline crisscrossing a canal near Empire.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Shipping commerce on the Mississippi River is constant daily

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Port Sulphur fishing camps are adjacent to Mardi Gras Pass. The Port Sulphur water system’s high salt content appears to have reacted with disinfectants normally used for drinking water An unusually high level of byproducts were detected that can be harmful to health in cases of long-term exposure.

for shipping in the world, through the mouths of the Mississippi River, and New Orleans would have not ﬂourished,” he said over lunch on Tulane’s campus recently not far from where the Mississippi begins its half-circle cradling the Crescent City

“There are a whole series of those kinds of emergencies that you would have said threaten the future of New Orleans And I have to feel like we’re going to come up with a solution to this one, right? There is a solution to this, and there are a lot of smart people working on it, and so we’re going to get there.”

‘We’re still people’

Justine DeMolle, wearing a blue ﬁshing shirt with her name embroidered above the pocket, hustles between her kitchen and the dining room at her restaurant, perched near the spot where Louisiana reaches its end.

She is not the type to make excuses or dwell on challenges, instead leaving her fate in God’s hands. Family pictures adorn the dining room along with a painting of the Last Supper and a cross with the words “Amazing Grace.”

The restaurant in Venice, almost as far south as you can go in Plaquemines Parish, is called Changes, and painted on the peachcolored outside wall is the motto: “One season at a time.”

But it hasn’t been easy for the 63-year-old since she bought the restaurant over six years ago. Business has ﬂuctuated. Fishing lodges nearby now provide their own food for guests, she said The oil companies that use the area for a base often do the same, and few residents from farther up the parish make the drive down to dine.

The saltwater intrusion that hit lower Plaquemines hard for a couple years in a row certainly didn’t help, though DeMolle is hesitant to make too much of it. She had to get rid of her fountain drink machine and sell bottles and she could no longer serve tap water to customers, causing an increase in prices. She stopped selling her homemade sweet tea, and “that was a real big thing,” she said. Later she said the water had a chemical-like taste. But she has not yet had to replace any corroding equipment, unlike others in the parish who have spent huge amounts of money doing so She understands Venice is particularly vulnerable — and mentions she does not want to sound “selfish” but wishes those in charge of dealing with the problem would explain “why you can’t protect me like you’re doing up the road.”

“I know it has a lot to do with New Orleans and all of those places, but we’re still people. We’re people and we live here,” said DeMolle, a mother of three who grew up in Buras about 20 minutes upriver. “I feel like, if you’re going to do it, just do it. Take care of where you have your people.” Others have seen far more damage. That includes Dylan Butler, whose family owns the popular Venice Marina a short drive away, where a sign reading “Fishing Capital of the World” may not be much of an exaggeration. It serves as an ideal launching point for both inland and offshore ﬁshing, from freshwater species like largemouth bass to the red snapper that weave their way through the legs of Gulf oil platforms Butler, a 32-year-old former University of Louisiana at Lafayette baseball player, said he could not venture to guess how much it all cost his family’s business and the wider fishing industry in lower Plaquemines, but that it was likely in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. Commercial docks had to replace expensive ice machines. Water pumps corroded. Supplying water to the restaurant, bar, rental camps and houseboat slips owned by his family’s marina was endlessly complicated.

“It takes over every aspect of what you have going businesswise and life-wise,” he said. “What you drink from how you get up to brush your teeth in the morning, to the water that is sent to your refrigerator.”

Residents dealt with similar issues.

Relaxing on his porch in Venice with his wife and great-grandson, his shrimp boat on a trailer out front, Johnny Bourgeois said he had to replace two hot water heaters in 2023, spending about $1,200. They corroded and busted due to the salt water

He spent months that year picking up bottled water from the nearby ﬁre station provided by the parish. He was grateful for it and said it was sufﬁcient, but getting through the day without a reliable

drinking water supply was complicated

It was better in 2024, but there were still periods when the water seemed to taste salty or like chemicals, he and other residents said.

“That’s the first couple years that I’ve seen it that bad,” said the 68-year-old retired shrimper and lifelong resident of the area, referring to 2022 and 2023. “Plenty people had to change their hot water heater, their washer and dryer.”

‘Is this for society?’

Not far from Changes, the marina and Bourgeois’ house, the river reaches its end — and the root of many of Louisiana’s problems related to the mythic waterway reveals itself.

It is here, at what is known as the Bird Foot Delta, that the Mississippi completes its 2,350-mile journey and tumbles into the Gulf, the work of draining more than 40% of the contiguous United States complete.

What remains of its muddy ﬂow splinters off into three principal directions, the wisps of land encasing it simultaneously sinking and being washed away

It can feel like the end of the world past these withering wetlands, once so labyrinth that European explorers had trouble ﬁnding the river’s mouth. Beyond them, the turbid, green waters of the Gulf are wide open, oil and gas structures like space stations in the distance.

Signs of the sinking and disappearing land are everywhere. The rusty Pass a Loutre lighthouse, moved here in 1855, stands on a narrow, shifting sandbar Its door has sunken beneath the sands, the ﬂight of steps inside of it drowning in the Gulf’s waters.

Farther inland, along South Pass, where James Eads’ construction of jetties transformed river shipping in the late 19th century, there is more of the same.

The steps leading down from the door of South Pass Light at Port Eads plunge into the water, illustrating how far the rusted, white landmark has sunk into the subsiding ground.

Later, by around 1910, shipping companies had already needed a deeper channel and concentrated on the adjacent Southwest Pass, which now ushers towering tankers and container ships from across the globe into the river and back out again. The Corps’ dredging budget for

the Mississippi from Baton Rouge to the Gulf for the 2024 ﬁscal year was $228 million — by far the largest dredging program in the country, including Red Eye Crossing, where Mayo Broussard helped stand watch. It removes roughly 46 million cubic yards a year of sediment from that stretch, enough to ﬁll 10 Superdomes. Nearly half of it comes from Southwest Pass alone.

The funding is not always enough, particularly if the river runs unusually high and more extensive dredging is necessary Corps spokesperson Ricky Boyett said the agency works with whatever it gets and makes do, sometimes delaying less urgent projects if needed. There is a beneﬁt to all of that digging beyond shipping. The Corps reuses a large portion of the mud dredged from Southwest Pass to build land along the 22-mile channel in the vanishing Bird Foot, though much of it eventually disappears again.

Taking into account land loss, the Corps has built roughly 750 net acres per year since 2010 through what is ofﬁcially known as “beneﬁcial use.”

“We’ve done enough of that activity in the last 15-20 years that we’re actually seeing a net land gain in areas serviced by Southwest Pass or areas adjacent to Southwest Pass,” said Jeff Corbino, an environmental specialist with the Corps. “So we have the setting where everything’s sinking around us, but we’re outpacing the rate of subsidence.”

The Corps does not do it as a charitable contribution. Building up the surrounding land helps allow it to keep the riverine highway into the nation’s heartland open.

“It’d be extremely difﬁcult for us to maintain a 50-foot-deep channel for 30 miles of open gulf before we hit deep water,” Corbino, 50, said while aboard the Hurley after watching its dustpan dredge descend into the river’s depths. “If we let that marshland subside and disappear we would have a tremendous problem maintaining that channel.”

Duffy, of the Big River Coalition, said the importance of maintaining Southwest Pass cannot be overstated.

He dismissed talk of seeking to reposition the river’s main entry and exit, calling it simply unrealistic, though a range of academics and others have said the possibil-

ity must be studied considering future projections.

When the river was deepened to 50 feet, the Corps spelled out a compelling economic case. Its cost-beneﬁt analysis was 7.2 to 1 meaning the economic beneﬁts outnumbered the costs by that much, and that was prior to the huge liquefied natural gas plant being built in Plaquemines Parish.

But when it comes to the Bird Foot, it is a race against time, and time may eventually win. The state is also pursuing its own plan to restore part of the delta, but with sea level rise driven by climate change projected to further gain pace toward the end of this century, how long before it risks overwhelming these already fragile wetlands?

Down off the Bird Foot, Richie Blink navigates his skiff among the jetties, lighthouses and oil and gas installations. The 38-year-old, a former Plaquemines Parish Council member, oil industry boat operator and son of a shrimper, now conducts tours to draw attention to Louisiana’s severe land loss crisis.

His boat is named after an area lost to erosion, Dry Cypress. He said the Corps should think more creatively and work to build land, even if it means narrowing shipping lanes, and laments what he sees as industry’s overwhelming inﬂuence.

“We’re still operating like it’s the 1880s and we can’t afford to do that,” he said after having motored his skiff into South Pass behind a shrimp trawler, its green nets splayed out to the sides like a bat’s wings. “Who are we doing this for?

Is this for the tugboat company or is this for society?”

‘Lifeblood of this country’

Mayo Broussard pulls out a cigarette as he exits the boat bringing him back to dry land, joking with other Corps workers familiar with his rascally persona. He is nearing retirement, and he mentions he’d like to tell his story while he still remembers it.

His life and career stand as a symbol of the intertwined existence of Louisiana and the Mississippi. The Atchafalaya Basin, where the Mississippi once ran, was his backyard as a kid, and he recalls drifting in a pirogue, taking in the sounds of the swamp and little else.

He followed his father and other family members into the dredging profession, beginning in the summers when he was a kid as a dishwasher and all-around helper,

sometimes sleeping on the quarterboats that housed workers.

“It was a family atmosphere,” Broussard said, unspooling his long experience in his raspy voice. “A lot of that intrigued me.”

His early jobs were with private companies wherever they’d send him, from the river to the Gulf and beyond, as far away as Asia. But he was given a tragic reminder of the hazards of the job when his dad was severely hurt and permanently disabled in a work accident aboard a dredge off Beaumont, Texas.

He said he wished he had “half the toughness” of his father, who lived into his 90s despite the accident. Broussard went to work in the industry full time when he turned 18.

An old timer informed him of the basics: “It ain’t pretty, it don’t smell good, but you got to have it,” he said. “I’m thinking, ‘What the hell is he talking about?’ And he started explaining about, when you’re moving volume, the cheapest way to do it is by water.”

The Vietnam veteran admits to having had a hard time balancing the demanding schedule requiring him to be away from home for long stretches, recalling some choice words an ex-wife had for him. He jokes that at times the job has been his “mistress.”

“Basically the doctor told me that if I didn’t change my lifestyle, that I probably wouldn’t make it to 45,” Broussard said.

With that in mind, he made the jump to the Corps in 1988, inspecting work sites and informing his superiors that he did not want a desk job.

He became a senior construction representative, overseeing inspectors and quality assurance, “making sure the taxpayer gets his bang for the buck.”

He’s set to retire later this year

He wants to spend his time afterward on a houseboat and move anytime anybody gets close, though he also enjoys being around his 16 grandchildren and one greatgrandchild.

He’s grateful to the Corps, which has provided him with a good, steady living, and, by extension, to the river itself. His existence, like Louisiana’s, has depended upon it.

“It’s the lifeblood of this country man — the Mississippi,” Broussard said. “Always has and always will be.”

Email Mike Smith at msmith@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

A wall of sinking rocks is at the end of the Mississippi River not far from the South Pass Lighthouse along coastal Louisiana.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Richie Blink peeks into an upper window at the Pass a Loutre Lighthouse near the mouth of the Mississippi River The actual doorway to the lighthouse has sunk below the water line where he is standing

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

The U.S Army Corps of Engineers dredges the Mississippi River near Baton Rouge in July 2024.

Trumptells Walmarttoeat costsfromtariffs

Presidentwarns retailer to notup prices because of hislevies

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald TrumponSaturday ripped intoWalmart, saying on social media that the retail giant should eat the additional costscreated by his tariffs.

As Trump has jacked up import taxes, he has tried to assure askeptical public that foreign producers would pay for those taxes and that retailers and automakers would absorb the additional expenses.Most economic analyses are deeply skeptical of those claims and have warned that the trade penalties would worsen inﬂation. Walmart warned on Thursday that everything from bananas to children’s carseats could increase in price.

Trump, in his Truth Social post, lashed out at the retailer,which employs 1.6 million people inthe United States.Hesaidthe company, based in Bentonville, Arkansas, should sacriﬁce its profits for the sake of his economic agenda thathesays will eventually lead to more domestic jobs in manufacturing.

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump posted. “Walmart

ZALUBOWSKI

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By DAVID

President DonaldTrump on Saturdayripped into Walmart, saying on social media that the retail giant should eat the additional costs created by his tariffs.

made BILLIONS OF DOLLARS last year,far more thanexpected. Between Walmart andChina they should, as is said, “EAT THE TARIFFS,”and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

Thepostingbythe Republican president reflected the increasingly awkward series of choices thatmany major American companies face as aresult of histariffs, from deteriorating sales to thepossibilityofincurring Trump’swrath. Trump has similarly warned domesticautomakers to not raise their prices, even though outsideanalyses say his tariffs would raise production costs.

So far,those tariffs have darkenedthe moodofan otherwise resilient U.S. economy.The preliminary reading of theUniversity of Michigan survey of consumer sentiment on Friday slippedtoits second lowest measure on record, with

roughly 75% of respondents “spontaneously” mentioning tariffs as they largely expected inﬂation to accelerate.

In April, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon was among theretailexecutives who met with Trump at theWhite House to discuss tariffs. But theTrumpadministration wentforward despitewarnings and has attacked other companiessuchasAmazon and Apple thatare struggling withthe disruptions to their supply chains.

Walmart chieffinancial officer John DavidRainey said he thinks$350 car seats madeinChina will soon cost an additional $100, a29% price increase.

“We’re wired to keep prices low,but there’s alimit to what we can bear,orany retailerfor thatmatter,” he told TheAssociated Press on Thursdayafter thecompany reported strongﬁrst-quarter sales.

The administration recently ratcheted down its 145% tariffs on China to 30% for

Judgestrikes down workplace protectionsfor transworkers

BY CLAIRE SAVAGE

Associated Press

The

Afederal judge in Texas struck down guidance from agovernment agencyestablishing protections against workplace harassment based on gender identity and sexual orientation. JudgeMatthew J. Kacsmaryk of the U.S. District Courtfor the Northern District of Texas on Thursday determined that the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission exceeded its statutory authoritywhenthe agency issued guidance to employers againstdeliberatelyusing thewrong pronouns foran employee, refusing them access to bathrooms corresponding with theirgender

identity,and barring employees from wearing dress code-compliant clothing according to their gender identity because they may constitute forms of workplaceharassment Title VII of the1964 Civil Rights Act protects employees andjob applicantsfrom employment discrimination based on race, color,religion, sexand nationalorigin.

The EEOC, whichenforces workplaceanti-discrimination laws, hadupdated its guidanceonworkplace harassmentinApril of lastyear under President Joe Biden for theﬁrsttime in 25 years. It followed a2020 Supreme Courtruling that gay,lesbian andtransgender people are protected from employment discrimination.

SUNDAY NEWS SHOWS

ABC’s“ThisWeek”: Sen. Rand Paul,R-Ky.;Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif.

NBC’s“Meet the Press”: Former Vice President Mike Pence; TreasurySecretary ScottBessent;Sen.Chris Murphy,D-Conn.

CNN’s“State of the Union”: Bessent; Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C.

CBS’“Face the Nation”: Secretary of State Mar-

Texas and the Heritage Foundation, theconservativethink tank behind Project 2025, in Augustchallenged the guidance, which the agencysays serves as a tool for employers to assess compliance with anti-discriminationlawsand is not legally binding. Kacsmaryk disagreed,writing that the guidance creates “mandatory standards from which legal consequences will necessarily ﬂowifanemployer fails to comply.”

The decision marks the latest blow to workplace protections for transgender workersfollowing President DonaldTrump’sJan.20executiveorder declaringthatthe government would recognize only two“immutable” sexes —male and female.

co Rubio; Sen. Chris VanHollen, D-Md.; formerDefense Secretary Robert Gates. “Fox News Sunday”: Sen. TimKaine,D-Va.; House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton; AdamBoehler,U.S. special envoy for hostageresponse.

TheAssociated Press

a90-day period. Trump has placed tariffs as high as 25% on Mexico and Canada due to illegal immigration and drug trafﬁcking, harming therelationship with America’stwo largesttrading partners. There is auniversal baseline tariffof10% on most countries as Trumppromises to reach trade deals in the coming weeks after having shocked thefinan-

cial markets in early April by charging higher import taxes based on trade deficits with other countries.

Trumpinsists he intends to preservethe tariffs as a revenue source and that a framework agreementwith theUnited Kingdom would largely keep the 10% tariff rate in place.

Trumphas also placed import taxesonautos, steel and aluminum and plans to do so

on pharmaceutical drugs, among other products. The tariffs andTrump’s ownreversalsonhow much he should charge have generated uncertaintyacross the U.S. economy, such that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell hasheldthe central bank’sbenchmark rates steadyuntil there is more clarity.Powell haswarned that tariffscan both hurt growth and raise prices.

LCTCSsteps up to train Louisiana’sfutureworkforce as developmentboomspurs demand forskilled employees

By Amanda McElfresh | amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Louisianaisexperiencing amajor economic developmentboom, with more than $50billion in construction projects expected to beginby this summer.Large projects like theMetadata center in Richland Parish,the Hyundaisteel plantinAscensionParishandCFIndustries’low carbonammoniaplant,alsoinAscensionParish, areall expected to create hundreds of localjobs. Theseroles willinclude skilledtradessuchas electricians,plumbers, andHVACtechnicians, aswellastechnologyprofessionals,accountants business managers,and more Thoseupcomingprojectsare poised to add to thesteadydemandfromexistingLouisiana businesses in sectorssuchashealthcare, manufacturing, andenergy.

Allofthese companieswillhavelong-term needsfor employees whoare dedicated, driven, andproperlytrained in keyskills. That is where theLouisianaCommunityandTechnicalCollege System(LCTCS)playsakeyrole,withitsunique abilitytorapidly create andlaunchcertiﬁcation programs that getLouisiana residentsinto high-wage, high-demandjobs. In addition to preparingnew workers, LCTCSalsopartners with employerstoupskill currentemployees for career advancement, expansionopportunities andevolvingindustry needs.

“Ithas always been thegoalofLCTCS to be thedevelopment armofeducating andtraining Louisiana’sfutureworkforce,”saidDr.Chandler LeBoeuf, LCTCSVicePresident of Education. “Wewanttomakesurethatstudentsare receivingthe training they need to be competitivein thejob market.Whenpeopleask aboutLCTCS’ impact,it’sabout students earningcertiﬁcates, credentialsanddegreesthatenablethemtomake alivable wage andbea successfulprofessional. Wewouldn’t be able to do that withoutstrong industry partnerships.”

Dr.RickBateman,ChancellorofBossierParish CommunityCollege,saidthatwhenGeneral DynamicsInformationTechnology(GDIT),aglobal technology andprofessionalservices company withalargepresenceinNorthLouisiana,needed to expand itsworkforce,its leadersimmediately approached BPCC aboutthe company’sneeds

“Theywerelooking forpeoplewitha mixture of skills.Welistenedtothemand then quickly developedacurriculumforanAssociateofApplied SciencedegreeinSystems Administration with aconcentration in DevOps.Wewereabletodo that in less than sixmonths,”Dr. Batemansaid.

“Weare nowacoupleofyears into theprogram, andGDIThas asteadysupplyofpotential new

employees thanks to that degree offeringhere at BPCC.”

Dr.BatemansaidthatnimblenessandresponsivenesstoindustrydemandsarecoretoLCTCS’s structureand philosophy

“Werealize that businesses arelooking to our institutionstodeliverontheirtalentdevelopment needs,”hesaid.“Theyaremovingquickly,andwe have to do that as well.”

This summer,Bossier Parish Community Collegewilloffer asix-weekpre-employment programdesignedtoprepare people to enter theworkforce.Dr. Batemansaidthe program, calledEMPWRLA(EmploymentandWorkforce Readiness)wascreatedindirectresponsetolocal employer demands. In addition to introducing students to basicskillsinareassuchasmanufacturingandlogistics,itwillalsoteachstudents aboutthe realitiesofbeing aprofessional, such as theimportanceofwearing proper clothingor uniforms,drugtesting andteamwork.

“Wealready have more than adozen companies that have told us they want to interviewthe graduatesofthisprogram upon completion,”Dr. Batemansaid.“Manyareofferingtosupportthis with scholarships as well.Wewereparticularly intentionalabout embeddingsoftskillsinto this curriculum –things like conﬂictresolution, collaborationand problem-solving. We’veheard employerssay theirnew employees don’thave a strong enoughfoundationinthose areas, so we want to addressit. We believewecan move the needle forbothcompanies andlocalfamilies with this program.

PhillipMay,PresidentandCEOofEntergyLouisiana,saidthecompany’slongstandingpartnership withLCTCShashelpedcreateasteadypipelineof line workerswho go on to jobs with thecompany andmanyofitsvendors.Inaddition,institutions like RiverParishesCommunity Collegeand SOWELA TechnicalCommunity Collegehave createdprogramsforcurrentEntergyemployees to upskill, expand theircapabilitiesand position themselvesforstrongercareeropportunitiesand upward mobility

“LCTCS is very responsive to theneeds of business,”May said.“Rightnow,Louisiana has some of thegreatesteconomicdevelopment opportunitieswe’ve seen in ageneration. Those opportunitiesarecontingentonhavingaworkforce that canmeetthe needsofnew andexpanding businesses.HavingapartnerlikeLCTCSthatcan help trainthatworkforce is critically important. Ifwedidn’thavethat,wewouldn’tbeabletohave theseeconomicdevelopment wins.”

This articleisbrought to youbythe LouisianaCommunity andTechnical CollegeSystem.

performed your friend’s life-saving surgery. taught your child howtoread. trained your favorite athlete for next season. grew the rice in your family’s gumbo. movedone step closertocuringbreast cancer. publishedthe next bestsellingmemoir. helped youplan for an abundant retirement. opened your new favorite restaurant. nursed rural communities to good health. counseled youthrough apersonal emergency. designed better houses for hurricanes. stoppeda hacker fromstealingyour identity. filed your taxes for the best refund. kept your grocery storestocked. offeredyou your first job.

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Johnson, Scalise make bigpushfor ‘big,beautiful bill’

WASHINGTON —House Speaker

Mike Johnson and his chief lieutenant, House MajorityLeader

Steve Scalise, both of whom favor football metaphors, ﬁnd themselves in aclutch drive to push their “one big, beautiful bill” into the end zone.

Mark Ballard

But the two LSU boys wholead the lower chamber have an unbalanced line.Some ultra-conservative Republicansare pulling one way and some moderate GOP representatives are thrusting the other

The friction threatens to scuttle the single spending instrument that is chock-full of President Donald Trump’slegislativewants for the next decade.

Heading between meetings, Scalise pointed out that thelegislation has alot of moving parts— each one withaconstituency that needs to approve the languageon their speciﬁc issue.

“This always happens when you have abig bill like this. There’re always some ﬁnal details to work out,” Scalise said. Each step is fraught with hurdles.

First, the “titles” from 11 House committees must be merged into asingle measure, properly called abudget reconciliation bill. The House Budget committee Friday voted it down with 16 yeas to21 nays, which included ﬁveRepublicans. But the bill likely will be

House cries foul in legislative basketball

State senators and representatives frequently ﬁnd themselves at odds during the legislative session over taxes, the budget, education policy and the like.

Add anew topic of dispute —basketball.

“The Senate cheated,” said state Rep. Dixon McMakin of Baton Rouge, referring to the outcome of the annual House v. Senate basketball game known as Hoopla.

“Wewere playing against teenagers. It was astacked deck,” said state Rep. Matthew Willard of New Orleans.

reconsidered SundayorMonday If it passes then, theHouse Rules committee needs to approve it before the full House gets avote.

Thelegislation,ifpassed by the House, goes to theGOP majority Senate, whose members already have said they plan somemajor rewrites.

Thebill then likely will require further negotiations between the chambers on language that all the Republicanscan approve —and thus avoidDemocrats having input.

children,” McMakin said to laughter in the Senate chamber.

Senators are always at a disadvantage during Hoopla because there are39senators and 105 House members, and senators tend to be older.

CAPITOL BUZZ

staff reports

To be clear,McMakin and Willard made the statements tongue-in-cheek, or at least somewhat. It was, after all, only agame of basketball. The two chambers play for charity —and bragging rights.

The ofﬁcial score showed the Senate won, 51-40. But, as McMakin noted, when he and two other House members brought the trophy to the Senate on Monday,actual senators scored only 13 of the 51 points.

“Congratulations Sen. Reese, Sen. Talbot, Sen. Bass and to your wives for making very ﬁne athletic

So theytypically draftringers.Former Sen. RickWard of PortAllen played this yearagain, and he still hasmoves. Whatwas differentthis yearwas theextensive play of MikeReese’s 16-year-old son Greyden, Kirk Talbot’s21-year-oldson Michaeland Ryan Ward,anLSU student who is aclose friend of Adam Bass’ family Greyden outjumped the House members, and allthreeyoungsters racedupand down the court while the House members,ahem, chugged up and down.

“I was out of breath,” said Rep. Tehmi ChassionofLafayette,the leading scorer for theHouse with nine points. Willard, awhirling dervish onthe court,contributed eight.

Sen. Blake MiguezofNew Iberia ledthe senatorswith nine points.

Chassion showed video to areporterofSen. Caleb KleinpeterofPortAllen signaling forseveral young-

Republican leaders chose toadvance Trump’slegislative agenda using reconciliation rules that allows Congress to attach language as it relates to spending. The method would allow asimple majority to pass thebill rather than requiring 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 of the 100 seats.

ModerateRepublicans are arguing that deep spending cuts in Medicaid, redirecting funding for Biden-era climatechange incentives, and refusing to allow an abundant deduction for state

sters to enter the game with the House ahead, 4-0.

“The Senate does what it has to do,” Kleinpeter said later,withalaugh.

Rep. John Illg of Metairie, who oversees Hoopla, said theyought to institutearule whereasenator’s child can play only if the senator is on the courtatthe same time

But he noted,withthe help of the New Orleans Pelicans,the gameraised $25,000 to refurbish abasketball court in alegislator’s district.Willard won the draw,and he said themoney will go to Harris Playground in Gentilly Woods

“It was anice event,” Illg said.

LSU grad to run Postal Service

The new leader of theU.S. PostalService is an LSU graduate.

David Steiner,who graduated LSU with an accounting degree in 1982, was named Postmaster General by theU.S. Postal Service BoardofGovernors. He has been thechief executive ofﬁcer of WasteManagement for thepast dozen years and is amember of FedEx’s board.

In astatement announcing Steiner’sappointment,USPS ofﬁcials praised his tenure at Waste Management,saying he “is credited with leading tremendous change in the organization, transforming operations and culture

and local taxes will come back to haunt them next year when they face reelection in their largely purple districts andthereby endanger the narrow Republican congressional majorities.

Conservatives see the current GOP majorities as aprimeopportunitytodemand deeper cuts in Medicaid and food stamps, plus quicker elimination of energy tax credits.

The bill’s$5trillion in proposed cuts partially offset its increased costs.

The future of Medicaid has been the focus of attention nationally —and Louisiana in particular,becauseathird of the state relies on the state-federal health care insurance. Louisiana providers are still sorting out just how the spending cutsinthe 160-page title would impact the state’slow-incomepeople.

Initial calculations by the bipartisan Congressional Budget Ofﬁceindicate that about 8million Americans would lose coverage from the changes to Medicaid, plus millions more with rollbacks to the Affordable Care Act.

One majorengagement in the overall battle doesn’treally involve Louisiana.

Members representing wealthier states want to raise alimit on federal deductions allowed for taxes paid to state and local governments, called SALT.

Starting in 2026, the cap disappears, allowing ﬁlers to deduct the state and local taxes they paid throughout the year —atgreat costtothe national treasury,spur-

and delivering strong ﬁnancial results.

“Dave is ahighly regarded leader and executive with tremendous vision, experience and skill that can be applied tothe long-term mission and business needs of the Postal Service,” said Amber McReynolds, chair of the BoardofGovernors. Postalunions fear that, in taking the position ﬁrst held by Benjamin Franklin nearly 250 years ago, Steiner will move towardprivatizing the quasi-public institution that is largely self-funded and delivers mail to almost170 million addresses.

Steiner joins LSU alums in top federal government jobs, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton;House MajorityLeader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson; and U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge and chair of the powerful Senate HealthEducation Labor &Pensions committee.

Jim Brown ends weekly column

In 2004, Jim Brown began writing aweekly column to vent at what he called his unjust conviction and six monthsinprison, from actions while he was Louisiana’sinsurance commissioner Soon enough, Brown discovered that he liked writing the column and branched off ontoavariety of other topics —including

ring effort by ﬁscal conservatives to reinstate the cap. Republicans from wealthier states want ahigher cap. Both sides are arguing over where that limit should be set and for how long.

The “big, beautiful bill” is 1,116 pages and, if passed as it sat before the budget committeevoted, would put $46.5 billion toward completing the wall along the Mexican border; $45 billion for building immigrant detention centers; plus $150 billion more for the military.Italso would include an increase for the child tax credit; make tips and overtimetax deductible; and allow tax deductions for interest on loans to buy American-made cars.

The big-ticket item is renewal of the 2017 tax breaks that was Trump’ssignature legislation during his ﬁrst term. Extending those tax breaks, whichare set to expire, would add about $4.5 trillion to the $36.2 trillion national debt. But the average Louisiana taxpayer could face an increase of $2,135 if the bill doesn’tpass, according to the National Taxpayers UnionFoundation, aWashingtonbased conservative advocate on taxing issues.

“Wedeliver on all of President Trump’spriorities,” Scalise said as he headed off for another meeting. The talks have “narrowed down to ahandful of issues that need to be ﬁxed.”

Email Mark Ballardat mballard@theadvocate.com.

stories from his 24 years as an elected ofﬁcial in Louisiana, colorful personalities he met along the wayand also everyday concerns that sparked his interest as afather and grandfather

Two weeks ago, Brownannounced he had written his ﬁnal column.

“Besides these weekly ramblings, I’ve been able to tuck seven books into my portfolio,” he wrote. “I haven’tgained alot in personal renumeration, but Ihope Ihave been able to continue receiving my readers’ respect.”

The nearly 1,100 columns were published in smalltownnewspapers throughout Louisiana and on his website.

In an interview,Brown noted that he had just turned 85 and is recovering from acar accident.

He said he was no longer willing to devote the time needed to research and write 52 columns ayear

“I like to paint and wasn’t painting enough because I got bogged downwith my column,” Brownsaid. “I didn’texercise enough. I just wanted to have timeto do other things.”

Those other things include four children and seven grandchildren, and

he also keeps an eye on the grandchildren of Steve Carter,his former brotherin-law,and his brother,both of whom have died. Brownmakes apoint of sending ahandwritten note to each of them on holidays. Over the years, Brown wrote about his encounters with former Gov.Edwin Edwards, former President Bill Clinton, musician Jerry Lee Lewis and the Rev Jimmy Swaggart.

“When (chef)Paul Prudhomme died, Iwrote about my relationship with him and the world of food,” Brownsaid. “I wrote about [trumpet player] Al Hirt whotraveled on my campaign bus when Iran for governor in 1987.” Brownlost that election. He previously served as astate senator from Ferriday,which is where he met Jerry Lee Lewis, and as secretary of state. In the 1990s, he wasinsurance commissioner Along the way,Brownhas operated Lisburn Press, which has published some 50 books (including “Long Shot,” about the 2015 governor’srace, written by Advocate reporter Tyler Bridges and journalist Jeremy Alford).

Asked what he’ll miss mostabout the column, Brownsaid, “Itwas very rewarding to see people say how much they enjoyed it and shared it with family members.”

Brown

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Speaker of the House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, right, and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise,R-Jefferson

Hiker survived by foraging, drinking melted snow

Woman describes ordeal after being missing in Calif. wilderness

BY JAIMIE DING Associated Press

LOS ANGELES A 28-year-old woman described Friday how she survived for weeks outdoors in California’s eastern Sierra Nevada by foraging for food and drinking melted snow after a solo camping trip went awry during harsh winter weather

Tiffany Slaton detailed her ordeal during a news conference with the Fresno County Sheriff’s Department, two days after she was found in a cabin that the owner had left unlocked in case wayward hikers needed shelter Authorities said she had been there for only eight hours before the cabin’s owner arrived and discovered her Slaton described being caught in an avalanche at one point, causing her to fall and hurt her leg. She didn’t say which day that happened. She had a bicycle, a tent, two sleeping bags and food, she said, but she ended up losing all of her equipment, leaving her with only a lighter, a knife and some

snacks. She didn’t describe how she lost her tent or other gear

After she fell, Slaton said she tried calling 911 five times with no success but got a GPS signal on her phone.

“I ended up on this very long, arduous journey that I journaled to try and keep sane and eventually managed to get to civilization,” she said.

Authorities called her survival stunning given the conditions. The cabin was more than 20 miles from where she had last been seen, and the mountains were covered in up to 12 feet of snow in some areas.

“I would have never anticipated her in my wildest dreams being able to get back as far as she did,” Sheriff John Zanoni said Slaton had been on an extended biking and backpacking trip that also included time in Oregon, department spokesman Tony Botti said. Her journey took her to the Sierras, where she decided to make the trek to the Mono Hot Springs before meeting a friend in mid-April, he said. She was last seen on April 20 by a security camera near Huntington Lake, an unincorporated mountain community, riding on a bicycle and also sitting on a

sidewalk with a backpack.

Slaton’s parents, who live in Georgia, reported her missing on April 29 after they hadn’t heard from her

in a week.

Slaton, who was a competitive archer in her home country of Bermuda, said her athleticism and foraging knowl-

edge helped her survive. She had some snacks on her but eventually ran out. The owner of Vermilion Valley Resort, Christopher

Gutierrez, said his staff left cabin doors unlocked during the winter in case someone needed shelter during the frequent mountain snowstorms. His backcountry lodge sits in the Sierra Nevada about halfway between Yosemite and Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks and is a frequent stop for hikers on the John Muir and Paciﬁc Crest trails. Slaton found safe haven in one of those cabins during an intense snowstorm where all she could see was white, she said. It was just eight hours later that Gutierrez arrived to open the cabin for the season, authorities said. “If

By The Associated Press

NEW YORK Testimony in the sex trafficking trial of hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs began this week, opening a window into what prosecutors say was the sordid world of group sex, drugs and violence beneath the glittering, jet set persona cultivated by the Bad Boy Records founder

Much of the testimony was hard to watch. Combs’ exgirlfriend, Cassie, recounted being beaten and pressured into degrading sexual performances with strangers.

Here are five key moments from the trial, which resumes Monday: Defense arguments

Lawyer Teny Geragos took a novel approach to defending Combs in her opening statement.

She conceded the hip-hop impresario has a “bad temper” and is prone to violent outbursts that are often fueled by alcohol, jealousy and drugs. But she maintained that while his actions might have warranted domestic violence charges, they aren’t proof he engaged in sex trafﬁcking and racketeering — the charges he faces.

Geragos argued that Combs’ sexual habits were part of a swinger lifestyle involving consenting adults and reminded jurors that “kinky” sexual predilections don’t equate to sex trafﬁcking.

“Sean Combs is a complicated man. But this is not a complicated case,” she said. “This case is about love, jealousy, inﬁdelity and money.”

Jurors sees video of attack

The packed courtroom fell silent when jurors were shown security camera video of Combs assaulting Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel in 2016.

The video depicts Cassie, an R&B singer headed down a hallway toward the hotel’s

elevators just before Combs rounds a corner, strikes her and throws her to the ground before kicking her and then dragging her back toward their hotel room.

Jurors also viewed photographs of damage in the hotel hallway, including flowers strewn on the floor and soil spattered against a wall. Later, as Cassie testified about the attack, they were shown photos of the musician’s swollen lip.

The trial’s first witness was a former security guard at the hotel. Israel Florez testified Combs attempted to bribe him, holding out a stack of money with a $100 on top, telling him: “Don’t tell nobody.”

Florez said he responded: “I don’t want your money Just go back into your room.”

Cassie’s testimony

The “Me & U” singer, whose legal name is Casandra Ventura, testiﬁed that Combs was into voyeurism and dictated every aspect of sex events he dubbed “freakoffs.”

The highly orchestrated affairs, which Combs also called “wild king nights” or “hotel nights,” involved male sex workers, heavy drug use and copious lubrication.

“It was his fantasy,” Cassie said.

Cassie said each “freakoff” involved about 10 large bottles of baby oil heated up.

“It was such a mess,” she said. “It was like, ‘What are we doing?’”

She said Combs also asked her to perform degrading and painful sex acts with male sex workers

Cassie said eventually she was doing “freak-offs” weekly for a decade, with the ﬁnal one in 2017 or 2018.

“The freak-offs became a job,” Cassie recounted.

She said she felt she couldn’t refuse because she feared the videos would be

made public.

Jurors also heard from Daniel Phillip, who said he was a professional stripper paid to have sex with Cassie while Combs gave instructions. He testified that he once saw Combs drag Cassie by her hair as she screamed. Combs, Cassie messages

Defense lawyers, during their cross examination of Cassie, sought to cast the musician as an enthusiastic participant in the sex marathons.

“I’m always ready to freak off,” she wrote in one 2009 message read in court Later that year, however, Cassie expressed frustration with the state of their relationship and told Combs she needed something more from him than sex.

In a 2017 text message, Cassie told Combs: “I love our FOs when we both want it,” using the initials of freakoff. On the stand, Cassie explained: “I would say loving FOs were just words at that point.”

Dawn Richard’s testimony

The former cast member on Combs’ MTV reality show “Making the Band” testiﬁed that she saw Combs physically attack Cassie on multiple occasions.

During a 2009 incident in his home, Richard said Combs tried to strike Cassie in the head with a black skillet before he put his arm around her neck and dragged her up the stairs.

“I was scared for her and scared to do anything,” she said. “I had never seen anything like that before.”

Richard, who was later a member of the Combs’ band Diddy — Dirty Money, sued the producer last year, accusing him of physical abuse, groping, and psychological abuse during the years they worked together His representative denied the claims at the time.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GARy KAZANJIAN

Tiffany Slaton, a hiker found in the High Sierra after going missing for three weeks, speaks during a news conference on Friday in Fresno, Calif.

EDUCATION

BY PATRICK WALL

Staff writer

More than half of Louisiana children from poor families start kindergarten without basic reading skills —and most fail tocatch up by third grade,a critical year for literacy development, according to anew study

The study by researchers at Tulane University has alarming implications for the 75% of kindergarten students in Louisiana public schoolswho qualify as economically disadvantaged. Many of thosechildren will face readingdifﬁculties from the moment they start school,and alarge share will continue to struggle years later

“Weare seeing that there’sa group of kids who start kindergarten way behind —and stay behind,” said Tulane Early Childhood Policy Research Lab Director Lindsay Weixler, who conducted the analysis withAlicia Gerry and TynesiaFields. The group, which received afederal grant, partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education

The study also points to a powerful preventative measure: preschool. Poor students whoattend prekindergarten aretwice as likely to enter kindergarten with foundational reading skills, comparedwith 4-year-olds whostay home, the researchers found.

The ﬁndings are based on an analysis of economically disadvantaged students’ scores on an assessment called DIBELS,which tests kindergarteners’ ability to

recognize letters and sounds, and elementary school students’ ability to soundout words and read sentences. Under state law,Louisiana public schools must give the assessment to students in grades K-3.

Studentswith the lowest scores are labeled “well below level” and considered signiﬁcantly at risk for readingdifﬁculties. Beginning this year,anew state law says that third graders who fall in that category can beforced to repeat the grade.

More than 50% of studentsfrom low-incomefamilies score “well below” theexpectedreading level when they start public kindergarten, according to theanalysis of data from the2023-24 school year.Asthe report putsit, “these children arriveatkindergarten without basic literacy skills.”

ASKING EXPERTSACROSS THESTATE HOWTOTACKLETHE

Many of them struggle to catch up. Only 20% of economically disadvantaged studentswho were behind in kindergarten became proﬁcient readers by thirdgrade, as measured by their English scores on the stateLEAP test. By contrast, 46% of students who entered kindergarten with basic reading skills met expectations on the third grade English test.

Weixler said that because the DIBELS test only became mandatory in 2023, the analysis of students’ progress from kindergarten tothird grade is based on older data from studentswho started school in 2012 and 2013. It’spossible that schools today do abetter job of helping students advance than they did adecade ago. Still, she said, thestudy calls into question the new law that will

require struggling readers to repeat thirdgrade.

Below,Weixler discusses her ﬁndings andhow to help off-track students. The interview has been condensed and edited forclarity

What happenstostudents who startkindergarten behind in reading?

By themiddle of ﬁrst grade, only athird of students whoare economically disadvantaged are still scoring “well below.” But of that one-third of kids, the overwhelming majority were already well below at kindergarten entry

So this is astory not of kids who are falling behind or falling off track. It’sastory of kids whoare having areally hard timecatching up when they’re starting so far behind.

Whyare students fromlow-income families starting behind?

There’ssome really great research nationallyshowing that when we talk about opportunity gaps and achievement gaps, much of that gap is already present at kindergarten entry between lower-income kids and their higherincome peers.

Lookingwithin Louisiana’s data, we see it too. That quarter of kids who are not economically disadvantaged, on average, they are doing better at kindergarten entry and at every point in time we’ve measured.

What did you find about the importance of preschool?

This is not acausal study of whether pre-K participation caused students to have greater literacy skills at kindergarten entry. Butwedosee apretty strong correlation here.

The data indicate that, on average, kidsare doing better at kindergarten entry if they have been to pre-K. And Ithink, anecdotally,you hear from schools and teachers that they feel like kids are just moreprepared to be in aclassroom and moreprepared

to be in aschool environment if they’ve been to pre-K

When you don’tstart supporting kids’ education until they enter kindergarten, you’re starting really late in the game.

Should the state encouragemore families to send their kids to pre-K?

One of the things that’sreally stark to me is when we look at kids whose parents report that they were at homefor their preKyear,which is about 25% of Louisiana kindergartners. Threefourths of those kids, if they are economically disadvantaged, are scoring well below the benchmarkwhen they enter kindergarten.

They are just really unlikely to have these kindergarten readiness skills as measured by the DIBELS. So Idothink that, as a state, we should be working to provide access to pre-K programs to any family that wants to send their child.

Based on your findings, what do youthink about the newthird grade reading law?

If they werebehind at kindergarten entry and spent four years struggling to learn to read, Idon’t think another year of third grade is likely to solve the problem

My general understanding of the research is that these kind of policies that hold kids back based on test scores don’tset those kids up forsuccess downthe line. What these data are showing us is that we need earlier intervention. There’sawealth of other research that supports that birth to age 5isacritical window forcognitive development and language development.

Ithink the answer is, if we want to see these kids proﬁcient at third grade, we’ve got to start much earlier in supporting kids and families.

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

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

New census data reveals that Baldwin County, a corner of Alabama on the Gulf Coast known for its white-sand beaches and genteel towns, has experienced an upsurge in population and tourism within the last decade.

Home to the cities of Daphne, Fairhope and Foley, Baldwin County is the sixth fastest-growing metropolitan area in the nation, according to a 2023-2024 report by the U.S. Census Bureau. With over 260,000 residents, its population has increased by 66.3% in the last 20 years, making it the fastest-growing county in the state.

The Census Bureau noted that 97% of the uptick is due to incoming migration, especially people who are 65 years or older

This suggests that the area has become a retirement destination, potentially due to its cheaper housing market. In Baldwin County, the median value of homes is $287,000 while the national average is $303,400 according to census data.

Though Viktoria Riiman, a former socioeconomic analyst at the University of Alabama, said in 2018 that other age groups are also moving to Baldwin County for reasons besides its cheaper housing.

“Both retirees and younger families are moving to the county because it offers a high quality of life, from great amenities to quality schools and great economic opportunities,” Riiman told the university’s news center But the growth spurt in population and residential development has strained local infrastructure, particularly in Fairhope, where the City Council recently approved a 9-month ban on new

THE GULF COAST

searching for ways to ease congestion caused by an influx of residents and tourists.

Areas like Gulf Shores are longtime vacation hot spots for people living in neighboring states like Louisiana.

This especially rings true for New Orleanians, who no longer have a beach getaway after two local ones, Pontchartrain and Lincoln, shut down years ago

Beyond its beaches, Gulf Shores has attracted more visitors after Buc-ee’s — a Texas-based megastore gas station chain expanding across the Gulf Coast opened a location about half an hour away in Robertsdale, Alabama

The sprawling convenience store, known for its brisket sandwiches, endless merchandise and pristine bathrooms, immediately drew in thousands of customers. As an attempt to ease congestion at its Alabama location, the company made a deal to open a Bucee’s nearby in Harrison County, Mississippi, which is launching this summer

“They needed our store to take the pressure off of Alabama,” Bill Lavers, the executive director of Harrison County Development Commission, said in February “They knew that that’s what they needed because of the trafﬁc that was going to come.”

Throughout the year, Gulf Coast residents also ﬂock to Fairhope, a town that carries the patina of Southern charm with its blend of boutiques and natural beauty for an affordable vacation stay

Similar

GOP forges tax bill in Trump’s image

BY MATT BROWN and LEAH ASKARINAM Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Days before Republicans unveiled their sweeping tax cut plan, the chairman of the powerful Ways and Means Committee had one last person to consult. He went to the White House, where he and President Donald Trump went over the legislation “line by line.”

“He was very happy with what we’re delivering,” said Rep Jason Smith, R-Mo. Trump had every reason to be pleased. His imprint is all over on the bill making its way through the House, starting with its title the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”

The legislation realizes many of Trump’s campaign promises, temporarily ending taxes on overtime and tips for many workers creating a new $10,000 tax break on auto loan interest for American-made cars, and even creating a new tax-free “MAGA account” a nod to his “Make America Great Again” movement, but in this case, it means “Money Accounts for Growth and Advancement.” This would contribute $1,000 to children born in his second term.

The Trump-inspired contours of the legislative package, months if not years in the making, reflect not only the president’s considerable influence over the Republican Party, but also the hard political realities in the House, where Republicans have only the barest of majorities and often find it difficult to find consensus without Trump’s involvement.

Speaker Mike Johnson, RBenton, effectively owes his job to Trump and has kept in constant contact with him during the negotiations, including during his overseas trip last week.

“He’s excited about our forward progress,” Johnson said. “You know, I keep him apprised of the developments, and he’s had a busy time over there in the Middle East, and it’s been good he’s in good spirits and we’re in good spirits.”

The Republican bill runs a whopping 1,116 pages and includes more than $5 trillion in tax cuts, costs that are partially offset by spending cuts elsewhere and other changes in the tax code. The legislation would make permanent the tax cuts from Trump’s first term while reducing funding for programs involving food assistance, college ﬁnancing and environmental

protection.

As talks over the bill have progressed, divisions have emerged among Republicans, particularly between ﬁscal hawks most concerned about federal deficits and others more focused on the impact of cuts back home.

That’s where Trump usually comes in, playing the “closer” who turns no votes to yes.

“President Trump has gone out of his way to ask us: ‘Are there any members you want me to call? Anybody that you want me to talk to?’ And he calls them right then,” said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson “He’s been incredibly handson and incredibly helpful at getting the bill to where it is.”

Trump’s involvement seems certain to grow as Johnson labors to get the tax package through the House by a self-imposed Memorial Day deadline

Conservatives slowed the process Friday, refusing to advance the tax package out of the House Budget Committee until it includes faster implementation of Medicaid changes and a more wholesale repeal of Biden-era green energy credits. They vowed to hold ﬁrm until their demands are met.

Trump took notice, applying pressure even before the gavel went down on the failed committee vote.

“We don’t need ‘GRANDSTANDERS’ in the Republican Party,” Trump wrote on social media. “STOP TALKING, AND GET IT DONE!”

Negotiations were expected to stretch through the weekend, with the Budget Committee reconvening late Sunday night in hopes of a breakthrough.

Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, predicted the tax package will ultimately get over the ﬁnish line once Trump — just returning from a tour of the Middle East — starts making calls to skeptical lawmakers.

“You may have noticed he likes talking on the telephone,” Rogers said.

Added Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee, “I think the only way we’re going to get on track with it is with Trump.”

The close coordination with Republican leaders stands in stark contrast to Trump’s first term, when the party first enacted a slew of personal and corporate tax breaks. Republicans quickly cobbled that tax package together in late 2017 after a disastrous attempt at fulfill-

ing their central campaign promise — repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, often referred to as Obamacare.

This time, White House aides have been in regular contact with GOP lawmakers as the tax bill progresses through drafts and markups, highlighting programs they aim to overhaul and provisions they’d like to add or cut.

The president “is much more engaged in directing what happens than the ﬁrst time because he and the leadership of Congress in 2017 were not seeing eye-toeye,” Scalise said. “He didn’t necessarily want health care to be the ﬁrst thing that was done, and yet it was. This time around we talked a lot before he was sworn in to make sure we were all on the same page.”

Trump ﬁrst began to set the course of the GOP’s current legislative strategy back in January, when he posted to social media that Republicans should pass “one powerful bill” that would tackle all of the party’s priorities instead of splitting the agenda into two packages.

Senate Republicans argued for a different approach. They urged quick passage of a bill to provide billions for the Pentagon and Trump’s immigration clampdown, saying a second tax package could wait until later Trump wavered for a time, giving Republicans on Capitol Hill mixed signals over the best approach. But his original preference for one bill won out in the end, in part because House Republicans insisted their chamber could not do it any other way

Democrats uniformly oppose the package but have little power to stop it from becoming law if Republicans remain uniﬁed. As they continue to grapple with the party’s losses in last year’s election, Democrats have worked to mobilize public opposition to the bill, decrying it as a giveaway to the rich paid for with cuts to health care and other social services.

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, DWash., called it “one big, beautiful betrayal.”

Republicans, meanwhile, are eager to press ahead and get the tax package to the Senate, with hopes of getting it on Trump’s desk by the Fourth of July

Burchett said that while “everybody rises up in righteous indignation” over the details, Republicans will start “coming to the table” once Trump is fully engaged.

DOJ deal ends ban on aftermarket trigger

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

Biden audio release puts pressure on Democrats

BY JONATHAN J COOPER Associated Press

PHOENIX Joe Biden’s time in public office is now behind him, but his age and mental acuity have become a litmus test for the next leaders in his party.

Audio was published Friday from portions of interviews Biden gave to federal prosecutors in 2023, the latest in a stream of reports putting questions about Biden’s health back in the spotlight. Months after former Vice President Kamala Harris lost to President Donald Trump a new book alleges that White House aides covered up Biden’s physical and mental decline.

said he didn’t see signs of mental or physical decline in his meetings with Biden.

“I saw him a few times,” he told CNN last week. “I certainly went to the White House whenever there was an opportunity for me to make the case for something for people in my state. And I never had the experience of anything other than a guy who brought to the table a lot of good ideas about how to solve problems.”

Several potential Democratic contenders for the 2028 nomination have been asked in recent days whether they believe Biden was declining in ofﬁce or whether he should have sought reelection before a disastrous debate performance led to his withdrawal.

Many Democrats would prefer to focus on Trump’s second term. Trump has done his best to prevent that — mentioning Biden’s name an average of six times per day during his ﬁrst 100 days in office, according to an NBC News analysis — and Republicans have followed his lead, betting that voters frustrated by Trump’s policy moves will still prefer him over memories of an unpopular presidency

In the race for Virginia governor, one of this year’s highest-profile contests, Republican Winsome Earle-Sears is running a pair of digital ads tying Democrat Abigail Spanberger to Biden, with images of the two hugging and the former president calling her a friend.

“The stench of Joe Biden still lingers on the Democratic Party,” Democratic strategist Sawyer Hackett said. “We have to do the hard work of fixing that, and I think that includes telling the truth, frankly about when we were wrong.”

Democratic Sen. Chris Murphy, of Connecticut told Politico last week that “there’s no doubt” that Biden, now 82, experienced cognitive decline as president Pete Buttigieg, the former transportation secretary, wasn’t nearly as blunt but still stopped short of defending Biden’s decision to run. He responded “maybe” when asked Tuesday whether the Democratic Party would have been better off if Biden hadn’t tried to run for a second term.

“Right now, with the advantage of hindsight, I think most people would agree that that’s the case,” Buttigieg told reporters during a stop in Iowa.

Illinois Gov JB Pritzker

The book “Original Sin,” by journalists Jake Tapper of CNN and Alex Thompson of Axios, revives a core controversy of Biden’s presidency: his decision to run for a second term despite voters, including Democrats, telling pollsters that he should not run again. Biden would have been 86 at the end of a second term had he won in November

A spokesperson for Biden did not respond to a request for comment.

“We continue to await anything that shows where Joe Biden had to make a presidential decision or where national security was threatened or where he was unable to do his job,” the spokesperson has told many media outlets in response to the book.

Late Friday, Axios published portions from audio recordings of Biden’s six hours of interviews with prosecutors investigating his handling of classified documents after his term as vice president ended in 2017.

The Biden administration had already released transcripts of the interviews, but the recordings shed light on special counsel Robert Hur’s characterization of Biden as “a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory” and appeared to validate his claim that the then-president struggled to recall key dates, including the year his son Beau died of cancer in 2015.

Biden and his aides pushed back aggressively against Hur’s report, which they characterized as a partisan hit. Biden was at that time — early 2024 — still planning to run for a second term and fending off accusations that he was too old for another four years in the job.

The recordings released by Axios include Biden’s discussion of his son’s death. His responses to some of the prosecutors’ questions are punctuated by long pauses, and his lawyers at times stepped in to help him recall dates and timelines.

Before he dropped his reelection bid last summer Biden faced widespread doubts within his own party, even as Democratic leaders dismissed both a series of verbal ﬂubs and Republican allegations about his declining acuity In January 2022, just a

year into Biden’s ﬁrst term, an AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found that only 48% of Democrats wanted him to seek reelection. That fell to 37% of Democrats in an AP-NORC poll conducted in February 2023. Three-quarters of Americans — and 69% of Democrats — said in August 2023 that they believed Biden was too old to serve as president for another four-year term. And shortly after his debate ﬂop, nearly two-thirds of Democrats said Biden should withdraw from the race.

Biden and former first lady Jill Biden appeared on ABC’s “The View” in a preemptive defense of his health and decision-making before the ﬁrst excerpts of “Original Sin” were published.

He said he’s responsible for Trump’s victory but attributed Harris’ loss, at least in part, to sexism and racism. He maintained that he would have won had he remained the Democratic nominee. Both Bidens rejected concerns about his cognitive decline.

Patricia McEnerney, a 74-year-old Democrat in Goodyear, Arizona, said Biden should not have tried to run again.

“I think it’s sad the way it ended,” she said.

She compared him to Douglas MacArthur, the World War II and Korean War general famously dismissed by President Harry Truman.

“I think he needs to stop giving interviews. I think that would help,” McEnerney said. “Like MacArthur said, generals just fade away.”

Janet Stumps, a 66-yearold Democrat also from Goodyear, a Phoenix suburb, had a different view

“I don’t think it’s going to hurt the Democrats,” Stumps said. “I feel badly that he feels he has to defend himself. I don’t think he has to. Everybody ages. And the fact that he did what he did at his age, I think he should be commended for it.” Hackett, the Democratic strategist, predicted Biden won’t be a major factor in the 2026 midterms or the 2028 presidential primaries. But he said Democrats who want voters to trust them would be well-served “by telling the truth about the mistakes that our party made in the run-up to 2024.”

“Those mistakes were largely driven by Joe Biden, and I think any Democrat not willing to say that is not really prepared to face the voters, who want the truth and they want authenticity,” Hackett said.

Rick Wilson, a former GOP strategist who cofounded the anti-Trump group the Lincoln Project, said Republicans want to talk about Biden to avoid defending Trump. But he said the strategy is folly

the federal government ending a ban as part of a settlement that also requires it to return seized devices. The agreement announced Friday by the Justice Department resolves a series of cases over the aftermarket trigger that the government had previously argued qualify as machine guns under federal law The settlement is a dramatic shift in Second Amendment policy under the Republican administration, which has signaled it may undo many of the regulations that the previous administration of Democratic President Joe Biden had fought to keep in place in an effort to curb gun violence

Amendment is not a secondclass right,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement Gun control advocates said the settlement would worsen gun violence.

“This Department of Justice believes that the 2nd

“The Trump administration has just effectively legalized machine guns. Lives will be lost because of his actions,” said Vanessa Gonzalez, vice president of government and political affairs at GIFFORDS, a gun control group.

Biden

JOHN BAZEMORE — AP

Then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump dances Oct. 15, 2024, at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta.

State may change LEAP test for students

Bill calls for alternatives as contract’s

end nears

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

A Louisiana lawmaker wants the state to explore alternatives to the standardized test students take each year

Senate Bill 105 by Sen. Mark Abraham, R-Lake Charles, initially called for the state to replace the LEAP test with a national assessment beginning in the 202627 school year A task force of representatives from different education organizations, including teachers, principals and superintendents, would choose which national test to use.

Director to leave Acadiana Symphony Orchestra

Dana Baker spent 8 years in role

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Baker

In Dana Baker’s time as executive director of the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra, she led efforts to promote classical music education in Lafayette whi l e expanding and diversifying the orchestra’s yearround programming. Baker will move to San Antonio, Texas, to live and work closer to her family, according to a statement released Friday by the orchestra. Her departure date and succession plan have not been announced

ä See DIRECTOR, page 2B

‘We ride for our brothers’ National motorcycle club honors fallen Lafayette officers

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

The Untouchables Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club on Saturday placed a wreath at the Lafayette Police Department memorial. The club is a national organization of retired police officers founded in 2000 in Gary Indiana, and dedicated to honoring fallen ofﬁcers and supporting their families This year marks the club’s 25th anniversary

“We have officers here from Wisconsin, Indiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia,

ä See RIDE, page 2B

But state education ofﬁcials said the original bill removed too much of their power in the decisionmaking process and risked going against federal law that dictates what types of tests states can administer They worked with Abraham to revise the bill so that the

state board of education, not a task force, would research alternatives and make recommendations to legislators next year

The Senate Education Committee last week approved the revised bill, which now heads to the Senate ﬂoor for debate.

“Let’s just search the options we might have,” Abraham said in an interview

The state’s contract with the vendor that administers the LEAP

test, which students take in core subjects every spring, ends in 2027. After that, the state could choose to keep the test as is, make changes to it, or replace it entirely

The bill says the board must explore whether the state should switch to a “nationally normed assessment,” such as the SAT or the TerraNova, which compare students’ performance to their peers across the country But Abraham and state Education Department officials said federal law might not allow public school students to take a national test even though

Louisiana private schools that get state money can use them. If it is allowed, changing to a national test would require schools to overhaul their instructional materials and curriculum, which could be expensive, according to the bill’s projected ﬁscal impact. And it would be costly for the state to give a different test: Annual expenses range from $2.5 million for the Metropolitan Achievement Test to $29.7 million

TOP: Lewis Robert Karl shows off his diploma as spring commencement for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Ray P. Authement College of Sciences is held on Saturday at the Cajundome.

ABOVE: Azme Abbas, left, is recognized by Dean Azmy Ackleh

RIGHT: Graduates stand as they are recognized.

STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE

BR family wantsanswers afterbodyfound

manywere never madelivable.

LEAP

Continued from page1B

Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, states are required to annually testall studentsinmath andEnglishingrades 3-8and oneyear in high school, and give ascience test to students in some grades. State exams must align with each state’slearning standards. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumleyquestionedwhetherthe lawwould allowLouisiana to switchto anational test.

“LEAP assesses the standards that have been approvedinLouisiana,” he said. “If you jump to anational assessment, it’snot necessarily going to be the samestandards applied to Louisiana education.”

Abrahamsaidthe notion forthe bill stemmed from debates last year over Louisiana’snew LA GATOR program, which gives Louisiana families public money to put toward private school tuitionand allows participating private schools to decide which nationally normed teststogivestudents.Somepublic education advocates said all schools should get to choose their tests.

“I said, ‘Well why can’twedothat for public schools?’” Abraham said, noting that private schools in the LA GATOR program will get public money

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

The last time Shaquinnta Scott’smother saw her was at afamily gathering at theend of March.

Three weeks later,the body of Scott —a34-year-oldmother of four —was found in an abandoned apartment complex on Monet Driveinthe Melrose East neighborhood.

Her body was in astateofdeep decay, according to the East BatonRouge Parish Coroner’sOfﬁce. At thetime, police saidthey believed Scott was homeless.

The case is beinginvestigated as ahomicide, but no official cause of death hasbeen released. The Coroner’sOfﬁce said more forensic studies are being conducted, and finalresults could take months.

In the meantime, membersof Scott’sfamilysay they are looking forjustice and hoping she won’tbeforgotten.

“I want them to not just throw her to the side because they thought she was homeless,” her mother,Charmaine Scott, said. Aspokesperson for the Baton Rouge Police Department said the case is not being disregard-

ed.The department encourages anyone with information related to Shaquinnta Scott’skilling to reach out to police.

CharmaineScott saidher daughter had been suffering with drug addiction for thepast few years. She had been staying with different relatives on and off, but always “had family that loved and cared about her.”

Shatara Williams, achildhood friend, said Shaquinnta Scott made staying in contact with her children apriority,even after she gave up custody to friends and family

Her oldest son graduated from high school this month. Williams saidShaquinnta Scott wouldn’t have missed the event.

“That love for her kids never changed,”she said. “I don’tcare what kind of drug you were on. Her love for her kids never changed.”

Charmaine Scott said she last saw her daughterduring afamily gathering onMarch 30. Apost on Shaquinnta Scott’sInstagram account from April 4showsher singing and playinga guitar

Body found

John Shields,amaintenance tech contracted to board up the doors and windows of many of Melrose East’sabandoned buildings, said he found Shaquinnta Scott’sbody

He said part of his job is doing asweep of each building to see if

STAFF PHOTO By JOANNA BROWN

Richard Milton, of Crowley, pays tribute toSr. Cpl.Segus Jolivette and other fallen Lafayette policeofficers Saturday He is partofthe Untouchables LawEnforcementMotorcycle Club,which is celebratingits 25thanniversary.

Continued from page1B

Oklahoma, Texas, Nevada and Louisiana,”said Richard Milford, who livesin Crowley.“We always do amemorial during Police Week. We honor the fallen officers and one of our mottosis‘We ride forour brothers who can’t.’” Milford is retired from the Texas Army National Guard andspent 13 years as alaw enforcement officeratthe Dallas Fort WorthInternational Airport. In its first such event in Louisiana, the Untouchables paid tributeSaturday to Sr.Cpl. Segus Jolivette andall fallen officers of the Lafayette Police Depart-

ment.

Jolivette was killed inJuly during whatpolicecalled a standoff andhostageevent in Jeanerette An Iberia Parish grand jury last week handed up an indictment against Nyjal Hurst, charging him in Jolivette’sdeath. Though notsubstantiated by ofﬁcial sources,amedia report and sources involved in the shooting suggested that Jolivette diedfrom afellow SWAT officer’s bullet.

Jolivette’s was thefirst line-of-duty deaththe department has suffered since the fatal shooting in October2017 of Cpl. Michael Middlebrook.

EmailJoanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com

anyone is inside.

The morning of April21, Shieldsand histeamwere taskedwith replacing plywood boardsblocking the entrances to an abandoned two-story apartmentcomplex and leasing ofﬁce in the 700 block of Monet Drive.

While he wouldn’tgointo too muchdetail on the state of the second-story room Shaquinnta Scott was found in,hedid say the decompositionseemed advanced.

Police estimate shehad been dead for two or three weeksbefore being found.

Shields also said the windows in theroom hadbeen blocked out with quilts.

Thebuildinghad been abandoned for years, according to Shantae Johnson, the complex’s former property manager Johnson recalled meeting Shaquinnta Scott in thearea a handful of times, saying she was friendly and apologetic when asked to leaveabuilding.

Even when tenants still lived at theapartments, the building was plaguedbyblack mold, feral cats and water stoppages, Johnson said. She left thebusiness in 2024 after two years.

Theproperty owner,Baton Rouge Multi-Family Holding, also owns multiple other abandonedapartments across Melrose East. Johnson saidthe company originally planned to renovate the buildings, but that

DIRECTOR

Continuedfrom page1B

Accordingtothe organization’sboard president, Kohlie Frantzen, Baker brought acommitmentto artistic excellenceand accessibility to hertenureas executivedirector.

“Our board of directors expresses itsdeepest appreciation and gratitude to Dana for her years of service and thoughtful leadership,” said Frantzen. “She hasguidedour organization through both challenging and triumphant times with grace and

EastBaton Rouge Parish Assessor’sOffice andSheriff’s Office records show theproperty is in adjudication,meaning the Sheriff’sOffice seizeditdue to unpaid 2022 property taxes. Attempts to reach theofficer listed for Baton Rouge MultiFamily Holding aboutthe building have been unsuccessful. Calls have been madeto311 to report blight anddumping there Police reportsoverthe past five yearsalso show apattern of crimeatthe building, including thefts, narcotics and assault.

Will Belton, aboard member with the Melrose East Crime Prevention District, which pays for securityinthe area, said abandoned buildings create environments forcrime to ﬂourish.

“Thenitbecomes aquestion, what do we do as acrime prevention district?” he said. As for Shaquinnta Scott’sfamily,they are still troubled by the lack of apparent answers about what happened.

“She was averybeautiful person that lovedand cared about everybody,” Charmaine Scott said of her daughter.“She would neverdoany harmtoanybody, andIjustdon’tunderstand why somebody wouldwant to harm her.”

Email Quinn Coffman at quinn.coffman@theadvocate. com.

determination, and Dana’s impact on ourcommunity through her work at ASO andFestivalInternational will be felt forever.

Under Baker,season subscription revenue increased by 50%and single concert ticket sales were up by 365%,according to theorchestra.She also created newprograms to servearea students, including “88 Keys &MePianoStudio,” “AfterSchool Strings” and “Symphony in the Schools.” Bakerwas the leader behind the orchestra’ssignature “Symphony in the Sky”event, which takes place annually on aLafayette rooftop venue.

Afterresearching theissue,however, he said he realized the state could potentially be in violation of ESSA if it went with anationally normed test, which is whyhechanged the bill’swording to have the board research all possible options.

Some education organizations have also called forthe statetoupdate or replace the current LEAP exam The Louisiana School Board Association, whichsupportsAbraham’s bill, pointedout in aMarchFacebookpost that national tests are muchshorter than what the LEAP requires, despite recent moves by the Education Department to shorten the number of questions on the English and math annual examsby20% The Louisiana Federation of Teachers, a state teachers’ union, hasalso criticized the LEAP exam,saying in apost on the organization’swebsite that there is no way to judge how accurately the test evaluates students.

Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Ronnie Morris said the board will seek outside help as it explores whether and how to replace the LEAP test.

“Wewant to have stakeholder input on thisprocess,” he said. “Wewanttoconsider whatother states are doing.”

Abraham’sbill also aimstoreduce the amount of testing Louisiana students undergo by requiring that assessments in social studies and science not be administered to more than four grade levels. It prohibitsschoolsfromgiving both tests to thesame gradesand would essentially codify newstate guidelinesthat say fourth- and sixth-grade students will no longer take an annual social studiesLEAP testbeginning in the 2027-28 school year

Email Elyse Carmosino at ecarmosino@theadvocate.com.

“I’msoproud of all that we’ve accomplished together —not just the milestones, but thedeep, meaningful workbehind them,” said Baker.“What made theseaccomplishmentspossible and meaningful was theprivilege of leading, working with,and learning from the extraordinary individuals who make up ASO’sincredible staff, musicians,boardand supporters. Each one has left their own mark on this organization,buildinga legacy of innovation, compassion and excellence that Iwas lucky to be part of.Iamprofoundly grateful to have been trusted to walk alongside them.” Email Joanna Brown at joanna.brown@ theadvocate.com.

Shaquinnta Scott discovered in abandoned building

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Shaquinnta Scott’sbodywas found in April at an abandoned apartment complex.

H Obituaries daughterofthe lateJoseph andAlida Pitre

Ex-users shareat drug court graduation

12 complete sobriety program

BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer

Scripture says adivine presence abideswhenever two or more believers gather in faith.

The spirit of salvation swept througha Baton Rouge courtroombrimming in the ministry of recovery Friday morning.

In aseason when schools and universities across Louisiana prepare lavish sendoffs for graduates, agroup of students from the school of hard knocks gathered with loved ones inside the 19th Judicial District Courthouse to celebrate adifferent milestone: enduring the grueling path to sobriety Twelve graduatescompleted the court’srigorous recovery court program, and their feat was celebrated during an emotional ceremony.The grads —cloaked in red caps, gowns and tassels —shared their struggles and stories of triumph inside acourtroom packed with family, friends, supportersand other drug court enrollees still going through theprogram. It was atestament to faith, love and redemption.

“Success is not final, and failure is not fatal,” District Judge Will Jorden, who presides over the program, told graduates. “Wheneveryou

ﬁnd out what your purpose is, that is ablessing. Whenever you’re able to give back to someone, even in the least, that is ablessing. And Iwant to congratulate each

and everyone of youand remind you do not get caught up in deﬁcit thinking —what Idon’thave, what Iwasn’t afforded, how somebody’s trying to get medown. Who cares?You’vegot to have the audacity to succeed anyway Youhave to look into the eyes of no and say,‘Why not?’”

The program, also known as drug court, is acornerstone on thecourt’s roster of specialty courts. Itwas unveiled more than20years ago as an intense treatment modeldesigned to teach substance abusersaccountability to freethemfromthe yoke of drug andalcoholaddiction.

Addicts arrested on nonviolent felony drug offenses have to plead guiltytotheir chargesbeforethey can enroll in recovery court. In exchange, theircases are dismissedfrom their records once they complete the program.

Drug courtisknown for its intense demands. Participants are often required to make weekly court appearances, undergo therapy sessions, perform hundredsof hoursofvolunteer work, and they aresubject to random screenings that can happen daily.The most emphasized demand isthat they remain drug and alcohol free.

When participants break that promise, or if they get arrested foranother crime, the presiding judge can issue sanctions thatinclude tossingtheminjailfor weeks or months.

LeeJarvis admittedthat he “gaveJordena runfor hismoney” earlyoninthe process. But whenprogram

coordinators got fedupand threatened to kick himout, the judge gave himanother chance and took increased interest in hiscase. During Friday’sceremony,Jarvis thanked Jorden for not giving up on him

“People have cars others don’twant that they treat as projects,”hesaid. “They work on them, ﬁx them up, putting allthe parts back in to see how everything comes together.That’show it felt. Like he saw something in me that was worth restoring.”

The ideaofpositive change through tough love and accountability was among the prevailing themes of Friday’sceremony

Lance Songy saidJorden’s words still ring in his head each day as areminder to “change your algorithm.”

He said he has grown as a person during his time in recovery,learning discipline, responsibility and the importance of showing up.

“Recovery court wasn’t easy for me,”Songy said. “I realized after four yearsof fighting this system that I wasn’tsupposed to be. Judge Jorden and the entire staff saw something in me that could be greater thanjust completing the program They sawmytruepotential, and they heldmeaccountable for everything in order to achieve that potential.”

Addiction breeds desperation,and it is in that hourof darkness that program coordinatorsoften encounterdefendants after they have lost everything, including their freedom.

Multiple graduates Friday admitted they originally saw

drug court as their last option and only enrolledtoescape prison time.They said they initiallyfelt no real incentive to give an earnest effort, buteventually realized the program offered them a chance at spiritual transformation by helping them get clean and sober

Mentors and program coordinators helped them pay rent, housed them when they were homeless,counseled them through relapses or when they lost loved ones.

Graduates basked in the fact that they have been able to restore broken relationships with familyand friends, and developed arenewed sense of purposeinhelping others break free from the grip of addiction.

TheRev.Alexis Anderson, alocal activist whoserves as therecovery court’s communitycoordinator, saidloved ones likethose on hand Friday will serve as angels of support in the graduates’ lifelong battle to stay clean. Butshe noted policymakers in public ofﬁce also need to play aroleto help.

“Recovery requires a holistic team. It requires adequate soilfor people to be able to believe and overcome barriers,”Anderson said. “That’swhy it’s with joy and gladness, every timewe have agraduation, that I’m able to come into this space and seethis room packed Because it means they’re telling their story.”

Email Matt Bruce at matt.bruce@theadvocate. com.

Singer carriesBrusly’shopes

John Foster has lifted community aftertragedy

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

The first publicplace

“American Idol” ﬁnalist John Foster ever performed was at Morley Marina in so-called “Back Brusly.” Forthe uninitiated, in Brusly,everything west of La. 1isconsidered Back Brusly

“When you cross the highway,you go to Front Brusly,” explained Morley Marina manager,Jeremy Prejean Prejean has known Foster since he was atoddler.They were neighbors for years. He remembersFoster’s ﬁrst performance at Morley’s well—and is quick to credit the young singer’srise to his uncle, Gaylen Martin. Prejean is not alone. Rick Bourgoyne and Blake Sarradet, both longtime employees at Foster’sfamily’s business, Benoit’sCountry Meat Block in Addis, also credit Martin for helping getFoster’s career offthe ground. So does his grandmother, Verbie Benoit. (John Foster’s legal last name is Benoit. He grew up using the double name “John Foster.”) Even so, Martin isn’tquick to take much of the credit, but he does acknowledge that he recognized early on that Foster,from Addis, had something special.

“I just startedteaching him some guitar chords and working with him alittlebit. He was areally fast learner,” Martin said. “Anytime I would teachhim something and tell him to go home and practice it, the next day or so, he’d have it ﬁgured out.” Martin has takentime off from his job as an outside sales person for awelding fabrication company to go with Foster to the “American Idol” audition in Nashville, then to Hawaii. On Friday night, he was packing his bags, getting ready to leave early Saturday morning for his second trip to Hollywood Martin, 55, married Foster’saunt —his father’ssister —and became part of the Benoit family

The lack of blood connection does not diminish the bond the two share.

On Wednesday night,

ball team wasplaying the third in aseries of games for the state championship.

Lemoine described this last week as “a carousel, a merry-go-round, aroller coaster” allinone.

The track team won state week before last. The softballteam went to the state finalslast weekend. On Sunday and Monday nights they are all glued to “American Idol.” On Wednesday, they hosted the John Foster “American Idol”pep rally, parade and concert.

Thursday was graduation.

EmilyLucille Miller Hendrixwas calledtoher heavenly home on May 9, 2025. Shewas born to Eugene Buckner Miller andOllie MayRiddlein1930 in Rago Kansas. After attending twelve different schools across thesouthernUnited States, she settled in Panhandle, Texas, where she lived forfiftyyears. In 1951, she married TheophilusRoy Hendrix anddevoted herlifetobeinga homemaker. Additionally, she served as adispatcherfor thecounty sheriff and worked at the Pantex plant for over twenty years. Shemoved to Lafayette, Louisiana, in 2000. An avid reader, she hada particular interest in American history. Additionally, she enjoyed interiordecorating, maintainingher home, and gardening, taking great pride in herTexas bluebonnets.

Sheissurvivedbyher daughter, Pamela Gale HendrixVaughn;her granddaughter, Amy LucilleVaughn; hergrandson, Troy LeeVaughn, and hiswife,AmieK.Hansel Vaughn;her great-grandchildren, JamesDavid Hedlund, Evelyn Lucille Vaughn,and Palmer DwayneVaughn;her sister, Shirlene Elmore; and numerousnieces and nephews.

Sheisprecededindeath by herhusband, heryoung son, Stanley Neal Hendrix, herparents, herstepfather,her threesisters, and herson-in-law

Shewas amember of CovenantGlobal Methodist Church in Lafayette, Louisiana.

Gravesideserviceswill be scheduled for alater date.

Memorial donations may be made to her church or to acharity of yourchoice

Nelson, Annie Lee Pitre

when Foster was back home to play his American Idol hometownhero concert, Martin was right thereby his side, on the stageplaying guitarashis nephew sang to thousands.

“That’sthe biggest crowd I’ve ever played for,” Martin said

When many people of the tight-knit communitieson thewestbank of the Mississippi River,just acrossfrom Baton Rouge, recognized Martin on stage, they were cheering himontoo.

Aimee Rabalais,secretary at Brusly High, wasamong those who took special joy in seeing Martin in thespotlight.

“I wassohappy Gaylen got to play with John Foster on stage Wednesday night,” Rabalais said. “Isaid, ‘Oh, I know hisheartmust be just swollen.’

It’sa shared performance that might not have happened.

Though Martin has performed throughoutthe region for more than 35 years, he took abreakfrom music three years ago after his brotherand musical partner diedofa heart attack.

“I got away from music for awhile, and John Foster brought me back,” Martin said.“So, I’m very grateful.”

That theme of going from sorrow to gratitude runs true on many levels for John Foster —and theAddis/Brusly community at large

Theschool has experienced more than its share of tragedy going back to the 2011 murder of Sylviane Finck Lozada, who taught at BruslyHigh. Inlessthan

anine-month span, three high school students died.

On Sept. 1, 2023, 15-year-old Ja’Kobe Queen wasshot and killed at the first football game of the season at Port AllenHigh. On Dec. 31, 2022, friendsand cheerleaders Maggie Dunn and Caroline Gill werekilledwhen an Addis police ofﬁcer ran ared light andcrashed intotheir vehicle.

“Over the last several years, the scale of emotion leaned heavy toward sorrow and tragedy,and then, along comes John Foster,” said Walt Lemoine, the muchloved and longtime principal at Brusly High.

Fosterwrotethe song, “Tell That Angel ILove Her, whichheperformed earlier this season on “American Idol,” about his friend Maggie.

Thetwo werecloseand even went to thehomecoming dance together. Foster spoke of her in his valedictorian speech, which hismom posted on social media and racked up more than 400,000 views—beforehebecame “American Idol” famous. Lemoine remembers the speech well.

“IfIlet youreaditonpaper,you’d think it was just like most any othervaledictorian speech, butthe way he delivered it —man, that little sucker won every speech competition he was ever in,” Lemoine said of Foster.“That guy just has it.”

On Saturday morning, Lemoine, like much of the rest of the Addis/Brusly community,was loading up hiscar to head to Sulphur wherethe Brusly Highbase-

On Saturday afternoon, Lemoinewas in Sulphur, with the rest of the Brusly faithful, cheering on thebaseball team. At 4p.m., in the bottom of the ﬁfth, Brusly wasdown by four runs. NorthDeSoto was up 7-3.

But in the stands and back home, the Brusly fans were keeping hope alive.

“It’salmostbeen likea dream,”Lemoine said. “Our valedictorianThursday night, ourﬁrstvaledictorian sinceJohn Foster, she just nailed it. The word sheused was‘chaos.’ Through the chaos comes the victory and learning how to weather the storm.”

Ultimately,the No. 1-ranked BruslyHighbaseball team lost to North DeSoto,7-3 —apainfulloss in a week of so much triumph.

But the team and the community have been down before. They know alot about bouncing back —and lifting one another up.

ForAddis,for Brusly,for thewholeWest Side, Foster isn’t just singing on anational stage or for the title “American Idol” —he’scarryingtheir story with him, note by note.

If you hold your earinthe right direction come Sunday night,chances are you’ll hear them singingright along with him —nomatter which side of the Mississippi River you’re standing on. The show airs from 7-10 p.m. Sunday nighton ABC. These local spots are hosting watch parties: Side Porch Daiquiri,6641 LA-1, Addis Morley’sMarina, 7675 Choctaw Road, Brusly Walk Ons, 437Oak Plaza Blvd., Brusly Rio Cantina, 400 W. St Francis St., Brusly Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com.

AnnieLee earneda

AnnieLee Nelson,medicaltechnologist, educator andartist, whoselonghistory with theUniversity of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson,MS, was marked by hersupport and devotion for highereducation,passed away peacefully at theage of ninetyfive, on May12, 2025, in Brandon, MS.A native of VillePlatte,LA, she is the

Bachelor of Science degree from Southwest Louisiana Institute andmedical technology trainingatCharity Hospital of NewOrleans.It wasduring herearly career as amedical technologist that she met herlate husband and life partner, Dr.Norman C. Nelson whom she marriedin Opelousas, LA, in 1955. They resided in New Orleans, LA; Houston,TX; San Francisco,CA; Fort Campbell, KY;and Boston, MA,prior to movingto Jackson,MS, in 1973, where Dr.Nelson served as Vice Chancellorfor Health Affairs at the University of Mississippi MedicalCenter (UMC) andDeanofthe University of Mississippi School of Medicine from 1973-1994. They were married for 61years. AnnieLee wasknown for hereducational work with thefirst computer systems at UMC. Shealso initiated the"Taste of UMC",a culinaryshowcase of thecultural diversity foundamongthe university's facultyand staff. This popular eventbecame a much-anticipatedannual affair. Shewas amember of Saint Paul Catholic Church in Flowood, MS,and an active member of several women's organizations including theUniversity Medical Center Women's Club, whichshe served as presidentthe Mississippi Artists' Guild. Arts and crafts were a constantinher life. Her talents were many and she embraced adiverse assortmentofcreative outlets such as sewing, quilting, pine needle sculptures andbaskets, stainedglass windows, and beaded and wire-wrapped jewelry. Creative projects were always in hand. She andher latehusbandwerealso keenlyfondofAmerican decorative arts. In addition to herhusbandand parents, Annie Leeispredeceasedbyher 12 siblings. Sheissurvived by herthree children, Norman C. Nelson,Jr. (RebeccaJohnson)of Macon, GA; Charles Edwin Nelson of Brandon,MS; andJennifer AnnNelson of NewOrleans,LA; three grandchildren, Meredith Lancaster (Jonathan) of Marietta,GA; Sarah Jacques (Armand) of New Orleans, LA; andJulia Buce (Trevor) of Statham, GA, as well as threegreat-grandchildren. Areception willbegiven in herhonor at the River Hills Country Club in Jackson,MS, on Sunday, May18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. Annie Lee's nephew, The Very Rev. John Pardue, V.F., will presideather Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, May19, 2025, at the Holy CrossCatholic Church in Lafayette, LA. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church.A Rosary will be prayed at 11:00 a.m. Intermentwill be at the Holy Mary Mother of God Cemetery in Lafayette, LA. View theobituaryand guestbook online at www.mourning.com Martin& CastilleSOUTHSIDE, 600 E. Farrel Road,Lafayette, Louisiana 70508, 337-984-2811

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

‘American Idol’ finalist John Foster performs ‘Don’t Rock the Jukebox’ on WednesdayatBayou PlaquemineWaterfront Park in Plaquemine

Hendrix, Emily Lucille

OPINION

OUR VIEWS

Abetterway to make La. fiscally sound Theon-again,

In one way at least, the Louisiana Legislature seems poised to apply the right lessons from earlier losses. After voters overwhelmingly defeated the 115-page constitutional Amendment 2inMarch, lawmakers arebreaking the key tax and fiscal proposals into bite-sized parts. This is as it always should have been. Voters deserve amenu of options to choose from when they mighthave an appetite for only some, but not all, of the offerings on the table. Especially when proposing to change the basic charter of the state’sgovernment, citizens should be able to weigh in on individualcomponents of the plan, so as to ensure that the final product truly representsthe public will. As individual pieces of legislation,two of those proposals merit strong consideration as they aim to make our state more fiscally sound. Lawmakers wisely have been moving those proposals toward passage in the current session. Althoughperhaps afew tweaks to the current forms of the bills still wouldbeadvisable, these suggested statutes are moving in the right direction —and, at the very least,should be presented to the votingpublic individually without being tied to so many other,unrelated ideas.

One that has some worrisome aspectsbut also offers great rewards is House Bill 473 by Rep. Julie Emerson, R-Carencro. It would take three separate educational trust funds out of the constitution and use themoney to retire a large portion of the debt owed by the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana, plus make permanent a$2,000 teacher pay raise —with tens of millions of dollarsper year leftover for other,presumably,educational purposes, rather than to make interest payments to banks.

Thetrade-offsare complicated, but Louisianans deserve the option to vote on them.

Asecond initiative —technically three bills, House Bill 366, by Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Hessmer,and House Bills 678 and 578byEmerson, which would work hand in hand —offers far more upside than downside. It wouldeliminate the state Revenue Stabilization Fund while using the money for amultitude of purposes, chief among them the effective elimination, for any parish that wishes to do so, of the largely counterproductiveinventory tax. It alsowould completely ﬁll up aseparate rainy-day fund and provide more money for the state’sgeneral spending fund and for small cuts in both income and sales taxes.

That initiativecould amount to afour-way win.

We aren’tashigh on resurrection of athird plank fromAmendment 2, namelywhat is now HB295, which wouldinstitute strict new spending limits on education, health care and prisons. Future legislatures, answering to their constituents, should have leeway to meet any newlydeveloped needs in those three key areas of state services, not be hamstrung by artiﬁcial limits. Either way,by movingtoward giving voters choices across the board, lawmakers this session are acting commendably.They shouldn’t let the momentumdissipate.

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

Never mind.

President Donald Trump’s145% tariffs on China ran smack into Stein’s law,the lateeconomist Herb Stein’s famousaxiom that “if something cannot go on forever,itwill stop.”

What was effectively an instant embargo on thebiggest importer into theUnited States wasn’t sustainable, and sure enough, it’snot going to be sustained.

The U.S. and China have mutually agreed toback off atitfor-tat trade war that quickly spiraled into territory that meantwanton economic destruction for bothsides.

The U.S.-China trade relationship wasn’tbuilt in aday,and it couldn’t plausibly be ended over afew days via presidential TruthSocial posts, either

During a90-day pause, theU.S. is takingits tariffs down from 145% to 30%, while China is dropping from 125% to 10%.

The problem with tariffs is that they are away of harming aforeign trade partner via imposing pain on your own businesses and consumers.

Small businesses were looking at potential extinction and retailers warning of empty storeshelves.

We’ve imposed embargoes on foreign countries before —for instance, theso-called ABCD encirclement that cut Japan off from raw materials during the early stages of World WarII. But we were abouttogotowar with Imperial Japan, whereas one hopes we won’tbeengaged in active hostilities with China any time soon.

While marketsare relieved that the 145% tariffs are off for now,wearen’t in agreat place. A30% tariff on China, plus theother tariffs that are in play

around the globe, mean we still have lurched into thehighest U.S. tariffregimesince the 1930s.

An on-again-off-again-on-again approach forces U.S. economic actors to deal withwildly gyrating uncertainty for no good reason. Who knows what will happen in 90 days? The Soviet Union wasgoverned by Five-Year Plans; now,weare governed by 90-Day Pauses.

Trumpprides himselfonhis dealmaking, but he hasn’tgotten anything from theU.K. or China that he couldn’t have achieved withmuch less disruption

We could have gotten an outline of a trade deal with the Brits by working with them behind closed doors, and we could have gotten a30% tariff on China by imposing oneatthe outset, rather than 145%.

There is no doubt that China is a

Coverage decisionsoften

When readers question why certain stories get coverage and others don’t, there’soften theimplication that these decisions are madewith some intention by the newspaper to endorse some activities or pointsofview and sideline others.

Butoften, many other factors come into play Sometimes, it’ssimply that we weren’taware of an event takingplace. At other times, there may be so much going on that we may not have theresources to be everywhere at once. Andyes, many times we are exercising news judgmentindeciding what deserves more attention. Andthen there are theinterestsof our readers to consider.Newspapers trytoappeal to awide audience. So, events that are passionately followed by asmall, niche group may not get the coverage some feel they deserve.

hostile power and bad economic actor, and we should be putting our relationship on adifferent basis. The risk is that Trumphas, by tarifﬁng everyone, friend or foe, madeitharder forusto deepen relationships with our allies and isolate our adversary As Robert Atkinson of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation points out, the current tack will also hamper the moststrategically important, technologically advanced U.S. ﬁrmsthat are all globally integrated. The Trumptariffs will increase their costs by making imported inputs more expensive, while limiting their foreign markets by inviting foreign retaliation forTrump’stariffs. This is not awinning formula, and if China gets an upper hand as aresult, there will be no easy do-over Rich Lowry is on X, @RichLowry

This happens especially in sports. Fanswho rabidly cheer forateam often demand that we cover it more. When we can, we do try to add resources tocover moreof what interests you. Ialways appreciate letters from readers asking whywe don’tcover acertain topic more, andwealways forward them to the appropriate editor It makes us think about our priorities and adjust when we can. Butunfortunately,there’snot always an easy answer to whyacertain event didn’tget coverage. As with much in life, it’scomplicated.

Going to our letters inbox, in the week of April 17-24,wereceived 82 letters. Outside of national politics, the biggest topic was Louisiana’sinsurance crisis and what the Legislature is doing to address it. We received ﬁve letters on that topic. Next, we received four letters on thedeath of Pope Fran-

cis and the selection of anew pope. And lastly,wereceived four letters on environmental issues. For the week of April 24 to May 1, we received 77 letters, with immigration atop issue. We received ﬁve letters on issues from immigration policy to the detention centers in Louisiana. A second topic also prompted ﬁve letters, and that was insurance. We received three letters on the topic of education and three on the warinUkraine. Lastly,areminder that we are still accepting letters forour Town Square feature. The question we are asking you to write about is: How important is your faith to your daily life, and what role, if any,should it play in public life? Send your responses to letters@ theadvocate.com.Wewill publish aselection in an upcoming edition.

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

Arnessa Garrett

Rich Lowry

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILEPHOTO Machines load containers at ashipping terminal in Shanghai, China.

COMMENTARY

La.embroidersa cultural quiltofmanycolors

Apologies if this columnseems like awritten version of acollage, butplease give it achance tocohere. When earlier this spring Iwrote that musicians and restaurateurs are two groups that, more than any other, deﬁne Louisiana for the world, afriend suggestedI also look into our “[visual] art scene and its international impact.” The friend was right about the thriving art scene —but as I looked into that,itled to another potential story,and then others, ranging fromart to Katrinarecoverytoneighborhood revitalization to an industrial controversy and back to food and music. So, just about everything Iwill mention deservesastory of its own, but the resulting weaveof all theelements creates apaean to the astonishing vibrancy of Louisiana’ssocio-cultural landscape.This place is amiracle. I’ll start with the Ferrara Showman Gallery on Julia Street. The internationalscope of its programs in the past 27 years was arevelation to me. The back-

ground offounder Jonathan Ferrara —the fascinating struggles andrisks he embraced to create today’s thriving gallery —isitself worth amajor feature story,asis the peripatetic journey of gallery co-owner Matthew Showman.

Thegallery’simmediate interest, though, is in kickingoff what surely will be astatewide spate of 20th anniversary remembrances of Hurricane Katrina.

Thegallery’sKatrina remembrance comes in two parts. One of its currentfeatured exhibitions, through May 31, is of worksbymixed-media artist GinaPhillips, who came to New Orleansinthe 1990s by way of Kentucky. She earnednational acclaim after returning post-Katrina to theLower 9th Ward/Holy Cross neighborhood and securing a“long-armquilting machine” to create textile works of surpassing beauty.

If you imagine what schoolchildren know as “collages” (there’s that word again) being turned into truly ﬁne art,that mightbehow laymen would describe Phillips’

colorful productions. Livingnot far from what was themusician’s house, Phillipsﬁrst gained poststorm acclaim for her Fats Domino Series of fabric paintings. Domino played ahuge role as well in the work of Paul Villinski, who began crafting vinyl butterﬂies from ruined LP records he found post-Katrina right down thestreet from Domino’shouse. Villinski’swork will be featured at Ferrara Showman in August, concurrent with the Katrina anniversary— and he’ll also do an installation at aNew Orleans public school, all part of what Ferrara calls “the abilityfor visual art to showcase theresilience and transformation of New Orleans.”

That leads back to Phillips: In thevery week her new exhibit opened at Ferrara Showman, she featured prominently in avery large story in the London-based Guardian by New Orleansessayist Jason Berry.Berry’sthesis begins withanassertionthat the Lower Ninth has becomeanartscentered “renaissance district” post-Katrina, withPhillips as one of its guiding lights. That renaissance, Berry posits, is now at risk

because of amajor grain terminal being builtnearby

Well, the grain terminal is a subject for another day; but when Iasked Phillips about Berry’sdepiction of avibrantly artistic community, sheagreed but noted that both sides of the Industrial Canal, including the Bywater district oppositeher Holy Cross neighborhood, are flourishing. Fascinated, Imade apilgrimage that night to the wonderful Mazant Street barbecue haven called The Joint (it suffered afire just three days later,but should open again in several weeks), followed by ajaunt four blocks away to B.J.’sLounge. There, first the terrific musical fusionist Sunpie, playing in the backyard patio, and then the Deslondes, playing indoors, entertained an enthusiastic crowd of ages ranging from about 21 to 81.

Ihad neverheard of the Deslondes, but Phillips said on the phone that they feature asound distinctive to groups from that section of town. She described it as “country soul.” Ididn’tknow what she meant. Sure enough, though, theyplayed music somehow seem-

ing to fuse —oh, maybe Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers and Johnny Cash. It was revelatory All of this —the art, music, food and renaissance —tumbled for me into asingle two-day span. This is how Louisiana rolls. I harken back to the closing stretch of the 2014 Senate race. On one day,Republican Bill Cassidy campaigned at the Lamar-Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, among empty livestock stalls, as another pavilion featured afestive native-American gathering that then-Sen. David Vitter called a“powwow.”The sameday,an Opelousas event forDemocrat Mary Landrieu featured ﬁrst a soul band and then an infectious zydeco outﬁt while couples joyfully danced as if it were afais do-do.

This multi-faceted ebullience is what makes Louisianans special. And if you ﬁnd yourself pulled in too manydirections at once, as this column has been, well, just go with it. That’show Louisianans weave the fabric of our lives. Quin Hillyer can be reached at quin.hillyer@theadvocate.com.

FEMA in upheavel aheadofhurricane season

As Louisiana stares down yet another hurricane season starting in two short weeks, here’sa statusupdatethat’sdeﬁnitely not going to ease local concerns: “FEMA is not ready.”

ished,the resourcesand cooperation are not there,… (The) intent cannot be wind down and be ready to support (the)nation in a major response.”

That chilling assessmentdidn’t come from some drive-by observer

It’sthe conclusion of FEMA’s own internal agency review,obtained by CNN. The document, prepared for new acting Administrator David Richardson, doesn’tjust point to longstanding problems within the disaster response agency; it also offers aglimpse into this chaotic moment within the federal government, as the second Trump administration’ssignature cut-ﬁrst-ask-questions-later m.o. ﬁlters down through an agency whose very future existence has been called into question by those in charge.

Afew alarming lines reported by the news network:

n “As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood.”

n “If an organization hears it should be eliminated or abol-

n Mosthurricane preparations have “been derailed this year due to other activities like stafﬁng andcontracts.”

Add to thatthe same haphazard staff downsizing that has been happening across government agencies; the sudden termination of Richardson’s predecessor after he told Congress he didnot believe FEMA should be eliminated; and several anecdotal instances of even red states that have struggled to getexpected reimbursements following extremeweather,and the state of play ahead of June 1ishardly reassuring.

For his part,Richardson insists that thefact of the review itself is evidencethat things are workingasthey shouldbe.

“The slide (quoted by CNN) was used during adaily meeting Acting Administrator David Richardson hasheld everyday titledHurricane Readiness Complex Problem Solving. In other words, exactly whatthe head of an emergency management agency should be doing before Hurricane Season,” aspokesper-

son for theDepartment of Homeland, whereFEMA is housed, told CNN. “FEMA is fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.”

Well, let’shopeso.

But the dynamics described in the report are very real, and coming straight fromthe top. President Donald Trump hastalked of either overhauling FEMA or getting rid of it andpassing its functions on to states, which have widely varying resources and are

already hard-pressed during major emergencies Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem saidina March cabinetmeeting that “weare going to eliminate FEMA,” although she more recentlyhas talkedof reorienting it.U.S.Rep.ClayHiggins, R-Lafayette, who represents avulnerable coastal district, has introduced legislation to eliminate the agency andprovide federal block grants to states struck by disaster There’s also plentyofpushback, andnot just from theusual sources. Louisiana’s Republican U.S. Sen. JohnKennedy,who rarely strays from theTrump line,has introduced bipartisan legislation to improveFEMA’s operations.

“FEMA can’t go away,” Kennedy said earlythis year.“Ithink the ﬁrst job of thefederal government is to protect people and property.”

Former DemocraticGov.John Bel Edwards,asked at arecent public eventinLakeCharles,offered asimilarpoint of view. Edwards, who noted that 23 major federal disasterswere declaredonhis eight-year watch, said the idea of heading into something like amajor hurricane without “afederal partner lean-

ing intothatwithyou beforehand, andonthe ground withyou in a robustway immediatelyafter is very,very troubling to me.”

Letting states fend forthemselves, he said, is “in my estimation notgoing to endwellfor the large,complexdisasters.”

While Edwards voiced concern thatthe administrationinWashingtonhas alreadymadeits decision, he did allowthathewas encouragedtosee his former chief of staff Mark Cooper named to Trump’sFEMA Review Council. We should be,too. Unlike so many in this conversation,Cooper, who also oversawemergency preparedness forRepublican Gov.Bobby Jindal, hasbipartisan trust andexperience on thelocal levelboth in Louisiana and in California,aswellaswith theprivate suppliersector with Walmart. Hopefully,the politicianswho make up abouthalfthe council, which is co-chaired by Noem, will listen to his on-theground insights. Thatmight be atallorder fora crowd that considers traditional government expertise suspect. Butmaybe they could keep their minds open,justthis once.

Email Stephanie Graceat sgrace@theadvocate.com.

Lake Charles’ firstelected Blackmayor isn’taDemocrat

Come July,MarshallSimien will be mayor of one of Louisiana’s largest cities. His journey from Lake Charles as achild to college to law school to asuccessful career as an attorney and areturn to the place where he was birthed ushered him into community and public service. Now,he’smaking history Simien is not the ﬁrstBlack mayor of Lake Charles. Theﬁrst was Lake Charles District C Council member Rodney Geyen, who served as the city’s27th mayor for 41/2 months. The 28th mayor was Randy Roach Abunch of Democrats and aRepublican ran to replace Roach in 2017. Simien, then aDemocrat, was acandidate. Republican Nic Hunterwon the election, serving as the29th mayorsince. Simien missed facingoff with Hunter in arunoff by 100 votes. This time, Simien got aclean shot at Hunter in arunoff —and won by 654 votes earlier this month

When Simien is swornin, he’ll be thecity’sﬁrst Black elected mayor Louisiana communityand political activist Gary Chambers watched the Lake Charles election with great interest. “They gave themayor an opportunity, andthey’re going to give this brother achance,” he told me Thursday. Chambers said this election is another example why every vote counts, particularly every Black vote. The Lake Charles vote isn’tcomplicated; it’sjust split. There were 22,000 White voterseligible to cast ballots and21,116 eligible Black voters. That’s 48% White voters and 46% Black voters, with 6% of voters of other racial identiﬁcations. Lake Charles is aDemocratic city by voters’ partyregistration, butthe city sits in Calcasieu Parish, which overwhelmingly voted for Donald Trumpin2016 and2024.

trict has moreBlack voters. Now, four of theseven city council districts arerepresented by Black members.

Simien was one of those representatives, elected to represent predominantly Black North Lake Charles, downtown and the lakefront in District Afor two terms,startingin2005.

Simien was born in LakeCharles Charity Hospital and reared on North Adams Street in thecity’sGoosportneighborhood. The hospital is now Moss Memorial HealthClinic.

Agraduateofthe old Washington High School, Simien started his college education at what was then the University of Southwestern Louisiana, now the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and ﬁnished at McNeese StateUniversity Likesomany young people, Simien didn’tstay home.

In recentdecades, three of the seven city council members represented majority Black districts. With more White residents movingoutsideof thecityinrecent years, afourthcity council dis-

Right out of college, Simien worked at Marathon Oil in Houston before attending and graduating from the Louisiana State University law school. Fresh out of law school, he did aclerkship in Orleans Civil District Court

with ajudgewho would become aLouisiana SupremeCourt chief justice —Bernette Johnson. Simien had asuccessful career with New Orleans’ Middleberg, Riddle &Gianna law ﬁrm,practicinginthe litigation division. In law school, he said he knew he wanted to “practice law,litigate and make money.” And he did.

While at the law ﬁrm and living in Mandeville, he got active in politics, working on Johnson’s 1994 Louisiana SupremeCourt and Marc Morial’s1994 mayoral campaign. He caught the political and public service bug.

When his dad becamefrail back home, he, his wife, a3-year-old son and a3-week-old son moved to be close to his dad.

He started the Simien Law Firm. His public service turned from helping others achieve their political goalstohelping his home city

Simien was on the Lake Charles BoardofZoning Adjustment, president of theLake Charles Facilities Corporation and the Board of Commissioners of the Lake Charles Harbor &Terminal District, thegroup that oversees the PortofLake Charles. He ran for city council and won. Twice.

Alifelong Democrat, Simien decided to makeanother run for mayor,this timeasanIndependent. “People want to get to the sameplace with different philosophies about how to get there,” he explained. “The two-party system hasn’tworked foralot of people. My real party is southwestern Louisiana.”

The truth is that the parish and the city are so Republican red that someRepublican, conservative Democratic, Independent or no party voters couldn’tvote for aDemocrat. Simien got enough of those votes to push him over the top.

Johnson has mentored many young attorneys. “I’m truly excited,” she said. “I’ve got judges and prominent attorneys, but Marshall is my ﬁrst mayor.” Geyen, Chambers, Johnson and others are counting on Simien to be successful, bringing Lake Charles back from Hurricanes Rita and Laura.

He can liftresidents’ spirits, give them hope. Soon it’ll be his timetoprove the voters were right.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

Will Sutton

Stephanie Grace

Quin Hillyer

AP PHOTO By MARK SCHIEFELBEIN Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noem

Simien

Saints to sink or swim with oneof most inexperiencedquarterback roomsever

Derek Carr is retired. JameisWinston is aNew York Giant. And Drew Brees isn’twalking through that door

TheNew Orleans Saints are going to sink or swim this season withtheir trioofyoung quarterbacks.Ready or not, here come TylerShough, Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener

The Dat Pack is not justthe mostinexperienced and unproven quarterbackroom in theNFL.It’sthe mostinexperienced and unprovenquarterback room in Saints history

Combined, they have played in 15 games and thrown ﬁve touchdown passes and six interceptions. None of them has won asingle NFL start

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSUsoftball survives ﬁrst elimination game vs. UConn

BY JIM KLEINPETER

Contributing writer

LSU has yet to put on its best face in the NCAA BatonRouge regional but survived elimination by pullingout a3-0 victory against No. 3-seeded Connecticut behind the pitching of ace Sydney Berzon.

BATONROUGE REGIONAL

LSU-Southeastern Louisiana ended afterthisedition went to press. For complete game coverage,visit theadvocate.com

TheTigerswerescheduledtohave a rematch withNo. 4-seeded Southeastern Louisiana later Saturday in another eliminationgamefor aberth in Sunday’schampionship round against No. 2-seeded Nebraska. Southeastern beat LSU, 4-3, in Friday’sopener Nebraska beat Southeastern in the winner’s bracket 14-1 earlier Saturday Berzon (18-7) pitched afive-hitter for her sixth shutout this season and 13th of her career.She struck out fiveand walked only twowhile inducing nine ground-ball outs. Twoofthose were turned into double plays, including the game-ending sequence when shortstop Avery Hodge fielded ahard grounder, stepped on second and threw to first while in the air to end the game. TheLSU defense wasstrong, also turning a4-6-3 double play in the first inning when Berzon put the Huskies first two batters on base. LSU (42-15) had nine hits and five walks but struggled to comeupwiththe big hit,

ä See SOFTBALL, page 3C

Thisiswhere theSaintsﬁnd themselves after Carr’ssurprising retirement: With six NFL starts, Rattler is the most experienced passer on the roster. At 26 years oldand entering his thirdseason, Haener is the oldest and longest-tenured.

And Shough, the No. 40 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is thehighestpaid and most likely to start theseason opener against the ArizonaCardinals on Sept. 7. In terms of experience and pedigree, it’safar cry from afew years

ago, when the future HallofFamer Brees started, and veteran backups Winston andTeddy Bridgewater were behind him. No one really knows what to expect.Saints head coach Kellen Moore saidall three playerswill competefor the job, but Shough and Rattler are expected to receive the bulk of the first-team reps once full-team, on-field drills start this offseason. He saidteam officialswill not rush intoadecision and will be patientbefore identifying astarter, meaning thecompetition likely will extend well into the preseason schedule in mid-August.

“(Carr’sretirement) will provide some of thoseyounger quarterbacks a

LSUpitcher SydneyBerzon delivers apitch against UConn in the bottom of the first inning of theirNCAA Baton Rougeregional game on Saturday at TigerPark

COLUMBIA, S.C. LSU had alot on theline Saturday afternoon at Founders Park

Awin would more than likely clinch atopeightseed in theNCAA Tournament. Avictory also would lock in atop-four seed in the SEC Tournament next week.

Inthe ﬁnal regular-season game of the year, Saturday’sresult would play amajor role in the Tigers’ postseason outlook. It wasn’t always pretty,but LSU took care of business against South Carolina,earning a 7-3 win to take the seriesand fortifyits postseasonposition. With Saturday’swin, LSU will be the No. 3 seed in the SEC Tournamentand play Friday The LSU bats started slow again Saturday, failing to score in the ﬁrst threeinnings until juniorJared Jones hit asolohomerun in the fourthtotie the score1-1.

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

Through six innings, the UL bats looked as ﬂat as they had all weekend against Arkansas State. Thencame an oasis in the desert for the Ragin’ Cajuns in the bottom of the seventh

Aseven-run explosion allowed UL to capture amuch-needed

ä See DUNCAN, page 3C

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

Tyler Shough

Spencer Rattler

Jake Haener

Jeff Duncan

BOMBS AWAY

Hidalgo’s drive helps CHNI send Jordan out a champion

BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer

SULPHUR Sure, Catholic High of New Iberia baseball coach David Jordan was thrilled about the sacriﬁce ﬂy from Cohen Evans in the top of the eighth inning that put the Panthers ahead 4-3 against University High.

But with runners at first and third and two outs and J.D. Hidalgo up to bat, Jordan admittedly wanted more.

Boy, did Hidalgo supply it

Hidalgo blasted a three-run homer off of the scoreboard in left-center field to put the Panthers ahead 7-3 en route to Catholic High winning the Division III select state championship over the Cubs 7-4

“I was looking for more from him than just a single,” Jordan said of Hidalgo. “His previous atbat, he ﬂied out to ﬁrst base and the at-bat before that he struck out. So, I was pretty excited about him being up, because I knew he was due.”

Hidalgo said he doesn’t remember much about the at-bat

“It’s one of those situations where you kind of zone out,” Hidalgo said. “I don’t even remember the hit It was a first pitch fastball, and I wasn’t even trying to hit a home run I was just trying to do something that extended the inning.”

Hidalgo, who finished 2 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs, two stolen bases and a run scored, was

Catholic High

New

on home

hitting a three-run home run against University High

the Division III select championship game Saturday in Sulphur

named the Most Outstanding Player for the series.

“If J.D. is not the most clutch player I have ever coached, I don’t know who is,” Jordan said. “And I’ve coached some pretty good ones in my career He’s a tough competitor He’s unbelievable

Just a ﬁerce competitor.”

Hidalgo was “grateful” to win the honor

“I didn’t come here looking to be the state ﬁnals MVP,” Hidalgo

said. “I came here to win the state championship for Catholic High baseball. I’m grateful to win it, and it is something that is awesome to go out on.”

The Panthers (26-12) were playing in the state finals for the first time since 2014. It’s the program’s first baseball state championship since 2001.

“I’m just kind of numb,” said Jordan, who is ending his 34year coaching career with the

victory “It just hasn’t sunk in yet that we have won a state championship. I’m so proud of these kids.”

Jace Ruskoski was the winning pitcher for the Panthers after he relieved starter Luke Hewitt (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 8 BB, 3 K) to start the sixth inning. Ruskoski allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk while striking out one.

“We were pretty concerned after the 45-pitch first inning,” Jordan said of Hewitt. “But Luke settled down and went on to give us another strong four innings.

“Jace did what you want a reliever to do, and that’s throw strikes. He got some big outs.”

When Ruskoski got in trouble by loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning, Owen Morris picked him up.

Morris relieve him and got the ﬁrst batter he faced to ground into a ﬁelder’s choice at second for the second out, although a run scored to cut the Panthers’ lead to 7-4. Morris struck out the next batter to end the game.

In addition to Hidalgo, the Panthers’ top hitters were Eric Fenske, Evans and Maddox Nacol. Fenske went 2 for 3 with an RBI; Evans was 1 for 4 with two RBIs; and Nacol was 1 for 4 with an RBI.

The Cubs (28-11) were in the ﬁnals for the second consecutive season after winning the Division III select state championship last year

“I’m so proud to be the head coach of this baseball team,” Jordan said. “I can’t recall being around a group of guys who deserve this more.”

Journalism squeezes out Preakness victory

BY STEPHEN WHYNO AP sports writer

BALTIMORE Journalism jostled with horses down the stretch, burst through after the contact and came from behind to win the 150th running of the Preakness Stakes on Saturday

The odds-on favorite was bumped by Goal Oriented near the quarter pole, and it looked like another second-place finish was coming two weeks after being the runner-up to Sovereignty in the Kentucky Derby Journalism instead ran right by Gosger to give trainer Michael McCarthy his second win in a Triple Crown race.

“A lot of bouncing around

there,” McCarthy said. “When I saw that, I kind of resigned myself to the fact it was another fantastic effort and maybe come up a little bit short. But it just goes to show the testament that this horse has. Couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Gosger was second by a halflength. Sandman was third, and Bob Baffert-trained Goal Oriented fourth. Journalism went 1 3/16 miles in 1:55.37. Umberto Rispoli became the ﬁrst jockey from Italy to win any of the Triple Crown races.

“When I crossed the wire, the ﬁrst things that comes up to my mind, it’s all of the 20 years of my career that pass in front of me,”

Rispoli said “I had to wait so long

singles from freshman Derek Curiel and sophomore Steven Milam, respectively Junior right-hander Anthony

to be on a champion like that.”

Journalism handled the adversity and thrived on a warm day that dried out the track after torrential rain fell at Pimlico Race Course for much of the past week Those conditions suited him better than the slop at Churchill Downs in the Derby He paid $4 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show

“He’s a remarkable horse,” Baffert said of Journalism. “I wanted to be on the lead and was behind horses. I knew (Goal Oriented) was intimidated. He’s never run that way He ran well, but he’s still too green for that.”

Sovereignty did not take part after his owners and trainer Bill Mott decided to skip the Preak-

ness, citing the two-week turnaround, and aimed for the Belmont on June 7. That made this a ﬁfth time in seven years that the Preakness, for various reasons, was contested without a Triple Crown bid at stake.

But Journalism staked his claim for 3-year-old horse of the year by winning the $2 million American classic race run at the old Pimlico Race Course for the last time before it’s torn down and rebuilt. Journalism added a memorable chapter by squeezing through the space he had to win. I still can’t realize what this horse did,” Rispoli said. “It’s all about him. It’s a pleasure and privilege to ride a horse like him.”

Scheffler goes on late run for three-shot lead

A PGA Championship missing star power got the best in golf Saturday when Scottie Schefﬂer delivered a clinic over the closing stretch at Quail Hollow for a 6-under 65 and a three-shot lead going into the ﬁnal round.

Schefﬂer started his big run with a 3-wood to just inside 3 feet on the reachable par-4 14th for an eagle, causing so much hysteria that Bryson DeChambeau had to back off his putt across the lake at the 17th.

It ended with an 8-iron from the seam of a divot to just inside 10 feet for birdie on the 18th, creating even more space between Scheffler and Alex Noren, who had a 66 and gets his ﬁrst shot in a ﬁnal group.

Struggling Orioles fire manager Hyde red manager Brandon Hyde on Saturday after a dismal start to the season by a team coming off two consecutive playoff appearances. The Orioles were 15-28 and in last place in the AL East after a loss to Washington on Friday night. Hyde guided the team through an extensive rebuild and won manager of the year honors in 2023, but Baltimore’s performance slipped noticeably during the second half of last year Third-base coach Tony Mansolino will serve as interim manager The Orioles also ﬁred major league ﬁeld coordinator/ catching instructor Tim Cossins. Hyde was in his seventh season. He endured seasons of 108 and 110 losses early on, but by 2023, the Orioles won the AL East with 101 victories.

Nuggets forward Gordon game-time decision Sunday

The Denver Nuggets went through a walkthrough practice session Saturday with Aaron Gordon. They went over the game plan as if Gordon was an integral part of it. Now, they wait. The high-ﬂying forward will be a game-time decision because of a strained left hamstring as the Nuggets prepare to face the topseeded Thunder in Oklahoma City on Sunday in Game 7.

Nuggets interim coach David Adelman didn’t know the grade of Gordon’s strain. He said that Gordon was acting just like himself at practice.

“He’s always the same. Aaron kind of saunters around with his West Coast style,” Adelman said “So you wouldn’t know if he was hurt or not.”

Paolini takes down Gauff to win home tournament

ROME Jasmine Paolini got the party started at the Foro Italico. And now the stage is set for Jannik Sinner Paolini took advantage of the crowd’s support and beat Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 to become the first home player to win the Italian Open in 40 years Saturday With the top-ranked Sinner to play Carlos Alcaraz in the men’s final Sunday, Italy could earn its first sweep of the Rome singles titles.

The last Italian woman to win the open was Raffaella Reggi in 1985 in Taranto. The last local man to raise the trophy was Adriano Panatta in 1976.

“I came here as a kid to see this tournament but winning it wasn’t even in my dreams,” Paolini said.

The Tigers then scored three runs in the ﬁfth inning. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Jones grounded into a double play that let a run score before junior Daniel Dickinson blasted a tworun homer — his 10th of the year to give LSU a 4-2 lead

After stranding two runners in scoring position with nobody out in the sixth inning, LSU’s home run spree continued into the seventh when sophomore Jake Brown cracked his seventh long ball of the year to stretch the Tigers’ advantage to three runs. The Tigers (42-13, 19-11 SEC) tacked on single runs in the eighth and ninth on two-out, run-scoring

Eyanson started for LSU. After allowing just one earned run in his last 15 innings, the UC San Diego transfer surrendered two earned runs in seven innings against the Gamecocks (28-28, 6-24). He walked three batters and had just ﬁve strikeouts. He gave up a run-scoring double in the second inning before freshman Beau Hollins blasted a solo home run in the fourth that handed South Carolina a 2-1 lead. Hollins’ homer was just the fourth long bomb Eyanson has allowed this year

Eyanson ran into more trouble in the sixth inning, but like he has on numerous occasions this season, he got out of it unscathed. With run-

ners on the corners and one out, he forced a double play to end the inning and maintain LSU’s 4-2 lead. Freshman right-hander Mavrick Rizy replaced Eyanson in the eighth inning and forced a groundout before exiting for freshman left-hander Cooper Williams. He recorded two outs to get out of the inning, but he also surrendered a solo home run that cut LSU’s lead to 6-3. Williams got a second strikeout to start the ninth but then was replaced by redshirt sophomore Chase Shores, who walked a batter but retired the other two he faced to end the game. LSU’s next game will be at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Alabama.

Email Koki Riley at Koki

Ex-WR Antonio Brown involved in Miami scuffle

Dozens of videos surfaced on social media early Saturday showing what appeared to be ex-football star Antonio Brown involved in a scufﬂe with several men after a Friday night event in Miami.

In a post on X, Brown said that he “was jumped by multiple individuals who tried to steal my jewelry and cause physical harm to me.” According to Brown, he was brieﬂy detained by police but released when ofﬁcers “received my side of the story.”

Growing social media inﬂuencer Adin Ross held a boxing event at a Miami warehouse Friday night. After the event, video shows several men ﬁghting with Brown in what commenters said was an attempted robbery of Brown.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU first baseman Jared Jones blocks a ball during a hard Arkansas hit on May 11 at Alex Box Stadium.

PHOTO By KIRK MECHE

Iberia’s J.D Hidalgo steps

plate after

during

SOFTBALL

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stranding 14 base runners after leaving nine on in the Friday losstoSoutheastern. UConn ﬁnished the season 35-19

The Tigers loaded the bases with nobody out in each of the first twoinnings but could squeeze only three runs out of it.Tori Edwards walked to forceina run in thefirst inning, but the next three hitters popped out, struck out and flied out, respectively UConn replaced starting pitcherPaytonKinney after abases-loaded force out at the plate in the second inning, but Maci Bergeron walked to forceinarun, and Edwards drove aflyball to deep center to score another LSU loaded the bases again in the sixth with one out, but McKenzie Redoutey’sfly ball out turned into adouble play when left

NCAA Baton Rougeregional Friday’s games Game 1-Nebraska10, UConn 2 Game 2-SELouisiana 4, LSU 3 Saturday’s games Game 3-Nebraska14, SE Louisiana 1, 5innings Game 4-LSU 3, UConn 0 Game 5-SELouisiana vs.LSU,n Sunday’s games Game 6-Nebraskavs. Game 5winner,2p.m. x-Game 7-Game 6opponents, 4:30 p.m.

ﬁelderLexi Hastings threw Jalia Lassiter out at home. Another bases-loaded situation ended on aline drive to Hastings by Lassiter to endthe seventh. Nebraska 14,SLU 1

The Cornhuskers made it two consecutive mercy-rulewins to vault into the championship game after hitting four home runs Saturday.Hannah Camenzind hit athreerun blast in the ﬁrst inning, and AvaKuszak hitagrand slam in aseven-run third. Jody Bahl also homered, her third dinger of the regional.

LSU shortstop AveryHodgeleaps over UConn outﬁelder Kaitlyn Kibling while turning the game-endingdoubleplayduring the Baton Rougeregional on SaturdayatTiger Park. LSU movedontoplaySoutheasternLouisiana.

DUNCAN

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chance to get ready from arep standpoint andanopportunity standpointand obviously those guys willbereadyand ﬁred up for (the opportunity),” Moore said If no one seizes the day or theSaints don’tlike what they see, team ofﬁcials will consider signing aveteran quarterbackto join the competition. But at this stageof thegame, theoptions are limited.

The late resolution of the Carr situation left the Saints stuck in No Quarterbacks Land. The Saints probably would have been interestedinadding someone suchas Daniel Jones, Jimmy Garoppolo or Jacoby Brissett if they had known sooner about Carr’sunavailability Now,the free agent quarterback market is barren. Carson Wentz, Tyler Huntley andCase Keenum don’toffer much of an upgrade and hardly move theneedle.The lone free agent QB with star power,Aaron Rodgers, is not under consideration,according to sources, which makes sense for ateamwith aﬁrst-time, 36-year-old head coach.

The Saints’ best option mightbetowait out the competitions in Clevelandand New York to see whether abetter option such as Winston, Kenny Pickett or Joe Flacco materializes viatrade.

But make no mistake, that’s Plan B, a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency contingencysituation.

Plan Aistoride with the Dat Pack.

The success of rookie quarterbacks Jayden Danielsand Bo Nix last season gives reason for optimism. Bothled their teams to the playoffs in Year 1. But they were supported byveteran

teammates in thequarterback room

What the Saintsare attempting to do is rare. Extremely rare. Through staff research, we were able to ﬁndonly two other instances where ateam entered the season with so little experience and pedigree at thequarterback position.

The1993 Seattle Seahawks —who, coincidentally, Saintsgeneral manager Mickey Loomiswas apart of —featured aquarterback room of rookie Rick Mirer,Dan McGwire (1-1 career record) and Stan Gelbaugh (0-11). That team ﬁnished 6-10.

TheCarolina Panthers entered the 2001 season with 29-year-old rookie Chris Weinke and unproven young veterans Matt Lytle andDameyune Craig. The Panthers went 1-15.

Dubious company,for sure.

The situation exacerbates an already challenging rookie season for Moore.

No ﬁrst-year Saints head coach has ever faced more difﬁcult circumstances from aquarterback standpoint.Jim Haslett had JeffBlake. Sean Payton had Brees. Dennis Allen had Winston and Andy Dalton.

To hiscredit,Moore remains undaunted. Aformer quarterback himself, he understands the position and can relatetohis young trio of signal callers. Additionally, former quarterbacks Doug Nussmeier Scott Tolzein and Scott Linehan are key members of his offensive staff.

“Wefeel great about it,” Moore said. “We feel like we’ve set this quarterback room up in areally potentially successful way with theexperience that’sinthat room.We feel like it’sgoing to be agood, developing, meltingpot for them.”

Moore has little choice other than tobe optimistic. The fortunes of his ﬁrst Saints team are on thearmsofthe Dat Pack.

We knowthey’rewilling. Time will tell if they’reable.

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

COLUMBIA,S.C. LSU earned theNo. 3seed in the SEC Tournament after its 7-3 winon Saturday against SouthCarolina.

Theresult means the Tigers will face either No. 6Auburnorthe winner of No 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 14 Texas A&M in the second game in Hoover,Alabama, on Friday.This year’stournament is single elimination all the way through.

The Tigers ﬁnished their Southeastern Conference schedule with a19-11 record and ended the regular season at 42-13 overall.

LSUearned theNo. 11 seed in last year’s

CAJUNS

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at 16-14. Thetwo teams didn’tplaythis season, but the Thunderin’ Herd wonthe tiebreaker because of abetter record against common opponents. Marshall scored two runs in theninth andthen another one in the 10th to beat Georgia Southern 9-8 on Saturday

As aresult, theCajuns will play the 7:30 p.m.game Wednesday as the No.5 seed against No. 4Marshall at Riverwalk Stadium.

Thedecisive seventh inning began and endedwith ConorHiggs.Playing theﬁnalhomegame of his career,the senior singled to center to getthe frame going.

“Mytiming was alittleoff to start the game andhonestlyall weekend,” Higgs said of his ﬁrst at-batinthe seventh. “I was just trying to stayeasy.That’sbeen my mottoall year,juststayeasy.Iwas lucky enough to get ahit in my ﬁrst at-bat (in the inning).”

His second at-bat of theinning was even better with athree-run double off the wall in left for a7-3 lead.

“I was just ready for the fastball in my second, and thank the Lord forallowing me to getitdone,” Higgs said.

Sandwiched between Higgs’ two big hits were aclutchtwo-run single to right by Lee Amedee, arun-scoring bunt single by Mark Collins andCalebStelly’sRBI single to left.

Taking advantage of theseven-run seventh was UL senior reliever Matthew Holzhammer.The right-hander pitched 22/3 innings to get thewin, striking out a career-high six batterswhile allowing

SEC Tournament but still reached the championship game,falling to No.1 Tennessee 4-3 in the final. The Tigers took down No.6 Georgia,No. 3Kentucky and No.10South Carolina twice to reachthe title game. LSUwas theNo. 3seedinthe 2023SEC Tournament andthe No.4seed in 2022. It won its ﬁrst game but lost the next two in both years. The last time

three runs on two hits.

That cameafter UL starter JR Tollett allowed three runs on ﬁvehits with no walks and struck out six in 51/3 innings.

The feistyRed Wolveskeptbattling, scoring three runs in the ninth after Holzhammer loaded thebases withnoouts before giving waytoanother senior in southpaw Dylan Theut.

“Obviously, Iwanted to go pitch, butthe mostimportant thing we didtoday was win,” Theut said. “It wasawesome, the last game here and getting to close it out. Iknow Hammer would have wanted to as well. It’sunfortunate he didn’tget to do that, but he threw the ballsuper well today “But yeah, Ican’texpress how grateful Iamtobeable to get the last out here.”

The tying run was at the plate when Theut got the ﬁnal out on apop to left.

“I threwa couple of curveballsand got ahead,” Theut said. “Then threw one in the dirt to trytoget himtochase a little bit. He took agood curveball and just went up top witha fastball andgot it in on his hands. Iwas mainly focused on competing and getting that last out.”

The Red Wolves built a3-0 lead behind aWil French solo homer in the ﬁrst and atwo-run blast from CasonCampbellin the fourth. The Cajuns addedaneighth run whena Jose Torres’ ﬂy ball to leftwas misplayed for an RBI double.

“That was abig run right there,” Deggs said. “Obviously,wealways make things interesting, but Ithought Tollett gave us areally good start …and Hammer really settled things in for us.”

Email KevinFoote at kfoote@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LIVING

THE ADVOCATE.COM

DannyHeitman AT RANDOM

Afacemask reminds me of the lockdown days

Iwas in our laundry room the other day,lost in atrance of boredom as Icycled another load, when abright patch of yellow caught my eye. It was the tip of an old face mask that had fallen into the corner,apparently hidden for yearsbeneath aspare clothes hamper

Like the contents of atime machine,this little artifact of domestic life circa 2020 quickly took me back.

Along with many other Louisiana residents navigating the lockdown days of the pandemic, our family used alot of fabric masks as we ventured out for necessities,and keeping them clean became asomber ritual. Adozen wouldhang from drying racks in the laundry room, their varied colors creating amacabre mobile that underscored the weirdness of the times.

Memories of other grim oddities from those days came rushing back as Ifed abundle of bed sheets into the dryer.I remembered the bizarreminuet as the deliveryman brought our groceries each week, both of us dancing around each other in ashared gesture of social distancing.

Ithought about our national obsession with hand sanitizer, along with the supply chain woes that left once proud Americans scrambling for bathroom tissue. To support our neighborhood restaurants as their dining rooms closed and they relied on takeoutorders to stayaﬂoat, I’d pull into the parking lot of nearby eateries and nod to the waitstaff as they quickly passed packaged entrees through the car window The whole exchange seemed glancingand vaguely illicit, like buying diamonds on the black market. That dark human comedy also came with devastating loss. Millions died from an unpredictable virus, and the economic hardship from the lockdowns was wide and deep Students languished at home, and families and friends endured separations too painful to quantify.We’re still debating the best course if another pandemic comes our way

Another vivid memory ﬂoated back to me as our dryer tumbled and rumbled through its hour of work. It occurred to me that amid the lockdowns, I’d struck one of those silly cosmic bargains so common among souls in distress.

“Make the pandemic go away,” I’d promised back then, “and Iwon’tcomplainabout anything again.”

Recently,Iattended six public gatherings in aweek. Last month, my wife and Idanced at afriend’swedding, savoring the joy of the crowd. Meanwhile, my long-ago promise to stop my griping in exchange for better days has, as you might expect, been abit of a bust.

Icontinue to quibbleabout little things —the twingein my shoulder,the squirrels in our ﬂower bed, the lawnmower thathas, once again, failed to start. Even so, I’m trying to tell myself that this anxious spring in the life of the country, whatever its challenges,has been the kind of season my pandemic self could only have hoped for Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com

thUntyingemystery

Is NewIberiathe Padookie Capitalofthe World?

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

Missy Andrade, from Lafayette, says she ﬁrst heard theterm“padookie” when she was in the sixth grade and met agroup of dancers from New Iberia who joined her Lafayette dance studio.

“Britney Sonnier asked meone day if Ihad apadookie,” Andrade said.

Over the years, whenever Andrade heard theword again, she’d ask, “Where are you from?”

The answer was always the same: New Iberia.

Earlier this year,Andrade asked aco-worker if she had aponytail holder.The co-worker’sblank stare prompted her to say,“Hold up —you’re from New Iberia. What do you call it?”

The answer: “Padookie.”

“It got me thinking, where does that termcome from?” Andrade said. “It’s not aCajun French word. Why is it only isolated to the boundaries of New Iberia? Where did it come from, and why did it stick?”

Aregionalriddle

The question sparked what may be themost elaborate game of telephone in Curious Louisiana

NewIberia artist Paul Schexnayder sold aT-shirtthat simply read, ‘PADOOKIE: It’sa NewIberia thing.’

history —with more than 17 people in thechain of calls. Each conversation provided at least one more detail and the name of another woman who went to Mt. Carmel Academy in New Iberia with acritical piece of padookie information. It also required multiple points of clariﬁcation.

First,Mt. Carmel Academy was aCatholic girls’ school that operated in New Iberia from 1870 until 1988. It was run by nuns of theCongregation of OurLady of Mount Carmel. Many of itstight-

knit group of alumni remain in close touch, and the school plays acritical role in the world of padookie lore.

Secondly,many in St. Martin Parish and some in Vermilion Parish also use the term padookie to refer to ponytail holders.

Third, depending on the generation, padookie could refer to only the double loops of elastic string, each having around bead that overlapped the other to secure hair.There is ageneral consensus that, originally,“padookie” only referred to those types of ponytail bands. However,inthe 60+ years of documented usage of the term, manynow use it as acatch-all term forany ponytail holder

Most people whouse the term admit they have no idea where it came from. It’s simply what they’ve always called ponytail holders —and they’ll ﬁght forits place in the lexicon.

Generational endurance

Joy Blanchard, whoteaches education at LSU, sits ﬁrmly in the St. Martinville padookie camp. Now 47, Blanchard remembers hearing the word“padookie” sleeping over at afriend’shouse, but she also remembered her mother using the word. Her

ä See CURIOUS, page 4D

BYJAN RISHER Staff writer

With his smooth andsoulful

Foster’sjourney thus far has been fun to watch. He is dynamicand likable, with an appeal that intersects authenticity,charm and versatility He is conﬁdent but notcocky andcomes across as genuine and grounded —asmall-town

ManyinSt. Martin Parish and some in Vermilion Parish use the termpadookie to refer to ponytail holders.

BETWEEN THE PAGES WITH WILLIAM GREINER

Bursting with color

Photography book presents a pre-Katrina New Orleans

BY RIEN FERTEL Contributing writer

“Neutral Ground: New Orleans 19902005” by William Greiner, University of New Orleans Press, 96 pages.

Photographer William Greiner’s new collection, “Neutral Ground,” is four decades in the making Shot in Greiner’s hometown between 1990 and 2005, the scenescapes featured in these 85 photographs feel both eerily foreign and hauntingly familiar. Rusted signage, empty buildings and buildings consumed by cat’s claw vine take space on the pages — these photos could have been taken a century ago or last week Greiner started photographing New Orleans as a teenage newspaper reporter In college, he fell under the sway of William Eggleston, whose vibrant color palette and innovative framing techniques inspired Greiner to see photography as art. Success came quickly

The Museum of Modern Art in New York purchased several of his pieces in 1991. Soon after, his work hung alongside that of his mentor, Eggleston, in a dual exhibit at New Orleans’s Contemporary Arts Center His work can be found in collections around the world: The Art Institute of Chicago, J. Paul Getty Museum and the National Portrait Gallery in London. Today, Greiner lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Since leaving New Orleans, he has largely abandoned analog photography for a range of other artistic mediums: painting, collage and sculpture.

PROVIDED PHOTO Photographer William Greiner’s new collection, ‘Neutral Ground,’ is four decades in the making

Perhaps south Louisiana is made for the camera’s eye. For here, even the air is unique,” Greiner writes in “Neutral Ground,” “soaked in humidity, which affects the light.”

This interview has been condensed and edited

How did you start as a photographer?

I started out interested in sports journalism. I was the youngest photographer in the NFL when I was 19. I was the ﬁrst American to cover the Tour de France in 1981. But I went back to college and, long story short, I met two kids from Memphis, Tennessee, and they introduced me to William Eggleston, a pioneer in ﬁne-art color photography That sort of changed my whole interest and trajectory with the medium He opened up a door. Like you’ve been listening to classical music all your life and all of a sudden you stumble onto Led Zeppelin.

I was turned on to this idea that

photography could be very personal and not have any speciﬁc meaning or purpose.

How does “Neutral Ground” fit into that long career? It was a body of work that went on for quite a long time with no real purpose, per se, except I was reacting to my city, my hometown. Then only subsequent to Katrina, looking back and realizing, “Why did I make these pictures? How did I make these pictures? And what do they mean?”

Those photographs resonated in a different way at that point. I think I had this intuitive sense of foreboding. But then you had all this disaster-porn photography, and I didn’t want to be associated with that. So I waited. Five years turned to 10 years, 10 years turned to 15 years. So it’s a 35year book in the making.

How did you decide what to include?

This was probably culled from 10,000 photographs, which is not really that many as far as photographers go. But it’s a lot of pictures. Sometimes I would go out speciﬁcally with the idea to make photographs, but oftentimes it was just kind of happenstance. Unlike a lot of photographers that seem to need to go someplace else to make work, someplace new to them, I decided to do the exact opposite. I embrace, like Clarence John Laughlin, the photograph-at-home mentality I would keep a camera in my car, and if something caught my eye, I would just stop. I’ve worked on a bunch of — I’ll call them sub-projects. There was a group of pictures of ﬂora and fauna. There was another group

about urban homes. For a few years, I was interested in children, because I was getting ready to have a child, and I started thinking about how children take on a personality and adult characteristics. It’s all that mashed up together

One of the images that most resonated with me is of a kid in the backseat of a cop car She looks frightened. She might be holding Mardi Gras beads. I can’t tell.

That’s one thing that I like about photography Pictures lend themselves to allowing the viewer to make up their own story about what’s going on. I realized that we all bring our own preconceived notions, experiences, visual acumen to everything we look at. That speciﬁc photograph was a parade in Mandeville. This little girl’s in the back of this cop car, and she looks pleadingly at me. But actually, it’s a very festive occasion. It’s kind of weird and kind of confusing, which I like.

Recently you’ve exhibited in a variety of mediums — collage, painting sculpture. I don’t really photograph very much anymore. In part because

of where I live I’m not really interested in photographing here. And also in part because I never embraced digital technology I never liked it. It’s just so overcomplicated. Analog photography was pretty easy for me. Shutter speed, aperture, focus and ﬁlm speed: four elements. So I thought, what else can I do to express myself? I really grasped collage and assemblage.

If you were to return to New Orleans today, what do you think your camera’s eye would gravitate toward?

I was in New Orleans two weeks ago for a book signing, but I don’t get back very often. I’ve thought about it, about how the city has changed and what that looks like. I don’t know if it would feel brand new, but it deﬁnitely feels a little foreign. I see the change. I could point out people, could tell if they were local or not. I could see myself photographing there again.

Rien Fertel is the author of four books, including, most recently, “Brown Pelican.”

Deep look at family history generates new conversations

‘Daughters of the New year’ explores the Vietnamese American experience in the South

BY RACHEL MIPRO

Contributing writer

Elizabeth Tran was standing in the snack aisle of the New Orleans Costco when she learned that her novel — something she’d worked on for five years in several states had been sold to a publisher “It was very much a full circle moment where it felt like I was writing about New Orleans and I had finally come home, and I got to sell this book,” Tran said. “That definitely felt like a homecoming.” “Daughters of the New Year,” released in 2022, went on to make waves for its intricate femalecentric portrayal of a Vietnamese immigrant family The book set in modern-day New Orleans, centers on the three Trung sisters and their relationship to their mother, while also delving intopolitical history faith traditions, contemporary beauty standards and sexuality Tran, one of three daughters raised by Vietnamese refugees herself, used this debut novel to explore the Vietnamese American experience in the American South.

Three years later, Tran’s novel is

generating new conversations as the One Book One New Orleans’ 2025 selection The organization seeks to promote literacy and community in the Crescent City by asking New Orleanians to read and discuss a selected book each year — essentially creating a citywide book club.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

You grew up here in New Orleans.What was that like?

My family moved here in the ’80s. My dad worked at Touro as a biomedical engineer, and he also did the local Vietnamese newspaper, The Little Saigon News, and so growing up, we delivered the newspaper to New Orleans East businesses in Versailles and to Vietnamese businesses on the West Bank. I don’t think I really realized the importance of the Vietnamese community until I left after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and moved to Los Angeles, and then came back. So yeah, born and raised and came back.

And hopefully here to stay I have to say, I love your book so much. You hit so many different themes and it’s like a love song to New Orleans.What made you start writing it?

I was doing my doctoral research, and a lot of the books I was reading were about Vietnamese history and southeast Asian history I just really wanted to learn more about my culture, because I didn’t feel that I learned much about it at all in history classes, growing up in school, even in college.

So part of my research was just learning about my own culture

and learning about my own family history just because my family didn’t really talk about it either The Vietnam War was a very traumatic experience, and being displaced and being refugees was very traumatic for them.

Vietnam can be quite a malecentered society and has historically valued a certain kind of really inﬂexible masculinity It was really curious to me that some of the few historic and mythologized ﬁgures were women, and I wanted to include them in my novel. What other influences did you kind of borrow from your own life? There’s that constant theme of alienation. Did you feel that growing up here?

Oh for sure. I think that actually the alienation came from really unexpected places. I felt like I didn’t necessarily belong in mainstream American culture, especially growing up in the ’90s, in the early 2000s. Mainstream American culture was the girl next door It was Barbie, it was a very particular kind of American experience. I didn’t see myself reﬂected in that. When you’re in an immigrant community you become this new thing. You’re Vietnamese American, and so I wanted to give page space to this really unique experience. Reading up about your background, I remember you said you couldn’t read a book your dad had written in his native language. Do you speak Vietnamese?

I don’t, and actually, the language barrier was a really big part of my alienation growing up, and it continues to be something that I struggle with. But I

also think that it’s important to acknowledge what happens when you have a displaced refugee community, right?

You have parents who speak a language and their children who might not speak it as ﬂuently or not at all. And so that language gap and that language barrier was something that I really wanted to write about and explore. One of my dreams is one day to hopefully get the language back. What are you working on right now?

I’m writing a different novel, and it’s about the father ﬁgure Cuong in the book, I’m writing it from his perspective, but in 1960s and ’70s Vietnam. So it’s kind of like a companion novel to “Daughters of the New Year,” but just from his perspective. And it’s the anniversary of the Fall of Saigon, which led to a huge flood of immigra-

tion into the city Is that something that’s on your mind?

There’s a lot of stuff happening across town, actually, that’s really exciting and interesting. I think it’s really special that New Orleans is including Vietnamese experience in the history of the city, and it’s doing it in its important institutions like The Historic New Orleans Collection and the Ogden Museum, but I also think that it’s a reminder that a lot of our immigrant community is in New Orleans East, in these neighborhoods that are often forgotten or not taken care of. And if we want to preserve the culture, all this color and wonderful vibrancy that’s brought in by our immigrants, we have to make sure that we also put our money where our mouth is, and build infrastructure and build programs.

Let’s end with the One Book One New Orleans’ selection. How are you feeling about that?

It’s really special to have the book be picked because it feels like a kind of acceptance of the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese experiences and Vietnamese American livelihood, and all those things are also part and parcel of being New Orleans. My book is a New Orleans book, and yet it shows New Orleans East, it shows the West Bank, it shows Versailles. It shows Vietnamese supermarkets in the suburbs. And those are just a part of as much of New Orleans as anything else. And so it’s really, really special for a nonproﬁt and an organization like OBONO to also recognize that.

TRAVEL

Geta glimpseofthe MilkyWay this summer in La.

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

When the stars align, abouteight months out of the year,the Milky Wayand its 100 billion stars can be seen in some form.

In thespringand summer,that includes the early morning hours March through May and between dark and midnight Junethrough August. Some datesthat have thepotential to be great times to see the Milky Wayinthe next few months are:

n May 19-28

n July 22-31

n Aug. 14-20.

However,tobest view the Milky Way, afew factors come into play

Thesky must be devoidoflight pollution, or brightening of the nightsky causedbystreetlights andother man-made sources.Most people have to drive out of city limits to ﬁnd this.

Additionally,afull moon can drown out the faint stars in the sky, so it’sbest to pick atime during a new moon when the moonispositioned between the earth and the sun. During this time, there’sless moonlight interference.

To help stargazers know how bright the sky will be in agiven location, the Bortle scale and its nine levels are useful. Class 1includes the darkest sky someonecan ﬁnd, while class 9isthe most light-polluted sky.For most people, aclass 3or4 locationisdark enough to see stars.

In Louisiana, Dewey Wills Wildlife Management, Kisatchie National Forest and Tensas River National Wildlife Reserve typically fall under the Bortle scale class 2. The closest class 1locations are in Texas at Big Bend National Park and Greater Big Bend Dark Sky Reserve.

Other stargazingplacesinLouisiana include:

n Alexander State Forest

n Black Bayou NationalWildlife Reserve

n Catahoula Lake

n Chemin-A-Haut StatePark

n Cypremort Point State Park

n Highland RoadPark Observatory

n Lake D’Arbonne State Park

n Lake Fausse Pointe StatePark

n North Toledo Bend State Park

n Palmetto Island StatePark

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

n Rockefeller National Wildlife Refuge

n SouthToledoBend State Park. DeweyW.Wills Wildlife Management

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisheries manages the four campsitesonthis remote wildlife management area.

Severalgamespeciesare available tohuntatDewey W. Wills, includingdeer,squirrel, rabbit, raccoon,waterfowl andwoodcock,and there are ﬁveconcreteboat ramps for recreational and commercial ﬁshing.

Thesite is also great for birding, with avariety of songbirds,wading birds and shorebirds

KisatchieNationalForest

With more than 600,000 acres, KisatchieNationalForestisthe state’sonlynational forest. It’s located in sevenparishes in central and northern Louisiana. Some of

the recreational eventsinclude eagle nest cams, off-highway vehicle trails, hunting and ﬁshing. TheLongleaf VistaTrailleads

to overnight camp spots. Set up a telescope in theparking area or venture down to the bluffside gazebo to seethe stars.

Tensas RiverNationalWildlife Reserve

Thousands of people visit Tensas RiverNational Wildlife Reserve each year to take part in hunting, wildlifephotography and observation and environmental education. There are morethan400 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and ﬁsh on the property, which was establishedin1980. The refuge includes the state’slargest population of the Louisiana black bear

While the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-maintained grounds close to visitors two hours after sunset, ahandful of paid campgrounds on the refuge’sborder offer overnight chances to see the stars.

Writer Jessica Fender contributed to this report.

Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.

Hotelisnot answeringand Hotel.comrefuses to help guest

Irecently booked aroom through Hotels.

com near Glacier National Park in Montana. Ireceived an email from the property saying my reservation wasn’t guaranteed and my card hadn’tbeen charged

Christopher Elliott

The hotel asked me to call about my reservation, but the answering machine said the owner wasinlaborand wouldn’tbeable to respond to messages My credit card wascharged for the room Itried calling the hotel multiple times, but the answering machine messageremained the same. Other numbers provided

Recreational Trails

Program applications open

The applicationperiod forthe Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program for Louisiana is now open. Grantapplications are duenolater than July 1. The program is open to political subdivisions, nonprofit organizations and, under certain circumstances, commercial entities.

The program is astate-administered, federal cost-sharereimbursement grant program funded by the NationalRecreational Trails Fund Act of 1991. Grant recipients must pay100%ofthe cost of an item before submitting arequest for reimbursement for 80% of the eligible cost. Such grants help statesprovide and maintainrecreational trails for pedestrian uses (hiking, running, wheelchairuse), bicycling,in-line skating, equestrian, off-road motorcycling,all-terrain vehicleriding, four-wheel driving and other off-road motorizedvehicles.

Grant funds may be used foracquiring and/or developing outdoor recreational trailsand trail facilities. For more information about the RTPL, visit lastateparks.com/

were either busy or disconnected. Hotels.com wouldn’thelp, simply forwardingmyconcerns to the property Ifeel like I’ve been scammed. Ijust want my $169 back and to warn others about this place. Can youhelp me? —Steve Eliason, Minnetonka,Minnesota

The hotel should have honored your booking —and if it couldn’t Hotels.com should have refunded your $169.Whenahotel can’thonor areservation, the booking site is obligatedtoﬁnd you comparable accommodations or to return your money. That’sa standard practice in the travelindustry

grant-opportunities-for-outdoorrecreation.

LightsOut Initiative for May continues

TheLouisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is joining with partners to support theLights Out Initiative— calling on residentsand businesses to turn off unnecessary lighting from 11 p.m.to 6a.m., through May 31 during peak spring migration. Every spring, more than 325 bird species take ﬂightacross thecontinent. Thanks to the Mississippi Flyway,Louisiana is in the middle of one of the world’s greatest wildlife migrations, but bright artiﬁcial lights can disorient birds, leading to fatalcollisionswith buildings or windows.

Here’show you can help migratory birds safely navigate Louisiana’sskies:

n Turn offnonessential outdoor lightingnightly

n Avoidlighting trees and gardens where birds may rest

n Use motionsensors, light shields, and downward-facing ﬁxtures for essential lights.

n Close blinds at night to limit interior light escaping.

This is the ﬁrst timeinmyyears of advocating cases thatsomeone has closed ahotel to give birth. I hope mom and the baby are OK and thatthe hotel opens again soon. In this situation, you did everything rightbytrying to contact the property and Hotels.com. Youalso kept adetailed paper trailofall correspondence, including emails and phone call records.This documentation shows thatyou gave the systemachance to resolve your problem.

Most importantly,the correspondenceshows that thehotel sent youanemail saying that your

reservation wasnot conﬁrmed and thatyou wouldn’tbecharged. So someone —either the hotel or Hotels.com —really screwed up here. If your initial attempts fail, considerescalating the issue to asupervisor or executive. Youcan ﬁnd contact information for Hotels. com executivesonmyconsumer advocacy website,Elliott.org.

If Hotels.com hadn’tbeen able to help, and if you hadn’treached out to me, you could have disputed your Hotels.com charges. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your credit card can refund you for an

item you paid for but didn’treceive, like ahotel stay Icontacted Hotels.com on your behalf. Arepresentative acknowledged the unusual circumstances of your case and agreed to issue afull refund. Youreceived your $169 refund from Hotels.com, along with a$50 credit for future bookings.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonproﬁt organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.

ON THEARTSAND CULTURESCENE

AtNUNU

Tickets areonsale for afundraising potluck dinner, featuring live musicbythe PotLuck Trio,at 6p.m.Saturday, May24, at NUNU Arts &CultureCollective, 1510 Courtableau Highway, Arnaudville. Admission is $20. Attendees are asked to bring acovereddish. Adult and nonalcoholic beverages will be available. Fortickets, visit events.humanitix. com/nunu-fundraising-potluckdinner-featuring-live-music-bythe-pot-luck-trio?. Also, NUNU is showing the exhibit, “Chaosand Harmony,”featuring work by Elise Dupuis Fontenot, DavidP.Morrow and Ashley Walker through June 30. Formoreinformation, visit nunucollective.org.

In NewIberia

Celebrate Louisiana artwith a Murals &Street Art Tour of downtown New Iberia led by local artist and muralist Paul Schexnayder in partnership with Shadows-on-theTeche. Toursare set for 9:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May31, beginning and ending at the ShadowsVisitorCenter, 320 E. Main St., NewIberia.

All participants must be age 21 or older. Tickets are$20 and include

refreshments. Additional programs in this series areZebulon’s Dream,5:30 p.m Thursday, June 19. Shadows is partnering withthe IberiaAfrican American Historical Society to host this original poetrycycle by Suzanne Wiltz about hermaternal ancestor, Zebulon Richardson; and Clementine Hunter and Louisiana Folk Art at 5:30 p.m.July 17, featuring avirtual webinar withTommy Whitehead, author of “Clementine Hunter: Her Life and Art.” Fortickets or moreinformation, shadowsontheteche.org

French workshop Little By Little, in collaboration with local French experts and area museums,will offeraday of French language tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Saturday, May31, withanoptional wine pairing dinnerimmediately following. Tours will be ledby Fulbright Scholar andco-author of “Parcours Louisianais”Margaret Marshall and Babeth Schlegel, executivedirectorfor theFriends of Magnolia Mound and anative French speaker This immersiveand interactive workshop includes tours of the LSU Rural Life Museum, Magnolia Mound Museumand Historic Site,

theLouisiana State Capitol and themurals of Angela Gregory at theWatermark Hotel.Inaddition, guests maypurchase afourcourse wine pairing dinnerled by Level2 sommelierand ownerof BlendWine Bar Scott Higgins Tickets are$185 for theworkshop and $295 for theworkshop and dinner. The ticket includes transportation to museums,cheese tasting by Crafted Nibbles, all museumentriesand French study materials.Wine dinnertickets may be purchased separately for $120. Visitlittlebylittle.ticketspice.com/ vive-la-france-in-baton-rouge or https://littlebylittle.live/day-tripsand-events.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS The telescope at Highland Road Park Observatory

To best view the Milky WayGalaxy,the sky must be devoid of light pollution, or brightening of the night skycaused by streetlights and other manmade sources. Most people have to driveout of city limits to find this.

‘It definitely savedmylife’

Inside the worldofa youth roller derbyleague in BR

BY SERENA PUANG Staff writer

As amother,Harmony Hobbs wanted to ﬁnd aplace for her daughter,Pepper,to thrive. Middle schoolhad been hard forher,and due to differences in interests, it had been hard for her to connect with her peers Over the years, Hobbs has put her daughter in everything: ballet, soccer,volleyball, track, swim and music lessons, but nothing quite stuck. Some activities weren’t agood fit; others were too expensive. But when Hobbs heard about youth roller derby,she decided to give it achance. As she satinthe parking lotwithPepperbefore practice for the first time, Hobbs was hopeful that it would be different.

“I saw these kids getting out of cars, and all of them looked like my kid,” shesaid.“Iwas like ‘Ohmy gosh, Pepper,these look like your people.’”

Since 2017, the Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors has served Louisiana youth. The students are coached by members of the adult

roller derby team and often start from scratch, learning thebasicsofskating before graduating to thefull-contact, fast-paced sport. They nowhaveskaters from age 6to18. People travelfrom New Orleans and Lafayette to skateinthe youth roller derby in Baton Rouge. Anna Lacy,who goes by thederby name “Trash Panda” (shelikes raccoons), found skating in 2016 as a way to meet people when she moved backtoBaton Rouge after some time away.The next year,she had to be off skates for fourmonthsdue to an injury and decided to spend the time founding the junior league. “WhenIstartedskating,I

really found acommunity of people who Ifelt like really supported me,”she said. “I just kept thinking, if Ihad this when Iwas akid, my life would’vebeensomuch different in high school.”

For the uninitiated, roller derby is played on an oval track between two teams of ﬁve skaters each.The skaters try to make away for one designated player,calleda “jammer” on their own team, to pass the other skaters and score points while also trying to protect their own jammer From the outside,itmight look like chaos, but there’s strategy andlots of technique involved.

Thatbeing said, formost kids, youth roller derby starts

with getting lost on theway to practice. The nondescript warehouse thattheypractice in is alittlerun-down,has no air conditioning or heat and is deﬁnitely notwellmarked.To this day,Lacy still has no idea how she got agroup of parents to bring theirkidsthere in the beginning. Butinside theunassuming space is where the magic happens.

At the beginning of practice, theskatersstretch as parents chat while sitting on old church pews, donated couches or chairs. Then, theystart to skatealong the track marked with bright pink tape. Some kids fall, others are shaky at first and thenlean forward, con-

ﬁdently crossing one leg in front of the other.Still, others skate as if they’ve been doing it forever,effortlessly glidingand helpingother less-experienced skaters. Unlike other sports where kids are grouped by age, roller derby kids are grouped by skill. Forthosewho don’t know how to skate, there’sa beginnerclass forthe fundamentals. Then, there are three levels. In level one, they learnhow to jump,how to make sharp turns and basic hits or pushes. In level two, they learn to take ahit and keep on skating and the basic maneuvers that they need to makecontact with otherskaters while still following rules. In level three, they’re playingthe full sport. They learn strategy and play by the samerulesthatadult roller derby players do.

In the process they take on derby names —oftenpunbasedmonikers thatreveal alittle about the skater,their interests or skills. It’satradition within the sport, but it has afunction too.

Offthe track,theymight be “Hope,” “Annie” or “Dandi,” but when they’re skating around, they inhabit anew persona.They’re “Hell on Wheels,” “Eagle Eye” and “Spewlia,” and there’sanew conﬁdence and community that comes with it. Among the skaters, many don’teven know each other’sgovernmentnames.

Jess Everhart, secretary of the league and parent to three skaters, said that when her daughterstarted,

coaches thought she was nonverbal because she was so quiet. Nowshe speaks up and gives directions on the track and communicates with otherskaters about where they need to be.

“I don’tthink theconfidence level that my kids are at would be thesame withoutroller derby,” said Everhart. “It’sgiven them that giftacross the board.”

For Eli Carr,who is trans, theyouth rollerderby is the place where he has found community and made queer friends his own age. He saiditwas theﬁrst time he saw queer people older than him leading the lives that he wants to live.

“It was eye-opening, and it deﬁnitely saved my life,” he said.

After starting in 2022, he quickly progressed through the levels, and in alittle less thana year,hestartedcompeting on the travel team. He goes by the derbyname

“Edgar Allan ToeStop.”

“There’s alot of queer kids, and there’salot of queer adultsplaying thesport,” he said. “It was really my ﬁrst introductioninto seeing queerpeople— like Ican live this long and still be happy This can be my life, and Ican still be accepted.”

Pepper Hobbs, the skater who tried lots of other activities before roller derby, is a level 1skater who goesby “Fireball” now.Her mother saidthat even if she never skates competitively,the whole experience hasbeen worth it.

There’salot of queer kids, and there’salot of queer adults playing the sport. It wasreally my firstintroduction into seeingqueer people —likeI canlivethislongand still be happy. This can be my life, and Ican still be accepted.”

FOSTER

Continued from page1D

nationalspotlight. Here are ﬁve things to know about the rising singer:

He wasco-valedictorian of his high school class.

Foster graduatedascovaledictorianofBrusly High School’sClass of 2024, alongside Emrie LeBlanc.

He just finished his freshman year at LSU Fosterisabiology major at LSU and has planstoattend medical school.His goal: to become an oncologist.

His family owns aCajun meat market.

Foster’sgrandparents started Benoit’sCountry Meat Block in 1982.The West Baton Rouge Parish store hasbeen open since 1982 in Addis, where they sell Cajun classics like boudin, stuffed deboned chicken, beef jerky and boudin balls. The family recipesare rooted in Foster’sgrandparents deep Cajun roots in Lawtell and Church Point. His personal favorites? Pepperjack boudin balls, crawﬁsh étouffée and chicken and sausage gumbo.

He’sthe middle child and anonly son. Foster hastwo sisters: Elizabeth,29, and Presley,4.His younger sister was named in honor of Elvis Presley —ﬁtting, given his energetic rendition of “Jailhouse Rock” on “American Idol.” Foster is named afterhis father and grandfather;his full name is John Foster Benoit III. He has many cousins,aunts, uncles and otherrelatives. Many in his family have traveled to Hollywood to cheer him on in “American Idol.”

His girlfriend is aformercheerleader Foster has been dating Brooklyn Bourque, aformer Brusly High cheerleader,for about ayear

Howtovote

youcan vote up to 30 times during Sunday’sliveshow(from 7p.m. to 10 p.m.) to help Foster win American Idol.

n Text 13 to 21523 (up to 10 times)

n Vote at americanidol.com (up to 10 times)

n Vote on the American Idolapp (up to 10 times)

Email Jan Risher at jan. risher@theadvocate.com

CURIOUS

Continued from page1D

mother,Rita Blanchard, is 84.

“It is padookie, and that’sthe only word Ieverheard, but I don’tknow where it comes from,” said Rita Blanchard. “My oldest daughter wasbornin’63, and when her hair was long, we made aponytail andusedapadookie.”

That said, Susan Latiolais Tauzin, who is 79 and grew up on thelevee in Catahoula in St. Martin Parish, said she only used theword “padookie” as aword to replace “thingamajig.”

“It’skind of anonsense word. In my circle, it represented something silly,” Tauzinsaid. “I’ve never seenitusedspeciﬁcally.It was acatch-all jar.”

AcousinfromLakeProvidence

Onetheory holds that the word was brought to the deMahy family home in the summer of 1966 by acousin named Beth,who was from Lake Providence —she told agroup of fellow 12-yearold girls thatthe elastic hair ties with beads were called “padookies.”

Carmen deMahy Nicholson and her sister,Marie deMahy Rathe, have no clear memory of the incident.

“But then Idon’t remember some things that happened last week,” Nicholson joked. “But I was gone and already married in thesummerof’66. Idon’tknow where it came from, but Ido know that padookies were the ones with theballs.”

The cousin from Lake Providence appears to beBeth Howington Malone, nowliving in Reno, Nevada. She did spend weekswith her deMahy cousins in the summer of 1966 and was 12 years oldatthe time.

At ﬁrst blush,Malone had no recollection of theword “padookie,” but shewondered if her younger sisterKatherineSandifer,now livinginFlorida, would remember

“I had to be reminded of what we called them, butnow it’s coming back,” Sandifer said. “Beth is six years older than me. Iwas only 6years old that summer.She was 12. Icalled it whatever my older sisters called it.” Curious, Sandifer called other cousinsinLake Providence to ask if they remembered the word. At least one cousin was still very familiarwith the term.

“As an adult, Ihad short hair from collegetonow,” Sandifer said. “As I’m wearing my hair longer.Iwas saying theother day, ‘Whatare these things called?’ Now,it will beapadookie. It will

regain itsname.”

Padookie capitalofthe world?

Katy Shae Svendson, who grew up in New Iberia and went toMt. Carmel with some of thedeMahy girls, only knows ponytail holders to be called padookies.

“I have one on right now,” Svendson said. “First,they were like the ones shaped like anumber 8, ahair tie. That’swhat I called padookies.”

These days, she calls all hair ties and ponytail holders padookies. Andhow long has she called them that?

“Sixty-four years,”Svendson said. “Ever since Imet one. Maybe New Iberia is thepadookie capital of the world.”

She even wondered if the word could have some African or Caribbean origins and suggested calling her friend, BeckyOwens.

Owensisananthropologist who also went to Mt. Carmel.

“Supposedly,itstarted in New Iberia,” Owenssaid. “You should call Phyllis Mata. She seems to know alot about it. It may have gotten started in her class at Mt. Carmel.”

Matahas written atribute to Mt.Carmel published in The Daily Iberian, in which she mentionsthree 1970 graduates of the school whohad aspend-the-night partyinthe homeofCourtney Viator Louvier.The other two girls were Annette Viator Clifford andMary Beth Bourgeois. Other girls in attendance wereTere Ramos Thomas, Suzette Buford Armentor,Sally Molbert Angers and BonnieFerguson Segura.

“They were sitting on the ﬂoor reading album covers and eating macaroniand cheese and listening to Otis Redding with rollers in their hair when Courtney asked one of the girls to hand her something,but instead of calling it a whatchamacalit, she called it ...,” Matawrites.

The girls, according to Mata, went to school Monday morning and were visiting with other friends. The group wasknownfor inventing words and somehow assigned theword“padookie” to the ﬁgure-8 shaped hair tie.

“It spread like wildﬁre through thehallowed halls of Mt. Carmel and way beyond,” Mata writes, adding that she doesn’tknow anyone from the area whodoesn’tuse

the word. Multiple friends whowere a part of the group remember the incident and attribute the word padookie to either Louvier or Clifford, but did not want to be quoted in the article. Louvier now lives in Chicago and Clifford in Georgia. Neither wasavailable forcomment on the padookie incident.

Acelebration of quirk

NewIberia artist Paul Schexnayder has painted multiple pieces as an ode to the NewIberia padookie, and forawhile, he sold aT-shirt that simply read, “PADOOKIE: It’s aNew Iberia thing.” Clai Rice, associate professor at University of Louisiana-Lafayette, focuses someofhis research on contemporary theories of linguistics. Rice says perhaps part of the reason the word“padookie” has stayed local and has had staying power is its orientation in usage toward kid or teenage culture.

“Weknow when you learn your own homelanguage, you don’treally know that there’ssomething unusual about it until you can travel away or other people come and visit you. So if you have a kids’ word, then it stays really local,” Rice said.

Secondly,henoted that the word itself is simply an interesting word —ithas agood rhythm to it and has the word “dookie” in it.

“That creates somestaying power,” Rice said.

In raising the question of padookie, Andrade in Lafayette said she wasahistory major

“Whether we realize it or not, we are very connected by the quirks of our culture,” she said.

“Inmany ways, south Louisiana likes to celebrate those quirks as opposed to trying to assimilate.”

Padookie, it seems, is agrand celebration of just that.

Do you have aquestionabout something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phonenumber andthe city where you live.

ELI CARR

NewIberia artist Paul Schexnayderhas paintedmultiple pieces as an ode to the NewIberia padookie

STAFF PHOTOSByJAVIERGALLEGOS

Skaters hold on to eachother while doing laps around the rink during Red Stick Roller Derby Juniors practiceonApril 18.

LOUISIANABAKES

Cornbread, cake canwithstand theheat, feed acrowd

Browned Butter

Cornbread

Serves 10-12 12 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup of Steen’scane syrup

Olivia Regard

With late spring grilling and picnic seasonupon us,menus areﬁlled with food that canwithstand theoutdoor heat and feed acrowd.On some occasions, Ihave the luxury oftime to plan amenu On otheroccasions, however, spontaneity is the drivingforce,and Imust quickly work with pantry staples to create dishestocontribute to the meal. When time is an issue,I return to aknowncrowd pleaser: cornbread. Whetherfromabox mix or made from scratch, hot-from-theoven cornbreadisalways ahit. As Southerners, we takegreat pride in our cooking, and cornbreadis no exception. Debates abound as to theingredients that make a“proper cornbread” with individuals drawing clearlinesin thesand over the inclusion ofsugarand ﬂour

While recipesmay vary,one thing on which I think we can all agree is that cornbread needs a good, crispy crust.

The recipes below may break some of thecornbreadrules,but theoutcomeisnot disappointing. Theserecipesinclude ﬂour,haveahint of sweetness andmay even double as dessertwith the additionoffruit and aglaze.

For the first recipe, Browned ButterCornbread builds upon abasic cornbreadrecipe but includes both asweetener (Steen’ssyrup) and flour.Donot be alarmed, however,asthe sweetness from the syrupisbalanced by the nuttiness ofthe browned butter and the tartnessofthe buttermilk. The crunchy, buttery crust is achievedbybaking the cornbread in ahot skillet/cast-iron pan. The heavy, heat-retaining material will give the crust adark colorand rich flavor, but any large ovenproofskillet will work

If youdon’thave askillet bigenough to holdall the batter, halve therecipe orbake the extra cornbreadbatter in amufﬁn tin. The mufﬁns willnot have the same dark crust, but the moistcrumb is ample recompense. To branchout even more, add bits of cooked bacon, sauteedonions or shallots, chilipowderorcumin, choppedchiliesorherbs, grated cheeseorcorn.

The second recipe, BlueberryLemon Cornmeal Cake, is equally versatile

This rich and tender cornmeal cake is punctuatedbybright, sweetblueberriesand lots of lemon zest, but the recipe can easily swapout the blueberriesfor strawberries or blackberries.The cake can also be served withoutthe suggestedlemonglaze. Enjoy it as an afternoon treatoradd more blueberries and whipped cream to dress it up for dessert

Here’s my almost summer wish for us: deliciousmeals that include fresh-bakedcornbread good salted butter and sweet, connectedtime with friends or family beforethe swelteringheatof summer keeps us indoors.

21/4 cups of buttermilk at room temperature

3largeeggs at room temperature 11/2 cups of yellow cornmeal

1cup all-purpose flour 11/2 Tablespoons baking powder 11/2 teaspoons kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. On thestovetop, in an 11- or 12-inch skillet (ovenproof and preferably cast-iron),brown the butter by meltingthe butter over medium heat.Cook, swirling thepan to lightly coat the sides and bottom. The butter will begin to foam. Continue cooking and stirring slightly untilthe foam subsides and thebutter turns adeep nut brown.

2. While the butter browns, whisk together the cornmeal, ﬂour,baking powder, saltand baking soda. Set aside.

3. Once the butter is browned,pour the butter into alarge bowl. Do not wipe out the pan. Return the pan to thewarm burner

4. Whisk themaple syrup into thebutter,then whisk in buttermilk.The mixture should be cool to the touch; if not,let cool then whisk in theeggs.

5. Fold thedry ingredients into thebuttermilk mixture and stir to combine.

6. Pourthe batter into the warmskillet.(Note: If the skillet is no longer hot, reheat it brieﬂy on the stove fora few minutes.)

7. Bakeuntil thetop is golden brown and atoothpick inserted into it emerges clean, 25-30 minutes. Cool in theskillet for 10 minutes before serving.

BlueberryLemon Cornmeal Cake

Serves 12 Forthe

1/2

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Butter an 8-inch square pan and line with parchment paper

3. Zest the2lemons into alarge mixing bowl. Add the sugarand theeggs, andwhisk vigorously until pale and smooth.

4. Whisk in thesour cream, melted butter andsalt until smooth and emulsiﬁed.

5. Whisk in the baking powder andbaking soda.

6. Addthe ﬂour and cornmeal, andstir until incorporated.

7. Fold in 2⁄3 of the blueberries.

8. Spoon thebatter into the prepared pan. Topthe batter with theremaining blueberries slightly pressing theberries into the batter

9. Sprinkle thetop of the batter with 2tea-

1/2

spoons of turbinado sugar

10. Bake the cake until golden brownand askewer inserted comes out clean, approximately 35-40 minutes.

11. Let the cake cool slightly then gently remove the cake and allow to cool on awire rack.

12. Optional (if using the glaze): While the cake cools, makethe glaze by mixing 2tablespoons of lemon juice with powdered sugar and apinch of salt. Whisk until smooth, adding morelemon juice as necessary to makeathin but still opaque glaze.

13. Using afork, prick holes onto the top of the cake. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake and let it set forafew minutes before serving.

PHOTO By OLIVIA REGARD

Browned Butter Cornbread, left, and Blueberry Lemon Cornmeal Cake

ARTS &CULTURE

Museum spotlights brutal Aleutian Islandscampaign

Spanning1,200 miles from mainlandAlaska toward Siberia and knifing between the Bering Sea and Pacific Ocean, the more than 300 mostly barren Aleutian Islands would have made for aperilous WWII battlefield even if no shotshad been fired.

Dave Walker

That there were and why —from June 3, 1942, to Aug. 15, 1943 —is the story told in “On American Shores: The Aleutian Islands Campaign,” achanging exhibit on view at theNational WWII Museum through Jan. 11. Cold, rainy and snowy when not foggy,and always unpredictable, the Aleutiansclimate was amenace for both sides.The small population of native Aleut peoples who inhabited the islands before the war somehow managed it, but they were captured, removed or interned when the ﬁghting started. The called their territory the “Cradle of Storms.”

“I didn’tﬁght any Japanese,” saidCapt. Paul W. Schaughency, of the 265th Coast Artillery Regiment, as quoted in the exhibit “Wefought the weather.” Accordingly,accommodations for the conditions —especially battleuniforms for soldiers in both forces —take marquee positions among the 70 or so objects on view in the exhibit

“It is avery rough environment to ﬁght in and it really affected people,” said Ross Patterson, curator for the exhibit. “A lot of peoplefroze and it caused them lifelong problems, even if they weren’thit in battle.”

Tracking thebattle

Given the expanse of the islands, alarge map outside the entrance to the exhibit offers visitors an essential orientation moment. Similar smallermaps of island clustersare reprised

TODAYINHISTORY

ByThe Associated Press

inside, to helptrack the individual actions.

Those started just afew months after Pearl Harbor,when the Japanese launched adual attack on Midway and the Aleutians. The targetingofthe Attu and Kiska islands in June 1942 was the only North American soil seized duringthe war.The impact on morale on thesuddenly not-so-distant home frontwas bracing.

“In apoll, more people could identify Alaska andthe Aleutians after theattack in 1942 than could identify where Hawaii was on a map, it was that much on their mind,” Patterson said. Fought on land, sea and in the

Today is Sunday,May 18, the138th day of 2025. There are 227 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On May 18, 1980, the MountSt. Helens volcanoinWashington stateerupted, leaving an estimated 57 people dead or missing.

On this date:

In 1863, the Siege of Vicksburg began during the Civil War, endingJuly4with aUnion victory

In 1896, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Plessy v. Ferguson, endorsed “separate but equal” racial segregation.(Thedecision wasreversed58 yearslater by Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.)

In 1927, in America’sdeadliest school attack, part of aschoolhouse in Bath Township, Michigan, was blown up with explosives plantedbylocal farmer Andrew Kehoe, who thenset offabomb in his truck; the attacks killed 38 children and six adults, including Kehoe,who’d earlier killed his wife. (Authorities said Kehoe, who suffered ﬁnancial difﬁculties, was seeking revenge for losinga township clerk election.)

In 1933, President Franklin D. Rooseveltsigneda measurecreating the Tennessee Valley Authority, thelargest public utilityinAmerica.

In 1973, Harvard law professor Archibald Cox was appointed Watergate specialprosecutor by U.S.Attorney General Elliot Richardson

In 1981, the New York Native, agay newspaper,carried astoryconcerning rumors of “an exotic newdisease” among LGBTQ+ people; it wasthe ﬁrst published report about what came to be knownasAIDS.

In 1998, the U.S. government ﬁled an antitrust case against Microsoft,saying the powerful software company hada “choke hold” on competitors that was denyingconsumers important choices about howthey bought and used computers. (The Justice Department and Microsoft reached asettlementin 2001.)

In 2018, a17-year-oldarmed witha shotgun and apistol opened ﬁre at a Houston-areahigh school, killing eight students and two teachers.

Today’sBirthdays: Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson is 79. Musician Rick Wakeman (Yes) is 76. Musician-composerMark Mothersbaugh(Devo) is 75. Country musicianGeorgeStraitis 73. Actor Chow Yun-Fat is 70. Hockey Hall of Famer Jari Kurri is 65. TennisHall of Famer Yannick Noah is 65. Comedianwriter Tina Fey is 55. Rock singerJack Johnson is 50. Heisman Trophywinner Travis Hunter is 22.

air,the subsequent counterattack and continuing engagement were conducted in devastatingly mortal conditions. In thePacific Theater,only the fight for Iwo Jimalater in the war surpassed theAmerican-to-Japanese combat casualty ratio on Attu,which included afinal brutal banzai charge by theenemy.

“The Japanesecut ice trenches into thehuge volcanic rises on Attu,” Patterson said. “The Japanesehad been there since 1942, and they knew that the best defensible areas would be actually up in thefog banks, and they could ﬁre down at choke points. Ourtroops would have to ﬁght

their way up these frozen mountainsand take ice trench after ice trench.”

That topography and climate combined to ensure that the battle’smateriel largely remains as it was leftwhen the ﬁghting concluded. Asequence in the exhibit titled “Frozen in Time” notes that, both on land and under the sea, the Aleutians remain “among the war’sbest-preserved battleﬁelds.”

Keyobjects in theexhibit Incredibly delicate propaganda leaﬂetsdropped by Americans on Kiska Island were created in theshape of Paulowinia leaves,

which the enemy believed were abad omen when falling out of season

But the Japanesehad already abandonedthe island at the time of the leaﬂet drop, prompting a RoyalCanadianCorps of Signals corporaltoquip that they’d been droppedon“the few remaining dogs on the island, whichunfortunately could not read.”

“OnAmerican Soil” tracks severalAllied“firsts” in the war: It was thesiteofthe war’s first multiservice amphibious assault,the first American use of carrier-basedclose airsupport,and thefirst airstrikes against theJapanesemainland by land-basedbomber formations. It was also thesiteof combat that produced thewar’s first MedalofHonor received by aHispanic American soldier, Private Joseph“Joe” Pantillion Martínez, who washonored posthumously

The islands also saw apopularculture “ﬁrst” thatwould echo through severalsubsequent wars: The ﬁrst of many intheater BobHopeChristmas shows took place in the Aleutians on Dec. 23, 1942. The cover of a personalizedscrapbook in the exhibit marks that show and a later1943 overseas entertainment tour.Titled“INever Left Home,” the scrapbook’scover shows thatHope’sbarnstorming troupe made stops in Iceland, England, Tunisia,Sicily and other destinations.

A1944 muster roll sheet from the destroyerUSS Cummings notesthe transport of visitor Franklin D. Roosevelt, “Comdrin-Chief,” anddescribes his destinationas“Eleanor Roosevelt (wife), 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.” Dave Walkerfocuses on behindthe-scenes coverage of the region’s many museumshere and at www.themuseumgoer com. Email Daveatdwalkertp@ gmail.com.

Canwediscuss anything otherthanfood?

Dear Miss Manners: What’s happened to mealtime conversation?

We have friends who are perfectly capable of talking about all kinds of interesting subjects, but only so long as there is no food in front of them. If we meet at restaurantsor for meals at each other’shouses, all they ever talk about is the food. They grill (sorry!) waitstaff at length about theingredients before they order.They even ask us, if they’recoming to our house, what we plan to serve —and make not-too-subtle suggestionsfor changing the menu. Not to accommodate allergies, which Iwould understand, but just preferences Iwould even stomach (sorry!) all that if they then talked about something else during dinner Butthey don’t. Partofitiscritiquing the food we’re eating, andifthey like what we made, they thinkit’sa compliment to ask for therecipe while we’re eatingit. But that’snot all. We have

to hear about what foods they like in general, and where they get them; which foods disagree with them, including descriptionsofdisgusting reactions; and which foods they think are bad for everybody.Wehear about their diets, how much weight they lost or didn’tlose, and the food habits of people we don’teven know.It’senough to makemelose my appetite (not sorry!). Then there is the endless talk about restaurants —not just theone we happen to be in, but others they’ve gone to, which ones they like, which ones they don’tlike and what they ate there. Andplaces they have heard about but haven’ttried yet Iamfed up! (Sorry!)

You’ll probably tell us to get new friends. Butthese include childhood and college friends, who share our interests as well as our history.Some are work friends, who have lots to say about our respective ﬁelds. Someare theparents of our children’sfriends, who have thesame goals about improving education. There’smywalking partner,who keeps me amused. Andthere are relatives we like —aswell as afew we just have

to tolerate. In other words, they’re not just bores, and we can’tﬁre them and get awhole new set.

Gentle reader: There is an old rule of etiquette that Miss Manners leftgathering dust in thecupboard, because circumstances had changed, no one pays attention to it now,and she hadn’tconsidered it worth aﬁght.

Until she got your letter

The rule prohibits talking about food while consuming a meal. This even prohibits complimenting the food, which is practicallyconsidered mandatorythese days.

But the rule dates from atime when people whoentertained were likely to employ cooks. (That did not mean that they were necessarily rich; “help” was paid shockingly little.) So rather than being ﬂattered by compliments, the host would suspect that the guest might attempt to steal the chef.

Whether or not people had fewer allergies then, guests either ate what they were given or pushed it around their plate. The ban on food talk relieved them of being questioned or urged

Today’s etiquette does require

hosts to ask in advance whether their guests have eating restrictions. But at the table, they may gently say,“I’mputting food talk off limits.”

Miss Manners’ guess is that the guests will be relieved to eat —ornot eat —inpeace.

Dear Miss Manners:I have a friend whoconstantly solicits gifts foravariety of occasions, both forherself and forher 12-year-old son. Most recently, she tagged me on social media next to alink to agiftregistry forher son’s8th grade graduation.

Is this athing?

It seemsshe feels he is entitled to gifts and recognition forbeing promoted to the next grade. How should Iapproach these kinds of requests?

Gentle reader:Ofcourse it is a thing. Are you not constantly being solicited formoney and goods from just about everyone whohas your contact information?

But Miss Manners assures you that that does not makeita proper thing, nor one requiring aresponse.

Email Miss Manners at dearmissmanners@gmail. com.

Dear Heloise: Our cityhas arecycling programfor cans and plastics, but there arerules thatthe items need to be clean without any food residue Since we live in the desert, Idon’t want to waste waterwhen washing these items. After dinner, Iusually washsome dishesinthe sink; then afterward,I rinseout the recyclables in this water and toss themin the recycle bin. —J.B.,Tucson, Arizona

Charging hearingaids

Dear Heloise: Iwanted to comment on Paul H.’sletter regard-

ing charging hearing aid batterieswhen theelectricitygoes out.His idea of asmall battery stationisagood one. The last twosets of hearing aids thatI have gotten came withtheir own charging stationand contained batteries. When the charging station is fully charged, it can charge the hearing aids at leastthree times without being plugged into electricity. These camewiththe hearing aids at no extra charge. Iwasn’tawarethat their charging stations had batteries until Iread the literature that came witheach setofhearing aids.Your readersmight have the solution to charging their hearing aids without realizing it, which would be thecharg-

ing station that camewith their hearing aids. If not, it might be worth it to buy one. Iwas able to keep my hearing aid batteries charged during the recent ﬁreswehad in Southern California so that Icould hear during the blackouts and evacuation orders that applied to my family.When Ihad hearing aids withreplaceable batteries, I always hadatleast amonth’s worth of batteries available.

J.R., Porter Ranch, California

Smallfurniture assembly

DearHeloise: Alot of small furniture assembly calls foranAllen wrench or ahex key,which always comes with the assorted screw.But Ibought an Allen wrench set that comes in ahan-

dle, which folds neatly up. The handle makes it much easier to grip the wrench so that you can tighten the screwsmore easily —Tim Hammond, via email Themayonnaisemethod

Dear Heloise: If you wantanice, moist turkey,try this: Rub the turkey all over with agenerous amount of mayonnaise before cooking. Make an aluminum tent over the turkey and bake at 325 Ffor the calculated time. Remove the aluminum tent about 30 minutes before the turkey is done cooking, and you’ll have atasty,moist turkey! —R.C., in Colorado Send ahinttoheloise@heloise com.

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Hints from Heloise

PHOTOSByDAVEWALKER

TheAleuts, at left,who lived on the Aleutian Islands, were captured, interned or removedbythe combatants.At right, the fiercely cold weather meant clothingwas akey part of the fight.

ABlueflite drone makesa delivery. PROVIDED PHOTO

support Air

Dronemanufacturerchose

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

where it has partnered with AcadianAmbulance to develop potentially lifesaving technology to deliver blood to accidentsites. The deal is one of several potential ventures in thestate forthe nearly 8-year-old startup, which

southLouisiana forits latest expansion

BY BLAKE PATERSON

Staff writer

Jordan Losavio, co-founder of BatonRouge-based tech startup Encore CO2, needed acustom part last month for aprototype that aims to transform carbon emissions into useful chemicals.

Alocal machine shop told her it would take nine days and $350 to make the part. Instead, she turned to amachinist 1,500 miles away at the Brooklyn, New York, headquartersofNewlab. Losavio handed over $50 and the design speciﬁcations. Twenty-four hourslater,she had theiPhonesized Teﬂon ring she needed for Encore’slatest test.

“When you’re astartup, you don’t have weeks to wait,” Losavio said. “I need to be able to try something out, then say,‘Hey,pivot thisbyX percentage,’ go back to that manufacturing hub and make it again.” Avoiding those types of delays,

IDEAS INNOVATION &

hasbegun

“These

“When you’reastartup, you don’thaveweeks to wait. Ineed to be able to trysomething out, then say,‘Hey,pivot this by Xpercentage,’ go back to that manufacturing hub and make it again.”

JORDAN LOSAVIO,co-founderofBaton Rouge-based techstartup Encore CO2

Cornerstone to lay off 116 at Waggaman plant

Company cites rising feedstock costs

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Business editor

Cornerstone Chemical Co said it is shutting down one of the units at its Waggaman manufacturing facility, a move that will put 116 employees out of work.

In a letter it sent to the Louisiana Workforce Commission on May 5, the company said it will mothball the acrylonitrile unit on July 31, and that 71 hourly plant workers will be laid off by Dec. 31 The layoffs will occur in three batches between July 31 and the end of the year

Cornerstone said 45 salaried workers have also been notified that they will be laid off because of the plant closure. Those layoffs will also happen in the second half of the year

Acrylonitrile is used to make hard plastics, synthetic rubber and acrylic ﬁbers that are used for TVs, phones, tires and clothes.

Matt Sokol, Cornerstone’s CEO, said in a statement the layoffs were a “difficult step” that were “part of a broader effort to streamline operations and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business.”

The layoffs represent 29% of the

company’s total workforce at the Waggaman plant.

Cornerstone said the unit is being shut down for potential future use by the company or another tenant but said the timeline for bringing back the plant is unknown.

Global trend

Cornerstone cited a number of

factors in the decision to close the plant, including rising feedstock costs and an oversupply of acrylonitrile.

According to Prismane Consulting, a global chemical research ﬁrm, a plant in Bahia, Brazil, also is shutting down. Combined with the Waggaman plant, the facilities accounted for 20% of the acryloni-

trile production capacity in North and South America.

Asian plants, particularly those in China, have also played into the global oversupply of acrylonitrile, Prismane said. That’s despite the recent shutdown of a facility in Hiroshima, Japan.

Cornerstone manufactures intermediate chemicals, used to

DRONE

Continued from page 1E

Ochsner Health Senior Vice President Aimee Quirk said Ochsner’s fund invested in Blueﬂite because it is looking to improve health care accessibility efﬁciency and outcomes, while also helping to spur economic development opportunities.

Boot 64 Managing Partner John Roberts said his fund was attracted to the company because of its potential applications.

“Blueﬂite represents a unique opportunity, combining technology and a physical product to provide solutions to problems across the globe,” Roberts said Quintessential ‘garage startup’

Blueﬂite’s move into Louisiana comes nearly a decade after the first commercial drone ﬂight took place in 2014 in Alaska, when oil giant BP began using unmanned aerial vehicles to survey roads, pipelines and equipment. In the years since, the evolution of drone technology, software and regulations has enabled the commercialization of the autonomous devices in construction, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, health care and other sectors of the economy. A research organization estimates the value of the global industry to be about $40 billion.

Tech giants Amazon and Google along with California-based startup Zipline — have begun using drones to make deliveries in a few states, but the vision of drones as a part of daily life is still far from reality

Blueflite, co-founded by McClearen and Frank Noppel in 2018, hopes to change that by providing a turnkey solution for big companies that want to use drone technology but don’t want to make it themselves.

The company sells hardware and software that it designs and manufactures at two facilities in Michigan and New York. It has 20 employees in ﬁve locations around the world.

McClearen described the company as the “quintessential garage startup” that, until a few years ago, was still making drones out of his house.

Now McClearen, an Atlanta native and graduate of Georgia Tech, will be

spending time away from that home, as he helps launch Blueﬂite’s Louisiana outpost.

The ﬁrm’s new Lafayette ofﬁce will focus on managing several Louisiana projects. It will be located in the Opportunity Machine startup hub, across the street from FlyGuys, a Louisiana startup that provides an online marketplace of drone services.

McClearen said the company was attracted to the area by a talent pool of software developers that would provide value at a lower cost compared with cities on the West Coast.

“We’re really stingy about opening new ofﬁces, because it’s a small company, and managing all this stuff can be a nightmare,” McClearen said. “It was a strategic decision.”

Lifesaving blood

One of the Blueflight’s main reasons for coming to Louisiana is its partnership with Acadian Ambulance, the Lafayettebased, multistate medical transportation powerhouse. In 2023, the two companies through Blueflite’s subsidiary Darkflite — received a federal grant to study the feasibility of using drones to deliver blood and other supplies to the scene of auto accidents and other medical emergencies.

The study was completed and submitted late last year

“If you can get blood to an accident site, you can save lives,” McClearen said. “But ambulances and helicopters don’t all carry blood because it’s such a valuable commodity and has a shelf life.”

The partners are waiting for approval to begin phase two of the project, which would mean putting the proposed plan in action in a limited way, testing delivery of blood to crash sites via drones in Louisiana. A third phase of the grant, if approved, would support full commercialization of the service.

Blueﬂite already is making different types of deliveries for a health care system in Michigan as part of a state-funded project. In early May, its drone pilots began delivering lab samples between buildings on a medical campus.

McClearen said he expects to learn the fate of the next phase of the Louisianabased pilot program in the next couple of weeks, and is optimistic it’s going to be approved. “That will allow us to bring additional

hardware into the state,” he said.

In addition to providing a location to manage that potential pilot program, McClearen said the Lafayette office will be the headquarters for its new software division, which makes tools for drone fleet management, inventory tracking, pilot qualification and flight data analysis.

“We started as a hardware drone company but we’re moving pretty fast into software,” he said.

Australian mines, Gulf Coast oil rigs

McClearen said the new Louisiana ofﬁce has spotlighted Blueﬂite’s potential for the oil and gas industry

That sector of the economy was a focus of the company in its early days; now it’s coming back to the forefront.

“We actually started the company with the idea to kill the helicopter in the oil and gas industry,” he said. “The helicopters are $3,000 an hour and sometimes they’re ﬂying things like a little circuit board because the whole rig’s down. It’s not like they need a drill head or something; they just need something that’s the size of a tissue box.”

A good test case for the viability of this type of delivery might be the mining industry in Australia, where Blueﬂite and its partners hope to convince mining companies they can save money and time by delivering small items to remote locations via drone.

Blueﬂite sent one of its drones to Australia so business development teams can host demonstrations.

He said the company has Australian connections because it has partnered with Charles Darwin University in Australia to research a hydrogen-based drone power supply. The goal is to extend a drone’s range without adding weight.

McClearen thinks what works for Australian mines will work just ﬁne for Louisiana energy companies, particularly anyone that needs to get supplies to offshore rigs. He hopes to explore that possibility more with more potential Louisiana partners, including the owners of FlyGuys, the drone company across the street.

“It’s early in the relationship, but we’re thinking about going to a show together to pitch the oil and gas industry,” he said.

Email Rich Collins at rich.collins@ theadvocate.com

make day-to-day products such as car batteries, particle board and laminated plastics at its Waggaman facility The plant is part of the company’s larger Cornerstone Energy Park, an 800-acre facility that opened in 1952. Other tenants include CF Industries, electric parts manufacturer Rohm and UBE, a Japanese ﬁrm that plans to open a facility next year that will manufacture solvents used for electric vehicles

Along with shutting down the acrylonitrile unit, Cornerstone sold off the sulfuric acid operations at the Waggaman plant to Ecovyst for an undisclosed sum in a deal that was ﬁnalized earlier this month.

Forty of the 45 employees working on the sulfuric acid side were kept onboard by Ecovyst, while some workers chose to remain with Cornerstone.

Sokol said the sale of the sulfuric acid business was part of a strategy to build “a cleaner, more modern, and resilient organization.”

With the closure of the acrylonitrile plant and the sale of the sulfuric acid unit, Cornerstone’s operations at the Waggaman plant will be down to producing melamine, used to make everything from ﬂame-retardant foam to low-emission spray paint and urea, used in fertilizer and to reduce air pollutants

Email Timothy Boone at tboone@theadvocate.com.

NEWLAB

Continued from page 1E

companies that Idea Village is working with can take advantage of Newlab’s lab space and equipment.

“Hopefully, there will be a revolving door,” she said.

Kris Khalil, head of the New Orleans BioInnovation Lab, said he sees “tremendous opportunities for collaboration, where our biotech founders might beneﬁt from Newlab’s advanced prototyping and expertise, and in turn, we can offer speciﬁc insights for biotech or health applications in Newlab’s portfolio.”

The Newlab facility will span 30,000 square feet and will be staffed with a team of experts in 3D printing, advanced machining and more to help startups quickly make the custom parts they need.

The site will also include a set of industrial bays — equipped with overhead cranes and fume hoods — where start-ups can build and test their prototypes.

That access to machinery and industrial space is hard to come by and means that startups can focus resources on scaling up research instead of spending it on building out their own workshop.

Newlab, which calls itself a “venture platform,” also helps startups ﬁnd investors, market their technologies and work with industrial partners to test out their designs in the real world.

“Newlabs’ presence here is a bridge between where we’ve been and where we’re going,” LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said at Monday’s announcement, calling it a “milestone in Louisiana’s economic evolution.”

Why Newlab is coming to Louisiana

The global push to decarbonize the economy can be measured in trillions of dollars, Josh Fleig, LED’s chief innovation ofﬁcer said at Monday’s event. If Louisiana doesn’t invest in new forms of energy production now it will cede its role in the future as a global leader in energy to places like Texas, Fleig said.

Louisiana’s massive industrial base produces an outsized amount of planet-warming emissions That “deep industrial legacy” is part of what attracted Newlabs to Louisiana, said David Belt, the company’s co-founder and CEO. “You’re sitting on one of the most strategic hubs of energy in the country,” he said.

Newlab New Orleans will initially focus on accelerating technologies across three different sectors: industrial power, carbon management and utilization, and shipping and maritime.

Newlab focuses on working with “deep tech” startups — a term for companies that are building hardware based on years of research and development. That includes Encore CO2, which is planning to move into Newlab New Orleans once it’s built. The start-up, which was born out of research done at LSU, is developing technology that transforms carbon emissions into high-value industrial chemicals with potential applications from consumer goods to agriculture.

Encore CO2 has already demonstrated that its propriety technology works on a small-scale in a laboratory, Losavio said. It’s now trying to scale up that technology for an industrial setting. The company became a member of Newlab last year with funding from a Department of Energy grant.

Robert Twilley, LSU’s vice president for research and economic development, said he hopes Newlab’s expertise will help usher academic research into the market.

“One thing we do a great job of is generating knowledge,” Twilley said. “We don’t do a very good job of commercializing it.”

Losavio, who is pursuing a Ph.D. at LSU, said that in her many years on the Baton Rouge campus, she never once heard faculty or staff mention turning research into entrepreneurship.

“That’s a fundamental problem, and Newlab understand that’s problem,” she said.

Newlab is expected to open its hub in New Orleans by the end of 2026.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@ theadvocate.com.

Cornerstone Chemical Co. is shutting down the acrylonitrile unit at its Waggaman manufacturing facility and laying off 116 employees. The layoffs represent 29% of the company’s total workforce at the Waggaman plant.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Blueflite, a Detroit-based drone manufacturer with a global footprint, is expanding into Louisiana, where it has partnered with Acadian Ambulance to develop potentially lifesaving technology to deliver blood to accident sites.

TALKING BUSINESS WITHSCOTT COWEN

Former Tulane presidentaimstoinspire in newbook

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

Scott Cowen, president of Tulane University from 1998-2014, led the one of the nation’smost prestigious schools through the unprecedented and uncharted challenges brought on by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The storm that swamped New Orleans sent Tulane students scattered for asemester and threatened the future of auniversity that dates back to 1834.

Cowen’swork rebuilding the school —and simultaneously helping reimagine K-12 education in NewOrleans —earned him a reputation as acapable leader in times of crisis.

Or as he puts it, he became the “master of disaster.”

In 2020, while Cowen was serving as interim president of Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, his crisis management skills were againput to the test by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said he used the lessons learnedfrom Katrina to steer the ship.

Cowen traces his lifelong interest in leadership to his days as high school class president in his New Jersey hometown,through his time in the U.S. Army and as an undergrad at the Universityof Connecticut.

During the half-century career in academia as aresearcher,professor and top administrator,he honed his leadership skills and, even, distilled many of the lessons he learned into aleadership class he created for Tulane. The course continues to this day Now Cowen, 79, has written a new book, his ﬁfth, called “Lead and Succeed.” His aim is to pass on what he’slearned as astudent, infantry ofﬁcer and educatorto thenextgeneration. Cowen’s intended readers are college students and high schoolers who will be taking the reins in the years to come. This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity

Whythis book and whynow? Iwant to share with young peo-

“I want thenextgeneration to learnhow to lead.”

ple what I’ve learned. Iwantthe next generation to be effective, thoughtful and moral leadersin aworld that seems increasingly lacking in such ﬁgures. I’mworried about the next generation, so Iwanted toaddress them. How didthis project fitinto your other obligations? Ihad been thinking about this fora very long time. WhenI stepped down after being president, Iwas teaching at Tulane. I asked if Icouldcreate acourse on leadership, whichI hadnever done before. The more Isaw the impact the class was having on students, Irealized, “This is working. If Ican do this, maybe somebody elsecan do it, too.” They’re still teaching that course every year at Tulane and at CaseWest

ern. Is the book adistillation of the lessons you’ve been using in the classroom? Yes, and my own experience growingup. When Iwas in high school, Iwas captainofthe football team.Iwas head of the student body,but to be honest, I didn’tknow what the hell to do half the time.During one high school speech, instead of saying what Ihad prepared, Ithrew away my notes andsaid, “Hey, listen,you want me becauseI’m cool. And, by theway,I’ll get beer in theschool.” Idon’tknow what Iwas thinking. After Iﬁnished, a facultymembersaid, “Mr. Cowen, one of twothings is going to happentoyou. You’re either going to be nothing or you’re going to do

In thebook, youtalkabout ahumbling momentatthe University of Connecticut when you tried asimilar speech, but it was not well received. It didn’twork at all. Icame offassome crazy guy,and they put it in the school newspaper.I learnedmylesson thereand decidedI should be alittle bit more thoughtful. Iwas trying to be abig man,not knowing what Iwas doing or whatI wantedtodofor the university.Itwas embarrassing. How much have you been out there promoting the new book? Alot morethanIthought. I’ve gotten alot of requests to speak Iwent through auniversity to releasemyother books. This time Iused ahybrid publisher,who helps you build your book. (In this model, authors pay higher upfront costs but keep more of the back-end royalties.) Not only did I learn from them,but they’vebeen so good aboutpromotion.

Youhaveasection in thebook about the importance of being vulnerable.Whyisthat important? Youhave to let people know who you are andwhat you stand for.Myviewiswhatyou see is what you get withme. There’s no bulls*** with it. It is what it is. Beware of anybody who thinks they’rethe smartest person in the room. I’d rather be the personthat says, “Hey,Ihavesome thoughts, but Ineed help.”

withthe endinmind? If people are struggling to make aplan, I’ll say,“What does winning look like? What do you want to get done?” If they don’tknow, Iencourage them to really think aboutit. Take my book,for instance. Why am Idoing this? It’s because Iwant thenext generationtolearnhow to lead. Ialways talk about the end game. What is it youwanttosee happen, andhow canyou getfromwhere youare nowtothere?

Ilearned alot about that after Katrina.I saidtoeverybody, “This is amess, but we’re going to make this institutionbetter.” And Imeant it. We got our students out in the community to work, andthe city’spublic school systemisbetterbecause of it. Tulane is abetter institution because of it. And Ithink New Orleans is better off overall.

What were the mostimportant lessons you learned during thepandemic?

To emphasize communication. Talk aboutwhat’sgoing on, what’s working, what’snot working, my expectations, other people’ssuggestions. Find out if there are silverlinings. Before the pandemic, mostfaculty members didn’t know how to use Zoom. Now we alldo. So something came outof it thatwas good What makesyou mostproudabout your time at Tulane?

Going through what we all did after Katrina was aheroic moment. Ithink most people did a very, verygoodjob. And Iwas glad that if it was going to happen that Iwas there and could do something to help. And, because of that experience, whenuniversitieshaveaproblem, they call me What’s nextfor you?

Ithink probably in another year, I’m going to sayenough is enough and spend the rest of my life hanging around anddoing whatever it is thatIwanttodo. I’ve beenatit for avery,very long time. I’m getting older.Knock wood, I’m still in good shape. I’m not at that point right now, but I’mgetting there. EmailRich Collins at rich.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Former Tulane University President Scott Cowen’snew book, ‘Lead and Succeed,’ will be released June 3.

Aftertax season,unresolvedissueslinger

For many,the anxiety around taxes extends beyond the traditional April 15 deadline.

As ofﬁcial notices from the IRS begin to arrive, adifferent kind of worry takes hold —the unsettling prospect of an unresolved issue, an unexpected tax bill or questions about areturn. This was the case withtwo readers calling into my Ask Post line looking for advice. One involved alate return; the other,an erroneous W-2.

First, the question about ﬁling a late return.

Areader wanted to conﬁrm that there are no penalties for ﬁling alate return if you don’towe Uncle Sam. “I called the IRS to ask this question, and the woman Ispoke to refused basically to answer,” the caller said. “I was quite dismayed at the inability to get any answers on this because it seemed like asimple matter.”

Isuspect the IRS representative didn’tfeel comfortable assuring the reader he wouldn’tbe penalized because shecouldn’t know for sure if the agency might conclude that taxes were owed, which may result in interest and penalties.

But generally,you won’tbe penalized for ﬁling areturn late if you don’tultimately owe any taxes. However,penalties are associated with owing taxes and either failing to ﬁle on time or failing to pay the amount due by the tax deadline.

Now to the question on the W-2 associated with identity theft which is happening moreoften

Fool’sTake:

Semiconductors, anyone?

We’re in aperiod of economic uncertainty,and at times like this, picking individual stocks can be especially difﬁcult. Instead, you may want to invest in exchange-traded funds—funds that trade like stocks.

Motley Fool

If you’re willing to accept some riskfor ashotat market-beating returns, check out the VanEck Semiconductor ETF (ticker: SMH), which tracks an index of 25 companies in the semiconductor production and equipment industry.Its shares of Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and Broadcom make up over 40% of thefund’s value. All three have performed well in recent years and are leaders in the artiﬁcialintelligence boom.

The ETF has averaged annual gains topping 21% over thepast 15 years. It looks well-positioned to keep outperforming thestock market, withits top stocks growing rapidly.The need for semiconductors should continue to grow,driven by AI andfuture technologies. Meanwhile, these stockshave all built formidablecompetitive advantages, which should help them continue to outperform the broadmarket While the coming monthsare likely to remain volatile, the

MichelleSingletary THE COLOR OF MONEy

because of the numerous data breaches that have exposed people’spersonal information, including Social Security numbers.

“My son, out of theblue, received aW-2 from acompany he had never worked for,had never applied towork for,withhis correct Social Security number,full name, and address,” aconcerned mother said.

TheW-2 listed$32,000 in income. The motherisconcerned thather son, whose earnings are below the ﬁling threshold, might be liable for taxes on income he hadn’treceived.

Unfortunately,Ihave experience withthis exact issue.

Afew years ago, someoneused my husband’sSocial Security number to get avirtual call-centerjob withanArizona company

Thecompany issued a1099-NEC

—typically used by businesses to report paymentstoindependent contractors or self-employed individuals.The form indicated thatmyhusband had earned just over $10,000 as an independent contractor

TheIRS compareswhat it receives on documents such as W-2s or 1099s withwhat people report on their federal income taxreturns.

VanEck Semiconductor ETF is poised to deliver strong growth. (TheMotley Fool owns shares of andrecommendsNvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing. Itrecommends Broadcom.)

Fool’sSchool: Keep up with investments

Aclassicbit of investing advice is to “buy and hold,” but we suggest buying TO hold —buying with the intention of holding for along time, while you keep up with your investments’ developments. (If astock no longer inspires conﬁdence, there isn’tagood reason to keep holding it.)

Savvy investors often check in with their holdings every quarterwhen companies release their quarterly reports. Most publicly traded American businesses issue adetailed “10-K” report every year.Atthe ends of the other three quarters, they issue shorter (but still informative) “10-Q” reports. Both reports typically offer three key financial statements —abalance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flow and sometimes additional data. These statementsreveal growth rates, profit margins, cash levels, debt loads, inventory levels and more.

Many companies’ management teams also hold informative conference calls withWall Street analysts each quarter You’ll often be able to listen to these via the company websites,

Iasked IRS spokesman Eric Smithabout such cases, and he toldmethat theson may get aCP2000. Such anotice might question whether ataxpayer has underreported income, leading to abill for unpaid taxes, interest and penalties.

“If that happens,hecan call the phone number on that notice to explain the situation, or respond to thenotice in writing,” Smith said. With this type of fraud, you need to do several things, which themother had herson do.

Get an identity protection PIN from the IRS This six-digit number preventssomeone from ﬁling atax return using your Social Security number.Dothis even if you don’t have aﬁling requirement.

Smithalsorecommended ﬁling IRS Form 3949-A, Information Referral,which allows people to report alleged tax law violations by abusinessorindividual.

Check your credit reportfor anyemployer information you don’trecognize. By law,the three major credit bureaus —Equifax, Experian and TransUnion —mustgive you afree copy of your ﬁle every 12 months. At the onset of the pandemic, thebureaus made it even easier for people to view their credit history by offering free weekly credit reports. Although theoffer was supposed to sunset, thebureaus have permanently extended it. Here’sthe ofﬁcial site where you can get your reports free —annualcreditreport. com. Reportthe identity theft to the Federal

and with an onlinesearch you might even turn up transcripts of these calls. To follow theprogress of your holdings,ataminimum, read theirquarterlyand annual reports andsearch online for any news related to each company (You’llfind enlightening articles on many companies at Fool. com and elsewhere online.) Ask yourself: Is this company growing? What areits challenges and opportunities? Is it going in any new directions? Are there any red flags or troubling trends (such as debt growing faster than revenue) in thefinancial statements? Do Istill believe in thecompany’sfuture,and is it still one of my bestinvestment ideas?

Bookssuch as these can help you learnhow to make sense of ﬁnancial statements: “Reading Financial Reports for Dummies” by LitaEpsteinand “The Little Book That Still Beats the Market”byJoel Greenblatt. If all this seems like alot of work, it kind of is. Fortunately you can always just opt to invest in asimple, low-fee S&P500 index fund.

Ask the Fool:

The rule of 110

What’sthe “Ruleof110”? —G.L., Pasadena, California

It’sa rough guideline for how you might allocateyour assets. It’sconventional wisdom that as we age, we might shift some of our investment portfolio

Trade Commission. File areportonline at IdentityTheft.gov or call theirhotline at 1-877-438-4338.

For the online form, you will be asked how the identity thief used your information, and there’san option to note it wasthrough employment. Lock down your credit files. Youhave aright to afreecredit freeze, also known as asecurity freeze, at all three major credit bureaus. Youcan learnhow to place a freeze on the FTC’swebsite by searching for“Credit Freeze.” Employers may check acredit report to verify an applicant’s identity. Onceafreeze is placed, thecredit bureauscan’trelease any informationwithout your permission. The mother who reached out to me wondered what else herson should do. “I’m just so stressed by this,” she said on the call. Irecommend three additional steps.

Contact the company. The responsibilityofresolving this matter doesn’tjust fall on you. According to theIRS, employers are responsible for ﬁling accurate W-2s and 1099s. If the form is wrong, theIRS requires the company to correct it. Contact the Social SecurityAdministration. Let the agency knowthat someonehas stolen your Social Securitynumberand is fraudulently using it fortheir employment. Block electronic access to your Social Security number If you knowyour Social Security numberhas been compromised, you can ask the

from stocks to “safer” categories, such as bonds and even certiﬁcates of deposit or money market accounts. But how much should you keep in stocks at any one time? Enter the Rule of 110. According to the rule, if you start with the number 110 and subtract your age, you’ll arrive at the best percentage of your portfolio to keep in stocks. So if you’re 50, you’d be 60% in stocks. If you’re 30, you’d be 80% in stocks.

Of course, we’re all different, with different risk tolerances, goals and needs, and the rule isn’tideal foreveryone. Some recommendstarting with 120 if you want to be moreaggressive. Others point out that if you’re still young —maybe 25 or even 35 —you might want to keep mostorall of your long-term dollars in stocks.

How willweknowifwe’re in arecession? —N.H, LittleRock,Arkansas Recessionsare defined in different ways. The International Monetary Fund defines it as “a sustained period when economic output falls and unemployment rises.”The nonprofit National Bureau of Economic Research notes that arecession typically lasts at least afew months and “begins when theeconomy reaches apeak of activity and ends when the economy reaches its trough.”

Many consumers are worried that arecession could be looming, as the economy contracted in the ﬁrst quarter.Remember though, that the U.S. has always

Social Security Administration to block electronic access by calling (800) 772-1213. Youwill have to verify your identity if you want to remove the block.

Youcan geta “Self Lock” with E-Verify —a free online service thatthe federalgovernment providestoemployers to check if an employeeiseligible to work in the U.S. andalso protects against identity fraud. It’snot foolproof because it requiresanemployer to use the system. Individuals can also createanE-Verify account. If you use this option, youcan unlock your Social Security numberto allowanemployer to check your status.

Iknowthis is alot to do. Navigating the complexities of your tax-ﬁling obligations and the rising threat of identity-related fraud is challenging and frustrating.

As for my husband’scase, the companythatissuedhim the incorrect 1099 initially wasn’t cooperative, sending him an emailwith an appalling lack of accountability: “Unfortunately, the responsibility of resolving this matter andsafeguarding personal information falls on you as the victim.”

We responded with equal ﬁrmness, citing the clearIRS rule theyweredisregarding. Only thendid theyﬁnally issue acorrected 1099.

EmailMichelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

recovered from recessions.

My Dumbest Investment:

Theworst beststock

My most recent regrettable investment wasbuying into arenewable energycompanyonaninvesting app, whenitwas listed as the best-performing stock that day. It wasaterrible buy!Itdropped by more than half. Ihopeatsome point it recovers enough so Ican break even.— G.T., online

Youmade somecommon rookie mistakes —such as being wowedbyastrong-performing investment. If astock or fund surges over aday or even ayear, manypeople might buy into it, thinking it will do that frequently.But it may wellbethe only timeitdoes so —and the much higher current price might have moved the investment into overvalued territory

It’s best not to rely solely on a recommendation, but to do your own digging into any potential investment. Any company you’re interested in should have agood website with an area forinvestors, where you should ﬁnd its quarterly and annual reports. If the site has little information, that’sabad sign. Youwere smart to think that renewable energy is likely to grow in prominence, but not all renewable energy companies will be great investments; some will prosper while others ﬂame out. Finally,consider just selling this (or any other) stock if you no longer believe in the company Aim to earn your lost money back in amore promising stock.

7Brewtoopen

Lafayette location

Popular drive-thru coffee chain

7Brew will open aLafayettelocation. The brand was grantedabuilding permit by Lafayette Consolidated Government to build at 4308 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, in the parking lot in front of the Kohl’sstore, LCG records show

The project is valued at $1.1 million.

7Brew,which has 11 locations in the state but none in southwest Louisiana, is afast-growing franchised brand that startedinRogers, Arkansas,in2017 and focuses on speed of service. In December, it reported over300 locations in 31 states.

It’salso the latest development locally and elsewhereamong drive-thru coffee businesses

Scooter’sCoffee just opened its second location in the Lafayette

Issued May7-13

Commercial alterations

SCHOOL: 810 S. Buchanan St description, renovation of the Davidson buildingfor First Baptist Church Schoolfor its college ministryand high school education; applicant Diverse Studio; contractor, Kent Design Build; $4.47 million.

MEDICAL: 303 RueLouis XIV, description, shellspace buildout for CardiologySpecialist of Acadiana; applicant, BHA; contractor,Thomson Brothers Construction; $550,000.

SCHOOL: 2901 S. Fieldspan Road, description, pavilion for Ridge Elementary School; applicant and contractor, Bergeron’s Metal Buildings; $125,038

RESTAURANT: 1581 S. Bernard Road, Broussard; description, renovation for Central Pizza; applicant, CRRE Investments; contractor, Castle RowConstruction; $77,000.

OTHER: 209 Southpark Road, description, remove and add interior walls andtwo bathrooms for Ducks Unlimited; applicant and contractor, Castle Row Construction; $50,000.

area, Starbucks hastwo locations under construction, and according to one real estate agent, other brands are scouting the area. Central Pizza to open second location

Locally owned Central Pizzawill open aBroussard location.

The businesswill moveinto the former Market Eatz, 1581 S. Bernard Road, in the Sabal Palms development. Broussard approved a buildingpermit for the business on Monday,records show Gus Rezende withSocial Entertainment, which owns Central Pizza, conﬁrmed the move but declined toshare details.

Central Pizza openedjust over seven years ago at 423 Jefferson St.

Market Eatz closed its Broussard location in November.The location was too close to itsoriginallocationand wounduptaking

BUILDING PERMITS

Newcommercial COFFEE: 4308 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, description, newlocation for 7Brew coffee drive-thru;applicant, Basin LLC;contractor, CTAR Inc.; $1.1 million. Newresidential 122 RETREATST.,BROUSSARD: Provence Homes, $1.2 million.

300 HARBOR ROAD,YOUNGSVILLE: Hays Homes, $865,000. 207 CONSERVATORY ST., BROUSSARD: Provence Homes, $800,000. 205 CALDWELL COURT: Milton Hebert Construction, $716,130

504 WINTHORPE ROW: GSL Homes, $420,390. 321 MERMENTAUROAD, YOUNGSVILLE: JaredFontenot,$322,560. 105 SAYFERT ROAD,YOUNGSVILLE: HammerheadHomes, $310,500

200 W. FAIRFIELD DRIVE, BROUSSARD: Gulf Coast Modular Homes, $248,674. 119 EDEN RIDGE ST DUSON: DR Horton, $236,160. 101 IRVINGAVE.: Manuel Builders, $224,370.

away too much sales, owner Bryan McLain said.

One Acadiana to host statewide conference

OneAcadiana will host this year’sconference of the Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives on Aug. 25-27.

The annual event attracts about 150 chamber professionals, economic development partners, state ofﬁcials andbusiness and community leadersfor discussion centered around best practices for chambers of commerce.

The organization will awardthe small, medium and largechambers of theyear. As the 2024 Large Chamber of the Year,One Acadianawas awardedthisyear’sconference.

“Being hand-selected as the 2025 host is atestament to both the workofour organization

106 STEEP MEADOWS LANE: DSLD,$205,020. 414 FLORES COURT: Manuel Builders, $203,490.

201 ELMDALE ROAD: Manuel Builders, $191,880.

202 HARBOURSIDE DRIVE, YOUNGSVILLE: $190,000.

120 RIODRIVE, YOUNGSVILLE: $190,000.

322 WHITE PINE DRIVE: DR Horton, $179,010.

324 WHITE PINE DRIVE: DR Horton, $192,150.

325 WHITE PINE DRIVE: DR Horton, $215,100.

327 WHITE PINE DRIVE: DR Horton, $244,800.

206 WAKELY COURT: DSLD, $167,940.

208 WAKELY COURT: DSLD $187,380.

1004 SAINT PATRICK ST.: Zaunbrecher Builders, $155,250.

114 LOTUS ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD,$151,109. 116 LOTUS ST., BROUSSARD: DSLD,$134.007. 302 SUMMER ST BROUSSARD: DSLD,$143.693.

100 STAR LANE, BROUSSARD: DSLD,$140.650. 111 INVESTMENT DRIVE, YOUNGSVILLE: Tylock Homes, $115,920.

Many Americansare fortunate to have dental coverage fortheir entire workinglife, through employer-providedbenefits. When those benefits end with retirement, paying dental bills out-of-pocketcan come as a shock,leadingpeople to putoff or even go without care. Simply put —without dental insurance,there may be an important gap in your healthcarecoverage.

When you’re comparing plans ...

 Look forcoveragethat helps pay formajor services. Some plansmay limitthe numberof procedures —orpay forpreventive care only.

 Look forcoverage with no deductibles. Some plansmay require you to pay hundredsout of pocket before benefits are paid.

 Shop forcoverage with no annual maximum on cash benefits. Someplans haveannual maximums of $1,000.

servicespeople over 50 oftenneed.

Consider these national average costs of treatment. $222 fora checkup. $190 for afilling. $1,213 fora crown.3 Unexpected bills likethiscan be arealburden especially if you’re on afixed income.

andour strong,vibrant region which we look forward to sharing with fellow business and community professionals from across the state,” OneAcadiana President and CEO Troy Waymansaid. Forsponsorship opportunities, contact Lindsey Faulk at lindsey@ oneacadiana.org.

Share of newly built homes soldhighest in years

The market for newly built homes in Lafayette Parish remains strong through the first four months of this year while the price continues to climb.

Just over 31% of all homes sold in the parish so far has been new construction, the highest share since at least 2019 andwellabove the2020 rate of 22.7%, according to datacompiled by analyst Bill Bacque with Market Scope Consulting. Sales areup3%from ayear

agoand 16% from2023, data shows. The average sale price is up 7% from ayear ago to just under$330,000 with the median sale priceup1%tojustunder $270,000.

The market for existing homes, meanwhile, is goingthe other direction.

So far, 676 have been sold this year,downslightly from ayear ago but well belowthe 1,066 in 2022 andthe 776 sold in 2019. The averagesaleprice through April is down from ayear ago after 16 months of year-over-year increases, data shows. Existing homesare sellingonaverage for 97.2% of the list price, while newly built homes are going for 99.6% of the list price.

Thenumberofexistinghomes that went on the market last month rose 11% from ayear ago, whilethe number of newlybuilt homes to hit the market dropped 15%

Meet with an Install Designer Completethe In-Home Assessment -Location of generator -Sizerequired -How it works -How install happens -Qualify for financing -Answer questions

Receive aWritten Quote -Location of generator -kWsizer report -Install details -Total Price

Schedule Installation -Pick install date -Pay Down Payment -Sign Agreement

DIGITAL DETOX

Expertssay unplugging mightbea great idea forhealthfor adults andteens

BY SHANTELLGOMEZ

Contributing writer

According to many sources, most Americans spend more than six hours a daylooking at screens—and thenumbers are rising. Taking abreak from screens is more importantthan ever.

In 2023, the Pew Research Center conducted astudy that foundnearlyhalfof teens use the internet “almost constantly.” That’s roughly double the 24% of teenswho used theinternet at this rate in the 2014-2015 survey

According to researchatthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention high levels of screen time have been linked with adverse health outcomes, including poor sleep habits, fatigue and symptoms of anxietyand depression

But it’snot just ateen or Gen Zproblem, even adults who grew up without technology strugglewith self-regulation when it comes to screen time —the effects on children who have only known to rely on their screens are worse.

Dr.Katie Fetzer,a mental health counselor who has been practicinginLouisiana for 15 years, said there is acorrelation between screen timein youth and building empathy

“There’sa longitudinal study National Institutes of Health is doing, speciﬁcally measuring the brain —the adult, the child and adolescent brain —for those who are exposed to screen timemedia,” Fetzer said. “They’re seeing aweakening in the neurological part of the brain where empathy is built.”

Adigital detox can provide amuchneeded break from the cycle of self-

sabotage and offer afresh perspective, allowing people to look up andengage with the world. The benefits of adigitaldetox are many.According to aUCLA study,preteenswho hada five-daybreak from screens were much better at reading people’semotions(nonverbal skills) than children who continued using screens.

Waytoreduce screen time include:

n Trya mini digital detox during a time when it is less necessary or tempting to be connected to work,perhaps over aweekend.

n Enlistsupport. Tell friends and fam-

ily about going ofﬂine.

n Dig out acamerasothere’snoreason to grab aphone.

n Go outside —without aphone.

Stepping away from devices, even for aday,can reduce stress, better sleeping habits, enhance relationships and make way for more activities in the day

According to theNationalLibrary of Medicine, 92% of Americans use their phones before bed, which disrupts sleep patterns. The blue light emitted from devices suppresses melatonin, the

Teacher: Phoneban ‘returned sanctity’to classroom

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

As Louisiana wraps up its ﬁrst school year under anew statewide cellphone ban, someeducators say they’re witnessing something they haven’tseen in years: students talking to each other

While the cellphone ban enacted before the 2024-25 school year hasn’t been perfect,most educators sayit’sa stepinthe right direction.

In July 2024,Louisiana became one of at least nine states with tough restrictions on the use of cellphones in schools.

LouisianaSenateBill207 states that “no students shall possess, on their person, an electronic telecommunication device throughout the instructional day.Ifastudent brings an electronic telecommunicationdevice in any public elementary or secondary school building or on thegrounds thereof during an instructional day, theelectronic device shall either be turnedoff andproperly stowed away forthe durationofthe instructionalday or prohibited from being turned on and used during the instructional day.”

The phone ban came after years of mounting concerns. For more than adecade, teachers have been navigating classrooms in which students are creating TikToks, scrolling, andgaming instead of doing classwork.

As thefirst school year under the cellphone ban comes to a close, many Louisiana educators say they are seeing thepower of change ﬁrsthand.

Jean-Luc Billeaudeaux,a teacher at Lafayette High School with 21 yearsofexperience, says the cellphone ban has been apositive move. He says, in this school year,hehas seen moreinteraction among students at lunch and in between classesthaninprevious years as phone usage steadily increased.

“The last few years, before the statestepped in,weredifficult with phones in class,”Billeadeaux said. “Each classperiod, I found myself addressing phone useduring instruction.And many times, parental contacts werenonfactors, student behaviors rarely changed.”

Billeadeauxlaments the necessity of the state’sinterventionbut saysafter an almostcompleted school year withthe ban, he believesthe positivesoutweigh the negatives.

Not allstudents say thephone banhas made abig difference. Some, like 16-year-old Alex Martin, ajunior at Comeaux High in Lafayette, saytheywerealready less reliant on screensinsocial settings.

See BAN, page 2X

HEALTH MAKER

Clinic serving Latin community in Kenner to expand

Spanish-speaking health care provider celebrates 52-year, multigenerational legacy

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

The Mendoza family has been providing health services in pediatric and family care for the Kenner community for 50 years, in both English and Spanish. Now the Mendoza Medical Clinic, plans to expand the business (and keep it in the family).

In 1965, the Mendoza parents immigrated to New York from Honduras. Dr Roberto Mendoza, who had completed medical school at the Unversidad Autonoma de Medicina de Honduras, set his sights on becoming a pediatric doctor in the United States.

Dr Mendoza got his neonatology

certiﬁcation at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital in New York City

While on a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida (Roberto Mendoza was well known for being a Disney fanatic), the family spent some time visiting friends in New Orleans during Mardi Gras season. Roberto and Mirna Mendoza instantly fell in love with the city, according to their daughters.

“He came home to West Virginia from his trip and said to us ‘I found the perfect family atmosphere. We’re moving to New Orleans,’” said Peggy Mendoza, the daughter and operations manager at the Mendoza Medical Clinic in Kenner

Dr Mendoza was inspired by the connection between Honduras and New Orleans. He sought to ﬁll a gap in the city: a Latin physician for the Latin community

In 1973, 52 years ago this month, Roberto and Mirna Mendoza, real entrepreneurs according to their daughters, established a private practice in the city.

“Our parents really believed in the American Dream,” Peggy Mendoza said.

In 2011, Dr Mendoza died. His wife and family had to wrestle with the future of the clinic.

“We wanted to keep my dad’s legacy and his approach to the practice and how our providers helped patients,” said Peggy Mendoza.

“I didn’t realize how much of a privilege it was to be at the clinic every single day with my dad,” Minny Mendoza Lavelle said, the current family doctor at the clinic. “Who’s better to take care of your business than your family?”

Minny Mendoza Lavelle followed in her mother’s footsteps and is a nurse practitioner at the Mendoza Medical Clinic. Peggy Mendoza, who received her master’s in business, runs the ﬁnancial and business operations for the clinic as the chief operations ofﬁcer

And, Mirna Mendoza, the 84-year-old matriarch of the family, is the chief executive ofﬁcer and owner of the clinic. She still practices as a registered nurse at the clinic (as she has since the Kenner location opened in 1986).

Roberto and Mirna Mendoza’s sons, Roberto Jr and Ricky Mendoza, chose a different path than medicine but continue to contribute to the family business. Roberto Mendoza Jr studied civil engineering at MIT in Massachusetts but has since returned to live in Metairie. Ricky Mendoza joined the Navy soon after high school and served for 10 years. Now, he lives in the New Orleans house where family grew up

Minny Mendoza Lavelle’s daughter, Gabrielle Leche, is studying to be a nurse practitioner and plans to be the third generation of Mendozas working at the clinic when she graduates. Originally opened for pediatric

Originally, the family had two locations — one in New Orleans and one in Kenner However, as Dr Mendoza got older, his family encouraged him to downsize and focus on one clinic.

ABOVE: The original Mendoza Medical Clinic building at 3100 Williams Blvd. in Kenner opened in 1986. RIGHT: The new and improved Mendoza Medical Clinic was finished in May.

care, the clinic expanded its services in 2011 to provide family medicine for both children and adults — and they pride themselves on offering personalized care to their community that goes the “extra mile.”

“We know that parents are much better at making sure their kids are getting their annual visit,” Peggy Mendoza said. “But sometimes as adults, we are not as good at that. That’s why we chose to put both adult and child care all together in one place.”

A new look

To bring the practice to a new age, the Mendoza family unveiled the clinic after $1 million in renovations with new exams rooms, modern restrooms, new doorknobs, windows, lights and more to bring the building up to current standards. Construction on the building ended in April, and the family has moved the practice back into the building.

Additionally the family is planning to unveil a new wellness spa near the current location of the clinic. Although no ofﬁcial opening date is planned, the Mendoza Med Spa should welcome new patients this year “Our family cares for your whole family,” Minny Mendoza Lavelle

Springing into action can help protect your heart

Mayo Clinic News Network (TNS)

People are starting to engage in outdoor activities after a winter spent largely indoors and perhaps with less physical activity than during more temperate seasons. In other climates, people may be starting an indoor, less-active time.

Gosia Wamil, M.D., Ph.D., a cardiologist at Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, offers ﬁve tips to protect your heart when you spring into action after a sedentary period. It may be tempting to immediately move garden equipment and furniture out of storage, start a landscaping project, go on a long

hike or engage in other physically demanding activities that were on hold due to poor weather

“Spring is a great time to reconnect with nature and enjoy movement, but it’s vital to respect your body’s limits,” Wamil says. “Even light daily activity can have meaningful benefits for heart health. Consistency matters more than intensity.”

Busy lifestyles and, for many people, long days spent working at a desk, compound seasonal challenges that may mean less activity.

Together, the lack of movement may decondition your body, requiring a bit of time before you re-

turn to more optimal shape. Stress can further compound demands on the heart.

Wamil’s first tip: Ease into physical activity gradually

“After a long season of reduced activity it’s important not to jump straight into strenuous tasks,” she explains. “Start with light activities like walking or gentle stretching and gradually build up intensity. This helps reduce the risk of injury or sudden cardiac stress.”

2. Warm up before and cool down after physical activity

“Whether you’re gardening or going for a hike, taking ﬁve to 10 minutes to warm up prepares your

muscles and heart for the activity ahead,” Wamil says. “A proper cool-down helps your body return to baseline and prevents dizziness or blood pressure drops.”

3. Listen to your body — and don’t ignore warning signs.

“If you feel chest discomfort, unusual shortness of breath, dizziness, or palpitations, stop immediately and seek medical attention,” Wamil advises. “These symptoms could signal a heart problem, especially in people who haven’t been active for a while.”

4. Stay hydrated and dress appropriately for the weather

“Dehydration and overheating can put extra strain on the heart,

especially in older adults,” Wamil says. “Wear layers you can remove as you warm up, and drink water regularly even if you don’t feel thirsty.”

5. If you have known heart disease or risk factors, talk to your doctor before starting a new physically demanding activity

“People with high blood pressure, diabetes, or a history of heart conditions should check in with their health care provider before beginning more vigorous outdoor tasks,” explains Wamil, whose tools to diagnose a variety of heart diseases include cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI). “A tailored plan can keep you safe and active.”

Health notes: LSU Health School of Dentistry opens new clinic in N.O.

Staff reports

The new Special Care Clinic, at 1100 Florida Blvd. in New Orleans, will treat those with any conditions that complicate receiving dental treatment including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and or complex medical histories. The clinic opened in May, and future patients are instructed to call (504) 619-8770 to schedule an appointment.

BAN

Continued from page 1X

“I don’t really use my phone as a social network,” Martin said. “I’d rather be in person with other people.” His attitude reflects a broader Gen Z trend toward analog postcards, Polaroids, and vinyl — in a quiet rebellion against the digital saturation of their lives.

Meanwhile, Diana Lombana, a Spanish teacher at Comeaux High School, says she has found the cellphone ban beneﬁcial.

Specialized brain injury unit opens in BR

The Baton Rouge Rehab Hospital, at 8595 United Plaza Blvd., will provide high level inpatient rehabilitative care to patients who have experienced mild to moderate brain damage from a motor vehicle accident, falls, tumors, strokes or other sources of trauma in their new Specialized Brain Injury Unit. This unit is the ﬁrst of its kind in the Baton

“It reduces distractions and improves focus, leading to better concentration and academic performance,” Lombana said. “During lunch time, I have noticed that there is more face-to-face social interaction.” Hayden Lathers, who is finishing 11th grade at Liberty Magnet High in Baton Rouge, says the lack of phones has “made this year less memorable,” because students couldn’t take impromptu snapshots with friends through the school day and year On the other hand, Lathers, who is 17, be-

Rouge area.

NOLA Smoke-Free Ordinance turns 10

Since enacting the smoke-free ordinance on April 22, 2015, to limit smoking and vaping in indoor and some outdoor spaces, smoking rates in the city decreased from 23% in 2014 to 19% in 2021, according to the New Orleans Health Department.

To celebrate the public health

lieves the phone ban is “inherently good, but it’s not the best solution.” Even so, Lathers says there are absolute upsides to less phone usage in school.

“We’ve had more engagement, more activity in class with the phones down,” Lathers said. “Students are actually participating in class that’s what school should be about, learning and engaging If phones are a huge distraction, they should be regulated.” Even with a statewide mandate, enforcing nophone usage remains a challenge.

Christopher Kovatch, an English teacher and basketball coach at Carencro High, says learning is back on the upswing and TikTok isn’t viewed in class nearly as much as it was.

“The cellphone use isn’t gone,” Kovatch said, “but it has returned sanctity to the classroom.” As schools across the country debate similar bans, Louisiana classrooms offer an imperfect but early glimpse of what happens when students are nudged back into the present — one unplugged lunch, one focused classroom at a time.

milestone, Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued an official proclamation declaring April 22, 2025, as the “10-Year Anniversary of the New Orleans Smoke-Free Air Act Day.”

Gonzales foundation raises $625K

In support of Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center’s Invest in Ascension campaign, the Gonzales Area Foundation announced a gift of $625,000 that will go to-

ward the Cancer Center’s expansion of its Gonzales location at 1104 W. Highway 30.

The 6,000-square-foot addition will feature a 2,500-square-foot infusion suite, state-of-the-art lab, retail pharmacy new exam rooms and more.

Health Notes is an occasional listing of health happenings around Louisiana. Have something you’d like to share? Contact us at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

PHOTOS PROVIDED By MENDOZA MEDICAL CLINIC

said. “We get to know a lot of families — grandmas are now coming in, and we’ve treated their kids,

PHOTO PROVIDED By PEGGy MENDOZA Mirna Mendoza, the 84-year-old matriarch of the family, is the chief executive officer and owner of the Mendoza Medical Clinic.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON Students check their cellphones for the day and prepare to walk through metal detectors on Aug. 12 for the first day of school at Baker High School in Baker Louisiana schools are wrapping up the first school year under a new statewide cellphone ban.

Eat Fit Live Fit

Agood salad can setthe tone for thewhole meal. At this time of year, when springis warming into afast-approaching summer, astrawberry-centric ﬁrst course can be especially appealing.EnterStrawberryFieldsForever,acrisp, refreshingstartersaladfromTheEnglishTeaRoom inCovington.

Withfreshstrawberries,cinnamon-spicecandied walnuts, creamygoat cheese and atea-infused vinaigrette,thissaladhasitall:thesweet,thesalty andthespicy.Whenmadewithripe,ﬂavorfullocal strawberries,itisveritablyirresistible Ripe,withnutrients

We are deep into strawberry seasonherein Louisiana. But buyinglocalisn’t justabout taste. Producethattravelsfewermilescanbeharvested whenit’sfullyripe,andlongertimetoripenonthe vinemeansmorenutrientdensity.

Strawberriescontainessentialvitamins,minerals anddietaryﬁber,andcomparedtomostfruits,they arerelatively lowinsugar. Acup of strawberries contains about 7grams of sugar, 45 calories, 3 grams of dietary ﬁber andmorevitamin Cthanan orange. In addition to vitamin C, an antioxidant

O UGHT TO YO UB Y

Strawberry FieldsForever: Aseasonal salad that’sripe forsharing

thathelpsprotectthebodyagainst oxidative stress, strawberries are rich in anthocyanins, whichgive strawberries their red colorand can helpreduceinﬂammationin thebody

Awell-dressedsalad

Strawberries may getstar billinghere, but theTea-Infused Berry Vinaigrette is what really makesthissalad sing. It also checksalotofboxes:glutenfree, vegan,low carb and low sodium. It starts with freshlysteeped raspberry tea andabottle of Hanley’sStrawberryVinaigrette.

Hanley’s, based in Baton Rouge, started as afarmers market stand andnow liveson store shelves statewide.I love their strawberry vinaigrette for its simple ingredients, all of which we could conceivably have in our home pantry Because it’stea-infused, and not acream-based dressing,itkeepsforuptofourweeksinthefridge.

Goat cheese, which has about75% less sodium than traditional feta, delivers asalty creaminess that pairs perfectly with our zerosugarcandiedwalnuts.

The candied walnut recipe on thispage is one of my go-to favorites, for both its sugar-free sweetnessanditsversatility.MadewithSwerve—a natural, zero-calorieplant-based sweetener—the recipealsoworksformakingketo-friendly‘candied’ cashews,pecansormacadamias.

FindtheseandotherEatFit-approvedrecipesin theEatFitCookbook.Visitochsnereatﬁt.comtoget a10%discountonthebook’ssecondeditionwhen youusepromocodeADVOCATEatcheckout.

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsner’sEatFit nonproﬁtinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia. Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam

BY THENUMBERS

MANyEXPERIENCELONELINESS IN LOUISIANA, ACROSS THEU.S.

Loneliness in America

Thepercent

StrawberryFields ForeverwithTea-Infused BerryVinaigrette –TheEnglishTeaRoom Makes2servings 6cupsspringmix 1cupstrawberries,sliced 1/4cupcandiedwalnuts(recipe below) 1/4cupcrumbledgoatcheese 1/2cupcherrytomatoes 1/2cucumber,thinlysliced 2tablespoonsgratedcarrot 2ouncesTea-InfusedBerry Vinaigrette(recipebelow)

Inalargesaladbowl,tosstogether springmix,strawberries,candied walnuts,goatcheese,tomatoes, cucumberandcarrots.Divvyuponto twoplatesandservewith Tea-InfusedBerryVinaigrette.

Perserving:260calories,19grams fat,5gramssaturatedfat,230mg sodium,22gramscarbohydrate (15netcarbs),7gramsﬁber, 9gramssugar,3gramsadded sugar,8gramsprotein

Swapsandtips

•Wantaveganversion?

Replacebutterwithcoconut oiltomakethecandied walnutsandsprinklewitha plant-based‘feta’crumble insteadofgoatcheese

•Needitnutfree?Swapout walnutsforsunﬂowerseeds toastedwiththesamesweetspicyseasoning.

DETOX

Continuedfrom page 1X

hormone that helps induce sleep.

Reducing screen time, especially before bed, can improve thequalityofsleep.

Tea-InfusedBerry Vinaigrette Makesnearly2cups

2ouncesfreshlybrewedraspberrytea One12-ouncebottleHanley’s StrawberryVinaigrette

Steepteaandallowtocool.Inalarge bottleormasonjarwithanairtightlid, combinetwoouncesofteaandbottle ofvinaigretteandshakewell.Store refrigeratedforuptofourweeks

CandiedWalnuts

2tablespoonsbutter(orcoconutoil) 1cupchoppedwalnuts

2tablespoonsSwerveGranular 1/4teaspoongroundcinnamon 1/8teaspoonTonyChachere’sCajun seasoning

2tablespoonsSwerveBrownSugar Replacer

Meltbutterinasaucepanover mediumheat.Oncemelted,add walnutstopanandcoat.Sprinkle withSwerveGranular,cinnamon, andTonyChachere’s.Stiruntil caramelized.Removefromheat spreadontoparchmentpaperand separate.SprinklewithSwerveBrown SugarReplacer.Allowtofullycool beforeserving.

•Wantmorewalnuts? Therecipeyieldsjustenough fortwosalads,butdouble(or quadruple)therecipeforsweet andsavorysnackinglater.

•Can’tﬁndHanley’s StrawberryVinaigrette? Makeyourownalternative dressingbywhiskingtogether balsamicvinegar,oliveoilanda spoonfulofno-sugarjam.

More than 40% of America reported experiencing feelingsofloneliness at least sometimes, according to data collected by the United States Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Surveybetween July 23 and Aug. 19, 2024.

Louisiana has the 22nd-highest rate of loneliness in the United States, with 39.91% of adults reporting feeling loneliness at least sometimes.

The Census Bureau surveyasked adults whether howoften theyfeltlonely,ona scale from never, rarely,sometimes, usually and always. Outof 3.3 million Louisianans surveyed, just over 1.3 million reported feeling lonely at least sometimes.

The five loneliest states in America include in descending order: n Alaska with 45.10% adults reporting loneliness

n Oregon with 44.04% adults reporting loneliness n Virginia with 41.97% adults reporting loneliness n West Virginia with 41.96% adults reporting loneliness n Utah with 41.64% adults reporting loneliness.

Theleast lonelystates in America include, in ascendingorder: n Iowa with 34.89% adults reporting loneliness n Delaware with 35.62% adults reporting loneliness n Tennessee with 36.02% adults reporting loneliness n Wisconsin with 36.62% adults reporting loneliness n Newyork with 36.68% adults reporting loneliness.

Without constant digital distractions, many individuals ﬁnd they are more focused, efﬁcient and productive. Adigital detox doesn’t have to be extreme or all-ornothing. It can be small and gradual.

According to research from the National Library of Medicine, adigital detox can lead to positive changes in addiction and healthrelated outcomes,which were able to be maintained post-intervention.

Tips to reduce screen time include:

n On adaily basis, set screen-free times:Designatespeciﬁc times during theday to be screen-free. It helps createhealthier routines and reduces dependency on screens.

n Use an alarm clock so that having aphone by the bed is not anecessity

n Usetimers: Many phones have built-in featurestotrack andlimit the useofdevicesorapps.Set adaily reminder to take a digital break.

n Replace high-stimuli apps with low-stimuli activities: Instead of mindlessly scrolling, pick up abook, take awalkorengage in a new hobby. Activities like reading or playing amusical instrument are great

alternatives that don’tinvolve screens.

n Go analog: Consider using an old-school DVD player instead of tablets or smartphonesfor road trips or family downtime.

The limited options help children collaborate on decisions, which is great for their development.

Leadingbyexample

Amanda Shea, aLafayette mother looking at adigital detox, notes that her oldest child is notafraid to callher outfor being on the phone too much.

“I often ﬁnd myself reachingfor my phonetodistract or avoid, which only hinders my productivity,” she said. “WhenI am overly connected to my phone, I feel moreanxious.”

TheLouisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This sectionlooks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to livewell.

Shea’shonesty is areminder: Children are watching, andtheyare absorbing the habits modeled forthem

“There’sresearch showing that reading from aphysical text leads to better comprehension andretention than reading on ascreen,” said Andrea Hernandez, afaculty memberatthe Episcopal School of Acadiana in Cade. “Whenweread on paper, we create‘mental maps’ that help us recall information more effectively.Similarly,handwriting encourages summarizing rather than transcribing, which strengthensmemoryand understanding.” Margaret DeLaney (margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com)contributed to this report.

Health editions will also profile people whoare advancing health for the state of Louisiana. Do youhavea health story? We want to hear fromyou. Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more. WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

GETTy IMAGESPHOTO

Molly Kimball RD,CSSD

Remember to

‘BEFAST’

Astrokeoccurswhenabloodvesselinthebrain“clogs”up,deprivingbraintissueofbloodandthenutrientsitneeds. BEFASTisahelpfulacronymtorememberwhengettinghelpforsomeoneexperiencingastroke,becauseeverysecondcounts.

Isthepersonunabletomaintainproperbalance?

Istheperson’svisionaffected? Aretheeyesdeviatedtooneside?

Doesonesideofthefacedrooporisitnumb?

Isonearmweakornumb?

Isspeechslurred?

Ifapersonshowsanyofthesesymptoms,evenifthesymptoms goaway,call911andgetthemtoahospitalimmediately.

Stroke facts:

Things thatmight surprise you

Fromsymptomstotreatments, it’simportanttoknowthefacts aboutstrokes.

Astrokecanhappenatanyage.Aquarterofstrokesoccurinpeopleyounger than65,andasmanyas10%ofstrokepatientsareyoungerthan45.

Strokesaffectthebloodvesselsintheneckorbrain,whichiswhythey’re alsocalledbrainattacks.

Somepatientsdescribethepaintheyexperienceduringastrokeastheworst headachethey’veeverhad.Butnotallstrokesaresignaledbyaheadache.

About85%ofstrokescanbetreatedwitha“clot-busting’’drugcalledtissue plasminogenactivator(tPA),butitmustbeadministeredwithinthreehours oftheonsetofthestroke.InspecializedfacilitieslikeOchsnerMedicalCenter –NewOrleans,someoftheworstkindsofstrokescannowbetreatedupto 24hoursfromwhenthesymptomsbegan.

Upto80%ofstrokescanbeprevented.

Controlyourbloodpressure. Highbloodpressureisamajorrisk factorifleftuntreated.

Askyourdoctoraboutatrialfibrillation(Afib),anothermajor riskfactor.Afibsymptomscanincludeheartpalpitations, lightheadedness,dizzinessandshortnessofbreath.

Stopsmoking.Ochsner’sfreeSmokingCessationProgramcan help.Learnmoreatochsner.org/quit.

Limitalcoholuseoravoiditcompletely.

Manageyourcholesterollevels.

Getregularexerciseandfollowahealthydiet.

Gettreatmentforcirculationproblems.

Controldiabetes.TolearnhowtheOchsnerDigitalMedicine programcanhelpyoumonitoryourdiabetesfromthecomfort ofyourownhome,visitochsner.org/digitalmedicine

Whenalovedoneexperiencesastroke,itcanpush youintounfamiliarwaters.Thesesixessentialtips canhelpyounavigatenewresponsibilities.

Becomestrokesmart Committolearningallyoucanaboutstrokes andtreatments.

Gettoknowthecareteam Establishaconnectionwiththedoctorsandnurses overseeingyourlovedone’scare.

Helppreventanotherstroke Lifestylemodiﬁcations,includingexerciseanddiet, canreducetheriskoffurthercomplications. ProgramssuchastheOchsnerTeleStrokeProgram canbealifelinetopatientswhodosufferastroke. TeleStrokeallowsdoctorsatdozensofhospitalsin LouisianaandMississippitoconsultOchsnervascular neurologistsviavideotechnology.Thisaccessto specialistshelpskeeppatientssafeandreducesthe needtotransferthemoutoftheircommunities.

LOUISIANA

PelicanPhilanthropy

Seniorsget $80K in scholarships from N.O. star C.J. McCollum

BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer

Zayden Hills says he knewwhat he wantedtobewhen he grew up by the time hewas 6years old Alawyer

He was acreative kidwhose mom, ateacher, encouragedhim to readand write. He loved “The ChroniclesofNarnia” and thriller novels. He read Maya Angelou and wrote poemsheperformed at open mics when he was still in elementary school.

But it was aworkday visit tohis uncle’sNew Orleans law ﬁrmthat really settled it.

“I foundbeing an attorney to be the most interesting thing when Iwas younger,” said Hills, nowa senior at Edna Karr High School, about to pursue acareer in the law

Hills is among 11 New Orleans high school seniorsselected to this year’sclass ofMcCollum Scholars, aprogram funded by NewOrleans Pelicans star C.J. McCollum and his wife, Elise. McCollum Scholars launched last year in partnershipwiththe

New Orleans-based nonproﬁt College Beyond. Each scholar receives $80,000 over four years in last-dollar scholarships, designed specifically to closethe financial aid gaps that remain after grants, institutional aid, andother scholarshipsare applied.The scholarship includes access to one-on-onecounseling, monthly workshops and college tours.

“Inacitywhere thenarrative around New Orleans youthistoo oftenshapedbydeﬁcit and limitation, the McCollum Scholars program stands as apowerful counterexample,” said Clara Baron-Hyppolite, CollegeBeyond’s executivedirector. “It shows what young people are capable of when they are supported, seen, and no longerheld back by ﬁnancialbarriers.”

Baron-Hyppolite says that the scholarship is speciﬁcally intended to reducestudents’ family contributions and eliminate the need for loans

Among the universities where this year’s classwill attend: Vanderbilt University, Syracuse University,Providence College andTulane University

“I want to provide students with theresources they need to think outside the box aboutwhatthey canachieve in their lives,” McCollumsaid in amessage on College

Beyond’swebsite. He joinedthe Pelicans team in 2022. Hills, theEdnaKarrstudent body president with agrade-pointaverageabove four points, will attend theUniversity of Southern California, where he’llmajor in English, an educationthatwill allow him to continue to read and writealot, becauseafter all: To be agood lawyer youhavetobeagoodwriter,Hills said. He had lotsofoptions when it came to deciding wheretogoto college —USC,Amherst College in Massachusetts, Morgan State in Baltimore, Loyola University New OrleansorLehigh University in Pennsylvania, McCollum’salma mater. In making hischoice, Hills went back to afeelinghehad as akid in NewOrleans. Adream that he could be faraway,somewhereat peace. California, he thought. “California, when Iwas younger,alwaysseemed like an escape to me,” he said. “I always knew I wantedtogo…I just didn’tknow how.

The remaining2025 McCollum Scholarsare: n KeyriaBillew,Livingston Collegiate Academy,will attend Tulane University on the Mayoral Scholarship. n Arsenio BoldsJr.,Edna Karr

ä See PELICAN, page 2Y

‘Wemustbe kind when we can’

The near noon sun offered no slanting light. It was brash. It was bold. It was blinding.

When Itook my seat on the bench, Ithought about aline from aCher movie Inever saw, but an old boyfriend told me about 34 years ago. He told me about acharacter in the movie “Mask” whotalked about things that wereadrag, listing “holes in my shoe, dust in my hair,no money in my pocket and the sun shining on my face.” Isat on the bench and reﬂected on what the character from the movie Inever saw meant

Then Ithought about so many other people who, like that old boyfriend, said things I’ve mostly forgotten —except for the strange snippetsthat stuck. Words, phrases and moments that still shape how Isee the world —and ripple into the lives of others I’ve touched.

Ithought of Mrs. McLean, my high school junior English teacher,who in class one day off-handedly said, “Ifyour ears are pierced, you should never leave your house without earrings.” In the more than 16,000 days since, Ican count on one hand the times that Iforgot to put on earrings to go whereverI was going.

Ithought of acaterer whose name Ican’tremember.Imet her in Reno, Nevada, in 1990. She quickly told me how to make adish with Italian sausage, freshbasil, Roma tomatoes,whole cream, Parmesan cheese and penne pasta. Imade it shortly thereafter and loved it. I’ve been making it ever since, and it is “the meal” my family loves most,though my husband might argue that that designation lies with his tacos

Ithought of aSlovak woman I met on abus in 1993 who helped me navigate aconfusing bus transfer and ended up actually giving me abus ticket whenthe snow started to fall. Iprotested that Icouldn’taccept the bus ticket. Her English wasbroken, but somehow she said one of the most poetic sentences anyone has ever uttered to me. She said, “The world is small. We must be kind when we can. Take the ticket.” And so Idid, and the sentence and moment profoundly changed the way Isaw the world. Back to the realityofthe present day,Ilooked at the notso-far-away horizon across the lake at Solomon Retreat Center and considered the fuzzy line between where Iend and others begin —and how we all get meshed together in so many ways.

The sun continued to shine as Ilistened to the songs of aCarolina wren, apersistent tufted titmouse and ablue jay

PROVIDED PHOTOS

NewOrleans Pelicans star C.J.McCollum, center,meets with the2025 membersofthe McCollum Scholarsprogram. All are graduating seniorsatNew Orleans highschools and each received $80,000 in scholarships.

STAFFPHOTO By JANRISHER

The viewfromabench near the lake at Solomon Retreat Center in Loranger

Q&A WITH MARK SHIRLEy

‘Double agent’ retires after 41 years with La. ecosystem

Shirley known as Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter marine extension agent

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

Mark Shirley, a Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter marine extension agent, retired in March after 41 years of service. He is known for many things during his career, but most notably, he developed Marsh Maneuvers established in 1989 as an immersive education program for 4-H students to experience Louisiana’s coast. The program motivates students toward studying coastal ecology and biological sciences

Shirley is an aquaculture specialist with expertise in crawfish, alligator and recreational fish production. Since the ‘80s, he has educated new crawfish farmers on production and harvesting practices.

In 2024, Shirley received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Louisiana Wildlife Federation

This interview was edited for length and clarity

How did your love for nature come about?

I grew up in the middle of New Orleans, so I’m a city kid born and raised. But my dad and I went ﬁshing a lot, so I enjoyed coastal Louisiana as a kid. I was catching speckled trout and redﬁsh. I was in Boy Scouts and enjoyed camping and the outdoors.

I went to LSU for my bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, and then I got my master’s in wildlife management. My ﬁrst job was at Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge in Grand Chenier, where the center of alligator research was and still is for the world. Back in the ’70s, they came up with the idea of having an alligator harvest system and the alligator farm program.

At Rockefeller, I got a lot of experience working with alligators but also with water fowl research, duck banding, river otters and marsh management.

When did you start working with the Louisiana Sea Grant program and LSUAgCenter?

In 1984, I started working for the program and the center The Louisiana Sea Grant organization is similar to the land grant university program. Basically, I was a double agent.

Congress allocates money which comes through the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration to fund research and extension work on coastal issues in all the coastal states and Great Lake states.

On the AgCenter side, when the land grant university system started, Congress developed that program to do agricultural research and later ﬁgured out that they needed to have extension agents. They did research but also extended the information to farmers around the country

I was a marine extension agent with Louisiana Sea Grant and a county agent with the LSU AgCenter

What were some of the daily tasks of a double agent?

As a marine extension agent, I was involved in communicating the research that was developed at LSU and any other coastal university to shrimpers and ﬁshermen. I worked with landowners who harvest wild alligators, farmers who developed their alligator farms and with crawﬁsh farmers to help them develop their businesses.

Over the years, my expertise involved coastal issues, marine fisheries, freshwater fisheries, crawﬁsh aquaculture and alligator aquaculture.

Within all of that, I also did the Marsh Maneuvers 4-H program that’s available to students from fourth grade to high school.

As an expert in crawfish aquaculture, do you prefer seasoning in or on top of your crawfish?

It makes a big difference. Do not put salty spices in your crawﬁsh boiling water

When you boil your crawﬁsh in salt water, it’ll make part of the meat stick to the shell and make them a little bit harder to peel.

Once you boil them, put them in a container and sprinkle spices on top, and they will absorb some of that ﬂavor

If you boil them just right, the backstrap — the piece of meat that sits on top the vein — stays on the tail. That gives you much more meat. If they cook just right and not too long, and not in salt water,

PELICAN

Continued from page 1y

High School, will attend University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff on a football scholarship.

n Kiali Brown, The Willow School New Orleans, will attend Lehigh University

n Alejandra Flores-Rasgado, Livingston Collegiate Academy, will attend Macalester College as a QuestBridge Scholar

n Nandi Gayles, Ben Franklin High School, will attend Providence College on the Posse Foundation

of service.

when you pinch the tail, you can actually pull that vein out.

If you add a couple of sticks of butter or margarine to your boil, that’ll help them peel a little bit easier too.

How can the average Louisianan be a good steward of the coast?

It gets into the policy and political arena to support the coastal restoration efforts and organizations The state government has the Coastal Protection Restoration Authority, and the federal government has the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act.

Along the coast, we have the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, as well as the Louisiana Wildlife Federation and Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Get involved with some of these nongovernmental conservation groups that sometimes do field trips, encourage policy decisions and encourage the investment of tax dollars to projects.

I look at coastal restoration as paying rent to keep using this

Scholarship.

n Gerald Jackson, Abramson Sci Academy, will attend Louisiana State University

n Elissa Merlin, The Willow School New Orleans, will attend Tulane University

n Akeim Nelson, G.W Carver High School, will attend Tulane University

n Jayden Simmons, G.W Carver High School, will attend Vanderbilt as a QuestBridge Scholar

n Ezekiel Whitley St. Augustine High School, will attend Syracuse University on the Please Foundation Scholarship.

RISHER

Continued from page 1y

daily phone calls with my daughters — and when the sun shines on my face.

Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

Inspired Book Club choice wins Pulitzer Prize for fiction

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

“James,” by Percival Everett, the second book for the 2025 Louisiana Inspired Book Club, has won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, in addition to the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize. A twist on the classic Mark Twain novel “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” this work of fiction features Jim as the narrator, not Huck, and fills in the gaps of the original text when the two became separated. This selection will be an excellent read to transition into the summer Take the journey with the Louisiana Inspired Book Club and read “James,” then join in the discussion on the virtual Inspired Book Club discussion at 12:15 p.m., June 10. Everett is a distinguished professor of English at the University of Southern California Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, and is widely regarded as one of the most original voices in American literature. His body of work spans satire, Westerns and experimental prose. His 2001 novel “Erasure” was adapted into the Oscarwinning 2023 film “American Fiction.”

He has received the Windham Campbell Prize from Yale University He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, the writer Danzy Senna, and their children. Everett reimagines the epic tale of Huck and Jim with Jim’s Odyssean journey to freedom for himself and his family The relationship with Huck is still there, but the focus is on Jim and the

is the summer selection for the Inspired Book Club

people he meets along the way

The novel is darkly funny at times and achingly sad at others, yet action-packed and irresistible.

When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on a nearby island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father As readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward elusive freedom.

Jim has always been a favorite character in American literature, but “James” elevates him to a multidimensional hero who exhibits intelligence, wit, courage and compassion.

Email Joy Holden at joy.holden@ theadvocate.com.

Everett

Houma

New Orleans.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Mark Shirley, a Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter marine extension agent, retired in March after 41 years

Mark Shirley, in orange, is known for many things during his career but most notably, he developed Marsh Maneuvers — established in 1989 as an immersive education program for 4-H students to experience Louisiana’s coast.

PROVIDED PHOTO

‘James’ by Percival Everett

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Late afternoon at Solomon Retreat Center in Loranger

PROVIDED PHOTO

The 2025 members of the McCollum Scholars program wear matching denim jackets.

‘Planting forfuture generations’

JANA ROSE SCHLEIS

writer

Contributing

Editor’snote: This story,created by Jana Rose Schleisfor KBIAispart of the Solutions Journalism Network. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalismstories that provide tangibleevidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities —solutions that can be adopted around the world. Throughoutthe month of April, Columbia, Missouri, residents observe Arbor Day —the conservation holiday that encourages planting trees —with tree seedlings givenout in fourth gradeclassrooms and at aSaturday farmers market. For Missourians, many of the Arbor Day tree seedlings originate at the state-run tree nursery

This year,approximately 80,000 sycamore seedlings were sent to fourth graders across the state. The fast-growing tree is native to Missouri and doesespecially well in the state’s streamside habitats. Generally planted in spring, sycamores are beneficial for wildlife as the tree’s soft wood affords birdsand smallmammals aplace to burrow

The tiny trees begin their journey where they’re growninthe Texas County townofLicking. The seedlings are inspected by about adozenstaffatMissouri’s George O. White State Forestfor length,thicknessand root quality

The nursery was founded by theU.S.ForestService in the1930s to assist landowners in reforesting the state. The Ozarks had been heavilylogged as railroads stretched west. The original site was just

40 acres andnow standsat 100 acres. It’sowned and operated by the Missouri Department of Conservation.

Nursery supervisor Mike Fiaoni manages the tree production facility, andselects the species thatare sent —free of charge —to students across the state for Arbor Day. Teachers also receivematerialstoinclude in lessons about the species and how to plant the trees

“Wewant to educate young students as faras the importance of trees, the values of trees andso this is the way we can do that …startreachingthemata young age,” Fiaoni said.

Fiaoni picked the sycamore for this year’sArbor Day tree because it can grow well across theentire state. Theseedlings are carefully packaged in bundlesof25. They’re placed on top of abed of moss, given a spritz of water,wrapped in tear-proofpaper,placed in a cardboard box and stacked in aUPS trailer for the journey across the state.

The nursery grows,cultivates, packages and ships 2 million bare-rootseedlings to landowners, farmers, schoolsand local governments eachyear

“A lot of folks think, ‘I want to do something for conservation but I’m one person or Idon’t have alot of money.Whatcan Ido?’”

Fiaoni said.

“By simply plantinga tree—whether it lives 10 years, 20 years, maybeeven 100 years —the ecosystem you’re formingaround that tree, thevalue that it’s adding to your home or tothe property,the oxygen it’s giving off, the value it’s adding to the wildlife,”he said. “There’sjustsomuch of an ecosystemthat’sgoing to evolve around that single tree …it’ssoimportant.”

From LickingtoColumbia

This year, morethan 1,000

of those seedlings traveled the127 miles to Columbia and weregiven to enthusiastic farmers market shoppers, manyofwhomlined up early on aSaturday morning.

“Wehad people waiting,” saidEricSchmittel, aforester withthe cityofColumbia. “Weshowed up here probably about 6:30 —there were people waiting here already,and the line hasjust been around the corner.”

Schmittelmanages trees in the city’s70parks and trails as well as those in the urbanenvironment downtown. Schmittel orders around 15 to 20 species of seedlings to give away for ArborDay and said themost sought-after are thosethat producefruit, nuts or ﬂowers. Columbia recognizes “Arbor Month” —culminating withthe seedling giveaway

“They’re free ﬁrst of all, which is everybody’sfavoriteprice,but then they’re also really excited about the differentvarieties,” said Hollie Campbell, amember of avolunteer group called “TreeKeepers” whospent themorning handing out seedlings to eager market attendees.

The TreeKeepers are trained by city foresters on the basics of treecare planting, pruning andwatering —and assist in conservation projects across the city, including invasive honeysuckle removal.

Campbell has been apart of the group for three years and said she initiallyjoined to learn more abouttrees and“give back”through conservation in her community.

“This is theonly planet we have, and Ithink it’s really important thatwehonor that,” Campbell said.

Cruz Chavez and his daughter Violetta waited in line at the farmers market hoping to score native fruit trees suchaspawpaws,ser-

vice berries or persimmons. Chavez plants atree each year withhis kids for Arbor Day

“The tree kind of gets to grow withthem. Ithink they getreallyexcitedseeing it get alittle bigger every year,” Chavez said.

Since Violetta is learning about howtrees help the environmentinschool, her father Cruz said she’s“obsessed” with planting trees Including thisyear’s Arbor Daytree, andher favorite, thesycamore.

“I likethe color when the bark comesoff. Ithink it’s really cool,”she said.

Alocal climatesolution

Arbor Day’sroots began in Nebraska in the 19thcentury and hassince grown into aglobally-observedday of conservation.

For more than 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission has been to help communities plant, nurture and celebrate trees.

“Wetalka lot abouttrees

…and themessaging we sometimes forget is it’snot about the trees, it’sabout the people,” said Eric North, program manager forurban forestry at the Arbor Day Foundation.

North said trees can enhancequality of life.They improve water and air quality and can reduce the impacts of increasing severe weather caused by climate change like heat in the summer and wind in the winter “Wefeelverystrongly and passionately that trees are really part of abig solution to helpimprove thelivesof people livingincommunities, to help improve things that might be negatively impacting the climate,” he said.

North said as the threats of climate change intensify theArbor Day Foundation has heard from morepeople and organizations who want to implement the solution of planting trees. He helps those folks understand when, whatand howtoplant.

The city of Columbia has participatedinthe Arbor Day Foundation’sTreeCity USAprogram for30years, Schmittel said. To qualify participating cities must observeArbor Day, have atree board or forestry department andcommita minimum $2 per capita annual investment in trees. Schmittel said the city of Columbia spends more than $5 per capita on trees each year Bare root seedlings like those cultivated at thestate tree nursery and handed out each year at theColumbia Farmers Market are small and need care. Schmittel recommends residents place mulch around the seedling to help it maintainmoisture and encircle it with wire to ward off critters. When watered, it can eventually grow into amature tree.

“Especially these really small seedlings, you’re not necessarilyplanting it for yourself,”Schmittel said “You’re planting it for future generations.”

PROVIDED PHOTO

FAITH & VALUES

Hindu dairy farm produces healthy consciousness

Cows produce more milk than average

BY RICHA KARMARKAR

Contributing writer

On a quiet Sunday on rural Pennsylvania farmland, Dhruva and his favorite cow, Tabby, meet at dawn

While one recites a mantra to Lord Krishna using prayer beads, the other listens to religious chants as she’s milked. But they’re joined together at breakfast — both enjoying a sattvic, or spiritually pure vegetarian meal of organic produce sanctiﬁed by God before consumption.

Cows on the Gita Valley dairy farm outnumber humans by about 5 to 1, but the 20 full-time human residents prefer it that way

“They’re like big dogs that like to run up to you and try to eat your hands or something,” said the commune’s head chef, Madhupan. Parijata, Dhruva’s wife, called the cows “friends, but also living entities that make a contribution and deserve our respect.” (As initiated members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, or ISKCON, the residents of the farm, besides eschewing illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling, use only one name.)

Of Tabby the “mascot of the herd” that has been producing milk for the longest among the cows, Dhruva simply said, “She’s a grain thief.”

On this farm and creamery run by Hindu devotees and modeled after a traditional Indian gaushala, or cow sanctuary, the only one of its kind in the United States, both soil and soul are cultivated with God in mind The 102 rescued bovines on the 430-acre property roam free providing emotional support to their human companions as well as fresh milk

In line with the owners’ belief system, Gita Valley is the first USDA-certified dairy farm that refrains from violence against its cows. They aren’t dehorned, poked, prodded, bred, branded or conﬁned in any way, and the cows are not sent to market (“a sanitized term for slaughtered,” said Dhruva) after they can no longer produce milk, as they are at most U.S. dairy farms.

The 16 female cows who are able to produce each give 400 gallons a week — more than average a fact Dhruva attributes to the principle that “when we’re happy, when we’re taken care of, we’re willing to give more.”

ISKCON adherents believe cows are the ultimate mothers providing protein, nutrition and sustenance and asking for nothing in return. Gita Valley’s priority, Dhruva said, is not proﬁt but for rescuing the animals from a capitalist culture that forces cows (and their farmers) into exploitation

“It’s very clear from the Vedas that humanity as a whole is suffering today as a result of the slaughter of cows,” he said, referring to sacred Hindu texts.

Dhruva, 52, the farm’s president, and his wife, who goes by PJ, gave up successful careers in South Africa (“I was promoted,” said Dhruva, who worked as an engineer) to move to Port Royal in 2009. Devoting their lives to Krishna the blue-skinned deity and cowherd whom ISKON members consider the Supreme Lord, they adopted a dietary regimen free of meat, onions, garlic, caffeine or any other spiritually disruptive ingredients.

They moved onto the farm founded in 1974 by Swami Prabhupada, ISKCON’s founder, who had named the land Gita Nagari, or “land of the Bhagavad Gita,” Hinduism’s holiest book, so Hare Krishnas, as ISKON followers are known, could live out their faith without worldly distractions.

The project, now rebranded as Gita Valley, was started with four Brown Swiss cows and innumerable peacocks — “a headache for the plants,” said Dasya, the head gardener

Ashok Dudakia, one of the swami’s original initiates, describes the guru as having “tears in his eyes” when he arrived in the U.S. in the late 1960s and saw how Americans treated their cows.

“He said, ‘how can I educate these people on nonviolence?’ ” said Dudakia, who goes by the name Adya. “Actually it’s not nonviolence, it’s just etiquette. We are the supreme species, God has given us that, and we should be taking care of animals, not mistreating them.”

Dhruva said a growing ethical veganism movement, whose adherents may consume animal byproducts if the source is guaranteed to be non-exploitative, has been increasing demand for Gita Valley’s dairy products, evidenced by Gita Valley’s waitlist of hundreds of hopeful consumers.

The farm’s operation is nonetheless mostly funded by weekend retreats organized by a third party, which brings almost 3,000 people a year Other revenue comes from milk subscriptions (price: $18 per gallon) from nearby ISKCON temples, the farm’s gift shop, “Mootique,” and undergraduate workstudy programs. (One eager GenZer created a viral TikTok video that led to 1,200 applications for the program’s 54 spots.)

Outsiders can “adopt” or “rescue” a cow through regular donations; the latter allows donors to name a cow and participate in a cow puja, or Hindu blessing.

Drawing larger investors is a challenge, said Dhruva. Even though “there’s still this romantic idea of farming,” he said, it’s hard to ﬁnd individuals willing to contribute to the farm’s mission even

though they are likely to see competitive returns.

The gardener, Dasya, 35, an initiated Hindu monk who came to live in Gita Valley in 2019, observed that farm life is “always a battle between living simply and wanting more.” He admitted, “It’s tough sometimes to keep the vision, because in the immediate it might seem like, ‘What are we doing out here?’”

“When you’re here, you really see how dependent you are on a higher force, because you don’t know what’s gonna happen,” he said. “The wind could come and take out the greenhouse, take out your crops. You’re more connected to nature, and that ultimately brings you closer to knowing and acknowledging that there’s something higher.”

Yet he regards living on the farm as part of a “spiritual revolution” that makes him able to thrive “separated from the man.” The neighboring Mennonites who trade produce with him, said Dasya, admire the Hare Krishna farmers’ “pure, unmotivated love of God, without distraction of material wealth,” something, they tell him their own communities could stand to work on.

Madhupan, the farm’s vegan chef (and Dasya’s ﬁancé) lived in Wellington, New Zealand, in an ISKCON community before joining Dasya, whom she has long been dating, about a year and a half ago. Madhupan sees people outside ISKCON moving toward a more conscious, plant-based diet. “Many are not in a proximity

where they can purchase dairy that comes from places like this,” said the chef, who notes “sadly” that she lacks the enzymes to properly digest dairy “But it’s really a consciousness thing, being like, ‘Okay where does my milk actually come from? It doesn’t just come from Weiss or Wegmans. It comes from the cow And what’s the consciousness of that living entity?’”

Preeti Sharma, a pediatrician who visits the farm with her two teenagers every month and lives there part time, goes a step further, saying even vegan milk is produced from the living entities of trees: “It’s not so much about who’s better a vegetarian or a non-vegetarian,” she said, as much as bearing in mind that we are what we eat. “We are trying to work on our consciousness, and food is a fundamental part.”

Ashok Dudakia’s daughter, Kunti, a frequent visitor from her Washington-area home, is raising her two young daughters in the ISKCON tradition. She hopes the love she has cultivated in them for the farm’s cows (and its smell) will be passed on to the next generation.

“Whenever you see Krishna as a cowherd boy with cows, they’re always in an open pasture, free roaming,” she said. “Coupling Krishna’s pastimes with the actual experience of being on a farm with cows made it real for me and made me fully understand why Krishna was so passionate. They have such sweet energy, and they’re so giving of themselves.

I just think they’re really misunderstood in American culture like just cattle, or a product.” Dudakia, who lives in California, visited the farm’s temple to pray for the growth of the farm before he departed for his ﬂight home. He is planning to open an Ahimsa Dairy shop on the West Coast, he said, to expand their reach. “They need serious help, and we have to do something now,” he said.

Dhruva said he also prays to Krishna, asking that new money will come in from Hindu temples in the United States that reﬂect the Hindu American community’s wealth About an hour away by car is Vraj Temple, one of the largest Hindu houses of worship in the nation.

“A lot of people grew up in India and tell me, ‘We always had a family cow, I remember milking the cow,’” he said. “But when they come here, they forget very quickly The idea is that in one sense, Krishna will make some arrangements, but we don’t want to leave it all to him to do So we’re taking some practical steps to search out succession.”

Sharma, the pediatrician, believes that all that’s needed is for more people to visit and “get a real taste:” both of the non-violent milk and of the healing nature of Gita Nagari.

“Here, you live every day,” she said. “In the outside place, you pass days to live later Gita Nagari is a place where you can come with all your worries, sit with the cows, and they’ll lick it all out of you.”

Baton Rouge’s Jewish community honors liberators

The congregation also recognizes Holocaust writing contest winners

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

On May 4, the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge, in partnership with Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge, held its service for Holocaust Remembrance, where they honored not only the victims and survivors of the Holocaust 80 years after the concentration camps were liberated, but also the American soldiers who liberated the camps. The annual event is called Yom HaShoah.

The service included prayers and a series of presentations, including the Texas Liberators Project and a conversation with Bill Kongable. Kongable is a World War II veteran of the 89th Infantry Division and a Texas Liberator

The event also recognized the winners of the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge Annual Holocaust Writing Contest. It concluded with the Mourn-

er’s Kaddish and Prayer for Peace. Rabbi Sarah Smiley introduced Fran Berg, the founding commissioner of the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission, who has been championing liberators’ oral history and sharing the liberators’ witness for a long time. The Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission created the Texas Liberator project in collaboration with Texas Tech University and the Texas Holocaust museums. The project is an educational resource that teaches the history of the Holocaust and liberation. The website texasliberators.org provides the liberators’ oral testimonies, maps of the camps they liberated and an honor roll of 723 liberators Berg said that by providing their eyewitness testimonies, liberators protect and preserve the values affecting them to Europe in the ﬁrst place, freedom, morality, truth, duty, honor and country At 99, Kongable is sharp and sincere with a sense of humor He was a part of the liberation of Ohrdruf, which was the ﬁrst concentration camp to be liberated He and his daughter Trish Ramsey, took turns

telling his story to the quiet room full of listeners in the Uniﬁed Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge synagogue.

When asked his feelings about Germans after he witnessed the atrocities of the Holocaust, Kongable said his family was German, but more than negative feelings toward Germans, he said he wanted to get to know every Jewish person he met for the rest of his life.

“We have to learn history,” said Kongable. “If you don’t know your history, you are more likely to repeat it. That’s my main advice.”

He also said that the value in sharing his story 80 years later lies in the responses of his audience.

“The value is to hear people who appreciate the message, and the more people I can talk to, then the more people I can convince that the Holocaust really did happen,” said Kongable.

Remembering with writing

Ellen Sager, the executive director of the Jewish Federation of Greater Baton Rouge, described the organization’s Annual Holocaust Writing Contest and recognized the teachers in the sanctuary who accompa-

nied their ﬁnalist students to the event. The contest is free and open to all public, private, and charter middle and high schools throughout Louisiana. The purpose of this contest is to encourage students to learn about and understand the lessons of the Holocaust, including the nature and repercussions of unchecked hate and prejudice taken to their ultimate extreme, and use the lessons of the Holocaust to promote tolerance, acceptance and respect for others.

The middle school essay ﬁnalists were n First place — Lila Morton, a seventh grader from LSU Laboratory School n Second place — Ava Ash, an eighth grader from Central Private School n Third place — Laila Williams, a seventh grader from Sherwood Middle Academic Magnet. High School essay finalists were: n First place Sophie Crochet, a 10th grader from Ascension Catholic High School

n Second place — Mia Comeaux, a ninth grader from Delcambre High School n Third place — Anderson Paine, a 10th grader from Ascension Catholic High

School. Crochet’s winning essay includes the following: “An ignorant society makes and consumes stereotypes, which only makes them complacent in their ignorance. Stereotypes are dangerous, but our casual acceptance of them is the real danger.”

PROVIDED PHOTO By RICHA KARMARKAR

Kunti pets a cow at Gita Valley dairy farm on April 19 in Port Royal, Pa.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Middle school first place winner Lila Morton with WWII veteran Bill Kongable.

SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2025

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis

directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

word game

instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

todAY's Word — recouPed: rih-

KOOP'D: Regained.

Average mark 38 words Time limit 60 minutes

Can you find 55 or more words in RECOUPED?

ken ken

instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner

instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday

directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally

Sudoku

Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis

wuzzLes

Nerves of steel

Today’s deal is from a recent National Championship pair game contested in Memphis.

South was Geoff Hampson, one of the USA’s leading players Hampson’s three-diamond bid showed a fit for diamonds. He would have bid three clubs if he did not like diamonds North bid game hoping there would be nine tricks.

super Quiz

Hampson saw that there were only eight tricks and the heart suit was wide open. The heart suit would not be so easy to run on this deal, as West would have to unblock his nine of hearts not an impossible play but beyond the imagination of many Hampson couldn’t know this, and he showed nerves of steel by smoothly ducking the opening spade lead. East’s play to this trick might well have been an encouraging signal. West wasn’t sure and shifted to the king of clubs. Hampson played low again! West reverted to spades and led the eight. Hampson won with dummy’s jack, giving him nine tricks, and he ran all six of dummy’s diamonds. In the ensuing four-card ending, West had to come down to queen doubleton in both black suits. Hampson led a spade to his ace and,

reading the position perfectly, led another spade, discarding the jack of clubs from dummy West won and had to lead a club into Hampson’s ace-10, giving Hampson an overtrick! He will be arrested if he keeps this up.

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2025 Tribune Content Agency

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Lead the way. Choose intellectual banter over a shouting match, and you’ll gain the respect and confidence of onlookers waiting and watching to see what you do next.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Keep an open mind but a closed wallet. Don’t be tempted by any hype from someone eager to part you from your cash Discover your niche instead of buying into someone else’s.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Keep life simple, conversations civil and intentions honorable. Strive for peace and enjoy what life has to

offer Refrain from taking risks with your health or physical wellbeing. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Make room for new beginnings, and fulfill your dreams Learn from experience, listen to your heart and choose peace and love. Your success is attached to the you collaborate with and what you do next. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Prioritize travel, learning, reconnecting with old friends or going on an adventure that sparks your imagination. A change to your environment or routine will help you find inner peace.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Uncertainty signals that something has run amok. A thorough investigation will help you find solutions. A partnership will give you the strength and courage to take on something you wouldn’t do on your own.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Be careful when dealing with emotional situations. Arguments will make matters worse Be patient, listen attentively and size up your feelings and wants before responding.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Excitement will fuel your fire. Be the instigator and paint a picture that is hard to resist. Engage in chal-

lenges that depend on physical and emotional courage and strength, and rise to the occasion.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Making compensations will help level the playing field and ensure stability as living costs increase. When in doubt, take a break and do something that makes you happy

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Push for the changes that will end the blockages you face. Deal with people who are causing you grief and set boundaries that show you mean business.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Lock into what works for you and rid your-

self of uncertainty Avoid unnecessary domestic expenses. Look for ways to lower your overhead and give yourself some financial relief.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Let your intuition take you on a journey Follow the path that leads to people who offer new possibilities. Participate in events that push you to challenge yourself physically

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact.

goren Bridge

Answers to puzzles

1. Johnny.2.George.3.Jim.4.Jerry.5.John. 6. Ernest. 7. Jimmy. 8. Steven. 9. Harry 10. Charlie. 11. Mary.12. Carl. 13. Edgar.14. Lily 15. Garry.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?

Cryptoquote Answer

There are alwaysflowers forthose who want to see them. —Henri Matisse

word GAme Answer super quiz