The Times-Picayune 06-27-2025

GOPspendingbillrunsafoul of rules

Senate parliamentarian rulesagainst Medicaid proposal

BYMARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON —AsU.S. Senate leaders struggle to find just enough Republicans to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill,the Senate parliamentarian ruledThursday that some GOP plans to raise bil-

lions by reducing Medicaid spendingdidn’tadheretothe rules the majority partywants to useto approvethe instrument without Democrats.

SenateParliamentarian ElizabethMacDonough shot down theSenateFinance Committee’s proposal to lower howmuch

BY JAMES FINN Staffwriter

Three mayoral hopefuls laid out ambitious visions forNew Orleans beforeashoulder-to-shoulder audience on Thursday,jockeyingtoportray themselves as agents of change for astruggling city at acandidate forum that set the tonefor apivotal municipal election.

The forum, hosted at theGert Town headquarters of Voters OrganizedtoEducate, agrassroots group that encourages voter participation, showcased impassioned speeches on marquee New Orleans issues from threeleading candidates: retired JudgeArthur Hunter City Council Vice President Helena Moreno and DistrictEcouncilmember Oliver Thomas.

Waving their arms, raising their voicesand occasionally throwing jabs at each other,the candidates vied to convince theaudience that they would be the one to most effectively expand affordablehousing, curb homelessness, mendthe city’s beleaguered infrastructure and tackle ahost of other entrenched issues.

NewOrleanians, they seemedto agree, deserve fresh leadership

“I believe you work too darn hard to be treated this way bythe cityof New Orleans,” Moreno said. Again and again, she blasted the “absent”

ä See CANDIDATES, page 8A

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

states could tax hospitals,clinics and other health careproviders, which budgethawkschampioned, and centrist senatorsopposed. That proposal had alarmed many Louisiana health careleaders, who feared it could slash budgets for rural hospitals. Theparliamentarian’s decision could delaypassage of the bill. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and President Donald Trump have both said they want it to pass by the weekend.

SomeRepublican hard-liners demanded MacDonough’stermination. ButLouisiana’s twosenators, both Republicans, said firing

MacDonough isn’tresponsible. “Weall have respect forthe parliamentarian. Ithink that she’s very fair and Idon’tthink that she should be firednor do Ithink she will be fired,” Sen. John N. Kennedy,ofMadisonville, told reporters. Sen. Bill Cassidy,ofBaton Rouge, said: “My position is that cuts, and especially drastic cuts to Medicaid, should be avoided. The Senate

ä See SPENDING, page 10A

theNew

headquarters on

AG asked to weigh in on N.O. sheriff Councilseeks

opinions on contracting, accounting system

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

NewOrleans City Council members on Thursday criticized Sheriff SusanHutsonfor refusing to disclose financialinformation and voted to request attorney general opinions on whether they can force her to do so.

The long-standing council-sheriff clash over funding forthe city’s jail blew up into a major issue after the May 16 escapeof10inmates, with Hutson blaming the council forfailing to adequately fund her office. Twoof the escapees, Antoine Massey and Derrick Groves, remained at large as of Thursday Council members say Hutson needstoprovide basic information concerning her office’suse of city funds it already receives —including $65 million this year —before they consider giving her more.

“Weare toldthatour job is to simply fund theSheriff’sOffice,no matter the request, no matter the ability to analyze it,” said council member Eugene Green.

JimCookselectedtoleadMorialConventionCenter

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’soversight boardonWednesday appointed longtime hotel executive Jim Cook as the facility’snew chief executive. Cook, the general manager of the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for adecade,has beenamember of theConvention Center’s13-person oversight board since last year,whenhewas appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry. Cook wasidentified in Januaryasthe board’spick to be the new leader of the Convention Center,replacingMichael Sawaya,who announced in November that he wouldbeleaving to take up a newjob running theAudubon Nature Institute. To takethe job, Cook required a change in the state’sethics rulesbecausetheyhad barred boardmembers from beingappointedtoexecutive posts at the sameorganization.The new ethicslaw that waspassedinthe legislative session,and took effectJune11, contained aspecific exemption for Cook’s appointment. Cook saidThursdaythatheexpected to start work at the Convention Center the first weekofAugust. His appoint-

mentcomes as the Convention Center is undertaking several projects aimed at transforming the 40-year-old facility and its surrounding neighborhood. They include the first major overhaul of the facility since it wasbuilt,witha cost of around $550 million to upgrade theinterior,add newlandscaping and the construction of anew opening along

Cook ä See COOK, page 10A

Hutson

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Candidates from left, Arthur Hunter,Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas wait to begin

Orleans mayoral town hall hosted by Voters Organized to Educate at the VOTE

Thursday.

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Death toll from Kenya protests rises to 16

NAIROBI, Kenya

The number of Kenyans who died during Wednesday’s nationwide protests over police brutality and bad governance has doubled to 16, according to the state-funded human rights commission.

Property was also destroyed in the protests that attracted thousands of frustrated young Kenyans. At least two police stations were razed down by angry protesters.

Kenyans demonstrated Wednesday in 23 of 47 counties across the country calling for an end to police brutality and better governance. Thousands chanted anti-government slogans, and the protests morphed to calls for President William Ruto to resign.

Many protesters were enraged by the recent death of a blogger in custody and the shooting of a civilian during protests over the blogger’s death.

The country’s interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen on Thursday assessed damage to businesses in the capital, Nairobi, where goods were stolen from multiple stores. He said police would follow up with owners whose CCTV cameras captured the looters to ensure swift arrests.

Minister Murkomen on Thursday defended the conduct of police officers during the protests, saying the “government has your back.”

Guatemala, Honduras, U.S. sign asylum deals

GUATEMALA CITY Guatemala and Honduras have signed agreements with the United States to potentially offer refuge to people from other countries who otherwise would seek asylum in the United States, U.S Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday at the conclusion of her Central America trip.

The agreements expand the Trump administration’s efforts to provide the U.S. government flexibility in returning migrants not only to their own countries, but also to third countries as it attempts to ramp up deportations. Noem described it as a way to offer asylum-seekers options other than coming to the United States She said the agreements had been in the works for months, with the U.S. government applying pressure on Honduras and Guatemala to get them done.

“Honduras and now Guatemala after today will be countries that will take those individuals and give them refugee status as well,” Noem said. “We’ve never believed that the United States should be the only option, that the guarantee for a refugee is that they go somewhere to be safe and to be protected from whatever threat they face in their country It doesn’t necessarily have to be the United States.”

Myanmar burns illegal drugs worth $300M

YANGON, Myanmar Officials in Myanmar’s major cities destroyed about $300 million worth of confiscated illegal drugs

Thursday

The destroyed drugs included opium, heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana, ketamine and the stimulant known as ice, or crystal meth, Yangon Police Brig. Gen. Sein Lwin said in a speech at a drug-burning ceremony

The drug burnings came nearly a month after U.N. experts warned of unprecedented levels of methamphetamine production and trafficking from Southeast Asia’s Golden Triangle region, where the borders of Myanmar, Laos and Thailand meet.

The production of opium and heroin historically flourished there, largely because of the lawlessness in border areas where Myanmar’s central government has been able to exercise only minimum control over various ethnic minority militias, some of them partners in the drug trade

The U.N. Office on Drugs and Crime said in a May report that the political crisis across the country after the military takeover in 2021 — which led to a civil war — has turbocharged growth of the methamphetamine trade.

Pentagon leaders detail Iran bombing

Officials cite military tactics to show destruction from attacks

BY TARA COPP and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press

WASHINGTON Pentagon leaders laid out new details Thursday about military tactics and explosives to bolster their argument that U.S. attacks had destroyed key Iranian nuclear facilities, but little more emerged on how far back the bombing had set Tehran’s atomic program.

In a rare Pentagon news briefing, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, worked to shift the debate from whether the nuclear targets were “obliterated,” as President Donald Trump has said, to what they portrayed as the heroism of the strikes as well as the extensive research and preparation that went into carrying them out.

“You want to call it destroyed, you want to call it defeated, you want to call it obliterated choose your word. This was an historically successful attack,” Hegseth said in an often combative session with reporters.

It was the latest example of how Trump has marshaled top administration officials to defend his claims about the effectiveness of the U.S. strikes. At stake is the legacy of the Republican president’s intervention in the brief war between Israel and Iran, as well as the future of American foreign policy toward Iran.

Hegseth appeared less confident that the strikes got all of Iran’s highly enriched nuclear material.

Asked repeatedly whether any of it was moved to other locations before the U.S. attack, Hegseth acknowledged that the Pentagon was “looking at all aspects of intelligence and making sure we have a sense of what was where.”

He added, “I’m not aware of any intelligence that says things were not where they were supposed to be” or that they were moved Satellite imagery showed trucks and

bulldozers at Iran’s Fordo uranium enrichment site, the main target of the bombings, days before the strikes, which occurred between 6:40 p.m. and 7:05 p.m.

EDT Saturday Experts said enriched uranium stocks can be moved in small canisters and are hard to find.

“It would be extremely challenging to try and detect locations where Iran may be hiding highly enriched uranium,” said Kelsey Davenport, director of nonproliferation policy at the nonpartisan Arms Control Association.

Trump expressed confidence that uranium was not pulled out before the attack

“Nothing was taken out of facility,” he said on social media. “Would take too long, too dangerous, and very heavy and hard to move!”

U.S. stealth bombers dropped 12 deep penetrator bombs, called “bunker busters,” on Fordo, Caine said. Two others hit Iran’s main Natanz facility

Hegseth and Caine described 15 years of study and planning going into the bombing mission and they showed video of a test explosion of a bunker buster, designed to penetrate deep into mountains.

While Hegseth, a former Fox News anchor, spent the bulk of his time slamming the media coverage and personally insulting reporters who questioned him, Caine stuck to the military details of the bombing.

Caine said the U.S. targeted the ventilation shafts at the Fordo facility as the entry point for the bombs. In the days before the U.S. attack, the Iranians placed large concrete slabs on top of both ventilation routes from the underground facilities to try to protect them, he said.

He said six bombs were available for each of the two shafts that were hit. The first bomb was used to eliminate the concrete slab, then four more were dropped at slightly different angles to take out various parts of the underground facility

The sixth was a fail-safe in case any of the others didn’t work, and it also was dropped, Caine said.

He noted it is not his job to do the assessment of the damage. Asked if he has been pressured to provide a more optimistic view of the results, Caine said no.

Iran’s Khamenei warns against future U.S. attacks

BY FARNOUSH AMIRI and DAVID RISING Associated Press

DUBAI,UnitedArab Emirates Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Thursday that his country had delivered a “slap to America’s face” by striking a U.S. air base in Qatar and warned against further attacks in his first public comments since a ceasefire agreement with Israel.

Khamenei’s prerecorded speech that aired on Iranian state television, his first appearance since June 19, was filled with warnings and threats directed toward the United States and Israel, the Islamic Republic’s longtime adversaries.

on the U.S. air base in Qatar contrasted with U.S. accounts of it as a limited attack with no casualties.

The White House responded to Khamenei’s video, accusing him of trying to “save face.”

“Any commonsense, open-minded person knows the truth about the precision strikes on Saturday night,” press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Thursday “They were wildly successful.”

The 86-year-old, a skilled orator known for his forceful addresses to the country’s more than 90 million people, appeared more tired than he had just a week ago, speaking in a hoarse voice and occasionally stumbling over his words.

The supreme leader downplayed U.S. strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites Sunday using bunker-buster bombs and cruise missiles, saying that U.S. President Donald Trump who said the attack “completely and fully obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program had exaggerated its impact.

“They could not achieve anything significant,” Khamenei said. Missing from his more than 10-minute video message was any mention of Iran’s nuclear program and the status of their facilities and centrifuges after extensive U.S. and Israeli strikes.

His characterization of Monday’s strike

The head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog, International Atomic Energy Agency Director Rafael Grossi, reiterated Thursday that the damage done by Israeli and U.S. strikes at Iranian nuclear facilities “is very, very, very considerable” and that he can only assume the centrifuges are not operational.

“I think annihilated is too much, but it suffered enormous damage,” Grossi told French broadcaster RFI The IAEA has not been allowed to visit any of the Iranian facilities to do an independent assessment of the damage.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, also conceded Wednesday that “our nuclear installations have been badly damaged, that’s for sure.” Khamenei has not been seen in public since taking shelter in a secret location after the outbreak of the war on June 13 when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and targeted top military commanders and scientists.

After Sunday’s attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Trump was able to help negotiate a ceasefire that came into effect Tuesday

Feds intend to try Abrego Garcia on smuggling counts

BY BEN FINLEY Associated Press

The Justice Department said Thursday that it intends to try Kilmar Abrego Garcia on federal smuggling charges in Tennessee before it moves to deport him to a country that is not his native El Salvador

“This defendant has been charged with horrific crimes, including trafficking children, and will not walk free in our country again,” DOJ spokesperson Chad Gilmartin told The Associated Press.

Gilmartin made the statement hours after a federal prosecutor told a federal judge in Maryland that the U.S. government plans to deport Abrego Garcia to a “third country” that isn’t El Salvador But Justice Department attorney Jonathan Guynn said there was no timeline for the deportation plans.

Guynn acknowledged the government’s plans during a hastily planned conference call with Abrego Garcia’s attorneys and U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Greenbelt, Maryland. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers had filed an emergency request for Xinis to order the government to take Abrego Garcia to Maryland when he is released in Tennessee, an arrangement that would prevent his deportation before he stands trial.

“We have concerns that the government may try to remove Mr Abrego Garcia quickly over the weekend, something like that,” one of his attorneys, Jonathan Coo-

per, told Xinis on the call. Xinis, however, said she could not move as quickly as Abrego Garcia’s attorneys would like. She said she had to consider the Trump administration’s pending motions to dismiss the case before she could rule on the emergency request. The judge scheduled a July 7 court hearing in Maryland to discuss the emergency request and other matters. It was unclear whether the government would seek to deport Abrego Garcia before he stands trial in the U.S. on criminal charges unsealed earlier this month.

Guynn told the judge during Thursday’s call that “there’s no timeline.”

“We do plan to comply with the orders we’ve received from this court and other courts,” he said. “But there’s no timeline for these specific proceedings.”

Deporting Abrego Garcia before his trial would be a reversal for an administration that brought him back from El Salvador just weeks ago to face human smuggling charges, with Attorney General Pam Bondi saying: “This is what American justice looks like.”

Abrego Garcia, a Maryland construction worker became a flashpoint over Trump’s immigration policies after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March. He’s been in jail in Tennessee since he was returned to the U.S. on June 7 to face the human smuggling charges.

Khamenei

COURTROOM SKETCH By DIEGO FISHBURN Kilmar Abrego Garcia sits Wednesday in court during his detention hearing in Nashville, Tenn.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KEVIN WOLF

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, left, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine hold a news conference Thursday at the Pentagon in Washington.

Senators diverge on damage done by Iran strikes

Lawmakers

receive classified briefing

BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press

WASHINGTON Senators emerged from a classified briefing Thursday with sharply diverging assessments of President Donald Trump’s bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites, with Republicans calling the mission a clear success and Democrats expressing deep skepticism.

CIA Director John Ratcliffe, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Gen. Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, came to Capitol Hill to give the classified briefings, originally scheduled for Tuesday

Many Republicans left satisfied, though their assessments of how much Iran’s nuclear program was set back by the bombing varied. Sen. Tom Cotton said a “major blow” and “catastrophic damage” had been dealt to Iran’s facilities.

“Their operational capability was obliterated. There is nobody working there tonight. It was highly effective There’s no reason to hit those sites anytime soon,” said Sen Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

BY FRAZIER MOORE AP television writer

NEW YORK Bill Moyers, the former White House press secretary who became one of television’s most honored journalists, masterfully using a visual medium to illuminate a world of ideas died Thursday at age 91. Moyers died in a New York City hospital, according to longtime friend Tom Johnson, the former CEO of CNN and an assistant to Moyers during Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. Moyers’ son William said his father died at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York after a “long illness.” Moyers’ career ranged from youthful Baptist minister to deputy director of the Peace Corps, from Johnson’s press secretary to newspaper publisher senior news analyst for “The CBS Evening News” and chief correspondent for “CBS Reports.”

But it was for public television that Moyers produced some of TV’s most cerebral and provocative series In hundreds of hours of PBS programs, he proved at home with subjects ranging from government corruption to modern dance, from drug addiction to media consolidation, from religion to environmental abuse.

In 1988, Moyers produced “The Secret Government” about the Iran-Contra scandal during the Reagan administration and simultaneously published a book under

Democrats remained doubtful and criticized Trump for not giving Congress more information.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said the briefing “raised more questions than it answered ”

Sen. Chris Murphy, DConn., said the strike appears to “have only set back the Iranian nuclear program by a handful of months.”

“There’s no doubt there was damage done to the program,” said Murphy, but “allegations that we have obliterated their program just don’t seem to stand up to reason.”

“I just do not think the president was telling the truth when he said this program was obliterated,” he added.

The session came as senators weighed their support for a resolution affirming that Trump should seek authorization from Congress before launching more military action against Iran. A vote on that resolution could come as soon as Thursday Democrats, and some Republicans, have said the White House overstepped its authority when it failed to seek the advice of Congress. They also want to know more about the intelligence that Trump relied on when he authorized the attacks.

A similar briefing for House members will be held

Friday A preliminary U.S. intelligence report found that Iran’s nuclear program had been set back only a few months, contradicting statements from Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the status of Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to two people familiar with the report. They were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity

“You want to call it destroyed, you want to call it defeated, you want to call it obliterated — choose your word. This was an histori-

cally successful attack,”

Hegseth said at a Pentagon briefing Thursday

On Wednesday, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Ratcliffe sent out statements backing Trump’s claims that the facilities were “completely and fully obliterated.”

Gabbard posted on social media that “new intelligence confirms what @POTUS has stated numerous times: Iran’s nuclear facilities have been destroyed.” She said that if the Iranians choose to rebuild the three facilities, it would “likely take years to do.”

Ratcliffe said in a state-

ment from the CIA that Iran’s nuclear program has been “severely damaged.”

He cited new intelligence “from a historically reliable and accurate source/method that several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.”

Most Republicans have defended Trump and hailed the tentative ceasefire he brokered in the Israel-Iran war House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, went as far as to question the constitutionality of the War Powers Act, which is intended to give Congress a say in mili-

tary action.

“The bottom line is the commander in chief is the president, the military reports to the president, and the person empowered to act on the nation’s behalf is the president,” Johnson told reporters. But some Republicans, including some of Trump’s staunchest supporters, are uncomfortable with the strikes and the potential for U.S. involvement in an extended Middle East conflict.

“I think the speaker needs to review the Constitution,” said Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky “And I think there’s a lot of evidence that our Founding Fathers did not want presidents to unilaterally go to war.”

Paul would not say whether he would vote for the resolution by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would require congressional approval for specific military action in Iran. A simple majority in the Senate is needed to pass the resolution and Republicans hold a 53-47 advantage.

“I will have Republican votes, plural,” Kaine said. “But whether it’s two or 10, I don’t know.”

Kaine authored a similar resolution in 2020 aimed at limiting Trump’s authority to launch military operations against Iran. At the time eight Republicans joined Democrats in approving the resolution.

the same name. Around that time, he galvanized viewers with “Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth,” a series of six one-hour interviews with the prominent religious scholar The accompanying book became a best-seller.

His televised chats with poet Robert Bly almost single-handedly launched the 1990s Men’s Movement, and his 1993 series “Healing and the Mind” had a profound impact on the medical community and on medical education.

In a medium that supposedly abhors “talking heads” — shots of subject and interviewer talking — Moyers came to specialize in just that. He once explained why: “The question is, are the talking heads thinking minds and thinking people? Are they interesting to watch? I think the most fascinating production value is the human face.”

Demonstrating what some-

one called “a soft, probing style” in the native Texas accent he never lost, Moyers was a humanist who investigated the world with a calm, reasoned perspective, whatever the subject From some quarters, he was blasted as a liberal thanks to his links with Johnson and public television, as well as his no-holds-barred approach to investigative journalism. It was a label he didn’t necessarily deny “I’m an old-fashion liberal when it comes to being open and being interested in other people’s ideas,” he said during a 2004 radio interview But Moyers preferred to term himself a “citizen journalist” operating independently, outside the establishment.

Public television (and his self-financed production company) gave him free rein to throw “the conversation of democracy open to all comers,” he said in a 2007 interview with The Associated Press.

“I think my peers in commercial television are talented and devoted journalists,” he said another time, “but they’ve chosen to work in a corporate mainstream that trims their talent to fit the corporate nature of American life. And you do not get rewarded for telling the hard truths about America in a profit-seeking environment.”

Over the years, Moyers was showered with honors, including more than 30 Emmys, 11 George Foster Pea-

body awards, three George Polks and, twice, the Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Gold Baton Award for career excellence in broadcast journalism. In 1995, he was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

Born in Hugo, Oklahoma, on June 5, 1934, Billy Don Moyers was the son of a dirt farmer-truck driver who soon moved his family to

Marshall, Texas. High school led him into journalism.

“I wanted to play football, but I was too small. But I found that by writing sports in the school newspaper, the players were always waiting around at the newsstand to see what I wrote,” he recalled. He worked for the Marshall News Messenger at age 16. Deciding that Bill Moyers was a more appropriate byline for a sports writer, he dropped the “y” from his name. He graduated from the University of Texas and earned a master’s in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary He was ordained and preached part time at two churches but later decided his call to the ministry “was a wrong number.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ROD LAMKEy

CIA Director John Ratcliffe departs a classified briefing for senators on Thursday at the Capitol on Capitol Hill in Washington.

Israelistrikekills 18 Palestinians in centralGaza

Turmoilmounts over food distribution

BY WAFAA SHURAFA, KAREEM CHEHAYEB and SAM METZ Associated Press

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip An Israeli strike hit astreet in central Gaza on Thursday where witnesses saida crowd of people was getting bags of flour from aPalestinian police unit thathad confiscated the goods from gangs looting aid convoys. Hospital officials said 18 people were killed.

The strikewas the latest violence surrounding the distribution of food to Gaza’s population, which has been thrown into turmoil over the past month. Afterblocking all food for 21/2 months, Israel has allowed only atrickle of supplies into the territory since mid-May Efforts by theUnited Nations to distributethe food have been plagued by armed gangs looting trucks and by crowds of desperatepeople offloading supplies from convoys.

The strike in the central townofDeir al-Balah on Thursday appeared to target

members of Sahm, asecurity unit taskedwith stopping looters and cracking down on merchantswho sell stolen aidathigh prices. The unitis part of Gaza’sHamas-ledInterior Ministry,but includes members ofother factions. Witnesses saidthe Sahm unit was distributing bags of flour and other goods confiscated fromlooters andcorrupt merchants, drawinga crowd when thestrike hit. Videoof the aftermath showed bodies, several torn, of multiple young men inthe street with blood splattering on the pavementand walls of buildings. The dead included achild and at least seven Sahmt members,according to the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital wherecasualties were taken

There was no immediate commentfrom theIsraeli military.Israelhas accused the militant Hamasgroup of stealing aid and using it to propupits rule in the enclave. Israeliforces have repeatedly struck Gaza’s police,considering them a branchofHamas

An associationofGaza’sinfluential clansand tribes said Wednesday they have started an independent effort to guard aidconvoys to prevent looting. The National Gatheringof PalestinianClans and

Palestinians carry bags Wednesdaycontaining food and humanitarian aidpackages delivered by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, aU.S.-backed organization, in

southernGaza Strip.

Tribes said it helped escort arare shipment of flour that entered northern Gaza that evening.

It was unclear,however,if the association hadcoordinated withthe U.N. or Israeli authorities. The World Food Program did not immediately respond to requestsfor commentbyThe Associated Press.

“Wewill no longer allow thieves to steal from the convoys forthe merchants and

force us to buy them for high prices,” Abu Ahmad al-Gharbawi, afigure involved in the tribaleffort, toldthe AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz in ajoint statement Wednesday accused Hamas of stealingaid that is entering northern Gaza, and called on the Israeli military to plan to prevent it.

The National Gathering slammed the statement, say-

ing the accusation of theft was aimed at justifying the Israeli military’s“aggressive practices.” It said aid was “fully secured” by the tribes, which it said were committedtodeliveringthe supplies to the population.

The move by tribes to protect aid convoys brings yetanotherplayer in an aid situation that has become fragmented,confused and violent, evenasGaza’smore than 2million Palestinians

struggle to feed theirfamilies.

Throughout the more than 20-month-old war, the U.N. led the massive aid operation by humanitarian groups providing food,shelter, medicine and other goods to Palestinians even amidthe fighting. U.N. and other aid groups say that when significant amounts of supplies are allowed into Gaza, looting and theft dwindles.

Israel, however,seeks to replace the U.N.-ledsystem, saying Hamas has been siphoning offlarge amounts of supplies from it,aclaim the U.N. andotheraid groups deny Israel has backed an American private contractor,the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has started distributing food boxes at four locations, mainly in the far south of Gazafor the past month.

Thousands of Palestinians walk forhours to reach the hubs, moving through Israeli military zones where witnesses say Israeli troops regularly open fire with heavy barrages to control the crowds.

Health officials say hundreds of people have been killed andwounded. TheIsraeli military says it has only fired warning shots.

EU leadersseekbig boostinUkraine military support

Officialsmake little progresson Russia sanctions

BY SAM MCNEIL Associated Press

BRUSSELS European Union leaders on Thursday called for even greater efforts to help meet Ukraine’s pressing military needs, and expressed support for the country’squesttojoin their ranks, butthey made little headway with new sanctions against Russia. At asummit in Brussels, the leaders said it was important to delivermore “air defenseand anti-drone systems,and large-calibre am-

munition,tohelpUkraine as it exercises its inherent right to self-defence, to protect its citizens and territory against Russia’sintensified daily attacks.”

Theyalso underlined theneed to helpsupport Ukraine’sdefenseindustry,which can make weaponsand ammunition more quickly and cheaply than its European counterparts. Ukrainian President Vololdymyr Zelenskyy took part in the meetingvia videolink Russian forces havemade slow gains at some points on the roughly 620-mile front line, but it has been costly in terms of troop casualties and damaged equipment. The outnumbered Ukrainian

armyhas relied heavily on drones to keep theRussians back.

Months of U.S.-led international effortstostop the more than three yearsof war have failed. As hostilitieshave ground on, the twosides have continued to swap prisonersofwar

The leaders said the bloc “remains steadfast in its supportfor Ukraine’spath towards EU membership.”

That message comes aday after NATO leaders refrainedfrom putting areference to Ukraine’shopes of joining the military organization in their summit statement, due in largepart to U.S.resistance.

The EU is working on yet another raft of sanctions

CommandersaysUkraine halts Russia’s advanceinSumyregion

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Ukrainian forceshave halted Russia’s recent advance into the northern Sumy region and have stabilized the front line nearthe border with Russia, Ukraine’s topmilitary commander said Thursday Col. Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, commanderinchief of Ukraine’sarmed forces, said that Ukrainian successes in Sumy have prevented Russia from deployingabout 50,000 Russian troops,including elite airborne and

marine brigades, to otherareas of the front line

His claim couldn’t be independently verified, and Russianofficialsmade no immediate comment. Russianforces have been slowly grindingforward at some pointson the roughly 620-mile front line, though their incremental gains have beencostlyinterms of troop casualties and damaged armor.The outnumbered Ukrainianarmyhas relied heavily on drones to keep the Russians back. Months of U.S.-led internationalefforts to stop the

more thanthreeyears of war have failed. Amid thehostilities, the twosides have continued swaps of prisonersof war agreed on during recent talks between their delegations in Istanbul. Russia’sDefense Ministry andUkrainianauthorities said another exchange took place on Thursday Ukraine’scoordination headquarters for POWs said the swap included injured soldiers and those withhealth complaints.The youngest is 24 andthe oldest is 62,itsaid, adding that more exchanges areexpected soon.

against Russia, but theleaders madelittle headway.A key aim is to make further progress in blocking Russia’s“shadow fleet” of oil tankers andtheir operators from earning more revenue for Moscow’swar effort.

TheEUhas slapped several rounds of sanctions on Russia since President Vladimir Putin ordered his troops into Ukraine in Feb. 24, 2022. More than 2,400 officials and entities —usually government agencies, banks andorganizations —have

been hit.

The statement on Ukraine was agreed by 26 of the 27 member countries. Hungary objected,asithas often done.AtaNATOsummitonWednesday,Prime Minister Viktor Orbánsaid that “NATOhas no business in Ukraine.Ukraine is not member of NATO,neither Russia.Myjob is to keep it as it is.”

In other developments, the EU leaders deplored “the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the unac-

ceptable numberofcivilian casualties and the levels of starvation.”They called “on Israel to fully lift its blockade.”

Theyalsosaidthat their European Council “takes note” of areport saying that thereare signsthatIsrael’s actions in Gaza are violating human rights obligations in an agreement governing EU-Israel ties. The report was debatedbyEUforeign ministers on Monday,but the bloc is divided over what to do about it.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByABDEL KAREEM HANA

Rafah,

leadership of current Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

“I know what government looks like whenitworks,and when it doesn’twork. I’ve fought for streets, drainage,” Thomas said, invoking histhree-decade career in local government.

“Weneedtostarttreating people as people,” saidHunter,referring to thecity’shomelessness crisis.

Onlookersseemedreceptive, punctuating the candidates’words with applause and shouts.

The messages reflected what polls and voter interviews have signaled for months: In acity weary of ricketyservices and leaders viewed as inept at mending them, voters seem poisedto gravitate toward candidates they believe will set NewOrleans on a new path.

“You’ve got to get back to asense that everybody is going to have an opportunity to benefitfromwhatever it is that the city produces,” former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieusaidinaninterview this week.“You’ve got to getbacktoa senseofthat. The city doesn’thave that right now.” Hunter, Thomas and Moreno haveall served the bulkoftheir careers in public office. On Thursday,they sought to lay out how theywould draw on that experiencetopivot NewOrleans in anew direction.

Hunter touted his experience in the judiciary,rather than city government, as evidence thathe will bringanoutsider’sview to the mayor’soffice, citing aslew of specific policies he would pursueif elected. Among those: He pledged to start anew reentry program for New Orleanians and to hire graduates of that program to staffhis administration.

Hunter also leveled afew barbs at Thomas andMoreno, seeking to brand them as complicit in the city’s dysfunction duetotheir tenure on the City Council, which hasoverlappedwithCantrell’smayorship.

“Themayorand the City Council need to getonthe same page,” Hunter said in response toaquestionabout how the candidates wouldbringdownresidents’ utility bills. “That’sthe only way it’sgoing to happen. We are tiredofthe show with no substance.”

But Moreno, aformer state leg-

islatorand second-termcouncil

member who has frequently found herself at odds withCantrell in recentyears, soughttopaint herself as afresh jolt of leadership who hastried to leverage her position on the counciltofill aleadership vacuum in City Hall.

As mayor,Moreno said, she wouldworkwith the state Legislature to install “clusters”of fortified roofs in neighborhoods in hopes of bringingdown home insurance rates. She pledged to useemptycity buildings for more affordable housing. And she promised to install new leadership at the city’s long-struggling public housingagency.(That agency’scurrent director,veteran housing official Marjorianna Willman, has been on the job only five months.)

Again and again, she slammed Cantrell.

“Wehave aleadership problem, we have an absent leadership

problem,” Morenosaid.“What we need is someone at thetop working withurgency,with collaboration to get thingsdone.”

Thomas,aveteran City Council member whowas once considered amayor-in-waiting but saw his political career badly tarnished by abribery conviction in the 2000s, focused on lessons learned from his political career and leaned into hisreputation as askilledretail politician.

As mayor,hepledged to shield NewOrleanians from predatory corporations and soaring bills.He slammed short-term rental owners whohave priced New Orleanians out of their neighborhoods. And he said he wouldhasten infrastructure repairs by giving work only to contractors who’ve proven themselves.

“Weneedtoprioritize the contactors that do the workontime and on budget,” he said. “Too many of

the (contractors) take advantage of our city and our budget.”

The field of mayoral candidates hasnot been officially set. Two weeks remain before the official qualifying deadline.

Butthe field has been static for months —a result of what analysts describe as politically inexperienced outsiders’ wariness at the idea of wading into New Orleans’ chaoticpoliticsand Moreno’s success on the fundraising circuit, which observers say has played a role in boxing out other prospectivecandidates.

Still, ahandful of fringe candidates are mounting campaigns, several of whom arrived at Thursday’sdebate after protesting having been excluded from the event.

Counselor RickyTwiggs, apolitical independent,and businessperson Renada Collinsshook hands with audience members before the forum began. Former 911 call cen-

ter operator Tyrell Morris tried to enter the event but was turned away after the space reached capacity.Hepeered in through the space’ssliding glass doorsasthe event got underway Morris hadissueda statement earlierinthe dayblasting VOTE for failing to include him and the other lesser-knowncandidates.

“Voters Organized claims to promotecivic engagementand voter education, yet they’ve excluded 50% of thedeclared candidates for Mayor of New Orleans,” he said. Devin Davis, VOTE’spolitical director,said the three candidates who were invited Thursday met twocriteria: Theyhad to have filed acampaign finance report, andto have shown a“long-term commitment andengagement” with VOTE.

The mayoral field will be officially set after candidates qualify between July 9and July 11.

bill cuts Medicaid too much. I agree with PresidentTrump, the House version is better.”

Their comments align withLouisiana’shospital community, which has been on Capitol Hilllobbying for changes in the SenateFinance version that conservatives say will generate billions of dollars to offsetthe costs of Trump’stax breaks contained in the bill.

“Should the Senate Financelanguage succeed, Louisianafaces amore than $2 billion cut,” said RyanCross, governmentaffairs director for the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, which runs hospitals in Louisiana andMississippi, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge.

“Wehave to protect long-standingMedicaid financing toolsthat provide lifesavingaccess tocare across Louisiana,” Crossadded.

MacDonough’s decision doesn’t negate GOP ideasfor revamping Medicaid. It just means that instead passing those provisions with 51 of thechamber’s100 votes, atotal of 60 “yes” voteswillbe needed.

Hitting 60 may prove difficult because eventhe 53 Republican senators disagree with various facets of the thousand-plus page megabill.All 47 Democratic senators oppose the bill.

The OneBig Beautiful BillAct, whichpassed the House in Mayby asingle vote, includes anumber of

Trump’scampaignpromises, such as continuation of his signature 2017 tax breaks and anumberof increased reductionsand credits forbusinesses andseniors as well as tipped wages and overtime pay Much of that is paid forwith spending reductions to Medicaid and food stamps. But notcompletely. The bill would add about $3 trillion to thenation’sdebt.

Republican leaders want to pass the measure with asimple majority, rather thanthe usual60votes needed in theSenate. The rules allowpolicy changes in the billprovided that language hews closely

to reaching budget goals.

MacDonough, thearbiter of Senaterulessince2012, found in about nine instances that thelanguage contained too much policy change andnot enough budget work.

For instance, the6%cap on the amount of taxes states could charge providerswas approved by 60 votes severalyears ago.Therefore, 60 votes would be needed to change that limit to 3.5%,asthe SenateFinance Committee proposed.

Language in theSenate’sversion of the overall bill, which hasn’t been drafted yet, could revert to theHouse’sversion, which tempo-

rarily froze providertax ratesat current levels; the provision could be dropped altogether; or Senate Finance could try to tweak the language. The Senate AgricultureCommitteechanged someofthe language in its proposals on the SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program after MacDonough found the originalwordingdidn’tcomply withthe reconciliation rules. The agriculture committee was able to reinsert their efforts to shift more of theresponsibility to pay for food stamps from the federal government to the states.

MacDonough still hasn’tdecided on Senate Finance changes to Medicaid’sstate-directed payments. Louisiana and other states use part of the provider taxes to supplement thefinances of rural hospitals. The Senate changes would strip about $2 billion of that funding forLouisiana’srural hospitals. Reviving the Senate Financeversiontolimit providertaxes to raise moremoney would create friction withmoderate GOPsenatorswho already believe the House cut Medicaid too deeply Senate leaders had forwarded an idea for making provider tax limitations morepalatable to moderates. Theysuggested creating a fund to help rural hospitals, whose patients are often on Medicaid, which rarely pays the actual costs of medical services provided.

Many far-right House members areseething at MacDonough’sdecision and demanded she be fired. As alawyer,House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, said he could probably come up alegal argument to rid the Senate of MacDonough, butthat’s not ajob for the lower chamber

More important to him is getting thebillthrough theSenate this weekend,back to theHouse for confirmation of the language changes, thenfinal passagein both chambers to get the bill on Trump’sdeskbythe July 4selfimposed deadline.

“It doesn’tmake it easier,but you knowme, hope springs eternaland we’re going to work around the clock andtry to meet thatdeadline, because Ithink that’sthe way we should do it,” said Johnson.

Council member Joe Giarrusso, the council’sbudgetchair,shared aMay 21 email he sent to Hutson’s office requesting, among other things,the sheriff’sbonding capacity anddetails of howituses reserve funds. He said thesheriff still has not provided that information.

“It’stime to put up or shut up, because I’m tired of us beingblamed for not giving money when the sheriff is sittingonfunds it hasn’t explained to the public,” Giarrusso said.

In astatement, the Sheriff’s Officesaid that, underHutson, the office“is themost transparent it has ever been.”

“Werespect thecouncil’sinterest in fiscal oversight and will continue to(provide) transparent updates, as we always have,” the statementsaid Hutson is scheduledtoappear before thecouncil’sCriminal Justice Committee on June 30.

Thecouncil on Thursday voted to seektwo opinions from Attorney General Liz Murrill’soffice. Oneis whether the council can forcethe sheriff to use the city’saccounting system. The other is whether the councilhas broad authorityover thesheriff’s contracting.

Thelasttime Hutson appeared at acouncil committee, on June 3, she said the decade-old jail needs $900,000 in plumbing repairs and money for new locks on cell doors. She said those expenseswillcompromise her ability to make payroll.

The state’slegislative auditor, Mike Waguespack,who attended the meeting at the council’srequest,said the sheriff has $8 million in unrestricted reserves that can be used for other purposes. Hutson says that money is already dedicated toother things.

The council, alongwithMayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration, has been pushing theSheriff’s Office to use the city’saccounting

system, so city officials can view the sheriff’s contracts, personnelspending andother operating costs. Hutson has declined. Apending council ordinance which was deferred on Thursday —would force the sheriffand other criminal justice agencies that receive city funding but operate independentlytouse that system, known as BRASS.

“Weknowthat’sanobligation, and we do it,” Council President JP Morrell said, referring to fundingfor external agencies. “The challenge is whenyou have partners who won’t tell you how much money they’re sitting on.” Morrell said other agencies provide “voluminous” information

COOK

Continued from page1A

theMississippi River for the mile-long complex.

The Convention Centeris also partnering withOmni Hotelstobuild a$700 million new “headquarters” hotel. The proposed 1,000room hotel tower in the Warehouse District would be the first of its size since the Cook-managed Sheraton was built in 1978.

The Convention Center also plays acrucial role in the River District, apublicprivate partnership that is expected to create anew neighborhood, with entertainment venues, housing, shops, hotels and offices, on about 50 acres of land owned by thecenter.

“This is awesome,” Russell Allen, chair of the center’soversight board, said Wednesday after the vote af-

firming Cook’sappointment

“Jim is theright person to lead theauthorityand the Convention Center through thiscritical time.”

Both Allen and Cook thanked Alita Caparotta, the center’s longtime finance chief, for actingasinterim chief executive after Sawaya’s departure Allen noted that Caparotta hadstepped up and led the center throughthe Super Bowl,which included amultiday NFLexperience event there,aswellasthrough thehistoric snowstormin January,which included turnaround for ahuge auto event while the city’sroads were still disrupted by the weather

The day-to-day running of theConventionCenter is abig jobinits ownright, with astaff of about400 and annual revenuesofaround $100 million, most of which comesfrom ashare of the city’s hotel and other hospi-

tality taxes.

Cook has been with Starwood Hotelsand Resorts Worldwide, the parent companyofSheraton, Marriott, Westin andother hotel brands, since 2002. He earned adegree in hospitality from Johnson andWales University in Rhode Island in the1980s,and hiswork hastaken him to Hyannis, Massachusetts; White Plains,New York; and the Sheraton in Boston before theNew Orleansjob

during annual budget hearings, as opposed to the sheriff, whohesaid does not. Morrell saidthe council is working withotheragencieson logistical concerns with the accounting shift, but said Hutson’s office is the only one adamantly pushing back.

In its statement, the Sheriff’s Office saidthe council already has “direct access” to its financial system,and that BRASS does not meet its“operational and compliance needs.”

“Our current system,which was thoroughly vetted and lawfully procured,allows us to manage, track,and report on public funds effectively and with proper oversight,” the statement said.

BUSINESS

BRIEFS

Fewer sought jobless benefits last week

WASHINGTON The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell last week, the Labor Department said Thursday, a sign that companies aren’t cutting many jobs

Jobless claims for the week ended June 21 dropped 10,000 to 236,000, a historically low level. The four-week average of claims, which smooths out weekly volatility dipped 750 to 245,000.

Applications for unemployment aid are a proxy for layoffs, and so the decline is evidence that businesses are mostly holding onto their employees Yet separate data suggests hiring also remains cool, in what economists are referring to as a “no hire, no fire” job market.

The unemployment rate remains low So far this year, employers have added a solid but unspectacular 124,000 jobs a month, down from an average 168,000 last year Most of the hiring has been concentrated in a few industries, specifically health care, government, and restaurants and hotels. Layoffs have mostly remained low, but hiring has also been weak.

GE Appliances moves washer production

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — GE Appliances announced a nearly half-billiondollar project Thursday that it says will create 800 new jobs and shift production of clothes washers from China to its massive manufacturing complex in Kentucky

The $490 million investment positions the Kentucky home appliances company to rank as the biggest U.S. manufacturer of washing machines, it said.

“We are bringing laundry production to our global headquarters in Louisville because manufacturing in the U.S. is fundamental to our ‘zero-distance’ business strategy to make appliances as close as possible to our customers and consumers,” CEO Kevin Nolan said. “This decision is our most recent product reshoring and aligns with the current economic and policy environment.”

Conagra to phase out artificial colors

Conagra Brands, the parent company of Duncan Hines, Slim Jim and other brands, is the latest big food company to say it’s discontinuing the use of artificial dyes. In a statement released Wednesday — the same day as a similar statement from Nestle — Chicago-based Conagra said it will remove artificial colors from its frozen foods by the end of this year Conagra’s frozen brands include Marie Callender’s, Healthy Choice and Birds Eye.

Conagra said it won’t offer products containing artificial colors to K-12 schools by the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year, and it will work to discontinue artificial dyes across its entire portfolio by the end of 2027. Kraft Heinz and General Mills made similar pledges earlier this month. The federal government has stepped up its scrutiny of artificial colors in recent months. In January, days before President Donald Trump took office, the U.S regulators banned the dye called Red 3 from the nation’s food supply, nearly 35 years after it was barred from cosmetics because of potential cancer risk.

In April, Trump’s Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said the agency would take steps to eliminate synthetic dyes by the end of 2026, largely by relying on voluntary efforts from the food industry

Many of Conagra’s products already make a point of using natural dyes. On a jar of Vlasic kosher pickle spears, Conagra notes that they’re colored with turmeric, not the synthetic Yellow 5. For the cheesy color in its frozen vegetable sides or its Orville Redenbacher popcorn, Conagra uses annatto, a plant extract.

Stocks rise to the brink of a record

Markets recover nearly all their 20% spring drop

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK The U.S. stock market ran up to the edge of another record on Thursday.

The S&P 500 climbed 0.8% and is sitting just 0.05% below its alltime closing high, set in February

It briefly topped the mark during the afternoon in the latest milestone for the index at the heart of many 401(k) accounts, which had dropped roughly 20% below its record during the spring on worries about President Donald Trump’s tariffs.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average rallied 404 points, or 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%.

McCormick, the seller of cooking spices, helped lead the way and jumped 5.3% after delivering a better-than-expected profit report. The company also gave a forecast for profit over its full fiscal year that topped analysts’ expectations, including planned efforts to offset increased costs caused by tariffs.

Over the longer term, it’s been big technology stocks that have led the market for years and since the S&P 500 hit a bottom in April.

Chip company Nvidia, which has been the poster child of the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology, added 0.5%. It’s the most valuable company in the U.S. stock market after rushing 61% higher since April 8 towering over the S&P 500’s gain of 23%. Another AI darling, Super Micro Computer, rose 5.7% to bring its gain since April 8 to 55%.

Micron Technology, which sells computer memory and data storage, swung between gains and losses after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said it’s seeing growing AI-driven memory demand, and the company gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. Its stock ended the day down 1%.

All told, the S&P 500 rose 48.86 points to 6,141.02. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 404.41 to 43,386.84, and the Nasdaq composite gained 194.36 to 20,167.91.

A third report said the U.S. economy shrank by more during the first three months of 2025 than earlier estimated. But many economists say those numbers got distorted by a surge of purchases of foreign products by U.S. companies hoping to get ahead of tariffs. They’re expecting a better performance in the upcoming months.

Wall Street’s worries about Trump’s tariffs have receded since the president shocked the world in April with stiff proposed levies, but they have not disappeared. The wait is still on to see how big the tariffs will ultimately be, whether they will hurt the economy and whether they will push up inflation. The economy so far seems to be holding up OK, and more reports arrived on Thursday bolstering that. One said that orders for washing machines and other manufactured goods that last at least three years grew by more last month than economists expected. A second said fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week, a potential signal of fewer layoffs.

La. classifies natural gas as green energy

Backers claim move provides reliable grid

BY JACK BROOK and JENNIFER MCDERMOTT

Associated Press/Report for America

Louisiana is the latest state to redefine natural gas as green energy under a new law the Republican governor signed this week, even though it’s a fossil fuel that emits planet-warming greenhouse gases.

Three other states led by Republicans — Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee — have passed similar legislation. In some Democratic-led states, there have been efforts to phase out natural gas. New York and California cities like San Francisco and Berkeley have moved to ban natural gas hookups in new buildings, though some of these policies have been successfully challenged in court.

President Donald Trump has signed a spate of executive orders promoting oil, gas and coal, which all warm the planet when burned to produce electricity The European Union previously designated natural gas and nuclear as sustainable, a move that Greenpeace and the Austrian government are suing over Gov Jeff Landry, a major booster of the state’s petrochemical industry, says the new law “sets the tone for the future” and will help the state “pursue energy independence and dominance.”

Environmental groups say these new laws are part of a broader push by petrochemical industry-backed groups to rebrand fossil fuel as climate friendly and head off efforts to shift electric grids to renewables, such as solar and wind. It’s “pure Orwellian greenwashing,” said Tim Donaghy, research director of Greenpeace USA.

Globally, the term green energy is used to refer to energy derived from natural sources that do not pollute solar wind, hydropower and geothermal energy Louisiana’s law could enable funds slated for state clean energy initiatives to be used to support natural gas.

Natural gas has been the top source of electricity generation in the United States for about a decade since surpassing coal Coal and natural gas both produce carbon dioxide that warms the planet when burned, but coal produces over twice as much.

Switching from coal to natural gas lowers carbon dioxide emissions, but it can increase

emissions of methane. The primary component of natural gas, methane is an extraordinarily powerful greenhouse gas, more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide and responsible for about 30% of today’s global warming.

Besides coal, everything else is better than gas for the planet, said Rob Jackson, a Stanford University climate scientist. Building new gas plants locks in fossil fuel emissions for decades, he added.

Louisiana’s law orders state agencies and utilities regulators to “prioritize” natural gas, along with nuclear power on the grounds that it will improve the affordability and reliability of the state’s electricity

The law’s author, Republican Rep. Jacob Landry, runs an oil and gas industry consulting firm.

“I don’t think it’s anything crippling to wind or solar, but you got to realize the wind don’t blow all the time and the sun don’t shine every day,” Landry said. The legislation “is saying we need to prioritize what keeps the grid energized,” he added.

Landry told The Associated Press that he used a model bill by the American Legislative Exchange Council as a template. ALEC is a conservative think tank with ties to the oil and gas industry’s billionaire Koch family

ALEC helped shape Ohio’s 2023 law to legally redefine natural gas as a source of green energy, according to documents obtained by watchdog group Energy and Policy Institute and first reported by The Washington Post. Ohio’s legislation was also heavily influenced by an advocacy group led by Republican donor Tom Rastin, a now-retired gas industry executive.

According to Dave Anderson, policy and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute, these laws are part of a long-running disinformation campaign by the gas industry to cast their product as clean to protect their businesses and prevent a shift to renewable energy sources that will address the climate crisis.

Landry and other proponents of the new law said they want to make sure that residents and businesses have a reliable electric grid. Nearly 80% of Louisiana’s grid is already powered by natural gas.

Landry said that businesses will come to Louisiana if they know they can count on the state’s electric grid. He highlighted Meta’s plan to build a massive AI data center powered by three natural gas plants.

Some consumer advocates say states do not need to embrace natural gas at the expense of wind, solar and other technologies to have a reliable grid.

U.S. economy shrank 0.5% in first quarter, worse than earlier estimates

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The U.S. economy shrank at a 0.5% annual pace from January through March as President Donald Trump’s trade wars disrupted business, the Commerce Department reported Thursday in an unexpected deterioration of earlier estimates.

First-quarter growth was weighed down by a surge of imports as U.S. companies and households rushed to buy foreign goods before Trump could impose tariffs on them. The Commerce Department previously estimated that the economy fell 0.2% in the first quarter Economists had forecast no change in the department’s third and final estimate. The January-March drop in gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services reversed a 2.4% increase in the last

three months of 2024 and marked the first time in three years that the economy contracted Imports expanded 37.9%, fastest since 2020, and pushed GDP down by nearly 4.7 percentage points. Consumer spending also slowed sharply, expanding just 0.5%, down from a robust 4% in the fourth quarter of last year It is a significant downgrade from the Commerce Department’s previous estimate.

Consumers have turned jittery since Trump started imposing big taxes on imports, anticipating that the tariffs will impact their finances directly And the Conference Board reported this week that Americans’ view of the U.S. economy worsened in June, resuming a downward slide that had dragged consumer confidence in April to its lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic five years ago.

The Conference Board said Tuesday that its consumer confidence index slid to 93 in June, down 5.4 points from 98.4 last month. A measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for their income, business conditions and the job market fell 4.6 points to 69. That’s well below 80, the marker that can signal a recession ahead. Former Federal Reserve economist Claudia Sahm said, “the downward revision to consumer spending today is a potential red flag.” Sahm, now chief economist at New Century Advisors, noted that Commerce downgraded spending on recreation services and foreign travel — which could have reflect ”great consumer pessimism and uncertainty.”

A category within the GDP data that measures the economy’s underlying strength rose at a 1.9% annual rate from January through March. It’s a decent number, but

down from 2.9% in the fourth quarter of 2024 and from the Commerce Department’s previous estimate of 2.5% January-March growth. This category includes consumer spending and private investment but excludes volatile items like exports, inventories and government spending.

And federal government spending fell at a 4.6% annual pace, the biggest drop since 2022. In another sign that Trump’s policies are disrupting trade, Trade deficits reduce GDP But that’s just a matter of mathematics. GDP is supposed to count only what’s produced domestically, not stuff that comes in from abroad. So imports — which show up in the GDP report as consumer spending or business investment — have to be subtracted out to keep them from artificially inflating domestic production.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MARTHA IRVINE

A flare burns at Venture Global LNG in Cameron on April 21, 2022. Louisiana is the latest state to redefine natural gas as green energy under a new law the Republican governor signed this week.

Kennedy’s advisers back flu vaccination

Panel votes against shots with rarely-used preservative

BY MIKE STOBBE and LAURAN NEERGAARD Associated Press

ATLANTA The Trump admin-

istration’s new vaccine advisers on Thursday endorsed this fall’s flu vaccinations for just about every American but only if they use certain shots free of an ingredient anti-vaccine groups have falsely tied to autism. What is normally a routine step in preparing for the upcoming flu season drew intense scrutiny after U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr abruptly fired the influential 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and hand-picked replacements that include several vaccine skeptics.

The seven-member panel bucked another norm Thursday as it discussed the safety of a preservative used in less than 5% of U.S. flu vaccinations: It deliberated based only on a presentation from an anti-vaccine group’s former leader — without allowing the usual public airing of scientific data from the Cen-

ters for Disease Control and Prevention. The preservative, thimerosal, has long been used in certain vaccines that come in multidose vials, to prevent contamination as each dose is withdrawn. But it has been controversial because it contains a small amount of a particular form of mercury Study after study has found no evidence that thimerosal causes autism or other harm Yet since 2001, all vaccines routinely used for U.S. children age 6 years or younger have come in thimerosal-free formulas — including singledose flu shots that account for the vast majority of influenza vaccinations.

The advisory panel first voted, with one abstention, to back the usual U.S. recommendation that nearly everyone age 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccination.

Then the advisers decided people should only be given thimerosal-free single-dose formulations, voting 5-1 with one abstention. That would include singledose shots that already are the most common type of flu vaccination, as well as the nasal spray FluMist. It would rule out the subset of flu vaccine dispensed in multidose vials.

“There is still no demonstrable evidence of harm,” one panelist, Dr. Joseph Hib-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By SHELBy LUM

Lyn Redwood, a nurse practitioner who once ran the antivaccine group that Robert F. Kennedy Jr founded, attends a meeting of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on Thursday at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.

beln, a psychiatrist formerly with the National Institutes of Health, said in acknowledging the committee wasn’t following its usual practice of acting on evidence.

But he added that “whether the actual molecule is a risk or not, we have to respect the fear of mercury” that might dissuade some people from getting vaccinated.

The ACIP helps the CDC determine who should be vaccinated against a long list of diseases, and when. Those recommendations have a big impact on whether insurance covers vaccinations and where they’re available.

Normally the CDC’s director would decide whether to accept ACIP’s recommendation, but the Senate has not yet confirmed nominee Susan Monarez. Administration officials said Kennedy would make that decision.

Medical groups decried the panel’s lack of transparency in blocking a CDC analysis of thimerosal that concluded there was no link between

the preservative and neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism. The data had been posted on the committee’s website Tuesday, but was later removed — because, according to ACIP member Dr Robert Malone, the report hadn’t been authorized by Kennedy’s office.

Panel members said they had read it.

While Thursday’s debate involved only a small fraction of flu vaccines, some public health experts contend the discussion unnecessarily raised doubt about vaccine safety. Already, fewer than half of Americans get their yearly flu vaccinations, and mistrust in vaccines overall is growing.

“Selective use of data and omission of established science undermines public trust and fuels misinformation,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics. He said of the new panelists, “Nothing about their recent actions have been science-based or transparent.”

RFK Jr.: U.S. pulling funding from global vaccine group

BY MARIA CHENG Associated Press

LONDON U.S Health Sec-

retary Robert F. Kennedy

Jr says the country is pulling its support from the vaccines alliance Gavi, saying the organization has “ignored the science” and “lost the public trust.”

A video of Kennedy’s short speech was shown to a Gavi meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, where the organization that has paid for more than 1 billion children to be vaccinated through routine immunization programs was hoping to raise at least $9 billion for the next five years. Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, mentioned

Gavi’s partnership with the World Health Organization during COVID-19, accusing them of silencing “dissenting views” and “legitimate questions” about vaccine safety

His speech also cast doubt on the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine — which WHO and other health agencies have long

deemed to be safe and effective.

Gavi said in a statement Thursday that its “utmost concern is the health and safety of children,” adding that any decision it makes on vaccines to buy is done in accordance with recommendations issued by WHO’s expert vaccine group.

Justices rule against Planned Parenthood in Medicaid money case

Supreme Court says states can block funds

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST Associated Press

WASHINGTON States can block the country’s biggest abortion provider, Planned Parenthood, from receiving Medicaid money for health services such as contraception and cancer screenings, the Supreme Court ruled on Thursday

The 6-3 opinion by Justice Neil Gorsuch and joined by the rest of the court’s conservatives was not directly about abortion, but it comes as Republicans back a wider push across the country to defund the organization It closes off Planned Parenthood’s primary court path to keeping Medicaid funding in place: patient lawsuits.

The justices found that while Medicaid law allows people to choose their own provider, that does not make it a right enforceable in court. The court split along ideological lines, with the three liberals dissenting in the case from South Carolina.

Public health care money generally cannot be used to pay for abortions, but Medicaid patients go to Planned Parenthood for other needs in part because it can be difficult to find a doctor who takes the publicly funded insurance, the organization has said.

South Carolina Gov Henry McMaster a Republican, said Planned Parenthood should not get any taxpayer money The budget bill backed by President Donald Trump in Congress would also cut Medicaid money for the group. That could force the closure of about 200 centers, most of them in states where abortion is legal, Planned Parenthood has said.

McMaster first moved to

cut off the Medicaid funding in 2018, but he was blocked in court after a lawsuit from a patient, Julie Edwards, who wanted to keep going to Planned Parenthood for birth control because her diabetes makes pregnancy potentially dangerous. Edwards sued under a provision in Medicaid law that allows patients to choose their own qualified provider

South Carolina argued that patients should not be able file such lawsuits. The state pointed to lower courts that have been swayed by similar arguments and allowed states such as Texas to act against Planned Parenthood.

The high court majority agreed.

“Deciding whether to permit private enforcement poses delicate policy questions involving competing costs and benefits — decisions for elected representatives, not judges,” Gorsuch wrote. He pointed out that patients can appeal through other administrative processes if coverage is denied.

McMaster, in a statement, said his state had taken “a stand to protect the sanctity of life and defend South Carolina’s authority and values — and today, we are finally victorious.”

White House spokesperson Harrison Fields called the opinion “a major victory for common sense” and said it underscores the Republican president’s position that states should determine abortion policy In a dissent joined by her liberal colleagues, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said the ruling is “likely to result in tangible harm to real people.”

“It will strip those South Carolinians — and countless other Medicaid recipients around the country — of a deeply personal freedom: the ‘ability to decide who treats us at our most vulnerable,’” she wrote.

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER Associated Press

NEW YORK Sean “Diddy” Combs “committed crime after crime” but thought his “fame, wealth and power” put him above the law, a prosecutor told jurors Thursday as the hip-hop mogul’s sex trafficking trial shifted to closing arguments.

“That ends now,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik said. “It’s time to find the defendant guilty.” Combs, 55, sat with his head down as Slavik highlighted testimony and evidence from the seven-week

trial that she said proved sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and other charges. Wearing a sweater and khakis, he sometimes scribbled notes to his lawyers and shook his head as Slavik played one of his audio messages for the jury

“Over the last several weeks, you’ve learned a lot about Sean Combs,” Slavik said as she launched into her nearly fivehour presentation.

“He’s the leader of a criminal enterprise. He doesn’t take no for an answer And now you know about many crimes he committed with members of his enterprise.”

Among the proof, Slavik argued, was evidence that Combs kidnapped one of his employees, was involved in setting rapper Kid Cudi’s convertible ablaze, engaged in forced labor, bribed a hotel guard and carried out “brutal crimes at the heart of this case.”

Combs “again and again forced, threatened and manipulated” ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura and an ex-girlfriend who testified under the pseudonym “Jane” into “having sex with escorts for his own entertainment,” Slavik said, speaking from a lectern directly in front of jurors.

The prosecutor said Combs forced or coerced Cassie and Jane to engage

in the dayslong sexual performances known as “freakoffs” or “hotel nights” with drugs, violence, or by threatening financial harm or the release of video recordings of some of the hundreds of encounters.

“Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes,” Slavik said.

Slavik said Combs “counted on silence and shame” to enable and prolong his abuse He used a “small army” of employees, including personal assistants and bodyguards, to harm women and cover it up, she said.

The theory of racketeering law is that “when someone commits crime as part of a group, they’re more

powerful and dangerous,” Slavik said. “The defendant was a powerful man, but he became more powerful and dangerous because of his inner circle, his businesses the enterprise.”

Combs and his inner circle “committed hundreds of racketeering acts,” she said.

Observing from wooden benches in the packed courtroom were members of Combs’ family, including several of his children. In midafternoon, he gave them a thumbs-up.

Since his arrest at a Manhattan hotel last September, Combs and his lawyers have insisted he is innocent, though they conceded at trial that domestic violence occurred.

Combs “was abusive: physical, emotional, psychological, sexual abuse,” Slavik said. “The defendant doesn’t deny the abuse. They just want to call it ‘domestic violence’ and claim it doesn’t have anything to do with the crimes charged.” The defense, which will present its closing arguments Friday, built its case for acquittal through lengthy cross-examinations of most of the government’s 34 witnesses. Some testified only in response to subpoenas and insisted they didn’t want to be there. Combs’ lawyers contend there was no racketeering conspiracy because no employees agreed to join any conspiracy

Combs

Super Bowl protester arrested

Performer unveiled unplanned flag during Feb. 9 halftime show

BY MARCO CARTOLANO | Staff writer

A Super Bowl LIX halftime show dancer who unveiled a combination Palestinian and Sudanese flag as an act of protest during the Feb.

9 game at the Superdome was arrested Thursday, more than four months after rapper Kendrick Lamar’s live performance, Louisiana State Police said New Orleans artist Zul-Qarnain

Kwame Nantambu stood on a 1987 Buick GNX used as a prop in the show and held up the flag, emblazoned with the words “Gaza” and “Sudan.”

Among dozens of dancers don-

ning all-black outfits and face masks, Nantambu, 41, eventually jumped off the vehicle and ran onto the field while holding the flag, videos showed. He was captured by New Orleans police but

was released without arrest. The next day, the NOPD said he would not face criminal charges. But Nantambu surrendered Thursday on a warrant secured by Louisiana State Police on counts of resisting an officer and disturbing

A powerboat makes its way across Lake Pontchartrain before competing in a kilo run event during the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix

SPEEDING FRENZY

Lake Pontchartrain to host its first powerboat race in 20 years

A powerboat is weighed and hoisted into the water at the Bonnabel Boat Launch in Metairie on Thursday.

Powerboat P1 will host the season opener of its Offshore Triple Crown race series on Lake Pontchartrain this weekend.

First suspect pleads guilty in cigarette heist

More pleas expected in multistate crime

BY JOHN SIMERMAN | Staff writer

A theft last year of about $80,000 in cigarettes from a pair of locked 18-wheelers inside a corporate yard in Elmwood was the work of six men who drove from California for that heist and others, according to court records and an admission from the first defendant to plead guilty More guilty pleas are pending after James Blocker, 37, admitted in federal court on June 12 to conspiracy and transporting stolen goods across state lines. Blocker faces up to 10 years in prison on each of the two counts

BY COURTNEY LUCIUS and LARA NICHOLSON Staff writers

Metairie’s Bonnabel Boat Launch bustled Thursday as a 20-foot crane hoisted brightly colored speedboats into Lake Pontchartrain in preparation for the first professional powerboat race to skim across the lake’s waters in roughly 20 years.

Powerboat P1, a marine motor sport promoter will host its season opener for the P1 Offshore Triple Crown race series off the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in Metairie this weekend, where the public can watch from the shoreline for free as powerboats and other watercraft race each other at speeds over 200 mph.

Jefferson Parish Council member Hans Liljeberg said Thursday organizers expect about 30,000 attendees at the event, with millions of dollars flowing into the local economy through tourism and “enhanced visibility of Jefferson Parish” to attract future marine racing events.

“Just the way this is all set up is perfect for them,” Liljeberg said. The event kicked off Thursday with 1-kilometer speed trials, while other festivities like a boat poker run, a parade of boats and a

Judge: N.O. council’s travel ban not legal

Ruling nullifies leaders’ action

BY BEN MYERS | Staff writer

The New Orleans City Council’s efforts to restrict Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s frequent travel faced another setback this week when a Orleans Parish Civil District judge struck down a ban the council passed in April as unconstitutional.

Cantrell’s administration had already won a preliminary injunction freezing the law that restricted most employee travel, but the ruling issued Wednesday by Judge Jennifer Medley nullifies the council’s action, which the mayor has characterized as an illegal power grab.

The council’s lawyer, Adam Swensek, said the council will likely appeal.

“We maintain that the constitution does not prohibit the council from regulating publicly funded travel by city employees,”

“This ruling upholds the integrity of the city’s governing structure and confirms that the council cannot simply rewrite the rules to expand its power as it sees fit,” said Charles Rice, a private lawyer who represented the Cantrell administration in the case.

ä See TRAVEL,

for New Orleans archdiocese set by judge

in bankruptcy

STAFF PHOTOS By BRETT DUKE

in Metairie on Thursday.

Cantrell

Sheriff: Man fatally shot

his grandmother

Tickfaw man booked in incident

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A Tickfaw man accused of shooting his grandmother through a closed door on Saturday and then fleeing without telling anyone has been booked with second-degree murder, the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office said.

Jaiden Dillon, 19, was also booked with failing to report a felony and obstruction of justice in the death of 65-year-old Annette Jackson, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Two others, Nijah Dillon, 25, and Benjamin White, 30, were each booked with accessory after the fact.

The Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to a report of a shooting at a Tickfaw area home around 8:45 p.m. Saturday and found Jackson outside of her home with a gunshot wound to

PROTESTER

Continued from page 1B

the peace by interruption of a lawful assembly Both misdemeanors are punishable by up to six months in jail. An attorney for Nantambu could not be reached.

The State Police took over the investigation soon after the game “due to the nature of the incident, and the performer’s access to a highly secured area,” Sgt. Kate Stegall said by email Thursday

“Our agency’s continued investigation ensured a comprehensive review of all security protocols and actions taken, in coordination with the NFL, and other stakeholders,” she said. Investigators found that Nantambu “deviated from his assigned role” and “disrupted” the widely televised halftime show

Entertainment company Roc Nation produced the halftime show and said early on that Nantambu’s demonstration was “neither planned nor part of the production and was never in any rehearsal.”

Nantambu told NBC he was emboldened by Lamar’s performance and his Islamic faith to “highlight the human suffering” in Gaza and Sudan.

But the NFL took a hard line, banning him for life from all NFL stadiums and events. Brian McCarthy, vice president of communications for the NFL, praised State Police on Thursday

“We take any attempt to dis-

TRAVEL

Continued from page 1B

Swensek said.

The travel ban spun out of a controversy over a proposed settlement in the Orleans Parish School Board’s lawsuit against the Cantrell administration over its fees for collecting school-dedicated property taxes. The $90 million settlement was announced in November, but Cantrell nixed it two months later, claiming she hadn’t been told about it and that the city couldn’t afford it. The city’s chief financial officer, Romy Samuel, then issued dire warnings about out-of-control spending, drawing ire from council members who called it a bluff to justify Cantrell’s decision. In response, the council passed a temporary ban on nonessential employee travel on Feb. 27. The ordinance applied to all city employees, but it was a direct shot at Cantrell, who has been heavily criticized for a busy travel itinerary during her second term. Cantrell, who took a trip to Washington, D.C., after the ban passed, won a temporary restraining order and injunction. The mayor has spent about 1 in 4 days outside the city, on average, since the ban passed, according to her official schedules. They include trips that weren’t announced in advance, or at all, breaking from tradition. The fight over the travel ban fit with other recent court battles over the council’s authority, though none directly involving the mayor

her neck.

She was brought to an area hospital, where she died, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Detectives determined that Dillon, who lived at the home with Jackson, who was his grandmother, shot her through the closed, locked front door as she was returning to the home from the grocery store.

Dillon then allegedly fled without alerting anyone or trying to get medical help.

He turned himself in Sunday afternoon after a warrant had been issued for his arrest, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Nijah Dillon is Jaiden Dillon’s sister, and White is her boyfriend, the Sheriff’s Office said. They are accused of helping Jaiden Dillon evade arrest.

This investigation is still ongoing. The Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information about this incident to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at (985) 902-2088.

rupt any part of an NFL game including the halftime show, very seriously and are pleased this individual will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” McCarthy said. Nantambu in 2016 petitioned to change his legal name from Kwame Michou Nantambu to ZulQarnain Nantambu, according to Orleans Parish Civil District Court records.

His criminal history includes a 2003 conviction in Orleans Parish for credit card theft, a 2005 conviction in Jefferson Parish on two theft counts, and a 2004 conviction for possession of marijuana in Orleans Parish. In May 2003, he pleaded guilty to third-degree possession of a forged instrument in New York. In 2009, Nantambu pleaded guilty and received a 10-month federal sentence after using a fake Georgia driver’s license and stolen credit cards to book seven national and international airline tickets worth more than $13,700, according to court records.

Last month, Nantambu claimed he was the man who was shot at by former NFL wide receiver Antonio Brown following a fistfight at a Miami boxing event according to a TMZ report. Brown is wanted on an attempted murder count related to the shooting.

Staff writers Jeff Duncan and Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report.

Email Marco Cartolano at marco.cartolano@theadvocate. com.

including one by Rice, have now said those ordinances violate the city charter and wrongly impede the mayor’s executive authority

The council is appealing both rulings, and the orders are stayed while the appeals are pending.

The council last refused to sign off on a $75,000 legal contract for Rice that Cantrell endorsed for his work on a lawsuit against the Municipal Police Employees’ Retirement System.

Council President JP Morrell said at the time the contract would send “the wrong message” because Rice was the head of Entergy New Orleans during an infamous astroturfing scandal in 2018. Rice, who has denied any wrongdoing in that controversy, argued the council had no right to obstruct the contract and said his past employment was irrelevant.

In a similar landmark case, Judge Paulette Irons overruled a 2022 ordinance giving the council power to approve professional service contracts over $1 million. Henry Consulting brought that case after the council declined to approve its $73 million sanitation contract for the French Quarter and Downtown Development District.

RACE

Continued from page 1B

“party in the pits” are scheduled throughout the weekend.

High-speed racing will take place from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and will be viewable from spots along the lakefront or via P1’s YouTube and Facebook pages. Boat owners can also view the race from the water, outside the racetrack’s perimeter which will be marked with buoys.

“It’s going to be great race conditions,” said Dustin Farthing, a powerboat driver and the 2023 P1 national champion. “Obviously it’s better for the fans and the spectators when it’s a little rough, a little choppy, and there’s some waves out there.”

Bucktown Harbor and the

TIMELINE

Continued from page 1B

been finalized, to be filed with the court. If the plan fails to pass muster with abuse survivors, there won’t be any need for a trial. Grabill would likely dismiss the case, as she has repeatedly threatened to do in recent months amid frustration over the slow pace of progress after more than five years and nearly $50 million in legal fees.

Such a move would clear the way for abuse survivors to sue the church and its affiliated parishes and charitable organizations in state court.

Want their day in court

A vocal group of abuse survivors and their lawyers are pushing for dismissal. This group, which comprises as many as 20% or more of the 600 survivors who have filed abuse claims with the bankruptcy court, is at odds with the official court-appointed committee that represents all survivors and has been negotiating with the Roman Catholic church over a settlement.

The official committee announced in May a tentative deal with the archdiocese that would pay survivors at least $180 million over five years and entitle them to additional money from insurers

HEIST

Continued from page 1B

U.S. District Judge Sarah Vance set his sentencing for Oct. 8.

Bonnabel Boat Launch will be closed during the event Free parking will be available at several nearby locations, including Haynes Academy, Grace King High School and Marie Riviere Elementary Jefferson Parish will provide free shuttles between the schools to the lakefront from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday During the event, Live Oak Street westbound will be marked for one-way traffic from Homestead Avenue to Bonnabel Boulevard, as well as Grace King Place northbound from Rockford Heights to the driveway of Sunrise Senior Living. There will be no parking on Bonnabel Boulevard between Veterans Boulevard and the levee, or on the following streets between West Esplanade and the

and property sales.

The settlement would also contain nonmonetary provisions that establish certain safeguards and policies to protect children against future incidents of sex abuse by priests, deacons and other church officials.

The faction of survivors pushing for dismissal have alleged in court documents that the case has been mismanaged from the outset. Some now say that no amount of money is enough and that they want to have their day in court so that they can tell their stories to a jury

Some of those survivors have begun attending routine hearings in the case. A dozen or so crowded Grabill’s small courtroom on Thursday

Among them was Johnny Krummel, 53, who said he is against the plan.

“I want to go trial. I’m not going to change my mind, and I’m going to vote no to any plan,” said Krummel, who said he was abused in the 1970s at Hope Haven and Madonna Manor on the West Bank, two of the archdiocese’s most notorious orphanages at the time.

A spokesperson for the archdiocese declined to comment.

Hurdles and questions

The faction of abuse survivors opposing the plan is not the only roadblock that attorneys for the church, its apostolates and the offi-

gia, some of the same men used crowbars and bolt cutters to steal nearly 1,500 cartons of cigarettes valued at $127,000, the indictment states.

lake on the side containing fire hydrants: Hesper Avenue, Helios Avenue, Poinsettia Drive, Wisteria Drive, Rose Garden Drive, Gardenia Drive, Homestead Avenue and both sides of Poplar Street.

Powerboat races were held in Lake Pontchartrain annually from 1980 until 1991, with another three races taking place in the early 2000s. New Orleans also was home to a race team formed by Al Copeland Sr., founder of Popeyes Fried Chicken. Harvey Gulf Marine CEO Shane Guidry put up $300,000 to help bring the races to Metairie.

“There is a lot of history here with powerboating, and we’re really excited to be part of bringing that back to the parish and to the city,” said Shane Guidry’s son, Ashton Guidry, COO for the company

cial committee of abuse survivors face as they try to forge ahead with a settlement.

A group of bondholders who lent the archdiocese more than $40 million in 2017 is also opposing the plan. Earlier this month, they accused the church in court of defaulting on its loan and committing securities fraud.

The accusation was not filed as an official complaint with federal regulators, and attorneys for the archdiocese denied the allegation. One of the archdiocesan insurance companies, Travelers Insurance, also has yet to get on board with the plan.

Adding to the uncertainty are questions about how much Christopher Homes might fetch if sold later this year The archdiocese is actively marketing the portfolio of 15 elderly senior apartment complexes to generate additional money to pay survivors.

Until a sale is finalized, however, some survivors said Thursday that it’s hard to get behind even the broad outlines of a plan.

“With Christopher Homes and too many other things up in the air, I’d rather take my chances in court and let a jury of my peers decide what’s fair,” said Richard Coon, 58, who said he was abused for several years beginning at age 10.

Email Stephanie Riegel at stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. com.

At issue are ordinances the council passed in 2022 and 2023 giving it the right to approve professional service contracts worth more than $1 million, as well as all outside legal contracts. Judges in two lawsuits,

Irons’ ruling — like Medley’s in the legal services case — is stayed while the council appeals, meaning the council retains its signing power on contracts like Henry’s while the 4th Circuit Court of Appeal considers the case. Cantrell has insisted the Henry contract is lawful and said Henry will begin work on Aug. 1, even without a favorable ruling from the 4th Circuit. Her administration has not answered questions as to how the contract is lawful while the stay in Irons’ order is in place.

Email Ben Myers at bmyers@ theadvocate.com

Blocker’s attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday But in a factual basis last month, he admitted to the midnight burglary and theft at Imperial Trading Co. on Nov. 21. The convenience store distributor is owned by John Georges, who also owns The Times-Picayune | The Advocate. Three masked burglars cut through a 6-foot-high fence and used bolt cutters to breach two tractor trailers, offloading boxes and cartons of cigarettes to a pair of rented vehicles, according to a January indictment It wasn’t the first time authorities say the men committed a crime that harkens to “Goodfellas,” the Martin Scorsese gangster film from 1990.

Police tied the same group to a similar heist in February 2024 at a warehouse in Knightdale, North Carolina, that netted 726 cartons of cigarettes valued at $52,000. A few days later, in Rockmart, Geor-

Police in Atlanta stopped a box truck and found 2,200 cartons of cigarettes from both of those burglaries, along with tools, face masks and duffel bags.

Months later in Elmwood, the men allegedly cut through locks and loaded 1,000 cartons into a GMC Acadia and Chrysler Pacifica. An investigation found that they’d rented a room at the Super 8 motel on Clearview Parkway in Metairie.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office also found that the two vehicles were rentals with GPS tracking. Police in Fort Stockton, Texas, found both vehicles and the suspects at a Love’s truck stop. A search of their cellphones tracked some of the defendants from Memphis to a cigarette distributor in Brookhaven, Mississippi, before they reached Louisiana.

“It’s hard to imagine someone driving across the country to target our warehouse in Elmwood, but thanks to the outstanding efforts of law enforcement justice is being served,” said Imperial

Trading CEO Wayne Baquet in a statement. “We are deeply appreciative of the swift and coordinated response by Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana State Police, the Texas Rangers and their federal law enforcement partners.”

Still facing charges in the federal case are Deanthony Blocker, Jovan Collins, Nemirah Davidson, Patrick Garland and Lorenzo Taylor Collins, Davidson and Taylor are scheduled to plead guilty next week. Plea negotiations for Deanthony Blocker and Garland are pending.

Missy Wilkinson contributed to this story

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Sean McCarthy prepares a boat to compete in a kilo run event during the New Orleans Powerboat Grand Prix at the Bonnabel Boat Launch in Metairie on Thursday

Morrell

Allen,Audrey

Ardis-Jones, Glynis

Baker-Fox, Charmaine Bazile,Rene

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Blackwell, Kay

Canizaro, Joseph Carter,Frenchie

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Allen, Audrey Foster

Audrey Foster Allen, age 89, enteredpeacefully into eternal rest at Ochsner Medical Center Main Cam‐pus on Saturday,June14, 2025. Shewas anativeand residentofNew Orleans, LA. Audrey wasa 1955 graduateofXavier Preparatory High School and sheattended Straight BusinessSchool.She was employedasa Paraprofes‐sional(Teacher’sAide) withOrleans Parish Public School System formany years.Audreywas a parishioner of Holy Spirit Catholic Church anda memberofAll Saints RosaryGroup.Beloved wife ofthe late Joseph Roy Allen,Sr. Devotedmother ofSherylAnn Allenand the lateJosephRoy Allen, Jr and BrianMichael Allen. Lovinggrandmother of JosephR.(Megan) Allen, III, AmberN.Allen,Darby L. Baham,Jason R. (Mimi) Allen,BrittanyB.(Howard) Crumpe’,TaylerA.(Phil) James,MarleyV.Baham, and KaiVal A. Howard Daughterofthe late Ben‐jamin Franklin Foster and Mable Baxter Foster.Sister ofLavernFoster; also sur‐vived by 8great grandchil‐dren, anda host of nieces, nephews,cousins,godchil‐dren, otherrelatives and friends.Relatives and friends of thefamily, also pastor, officers,and mem‐bersofLifeCenterCathe‐dral, priest andparish‐ionersofHolySpirit Catholic Church,All Saints Catholic Church andall neighboring churches are invited to attend the Homegoing Celebrationat LifeCenterCathedral,2100 AmesBlvd.,Marrero,LAon Saturday, June 28,2025, at 10:00 a.m. Bishop J. Dou‐glasWiley,seniorpastor; Elder RayScott, officiating. officiating. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.muntil ser‐vicetimeatthe church.In‐terment: Westlawn Ceme‐tery-Gretna,LA. AMemor‐ial Mass will be held at HolySpiritCatholicChurch, 6201 StratfordPlace,New Orleans,LAonSunday, June 29,2025, at 1:00p.m. ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St Gretna,LA. To view and sign theguestbook, pleasegotowww.davicmo rtuaryservice.com.Face masks arerecommended

Ardis-Jones, Glynis

Glynis Ardis-Jones, a lifelongresidentofNew Orleans,Louisiana,was calledhomeonSaturday, June 14,2025, at theage of 71. Shepassedpeacefully atOchsnerMedical CenterWestbank. Born on October 1,1953, Glynis wasthe beloved daughter of the late Lillie andWillieC Ardis,Sr. She waspre‐ceded in deathbyher de‐voted husband,Eddie Jones Sr;her belovedson, StevenTerrell Bell;and her cherished siblings:the late GailArdis Shorty andLarry Ardis,MarianArdis Clarke, Willie C. Ardis, Jr L. Fay Ardis Arbuthnot, and Michael Ardis. Glynis leavestocherish hermem‐ory herlovingson,Asizan JerrelOtt; eightadored grandchildren;a host of great-grandchildren,nieces,nephews,great-nieces and nephews, andgreatgreat nieces andnephews She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, brothers-inlaw,and acircleofdear familyand closefriends Glyniswillberemembered for herstrength, love,and unwavering devotion to family. Herlegacywillcon‐tinue to live on throughthe manylives shetouched Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the celebrationoflifeser‐vicewhich will be held on Saturday, June 28,2025, at RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home9611 La -23, Belle Chasse,La70037. Thevisi‐tationwillbegin at 9a.m and theservice will begin at11a.m.PastorJordanL RobinsonSr.,ofNew Zion Baptist Church Marrero, LA, officiatingand inter‐mentwillbeprivate.Fu‐neralplanningentrusted to

Robinson Family Funeral Home(504) 208 -2119. For onlinecondolences please visit www.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com

Baker-Fox, Charmaine Lynette

Evangelist Charmaine Lynette Baker-Fox, August 26, 1956 -June 15, 2025. I haveglorified Thee on the earth.I have finished the workwhich Thou hasgiven Metodo. John 17:4. Char‐maine Baker-Fox, ade‐voted wife,community leader, andfervent woman ofGod,peacefullytransi‐tionedonJune 15, 2025 BorninNew Orleanstothe lateAnnieBellThurman Baker andArthur Gaines she liveda life steeped in service,conviction, and love. Shewas unitedin marriagetoher beloved husband,JeromeFox,with whomshe shared 50 cher‐ished years. Aproud grad‐uateofJohnMcDonogh Se‐niorHighSchool’s Classof 1974, Charmainecarried her Trojanette spirit into every endeavor.Her pro‐fessional journeyincluded workatVenus Garden SchwegmannSupermar‐ket,Flint-GoodridgeHospi‐tal,and theIRS.But her life’sworkwas ministry BaptizedatPilgrim Rest Baptist Church #2,she later became apillarofIs‐raelite BaptistChurch,af‐fectionatelyknown as its “Mouthpiece”. Ordained as anEvangelistin1998, she boldlyproclaimedthe Gospelwithpassion and clarity.Charmaine’s fa‐voritescripture,Psalm 27:1-2, andher song,“Can’t NobodyDoMeLikeJesus,” reflectedher unwavering faith.Asshe oftenlived out Romans1:16, shewas truly unashamed of theGospel. For over threedecades, she wasa tireless death‐careadvocateand commu‐nityactivist, guidinggriev‐ing families with compas‐sion. Sheheldleadership roles on theboardsof Neighborhood Housing Services, LibertyCityCom‐munity Development, and IsraeliteBaptist Church She served 16 yearsonthe Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee eight of thoseasChair of DistrictB.She also gave of herself throughnumerous civic organizationsinclud‐ing:WAKEEducation Board,NOPD6th District Volunteer,SCLC– NewOr‐leans Chapter, NewOr‐leans MLK, Jr.Planning Commission, CentralCity Partnership,Gatekeepers Association, andNew Or‐leans Metropolitan Choral Union.Charmaine waspre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐ents; herson,JeromeAn‐thony Fox, Sr.; siblings Quvette Bakerand Arthur June”Gaines; nephews MelvinBaker &JeViaron Jones.She leaves to cher‐ish hermemory: herhus‐band, Jerome Fox; children LolitaLynette Fox(William Freeman), ShelitaMonique Fox,and TaranMonique Baker;grandchildren Jer‐nay Inez Fox, Jerome An‐thony Fox, Jr., Jerome “JJ” Simmons,Jr.,A’MayaPaige Freeman,Kamaria Tarel Clark,and Quienterra AmariaWilson. Also sur‐vivingare hersiblingsMin‐ister ClintonLouis Baker (KeokeoaBurton),Georgia Michelle Baker, Christy Williams,Blake Gaines,Sr., Deidre, Eileen,and Fran‐ciska Gaines;godchildren Tequila Thomas andBrené Johnson;her beloved church family—especially the Darlings of Israelite Baptist Church—and many extendedfamilymembers friends,and community members who will carry her legacy forward. Family and friendsalong with the Pastor, officers andmem‐bersofthe IsraeliteBaptist Church,New Home Min‐istries,Greater Liberty Baptist Church,neighbor‐ing churches,employees of Sewerage& WaterBoard of New Orleans, LCMC Trans‐plant Clinic,First Horizon Bank, CivilDistrictCourt, EnterpriseAmericanSugar Refining,members of WAKE, SCLC,Central City Partnership andall other affiliatesare invitedtoat‐tendthe Homegoing Ser‐viceonSaturday, June 28, 2025, for11:00 a.m. at Is‐raelite BaptistChurch,2100 MartinL.King, Jr Boule‐vard, NewOrleans,LA 70113. Visitation will begin at8:00a.m.- 10:00 a.m.; TributesfromElected Offi‐cials 10:00 a.m. -10:45 a.m. Rev.Dr. EmanuelSmith,Jr, officiating. Intermentwill

follow at Providence MemorialPark& Mau‐soleum, 8200 AirlineHwy., Metairie, LA 70003. Profes‐sionalarrangementsen‐trusted to Majestic Mortu‐ary Service, Inc.,(504) 5235872.

Bazile, Rene 'Joseph'

Rene “Joseph” Bazile,a proud Marine Corpsvet‐eran, passedawayonJune 16, 2025, at theage of 62 BornonJune 23, 1962, Joe lived alifeofservice,love, and dedication to family. Hewas thedevoted hus‐bandofthe late Janice Bazile, hislifelonglove. To‐gethertheyraisedthree daughters:Kiendra Bazile Jasmine Brashears, and Maicha’nBazile.Joe wasa lovinggrandfather to Kam‐ren Bazile, CharishSmith and MacieButler. Joewas precededindeath by his mother, Winifred O’Connor and twosisters Ethel& SylviaO’Connor. He is sur‐vived by hissiblings: Chiq‐uitaO’Connor, Isaac Bazile, EllaBenson, RoyO’Connor, and JamesO’Connor. Joe’s timeinthe U.S. Marine Corps shaped hisvaluesof disciplineand loyalty, which he carriedthrough‐out hislife. Family and friends remember himfor his humor,strength, and steadfastsupport.His memoryand legacy will liveonthrough thosehe loved andservedsoself‐lessly. Family andfriends are invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, June 28, 2025, for 1:30 p.m. at TheBoyd FamilyFuneralHome, 5001 ChefMenteur Hwy.,New Orleans,LA70126. Visita‐tionwillbegin at 12:30 p.m. Pastor, RonAngeletti,offi‐ciating.Repasttofollow. SemperFi, Joe. Rest well Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Isaiah Bennett, Jr., age 71was born on December 15, 1953, peacefully transi‐tionedfromthislifeon Thursday,June 19, 2025. He retired from QualityShip‐yardin2014, buthis dedi‐cationtohardworkled backintothe work at Gulf South,where he continued toserve faithfully until his untimelypassing.Isaiah took greatpride in thecare ofhis home,especially his well-manicuredyard, which reflectedhis appre‐ciation fororder,beauty, and hard work.Isaiah legacyisone of quietdevo‐tion, faith in action,love for dancing, anda deep lovefor family. He will be rememberedfor hishumil‐ity,his smile,and hisun‐waveringpresenceinthe lives of thoseheloved.Isa‐iah liveda life full of quiet strength, steady faith and enduringlove. Isaiah wasa devoted husband to Ruby Bennett, hislifepartner and best friend for34 years.Their union was rooted in love andmutual respect,touchingthe lives ofall who knew them.He embracedthe role of fa‐ther figure with an open heart,raising andloving his daughter,Sheba,and fourstepchildren: Barbara Miles,KalaFranklin, Leroy Miles,and ChatmanRiggs A godfather by choice and love, Isaiah helped and nurture BerwickSmith,Jr. and Roland McPherson, Jr., sharing hiswisdomand steadypresencethrough‐out theirlives.Hewas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis par‐ents, AnnieBellBennett and Isaiah Bennett, as well asMahaley Watts,Frank Bennett, AnnieBellBen‐nett, ZacheryBennett, and EugeneBennett. Hismem‐ory will on throughhis beloved sibling: William Bennett, JamesBennett, JohnnyBennett, Benjamin Bennett, andDorothy Ben‐

nett. Relativesand friends ofthe familyare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at Mount Cal‐varyBaptist Church,4907 Bayouside Dr Chauvin, LA 70344 at 2:00 p.m. Visita‐tionfrom12:00 noon until 2:00p.m.Interment Mt Calvary B.C. Cemetery Chauvin,LA. Youmay sign the guestbook on http:// www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com. Gertrude Geddes Willis-Terrebonne Funeral Home, Inc. in charge,(985) 872-6934.

Blackwell, Kay

It is with heavyhearts, our familyannounces the passing of ourbeloved “Kay-Kay”.Kay Blackwell passedawayonSunday June 22, 2025 at theage of 81. Affectionately known asMs. Kayor“Kay-Kay” to all,she wasborninMobile ALonMay 30, 1944, and raisedinbothTylertown, MSand NewOrleans.She met andlater marriedthe boynextdoor”, her QuinceSt. neighbor,War‐ren.After attendingPGT BeauregardMiddleSchool and Warren Easton High School,theymarried on Valentine’s Day1964, at Pontchartrain Baptist Church in NewOrleans.To‐gethertheylovinglyraised their twodaughters Michelle andNicole. Kay was alongtimememberof St. John Lutheran Church and past BoardofControl President of Lutheran High School.She wasalsoa longtimesupporter and memberofAtonement LutheranChurch.Kay leavesbehindher beloved husband of 61 years, War‐ren Blackwell. Shewillalso bedearlymissedbyher two daughters, Michelle Clement (Barry), and NicoleAlleman(Mike); her grandchildren,Rebecca Fontenot(Derrek), Caroline Alleman,and MikeyAlle‐man;great-grandchildren Wyatt andWalker Fontenot; siblings,Mona Lee (Douglas), Beth Bonin, BillBrister (Pat), Ricky Brister (Helen), Fred Brister (Denise); anddozensof cherished nieces and nephews.She waspre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐ents, Howard andLolaBris‐ter;her sisters, PatForbes (late,John),SchereanBris‐ter,and Gwen Brister; her brother,MikeBrister (Nancy);and afavorite cousin, Cedo.Familyand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe Memorial Service atAtonement Lutheran Church,6500 RiversideDr. Metairie, LA 70003 on Sat‐urday,June 28, 2025. Visita‐tionwilltakeplace from 12:00 pm -2:00pm. The service will beginat2:00 pm, with fellowship imme‐diately following. Contribu‐tions maybemadeto LutheranHighSchool of New Orleans, in memory of Kay Blackwell. Online con‐dolencesmay be offeredat www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Canizaro, Joseph Corte 'Joe'

Joseph CorteCanizaro (Joe), adevoted husband, father, grandfather,entrepreneur, andpillar of theNew Orleans business community, passedaway peacefully at home on June 20, 2025, surrounded by his loving family. He was eighty-eight years old and lived alifefull of extraordinary accomplishments and quietmiracles

He is survived by his belovedwife of 64 years SueEllen MattinaCanizaro, hisbeloved daughters JoellenTheresa Canizaro and Jill Canizaro Randle (Keith),his belovedgrandson Ryan Joseph Lopiccolo (Kaitlin),and hisbeloved great grandsons Hunter Grayson Lopiccolo and Beau CorteLopiccolo who lovingly calledhim "Granddaddy." He is also survived by hisbeloved brothers and sistersAnna Rose CanizaroBacas (the lateBuddy), VitoJoseph Canizaro, Jr.(Joyce), Roy Thomas Canizaro (Kim) andVita Margaret Canizaroalong withmany beloved niecesand nephews. He is also survivedbyhis brother-in-law David "Bubba"Mattina (Sharon) andsister-in-law Kathy Wright Canizaro(the lateMarion). Additional survivorsalso include Jill andKeith's children and grandchild:Hamilton Randle, KateRandle Ross (Derek) andbabyLouise Ross

Mr.Canizarowas precededindeathbyhis belovedmother and father Dr.Vito Joseph Canizaro andGilda Melone Canizaro of Biloxi, Mississippi, his belovedson Vito Joseph Canizaro, IV,his beloved sister Gilda CanizaroButler Henson and beloved brothersMarion Francis Canizaroand HoraceJohn Canizaro.

Mr.Canizaro wasborn on March1,1937 in Baltimore,Maryland. He wasthe first of eight children and raisedina devoutCatholic family. He waseducatedbythe Holy CrossBrothers and graduated from Notre Dame High School in Biloxi. He attended CanisiusUniversity in Buffalo, NewYork, Mississippi State University, and SpringHill College. Mr.Canizarowas acceptedtothe University of NotreDame butwas unabletoattenddue to his father's untimely passing Hissteadfast commitment to hisfamilykepthim close to home.

Aman of unwavering faith, boundless generosity, andenduringvision across arange of industries, Mr.Canizaroleft an indelible mark on thecity wherehelived andonthe city wherehewas raised. For more than six decades, hisleadership and vision ledtohistoric progress in both NewOrleans and Biloxi. Aprominent developer andbankerinthe City of NewOrleans that he lovedsomuch, Mr. Canizarodeveloped and built many of thebeautiful buildings that line the city'sskyline He wasa true visionary

Bennett Jr., Isaiah

4B ✦ Friday,June 27,2025

and as hestood at the foot of Poydras Street in the late 1960s, Mr. Canizaro determined it would become the great business thoroughfare in New Orleans. This vision coupled with his determination was instrumental in creating what has become known as the New Orleans Central Business District (CBD). His buildings always reflected the utmost attention to detail, elegance and quality.

Mr. Canizaro demanded excellence and accountability always, mentoring and employing hundreds of people throughout his distinguished life.

Some of his most recognized developments include the LL&E Tower (now BankPlus Tower) at the corner of Poydras and O'Keefe and featured often in national broadcasts, Canal Place Shopping Center and Office Tower, Texaco Center (now 400 Poydras Tower), the Crowne Plaza Hotel (now Le Meridien Hotel). His very first building in New Orleans was the Lykes Center (now the Loews Hotel).

Mr. Canizaro owned numerous other office buildings, office parks and hotels around the country within his real estate portfolio. He also developed and built the Information Technology Center Office Complex located at the University of New Orleans Research and Technology Park.

Mr. Canizaro is also the developer of TRADITION, the 4,900-acre masterplanned community on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, a project that willcreatea sustainable community with residentialneighborhoods, institutions of high learning, mixed-use commercial and recreational amenities centered on health and wellness, education, culture and the environment. At buildout of the project, thirty-five to forty thousand residents are anticipated to call TRADITION home. The TRADITION Medical City is home to both William Carey University's Tradition Campus School of Pharmacy and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College's Tradition Campus School of Nursing. In 2025, The Vito J. Canizaro Veterans Administration Home was opened at Tradition. Named after Mr Canizaro's late father, it is the largest facility in the State of Mississippi to serve Veterans on the Gulf Coast.

In 1991, he purchased First Bank and Trust, the successor to First City Bank of New Orleans Subsequentlyheformed First Trust Corporation, a bank holding company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana.In 1998, he purchased Peoples Bank in Amite,LA and in 2005, he purchased First Bank and Trust of Mississippi, the successor to Central Bank for Savings located in Winona, MS. In 2008,hemerged the three banks into First Bank and Trust. First Bank and Trust, acommunity bank offering commercial, consumer and mortgage loans and deposit services throughout Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast, grew to over billion in assets. Mr. Canizaro was the former Chairman of the Board of First Bank and Trust and its parent First Trust Corporation. In 2022, he sold the bank and its holding company to BancPlus Corporation. Mr. Canizaro also founded Corporate Capital, L.L.C. in August 1998, aventure capital company to invest in traditional American businesses.

Mr. Canizaro's business ventures even embraced the world of sports when he became the owner of the New Orleans Breakers in 1983. Through his fearless ambition and belief in the city, New Orleans became home to aUSFLteam andThe Breakers enjoyed many victories in the Superdome.

Mr. Canizaro is a Trustee and former Chairman of the Urban Land Institute, anational professional organization established in 1936 with over 30,000 members worldwide devoted to improving the quality of real estate development and its impact on the environment. He has been nationally recognized for his vision and creativity in urban and suburban real estate development and has served on the Harvard UniversityGraduate School of Design's Advisory Committee on Real Estate Development. Mr. Canizaro has been amem-

University.

ber of theBusiness Council of New Orleans and the Tulane University President'sCouncil.He was the founderand former Co-Chairman of the Committeefor aBetter New Orleans, aprivately funded group of morethan 140 community, business and civic leaderscommittedtoidentifyingthe critical issuesand opportunities facing the city and creating ablueprint forthe future of New Orleans, basedonmutualtrust and consensus.Mr. Canizarois aDirector,former Presidentand founder of the New Orleans chapterof Legatus,aninternational organizationof practicing Catholic CEOs. He is alsoa formermemberand Secretary of the National Legatus BoardofDirectors. Additionally, Mr.Canizaro has served the Archbishop of New Orleans as amember of the Archdiocese Finance Counciland as ChairofNotre Dame Seminary's Priestly FormationCampaign. He is also aTrustee Emeritus on the Board of Ave Maria University in Naples, Florida, and formerly served as Chairman of AMU's Finance Committee

Mr.Canizarohas served on avariety of boards of civic and institutionalorganizations and holdsnumerous distinctions from his membership in ahost of regional and national business, civic and artsorganizations. He was awardedanHonorary DoctorateofHumane LettersfromOur Lady of Holy Cross College, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Papal Honor, Order of St. Louis Medallion forwork in the Catholic Church, Southern Dominicans'St. Martin de Porres Award, and was commissionedtothe highestrank of Councillor of St. Dominic on the advisory board of the Angelicum University in Rome. Mr Canizaro is also therecipient of the 1999Mayor's Medal of Honor, Award Louisiana Italian-American Sports Hall of Fame Award, American Academy of Achievement National Outstanding Achievers Award, and was namedthe National Italian-American of the Year. In 2015, Archbishop Gregory Aymond bestowed the Good Shepherd Award for his leadership with Notre Dame Seminary, andin 2018 Mr. Canizaro was awardedanHonorary DoctorateofLetters from Notre Dame Seminary. In 2018, he was also the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Business from WilliamCarey Universityin recognition of histenacious vision, leadership and contributions to economicgrowth in the region. To mark New Orleans' 300thanniversary in 2018, Mr.Canizaro was honored as one of the top 20 business iconsfor his influence on the city's economic development and was also profiledinthe NewOrleans commemorativebook Notable New Orleanians:A Tricentennial Tribute. Mr.and Mrs. Canizaro received the Saint John Paul II Award in 2023 givenbythe Catholic CommunityFoundationin honoroftheir lifetime of faith and generosity to the Catholic Church.

Despite his professional accomplishments, Mr Canizaro consideredhis greatest achievementto be his family. He was adevoted husband to the LOVE OF HIS LIFE and BEST FRIEND, SueEllen, aproud father to Joellen andJill, and aproud Granddaddy to Ryan and histwo sons, Hunterand Beau. Hiswife Sue Ellen was the light of his life and together they had great compassion for those in need. Many churches, schools, organizations and individuals benefitedfromtheirgenerosity.

Mr. Canizaro's life was a testamenttothe Catholic virtuesoffaith,love,and courage with hisfaith guiding everyfacet of his life. Hewas adevout Catholicand loved The Lord and His Blessed Mother with allhis heart and soul.Those who knew him remember his warm handshake,his resilience, his moral clarity, and his deep beliefinthe power of faith. He leaves behinda legacy not onlyofa transformedskyline and successful business ventures, but alsothat of the countless lives he touched, uplifted, and mentored Throughout hislife, he made meaningful contributions that continue to inspire across countless communities. His Faith was of great importance and guidedall hisaccomplishments,especially with the establishment of AdorationChapels throughout the areaand The Canizaro Center for CatholicStudiesatLoyola

He often referred to his abundance of blessings as a"Gift from God," which is why he continuously gave back to others.

Mr. Canizaro ("Mr. C" "JCC" or "Joe" as he was affectionatelyknown) was lovedand respectedby many and willtruly be missed.

AMass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Friday, the 27thday of June 2025, at St Francis XavierCatholic Church, 444 MetairieRd. Metairie,LA. Visitation will also be held at St.Francis beginning at 10:00 a.m. Burial willbeprivateat Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers,the family asks that donations be madetoCatholic Charitiesofthe Archdiocese of New Orleans or the Humane SocietyofLouisiana

SACRED HEART OF JESUS

WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN THEE

IMMACULATE HEART OF MARY WE PLACE OUR TRUST IN THEE

Carter,FrenchieMarie

Frenchie MarieCarter, December21, 1951 -May 30, 2025. AMemorialMass willbeheldatOur Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church,1908 ShortSt.,Ken‐ner,LA70062 on Saturday June 28, 2025 from 10:00am-11:00am.Father Charles Dussouy, Cele‐brant.RichardsonFuneral HomeofJefferson,River Ridge,LA, in charge of arrangements. www.ric hardsonfuneralhomeofjeff erson.com

Carter III, Oscar Earl 'Bing'

OscarEarlCarter, III, “Bing”, October7,1944 –June 9, 2025. OscarEarl Carter, III, age80, tragically passedawayonJune 9, 2025. Born in Washington D.C., andraisedinNew Or‐leans,St. Louis, Missouri, and Centerville, Illinois, Oscar dedicatedhis life to service,leadership, and community uplift.A gradu‐ate of theSt. Augustine HighSchool classof1962 heearnedanassociate de‐greeinMortuaryScience fromthe Commonwealth College in Houston, TX,and a Bachelor of Sciencein BusinessAdministration fromSouthernUniversity inNew Orleansin1975. He began hiscareer as ali‐censedembalmerwith RhodesFuneralHome. He wentontoleadThe Dr.O.E Carter, Jr.MemorialReha‐bilitationCenter, Inc.,a na‐tionallyaccreditedopioid treatment center in New Orleans,for over 35 years. HealsoservedasVice President of CoastalFord inMobile,AL, andas founder of Carter Mainte‐nance,Inc.Hewas cur‐rentlya legislativeaideto Louisiana StateSenator Joe Bouie. Oscar, affection‐ately knownasBing, wasa devoted father,a tireless advocate, anda proud memberofthe Knightsof St. PeterClaver. Hislegacy ofcompassionand justice willliveonthrough the manylives he touched. He isprecededindeath by his parents,Dr. OscarE Carter, Jr., andEdnaLang Carter, andsisterAnita Si‐moneCarter. He is sur‐vived by hisbrother,Dr. Don Carter,Sr. (Melanie); his sisters, Donna Carter (Antonio),Kim Carter,and AdoriaDoucette.The motherofhis four children isAndreaFleuryCarter. His eight children,17grand‐children, extended family, andcountless friends.

“Welldone, good andfaith‐ful servant.”— Matthew 25:23.MassofChristian BurialwillbeheldSatur‐day,June 28, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.atSt. Jude Catholic Church (Our Lady of Guadalupe International Shrine),411 N. RampartSt., New Orleans. Visitation be‐ginsat9:00a.m.Inlieuof flowers, please make do‐nations to KnightsofPeter Claver#394, International ShrineofSt. Jude,orSt. Augustine High School Arrangementsentrusted to D.W.RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Avenue Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe guestbook

Clark, GregoryGerard

GregoryGerardClark entered eternalreston Sunday, June 15, 2025, at the ageof63. Gregory Clark is survived by his mother, AnnL Clark; brother,Bryan (Sonya) Clark;sister, Deanne (Rod‐erick)Clark Thomas; nephew, DamianeClark Thomas; nieces,Do‐minique Thomas,Brittany Clark,Darielle Smith, and Amber Smith. Also sur‐vived by ahostofaunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.Precededindeath byhis father Willie M. Clark Jr.Familyand friends are invitedtoattend his Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, June 28, 2025 for 11:00 a.m. at St.Rita Catholic Church,2729 Low‐erlineStreet,New Orleans, LA70125. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Rev Stanley K. Ihuoma SSJ,offi‐ciating.Interment is pri‐vate. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Boston Curtis entered eternal rest at this resi‐dence on Friday,June 20 2025, at theage of 89. He was anativeofCarpenter MSand aresidentofAvon‐dale, LA.Bostonwas are‐tired pipefittersupervisor withAvondaleshipyards where he worked forover 40years until hisretire‐ment. Boston's passionfor lifewas contagious,and he enjoyed good music, family gatherings, anicedrink, gardening,tellingstories ofthe past,and,ofcourse, Christmas holidays,which was hisfavoritetimeofthe year. Belovedhusband of the late Sweetie B. Lofton Curtis. Loving father of James (Kim)Curtis, Sr., Hazel Curtis (Clarence) Chaffin, Howard Curtis,Sr., Josephine Curtis (Delrick), MaxineCurtis, andDonna Marie Curtis Clark. Grand‐fatherofNakishiaCurtis, HowardCurtisJr.,Tasha Curtis, JamesCurtis, Jr HowardKing, Sheneaka Collins,Tom Collins, Artre‐via Curtis,and Terrence Curtis. Sonofthe late Love and KatieFultz Curtis Brother of thelateDon and C.L.Curtis, OlaMae Smith, ClonieMae,and SadieCur‐tis also survived by 23 great grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren anda host of nieces, nephews,cousins,other relatives andfriends.Spe‐cialthankstoVital Care Hospice staff member Codie Terrelle andothers for theprofessionaland devoted care giventothe patient andhis family. Rel‐ativesand friendsofthe family, also pastors, offi‐cers, andmembers of Fresh StartCathedral and all neighboringchurches are invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life at Fresh Start Cathedral, 1542 Pailet St.,Harvey, LA on Saturday June 28, 2025, at 10:00 am Elder Sean Elder, officiat‐ing.Visitationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until servicetime. Interment: Restlawn Park Cemetery-Avondale,LA. To viewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com

Face masksare recom‐mended.

Cutno, Spencer

SpencerCutno departed thislifepeacefullyonMon‐day,June 23, 2025, at St JosephCarpenter Housein Harahan,Louisiana.He was 37 yearsold.Spencer was born on August 12, 1987, in NewOrleans Louisiana,toCherry Jones and RichardCutno Sr.He was aproud graduate of McDonogh35HighSchool Spencer accepted Jesus Christashis Lord andSav‐ior andwas baptized at BiblewayMissionaryBap‐tistChurch in NewOrleans, under thespiritual leader‐shipofPastorDavis Spencer wasknown forhis joyfulspiritand generous heart,Spencer brought warmthand laughter to all who knew him. Hislight‐hearted presence could brightenany room,and he was asourceofstrength and comforttofamily, friends,and allwho crossedhis path.Helived a lifefullofdeep connec‐tions,purpose,and love Spencer wasa devoted and loving father to his children: Janiah,Skylar, Princeston, andSir Cutno, and aguiding presence to his cherishedstepdaugh‐ters, Ka’Mahri Celestine and Real Pierce.Hewas the belovedbrother of the lateRichard CutnoJr. and NicoleCutno.Spencer is survivedbyhis loving par‐ents, Cherry Jonesand Richard CutnoSr.,his four children, Janiah,Skylar Princeston, andSir Jax Cutno,aunts,uncles, niece, cousinand allthose whose lives were made brighter byhis presence.Spencer was preceded in deathby his maternal grandparents Missieand Willie Davis, pa‐ternalgrandparents, Mar‐gretand Christopher Cutno,and onebrother Richard CutnoJr.,one sis‐ter Nicole Cutno, auntsand uncles. Family andfriends are invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life Service which will be held on Sat‐urday,June 28, 2025, at Ma‐jesticMortuaryService, Inc.,1833 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd., NewOrleans, LA70113. TheVisitation willbegin at 10:00 a.m, and Service will beginat11:00 a.m.BishopLesterLoveof‐ficiatingand entombment isprivate.Due to COVID-19, everyoneattending is en‐couragedtowearmasks and adhere to social dis‐tancing.Professional arrangementsentrusted to MajesticMortuaryService Inc.,(504) 523-5872.

LeoJosephDobard, Jr was born on June 21, 1946, in NewOrleans,LAtoparents, LeoJosephDobard, Sr.and Eunice Ruiz Dobard. They both preceded himin death along with hisbrothersKenneth Martin Dobard, Raymond Gerard Dobard andRoy John Dobard. On Monday, June 16, 2025, Leoslippedaway peacefully in NewOrleans LA after alengthy battle with Parkinson'sdisease, otherchronic health conditionsand post-surgery complications.Heissurvivedbyhis brothers, Roland,Vernonand Adrian Dobard; his sisters-in-law, JennetterF.Dobard and Rose B. Dobard. Also survivedbya host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends. Leowas akind, generous, and gentle soul who lovedeveryone. He wasa bigkid at heartwho often gave hisdrawings, stuffed animals andcandy treats to adults andkids alike After thepassing of his parents, Leo, as theeldest of theseven brothers, devotedhimself to managing theSt. AnthonyStreetfamilyhome. He cookedwonderfulCreole dishes, especiallyGumbo, maintaineda

cleanand orderlyhousehold,and providedwise counseling to hisyounger brothers. Hiskindnessextended to anyone in need offeringsandwiches, meals, and household essentials to neighbors, refusing no one. As theParkinson'sdisease progressed during his last couple of years, he wasimmensely frustrated by hisloss of independenceand,most of all,the loss of hisabilitytocook. Havingenduredthroughall of thesechallenges,Leo succumbedtohis illnesses and is finallyatpeace. No more suffering,medications, or doctor'svisits. Just Heavenly Joy! Relativesand friends of thefamilyare all invited to attenda Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, June 27, 2025, for 10:00 am at Corpus Christi-Epiphany Catholic Church,2022 St Bernard Ave NewOrleans LA. Visitationbegins at 8:00 am in thechurch IntermentatSt. Louis No. 3 Cemetery on Esplanade Ave will be held after the mass. The familywould like to thank thestaffsof LSU& CrescentCity Physicians, University Medical Center,Touro Infirmary, NewOrleans East Hospital, East JeffersonGeneral Hospital St.Margaret's at Mercy NursingHome, Chateau de Notre Dame NursingHome Vital Home HealthCare, andThe Sanctuaryat PassagesHospice forcaringfor Leoduringhis illnesses. In lieu of flowers, donationstoSt. Augustine High School (https://www.stau gnola.org/)inmemoriam of LeoJ.Dobard, Jr., would be appreciated

Ella Montgomery Flower passed away peacefully surroundedbyher devoted familyonJune19, 2025 due to complications of Lewy Body Dementiawith Parkinsonism. Ellawas born in NewOrleans on June 4, 1945 to thelateElla Smith Montgomery and Richard Bullard Montgomery,Jr. She graduated with honorsfrom theLouise S. McGehee School, class of 1963. She then attendedSmith CollegeinNorthampton, Massachusetts for two years before transferring to theUniversity of North CarolinaatChapelHill whereshe wasa member of Pi Beta Phisorority. During thesummerbetweenher junior andsenior years, Ellamet Walter "Chip"ChewFlowerIII on a blind date; they went on to marrysix monthslater in NewOrleans.Committed to graduating on schedule sheconcludedher final semester at Newcomb Collegewith amajor in Economics. Thecouplesubsequently moved to theBoston area after Chip accepted a position at alocal investment firm. Theysettled in Concord, Massachusetts, and in 1968 welcomedtheir first child, daughterAnne. Awarmer climate andfamilytiessoon beckoned them home. In 1970, Ella gave birth to theirsecond daughterLindsey in New Orleans. Ellawas knownfor her kindness, compassion, gentle nature, andgenerousspirit.She wasanexceptionally nurturingand attentive mother,never missing aschool trip, horseshow, swim meet, school play, or track meet. Ellawas equallyselfless in herrole as caregiverto many elderlyrelativesand familyfriends throughout herlife. Andshe took great joyinbeing agrandmother to Lizzie andFleming Redd Ellawas adedicated animal lover. Throughout her marriedlife, she and Chip adopted more than 30 dogs whoweretheir constant companions. She served on an advisory committee of theLSPCAand was deeply supportive of her daughterLindsey'srescue work with animals, includingthe establishment of a large sanctuary in Folsom, Louisiana forabused and abandoned horses,donkeys, andsmall pets. Throughouther lifetime Ellavolunteeredher time and energy to community service andlocal charities. Sheservedaspresidentof theJuniorLeague of New Orleansand was on the boards of the Louisiana NatureCenter, theFriends of LongueVue Houseand Gardens, United Way, the NewOrleans Home and Rehabilitation Center,the

Flower, Ella Montgomery

Curtis,Boston

Dobard Jr., Leo Joseph

Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans, the Salvation Army, and the Hotel Dieu Hospital Ethics Committee. She was an advocate of mental health awareness, joining the Board of the LSU Department of Psychiatry and testifying before Congress to press for enhanced federal funding. She was also an Honorary Board Member of the National Alliance forthe Mentally Ill and hosted their inaugural Unmasking Mental Illness gala. In 2005, Ella was awarded the Distinguished Alumnae Award from McGehee School.

Anatural artistic talent, Ella loved to paint and enrolled in classes taught by Louise Heebe and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts. She donated countless pieces of her impressionist-style artwork to fundraising auctions forlocal charitable organizations. Ella was also an avid reader and history buff. Shetook great pride in her Spencerand Montgomery ancestors' contributions to American history as Colonial and Revolutionary generals, prominent jurists, and educators (many of whom were trailblazing women). Befitting her interest, Ella was amember of the Colonial Dames and the Daughters of the American Revolution, and she served as aproud Trustee of theHistoric Kenmore house in Fredericksburg, Virginia, a Washington family property operated by the George Washington Foundation. Additionally, Ella was involved in the Women of Trinity Church and was a member of the Orleans Club, Le Petit Salon, and the Garden Study Club of New Orleans. Ella was predeceasedin 2022 by her husband of 55 years, Walter Chew Flower III. She is survived by her daughters, Anne Flower Redd and Lindsey Montgomery Flower, her son-in-law Edmund England Redd, her granddaughters Elizabeth and Fleming Redd, as well as her brother Richard Bullard Montgomery III and his family, and by her sister Anne Montgomery Andre The family wishes to offer heartfelt thanks to Martha Ned, Beverly Wilson Audrella Upshaw, Patrice Adams, and Pam Balthazar for their compassionate caregiving during Ella's illness, along with the entire devoted staff at Compassus and Ochsner Medical Center. Aprivate service will be held in celebrationofElla's life. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that you make adonation to the charityof your choice.

Entered eternal rest 6/ 15/25. She was born to the late Benjamin& Ethel Brooks Hadley. She graduated from L.B. Landry class of 1962. She retired from Standard Coffee Service. She is preceded in death by her husband Rev. George Marsh; daughter Kimberly Carter; siblings Helen Mealy, Ethel Lee Edwards,Nelda Hadley and BernellHadley. She leaves to cherish he memories siblings Eric& Sharon Hadley; niece and bonus daughter Erica Mealy; grandchildren Keri Carter and KericMealy; greatgrandchild Max Mealy; favored niece Shonda Riley; and devoted friend Janice Pruitt. Avisitation and service to follow will be held from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM on 2025-06-28 at Shiloh Baptist Church, 723 Magellan.

Hampton, age45, a beloved wife,mother, sis‐ter,and daughter who sadly left us on June 20, 2025. Shebrought immea‐surable joyintoour lives for herfamilyand friends. She leaves behind herhus‐band, JasonDeanHamp‐ton,Sr.; son, JasonDean Hampton, Jr.; twodaugh‐ters, KalynElizabeth Hamptonand EmilyMae Hampton; herbrother JohnWilliam Behan, III; mother, Lisa Breaud; mother-in-law,Kathy Low‐ery;and sisters-in-law Susan Currie andLauren Lowery. Shewas preceded indeath by herfather, John WilliamBehan,Jr. Erin was a guidinglight forall who knewher.Inremembrance, serviceswillbeheldon Saturday, June 28,2025 at GardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home,4900 Airline Drive,Metairie, LA 70001 Visitationwillbegin at 12:00 pm with a service startingat2:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to theAmerican CancerSociety at www cancer.org. Online condo‐lencesmay be offeredat www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Harrell, VelmaBlanche Trufant'Preaches'

Velma “Preaches” Blanche Trufant Harrell passedawayonJune15, 2025, at theage of 87.Born inNew Orleans, Louisiana onJanuary 13, 1938, to the union of Herman Trufant Sr. andEstherMorganTru‐fant. Velmawas thesec‐ond of sixchildren. Sheis the sister of thelateHer‐man EdgarTrufantJr. and the late Elaine Deanna Thomas. Sheleavesto mourn four daughters Yolanda HarrellCamese, StephanieHarrell,Karen Harrell Scott, Terrylynn Harrell (Glendale),one stepdaughterinheart An‐toinette Pierre,siblings; HaroldTrufant,LionelTru‐fantand LucilleGordon, 14 grandchildren,34great grandchildren,and 2greatgreat grandchildren. Also survivedbya host of nieces, nephews, otherrel‐ativesand friends. Pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐entsHermanEdgar Trufant Srand Esther Morgan Tru‐fant, belovedhusband WilliamHarrell Jr., her brother Herman EdgarTru‐fantJr.,and sister Elaine Thomas. Family and friends areinvited to at‐tendthe HomegoingSer‐viceonSaturday, June 28, 2025, for10:00 a.m. at AbundantLifeTabernacle, 1701 Franklin Ave.,New Or‐leans,LA70117. Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. BishopTyroneJefferson, officiating. Intermentwill followatResthaven Memo‐rialParkCemetery, 10400 Old GentillyRoad, NewOr‐leans,LA70127. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditi onbegins.com (504) 2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

areinvited to attend the Celebration of Life Service onSaturday, June 28, 2025, atFirst Corinthian Baptist Church,1114 Church St Houma,LA70360 at 11:00 a.m.Visitationfrom10:00 a.m.until 11:00 a.m. Private Burial. Youmay sign the guest book on www.ger trudegeddeswillis.com Gertrude GeddesWillis-Ter‐rebonne FuneralHome, Inc. incharge, (985) 872-6934.

Hughes,Rosetta U.

With sadnessweshare the passingofRosetta U. Hughes, on June 23, 2025

Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information,signonline guestbook,sendflowers and sharecondolences

Ruth Margaret Jones, beloved seamstress and community figure,passed awayonFriday, June 6, 2025. Shewas knownfor sewingwithcareand artistryfor countless cul‐turebearers,including governmentofficials, local judgesand blackmasking indians.Ruthwas also cherished forher unforget‐table cooking, which brought joytocountless family, friendsand neigh‐bors. Sheissurvivedbyher children, BelindaJones and EdwardJohnson Jr;grand‐children, Jasmine, Lauren, Kobe, Edward,III and Chelsi; bonus grandchil‐drenLawrence, Jr.and Sid‐nie;great-grandchildren Nyilah, Imaniand Jasmine; sister, Dianne Daggs.Ruth isprecededindeath by her parents,Haroldand Dorothy MaeJones;grand‐parents,RuthMargaret and Andrew Johnson, Sr and brothers,Harold, Jr and FredricJones.Her legacyofloveand care lives on.A Memorial ser‐vicehonoringthe life and legacyofthe late Ruth MargaretJones will be held inthe Chapel of Charbon‐net LabatGlapion Funeral Home, 1615 St.Philip Street,New Orleans, LA 70116 on Saturday,June 28 2025 at 1pm. Visitation 12:30 pm in thechapel. Pleasesignonlineguest‐book at www.charbonnetf uneralhome.com. Charbon‐net LabatGlapion,Direc‐tors(504)581 4411.

joyful life together with their daughter,Kourtnie, and son, Jeremy.A devoted husband andfather, Kurt’s familywas thecenterof his world. He is survived by his devotedwifeof22 years,LisaGreen Leary; his beloved daughter,Kourt‐nie;son,JeremyGordon; his cherishedmother, Edna LandryLeary;his siblings Karla (Leo,Jr.)and Kenneth Jr. (Keriayn); hissister-inlaw,Shana Green;grand‐children, Kenzo, Jahi,and Jhase;nephews,Leo III (Laura),Christopher (Aisha),nieces, Kaylin Kirsten,and Kylie; andhis cousins,Laurian Cornia (Jenn),Don Leary, and ArnoldLeary as well as a hostoffamilymembers and dear friendswho will forever carry hismemory intheir hearts.Kurtwas precededindeath by his father, KennethLeary,Sr.; his mother-in-law, Emelda Green;and hisfather-inlaw,EdwardGreen;his un‐clesWilbert Cornia and ArnoldLeary;his aunt,Car‐olynLandryCornia; andhis cousin, Damian Cornia.In every season of hislife, Kurtgavehis whole heart tohis family, hisfriends and hiscommunity.His legacyisone of joy, loyalty, and deep love,and he will bemissedmorethan words canexpress. Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to attend theMassof Christian Burial on Satur‐day,June 28, 2025, at St Raymond andSt. Leothe Great Catholic Church,2916 Paris Avenue,New Orleans, LA70119. Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m.,rosary at10:15 a.m. followed by Massat11:00 a.m. Inter‐mentwilltakeplace at Mount Olivet Cemetery Professionalservicesen‐trusted to Littlejohn Fu‐neralHome.

JohnnyMatthews, Sr "Papa", sonofthe late Lee‐wood andHytel Matthews, departedthislifeonSatur‐day,June 14, 2025 at the age of 71, surrounded by his loving family. Mr Matthewsworkedfor Con‐struction Southfor many years.Heleavestocherish preciousmemories, his lovingwifeof45years Linda ColemanMatthews; children, CharmainePat‐terson(Lamar),Patricia Carr(Nikki), Johnny, Jr.(Dr TiffanyMatthews),Corey (Tanisha),Patrick,Walter and LamarHuston; ten grandchildren,eight greatgrandchildren;siblings, Barbara,Geraldine (Frank), Trimeda,Debra,Billy (Sonji),Michael andRonald (Vanessa); ahostofsisters and brothers-inlaw, nieces, nephews, otherrel‐ativesand friends. In addi‐tiontohis parents, Johnny isalsoprecededindeath bybrothers, James, Sam‐mie,Geraldand Dwight Matthews; mother andfa‐ther-in-law,Carrieand ClarenceColeman;broth‐ers-in-lawThomasBarnes, Ronald, Jamesand Mar‐shall Coleman, sister-inlaw,Delores Matthews. A Celebration servicehonor‐ing thelifeand legacy of the late JohnnyMatthews, Sr.,willbeheldatMt. Mo‐riahBaptist Church,2407 LouisaStreet,New Orleans, LAonSaturday, June 28, 2025 at 10 am.Interment Private.Visitation9 am in the church.Pleasesignon‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

member of theEastern StarPride ChapterNumber 60, findingher fellowship and purposewithinits ranks.She wasthe proud ownerof“Flo’sCafé”for ten years. Sheshareda lovingbondwithher late husband WilfredMeredith Sr.,a partnershipbuilt on mutualaffection andre‐spect.She wasthe cher‐ished mother to Evelina Callens,bonus sonWin‐stonFreeman (Sabrina) and thelateMaryGeneva Numa. Floleavestocherish her memories herdaugh‐ter;EvelinaCallens,bonus son;Winston Freeman; sis‐ter,EuniceFord; 5grand‐children, Latoya (Dwight) Lomax,ShavonteCallens (Willie Cornelius),Monique (Tracy) Numa,Larry Numa, and Claude (Sanae)Numa, 14adoring greatgrandchil‐dren; 9preciousgreat great grandchildren; God Children, Mary Ussinand CharleneWilliams, former son-in-law, LarryNumaSr. Floreniawas truely loved byher nieces and nephews,alsoher cousins and friendswho were all touched by hervibrant presence. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe Visitation and RosaryatSt. Joseph the WorkRoman Catholic Church,located at 455 AmesBoulevard,Marrero, LA70072 on Saturday,June 28, 2025. TheRosarywill begin at 8:00am,followed bya Mass of ChristianBur‐ial at 10:00am.FatherSid‐ney Speaks III will officiate. IntermentatOur Lady of PromptSuccor(Gatesof HeavenMausoleum), 596 Ave A, Westwego,LA70094 ArrangementsbyD W RhodesFuneral Home Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe on‐lineguestbook

“Thoughour hearts are heavy with grief, we are comforted knowingthat our Daddy finally found peace.” Loyalchildrenof RogerP.Perkins,Sr. Aftera seriesofdebilitating healthissuesand conges‐tiveheart failure,Roger succumbed to hisillnesses and passedawayonTues‐day,June 17, 2025. Roger Phillip Perkins, Sr., aresi‐dentofRiver Ridge, LA passedawayonTuesday, June 17, 2025. Born on Oc‐tober 1, 1942, he attended Booker T. Washington Se‐niorHighSchool andcon‐tinuedhis matriculationat Delgado CommunityCol‐lege, Southern University and Xavier University in New Orleans, LA,earning several associatedegrees and certifications. As a youth andintoadulthood Rogerworkedin, andlater took over,his family’sbusi‐nesses, which at onepoint includedThe Barrel gro‐cerystore,a hotel, and Perkins’Bar.Hewas a giftedcraftsman,artist and illustrator, an expert pipedesigner, anda draftsman specializing in architectural design,work‐ing fornumerousarchitec‐tural anddesign firmsin his professional career Whileworking foranarchi‐tectural firm called Perkins & James, alongsidehis older brotherRobert"Skip Perkins,Roger worked on thedesigns to create the

LouisianaPavilionatthe

1984 World’sFairExpo. The company,founded by Roger’sbrother “Skip” Perkins,iscreditedas“the firstBlack-ownedarchitec‐ture firm in theLouisiana Arkansasand Mississippi tri-state area.” He wasVice President andlater Presi‐dentofthe ConcernedCiti‐zensCivic Coalitionor4C’s, a non-profit, non-political organization. Roger’sacco‐lades includeThe Unsung HeroAward from theJef‐fersonParishCitizen’s Committee, TheHonorary Citizen’s Awardfromthe KennerCityCouncil,and a 2008 GloryAward Recipient fromNew BirthCathedral ofGlory.After hisfaith walkbegan,hebecamea memberofNew Birth Cathedral of GloryinKen‐ner,LA, where he remained a staunchmemberuntil his lastbreath. He waspre‐ceded in deathbyhis fa‐therand mother,Robert and Florence Perkins; brother,Robert“Skip Henry Perkins(Rosita); sis‐ter,Alverta PerkinsDuni‐gan (Ted); nephew,Robbie Perkins;and niece, Yvonne DeniseDunigan Higginbot‐tom.Heissurvivedbyhis devoted,lovingwife, Lu‐ticha Alcorn Perkins, sister, Veraneece Perkins; his mostloyal children,sons, RogerPhillip Perkins, Jr (Linda),and Christopher Perkins (Nekisha); daugh‐ter,KimberlyDyshon’ Avery;grandchildren,Ashli Janae’Perkins,Victoria Elizabeth Stelly,Christian LeahMichelle Perkins, Ad‐dison Khalis Perkins, CarterMcNaryStelly,and Cameron Bishop Stelly; niecesand nephews, Dwanell Dibartolo (Johnny),Bernel“Phil Johnson,Michelle Johnson, Julie Duiguid, Eric Perkins, Timothy E. Johnson, Edith Dunigan, Toni Perkins, La‐tanya Gibbs (Ronnie) AlverneeceJohnson,Jason Williams (Tiffany),Alva Johnson Dunigan, anda hostofgrand nieces,grand nephews,and cousins. On Saturday, June 28, 2025 viewing will be from 8:30 am- 9:45 am at NewBirth Cathedral of Glory, 301 Clay St.,Kenner, LA.Funeral ser‐vices will be held at 10:00 am, Repast immediately following in theNew Birth Cathedral of Glory- The Gathering House. Inter‐mentwilltakeplace at Loveand CharityCemetery inKenner, LA.Richardson FuneralHomeofJefferson River Ridge, LA in charge of arrangements. www.ric hardsonfuneralhomeofjeff erson.com

Phillips,Keaton'Keith'

Keaton “Keith”Phillips entered this life on Febru‐ary 26, 1955 to Charlesand VictoriaDominickPhillips, bothdeceased. Aftergrad‐uatingfromHighSchool, Keatonenlistedand served two yearsinthe United StatesArmyuntil he was honorably discharged Keatonfollowedhis calling and passioninconstruc‐tion, specializing in remod‐elingand rebuilding houses. He worked for years with otherconstruc‐tioncompanies priortobe‐cominganentrepreneur, establishing anddevelop‐

Thomas DarrellHayes age 65 wasbornonOcto‐ber 28,1960, anativeof MorganCityand resident ofHouma,LApassed away onFriday, June 13,2025

Thomasis survived by his mother, NaomiHawkins Hayes Poindexter,sister Diane Johnson(James) brothers: Freddie, Jr.and Larry,Sr.;uncle Lionel Hawkins anda host of nieces, nephews, greatand great greatnieces, nephews,relatives and friends.Thomaswas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis fa‐therFreddie Hayes, Sr brother,Bruce Hayes, Sr.; grandparents, Jimmy Hawkins,Hazel Aitkens Hawkins,Johnus “Gold” Hayes,Sr. andAlice Wash‐ingtonHayes.Relatives andfriends of thefamily

Kurt MichaelLeary,age 58, passedawayonJune 1, 2025, in NewOrleans, Louisiana.BornonJanuary 5,1967, to Kennethand EdnaLandryLeary,hewas the youngestofthree chil‐drenand alifelongresi‐dentofNew Orleans. Kurt was educated at Boisdore Nursery School andSt. Leo the GreatElementaryand later graduatedfromSt. Augustine High School in 1985. Aproud Purple Knight who cherishedhis time on the football team andthe enduringbrotherhood it fostered. He attended Del‐gadoCommunity College. In 1992, Kurt begana 33yearcareer with Crescent Crown Distributing,rising frommerchandisertoAc‐count Manager. He was known forhis dedication professionalism,and infec‐tious personality. Kurt met his belovedwife, Lisa Green,in1995. They mar‐riedin2003 at St.Leo the GreatChurch andshareda

Ford Meredith affectionately knownas (Flo) gracefully completed her remarkable journeyon Tuesday,June 17, 2025 at the ageof95, passing peacefullyinher home BornonJuly29, 1929, in the vibrant city of NewOr‐leans,LA. to thelateEvelyn Travisand Samuel Ford.Flo was baptizedatSt. Joan of Arc Catholic Church and later movedher member‐shiptoSt. Joseph

WorkerRoman Catholic Church.She wasanactive Hampton, Erin ElizabethBehan

Jones, Ruth Margaret

MatthewsSr.,Johnny 'Papa'

PerkinsSr.,RogerPhillip

Hadley Marsh, Barbara

Leary, Kurt Michael

See more DEATHS, page Hayes, Thomas Darrell

OPINION

NOAA cuts will weaken oilspill response

Iresponded to oil spills for decades. We’re no longer ready for abig one.

Arecent oil and gas spill near New Orleans took more than aweek to contain. Over 70,000 gallons spewed from an old well off Garden Island Bay.Officials are now focused on cleanup and restoration After 33 years responding to spills like this one and catastrophes like the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon,I was getting ready to retire later this year But with the Trump administration’sdrastic changes at theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, my job became untenable. The agency is being gutted. Teams once nimble are now finding roadblocks thatmake it harder to do the work.

sponse and Restoration. Further reductions in force are expected. Theaverage tenure of those leaving is 27 years. Thinkabout that: Some 27,000 years of experience has just walked out the door. On my farewell, colleagues gave me amap of spills Ihad managed. There are over 700. Our small team responded to about 150 or more spills a year. We’d use NOAA’s resources, technologiesand knowledge to give the Coast Guard technical and scientificsupport for cleanup andrestoration

The Trumpadministration has made changes withoutconsidering the consequences, smashing our capabilities with asledgehammer.

and other natural disasters.

NOAA’s capacities are also critical forother major incidents nationwide. We supported the Coast Guard, forexample, after the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore collapsed.

Events like Deepwater Horizon are rare, but Iworry it could happen again. Ithink about commercial fishermen, shrimpers, oystermen, tourists and people whowork at our beaches, hotels and restaurants. Iremember how that disaster harmed sea turtles, 1,000-year-old corals and fish and whales that swam through toxic oil in the water column.

NOAA’s spill response team has provided scientific support to the Coast Guardfor nearly 50 years —a mission mandated by law.Weused to drop everything to respond. Now,responders have to write memos seeking approval from headquarters offices for emergency travel, just to get to the spill. That can take days. Not exactly the forward-leaning mindset we’ve had.

So when some 1,000 employees, almost 10% of NOAA, took early retirement this month, Ijoined them, departing the Office of Re-

What’sworse, these changes weaken our national preparedness for managing oil spills.

Deepwater took everything we had. At thepeak,close to 1,000 NOAA employees responded. All told,over 45,000 people assisted, from federal and state employees to contractors, cleanup personnel andwell control experts.

The Coast Guard relies on NOAA to analyze where aspill is likely to spread andanswer technical questions. Oil moves quickly.

Our models help responders understand where it will be tomor-

row,and we share information in real timebetween officials on the ground, in boatsand on aircrafts. NOAA’s oceanographic expertise, weather tools, overflights and shoreline surveys help focus on the areas most impacted. We provide expertsonmarine mammals,endangered species and other wildlife. NOAA’s Environmental SensitivityMaps help minimize harm to people by identifying drinking water intakes, for example.

NOAA relies on specialized contractors to manage and share information, train thousands of responders and provide surge capacity for larger incidents.

In session, stateSenatedid theright thingontax bills

If you find yourself in ahole, stop digging. This is exactly what Louisiana senators did when they rejected two tax-cut bills that would have created abillion-dollar shortfall in the coming fiscal years.

Routinecontracts are now reviewed at thehighest levels of the agency

Ouroffice used new technologies to advance capabilities. Autonomous aircraft can detect oil at sea and on shorelines, and by integrating satellite data and other remote sensing capabilities, we could detect, document and rapidly report on where the oil is.

The agency madethat information available on NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Tool, or ERMA. ERMA also documents marine debris, displaced fuel tanks, hazardous drums, stranded vessels and environmental impacts after hurricanes

The U.S. has been the world’s top producer of oil and gas for morethan adecade. The Trump administration is trying to promoteeven moreoffshore drilling. Members of Congress debated these policies in acongressional hearing where Itestified as an expert witness. The key point Imade, that Ihope resonated across party lines: Expanding offshore drilling while also weakening our oil spill response and recovery capacity is adangerous combination.

Doug Helton is theformer regional operationssupervisor in theNational Ocean Services Office of Responseand Restoration at theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Tenyears of gaymarriage, butthe work continues

House Bill 578 would have reduced the state’s sales tax from 5% to 4.75% costing the State General Fund $266 million ayear by 2028 while HouseBill 667 would have cut the personal income taxfrom 3% to 2.75% and allowed seniors to claim an additional standard deduction, costing the state $378 million ayearby 2028. The Senate also rejected aconstitutional amendment that would have eliminated the state’srainy day fundtohelp fund the cuts. The state was already projecting a$590 million budget shortfall in the coming fiscal years When you add the proposed tax cutstothis, you get acool $1.2 billion deficit by 2028. These tax cuts would have followed major changes passed lastyear that cut taxes forcorporations and traded our state’s tiered personal income tax structure for aflat 3% rate —all while making low- and middleincome households disproportionately foot the billbyincreasing our state sales tax to 5%.

State Sen.Franklin Foil, RBaton Rouge, chairman of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee, pointed out that the scenario felt too similar to 2008 when Louisiana lawmakers unanimously approved a tax cut at atime when the state was flush with cash duetomany

factors, including windfalls of federal dollarspost-Katrina Backthen, lawmakers were unaware thata few months after theyleftBaton Rouge, the market would crash, leading to skyrocketing unemployment and plummeting staterevenues. Then-Gov. Bobby Jindal and the legislaturechose to cut thebudgettothe bone insteadofraising taxes, leading to huge hikes in tuition at Louisiana’spublic universities, stagnant funding forpublic educationand underfunded public servicesthat are still generating lawsuits to this day.

But unlike 2008,when few people were projecting aglobal market crash, there are clear warningsigns todayshowing howdetrimental these tax cuts couldbe. And these warning signs are inadditiontothe fact that major economists and banks are projecting apossible recession.

The pending federal cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental NutritionAssistance Program coulddevastateour statefinances as Louisiana’s statebudget is more reliantonfederal dollars than almost any other state in the union. With our paltry $7.25 perhour minimum wage, disinvestment in socialprograms, underfundedpublic schools and poor workforceconditions, we consistently have one of the highest povertyrates of any state This forces asignificant portionofLouisianans to rely on Medicaid and SNAP to make ends meet. Nearly1 in 3Louisianans get their health insurance through Medicaid. And about 1 in 5receive assistancethrough SNAP.These areour neighbors, co-workersand friends. While making Louisianans

sickerand hungrier would undeniably have aripple effect through our state’seconomy, our state lawmakersface other budget threats that make their decision to hold ontoevery dollar we have theright one. Hurricane season began June 1.

The Trump administration has already slashed30% of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’sstaff and has talked about eliminating the agency altogether

The president is also denying disaster aid toboth blue and redstatesafter major weather eventslike tornadoes in Arkansasand flooding in West Virginia and withholding continued Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina. Louisianans can’tbank on the federal government’s assistancewhen we are inevitably hit with amajor hurricane.

Recent historyshould be our guide. Less than four years ago, when Hurricane Ida hit as a Category 4, our state took $18 billion in insured losses while over 1million households were left without power in thedead of summer Louisianans who have been around awhile know far too well thatrushed and ill-timed taxcuts can quickly result in the decimation of healthcare, education, public safetyand other services Louisianans expect to function when we need them Amid so much fiscal uncertainty, other states should heed the warning from Louisiana lawmakers who know preserving revenue during this time is paramount toweathering whatever comes down theline.

Neva Butkus is asenior analyst at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy and aBaton Rouge resident.

It was ahot, sunny morning on our farm in East Tennessee the morning the Obergefell vs. Hodges decision came down. We had the television on, as we had for several days, knowing thedecision was coming soon. Twice in thepast severalyears, as part of the Campaign for Southern Equality’s “WeDoCampaign,” we had applied for marriage licenses at our local clerk of court’soffice, knowing we would be denied becausewe’regay.When the news finally broke that morning that the Supreme Courthad ruled that same-sex couples had the legal right to marry, we cheered and hugged. Getting married that same day wasn’tabout being first to cross the finish line. It wasabout not letting another day go by that denied what we had known foradecade already: the permanence of our love for each other Afew minutes later,wegot aphone call. It was our local clerk of court, the same one who had twice denied us. She was calling to ask if we wanted to get married —because if we did, she wanted us to be the first same-sex couple she issued alicense to.Anhour or so later,license in hand, we had to find ajudge to marry us. Raymie’sfamily started calling judgesthey knew.One after another said no.But finally,they found one who agreed.

But Obergefell showed us, 10 years ago on June 26, that many of the divisions we imagine,and talk about as given —red vs. blue, rural vs. urban —are illusions stoked by partisan politicians. They are not sufficient to the compassion and kindness that neighbors show one another,that humans show even to people they have never met.

Obergefell showed us that support can comefrom the places you least expect it, and that meaningful political action can happen not only in organizing and protest but in the quiet, everyday ways one person shows up to help another.It’ssomething both ordinary and radical: That community is everywhere, and not so far away as they would have us believe. Matt Griffin and RaymieWolfe live in NewOrleans.

That afternoon, on afarm just a quarter mile down the same road as ours, she married us. Things came together for us that day in away that felt serendipitous and impromptu, but it was actually the work of the people who fought before us and the people around us. That judge dropped all her plans that day to make our marriage happen. What Obergefell did was allow support for marriage equality that had been hidden to finally cometothe surface. It gave people the opportunity and the courage to stand up for whatthey really believed all along. What we found that day wasa community all around us that we hadn’tknown was there, people ready to stand with us —and to take personal and professional risks to do so. It was adesire for more of that kind of community that led us, not long after,toNew Orleans. Here we found what we’d been craving —aplace where people can be fully themselves, and where neighbors take care of each other every day We need that kind of community now more than ever.Wemust continue to support marriage equality as afederally protected right because no one should have to wonderiftheir rights will exist tomorrow simply because of their ZIP code. Equal rights are not forever unless we fight for them. The work that got us here isn’t finished —itisnever finished —and we still need our community to stand with us.

PROVIDED PHOTO By U.S. COAST GUARD

Nearly3 miles of containmentboom corral spilled oily water in coastal marshes near Garden Island Bayasskimmers and other vesselswork to clean up the product on May1

COMMENTARY

ROOM FOR DEBATE CONFLICT WITH IRAN

President Donald Trumpstunned the worldlast week when he ordered the bombing of three nuclear sites in Iran.The questionremains, though, where the long-running effort to prevent that countryfrom developing nuclear weaponsgoesfrom here. Here are twoperspectives.

AfterOperation Midnight Hammer,whatcomes next?

In much of life, but especially in foreign policy,athree-word question is crucial: But then what? That is approximately whatAdm Isoroku Yamamoto said when Japan’s government asked if he could stealthily take afleet across the northern Pacific and deal adevastating blow to the U.S. fleet at Pearl Harbor

Yes, Yamamoto said, if we can design some shallow-running torpedoes of the sort the British hadused afew weeks earlier (Nov.11, 1940) to cripple the Italian navy at Taranto. Then, Yamamoto said, Iwillrange freely in the Pacific for perhaps ayear.But then what?

reconsider his contempt for Ukraine and hisindifference toits fate. Andhis equally obviousinfatuation with Vladimir Putin, who hasreceived substantial material assistance from Iran.

Thewar should be turned back to Israel

nal group chat. For the latter reason, somebelieve that Hegseth wasn’t even told much about the impending action.

George Will

Having studied at Harvard andserved as a military attaché in Washington, he knewthe United States and knew that his attack would produceanindustrial superpower unifiedby rage.Japan’sdefeat was assured on Dec. 7, 1941, not six months to theday lateratMidway Iran has no comparable capacity forretribution.There are, however,reasonstoworry about Iranian threats to the 40,000U.S. militarypersonnel in theregion, Iran’scapacity fornihilistic attacks on global energy and commerce and the tentacles of Iran’s international terrorism apparatus. It will be amajor surprise if there is only anegligible surprise from Iran.

Possible reasons PresidentDonald Trump decided to join Israel’sattack includethis: He saw the successofIsraeli virtuosityand he hungered to jump in at thehead of theparade. He is less amilitarymaven than adrum major,and his public life of flippancies about serious matters has not earned himthe benefitofany doubts. Were Congress not controlled by Republicans he controls, it mightbestir itself to investigate what U.S. intelligence agencies knew about howclose Iran wastobuilding a useable bomb and missiles capable of delivering it to atarget.

Shortly before the U.S. attacks, Tulsi Gabbard, the astonishingly unsuitable amateur confirmed by the Senate as director of national intelligence, said in March that Iran had not decided to produce anuclear weapon.She was either incompetent or theintelligence servicesare. Will RepublicansinCongress seek the president’spermission to inquireas to which it was?

Perhaps the other three(China, Russia, North Korea) members of the axis of disruption will be sobered by thedemonstration of the U.S. ability and willingness to project power globally.Perhaps thepresident will

Israel has earned America’sunalloyed respect by its recent displays of an audacity commensurate with the dangers of living surrounded by genocidal aspirations.

Israel in Iran has delivered amessage to others who threaten itsdestruction: We takeyour words seriously.Soseriously,Israel has departed from past practices.

In Tennessee Williams’splay “A Streetcar Named Desire,” the pathetic Blanche DuBois’slast line is plaintive: “I’ve always depended on thekindness of strangers.” The Jewish state’sfounding in the wake of the Holocaust was adefiant proclamation: “Never again!” Never again would Jews depend on the kindness of others.

In its WarofIndependence (1948), the Six Day War(1967), the YomKippur War(1973) andits unending conflict with non-stateactors (thePalestine Liberation Organization, Hamas, Hezbollah),including thefourth majorwar,which began Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has had material, financial and intelligence assistance from others, but has always done the fighting. Its major departure from this policy,the 1956 British-French-Israeli attempt to seize the Suez Canal that Egypt had nationalized, was adebacle.

By joining Israel against Iran, theUnited Stateshas expanded its commitmentsmore than it can now know.The United States is waging only aproxy war in Ukraine, but its prestige and credibility are fully at risk there. Andnow the United States is aparticipant in awar the likely outcome of which is obscured by thefog of war,and themomentumand direction of which is being set by an ally that has its own agenda. Adolf Hitler reportedly said to one of his private secretaries, “The beginning of every war is like opening the door into adark room. One never knows what is hidden in the darkness.” He supposedly said this as he prepared to do what he did 84 years ago. He launched Operation Barbarossa, theinvasion of Russia that proved his point U.S. Operation Midnight Hammer began June22. Its reverberations are far from over Email George Will at georgewill@washpost. com

Let me offer some rare praise for President Donald Trump. His attack on Iran’snuclear development sites was carefully executed. Nobody outside a tight circle knew about it in advance. And he was wise in shifting the talk intocalls forpeace. We don’tknow whether the bunker busters reached allthe near-bomb-grade uranium or if other sites for fuel enrichment remain hidden. But analysts believe theIranian nuclear program may have been turned back years. Israel had been degrading Iran’s nuclear capabilities, but it didn’thave the30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetratorsneeded to blast deep inside the mountains housing Iran’s nuclear program.Only the United States had thebombs and the B-2 stealthbombers to deliver them without detection.

Israel should lead in prosecuting the war. Iran started it long ago through its employmentofproxy forces —the Houthis, Hamas and Hezbollah. By running the attacks from outside Iran, the ayatollahs spared their own country from counterattack.

Iran shares much blamefor the human tragedy in Gaza. It paid Hamas to build tunnels in Gazato protect its fighters while turning innocent civilians into martyrs exposed to Israeli counterattacks.

The action was justified by the signs that Iran was close to obtaining anuclear weapon. It would have raised not only the threat to Israel but also the region by setting anuclear arms race among Sunni Arab nations at odds with Shiite Iran. There have been contradictory reportsonhow far Iran had gone in building abomb. Respectable sources, like CNN’sJohn Miller,persuasively argue that it is on thecusp of having aweapon of mass destruction. Miller had been theNew York City Police Department’sdeputy commissioner of intelligence and counterterrorism.

Whether Iran was currentlybuilding abomb was not aprecondition forthe U.S. operation. Miller wrote that “the intelligence estimates suggest Iran’s posture on being readytomakea bombnever looked moreaggressive.” No civilian energy program,headded, “operates facilities buried under remote mountains andstrives forfaster centrifuges and more-highly enriched uranium.”

It would have been comforting had someoneother than Pete Hegseth had been in charge of theDefense Departmentand put in front of the cameras after the U.S. strike. The talking head from Fox News wasshockingly unqualified plus ablabber mouth having spread classified information in aSig-

Israel’swar against the Iranian regimerightly remains Israel’swar.It’s clear whyIsraelis are dead set against letting Iran get anuclear bomb. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called forthe “elimination of Israel.” Israel and Iran should be friends. The twopeoples go wayback, to at least since 586 BC, when Jews arrived in Persia after the Babylonian Exile. Many Jews leftwhen the ayatollahs took over,but Tehran remains hometo several synagogues.

Many have questioned the motives behind Trump’sdecision to send the U.S. military after Iran’snuclear program.Some hold that this was basically another distraction against the increasingly controversial immigration raids and his troubled “big, beautiful” tax-and-spending bill.

Others say that Trump, upon observing great admiration forIsrael’s “brilliant” precision strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and scientists, needed to grab back the spotlight with somespectacular action of his own. He went so far as to take credit forIsraeli successes. America did what was needed. Trump’s“now is the timefor peace” statement was welcome. We should step back unless Iran retaliates. The Israelis have awide intelligence net in Iran. They know what they are doing. As forthe fighting, the U.S. should now step aside.

Email Froma Harrop at fharrop@ gmail.com.

Froma Harrop

FILE PHOTOS

President Donald Trump,left,and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

NewOrleans Forecast

ingPhillipsConstruction, LLC.Keatonwas awilling workerfor hisLordand Savior, JesusChrist. During his Christianjourney,he servedatFranklinBaptist Church(Rev. Fred LuterJr.) Progressive Baptistchurch (Rev. Dr.WillieGable Jr.) TrueLoveB.C.(Rev. JJ Mitchell),St. Joan of Arc (FR.Davis)and Mount Her‐mon B.C. (Rev.Dr. John Jackson). Keaton estab‐lisheda youthbible study ministrywhile at Progres‐siveB.C.Duringhis fellow‐shipatMt. Hermon,Keaton servedonthe Pastor Sup‐portTeam, TrusteeBoard Usher Board#3, Male Usher Board, Junior Usher’s Ministry,Male Choir,PraiseTeam, Mass Choir,MentorProgram and Men of ValorMinistry. Keatonwas adevoted and dedicated member until his death. On June 21,2003, hewas unitedinmarriage tohis devotedwife, Kathy Ancar-Phillips. They were lookingforward to cele‐brating their22ndanniver‐sarywiththeir anniversary wedding cake priortohis unexpecteddeparture dur‐ing thenight at home on May 31, 2025. Keaton was precededindeath by his parents,Charles B. Phillips and Victoria D. Phillips;his siblings: CharlesB.Phillips Jr.,JacquelineP.Farria, ThomasPhillips, Melvin (Gail)Phillips, Candace Honoreand Dianna (Leroy Sr.)Crawford. Keaton leavestomourn hiswife, Kathy Ancar-Phillips; sib‐lings:BettieP.Antonio (Wayne),Tracy P. Burton (Frank) andTyronne Phillips; Goddaughter,Do‐minickMoore(Devar); stepdaughter, Brittany Mitchell-Gardner(Tyrone); three step grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Constance Ancar,Linda Carson (Kieron), Denise Ancar (companion, Christopher Sceau)and MablePhillips; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, church families,other relatives, friendsand allother de‐

weekend

DEATHS continued from votedloved ones.Keaton willberememberedand dearlymissed. Relatives and friendsofthe family along with Bush Construc‐tion, VAMC,Pastors,offi‐cersand membersof Mount Hermon Baptist Church andthe abovementioned churches are invited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Mount Hermon BaptistChurch, Rev.Dr. John Jackson, offi‐ciating,onFriday, June 27, 2025 at 10:00am, 2153 N. Broad Street,New Orleans, La. Visitation is from 9:00 am- 10:00 am.Interment: Southeast LouisianaVeter‐ans Cemetery,34888 GranthamCollege Dr Slidell, Louisiana70460 Professionals arrange‐ments entrustedtoMajes‐tic Mortuary Service, Inc., (504) 523-5872.

MSgt.DonaldJ.Shep‐pard, U.S.A.F. (Ret.),passed awaypeacefully on June 24, 2025 at theage of 90 Beloved husband of the lateMyraDeckerShep‐pard. Loving father of Susan S. Buchholz (An‐thony), DavidA.Sheppard (Eileen), Harold J. Shep‐pard(Kim),and KarenS Newcomb (the late Blaine). Grandfather of Ashley Buchholz(Lindsey),Rachel Lytle (Ross),and Madalyne Sheppard. Brotherofthe lateEdwardand Henry Sheppard. Sonofthe late Mamie St.RomainShep‐pardCampo andEdward Sheppard. Step-son of the late Albert Campo. Also survived by otherloving relatives andfriends.Don‐ald wasa retiredMaster Sergeant with the Louisiana AirNational Guard,159thTactical Fighter Wing,stationed at Alvin CallenderField in Belle Chasse,LA. He served for 38 yearsasanavionics radio technician,maintain‐ing theplaneselectronic systemsincluding calibra‐

tion andrepairofradio communication andinstru‐mentation.Healwayssaw the good in people and brought outthe best in those he met. He wasgen‐erous,kind, andhad agiv‐ing andlovingheart.He was abelieverinGod and his son, JesusChristand calleduponhis name daily. Hewillbesadly missedbut his legacy will live forever. Visitationwillbeheldat Mothe FuneralHome, 2100 WestbankExpressway, Harvey, LA on Saturday June 28, 2025 from 10 AM to 1:30PM. AFuneralMass willbecelebratedinthe fu‐neral home chapel.Inter‐mentWestlawnMemorial ParkinGretna. Youare in‐vited to shareyourcondo‐lencesand memories by visiting: www.mothefunera ls.com.

Pamela Barber Tims bornonJune 23, 1956 passedawayonJune 12, 2025 at theage of 68 at Ochsner Westbank Hospi‐tal.Pamelawas born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and wasa lifelong resident ofPlaquemines Parish.She had adeep love forgar‐deningand wasknown for her warm heart, gentle spirit, anddevotiontoher family. Sheissurvivedby her loving husband,Larry Tims; herchildren, Chrissie, Keith, andLeslie Seiffert; andher stepchil‐dren, Lori Galbreath, An‐gelaHazelrig, andAmanda Tims. Pamela wasa proud grandmother to Jeremy Seiffert, KristaGalt, Wayne ChristenJr.,LoganChris‐ten,Tre Seiffert,Addison Seiffert, Gabrielle Picou, AlainaLee, Kaleband Luke Galbreath,SamanthaTims, Julia Holderfield, Donovan Tims, ChristopherBur‐dette,and ElisabethSeale She also leaves behind her cherished greatgrandchil‐dren: Paetyn Seiffert Kohen Seiffert,Brayden Galt,and Elijah Taylor

Pamela is survived by her brother,Wayne Barber,as wellasmanybeloved niecesand nephews. She was preceded in deathby her mother,Ida MaeBar‐ber,and hersister, Paulette Barber.A Celebra‐tionofLifewillbeheldon Saturday, June 28, 2025 from3:00p.m.to6:00p.m at111 OmegaSt. Apt. B. Pamelawillberemem‐bered forher unwavering lovefor herfamily, hernur‐turingnature, andthe beautyshe broughtinto the worldbothinher gar‐den andinthe livesshe touched.Funeralplanning entrusted to Robinson FamilyFuneralHome, 9611 La23Belle Chasse La 70037 (504) 208-2119. Foronline condolences please visit www.robinsonfamilyfuner alhome@yahoo.com

Aileen CordierVidal passedawaypeacefully on Tuesday,June 17, 2025. She was born on December 18 1927 in NewOrleans to the lateJames andAlice Cordier,Sr. Mrs. Vidalwas joinedinHolyMatrimony tothe late Milton Vidalon March 11, 1967 andto‐gethertheywelcomed their beloveddaughter, Na‐dineVidal Harris.Inaddi‐tiontoher husband and parents,Aileen is also pre‐ceded in deathbysiblings, James (Evelyn) Cordier, Jr Louis Cordier, Pearl(Li‐onel) Dupart,Ronald(Joan) Cordier andJeanette (Gary)Lucineo;in-laws Johnand Alma Piquet.She islovinglyrememberedby her daughter,Nadine (Chris) Harris;siblings, Marie (the late Albert) Picou,Leon(Jeanne) Cordier,Sr. andAlice(Mil‐ton)Ward; surrogate son, Kevin Picou; “her girls, Alexand Tori Thomas,as wellasmanynieces, nephews,extendedfamily and friends. AMassof Christianburialhonoring

thelifeand legacy of the lateAileen CordierVidal willbeheldatSt. Maria Goretti Church,7300 Crow‐der Blvd., NewOrleans,LA 70127 on Saturday,June 28 2025 at 11 am.Visitation 9:30aminthe church Pleasesignonlineguest‐book at www.charbonnetf uneralhome.com. Charbon‐net LabatGlapion,Direc‐tors(504)581 4411.

Reco Williams departed thislifefor heavenly and eternal rest on June 09 2025 at theage of 45. He was thefatherofKia and Taaliyah;Beloved Sonof RosemaryJones andthe lateRecoSimms;brother ofLarnell,Eric, Erol,Kiwan and Jamal. He leaves to cherish hismemories; de‐voted partnerNadia Taplin and ahostofnieces, nephews,aunts,unclesas wellasother relativesand friends.Heisprecededin death by hisfatherReco Simms;grandparentsMr. and Mrs. Milton Toussaint and Mr.and Mrs. Damon Davis.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend hisFuneral Service at D.W. Rhodes Fu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Avenue on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 10:00 am Visitationwillbegin at 9:00 am. Please visitwww https://premiermemories. net/users/MTY0NDgwLVJ lY28gU2ltb24=/home.html to sign theonlineguest‐book,share condolences and memories with the family. Services entrusted toD.W.RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue, NewOrleans,LA (504) 822-7162 www.rho desfuneral.com

Young,JohnEldric

John Eldric Young de‐partedthislifeatWestJef‐fersonMedical Center on Wednesday,June 11, 2025 atthe ageof35. He wasa nativeofNew Orleans, LA and anativeofHarvey, LA Johnwas employed as a Car Detailer.Beloved hus‐bandofNatasha Wilson. StepfatherofKesha,Dia‐monte,and MichaelWil‐son.Lovingson of thelate JohnKenneth Young,Jr. and ShantreceDegree Parker. StepsonofJa’Ron Parker. Grandson of Char‐leneDegree, Eldric Warm‐ington, andthe late Dione Young Mercadel andJohn Kenneth Young,Sr. Brother ofAnthony Degree, Treon Florant,Deron Young,Dev‐ery Young,FabreyanDe‐gree, NorayanBurnside, Jasmine Degree, Jona Young,JadaScott, Shaunell Young.Nephewofthe late Byron,Shawn, andNicole Young.Johnisalsosur‐vived by ahostaunts, un‐cles, nieces,nephews cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Davis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe Street,Gretna, LA on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 10:00a.m. Visitation will begin at 8:30a.m. untilser‐vicetimeatthe parlor.In‐terment:Woodlawn Park MemorialCemetery- West‐wego, LA.Toviewand sign the guestbook,pleasego towww.davismortuaryse rvice.com.FaceMasks Are Recommended

Williams,Reco

Tims,PamelaBarber

Sheppard,DonaldJ

Vidal, Aileen Cordier

Saints QB Shough hasyet to sign rookie contract

Salary-cap expert explains whetherquarterback’s contract issuecould linger into camp

BY MATTHEW PARAS

Staff writer

The New Orleans Saints begin training camp in just under amonth, and TylerShough

—their potential starting quarterback— has not yet signed his rookiecontract What gives?

The Saints and Shough are negotiating over the guaranteed portion of therookie’s fourth-year salary,asource withknowledge of the situation confirmed.

It’sasimilar situation across theNFL.

In all, as CBSSports reported, 30ofthe league’s32second-rounders haveyet tosign

LOUISIANAHALLOFFAME

Visionary coachSaban changedLSU football’s culture

BY RONHIGGINS

Contributing writer

This is an entry in aprofile series of inductees for the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The induction ceremony is set for Saturday in Natchitoches.

When Nick Saban arrived by private plane in Tuscaloosa in earlyJanuary 2007 after agreeing to become Alabama’shead football coach, he was mobbed byadoring fans.

Butwhen he appeared in Baton Rouge in late November 1999 at his introductory news conference announcing him as LSU’s coach, the reception was “Who’sNick Sabanand why is LSU paying him$1.2milliona year?”

“I couldn’tbelieve the response and the attitude people had toward me,” Saban said. “I felt like there were alot of questions, alot of doubts. Youhave to understand. Iwas coming from aplace (Michigan State) where the people were pretty happy over what had been done.

“I was shocked. I was thinking,‘Maybe I ought to go back whereIcame from.’”

Thankfully for LSU, he didn’t, and now he’ll be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame —at last. The induction ceremony is set for SaturdayinNatchitoches. Sabanwas initiallyelected to theLSHOF’s Class of 2020, but that spring’sglobal pandemic postponed the induction.

“It’sanhonor I’m really excited about,” Sabansaid of hisupcoming induction. “I never thought I’d be considered. Iknow there’sa lot of great sportsfolks in Louisiana.”

AllSaban did in five seasonsfrom 2000-04 was save the Tigers’ program withanational championship,two SEC titles, and a48-16 record(.750) before chasing an NFL dream as thehead coach of the Miami Dolphins. He came to Baton Rouge at atime when LSUwas thirstingfor success,stability,and acoach with avision, including the elements required to build and sustain anationalpower

After LSU had just two head football coaches (Paul Dietzel and Charles McClendon) in 25 years from 1955-1979, the Tigers hadsix coaches in 20 seasonsfrom 1980-1999

ä See SABAN, page 6C

their rookie contracts. The negotiations have slowed down in partbecausethe Houston Texans and the Cleveland Brownsbecame the first teams thisyear to give fully guaranteed contractsfor their second-round selections,wide receiver Jayden Higgins and linebacker Carson Schwesinger Before this year,first-round draft picks were theonly rookies to earnfully guaranteed deals. Butwiththe now-established precedent, others —including Shough want to see if thedeals trigger awaveof teams agreeing to afully guaranteed fourth year. Or at thevery least,they want to seeif teams start to guaranteeahigherpercentage

of the fourth-year base salary To understand more, NFL agent and salarycap expert J.I. Halsell spoke about Shough’s chances and whether theissue could linger into camp. Guaranteed deal?

If there’sone thingtoknow aboutthe NFL, thereare exceptionsalmost always made for quarterbacks. That doesn’tmean the Saints will

ä See SAINTS, page 6C

QU ’S

Derik Queen walks off the stageafter beingselected 13thbythe Atlanta Hawksinthe first round of the NBAdraft on WednesdayinNew york. Queen waslater traded to the Pelicans. AP PHOTO By ADAM HUNGER

Joe Dumars needed just 90 minutes Wednesday night to show how aggressive he’sgoing to be as the Pelicansexecutive vice president of operations. The night startedwith Dumars selecting Oklahoma guard Jeremiah Fears with theNo. 7pickinthe NBA draft. Fearssported two sparkling chains with pendants around his neck. Oneofthe pendants was azero, the number Fearswore in college. The other displayed his last name. Collectively,the two chains said “no fears,” two words that very well could have also summed up Dumars on this night Thirty minutes after drafting Fears,Dumars madea deal. The Pelicanstraded their No. 23 pick to the Atlanta Hawks to moveuptothe No. 13 spot to select forward Derik Queen from Maryland. “It’s crazy,” Dumars said. “Wefelt like we were going to have to choose between these two guys the whole night.Toend up gettingbothofthem was just really exciting for us.”

Rod Walker

“When you have chance to get two lottery picks in one draft, you’re accounting forthe following year,” Dumarssaid. “When you identifya player that you think can be one of the foundations here, you go and get him.That’swhat we did. We targeted Queen. We thought he could be a heckuva addition here and we were really aggressive about going to get Queen in this draft.”

Being aggressive is the only way Dumarsknows.

It’sthe waythe Bad Boy Pistons played in the late 80’sand early 90’swhen Dumarswas in his heyday as a guard on back-to-back NBAchampionship teams. And it’sthe wayheoperated when he wasincharge of the Pistons’ team he built that wonanNBA title in 2004. Andit’sapparently the way he’ll continue to be in his new role with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans paid what many will sayisa hefty price to getQueen.Inaddition to theNo. 23 pick, the Pels surrendered their first-round pick in 2026.

“That’sthe only way I’ve ever had success in this league,” Dumarssaid. “I’ve been around aggressive teamsmyentire life. That has always served well. I thought the two teams in the Finals (the Oklahoma City Thunder and Indiana Pacers) exemplified that. They were aggressive on both ends of the court. They ä See WALKER, page 3C

STAFFFILE PHOTO By TRAVIS SPRADLING.

coach Nick Saban leads his team onto

game

Tyler Shough AP PHOTO

Former Ravens K Tucker gets 10-week suspension

NEW YORK The NFL suspended former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker for the first 10 weeks of the season on Thursday for violating its personal conduct policy

LSU’s Godbless quickly found her stride

Sprinter didn’t let late start, ‘housework’ hinder her

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

Tima Godbless‘ face said everything.

Disbelief Elation. Gratitude. The LSU sprinter’s jaw dropped, she folded into a crouch and her eyes barely restrained tears. Godbless’ mind raced, trying to grasp what her body did after running a personal-best 10.91 seconds in the women’s 100-meter dash at the NCAA East outdoor regionals.

The May 29 feat became the year’s world top time is currently tied for seventh.

“In the women’s sprint, you re under 11 seconds, you’re special, OK,” LSU track and field coach Dennis Shaver said. “I don’t care who it is.”

The 5-foot-5 Godbless became the fourth-fastest Nigerian woman ever and is fourth all-time in LSU history in the 100, tying Brianna Lyston (2024).

As shocked as she was, the sophomore expected this to happen sooner based on her training She also didn’t think a PR would happen that Thursday She felt pain in her right ankle, which she injured a little more than a week before the SEC Championships

The grit to persevere is what the great ones possess, Shaver said. Earning that regional title at LSU and winning globally is part of what Godbless envisions. She’s off to a strong start crafting that résumé.

The second-team All-SEC sprinter finished her outdoor season finishing third in the 100 at the NCAA Championships. She was also part of the LSU final in the 4x100 relay and a 200 semifinalist. Godbless, 20, intends to carry her collegiate success into the summer when she returns to Nigeria for national tryouts before competing in the World Athletics Championships in September Track and field wasn’t supposed to be in Godbless’ DNA. Her parents didn’t play sports and she’s the only one of her four siblings in athletics.

People only noticed her speed when she participated in the annual inter-house sports competition, her country’s version of field day Track coach Richard Torugbene attempted to convince the girl from Bebelebiri to run but was

shrugged off. When she finally gave in, she stopped training after a month.

What stood in the way of her destiny: chores.

“I was the only girl around the family, and I was doing the housework,” Godbless said “I couldn’t come back from class and do all the housework, then go to practice in the evening. I couldn’t do it.”

Torugbene persuaded her once more, explaining her elite talent and how it was in her best interest to “endure the pain.” Godbless rejoined the team and hasn’t looked back since 2019.

Her coach didn’t waste time entering her in big meets. The goal was to get her accustomed to those settings to make up for lost time as a 15-year-old.

The early days were rocky Nervousness consumed the softspoken Godbless and anxiety on competition days stole her appetite. That slowly dissipated as she became more experienced.

Starting later in the sport actually benefited her and part of what intrigued Shaver in recruiting her

“Their training age, so to speak,

is younger,” Shaver said of athletes like Godbless who start late, “therefore their chance of improvement is going to be higher than somebody that’s been doing it since they were 6 years old.”

When Godbless was 17, she qualified and went to the Tokyo Olympics. She and nine other Nigerian athletes were disqualified, however, because their country’s athletic officials didn’t perform enough drug tests over several months, according to NPR.

She became a two-time U20 African Champion in the 100 and 200 in 2023 and competed in the 100 and 4x100 relay at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Her meteoric rise in the sport is not just a testament to talent She has a winning spirit that has been nurtured in a household where she grew up fighting with three brothers daily Godbless was unhappy with her eighth-place finish in the 100 final of the 2024 outdoor NCAA Championships. It didn’t matter that she was only a freshman, she said.

“Oh my God, eighth position, just no way,” Godbless said to herself.

When she committed to LSU after visiting and seeing the success of

another Nigerian sprinter Favour Ofili, she envisioned early success. The biggest barrier to achieving that was communicating.

An introvert at heart, Godbless prefers to observe in the background rather than make her presence known. Add in that she was still adjusting to Baton Rouge without her family nearby, and she needed time to build that comfort level, specifically speaking with coaches and teammates.

“The first year I don’t know if she said a word to me,” Shaver said.

Communicating, including with the training staff, is major part of the winning formula Shaver has crafted as head coach since 2004.

After a full year, the sprint star of a few words grew to be among the more “talkative girls on the team,” she said.

It’s no accident that finding her voice coincided with Godbless’ upward trajectory as she’s still so new

“She has that desire to be great. That’s just something you can’t coach,” Shaver said. “She’s a great competitor and she’s very willing to learn and easy to coach, which is a blessing.”

Roy, Potgieter shoot Rocket Classic-record

BY LARRY LAGE AP sportswriter

DETROIT Aldrich Potgieter took a peek at the leaderboard before lining up his last putt on a crest of the ninth green, knowing he had to make the 12-footer for birdie to break a tie with Kevin Roy

The putt grazed the left edge, with Potgieter missing an opportunity to cap a record-setting day by taking the outright first-round lead at the Rocket Classic on Thursday

“I was real eager to make that putt,” he said.

Potgieter and Roy each shot 10-under 62 to break the tournament 18-hole record.

Detroit Golf Club has been one of the easiest courses since the PGA Tour made it an annual stop in 2019. A pair of Korn Ferry graduates took full advantage.

Potgieter, the 20-year-old South African who grew up in Australia, started at No. 10 and set a tournament record with a 7-under 29 on the back nine.

Potgieter and the 35-year-old Roy each had an eagle and eight birdies in bogey-free rounds.

On 578-yard, par-5 17th, Roy’s drive went 300 yards, his second shot traveled another 288 yards and his chip from the rough rolled in from 30 feet.

“Just one of those days everything was clicking,” Roy said.

“I was shocked my 5-wood went

that far I had 279 pin. I don’t hit a 5-wood that far, but maybe a little adrenaline or something going on.”

As well as Roy and Potgieter played, they can’t get comfortable on a short course with greens that are even more receptive than usual with recent rain.

“It was pretty easy,” Andrew Putnam said after a 64. Min Woo Lee, Max Greyserman and Mark Hubbard were a stroke back after matching the previous tournament record of 63. Two-time major champion Zach Johnson was in the group of seven players that were two shots back.

Lee enjoyed playing Detroit Golf Club after struggling — along with most of his peers — at Oakmont during the U.S Open and at the Memorial.

“I was really excited for this week,” he said. “I wanted to get to hit in the rough and actually hit onto the green.

“Hopefully, the PGA Tour can have more courses like this. It would be a bit more fun and less stressful.”

While the course is easy as usual, the competition is relatively strong for the tournament that many top players have skipped in the past.

The field includes nine of the top 50 players in the world, led by fifth-ranked Collin Morikawa, who opened with a 69 after parting ways with a caddie for the second

time this year

KK Limbhasut, a teammate of Morikawa’s at California and a Korn Tour Ferry player, is filling in this week as a caddie while Morikawa tries to find what he’s looking for on his bag.

“It’s like asking a 20-year-old or 15-year-old what does your future wife look like, right?” Morikawa asked. “There’s a lot of things you could say, but just because you say it doesn’t mean that’s actually what comes together

“It’s a partnership. We both give and we both take. For me, it’s just being able to be comfortable out

there trusting them and just having a good time.”

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who rose to No. 7 in the world after winning the Travelers Championship last week in Connecticut, shot a 68. The idea of Bradley playing at Bethpage Black in New York for the Sept. 28-30 matchs against Europe is picking up steam among fellow American players and fans.

“Put yourself on the team!” a man shouted at Bradley, who didn’t react to the suggestion as he walked to sign his card after the opening round.

The suspension takes effect on Aug. 26, roster cutdown day, and Tucker is eligible for reinstatement on Nov 11. Tucker remains free to try out with and sign with a team. If he is signed, he can attend training camp and participate in preseason games.

The 35-year-old became a free agent after the Ravens released him last month in the aftermath of reports that he was accused of inappropriate sexual behavior by massage therapists.

The Baltimore Banner since January has reported over a dozen massage therapists have accused Tucker of inappropriate sexual behavior

Kipyegon falls short in bid for sub-four-minute mile

PARIS Three-time Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon failed in her bid Thursday to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes.

Kipyegon, the Olympic 1,500-meter gold medalist from Kenya, ran in 4 minutes, 06.42 seconds the fastest mile in history by a woman at Stade Charléty in Paris. Her time was better than her world record of 4:07.64 but won’t be recognized by the international federation because the Nike-sponsored event dubbed “Breaking4: Faith Kipyegon vs. the 4-Minute Mile” was unofficial. She was supported by pacemakers and equipped with Nike’s latest innovations, from her aerodynamic tracksuit to her spikes.

Buccaneers coach, GM sign multiyear extensions

TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers signed general manager Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles to multi-year contract extensions on Thursday Bucs owner and co-chairman Joel Glazer said in the team’s announcement the two have been critical to the team’s recent success.

The team did not provide terms of the extensions.

Bowles is coming off his third year as coach in which he led the Bucs to a fourth-straight NFC South title. He was promoted in 2022 after Bruce Arians stepped down following the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV victory Bowles had previously served as the team’s defensive coordinator for three seasons.

Ronaldo signs new deal to extend Al Nassr stay

With the words “Al Nassr forever” Cristiano Ronaldo ended uncertainty about his future and signed a two-year contract extension with the Saudi Arabian club on Thursday The five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s latest deal means he will play on until at least the age of 42 and gives him the chance to add to his record-breaking career “A new chapter begins. Same passion, same dream Let’s make history together,” Ronaldo said in a social media post along with a picture of him holding up a shirt that said “Ronaldo 2027.” The contract sees Ronaldo extend his time in Saudi Arabia, having joined Al Nassr at the end of 2022 in one of the most shocking transfers in soccer history after leaving Manchester United.

Bengals take major step toward extending lease

CINCINNATI

The Cincinnati Bengals and local officials have reached a tentative deal to make $470 million in renovations to Paycor Stadium and keep the team there through at least 2036.

The preliminary agreement announced Thursday still needs final approval from the team and Hamilton County commissioners.

The two sides had until June 30 to agree to a new lease or approve the first of five two-year extensions but they’ve agreed to extend the deadline. The Bengals’ original lease expires at the end of next June. The county will contribute $350 million toward the renovations, and the Bengals will pay $120 million. Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said the agreement will secure the team’s

PROVIDED PHOTO By REAGAN COTTEN

LSU sophomore Tima Godbless qualified for the 100- and 200-meter dashes along with the 4x100-meter relay at

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PAUL SANCyA

Aldrich Potgieter, of South Africa, hits from the ninth tee during the first round of the Rocket Classic golf tournament at the Detroit Golf Club, on Thursday in Detroit.

PRO BASKETBALL

BY ROD WALKER Staff writer

Micah Peavy calls his journey to the NBA a marathon. Five years of college. Three schools. But now, he’s headed to New Orleans. The Pelicans selected Peavy with the 40th overall pick Thursday night in the second round of the

BY MYAH TAYLOR

The Dallas Morning News (TNS)

DALLAS When Caitlin Clark became a pro, threetime WNBA champion Diana Taurasi said “reality is coming” for the former Iowa standout.

Before Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers made her professional debut, Taurasi said the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft will become “the best player in the league, for sure.”

The WNBA legend struck a slightly different tone for the fellow former UConn star

But her reaction reflected the general sentiment WNBA players shared about Bueckers’ arrival, which contrasts with the somewhat frosty reception Clark received from some corners of the league.

Ahead of Bueckers’ debut for the Wings against the Minnesota Lynx, MVP front-runner Napheesa Collier praised “Paige, her family, the way she plays.” When the Los Angeles Sparks came to town June 6, Bueckers appeared chummy with Kelsey Plum, draping her arm around the two-time WNBA champion.

While Clark, the Indiana Fever’s No 1 pick last season, was beloved by the public (and had the viewership numbers to prove it), Bueckers has been heralded as “the league’s rookie.”

forces elevating women’s basketball.

“They’re very aware of what they mean to the game right now,” basketball Hall of Famer and Wings broadcaster Nancy Lieberman said. “They’re going to help the veterans lift this league. I mean, we’ve got more millionaires in this league than ever before.”

The league rookie Bueckers hasn’t reached the same level of popularity with the public as Clark, who leads the league in fan voting for the WNBA All-Star Game and has 3.4 million Instagram followers.

But the Wings star, who has 2.6 million Instagram followers, has been a household name for longer She was the top-rated girls basketball prospect in the Class of 2020, ranking higher than Clark and future stars such as former LSU star Angel Reese and Cameron Brink.

Bueckers, who won a national championship at UConn in April, has long been lauded for her efficiency and high basketball IQ. That skill set made her a great fit at UConn, where she joined a sorority of all-time greats that includes Taurasi, Collier, Breanna Stewart and Sue Bird.

have compared Bueckers’ ascendance to the league to that of a younger sibling or friend turning 21.

“Paige is a great person on so many levels of what she does and how she treats people,” Lieberman said. “Maybe they know Paige a little bit better than they know Caitlin when she first came into the league.”

The media darling Bueckers, who struggled with injuries throughout her UConn career, missed the entire 2022-23 season after suffering an ACL tear That was the year Clark broke out. She captured national attention ahead of the 2023 Final Four in Dallas, when her Iowa squad faced LSU for the national championship.

Iowa didn’t win, but the moment Reese pointed to her ring finger seemingly taunting Clark and her teammates, it sparked an on-court rivalry and made Clark a household name.

The following season, Clark cemented her status as a national icon while becoming the NCAA’s all-time leading scorer among men’s and women’s basketball players She willed Iowa, not exactly a women’s basketball blue blood, back to the national championship game, after scoring 21 points in a 71-69 win over Bueckers and UConn in the semifinal.

Social perceptions

As Clark’s star rose, she found herself at the center of polarizing conversations about race in sports.

Clark became the next “ ‘Great White Hope’ in a league dominated by queer Black athletes,” according to the 2025 Politics in Sports Media report from The University of Texas’ Center for Sports Communication and Media.

She acknowledged the discourse after being named Time magazine’s 2024 Athlete of the Year

“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege,” Clark said.

Bueckers has been vocal about the issue for years, putting her ahead of the curve in a sense and earning the respect of peers. When she accepted her ESPY for Best Female College Athlete in 2021, she dedicated much of her speech to highlighting Black women and their contributions.

Clark and Bueckers alike have received pushback for their comments, but some of Clark’s fans have thrust the Fever star into a narrative from which she has tried to distance herself.

The rhetoric drew criticism from WNBA supporters and veteran players who had long been fighting for exposure and respect.

WALKER

Continued from page 1C

defended like heck. They pushed the ball. Those are the elements that win. So we want to be aggressive at all times.”

And that includes his decision making.

This time a week ago, the Pelicans only had the No. 7 pick in the draft.

But Dumars made a deal with the Pacers to get the No. 23 pick and gave the Pacers back their own 2026 first-round pick. That extra pick ended up being the move Dumars needed to get the chess piece he really wanted: the Queen. Derik Queen.

“When I got here, we had just the seventh pick and I was like ’we don’t have enough assets to move around in the draft,’” Dumars said. “So we had to get that asset. We had to get that asset and put it into this draft and hope that we had a chance to do what we did tonight.”

Once Dumars drafted Fears with the No. 7 pick, he began looking for a trade two picks later

“We started from nine all the way until we got a deal,” Dumars said. “You don’t pull the trigger on the asset next year until you get that deal. Otherwise, you keep it.”

There was a contingency plan if he didn’t find a deal.

trade that Dumars will be criticized about for years to come, especially this time next year when the Pelicans are sitting out the first round of the draft. Dumars is banking on Queen living up to expectations.

“I like tough guys,” Dumars said. “And you have to have an IQ. You can’t just be tough and nothing else. I put Queen’s IQ of the game up against anybody in this draft.” Dumars offers equally high praise for Fears.

On Friday at American Airlines Center, the two standouts will meet for the first time as professionals as the Wings welcome the Indiana Fever for “A Night in Dallas.” It will showcase the future of the WNBA but also the vastly different perceptions that follow the popular 23-year-olds: Bueckers, the surgical “league rookie” with the UConn pedigree, and Clark, the pure-scorer media darling who willed herself into the national spotlight at Iowa. Despite their differences in style, personality and reception from fans and peers, Bueckers and Clark are the

But Bueckers was a known quantity before she joined the Huskies. She was the first high school girls basketball player to be featured on the cover of Slam magazine. Her star continued to rise throughout her freshman season in 2021, when she won Naismith National Player of the Year and an ESPY award. Bueckers was the “it” girl in women’s basketball, playing for arguably the biggest brand in the sport.

At the start of this WNBA season, 15 former UConn players appeared on 10 team rosters. And many more have passed through the league. Social media users

Iowa lost to South Carolina, but Clark had won the hearts of millions with her entertaining play, hallmarked by her ability to drain logo 3s An average of 18.9 million viewers watched the 2024 national championship game, the most-watched women’s college basketball game ever South Carolina played for a second consecutive national championship in 2025, but the game drew only 8.5 million viewers. The difference?

The Gamecocks were playing Bueckers’ Huskies instead of Clark’s Hawkeyes.

Celtics’ Stevens: Tatum progressing well, won’t return until ‘fully ready’

BY KYLE HIGHTOWER

When Jayson Tatum ruptured his right Achilles tendon in the Celtics’ conference semifinals loss the the New York Knicks, everything about Boston’s immediate future changed.

But what won’t change is the Celtics’ front office’s prudence in making sure he has the space and time to make a full recovery Boston president of basketball operations Brad Stevens said the All-Star is progressing well following surgery last month. But asked about whether the team had put a timeline on Tatum’s return, Stevens was definitive that there would be no rushing the star’s rehabilitation.

“We don’t and we won’t,” Stevens said Wednesday night following the first

round of the NBA draft.

“We won’t put a projected timeline on him for a long, long time. It’s baby steps right now He’s actually progressed great, but I don’t know what that means in regard to projected timelines. But that will be in consultation with him and everybody else to make sure when he hits the court he is fully ready, and fully healthy. And that will be the priority.”

Tatum is expected to miss most, if not all, of next season. It has already had implications for next season, with the team opting to trade Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday — both key contributors from the 2024 title team in an effort to get the team’s salary under the luxury tax second penalty apron. But Stevens said All-Star Jaylen Brown has already been back to the Celtics’

training facility since he had minimally invasive surgery to clean up his right knee. Brown is doing some light ball handling and work around the rim, Stevens said.

“We said be ready for training camp and I think he’ll probably be going full well ahead of that,” Stevens said.

While Stevens said league rules wouldn’t allow him to address the pending trades of Porzingis or Holiday, he said anything they do this offseason is with an eye toward regaining flexibility after multiple seasons with a high payroll.

“As far as whatever moves that those are a a part of, they’re all separate and hard and things that you’re going to have to do your best to make sure you put yourself in the right positions,” Stevens said.

“We’re talking about a faction of that group that is pushing racist agendas and is pushing hate and creating divisiveness online, acting as fans, acting as Fever fans, acting as Caitlin fans,” Bird, a former Seattle Storm star, said last year on her “A Touch More” podcast.

Clark’s rise put more eyes on a league that has been historically marginalized. It didn’t sit well with current and former players, along with longtime supporters that many new fans — and some of the biggest voices in basketball — have already crowned Clark the best to ever play the game and the savior of the league, which has struggled to generate revenue. WNBA

“If you get stuck at No. 23, you better have a handful of guys you like,” Dumar said. “And we did.”

There were guys they liked. But Queen is who they really coveted.

“It shows how much they wanted me and how much they believe in me,” Queen said. “I’m just ready to show them they got their money’s worth and ready to put on for the Pelicans.”

If Queen turns out to be the lottery pick type talent that Dumars and his right-hand man Troy Weaver project him to be, the trade to move up and get him will be viewed as brilliant. If he doesn’t pan out, it’ll be a draft night

“Super confident, but not arrogant and not cocky,” Dumars said. “You need some of that to be good in this league. You’ve got to think ‘I’m him’ and he does. I like that about him. But I (also) like his skill set. Just his ability to get anywhere on the court like that, is a unique ability.” Dumars and the Pelicans drafted Georgetown wing Micah Peavy in the second round of the draft on Thursday That pick was acquired Tuesday in a trade. That pick was acquired Tuesday in a trade that sent CJ McCollum and Kelly Olynyk and a second round pick in 2026 to the Washington Wizards in exchange for Jordan Poole and Saddiq Bey “One of the things you want to do when you’re building out a team, whenever you have these tempo moments — the draft, free agency, trade deadline — it’s an opportunity to make a statement about who you are as a team and what you’re going to be,” Dumars said. And what exactly are the Pelicans going to be? Aggressive.

“We want to be an aggressive team,” Dumars said. “We are going to be aggressive in this front office. We want our players to be aggressive. We want our approach to be aggressive. We want to show up. We’re going to show up for the run. We have 82 runs. We don’t have to be loud. We don’t have to bang our chests. But we intend to be there.”

Dallas Wings rookie guard Paige Bueckers, left photo, and Indiana Fever second-year guard Caitlin Clark will meet for the first time professionaly when the Fever visits the Wings on

LSUlands southpaws from transfer portal

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Left-handed pitcher Danny Lachenmayer is transferring from North Dakota StatetoLSU, he announced on social media

Thursday As afreshman, Lachenmayer posted a2.37 ERA in 38 innings, recording nine saves andstriking out 13.3 batters per nine innings. He’sfrom Eagan,Minnesota, and wasthe No. 9lefthanded pitcherinMinnesota in the 2024 class, according to Perfect Game. He also pitched against LSU on March 4, allowing two

earned runs and striking out three batters in 12/3 innings. He didn’tallowanearned run in 13 of his last 14 appearances and tossed 31/3 scoreless inningsfor the Bison in the Fayetteville regional.

Tennessee freshman left-handed pitcher Ryler Smart also committed to LSU out of the transferportal on Thursday.Smart announced his decisionvia socialmedia Smart redshirted with the Volunteers this season due to an arm injury.Hearrived in Knoxville,Tennessee,asthe No 25 left-handed pitcher in thenation andthe No. 5lefty in Texas, according to Perfect Game.

MLBNOTEBOOK

Smart is the secondlefthanded pitcher and the fourth player to transfer to LSU this summer With Kade Anderson projected to be atop-5 pickinnextmonth’s MLB draft, Lachenmayer and Smart provide depthfor LSU’s pitching staff.The Tigershave no morethan three lefties returning next season in redshirt sophomore DJ Primeaux,junior ConnerWareand freshmanCooper Williams. Lachenmayer and Smart are the first pitchers LSUhas added out of thetransfer portalthis summer, joining infielders Brayden Simpson and SethDardar

Team USA’sWittready forbiggerrole

The Associated Press

KANSAS CITY,Mo. Kansas City Royals shortstopBobbyWitt Jr is going to againplayfor Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, and next yearcertainly will have abigger role than last time.

Witt announced Thursdaythat he is committed to playing for the United States and manager Mark DeRosa in the2026WBC.Itwill be Witt’ssecond time on theteam. When part of Team USAin2023, Witt was 22 and the youngest player on the roster who was coming off astandout rookie MLBseason. He was abench player who went 1for 2atthe plate, and alsowas apinch-runner in the ninth inning of the championship game won by Shohei Ohtani and Japan.

Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who will be the U.S. captain, and Pirates ace Paul Skenes havealso committed to play for Team USA next spring.

“It’struly an honor,” Witt, who turned 25 two weeks ago, told MLB Network. “It’ssomething I’ve kindadreamed about my whole entire life. Just being part of that team acouple years ago was amazing,and now we’regoing to bring home the gold.” Witt was the runner-up to Judge in theAmerican League MVPvoting last season, when theshortstop ledthe majorswitha .332 batting average. Witt hit .285 with 10 home runs and40RBIsin the Royals’ first 80 games this year

DeRosesaidonMLB Network that he approached Witt during spring training about playing in the 2026 WBC, to which the player responded, “100%. I’m starting, right?”

SanFrancisco Giants

Bonds to getstatue outside Giants’ ball-

park: Barry Bonds will be getting a statue outside the San Francisco Giants’ home stadiumwhere he set baseball’scareer home run record, the team’sCEO said Thursday Giants Presidentand Chief Executive Officer LarryBaer was asked during aradio interview about astatue for Bonds,and he responded that it was “on the radar.” But Baer didn’thaveany details of when that wouldhappen “Barry is certainly deserving of

Gauff,Alcaraz give tennis twosuperstars

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

LONDON Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz are helping usher in anew era for tennis.

With Wimbledonbeginning Monday,t he sport’smostrecentGrand Slam champions are Gauff, a21-year-old American, and Alcaraz, a22-yearold Spaniard,who are both at No. 2 in the rankings and are both coming off French Open titles secured in rivetingfinals againstthe sport’s No. 1players.

They are young, they are charismatic as an be on the court and theyare media-friendly offit.

Rivalriesbrewing

Alongwith No. 1Aryna Sabalenka and former No. 1Iga Swiatek in the women’s game, and No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the men’s, Gauff andAlcarazoffer abright future for asport’sfanbase that in recent yearssaw all-time greats Serena Williams,Roger Federerand Rafael Nadal walk away and currently might be pondering how muchlonger Novak Djokovic will contend for thebiggest prizes.

“Tennis is just in such agreat, great place right now. We are so fortunate to have not only Coco, not only Carlos, but adeep bench of youngstars that are justpropellingthe growth of our sport,”U.S Open tournament director Stacey Allaster said. “I’ve been around a long time, and when we have lost great, iconic champions in the past, there’sgenerally been alittle bit of adip. We have had the exact oppositeduring this transition Ialways liketosay thechampions of today are standing on the shoulders of the champions of the past. These champions have jumped offthe shoulders of the past champions.”

One keyfor asport, especially an individual one, to gain attention and grow popularity is to have rivalries that demand buy-in.

Alcaraz vs. Sinner clearly provides that, muchinthe way that Federer vs. Nadal or Nadal vs. Djokovic did.

Alcaraz-Sinner raisingthe bar

Thefive-set,51/2-hourmen’s final at Roland-Garros wasasfull of momentum swings, terrific tennis andathleticism as anything those greatsconjured.

“The level,” two-time reigning

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHTOByNAM y. HUH

Kansas City Royals’ BobbyWitt Jr.celebrates with teammates after hitting atwo-run home runduring the ninth inningofa baseball game against the ChicagoWhite SoxonJune8inChicago.

astatue,and Iwould sayshould be next up,” Baer said during an appearance on San Francisco’s95.7 The Game. “Wedon’t have the exact location and the exact date and the exact timing. It’scoming. All Ican say is it’scoming.”

Bondsplayed for San Francisco the last15ofhis 22big league seasons, hitting 586 of his762 homers while with the Giantsfrom19932007. He set the single-season MLB record with 73 homers in 2001, andhit his record-breaking 756th homer to pass Hank Aaron in ahome gameoff Washington’s MikeBacsik on Aug. 7, 2007. There are currentlyfivestatuesoutside Oracle Park,those of Hall of Famers Willie Mays,Willie McCovey,Juan Marichal, Gaylord Perry and Orlando Cepeda. The Giants retired Bonds’No. 25 jersey in 2018.

DetroitTigers

Enns returns to MLB after 1,371 days to pitch 5scorelessinnings: Dietrich Enns probably won’thave to wait another 1,371daysfor another chance to pitch in the major leagues. Ennsthrew fivescorelessinnings while allowing only one single andtwo walksinastartfor Detroit on Thursday in the Tigers’ 8-0 win over the Athletics. It was

the 34-year-old left-hander’s first bigleaguegamesince Sept.24, 2021.

“He’searned theright to pitch again in some capacity,” Tigers managerA.J.Hinch said.“We’re looking forward to getting him outthereafter we get him his normal rest and see if it’s going to be in thebullpen. Is he goingtobestarting, Idon’t know. Butit’sgoing to be in thebig leagues.”

After pitching the past three years in Japan and Korea, Enns went to spring training this year with the Tigers on aminor league deal.The former CentralMichigan University pitcher got called up from Triple-AToledofor his Detroit debut in theseries finale against theAthletics

“That was always the goal, to get back,” Enns said. “Use those stops along the way,wherever Iwas, to hone the craft and getbetter and try and be as good as Ican when I’m at themajor league level.” Enns’ last big league appearance had been two innings in relief for TampaBay against Miami at the end of the 2021 season. He was with theSeibu Lions in Japanfrom 2022-23 before going 13-6 last year for theLGTwins in SouthKorea.

WimbledonchampionAlcaraz said, “was insane.”

The wayheand Sinner, 23, are currentlydivvying up the biggest prizes —they’ve split thepast six major trophies and eight of the past 11 —iscertainly reminiscent of the BigThree’sdominance, albeit over amuch smaller sample size so far.

“Havingthese twoguysfighting for big trophies —Ithink we have to be very happy about it in the sport of tennis,” said Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz’smain coach.

“For them,for sure it’ssomething that they raise their level every time that they go on thecourt. They know they have to play unbelievable tennis to beat the other guy, andit’ssomethingthatisgoing to help forsure each player to raise the level even more.”

On andoff thecourt buzz

It sure does seem as though Gauff vs. Sabalenka could provide that sort of dynamic and buzz, too.

Consider that, like Alcaraz and Sinner,they occupy the top two spots in the rankings. And consider that, like those other two, both own multiple major titles. Gauff’s twoSlam triumphs came viathree-set victories over Sabalenka in the finals.

Plus, their latest meeting, at Roland-Garroslessthana month ago, camewith some added spice because of Sabalenka’s post-match comments that were seen as less than fully gracious toward Gauff. It became such athing that Sabalenka felt the need to issueapairof apologies —one privately via writing to Gauff, and one publicly in an interview at her next tournament.

Add thatsort of off-court intrigue to the on-court interest, and if there are rematches at the All EnglandCluba coupleofweeks from now,noone who is invested in tennis will be displeased.

“There’sincredible momentum and wind in our sails as we think about thesport, in total,” said Lew Sherr,who is abouttoleavehis role as the CEO of the U.S. Tennis Association. “We’ve had five consecutive years of participation growth. andthatcertainly is being, in part, fueled by the great talent and inspiring players we have at the professional level, and also is feeding record attendance, record interest, record viewership. Those things go hand in hand. We have notmissed abeat.”

Puchyr agrees to buy Rick Ware Racing

BY JENNA FRYER AP auto racing writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— One of the foundersofSpire Motorsports has entered an agreementtopurchase the NASCAR team owned by Rick Ware and is jumping back into the stock car series because he believes the current charters are grossly undervalued.

T.J. Puchyr,who in 2018 alongside JeffDickerson launched the Spire team to take over thecharter that Furniture Row Racingcould not unload, told The Associated Press on Thursday he andRick Ware Racing have adeal for himtotakeover Ware’sorganization next season.

When Puchyr and Dickerson bought the Furniture Row charter, themarket forNASCAR’sversion of franchise models was essentially dead. Their agency had been hired by Furniture Row owner BarneyVisser to sell the charter andwhentheycouldn’tfind a buyer, the two decided to purchase it themselves for $6 million and launch their own team.

That decision jump-started the charter marketand themost recent charters sold —when Stewart-Haas Racing wentout of business at the end of last season —wentfor approximately $30 million.Puchyr and Dickerson are largelycredited with pumpinglife and value into an otherwise dormantcharter system Puchyr last year sold his shares of Spire to Dan Towriss, the CEO of TWG Motorsports and head of the new Cadillac F1 team. Puchyr has spent 2025 consulting withvarious teams,including RWRand Legacy Motor Club. He’s watched themarket closely andhas attended several of the recent court hearings involving NASCAR against 23XI Racingand FrontRow Motorsports, who have filed an antitrust lawsuit over the charteragreement those two teams refused to sign last September

There are only 36 Cup Series charters, whichguarantee ateam entryintoevery NASCARrace and asteady revenue stream. Puchyr believestheyare greatly undervalued and in one of his final deals with Spire, he helped acquire acharter from Live Fast Motorsports for$40 million.

“I am bullish on wanting to build athree-car team. Ibelieve in the France family and the direction of the sport andIwantthe rest of theshareholders and industry to know that Ibelieve the charters are worth $75 million or more,” he told AP

What aboutWare’s2nd charter?

In his deal with Ware, Puchyr will keep Ware on board as apartner,also keep Ware’sson, Cody, in the No. 51 Ford, andretainall of the current RWRemployees. Ware’scurrent second charter is leased to RFK Racing, but Legacy Motor Club made alegal claim thatithad entered an agreement to buy thatcharternext season. Ajudge didnot agreewith Legacy,and said Ware has alease deal with RFK for 2026 on asecond charter.Puchyr believes none of the parties can perform to the Legacy-RWR contract —which he said waswritten by Legacy —and there is no charteravailable from Ware for Legacy for either lease or purchase in 2026. Ware has filed acountersuit against Legacy Legacy,a two-carCup team, is currentlyowned by seven-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Famer JimmieJohnson. He has recently taken on partnership from private equityfirm Knighthead CapitalManagement,which alongside Johnson is exploring expansion intoseveral other motorsportsseries.

“Ifanybody deserves apass it is Jimmie and if he wants to sit down andtalkabout it like men,I’d entertain the conversation,” said Puchyr,who wasoffendedthat Legacy sued Ware.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU baseball coach JayJohnson thanks the fans during the national championship celebration event on WednesdayatAlex Box Stadium.

Funding of Olympic sports a bargaining chip for NCAA

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

College sports leaders seeking antitrust and other protections from Congress have a potential bargaining chip: School assurances that they will provide funding for their increasingly imperiled Olympic programs, by far the biggest pipeline of talent for Team USA.

Four people familiar with the talks told The Associated Press that lawmakers, mostly from the Democratic side that will need to provide votes to help any legislation pass the Senate, have been approached by college sports experts and policy shapers to explore options in exchange for support of a bill that some Democrats oppose.

One of the clearest tradeoffs would be for an idea that enjoys bipartisan support: helping collegiate Olympic sports programs.

Those programs produce around three-quarters of U.S Olympians at a typical Summer Games, but some are on uncertain footing in the wake of the $2.8 billion House settlement that clears the way for schools to begin sharing revenue directly with their athletes as early as next week. Most of that money will go to football and basketball — the moneymakers — in this new era of name, image and likeness payments to players.

The people who spoke to AP did so on condition of anonymity because of the still-evolving and uncertain nature of the talks But it’s no secret that the NCAA and its

SABAN

Continued from page 1C

In that period, LSU won SEC championships in 1986 and 1988, but after the ’88 title, the Tigers had eight losing seasons in 11 years. When LSU fired Gerry DiNardo with one game left in 1999, it already had a list of coaching candidates it wanted to pursue.

But Saban wasn’t on it. He was a Bill Belichick disciple who worked as his defensive coordinator for four seasons with the Cleveland Browns Then, he was a college head coach for six seasons, including five at Michigan State, where he was basically a .500 coach in his first four seasons with the Spartans before posting a 9-2 record in 1999.

“One of the other things that piqued my interest was that when I was in the NFL, somebody did a study probably Belichick because he was notorious for this kind of detail,” Saban said. “The study revealed per capita which state had the most players from its colleges playing in the NFL. Louisiana was always ranked third or fourth I always remembered that.”

Saban’s contact with LSU came through his Tennessee-based agent Jimmy Sexton. Sexton gauged Saban’s interest, and then had his business partner Sean Tuohy contact then-LSU athletic director Joe Dean.

From that point on, steps toward the Saban-LSU marriage were over-the-top clandestine. He agreed to meet with LSU officials at Sexton’s house in Memphis, Tennessee.

“I was getting beat up so bad at Michigan State (by the media) because word was out I might leave,” Saban said. “I felt if I went to Baton Rouge for an interview, I’d have to take the job, and I didn’t know enough about it to know if that was what I really wanted to do.”

So,SabandispatchedhiswifeTerry “on a secret mission” to get a personal look at his potential next coaching stop. It’s something he hadn’t done before and hasn’t done since.

She knew she had successfully stayed under a cloak of secrecy when she ate lunch with Emmert’s wife at TJ Ribs. The popular Baton Rouge restaurant had a blackboard on which patrons could vote for who they thought the next LSU coach would be.

Nick Saban’s name wasn’t on the board, so Terry Saban asked the waiter to add the name of “Nick Saban.” The waiter had no clue who Nick Saban was. Meanwhile, Nick was dazzling Emmert and the other LSU officials.

“We liked his attitude toward the student-athlete and his analytical approach to building a program,” Emmert said. “We all came away feeling this was somebody who could do what we wanted.” Terry Saban did her due diligence, returned home, and gave her husband an honest review of the strengths and weaknesses of the LSU situation.

For $1.2 million annually, the most ever paid to an LSU coach in any sport at the time, Saban

biggest conferences are not convinced that the House settlement will end all their problems. In the halls of Congress

The NCAA is lobbying for a bill that would supersede state laws that set different rules for NIL; ensure athletes do not get employment status; and provide limited antitrust protection. One key issue is the handful of lawsuits challenging the NCAA’s longstanding rule of giving athletes five years to complete four seasons of eligibility

“I get why limited liability is a big ask,” NCAA President Charlie Baker said “But when it comes to limited liability around basic rulemaking, the consequences of this for the next generation of young people if you play this thing out

agreed to become the 31st head football coach in LSU history

It wasn’t long in Baton Rouge — especially at LSU — that Saban became a force of nature.

He changed the program’s culture through “The Process,” his revamped coaching philosophy born Nov 7, 1998, when Saban’s 30-point underdog Spartans scored 19 straight second-half points for a 28-24 win at No. 1-ranked and unbeaten Ohio State.

“That’s when I started,” Saban said, “the whole process-oriented ‘one play at a time, play the next play, don’t worry about what happened on the last play.’ I felt that was the only way we would have a chance in that game. The players actually did it. They played loose, free, they weren’t worried about winning. They just focused on what was in front of them.”

Saban educated the Tigers, but also learned a few things exclusive to college football in the South.

For instance, he didn’t understand why Louisiana state police troopers escorted him to midfield for a postgame handshake with the opposing coach and then flanked him as he left the field.

Saban had never coached below the Mason-Dixon line, where Alabama legend Bear Bryant began the time-honored Southern tradition of state trooper escorts in the late 1950s.

“Why do I need you guys?” Saban asked.

Then in the fifth game of his first LSU season, with the Tigers off to a 2-2 start and reeling from two straight losses, including a home stunner to UAB, LSU faced No. 11 Tennessee.

The Tigers won a 38-31 overtime thriller in Tiger Stadium. When LSU’s Damien James knocked down one last Tennessee fourthdown pass, most of the stadium emptied onto the field to tear down the goalposts. Saban found Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer for a handshake and looked for an escape route through an ocean of fans back to the Tigers’ dressing room in the north end zone.

“When that happened,” Saban recalled, “I said, ‘Now I know why I have these cops.’ I could have gotten killed without them.”

Saban never won fewer than eight games in all of his LSU seasons. He had three bowl wins, including the BCS national title game victory in the Sugar Bowl over Oklahoma. His SEC championship game victories came against Tennessee and Georgia.

LSU had lost at Tennessee 26-18 earlier in the ’01 regular season. When the teams met again in December in the Georgia Dome, the No 2-ranked Vols were a win away from advancing to the Rose Bowl and playing for the national championship.

The Tigers roared back from a 17-7 deficit to score a 31-20 upset.

After a pair of superb recruiting classes two seasons later, Saban’s 13-1 Tigers delivered the school’s first national championship since 1958 by beating Oklahoma 21-14.

“When we played Oklahoma in the championship game, they had some incredible stats,” Saban recalled.

“They were scoring like 50 points per game, it was unbelievable. I’m

ing for universities and their sports programs One idea would be for the bill to include promises of certain levels of funding for college Olympic sports programs — some of which could be raised through federal grants to help the schools offset the cost.

“It would depend upon what they have in mind,” Baker said when asked about the idea. “We’d be open to a conversation about that because those sports are important and they matter.”

are enormous.”

In a sign of the difficulty the NCAA might have in getting legislation passed, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., who has played a large role in shaping policy for college sports, told AP that athletes “deserve real reform and independent oversight of college sports.”

“Congressional legislation must provide strong and enforceable protections for their health, safety, and economic rights and transparency to protect non-revenuegenerating sports, rather than merely offering a blank check to the NCAA to return to the status quo,” Blumenthal said.

While the U.S. government is forbidden by law from funding Olympic teams, there is no such prohibition on government fund-

saying, ‘How in the hell are we ever going to beat these guys?’

“We just got the players ready to play I remember I told the players, ‘Let’s not think about winning the national championship. Let’s go to work and prepare for this game as if you’re going to play against the best player you’ve ever played against and try to play the best we can play to give us an opportunity to win the game.’

“The 2003 team had so much character that it didn’t need a leader They thought they would win the championship long before I did.”

As a result of winning the national title, Saban landed the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class.

At the end of the 2004 season, a $5 million per year contract and assured he’d have control of player personnel decisions, Saban became head coach of the Miami Dolphins

“I had in the back of my mind that the ultimate success was to be a head coach in college and win a national championship, go to the NFL and have a successful program there,” Saban said “But I hadn’t planned to leave LSU. I told (Dolphins owner) Wayne Huizenga ‘no’ five times. He came to my house on Christmas Eve and talked me into it.”

When Saban returned to the NFL for the first time in 10 years, it was vastly different than when he last coached in the pros as the Cleveland Browns’ defensive coordinator in 1994.

Back then, the NFL had just introduced free agency in 1993, so Saban hadn’t fully experienced the rapidly growing roster instability and volatility of players having the freedom to jump ship.

Saban, who had a 15-17 record in two seasons with the Dolphins, began looking at college vacancies.

“The best job that was available was Alabama, which happened to be a rival to the place (LSU) in which I had a tremendous amount of pride in terms of what we were able to accomplish, what we were able to do and a lot of the relationships we made,” Saban said.

Because of that, Saban became public enemy No 1 to a segment of LSU fans who forgot how he rescued the Tigers’ program from the garbage heap.

It didn’t help Saban’s relationship with the Tigers’ faithful that he won six national titles with the Crimson Tide in 17 seasons and had a 13-5 record vs. LSU. That included an eight-game win streak that started with the Tide blanking the Tigers 21-0 for the 2011 national title in the BCS championship game in New Orleans and ending with a 46-41 loss in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to LSU’s eventual 2019 national champions.

Upon his retirement, he joined ESPN’sCollegeGameDaybeforethe startofthe2024season.He’salsohad time to reflect on his career move from LSU with a tinge of regret.

“You live and learn, do things, and you find out about yourself,” Saban said. “LSU has a great atmosphere, the people are so supportive, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for that program. It’s one of the greatest places athletically in the country right now.”

The issue is complicated and funding sources are going to be under pressure: Over the next year alone, each D-I school is allowed to share up to $20.5 million in revenue with its athletes and there are extra millions being committed to additional scholarships – for instance, in the case of Michigan $6.2 million. All those figures are increasing under terms of the settlement and the money has to come from somewhere.

Olympic sports in peril

As of late May, the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee had tallied about 40 Olympic sports programs cut in Division I since the beginning of 2024 (but also 18 programs added) as schools prepare for the new financial realities.

Leaders inside the USOPC are optimistic that schools that generate the most talent – for instance, the 39 medals won by Stanford athletes at last year’s Paris Games would have placed the school 11th on the overall medal table –will retain robust Olympic sports programs and that Congress is on board with helping.

“We have no reason to believe that there’s not real alignment from all the parties, including members of Congress, who have indicated to us a very real concern for Olympic and Paralympic sport,” USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland said.

Though a strictly partisan bill could pass the narrowly divided House, for it to become law it would need at least seven Democratic votes in the Senate to break a filibuster

In 2023, Blumenthal and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., teamed with Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., to draft a bill that would have provided some antitrust protection in exchange for a number of guarantees, including the establishment of a health and safety trust fund for athletes who deal with long-term injuries from college sports.

Among the NCAA’s “core guarantees” put in place last year, schools are now required to cover medical costs for athletic-related injuries for at least two years after players leave school.

Only three – the Virginia men’s and women’s diving programs and the Utah beach volleyball program – came from schools among the Power Four conferences that were co-defendants in the House case. Still, countless other teams have been reconfiguring their lineups with roster caps in place alongside unlimited scholarships, a combination that is forcing hard decisions.

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

automatically meet Shough’s asking price. But Halsell noted that teams tend to get innovative on these sorts of issues when the most important position is involved.

Take Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis, for instance.

Drafted 33rd overall in 2023, Levis received additional guarantees in the form of roster bonuses for the second, third and fourth year of his rookie deal That was a different structure from how the Titans operated with 2022 second-round cornerback Roger McCreary, whose guarantees were limited to the first three years of his base salary, a tiny portion of his fourthyear salary and his signing bonus.

“The great thing about the Saints is that (assistant general manager and cap guru) Khai Harley, if you’ve looked at the deals he’s done since he’s been there, has shown a willingness to be creative,” Halsell said. “He and Mickey (Loomis) have shown a certain level of creativeness.

“You’re going to need that creativity to find some middle ground (that’s) win-win for both the club and the agent.” Halsell suggested that middle ground could entail having the fourth year of Shough’s contract be guaranteed for injury only or by triggering the guarantee in terms of a roster bonus. That would be similar to how the Saints guaranteed portions of Derek Carr’s four-year, $150 million contract in 2023. That would allow Shough’s camp to claim they got a “fully guaranteed contract” while not actually making it fully guaranteed, Halsell said.

Complicating matters is also the NFL’s rookie wage scale. The scale determines the player’s specific salary based on when they were drafted, adjusted for the growth of the salary cap each year So, because the salary is non-negotiable, teams and agents typically clash over smaller details such as when bonuses are to be paid and how much of the contract is guaranteed.

Shough was the 40th overall pick, and historically, that doesn’t do the quarterback any favors.

Last year’s 40th selection, Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean, had only the first two years of his base salary fully guaranteed and gained a partial guarantee in the third year New Orleans edge rusher Isaiah Foksey, picked 40th in 2023, received three years guaranteed but not his fourth year

How are second-round picks approached?

When trying to determine whether the Saints will guarantee all of Shough’s deal, it’s important to examine their history of second-round contracts.

Since 2012, the first year that the league’s rookie wage scale

went into effect, the Saints have drafted 10 other players in Round 2. The first eight only received guaranteed salaries for the first two years of their four-year contract.

But the dynamic shifted over the last two years.

Foskey’s contract was the first time the Saints guaranteed the entire third year of a base salary for a non-first-round, rookie-scale contract. And last year, the Saints even went so far as to guarantee a small portion ($168,700) of KoolAid McKinstry’s fourth-year base salary

What changed? Well, blame the Texans, Halsell joked. Halsell pointed out how in 2022, Houston guaranteed safety Jalen Pitre’s third-year base salary, which agents then used as precedent for players in a similar range. Pitre was the fifth pick in the second round that year, 37th overall.

“(It’s) a trickle-down effect,” said Halsell, who works at the same sports agency that represents Foskey “This isn’t just unique to the Saints. It’s really a function of, ‘What are the teams ahead of us and what have they done?’ …The impact of the Jalen Pitre deal helped all the secondround picks the following year get more Year 3 money guaranteed.”

This year, that trickle-down effect started when the Texans set a new standard with Higgins, followed by the Browns with Schwesinger Shough’s leverage could come down to whether the unsigned players ahead of him then blink by agreeing to only a partial guarantee.

When will it be time to worry?

Though precedents can ultimately facilitate deals, they also can slow down negotiations as the two sides go back and forth over whether the terms actually apply Foskey and the Saints, for instance, didn’t announce a completed deal until July 19 — days before the start of training camp. And the year before that, cornerback Alontae Taylor also waited until July 19 to sign his rookie contract.

History suggests that the Saints and Shough will figure something out before camp, which players must report for on July 22. If they don’t, Halsell said it would be common for a player in a similar situation to hold out — though rookie holdouts have become a lot more rare since the wage scale was implemented.

Shough, for his part, participated in the entire offseason program despite not having a contract. Rookies can sign waivers that allow them to practice while negotiations take place and protect the player in the event of an injury

But if the Saints want Shough to be their starting quarterback, and if the rookie wants to win the job, there’s a seeming deadline for a deal to be complete. Who budges to get it done will be fascinating to see.

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL CONROy

The national office of the NCAA in Indianapolis is shown on March 12, 2020.

LouisianaSeafood Cook-off,Pollination Celebrationand SlidellHeritageFest

n The LOUISIANA SEAFOOD COOK-OFF comes tothe northshore Fridayatthe Harbor Center in Slidell when chefs from across the state compete in alivechampionship. It’s partofthe LouisianaSeafood Promotion and Marketing Board contest, after which thewinner represents the state in the Great American Seafood Cook-off. The contestcoincides withthe TammanyTaste of Summer Preview. Tickets startat$65 for the event at 6:30p.m. louisianaseafood.com.

n AudubonInsectarium hosts another Partyfor the Planet Saturday forthe POLLINATION CELEBRATION, alook at the helpful creatures that playabig part in the ecosystem,from bees to butterflies. The day includes insect encounters, pollinator garden tours and educational activities at the 1Canal St.facility that also houses the AudubonAquarium.Tickets startat$44. audubonnatureinstitute.org

BY JAKE COYLE

n The SLIDELLHERITAGE FESTIVAL gets ajump on Fourth of Julyfun with a fireworks extravaganza, music, food and games forthe entire familyat HeritagePark,1701 Bayou Lane. Amanda Shawand The Chee-Weez are on tap for entertainment, plus water slides, ponyrides, a firefighter challenge and more forthe RotaryClubs of Slidell and Slidell Northshore. The fest starts at 5p.m., with fireworks at 9p.m. Tickets startat$15. slidellheritagefest.org

HISTORYIN THEMAKING

CliftonChenier gets atribute album, biography, boxset 100years afterhewas born

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

One hundred years after his birth, Clifton Chenier is ready for his close-up.

Three high-profile projects,in theworks foryears,commemorate the 100th anniversaryof the King of Zydeco’sbirth nearOpelousas on June25, 1925.

“A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,”out Friday on CD and vinyl via Valcour Records,consists of songswritten byorassociated withChenier,all redone by Louisiana musicians collaboratingwith

special guests, including the Rolling Stones. Proceeds benefitthe newly established CliftonChenierMemorial Scholarship at the Universityof Louisiana at Lafayette, which supports students learning howtoplay traditional instruments. Also on Friday,Valcour,inconjunction withSmithsonian Folkways Recordings and Arhoolie Records, releases a7-inch, 45-rpm vinyl single with theStones’ take on “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” on one side and Chenier’s1965 recording of “Zydeco Et Pas Salés”onthe other

This week on Chenier’s birthday, veteran southwest Louisianajournalist andculturaladvocate Todd Moutonpublished“TheKing of Zydeco: The Life, Music,and Legacy of CliftonChenier,”the first full-length biography of Chenier, via Amazon Direct.

AndinNovember,Smithsonian Folkways and Arhoolie will roll out abox set, “Clifton Chenier: King of LouisianaBlues and Zydeco.” Formatted as either fourCDs or six vinyl LPs, the set spans 67 songs, including 19 previouslyunreleased

ä See CHENIER, page 2D

FormulaOne movietestament to rising popularity

Brad Pitt, left, and Javier Bardem star in ‘F1

BY MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

The Critics Choice Association released its nominees for the fifth annualSuper Awards, and several NewOrleans people and projects madethe list. New Orleans-born Anthony Mackie wasnominated forbest actor in asuperhero movie in the locally shot “Captain America: Brave NewWorld,” which was also nominated for best superhero movie. It’sincluded withaDisney+ subscriptionor can be rented for $5.99 from Google Play Movies, Fandango or Apple TV

PHOTO By ELI ADÉ NewOrleans actor Anthony Mackie stars as Captain America in ‘CaptainAmerica: Brave NewWorld.’ Mackiewas nominated for best actor in a superhero movie.

Filmed in New Orleansand set in the Mississippi Delta, “Sinners” received four nominations, one of whichwas best horror movie. Co-stars Michael B. Jordan and Wunmi Mosaku were nominated as best actor and actress in ahorror movie, with Jack O’ Connell nominated as best villain in amovie.Released in April, this supernatural horror film can be bought and streamed on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV and Fandango. On thetopic of Southern Gothics, “AnneRice’sInterview with the Vampire,” shot in the vampire city whereit’sset, received anomination forbest horror series, limited series or made-forTV movie. It’s free to watch on the Roku channel and available with standard subscriptions on Netflix, AMC+ and Philo. Locally shot “Rebel Ridge” received anomination for best action movie. In hisroleportraying aformer Marine,Aaron Pierre received anomination forbest actor in an action movie. The movie can be streamed on Netflix. Also on Netflix is locally shot “Carry-On,” which received a nomination for best actor in an action movie, the nominated performance by Welsh actor Taron Egerton. The fifth annual Critics Choice Super Awards recognize movies and TV showsinthe categories superhero, science fiction/fantasy,horror and action. Winners will be announced on the website on Aug. 7at11a.m.

ARCHIVE PHOTO By PAUL NATKIN

Fans of Clifton Chenier,the late King of Zydeco, include the RollingStones, whoare among thespecialguests on anew Chenier tributealbum.

DISNEy/MARVEL PROVIDED

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,June 27, the 178th day of 2025. There are 187 days left in the year

Todayinhistory

On June 27, 1957, Hurricane Audrey slammed into coastal Louisiana and Texas as aCategory 4 storm, causing as many as 600 deaths.

On this date:

In 1844, Mormon leader Joseph Smith and his brother,Hyrum, werekilled by amob in Carthage, Illinois.

In 1950, the U.N. SecurityCoun-

RACING

Continued from page1D

Bruckheimer produces. Ehren Kruger,aco-writer on “Maverick,” takes sole credit here. Hans Zimmer,aco-composer previously,suppliesthe thumping score. And, again, our centralfigure is an older,high-flying cowboy plucked down in an ultramodern gas-guzzling conveyance to teach ayounger generation aboutoldschool ingenuityand, maybe, the enduring appeal of denim. But whereas TomCruise is a particularly forward-moving action star,Brad Pitt, who stars as the driving-addicted SonnyHayes in “F1,” has always been amore arrestingly poised presence. Think of the way he so calmly and half-interestedly faces off withBruce Lee in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon aTime …in Hollywood.”

In the opening scene of “F1,” he’ssleeping in avan withheadphones on when someone rouses him. He splashes some water on hisface and walks afew steps over to the Daytona oval, where he quickly enters his team’scar, in the midst of a24-hour race. Pitt goesfrom zero to 180 mph ina minute.

Ahotshot whoraces anything Sonny,along-ago phenom who crashed out of Formula Onedecadesearlier and has since been racing any vehicle, even ataxi, he

Continued from page1D

tracks, and a160-page book.

It’s alot of well-deservedlovefor one of Louisiana’s most important, if underappreciated, musicians.

“Down here,Clifton is the king,” said C.C. Adcock, the Lafayette guitarist who produced two tracks on “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco,” including the Rolling Stones’contribution.

“But aroundthe world,even amongst roots (music) aficionados, Clifton’s sort of an unknownB-side —hesang in French, he played accordion. He’snot as well-known as John Lee Hooker or Muddy Waters. He never had abig hit. Making records to him was just something you did on the way to agig.”

But the legacy of those records still looms large, in southwest Louisiana and beyond.

Beyond theblues

cil passed aresolution calling on member nations to help South Korea repel an invasion from the North.

In 1991, U.S.Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, the first Black jurist to sit on the nation’s highestcourt, announced his retirement.

In 2005, BTK serial killer Dennis Raderpleaded guiltyto10 murdersthat had spread fear across Wichita, Kansas, beginning in the 1970s. In 2006, aconstitutional amendment to ban desecration of the American flag died in aU.S. Sen-

ate cliff-hanger,falling one vote short of the 67 needed to send it to states for ratification.

In 2011, former Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich was convicted by afederal jury in Chicago on a wide range of corruption charges, including the allegation that he’d tried to sell or trade President Barack Obama’sU.S. Senateseat. (Blagojevich was later sentenced to 14 years in prison; his sentence was commuted by President Donald TrumpinFebruary2020, and he received afull and unconditional pardon from Trumpin February2025.)

can get behind thewheel of, is approached by anold friend, Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem)about joining his flagging F1 team, APX. Sonny turns him down at first but, of course, hejoinsand “F1” is off to theraces. Thetitle sequence, exquisitely timedtothe syncopated rhythms of Zimmer’sscore, is ablistering introduction. The hotshot rookie driverNoah Pearce (Damson Idris)isjust running apractice lap, but Kosinski, hiscamera adeptly moving in and outofthe cockpit, uses the moment to plunge us into thehigh-tech world of Formula One, where every inch of the car is connected to digital sensors monitored by awatchful team. Here, that includes technical director Kate McKenna(Kerry

Condon) and Kaspar Molinski (Kim Bodnia), the team’schief. Verisimilitude is of obvious importance to the filmmakers, who bathe this very Formula Oneauthorized film in all the sleek operations and globe-trotting spectacle of the sport

That Apple, which produced thefilm, would even go for such a high-priced summer movie about Formula Oneisa testamenttothe upswing in popularityofasport once quite niche in America, and of the halo effects of both the Netflix series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” and the much-celebrated driver Lewis Hamilton,an executive producer on “F1.”

Whether “F1” pleases diehards I’ll leave to moreardent followers of thecircuit. But what Ican

TheRed HotLouisiana Band would eventually include Clifton’s sonC.J. on saxophone and athenunknownSonnyLandreth on guitar. Just how bluesy thatversion of theRed Hot LouisianaBandcould be is apparent on theliveChenier album released on vinyl in 2023 by the Tipitina’sRecordClub, “Liveat Tipitina’s/June 7, 1980.”

Despite being sourced from asound board cassette recording, “Live at Tipitina’s”caststhe band in aflattering light.Landrethhadn’tyet unveiled thesignature slide guitar technique that would make him astarinhis own right. He mostlyfunctions as a background rhythm player on the album’sfirst side, whichconcludeswith Chenier’s take on Ray Charles’“What’d ISay.”

In 2018, U.S. SupremeCourt Justice Anthony Kennedy,whose voteoften decided cases on abortion, gay rights and other contentious issues, announced his retirement.

In 2022, in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District, the Supreme Court ruled that ahigh school football coach whosought to kneel and pray on the field after games was protected by the First Amendment. Today’sBirthdays: MusicianBruce Johnston (The Beach Boys) is 83. Fashion designer NormaKamali is 80. Fashion designer Vera

say definitively is that Claudio Miranda knows how to shoot it. The cinematographer,who has shot all of Kosinski’sfilmsaswell as wonders like Ang Lee’s“Lifeof Pi,” bringsFormula One to vivid, visceral life.When “F1” heads to thebig races, Miranda is always simultaneouslycapturing the zooming carsfrom the asphalt while backgrounding it with the sweeping spectacle of acourse like the U.K.’s fabled Silverstone Circuit.

An agentofchaos?

OK, you might be thinking, so theracing is good; is there astory? There’swhat I’dcall enough of one, though you might have to go to the photo finish to verify that.

When Sonny showsup, and rapidly turns one practice vehicle into toast, it’sclear that he’sgoing to be an agentofchaos at APX,a low-ranking team that’sinheavy debt and struggling to find acar that performs. This gives Pitt afine opportunitytoflash his charisma, playing Sonny as an obsessivewho refuses any trophy and has no real interest in money,either

The flashier,media-ready Noah watches Sonny’s arrival with skepticism, andtwo begin more as rivals than teammates. Idris is up to themano-a-mano challenge, but he’slimited by arole ultimately revolving around —and reducing to —ayoung Black man learning alesson in work ethic.

Arelationship does develop,

theirfascination with Chenier, who diedin1987 at age62ofdiabetesrelated complications.

The Stones go to great lengths to tapinto the spirit of southwest Louisiana on “Zydeco Sont Pas Salés” while still sounding like the Stones. Jagger sings in Creole French atop afoundationlaiddownbya band of Cajun and zydeco musicians, including accordionist Steve Riley andChenier’sold drummer,Robert St.Julien(who, 45 years ago, was the drummer onstage with Chenier at Tipitina’sonJune 7, 1980).

Wang is 76. ActorJulia Duffy is 74. ActorIsabelle Adjani is 70. CinematographerJanusz Kaminski is 66. Country singer Lorrie Morganis66. Actor Tony Leung Chiu-waiis63. Writerproducer-director J.J. Abrams is 59. ActorTobey Maguire is 50. Reality TV starKhloé Kardashianis41. ActorSam Claflin is 39. ActorEdWestwick is 38. NFL linebacker Bobby Wagner is 35. ActorMadylin Sweeten (“Everybody Loves Raymond”) is 34. Singer-songwriter H.E.R. is 28. ActorChandlerRiggs (“The Walking Dead”) is 26.

but “F1” struggles to get its characters out of the starting blocks, keeping them closer to the cliches they start out as.

The actor who, morethan anyone, keeps the momentum going is Condon, playing an aerodynamics specialist whose connection with Pitt’sSonny is immediate. Just as she did in between another pair of headstrong men in “The Banshees of Inisherin,” Condon is arush of naturalism

If there’ssomething preventing “F1” from hitting full speed, it’s its insistence on having its characters constantly voice Sonny’s motivations.

The sameholds true on the race course, where broadcast commentary narrates virtually every momentofthe drama. That may be anecessity forasport where the crucial strategies of hot tires and pit-stop timing aren’tquite household concepts. But the best car race movies —from “Grand Prix” to “Senna” to “Ferrari” know when to rely on nothing but the roar of an engine.

“F1” steers predictably to the finish line, cribbing here and there from sports dramas before it. (Tobias Menzies plays aboard member with uncertain corporate goals.) When “F1” does, finally, quiet down, forone blissful moment, the movie, almost literally, soars.

It’s not quite enough to forget all the high-octane machodramatics before it, but it’senough to glimpse another road “F1” might have taken.

Tommy McLain. Savoyand Los Lobos’Steve Berlin produced the album’sother 10 tracks. They paired country singer Charley Crockett with Zydeco Chachas leader Nathan Williams Sr., TajMahal with Keith Frank, Steve Earle with Anthony Dopsie, Jon Cleary with Curley Taylor,Marcia Ball with Geno Delafose,Jimmie Vaughan withJohnnyNicholas and Steve Riley,Shannon McNally and Molly Tuttle with Keith Frank, Ruben Ramos with Los Texmaniacs and Augie Meyers, and C.J. Chenier with David Hidalgo.

Clifton Chenier wasthe Professor Longhair of southwest Louisiana, an unorthodox innovator whose “simple” musicwas anything but. At roughly the same time Longhair was conjuring his idiosyncratic take on New Orleans piano tradition, Chenier, armed with apiano-key accordion, was distillinga new,decidedly regional form of blues music infused with Creole French accents. He and his Red Hot Louisiana Band—featuring his brother Cleveland Chenieron frottoir,a retrofitted rubboard —lit up Louisiana dancehalls and such prestigious venues as New York’sCarnegie Hall.

On thesecondside, Landreth revs up in “I’m AHog For You Baby,”then finally getsanextended, deep-blues guitar solo in Chenier’sversion of the 1940s Lowell Fulson composition “Three O’Clock Blues,”which later became B.B. King’sfirst hit

That Chenier represented an even more exotic take on the Chicago and Delta blues that the Rolling Stonesfirst embraced as young musicians in England may explain

JoelSavoy,Valcour Records’ founder and afounder of the Red StickRamblers, assembled an Alistrosterfor “A Tribute to the King of Zydeco.” He certainly knows theterrain, as he was born into Cajun music.His father is Marc Savoy,the famed accordionist and accordion-maker;his mother is renowned singer Ann Savoy ViaValcour,hehas released 40plus albums from across the spectrum of Cajunand Creolemusic

“A Tributetothe King of Zydeco” is the label’smost ambitious project to date

In addition to the Stones’ contribution, Adcock produced Lucinda Williams’ collaboration with 85-year-old swamp pop legend

“A Tributetothe King”concludes, appropriately, withC.J. Cheniersinging his father’s“I’m Comin’ Home” backed by Sonny Landreth. Unlike the live Tipitina’s recording from1980, C.J. is now front and center on vocalsand accordion, and Landreth fullydeploys his swooping slide technique.

Such an updateisinkeeping with the spirit of the senior Chenier “If you’re going to take any inspiration from Clifton,” says Adcock, “it’sthat you’ve got to do your own thing, and you’ve got to put it through your own filter.”

Email KeithSpera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Communication can spare youfrom taking on too much. Concentrate on saving, security andpeace of mind, and turn frustration and anger into personal gain.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Raiseyour voice, share your thoughts and make adifference. Refuse to let what others think steal your focusorturn your energy into anger. Wisdomand common sense are your tickets to success.

VIRGO(Aug.23-Sept.22) With change comes choices anddecisions that aren't always easy. Invest time and effort to ensure youmake meaningful decisions thatare notdisruptive to you or the people youlove.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct.23) Align yourself with people whoshareyour objectives Do your part to gain access to those who have the power to bring about change. Become part of the solution, and you'll encounter someone whostirs your emotions.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Spend more time nurturingwhat'simportant to you. Your relationships will suffer if you lackcompassion or neglect people vying for your approval or attention.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Take care of your money,possessions and emotional well-being. Showyourdesire andinterestinlearning and excelling to meet their demands. Secure your personal andprofessional prospects.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Research, fact-check and question anyone pushing youtofollow the herd. Askques-

tions and look for optionsthatmake you feel comfortable. Do what's best foryou.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.19) Refuse to let others decide foryou. Speak up, share your thoughts and feelings,and be bold with words and actions. Don't gamble withyour savings, emotions or what you've worked hard to acquire.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Actions speak louder than words.Dowhat youwant, and don'tapologizefor looking out foryourself.Use your status to make inroads with people in aposition to help.

ARIES (March 21-April19) Wake up, smell the roses and welcomethe weekend with vim and vigor.Today is about socializing, communicating andsharing your feelings and intentions with the people you encounter.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Rethink your schedule and how you want to respond to someone close to you. Takeaback seat, give yourself amoment to rethink your response and find apositive way to reply.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) You'll face an explosive situationifyou are too aggressive in your approach to beliefs and politics. Choose your battles wisely, andyou'llgaingroundand make positive connections.

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

SALLYForth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

bIG

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 samenumber only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s PuzzleAnswer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

BY PHILLIP ALDER

We have been looking at transfers into themajors.Iftheresponderhasonlyfive in his major, he makes that suit trumps whenhehas aweakhand. Butwhenhe has game-invitational or better values, he transfers, then offers achoice of contracts in casehis side does not have an eight-card fitinthat major.

However, whenthe responderhas six (ormore)inhismajor,heshouldinsiston that suit being trumps because he knows hissidehas at least an eight-cardfit. But howdoes he do that over oneno-trump?

Ifhehasinvitationalstrength,hetransfers at the two-level, then bids three of his suit. If he wishes to play in four of his major, he makes his transfer at the four-level— aTexas transfer, as in today’s deal. If the responderhas mild slam ambition, he transfers at the twolevel, then jumps to four of hismajor.If he wantstoget to aslam,heusesTexas andbidsagain

Here, North’s insistence on game is slightly aggressive,but 10 tricks could be laydown opposite the right 15-count Against four spades, West leadsthe diamond queen. What should South do?

Declarermust lose two spades and one heart. But dummy also has adiamond loser. South should win withhis

diamond ace (the honorfrom the shorter sidefirst), play adiamondtodummy’s king, and ruffthe last diamond in his hand. Then, with thislayout, South must next lead ahearttodrive out East’s ace so thathecan make hisfirst trump play from the dummy through East.

©2025 by nEa,inc.,dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

EachWuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =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 MELAMInE: MEL-uh-meen: Aresinwith ahighmelting point.

Averagemark 25 words

Timelimit 40 minutes

Can youfind36ormore words in MELAMINE?

YEstERDAY’s WoRD —EntERIc

enter entice entire erect erne nice nicer niece niter teen tern tier tine tire tree trice trine recent recite rein rent retie rice rite inert inter cent center cite

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

Youare notalone. God will help you. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

dIrectIons: make a2-to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition. For more information on tournaments and clubs,emailnaspa –north americansCraBBlE playersassociation: info@scrabbleplayers.org.Visit ourwebsite:www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzleinquiries contact scrgrams@gmail.com Hasbro andits logo sCraBBlE associated logo,the design of thedistinctive sCraBBlE brand game card, and thedistinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Each row and each column must containthe numbers 1thorugh4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, calledcages, 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.

PuzzleAnswer

Yesterday’s

and Canada. ©2021 Hasbro. allrights reserved.DistributedbyTribune

WiShinG Well

HErE is aplEasanTliTTlEgamEthat will give you amessageeveryday.it’s a numerical puzzle designedtospell outyourfortune.Count the letters in your first name. if the number of letters is 6ormore, subtract4.ifthe numberislessthan 6, add 3. Theresult is your key number.start at the upperleft-hand cornerand check each of yourkey numbers, left to right. Then read the messagethe checked figuresgiveyou

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy muttS

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

COMMODITYCODE(s): 925-07, 925-31, 925-34, 925-67, 290-82, 906-10 TheCityofNew Orleans strongly encourages mi‐nority-owned and women-ownedbusi‐nesses, socially andeco‐nomicallydisadvantaged businessesand small businessestorespond to this solicitation,orto participateinsubcon‐tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐tion Formoreinformation aboutthissourcing event, go to www.nola. govand clickon“BRASS SupplierPortal” under “BIDS& CONTRACTS” Once on theSupplierPor‐tal, search “Open Events.” Thankyou foryourinter‐estindoing business with theCityofNew Or‐leans. JamesSimmons,Jr. ChiefProcurement Officer

I,

Scars/Tattoos: Louisiana 147066, Jun27-28 $250.00

ADVERTISINGDATES: June 27, July 4and 11, 2025 NOCP 8449 147138-jun27-jul4-11-3t $113.37

Race:OTHER Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 3/23/1975 Height:5'10" Weight:215 Hair Color: BLACK EyeColor:BROWN Scars/Tattoos: NewHampshire 147085, Jun27-28 $250.00

tion), including thesurvey, plat plansand other instrumentsan‐nexedthereto as Exhibits“A” “B”, “C”and “D”, executed on behalf of Crosby Brothers Construction Co., Inc.,dated August 29, 1979, and registered in the recordsofthe Conveyance Of‐fice of the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in COB964 folio 884, said Unit beingmorepar‐ticularlyde‐scribedinthe Condominium Declarationand on thesurvey andplatplans annexed thereto. The said Condominium Parcel is desig‐natedasUnitB1ofJefferson Townhouse, A Condominium.

Theimprove‐mentsinwhich theabove con‐dominium par‐celislocated bearsthe No 1401 Lake Av‐enue,UnitB-1, Metairie,LA 70005.

Beingthe same property ac‐quired by Robert H. Spin‐delfromTimo‐thyScott Keese by actofCashSale of Property,be‐fore Notary Pub‐licJosephT Casey, dated October29, 2003, and recorded on Oc‐tober29, 2003 in theofficial recordsofJef‐ferson Parish, LouisianaasIn‐strument No 10376298.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

g 10 o'clock a.m.

thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

147090, June 27-28 $250.00

I, DERRICK ANTHONY JONES,have been convictedof14:80Carnal knowledgeofa juvenile.Date Convicted:8/24/2023.

My Addressis: 3743 WILLOW ST NEW ORLEANS, LA 70115

Race:BLACK

Sex: MALE Date of Birth: 09/19/1997 Height:6'2 Weight: 185 Hair Color: BLACK EyeColor:BROWN

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:854-767 JEFFERSON TOWNHOUSE ASSOCIATION, INC VERSUS ROBERT H. SPIN‐DEL

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedApril 30, 2025,I have seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Unit B-1ofJef‐ferson Town‐house, aCondo‐minium,1401 Lake Avenue, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, to‐gether with all therights, and appurtenances thereuntoap‐pertaining, includingrights in the“Common Elements”and “Limited Com‐monElements” as provided in the “Condominium DeclarationCre‐atingand Estab‐lishing Jefferson Townhouse, a Condominium” (The Condo‐minium Declara‐

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CHARLESE SUTTON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $103.48

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:863-319

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VS SABRIA MARIE NETTER-GOLD‐STON A/K/A SABRIA MARIE NETTER WALKER GOLDSTON AND CHARLESGOLD‐STON

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedApril 3, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust6,2025 at l

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, in that part thereofknown as TIMBEROAKS SUBDIVISION anddesignated as LOTNO. 253. Allinaccor‐dancewiththe plan of resubdivision made by S.K. Landry,Sur‐veyor, datedDe‐cember 29, 1980, approved in Ordinance #14696, by the JeffersonParish CouncilonApril 1, 1981, regis‐teredinCOB 1003, follo 672. Allasmorefully shownonsur‐veymadeby Gerald Swan‐son, Inc., Surveyor,dated February 19, 1982, revised May28, 1982. Lot 253 is bounded by HamptonDrive, ManhattanBlvd, Northlinesub‐division and East line of sub‐division.Said lotcommences at adistanceof 305.00’ feet from thecornerof HamptonDrive and ManhattanBlvd, andmeasures thence 60.00’ feet fronton HamptonDrive, same in width in therearand by adepth be‐tween equal andparallel linesof115.00’ feet.All in accordance with survey by Wilton J. Dufrene, L.S., datedJune5 1986; subjectto restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ing theproperty.

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 1836 HamptonDrive Harvey, Louisiana70058.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of the sale

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $106.55

OWNER TRUSTEEFOR RCAF ACQUISI‐TION TRUST VS GAYLEMAGAL‐LENE LOVE A/K/AGAYLE MAGALENE LOVE

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 26, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

ALLTHATCER‐TAIN PARCEL OF LAND IN,JEF‐FERSON PARISH STATEOFLA, AS MORE FULLYDE‐SCRIBED IN BOOK 1047 PAGE 292 ID#41015. BEINGKNOWN ANDDESIG‐NATEDASLOT 14, SQUARE 11, WESTMINSTER PARK EXTEN‐SION NO.3, SUBDIVISION SURVEY OF J.J. KREBSAND SONS,INC.C.C.E AND, ORDI‐NANCE NO.15005 ADOPETED 12/16/1981 REG‐ISTEREDINCOB 1017, FOLIO 877 RESURVEYED JUNE 1, 1982, RESURVEYED MAY5,1983; subjecttore‐strictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit ZACHARY YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate:

June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $77.54

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:848-531

U.S. BANK TRUSTNA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATION, NOTIN ITSINDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUTSOLELYAS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR RCF2 ACQUISI‐TION TRUST VS CURT BERNARD FARRISAND SALLYHOPPER FARRIS

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritofFIERI FACIAS from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJune 25, 2024, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6,2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ACertain Piece Or PortionOf Ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings, constructions, component parts, fixtures andimprove‐mentsthereon andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywise appertaining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, City of Kenner,in that part for‐merlyknown as HighwayPark Subdivision, nowknown as JonesPark Subdivision, in Square 238-A, bounded by Illi‐nois Avenue 32ndStreet (for‐merly14th Street), 31st Street (formerly 13thStreet)and IdahoAvenue, designated as Lot"G",all in accordance with asurveyof AdloeOrr, Jr.& Associates, Consulting Engi‐neers, dated April12, 1957, approvedbythe i f

pp City of Kenner, under Ordi‐nanceNumber 453, adopted July 15, 1957, registered in COB433, folio 280, which said lotmeasuresas follows:

Lot"G",Square 238-A, com‐mences at adis‐tanceof100 feet from thecorner of Illinois Avenue and 32ndStreet and measures thence 50 feet frontonIllinois Avenue,same widthinrear, by adepth of 127.5 feet between equaland paral‐lellines.Lot "G forming a part of theorigi‐nalLots43and 44, Square 238, HighwayPark Subdivision. All in accordance with asurveyby Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie', Inc., Surveying& En‐gineering, datedJune 12, 1971. Furtherin accordance with asurveyby Curry Dixon& Sons,Inc Land Surveyors andEngineers, datedNovem‐ber29, 1977, re‐visedMay 19, 1978 to show improve‐ments, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoanact passedbefore Curtis Allen Hennesy, Notary Public,dated December 28, 1978, registered in COB948, folio 19, Jefferson Parish Louisiana; sub‐ject to restric‐tions, servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand outstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear themunici‐paladdress 3113 Illinois Av‐enue,Kenner, Louisiana.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate:

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:856-750

INVESTAR BANK N.A. VS ANTHONY MILOUS JOHNS ENIKKA C. JOHNS By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust7, 2024, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust6,2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,STATE OF LOUISIANA, in WILLOWDALE PARK SUBDIVI‐SION,SECTION I, said portion beingdesig‐natedasLOT 210 of SQUARE 16, ac‐cordingto a plan by Adloe Orr, Jr.&Associ‐ates,C.E dated September10, 1968, Square 16, is bounded by Bennington Drive, Oberlin Street,the Easternlineof Willowdale Park Subdivision, Section1 and theSouthern line of Willowdale Park Subdivision, Section1.Lot 210 commences at adistanceof 600.00 feet from the corner of Ober‐linStreet and Bennington Driveand mea‐suresthence 60.00 feet front

on Bennington Drive, same width in the rear,bya depth of 90.00 feet between equal andparallel lines.

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 5037 Bennington Drive, Marrero, LA 70072.

Beingthe same property ac‐quired by LeonardReal Estate,LLC,by actdated November 7, 2019, recorded at COB3430, folio 120, further acquired by Deanna Plaisancewife of/and Don EdwinPatecek, by actdated September30, 1997, recorded at COB 2970, folio 276, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Louisiana

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check withBankLetter of Credit

JPATRICK GAFFNEY Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025

jun27-aug1-2t $102.42

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:855-892

SERVBANK,SB VS CURTIS R. SEAL ANDCHERILYN ARENA

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJuly15, 2024, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust6,2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,SITU‐ATED IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA, CITY OF KENNER,IN CANNES-

LOT38, AND MEASURINGAS FOLLOWS:

LOT38COM‐MENCES 871.80 FEET FROM THE CORNER OF CANNESPLACE ANDCHEVAL PLACEAND MEASURES 60 FEET FRONTON CANNESPLACE, SAME IN WIDTH IN THEREAR, BY ADEPTH OF 110 FEET BETWEEN EQUALAND PARALLEL LINES ALLACCORDING TO ASURVEYBY GILBERT; KELLY & COUTURIE,INC., DATEDJULY25, 1994, SAID LOT HASTHE SAME LOCATION DESIGNATION ANDMEASURE‐MENTSASSET OUTABOVE

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27,2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $85.48

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:849-860

BANK OF AMER‐ICA, N.A. VS BRAD PHOENIX ANDNAOMI M. WILSONPHOENIX, (A/K/A NAOMI WILSONPHOENIX, NAOMIWILSON, NAOMI PHOENIX) By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber28, 2023, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233Westbank Expressway, Harvey, Louisiana, 70058,onAu‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND, to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, prescrip‐tions, servi‐tudes, advantages and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, in that part thereofdesig‐natedasSec‐tions Band Con a Plan of Oakdale Subdivision made by F.B. Grevemberg, h

g C.E.,Sheet No 2, datedJune 25, 1931,desig‐natedasTracts 5and 6and which said property has been subdivided into that certain subdivision knownasBELLE MEADEEXTEN‐SION SUBDIVISION, all as perplan thereofmadeby J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E. & S.,dated April10, 1969, approved by the JeffersonParish Councilunder OrdinanceNo. 9257, recorded in COB 700, folio 191, andasper act of dedication before Bern‐hardtC Heebe, Notary Public,dated June 30,1969, recorded in COB 700, folio 341, andasper plan of re-sub‐division made by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E. & S.,dated Octo‐ber12, 1971, approved by theJefferson Parish Council under Ordi‐nanceNo.10425, adopted November 11, 1971, recorded in EntryNo. 540466, andde‐scribedasfol‐lows,to-wit: LOT872 in SQUARE 21, which said square is bounded by Sheree LynCourt, Sheree Street, Lawrence Drive andGinette Drive, andsaid Lot872 com‐mences at adis‐tance of 425feet from thecorner of Sheree Lyn Courtand Sheree Street, andmeasures thence 60 feet frontonSheree LynCourt,same width in the rear,bya depth of 105feet between equal andparallel lines. Allas more fully shownonsur‐veymadebyJ.J Krebs& Sons,Inc C.E. datedMay 2, 1972 resur‐veyedJuly19, 1972

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with irrevocable Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYE HOLLEY Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27,2025, August 1, 2025

jun27-aug1-2t $121

beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 15, 2024, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, on theleftbankof theMississippi River, in JEFFERSON PARK SUBDIVI‐SION,inSQUARE “H”thereof, bounded by CarolDrive, MorrisPlace andJefferson Park Avenue, which said lotof ground is desig‐natedbythe NO.9 on asur‐veybyGilbert & Kelly,Surveyors, datedJuly11, 1959, anda copy of which is an‐nexedtoan‐otheract, passedbefore Allain C. Andry, Jr., Notary, datedJuly 13,1959, forref‐erence;and ac‐cordingto which survey thesaid LOTNO. 9commences at adistanceof twohundred fifty-sixfeet,no inches,nolines (256'0”0”)from thecornerof CarolDrive and Morris Place, andmeasures thence fifty threefeet,no inches,nolines (53'0”0”)front on CarolDrive with awidth in therearof fiftythreeand one hundredths (53.10')feet by a depth on the side line nearer MorrisPlace of onehundred five and twenty seven onehundredths (105.27')feet, anda depth of onehundred four and seventeen one hundredths (104.17')feet on theopposite side line;sub‐ject to restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ing theproperty. Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNumber: 548 CAROLDRIVE, JEFFERSON, LA 70121.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025

jun27-aug1-2t $107

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL

DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA

N.O: 860-826

GULF COAST BANK AND TRUST VS SOCIAL CORE, LLC

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJanuary 9, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

TERMS- 10% down balancein 30 days

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier's Check, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

WA MAIORANA,JR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025

jun27-aug1-2t $102.95

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

p by adepth of OneHundred andTwenty (120) feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines, andthe portionofLot Number Fourteen (14) adjoinsLot Number Thir‐teen (13) and measures Ten (10) feet front on MapleAvenue, by adepth of OneHundred andTwenty (120) feet,mak‐inginall apor‐tion of ground mea‐suring Forty(40) feet fronton said MapleAv‐enue,by a depthofOne HundredTwenty (120) feet,be‐tween equal andparallel lines.

y y ingMarques & Associate, Inc., datedFebruary 3, 2000. Annexedtoan actregisteredin COB3026, page 199; subjectto restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

frontonOak‐mere Drive, same widthinthe rear,by adepth of 100 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines, and commencesat a distance of 1319.16 feet from theinter‐sectionofOak‐mere Driveand Deerpark Drive. This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

TheNew Orleans Advocate:

ONECERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON; STATEOF LOUISIANA, in that part thereof, known as UplandSubdivi‐sion in Square No.12, bounded by Starrett Road,Milanand Sheldon Streetsand Up‐land Avenue, andaccording to theblueprint sketch of survey made by ErrolE.Kelly Surveyor,dated August 17, 1963, acopyofwhich is annexedto andmade part of another actpassedbe‐fore WilliamL Andry, N.P. datedSeptem‐ber23, 1962, for reference. The said lotof ground is desig‐natedbythe No 94-A, com‐mences at a distance of 523 and41/100 feet from theComer of Starrett Road andMilanStreet and measures thence thirty feet fronton Starrett Road thesamewidth in therear, by a depth of 120 feet be‐tween equal andparallel linesand is composed of thewhole of original Lot 94 andone-half of Original Lot 95 immediately adjoiningand allinaccor‐dancewitha survey made by WilliamW Robert,Sur‐veyor, dated September27, 1963, acertified copy of which is annexedtoan actpassedbe‐fore RichardL Voelker, N.P. dated October16, 1963. Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear Municipal NO.1023 S. Star‐rett Road, Metairie Louisiana70003. This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-100 DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUSTCOM‐PANY,AS TRUSTEEFOR AMERIQUEST MORTGAGE SE‐CURITIES,INC ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2004-FR1 VS MARY BARBIER (A/K/A MARY K. BARBIER)

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJanuary 29, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Acertain piece or portionof ground,to‐gether with all therights, ways servitudes, privileges and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, on theright de‐scending bank of the Mississippi River, abovethe upperlimitsof theCityof Gretna, desig‐natedasLot Number Thir‐teen (13) and a portionofLot Number Four‐teen (14) of BlockNumber Five (5)ofHomedale Subdivision, bounded by MapleAvenue Willow andPine Streetsand dividing line of property be‐longingtothe late J. Angous‐set, as perplan of Elbert G. Sandoz,Civil En‐gineer andSur‐veyor, dated NewOrleans, Louisiana, April 5, 1923, a blue print whereof is an‐nexed to and made part of an actbeforeS.J McCune,Notary Public,onthe 26thday of April, 1923, beinga sale of property by Reuben W. May‐ronne andEdwardW Gardereto Robert Rawle Jr andaccord‐ingtowhich, said LotNumber Thirteen (13) measures Thirty (30) feet on Maple Avenue, b d h f

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $111.95

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-416 NATIONSTAR MORTGAGE LLC VS GENE PIERRE DIXON By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedFebruary 10, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That certain portionof ground,situ‐ated in the Parish of JEF‐FERSON Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as OAKCOVE SUBDIVISION, SECTION2,des‐ignatedas LOT6,SQUARE 16, bounded by Tusa Drive, Na‐ture Drive, Al‐paca Drive (side),and VenturaLane (side_.Saidlot commences at a distance of 305 feet from thein‐tersection of Tusa Drive andNature Drive, andmea‐suresthence60 feet fronton Tusa Drive, same in widthinthe rear,bya depth of 95 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Allas more fullyshown on survey by Dad‐

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

ASHLEY E. MORRIS Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $79.66

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:864-521

MORTGAGE RE‐SEARCH CEN‐TER, LLCD/B/A VETERANS UNITED HOME LOANS, AMISSOURI LIMITEDLIABIL‐ITYCOMPANY VERSUS STACEY MARIE BRIGNACA/K/A STACEY M. BRIGNACA/K/A STACEY BRIGNAC

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedMay 12, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 6, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: Acertain lotof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, andall of therights, ways,servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andad‐vantages there‐untobelonging or in anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Woodmere Subdivision, Section No.1, andaccording to theplanof resubdivisionby J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc dated August 20, 1974, said portionof ground is designated as Lot299A,Square K, which square is bounded by OakmereDrive, a fortyfoot (40’) LouisianaGas Servitude(side) west boundary of thesubdivi‐sion of Deerpark

said lotmea‐suressixtythreefeet (63’)

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 27, 2025, August 1, 2025 jun27-aug1-2t $88.65

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