The Times-Picayune 06-05-2025

LawmakersOKpurchase of newvotingsystem

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Louisiana may finally be on track to replaceits decades-oldvotingmachines, after years of controversies over how to do so.

The Louisiana Legislature gave the Secretary of State’sOfficethe green light to use anew bidding process to pick acompany that will replace the more than 10,000 machines that officials say are increasinglydifficult to keep functioning

“Our machinesare 35 yearsold,it’s impossible to find parts, and theydon’t produce an auditable paper record for each vote cast,” Secretary of StateNancy Landrytold lawmakers on the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee last month.

“Toput it bluntly, we’re in adiresituation, and we need anew voting system soon,” she said.

Under House Bill 577, theoffice, which runs elections, will be authorized to purchase anew voting system using abidding process called “invitation to negotiate” ratherthana standard public bid

process for statecontracts.

The new process will hopefully allow the state to speed up how quickly it purchases anew voting system, Landry said.

But the Public Affairs Research CouncilofLouisiana says forgoing apublic bidding process could lead to less transparency

“Wejust want tomake sure that there will be something available forthe public to see at the end of this process to understand why the Secretary of State’sOffice chose thevendor that it chose,” said PAR Research Director Melinda Deslatte.

“We’re notentirely certain yet if that information will be publicly available,” she added. “Butwe’rehopeful because the Secretary of State’sOffice has indicated

ä See VOTING, page 4A

Senate panelOKs campaign finance overhaul

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

The Louisiana Legislature could soon overhaul campaign finance laws for public officials, setting up new rules forpolitical committees, raising thelimit forwhich contributions have to be reported, and setting stricter rules forwhen campaign finance violations can be investigated.

Supporters say thechangeswill “modernize” Louisiana’sCampaign Finance Disclosure Act so thatitmoreclosely aligns with federalrules. They also say the changeswill morestrongly protect thefreespeech rightsofpeople whospend money to express political views.

“Campaignfinance lawshould be clear to prevent the wasting of constitutionally protected free speech dollars,” said Stephen Gelé, an attorney whohas been involved in writing the bill. “Complaints of violation of campaign finance law should be handled judiciously and fairly,protecting the right of due process guaranteedbythe United States and Louisiana Constitutions as well as protecting taxpayer dollars.”

Gelé also represents Gov.Jeff Landry in an ongoing ethicsdispute.

House Bill 693, sponsored by Rep. Mark Wright, R-Covington, advanced out of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee on Wednesday without objection. To pass the Legislature, the measure still needsa vote by the full Senate, as wellasa finalstampof approval from the House.

During apublic hearing last month, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, agood-government watchdog group, raised concerns about the impact of the legislation.

“There’snot asingle thing here that Ican find that makes it more transparent to the public,” said Steven Procopio, president of PAR. “It seems like it’sall about trying to make things easier for

ä See CAMPAIGN, page 5A

BY KASEY BUBNASH Staff writer

Staff writer

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filledCongressional spending bill is adisgusting abomination,” Muskposted Tuesday on X, the social media app he owns. On Wednesday,Musk doubled down, writing on X: “Call your Senator,Call your Congressman, Bankrupting America is

ä See SPENDING, page 4A

ended his role over the weekend as President Donald Trump’spoint man to shrink thefederal government said the bill would add to the nation’s$36.2 trillion debt.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, makes apoint as Speaker of the HouseMikeJohnson, R-Benton, listens during anews conference on President Donald Trump’sbill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the Capitol in Washington on Wednesday

S.F.-area leaders blast

plan to rename Milk ship

SAN FRANCISCO Leaders in San Francisco are blasting the Trump administration for stripping the name of gay rights activist Harvey Milk from a U.S. naval ship, and especially during Pride Month, when people gather to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community

Milk is a revered figure in San Francisco history, a former city supervisor and gay rights advocate who was fatally shot along with Mayor George Moscone in 1978 by disgruntled former supervisor Dan White.

He served for four years in the Navy during the Korean War, before he was forced out for being gay Milk later moved to San Francisco, where he became one of the first out gay politicians in the world with his election to the Board of Supervisors in 1977.

Cleve Jones, a close friend and LGBTQ+ activist, dismissed the renaming as an attempt by the Trump administration to distract the American public from far more serious concerns, including the ongoing war in Gaza and looming cuts to Medicaid and Social Security

“Yes, this is cruel and petty and stupid, and yes, it’s an insult to my community,” Jones said.

“I would be willing to wager a considerable sum that American families sitting around that proverbial kitchen table this evening are not going to be talking about how much safer they feel now that Harvey’s name is going to be taken off that ship.”

The Pentagon has not confirmed news of the renaming, a highly rare move, but unnamed officials say the change was laid out in an internal memo. A new name has not yet been selected for the USNS Harvey Milk

Measles vaccination rates fall after pandemic

Childhood vaccination rates against measles fell in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic in nearly 80% of the more than 2,000 U.S. counties with available data including in states that are battling outbreaks this year.

A Johns Hopkins University study, published in JAMA this week, illustrates where more vulnerable communities are located. The results mirror trends established at state and national levels: Routine childhood vaccination rates are dropping.

“When you look at the state level or national level you really don’t see those drastic drops. Those are there. They’re real and they’re really problematic,” said Lauren Gardner, an expert in infectious disease modeling at Johns Hopkins University who is the paper’s senior author.

Most of the measles cases in the U.S. this year — 1,088 nationally as of Friday — are in unvaccinated people It has been spreading among communities due to international and domestic travel. Three people have died from measles during this year’s outbreaks, and 2025 is inching closer to becoming the worst for measles in more than three decades.

Measles was eliminated in the U.S. in 2000, and the vaccine is safe and highly effective. Public schools nationwide require two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine before kindergarten, but the number of children with nonmedical exemptions from those requirements hit an all-time high in the 2023-24 school year Health experts say community-level vaccination needs to be at 95% or higher to prevent outbreaks.

The Johns Hopkins study looked at 2,066 counties across 33 states, comparing kindergarten vaccination rates averaged over school years from 201720 to averages from 2022-24. Where kindergarten data wasn’t available, the researchers used a comparable rate.

CORRECTION

A story on Wednesday incorrectly said that only state Rep. Joseph Orgeron, R-Golden Meadow, opposed Senate Bill 244 on Tuesday in the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. State Rep Jerome “Zee” Zeringue, R-Houma, also opposed the bill. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune regrets the error

U.S. vetoes U.N.’s Gaza resolution

Call for ceasefire wasn’t linked to release of hostages

BY EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS The United States on Wednesday vetoed a U.N. Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza because it was not linked to the release of hostages.

The resolution before the U.N.’s most powerful body also did not condemn Hamas’ deadly attack in Israel on Oct 7, 2023, which ignited the war, or say the militant group must disarm and withdraw from Gaza — two other U.S. demands.

The 14 other members of the 15-nation council voted in favor of the resolution, which described the humanitarian situation in Gaza as “catastrophic” and called on Israel to lift all restrictions on the

delivery of aid to the 2.1 million Palestinians in the territory

Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea, speaking to the council immediately before the vote, said the resolution would undermine the security of Israel, a close U.S. ally, and diplomatic efforts to reach a ceasefire “that reflects the realities on the ground,” while emboldening Hamas.

The Palestinian U.N. Ambassador Riyad Mansour has said that supporters plan to go to the 193-member U.N. General Assembly next week with a similar resolution focused on the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. There are no vetoes in the General Assembly Unlike in the Security Council, its resolutions are not legally binding, but instead are seen as a measure of world opinion.

Pakistan’s Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad condemned the U.S. veto: “It will be remembered as a complicity, a green light for continued annihilation A moment where the entire world was expecting action But yet again, this

council was blocked and prevented by one member from carrying out its responsibility.”

The U.S. vetoed the last Security Council resolution on Gaza in November, under the Biden administration, also because the ceasefire demand was not directly linked to the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages. Similarly, the current resolution demands those taken by Hamas and other groups be released, but it does not make it a condition for a truce.

President Donald Trump’s administration has tried to ramp up its efforts to broker peace in Gaza after 20 months of war However, Hamas has sought amendments to a U.S. proposal that special envoy Steve Witkoff has called “totally unacceptable.”

The vote followed a decision by an Israeli and U.S.-backed foundation to pause food delivery at its three distribution sites in the Gaza Strip after health officials said dozens of Palestinians were killed in a series of shootings near the sites this week. Israel and the United

Judge halts deportation of attack suspect’s family

BY COLLEEN SLEVIN, JESSE BEDAYN and REBECCA SANTANA Associated Press

BOULDER, Colo. A federal judge on Wednesday ordered the government to immediately halt deportation proceedings against the family of a man charged in the firebombing attack in Boulder, Colorado, to ensure the protection of the family’s constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher granted a request from the wife and five children of Mohamed Sabry Soliman, who are Egyptian, to block their deportation

U.S. immigration officials took the family into custody Tuesday.

“The court finds that deportation without process could work irreparable harm and an order must issue without notice due to the urgency this situation presents,” Gallagher wrote.

Soliman, 45, has been charged with a federal hate crime and state counts of attempted murder in the attack in downtown Boulder on Sunday Witnesses say he threw two Molotov cocktails at a group demonstrating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, and he confessed to the attack in custody His family members have not been charged. Federal authorities have said Soliman has been living in the U.S. illegally, and U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security

Kristi Noem said earlier Wednesday that the family was being processed for removal. It’s rare that a criminal suspect’s family members are detained and threatened with deportation.

Eric Lee, one of the attorney’s representing the family, said efforts to deport them should not happen in a democracy

“The punishment of a 4-year-old child for something their parent allegedly did, who also has a presumption of innocence, is something that should outrage Americans regardless of their citizenship status,” he said.

Defendant’s family investigated

Soliman’s wife, Hayam El Gamal, a 17-year-old daughter, two minor sons and two minor daughters all are Egyptian citizens, according to El Gamal’s lawsuit. They were being held at an immigration detention center in Texas, Lee said.

“We are investigating to what extent his family knew about this heinous attack, if they had knowledge of it, or if

they provided support to it,” Noem said in a statement.

Noem also said federal authorities would immediately crack down on people who overstay their visas, following the Boulder attack.

Soliman told authorities that no one, including his family, knew about his planned attack, according to court documents. El Gamal said she was “shocked” to learn her husband had been arrested in the attack, according to her lawsuit Victims increase to 15 people, dog

Earlier Wednesday, authorities raised the number of people injured in the attack from 12 to 15, plus a dog.

Boulder County officials said in a news release that the victims include eight women and seven men ranging in age from 25 to 88. Details about how the victims were impacted would be explained in criminal charges set to be filed Thursday, according to Boulder County District Attorney’s office spokesperson Shannon Carbone.

Soliman had planned to kill all of the roughly 20 participants in Sunday’s demonstration at the popular Pearl Street pedestrian mall, but he threw just two of his 18 Molotov cocktails while yelling “Free Palestine,” police said. Soliman didn’t carry out his full plan “because he got scared and had never hurt anyone before,” police wrote in an affidavit.

According to an FBI affidavit, Soliman told police he was driven by a desire “to kill all Zionist people” — a reference to the movement to establish and protect a Jewish state in Israel Authorities said he expressed no remorse about the attack. The family’s immigration status

Before moving to Colorado Springs three years ago, Soliman spent 17 years in Kuwait, according to court documents.

Soliman arrived in the U.S. in August 2022 on a tourist visa that expired in February 2023, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a post on X. She said Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022 and was granted a work authorization in March 2023, but that has also expired. Soliman’s wife was born in Saudi Arabia and is an Egyptian national, according to her lawsuit. She is a network engineer and has a pending EB-2 visa, which is available to professionals with advanced degrees, the suit said. She and her children all are listed as dependents on Soliman’s asylum application.

States say they supported the establishment of the new aid system to prevent Hamas from stealing aid previously distributed by the U.N.

The United Nations has rejected the new system, saying it doesn’t address Gaza’s mounting hunger crisis, allows Israel to use aid as a weapon and doesn’t comply with the humanitarian principles of neutrality, impartiality and independence. The U.N. says its distribution system throughout Gaza worked very well during the March ceasefire and is carefully monitored.

The resolution demanded the restoration of all essential humanitarian services in line with humanitarian principles, international humanitarian law and U.N. Security Council resolutions.

“The world is watching, day after day, horrifying scenes of Palestinians being shot, wounded or killed in Gaza while simply trying to eat,” U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said in a statement Wednesday He called for a flood of aid to be let in and for the world body to be the one delivering it.

Man charged with supplying chemicals to IVF clinic

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES Federal authorities arrested a man they say collaborated with the bomber of a fertility clinic in May, alleging that he supplied chemicals used to make explosives and traveled to California to experiment with them in the bomber’s garage months before the attack.

The two men connected in fringe online forums over their shared beliefs against human procreation, authorities told reporters Wednesday The blast gutted the fertility clinic in Palm Springs and shattered the windows of nearby buildings, with officials calling the attack terrorism and possibly the largest bomb scene ever in Southern California. The clinic was closed, and no embryos were damaged.

Guy Edward Bartkus of California, the bomber, died in the May 17 explosion. Authorities arrested collaborator Daniel Park, 32, of Washington state

bomber

on Tuesday after he was extradited from Poland, where he fled to four days after the attack. Park spent years stocking up on ammonium nitrate, a chemical that can be used to make explosives, before shipping it to Bartkus and later visiting him in Twentynine Palms, California He stayed for about two weeks earlier this year and the two conducted bomb-making experiments in the detached garage of Bartkus’ family home, said Akil Davis, the FBI’s assistant director in charge. Park, 32, was taken into custody at New York’s John F Kennedy Airport, U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli told reporters. He appeared in federal court Wednesday in Brooklyn and, through his lawyer, waived his right to a detention hearing in New York. Judge Cheryl Pollak ordered him to remain detained, saying he posed a serious risk. He will be sent to California.

Soliman

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

A visitor offers a tribute after leaving a bouquet of flowers at a makeshift memorial for victims

Analysis:Tax bill will add$2.4T to deficit

CBOalsosays

10.9 millionwould lose health insurance

BY LISA MASCARO AP congressional correspondent

WASHINGTON— President Donald Trump’sbig bill in Congress would unleash trillions in tax cuts and slash spending, but alsospike deficits by $2.4 trillion overthe decade and leave some 10.9 million more people without health insurance, raising the political stakesfor the GOP’ssignature domesticpriority Republican leadersinCongress, determined to musclethe sweeping package forward, had little to say after the analysis released Wednesday by thenonpartisan CongressionalBudget Office GOP senators were headingfor an afternoon meeting with Trump at the White House.

But Democrats laboring to halt the march of Trump’sOne Big Beautiful Bill Act piled on withrelentless opposition.

“In the words of Elon Musk,this bill is a‘disgusting abomination,’ said Rep. Brendan BoyleofPennsylvania, the top Democratonthe HouseBudget Committee,reviving the billionaire former Trump aide’scriticism of the package.

The analysis comes at acrucial moment as Trump is pushing Congress, whereRepublicans have majority control, to send the final prod-

uct to his desk to become law by the Fourth of July.The House passed the bill last month by asingle vote, but it’snow sloggingthrough the Senate, where Republicanswanta numberofsignificant changes Andthe politicsare only intensifying

After Musk blindsided Congress with his all-out assaultagainst the bill this week,HouseSpeaker Mike Johnsonrushed to do damage control.

TheGOP speaker saidhecalled Musk to discussthe criticism leveled late Tuesday,but hadnot heard back. Muskhas threatened to use his politicalapparatustogoafter Republicans in themidterm elections.“Ihope he comes around,” Johnson,R-Benton, toldreporters.

Hourslater,Musk, whosebusiness interests could be impacted by green energy rollbacks in the bill, implored voterstocall their representatives and senators: “Bankrupting America is NOT ok!” he wrote on social media, “KILL the BILL.”

Taxbreaks, cuts to health care

The work of theCBO, which for decades has servedasthe official scorekeeper of legislationin Congress, is closely watched by lawmakers and others seeking to understand the budgetary impacts of the sprawling 1,000-plus-page package.

Along with $3.75 trilliontoextend the 2017 taxbreaksand add the new ones Trump campaigned

on, including no taxes on tips, it found that thepackagewould reduce federal spending outlays by nearly $1.3trillion, largely through proposedreductions to Medicaid and rollbacks of green energy initiatives.

Some 7.8 millionpeople would no longer have healthinsurance withchanges to Medicaid, including 5.2 million from the proposed newwork requirements on those able-bodied adultsuptoage 65, withsome exceptions, according to theanalysis. As part of those Medicaid changes,1.4 million people whoare in the United States without legal statusinstate-funded health programs wouldnolongerhavecoverage. Also, some 400,000 would lose coverage from the termination of amedical provider taxthat key Republicans, including Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, wanttokeep in place to ensure ruralhospitals can keep paying their bills.

Republicans argue that their proposals are intended tostrengthen Medicaidand other programs by rooting out waste, fraud and abuse. They want thefederal funding to go to thosewho mostneed health care andother services, often citing women and children.

But Senate Democratic Leader ChuckSchumer said those claims are bogus andare simply part of long-running GOPefforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, as most states have expanded Medicaid to serve

morepeople under the program

“They just want to strangle he alth care,” Schumer said. Additionally,the CBOhad previously estimated that nearly 4million fewer people would have food st am ps eac h monthdue to the legislation’sproposed changes to theSupplementalNutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP Somewould see their benefits reduced by about $15 by 2034, the CBO has said.

Republicanscriticize theCBO

Ahead of the CBO’srelease, the WhiteHouse and Republican leaders criticized the budget office in a preemptive campaign designed to sowdoubt in its findings.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said the CBO was “flat wrong” because it underestimated thepotentialrevenue growth from Trump’s first round of taxbreaks in 2017. The CBO last year said receipts were$1.5 trillion, or 5.6% greater than predicted, in large part because of the“burstofhigh inflation” during theCOVID-19 pandemic in 2021.

White House BudgetDirector Russ Vought said when you adjust for “current policy,” which means notcounting some $4.5 trillionin existing taxbreaks that are simply being extended for the next

decade, the overall package actually doesn’tpile onto thedeficit. He argued that the spending cuts alone, in fact, help reduce deficits by $1.4 trillion over the decade. But Democrats and even some Republicanscallthat“current policy” accounting moveagimmick, but it’sthe approach Senate Republicans intend to use during their consideration of the packagetotry to show it does notadd to the nation’sdeficits. Vought argued that the CBO is the one using a“gimmick” by tallying the costs of continuing those tax breaks that would otherwise expire.

“Russ is right,” Johnsonposted on social media. “Our One Big Beautiful Bill will REDUCE the deficitWHILEdelivering on the mandate given to us by the American people. Let’sget it done!”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has also suggested that the CBO’semployees are biased, even though certainbudget office workers face strict ethical rules—including restrictions on campaign donations and political activity —toensure objectivity and impartiality Now in its50th year,the CBO wasestablishedbylaw after Congress sought to assert its control, as outlined in the Constitution, over the budget process.

Itscurrent director,Phillip Swagel, aformer Treasury official in Republican President George W. Bush’sadministration, was reappointed to afour-year term in 2023.

TrumpsaysPutin told himRussiawillrespond to Ukrainianattack

BY HANNA ARHIROVA and MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

progress on ending the war.

WASHINGTON U.S. President DonaldTrumpsaidthat Russian President Vladimir Putin told him “very strongly” in aphone call Wednesday that he will respond to Ukraine’sweekend drone attack on Russian airfields as thedeadlock over the war drags on and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismisses Russia’ s ceasefi re proposal. The U.S. president said in asocial media post that his lengthy call with Putin “was agood conversation, but not aconversation that will lead to immediate Peace.” It’sthe first time Trump has weighed in on Ukraine’sdaringattack inside Russia.The U.S. did not have advancenotice of theoperation,according to the White House, apoint Trump emphasized during the call with Putin, according to aPutin’sforeign affairs adviser The U.S. has led arecent diplomatic push to stop the full-scale invasion, which began on Feb. 24, 2022. Trump, in his social media

post,did notsay howhereacted to Putin’spromise to respond to Ukraine’sattack, but his postshowed none of thefrustration that Trump has expressed with his Russian counterpartinrecent weeksoverhis prolonging of thewar

Yuri Ushakov,Putin’s foreignaffairs adviser,saidat abriefing that the twoleaders characterized thecall as “positiveand quite productive,” and reaffirmed their readiness to stay in touch.

Zelenskyy latersaidina post on social media: “Many have spoken with Russia at various levels.But none of these talkshave brought areliable peace,oreven stopped thewar.Unfortunately,Putin feels impunity.”

TheUkrainian leader urged more pressure to be put onRussia andsaidthat Putin’s plannedresponse “means,thatwith everynew strike, with every delay of diplomacy, Russia is giving the finger to the entireworld to allthose who stillhesitate to increasepressureonit.”

Trump repeatedly promised to end thewar quickly, and even saidhewouldaccomplish itbefore he was sworn in. But he lost patience with Putin in recent weeks, publicly pleading with him to stopfighting and even said late last month that the Russianleader “has gone absolutely CRAZY.” Trump, however,has not committedtobacking abipartisan pushtosanction Putin

Zelenskyybrushes offplan

The Ukrainian leader earlierWednesday dismissed Russia’s ceasefire plan as “an ultimatum” and re-

newed hiscallfor direct talks with Putin to break thestalemate over thewar whichhas draggedonfor nearly 31/2 years.

Putin, however, showed no willingness to meet with Zelenskyy,expressing anger Wednesday about what he said wereUkraine’s recent “terrorist acts” on Russian rail linesinthe Kursk and Bryansk regions on the countries’ border

“How can any such (summit) meetings be conducted in such circumstances? What shall we talk about?” Putin asked in avideocall with top Russian officials. Putinaccused Ukraine of seeking atruce only to replenishits stockpilesof Western arms, recruit more soldiers and prepare new attackslike those in Kursk and Bryansk.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged memorandums setting out their conditions for aceasefire fordiscussion at Monday’sdirect peace talks between delegations in Istanbul. Zelenskyy had previously challenged Putin to meet himinTurkey, but Putin stayed away Russia and Ukraine have established redlines that make aquick deal unlikely, despite aU.S.-ledinternational diplomatic push to stop the fighting. The Kremlin’sIstanbulproposalcontained alist of demands that Kyiv andits Western allies see as nonstarters.

Zelenskyy saidthatthe secondround of talks in Istanbul was no different from the first meetingonMay 16. Zelenskyy described thelatestnegotiationsinIstanbul as “a political performance” and “artificial diplomacy”

designed to stall for time, delay sanctions andconvincethe United States that Russiaisengagedindialogue.

Zelenskyy said he wantsa ceasefire with Russia before apossiblesummitmeeting with Putin, possibly also includingTrump, in an effort to remove obstaclestoa peace settlement.

More detailsabout attack Asecondround of peace talks on Mondaybetween Russian andUkrainiandelegations in Istanbul lasted just over an hour and made no

They agreed only to swap thousands of their dead and seriously woundedtroops.

Also,anew prisoner exchange with Russia could take place over the weekend, Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine’s Security Service gave more details Wednesdayabout its spectacular weekend drone strike on Russian air bases, which it claimeddestroyedordamaged 41 Russian aircraft, including strategic bombers.

The agency released more footageshowing drones swooping under and over

parked aircraft and featuring some planesburning. It also claimed the planes struck included A-50,Tu-95, Tu-22, Tu-160, An-12, and Il-78aircraft, adding that thedroneshad highly automated capabilities and were partly piloted by an operator and partly by using artificial intelligence which flew the drone along aplanned route in the event it lost signal. The drones werenot fully autonomous and a“humanis still choosing what target to hit,” said Caitlin Lee, adrone warfare expert at RAND, a think thank.

BY NICHOLAS RICCARDI and LINDSAYWHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON Afederal judge ruled on Wednesday that theTrump administration must give more than 100 migrants sent to anotorious prison in El Salvador achance to challenge their deportations.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge James Boasberg said that people who were sentto the prison in March under an 18th-century wartime law haven’tbeen able to formally contest the removals or allegations that they are members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. He ordered the administration to worktoward givingthema way to file those challenges. The judge wrote that “significant evidence” has surfaced indicating that many of the migrants imprisoned

in El Salvador are notconnected to thegang“and thus languishinaforeign prison on flimsy,even frivolous,accusations.” Boasberg gavethe administration one week tocome up with amanner in which the “at least 137” people can make those claims, even while they’reformally in the custody of El Salvador It’sthe latestmilestone in the legalsaga over the fate of deportees imprisoned at El Salvador’snotoriousTerrorism Confinement Center After Trump invokedthe AlienEnemies Act of 1798 in March and prepared to fly planeloadsofaccused gang members to El Salvador andout ofthe jurisdictionofU.S. courts, Boasberg ordered them to turnthe planesaround. This demand was ignored. Boasberg has found probably cause that theadministration commit-

ted contemptofcourt after the flight landed.

The U.S. Supreme Court later ruled that anyone targeted under the AEAhas the right to appeal to ajudge to contest their designation as an enemy of the state. Boasberg, in his latest, ruling wrotethat he was simply applying that principle to those who’d been removed.

Boasberg said theadministration “plainly deprived” the immigrantsofachance to challenge their removals before they were put on flights. Therefore, he says the government must handlethe migrants casesnow as if they“would havebeen if theGovernment had not providedconstitutionally inadequate process.”

Trump has repeatedly said it’d be impossible to protect thecountry from dangerous immigrants if eachone has his or her day in court

Schumer

Trump

Putin

Zelenskyy

NOT ok! KILL the BILL.”

“In November next year, we fire all politicians who betrayed the American people,” Musk wrote.

Some took that as the billionaire’s threat to GOP House members who backed the instrument, which includes much of Trump’s domestic agenda. That includes more money for border security and tax breaks, paid for partially with deep cuts in Medicaid and food stamps.

“With all due respect, my friend Elon is terribly wrong about the one big, beautiful bill,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, who added that he had tried talking with Musk after the criticisms were published.

“I called Elon last night and he didn’t answer but I hope to talk to him today,” Johnson told reporters Wednesday “I hope he comes around.”

Musk had been head of what Trump called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which fired nearly 60,000 federal employees offered early retirements to 76,000 more and targeted another 149,000 for layoffs in the future. The federal government had about 2.1 million employees nationwide.

With narrow majorities in the House and Senate, Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, the two LSU alumni who lead the lower chamber, relied on the reconciliation process to stuff Trump’s campaign promises into a single bill and thereby win passage without Democratic involvement.

WEATHER

Continued from page 1A

some of the neediest offices in the U.S., which records show include at least one in Louisiana.

The move comes after the administration made sweeping cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, leaving nearly half the weather service’s 122 local field offices with vacancy rates of more than 20% by early April according to data collected by The Associated Press Some offices were so shortstaffed they were forced to cut down on weather balloon launches and overnight staffing, leading meteorologists and researchers across the county to voice concerns about the nation’s weather forecasting capabilities, particularly during natural disasters and the current hurricane season, which is expected to bring aboveaverage activity Weather service spokesperson Erica Grow Cei said the eligible positions include

The bill would, over the next decade, add $2.4 trillion to the government’s debt and leave 10.9 million people without health insurance, according to the Congressional Budget Office analysis released Wednesday morning. The legislation cuts spending by $1.3 trillion but revenue would fall by $3.7 trillion, posited CBO, the arm of Congress tasked with estimating financial impacts of bills under congressional consideration In the face of growing disenchantment among some Republicans as the legislation begins its review in the U.S. Senate, Johnson, and Scalise, R-Jefferson, avoided veiled threats but defended the legislation

Both said the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, whose shorthand now is OBBBA, would jump-start the economy, leading to more government revenues and lower taxes.

Scalise criticized the CBO, arguing that the nonpartisan agency miscalculates the amount of economic growth that will come from lower taxes, lower spending, and reduced regulations.

“When this bill is passed and signed into law, hopefully by July Fourth, when the Senate does their work, you’re going to see economic growth in this country like we haven’t seen in generations, meaning more pay in the pockets of workers. And you’re going to see more

“Not all climate research is fossil-fuel focused. Long-range tropical outlooks like preseason forecasts, for example, are largely climate modeling efforts, not solely meteorology. And satellites? They are our eyes and ears for the atmosphere.”

JAy GRyMES Louisiana state climatologist

jobs that were “deemed critical to fulfill the NWS’s mission of saving lives, protecting property and enhancing the national economy.” But she did not specify what positions would be filled or where they were located Grow Cei said advertisements for the open jobs will be posted soon The weather service is also in the process of issuing reassignment opportunity notices and short-term temporary duty assignments to fill vacant positions at offices across the country with “the greatest needs,” Grow Cei said. Both enable current employees to voluntarily transfer to lateral positions in offices across the U.S. without a formal hiring process.

The new hires are allowed under an exemption to President Donald Trump’s governmentwide hiring freeze, and was granted to “stabilize front-line operations,” she said.

Louisiana State Climatologist Jay Grymes said the new hires represent only about a fifth of the positions lost and the process could take weeks or months. He also said the Trump administration’s cuts go “beyond people,” including reductions in climate research and satellite system funding.

“Not all climate research is fossil-fuel focused,” he said. “Long-range tropical outlooks like preseason forecasts, for example, are largely climate modeling efforts, not solely meteorol-

Treasury money coming in because of the growth in the American economy,” Scalise told reporters Wednesday

The other Republicans in Louisiana’s delegation also stuck by the bill.

“This is us trying to get the economy back on track,” Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Start, told Brian Haldane on Talk 107.3 FM in Baton Rouge Wednesday morning. “It is my hope that we will all stick together.”

Lafayette Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, was less forgiving.

Though he initially opposed the instrument, Higgins backed the bill after meeting with other archconservatives in the White House less than 18 hours

ogy And satellites? They are our eyes and ears for the atmosphere.”

Tom Fahy, the legislative director for the union that represents weather service employees, said the agency lost about 600 employees to the cuts, including roughly 100 probationary employees who were terminated, 300 who retired early and another 200 who resigned after accepting buyout deals.

The weather service is now looking to hire meteorologists, physical scientists and the electronic technicians who take care of weather radars and other sensitive equipment, Fahy said.

While it’s unclear where it will place its new permanent hires and which former employees will be eligible, Fahy said he expects they’ll go to the most severely understaffed weather forecasting offices.

Those include offices in Sacramento and Hanford California; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Goodland, Kansas; Jackson, Kentucky; and Fairbanks, Alaska; some of which have halted overnight operations, Fahy said.

before the floor vote.

Higgins focused on GOP senators, like Sen Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, who have raised similar concerns as Musk.

He wrote on X that wayward Senate Republicans are “lost in their wealth, suffering through the cocktail parties and fundraisers.”

He continued: “We are watching. FAFO.”

That’s a reference to military slang for “f*** around, find out.”

After two all-night sessions, during which the terms of the bill constantly changed as Johnson and Scalise pursued “yes” votes, House Republicans advanced the 1,037-page bill by a single vote shortly after

“These six offices are the most critical in the country,” he said.

A handful of other offices across the U.S. face serious shortages as well, including in Lake Charles, where Fahy said staffing is among the most severely stretched in Louisiana.. As of Wednesday, Fahy said seven of 24 total positions were vacant in Lake Charles, a city that is no stranger to major natural disasters.

At least four longtime meteorologists, each with more than 30 years of weather forecasting experience, retired from the Lake Charles office in April, including meteorologist in charge Roger Erickson. Fahy said Lake Charles also lost one other meteorologist, a technician and a managerial electronics position.

Stephen Carboni, now the acting meteorologist in charge, did not respond to an email requesting comment.

Reassignment opportunity notifications for three positions in the Lake Charles office closed on May 27, according to records provided by Mike Buchanan, lead me-

the sun rose May 22. They then boarded planes for a week off — only for some to find constituents questioning this or that provision tucked in the wording by House leadership in order to persuade enough Republicans to back the measure. For instance, MAGA firebrand Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Georgia, admitted she voted yes without having read the bill. A provision took away state authority to regulate artificial intelligence, which she said would have caused her to vote no.

“Full transparency, I did not know about this section,” Greene wrote on X, adding the provision violates states’ rights. “This needs to be stripped out in the Senate. When the OBBB(A) comes back to the House for approval after Senate changes, I will not vote for it with this in it.” New Orleans Rep. Troy Carter was unsympathetic.

“I just have one thing to say read the damn bill next time,” said Carter, a Democrat who voted against the legislation. “I wholeheartedly agree with Elon Musk that Trump’s bogus bill is a ‘disgusting abomination.’”

“They wanted to rush it through and even their own members didn’t know what was in it, and now they’re having second thoughts,” said Rep. Cleo Fields, a Baton Rouge Democrat who voted against OBBBA and remains against it. “I would hope the Senate would go through it methodically and break it up into as many bills as they desire and then the House can deal with each bill.”

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.

teorologist in charge of the National Weather Service New Orleans. Fahy said that means those positions — two lead meteorologists and a meteorologist in charge — will likely soon be staffed, though he called the transfers a “temporary solution” to aid struggling offices. Several reassignment notifications also closed in offices across the U.S including in Texas, Arkansas, Florida and Georgia.

The New Orleans office, however, was largely spared from cuts. Buchanan said Tuesday that staffing at his office had not changed since he arrived in December, with 25 of 27 jobs filled. While Buchanan said all of New Orleans’ 14 weather forecasting positions are filled, it is down a science and operations officer and an administrative support assistant.

The National Hurricane Center which tracks the Atlantic hurricanes that so often reach the Gulf Coast, was also largely unscathed by broader cuts to NOAA, according to The Associated Press.

Continued from page 1A

that they expect this to be a transparent process.”

The full Senate on Monday passed the measure on a 37-1 vote after the House earlier this month approved it without a single objection. The legislation now goes to the governor’s desk for signature. Landry hopes to have a contract for the new voting system finalized by the end of 2025 and begin a “phased-in implementation” of the new system in 2026, said Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson Joel Watson. Under legislation passed in 2021, the Secretary of State’s Office must first certify that any voting machines to be considered in the procurement process comply with standards set out in state law Bidding can then begin after certification. Under the invitation to negotiate procedure in HB577 the state invites vendors to submit competitive sealed responses as a starting point for negotiations. It is then empowered to select which vendors it wants to continue negotiations with.

of widespread voter fraud during the 2020 presidential election, state lawmakers added additional requirements to Louisiana’s voting system procurement effort. Those included the creation of a Voting System Commission and a Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee, the latter of which is required to “investigate and publicly test the voting systems” that are part of the bidding process and recommend a selection to the secretary of state.

“This bill does nothing to remove public input or transparency in the procurement process,” Landry said of this year’s House Bill 577. Deslatte said PAR recognizes the challenges Landry faces in light of previous litigation over voting system contracts, and the organization plans to monitor the current effort.

In contrast, with a standard request for proposal, the state first defines detailed parameters of the product or service it needs and then solicits bids to meet those specs. Bill sponsor Rep. Daryl Deshotel, R-Marksville, said invitation to negotiate gives the secretary of state the chance “to discuss with vendors their ability to provide needed and expected services,” and it gives the state more bargaining power in negotiations before making an award.

designed for large IT procurement. He sponsored legislation last year that added the new bidding process to the list of procurement methods authorized under state law

expedited timeline for any legal contest or appeal that arises related to the eventual voting system contract award.

“We can’t afford for that litigation to take years,” Landry told lawmakers last month.

“This contract is going to be worth a lot of money,” she said, adding that any replacement voting system is “crucial to making sure election functions in this state.”

Deshotel told lawmakers on the Senate committee the concept is

“Invitation to negotiation is a public bid process,” Landry said. “It’s just more flexible. It allows you to exchange more information than (a request for proposals) does.”

The legislation also sets out an

Previous efforts to replace the voting system have stumbled at multiple junctures in the face of bid-rigging allegations. And in 2021, amid false claims

Sen. Blake Miguez, R-New Iberia, a member of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, pressed Landry for more than a half-hour, asking the secretary of state to promise that the Legislature would have “full oversight” of the entire process.

“It’s extremely important to the public,” Miguez said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By BEN CURTIS

Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, right, supports the spending bill passed by the House and said in a post on X that wayward Senate Republicans are ‘lost in their wealth, suffering through the cocktail parties and fundraisers.’

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BILL FEIG Workers return

BY KEN MORITSUGU and KANIS LEUNG Associated Press

BEIJING For most Chinese, the 36th anniversary of abloody crackdown that ended pro-democracy protests in China passedlike any other weekday.And that’sjust how the ruling Communist Party wants it. Security was tightWednesday around Beijing’sTiananmen Square, where weeks of studentled protests shook the party in 1989.Under then-leader Deng Xiaoping, the militarywas sent in to end the protest on the night of June 3-4. Using live ammunition soldiers forcedtheir way through crowds that tried to block them from reaching the square.Hundreds and possibly thousands of people were killed, including dozens of soldiers.

The party has tried, with some success, to erasewhat it callsthe “political turmoil” of 1989 from the collective memory.Itbansany public commemoration or mention of the June 4crackdown, scrubbing references from the internet

CAMPAIGN

Continued from page1A

theelected officials.”

On Wednesday,after aset of new amendments was introduced in the Senate committee,Procopiosaid the legislation still does not bring moretransparency to campaign finance disclosure.

However, he toldlawmakers that the latestset of changes related to investigations of campaign violations avoided legislation that he would have considered “existentially bad.”

Since 1980, the stated purpose of Louisiana’sCampaignFinance Disclosure Act has been to allow for the public disclosure of political fundraising and spending, in recognition of the fact that representative government depends on aknowledgeable electorate that has confidenceinits public elected officials.

But under HB693, the law would also acknowledgethat “the financing of campaigns facilitates constitutionally protected political speech.”

Adding recognition that campaign spending is protected speech is needed so that anylegal interpretations of campaign finance laws don’tviolate the Louisiana and U.S. Constitutions, Gelé said.

Thebillwould also require that the state’scampaign finance rules be interpreted “narrowly and strictly” in the interest of respecting free speech and due process rights.

Any ambiguity in acampaign finance issue should be “interpreted in favor of a person accused of violating” the laws, the bill says The proposed law would create four separate types of political committees, each with their own rules and disclosure requirements:

n Political committees would be set up to spend money to support or oppose

In recent years, that banhas beenextendedtoHongKong, wherea once-massive annual candlelight vigil is no longer permitted.Policesaidtheybrought 10 peopleonsuspicion of breachingpublic peace to apolice station for investigation. Three werestill detained late Wednesday,while the rest were allowed to leave. Police also arrested awoman for failing to show heridentity document and aman forobstructingpoliceofficers from performing their duties. It is only in Taiwan, aself-governing island that is claimed by China but runs its own affairs, that large June 4gatherings can still take place.

TiananmenSquare is avast space in the center of Beijing with monumental, communist-era buildings along twosides and the mausoleum of Mao Zedong, who foundedthe communistera in 1949, on thesouth end.

Universitystudentsoccupied this symbolically important site in the spring of 1989. Their calls for freedoms divided the party leadership. The decision to send in troopsmarked adecisiveturning

point in theevolution of modern China, keeping the party firmly in control as it loosened economic restrictions.

Chineseofficials have saidthe country’srapid economic development since thenproves the decisionsmadeatthe time were correct.

“On the political turmoil that happened in the late 1980s,the Chinese government has already reached aclear conclusion,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonLin Jian said Wednesday. He added thatChina would continue along itscurrent path of what it calls “socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

Tiananmen Mothers, agroup formed by relatives of the victims, made an annual online appeal to the government.Signed by 108 members, it called for an independent investigation into what happened on June 4, 1989, including a list of all who died. The group also demanded compensation for the families and alegal caseagainst those responsible forthe deaths.

The British and German EmbassiesinBeijing postedvideos commemorating the anniversary

on Weibo, aChinese social media platform,but they were latertaken down, presumably by censors.

The Canadian andGerman Embassies displayed images of asingle lit candle on large screens facing the main street.

In Hong Kong, acarnival showcasing Chinese food andproducts washeld in VictoriaPark,where tens of thousands of people used to gather fora candlelight vigil to markthe anniversary Hong Kong authorities first shut down thevigilduringthe COVID-19 pandemic andarrested the organizers in 2021. The moves were part of abroader crackdown on dissent following monthslong anti-government protestsin2019 that turned violent and paralyzed partsofthe city

Aformer districtcouncil member,Chan Kim-kam,saidcustoms officersquestioned her at her shop on the eve of June 4after she advertised small white candles for sale in an Instagram post titled “June, we don’tforget.”

candidates, propositions, political parties or recalls.

n Principal campaign committees wouldbeset up as the sole campaign committeeof acandidate.

n Independent expenditure-only committees would be set up for politicaladvocacy work that is not coordinated withacandidate.

n Leadership committees would beset upbyelected officials —separate from their campaign committees —tosupport their holding of public office and to contributetoother officials’ committees.

Anew conceptcalled a “jointfundraising agreement”would also authorize committees and other organizationstocollaborate on political fundraising.

Contributionlimits for political committees were increased under a2024 law andwould not increase furtherunder this year’slegislation. The limits are $12,000 for majoroffices, $6,000 for districtoffices and $2,000 for smaller local offices.

Political committees that havemore than 250 members,however,can make contributions in the amounts of $24,000, $12,000 and $4,000.

There is no limit on contributionstoindependent, expenditure-only committees.

For all candidates and committees, current law contains abroad prohibition against contributionsbeing “used, loaned, orpledged by any person for any personal use unrelated to apolitical campaign, the holding of apublic office or partyposition.”

The proposal definesnew, more detailed parameters forthe things candidates andcommittees canand cannot spend campaign money on.

All candidates andcommittees would be allowed to spend money on lobbying, issue advocacy,donations to tax-exempt organizations, committee operating expenses, contributionstogu-

bernatorial transitionsand independent-expenditure committees.Theycouldalso back effortstosupport or oppose propositions, recalls or gubernatorial transitions In all cases, the measure would prohibit the use of contributionsfor the“personal use” of acandidate, elected official or immediate family member “Personal use” would be defined as spending money on something that would exist “irrespective of the candidate’scampaign or the holding of office”and isn’t connected to acampaign or holding of political office.

Thebill sets out alistof items thatwould be presumed to be for personal use:

n household food itemsor supplies n funeralexpenses, unless they are for acampaign worker,

n clothing that isn’tused forcampaign, fundraising or office-holding events, n tuition payments

n social, recreational and private clubfees that aren’t for afundraising event or campaign or office-holding activities.

On Wednesday,the Senate committee agreed to strengthen the language prohibitingcampaign funds for personal use.

Sen. Greg Miller,R-Norco, amember of thecommittee, said it was important to guard against the use of campaign funds“forsubsidizing your lifestyle.”

“I don’tthink we want to encourage that,” he said.

The bill also sets outalist of items that would notbe considered personal use:

n Candidate and immediate family memberattendanceatpolitical eventsincluding WashingtonMardi Grasand conferences for political parties, professional groups or social advocacy groups.

n Securitymeasures fora candidate, elected official, family members or campaign workers, including

security systems andpersonnel

n Taxes on interest earned by campaign funds

n Campaign loan interest

n Costs to replace damaged, lostorstolen campaign items.

For each of thefour committeetypes, thelegislation spells out additionalspending rules.

Under the legislation, monetary thresholds that trigger avarietyofcampaign finance reporting requirementswould increase. Forexample, political committees would have to report contributions and expenditures when they reach $1,000, up from $500.

Similarly,committees that anticipate receiving or spending $1,000 ayear would need to file astatement of organization, up from $500.

Reporting requirements for some out-of-state entities

The British andCanadianconsulates earlier posted social media messages aboutremembering June 4. Hong Kong was aBritish colony until 1997. The U.S. consulate posted amessage from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on its website.

“The CCP actively tries to censor the facts,” Rubio said, referring to China’s Communist Party.“Butthe world will never forget.”

“You know,Hong Kongershave become silent lambs after 2019,” said King Ng,who wasatthe park on Wednesday Police were out in force to try to prevent any protest, and took several people away fromthe park on Wednesday. Theyincludeda young woman wearing aschool uniform and holding flowers, a manwho lowered his head in apparent prayer,and aman wearing awhite T-shirt reading “Vindication for June 4. It’sgetting closer and closer.” Police also questioned awoman who lit up amosquito lamp, but eventually let her go. Rowsofelectronic candles lit up the windowsofthe U.S. consulate, and the British consulate projected “VIIV” —Roman numerals in reference to June 4— on one of its walls.

contributing to Louisiana electionswould be triggered at $50,000 of spending, up from $20,000.

Anyone who isn’tacandidate or acommittee would need to file disclosure reports forpolitical spending foranything over $1,000, up from $500 currently.But unlike current law,disclosures would only be needed in cases of “express advocacy.”

The Louisiana Board of Ethics administers and enforcesthe state’sCampaign Finance Disclosure Act, and it’s responsiblefor investigating anypossible violations of campaign finance disclosure rules. In instances where the ethics board undertakes acampaign finance investigation, it would also need to meet a higher bar to issue any subpoenas, and more detailed procedures would govern the subpoenas process.

Afteraninvestigation,

the ethics board would need to have “probable cause to justify bringing formal charges against someone for campaign finance violations. If the boardfound that a campaign financeviolation did occur, before filing any formal charges against the person being investigated, the board would have to create areport of the investigation, provide that report to the personbeing investigated, and give that person achance to respond.

Thesechanges related to board investigations are similartothose in another bill that sets stricter rules forhow theBoardofEthics investigates potential conflicts of interest,nepotism andotherethicslaw violations.

The legislation, House Bill 674 sponsored by Rep. Beau Beaullieu, R-New Iberia, passed the Legislature on Wednesday

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ BRIEFS

Hiring freeze threatens inflation data

WASHINGTON — The Labor Department has cut back on the inflation data it collects because of the Trump administration’s government hiring freeze, raising concerns among economists about the quality of the inflation figures just as they are being closely watched for the impact of tariffs.

The department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which produces the monthly consumer price index, the most closely watched inflation measure, said Wednesday that it is “reducing sample in areas across the country” and added that it stopped collecting price data entirely in April in Lincoln, Nebraska, and Provo, Utah. It also said it has stopped collecting data this month in Buffalo, New York

In an email that the BLS sent to economists, viewed by The Associated Press, the agency said that it “temporarily reduced the number of outlets and quotes it attempted to collect due to a staffing shortage” in April The reduced data collection “will be kept in place until the hiring freeze is lifted.”

President Donald Trump froze federal hiring on his first day in office and extended the freeze in April until late July, suggesting future inflation reports will also involve less data collection.

Reddit sues AI company Anthropic

Social media platform Reddit has sued the artificial intelligence company Anthropic, alleging that it is illegally “scraping” the comments of Reddit users to train its chatbot Claude. Reddit claims that Anthropic has used automated bots to access Reddit’s content despite being asked not to do so, and “intentionally trained on the personal data of Reddit users without ever requesting their consent.”

Anthropic didn’t immediately return a request for comment Wednesday Reddit filed the lawsuit Wednesday in California Superior Court in San Francisco, where both companies are based.

“AI companies should not be allowed to scrape information and content from people without clear limitations on how they can use that data,” said Ben Lee, Reddit’s chief legal officer, in a statement Wednesday

U.S. and Europe trade negotiations continue PARIS Europe and the United States say progress has been made but there were no breakthroughs during a meeting in Paris to negotiate a settlement of a tense tariff spat with global economic ramifications.

European Union top trade negotiator Maroš Šef ovi met Wednesday with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the sidelines of a meeting of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Šef ovi said in a post on X that the sides are “advancing in the right direction at pace” and staying in close contact. Brussels and Washington, though, are unlikely to reach a substantive trade agreement in Paris. The issues dividing them are too difficult to resolve quickly

Amazon plans $10B data center in N.C. HAMLET, N.C. Amazon is expanding its cloud computing infrastructure and artificial intelligence activities into a rural North Carolina county The company said Wednesday it intends to invest $10 billion toward building a campus in Richmond County This will bring a shot in the arm to a region where textile and apparel jobs dried up a generation ago. Amazon said its investment should create at least 500 jobs and support thousands more through construction and data center supply chain providers. Gov Josh Stein says the investment is one of the largest in state history

Wall Street’s big rally stalls

Reports on economy are potentially discouraging

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK Wall Street’s big recent rally lost some momentum on Wednesday following a pair of potentially discouraging reports on the economy

The S&P 500 finished the day virtually unchanged and remained 2.8% below its all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 91 points, or 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite added 0.3%.

The action was stronger in the bond market, where Treasury

yields tumbled following the weaker-than-expected economic updates.

One said that activity contracted for U.S. retailers, finance companies and other businesses in the services industries last month, when economists were expecting to see growth. Businesses told the Institute for Supply Management in its survey that all the uncertainty created by tariffs is making it difficult for them to forecast and plan.

A second report from ADP suggested U.S. employers outside of the government hired far fewer workers last month than economists expected That could bode ill for Friday’s more comprehensive jobs report coming from the U.S. Labor Department, which is one of Wall Street’s most antici-

pated data releases each month.

So far, the U.S. job market has remained remarkably resilient despite years of high inflation and now the threat of President Donald Trump’s high tariffs. But weakness there could undermine the rest of the economy

To be sure, ADP’s report historically has not been a perfect predictor of what the U.S. Labor Department’s report will say

“Whether this report is accurate or not, traders and investors will read today’s number as a dark result for trading today,” according to Carl Weinberg, chief economist at High Frequency Economics. “This may be the tip of an iceberg, but it also could be a false start.”

“‘Too Late’ Powell must now LOWER THE RATE,” Trump said on his Truth Social platform. “He is unbelievable!!!”

The Fed has yet to cut interest rates this year after slashing them through the end of 2024. Part of the reason for the pause is that the Fed wants to see how much Trump’s tariffs will hurt the economy and raise inflation. While lower interest rates could boost the economy, they could also give inflation more fuel.

Following the reports, traders built up bets that the Federal Reserve will need to cut interest rates later this year in order to prop up the economy, which in turn caused the fall for Treasury yields. The weaker-than-expected ADP report also pushed Trump to call on Fed Chair Jerome Powell to deliver cuts to rates more quickly

Steel and aluminum tariffs start

Move to hammer businesses from automakers to home builders

BY WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS AP business writer

NEW YORK U.S President Donald Trump hiked nearly all of his tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to a punishing 50% on Wednesday in a move that’s set to hammer businesses from automakers to home builders, and likely push up prices for consumers even further

Economists warn that such heightened levies could significantly squeeze the wallets of both companies and shoppers alike. But Trump argues that his latest import taxes are necessary to protect U.S. industries.

The 50% tariffs went into effect just after the clock struck midnight on Wednesday The two metals had previously faced 25% tariffs worldwide since mid-March, when Trump’s order to remove steel exemptions and raise aluminum’s levy from his previously imposed 2018 import taxes went into effect.

Steel and aluminum from the U.K. is the exception British imports of these metals are still levied at 25%, per a proclamation issued by Trump on Tuesday afternoon, which pointed to a recent trade deal reached between the two countries.

Trump says it’s all about protecting U.S. industries. He reiterated that argument on Friday, when he first announced the 50% tariff on imported steel during a visit with steelworkers in Pennsylvania, where he also discussed a “planned partnership” between U.S Steel and Japan’s Nippon Steel.

In his speech at U.S. Steel’s Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant in suburban Pittsburgh, Trump said the tariff hike would “further secure the steel industry in the U.S.” Shortly after, he took the same tone when sharing plans to also raise tariffs on imported aluminum

Industry response

While some analysts have credited the tariffs Trump imposed during his first term with strengthening domestic production of steel and aluminum, many others have warned that stark new levies can make it difficult for the industry to adjust.

Some organizations representing metal

workers also note that tariffs aren’t the only solution needed to boost U.S. manufacturing.

“While tariffs, used strategically, serve as a valuable tool in balancing the scales, it’s essential that we also pursue wider reforms of our global trading system,” David McCall, international president of the United Steelworkers union said in a statement, noting that work must be done “in collaboration with trusted allies” like Canada — the top exporter of steel and aluminum to the U.S. — to help “contain the bad actors.” Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association, added that the trade group “appreciates President Trump’s continued focus on strengthening the U.S. aluminum industry,” but that “tariffs alone will not increase U.S. primary aluminum production.”

“We also need consistent, predictable trade and tariff policy to plan for current and future investment,” Meenan said.

Meanwhile, the American Primary Aluminum Association, which advocates for stronger trade enforcement applauded Trump’s latest tariff increase on foreign aluminum.

“For decades, subsidized foreign producers have hollowed out domestic aluminum manufacturing,” APAA President Mark Duffy said in a statement, calling Trump a “strong leader who is fighting to rebuild domestic manufacturing and protect thousands of American aluminum jobs.”

Impacted products

Steel and aluminum are used in a range of products like washing machines, consumer electronics and cars. Much of the auto industry relies on a global supply chain. And even if you aren’t in the market to buy a new vehicle, repairs could involve parts that use imports of either metal, driving up overall maintenance and ownership costs. In the grocery aisle, steel and aluminum are ubiquitous in the packaging for many foods, including canned tuna, soup and nuts. Experts warn that hiking import taxes on these materials could led to higher grocery prices overall, further straining consumers’ wallets.

The aluminum and metal tariffs also carry wider implications for construction and transportation as a whole, as many key building parts and materials are made with these metals. Economists further warn of spillover impacts. Even if a product isn’t directly packaged in steel or aluminum, there could be higher costs to build the shelf it’s sold on, for example, or truck used to transport it to the store. And all of that could trickle down to the consumer down the road. If foreign competition becomes “priced out” due to these new tariffs, U.S. steel and aluminum producers may also find room to raise their own prices. As a result, even companies that don’t buy these foreign metals could end up paying more.

Herc Rentals finalizes

$4.97B purchase

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Staff writer

Herc Rentals has completed its nearly $5 billion acquisition of Baton Rouge-based H&E Equipment Services. The deal was finalized Monday, and H&E was delisted from the Nasdaq Exchange Under the agreement announced in February, H&E stockholders received $78.75 for each share and 0.1287 shares of Herc Rentals stock. Shares of Herc opened at $124.35 Monday morning. The company also took on $1.5 billion of H&E’s debt. Florida-based Herc has 440 locations in the U.S. and Canada. The company has 16 locations in south Louisiana Company officials said H&E will keep a presence in Baton Rouge, but decisions on the specific operations and local employment levels will be made over time H&E, founded in 1961, is the fifth-largest rental equipment company in the U.S., with more than 160 branches in 31 states. Its rental fleet is valued at $2.9 billion.

Email Timothy Boone at tboone@theadvocate.com. Acquisition of Baton Rouge’s H&E Equipment

While both companies have a strong concentration of locations in the South, Herc has a major presence in New England, the upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest. H&E has a heavy concentration in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and Idaho. H&E is a general rental business,while Herc specializes in products for areas such as power generation, pump, HVAC and floor care. In recent years, H&E has taken aggressive measures, selling off its crane business in 2021 and its earthmoving distributorships in 2022 to concentrate on equipment rental. H&E also

bought up smaller equipment companies in the Midwest and West.

Analysts say the larger an equipment rental company is, the better its chances are of getting new equipment from manufacturers and the better price it pays. Herc was started about 60 years ago and has a rental fleet valued at just over $7 billion. By acquiring H&E, Herc said it will strengthen its position as the third-largest rental company in North America.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON

President Donald Trump talks to workers as he tours U.S Steel Corporation’s Mon Valley Works-Irvin plant on May 30 in West Mifflin, Pa.

Trumpannounces travel banonadozen countries

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN andFARNOUSH AMIRI Associated Press

WASHINGTON PresidentDonald Trump is resurrecting thetravel ban policy fromhis first term, signing aproclamation Wednesdaynightpreventing peoplefroma dozen countries from entering theUnited States

Thecountries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

In addition to the ban,whichtakes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET Monday,there will be heightened restrictionsonvisitorsfrom Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

“I must act to protect the national security and nationalinterest of theUnited States

and its people,” Trump said in his proclamation.

Thelistresults from aJan.20executive order Trump issued requiring the departments of Stateand Homeland Security andthe Director of National Intelligence to compile a reporton“hostile attitudes” towardthe U.S. andwhetherentry from certain countries represented anational security risk.

During his first term, Trump issued an executive order in January2017 banning travel to theU.S. by citizens of seven predominantlyMuslimcountries —Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen It was one of themost chaotic and confusing moments of his young presidency.Travelers from those nations were either barred from getting on their flights to the U.S.or detainedatU.S. airports after they landed.

They included students andfaculty as well as businesspeople, touristsand people visiting friends and family

The order,often referred to as the “Muslim ban” or the “travelban,” wasretooled amidlegal challenges, until aversionwas upheld by theSupremeCourt in 2018.

The banaffected various categories of travelersand immigrants from Iran, Somalia, Yemen, Syria and Libya, plus North Koreans and some Venezuelan government officials and their families.

Trump and others have defended the initial ban on national securitygrounds, arguing it was aimed at protecting the country and not founded on anti-Muslim bias. However,the president had called for an explicit banonMuslims during his first campaign for theWhiteHouse.

Trumpordersinvestigation of Biden’suse of an autopen

BY MATT BROWN and CHRIS MEGERIAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Wednesday ordered his administration to investigate former President Joe Biden’suse of an autopentosign pardons and other documents, increasing the pressure on his predecessor as House Republicans also requested interviews with members of Biden’sinner circle. An autopen is amechanical device that is used to replicate aperson’sauthentic signature, and presidents have used them for decades. However,Trump has frequently suggested that some of Biden’sactions are invalid because his aides were usurping presidential authority to cover up what Trump claims is Biden’scognitive decline

“This conspiracy marks one of the mostdangerous and concerning scandals in American history,” Trump wrote in amemo. “The American public was purposefully shielded from discovering whowielded theexecutive power, allwhile Biden’s signature was deployed across thousandsofdocuments to effectradical policyshifts.”

Trump directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and White House CounselDavid Warrington to handle theinvestigation Meanwhile, House Oversight Chairman James Comer of Kentucky,aRepublican,requested transcribed interviews with five Biden aides, alleging they had participatedina “cover-up” that amounted to “one of the greatest scandals in our nation’shistory.”

“These five former senior advisors were eyewitnesses

to President Biden’sconditionand operations within theBiden WhiteHouse,” Comer said in astatement.

“They must appear before the House Oversight Committee and provide truthful answersabout President Biden’scognitive stateand who was calling the shots.”

Interviews were requested with WhiteHousesenior advisers Mike Donilonand

Anita Dunn, former White House chief of staff Ron Klain, former deputy chief of staff Bruce Reed and Steve Ricchetti, aformer counselor to the president.

Comerreiteratedhis call for Biden’sphysician, Kevin O’Connor, and former senior White House aidesAnnie Tomasini, Anthony Bernal, Ashley Williams andNeera Tanden to appear before the committee. He warned subpoenas would be issuedthis week if they refuse to sched-

ule voluntaryinterviews.

“I think that peoplewill start coming in the next two weeks,” Comer toldreporters. He addedthat the committeewould release areport withits findings, “and we’ll release the transcribed interviews, so it’llbevery transparent.”

Democrats have dismissed theeffort as adistraction.

“Chairman Comer had his big shotinthe last Congress to impeachJoe Bidenand it was,ofcourse,aspectacular flop,” said Rep. Jamie Raskin, the Maryland Democrat who served as the ranking member on the oversight committeeinthe previous Congress.

“And now he’sjust living off of aspent dream. It’sover Andheshould give up the whole thing.”

Republicans on the committee areeager to pursue theinvestigation.

“The American people

didn’telect abureaucracy to run the country,” said Rep. Brandon Gill, afreshmanRepublicanfrom Texas.

“I think that the American people deserve to know the truth and they wanttoknow thetruth of what happened.

The Republican inquiry so far has focused on the final executive actions of Biden’s administration, which included the issuing of new federalrulesand presidential pardons that they claim may be invalid.

Comer cited the book “Original Sin” by CNN’s JakeTapper and Axios’ Alex Thompson, which details concerns and debates inside the White House and Democratic Party over Biden’s mental state and age.

In the book, Tapper and Thompson wrote, “Five people were running the country,and Joe Biden was at best asenior memberof the board.”

Biden and members of his family have vigorously denied the book’sclaims.

“This book is political fairy smut for the permanent,professional chattering class,”saidNaomi Biden, theformerpresident’sgranddaughter Bidenwithdrewfromthe presidential race last summer after adebate against Trump in which he appeared to lose histrain of thought multiple times, muttered inaudible answers andmisnamed different governmentprograms. The disastrous debate performance pushed questions about his age and mental acuity to theforefront,ultimately leading Biden to withdraw from the presidential race. He wasreplaced on theticketbyKamalaHarris, who lost theelectionto Trump.

BY BEN FINLEY Associated Press

Afederal judgeon Wednesday orderedthe unsealing of several court documents in the lawsuit over Kilmar Abrego Garcia’sdeportation, rejecting the Trump administration’s arguments that it would risk nationalsecurity U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Marylandissued her order after media organizations, including The

Associated Press, argued thepublic hasaright to access court records under the First Amendment. Filings unsealedsofar offer little information that’s new or unknown publicly Xinis described one document as “relatively boilerplate.” It was arequest by the Trump administrationto temporarily halt discovery an early phase of alawsuit whereparties shareevidence “It does not disclose any

potentially privilegedorotherwisesensitive information for which acompelling governmentinterest outweighs the right to access,” Xinis wrote. Xinis noted that some documents were public before the court was asked to seal them the next day.Those filings contained aback-andforth between Abrego Garcia’sattorneys andthe U.S government over effortsto return him from El Salvador Trump administration

Trumpmoves to blockforeigners from coming to HarvardUniversity

BY COLLIN BINKLEY Associated Press

WASHINGTON PresidentDonald Trump is movingtoblock nearlyall foreign students from entering the country to attendHarvard University, hislatest attempt to choke theIvy League school from an international pipeline that accounts for aquarter of the student body

In an executive order signed Wednesday, Trump declared that it wouldjeopardizenational security to allow Harvard to continue hosting foreign students on its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts

“I have determined that the entry of the class of foreign nationals described above is detrimental to the interestsofthe United States because, in my judgment,Harvard’s

conduct hasrendered it an unsuitable destination forforeign students andresearchers,” Trump wrote in the order It’s afurther escalation in theWhite House’s fight withthe nation’soldest and wealthiest university.A federal court in Boston blocked the DepartmentofHomeland Security from barring international studentsatHarvard last week.Trump’sorder invokes adifferent legal authority

It stems from Harvard’srefusal to submit to aseries of demands made by thefederal government.Ithas escalated recently after theDepartment of HomelandSecuritysaid Harvard refused to provide records related to misconduct by foreign students.

Harvard says it has complied with the request, but the government said theschool’s response was insufficient

lawyers often objected to answering questions, arguing that they involvestate secrets, sensitive diplomatic negotiations and other protected information. Wednesday’sruling was

unrelated to theTrump administrationpending invocation of the state secrets privilege,a legaldoctrine often used in military cases. The administration has argued that releasing infor-

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByALEX BRANDON

President DonaldTrump speakson the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Wednesday.

Canadian wildfires’ smokehangs over Midwest

BY PATRICK WHITTLE and STEVE KARNOWSKI Associated Press

PORTLAND,Maine SmokefromCanadian

wildfires worsened air quality in the eastern U.S. on Wednesday as severalMidwestern states battled conditions deemedunhealthy by the federal government

The fires have forced thousands of Canadians to flee their homes andsent smokeas far as Europe.

In the U.S., smoke lingered on the skylines of cities from Kansas CitytoMinneapolis, and aswath of the regionhad unhealthy air quality Wednesday,according to an Environmental Protection Agency map.

In Stoughton, Wisconsin, Nature’sGarden Preschool was keeping its kids indoors Wednesday due to the badair quality, which interferes with the daily routine,said assistant teacher Bailey Pollard. The smoke looked like acoming storm, he said The 16 or 17 kids ages 12 weeksto5 years oldwould typically be outdoors running or playingwithwater,balls andslides, but were instead inside doing crafts with PlayDohorcoloring.The situationwas unfortunate because kids need to be outside and have fresh air and free play,Pollard said.

quality concern, and officials advised sensitive people to considerreducing outdoor activity.

to take extra breaks during strenuous activity outdoors.

Conditions at ground levelare in thered

“It’ssomething wherewe’vegot to take precaution for thekids,” he said. “Nobody wants to stay inside all day.”

In Michigan’sUpperPeninsula,authorities advised people shut windowsatnight, avoid strenuous activity outside andwatch for breathing issues.

Parts of Maine, Vermont,New Hampshire and New York had areas of moderate air

Unhealthyconditionspersist

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issuedanalert for almostthe entire state into Wednesday,but the Twin Cities area got theregion’sworst of it Tuesday Children’sMinnesota, anetwork of pediatric clinics and hospitals in the Twin Cities area, has seen a“modestincrease” increase this week in patients withsymptoms that doctors attributee to polluted air, Dr.Chase Shutak said.

Their symptoms have included breathing problems, including asthma and other upper respiratory issues,said Shutak, whostaysin close touch with other pediatricians in his role as medical director of theMinneapolis primary careclinic at Children’s.

The Iowa DepartmentofNatural Resources warned that air quality in abandfrom the state’s southwestcorner to the northeast could fall into the unhealthy category through Thursday morning.

Theagencyrecommended that people —especially those with heart and lung disease —avoid long or intense activities and

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’sAirNow map showed aswath of red for “unhealthy” conditions across Wisconsin and northern Iowa. The Air Quality Index wasaround 160 in many parts of theupper Midwest, indicating poor conditions. The Air Quality Index ,orAQI,measures how clean or polluted the air is, indicating whichhealth effects might be experienced within afew hours or days after breathing polluted air. It is basedonground-level ozone, particle pollution, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Particulates are the mainissue from the fires.

Theindexrangesfromgreen,indicating satisfactory air quality that poses little or no risk, to maroon, which is consideredhazardous. That level comes with health warnings of emergency conditions, whichare more likely to affect everyone.

There were areas of reduced air quality all over the U.S. on Wednesday,with numerous advisories about moderate air quality concerns as far from the fires as Kansas and Georgia.

BY AMANDASEITZ Associated Press

WASHINGTON ATexas hospital that repeatedly sent awoman who was bleedingand in pain home without ending her nonviable, lifethreatening pregnancy violated the law,according to anewlyreleased federalinvestigation

Thurman hadhoped thefederal government’sinvestigation, which issued areport inApril after concludingits inquiry last year,would send aclear message that ectopic pregnancies must be treated by hospitals in Texas, which has one of the nation’sstrictest abortion bans.

periencing medical emergencies

It directed hospitals —evenones in states with severe restrictions —toprovide abortions in those emergency cases.Ifhospitals did not comply,they would be in violation of afederal lawand risk losing somefederal funds.

Thegovernment’sfindings, which have not been previously reported,were asmall victory for 36-year-old Kyleigh Thurman, who ultimately lost part of her reproductive system after being discharged without any help from her hometown emergency room for herdangerous ectopic pregnancy

But anew policy the Trumpadministration announcedonTuesday has thrown into doubt the federalgovernment’soversight of hospitals that deny women emergency abortions, evenwhen they areatrisk for serious infection,organ loss or severe hemorrhaging.

“I didn’twantanyone else to have to go through this,” Thurman said in an interviewwithThe Associated Press from her Texashome this week. “I puta lot of the responsibility on the state of Texasand policy makers andthe legislators that set this chain of events off.”

Uncertaintyregarding access

Womenaround the country have been denied emergency abortions for their life-threatening pregnanciesafter statesswiftly enacted abortionrestrictions in response to a2022 ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court, whichincludes three appointees of President Donald Trump.

The guidanceissued by the Biden administrationin2022was an effort to preserve access to emergency abortions for extreme cases in whichwomen wereex-

The Centers forMedicareand MedicaidServices,the federal agency responsible for enforcing the law and inspecting hospitals, announced on Tuesday it would revoke the Biden-era guidance around emergencyabortions.CMS administrator Dr.Mehmet Oz said in asocial media postonWednesdaythatthe revocation of the policy would not prevent pregnant womenfrom getting treatment in medical emergencies.

“The Biden Administration created confusion,but EMTALA is clear and the law has not changed: women will receive carefor miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy,and medical emergencies in allfifty states —this hasnot andwill never change in the TrumpAdministration,” Oz wrote, usingthe acronyms for the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

The law,whichremains intact and requires doctors to provide stabilizing treatment, was one of thefew ways thatThurmanwas able to hold the emergency room accountable after she didn’treceive any help from staff at Ascension Seton Williamson in Round Rock, Texas, in February 2023, a fewmonthsafterTexas enacted its strictabortion ban.

Ectopicpregnancy left untreated

Emergency room staff observed that Thurman’shormone levels had dropped, apregnancy was notvisible in her uterus and astructure was blocking her fallopiantube —all telltale signs of an ectopic pregnancy,when afetus implants outside of the uterus and has no room to grow.Ifleft untreated, ectopic pregnancies can rupture,causing organ damage, hemorrhageoreven death.

Thurman, however,was sent homeand given apamphlet on miscarriagefor her first pregnancy. She returned three days later,still bleeding, and wasgiven an injected drug intended to end the pregnancy,but it was toolate.

Days later,she showed up again at the emergency room,bleeding out because the fertilized egg growing on Thurman’sfallopiantube ruptured it. She underwent an emergency surgery that removed part of her reproductive system CMS launchedits investigation of how Ascension Seton Williamson handled Thurman’scase late lastyear,shortly after she filed acomplaint. Investigators concluded the hospital failed to give her aproper medical screening exam, including an evaluation with an OB-GYN. The hospital violated EMTALA, which requires emergencyrooms to providestabilizing treatment to all patients. Thurman was“at risk for deterioration of her health and well-being as aresult of an untreated medical condition,” the investigation said in its report, which was publicly released last month.

Ascension, avasthospitalsystemthathas facilitiesacross multiple states, did not respond to questions about Thurman’scase, saying only that it is “iscommitted to providing high-quality care to all whoseek our services.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SCOTT MCFETRIDGE

The Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, Iowa, is seen throughsmoky skies Wednesdaydue to wildfires in Canada.

Thurman

NOLA.COM | Thursday, June 5, 2025 1Bn

Charter school agrees to merge

District facing downsizing issues

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

A New Orleans charter school operator has volunteered to close one of its campuses next year a move welcomed by school district officials seeking to shrink the system’s footprint in anticipation of a future with fewer students. Community Academies of New Orleans will move Esperanza Academy out of Crossman Elementary School on South Carrollton Avenue, a historic building that needs costly repairs. Esperanza will be merged with CANO’s other school, Foundation Preparatory Academy, to form one school with two campuses: Esperanza Foundational, serving grades pre-K through fourth, will be based at 3121 St. Bernard

3 teens indicted in deputy’s death

High-speed chase began in

Slidell

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

A St. Tammany Parish jury

indicted three teenagers from Slidell in the death of a sheriff’s deputy who was killed during a high-speed police chase in March.

Sgt. Grant Candies, 37, was struck and killed while putting down a spike strip on an Interstate 10 on-ramp near the Oak Harbor exit in Slidell as he tried to stop the speeding vehicle on March 23.

The grand jury indicted the vehicle’s driver, Adrian Waughtal, 17, and one of the passengers, Mason Paul Eugene Fischer, 17, with charges of second-degree murder, northshore District Attorney Collin Sims’ office said in

Stolen paintings returned

Artist says she’s relieved ‘drama’ is over

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Two paintings that were brazenly stolen from the library of the Healing Center on St. Claude Avenue have been returned On Monday, a Healing Center security guard reported that a man who asked to remain anonymous brought the paintings back

The man said the thief had stashed the artworks at a friend’s house, where they were found and recognized. The identity of the thief is unknown.

Artist Carrie Beene, who created the stolen paintings said she was in her Spanish class when her phone began “going off, and off, and off,” with word of the recovery “I was so relieved and happy that the drama was over and the

ings were not damaged,” she said. Healing Center director Denise Herron said the police have been

Avenue and Esperanza Middle, with fifth through eighth grades, will be housed at 3201 Live Oak The middle school will add dual language programs so that Esperanza students can study Spanish and English across all grade levels

While CANO leaders made the decision to move out of the dilapidated Carrollton Avenue building, they were encouraged by district officials looking to “right size” the district by moving students out of older, poor-quality

facilities into fewer and newer buildings. The consolidations will save the district from making costly repairs while adjusting to enrollment declines.

District officials praised the CANO board and CEO Myrialis King for voluntarily reducing its schools’ footprint a lessdisruptive approach than the district forcing schools to close or consolidate.

NOLA Public Schools Superintendent Fateama Fulmore commended King for “leading the

way.”

“It’s not going to be the last organization that’s going to have to make those considerations,” Fulmore said.

Last year, 5,900 students attended school in buildings in dire need of repairs, according to New Schools for New Orleans. Meanwhile, the district’s enrollment is predicted to continue to decline to reflect birthrates that peaked in 2015.

FLAVORFUL FOOD

STAFF PHOTOS

SOPHIA GERMER

Adrian Callado grills barbecue pork at the Cafe Ko tent, which

Farmers

Market at Lafreniere Park in Metairie on

N.O. to waive late fees on parking tickets

Amnesty program in place through Aug. 31

BY JULIA GUILBEAU Staff writer

New Orleans drivers with outstanding parking or traffic camera tickets can pay them without suffering any late penalties this summer, thanks to a citywide amnesty program.

City officials announced that from now until Aug. 31, late fees will be waived for motorists who have unpaid parking tickets more than 30 days old or traffic camera tickets more than 60 days old and issued before June 1. The program is open to anyone who has received a ticket in New Orleans, whether they are a resident, commuter or visitor.

Participants can choose to pay their fees in full or enroll in an

interest-free payment plan.

You can check whether you qualify for the amnesty program by calling (504) 527-8799.

“This is about meeting people where they are,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said in a statement.

“By removing late fees, we’re making it easier for people to take care of what they owe and move forward — without added stress or penalties.”

The city has partnered with technology provider Promise to help run the program.

New Orleans previously offered amnesty programs in 2019 and 2022, both of which helped save residents millions in late fees, according to a city spokesperson.

To learn more about the program, visit http://nola-amnesty promise-pay.com.

Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate.com.

Kenner police issued a warning to the public about Tapentadol an opioid drug sometimes known by the street name ‘pandas,’ that is highly addictive and dangerous.

Kenner police warn public of rising opioid drug use

‘Pandas’ starting to become a problem, authorities say

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Kenner police this week issued a warning to the public, particularly to parents and educators about Tapentadol, an addictive drug that they say officers are encountering more and more often as of late.

Tapentadol is an opioid medication used for pain management. It is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, like oxycodone, meaning it has a high potential for abuse with severe psychological or physical dependence possible, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

Street names for the drug include “pandas,” “200s” or the panda-bear emoji, Kenner police said.

Officers weekly make arrests of street-level dealers who have Tapentadol pills in their possession, said Kenner Deputy Police Chief Mark McCormick.

SCHOOL

Continued from page 1B

“We need to close schools, and close schools aggressively,” Orleans Parish School Board member Olin Parker said at a board meeting this week.

Dual-language offerings

King said in an interview that CANO opted to give up one of its three campuses after the district asked Esperanza to move out of Crossman because of extensive repairs but that the decision was made collaboratively between school leadership and district officials.

The consolidation will allow

INDICTED

Continued from page 1B

a news release. Michael Lanier, 18, another of the passengers, was indicted with manslaughter

The St. Tammany Sheriff’s Office said deputies had tried to stop the vehicle near Slidell after seeing it being operated carelessly but the vehicle sped off initiating a pursuit that went into the Slidell city limits and eventually out onto I-10. The vehicle continued across the Twin Span bridge into New Orleans, where it was stopped after striking an

STOLEN

Continued from page 1B

informed that the paintings were returned.

On May 22, a man took the canvases from their frames, rolled them up and left with the artworks. A video of the theft was captured on a security camera. Herron reported the heist of the two paintings, valued at $2,000 each, to the New Orleans Police Department and posted the security video on social me-

SCOOTER

Continued from page 1B

“But we’re starting to get information about large seizures of the drug through the mail. So, we see it’s becoming a problem,” he said.

In January, Louisiana State Police detectives seized more than 13,000 Tapentadol pills during an investigation into a scheme to ship the drug through the mail.

“Our concern is making sure that parents and people are aware that this isn’t just an over-the-counter medication. This is the real deal,” McCormick said about Tapentadol’s dangerousness As an opiate, Tapentadol is addictive and can cause overdose or even death when mixed with other substances, police said.

Potential dealers aren’t sourcing the drug from pharmacies. The narcotic is coming from overseas where the chemical makeup can’t be confirmed, according to authorities.

“You don’t know what’s in it,” McCormick said.

The drug’s target market appears to be teenagers and young adults, Kenner police said.

“There is cause for concern, and we want parents to be aware,” McCormick said.

CANO to expand its dual language Spanish program up to eighth grade, King said. The program, in which students learn half in Spanish and half in English, is offered to students in pre-K through first grade at Esperanza.

According to the state Department of Education, in February Foundation Preparatory Academy enrolled 283 students, about 17% of whom had limited English proficiency, and Esperanza Charter School enrolled 546 students, with about 45% still learning English

For years, district officials and education groups have studied the enrollment decline in New Orleans. As schools lose students, facility costs remain the same even as schools get less per-

New Orleans Police Department patrol unit

“It’s just senseless,” said St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Randy Smith in an interview shortly after Candies’ death. The April funeral for Candies, who was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the son of a longtime captain in the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office, drew hundreds of law enforcement officers. There were five people in the vehicle, the Sheriff’s Office said.

When the three teenagers were arrested, they were initially booked with first-degree murder, in addition to other charges. Seventeen-year-olds in Louisi-

about 9:30 p.m. May 23 in the 300 block of West Esplanade Avenue in Kenner A witness told police that a man later identified as Jarred Ambrose, 28, was driving a motorized scooter westbound on West Esplanade when a vehicle behind him began honking its horn, according to authorities Ambrose got off the scooter and walked over the driver’s side window of the vehicle, police said. Ambrose exchanged words with the vehicle’s driver the 89-year-old victim. He then pulled out a gun and fired eight shots at the car, according to authorities.

The victims drove to the nearby emergency room of Ochsner Medical Center Kenner Ambrose was gone by the time officers were dispatched to the scene But authorities did collect eight spent casings from a 9 mm gun near the intersection of Loyola Drive and West Esplanade Avenue, police said.

Officers identified Ambrose as the suspect from the road rage shooting three days later when they were called to investigate a report of gunfire at his West Loyola Drive residence,

student funding. New Schools for New Orleans, an education nonprofit that has compiled an enrollment outlook for the past three years, estimated that unfilled seats cost the average school about $830,000 per year

Although Orleans Parish gained about 250 students this year while its neighboring districts declined — a boost that may be due to students returning from nonpublic schools and an influx of students from Spanish-speaking countries — district officials still forecast a drop in coming years. Parker and other board members commended King and the CANO board for acting proactively

“I think a lot of times people are waiting for somebody else to

ana are treated as adults in the criminal justice system, under a state law adopted last year

In the news release Wednesday afternoon, Sims’ office said Louisiana state law allows for the death penalty for the murder of a police officer However Sims’ office said, the Supreme Court has ruled the Eighth Amendment forbids the death penalty for offenders who were under 18 at the time of the homicide. In addition to the second-degree murder charge, Waughtal, the driver, was also indicted with aggravated assault with a motor vehicle upon a peace officer aggravated flight from an offi-

commodate riders and improve reliability

Riverfront changes

The #49 Riverfront streetcar line now runs from the French Market to Julia Street with three new stops at the Hilton Riverside hotel, Riverwalk Mall and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

It will no longer service Canal Street, Loyola Avenue or the Union Passenger Terminal without a transfer The section between Canal and Julia streets has been defunct since 2018 because of construction of the Four Seasons Hotel and private condos at the former World Trade Center building. The change is expected to cut service frequencies down from 30 minutes to 20, according to RTA planning and scheduling manager Elizabeth Stancioff.

Two lines return

dia. The Healing Center 2372 St. Claude Ave., is home to a grocery store, gymnasium, nightclub, voodoo botanica, library and the Second Story art gallery. The two abstract paintings will be featured at the gallery on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. during the closing reception for an exhibit titled “Souvenirs: A Journey in Time,” which includes works by Beene and Moira Crone.

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@theadvocate.com.

according to McCormick.

A relative called for police during the early morning hours of May 26 after Ambrose fired a gun inside the house, authorities said. Ambrose told the officers he fired because he thought someone was breaking into the residence.

Police noticed that Ambrose fit the description of the road rage shooter and had a gun that was the same caliber as the weapon from that incident, according to McCormick. Ambrose admitted to the West Esplanade Avenue shooting, but told police he felt threatened after the vehicle rear-ended his scooter and knocked him off, according to McCormick.

“We don’t have any indication that that crash actually occurred,” McCormick said of the Ambrose-described fender bender.

Ambrose was arrested and booked with attempted seconddegree murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, two counts of illegal use of a weapon, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was being held Wednesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional in Gretna. Bail was set $361,500.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

take the hard step,” he said, “or waiting for the superintendent and the board to make those hard decisions.”

The move follows several closures and consolidations in recent years at schools facing enrollment declines. Firstline closed Live Oak Academy; InspireNOLA combined Pierre A. Capdau Charter School and McDonogh 42 Elementary Charter School; Collegiate Academies network took over Walter L. Cohen Prep and merged it with Rosenwald High School; and Mildred Osborne Charter School and Akili Academy in New Orleans relinquished their charters and formed a new school at Mildred Osborne’s Kenilworth campus under the Crescent City Schools umbrella.

cer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and conspiracy to distribute marijuana Fischer was indicted on aggravated flight from an officer, aggravated obstruction of a highway, obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and conspiracy to distribute marijuana. Lanier was also indicted for obstruction of justice by tampering with evidence and conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Email Willie Swett at willie. swett@theadvocate.com.

The Rampart-UPT line is back online after the RTA paused it indefinitely in November, when the Rampart-Canal intersection’s traffic signal was damaged during a road work project at the Hard Rock Hotel collapse site.

Part of the St. Charles line closed in April for a repaving project, and the line ended before the Central Business District, where riders could catch a bus to Canal Street. The full line reopened May 23.

Midnight ferry hours

The RTA is testing a pilot program of extended hours on the Canal Street ferry beginning June 15 through September

The last boat will depart at 12:15 a.m. daily to allow more flexibility for riders, especially those employed in the hospitality industry and others who work late.

Bus changes

The RTA also has eliminated 20 overnight bus trips that will impact an estimated 70 riders in order to improve on-time service for evening riders, Stancioff said at a public hearing discussing the changes last month.

She said the changes came after soliciting feedback from riders who complained about frequent late arrivals in the evening. Stancioff said an average of five buses a day are late for evening trips, because buses used during the day are pulled off routes to be cleaned and prepared for overnight trips.

But that process negatively impacted more riders during the day compared to the small number of those traveling overnight, she said, which justified the changes.

“This service is really important for some people, but we also have to balance the needs of the people who are trying to wait for their trip at 6 p.m.,” Stancioff said.

Some said the overnight cuts will be a burden to musicians, gig workers and others who rely on late-night service.

“I’m pretty disappointed these routes are getting cut overnight,” said Timothy Cardner, a musician who frequently takes the bus from his home at night and transfers to the streetcar to play music downtown.

The following bus lines will see changes after 11 p.m. n 53 — Paris/Claiborne OWL n 66 — Hayne Loop n 67 Michoud Loop n 84 — Galvez/Lower 9 n

LOTTERY TUESDAY, JUNE 3, 2025

PICK 3: 9-2-1

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MEGA BALL: 13 Unofficial notification, keep your tickets.

PHOTO PROVIDED By KENNER POLICE DEPARTMENT

St.Georgeschooldistrictbillclears

StateHouse passes afterchanges

BY CHARLESLUSSIER Staff writer

One of the two bills that would create aschool district to match the city of St. George cleared theLouisiana House on Wednesday after the authors addressed concerns of akey Baton Rouge lawmaker,particularly overlegacy costs associated with the breakaway

Other BatonRouge lawmakers, however,still oppose the proposed newschooldistrict, objecting to ongoingcrossdistrict enrollment between St. George and the EastBaton RougeParishschoolsystem, as well as the racial impact of the way the lines for the new city were drawn.

The House voted 61-24 in favor of Senate Bill 234, the St. George school enabling legislation;itneeded asimple majority to pass. Twentystate representatives were absent. That bill now returns to the state Senate forconcurrence in House amendments

Asecond St. George school bill, Senate Bill 25, aproposed constitutional amendment, awaits action on the House floor.Itrequires atwo-thirds majority to pass. That’s70 votes if all members of the House are present. If it clears the House, it too will have to return to the Senate for a final vote. The legislative sessionends June 12. If both bills pass the Legislature, the final decisionon whether St. George gets itsown school district would rest with the voters of Louisiana. Astatewide referendum isplanned for April18, 2026 —there’sa chance it getspushed back to November 2026. The proposed constitutional amendment needs to pass statewide as well as in the entirety of EastBaton Rouge Parish. If successful, the new school district would begin operating in July 2027. It would be the

Fromleft,Sen. RickEdmonds speaks duringa news conference as St.GeorgeMayor Dustinyates and Rep. Emily Chenevert look on at St.GeorgeCity Hall on March 20 in St.George. Edmundsisthe lead author of the Senate Bill 234, the St.Georgeschool-enabling legislation.

fifthpublic schooldistrict in East Baton Rouge Parish, following the lead of Baker,Centraland Zachary,which broke away in 2003 and 2007. Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge and former parish School Board president, came outinfavor of SB234 after she saidshe worked for“hundreds of hours” on amendments with lead authorSen. Rick Edmonds, R-St. George, and coauthor Rep. Emily Chenevert, R-Baton Rouge. Freiberg sought to have St. Georgeabsorb agreater share of an estimated $60 million in legacy costs, most of it connected with medical care of retirees. Now,the two sides have to start meeting within 60 days of the lawtakingeffect to hashout asettlement of all assetsand liabilities, including retireehealthcare costs.

Also the revisedbill sunsets proposed cross-district enrollment, including in magnet

schools;thatenrollment ends when children finish at their current schools. The original version would have allowed cross-district magnet enrollment in perpetuity

“I know we workedvery, very hard,and Ithink we have covered all the variables,” Freiberg said.

Freiberg said she has also worked closely with parish school leaders to improve the legislation. The parish School Board on May 19 approved a resolution opposing the two St. Georgebills “as written.”

Rep. Edmond Jordan,D-BatonRouge,however,objected to thestill lengthy cross-districtenrollment —“Thatcould take 13 years.” He noted that’s nothow Baker, Central and Zacharyschools were organized.

“Why would that be on the table when Ithought the whole purpose of settingupthe St Georgeschool system was becausethe East BatonRouge

school system wasrunning so poorly?”Jordan asked.

“It’slikethey wanttheir cake andtoeat it too.”

Jordan also objected to the St. Georgecitymap, which is much different than the St. George boundaries first proposed in 2013.

“They drew the lines in away that dilutedBlack voter participation,”Jordan said.

Chenevert said thelegislationhonorsthe wishes of the residents of St.George when they voted in 2019 to create their own city.She also said the legislation sets up asensible way for the new St. George school district andEastBaton Rouge Parish to work out their differences

“Weall want what’sbetter for parents. We all wantwhat’s betterfor students,” Chenevert said. “Wemay not all agree on how to get there.”

Email CharlesLussierat clussier@theadvocate.com.

3arrested in $10M fraud scheme

Menallegedly staged vehiclecrash forinsurance money

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON Staff writer

Three Acadiana men have been arrested after an investigation into asuspected multimillion dollar staged crash scheme. Justin Ledet, 45, of Rayne, Steven Thomas, 38, of Lafayette, and Alfred Onezine,37, of BreauxBridge,are accused of conspiring to stage acrash at the intersection of Willow Street and Teurlings Drive. They said Ledet, while operating acommercial truck, intentionally struck the rear of aChevrolet Silverado driven by Thomas, who was accompanied by Onezine and three juvenile passengers. The investigation by the Louisiana State PoliceInsurance Fraud and Auto Theft Unit BreauxBridgeField Office began March 25 afterauthorities received a criminalcomplaint fromthe Louisiana Department of Insurance, following areport from atrucking company that suspected fraudulent activity related to the crash, which occurred Jan. 19. Officials said following the crash, all five occupants of the Silverado filed insurance claimsagainst the trucking company,seeking acombined potential amount of approximately $10 million in damages. On May 2, officialsarrested Ledet and Thomas for automobile insurance fraud. Both were processed into the Lafayette Parish jail without incident. On May 29, authorities arrested Onezine on awarrant for three counts of cruelty to juveniles and four counts of automobile insurance fraud. Officials said during the arrest, Onezine resisted police and was additionally charged with resisting an officer.Hewas processedinto aSt. Martin Parish jail without further incident. This investigation is ongoing.

Email Kristin Askelsonatkaskelson@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Anderson, Harold

Boutté-l’Etienne, Lillian BrockhoffJr.,Joseph Brown, Charles Cannon, Joseph Carr,Melvin

CatesIII, Sidney

Clifford,Karl

Cooper, Denise

DennisonJr.,Herbert

GableJr.,Kenneth

Havnen, Judith

Howard Jr., Sam

Jones, Robert

LoGiudice, Nicolo

Meyer, Harold

Morris,Linda

Shelling, Leroy

ShieldsJr.,Frederick

Tanner, William

Wax, Herbert

Weiss, Roy West Jones, Geneva

NewOrleans

Charbonnet

turningfromthe servicehe attendedStraightBusiness School andlater Southern UniversityofNew Orleans. HeworkedatUnitedParcel Servicesand laterThe Shell OilRefinery,which is where he retiredfrom. As a young manheloved play‐ing sports,alwaystelling stories of playingbasket‐ball, football andbaseball. Haroldloved fishing, hunt‐ing,traveling,gardening, cookingand playinggolf.

Heloved children andchil‐drenloved him. Harold had a bigheart anda giving heart.Heloved being around people.Hewas A DIE-HARD Washington Red‐skins fanand no onecould convert himintoa Saints fan.Healsoloved cars and would change cars every23 years, until he met Yolanda andshe said “no way”. He also lovedhis birds andhad finchesand a cockatiel, butitwas ei‐therYolanda or thebirds and Yolandawon that bat‐tle too. Theway to Harold’s heart waswithpeanuts and acoldbeer. He was known to many people as UncleMan”, “Man”, Stretch” and“Uncle Harold”.Heleavestocher‐ish hismemorieshis wife of26Years Yolanda. Chil‐dren: Stacey P. Anderson Dr. TiffanyS.Anderson, Rogers Anderson (Nellie) and step-son Donald DiBar‐tolo. He is survived by a hostofnieces, nephews, relatives andfriends.He Will Be GreatlyMissedBy Everyone! Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend hisMassof Christian Burial at St.Paul the ApostleCatholic Church,6828 Chef Menteur Hwy.onSaturday, June 7, 2025 at 10:00am. Visitation willbegin at 8:00 am.Inter‐ment: St.Louis Cemetery # 3.Arrangementsentrusted toD.W.RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the guestbook,share mem‐ories and condolences withthe family

DW Rhodes Anderson, Harold CatesIII, Sidney DennisonJr.,Herbert Morris,Linda Boutté-l’Etienne,Lillian Theresa

Estelle JWilson Cannon, Joseph

GableJr.,Kenneth

Shelling, Leroy

Gertrude Geddes

ShieldsJr.,Frederick

Greenwood

West Jones, Geneva

Lake Lawn Metairie

Tanner, William Wax, Herbert River Parish

book pagesofJohnBoutté Lolet Boutté andTanya Ellsworth Boutté.Special thankstothe compassion‐ate caregivers at St.Mar‐garet’s at Mercyfor their kindnessand support. Pleasesignonlineguest‐book at www.charbonnetf uneralhome.com. Charbon‐net LabatGlapion,Direc‐tors(504) 581-4411.

Brockhoff Jr., Joseph E.

bert,Nicoleand Christo‐

pher, Sr four bonus chil‐dren: Donica,Paul, Jr., Kis‐handraand Kimberly Twenty-twograndchildren, one sister Gertrude,two godchildren Sidmekia and Kayden. He also leaves a hostofniecesand nephews.Heisprecededin death by Earlineand Amelia Brown, MyrnaJohn‐son-Brown, CharlesBrown Jr.,Dai’Meion Brown, De‐loris Taylor,Ophelia Brown, and Sophia Brown. Rela‐tives andfriends of the family, pastors, officers and membersofMount AiryBaptist Church andall neighboring churches,also employees andformerem‐ployees of St.Charles ParishCouncil areall in‐vited to theCelebration of LifeService at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at Mount Airy BaptistChurch 13635 OldSpanish Trail, Boutte,LA70039. Rev. Clyde Staes-Pastor.Visita‐tion9:00amuntil thetime ofservice at theabovenamed church.Interment private.Final arrange‐ments entrustedtoPatrick H.Sanders FuneralHome& FuneralDirectors,LLC,605 MainStreet,Laplace,LA 70068, 985-359-1919. “Pro‐vidingCare& Comfortis Our HighestMission.”

PatrickH Sanders

Brown, Charles

St Tammany

Cooper, Denise

EJ Fielding

Clifford,Karl Jones, Robert

Weiss, Roy Honaker

Meyer, Harold

Obituaries

Anderson,HaroldLloyd

Harold LloydAnderson bornJune 19, 1939 in Gloster,MS.,passedaway peacefullyonMay 27,2025

Haroldwas alifelongresi‐dentofNew Orleansuntil Hurricane Katrinaand he relocated to Leonville, LA, still maintaininga housein New Orleans. He loved being in Leonville(the country). Preceded in death by parentsJohnnie & NettieCauseyAnderson. Siblings: EddieMae Ander‐son,ClaudellAnderson, Johnnie MauteilBushand Emma Katherine(Kat) An‐derson. In-LawsDr. Wydell L.Williamsand Beatrice Williams.Haroldattended WalterL.Cohen.Heen‐tered theU.S.Airforceafter highschool servinghis countryfor four years. Re‐

OrderofPolice, andSugar BowlCommittee. Deputy Chief Catesservedwith honor,led with dignity, and lived with heart. Hisimpact isfeltinevery life he touched andinthe exam‐ple he setfor future gener‐ations. He will be deeply missedand foreverre‐membered. Relativesand friends of thefamilyalso priestand parishioners of St. MariaGoretti Catholic Church,alsoemployees of New OrleansHousing Au‐thority,HiberniaBank, Har‐rah’s Casino –New Or‐leans,Office of theAttor‐ney General, BillyGuste State of Louisiana, Giar‐russo Security Company, alsomembers of Towns‐men Social &Pleasure Club, Original Illinois Social & Pleasure Club,Stud’s ClubSocialand Pleasure, Fraternal OrderofPolice, and SugarBowlCommittee are invitedtoattend aFu‐neral Mass of Christian Burialat12:00 noon on Fri‐day,June 6, 2025 at St Maria Goretti Catholic Church,7300 Crowder Blvd.,New Orleans, Louisiana 70127. Visitation willbegin at 10:00 a.m. fol‐lowed by theRecitationof the Rosary,Honorsand Tribute.Interment:Lake LawnMetairieCemetery. Pleasevisit https://pre miermemories.net/users/ MTYxOTk2LVNpZG5leQ==/ home.htmltosignthe on‐lineguestbook,share memories, andcondo‐lencestothe family. Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Ave.,New Orleans,Louisiana 70125, (504) 822-7162, www.rho desfuneral.com.

Boutté-l’Etienne, Lillian Clifford,KarlHoblitzelle Karl Hoblitzelle Clifford passedawayonSaturday, March 15, 2025. He was borninBaltimore,MDon March 9, 1953. He is sur‐vived by hislovingwife, MaryElizabeth Carlin Clif‐ford; hisson,Gavin Clif‐ford. He is also survived by his siblings,and nieces nephews,cousins,and wonderful lifelong friends. Hewas preceded in death byhis parentsAliceColt Clifford andAlfred Hoblitzelle Clifford;and siblings, Harry Clifford.He willbemissedbyall who knewand lovedhim.Inlieu of flowers, contributionsin memoryofMr. Clifford may be made to theAmeri‐can Cancer Societyorthe Louisiana SPCA.Relatives and friendsare invitedto attend thememorialser‐vices at St.Anselm Catholic Church,306 St MaryStreet,Madisonville, LA70447 on Thursday,June 5,2025, at 10:30 a.m. with visitationatchurchon Thursday beginningat9:30 a.m.E.J.FieldingFuneral Homehas been entrusted withfuneral arrangements The Clifford familyinvites you to sharethoughts, fondest memories,and condolences online at E. J. FieldingFuneral Home Guest Book at www.ejfield ingfh.com

LillianTheresa Bouttél’Etienne,renownedand in‐ternationally recognized vocalist, enteredintoeter‐nal rest on May23, 2025 at the ageof75. Shewas named the“New Orleans Musical Ambassador”in 1986, making herthe sec‐ond jazz legend in the city’shistory to receive thishonor after LouisArm‐strong. Shelived in Ham‐burg, Germanyfor over 30 years before returning hometobecared forby her GoddaughterTanya Ellsworth-Boutté.Lillian was acrusaderfor New Or‐leans culture, specifically for NOLA musiciansand throughout hercareer, raisedhundredsofthou‐sands of dollarstosupport local musiciansand health initiatives especially through herlongtimesup‐portofthe New Orleans Musicians’Clinic.Lillian is the daughter of thelate Georgeand Gloria LeblancBoutté.Inaddition to her parents,she is also pre‐ceded in deathbya brother,Anthony Boutté (Barbette), sister-in-law, DeniseR Boutté and nephew, Damien Renard She will be greatlymissed byher survivingsiblings Lolet Boutté,Lynette Boutté,Lorna DeLay (James),LedaBlanks(Wal‐lace),Emanuel Boutté, JohnBoutté, Lenora Boutté-Hingle (Larry), Peter Boutté (Christine), niecesand nephews, God‐daughter, TanyaEllsworth Boutté (John),Tricia Boutté-Langlo(Per),Lori Blanks(Borato), Arsene D. Wooten,(Charles) ,Kim‐berly Gardner(Damien), JenniferR.Davis (Eric) and DeAngeloRenard-Boutté; grand nieces andnephews, Dylan,Demille andDenae Davis,Shelbyand Drew Broughton,Lenaand Seg‐gie Gardner; Goddaughter ChantellNabonne; loving friends,Thomasl’Etienne Julie Klingelhoefer, The GilletFamily, Sharon Nabonne and ahostof local andinternational friends.A Mass of Christ‐ian burial honoring thelife and legacy of thelateLil‐lianTheresa Boutté-l’Eti‐enne will be held at Our Ladyofthe Rosary Catholic Church,3368 EsplanadeAv‐enue,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Saturday,June 7 2025 at 12 noon.Interment St. PatrickCemetery#1. Visitation10am in the church.For thosewho can‐not attend,serviceswillbe live-streamedonthe Face‐

JosephE.Brockhoff, Jr age88, returnedhomeon June 2, 2025. He was born and raised in Metairie, Louisiana. It was here that his love of baseball began Joewatched many New Orleans Pelican games through theknotholeof thefence at Pelican Stadium. At East Jefferson High School he played multiplesports, butbaseball was always hisfocus. He graduated in 1956 and played ballfor Perkinston Junior college,and later signedwiththe NewYork Yankee organization. However,hehad something that he cherished morethanbaseball,his wife Joanne.In1959 he came back home to Louisianaand married the love of his life.Hefinished hisdegree at Southern Mississippi, and began coaching at Metairie Jr. High, Adams Jr.High,and later East JeffersonHigh School in Metairie.AtE.J he helpedhis baseball team win2 state championships back to back.In 1975, Tulane University chose him to lead the Green Wavebaseballprogram.Asthe head coach he ledhis team to 3conference titles, 7NCAAregionals, and compiled awinning recordofover 600 wins. In his 19 years at Tulane he has the2nd most wins of any coach at any sportatTulane University. After he retired fromTulane his success continued. He has been inducted intothe AllState Sugar Bowl, Tulane Athletics, Louisiana Baseball Coaches Association, and the MGCCCHallofFame Coach Brockhoff had many thingstobeproud of in his career. But he took themost prideinhis wife and family.Heand Joanne raised 3boys within the dugoutsand baseball fields of East Jefferson High and Tulane University. JoeBrockhoff lovedhis boys, both family and players. He will be greatly missed by both. Joe was preceded in death by his mother and father (JosephSr. and Mary Brockhoff), sisters and brother (Evelyn, Ruth, Beverly, Ruby, and Jimmy). He was also preceded in death by his belovedwife Joanne.Heissurvived by his sons Joey (Joanna) of Slidell,Louisiana,Bobby of Pineville,Louisiana,and Brian (Gianna) of Minot, North Dakota. He is also survivedbyhis grandchildren William and Ty Brockhoff, Meagan McDaniel, Collin, Ashlyn, and Avery Brockhoff. The family willreceive friends beginning at 2:00 PM on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Waveland, Mississippi.The funeralservicewillbegin at 3:00 PM.Interment will be in St. JosephCemetery at Rotten Bayou, Diamondhead,Mississippi.

Brown, Charles

CharlesBrown, October 5,1950 –May 24, 2025 Charles Brown, age74, en‐tered into rest on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Adevoted husband,father, grandfa‐ther, andbrother.Hewas borntoEarline Brownand was anativeofBoutte,LA. Hewas baptizedatan early ageatMount Airy Baptist Church,Boutte,LA. Hewas along-time em‐ployeeofSt. CharlesParish Council until he retiredin December2021. He leaves tocherish hismemories his wife,MaryDenson Brown, threechildren: Al‐

enjoyedwatchinghis favorite teams play footballthePittsburg Steelers and Texas Longhorns. He was also an aviddominoes player.Infact, when he relocatedtoNew Orleans, he foundtwo people to engage himincompetitionfamilyfriend, Louis andhis (late) youngest brother, Dowling. Melvin enjoyed sharing stories about hisformative years andmilitarylife. He lovedhis familyand always honored each family member'sbirthday with a card. In fact, this past January, he celebrated a huge birthday milestone, beingblessed to age 90 years. Melvin nowrestsasother lovedones: hiswife,lovingparents, siblings, Willia Carr-Parker, DowlingCarr, andPeggyCarrWashington,his paternal grandparents,Ellen and Rev. William Carr, maternal grandparents,Evelyn George and Douglas Fernandez. Thosewho will perpetuate hismemory include his brother, Wilfred TerryCarr (Rita Renae), sisters, Lillian Carr-Mitchell (Rev. Eugene) and Lisa CarrDixon (Robert), devoted nephew, EricRiley, Goddaughter/niece, Monet Dixon;others proud to call himuncle: John Derekand Dennis Washington,Kevin Thomas; Judith andKaren Parker, Chiquita and Nikisha Carr, Yvette Washington,and Natalee Dixon;great-nephews/ nieces; great-great nephew/nieces,otherrelatives and friends. Special thanks to the staff of Azelea House (VA Medical Center -New Orleans), medical and social servicesstaff of OchsnerHospital (Main Campus) andformer and currentstaff of Audubon RetirementVillage Avisitation willbeheld on Thursday, June 5, 2025, 3:00-5:00 pm at Professional Funeral Home 1449 N. ClaiborneAve., NewOrleans,LA. Interment, with military honors, Friday, June 6, 2025, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery,Slidell, LA.

Joseph DarrellCannon transitionedpeacefully fromthislifeatOchsner MainCampusonWednes‐day,May 28, 2025 at the age of 68. Joseph wasa na‐tiveofNew Orleans, Louisiana andattended Alcee FortierHighSchool, later received hisGED and wentontoworkatSouth‐eastLegal Service. He was precededindeath by his devoted parents, Luvinia Cannonand Willie Granger, and hislovingsisters, ThelmaGranger Blunt,Es‐telle Henderson, Gale Can‐non,and LauraAnn Can‐non.Josephissurvivedby his twobeloved daughters, ChristiannCannonand Sherri Richard, anda host ofnieces, nephews, greatniecesand great-nephews. Relatives,friends,co-work‐ers,and membersof Heart2Heart Family Wor‐shipCenterare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Friday,June 6,2025 at Heart2HeartFam‐ily WorshipCenter, 3631 WashingtonAve NewOr‐leans,LA70125. Visitation from10:00 a.m. with ser‐vices followingat11:00 a.m.PastorMiner Rogers officiating. Interment: Pri‐vate. Arrangements en‐trusted to Estelle J. Wilson FuneralHome, Inc.,2715 Danneel St NOLA 70113 Information: (504) 8954903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.est ellejwilsonfh.com

Mr. Melvin JosephCarr theoldest child of thelate Emilyand Willie Carr, transitioned peacefully from this life into eternal rest at theAzelea House of theVA SoutheastLouisiana Medical Center. ANew Orleans native, Melvin was reared in a Christian home and educated in NewOrleans Public Schools. He wasa proud member of theinaugural graduatingclass of Walter L. Cohen High School (1953). Following graduation, Melvin enlisted in theU.S AirForce,but wouldlater join theU.S.Army, obtaining therank of Sergeant FirstClass. His militarycareer spanned 25+ years and included numerous tours and commendations. Upon Melvin's retirement, he settled in Grand Prairie, TX whereheresided forover thirty years, with his wife, (the late) Patsy Carr. His second career was aletter carrier with theU.S.Postal Service Melvin lovedmusic and

Deputy ChiefSidneyH Cates III (Retired)passed awaypeacefully at his homeonSaturday, May31, 2025, at theage of 94. Born onMarch 10, 1931, in New Orleans,Louisiana,Sidney H.Cates III dedicatedhis lifetothe serviceofboth his countryand hiscom‐munity. Aproud veteranof the United States Army,he servedhonorably during the Korean Conflict, carry‐ing with himthe core val‐ues of discipline, duty,in‐tegrity andhonor through‐out hislife. Followinghis militaryservice,Mr. Cates embarkedona distin‐guished career in lawen‐forcement,joining theNew Orleans Police Department in1955. Over thecourseof years,herosethrough the ranks as the firstAfrican AmericanSergeant, Lieu‐tenant, andCaptain with courage,and an unwaver‐ing commitment to justice, ultimatelybecomingthe firstAfrican American DeputyChief of Police in New Orleans. He ledwith visionand strength during the challengingera of seg‐regationand civilrights, earning thedeep respect ofhis colleagues andthe community he served so faithfully. Hislegacywithin the department andthe cityendures as asymbolof progress, perseverance, and public service. Outside ofhis professional life,Sid‐ney Cateswas adevoted husband,father, grandfa‐ther, andgreat-grandfa‐ther. He wasprecededin death by hisbeloved wife of68years,Betty Foster Cates;his parents, Sonoma DecoudCates andSidney Cates Jr.Heissurvivedby his children,SidneyCates IV andKim CatesParker; fourgrandchildren Sidney H.Cates V, Lauren Ann Warner, Rebecca Parker, Abigail Parker Lincolnand six great-grandchildren, all ofwhomhedeeply cher‐ished.Throughouthis life, SidneyCates wasalsoac‐tiveincivic andcommu‐nityaffairs.His affiliations included: NewOrleans Housing Authority, Hiber‐nia Bank,Harrah’sCasino–New Orleans, Office of the Attorney General, Billy Guste StateofLouisiana, Giarrusso Security Com‐pany, TownsmenSocial& PleasureClub, Original Illi‐noisSocial& Pleasure Club, Stud’s Club Social andPleasure, Fraternal

Audubon Cooper,DeniseS

S. Cooper,of Slidell, Louisiana, passed awayinher sleep on June 3,2025, at age71, after a longbattlewithLewyBody Dementia. Sheisthe cher‐ished wife of ClaytonS Cooper, with whomshe would have celebrated her 50thwedding anniversary onJune 14, andthe beloved mother of Can‐daceL.Cooper. Shewas retired after alongcareer spent teaching at OurLady ofLourdes School.Denise was born in Jackson, Mis‐sissippi,tothe late George and DorisSelby,and was later joined by asister, Betty,withwhomshe re‐mainedclose throughout her entire life.Evenasa child,Denisewould pull out ablackboardinfront of her sister andthe neigh‐borhood children andplay the role of teacher— it was a callingfroma young age. She attended Mississippi State University forher teachingdegree, andit was thereshe mether hus‐band, Clay.After theircol‐legegraduationand wed‐dingin1975, Clay and Denisemoved to Houston, Texas,where Denise spent several yearsteachingSo‐cialStudies at KleinHigh School.WhenClaygot a new jobinNew Orleansin 1982, thecoupleand their young daughter,Candace movedtoSlidell,where

Cannon, Joseph Darrell

CatesIII, Sidney H.

Denise

Carr, Melvin Joseph

Denise remained until her passing.Our Lady of Lour‐des hiredDenisetoteach middleschool Social Stud‐ies—a position sherel‐ished andenjoyed.Over her 38 year tenureatOur LadyofLourdes School, she taught hundredsof students, cherishing her roleasa mentor andguide ineachoftheir lives. She becameclose friendswith manyofher fellow teach‐ers andemployees at the school, friendshipsshe rel‐ished andnurtureduntil her passing. Shewas wellknown forher infectious laugh,which couldbe heard down thehalls,and she wasfamousfor heran‐nualsinging performance of“My Grown-Up Christ‐mas List”atthe Lourdes Christmas recital. Herfam‐ily andclose friendswill misshearing herraucous laughterand feelingher positivelight under even the darkestofcircum‐stances.Relatives and friends areinvited to at‐tenda visitation on Satur‐day,June 7, 2025 from 9:00 a.m.to11:00 a.m. at Audubon FuneralHomein Slidell. Afuneral service willbegin in thechapelat 11:00 a.m. Denise will be laidtorestinAudubon MemorialGardens follow‐ing services.Inlieuof flow‐ers,the familyasksthat you make donationstothe LewyBodyDementiaAsso‐ciation in hermemory. Memoriesand condo‐lencesmay be expressed atwww.AudubonFuneralH ome.com

HerbertDennisonJr. en‐tered eternalrestonSatur‐day,May 24,2025. Family, friends of thefamily, mem‐bersofGreater Liberty Baptist Church,members ofSt. Mary Missionary Baptist Church,employees ofJefferson Parish School Board System,and LTI/ BridgeCityCenterfor Youth,are allinvited to his Celebration of Life on Sat‐urday,June 7, 202510amat RhodesFuneralHome, 1020 VirgilSt.,Gretna, LA 70053 Visitationwillbegin at 9 amuntil hour of service. Heisprecededindeath by his parents, Yvonne Cook Dennisonand HerbertDen‐nison Sr., firstwifeJacque‐lineT.Dennison, andsons Herbert Dennison III (Tiona),and DamonT.Den‐nison andnephewJuan Carter. He leaves to cher‐ish hismemories, adaugh‐ter JaleesaCarter-Denni‐son,wifePatriciaC Williams,bonus sonGerald D.WilliamsJr. Also cher‐ishinghis memories: Brother Howard Dennison Sr.,niece Kendra Dennison Morton, nephew Howard DennisonJr. Daughter-inlaw TionaF.Dennison, and 8 granddaughters:Celeste Jamara, Aisha, Ayanna, Anyla,Irie, Zhane’,and Lili; and ahostofadditional familyand friends. Ser‐vices areentrusted to RhodesFuneralHome, 1020 VirgilSt.,Gretna, LA Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe on‐lineguestbook

GableJr.,Kenneth

KennethGable Jr.was bornonNovember18, 1965 HepassedawayonMay 20, 2025 at theage of 59. He lived themajorityofhis life inNew Orleans, La.but he alsolived in Atlantaand Texas forsometime. He at‐tendedHolyGhost Elemen‐tarySchool, GregoryJr. HighSchool andBooker T. WashingtonHighSchool Heworkedasa laborerand heloved cookingand watchingsports. Kenneth issurvivedbyhis mother Marlene GableofNew Or‐leans,his sons IrianDorsey ofNew Orleansand Yahsell Gable of Atlanta, hisgrand‐son Rahsaad Morgan of New Orleans, andhis sis‐tersKisha (Shawn) Starks ofAtlanta,Karen (Cameron)Mathews of

Texas, Raquel (Jason)Bell ofTexas andgrandmother Cecile GableofNew Or‐leans.Healsoleavesbe‐hinda host of uncles, aunts, cousins, aniece five nephewsand friends. Hewas preceded in death byhis father Kenneth Gable Sr.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend aMemorial Service forKenneth Gable Jr. on Saturday,June7, 2025 for12:00 noon at Pro‐gressiveBaptist Church, 1214 S. RobertsonStreet New Orleans, La.70113 Rev.Dr. Johmyrin Johnson officiating. Arrangements entrusted to EstelleJ.Wil‐son FuneralHome, Inc. 2715 DanneelStreet,NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.estellejwilsonfh.com

Havnen, Judith Ann

Judith Havnenpassed awaysurroundedbyher family on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.She was 82. She was born on September 26,1942,in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Judith marriedCharles (Charley) Havnen on April 22, 1966,and they lived in Minnesota,Texas,Alaska and Wisconsin as Charley made acareerinthe United States Coast Guard rising to the rank of Commander. They eventually settledinAlgiers, Louisiana in 1977where she has livedand raised her family for the past 48 years. She is survived by her husband Charley of 59 years and the beloved mothertoher children Derek(Sally), Dustin, Danielle (Chris Turner), Dierdre (David Burnstad), her only grandchild Rogie Burnstad and her cousin Linda Stroup (Ronnie). Preceded in deathbyher motherMarcie Wartburg and hersister Nancy Mitchell. Judith was adevoted motherwho lovedher familyand friends deeply. She was akind soul and loved allthings that sparkled. Shewas also amemberof herneighborhood ladies luncheon group for over 40 years. Please join us to celebrate Judith'slifeon Sunday,June 8, 2025, 1:00pm at the Croatian AmericanSociety Cultural Center,220 CroatianWay, Belle Chasse, LA 70037 In lieu of flowers,donationscan be made in Judith'smemorytoanorganization of your choice

Born: November 9, 1963, in New Orleans, LA

Passed: May27, 2025

Samtransitionedtoglory on Tuesday,May 27, 2025. He leavestocherish his memory:his loving wife Darlene; three daughters, Norma, Charolette,and Nia; one son,Michael;his mother, Mildred Howard; five brothers, Troy, Jerome, Tyrone,Kevin, and Paul; and foursisters, Lisa, Paula, Tocquyne, and Samantha. Samispreceded in death by hisfather, Sam Howard Sr.; hisson, Brandon; his brother, Terrance;and hissister, Sophia. Aservice to honor Sam's life willbeheldon: Saturday, June 7, 2025

Times of Celebration Ministries 10355 Mills Rd, Houston, TX 77070

Viewing:10:00A.M Service:11:00A.M. Burialwilltakeplace on: Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10:30 A.M. Houston National Cemetery 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive,Houston, TX 77038

Jones, Robert Wayne 'Bobby''BillyRed'

Robert WayneJones “Bobby”/“Billy Red”,age 68, aresidentofBush, LA passedawayathomeon June 1st,2025. He wasborn onOctober 18, 1956 in Bo‐galusa, LA.Hegrewupin New OrleansinGentilly Woods. He wasa member ofGentillyBaptist Church and graduatedfromJohnF Kennedy High School and Delgado Community Col‐lege. He wasa certified electrician,but hisreal lovewas musicand play‐ing drumswithseveral local rock andheavy metal bands (Apostrophe, Mad Dog, andothers) as well as fillinginwithThe Last Strawsand Irma Thomas’ Band. He is survived by his sisters,DebiAdams (Jazz Shields)ofBaton Rouge, Barbara (Danny)Cockfield ofMetairie, andnephews DanielCockfield& Jared Cockfield. He waspre‐ceded in deathbyparents, Malcolm “Bris” Jonesand MaryCrawfordJones.Pri‐vateserviceswillbeheld ata laterdate. E.J. Fielding FuneralHomehas been en‐trusted with funeral arrangements. Please sign the guestbook at www.ejf ieldingfh.com

NickE passed away peacefully on abeautiful Sunday morning, June 1, 2025, in Bucktown, Louisiana. NickE was aforce of nature.The kind of man who didn't just walkinto a room, he lititup. He was joy in human form. He was hilarious, charismatic, magnetic. People didn't just meethim, they remembered him. He gave freely, loveddeeply, and madestrangersfeellike lifelong friends. He could talk to anyone,about anything,and somehow always left you smiling. Adevoted father, son, and brother, NickE wore many hats and worethem allwell. He was acelebrated athlete —a standout punter at John Curtis ChristianSchool and one of thebestinthe state. He was also agiftedcookand successfulrestaurateur, turning kitchens into homes and meals into memories.Whether he was fishing,driving withan Arnold Palmer from Cane's in hand,orholding court in conversation, he did it with his signature flair.That was NickE, unstoppable, unconventional, unforgettable. He never missed amoment with his kids.He marched in parades, cheeredatevery game and recital,and was always therewithhis wholeheart To hischildren, he was not just adad,hewas their biggestfan, their constant their hero Nick Eissurvivedbyhis childrenNicoleLoGiudice Allen(Jesse Allen), Vincent LoGiudice, and Dominic LoGiudice. His parents Sherrill Mollere and Nicolo EvolaLoGiudice Sr.His brother Dominick LoGiudice. The mothers of his children Shannon Baker and BridgetMartinez. Many adoring Aunts, Uncles, and cousins as well

as countless friends who might as well be family His absence is immeasurable, butsoisthe legacy of love,laughter, and light he leaves behind.To knowhim was to love him, and to love him was agift we'll carry forever. His service willbeheld Saturday, June 7, 2025 at 11am at John Curtis ChristianHighSchool in theGymnasium.

Meyer, Harold Bernard

Harold “Snake”Bernard Meyer,age 80, passed awayMonday, April28, 2025 in Slidell, Louisiana. BornonMay 12, 1944, in the SaintRochareaofthe 9th Ward of NewOrleans, Louisiana,Snake liveda fulland dedicatedlife markedbyhardwork, neighborhood involvement and devotion to hisfamily. A proudgraduateof NichollsHighSchool,he wentontobuild alongand successfulcareer at Laitram Corporation. Over the course of 44 yearswith the company, he earned the respectofcolleagues through hiscommitment and reliabilitybeforeretir‐ing in 2014. He wasa resi‐dentofStBernard Parish for 38 years, relocating to Slidell, Louisianaafter Hur‐ricaneKatrina in 2005 Snake served honorablyin the LouisianaNational Guard,reflecting hisdeep sense of duty andservice Beyondhis professional and military contributions, hewas an active member ofseveral localorganiza‐tions that broughthim joy and camaraderie. He was involvedwiththe Poor Man’s YachtCluband the Krewe of Bilge, andcould befound stayingactiveat Cross GatesGym.Heislov‐ingly remembered by his wifeof57years,Ruth Ruthie”RoseBarbe;his sons, ScottMeyer (Jennie) and JefferyMeyer (Mari‐lyn); andhis four grand‐children, Josh Pontecorvo, Kendall Meyer, Sydnee Meyer andJaydenPon‐tecorvo.His presence will bedeeply missedbyall who knew him. He is pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, FrankMeyer Sr.and ElmireWalkerMeyer;his brothers, FrankMeyer Jr and Philip Meyer; hissis‐ters, EthelMeyer Springler and PatsyAnn Meyer. MemorialServicesto honor hislifewillbeheld onSaturday, June 7, 2025 at Honaker FuneralHome, 1751 GauseBlvd. West, Slidell LA.Visitationwill begin at 9:00 am followed bythe memorial serviceat 11:00 am.Pleasevisit www honakerforestlawn.comto signguestbook.Arrange‐ments by HonakerFuneral Home, Inc.,Slidell, LA

LindaMorris, anative and resident of NewOr‐leans,La.,passedaway peacefullyonMay 25, 2025 atthe tender ageof77 years old. Shewas born on March 1, 1948 to thelate Alethia Pierre andthe late JosephMorris, Jr.Linda is survivedbyher daughter TheoraM.(Corey) Hunt; sisters,Ertha Sorina,Janet (Andrew)Dedeaux,Verna (Preston) Archie andBar‐baraMorris; brothers, Joseph(Charlotte)Morris, III andBernell (Latricia) Morris; 11 grandchildren

and29great grandchil‐dren. Shealsoleavesto cherish hermemorya host ofnieces, nephewsand friends.She is preceded in death by herparents, Alethia andJoseph; daugh‐ter,Jenia M. Vail;sister, GloriaAnn andgrand‐daughter, Larrielle Morris Linda enjoyedbeing around herfamilyand friends.She will be sorely missed. Specialthanksto the nursingstaff at St Margaret’satMercy and EastJefferson Hospital Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend theser‐vices at D.W. Rhodes Fu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Avenue,New Orleans, LA70125 on Saturday,June 7,2025 at 10:00 am,with Rev.DonaldC.Jeanjacques ofTrueVineMissionary Baptist Church,officiating. Visitationwillbegin at 9:00 am. Interment: Mount OlivetCemetery. Please visit https://premiermemo ries.net/users/MTYxOTU 1LUxpbmRh/home.html to signthe online guestbook, share memories andcon‐dolenceswiththe family. Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Avenue, New Orleans, LA,(504) 8227162, www.rhodesfuneral com

Leroy"Nenny" Shelling age 56, enteredintoeternal restonSunday, May18, 2025. SonofMercedes Shellingand thelateLeroy Carter, brothertoPenny Jones (GregoryJones), Michelle Audrict(Corey Audrict)and Ungel Shelling. Father of Jasmine Shellingand grandfatherof Sicor Lacoste. "Nenny"is alsosurvivedbya host of aunts, uncles,nieces, nephews,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theviewing onSaturday, June 7, 2025 at Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc.,2715 Danneel Street,New Orleans, La 70113. Visitation from 9:00 a.m.until 10:00 a.m. fol‐lowed by aHomegoing Cel‐ebrationofLifeService at 10:00 a.m. ElderLionelEd‐wards officiating. Inter‐ment: Rest HavenMemor‐ial Park Cemetery,10400 Old Gentilly Road,New Or‐leans,La. 70127. Arrange‐ments entrustedtoEstelle J.WilsonFuneral Home Inc.,2715 Danneel St., NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.estellejwilsonfh.com

ShieldsJr.,Frederick Warren 'Freddie' 'Fresh'

Frederick"Freddie" "Fresh" Warren Shields, Jr., age 49 wasbornonFebru‐ary 21, 1976 in NewOr‐leans,LA, throughalmighty God's infinite wisdom he dispatchedthe angelof mercy to Freddie'sbeside withinstructionstore‐lease himofhis pain and suffering on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. Freddiewas a graduateofWalterL Cohen Senior High School and wasemployedby Hano, Sodexo andThe Best Western Plus Hotel. He also loved andenjoyed hanging out with hisfriends,going tosecondlines andspend‐ing time with family. Fred‐die wasthe loving sonof Delores M. Shields. Loving brother of Regina Myles (Thomas). Belovedfather ofFrederick III andFariyah Shields andstep-father of Nirokoand NironJohnson Devoted companionof Shelita Johnson. Doting nephewofRitaLee and Spencer Shields(Julia) Freddiewas also survived byhis grand-daughter, Nyrie Johnson, nieces,Ta‐tianna andTristan Myles, nephew, Thomas Williams II, anda host of cousins, familyand friends. He was precededindeath by his fatherFrederick W. Shields, Sr. Relativesand friendsof the family, also employees ofBestWestern Plus Hotel, KidneyCareofOchsner and OchsnerHospitalare invited to attend theCele‐bration of Life Serviceon Saturday, June 7, 2025 at WillingWorkers Baptist Church,2715 Washington Avenue, NewOrleans,LA 70113 at 10:00 a.m. Visita‐tionfrom9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. IntermentProvi‐dence Memorial Park,8200 Airline Drive, Metairie,LA 70003. Youmay sign the guest book on http://www gertrudegeddeswillis.com. Gertrude GeddesWillisFu‐neral Home Inc.,incharge (504) 522-2525.

Coolidge Tanner wasbornonDecember3 1924, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, as theonly son of Marie Tucker Tanner andFrancis ArdTanner, whoboth preceded himin death.Asa teenager, in June 1943, William was draftedinto WorldWar II andservedour country with courage in the United States Army untilhis honorable discharge in

Shelling,Leroy 'Nenny

DennisonJr.,Herbert

LoGiudice,Nicolo Evola 'NickE'

Tanner, William Coolidge

William

HowardJr., Sam Edward

Morris, Linda

See more DEATHS page

Editor’sNote: Thiseditorial, slightly revised, is published annuallyasatribute to D-Day

Whenthe United Statesput itsyoungmen ashoreonD-Day 81 years agoFriday,theywere not alone.

Although Americans remember Omaha Beach, where our troops saw some of the bloodiest fighting and suffered many casualties young men from at least adozen other countries fought and died on other beaches —all in the common cause of freedom.

By late spring 1944, after years of combat and human sacrifice, the tide had begun to turn against Adolf Hitler’sGermany.Evenasthe risks of the D-Day invasion weighedheavily on Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, whodrafted —just in case —a statement of responsibility forfailure, victory in Europe was finally in sight. Yet, many more died before it finally came.

The hammer blows landed against theReich on D-Day comprised history’slargest amphibious operation. The UnitedStates,Great Britain and Canada provided most of thetroops, but they were joined by forces from every Allied nationthathad suffered duringthe war: Australia,Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Greece, the Netherlands,New Zealand, Norway andPoland. Theirheroiccampaign is memorializedat the National WWII MuseuminNew Orleans, which this year marks its25th anniversary.Now asprawling campus that has welcomedmore than 10 million visitors since it opened in 2000, it began life as the National D-Day Museum, dedicated to telling the stories of those whoanswered history’scall thatstormyJune morning so far fromhome.

Louisiana is honored to host those whopass through its doors, especially themembersof our country’sGreatest Generation who served. Today,asalways, agratefulnation honors their struggles and sacrifices.

We also remember the dramatic innovations that sprang from America’sarsenals of democracy, particularly Louisiana’sshallow-draft Higgins boats, which madepossiblethe D-Day landings and those in the Pacific. Perhaps the most enduringoutcome of World WarII, one embodied in theplanning andexecution of D-Day,isAmerica’srole as aworld leader.The late University of New Orleanshistorian Stephen Ambrose, who conceived the World WarIIMuseum, said that thedefining quality of Americans is our sense of optimism.It’swhat enables us to lead withhope, strength and adetermination to meet any challenge.

Those qualities may seem sadlylackingtoday.But by commemoratingsacrifice made by thousands of young men whopiled outofboats and onto beaches in service of agreater cause we honor their heroism andremind ourselves of the courage that freedom demands. Now, just like then, we must not forget that challenges far from our borders can have profoundeffects here at home. As it did on D-Day,meetingthose challenges willrequirethe best fromall of us.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE

WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

On June 6, we honor thebravery of those soldiers who stormed ashore at Normandy,France, on that day 81 years ago. D-Day led tothe defeat of fascism in Europe. We must learn the lesson of rising authoritarian tendencies that threaten to renew fascism in our times.The Trumpadministration, by itsactions, moves away from democracy and toward afascist model of governing.

The precursors of fascism in Europe were theintentionally hateful rhetoric and targeting of “enemies of thestate.” We see today something eerily similar.Inthe 1930s and 1940s, thetargets of vitriol, violence and official policy were Jews; today,the targetsare immigrants, unjustly smeared withabroad brush as violent criminals and gang members. In prewar Germany,vocal dissenters in the press were vilified, intimidated and sometimes their offices wereransacked by mobsegged on by theruling party. Trumpand allies have embarked on asimilar path, calling mainstream media (with whom they disagree) “enemies of the people” and threatening to revoke the licenses of media organizations.

The mostserious authoritarian step

Local governmentsare where democracy comes tolife —closest to thepeople, most responsive to their daily needs and essential to thestrength of our nation —but our budgetsare being stretched thin.

Election administration is acore responsibilityoflocal government, just like public safety or infrastructure, yet it’s too often overlooked. As the cost of running secure, reliable electionsrises, federal support hasn’t kept pace.

Federal election funding has declined in recent years, down from the roughly $400 million allocated during President Donald Trump’s first term in fiscal years 2018 and 2020. His return to office brings renewed focus. In just the first month,Congress passed acontinuing resolution that included $15 million in election infrastructure grants, and Trumpsigned an executive order calling for modernization of our voting systems. Butwithout consistent, long-term funding, we risk slipping back into thesame cycle of underinvestment

towardfascism is the dismantling of therule of law.In1933, Adolf Hitler was elected chancellor,and he moved swiftly to consolidate power by declaring his authority where it didn’t exist. Likewise, Trump seeks to concentrate power in his hands by defying court orders that he doesn’tlike. He has usurped powers delegated to theCongress. He answered, “I don’t know” when asked if he is bound by theU.S. Constitution. Hitler brought themilitary under his control. He marched troops into Austria; he started World WarII by invading Polandin1939. Trump has declared that the U.S. will take control of Greenland, by force if necessary.Hehas threatened to seize control of the Panama Canal. Trumpisnot Hitler.But as we remember D-Day andthe struggle to banish Nazism we must confront the reality that Trump’sauthoritarian nature and actions are leading us towardfascism. Askyourself, do the president’s actions more closely resemble thefascist Third Reich or 249 years of U.S. democracy?

TONY SWITZER

U.S. Navy 1968 to 1972 Metairie

and vulnerability

Elections are foundational to our democracy.Local leaders should never be forced to choose between securing our elections and maintaining essential operations or infrastructure. Unfunded mandates put communities in an impossible position, weakening the very system we’re elected to protect We need to treat elections as anational priority.Consistent federal investmentensures every community large or small, can carry out safeand secure elections. Local governments are doing everything possible with limited resources. Now,it’stimefor Washington tomeet us halfway. Congress must committolongterm, stable election funding so that all Americans, no matter where they live, can trust that their vote is protected and counted. Ourelection system should be strong, resilient and worthy of public trust, not subject to budget shortfalls.

FRIDAY ELLIS mayorofMonroe, small business owner

Where is the outcry about the tariffs on the United States? Right now,isthe outcry aimed only at those imposed by the U.S.? That President Donald Trump challenging foreign countries with tariffs is making people get on their proverbial “soap boxes” amazes me No one is protesting the fact that the United States has been paying these countries for decades. Until now,we the people have been paying for the tariffs on the United States allowed by former presidents. None, until Trump, fought back and turned the tables by charging tariffs on other countries. Let’scompare the effects on store prices. Iwould like an economist to present the effects if foreign tariffs were to be removed. What would be the price of our imports? Or another example, whatdoes shoplifting do to the cost of goods? I’ll bet it’saclose call.

KERRIE SLATON NewOrleans

Will Sutton’scolumnonour new pope with Creole heritage was fantastic. He quoted Jari Honora, who does research in NewOrleans on the family history of the Creoles of Louisiana. He stated that there are both Black and White Creoles. He is right. Our family is from Pointe Coupee Parish, and my grandparents and great-grandparents all spoke fluent Creole French. All White folks. So God bless our Creole Pope. As the late, great Michael Jackson said, “don’tmatter if you Black or White.”

DANNY HOGAN Pointe Coupee Parish

Tate wasgoodfor LSU; race didn’t matter

Former LSU president William Tate was agood administrator.Hewas nota good Black administrator or purple administrator.Why does the “Our View” writer talk about his race? We need good people at LSU regardless of skin color.DEI promotes racism, not competence. Let the new head of LSU be an example of leadership, not ashow of who knows what.

RICHARD LEVY NewOrleans

UNOcrucial to WWII Museum’s success

Most everyoneknows that the National WWII Museum is one of New Orleans’ crown jewels. Its official opening 25 years ago as theNational D-Day Museum attracted Hollywood celebrities, prominent electedofficials, marching bands and some 10,000 veterans —including many who landed in Normandy on June 6, 1944.

few chapters of hisjust-released book, “Preserving the Legacy: Creating the National WWII Museum” (LSU Press).

Today,the museum ranks among the most visited commemorative institutions in the country.

From its modest beginnings as the backyard brainchild of historians Stephen Ambrose and Gordon“Nick Mueller,the WWII Museum continues to honor the valor and memoryofthe menand women who saved America and the world from tyranny

This week, along with commemoratingthe D-Day invasion, the museum also celebratesits 25th anniversary The museum’sstaff, leadership and supporters deserve every bit of praise that comes their way.

But Iwonder how many folks recall the museum’s first major supporter, whose decade-long contributions in kind and in cash nurtured the institution when it was little more than apipedream for Ambrose and Mueller.Withoutthat supporter’shelp,the museum would neverhave been built.

Thatsupporter was Ambroseand Mueller’semployer—the University of New Orleans.

“Stephen had the idea and the national celebrity status,” Mueller told me in arecent email.“I was hissidekick on the organizational side, but neither of us could have succeeded without UNO’ssupport for more than 10 years. No UNO, no museum.”

That’snoexaggeration,Mueller said. He detailedall of it in the first

GATOR RIDE!

From the time the two friends and colleagues— both tenured UNOhistoryprofessors first hatched the ideaofcreating asmallexhibition center in UNO’sResearch Park in 1990 until the museum’sgrand openingdowntown on June 6, 2000, UNO served as headquarters andquartermaster forthe fledgling project. It was an all-hands-on-deck affair. From then-Chancellor Gregory O’Brien to graduate assistants and secretaries, UNO provided every level of staffing, office space, fiscal responsibility and fundraising know-how The ideaofsiting themuseum in the UNO ResearchPark was Ambrose’s. It made sense at thetime. Thepark abutted the sand beach that served as the test-landingsite for Andrew Jackson Higgins’ famousD-Day landing boats, whichwere built in New Orleans.

“That was one of several compelling reasons for putting the museum on UNO’scampus,” Mueller said. “Itwas afree site with historic importance. Eventually,wewere fortunate to acquire abuilding downtown.”

In theearly to mid-1990s, Ambrose’s fameskyrocketed.A military historian whowas also Dwight Eisenhower’sofficial biographer,hefoundedthe Eisenhower Center at UNO to collect and serve as the repository for hundreds of oral histories of D-Day veterans. Those oral histories inspired Ambrose’sbestsellingbooks, among them “Band of Brothers” and “D-Day.”

His fame opened doors that few academics get to walk through. He befriended director StevenSpielberg and

Louisiana’shot weather activitiesare in full swing,but what in theworld is THIS? Howdid this guyget into this predicament andwhat is he yelling? youtell me. Be witty,funny, crazy,absurd or snarky —just tryto keep it clean.There’s no limit on the numberofentries. The winning punchline will be lettered into the word balloonand runonMondayinour print editions andonline.Inaddition,the winnerwillreceiveasigned print of the cartoon alongwitha cool winner’sT-shirt!

Some honorable mentions will alsobelisted. To enter,email entries tocartooncontest@theadvocate.com. DON’T FORGET! All entriesmust include your name, home addressand phone number. Cellnumbers are best Thedeadline for all entries is midnight on Thursday. Have fun with THIS

Ican hardly think of President Donald Trump and Africa withoutalso remembering his global insulttounderdeveloped nations.

In a2018 Oval Office meeting, you may recall, he grumbled aloud about why this country would accept more immigrants from “shitholes” in Haiti and Africa rather than places like say,Norway With that in mind, Ididn’t have asunny outlook about the prospect of his firstmeeting last month with South Africa’sPresident Cyril Ramaphosa. Ianticipated anattempt at televised humiliation much like the spectacle Trump sprang on Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in February The meeting was called ostensibly to smooth strained relations betweenthe two countries, but Trump usedittoadvance his White genocide agenda Trump contends that White South African farmers are being murdered in aracially motivated genocide, and that the South African government has permitted itself to seize theirland.He has amplified these falseclaims since as long ago as 2018, when he seemed to have picked them up from FoxNews host Tucker Carlson. They were the basis of his dismissal earlier this year of South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. —who’d had the temerity to point out the racist overtones of Trump’sallegations —and of his executive order to cut off aid to South Africa

He also used them as ajustification to grant 59 White South Africans refugee status to the United Stateswhile he continuestovilify,arrest and remove immigrants who came herefromother countries. The Oval Office meeting with Rama-

actor TomHanks, NBC anchor Tom Brokaw,and then-U.S.Rep.Bob Livingston, who parlayed hischairmanship of the House Appropriations Committee into a$4million grant for the museum— amajor fundraisingcoup.

That money,however,could only be used for capital expenses, notfor operatingcosts.

Thereagain, UNO stepped up, serving as fiscal agent for the grant and home base for the museumboard.Ambrose, who served as the foundingCEO of the museum, donatedhis services —and $750,000. At times, he even paid the salaries of early staffers, Mueller said.

Local business leaders who served on the institution’searly boardsofdirectors likewiseworked tirelessly and contributed heavily to the effort. But private fundraisingwas an enormous challenge in the early days —which made UNO’scontributionsofstaff, research,facilities and money so crucial to keeping the project alive.

“Success hasmanyparents,” Mueller said. “The effort hadmany supporters locally,statewideand in Washington, but we couldn’thavekept the project alive for the first 10 years without UNO. That story is barely knownorappreciated.”

Today, 35 yearsand $420 million after Mueller and Ambrose first envisioned aD-Day tribute, the National WWII Museum ranks among UNO’s greatest, if least heralded,legacies.

It’spasttime to recognizethat UNO, likethe museum, is one of New Orleans’crown jewels.

Clancy DuBos, a1976 UNO History graduate, is aretired political columnist for Gambitand The TimesPicayune |The Advocate.

phosa had barely begun when Trump ordered thelights dimmed to play purporteddocumentaryfootage he described, in his special Trumpian way, as like “no one has seen before.”

“Executed,”Trumpsaid gravely.“These are all White farmers that arebeing buried.”

“People are fleeing South Africa for their own safety,” Trump said amid aseries of accusations

“Their land is being confiscated, and in many cases, they’re being killed.” There is no denying thatSouth Africa hasa persistent violent crimeproblem. Yet, while data available on thecountry’sviolent crime indicatethat farmers of allracialgroups aredisturbingly vulnerable to theft and violence, theydo notclearly support race as afactor In responsetothe images shown, he said thathe would like to find out what the location was. It will surprise no one thatthe grisliest images used in Trump’svisual aids were not indeed from South Africa. Theywere Reutersimages from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the newsservice confirmed. Specifically, they came from thecityofGoma, where an insurgencyhas been raging, andthey werepublished in February

We knowthisnow,becausesomeinstitutions in this country still care about the facts, evenifour president and his powerful political movement do not. In themoment of the spectacle, Ramaphosa couldhardly refute the images. But he kept hiscool. He had comewith aplan. Perhaps most effectively,Ramaphosaallowed otherstospeakfor him. He had brought impressive company.His delegation fromSouthAfrica included luxury goods tycoon Johann Rupert and champion golfers Ernie Els and Retief Goos-

en. Both complimented Ramaphosa’s leadership, perhaps more persuasively, to Trump’sgolf-loving heart, thanany other South African could have. Most of SouthAfrica’smedia appear to be praising Ramaphosa for remaining calm, patient and polite, although some saythey wish he had hit back harder. But Ramaphosa, by reputation, is no pushover.Once aprotegeofNelson Mandela, he was akey negotiator in the talks thatended nearly five decades of racial segregation known as apartheid in 1994.

When I first went to South Africa on assignment in 1976, the summerwhen riots broke out in Soweto, the Black township outside Johannesburg, little did Iknow that it would markthe beginning of the last round for apartheidand White-minority rule.

Icertainly would not have imagined thata future president of the United States would amplify the racistbacklash against the post-apartheid South African state —anentity, it should be said, that stands out in history for its restraint and humanity in addressing and rectifying the shocking, brutal injustices of the racistregimeitreplaced Now the next chapter in SouthAfrica’shistory is being written by anew generation withremarkably high hopes. They don’tneed outsiderstochurn up moreracial animosity based on false pretenses. They have enough real problems to tackle —inmultiracial coalitions,one hopes. Meanwhile, our president is solidifying his image as aglobal leader of White identity politics. He and his movement may deny it, but his message is as clear as abell.

Email Clarence Page at clarence47page@gmail.com

The Republican Party wasindesperate straits in the weeks following the 2012 presidential election. There were several reasons.

One, its losing nominee, Mitt Romney,was a poor candidate whom asignificant part of the GOP base, and an even moresignificant part of the overall electorate, did not want.

Two, its opponent, President Barack Obama, appeared to have found the secret to assembling apermanent winning coalition. And three, Republican leaders worried, sometimes publicly and sometimes privately,that the party was on the wrong side of somekey issues, especially immigration.

Just four years later,with Donald Trump’sout-of-the-blue 2016 victory,everything changed. Republicans had astrong candidate. The Obamacoalition was crumbling. And the GOP, under Trump, began to change positions on someimportant issues.

Four years after that, even though Trumplost to Joe Biden, someofthe trends that favored Republicans continued. And then came 2024, when the weakening of the Democratic Party accelerated under Biden and then KamalaHarris, and Trump wonahistoric comeback victory

Anew report showsthis extraordinary change —from Republican despair in 2012 to triumph in 2024. It is not told from aGOP perspective; the report is by the progressive Democratic data-crunching firm Catalist, which sought to understand Democratic losses. But whatever the perspective, the analysts examined voter file information, precinct-level data, voting history, polls and other numbers to come up with the most comprehensive picture yet of whovoted how in 2024.

What is particularly valuable is that Catalist then put the 2024 information in the context of data from the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections. That way,wecan see which direction each party wasmoving with individual groups of voters. Spoiler alert —it’safeel-good story for Republicans.

The trends are striking. Just go through the Obamacoalition —especially Black, Hispanic and young voters. In 2012, when Obamawas on the ticket, 96% of Black voters voted forthe Democratic candidate. In 2016, the first year Trumpwas on the ticket, Black Democratic support ticked downward to 93%. Then it fell to 89% in 2020, and then to 85% in 2024. Among Black men,support forthe Democratic candidate fell to 79%. Support levels wereeven lower among young Black voters. The trend looked alittle different but was still impressive among Hispanic voters. In 2012, 68% of Hispanic voters chose the Democratic candidate. In 2016, that number actually went up to 70%. But then it fell to 63% in 2020 and 54% in 2024. That’squite adrop. And again, the levels were even lower among young Hispanic voters.

The movewas similar among Asian voters 74% Democratic in 2012, 70% in 2016, 65% in 2020 and 61% in 2024.

Among young voters, the Catalist report included data only from 2020 and 2024, but among voters aged 18 to 29, support forthe Democratic candidate fell from 61% to 55% in that time. Remember,the Catalist analysts are progressive Democrats. They focused their report on the Democratic Party’sdecline from 2012 to 2024. But those Democratic losses wereRepublican gains.

After Romney’s2012 defeat, the Republican National Committee commissioned an “autopsy” —a report on what wentwrong and how to fixit. Read today,the document’splaintive tone is striking. “Public perception of the party is at record lows,” it said. “Young voters are increasingly rolling their eyes at what the party represents, and many minorities wrongly think that Republicans do not like them or wantthem in the country.”

The official GOPprescription wastojoin with Democrats on the issue of immigration. “Weneed to campaign among Hispanic, Black, Asian, and gay Americans and demonstrate we care about them,too,” the report continued. “Wemust embrace and champion comprehensive immigration reform. If we do not, our party’sappeal will continue to shrink to its core constituencies only.”

Trumpled the party to winmore votes from Black voters, from Hispanic voters, Asian voters, young voters and voters whorarely,ifever,voted. And he did it while emphatically rejecting comprehensive immigration reform, which the 2012 GOPleaders believed would be their salvation. Trumprejected someother cherished Republican orthodoxies, too.

Most importantly,though, Trumpsucceeded among Republicans and then nationally by being astrong leader.Itissafe to say he is aunique individual, both as aleader and as aman. There’s no telling whether GOPgains will last beyond Trump’stimeinoffice. But formore than adecade, Trumphas been building aRepublican coalition that accomplished things the earlier GOP leaders thought impossible.

Byron York is on X, @Bryon York.

Clarence Page

Byron York

Clancy DuBos

NewOrleans Forecast

December 1945. His educational journey started at McDonogh #35 where he received ahigh school diploma. He moved on to receive abachelor's degree in mathematics from Xavier University; then he received amaster's degree in mathematics from the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama; andonto Connecticut, where he was trained at Yale University for educational reform through the Comer School Development Program,as well as other cities where he expanded his knowledge and abilities in the educational arena. In April,1991, Williamjoined the New Orleans Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi and began his dedication to the fraternity's brotherhood. Professionally, William was adedicated mathematics educator federal and state tax preparer, real estate agent and later areal estate broker. He enlightened the minds of numerous students at Booker T Washington High School for many years. He also served as afull-time mathematics instructor at Southern University New Orleans and Wiley College in Marshall, Texas. As aretirededucator, Mr.Tanner returnedtothe educational arena to support school principals in their effortto enhance operations. In 1959 William married the then- Catherine Smith (who preceded him in death). From this union came two children. First a girl whom they named Toni and later aboy whom they named Glenn. William was adedicated familyman and embraced an extended family concept with his closest friends Wilbert (Flip) Huey, Newman Braud, and Gilbert White, who all preceded him in death. In December 2024, family, Kappa brothers, and friends celebrated William's 100th birthday as he became aCentenarian. On Friday, May 23, 2025, after 100 years on earth, William journeyed from this life to God's home calling. He served as patriarch of the Tucker family. His legacy will carry on through his daughter Toni Tanner Castillo, son Glenn Francis Tanner (Tammie Tanner), Grandson Derek Tanner, Granddaughters Alana Marie Castilloand Gabriella Castillo, GreatGrandson Jamar William

Basin looks quiet for thenextweek.

DEATHS continued from Tanner,GreatGranddaughter Aria Catherine Landry,dedicated niece Lynnette Braud dedicated son-in-law Alex Castillo, devotedneighbor KimDavidson, anda host of nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted family and greatfriends.Family and friends areinvited to attend funeral services held forWilliamon Saturday, June7,2025 at St. Martin de Porres, 5621 Elysian Fields Ave, New Orleans,LA. Visitation at church willbegin at 9:00AMuntil theMassbeginsat11:00AM. Interment willfollow in Lake Lawn Park

Wax, HerbertFrank

Herbert"Bert" Wax passed awaypeacefullyaftera short illness on May 31, 2025atthe ageof87. Bertwas anative New Orleanian and aresidentof Metairie since 1984. He was the only child of the late Augusta "Gussie" Henrietta Braun and HerbertFrank Wax, Sr. He was alsopreceded in death by Emily Marie Borne, forwhom he was married to forover29 years until her death in 1986 and his son,Gregory Paul Wax Bert is survived by his wifeofover 35 years, Shirley Seghers. He is also survived by his children, Bradley Wax(Cheri Fenner),Karen Falcon (James), stepchildren, Diane Griffin and David Griffin Jr., and stepsister, Jacquelyn Madden. Bert is also survivedbyhis grandchildren, Amelie Wax Reeves(Brian), Ryan Wax, GarretWax,and Meghan Falcon and step-grandchildren, Braeden and Brendan Bertucci. His surviving family continueswith his great-grandchildren Callen, Cohen, Paul,and

Ainsley. Bert willbe missed by many of his surviving cousins and friends. Bert Wax grew up in Mid -City with alarge and close family of aunts, uncles, and cousins allsharing one residence on Bienville St He spent his summers and weekends working at his father's and uncle Gus Rinderle's hardwarestore BroadmoorHardware,on Broad St. where valuable lifelong experiences in business and people were learned.Graduating from Warren Easton HighSchool in 1955 he joinedthe Coast Guard Reserve and served honorably until 1963. In 1956 he was hired at Hibernia Bank where he worked in various capacities for twenty years with his most cherished position being at theSt. Claude branch location where lifetime friends and family where made. It was at Hibernia Bank that he met his first wife, Emily Borne, whom he elopedwithin 1956 after amere six months of dating.In1976 he was hired by French Market Homestead and created averysuccessful Home Improvement and Consumer Lending Division where again he continued to make long term friends and family.During this time, he became afootball refereefor theLHSAA and officiated LouisianaHigh School football fortwenty years. Leaving French Market Homestead in 1988 he was invested in several business ventures before becoming certified as a ResidentialHome Appraiserwhere he worked until he retired at age82. Several years after hiswife Emily'sdeath, Bert married ShirleySeghers, introducing him to alarge and extended family that he lovedand enjoyed Bert lovedsports and was one of thefirst season ticket holders forSaints football,enjoying the friends and family who surrounded him formany years at Tulane stadium. He spent many weekends at hiscamp in Waveland, Ms.,and reminiscedabout thegreat times from the many summers hisfamily spent in Little Woods at Willis'scamp on thelake. Bert enjoyed golfing and sports,footballand baseball particularly, and was an avid supporter of Ole Miss and Tulane athletics. He wasalso aformer member of the Krewe of Pontchartrain and enjoyed gathering with his fellow

Warren Easton Alumni

What Bert lovedmost was being surrounded by and spending timewithfriends and family whilesharing thestoriesofhis experiences he had with relativeshegrewupwith. He was a"live and letlive" typeofindividualwith compassionand love for all. We willmiss him dearly Afuneralservicewillbe held on Saturday June 7, 2025 at LakeLawn Funeral Home,5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. NewOrleans, LA. Visitation willbeheldfrom 11AM -1PM with aservice to beginat1PM.Interment willfollow at Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers,weask that youmakea donation in Bert's memory to your local Humane Society.

Weiss, RoyA

RoyA.Weiss passed awaypeacefully on Satur‐day,May 31, 2025. He was 88. Roywas preceded in death by hiswife, Sharon RothWeiss, hisparents WilliamL.Weiss and LouiseGoldner Weiss. He is survivedbyhis daughter, LoriWeiss Gremillion and his son, Ronald Weiss(Bar‐bara) andhis grandchil‐dren, ElliottWeiss, Matthew Weissand Lind‐sey Harrison (Terry)and alsosurvivedbyhis greatgrandchild, Liam Harrison Roy wasborninBrooklyn, NYand wasa resident of BeauChene in Mandeville for over 30 plus years. He was an avid golferand en‐joyed playingcards with his buddiesatthe Club‐house.A gravesideservice was held on Monday,June 2,2025 in PinecrestMemor‐ial Gardensand Mau‐soleuminCovington.E.J FieldingFuneralHomehas been entrustedwithfu‐neral arrangements Pleasesignthe guestbook atwww.ejfieldingfh.com

West Jones, Geneva Ceasar

Join us in celebrationof her extraordinarylifeon Friday, June 6, 2025, at St MartindePorresCatholic Church,5621 ElysianFields Avenue, NewOrleans,LA 70122. Visitation will be heldfrom9:30a.m.to10:30 a.m followed by the recitationofthe Rosary at 10:30 a.m. anda Funeral Massat11:00 a.m. Burial to followatMetairieCeme‐tery, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. Repast at Greenwood FuneralHome, 5200 Canal Blvd. We hope to seeyou for this joy-filled gathering offriends,family, andall who were touchedby Geneva’sloveand light. We alsoinviteyou to share yourthoughts, fond memo‐ries, andcondolences on‐lineatwww.greenwoodfh com.Yoursharedmemo‐rieswillhelpuscelebrate Geneva’slifeand keep her memoryalive

Geneva Ceasar West Jones passedawaypeace‐fully,surrounded by family, onFriday, May30, 2025. A lovingand devoted mother, grandmother, sis‐ter,aunt, generous friend, and fierce nurturer Geneva’slifewas defined bygrace,strength, uncon‐ditionallove, anda fierce commitmenttojoy and celebration.BornonJuly 20, 1938, in Lake Charles, Louisiana,she wasthe el‐destofninechildren. Genevamoved to NewOr‐leans in 1963 andestab‐lisheda thriving life,retir‐ing from Hibernia Bank in 1998. Shewas amemberof manysocialaid andplea‐sureclubs,mostnotably The Young Soigne,where she held severaloffices, in‐cluding president. Shewas alsoa member of the Knights of PeterClaver Ladies’ Auxiliary. No holi‐day wascompletefor any‐one who knew herwithout a stop at herhometosoak inthe love,togetherness, and deliciousmeals she preparedfromscratch for everyonetoenjoy.A true matriarch,Genevaalways madespace andtimefor those around her. Sheis survivedbyher threechil‐dren, TheresaWilliams (Maurice),Kerry West,III (Christina),and Adrian Hardy;ten grandchildren and tengreat-grandchil‐drenwho affectionately calledher MeeMee. She alsoleavesbehindher sib‐lings Paul Hardy, Martha Davis (Buford, deceased), DeniseWiltz (Tyrone), MaryFontenot(Randy) Erana LeonardHardy (Gor‐don)and ahostofnieces, nephews,Godchildren, cousins,friends,and her beloved dogand constant companion “SJ” (Saint Jude).She is preceded in death by herparents, Erena andLillian Hardy; her brothers,JohnHardy, Joseph“Butch” Hardy, and James Herbert“Goo” Hardy;her husbands, Kerry West, Jr., andWillieLee Jones;and herdearfriend, BlancheAdams Powers

SPORTS

Pendulum swings

This year’sLSU baseball team has been ahard one to pin down allseason

The Tigers haven’tlooked as dominant as the 2023 team, andattimes, they’ve appeared pretty darned vulnerable. Their offense is pronetofallingintothe deep freezeattimes, andthe pitching staff —beyond two stellar starters and one amazing freshman phenom —has found the big out occasionally elusive.

And yet, here LSU is, preparingto host asuper regional against West Virginia, with the same record (46-15) as the 2023 Tigers had at this pointontheir march to the program’sseventh College World Series title. Even thoughthere havebeen question marksthroughout the season, the Tigers are pegged as one of the top two remainingteams to win it

BYROD WALKER Staff writer

Zion Williamson has spent the past six seasons as the face of the New Orleans Pelicans. That role will continue forthe forward whose time in NewOrleanshas been filled withplenty of ups and downs.

all along with Arkansas.

So howdowesize up LSUahead of its 13th super regional at home and 17th overall? Here’sa look at the good and badofwhere the Tigers stand: Pitching,PartI:Good

KadeAnderson and Anthony Eyanson have been thestoryfor LSU all season long. They are arguably the best 1-2

est conversations.

starting duo in thecountry,and they makeLSU theonly team with twopitchers in the top-10 nationally in strikeouts and strikeouts per nine innings. Add Casan Evans, one of thenation’sbest freshman pitchers, and teamshave a three-armed monster withwhich to contend.

Those three allowed justone total earned run in 221/3 innings of work during the regional. That’sa combined ERA of 0.40. Andinthe SEC tourney andthe regional, Eyanson has given LSU quality relief work as well, earning saves against Texas A&M and Little Rock. The trio gives LSUareal chance to end the super regional in two games.

ä See RABALAIS, page 4C

What should LSU expect from West Virginia?

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU and West Virginia were on track to do this ayear ago.

The Tigers held a3-2 lead over North Carolina with twoouts to go in the ninth inning of theChapelHill regionalchampionship game, poised to face aMountaineers team in the super regionals after West Virginia punchedits ticket by winning threegamesinthe Tucson regional.

But GageJumpcouldn’tkeep the Tar Heels at bayinthe ninth, giving up the game-tying run that sent the do-or-die contest into extra innings before LSU lost in the 10th inning.

The Tigers’ season cametoanend while West Virginia traveled to Chapel Hill and lost twice to the TarHeels.

This season, LSU made sure to set a date with the Mountaineers.

The Tigers came back from a5-1 deficit in the second inning of Monday’sdoor-die seventh game of the Baton Rouge regional,taking down Little Rock 10-6 to advance to the super regionals. West Virginia won all three of its games at the Clemson regionaltopunchits ticket to Baton Rouge on Sunday Game One of this weekend’ssuper regional is setfor 1p.m.Saturdayon ESPN,with Game Twocoming the next day at 5p.m. on ESPN2. Here’swhatLSU fans need to know about West Virginia, the Big 12 regularseason champion.

Overallresume

West Virginia enters with the No. 26 RPI,a44-14 record and three wins over Kentucky (twice) and Clemson in its regional. Butits success in Clemson was viewed as asurprise to somegiven how it struggledatthe Big 12 Tournament andduring the endofthe regularseason.

The Mountaineers lost five of their lastsix gamesinconferenceplay, losing aseries to Kansas State on the road before gettingswept by Kansas at home to end the regularseason.West Virginia held the top seed in the Big 12 Tournament, but its run was short lived as it beat No.8Cincinnati butlost to No.4 Arizona in the semifinals. Theregular season stillwas amassive success, even if the Mountaineers had oneofthe easierstrength of schedules (No. 93, perRPI)inthe country.They earned four sweeps in conference play have a24-5 record on the road and own eight Quad 1wins.

Hitting

Joe Dumars, hired in April as the Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations,spoke about the plans for Williamsoninaninterview with TheTimes-Picayune on Wednesday.

“We’re going to go forward with Zion. He’sgoing to continue to be afocal point here as we go forward.”

“I’ve had really good conversations with Zion,” Dumars said. “We’ve had lunch. Dinner. Watched playoff gamestogether We’ve done it all. I’vehad some real honest conversations with him. Some real direct and hon-

Dumars andWilliamson also spenttime togetherinChicago in May when thetwo of them represented the Pelicans at the draft lottery.

“I sent him to the lottery for a reason,” Dumars said. “I want

himtostart focusing on the responsibilities of being the best player here and thefocal point. There are someresponsibilities thatcomewiththat. Go represent your organization.”

Dumars’ plan to continue building thefranchise around Williamson was revealed less thanaweek after alawsuit was

NBAFinalsoffer hope forPelicansfans

West Virginia isn’tbuilt forthe long ball, but it wasone of the best teamsin theBig 12 at getting on base andputting balls in play

The Mountaineerswerethirdinthe conference in batting average, fourth in doubles and fourth in on-base percentage during Big 12 play.They also finished in the bottom half of the league in strikeouts. Homeruns are not astrong suit. They were ninth in the conferencewith 31 home runs and have only one hitter with double-digit homers this season. The manwho holds that distinction is seniorKyleWest. The left fielderhas 10 homers, a.347 batting average and ateam-best 1.107 on-base plus slugging percentage.

If you’re afan of the New Orleans Pelicans, you should pay attention to these NBA Finals even if manybasketball fans will ignore it. This someday could be yourPelicans playing for the Larry O’Brien trophy Yeah, Iknow that’shard to fathom when the team you cheer for has made it to thesecond round of the playoffsjust twice since pro hoops returned to New Orleans in 2002 It’seven harder to imagine

when you’re a small-market team often overshadowed by those headline-grabbing media darlings in places such as Los Angeles, New York or Boston

Butthisyear’sNBA Finals between theOklahomaCity Thunderand Indiana Pacersshould give youalittle hope It’sarare all-small-market Finals matchup that hasn’tbeen seen in more than five decades. You’d have to go all theway backto1971 when theMilwau-

kee Bucks played theBaltimore Bullets to find an NBAFinals where neither team was from a city in atop-20 TV market. Viewer ratings of this series almost certainly will be low.But you can expect the level of play to be high between two teams that three years ago were as bad as the Pelicans were this season. (My prediction, by the way,isOKC in five games.) OneJune, perhaps an NBA Finals will be played in the Smoothie King Center That’sthe goal for Joe Dumars, hired in April as the Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operation.

“The teams you see in the Finals now,that was aprocess,” Dumars said. “None of that was overnight. That wasaprocess.” Indeed it was. Three short seasons ago, the Thunder won just 24 games. The Indiana Pacers didn’tdo much better that season, winning 25 games. Three years later,they are bothfour wins away from an NBA title. Credit theexecutives of the Pacersand Thunder fortheir ability to quickly flip their rostersand put theright pieces in

SurroundingWestisa deep lineup that includes sixhitters with an OPSabove .800. Junior designated hitter Sam White leads the Mountaineers in batting average (.352); senior right fielder Jace Rinehart hasthe most doubleswith21; and sophomore third baseman Armani Guzman, whorecently has stepped into astarting role, went 4for 5with 3RBIs in West Virginia’ssuper regional-clinching winover Kentucky on Sunday Pitching

The rotation hasfluctuated around fifth-year senior and left-handed starter GriffinKirn. The veteran hasa 3.13 ERA in 16 starts, but the Mountaineers have only oneother pitcher whohas made at least10starts in junior righthander Gavin VanKempen.

Dumars Rod Walker ä See WALKER, page 3C ä See PREVIEW, page 4C

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU first baseman Jared Jones greetsthird-base coach Josh Jordan as he rounds the basesonatwo-run home

Scott Rabalais

7p.m.

2p.m.

11 a.m.

3p.m.

BROADCASTHIGHLIGHTS

6p.m.

7:30

9a.m.

2p.m. Spain vs.France FS1

3:30 p.m. S. Potrero vs. Certified Lions ESPNU

4:30 p.m.Red Dragons vs.CONCACAF ESPNU WOMEN’S SOCCER

11 a.m. Solo FC vs.SpeedyTurtlesESPNU

5:30 p.m. U.S. vs.Austin RicFCESPNU TENNIS 10:30 a.m.French Open TNT WNBA 6:30 p.m.New york at Washington PRIME 9p.m.Golden State at Phoenix PRIME

Pacers,Thunder to decide champ

BY TIM REYNOLDS AP basketball writer

OKLAHOMACITY In these NBA Finals, ateamisfourwinsaway from getting the lastlaugh.

Ask anyone on the Oklahoma City Thunder and IndianaPacers if they’re still fueled by doubters, and the answer is probably going to be an immediate “yes.” Thunder star and NBA MVP Shai GilgeousAlexander went 11th in hisdraft. Pacers star TyreseHaliburton went 12th in his. Both sideshave undrafted players in theirrotation.

Here they are: The NBA Finals, which start Thursday night in Oklahoma City.The Thunder have, by far,the NBA’s bestrecord this season. The Pacers have the league’s second-best recordsince Jan. 1, includingplayoffs. And both teams have rolledthrough the postseason, going 12-4 in the first three rounds.

“I’ll continue to tellyou guys in certain momentsthatitdoesn’t matter what people say,but it matters —and Ienjoy it,” Haliburton said. “I think the greats try to find externalmotivationasmuch as they can andthat’ssomething that’salways worked for me.”

It’snot like more motivationis needed. Notfor the next couple of weeks, anyway.Indianaischasing its first NBA title. Oklahoma City —technically —isalso seekingits first; the franchise won achampionship when it played in Seattle in 1979. These are teams that combined to win 49 games just three seasons ago, and now they’re the last two standing.

“Staying true to who we are is the reason why we’re here,” Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We’d be doing ourselvesadisservice if we changed or tried to be something we’re not once we got here. We’ve had success doing so. If wewant to keep having success, we have to be who we are. It’sorganic. It’snothing we have to think about or force. It’sjust who we are, no matterthe moment.”

The Thunder are enormous favorites in the series, according to BetMGM Sportsbook, andunderstandably so.

They’re 80-18 includingthe regular season and postseason, plus went 29-1 in the regular season against the Eastern Conference

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NATE BILLINGS

Oklahoma CityThunder forward Jalen Williams handles the ballduring the second half of Game 5against the Minnesota Timberwolves on May28inOklahoma City.

ä Pacers at Thunder

7:30P.M.THURSDAy,ABC

and have more double-digit wins 61 andcounting—than any team in any season in NBA history

“We’ve got alot of workcut out forus,”Pacerscoach RickCarlisle said. “A lot of our guyshavebeen through alot of situations where they’ve been underdogs in the past It’ssimply going to come down to us being able to play our game at the best possible level. We’re going to need totake care of the ball becausethese guys turn people over at an historic rate,and we’regoing to have to make some shots.”

TheThunder want no part of hearing this series willbeeasy.

Theway Indiana —a No.4 seed in the East —got through Giannis Antetokounmpo and Milwaukee in Round 1, atop-seeded Cleveland team in Round 2and New York in Round 3and neverfaced an eliminationgame hascapturedOklahoma City’sfull attention.

“Theirattack is very simple. The theoretical waytostopitissimple,”

Thundercoach Mark Daigneault

said. “Inreality it’sverydifficult to do, as you can seefromthe way that they’ve really hadtheir way witheverybody They pump a99 mphfastball at you. Youcan prepare all you want forthat.When you’reinthe batter’sbox, it’sdifferent when it’stime to hit it.”

YoungThunder

TheThunder arethe youngest team to make the NBAFinals in 48 years, according to data provided by the league. With an average age of about 25 years and seven months, they’re theyoungest finalist since Portland in 1977. That said, hearing about it is getting, well, old.

“Young or not, when youcan learnfromwhatever situation you’rethrown in, that makes you better,” Thunderguard Jalen Williams said. “I think that’swhy we’rehereinthis moment.”

Busy OKC

There will be aGame1inOklahoma City on Thursdaynight anda Game 2onThursdaynight as well. At Paycom Center,there’sGame

1ofthe NBA Finals. And Devon Park,about a15-minute drive away from the Thunder home floor,will playhost to Game 2of the Women’sCollege World Series betweenTexas and Texas Tech that same night. If the softball facility —which will be the site of games at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics —is filled, thatmeans about 32,000 people will be watching championship games in Oklahoma City on Thursday Past finals

Thereare four playersonthese teams withpreviousNBA Finals experience. Indiana’sPascal Siakam averaged 19.8 points in six games with Toronto, helping the Raptors win the title in 2019. Oklahoma City’s Alex Caruso averaged 6.3 points in six games with the Los Angeles Lakers, helping them past Miami in the bubble finals of 2020. Indiana’sThomas Bryant got in onegameofDenver’s 2023 finals win over Miami, and the Pacers’ Aaron Nesmithplayedfor Boston in theCeltics’ loss to Golden State in the 2022 finals.

Offensive juggernautslooktotighten defense

BY MICHAEL MAROT

AP sportswriter

INDIANAPOLIS

The Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder have two of the NBA’s best offenses. But this year’stitlehopes may swing on the other facet: Who has the better defense?

While both teams made major improvements from lastseason’s respective rosters in the conference finalsand conference semifinals, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, who led Dallas on its only title run in 2010-11 knows justhow difficult the challenge can be, especially against Oklahoma City

“Their depth of great defenders is staggering,” he said before listing names.“Shai(GilgeousAlexander) is agreat scorer,but he’salso agreat competitor.You’ve got Jalen Williams, you’ve got (Lu) Dort, you’ve got (Alex)Caruso, and abunch of other guys. People talk about (Aaron) Wiggins, CasonWallace and all these guys are great competitors. And then they’ve got the rim protection to go along with it.” That combination helped the Thunder win aleague-high 68 regular-season games while earning the top seed in the Western Conference for the second straight year. Apparently,itwas just awarmup. During the franchise’s first Finals run since 2012, the Thunder’sscoring defense has been even stingier —allowing just 106.3 points per game compared with 107.6 over the first 82 games —while yielding fewer than 100 points in half of their 12 postseason wins.

While Indiana has not matched those numbers, they eliminated three teams —New York, Cleveland and Milwaukee —that each averaged more than 115points

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy

Indiana Pacerscenter Myles Turner defends against Newyork Knicks center Karl-Anthony Townsduring the second half of Game 6inthe EasternConference finals in Indianapolis on Saturday.

during the regular season.In16 playoff games, theyheld those three teams below their averages 11 times Naturally,Thunder coachMark Daigneault hasbeen taking notes.

“If you look at this playoff run, you’ll see how challenging they are for their opponents, andthe way they defend contributesto their team identity.It’snot justoffense,” he said. “Their defensive philosophy is very much aligned with their offensive philosophy,so it createsa certain air to thegame whenyou play against them. It is difficult to play against,asyou can see from the way that they’ve really run through the Eastern Conference to gethere.”

Their rosters were constructed in similarfashions,too. Both teams are young, rely on deep benches to wear down oppo-

nents late and feast on turnovers. TheThunderaverage apostseason best 21.3 pointsper game off turnoverswhile thePacersare second at 18.5. Butwithsomuch focus on the high-scoring, up-tempo offenses, it’seasy to overlook their defenses or worse —see it as aglaring weakness.

Ayear ago, Indiana gave up 120.2 points per gameinthe regularseason.This year that number dropped to 115.1, and in the postseason it’s down to 113.3. What changed?

Indiana’stop threedefenders

—Aaron Nesmith, AndrewNembhard andMylesTurner—are all relatively healthy now Nesmithmissed 21/2 months with asprained left ankle beforereturning in Januaryand working his way back intogame shape. He

Phillies RHP Nola to skip throwing due to soreness

Injured Philliesright-hander

Aaron Nolawill not throw ascheduled live batting session Thursday because of mild soreness on his right side, manager Rob Thomson said Wednesday Last week, Nola said his return from the injuredlist with a sprainedright ankle wasprogressing more slowly than expected and that he probably needed to makea minor league rehabilitation start. Nola is 1-7 with a6.16 ERA in nine starts. No date has been set forhim to throw next.

The Phillies put Nolaonthe 15day injured list on May 16 to avoid another injury cropping up while he was favoring the ankle. The 31-year-old veteran allowed 12 hits, nine runs and three homers —all career highs —ina14-7 loss on May 14 against St. Louis.

Reds placeace Greene on 15-day injuredlist

The Cincinnati Reds placed ace pitcher Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday with aright groin strain. Greenemadethreestarts sincea 15-day stint on the injured list last month because of agroin strain he suffered May 7during astart in Atlanta.

In Tuesday night’s4-2 win over the Brewers, Greene threw 85 pitches before leaving the game after five innings when he felt discomfort in his groin.

An MRIwas scheduledfor Wednesday morning, but manager Terry Francona said there was no need to waitfor the results.

Greene —who made his first AllStar appearance last season —is 4-3witha 2.72 ERAin11startsthis year

NBA works on plan for U.S. versus world All-Star Game

The NBAisworking on aplan to turn next season’s All-Star Game into aU.S vs.-world competition, a person with knowledge of the situation said Wednesday It remains unclear howthe formatwill work, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the league has not made any final determinations. Speaking to Fox Sports1earlier Wednesday, NBA CommissionerAdam Silver was asked if U.S. vs. the world is possible.

Silver addressed the idea on March 27 as wellatthe league’s most recentboard of governors meeting, when he revealed that the NBA wasscrapping the AllStar mini-tournament format that was used this season.

Suns hire Cavaliers assistant Ott as coach

sprained his right ankle in Game 3ofthe conference finals against the New York Knicks butplayedin each of the final three games. Nembhard also missed nearlya monthearly this season with tendinitis in his left knee, and Turner, Indiana’srim protector,has overcome an assortment of nagging injuries.

But Indiana also changed its forcus after getting swept by Bostonin2024.

“Lastyear, allthatwas being said was we couldn’twin because we didn’tguard anybody andall we do is try to outscore people,” twotime All-Star Tyrese Haliburton said. “We’ve takensucha big step on thedefensiveend as agroup, and Ithink the step we madeon that end of the floor is why we’re here.We’vegot our work cut out for us (in this series).”

Neither Carlisle nor Daigneault would disclose their defensive assignmentsentering Game 1though there’sagood chance Nembhard and Nesmith will somehow find themselves pitted against Gilgeous-Alexander,the league MVP and Williams. On the flip side,Oklahoma City may deploy its twoall-NBA defenders, Williams and Dort, against the combination of Haliburton and Nembhard.

Butregardless of the assignments, this is amatchup of wills most believe will determine the next NBA champion.

“Alltests are fun, and we get to do it on the biggest stage any of us have ever played on,” Williams said. “Soit’llbeavery fun challenge. Like Isaid, that’sareally good team. Obviously, they’re in the finals forareason. Nobody just waltzes intothe finals.Soit’ll be our ultimate test.”

ThePhoenix Suns hiredCleveland Cavaliers assistant Jordan Ott as their head coach, opting for a young, emerging leader to rebuild afranchise that has regressed over the past fewseasons, aperson familiarwith the search told The Associated Press on Wednesday Ott will be the team’sfourth head coach in four seasons and replaces Mike Budenholzer,who was fired following amiserable 36-46 season that ended without atrip to the playoffs despite the high-priced trio of Devin Booker,Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal.

The 40-year-old Ott hasworked for theAtlanta Hawks, Brooklyn Nets, LosAngelesLakers and the Cavaliers. He also worked as a video coordinator under TomIzzo at Michigan State.

McIlroy explainsdecision to duckmedia at PGA

Rory McIlroy explained his decisionnot to speak to the media during last month’sPGA Championship, saying Wednesday he wasannoyed that newshad leaked about his driver failing to pass inspection before the tournament.

McIlroy said the results of equipmenttests are supposed to be confidential and noted thatScottie Scheffler’s driverhad also failed before thechampionship, but that wasnot reported until afterward. Scheffler revealed after he won the PGAfor his third major title thathehad been forced to use a backup driver.McIlroy arrived at the PGA as the most celebrated player after his triumph at the Masters. Instead of taking avictory lap at Quail Hollow,acourse where he has won four times, McIlroy refused comment and press.

SuperSonics fans feel no allegiance to Thunder

BY ANDREW DESTIN AP sports writer

SEATTLE It’s logical to think someone like Danny Ball is a fair representation of Seattle these days.

Ball, a hoops fan who runs an Instagram account called “Iconic Sonics,” is pulling for the Indiana Pacers over the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.

There are no deep ties between Seattle and Indianapolis The Seahawks play the Colts this December, so the cities will be foes that weekend. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever probably won’t be warmly welcomed when they visit the Emerald City later this month to play the Seattle Storm. But right now, Seattle may as well be an Indy suburb.

Seattle fans lost their NBA franchise, the SuperSonics, in 2008 when it was stolen from them and rebranded in Oklahoma City For the scornful, that means one thing: Go Pacers.

“I’d love to see the Pacers pull it off in six games,” Ball said.

The NBA Finals begin Thursday night. For some in Seattle, it’ll be a heaping helping of fresh salt on the wounds that opened when the Sonics were taken away And people like Ball who was born in Seattle and heard stories of Sonics legends Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton from his father, aren’t ex-

actly rooting for Oklahoma City right now

The Thunder are heavy favorites to beat the Pacers. Should they pull it off, the Thunder would claim their first NBA title in Oklahoma City, but technically their second as a franchise after Seattle won the title in 1979.

It’s no secret the city wants the league to come back. Expansion is on the NBA’s to-do list, and it’s likely that talks — the first of many, many steps in this process could start in earnest

with interested cities in the next few months. Commissioner Adam Silver, however, hasn’t fully committed to adding new teams.

“The issue I would not have anticipated at the time I sort of began talking about the timeline is how much unknown there is about local media right now,” Silver said earlier this year “Having said that, though, I would just say again to our many fans in Seattle, and I hear from them often, and the legacy of the Sonics is still very strong and it’s a fantastic

Knicks search for new coach after years of stability under Thibodeau

BY BRIAN MAHONEY AP basketball writer

NEW YORK Tom Thibodeau’s firing brought back some of the confusion and chaos the New York Knicks had seemingly left behind

After an era of stability and more success than they had enjoyed in a quarter of a century, the Knicks opened a coaching search few could have predicted when they fired Thibodeau on Tuesday

“When I first saw it, I thought it was one of those fake AI things. No way There’s no way possible,” Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said.

Coaching searches weren’t unusual in New York for much of the 2000s, but the Knicks weren’t winning then. This time, they had just reached the Eastern Conference finals for the first time in 25 years before losing to Carlisle’s team, and were an early favorite to do it again next year So changing course brought swift and strong reaction from a fan base that seemed satisfied.

Who decided Thibodeau had to go? And why?

“That seemed like an unfortunate call that the boss made, certainly for him,” tennis Hall of Famer John McEnroe, a Knicks fan, said while calling the French Open quarterfinals for TNT But which boss?

Direct answers may not come Knicks leadership, from owner James Dolan to team president Leon Rose, doesn’t do interviews with the reporters who cover the team. So the only hint may have come in the team’s statement an-

“When I first saw it, I thought it was one of those fake AI things. No way. There’s no way possible.”

former Knicks assistant who is available, as is Johnnie Bryant, who was beaten out Wednesday by Jordan Ott for Phoenix’s head coaching position.

basketball market, is that we are very focused on it. We don’t take those fans for granted. We’re thankful that the interest has remained over all these years.”

Any mention of expansion sends fans into a tizzy. Steve Ballmer, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, spoke to the crowd before a preseason game in Seattle his hometown — in 2023, and made a thinly veiled reference to how fans need to remind the league’s New York office how much the city loves the game

“All night long, it better be loud enough in this building to hear us all the way back in New York, if you get me,” Ballmer told the crowd. “Let’s make sure we’re loud tonight.”

And then came the Ballmer bellow: “Go Seattle,” he screamed.

It’s something Seattle takes seriously, as Mayor Bruce Harrell learned earlier this year in his address to the city

“Right now, at this moment, I have an announcement to make,” Harrell said, reaching into the lectern where he was standing and pulling out a basketball, spinning it in his hands as he displayed it to the crowd — which began roaring.

“Ah, I’m just kidding.”

The crowd wasn’t amused. Harrell later was interviewed by Seattle’s KOMO News and apologized for the attempt at humor, getting

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place. They did it with quality coaches. They did it through the draft. They did it via trades. And they did it by signing talented players in free agency despite playing in small markets.

Dumars doesn’t plan to let building a roster in one of the NBA’s smallest markets stop him, either

“In all my years in the NBA, I’ve never really tried to make a distinction between small market and big market,” Dumars said. “Here’s why: It truly is about the environment and culture you build in your city and in your building. It really doesn’t matter where you play There are some big cities where the culture has been bad and guys don’t want to play there. And there are small markets where the culture is incredible and guys want to play there.” So for Dumars, the first step

reminded that residents of the city aren’t happy that the NBA hasn’t returned yet.

“Count me among them,” Harrell said.

A very real void has been left in the SuperSonics’ absence. The NHL’s Seattle Kraken entering the fold has helped, as has the success of the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, both of whom play at Climate Pledge Arena, which sits on the site of the SuperSonics’ former home

That same arena received a significant remodel ahead of the Kraken arriving, which could make it suitable for NBA games. That would ultimately be up to the association to decide one day, but Ball hopes it would be the Sonics’ former home in the Queen Anne neighborhood they get to triumphantly return to one day

“A lot of Sonics fans that I know I’m sure never got over the wounds of what happened here 17 years ago with them leaving (for) Oklahoma City,” SuperSonics fan Eric Phan said. “All of the Sonics fanbase (is) rooting for the Indiana Pacers.” Seattle seemed to have a chance at getting a team back in 2013 when the Maloof family put the Sacramento Kings up for sale. But investor Chris Hansen’s bid to relocate the team to Seattle was rejected by the NBA’s Board of Governors.

is building the culture. He plans to do that with Zion Williamson as the cornerstone.

“It’s really about what you build that’s going to attract people,” Dumars said. “You have to build something that players want to come to, irrespective of what city you’re in.”

So how does Dumars plan to do that in New Orleans?

“By doing things first class,” he said. “Taking care of the players. Taking care of their families. The way you do business. The way you travel. Everything. People have to feel good about coming into the building.

“That’s what culture is. You want players to say, ‘I want to go and play there because I heard they treat you great.’ When you win and they treat you great, those are the things that attract guys.”

Can it happen in a city like New Orleans?

These NBA Finals at least give the faithful some hope.

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

RICK CARLISLE Indiana Pacers coach, on Thibodeau firing

nouncing the firing, in which Rose said the organization was “singularly focused on winning a championship for our fans.”

That means the view was that Thibodeau was good enough to get the Knicks close but not all the way

Rose was friends with Thibodeau long before hiring him in 2020 and giving him a threeyear contract extension last summer So immediate speculation was that Dolan, who at times has been viewed as meddlesome and unpopular with his team’s fans, must have ordered the ouster

But a person with knowledge of the decision, speaking to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because details were to remain private, said Rose made the call with Dolan’s approval. Rose conducted a thorough search five years ago, even though Thibodeau had been viewed as a favorite because of his relationship both to Rose and the organization as an assistant to Jeff Van Gundy in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Van Gundy has returned to coaching as an assistant with the Clippers, if the Knicks wanted to gauge interest in a reunion. Michael Malone, who led Denver to the 2023 NBA title, is another

Rick Pitino, Dan Hurley and John Calipari are all big names with ties to the New York area if Rose wanted to go the college route, and the retired Jay Wright coached current Knicks players Jalen Brunson, Josh Hart and Mikal Bridges on national championship teams at Villanova. Brunson’s father, Rick, was an assistant on Thibodeau’s staff, if Rose wanted to promote the team captain’s father

The Knicks had 12 different coaches between the time Van Gundy resigned early in the 200102 season and Thibodeau’s hiring, and they won just one playoff series. Thibodeau won four in the last three seasons.

McEnroe thought that earned Thibodeau another year a common reaction to his firing. The Knicks decided otherwise, sending Rose into a search with much higher consequences than last time.

Back then, on the heels of seven straight losing seasons, he just needed a coach who could win some games. Now he needs one who can deliver a championship.

“I mean, I’m not really in that situation, but the thing I can say is Thibs did a lot for New York,” said Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, who played in New York last season. “He did a lot just building that culture over there. So I think I have a lot of respect for him.”

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filed against Williamson in Los Angeles accusing him of rape and assault in 2020.

Dumars wouldn’t speak about the lawsuit.

“I’ve been advised not to venture into any of his legal issues,” he said.

Pelicans owner Gayle Benson spoke about the lawsuit Wednesday

“You know, lawsuits are lawsuits,” Benson said “You really can’t you don’t know I mean people can sue you for anything. There’s no reason. You can be innocent or not. It’s just something that people do, unfortunately.” Williamson’s time in New Orleans has been plagued by injuries. He’s been named to the AllStar Game twice, but has played in just 214 games in his six seasons. He averaged 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and a career-best 5.3 assists in the 30 games he played this season.

“We’ve had some real direct conversations with him about that,” Dumars said. “Expectations. Accountability That’s our

plan going forward with Zion.” Dumars also spoke about his decision to keep Willie Green as head coach. Green will return after going 21-61 during a season in which the team was decimated by injuries. The 21 wins tied for second fewest in franchise history Green is 148-180 in his four seasons, including a 49-win season two years ago. He led the Pelicans to the playoffs in two of his four seasons. Dumars spent much of his first few weeks on the job talking to people in the building to help with his assessment of the coaching staff and players.

“It’s hard for me to come in here and say, ‘Here’s how I assessed Willie last year,’ “, Dumars said “I wasn’t here. All I can do is move forward and guide and create and lead and put expectations on what we need to do here to be successful. And only then can I judge Willie or anyone else.

“I was pleased with what I heard. I’m looking forward to going forward and working with Willie and to push us to success. You’ve got to set the bar And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ELAINE THOMPSON

Stacks of Seattle SuperSonics caps are displayed in a shop on May 15, 2013, in Seattle.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By FRANK FRANKLIN II

New york Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau talks with players during a break in play against the Indiana Pacers during the first quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Eastern Conference final on May 29 in New york.

THE VARSITYZONE

Curtis to open football season in Calif.

Patriots to face Cathedralof LosAngeles in California Classic

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

John Curtis will makeits longest road trip yet when thePatriots open the football season in September with agame in California.

Athletic director Johnny Curtis said Wednesday the school will face Cathedral of Los Angeles on Friday,Sept. 5, in the California Classic hosted by San Juan Hills High School.

The game will have a6 p.m. NewOrleanstime kickoff and

will be streamedlive on YouTube by the John Curtis broadcast team.

All playersare tryingtoraise

$300 to cover travel, food and lodging expenses forthe four-day trip thatwill span from Thursday to Sunday thatweek. Theteam will arriveThursdayand practice, playthe game Friday and hold amorning practice on Saturday

After that will be an array of possiblesightseeing options.

“Wemight hit up acollege football game if there is one,”said

LHSCAgets

Barber as its newdirector

Former Franklintonstarsucceeds Held, firstwoman to hold post

BY ROBIN FAMBROUGH Staff writer

In 19 years of working as ateacher and coach, beinganassistant coach was the job Jessica Barber loved the most.

The former Franklinton High School basketball star sees her new role as director of the Louisiana High School Coaches Associationasavariationon thattheme.The LHSAA announced Barber’shiring on Wednesday Barber is the first woman to hold the LHSCAposition and succeeds Eric Held, who accepted ajob as LSUfootball’sdirector of alumni relations and high school outreach duringthe spring.

“For me, this is the opportunity tobeanassistant coach for over 400schoolsand allthe LHSAA sports,” Barber said. “I think my personalityand ability to build relationships will make this afun transition forme.

“I know I’m the first female and thatcomes with itsown excitement and challenges. Now,I am notthe typeofperson who is going to make that suchabig deal. Ifeellike Ican sitinaroom and hold conversations with football coaches. Ialso know when it’s time to listen.”

The 42-year-old Barber has spent thepastsix years as acollege assistant women’sbasketball coach, first at UL-Monroe and most recently during two years at Southern Miss. She servedasrecruiting coordinator for bothschools and did graduatestudies in sports administration/sportsmanagementatthose universities.

“When Ithink about being able to work for an association that provided me an opportunity to play in astate championship game and to coach in Marsh Madnesses …it’ssurreal,”she said.

“Beingable to work in an administrativeroleand still be part of athletics… this is adreamjob …it really is.” Barber also had coaching stints at Loyola-New Orleans and Nicholls State. Asahigh school girlsbasketball coachatEdna Karr from2011-17, Barberwon more than 120 games. She won four district titles and led the Cougars to LHSAAstate tourney berths in 2015 and 2016.

As aplayer,Barber was partofFranklinton’s1998 staterunner-up squad and was the LHSCAAll-Star game MVP in 2001. She went on to play at the Univer-

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Pitching,PartII: Bad

LSU’sother pitchers in the regional—Zac Cowan, DJ Primeaux, Mavrick Rizy,Jaden Noot, Chase Shores, Jacob Mayers, Cooper Williams and William Schmidt —were areal mixedbag.Primeaux and Rizy preserved the 7-0 shutout Friday against Little Rock. Primeaux, Mayers and Schmidt preserveda12-0 shutout against Dallas Baptist on Saturday But aside from Williams in the loss to Little Rock on Sunday there were some rocky performances. All told, those eight pitchers gave up acombined 14 earned runs in 122/3 innings. That’san ERA of 9.44. The upside forLSU is all have provided the Tigers withquality outingsthroughout the season, especially Cowan, though he has struggled as of late. But if LSU is forcedtoaGame 3inthe super regional, whom the Tigers will turn to is abig question. Beyond that, they’re likely to need athird starter to emerge in the CWS. HittingofFrey, Hernandez: Good Moving Etan Frey from fifth to second in the lineup for Mon-

Johnny Curtis, who said visiting an amusement parkorgoing to the pier in Huntington Beach are other options depending on how muchmoney is raised forthe trip

The team will return homeSunday. Past out-of-state road trips since the early 2000s have included three games in Dallas and othersinMississippi,Alabama and Florida, Johnny Curtis said.

“The kids are excited about the opportunity to do something alittledifferent,” Johnny Curtis said “Inhighschool, it’s rare thatyou

“For me, this is the opportunity to be an assistant coach for over 400 schools and all the LHSAA sports.I think my personality and ability to build relationships willmakethis afun transition for me.”

JESSICA BARBER, LHSCA

director

sity of Mobile, whereshe was the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year

LHSCA officersand board membersinterviewed four candidates for thedirector’spost lastweek at the LHSAA office in BatonRouge, one daybeforethe LHSAAexecutive committee held itsannual summer meeting.

“Eric Held leaves some big shoes to fill becausehe took the job of the director of theLHSCA to another level,” LHSCApresident ChristopherKovatch said “Theposition is definitely ajob that requires someonewho is aproper fit.

“By the time that we had finished her interview,I was100% convinced that Jessica is that person. Between her high school and college experience, she has had to work with people in all walks of life. She has proventobesuccessful in each venue.”

Email Robin Fambrough at rfambrough@ theadvocate.com

day’sregional final proved to be amaster stroke by Jay Johnson. Freywent 4for 4with ahome run and abases-clearingdouble, another doubleand two walks. Luis Hernandez, who actually moved downinthe order fromseventh to eighth, clouted two massively important home runs. Also important in the regional wasthe revived hitting of shortstop StevenMilam, who even though he went 0for 5Monday had somehard-hit balls

HittingofJones:Bad

It feels harsh to say the hitting of aplayer whose last at-bat was ahome run is bad,but Jones has hada rocky six weeks since his moonshothomerun to beat Tennessee on April 25.His batting average overall has dippedfrom .363thatnight to .323, and like many juniors in his situation, he appears to be pressing with the MLB draft drawing near All that said, perhaps the home run that gave the Tigers some much-neededinsurance in the ninth Mondaywill flip the on switch for Jones, whowithout question is atalented player.It will be intriguing in the super regionaltosee where Johnsonputs Jones in the lineup.

Fielding:Good

The LSU defense hasbeen pret-

get to do something like this. It’s an opportunity you can’tpass up.”

John Curtis opened last season against Rabun Gap out of Georgiaatthe Caesars Superdome afterinclement weather moved the game from the Shrine on Airline.

John Curtis reached the state semifinals last season and ended theseasonwitha 7-6record that included a3-4 mark in the CatholicLeague.

Cathedral of Los Angeles posted a10-1record last season. The high school football season in Californiastarts two weeks before Louisiana, so Cathedral will have played two regular-season games before it faces Curtis.

After facing Cathedral, the rest of the Cutis football schedule will mirror the one it had last season, but with home and away sites flipped.

Curtis will play Week 2athome against Northshore. Following an open date in Week 3are District 9-5A games at home against RummelinWeek 4, Edna Karr in Week 9and St. Augustine in Week 10. Away games are Week 5against Warren Easton, Week 6againstHoly Cross,Week 7 against Brother Martin and Week 8against Jesuit.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Father-son Holt duo complete double play

for hisfather, coach J.C. Holt.

Written for theLSWA

Like father,like son? That was abig story in the LHSAA’s Class Bbaseball ranks as freshman Gavin Holt led his father’sPitkin High School team to astate title. Meanwhile, LSU signee Cali Deal led Quitman to another ClassBsoftballtitle.The two players lead the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’sClass Ballstatesquads. Holt batted .410 with 27 RBIs and 34 runs to help lead the Tigers

By earning Outstanding Player honors, Gavin Holt joins his father as winner of the LSWA’stop award. J.C. Holt, aformer Oak Hill star,was an MVP in high school and wentontoplaybaseball at LSU.

J.C.HoltalsoclaimedCoach of the Year to complete afamily double play. Top-seeded Pitkin beat Family Community in the final. Deal compileda9-4 record in the circle with 143 strikeouts to lead thesoftballsquad. She batted .378 with 24 RBIs fora Quitman squad that won the state title. Dodson coach Josh Foshee was selected Coach of the Year

ty airtight allyear.After regionals, the Tigers rank ninth nationally with a.982 fielding percentage. LSU committed only one error in fourregionalgames, albeit a costlyone.Secondbaseman DanielDickinsonmadeafaulty short toss toward Milam, the shortstop whowas covering secondbase, that was part of Little Rock’s fiverun second on Monday. Thatsaid, the infielddefense has been exceptionally good.Tiger infielders andcatchers have committed just four errors in the past 14 games.

Intangibles: Good

The way LSUlostSunday10-4 to LittleRock andfell behind 5-1 in the second inning Mondaywas not impressive.The way theTigers did notpanic andcame back to winthe regionalwas Former LSU pitcherDoug Thompson, nowpart of theLSU radio broadcast team, saidon Charles Hanagriff’s podcast after the regional that he alwaysbelievedthe Tigers would find away to come back andwin Monday against the Trojans. Youcan question why LSU struggled against such an outmatched opponent at home, but youcan’t question the Tigers’ resolve.The latter will serve them wellinthe superregional and in Omahashould LSU advance.

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Kirn is West Virginia’sace. He allowed just one earned run in 71/3 innings last weekend against Kentucky and hasn’tsurrendered morethan four earned runs in a start this year.Hehas 100 strikeouts in 95 innings and has walked only 29 batters. Besides Kirn, theMountaineers started graduate senior right-hander Jack Kartsonas on Saturday againstClemson and turned to juniorright-hander Robby Porco in theirrematch with Kentucky on Sunday Kartsonas surrendered two earned runs in 51/3 innings last week. He worked his wayinto therotation in mid-April and has thrown the ball well ever since. He has 76 strikeouts, a2.94 ERA and only 16 walks in 641/3 innings. Porco’sstart against the Wildcats was only his fourthofthe season. He failed to escape the second inning Sunday as he surrendered three earned runs on anight where the Mountaineers allowed 10 earned runs and used eight pitchers, including Kirn, to close out a13-12 win. The weakness of theWest Virginiapitching staff is the bullpen. As evidenced by Sunday’swild

victory,the Mountaineers lack depth and top options in relief Senior right-hander Reese Bassinger has been the Mountaineers’ go-to arm out of the bullpen. He leads the team in appearancesand pitchedinevery game of the regional, owning a4.28 ERA this year with five saves and43strikeouts in 61 innings.

AfterBassinger, West Virginia has only two relievers with an ERA under four who have made more thanone appearance this year.Its relievers also don’tgenerate many swings and misses besidessophomore right-hander Chase Meyer. He has62punch outs in 44 innings.

Defense

The Mountaineersare arelatively well-rounded club, but theirbiggest redflagisondefense. West Virginia committednine errors in the Clemson regional, including five Sunday.It finished seventh in the Big 12 with a.975 fielding percentage, anumber that pales in comparison to LSU’s .982 fielding percentage. The Tigers have committed38 errors this season. West Virginia has booted the ball 65 times. Email Koki RileyatKoki. Riley@theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO

LHSCA director Jessica Barber,42, spentthe past six years as acollegebasketball assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By VERA NIEUWENHUIS

Collegesoftballbrings playfulcheerstodugout

BY CLIFF BRUNT AP sportswriter

OKLAHOMA CITY Women’scollege softball games offera constant soundtrack of playersloudly cheering their teammates from the dugouts.

The sport is ultra-competitive, yetfor decades, softballplayers have broughta light-hearted nature to dugouts and thevibeof the games, complete with cheers, chants, dances and props. Some creations are elaborate and some are simple, butsomething interesting is almost always happening.

The sport’ssurge in popularity in recent years hasdrawn more attentiontothe antics.

The vibrant traditionwill be on display again on Wednesday, when Texas plays Texas Tech in Game 1 of the best-of-three championship series at Oklahoma City’sDevon Park.

“I think energy is justahuge part of this game and just in women’ssports in general,” Texasstar ReeseAtwoodsaid. “Weshowa lot of passion, and Ithink it shows our heart and love for the game. And Ithink it brings justlikethe team togetherasone instead of being all about yourself.”

Beneath the light-heartedness is aserious purpose—supporting teammates, regardlessofcircumstances.

“Coach Z(Texasassistant coach Kristen Zaleski) says you re either doing athing or supporting athing, and Ithink that puts it really well,” Texas ace Teagan Ka-

vansaid.

The source of ideas for dugout supportcomes from avariety of places. Some chants arebased on songs —Arizona State tweaked alinefrom Juvenile’s2003 song,

“Slow Motion.”

“Ooh, Ilike it like that,she’s working thatbat, Idon’t know how to act!”

Others chantsand cheersare plays on names or jerseynumbers.

It’sanever-changing art form.

“Every single year,weget new cheers because newfreshmen comein, our transfers come in and they havenew cheers,” Connecticut catcher Grace Jenkins said during the Big East tournament.

“But we just keep it loud andenergized.Weknowthatenergy wins these typesofgames,and when we can gain the momentum in the dugout, we can also contribute that to the field as well.”

Oklahoma’sNelly McEnroeMarinassaidsome chants follow players from their younger days The Sooners don’thavedesignated people to createthem

“A lotofthe cheers we do are ones thatwe’ve been doing since travel ball,” she said. “Anybody can come up withacheer at any timeand we’ll just bring it out on thespot, but we just like to have fun with it and kind of make things up as we go.”

Oklahoma hasbeenone of the most animated teams in recent years on their run of four straight national titles from2021 to 2024.

TheSooners say there’splenty of room forcreativity.

“I feel like sometimes it’ll just be like, if someone’sscreaming something, we’ll repeat it, but just —we’re just playing the game,” Oklahoma’s Abigale Dayton said.

“So if something comes tomind, that’swhat happens.”

Jenkins said the constant noise is not adistraction. The players have gotten used to it and wouldn’t know what todowithout it.

“It actually helps,” shesaid. “I think when the dugout’sloud, especially when I’muptobat, it keeps me in the zone.”

Atwood,a first-teamNational Fastpitch CoachesAssociation All-American, said thecheering helps players keep theirminds in theproperplace. She said it makesiteasier to bounceback if thingsaren’tworking.

“I thinkifyou’re cheering for everyone else, it makes you a little less focused on yourself and focus on the team,” she said. “This team —wehave seen when we don’thavethe energy, we don’t play as well. And something coach (Mike) White harps on all the time is bringing full energy,which includes all the cheers and communication.”

In theend, players say it’s about having fun and making the gamea better experience.

“The energyhelps the game, keepsthe energy,brings alot of momentum and passion andsupport for each other,” Texasoutfielder Kayden Henrysaid. “The gamedoesn’tknow who is supposed to win,but when you have that energy at that point, anybody can take over.”

Sandersshows promise, challenges in QB competition

BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter

BEREA, Ohio The dichotomy that is Shedeur Sanders’development as arookie quarterback and the heightened expectations for him with the Cleveland Browns was again evident Wednesday Sandershad thebestthrow of theday during organized team activities when he zipped apinpoint pass to tight end Caden Davis in the back of the end zone duringa 7-on-7 red-zone drill.Whether or not Davis got bothfeetinbefore going out of bounds was up for debate on socialmedia. However,Sanders was the only one of Cleveland’s fourquarterbacks not to take asnap with the first-team offense during 11-on-11 drills. He did take second-team snaps, but slipped and fell on the first play Offensive coordinatorTommy Rees lauded Sanders forhis work ethic amidwhat some still see as a steeplearning curve for the fifthround pick.

“He’sreally put in alot of work as all those guys are, but you could tell on the mental side of the game and learning the system and calling it and havingthat rhythm to it, he’sput alot of work and time and effort into that. And then when you do that, the game starts to slow down and you can focus on finding completions. And he’s done anice job of that as camp’s progressed,” Rees said. With three youngquarterbacks

Gauff bouncesback to beat Keys,facing Boissoninsemis

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

PARIS Coco Gauff kept doublefaulting. She kept missing plenty of other strokes. She kept losing games in bunches. Andall the while,she would let outa sigh or bow her head or look generally uncomfortable.

What the 21-year-old Gauff neverdid Wednesdayduring a tense and topsy-turvy French Open quarterfinal against another American woman with aGrand Slam title, Madison Keys, was give up hope or go away.And, in acontest filled with plenty of mistakes, it was Gauff whoemerged to grab eight of the last nine games for a 6-7 (6), 6-4, 6-1victory over Keys and athird trip to the semifinals at Roland-Garros.

“I have hadthatinmefrom a young age,” said the No. 2-seeded Gauff, who won the 2023 U.S. Open as ateenager and was theFrench Open runner-up the year before.

“When times becomemore difficult, knowing that Ican dig deep in those tough moments.” Where didthat come from?

“Just alove to win, the will to win. It’s notsomething that’s taught or anything. It’s just Ihave always had that in me, and not just in tennis but in everything. I’m avery competitive person,” she said. “My philosophy is if Ican just leaveitall outthere,thenthe loss will hurt alot less than regrets of maybe not giving it your all.”

Gauff needed to overcame10 double-faults —threeinthe opening tiebreaker alone— andthe first setshe’sdroppedinthe tournament,aswellasdealwiththe big-hitting Keys, the No. 7seed, who entered withan11-match GrandSlam winning streak after her title at the Australian Open in January

They combined for101 unforced errors and just 40 winners across more than two hours under a closed roof at Court Philippe-Chatrier on adrizzly,chilly day

Nearly half of the games —14of 29 —featured breaks of serve. But from 4-all in the second set, Gauff held four times in arow while pulling away She made two unforced errors in thelast set, including just one double-fault.

Afterfalling behind 4-1 at the

start, andtwice being asingle point fromtrailing 5-1, Gauff switchedtoaracket with adifferent tension in the strings to see if that would help.

“Maybe it did, and maybe it didn’t. I’d like to think that it helped alittlebit,” shesaid. “Sometimes that stuff could just be mental. Maybe you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I changed my racket, I’mgoing to play better,and you start doing it. Idon’tknow.”

She’llplayThursdayfor aberth in another majorfinal,facing 361st-rankedFrench wild-card entry Loïs Boisson, who is on one of the moststunning runs in tennis history.Boisson beat No.6Mirra Andreeva 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the quarterfinals to follow up her upset of No. 3Jessica Pegula in the fourth round.

Boisson, 22, is the first woman to reach the semifinals in her Grand Slam debut since 1989, when Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati both did it at the French Open. Acrowd that offeredsupport to Gauff againstKeysvia shouts of “Allez, Coco!” was raucous as can be behind Boisson, rattling the 18-yearold Andreeva. The other women’ssemifinal is quite amatchup: three-time defending champion Iga Swiatek vs. No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka. They advanced with quarterfinal victories Tuesday It was Swiatek who stopped Gauff at Roland-Garros in the semifinals last year and in the final three years ago.

“I have alot more work left to do,” said Gauff, who raised her arms overhead thenspread them wide apart after the last point against Keys, “but I’mgoing to savor this one today.”

Repeatedly,Gauff scrambled this way or thattoget herracket on ashot from Keys and send it back, often leading to amiss.

“The court being alittle bit slower,coupledwiththe fact thatshe coversthe court so well, just put alittle bit of pressure on me to go alittle bit more for my shots and maybe press alittlebit too much, too soon,” said Keys, who occasionally admonishedherself with aslap on her right leg.

“There were alot of points where Ifelt like, playing someone else,” Keys said,“Iwould have wonthe point.”

Djokovic beatsZverev, will face Sinner next

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

in camp —third-round pick Dillon Gabriel, Sanders and fourth-year pro Kenny Pickett —Rees said a large amount of the offense has been installed while keeping a close eye on the growth and progressionofall three.

“Definitelypushingthemand pushing where we want them to go, but also being cognizant of, hey,wewantthem to go out there with confidence and making sure that it’sbeneficial to howthey’re learning and the way they’re going,” Rees said JoeFlacco andPickett remain the front-runners to be under centeronSept. 7when the Browns open against the CincinnatiBengals

Theamount of snaps all four will get during the first two weeks

of training camp remain fluid.

“We’regoing to find ways to be creative and make sure they allhaveopportunities to develop and put their best foot forward. And when the time comes,wewill continue to push guys forward as they earn it,” Rees said.

The number of snaps all four will receive during thethree days of next week’smandatory minicamp also has to be determined. When it comestowho maywin thestartingjob,Rees can see valid arguments for any of the four

“We’re so early in theprocess and in evaluating it.I think we have agood group of guys that will continue to push one another andbythe time Septemberrolls around, we’ll be readytogo,” he said.

PARIS— Acrucial moment arrived more than 21/2 hours into Novak Djokovic’s4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 French Openquarterfinal victory over Alexander Zverev.Itwas the fourth set, and Djokovic led, but Zverev was in possession of abreak point anda chancetoget back into Wednesday’smatch.

They engaged in a41-stroke exchange, thelongest of abuggy and breezy night, and Djokovic came out on top, smacking aforehand winner. He stayed in place afterward, breathing heavily,with hands on hips, scanning the standingovation fromthousands of Court Philippe-Chatrier spectators. He soon held serve for a4-2 lead in that set and was back on track.

Djokovic might be 38 now.He might have slogged through a pair of three-match losing skids this season and slid to No. 6inthe rankings. Whathasn’tchanged is Djokovic’sdetermination or his ability to be his best on big stages —and nowhe’stwo wins from arecord 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic proved toomuch for No.3seed Zverev,aman who’sa decadeyounger and was last year’s runner-up at Roland-Garros, and set up asemifinal against No. 1JannikSinner

Djokovic is pleased to show himself, and others, he’sstill got it.

“I still push myself on adaily basisatthisage because of these kind of matches and thesekind of experiences,” Djokovic said. “It’sa proven kindoftestament to myself that Ican —and to others that Ican —still play on the highest level.”

Earlier Wednesday,Sinner continuedhis overpowering run through the bracket by dismissing Alexander Bublik 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. Sinnernot only hasn’tdropped aset so

far,but he has ceded atotal of only 36 games through five matches

So Friday will bring atantalizing showdown between someone many considerthe topplayerintennis history,Djokovic, and someone who is at the top of the men’sgame at the moment, Sinner. They are tied 4-4 head-to-head; Sinner won the lastthree matchups

“He has shown now,inthe last period, that he is back,” Sinner said. Djokovic has 24 major titles,and Sinner has won 3ofthe past 5. No one has spent moreweeks at No. 1inthe rankings than Djokovic. No one has won more major championships or reached more major semifinals than his total that nowstands at 51 after becoming the second-oldestman to get that farinParis.Healsojustclaimed his 100th career tournament title, a week before the French Open.

“I just hope that Iwill be able to physically keep up with Sinner in fewdays’ time,” Djokovic said “It’s abig challenge for me.” Sinner,23, has wonthree of the past five GrandSlamtitles. That includes lastyear’sU.S. Openand this year’sAustralian Open.

“He’splaying fast. He’s playing smart,” Bublik said. “He’sinanother dimension withall theaspects of the game.”

Also an aptdescriptionfor Djokovic, who repeatedly used drop shots to great effect against Zverev As forSinner,noone other than Carlos Alcaraz has been able to beat him in his last48matches,a stretch thatdates to last August. Sinner is 46-2 in that span, with bothdefeatscoming against the French Open’sdefending champion.

And as it happens, No. 2Alcaraz is stillaround. He will meet No.8 Lorenzo MusettiinFriday’sother semifinal.

Tennessee players cheer in the dugout during agameagainst Oklahoma on SaturdayinOklahoma City

AP PHOTO By SUE OGROCKI

Cleveland Browns quarterback ShedeurSanders throws during practice in Berea, Ohio, on Wednesday.

Mustard, rhubarb saucethe perfect pairingto pork chops

BY BETH DOOLEY

Rhubarb isn’tjust for pie. It also makes aclassic fruit and mustard sauce for pork (it works nicely on chicken and lamb, too) that helps keep themeat moist once it’scooked so it can be prepared ahead andheld until folksare ready to eat Pork chopsare cut out of thesame basic part of the pig: the loin, which runs along the pig’sback from shouldertobutt. Depending on where the chops are cut, they’ll haveslightly different cooking qualities. My favoritefor pan-roasting is therib chop, sliced from theblade end. The higher fat content makes these chops flavorful and easy to sear.You wantthem to be thick— at least 11/4 inch thick, because anythinner and they tend to dry out.It’salways a good idea to salt the meat andlet it rest before cooking. Salt draws juices upto the meat’ssurface, and it’s then reabsorbed through cooking. This concentrates flavors while retainingmoisture, yielding ajuicer,tastier chop.

Of course, the best-tasting chops rely on good pork —like themeat of heritage pigs, which are bred for flavor instead of low-fat content. When raised free-rangeand allowed to moveaboutin the fresh air,the animals’ muscle structures develop naturally. Andbecause their diet is varied, the meat tastes rich and complex.

ä See PAIRING, page 2D

SUMMER SENSATIONS

1pineapple (peeled,cored and cut into cubes)

3cups watermelon (cubed and seeded)

2cups fresh strawberries (sliced)

2cups fresh blueberries

4kiwis (peeled and sliced)

2cups red or green seedless grapes(sliced in half)

2ripe mangoes (peeled, pitted and cut into bite-sizedpieces)

WStaff report

Adozen chefs from across thestate will represent theirareas in the18thannual Louisiana SeafoodCook-Off on Friday, June 27. For the first time, the competition will take place at The Harbor Center in Slidell. Chefs competing in the cook-off are:

n Kaleb Scott, executive chef, University Club of BatonRouge n Farrell Harrison, executive chef, Plates Restaurant &Bar,New Orleans n Jared Heider,chef de cuisine, JuniorsonHarrison, New Orleans n Joseph Fontenot, executive chef, Creole Bagelry &Café, Slidell n Michael Kelley, executivechef,Gallagher’sGrill, Covington

ä See COOK-OFF, page 2D

hen Iwas asmallchild,mydad prepared agrapefruit for me by cutting it in halfand carefully cutting each segment of fruitso that it would be easy to eat with aspoon. To balance the tart taste, he would drizzle honey over the top. This act of love and care stayed with me, so I passed it on by cutting hundreds of grapefruits for my kids beforethey went to school. Segmenting grapefruit early in themorning is not on the top of my list of fun things to do, but taking care of yourself andothers by preparing fresh fruit feels like time well spent.

Recently, Ihad aconversation with one of my cousins about making fruitsalad. He explained that chopping up abig bowl of colorful fruitisasvisually appealing as it is nutritious, and the entire process provides amental boost. When you take time to select ripe produce and make yourself avibrant bowl of fruit, it is an act of self-care.

ä See SALADS, page 2D

NOTE: Any ripe seasonal fruitcan be added or substituted.

1lemon (juiced and zested) ¼cup fresh mint leaves (finely chopped) 1tablespoon honey

1. In alarge bowl, combine the pineapple cubes, watermelon cubes, sliced strawberries, blueberries, sliced kiwis, sliced grapes and sliced mango. Note: If you have other fruit that mayneed to be eaten, add it to this salad. Peaches would be agreat addition!

2. For thedressing: In a small bowl,add thelemon juice, lemonzest, mint and honey. Whiskthe honey into thecitrus herb sauce untilit is well combined. Pour the dressing over the fruit salad.

Liz Faul

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

DREAMSTIME/TNS PHOTO Use fresh rhubarb to makeasimple, savory rhubarb sauce.

Keepingthingsdry on thebandofbras

Dear Heloise: Like anumber of my friends who are largebreasted, we have adaily problemyear-round of sweating onto the band of our bras.Abouta year ago, Iused one of my 12-by8-inch disposable moist washcloths. Ilet it dry out, then folded it lengthwise so that it fitsnuggly under the bottom of my breasts.Itabsorbed all the moisture. At the end of the day, Igently rinse it out with water,and it dries overnight. These washcloths last forever.I have used the same one since the beginning. It keeps me totally dry,and the band of the bra is also dry at the end of the day —J.K., in Dayton, Ohio Wood shavings forcompost

P.S. Iknow aboutcockroaches

Today is Thursday,June 5, the 156th day of 2025. There are 209 days left in theyear

TODAYINHISTORY

attack by its Arab neighbors, launched aseries of airfield strikes that destroyed nearly the entire Egyptian air force.

Hints from Heloise

Dear Heloise: Regarding theletter from Vera, S. in Albuquerque, New Mexico, adding wood shavings or sawdusttocompost is fine as long as the woodis not chemically treated. Also, a great resource for answering any questions you have about gardening and plant careisyour agricultural extension service. Everystate provides this service, and each county has agents you can contact by phone or email. —Carol G., in New Orleans Cockroachabatement

Dear Heloise: Your readers with cockroach challenges should research the use of bay leaves as aroach repellent. Additionally,covering shower and sink drains, especially at night, can help keep cockroaches out. They are drawn to drains due to moisture, food sources, and theshelter they provide.

PAIRING

Continued from page1D

The key to pan-roasting chops is to watch the temperature of your skillet. Start high to sear both sides of the chop until they’re

Pan-Roasted Pork Chops in Mustardy Rhubarb Sauce

Serves4.Recipe is from Beth Dooley.This simple savory rhubarb sauce is equally good on chicken and lamb. Store any extra in acoveredcontainer in the refrigerator.Besure tosalt the pork and let it cometoroom temperature before it hits the pan for tastier,juicier results.

FOR THE MUSTARDYRHUBARB SAUCE:

1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1largeshallot, chopped

½pound rhubarb,fresh or frozen, thawedand chopped

½cup orangejuice

1tablespoon honey

1tablespoon whole grain mustard

1tablespoon white wine vinegar

Saltand freshly ground black pepper, to taste

FOR THE PORK CHOPS:

4bone-in rib chops, each 1¼ inch thick and about¾ pound

Coarse salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3tablespoons olive oil

1. To prepare the sauce: Film askillet or deep saucepan with

COOK-OFF

Continued from page1D

n Trenton Oliphant, executive chef/owner, BenteauxCajunAsian Fusion, Hammond

n Jaylen Cherry,headchef, The Depeaux, Independence

n Alexis Indest, executive chef, Whiskey and Vine, Lafayette

n Karlos Knott, executive chef, Cajun Saucer at Bayou Teche Brewery, Arnaudville

n Willie Gaspard Jr., executive chef, CypressBayou Casino& Hotel, Charenton

n Chase Raley,chefdecuisine, Parish Restaurant and Bar,Monroe

n Blake Jackson,executive chef/owner,Heron Seafood/Mae &Co., Shreveport. The cook-off is being held in conjunction with 8th Annual Tammany Taste of Summer,running Aug. 1-31, as St. Tammany Parish restaurants serve up exclusive dining deals showcasing the region’srich culinary scene. An added treat for cook-offat-

because Ispent my first 24 years in Louisiana and now lots of years in Arizona. When we sailed across the SouthPacificon our sailboat, we did everything possibletoavoid an infestation of cockroaches on our boat. This meant we couldn’t bring cardboard boxes onboard. Roaches like to lay their eggs in the folded cardboard. They also like to lay eggsbeneath labels on canned goods. Itry not to bring cardboard boxes inside my home —J.Gannon, in Tucson,Arizona Recyclingshreddedpaper

Dear Heloise: In reference to the response that shredded paper cannot berecycled,itdepends on themunicipalityorcompany that provides therecycling service. Ican recycle shredded paper as long as it is securely placedina clear plastic bag and put in the recycle bin. Check with your recycling provider Linda Graeper,Caledonia,Wisconsin

Wiping dishes

Dear Heloise: My son laughs at me forbeing so cheap. Isave slightly used papertowels and usethem to wipe dishes and potsbefore Iput them in the dishwasher.I have been married over 50 years andhad adishwasher since my first yearofmarriage.Itrolled across the floorand hooked up at thesink. I’ve only had to buy two more in all this time. Ilove readingyour hintsand have read them for many years. —Brenda Thompson,Texarkana,Arkansas

Send ahint to heloise@heloise. com.

dark brown. Then place the skilletinthe oven to finish things off. Pork is done when it reaches 145 Fonameat thermometer Letthe chops rest afew minutestoretain their juices and then serve with acrisp green salad andcrusty bread tosop up all thesauce.

theoil and set over medium heat. Add the shallotand cook untilit becomes transparent, about 1to 2minutes

2. Add the rhubarb and orange juiceand cookuntil therhubarb softens and the sauce thickens, about 5to8minutes. Stir in the honey,mustard and vinegar,then season with salt and pepper. Taste andadjustthe seasonings. Set aside.

3. To prepare thepork: Preheat the oven to350 F. Generously seasonthe pork with the saltand pepper on all sides.Allow to rest for 10 minutes at room temperature.

4. Film askillet with the oil and set over medium-high heat.When the oilripples, add the pork and sear until well-browned, about 3 to 4minutes per side

5. Transfer to theoven and cook until the meat registersabout 140 Fonanoven thermometer,about 10 to 15 minutes.

6. Removethe pork chops from oven.Add therhubarb sauceto thepan andthoroughlycoatthe pork chops. Return to theoven and continue cookinguntilthe meat reaches 145 F, another 5to 10 minutes.Remove and allow the pork chops to restfor about 5minutes beforeserving with plentyofsauce.

tendees is the 15 participating Tammany TasteofSummer restaurants that will offer apreview of themonthlong culinary celebration.

Thewinnerofthe Louisiana Seafood Cook-Off will represent thestate at theGreat American Seafood Cook-Off on Saturday, Aug. 2,atthe Ernest M. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. The contest is held in conjunction withthe Louisiana RestaurantAssociation Expo andfeatures chefs from around thecountry cooking for the title of “KingorQueen of American Seafood.”

Ticketsare on salenow for$65 each. To purchase your ticket online, head to Visit the Northshore’sTammany Taste of Summer webpage. One ticket provides admission to the Louisiana Seafood Cook-Offand theTammany Taste of Summer event. Follow the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board on Facebook and Instagram to keep up with allLouisianaSeafood Cook-offevents via the official hashtag —#LASCO25.

Todayinhistory: On June 5, 1968, U.S. Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded after claiming victoryinCalifornia’sDemocratic presidential primary at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles; assassin Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was arrested at the scene.

Also on this date:

In 1794, Congress passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited Americansfrom takingpart in any military action against a country that was at peace with theUnited States.

In 1950, theU.S. Supreme Court, in Henderson v. United States, struck down racially segregated railroad dining cars traveling across state lines

In 1967, theSix-Day Warbegan as Israel, anticipating apossible

In 1975, Egypt reopened the Suez Canaltointernational shipping, eightyears after it was closed as aresult of the 1967 SixDay Warwith Israel.

In 1976, 11 people werekilled when the Teton Dam in Idaho failed, releasing 80 billion gallons of water

In 1981, the Centers for Disease Control reported that five menin Los Angeles had comedown with a rare kind of pneumonia; they were the first recognized cases of what later became known as AIDS.

In 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake Cityhome. (Smart was found andrescued by policeinaSalt Lake Citysuburb in March 2003.)

In 2004, Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United

States, died in Los Angeles at age 93 after along struggle with Alzheimer’sdisease. In 2016, Novak Djokovic became the first man in nearly a half-century to winfour consecutive major championships, finally earning an elusive French Open title with awin over Andy Murray to complete acareer Grand Slam Today’sbirthdays: Broadcast journalist Bill Moyers is 91. USA Track &Field Hall of Famer John Carlos is 80. Musician-artist Laurie Anderson is 78. Author Ken Follett is 76. Finance author Suze Orman is 74. Musician Kenny G is 69. Actor-comedian Jeff Garlin is 63. Author Rick Riordan is 61. Actor Ron Livingston is 58. Singer Brian McKnight is 56. Actor Mark Wahlberg is 54. Actor Liza Weil is 48. Actor-comedian Nick Kroll is 47. Rock musician Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy) is 46. Singeractor Troye Sivan is 30.

FarroSalad with Tomatoes and Herbs

Serves 6. Recipe adapted from Giada De Laurentiis.

4cups of water

2cups of farro

2teaspoons salt, plus more to taste

1(12-ounce) container of cherry tomatoes (I used amix of colors)

1small sweet onion chopped finely(If the onion is large, use half of the onion)

¼cup finelychopped fresh Italian parsley

½cup fresh basil

1largegarlic clove, minced

3tablespoons balsamic vinegar

½cup extra-virgin olive oil

Freshly ground black pepper

1. In amedium saucepan,combine water and farro. Add 2teaspoons of salt.Bring to aboil over medium heat Reduce theheat to low heat, cover and simmer until thefarro is tender,about 30 minutes. Drainthe farrowellina colander,thentransferthe farrotoa serving bowl and let it cool.

2. While the farro is simmering, chop the tomatoes,onions and herbs. Add the finely choppedtomatoes, onions and herbs to thebowl of farro. Toss to combine.

3. In amedium bowl, whisk together the chopped garlic,vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil. Whiskuntil thebalsamicdressingisemulsified.Add the vinaigrette to the farrosalad,tossto coat.

4. This salad is versatile, easyand delicious. It can be madeinadvance, and refrigerated overnight. Justremembertobring it to room temperature before serving.

SALADS

Continuedfrom page1D

So now,instead of dreading all the peeling, seeding and cubing of fruits, Iturn on my favorite music and enjoy the process of preparing abig bowl of fruit salad for myself and my family.Recently,Imade afruit saladtobring to afriend’s partyand Iadded alemon mint dressing to drizzle over the fresh fruit medley Another summer salad that is worth the time and effort in the kitchen is farro, tomatoand fresh herb salad. Istarted makingit years ago. My inspiration was the Food Networkseries “Everyday Italian” with Giada De Laurentiis. Iwas anew mom years before the days of social media and TikTok food trends, so Idiscovered new cooking ideas from popular shows on cable television. Iwould watch celebrity chefs like De Laurentiis, Ina Garten, Alton Brown and Bobby Flay cook andexplain manyof thedishes that we still eat around

Bean and Bell Pepper Salad

Serves 6-8. Recipe provided by Jessica Lopez.

3cans black eyed peas (drainedand rinsed)

1red bell pepper(seeded and diced)

1orangebell pepper(seeded and diced)

1yellow bell pepper(seeded and diced)

1yellow onion(finely chopped)

4celerystalks (diced)

Dressing:

½cup olive oil(or canola oil)

½cup lime juice

1-2 jalapeño peppers (seeded and cut)

2garliccloves

1cup of fresh cilantro leaves

2tablespoonshoney Salt and peppertotaste

1. In alarge bowl, add the drained and rinsed beans. Then add the chopped bell peppers, onion and celery to the beans and stir together

2. To make the dressing: In the bowlofafood processor or blender,pour the olive oil, lime juice, seeded and cut up jalapeño pepper,garlic cloves,fresh cilantro andhoney then blend it together until it is asmooth sauce. Stir in salt and pepper to taste.

3. Pour the dressing over the bean saladand mix it to cover thebeansand vegetables. This saladtastes great served chilled.

Tomato SaladwithPistachio Pesto

Makes 4-6servings.

4largeripe tomatoes (thinly sliced)

8small mozzarella balls (slicedin half)

¼cup arugula leaves

1 8 cup pistachios (shelled)

Pistachio Pesto dressing:

½cup arugula leaves

1cup fresh basil leaves

¼cup pistachios(shelled)

1garlicclove

½cup olive oil(add more forthinner consistency)

¼cup gratedParmesan cheese

½teaspoon salt

½teaspoon pepper

our family table. Butitwas De Laurentiis who taught me how to cook farro. As a registered dietitian, Ilove learning about new whole grains. Farro is ahigh-protein, high-fiber grain. Butwhat is best about it is the tasty nutty taste that blends so well with tomatoes, fresh herbs and abrightbalsamic vinaigrette. De Laurentiis’recipe asks you to seed the tomatoes. Over the years, Ihave learned to cut corners by

1. On alarge plate or platter, layer thinly sliced tomatoes, arugula, mozzarellaballs and pistachios.

2. In the bowlofa food processor,place arugula leaves, basil leaves, pistachios, garlic and pulse together while slowly adding the olive oil until it forms ablended pesto sauce. Then stirinthe grated Parmesan, salt and pepper

3. Drizzle the pesto dressing over the tomato salad.

using cherry tomatoes andcutting them in half, simply adding them to thecooked bowl of farro seedsand all. Ialsosubstitute alot of fresh basilfor thechives, whichare harder to find in thegrocery store. Tomatoes and basil makeany dish taste like summer.You cannot go wrong with any variation on asimple fresh tomato and basil salad, but try adding another layer of flavor by making apistachio pesto to drizzle over summer tomatoes, mozzarella and arugula —itissogood!

Beans are agreat source of protein to add to asalad. This bean salad is madewith black eyed peas, but it would work well with avariety of beans. Ilove how the three colors of bell peppers add flavor and bright colors. The spice level can be controlled by adding or subtracting jalapeño peppers. All of these summer salads are well worth the timespent in the kitchen. Savor someculinary selfcare with these bright, refreshing, colorful salads, or makea little extra to share with friends at asummer barbecue.

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL

Bean and Bell Pepper Salad

PHOTO By LIZ FAUL

Tomato Salad with Pistachio Pesto

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) You'll get a different perspective if you are open to suggestions. You have plenty to gain through social activity, networking and expanding your circle of friends

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Take a timeout, rethink your strategy and sit tight until you feel confident that any changes you want to enforce will fall into place. Refuse to let anyone pressure you into acting in haste.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Open a few doors, and opportunity will appear You are a leader, so take your place at the forefront and begin your ascent. It's time to inject something new and exciting into your life.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Stop look, listen and evaluate. You may be anxious to get started, put things behind you and move on to something different, but when warning signs appear, you should heed them

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) An open mind and heart will carry you forward. Attend events and do your part, and you'll feel good and connect with people who have as much to offer as you.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Change is up to you, but before you mess with matters, consider your motives and the extended effects. Rethink your strategy and change anything that has the potential to compromise or alienate you.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec 21) Call on the people with the best qualifications for your pursuit. Fighting for your rights

WonderWord

and making upgrades will improve your life.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Push your agenda boldly, and you'll draw the attention of people who can help you get favorable results. Use facts and intelligence to avoid opposition and setbacks

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) You are on the right track and time is of the essence. Control is necessary to avoid disruptions, so put yourself, your plans and your future first. Networking and sharing your vision will pay off handsomely.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Stick to basics, simplify situations and don't believe everything you hear Do your due diligence and speak up if you disagree. Empty promises will tempt you. ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Dig in, and don't stop until you finish what you start. Speak up, get answers and be the one to make a difference. Drive and determination are your ticket to success. Live in the moment.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Your desire for change will help you achieve your goals. Share your thoughts, promote your ideas and separate yourself from the crowd. Put your ideas and theory to the test, and you'll gain ground.

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

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: R EQuALs u

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

Bridge

By PHILLIPALDER

Jules Renard,a Frenchauthor, said,

“The only man who is reallyfree is the one who can turn down an invitation to dinner without giving any excuse.”

Thisweekwearestudyingresponder’s rebids. Look at theauction andSouth’s hand. Can Northhave fourhearts for his sequence? What should South rebid?

North cannot have four hearts;ifhe did, he would have rebid two hearts (the major),nottwodiamonds(theminor).So, as there cannot be a4-4 heart fit, South shouldrebidtwono-trump.Thisisgameinvitational,indicatingsome10-12points and at least one stopper in the unbid suit, hearts. (If you usetwo-over-one gameforcing,youwouldrespondoneno-trump forcing, then rebidtwo no-trump over two diamonds.)

AfterNorth raisestothree no-trump, West leadsthe spadeking. How should South plan the play?

What adirty trick by West, leading a spade instead of aheart!Southhas six toptricks:onespade,fourheartsandone diamond.Ifthediamondfinesseisworking, there will be no problems. But if it loses, declarer will need aclub trick. South shouldduck thefirst trick and take the second spade,tofind out the break. Then he should overtake one of

dummy’shearthonorsascheaplyaspossibleandrunthediamondjack.Eastwins with his king and shiftstoalow club. What shoulddeclarer do? If West has theclubace, the contract hasnochance. So South should put up his king, hoping for the best. If it wins, he can claim. ©2025 by nEa, inc.,dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzleisa word riddle whichcreates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying etc. Forexample: nOOngOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters.2.Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” 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 cHAuFFEuR: sho-FER:Aperson employed to drive amotor vehicle.

Average mark 21 words

Timelimit 30 minutes

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —EtHnIcIty

Can you find 26 or more words in CHAUFFEUR? entity etch ethic ethnic tech tent tenth then they thin thine tine tint tiny tithe hint nice nicety niche inch incite itch itchy cent chin chine chit cite city

wuzzles

This is God’s promisetoAbraham the father of the Jewish people. We do well to remember it. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato mallard

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.

ken ken

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

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe

DuStin

Drabble

luann

Lambas mayob‐taina copy of thePeti‐tionand anysubse‐quently filedlegal docu‐ments or hearingdates fromthe BledsoeCounty Clerk andMaster’sOffice atthe addressshown above.Thisnoticewill

WHETHER YOU NEED A PLACE TO LOUNGE OR GET IN A SWIM, THESE LOCAL SPOTS ARE

Bocelli at Smoothie King Center

don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

creole tomato festival

Asecond-line kicks thingsoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Oscar Dunn Park and heads to theFrench Market. From11a.m.to 5p.m. Saturdayand Sunday,therewill be live music on several stages andunder tents,food demonstrations, dance lessons, food vendors, kids activities andjuicy tomatoes. Expect to find suchdelicacies as atomato stuffed with shrimp salad, aBLT and fried tomatoes. And don’tforget to pet the live gator.frenchmarket.org.

wwii museum celebration

Themuseum at 945 Magazine St. marks its25th anniversary as well as 81 years since the Allied landingson Normandy,France, beaches to fight the Nazis. Eventsrangefrombook signings about the museum(originally named the D-Day Museum)toremembrances withveterans to agala multimedia experience with theLouisiana Philharmonic Orchestraatthe Orpheum Theater,129 Roosevelt Way. Plus the museum is open for free Saturday. nationalww2museum.org.

roller derby drag bingo

Get in agame of bingo and win prizes while supporting Big Easy Roller Derbyat6p.m.

Friday at The Rabbit Hole, 1228 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. The fun starts at 5:45 p.m.; doorsopen at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door only.facebook.com.

magnolia ball

author night

Billed as “a summer evening of art, music and entertainment celebrating ‘Hoa Tay,’” the annual fundraiser for the Ogden Museum of Southern Art promises to be an eclectic nocturne experience that’s electric and exciting, withafter-hoursviews of the galleries and the current exhibit, “Hoa Tay (Flower Hands):Artwork of Southern artists of the Vietnamese Diaspora,” as well as entertainment, cuisine and asilent auction of artwork and items from local retailers and businesses. Tickets start at $200. The ball begins at 7p.m. Saturday at 925 Camp St. ogdenmuseum.org.

“Local Pride” is thetheme for acelebration of LGBTQIA+ writers whooffer readings of poetryand prose at theMilton H. Latter Memorial Library,5120 St. Charles Ave. Wordsmiths include Brad Richard, Victoria Sosa, MatthewGriffin, Ashley Young and Mills Schmidt. The event is at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in thediningroom of the former residence. neworleans.libnet.info.

food food food

No-frillsMid-Cityhibachi spot is worththe drive, andthe detours

There isn’tapothole, orange cone, detour or extended road project in New Orleansthat can keep dedicated foodies from anew restaurant or abeloved neighborhood spot. And every bite at Hibachi Grill, surrounded by Mid-City construction, was worth overcoming the obstacles.

The team behind Nori Guys opened Hibachi Grill, in the 400 block of South Broad Street, in October. Andright around thattime,the city began a$21.8 million project to address sewer and drainage and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development started a$5.7 million roadway project.

Both projects are expected to be entirely completed by the end of the year.

Acity representative said its portion of work in the same block as Hibachi Grill near Banks Street has been completed. But, DOTD’swork, aimed at improving pedestriansafety and expanding accessibility for people traveling along and across Broad, is ongoing.

I first tried Hibachi Grill thenight after seeing Taylor Swiftperform at the Caesars Superdome; my body was tired and needed sustenance.

The menu featured sushi tacos, aNori Guys specialty found outside of Pal’s Lounge or at events like French Quarter Fest. Atempura-battered sheet of nori, asheet of seaweed, filledwith chunks of sushi and garnishes, results in acrunchy deconstructed sushi roll that you eat like aregulartaco.

At atypical hibachi place, Iwould expect adrawn-out show and the potential of me looking foolish as Itry tocatcha shrimp or chicken bite in my mouth

ABOUTLAGNIAPPE

HIBACHI GRILL

400 S. Broad St. 11 a.m.to9 p.m.Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m.to10 p.m.Fridayand Saturdayand 11 a.m.to7 p.m.Sunday

But Hibachi Grill is no-frills. Aftera few rounds of agame on my cellphone, my name was called, and I could dig intomydish.

The hibachi chicken plate, accompanied by stir-fried seasonal vegetables and noodles, had me ready to try the more from the menu.

When Kenny Truong and co-owner Nigel Pais were planning the brick-and-mortar location, Truong said theywanted to incorporateother concepts not typically found on traditional hibachi menus, such as oxtail.

The chili garlic oxtail hibachi is ahighdemand item and is sometimes out of stock, so you’ll need to act quickly when available.

Andthere are plentyofother specialty items —suchasthe teriyaki lambchop hibachi plate —tosatisfy the craving for aspecial hibachi meal thatisquick, tasty andwill elevate anight spent at home.

Email Chelsea Shannonatcshannon@ theadvocate.com.

The Lagniappe section is publishedeach ThursdaybyThe Times-Picayune |The NewOrleans Advocate. All inquiries aboutLagniappe should be directed to the editor.

LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Annette Sisco, asisco@ theadvocate.com

COVER DESIGN: Andrea Daniel

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Victor Andrews, Hannah Levitan, Julie Guilbeau,Chelsea Shannon, Keith Spera

GETLISTEDINLAGNIAPPE

Submit events to Lagniappe at least twoweeks in advance by sending an emailtoevents@theadvocate.com.

ON THECOVER

Pools likethe oneatthe Dew Drop Inn Hotel and Loungeare open to thepublic forsummer. Photo by Chris Granger. Hannah Levitan has thelist on Page 6.

Bringyour familyand friends to celebrate our 25thAnniversary and experiencean unforgettable day at TheNational WWIIMuseum. Enjoy liveentertainment, interactive displays, and family-friendly activities. MUSEUM ADMISSION IS FREE FORALL VISITORS

STAFF PHOTO By CHELSEA SHANNON

The hibachi chicken plate at Hibachi Grill

Chelsea Shannon

Presented by TIMBERAND PEGGYFLOYD

stages stages stages

Die

laughing

Kill asummernight with oneofthese two murderous musicals

It’ssummertimeand themusicals are murder —atleastonstages on thenorth andsouth shores of LakePontchartrain

Victor Andrews

In thegreater metropolitan area, theSaenger Theatre takes atrip to “Chicago,”and 30 by Ninety Theatre finds itself with a “Lucky Stiff.”

They’re killing ‘em in theaisles withlyrics andlaughs.

‘Todothatjazz’

The machinegun-paceddecadence of the 1920sisthe backdrop for themultipleawardwinning “Chicago,”the Kandor and Ebb show that roars onto thestage at theSaenger.

The jazzy style for themusicand theshow seems aperfect fitfor New Orleansand will take the Crescent Cityto the Windy City starting Tuesday throughJune 15.

The 1970s powerhouse musical, staged as a series of vaudeville acts, tells thestory of two deadly women, Roxie Hart andVelma Kelly, as they navigate thewild world of murderand mayhem in the Illinois metropolis, desperately hoping to capitalize on their fame of beingkillers.

The original stage version,directedand choreographed byBob Fosse (who alsohelped pen thepiece) and starred Gwen Verdon and Chita Rivera,was shutout at theTonyAwards. But the 1997revival took home plentyfor stars Bebe Neuwirth and Ann Reinking (hers for choreography)and James Naughton,who played lawyer Billy Flynn. It also wonthe Grammyfor theater album.The revivalisstill running on Broadway

The 2003 motion picture snagged thebestpictureOscar andCatherineZeta-Jones as Velma was tapped for thesupporting actress honor

The musical number ‘All I Care About is Love’ features Connor Sullivan as Billy Flynn, the fast-talking lawyer

PROVIDED PHOTOS By JEREMy DANIEL

Ellie RoddyisRoxie Hart, left,and Taylor Lane is Velma Kelly, right,two lethal women vying fortop billing in the upcoming production of ‘Chicago’ at the Saenger Theatre.

stages stages stages

The show won four other production Oscars.

Roxie Hart is a bored housewife and dancer whose affair is about to walk out on her Having none of that, she kills him and launches into a plot to get away scot-free, with the help of slick lawyer Flynn and over the efforts of her publicity-hungry and murderous cellmate Velma.

A wide assortment of musical types fill the show, from the blockbuster “All That Jazz” and “Roxie” to “Cell Block Tango” and “Razzle Dazzle.”

Tickets for the show, which runs through June 15 at 1111 Canal St., start at $25. Visit saengernola.com.

Diamonds are a corpse’s best friend

Murderous women in musicals is the trend as 30 by Ninety in Mandeville stages “Lucky Stiff” with a gun-toting philandering Rita, a corpse (thanks to Rita) and $6 million in diamonds.

The show follow a quiet British shoe salesman who get instructions from a deceased American uncle to take his

corpse on a final spin in Monte Carlo and get the money that will otherwise go to a dog home.

Mistaken identities, hotel ramblings, skydiving and a good bit of gambling go into the final solutions that will leave audiences laughing and probably scratching their heads.

Jason Leader directs the show, with Frank Gonzalez as musical director.

Jack Latner is the salesman and is joined in the cast by Lauren Price, who plays the dog home representative, and Elizabeth Lyon as the gun-toting Rita. Also featured are Jim Durbin, Craig Byers, Adam Elu, Quinton Williams, Amy Riddell, Jenn Gesvantner, Jessica Madden, Shanika Thompson and Lo Molinary

The show is at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays June 14-29 at 880 Lafayette St. Visit 30byninety.com.

In production

“AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’”: Opening 7:30 p.m. Thursday and running Thursdays to

Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays with a 2 p.m. June 21 matinee through June 22; Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carré, 616 St. Peter St. The music of Fats Waller takes center stage in the Tonywinning musical revue which charts the course of the jazz great and the development of swing music, packed with plenty of toe-tapping tunes, the show includes such familiar numbers as “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Tain’t Nobody’s Biz-ness if I Do,” “The Joint is Jumpin’” and “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love.” Tickets start at $40, $20 for students. lepetittheatre.com

“BING & THE BELLES”: 11:45 a.m. most Wednesdays through June 30; BB’s Stage Door Canteen, National WWII Museum, 945 Magazine St. The show reprises some of the tunes Bing Crosby shared with service personnel around the globe and on Armed Forces Radio. Framed as the Victory Belles preparing for a surprise birthday party, the Ricky Graham-penned show features Richard Arnold as Crosby and a rotating slate including Keyara

Milliner, Allison Newton, Chloé Marie, Courtney Andersen, BreAnna Collier and Kate Gulotta. Tickets start at $20. nationalww2museum.org

“CLOWN BAR 2”: 7 p.m. Friday; AllWays Lounge, 1040 Marigny St. The second installment of Adam Szymkowics’ comedy, two years after the first, the clown-crime boss Happy Mahoney is missing and foul play (duh) is suspected. Two cops go undercover to solve the mystery. Tickets start at $20. nolaproject.com.

“THE IMAGINARY INVALID”: Opening 7:30 p.m. Friday and running Thursdays through Saturdays and at 1:30 p.m. Sundays through June 27; New Orleans Shakespeare Festival at Tulane, Lupin Theater, Dixon Hall, 69 Newcomb Circle. New translation of Moliere’s classic farce about a hypochondriac, his family, his wife and a cadre of doctors. Tickets start at $25. neworleansshakespeare.org.

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

attractions attractions attractions

Jump in

With city views and secluded oases, pools around the city are opening for summer

BY HANNAH LEVITAN Staff writer

Now that the days are getting longer and the air is getting thicker, it’s time to plan a day at the pool.

The city already boasts a variety of hotel pools open to public, but more have opened since last year.

Still, some prime pools — like ones at various boutique hotels around the city — have upped their prices.

Here is a list of New Orleans hotels, and one restaurant, offering day passes for the summer.

THE CHLOE

4125 St. Charles Ave. Pool hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Uptown boutique hotel, which opened inside a former mansion in 2020, welcomes both guests and the public to its saltwater pool.

For those looking to lounge for the day, single day passes cost $45 per person Monday through Thursday and $55 on Fridays,

weekend days and holidays.

The hotel doesn’t accept reservations for day passes, and the pool is open only to adults 21 and older. A day pass gives you access to the pool, pool bar and backyard. Annual passes are also available.

The hotel offers $250 cabana reservations on Resort Pass, allowing a max of eight people to have a private spot to lounge for a three-hour window.

Take in the city skyline from the rooftop pool at the Roosevelt New Orleans.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER The Chloe on St. Charles Avenue features seating around a pool.

NOPSI HOTEL

317 Baronne St.

Pool hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Located in the Central Business District, NOPSI, named after the acronym for New Orleans Public Service Inc. — the agency that formerly had its headquarters at the site of the hotel — boasts a ninth-floor rooftop pool and bar aptly named Above the Grid.

The hotel frequently hosts a live DJ sets at its pool for people 21 and older, so check their schedule if you’re in the mood for an extra party

Day passes, available on Resort Pass, cost $20 on weekdays and weekends until June 2, when prices increase to $50 for weekdays and $75 for weekends. Towel service is included, but passes don’t come with dedicated seating.

You can also reserve cabanas, which start at $100 and offer shaded seated for two people.

At other times of the year, Louisiana residents can get a special deal on pool passes, but not during the height of summer.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Visitors to The Country Club in the Bywater enjoy a late afternoon poolside.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Rooftop seating with a bar and pool overlooks downtown New Orleans at the NOPSI Hotel on Baronne Street.

attractions attractions attractions

POOLS

Continued from page 7

THE BLACKBIRD HOTEL

1612 Prytania St.

Pool hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This stylized contemporary, Southern gothic gem, nestled among cozy Garden District homes, opened just under a year ago. The boutique hotel’s pool is open for its first summer and will allow both guests and the public to enjoy its chilled, turquoise waters.

Lined with chic chaise lounge chairs, the pool is partly shaded by sprawling palm trees and just a few steps away from the bar

The Blackbird offers limited day passes, available on a walk-in basis. Monday through Thursday, day passes are $30. From Friday to Sunday, passes are $45.

VIRGIN HOTELS NEW ORLEANS

550 Baronne St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

If looking to experience the sights and sounds of downtown New Orleans while also getting your tan on, Virgin Hotels in the Central Business District offers day passes for its rooftop pool on its website and through Resort Pass.

Daily pool pass prices start at $25 and increase to $50 on Fridays, weekends and some holidays. The pass, however, does not include seating, and poolside loungers are reserved for hotel guests only

The hotel also offers a variety of VIP packages for groups of six or more, including bookings for reserved couches, day beds and lounges.

New Orleans locals can also get in on a special deal this summer. The Virgin Hotels will again offer its “Love for Locals” deal on Mondays, dropping day pass prices to $10 for residents.

The pool is only available to those 21 and up.

THE ROOSEVELT HOTEL

130 Roosevelt Way

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you’re in need of a luxury daycation, The Roosevelt’s pool is one of the classiest options in the city. However, a relaxing day at the upscale hotel will come with a luxury price.

Pool day passes are available on

Resort Pass, and weekday prices start at $65 for adults and $35 for children. Passes for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays jump to $130 for adults and $65 for children.

The pass grants you access to the heated outdoor pool, hot tub, loungers (available on a first-come, first-served basis), towel service and the rooftop bar

HIGH FIVE AT THE BARNETT HOTEL

600 Carondelet St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday

With a heated pool, towel service and free Wi-Fi, the Hive Five’s rooftop spot is open daily for views and poolside rejuvenation.

Day pass prices for the pool start at $27, but they increase to up to $35 based on the day and demand.

Visitors can also reserve lounge chairs, which cost $35 on weekdays and $70 on weekends. The hotel offers reservations for daybeds, enough to fit four people, for $150.

Note that the rooftop pool is adults only, unless children are hotel guests.

WINDSOR COURT

300 Gravier St.

Pool hours: 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Another classy pool option is at The Windsor Court, which offers a 65-foot-

long saltwater pool.

A day pass to its rooftop pool overlooking the New Orleans skyline costs $60 for adults on weekdays and $100 on Fridays and weekends. Towel service is included.

Kids are allowed at the pool, but children under 14 must have a parent present, according to the hotel’s rules. A kid’s pool day pass is $25.

Visitors can reserve lounge or daybed cabanas for $100 on weekdays. Friday through Sunday, cabana prices increase tenfold, reaching a price of $1,000. Note that passes are selling very quickly, according to Resort Pass.

Spa guests at the hotel are also able to use the rooftop pool during spa hours.

ROYAL SONESTA

300 Bourbon St.

Pool hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Tucked away in the heart of the French Quarter, The Royal Sonesta New Orleans is a great option for a pool day in the middle of all the action.

From Monday to Thursday, pool day passes for adults are priced at $75 on Resort Pass and $25 for children. Friday and Saturday, adult passes are $85. Day passes are $80 for adults on Sundays Children’s prices remain the same.

The day pass also gives you access to the hotel’s fitness center, along with a 10% discount on same-day food pur-

chases at Desire restaurant and a discount on valet parking.

Additionally, the hotel pool is also open to New Orleans locals on Sundays for $35.

THE COUNTRY CLUB

634 Louisa St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays

This Bywater jewel — fit with a saltwater pool, hot tub and sauna house — is open daily for swimmers and sunbathers alike.

For $20, locals and visitors can enjoy poolside lounging at a flat rate throughout week and weekends, all while munching cabana grill bites and sipping cold beverages. Towel service is $2.

Day passes cannot be reserved, though locals can score annual passes for $499, which waive entry fees and include towel service.

Note, however, the pool is frequently crowded on the weekend, so be sure to get there early.

LE MÉRIDIEN

333 Poydras St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Le Méridien, located downtown near the Riverwalk, is another rooftop pool option with high-up views and sparkling waters.

Resort Pass offers adult day passes to the Le Méridien pool for $40 Monday through Thursday Children passes are $35.

Friday to Sunday, adult passes are $50, and children’s are $40.

Cabana reservations for a max of four people are also available starting at $300. Cabanas are open only to those 21 and up.

MAISON DUPUY HOTEL

1001 Toulouse St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Adults 21 and up can purchase day passes or reserve lounge chairs or daybeds on Resort Pass for this French Quarter spot, a charming boutique hotel that claims to have the largest pool in the historic neighborhood.

A regular day pass costs $25 Monday through Wednesday, $30 on Thursdays and $35 on Friday through and Sunday. Starting in June, prices will increase, so make sure to check Resort Pass.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Rent a private cabana at the rooftop pool at Le Méridien on Poydras Street.

attractions attractions attractions

Monday through Wednesday, passes for lounge chairs cost $45 Monday and $75 on Fridays and weekends.

If you’re booking for additional people, you can reserve a daybed for $300 on weekdays or $450 on Fridays and weekends. The daybeds fit a maximum of four people.

THE IRIS MOTEL

3610 Tulane Ave.

Pool hours: Daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

The newly renovated, retro, purple motel offers a funky spot to cool down and indulge in a poolside picnic on a hot summer day The pool doesn’t have a bar or restaurant, so be sure to BYOB and pack some snacks.

Day passes on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are $18 for adults and $10 for kids. Pool passes are not available on Wednesdays. On weekends and holidays, pool pass prices increase to $20.

In addition to towel service and poolside seating, the Iris Motel offers luggage storage for guests. On-site parking at the motel is not available, according to Resort Pass.

RENAISSANCE NEW ORLEANS

700 Tchoupitoulas St.

Pool hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.

This Warehouse District hotel is a great choice for any staycation.

Adults can purchase pool day passes from Monday through Thursday for $20; bring kids for $15 and infants for free. Valet parking is $10. Friday through Sunday, adult passes are $30 and children’s are $20.

Visitors can also rent shaded cabanas with sofa seating, which start at $150. Large enough for four people, cabana passes include four free water bottles and a choice of four beers or High Noon seltzers.

OMNI ROYAL

621 St. Louis St.

Pool hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Open daily, the Omni Royal’s outdoor, seasonally heated pool is the French Quarter’s only hotel rooftop pool.

From Sunday through Thursday, adult visitors can book a pool day pass on Resort Pass for $25, while children’s passes are $10. On Fridays, adult passes are $55 and children’s passes are $30. Adult passes increase to $65 on

FILE PHOTO By ANN MALONEy

Swimmers take advantage of the pool on the seventh floor of the Omni Royal hotel in the French Quarter.

Saturdays. Infants can enter for free.

THE HAVEN POOL CLUB AT DEW DROP INN

2836 Lasalle St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

The Haven Pool Club is the Dew Drop Inn’s new “retro-chic” pool with lounge areas, cocktails and snacks.

The pool’s $20 day passes are restricted to adults 21 and over Only children staying at the hotel are allowed in the pool area.

With lounge chairs, towel service, Wi-Fi and parking, Haven caters to a lazy summer day.

HOTEL MONTELEONE

214 Royal St.

Pool hours: Sunrise to sunset

If you don’t want to take your chances on first-come, first-served seating, the Hotel Monteleone offers pool loungers for rent daily in addition to its general pool passes.

Loungers come with all amenities of a day pass, including towel service, fitness center access, free Wi-Fi and discounted valet parking. Sunday through Thursday, adult day passes are $20, while loungers are $40. Friday and Saturday, day passes are $30 and loungers are $60.

Children ages 5 to 12 are welcome for free.

LE RICHELIEU HOTEL

1234 Chartres St.

Pool hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

With a quiet courtyard space, this pool has a range of options for those seeking to relax on any day of the week.

Day passes are available only to adults 21 and over and start at $25. Friday through Sunday, day passes are $35.

For daytime guests interested in reserving a chair, Le Richelieu offers loungers starting at $30 that include all-day pass amenities, like a towel and Wi-Fi access.

Groups of two adults can also purchase poolside daybeds for a comfy spot in the shade. Monday through Thursday, daybed reservations cost $75, ad Friday through Sunday, they cost $100.

The hotel’s daybed cabanas — avail-

able for $200 Monday through Thursday and $250 Friday through Sunday — come with privacy curtains and seat a maximum of two people.

INTERCONTINENTAL NEW ORLEANS

444 St. Charles Ave.

Pool hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For $25 daily, adults 21 and up can enjoy an outdoor heated pool fitted with a fleur-de-lis logo on the bottom at this classic Central Business District hotel. Visitors can book a pool day on Resort Pass.

Lounge chairs are first-come, firstserved, but the pass also allows you to use the fitness center and changing rooms, which are fitted with showers if you want to rinse off after your swim. Weekends are beginning to book up on Resort Pass, so move quickly if you want to visit the InterContinental’s pool soon.

Staff writer Julia Guilbeau contributed to this report.

summer habitat

music music music

Keith Spera SOUND CHECK

Live music highlights in New Orleans forthe first fullweek of June include an Italian opera/pop star and agenreblending classical/contemporary orchestra from Atlanta.

ANDREA BOCELLI

TUESDAY,SMOOTHIE KING CENTER

Classical music andopera don’ttypically fill arenas. Bocelli’smass appeal stemslargely from his crossover projects. Christmas albums, movie tie-ins, hugely popularPBS specials,English-languagerecordings, Olympic closingsongs, pop star collaborations and remaking popular songs have allhelped fuel thehandsomeformerattorney’sascent to the pop stratosphere.Last year’s“Duets (30thAnniversary)”project included a duet with south Louisiana’sown Lauren Daigle. Barely twoyears after makinghis New Orleans debut,Bocelli returns to headline the Smoothie King Center on Tuesday.Steven Mercurio will conduct the Louisiana PhilharmonicOrchestra, which willbeaugmented by a60-member choir. Scheduled guest performers includesoprano Juliana Grigoryan, baritone Edward Parks, cellistMariko Muranaka, pop singer Pia Toscano and a quartet of dancers. Ticketstohis show Tuesday at the Smoothie King Center with the LPO are still available through Ticketmaster, starting at $85 plustaxes. Showtime is 8p.m

OTHERNOTEWORTHYSHOWS

THURSDAY

The Cat Empire brings its “Bird In Paradise AlbumTour” to Tipitina’s on Thursday.Opening the show is thelocal ensemble Toysauce featuring Jelly Joseph, Brad Walker,AurelienBarnes,Terrence Houston, NoahYoung,Sam Kuslan and Leon Toye.Tickets are $45. Jazz vocalist Cindy Scott,aNew Orleansnative who teaches at the Berklee School of Music in Boston, sings at 7:30 p.m.and 9:30p.m.atSnug Harbor Jazz Bistro ($30).

LeroyThomas &the ZydecoRoadrunners keepthe dancers moving for theweekly Zydeco NightatRock ’N’ Bowl ($15).

FRIDAY

Galactic bassist Rob Mercurio and guitarist Jeff Raines formed their jazz-funk side project Good Enough for Good Times soon after Hurricane Katrina. Jazz-funk and rare groove instrumentals still makeupthe bulk of the Good Enough for Good Times repertoire. The musicians draw on theBlue Note Records catalog of the ’60s and ’70s,referencing classic albums by the likes of guitaristGrant Green and saxophonist Lou Donaldson. They also write original material and dig up obscure classic New Orleans funk, including cuts by theband Salt,acontemporary of the Metersthat is largely forgotten.Good Enough For Good Times headlines this weekend’sinstallmentofthe summer-long “Free Fridays” series at Tipitina’s. Deltaphonic opens the show at 9p.m There is no cover.

Drummer Jason Marsalis showcases some“rare works” from the catalog of his late father,the pianist andcomposer Ellis Marsalis Jr., at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.atSnug Harbor ($40).

Paul McDonald delivers his story-songs in asoulful voice that has been compared to across between Rod Stewart and Bob Dylan. He and his band the Mourning Doves,along with special guest Olivia Barnes,perform at Chickie WahWah on Friday.Tickets start at $20.

Guitarist Brint Anderson leads his band at the Maple Leaf Bar starting at 10 p.m.($15 advance, $20day of show).

Veteran blues guitarist Little Freddie King plugs in at d.b.a. on Frenchmen Street foranearly show from 6p.m. to 9p.m.

Long-running cover band TheTopcats plays hits from multiple decades at Rock ’N’Bowl ($10).

Andrea Bocelli

SATURDAY

music music music

Founded in Atlanta in 2016 as aclassical/contemporary music mash-up, OrchestraNoir brings its popular “Y2K Meets 90s Tour”back to theOrpheum Theater.Tickets, should any remain, start at $67plus fees.

Jazz trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis leads asextet at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($40).

DJ Soul Sister presidesover“Purple Takeover: APrince Celebration”at Tipitina’s, where she spins Prince tunes from her vastvinyl collection. Show time is 10 p.m.; tickets start at $20.

Longtime Roadmasters drummer Wayne Maureau powers his Vieuxdoo Nouveau at the Maple Leaf Barat8 p.m. ($15 advance, $20 at the door)

SUNDAY

The Walrus: ANew Orleans Beatles Experience performs the music of theFab Four at the Broadside at 8p.m. Tickets start at $15.

Black AmericanaFest presents “Southern Nights,” an eveningofsinger-songwriters and storytellingfeaturing guitarists and vocalists Dusky Waters, JoyClark and Sabine McCalla,plus abevyof backing musicians.Showtimesare at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.; tickets are $30.

Cajun accordionist and singer Bruce Daigrepont and hisband stage their monthly fais do do Cajundance at Tipitina’s, starting at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are $20.

From 1p.m. to 7p.m., the Maple Leaf Barhoststhe “Heroes Wear Tie-Dye” Blood Drive. At 9p.m., the JoeKrown Trio with guitarist Papa Mali grooves at the Leaf ($15 advance, $20 at thedoor).

Ice Nine Kills’ Silver Scream-A-Thon Tour kicks off the first of twoconsecutive nights at the Fillmore. Tickets start at $70.

MONDAY

Peter Hook &the Light headline theJoy Theater.Hook is expected to perform New Order’s2001 album “Get Ready” in its entirety,aswell as other New Order songs and songsfrom itspredecessor,Joy Division. Tickets start at $50.

The Charmaine Neville Band holds down itsweekly Monday gig at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($30).

TUESDAY

Jazz pianist Oscar Rossignoli is joined by Matt Booth and Peter Varnado at Snug Harbor at7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.($30).

WEDNESDAY

Naomie April and the Moments play afree happy hour show at 5p.m. at Snug Harbor.Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis &the Uptown Jazz Orchestra then fill theSnug stage at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. ($45).

The Walrus