The Ragin’ Cajuns defensetackles RiceOwlsrunning back QuintonJacksonatOur LadyofLourdes Stadiumin LafayetteonSaturday. The Cajuns struggled in their firstgame in therenovatedstadium. Rice held a14-6 lead at halftime as newUniversityofLouisiana at Lafayette starting quarterback Walker Howard struggled to 8-of15 passing for 57 yards andone interception. TheCajuns defense kept theminthe game, and UL scored a touchdown to cutthe lead to 14-12 in thethirdquarter after amissed two-point conversion. Rice tried to enditin the finaltwo minutes, but aULgoal-line stand gave them one more chance. But Howardwas injured on the final drive,and backup QB Daniel Beale could not getULinto field goal range.
‘It’sOKto talk aboutit’
Patients with maternal mental health struggles find hope
BYANDREA GALLO |Staff writer
Brittany Lane keepsayellow birdhouse in her kitchen, the word “hope” painted on oneside of its roof and“love” painted on the other It’sareminder of how far she’scome since June, when Lane, 31, wanted to end herown life. After having her fifth baby, emotions she’dtried to suppress for years spiraled outofcontrol. She never fully mourned herfather and her uncle,who both died in 2022 while she was pregnant and then taking care of anewborn. Her fourth and fifth children arrived back-to-back, leaving her little time to adjusttoa much bigger family
All at once, the grief and the demands of motherhood overwhelmed her.Instead of takingher doctor’sadvice to seek inpatient treatment, Laneassumed she
See HOPE, page 4A
Mental Health Unit patient BrittanyLane, from
Maggie, social worker Mallori, recreational therapist April, clinical director of the
Glueck, directorofinpatient perinatal psychiatryDr. Kelly
and chief nursing officer and executiveVPofpatient care Cheri Johnson at Woman’sHospitalonAug.13.
“Iknew deep down that Ineeded the help.And at that point, itwas like, getitnow or there might not be anext time.”
BRITTANyLANE, mother and Woman’sPerinatal Mental Health Unit patient
Johnson nets big wins for Trump, GOP
Buthefaces more hurdleswhenCongress comesbackTuesday
BY MARK BALLARD |Staff writer
WASHINGTON— Over the past eight months, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson overcame atiny majority of often unrulyRepublicans to enact abatch of “if only” policies that conservatives have wanted fordecades.
Scaling back Med icaid; closing borders andramping up immi gration enforcement; slashing regulation; lowering taxes —key parts of President Donald Trump’sagenda are now law,inlarge part because of the quiet yet steelydemeanor of the 53-year-old House leader from theShreveport suburb of Benton. But in the “whathave-you-done-lately” world of national politics, Johnsonfacesawhole newset of hurdles whenCongress reconvenes in Washington on Tuesday.Foremost is passing abudgetduringthe next 30 days to avoidshutting down federal government operations.
Just twoyears ago, fewwould have predicted Johnson, who wasfirst elected to Congress in 2016, would be the one at the helm
ä See
Some legislatorsseek moreleewayfor abandoned animals
BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN |Staff writer
From Neuty the Nutria to Little Buck, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has sometimes faced criticism that it deals too harshly with people whotake in wild animals. Now the department is under renewed scrutiny after it recently killed deer being kept by twodifferent families, and after the Natural Resources Commission proposed even further restrictions on rehabilitating wildlife. Somelegislators say the law needs to change to give people moreleeway to nurse injured or
See LDWF, page 7A
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS Woman’sPerinatal
left, stands with nurse
unit Bianca
Cannon
Trump
JOHNSON, page 3A
Iowa Sen. Ernst expected not to seek reelection
WASHINGTON Iowa Republican
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst is expected to announce in the coming days she won’t seek reelection, according to people familiar with her plans, opening up a Senate seat that could determine which party controls the majority.
Speedy deportations blocked
BY AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
moval of migrants is trampling on individuals’ due process rights.
Ernst, a 55-year-old combat veteran, was passed over by her party for the third-ranking Senate leadership slot this year and angered the party’s base for her initial reluctance to back the nomination of Defense
Secretary Pete Hegseth.
She also came under fire from the progressive left for her flip response to worries about the health-care impact of Republican cuts to Medicaid, dismissing the concern during a town hall by telling the audience “we all are going to die.”
She also had a high-profile role as a backer of Elon Musk’s “DOGE” effort, co-chairing a Senate “DOGE Caucus” advocating for spending cuts Ernst had served as a lieutenant colonel in the Iowa National Guard and led a battalion in Kuwait during the Iraq War. She served in the Iowa Legislature before her successful 2014 bid for Senate.
She is one of the few U.S. senators to publicly acknowledge being a sexual assault survivor. In a 2019 interview with Bloomberg News after a divorce, Ernst said she was raped in college.
Florida man in Batman PJs helps catch burglar
A Florida man wearing Batman pajamas helped Cape Coral cops catch an early morning burglar Officers were responding to a burglary in progress at around 2 a.m. Wednesday when they located their suspect, who was already being detained by a local man dressed as the Caped Crusader
“The neighbor, Kyle Myvett, told detectives he had gone to bed when his home security cameras alerted him to someone breaking into his vehicle,” cops wrote on Facebook.
Police said Myvett went outside, “still dressed in his Batman pajamas,” and saw 20-yearold Justin Schimpl rummaging through his truck. He then spotted him doing the same thing in a neighbor’s garage and “detained him until officers arrived.”
The suspect allegedly nabbed cash, a wrist wallet, more than $500 in gift cards and two pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses worth $300 each.
Schimpl, who police said was “known to law enforcement from prior investigations,” was arrested on one count of burglary of an occupied dwelling, two counts of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance and two counts of petit theft under $750.
In announcing his arrest, cops posted a photo of Myvett wearing his superhero jammies while flanked by two cops.
Little Leaguer’s flipped bat sells for nearly $10K
PHILADELPHIA The bat tossed in the air by a New Jersey Little Leaguer to celebrate a home run that earned him a suspension later lifted by a judge sold Friday for nearly $10,000 at auction. All proceeds from the sale of 12-year-old Marco Rocco’s signed bat will be donated to the program he plays for, Haddonfield Little League.
“Marco loves Little League and is happy that he is able to give back to an organization that he is very fond of,” his father, Joe Rocco, said in a text “Little League was such a big part of Marco’s life for a long time.” The auction by Goldin Auctions drew 68 bids. The winning bid was $9,882; the name of the winning bidder was not announced Marco’s bat flip on July 16 in the final of the Little League sectional tournament resulted in an ejection, a one-game suspension and a legal fight.
Joe Rocco took Little League to court and won an emergency temporary restraining order that allowed Marco to play
WASHINGTON A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from carrying out speedy deportations of undocumented migrants detained in the interior of the United States.
The move is a setback for the President Donald Trump’s efforts to expand the use of the federal expedited removal statute to quickly remove some migrants in the country illegally without appearing before a judge first.
Trump promised to engineer a massive deportation operation during his 2024 campaign if voters returned him to the White House.
And he set a goal of carrying out 1 million deportations a year in his second term.
But U.S District Judge Jia Cobb suggested the administration’s expanded use of the expedited re-
“In defending this skimpy process, the Government makes a truly startling argument: that those who entered the country illegally are entitled to no process under the Fifth Amendment, but instead must accept whatever grace Congress affords them,” Cobb wrote in a 48-page opinion issued Friday night. “Were that right, not only noncitizens, but everyone would be at risk.”
The Department of Homeland Security announced shortly after Trump came to office in January that it was expanding the use of expedited removal, the fast-track deportation of undocumented migrants who have been in the U.S. less than two years.
DHS in a statement said Cobb’s “ruling ignores the President’s clear authorities under both Article II of the Constitution and the
plain language of federal law.” It said Trump “has a mandate to arrest and deport the worst of the worst” and that ”we have the law, facts, and common sense on our side.”
Before the administration’s push to expand such speedy deportations, expedited removal was only used for migrants who were stopped within 100 miles of the border and who had been in the U.S. for less than 14 days.
Cobb, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, didn’t question the constitutionality of the expedited removal statute, or its application at the border
“It merely holds that in applying the statute to a huge group of people living in the interior of the country who have not previously been subject to expedited removal, the Government must afford them due process,” she wrote.
She added that “prioritizing
Indonesian local parliament building set on fire; 3 killed
BY NINIEK KARMINI and ANDI JATMIKO Associated Press
JAKARTA, Indonesia — An angry mob set
fire to a local parliament building in an Indonesian provincial capital, leaving at least three people dead and five others hospitalized, officials said.
The blaze in Makassar, the capital city of South Sulawesi province, began late Friday Television reports showed the provincial council building ablaze overnight, causing the area to turn an eerie orange color
Rescuers retrieved three bodies on Saturday morning, while five people were hospitalized with burns or with broken bones after jumping from the building, said Fadli Tahar, a local disaster official.
Protesters in West Java’s Bandung city also set a regional parliament ablaze on Friday, but no casualties were reported.
In Surabaya, Indonesia’s second-largest city, protesters stormed the regional police headquarters after destroying fences and torching vehicles. Security forces fired tear gas and used water cannons, but demonstrators fought back with fireworks and wooden clubs.
Foreign embassies in Jakarta, including the U.S., Australia and Southeast Asian countries, have advised their citizens in Indonesia to avoid demonstration areas or large public gatherings.
Calm largely returned to Indonesia’s capital on Saturday as authorities
cleaned up burned-out cars, police offices and bus shelters that were set ablaze by angry protesters.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto canceled his planned visit to China, citing escalating nationwide protests.
Protests in several regions have escalated into riots, with buildings and public facilities set on fire and even police headquarters attacked, National Police Chief Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo told a news conference Saturday evening.
“Such situations can no longer be considered freedom of expression, but rather criminal acts,” he said, adding that the police and the military “would immediately act to restore public order.”
Five days of protests began in Jakarta on Monday, sparked by reports that all 580 lawmakers receive a monthly housing allowance of 50 million rupiah ($3,075) in addition to their salaries. The allowance, introduced last year, is almost 10 times the Jakarta minimum wage.
Critics argue the new allowance is not only excessive but also insensitive at a time when most people are grappling with soaring living costs and taxes and rising unemployment.
The protests grew wider and more violent following the death of ride-hailing driver Affan Kurniawan. A video on social media apparently showing his death during a rally in the capital Jakarta on Thursday shocked the nation and spurred an outcry against the security forces.
and emotional distress.”
BY AAMER MADHANI Associated Press
WASHINGTON A Social Security official who has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging the Department of Government Efficiency officials mishandled Americans’ sensitive information says he’s resigning his post because of actions taken against him since making his complaint
Charles Borges, the agency’s chief data officer, alleged that more than 300 million Americans’ Social Security data was put at risk by DOGE officials who uploaded sensitive information to a cloud account not subject to oversight. His whistleblower disclosure was submitted to the special counsel’s office on Tuesday.
In a letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano, Borges claimed that since filing his whistleblower complaint, the agency’s actions make his duties “impossible to perform legally and ethically” and have caused him “physical, mental
“After reporting internally to management and externally to regulators, serious data and security and integrity concerns impacting our citizens’ most sensitive personal data, I have suffered exclusion, isolation, internal strife, and a culture of fear, creating a hostile work environment and making work conditions intolerable,” Borges added.
The Project Government Accountability Office, which is representing him in his whistleblower case, posted Borges’ resignation letter on its website Friday evening. Borges declined to comment
In his whistleblower’s complaint, Borges said the potentially sensitive information put at risk by DOGE’s actions includes health diagnoses, income, banking information, familial relationships and personal biographic data.
Borges had served as the Social Security Administration’s chief data officer since January
speed over all else will inevitably lead the Government to erroneously remove people via this truncated process.”
Cobb earlier this month agreed to temporarily block the administration’s efforts to expand fasttrack deportations of immigrants who legally entered the U.S. under a process known as humanitarian parole. The ruling could benefit hundreds of thousands of people. In that case the judge said those immigrants are facing perils that outweigh any harm from “pressing pause” on the administration’s plans.
Since May, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have positioned themselves in hallways to arrest people after judges accept government requests to dismiss deportation cases After the arrests, the government renews deportation proceedings but under fast-track authority
Mont. man faces 4 murder counts in bar shooting
BY MATTHEW BROWN Associated Press
BILLINGS Mont. A man suspected of killing four people at a Montana bar and evading capture for a week while hundreds of law enforcement officers searched for him in the nearby mountains faces four counts of murder according to court records. Defendant Michael Paul Brown lived next door to The Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, where a bartender and three patrons were shot and killed Aug. 1.
Authorities have not commented on a potential motive for the 45-year-old former soldier His niece has said Brown long struggled with mental illness. The charges Brown faces were posted on a court website Saturday after the case previously had been under seal by a state judge. Charging documents were not immediately available. Following the shooting,
authorities said Brown stole a truck and then ditched it a few miles outside of town, close to where he was eventually apprehended. He hid in nearby forests, moving locations while helicopters and drones circled overhead and officers and dogs searched on the ground, officials said. But he was eventually flushed into a sparsely populated area near a state highway by the pressure of so many officers searching for him, according to officials. Brown was captured on Aug. 8 inside an unoccupied structure near a state highway Brown is scheduled to make an initial district court appearance Wednesday A conviction for murder known in Montana as deliberate homicide, is punshable by death in the state Executions have been on hold since 2015 under a court ruling regarding a drug used in lethal injections.
Judge temporarily stops administration from carrying out expedited removals Social
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By TRISNADI Flames engulf Grahadi Building, the official residence of the East Java governor, in Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia, on Saturday after it was set on fire during a protest sparked by reports of lawmakers receiving excessive housing allowances.
Ernst
Johnson wasn’t the narrow Republican majority’s first choice for speaker during the bitter intraparty battles of October 2023 or second or even third choice. But he was ultimately chosen because, after a month of bickering, most of the disparate GOP factions liked him. That ability to work with all sides of his caucus has helped Johnson weather some rough political seas Johnson hasn’t done it alone. Fellow Louisianan Steve Scalise, the House majority leader, has a salesman’s instinct for identifying a member’s specific wants, fellow congressmen say, which has played a key role in closing deals. And Trump has frequently waded in personally to sway holdouts
never tired of fighting among themselves.
For Johnson to succeed, he needed nearly all the House Republicans rowing for a change, in the same direction.
Using a method of patiently listening to opponents and slowly talking through nuanced differences a trait first noticed by the Rev Gene Mills when Johnson volunteered with the Louisiana Family Forum as an LSU student — he was able persuade just enough GOP members to back Trump’s legislative agenda without having to rely on Democratic input, which would require concessions that Trump’s MAGA base are loath to make.
The biggest victory was the nearly 1,000-page One Big Beautiful Bill Act that included much of Trump’s domestic agenda: continuing to build the border wall, increased removal of immigrants, more energy production, tax breaks, regulatory rollbacks and more.
Johnson helped out Trump by sidetracking floor votes to publicly release federal investigation files on Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier who was accused of trafficking underage girls, then sending the House home a day early for its monthlong recess from work on Capitol Hill.
Negotiating the political fallout over the “Epstein Files” is one of Johnson’s present political tasks.
Widespread conspiracy theories sprang up after Epstein died in custody in August 2019 because he was friends with a number of high-profile men, including Trump and former President Bill Clinton. Trump and his allies stoked those theories by repeatedly contending the files were being “hidden” by the Democratic Biden administration.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had told Fox News in February that a list of Epstein’s clients was on her desk, later released an unsigned, two-page memo in July saying there was no client list.
Agency and $33 billion less for the Department of Health and Human Services, are likely to cause consternation, as could a 65% increase in funding for the president’s “mass removal” of immigrants.
Republicans are hoping to pass full budgets for each agency, instead of the last-ditch omnibus bills or continuing resolutions used over the past few years, because members couldn’t agree.
“As an appropriator, I want to do our job and pass all of our bills; that’s going to be my main focus when I get back to D.C.,” said Letlow, a member of the House Appropriations Committee.
Still, the deadline is close.
“Members are talking to each other, Republican, Democrat, House, Senate, to try to get some kind of agreement before the Sept 30 deadline,” Scalise, R-Jefferson and Johnson’s top lieutenant, told Fox Business. “Will we get there? I don’t know.”
Still, many fellow Republicans credit Johnson’s even keel for keeping the caucus running smoothly
“Speaker Johnson, you know, makes the impossible happen,”
U.S. Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla told The Hill, a Capitol Hill newspaper “For him, it’s kind of what happens every single day.”
In 2024, Johnson spent most of his time laboring to pass budget bills and other must-pass legislation, often relying on Democratic support. But after that year’s elections handed Republicans all levers of power the White House, both chambers of Congress and a majority on the U.S. Supreme Court Johnson saw his role as reshaping government and executing Trump’s vision, he told Time magazine in its Aug. 7 edition.
Johnson joined commercial astronaut Hayley Arceneaux, evangelist Jimmy Swaggart and Huey Long as Louisiana residents appearing on the prestigious cover of Time magazine.
‘A well-oiled machine’
After the hiccups during Trump’s first administration and during the Biden years, Johnson said, “We are a well-oiled machine now.” Republicans needed to be — their majorities in the House and Senate could be counted on one hand. Democrats almost universally opposed Trump’s vision and Republican ideological factions
The Big Beautiful Bill spends nearly $4 trillion and adds $3.7 trillion to the nation’s $37 trillion debt over the next 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
The bill added responsibilities, such as work requirements, more bureaucracy, and required the states to foot more of the costs for social safety programs.
Health care analysts predict nearly 12 million low-income Americans will lose their health care insurance over the changes.
Johnson says they will make Medicaid more efficient and thereby more sustainable in the long run.
Success required first winning over GOP leaders, including Trump, that the best strategy was to use the “budget reconciliation” process that would allow passage with just a mere majority thereby skirting the Senate’s requirement for 60 votes on budgetary measures.
That path required passage of several bills to set up the “budget reconciliation” process for the One Big Beautiful Bill. Johnson needed to corral a majority for each legislative step
The legislation succeeded by only one vote, that of Vice President JD Vance breaking the tie in the Senate. In order to hit the deadline — Trump wanted to sign the bill into law at a July 4 event — Johnson had to persuade House
Republicans to go along with changes imposed by the Senate, often with the promise that the policies could be adjusted in the future.
“At its core, the One Big Beautiful Bill is a distinctly pro-family piece of legislation. It represents a monumental victory for hardworking families across America,” Johnson said in a statement. “Republicans are advancing in this Congress an agenda that values them (families) — just as our principles and policies always have.”
Though the massive bill was Trump’s biggest victory, Johnson also procured other administration wins. He blocked an effort to delay Trump’s tariffs and passed a law that expedites deportation of immigrants who commit crimes.
Johnson then delivered a “rescissions bill” that rolled back $9 billion in spending already approved by Congress, including federal funding for public broadcasting. Working with President Trump Johnson has often relied on Trump to come in at the end and persuade remaining GOP holdouts that it’s in their interest to go along.
For example, Trump came to Johnson’s rescue when a group of right-wingers sought to oust him from leadership in March 2024 and again in January to win over enough representatives to keep Johnson as speaker
The memo launched anger among Trump’s most loyal followers, who demanded the release of the files, which the president declined to do.
To defuse that anger, Republicans in Congress are taking other steps.
The Justice Department in August released the first tranche of investigation documents to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and began deposing and subpoenaing officials related to the case.
These moves should dampen the ardor of House members clamoring for the investigation materials are publicly released, said U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, R-Baton Rouge.
“Overlooked in all of this is that the House Oversight committee is doing good work. They’re taking the lead on this as the primary investigative committee,” Letlow said. “Congress is playing a role in this right now.”
Budget battles loom
The House doesn’t need the Epstein distraction, as the spending plan for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 needs to pass both chambers before September ends.
The Trump administration proposes $1.69 trillion in discretionary spending for executive department agencies — down from the $1.83 trillion enacted for the current fiscal year
Some of the spending reductions, such as $646 million less for the Federal Emergency Management
Congress also must pass the National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes spending for the military and intelligence community as well as for improvements in armaments and infrastructure. In 64 years, Congress has never failed to approve the NDAA.
The Senate is set to vote on its version when the chamber returns. But the House hasn’t scheduled a floor vote. There’s a $32 billion difference between what Senate and House committees have recommended.
That’s not all.
Johnson has talked about another massive reconciliation package, or reworking parts of the One Big Beautiful Bill. Debates over health care and paying college athletes are on the horizon, and Trump has talked about a sweeping crime package Several possible problems could trip up Johnson’s efforts.
For instance, the confirmation hearing of Stephen Miran to the Federal Reserve could ignite controversies over Trump’s efforts to fire Fed Gov Lisa Cook. And Trump’s effort to redistrict Republican states in order to pad the GOP’s majority in the House for the 2026 midterms has enraged Democrats and worried some Republicans.
“Well, you know what I’m learning over and over again is don’t underestimate Speaker Mike Johnson,” Letlow said. “He manages to thread that needle beautifully.”
Scalise
wouldimprove with time. Shesaid she didn’thave anyone to watch her kids.
But her mental health got worse, and after calling her doctor’soffice, she was routed to ahotline for women in crisis.
Anurse on the other end of the linewas workingatthe inpatient perinatal mental health unit at Woman’sHospital in Baton Rouge.
Ineed help, Lane told her Ican’tdoit.
Ifeel lost
An ambulance came to pick her up in Baker.Then they admitted her to the mental health wing for pregnant and postpartum patients at Woman’s,whichopened last September “I knew deep downthatI needed the help,”Lanesaid. “Andatthat point,itwas like, get it now or theremight not be anexttime.
Fewtreatment optionsavailable
Lane is among an often overlooked demographic: women facingsevere mental health struggles during pregnancy or soon after giving birth. An estimated1in7 women suffer from mood disorders during or after pregnancy, which can include postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety and postpartum psychosis.But many forgo treatment, feeling shame and embarrassment talking about them.
The mood disorders canalso be deadly.Overdose is the leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women in Louisiana, according to the state’smost recentreview of pregnancy-related deaths.
Womenwithmental health disorders sometimes turn to drugsto self-medicate, national researchershave found. Without help,they can also be driven to harm themselves or their families.
But finding aplace to get treatment can be difficult.
The inpatient unit thatWoman’s opened last year is one of just five in the country,accordingtoPostpartumSupportInternational.In itsfirst10months,morethan200 patients have been discharged from the wing on the hospital’s fourth floor,some coming from Louisiana,others from Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas.
Cheri Johnson,the chiefnursing officeratWoman’s, said they were surprisedathow quickly they started receiving out-of-state patients. The hospital is known for its wide-reaching OB-GYN care and delivers the most babies among Louisiana’s single hospital providers. But it has recently seen an influx in demand for behavioral health care as well.
“It just speaks to the fact that we have this here in our state, and in the surrounding areas, there’s no other perinatal mental health units,” said Dr.Kelly Cannon, the director of inpatient psychiatry Up until now,when pregnant or postpartum women have been in crisis in Louisiana, they’ve been routed to the state’slimitednumber of psychiatric hospitalsorinpatient wings. There’san overall shortage of mental health beds in Louisiana, forcing some patients to travel out of state for inpatient treatment.
Most psychiatric treatment facilities are coed. Andmany do not accept patients in later stages of pregnancy because of liability concerns.
Baton Rouge General,for example, said their inpatient behavioral units don’tadmit pregnant
women, so they refer them to other locations for treatment. But they noted thatthey seefew pregnant patients in mentalcrisis, no more than acouple amonth.
Beyond medication
Woman’sdesigned their inpatient mentalhealth unit as aresponse to those gaps. They wanted to create aplace solely for treatment of pregnant and postpartum women in mental crisis, Johnson said, but they did not wantittofeel like asterile mental ward. They added colorfulart on the walls andafenced terrace where patients can spend time outdoors. Women there have access to recreational therapy wheretheycan learn meditation andyoga.
They have bothpsychiatrists and maternal-fetal-medicine specialists available for consults about high-risk pregnancies.
Nearly 68% of patients in the inpatient psychiatric unit so far have beenonMedicaid,while 23%had commercial insurance and almost 7% had Medicare. Thebreakdown closely trackswithLouisiana’sdemographics: 64% of all birthsin Louisiana are financed by Medicaid, the highestshare in thenation.
They can fit up to 10 patientsat atime. About aquarter of patients in the last year voluntarily chose to receive treatment, while theremaining75% were sent there with involuntary commitments from a doctor or coroner who deems them adanger to themselves or others.
Woman’salso designedthe psychiatricwingsothat patients could visittheir families.
Forfamily members who have cleared security checks, they allow supervised in-person visitsor
video visits on tablets. Moms are morelikely to seek help when they know they can see theirfamilies, Johnson and Cannon said.
“It’soften one of those things that will prevent moms from coming and getting the care they need. They are the foundation of the family; they are the ones taking care of everybody,” Cannon said.
“It’sbeen areally beautiful thing.”
‘It’sOKtotalkabout it
Lane wasnervous whenshe gotthere, but she hada goal: understanding what she was going through and how to prevent her thoughts of self-harm. She loved being amom but had never felt emotions like that before.
She spent much of herfirst day needing to “cry it out,” she said, while doctors diagnosed her with postpartum depressionand started her on medication. Her fiance, who watched their children while she wasinthe hospital, brought their infantdaughter, Mhe’Shaun, for threevisits.
As Lane held her and played with her,she wished she could go back home. She loved seeing her,but said the visitswere apainful reminder of why she needed help.
Other patients could relate. Women hospitalized therespend time in group therapy learning from one another
“It helped me realize it’sOKto talkabout it,” Lane said. “It made me feel better being around other people like me, being around people actually dealing with what I’m dealing with.”
That kind of sharing around the strugglesofpregnancyand motherhood canbecrucial,saidArtie Brown, the founder and CEO of a
Baton Rouge nonprofit calledConscious Moms that’sfocused on maternalmental health. Conscious Moms runs free supportgroups for pregnant women and moms and helpstopay fortherapy formoms who cannototherwise afford it.
Forthose who are struggling, knowing they are not alone is half the battle, Brown said.
“A lotoftimes, people are like, ‘I don’twanttotalk about it because motherhood is supposed to be all peaches andcream androses,’ ” she said. “But like anything, it takes time, it takes work, it takes patience.”
Maternal mental health
By herthird day,Lanesaid she felt more like herself.She wasdischarged after five days, the averagelengthofstay for patients so far,who are mostly sent home with plans for outpatient follow-up.
Her kids greeted her with hugs and cries.
She’s been open about her story, which can be rare.
“I wanted to tell my story because Iwas in denialabout it, so I prettymuchpushed myself to get the helpknowing Ididn’twant to leave all the kids,” she said.
Others are often too afraid of how people around them will react to be honest about what they’ve been through.
“Stigma remains amajor obstacle,” saidFrankie Robertson, founderand president of the Amandla Group, which pushes for maternal health improvements in stategovernment.“We’re talking about it more, so that alone is progress. But we don’tnecessarily judge less.”
Louisiana’snational standing for treating maternal mental
DO YOUNEED HELP? HERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
The National Suicide and Crisis hotline phone number is 988 and more resourcesare available at 988lifeline.org
People in crisis can also call 911 and ask foraCrisis Intervention Team member
The National Alliance on Mental Illness offersfreesupportgroups around Louisiana. More details are available at https://namilouisiana. org/
health has improved since the unit opened last year.The state’sgrade on thenational PolicyCenter for Maternal Mental Health report card improved to a“C+” this year, after the state earned a“D+” in the past twoyears. But thatprogress could be under threat. Health systemsthat depend on Medicaidare facing uncertainty,both in Louisiana and nationwide.
The Trump administration has called fornearly $1 trillion in cuts to the federal program over the next decade. More than100,000 people across the state are expected to lose Medicaidcoverage under new work requirements that Congresspassed as part of theOne Big Beautiful Bill.
The direct impact of the bill on pregnant and postpartum patients remains up for debate. They are not included in the work requirements provision of thelaw.But the national Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliancesaidthatasstates havetobearmore costs forcare, they mayscale back programs to improve maternal health outcomes, which could include programs that focus on maternal health.
“Nationwide,we’re allconcerned,” Johnson said regarding the possible Medicaid cuts. “And I think nationwide,we’re allmodeling andtrying to figure out, what does that look like over time?” Findinghopeinher children
A2022 report from the LouisianaPerinatal MentalHealth Task Force found that untreated perinatal mood disorders cost the state roughly $312 million ayear with effects ranging from women dropping out of the workforce to increased health care costs for their infants.
State lawmakers have adopted someofthe report’srecommendations, including that pediatricians in Louisiana shouldscreen mothers for postpartum depression during infant visits.
Robertson saidthe 2022 report “stays at thetop of ourdeskas something we prioritize each year”inher requests to lawmakers. Among their future priorities, she said, are pushing for the state to mandate paid family leave. Robertson said taking that step could support maternal mentalhealth by notforcing mothers back into the workforce within days of giving birth.
Laneisnow expecting her sixth baby.She’smosthopeful about watching her children grow up. As she held Mhe’Shaun on arecent afternoon at their house, the rest of her kids danced and played in the background.
Mhe’Shaun reached outand grabbedthe yellowbirdhouse her mom had painted in the hospital.
“If you need help,” Lane said, “ask forit.” If you arestruggling with mental health, the national suicide and crisis hotline phone number is 988.
STAFF PHOTOSByJAVIER GALLEGOS
Woman’sPerinatal Mental Health Unit patient BrittanyLane, left, and clinical directorofthe unitBiancaGlueck hug before parting ways at Woman’sHospital on Aug. 13. BrittanyLane, former patient of Woman’s Perinatal Mental Health Unit, sits at her home with her children Ke’Shawn, from left,Zy’Reihn,
Resilienceand renewal: 20 yearsofprogress since hurricanes Katrina and Rita
Likemany of you, Ihavestrong emotions aboutthe 20th anniversaryofHurricane Katrina andits impact on thecitywecallhome— New Orleans. Iremain in awe of nature’s rawpoweronthat fateful day and deeply sad about thetragedy broughtbythe storm tosomany. ConsideringKatrina, and its equally terrifying counterpartHurricane Rita which struck theLouisiana/Texas border just afew weeks later, I’malso inspired by howour recovery showed the power and resilience of thehuman spirit and whatdetermined people coming together can achieve Then,asnow,New Orleans was the home to Entergy’s corporate headquarters Thousands of our employees and their familieslived in theplaces hardest hitby Katrina. I’mhonored that ouremployees metthe challenge head on, from those working at our generation plants and headquarterstothose restoring powerat EntergyNew Orleans, ourlocal operating company.Many of themhelpedthe region recoverevenastheysuffered theirown personal losses. Thelessons learned after Hurricane Katrina made us astronger,morecustomerfocused companyand to this day, we know that progress requires dedication and power
—for homes, businesses, communitiesand ourlives. Thespiritofthat day endures in our vision statement “WePower Life”aswe channel those lessons into thework that we doeveryday,even twentyyears later from that impactful time
Today,we’re aleader across our industry and in our hometown. Our utility workersare nationallyrecognized for storm response. In fact,during amajor storm anywhereinthe country, there’sa good chance Entergy willbecalledonfor expertise and support.
We area leader in corporate giving. For the10thyear, Entergy was namedtoThe Civic 50, thePoints of Light prestigious annual list that recognizes top companies foremployeevolunteerism and community investment.In2024alone, we contributed $4.3million to morethan 100New Orleans nonprofits.
And we area leader in economic development by collaborating to help Louisiana securemajor new investments in thedata center,LNG,steel,and
petrochemical industries. Earlier this year,weserved as foundingpartner for theSuper Bowl 59 Host Committee, contributingmillionstohost this major event thatbrought morethan $1.25billion in economic impact to our state, region and city.
We continue our work in close collaboration with our regulators and communities as we buildenergy infrastructurethat makes thegridstronger and moreresilient for yearstocome. An energy grid designed to withstand the harshest conditions. That work balances affordability, reliabilityand sustainability on behalf of all our customers.
In NewOrleans,the CityCouncil recently approved Phase 1ofour proposed resilience plan, which includes strengthening morethan 3,000 structures and upgrading morethan 60 milesof electriclines.
TheLouisiana PublicService Commission also approved thefirstphase of those efforts, which includes 2,100incremental Entergyprojects across thestate. By
reinforcing ourgrid ahead of severe weather,Louisiana customerswill save an estimated $1.2 billion in storm costs
ThePublic UtilityCommission of Texas approved an investment of $137 million in projects to strengthen theSoutheast Texas power grid, reduce storm-related outages, and save customersmillions in restoration costs for decades
And while we aremaking theseneeded investments,weare mindful that 40% of our residential customerslive at or below the poverty level. That realityispartofeach businessdecision we makeinNew Orleans and everywhere we serve. As aresult, we continue to maintain some of thelowest electric rates in thecountryand work hard everyday to keep bills as low as possible. Twentyyearson, thelessons of Katrina endure, and theresilience of this community continues to inspire. New Orleans remains our home as we work for everyone and honor our commitment to safely serve our cityand theregion. Thepeople of Entergy areoptimistic about thefuture, ready for anything, and striving to lead theway to a brighter futurefor all of us
Read about howEntergy restored more than justpower at entergy.com/Katrina20.
Drew Marsh
Chair and Chief Executive Officer Entergy Corporation
BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer
Twenty years ago, it wasthe most radical experimentinAmerican education. Today,it’sjust the NewOrleansschool system.
That system, which state leaders and self-styled reformersengineered after Hurricane Katrina, remains unlike any other.Nearly every public school is run by aprivate charter school operator, families are unbound by attendance zones and low-performing schools are routinely shut down.
Perhaps no one has studiedthis system or analyzed its results more closely than Douglas Harris, an economist and the founding director of the Education Research Alliance for New Orleans at Tulane University Harris and his colleaguesatthe research center have produced more than 50 studies on thepostKatrina changes to New Orleans schools and their impact on students and families. He also wrote adefinitive book on that research, “Charter SchoolCity: What the End of Public Schools in New Orleans Means for American Education.”
In terms of improving academic outcomes, Harris says, the evidence is undeniable: The overhaul worked. But other effects —a lossofveteran Black teachers,a de-emphasis on arts education, a weakening of school-community bonds —were far lesspositive and remain painful to many.
In two recent interviews with The Times-Picayune |The Advocate, Harris described the impact of the changes, how New Orleans schools are faring today and where they go from here. His responses have been con-
EDUCATION
densed and editedfor clarity
What areyourmain findings on how the New Orleanseducationoverhaul affected students?
We triedtolookatalot of different outcomes over time. Test scoresand high school graduation rates; college-going, persistence and graduation; ACT scores, SAT scores.
They all lookedpositive,really without exception. And notjust in agood direction, but usually quite large improvements. I’ve beenstudyingeducation policy for most of threedecades and you just neversee outcomes like that.
Yourarelysee effectsonany outcomethat are substantial. So to see large effects on essentially allthe outcomes be sustained over 20 years— Ican’t think of another examplelike that.
Considering theoverwhelmingly positive academicresults, whydothe post-Katrina changes —especially the move to allcharter schools —remain controversial?
Ithink part ofitisthe disagreement about whatschools are supposed tobedoing. The system is set up to generate positive academic outcomes,and it does that.
But if you’re more interested in the arts, if you’re more interested in critical thinking or really engaging students in their communities, these are things that Ithink the system is notdesignedtodo.
Ithink part of it also goesback to the process of how thereforms were put in place. Most people
couldn’tparticipate. Even if the reform leaders had really wanted the community input, it would have been very difficult to do that under the circumstances with everybody spread out and disconnected.
That leads to abit of aconundrum if you view (thechanges) as asuccess and you also view the democratic process as being something we value. Becauseof all the power struggles and the differences of opinion, there’s no way you would have ended up here. Youwould have ended up withsomething done by committee. Youwould get incremental change.
What do you hear from New Orleansfamilies about the changes?
Ihear alot of contradictory answers. They’ll say, “I wishwe could have this system but have neighborhood attendance zones,” or “I wishwecould have thesystemand not have to closeschools for low performance.”
Also in the traditional public school system, everybody on the same block who’sthe same age walks to school together andthey go to sporting eventstogether and thingslike that. Youjust don’t have that(in thecurrent system).
That’sanother frustration.
But if you ask parentsabout the academics of the schools, they have generally positive things to say. We expect an awful lot of schools and theycan’tdoitall. I think that’swhy you always end up withthese tensions and conflicts
How have New Orleans’ charter schools evolved?
They’re alittlebit more like traditional public schools than they wereinthe beginning.
The system has gotten alittle
WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THESTATEHOW TO TACKLE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGES FACINGLOUISIANA
bit morecentralized. Also, Ithink there has been alittle relaxation in regards to student discipline, (moving awayfrom) the idea of aggressively suspending and expelling students.
Also,that’strue on (school) offerings. If you go back and look at the marching bands in 2012 or so, alot of schools didn’thave them or theywere really small. Every year it seems like they’re getting strongeragain.
Somecharters also restored the names of the traditional schools they replaced, right?
The perspective of the charter schools at thebeginning was that they were rejecting the past by adopting new names.
Butthat’snot really what people want. They like having the legacy, thename of the school is somethingyou’ve heard about and you know somebodywho went there.
Oneofthe things that’sinteresting about the charter school movement as awhole is that the original motivation wasexperimentation. But, forthe mostpart, that’snot what parents are looking for
You’ve shown that New Orleans schools made dramatic gains in the decade after Katrina, then their performance leveled out. Can they keep improving?
Given how much performance improved in the first decade, thefact that they wereable to maintain it is ahuge success. It is harder to see how you get better from here, however
You’re probably going to need entirely different strategies to make further improvements. A prime example is early childhood education.
When kids first enter school, they’re not ready to learn. And the
early childhood system in Louisiana and New Orleans is amess.
If you can get students starting school in abetter place, then that would substantially improve outcomes down the line, too.
In the past, charter schools enjoyed bipartisan supportnationally.Now Republicans mainly talk about private school vouchers while fewDemocrats publicly promote charters.What happened?
If you ask the voucher folks nationally,they’ll say part of what happened is that conservatives gave up on charter schools because they were “woke.” It was mostly Democrats leading the effort and they were focused on equity issues, which is all true.
(But when you ask charter school proponents,) their response is that if you look at legislation, the charter movement marches on.
Almost every state has acharter law,and the lawsare getting moreand morefavorable to charter schools in termsoffunding and regulation and accessibility of buildings. Youdon’tsee any legislation getting through that’s anti-charter either They’re winning the battle of the legislative pen, but not the public bully pulpit.
Afterstudying the New Orleans education changes forover adecade,doyou have any unanswered questions?
We don’tknow the effects on students’ lives, how they do long term. All the improved academic outcomes predict better livelihoods, but we don’tknow for sure. We don’tknow the effects on communities, the effects on the arts and how that changes the culture of the city
There are alot of things that are unmeasurable about education, and we need to pay attention to those things too.
Email Patrick Wall at patrick. wall@theadvocate.com.
abandoned animals back to health.
But LDWF officials say such policies exist for a reason: to protect animals and people. Deer taken from the wild may lose their fear of humans and can become dangerous, according to the agency. They can also spread diseases between herds if they are taken far enough from their original location.
In Louisiana, it is generally illegal to keep wild animals as pets, and people cannot rehabilitate animals without proper permits. Some animals, such as deer, are not eligible for rehabilitation at all.
Such rules create circumstances where wellmeaning Louisianans who want to help animals find themselves running afoul of the law
That’s what St. Helena Parish resident Kimberly Graham said happened to her in July, when wildlife agents took a fawn named BabyBelle from her property and euthanized the animal.
And in December, agents seized and killed a partially blind deer from a family’s property in Livingston Parish. The deer, Little Buck, had lived on the family’s property for seven years, according to WAFB, which first reported the story
Both cases drew the ire of state Rep. Lauren Ventrella, a Republican from Greenwell Springs known for adopting the baby pig
Earl “Piglet” Long last year after a good Samaritan found several men throwing it like a football at a Mardi Gras parade
“This is our tax dollars being spent to kick down people’s doors, euthanize deer,” Ventrella said, adding that the LDWF should keep out of the way of people properly caring for animals.
Ventrella, also an attorney representing Graham, believes the state’s wildlife rehabilitation regulations are too strict. The department has been interpreting the law “without regard to common sense or humanity,” she said, adding that the agency is infringing on people’s freedom.
On Aug. 26, during a news conference in front of the white-tailed deer exhibit at the Baton Rouge Zoo, LDWF Secretary Tyler Bosworth pushed back against such accusations. He described wildlife agents as “fellow Louisianans” who were “doing their jobs, carrying out the laws passed by your elected legislature.”
Such laws followed national standards and were “based on protecting animal health, preventing disease and keeping wildlife and people safe,” he said.
“These laws, these guidelines, these standards, they’re not about government overreach,” he said. “They’re about fairness, compassion and respect for both people and animals.”
eries Commission proposal that would ban wildlife rehabilitators from caring for nutria as well as “outlaw quadrupeds” feral hogs, coyotes and armadillos. Nutria are an invasive species that cause coastal erosion.
In 2023, the LDWF’s attempt to confiscate a Metairie couple’s pet nutria, Neuty, caused public outrage. The agency reached an agreement that allowed the couple to keep the animal. The new rehabilitation ban would not impact that agreement, the department said.
Controversial enforcement
One day in late July, a wildlife agent showed up on Graham’s property in Greensburg.
A few days earlier, Graham had taken in a sickly fawn that was wandering house to house, she said. Knowing the law, Graham initially wasn’t going to help the fawn, she said. But she gave in after two days, when it became apparent the fawn — soon to be dubbed BabyBelle — was without a mother, she said. Graham used to have a deer-raising license and knew how to care for the fawn, she said. Raising deer is legal in Louisiana with the proper permit, but those animals aren’t released into the wild.
The LDWF case report tells a slightly different story It says Graham had the deer for 10 days, not four, and that she found BabyBelle off the side of Interstate 12.
Graham said she told the agent she found the deer near the road because she did not want to involve the people who asked her to take in the fawn. She never reported keeping BabyBelle for 10 days and does not know where that information came from, she added.
Fawns may appear abandoned because their mothers leave them for hours to draw off predators, according to the LDWF That’s one reason not to disturb them, the agency said. Regardless of the circumstances, the outcome was the same: the LDWF took the fawn and later euthanized her “I’m so horribly saddened. It broke my heart because she was going to make it,” Graham said. “The law’s got to change.”
The LDWF also sought to bring criminal charges against Graham for illegal possession of a fawn, but the District Attorney’s Office for the 21st Judicial District Court, which includes St. Helena Parish, declined to prosecute the case.
“It was simply someone trying to help a young deer that was in need of some assistance,” said District Attorney Scott Perrilloux. “It seems like discretion could have been better used here by the department.”
In the case of Little Buck, who was also euthanized, the family told WAFB they had not broken the law because Little Buck was free to come and go as he pleased. But the LDWF’s case report said the deer was kept in a fenced-in enclosure.
In the report, the responding officer said the deer needed to be killed because of uncertainty about his health and origin, and because he was desensitized to humans.
Why the wildlife rules exist
Officials say taking deer from the wild may inadvertently spread disease between herds, and that deer who no longer fear humans can become dangerous.
“Bucks especially are very dangerous simply because of their change in behavior associated with the breeding season,” said Johnathan Bordelon, the LDWF’s deer program manager “They become much more aggressive.”
With their powerful hooves, does can cause damage, too, he said.
A deer taken from one location in the wild and released into another could end up spreading disease, Bordelon said.
Holding a deer in captivity can also harm its health and lower its chances of survival, according to the LDWF
When the LDWF finds a fawn less than two days after it is taken from the wild, officials can often reunite the animal with its mother, he said.
But beyond that, euthanization may be necessary as the state has limited options for where it can send the deer, he said. Sometimes, the state can place a deer in a zoo or with a licensed game breeder he said, adding that those cases differ from rehabilitation because the deer do not return to the wild.
State Rep. Brett Geymann, a Republican from Lake Charles who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, said lawmakers should work with LDWF to look for solutions, including possible changes to the law, to prevent more euthanizations.
“We’re all in a bad spot You have a law that says you can’t have a deer, and somebody has a deer what are you going to do?” he said.
‘Outlaw quadrupeds’
Geymann and Ventrella also harbor concerns about a recent Wildlife and Fish-
Meanwhile, outlaw quadrupeds have “a tendency to be destructive and cause human wildlife conflicts,” LDWF Wildlife Permits Coordinator Bradley Breland said in a statement.
Coyotes prey on cattle; feral hogs destroy crops; and armadillos damage lawns and gardens, he said.
A “USDA Wildlife Services report stated that coyotes were responsible for 68.8% of cattle losses and 81.7% of calf losses as a result of predation in Louisiana” in 2010 Breland said. “A 2022 LSU AgCenter report stated that crop damage to feral hogs totaled $91.1 million a year in Louisiana.”
But the proposal has sparked pushback from rehabilitators, especially in regard to coyotes.
Amy Shutt, director of The Canid Project, a coyote and fox rehabilitation center, said rehabilitators only care for about six coyotes a year in Louisiana.
“How is that small number of coyotes being rehabilitated? How is that going to affect them being a nuisance?”
she said.
Mark Mitchell, director of the Wildlife Hospital of Louisiana, said coyote rehabilitation programs help educate the public about the importance of the animal.
“We want to make sure that we have a stable ecosystem, and coyotes play an important role in that as one of our last big mesopredators.” Mesopredators occupy a middle spot in the food chain.
Mitchell would like to see folks on both sides of the issue come together and work toward a resolution, he said.
If the commission’s proposal remains as-is, Geymann said he plans to call a meeting of the House Natural Resources Committee, which could reject the rule or recommend changes.
“I want to make sure that we do everything we can to encourage and support the rehabilitation community,” and “that we’re not doing something that we don’t need to be doing,” Geymann said.
Email Meghan Friedmann at meghan.friedmann@ theadvocate.com.
By Amanda McElfresh| amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
programis fulfillingacriticalmission –preparing Acadiana students to becomecompassionate,competent nurses whoare ready to meet thehealthcareindustry’smost pressing needs. Throughanaffordable,accessible and highly supportive educationalenvironment,LSUE is openingdoors for students andstrengthening thehealthcareworkforce across SouthLouisiana TheASN programoffersmultiplepathwaysto help students enterthe nursingprofession. The traditional ASNtrack takesfoursemesters,withan eveningand weekendprogram availablefor those balancingworkand family obligations. Thereis also an LPN-to-ASN articulation routethatgrants 14 hoursofadvancedstandingcredittolicensed practicalnurses, allowing them to transition more quicklyintoregisterednursing roles.
Formanystudents, this accessibility is thereason they areabletopursuetheir desiredcareerpath.
“Havinganassociate degree programclose to home allows more people to enternursing,evenif they arefinanciallyunable to go to abaccalaureate program,”saidKaren Wyble, associatevicepresident of academicsand communitypartnershipsatOchsnerLafayette General. “I’m aproud LSUE graduate myself.I hadaspirations of beinganurse,and LSUE hadthe associateprogram that wasmoreaffordable andlet me complete it at afasterpace. Youtakethe same NCLEXtestasa studentina baccalaureate program. It’s an amazingfirststep. I’ve seen many nurses,including myself,who earn theirassociate degree andthencompletetheir bachelor’s degree whiletheyare working.
What trulysetsLSUEapart is thelevel of support that students receive. ElizabethSavoy,anLSUE graduate,isnow an instructor in theprogram anda nursepractitioneratOur Lady of Lourdes.
“Asasmaller communitycollege,LSUEfeels more like aclose-knitfamily,”Savoy said.“Students cancometothe instructorsorstaff with anything from problems with test-takingorcertain classes to issues with finances or transportation. When a studentcomes to us with aproblem,weworkthrough it.Theyare thefutureofthe healthcare industry,so we always want to make sure we aresupportiveand that they know they cancometous.
LSUE’s nursingprogram is also closelyaligned with theevolvingneeds of thehealthcareindustry.
Eunice
It is accredited by theAccreditation Commission for EducationinNursing,ensuringhighstandards for curriculum andclinicalpreparation.The college also workshand-in-handwithlocal hospitalsand healthcare organizationstoensurestudentsare “floor-ready” when they graduate
“Weunderstandwhere theneeds areand where theindustry is going,”Wyble said.“We canhelp students by exposing them to thedifferentnursing pathways that areavailable to them.That’sthe beauty of thesepartnerships.Wecan help guidethe students by showingthemwhich optionstheycan pursue.” KarenWalton, whowas namedLSUEDirector of NursinginJune, said oneofher priorities is to strengthen thosepartnershipsbyreceivingmore feedback on localneeds to ensure that graduates areready to step into critical roles. Walton also planstoincreasesimulation-based learningtoexposestudentstoawiderangeofscenarios, includingobstetrics, pediatrics andpsychiatric care
“I thinkthatwillstrengthenthe students who come outofour program,”Waltonsaid. Like many nursingprogramsnationwide, LSUE is workingtoovercomechallenges, includingfaculty recruitmentand retention.
“A clinicalnurse’ssalaryfar surpassesour faculty salaries rightnow,” Walton said.“We areworking with Ochsnerand some grantfunding to help us be more competitive. We also know that we expect severalfaculty to retire in thenextfive yearsand we will have to fillthose roles.” Despite thesechallenges, LSUE’s commitmentto studentsremainsunwavering.Itsmissiongoesbeyond helping students pass theNCLEX –it’sabout shaping Acadiana students into compassionateprofessionals whoare readytoprovide qualitycarefromday one.
“I feel that LSUE is an integral part of nursing in ourcommunities andmakes ahugedifference in termsofbeing asupport system fornew nurses,” Savoysaid. “The nurses from LSUE know howto treatpatientswithdignity andrespect.Weare trying to help people heal andget back to theirfamilies. Youhave to have acaringattitude. I’mproud to give back nowasaninstructortohelpthe students be thebestnursestheycan be.I always tell them that youhavetohave patience andgrace,and remember that everyone is important.
Visithttps://lsue.edu/academics/nursing/index phptolearn more.
LOUISIANAPOLITICS
20 yearslater,where do plansfor FEMA stand?
WASHINGTON –Most people who lived in south Louisiana 20 years ago can’thelp but recallwhat they were doing, what they saw, and what they experienced when Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans.
Mark Ballard
Neighbors stranded on their roofs; people shepherding children and theelderly throughfilthy waist-high water; thousands awaiting evacuation without water and food at the Superdomeand Convention Center; police and the NationalGuard brandishing weapons at fellow citizens; it was all part of the tapestry of astorm that claimed an estimated1,833 lives, left millions homeless, and caused approximately $161 billion in damage.
Then-President GeorgeW.Bush said, “The system, at every level of government, was not well-coordinated and was overwhelmed.”
The Federal Emergency Management Agency was created in the1970s to help local andstate governments. FEMA is supposed to coordinate searchand rescue efforts, evacuations, and help set up emergency shelters. For atime, Republicans, even someDemocrats, wantedtodo away withFEMA. Instead,Congress in 2006 made adjustments. During President Donald Trump’s first administration, Congress in 2018 made further changes.
These days, FEMA’s chiefmust have emergency management experience. Federal authorities, on their own, can preposition resources without local permission. Money is set aside to strengthen infrastructure —flood controls, levees, and the like —longbefore thestorm.
In his second administration, Trump said FEMA’s responses were tooslow and its coststoo high. He called for changes, perhaps evenelimination of the agency
The Trump administration cut billions of dollars from disaster preparedness and seeks tocut
Fields speaks outon congressional maps
U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, criticized Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill’sannouncement last week that her office will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the state’s congressional voting maps, which include two majorityBlack districts.
“While the Attorney General is afforded discretion as to her representation or supervision in any action challenging the constitutionality of an act of the state legislature, she is nevertheless required to act in the interests of the state,” Fields, who represents the new,second majority-Black district, saidin
Cameron Hamilton, whoTrump tapped to leadFEMAbut was firedfor supportingcontinuation of the agency,posted Tuesday on X: ‘FEMA staff are responding to entirely newforms of bureaucracy nowthat is lengthening wait times forclaim recipients, and delaying the deployment of time sensitiveresources.
billions more in the 2026 budget
About a thirdof theagency’sstaff have quitorbeen fired. Andthe newdirector has no emergency experience —hereplaced one whoventured to tell acongres-
anews release.
Louisiana passed thecurrent map after afederal court ruled apreviousplan with only one majority-Black districtwas unconstitutional. Fieldswon an election for thenewly created seat.
Murrill’soffice originally defended themap in frontof theSupremeCourt against another lawsuit that claimed it unconstitutionally factored in race; the state argued it was compelled by acourt to draw themap.
sional committee that FEMA shouldn’tbedismantled.
Department of Homeland SecuritySecretary Kristi Noem, who oversees FEMA, adopted apolicy that requires her direct approval
courtsshould not mandate states consider race in redistricting.
CAPITOL BUZZ staff
reports
But theSupreme Court asked for arguments to more directly addresswhether consideringrace in voting maps is constitutional. Murrill argues that opened the door for Louisianaleaders to argue whatthey have long believed, which is that
“Our Constitution prohibitsthe sorting of Americansinto voting districts based on their skin color —and Louisiana wants no part of that abhorrent system,”Murrill said last week. “We have madethis argument for years, but thefederal courts so far have refused to hear us.” In his statement, Fieldsargued that thecurrent map was duly passed by theLegislature and Murrill should be defending it as constitutional.
“Reversing course and takingacontrary position against themap passed by thestate legislature and signed by Governor
of any expenditure of $100,000 or more.
Invoking Katrina’slandfall anniversary,191 FEMA employees signed aletter Monday to Congress warning that the changes had weakened the agency
“The diminished response and recovery capacities of partner agencies due to this administration has cascading effects that reduce FEMA’s ability to carry out its mission,” read the five-page letter they called the Katrina Declaration.
Thirty-five of the FEMA employees signed the letter in their own names. On Wednesday,they were suspended with pay by the agency Noem responded Thursday on Fox News Digital: “I am not surprised that someofthe same bureaucrats whopresided over decades of inefficiency are now objecting to reform; including manywho worked under the Biden Administration to turn FEMA into the bureaucratic nightmare it is today.”
Noem continued: “That’swhy I am working so hard to eliminate FEMA as it exists today,and streamline this bloated organiza-
(Jeff) Landry is in direct contradiction to the state’s interests of complying with federal law as directed by theSupremeCourt of the United States and ensuring fair representation for the people of Louisiana,”Fields said.
Is Letlow interested in LSU president job?
When asked if she’sinterested in becoming president of LSU, U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow was noncommittal —but she acknowledged that her first love is higher education.
“It’s just humbling to have my nameinthe mix Ilove higher education. That’swhere my background is. That’s where I definitely feel at home,” Letlow said in an interview Wednesday.“It’salways been my dream to get back to higher education one day Butfor right now,I’m just
tion into atool that actually benefits Americans in crisis.”
Cameron Hamilton, whoTrump tapped to lead FEMA but was fired forsupporting continuation of the agency,posted Tuesday on X: “FEMA staffare responding to entirely new formsofbureaucracy now that is lengthening wait times forclaim recipients, and delaying the deployment of time sensitive resources.”
Since Congress created FEMA, legislation is necessary to eliminate the agency or makemajor changes in operations. Trumpset up the FEMA Review Council to study procedures and makerecommendations.
The task force held its third meeting Thursday but did not directly address the FEMA employee insurrection. Still, Texas officials thanked the Trumpadministration, though not FEMA, forhelp after aflash flood on the Guadalupe River killed about 138 people.
The meeting’schair,former Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant, said the panel has reached the “real core” of their report. They are looking at minimum standards for individual assistance and direct funding to the states.
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, another member of the task force, said that, after questioning emergency response personnel across the country,the consensus of opinion wasthe need to streamline the process of funding direct assistance.
“I will use that word again, direct assistance. Not assistance that is migrating through amyriad of bureaucratic processes,” he said.
What wasthe takeaway Mark Cooper,who worked forboth Republican and Democratic governors in Louisiana, had from the failed Katrina experience?
“Werealized how important it wastohave FEMA and other organizations to support state and local governments,” he told the task force.
Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.
focused on working forthe 5th” Congressional District.
Acommittee organized by the LSU Board of Supervisors held its first meeting Aug. 19 to find and vet candidates forthe top job at LSU after William Tate left to become president of Rutgers University in New Jersey The panel will submit its recommendations to the full board, which will make the final decision.
Letlow said mostofthe members of the search committee are friends.
“So, Italked to them quite often. But other than that, I’mgoing to stay mum,” Letlow said. “I promise you that it is the honor of a lifetime to serve the people in the 5th District. So, I’m
just concentrating as much as Ican right now on being present and doing just that.” Letlow has represented the 5th Congressional District since 2021. The district covers much of northeast Louisiana, parts of Baton Rouge, including LSU,and the Florida parishes to Bogalusa. She is amember of the House Appropriations Committee, sitting on the subcommittee that decides how much money education receives. Letlow was afinalist forthe presidency of the University of Louisiana at Monroe in 2020. She has a Ph.D.incommunications from the University of South Florida and worked as director of education at Tulane University School of Medicine. In 2018, Letlow becameULM’sdirector of external affairs and strategic communications.
Letlow
PROVIDED PHOTO
AFEMA tag on the front door of ahomeinNew Orleans indicates no bodies had been found inside
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOSE LUIS MAGANA
THE GULF COAST
N.O. restaurant group closes Gulfport spot
BY MARY PEREZ Sun Herald
Location is everything in real estate and the restaurant business, but sometimes it isn’t enough.
Flamingo Landing restaurant and bar off Cowan Road in Gulfport, had heavy traffic passing daily, a waterfront location on Bayou Bernard where customers could arrive by boat for spicy food, icy drinks and some of the favorite music on the Coast.
But last week, a rental truck was pulled up to the building and being loaded with the decor A sign on the door said the business is closed, and posts on Facebook confirmed the online speculation.
“With a heavy heart, I’m sharing that Flamingo Landing has officially closed its doors for good,” said Terry McCormack.
“Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of bringing you quality entertainment, great memories and unforgettable nights.” McCormack said the music made Flamingo Landing “feel alive” in one of the busiest corridors of Gulfport. Musicians who were booked to play at the restaurant also posted that their gigs were canceled.
The property is owned by Coast developer Ivan Spinner, who said he’s given the operators of Flamingo Landing six months to sell their
business before he rents to a new tenant.
The restaurant opened in May 2023 in the building that formerly was Marina Cantina. It was the first venture into Mississippi by New Orleans restaurant group Creole Cuisine Restaurant that opened Flamingo A-GoGo, Cafe Maspero, Broussard’s and Gumbo Ya-Ya in Louisiana.
The building was remodeled extensively before reopening, with modern decor upstairs and big windows and garage doors that let in the views and the breeze off the water
Downstairs, their customers could sit in the covered areas or spaces open to the waterfront and the docks. Favorites on the menu were margaritas, Flamingo chicken bombs with fried jalapeños, and a trio of tacos
Comments on Facebook show some of their customers were surprised by the closing, while others see it as a sign that South Mississippi may have reached the point of too many places to go out to eat. Others, though,
suggested there is room for more restaurants, but more diversity is needed beyond beach-style bars and seafood spots.
When Flamingo Landing opened in 2023, it was one of 40 new places on the coast, and dozens more have opened in the two years since then.
“Kinda hard for on-premise/off-premise to survive when permits are allowed at the snap of a finger,” one comment said.
“The coast is growing, but restaurants and stores are growing faster Too many restaurants, not enough people.”
Many New Orleans brands are investing and branching out on the Gulf Coast.
Barracuda now has a taco stand with a massive patio in downtown Bay St. Louis, with Tacos and Beer opening a few blocks away Coterie has a waterfront restaurant in Long Beach, and St. James Cheese Company will soon open in a new Pass Christian development owned by restaurateur Jourdan Nicaud.
BY ANITA LEE Sun Herald
Preservationists fanned out across the Gulf Coast as soon as they could after Hurricane Katrina to document the historic structures ravaged by the powerful storm’s wind and surge.
“Of course, some of them were completely gone,” said Ken P’Pool, then deputy state historic preservation officer for the Mississippi Department of Archives & History “We could hardly determine where they had been.”
MDAH’s small staff was joined by volunteers from organizations that included the Mississippi Heritage Trust, Historic Natchez Foundation, and the Vicksburg Foundation for Historic Preservation.
While many historic structures were lost completely, many others survived.
P’Pool and others got to work, securing almost $25 million in federal funds and other money, enlisting expert volunteer assistance.
Katrina destroyed more than 300 Gulf Coast properties on the National Register of Historic Places, the Sun Herald has previously reported.
Working with preservation partners, MDAH was able by 2011 to help restore 280 historic homes and buildings.
“We had people coming from all over North America, one even from Ireland,” P’Pool said.
“We really had a lot of wonderful preservation partners from across the country who stepped up at their own expense to tell us what we could save and how to go about saving it. We never would have been able to do that on our own.”
Historic homes and public buildings were saved, including Beauvoir, the last home of Jefferson Davis on the Biloxi waterfront. The raised home was heavily damaged. In the case of Grass Lawn, an antebellum home that the city of Gulfport owned and where many residents celebrated life’s milestones, a replica was built.
The area’s love of its historic buildings was evi-
dent in the comments that recently flooded the Sun Herald’s Facebook page when readers were asked about the biggest changes they saw from Katrina The loss of so much history was the most mentioned change. Several commenters said the Gulf Coast no longer has the same small-town feel. Many of the properties lost were along the beach.
“I remember riding Highway 90 from Gautier to Pass Christian immediately after it was opened,” one commenter wrote. “Was in the Pass before I realized it. All landmarks I knew growing up along the way were gone. Had tears in my eyes returning home (Gautier). Didn’t ride Highway 90 for another 11/2 years. Couldn’t handle the heartache!”
PROVIDED PHOTO By SUN HERALD
Flamingo Landing, a restaurant from Creole Cuisine Restaurant Concepts, closed last week in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Russiandrone,missile attack kills1,woundsdozens
By The Associated Press
KYIV,Ukraine Russia launched alarge aerial attack on southern Ukraine, officials said Saturday, two days after arare airstrike on central Kyiv killed 23 and damaged European Union diplomaticoffices as U.S.led efforts to end the threeyear war staggered.
Among other locations hit, the assault overnight into Saturday struck afivestory residential building, killing at least one civilian and wounding 28 people, including children, in the Zaporizhzhia region, Gov.Ivan Fedorov reported. Russia launched 537 strike drones and decoys, as well as 45 missiles, accordingto Ukraine’sair force. Ukrainian forces shot down or neutralized 510 drones and decoys and 38 missiles,itsaid.
The Kremlin on Thursday said Russia remained interestedincontinuingpeace talks, despite the air attack on Kyiv that was one of the largest and deadliest since Moscow’sfull-scale invasion in 2022. Childrenwere among the dead, and search and rescue efforts continued for hours to pull people from the rubble.
Hours after the attack, the United States approved an $825 million armssale to Ukraine that will include extended-range missiles and relatedequipment to boost its defensivecapabilities Washington’sefforts to broker peace between Ukraine andRussia appear to have stalled.
Ukrainian President
Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Fridayexpressedfrustration with what he called Russia’slack of constructive engagement. Ukrainehas accepted a U.S.proposalfor aceasefireand ameeting between Putin andZelenskyy, but Moscow hasraised objections. Trumpsaid last week he would know within two weeks whether Russiawas serious about enteringnegotiations.
Ukraine’sEuropean allieshave accused Putin of dragging his feet in peace efforts and avoidingserious negotiations while Russian troopsmovedeeper intothe country Trump,inaninterview with the Daily Caller,aconservative U.S. news site, that
waspublished Saturday,said he believed three-way talks involving Putin, Zelenskyy andhimself would still happen.
“Wegot along.You saw it, we’ve hada goodrelationship over the years, very good, actually,” Trump said of Putin. “That’swhy Ireally thought we would have this done. Iwould have loved to have had it done.”
Moscow’sforcesare waging a“nonstop” offensive in Ukraine,and have the “strategic initiative,” the chiefofRussia’s general staff said Saturday.Valery Gerasimov’saddress to his deputieswas publishedby Russia’sDefense Ministry SinceMarch,Moscow has taken more than1,351 square miles of Ukrainian
CAIRO— An Israeli airstrike killed the prime ministerof the Houthi rebel-controlled government in Yemen’scapital Sanaa, the Houthis said Saturday.Hewas the most senior Houthi official killed in the Israeli-U.S. campaign against the Iranian-backed rebels.
Ahmed al-Rahawiwas killed in aThursday strike in Sanaa along with anumber of ministers, the rebels said in astatement. Other ministers and officials were wounded, the statement added without providing further details.
The premier was targeted along with othermembers of his Houthi-controlled government during a“routine workshop held by the government to evaluateits activities and performance over the past year,” the Houthi statement said.
Thursday’sIsraeli strike took place as the rebelowned television station was broadcasting aspeech by Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the secretive leader of the rebel group in which he was sharing updates on the latest Gaza developments andvowing retaliation against Israel. Senior Houthi officials used to gather to watchal-Houthi’s prerecorded speeches.
Al-Rahawi wasn’tpart of the inner circle around Abdul Malik al-Houthi that runs the military and strategic affairs of the group. His government, like the previous ones, was tasked with running the day-to-day civilian affairs in Sanaa and other Houthi-held areas
The strike that killedthe prime minister targeteda
meeting for Houthi leaders in avilla in Beit Baws, an ancientvillage in southern Sanaa, threetriballeaders told The Associated Press. They spokeoncondition of anonymitybecausethey feared repercussions.
On Thursday,the Israeli military said that it “precisely struck aHouthiterrorist regime militarytargetin the area of Sanaa inYemen.” The military had no immediatecommentonSaturday’s announcementofthe prime minister’skilling.
Theprime minister hailed from thesouthern province
of Abyan, and was an ally to former YemeniPresident Ali Abdullah Saleh. He allied himself with the Houthis when the rebels overran Sanaa, andmuchofthe north andcenter of thecountry in 2014, initiating thecountry’slong-running civil war He was appointed as prime minister in August 2024.
Al-Rahawi is the mostseniorHouthiofficialtobe killedsincethe United States andIsraelbegan theirair and naval campaign in response to therebels’missile and drone attacksonIsraeland on ships in theRed Sea.
territory,and captured 149 settlements, Gerasimov said. It was not immediately possible to verify thesituation on the battlefield.
Russian forces this month broke into Ukraine’ssoutheastern Dnipropetrovsk region, aUkrainian military official said Wednesday,pressing into an eighth Ukrainian province in apossible bidtostrengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating hand. Gerasimov on Saturday said Moscow’stroops have so far taken seven settlements in Dnipropetrovsk.
European Commission
President Ursula vonder Leyen said the EU was advancing toward seizing frozen Russian assets to hand to Ukraine. “It’sclear that the predator has to pay forwhat he did,” she said, referring to Putin.
Vonder Leyen spoke Saturday in Estonia in ajoint news conferencewith Prime MinisterKristenMichal, whileona four-day tour of European statesbordering Russia or its ally Belarus.
Kaja Kallas, the EU’sforeign policy chief, said that “everyone agrees thatRussia should payfor the damages, not our taxpayers,” but that there was disagreement within the EU aboutconfiscating the assets.
Kallas and Prévot spoke during asummit of EU foreign and defense ministers in Copenhagen. Over two days on Friday and Saturday,EUofficials discussed sanctionsonRussia, rampingupdefense supplies to Kyiv,postwar security guarantees and Ukraine’s prospects for joining the 27-nation bloc.
In aseparate development, Ukraine’sformer parliament speakerand aprominent pro-Western politician wasshot dead in thecityof Lviv on Saturday,according to statements by Zelenskyy and local authorities. Little is known so far about the perpetrator,or whyAndriy Parubiy was targeted. Zelenskyy decried Parubiy’s“terrible murder,” and vowed to open an investigation.
Parubiy,54, was alawmaker from the Lviv region who participated in Ukraine’s Orange Revolution in 2004 and led self-defense volunteer unitsduring theMaidanprotests of 2014, which forced pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovych from office. He was parliamentspeaker from 2016 to 2019.
Separately,Ukraine has continued to strike oil refineries inside Russia that it says have suppliedMoscow’s war effort,the Ukrainian general staff reported Saturday. It said two facilities were hitovernight: in the Krasnodar region near occupied Crimea, and the Samara region farther northeast. Falling drone debris sparked afire at arefinery in the city of Krasnodar,regional Russian authorities confirmedSaturday. Theysaid the blaze was extinguished, damaging one of the facility’s processing units but causing no casualties. The Krasnodar refinery produces approximately3 million tonsper year of petroleum products suchasgasoline,dieseland aviation fuel.
Judge extends heat alert mandate
Order aims to protect farmworkers at Angola
BY MATT BRUCE Staff writer
A federal judge has ordered the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections to keep heat safety measures in place another 90 days for field workers at the Louisiana State Penitentiary
at Angola
U.S. District Judge Brian Jackson imposed a mandate on Angola prison officials earlier this year, directing them to issue “heat alerts” on the state penitentiary’s so-called Farm Line whenever the heat index reaches 88 degrees. Jackson issued that order
through a May 23 injunction that expired Aug. 21. One day after it lapsed, the judge issued a new order extending the protections for Farm Line field workers.
“The court issued a lengthy ruling describing the factual and legal basis as to why the issuance of an order requiring defendants to
maintain a Heat Alert threshold of 88 degrees Fahrenheit was necessary to preserve human health and safety,” he wrote in his Aug. 22 ruling. “Because there have been no intervening changes in fact or law, the court finds that a successive preliminary injunction is warranted to once again preserve human health and safety.”
In his May 23 injunction, Jackson also ordered Angola wardens to check the heat index of the Farm Line every 30 minutes. He did not extend that part of the injunction in his Aug. 22 order
RAGIN’ TAILGATE
ABOVE: Lyle Wooten dishes up pizzas on Saturday as University of Louisiana at Lafayette fans tailgate before the Ragin’ Cajuns’ season home opener and first game in Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium in Lafayette. LEFT: UL fans dance to live music before the game.
Iconic Eunice theater gets $1.4M for renovations
BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer
The city of Eunice recently received $2.5 million in state and parish funding to renovate its city hall, jail, and the city’s iconic Liberty Theatre. The theater will get $1.2 million of that funding, with an additional $234,000 coming from the St. Landry Parish Historical Development Fund, officials announced Wednesday The historic theater, which opened in 1924, was initially planned to open last year to celebrate its 100th anni-
versary Mayor Scott Fontenot said he hopes additional funds can help speed up the process, emphasizing the impact it would have on the city’s tourism. “I’ll press them to get something by Mardi Gras,” Fontenot said.
The renovation of the theater began in earnest in 2020, following its closure in 2019. The project is helmed by Cajun musician and Eunice native Joel Savoy, whose parents were a driving
ä See THEATER, page 2B
Eunice recently received $2.5 million in state and parish funding for various renovations, including at the city’s
The department’s policy is to monitor heat index on Angola’s Farm Line once an hour. Jackson determined there was no need to reissue that mandate because “the difference at issue is one of thirty
Three groups sue DEQ
Permit for Cameron Parish
LNG plant contested
BY COURTNEY PEDERSEN Staff writer
Three environmental groups have joined forces to file a lawsuit against the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regarding a permit for a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish.
Last week, the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Sierra Club and Environmental Integrity Project filed a lawsuit against DEQ for granting Venture Global a Clean Air Act permit for the Calcasieu Pass 2 LNG facility, according to a joint news release from the organizations.
“Venture Global has a long history of noncompliance with regards to its Calcasieu Pass LNG terminal,” Cameron Parish resident and Sierra Club member John Allaire said in the release. “This company has been a bad neighbor and continually pollutes the air we breathe, while generating billions of dollars in profits.
“We fear that CP2 LNG will be more of the same more air pollution that is making us sick. It is time for LDEQ to do its job and protect people, not corporate profits.”
DEQ Communications Director Greg Langley told The Advocate the agency does not comment on pending litigation. When The Advocate reached out to Venture Global, the company did not respond.
David Bookbinder, director of law and policy for Environmental Integrity Project, said the complaint is centered around the belief that CP2 will emit more pollution than DEQ assumed and will have air quality violations, as well as the fact that some of the permit limits are more lenient than justified for different pollutants.
“We’re dealing with a facility that’s going to be emitting many, many, many tons of pollutants and the local impact on people who are directly breathing the air is going to be bad,” Bookbinder said. “The other problem is that it, not just for the people who are going to be directly breathing it, will contribute to the entire area having air quality violations. It mucks up people’s air.”
STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK
iconic Liberty Theatre.
STAFF PHOTOS By BRAD BOWIE
Peter Trapolin, renowned N.O. architect, dies at 70
BY JOHN POPE Contributing writer
Peter Trapolin, a New Orleans architect acclaimed for his work in preserving buildings and designing structures that blended with their environments, died Saturday of cancer in his New Orleans home He was 70. “He was skilled as a classical architect, and he understood modern architecture, and he brought them together,” said Tony Gelderman, a businessman and preservationist. “He understood the vernacular of New Orleans, and he brought that to his practice.”
His firm, Trapolin-Peer Architects, which he founded in 1981, has designed buildings across the Gulf Coast. In New Orleans, the firm’s projects include the Sazerac House; the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation headquarters; The Historic New Orleans Collection; the Lafayette Hotel; Richardson Memorial Hall, where Trapolin studied architecture at Tulane University; and the 19th-century Warehouse District building that houses Pêche Seafood Grill.
That structure, which Gelderman and his wife, Katherine, owned, once housed the mortuary where Jefferson Davis was embalmed after the former Confederate president died in the Garden District.
Restoring it to its former glory was a challenge, Gelderman said. In addition to heavy termite damage, there seemed to be no way to tell how to proceed be-
cause an earlier owner had stripped the building of its distinctive ornamentation, including an elaborate balcony and detailed window treatments.
But luck was with Trapolin because he was given an old photograph of the structure at Magazine and Julia streets Peter was able to take the photograph and convert it into very accurate drawings and convert
it back,” Gelderman said “Very few people could have done that. It was a great accomplishment that I was privileged to see.”
Such scrupulous attention to detail was a hallmark of Trapolin’s work, said Paula Peer, who succeeded Trapolin as the firm’s president.
“He was a steward of preservation and advocating for the preservation of our historic city,” she said.
“The buildings are the place where the culture happens. He had 45 years of expertise of modifying and updating these historic buildings and doing new construction in a historic context.”
“I think he loved the city more than anything,” said Kathryn LeMieux, a niece.
“He wanted to restore and honor its history and legacy.” A lifelong New Orleanian,
Trapolin graduated from De La Salle High School and Tulane University. He was among the first to see the potential of the Warehouse District, which before the 1980s had been a collection of industrial buildings going to seed. In fact, Peer said, Trapolin’s first office had been a flophouse.
The 1984 world’s fair drew developers’ attention to that part of the city Trapolin, who played a key role in its revitalization, bought a town house there and set up headquarters three blocks away for his firm, which employs 24 people.
A list of the firm’s local projects fills two pages on its website, trapolinpeer.com.
Trapolin’s style was never dictatorial, Gelderman said. “He didn’t fight with people. He guided them. He had a way of guiding you to the right results.”
“He was just a trusted adviser,” Peer said. “He was really smart, he was passionate, and he was a little bit shy He had the right to carry his ego around, but he didn’t.”
His work took him to Texas, Colorado, Mexico and China. In a 2016 letter nominating Trapolin to be a fellow in the American Institute of Architects, fellow architect J. David Waggonner III praised his “innate ability for shaping and ordering the physical environment and its components into a congruent whole.”
“Whether the direction is determined to restore a historic state or to advance a more modern vocabulary, the result his work achieves is appropriate, seamless,
harmonious and desirable,” Waggonner wrote. “He can be trusted to make the judgment calls vital to historic preservation.”
Trapolin, who was made a fellow — the organization’s highest honor — was a former president of the AIA’s New Orleans chapter and a former Preservation Resource Center board member He served on committees of the Downtown Development District, the Louisiana Landmarks Society and the Bring New Orleans Back Commission, which was formed after Hurricane Katrina and the ensuing floodwaters ravaged the city Trapolin also was a volunteer architect with the preservation center’s Operation Comeback, which helped low-income homeowners rehabilitate homes in historic neighborhoods. A statement from his firm praised him as a “dedicated advocate who worked tirelessly to preserve the historic fabric of the city while contributing to a more sustainable and resilient New Orleans.”
Survivors include his companion, Leah Tubbs; four brothers, Miles, Edward and Neil Trapolin, all of New Orleans, and Charles Trapolin, of San Francisco; and four sisters, Louise Kuzmich, of Midland, Texas; Jeanne Kuehn, of Dallas; Therese Trapolin, of Hammond; and Kathleen Trapolin Barbee, of New Orleans. Funeral arrangements are incomplete.
Contact John Pope at pinckelopes@gmail.com.
Second arrest made in Slidell-area hit-and-run
BY CHAD CALDER Staff writer
The St. Tammany Parish
Sheriff’s Office has arrested a woman in the fatal hit-andrun that killed a Slidell-area child, after saying earlier Friday that the man previously arrested in the Aug 13 incident was not involved.
Continued from page 1B
minutes.”
Voice of the Experienced, an advocacy and reform group that represents formerly incarcerated people, sued Angola wardens and the corrections department in September 2023. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of eight prisoners, claims Angola’s policies pose a substantial risk of heat-related injury for workers toiling in Louisiana’s sweltering summertime humidity Claiming that the conditions on the line during extreme heat violate Eighth Amendment constitutional protections against “cruel and unusual punishment,” the plaintiffs asked federal courts to order Angola to implement heat-related safeguards for prisoners.
Inmates assigned to work the Farm Line plant and cultivate produce for the prison population, and lodge intensive hours of labor on the prison’s sprawling fields.
Many of the prison’s new inmates are forced to work without pay, while other Farm Line workers are paid a few cents per hour.
In July 2024, Jackson ordered prison officials to address problems with lack of shade, availability of sunscreen and heat relief on the Farm Line.
Three months after that preliminary injunction expired last year, corrections officials altered the prison’s heat pathology policy Heat alerts trigger protective measures, such as bringing heat-sensitive workers inside, and offering other workers scheduled rest breaks in shaded areas to offset when the heat index reaches dangerous levels. The heat index trigger was 88 degrees until Angola approved policy revisions in October and April that raised the threshold index for heat alerts to 91. In his May 23 order Jackson moved the heat alert threshold back to 88 degrees, citing expert testimony that prolonged exposure to heat indices at or above
The Sheriff’s Office said new evidence indicates Estes drove a silver Nissan Armada on Northshore Lane near Slidell that evening and struck the 6-year-old child, who had been riding a scooter in his driveway. The boy died later at a hospital.
The 22nd Judicial District
The Sheriff’s Office said 40-year-old Connie Noel Estes, also known as Connie Noel Flettrich or Noel Gorgone, of Slidell, was taken into custody and will be booked into the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center on a count of felony hit-andrun with death or serious bodily injury and a count of felony obstruction of justice.
Attorney’s Office, at the request of the Sheriff’s Office, declined to pursue the initial charges of vehicular homicide, hit-and-run and reckless operation against the man previously arrested, the Sheriff’s Office said.
“I am deeply disgusted that someone would strike a child and leave them to die,”
that temperature poses a substantial risk of serious harm to Farm Line workers. He found credence to plaintiffs’ claims that the corrections department and Angola prison officials were
PERMIT
Continued from page 1B
The facility, which will be one of the largest LNG plants in the nation, would export 20 million metric tons of LNG per year, according to the release. The estimated life cycle greenhouse gas from the methane gas would be more than the annual emissions of 47 million gas-powered cars, according to the release. Construction started on CP2 this summer and the facility is expected to begin LNG production in 2027.
Allaire, a former oil industry worker, said he and the organizations are upset that the state would grant CP2 a
“deliberately indifferent” to that risk, opining they “simply ignored” the “compelling medical findings” set forth in previous court orders. State and prison officials
Clean Air Act permit based on the compliance history of Venture Global at Calcasieu Pass, which began operating in 2022.
During its first calendar year of operation, the Calcasieu Pass LNG facility had at least 139 incidents where it exceeded the hourly emission limits of its air permits, The Advocate previously reported. In addition, DEQ granted the facility an increase in its allowed emissions in 2023.
Bookbinder said the next steps for the lawsuit will be the court reaching out within a couple of weeks to provide a schedule to submit all the preliminary paperwork, and about two months later it will release a schedule for
Sheriff Randy Smith said in a news release. “What’s even more appalling is that this individual allowed someone else to take the blame for their actions.”
“This is a heartbreaking case, and our thoughts remain with the victim’s family An arrest was made based on the evidence we had at the time. Once new evidence came to light, we moved swiftly to redirect our investigation and identify the correct suspect,” Smith added. “While we are committed to acting quickly in the pursuit of justice, we also understand the immense responsibility that comes with that urgency.”
challenged both of Jackson’s decisions — the July 2024 and May 23 orders. During an Aug. 4 hearing before three U.S. Court of Appeal for the 5th Circuit judges, a solicitor for the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office argued that Jackson’s orders were too broad and intrusive. That violates the Prison Litigation Reform Act, a federal law that sets requirements for prisoner condition lawsuits, the state argued.
One day after the Aug. 4 hearing, the 5th Circuit denied the state’s appeal challenging Jackson’s order last year because that injunction had already expired. The federal appellate court determined it was a moot issue. On Thursday, six days after the May 23 injunction had expired, the 5th Circuit also denied the state’s appeal of that order as moot. The defendants have already filed a new appeal challenging Jackson’s latest ruling.
Email Matt Bruce at matt. bruce@theadvocate.com.
briefing.
From there, there will be arguments and then a decision, “hopefully by the end of 2026,” Bookbinder said.
Anne Rolfes, director of the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, said that overall the permit is flawed and that is what they would like to see fixed.
“The Department of Environmental Quality does not have a realistic assessment of this facility that they’re letting them get away with putting whatever they want on paper and not really tending to the Clean Air Act,” Rolfes said. “Our goal would be to get a
ous
Continued from page 1B
force behind the theater’s reopening in the 1980s. In 2022, the U.S. Senate approved the Save the Liberty Theatre Act, which granted the city of Eunice full ownership of the theater U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson and Sen. John Kennedy sponsored that bill.
The additional $1.3 million of state funding will go toward renovation of Eunice City Hall and the local jail. The jail will undergo a complete renovation, increasing its capacity to 56 inmates.
“This is something that we really really needed,” said Chief of Police Kyle LeBouef.
Stephen Marcantel writes for The Acadiana Advocate as a Report for America corps member Email him at stephen. marcantel@theadvocate. com.
and at the area and the burden it’s already bearing, that they could never get a permit because the pollution there is already too intense.”
Email Courtney Pedersen at courtney.pedersen @theadvocate.com.
fication, keep your tickets.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Peter Trapolin, a New Orleans architect acclaimed for his work in preserving buildings and designing structures that blend with their environments, died Saturday at age 70.
Beating the heat
BY EMILY WOODRUFF
Staff writer
On a humid summer morn-
ing, the temperature inside
John Klingman’s 19th-century home hovers around 80 degrees. There’s no air conditioning running, but it doesn’t feel stifling. Fans circulate air across shaded floorboards. Louvered shutters manage the sun like clockwork. Birds chirp in the garden.
“So you see, we’re in pretty good shape,” Klingman said, pausing by a thermostat. “We’re not even close to the limit of comfort.”
Over a decade ago, Klingman was featured in The Times-Picayune for doing something most New Orleanians would never attempt: living without air conditioning by choice. Readers had a lot of thoughts about it.
“Most of the comments were negative: ‘He’s crazy, why would anybody do that?’” Klingman said.
But 13 years later, the 78-year-old is still at it mostly About five years ago, he installed air conditioning, thinking he might want to sell his house one day and wouldn’t be able to without a feature most people in the South see as a necessity
Now the system serves a different purpose: it’s what allows him to keep living mostly AC-free. When the house hits 86 degrees, the unit kicks on, drying the air before cooling it down. That backup has become increasingly necessary as New Orleans has endured record-breaking summers, including an especially punishing summer in 2023, when the state recorded 88 heat-related deaths and nearly 6,200 emergency room visits.
He mostly tries not to use it. But more often, it’s impossible to go without. “I couldn’t have made it without AC two summers ago,” he said “It was so bad — I don’t think I even went outside for a week.”
Attuned to the weather
Klingman’s 1898 Uptown house is a study in passive cooling. Most rooms have a ceiling fan, installed when he bought the house in 1989.
Original louvered shutters open and close with the sun’s movement, filtering the strong light in the mornings and afternoons. Windows are operable to catch breezes when they come.
“Most people think of their houses like cars,” Klingman said. “I think of houses more like a boat. You adjust.”
Screens are used on the first floor, but the secondfloor windows go without for better airflow, said Klingman. The second floor is generally above what he calls “the bug line,” where insects are most likely to enter That hasn’t always stopped birds, which have found their way in and out of the house three times over the decades.
Even the headboard on his bed is engineered to rise and lower to allow for more circulation of air
Klingman keeps his garden lush and pesticide-free, which he says helps attract lizards, dragonflies and frogs that keep mosquitoes in check.
The rules of cooling
Tulane hired Klingman in 1983 to teach sustainable architecture.
“So I thought, well, the best way to do that is to live it,” Klingman said His lecture course focused in part on bioclimatic design
— building with awareness of temperature, humidity and how the body cools itself.
“There are four ways the body can cool itself,” he said: conduction (touching something cold), convection (air moving across skin), radiation (giving off heat to cooler surroundings), and evaporation (sweating). In humid places like New Orleans, evaporation is less effective because the air is already saturated with moisture.
That makes the fans silently swirling air around his home’s five rooms essential.
Fans help speed up the evaporation of sweat. Klingman turns them on in April and leaves them on until roughly October If he leaves town, they stay on, since moving air is good for keeping mold and mildew at bay
“Before air conditioning became ubiquitous, the earlier technology was fans,” Klingman says. “A fan consumes only about 10% as much energy as an AC system. You become cool in a way that’s not obvious, but you just feel comfortable.”
New Orleans before AC
For decades, Klingman’s home was proof that the old strategies that allowed New Orleans to flourish as a major port city in a time before air conditioning still worked. Before air conditioning, New Orleanians relied on thoughtful design to keep houses livable: awnings, operable windows with shutters, French doors tall ceilings with transoms, ceiling fans, porches, balconies and ventilated roofs, said Rich Campanella, a geographer with Tulane. They also just had a different mindset.
“People expected summers to be hot and humid,”
Campanella said. “They knew no alternative.”
Klingman, who grew up outside of Philadelphia, has acclimated to a different standard than the arctic blast of AC most people are used to when they walk indoors during the summertime.
“It’s 80 at night, which actually feels chilly to me, so I have to sleep with a sheet,” said Klingman.
Connecting to the outside Klingman’s home has advantages many New Orleanians lack: tree cover, operable shutters, space for airflow In neighborhoods with little greenery or where homes sit close together, the options are fewer
The city still hasn’t regained its tree canopy since Hurricane Katrina, despite studies showing that shade and vegetation can lower local temperatures by several degrees.
That becomes a bigger problem as New Orleans continues to experience hotter summers. Klingman sees it not only in his AC kicking on more frequently, but also
in his plants blooming ahead of their typical schedule.
It isn’t just discomfort that heat brings. Rates of suicide and violence go up during spells of heat, and people who are elderly or with health conditions are more likely to suffer heat-related illness or death, said Regardt Ferreira, director of Tulane’s Disaster Resilience Leadership Academy
Blasting AC can contribute to the problem Earlier this year, a huge demand for electricity during a heat wave triggered widespread power outages in New Orleans.
“We have to be more adaptive to the changing environment, and we have to find innovative ways, instead of sitting and waiting for things to happen,” Ferreira said.
For Klingman, the experiment in living without AC was never about stoicism. It was about proving that design could lower energy use, connect people to nature and promote well-being.
Surrounded by objects of nature — seashells, rocks, palm fronds and blocks of wood shaped into whimsi-
cal structures — Klingman feels attuned to his environment. In August, he hosts dinner parties when the temperature is tolerable. The environment makes everyone livelier
“Saturday was just right on the edge, and we did it, and it got a little raucous,” he said. “And I think that was maybe because everybody was outside.”
His house is now a hybrid model that he plans to leave to the School of Architecture to host visiting faculty. Designed by master architect Emile Weil, the house was recently added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a place where fans, shade and garden breezes still carry the day most of the year, and where the AC only hums to life when the heat pushes past what the body can safely bear
“I like connecting to outside,” Klingman said. “I feel sorry for people who just lock themselves inside.” Email Emily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate. com.
OPINION
OUR VIEWS
Theprecious hoursaway from the grinding wheels of work
Editor’snote:This newspaper haspublished this editorial, with variations, on previousholidays.
For those of us who live in south Louisiana,the arrival of another Labor Day prompts agood bit of self-congratulation. We know, with reliefand no small amount of pride, that we’ve survived another summerinaplace where the mercury rises each May and stubbornly stays there, like acat stuck in atree.
Summer doesn’tofficially enduntil laterthis month —and both the hot weather and therisk of dangerous tropical weather lingerfor weeks after that —but Labor Day isthe notchweinformally place in the calendar to tellus aseason hasturned. It’searly autumn now,nomatter what thepurists might say
If our fellow Americans upnorthcan claim some measureoftheir ancestors’ pioneerspirit by making it through frozen winters each year, then Labor Day is our time to brag.We’ve stared down one more summer,anunusually hot onethisyear,yet somehow prevailed Hurricane season officially endsinNovember, and vigilance must stillbe theorder of theday We’ve now seen repeatedly that asmaller tropicalsystem that might not be expectedtobother us much can ramp up intoadestructive hurricanelike Laurain2020 and Idain2021.
For people who don’thave jobs to laborin, this Labor Day makes it alittle harder to count their blessings. That’sparticularly true as thelabor market seems to be entering aperiod of deep uncertainty.Wewish all those seekingworkthe best of luck in their search.
Labor Day is away station between theFourth of July and Thanksgiving, and it wasput on the calendarprecisely for that reason.In1882, Peter J. McGuire, the founder and general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, suggested settingaside oneday to honor America’slaborers. He saw room in thecalendar between July and November, andthought the holiday would, in his words, “fill agap in the chronology of legal holidays.” McGuire was anative of New York,but his gift for sensing an unmet need forcelebration seems like aLouisiana way of looking at the world, doesn’tit? He would probablyhavefelt at home here.
New Yorkers observed the first Labor Day in 1882, and it became afederal holiday in 1894 after President Grover Clevelandsigneditinto law.Getting an extra dayoff was abig deal for workers back then, as ayoung labor movement struggled to achieve what many Americans broadly enjoy today: a40-hour workweek and formalized vacation policies.
The best gift of Labor Day,for those fortunate enoughtohaveitoff, is the day itself —a few spare hourstospend as we like before autumn begins in earnest. Thank you, Mr.McGuire,for makingitso.
LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR
GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence
TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.
TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE
Church services sink creamery liquor license
In what must have seemed like a scene fromthe sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” aLouisiana city council denied an alcohol permit renewal last month to alocal creamery because it’s also achurch. Youread that right. Tim and Tasha Levert, the pastors of Mustard Seed Church in DenhamSprings, alsoown and operate acreamery in the suburb’sdowntownarea. Their creamery is called, youguessed it,Mustard Seed Creamery,and it also serves tapas. (I know— lots of questions here,but let’skeep to themainissue.) Lastyear,the Leverts applied for and received an alcohol permit from theCity of Denham Springs for their creamery.But they were informed this year that their permit would not be renewed because theLeverts’ church had begun meetingweekly in their business. Acity ordinance prohibitsalcohol sales within 300 feet of achurch. The ruling —and the city ordinance itself —raise some fascinating questions about howlocal lawand religion should interact. Whatdefines achurch in the eyes of the law? Why is the 300foot bufferneeded?Plenty of church-
es serve realwine withCommunion. Do those transgress the, uh, spirit of the city’slaw? The Leverts have arguedthatthe church is notthe building where the congregationgathers, but ratherthe people who make up the spiritual body There is some theological merit here.For instance, when oneof the oldest creeds in Christendom references“the holy catholic (universal) church,” it is notreferencing abuildinghere, but the group of Christian believers as a whole
But the DenhamSprings CityCouncilapparently doesn’tsee it that way. For them, achurchmeansbricks, mortar,stained glass windows and, in this case,perhapsrockyroad andbutter pecan. It seems thatthe city’srule,while perhaps well-intentioned,neglects some fairly important facts about Christianity’sfounder.After all, his first miraclewas to turn water into wine at aparty. Idon’t recallanyone asking if he hadmarked offthe proper numberofcubits from thenearest synagogue Near the end of his life,hedid take
thebread andthe cupand share them amonghis disciplesinone of Christianity’sholiest moments. The Gospels don’trecordhim saying, “This is my blood,whichisalegally specifieddistance from ahouse of worship,”when he inaugurated theLast Supper. Sarcasm aside,this seemstobea tempest that should have been calmed from thestart. The creameryshould have been givenits permit,and the council should have refrainedfrom wading intothis problem.
The Leverts, for their part, are at least attempting to follow the second greatest commandment to “love your neighbor.” They’ve beseeched their many allies in the community not to blame other local downtown businesses.
Andtheyhaven’t givenuptheir sense of humororthe hope of getting theirlicense renewed.They’ve posted on Facebook that thechurch services have moved to another location and in themeantime, assuredfolks that they are still serving icecream withanintact “LickerLicense.”
Faimon A. Roberts III canbe reached at froberts@theadvocate. com.
Whyweinvitenewsmakersin
Looking at therange of topics that we cover on the Opinion pages, some are more complex than others. In order to makesureweunderstandthe ins and outsofan issue, we occasionally host editorial boardmeetings with key playerssowecan get all our questionsanswered. Often,we are able to ask them the questionsthat you raise in letters to theeditor
boardmeeting, butnot always. The issues that promptthe meetings are usually ones that are ongoing. And we may choose to write only when news develops to acritical stage.
weeks of August.
We recognizeit’saprivilege for us to have accesstonewsmakers, and it is one we don’ttake lightly
Ialways view theeditorial board meetings as arare opportunity to understandthe background and context of the news. We try to ask thetough questions, yes.But we alsogive those we invite to editorial board meetings achance to have theirsay.The main goal isn’ttobecontentious; it is to gain knowledge so we can be informed in our opinions.
Sometimes, we will write an editorial immediately after an editorial
Sometimes, we will invite theopposing side of an issue to meet with the editorial board as well.
Community groups and politicians request meetings with our editorialboard when they have specific concerns. It used to be routine for top political leaders to meet with newspapereditorial boards,but these days, some prefer to touttheir plans through social media and other channels, where they don’t have to face pointed questions. But we always keep thedoor open for any who do want to meet. And we hope theytake us up on the opportunity,not becausewe’re important, but because you, our readers, are.
Turning to ourletters inbox, Ican give you thecounts for the first two
FromJuly 31 to Aug. 7, we received 69 letters. The topic that was the main concernofwriters thatweek was the war in Gaza, which prompted four of youtowrite.There were threeletters aboutthe possibility of immigrants being housedatthe Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola.Thenthere were anumberoftopics that were the subject of two letters each.They includedearly education, Sen. Bill Cassidy’sreelection bid, the Katrina anniversary andschool choice. In the week of Aug. 7-14, we received72letters. The president sending NationalGuard troops into Washington, D.C., wasthe topic of three letters. The warinGazaalso prompted threereaderstowrite. Then we received two letters on the closure of PlannedParenthood clinics and two letters on coyoterehabilitation.
Arnessa Garrett is Deputy Editor | OpinionPageEditor.Emailher at arnessa.garrett@theadvocate.com.
Arnessa Garrett
Faimon Roberts
COMMENTARY
Conservative wonksembrace La.
When 1,500 policy wonks from around the country gathered at the Sheraton New Orleansthis past week, the next trendy legislative ideas surely were floating around the premises. The biggest beneficiaries of the State Policy Network’sannual meeting, though, may have beenthe cityofNew Orleans and state of Louisiana. The SPN is an association of conservative think tanks concentratingmostly on state and local issues. Each state has at leastone SPN member-organization; there are64inall. Louisiana’sPelican Institute acted as host thisyear for the four-day meeting, which attracted not just those 64 but also representatives of more than 500 other organizations that push right-leaning solutionsinthe public square. In all, the conference featured more than 100 sessions on issues relating to education reform, artificial intelligence, state budgets, upward mobility,health care, energyand more.
that lead to national impact,” said Brooke Medina, SPN’svice president of communications “States are the test labs of liberty.”
Harkeningback to the long-cherished conservativebelief that government and public policy are usuallybest handled at levels closer to home, the participants rarely mentioned Washington, D.C.’s political battles. Far morethan a few,though, seemed concerned —without referencing any particular person byname— about thetrend toward centralization of power in the nation’scapital and in the presidency And even thoughthe event, by its very nature, almost exclusively featured conservative experts speakingtoconservative audiences, arepeated theme involved theneed to not just “preach to thechoir” but instead to promote civil discourse among any willing constituencies not already “dug in” to far-left positions.
theFree SocietyCoalition that is pushing civic education stemmingfrom theDeclaration of Independence, repeated that imperative multiple times during two different panel presentations. One reason the Declaration is a good starting point,hesaid, is that it lets us “focus on what we share in common.”
AndMonica Harris, executive director of Fair For All, which is “committed to challenging threatstocivil liberties from identity-based practices,” insisted that “we have so much morein common than what separates us.” Harris, who is Black and aHarvard Law graduate, previously worked as alegal affairs executiveatWalt Disney Television, NBCUniversal Media and Viacom Media Networks. She has written abook called “The Illusion of Division,” arguing that “political opportunism, exploitative media and fringe voices have distorted our collective reality” to make us think—wrongly,she says —that “our country is hopelessly fractured.”
Institute andbehavioral scientist who teaches courses at Harvard on leadership and the “science of happiness,” insisted several times that we should “not want to adjudicate[our] friendships based on [our] political affiliation.”
At thestate and local levels, then, the conservative approach is not to “divide and conquer” but to build bridges and use the power of ideas and airtight research toget practical things accomplished.
It is far too soon forthis column to discern which new ideas will percolatebroadly and take hold nationwide.
It is worth noting, though, that Louisiana’snew “One Door” policy for streamlining the bureaucracy of public assistance, long pushed by Louisiana’sPelican Institute, could be amodel that other states could adopt to make it easier for people nationwide to escape the poverty trap.
Mardi Gras World, complete with food from area restaurants and a live parade through the facilities.
“It’simportant that each state, particularly aunique state like Louisiana, is able to promote its culture and to encourage people to come and experience it,” said Stephen Gelé, Pelican’sboard chairman. Saying he considered it the best state night ever,Gelé added: “Louisiana is atourist economy.Wewant to show people the unique culture.”
SPN is “a ground-up organization that works for state solutions
New Orleanian Jay Lapeyre, who is chairman of both thenational CATO Institute and the Atlas Society and afounder of
Similarly,keynote speaker Arthur Brooks, theformer president of the American Enterprise
The SPN brings its annual meeting’s1,500 people —and the money they spend forfour full days —onlytoplaces that feature amember state think tank. As host,Pelican organized the conference’sannual “state night” at
It’s time forCassidy to join
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy made one decision earlier this year that willfollow him the rest of his days, in public office and out Now,he’sfaced with another one —or, more accurately,avariation on the same dilemma: What todo aboutRobert F. Kennedy Jr.?
We all know where Cassidy,arespectedBaton Rouge physician and longtime advocate for lifesaving vaccines, came down when he had to vote on President Donald Trump’s nomination of the notorious vaccine conspiracy theorist to head the Department of Health and Human Services. He agonized but ultimately went along, and justified his vote by saying that Kennedy had agreed to consult him regularly, to follow mainstream science and not to sow public distrust in vaccine safety. If there was ever aquestionofwhether the secretary would be true to his word, it’sanswered.
tions,according to her lawyers.
Cassidy again protested, vowing undefined “oversight” from his perch as chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and calling for an upcoming meetingofthe reconstituted advisory group to be postponed.
“Pelican Institute did afantastic job being ahost to us, to not only …their sister think tanks across this country but even someinternational attendees,” said SPN’s Medina. “Welove NewOrleans, particularly the food scene …and the jazz music.” All of which is perhaps fitting fororganizations dedicated to maximizing ordered liberty.As expressed by Harvard’sArthur Brooks (his website, www.arthurbrooks.com,does athorough job explaining the brain science behind this), “The free enterprise system is ahappiness machine.” Email Quin Hillyer at quin hillyer@theadvocate.com
theresistance
“Serious allegations have been made about the meeting agenda, membership, and lack of scientific processbeing followed,” he warned, although he might as well be talking to himself, because talkingto Kennedy sure doesn’tseem to be doing the trick.
Last week, when Monarez reached out to Cassidy after Kennedy came after her, he contacted the secretary,but the call from Cassidy just “angered” Kennedy,according to The New York Times.
Republicans who might be willing to play hardball, who could leverage their (admittedly small) numberstoholdup administration initiatives unless Trump either fires Kennedy or blocks his worst impulses
Former Majority Leader MitchMcConnell, asurvivor of childhood polio, is already on record as the only Republican to opposeKennedy’sconfirmation. Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and SusanCollins of Maine often see things clearly and at least sometimes votethat way; Collins saidlast week that shefound Monarez’s firing “alarming.”
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis once saidthat “theonly way that Bobby Kennedy and Iwill get crosswise is if does actually take aposition against the safety of proven vaccines.” Tillis isn’tseeking reelection, so politically,he’sgot nothing left to lose.
doing so only infuriates others who want him to stopthe most dangerous directives coming outofthis second Trump administration, of which Kennedy’sdrive to upendvaccine protocols is just one example. It is, admittedly,apolitical mess. But it’s nothing compared to the mess thatKennedy is making of health care. Evenifwejust focus on vaccines and the CDC, much is at stake —not just accesstoCOVID vaccines and future research breakthroughs, but overall confidenceinthe science that Cassidy understands far betterthan Kennedy does.
He’sfired members of avaccine advisory panel he’d vowedtokeep, and canceled $500 million in development contracts for new vaccines using promising mRNA technology —both despiteCassidy’sprotestations.
Now he’sgone and gotten Trump to fire Susan Monarez, the headofthe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, because she refused to “rubber-stamp unscientific, reckless directives” on vaccina-
If Cassidy really believes in thework he did before entering politics, if he really meant everything he’ssaid about the safety and immense importance of vaccines tokeep Americans from dying of preventable disease, he needs to do more thantalk. It’stime for him to act.
On the HELP Committee, he’sgot an eager potential oversight partner in ranking member Bernie Sanders. Imagine the hearings the two could hold if they were to put aside party politics.
Or Cassidy could rally thefew fellow
Cassidy,onthe other hand, does.
He’supfor another term next yearunder anew party primary system that favorsthe moreextreme elements that he’s actively courting by,among other things, backing Kennedy and Trump’sother questionable nominees
Butaccommodating Kennedy’scrazy ideas isn’tgoing to win over MAGA voters who’ll never forgive him forvoting to convict Trump at impeachment for instigating theJan. 6attack on Congress. And
As Demetre Daskalakis, one of several high-ranking CDC officials who quit in protest, wrote in his resignation letter, “the intentional eroding of trust in lowrisk vaccines favoring natural infection and unproven remedies will bring us to apre-vaccine era where only the strong will survive and many if not all will suffer.”
His colleague, now-former chief medical officer Debra Houry,saidonher way outthe door that“We need Congress to intervene …Ihopethis is the tipping point.” Cassidy’sjust the guy to lead thatintervention—ifhedecides, at long last, that some things mattermore than the next election.
Email Stephanie Graceatsgrace@ theadvocate.com.
Katrinaanniversary haspassed, butrealtests start
As Katrina developed into ahurricane, the massive storm spun off more than 40 tornadoes.There were multiple warnings. As early as Aug. 24, there were watches and warnings. On Aug. 27, there was awatch, then awarning that night. The next day,Aug. 28, there were warnings about storm surge flooding of as much as 15 to more than 20 feet. The watches became warnings. They were voluntary Youwant to think about leaving. Youmight wanttoconsider leaving. This wouldbeagood time to leave. We’re not saying you have to leave, but thingsare going to get pretty bad. Youdefinitely want to leave. Finally,there were mandatory evacuation orders: Youmust leave. Now There was aproblem. Our local and state officials weren’tinsync with our federal officials. People were getting different pieces of information. Or getting no informationatall. The officials who were supposed to protect us let us down.OnAug. 28, it was kind
of late.Ifyou hadn’talready left, yougot stuck onInterstate10and state highways,often stalled in standstill traffic with thenext gas stationmilesaway Wasthat natural? No. Wasit man-made? Youbet. On Aug. 29, Plaquemines Parish was hit by theCategory3hurricane. The windswere whipping at about 125mph and moving at only12mph. With such slowmovement, therisks are higher because the storm sits and pounds away at anything it touches.Orleans Parish and neighboring parishes were hit.Though the storm moved slowly,itdid move on The water moved, too. The 17th Street Canal was breached. The Industrial Canal was breached. The London Canal levee was breached. Multiple breachesled to the flooding of theLower 9th Ward. In relatively shortorder,80% of the citywas underwater. Wasthat natural? Nope. Wasit man-made?You bet. Iwasn’t around for theLast Island HurricaneinAugust 1856,
when about 300 people died, including about 200 in our state. The storm surge split theisland in two and destroyed Abbeville.
Iwas around for Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and Hurricane Camille in 1969. It was as though we hadn’t learned much of anything about the impact of water,and especially how much damage can be caused by storm surge. Our officials had looked at past hurricane damage and upgraded our levees,telling us those things were unlikely to happen again.
Then theydid. When Katrina hit,there were New Orleans stormsurges of morethanafoot.PassChristian sawstorm surgesofmorethan 27 feet.NOAA says it was up to 19 feet in New Orleans East. Wasthatnatural? Not really We’ve known enough about water to know thatwater will find its way to other waterways and create new waterways and water paths wherethere are none.
Didn’tweknow that? Of course we did. We just didn’tplan well enough. Our nationhas disasters of many kinds. Wildfires. Snowstorms. Tor-
nadoes. Dust storms. Hurricanes. They’ve often been called “natural disasters.” But it’snot anatural disaster when some fool lights a match and tosses it atop brush and limbs. That’snot natural. That’s man-made It’s hard for me to imagine a man-made dust storm, snowstorm or tornado. It’snot hard for me to imagine aman-made natural disaster.Ithought about walking you through afew climate change facts, but I’ll save that for another day.What is true is that “natural disasters” such as hurricanes like Katrina can—and have been man-made.The storm itself was natural. The reasons the storm had suchadevastating impact were man-made The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina was Aug. 29, 2025. There were Katrina-connected, related, looking back and looking ahead events in recent months and quiteanumber in recent days. There were alot of details and factsshared. There were some awful and heartwarming Katrina storiestold. There were some quite engaging debates and discussions about whathappened.
But what Ifound most promising was asense that no matter whatmistakes we made, we’ve learned from those mistakes, we made some progress and we —at least most of us —have realized we don’twant anything like this to happen again.
According to the New Orleans Data Center,sinceKatrina arrived, we gained morethan15,000 Hispanic residents, we lost more than 23,000 Whiteresidents and we lost awhopping 121,000 Black residents. Part of the issueisacknowledging that we don’thave enough “affordable”housing,enough jobs paying livingwages or enough good housingtoaccommodate any significant economicgrowth. Wasthis natural? No way. Was this man-made? Definitely Can New Orleans regain its population? Absolutely.Start with living wage jobs and affordable housing.
But only if WE decide that’s whatwewant, and only if we hold our elected and public officials accountable.
Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.
Will Sutton
Stephanie Grace
Quin Hillyer
Rice playsparty poopers
Owls bottle up Cajuns afterrenovated stadiumunveiled
BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer
UL’s stadium-opening partywas spoiled by Rice’striple option rushingattack in a 14-12 win over the Ragin’ Cajuns on Saturday at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.
The Owls rushed for 213 yards —187 in the first half —and their defensive front got the best of the UL offensive frontfor the road victory Rice limitedULto239 totalyardsand 151 yardsrushing.
Quarterback Walker Howard finishedthe game 10-of-22 passing for 88 yards with no touchdowns and one interception UL got abig defensive stopatthe 5with
1:56 left, but then the unthinkable happened.
After completing a25-yard pass to Shelton Sampson on first down, Howard didn’tget off theground with an apparent leg injury
Daniel Bealefinishedoff the game. He drew one defensive passinterference call to the 35,but he didn’tcomplete any of his six pass attempts. Afourth and 10 throw wasoff target, and Rice was able to kneel outthe clock.
Bothquarterbackswere plagued by numerous drops by their receivers throughout thegame.
Howard had 47 yards rushing and ascore. Sampson had four receptionson12targets for 59 yards.Bill Davis had 57 yards rushing andZylan Perry had 47 for the Cajuns.
Down 14-6 at the half, theULdefense found away to force apunt from the Cajuns’ 41.
The bad news wasRice’spunt wasdowned at the 2and the Owls defense had enjoyed immense successagainst the UL offensive line.
That’swhenULbegan to lean on Howard’s legs.
First, there wasa gutsy 10-yard runup the middle on third and 9toget thedrive underway TheCajuns then went to the running gameand it responded. Davis scampered 32 yardsand then Perry another11. Two plays later,Howard kept it for25yards and atouchdown.Itwas thelongest runfrom scrimmageinHoward’scareer and his first
WINCOLUMN
linebacker Sammy BrowntacklesLSU
BYKOKI RILEY
Staff writer
CLEMSON, S.C. Hours before thegame, Aeron Burrell walked toward the LSUsideline with a black shirt. But this attire wasnoordinary attire. Besidesthe shirt sporting the sophomore kicker’snumber on the back (32), it alsohad another number.Specifically, it hada record. 1-0. For the first time since 2019, No. 9LSU will begin aseason in the win column. Itaccomplished the feat in about as impressivea fashion as the College Football Playoff committee could’ve asked for, taking down No. 4Clemson 17-10 in MemorialStadium, the other “Death Valley.”
to 261 totalyards. The finishing blowcame on fourthand 4atthe LSU 15-yard line, when redshirt junior linebackerHarold Perkins knocked down quarterback Cade Klubnik to force an incompletion.
Perkins,inhis return from atornACL,madeplays for LSU’sdefense throughout the night.The starlinebacker had 11/2 tackles for lossand asack through the opening 30 minutes and finished thegame with five tackles and two quarterback hits.
LSU didn’ttakea lead until the start of thefourth quarter when fifth-year senior quarterback Garrett Nussmeier connected withsophomoretight end Trey’Dez Green on an 8-yard throw to the end zone.
Thevictory wasled by theLSU defense— thesame unit that cost LSU achance at anational championship in 2023 and struggled through swathsof2024. LSU held Clemson to no points in the second half, limitingthe hosts
Thescore handed LSUa 17-10lead and capped offan 11-play,73-yard drive. The drive finished off astretch of playinwhichLSU outgainedClemson 150-60 after thebeginning of the second half.
The offense had achance to ice the gameonits next twodrives, but LSU ran just 10 plays for29yards and was forced to punt the ball away twice. It did, however, waste just enough time to leaveClemson (0-1) with1:50 to work with on its final drive.
LSU’s defense continued its stellar play following its secondtouchdown. On fourth and 5atits own33yard line, senior cornerback Mansoor Delane broke up Klubnik’spass to force the turnover on downs.
In his first gameatLSU,Delane, atransfer from Virginia Tech, had astandout performance. He recorded LSU’s first interception of the season in the third quarter and finished the night with twopass breakups.
Astrong start to the second half for LSU tied the score at 10 with just under nine minutesleft in the third quarter
LSUtakes down Clemson, wins season opener for firsttimesince 2019 ä See LSU, page 3C
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP
UL quarterback Walker Howard runs with the ballasRice defensivelineman Tony Anyanwu pursues during their game Saturday at Our LadyofLourdes Stadium.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByJACOB KUPFERMAN
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LB who helped Dallas to first Super Bowl dies at 84
DALLAS Lee Roy Jordan, a linebacker on the first Super Bowlwinning team for the Dallas Cowboys in the 1970s, has died. He was 84.
The Cowboys announced Jordan’s death Saturday without saying when he died or giving a cause of death.
Jordan was a first-round draft pick by Dallas in 1963 after a standout career at Alabama, where he played for Paul “Bear” Bryant.
Jordan was a big part of the “Doomsday” defense that carried the Cowboys to a Super Bowl title in a 24-3 win over the Miami Dolphins during the 1971 season. He retired in 1976, the year before Dallas won its second championship. A five-time Pro Bowler, Jordan was the first player inducted into the team’s ring of honor after Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989.
STM, Southside, Lafayette win at jamboree
Teams get their final preseason tune-up at Kiwanis Jamboree
BY ERIC NARCISSE Staff writer
The 73rd annual Kiwanis Club of Lafayette high school football jamboree held at Comeaux High came to an end on Friday. In the final tune-up for Acadiana-area teams before the regular season kicks off on Thursday, here are five things that stood out from Day 2’s schedule.
STM’S passing game shines
In the offseason, St. Thomas More offensive coordinator Shane Savoie was confident the Cougars passing attack would be much improved in comparison to last season.
And if Friday’s 24-7 victory over the Cecilia Bulldogs is any indication, Savoie may be correct.
Senior quarterback Cole Bergeron was quite impressive, especially on the opening drive when he marched the Cougars down the field and capped it off with a 6-yard touchdown pass to Blake Caillet.
Bergeron, a Virginia Tech commit, was quick, decisive and accurate with the football en route to finishing with 155 yards on 12of-19 passing and three touchdowns. Bergeron’s other two touchdowns were to receiver Christian Breaux, who hauled in scores from 13 and 4 yards out to put the Cougars ahead 21-0 in the first half.
Southside’s rushing has bite
The Southside Sharks want to run the football early and often under coach Jess Curtis, and they did so impressively in their 6-0 win over the Northside Vikings.
As a team, the Sharks rushed for more than 200 yards, led by
during the 73rd
junior running back Justin Williams Williams, who found running lanes hard to come by in the second half against the Vikings, rushed for 95 yards on 18 carries in the game. The majority of his damage came in the first half when he rushed for 73 yards on 10 carries.
In addition to Williams, the Sharks had solid performances in the running game by junior Coby Broussard, who carried the football seven times for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Lafayette High has dynamic duo Lafayette High is in its first season under coach Stephen Hearen, and there’s a lot to like about its offensive attack.
The Lions, who are going to use
two quarterbacks in senior John Carney and junior Richmond Saunier, have two elite playmakers in senior running back Xzaban Williams and receiver Jamieon Brown (two carries for 32 yards, one reception for 16 yards).
Williams was extremely impressive in the Lions’ 16-0 win over Breaux Bridge, as he rushed for 129 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries. Williams had a 40-yard run on third and 21 and a 63-yarder late in the second half.
Northside displays talent
Northside has been a work in progress, but after watching the Vikings against Southside, opponents should avoid taking North-
side lightly Vikings coach Jacarde Carter said he was excited about his team this year, and it is easy to see why Northside has playmakers on offense in sophomore quarterback Jace Dugas and senior receiver Jai Joseph, and on defense with senior linebacker Jekaven Felix and defensive backs Peyton Boyd and Kavin Mouton. Offensively, Joseph showed off his athleticism and big-play potential against the Sharks, hauling in two one-handed catches for 60 yards. His first reception was a 34-yard grab on the Vikings second drive, but his most impressive catch came in the second half when he hauled in a pass over a Sharks defender for a 26-yard gain on third down and 25.
Defensively, the Vikings have a lot to be excited about. Boyd recorded double-digit tackles, and Felix had a big tackle for loss on fourth and 1 from the Sharks 6-yard line.
St. Martin RBs shine
The Cecilia Bulldogs and the Breaux Bridge Tigers both have guys in the backfield they can count on to get them some tough yards in the running game The Bulldogs have a special talent in senior running back/receiver Braylon Calais, while the Tigers have a physical runner in senior Baylon Champagne. Calais had three receptions for 63 yards, while also rushing for 30 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries in the Bulldogs’ 24-7 loss to the Cougars.
Champagne, who went for 5 yards or more on half his carries, finished with 56 yards on eight carries in a 16-0 loss to Lafayette High. Most of Champagne’s damage came in the second half when he rushed for 47 yards on six attempts.
Email Eric Narcisse at enarcisse@theadvocate.com.
Dugas embraced technology to connect athletics
Alumni network is a part of his legacy
Editor’s note: This is part of a series leading into Friday’s UL Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium.
BY DAN MCDONALD
Contributing writer
Ed Dugas accomplished a lot during his 39-year career in public education, including 34 years of service to the university that was called USL during his career Former students and staff members benefitted not only from his wisdom and experience but also from his benevolent nature and inherent desire to help people. He’s still doing all of that as he reaches his 86th birthday but Dugas’ also has a lasting legacy as a volunteer Finding success in that role required him to embrace technology that was foreign to him and most people at the time. Before social media and back
when emails were far from common, Dugas saw a need for a way to allow former Ragin’ Cajuns athletes to locate each other and communicate.
“He asked me what I thought about an alumni directory but just for student-athletes, something where he could gather information and have it where they could find each other,” said John Dugas, his son and a member of the UL athletic staff. “I told him there was this new thing called the internet.”
A quarter-century later, the Athletic Network (athleticnetwork.net) is a far-reaching source of information, with hundreds of thousands of documents, stories, photos and bits of information. It also contains thousands of profiles of Ragin’ Cajuns athletes, coaches, staff, spirit groups and fans, providing an invaluable resource to members of those groups.
“The idea and the plan was simple, but the scope of it was massive,” said the younger Dugas, who is the associate director of facility management for UL athletic facilities. “But he saw opportunity, and I knew at the time that he’s going to work harder than anyone else, and he’s going to see things through.”
Twenty-five years after his “retirement” from his career with the university, the Athletic Network remains his dedication and lasting contribution to the university that has been his passion since he enrolled at USL in 1958. Dugas is being honored for those efforts with induction into the UL Athletics Hall of Fame on Friday There are almost 20,000 profiles on the Athletic Network a number that constantly increases. The information is available free to anyone without restrictions, and any former athlete or member of an athletics-related group can join. Recently, the Network was expanded to welcome profiles of anyone interested in Cajuns athletics as a FAN (Friend of the Athletic Network).
Most of Dugas’ teaching career from 1967-2001 was spent in the department of physical education and kinesiology He served as a department head in physical education, director of graduate studies, and director of student teaching in the College of Education.
“He was already talking about what he was going to do when he retired,” his son said, “and thinking of what he could do that would be of benefit to the univer-
sity That’s how he thinks. He’s not the type that’s going to travel around in an RV
“As long as he was a professor, he resisted all the computer stuff. I told him that anything on paper would be obsolete before the ink was dry, but doing it online made it a living thing. At that minute, I saw the light bulb go off and the wheels start turning. In a very short time, he went from never using a computer to having one on his desk with two monitors so he could work on two things at the same time.”
Mike Spears, a former UL cheerleader who owned Firefly Digital, was instrumental in the original concept, and Ed Dugas eventually went to then-president Ray Authement with the idea in late 2001.
“Dr A kept waiting and finally asked him how much money he needed, and my dad told him none,” John Dugas said “It was the easiest approval ever.”
Liz Landry, also a lifelong USL staff member, helped set up office space and many other necessities, but it was Ed Dugas’ own abilities at networking that made the Athletic Network a success.
The majority of information now on the site passed through his computer at some point.
Panthers to re-sign WR Renfrow, put Coker on
IR
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers are re-signing wide receiver Hunter Renfrow and placing wide receiver Jalen Coker on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury, according to a person familiar with the situation.
Renfrow was with the team throughout minicamps, organized team activities and training camp but did not make the final 53-man roster Since then, the Panthers have traded veteran wideout Adam Thielen to Minnesota, and the injury to Coker opened a spot on the team’s roster for Renfrow
The 29-year-old Renfrow is trying to make a comeback in the NFL after sitting out last season with a severe case of ulcerative colitis.
Giants All-Star reliever set for season-ending surgery SAN FRANCISCO San Francisco Giants All-Star reliever Randy Rodriguez will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, the team said Saturday Last weekend, the Giants placed Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list with a right elbow sprain. The 25-year-old right-hander sought multiple opinions about the injury and was hoping to avoid having surgery before doctors made the recommendation to move forward with the procedure.
Rodriguez had emerged as a valued piece in the Giants’ bullpen this season. He had a 1.78 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings with four saves while helping anchor the back end of San Francisco’s bullpen.
Germany
hoops captain is targeted by racial abuse
TAMPERE, Finland Germany captain Dennis Schröder faced racial abuse during his team’s 107-88 victory over Lithuania at EuroBasket on Saturday, and one fan was banned from attending the rest of the tournament by FIBA officials.
The German Basketball Association said two people were identified as the alleged perpetrators of the abuse and were subsequently ejected from the arena.
“Making monkey noises, that’s something I don’t respect,” Schröder told reporters in German after the game. “No matter what status, insults, that’s all fine. But racism simply doesn’t belong in this sport. That’s something that’s not OK.” Schröder, who is Black, heard the noises while walking to the locker room at halftime.
Sei Young Kim takes lead at FM Championship
NORTON, Mass. — Sei Young Kim traded the stop-and-start rhythm of the rain-delayed FM Championship for a long day Saturday. She shot a 7-under 65 to complete the second round and build a threeshot lead at the halfway point.
Miranda Wang took 10 hours to complete her second round Friday at the TPC Boston because of so many delays that kept half the field from finishing. Kim played only four holes of the second round and then returned Saturday morning to clean conditions She made three straight birdies and then had another stretch of an eagle and two birdies. She finished at 14-under 130, three shots ahead of Wang. Rose Zhang shot 64 and was in third place, four shots behind.
STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP Southside running back Coby Broussard fights for yardage against Northside
annual Kiwanis Jamboree at Comeaux High. Southside won, 6-0.
Dugas
Buckeyes silence Longhorns, Manning
BY JOE REEDY AP sportswriter
COLUMBUS, Ohio
Julian
Sayin had a 40-yard touchdown pass to Carnell Tate early in the fourth quarter, Ohio State got a couple of key stops in the red zone and the third-ranked Buckeyes opened the defense of their national championship with a 14-7 victory over top-ranked Texas on Saturday
It was the fourth time the No. 1 team in the AP preseason poll has met the previous season’s national champion in the opener. The defending champ has won the last three.
“Just a gritty win to start the season,” Ohio State coach Ryan Day said. “We just felt like in Week 1, we didn’t want to beat ourselves. We took that into consideration with everything that we did.”
Arch Manning completed 17 of 30 passes for 170 yards, a touchdown and an interception for the Longhorns. Texas was 1 of 5 on fourth
UL
Continued from page 1C
career touchdown.
The two-point conversion pass was off the mark, and Rice maintained a slim 1412 heading into the fourth quarter UL linebacker Caleb Kibodi helped force another Rice punt, but it was a 56-yarder before a holding penalty backed up UL to its own 8.
The latest dropped pass on third and 4 forced UL to give the ball up. Rice was pretty good at running its new triple option offense in the first half, and the UL defense didn’t have much of an answer for it After two first downs on Rice’sfirstdrive,abig13-yard sack by UL linebacker Terrence Williams forced a punt. Two of the next three
Continued from page 1C
The defense picked up where it left off in the first half, forcing Clemson into a 48-yard field goal attempt that was missed by Nolan Hauser LSU’s attack then quickly took advantage of the miscue, as Nussmeier constructed an eight-play, 69-yard drive that resulted in LSU’s first touchdown of the night.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Aaron Anderson was key in the game-tying drive, catching two passes for 53 yards. Sophomore running back Caden Durham punched in the score from the 2-yard line to even the score Anderson finished with six receptions for 99 yards, leading LSU in both categories.
DurhamwasLSU’stoprusher with 17 carries for 74 yards. LSU nearly took its first lead of the night on its next drive, but a controversial reversed call took six points off the board for LSU. With the help of pressure forced by fifth-year senior edge rusher Patrick Payton, Delane intercepted a high throw from Klubnik
down, including being stopped twice in the red zone. Manning was stuffed at the 1-yard line on fourthand-goal by Caden Curry and Lorenzo Styles Jr on a QB sneak in the third quarter.
The Longhorns were driving for a tying touchdown late in the game but Jack Endries was stopped by Caleb Downs 1 yard short of a first down to end hopes of a comeback.
“Ultimately, not good enough. Obviously you don’t want to start off the season 0-1,” Manning said. “They’re a good team. I thought we beat ourselves a lot, and that starts with me. I’ve got to play better for us to win.”
Sayin was 13 of 20 passing for 126 yards. His best pass of the day came with 13:08 remaining in the game, when Tate beat Texas cornerback Jaylon Guilbeau for the long score. Tate juggled the ball before pulling it down in the end zone to put the Buckeyes up by two touchdowns.
drives resulted in touchdowns for the visiting Owls.
The first one was a 13-play 72-yard march in 6:24. Quinton Jackson had 27 yards on five carries on the drive, including a 1-yard touchdown run for a 7-3 lead with 14:34 left in the second quarter Jackson rushed for 67 yards on 14 carries in the first half and finished with 119 yards on 22 carries.
The second scoring drive was an eight-play, 66-yarder in 3:59 for a 14-3 lead. A 23yard completion to Drayden Dirkmann fueled the drive that ended with a 17-yard touchdown run from Aaron Turner with 3:38 left Offensively, UL overcame a holding flag and an intentional grounding miscue to get a 47-yard field goal from Tony Sternerfora3-0leadwith6:04 left in the opening quarter
The second drive ended quickly with Jack Kane’s in-
on Clemson’s ensuing drive, handing the ball to LSU at its own 46-yard line. Nussmeier led LSU into Clemson territory and had appeared to give LSU the lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass to senior Barion Brown. But after a replay review, the pass was ruled incomplete, and the drive ended on a missed 46-yard field goal from fifth-year senior Damian Ramos.
LSU had a chance to tie the game or at least cut the Clemson lead to four with 15 seconds remaining in the first half. But instead of kicking a field goal on fourth and 2 at the Clemson 12, coach Brian Kelly used his last timeout and went for it after the break
His aggressiveness, however, didn’t pay off. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Chris Hilton fumbled a screen pass from Nussmeier, handing the ball to Clemson with nine seconds left in the half.
Hilton appeared to be short of the sticks as he was making his way to the ground, even if he hadn’t lost the ball.
Kelly’s decision ultimately left LSU trailing 10-3 at halftime. Hilton’s turnover was
By The Associated Press
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — New quarterback Tommy Castellanos led a punishing rushing attack for Florida State with 78 yards and a touchdown as the Seminoles stunned No. 8 Alabama 31-17 on Saturday, ending the Crimson Tide’s streak of 23 straight wins in season openers Coming off a 2-10 season, Florida State handed a crushing setback to Alabama, which was viewed as a College Football Playoff contender under secondyear coach Kalen DeBoer Students and fans swarmed the field at Doak Campbell Stadium to celebrate the upset by the Seminoles, who were 131/2-point underdogs according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
ed when defensive tackle
Zane Durant intercepted Chubba Purdy’s pass deep in his own end.
CJ Donaldson Jr opened the scoring midway through the second quarter on a 1-yard run up the middle to cap a 13-play 87-yard drive that took eight minutes off the clock. The Buckeyes benefitted from a pair of penalties, including a face mask call on Colin Simmons that wiped out an incomplete pass on third-and-4.
Texas finally got points with 3:28 remaining in the fourth quarter when Manning connected with Parker Livingstone on a 32-yard touchdown.
The Longhorns defense forced a three-and-out, giving Texas a chance to tie.
The Longhorns had their 11-game winning streak in true road games snapped The run included five victories against ranked opponents.
The Buckeyes should take over the top spot in the AP poll after Matt Patricia came up with a great game plan in his first game as the defensive coordinator
terception of a Howard deep pass at the Rice 22.
The Cajuns’ next drive appeared headed for points, but Howard suffered a stripsack to give the Owls the ball at their own 29 to set up the second scoring drive.
UL’s final drive of the first half ended with a 51-yard field goal from Sterner with 26 seconds left before intermission.
The halftime stats weren’t pretty with the Owls doubling UL 180-90 in yardage behind 144 yards rushing. The UL running game was limited to 33 yards on 14 carries.
Howard was sacked three times in the first half and Rice held the time of possession edge 18:26 to 11:34.
Howard finished the half 8-of-13 passing for 57 yards with an interception. Only Sampson had more than one reception with three for 34 yards.
LSU’s second of the first half. With under 10 minutes to play in the first quarter, fifth-year senior tight end Bauer Sharp fumbled the ball away It was forced out by cornerback Avieon Terrell and recovered by safety Ricardo Jones and returned for 24 yards to the LSU 24.
The mistake resulted in a 42-yard field goal from Hauser that gave Clemson an early 3-0 lead. Despite the early miscues, LSU finished the half with 67 more total yards. It outgained the hosts through the air and on the ground, outgaining Clemson 65-19 in the run game. LSU earned an extra five first downs.
LSU’s only points of the first half were the result of a 52-yard field goal from Ramos with 10:53 remaining in the half. The long boot was the longest kick of Ramos’ career, beating his previous high of 50 yards. However, while LSU’s offense struggled to finish drives, its defense excelled. LSU held Clemson to just one third-down conversion and held the hosts to just 3.9 yards per play in the first half.
Under new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn who spent eight seasons as Auburn’s head coach — Florida State was physical from the start, finishing with 230 rushing yards and averaging 4.7 yards per carry The Seminoles averaged just 89.9 yards during their disastrous 2024 season.
No. 7 OREGON 59, MONTANA STATE 13: In Eugene, Oregon, Dante Moore started at quarterback for No 7 Oregon and threw for 213 yards with three touchdowns, and the Ducks routed FCS power Montana State in the opener for both teams.
It was widely assumed that Moore — Dillon Gabriel’s understudy last season — would be the Ducks’ quarterback this season but coach Dan Lanning did not publicly name a starter before the first game.
True freshman Jordan Davison rushed for 26 yards and three touchdowns and Malik Benson caught five passes for 51 yards and a score for the defending Big Ten champion Ducks, who built a 38-3 lead by halftime.
Justin Lamson, who spent the last two seasons at Stanford, threw for 198 yards for Montana State. The defending Big Sky champion Bobcats are trying to replace star quarterback Tommy Mellott after falling to North Dakota State last season in the FCS title game.
No. 2 PENN STATE 46, NEVADA 11: In State College, Pennsylvania, Nicholas Singleton ran for two touchdowns, Penn State forced three turnovers and the Nittany Lions pulled away to beat Nevada in the opener for both teams.
Singleton capped Penn State’s opening possession with a 1-yard run then scored on another short plunge early in the third quarter. Kayton Allen cut around the defense for a 13-yard score in the second.
Nevada had already selfdestructed by then.
Penn State cornerback AJ Harris recovered Ky Woods’ fumble to spoil the Wolf Pack’s opening drive Their next possession end-
Ryan Barker kicked four field goals for the Nittany Lions, who led 27-3 at halftime after Kyron Hudson hauled in a 31-yard touchdown pass from Drew Allar with 23 seconds left in the second quarter Hudson caught six passes for 89 yards, and Trebor Peña added seven for 74.
Penn State outgained Nevada 436-203 and held the Wolf Pack to 78 rushing yards. Fifty of Nevada’s yards came on its final possession.
NO 5 GEORGIA 45, MARSHALL
7: In Athens, Georgia, Gunner Stockton enjoyed a promising start to his first full season as Georgia’s starting quarterback, running for two touchdowns and adding two scoring passes as the Bulldogs rolled past Marshall in their season opener Stockton, a junior, had scoring runs of 13 and 11 yards. He completed 14 of 24 passes for 190 yards and ran for 73 yards.
Zachariah Branch, a transfer from Southern California, had three catches for 95 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown. Stockton added a 2-yard scoring pass to London Humphreys. Backup Ryan Puglisi threw a 23-yard scoring pass to Elyiss Williams.
No. 20 INDIANA 27, OLD DOMINION 14: In Bloomington, Indiana, Fernando Mendoza scored on a 5-yard run in his debut as Indiana’s quarterback, Jonathan Brady returned a punt 91 yards for a score, and the Hoosiers wore down Old Dominion in a season-opening victory Mendoza, the starter at California last season, finished 18 of 31 for 193 yards and ran six times for 34 yards. His TD run late in the first half gave the Hoosiers a 17-7 lead.
Indiana’s 309-yard rushing attack was led by Maryland transfer Roman Hemby, who had 23 carries for 110 yards. Kaelon Black added 92 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
Indiana won its ninth straight home game to improve to 9-0 at Memorial Stadium under secondyear coach Curt Cignetti but not without some
stress. Indiana scored just 20 points — two touchdowns and two field goals on six trips inside the Old Dominion 10-yard line. The Hoosiers turned it over on downs the other two times. No. 22 IOWA STATE 55, SOUTH DAKOTA 7: In Ames, Iowa, Rocco Becht threw for 278 yards and three touchdowns, two to tight end Benjamin Brahmer, and Iowa State defeated South Dakota.
Iowa State (2-0), which beat Kansas State 24-21 in Ireland last week, opened with back-to-back wins for the fourth time under coach Matt Campbell. Becht completed his first 14 passes and finished 19 for 20, a school-record 95%. He threw a touchdown pass in a programrecord 20th straight game Kyle Konrardy set the school record for longest field goal with a 63-yarder as time expired in the first half. Konrardy’s kick was second-longest in Big 12 history behind Martin Gramatica’s 65-yarder for Kansas State in 1998. Brahamer caught seven balls for 47 yards and tight end Gabe Burkle had four catches for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Iowa State’s Dylan Lee led all rushers with 81 yards and a touchdown, all in the second half. No. 24 TENNESSEE 45, SYRACUSE 26: In Atlanta, Georgia, Joey Aguilar passed for 247 yards and three touchdowns, and Tennessee held off Syracuse for a win on Saturday Aguilar was 16-for-28 passing in his first game with the Volunteers. He threw a 73-yard touchdown pass to Braylon Staley in the second quarter and found Star Thomas for a 7-yard TD in the third. He also helped close out the win when he passed to Miles Kitselman for a 2-yard TD in the fourth. “I came prepared,” Aguilar said. “I go into every game cool, calm and collected. I have a little mellow flow to me. I get excited, obviously (on) good plays but I don’t get too down on bad plays. Everybody looks to me on the team so I keep that composure and keep going.” Thomas also had 92 yards on 12 carries for Tennessee, which opened a 38-14 lead in the third. DeSean Bishop and Peyton Lewis each rushed for a TD.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAy LAPRETE
Ohio State defensive lineman Caden Curry celebrates the Buckeyes’ win over Texas on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio.
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By PHELAN M. EBENHACK
Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos scores on a 9-yard rushing touchdown past Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson on Saturday in Tallahassee, Fla.
(Verlander 2-10), 3:05 p.m. Arizona (Pfaadt 12-8) at L.A. Dodgers (Yamamoto 11-8), 3:10 p.m. Atlanta (Waldrep 4-0) at Philadelphia (Luzardo 12-6), 6:10 p.m. Tennis
US Open Results
Saturday At USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center New York Purse: $31,620,000 Surface: Hardcourt outdoor Results Saturday from US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (seedings in parentheses): Men’s Singles Third Round Lorenzo Musetti (10), Italy, def. Flavio Cobolli (24), Italy, 6-3, 6-2, 2-0, ret. Jaume Munar, Spain, def. Zizou Bergs, Belgium, 6-1, 6-4, 6-4. Leandro Riedi, Switzerland, def. Kamil Majchrzak, Poland, 5-3, ret. Jannik Sinner (1), Italy, def. Denis Shapovalov (27), Canada, 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. Andrey Rublev (15), Russia, def. Coleman Wong, Hong Kong, China, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3. Women’s Singles Third Round Coco Gauff (3), United States, def. Magdalena Frech (28), Poland, 6-3, 6-1. Karolina Muchova (11), Czechia, def. Linda Noskova (21), Czechia, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-2. Naomi Osaka (23), Japan, def. Daria Kasatkina (15), Russia, 6-0, 4-6, 6-3. Marta Kostyuk (27), Ukraine, def. Diane Parry, France, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2. Ekaterina Alexandrova (13), Russia, def. Laura Siegemund, Germany, 6-0, 6-1. Men’s Doubles First Round Marcel Granollers, Spain, and Horacio Zebal-
Get ready for Gauff vs. Osaka at the U.S. Open
BY HOWARD FENDRICH
NEW YORK Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka set up a high-profile showdown between two past title winners in the U.S Open’s fourth round with victories Saturday
“Everyone will be watching,” Venus Williams said. “That’s what tennis needs.
Their meeting on Monday, with a quarterfinal berth at stake, is a rematch from 2019, when Gauff was a 15-year-old making her main-draw debut at Flushing Meadows and Osaka was the reigning champion.
Osaka won that one in straight sets, then consoled a teary Gauff on the sideline and encouraged her to speak to an Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd that was pulling for the young American “I kind of see her as a little sister,” Osaka said Saturday, “so it’s kind of cool to be playing her here again.”
She advanced to her first fourth-round match at any major since the 2021 Australian Open by eliminating No. 15 seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 at Louis Armstrong Stadium, after Gauff made it that far at the U.S. Open for the fourth consecutive year with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 28 Magdalena Frech at Ashe.
“It’s been a really long journey,” Osaka said during her on-court interview, “but I’m glad to be here now.” Osaka, who was born in Japan and moved with her family to the United States as a kid, joked to the Armstrong fans: “Can somebody come to the match and cheer for me? It’s kind of tough playing an American here, but I hope you guys adopted me, as well.”
So much has happened to both Osaka and Gauff since that headline-worthy encounter six years ago in New York.
The No. 3-seeded Gauff, 21, is now a twotime Grand Slam champ, including at the U.S. Open in 2023, and a real star No. 23 Osaka, 27, owns four major titles — including at the U.S. Open in 2018 and 2020 and has been ranked No. 1. She was among the athletes at the forefront of conversations about mental health, opening up at the 2021 French Open about dealing with anxiety and depression, then taking a series of breaks from the tour
“Naomi and I, we aren’t super close or anything, but we’re definitely friendly with each other,” Gauff said. “I support her from afar in all the things that she’s done — on and off the court.”
Gauff has won three of their four head-tohead matches since that unforgettable night in Ashe.
“I remember it was a tough moment for me,
ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KIRSTy WIGGLESWORTH Coco Gauff, of the United States, waves after winning the match against Magdalena Frech, of Poland, during the third round of the U.S. Open on Saturday in New york.
because it was a hyped-up match. I guess I put way too much pressure on myself, thinking I maybe had a chance in that moment to actually do something, which I definitely did, but I think it was just I felt more expectation than I should than maybe belief,” Gauff said.
“It would be a cool, kind of, deja vu type of situation,” Gauff said Saturday, “but hopefully it will be a different result.”
Venus Williams reaches 3rd round of doubles
Williams and Leylah Fernandez reached the third round of women’s doubles with a 7-6 (1), 6-1 win over Ulrikke Eikeri and Eri Hozumi.
The 45-year-old Williams is playing doubles at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time since 2022.
What happened at the US Open on Saturday? No. 1 Jannik Sinner dropped a set in New York for the first time since last year’s quarterfinals but righted himself for a 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over No. 27 Denis
Shapovalov Other men moving on included No. 10 Lorenzo Musetti, whose opponent in an all-Italian match, No. 23 Flavio Cobolli, stopped because of a painful right arm. Women into the fourth round included No. 11 Karolina Muchova a U.S. Open semifinalist in 2023 and 2024 and the woman who beat Williams in the first round this year and No. 27 Marta Kostyuk
Who is playing Sunday at Flushing Meadows?
Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula are among the players who will be attempting to reach the quarterfinals by winning Sunday
los (5), Argentina, def. Miomir Kecmanovic and Hamad Medjedovic, Serbia, 6-3, 7-6 (2). Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni (10), Argentina, def. Santiago Gonzalez, Mexico, and Austin Krajicek, United States, 6-1, 6-4. Adam Pavlasek, Czechia, and Jan Zielinski, Poland, def. Ariel Behar, Uruguay, and Joran Vliegen, Belgium, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2). Robert Cash and James Tracy, United States, def. Rohan Bopanna, India, and Romain Arneodo, Monaco, 6-4, 6-3. Jean-Julien Rojer, Netherlands, and Cleeve Harper, Canada, def. Benjamin Bonzi and Theo Arribage, France, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (6). Albano Olivetti, France, and Orlando Luz, Brazil, def. Adrian Mannarino, France, and Emil Ruusuvuori, Finland, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Lucas Miedler, Austria, and Francisco Cabral (12), Portugal, def. Nicolas Barrientos, Colombia, and Nathaniel Lammons, United States, 7-6 (6), 6-4. Cooper Williams and Theodore Winegar, United States, def. Patrik Rikl and Petr Nouza, Czechia, 7-6 (7), 6-4. Kevin Krawietz and Tim Putz (4), Germany def. Nicolas Mahut and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, France, 7-6 (4), 7-5. Robin Haase, Netherlands, and Constantin Frantzen, Germany, def. Harri Heliovaara, Finland, and Henry Patten (3), Britain, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (9), 7-5. Matej Vocel and Tomas Machac, Czechia, def. Matthew Christopher Romios, Australia, and Ryan Seggerman, United States, 7-6 (13), 5-7, 6-3. Mate Pavic, Croatia, and Marcelo ArevaloGonzalez (2), El Salvador, def. Diego Hidalgo, Ecuador, and Arjun Kadhe, India, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-4. Women’s Doubles Second Round Timea Babos, Hungary, and Luisa Stefani (11), Brazil, def. Clervie Ngounoue and Iva Jovic, United States, 6-4, 6-4. Xu Yifan and Zhaoxuan Yang, China, def Alexandra Panova, Russia, and Hanyu Guo (8), China, 6-2, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Veronika Kudermetova, Russia, and Elise Mertens (4), Belgium, def. Reese Brantmeier and Alanis Hamilton, United States, 6-3, 6-1. Venus Williams, United States, and Leylah Annie Fernandez, Canada, def. Ulrikke Eikeri, Norway, and Eri Hozumi, Japan, 7-6 (1), 6-1. Taylor Townsend, United States, and Katerina Siniakova (1), Czechia, def. Dayana Yastremska, Ukraine, and Alycia Parks, United States, 6-3, 6-3. Diana Shnaider and Mirra Andreeva (5), Russia, def. Storm Hunter, Australia, and Desirae Krawczyk, United States, 6-1, 6-3. Shuko Aoyama, Japan, and Wang Yafan, China, def. Viktorija Golubic, Switzerland, and Ann Li, United States, 6-1, 6-3.
College football
Friday’s games
EAST Rhode Island 31, Campbell 20 Tarleton St. 30, Army 27 Monmouth (NJ) 42, Colgate 39 Marist 31, New Haven 14 SOUTH
DannyHeitman AT RANDOM
In thecoming century, world mightneed NewOrleans more than ever
After Hurricane Katrina struck Louisiana 20 years ago, my wife joined many others in working full-time to help the state recover.She recently gathered in New Orleans with former colleagues from that sad, twisted time to remember what was lost, what was reclaimed, and what still needsto be done two decades after that epic tragedy On the morning of the reunion, Ispotted aphoto in The New York Times of ayoung man reading “A Confederacy of Dunces,” John Kennedy Toole’scomic novel aboutoddball Ignatius J. Reilly’smisadventuresinthe Crescent City. When Ifirst read “Dunces” many years ago,Iwondered if people beyond New Orleans would grasp its strange local vibe. But as Icame to understand, readers everywhere loved the story because of not in spite of —its peculiar New Orleans sensibility. Toole knew how the city’spageant of cultures tends to refract reality abit, revealing colors not normally visible in other places. This aspect of New Orleans, quickly felt, though not easily explained, was lostonthe cynics who wondered in 2005 whether the city should be rebuilt. There were many practical reasons to bring back New Orleans, but the true value of the city,its vibrant civic identity,defiesthe dry logic of ledger sheets.
Iwas stillthinking about all of this when we visited The Bell on Esplanade Avenuefor lunch. It’sacharming homage to aBritish pub, reimagined with aNew Orleans spin.I tackled the fisherman’spie, aclassic British dishthat’s been newly interpreted with Louisiana shrimp. The culinary mashup reminded me of what New Orleans does best: mixing myriad cultural traditions into something truly new We followed lunch with coffee down the street at Le Ponce, aFrench café and bakery where we sipped away another hour within walls that doubled as an impromptu art gallery. The city outside was its own painted landscape. Oaks yawned acrossthe avenue, and flowers spilled from old iron gates, beauty breaking through ruin with an insistence that seemed like resolve
The city’sresolve continues to be tested. Housing affordability and public education frustrate economic growth, and political intrigues at City Hall are adragonprogress,
ä See AT RANDOM, page 4D
BY JULIA GUILBEAU
Staff writer
Ahost of Biloxi restaurants along the Mississippi GulfCoast were recently honored for having some of the world’sbest wine selections, landing on Wine Spectator’slist of award winners for 2025. While amajority of the seven recipients have received accolades from the wine and lifestyle magazine for decades, one newcomer emerged this year,earning
Considering her glamorous position at the start of Hollywood classic films, you might assume that Columbia Pictures’ lady with atorch had pure Hollywood heritage. But the Columbia logo comes from right here in New Orleans. The fact is, the goddess-like symbol of the century-old movie studio wasmodeled on a pregnant Times-Picayune
Jan Risher
Four years in, the Postcard Project still feels fresh.These tiny missives hold so much joy,hope and community —strangers becoming partofthe samestory.
Each card of the 267 cards received is a tangiblereminder of the beauty of the physical in adigital age, and every time Iread oneI’m reminded that astranger,afriend or afar-off reader thought enough to pause their life, pick up acard and share alittle piece of themselves.
This year,asofearlier this week, we had received postcards from all 50 states —the last beingWest Virginia —and 29 countries includingAustralia, Borneo, CostaRica and more.
PamBaldwin wrote last week to say that she had mailed postcards from three other countries, Greece, Albania and Montenegro, but who knows how long it will take those postcardstoarrive.
The Postcard Project has only deepened the mysteries of the mail. Onepostcard mailed from France reached us in amatter of days. Another from Italy took 10 weeks to arrive —why one arrivesindays and another in months is amystery we’ll never solve.
More this summer than in previous years, peoplewrote that postcards are increasingly difficulttofind. And yet,they persevered. In Morgantown, West Virginia, Amber BrugnoliOhara had to visit eight different places before she found apostcard to send.
“No wonder no one has sent one yet! I need to tell thestate tourism board to print some or something, because that’scrazy,” shewrote. “Even hotel gift shops didn’thave any!” Still, she persisted —the kind of effort that is alittle metaphor for thewhole project.
In place of traditional store-bought postcards, some people sent hand painted, homeprintedand other atypical postcards. Martha Williams, of Hattiesburg, Mississippi,sent apostcardthat is asample of brightly colored fabrics quilted together and sewn onto apostcard, mailed with aregular stamp. Danny Wheeler,ofRiver Ridge, Louisiana, painted abucolic watercolor landscape and
recognition for its deep cellars andselection of Californiaand French wines. Coraline’s, located in the Beau Rivage Hoteland Casino, joinedBRPrime steakhouse, Jia, Stalla ItalianKitchen, Morton’sand White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge forthe first time,receivinganAward of Excellence in this year’srankings —honoring restaurants that offermorethan 90wineselections from top producers. But it was IP Casino Resort Spa’sthirty-two steak-
A postcard from Australia
in
house that remained astep above the rest, earning the BestofAward of Excellence for the12th year in arow
The designation, anotch ahead of theAward of Excellence, is given to restaurants that typically offer 350 or moreselections of wine spanning across numerouswine-growingregions Thirty-two offers over 740 wine labels from across the globe, including manymade in France, Italy, Spainand Germany,according to arestaurant spokesperson.
sent it off withaForever stamp (now 78 cents). These days, aregular sized postcard costs 61 cents to mail. I’ve kept Wheeler’sbeautiful painting at mydesk by my computer throughout this year’sPostcard Project—areminder of how amazing people can be Patricia Mann,ofBaton Rouge, visited her daughter who lives in Paris. She wrote, “Most places are not air-conditioned andithas been in the 90s. Feels like hometemps. Ihavebeen accomplishing my goal of eating anew kind of pastry daily.Oooh la la. Bread, cheese, wine and pastry! Bon appétit!”
ä See POSTCARDS, page 4D
Each year,Wine Spectator releases itsannual award rankings for thousands of restaurantsacross theglobe. Over 2,000 winners were selected for the 2025 Award of Excellence and over 1,700 restaurants received the BestofAward. Just under 100 restaurants in the world weregiven the magazine’shighest honor theGrand Award.
Email Julia Guilbeau at jguilbeau@theadvocate. com.
the country’smost sought-after illustrators, got the job. Deaswas born in 1956 and grew up, in part, in NewOrleans. He studied art at the renowned Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and taught forafew years at the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan before heading south and settling in the French Quarter As ayoung artist, he made aliving as an advertising ä See LOGO, page 4D
STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS
Denny Wheeler,from River Ridge, hand-painted this watercolor postcard.
FILE PHOTO By KATHyANDERSON JennyJohnson poses fora reference photo to be used by illustrator Michael Deas as he painted the Columbia Pictures logo
1992.
‘Afterlife’looks at howauthors’ work liveson
Andmanytimes,
that work is incomplete
BY DOUG GRAHAM Staff writer
“Afterlife: The StrangeFate of LiteraryRemains,” by David Wyatt,Louisiana State University Press, 252 pages
Unlike many other forms of art, works of literature never seem to rest.
Can you imagine if someone decided to tweak the smile on the Mona Lisa? Or add a pair of boxer shorts to Michelangelo’s David (although some have tried)? The only comparable art form that undergoes regular change after its release to thepublic is film, but those alterationsare less common, unless George Lucas is involved.
Publishing the written word has always been afluid exercise, going from the author to an editor or two —ormore before finding its way to the printing press, or now awebsite. And this creative process cancontinue even after the author has passed this life.
AuthorDavid Wyatt explores this sometimes winding roadtopublication in “Afterlife: The Strange Fate of Literary Remains.”
He examines how anumber of famous works found their way to the page, sometimes with no input from the author at all.
Hemingway
When Ernest Hemingway died by suicide in July 1961, his work after World War II had been described as a“faltering career,” Wyatt writes. However,his wife Mary found atrove of unpublished manuscripts that contained what would become books, including “A Movable Feast,” “Islands in the Stream,” and “The Garden of Eden.” Each was shaped by editors, as Wyatt points out that Hemingway did not see most of the works as finished products. Put together,they shift the perception of Hemingway’s creative output in the last 15 years of his life intoa differentlight, accordingto Wyatt. The works of Emily Dickinson found similarlife, although none of the poet’s works had been published before her death in 1886. Wyatt tells of the battle over Dickinson’swork, known as the “War Between the Houses,” involving differing sides of her family.This led to her skirmishes over publishing her work, including hundreds of poems, akerfuffle that continued into the digital age. Another problem with publishing Dickinson’swork was that no one seemed tobe able to decipher the series of dashes that servedasmany forms of punctuation in her
work, which made it difficult to translatethemto the print page. This hasled tosome tomesthat feature photographic facsimiles of her originalmanuscripts. No debates over editing needed there.
Otherauthors featured in Wyatt’s book were simply unable tolet go of their work or find asatisfying conclusion before they died.
Of course, writers are their own editors, going backover their work to revise passages and add details, much like we rework memories in our minds. English poet William Wordsworth began his poem “The Prelude” when he was 28 years old, expanding it over the years, altering some parts as he aged and grew anew perspective. Thefinal version of “The Prelude” was published three months after Wordsworth’s deathin1850, and Wyatt describes how scholars have pored over the hundreds of pages ever since, developing new editions using different versions of the author’s words put on the page over the years.
For Ralph Ellison, completing his follow-up to “Invisible Man,” for which he became the first Black author to win the U.S. NationalBook Award for Fiction in 1953, proved to be an impossibletask. Although he wrotethousands of pages and spent years agonizing over the work, he was unable to completeit, Wyatt writes.
Apparently, the fast-changing worldkept outpacing the themeshewas trying to address. Parts of his would-be novel have been published in different forms, but the authorwas never able towrite the coda himself.
In addition to discussing the editing decisions thatwent into these publications, Wyatt takesthe time to describe them, so areader unfamiliar with aparticular author’s works can get asense of their meaning and impact.His analysis of the differing versions of WilliamShakespeare’s “King Lear” goes far deeper thanwhat anyone would gatherfrom apresentation on page or stage.
For those who love the writtenword, “Afterlife” offers abehind-the-scenes look that deepens appreciation of how these works were created and recreated.
Email Doug Graham at doug. graham@theadvocate.com.
‘KingofZydeco’
alove story to southwestLa.
Book divesintolife of musicmaster CliftonChenier
BY GERALDINE WYCKOFF
Contributingwriter
“The King of Zydeco: The Life, Music, and Legacy of Clifton Chenier,’”byTodd Mouton, 207 pages
Avid fans of the late, great accordionist, vocalist, composer and innovator Clifton Chenier will surely savor therich mix of musical, factual and quotable ingredients in “The King of Zydeco.” The carefully researched biography’svivid tellingofChenier’s rise from his southwest Louisiana country roots to international royaltyoffers plenty of tasty bits for acasual music enthusiast as well. Few could resist first checking out the black-and-white snapshotsofChenier and the many old-school posters advertising his gigs, as well as pictures of 45 rpmsscattered throughout “The King of Zydeco: The Life, Music and Legacy of Clifton Chenier.”
Included are many photos of the always smiling Chenier,strapped into his beautiful, hefty,keyboard-style, chromatic accordion, either alone or with his older brother and frottier (rubboard) man Cleveland Chenier,plus those that capture him fronting his bands during his almost fourdecade-long career.The visuals are both an appetizer and the hot sauce for the narrative to come.
Author Todd Mouton, ajournalist and musician with many impressive credits in boosting themusic of southwest Louisiana, dug deeply for some20years to follow thetrail blazed by Chenier during his creation of the vibrant hybrid of blues, Cajun, R&B, country and soul that came together as zydeco music.
Mouton relied on recorded interviews with Chenier,band members, record producers, artists who felt Chenier’sinfluence, including membersofthe Rolling Stones, plus manymore from an
array of musical genres
As it turned out, the book was published right on time to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chenier’sbirth on June 25, 1925. He passed away Dec. 12, 1987. Rulerofthe zydeco nation
Chenier eventually and rightfully ruled the zydeco nation. He went on to earn aGrammy and aLifetime Achievement Award from theorganization, and he was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.
Through Mouton’sextensive research, readers learn just how hard he worked forit. The road was rough when Chenier and his band packed his van, pulling a trailer full of equipment to leave his homestate of Louisiana and head to California.
There, manyex-residents of the Bayou Statewere eager to hear themusic of theirmemories and hearts.
The ruts along the way were due not onlytothe dirt roads and bumpy pavement but the presence of JimCrow.Never deterred, Chenier on arrival would jump on abandstand and play his now legendary marathon-length shows withouttaking abreak. His love of the music and determination to succeed drove him to spread his nameand zydeco music around the globe.
At Chenier’sfirst appearance at the 1970 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, which was held in CongoSquare, jazz archi-
v i s C t e b C d t Di
th C so m si in Li ac w
lea
ist Dick Allen scored an amusnginterview.Chenier,who poke both English and French reole, attempted to define what heword zydeco meant. “Zydeco n pas sale is no salt in my snap eans. Yousee, it’sthat simple,” henier explained, as he unoubtedly had hundreds, if not housands of times. ggingintoChenier’s history Audiophiles will appreciate e in-depth information on henier’salbums: labels, dates, nglists and the names of the embers of each band. In amore mplified approach, Mouton also cludes anumber of “Suggested stening” pages that offer easy cess forthose ready to hear hat they’ve been reading about. Chenier’slinks to NewOrleans werealways solid and perhaps never moreevident than revealed on his first big hit, the 1955 single on Specialty Records,“Eh, Petite Fille.” Mouton traces the mystery of its origins to the legendary Professor Longhair,Henry Roeland Byrd, and his song “Hey Little Girl,” recorded in 1949, though it wasn’treleased until twoyears later on Atlantic Deluxe. “(T)he tune seemstohave traveled a fewmiles before Clifton reinterpreted it,” Mouton writes.
An eye-opening, or perhaps better stated, an ear-opening fact that rhythm and blues icon, the great vocalist Etta James traveled with Chenier’sband for about ayear when she wasstill underage. “I met Etta James in 1955,” Chenier remembered, “Her namewas Etta, but Icall her Eddie. Oh, yes.”
James once recalled when the police pulled Chenier and company over because they thought she wasaWhite woman. She had to pull somepapers out and say to the cops, “No, I’mnoWhite woman. I’mcolored.”
“The King of Zydeco —The Life, Music and Legacy of Clifton Chenier” is alove story celebrating the rhythm and soul that thundered from the master’s gorgeous accordion and shone as brightly as the sparkling diamondset in his front tooth.
Contact GeraldineWyckoffat gwnomusic@yahoo.com.
PHOTO By MICHAEL P. SMITH |THE HISTORIC NEWORLEANS COLLECTION
Cleveland Chenier,B.B.King,and Clifton Chenierperformatthe NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival in 1972.
TRAVEL
More underrated La.museums that areworth thetrip
Stay cool indoors at these5stops
Staff report
We surveyed our editorialstaff, asking for their thoughts on underrated museums across Louisiana —and they delivered. Enjoy the second installment of recommendations below:
Here are 5underrated Louisiana museums worth discovering, according to our staff.
TheLouisianaCountry Music Museum
1260 La. 1221, Marthaville
The Louisiana Country Music Museumis astate-of-the-art venue featuring memorabilia from the early days of country,gospel, theradio era and to modern day Peruse musical instruments, household objects, Johnny Horton’sgold record for “Battleof NewOrleans,” Hank Williams Jr.’sshirt and more. Outside the museum is an equally state-ofthe-art amphitheater that has hosted concerts by countrymusic legends.
The museum is located seemingly in the middle of nowhere in the Rebel State Historic Site in Marthaville, about 20 miles directly west of Natchitoches. Instead of turning toward Natchitochesonce you exit Interstate 49, you turn the opposite way. The grounds feature apicnic area and two shortnature trails. Check out the schedule for live performances of both local and national artists, and the popular annual fiddling championship There is asmall entrance fee. Free for seniors and kids 12 and under —Robin Miller DeltaMusic Museum
218 Louisiana Ave., Ferriday
The Delta Music Museum is located in downtownFerriday and is free to the public.
The museum holds the distinction as the first Louisianalocation marked with aMississippi Blues Trail designation. The museum currently showcases 29 artists from musical genres of blues,
TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER
By ChristopherElliott
soul, gospel andcountry
Duringthe 1950s, these genres would convergeinthe deltato create thenew sound of rock ’n’ roll androckabilly music. The space also includes atheater called “TheArcade,” alandmark movietheater converted into a250-person performance hall available for rent.
Visit the museum Thursday through Saturdayfrom 9a.m. to 4p.m.— Margaret DeLaney Frogmore Plantation andGins 11656 U.S.84, Ferriday Cotton was considered “king” in Louisiana primarily during the 19th century and early 20th century,especially flourishing between approximately 1820 and 1930. During this time, cotton was
thedominant crop in the northern part of the state and formed thebackbone of the regional economy Historical cotton and plantation culture are thestories told at Frogmore Plantation. An 1800acre working cotton plantation, Frogmorehas 19 restored antebellum structures that date from theearly 1800s. Alongwith the history of the early Natchez planters and their slaves, thetour includes arare Smithsonian-qualitysteam cotton gin and then contrasts the historical methodswith modern-day planting, harvesting and computerized ginning of cotton.
The tourbegins upon arrival and is fully guided through eight historical buildings.
The guides tell of the evolution of change beginning in the 1790s through the warthat created the lifestyle called sharecropping.
As of 2025, approximately 110,000 acres of cotton are planted in the state of Louisiana, which is reportedasthe smallest cotton crop on record forthe state and represents abouta30% decline from theprevious year —John Ballance.
TheGermantown Colony and Museum
200 Museum Road, Minden Germantown was the earliest religious communal settlement in Louisiana.
It was founded in 1836 by Germans, adherents to ideas of reli-
gious leader Maximilian Ludwig (1788-1834), the “Count of Leon”, and it lasted as acommune until 1871.
Itsfounding wasled by Elisa Leon, the “Countess of Leon,” widow of Maximilian Ludwig. In the colony,all property was owned in common and observance of religious principles was required.
Though the colony wasnot very large —only about 35 people —it worked together and prospered.
Germantownonce had numerous houses, barns, stores and shops, as well as akitchen-dining hall and a“bachelor’shall.” The historic buildings are mostly gone.
The listing included just two contributing buildings: Countess Leon’shome and the kitchen-dining hall, both built of hewnlogs with dovetailing at their corners.
The kitchen-dining hall has a dry-walled stone cellar and an adjacent frame shack. Many windowshave been replaced, and none of the porches are original.
These surviving historic buildings, and sympathetic rustic others, still “convey in their crude and primitive character something of the lifestyle of the Germantown settlers.”
The site, several miles off U.S. 79 and about 9miles north of Interstate 20, continues to be operated as amuseum —Robin Miller
Shreveport WaterWorks Museum
142 N. Common St., Shreveport
The McNeill Street Water TreatmentPlant was constructed in 1887 as the original water works forthe city of Shreveport. It wasthe second water works built in Louisiana and one of the first in the post-Civil WarSouth. As the last knownsteam-powered municipal water treatment plant in the United States, its steam engines werefinally retired in 1980. The site is now anational historic landmark.
The Shreveport Water Works Museum is open from 10 a.m. until 4p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and from noon through 4p.m. on Sunday Jan Risher
Budget airlineovercharged forluggage before boarding
Iwas flying from Denver to Orlando on Frontier Airlines. Iprepaid for my checked luggage
Christopher Elliott
Ionly had one carry-on bag and asmall personal item, both of which were within the size limits. But when Ichecked my bags, Frontier charged me anextra $220. Ihad to pay twice for the same bags. Irequested arefund, but Frontier will only give me credit thatexpires within ayear.I don’t want credit with Frontier,I want my money back.This ishorrible customer service! Ishouldbeabletoget a refund, right? Can you help me with this? Allison Sanders, Hannibal, Missouri Frontier Airlines shouldhave
honored its agreement with you. Youprepaid foryour luggage through your online travel agency,but for some reason,the ticketagent charged you for it again. And it looks like Frontier charged you the more expensive rate for checking luggage the same day —itdiscountsits luggage rates if you prepay Frontier incentivizes its agents to collect as many luggage fees as possible (to enhance theairline’s profits) but sometimes they take it toofar In this case, itappearsthe agent didn’tsee your prepaid luggageand charged you again. Based on the correspondence betweenyou and Frontier,itlooks
like theairline found theerror but then offered you acredit This is standardoperating procedureatFrontier.Airlines particularly budget carriers like Frontier —try to avoid giving you arefund. They would prefer to offer an expiring ticket credit. Why? Because they know you there’s achance you won’tuse it.But I digress.
It looks like you were going back and forth with Frontier’s online customer service agents. It’sfine to do that to start, but when you keep getting thesame answer over and over,you have to appeal. Youcan find contact information for Frontier Airlines
executives on my consumer advocacy website, Elliott.org. A brief, polite emailtoone of them would have helped. (I know the CEO answershis emails personally.)
Your case illustrates the problem withthese so-called ultralow-farecarriers.
They charge youlessupfront but make it up laterwith extra charges. And as you now know, they’re notshy aboutbilling you —orabout keeping your money when they make amistake. Interestingly,these discount carriers are fighting forsurvival as people start to understand that theprices they’re being quoted are not the prices theyend up paying.
If FrontierAirlines had not been able to help, you could have disputedthe chargeswith your credit cardcompany. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, your credit cardcan refund you for an itemyou paid for but did not receive. Icontacted Frontier Airlines on your behalf. Arepresentative acknowledgedthe error and agreed to issue afull refund of $220.
Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy,anonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him on his site.
illustrator and scored afew plum assignments, including designing the poster for aWerner Herzog film.
Eventually came the call from Columbia, asking if he could reimagine the lady with the torch for anew generation of moviegoers. The image wouldremain essentially the same, with one important innovation: realism. In the past, the logo always seemed to be aheroically idealized everywoman. Deas wanted her to be an actual person. But who? An unexpected goddess Deas looked for aprofessional model, but never quite settled on asubject.Then, the artist,who was acquainted with The TimesPicayune’sart department, discovered page designer Jenny Joseph. As Deas explained to Ogden Museum of Art curator Bradley Sumrall in 2012, “she was elegant tall, beautiful, and classy.IknewI had found the right one.”
During alunch break, Times-Picayune news photographer Kathy Andersontook some reference photos of Joseph in asublimely stalwart pose. The shoot was exacting and abit exhausting. When Joseph, who was standing atop a box, began leaning,itcame to light that she was expecting.
Thenew Columbialogowasn’ta generic figure; it was an individual. Even the erupting storm cloudsin thebackground were real. “Those are New Orleans clouds,” Deas told Sumrall. “One day,Ilooked out my window and saw this huge
FILE PHOTO By MATT ROSE
ArtistMichael Deas,in1993, with JennyJoseph, the model used by Deastocreate the newColumbia Pictureslogo. Joseph posed for photographer KathyAnderson, who shot the reference photos Deas used to paint the famouslogo.
bank of cumulus clouds over the Mississippi River.I grabbedmy bike androde like crazytothe CrescentCity Connection.”
Fame,fortune andanonymity
Deas deftly rendered Joseph in aportrait that was both solid and ethereal, relaxed and dramatic. Deas wasa master,and pretty soon everybody who went to the movies would know it. The logo debuted in 1992.
In the next decades, the unassuming artistwould be called on to design sixTime magazine covers, including portraits of BenFranklin and FDR.Heproduced the art for
Remote worker considerslooking forhybridposition
Dear Harriette: Iwork re-
25 U.S.postagestamps, featuring portraitsofMarilyn Monroe, Tennessee Williams, RuthBader Ginsburg andother American heroes plus book jackets, including the 25th anniversary edition of Anne Rice’s“Interview with theVampire”and other big-time commissions.
Sincethe newColumbia logo’s backstory hadn’tbeen publicized, most people neverwould have known anything about the design’s New Orleansroots. If it weren’tfor movie star Annette Bening, thatis.
No,NoAnnette
Apparently,fromthe time the image first appeared,some onlookers mistook the newladywith a torch for Bening, whohad recently been lauded for her steamyrole in
POSTCARDS
Continuedfrom page1D
“The Grifters.”
There certainly was aresemblance, which ignited arumor that eventually reached Bening herself. In 2004, the late Roger Ebert, alion of filmcriticism,sought to get to thebottomofwhathad becomeanurban legend and asked Bening directly if she’d been the model. Theactresssaidthatshe’d been told by insiders that she was “Oh sure,” shereportedlytold Ebert. “The artists told me it was me. But just the face, not the body.” Back in NewOrleans, there were those who knewbetter.Deas told a Times-Picayune reporter that he’d never met Bening and wasmost certainly inspiredbyJoseph. The artist’sdebunking of the myth appeared under the headline “No, No Annette.”
Bragging rights
In arecent interview,Deas said the logo commissionwas acareer breakoutfor him, andprobably the highest profile project of hislife. In recent years, Deas said, the imagewas animated, with radiating darts of torchlight. But at its heart it is still an old-fashioned oil painting —probably amongthe most viewed in the world.
“I stillget bragging rights,” Deas said. “I never get tired of seeing it on the screen.”
These days, he’sworking on another Hollywood project, he said, aportraitofleading manTom Cruise, for an upcoming biography.And there arethree more postagestampsinthe works, scheduled for2026.
Themovie star of Blanco,Texas
Joseph, who was born in England, now lives in the small town of Blanco, Texas, where her 1992 claim to fameiswell-known. Her daughter Adriane, who was not yet born when Josephposed in front of Anderson’slens, is now 32 years old and has twokids of her own.
Asked what she recalls of her foray into modeling, Joseph said that “primarily,itwas just alunch break.”
“Wenever expected thatitwould expand and that it would still be used.”
Josephsaidher hobbyispainting. Deas created an incredibly beautiful, wistful portraitofJoseph’stwo children standing amid the same“NewOrleans clouds” he used in the background of the lady with the torch.
Email Doug MacCashat dmaccash@theadvocate.com.
Cole
SENSE AND SENSITIVITy
Harriette
motely,and while I’ve enjoyed the flexibility and freedom it provides, I’ve started to feel increasingly isolated and unmotivated. At first, it felt like adream: no commute, more control over my schedule and the comfort of home.
Lately,I’ve noticed that I’m missing the daily interactions, spontaneous conversations and overall sense of community that comes from being in a physical workspace. Most of my communication with co-workers is confined to emails or scheduled video calls, which makes it hard to feel connected to the team. Ifind myself feeling drained and uninspired, even though Istill like the actual work Ido. Some days, Ibarely speak to anyone at all, and I’ve started to worry that this lack of connection is taking atoll on my mental health and productivity. I’ve been thinking about looking for ahybridposition, something that would offer abetter balance betweenremote work and in-person interaction, but I’m not sure if that’sthe right move or if Ineed to adjust my current routine. How can Istay connected, motivated and productive in aremote setting, or is it time to consider achange?
—Isolated
Dear Isolated: Working remotely does not work for everyone, as you are seeing. Yes, it is smart to look for another job that is better balanced for your needs. Meanwhile, schedule after-work activities that put you in the company of
AT RANDOM
Continued from page1D
too. Aplace that styles itself as apart from the rest of the world willalways draw tourists, but being an outlier in basic public services won’tkeep New Orleans intact.
The trick, as always, will be to harness the city’s singularityasanasset rather than aliability.In an age of AI, we risk mov-
other people. Join abook clubthat meets in person. Volunteer at alocal museum or retirementhome. Take an art class. Don’t sit at home alone. Putyourself out there with others. Dear Harriette:: My boyfriend and Ihave been together for aboutfour years now, and we finally decided to move in together about a monthago.Unfortunately, my partnersmokescigarettes at night. He insists that it’sthe onlything that helps himsleep. I’ve encouraged him to try melatonin, different teas and even therapy,but he chooses to stick with his cigarettes. I’vealways known this about him, but now thatwe live together,it bothers me morethan inthe past; Ihad never actually seen him smoke acigarette until now It rubsmethe wrongway for anumber of reasons, and Idon’t know what to do aboutit, seeingasI’ve let it go onfor solong. Can I demand that he quitahabit I’ve been sort of complicit in for the past four years? Smoking Habit
Dear Smoking Habit: Smoking is an addiction,soit’snot a simple thingtoget someone to quit. What you maybe able to do is to put some boundariesaround this behavior.You can request no smoking inside thehouse so that your home does not smell like smoke. Youcan also request that hebrush histeeth andwash his face after smoking so that the residue of smoke doesn’t end upinyourbed.Inthe end,ifit really is toomuch for you to handle, thiscould be adeal-breaker for your relationship —oratleast for the two of you to live together
Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com
ing more andmore toward ablandly collective mind. New Orleans, where blissfulnonconformity is acivic creed,mightstandout all themore as arespitefrom the regimented culture of onlinegroupthinkand ChatGPT In such acentury,the world could need New Orleansmore than ever Here’stothose whoworked so tirelessly to saveit.
EmailDanny Heitmanat danny@dannyheitman.com
Her card mademesmile and remember theapricot pastries my daughters and Ilove so much in Paris.Our family spent thebulk of asummer therewhen our daughterswere 7and 11. Every morning, we walked to the same bakery and bought theapricot pastries Mann’spostcard was proof that afew words can lead to near time travel. Postcards don’tjust carry words, but slices of people’slives in faraway places —avalue for the 2.10 euros (about $2.44) Mann used to send hers across the sea.
Randy,ofLafayette, sent apostcard from Poland. “Heard you needed mail from all over! Here is one from Krakow,Poland.” Hispostcard has three Polishstampsthat total 11 Zloty,about $3.
Molly Lestoishiking theAppalachian Trail.
Somewherealong the way,her dad let her know that we needed a New Hampshire postcard. So, Lesto stopped in Hanover and sentone of Dartmouth Hall.
Suzyand Tommy Blanchard sent apostcard from Senoia, Georgia, where they noted the quaint town has been thesetting for many films, including “The Walking Dead,” “Driving MissDaisy,” “Fried Green Tomatoes” and many others.
Jim and Imma sentapostcard from Mount Rushmore that simply read,“Day 21 on the road.15more to go! 5,750 miles so far!” The postcard has thecoolest “Goodnight Moon” stamp on it.
Someone sentapostcard from Forks, Washington, “on thebeautiful Olympic Peninsula, themost northwestern town in theLower 48. We’re amid the forests and riversof theOlympic National Park, which also claims the only rainforestinthe 48 states. We get an average of 10 feet of rainannually,which keeps thearea green and lush, mostly evergreens, so green year-round,” the anonymous postcard sender wrote.
Back in June, Alan Krouse of Gonzales drove to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska. Along theway,hesent several postcards —including one from the real “Field of Dreams” in Iowa, even though it meant adetour from the most direct route between Louisiana and Omaha.
By thenumbers:Stateside
It’seasy to get swept away in the stories, but stepping back and looking at the scope of the Postcard Project, the numbers tell astoryoftheir own.
n So far,we’ve received 267 postcards, and more will likely trickle in beyond Labor Day —and certainly, theyare welcome!
n We received 31 postcards from Louisiana, thehighest number from any state. Several readers suggested encouraging readers to send postcards in from their towns across the state—maybe we will make that one of our goals next year
n The state with the second highest number of postcards turned out to be Delaware, which was erroneously thought to be thelast state for about aweek —and during that time, the
people in Delaware jumped on the postcard bandwagon with abang.
n Tennessee comes in third place with nine postcards, including one from Dollywood.
n Minnesotaand Florida tied for fourth places with eight postcards each.
n Kentucky,New Hampshire, Mississippi and Pennsylvania werenext —with seven postcards each.
From around theworld
n In true homagetoLouisiana’s roots, Canada led theway internationally with eight postcards.
n France andthe United Kingdom tied for second with six postcards each.
n Iceland, Spain and Germany follow with three postcards each.
n Apostcard from Malaysia traveled the longest distance (about 10,150 miles), followed by Borneo, Australia, Tanzania, United Arab Emirates, NewZealand, China, Mongolia, Israel, Turkey,Hungary,Italy, Poland, Slovenia, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany,Switzerland, France, Spain, Scotland, England, Ireland, Iceland, Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, Canada, Jamaica and Mexico. The postcards traveled across borders, timezones and oceans, each carrying the simplest but most powerful message of all: We are connected.
Email Jan Risheratjan.risher@ theadvocate.com.
STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Artist Michael Deas, withhis cat Theo, at his French Quarter home and studio in NewOrleans in 2019.
Apostcard fromthe East Cleveland Public Library
Travis Cosban sent thispostcard from Istanbul,Turkey
Postcard from Alan Krouse, of Gonzales, whotook aroad trip to Nebraskafor the CollegeWorld Series
The 10thLouisiana postcard received for the 2025 Postcard Project.
AT THE TABLE
Steamedmussels getbitefromspicy Italiansausage
BY GRETCHEN MCKAY Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)
If you like eating and cooking foods from across the globe, you’ll probably agree that sometimes the one ingredient that makes acertain dish sing is one you can’teasily pronounce if you don’tspeakthat country’slanguage.
For me, that includes anything that gets asavory heat with‘nduja (pronounced en-DOO-ya), asoft and spicy sausage made with small but mighty sun-dried chilies from the Calabria regionofSouthern Italy
The fatty ground pork that makes the spreadable salume such atasty topping for pizza and pastamelts when it is heated up in apan, bloomingthe Calabrian chileinthe sausage’sown fat.
The result not only imbues the dish with aflaming red hue— that bleeds onto your fingers, ifyou’re not careful —but adds aspicy, umami-rich flavorthat is quiteaddictive.
In this recipe adapted from Serious Eats, the sausage gives aspicy kick to mussels steamed in dry white wine (I usedsauvignon blanc, which also is good for pairingwith the finished dish) along withsauteed shallotand garlic. Agood squeezeof lemon along with its zest addstoits bright finish.
To serve, you definitely need a crusty,quality bread —such as sourdough or abaguette, hopefully toasted —tosoak up the broth
Mussels are best prepared and eaten the day you buy them. When cooking them, be sure to discard anythat are cracked or don’tclose when tapped with another mussel. To remove grit, scrub shells well under cold running water.Toremove beards (that look like wisps of hair trapped between the shells) grab and pull toward the hinge-endofthe mussel.
Youcan find ‘nduja at mostItalian markets.
While unopened logs can last several months in the fridge or pantry, once opened, it should berefrigerated to prevent it from drying out andabsorbing other flavors.
‘Nduja,
in whitewine.
By The Associated Press
Today is Sunday,Aug. 31, the243rd day of 2025. There are 122days left in theyear Todayinhistory:
On Aug. 31, 1997, Diana, Princess of Wales, was killed after the car shewas riding in crashed in Paris; herpartner Dodi Fayed and driver Henri Paul(who was found to have been intoxicated at thetime of the accident)alsodied.
Also on this date:
In 1881, the first U.S. tennis championships (for men only) began in Newport, Rhode Island.
In 1886, an earthquake with an estimated magnitude of up to 7.3 devastated Charleston, South Carolina, killing at least 60 people.
In 1962, the Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago became independent of British colonialrule.
In 1980, Poland’sSolidaritylabor movement was born with an agreement signed in Gdansk that ended a17-day-old strike. In 1992, White separatist Randy Weaver surrendered to authorities in Idaho, ending an 11-day siege by federal agents that hadclaimed the lives of Weaver’swife,son and adeputyU.S. marshal.
In 1994, Russia officially ended itsmilitary presence in the former East Germany andthe Baltics afterhalf acentury
In 2006, Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” was recovered by Norwegian authorities after being stolen ninedays earlier In 2010, President Barack Obamaannounced the end of the U.S.combat mission in Iraq, declaring no victory after seven years of bloodshed andtellingthose divided over the war in his country and around the world: “it’s timetoturn the page.”
In 2019, agunman carried outa shooting rampage that stretched 10 miles between the Texas communities ofMidland and Odessa, leaving seven people dead before police killed the gunman outsidea movie theater in Odessa.
Today’sbirthdays: World Golf Hall of Famer Isao Aoki is 83. ViolinistItzhak Perlmanis 80. Singer VanMorrison is 80. Rockmusician Rudolf Schenker (TheScorpions) is 77. Actor Richard Gere is 76.Actor Stephen McKinley Henderson is 76. Attorney and author Marcia Clark is 72. Olympic gold medal hurdler Edwin Moses is 70. Rock singer Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze) is 68. Rock musician Gina Schock (The Go-Go’s) is 68. Singer-composer Deborah Gibson is 55. Queen Rania of Jordan is 55. Golfer Padraig Harrington is 54. Actor Chris Tucker is 54.Actor Sara Ramirez is 50. Former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald is 42. NBA All-StarJalen Brunson is 29.
Steamed mussels and ‘nduja
Serves 2
1tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
2largeshallots, thinly sliced
2garliccloves, thinly sliced Kosher salt
2ounces‘nduja (about 1/4 cup)
1cup drywhite wine
1pound mussels, scrubbed and debearded
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves Juice and zest from1lemon
Toastedbread, forserving
1. In alarge saucepan, heat oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add shallots and garlic, season lightly with salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened but not brown, 5-7 minutes.
2. Add ‘nduja and, using a wooden spoon, break it into pieces and stir vigorously to combine with shallots and garlic.
3. Continue to cook, stirring frequently,until fat from ‘nduja separates and shallots and garlic are stained red and fully coated with ‘nduja, 3-5 minutes longer Add wine, increase heat to high and bring to aboil.
4. Add mussels, stir,cover pan with alid and cook, shaking pan constantly and peeking every 30 seconds to stir.Cook just until all the mussels are open, 2-4 minutes. Remove from heat, and using tongs, quickly transfer to awarmed heatproof serving bowl. Discard any mussels that did not open.
5. Cover mussels with saucepan lid to keep warm.
6. Add chopped parsley,lemon juice and zest to saucepan and stir to combine.
7. Taste broth and adjust seasoning with salt, if needed.
To serve: Remove lid from the serving bowl, and pour contents of saucepan over mussels. Serve immediately,passing toasted bread at the table along with alarge empty bowlfor collecting empty mussel shells.
Wild collegedayshaveresurfacedonline
Dear Miss Manners: Ihave been married to avery sweet guy for over 15 years now Ihave never made ahabit of keeping secrets from him,and we have avery honest relationship. However,mylifelong friend recently discovered that something from our college days has surfaced online.
Judith
bands? We don’tknow how mostmen would react to having an old video of their nude wives show up online!
Martin MISS MANNERS
It’sa video of myfriend and me participating in a wet T-shirt contest during spring break. In an effort to win,weactually both lost our shirts …and bottoms and got totally naked during the event. We even gave each other alittle smack on thebootynear the end of the contest.
Well, now it’sonline. On one hand, we think, “Ohwell, at least we look good, and it’sfrom along time ago.” On theother hand, it’sa bit embarrassing —especially for me, because my husband would find this to be totally surprising and out of character for me.
Should my friendand Itell our hus-
Dear Heloise: Just asuggestion:
GentleReader: Better coming from you than having it sent to them by astranger forhush money Miss Manners thereforeencourages you to get to him first,laughing it off and attributingittothe folly of youth.
No doubt your husband has blemishes in his own past that he wouldprefer to forget —ofwhich you might remind him, if he acts anything other than quietly bemused.
Dear Miss Manners: We used to have nextdoor neighbors we were extremelyclose with. We had meals together once or twice aweek, and even watched their 2-yearold twins for aweekend when they had to leave for afuneral.
They started distancing themselves from us due to politics, and eight years ago, they moved away without even saying goodbye. Recently,out of the blue, we received some random text messages from the wife, and then, by mail, we received graduation announcements for
each of their boys. Given the break in the friendship, which wasnot our choice, are we obligated to send gifts? Iamhappy to send anice note congratulating them on their graduation, but my partner feels we should send gifts. Gentle Reader: Amilestone announcement is not asubpoena forgifts. Well, Miss Manners should clarify: It should not be received as one, whether or not that was its sender’strue intent. If your former neighbors really wanted to makeaconnection with you again, they would have invited you to the ceremony or graduation party.Then you might have wanted to give the graduates presents. If you do decide to send apresent anyway, Miss Manners trusts it will not be a political donation to your preferred party —however tempting that may be. Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO64106.
Instead of turning away unwanted yearbooks, they could possiblybestored for someone like me whohas lost two years of my yearbooks. There could be alist of people who are looking for acertain yearbook, and they could register on it what it it is that they need. Then when someone comes in with ayearbook donation,this list could be checked to see if someone was looking for this year and notify them that it is available. —Betty B.,inChampion, Ohio Betty,this is agreat idea. Sometimes yearbooks get lost, but people want the memories they contain. Youmight try contacting Classmates.com to see if they get requests from people for yearbooks. If not, maybe they would be interested in starting somethinglike this for their mem-
bers. —Heloise Areader’sfavorite hints
Dear Heloise: I’m not sure where Isaw this tip, but it is one of my favorites: If you are traveling with your own pillow, be sure to use acolorful pillowcase. It stands out from hotel or Airbnb bedding, and you won’tleave it behind. Another favorite is saving butter wrappers in thefridge to grease baking dishes. —Betsy H., via email Betsy, Ithink Iknow where you got theidea for butter wrappers. It was one of my mother’s favorite hints. She loved recycling things and hated waste. Thank you for rememberingthis handy and useful idea! —Heloise Sanitizing hint
Dear Heloise: Iregularly use large tortillas to makewrap sandwiches. The brand Iget comes in aresealable zip-close bag. When the bag is empty,I
Dear Heloise: Ihave been painting for aweek now,but back on day one when Iwas cleaning up, Ireached for the hand soap pumpand hit thehand sanitizer pumpinstead. So, I washed my paintyhands with it, and it amazingly and quickly removed allthe paint from my hands. No using ascrub brush or hard rubbing —just regular washing. Then Itried it on afew spots on the floor,and it worked just as well. Since then, Ihave used it every day when Iclean up. Like with all good discoveries, the results of one person needs to be duplicated. Iurge yourreaders whoare currently painting to try it and report back. This might be another use forhand sanitizer —Margaret, in Buena Park, California Margaret, this is agreat hint! When Ipaint something, Iusually wearapair of latex gloves. This way, Iwon’thave any paint in the areas between my nails andthe skin next to my nails. —Heloise Reusingplastic bags
turn it inside out, brush off the crumbs, and let it stay inside out to makesure that any moisture has dried. Then Iturn it back to normal and store it with other storage products. Iuse them forshaking/coating foods before frying or baking. Ialso place chicken in them when making chicken cutlets or when crushing nuts. The bags workgreat, and reusing them cuts downonplastic use and the cost of zip-close bags. Ilove your column. Thanks! —MelodyS., via email Melody,I always love agreat recycling hint, and yours is a very good one! We all need to cut downon plastic and use paper when we can. Inolonger use plastic grocery bags. Iask forpaper bags and fill them with items that need to be recycled. Then Ipick up the paper bag and the itemsinside and toss it in the recycle bin.
Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.
TNSPHOTO By GRETCHENMCKAy
aspreadable pork sausagemadewith Calabrian red chilies, adds aspicy finish to musselscooked
submittedonlyonthe bidformprovidedwithin thespecifications. The successful bidder will be required to executeper‐formance andlabor and material paymentbonds in thefullamount of the contract as more fully definedinthe biddocu‐ments. No contractors maywithdrawhis bidfor at leastforty-five (45) days afterthe time scheduledfor theopen‐ingofbids. Each bidshall be submittedonlyonthe bidformprovidedwith thespecifications. The successful contractor will be required to exe‐cute performanceand laborand material pay‐ment bondsinthe full amount of thecontract as more fully definedin thebid documents. Bids will be evaluatedby thePurchaser basedon thelowestresponsible andresponsivebid sub‐mitted whichisalsoin compliance with thebid documents. The Lafayette Consolidated Government reserves the righttorejectany andall bids forjustcause in ac‐cordance with LA R.S. 38§2214.B. Contractorsorcontract‐ing firmssubmittingbids in theamount of $50,000.00 or more shall certifythattheyare li‐censed contractors under Chapter24ofTitle 37 of theLouisiana Re‐visedStatutesof1950 andshowtheir license numberonthe frontof thesealedenvelopein which theirbid is en‐closed.Contractors shall be licensed forthe clas‐sification of “Highway Streetsand
censingBoard forCon‐tractors,Baton Rouge, Louisiana. TheLafayette Consoli‐datedGovernment strongly encourages the participationofDBEs (DisadvantagedBusiness Enterprises) in allcon‐tracts or procurements letbythe Lafayette Con‐solidatedGovernment forgoodsand services andlabor andmaterial. To that end, allcontrac‐tors andsuppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐prises in thepurchaseor sub-contractingofmate‐rials, supplies, services andlabor andmaterialin whichdisadvantaged businesses areavailable Assistance in identifying said businessesmay be obtained by calling2918410.
Notice is hereby given thatsealedproposals willbereceivedinthe of‐fice of thePurchasingDi‐visionatthe Lafayette ConsolidatedGovern‐mentBuilding, locatedat 705 West University Av‐enue,Lafayette Louisiana,until 10:00 AM Central Time on the19th day of September, 2025 for thefollowing: RFQfor Professional Ar‐chitectural& Engineering Services forMartin Luther King Resiliency Hub and will,shortly there‐after, be opened andthe d l d
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DOOMES, AUSTINNEVILLE
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DOYLE, THOMAS WILLIAM
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p NAMESONLYread aloud inthe Office of Purchas‐ing locatedat705 West UniversityAvenue Lafayette,LA. Proposals receivedafter theabove specified time foropen‐ing shallnot be consid‐eredand shallbere‐turnedunopenedtothe sender. Sealed proposals may be hand carriedor mailedtothe address listedabove Proposalsshall be either handdelivered or mailed ina sealed envelope to the addresslistedbelow Proposals received after the appointedtimewill bedeterminednon-re‐sponsiveand will notbe opened. Sealed propos‐als must be submittedin five (5)hardcopiesorigi‐nals, one(1) redacted copy, andone (1)digital PDF format file suitable for printing of theirwrit‐ten response.Proposals shouldbesentto705 WestUniversityAvenue, Lafayette,LA70506 at‐tention Keirston St Amant Proposersare invitedto attend anon-mandatory pre-proposermeetingon Tuesday,September 2, 2025 at 10:00 AM CT,in the largeconference room,PublicWorks De‐partment, Administration BuildingA,located at 1515 East University Av‐enue,Lafayette,LA 70502. Copies of theRFP specifi‐cations areavailable at the Purchasing Office lo‐cated at 705 West Univer‐sityAvenue,Lafayette LA70506. Telephone number(337) 2918034(Attn:KeirstonSt. Amant). RFPspecifica‐tions shallbeavailable until twenty-four (24) hours before thepro‐posal openingdate. No Vendor maywithdraw his proposal foratleast forty-five (45) days after the time scheduledfor the openingofproposals Each proposal shallfol‐l h i i
DUHON,CHARLES DAVID
DURIO, SUSAN SCHILLER
EBOROBEY,DEBORAH ANN ELKINS, JENNIFER LAUREN HAYES EUGENE, DALFRED J FAULK,ECONFORMINCASERENITY FIELDS, DIANNE STELLY FLOYD, LUEALLER
FONTENETTE, STEPHEN MICHAEL FONTENOT,MARK LAYNE FONTENOT,MALLORYCAITLIN FONTENOT,DAVID JAMES FOREMAN,JOHNKARL FORET,CHARLES J FRANCIS, STERLINGJ FREELAND, QUANETTE LATRICE
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GONZALES, ELEANOR R GOTHE, KIONAKATLYNN
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GRAYSON,CRYSTAL M GREEN,DAVID W GREEN,GABRIEL TRENT GUIDRY,BIANCA DAWN
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HEBERT, ROY JOSEPH
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HIMEL, EVAN JOHN
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IGLUS,COREY HYKEEN
JACKSON,SONYA RAYNELL
JENKINS-KELLY, CHARRON U
JOHN,PETER MICHAEL
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LEBLANC, YVETTE
LEDET,HOPE WILDHARBER
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5. CASE NO.: 2025-15-BOZ APPLICANT: Joey Daigle LOCATION:168 Antigua Drive REQUEST: REHEARING: Variance of theregula‐i f id i l p p low the instructions listedinthe RFPregard‐ing submittaloftheir proposal. Proposalswillbeevalu‐atedbythe Purchaser based on theevaluation criteriaoutlinedinthe Request forProposals The Lafayette Consoli‐dated Government re‐servesthe righttoreject any andall proposalsor any portions thereof, to waive informalitiesand toselectthe material thatbestsuits itsneeds. TheLafayette Consoli‐dated Government stronglyencouragesthe participation of DBEs (DisadvantagedBusiness Enterprise) in allcon‐tractsorprocurements let by theLafayette Con‐solidated Government for goodsand services and laborand material Tothatend,all contrac‐torsand suppliersare encouragedtoutilize DBEsbusinessenter‐prisesinthe purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐rials,supplies, services and laborand material in which disadvantaged businessare available. Assistance in identifying saidbusinessesmay be obtainedbycalling 2918410. PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISHDATES: 8/20/2025, 8/24/2025 8/31/2025 DPR#100443 154112-aug20-24-31-3t $113.52
PUBLIC NOTICE Notice of Intent to En‐force Landlord's Privilege - WayStreet Lot9 (117 Way Street,PortBarre LA70577) Owner: Julie Smith,Melanie Smith, Raphael Smith Sale of trailershall take place on Monday,Sep‐tember22, 2025 at 8:30 AMCST at thefollowing address: WayStreet,Lot 1 (143 WayStreet,Port Barre,Louisiana.) Allbid‐dersmustpay with cash fundsand thestarting bid will be $1,000. Proof offundsmustbeimme‐diately availableupon winning bid. Upon win‐ningbid,winnermust havethe mobile home moved within 7calendar daysfromauction or agree with land owneron lot leaseterms.Winning biddermustsigna con‐sentfor theseterms 155978-aug28-29-30-31-4t $353.40
CASE NO.: 2025-20-BOZ APPLICANT: John Gilpin –Lamar Advertisingof Lafayette LOCATION:2354 WCon‐gress Street REQUEST: Variance of the signregulations in aRM1 (Residential Mixed) zoningdistrict. 4. CASE NO.: 2025-21-BOZ APPLICANT: John Gilpin –Lamar Advertisingof Lafayette LOCATION:524 Bertrand Drive #A REQUEST: Variance of the signregulations in aRM1 (Residential Mixed) zoningdistrict.
NARCISSE,TAMALICHIA SHARAY NAVARRE, LAWRENCE J NEWCOMB, GRIFFIN C NGUYEN, LIEN THI NIANE,MBAYE NICOSIA, LISA E NORMAN,AUBREY ELAINE OLIVER, JOHN MICHAEL ORSO, FRANCIS A PENA, MADELINEJEANETH PIASECKI, ALEXELIZABETH PICKENS, MCKENZIE JERE PICOU, AMBERMICHELLE PLUNKETT,ANDREA CHARLIER POCHE,BRENDA LEBLANC POMIER, ROBERTJOHN PREJEAN, DONTE PREJEAN, HANNAH RENEE PRESSLER, ROBERTEARL PROVOST,KYLE JOSEPH QUINLAN, MARK DANIEL RANDLE, JULIAN DANTE DREVAN RASHMAWI, ELIAS GEORGE REAUX, JEFF RANDALL REGAN,AMANDA RENEE RICHARD, ANTHONY JOSEPH RICHARD, MONIQUE V RICHE,BRENNAN PAUL RINGO, SHARON G RIVARD,RAISTLIN ALEXANDER ROACH, STEPHANIEMARIE ROBICHAUX,PATRICKALLEN ROBINSON, JOSEPH ASHLEY RODEN,JOHN CLIFTON ROE, HANNAH REIGN ROGER, MANDYLYN ROJAS-TELLEZ, RENE ROMERO, MARY B ROMERO, JOSEPH BLAINE ROZYSKIE, ANNA PADDOCK RUBINHOLLIER, CHANDARENEE RUSSELL, QUINTON ANDREW RYAN, ALLIE LACOMB SAM, MILDRED MARIE SAVALA, PRISCILLA ANN SCRICCA, FRANCOIS ANTOINE SCRICCA, MEGAN LYNN SEDGEMAN, DYLAN J SELLERS, PAUL EDWARD SEMEL,SCOTT SERIO, AIDAN SERRETTE, ASHLEYMICHELLE SEWELL, JOHN MICHAEL SHEDD, KAITLIN KRISTINE MOUTON SIMON, TRENT JAMES SIMPSON, SHANNON KEITH SIMPSON, MICHAELJAMES SINEGAL,MALIEKDAQUAN SMITH, AMBERN SMITH, CHARLESALLEN SMITH, NATASHA LEA SNODDY,SUSAN L SNOW,SUSAN SOLOMON, TORIE KAYLYN SONNIER, RAYMOND SONNIER, JOSHUA PAUL SONNIER, FRANCIS L SPRAYBERRY, JOEL TODD SPRICK, OLIVIA LINDSEY STANSBURY, BRUCE P STELLY, RANDYJUDE STEWART,SANDIRENOUDET STEWART,BRANDILENANICOLE STRUBLE,STEVEN B SUAREZ, HERMEREGILDA GARCIA SUIRE,RANDALL TODD SUTTON, HELENL TAYLOR, AMBERKLUMPP TAYLOR, JADE ELIZABETH THIBEAUX, SHERMAINEDENISE THIBODEAUX, TRUDIE L THIBODEAUX, CHRISTOPHER THOMAS B TOBIAS, ASHLEYMALVEAUX TOLLIVER, CHERE JANAE TOLLIVER, JOSHUA AMOS TRAHAN, JAMES C TRAHAN, DOROTHYM TRAHAN, ANTON F TULLIER, GLORIA M TURNER, RAYJOSEPH TURNER, COLLIN WAYNE VALLIERE, TRAYLON JAMES VARGAS,VASQUEZSILVIA MAGNOLIA VELA, JESUS VENABLE,JEREMY CHRISTIAN VIDRINE, PHILIP J VILLIER, ALEXANDER CLIFTON VILTZ, VEANESSV VILTZ, VEANESSV VINCENT,EMILYLOUISE VINCENT,CONNIE A VINING, AMELIASMITH WALSH, LANDON JACE WASHINGTON, SHANTE JANEA JUKIA WATSON, JONAH CALEB WATSON, SANDRA ANN WEBB, KATE SOPHIE WHITE, MOSES WILLIAMS, TRACI WHITAKER WILLIAMS, JESSICA ELLEN WILLIAMS, CIERA DANIELLE WILLIS, CHARLOTTE MELISSA WILSON, MERVIN WILTZ, ANTHONY ANTOINE YOUNG, CHRISTOPHERRAYDELL YOUNG, GREGORYA ZULUAGACASTANO, MARISELADEL
Plaqemines LNGmak itscasefor expansio
U.S. SecretaryofEnergyChris Wright greetsworkers at Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG exportfacilityonMarch6after VentureGlobal, along withlocal, state and national officials announced its plan to expand the massivePlaquemines LNG facility
BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer
Venture Global laid out its plans earlier this year for an $18 billion expansion of its liquifiednaturalgas export terminalnearPort Sulphur, aprojectthat’sexpected to take nearly five years andinvolve thousands of workers.
Now,federal regulators are combing throughthe public’sthoughts on theproject as part of apermitting processthe company must clear before construction can begin. Thepublic commentperiod, which ended Thursday,isrequired as Venture Global
seeksapproval from the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission—a five-member body appointed by thepresident andconfirmed by the U.S. Senate. That process startswith an environmental review In coming months, staff at the regulator will prepareadocument outliningthe environmental impacts of the expansion thatwill then be sharedwithFERCmembersand used to determine whether the project is in thepublic interest Constructionofthe PlaqueminesLNG expansionwould involve the use of more than
VentureGlobal leadershave bigplans for1,000-acreproject, but firsttheymustsecure supportfromregulators ä See EXPANSION, page 2E
Some reinventingworkspace
BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer
Every Wednesday,dozens of the 90 employees who work at International-MatexTank Terminals’ downtown New Orleans office gather for aweekly, catered lunch in the company’s29thfloor common space, which is lined with awallofwindows overlooking Poydras Street below Accounting folks sit next to co-workers from human resources or marketing departments, whilemembers of the executive team visit with newand youngeremployees in what company officials say is an effective way to build
astronger corporateculture. “Being in the officecreates asense of communityamong employees, and theweekly lunches help strengthen relationships,”saidKim Nave, IMTT’soffice administrator.“It’s an opportunitytosit withpeoplefrom other departments andget to know one another.”
The coronavirus pandemic sent office workers home andusheredina new era of remoteworkthat promised toredefine the way professionalsdobusiness.
Five yearslater,companies that allowed remote work are increasingly calling employees back to theircubicles in an
effort to increase productivity and get co-workerstalking to each other,face-to-face.
Since the beginning of the year,JPMorgan Chase, Amazon, AT&T and thefederalgovernment, among others, have done away with work-fromhome policies,while other large employers, like Southwest andIBM, have gone to hybrid schedulesthatrequire employees to spend more days in the officethan not. Around thecountry, small and medium-sized employers are following suit. In south Louisiana,which often lags national trends, the return to the office hasbeenmoregradual. But real estate brokers say thereisanuptick of 15%-20%
ä See WORKSPACE, page 2E
STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRETTDUKE
STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
From dating appstostreaming,canceling asubscriptionshouldbeeasier
It was supposed to be ariskfree offer,achance to find alove match. But for many,the search for companionship turned intoafrustrating endeavor to cancel their online dating subscription.
That’swhat the FederalTrade Commission alleged in alawsuit against Match Group, which has aportfolio of online dating companies that includes Match.com, Tinder,Hinge and OkCupid.
That suit, filed in 2019, was settled earlier this month withMatch agreeing to pay $14 million related to acomplaint that it stymied customers’ efforts to cancel their memberships or take advantage of afree six-month trial if they did not “meet someone special.” Others were locked out of their accountswhen they tried to dispute their bills, the complaintsaid.
Match agreed,amongother things, to provide asimpleway for consumers to cancel theirsubscriptions.
“Match Group admits no liability as part of this resolution and was fully prepared to take the case to trial, but opted to resolve the case to put the matter behind it,” the company said in an emailed statement. “The FTC’soutdated claims are entirely moot, as the alleged practicesatissue ended years ago or are based on mischaracteriza-
Michelle Singletary THE COLOR OF MONEy
tionsthat do not reflect ourbusiness today ” Whileit’snot clear how much people will receive, themoney will be used “toprovide redress to injured consumers,” theFTC said.
Here’swhy this casematters.
It’sanexampleofwhy we need strong government watchdog agencies. And yet the shuttering of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau underthe Trump administration puts the American public at risk of seeing fewer of these types of actions.
Agencies like the CFPB and FTC are our advocates againstbad industry players who take advantageofconsumers.
Recently, afederal appeals court blocked plans by the FTC to clamp down on companies that make it hard for customers to cancel subscriptions.
Icertainly hope the FTC takes up theissue again. It’snot too much to ask that consumersbe abletocut off recurring billing when they want.
Often at the coreofthese subscription or membership cases are “negative option” offersinwhich aconsumer agrees to afree trial or to regularly receive aproduct or service until they say,“that’s enough.” That’swherethe negative partcomes in. The billing only stopsifyou take action to cancel.
Negative-option offersaren’t illegal, but they can pushthe boundaries of the law,which requires companies toclearly and conspicuously discloseterms and not useunfair methodstoavoid granting the consumer’srequest to cancel.
I’ve long been critical of these offersbecause people forget to cancel or,worse, they can’tstop theautomatic billing even when they try
The actions go againstthe Restore Online Shoppers’ Confidence Act, under which companies must provide “simple mechanisms for aconsumer to stop recurring charges from being placed on theconsumer’s credit card, debit card, bank account, or other financial account.”
Has this happened to you?
Youforget to cancel after atrial period, but when you realizeyou madeamistakeornolonger want or need theservice or product, you can’tstop theautomatic billing becauseyou can’tfind the
WORKSPACE
Continued from page1E
in the number of cars in downtown and Metairie office tower parking garages during the middle ofthe week, which offers aglimmerof hope for an office market sector that hasbeenbatteredbythe pandemic.
“The days of downsizing headcount are over,and the garages are more full than they were two years ago,” said Cres Gardner,abroker with Beau Box who manages four downtown New Orleans office towers and two in Elmwood. “But Mondays and, especially,Fridays are still light.”
Bringing people back
While remote work proved effective enough when social distancing was amatter of public health,after the pandemic ended, agrowing number of corporate executives began to call for areturn to the office. Workers, they argued,simply weren’tasproductive from the comfort of their kitchen table.
Earlier this year,JPMorgan ChaseCEO JamieDimon sounded off on atown hall with some of Chase’s350,000 workers about the shortcomings of remote work,saying it hinders innovation, slows decision-making and fails to adequately train younger workers Local executivessay thebanking executive, who is building a new 60-story Chase headquarters in downtown Manhattan, isonto something.
“I really do believe, andI’m oldschool, that being with peopleis extraordinarily importantand effective,” said Bill Hines, managing partner of Jones Walker,which has more than 300employees in downtown New Orleans. “I’d say 90% of our attorneys and all of ourstaff are back in the office every day.”
As one of the largest lawfirms in theregion, Jones Walker has awindow on the work habits of some of the area’slargest employers. Hines said, like Jones Walker and IMTT, most of those employers have some sort of return-to-office policy, though most offer some degree of flexibility
“Some of the biggest companies in New Orleans that went partially remote and stayed partiallyremote claim it is working for them,” he said. “So, for the foreseeable future,
Ithink many companies in our region will stay that way.”
Small employers are also callingworkers back. In Lafayette, SchoolMint moved into its recently renovatedheadquartersbuilding last week. Though employees have been graduallyreturning to the tech company’soffice since 2022, now that its building projectiscomplete, workers will be expected to show up in person every day
“I can already see thebenefits,” company CEO Bryan McDonald saidTuesday.“I’mbumping into peopleI haven’ttalked to in months, and we’re solving things in five minutes that used totake us two days and a30-minute Zoom call.
Office marketseeschanges
Other businesses have done the same of late,and it’sled to aslight increase inactivity for commercial spaces, said Rex Moroux, commercial real estateagent with Scout Real Estate in Lafayette
Bill SandersofLee &Associates, whotracks theBaton Rougeoffice market, said the capital region office market has also seenanuptick in activity,withemployers leasing space in new buildings thatoffer amenities like fitness centers.
In Metairie, cafe vendors at the Galleriaand One Lakeway are experiencing such highdemand that some run out of food daily and have to bring in additional staff, according to Colette Wharton, regional director/asset manager at the Feil Organization, whichowns andmanages several Metairie office towers. Feilrecently completed an extensive renovation of the lobby, com-
contact information. Or maybe the cancellation policiesare buried on thewebsite. Or when you call, you’re routed through an automated telephone system thatseems to have been specifically designed to wear down your resolve.
Agood example is the learning app ABCmouse, which agreed in 2020 to settle an FTC complaint that it refusedtoaccept cancellation requests made over the phone, via email or through aform on its website. Instead, people who wanted to cancel were directed to an inconspicuous portalonthe website, where they had to navigateanywhere from six to nine screens. The company paid $10 million but didn’tadmit any guilt. Thesesettlements are areminder of steps you can take to avoid being stuck in one of these deals. Here’swhatthe FTC recommends:
n Make anote on your calendar to remind yourself to cancel before your subscriptiontrial ends.
n If you have to payfor shipping, it’s not free. I’ve talked to manyconsumers who thought they were providing their credit cardinformation to cover shipping and handling —but instead werecharged for products and services theyhadn’tordered. “If acompany offers something free
EXPANSION
Continued from page1E
but says you have to pay to get it, at best it’sadishonest business youmight notwant to deal with,” the FTC says. “At worst, it might be ascammer.”
n Payattention to pre-checked boxes. Youmight be agreeing to future automatic charges.
n Before signing up, look around the site to see how easy it is to cancel. Is there an easily disclosed contact number for cancellations?
Ishould have heeded that last piece of advice foranews subscription Isigned up forlast year After several attempts, Ihad trouble accessing the site for certain articles. Igot so frustrated, Idecided to cancel. I’m not exaggerating when Itell youittook about an hour to figure out who to call. And Ihad to call. There was no online option to cancel, despite the fact that it took less than a few minutes to electronically subscribe Iwas finally able to cancel the billing. But I’m still getting weekly emails begging me to return. One suchoffer promisedIwould be charged only $3 for a12-month subscription.
“No, sir,” Isaid to myself. Youwill not trap me again. Email Michelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.
mon areas and tenant lounge spaces at theGalleria andalso made improvements at One Lakeway.Itis currently working on upgrades at Lakeway Two. Wharton saidthe enhancementshavechangedhow people use the building.
“We’reseeing more employees stepout of their offices to work, meet or relax in the sharedspaces,” she said.
‘Not what it wasin2019’
While catered companylunches, on-siteworkout facilities and shiny newlobbiesmakelife at theoffice more pleasant, brokers caution that things arenot what they were prepandemic.
“It’sbetter than it was two years ago,”said Gardner. “It’snot what it wasin2019.”
They also say that while amenitiescan make adifference, the biggest incentive to get employees back to the officeistogive themat least alittleflexibility.Nationwide, more than two-thirds of employers surveyed earlierthis year allowfor some sort of hybrid schedule
IMTT gives employees the option to work fromhomeonFridays. Most employees, Nave said, take it.
“It helps with thework-life balance,” she said. “It conveys to our employees that the leadership team trusts them to getthe job done regardless of where they are.”
Staff writers Adam Daigle,Tim Boone and Ianne Salvosa contributed to reporting this story.
1,000 acresoflandnear Mile 54 of theMississippi River on the West Bank of Plaquemines Parish, adjacent to the existing facility according to afiling with FERC. That includes around 560 acres for the“expansion, marine berth, andworkspace” andanother 586 acres fora“temporary workspace to easetraffic constraints from construction.” Venture Global would maintain about 400acres forpermanent operationsonce construction is complete,and theremaining acreage“would be restoredand revert to former uses,” FERC said. The expansion would boost the facility’soutput to nearly 52 metric tons of LNG. When Venture Globalannouncedits plan to expand the massive Plaquemines LNG facility in March at an event featuring Gov.Jeff Landry and top Trump administration officials, they cheered the investment as ajob creator and pillar of the president’spush to increase already record-setting domestic oil and gas production. Constructiononthe first phaseofVenture Global’sPlaquemines LNGplant beganin 2021, and at its peak, employed6,000 construction workers. It kickedoff production in 2024, andhas been touted as an important element of U.S. foreignpolicyand national security,as energy importers, particularlycountries in Europe, seek to wean themselves from Russian supplies.
Federal regulators have begun combingthrough public comments as partofapermitting process Venture Global mustclear before construction canbegin on an $18 billionexpansion of itsliquified natural gasexport terminal near Port Sulphur
Joe Biden said that in coming decades, thecontinued expansion of LNGexport terminals could lead to higher prices forU.S. consumers, moregreenhouse gas emissions and strains on poor and non-White areas near the plants.
U.S. exports of LNG beganless than adecade agobut have grown rapidly in recent years, to thepoint that the U.S. has become theworld’slargest gasexporter Louisiana handled more than 60%of thenation’sLNG exports in 2024.
At the same time, thefossilfuel megaproject and others like it have faced scrutiny from environmental groups and some residents, whoargue the multibillion-dollar investment locks in decades worth of planet-warming emissions, contributes to poor local air quality and creates astrain on water and other local services due to the influx of workers. Lastweek, environmental groups filed alawsuit asking a federal appeals court to stop the construction of VentureGlobal’s $28 billion CP2 LNG export terminal in Cameron Parish, arguing that Louisiana’sdecisiontoissue permits for the project violated theClean Air Act.
Arapid increase in exports
LNG export terminals convert gasinto liquid by supercooling it,allowing it to be loadedonto tankers and taken to import terminals in Europe and Asia, where it is then reheated into gasand distributed to households and businesses.
U.S. exports of LNG began less than adecade ago but have grown rapidlyinrecentyears,tothe point that the U.S. has become the world’slargest gas exporter.Louisiana handledmore than 60% of thenation’sLNG exports in 2024. Last year,the Bidenadministration put apause on approving new export permits for LNG plants, in part to study their effectsonclimate change. An analysis released by the Department of Energy under President
Aftertakingoffice in January,President Donald Trump signed an executive order lifting the Biden-era pause andpromising to fast-track permitting. Venture Global is planning to begin construction in 2027. The project will require 6,000 construction workers at its peak and will employ 275 permanent workers, with an average salary of around $150,000, the company said.
Localconcerns
Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley, who backsthe expansion, said in an interview he is hopeful that issues that came withthe first phase of construction will be better this time around. He thinks traffic won’t be as muchofa problem now that the Belle Chasse toll bridge is open.
He’salso hoping the Peters Road bridge and extension project is completed before the expansionbegins. Congestion caused by thesimultaneous construction of toll bridge andLNG export terminal in 2021 ledto hourslong traffic snarls.
“I think with this expansion, it’s not going to be that bad,” Hinkley said.
FERC gathered public commentthrough Aug. 28 to help determine the scope of its environmental review.The public will have another chance to weigh in once the report is drafted.
As of Monday, theregulatory body had already received nearly three dozen comments. Much of those comments highlighted Venture Global’scontributions to localeconomy,while others raisedconcernabout the expansion’simpact on wetlands, water and air quality
The Associated Press contributed to this report. Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.
PROVIDED PHOTO
The second floor of the Galleria office buildinginMetairie wasrecently renovated by the Feil Organization.
STAFF FILE PHOTOByBRETT DUKE
STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER
Employees have lunch provided by IMTT on Wednesday at the IMTT Corporate Headquarters in the Central Business District.
TALKING BUSINESS
Bankingexechas unique vantagepoint into economy
BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer
New Orleansnative LizHefler
Q&A WITH LIZ HEFLER
joined Whitney Bank in 2004, afew monthsaftergraduating from the University of Virginia. Nearly 22 yearslater,she has riseninthe ranks to become Greater NewOrleans regional president of the institution now called Hancock Whitney after a2011 merger with aMississippibased rival.
The $35 billion regional bank is headquarteredinGulfport, Mississippi, and its footprint spreads from Florida to Texas, but nearly athird of its 3,600 employees are located in greater New Orleans. About half of that team works in Hancock Whitney’sdowntown building, 701 Poydras St., the former One Shell Square, whereHe-
fler’scorner office provides apanoramicview of her hometown
Because of itssize and itswork with many of the region’slarge companies andorganizations, Hancock Whitney has aunique vantage point of its own: Its executives know which sectors of the economy are most active based on its commercial lending activity. In this week’sTalking Business, Hefler shares what she’sseeing in the local marketand why New Orleans must do more to growits economy
This conversation has been edited for brevity and clarity. Hancock Whitney serves some of the region’sbigger companies and organizations That means you’re seeing who’sbusy and who’snot. What’sthe state of commerce right now?
After aslow start to theyear,activity picked up in the last 40 days. That typically happens,but we’ve been working on loans formonths and then, at the end of July,it seemed like everyone needed their term sheets right away
isn’towned locally.Our building is owned by the Hertz Group out of Dallas, for instance. We do have somedowntown buildings, but therehas to be alocal tiefor us to get involved.
It’s difficulttoget anybankto consider office space. We have 10 empty floors in ourbuilding. Showing back up to work has not come into play for every industry
What else is affecting investment in the region?
The mayoral election is afactor People have their different candidates that they’re going to vote for,but they’re hopefulthatacity that hasnot been very welcoming to new businesses will have somebody they can talk to.
Whoever’s in office isn’tgoing to always be the candidatethat’s 100% pro-business, but there has to be away to have tough discussions.
sive that it makes it tough for smaller banks to stay in business.
AI has been here forawhile, but Ifeel like only recently people are willing to accept the Big Brother aspect of it. Tenyears ago, if businesseswere using cookiestomonitor what people were doing on the computer, they would freak out. Now afterInstagram and other things, people areapparently perfectlyfine withit. It’s like,“Not only am Iokay withit, but why is everything Ilook at not tailored to me?”
People don’t know how much all banks spend on fraud protection, paying millionsuponmillionsof dollarsfor software so that when your transaction history changes, it alerts you that something’soff.
What’sHancockWhitney’sgrowth plan?
$10,000. On the small-banking side, we want to hire more small-business bankers to grow in agranular way. In themiddle marketspace, the goal is to continue to grow loans, deposits and fee income. Oneextra challenge aGulfCoastbank has to deal with is hurricane season.We’reatthe height of it now.How do you suggest businesses and communities prepare?
Make sure you understand the details of your business and personal insurance policies, and make sure you have digital copies. Before storm season hits, makeas much as you can electronic. If you have the cash flow,put your bills on auto debit. Butdohavesome cash on hand. Carry more than one form of payment.
We’veseen maritime activity including terminals, and adecent amount related to Venture Global’s liquified natural gasoperations.It might be acontractor that needs $20 million for aproject, acement supplier or acompany pulling pipes out and putting new ones in.
We also have acompany here that’sgoingtodowork at the Meta data center near Monroe,and someone with aproject related to theHyundaisteelplant in Donaldsonville. These projects will be life-changing for them
In what industries are you seeing the most loan activity?
Hospitality,maritime, health care andhigheredare topofthe list.
Tulaneand Loyola are investing aton in on-campus housing becausethey’ve done thestudy that saysifstudentslive onsite for four years, they have abetter collegelifeand are more likelytobe investedalumni.
Commercial real estate has been slow.We’ve donesome hotels, but alot of the real estate downtown
Ialsothink people arehopeful that either theCharityHospital building renovation or the new Shell office building takes off or something else happens to tell peoplethat folks areinvesting in thecity and it’s agood place to be.
Tariffs are another factor.Many business ownershavethat entrepreneurialspirit andtheywantto take that risk, buttheyneedcertainty.Tariffs themselves aren’t theend of the world, but “tariffs, no tariffs, tariffs, no tariffs” is. Pick the numbers, stick with them, and then people can decide if they can make money or not.
How is technology affecting the industry?
The consumer is demanding more. When they log in, they want to seepie charts thatshow how muchthey spent over the last year.When they have to click three thingstopay someone, they’re annoyed, which means banks are going to have to makesure that their app is the freshest technology
There are less banks today than there were 10 years ago. That’s because the amount of money banks will have to spend on technology and compliance is just so expen-
We’re the only regionalbankof our size headquartered in the region, andwe’reactively trying to growbypurchasing, but we have to find the right fit. On the wealth and assetmanagement side, we recently purchasedSabal Trust Co. in Florida.
New Orleans is shrinking, andthe majority of ourassets are in Louisiana and Mississippi. That’snot sustainable. We need new businesses to come to town.
We always will have agoal to grow our market share every year
On theconsumer side, we wantto grownew checking accountsabove
If you’re living paycheck to paycheck,think aboutstockpiling a littlebit of savings throughout the other months for that extra tank of gas or an extra $100 or $200 to stay in ahotel room.Evacuating is expensive,and notevery household can afford to do that. From abusiness perspective, make sure your employees are on direct deposit and that you can pay vendors electronically.Tell your employees whatyour plan is so they know there’sajob for them to do and their regular paycheck will be coming in.
Email RichCollins at rich.
On this 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we pausetohonor thelives forever changedbyone of themostdevastating naturaldisasters in American history. Twodecadeshavepassedsincethe stormswept throughNew Orleansand theGulfCoast,leaving behind both ruin andheartbreak, but also countlessinstances of extraordinaryresilience.
As we mark this milestone, we remember thoselost, celebrate thestrengthofsurvivors,and reaffirm ourdedicationtobuilding asafer andstrongerfuturefor our communities.
At JonesWalkerLLP,wecontinuetorecognize theimpactofHurricane Katrinabyfostering unity, strength,and compassion. Maywecarry forwardthe lessonslearned,the memories cherished, and thepromise of abrightertomorrowfor allwho call theGulfCoast home
One Acadiana’sAmbassador Program was awarded the 2025 Membership Engagement Award by The Louisiana Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.
The award, which recognizes significant achievement or programs inmembership development or engagement, was presented at the LACCE Conference held recently in Lafayette.
Theprogram comprises business and community leaders who support the mission to make Acadiana the best place possible forbusiness and talent.
Ambassadors often attend business grandopeningsand ribbon-cutting celebrations, meet monthly to discuss regionalinitiatives and stay engagedwith the business community
One Acadiana has nearly 60 ambassadors this year “Our ambassadors consistently champion local businesses and serve as boots on the ground advocating forour missionto push the regionforward,” One AcadianaPresident and CEO Troy Wayman said. “This award speaks to theimpact1Aambassadorsare making in Acadiana.”
The 2025 Ambassador of the Year will be announced at the annual meeting Dec. 3. Jessica NoelRitchey was named Ambassador of the Year in 2024.
Lourdes names Habetz chief medical officer
Dr.Kenneth Habetz was namedchief medical officer of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center
Habetz is aboard-certified pediatric neurologist who has been with Lourdes since 2016. He has been vice chiefofpediatrics and associate chief medical officer He is agraduate of the LSU Health Shreveport School of Medicine and completed his residency and fellowship at the University of Arkansas forMedical Sciences/Arkansas Children’s Hospital, where he also served as chief resident. As CMO, Habetz willbeexecutiveliaison to physiciansand medical staff, fosteringalignment across clinical teams.
Issued Aug. 20-26
Commercial alterations
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OTHER: 2913 Johnston St., description, second phase of Moncus Park Farmers Markettoincludegardens surrounding pavilion, parking lot and utility work to support gardens; contractor, Manuel Builders; $1.7 million.
CHURCH: 102 E. MiltonAve description, pavilion forSt. Joseph Catholic Church; applicant, Angelle Archi-
OTHER: 101 Mall St., description, none listed; applicantand contractor, 1 Young Man andaTractor; $7,500.
Newresidential
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705 E. BLUEBIRD AVE.: Unit 305, DSLD $241,750.
306 ALEXANDER PALM WAY, BROUSSARD: Mar-KeyBuilders, no value listed.
hadits worst day as apublic company on Aug. 8, with shares dropping nearly 40% as investors processed secondquarter financial results, anew incoming chief financial officer and cautiousthirdquarter guidance due to tariff uncertainty.Multiple analysts think the market overreacted though. The Trade Desk recently hada mediantarget price of $75 pershare, implying 43% upside from its recent share price of $52.
The Trade Desk operates a majorindependent cloud-based, artificial intelligence-powered platform that helps advertisers plancampaigns and optimize their spending,getting the right ads in front of the right eyeballs. Its independence —meaning it doesnot own mediacontentthat might biasadspendingonits platform —distinguishes it from larger competitors such as Alphabet’sGoogle, Meta Platforms and Amazon.
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Despite the sharp declinein the stock, The TradeDeskreported reasonably good second-
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Fool’sSchool:
The F.I.R.E. strategy
As you plan for retirement, you might wanttolearn more about the F.I.R.E.movement. Theacronym stands for “Financial Independence, Retire Early,” andit’s become amovementofpeople whosaveand invest aggressively to retire early—often very early,suchasintheir 30s or 40s F.I.R.E.practitioners will typically calculate theirF.I.R.E number, whichisoften theirannualexpensesmultiplied by 25. Thenthey’ll plantowithdraw around 3% to 4% of their nest eggeach year in retirement (adjusting each withdrawal for inflation). So someone who spends around $60,000 peryear would aimtoamass a$1.5 million nest egg. And in their first year of retirement, they’d withdraw around $45,000 to $60,000 from it. All that is much easier said than done,whichiswhy F.I.R.E folks often managetheir money in an extreme way,living very, very frugally; some save at least 50% of theirincome. Atwoincome household might live frugally on oneearner’sincome,
saving allofthe other.Other tactics can include living without acar (or owning only one car), rarely dining out and renting or owning amuch smaller home than they can afford. They may also take on second jobs or side gigs.
There are some variations of the F.I.R.E. approach to know about: TheFat F.I.R.E. variation is for those who want to live large in retirement and therefore need to build extra-large retirement nest eggs. The Lean F.I.R.E.variation is the opposite, with practitioners willing to live aminimalist lifestyle. The Barista F.I.R.E.variation features an early semiretirement coupled with apart-timejob. Some risks and cautions to be aware of: Withdrawing around 4% each year (with annual inflation adjustments) could lead you to run outofmoney too soon. And working fewer than 35 yearswill shrink future Social Security benefits. Also, being young andfully retired means you’ll have to arrange your own health insurance, and you can face earlywithdrawal penalties if youtake money out of retirement accounts before age 591/2 Ask the Fool: What’s the prime rate?
What’s theprime rate?—J.F., Green Bay, Wisconsin It’sthe interest rate that most banks charge their lowest-risk commercial customers —typically around 3percentage points higherthan the federal funds
rate, the rate at which banks lend money to each other Every bank sets its ownprime rate, though many use The Wall Street Journal PrimeRate, which is based on the rates used by many of the biggest U.S. banks. The prime rate is used as abase rate for many other interest rates, such as those charged for mortgages, home equity loans, credit cards and small business loans. Many credit cards, for instance, set their interest rates by taking the current prime rate and adding acertain amount based on the perceived risk to the lender.The Wall Street Journal PrimeRate was recently 7.5%, down from 8.5% ayear earlier Should Iavoid companieswith growing lossesinstead of growing profits? —N.L Exeter,New Hampshire Rising profits are certainly more desirable than increasing losses. But for best results with any company that interests you, do some digging to see what’s really happening. One company might be posting losses because of products not selling, ahuge accounting scandal or formidable competition. Another company might be selling its products like hotcakes, but posting losses because it’sinvesting alot to
From Ruinto Recovery: HowDaybrookFisheries rebuilt afterHurricane Katrinaand Came Back
By Amanda McElfresh, amcelfresh@theadvocate.com
Thisarticle is Broughttoyou by theLouisiana CommercialFisheriesCoalition LLC.
When Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Plaquemines Parish on August 29, 2005,asaCategory 3storm, the people of Daybrook Fisheries in Empire,LA faced the unimaginable. Prior to the storm, its menhadenfishing business–anchored by afleet of boats processing plantand atight-knit workforce –was thriving.
“Wewereinaprettygood place Daybrook waswell-recognized in the community,”said Borden Wallace,thenowner of the company’sprocessing plantand fleet.“We had modernizedour facilities.Wehad agood line of credit,a good group of people workingfor us and our shareofthe market based on the numberof vessels we had.
Katrina Strikes
Storms arepart of lifeinPlaquemines Parish, but Katrina wasdifferent. Everything changed when the hurricane’scourse shifted unexpectedly.Wallace, out oftowninNorth Carolina,rushed back to NewOrleans after seeing the stormtakeasuddensouthwest jog toward Louisiana.For thefirsttime in his 30-plus-year career,heordered all Daybrook employees and their families to evacuate
“Oftentimes,boats area safe place to be in astorm,”Wallace explained. “Theyare well-stocked andhavegenerators.Theyare designed to sustain winds and waves. Butfor Katrina,wetold everybody theyhad to leave.”
Surveying the Damage
In Katrina’saftermath, roadsinto Plaquemines were impassablesoWallace secured aflighttosurvey the damage. From theair,hesaw substantial flooding and felt aflicker of optimism. But on the ground, the destruction wasoverwhelming
“Everything had been destroyed,”he said.“Everything wasbentand mangled We even founda deadcow inside one of our conveyors.”
Katrina’s35-foot storm surgelifted two of Daybrook’smenhaden steamers– each worth around $7 million –and dropped them inthe middleofLouisianaHighway 23.For weeks, theships blocked the parish’s primary evacuationand supplyroute. Officials consideredcuttingthem apart to remove them. Instead, Daybrookundertook thepainstaking taskofrefloating them –a jobestimatedat$1.2 millionper ship.
Putting People First
Even beforetackling the logistical nightmare,Wallace focused on his employees.The companyworked to ensure crewshad steady income during the rebuild.
“Werecognized thatour employees were local and wanted to seetheirhomes rebuilt and their lives restored,”Wallace said. “We tried to act like afamily companyand give people some hope.
CommitmenttoRebuild
Wallace’s next prioritywas to get Daybrook’sboats afloat so theycould be used as temporary housing foremployees and their families becauseevery other structurewas destroyed. Another task was ordering all newequipment. He and his businesspartnersdecided early on thatthey
wouldrebuild, motivatedbythe livelihoods at stake.
“Thereweretoo many jobs and toomuch work happening to just leave,” he said.
The recovery wasgrueling –long days in theheat, tearing outthe damaged equipmentand replacingitasquickly as possible. Then, in late September Hurricane Rita flooded the plantagain and stalled progress forweeks. Despite setbacks, Wallace stayedfocused. Daybrook wouldbeready to fish by April
Building Back Stronger
During the rebuilding process, Daybrook improvedits infrastructuretobetter withstand futurestorms.Utilities were buriedunderground to reduce outages More generators were purchased, with connections forlargerunits
“Wealsoraised alot of stuff off of the ground,”hesaid.“We builtasecond story on oursupplywarehouse so thatcritical parts wouldhopefully be outofharm’sway in futurestorms.”
Return to the Water
After months of hard work, Daybrook met its April 2006 goal. The fishing went so well thatboats were nearly at capacity by noon the firstday.But with the plantnot fully restored until late May, unloading and processing took days
“It wasaproud momenttosee thefleet go out,”Wallace said
Loyaltyinthe YearsAhead Daybrook’sinvestments paid off again in 2010when the DeepwaterHorizon disaster threatened the Gulf fishing industry.With waters closed and lucrativecleanup work
available, Wallace feared losing his valued crews.
“Wemet withour captains,and theymet withtheirteams. Every one of them said theyweregoing to staywithusbecausethey remembered whatDaybrook had done for themduring Katrina.Theysaid theyweren’t going to leave us now.
ALasting Anchor Today, Daybrook Fisheries and its menhaden fleet remainthe largest employer in southernPlaquemines Parish– an anchor forthe region’seconomyand identity As southeast Louisiana commemorates the twentiethanniversary of Hurricane Katrina,Daybrook standsasa testament to the perseverance and resilience of those whoweatheredthe storm. Thankstotheir grit and determination,the company continues to support hundreds of families and sustaina proud fishing tradition along Louisiana’scoast
Tulane event aims to draw discussion on the future of energy
BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to elevate the price of oil and natural gas in Europe. China controls the supply chain of minerals needed for hightech industries and renewable energy And the world struggles to find consensus on climate change.
Amid these geopolitical realities, Tulane University’s second annual Future of Energy Forum — happening Sept. 10-12 — will bring together industry executives, policymakers and researchers to discuss the challenges and opportunities shaping the energy industry in Louisiana and elsewhere.
100 speakers gather to talk about new technologies, critical minerals, regulations and the case for nuclear fusion as an energy source.
High-profile panelists will include Entergy CEO Drew Marsh and Shell USA President Colette Hirstius.
The university hopes the free event will be for the energy industry what its popular Book Fest is for all things literary, as more than
“As we find ourselves in multiple different contexts of uncertainty around energy — whether geopolitical, technological, commercial or regulatory it becomes increasingly important to look at how innovation, competition and collaboration will shape the future of our energy world,” said Tulane energy law professor Frédéric G. Sourgens, one of the energy forum’s organizers. One panel will cover job opportunities in energy sustainability and environmental rehabilitation in Louisiana. Another will focus
on challenges for port cities. In a separate conversation, representatives from FUEL — a publicly funded program led by LSU that aims to boost energy industry innovation — will discuss the “energy systems of tomorrow.”
These talks will be joined by deep dives into state and federal regulations artificial intelligence for power grids and battery backup power systems for homes.
Collaboration is key
Sourgens said the biggest challenge facing the global energy industry is how nations can work together at a time of increasing tension, and as energy access is used as leverage to serve geopolitical goals.
“We all need commodities, and nobody has all the processes to make energy future work, so we have to work together,” he said. “We have to create policies that
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Sourgens believes Louisiana will play a key role in the nation’s energy plans, citing the state’s oil and gas legacy, its ongoing offshore drilling, new liquefied natural gas activity, planned carbon capture projects and the massive Meta data center planned for north Louisiana News of that $10 billion project — one of the biggest economic development initiatives in the state’s history broke a year ago at last year’s energy forum. Debate about Entergy’s plans to power the data center are ongoing.
“Louisiana is at the forefront because of its traditional place at the intersection of energy production and energy refining and power distribution,” said Sourgens. “A lot of where energy is going into the future is where Louisiana is strong, and the things we do are things the
world needs.”
Other topics at this year’s event will include the rise of energy-as-aservice — a model where customers pay energy providers monthly fees vs. owning equipment — and nuclear power’s ongoing image makeover Other speakers will discuss nuclear fusion, a potentially limitless energy source that some hope will contribute to the world’s energy in the decades to come, and the impact of Trump’s tariffs on global trade.
“We should all be interested in how much we pay for electricity, whether the light comes on when we flip the switch, and whether there’s gas at the pump when we need it,” Sourgens said.
The Future of Energy Forum will take place on three stages on Tulane’s Uptown campus.
Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.
andthe
Sourgens
More than 100 speakers are on the docket for Tulane University’s second annual Future of Energy Forum, which will focus on new technologies, critical minerals,
and the case for nuclear fusion as an energy source.
Gallagher: ALouisiana StoryofGrowth, Community andResilience
Gallagher,one of the world’slargestinsurancebrokerage,risk managementand consulting firms, has asignificantpresencein Louisiana, with arich history andadeep commitmenttothe local community. With roots in the statedatingback decades, Gallagher has grownintothe largest broker inLouisiana, providing awide array of services to businesses of allsizes acrossvarious sectors
“WhereIthink we areuniquelypositioned is thatwedon’t have that institutional mindset. We haven’talwaysbeen big.We’vealwayshad to be alittle morenimble, creativeand client-centric, said” Numa “Bumpy” Triche,regional president. “The result isthatwehavethe sizeand scale of anybody in the world, with robustdataanalytics and modeling capabilities. But our local operations arevery much integrated within the local market.”
Founded in 1927,Gallagher has expanded globally and reports $11.3 billion in total adjustedbrokerage andrisk managementrevenues in 2024 and amarket capitalization of $76.1billion as of January 30,2025.
Thecompanyhas aworkforce of nearly56,000 employees worldwide morethan 970officesglobally,and servesclients in over130 countries.
In Louisiana, Gallagher’s journeybeganwithanacquisition in Baton Rouge,which led to theestablishmentofofficesinNew Orleans and Monroe,Louisiana. Thecompanyhas strategically acquired local firms overthe years, integrating their employees and maintaining alocal focus. This growth has resulted in 18 officesstatewide and asignificant regional market share. Thecompanyhas grownits businessbyworking withpeople and organizations who sharecommon values and vision. “Gallagher has one of thelargest operations within ourSoutheastregion in terms of our footprint acrossthe stateand the various markets, Triche said. “Atthe same time, we arealwaysclient-focused, withthe people in the statebeing the ones who work with the local teams and businesses. People work with us because we provide awhite-glove service experiencewitheasyaccessibilitytoour team and our broader tools and resources. We have invested heavily in areas relatedtodata analysis and forensicaccounting in order to provide the technical and detailed support to our teams.Whatwedoisoffer ourclients access to global expertise tailored to their needs.”
As proud as Gallagher is of its growth,theyare prouder to have been able to maintainits unique culture. This cultureissummed up in 25 tenets called TheGallagher Way, aset of shared values thatemphasize ethics, integrityand aclient-centricapproach. These values were articulatedbyRobert E. Gallagher backin1984and have sinceguided the company’soperations and relationships. Keyprinciples include providing excellentrisk managementservices,supporting and respecting colleagues, pursuing professional excellenceand fostering open communication. Thecompanyculturevalues empathy, trust, leadership and teamwork, with astrong emphasis on treating everyone with courtesyand respect
Gallagher’s commitmenttoLouisiana goes beyond business. The companyhas alocalpresence, with employees deeply embedded in the community.
“Our employees see theirclients at church on Sundays,play golf with them on Saturdays,and go to lunch with them on Wednesdays,” said William Jackson, ExecutiveVicePresidentof Gallagher’s SoutheastRegion and leader of the NewOrleans operation and the region’s specialtyproducts.Our local connection is akey differentiatorfor Gallagher,combining the resourcesand capabilities of alarge global firmwith the personalized serviceofa communitybroker.
“Weteam up withlocalpartnerstomakeevery communitywejoin a morevibrantone.Fromfundraisersfor localcharities to crawfishboils and hurricane relief,our officesgivebacktothe peopleand places in whichwelive. As we grow larger,wemaintain close ties to the communities we serve.
Gallagher serves adiverse range of industries in Louisiana,including manufacturing, agribusiness, public sector,higher education, aerospace, energy,entertainmentand lifesciences. Thecompanypositions itself as athought leader when it comes to riskmanagementguidance on topics suchascyber risks, healthcare,marine construction AI, social inflation and other influences thatimpactinsurance claim costs, leading to higher premiums and impacting the insuranceindustry’srisklandscape.The team prides itself on providing expertiseand insights on keyindustries and currenteventsimpacting this region.
WILLIAM JACKSON ExecutiveVicePresidentSoutheast Region, Gallagher
Gallagher is poised forcontinued success in Louisiana,driven by its strong values, localfocus and expertise in keyindustries. Thecompany’s emphasis on client-centric service, combined with its global resources, positions it as atrustedpartner forbusinesses andindividuals seeking insurance, risk managementand consulting solutions.AsGallagher continues to grow and adapttothe evolving needsofthe market its commitmenttothe local communities remains acornerstone of its identity
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ALLERGIES ABOUND
BY MARGARETDeLANEY
Staff writer
The Asthma andAllergy
Foundation of America annuallyranks U.S. citiestofind the allergy capital, from the 100 most populous U.S.metropolitan areas. The rankings included two Louisiana cities New Orleans took the secondmost challenging city for pollenallergies, just behind Wichita, Kansas.
Baton Rougeranked as the 14th-worst city in the country for allergies.
Although summer allergies are far from over,fallallergies are just around the corner.Fall allergies can begin as early as late July,despite what the name may suggest
Accordingtothe American College of Allergy,Asthma and Immunology,allergies are the sixth leadingcause of chronic illness in the United States, with an ann ual cost in excess of $18 billion.
Morethan 50 million Am erican s suffer from allergies each year.
Dr.John Carlson, an allergist andimmunologist at Ochsner Health, researches the environmentand how that can trigger allergic conditions. That can include reac-
tions from venomous insects to allergies to particles in the air that may bring on asthma. Most inhaled allergiescan be divided into threecategories:
n Pollens like tree pollen in the spring, grass pollen in the summer and weeds’ pollen in the fall.
n Perennial, or indoor,allergens including reactions to cats, dogs,mice, cockroaches, dust mites, dust and more —things commonly inside the home
n Andmoldspores, which canbefound year-round in theGulf South.
“Itisreally hard to avoid the spores of the fungi just being out and about in the world,” Carlson said. “And living down here in Louisiana.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, themost common symptoms of allergies are congestion, itchyeyes, runny nose, sneezing and postnasal drip (thefeeling of constantly needing to clear thethroat
of mucus).
Tracking pollen counts can be beneficialinmanaging symptoms. Taking allergy medication before symptoms arise canmassively improve lifestyle and symptom management.
Most weather apps, including The Weather Channel, have a15-day allergy forecastwith apollen tracker on ascale from very low to very high.
Bladder cancer outcomes improving
BY DEVI SHASTRI AP health writer
Colorado football coach Deion Sanders was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bladdercancer earlierthis year,had surgery to remove the organand is now consideredcuredbyhis doctors, the pro footballHallofFamer said July 28. Sanders said he is upbeat and plans to coach the Buffaloes this fall.
Bladder cancer is the 10th leading cause of cancer death in the United States. But recent ad va nc emen ts in its treatment have improved outcomes forpeople whoare diagnosed,according to theAmerican Cancer Society
The 57-year-old Sanders shared thedetails of his diagnosis and treatment, which involved surgeons reconstructing asection of hisintestine to function as abladder,and said it “was afight, but we madeit.”
Here’swhatyou shouldknow about bladder cancer
What is bladdercancer?
This cancer starts when the cells in the bladder,which stores urine, grow out of control and form tumors. In some cases, the cancer spreads to other parts of the body
Themost common symptom for bladder cancer is blood in the urine, which can cause urine to look orange, pink, or rarely,dark red. The color change can come and go, the American Cancer Society says, and early tumors may not cause pain.
Pain or burning while urinating, weak stream,frequent urination or urge to go when the bladder isn’tfull can also be signs of bladder cancer. Symptoms of advanced bladder cancer can include an inabilitytourinate, bone pain, loss of appetite, weakness, swollen feet and lower back pain on one side.
If you have symptoms, it is worth getting checked out, because all of those symptomsmight be from other health issues. Blood in theurine is most often froman infection, abenign tumor,akidney stone or bladder stone or other benign kidney disease, according to the American Cancer Society Sanderssaidduringa news conference on Monday that the cancer wasfound when he went foraprecautionary annual CT scan; he has ahistory of blood clots in his legs. Howcommon is bladdercancer?
Bladder cancer is morecommon in men than women.
TheAmericanCancerSociety estimates there will be nearly 85,000 new cases in 2025, with morethan 65,000 in men
The incidence rate for bladder cancer has decreased by 1% per
ä See ALLERGIES, page 2X ä See CANCER, page 3X
Carlson
STAFF FILE PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER
Awoman carries atrayoffall flowers in 2024 in NewOrleans. The Asthma and Allergy
of U.S. allergycapitals includes NewOrleans in the number twospot.
FILE PHOTO By STARLIGHT WILLIAMS
Pollen collects on top of aslide in AudubonPark after ashower. Tracking pollen counts canbe beneficialinmanaging allergysymptoms.
HEALTH MAKER
La. pharmacist fell in love with science, service
BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer
Catherine Oliver the systems director for clinical pharmacy services at Ochsner Health System, has a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Louisiana-Monroe
As a Eunice native, Oliver feels passionate about giving back to Louisiana and making sure she is here to provide for those in need in the state — both in the city and in rural areas like her hometown.
Oliver finished her pharmacy residency in acute care at Cone Health in Greensboro, North Carolina. She worked in Lafayette for four years before moving to New Orleans with Ochsner Health, where she has stayed for 10 years
What drew you into pharmacy?
I always had an interest in health care but more the science of it and not so much bedside care.
I have a chemistry background. I have an undergraduate degree in chemistry I thought that if I decided to change my mind and go into medicine, I would meet the qualifications to apply to medical school. I applied to pharmacy school in Monroe and fell in love.
As I went through my
curriculum in pharmacy, I anticipated I would work in a retail pharmacy because that’s what most people know about the industry
Most people see the corner drugstore pharmacist. They’re very accessible. You can ask questions about your medication. They can help you with prescriptions and over-the-counter needs.
But, in my second year of pharmacy school, we started learning about what a clinical pharmacist is. That area of pharmacy requires residency training — that’s an extra year or two — in a particular area of pharmacy, similar to physicians after medical school.
That training could be in oncology or pediatrics or critical care or any of the specialties in medicine.
I completed my residency in North Carolina. In North Carolina, pharmacists can actually practice more like a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant — they have a lot more autonomy in the clinic setting to manage medication therapy on behalf of patients. We wrote notes in patients’ charts and were very involved We would educate the patient: “The physician has started you on this medicine. Here’s what it means, here’s what it’s for here’s some of the side effects.”
The practice of pharmacists does vary from state to state. At the time that I trained in North Carolina, Louisiana was a little bit behind. But I will say that we have done a lot of work, advocacy and worked with our board of pharmacy and with the board of medical examiners to expand what pharmacists can do in the state.
I would say that Louisiana has really grown in what a pharmacist it can do in collaboration with the physician. We’ve really grown our footprint. We know that patients benefit from pharmacists being involved in their care.
What are some roles pharmacists play that people, and patients, would not expect?
Within the hospital, there are all kinds of different pharmacists who are providing care. The clinical pharmacist is often at the bedside. There’s also a team of pharmacists hidden from the public in the hospital who work to review, verify and check medication. We also have pharmacists who work in the clinic. These pharmacists are not dispensing medications like the pharmacist in the retail pharmacy, but rather, they are working with the physician to select the best medication for the patient for a
particular disease.
We’ll work with the physician to build that best therapy plan and plan of care for the patient.
We can also carry out monitoring. We may see the
patient again in a month or six weeks and see how are they responding to that medicine.
The pharmacist will, both in retail and specialty clinics, provide medicine
information to insurance companies to make sure that patients have access to medication. Is there a pharmacist shortage? We know a shortage of pharmacists is coming similar to a shortage of nursing and physicians, particularly in the primary care setting. Pharmacists can really help to bridge that gap. There’s a pharmacy, and a pharmacist, in every town, but maybe not a physician in every town.
By working alongside physicians, pharmacists can take some of the work off of the physician. Instead of having to see your doctor again when you have a question about your medicine, you can see the pharmacist. That allows the physician to see more urgent or more complex patients in the clinic. It also decreases turnaround time — when a physician is really bogged down with messages. It can take a couple of days to get messages back and forth from the physician to the pharmacy
That continuous collaboration with physicians is really a new and novel thing that the public might not know about.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity
‘Sandwich generation’ faces stress caring for parents, children
BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer
Though the label “sandwich generation” dates back to 1981, those feeling the squeeze of responsibilities of caring for growing children and aging parents know that the moniker is still as relevant today as ever According to the American Psychological Association, those in “the sandwich generation” feel more stress than any other age group as they balance the demanding, delicate acts of care.
These days, while nearly two in five men and women in this age group feel overextended, the survey reveals that more women than men report experiencing extreme stress and say they manage their stress poorly Not only is balancing the medical, financial and educational burdens of two generations taking a toll on these “sandwiched” mothers, now, they have another thing to worry about: heart health.
at once, if left untreated, can lead to devastating health concerns.
“Some people can have maladaptive or psychological responses like anxiety or depression,” Williams said. “But they could also have behavioral responses, such as smoking or improper nutrition — things that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.”
A shifting population
In today’s world, Generation Xers are filling the roles of care for the generations before and behind them.
and caring for a parent In fact, about 8.5 million were caring for an elderly parent from a long distance.
Additionally when evaluating U.S. Census Bureau data, these statistics will increase.
The government agency postulates that by 2030, there will be more than 70 million Americans over the age of 65, forcing perhaps more adults pushed to the stressful middle of a generation sandwich.
But why do women miss the signs?
“Most of it is because they are not prioritizing their own needs,” Williams said. “It’s even more difficult because women tend to have atypical or less-subtle symptoms.”
Dating back to 1981 the term was coined by two women, Dorothy Miller and Elaine Brody At that time, the middle generation in the sandwich was Baby Boomers.
Dr Dominique Williams is a medical director and cardiologist for women at Ochsner Health Williams says that these women “caught in the middle” are typically between the ages of 40 and 50 and suffer from chronic stress. This stress, brought on by managing three generations
Of course as time marches, the sandwich generation will be largely composed of millennials.
The Pew Research Center looked into the numbers, and according to their findings, about one in eight Americans between the ages of 40 and 60 was rearing a child
Managing the stress Stress itself triggers the fight or flight response, or the sympathetic nervous system, increasing cortisol levels and inflammation. According to Williams, this has been associated with increased risk of coronary events or heart attacks that are more common in women.
The classic, mostly malecentric, research says that the main symptom for a heart attack is chest pain down the left arm and up the neck. But symptoms that mimic acid reflux, life exhaustion and shortness of breath can also be indicative of heart events.
Every person has a different threshold for stress. How people perceive what is happening and they internalize that stress can make a huge impact on health.
Practical symptoms to look for when thinking about chronic stress include: n Increased blood pres-
sure n Fatigue n Craving unhealthy foods n Poor sleep. Williams recommends investing in a blood pressure cuff, available from $16 to $50 online, and tracking the numbers daily “I know it’s hard,” Williams said. “But I like to tell people to try to slow down.” Taking a moment, just 10 to 15 minutes a day, to go on a walk or spend some time alone can do wonders for stress management.
Exercise doesn’t have to be dramatic: a moment walking through the park while running errands, building in a time block for exercise or scheduling a workout class ahead of time that can’t be canceled.
Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.
When planning the day, pollen counts are usually highest between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m. Minimizing earlymorning activities may help to get a jump-start on a symptom-free day as well as showering right after coming indoors and making sure windows are shut to prevent outdoor pollen from entering the home.
Over-the-counter options
The great news, whether an allergy is new or old, is that the best first-line treatments are available over the counter
“You can go to any drugstore and pick up a steroid spray or an antihistamine nose spray,” Carlson said.
“Those are your first and second line treatments, regardless of what’s triggering your allergic reactions.”
Patients do not need an allergy test or a doctor’s prescription to receive these treatments from the drugstore.
“It tells you how to use it right there on the bottle, and that works for most people,” Carlson said.
n Over-the-counter saline sprays and drops: Saline sprays and artificial tears are most helpful in washing pollen out of the nose and eyes. They are effective when used after coming in from the outdoors.
n OTC nasal steroids: These sprays must be administered only at the recommended dosages, and when used, must be placed in the nose pointing to the ear It often takes several days before the full benefits can be felt.
n Antihistamines and decongestants: Antihistamines reduce sneezing, sniffling, and itching by blocking histamine receptors in the body, while decongestants shrink the blood vessels in the nasal passageways to relieve congestion.
n Eye drops: Help relieve
itchy, watery eyes. When to up the ante
People should see an allergist when their quality of life is so impaired that they are unable to function fully or enjoy their normal lifestyle. The two big reasons people need to get in to see an allergist are either that those nose sprays available over the counter aren’t working, or if a patient can’t use them because they’re having side effects, like nose bleeds from over-the-counter nasal sprays, Carlson said.
Allergy injection therapy, also known as immunother-
apy, can be very effective in preventing allergy symptoms and may decrease the need for daily medications.
Emerging allergies
If allergies are new to you, you are not alone. Both adults and children can develop allergies at any point in their lives. Typically, however it takes at least two seasons of exposure to develop an allergy
“It’s pretty rare to see a kid with allergies less than age 2,” Carlson said, “We don’t really know why people develop allergies at particular times.”
A curious thing can also happen: the immune system can begin to attune its response and symptoms of allergies can go away in adulthood. It’s actually quite common.
Home remedies?
Carlson says that often when someone feels a cold coming on, they make a cup
The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state.This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and reexamining tried and true methods on ways to
of tea with honey, frequently adding lemon.
But there isn’t much research to support that honey will help allergy symptoms, according to Carlson, although it is a delicious addition to hot tea.
“It may make you feel more comfortable,” Carlson said. “But typically, nothing that you’re going to do along those lines is going to be sufficient to really open up your sinuses, to really make a difference when you’re having these really strong immune system attacks against the pollen.”
Other elixirs are vitamin C and eucalyptus and frankincense essential oils used as antimicrobials — substances that kill microorganisms like bacteria or fungi.
Carlson admits that as long as these “remedies” are not harmful to the body, they are perfectly fine if it makes an allergy sufferer more comfortable.
Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana.
Do you have a health story? We want to hear from you.
Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.
PROVIDED PHOTO
Catherine Oliver, the systems director for clinical pharmacy services at Ochsner Health System, has a doctor of pharmacy degree from the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
Williams
EatFit Live Fit
Performancefueling: Textbook formulas simplified forreal life
LA.ISTHE FIFTH-MOSTPHySICALLy INACTIVE STATEINTHE U.S.
In 2022, justunder 1in3adults were notphysically activeduring their leisure time in Louisiana.That’swell above the national averageof24.2%.
Across the U.S.,Louisiana ranks toward the bottom in the countrywhen it comes to physical activity
Physical activity afterworking hours can decrease the risks of certain cancers, heartdisease and Type 2diabetes. Additionally,exercise can reduce the risk of developing seriousillnesses from infectious diseases like COVID or the flu, according to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention. Regular physical activity canalso increase lifeexpectancy, strengthen bones anddecrease the likelihood of falls in older age.
Theseparishes had the most adults whoare physically inactiveamong adults after working hours in 2022, in descending order:
n East Carroll and Tensas parishes at 42%
CANCER
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year in recent years. Death rateshave stayed relatively stable,declining by 1% per year since 2013. What can cause bladder cancer? Smoking is the biggest risk factor,according to the American Cancer Society.The recent decline in incidencerates is likely due to fewer people smoking. Other risk factors include working in jobs that expose you to chemicals —like painters, metaland leather workers, miners and firefighters. People who usea urinary catheter for
n Claiborne Parishat 40%
n Madison Parish at 39%
n Bienville and Morehouse parishes at 38%
n Evangeline Parish at 37%
n Avoyelles and Concordia parishes at 36%
These parishes had fewest adults whoare physically inactiveamong adults after working hours in 2022, in ascending order:
n Ascension and St. Charles parishes at 25%
n Lafayette and St.Tammany parishes at 26%
n East Baton Rouge, Orleansand West Felicianaparishes at 27%
n Beauregard, Bossier,Cameron, Livingston and Tangipahoaparishesat 28%
TheCDC suggests that adults prevent health problemscaused by notbeing physically activeby:
n Increase weight-bearing activities like
along time are alsoathigher risk. What is theoutlook forbladder cancer patients?
Outcomes for bladder cancer patients improve basedonif and how much thecancer has spread. The five-year relativesurvivalrateis72% to 97% if the cancerhas notspread outside the bladder,but dropsto40% if the cancer has spread to lymph nodesorother nearby partsof thebody, and 9% if it hasspread farther
Treatmentcan include surgery to removethe tumor, parts of thebladder or the whole bladder; radiation; chemotherapy;targeted drugtherapy and immunotherapy
Fighting to stay afloat on what looks like asea of chocolate milk,desperation begins to define aTuesdaymorning in Thibodaux. My boat shakesuncontrollably,and Ifeel like anewborn deer learning to walk.
“You might be going swimming, my brother,” says Ernie Savoie.“Youhave a change of clothes?”
Giventhe suffocatingJulyheat, an impromptu dip in Bayou Lafourche doesn’t seem like the worst idea.But Ididn’tpack fora swim, andwith intrusivevisions of alligators incoming, Itry harder to maintain equilibrium. The more Istrain, the worse the boat shakes.
Savoie shouts instructions fromaboat launch frontingthe campus of Nicholls State University.
“You in alog!” hesays.“All you have to do is stay in the middle.”
Savoie, 67, is acarpenterwithgrayhair that begins as frizzy mutton chops and trails into aponytail. Moments before, he smoothly paddled the 140-year-old pirogue, passeddown through generations of Cajuns, and it had cut through the water’ssurface like butter
Ishift my weight towardsthe boat’s cen-
ter of gravity,but epoxy coatsthe cypress like slick black ice, and Islide back and forthbetween port and starboard; afurioussplashing pendulum that spoils the serene waterfront.
Savoie’slaughter grows louder,and I’m regretting asking to take theheirloom for aspin. By the time Ireach safety,he’s howling.
Vickie Eserman, aretiredelementary school teacher from Raceland, joins him on the dock, urging him to muffle hisguffaws.
Both serve on the board of the Center forTraditional Louisiana BoatBuilding, working to raise funds for amuseum plannedjust afew hundredyards away —that will house nearly 80 handcrafted Cajun boats, whose previous homewas destroyed by Hurricane Ida.
By hand andbyeye
Eserman’spath to boatbuildingbegan after her father,anantique collector and boatenthusiast,passed away in 2010. She andher sister decided to builda pirogue in hishonor.Hoping to learn thecraft, she started volunteering at the center,where Savoie was often working.
“Where are the plans?” she recalls askinghim. “I wanted to studyall aboutthis.”
But Savoie isn’ta fan of formal instruction,and Cajun boatbuilding comes with no Ikea-style instruction manual, relying instead on intuition to build —atradition called “by hand andbyeye.” And, as Eserman discovered, every craftsman employs his own sacred technique.
“He’svery particular,” she said. “If one nail went in crooked,hewas pullingit out.”
“It’sall done by feel,” said Savoie, first taught by his father to build pirogues from plywood, aprocess he’srefined over the years. “It’sfiguring the angles and widths… it’saprocess of shaping somethingyou’re satisfied looking at.”
Savoie’s 14-foot, round-bottompirogue that nearly capsized earlier in the day washandmadebyhis great-grandfather, Arsene Savoie, from asingle cypress log. Thestory goes that for those willing to toil sunup till sundown for nine days on his farm in Larose, Arsene would pay them in pirogue —a deal common in Cajun country’sbarter economy
“You busted your butt for thatpirogue,” said Savoie. “More than likely youneeded it for something else. Youwere atrapper or fisherman who needed that to makehis living.”
Though far from theonly popular waterway,Bayou Lafourche had, by the 19th century,become an aquatic precursorof Interstate 10. Before its disastrous damming in 1903, theriverflowed freely from its split with the Mississippi at Donaldsonville all the way to the Gulf of Mexico, drawing more and more coastalCajuns north to settle along its banks, said Ray Brassieur,aretired University of Lafayette anthropology professor whohas spent decades studying Cajunculture.
“Tothem, thiswas paradisewhenthey landedhere,” addedSavoie.“It washotter thanhell and the mosquitoes will carry you away,but you’ll eat.Anybody that couldn’tsurvive down here, it’sbecause they weren’ttrying.”
Back then, mammoth-sized old-growth cypress lined bayou banks, readily available for any prospective fishermen, trawler,trapper or farmer,its rot and termiteresistant wood denser,and higher quality thantoday’snew growthiterations. As a result,wooden boatbuildingwas away of life.
Narrow,shallowdraftpirogues were largely modeled from Native Americans dugouts —usually atwo-person utility boat forthe bayou, rowed facing forward, andoften standing up. Unlike most Native Americans, Europeans had theadvantage of steel.
“Theycould make their dugout much thinner,muchlighter,much more dynamic in thewater,” said Brassieur.“The tricksvariedaccordingtothe master that had them.”
By the 1930s, as the state’sloss of marshland began to dramatically increase, industrial logging hadwiped out nearly all of Louisiana’svirgin, old-growth cypress. Even today,some still search forthe legendary “sinker” cypress logs —trees that sank to thebottom of bayous on their way to sawmills —but for themost part, dugoutsand cypress-plank boats gradually gave way toplywood hulls.
“Once they saw that plywood, aboat builder could shape any boat they wanted,” said Brassieur.“It was much easier to work with …but the skills ran out when thematerial changed.”
Finally,sheet-metal designs made old methodsall but obsolete, and today,traditional wooden boatbuilding is left to a handful lucky enough toinherit the skills —areminder to some of what waslost.
“The skills are still here,” said Bras-
‘Your
houseis on fire’
Last Sunday,aswewere getting ready to go to our book club, I noticed the ceiling faninour bedroom wasn’tspinning.
My husband and Ihave alongrunning, unspoken ceiling fan battle. Ithought he had turned it off, so Ipulled the string. Nothing. Iflipped the switch —still no spin. The light didn’twork either For amoment, Ithought the electricity was out. But other lights in the house were on.
Before we got in the car with the giant vat of chicken spaghetti Ihad madefor our book club, aneighbor sent me the name and number of an electrician. I gave the electrician acall. It was Sunday night, so Ileft amessage and asked if they could come out Monday morning. Our book club wasdiscussing “Diary of aMisfit” by Casey Parks, set in Delhi, Louisiana. The themeofthe meal was “Southern food.” In my mind, chicken spaghetti fit the book perfectly.I believe folks in Delhi werebuying Rotel and Velveeta forchicken spaghetti, just like my mama had done afew miles east in Mississippi. Imade enough chicken spaghetti forthe LSU football team. Turns out, that chicken spaghetti wasthe last thing Icooked in our house.
About 8:50 p.m., Iwas taking abite of pound cake when adifferent neighbor called. We were still at the table at book club, so Ididn’tanswer.She called right back. Istood up and answered the phone. She yelled, “Your house is on fire.”
PHOTO PROVIDED By JULIO NAUDIN
This mug from a2004 Erma Bombeck conferencesurvivedthe fire in columnistJan Risher’shouse fire in Baton RougeonAug.17.
Icould hear sirens in the background. We were in our car headed that way in aflash. Driving across town toward your burning homeisastrange ride.
The fire trucks, police cars and other emergency vehicles had swarmed our whole block. We parked about 70 yards from our house.
All of our neighbors werein the street. Our friends showed up from book club and beyond. And, as our house burned and firefighters worked, those people who love us took turns hugging us and standing by our sides.
The fire started in the attic. Neighbors have given us photos of flames shooting 20 feet into the sky,catching the giant live oak next door on fire too. The experience of standing there forthree hours was utterly surreal. The swirl of lights that wereaconstant throughout the ordeal will stay with me. It was like being in astrange, outdoor flashing discothèque.
Ididn’tcry.I knew that every-
TomButler with apirogue dugout on the campusofNicholls State University
PHOTO PROVIDED By THE CENTER
ASK THE EXPERTS
LSU Museum of Art executive director preparing for future
BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer
Mark Tullos serves as the executive director of the LSU Museum of Art, one of the South’s largest university-affiliated art collections, with roughly 6,000 works. Before his return to his home state, Tullos acted as the founding president and CEO of the Mississippi Arts and Entertainment Experience in Meridian, Mississippi.
He has also served as the assistant secretary for the Louisiana Office of State Museum, director of the Louisiana State Museum in New Orleans and founding director of the Walter Anderson Museum of Art.
We’re two weeks into the new school year at LSU What is the LSU Museum of Art looking forward to?
We’re coming out of one of our most successful years we’ve seen in a decade. The museum met a lot of challenges over the past 10 years with COVID and budget cuts, but last year, we managed to achieve a lot of things that were long overdue, including our reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums. Now, we’re preparing for even bigger things this next year How has the museum had to pivot its approach to funding with the current budget cuts?
First, LSU has been stalwart in their support for the museum. They’ve not budged from what they contribute to our operations, which is about 42% of our budget
The rest of the budget we have to raise privately through grants, membership and donations.
A lot of our grants that come through local sources like the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the Louisiana Division of the Arts are all supported by the National Endowment for the Arts indirectly, which is now being eliminated. So we’re looking for other ways to create self-generated
MEMORIES
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sieur “They can be encouraged and redeveloped as needed It can happen.”
Warehouse of wooden ghosts
About a 10-minute drive from Nicholls State, Eserman and Savoie pull off La. 1. There, in a stuffy warehouse, lie 78 full-sized wooden boats, ranging from a 1980s-built lugger to an Indian dugout carbon-dated to the 1500s.
The collection traces its roots to Tom Butler and John Rochelle, two fishing buddies and faculty members at Nicholls State University In the 1970s, they became captivated by the groups of men they met during long trips down the bayou, who were still handcrafting boats on river banks. They began inviting the boatbuilders to a maintenance barn on the university’s campus, where they conducted interviews and documented building methods. In 1979, the Center for Traditional Louisiana Boat Building became official.
“They really just wanted to preserve the art of boatbuilding, because they were seeing fewer and fewer boats,” said Eserman.
Over the years, the barn evolved into a cross between a workshop and tourist destination. People from across South Louisiana came to build and restore boats, while anyone interested in Cajun heritage found a living museum.
In 2007, the center was moved to a former Ford dealership in Lockport, where Eserman says the collection exploded. In addition to boats, people donated Cajun artifacts, including tools, art work, and antique boat motors. During the pandemic, the museum shuttered its doors. Then Hurricane Ida ripped the facility apart, leaving it irreversibly damaged. Savoie, Eserman and a few others scrambled to find a safe storage place, where, for the past four years, the boats have lain forlorn, closed to the public
The situation visibly pains Eserman and Savoie, who both see the boats as more than just artifacts. For them, each vessel tells a specific family history, a heritage, that if not passed to the next generation, risks being lost.
“This shouldn’t be like this. It’s not right,” said Savoie, walking among the collection. “It’s a big concern of mine that I get these out of here as soon as I can.”
funding through fundraisers and things of that nature.
What are some of the big events that you’re preparing for in the coming years?
This year, we are launching the museum’s first-ever annual fundraiser Southern Palette, a food and drink experience downtown. People can visit southernpalette. org to see the guest chefs who are coming in throughout the South on March 21. People can come and taste very unique, award-winning samples from each of the chefs.
We’re trying to rebuild our website to make our collections accessible to the public. As a scholar, you’ll even get a level of access where you can go in and see the collection and study certain things that the general public can’t.
The next piece is our effort to expand our collaboration with the university and the college students. We’re employing more student workers and graduate students than we have before. We’re also developing more programs and partnership with various departments on campus to impact student education. On the other end, we’re working with the public schools and educators to provide access for opportunities here on our campus at the Shaw Center
A lot of people don’t realize that exhibition planning takes a long time. We have one program that’s three to four years out. In 2026 and 2027, we’re working on a major exchange with an artist in Cuba that we’ve been working on for two years.
Why was it important to earn reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums?
Out of roughly 33,000 museums in the United States, only about 1,000 of them are accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. What that means is the museum has gone through a process of self study and examination for at least one year in upgrading their policies, procedures, organization,
Bringing the Cajun fleet home
As direct links to traditional boatbuilding dwindles, Eserman has encouraged Savoie to document his techniques, with little success.
“Ernie, are you writing this down?” she’ll ask. “Are you recording yourself? Is your wife recording you?”
But Savoie isn’t much of a notetaker, and the electronic stuff, he says, “is Greek to me.”
Instead he’s holding out hope for a better way
A sign outside Nicholls State currently advertises a new home for the center, which Savoie and Eserman see as a continuation of the original maintenance barn — a living history depicting life in the 18th century, where visitors can come to see remaining boat builders, and oral histories from Rochelle and Butler’s original work can be displayed.
“Most of the exhibits we take in, we’ll try to have a story from that person, “ said Savoie. “Of what was done with that boat, how they used it. That way you preserve the history of that family,”
So far, Eserman says the center has raised 20% of the $2 million needed for construction of the new museum. She and Savoie aren’t the only ones working to revive the museum, but they work well together
“He and I are nothing alike, but we both have the same vision,” said Eserman. “I’m doing all the secretary work and designing brochures, while he’s getting out there building boats.”
Most of their campaign, said Eserman, is centered around grassroots crowdfunding.
To cover operating costs Savoie envisions renting out pirogues — hopefully more stable than Arsene’s — for families to paddle outside the center on Bayou Lafourche, though the experience might be more authentic to lend them out in exchange for a few chores.
It’s unclear when the center will find enough money to break ground. In the meantime, Savoie is passing his knowledge to his son and grandsons, just as his father, and his father before him, once did lessons from the past that may guide their future.
“If you don’t try to pass it down to your family,” he said. “It’s just going to go away.”
Email Aidan McCahill at aidan.mccahill@theadvocate. com.
Q&A WITH MARK TULLOS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LSU MUSEUM OF ART
ethics policies and education programs to a level that is best practices in the industry
After you strive to improve in those areas, a team of reviewers from peer institutions visit on behalf of the American Alliance of Museums, which is our membership organization. The last time we were accredited was back in 2007, so we had to review all those qualifications. A team came to Baton Rouge, and we passed with flying colors.
How do the arts build community and create solutions in a city?
This is a really important conversation to have right now be-
RISHER
Continued from page 1y
thing that could be done was being done.
I learned many things Sunday night. First, the kindnesses of friends can be overwhelming. One friend walked up with an overnight bag full of essentials — toothbrush, toothpaste, sandals and clothes.
I learned that the flip side of the brute force the firefighters used to cut down the door to get into our burning home was their thoughtfulness. They recognized that we had a lot of original art and that it must be important to us. They took most of the art down, piece by piece, and placed each on our giant mesquite dining table. Then, they covered the whole thing with a tarp.
At one point, as I was standing there watching our house on fire, a firefighter approached me and said, “Here’s your laptop,” charging cord included. Another fireman brought us the two prescription medicines that were in the bathroom cabinet.
Much of the evening is a blur I don’t know how three hours passed. Time is elastic. I remember the guy from the electric company who took down the meter The guy from the gas company came and shut off the gas. I didn’t think to ask about the water
By 11:30 p.m., we had convinced our friends to go home and promised to make our way to one of their homes as soon as we could. I had been standing for nearly three hours and saw a place on Engine 9 where I could sit. My husband snapped a photo of me.
Around 11:40 p.m., the firemen came and said they would take us inside to grab a few things.
We found about two inches of standing water and foam in the living room. I had on nice sandals and didn’t think those would be my safest option as the floors were covered with soot, ashes, wires and debris. I remembered I had left my tennis shoes near the front door They were conveniently under the tarp under the table with the art. I put them on and walked past the charred remains of the attic entrance and passed decades worth of soggy yearbooks.
Headed toward our bedroom, standing water was everywhere. Firefighters had put a tarp on our bed too. I grabbed a bunch of my
cause of the recent challenges museums are facing with censorship.
In 2021, the American Alliance of Museums hired an independent research firm to conduct a survey, and they discovered that 9 out of 10 Americans found museums more trustworthy than any institution in the United States, just below their family members. Above their churches and educational institutions, they believed in museums. I think it’s because we’ve cherished, for decades now, that when we mount an exhibition, we should be unbiased, and we need to bring the facts. We may not like the his-
tory what the artist might be saying or what the scientific discovery was, but it’s the fact. People rely on museums for that information, exposure to opinions, ideas and freedom that we have to express and exhibit those things. People come to us because they want to be challenged with new ideas, or they want to learn what the truth is about ourselves. Museum are really central to our American story Our democracy is founded on that principle of truth.
Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.
dresses from the front of my closet. One of the firemen suggested taking the dirty clothes basket.
“You know you wear those clothes,” he said.
He also asked if I’d like for him to take the nice shoes I was holding. We loaded what we could into my car and went to our book club friends’ home. They made us as comfortable as possible. Still, sleeping was hard. So many scenes and thoughts kept running through my brain.
I was thinking, “Things are bad, but much of the stuff seems to be OK.” I thought we could just go back and get what we needed. Turns out, a house that’s been on fire doesn’t work exactly like that. When we arrived back on Monday morning, we learned a water pipe in the attic (where our hot water heater was) had not been turned off and had been flowing all night long. There was even more water in the house. Ceilings were beginning to sag.
I called friends at our church to see if they could help us get out all the art while we could. Within minutes, both pastors and a team of people were there and loaded all the art out. Within two hours, one of the church members brought a key to another church
member’s home. They’re out of town for several weeks. We could stay there temporarily
Another friend made it his mission to save as many of our yearbooks and photo albums as possible. He consulted with an LSU Libraries archivist and placed the waterlogged books in the sun and stood there for hours turning the pages of each book every 15 minutes.
Of all the little moments, that’s the one that chokes me up. Throughout the week, we felt the love. Early Monday, two other church members cleaned out our refrigerator Our book club friend washed all of our dirty clothes, gently folded them and delivered them to our temporary home. Another friend bought me a muchneeded makeup brush and other toiletries. Other friends have brought delicious meals, treats and a prayer quilt. My much-loved dishes and giant table seem to be OK. The chicken spaghetti may have been the last thing I cooked in that version of our home, but we will share meals with those we love again. We already have chicken spaghetti, in fact. The fire took a lot. But in the darkest nights, I’ve been reminded once again, people shine brightest.
STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER
Mark Tullos, newly appointed executive director of the LSU Museum of Art
PHOTO PROVIDED By JULIO NAUDIN
Columnist Jan Risher sits on Engine 9 in Baton Rouge as firefighters worked to put out the fire in her home near LSU in Baton Rouge on Aug. 17.
Bossierartistmakes inclusivedolls
BY MOLLYTERRELL Staff Writer
ABossier City woman hasspent years perfecting her craft of sewing unique dolls to make everyone feel included. Now she’sopening her own storefront.
Cassondra Bolden owns All Y’all Dolls in Bossier City where she hand sews faceless dolls of all complexions and sizes for consumers to see themselves in thedolls
Bolden saidshe didn’t evenreallyknow how to sew that well when she made her firstcustom doll for her grandmother in 2010 as agift, and she said her grandmother thought she had it delivered from astore.
Shedidn’t pursue making dolls for other people until the COVID-19 pandemic, when she had time to pursue the craft again. She said it was ahobby at first, and that she didn’t think about selling them until friends told her she should.
Bolden hasconsistently been selling dolls for two years, participating in local markets and events, such as art•ish last month, and selling on Etsy.Now,she’s opening up astorefront on Barksdale Air Force Base andgrowing her business, fully diving into the meaning behind “All Y’all Dolls. She grew up in Houston, and her husband’sjob in the AirForce broughther creativity to Bossier City For Bolden, she said she strives for inclusivity because she remembers it being hard to find dolls that looked likeher whenshe was younger Because of that, she became fixated on dolls with “no features at all” and just wanted to coverall different complexions andethnicities through thedolls’ clothing and skin tones
She said she learned that children didn’treally care
aboutfaces on their dolls, and instead focused on the hair,skin colorand clothing. She said alittle boy becomeinfatuated withone of her dollsbecause they were wearing the same outfit and had the sameskin tone.
Accordingto Bolden, the boy “takes that dollwith him everywhere.”
“I’ve sold over 100 dolls and I’m just excited about that and how Iamgrowing,” Bolden said.
Pricingofher dolls
Bolden said herpricing depends on the complexity andhow long it takes herto completethe dolls.She said sometimes it only takes her abouta daytocompletea doll and that herpremade dolls typically fall between $65and $75.
Customdolls can be up to $200 dependingonthe sizeand complexity,but shealsohas moreaffordable dolls so shecan sell to awider variety of people.
For custom dolls, the buyer can choose the fabricfor theskin tone, which can rangefrom realistic to whateverfabric they want, and describe thehair andclothes to her. Bolden said people often sendher pictures forreference when she’smakingcustom dolls
One of her recent dolls wasmodeled aftera photo of awoman who wears very extravagant clothes on a daily basis, and thedoll reflecteditwithreplicasof herclothesand her very large hat.
She said she has made a headlessdoll for agirl who loved WednesdayAddams, dollsinspiredbyindigenous cultures, Beyoncé andmore.
Bolden said people donate fabric and clothesto her sometimes,and shesaid she finds something do with all of it.She loves making custom dolls but also likes having someready to be
Aselection
sold for customers walking through as well. Bolden said she wants children to love themselves andhavea diversecollection of dolls that look like them.
To see more of Bolden’s work,you can viewher Instagram or herEtsy shop. Email Molly Terrellat molly.terrell@theadvocate. com.
One of Bolden’sbasicdolls
STAFF PHOTOSByJILL PICKETT
Adoll made by Cassondra Bolden, whospentyears perfecting her craft of sewing unique dollstomakeeveryone feel included
of fabrics Bolden typically pulls from forthe body of the dolls
FAITH &VALUES
In modern, scientific world, faith still rocks
“This is not a‘dumb rock!’” Georgetown University chemistry professor Joseph Early had just dropped ahand-sizedpebble, with aclatter,onto the table at thefront of the lecture hall,and then held it aloft, while loudlyuttering those words.
BEyOND BELIEF
This class in 1983, called “ScientificWorldview,” was openly described by Early as “the science course for humanities majors.” Essentially,itwas about how science fits in with, informs, and is informed by,other majorfields of learning Early’spointwith the stone was that very little separated that rock from living organisms. If you could take most of the same chemical elements from that rock but rearrange which protons and which electrons latched on to each other,you could have something aliverather than inert.
Early went further still: Even assuming thelinking of atoms was rearranged to form life, thereisnothing in chemistry or physics which yet explains human consciousness. The scientific world that aims to explain the mysteries of theuniverse runs into that seemingly unsolvable mystery
Or,asEarly (in one of his many published writings) approvingly quotes from philosopher John R. Searle, “How is it possible in auniverse consisting entirely of physical particles in fields of force that there can be such thingsas consciousness, intentionality,free will, language, society,ethics, [and] aesthetics?”
In Early’stelling, even thesupposedly dumb rock holdsthe same building blocks that, if rearranged, can lead to life and thence, mysteriously,tohuman consciousness but nobody can prove exactly how Early, adevout Catholic, therefore positedthat scienceitself possibly leads to the possibility of theinexplicably “unmoved mover.” In sum, perhaps, to God
Fromaperch in chemistry,then, Early joined along and growinglist of scientistswho assertthat scientific inquiry not only does not contradict God’sexistence, but instead makessuch existence somewhat more plausible.
While Early taught, despiteso many understandings to thecontrary,that the scientific worldview is not at odds with areligiousworldview,the broaderlesson of his class was thatscience viewed rightlyisin arelational position with allsortsof other fields of inquiry rangingfrom faithtoarts to literature.
What can also be intriguing, however,isthe same idea from the other end of the looking glass: from faith to science, or from faithtoso many other aspects of our lives.
So many questions arise: Is faith at odds with science, or with modernity? How —not legally or politically,but practically —can faith add value to the public square? Where or how,ifatall, does faithfit into a21st Century where formal affiliation with religion has declined markedly?
And, of course, age-oldquestions remain: When is random fate at work, contrasted with when God’s will is all-controlling? How, if God is aloving entity,are we to explain not just evil but also intense suffering resulting not from any willful human actionbut from natural processes cancers, natural disasters,etc. —of the world God supposedly created? These foundational questionsand topics are inherently newsworthy. Issues of faith are deeply enmeshed in the fabric of everyday American life, and certainly of life in deeply religious Louisiana. It is well worth reflecting upon the ways in which faith —inmuch the same way as Professor Early’sscience —isinrelationship with the restofexistence
One can hope, too, that these explorations willanimate what otherwise, physically speaking,isjust dumb newsprint.
Advocate/Times-Picayune columnist Quin Hillyer has adegree in Theologyfrom Georgetown University.Heis an Episcopalian who attended an Episcopal grade school and a historically Jewish high school, studiedMartin Luther at aJesuit University,and taught at aBaptist
The Vatican is stepping up its digital game Leading Catholic officials have realized the power and potential of the internet as an evangelism tool.InJuly,they invited Lake Charles’ Katie Prejean McGrady alongwith 1,000 other Catholic social mediainfluencers, for thefirst Jubilee of DigitalMissionaries and Catholic Influencers eventatthe Vatican But Katie McGrady didn’tneed to travel to Rometorealizethe power of theinternet. She says she wouldn’tbemarried to her husband without Facebook In May2014, TommyMcGradysent a message to Katie after he read one of her blog posts. Theylong-distancedated fora year, and then Tommy moved to Louisiana in 2015. They married thenext year
“My two kids wouldn’texist withouta Facebook DM,” she said.
Katie McGrady started her career working in youth ministry and as aCatholic school teacher.In2017, she beganspeakingfull-time at retreats, religious education conferences and more.
Today,she is an author,podcast and radio host, and aVatican analystfor CNN, exploringvarious topics about theCatholic faith.
“The honest and vulnerable and authentic sharing of life —anauthentically Catholic life—opens up opportunities of encounter,” she said.
As far as asocial media strategy goes, she shares whatinterests her —whether that’sanews story,personal story or accounts fromothers. She doesn’tnecessarily focus on aspecific age group. She just tries to target those who are curious about thefaith Bernard Dumond, founder and CEO of Catholic Vitality360, based in Lafayette, says thedigital tactics are on point
“You havetomeet people where they are,” Dumond said. In Baton Rouge, Kendrick Slan,withVag-
The Vagabond missionaries withSacred HeartofJesus in Baton Rougeare based in the Underground Hub,a buildingthat is owned by the church. youth in the community are able to cometothe space to connectwith the missionaries and each other
abondMissionsatSacredHeart of Jesus Catholic Church, uses social media to connect with teenagers.
The organization’smissionisto serveteenagersinurban and innercity communities through weekly programs, outreach and mentorship.
To build relationships, Slantook apage out of Jesus’playbook and uses food. It’s not loaves and fishes, but Vagabond missionaries go into theneighborhood and hand out pizza —one slicefor afollowonthe Instagram, @225_ Underground. Slan says the pizza/Instagram approach has been more effective in building connections than any other digital medium
TheRev.Josh Johnson,priest at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, echoes the importance of meeting people where they are.
“Peter wasn’tinthe temple when he encountered Jesus. Peter was out fishing by the lake. Jesus met him on his boat,” Johnsonsaid.
“That’sapowerful reminder for us today.Like Christ, we are called to meet people where they are, and formany in our culture, that place is social media.” Louisiana cultureeditor Jan Risher contributed to this report.
Medievalistexaminesthe role of modern pastor’s wife
BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer
Review
”Becoming the Pastor’sWife: How MarriageReplaced Ordination as aWoman’s Path to Ministry,”ByBeth Allison Barr, Brazos Press, 232 pages Beth AllisonBarr’snew book examines thedivide between the role of the pastor’s wife and the professional ministryof women. This duality underpins her study of pastors’ wives and how their roles have shifted over time. In “Becoming thePastor’sWife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as aWoman’sPath to Minis-
try,”Barr,amedieval historian and professor at Baylor University,unpacks thecontemporary expectations of evangelical pastors’ wives and compares them to the complex history of women’sroles in the Christian church. She argues theissue is not whether women minister in the church, but that their work is not recognized as professional ministry Barrcombines her research with her experiences as aSouthern Baptistpastor’s wife for 25 years. In her research, Barranalyzed 150 works written either about pastors’ wives or by them. She also researched multiple figures of the
early Christian church, the medieval church and female Christian leaders of the 20th century She showshow,inthe 20th century,women’sministry in the Southern Baptist Convention the largest evangelical Protestant organization —shifted dramatically,especially in the 1980s and ’90s, when changes in ordination policy pushed ministerial duties onto the roleofpastor’swife.
Drawing on both her personal and academic vantage points, Barr critically examines how the role of pastor’swifebecame asubstitute for ordination.
Email Joy Holdenatjoy.holden@ theadvocate.com.
Quin Hillyer
Slan
The Vaticaninvited LakeCharles’Katie McGrady, left, whomet with Pope Leo XIV, along with 1,000 other Catholic socialmedia influencers, for the first Jubilee of Digital Missionaries and Catholic Influencers event.
PROVIDED PHOTO
SUNDAY, AUgUSt 31, 2025
CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley
SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr
GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley
HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne
MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters
ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson
ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman
SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE /byStephan Pastis
grams
directions: Make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row Add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value All the words are in the Official SCRABBLE® Players Dictionary, 5th Edition.
word game
instructions: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.
todAY's Word — ABridGed: uh-BRIJ'D: Shortened or condensed.
Average mark 41 words
Time limit 60 minutes
Can you find 64 or more words in ABRIDGED?
ken ken
instructions: 1 -Each rowand each column must contain thenumbers 1through4 (easy) or 1through6 (challenging) without repeating 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlinedboxes, called cages, must combine using thegiven operation (inany order)toproduce the target numbersinthe top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fillinthe single-boxcages withthe numberinthe top-left corner
instructions: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 gridwith several given numbers. The object is to placethe numbers 1to 9in theempty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 boxcontains the same number only once. The difficultylevel of the Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday
directions: Complete thegridso that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally
Sudoku
Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis
Play the percentages
South won the opening spade lead with his king and was very pleased with his contract There were 11 easy tricks provided that the club suit came in for six tricks. That was a sure thing unless the missing clubs split 4-0, so South gave some thought about the best way to play the club suit. Knowing that West had long spades, South judged that East was far more likely to have four clubs than West. Accordingly South started clubs at trick two by leading a low club to dummy’s ace. He was gob-smacked when East discarded a diamond! There was no longer any way to get to nine tricks. South cashed his eight top winners and settled for down one.
super Quiz
SUBJECT: IMAGINARY PLACES (e.g.,
South could have done better. It would cost nothing to play the ace and queen of diamonds before starting on clubs. When West shows up with a singleton diamond, the odds would change dramatically. It would be very unlikely that West held a club void in addition to a singleton diamond. South should then start clubs by cashing the king
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept 22) Consider the outcome
in his hand. When East shows out, South will continue with the 10 of clubs and double finesse West out of the jack and nine of clubs, using the ace of hearts to re-enter his hand if West covers the 10 with the jack.
be heard. A change of plans will lead to an interesting and unexpected encounter
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Reach out to those in a position to help you, and you’ll get a sense of what
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Take better care of your mental and physical well-being. Refuse to let stress filter into aspects of your life that require common sense and immediate attention. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Savor the moments that matter Share your experiences, thoughts and feelings. Focus on doing your best and helping those around you meet their expectations. CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19) Keep life simple. Surround yourself with helpful people who offer sound advice and support. Consider healthy choices and fine-tune your lifestyle to suit your needs.
and how you can invest efficiently in your future. Be bold and brave, and you’ll benefit from doing your best to stand out. PISCES (Feb 20-March 20) Kindness is a blessing, but also a vulnerability if you are too eager to please. Set boundaries and limitations with those who are anxious to take advantage of you. ARIES (March 21-April 19) A change to your schedule will position you for an adventure. Short trips, getting together with old friends and revisiting dreams will change your perspective and your direction.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Be precise regarding what matters to you, but also be willing to compromise. Balance, integrity and feeling good about an agreement you reach will make a difference in how you feel about yourself.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Stick to the script. If you keep waffling or changing your story, you’ll lose the confidence of those you count on for support. Giving back, sharing and caring go hand in hand with achieving success CANCER (June 21-July 22) Don’t get caught in someone else’s crossfire. Avoid volatile situations or those who exhibit excessive behavior Let go of what no longer works for you, and start dancing to the beat of your drum. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Engage in what and with who excites you. Social events, travel and reconnecting with old friends you miss will brighten your day Choose simplicity over complexity, and you’ll win every time.
SCORING: 24 to 30 points —congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points—honorsgraduate; 13 to 17 points —you’replenty smart, but no grind; 5to12points —you really shouldhit the booksharder;1point to 4points —enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0points who reads thequestions to you?
Saturday's Cryptoquote: Whensummergathers up her robes of glory, and like adreamofbeauty glides away.— Sarah Helen Whitman
