The Times-Picayune 07-11-2025 by The Advocate

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

The New Orleans City Council on Thursday voted5-1 to repeal an emergency declaration Mayor LaToyaCantrell ﬁled aday before to install her choice of sanitation contractor in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District, the latest salvo in an ongoing

politicalﬁght over who should handle trash pickup in thatarea.

Whether the council’s vote will achieve its intended effect of blockinga one-year, $8.3 million emergency contract for Henry Consultingisunclear,

however,since Cantrell signed the contract on Wednesday. That raises the question of whether repealing the emergency declaration also nixesthe contract that goes with it. News that Cantrell was planning

to sign Henry to an emergency contract leaked on Wednesday night, but thefact she hadalready done so either wasn’tknown by council members or wasn’tbrought up before the voteonThursday

“Wehave avalid fully executed contractinplace to perform the requested services on July 31st,” Henry Consulting’sowner,Troy Henry,said in atext after the vote.

Thenew emergency contract is intended to replace an existing,

Exemptions,catch-upefforts propel students in reading

it wastheir last chance to improve theirreading scores —iftheydidn’t, they could beheld back.

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

Lori Robertson knewthe stakes were high. Under anew Louisiana law,the thirdgraders she taught this summer at J.B. Nachman Elementary School in Alexandria would have to pass areadingtest or be heldback. Yet Robertson, a30-year veteran educator and the school’sliteracy coach, exuded calm onemorning last month as her students practiced the skills they’d soon be assessed on One girl read aloud into atoy telephone, seeing howmanywordsshe could read correctly in one minute. Nearby,aboy read nonsense words like “soke,” atestofwhether students can sound out unfamiliar words. Robertson asked aquietthird grader named Kingstonto spell words like “horn” and “corn,” in which the letter “r” changes the vowel sound. When she challengedhim toturn

Aparaprofessional works withthird graders during the summer program at J.B. NachmanElementarySchool.

“corn”to“cork,”hewrote thenew word correctly “This just lights my ﬁre,”Robertson beamed. In thespring, nearly1in4Louisianathird graders failed to earnthe minimum reading score required by thenew law to advance to fourth grade,putting thousands at risk of retention

Cantrell signsemergency contract

less-expensive emergency contractwithIVWaste,which was signed to aone-year,$5.8 million contract on alow-bidbasis after Cantrell solicited emergency bids in December.Cantrell announced in April she would terminate IV Wasteearly —atthe endofJuly —soHenry Consulting could beginwork on along-term dealthe ﬁrm secured through acompetitive bid last year

Landry vetoes banonballoon releases

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Some wildlife advocates, alieutenantgovernor with apassion forLouisiana’s naturalenvironmentand at least onestate lawmakerare dismayed afterGov.JeffLandry vetoed abillthat would have made it illegal to intentionally release balloons into the air,aregulation that supporters say would protect wildlife and their habitat. But others —evensome whosay caring for the natural environment should be apriority —were OK with the governorblocking the balloon release ban, which could have led to civil penalties between $150 and $500 for anyone over age16. Baton Rouge AudubonSociety TreasurerMark Pethke said his organization is “tremendously disappointed by the governor’sveto.”

Theorganizationsays that balloonscan end up littering the natural environment, including lakes, streams, beaches and oceans. Fish, sea turtles and dolphins sometimes eat those balloons, causing aslow,painful death by starvation, the society says, and birds can get wrapped in or even strangled by balloon string.

See BALLOON, page 6A

BYJAMESFINN Staff writer

The arrest of an Iranian woman who’slived in New Orleans for almost 50 years shows the need for federal legislation streamlining how the country treats people who lack legal residency but otherwise follow the law,U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, the second-ranking congressional Republican, said this week.

The woman, Donna Kashanian, walked free Monday from ICE detention in Basile after hundreds of residents wrote to Scalise, R-Jefferson, and local and state ofﬁcials, highlighting her contributions to the community.Plainclothes federal agents arrested Kashanian outside herLakeviewhome on June 22. Scalise helpedsecure Kashanian’sreleaseafter reviewing her ﬁle

PHOTOSByLESLIE WESTBROOK

Lead teacher andliteracycoachLori Robertson speaks to students last month during the summer program at J.B. Nachman ElementarySchool in Alexandria. For third graders,

Henry Cantrell

Accused Trump shooter

wants to represent self

FORT PIERCE Fla. A man charged with attempting to assassinate Donald Trump last year at his Florida golf course told a federal judge Thursday he wants to ﬁre his court-appointed lawyers and represent himself, saying he will be ready to defend himself before a trial jury this fall.

Ryan Routh made his request during a hearing in Fort Pierce before U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon.

When the judge asked Routh, 59, whether he wanted her to appoint new attorneys to defend him, Routh replied: “No. I will represent myself.”

Routh is scheduled to stand trial in September, a year after prosecutors say a Secret Service agent thwarted his attempt to shoot Trump as he played golf. Routh has pleaded not guilty to charges of attempting to assassinate a major presidential candidate assaulting a federal ofﬁcer and several ﬁrearm violations.

“Do you understand that selfrepresentation is almost always a bad idea?” the judge asked Routh.

“Yes, your honor,” replied Routh, who described the extent of his education as two years of college after earning his GED certiﬁcate.

Cannon also asked Routh if he understood the court’s rules of evidence and federal criminal procedure He told her: “I have a book.”

Secret Service suspends 6 after Pa. Trump rally

The Secret Service has suspended six agents tasked with securing the Pennsylvania rally where Donald Trump was shot last year

Matt Quinn, Secret Service deputy director, told CBS News that their punishments range from 10 to 42 days of leave without pay or benefits. They include several agents at the service’s Pittsburgh ﬁeld ofﬁce, along with one agent on Trump’s detail and a counter sniper, sources told CNN. It is unclear when the agents were formally suspended.

At least two of the agents are reportedly appealing the move.

On July 13, 2024, 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks unleashed gunﬁre from a rooftop overlooking Trump’s rally in Butler The president was just six minutes into his address when a bullet grazed his right ear One rally attendee, 50-year-old Corey Comperatore, was killed in violent chaos. Two others were wounded before a sniper ﬁnally took out Crooks.

In the months since, a series of congressional investigations and federal reports have been completed, including the Secret Service’s own analysis. It uncovered multiple failures the day of the shooting, including communication breakdowns with local police, who spotted the shooter and even confronted the gunman. Former Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle resigned amid scrutiny regarding security the day of the assassination attempt.

Real estate influencer indicted for scheme

A New Jersey real estate inﬂuencer was indicted Thursday on numerous charges for running an alleged Ponzi scheme to generate his millions, the Justice Department announced.

Cesar Humberto Piña, 47, was known online as “Flipping NJ” until July 2023, when his operation began falling apart.

Piña promised investors returns of up to 30% in only four to ﬁve months, then took their money and spent it on personal items, according to the feds. Most of the money he did pay back was simply taken from new investors, authorities said Piña was charged with two counts of wire fraud, two counts of money laundering, one count of conspiracy and one count of bribing a public ofﬁcial.

Piña’s wife, Jennifer Iturralde Piña, additionally faces a federal charge destroying evidence. The feds said she destroyed a cellphone when agents arrived at the couple’s home to search it in March 2024.

Eligibility for programs to change

Immigrants in U.S. illegally will be unable to enroll in Head Start

BY ANNIE MA Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration will restrict immigrants in the country illegally from enrolling in Head Start, a federally funded preschool program, the Department of Health and Human Services announced Thursday The move is part of a broad effort to limit access to federal beneﬁts for immigrants who lack legal status.

People in the country illegally are largely ineligible for federal public beneﬁts such as food stamps, student loans and ﬁnancial aid for higher education. But for decades they have been able to access some community-level programs such as Head Start and community health centers.

HHS said it will reclassify those programs as federal public beneﬁts, excluding immigrants in the country illegally from accessing them. Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the changes were part of a larger effort to protect American citizens’ interests.

“For too long, the government has diverted hardworking Americans’ tax dollars to incentivize illegal immigration,” Kennedy said in a statement.

“Today’s action changes that — it restores integrity to federal social programs, enforces the rule of law and protects vital resources for the American people.”

A spokesperson for the Administration for Children and Families, which administers Head Start, said that eligibility will be determined based on the child’s immi-

gration status. Requiring proof of immigration status would likely create fear and confusion among families seeking to enroll their children, said Yasmina Vinci, executive director of the National Head Start Association. “This decision undermines the fundamental commitment that the country has made to children and disregards decades of evidence that Head Start is essential to our collective future,” Vinci said.

The changes are part of a multiagency announcement rescinding a Clinton-era interpretation of federal law, which had allowed immigrants in the country illegally to access some programs The Education Department, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor announced

31 workers reach safety after L.A.

BY DAMIAN DOVARGANES and JULIE WATSON Associated Press

tunnel collapse

LOS ANGELES — All 31 construction work-

ers who were far inside a huge industrial tunnel being dug under Los Angeles made it to safety after a partial collapse, an outcome ofﬁcials called a blessing after they initially feared much worse.

The workers were 400 feet underground and as much as 6 miles inside from the only entrance when the cave-in Wednesday evening threatened to trap them on the far side of the tunnel’s boring machine, said Michael Chee, spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts.

Chief Ronnie Vil-

Fire Department

lanueva said the workers had to make it through the most treacherous part themselves, climbing over more than 12 feet of loose dirt and debris to reach the boring machine before rescuers could drive them to the opening of the nearly $700 million project, which is designed to carry treated wastewater to the Paciﬁc

Ocean Aerial footage showed a crane hoisting workers out of the tunnel in a yellow cage None had major injuries, authorities said

The accident happened as workers were operating the boring machine, said

Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager for the sanitation districts. “A section that they have already built had squeezing ground and had a collapse, a partial collapse,” he told reporters.

The collapse in the tunnel, which is 18 feet wide and will be 7 miles long, happened under the Wilmington neighborhood, a heavily industrial area ﬁlled with oil reﬁneries just north of the Port of Los Angeles.

Working so near the shoreline and at such a depth means crews could have been contending with very wet conditions that add challenges during design and digging, said Maria Mohammed, president of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California.

“You would design not just for the pressure from the soil and the weight of the soil, you have to design for the pressure from the water,” said Mohammed, whose group is not involved in the Wilmington project.

The cause is under investigation, Chee said. Work will not resume until they can ﬁgure out what happened and determine that it’s safe to proceed, authorities said.

Mohammed said that investigation could take months, if not longer It will take some time just to make the tunnel safe for investigators to enter Once inside, they’ll try to determine where the collapse originated, she said.

Senate Republicans block attempt to roll back tax hike on gamblers

BY JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press

WASHINGTON Senate Republicans on Thursday blocked an attempt to reverse a little-noticed provision from their tax and spending cuts law that professional gamblers warn could be the end of their industry

Democratic Sen. Catherine Cortez

Masto of Nevada sought unanimous passage of a bill that would roll back the change on gambling tax deductions, but Republican Sen. Todd Young of Indiana objected, stalling the proposal for now

The emerging ﬁght over the gambling provision is likely only the beginning of the fallout from the new tax law and its impact on the country Spanning more than 900 pages, the bill signed into law by President Donald Trump last week contained a slew of provisions changing federal programs and the tax code, many of which lawmakers admit they are only now beginning to fully digest.

Under the new tax law, starting in 2026, individuals can only deduct 90% of their

gambling losses up to the amount of their winnings. That’s a change from the previous rule, which allowed gamblers to deduct 100% of their losses, up to the amount they won.

The change will only signiﬁcantly impact those who gamble larger amounts and who take the extra steps to itemize and deduct their losses. But for those individuals, the impact could be steep.

In practice, for example, under the old rule, someone who wins $100,000 and loses $100,000 could deduct the full $100,000 in losses and owe nothing. Under the new rule, they would only be able to deduct $90,000 and would still owe taxes on the remaining $10,000, despite having lost all their winnings.

“This new amendment to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act would end professional gambling in the U.S. and hurt casual gamblers, too,” Phil Galfond, a professional poker player, said on social media just days ahead of the bill’s ﬁnal passage.

The provision is estimated to generate over $1.1 billion in tax revenue over eight years.

similar changes affecting a range of workforce and adult education programs.

The changes will affect community health centers that immigrants rely on for a wide range of services, said Shelby Gonzales, vice president of immigration policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

“People depend on those services to get cancer treatment, to get ongoing maintenance for a variety of different health needs,” she said.

Students in the country illegally will no longer be eligible to participate in postsecondary career and technical education programs or adult education programs, the Education Department announced. The department also issued a notice to grant recipients to ensure that programs receiving federal funding do not provide services to immigrants without legal status.

Texas AG’s wife files for divorce

BY JIM VERTUNO Associated Press

AUSTIN, Texas Texas state Sen. Angela Paxton, the wife of Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, filed for divorce on Thursday, seeking to end 38 years of marriage as her husband campaigns for the U.S. Senate. Angela Paxton had stuck by her husband through a decade of legal troubles that included state and federal corruption investigations and a 2023 state impeachment trial that publicly exposed his extramarital affair The trial ended with his full acquittal.

A fierce and vocal ally of President Donald Trump, Ken Paxton was first elected state attorney general in 2014 and is now campaigning to unseat long-time Sen. John Cornyn in the 2026 Republican primary Angela Paxton, who stood by her husband during the impeachment trial, cited “recent discoveries” in her announcement that she had filed for divorce.

“Today after 38 years of marriage, I ﬁled for divorce on biblical grounds,” Angela Paxton posted on

“I believe marriage is a sacred covenant and I have earnestly pursued reconciliation. But in light of recent discoveries, I do not believe that it honors God or is loving to myself, my children, or Ken to remain in the marriage.” Ken Paxton later posted his own statement asking for prayers and privacy

“After facing the pressures of countless political attacks and public scrutiny, Angela and I have decided to start a new chapter in our lives,” Ken Paxton posted on X. A former high school teacher and guidance counselor, Angela Paxton used to play guitar and sing, “I’m a pistol-packin’ mama, and my husband sues Obama,” at his campaign events and Republican clubs across the state. When it came time for Angela Paxton to launch her own political career, a $2 million loan from her husband propelled her to a narrow victory for a state Senate seat in the booming Dallas suburbs. Once elected, she filed bills to expand his ofﬁce’s powers, and approved budgets over his state agency and salary

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAE C. HONG

An aerial view Thursday shows the only entrance to an industrial tunnel in Los Angeles after a section of the tunnel partially collapsed Wednesday night.

for asylum and agreen card in the 1980s, he said in an interview Tuesday

Scalise praised President Donald Trump’simmigration agenda, crediting the president for securing the border and deporting people with criminal histories. Those efforts have yielded far more progress than past presidents have made in addressingthe beleaguered state of the country’simmigration system, Scalise said.

But he said the case of Kashanian —a64-year-old with no criminal record known widely in New Orleans volunteering circles—illustrates how the system is sometimes illequipped to handle fairlymillions of people livinginthe United States without legalresidencywho have not committed crimes.

“You have tens of millions of peoplehere illegally,some of them are bad people who are committing violent crimes. Those people,

READING

Continued from page1A

Over the past month,educators like Robertson raced to give those struggling readersaﬁnal push before they took aretest that would determine their placement this fall —and could very well shape their educational trajectory But despite many parents’ fears, it’slikely that many of those targeted third graderswon’tultimatelybeheld back. Asigniﬁcantnumber will qualifyfor exemptions, including if they have dyslexia or other disabilities, whileothers improved their scoresdue to the hard work of teachers like Robertson.

For example, in Rapides Parish, which includes Alexandria, about half of the third graders who were at risk of being held back qualified for exemptions, district ofﬁcials said. Athird of the remaining students earned the minimum passingscore after retesting Statewide data won’tbe available until next month, but ofﬁcials anticipate that

by the way,are being deported,” Scalisesaid. “And Idon’t think anybodyhas aproblem with that.

“But then what do you do with thepeople whoare here illegally but aren’tviolent criminals? And by the way,how do youknow the difference?” he added later.“Well, some unelectedbureaucrat in Washington workingfor afederal agency who’sprocessing thousandsofcases aday really doesn’t have enough information to know.”

“Wewill have to change the law in Congress,” Scalise said, “and that meansboth parties are going to have to come together to do it, nottoyelland scream anddemagoguethe issue.”

Scalise did not elaborate on speciﬁclegislativechanges to theimmigrationsystemthathewould support. But he said he’shopeful, now that border crossings have plummetedinthe early monthsof Trump’spresidency,that attention in Congress canturn to that question.

The remarks by the House majority leader highlight thebroad range of perspectives now shap-

are ﬂagged for retention even if they aren’t held back —suggesting it’s theextra supportthat matters most.

“The additional effort,the extrainterventions,the level of speciﬁcity that educators are payingtoindividual studentsand their needs,” Chiasson said,“that’sa direct result of this legislation.”

Passed by the state Legislature in 2023, thethirdgrade law is part of asweeping setoflawsand policy changes meant to overhaul how Louisiana students learn to read.

Over the past five years, elementary school teachers havebeen trained in the “science of reading,”a research-based approach that emphasizes phonics;schools startedassessing students’ readingskillsevery few months and flaggingstruggling readers for extra help; and the state launched intensive tutoring in schools and provided vouchers for private tutoring. State officials, who creditthe policies with drivingLouisiana’srecent rise in national educationrankings, say students nowreceive con

PHOTO PROVIDED

Shah,who was deposed the following year

ing debate over the future of the U.S. immigration system in Washington.

Hardline immigrationinterests have won out recentlyinthe courts and in Washington. Scalise and House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,last week helped shep-

20 states with such laws, according to ExcelinEd, which endorsesthird-grade retentionpolicies. Because the laws tend to includegenerous“good cause”exemptions, often few students end up being held back, accordingtoa recent studyled by researchers at the UniversityofMichigan.

For example, 60% of third graders in Tennessee wereflagged for retention in 2024 due to lowreading scores, but only 1.2% were held back. In Michigan, where less than 1% of third graders were retained, the researchers found that students’ scores improved even if they weren’theld back. Duetothe law, struggling readers received allhands-on-deck support that continued even if they were promoted to the next grade. Under Louisiana law,any student who scores below grade levelona readingskills test called DIBELS, which students in grades K-3 take three times ayear must receivetutoringor other support. Students who still score in the lowestlevel on DIBELS by the endof thirdgradecan be held back

herd Trump’s domestic policybill through Congress, which includes massive ICEbudget increases. Kashanian cametothe United States from Iran on astudent visa in 1978 and unsuccessfully petitioned forasylum,citing herfamily’sconnection to the U.S.-backed

students,” he said, “then of course you’re going to devotemoreattention, more resources tothem.”

Not everyone is convinced that retaining struggling studentsisthe best approach. Louisiana enacted asimilar policy in the early 2000s, requiring fourth and eighth graders to reach abenchmark on state tests to move to thenext grade. The share of Louisiana students who hadtorepeat agradesoared high above the national average, and a2017 study found that fourth grade boys whowereheldback faced higherodds of dropping out of school. The state eventually ended the policy “Whenyou retainachild, that’sa leading indicator of high school dropoutsand them not being successful,” said Kerry Laster,aformer literacy director in the state education department. “That disturbsme.”

Othercritics note that holding back studentsis expensive,equivalent to an extra year of schooling, and can dampen students’ selfesteem and motivation. Still

She also appliedfor agreen card as the spouse of aU.S.citizenafter marryingRussellMilnein1990. Ofﬁcials rejected that claim due to aprevious marriageofKashanian’sthat they deemed fraudulent, the family has said. Kashanian will be allowed to live at homewhile she submits new green card and asylum applications, Scalise said. He emphasized that he can’tguaranteethe outcomeofthat process —only that “she’sgoing to get afair shake.” Tricia McLaughlin, aspokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security,said in astatement Wednesday that “the facts of this case have not changed” despite Kashanian’srelease. “Mandonna Kashanian is in this country illegally,” McLaughlin said. “She exhausted all her legal options.” Kashanian’s family thankedScalise,stateRep.Stefanie Hilferty, R-Metairie,and New OrleansCity CouncilmemberJoe Giarrusso on Wednesdayfor ensuring she is “treated fairly.”

others say students with serious reading difficulties need help sooner.A recentstudy found thatmost struggling third graders in Louisiana enteredkindergartenwith deﬁcits.

“Tome, thatsaysidentify them early,intervene early,” said Lindsay Weixler, whodirects the EarlyChildhood Policy Research Lab at Tulane University and helped conduct the analysis.

Parent Kiara Jolla has mixed feelings aboutthe newlaw

After her third grader wasflaggedfor lowreading scores last fall, his Baton Rouge school sprang into action, developing a support plan and providing him with small-group lessons andtutoring. Jolla also used astate voucher to send him to private after-school tutoring.

The remediationexhausted herson,and Jolla wished the interventions had started years earlier.But she also felt the law spurred the school to vigorously address her son’sneeds, resulting in steady gains that

allowed him to advance to fourth grade.

“Forhim, it wasa big confidencebooster,”she said. Thenew lawseemed to galvanize educators in the Rapides Parish school systemand J.B. Nachman Elementary School, who regularly monitored third graders’ reading progress and strategically filled in gaps. Abattalionofeducators —literacy coachLoriRobertson, classroom aides, even thelibrarianand music teacher —worked with small groups of students during adaily reading-support period. This summer district staffers used DIBELSdata to plotthe focus of each day’sliteracy lesson down to specific letter combinations.

The result: Third gradersmade“tremendous growth,”evenbefore the ﬁnal push this summer,Robertson said.

“It’samazing what youcan do in ayear,” she said. Email Patrick Wall at patrick.wall@theadvocate. com.

Kaitlynn Milne, from left, Mandonna ‘Donna’ Kashanian and Russell Milne stand together Tuesdayafter Kashanian was released from detention.

TRASH

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But the seven-year, $73 million contract Henry Consulting won last year has been tied up in court and can’t begin until the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rules on a lower court order for the council to approve it. The order is stayed during the appeal, meaning the contract still needs the council’s green light to move forward. The Cantrell administration and its lawyers have previously brushed off concerns about the legality of Henry Consulting’s longterm contract, and Cantrell acknowledged for the ﬁrst time in her emergency declaration that it cannot move forward while the council’s appeal is pending.

What happens next in a saga that has roiled City Hall since last fall isn’t clear The French Quarter Management District, a state-created public agency said it will continue seeking its own solicitation while the city has no contractor lined up, according to Jane Cooper, the district chair The district can only hire its own contractor when the city doesn’t have one in place, which seemed to be the case before Wednesday

BALLOON

Continued from page 1A

Pethke said the anti-litter measure would have caused organizations that frequently release balloons into the air, such as schools and businesses, to ﬁnd “another, more environmentally friendly way to conduct celebrations.”

State Rep. John Illg Jr., a Harahan Republican who sponsored the proposed ban in House Bill 581, echoed those ideas. “It’s just something that needs to be recognized, that it is litter. It’s basically releasing litter into the air and who knows where it comes down,” he said.

Illg, who said he is “passionate” about combating the state’s litter proble m, said Louisiana has a “Mardi Gras mentality,” where the thinking is that someone else will pick up when things are left or tossed in the street.

In the letter explaining his veto, Landry said that HB581 would have been “impossible or impractical to execute.”

Landry said law enforcement agencies across the state would have been “tasked with tracking down locations from where balloons were released based on eyewitness accounts, only to be met — if met at all — with excuses and ﬁnger-pointing to avoid meeting the bill’s requirements for a ﬁne to be issued.” And local governments

A French Quarter Management District contract — if one goes through — would only cover the French Quarter and it’s not clear who will service the Downtown Development District.

Downtown Development District ofﬁcials did not respond to requests for comment.

“The whole purpose of this was to let all the court proceedings play out,” said IV Waste owner Sidney Torres IV, who has run television ads in recent weeks touting his firm’s work in the French Quarter.

“My hope is that the mayor would rescind my cancellation, so we don’t have to go through the FQMD process.”

‘Can’t help but wonder’

District C council member Freddie King, whose district includes the French Quarter introduced the motion to defeat Cantrell’s emergency declaration He questioned why Cantrell and some within her administration have insisted on replacing IV Waste with Henry Consulting while the legal case is still being decided, especially since French Quarter businesses and residents overwhelmingly support IV Waste.

“It seems as if there are only a few people in this city who believe that the

are empowered to regulate balloon releases if need be, Landry said.

State Sen. Regina Barrow, a Baton Rouge Democrat who was among a small, bipartisan minority of lawmakers who voted against the bill, said she agreed with Landry on leaving restrictions up to local governments.

She also questioned who would be tasked with enforcement and said that the ﬁnes seemed too steep.

Barrow also said that, in her community balloon releases are a common way of memorializing certain events, such as the death of a loved one, and they can bring about a certain “level of peace.”

“I think those things are important,” she said. “Everybody processes grief differently.”

And while Barrow said she is “always very concerned about the environment,” she took issue with “abruptly” implementing a ban and said a wind-down period should be considered instead.

The Louisiana Cattlemen’s Association was one of several groups that supported the bill during the legislative session Executive Vice President Shae Simon called Landry’s veto “disheartening.”

“We had a hard time understanding his point of view on the fact that you couldn’t patrol this or enforce it, if you can enforce littering ﬁnes for any other piece of trash,” she said.

Simon explained that balloons, like other trash, can end up in hay bales and cow pastures, getting eaten by curious baby cows and mature cattle alike.

sanitation provider should change. I don’t want to speculate as to why that is, but being human, you can’t help but wonder,” King said.

Council President JP Morrell said the council doesn’t typically vote against a mayoral emergency declaration, but in this case he said he is worried about a precedent in which a mayor “can ﬁre the contractor, then use the ﬁring as an excuse to create a new emergency.”

“The emergency before us is an emergency that was created by the mayor herself,” Morrell said before the vote on Thursday

The law Cantrell cited in her declaration says her edict be can be terminated by “a majority of the surviving members of the parish governing authority.” The Cantrell administration called the vote “a misapplication of the law” in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

“The emergency declaration issued by Mayor Cantrell was a necessary step to prevent a disruption in sanitation services,” the statement said.

The lone ‘no’ vote

District E council member Oliver Thomas, who is running for mayor, was the lone “no” council vote on Thursday District A council member Joe Giarrusso

The balloon can tie up a cow’s stomach, leading to suffering and a painful death, Simon said Political punishment?

Illg is a board member for Keep Louisiana Beautiful, an agency housed in the ofﬁce of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser that focuses on litter prevention and beautiﬁcation. He sponsored the balloon legislation at Nungesser’s request.

Nungesser said balloon releases, including some that number in thousands have become a big environmental and safety problem, hurting pelicans, turtles and baby cattle and causing power outages and drainage problems.

“Since I took over Keep Louisiana Beautiful, it’s become a movement of people wanting to clean up our state,” he said.

Nungesser said Landry’s veto was political, but not aimed at the lieutenant governor

“It’s obvious that it’s political punishing for Rep. Illg,” he said “People need to be able to vote for what they think is right for Louisiana without being punished.”

Illg on Monday said he had not spoken with Landry about the veto and took his letter at “face value.”

He also said that during the legislative session, he wasn’t aware of the governor’s opposition over enforcing the balloon ban until he received the veto letter

“I just wish he had brought that up to me, you know, in the process,” Illg said.

“That is the ﬁrst bill I’ve ever had vetoed in six years.”

recused himself, since the law ﬁrm he works for represents Henry Consulting. Thomas said he voted against the repeal because Henry Consulting and its subcontractor, Richard’s Disposal, are Black-owned businesses that have been “exemplary in what they do.” Thomas also said he’s concerned about encroachment on executive authority, echoing a frequent Cantrell criticism of the council.

“Some folk will try to make this nefarious Some folk will try to make this more than it is,” Thomas said before the vote on Thursday “I don’t mind being the only vote if it’s on my principle.”

Thomas often — though not uniformly — votes with the council majority on legal actions against the mayor and other measures to check her power On Thursday for example, he joined a unanimous council in overriding Cantrell’s veto on a settlement with Tulane University At the same time, Thomas has adopted a mostly neutral tone toward the mayor, while others on the council have strongly criticized her Two of Cantrell’s strongest council critics, Morrell and Helena Moreno, who is also running for Cantrell’s job, have forcefully condemned Henry Consult-

Landry, through a spokesperson, declined to elaborate on the legislation and his reasoning for opposing it, or whether he was retaliating against Illg.

Illg was among a group of lawmakers who opposed a bill strongly favored by the governor some of whom had funding for local projects cut through line-item vetoes by the governor House Bill 148 was at the center of a fight between Landry and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple over Louisiana’s high auto insurance rates during this year’s legislative session. The measure

ing’s long-term contract. The pair have described it as a sweetheart deal that increased in value during negotiations and that is loaded with contractorfriendly terms. Henry won a Civil District Court judgment in December ordering the council to approve his contract, but the order was stayed on appeal. With the Super Bowl approaching and trash service in limbo, Cantrell solicited emergency bids that resulted in IV Waste’s existing contract. Henry and Richard’s resolved their differences after Mardi Gras, and Cantrell — acting on Henry’s request announced in April that IV Waste’s contract would end on July 31. The Cantrell administration selected Henry Consulting for the long-term contract last year, but a dispute with Richard’s over payment terms soured some council members on voting for it. Others shared Morrell and Moreno’s concerns over its propriety though after Richard’s and Henry mended fences, Thomas and District D council member Eugene Green said their contract should move forward.

Email Ben Myers at bmyers@theadvocate. com.

ultimately won passage and was quickly signed into law

It gives the insurance commissioner greater authority to reject “excessive” insurance rate increases. Landry argues that empowers the commissioner to halt unreasonable price hikes for Louisianans. Temple, however, has opposed the measure, saying it will allow his successors to reject rate changes indiscriminately rather than by relying on data

Staff writer Tyler Bridges contributed to this report.

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

BY HOLLY RAMER and MIKE CATALINI Associated Press

CONCORD

N.H. — A federal judge in New Hampshire issued a ruling Thursday prohibiting President Donald Trump’s executive order ending birthright citizenship from taking effect anywhere in the U.S. Judge Joseph LaPlante issued a preliminary injunction blocking Trump’s order and certiﬁed a class action lawsuit including all children who will be affected. The order, which followed an hourlong hearing, included a seven-day stay to allow for appeal. The judge’s decision puts the birthright citizenship issue on a fast track to return to the Supreme Court. The justices could be asked to rule whether the order complies with their decision last month that limited judges’ authority to issue nationwide injunctions. The Supreme Court said district judges generally can’t issue nationwide, or universal, injunctions. But it didn’t rule out whether judges could accomplish much the same thing by a different legal means, a class action. The class approved in New Hampshire is slightly narrower than that sought by the plaintiffs, who wanted to include parents, but attorneys said that wouldn’t make a material difference. “This is going to protect every single child around the country from this lawless, unconstitutional and cruel executive order,” said Cody Wofsy, an attorney for the plaintiffs.

Illg

Mourning of flood victims begins in Texas

BY NADIA LATHAN, SEAN MURPHY and JOSHUA A. BICKEL Associated Press

KERRVILLE,Texas Shock has turned into grief across Texas where at least 120 people have died from ﬂash ﬂoods and more were missing as the search for victims moved methodically along endless miles of rivers and rubble Thursday

Photos of those who have died along with a colorful array of ﬂowers and candles now decorate a fence in Hill Country — a growing tribute that reﬂects the enormity of the disaster in the region

The victims include three friends who had gathered for the July Fourth weekend, 8-year-old sisters who were at summer camp and a 91-year-old grandmother known for her sharp wit.

More than 170 people have been reported missing, most in Kerr County, where nearly 100 victims have been recovered The death toll remained at 120 Thursday, nearly a week since the floods first hit. Authorities say they have carefully gone over the list of those unaccounted for but those numbers are often tough to pin down in the immediate aftermath of a disaster. The unrelenting power of the floods forced families to make unnerving escapes with little time to spare in the middle of the night. One woman recounted how she and others, including a toddler, first climbed into an attic and then onto a roof where they heard screams and watched vehicles float past Photos and videos captured their ordeal.

More than 2,000 local, state and federal workers were involved in the search for victims. Stiﬂing heat and mounds of trees, hunks of lumber and trash made the task more difﬁcult.

At a small shopping center damaged in the ﬂoods, people piled debris gathered from the rivers. Ofﬁcials hope to eventually set aside personal items so residents find their possessions.

On Wednesday, hundreds prayed, wept and held one another at a prayer service, among the ﬁrst of many somber gatherings to come in the weeks ahead.

“Our communities were struck with tragedy literally in the darkness,” said Wyatt Wentrcek, a youth minister David Garza drove more than an hour to support his loved ones.

to safety and helping keep them calm during the chaos.

Texas Gov Greg Abbott called on state lawmakers to approve funding for new warning systems and emergency communications in ﬂood prone areas when the Legislature meets later this month. Abbott also asked for ﬁnancial relief for the response and recovery efforts.

“We must ensure better preparation for such events in the future,” he said in a statement Wednesday Public ofﬁcials in the area have come under repeated criticism amid questions about the timeline of what happened and why widespread warnings were not sounded and more preparations were not made. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha has said those questions will be answered after the victims are recovered.

Local leaders have talked for years about the need for a ﬂood warning system, but concerns about costs and noise led to missed opportunities to put up sirens.

Some at the service wore green ribbons for the girls from Camp Mystic, the century-old Christian summer camp where at least 27 campers and counselors died.

Parents of children who were at the many summer camps in Hill Country have credited the teenage counselors with ushering campers

“I’m from here, and I was here in the ’78 ﬂood and the ’87 ﬂood,” Garza said. “I just wanted to be a part of this.”

Polls taken before the floods show Americans largely believe the federal government should play a major role in preparing for and responding to natural disasters, which are becoming a growing worry On Tuesday, a deluge in New Mexico triggered ﬂash ﬂoods that killed three people.

ThedevastationinTexasstretched from Hill Country all the way to just outside the state’s capital. At least 15 people died in the Austin area and adjacent counties. Just north of Austin, ﬂoodwaters from the San Gabriel River swamped two RV parks in Georgetown.

Survivors captured terrifying ordeal in photos, video

BY JESSE BEDAYN

Associated Press

Jane Towler was up late in a small cabin along the Guadalupe River as thunder boomed through a thrashing rain. It was 4 a.m. and water was pooling on the ﬂoor Suddenly, her phone rang. It was her friend from a nearby cabin.

“Jane, we’re f*****!” Brian Keeper said frantically.

“The water’s in my house! Get out!” Towler’s grandfather bought the property in Texas Hill Country in the 1930s, and she’s lived through many ﬂoods in her 70 years, losing a canoe or chairs here and there. But last Friday was different. The river would swell 26 feet in 45 minutes and lay waste to homes and buildings, sweep away cars and trucks, and claim the lives of more than 100 people, including many summer campers.

Pulling shoes onto bare feet, Towler ran in her pajamas toward the nearby house where her son, Alden Towler, and family friend Shabd Simon-Alexander were sleeping, along with Simon-Alexander’s toddler daughter

Situation worsening

When her son awoke to Simon-Alexander’s desperate screams, the water was already ankle deep.

“Who do we tell? We have to tell someone,” SimonAlexander said in a video of those frantic moments shot by Jane Towler one of sev-

eral the retired nurse would record during the deluge.

“Everything in our yard has floated away,” Jane Towler said as her video captured the muddy water rising in the kitchen SimonAlexander’s daughter was quiet, strapped to her mother’s chest.

“OK, I want us to be prepared to go up in the attic,” Jane Towler said. Alden Towler got busy stacking belongings on a bed in another room to keep them dry But Simon-Alexander pointed out the futility

With the water now at his knees and him still in just underwear, Alden Towler shifted priorities and grabbed a bottle of water and peanuts.

As the fridge toppled over with a splash, their narrowing options crystallized

“What do we do to be safe? Go on the roof?” asked Jane Towler

“I guess we go on the roof,” her son replied A climb into darkness

Simon-Alexander consoled her daughter Five days earlier they celebrated the girl’s ﬁrst birthday

Now, Simon-Alexander stood with her baby, the water up to her thighs. Looking back, she said at that point she was sure they would drown, either where they were or in the attic But in the video, she calmed her daughter in a gentle voice, telling her, “Yeah, it’s a lot. It’s a lot, baby.” Then darkness.

“Oh my god!” said SimonAlexander At 4:16 a.m. and with the furniture floating, Jane Towler called 911 from atop the kitchen counter

“You have to help us,” Simon-Alexander pleaded into the speakerphone. “We are going to die.”

The dispatcher, calm and kind, couldn’t promise rescue any time soon, but urged them to get as far away from the water as they could, and stay alive. They then pulled themselves into the attic.

Through the hatch, they watched water silently rise in the kitchen below Then they heard the eerie clinking of plates and glasses as it swirled around the cabinets and neared the ceiling.

Glimpsing the destruction

Alden Towler found a vent to the roof, punched it out, and they eventually climbed through. Water licked the roofline. Screams pierced the thunder as people called for each other across the valley Car horns blared nonstop and vehicles ﬂoated past them, lit by lightning. The river smelled of sewage.

There was a boom, and then a drawn out splintering noise that carried through the cacophony The house quivered.

Their neighbor’s house, buoyed by the swollen river, appeared to have smashed into the cabin Jane Towler had been staying in and torn it from its foundation It then slammed into the house they were huddled on and a tree

between the two structures before coming to a stop.

They were preparing to spend days on the roof, conserving their water, peanuts and the ﬂashlight’s battery, switching it on only every so often to check the river level.

It had dropped 4 inches. Then later, a foot.

Making it to safety

The sun began to rise at around 6:30 a.m., illuminat-

ing the transformed world around them. They shouted to cars that were driving on the road up the hill, and were eventually helped off the roof and driven to a church were others were gathering “That’s really where the real horror begins,” said Alden Towler, who is certiﬁed as a wilderness ﬁrst responder With their medical training — Jane Towler is a retired labor and delivery

nurse — they helped two doctors tend to the injured. To the Towlers and SimonAlexander, the scene was a mix of horror and generosity A man asked Alden Towler if he had his wallet, which he didn’t, and the man handed him $300. Five days later, Alden Towler’s voice still cracked with emotion when he described in the community the “unstoppable drive to help people.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ASHLEy LANDIS

A woman prays during a vigil for flooding victims Wednesday at Tivy Antler Stadium in Kerrville, Texas

More Russian missiles,dronespound

BY VASILISA STEPANENKO and HANNAARHIROVA Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine Russia pounded Ukraine’s capital with another major missile and drone attack overnight into Thursday,killing at least two people and causing ﬁres across Kyiv aday afterthe heaviest drone attack so far in the more than three-year war,Ukrainian ofﬁcials said.

In another tense and sleepless night for Kyiv residents, with many of them dashing in thedark with children, pets and blanketsto the protection of subway stations, at least 22 people were wounded, according to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv Regional Administration.

The night was punctuated with the chilling whine of approaching drones that slammed intoresidential areas, exploded and sent balls of orange flames into the dark during the 10-hour barrage. Russia fired 397 Shahedand decoy drones as well as cruise and ballistic missilesatKyivand five otherregions, authorities said.

“This is aclear escalation of Russian terror: hundreds of Shahed drones every night, constant missile strikes,massive attacks on Ukrainian cities,” President VolodymyrZelenskyysaidina Telegram post. June brought the highest month-

ly civiliancasualtiesofthe war, with 232 people killed and1,343 wounded, the U.N. human rights mission in Ukraine said Thursday, as Russialaunched 10 times more drones and missiles than the same monthlast year At least 13,580 civilians, including716 children, havebeen killed andmorethan34,000 wounded since Russia’sfull-scale invasion of its neighbor began on Feb. 24, 2022, theU.N. said Tworounds of directpeace talksbetween Russian andUkrainian delegations have yielded no

progress on stopping the ﬁghting.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Thursday there is no datefor apossible third round of negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of StateMarco Rubio saidThursdaythatthe U.S and Russiahave exchanged new ideas for peace talks.

Russia aims to sapmorale

Russia has recently sought to overwhelm Ukraine’sair defenses with major attacks that include increasing numbersofdecoy drones The previous night,itﬁred more

than 700 attack and decoy drones, topping previous nightly barrages for thethird timeintwo weeks.

“The continued increase in the size of strike packages is likely intended to supportRussian efforts to degradeUkrainianmoraleinthe face of constant Russian aggression,”the Institute forthe Study of War, aWashington-based think tank, said late Wednesday

“Atpresent, the rate of Russian advance is accelerating and Russia’ssummer offensive is likely to put the armed forces of Ukraine underintensepressure,” Jack Watling, asenior research fellowatmilitary thinktankRUSI, wroteinanassessment published Wednesday.

Thepressure has caused alarm among Ukrainian ofﬁcials, whoare uncertainabout continuing vital military aid from the United States andU.S.PresidentDonaldTrump’s policy toward Russia.

“Partners need to be faster with investments in weapons productionand technology development,” Zelenskyy said Thursday.“We need to be faster with sanctions andput pressure on Russia so that it feels the consequences of its terror.”

Chancellor Friedrich Merz said at aUkrainian recovery conference in Rome that German ofﬁcials “standready to acquire additional Patriot (air defense) systems from the U.S. and make them available to Ukraine.”

TheU.S. last week haltedsome

shipments of weapons, including crucial Patriot systems, to Ukraine amid concerns that its ownstockpileshavedeclinedtoo much. “The Americansneedthem themselves in part, but they also have agreat manyofthem,” Merz said.

Some lose almost everything

In Kyiv,Karyna Holf, 25, wasin the living room near the window whenshe hearda whistling sound from theincoming weapon. Momentslater,littlewas left of the room but debris.

“After such ashock, when you know from your own experience what it’s liketoloseeverything,” she said. “I don’tevenknow what comes next. AllIhave now is a backpack,aphone,a winter coat that’sit. This is my whole life now.” Holf said shewas grateful to have her parents to turn to, but added, “There are people who have no one at all.”

One Kyiv subway station worker said more than 1,000 people, including70children, took refuge there. One of them was 32-year-old Kyiv resident Alina Kalyna.

“The drone attacks ayear ago were onething, andnow they’re a completely differentthing. We’re exhausted,” she said. “I sleep poorly,Irecover poorly,infact Ino longer recover,I am just somehow on areserve of energy,ofwhich I have alittle left, Ijust somehow live and exist,” Kalyna said.

Deathfuels speculationabout harsherenvironment forKremlin elites

Russian Cabinet minister allegedly killed himself

By The Associated Press

The death of aRussian Cabinet minister in afield near his posh home in aMoscow suburb has fueled wild speculation about how he died and what it means.

Ukraine, and Russianmedia reports claimed that he testiﬁedagainst hisformer boss. Russianauthorities have not announced any criminal case against Starovoit.

Observers say Starovoit’s deathhighlightedthe deepening rifts and tensions within thegovernment.

lets claimed that he killed himself over the weekend.

When theﬁrstunconﬁrmed reports aboutStarovoit’s death emerged Monday afternoon, lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov toldnews outlet RTVI thatStarovoit killed himself “quiteawhile ago.”

es of embezzlementand money laundering and sentenced to 13 years in prison.

Among theunanswered questions:Did Roman Starovoit really kill himself in his car,asauthorities said, or did he take his life in anearby park? Was he facing acriminal investigation into large-scale corruption?

And does his death signal anew,harsher environment for Kremlin elites related to the war in Ukraine?

Russian media was abuzz with claims that Starovoit, who was founddead hours after being ﬁred Monday by President Vladimir Putin, had faced potential corruption charges linked to his previous job as governor of the Kursk region,where Ukrainian forces staged asurprise incursion last year.His death drew quick comparisons to Sovietdictator Josef Stalin’spurges in which sometop Kremlin officialskilled themselves rather than risk arrest.

Starovoit’sformer deputy,who succeeded himas Kursk governor,was arrested in Apriloncharges of embezzling state money allocated forbuilding fortiﬁcations on the border with

Tatiana Stanovaya of the CarnegieRussia Eurasia Center said members of Russian officialdomhave found themselvesincreasingly trapped by the war environment, which “hasmade the interestsofonce-inﬂuential ﬁgures look small” and made “everything subordinate to the harsh logic of the system’ssurvival.”

Suspicionarises

Starovoit, 53, who served as transport minister for just over ayear,was found dead from agunshot wound Controversy immediately surrounded the death. The Investigative Committee, the country’stop criminal investigation agency,said Starovoit’sbody was found in his car in the Odintsovo district just west of thecapital that is hometomany members ofthe Russianelite.The committee said acriminal probe waslaunched andthat investigators sawsuicide as the most likely cause. But Russian media reported that his body was actually foundinthe bushes near aparking lotwherehe left hisTesla, and authorities allowed reporters to record morgue workerscarrying it from the site.A pistolpresented to him as an ofﬁcial gift was athis side. It was unclear when he died. The Investigative Committee did not offer atime of death, and some mediaout-

Some observers noted that it marked the ﬁrst suicideby aCabinet member since Soviet Interior MinisterBoris Pugokilledhimself after a botchedhard-line coup in August 1991.

Many also pointed outa string of recentmysterious suicides involving senior executives at Russian state oil and gas companies, including Andrei Badalov,vice president of thestate-controlled Transneft oilpipeline operator,who reportedly fell from thewindow of his Moscow apartment last week.

TheKremlin called Starovoit’sdeath “tragic” but refrained from commenting on the circumstances Corruption factor in war

Thealleged embezzlement scheme involving Kursk ofﬁcials hasbeen namedasa keyreasonbehindthe Russian military’s failureto stem the surprise August 2024 incursion into theregionbyUkrainiantroops. The attack dealt ahumiliating blow to the Kremlin, and it took nearlynine months for theRussian militaryto reclaim the border territory

Starovoit’sdeath andthe corruption allegations in Kursk followa string of corruption cases that have been widely blamed for Russian military setbacks in Ukraine.

On July 1, former Deputy DefenseMinister Timur Ivanov was convicted on charg-

On Monday,Khalil Arslanov aformer deputy chief of the military’sGeneral Staff, was handed a17-year sentence on corruptioncharges. They wereamongadozen top military officialsclose to former Defense Minister Sergei Shoiguwho were targeted in awide-ranging probe intoalleged military graft. Shoigu, aveteran ofﬁcial whohad personalties to Putin,survived thepurge of his inner circle and was givena high-proﬁle post as secretary of Russia’sSecu-

rity Council. Mark Galeotti, an expert in Russian politics who headsthe MayakIntelligenceconsultancy,observed in arecent podcast that highlevel corruption in Russia was getting worse because of thewar.Hewarned that at some point in the future an “angry patriot” could try to tell the public that the nation has“been letdownby this bunch of self-indulgent, self-interested, embezzling old men,and as aresult, our boys died.” Starovoitwas reportedly linkedtothe Rotenberg brothers,Putin’slongtime

personal friends who have extensive business interests in the transportation sphere. Many observers saw their failure to protect their protégé as apowerful new sign that oldconnectionsnolonger work.

“The prospect of arrest is literally beginningtokill its representatives as the war is pushing the oldcriteria of theunforgivable wider,”said Stanovaya, of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center.Now anything that “increases the vulnerabilityofthe state to theenemy’shostile action must be punished without mercy or compromise.”

Starovoit

BRIEFS

Tesla announces shareholder meeting

Tesla has scheduled an annual shareholders meeting for November, one day after the electric vehicle company came under pressure from major shareholders to do so.

Billionaire Elon Musk’s company said in a regulatory ﬁling on Thursday that the meeting will be held on Nov. 6 A group of more than 20 Tesla shareholders said in a letter to the company a day earlier that it needed to provide public notice of the annual meeting.

Texas law states businesses must hold annual meetings within 13 months of their last one, if shareholders request it But the law also allows for “written consent instead of the annual meeting” to be executed within the 13-month timeframe. Tesla is incorporated in Texas.

The annual meeting, given Tesla’s fortunes this year, has the potential to be a raucous event and it is unclear how investors will react to the delay, which is rare for any major U.S. corporation.

Tesla shares have plunged 27% this year, largely due to blowback over Musk’s afﬁliation with President Donald Trump, as well as rising competition.

Also on Thursday, Musk said that the Grok chatbot will be heading to Tesla vehicles.

“Grok is coming to Tesla vehicles very soon. Next week at the latest,” Musk said on social media platform X, in response to a post stating that Grok implementation on Teslas wasn’t announced on a Grok livestream Wednesday Southern border closed after parasite is found

The U.S. has closed its southern border again to livestock imports, saying a ﬂesh-eating parasite has moved farther north in Mexico than previously reported.

Mexico’s president was critical Thursday, suggesting that the U.S is exaggerating the threat to its beef industry from the parasite, the New World screwworm fly The female flies lay eggs in wounds on warm-blooded animals, hatching larvae that are unusual among flies for feeding on live flesh and fluids instead of dead material.

American officials worry that if the fly reaches Texas, its ﬂesh-eating maggots could cause large economic losses, something that happened decades ago.

The U.S. largely eradicated the pest in the 1970s by breeding and releasing sterile male ﬂies to breed with wild females, and the ﬂy had been contained in Panama for years until it was discovered in southern Mexico late last year

The U.S. closed its southern border in May to imports of live cattle, horses and bison but announced June 30 that it would allow three ports of entry to reopen this month and another two by Sept. 15. However, since then, an infestation from the ﬂy has been reported about 370 miles from the Texas border Ford recalls over 850K over fuel pump issues

NEW YORK Ford is recalling more than 850,000 of its cars across the U.S. because the low-pressure fuel pump inside the vehicles may fail and potentially cause an engine stall while driving, increasing crash risks.

The recall covers a wide range of Ford and Lincolnbranded vehicles made in recent model years That includes certain Ford Broncos, Explorers and F-150s, as well as Lincoln Aviators and Navigators documents published this week by the National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration note. Ford plans to send out notiﬁcation letters to affected owners starting Monday to warn of safety risks related to potential fuel pump failure. But a remedy is still “under development,” the NHTSA’s recall report notes.

Ferrero to buy Kellogg for $3B

Italian confectioner

to take over cereal brand

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN and MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writers

Italian confectioner Ferrero, known for brands like Nutella and Kinder, is buying the century-old U.S. cereal company WK Kellogg in an effort to expand its North American sales.

The Ferrero Group said Thursday it will pay $23 for each Kellogg share, or approximately $3.1 billion. The transaction includes WK Kellogg Co.’s six manufacturing plants and the marketing

and distribution of its breakfast cereals across the United States, Canada and the Caribbean.

Kellogg was founded in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1906 after its founder accidentally ﬁgured out how to make ﬂaked cereal while he was experimenting with granola. Kellogg still makes Corn Flakes, as well as Froot Loops, Special K, Frosted Flakes, Rice Krispies and other cereals.

Kellogg now has four U.S. plants, which are located in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Nebraska It also has a plant in Mexico and a plant in Canada. The company has around 3,000 employees.

The current company was

formed in 2023, when Kellogg snack brands like Cheez-Its and Pringles were spun into a separate company called Kellanova. M&M’s maker Mars Inc announced last year that it planned to buy Kellanova in a deal worth nearly $30 billion.

Ferrero Group, a privately held, family-owned company founded in Italy in 1946, has been trying to expand its U.S. footprint. In 2018 it bought Nestle’s U.S. candy brands, including Butterfinger Nerds and SweeTarts. In 2022, it bought Wells Enterprises, the maker of ice cream brands like Blue Bunny and Halo Top. Kellogg has been struggling with a long-term decline in U.S.

cereal consumption as consumers turned to protein bars, shakes and other breakfast items. Cereal sales got a bump during the coronavirus pandemic as more families stayed home, but sales continued to decline after the pandemic eased.

At the start of July, U.S. cold cereal sales were down 6% compared to the same period in 2022, according to market research company Nielsen IQ. Kellogg’s net sales fell 2% to $2.7 billion in 2024.

Once the transaction is complete, Kellogg’s stock will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the company will become a Ferrero subsidiary

AI tech device startup suing ex-employee over trade secrets

Company had previously sued Open AI, Jony Ive

BY MATT O’BRIEN AP technology writer

A secretive competition to pioneer a new way of communicating with artiﬁcial intelligence chatbots is getting a messy public airing as OpenAI ﬁghts a trademark dispute over its stealth hardware collaboration with legendary iPhone designer Jony Ive.

In the latest twist, tech startup iyO Inc., which already sued Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman for trademark infringement, is now suing one of its own former employees for allegedly leaking a conﬁdential drawing of iyO’s unreleased product.

At the heart of this bitter legal wrangling is a big idea: we shouldn’t need to stare at computer or phone screens or talk to a box like Amazon’s Alexa to interact with our future AI assistants in a natural way And whoever comes up with this new AI interface could proﬁt immensely from it.

OpenAI started to outline its own vision in May by buying io Products, a product and engineering company co-founded by Ive, in a deal valued at nearly $6.5 billion. Soon after, iyO sued for trademark infringement for the similar sounding name and because of the two ﬁrms’ past interactions.

U.S District Judge Trina Thompson ruled last month that iyO has a strong enough case to proceed to a hearing this fall. Until then, she ordered Altman, Ive and OpenAI to refrain from using the io brand, forcing them to take down the web page and all mentions of the venture.

A second lawsuit from iyO ﬁled this week in San Francisco Superior Court accuses a former iyO executive, Dan Sargent, of breach of contract and misappropriation of trade secrets over his meetings with another io co-founder Tang Yew Tan, a close Ive ally who led design of the Apple Watch.

Sargent left iyO in December and now works for Apple. He and Apple didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

“This is not an action we take lightly,” said iyO CEO Jason Rugolo in a statement Thursday “Our primary goal here is not to target a former employee whom we considered a friend, but to hold accountable those whom we believe preyed on him from a position of power.”

Rugolo told The Associated Press last month that he thought he was on the right path in 2022 when he pitched his ideas and showed off his prototypes to ﬁrms tied to Altman and Ive. Rugolo later publicly expanded on his earbud-like “audio computer” product in a TED Talk last year

chair

Budget director questions standards

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON White House budget director Russell Vought suggested in a Thursday letter that Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is in violation of government building rules in the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters. Vought, in a letter he shared on social media, called the initial renovation plans featuring rooftop terrace gardens, VIP dining rooms and premium marble an “ostentatious overhaul.” Vought

What he didn’t know was that soon after, Ive and Altman would begin quietly collaborating on their own AI hardware initiative and give it a similar name.

“I’m happy to compete on product, but calling it the same name, that part is just amazing to me. And it was shocking,” Rugolo said in an interview The new venture was revealed publicly in a May video announcement, and to Rugolo about two months earlier after he had emailed Altman with an investment pitch.

“thanks but im working on something competitive so will (respectfully) pass!” Altman wrote to Rugolo in March, adding in parentheses that it was called io.

Altman has dismissed iyO’s lawsuit on social media as a “silly, disappointing and wrong” move from a “quite persistent” Rugolo. Other executives in court documents have characterized the product Rugolo was pitching them as a failed one that didn’t work properly in a demo.

Altman said in a written declaration that he and Ive chose the “io” name two years ago in reference to the concept of “input/ output” that describes how a computer receives and transmits information. Neither io nor iyO was ﬁrst to play with the phrasing — Google’s big annual technology showcase is called I/O — but Altman said he and Ive acquired the io.com domain name in August 2023. The idea was “to create products that go

beyond traditional products and interfaces,” Altman said. “We want to create new ways for people to input their requests and new ways for them to receive helpful outputs, powered by AI.”

A number of startups have already tried, and mostly failed, to build gadgetry for AI interactions. The startup Humane developed a wearable pin that you could talk to, but it was poorly reviewed and the startup discontinued sales after HP acquired its assets earlier this year

Altman has suggested that io’s version could be different. He said in a now-removed video that he’s already trying a prototype at home that Ive gave him, calling it “the coolest piece of technology that the world will have ever seen.”

What Altman and Ive still haven’t said is what exactly it is. The court case, however, has forced their team to disclose what it’s not.

“Its design is not yet ﬁnalized, but it is not an in-ear device, nor a wearable device,” said Tan in a court declaration that sought to distance the venture from iyO’s product. It was that same declaration that led iyO to sue Sargent this week. Tan revealed in the ﬁling that he had talked to a “now former” iyO engineer who was looking for a job because of his frustration with “iyO’s slow pace, unscalable product plans, and continued acceptance of preorders without a sellable product.”

also suggested that Powell misled Congress by saying the headquarters had never had a serious renovation, saying that a 1999-2003 update of its roof and building systems counts as a “comprehensive” renovation. It appears part of a larger pressure campaign by the Trump administration to pressure the Fed chair into departing before his term ends in May 2026. Powell has declined to reduce interest rates until the U.S. central bank has a better understanding of the impact that President Donald Trump’s import tax hikes could have on inﬂation. Fed ofﬁcials did not respond to an email seeking a response to the

White House letter Powell said in Senate testimony last month that some of the elements in the 2021 plan such as the dining rooms and rooftop terraces are no longer part of the project for the 90-year-old Marriner S. Eccles Building. The Supreme Court said in May that it could block any attempts by the White House to dismiss Powell, noting as part of a separate ruling that the Fed “is a uniquely structured, quasi-private entity.” Trump said at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting that Powell “should resign immediately” and be replaced by someone who would lower rates, as the U.S. president believes that high inﬂation is no longer a risk to the U.S. economy

As Trump sees it, a rate cut would reduce the costs of government borrowing in ways that make mortgages, auto loans and other forms of consumer debt cheaper But a rate cut could also lead to more money flowing into the economy and push up inflation, worsening affordability as the financial markets ultimately determine the interest charged on the national debt. In Thursday’s letter, Vought sent Powell a series of questions about whether the renovation project complies with federal standards. Vought said that Powell’s testimony about changes to the 2021 plan “appears to reveal” that the renovation is not in compliance with the National Planning Capital Act.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

Jason Rugolo, founder and CEO of iyO, holds the motherboard of the iyO One audio computer

Khalil files $20M claim over his detention

BY JAKE OFFENHARTZ Associated Press

NEW YORK On a recent afternoon, Mahmoud Khalil sat in his Manhattan apartment, cradling his 10-week-old son as he thought back to the predawn hours spent pacing a frigid immigration jail in Louisiana, awaiting news of the child’s birth in New York.

For a moment, the outspoken Palestinian activist found himself uncharacteristically speechless.

“I cannot describe the pain of that night,” Khalil said ﬁnally, gazing down as the baby, Deen, cooed in his arms. “This is something I will never forgive.”

Now, weeks after regaining his freedom, Khalil is seeking restitution. On Thursday his lawyers ﬁled a claim for $20 million in damages against the Trump administration, alleging Khalil was falsely imprisoned, maliciously prosecuted and smeared as an antisemite as the government sought to deport him over his prominent role in campus protests.

havior and rhetoric” that threatened Jewish students.

Harsh conditions alleged

The filing accuses President Donald Trump and other ofﬁcials of mounting a haphazard and illegal campaign to “terrorize him and his family,” beginning with Khalil’s March 8 arrest.

On that night, he said he was returning home from dinner with his wife, Noor Abdalla, when he was “effectively kidnapped” by plainclothes federal agents, who refused to provide a warrant and appeared surprised to learn he was a legal U.S. permanent resident.

He was then whisked overnight to an immigration jail in Jena, a remote location that was “deliberately concealed” from his family and attorneys, according to the ﬁling.

Khalil, who has condemned antisemitism, was not accused of a crime and has not been linked to Hamas or any other terror group.

Deported for beliefs

A few weeks into his incarceration, Khalil was awoken by a fellow detainee, who pointed excitedly to his face on a jailhouse TV screen. A new memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged Khalil hadn’t broken the law, but argued he should be deported for beliefs that could undermine U.S. foreign policy interests. “My beliefs are not wanting my tax money or tuition going toward investments in weapons manufacturers for a genocide,” Khalil said. “It’s as simple as that.”

The goal, Khalil said, is to send a message that he won’t be intimidated into silence.

“They are abusing their power because they think

The ﬁling a precursor to a lawsuit under the Federal Tort Claims Act — names the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the State Department. It comes as the deportation case against Khalil, a 30-year-old recent graduate student at Columbia University, continues to wind its way through the immigration court system.

they are untouchable,” Khalil said. “Unless they feel there is some sort of accountability, it will continue to go unchecked.”

Khalil said he plans to share any settlement money with others targeted in Trump’s “failed” effort to suppress pro-Palestinian speech. In lieu of a settlement, he would also accept an ofﬁcial apology and

changes to the administration’s deportation policies.

A White House spokesperson deferred comment to the State Department, which said its actions were fully supported by the law In an emailed statement, Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, called Khalil’s claim “absurd,” accusing him of “hateful be-

Inside, Khalil said he was denied his ulcer medication, forced to sleep under harsh fluorescent lights and fed “nearly inedible” food, causing him to lose 15 pounds.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration celebrated the arrest, promising to deport him and others whose protests against Israel it dubbed “pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.”

On June 20, after 104 days in custody, Khalil was ordered released by a federal judge, who found the government’s efforts to remove him on foreign policy grounds were likely unconstitutional. He now faces new allegations of misrepresenting personal details on his green card application. In a motion ﬁled late Wednesday, attorneys for Khalil described those charges as baseless and retaliatory, urging a judge to dismiss them.

Netanyahu wraps up D.C. visit with little progress on Gaza

BY ELLEN KNICKMEYER, AAMER MADHANI and JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attended a memorial service Thursday for two slain Israeli Embassy staffers as he wrapped up a four-day visit to Washington in which talks with President Donald Trump, White House aides and lawmakers focused on ﬁnding a pathway to a ceaseﬁre deal in Gaza. But as Netanyahu gets set to head back to Israel, it is unclear if there was any breakthrough on sealing a Trumpbacked 60-day truce between Israel and Hamas, which the U.S. leader believes can lead

to a permanent end to the 21-month war in Gaza Netanyahu said in a video released Thursday that he is trying to wrap up the U.S.backed deal but stressed it will be “temporary” and would be aimed at releasing half of the 50 hostages remaining in Gaza many of them believed dead

The prime minister also underscored that in any potential ceaseﬁre agreement he will not budge from his fundamental demand that Hamas lay down its arms and no longer have any governing or military capabilities something the group so far has rejected

“These are our basic conditions,” Netanyahu said. “If this can be achieved through

negotiations — so much the better If it is not achieved through negotiations in 60 days, we will achieve it in other ways — by using force, the force of our heroic army.”

With his attendance at the memorial for the slain embassy staffers, Netanyahu once again sought to spotlight “antisemitic brutality” that Jews around the globe have faced as the Israeli Defense Forces have waged operations in Gaza.

Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, two colleagues who had been on the verge of getting engaged, were fatally shot May 22 as they were leaving a reception for young diplomats at Washington’s Capital

Jewish Museum. Sara Netanyahu the Israeli leader’s wife and a psychologist, signed a letter of condolence at the embassy, saying, “May their memory be blessed.” Family members of the two were among those attending the service, held at the Israeli embassy the prime minister’s ofﬁce said in a statement.

A suspect was arrested in the shootings and shouted “Free Palestine” as he was led away Charging documents said he later told police, “I did it for Palestine, I

did it for Gaza.”

U.S. ofﬁcials remain hopeful that restarting high-level negotiations — mediated by Egypt and Qatar and including White House envoy Steve Witkoff will happen soon and could bring progress.

“We’re closer than we’ve been in quite a while and we’re hopeful, but we also recognize there’s still some challenges in the way,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters while attending the annual Association of Southeast Asian Nations Regional Forum in

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Senior Trump administration officials, including Witkoff, met with Israeli Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer as well as Qatari ofﬁcials at the White House on Tuesday to discuss sticking points in the talks. This included Israel’s desire for its military to retain control over parts of Gaza during a potential 60-day truce, according to a White House ofﬁcial who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity

By The Associated Press

AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip

DEIR

European ofﬁcials struck a new deal with Israel to allow desperately needed food and fuel into Gaza, the European Union’s foreign policy chief said Thursday Thursday’s agreement could result in “more crossings open, aid and food trucks entering Gaza, repair of vital infrastructure and protection of aid workers,” said Kaja Kallas, the 27-member EU’s top diplomat. “We count on Israel to implement every measure agreed,” she said in a post on social media. Aid groups say Israeli military restrictions and recurring violence have made it difﬁcult to deliver assis-

tance in Gaza even after Israel eased its blockade in May. Experts have warned that the territory is at risk of famine, 21 months into the Israel-Hamas war Kallas said the deal would reactivate aid corridors from Jordan and Egypt and reopen community bakeries and kitchens across Gaza. She said measures would be taken to prevent the militant Hamas group from diverting aid.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar acknowledged the deal while attending a conference in Vienna, saying it came “following our dialogue with the EU.” He said the deal includes “more trucks, more crossings and more routes for the humanitarian efforts.”

Neither Saar not Kallas said whether the aid would go through the U.N.-run system or an alternative, U.S.and Israeli-backed mechanism that has been marred by violence and controversy.

Israeli strikes pounded the Gaza Strip overnight, killing at least 36 Palestinians, including 15 people waiting outside a medical clinic, local hospitals and aid workers said Thursday.

The Israeli military said one soldier was killed in Gaza.

Gaza’s Nasser Hospital reported a total of 21 deaths in airstrikes in the southern town of Khan Younis and the nearby coastal area of Muwasi. It said three children and their mother, as well as two other women, were among the dead.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

Pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and his wife, Dr Noor Abdalla, hold their baby Deen during an interview July 3 in New york.

Jeffries,House members blast‘big ugly bill’at town hall

BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer

“The big ugly bill.”

That’sthe term U.S. House DemocraticLeader

Hakeem Jeffries and four of his colleagues repeatedly used Thursday night i n NewOrleans as they took tu rn s blasting President Donald Trump’ssignature tax and spending measure, known by Republicans as the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Jeffries, Rep. Troy Carter,ofNew Orleans, and three other Democratic representatives said passage of the bill last week will take away health care for hundreds of thousands of Louisiana’smost vulnerable residents.

“Webelieve in an America wherehealth care is not simply available to the privileged few,” Jeffries told the crowd of several hundred.

“It is aright that should be available to every single American.”

Last Thursday,Jeffries broke the record for the longest House speech, nearly nine hours, as he inveighed against the bill.

Jeffries, Carter and the three others—Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, of Florida; Rep. Robin Kelly, of Illinois, and Nanette Barragan, of California are wastingnotime in taking the offensive against Trump’sbiggest domestic priority,passed by CongressonJuly 3and signed into law by the president the following day It extends the Trump tax cuts approved by Congress in 2017 and also temporarily cuts taxes on tips and overtime pay Wasserman Schultz noted that studies show the bill showers its biggest tax cuts on the wealthiest Americans.

The TaxPolicy Center at the middle-of-the-road Brookings Institution in Washington reports that someone who earns less than $34,600 per year will save about $150 in taxes. Those who earn between $460,000 and $1.1 million per year will save $21,000 on average.

To pay for aportion of the tax cuts, the bill reduces Medicaid spending by $1.1 trillion over 10 years. That means that over time, 267,550 peopleinLouisiana will lose their governmentsubsidized health care unless Louisiana lawmakers raise taxes or cut other spending programs to offset the revenue loss, accordingtothe Kaiser Family Foundation House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton,and

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise,R-Jefferson, playeda pivotal role in rounding up the votes to pass theOne Big Beautiful Bill. Theyportrayed the reduction in Medicaid as a way for the federal government to reduce waste, fraudand abuse, andthey have said the tax cuts will promoteinvestment and create jobs.

Amention of Johnson and Scalise on Thursday night elicited boos.

About 40% of Johnson’s constituents under 65 —he represents western Louisiana from Shreveport to Lake Charles —are on Medicaid,comparedwith 27% for Scalise’sdistrict Carter pointed outthat the Republican supermajority in the Louisiana Legislaturepassedaresolutionasking Congress not to slash Medicaidbecause thestate doesn’thave the money to restore the lost federal aidwithout raising taxes, ano-no in red Louisiana.

Cartersaid theloss of federal Medicaid dollars threatens33ruralhospitals in Louisiana.

He described the bill as “reverse Robin Hood, stealing for the poor and giving to the rich.”

TheRepublican bill also aims to reduce federal government spending for the foodassistance program knownasSNAP. The bill shifts administrative costs to states and requires most adults under 65 to work or volunteer for 80 hours amonth as acondition to continue.

In May,806,000 people in Louisiana —or about 17% of thepopulation —collected SNAP,accordingtothe state Department of Children and Family Services. The Republican move stands to undo much of what then-Gov.JohnBel Edwards did on his first day in ofﬁce when he extendedMedicaid to the working poor.That extended health care to morethan 500,000 Louisianaresidents Jeffries noted that the Medicaidcutswilltakeeffect afterthe November 2026 midtermelections, whichhesaid“wasnot a coincidence.”

“We’re going to show up and stand up and speak up,” Jeffries said, “until we get this bill reversed and end the national nightmare.”

Carter followed up on Jeffries’ theme, saying,“If Democrats were incontrol and this man was speaker, we would be talking about something else.”

Wasserman Schultz noted that Republicanshold only afour-seat advantageinthe House.

Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate com.

Washington Sr., Tyronne

Tyronne Washington Sr entered into eternalrest onThursday,June 26, 2025 Son of thelateDorothy Washington; Brotherofthe lateGregoryWashington, Karen Washington, ShedrickWashingtonSr. (Quinita),KirkWashington (Angela); father of Tyrone WashingtonJr(Deandra), grandfather of Azayah Laurenand Ra’mon;uncle ofShedrickJr.,Maria Washingtonand Valerie Barney; Nephew of Saman‐tha Washington,Cynthia Washington, Ernestine Ellezy(James) andthe late Frank Washington Sr., Leonard Washington Sr TheodoreWashington, Ed‐wardWashington, John Washington, Patricia Washingtonand Gerry Washington, anddevoted friendPatriciaAugustine Alsosurvivedbya host of other relativesand friends. Relatives andfriends of the family; andemployees of The OrleansLevee Board, Harrah'sNew Orleans Casino, nowknown as Cae‐sars, andthe NewOrleans Fairgroundsand Racetrack are invitedtoattend the FuneralService on Satur‐day,July12, 2025 beginning 10:00 a.m. at Littlejohn Fu‐neral Home,2163 Aubry Street,Apostle Lucian But‐ler,ofﬁciating. Parlor visi‐tationfrom9:00a.m.until the hour of service. Inter‐mentHoltCemetery. Pro‐fessional ServiceEntrusted to: Littlejohn Funeral Home, 2163 AubryStreet Cal K.Johnson,FuneralDi‐rector/Manager, Info:(504) 940-0045.

DEATHS continued from Williams (Avarell),Wayne Williams andTerry Hus‐band; sevengrandchildren, Zariah, Corey, Sedrione Trinity,Shedra, Sanaiand Ti’yea; great-grandsons, Cazmirand CasaiMuse, as wellasa host of nieces nephews,other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, Aliceisalso precededindeath by a brother,MitchellWilliams; nephew, Leguster Williams;daughter, Angel Williams anda grand‐daughter, AngelWilliams. A Celebrationservice hon‐oring thelifeand legacy of the late AliceLoisWilliams willbeheldatBethel A.M.E.Church,1437 Fats DominoAvenue,New Or‐leans,LA70117 on Satur‐day,July12, 2025 at 12 noon.Interment Resthaven MemorialPark, 10400 Old GentillyRoad, NewOr‐leans,LA70127. Visitation 11aminthe church.A RepastwillbeheldatSt. David Church Gym, 1430 FatsDominoAvenue,New Orleans,LA70117 from 3 pmto6 pm.Pleasesignon‐lineguestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Charbonnet LabatGlapion, Directors (504) 581-4411.

AliceLoisWilliams peacefullyentered eternal lifeatthe ageof66onSun‐day,June 29, 2025 at East Jefferson Hospital,8:15pm after losing herbattleto lung cancer.She wasborn tothe union of thelate Henry “Hunchie” Husband and Rose Mary Young on March 15, 1959 in NewOr‐leans,LA, where shespent all herlife. AliceLoishad faith andbegan herChrist‐ian life at Little Bethel AME Church,where shewas baptized. Shetook pridein being acaregiver to her children, grandchildren, familyand community Alice enjoyedcooking, dancing,karaoke,watch‐ing Lifetime,Steve Harvey Showand oldcowboy movies. Shealsoloved to talkand nevermet a stranger. Shewas apartici‐pantatPACEGreater New Orleans.Mrs.Williams leavestocherish precious memories, herlovinghus‐band, Johnny"JohnnyBoy" Quillens,Jr.;children, Winoka Banks-Ross (Michael),Shedric Williams (Tanya),Jonas Williams and JohnnyWilliams (Yashika);siblings, Paulette Sims (Wallace), Claudia Williams,Miranda Hamlet (David), Bernard

where herwarmthand skill touched countless children and colleagues alike. She retired in 2006. Devoted motherofTheaand LawrenceWilliams, Jr; proud grandmotherofKer‐rigan Caston,Thea, James, Sr.,Lawrence, IV,Lauren and Lawrence Terrence Williams;great-grand‐motherofAlexisJackson, Knima,Kwesand James Williams,Jr.,Bruce Smith, Jr.,Alana andMilanCas‐ton.Alsosurvivedbya hostofother relativesand friends.Inaddition to her parents,Williebea is also precededindeath by her siblings, Audrey,Ora Lee, Flora LeeJulie,Odell,Fatell and ahostofniecesand nephews.A Celebration service honoring thelife and legacy of thelate WilliebeaWilliamswillbe heldatLifeCenterCathe‐dral, 2100 Ames Blvd., Mar‐rero, LA,onSaturday, July 12, 2025 at 10 am.Inter‐mentPrivate.Visitation9 aminthe Cathedral. Please signonlineguestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralho me.com. Charbonnet Labat Glapion,Directors (504)581 4411.

WilliebeaWilliamswas borninNew Orleans, LA on December4,1945, to the lateLucienand Ethel Causey. Shetransitioned peacefullyonWednesday July2,2025, leavingbehind a legacy of faith,family and service. Williebea’s journey wasrooted in a strongfoundationoffaith and resilience.She com‐mittedher life to Christ at anearly age, embodying unwaveringdevotionand lovefor herSavior. Herde‐votionextendedbeyond her spiritualwalk—she dedicated herlifetonour‐ishingothers, workingtire‐lesslywiththe Orleans ParishSchool Boardinthe culinary department,

It is with heavyhearts thatweannouncethe passing of WandaJ.Young age 65, who departed this lifepeacefully on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana.She spent her life exemplifying strength, kindness, andde‐termination.The battles through life wasnot easy but shemarkedeachbattle withresilience,grace,and a deep appreciation for life, with everymoment she spenthereonEarth She wasthe loving daugh‐ter of thelateRuthand JosephYoung,Sr. Shewas the sister of Rose Marie Franklin, Gerald Young (He‐lena),and thelateJoseph Young,Jr. (Paulette). De‐votedmotherofMirodello

Ashford, Jr.(Shanita) Danielle L. Ashfordand Gregory J. Ashford(Ashia) Lovinggranddaughter of the late CharlotteBean, JosephAlexander,Minnie and Joseph Young.Wanda isalsosurvivedbyher 11 grandchildren,Herbert IV, Mirodello III, Derbert, Deishawn, Freddie, Aus‐tralia, My’Rion, Gabrielle Dalis,Gabrianna,Gabriela, and onegreat grandchild Honor anda host of nieces, nephews,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also pastors,ofﬁcers,and members of Second Beth‐lehem BaptistChurch,also employees of ReliantEn‐tergy,Houston MetroBus OceanaRestaurant, Am‐trak, Loving Hearts of LA BehaviorHealth& PCASer‐vices,Got-Junk,Med Line, and AWGare invitedtoat‐tenda FuneralService at D.W.RhodesFuneral Home 3933 Washington Ave.,New Orleans,LA70125 on Satur‐day,July12, 2025 at 9:00 am. Visitation will beginat 8:00amuntil 9:00 am.In‐terment:ProvidenceCeme‐tery, Metairie,LA. Arrange‐ments entrustedtoD.W RhodesFuneral Home,3933 WashingtonAve., NewOr‐leans,LA70125. Herstory may have come to aclose, but shewillbeforever and alwaysinour hearts of all who knew andloved her. May thelifeI have lived speak forme. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook, share memories,and con‐dolenceswiththe family. RepasstofollowatMaison Blanche Venue, 10040 I-10 Service Road,New Orleans, LA70127.

warm bath,orenjoy aconvenientrefreshingshower whileseatedorstanding with

Jeffries

Young,Wanda J.

Williams,Williebea

NEWS 24/7 ON

Williams,Alice Lois

NOLA.COM | Friday, July 11, 2025 1BN

New Orleans mayor’s race shapes up

Candidates file paperwork in second qualifying day

BY SOPHIE KASAKOVE Staff writer

All four major candidates who have vowed to run for the New Orleans mayor’s race are officially in the game, after state Sen. Royce Duplessis on Thursday filed his paperwork to enter the high-profile political contest.

Duplessis, D-New Orleans, joins retired Criminal District Court

Judge Arthur Hunter and City Council members Helena Moreno and Oliver Thomas in the competitive race for the executive seat. He was one of three candidates to sign up on Thursday for that job; Eileen Carter, who led a failed recall of Mayor LaToya Cantrell in 2023,

also qualiﬁed for the race.

The three-day qualifying period marks the end of months of speculation over who would throw their hat in the ring for the city’s top post, as well as for other positions, such as sheriff and New Orleans City Council. The ﬁelds for those races will be set on Friday

“The people of New Orleans are

ready for a change,” Duplessis said after signing up for the seat.

“We have to build a city that’s going to keep people in the city We’re

RAINy DAy STROLL

losing people every day.” Duplessis, who abruptly reversed his earlier decision to stay out of the mayor’s race at the end of last month, said that his priorities as mayor would be economic development, housing and infrastructure.

He said he changed course because “people felt like they were being asked to compromise, that

Olivia Greene walks Thursday under the canopy of trees along Lelong Drive in front of the New Orleans Museum of Art as thunderstorms roll through the area.

Council overrides mayor’s $20M Charity veto

Money had been pledged for Tulane to renovate abandoned hospital

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

The New Orleans City Coun-

cil voted Thursday to override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto of $20 million for renovations to the hulking Charity Hospital site,

blasting the veto in a meeting that showcased deepening political rancor between the council and mayor in the waning months of Cantrell’s leadership.

The unanimous vote marked at least the second time the panel has jettisoned a mayoral veto during Cantrell’s second term.

During the meeting, every member of the council criticized Cantrell for rejecting legislation containing the $20 million pledge.

“I don’t understand why things that are common sense and are good for the people of this city

end up having to be so hard,” said council Vice President Helena Moreno, who has criticized Cantrell’s leadership in appearances for her own mayoral campaign. Frustrations aired in the meeting underscore a dynamic that appears to have escalated inside City Hall as the current council and Cantrell near the ends of their current terms: Council members routinely accuse the mayor of mismanagement and playing petty politics, while Cantrell has met attacks on her political pow-

er from the council by trying to sink its members’ priorities. That dynamic dominated the debate over the $20 million pledge for Charity Hospital.

The city promised that money to Tulane University for the school’s efforts to turn the hospital, abandoned since Hurricane Katrina, into a new research center, university officials announced in June. The money formed part of a settlement that sprang from a yearslong fight over the city’s

BY EMILY WOODRUFF

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

More than a year after a shooting outside of a Marrero home left a man in critical condition, Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Ofﬁce

has made an arrest. Chris Shorty 31, of Harvey was arrested Tuesday and booked with attempted second-degree murder,

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN MCCUSKER

Duplessis Carter

Gayle Benson’s beloved Yorkie Petey, king of Barkus, dies

Terrier passed away July 1 of kidney disease

BY ANNETTE SISCO Staff writer

Master Petey Benson, a Yorkshire terrier who belonged to Saints owner Gayle Benson and reigned in March as King Barkus XXXII, has died, the board of the all-canine Mardi Gras krewe announced Thursday “Petey was known not just for his royal title, but for his larger-than-life personality, conﬁdent, ﬁercely loyal, utterly adorable, and unapologetically himself,” the announcement from the

board stated. Contacted by text, Benson confirmed that Petey had died. The cause of death, on July 1, was kidney disease, she said. Petey, who was 12, was adopted by the Bensons when he was 2. The Bensons were looking for a pup at the time, and Tom had a large dog in mind. Gayle had other ideas. “I’ve always had Yorkies, so it was the breed I was familiar with,” Gayle Benson said in February. “A breeder I was introduced to had two wonderful Yorkies, a brother and sister who she didn’t want to separate, so I bought both dogs.” Lucy, the female, was a show dog, and Petey kept her company, Benson said.

Petey had a personality larger than his 8 pounds, and believed he was much bigger than his size, Benson said. He loved posing for the camera and dressing up for any occasion, she added. In 2022, Petey and Lucy were attacked by their neighbors’ unleashed dogs as Benson was walking the pair on Audubon Place, near her home.

Lucy was killed, and Petey was badly injured. Benson later sued the neighbors, pledging to donate any award to charity

After that, on the advice of his vet, Petey was never left alone. A full-time nanny kept him company when Benson had to be away, and even rode with the royal Yorkie

in Barkus on March 9.

The 2025 Barkus parade boasted more than 1,500 registered members — costumed dogs and their people who rolled from Armstrong Park through the French Quarter to the theme “Vanity Fur: Barkus Rules the Runway.”

The event helps raise money for animal shelters throughout the Gulf South, and King Petey’s star appeal brought in record-breaking donations of more than $200,000, according to the Barkus board.

Said Benson, by text: “He was a very special little man, the apple of my eye he is sadly missed.”

Leslie Cardé contributed to this story

Livingston man gets life in death of state trooper, relative

BY CHRISTOPHER CARTWRIGHT Staff writer

A Livingston man who murdered a Louisiana State Police trooper and a Prairieville woman in 2021 was sentenced to two life sentences with an additional 348 years in prison after taking a plea deal. Matthew Mire, 34, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of ﬁrst-degree murder for the killings of Master Trooper Adam Gaubert and 37-year-old Pamela Adair in separate shootings, according to the plea agreement filed in the 23rd Judicial District Court in Ascension Parish.

RACE

Continued from page 1B

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted first-degree murder in Ascension Parish. In his signed plea agreement, he also admitted to counts of attempted first-degree murder in shooting two of his neighbors in Livingston Parish.

Mire, who was found mentally fit to stand trial last year, potentially faced the death penalty if he had not agreed to the plea deal and his case had instead gone before a jury

Mire’s attorney, Kerry Cuccia, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday A spokesperson for the 23rd Judicial District Attorney’s

they were being force-fed candidates that didn’t represent all the hopes and aspirations that this city has to offer.”

Meanwhile Carter, a former social media manager for Cantrell who went on to lead an effort to recall her, said she signed up because no one running is up to snuff.

“We need a native, we need someone who loves New Orleans, and we need someone who knows our people,” said Carter, who is a daughter of Ken Carter founder of the Black political organization BOLD, which has its roots in Central City

She is also a sister of former state Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, who was sentenced in 2023 to nearly two years in federal prison for taking more than $140,000 from the state Democratic Party’s coffers. Peterson has since been released and was active last year at the Democratic

VETO

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Ofﬁce did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Mire’s string of shootings began around midnight on Oct. 9, 2021, when he broke into a French Settlement trailer home and shot his neighbors. He then ran through the woods and stole a truck from another residence before driving to Ascension Parish.

Gaubert was writing reports while sitting in his patrol car near the intersection of Airline and Jefferson highways in Prairieville when Mire ambushed and killed him. Mire then drove less than a mile and shot two relatives, killing Adair A multiparish manhunt

started around 5 a.m. after Mire ﬁred at another trooper who tried to pull him over in Prairieville Gaubert was found dead in his car about 12 hours into the manhunt.

A Louisiana State Police SWAT team arrived at an abandoned house on Hoo Shoo Too Road after hearing Mire was hiding there, according to an arrest report.

“LSP SWAT drove their Bearcat vehicle down a long driveway to the residence and Mire was waiting under the carport at the front of the residence,” troopers wrote in the report.

The report stated Mire ﬁred about four rounds and ran inside the house, where he fired more rounds and

ran out the back door into a “wooded and swampy area.” The manhunt continued through those woods and ended with Mire in handcuffs, largely unharmed, after 10 p.m. Mire faced a slew of charges in both Ascension and Livingston parishes, with the first-degree murder counts in Ascension. On Thursday, he also pleaded guilty in Ascension Parish to one count each of illegal use of weapons, home invasion, aggravated ﬂight from an ofﬁcer, attempted armed robbery and illegal possession of stolen things worth more than $5,000 but less than $25,000. He also admitted to home

invasion, theft of a motor vehicle and simple burglary charges in Livingston Parish on the plea agreement, though those charges weren’t handled at the Ascension court hearing. Judge Jason Verdigets sentenced him according to the plea stipulation, including the recommendation that Mire serve the sentence at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola in West Feliciana Parish. The plea agreement also places additional conditions, including agreeing not to seek post-conviction relief and not seeking to write books, speak to the media or make ﬁlms about his crimes for monetary gain.

National Convention.

She joins the competition against another BOLD stalwart, Thomas, a protégé of BOLD leader and former City Council member Jim Singleton. Attempts to reach a BOLD representative about potential endorsements Thursday were unsuccessful.

Russell Butler, who works in engineering and construction, also signed up to run for mayor

Though no one new signed up for the Orleans Parish sheriff’s race Thursday the City Council races drew more challengers, as did the race for Orleans Parish assessor

Nathaniel Jones, who previously ran an unsuccessful campaign for mayor in 2021, ﬁled paperwork to run for the City Council seat Thomas will be vacating in District E, as did the Rev Richard Bell. Casius Pealer and Earl Schmitt ﬁled to run against incumbent Assessor Errol Williams.

The day was otherwise sleepy, after a ﬂurry of candidates signed up Wednesday, the ﬁrst day of qualifying.

Here is the list of candidates who have qualified in New Orleans so far:

MAYOR

n Helena Moreno, D

n Oliver Thomas, D

n Arthur Hunter D

n Royce Duplessis, D

n Renada Collins, NP

n Frank Janusa, R

n Tyrell Morris, D

n Richard “Ricky”Twiggs, I

n Eileen Carter, NP

n Russell Butler, NP

AT-LARGE COUNCIL, DIVISION 1

n Delisha Boyd, D

n Matthew Willard, D

n Matthew “Matt” Hill, R

AT-LARGE COUNCIL, DIVISION 2

n JP Morrell (incumbent), D

n Gregory Manning D

CANDIDATE LIST

COUNCIL DISTRICT A

n Holly Friedman, D

n Aimee McCarron, D

n Robert “Bob” Murrell, NP

COUNCIL DISTRICT B

n Lesli Harris (incumbent), D

COUNCIL DISTRICT C

n Freddie King III (incumbent), D

n Kelly Foster D

n Jackson Kimbrell, NP

COUNCIL DISTRICT D

n Eugene Green (incumbent), D

n Belden “Noonie Man” Batiste, D

n Leilani Heno, NP

COUNCIL DISTRICT E

n Jason Hughes, D

n Cyndi Nguyen, D

n Jon D. Johnson, D

n Danyele Christmas, D

n Willie Morgan, D

n Nathaniel Jones, I

n Jonathan Anthony Roberts, NP

n Richard Bell, D

SHERIFF

n Michelle Woodfork, D

n Edwin Shorty, D

n Ernest Lee, R ASSESSOR

n Erroll Williams (incumbent), D n Casius Pealer, D n Earl Schmitt, R CORONER

n Dwight McKenna (incumbent), D

CIVIL DISTRICT COURT CLERK

n Chelsey Richard Napoleon (incumbent), D

CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURT CLERK

n Darren Lombard (incumbent), D n Valencia Miles, NP.

right to $9 million generated annually by oil-rich land along Louisiana’s coast. The late philanthropist Edward Wisner donated that land to New Orleans in 1914. Cantrell has long sided with Wisner’s heirs in the winding dispute, ﬁghting to preserve a revenue-sharing agreement that the City Council and multiple judges contend improperly gave the heirs and other beneﬁciaries, including Tulane, outsized shares of those proceeds.

comments before voting to override the veto.

The $20 million pledge would cover just a fraction of the project’s $650 million price tag Cantrell’s veto letter said she was rejecting the money because it would slash funding from other badly needed city projects She called the award an attempt from the council to usurp her authority On Thursday, council members blasted that reasoning in brief but scathing

“It is one of the last visible signs of a lack of recovery (from Katrina) in the city,” council member Joe Giarrusso, who brought the motion to override the veto, said of Charity Hospital. “We have a problem. We can continue to let it rot or we can ﬁnd a solution.”

Council member Oliver Thomas, who is also running for mayor and has thrown barbs at some council members for attacking Cantrell, rejected another of the mayor’s arguments against

giving Tulane the money — that doing so would open the city up to legal recrimination from people awaiting payment from a long list of unpaid city judgments.

“All the lawyers agree it’s a settlement, not a judgment,” Thomas said of the Tulane pledge. “Period.”

Acrimony betwe en Cantrell and the council flared again minutes later in Thursday’s meeting when the council voted to repeal an emergency declaration Cantrell ﬁled this week.

That measure sought to allow the mayor to install

her preferred sanitation contractor in the French Quarter and Downtown Development District — part of a winding political saga that has pitted Cantrell against French Quarter residents and business interests, who want to see the current sanitation contractor, IV Waste, stay on the job. Thomas was the lone “no” vote on the measure to repeal the emergency declaration. Giarrusso recused himself because a law ﬁrm he works for represents Henry Consulting, the company Cantrell wants to hire.

Continued from page 1B

District Judge Christopher Cooper in Washington, D.C., dismissed the case after ﬁnding the insurer’s claims were not legally sufﬁcient to move forward.

The judge said the insurance company did an “about face” when it didn’t get the score it wanted, ﬁrst asking the government to include certain data in its rating calculation, then arguing that same data shouldn’t count once the result came back lower than expected.

The lawsuit is one of several ﬁled by insurance companies who saw their ratings drop this year Blue Cross ofﬁcials did not respond to a request for comment or say if the company will appeal.

“The idea is pretty good: If you provide higher quality by several measures, then you can be paid more,” said Walter Lane, a health economist at the University of New Orleans. “But evidently, they didn’t like the way Blue Cross submitted the data and they got a lower rating than they wanted.”

Why did Blue Cross sue?

Blue Cross of Louisiana combined two of its Medicare Advantage plans in 2024 under one of the plan’s existing contracts. The nowdefunct plan had offered a special program for people with serious health needs. After the merged plan initially received a 3.5-star rating, Blue Cross asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to include quality data from the old special-needs plan, believ-

ing that would boost its overall score. CMS agreed. But the special program earned three stars, which ended up pulling the new plan’s rating down instead of raising it. In its complaint, Blue Cross called CMS’s approach “rigid and unreasonable” and said the agency unfairly penalized the plan. The judge differed. In his ruling, he wrote that letting the company remove the data would let insurers game the system. CMS said including the data was in line with federal rules designed to prevent insurers from inﬂating their ratings after merging plans.

The star-rating system

Medicare Advantage plans are a type of private insurance that people can select instead of regular Medicare. The federal government

gives each plan a rating from one to ﬁve stars, based on up to 40 performance measures, such as ease of getting medication, cancer screenings, chronic illness management and whether people are happy with the plan.

Plans with ratings of four stars and above get bonus payments meant to reward insurers for providing better care. But fewer plans hit that four-star mark this year, according to the CMS, which means they lost out on those payments.

The ratings system, implemented under the Affordable Care Act in 2012, has been criticized by some groups. The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, an nonpartisan legislative branch agency, said in a report this year that the star ratings include too many measures, don’t account for

patients with greater social and health needs, and give one rating to contracts that may cover very different plans.

The exact amount lost by BCBS, which operates the Blue Advantage HMO Medicare Advantage plan, was not speciﬁed in the lawsuit.

But those payments can potentially be large. Medicare Advantage plans receiving over four stars this year received an average annual bonus of $372 per enrollee, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield plan is one of the nation’s largest, serving 30,000 people in Louisiana, according to ruling.

Will this affect patients?

For customers in Louisiana with a Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plan,

Continued from page 1B

of drug possession and one count of drug possession with the intent to distribute. When arrested, Shorty was in possession of a gun, marijuana, ecstasy and other drugs, authorities said.

Shorty was being held Wednesday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. Bail was set at $550,000.

the ruling won’t likely mean changes, at least not at ﬁrst, Lane said. But it could affect the company “Some people may shop around and say, ‘I want to sign up with (a plan that has) ﬁve stars,’” Lane said. “So they might lose some customers.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Gayle Benson holds His Majesty XXXII, King Petey Benson, on Feb 21 during the Mystic Krewe of Barkus royal luncheon at Galatoire’s in New Orleans. The yorkshire terrier died July 1, according to Gayle Benson.

Daniels, Jacqueline

Jackson, Van Adams, Clarence

Adams, Shirley

Andrews, Keith

Barzon, Marie

River Parish

Atkinson, Deborah Davis, Rickey Baptiste,Reginald

Hobson BrownFH St Bernard CharbonnetLabat

Berlin Sr., Daniel Eugene,Shelia BlumeJr.,Rudolph

Boyd, Luther Burns, Gretta

St Tammany EJ Fielding

Daniels, Jacqueline Berlin Sr., Daniel Davis, Linda Davis, Linda Davis, Rickey

Delatte,Laura

Egana, Frank

grandchildren: Dr. Ronnie Adams II (Felicia); Angelle Adams (JerryBrown); Terronce Richardson (Angela); KaaronBriscoe; PatrickBriscoe (Zabada); Trenice Houston; Gill HoustonJr.;RandiLynn Adams Morgan (Ariane); Ryian Adams-Llopis; two bonus grandchildrenand a host of great-grandchildren and great-greatgrandchildrenaswellas twobrothers, threesisters, twobrothers-in-law and one sister-in-law; and a host of relatives and friends.Memorial services willbeheldatGreenoaks FuneralHomeand Memorial Park 9595 Florida Blvd, Baton Rouge, LA 70815 in theCamellia Room on Saturday,July12, 2025, at 11am. Visitation willalso be held in the Camellia Room from9am -11am. Repast to follow at N-Joy Event Center 3330 Woodcrest Dr, Baton Rouge LA 70814.

Fitch,Anna Meridith,Minnie Foster Jr., Thomas Smith,Robert Andrews, KeithEdward

Garrett, Rychon

Guidry,Robert Schouest Sr., Dudley Jackson, Van Johnson, Gregory Manuel, Pauline Manuel, Pauline Rapp, Clinton Martin,Jacqueline Martin Bruce, Hazel Adams, Clarence

McMillian, Iretta

Meridith,Minnie

O'Brien, Patrick Ramsey,Irene

Rapp, Clinton

Schouest Sr., Dudley Smith,Robert TooleJr.,Rex Troxclair,Gail Washington Sr., Tyronne Williams,Alice Williams,Williebea Young, Wanda

EJefferson Garden of Memories

With sadnessweshare thepassing of Clarence Adams, on June 26, 2025. Please visitwww.rhodesf uneral.com to view service information, sign online guestbook,send ﬂowers andshare condolences.

his mother, Bethlehem KottesAndrews, his sister SharonLeslie Andrews (Hans Sinha), and his nieces and nephew Alexandra Grace Sinha, Mia Kerstin Sinha,and AndersPatiSinha,and his beloveddog Annie. Visitationwillbeheldat Lakelawn Metairie Funeral Home, Saturday, July12, 2025, beginningat10:00 a.m.,followedbya funeral serviceat12:00 p.m. for all who wish to celebrate his life.Family intermentwill be held in Greenwood Cemetery.Inlieuofflowers, thefamily requests memorial giftstothe American CancerSociety, Holy TrinityGreek Orthodox Cathedral, or the charity of your choice.To view and sign theonline guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

andthe late Kelvin Roy Baptiste,WillisRay Bap‐tiste, Jr., ValerieBaptiste, DebraLandix, andArcenia Whitten. Also cherishing hismemoriesare ahostof nieces,nephews,cousins, otherrelatives andfriends Relativesand friendsofthe family areinvited to attend theCelebration of Life at DavisMortuaryService, 6820 Westbank Express‐way, Marrero, LA on Satur‐day, July 12, 2025, at 10:00a.m. Visitation will beginat8:30a.m.until ser‐vice time at theabovenamedparlor. Interment: Restlawn Park CemeteryAvondale,LA. To view and sign theguestbook,please go to www.davismortua ryservice.com. Face Masks AreRecommended.

Barzon,Marie Louise Thomas

May 1996, andthenelected as Chairman of theBoard in May2014. Upon hisre‐tirement from theBoard,in appreciation forDan’s ded‐icated service, theBoard appointedDan as Chair‐manEmeritus. Mass of Christianburialwillbe held at St.Benedict Catholic Church,20370 SmithRd, Covington, LA 70435, on Saturday,July12, 2025 at 11:00 AM andthe visitation will be from 9:00 AM to 11 AM.Interment will follow theservice at PinecrestMemorialGar‐dens,2280 West 21st Ave, Covington, LA 70433. In lieu of ﬂowers, donationsmay be made to St.Benedict’s building fund or Mass In‐tentions.E.J.FieldingFu‐neralHomehas been en‐trustedwithfuneral arrangements.Pleasesign theguestbook at www.ejf ieldingfh.com.

BlumeJr.,Rudolph O.

NewOrleans Boyd Family

Charbonnet

BlumeJr.,Rudolph Guidry,Robert Atkinson, Deborah Egana, Frank Martin,Jacqueline

McMillian, Iretta Williams,Alice Williams,Williebea

DW Rhodes

Adams, Clarence Barzon, Marie Boyd, Luther Burns, Gretta Delatte,Laura Garrett, Rychon

Young, Wanda

Estelle JWilson

Ramsey,Irene

Gertrude Geddes

Foster Jr., Thomas

Greenwood

Fitch,Anna

JacobSchoen

Johnson, Gregory O'Brien, Patrick

Lake Lawn Metairie

Andrews, Keith

Littlejohn FH

TooleJr.,Rex Troxclair,Gail Washington Sr., Tyronne NewOrleans Area

Shirley MaeSanders Adams was bornMarch4, 1933,inBurdette, MS to the late Nathaniel Sanders,Sr. andEviaClemonts Sanders. Shewas the second childofeight children born to the union. Sheassumedthe role of the ultimate family matriarch as she was blessed with a longlife. Early in life she professed herfaithin Christ.She livedbythe awarenessofgood courage,faith, andlove of God. Sheloved herfamily Shedeparted this life on June 28, 2025, atthe ageof 92.She received her early education in the public schools graduating from Breisch High School, Leland, MS in 1951. She furthered her education at Alcorn A&M College- 195153, Lorman, MS.; she received aBSdegreein Accountingfrom Southern University at NewOrleans1971.In1973, she began her career workingfor the City of New Orleans and retired in1995asCity AccountantIII. Shewas married to herlate husband, LouisAdams Jr,for more thansixty-two years before he passed away. Thisunionwas blessed with fivechildren -one son and fourdaughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nathaniel and Evia Sanders,Sr.; her husband, LouisAdams,Jr.;her son, Ronnie LaSalle Adams;her daughter,Terri Lynn Adams Houston; her oldest brotherand sisterin-law, George Sanders (Frances);and her sister, Barbara Sanders Williams. Sheleavestocherishher beautiful memories of a well-livedlife: Pamela Adams Briscoe of Fayetteville, GA; CassandraAdams Coley (David) of Locust Grove GA;Shelita Adams of Atlanta, GA; daughter-inlaw, PaulaWoodsAdams (ArthurAllen); son-in-law, Gill Houston, Sr.;nine

KeithEdwardAndrews, owner of Apolline Restaurant, attorney, CPA and founder of Desire Title Company,diedSaturday July5,2025, at age 60 after abrief illness, surrounded by family and friends Keith livedhis passions as asailor, musician,cyclist Rolling Elvi, tinkerer, and restaurateur and was known forhis deep devotion to his many friends A1983 graduateofDeLa SalleHighSchool,Keith received his accounting degree fromthe Universityof Texas, where he was a member of Pi KappaAlpha fraternity, and was a1996 graduateofLoyolaLaw School, where he was on theLaw Review Board Keith was amember of the University of Texas sailing team, madehis campaign for the1988 Olympic sailing team, and traveled the world racing regattas in Spain, Israel, and Ireland as amember UnitedStates Sailing Team. Amember for42years, he served on theGoverning Board of the Southern YachtClub.Keith was amember and sponsor of theNew Orleans Bicycle Club,the Tour de Louisiane, and by extension,the Louisianaracing communityfor many years. Ahardcore cyclist Keith competed in the2010 OchsnerIronman competition. Known as "Stoker Ace",Keith shared hisexpertise withhis cycling buddies.Keith was among theveryfirst Memphis Mafia of theKrewe of Rolling Elvi and was alwaystherefix ascooter, help with an event or pass on akindword. An avid musician,Keith played the trumpet in theDeLaSalle band, with fellowlawyer band "The Soul Practitioners", with Syc-AMoe's Dixieland JassBand at the2005 Jazz Fest,and managed musicians. Always atinkerer, Keith had apassion forbuilding and flying modelplanes, rockets, and cars with his nieces, nephew and godchildren, and repairing vintage watches and the Apolline kitchen equipment.A horticulture hobbyist, he cultivated orchids and grafted citrus trees. On Memorial Day Weekends, Keith would be found at Holy TrinityGreek Orthodox Cathedral, helping withthe Annual Greek Festival,dancing, and participating in the revelry

Keith started hiscareer as an accountant beginning each morning surfing thePacificinHuntington Beach, California. Unfortunately, his surfing talents didnot translate to the"waves" of South Louisianawhen he returned home to practice as aCPA withBourgeois Bennett, and then as a maritime attorney with Chaffe McCall. In 2004, Keithstarted hisown law firm and then Desire Title Company. But it was Apolline that allowed Keith theopportunitytoflexhis creativity, entertainand enjoy his employees, friends and guests.His capacity forspreading joy, kindness,compassion, humor,and sharing of his vast knowledge knew no boundsand he willbe missed dearly. Keith was predeceased by hisfather, William Edward Andrews, Jr. He is survivedbyhis son Grant hi h hl h

DeborahAtkinson, affec‐tionatelyknown as “Deb,” passed away peacefully at home on July 7, 2025, sur‐rounded by herloved ones after acourageousbattle with cancer.She waspre‐cededindeath by herpar‐ents,Donaldand Ethel Atkinson;her brother, Ronald Atkinson;and her sister,Shirley Patterson Sheleavestocherish her memories to herthree chil‐dren:Rodney, Jayda, and Ernest;seven grandchil‐dren:Joseph, Lareal, Lovelle,Jr.,Vaj,Alexis, China, Rodney,Jr.,Eva,and Enarhi;and ﬁve greatgrandchildren: herbeloved Lacey, JaCorey, Brailynn, Jakai, andZorian. Deborah is also survived by hersib‐lings: Donald (Katrina), Carolyn, Donnette,Evelyn, andWanda;her devoted partner, Willie RayBrister; in-laws: Barbara(Keith) Terry (Alicia),and stepson Willie III (Brittanyand Tre); hergoddaughter Raven. Also survived by ahostof nieces,nephews,cousins andcherished bonus ba‐bies.A dedicatedPeer Sup‐port Specialist with Mer‐akey anda devotedmem‐berofthe SaengerTheatre family, Deborahwas knownfor herradiant smile,joyfulspirit, andher gift formakingeveryone feel seen andloved.To know Debwas trulytolove her. Family,friends,coworkers, membersofBea‐conLight International BaptistCathedral,Alcee FortierAlumni, residentsof Pigeon Town andthe 13th Ward,and allwho were touchedbyher beautiful spirit areinvited to Cele‐brateHer Life Serviceon Saturday,July12, 2025 at Beacon LightCathedral, 1937 Mirabeau Avenue NewOrleans,LAfor 10:00 a.m. Visitation will beginat 8:00 a.m. Bishop Darryl Brister, ofﬁciating. Inter‐ment will follow at Lakelawn Cemetery,New Orleans, LA.LiveViewing at https://www beaconlight.org.Guest‐book Online:www.anewtra ditionbegins.com (504) 2820600. DonavinD.Boydand Linear BrooksBoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Baptiste, Reginald Nathaniel'Rabbit'

Reginald “Rabbit” NathanielBaptisteentered into eternalrestatMarrero Health Care on Thursday June 26, 2025, at theage of 72.Hewas anativeand resident of Marrero, LA Reginald attended Lincoln High School andwas em‐ployed as an Automotive Body andFenderMe‐chanic.Beloved sonofthe late Willis RayBaptiste, Sr andLorraineBaptiste. Grandson of thelateWal‐

With sadnessweshare thepassing of Marie Louise Thomas Barzon,on July 2, 2025. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.comto view serviceinformation, sign online guestbook send ﬂowers andshare condolences.

Daniel Stokes Berlin Sr longtime resident of Cov‐ington,LA, wascalled home to be with theLord on July 7, 2025, at theage of 96. Danwas born Sep‐tember 1, 1928, in Jackson Barracks,New Orleansand fell in love with Covington after hismovein1947. He wasprecededindeath by hisparents MarieBeulah ChampagneBerlin and FrankStokesBerlin and threebrothers, Robert (Aline),Francis (Beverly), andJohn. He is survived by hisbeloved wife of 73 years, InaBeverly Berlin; threechildren, Daniel S. Berlin Jr.(Seleta), David Berlin (Theresa), andDiane Hawkins(Jack); tengrand‐children,Lacie (Ed) Colleen (Ty),Jade, Miranda (Ryan),Michelle,Michael (Taylor),DanielIII (Jes‐sica), John, Lonnie, and Douglas; andtwelvegreatgrandchildren. Danwas a loving husband,father, and grandfather.Hewas knownfor hiskindness, a manfullofcompassion andgenerosity. He loved theLordJesus Christ,and he lovedthe Catholic Church.Dan demonstrated hislovefor thechurch while aparishioner at St PeterinCovington,serving as aleaderofsongand as the firstParishCouncil presidentthere.Hewas also abookkeeper forthe school.After becoming a member of St.Benedict Catholic Church,Dan served in many capacities, includingasa lector,a member of theHolyName Society, in themen’s club, andonthe St.Benedict’s Parish Counciland Finance Committee. On May6,2001, DanreceivedThe Orderof St.Louis IX Awardfrom Archbishop Schulte in recognitionofhis leader‐ship in theparish. He was also amemberofthe woodwork shop volunteers at St.JosephAbbey.Over theyears,Dan belonged to varioussocialgroupsand otherorganizations,in‐cludingthe Lion’s Club,the Rotary Club,Boy Scouts of America, KnightsofColum‐busCouncil 3016, andthe KreweofKCCarnivalClub, servingasanofficerin many of theseorganiza‐tions. He wasmadea Paul Harris Fellow by Rotary Club International. Dan beganhis bankingcareer at Citizens Bank& Trustin 1948 andsubsequently worked forseveral other fi‐nancialinstitutionsinthe community.In1977, Dan received an associatede‐gree in bankingfromLSU andwas Presidentofthe Junior BankingAssocia‐tion.After asuccessfulca‐reer in bankingspanning closeto50years,Dan re‐turned to Citizens Bank & TrustCo. andwas elected to theBoard of Directorsin

RudolphO.Blume Jr., knownaffectionatelyas Rudy to allwho knew him, passedawaypeacefullyon July 2, 2025, at theage of 81, born on August 14, 1943, in NewOrleans,Louisiana He wasthe sonofthe late, RudolphO.Blume Sr and thelate, Garnet T. Blume. Rudy waspredeceased by hisdevoted wife of 57 years, June I. Blume, and hisbeloved daughter,Pa‐tricia Juneau.Heissur‐vivedbyhis lovingchil‐dren,Janet Walston(Billy), RudolphO.Blume III, and ConnieLaCombe (Dennis) Rudy wasa cherished grandfathertoTimothy Rolf (Amy)(late,Nicole Cooley), Monica Poret (Michael), Jeremy Barraco (Lauren),Jessica Becnel (Andrew),Tyler LaCombe (Darby), Gabrielle Hasler (Dakota),BenjaminBlume, Matthew Blume, Suzanna Walston, andAlexandra Walston. He wasthe brotherofthe late Shirley Bentel,the late Gerald Blume, andCarol Naquin Rudy wasa proudveteran andservedinthe U.S. Navy where he developeda last‐ingsense of disciplineand commitmentthathecar‐ried into everyaspectof hislife. Rudy worked as a ChiefEngineer forShera‐ton, where he dedicated20 yearsofservice.Helater became self-employedfor thelasttwo decadesofhis life.Rudy'slegacyalsoin‐cludes hisauthorshipof "Cow Shit Alley,"a book that showcasedhis witand storytelling. He wasan artist at heart, atrue"Mr FixIt,"who couldmend anything.His love forhis familyand friendswas dominant.Rudyenjoyed hangingout at Dot'sDiner, where he shared countless mealsand laughter with friendswho became fam‐ily. Rudy's memory will live on throughthe storiestold, the projects completed, andthe love he shared with all. Relativesand friendsare invitedtoat‐tend Rudy’s funeralser‐vicesonSaturday, July 12, 2025, at Garden of Memo‐ries FuneralHome, 4900 AirlineDr.,Metairie, Louisiana70001. Visitation will beginat9:30am, fol‐lowedbya Mass at 12:30 pm.Burialwilltakeplace immediatelyafter services To offerthe familyonline condolences,send ﬂowers to thefamilyorplant atree in memory of Rudolph "Rudy" BlumeJr.,please visit, www.gardenofmem oriesmetairie.com.

Eugene,Shelia Baptiste,Reginald

Atkinson,Deborah

Berlin Sr., Daniel Stokes

Adams, Shirley Sanders

Boyd,Luther Clyde'Johnny' Luther (Johnny) Clyde Boyd wasbornonJune 30, 1936, in McAlpin, West Vir‐ginia, to Odessa Knox Boyd andJ.Richard Boyd.Luther

4B ✦ Friday,July 11,2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ TheTimes-Picayune

strength anddeep in‐tegrity, Luther dedicated 43 yearsofhis life as a longshoreman with Cooper T. SmithStevedoring Com‐pany (Local ILAUnion #3000), where he earned therespect of hispeers throughhardworkand un‐wavering commitment.He wasa devotedhusband to DorothyP.Boydfor 62 years. Theirmarriagewas alasting testamenttolove, faith,and unity.Heispre‐cededindeath by his belovedwife, DorothyP Boyd;his parents, Odessa Knox Boyd andJ.Richard Boyd;his brothers,James Boyd,SamuelBoyd, and WayneBoyd; hissisters Shirley B. Hollandand Joan Tanks; hisgrandson, Kelian Boyd Sr.; hisson-in-law, Melvin Pierre;brothers-inlawLeroy Palmer,Darris Guzman,Jr.,JohnMomon andsisters-in-lawOdessa Palmer andDebra Guzman

He leaves to cherishhis memory five children:Eric L. Boyd (Mercedes) YolandaD.Boyd, Cassan‐draB.Ebanks, StephanieB Pierre,and DarriesL.Boyd (Keisha);nephews whom he raised DerekGivensJr. and John Seth Momon, his sister,Drema Marks; 13 grandchildrenand 13 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by ahostof nieces,nephews,relatives andfriends who will dearly miss him. Luther wasa dedicatedand faithfulDea‐conatGreater LibertyBap‐tist Church in NewOrleans, Louisiana. FollowingHurri‐cane Katrina, he relocated to BatonRouge,Louisiana, where he placed hismem‐bershipatLittleZionBap‐tist Church.Later he then joined theNew Home Fam‐ilyWorship Center in Baton Rouge. He enjoyeda rich life filledwithhobbies and passions.Lutherhad a keen interest in collecting antiques andcollectibles, appreciating theirvalue anduniqueness. He also lovedhis NewOrleans Saints andmanyother sports.Heenjoyed fishing, bowlingand watching golf. Luther’s life wasone of quietservice—tohis fam‐ily, friends, church,and community.His kindness, humility,and strength touchedall who knew him. Whetherthrough hiswork, hiswisdom, or hissteady presence,Luthermadea lastingimpactthatwillnot be forgotten. He leaves be‐hind alegacyoflove, hard work,and quietstrength that continuestoliveonin thosewho survivehim Relativesandfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend aCelebration of Life at NewHomeFamilyWorship Center,1616R.C.Blakes Drive, NewOrleans Louisiana70130 on Satur‐day, July 12, 2025, at 10:00 am.Viewing will beginat 9:00 am.BishopSamuelR Blakes:Officiant. Intern‐ment:ProvidenceMemor‐ialParkMausoleum,8200 AirlineDrive,Metairie, Louisiana70003. Arrange‐mentsentrusted to D.W. RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Ave.,New Or‐leans, LA 70125. Please visitwww.rhodesfuneral. comtosignthe online guestbook,share memo‐ries andcondolences with thefamily. "Welldone, good andfaithfulservant."

–Matthew 25:23

Gretta RoqueBurns,age 94, enteredeternal rest at home on June 27, 2025. She wasbornonApril 14, 1931, on thefamily’sRoque Brothers’farm, founded by herfatherinCaneRiver, Louisiana. Gretta wasthe youngestchild of Emitte andCecile Roque. She grew up alongsideher sib‐lings—Collins, Robbie, Lu‐cille,Earl, Marie, andIrma —helping on thefamily farmand in theRoque Brothers’General Store,a cherishedcommunity gatheringplace.Gretta wasproud of herheritage andher ancestraltiesto Cane River, ahamletmade famous throughbooksand ﬁlms, andwhere sheoften returned forfamilyvisits andreunions. Gretta began herearly educationatSt. Joseph Catholic Elemen‐tary School,located next to thehistoricSt. Augus‐tine Catholic Church.Atthe ageofthirteen,she left Cane Rivertoattend St Mary’s AcademyinNew Orleans, where she boardedatthe school’s original location in the French Quarter. It was therethatshe begana lastingrelationshipwith theSisters of theHoly Family,who instilledin her thevaluesoffaith,service,

andduty—principles that wouldguide herthrough‐outher life.Upongradua‐tion in 1948, shewas se‐lected as valedictorian of herclass. Aftergraduation, Gretta enrolled at Xavier University of Louisiana, where shepledged Alpha KappaAlpha Sorority,Inc It wasatXavierthatshe meta handsome young soldierwho hadservedin WorldWar II andwas also enrolled there. Aftercon‐siderablepersuasion, Win‐ston “Bootsie”Burns won herheart,and theirlove storyblossomed into alife‐long marriage andpartner‐ship that endurestothis day. Nestledinthe Voscov‐ille neighborhood of Gen‐tilly, theAnnette Street home that Winstonand Gretta builtquickly be‐came acornerstone of community andfamilylife. There, they raised their five children andlovingly welcomed theirthirteen grandchildrenand eight great-grandchildren. For more than 68 years, Gretta’s dinner tablebe‐came agatheringplace of laughter tradition, and love,not just forfamily, but fora wide circle of friends, neighbors, co-workers, church members, school‐teachers,and thefamilies of herchildren’sand grandchildren’sclosest companions.She hada gift formakingeveryonefeel welcome, seen,and fed body andsoul. Whether youcamefor abowlof gumboorstayed forthe storiesand laughter,time at Gretta’s tableleftyou feelinglikefamily. Gretta wasdeeply devotedtoher Christianfaith.She andher family attended Mass reg‐ularly andhostedthe recitation of therosary everyTuesday eveningin theirhome, welcoming neighborsand friendsinto aspace of prayer andfel‐lowship. OneofGretta’s most cherishedmemories washavingthe honorand privilegeofserving as a EucharisticMinisterduring theMasscelebratedby Pope John Paul II during his historic visittoNew Or‐leansin1987. Herdevotion also took heracrossthe world—shewas deeply honoredtoattend thecan‐onizationofSt. Katharine Drexel in Rome,Italy,in 2000, amomentthat deeply affirmed herlife‐long commitmenttofaith andservice.In1957, Gretta beganher professional ca‐reer as secretary forJus‐tice Revius O. Ortique, Jr, theprominent jurist and civilrightsleader, who op‐erated hisprivate law practice on St.Bernard Av‐enue in Gentilly.For over thirty-five years,she served as hischief admin‐istrativeofficerand trustedconfidanteatOr‐leansParishCivil District Courtuntil herretirement in 1994. Theirrelationship wascharacterized by the bondsoffamily ties and genuinefriendshipbe‐tween both families and theirchildren, who alllived andgrewuponAnnette Street.Gretta wasas tire‐less in herdedicationto hercommunity as shewas devotedtoher family.Asa foundingmemberofthe ParentsofAlumniClubat St.Augustine High School Gretta wasa drivingforce behind theorganization’s weekly Monday night Bingogames that helped raiseneeded fundsfor the school.Gretta wasalsoa tireless fundraiser forher belovedalmamater,St. Mary’s Academy, as an or‐ganizerofthe school’s an‐nualAlumnae Associa‐tion’s Gala CabaretMagic Shewentontoreceive nu‐merous awards such as theHenriette DeLille Award, theCrystal Award, andthe Legacy Awardfor the150thanniversary of SMA. Hercontinued in‐volvement reflectedher deep gratitudefor the foundation theschool and theSisters of theHoly Family hadgiven her, and sheremaineda proudand active alumna throughout herlifeaswellasanAsso‐ciateofthe Sistersofthe Holy Family.Gretta and Bootsieraisedtheir chil‐dren during theCivil Rights Era. With courageand con‐viction, they insisted that theirchildrenbeamong the firstAfricanAmerican students to integrateSt. Leothe GreatSchool.It wasnot always easy,and Gretta wouldlater reflect on thoseyears as “difficult butnecessary.” Hergrit anddetermination helped usherher family—and her community—intoa new eraofprogressand possi‐bility.Affectionatelyknown as “Grammy”,Gretta took on herrolewithimmense love,care, support, wis‐dom, andgratitude.She welcomed hergrandchil‐dren with afullheart and open arms.She waspre‐sent at Grandparents’Day as well as at volleyball, baseball,football,and soc‐cergames,track meets, school plays,and gradua‐tions—cheeringthemon with prideand joy. Her presence wasa constant source of encouragement andlove. Gretta consid‐ered herselfespecially blessedtobecomea greatgrandmother in 2009, when

shewelcomedthe firstof hereight great-grandchil‐dren.Itwas aroleshe cherisheddeeply,embrac‐ingeachnew generation with thesameboundless love,wisdom, andgrace that definedher life.Gretta RoqueBurns is preceded in deathbyher belovedhus‐band,Winston Burns, Sr.; hergrandson, TrentonM Gueno; herparents,Emitte andCecile Roque; andher sixsiblings. Gretta leaves to cherishher memory of herdaughter, Roxanne Burns(John Baker),and herfoursons, Ronald (Sheila),Burton(Con‐stance), Brian(Stacie), and WinstonJr(Wendy) Grandchildren: Amber BurnsAnderson (Sylvester), Christy, Damon, Erin Burns, Ronald “Vinnie” Burns, Jr., Jason Burns, Sr Brian” BJ”Burns Jr., Brittany andDominique Burns, BrandonGueno (Sarah), ShannonGueno Phillips (Don),and Blair Burns. Great-grandchil‐dren:Dashaydon Phillips, Darien Phillips,Gabrielle Gueno, Marcus Gueno, Kendal M. Anderson SylvesterB.Anderson, Jor‐dyn“JoJo”and Jason“JJ” Burns, Jr.She is also sur‐vivedbya host of nieces, nephews, andcousins.Rel‐atives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend acelebration of Gretta’s life at St.MartindePorres Church (formerlyTransfig‐urationofthe Lord Catholic Church), 5621Elysian Fields Ave. on Saturday, July 12, 2025, Visitation be‐gins at 8:00 a.m. with a Mass of ChristianBurialat 11:00 a.m. Interment: St LouisCemeteryNo. 3, New Orleans, LA.Arrangements entrustedtoD.W.Rhodes FuneralHome, 3933 Wash‐ington Ave.,New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign theonlineguestbook, sharememories, andcon‐dolences to thefamily. In lieu of flowers, thefamily kindly requests donations be made to St.Mary’s Academy, 6905 Chef MenteurBlvd.,NOLA70126, https://www.paypal.com/ donate/?hosted_button_ id=GPPRF7HVZHDVJorSt. AugustineHighSchool Winston, Sr.and Gretta BurnsScholarship Fund 2600 AP TureaudAve., NOLA 70119, https://www staugnola.org/ advancement/ways-togive in honorofGretta’s enduring legacy of love andservice

Jacqueline Marie Daniels, 73,a native anda resident of NewOrleans died Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Jacqueline attended elementary school in Cen‐terville,MSand later movedtoNew Orleans, LA to attend high school.She is survived by herchildren: twosons, Willie and GnorvelDaniels;one daughter,LateefaDaniels; and11grandchildren;one greatgranddaughter;three sisters, Cynthia, Shirley andCharmaine Daniels, oneGod-child Erin Harris anda host of nieces nephews, familyand friends. Shewas preceded in deathbyher parents Dorisand Willie Daniels, Sr., twobrothersWillieand Veotis Danielsand sister BarbaraHaynes; andone grandson PatrickDaniels Relativesand friendsofthe familyare invitedtoattend theFuneralService on Sat‐urday, July 12,2025at ReapingThe HarvestInter‐national Church,5123 Dauphine St., NewOrleans, LA 70117. Visitation will be from 9a.m.to10a.m.with theFuneralService to fol‐lowat10a.m.The Burial is private. Professional arrangements entrustedto Majestic Mortuary Service, Inc.,(504) 523-5872.

LindaMarie Davis passedawaypeacefully on Sunday,June 22, 2025 at theage of 61.She waspre‐cededindeath by her daughter,Tracy Anne Davis andher father,James CharlesKoffskey. Survived by herhusband,Donald CharlesDavis andher son, StephenCharles Davis. Also survived by her mother,ArleneRobin Koffskeyand twobrothers, Paul Koffskey(Tia) and DavidKoffskeyand ahost of nieces andnephews. Shewas born in NewOr‐leans, La., raised in Lafayette,LA, then re‐turned to NewOrleans,LA to attend Loyola University Sheloved everything about NewOrleans,especially MardiGraswithall itsfes‐tivities.Eventuallyshe movedtoCovington,LA where shecontinued as an educator.She wasa dedi‐catedteacher andAssis‐tant Principal, andshe lovedher work.She will be sorely missed. Relatives andfriends of thefamily areinvited to attend the Memorial ServiceonMon‐day, July 14, 2025 at 11:00 am at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home,2260 West 21stAv‐enue,Covington,LA. Visita‐tion will beginat9:00am until servicetime. Inter‐ment will follow in PinecrestMemorialGar‐dens andCemetery. E.J. Fielding FuneralHomehas been entrustedwithfu‐neralarrangements. Please sign theguestbook at www.ejﬁeldingfh.com

Rickey "PrettyRickey" Davis departedthislifeon SaturdayJune 21, 2025, Rickey is survived by his children, siblings, grandchildrenand ahost of relatives, and friends. Familyand friends are invitedtoattendthe funeral service on Saturday July 12, 2025, 10 a.m. at Israelite B.C.,2192 Alexander St., Lutcher,LA70071. Rev. Kevin Fredericks, officiating.Visitation at 9amuntil servicetime Professional services entrusted to thecaring staff of Hobson Brown Funeral Home,134 Daisy St Garyville, La 70051, (985) 535-2516.

Delatte,Laura MarieMitchell

sharememoriesand

LauraMarie Mitchell De‐latte,a native of NewOr‐leans, enteredeternal rest at theage of 77 on June 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. Born on March25, 1948, shewas thethird of sevenchildren born to theunion of her parents, Louisand Laura Mitchell.Fromabout the ageof10, after thepassing of hermother, sheand her siblings were raised,loved, andguidedbyher uncle andaunt,Hermanand Louise Wynne,until they all reachedadulthood.Laura washer mother’s name‐sake,and shewas affec‐tionatelyknown by many as Marie. Whetheryou called herLaura,Marie, mama,granny, sister, nanny, T-Ree, mother-inlaworfriend, whenyou were with heryou felt lovedand special. Marie wasraisedinthe Catholic faith.CorpusChristi has been herchurch forher en‐tire life.She waseducated in Catholic schoolsinthe city of NewOrleans.She attended St.Monica, Cor‐pusChristi,and St.Mary’s Academy, where shegrad‐uatedin1966. Shewas em‐ployed by AT&T (formerly Bell South).Inher time with Bell South, sheserved as aunion representative

After30years of dedicated service, sheretired and beganher ownhousekeep‐ingbusiness. Mariewas knownfor hostingfabu‐lous Christmasdinners Themenuheadliner for dinner,every year,was her stuffedmirliton. Shewas thebestatmakingthis dish andshe wasthe only person who made it.Be‐yond thegreat Christmas food,she made sure that everyone who walked throughher door at Christ‐masfeltwelcome.Each person wouldleave with a gift.She wouldput on a Santahat andoutfitand head to thetree. Shewould callout each person’s name,inher Santavoice, forthemtocometoget theirgiftfromSanta.Be‐fore receivingtheir gift shewould ask“Have you been good this year?” and they hadtorespond before shewould give them their gift.Thisisa bigfamilytra‐dition that will continue foreveratChristmas.Truly amatriarch by nature,she wasa dedicatedmother, grandmother, great-grand‐mother,sister, nanny, aunt cousin,mother-in-law,and friend.Her flowing, long, white hair washer signa‐ture look,along with that bigleftdimpleand warm smile.She wasthe boss. Sheknewitand so did everyone else.Laura wasa strong,independent,as‐sertivewoman with agreat senseofhumor.She al‐ways hada quickand quirky comeback when somethingwas said.You mighttry to startsome‐thingwithher,but shewas definitely going to finish it If youknewMarie,you knew where to find her. Shewas going to be at the casino,infront of aslot machine, sippingona cold Coke.She also lovedplay‐ingcards,especiallyPo‐keno andgamecalledin between with herfamily during theholidays. Rais‐ingthe ante washer spe‐cialty andshe wouldal‐most always winthe big pot. Shealsoloved shop‐ping,whether it wasfor a newoutfit, theperfect Christmasgift, or just somethingthatcaughther eye; shopping broughther joyand excitement.Her fa‐vorite storewas Stein Mart,and shewas disap‐pointedwhentheyclosed theirdoors. Shehad a sharpeye forstyle anden‐joyed findingnicegifts for herselfand others.The most specialplace in her heartbelongedtoher grandkids andgreat grand‐kids.She didn’t consider babysittinga duty,itwas herabsolutepleasure. She lovedthemdearlyand they lovedher.Grannywas a titleshe washonored to hold.She wasgratefulto Godand hertwo sons,Dar‐ryland Damien,for thegift of making hera grand‐mother.Her sons were de‐votedtoher,speakingwith herevery daytomakesure shewas good. They adored andprotected her.The re‐lationship that shehad with each of them wasa joytowatch.She knew that hersonsloved her dearly andshe lovedthem rightback. Shewas a proudmama. Lauraispre‐cededindeath by herpar‐ents,Louis Mitchell Sr.& LauraMitchell, heruncle andaunt,HermanWynne andLouiseWynne,3 broth‐ers, LouisJr.,Addisonand Marcel Mitchell,one sister Mary Louise Combre,and onegranddaughter, Giona SantaMaria.She leaves to cherishher memory,her devotedsons, Darryl De‐latte Jr.(Tamika)and Damien Delatte (Shakira), 7 grandchildren: Damien Dix, Daniel Delatte,DrewDe‐latte,DillonDelatte,Da‐mond Stovall, DaiDelatte andDamianWalton, 2 great-granddaughters Nyla SantaMarinaand Dia‐mond Dix; hersiblings, Leah Brown, Michael Mitchell, Peggy Jupiter, MarilynMagee(Larry)and KennethMitchell, onegod‐son, Gary Jones, herformer husband,DarrylDelatte Sr.; anda host of nieces nephews, cousinsand friends. Thelegacyshe leaves is filledwithlove, laughter,great food,in‐cludingthe stuffedmirliton recipe,thank Godshe didn’t take that with her; thefamilyfun card games, in which theantewillbe uppedinher honor, and lastly,her beautifulwhite hair that canbeseen in her sons andher nieces and nephews. Herbeauty, great skin,quick comebacks, greatfood,including acold coke anda welcomingde‐meanor,willliveonfor generationsinher blood‐line.Thisisthe legacy that sheleaveswitheachofus. Relativesand friendsofthe family, thefamilyishost‐inga Memorial Christian Mass at Corpus ChristiEpiphany Catholic Church, 2022 St.Bernard Ave.,New Orleans, LA on Saturday, July 12, 2025, at 10:00am Visitation:8:00am-9:00am Rosary:9:15am. Repass to immediatelyfollowinthe church cafeteria. Crema‐tion by D.W. Rhodes Fu‐neralHome, 3933 Washing‐tonAve NewOrleans,LA 70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign theonlineguestbook,

with thefamily.

Egana, FrankMicheal

FrankMicheal Egana wasbornFebruary24, 1980, to John Eganaand thelate Gina Blandin. Franken‐teredhis eternalreston Sunday,June 22, 2025, at theage of 45. Frankwas a familyman that lovedtak‐ingcareofhis family. He wasa graduate of Francis T. Nicholls anda dedicated employee of T.C.I. Trucking forseveral years. Frank who went by thenickname of “Tonto”leavestocher‐ishhis memories with his wife MarilynEgana,chil‐dren:A’mirre Green and Daimon Thomas,siblings: John andRebecca Blandin, Audrey,Joyce,and Fallon Egana. Preceded in death by hisson FrankTaylor, threesiblings: Jonathan Egana, JasonEgana,and Sean Egana. Family and friendsare invitedtoat‐tend theCelebration of Life ServiceonSaturday, July 12, 2025, for1:30p.m.at TheBoydFamilyFuneral Home,5001 Chef Menteur Hwy.,New Orleans, LA 70126. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. Pastor Robert Beard, ofﬁciating. Inter‐ment is private. Guestbook Online:www.anewtraditi onbegins.com (504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd andDonavin D. Boyd Own‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Eugene,Shelia DoloresGreen

Shelia DoloresGreen Eu‐gene,age 69, transitioned from this worldonTues‐day, June 17, 2025 at West JeffersonMedical Center Shelia wasborninNew Or‐leans, raised in Oakville, LA,PlaquemineParishand wasa resident of Harvey, LA.WifeofMichael Eu‐gene.Daughterofthe late Amos andDelores Green Sister of Lorraine Green, Gail Johnson, Amos Green Jr., Michaeland Adrel Green Mother of Jasmine, Michael, Jr.and Maurice Eugene.Grandmother of Denver MichaelBurnette Shelia wasa graduate of Belle Chasse High School attended Gramblingand Southern University (New Orleans) where sheob‐tained herBachelor'sDe‐gree in Elementary Educa‐tion.She wasa member of BethlehemBaptist Church TheBethlehem Mass Choir andCMMBAMassChoir Mrs. Eugene wasa lifelong educator for45years in thePlaquemineand Or‐leansParishPublicSchool Systemsand will always be remembered by alumni andstudentsasa loving andcaringteacher.Rela‐tivesand friends; Pastor andmembers of Bethle‐hemBaptist Church arein‐vitedtoattendthe funeral. ACelebration servicehon‐oringthe life andlegacyof thelateSheliaDolores Green Eugene willbeheld at TheBethlehem Baptist Church,111 Bethlehem Lane,Braithwaite, LA 70040 on Saturday,July12, 2025 at 10 am,The Rev. Dr MichaelW.Jiles, Sr Ofﬁci‐ating. IntermentRestlawn Cemetery,Hwy.90, Avon‐dale,LA. Please sign online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com. Finalarrangementsen‐trustedtoCharbonnet Family Services,(504) 3021520.

Davis, LindaMarie

Davis, Rickey

Daniels, Jacqueline Marie

Burns, Gretta Roque

Fitch, Anna MaePhillips

Anna Phillips Fitch, Au‐gust 12, 1943 –July8,2025. Anna MaeFitch,age 82, of Metairie,Louisiana,passed away peacefully on July 8, 2025. Born on August 12, 1943,Anna brought warmth andkindnessto everyone shemet andwas knownfor always seeing thebestinothers. Every‐onewho knew herloved her. Shewas adevoted Saints fan andloved cele‐bratingMardi Gras each year.Anna is survived by herlovingpet,Lilly;her de‐votednephew, Marc Ciolino(Gwen); andher dear friendsLinda F. Sulli‐vanand Ross Rebstock Sheisalsosurvivedby nieces andnephews,Lynn Hauck, ScottA.Phillips, CraigPhillips, Mitchell R. Phillips,RobertL.Duver‐nay, Leslie andGaryFitch andfriends who will cher‐ishher memory.She was preceded in deathbyher belovedhusband,Ray‐mond Fitch; hercompanion Joseph Siccarelli;her par‐ents,Gilbert M. Phillips and Anna L. Phillips;and two brothers,Gilbert M. Phillips Jr.and Merlin J. Phillips Anna’s familywould like to thankher devotedcaretak‐ers, MelvinaJones,Sharon Simon, andCarol Taylor, fortheir loving care and compassion.Familyand friendsare invitedtoat‐tend thevisitationfrom 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday,July12, 2025, at Greenwood FuneralHome, 5200 CanalBlvd.,New Or‐leans, LA 70124, followed by intermentatSt. Patrick Cemetery No.1.Anna’s spirit of love andkindness will live on in theheartsof allwho know her. We also invite youtoshare your thoughts,fondmemories, andcondolences online at www.greenwoodfh.com

Thomas Foster Jr age 78, of NewOrleans,LA, passedawaypeacefully on Friday,July4,2025, sur‐rounded by hislovingfam‐ily. He wasbornonMarch 31,1947, to theunion of AliceHiteFosterand Thomas Foster Sr.Hewas adevoted father,grandfa‐ther,great-grandfather, brother, uncleand friend He leaves behind 3siblings Patricia,Ritaand Michael, 6children: Dedra, Ron, LaShanda NyokiToni, Thomas,27grandchildren and18great-grandchildren anda host of nieces and nephews, otherrelatives andfriends.Hewas pre‐cededinhis transition by 8 brothers,2 sistersand 2 sons (Reneand Wayne).A celebrationofThomas's life will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Gertrude GeddesWillisFuneral Home,2120 JacksonAve, NewOrleans,LA70113 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation from 9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. PrivateBurial. Youmay sign theguest book on www.gertrudegeddeswilli s.com. GerrtrudeGeddes Willis Funerale Home Inc., in charge (504) 522-2525

Garrett, Rychon Davel 'Rock' 'Rocky'

Rychon “Rock” “Rocky” DavelGarrett, aNew Or‐leansnative, enteredeter‐nalrestonSaturday, June 21, 2025. Rychon D. Garrett received an unexpected call,and he acceptedthe call from theLordatthe ageof51. Although his familydid notknowthis

call wasoccurring, he ac‐ceptedit. Rychon wasborn on August 19, 1973, to the late AliceJ.Garrett and Robert Garrett. Rychon wasthe secondson born to Aliceand Robert Garrett, outofthree sons.Rychon lovedthe Lord,his family, hisbrothers, andhaving theability to travel.Rychon attended school in theNew OrleansParishSchool Sys‐temand participated in the BoyScouts. He attended HartzellMethodist Center, Thomas Edison,George Washington Elementary, Mary D. Coghill Elemen‐tary,AndrewJ.BellJunior High School,F.W.Gregory Junior High School,Pierre CapdauJuniorHighSchool, andJohnF.Kennedy (JFK) High School (Class of 1991) Rychon lovedmusic,and in hisfreetime, he found joy playingthe snaredrum, where he excelled by at‐tendingseveral Junior High Schoolstostudy under di‐versebanddirectors be‐fore attendingJFK.Al‐though he wasa band head,heexcelledinsci‐ence,technology,and math,which ledhim to at‐tend Xavier University of Louisianatomajor in Chemistry. Although he wasa Xavier student, he frequently visitedDillard University,where he meta multitudeof people who became lifelong friends. During hissummers in high school,Rychonwas intro‐ducedtomotorcoach buses, where he learned howtodrive andcarefor them.Hewould work on theweekends while at‐tendinghighschool and collegetoearnmoney.In addition,Rychonjoined Prince Hall Vera Cruz Lodge#24, where he stud‐iedtobecomea Mason, advancingto the33rdDe‐gree. He wasalsoa mem‐berofthe Shrine in Karum #48Lodge in Gulfport,Mis‐sissippi.Rychonwas also an active member of the Zulu Social Aid& Pleasure Club.Rychonwas theheart andsoulofthe family. He enjoyedfamilygatherings andreunions, cooking, and conversing with theelders to learnabout hisfamily history. Rychon is survived by hiswonderful wife of 18 years, La’Charlotte’C.Gar‐rett, hischildren: Ryla D. Garrett, Rychon D. Garrett, Jr.and Ry’Ann D. Garrett; hisfather: Robert Garrett; hisin-laws:Geraldand La’JeanGreen;his brother, MichaelC.Garrett (Anjan‐lyn);his sisters-in-law: Gwendell Garrettand AshantiGreen;his brotherin-law:GeraldGreen,Jr.; hisgod-daughterand niece: MichaGarrett; his nephews: MichaelGarrett II, Matthew Garrett, Dave Peterson,David Green,and Sterling Garrett; andhis nieces:Shiyanne Green, Gabrianna Green,Giovanna Green,Gianna Garrettand OpheliaGreen;his aunts: Dr.Wanda G. Griggs (Robert);GailGarrett, Jonell Scurlock (Gerald), Rosetta Jackson, andGodsonHyram Hurd.Also, sur‐vivedbya host of Godchil‐dren,cousins,and close friends. Rychon is pre‐cededindeath by his mother:Alice J. Garrett; his younger brother: Omar L. Garrett; hisgrandparents: Williamand Correen Jack‐son; aunts: RosieJackson Johnson, Mary Jackson Lynum,Lilly JacksonGreen LuBertha Jackson, and MurrielJackson Barber; uncles:William McKinley Jr.; Thomas Jacksonand Cleo Jackson. Family and friendsare invitedtoat‐tend aCelebration of Life ServiceonFriday, July 11, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St Mark’s 4thBaptist Church, 2130 PerdidoStreet,New Orleans, Louisiana70112. Relativesand friendsofthe family andemployees of LewisCoaches,David Tours, Xavier University of LouisianaDivisionofEn‐rollment Management Staff,Cabrini High School &Athletics,The Willow School &Athletics,and Lake Forest CharterSchool areinvited to attend the CelebrationofLifefor Rychon Garrett. ACelebra‐tion of Life Serviceis scheduledatSt. Mark 4th BaptistChurch,2130 Per‐dido Street,for Saturday July 12, 2025, at 11:00 am Visitation is 9:00 am –10:00 am only with aRiteofPas‐sage to startat10:00 am TheofﬁciantisRev.Dr. Robert Turner Sr.and inter‐ment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.Arrange‐mentsentrusted to D.W. Rhodes FuneralHome, 3933 Washington Avenue,New Orleans, LA.Pleasevisit www.rhodesfuneral.comto sign theguestbook

Robert J. “Bob”Guidry departed this life on June 16, 2025, after a4 year-long battlewitha rare cancer (NETs).Hewas 64 years old. Bobwas predeceased by hisparents,HervinJ Guidry,Jr.,and Mary Ann Richards Guidry.Heissur‐vivedbyhis wife DebraE Guidry,his sonRobert MaxwellGuidry, hisdaugh‐terMegan E. DelatteGuidry,and herhusband BrittanA.Delatte-Guidry. He is also survived by his brothers Hervin A. Guidry, marriedtoSusan G. Guidry andJames R. Guidry,mar‐ried to Sandra D. Guidry andhis nieceKatherine E. Guidry.Bob graduated from Holy CrossHigh School in 1978. He went on to graduate from Loyola University in 1983 with a degree in computer sci‐ence anda minorinmath‐ematics. He worked in the pensionadministration business since1976. He wasa co-founder of Soft‐ware Dimensions,Inc Later, he wasa founder andpartner at Retirement Strategies Group. Bobwas an Accredited PensionRep‐resentative(APR),a desig‐nation conferredbythe National InstituteofPen‐sion Administrators.He wasalsoa member of the Relius Administration Na‐tional Daily User Groupand theAssociationofEm‐ployee BenefitPlannersof NewOrleans.Bob wasa lifelong learner, anatural problemsolver, anda gen‐eroussoulwho nevermet astranger. Curiousbyna‐ture andtenacious in spirit,heconstantlyex‐plored newideas,revisited oldones, andencouraged others to sharetheir per‐spectives. Whetheratthe familydinnertable or in conversation with anew friend,hecreated space foropendialogueand thoughtfuldebate—always seekingcommonground andgrowth. Recently,his greatest intellectual and spiritualjoy came from the Little FarmsChurch discus‐sion group, where he en‐gagedinvibrant,respect‐fulconversations about faith,questionedlong-held beliefs, andembraceda broaderunderstanding of theworld.Bob approached hisfaith with honestyand courage, neverafraidto wrestle with doubtormys‐tery.Bob wasanavid Saints fan andwas an ac‐tive follower of newor‐leans. football, where he wasa regularcommenter In addition to theSaints, hisinterests over theyears included workingonauto‐mobiles, sailing, andboat‐ing. He wasanavidreader —especiallydrawn to sci-fi andfantasy—and alifelong fan of RoyRogers,Super‐man, andcowboytales.He lovedSolitaire,storytelling, andsharing awell-crafted, well-timedjoke. He ap‐proached everyproblem with thebeliefthata solu‐tion existed—andhewould find it.Athome, he wasthe family’sbartender and barista, asourceofcom‐fort,laughter, andguid‐ance.Hementoredmany, always listeningintently andofferingwisdomwith humility.Generoustothe core,hequietly helped oth‐ershonoringtheir dignity andstrength. Bobde‐lightedinconversingwith people from allwalks of life.His abilitytobefully presentwithothers— undistractedand gen‐uinely interested—made everyone feel seen andval‐ued. Aboveall, Bobcher‐ishedhis family. He loved deeply anduncondition‐ally, findinghis greatest joy in time spenttogether Hislegacylives on in the conversations we have,the questionsweask,and the humor we share. Bob’swit, warmth,and open heart will be profoundly missed andforever remembered Thefamilywould like to thankDr. Mary HobbsMaluccio andher staff. We aredeeply grateful forher relentless pursuitofnew groundbreaking treat‐mentstoextendBob’s life andwellness. Visitation will be held on July 12 at 10 a.m.,followedbya memor‐ialservice at 11 a.m. Visita‐tion andthe memorial ser‐vice will take placeatGar‐denofMemories, 4900 Air‐line Dr,Metairie, LA 70001, which is less than amile from Saints training camp Please feel free to wear ca‐sual,comfortable clothes forthe service. Astorysharingreception at the Guidry home will follow the memorial service. Thefam‐ilyasksthatyou consider a donation to Bob’schurch Little FarmsUnitedChurch of Christ.Donations canbe sent viacheck to Little FarmsUCC at 2120 Frankel Avenue,Metairie, LA 70003

or made viapaypalatlit‐tlefarmsucc.org.

Jackson, VanMarie

OurBeloved VanMarie Jacksonpassedaway peacefully,Saturday, June 21, 2025inher home in NewOrleans,LA. Vanwas born on January24, 1959to thelateJoanF.Lewis & Vernon Harris.After gradu‐atingfromBooker T. Wash‐ington High School Vanat‐tended Loyola University & CharitySchool of Nursing to pursue herpassion in nursing.Oncecompleted, Van'slifewas oneofpur‐pose,displayingher pas‐sion forserving others with ajoyousspirit, asmile bigger than life,& herpres‐ence wasalwaysheartfelt with herstrongdemeanor. Shededicated herlifeto herfamily& nursing ca‐reer.She worked at Gulf SouthHospice &Lakeside Hospiceupuntil shetook ill. Vandiligently per‐formed herjob,was adedi‐catedemployee, &loved unconditionally. Sheispre‐cededindeath by herhus‐band,ReggieJackson daughter of thelateJoanF Lewis& Vernon Harris.She is survived by hersons Reginald (Yodonna)& Dar‐celle(Cardecia)Jackson anddaughters CairoAdo‐rare &WayadaHollins GrandmotherofDivine Jackson. Sister of Yvonne Fountain &the late Yvette Fountain.Godmother of Joshua Craig. Shewillalso be missed by ahostofrel‐atives cousins, nieces nephews, &friends.The familywould like to ex‐presstheir thanks forthe wonderfulhelp& care pro‐videdbySerenityHospice, Cardecia Anthony, Melva Green,& Regina Bazile. In honoring Van'smemory, we invite allthatknew& lovedher to join thefamily forvisitationatMajestic Mortuary ServiceInc., lo‐catedat1833OrethaCastle HaleyBlvd.,New Orleans, LA,onSaturday, July 12, 2025 at 09:00amuntil the startofFuneralService at 10:00 am-11:00 am.Jazz Funeral& Second Line will follow.Burialwillbeat Providence Memorial Park at 8200 AirlineDr.,Metairie, LA 70003. Professional arrangements entrustedto Majestic Mortuary (504) 523-5872.

Johnson,GregoryMichael

GregoryMichael John‐son, age69, wasbornon April29, 1956 in NewOr‐leans, Louisianaand left this worldunexpectedlyon June 28, 2025. ANew Or‐leansnativeand longtime resident of Shreveport, Louisiana, Greg waspre‐cededindeath by hisfa‐ther John A. JohnsonJr. andmotherDoriseGean Johnson. In addition to nu‐merous nieces,nephews, in-lawsand friends, left to cherishGreg’s memory are hissiblingsElizabeth Dean (Melvin),JohnJohnson (Diane), Mary AnnLaForge (Mike),Jeannie Hardouin (Larry), daughter Ashley andher mother Peggy Gremillion,stepchildren, Kandy(Ben),James (DeAnn) andJason (Heather)grandchildren Kenley,Nate, Kingston Micah, Steeleand Slade, sweet puppiesWinston andAllie, andhis loving wife of 24 years, Lisa.Greg graduatedfromBrother MartinHighSchool in 1974 andwas aproud member of thestate champion Cru‐saders football team.Greg spentlonghours working forUPS while attendingthe University of NewOrleans Greg graduatedfromUNO with adegreeinaccount‐ing. Followinggraduation Greg accepteda salespo‐sition with Gordon’s Jewel‐ers. After45years in the jewelryindustryGregre‐tiredasSeniorVicePresi‐dent of LeeMichaelsFine Jewelryin2023. Greg was involved in many organiza‐tionsincluding butnot lim‐ited to TheRotaryClub, the

Shreveport Regional Arts Council, theIndependence Bowl,the Ambassadors Club,the SalvationArmy, theKrewe of Justinianand BEI. Greg lovednothing more than spending time with hisfriends andfamily. On anygiven dayyou could find Greg at thePilatesstu‐dio, on thepickleballcourt or visiting with neighbors on hisdaily walk.Heloved workingoutside andthen coolingoff in thepool fol‐lowedbya well-deserved rest in hisrecliner watch‐ingsports. AlifelongLSU Tigers fan,Gregattended hundredsoffootball gamesatTiger Stadium andbeyond. Greg enjoyed hishobbies,but he enjoyed hisfriends andfamilyeven more Aconsummatesto‐ryteller,Gregcould hold courtatthe kitchen counter,ora five-star restaurant allthe while keepinghis guests en‐gaged, entertainedand laughing at storiesof childhood hijinksand col‐orfulcharactersfromhis past.Gregenjoyed travel‐ingand goodmeals in the finest restaurants, butyou were most likely to find himonthe patioofThe Oyster Barwithhis “sweet lady” Lisa by hisside. Evenings with Greg often endedwitha Michelob Ultrabythe pool or the fire pit, sharingjokes,stories andlaughter-familyand sweet puppiesbyhis side Husband, Father,Brother Uncleand friend were all importanttitlestoGreg, buthis favorite wasproba‐bly“PopPop”. Greg loved nothingmorethanspend‐ingtimeonthe sidelines cheeringonhis grandchil‐dren.Afterretirement, Greg split histimebetween Northand SouthLouisiana attendingdance recitals, band concerts fielddays, awardceremoniesand football games. Nothing made himprouder than bragging on hisgrandchil‐dren.Pop Popwas the grandfatherevery kid dreams of.FromDisney tripstolaunching “moon‐shots” in thepool PopPop wasalwaysthere forhis grandkidswitha joke,a word of encouragement anda sneaky hand ready to stealanother French fry. We take comfortinknow‐ingthatthe hugeholeGreg left in ourheartswillbe filledwitha lifetime of love,laughterand cher‐ishedmemories. Visitation will be held at Jacob Schoen andSon Funeral Home on July 12 from 10:00-12:00 with aCatholic funeralmasstofollow. A CelebrationofGreg’sLife will be held at theRobin‐sonFilmCenterinShreve‐port,La. on August 2from 2:00-5:00. Pallbearerswill be BrettJohnson,Garrett Johnson, JasonKline, JamesKline,Ben Mathis andNateMathis. In lieu of flowers, donationsmay be made to theLSU School of Veterinary Medicine or the charityofyourchoosing. Arrangements by Jacob Schoen &Son Funeral Home.Condolences may be left at www.schoenfh. com.

Manuel, PaulineMiller

It is with greatsorrow that we announcethe homegoingofour beloved mother,sister, aunt,grand‐mother andfriend, Pauline Miller Manuel. Paulinede‐parted herearthly life at OchsnerMedical Center Westbank Hospital on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 at theage of 83. Shewas born on September10, 1941 in NewOrleans LA.and wasthe ﬁrstofninechil‐dren born to theunion of thelateLawrenceMillerJr. andMorganMiller. Hersib‐lingsare Brenda andEu‐gene "Willie"Millerand thelateFlorenceShedrick (lateElijah),Matthew Williams (Leola), Thomas Vernon,Herbert,and Re‐nard Miller.She is thewife of thelateHermanManuel Jr., andthe loving mother of Denise Manuel(Eugene), Trudie M. Lambert(late Willie), Michelle Sylve (David)and thelateHer‐manManuelIII andRos‐alyn Manuel. She also leaves behind herstepchil‐dren Darren Wilson (Sherita)and Denise Ross Byes,ninegrandchildren, sixteen greatgrandchil‐dren,fourgreat great grandchildren, brothers andsister-in-law,nieces andnephews anda host of otherlovingrelatives and friends. Paulinewas akind andgeneroussoul, always thinking aboutothers. Aboveall shewas afaith‐

fulchild of theMostHigh God. She kept thefaith and fought thegood fight, neverwaveringinher be‐liefs. Even in illness, she stood firm in hertrust in theLord. Herquiet courage, patience and graceinspiredeveryone around her. Oneofher fa‐vorite saying "Itiswhatit is", wasa testamenttoher peacewithGod's will and herrefusal to worry about whatshe norman could notcontrol.Paulinewas a devotedmemberofthe St Paul MissionaryBaptist Church of Ironton, LA where shewas baptized at ayoung ageinthe Missis‐sippi Riverbythe late Rev. JamesBrown. Sheat‐tended Scottville School andretired from Belle Chasse StateSchool (Met‐ropolitanDevelopmental Center)after many years of dedicatedservice.Rela‐tivesand friendsofthe family, alongwiththe pas‐tor, officers andmember of St.PaulMissionaryB.C andall neighboring churches andRiverbend Nursingand RehabCenter areinvited to attend the HomegoingCelebration on Saturday,July12, 2025 at Robinson Family Funeral Home,9611 LA-23, Belle Chasse LA 70037. Thevisi‐tation will beginat9:30 a.m. followed by an 11 a.m. service. Pastor Haywood Johnsonwillofficiateand entombment will follow in IrontonCemetery.Funeral planning entrustedto Robinson Family Funeral Home (504) 208-2119. For online condolences, please visitwww.robinsonfamilyf uneralhome.com.

Jacqueline RoyalMartin, affectionately knownas “Jackie",was born to Rus‐sell Royaland Cora Lowery RoyalonMarch 6, 1941. Jackie graduatedfrom John H. Martyn High School in 1959. Shelater pursued higher educationat Straight Business College where sheearneda Degree in Accounting. With dedi‐cation andgrace,she worked forSouth Central Bell for30years before re‐tiring.Jackiefound joyin spending time with hersis‐terMildred, travelingto visither late sister Ruby in California,and shopping Herdayswere filledwith laughter,love, andcherish‐ingfamilybonds.Jackie metJames J. Martin Jr., in 1962, andtheywereunited in marriage in 1963. Their union wasblessedwith oneson,James J. Martin III, (Jimmy), he wasthe light of herlifeand appleofher eye. Herlovefor himwas unwavering andevident in allshe did. Awoman of deep faith,Jackiewas bap‐tizedbyher niece, Pamela RoyalWestonthrough Roy‐alty andLoveChristian Center.She leaves to cher‐ishher memory:her de‐votedson,James J. Martin III; belovedgrandson, Keris J. Lackings;lovingsister, Corinne MildredTaylor; sis‐ter-in-law,LorraineAut‐man; anda host of nieces, nephews, extended family, andfriends.Precededin deathbyher parentsRus‐sell andCoraRoyal,sib‐lings, RussellRoyal Jr FrankRoyal Sr., Germaine RoyalRidgley,and Ruby RoyalTurner. Family and friendsare invitedtoat‐tend theCelebration of Life ServiceonSaturday, July 12, 2025, for10:00 a.m. at CornerstoneUMC,5276 BullardAve NewOrleans LA 70128. Visitation will beginat9:00a.m.Pastor Darryl Taylor,officiating. Intermentwillfollowat Mount Olivet Cemetery, 4000 Norman MayerAve., NewOrleans,LA70112. In lieu of flowers, donation checks canbemadetothe CornerstoneEndowment Fund.Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com(504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D. Boyd Owners/FuneralDi‐rectors.

Guidry,RobertJ.'Bob'

Martin,JacquelineRoyal

Foster Jr., Thomas

OPINION

NOLA.COM/opinions

It’s time forLouisiana to lead in business

The 2025 legislative session has come to aclose, and with it, Louisiana enters anew era of economic possibility

modernization of our state’seconomic development tool kit in a generation.

alongside newly recruited ﬁrms.

The team at Louisiana Economic Development entered this legislative session riding awave of historic wins: Meta’sdata center in Richland Parish, Hyundai’s ﬁrst North American steel plant in Donaldsonville and major liquid natural gas investments in both the southeast and southwest corners of the state. We closed out this year’ssession having announced $62 billion in new capital investment across the state since Gov.Jeff Landry took ofﬁce last year

But those wins came even before we had fully assembled thenew playbook. The special taxsession and passage of Act 590 last year gave LED anew framework to boost competitiveness and move at the speed of business. This session, we had theopportunity and the responsibility to build on that momentum andcomplete the most ambitious

Under the bold leadership of Gov.Landry and with stronglegislative support for LED’slegislative package, we got it done.

Thepoliciesand investments madethis session fully align with and enable the execution of our department’s new strategic plan —acomprehensive blueprint to attract major projects, create high-paying jobs and address long-standing barriers to growth.

Oneofthe most transformative changes was transferring amajorityofour incentive programstoaprocess called rulemaking. While this may sound like abureaucratic footnote, the way our legislators structured this reform allows LED theﬂexibilitytorespond tomarket and economic changes in real time while remaining transparent and accountable tothe people of Louisiana.

TheLegislature also delivered agame-changing $150 million for our new Sites and Infrastructure Initiative. For too long, Louisiana has lost out on major projects because we didn’thave readyto-go sites. This investment ﬂips

thescript, creatingapipeline of development-ready locations across the state that will pay dividends for decades to come.

Ourapproach for this initiative is rooted in leveraging partnership and existing assets to drive aquantiﬁable return on investment to the state. Projects will be selected through acompetitive processfocused on long-term economic impact. This is what smart growthlooks like —bold,

BanningPBMswould hit veterans,rural residentshard

Louisiana’slegislative session ended lastmonth with asigniﬁcant outcome: House Bill 358, aproposal thatcould have reshapedthe state’spharmacy landscape, failed to pass before adjournment. Gov Jeff Landry has now suggested that he may call aspecial session to revive it.That would be amistake.

In short, HB358 would prohibit pharmacy beneﬁt managers (PBMs) from owningoroperating pharmacies in Louisiana. Supporters framed it as away to address rising drug costs and curb the power of largecorporations in the health care system.

pendent pharmacies achance to thrive.

strategic andbuilt to last. We’ve also redesignedour incentive programs to reﬂect our agency’scoremission —ensuring everyLouisianan has the opportunityfor prosperity.Rather than rewarding job quantity,the new High Impact Jobs Program focuses on wage growth, targeting positions thatpay well above parishaverages.Italso ensures that existing Louisiana companies of every size canbeneﬁt

Anotherforward-thinking initiative is the creation of the Louisiana Innovation Fund, which will help build the next generationofindustry leaders right here at home

The next biotech giant, AI innovatororadvanced manufacturing corporation doesn’thave to come from BostonorSilicon Valley. It can ﬁnd seed capital, take root andgrowright here in Louisiana.This fund complements ourbroader Louisiana Innovation (LA.IO) strategy to cultivate a thriving ecosystem forstartups andearly-stage companies, ensuring everyregionofour state hasa meaningful stake in the industries of the future. Gov.Landry andthe Louisiana Legislature have shown that when ourstate leaders unite behind aclear visionand act with purpose,Louisiana doesn’tjust catch up —welead Now is ourtime.With the tools, talent andmomentum we’ve built, Louisiana is ready to compete andpositionedtowin.

Susan B. Bourgeoisisthe secretary of LouisianaEconomic Development.

Medicaid andSNAP arelifelines for families like mine

Butrecent examples suggestotherwise. When Rite Aid declared bankruptcy earlier this year,communities without a strong presence of larger pharmacy providers struggled to ﬁll thegap. In Pennsylvania, for example, smaller community pharmacies often lacked thecapacity or resources to absorb theinﬂux of patients —especially those with costly or complex medication needs. If Louisiana does not exercise caution, it could face asimilar outcome.

However,for all its good intentions, the bill would createmore problems than it solves PBMs play acritical, behind-the-scenes role in the health care system. They help negotiate lower prices for medications, manage formularies and provide access to mail-order and specialty pharmacy services that are vital for many patients. This includes veterans, as well as activeduty service members and their families, who often depend on these systems to ensure continuity of care.

An example of this is the mail-order pharmacy network used by TRICARE, the health program for active-duty service members, retirees and their dependents. These mail services —often coordinated through PBM-afﬁliated pharmacies —ensure that veterans who live far from aVAfacility or who face mobility issues can still access their medications in atimely and convenient manner.If HB358were enacted,signiﬁcant parts of this supply chain could be disrupted, creating new barriers for veterans toaccess their lifesaving prescriptions.

The bill’simpact wouldn’tstopthere. By effectively preventing PBMs from operating pharmacies in the state, passage of HB358could result in the closure of more than 100 pharmacy locations, displacing over amillion patients, including tens of thousands of veterans.

That kind of disruptionwould be difﬁcult for any community —but it would be particularly hard on rural areas, where pharmacy options are already limited and where veterans disproportionatelyreside.

Some have argued that eliminating PBM-owned pharmacieswould give inde-

Independent pharmacies are an importantpart of our health care system, but they cannot singlehandedly replace thescale, reach or specialized services that theretail pharmacies this bill would force the state to help provide. We should be working to integrate all providers— large and small— into afunctioning ecosystem that serves patients,not dismantling one part of it in hopes the rest will catch up.

None of this is to say there isn’troom for thoughtfulPBM reform. Greater transparency in pricing, stronger oversight and fairer reimbursementpolicies are all worthy goals.

Butbanning PBMs from operating pharmacies altogether —asHB358 proposed to do —doesn’tget us closer to those outcomes. Reviving it in aspecial session would only reintroduce theuncertaintyand potential disruption that so many patients can’tafford.

Veterans in Louisiana deserve asystem thatworks for them: one that provides timely,affordable access to medications, wherever they live and whatever conditions theyface.

Policies that undercut the very services making that possible areastep in the wrong direction. If our leaders want to uphold the commitment they have made to our menand women who served in uniform, they should be engaging with stakeholders to craft practical, patientcentered reforms, not resurrecting legislationthat could make it harder for those who served to get thecare they need.

Rob Maness is aretired U.S. Air Force colonel andaformer candidate for U.S. Senate in Louisiana.

I’m asingle mom with three kids, and they keep me on my toes. Ilove them and Iwould do anything for them, but thecost of raising afamily keeps jumping, and I’mfeeling the pressure. Iwas laid off twice last year, which has humbled me in ways I could never have imagined, and my family is feeling the strain. My kids know I’munder stress. They feel it, too.

Earlier this month, one of my children experienced an emotional breakdown.Wehave been able to place him in abehavioral healthunit,where he’sgetting the specialized, intensive care he needs to heal. My whole family is now receiving counseling services, which we will have to stop if Medicaid funding dries up. Though this support is critical, the out-of-pocket expenses would be morethan we can afford Iwish Icould focus only on my son’srecovery.I’ve had to take a pay cut at work, andthe strain is mounting. I’ve reapplied forfood stamps, and the additional $300 a month helps, but my budget is still tight and I’m worried.Ifwelose our SNAPbeneﬁts, it’ll hurt my family and families like mine. For work, I’ve been facilitating training courses forblue-collar workers who typically work through thesummer when the weather is good. Businessismuch slower in the summer,making it difﬁcult to make ends meet on my own.

in our state. SNAP serves 867,000 Louisiana residents. About 45% of those recipients are children. Medicaid and SNAP are making it possible formychildren —and manychildren across Louisiana —to survive. Taking these programsawayfrom children and the adults raising them would be dangerous. Earlier this year,my family traveled to Capitol Hill for the Strolling Thunder rally hosted by ZERO TO THREE. We called on Congress to protect Medicaid and SNAP,and boost funding for other programs that make raising afamily in this country possible. We metwith lawmakers to share our stories and highlight the importance of these programs for families like mine

Now, Congress has passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which will cut these programssigniﬁcantly Taking health care and food away from sick children and struggling families will only result in ugliness. It will mean higher costs, morepaperwork and fewercovered services. Hospitals will close, grocery bills will skyrocket and children who need physical and mental health supports —like my son —will be leftwith few, if any,options.

Today,myfamily is healing because we got the support we needed when it mattered most.

I’m doing everything Ican to build abetter future for my children. I want them to grow up in asociety where families don’thave to choose between healthy meals, working hard and paying for lifesaving healthcare.

Andwe’re not alone. Louisiana’s Medicaid program, LaCHIP, covers 56.8% of all children in Louisiana and nearly two-thirds of the births

Families like mine just want what all families want: to give our children the best possible start in life. That meansfood, that meanshealth care, and —sometimes —itmeans a helping hand. For families like mine, Medicaid and SNAP aren’tjust programs. They’re alifeline.

Katherine Hickle lives in Mandeville.

PHOTO By JILL PICKETT

Earthwork began in December at the site of afuture Meta artificial intelligence optimized data center in the Holly Ridgearea of Richland Parish.

Susan B. Bourgeois GUEST COLUMNIST

Rob Maness GUEST COLUMNIST

Katherine Hickle GUEST COLUMNIST

COMMENTARY

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

ROOM FOR DEBATE DISAPPEARINGMODERATES

After stating he could not support the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Sen.Thom Tillis, aRepublican from NorthCarolina, announced that he would not seekreelection. President DonaldTrump threatened to supportprimary challengers to anyRepublican whodaredoppose hissignature legislation, and detractorscalled Tillis aRepublican in Name Only.But Tillis said he wasfollowing hisconscience. It wasn’t always this way. Politicians usedtobeable to break ranks with their party to defend local interests.Tillis supporterscallhim agood government casualty.Hereare twoperspectives.

Tillis

joinsthe dropouts with unforgivable sin

“Another one bites the dust,” goes the popular Queen song, which might have been writtenfor therecent news in Trumpworld. Irefer to Sen.Thom Tillis, the Republican senator from North Carolina, who, in the wakeofavirtual assault by Donald Trump,announced thathewon’tseek reelection next year Thus, Tillis joins alengthening line of dropouts or,asthe presiding party prefers, RINOs —Republicans in Name Only who have left publicoffice during the years since Trump first became president rather thanbe forced to breathe the sulfurousvapors emanating from Pennsylvania Avenue andseeping intocongressional offices Among other considerations for Tillis was Trump’spromise to seek revenge through aprimary challengerasrecompense for Tillis’ “betrayal” in withholding his vote for Trump’smassivetax and immigration bill, which theHouse of Representatives passed andTrump signed intolaw You’ve probably heard of it. Tillis didn’t like parts of the billthat cut Medicaid over the next decade. Tillis andTrump spoke about theirdifferences and, Tillis said, reached ameeting of the minds.But it wasn’t long after that Trump stood in the doorway of his Truth Socialplatform andbegan firing insults at Tillis, saying he was “a talker and complainer,NOT ADOER!” Not the machine-gun fire of Queen’ssong, but effective enough in getting rid of Tillis, though the senator claims he had been mulling adeparture before Trump’ssniping In astatement to reporters, Tillis said: “In Washington over thelast few years, it’s becomeincreasingly evident that leaders who are willingtoembrace bipartisanship, compromise anddemonstrate independent thinkingare becoming an endangeredspecies.”

millions ofchildren. Andtothink that evangelical America claims God chose Trumptolead the country and, presumably,the world. If Republicans are representing themselves as Christians while cutting essential aid to the neediest among us, then we might infer that they’re all going to hell. Trump is no more Christian than he is a Republican.

When an ‘endangered species’ loseshis ground

trailer,working as acook and waiter at a fast-food joint, ﬁnally making enough at a warehouse to afford atrailer of his own. These are our voters —your voters, he’s telling Trump—and these are the people whowill be hurt by your policies.

Trump isn’tjust aBible-thumping sideshow barker pitching gospel andperfumes. He also peddles fakenews, false motives and packs of lies, notably that he wants to help the working class while decreasing the federal deﬁcit. Perhaps he meant bigger Christmas bonuses for hisLatinolandscaping crews and golf caddies because the Congressional Budget Ofﬁce found that his bill would add roughly $3.3 trillion to the national debt over 10 years.

ThankstoVicePresident JD Vance’s tiebreakingvote, the Republican-controlled Senate embraced therich and shafted the poor.(Not to be outdone, the GOP-led House did thesame, though much morequickly.)

We can surmisethat at least thethree SenateRepublicans who voted against the bill, including Tillis, had hoped that theHouse would reject theSenate version. Theother two senators demonstratingpossession of aspine were Susan CollinsofMaine and RandPaul of Kentucky.

After Sen. Thom Tillis announced his opposition to Donald Trump’sOne Big Beautiful Bill, thepresident excoriated theNorth Carolina Republican and vowed to support aprimary candidate against him next year Tillis promptly declared that he was not running again, depriving Trumpof leverage and reclaiming the “pure freedom” to speak his mind. Andspeak he did. While Trump had promised to protect Medicaid funding, Tillis argued that his bill would eventually deprive almost 12 million Americansofhealth care coverage, including 663,000 in North Carolina.

It’shard to miss the irony, if you’re in the mood, of the chainsaw-wielding, empathy-deﬁcient Elon Musk, richest man in the world, slashing government programs while aman such as Tillis, who moved out of his family’strailer at 16 to get ajob, is run out of town forcaring about his state’spoor Such are Trump’spriorities, in anutshell. “Screw the poor” is the leitmotif running through this “moral abomination,” as Sen. Chris Murphy,D-Connecticut, recently described thelaw beforeit had been passed. In plain terms, this legislation translates to aloss of health care —and food subsidies —for tens of thousandsifnot

There was no need to rush to pass the monsterbill before July 4, the deadline Trumphad set. Understandably,he might have hoped to declare one great big, beautiful victory on Independence Day to displace the national memory of his tedious, snooze-worthy birthday parade. Toobad Trumpcouldn’thave adapted amore fitting deadline —Labor Day,perhaps, for abill that should pay greater heedtothe needs of the less fortunate than to thebillionaire club to which Trumphas always aspired. Tillis’ legacy,meanwhile, might well be that aDemocrat fills his seat. Though North Carolina is aswing state that went forTrump in 2024 by aslight margin, voters are split almost evenly between thetwo major parties. The largest group of voters, at 38%, is unaffiliated. By November 2026, given theaccelerating pace of crazy,there’snotelling which directionthe political winds might blow —orwho next might bitethe dust

Email Kathleen Parker at kathleenparker@washpost.com.

“Republicans are about tomakeamistakeonhealth care and (betray) apromise,” Tillis warned on the Senate ﬂoor.“I’m tellingthe president that you have been misinformed: Yousupportingthe Senate markwill hurt people who are eligible and qualiﬁed for Medicaid.”

Tillis subsequently joined all 47 Democrats and two other Republicans(Rand Pauland Susan Collins) to vote against thebill, which passed the Senate 51-50 after Vice President J.D. Vance cast atiebreaking vote. (The House passed the bill. Trumpsigned it into law July 4.)

What is happening to thebase of the Republican Party,and to thecharacter of the U.S. Senate?

LastMay,Sen. Josh Hawley,aMissouri Republican, wroteaninsightful article in The New York Times,lamenting the same Medicaid cutsthat infuriateTillis and stating that his party’sposition was“both morally wrong and politically suicidal.”

When Ronald Reagan denounced “welfare queens” in the1980s, he could dismiss them as unswerving and undeserving Democrats, not hardworking, taxpaying Republicans.

Buttoday,Hawley maintained, the GOP is increasingly the party of the working class, and “Republicans need to open their eyes: Ourvoters support social insurance programs. More than that, ourvoters depend on those programs.”

Exit polls last fall reinforce his point about the changing makeup of Republican loyalists.

In 2020, voters earning less than $100,000 ayear backed Joe Biden overTrumpby56 to 43. Last year,that sameincome group supported Trumpover KamalaHarris by 51 to 47.

Voterswithout college degrees voted Republican 56 to43. Those who said their economic situation had declined under Biden, almost half the electorate, overwhelmingly favored Trumpby82to16. Tillis makes asimilar argument and describes his own boyhood: growing up in a

Even as the Republican Party has been broadening its base, however, it’sbeen cracking downondissent and diversity.Other strong-minded lawmakers whohave deﬁed Trump —Mitt Romney,Liz Cheney,Jeff Flake and Bob Corker —have been driven into exile and denounced as heretics.

“InWashington over the last few years, it’sbecome increasingly evident that leaders whoare willing to embrace bipartisanship, compromise and demonstrate independent thinking are becoming an endangered species,” Tillis stated. Tillis is no liberal —he’snot even amoderate —but he is apragmatist, aprofessional legislator whoserved as speaker of the North Carolina House.

As The Washington Post reports: “He built areputation forhimself as abipartisan dealmaker,working with Democrats on legislation to address gun violence and codify the right to same-sex marriage. He also worked on the failed effort last year to pass abipartisan immigration and border bill.”

While Trumpdid not start the trend that is making dealmakers like Tillis an “endangered species,” he has vastly accelerated it. All good politicians understand the imperative to reward friends and punish enemies, but Trumphas taken his tirades to anew extreme, denouncing anyone who showseven ahint of disloyalty Trumpisthe worst example of politics as Holy Warintoday’scapital, but he’shardly the only one. Tillis rightly points out that Democrats were deeply intolerant of two of their own members whoactually worked with Republicans, Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten SinemaofArizona, and helped drive them out of ofﬁce.

“They got things done,” Tillis said. “But they were shunned after they courageously refused to cave to their party bosses to nuke the ﬁlibuster forthe sake of political expediency.They ultimately retired, and their presence in the Senate chamber has been sorely missed every day since.” Tillis will be missed as well. The ranks of his “endangered species” —lawmakers whoknow that “compromise” is not acurse word, but an essential element of realworld problem solving —keep shrinking. Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@ gmail.com.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., speaks with reporters as he headstothe chamber during a2024 vote at theCapitol in Washington, D,C.

Kathleen Parker

Steve Roberts

DEATHS continued from Martin Bruce, Hazel Curtis

Hazel ElizabethCurtis

Martin Bruce, age 90,of New Orleans, Louisiana, passed away peacefullyon Sunday, June 29, 2025. Born on Monday, January 7, 1935, Ms. Hazel was the beloved first daughter of the late William "Catfish" Curtis Jr. and Albirda Welsh Curtis. Aloving, and faith-filled woman known for her giving heart and clever humor, she lived with purpose and touched hearts of all those she encountered. As the family's matriarch, she was attentive to everyone's needs, particularly her husband Bob, son Aubrey, and grandson, KC. Her warmth and wisdomwere gifts she generously shared with everyone. Ms. Hazel had a stellar work history and retired from theState of LA's Dept. of Social ServicesOffice of Community Services, Child Protection Division.

Ms. Hazel leaves alegacy of strength to her precious survivors, including loyal husband, Robert L. Bruce; adoring son, Aubrey J.Curtis; cherished grandson, Ki-Jana Curtis and caring daughter-in-love, Linda Howard-Curtis. She is also survived by siblings: Emelda Styles, Alvin Sr, Charles, and Joseph Curtis. Ms. Hazel was preceded in death by her parents; siblings: Gloria Bennett, Aubrey Harris, Berthard, Cyril, John, Raymond Sr., and William L. Curtis anda host of relatives and friends Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Celebration ofLife service on Saturday, July 12, 2025, 11:00AM at Mount Zion Baptist Church, 2200 Dumaine Street, New Orleans,LA. Visitation

9:00AM untilservice Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Iretta McMillian(Tut), retiredco-ownerofMcMil‐lian Trucking andhome‐makerdiedThursday July 3, 2025 at 85 yearsofage Iretta wasborninNew Or‐leans, LA anda lifelong resident.She is preceded in deathbyher husband, Willie McMillian; sons,Roy andCurtisMcMillian;and daughter,Diane M. Harris Mother of Rayand Alvin McMillian, DebbieMcMil‐lian-Williamsand Gail McMillian- Morgan of St Johns,Florida.Sisterof FreddieHampton(de‐ceased). Survived by 18 grandchildren, 34 greatgrandchildrenand ahost of nieces,nephews,rela‐tivesand friends. Relatives andfriends areinvited to theHomegoing Celebration honoring thelifeofMrs Iretta McMillianon Satur‐day, July 12, 2025 at Greater Pleasant Green Baptist Church,3431 S. Claiborne Ave, NewOrleans LA at 10:00am.Visitationwillbe at 9:00am.Interment: ResthavenMemorialPark, 10400 OldGentillyRd, New Orleans, LA.Pleasesign theonlineguestbook at www.charbonnetfuneralho me.com.CharbonnetLabat Glapion, Directors. (504) 581-4411.

Meridith,Minnie PearlHughes

MinniePearl Hughes Meridith,83, abeloved wife,mother, grand‐mother,entrepreneur, and lifelong womanoffaith, enteredintoeternal rest on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

AnativeofMississippi and longtime resident of Louisiana, Minnie wasthe founder of MinniePearl Pies,established in 1988 aftershe followed adivine calling: “Makepies—peo‐plegon’alwayseat.” Her sweet potato pies became alocal staple,earning her thedistinction of beingthe firstnon-mass-produced bakery to appear in gas stations andsupermarkets across theregion, begin‐ning with Danny& Clyde’s Food Mart in 1991. Shewas laterselectedasthe exclu‐sive sweet potato pieven‐dorfor SuperBowlXLVII. Forover15years,she served as acherished ven‐doratthe NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival EssenceFestival, Zulu LundiGrasFestival, AudubonNatureInstitute Festivals, andnumerous otherevents. Hermotto, “The Sweetestand the Best Pies This Side of Heaven,” reflectedboth herproduct andher spirit Belovedwifeofthe late EddieMeridith, Jr.Devoted mother of VanMichael Hughes,Eddie(Jacquelyn) Meridith,III,Gwendy(Ty‐rone)Robinson, andCan‐drassar(Willie)Wilson. Daughterofthe late Henry andElmaHughes. Loving sister of MildredBerry, CassandraThompson, and thelateGeneand Louis Hughes.Alsocherishing hermemoriesare 7grand‐children,and ahostof nieces,nephews,cousins, otherrelatives andfriends Relativesand friendsofthe family,alsopastors,offi‐cers,and membersofThe WholeFamilyChurch,Holy Hill BaptistChurch,True Hope Ministries, NewZion ChristianFamilyWorship Center andneighboring churches areinvited to at‐tend theCelebration of Life at NewZionChristian Fam‐ilyWorship Center,5040 TaravellaRoad, Marrero, LA on Saturday,July12, 2025, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Carnell Bridges, host pastor;Pas‐torDanielWalker, officiat‐ing. Visitation will beginat 8:00a.m. until servicetime at thechurch.Interment: NewHopeBaptist Church Cemetery-Gretna, LA Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service, 230 Mon‐roeSt. Gretna,LA. To view andsignthe guestbook, please go to www.davismo rtuaryservice.com. Face MasksAre Recommended

O’Brien, Dr.Patrick Shawn

PatrickShawn O’Brien, Ph.D.passedawaysud‐denlyJune28, 2025 in Asheville, NorthCarolina while proudlyserving on theU.S.ArmyCorps of En‐gineers(USACE) waterway debris removalmission in theaftermath of Hurricane Helene.A flag will be flown over thenation’scapital in hishonor,July12, 2025. He wasprecededindeath by hisparents John Daniel O’Brienand Anna May SmithO’Brien, hisidentical twin MichaelCorrigan O’Brienand hisbrother John Daniel O’BrienII. He is survived by hissisters Sharon O’Brien, Susan O’Brienvan Loon,and Anne O’Brien, sister-in-lawRos‐alindBealerO’Brien and hisniecesand nephews: John Daniel O’BrienIII, DavidT.O’Brien (Lynn),Re‐becca O’Brien, andLauren vanLoon Romanauskas (Alex).Dr. O’Brienwas a boardcertified profes‐sional engineer(P.E.)and an extraordinarily wellrounded hydrology,hy‐draulics, coastal, andre‐search engineer.Hewas oneofthe nation’s experts on climateresilienceand sealevel change,widely recognized forhis out‐standing contributionsto civilworks projects and national security through hisworkinwater re‐sourcesmanagementengi‐neering, engineeringre‐search anddevelopment, climatepreparednessand resilience,and naturaldis‐astermanagementduring hisnearly30-year career at theUSACE.Hecompleted hisdoctoraldegreewith oneofthe premierhy‐draulicengineeringre‐search groups in thena‐tion at Colorado StateUni‐versity. Hisresearchintro‐ducedaninnovative method to assess thevul‐nerability of coastalinfra‐structure under global sea levelchangescenarios and directly influenced USACE climateresiliencepolicy throughtechnical publica‐tionsand thedevelopment of online decision support tools. He completedearlier degrees in finance(B.S.) andcivil engineering(B.S.

newedhis love forall

andM.S.) at theUniversity of NewOrleans.Dr. O’Brien served in critical,influen‐tial leadership rolesinclud‐ingthe lead hydraulicengi‐neer formajor infrastruc‐ture projects,the primary investigator fornational research projects,a sub‐ject matterexpertfor a wide rangeofdisciplines,a waterresources engineer‐ingchief,and atechnical specialist foremergency management response missions followingnatural disasters. He wasinstru‐mental in integrating global sealevel change into thenationalUSACE planning andengineering framework. He authored or co-authored multiple USACEpolicyand technical documentsand wasse‐lected by theWhite House’sOffice of Science andTechnology Policy to be achapter author forthe “Coastal Effects” chapter of the5th National Climate Assessment in 2023. Throughout hiscareer,he played critical rolesinall regionsofthe country, managing severalofthe nation’s largestand most complexriver systems, in‐cludingthe Mississippi and Columbia Riverwater‐sheds. In rolesasa re‐search environmentalen‐gineer andthe Chiefofthe Wetlands andCoastal Ecol‐ogy Branch at theEngineer Research andDevelopment Center’s Environmental Laboratory,heled adi‐verse, interdisciplinary workforceofscientistsand engineersperformingre‐search on wetlands and coastalecology,quantita‐tive ecological methods andmodeling, anddredg‐ingimpacts.Hewas alead engineer on majormulti‐purposewater resource in‐frastructure projects for theNew Orleans, Portland Galveston, andSan Fran‐ciscoDistricts,including theMt. SaintHelensand Columbia RiverChannel DeepeningProjects, and theSouth SanFrancisco BayShoreline Project. He authored numerous con‐ferencepapersonsedi‐ment transport, sediment management,reservoir sedimentation, reservoir operations flood risk,and hydraulicdesignoftide gates. Becauseofhis un‐common anddistinguished expertiseinbothcoastal andriverineprocesses, he was frequently called upon to providetechnical and policy guidance or review forhighprofile USACEpro‐jectsinnearlyevery region of thecountry,for which he hasreceivednumerous agency serviceawards, in‐cludingthe Achievement Medalfor Civilian Service (2006),the USACEClimate Champion (2016),the Com‐mandersAward forCivilian Service(2018),several per‐formance awards and Commander’s coins, and nominationsfor theWhite HouseGreen GovAward (2016) andthe Societyof MilitaryEngineers(SAME) Wheeler Medal(2016).His intellectand remarkable knowledgewerematched by hispatience. He turned complexideas into plain language andsaw poten‐tial where others saw roughedges.Inaddition to hisexemplary setofinter‐disciplinary skills and knowledge, Dr.O’Brien was devotedtopublicservice values,exemplified throughhis participationin numerous emergencyre‐sponse missions following naturaldisasters:a tempo‐rary roofing missionfol‐lowing HurricaneCharley, atemporary housingmis‐sion followingHurricane Ivan,and debris missions followingHurricane Kat‐rina andwildfiresinLos Angeles. He devotedhis career to advancingthe engineeringand public ser‐vice missions of USACE, generously dedicating many hourstotrainingand mentoringengineers throughout thecountry, andhewas widely re‐spectedbyhis colleagues Hisexpertise andleader‐ship skills made himone of themostinsightful, influ‐ential,and valued leaders at USACE, andhis kind‐ness,compassion, and en‐thusiasm will be dearly missedbyall.The tools andideas Dr.O’Brien de‐velopedwillcontinue help‐ingpeoplesolve problems he'llnever know about. His professional legacy is as enduring as thepersonal oneheleftwiththose who knew him. Beyond hisstel‐larprofessionalaccom‐plishments,Dr. O’Brien wasnoted forhis adven‐turous spirit,loveofcon‐versationand zest forlife. He wasa coffee connois‐seur,and passionate about e-bikes, meteorology,as‐tronomy, andlifeonthe road as adevoted van camper,alwaysplanning hisnextroadtrip. He chronicled thedaily life of hisbeloved ginger catPip throughthousands of pho‐tosand videos andbecame atechnical expert at ad‐ministeringPip’s twice dailyinsulin jabs.After travelingand living near andfar formuchofhis ca‐reer,Dr. O’Brienreturned to thesameneighborhood where hisIrish andGer‐manimmigrantancestors once lived. There, he re‐

things NewOrleans,espe‐cially MardiGras, Jazz Fest, AudubonParkand hisfa‐vorite bike path on the levee. Family andfriends areinvited to attend aFu‐neralMassinhonor of Patrick’slife, July 12, 2025, at 11 a.m. at JacobSchoen FuneralHome. Visitation begins at 10:00a.m.Inlieu of ﬂowers, thefamily kindly requests memorial donationsbemadetothe charityofyourchoiceorto theBig Easy Animal Res‐cue, anonproﬁtclose to Patrick’sheart.Arrange‐mentsbyJacob Schoen & SonFuneralHome. Condo‐lences maybeleftatwww schoenfh.com

Mrs. IreneRamsey peacefully enteredinto eternalrestonTuesday, July 1, 2025, at herhomein NewOrleans,Louisiana Shewas 87 yearsold.A womanofdeep faith,a ra‐diantspirit, andunwaver‐ingdevotiontofamily, Mrs. Ramsey liveda life rooted in love andservice.She wasborninVancleave,MS to thelateFreeman and AnniePayton. Shewas the belovedwifeofthe late Margie Ramsey andthe proudmotherofSharon Ramsey,MaryRamsey Price, andDonaldRamsey. Shenot only raised her children,but helped raise hergrandchildren,Maurice Stacker(Carla),Carvell Stemley(Khadijah), Marissa Carlisle (Roland), RaionRamsey, JaronPrice andN'Dia Ramsey.She was theproud great-grand‐mother of Hailey,Careion, MauriceJr. Cavalli, Jaron Jr., CarvellJr.,and Masey. Belovedsister of Sarah Haggerty, Mary Batts,Ole‐viaPayton, FloritaFairley, andthe late Edward Pay‐ton, ElizabethColeman, PearlieWilliams, Rosetta Briggs,Odell Payton and Melvin Payton.She was also alovingsister-in-law to Rena McLauren,Augus‐tine Payton,EdwardBriggs andWillHaggerty. Sheis also survived by ahostof nieces,nephews,cousins, otherrelatives,and dear friends. Mrs. Ramsey served formanyyears as a Licensed PracticalNurse at DaVita Dialysis Center,of‐fering care andcompas‐sion to patients throughout hercareer.She wasalsoa faithfulmemberofHistoric Second BaptistChurch for over 70 years. Relatives andfriends of thefamily, alongwithPastor, ofﬁcers, andmembers of Historic Second BaptistChurch,are invitedtoattend theCele‐brationofLifeService for IreneRamseyonSaturday, July 12,2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Historic Second Baptist Church,2505 Marengo Street,New Orleans, LA 70115. Rev. Robert B. Jack‐son(Pastor)ofﬁciating. Visitation from 9:00 a.m. until 10:00a.m.service time.Interment:LakeLawn Mausoleum, 5100 PontchartrainBlvd.,New Orleans, LA 70124. Profes‐sional services entrusted to Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home,Inc., 2715 Danneel Street,NOLA70113. Infor‐mation:(504) 895-4903. To sign online guestbook, please visitwww.estelle jwilsonfh.com.

Rapp, ClintonDru ClintonDru Rapp de‐parted this life on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 at West Jeffer‐sonMedical Center in Mar‐rero.Hewas 63 yearsold anda native andlifelong resident of BoothvilleVenice,LA. Belovedson of SedoniaTaylorRappand thelateLeroy Rapp Sr.De‐votedbrother of Lachella Jones(Perry Sr.),Clitras Prout, Dwayne Rapp (Ethel), LeroyRappJr.,and thelateBernell James Proutand Lora Jean Rapp Clintonisalsosurvivedby hisaunts, uncles,nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand devoted friends. Relativesand friendsofthe familyare in‐vitedtoattend thefuneral serviceonSaturday, July 12, 2025 at theMount Olive Missionary BaptistChurch, 39752 Hwy. 23, Boothville LA 70038 Thevisitationwill beginat9 a.m. andthe ser‐vice will beginat11a.m Pastor Theodore Turner Jr ofﬁciating. Funeralplan‐ning entrustedtoRobinson Family FuneralHome(504) 208-2119. Foronlinecondo‐

lences,pleasevisit www robinsonfamilyfuneralho me.com

Schouest Sr., Dudley Alfred

Dudley Alfred Schouest Sr acherished father grandfather, andfriend, passedawayonJune 30, 2025, at West Jefferson Hospital.BornonNovem‐ber2,1935, in Raceland Louisiana, Dudley was knownfor hiswarmper‐sonality andhis abilityto connectwitheveryonehe met, treating allasfriends Hislifewas characterized by dedication,bothinhis work andhis passions Dudley enjoyed afulﬁlling career as atruck driver for ABFand DeltaMotor Lines, where he demonstrated notonlycommitmentbut also an admirablework ethic. Additionally,hetook prideinserving as theVice Presidentfor theLocal 270 Teamsters, an accomplish‐ment that reﬂectedhis leadership anddedication to hisprofession. Beyond hisprofessionalendeav‐ors, Dudley hada profound love forhis family. He en‐joyedspendingtimewith them,and hisproudest momentsincludedbee‐keeping, apassion he cher‐isheddeeply.Manyafter‐noonswerespent in the garden with hisbeloved wife,Janet Lineman Schouest,attheir Wave‐land,Mississippi property, where they nurturedboth theirplantsand theirlove forone another. Dudley is survived by hisson,Dudley (Ann) SchouestJr.;his daughter-in-law, Donna Ri‐chouxSchouest; hisgrand‐son, StephenD.(Ashleigh) Schouest;and hisgrand‐daughter,SheaKing. His legacy continuesthrough theloveand memories shared with hisfamily. He wasprecededindeath by hismother, MaudePertuit; hisfather, Anatole Schouest;his wife,Janet; hisson,Stephen J. Schouest;and siblings Adam Schouest,Donald Schouest,Dorothy Stortz, Daniel Schouest,MaryAnn Rodriquez, andBetty Becker.A Memorial Gath‐eringwilltakeplace on July 12, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM,followedbya Memorial Servicefrom2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.Bothevents will be held at MarreroMotheFuneralHomes,LLC, locatedat7040 Lapalco Blvd,Marrero,Louisiana 70072. Dudley's gentle spirit,unwaveringkind‐ness, andpassion forlife will be rememberedbyall who knew him. Hislegacy is onerooted in love,fam‐ily, anda community that he embraced wholeheart‐edly.Mothe FuneralHome hasbeen entrustedbythe familytohandleall funeral arrangements.Pleasevisit mothefunerals.comtoview andsignthe online.guest‐book

Robert GlosterSmith en‐teredintoeternal rest at hisresidence on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at theage of 81. Shewas anativeof East BatonRouge,LAand a resident of Marrero, LA Robert wasthe ownerofR SmithConstruction. De‐votedhusband of Iona T. Smithbysecondmarriage andthe late MattieWise Smithby ﬁrstmarriage. BelovedfatherofLakisha, Ryan,Avis, andCarlSmith, andthe late Reginald,and Robert Andrew Smith. Son of thelateRev.Jessie Smith, Sr.and Mary Grant Smith. BrotherofPercy Harry,EdwardCharles,and JessieSmith,and thelate Gloria,Edna, Lydia, Mary Lee, Mamie, Ruth Bell,Har‐riet,Carey,Stella,Floria Bell, Velma, Mercer,Edgar, Henry, JohnnieEdward Jamesand Franklin Edward Charles, also survived by 11 grandchildren, 4great grandchildren, and ahost of nieces,nephews,

cousins, otherrelatives andfriends.Relatives and friendsofthe familyalso pastors, ofﬁcers,and membersofGreater Mount Rose BaptistChurch,and neighboringchurches are invitedtoattendthe Cele‐brationofLifeatGreater Mount Rose Baptist Church,1322 SimonBolivar Ave.,New Orleans, LA,on Saturday,July12, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Visitation will beginat 8:30 a.m. until ser‐vice time at theabovenamedchurch.Interment: Woodlawn Park Memorial Cemetery-Westwego, LA Arrangements by Davis Mortuary Service, 230 Mon‐roeSt.,Gretna, LA.Toview andsignthe guestbook, please go to www.davismo rtuaryservice.com. Face masksare recommended

Toole Jr., Rex Foster RexFoster Toole, Jr, passedaway June 20, 2025, at age 95. Alongtime resident of New Orleans, originally from Marianna, Florida,Rex is preceded in death by hissisterEleanor Toole, hisparents,Rex Foster Toole, Sr and TommieEdna Toole (nee Slater), and hisbeloved partner for nearly 60 years, Leonard RileyHarrington. He will be missedbyhis survivingcousins. Rexretiredfromthe New Orleans Veterans Administration Hospital in 1995 after a longcareerasa Doctor of Internal Medicine wherehe was also appointedasa ClinicalAssistant Professor in the Department of Medicineof TulaneUniversitySchool of Medicine. In addition,Rex served in theUnitedStates Army Reserves from which he retiredasa Colonel in 1979. Arrangementsare beinghandled by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home &Cemeteries. His family is planning aprivate serviceinthe near future Memorial donations may be madetoTrinity Episcopal Church,1329 Jackson Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130 or to the AmericanHeart Association

Troxclair, Gail Wool

Gail Wool Troxclair passedaway on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at the age of 81. Shewas preceded in death by herparents,Sam and Mildred Wool;her husband LewisO.Troxclair, Jr.; She is survived by herchildren, Melissa AngelleTroxclair Holladay (Ricky) and BradleyAlanTroxclair (Heather); grandchildren, Hannah Elizabeth Troxclair,Isabelle Amelia Troxclair,Lila Alice Troxclair,HollyElizabeth Troxclair;great grandchildren,Mariah Alexandra Pavon andMalayna Elizabeth Pavon;her brother,Warren Wool (Katherine); and several nieces andnephews. She wasa graduate of Dominican High School and LSU. Gail hadanundergraduate degree in education andtaught at Chapelle; buther most important accomplishment wasraisingher twochildren.Serviceswill be held on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation willbeginat 10:00AM followedbya Mass at 11:00AM. Intermentwill be at Lake LawnPark. To view and sign theguestbook please visit, www.lakelawnmetairi e.com.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY Reporting you can trust on stories thatmatter

Ramsey,Irene

McMillian, Iretta 'Tut'

Smith, Robert Gloster

BY TOYLOYBROWN III Staff writer

The black Nike tech hoodie maintained the mystery for college football fans from Miami to BatonRouge to Austin, Texas.

The all-black getup kept the football future of lineman Lamar Brown, Louisiana’sbrightest high schooltalent, hidden until he announced his college commitment on ESPN2 at 12:15 p.m. Thursday Brown, who stands 6-foot-4, 285 pounds, entered Pennington McKernan Gymnasium about 30 minutes before showtime Family,teammates, fans —including acollection of elementary school-age kids on asummer ﬁeld trip —and media members trickled in.

As Brown’sdark attire hid the color of theshirt of his future college, hisfamilyfollowed the idea of one of his cousinsbywearing matching customt-shirts that said, “What’sNext?,” with pictures of ﬁve-star recruitBrown inuniforms

ä See BROWN, page 6C

BY RODWALKER Sports columnist

There were times Thursday when youcould see just why the NewOrleansPelicansdrafted Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen in the ﬁrst round. Therewere other times when youcould telltheywererookies with just three days of practice under their belt.

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

For acouple weeks, it looked like the NewOrleans Saints had one of the most electric receiver duos in the NFL. Through the ﬁrst ﬁve games of last season,both Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed both topped80yardsreceiving in agame three times. Olave looked on his way to athird consecutive 1,000yard receiving campaign to start his career,and Shaheed wasadding to his big-play prowess, with his three touchdowns coming from 43, 59 and 70 yards out.

Thenitall unraveled. Shaheed suffered aknee injury that ended his season after six games. Olave suffered multiple concussions that limited him to eight gamesand kept him sidelined the ﬁnal eight weeks.

As good as those two were, New Orleans had littleelsetolean on behind them.Despite playing in only eight games, two of which he leftwith injury after playing fewerthan 10 snaps, Olave led all Saints receivers in yards receiving (400).

If NewOrleanswas concernedabout its young receivers staying healthy this season, it didn’tshow during the offseason. The Saints did not address the position with any of their nine draft picks,

ä See SAINTS, page 6C

Notes on agolf scorecard while pulling the levers and ﬂipping the switches to go from vacation mode to full-on football mode

…When LSU ofﬁcials said they wanted to build a new on-campus arena that would be modeled after the still new and ﬂashy Moody Center at Texas, Idon’tthink this is what they meant.

The CEO of the companyexpected to build and run LSU’s proposed arena was indicted

Wednesdayinafederal case that alleges herigged thebidding process over theMoody Center project at Texas. That person is the founder of the Oak View Group, TimothyJ.Leiweke. The indictment handeddown by afederal grand jury charges Liewekewith “orchestrating aconspiracy to rig thebidding process,” according to theDepartment of Justice. As always, we caution folks by saying that an indictment is no proof ofguilt and everyone must gettheir day in court. And, it must also be noted, Liewekeis

The Pelicanslost their Summer League opener Thursday,falling to theMinnesotaTimberwolves 98-91inLas Vegas in thedebut for Fears and Queen. Fears, selected out of Oklahoma with the No. 7overall pick, finished with 14 points andtwo assists. He also had seven turnovers.His best play cameona pick and rollwith center Yves Missi when Fearsthrew alob for an alley-oop.

Queen, aformer Maryland star draftedwiththe No.13pick, finished with13points and had 10 rebounds. He also had seven turnovers. Queen got off to arough start,not scoring his first basket until less than four minutes in the thirdquarter.But then he got going to finish witha double-double.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

From left, Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears and forwardsMicahPeavy Derik Queen answerquestions during

on June 28 in Metairie.

1:30 p.m. IndyNXT: Practice FS2

2:30 p.m. NTT IndyCar:Practice FS2

5:30 p.m. IndyNXT: QualifyingFS2 BEACH VOLLEYBALL

9p.m. AVPLeague: Week 5CBSSN COLLEGE BASEBALL

6p.m. HBCU: National vs.American MLBN GOLF

10 a.m. Scottish Open Golf

1p.m. Champions: TheDICK’S OpenGolf

3p.m. ISCOChampionship Golf

MEN’SLACROSSE

6p.m. PLL: Newyork vs.Boston ESPN2

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

6:10 p.m. Seattle at DetroitAPPLETV+

8:35 p.m. Arizona at L.A.Angels APPLETV+

9p.m. PhiladelphiaatSan DiegoMLBN NBA SUMMER LEAGUE

3p.m. Memphis vs.Boston NBATV

3:30 p.m. Atlanta vs.Miami ESPN2

5p.m. Newyork vs. Detroit NBATV

6p.m. Utah vs. Charlotte ESPN

7p.m. Chicagovs.Toronto NBATV

8p.m. Washington vs.Phoenix ESPN

9p.m. L.A. Clippers vs. Houston NBATV

10 p.m.Portland vs.Golden State ESPN2

WIMBLEDON

MEN’S SOCCER

8p.m.OrangeCountyatMontereyESPN2

9:55 p.m.ClubAmerica at JuarezFS1

WOMEN’S SOCCER

2p.m.Italy vs.Spain Fox

2p.m.Portugal vs. BelgiumFS1

6:55 p.m.Ecuador vs.UruguayFS1 SOFTBALL

6p.m.Bandits vs.Talons ESPNU TENNIS

7a.m.Wimbledon: men’ssemifinals ESPN

10 a.m. Newport-ATP/WTATennis WNBA

6:30 p.m.Atlanta at Indiana ION

9p.m.ConnecticutatSeattle ION

American to face Swiatekin final

Anisimovabeats

No.1seed, to face five-timemajor champ

BY HOWARD FENDRICH

AP tennis writer

LONDON Alittle more than two years ago, Amanda Anisimova took abreak from tennis because of burnout. Ayear ago, working her way back into the game, the American lost when she had to go through qualifyingfor Wimbledon because her ranking of 189th was too low to get into the main bracketautomatically Look at Anisimova now: She’sa Grand Slam finalist for the first time after upsetting No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a compellingcontest at asteamy Centre Court on Thursday In Saturday’sfinal, Anisimova will face Iga Swiatek, who is a five-time major champion but advanced to her first title matchat the All England Club with a6-2, 6-0 victory over Belinda Bencic. Swiatekwas dominant throughout, never letting Bencic get into their far-less-intriguing semifinal and wrapping thingsupin71minutes with serves at up to 119 mph and twice as many winners, 26, as unforced errors, 13. So it turns out she can do just fine on grass courts, thank you very much.

“Tennis keeps surprising me. Ithought Ilived through everything, even though I’m young. I thought Iexperienced everything on the court. ButIdidn’t experience playing well on grass,” Swiatek said. “That’sthe ﬁrst time.”

She’s5-0 in major ﬁnals —4-0 on the French Open’sclay,1-0 on the U.S. Open’shard courts —but only once had been as far as the quarterﬁnals at Wimbledon until now.It’sbeen more than ayear since Swiatek won atitle anywhere, part of why the 24-yearold from Poland relinquished the top ranking to Sabalenka in October and is seeded No. 8this fortnight.

Saturday’swinner will be the eighth consecutive first-time Wimbledon women’schampion.

The 13th-seeded Anisimova, who was born in New Jersey and grew up in Florida, was playing in her second major semiﬁnal after losing at that stage at the 2019 French Open at age 17.

“This doesn’tfeel real right now,”Anisimova saidafter ending the 2-hour,36-minute contest with aforehand winner on her fourthmatch point. “I was absolutelydying out there.I don’t know how Ipulled it out.”

In May 2023, Anisimova took time off,sayingshe hadbeen“ struggling with my mental health ”for nearly ayear

Now 23, she is playing as well as ever,her crisp groundstrokes, particularly on the backhand side, as strongand smooth as anyone’s. She is guaranteed to break into thetop 10 of the WTArankings forthe ﬁrst timenextweek, no matterwhathappens in the title match.

“If you told me Iwould be in theﬁnal of Wimbledon, Iwould not believe you,” Anisimovasaid with alaugh. “Atleast not this soon,because it’sbeen ayear turnaround since coming back and to be in this spot, it’snot easy .Tobeinthe ﬁnal is just indescribable, honestly.”

For Sabalenka, 0-3 in semiﬁnals at the All England Club, this defeat prevented her from becoming the ﬁrst woman to reach four consecutive Grand Slam finals since Serena Williams won four major trophies in arow adecade ago.

Sabalenka missed Wimbledon

lastyear because of an injured shoulder,then won the U.S. Open in September for her third Slam title. She was the runner-up to Madison Keys at the Australian Open, and to Coco Gauff at the French Open, where Sabalenka’s postmatchcomments drewcriticism and led her to apologize both privately to Gauffand publicly Sabalenka andGauff smoothed things over before thestart of play at the All England Club, dancing together and posting videos on social media.

On Thursday,Sabalenka beganher news conference with as simple astatementascan be, “She was the better player,” then laughed.

“Losing sucks, youknow?” she added in response to thefirst questionfromareporter.“You always feel like you don’twant to existanymore.”

Anisimova improved to 6-3 against Sabalenka,a27-yearold from Belarus, and two of the hardest hitters in the game traded booming shotsand loud shouts. They smacked big serves: Sabalenka reached 120 mph, Anisimova112 mph. They ended points quickly with ﬁrst-strike aggressiveness. The averageexchange wasoverafter just three shots. By the end,

167 of the 214 total points lasted fewer than ﬁve strokes, and just seven contained nine or more. Probably agood thing, too, given the heat.

Thetemperature hit88degrees Fahrenheit (31degrees Celsius) in theﬁrstset, which wasdelayed twice because spectators in the lower level —withnoshade felt unwell.

Onekey to theoutcome: Anisimova saved 11 of the 14 break pointsshe faced

There was aparticularly lengthy shout by Sabalenka in the second set, shortly after she was angeredwhen Anisimova made some noise during another backand-forth. When the game ended, with Sabalenka making the score 3-all, shelet outanotherscream.

Sabalenka, whodouble-faulted to endthe opening set, pulled even by closing the second set with a114 mph servicewinner. She shebroke to begin the third. Could have been daunting for Anisimova. Instead,she didn’t waver, coming back to lead 5-2. Only then did some tensionarrive anew,asAnisimova wasted her ﬁrstmatch point, and Sabalenka broke for 5-4.

Anisimovastayed right there and, with another break,she had won,thencovered her mouth with her right hand.

Seasoned Djokovic readytofaceyounger generation

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP tennis writer

Preview

LONDON Novak Djokovic began expressing aheartfelt thought about returning to the semiﬁnals at the All England Club —“It means the world to me,” he was saying, “that I’m still able, at 38, to play (in the) ﬁnal stages of Wimbledon” —whenthe Centre Court crowd interrupted with yelling andapplause. “Thank you for cheering for my age. Ireally appreciate it. That’s beautiful. Makes me feel very young,” he said with asmile. “Another thing that makes me feel very young is competingwith youngsters.”

“That motivates me —tosee how much can Istillkeep going with these guys, toe-to-toe,” the sixth-seeded Djokovic said. Djokovic enters his Wimbledon semifinal with 4 losses in arow to Sinner,includinginthe semifinals of this year’s French Open. And Djokovic lost each of the past two title matches at WimbledontoCarlosAlcaraz, whoisalmost exactly 16 years younger, meaning they’rethe men with the second-largest age gap between majorfinalopponents No. 2Alcaraz, whois22, will play No. 5Taylor Fritz, 27, in the other semifinal. Alcaraz andSinner—a pair Djokovic identified as “theleaders of (men’s) tennis today” —have combined to win the last six Slam trophies in arow Djokovic is more than adecade older than the other men left at Wimbledon.

atrio of championship pointsto sneak past Sinner in afive-set, 51/2 hour classic of aﬁnal. Sinner’s count is three. Both havebeen rankedNo. 1. (Fritz’sbest showing at amajor was being therunnerup to Sinneratthe U.S.Openlast September.)

All noteworthy.But nothing compared to what’sonDjokovic’s resume, whichincludesseven triumphs at Wimbledon alone oneshy of Roger Federer’smen’s mark— and 100 tournament titles, along with the most weeks spent at No.1 in the rankingsbyany player “He’sa legend of our sport,” the 22nd-seeded Cobolli said Wednesday after being eliminated 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-5, 6-4 by Djokovic.

other) because we playedquite alot.Soweunderstand what’s working and what’snot,” said Sinner, whoout-servedbig-hitting BenShelton in a7-6 (2), 6-4, 6-4 quarterﬁnal victory Wednesday “But I’venever wonagainst him here in Wimbledon, so it’sgoing to be avery,very tough challenge.”

Worth monitoring Friday: Djokovic took an awkward fall in the last game against Cobolli; Sinner hurt his right elbow when he slippedinthe last game of his fourth-roundmatch Monday Alcaraz seeksa sixthGrand Slam title, andFritz eyes his ﬁrst.

While Alcaraz andFritz have met just twice, never at amajor andnever on grass, Alcaraz won bothmatches.

Orioles trade RHP Baker to Rays for 37th draft pick

BALTIMORE The Baltimore Orioles traded right-handed reliever Bryan Baker to AL East rival TampaBay on Thursday in exchange for the 37th overallpickinthe 2025 MLB amateur draft, asign that one of baseball’smostdisappointing clubs could be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline. The draft begins Sunday OriolesGMMike Eliasacknowledged the possibility of selling during Thursday’sspilt doubleheader In acorresponding move,the Orioles selected the contract of catcher David Bañuelos from Triple-A Norfolk.After adreadfulstart that brought theMay dismissal of manager Brandon Hyde, the Orioles have steadied under interim Tony Mansolino, playing to a21-14 record since aloss to St. Louis on May 28.

Athletics’ Rooker joins Home Run Derby list

WEST SACRAMENTO,Calif. Athletics

slugger Brent Rooker is adding his name to thelistofHome Run Derby participants.

Rooker announced Thursday that he’sparticipating in the event, which takesplace Monday in Atlanta. He will become the ﬁrst Athletics playerinthe Home Run Derby since Matt Olson in 2021.

Rooker,30, entered Thursday with a.270 batting average, 19 homers and 50 RBIs, putting him on pace forathird straight season of at least 30 homers. He went deep 30 times in 2023 andhad 39 homers in 2024.

His58homers since the start of the 2024 season rank him third amongall American League players.

Healy wins hilly sixth stage of Tour de France

VIRE NORMANDIE,France Irish rider Ben Healy won ahilly sixth stage of the Tour de France after along solo breakaway on Thursday and Mathieu van der Poel took back theyellowjersey fromdefending champion Tadej Pogaar by one second.

The 24-year-old Healy had won astage on the Giro d’Italia before, but this was his ﬁrst victory at cycling’sshowcase race.

“A stage win in the Tour is just unbelievable, it’swhat I’ve worked for,”hesaid.

“Participating in the Tour is already an achievement.”

American riderQuinn Simmons ﬁnished2 minutes, 44 seconds behind Healy in secondplaceand Australian Michael Storer was 2:51 back in third spot.

Former Jazz coachand GM Layden dies at 93

SALTLAKECITY— Frank Layden, the sharp-witted former coach who led the Utah Jazz to the playoffs forthe ﬁrst time, has died. He was 93.

Known for his humor andsideline antics,Laydencoached the Jazz from 1981-89 and had 277 wins, third-most in franchise history

He’sthe only coach in Jazz history to be named NBA coach of theyear,earningthe honorin 1984, when he also washonored as executive of the year Among the best one-liners attributed to him was one about a problem player he coached: “I told him, ‘Son,whatisitwith you? Is it ignoranceorapathy?’ He said ‘Coach,I don’tknow and Idon’t care.’”

Vikings LB scammed for $240K in bank fraud

EAGAN, Minn. Minnesota Vikings outside linebacker Dallas Turner was targeted in an alleged ﬁnancial fraud scheme that cost him about $240,000, according to local authorities.

Truth is,Djokovic should be used to this sort of thing by now He is the last member of agolden era of men’stennis stillontour, andafterbeating one 23-year-old in the quarterfinals, Flavio Cobolli, to reach his 52nd GrandSlam semifinal as he bids for arecord 25th major singles championship, Djokovic will meet yetanother 23-year-old, No. 1-rankedJannik Sinner,onFriday for aberth in the final.

For Alcaraz, his career haul of ﬁve Slams includesthe titlelast monthatRoland-Garros, where he overcame atwo-set deﬁcit and

Sinner’splaying style draws comparison’stoDjokovic’s, from the returning prowess to the court coverage to the power-plus-precision groundstrokes. Not much higher acompliment is possible. Djokovic took each of their first three head-to-head matchups, including at the AllEngland Club in the 2022 quarterfinals and 2023 semifinals. But Sinner has gone 4-1 since. “Me andNovak,weknow(each

But Fritz has become adifferent player over thepast year,improvinghis returns and overall game while still possessing oneofthe best serves around. The surface at Wimbledon can only help, he ﬁgures.

“I’mhappy that we’re notplayingatthe French Open, on clay, with theFrenchOpen balls, ’cause that would be an absolute nightmare,” theCalifornian said “Grass is very muchsoanequalizer.”

Sgt. Rich Evans confirmed Thursday that the Eagan police department wasactively investigating the case, working toward criminalchargeswithmultiple suspects identified. Onlyabout $2,500 has been recovered so far, Evans said.

According to the search warrant afﬁdavit, Turner saidhereceived acall in February from an individual impersonating abanker who advised him to transfer money in order to prevent atheft attempt. Turner later suspected thecall was ascam after conferring with afamily member On TV AUTO RACING

Djokovic

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIRSTy WIGGLESWORTH

Amanda Anisimova of the U.S. celebrates beating top-seeded ArynaSabalenka of Belarus at Wimbledon in London on Thursday.

Rangers’ DeGrom is an All-Star aceagain

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS AP baseball writer

This is finally the vintage Jacob deGrom pitching for the Texas Rangers, and not because the lanky right-hander recently turned 37 years old. After several injury-ﬁlled seasons in arow,both before and since going to Texas in free agency,deGrom is again an All-Star ace.

“It’salittle bit of validation,” deGromsaid. “Coming back from amajor surgery,your second (Tommy John), there is some unknown. To be fortunate enough to be able to throw the ball pretty well, I’m just thankfultobeable to be back out there on amajor league mound.”

DeGrom (9-2,2.29 ERA) this year has made 18 starts, twice as many as he had combined the past two seasons after joining the Rangers. It is alreadyhis most since 2019, when he wonhis second National LeagueCyYoung Award in arow while pitching for the New York Mets.

His ﬁfth All-Starnod is hisﬁrst in the American League after being the only Texas player selected forthe game next Tuesday night in Atlanta.

“I don’twant to take forgranted how hard this game is because he’smaking it look really easy,” said Chris Young, the Rangers’ president of baseball operations and aformer big league pitcher “It’sprecious when you get tosee greatness like that.”

Ano-decision against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday night ended deGrom’s franchise record of 14 consecutivestarts going at least ﬁve innings without giving up more than two runs. That samespan was the longest streak by any traditional starter (not including openers) in themodern era since 1900 of not allowing more than six hits and two runs in agame, accordingtoSTATS

DeGromcamethe closesthe has to ano-hitter in his 236 career gamesonJune26atBaltimore.

He was perfect through sixinnings andthe only hit wasa leadoff single in the eighth.

“He’sanalien or something, I don’tknow how he does what he does,” said Jack Leiter,the son of abig league pitcher and the 2021 No. 2overall pickstill aRangers rookie this season.

“It doesn’tlook like anything’s bothering him,” catcher Jonah Heim said. “It looks likehe’sgoing outthere free and easy and and trustinghis stuff, andit’spretty fun to watch.

Second surgery

The Rangers wonthe first six gamesdeGrom started in hisdebut for them by the endofApril 2023before he hadTommy John surgeryfor the second time —the ﬁrst was in 2010 as aminor leaguer for the Mets. He wasn’tpitching when Texas won its only World Series title, then rehabbed most of last year before three short starts at the end of the season.

His 1061/3 innings this year are onemore than he pitched combined the past three seasons, his ﬁrst two in Texas and his ﬁnal one in New York.

“I think as much as anything with Jacob, he’sjust so happy that he feelsgood,” Rangers manager BruceBochy said. “The talentobviously is there. It’satough road Now he’sback having fun playingthe game.”

Bochy said the Rangers willcontinue to monitor deGrom’sworkload.

He had at least ﬁve days of rest between six of his seven starts while going 5-0 since the beginning ofJune.Heisaveraging 86 pitches agame, andhis 103 on May21was the only time over 100.

“The thing about Jacob is it’s so effortless,” Bochy said. “Not alot

of stressfulinnings.”

All-Star appearances

The 2014 NL Rookie of theYear made his first All-Star Game in 2015,whenBochy was theNL manager andDeGrom needed only 10 pitches to strike outStephen Vogt, Jason Kipnisand Jose Iglesias

DeGrom also made three consecutive All-Star teams in 2018, 2019 and 2021 —therewasn’tone during thepandemic-shortened 2020 season He allowed asolohomer to

Pelicans,defensive star Jones agreetocontractextension

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

The New Orleans Pelicans are locking down their best defender The Pelicans and Herb Jones agreed to athree-year,$68 million contract extension, according to areportfrom ESPN Insider Shams Charania.

Jones now has atotal of five years and $97 million on his deal with the Pelicans. He has aplayer option on the deal in 2029-’30. Jones, asecond-rounddraft pick in 2021, has become one of the topdefensive playersinthe league. He earned ﬁrst-teamhonorson the All- Defensive team in the 2023-24 season.

The Pelicans ranked sixth in the NBA in points allowed per 100 possessions that season and theseason before, thanks in part to the defensive presence of Jones. Jones led the Pelicans in steals (105)and ranked secondin

blocks (62) that year.Nearlyonefourth of hisblocked shots(15) were rejections of opponents’ 3-point attempts. He is oneof only four players in New Orleans franchise history to make an AllDefensive team; ChrisPaul, Jrue Holiday and Anthony Davis are the others.

Jones was limited this seasonaftersuffering atornrotator cuff in his right shoulderin January. He underwent shoulder surgery in February

“Herb loved being withhis teammates right up to that point (ofthe surgery),” coach Willie Green said in February.“We’re sendinghim ourprayers fora speedyrecovery.Heisone of the pillars of our team and oneofour leaders, so wewanthim to heal quicklyand progress as he goes through this.”

Joe Dumars, the Pelicans’ new

executive vicepresident of basketball operations, didn’tgive a timetableonJones’ return when asked in May. But Dumars said Jones is on schedule.

Jones, who starred at theUniversity of Alabama, played in just 20 gamesthisseason

Jones missed 18 gamesearlier in theseason when he injured his shoulder while diving for aloose ball against the GoldenState Warriors in late October.He returnedand played 16 games before the season-ending injury against the Portland TrailBlazers in January Jones averaged 10.3 points, 3.3 rebounds and3.3 assists this season.

For hiscareer,he’saveraged 10.1 points 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

Sincehecame into the league in 2021, he is one of just eight players in theleague with350 steals and 150 blocks.

EmailRod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

MarchMadness expansion to 72 or 76 team discussed

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

Thecommittees formen’s and women’sDivision Ibasketball met this week to discuss possible expansion of the March Madness tournaments, but made no immediate decisions or recommendations.

“The still viable outcomes include the tournaments remaining at 68 teams or expanding the fields to either 72 or 76 teams in advance of the 2026 or 2027 championships,”Dan Gavitt, the NCAA senior vice president of basketball, saidina statement Thursday

The idea of expanding the tournament picked up steaminthe spring whenNCAA President Charlie Baker said it could add value and that he’d like to see the issue resolved in the next few months.

He saidthe NCAA has had “good conversations” with TV

partners CBS and WarnerBros., whose deal runs through 2032 at the cost of around $1.1billion a year Baker also mentioned increasingly difﬁcult logistics involved with adding teams to what is now known as the “First Four” —a series of fourgames played on Tuesday and Wednesdayofthe first week to placefour teams into the 64-team bracket. Though therehas been no concrete plan for how expansion would work, speculation has centered on bringing more at-large teams, likely from major conferences,into the 64-team bracket. Such amove that would come at theexpense of champions of lower-levelconferences. Currently, twoofthe FirstFour games involve 16 seeds —teams that automatically qualify by winninglower-ranked conferences —while two more involve at-large teams often seeded 11 or 12.

For instance, in 2021, UCLA made the FinalFourasan11seed that also played in theFirst Four.

“I don’tacceptthat that model just continues in the future,” Southeastern Conference commissionerGregSankey said at league meetings in May He used theexample of North Carolina State advancing to the Final Four as an 11 seed in 2023 as how bubble teams from big conferences can makelongruns in thetournament.

“You couldgoask my colleagues in the(automatic qualiﬁer) conferences what should happen,and I’mcertain they want that split to continue for life,” Sankey said. “Butyou’ve got some really,really good teams that Ithink should be moved into thetournament.”

Anyrecommendation for expansion would have to be approvedbythe NCAA’s Division Iboard, which next meets in August.

Mike Trout in the 2018 game, and pitched aperfect inning in 2019.

After his back-to-back Cy Young seasons, deGrom started 12 of the Mets’ 60 games in 2020. He had a1.08 ERA over 92 innings through 15 starts in 2021, but didn’tpitch in the All-Star Game and missedthe rest of the season with rightforearm tightness anda sprained elbow.Hewas shut down during spring training in 2022 after astressreaction in his right scapula, then was 5-4 with a3.08 ERA in 11 starts the lasttwo months of that season before becoming afree agent.

Injuryextension

The $185 million, five-year contractdeGromsignedwithTexas included aconditional sixth-year club option for 2028 that has already been trigged because of thetimehemissedafter Tommy John surgery.That option is worth at least $20 million, but would be $30millionifhefinishes among the topfive in Cy Young voting or pitches at least625 inningsduring the contract It increases to $37 million if he finishes among the top five at least threetimesorpitches 725 innings.

By The Associated Press

MINNEAPOLIS All-Starcenter

ﬁelder Pete Crow-Armstrong has addeda fewmoreaccomplishments to his breakout season for theChicago Cubs. With two home runs that fueled an 8-1victoryoverthe Minnesota Twins on Thursday,the 23-yearold recorded his ﬁfth multi-homer game in his92nd game thisseason.

That’sthe mostbya Cubs player since Derrek Lee hadeight in 158 games in 2005.

PELICANS

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were on the team last season.

Lester Quinones led the Pelicans with 20 points andknocked down ﬁve of his eight 3-pointers. Missi, the ﬁrst-round draft pick from ayearago whowentonto be named second team on the AllRookie team,recorded 13 points and 13 rebounds.

“Yveslooks like he’sinbetter shape,” Brewer said this week.”He looks like he’sstronger.I think we aregoing to seeadifferent Yves this year.” Missi shot just 5of14fromthe

Crow-Armstrong also became the fourth-fastest playerinmajor league history to reach the 25-homer,25-steal markina season.Eric Davis (69games in 1989),Alfonso Soriano (91 games in 2002) and Bobby Bonds (91 games in 1973) were the only ones who got there in fewergames.

“I’ve only been humbled by the names that I’mmentioned with,” Crow-Armstrong said.

Crow-Armstrong went 3for 4 with three runs andthree RBIs against the Twins. He ﬁnished the seriesinthird place in MLB with 27 steals, tied forsixth with teammate Seiya Suzuki with 25 homers, tied forfourth with teammate Kyle Tucker with 67 runs and seventh with 70 RBIs.

ﬂoor.Hewent 3of9 from the freethrow line and the Pelicans made just 14 of 25 free throws. Quinones and Queen combined to score the Pelicans’ final 13 points of the third quarter

The Timberwolvesblocked 12 Pelicans shots. Micah Peavy,the Pelicans’ second-round draft pick out of Georgetown, scored 11 points to go with seven rebounds. Antonio Reeves scored 10 points. The Pelicans play the Los AngelesLakers at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in their secondSummerLeague game.

Email RodWalker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByNICK WASS

TexasRangers starting pitcher Jacob deGrom throws during agame against the Baltimore Orioles on June 25 in Baltimore.

Jones

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByABBIE PARR ChicagoCubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong

Knapp shares Scottish Open lead as McIlroy shakes off rust

BY DOUG FERGUSON

AP golf writer

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland Jake

Knapp is loving links golf so much he’d like to extend his stay another week, and he took a step toward that Thursday with a 6-under 64 that put him in a four-way share of the lead after the opening round of the Scottish Open.

The blustery conditions at The Renaissance Club were not enough to keep more than half of the 156man ﬁeld at par or better, although Rory McIlroy had to birdie his last three holes and make a 25-foot bogey putt on the 15th hole — for a 68. Sepp Straka had eight birdies in his round of 64, also joined by Nico Echavarria and Victor Perez atop the leaderboard alongside Knapp Four other players were one shot behind, while Scottie Scheffler had to settle for a 67 and was three back.

Knapp is among those who have not qualiﬁed for the British Open next week at Royal Portrush. The Open is offering spots to the leading three players at The Renaissance Club who are not already in the ﬁeld.

His current itinerary is to leave Monday for Boston and then to home in California.

“As of right now,” he said “Hopefully, I can change that.”

Perez isn’t set for Portrush, either He birdied three of his last four holes, ﬁnishing with a birdie putt from 25 feet on the 18th hole that played into the wind.

Schefﬂer, who missed the Scottish Open last year to spend more time at home with his newborn

RABALAIS

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the target of the indictment and not the Oak View Group as a company All that said, federal grand juries don’t just hand out indictments willy-nilly without a ton of evidence to back them up so this is serious business.

The wheels of justice turn slowly so we’ll likely have to wait quite awhile to see how this case is resolved and what impact it will have on LSU’s plans to build a $400 million multi-purpose venue to replace the aging Pete Maravich Assembly Center In May at the Southeastern Conference spring meeting, LSU athletic director Scott Woodward said LSU was focused on just the Oak View Group as being its partner in this project – the other developer considered, ASM Global, was out of the running at that time, he said Woodward also said LSU hoped to open the doors on the new facility sometime in 2029. Instead of turning over the ﬁrst shovel full of dirt, Lieweke’s indictment may throw some dirt on LSU’s plans, especially if the school has to ﬁnd another developer There was a lot in Wilson Alexander’s superb story from earlier this month on how the NCAA’s new revenue sharing plans would impact LSU athletics. So much so that only recently have folks seemed to have taken

son, played in the morning and started with a 30-foot eagle putt.

He gave himself plenty of chances the rest of the way but failed to hole enough birdie putts inside 10 feet

There were a few mistakes, but otherwise very little stress.

“I feel like I could have gotten a little bit more out of my round,”

Scheffler said “I felt like I did some good things that I didn’t quite get rewarded for after my start.

But 3 under, I wish I could have had a couple of bogeys back, but overall not too bad.”

McIlroy ﬁgured he was about 80% of where he wanted to be ahead of his return home to Northern Ireland next week. He struggled with the wind, particularly off the tee, hitting only four of 13 fairways.

One tee shot landed just short of a wall on No. 5, forcing him to play out sideways to the fairway

Another found a bunker on the 15th McIlroy tried 9-iron to clear a steep lip and failed, the ball roll back into a depression caused by the swing He got the next one out, hit wedge that rolled over the back of the green and holed a 25-foot bogey putt to limit the damage. He birdied the last three holes a two-putt on the par-5 16th, a 25-footer on the 17th and a ﬁnal birdie from 20 feet — to salvage a reasonable score. Also at 68 was Xander Schauffele, the defending British Open champion, who played alongside him.

“It was a great ﬁnish,” McIlroy said. “Felt like the rough was a bit stop-start, a little bit of rust in there taking a couple of weeks off. But I found my rhythm and started hitting better shots on the way in. It’s

notice of the part about LSU’s plans to put logos on the ﬁeld in Tiger Stadium this fall and their hopes (pending NCAA approval) to put them on the uniforms, all in the name of helping fund the $20.5 million LSU and other schools will have to begin sharing with their athletes.

As you’ve probably surmised, I’m pretty old school in that I don’t like ads on the ﬁeld or on uniforms at any level of sport. That said, I’ve known for a long time they were part of the sports landscape, going way back to my youth baseball days in the 1970s when our neighborhood team in Cedarcrest-Southmoor was sponsored by Pitre Auto Parts. Pitre Auto Parts is long gone, but ads and logos and things like it are here to stay But what is next? Naming rights for LSU’s new basketball arena, like the Caesars Superdome? Can you imagine Tiger Stadium or Alex Box Stadium being Raising Cane’s Field or some such? One SEC school has already sold the naming rights several years back to its football stadium, when Kentucky remade its Commonwealth Stadium into Kroger Field. I understand where LSU, and other schools, are coming from with millions needed to be generated to stay competitive in the ever changing, more-likepro-sports-all-time landscape of college athletics. My concern is where does it end? I certainly don’t imagine we’ve reached that

Maguire’s hole-in-one gives her 1st-round lead

The Associated Press EVIAN-LES-BAINS, France — Leona Maguire made a hole-inone at the Evian Championship on the way to a 6-under 65 in the ﬁrst round Thursday and a ﬁveway share of the lead.

Having started on the back nine at the fourth major of the year, Maguire aced the par-3 second hole — her 11th — at Evian Resort Golf Club, holing her tee shot from 164 yards.

“It was just taking a little bit off an 8-iron for me. Looked good in the air You’re never sure on that hole until the ball actually lands,” she said. “Sort of a perfect morning for it. Not much wind which is nice, especially on that tee box.”

The Irishwoman was joined on 65 by American duo of Andrea Lee and Jennifer Kupcho as well as Australians Grace Kim and Gabriela Ruffels.

Australian Minjee Lee, who won the Women’s PGA Championship last month for her third major title, was in sixth place af-

ter a 66. Top-ranked Nelly Korda was a stroke behind her in a tie for seventh Korda is seeking her first win of the season and third major title. No. 2-ranked Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, bidding to win a major for the first time, was tied for 16th after a 68 in a group featuring Lottie Woad. The 21-year-old Woad, a college student from England, was thrust into the spotlight after delivering one of the most stunning wins by an amateur — by six shots over a strong field at the Women’s Irish Open on Sunday Woad, the world’s No. 1 amateur and winner of last year’s Augusta National Women’s Amateur, is now on the cusp of securing a place on the professional tours. English golfer Charley Hull had to withdraw from the first round after collapsing to the ground twice because of a virus. Organizers said Hull underwent medical checks but did not have any serious health issues.

the sort of golf course and the sort of conditions where I feel like the ﬁeld is going to be pretty bunched.

“So to only be four behind after the ﬁrst day, feeling like I’ve still got my best stuff ahead of me, that feels good.”

Knapp skipped the Scottish Open last year as a rookie. He won the Mexico Open in February and played more golf than usual, leading to fatigue and a body that needed a rest. So this is his ﬁrst trip to Scotland, and he began having a blast from the time he arrived.

“I haven’t played a ton of links golf but I feel like it ﬁts my game pretty well,” Knapp said. “I like to be creative and hit different shots and it just ﬁts my eye.”

On the advice of Rickie Fowler, he landed Monday and headed to North Berwick, a course just down the Firth of Fourth that has been around nearly two centuries. He played with his father and his caddie, with his mother and girlfriend walking along.

“It was awesome,” he said.

Scheffler had a large gallery not all for him. He played alongside Robert MacIntyre, who last year became the first Scot in 25 years to win his national open He had quite the opposite start to Scheffler, failing to birdie the par-5 10th at the start and then hitting a shot on the 12th that he feared was outof-bounds.

“Thankfully, I didn’t listen to the marshals,” he said. “Managed to ﬁnd it a yard-and-a-half inbounds, got the drop and made bogey From there on, it was back to the basics.”

He wound up with a 68, right in the thick of it along with most everyone else.

goal line quite yet. SEC football media days start Monday in Atlanta, with LSU among the four schools taking part on the first day, and I am always intrigued to see which trio of players each team will bring. This year, LSU coach Brian Kelly picked quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (one of the SEC’s brightest stars), linebacker Whit Weeks (he will fill reporters’ notebooks and be a big hit) and wide receiver Chris Hilton. The latter is something of a surprise. I thought LSU might bring fellow receiver Aaron Anderson instead, or perhaps senior safety Jardin Gilbert. But Hilton is an interesting choice, and a good sign for LSU fans for the upcoming season as they look forward to him helping stretch opposing defenses like he did in the latter part of 2024. Who attends media days isn’t the be-all/end-all for the season, but it shows the confidence Kelly has in Hilton as a leader and as player No one brings anyone to media days who they are worried will say foolish, “bulletin board” things. Clearly, Kelly considers Hilton a major asset, a long way from the will he or won’t he be back talk from late last year Speaking of uniforms, I like the Saints’ snazzy new alternate white helmet the team unveiled earlier this week. At least the Saints will look sharp en route to going 5-12 for a second straight season.

A new agency is rejecting some NIL deals involving donor-backed collectives

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

The new agency in charge of regulating name, image, likeness deals in college sports sent a letter to schools Thursday saying it had rejected deals between players and donor-backed collectives formed over the past several years to funnel money to athletes or their schools.

Those arrangements hold no “valid business purpose,” the memo said, and don’t adhere to rules that call for outside NIL deals to be between players and companies that provide goods or services to the general public for proﬁt

The letter to Division I athletic directors could be the next step in shuttering today’s version of the collective, groups that are closely afﬁliated with schools and that, in the early days of NIL after July 2021, proved the most efﬁcient way for schools to indirectly cut deals with players.

Since then, the landscape has changed yet again with the $2.8 billion House settlement that allows schools to pay the players directly as of July 1.

Already, collectives affiliated with Colorado, Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia and others have announced they’re shutting down. Georgia, Ohio State and Illinois are among those that have announced plans with Learfield, a media and technology company with decades of licensing and other experience across college athletics, to help arrange NIL deals.

Outside deals between athlete and sponsor are still permitted, but any worth $600 or more have to be vetted by a clearinghouse called NIL Go that was established by the new College Sports Commission and is being run by the auditing group Deloitte.

In its letter to the ADs, the CSC said more than 1,500 deals have been cleared since NIL Go launched on June 11, “ranging in value from three ﬁgures to seven figures.” More than 12,000 athletes and 1,100 institutional users

have registered to use the system.

But the bulk of the letter explained that many deals could not be cleared because they did not conform to an NCAA rule that sets a “valid business purpose” standard for deals to be approved.

The letter explained that if a collective reaches a deal with an athlete to appear on behalf of the collective, which charges an admission fee, the standard is not met because the purpose of the event is to raise money to pay athletes, not to provide goods or services available to the general public for proﬁt.

The same would apply to a deal an athlete makes to sell merchandise to raise money to pay that player because the purpose of “selling merchandise is to raise money to pay that student-athlete and potentially other studentathletes at a particular school or schools, which is not a valid business purpose” according to the NCAA rule.

Sports attorney Darren Heitner, who deals in NIL, said the guidance “could disproportionately burden collectives that are already committed to spending money on players for multiple years to come.”

“If a pattern of rejections results from collective deals submitted to Deloitte, it may invite legal scrutiny under antitrust principles,” he said.

On a separate track, some college sports leaders, including the NCAA, are seeking a limited form of antitrust protection from Congress.

The letter said a NIL deal could be approved if, for instance, the businesses paying the players had a broader purpose than simply acting as a collective. The letter uses a golf course or apparel company as examples.

“In other words, NIL collectives may act as marketing agencies that match student-athletes with businesses that have a valid business purpose and seek to use the student’s NIL to promote their businesses,” the letter said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANDREW MILLIGAN

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy shot a 2-under 68 during the first round of the Scottish Open on Thursday at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By LM OTERO

Leona Maguire hits from the fairway on the second hole during the first round of the Women’s PGA Championship golf tournament on June 19 in Frisco, Texas.

ForecastFrom WWL-TV,Your Local Weather Experts

BROWN

Continued frompage1C

of four teams:LSU, TexasA&M, Texas and Miami

In the moment of truth, ESPN’s No. 1player in the 2026 class informed the world he wasn’tleaving Louisiana, committing to LSU as he placed an oversized purple LSU cap over his dreadlocks and unzipped the hoodie to show his LSU chain and gold Tigers shirt.

Brown is as familiar with Brian Kelly’soperation as much as any recruit could be.His University High School is alaboratory school of LSUand is only aﬁve-minute drive from Tiger Stadium.

While he’sbeen mainly recruited by LSU associate head coach Frank Wilson, he has relationships with the majority of the coaching staffthrough visits, campsand multiple home games.

“Some games Iwantedtocommit, but Iknew Ihad to trustmy process,” Brown said. “TigerStadium, there’s nothing else like it.” He also has relationships with players that are from the state and even former high school teammatessuch as freshman Keylan Moses.

Thesupreme comforthehad with LSU was there butitdidn’t make donning the purpleand gold aforgone conclusion. Brown admitted it wasn’tuntil an hoursobefore his 12:15 p.m. announcement that he was completely sure on his tough decision.

“I give them props,” Brown said about how hard the otherschools recruited him. “They weren’t

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

and their lone signing before the draft was 12-year veteran Brandin Cooks. Best case

Both Olave and Shaheed stay healthy and build upon what they started to show lastyear,while Cooks proveshe’sstill got something left in the tank as aNo. 3option after acouple of down years. It feels like alot to askfor all three of those things to come true, but it’snot impossible. Olaveaveraged 15.5 games his ﬁrst two seasons before ascary string of con-

The rainy weather patternwill continue todaywith numerous storms and showers across thearea These storms will be most probable around the late-morning/early afternoon hours.Temperatures will remain in thelower 90s as these storms will prevent temperatures from crawlingany higher For your weekend, therain chanceswill decrease slightly and rangefrom40-50%.These showers will be more isolated meaning temperatures will be able to climb into themid-90s potentially.Makesure to stay hydrated while doing outsideactivities.Tostart thenext workweek,the rain chances will decrease even more to around 20-30%.We will feel those high temperatures in the mid-90s with 95 possible. Heat index values will around 105-110.

LSU GETS PLEDGE FROM FLORIDAEDGE RUSHER

It’scommitmentseason, and LSU football addedanother playertoits 2026 recruitingclass.

DeAnthonyLafayette, athreestaredgefromLakeNona Highin Orlando, Florida, announced his commitment Thursdayafternoon on social media. Lafayette chose LSUoverOklahomaand Miami.

Lafayette’s commitment came a fewhoursafter LSU landed ﬁve-star lineman Lamar Brown out of Baton Rouge. LSUnow has16players committed in the 2026 cycle, and six of thosepledges have come within the past two weeks.

scared of LSU.

“I made the best decision for me. Ilove playing for the state, playing for my city.Put achip on my back beingthe (hometown) hero.” Brown is atwo-way player that can bemenaceonthe offensive anddefensiveline. He’llenter LSUwith the plan of playing defensebecause that’swhere the staffsaidhecan havethe biggest impact.

“TheylikeI canplayinside out,” Brown said.“I’ll play outside (on thedefensiveline) and come back inside on third downs and ﬁnda mismatchtogoget asack.”

TheTigershaveanew defensive line coach in Kyle Williams.Brown said he doesn’tknow him toowell yet but thathe seemslikea“good guy”and knows that his NFL experience will help develop players.

cussionslast year,and Shaheed playedin33ofapossible35games to starthis career beforehis knee injury sidelined him for theﬁnal 11 gamesin 2024. Cooks is abit of a reach,consideringhehasn’ttopped 700 yards in aseason since2021, and he too is coming off an injuryplaguedseason. If they’re on the ﬁeld,it’shard to betagainstOlave and Shaheed’s talents, especially with aproven offensiveplay-caller like Kellen Moore available to push the right buttons

It will likely look different than it did atthe start of lastseason, when theSaints were consistently taking deep shots with their speedy receiver corps. New Orleans may alsoask Olave

Lafayette is ranked as the No. 794 overall prospect and the No. 74 edgedefender in the country, according to the 247Sports composite.He’slisted at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds LSU nowhas twoedgedefenders in the 2026 class, and both have come fromFlorida.Lafayette joined top 100 recruit Trenton Henderson, afour-star out of Pensacola, Florida whocommittedtoLSU last week.

Before Lafayette’scommitment, LSU’s class was ranked No. 7by 247Sports and No. 5byOn3/Rivals Wilson Alexander

Williams is aformer LSU defensive tackle who played 13 years in theNFL.

Brown is ecstatictojoinanalready loaded LSU team. The soonto-besenior said he expects to have an impact sooner rather than later when he gets on theﬁeld.

“I don’tplan on just being on the team,” Brown said. “I planonplaying freshman year Day 1.”

While it’s impossible for him not to look ahead to college, Brown said thathe’sbeen working hard preparing for his senior season. He announced his college decision now so it wouldn’tlinger into his team’spursuit for astate championship.

“We’rehungry,alot of people doubted us this year but this probably oneofour best teams,” he said of the Cubs.

to do less work between the numbers as away to expose himtofewer big hits. But there alsomight be more opportunities for both players after thecatch in the Moore offense.

Both Olave and Shaheed gained about 30% of their yards after the catch last season, while Devonta Smith—asimilar player in terms of style andframe —gained about 36% of his yards after the catch underMoore last year compared to 27.6% in the year before Moore arrived.

If bothcan stay healthy,and if Cooks can take advantage of the attention the top two garner,it’s not hardtoenvision aSaints passing attack that is better than last year’s,eventakingthe unproven

AnotherhungryplayeratUniversity High is Darius Coleman, arising senior safety,who has known Brown since their freshman season. The first time they methethought Brownwas older because of hisalready imposing frame and special ability as avarsitystarter.

Brown’sathletic gifts andon-theﬁeld impact are not all that makes him stand out. Therelaxed-mannerstar has another talent: connecting people.

“He’sagood dude,” Coleman said. “He going to call, he’sgoing to joke around, he’snot very distant. He’ll bring you in.” Brown had teammates like Cole-

quarterback into account. Worstcase

Yeah,but what happens if they can’t stay healthy?

And will theSaints rue their decision not to add some size to this positiongroup? All three of the top guys are 6-foot or shorter,and allweigh between 180 and 190 pounds. Beyond the durability concerns that come withthose frames, even someone as technically proﬁcient as Olave is limitedwhen it comes to making thecontested catches thatmove the chains on third-and-medium

New Orleans has lacked this element in its offense for years. Maybe that role can be ﬁlledbysomeone like Bub Means, who showed

man accompany him on recruiting visits outside the state.

Thegift of getting people together is something that can even beneﬁtLSU before he’s on the roster ofﬁcially.Hesaidthat he and other commitments will get to work on helping add to an already strong 2026 recruiting class ranked No. 7inthe country,according to 247Sports.

“I’m pretty sure we’re going to have the No. 1class,” Brown said. “Weplan on talking to some commits, that’swhat we want to do and build off that.”

Email Toyloy BrownIII at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

some promise last year before dealingwithhis owninjuries. Maybe Juwan Johnson, whoiseffectively abig-bodied receiver with a tight endnexttohis name, can be that guy.But maybe the Saints still don’thave it on their roster Moore has said several times this offseason that he likes his receiver group, but it’shard to get excited about anybody beyond the two lead guys who will comeinto the season needing to prove theycan stayon the ﬁeld.

Prediction

Olave and Shaheed combine to post more than 2,000 yards.

EmailLuke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

STAFFPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

U-Highsenior Lamar Brown talks to reporters after announcing his commitment to LSUonThursdayinBaton Rouge.

Runningofthe Bulls, BastilleDay Fête andHot Wheels MonsterTrucks

n Theannual San Fermin in Nueva Orleansor RUNNING OF THE BULLS AND POST RUNFIESTA fill the streets of thecitywith aSpanish accent, starting at Gallier Hall on St Charles Avenue Saturday at 6:30 a.m. At 8a.m., the “bulls,”red-clad roller derbyskaters, keep the white-clad runners moving along the route through the Warehouse District and returning to the start. nolabulls.com

n Alliance Française breaks out therouge, blanc et bleu for the BASTILLE DAYFÊTE Friday at 1519 Jackson Ave. The French celebration of music, culture, food and community kicks off at 6p.m.with avillage-style ambiance that includes dancing,food and craftvendors, acostume contest, kids’ activities and more. Tickets startat $13. Allons! af-neworleans.org

n Things getrollingin the Smoothie KingCenter Saturday and Sunday for the HOTWHEELSMONSTER TRUCKS GLOW-N-FIRE,with appearances by MgaWrex, TigerShark,Bone Shaker and more of the vehicles.Multiple performances will have aspecial appearancefrom atransforming robot as the sounds of the engine fill the space. There are also chances for pre-show accesstosee the vehicles up close. Tickets startat$22. smoothiekingcenter.com.

10 p.m.

BYKEITH SPERA Staff writer

Across 31 years of covering every Essence Festival —including the 2006 Essence-in-exilein Houston —I’ve seen someslow nights But the just-concluded 2025 Essence Festival of Culture was the ﬁrst time Irecall the Caesars Superdome’stop terrace level being so lightly populated acrossall threenights.

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

The terrace accounts for60% of the 42,000 or so seats available to be sold for Essence. If theterrace is barely aquarter full, that’sa problem. When side sections on theloge level and swaths of ﬂoor seats many of which are reserved for sponsors, media members, etc. —are also empty,gross ticket sales diminish quickly Festivals in general are facing signiﬁcant headwinds, not theleast of which is rising costs coupled with economic concerns. The New Orleans Jazz &Heritage’sattendance

also dipped in 2025. Whether or not the 2025 Essence Fest sold enough tickets to break even isn’tclear.Sponsorship dollars and support from the city and state help prop up the bottom line. But the challenges forEssence are deeper than just general economic concerns. Many longtimefans are frustrated with the self-inﬂicted wounds and missteps that they believe have changed the culture of the Essence Festival.

ä See OVERVIEW, page 2D

See SUNDAY, page 2D

PHOTO By JOSH BRASTED/

PHOTO By AARON J.THORNTON/ GETTy IMAGESFOR ESSENCE

Empty seats dot the upper levels around

July 4atthe Essence Festival of Culture at the Caesars Superdome in NewOrleans. | STAFF PHOTO BY CHRISGRANGER

Today is Friday, July 11, the 192nd day of 2025. There are 173 days left in the year

Today in History

On July 11, 1995, the U.N.designated “safe haven” of Srebrenica in Bosnia-Herzegovina fell to Bosnian Serb forces, who subsequently carried out the killings of more than 8,000 Muslim men and boys.

Also on this date:

In 1798, the U.S. Marine Corps was formally reestablished by a congressional act that also created the U.S Marine Band.

In 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr mortally wounded former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton during a pistol duel in Weehawken, New Jersey (Hamilton died the next day.)

In 1914, Babe Ruth made his Major League baseball debut, pitching the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 victory over Cleveland.

In 1960, Harper Lee’s novel “To Kill a Mockingbird” was published.

In 1972, the World Chess Championship opened as grandmasters Bobby Fischer, of the United States, and defending champion Boris Spassky, of the Soviet Union, began play in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Fischer won after 21 games.)

Today’s Birthdays: Fashion designer Giorgio Armani is 91. Actor Susan Seaforth Hayes is 82. Actor Bruce McGill is 75. Actor Stephen Lang is 73. Actor Mindy Sterling is 72. Actor Sela Ward is 69. Reggae singer Michael Rose (Black Uhuru) is 68. Singer Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) is 68. Actor Mark Lester is 67. Saxophonist Kirk Whalum is 67. Singer Suzanne Vega is 66. Rock guitarist Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi) is 66. Actor Lisa Rinna is 62. Author Jhumpa Lahiri is 58. Wildlife expert Jeff Corwin is 58. Actor Justin Chambers (TV: “Grey’s Anatomy”) is 55. Actor Michael Rosenbaum (TV: “Smallville”) is 53. Rapper Lil’ Kim is 51. Pro Football Hall of Famer Andre Johnson is 44. Pop-jazz singermusician Peter Cincotti is 42.

OVERVIEW

Continued from page 1D

To be sure, it was possible to attend the 2025 Essence Fest and have a great time.

Babyface, Master P, Buju Banton, Davido and Boyz II Men all delivered highly entertaining sets. “Human beatbox” Doug E. Fresh and his guests rocked the Dome. Adam Blackstone’s curated tribute to the “Waiting To Exhale” soundtrack with a bevy of female singers was especially well done.

Erykah Badu did her eccentric Erykah Badu thing. Jill Scott was cool, though would have been cooler had she actually sung with Patti LaBelle and Jazmine Sullivan rather than just bringing them out for 10-minute solo guest turns. The few folks who stuck around until the wee hours of Saturday morning witnessed a solid set by Ms. Lauryn Hill.

But Essence needs to ﬁx some things.

No more all-nighters

The 2025 Essence Fest concluded at 3:37 a.m. on its opening Friday, 1:30 a.m on Saturday night and 2:55 a.m on Sunday

That’s nuts

Nobody skips a festival because it ends too early But many people will stop going if Essence continues to run so late.

It’s not fair to require fans to wait until 1 or 2 or even 3 a.m to see the night’s headliner It’s not fair to the bands or the Superdome and production staff either

The fest’s producers set themselves up for trouble by scheduling eight main stage acts on Friday and Sunday The scheduled start time for those nights’ headliners was 12:40 a.m.

That’s already way too late.

And after the inevitable delays involved in getting so many acts on and offstage, the times got pushed back to the point of being farcical.

Lauryn Hill hitting the stage at 2:30 a.m. is simply not acceptable. The story of her performing in an empty Superdome went viral, which is not the sort of publicity Essence needs.

The main stage schedule should include no more than six acts per

night. Five is probably better, especially if some shows involve multiple artists.

And whatever issues caused opening night to run more than 90 minutes behind schedule halfway through the show need to be addressed.

Book a superstar

One glaring problem with the 2025 Essence lineup was the lack of a stadium-sized superstar

Booking such superstars isn’t easy, especially because they are relatively rare.

Jazz Fest presents a wide range of music and is thus able to pull headliners from classic rock, modern rock, country, rap, contemporary R&B, pop and other genres.

The Essence musical range is more narrowly deﬁned, which limits the pool of potential big names. Beyond the likes of Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Usher, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Rihanna, Chris Brown, a Hot Boys reunion, Bruno Mars and Sade — who hasn’t toured in more than a decade — the list gets very short.

These artists are often committed to their own tours. On Essence weekend, Beyoncé performed in Washington, D.C., as part of her Cowboy Carter tour And Brown is headlining his own show at the Superdome in October

Many big artists are locked into exclusive arrangements with global live entertainment promoters Live Nation and AEG Presents. Essence operates independently of Live Nation and AEG. Maybe it’s time to reconsider that position.

Otherwise, Essence needs to do whatever it takes to score a superstar

Fix the wow factor

There’s a reason most major festivals release their entire music lineup all at once and as soon as possible: They want that “wow factor.”

They also want to get fans excited early enough that they have time to make plans and save money

This year Essence released a few performer names in April, then a few more in May Teasing out performer names bit by bit dilutes the impact.

And for a festival that is the ﬁrst weekend in July, an April/ May release is too late — especially when many attendees travel in from out of town.

Be more strategic with resources

Clearly, Essence was in costcutting mode this year The most obvious example was the main stage in the Superdome.

In years past, the stage resembled Times Square, with a sensory overload of ﬂashing LED screens. This year’s production was much less ﬂashy

But whatever money was saved on staging was probably wasted on adding Lauryn Hill to the lineup. Announcing her addition only two days prior was way too late to have a meaningful impact on ticket sales.

Even then, Essence did not promote Hill effectively I’m the music writer at the daily paper in the Essence host city, and even I was unaware Hill would be performing until the day of the show

Because she went on so late, she played to a mostly empty Superdome. So whatever Essence paid Hill probably in the high-ﬁve or lowsix ﬁgures — was wasted money

And by running so late every night, Essence likely incurred substantial overtime charges and ﬁnes. If you’re trying to save money, that’s not how to do it.

Going forward, Essence might also want to think about reducing its footprint at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center During the daytime events, there was a lot of empty space within the SOKO Market.

Fix the Superlounge issue

The festival completely bungled the much-ballyhooed return of the Superlounges, the smaller, intimate stages that occupied four interior corners of the Dome’s second level for many years.

In announcing the “return” of the Superlounge, Essence didn’t make clear that this year’s sole, stand-alone Superlounge would be open only to purchasers of premium VVIP tickets. That didn’t sit well with many old-school Essence fans.

And labeling an additional main stage artist a “Superlounge” act wasn’t an acceptable substitute for an actual Superlounge.

Essence apologized on social media for how the Superlounge situation was handled.

And after very few VVIP ticket holders showed up to the Superlounge on opening night, the festival opened it up to all attendees on the second and third nights, not that that messaging was particularly effective either Next year, Essence needs to either scrap the Superlounge or make it open to all.

A dedicated team

Since personal care products

mogul Richelieu Dennis announced his purchase of Essence Magazine and its affiliated festival in early 2018, there’s been considerable churn at the executive level. The learning curve has been steep. For the 2023 and 2024 festivals, Essence finally had a vice president specifically to oversee the festival year-round. But Hakeem Holmes and the company parted ways after his contract expired.

So the leadership team for this year’s Essence Fest consisted of executives who also work with other brands and entities within Dennis’ Sundial corporate family

Going forward, Essence needs an experienced, stable team dedicated to the festival. And that team needs to

Listen to social media

Essence fans are not shy about sharing their opinions on social media. Before and during the 2025 festival, they did a whole lot of sharing about everything from the Superlounge screw-up to the late schedule to the perceived inadequacies of certain VIP packages for the daytime experiences in the convention center

Weeks ago, Michael Barclay II, chief events ofﬁcer for Essence Fest parent company Sundial Media Group, told me he welcomed social media criticism.

“It’s an honor and a blessing to have something you’re working on have that much emotional impact,” Barclay said. “What we’re building is that important to people that they’re going to air us out if we get it wrong.

“But they will come back when we get it right.”

If Essence leaders want festival fans to come back, they need to listen to them.

prepare the stage for Boyz II Men.

techs reset the stage between acts And the three vocalists of Boyz II Men came out swinging, recognizing the need to work hard to persuade exhausted audience members not to head back home or to their hotels.

“Thank y’all for staying up so late,” singer Shawn Stockman said after 2 a.m. “It’s past my bedtime too.”

‘Exhale’ worth the wait

The ﬂoor of the Dome felt full Sunday, but much of the terrace level was empty Still, energy was high throughout the ﬁnal night. One reason was the succession of crowd-pleasing hits and highimpact performances Doug E. Fresh, the Human Beatbox, knows how to work a room the size of the Superdome. His beatboxing skills remain unparalleled When he brought out surprise guests Teddy Riley and, especially, Slick Rick, the crowd erupted. He paid tribute to the late Frankie Beverly, the most beloved Essence Fest performer of all time — which also went over big.

Bassist Adam Blackstone had

previously performed at Essence as a backing musician for Jill Scott and LL Cool J. But on Sunday, he led a 30th anniversary tribute to the soundtrack of the beloved 1995 ﬁlm “Waiting to Exhale.” That romantic drama/comedy starring Whitney Houston and Angela Bassett continues to resonate, especially among Black women. Not surprisingly, then, Blackstone’s lovingly curated tribute, featuring a succession of female vocalists elevating songs from the soundtrack, resonated at Essence Fest. Tamar Braxton, Yolanda Adams, Brittney Spencer, Andra Day, Deborah Cox, Chanté Moore, India Shawn and Keke Palmer all took turns lofting favorites originally sung by the likes of Houston and Mary J Blige.

One obvious highlight: Adams and Cox teaming up on “Count On Me,” originally recorded on the soundtrack by Houston and CeCe Winans. In a set full of heart and soul, Adams and Cox exempliﬁed it

An LL Cool J surprise

Next up was producer/songwriter Jermaine Dupri’s tribute to the late Quincy Jones. When Mobb Deep kicked off that tribute, the whole night was already an hour behind schedule. ServingasbothDJandemcee,Du-

pri spent considerable time on the microphone explaining why Jones mattered and introducing what we were about to hear Rap group the Pharcyde, who sampled Jones productions took a brief turn before Dupri cued up samples of Jones’ Michael Jackson productions.

After SWV, Durpi introduced surprise guest LL Cool J, who rapped “Hey Lover.” The Jones tribute also featured a trio of male heartthrobs — Tyrese, Robin Thicke and Al B. Sure — having fun onstage together A brass band and Mardi Gras Indians set the stage for the rapper Nas, who hit hard with his live band. With big drums and bass as his foundation, Nas attacked “Made You Look,” “The World Is Yours” and other tracks with intent and purpose. He advised the audience, “If y’all have something to say, stand up and be heard.” He followed his own advice.

Master P exits the tank

After the B-stage DJ cued up “Swag Surﬁn’,” audience members locked arms and swayed from side to side, keeping the party going at 12:30 a.m.

With a bedazzled graphic version of the No Limit Records tank ﬁlling a video screen, Percy “Master

P” Miller made his way through a few dozen camouﬂage-clad marching band members and dancers to kick off his Essence farewell. Later he was surrounded by extras in white choir robes.

He and his team obviously invested more resources in planning this show than they did for an underwhelming 2017 set at Essence. Video content accentuated his presentation of “Make ’em Say Unh,” “Ice Cream Man,” “I Got the Hook Up” and other rap-along favorites.

There were detours, as when he turned over the stage to his daughter Cymphonique Miller, who sang while accompanied by Preservation Hall guitarist Joshua Starkman

But the crowd locked in as No Limit tracks by the currently incarcerated Mystikal and the deceased Soulja Slim boomed out of the speakers. Dru Hill firing up “Tell Me” went over big. Keri Hilson rocked “Knock You Down.”

And when Choppa, who was badly injured in a car accident last year bounded out for his “Choppa Style,” the Dome erupted.

A brass band and a bevy of Mardi Gras Indians and Zulu Tramps stamped the ﬁnal exclamation on Master P’s farewell at 1:38 a.m.

Late-night Boyz

Only 17 minutes were needed to

From the moment they bounded onstage in all white, the three frontmen were in constant motion, working the stage and their songs. It was that rare show during which Wanyá Morris got to ask, “How y’all feeling this morning?” They harmonized in “On Bended Knee” and elsewhere. Paying tribute to influences, they fired up Frankie Beverly & Maze’s “Before I Let Go” and Prince’s “Purple Rain,” with Shawn Stockman handling the latter’s guitar solo. By then, the crowd had thinned considerably “The best thing about going on late is we can do whatever the f*** we want,” Wanyá Morris exclaimed. “Y’all can leave, but we’re going to play these songs.” They powered through “It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday” and revisited “One Sweet Day,” their 30-year-old collaboration with Mariah Carey Before a ﬁnal “End of the Road” concluded both their show and the 2025 Essence Fest at 2:55 a.m. Monday, Stockman signed off with a sentiment shared by many: “We hope to see you again — and hopefully a lot earlier.”

Email Keith Spera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Focus on your objective, and don't stop until you finish. The outcome will be satisfying and help you gain outside interest. Believe in yourself. Network, promote and market who you are and what you offer.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Consider what others can contribute, and incorporate fresh ideas into your plans. Set a budget before you begin a project. Social and networking events will motivate you to start something new.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Listen carefully. Refuse to let changes others make tempt you to follow. Gather information, watch others' progress and learn from their pitfalls and failures. Avoid premature assessments.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Emotional energy will require direction. Keeping your eye on expenditures and essentials will help you make better choices. Too much of anything will require adjustments.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Conversations that bring about change may not be easy, but the results will enhance your life. Line up your preferences and set a course that can carry you to victory.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Let your intuition take the lead. If you move too quickly, you'll face unexpected pitfalls that delay your timing. Put your money in a safe place and refuse to pay for someone else's mistakes.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Question everything regarding money and work.

Reset your plans, review your investments and options, and map out a plan to get where you want to go.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Focus on home improvements. Consider what you feel passionate about and start to make changes at home or to yourself that will give you a new lease on life.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Do what works for you, regardless of what others choose. Be careful; avoid jeopardizing your health or physical well-being. Be charming instead of complaintive.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Balance the budget before committing to home improvements, moves or anything that may jeopardize you financially. Rethink how you earn a living and consider how you can use your skills.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Refrain from starting something you cannot finish. Spend time gathering information to help you reach your goals; stop spinning your wheels. Do the legwork and set your sights on what's practical.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Take your time, gather information and stick to basics. Too much, too fast will lead to undue expense and worry. When someone applies pressure, know enough to back away.

FAMILY CIrCUS

TODAy'S

CeLebrItY CIpher For better or For WorSe

bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

BY PHILLIP ALDER

On agameshow, aprize wasatrip to aEuropean destinationwith aweek in aluxury hotel that, according to the announcer,included 24-houraccess to thecontestant’s room! At the bridge table, access to one hand or the other can be vital to enjoying success. How does that apply in this deal? Against three no-trump, West leads the spade nine.How should Southplan theplay?

In theauction,North’s two-diamond rebidwasNewMinorForcing,promising atleastgame-invitationalvaluesandasking opener to describe his hand further. Three clubs deniedthreehearts,indicated agood five-card suit, andimplied aweak spade or diamond holding. (Otherwise,Southwouldhavecontinuedwith two no-trump.)

Southhaseighttoptricks:threespades (giventhe lead), two hearts andthree clubs. Wherewill he find winner No. 9? Against best defense, there isn’ttime to play on diamonds or hearts. Declarer must get afourth club trick. But that requireslosing one club and having a hand entryinspades.

IfSouthreasonablyassumesthespade nine is top of nothing, he can take the first trickwithdummy’s ace and play on clubs. But it is safertoput in dummy’s spade jack. If it wins, South’s king is his entry; or, if Eastcovers with the queen, South wins withhis king and can get to his hand withthe spade 10. But if South errs by playing the spade two, East puts up his queen,and thecontract’s door closes. ©2025 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle whichcreates adisguised word,phrase, name,place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be

wuzzles

Bizarro

hagar

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

ken ken

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

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

full description of theproject mayalso be reviewed from 8:30 am –4:00pmatthe ad‐dresslistedabove Commentsmay also be submittedvia emailat JPCDprograms@ jeffparish.gov. In accordance with provi‐sions of theAmerican withDisabilitiesAct Amendments Actof2008,

as amended, Jefferson Parishshall notdiscrimi‐nateagainst individuals withdisabilitiesonthe basis of disability in its services, programsorac‐tivities. If yourequire auxiliary aidsordevices,orother reasonableaccommoda‐tionunder theADA AmendmentsAct,please submityourrequest to the ADACoordinatorat least forty-eight(48) hours in advanceoras soon as practical. Asev‐enty-two(72) hour ad‐vancednoticeisrequired torequest Certiﬁed ASL interpreters. ADACoordinator /De‐partmentofCitizensAf‐fairs 1221 Elmwood Park Boulevard,Suite 403 Jefferson, LA 70123 (504) 736-6094 barry.sprague@ jeffparish.gov LouisianaRelay Services TTYServices: Dial 711 or 800-846-5277 https://hamiltonrelay com/louisiana/index.htm 7/11/25 149115 July 11,1t $98.16

stated LeaseAgreement atLouis ArmstrongNew Orleans InternationalAir‐portwith BREEZEAVIA‐

equal andparallel lines. Allas more fully shownonsur‐veyofGilbert Kelly &Cou‐turie, Inc., datedMarch 8, 1987 andan‐nexedtoAct recorded at COB 1691, Folio128 of the recordsofJef‐ferson Parish, 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

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11,2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $99.77

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-755

11, 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 13, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

2021 MIT‐SUBISHIFUSO FE180 (VIN NO: 4UZCXK115MGM L4788)

Stored: AVONDALE STORAGE

3110 HWY. 90 P. O. BOX9150 AVONDALE,LA

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

EMILYE HOLLEY Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025

jul11-1t $55.30

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, datedMarch 11, 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 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: That certain portionof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon andall of the rights,way, privileges, servitudes,ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereunto, be‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in SectionNo. 9-B, of Bissonet Plaza, Subdivi‐sion,designated on a survey by Aldeo Orr, Jr.&Associ‐ates,Civil Engi‐neer,dated De‐cember 22, 1961, as Lot No.32, in Square No.29, bounded by Glendale and WiltyStreets, Elmwood Park‐way andApollo Drive, according to which,said lotNo. 32 com‐menceatdis‐tanceof462.91 feet from the corner of Elm‐wood Parkway andGlendale Street,mea‐suresthence60 feet frontonGlen‐daleStreet,the same with in therear, by a depthof100 feet between

JPMORGAN CHASEBANK, NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION vs ANTHONYCRUZ ANDELIZABETH DEJEAN O'FLAR‐ITYAKA ELIZA‐BETH DEJEAN O'FLARITYCRUZ

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 19, 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 July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit:

Acertain piece or portionof ground situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jefferson, in COLONIAL FARMSSUBDIVI‐SION,desig‐natedasLOT 11U, beinga part of original Lot 11, Tract"B", bounded by SauveRoad, So‐niat CanalSide, Highland AcresSubdivi‐sion,a 12 foot drainage ditch (Jefferson High‐wayside), which said piece or portionof ground is desig‐natedbythe Number 11-U, which com‐mences at adis‐tance of 321.52 feet from theinter‐sectionofthe 12 foot drainage ditchonthe Jef‐ferson Highwaysideof said property with Sauve Road,the same in width in the rear,bya depth of 217.03 feet between equal and parallel lines, being a portionofLot 11-M, resubdivided into Lots 11-N

and11-Pby virtue of Ordi‐nanceNo. 7734 of theJefferson Parish Council, adoptedon June 2, 1966, recorded in COB 638, folio 231, accordingto survey of Erroll E. Kelly,Land Surveyor,dated May3,1966, and furtherresubdi‐videdinto Lots 11-Q, 11-R and11-S, by virtue of Ordi‐nanceNo. 16368 of theJefferson Parish Council, adoptedon March27, 1985, recorded in COB 1223, folio 18, all accordingto survey of James H. Couturie, Land Surveyor datedOctober 11, 1984 andfur‐ther resubdivided into Lots 11-Tan d11-Ubyvirtue of Ordinance No.16640 of the Jefferson Parish Council, adoptedonthe 23rdday of Oc‐tober1985, recorded under EntryNo. 8553527 in COB 1363, folio 120, allaccording to sketch of survey of JamesH Couturie, Land Surveyor datedAugust 30, 1985. Allin accordance with therecent survey of Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie,Inc datedOctober 26, 1989, which showsLot 11-U commencingat adistanceof 176.70 feet from thecornerof SauveRoadand ElmPlace andbeing bounded by SauveRoad, Jef‐ferson Highway, Highland Acres andElm Place; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affectingthe property

Theimprove‐mentsbearthe municipalad‐dress269 Sauve Rd,River Ridge, Louisiana 70123.

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: June 6, 2025, July 11,2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $128.89

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:858-511

ALLY BANK vs SHEKISAIN‐VESTMENTS, L.L.C. AND SHEKISA HOLMES

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, datedOctober

SERVBANK,SB VS LUIS ARMANDO MARTINEZ (A/K/A LUIS A. MARTINEZ,LUIS MARTINEZ)AND TANIA MARTINEZ

p Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: APORTION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon andall of the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theCityof Kenner,Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as University City Subdivi‐sion andwhich por‐tion of ground, accordingtothe plan thereofby Rene A. Harris, Inc., Consulting Engi‐neers, datedAu‐gust 15, 1962, recorded at COB 561, folio381, as revisedbysub‐sequentplanof Rene A. Harris, Inc.,Consulting Engineers, des‐ignatedas follows: Lot20-A, Square 74.

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

AMYR.ORTIS

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $75.42

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:860-378

aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedDecem‐ber19, 2024, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Ofﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

Louisiana, October15, 1999, approved by theJefferson Parish Council under Ordi‐nanceNo. 20852, adopted January12, 2000, registered under EntryNo. 10003981, in COB 3023, folio 915, of the Conveyance Recordsofthe Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana; and also in accor‐dancewiththe plan of survey by Dufrene Sur‐veying &Engi‐neering, Inc. datedatHarvey, Louisiana, April 5, 2002; andac‐cordingtosaid plans, said lotis designated as LOTTWENTYFOUR (24) of SQUARE SEVEN‐TEEN (17), which said square is bounded by Ab‐botswood Drive, Wedgewood Court, Wedge‐wood Drive, Heatherwood Driveand Sher‐brookeLane; andaccording to said plans, said Lot24 measures EIGHTY-SIX AND 03/100 (86.03’) FEET fronton Sherbrooke Lane,witha width in the rear of NINETYEIGHTAND 72/100 (98.72’) FEET,bya depth on thesidline adjoining Lot23 f JUDICIAL

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐

FAIRPORT ASSET MANAGEMENT II REO, LLC VS MINH DAOAND NGOC LANLLC; MINH QUANG DAO; ANDNGOC LANTHI

By virtue of and in obedienceto

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allofthe rights, ways,privi‐leges, servitudes,ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywise appertaining, situated,lying andbeing in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as BARKLEYES‐TATES, in accor‐dancewiththe plan of resubdivisionby DufreneSurvey‐ing& Engineer‐ing, Inc. dated at Harvey,

When youneed thenews. Wherever youreadthe news. The

j g of ONEHUN‐DRED TWENTY ANDN0/100 (120.00’)FEET, anda depth on the sideline adjoin‐ingLot 25 of ONEHUNDRED TWENTY-SEVEN AND 93/100 (127.93’) FEET

Forinforma‐tional purposes only:

Improvements thereonbear theMunicipal No.3317 Sher‐brookeLane, Harvey,LA 70058

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

WAYNEA MAIORANA,JR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025

jul11-aug15-2t $113

TARY PUBLIC, DATEDAUGUST 25, 1942;AND SQUARE NO."A" IS BOUNDEDBY ALTA STREET

CATHERINEAV‐ENUE (FOR‐MERLYFIRST AVENUE), ROSELAWN STREET AND BERWYN AV‐ENUE (FOR‐MERLYSECOND AVENUE), ANDMEASURES AS FOLLOWS:

LOTNO. 2COM‐MENCES AT A DISTANCE OF 17.93 FEET FROM THECURVED LINEATTHE CORNER OF ROSELAWN STREET AND CATHERINEAV‐ENUE, MEASURES THENCE IN THE DIRECTIONOF BERWYN AV‐ENUE ADIS‐TANCE OF 50.51 FEET FRONTON ROSELAWN STREET,BYA DEPTH125.8 FEET ON THE SIDE LINEIFLOT No.1 NEARER TO CATHERINE AVENUE (SIDE) ANDONTHE SIDE LINEOF LOTNO. 3 NEARER BERWYN AV‐ENUE (SIDE) A DEPTHOF124.76 FEET,AND A WIDTHOF50.53 FEET IN THE REAR,ALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH THESURVEYOF J.L. FONTCU‐BERTA, SUR‐VEYOR, DATED JUNE 5, 1972.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior securityin‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

p vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20,2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

Acertain piece or portionof ground,situ‐ated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Ames Ter‐race,being are‐subdivisionof a portion of Lot6 andLot 7, Ames Farms, Southeastern Land District of Louisiana, west of the Mississippi River, allinac‐cordance with plan by J. J. Krebs &Sons, C. E. &S., dated June 1, 1964,ap‐proved by the JeffersonParish Councilunder emergencyordi‐nanceno. 6755,adopted August 7, 1964, andregistered in COB596, folio 704, Jefferson Parish Louisiana, which said lotis designated and describedas follows:

pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

TRUST VS SHEYLA CASTRO HARTWELL

g which said lot measures as follows: LotNo. 3com‐mences at adis‐tanceof128 feet from thecorner of D'Arbonne Courtand E. Grandlake Blvd., measures thence sixtyfour feet (64') frontonD'Ar‐bonne Court, the same width in therear, by a depth of one hundred twelve feet (112')be‐tween equal and parallel lines.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OR GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown, as HOOTER HEIGHTS SUBDIVISION, all as perplanof Wilton J. Dufrene, Land Surveyor,dated March30, 1978, approved by Ordinance No.13369, adoptedbythe JeffersonParish Council under EntryNo. 824675 in COB 928, folio 397, as perAct of Dedi‐cation before Gerald J. Arceneaux, N.P.,dated Feb‐ruary2,1979, registered in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, under EntryNo. 662000 in COB950, folio 134, the said portionof ground is more fully describedas follows, to-wit:

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certiﬁed Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

RADERJACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $109.83

Lot5,Square1 bounded by Ames Boule‐vard,Sixth Street (side) Lincoln Avenue (side) andLincoln Av‐enue,which said lotcom‐mences at adis‐tanceof222.64 feet from the corner of Ames Boulevardand LincolnAvenue andmeasures 55 feet fronton Ames Boulevard, same with in therear, by a depth of 105 feet between equaland paral‐lel lines. Allinac‐cordance with survey of J. J. Krebs& Sons Inc.,dated March12, 1965.

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

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

LOTNO. 3, SQUARE B, which is bounded by Hooter Road, Rena Court, Northern PaciﬁcPublic Belt Railroad, RiverRoad (side),and Nor‐mandyPark Subdivision (side) andLot 3com‐mences 100.00 feet from the corner of Hooter Road andRena Courtand measures 50' feet fronton Hooter Road, thesamewidth in thecorner rear,bya depth of 150 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines; subjectto restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

Improvements thereonbear theMunicipal No.680 Hooter Road,Bridge City,Louisiana 70094.

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theCityof Kenner,Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisianain Square 7of Woodlake South, bounded by D'Arbonne Court, E. Grand‐lake Blvd Boeuf Courtand W. GrandlakeBlvd., designated as Lot3 on survey made by Harris & Varisco, Survey‐ors, datedDe‐cember 16, 1976, according to hi h id l

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certiﬁed Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit CRIS R. JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $87.07

D/B/ASHELL‐POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐ING VS GREG LASSITER A/K/AGREGORY LASSITER 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 25, 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 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: CONDOMINIUM UNIT 124 of BEAU CHATEAU CONDOMINI‐UMS,together with allthe rights andap‐purtenances thereuntoap‐pertaining,in‐cludingrightsto the"Common Elements"and "limited com‐monelements" as provided in theCondo‐minium Declaration, in‐cludingthe sur‐vey, plot,plans andother in‐strumentsan‐nexedand recorded in COB 983, folio 940, of theParishof Jefferson; said Condominiumis situated in and on that certain portionorpor‐tionsofground describedas follows:

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, togetherwith ll h b ildi

g allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ad‐vantages and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theCITYOF KENNER, PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as CHATEAU ESTATESNORTH, SECTION2 SQUARE 11, beinga resubdi‐vision of Parcel 1, ChateauEstates in accordance with survey by J.J. Krebsand Sons,Inc dated June 19, 1972, approved by theCityof Kenner under OrdinanceNo. 1420, adopted July 10, 1972, registered in COB676, folio 23, Jefferson Parish Louisiana; ac‐cordingtosaid survey SQUARE 11 is bounded by MaconDrive, Sunset Boule‐vard,Chateau Boulevard andSt. Julien Drive; thesaid lotisdesig‐natedand mea‐suresasfol‐lows:Lot A-1 forms thecornerofSt. Julien Driveand ChateauBoule‐vard andmea‐sures175.26 feet on St Julien Drive, by awidth on Sun‐setBoulevard side of 163.51 feet,and a depthand front on Chateau Boulevardof 380.21 feet,and adepth on the sideline adjoin‐ingLot A-2of 380 feet;Lot A-1 beingcom‐posedofapor‐tion of LotA,as persurveyby

R.L. Schumann, L.S., datedSeptem‐ber1,1977, re‐visedSeptem‐ber1,1977, re‐vised September9, 1977, approved by theKenner City Council under Ordi‐nanceNo. 2210, adoptedDecem‐ber27, 1977, registered in COB915, folio 951; subjectto restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty Improvements thereonbear theMunicipal No.1020 St Julien Drive #124

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: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $132

NO:855-510 TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST2016-3, U.S. BANK NA‐TIONAL ASSOCI‐ATIONAS INDENTURE TRUSTEE VS LAWRENCE ED‐WARD WOODRUFF,IN‐DIVIDUALLY AND AS SURVIVING SPOUSE IN COMMUNITY WITH MARY ANNRIOLO WOODRUFF 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 16, 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 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: ONECERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,TO‐GETHER WITH ALLTHE BUILDINGSAND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, SITU‐ATED IN THE PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, BEINGLOT NO.2 IN SQUARE "A OF THE BECHTELSUBDI‐VISION,AND AC‐CORDINGTO SURVEY BY GILBERTAND KELLY SURVEYORS, DATEDAUGUST 2, 1941, IM‐PROVEMENTLO‐CATEDMAY 6, 1942, A BLUE PRINT OF WHICHISAN‐NEXEDTOAN ACTPASSEDBE‐FORE WILLIAM A. WEST,JR.,NO‐

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-633 FEDERALHOME LOAN MORT‐GAGE CORPORA‐TION,AS TRUSTEE FOR THE BENEFITOFTHE FREDDIEMAC SEASONED CREDIT RISK TRANSFER TRUST, SERIES 2020-3 VS JESSIEJOHN‐SON, JR. AND DONNA THOMAS JOHN‐SONA/K/A DONNA T JOHNSONA/K/A DONNA JOHN‐SON 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 18, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOfﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025

jul11-aug15-2t $98.18

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-304

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION VS MAGGIETURNER EDWARDS 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 31, 2025,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOfﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐

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 ofCredit.

ZACHARYGAR‐RETT YOUNG Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $102.42

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:862-315

WILMINGTON SAVINGSFUND SOCIETY, FSB, NOTINITS INDI‐VIDUAL CAPAC‐

&QUIET

WESLEY M. PLAISANCE Partner, NewOrleans Breazeale, Sachse &WilsonL.L.P 909Poydras St.Ste.1500 NewOrleans,LA70112 Phone:(504) 584-5471 wesley.plaisance@bswllp.com www.bswIlp.com

State-Wide TaxSaleand QuietTitle Litigation Practice Across Louisiana

Wesley Plaisanceisa Partnerinthe NewOrleans office of Breazeale, Sachse &Wilson L.L.P. whereheheads theTax Sale andQuiet TitleLitigationGroup andpractices other commercial litigation with afocus on real estate related litigation.Mr. Plaisanceregularly handlestax sale litigation mattersacrossLouisiana includingwithout limitationinthe followingParishes: Orleans,Caddo,Ouachita, Bossier, Ascension, East BatonRouge,St. Tammany,Jefferson, Lafayette, Livingston,Plaquemines andLafourche.Mr. Plaisancerepresentstax sale purchasers in suitstoconfirm tax sale title(s) andownership with and/or withoutcancellationof mortgagesand otherencumbrances, in settlement of taxsale litigation mattersand in partitionproceedings commenced after atax sale purchaserconfirmsonlya fractional ownership interest

Mr.Plaisance hasextensive experience in representing tax debtors, landowners,mortgageholders includingbanks and otherinterestedparties in actionstoannul and/or nullify tax sales. Mr.Plaisance hassuccessfully litigatedcomplex commerciallitigationmatters arisingout of largeinvestment fundscreated to purchase taxsalecertificatesand/ortax sale deedsinLouisiana,Georgia,Indiana andFlorida

Mr.Plaisance is aresource fortax sale purchaserstobuy or sell interest undertax sale certificates/deeds to otherinvestors and hasassistedhis clientsinthe acquisitionand/orsaleof numerous taxsaledeeds/certificatesinLouisiana.Mr. Plaisance

PARISH OF

NO:863-150

BAYVIEWLOAN SERVICING

ACERTAIN 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 theState of Louisiana, in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, in TERRY‐TOWN SUBDIVI‐SION,SECTION 2, beingpartof OakdaleSubdi‐vision,Section 8, FirstWard, all in accordance with the survey of Adloe Orr, Jr., &Asso‐ciates,C.E datedJune 3, 1959, revised September16, 1959, andSep‐tember 18, 1959, approved by the Parish of Jeffer‐sonParish Council under Ordi‐nance#4544 adoptedApril 21, 1960, regis‐teredinCOB 510, folio522, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Louisiana, on July 20, 1960, andinPlan Book 39/65 Of‐ﬁce of the ClerkofCourt Jefferson Parish,which said property is more fullyde‐scribedasfol‐lows, to-wit:

subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand outstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ingthe prop‐erty

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 341 Ap‐pletreeLane, Gretna Louisiana70056.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- The full 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: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $124.12

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:863-739 FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VERSUS AARON MOORE AKAAARON M. MOORE 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 22, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOfﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

andsaidLot 32 commencesat a distance of 202.98 feet from thein‐tersection of Al‐ison Driveand WhisperLane, andmeasures thence 60 feet frontonAli‐sonDrive,same in width across therear, by a depth of 100 feet between equaland paral‐lellines;all as persurvey made by J.J. Krebsand Sons Inc.,L.S., dated April12, 1988, resurveyed May 27, 1988 and resurveyed June 3, 1988; subject to restrictions servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affect‐ing theproperty.

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 1491 Ali‐sonDrive, Gretna, Louisiana 70056

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: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $104

g in theCityof Gretna,Parish of Jefferson, Stateof Louisiana, in Garden Park Subdivision, Ex‐tensionNo. 2, in Square No.33 bounded by Wil‐lowDrive, Gretna Boulevard, WhitneyAvenue andthe south boundaryofthe subdivisiondes‐ignatedasLot No.21, in accor‐dancewiththe survey of Alvin E. Hotard,C.E., datedMay 5, 1961, which said lotcom‐mences at adis‐tanceof428.95 feet from the corner of Willow Driveand Gretna Boule‐vard,and mea‐suresthence50 feet frontalong an arcof a curveonWillow Drive, by a depth alongthe northeasterly sideline of 114.35 feet,by a depth alongthe opposite side line of 133.75 feet by a ﬁrst width in the rear on aline parallel to Whit‐ney Avenue of 107.92 feet (title)or 107.54 feet (ac‐tual)and asec‐ondwidth in the rear on a line parallel to thesouth boundaryofthe subdivisionof 66.61 feet,all in accordance with asurveyofSter‐ling Mandle, Land Surveyor datedJune 6, 1977, acopyof which is annexedtoan actpassedbe‐fore John A. Mmahat,Notary Public,dated June 30, 1977, ﬁledJuly18, 1977, COB889, folio 409, Instru‐ment No 778187, Jeffer‐sonParish, Louisiana.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

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 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part known as Terrytown Subdivision SectionB,ac‐cordingtoplan of AdloeOrr, Jr &Associates, C.E.,dated April 22, 1964, ap‐proved by Jef‐ferson Parish Councilunder ordinanceno. 6610, adopted 5/7/64, recorded as entryno. 289611 of the recordsofJef‐ferson, Louisiana, and in accordance with survey of Sterling Mandle Land Surveyor,dated July 27, 1977, andsurveyofR L. Schumann & Associates Land Survey,dated 6/26/79, de‐scribedasfol‐lows:

NATIONAL AS‐SOCIATION, NOT IN ITSINDIVID‐UALCAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEEFOR VRMTGASSET TRUST VS MARIALUISA GARCIA A/K/A MARIAL.GAR‐CIAA/K/A MARIAGARCIA ANDVALENTE PINA

veybyJ.J Krebs& Sons Inc.,C.E.&S., datedJune 30, 1978, staked Au‐gust 17, 1978, resurveyed No‐vember 1, 1978 to show improvements Andinaccor‐dancewithsur‐veyofGilbert, Kelly &Cou‐turie, Inc. dated March6,1993, a printofwhich is annexed hereto andmadea part hereof,saidlot is situated in thesame square,subdivi‐sion andhas the same measure‐mentsashere‐inaboveset forth.

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 BankLetter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $134.71

westerly direc‐tion alongthe northerlyright of waylineof Lafayette Av‐enue a distanceof 39.37 feet to a point; thence in anortherly di‐rection, through an interior angle of 90 degrees 29 minutes31sec‐onds,a distance of 150 feet to a point; thence in an easterly direc‐tion adistance of 31.37 feet to a point; thence in asoutherly di‐rectiona distance of 70.32 feet to a point; thence widening in an easterly direc‐tion,through an exterior angle of 90 degrees 29 minutes31 sec‐onds,a distance of 8feet to a point; thence in a southerlydirec‐tion adistance of 79.68 feet to a pointonthe northerlyright of waylineof Lafayette Av‐enue,the point of beginning.

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

LOT19in SQUARE 6, bounded by Ap‐pletreeLane, Athena Avenue Holmes Boule‐vard andBrowning Lane,which said lotcom‐mences at adis‐tanceof80feet from thecorner of Appletree Lane and Athena Avenue andmeasures thence 60 feet frontonApple‐tree Lane,bya depth alongthe side line nearer Athena Avenue of 95 feet,by a depth along theopposite sideline of 95 feet,bya ﬁrst width in the rear of 36.06 feet to apoint thence an additional width in the rear of 36.06 feet in accor‐dancewithsur‐veyofAdloe Orr, Jr.& Associates,C.E March15, 1963, allmorefully shownonsur‐veybyGeraldB Dunn, Surveyor,dated July 21, 1976, said lothas the same location dimensions,and boundariesas setforth above;

ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereonand all therights, ways privileges, servitudes,and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofwhich hasbeen resub‐dividedinto SHADOW LAKE EXTENSIONSUB‐DIVISION, allas perplanofre‐subdivision made by 1.J. Krebsand Sons,Inc., L.S., datedSeptem‐ber9,1986, ap‐proved by the JeffersonParish Councilby OrdinanceNo. 17056 on Octo‐ber22,1986, recorded in COB 1595 folio 171, andsaid property is more fullyde‐scribedas fol‐lows,towit: LOT32, SQUARE J, which said square is bounded Alison Drive, Whisper Lane, Flamingo Road andDrake Lane,

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:788-262 REGIONSBANK DBAREGIONS MORTGAGE VS KRISTINP KAMASA/K/A KRISTINPRICE KAMASA/K/A KRISTINKAMAS AND KENNETHJ KAMAS, JR. A/K/AKENNETH KAMAS, JR. 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, datedNovem‐ber15, 2018, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Ofﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways privileges,pre‐scriptions, servitudes, advantages and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining,situated

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is due at the time of thesale.

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 6, 2025, July 11, 2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $107.18

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-329

WELLSFARGO BANK,N.A VERSUS LESLIE ADAM RIESKIND A/K/A

LESLIE A. RIE‐SKINDA/K/A

LESLIE RIESKIND A/K/A

LESLIE ADAMS

RIESKIND A/K/A

LESLIE ADAMS ANDNORMANA

RIESKIND,JR. A/K/ANORMAN

RIESKIND,JR.

Lot3-A,Square 141, bounded by Mystic Avenue Guardian Av‐enue,Morning‐side Drive (side) and Morningside Drive(side), and thesaidlot commences at a distance of 125.62 feet from thecornerof Guardian Av‐enue andMystic Avenue and measures thence 63.19 feet fronton Mystic Avenue awidth in the rear of 79.54 feet,bya depth of 115.00 feet alongbothside lotlines. Allas shownonsur‐veybyMandle Surveying, Inc., datedJanuary 8, 1985 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.

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: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025

jul11-aug15-2t $105.59

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA

NO:829-503

US BANK TRUST

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, datedDecem‐ber28, 2022, I have seized and will proceed to sell to thehigh‐estbidderat public auction, at theJefferson Parish Sheriff's Ofﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, in Town‐ship 14 South, Ranges23and 24 East,South‐easternLand District of Louisiana, West of theMissis‐sippi River, knownasHar‐veyCanal Prop‐erty, designated as Parcel P-2-A-2-A, allasper plan of resubdivision made by J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc C. E. &S., dated March15, 1973, revisedFebru‐ary26, 1973, April11, 1974, May5,1975, De‐cember 29, 1975, andOctober 19, 1976, andap‐proved by the JeffersonParish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 12617, adoptedNo‐vember 18, 1976, recorded in COB 879, folio 409, andwhich said portionof ground was subdivided into Woodmere Sub‐division,Section 5, allinasper plan of resubdi‐vision by J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C. E. &S datedOc‐tober19, 1976 andOctober 21, 1976, approved by the JeffersonParish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 12617, recorded in COB 879, folio 408, and as perAct of Dedication be‐fore Odom B. Heebe, Notary Public,dated December 21, 1976 and recorded in COB 880, folio 822, same beingdes‐ignatedasfol‐lows: Lot1456, Square NN, which square is bounded by Ac‐caciaLane, Woodmere Blvd (side),Eastview (lateOakmere Dr.) Drive(side) andAlexKorn‐manBlvd.., and said lot commences 425 feet from the corner of Acca‐ciaLaneand Alex Kornman Blvd., with a 60 feet fronton AccaciaLane, same in width in rear,bya depth of 100 feet be‐tween equaland paral‐lellines;all as shownonsur‐

GAYLEWOOD SUBDIVISION, as delineated on a plan of resubdivision, by J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E. & S, datedNovem‐ber26, 1975, approved by the City of Kenner Flaming& Zon‐ingCommission under Ordi‐nanceNo. 1821, adopted February 9, 1976, registered under EntryNo. 710-751, andby the JeffersonParish Councilunder OrdinanceNo. 12295, adopted February 12, 1976, registered under EntryNo. 710-595, in the ofﬁce of the ClerkofCourt forthe Parish of Jefferson, Louisiana. Ac‐cordingtosaid plan,saidlot of ground is desig‐natedand describedas follows:

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-306 SERVBANK,SB VERSUS MAURICE PIERCE 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, datedJune 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‐gust 20, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m thefollowing describedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,situ‐ated in theCity of Gretna Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, lo‐catedinSection 47, Township 13 South, Range20East, in that part thereofknown as HOLMES PLACESUBDIVI‐SION,bounded by Lafayette Av‐enue,23rd Street,Belle Chasse Highway and25thStreet, designated as LOTS-2 on a plan of resubdi‐vision datedOc‐tober23, 2008 by Gilbert, Kelly &Couturie, Inc.,and is more fully described as follows: LOTS-2 begins at adistanceof 54.86 feet from thepoint of in‐tersection of thewesterly rightofway line of 25thstreet andthe northerlyright of waylineof Lafayette Av‐enue; thence in a

JEREMY L NUSLOCH Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $99.77

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-304

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SER‐VICES, LLC VERSUS THEUNOPENED SUCCESSIONOF JOSEPH SCOTT, III

LOTNO. 1, in the area bounded by 33rdStreet, theeastbound‐aryofGayle‐wood Subdivision, Charlene Court (side),and Massachusetts Avenue.SaidLot No.1 commences at a distance of 320 feet from the northeastcor‐nerof33rd Street and Massachusetts Avenue,and measures thence in an easterly direc‐tion,73.01 feet front on 33rdStreet, by adepth alongthe east boundaryofthe subdivisionof 140.40 feet,a width in the rear of 22.35 feet,and a depth on the opposite side‐line nearer Massachusetts Avenue of 122.01 feet;all as fur‐ther shownona survey by J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E., datedMarch 17, 1976, redated, March26, 1976. This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐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

JEREMY L NUSLOCH Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025 jul11-aug15-2t $110.36

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:863-810

CITIGROUP MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2021-RP4 VERSUS JAMESERIC ZIMMERMAN A/K/AJAMES E. ZIMMERMAN A/K/AJAMES ZIMMERMAN

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 24, 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 July 16,2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit:

Onecertain lot of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, all rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise appertaining situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereon formerly known as Brooklyn Pastures,new formingpartof Garden Park Subdivision, said lotisdesig‐natedbythe numberten (10) of blocknumber fifteen (15), which blockis bounded by Ver‐nonStreet, Beauregard Drive, Holly Driveand the rightof wayofthe New OrleansLower Cost Railroad Lotnumberten (10) begins at a distance of four hundred fifty(450’)feet from thecorner of Vernon Street andHolly Drive and measures fifty (50’)feet front on HollyDrive, fifty-eightand 68/100 (58.68’) feet in width in therearalong theright of way of theNew Or‐leansLower CoastRailroad, by adepth on thelineoflot numbernine(9) of twohundred twenty-seven and23/100 (227.23’)feet anda depth on thelineoflot number11of onehundred ninety-six and 08/100 (196.08’) feet;all as per plan of apor‐tion of Garden Park Subdivi‐sion by Hotard &Webb, Civil Engineers, datedMarch 1, 1950, acopyof which is at‐tached to an act before Clayton A. Hotard,Notary Public,dated February 17, 1950.

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 BankLetter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans

Advocate:

June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025

jun6-jul 11-2t $101.36

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SER‐VICES, LLC VERSUS LATOYA LANETT HAWKINS

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, datedJune 3, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOfﬁce Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on Au‐gust 20,2025 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,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andadvantages belongingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part for‐merlyknown as Parcel F,Or‐leansVillage Corp.Tract, a portionbeing resubdivided into Parcel F-1; said Parcel F-1 being resubdivided with aportion of Parcel Einto F-1A;saidParcel F-1A nowbeing knownas Lincolnshire Subdivision, SectionIII (3)in accordance with aplanof resubdivisionby J. J. Krebsand Sons,Inc., dated February 24 1982, approved by Ordinance No.15100 registered in COB1024, folio 275, as amendedby that plan of re‐subdivisionbyJ J. Krebsand Sons, Inc.,C.E.& S., datedMay 11, 1982, approved by theJefferson Parish CouncilbyOrdi‐nanceNo. 15201, registered in COB1028, folio 726, under Entry No 1021497, andac‐cordingto which said property is more particu‐larlydescribed as follows, to wit: Lot3A, Square 29, which square is bounded by Rue LouisPhilippe Constantine Drive, Parcel F-1C,and Lincolnshire Subdivision, Section2

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

FOERSTNERG MEYER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate:

July 11,2025, August 15, 2025

jul11-aug15-2t $97.12

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-338

PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC

VERSUS CLARENCE RAY FLYNT, JR. A/K/A CLARENCE RAY‐MOND FLYNT, JR AND STEPHANIE WILLIAMS FLYNTA/K/A STEPHANIE WILLIAMS FRICKEYFLYNT

ACERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,with allthe buildings and improvements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudesand appurtenances thereuntoap‐plying,situated it theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as RANCH ACRESEXTEN‐SION,which said pieceor portion of ground is shownonthat certainsubdivi‐sion plan by J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc, dated 9/17/71, ap‐proved by Ordi‐nanceNo. 10688 of theJefferson Parish Council adopted May25, 1972, registered in COB764, folio 803, andisfur‐ther described in accordance with survey by J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., dated March23, 1977, resurveyed to show improvements on May7,1977, as LOT29of SQUARE 5, which said lot commeneces 239.53' feet from theintersection of Mesa Drive andAmes Boulevard, and measures thence 66.97' feet fronton Mesa Drivewith awidth in the rear of 52.27 feet,bya depth on thesideline nearer Sierra Street of 93' feet by adepth on theopposite sideline of 94.15' feet;sub‐ject to restric‐tions, servi‐tudes, rights-ofwayand out‐standing min‐eral rights of record affectingthe property

TheImprove‐mentthereon bearingMunici‐pal2616 Mesa Drive, Marrero, LA 70072

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

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

TheNew Orleans Advocate: July 11, 2025, August 15, 2025

jul11-aug15-2t $101.89

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:861-634

MCLP ASSET COMPANY, INC. VS BRODIE P. ARCENEAUX

THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in thePARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANA, IN GARDEN PLACE SUBDIVISION, bounded by Garden Place,Jefferson Highway, West‐ernboundaryof subdivisionand Mississippi River, desig‐natedasLOT "G"ona survey made by J. J. Krebsand Sons, Inc.,Surveyor, datedSeptem‐ber19, 1977, re‐visedonMarch 6, 1978, accord‐ingthereto said lotforms thecornerof Garden Place andJefferson Highway, mea‐suresthence55 feet fronton Garden Place, a width in the rear of 80 feet, by adepth and front on Jeffer‐sonHighway of 172.47 feet anda depth on theopposite sideline of 150.33 feet

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025

jun6-jul 11-2t $82.30

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA

NO:863-376 U.S. BANK TRUSTCOM‐PANY,NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEEFOR VELOCITY COM‐MERICALCAPI‐TALLOAN TRUST2023-4 VS NEIGHBORS LOUISIANALLC

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 July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,situ‐ated in the Parish of JEFFERSON, Stateof LOUISIANA, in that part thereofknown as LIN‐COLNSHIREand accordingto a plan of re-sub‐division pre‐paredbyJJ Krebs, Inc., datedSeptem‐ber3, 1970, approved by ordinance No.9889 of Jef‐ferson Parish Council, dated November 19, 1970, regis‐teredinCOB 726, folio 57, as amendedbyOr‐dinanceNo. 10022, dated February 25, 1971, registered in COB730, folio 287 said lotis designated as Lot39of Square Mand is more particu‐larlydescribed as follows: Square Mis bounded by Lincolnshire Drive, Carver Drive, Benedict Driveand Mather Drive. Lot39measures 60 feet fronton Carver Drive, same width in therear, with a depth of 90 feet between equal andparallel lines.

q Dashanta D. Veal by Actof Judgment of Possessionfrom theSuccession of Carl Simmons dated 9/24/2020, regis‐teredinCB 3443/891, recorded in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana. Beingthe same property ac‐quired by De‐vonteE.Boydby ActofCashSale dated 10/25/2022, reg‐isteredinCB 3479/169, recorded in the Parish of Jeffer‐son,State of 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

RYAN M. MCCABE Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025

jun6-jul 11-2t $115

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:855-554 FREEDOM MORTGAGE CORPORATION VS OSCARJ.WILEY

folio 19, and whichsaid particular revi‐sion wasap‐proved by ordi‐nanceNo. 6715 on 7/23/64, reg‐isteredinCOB 596 folio 204, square 6, thereof, which square 6is bounded by SouthBan BraunCourt Vulcan Drive anda portion knowsasGolf Course which said lotisdesig‐natedasLot No.100-Aon said revised plan andac‐cordingtoa sur‐veyofS.K Landry,C.E., dated 11/10/65, said lot100-A-1mea‐sures73feet frontonVulcan Drive, thesame width in the rear,bya depth on 110 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines. Allas more fully shownon survey by Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie,Inc dated6/27/91, showingbound‐ingstreetstobe SouthVon BraunCourt, Golf Course, Square 43 (side) andVulcan Street,and showing acommencing distance of 310 feet from the corner of South VonBraun and Vulcan Street.The im‐provements thereonbear theMunicipal No.2571 Vulcan Street,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 thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certiﬁed Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as East Bank Subdivisionin Square No.44, thereof, which said square is bounded by Simon, Mistle‐toe, andElm Streetsand JeffersonAv‐enue,saidlot is designated as Lot30and mea‐suresinaccor‐dancewith plan entitled MapEastBank, JeffersonParish Louisiana, left descending bank of the Mississippi River, Divisions 1, 2, 3and 4, by S.A. Co‐longues’s’ & Sons,dated May5, 1926, andinac‐cordance with recertiﬁcation of survey by E.L. Eustis,Sur‐veyor, dated August 27, 1958. LotNo. 30 mea‐sures20feet frontonJeffer‐sonAvenue,the same width in the rear by adepth of 120 feet be‐tween equal andparallel lines.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

One(1) certain lotorparcelof ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, situ‐ated in that subdivisionof theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, known as AirlinePark Subdivision, and beingdesig‐natedonthe of‐ficial subdivi‐sion map, on file andofrecordin theoffice of the Clerkand Recorder for said parish and state, as lot numbersix (6), of square one hundred thir‐teen (113) said subdivision, said lothaving such measure‐mentsand di‐mensions as shownonsaid map.

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

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $70

CRIS R. JACKSON Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: June 6, 2025, July 11, 2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $110.36

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:852-820

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 6, 2025, July 11, 2025 jun6-jul 11-2t $91.83

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certiﬁed Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CITIBANK,N.A., NOTINITS INDI‐VIDUAL CAPAC‐ITYBUT SOLELY AS TRUSTEEON BEHALF OF EFMT 2023-1 VS NATIONAL HOUSEBUYERS OF LOUISIANA, LLC, CHELSIE MCCORMICK, AND EMILEHURST A/K/AEMILE HURST, JR.

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:854-733

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe

EMILYA MUELLER

THEFOLLOWING IS FORINFOR‐MATIONAL PUR‐POSESONLY: Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 2088 Carver Drive, Marrero, LA 70072. Beingthe same property ac‐quired by Lev‐ornSimmons, Jr.and Carl Sim‐mons by Actof Judgment of Possession from theSuccession of Levorn Sim‐mons,Sr. dated 4/14/2020, registered in CB 3435/994, recorded in the Parish of Jeffer‐son,State of Louisiana. Beingthe same property ac‐quiredby h

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, datedJune 27, 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 July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: ONECERTAIN LOTORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereonand all of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, appurte‐nances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as WOODLAND WEST SUBDIVISION, all in accordance with survey of S. K. Landry,C.E., dated11/6/63, since revisedseveral timesand more particularly re‐visedon 6/30/64, ap‐proved by the JeffersonParish Councilby virtue of Ordi‐nanceNo. 6492 acopyofwhich is on file in the office of the ClerkofCourt, Parish of Jeffer‐sonCOB 587

FINANCEOF AMERICARE‐VERSELLC vs CATHERINEJ BOURDETA/K/A CATHERINE BOURDET 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, datedJune 12, 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 July 16, 2025 at 10 o'clocka.m.the followingde‐scribedprop‐erty to wit: