The Times-Picayune 09-14-2025 by The Advocate

HEAT DEATHS RISE AS REGION WARMS

Humidity makesitharderfor people to cool themselves,makingLouisiana especially vulnerable

First in aseries

BY SAM KARLIN |Staff writer

The heat set in before sunrise in Algiers.

Outside his yellow brick home, DornellAndersonventured into the stagnant Augustair,trying to ﬁnish yard work before the temperature became unbearable

He mowed his lawn, facing the neighborhood where he had spent his whole life, from playing footballinthe street to building afamily withhis wife

Then aneighbor saw him collapse.

His wife, Sheila Borskey,felther stomachdropwhen shegot thephonecallfromthe West Bankhospital where her husband had gonefrom working as acook to being treated as apatient.She rushed to seehim.Anderson, just 60 years old, had died of aheart attack

The Orleans Parish coroner said his death wasthe resultofheart complicationsexacerbatedbythe extreme heat. It was the 25thdeathinNew Orleansthatsummer to be classiﬁedasheat-related

Anderson was active and in good health,makinghis death surprising to his family.He frequently roller bladed at the Terrytown skating rinkwherehewas nicknamed “Tank.”

“He just wasoutside cutting grassfor alittle bit,” Borskeysaid. “Itwas justhot.”

Anderson’sdeath came near the end of ahistorically scorching summer in 2023, when Louisianarecordedan alarming number of heat-related deaths:86, the most on record

That tally wasn’ta ﬂuke.

Deaths from heat arerising across Louisiana as the world warms.

Over the past ﬁve years, heat fatalities havesoared across the state, climbingtoanannualaverage of 45 per year.That’snearly four times the annual deathrate over the preceding two decades, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

La.plans to repair or replace 62 bridges

Newagencytargets end of next year forcompletion

BY ALYSE PFEIL |Staff writer

Louisiana’snew transportation agency is quickly ramping up, and its ﬁrst major task is ﬁxing 62 smallbridgesscattered across rural parts of the state by the end of next year

It’sthe opening gambit for state lawmakers andGov.Jeff Landry as they seek to accomplishwhat they argue the state’slumbering Department of Transportation andDevel opment hasfor yearsfailed to do —efficientlymaintain thousands of miles of Louisi ana roads and bridges.

Landry

Legislators this spring an nounced theyplanned to take “extraordinary measures” to prove transportationinfrastructure projects can be done quickly,effectively and safely With Landry’sbacking, theycreated the new OfﬁceofLouisiana HighwayConstruction, an entity independent of theDOTDdesignedto moreswiftly ﬁx minorthoroughfares that don’t involve federal money

Thebridges —including severalinthe Baton Rouge andNew Orleans areas —are relatively small: Most are between 25 and150 feet in length, less than 30 feet wide, and cross ditches, canals, creeks and bayous. Project costs formostofthe structures, the majority of which will be torn out and replaced, are estimated by the highway ofﬁcetobebetween $1 million and $3 million apiece.

Whereaboutsof the1,200-year-old artifact is unknown

BY TYLER BRIDGES |Staff writer

An ancient, 20-footcypress wood boardthat held aprominent place at the State Capitol for decades has gone missing, and no one seemsto know where it is.

Or at least no one is admitting it.

The board was cut from atree in Livingston Parish near LakeMaurepas that wasestimated to be 1,284 years old, according to words etched into the ﬂat plank.

Former House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said that, for 10 years, the board was on the wall of his district ofﬁce in Gonzales. But he said he leftitthere when his legislative career ended in January 2024.

The manager of St. John Properties, which handles the building where Schexnayder’sofﬁce was located, won’tdiscuss the matter All of this has deeply frustrated the family of WalterStebbins, who donatedthe red cypress board to theCapitol in the1950s anddiedin1961. “It’sa piece of history,” said JuliusMullins, aretired doctor in Baton Rouge whoisone of Stebbins’grandchildren. “Itwas amuseum

ä See PLANK, page 10A

Taliban claim agreement on a prisoner swap

KABUL, Afghanistan The Taliban said Saturday they reached agreement with U.S. envoys on an exchange of prisoners as part of an effort to normalize relations between the United States and Afghanistan.

They gave no details of a detainee swap and the White House did not comment on the meeting in Kabul or the results described in a Taliban statement.

The Taliban released photographs from their talks, showing their foreign minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, with President Donald Trump’s special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler

On the issue of prisoners, Boehler “confirmed that the two sides would undertake an exchange of detainees,” the Taliban statement said. No information was provided on how many people are being held in each country who they are or why they were imprisoned.

Police fatally shoot man on Alabama highway

HOMEWOOD, Ala. — Homewood police officers shot and killed a man on a four-lane highway after ofﬁcers said he pointed a weapon at them, department ofﬁcials said.

The shooting happened Friday morning on Greensprings Highway, a busy stretch of highway just outside Birmingham

The Homewood Police Department said officers stopped a man on a bicycle in the middle of the road who was riding in and out of the four lanes, disrupting traffic Officers attempted to detain the man because of an outstanding arrest warrant, but they said he moved away from officers.

“The subject chambered a round into the pistol by pulling the slide to the rear and pointed the weapon at ofﬁcers, at which point they fired their duty weapons striking the subject,” department ofﬁcials wrote in a statement.

Police did not identify the man. The Alabama Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the shooting and has possession of ofﬁcers’ body worn cameras, the city police department said Pool hall shooting kills 7 people in Ecuador

QUITO, Ecuador A shooting by a criminal gang at a pool hall in northern Ecuador killed at least seven people and left four others wounded, police said Saturday.

The shooting occurred late Friday in the city of Santo Domingo de los Tsachilas, located 80 miles west of the capital, Quito, according to the local police commander, Col Olga Benavides, who attributed the attack to a “territorial dispute” between criminal gangs.

On Aug. 17 seven people were killed during a similar attack that also occurred at a pool hall in the same city

One of those killed and two of the wounded in Friday’s shooting had criminal records for drug trafficking, criminal association murder and theft, according to a police report.

The vehicle allegedly used by the attackers was found burned in another part of the city, Benavides said.

Driver gets 20½ years for crash that killed 2

COQUILLE, Ore. The driver accused in a fatal crash earlier this year that killed an Oregon community college softball player and head coach has been sentenced to 20½ years in prison.

Johnathan James Dowdy, 33, was driving his pickup truck on April 18 when he crossed the center line and crashed into a bus with 10 members of the Umpqua Community College softball team, Oregon State Police previously said.

Head softball coach Jami Strinz, 46, who was driving the Chevrolet Express bus, and freshman Kiley Jones, 19, died. The eight others on the bus suffered moderate to serious injuries. Dowdy also was injured. He had pleaded guilty to multiple offenses including two counts of second-degree manslaughter, assault-related charges, driving under the inﬂuence of intoxicants and criminal driving while suspended or revoked.

Trump: Stop buying Russian oil

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

BASKING RIDGE, N.J President

Donald Trump said Saturday he believes the Russia-Ukraine war would end if all NATO countries stopped buying oil from Russia and placed tariffs on China of 50% to 100% for its purchases of Russian petroleum

Trump posted on his social media site that NATO’S commitment to winning the war “has been far less than 100%” and the purchase of Russian oil by some members of the alliance is “shocking.” As if speaking with NATO members, he said: “It greatly weakens your negotiating position, and bargaining power, over Russia.”

Since 2023, NATO member Turkey has been the third largest buyer of Russian oil, after China and India, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. Other members of the 32-state al-

liance involved in purchasing Russian oil include Hungary and Slovakia. It’s unclear whether Trump would want to directly confront Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan or Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. That leaves uncertain whether the threats might actually lead to new tariffs or a ban on Russian oil purchases.

The U.S and its allies are seeking to show a ﬁrmer degree of resolve against Russia. At an emergency U.N. Security Council meeting Friday, acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said America “will defend every inch of NATO territory” and that the drones entering Poland “intentionally or otherwise show immense disrespect for good-faith U.S. efforts to bring an end to this conﬂict.”

Britain on Friday also took steps to penalize the trading of Russian oil, including a ban on 70 vessels allegedly used in its transportation. The United Kingdom also

sanctioned 30 individuals and companies, included businesses based in China and Turkey, that have supplied Russia with electronics, chemicals, explosives and other weapons components.

Trump in his post Saturday said a NATO ban on Russian oil plus tariffs on China would “also be of great help in ENDING this deadly, but RIDICULOUS, WAR.”

The president said that NATO members should put the 50% to 100% tariffs on China and withdraw them if the war that launched with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine ends.

“China has a strong control, and even grip, over Russia,” he posted, and powerful tariffs “will break that grip.”

The U.S. president has already imposed a 25% import tax on goods from India, speciﬁcally for its buying of Russian energy products. He has placed in total a 50% tariff on India, though Trump has

Far-right activist’s protest in London draws 100,000

BY BRIAN MELLEY and JOANNA CHAN

Associated Press

LONDON — A London march organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson drew more than 100,000 people and became unruly on Saturday as a small group of his supporters clashed with police ofﬁcers who were separating them from counterprotesters.

Several ofﬁcers were punched, kicked and struck by bottles tossed by people at the fringes of the “Unite the Kingdom” rally, Metropolitan Police said. Reinforcements with helmets and riot shields were deployed to support the 1,000-plus ofﬁcers on duty

At least nine people were arrested, but police indicated that many other offenders had been identiﬁed and would be held accountable.

Police estimated that Robinson drew about 110,000 people, while the rival “March Against Fascism” protest organized by Stand Up To Racism had about 5,000 marchers.

Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, founded the nationalist and anti-Islam English Defense League and is one of the most inﬂuential far-right ﬁgures in Britain.

The march was billed as a demonstration in support of free speech — with much of the rhetoric by inﬂuencers and several far-right politicians from across Europe aimed largely at the perils of migration, a problem much of the continent is struggling to control.

“We are both subject to the same process of the great replacement of our European people by peoples coming from the south and of Muslim culture, you and we are being colonized by our for-

mer colonies,” far-right French politician Eric Zemmour said.

Elon Musk, the Tesla CEO and owner of the X platform who has waded into British politics several times this year, was beamed in by video and condemned the left-leaning U.K. government.

“There’s something beautiful about being British and what I see happening here is a destruction of Britain, initially a slow erosion, but rapidly increasing erosion of Britain with massive uncontrolled migration,” he said.

Robinson told the crowd in a hoarse voice that migrants now had more rights in court than the “British public, the people that built this nation.”

The marches come at a time when the U.K. has been divided by debate over migrants crossing the English Channel in overcrowded inﬂatable boats to arrive on shore without authorization.

Participants in the “Unite the Kingdom” march carried the St. George’s red-andwhite ﬂag of England and the union jack, the state ﬂag of the United Kingdom, and chanted “we want our country back.

U.K. ﬂags have proliferated this summer across the U.K. in what some have said is a show of national pride and others said reﬂects a tilt toward nationalism.

Supporters held signs saying “stop the boats,” “send them home,” and “enough is enough, save our children.”

At the counterprotest, the crowd held signs saying “refugees welcome” and “smash the far right,” and shouted “stand up, ﬁght back.”

The crowd at one point stretched from Big Ben across the River Thames and around the corner beyond Waterloo train station, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile.

Parallel rallies held in Serbia

By The Associated Press

BELGRADE, Serbia Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic held parallel rallies throughout Serbia on Saturday reﬂecting a deep political crisis in the Balkan country following more than 10 months of protests against the populist government.

Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party recently started organizing its own demonstrations to counter persistent studentled protests that have challenged the president’s ﬁrm grip on power in Serbia. No major incidents were reported at the rallies held in a number of cities and towns with police separating the two

camps. Brief scufﬂes erupted in the capital, Belgrade, when riot police pushed away anti-government protesters as Vucic joined his supporters in a show of conﬁdence.

Vucic said that “people want to live normally, they don’t want to be harassed and want to be free.”

Vucic has refused a student demand to call an early parliamentary election. He has instead stepped up a crackdown on the protests, which have drawn hundreds of thousands of people in the past months. More than 100 university professors have been dismissed, while police have faced accusations of brutality against peaceful demonstrators.

indicated that negotiations with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi could help settle differences. Earlier this year, Trump hit Chinese goods with new tariffs totaling 145%, prompting China to respond with 125% import taxes on American goods. Taxes at that level were essentially a blockade on commerce between the world’s two largest economies, causing worries about global growth that led to negotiations that ratcheted down the tariffs being levied by both nations.

So that trade talks could proceed, America lowered its tariffs against China to a still-high 30%, while China took its rate to 10%.

In his post, the Republican president said responsibility for the war fell on his predecessor, Democrat Joe Biden, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy He did not include in that list Russian President Vladimir Putin, who launched the invasion.

Fed governor Cook claimed 2nd residence as ‘vacation home’

BY LINDSAY WHITEHURST and CHRISTOPHER RUGABER Associated Press

WASHINGTON Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook referred to a condominium she purchased in June 2021 as a “vacation home” in a loan estimate, a characterization that could undermine claims by the Trump administration that she committed mortgage fraud.

President Donald Trump has sought to ﬁre Cook “for cause,” relying on allegations that Cook claimed both the condo and another property as her primary residence simultaneously, as he looks to reshape the central bank to orchestrate a steep cut to interest rates.

Documents obtained by The Associated Press also showed that on a second form submitted by Cook to gain a security clearance, she described the property as a “second home.”

Cook sued the Trump administration to block her ﬁring, the ﬁrst time a president has sought to remove a member of the sevenperson board of governors.

Cook secured an injunction Tuesday that allows her to remain as a Fed governor The administration has appealed the ruling and asked for an emergency ruling by Monday, just before the Fed is set to meet and decide whether to reduce its key interest rate. Bill Pulte, a Trump appointee to the agency that regulates mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has accused Cook of signing separate documents in which she allegedly said that both the Atlanta property and a home in Ann Arbor, Michigan, also purchased in June 2021, were both “primary residences.” Pulte submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department, which has opened an investigation. Claiming a home as a “primary residence” can result in better down payment and mortgage terms than if one of the homes is classiﬁed as a vacation home. Fulton County tax records show Cook has never claimed a homestead exemption on the condo since buying it in 2021.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOANNA CHAN

A demonstrator stands on the head of the South Bank lion that sits on the side of the Westminster Bridge on Saturday during a Tommy Robinson-led Unite the Kingdom march and rally in London.

Students deal with post-shootinggrief

BY JESSE BEDAYN, HANNAH SCHOENBAUM, LINDSEY WASSON and RIO YAMAT Associated Press

OREM, Utah One student holed up in his housefor two days after witnessing Charlie Kirk’sassassination, nervous about going back to the Utah college campuswhere the conservative activist was shot. Another,unable to sleep or shake what she saw and heard, called her dad to come take her home.

As investigators spend the weekend digging deeper into suspect Tyler James Robinson before his initial court appearance Tuesday, students who witnessed Wednesday’sshooting at Utah Valley Universityare reckoning with trauma, grief andthe pall the killing hascastontheir community.

Robinson’sarrest late Thursday calmed some fears. Still, questions persist about the alleged shooter’smotive and planning,as well as security lapses that allowed aman with ariﬂe to shoot Kirk from arooftop beforeﬂeeing.

The university has said there will be increased security when classes resume Wednesday In Robinson’shometown, about 240 miles southwestof campus, alaw enforcement presence wassignificantly diminished Saturdayafter theFBI executed asearch warrant at his family’shome.

Agray Dodge Challenger that authorities sayRobinson drove to UVU appeared to have been hauled away.

No one answered thedoor Saturday at his family’s home in Washington, Utah, and the blinds were closed

The killing has prompted pleas for civility in Americanpoliticaldiscourse,but those calls were not always heeded, and some people whohavecriticized Kirk in

and the day’strauma, she called her dad, who brought her home to Salt Lake City,40 miles to the north. Returning to campus,Holt said, is “going to feel like aterrible,like aburden on my heart.”

Vera said Kirk was shot in the main campus gathering spot— wherestudents take naps, meditate, do homework and hang out.

“Seeing it when Igoback, Iwill be pretty uncomfortable at ﬁrst, knowing Ihave to walk past it each time, knowing what hadjust occurred here,”Vera said.

the wakeofhis death have been fired or suspended from their jobs.

On Friday,Office Depot said it fired aworker at a Michigan store who was seen on videorefusing to print ﬂyers fora Kirk vigil and calling them “propaganda.”

At amakeshift memorial near Utah Valley University’smain entrance in Orem, people have been leaving flowers in tribute to Kirk.

Cars looped nearby streets Saturday,honking horns, flying American flags and displaying messages such as “Welove you Charlie,”

“Charlie 4Ever” and “RIP Charlie.”

In the area where the TurningPoint USAco-founder was shot,a crew has begun taking down tentsand banners and scrubbing away reminders of the killing.

Student Alec Vera stopped at thememorial after ﬁnally leaving his house Friday night for adrive to clear his head. Vera saidhehad been in adaze, unabletoconcentrate and avoiding people, since watchingKirk collapse about 30 or 40 feet in frontofhim.

“I just kind of feltthe need to comehere, to be with everyone, either to comfort or

to be comforted, just to kind of surround myself with thosethatare alsomourning,” Vera said. One woman knelt, sobbing. Others stood quietly or spoke softly with friends. On the campus’perimeter,trees were wrapped in redribbons.

Ahandful of cars remainedstranded in parking lots by students who left behind keys while fleeing theshooting. Onestudent pleaded withanofﬁcer to let him retrieve his bike from beyond the police tape and cracked asmile as theofﬁcer let him through. The universitysaid people can pick up their belongings early next week.

Marjorie Holt started crying when she brought ﬂowers to campus Thursday, prompting her to change her mindabout returning to campus this weekend.

Hours after the shooting, the 18-year-old said she lay in bed, haunted by the horror she witnessed: the sound of asingle gunshotasKirk answered aquestion and then, “I saw him fall over,I sawthe blood, but for some reasonitcouldn’tclick to me what happened.”

Unable to sleep becauseof apounding headache, nausea

Report:Colo. school shooterwas fascinated with mass shootings

BY COLLEEN SLEVIN and MATTHEW BROWN

Associated Press

DENVER Ateenager suspected in ashooting attack at asuburban Denver high school that left two students in critical condition appeared fascinated with previous mass shootings including Columbine and expressed neo-Nazi views online, according to experts.

Since December,Desmond Holly,16, had been activeon an online forum where users watch videos of killings and violence, mixed in with content on white supremacism and antisemitism, the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremismsaid in areport.

Holly shot himself following Wednesday’sshootingat Evergreen High Schoolin Jefferson County.Hedied of his injuries. It is stillunclear how he selected his victims. The county was also the scene of the 1999 Colum-

bine High School massacre that killed 14 people

Holly’sTikTok accounts contained white supremacist symbols, theADL said, and the name of his most recent account included a reference to apopular white supremacistslogan. The account was unavailable Friday. TikToksaid accounts associated with Holly had beenbanned.

Aspokesperson for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office declined to comment on theADL’s findings ordiscuss itsinvestigation into theshooting.The office previously said that Holly was radicalizedbyanunspecified “extremist network” but released no details.

Tworecent suspectsin school shootings were active on theso-called “gore forum” thatHolly used WatchPeople Die, according to theADL. Holly appears to have openedhis account in the month in between shootings in Madison, Wisconsin

and Nashville, Tennessee, theADL said.

Afew days before Wednesday’sshooting, Holly posted aTikTokvideo posing in asimilar way to how the Wisconsin shooter posed before killing twopeople in December

He also postedvideos showing how he had made the shirt that was like one worn by agunman in the Columbine shooting, the ADL said.

“There is athrough-line between those attacks,” said OrenSegal, the ADL’ssenior vicepresident of counterextremism and intelligence. “They’re telling us there is athrough line because they are referencing each other.”

Emails sent to Watch People Die seeking comment weren’treturned.

Holly was also active on TikTok’s“True CrimeCommunity,”where it says users have afascination with mass murderers and serial killers, theADL said.

Halle Hanchett, 19, astudent at nearbyBrigham Young University, said she hadjust pulledher phone out to start filming Kirk when sheheardthe gunshot followed by acollective gasp. Hanchettsaid she saw blood,Kirk’ssecurity team jump forwardand horror on the faces around her.She dropped to theground in the fetal position, wondering: “What is going on?AmI going to die?”

On Friday,she brought ﬂowers and quietly gazed at thearea where the kickoff to Kirk’s“American Comeback Tour” had ended in violence.

“The last fewdaysI’ve just, haven’treally said much, Ijust kinda like zone out, stare off,” Hanchett said,standing with herﬁancé as water fountains bubblednearby.“Thememory it just replays.”

She’s praying forthe strength to move forward, she said, “and take it as: ‘OK, Iwas here for this.How can Ilearnfrom this? Andhow can Ihelp other people learn from this?’” Yamat reported from Washington, Utah, and St. George, Utah. Associated Press reporters Sejal Govindarao in Phoenix, Nicholas Riccardi in Denver also contributed to this report.

BY ALEXVEIGA Associated Press

The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking $3.1 millioninﬁnes from Boeing over safety violations, including ones related to an Alaska Airlines jetliner losing adoor plug panel on its fuselage in midﬂight.

The proposed penalty is forsafety violations that occurred from September 2023 through February 2024, the FAAsaid Friday

That period includes the January 2024 blowoutofa paneled-overexit door calleda door plug —onan Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon.

Noneofthe 171 passengers or sixcrewmembers was seriously injured. Pilots landed the plane safely back at the airport.

In June,the National Transportation Safety Boardsaidits 17-month long investigation found that lapses in Boeing’s manufacturing andsafety oversight, combined with ineffective inspections andauditsbythe FAA, led to the door plug blowout.

The FAAsaid Friday that it identified hundreds of qualitysystem violations at Boeing’s737 factory

in Renton, Washington, and Boeing subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 factory in Wichita, Kansas. Among other violations, the regulator also found that aBoeing employee pressured amemberof Boeing’sODA unit, which is tasked with performing certain inspections and certiﬁcations on the FAA’s behalf,tosignoff on a737 Max airplane “so that Boeing could meet its delivery schedule, even though the ODAmember determined the aircraft did not comply with applicable standards.” Arlington, Virginia-based Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAA. In astatement Saturday, Boeing said it is reviewing the agency’sproposed civil penalty, noting that the company put in place a safety and quality plan last year,under FAAoversight, thataims to enhancesafety management and quality assuranceinits airplane production. The Max version of Boeing’sbestselling 737 airplane has been the source of persistent troublesfor thecompany since two of the jets crashed, one in Indonesia in 2018 and another in Ethiopia in 2019, killing acombined 346 people.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By LINDSEyWASSON

Amemorial for Turning Point USA CEOand co-founder Charlie Kirk is seen SaturdayatUtah ValleyUniversity in Orem, Utah.

Fake threatsput students on edge,testdispatchers

BY HEATHER HOLLINGSWORTH and ANDREWDEMILLO Associated Press

MISSION, Kan. Around 50 collegecampusesacrossthe country have been deluged in recent weekswith hoax calls about armed gunmen and other violence, laying bare the challenges of detecting fake threats quickly to prevent mass panic.

Students at some schools spent hours hiding under desks, only to ﬁnd out laterit was someone’sidea of aentertainment. On Thursday several historically Black colleges includingSouthern Universitylocked down or canceled classes after reivin hr ti The FBI said tingi said. “And they edoin

to look it up if youare in an emergency. That’sjustnot how thehuman brain works.”

He said that if its system detectsa suspicious call like that,itistransferredtoan automated recording that tells thecaller to hang up and dial 911.

On thetechnical side, halting calls made using voice over internet protocol technology,orVoIP,from being made from behind virtual privatenetworkswould stop mostswats, said Hendricks, whohas been swatted himself.

Dispatcherslookfor clues

The next clue was that the swatter got theManhattan,

Kansas, school’s name slightly wrong, calling it Kansas City State University

“Obviously,ifyou were from Manhattan or attending auniversity,you would know the name of the university,” Ascher said.

As agigglingthronglistened on messaging platform Telegram, the swatter then described aman armed with an AR-15 prowling the university’slibrary,a description that was nearly identical to the calls ﬂooding other university towns.

The gunfire that peppered the callalso wasatipoff because it “sounded like it was from aTV,”Ascher said. On the livestream, the

clearly skeptical dispatcher askedwhy the caller couldn’t seethe purported gunman when the shots soundedsoclose to him and whyother 911 calls weren’t ﬂooding in.

“I’m not sure ma’am.I’m not sure if they have aphone or not,” the caller answered.

Officersstill were dispatched to the library Ascher providednodetails on how many or their tactics, but said dispatchers kept theminformedofthe potential it wasahoax.

“I often wonderifpeople don’thave something better to do,” Ascher said, pausing. “Itisjust very taxing on law enforcement.”

Families in crisis afterimmigration raid in Ga.

Nearly 200 ensnared in the crackdownremain in legallimbo

BY SAFIYAH RIDDLE Associated Press/ ReportFor America

Ever sincea massive immigration raid on aHyundai manufacturing site sweptup nearly 500 workersinsoutheast Georgia, Rosie Harrison said her organization’s phones have beenringing nonstop with panicked families in need of help.

“Wehave individuals returning calls every day,but the list doesn’tend,” Harrison said. She runs an apolitical nonproﬁt called Grow Initiative that connects low-income families— immigrant and non-immigrant alike —with food, housing and educational resources. Since the raid, Harrison said, “families are experiencing anew level of crisis.”

Amajority of the 475 peoplewho were detained in the workplace raid —which U.S. ofﬁcials have called the largest in two decades— were Korean andhave returned to South Korea. But lawyers and social workers say many of the non-Korean immigrants ensnared in the crackdownremain in legal limbo or are otherwise unaccounted for

As the raid began the morning of Sept. 4, workers almost immediately started calling Migrant Equity

PHOTO PROVIDED By U.S. IMMIGRATIONAND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT

Manufacturing plant employees areescorted Sept.4 outside HyundaiMotor Group’selectric vehicle plant in Ellabell, Ga.

Southeast, alocal nonprofit that connects immigrants with legal and financialresources. The small organization of approximately 15 employees fielded calls regarding people from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Venezuela, spokesperson Vanessa Contreras said. Throughout the day, people describedfederal agents taking cellphones from workers and putting theminlong lines, Contreras said. Some workers hid for hours to avoid capture, in air ducts or remoteareas of the sprawling property. The Department of Justice said some hidina nearby sewage pond. People off-site calledthe

organization frantically seeking the whereabouts of lovedoneswho workedat theplant and were suddenly unreachable.

Like manyofthe Koreans who were working at the plant, advocates and lawyers representing the non-Korean workers caught up in the raid say that some who were detained had legal authorization to work in the United States.

Neither theDepartment of Homeland Security nor Immigration andCustoms Enforcementresponded to emailed requests for comment Friday.Itisnot clear how manypeople detained during theraid remainin custody Atlanta-based attorney

CourtsaysTrump administration canend humanitarian parole for430,000 migrants

BY MICHAEL CASEY Associated Press

BOSTON Afederal appeals court ruled Friday that the Trump administration can end legalprotections for around 430,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela

Therulingbyathreejudge panel of the 1stU.S Circuit Court of Appeals is the latest twist in alegal ﬁght over Biden-era policies that created new and expanded pathways for people to live in the United States, generally for two years with work authorization. The Trump administration announced in Marchitwas ending the humanitarian parole protections.

“Werecognize the risks of irreparable harmpersuasively laid out in the district court’sorder:that parolees who lawfully arrived in this country were suddenly forced to choose between leaving in less than amonth —achoicethatpotentially includes being separated from theirfamilies, communities, andlawfulemployment and returningto dangers in their home countries,” the judges wrote.

“Butabsent astrongshowing of likelihood of success on the merits, the risk of such irreparable harms cannot,byitself, support a stay.”

In atwo-page ruling, the court lifted astayissued by adistrictcourt and is allowing the administration to endhumanitarian parole for those groups while the lawsuitplays out. The ruling Friday is avictory for the Trump administration but doesn’tchangeanythingon theground.

Esther Sung, the legal directorofJusticeAction Center,a co-counsel in the case, said theruling “hurts everyone.”

“People who came here from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, andVenezueladid everything the government asked of them, and

theTrumpadministration cruelly and nonsensically failed to hold up thegovernment’send of thebargain,” Sung said. “While we are deeply disappointed by this decision, we will continue to advocate zealouslyfor our clients and class members as the litigation continues.”

Adistrict court issued a stayinApril halting theadministration’sdecision, but the Supreme Court lifted the lower court order at the end of May with little explanation. The Trump administrationhad argued the appeals court should followthe Supreme Courtand reverse thedistrict court ruling.

CharlesKuck, who representsboth Korean and nonKorean workers who were detained, said two of his clients werelegally working under theDeferredAction for Childhood Arrivals program, which was created by former President Barack Obama. One had been released and“should have never been arrested,” he said, while the other was still being held becausehe was recentlycharged with driving under theinﬂuence.

Another of Kuck’sclients was in the process of seeking asylum, he said, and had thesame documents and job as her husband who was not arrested.

Someeven had valid Georgia driver’slicenses, which aren’tavailable to people in the country illegally,said RosarioPalacios, whohas been assisting Migrant Equity Southeast.Somefamilies whocalledthe organization were left without access to transportation because the personwho hadbeen detained was the only one who could drive.

“It’shardtosay howthey chose who they were going to release and who they were going to take into custody,”Palacios said, adding that somewho werearrested didn’thave an alien identiﬁcation numberand were still unaccounted for Kuck said theraid is an indication of how far-reaching thecrackdown by President Donald Trump’sadministration is, despite assurances that they aretargeting criminals.

“The redefinition of the word ‘criminal’toinclude everybody whoisnot acitizen, and even somethat are, is the problem here,” Kuck said.

Many of the families who called Harrison’sinitiative said their detained relatives were the sole breadwinners in the household, leaving them desperate forbasics like baby formula and food.

The ﬁnancial impact of the raidatthe construction site for abattery factory that will be operated by HL-GA Battery Co.was compounded by the fact that another massive employer in the area —International Paper

Co. —isclosing at the end of the month, laying off another800 workers, Harrison said.

Growth Initiative doesn’t check immigration status, Harrison said, but almost all families whohavereached outtoher have said that their detainedloved ones hadlegal authorization to work in the United States, leaving many confused about why their relative was taken into custody in the ﬁrst place. “The worst phone calls are the ones where you have childrencrying, screaming, ‘Where is my mom?’”Harrison said.

ForJonah Brooks,lifehas already been ajourney ﬁlledwithchallengesmostadultswillnever face Born seeminglyhealthy,Jonah wasdiagnosed as a toddlerwithanexceedingly rare geneticmutation that ultimately ledtokidneyfailure.The situationwas dire at times, butthankstothe pediatricnephrology programatManningFamilyChildren’s, Jonahisnow an energeticand playfullittleboy Jonahisthe youngest of sevenchildrenina blended family from Long Beach, Mississippi. When hisolder sister wasdiagnosed with agenemutation, doctors suggestedJonah undergotesting as well when he wasnot even twoyears old. Theresults were positive, somethingthatwas ashock to hismotherTabitha and therestofthe Brooks family

“Jonah andhis sister aretwo of less than 50 casesof this speciﬁccondition worldwide. It’s even more rare that my husbandand Iare both carriersofthe exact same mutation.The doctorstolduswehad better odds of winningthe lottery,”Tabitha said.“That’s why I’msoimpressed that theteamatManningFamily Children’s putsomucheffortintolearningabout this conditionand thebestwaystotreatit.

Jonahdid well for atime, but thecondition didﬂare up.InDecember 2022,Tabitha rushed him to the hospital afternoticinghis eyes were swollen. Doctors discovered hisblood pressure wasalarminglyhigh, andeventuallydeterminedhewas alreadyinstage 2 kidney disease. He stabilized,but afteraboutwith croup, Jonah’scondition worsened.His kidneysbegan to rapidlyfail, hisappetitedisappeared andhis family facedthe realitythatdrastic action wasneeded.

“Heended up in stage4 kidney diseasepretty quickly,”Tabitha said.“At onepoint,his kidney function haddeclinedtoabout 7percent.Theyimmediatelystarted him on dialysis andput him on thelist forakidneytransplant.

Fortunatelyfor theBrooksfamily, ahealthy kidney became available, andJonah underwent atransplant in June at ManningFamilyChildren’s. He stillgoes forcheckupsevery otherweek, butisdoing well.His sister remainsinstage 2kidneydisease andonlyon onemedication, anddoctors at ManningFamilyChildren’s continue to monitorher closelyfor anychanges

“I couldnot imaginegetting better care anywhere else,” Tabithasaid. “You cantellthateveryoneat ManningFamilyChildren’sisverypassionateabout theirwork. Thepatientsare notjust anothercase. They recognizeall of us andknowus. Ialwaysknew in my heartthatweneededtokeepthematManning Family Children’s becausetheywould getthe care that they needed.”

Thenephrology programatManning Family Children’s is theonlyone in Louisianaaccreditedbythe JointCommissionand CMS-approved for pediatric dialysis.Therapies includehemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis andacute renalreplacement therapies, even fornewborns. Theteam’sexpertise spansrare andcomplex conditions.Infact, they have used the CARPEDIEMsystem–aspecializeddialysismachine fornewborns--onthe youngest patientinLouisiana andpartnered with otherspecialists on gene therapy for sickle cell disease.

“Right now, we have thecapacitytoprovide life-savingdialysiseventoinfants.Wehavecloseto30 patients on dialysis now, from infants to adolescents. As apediatric transplant center,wecan also perform kidney transplantsifthatbecomes anecessity,” said Dr.Diego Aviles,ManningFamilyChildren’sChief of PediatricNephrology. “Wehavethe best threeyear outcomes for kidney transplant patients in this region.Wehavedone250 kidney transplants. This November,itwillbe30years sinceweperformed our ﬁrst kidney transplant.”

Thepediatric nephrology team also treats conditionssuchashypertension, kidney andurinary tract disorders, congenital malformations, cystic kidneys, urineabnormalities,aswellaselectrolyte andacidbase disorders. Evelyn “Evie” Freiberg,RN, EMSHCM,saidthe continuumofcarethatnephrologypatients receive at ManningFamilyChildren’siswhattruly sets it apart. Aholisticteamofnurses, physicians,nurse practitioners,socialworkers,dietitians,psychologists andother supportstaff work directly with each family to ensure alloftheir needsare met. “The same team sees thesamepatients, even if they areinoutpatientcare,”Freibergsaid. “That’swhatwe mean when we sayweare acomprehensive pediatric program. We’relikeanextendedfamilytothem. JaredBatiste,seniordirectorofrenal services, said thoserelationships startfromthe moment a family enters ManningFamilyChildren’s. Batiste said multidisciplinaryteams areonhandtoanswer questions, discusstreatment plansand addressany potentialobstacles to care

“Wealwayswanttomakesurefamilieshave

By Amanda McElfresh | amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

This articleisbrought to youbythe NewOrleans Metropolitan AssociationofRealtors® (NOMAR). On Thursday,October16, theNew OrleansMetropolitan Association of REALTORS®(NOMAR) andits Commercial Investment Division willhostthe 15th Annual Economic and Real Estate Forecast Symposiumatthe JeffersonPerforming ArtsCenter.

PresentedbyGulfCoast Bank &Trust Company, the day-long eventhas becomethe Gulf South’spremier forum forrealestateand economicinsight,attractinghundredsof industry professionals from across theregion. This year’s theme, Breaking Ground:The EmergenceofaNew Economy, reflectsboththe challenges andopportunities reshaping Greater NewOrleans.Frominflationand interest ratesto infrastructure investmentsand newindustries,the symposium willexplore howshifting market forces areinfluencing business decisionsatevery level.

“The mood nowisone of excitement mixedwithcaution People arestill waitingtosee howthings endupwithtariffs, interest ratesand Federal policy decisions. Also,the event this year willtakeplace shortlyafter localelections in New Orleans, so we willhave asense of theleadership that willbe directingthe city andregionfor thenextfew years,”saidBob Stevens, presidentofThe Stevens Realty Groupand amember of thesymposium planning committee. “Atthe same time we were reminded this summer of howresilientour city is as we marked the20th anniversaryofHurricane Katrina. New Orleansissecondtononeinthatregard. Ithink when you consider allofthat, thereare reasonstofeelgoodabout what is happeningand wherewemight be heading.”

This year’s symposiumwillrun from 8a.m.to5p.m.and offersuptoeight hoursofcontinuingeducation credit forreal

estate professionals. Sessions willaddress thestate of the economy, thelabor market,new industries andprojectsthat aremakingNew Orleansmorecompetitive forinvestment, regulatory challenges,permittinghurdles andmarketactivity acrossall real estate sectors.

Newell Normand, WWL-AM host andformerJefferson Parish Sheriff,willbethe Keynotespeaker andwilldiscuss affordablehousing,demographic shifts andregionalsupply challenges.Other keyspeakersinclude MichaelHecht,GNO, Inc.,Guy Williams,Presidentand CEOofGulfCoast Bank & Trust,willprovide closingremarks on howartiﬁcial intelli-

genceisreshapingrealestatemarketing anddecision-making

“We’re living in apost-Covidtransitionaleconomy.Investors andpeopleinrealestateare learningtoadapt on adaily basis,”saidPaulRichard,commercialrealestateadvisor at NAIRampart Commercial Real Estate andamemberofthe symposiumplanningcommittee.“Ourbelief is that we are entering anew economyphase. This eventisa good tool to discussthose headwindsaswellasopportunities.”

Richardnoted that whilethe symposiumtheme changes each year,the overallgoalisalwaystomakesureattendees walk away with relevant informationthattheycan applyin theirwork. Conference chairman MignonRichard Díaz agreed andnoted that the2025theme waschosentoemphasizeboth physical developmentand broader economic changes.

“Thisyear’sprogram is designed to help us connectthe dots betweenmacroeconomic forces andthe realitiesofour day-to-day business,” Díaz said.“We’rebreakingnew ground in more ways than one–through infrastructure, through construction andthrough theinnovativeindustries that are emerging acrossGreater NewOrleans.”

Stevenssaidheurges attendees to come early, stay late, networkand visitwithsymposium sponsors. Thoseorganic conversations, in addition to theofficial sessions,can often spur ideasand future collaborations.Inorder to allowfor more opportunitiesfor such discussions, Richardnoted that this year’s symposiumisstructuredwithlongerbreaksand thetimeand spacefor sponsors to connectwithattendees

“The wholegoalofthe dayistogivegoodinformation that helpspeoplebebetteratwhattheydo,”hesaid. “Myadviceis to come with an open mind andtakeadvantage of thechance to networkand communicate.”

Ticketsand afullscheduleofeventsare nowavailable at www.nolaforecast.org.

WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER

LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’SQUIET DISASTER

For the past two years, Louisiana has rankedthird in thenation in heat-related deaths per capita, behind only Arizona and Nevada, according to an analysis of CDC data by The Times-Picayune |The Advocate. There are no visceral remnants of heat waves, unlike otherdisasters thatare familiar to Louisiana. No spray paint on houses indicating the dead inside. No high-water marks. No blue roofs. It is aquiet disaster,and it is becoming deadlier New Orleans is particularly vulnerable. The city is projected to experience one of thelargest increases in premature deaths in the nation because of heat, as climate change brings hotter temperatures.

Elderly people tend to bear the brunt of heat-related deaths: Morethan half of those who died from heat over the last five years in New Orleans were overage 65.

“Heat has an insidious onset,” said Dr.Kevin Conrad, aprimary carephysician who published amedical journal article raising alarm bells about the scorching 2023 summer. “It’snot likea hurricane. It doesn’tget the press and attention. It’sone of the majorimplications from climate change.”

Last summer,heat deaths remained much higher than normal, though they dipped from 2023. So far this year deaths appear to have declined, as higher rainfall has eased temperatures, which were only slightly above normalfor mostof this summer Even amid the grim tally, thestate is likely undercounting howmany people are dying from heat, as heatrelated deaths canbesubjective and depend on which coroner handles acase. For example, not all physicians or coroners will tie aheart attack back to the temperatures that brought it on.

“Weknow it’sanunderestimation,” said Dr.Peter DeBlieux, an ER physician and assistant dean at LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans. “You’re mowing the lawn, you have aheart attack, we’re going to say you were mowing the lawn and you had aheart attack.”

Tracking deaths

It’simpossible to track the true toll of heat in Louisiana. Data collection varies

widelyamong coroners and health professionalsaround thestate. The Louisiana DepartmentofHealth, for instance, uses adifferent methodologythanthe CDC in tracking deaths. The Health Department tallied 91 total deaths in 2023, several more thanthe CDC counted Andsome epidemiologistssay the most accurate

way to track heat deathsis by analyzing the “excess deaths” during heat waves, whichLouisiana ofﬁcials are not doing.

Some coroners say they don’thave away of tracking heat-related deaths at all. State lawonly requirescoroners to performanautopsy in limited circumstances that don’tinclude heat,except in the case of achild.

Heat wavesare gettinglongerinNew Orleans

Pathologists in the Jefferson Parish Coroner’s Ofﬁce —the only one in the state that’snationally accredited by the National Association of MedicalExaminers— have higher standards for investigating deathsthan those in other parishes. The JeffersonParishofﬁce, run by Dr.Gerry Cvitanovich, oftenreceivescases from 15 other parishes

NewOrleans is experiencing thebiggest jump in thedurationofheatwavescomparedtothe 1960sinthe country. Alookatheatwave durationsacrossthe country, 1961-2023:

But Jefferson pathologists saymanyofthose don’teven have enough information to determine whether heat playeda role. Forinstance, rural coroners whorelyon Jefferson Parish for autopsies often don’ttake liver temperatures or record ambient airtemperatures that are vital for determining whether adeath was heatrelated.

“A body may come in at 8p.m. when this office is shut down, andsit in acooler all night,” said TimGenevay director of forensic operations. “And when we get to it the next morning, it’scool.”

‘Going to getworse’

The ﬁght to prevent deaths in the ﬁrst place is also rife with problems, and forresidentsofsouth Louisiana, thesummerbrings fewreprieves.

Trees, forexample, can help to cool temperaturesby blanketingcitiesinshade Cities like Jacksonville, Florida; Charleston,South Carolina; and Nashville, Tennessee have tree canopies blanketing between 47% and 63% of theircities, according to areforestationplanby SOUL, alocal nonproﬁt. New Orleans’ tree canopy covers just 18% of the city

And the tree canopy is disparate, with many wealthy neighborhoodsenjoying lush forests and poorer areas barren with concrete, according to data from aforestrynonproﬁt that tracks the nation’stree canopy

liminary studies that humidity levels may be rising in Louisiana along with temperatures. Climate Central,a nonproﬁt that studies climate change, found that nighttime temperatures have risen particularly quickly in recent decades locally,making it harder for people’sbodies to recuperate after the heat has beaten downonthem all day DeBlieux, the ER doctor, said he suspectsa numberof factors are behind the rising toll of heat deaths.

Many of the heat-related patients he sees have used drugs, making them too disoriented to get out of harm’s wayduring heat waves. Others have behavioral health problems that put them at risk because those patients often venture outside or in hotplacesduringheat waves.

About 1in10heat-related deaths in New Orleans involveddrug use since 2019, according to coroner records, and about 18% involved people with no listed address, indicating possible homelessness.

Another problem that DeBlieux sees amonglowincome patients is that they often lack access to air conditioning, in homes that may also have little aircirculation.

Andmanyelderly residents take medications that dehydrate them —the majority of heat-related deaths in NewOrleanshavebeen older people dying at home.

“This is going to get worse,” DeBlieux said. “Those folks, the elderly and those people who have cognitive decline …they’re going to be at great risk.”

NewOrleans:4.5 days

Residents in Louisiana also use more electricity per capita than any state in the country,making utility bills unaffordable forresidents of the most impoverished state in America. Many people minimize their AC usage in the summer as aresult, said severalexperts andresidents —particularly if they’re elderly and on a ﬁxed income.

Andsincelastsummer, whenthe city rolledout an ordinance requiring landlords to provide safetemperatures in bedrooms, renters across the city have ﬁled hundreds of complaints alleging that their units lack air conditioning.

High levels of humidity also make the heat particularly dangerous in south Louisiana. In drier environments, people cool themselveswhensweat evaporates off their skin. But the dense humidityheremeans that moisture in the air prevents sweat fromwicking, making it impossible for manytocool off naturally

Researchers at LSU Health have found in pre-

Record-breakingsummer

The EMS calls came in a steady drumbeat in 2023. Winshan Johnson called hermother, Juvonda Johnson, on aSunday that summer to catch up. They had a family reuniontolook forward to, and her mom was in good spirits.

Juvonda Johnson, 53, loveddriving around town in hergrayNissanMaxima, listening to R&B and soul, oftensinging along. She raised afamily in Gentilly, and Winshan said she was “like amother to everyone,” even raising acousin who lost her own mom. But afew hours after they spoke,relativesarrivedat Juvonda Johnson’sapartment in NewOrleansEast and found her still in her car in the parking lot. The car was off and the temperatures were scorching. Johnson had died of heat stroke.

Staffgraphic by DANSWENSON

STAFF PHOTOSBySOPHIA GERMER

People wait forthe streetcaronCanal Street duringa heat advisoryonJuly 22 in NewOrleans.

Continued from page1A

Sheila Borskey holds up amemorialfor her late husband,Dornell Anderson, whodied in August 2023 of heartcomplications exacerbated by extreme heat while mowinghis lawn in NewOrleans.

It wasn’tclear to Winshan Johnson why her mother was in the carwithout AC, but she suspects her mother fell asleep. That same day,10 miles away,another womandied of heat stroke in aHollygrove motel.

The two womenwere the first recorded victims of what would prove to be the deadliest summer on record forheatinLouisiana.Itwas only June. Rain in the summer of 2023 was scarce, and drought and wildﬁres cropped up around the state, an unusual combinationinone of the rainiest states in the U.S. Temperatures broke record after record.

Roland Williams was alone in asmall house uptown, where he had become increasinglyshut in since retiring from his maintenance job. His cousin, Velinda Newton, said Williams cut the cords on the window AC units, unwilling to pay increasingly high electricbills He ran afan to stay cool. Newton arrived at the house on aSunday and opened the door to ﬁnd her cousin dead, another victim of the heat. Less than three weeks after Williams died, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued astate of emergency, citing an “unparalleledongoingcrisis.” Calls to EMS had quadrupled. Fires burned in marshes That Millian friend he couldn’ phone. Her da was aN Depart years,a ingasaU tirement met his Desire ect. Re in Gentilly conditioning in the front But rived that daym heat inside her “I opened heat knocked said. “It Shef andthe listed the enviro mia —h the extreme the AC wasn’tw to cool McMillian, New Orleans, tral airc can’tk mer.Itr her electric After McMillian tricbill cost had “Older income runnin through Areport Orleans on the that air lems helped heat-related people Three conditioning not turned had no had no and another AC unit. Paradoxicall sianah summers

LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’SQUIET DISASTER

nificant share ofresidents here don’thave airconditioning to begin with. Data from the federalEnergy Information Administration showsLouisiana ranks in the middle of the pack among U.S. states for the share of people with air conditioning in their homes. Louisiana ranks even lower in theshare of people with central AC, which typically is better at coolinghomes

Only 76% of residents have central AC, the same rate as South Dakota, where summer temperaturesare muchcooler

Heat surged againin2024

Theheatﬁnally broke in the fall of 2023. Thecooling centers shut down and heat advisories tapered off. But theheat roared back last summer

Alvin Harsch mowed the lawn on an unusually hot Augustmorning in 2024, like he always did. Aneighbor asked if he wanted help, but he waved him off. Thetemperatures were climbing, but Harsch hadinsisted on cutting the grass regularly since he relocated from the Paciﬁc Northwest to New Orleans to live outhis twilightyears with his son, Lloyd. The89-year-old was bright and energetic, despiteheart problems that croppedupa coupleyears earlier. He’d finished mowing thefront yard of their house

fatalities, you hese people who are livmaybedon’t ioning,”said limate and theNew Orof Health, ncreated in rising risk advice durocheck on Bakersaid. es,itisinthat’s not people unquickly heat turn into heat d. “It’shapthat checkry daymay enough.”

temperatures have been an normal, ample rain prolonged heat eventedandeaths.Five deaths had her ofﬁce mid-August, she er than in ars, though hat number rregularly oanenvichamber in his University team turn arying temhumidities sdotasks treadmills.

In these insulated boxes, Schlader said he can simulate “any thermal environmentonearth.”

Theresearchhas identiﬁed anumber of groups that areparticularly susceptible to heat. The elderly areat thetop of the list. Older people often have difficulty sweating, which is the main way the body cools down. Andtheir organ systems —particularly the heart —are more susceptible to breaking down in high temperatures.

“Unfortunately,I’m not surprised by it,”Schlader said of NewOrleans’ heat deaths among older residents. “Olderage is aprimaryrisk factor to bad stuff happening during the heat.”

Humidity’s dangers

Summers have always been hot and miserable in southLouisiana. Geography is partially to blame: the region is bound by water on all sides, where moisture and heat converge and createthe swamp-like climate residentsknow

AndLouisiana is sometimes overlooked when it comes to extreme heat, given thatthe mercury rarely reaches 100 degrees.

Butthe state experiences another insidious factor: humidity

The water that surrounds south Louisiana —its myriad bayous, swampsand ca-

nals, alongwith the Gulf of Mexico —provides ample moisture to the air.When that moisture combines with hottemperatures, it becomes exceedingly difﬁcult forpeople to cool down.

Ofﬁcials with the National Weather Service combine humidity and temperature to estimate the heat index, or feels-like temperatures. Those warnings canhave major implications for when cities open coolingcenters, how long outdoor workers toil in the heat and more.

But researchersatthe University of CaliforniaBerkeleybelieve there’san error in the waythe weather service calculates the heat indexwhenit’sparticularly hot and humid. An analysis by postdoctoral scholarYiChuan Lu on behalf of The Times-Picayune found that Louisiana experienced many days in 2023 whenthe real heat index was higherthan the figure used by the weather service and local officials. Weather service spokesperson Marissa Anderson saidthe agency is aware of thework by Lu andhis colleague, David Romps, and is “evaluating ourheat forecast tools, including heat index, to identify areas forimprovements and to understand the strengths and limitations of potential modifications.” She pointed to anew index called HeatRisk, as well as wet bulb globe temperatures, which measure heat and humidity

Solutions to the rising death toll have proved elusive in Louisiana and elsewhere. Local health ofﬁcials have focused heavily on spreading awareness andencouraging people to check in on their neighbors, particularly if they’re elderly But unlike the government response to hurricanes or flooding, there is no spigot of federal funding that ﬂows after aheat wave. And plans to build infrastructureto cool down New Orleans, including tree planting, shade structuresand permeable surfaces, haven’tkept up with the rising risks.

Emma Herrock,spokesperson for the Louisiana DepartmentofHealth,said theagencyhas been working to increase awareness of heat deaths among coroners, and noted the 2023 death toll came afteranunprecedented summerofdrought and heat.This May, the agency published adocument giving guidance to coroners and other health professionalson howtoidentify andrecord heat deaths and is spreading the word at conferences.

Barry Keim,the former state climatologist whonow works at LSU Health Sciences Center,said another trend is particularly troubling: Minimum temperatures are rising fast. Thatmeanspeople aren’tcooling off enough overnight and giving their bodies abreak from the heat —particularly if they don’t have adequateair conditioning. Thatcan put even more stress on people’sbodies, raising the risk of heat-related illness.

Keim andpublic health student Efrain Granados have been compiling decades of hourly humiditydatatosee whether Louisiana’s climate is becoming more humid. Preliminary results indicate it is,although thetrend is particularly acute in cooler months.

“With temperatures goingupand humidity going up, theheat indexnumbers aregetting prettyobscene,” Keim said. “You put thetwo together,and it’s aprettylethal combination.”

Email Sam Karlin at skarlin@theadvocate.com

During a second-line for the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, a participant noticeably sweats through a T-shirt in New Orleans on Aug. 29.

Staffgraphic

Aportrait of Alvin Harsch is placed in achair he used to sit in at his son’shome in NewOrleans. Harsch died whilemowing the lawn in August 2024.

L. Harsch

piece on display for the people of Louisiana.”

It was apoint of pride for Mullins and otherfamily members every time they visited the Capitol to admiretheir grandfather’s handiwork on awall in the ground-floorbreezeway underneaththe building’s steps. They noted that words etched in theboard said it was cut from acypress tree that was nearly 8feet wide and had sproutedin the year 652, or almost 1,000 years before Christopher Columbus set sailfor America. Abook on cypress trees says it was cut down because it “had reached its maturity and, if permitted to stand longer,would have declined and degraded.”

At some point 15-20 years ago, Mullins went to the Capitol and discovered the board was no longer on the breezeway wall. He called state museums acrossthe state but came up empty.

Then,in2023, Mullins was startled one night while watchingTVnews to see an interview with Schexnayder —and the boardwas clearlyvisible directly behind him. By then, Schexnayder was the speaker of the House, overseeing all105 Housemembers.

“I thought, ‘There’smy board!’”Mullins said.

He enlisted the help of Jay Dardenne, atop ofﬁcial in the administration of Gov. John BelEdwards as the commissioner of administration.

Dardenne said he made severalcalls and was told that Schexnayder had it in his legislative ofﬁce in Gonzales.

January 2024. Reache dr ecen tly, Schexnayder said he got the cypress board from the Capitol in 2013 at the initiative of then-Speaker Chuck Kleckley,R-Lake Charles.

“The representation to me was that Clay said he would return it,” Dardenne said. “It was clearly stateproperty There was never any representation otherthan that.”

At the time, Schexnayder was running to be secretary of state, while winding up atumultuous four years as speaker,about to be forced outofthe House by term limits.

Schexnayder, aRepublican and one-time amateur car racer who owned an auto mechanic shop, was elected speaker in early 2020 by acoalition of Democrats and Republicans to edgeout amore conservative Republican. But under attack from conservatives for this alliance,Schexnayder shifted to the right partway into his term and developed afrostyrelationship with Edwards, aDemocrat He facedquestions following a2022 news report that he used taxpayer dollars to pay his stepsons for work to remodel the speaker’sapartment at the PentagonBarracks next to the Capitol.

Schexnayder finished fourth in the October 2023 secretary of state’selection andended his12year run in the Housein

“Heasked me one dayif Irepresented one part of Livingston, St. John and St. James,” Schexnayder said.“He said, ‘Wehavethe board from downstairs (in theCapitol),and it is from your district. We’d like to get it over there.’ They haditboxed andshipped to my office. Theywere doing some remodelingdownstairs or something. I didnot request it. I’d have asked for thepirogue. That’s from my district as well.”

There’sapirogue, the boat famously used to navigate Louisianaswamps and bayous, in theground-floor breezeway Kleckley,also reached recently, said he didn’t remember giving theboard to Schexnayder. “I don’tthink the speaker has the authority to just takethings offthe wall,” Kleckley said.“There’s a process.”

When Schexnayder was abouttoleavethe House at thebeginningof 2024,he said recently,a government propertymanager collected his desk,his computer and other items that belonged to the state.

But theboard wasn’t on the inventory list, so Schexnayder said it remained on his wall when he departed.

Schexnayder said he made no effort to alert anyone from the statetocollect the board.

Schexnayder’sdistrictofﬁce was located in astrip mall on La. 44, justsouth of the Pelican Point Golf & Country Club. Mullins said he called Schexnayderjust afterhe left ofﬁce,and they spoke briefly. Schexnayder, according to Mullins, said he would call himback but didn’t.

Afew dayslater,Mullins drove to the strip mall and found Schexnayder’sformer ofﬁce, suite 205. It was locked.But Mullinshad an employee with St. John Properties openthe door, and he saw theboard on the wall, before beingushered out.

Todd Pevey managesSt. John Properties, according to thecompany’swebsite. He did not return four phone calls recently.

“Sorry,”Pevey said in a text, “but we have no comment on this.”

Who’sresponsible?

While the whereabouts of the board remain uncertain,it’salsonot clear which branch of stategovernment owns it.That explains perhaps why no one in state government has madeapush to return it to the Capitol.

Officials at the DepartmentofAgriculture, at the office of Cultural, Recreation and Tourism in the Lieutenant Governor’sOfﬁce and at the Secretary of State’sOfﬁce —which does hold another long board from the same tree at the Louisiana State Exhibit Museum in Shreveport all sayitdoes not belong to them.

Maida Owens spent 38 yearsworking for thestate, including along stretchas the folk life program director for the Louisiana Divisionofthe Arts underthe Lieutenant Governor’sOfﬁce.

Her program oversaw theartifacts in theCapitol breezeway —but not the cypressboard, since it was already in place when their first exhibitwas installed there in 1985.

Owens, whose father covered state politicsfor The Associated Press during the 1960s, was philosophical aboutthe board going missing.

“I’ve heard of this kind of thing before,” Owens said. “It’snot the ﬁrst time, honestly.”

EmailTyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.

Schexnayder

But getting that work done can be game-changing for commuters, farmers, businesses and heavy industry, state leaders say

“In some parts of this state, we’ve had bridges that have been out for years,” said state Rep. Ryan Bourriaque, a Republican from Cameron Parish who chairs the House transportation committee and led the overhaul effort.

That can mean commute times measured in hours rather than minutes, he said.

“The alternate route for some of these bridges in all parts of the state could be an hour And in my part of the state, it’s three hours,” Bourriaque said.

Archie Chaisson III, the former Lafourche Parish president and a former city of Thibodaux public works director appointed by Landry to lead the new ofﬁce, said a typical DOTD project for just one bridge could take two years

“We’re trying compress 62 of ‘em into 15 months. So it’s a very aggressive schedule,” Chaisson said.

“It’s a quick solution to a long-standing problem,” said state Rep. Jack McFarland, who owns a logging company in northern Louisiana.

McFarland, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, said that if the strategy works, it could serve as a model.

“If successful, I can see signiﬁcantly more opportunities for investment,” he said.

The plan Bridges deteriorate over time, losing structural strength. Sometimes officials must limit the weight that can be carried across a bridge or simply close it to all trafﬁc Both can lead to long and costly detours, especially for commercial and industrial carriers.

“In north Louisiana, much like in the swamps of south

Louisiana, you have a lot of bridges,” McFarland said. “A lot of these are the only way people, especially in rural communities, have to get back and forth for everything from work to school to health care.”

The Legislature this year decided to withdraw $100 million stored in a state savings account and put it toward the bridge program.

The DOTD compiled a list of 62 bridges using factors such as condition and feasibility of a quick turnaround.

Forty-seven of the selected crossings are designated as being in poor condition

“In most cases it’s a complete removal of the old bridge and a complete construction of a new bridge,” Chaisson said. Construction on most projects will take 60 to 90 days he said.

“A lot of these are not complicated bridges,” Chaisson said. “Most of them are no more than 100 foot long by 30-foot wide, what I would call more of a local, rural bridge. It’s not like we’re trying to build a new Mississippi River bridge.”

Chaisson said he hopes to have an initial set of several bridges demolished before the end of October with construction launching in December or January — and all 62 bridges complete and “100% done” by the end of 2026.

The bridges are grouped geographically into eight

project bundles, with eight engineering ﬁrms each handling a bundle and, eventually, “a whole host of contractors” selected for the construction work.

The engineering firms selected are Crescent Engineering & Mapping; Forte & Tablada; GIS Engineering; Huval & Associates; Lazenby & Associates; Linfield, Hunter & Junius; T. Baker Smith and Volkert.

Within the next 30 days, once the design ﬁrms have some initial project data, the state plans to start engaging contractors, Chaisson said.

The idea is to get contractors in on the front end and let them work with the engineers, he said.

“You can drive down some cost, reduce the risk of change orders and cost overruns, and you can speed that construction timeline up,” he added.

He acknowledged the accelerated approach is novel in some respects: “We’re kind of charting our own path,” he said. Why move so quickly?

The bridge initiative was originally set up under the DOTD, but Landry recently decided to transfer it to the new highway construction ofﬁce.

“By shifting the bridge bundling program to the Office of Louisiana Highway Construction, we’re finally cutting through red tape and getting our roads and bridg-

es ﬁxed faster than ever before,” Landry said. “We are ﬁnally delivering real results for the people of Louisiana.”

When the Legislature established the office earlier this year, it granted the new agency emergency procurement powers for six months, through Jan. 1.

That means there’s a short window during which the

highway office is exempt from the standard bidding process and from adhering to the timelines and procedures for state contracts typically required under the public bid law

Chaisson said the emergency procurement authority and the fact that his ofﬁce is housed outside the DOTD allows him to move quickly

Lawmakers could extend the emergency authorization, he noted.

“We have the ability to pick a contractor, pick an engineer and speed that process up,” he said. “We don’t have to necessarily play by the same rule book as DOTD does.”

DOTD likely would not have been able to award the design contracts until the end of the year, Chaisson said. “We did that in a couple of days.”

Chaisson said his office selected engineering firms with experience working on DOTD projects and will do the same with choosing contractors.

While oversight of the bridge program is now under the highway construction ofﬁce, the state’s two transportation agencies are collaborating on it. That’s in part because some of the structures are on federal routes, which are managed by the DOTD, and others are on nonfederal routes, which are now managed by the highway construction ofﬁce.

DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said the partnership allows Louisiana to “maximize” the new ofﬁce’s emergency procurement authority

“You’ve got that workﬂow there so you can help repair, rehab and replace these bridges to get them back open to fully loaded trafﬁc,” he said.

Chaisson said the approach is intended to achieve both speed and quality

“The governor gave me a lot of latitude to be able to do some things,” he said “We’re trying to push the envelope a little bit and get some things done.”

Protests disruptSpanish race

BY JOSEPH WILSON Associated Press

BARCELONA, Spain As an alderperson in northwest-

ern Spain, Rosana Prieto tends to the running of her tiny village and is far removed from major cities, oftenrocked by protests over geopolitical issues.But with one of the world’sbiggest cyclingracescoursing through the bucolic hills nearby,she and hundreds of like-mindedtownspeople sensed achancetomake their small voices heard, denouncing Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

Palestinian flagsinhand, they stood precisely where they knew the television cameras would broadcast their message to the world: the last turn before the finishline of the15thstage,as cyclists of the Spanish Vuelta whirred past. Fartherup the road, aprotester carrying aPalestinian flag got too close to the speeding peloton and caused apair of cyclists to crash.

Protests targeting an Israeli-owned team have repeatedly seized the limelightat the Vuelta, Spain’sversion of the Tour de France, in which over 180 cyclists pedal 1,900 miles through rural Spain’s sleepy back-roads. Sixofthe last 10 days of racing have been either cut short or interrupted, with over 20 people detained by police.

Israel’s23-month military grind into Palestinian territory,launched in response to

Hamas’ Oct.7,2023, deadly attack on Israel, had already enraged many Spaniards, includingits outspoken leftwing government. The protests on thesidelines of the Vuelta haveearned the government’stacit endorsement andcatalyzednudging it toward staking out one of the strongest positions against Israel of any European nation since the sustained military operation began “The protests were born fromthe idea that our only chance to defend human rights regarding Israel is the Spanish Vuelta,”Prieto, 48, told The Associated Press “It is an international spotlight for us to say that we are againstwhat Israelisdoing.” Israelhas defended its military actions in Gaza and accused Spainof standing with Hamas.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez joined Ireland

and Norway in recognizing a Palestinian state lastyear, and Spain became the first European country to ask a U.N. court for permissionto join SouthAfrica’scaseaccusing Israel of genocide.

The Vuelta protesters argue that if Russian teams have been banned from international sporting events for thewar in Ukraine, then Israeli teams should likewise be punished.

Spain’sgovernment agrees. Foreign Minister JoséManuelAlbaressaid he would support theIsraeli-owned team’s expulsion from the race, while government spokesperson Pilar Alegría,who is also minister of sportsand education, said neutrality is no longerpossible in theface of the death and destruction in Gaza. For the Vuelta’ssecurity detail, it was logistically impossible to lock down theen-

tireroute through itstwisting roads, muchofwhich is lined by forest.Large groups have gathered in townsand protesters have jumped out of cover to block thepath of riders, causing two athletes to crash, although it’sunclear if that was the protesters’ intention. Neither of the riders who crashed was on theIsraeli team

The team under fire, Israel Premier Tech, issued a statement saying that quitting therace is out of the question, as it would “set a dangerous precedent.”

The team is ownedbyIsraeli-Canadian businessman Sylvan Adams, who emigrated to Israel in 2016.

Spain’sprime minister chose last week to denounce Israel’soperations in Gaza as “genocide” andmakea nationally televised address announcing an arms embargo andblocking Israel-bound fuel deliveriesfrom passing through Spanish ports.

Themoveinﬂameda diplomaticdispute thatresulted in the ban of ministers fromboth countries. Israeli leaders called the Spanish government’s actions “antisemitic” anda “blatant genocidal threat.”

The European Commission’s president, Ursula von derLeyen,has called for partially suspending trade tieswith Israel, and the Netherlands said it would boycott the popular Eurovisionsong contestnext year if Israel is allowed to participate.

Israel rampsup Gaza City strikes

BY WAFAASHURAFA Associated Press

DEIRAL-BALAH, Gaza Strip A barrageofairstrikes killed at least 32 people across Gaza City as Israelramps up itsoffensive thereand urges Palestinians to evacuate, medical staff reported Saturday

The dead included 12 children, according to the morgue in Shifa Hospital, wherethe bodies were brought.

On Saturday,the army said it struck another highrise used by Hamas in the area of Gaza City.Ithas ordered residents to leave, part of an offensive aimed at taking over the largest Palestinian city,which it says is Hamas’ last stronghold.

One of the strikes overnight and into early morning Saturday hit ahouse in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, killingafamily of 10, including amother and herthree children,said health ofﬁcials. The Palestinian Football Association said aplayer for the Al-Helal Sporting Club, Mohammed Ramez Sultan,was killed in the strikes with 14 members of his family

Israel’sarmy didn’timmediately respond to questions about the strikes.

Relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas rallied in TelAviv on Saturday

to demand adeal to release their loved ones and criticized whatthey said was acounterproductive approach by PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu in securing aresolution.

Einav Zangauker,the motherofhostage Matan Zangauker, describedas a“spectacularfailure” Israel’sattempted assassination of Hamas leaders in Qatar this week.

“President Trumpsaid yesterday that every time thereisprogress in the negotiations,Netanyahu bombs someone. But it wasn’tHamas leadershe tried to bomb—itwas ourchance, as families, to bring our loved ones home,” Zangauker said. In amessage on social media Saturday,Israel’s army told theremaining Palestinians in GazaCity to leave “immediately” and move south to whatit’scalling ahumanitarian zone. Army spokesman Avichay Adraee said that more than aquarterofa million people had left Gaza City from an estimated 1million who live in the area of north Gaza around the city SitesinsouthernGaza where Israel is telling people to go are overcrowded, according to the U.N.,and it can cost money to move, which many people don’t have.

Paramountdenounces boycottofIsraeli film industry over Gaza

BY MEG JAMES Los Angeles Times (TNS)

LOS ANGELES Paramount on Friday sharply denounced aproposed boycott of Israeli ﬁlm institutions by agroup that calls itself Film Workers for Palestine and is supported by dozens of Hollywood luminaries. Earlier in the week, the group launched an open letter pledging to withhold support for Israeli ﬁlm festivals, production companies andother organizations that the group said were involvedin “genocide and apartheidagainst the Palestinian people.”

The letter has been signed by hundreds of individuals, includingﬁlmmakers Jonathan Glazer, AvaDuVernay,Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone,Joaquin Phoenix, Rooney Mara,Olivia Colman and Mark Ruffalo.

“As ﬁlmmakers, actors, ﬁlm industry workers, and institutions, we recognize the power of cinema to shape perceptions,” thegroup wrote. “In this urgent momentofcrisis, where many of our governments are enabling the carnage in Gaza, we must do everything we canto address complicityinthatunrelenting horror.”

Thegrouppledged “not to screen films, appear at or otherwise work with Israelifilm institutions —including festivals, cinemas,broadcasters andproductioncompanies,” which have been “implicated” in attacks on Palestinians. The group described its effort as being inspired by filmmakers joining the South African boycott over apartheid decades ago. “Wedonot agree with recent efforts to boycott Israeli filmmakers,” said an emailed statement attributed to Paramount. “Silencing individualcreative artists based on their nationality does not promote betterunderstanding or advance the cause of peace.”

PHOTO By MIGUEL OSES

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Trump wants to ax affordable housing

BY CHARLOTTE KRAMON, JESSE BEDAYN, MICHAELA

HERBST

and AARON KESSLER Associated Press/Report for America

Heather Colley and her two children moved four times over ﬁve years as they fled high rents in eastern Tennessee, which, like much of rural America, hasn’t been spared from soaring housing costs.

A family gift in 2021 of a small plot of land offered a shot at homeownership, but building a house was beyond reach for the 45-year-old single mother and manicurist making $18.50 an hour

That changed when she qualiﬁed for $272,000 from a nonproﬁt to build a threebedroom home because of a grant program that has helped make affordable housing possible in rural areas for decades. She moved in last June.

“Every time I pull into my garage, I pinch myself,” Colley said.

Now, President Donald Trump wants to eliminate that grant, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and House Republicans overseeing federal budget negotiations did not include funding for it in their budget proposal. Experts and state housing agencies say that would set back tens of thousands of future affordable housing developments nationwide, particularly hurting Appalachian towns and rural counties where government aid is sparse and investors are few

The program has helped build or repair more than 1.3 million affordable homes in the last three decades, of which at least 540,000 were in congressional districts that are rural or signifi-

cantly rural, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data.

“Maybe they don’t realize how far-reaching these programs are,” said Colley who voted for Trump in 2024.

Among those half a million homes that HOME helped build, 84% were in districts that voted for him last year, the AP analysis found

“I understand we don’t want excessive spending and wasting taxpayer dollars,” Colley said, “but these proposed budget cuts across the board make me rethink the next time I go to the polls.”

The HOME program, started under President George H W. Bush in the 1990s, survived years of budget battles but has been stretched thin by years of rising construction costs and stagnant funding. That’s meant fewer units, including in some rural areas where home prices have grown faster than in cities.

The program has spent more than $38 billion nationwide since it began ﬁlling in

funding gaps and attracting more investment to acquire, build and repair affordable homes, HUD data shows Additional funding has gone toward projects that have yet to be ﬁnished and rental assistance.

Future is in political limbo

To account for the gap left by the proposed cuts, House Republicans want to draw on nearly $5 billion from a related pandemic-era fund that gave states until 2030 to spend on projects supporting people who are unhoused or facing homelessness. That $5 billion, however, may be far less, since many projects haven’t yet been logged into the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s tracking system, according to state housing agencies and associations representing them.

A spokesperson for HUD, which administers the program, said HOME isn’t as effective as other programs where the money would be better spent. In opposition to Trump,

Senate Republicans have still included funding for HOME in their draft budget. In the coming negotiations, both chambers may compromise and reduce but not terminate HOME’s funding, or extend last years’ overall budget.

White House spokesperson Davis Ingle didn’t respond to speciﬁc questions from the AP Instead, Ingle said that Trump’s commitment to cutting red tape is making housing more affordable.

A bipartisan group of House lawmakers is working to reduce HOME’s notorious red tape that even proponents say slows construction.

Dependency

In Owsley County — one of the nation’s poorest located in the rural Kentucky hills — residents struggle in an economy blighted by coal mine closures and declining tobacco crop revenues.

Affordable homes are needed there, but tough to build in a region that doesn’t

attract larger-scale rental developments that federal dollars typically go toward.

That’s where HOME comes in, said Cassie Hudson, who runs Partnership Housing in Owsley, which has relied on the program to build the majority of its affordable homes for at least a dozen years.

A lack of additional funding for HOME has already made it hard to keep up with construction costs, Hudson said, and the organization builds a quarter of the single-family homes it used to.

“Particularly for deeply rural places and persistent poverty counties, local housing developers are the only way homes and new rental housing gets built,” said Joshua Stewart of Fahe, a coalition of Appalachian nonproﬁts.

That’s in part because investment is scant and HOME steps in when construction costs exceed what a home can be sold for — a common barrier in poor areas of Appalachia. Some developers use the proﬁts to build more affordable units. Its loss would erode those nonprofits’ ability to build affordable homes in years to come, Stewart said.

One of those nonprofits, Housing Development Alliance, helped Tiffany Mullins in Hazard, Kentucky which was ravaged by ﬂoods Mullins, a single mother of four who makes $14.30 an hour at Walmart, bought a house there thanks to HOME funding and moved in August.

Mullins sees the program as preserving a rural way of life, recalling when folks owned homes and land “with gardens, we had chickens, cows Now you don’t see much of that.”

Long-term impact

In congressional budget negotiations, HOME is an easier target than programs such as vouchers because most people would not immediately lose their hous-

ing, said Tess Hembree, executive director of the Council of State Community Development Agencies. The effect of any reduction would instead be felt in a ﬁzzling of new affordable housing supply. When HOME funding was temporarily reduced to $900 million in 2015, “10 to 15 years later, we’re seeing the ramiﬁcations,” Hembree said. That includes affordable units built in cities. The biggest program that funds affordable rental housing nationwide, the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, uses HOME grants for 12% of units, totaling 324,000 current individual units, according to soon-to-be-published Urban Institute research. Trump’s spending bill that Republicans passed this summer increased LIHTC, but experts say further reducing or cutting HOME would make those credits less usable.

“It’s LITHC plus HOME, usually,” said Tim Thrasher, CEO of Community Action Partnership of North Alabama which builds affordable apartments for some of the nation’s poorest. In the lush mountains of eastern West Virginia, Woodlands Development Group relies on HOME for its smaller rural projects. Because it helps people with a wider range of incomes, HOME is “one of the only programs available to us that allows us to develop true workforce housing,” said executive director Dave Clark.

It’s those workers — nurses, ﬁrst responders, teachers that nonprofits like east Tennessee’s Creative Compassion use HOME to build for With the program in jeopardy, grant administrator Sarah Halcott said she fears for her clients battling rising housing costs. “This is just another nail in the cofﬁn for rural areas,” Halcott said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV

Public skepticism of vaccines on therise

Health expert makescasefor school mandates

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

There’sareason certain lifethreatening diseases like polio, measles and whooping cough were essentially eradicated, public health experts say: vaccine mandates for schoolchildren

But aonce-routine requirement is under attack due to rising public skepticism that accelerated during the pandemic and has beenfueled by online misinformation and promoted by high-profile figures, including U.S.Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr In recent months, Kennedyhas canceled millions of dollars in federal funding for mRNA vaccine research and fired themembers of the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions committee that makes vaccinerecommendations, replacingsome members with people whohave been critical of vaccines.On Sept. 3, Florida’ssurgeon general said the state would do away with vaccine mandates, includingfor schools.

Louisiana still requiresstudents to get ahandful of vaccinations, including onesthat protect against polio, measles anddiphtheria.

But the state has one of the broadest exemption policies in the country, allowing parents to opt-out theirchildren for medical,religious or philosophical reasons. In recent years,Louisiana legislators have passed laws targeting vaccines,including one that requires schools to publicize vaccine exemptions to parents

Q&A WITH CHARLES STOECKER

HEALTH CARE ECONOMISTATTULANEUNIVERSITy

Lately,the numberofLouisiana families decliningtovaccinate their children has skyrocketed, alarmingpublic health experts.

The rateoffamilies requesting vaccine exemptionsfor kindergartens reached itshighest point in adecadeduring the2022-23 school year,and it hascontinued to rise, with 3% of families requestingnonmedical exemptions last school year, according to the CDC.

To make senseofthe changes, theTimes-Picayune spoke with Charles Stoecker,a healthcare economist at Tulane University who studies vaccine policy Stoecker discussed therecent rise in vaccine skepticism and argued that thedecline in childhood vaccinationscould seriously threaten public health.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity

Talk about vaccines that protect against pneumonia, whichyou’ve studied.

Around 2000, we developed a versionofpneumococcal vaccine that took adiphtheria-causing toxin —somethingthat your body really reacts hard to —scooped outall the bad partsofitand put in something that looked like the stuff that causes pneumonia and that takes really well.

Foradults, effectiveness might waneover time, but for kids, it’s almost magical. It’s nearly 100% effectiveagainst certain strains of pneumonia and seems to last for the duration of childhood. This was ahuge stepforward.

How did the development of that vaccine impact publichealth?

It’scool to see how disease patterns in adults change when we

vaccinatethe kids. When kids started gettingthis magic (pneumococcal) vaccine around 2000, adult levels became nearly undetectable for those strains.

We’revaccinating the kids so kids can’tget the diseases from each other.(But) even if you don’t have pneumonia, you may carry someofthose bacteria around in your nose and you’re coming home to grandma. Since you have this vaccine, it’snot in your nose and you’re not breathing on grandma, and she can’twind up in the hospital from pneumonia. Andofcourse, it protects the kids themselves.

How has vaccine buy-in changed since the pandemic?

During COVID, abunch of doctors’ ofﬁces closed and kids couldn’tget appointments, so we saw vaccination rates go down. We’ve bounced back up, but not quitetopre-pandemic levels. There’ssomething that fundamentally changed about people’s perceptions of the necessityof vaccines during COVID. I’m not sure exactly what that is, but it’s bad for public health.

Herd immunityisapatchwork quilt.State-level vaccination rates can hide alot of heterogeneity Pre-COVID, wealthyschools wouldn’tvaccinate their kids and would have lower vaccination rates and they’d have outbreaks of measles or pertussis and that’s where they were concentrated. Post-pandemic, state-level vaccination rates fell, but they don’t fall equally.Some schools have lower vaccination rates than others. Whyare school vaccine mandates effec-

tive?

The societal bargain we’ve struck is that we will educate your kids forfree —through tax revenue but you don’tspend any money —soyour kids get an education and are able to makeabetter wagelater.Plus, you get free babysitting while they’re there and you can go to work. In return, we require you to vaccinateyour kids. Youmay not want to vaccinate your kids because it’sapain to take them to thedoctor or they get fussy or you have other concerns. But we know thevaccines are safeand effective.

This bargain started about 150 years ago andthat’sabout when we started to see these dramatic declines in infectious disease. It used to be that one-ﬁfth of kids died before they hit 5, and now it’s very rare to have akid die before age 5.

How couldpolicy changes, including doing away with vaccine mandates forschool-

WE’RE ASKING EXPERTS ACROSS THESTATEHOW TO TACKLE THEBIGGEST CHALLENGES FACINGLOUISIANA SCHOOLS.

Many Americans arefortunate to have dentalcoverage fortheir entire working life, through employer-providedbenefits. Whenthose benefits end with retirement, payingdental billsout-of-pocketcan come as ashock, leading people to put off or even go without care. Simply put—without dental insurance, there maybe an importantgap in your healthcare coverage

When you’re comparingplans.



children, impact public health?

Ithink it’srewinding our disease environment to aplace we have not seen in 100 years. These diseases are not present of mind because we’ve done such agood job preventing their transmission largely through schoolbased vaccination programs. Not all vaccines are as great as pneumococcal —some are less effective —and somekids can’t get the vaccines because they have cancer or something that makes it not recommended. (But) those kids that are vaccinated protect themselves, protect other kids and their parents and their grandparents. (Florida’spolicy) is going to kick out that critical leg of protection. We don’tknow exactly what’sgoing to happen, but we’ve seen what has happened when we haven’thad that leg. It’s hard to imagine that people won’t get seriously sick and possibly die because of these policies.

PROVIDED PHOTOBySALLy ASHER Tulane University professor and public health expertCharles Stoecker Ph.D

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Shutdown tied to GOPextending Obamacaretax credit

92,000 Louisianans rely on it

WASHINGTON —Whether the federal government shuts down operations in two weeks could hinge on Republicans agreeing to extend an Obamacaretax credit that helps about 300,000 working people in Louisiana buy health insurance.

If the Affordable Care Act’s“premium tax credit” expires Dec. 31, as it will without congressional action, health insurance policies will become so expensive that about 22 million Americans likely will drop their coverage, according to KFF,a nonpartisan organization focused on health policy research, in an analysis released Wednesday Premium prices vary depending on income levels, policies sought and myriad complex stipulations. As private insurance startssending out bills in October for next year,policyholdersonaverage aregoing to have to come outof pocketabout $900 per month, 18% more if the tax creditsno longer exist, KFF estimates. That means about 92,000 people in Louisiana,probably more, will lose their health care coverage because they simplycan no longer afford it, said Jan Moller, executive director of Invest in Louisiana, Baton Rouge-based public policy analysts.

These are workers and small businesses that earn toomuch to qualify for Medicaidinsurance but not enough to buy policies on the regular market.

“We’re talking about most of Tiger Stadium on aSaturday night

Higgins clashes with Democrats over crime

U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette,clashed with Democrats during acommittee hearing Wednesday over President Donald Trump’sfederal intervention in Washington, D.C., calling them “elitist” —and one of them responded by calling him Trump’s “lap dog.”

CAPITOL BUZZ staff reports

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was preparing for aﬂoor vote on 14 bills that would give the federal government more power over the local city government The donnybrook began when Rep. Melanie Stansbury,D-N.M., questioned Republicans if they were pursuing these bills on Trump’s ordersbecause he was legally required to remove the National Guard from occupying partsof the city Wednesday night. Federal law enforcement helped local police conﬁscate guns and make arrests. Troops weredeployed at some Metro stations and in touristy areas.

who have insurance now but who would no longer have insurance,” Moller said.

“The premium tax credits are acritical component of keeping coverage affordable for working Louisianans with low and moderate incomes.”

This whole extension issue, though, is difﬁcultfor Republicans. Premium tax credits expanded greatly as aCOVID pandemicmeasure during the ﬁrst administration of President DonaldTrump.

President Joe Biden added more funding to the credit to provide options for lower-income peoplebeingforced off Medicaid as thepandemic wound down. As aresult, thenumber of peo-

Stansbury questioned Republican Rep. John McGuire, who is from southern Virginia and came toCongress in January,on his bona ﬁdes for drafting legislationthat dealt with Washington residents.

Higgins scolded Stansbury

“Your display demonstrates exactly this sort of elitist, arrogant tone thatAmericans across the country are going to recognize as the hallmark of your party,” he said.

That prompted Rep. Maxwell Frost,D-Fla., to ask Higgins: “Louisiana is the state with the second-highest rateofdeaths in this nation. Youare more likely to be shotonarandom street in your state than you are in Washington, D.C. So,myquestion is, where’syour bill for theoccupationofthe state of Louisiana to keep your people safe?”

Higgins answered, “I support my state, my sovereign state’s Legislature, which is doing everything it can topushback thecrime rate of the Democratcontrolled city.”

He apparently was referringto New Orleans. Baton Rouge and Shreveport also have high violent crime rates that far exceed national numbers —but both

ple buying healthinsurance poli-

cies subsidized by thepremium tax credits nearly doubled.

The Congressional Budget Ofﬁce says extending the tax credit will cost about $383 billion over thenext 10 years.

The extension proved too divisive, so it was set aside as Republicans negotiated among themselves over what would be included in Trump’sOne Big BeautifulBill Act. OBBBA features tax cuts that are going into effect now and changes that are expected to reduce Medicaid rolls after the 2026 congressional midtermelections.

The pressure of having to pass annual budget bills before Oct. 1 or seeing the government shut

of those cities have Republican mayors. “You’re here becauseyou’rea lap dog to thepresident,” Frost said. Higgins demanded that Frost’s statementberemoved from the committee’srecord.

Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky recessed thehearing for afew minutes. Frost then withdrew his remark against Higgins Cassidy blastsFlorida on school vaccines

Ending vaccine mandates for children, as Florida did Sept. 3, will lead to unnecessary deaths, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy,who chairs theSenate’shealth committee, said Tuesday

“That’s abad decision, and within the year there will be children who are infected and children who die,” Cassidy,R-Baton Rouge, told Louisiana reporters in anews conference over the phone.

Even some children who have been vaccinated might face problems from people who have not, he said.

In addition to preventing disease, widespread vaccinations creates herd immunity that preventsoutbreaks and safeguards vulnerable populations, such as immunocompromised people.

Achild who has been vacci-

down appears to be too good an opportunity forcongressional Democrats to pass up. Republicansare seeking aresolution to continue government operations from Oct. 1toNov.20, thereby pushing off agovernmentshutdown until Thanksgiving. The House may vote on a “continuing resolution” to that effect as early as later this week.

Republican majorities in the House and Senate won’t get any help from Democrats unless the GOP agrees to include health care policy revisions, said Senate MinorityLeader Chuck Schumer,DN.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y. Schumer andJeffries want to alter the changes that led to deep

nated for measles, say,but also is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer is morelikely to run into someonewho hasn’tbeen vaccinated but had been exposed to somebodywho has measles “and they will die,” Cassidy said.

FloridaSurgeon General Joseph Ladapoand Gov. Ron DeSantis last week began the moveto change the state rules that require children to be vaccinated. Ladapodescribed vaccine mandates as “immoral” and likened them to “slavery,” because thegovernment requirements infringe on parental rights and bodily autonomy Florida, like moststates, required children entering school to have been vaccinated for measles, polio, chickenpox, hepatitis B, and DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis).

SSA leader takes top Baton Rougejob

Christel Slaughter,a Baton Rouge consultant whose ﬁrm, SSA Consultants, was recently picked to lead asearch for LSU’s next president, will take over as EastBaton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards’ chiefadministrator,the mayor said in anews release Tuesday.

Slaughter beganasapartner for SSA in 1983 andhas served as theﬁrm’sCEO since2018. In astatementTuesday, Ed-

Medicaid funding cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which passed into law without asingle Democratic vote. And they want to extend the Obamacare premium tax credits.

“Republicans have to come to meet with us in atrue bipartisan negotiation to satisfythe American people’sneeds on health care or they won’t get our votes, plain and simple,” Schumer said at a newsconference.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., whohas heard from acouple of his GOPmembers that they want an extension, early last weeksaid that’snot going to happen as part of the budget negotiations.

Louisiana’sRepublican congressional delegation has remained moot on extending the credits.

Sen. Bill Cassidy,ofBaton Rouge, and Rep. Julia Letlow,ofBaton Rouge, forexample, say they are still studying the issue.

Once again, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, ﬁnds himself between Republican factions.

On the one hand, 11 vulnerable House Republicans ﬁled abill to extend the premium tax credits foranother year On the other,ﬁscal hawks are loudly against the idea.

Johnson told reporters Monday that “thoughtful conversations” were being had. On Tuesday,he acknowledged “a lot of opposition.” On Wednesday,hewas saying the House needed to approve acontinuing resolution.

By the end of the week, Johnson noted forreporters that the extension doesn’texpire forthree moremonths. “Wehave time to ﬁgure it out,” he said.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate.com.

wards said he was impressed by herleadership abilities and understanding of government.

“As Acting CAO, Iknowher experience and leadership will be essentialtothe day-to-dayfunctions of ourofﬁce while we lead the search for apermanent CAO,”Edwards said. “I feel certain thatwe have chosen the right personfor this temporary leadership role.”

An LSU graduate,Slaughter also servesonthe LSU Foundation’sBoardofDirectors.

“I’m looking forward to the opportunity to share my organizationalskills andexpertise with Mayor-President Edwards’ Administration,”Slaughter said in an emailedstatement. “I am grateful to be apart of this team andmanagethe search for anew leader.”

Davis servedasEdwards’ CAO sincethe mayor wassworn into officeinJanuary.OnMonday, Edwards announcedthat Davis would be moving into anew role in his officeaschiefefficiency officer While transitioning into his newrole, Edwards’ office said MondaythatDavis will oversee the search for his permanent replacement.

Mark Ballard

Slaughter

Higgins

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Speaker of the House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, walks to the U.S. Capitol chamber after meeting withreporters on ThursdayinWashington.

THE GULF COAST

Mobile’s tunnelstransformed travel in N.O.,the South

BY POET WOLFE Staff writer

Every day,long-haul truckers and commuters pass throughthe George Wallace Tunnel, briefly slipping away from daylight and 40 feet underwater, until reemerging into downtown Mobile, Alabama

Since opening in 1973, the twin tubes beneath the Mobile River have become aGulf Coast landmark, particularly in the summer when drivers are travelingtoFlorida’spopular white sand beaches, like Destin and Pensacola.

On its busiest holiday weekends, over 10,000 vehicles passthrough the tunnels that carryInterstate 10 travelers. Road-trippers have even created aritual for the 3,000foot stretch of road: holding their breath all the way to the tunnel’s end.

In an age of self-driving cars, the tubes are areminder that old-fashioned transportation still captivates Americans. That is especially true in the South —where streetcars in New Orleans are both avalued local commodity anda place for impromptusocial encounters, and where commuters wait for the new Amtrak train that rolls past marshes and rivers betweenBay St. Louis and Mobile. But the George Wallace Tunnel is not the South’sﬁrst underwater roadway,only its best known.

Firstinthe South

Nearly three decades earlier,in 1941, Bankhead Tunnel —named after Sen. John Bankhead, who pioneered transportationdevelopment, especially in Alabama —also opened under theMobile River Soon after its opening, the1,147foot tubes were asuccess, earning hefty funds through tolls, trimming the cross-bay trip by 18 minutes and lessening trafﬁc snarls, TheTimes-Picayunereported, noting that it represents “a fine engineering feat andawonderful aid to Gulf Coast travel.”

Within three years, adaily average of 1,300 cars were passing throughBankhead, several hun-

ing companybehind Bankhead, originally designed it to endure common natural disasterslike hurricanes. Butduring thewar,its purpose expanded towithstanding thethreat of atomic bombs.

ﬁcials started considering the conceptin1947 and commissioned Palmer and Baker to create aplan for atunnel underneath the Industrial Canal.

quickly to dim conditions.

Beyond safety concerns, many didn’tthink it was possible to build underwater roadways in adeltaic region like the South.

“For years the people of the Deep South shrugged off the thought of having tunnels because they weresure you couldn’tbuild anything through the muck that is Louisiana’schannel beds,” TimesPicayune reporters wrote. Palmer and Baker engineers boldly rejected this, assuring it’s just as easy to build atunnel in the South as in “New York or California or where-have-you.” But the BelleChasseand Harvey tunnels showed that this wasnot the case. TubesinNew Orleansarea

Costing over $2 million, theBelle Chasse Tunnel wasthe ﬁrst to open in Louisiana in 1956. It waswhat Palmerand Baker called “the world’sfirst ‘automatic’ tunnel, requiring no maintenance or operating personnel,” according to The Times-Picayune.

Built between 1954 and 1957, the Harvey Tunnel was the ﬁrst underwater roadway to be authorized in Louisiana, costing the state $5 million. Within months of its opening, the tunnel madethe area moredesirable,with real estate agencies using it as aselling point in newspaperadvertisements.And the West Bank’spopulation did double afterward, hitting nearly 100,000 residents compared to 53,000 in 1943. Both closed decades later,inDecember 2023.

dred above its estimate. Reporters saidthis spikewas likely due to Mobilebeing amajor production site for weapon systems as the UnitedStatesentered World WarII. Palmerand Baker,the engineer-

The tunnel spurred politicians to advocate for underwater bridges in other southern cities and beyond.

Palmer andBaker eventually designedtunnels for Harveyand Belle Chasse. Later,itwas commissioned to design trafﬁc tunnels in Cuba and Sweden, both of which never cametofruition, newspaper archives show

Fear of underwater tunnels

But what did come to life, and stayed for decades,werethe tubes in theNew Orleansarea. City of-

Members of thecity’slevee boardtold The Times-Picayune that the project would resolve trafﬁcissues and add to city revenues by increasing the values of surrounding properties. But roadway tunnels in the South weren’t always viewed positively Many driversshunned roadway tunnels, fearing excess carbon monoxide from car exhaust and theconcept of driving in the dark.

After designing Bankhead,Palmer and Baker proved these theories were wrong with ventilating systems and scientific experiments showing that eyes can adjust

The Harvey Tunnel’s closure was temporary,for a$53.7 millionoverhaul. But days later,the Belle Chasse Tunnel —nicknamed theBelle Chasse car wash —did close permanently,with ahistory of leaksthatexposedthe fragility of the New Orleans area’saging infrastructure.

That has leftthe HoumaTunnel, tucked beneath the Gulf Intracoastal Highway,asthe only one operating in Louisiana.

Email Poet Wolfe at poet.wolfe@ theadvocate.com.

Influencer donates$30Kafter Antarctica planelanding

BY NAYARA BATSCHKE Associated Press

SANTIAGO,Chile American pilotand influencer Ethan Guo, who was stuck more than two months at aChilean air base in Antarctica, made a$30,000 donation Tuesday to achildren’scancer foundation under an agreement with local authorities to avoid trial after landing on the white continent in June.

Guo had beencharged June 29 with providing false information to groundcontrol andlanding withoutauthorizationaday earlierat the air base, butajudge in August droppedthe charges as part of an agreement with his lawyers and Chilean prosecutors.

The agreement called for the pilot to make the $30,000 donation as soon as conditions allow and then leave the country within 30 days of completing the donation.

Guo also was prohibited from reentering Chilean territory for three years under the terms of the agreement

Guo, whowas 19 years old when he began his fundraising mission for cancer research, was attempting to

U.S. influencer Ethan Guo discusses his donation to children’scancer

programs Tuesdayatthe ‘Fundacion

become the youngest person to ﬂy solo to allseven continents.

Buthewas briefly detained afterlanding because Chilean authoritiessaid he lied to ofﬁcials by providing authorities with “false ﬂight plandata.”

Prosecutors said he had been authorized to only ﬂy

over Punta Arenas in southern Chile, but that he kept goingsouth,heading for Antarctica in his single-engine Cessna 182Q

Authorities saidthat they authorized him to land in a Chilean air base in Antarctica only because he hadreported an emergency

“Weare satisfied with

PROVIDED PHOTO

Divers water-blastapopular underwater statue off Portofino

BY SILVIA STELLACCI and NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press

ROME Police divers have cleaned one of the biggest underwater attractions of the Mediterranean, using pressurized water hoses to remove crustaceans from the “Christ of the Abyss” statue that was placed on the seabed off Italy’snorthern coast in 1954 as amemorial to thosewho have died at sea. The 2.5-yard-tall bronze statue, depicting Christ with hishandsraisedin blessing, was made using the melted-down medals of Italy’sfallen soldiers,canons and ships and is appreciated here as apotent symbol of sacriﬁce in World War II. Similar statues are found off Key Largo, Florida, and

in Grenada.

Thestatueislocated about 300yards off thebeach between the resort towns of Portofino and Camogli, on Italy’snorthern Ligurian coast, at adepth of around 18 yards.

The archaeological ofﬁce of Italy’sCulture Ministry says that,because of its proximity to the coast and relatively shallow depth, the “Christ of the Abyss” site is the mostfrequented dive spot inthe Mediterranean.

The site, located in the bay of San Fruttuoso, also draws kayakers and paddleboarders since thestatue can be seen from the surface.

Everyyear,police divers carefully water-blast the statuetoremove bacteria andcorrosivecrustations thathave accumulated. The

cleaning, which this year took place last month,uses seawater itself and causes no damage to the bronze or themarine ecosystem as themicroorganisms are dislodged and released back intothe sea, said Alessandra Cabella, art historian from theLigurian archaeology superintendent’s ofﬁce.

“There area tonofmarvelous fish who cometo watch,” shesaid in an interview.“It’s trulyanactivity withzero impactonthe environment.”

The statue is also delicate because when it was madeby Italian artist Guido Galletti, it was ﬁlled with cement and iron rods to stabilize it on the seabed. The presence of the iron has helped corrode the bronze from the inside,Cabella said.

the‘alternative solution’ we have achieved,” Guo’s lawyer, Jaime Barrientos,

told reporters Tuesday in Santiago.The donation,he added, is part of aset of conditions that allowed for“the immediate closure of the case once approved by the judge.”

The inﬂuencer,now 20, has denied any wrongdoing.

According to Guo’slawyer, theteen pilotwas granted authorization to deviate from his initial route from Punta Arenas, southern Chile, to Ushuaia, Argentina —and land at aChilean air base in Antarctica due to “weather andtechnical circumstances.”

After landing, the inﬂuencer wasbrieﬂydetainedand then released. Though not barred from leaving Antarctica, he wastold to remain in Chilean territory

Guo, however,had to remain at theremoteChilean military base until just days ago forlack of any commercial ﬂights serving Antarc-

tica. He finally managed to return to continental territory last weekend aboard aChilean navy icebreaker, disembarking Saturday at Punta Arenas. Guo’s plane will remain in Antarcticterritoryuntil an agreementisreached fora Chilean pilot to fly it, according to his lawyer Theinfluencer saidTuesday he remains committed to his fundraising mission for cancer research. The waragainst cancer is “a continuous battle that we all have to put our efforts into. And I’m just trying my best to do what Ican to help,” Guo toldreporters in Santiago. Regarding his morethan 60 days in Antarctica, he acknowledged that it wasa “pretty hard” period. “It definitely wasa challenge but Ithink with every challenge there is an opportunity to learn,” he said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ESTEBAN FELIX

rehabilitation

Nuestros Hijos’ headquarters in Santiago, Chile.

Ascuba diverfrom the Italian navy cleans the bronzestatue of Jesus Christ located in the Mediterranean Sea, off San Fruttuoso, between Camogliand Portofino on the Italian Riviera

-D.Marshall

Plan draftedtosendGuard to La.

troops would arrive, but they indicate adeployment would last until theend of September 2026.

BY JONAH MEADOWS,TYLER BRIDGES and MARKBALLARD Staff writers

State officials said Saturday that no decisions had been made on whether or how to deploy the National Guard to ﬁght crime in Louisiana cities, after national media said the Pentagon had drafted plans to deploy 1,000 troops in the state’s“urbancenters.”

That draft plan calledfor deployments to bolster law enforcement in multiple cities, including New Orleans and BatonRouge, if Gov Jeff Landry requests it,The Washington Post reported The undated memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to Attorney GeneralPam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary KristiNoem proposes keeping the troops under Landry’scontrol while funding themobilization with federal dollars, the Post reported. Pentagon officials confirmed the accuracy of the documents but issued astatement saying they “should notbeinterpreted as policy,” according to thePost. In interviews Saturday,Louisianaofficialssaidthe plans have notreached thestate leveland no such deployment is imminent. The documentsdonot specify when

Lt. Col. Noel Collins, aspokesperson for the Louisiana National Guard,saidthe agency hadnot received anyorders related to the Pentagon plans.

“Justbecause the Pentagon’s working plans does notmean that that’sdown to our level yet,” she said.

Shane Guidry,aNew Orleans businessmanwho is one of Landry’sconﬁdants and point man

CLOSINGTHE GENDER GAP

La.girls fell behind in math during COVID, butprogressisbeing made

BY PATRICK WALL, ANNIE MA andSHARON LURYE Staff and Associated Press writers

DESTREHAN During arecent group project in her eighth grade engineering class,CharlotteBuccola took charge. Standing between the two boys on her team, she silently arranged sticky notes on awall as the group tried, without speaking, to design asystem for making hot chocolate.

As the students at Harry Hurst Middle School practiced the engineering design process and the critical skill of collaboration, the girls seemed to excel. They worked efficiently andcooperatively,offering their peers support

“Your drawings are really good,” Charlotte told another girl when they were comparing designs “Well done.”

Efforts to close thegap between boys andgirls in STEM classes are picking up after losing steam nationwide during the chaos of the COVID-19 pandemic. Schools have extensive work ahead of them to make up the ground girls lost, in both interest and performance.

In the years leading up to the pandemic, the gender gap had nearly closed.But within afew years,girls lost all the ground they had

gainedinmath test scores over the previous decade, accordingtoanAssociated Press analysis. While boys’scores also suffered during COVID-19, they have recovered faster than girls, widening the gender gap.

In Louisiana, girls now slightly trailboysinmath, afteroutperforming them before the pandemic

As learningwent online,special programsto engagegirls lapsed, and schools wereslowtorestart them. Zoom school also emphasizedrote learning, atechnique basedon repetition that some experts believe mayfavor boys,insteadof teaching students to solve problems in different ways, which maybeneﬁt girls. Lindsay Maxie,who

teaches the engineering class at Hurst Middle School in asuburb outside New Orleans,said that small-group, hands-on projects allow herfemale studentstoshine.

“Being able to collaboratewithother students really impacts theirlearning,” shesaid. “Andthat was something that kind of went away during COVID.”

In most school districts in the 2008-09 school year, boys had higher average math scores on standardized tests than girls, according to AP’s analysis, which looked at scores across 15 years in over 5,000 school districts. It wasbased on average test scores for third through eighthgraders in 33 states, compiled by the Educa-

tional OpportunityProject at Stanford University Adecade later,girls had not only caught up, they were ahead:Slightly more than half of districts had higher math averages for girls.

Within afew years of the pandemic, the parity disappeared. In 2023-24, boys on average outscored girls in math in nearly nine out of 10 districts.

In Louisiana, girls’ math scores droppedthe equivalent of 17% of agrade level during the pandemic, while boys improved 15% of agrade level. By 2024, Louisianaboys were leading in math —the first time they outscored girls in over adecade.

Aseparatestudy by NWEA,aneducation research company,found gaps between boys and girls in science and math on national assessments went from being practically nonexistent in 2019 to favoringboysaround 2022.

Studies have indicated girls reported higher levels of anxiety and depressionduring the pandemic, plus more caretaking burdens than boys, but thedip in academic performance did notappear outside STEM. Girls outperformed boys in reading in nearly every district nationwide before thepandemic and

for New Orleans issues, said “nothing is imminent” as far as he knew Aspokesperson for Landry’sofﬁce declined to comment on “leaked or pre-decisional documents.”

The report on the Pentagon’splan comes as President Donald Trump has mentioned in recent days that Louisiana is one of the places he is considering sending troops after doing so in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. Last week, he mused that “we’re going to be going to

See GUARD, page 2B

ELECTION 2025

Woodfork leadsinrace forOrleans sheriff

Butone poll findsmany voters areundecided

BY JOSEPH CRANNEY Staff writer

After the ﬁrst televised debate in the Orleans Parish sheriff’s race 10 days ago, candidate Edwin Shorty emailed supporters to say he had big news.

Shorty,the 2nd City Court constable in Algiers, declared victory in the hourlong WWL-TV debate, adding that he’d picked up the lone endorsement from Crime Fighters of Louisiana, avictims’ advocacy group. He also ran therace’sﬁrst TV ad during the NFLseason opener on NBC, whichwas the same night as the debate, in which he appeared alongside his most prominent supporter,U.S.Rep.TroyCarter, D-NewOrleans.

The constable’semail celebrated the“massivemomentum” his campaign built during apivotal week in thecontest againstthe race’sfront-runner, former interim policeSuperintendent Michelle Woodfork, and embattled incumbent SheriffSusan Hutson.

Yetthe latest polling and campaign finance reports indicate Woodfork has held onto ahuge lead, demonstrating the steep hill that Shorty,Hutson or the race’s three other candidates must climb before the Oct. 11 election.

As of Thursday,Woodfork had amassed awar chest of morethan $172,000 roughly $103,000 morethan Shorty,who is her closest competitor,according to campaign ﬁnance reports. He has received contributions from

BY BOBWARREN Staff writer

Forthe past ﬁveyears,driversonInterstate 12 running through western St. TammanyParish have faced agauntlet of heavy construction equipment, laneshifts and legionsofworkers in yellow vests. It’s enough to sometimes makeDanny Enktoss up hishands.

“I’ve driven thatroad every day since 2012. It’sa mess,” said Enk, who lives in theMadisonville area andcommutestowork in St. Bernard Parish.

But the statehighwaydepartment says there is light at the endofthe

are putting the

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRIS GRANGER

Charlotte Buccola, center, and her eighth grade classmates work out alogic problem on their computersinan ‘Engineering Essentials’ class at Harry M. Hurst Middle School in Destrehan on Wednesday

Teacher LindsayMaxie, from left, watches eighth grade students KamrynPatterson, Charlotte Buccola and Kourtnee Hart work on alogic problem. ä See DRIVERS, page 2B

See SHERIFF, page 2B

Hutson

Shorty Woodfork

ORLEANS SHERIFF

GUARD

maybe Louisiana,” and suggested that crime in New Orleans could be solved “in about two weeks.”

In a Fox News interview Friday, Trump said Landry “wants us to go in,” and pledged to “fix” New Orleans in a week and a half. In recent weeks, Trump has shifted focus to Democraticled cities in Republican-led states with New Orleans and Memphis, Tennessee, among them.

U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-

GENDER

Continued from page 1B

continued to do so afterward.

“It wasn’t something like COVID happened and girls just fell apart,” said Megan Kuhfeld, one of the authors of the NWEA study

Efforts lost traction

In the years leading up to the pandemic, teaching practices shifted to deemphasize speed, competition and rote memorization. Through new curriculum standards, schools moved toward research-backed methods that emphasized how to think ﬂexibly to solve problems and how to tackle numeric problems conceptually

Educators also promoted participation in STEM subjects and programs that boosted girls’ confidence, including extracurriculars that emphasized hands-on learning and connected abstract concepts to real-life applications.

Girls who were recruited for STEM classes and competitions often excelled, said Latrenda Knighten, a former math specialist in the East Baton Rouge Parish school system.

“When the conditions are there, they step up to the

SHERIFF

Continued from page 1B

around 160 individuals and businesses, while Woodfork’s number of contributors is about 295.

Hutson, meanwhile, has a little more than $1,500 on-hand and has managed to raise money from 16 donors since July despite her campaign’s sagging polling ratings.

Woodfork held a 32-point lead over Hutson in the race’s latest poll on Aug. 27, garnering 41% among respondents. Hutson got 9%; Shorty, 7% The poll was conducted by Silas Lee, a Xavier University professor and veteran political analyst.

Lee said Woodfork has benefited from the name recognition she gained in 2023 when she held a stint as the interim chief of the New Orleans Police Department.

“Michelle Woodfork is not a stranger to the community,” Lee said.

Hutson’s stumbles

Woodfork also entered the race early, in February, and quickly amassed an experienced team of supporters. They include Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams, who Woodfork worked under as his director of forensics and intelligence. Shorty was next to enter the race in March, and was later joined by former Criminal District Court Judge Julian Parker and two former OPSO deputies, Bob Murray and Ernesteayo J. “Ernest” Lee Sr

The May escape of 10 detainees from Hutson’s jail — one of whom remains at large — badly marred Hutson’s chances at reelection after an already controversial ﬁrst term. Additional jail problems, like the mistaken release of another detainee in July and a cyberattack earlier this month, haven’t helped.

Hutson’s campaign has maintained the faintest of pulses the past two months: She raised just $14,750 since

New Orleans, called the details reported by The Washington Post deeply troubling,” but emphasized “this is not an ofﬁcial order it’s a draft proposal that even the Pentagon says should not be interpreted as policy.”

“New Orleans is experiencing the lowest crime rates in decades. There is no ‘emergency’ that justiﬁes militarizing our streets,” Carter said in a statement. “If the President truly wants to help, he should invest in recruiting and training more police officers, strengthen our district attorney’s ofﬁce, and revive proven community policing efforts.”

plate,” said Knighten, who now is president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

But lately, Knighten senses less of an appetite and funding for programs that target historically underrepresented groups in STEM, including girls and students of color She also noticed some teachers abandon the newer, conceptual math practices during the upheaval of the pandemic

“Once they got away from it,” she said, “it was hard to get some people to come back to what we know works.”

Bias against girls persists

Despite shifts in societal perceptions, a bias against girls persists in science and math subjects, according to teachers, administrators and advocates. It becomes a message girls can internalize about their own abilities, they say, even at a very young age.

Ronny Seal, a curriculum specialist in career education, said that even students who choose to take STEM classes often pursue different pathways according to their gender: Girls are more likely to study health careers, while boys explore engineering.

“I’m still seeing those traditional roles kind of play out,” said Seal, who

July 7, according to campaign ﬁnance reports. Hutson’s campaign signs are also far outnumbered by others, but have begun to crop up in parts of Uptown and New Orleans East, among other locations.

A Hutson campaign spokesperson declined to comment, saying that the race’s “polling figures and ﬁnancial data” shared by a reporter are “inaccurate,” though the campaign is responsible for submitting ﬁnancial information to the state. The campaign said Hutson fared far better in their internal polling, but declined to share a copy. Woodfork said in a statement that she’s “grateful for the overwhelming support I’ve received from across our community.”

Woodfork declined to participate in the race’s most recent candidates’ forum Wednesday: Only Hutson and Shorty appeared. Woodfork’s camp said she had a “long-standing prior commitment.”

The event was hosted by Voice of the Experienced, the New Orleans-based advocacy group run by formerly incarcerated people.

Meanwhile, Woodfork is mounting a blitz of TV ads: She spent nearly $24,000 to run more than 190 spots across the three major networks through the third week of September, according to disclosures from the Federal Communications

Violent crime has been on the decline in New Orleans after a spike in the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Statistics show the city is on track for the fewest murders since the early 1970s.

In an interview on Saturday Guidry said the administration appeared to be making plans for states where governors, who oversee National Guard troops based on their states, would approve of the deployments.

“My understanding is they are getting prepared for governors that want help,” Guidry said. “And they are

works in St. Charles Parish public schools, which include Harry Hurst Middle School. “We’re still ﬁghting that.”

Girls also may have been more sensitive to changes in instructional methods spurred by the pandemic, said Janine Remillard, a math education professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Research has found that girls tend to prefer learning things that are connected to real-life examples, while boys generally do better in a competitive environment.

“What teachers told me during COVID is the ﬁrst thing to go were all of these sense-making processes,” she said.

Renew commitment

Like Louisiana as a whole, St Charles Parish experienced a STEM gender reversal during the pandemic — one that has attracted little public notice.

In 2019, its girls were ahead of boys by about a quarter of a grade level in math, according to the Stanford data. By 2024, its boys led the girls by a similar amount.

Now the district is taking steps that ofﬁcials believe will spur STEM interest and achievement among all students, including girls. One new program brings

Commission.

Shorty’s campaign maintains the race is still up for grabs. They say his steady performances during candidate forums will sway voters and his qualifications — as an elected constable, lawyer and former OPSO deputy — have led to a string of endorsements, including from the Orleans Parish Democratic Executive Committee.

All of the race’s top candidates are Democrats.

“Constable Edwin Shorty has been the clear victor in the debates, and as more voters get to know him, I’m conﬁdent he will emerge as the winner on Election Day too,” said Carter in a statement.

Needing a comeback

Not everyone is as convinced.

In a debate that touched on the jail’s chronic overcrowding, VOTE moderators asked Shorty on Wednesday about his stance that some people charged with simple battery, a misdemeanor, ought to be

also getting prepared for cities that need help. Trump has been real clear on TV that he’s coming to other cities. We’ll have to see what that is.”

Guidry argued that other Louisiana cities, not just New Orleans, could use the federal help given difﬁculties in keeping police departments fully staffed.

“I caution those leaders out there that are so against that help, where those who do accept the help will shine with the voters,” he said. “I don’t care who you are: No one wants their daughter beat up, their mother-in-law carjacked.”

in employees from local energy companies, including Entergy and Valero, to teach science lessons.

Last school year, engineers from IMTT, a New Orleans-based liquid storage company, demonstrated how to heat up vegetable oil so it ﬂows through copper tubing. The three engineers including one who is a woman — had once been students at Albert Cammon Middle School, where they gave the lesson.

“They were able to come back and say, ‘We did it, y’all can do it too,’ ” said Seal, the career education specialist.

Meanwhile, STEM classes such as Lindsay Maxie’s “Engineering Essentials” are centered on collaboration and problem-solving, which appeals to students like eighth grader Kamryn Patterson.

“It’s not boring,” she said recently as students designed systems for making hot chocolate. “You always have something to do.”

Her classmate, Belle Cassagne, said team projects like that foster learning.

“If we have questions,” she said, “we ask each other.” Lurye reported from Philadelphia. Todd Feathers contributed reporting from New York.

locked up, rather than given a court summons.

“Somebody punches you you want them to go to jail,” Shorty said, evoking a groan or two from the crowd of about 40. Clarifying, Shorty said, “You want them to go to jailsothatthematterdoesnot escalate.”

Lee, the local pollster, said trailing candidates have one other reason for hope: Despite Woodfork’s lead, about 38% of likely voters remain undecided, according to his poll.

And Woodfork’s polling at 41% still isn’t enough for her to win the race outright without building more support. She needs 50% of votes, plus one, to avoid a runoff.

In the last sheriff’s race in November 2021, Hutson’s campaign against longtime former Sheriff Marlin Gusman resulted in a runoff, after Gusman received 48% of the vote to Hutson’s 35%.

A month later, Hutson delivered a comeback win, gaining 53% to Gusman’s 47%.

Alexandria Mayor Jacques Roy said his city’s efforts to reduce violent crime have paid off, with gun-related homicides down 60% since he took ofﬁce. But Roy said he’s been in contact with state leaders about additional help from “every available partner and resource,” noting many law enforcement agencies are struggling with recruitment and retention.

“With focus, those resources could make a real difference and are welcome,” he said of Trump’s proposal. “We have Camp Beauregard next door Our own community guardsmen. We are lucky and blessed.” East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sid Edwards has said he is open to the idea of a guard presence in the capital city, but said in a statement “it is premature for me to comment on this matter as I’ve yet to hear anything about sending troops to Louisiana.” “I will say that we are severely short of Law Enforcement Ofﬁcers in Baton Rouge,” he added. Staff writers Meghan Friedmann and Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report.

DRIVERS

Continued from page 1B

clogged stretch of the highway through the Mandeville, Covington and Madisonville areas.

Enk, for one, won’t be sorry to see it ﬁnally come to an end.

“Oh yeah, I am very much looking forward to them opening the ﬁnal lanes,” he said.

Daniel Gitlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Development, said crews have tried to do as much work at night or during nonpeak trafﬁc periods as possible. He said he understands the motoring public’s frustration with clogged roadways — and the chaos that large expansion projects inevitably bring.

“Highways are big in St. Tammany — huge,” Gitlin said. “I know people are waiting for everything to be ﬁnished.”

Gitlin said construction of this last leg of the project has moved quickly The initial projections called for it to be completed in spring 2026.

“Now people have some light at the end of the tunnel,” Gitlin said. “They can see it.”

St. Tammany Parish’s elected officials and drivers had long pushed for the I-12 widening through the western side of the parish. Those calls got louder as retail and residential development boomed in the area, and became louder still in late spring 2018, after four people were killed in a horrific crash when an 18-wheeler piled into trafﬁc that had backed up at the La. 21 overpass. Traffic counts along I-12 through western St. Tam-

many rival some of the busiest stretches of Interstate 10 through New Orleans, Gitlin says. For instance, the roughly 3.5-mile stretch between U.S. 190 and La. 21 averages more than 115,000 vehicles daily

Meanwhile, traffic in the stretch between La. 21 and La. 1077 — where the work is now wrapping up has more than doubled in the past two decades and now averages around 80,000 vehicles per day, Gitlin said.

“You can really track the growth,” he said. “It’s hard (for highway construction) to keep up.”

Not only does I-12, envisioned in part as a bypass around I-10 and New Orleans when it opened in the 1960s and 1970s, carry a lot of freight trafﬁc, but in St. Tammany it also handles a heavy load of local traffic, Gitlin said.

Traffic flow has markedly improved through the stretches where additional lanes have opened in recent years, drivers say

“Unless there’s an accident or something, it’s so much better now,” said Korey Walker, who also lives in Madisonville and commutes to St. Bernard Parish for work.

But as the growth continues, so will the demands on I-12 and other roadways.

“I feel like this is all going to help a lot, and it’s deﬁnitely exciting to see, ” Amanda Yates, a real estate agent who lives in the Madisonville area, said of the I-12 work. But, she added, “There’s just so many people moving out this way, eventually they’ll probably have to continue” adding lanes even farther westward.

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Barrios,Dawn

Boyer, Merlin

Bridges, Nell

Calix, William DeLouche,Kathleen

DiMaggio, Carolyn

Downs, Richard

Estey, Sally

FalconerJr.,Ramsey

Jackson, Jerome

LaCosteJr.,Ronald

Lavelle,Paul

Lemoine, Maurice

Lieteau,Theyon

Marino, Carole

Nicoll, Karen

PacaccioSr.,Joseph

Pfingsten, Steven

Puzon, Leon

Recasner Prade, Pamela

Reese, DelRita

Roussel, Gail

Stilling, Niels

Taylor,Constance

Walling, Charles

Walling, Michael Werner,Fred EJefferson

Leitz-Eagan

Lavelle,Paul Reese, DelRita

NewOrleans

JacobSchoen

PacaccioSr.,Joseph

Boyer, Merlin

Nicoll, Karen

Puzon, Leon

Majestic Mortuary

Lieteau,Theyon

Taylor,Constance River Parish

HC Alexander

Estey, Sally

Roussel, Gail

St Tammany

Audubon

Walling, Charles

EJ Fielding

DiMaggio, Carolyn

FalconerJr.,Ramsey

Marino, Carole

Pfingsten, Steven

Walling, Michael West Bank

DavisMortuary

Jackson, Jerome

Mothe

Bridges, Nell

Calix, William

Obituaries

Dawn Mary

brother, Bruce Barrios (Val); her niece, Blaire BarriosGreen (Shaun);her nephews, Byron Barrios (Ashley), Brett Barrios and Barrett Jacocks; many cousins; her granddog, and her grandcats. Shewas precededindeath by her parents,Ernestand Joycelyn; her beloved godson,Declan Green; and her granddogs,Jax and Pudge Dawnwas atrailblazer. SheattendedTulane Law School at atime where there was no bathroom for women in the lawschool. Herfirst jobwas clerking forChief Justice Joe Sandersofthe Louisiana Supreme Court,one she got by lying that she knew how to type (a fib thatrequired hertofuriously learn how to from her mom, who had fortunately beena secretary,before she started at the Court). Shethen entered private practice. Immediatelyafterone of her early trials, the judgeasked fora picture with herasproof for his friends thata woman actually tried acasein front of him. Sheachieved much personal and professional success in her life, butshe neverlostsight of the adage "towhom much is given, much is expected." She cherished mentoringyoung lawyers and helping themnavigate the profession and life. No matterhow busy she was, she was always ready and willing to help. Her spirit of generosity towards otherswillliveoninthose who knew her.A Celebration of Lifewill be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025,at 12:00PMatLake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home in New Orleans.Friends and family willhaveanopportunity to share stories about her generosity of spirit towardsothers. A receptionwillimmediately follow until 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, her sonsask that donations maybe made in her memoryto causesshe held dear:A Studio in theWoods,an artist residency program (astudiointhewoods.org); Children'sHope, an orphanage in Haiti (www.childrenshope com); WYES, the New Orleans PBS station; or Second Harvest FoodBank.

Boyer,MerlinThibaut

MerlinThibaut Boyer, 95, passedawaypeacefully on Thursday, August 28, 2025.Merlinwas aloving wifeand caring mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and sister.She volunteered her time to many rolesat St Louis King ofFrance School.Later, when herchildrenwere older, she workedat Maison Blanche and then Popeyes Fried Chickencorporate office in accounting.Merlinmade many lifelongfriends along the way who she remembered fondly.Her strengthand grace inspiredall who knew her, and her greatest joywas spending time with herfamily. She will be deeply missedbyall whoselives she touched Merlin was precededin death by her husband CharlesNoe Boyer, Jr.,her parentsPierre James Thibaut and Jeanne CanepaThibaut, grandsonsSpencerBoyerand RyanBoyer,her brothers and 2sisters. She is survived by her childrenJerry A. Boyer(Donna), Gary A. Boyer(Julie), Ray T. Boyer (Joan), Peggy Boyer Powell (Andrew), and her 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, her sister Adeline Thibaut Samford (Buddy),sister-in-law Carroll Boyer,and numerous nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends of the family are invited to attend aMemorial Mass on Wednesday,September 24, 2025,at1:00 pm in the Chapel of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and Cemeteries, 5100 PontchartrainBlvd New Orleans.Visitation for friends willbegin at 10:00 am until service time. Interment willfollow Mass in Lake Lawn Park Mausoleum. To view and signthe online guest book, please visitwww.lakelawn metairie.com

Nell Hunt Bridgespassed away on Tuesday, Sep‐tember9,2025 at theage of85. Marriedtothe love of her life,the late Ronald B. Bridges for60years,to‐gethersince theage of 13 MotherofAngelaJane Bridges Caletri(David) and CarltonHunt Bridges. Daughterofthe late Nell WilkinsonHunt andCarl‐ton E. Hunt.Grandmother ofJenna Lynn CaletriHardy (Chase),NicholasBridges Caletri (Kiley), andJoseph RonaldCaletri (Victoria) Great grandmotherof Sophia, Grayson, Parker and Baker. Shewillbe greatly missedbyher beloved four legged friends,Missi andJay.Also survivedbynieces, nephews,and otherrela‐tives.She wasanavidten‐nis player andloved to playbridgewithmanyof her good friends. Shewas a member of theKrewe de laRed HatClub, theGarden Club, Beta SigmaPhi Soror‐ity andthe KiwanisClubof Algiers.She wasa native of McComb, Mississippi anda residentofNew Orleans, LA. Relativesand friendsof the familyare invitedtoat‐tendthe FuneralService at AuroraUnitedMethodist Church,3300 Eton St., Al‐giers,LAonMonday, Sep‐tember15, 2025 at 12noon Visitationwillbeheldat the church from 10amuntil 12pm. Interment, Westlawn MemorialParkCemetery. Familyand friendscan viewand sign theonline guest book at www.mot hefunerals.com.

WilliamEduardo Calix passedawaypeacefully on September 10, 2025 at the age of 68 years. Beloved husband of thelateChar‐lotte DianeCalix.Lovingfa‐therofRobertA.Stodghill (Pamela Sims)and Rachel Calix (RobertGeneres Jr.) Grandfather of Maxx Maria Garcia, AmberStodghill, Nadia Generes, Mary Eliza‐bethGeneres,and Robert Generes III. BrotherofGre‐tel Vinet, BernaditaBlock, Yvonne Calix, Meguel Mad‐ina andNando Calix. Uncle ofMartinWard, Mario Ward, andLittleGus Vinet, and GabrielVinet Nichol‐son.Alsosurvivedbyhis dearcompanion,Terre Baughmanalong with other brothers,sisters,rel‐ativesand friends. He is precededindeath by his parents,RuthBurke and Ernesto Calix. Williamwas a native of La Ceiba, Hon‐duras andwas aresident ofMarrero formostofhis life. He Served hiscountry inthe U.S. Navy andlater workedfor many years withChevron.Heenjoyed ﬁshingand workinginthe yard. As adevoutCatholic, heattended Mass at St JosephChurch in Gretna Heloved workingwithhis hands andstayedbusy. He willbesadly missed. Visi‐tationwilltakeplace at Mothe FuneralHome, 7040 Lapalco Boulevard, Mar‐rero, LA on Friday,Septem‐ber 19, 2025 from 10 AM to 1:30PM. AMasswillfollow inthe funeralhomechapel. IntermentWestlawn MemorialPark. Family and friends areinvited to share condolences andmemo‐riesbyvisitinghis memor‐ial page at:www.mothefu nerals.com.

ing and Shipping (Neopost Dealership), passedaway at M.D.Anderson Cancer Center in Houston,TXon Sunday, September 7th, 2025. Visitation willbeheld at JacobSchoen and Son funeral home, from 10 am to 12 pm, on Thursday, September 18th, 2025, with Mass to follow at 12 pm. She willbeinterred at Lake Lawn Park Cemetery in NewOrleans, LA. FullObituary can be found on schoenfh.com/obituaries.

DiMaggio, Carolyn Mary Staiger

CarolynMaryStaiger DiMaggio, adevoted wife mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother,passed away on September6, 2025, at theage of 93. She leavesbehinda legacy of faith,kindness, humor,and lovethatwillbecherished byall who knew her. Born onAugust10, 1932, in New Orleans,Louisiana,Carolyn was thedaughterofJohn A.Staiger,Sr. andSidonie HarangStaiger.For more than67years,she wasthe beloved wife of theloveof her life,the late Peter JosephDiMaggio. Together theybuilt afamilyrooted infaith anddevotion. She was thelovingmotherof DawnDiMaggio, Deanna D. Allen (Michael), David DiMaggio, Sr.(Anna), and DinaD.Martinez; cher‐ished grandmotherofSean Martinez, Meghan Mar‐tinez,DanielleDiMaggio, MollieM.Hood (Thomas) Jared Allen, ShaneMar‐tinez (Chloe), DavidDiMag‐gio,Jr.,JeremyAllen, and CarolineAllen;and proud great-grandmother of six. In addition to herchildren, grandchildren,and greatgrandchildren,she is sur‐vived by sisters-in-law Elizabeth DiMaggioand LorraineD.Schembre (Joseph). Shewas pre‐ceded in deathbyher hus‐band, herparents,her brother,JohnA.Staiger,Jr. her sister,Beverly S. Davis, and hersisters-in-law, Marie D. St.Philipand JacquelineD.Turner (Robert). Carolynlived a lifedeeply rooted in her Catholic faith,attending daily Mass andfaithfully praying therosaryindevo‐tiontothe BlessedMother. In 1961, sheand Peter moved theirfamilyto Arabi,Louisiana,where she became afounding memberofSt. Robert Bel‐larmine Catholic Church serving as EucharisticMin‐ister,Commentator,and Lector. In recognitionof their shared dedication to the Church,she andPeter werehonored with the Order of St.Louis Medal‐lionfromthe Archdiocese ofNew Orleans. Following Hurricane Katrina, they re‐located to Mandeville where they became parish‐ionersofOur Lady of the LakeCatholicChurch.A graduateofthe Academy ofthe Holy Angels High School (Class of 1950),Car‐olynlater attended Our LadyofHolyCross College. She dedicatedmuchofher lifetoteaching, servingas anelementaryschool teacher at IncarnateWord, St. Mary of theAngels, and St. Robert Bellarmine schools. Most of hercareer was spentteachingsecond grade,a role sheespecially loved becauseitallowed her to prepareher stu‐dents fortheir FirstHoly Communion.Familywas Carolyn’s greatest joy. GiGi andPawPawnever missed

aGrandparents’ Day, and she treasuredevery oppor‐tunitytospend time with her children,grandchil‐dren, andgreat-grandchil‐dren. Carolynhad agiftfor hospitality—whether it was gatheringthe family around thetable,prepar‐ing favorite meals, or wel‐comingfriends into her home, shedelighted in feedingbothbodyand soul. Shefound joyinlife’s simplepleasures,espe‐cially thelaughterand friendshipshe shared with her belovedPokenogroup She wasalsoactiveasa memberofthe Knightsof ColumbusJanssenCouncil #3068 Ladies Auxiliary, the HolyFaith Associates,and AARPChapter 5408. Visita‐tionwillbeheldon Wednesday,September 17 2025, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.,atSt. Pius X Catholic Church,6666 Spanish Fort Blvd NewOr‐leans,LA, followed by a MassofChristian Burial at 12:30 p.m. Intermentwill beprivate at theSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Ceme‐teryinSlidell, Louisiana. Funeralarrangementshave been entrustedtoE.J FieldingFuneral Home.A tribute maybeviewedand condolences shared at www.ejﬁeldingfh.com

Richard "Rickey" Downs, of Metairie, LA died September 12, 2025 ,athis apartment in Metairie. He wasbornFebruary 22, 1949 to Harry Joseph and Elizabeth "Betty" Louise Ratcliff DownsatBaptist Hospital in NewOrleans, LA. Downsissurvived by hisonlysibling, Betty Jo "B.J." Downs Johanningmeierof Houston, TX. He wasprecededindeathbyhis parents.

SallyElizabeth Hernandez

Sally ElizabethHernan‐dez Estey, 97 yearsold,en‐tered into eternallifeon September 7, 2025. Sally was born on July 19, 1928 in Paincourtville, LA to a Cajun French speaking household.Onceschool started it wasexpectedfor all students to only speak English.She haslived in Harahan formostofher life. In heryounger years she wasmosthappy when out dancingand beingwith friends.Inlater yearsshe enjoyed playingcards going to thecasinoand spendingtimeatthe Hara‐han Senior Center.Sally had ajoy forlivinglifeon her ownterms.She could alwaysbecounted on to bewelcoming with an in‐fectioussmile.She is sur‐vived by herson,Ronald Estey (Karen)ofSt. Amant, LA, anddaughter, Dottie Estey Acosta (Rick) of De‐strehan,LA, daughter-inlaw,AnneEstey of Hara‐han,LA, andgrandchildren LoriEstey,Danny Estey, Che’ Edwards, Justin

Acosta,Nolan Ferreraand Layle Ferrera, some great grandchildren andnumer‐ous nieces andnephews She is preceded in death byher father,JeanM.Her‐nandez, hermother, Ella DaigleHernandez,her brothers, Fabian,Louis and PaulHernandez,and sis‐ters, Ella Mary Blanchard and TheresaTemplet and byher son, RickyEstey Special thanks to theCom‐passusHospice team.They helpedcarefor Sally dur‐ing herillness at thehome ofher daughter.And espe‐cially thankful forthe care she received at Ormond Nursing &CareCenterin Destrehan.She will be loved andmissedbyall who knew her. Perher wishesthere will be no for‐mal service. Shewould lovefor youtomakea toast in herhonor nowand then.

Falconer Jr., Ramsey Augustus

Mr.RamseyAugustus Falconer, Jr knownas “Bookie”tohis close friends andfamily, passed fromthisearth on Tuesday, August26, 2025. He was bornonOctober 21, 1932, inBaton Rouge, Louisiana, six weeksprior to hisdue date, as theonlyson of RamseyAugustusFal‐coner,Sr. andEunice Miller Falconer. He waspreceded indeath by hisparents, one grandchild Morgan Keith Falconer,and in 2007 byhis wife of 52 years, MarthaNettles Falconer Heissurvivedbytheir two children, Ramsey Reid Fal‐coner (Celeste Falconer) and ElizabethHall(Michael Hall); ﬁve grandchildren, DrewFalconer(Lisa), Caro‐lineFalconerFreeland, Cayla Willingham (Matthew), Ryan Hall (Amanda)and John Hall (Rachel); eleven greatgrandchildren;a largefam‐ily of aunts, uncles,and cousins spread outacross the countryand alifetime offriends andcolleagues. Ramseygraduated from Baton RougeHighSchool in1950 where he played on the basketball team that won thestate champi‐onship. He went on to ﬁn‐ish LSUin1954 with ade‐greeinphysicaleducation inone hand anda commis‐sioninthe US AirForce in the other, andhepromptly reportedtoMariana Florida forpilottraining. In 1955 he andMarthawere married at theBaptist Stu‐dentUnion on thecampus ofLSU.After histourof dutyinthe service, Ram‐sey andMarthasettled backinBaton Rougewhere hejoinedthe staff of West‐daleJunior High School and begana lifetime of service.After histime teachingand coaching Ramseyjoinedthe YMCA, where he served in Baton Rouge,and Knoxville, Ten‐nessee. He wasthe found‐ing director of theY in Greeneville,Tennessee, and went on to servein Houston andBeaumont, Texas,eventuallyretiring fromthe YMCA.Ramsey was adevoted follower of Jesus Christ,havingre‐ceivedhis licenseto preachearly in hiscareer and remaininganactive member of theMethodist

Bridges, Nell Hunt

Downs, Richard Wayne 'Rickey'

Calix, WilliamEduardo

Lake Lawn Metairie

Barrios,Dawn

Estey,

Barrios,

Dawn Mary Barrios passed away peacefully at home on September 6, 2025, surrounded by her family, after avaliant fight against cancer. Shewas 72.She is survived by her three sons, Zachary Wool, Harrison Wool (Jen), and Spencer Wool; her ex-husband, Brandon Wool; her

Kathleen Hebert 'Kathy'

LaCosteJr., Ronald Anthony

4B ✦ Sunday, September 14, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune Church in theeachofthe communities wherethey lived,and finally Memorial Drive UMC in Houston. He was always readytoteach a Sunday School Class, offera prayer,orsinga hymnwithenthusiasm. Re‐tirementoften found him inthe marshesaround Houston shooting ducks, doves,and geese, fishing inthe gulf,orsailinghis sailboat, theAlizé.Atthe age of 78 he completedhis solo flight to once again qualify forhis airplane pilot’s license. Ramsey was known by allwho knew him forhis boundless en‐thusiasm, hiskindness, his engaginghumor,and his loveofpeople. Forhis work inthe community,his ser‐vicetohis faith,and hisin‐spiration to hisfriends and familyhewillbeforever missed. Hismotto through good timesand difficult times always remained “I choosetobehappy.” The familywishestothank the staff of TheWindsor,The Peristyle at Beau West,and PassagesHospice fortheir lovingcare. In lieu of flow‐ers,contributions in mem‐ory of Mr.Falconermay be madetothe PermanentEn‐dowment Fund of St.Timo‐thy on theNorthshore Methodist Church.Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to attend thegrave‐sideservicesatResthaven GardenofMemories, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge,Louisiana,70816, on Tuesday,September 16, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.,the Rev‐erend JamesMitchelloffi‐ciating.E.J.FieldingFuneral Home, 2260W.21st Avenue, Covington,Louisiana 70433 has been entrustedwith funeralarrangements. The FalconerFamilyinvites you toshare thoughts,fondest memoriesand condo‐lencesonlineatE.J.Field‐ing FuneralHomeGuest Book at www.ejfieldingfh com

Jerome Charles“Jay” Jackson,passedaway peacefullyonMonday, September 1, 2025, at the age of 71. He wasa native ofNew Orleans, LA anda residentofAvondale, LA Jeromewas agraduateof Job Corp in NewOrleans Following graduation,he enlistedinthe United StatesArmy, whereherose tothe rank of First-Class ArmyRanger. Hismilitary service took himacross the countryand overseas, demonstrating bravery, discipline, anda deep com‐mitment to hiscountry Jeromereceivedseveral honors, includingthe Na‐tionalDefense Service Medal,aswellascommen‐dations forhand-to-hand combatand otherexem‐plary achievements.Loving son of Marion Mackey Wrightand thelateSimp‐son Wright,Sr. Devoted brother of Bervin (Shy) Wright, Gerald Wright, Betty Wright,Marilyn (Earl) Shelton,Melvina Jones, Di‐anneArceneaux,Christine (Lionel)Bibbins,Vanessa Oats, Melanise (Antoine) McPherson,Stephanie (Herb)Herman, andthe lateWendell Wright,Derald Wright, SimpsonWright, Jr.,and Adrienna Wright longtimecompanion of AlmaHill, also survived by a host of nieces,nephews cousins,extendedfamily, all of whomwillcherish his memory. Thefamilywould alsoliketoextenda heart‐feltthank youtothe staff atthe VA Community Liv‐ing Center,AzaleaHouse, for theirdedicated care and support. Relativesand friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend aViewing atDavis Mortuary Service 6820 Westbank Express‐way,Marrero,LAonSun‐day,September 14, 2025 from3:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Graveside Servicewillbe heldatSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Ceme‐tery94888 Grantham Col‐legeDrive Slidell, LA 70460 onMonday, September15, 2025, at 11:00a.m. Arrange‐ments by DavisMortuary Service 230MonroeSt. Gretna, LA.Toview and signthe guestbook,please gotowww.davismortua ryservice.com.FaceMasks Are Recommended

Ronald A.LaCoste,Jr. passed away on September 6, 2025. He was 66. He is survived by his wife, Emilie Dreuil LaCoste, son RonaldA.LaCoste, stepsons Paul Carroll (Morgan),WilliamCarroll grandson AnthonyJ LaCoste, and step granddaughters, Juliette J. Carroll andLandryE Carroll

He is also survived by his sisterKathrynLachney (Mike)and brother, Earl LaCoste(Patricia). His daughter,Sabrina C. LaCoste and stepdaughter, CourtneyJ.Carrollpredeceased him. He wasthe oldest sonof Ronald and Grace LaCoste. He isremembered fondly by ahosts of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends. AmemorialMassand repass willbeheld at alater date

Ronnie was an organ and body donor.

Paul MichaelLavelle,a resident of Metairie Louisiana,passedawayon September 7, 2025, at the age of 69 while surrounded byhis family. He wasborn onJuly19, 1956, in Scran‐ton,Pennsylvania, to par‐entsJames GregoryLavelle and HelenBorys Lavelle Paulmoved to New Or‐leans in 1979 to attend Loy‐ola University NewOrleans College of Law. During law school,hemet hisfuture wife, SueSwanLavelle, whomhewas marriedto for 45 years. Paul lovedthe cityofNew Orleansand chose to make it hishome, where he practicedlaw for overfourdecades as atrial attorney.Paulwas aleader inhis community.He servedaspresident of both the Lafreniere SoccerAs‐sociation andthe Jefferson Bar Association. Fondly re‐memberedbymanyas “CoachPaul,”herelished the countless Saturdays spent coaching hissons’ soccerand baseball teams. Hewas amemberofElks Lodge #30, andasanHon‐orary Kentucky Colonel, he especially enjoyedworking the Elks’annualKentucky Derby event. Paul served in leadershiproles in numer‐ous otherorganizations, including as National Chair ofthe High School Mock Trial Program,helping initi‐ate the program’s Louisiana chapter. Paul alsoregularly spokeat legal conferencesthrough‐out thenationand abroad duringhis membership on the boardofthe Defense ResearchInstitute.Paul was knownbyhis friends and family as oneofthe kindest people youcould ever meet.Heenjoyed reading,bikingonthe levee, studying history, camping with theBoy Scouts, andridinginThoth He hada wealth of knowl‐edgeonanunfathomable range of subjects.Paulwas a fanof watching sports and hostingweekend bar‐becues, during which he would sitonhis patiofor hours in deep conversation withthe “Corinthians”on every topicimaginable, bothphilosophical and trivial.Paulwas knownto brightenevery room he walkedintoand will be deeply missed by allwho werelucky enough to know him.Paulwas preceded in death by hisparents and his sister,MaryAnne.Heis survivedbyhis wife,Sue; sons, Patrickand Ryan; granddaughter,Marla; brothers, Jimmyand Michael;and soon-to-be daughter-in-law,Melissa aswellasfamilyand friends worldwide. ACele‐bration of Life will be held onFriday, September19, 2025, at Leitz-EaganFu‐neral Home,4747 Veterans MemorialBlvd.,Metairie, LA70006,from2:00p.m.to 6:00p.m.Inlieuofsending ﬂowers, please consider donatingtoSoutheast LouisianaLegal Services to

help vulnerable people ac‐cessjustice

Boo,age 81, passed away peacefullyinhis home whilesurrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 4, 2025. He was anativeof NewOrleans and alongtime resident of Metairie and then Loranger, Louisiana. Booproudly served his country in The UnitedStatesMarine Corps. He was agifted and skilled Machinist,who set up theoriginalmachine shopatthe startupofthe Waterford IIINuclear Plant At home he enjoyed working in his yard,withhis plants, also in his woodworking and metal workshop. Boo, withthe help of his granddaughters, would also occasionallybefound tinkering and tuning up his 1964 Chevrolet Super Sport.Hewas quick to volunteer to help others, and was afaithful member of American Legion Post 255 and LorangerLegacy Church (Methodist). First and foremostwas spending time with his family and faithful companion Dory.Boo was aloving husband, father, grandfather,brother, and friend who is already dearly missed by allwho knew and lovedhim.

Boo is survivedbyhis loving wife of 60 years, PatriciaSmith Lemoine; daughter, Carrie Lemoine Champagne (Perry); son, Maurice 'Skip'J.Lemoine, III(Janine); grandchildren, Reagan and Cassidy Lemoine,Katelyn Rush (Kevin), Clarence Champagne (Courtney), and William Champagne; great-grandchildren, Elliot Escobar, and Elizabeth 'Izzy' Champagne; and his friend who was as closeas abrother, Chuck Mayeaux (Kathy).

Boo is preceded in death by hisparents, Maurice J. Lemoine,Sr. and Linster Bordelon Lemoine;sister, RuthLemoine Spier; grandparents, Vilfred Lemoine and Cleophine Juneau, and Anatoleand Mathilda Bordelon.

In lieu of flowers,the family requeststhat donations please be madetoSt. JudeChildren's Research Hospital,Louisiana Boxer Rescue or acharityofyour choice.

Relatives and friends of thefamily are invitedtoattend theVisitation from theChapel of Brandon G. Thompson FuneralHome, 12012 Hwy 190 West Hammond, LA.on Saturday, September 20, 2025 from 10:00 a.m. until thestart of theMemorial Service at 12:00 p.m. An interment willtakeplace immediatelyfollowing in LorangerCemetery. A Repast willfollow at the LorangerLegacy Church.

Theyon Marion Lieteau entered into rest on Sun‐day,August31, 2025. She was born in NewOrleans, LA. On January5,1928 to parents,Johnand Thelma Jackson Doucette.She at‐tendedCorpusChristi Ele‐mentary School,HolyMary HighSchool.Theyonen‐joyed both basketball and track teams. Aftergraduat‐ing High School shebegan working at Haspel factory Theyonmarried Halvan (Hal) Lieteauand began her sixty-threeyears of traveland adventurein‐cluding,Brazil, Japan, Korea andItaly.Halvan, serving in theUnited StatesArmywas stationed inNew York City.Halvan and Theyon raised two childreninNew York City Hallene andLawrence, re‐sidinginQueens. Theyon was employed by AT&T makingither career until she decidedraising her familywas thepriority. Theyonremainedfocused working part time at a local department store, raising herchildrenand maintaining herdeeply re‐ligiousvalues. Sheregu‐

larlyattended St.Theresa ofAvila Parish in Queens, takingonanactive fundraisingrole. Hallene and Michael, son-in-law presented Theyon with two grandchildren,Marrissa Roseand Harrison Joseph, whomshe loveddearly. Theyon, knownaffection‐ately as T.T. Tee, Tedie, Tia, alwaysfostereda wel‐come, warm andentertain‐ing home.The true NewOr‐leans “Laissez lesbon temps rouler”ruled theLi‐eteau residence. Theyon was adevoted wife for63 years,Halvanpassedin 2016 andismissedevery day.Theyonwas theoldest of8 siblings andwas pre‐deceasedbysiblings, Ed‐ward, John, Huey,Dean (Clavo),Donald, Walter and Edith (Richardson).Being Louisiana Creole,many nieces, cousinsand friends.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare all invited to attend aMassof Christian Burial on Mon‐day,September 15, 2025 at 11:00 am at St.Martinde PorresCatholicChurch 5621 ElysianFieldsAve., New Orleans, Louisiana 70122. Visitation will begin at9:00am. Burial will be private.Inlieuof ﬂowers, pleasemakea donation to a charityofyourchoice. Professionalarrangements entrusted to Majestic Mor‐tuary Service, Inc. (504) 523-5872.

Carole AnnMarino passedawayonFriday, September 12, 2025. She was born in Kenner,LAon October 4, 1949. Sheissur‐vived by herniece,Jessica Marino. Shewas preceded indeath by herparents Mildred Daigle Marino and Anthony Marino;and her brother Anthony“Tony” Marino. Ms.Marinowas a nativeofKennerand ares‐ident of theNorthshorefor over30years.Carolewas a retired nurse who loved helping others.She wasan avidgardenerand Saints fan.She will be missedby all who knew andloved her.Relatives andfriends are invitedtoattend the funeral services at E. J. FieldingFuneralHome, 2260 W. 21st Avenue,Cov‐ingtonLA70433, on Wednesday,September 17 2025, at 11:00 a.m. with vis‐itation on Wednesdaybe‐ginning at 9:00 a.m. Inter‐mentwillfollowin Pinecrest Memorial Gar‐dens. E.J. Fielding Funeral Homehas been entrusted withfuneral arrangements The Marino familyinvites you to sharethoughts, fondest memories,and condolences online at E. J. FieldingFuneralHome Guest Book at www.ejﬁeld ingfh.com

Karen Vicknair Nicoll was receivedathome by theLordonSeptember 10, 2025 at theage of 70. She wasbornonNovember 28, 1954, in NewOrleans to the late Lester F. Vicknair and Dolores Lavin Vicknair Karen wasa proud graduateofArchbishop Chapelle HighSchool and Meadows Draughon Business College. During the1970s, she lovedher film industry work with 20thCenturyFox & UniversalStudiosinNew Orleans. Later,she devoted over adecade as an active parent volunteer at St. Catherine of SienaSchool whileher children were enrolled.She eventuallyreturned to theworkforce in theconstructionindustry, where she quicklybecame avalued and respected member of the Belou Magner Construction team. She was always adevoted parishioner of St. Jerome Church in Kenner. Her truepassion was her family,which is why the name, "Mimi" (giventoher by her grandchildren) signified themost important

role in herlife. Sheisnow reunited in heaven with herbeloved sons, Gary MichaelNicoll, Jr.and Aaron Michael Nicoll.She is survived by herdevoted husband, Gary M. Nicoll;daughter, Angela N. Tullier (Marcel); grandchildren, Davin M. Nicoll Julien P. Tullier,Yve A. Tullier,and LucA.Tullier; brothers, HenryN.Vicknair (Claudia) and Lester F. Vicknair (Eileen);and a host of nieces and nephews.

Relativesand friends are invited to celebrate her life at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124. Visitation will be held on Saturday, September20, 2025, from 9-11 a.m., with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Intermentwill followinLake LawnPark. To view andsignthe online guest book, please visit www.lakelawnmetairie.co m

Thefamilyextends heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Chateau Living Center for theexcellent care providedtoKaren in recent years, andtoSt. Catherine'sHospice forthe comfortand dignity they gave herinher final days.

PacaccioSr.,Joseph Albert

In Loving Memory JosephAlbertPacaccioSr. 80, loving husband, father, grandfather,and friend passedawayathis home onSeptember 10, 2025, in New Orleans. He is sur‐vived by hiswifeof57 years,SandraPanzeca Pacaccio. Joewas unique, witha spirit allhis own— warm, magnetic,and un‐forgettable from thevery firstencounter.Hehad a natural talent forconnect‐ing with people,not just as a salesman in business but because he lovedsharing his life,stories,and experi‐ences with others.Travel was oneofhis greatest passions, andheexplored the worldwithenthusiasm and wonder.Hewas happi‐est whenhis wife,Sandra, was beside him, andeach tripwas an adventure. Joe built alifelongcareer in travel, starting with Pan AmAirlinesbeforeopening his ownagency, Super TimeTravel, andlater working with AAA Travel Overthe years, hisclients becamefriends,drawn to Joe’s personalityand pure joy.Ifyou metJoe,you re‐memberedhim,and he re‐memberedyou.Apart from his love forpeople, he found solace andbeautyin music,particularlyopera, and journeyedaround the world with hiswifetoex‐perienceit. This passion alsoled to an interest in audio equipment, allowing him to enjoythe music’s beautyathome. He valued the arts andderived happi‐nessfrommusic,photog‐raphy,and travelingtoex‐periencethese arts first‐hand. In his finaldays, he lived with thesamedevo‐tion, curiosity, andlove thatdefinedhim,leaving usmemoriesand moments thatwillcontinuetoin‐spire allwho knew him. Josephwas predeceased byhis parents, Rosalie Aiola Pacaccio andAlbert JosephPacaccio, andhis brother,JosephPacaccio. Together,Joe andhis wife Sandraenjoyed arobust familylife. Joeissurvived byhis twosons, Joseph Jr and JasonPacaccio; his sisterRosalie Pacaccio Gilberti; hisgrandchildren Alyssa Pacaccio,Joseph Pacaccio, Madison Roberts,Mia Pacaccio,and PrimrosePacaccio; two nephews;and oneniece.A funeralMasswillbeheld atJacob Schoen &Son Fu‐neral Home,3827 Canal Street,New Orleans, Louisiana 70119, on Sep‐tember19, 2025. Visitation for friendsand familyfrom 9am to 11am, with mass to follow. Commentsand thoughtscan be shared withthe familybyvisiting the online obituary at www.schoenfh.com. The familywillgatherfor apri‐vateChristian burial fol‐lowingthe service. ArrangementsbyJacob Schoen& SonFuneral Home.

Dr.StevenPﬁngsten

D.D.S., awell-knownand beloved member of the Covington andAbita Springs communities, passedawayonThursday, September 4, 2025, at the age of 54. Born February 9, 1971, in Elgin, Illinois,Dr. Pfingsten graduatedas valedictorian of hisclass fromBurlingtonCentral HighSchool,acceptedthe Pat Taylor Scholarship, and relocated to Louisiana. He completed hisundergradu‐ate studiesatthe Univer‐sityofNew Orleansbefore earning hisDoctoralof DentalSurgery from Louisiana StateUniversity in1997. He worked as a dentist at AbitaDental Carebeforetakingoverthe clinicover25years ago. He took tremendous pridein his profession,humbled thathis work literally brought smilestopeople’s faces.“Doctor Steve” was renownedasa God-loving dentist who careddeeply for hiscommunity.Hewas a champion of youthath‐leticsasa passionate,ded‐icatedsoccerand basket‐ballcoach forthree decades.Heabsolutely loved musicand would spend hourssinging and playing theguitarand piano with anyone who would lend theirear or voice to atune.Hewas ex‐ceptionally good with his hands andcould wrench onanengineasprofi‐ciently as he couldtweak a set of dentures.Steve is survivedbyhis wife,Carri Pfingsten;his children Haili AbagailPfingsten, StevenDavidsonPfingsten and LillianGrace MariePf‐ingsten;his parents, Mar‐sha Faye Pfingsten and HarrisonAlbertPfingsten; his stepmother,Charlotte Josephine Pfingsten;and his siblings,WalterHenry Pfingsten,HarrisonMax Pf‐ingsten,and AmberRose Davidson. He waspre‐ceded in deathbyhis bio‐logical father,Larry David‐son.Steve lovedhis family fervently,and he extended thatloveand senseoffam‐ily to everyone he met. He was theembodimentof The Good Samaritanwhen heencountered thosein need.Hewas devotedto his missionary work abroad, especially in Ro‐mania.Heloved bringing peopletogether, forging lifelongbonds amongstthe individuals who knew each other throughhim.There are fewpeopleinthe Abita Springs andCovington areawhose liveshaven’t been touchedbyDoctor Steve.And while hispass‐ing leaves afeelingof emptiness forthose who knewand lovedhim here onEarth,wecan allrest assuredknowing that if there wasn’t foosball in Heaven, thereisnow.Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to attend thememor‐ial services at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, September20, 2025, at LakeshoreChurch 15261 Brewster Road,Cov‐ington, Louisiana, with visi‐tationbeginning at 12:00 p.m.E.J.FieldingFuneral HomeofCovington, Louisiana,ishonored to be entrusted with Dr.Pfing‐sten’sfuneral arrange‐ments.His familyinvites you to sharethoughts, memories, andcondo‐lencesbysigning an online guestbook at www.ejfield ingfh.com

Leon Mark Puzonwas received into the loving arms of ourheavenlyfather on September8,2025, at the age of 83. He was born November 30, 1941, in Great Falls, Montanaand wasa resident of Metairie, Louisiana. He is preceded in death by hiswife,Patricia Ann Puzon, grandson, Aidan Puzon, parents,Matthew Puzon and Ida Puzon, and siblings, Marjorie Gillis and Louis Puzon. He is survived by his children, Matthew Puzon (Lisa), Susan Puzon Kurtz, andGeoffreyPuzon (Adeline), grandchildren, Noah,Jonah,Ian, Ciaran,

Lemoine, Maurice J. 'Boo'

Marino,CaroleAnn

Lavelle,PaulMichael

Jackson, Jerome Charles'Jay'

Nicoll,Karen Vicknair

Lieteau, Theyon Marion

Puzon, LeonMark

Tristan and Ronan, and his siblings, Lois Puzon Balko and MelvinPuzon.

Leon graduated from Great Falls Central Catholic in 1960. He attended Seattle University and graduated with aBSc in engineering and later an MSc in engineering. He and his wife Patty built their Washington statehomein the Bremerton/Seabeck area in 1972, where they raised their three children. Leon worked for Puget Sound Naval Shipyard for 30+ years and upon his retirement worked at Kitsap Regional Library in Bremerton. Leon's beloved wife Patty, their children, and extended family were the heart of his life. His Catholic faith was aguiding force in his character Together with Patty, he served as aEucharistic Minister to thehomebound for 15 years and participated in Marriage Encounter forseven years as partof their parish community at Star of the Sea. In retirement, Leon cherished visiting family, whether traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Australia to see Geoff's family, or further exploring Washington with Matt's family there. When Patty fell ill, he became her devoted caregiver until her passing in 2012. In 2017,as his own health began to decline, Leon moved to Louisiana to be closer to his daughter Susan where many adventures took place. Despite health challenges, Leon remained active and engaged. He continued to nurture his faith through church attendance, retreats and volunteerism. He also found joy in reading, camping, fishing, hunting, and exploring national parks. As someone with Parkinson's, he advocated by dedicating his life by improving himself through dance, education, physical therapy and determination. Leon's sense of humor and deep faith never wavered, touching the lives of all who knew him. Relatives and friends are invited to attend afuneral service on Monday, September 15, 2025, at St. Angela Merici Catholic Church, 901 Beverly Garden Dr. Metairie, LA. Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM -12PMwith afuneral Mass to begin at 12 PM. In lieu of flowers adonation can be made to https://www.parkinson.or g/donate

Pamela A. Recasner

Prade, aformer resident of New Orleans, LA, passed away in St. Martinville, LA on Sept. 8, 2025 at the age of 76 after along illness.

Pamie was born on May 6, 1949 to the late Milton Recasner and the late Anna Taylor Recasner. Pamie was an alumnus of Xavier Prep-1968, and Xavier University-1972. Pamie was an elementary and middle school teacher for many years. She leaves to grieve her husband, Scody Prade, her children Scody, Candace, and Jeremy Prade, and her six grandchildren. Pamie is also survived by herfour siblings Ronald (Nancy), Aaron, Larry, andWesley (Gwen) Recasner. She was preceded in death by her sibling Marilyn Recasner. Funeral services will be held on Wed., Sept. 17, 2025 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at Notre Dame Church, 201 Gary St, St. Martinville, LA. Aviewing will be held from 7:30 am to 10:30 am on Wed., Sept. 17, 2025 at Pellerin Funeral Home, 112 NNew Market St, St. Martinville.

inghusband of 59 years, JackEdwardJames Reese Sr.,her daughter Heidi ReeseBienvenu (Lionel), son Jack Edward James ReeseJr.,her grandchil‐drenBryce Bienvenu Quinn Bienvenu and Matilda Reese, alongwith manynieces, nephews, cousins,and friends. She was preceded in deathby her parents, Joseph Leonard andDelphineG O’Neill,and daughter-inlaw,Kelly Frailing. DelRita was agraduateofAnnun‐ciation High School.Inher earlier years, shewas an activememberofSt. Philip NeriParish where she servedasthe presidentof the Ladies co-opand re‐ceivedthe OrderofSt. Louis Medal. Shealso servedonmanycommit‐tees at Archbishop ChapelleHighSchool and ArchbishopRummelHigh School.She retiredfrom Charity Hospital of NewOr‐leans Trauma Unit.DelRita loved to cook thebestNew Orleans dishes andhave peopleovertoenjoy great food andfriendship. The New Year’s Dayspreadat the Reese’shouse wasleg‐endary. Sheand Jack loved totakeHeidi andJay to camps on thelakeatLittle Woods whentheywere young kids.Later in life, she lovedspendingsum‐mersgoing across theLake and to Orange Beachwith her family andgrandkids DelRitaloved hergrand‐kids, Matilda, Bryce, and Quinn more than anything She enjoyedhaving every‐one around andpacking the house forthe holidays She andJackwerealways busyand always going somewhere.Theyenjoyed their life together and there wasnever adullmo‐ment! Services forDelRita willbeheldonFriday, Sep‐tember19, 2025, at St, PhilipNeriChurch,6500 Kawanee Ave. in Metairie, LA. Visitation will beginat 10:00 am followed by a MemorialMassat12:00 pm. Intermentwilltake place in St.Vincent de Paul CemeteryNo. 2ata later date. Thefamilyinvites you to shareyour thoughts, fond memories and condolencesonlineat www.leitzeaganfuneralho me.com

GailFaucheuxRoussel ofDestrehan,passedinto eternal rest andpeace on August30, 2025, where she willbereunitedand laid to restwithher son, Daniel BornOctober 21, 1951, she was preceded in deathby her cherishedson,Daniel K.Roussel III, herparents, Johnand JoyceFaucheux, grandparentsJohnand Flo‐restine Faucheux andWal‐ter andMabel Faucheux She leaves behind her beloved daughter,Christy Anne Roussel, herbrother, JohnFaucheux, Jr.(Cheryl) and sister,MaryVentura (Butch) andher aunt,Kay Francis,numerouscousins, nieces, andnephews.Gail was a1969 graduate of St Charles Borromeo High School andattended the UniversityofLouisiana Monroe. Shewentontobe anownerofseveral busi‐nessesinsouth Louisiana. Gailwas aresilientspirit and survivor andwas loved and supportedbyher fam‐ily.Special thanks to John Francis,Robin Francis, Pa‐triciaTyson,and Barry Faucheux. Aprivate memo‐rialservice forfamily members will be held at a futuredate. In remem‐branceofGail, donations can be made to theTeam Gleason Foundation,the ARC of St.Charles and MagnoliaCommunity Ser‐vices

ther, and great-grandfather passedaway peacefully at his home on Friday, August 15, 2025. He is survivedbyhis partner and wife of over 50 years, Cathy, and hischildren Becky (Jean), Mark, and Erik(Dawn), along with twograndchildren,Megan (Nick) and Rosie(Tom), and one great-granddaughter expected soon. In addition to his parents, Chris was preceded in death by his son Paul, his grandsonJustin, and his sisterArra.

Chrisproudly served his country and is aKorean War veteran. Alifelong learner, he earnedhis bachelor'sand master's degreesfrom Loyola University N.O. and completed hisdoctoral studies at theUniversityof Maryland. Hispassion for learning ledhim to adedicated career in elementary education,where he served almost 40 years as ateacher, principal, counselor,and aStatesupervisor of guidance.A man of many talents and interests, Chriswas an expert woodworker. He would spend hours in his woodworking shop making woodenplates, bowls, and otherbeautiful pieces. Over his lifetime he enjoyed memorizing 100s of poems and then would take delight in reciting some of his repertoire to his family and friends. Given achoice,Chris wouldhaveclassicalmusic playing.Hemaintained his excellent physicalcondition throughhoursofdaily farming, that not only kept thefarm looking manicured,but also allowed him to make wines from his grapes. And when it came to cooking,Chris was amaster chef. His Louisiana dishes, and especiallyhis gumbo, were thefavorites of family friends, and neighbors. Being from Louisiana, Chris lovedhis coffee. For much of his life he would make and drink hisblend of coffee with chicory throughout theday.He was often found enjoying his brew during almost any activity. Chrisand Cathy traveled allover theUS. Chrisloved to drive,and over hislifetime he drove about everykindofRV possible,from small travel trailers to largemotorhomes. He enjoyed setting up camp,splitting firewood, buildingcampfires, and relaxing witha glass of his wine.Alongside his beloved wife, he explored theworld by traveling across theSouth Seas and many continents, making friends everywhere. His disarming and sensitive personality meanthenever met astranger.Within minutes he would make friends with people from different nationalities,cultures, and backgrounds. His strength,gentleness, and calm aura madepeopleimmediately feelsafe and at ease, both away and at home.

Family and friends are invitedtocelebrate Chris's life on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at theDavis Funeral Home.A graveside servicewith fullmilitary honors will follow at 2:00 PM at theWestVirginia NationalCemetery,accorded by theHarrison County Honor Guard and theU.S.ArmyHonor Guard In lieu of flowers,donations may be madetoThe NatureConservancy,Attn: Treasury,4245 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, or online at www.nature.org Online condolences may be shared at DavisFuneral HomeWV.com.Davis Funeral Home is honored to assist theStilling family

ConstanceLucille Taylor entered into eternalrest onMondaySeptember 8, 2025. Shewas born to the union of thelateElvin Bar‐row CantyJr. andCather‐ine Chriss Canty. HerChris‐tianlifebegan at First Mount CalvaryBaptist Church.She wasbaptized atanearly agebythe late ReverendBurnell Domonique.She served in the young adultchoir Later in life as an adultshe becamea member of Fel‐lowship Missionary Baptist Church,under thesound doctrineofDr. Reverend MossesS.GordonII. She servedonvarious commit‐tees throughout theyears Constance wasa proud graduateofSt. Mary’s Academy High School.She continued heracademic journeyatXavierUniver‐

sity,where sheearneda Bachelor’sDegreeinPhysi‐cal Educationand became a cherishedmemberof ZetaPhi Beta Sorority,Inc For 43 remarkable years, Constance devotedherself tothe fieldofEducation—a callingthattruly chose her.Asone of NewOr‐leans’mostbeloved Spe‐cialEducation teachers, she touchedcountless lives with herunwavering compassion, tireless dedi‐cation, anddeep belief in the potentialofevery stu‐dent. Herimpactspanned generations,and her legacylives on in the heartsofthose shetaught, mentored, andinspired. Beyondthe classroom, Constance’s nurturing spiritextendeddeeply into her familylife. Shehad a special gift forconnecting withher nieces and nephews,especiallyas theynavigated young adulthood.Whether offer‐ing guidance,encourage‐ment, or simply alistening ear,she wasa steady pres‐ence—onewho made each ofthemfeel seen,valued, and loved. Herabilityto upliftand empowerthe nextgenerationwas oneof her most cherishedquali‐ties. Constancewas united inMatrimony on November 22, 1974, to CharlesEdward Taylor. From this union was bornone sonthe late Charles DiaTaylor, also twindaughters Candace Taylorand CatherineTay‐lor Lee(John).Constance was preceded in deathby her sonCharles DiaTaylor; her parentsElvin Barrow Canty Jr.and Catherine ChrissCanty.Her grand‐parents ElvinBarrowCanty Sr. andMaggieWilson Canty,Anthony Chriss Sr and LucilleHaley Chriss; UnclesAnthony Chriss Jr JohnEdwardChrissand William(Bill)Canty.Great nephews:MarcT.Canty III and Derick CantyJr. Con‐stanceissurvivedbyher husband CharlesEdward Taylor; Herdaughters Can‐daceTaylorand Catherine TaylorLee (John).Her grandchildren Charley Amour Leeand John LeeIII Her sister ElvinDenise Canty Haynes.Her nephew’sDerickCanty Sr (Natashia)MarcCanty Jr (Alexis). Herniece Ashley Brumfield. Cherished friends Mary Carter (Nathan), WandaCanty Lewis (Regonald).Cher‐ished cousins: JanelChriss, Jaron Chriss, ShirleyBrum‐field, andRobertJoseph. Great nephewsand nieces: Marquel Canty, Da’Marco Canty,BrittanyWolf(Ian), Skyy Canty, Kaliegh Canty and amassive host of cousins andfriends.Rela‐tives andFriends of the FamilyalsoPastors,Offi‐cersand MembersofFel‐lowship Missionary Baptist Church areall invitedtoat‐tendthe FuneralService on Wednesday,September 17, 2025 at 10:00am at Fellow‐shipMissionaryBaptist Church 2805 GeneralTaylor Street.NOLA. Rev. MosesS Gordon, II, Senior Pastor and Rev. MosesS.Gordon, III, ExecutivePastorand Officiant. Visitation will begin at 9:00am.Interment inProvidenceMemorial Park. Professional Arrange‐ments EntrustedtoMajes‐tic Mortuary Service, Inc. (504) 523-5872.

Charles"Chuck" P. Walling,a resident of Slidell, Louisianasince 1966, passedawayonSep‐tember2,2025, at theage of85. Born on March18, 1940, in Correctionville, Iowa,Chuckwas aman whose life wasdeﬁnedby his unwavering love forhis family, hisdedicationto his work,and hiscommit‐menttohis community Chuckwas preceded in death by hislovingpar‐ents, Cyriland Margaret Walling;his belovedson Michael C. Walling; hispre‐cious grandson,Nicholas SeanWalling;and hissib‐lings,SisterMaryClare Walling,OSM,Lavonne Vin‐ing (Wyman), Doris Lehmann (Dick),Cyril Walling Jr., Gerald Walling (Jan),and Father Lawrence Walling;and hisson-in-law, HaroldMcCloud.Chuck leavesbehind, to cherish his memory,his beloved wifeof59and ahalfyears RitaWalling;his daughter, Marla W. McCloud; hissib‐lings,LoisKessenich (John),PatriciaVelasques MaryBerg(thelateRon Berg),Ron Walling(Re‐becca), Marcella White (Chris),Maureen Walling, andDennisWalling (Julie);

andnumerousnieces, nephews,and extended familymembers who will misshim greatly. Chuck's lifewas marked by his hardworkand craftsman‐shipasa high rise iron‐worker, aprofessionhe carried outwithpride through Local58. Hishands werenot only skilledinthe art of construction butalso inactsofservice.A parish‐ioner of St.Luke’sCatholic Church,Chuckwas an ac‐tivememberofthe St Luke'sMen's Club andthe Knights of Columbus where he dedicatedcount‐lesshours to helpingoth‐ers andstrengthening his community.Anoutdoors‐man at heart, Chuckwas anavidhunter and ﬁsher‐man,often sharingstories ofhis adventures andthe peace he found in thequiet ofthe woodsorbythe water.His love forthe out‐doorswas only surpassed byhis love forhis neigh‐bors, whomhewas always ready to assist with a smile anda helpinghand. Chuckhad agreat senseof humor andoften greeted peoplehemet with,“Nice tomeet you! Don’tyou owe me$20?”While this greet‐ing neverpaidoff,itmade everyonelaugh.Chuck’s presencewas asourceof comfort andstrengthtoall who knew him. He ap‐proachedlifewitha gentle kindnessthatleftanindeli‐ble mark on theheartsof those he touched. His legacyisone of love,ser‐vice, andthe quiet strengththatcomes from a lifewell-lived.Relatives and friendsare invitedto attenda visitation on Tues‐day,September 16, 2025 from9:30a.m.to11:00 a.m. atSt. Luke theEvangelist Catholic Church in Slidell. A FuneralMasswillbegin at11:00 a.m. Receptionto follow. Chuckwillbelaidto restinAudubon Memorial Gardens on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.Inlieuof ﬂowers, do‐nations to St.JudeChil‐dren’sResearchHospital are appreciated. Memories and condolencesmay be expressedatwww.Aud ubonFuneralHome.com

Walling, MichaelCharles

MichaelCharles Walling ofThomasville,North Car‐olina,passedawayonAu‐gust14, 2025, at theage of 58. Born on September24, 1966, in Slidell, Louisiana, Michael's life wasa testa‐menttothe strength and warmthofthe human spirit. Hispresencewas a beaconofloveand creativ‐ity that touchedthe lives ofall who knew him. Michael wasthe beloved son of Rita Wallingand the lateCharles "Chuck" Walling. He grew up in Slidell, where he attended Slidell High School,form‐ing lifelong friendshipsand memories. Michaelwas a devoted brothertoMarla WallingMcCloud and shareda specialbondwith his late brother-in-law Harold"Mac" McCloud, and hislatenephew, NicholasWalling.His fam‐ily wasthe cornerstoneof his life,and he cherished the momentsspent with themabove allelse. Pro‐fessionally,Michael dedi‐catedmanyyears to the

steel industry,where he honed hisskillsina local machine shop.His work ethic andcommitmentto excellencewereevident to his colleagues andsuperi‐ors,earning himrespect and admiration within the industry. Michael'sinvolve‐mentinhis work commu‐nitywas marked by his willingnesstolenda help‐ing hand andhis unwaver‐ing supportfor hisfellow workers.Michael's love for the outdoorswas unparal‐leled.Hefound solace and joy in thesimplepleasures of fishingand hunting, often sharinghis adven‐tures with friendsand fam‐ily.His deep appreciation for nature's beauty wasa constantsourceofinspira‐tionfor hisartisticpur‐suits.Michael wasanex‐ceptionally talented artist, and hiscreativeworks werea reflection of his lovefor theworld around him.Those who knew Michael woulddescribe him as loving aboveall else. Hiskindnessand gen‐erosity knew no bounds, and hisabilitytomakeoth‐ers feel valued andloved was hisgreatestgift. Michael's legacy is oneof compassion, creativity and theenduringpower of love. Relativesand friends are invitedtoattend avisi‐tationonTuesday,Septem‐ber 16, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to11:00 a.m. at St.Lukethe EvangelistCatholicChurch inSlidell. AFuneral Mass willbegin in thechapelat 11:00 a.m. Michaelwillbe laidtorestinAudubon MemorialGardens on Wednesday,September 17 2025, at 9:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, consider adona‐tiontoSt. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital. Memo‐riesand condolencesmay beexpressedatwww.Aud ubonFuneralHome.com

Fred George Werner was born March28, 1947 in New Orleansand died on September 9, 2025 from a respiratory battle with ALS. He is survived by his wife, Babette Vidrine Werner;his threedaughters, CortneyWerner, Conyers, Georgia, Quinn Werner Kile (Lee) Houston, TX, BlairWernerGreen (Elliot) Lafayette; two stepchildren, Stan Spring (Guille)Austin, TX, and Courtney SpringDeveil (Jeremie) Bordeaux, France; andfivegrandchildren,Evelyn and Werner Green,Benicio andOctavio Spring, and Iris Deveil.He is also survived by his brother, PaulWerner, New Orleans; hissisters, Peggy Werner,San Diego, CA, CatherineWerner, Denham Springs, andNancy Leblanc(John), Baton Rouge.Fredwas preceded in death by his parents, George andGretchen Werner of Baton Rouge; andhis first wife, Susan CheekWernerofBaton Rouge Fred always tried to live hislifewith thegoal of spending onethird of his life learning, onethird earning andone thirdgiving. LEARNING -Atthe age of

Werner,Fred

Roussel, Gail Faucheux

Recasner Prade, Pamela A.

Walling, Charles P. 'Chuck'

See more DEATHS, page

Taylor,Constance Lucille

Reese, DelRitaO’Neill

DelRitaO’Neill Reeseof Metairie, Louisiana, passed awaypeacefullyonTues‐day,September 2, 2025 Sheissurvivedbyher lov‐

Stilling, Niels Christian 'Chris'

Niels ChristianStilling ("Chris"),93, of Flemington,and loving husband, father, grandfa-

OPINION

OUR VIEWS

Federal help canimprove public safety in N.O.,but only if it’s real

The city of New Orleans has along and fruitfulhistory of working closely with other agencies to combat crime.

Joint task forces with federal agencies such as the FBI and DEA, cooperativeendeavors with neighboring jurisdictionsand the Troop Nola partnership with Louisiana State Police have bolsteredlocal efforts. Louisiana National Guardtroopshave been welcome during special events or following crises such as the terrorist attack on BourbonStreet.

But when it comes to theprospectofhastily sending federalized National Guard troopsinto New Orleans, we have serious concerns

We still don’tknow whether President Donald Trump will send the National Guard into the city,asTrumpdid in Washington, D.C. and now says he’ll do in Memphis, andisthreatening to do in Chicago, overthat state’sDemocratic governor’s strong objection. Here, he’dhave supportfor the surge from his Republican ally Gov.Jeff Landry,who is thearchitect of thesuccessful, well-planned initiativetosendtrained state troopers into the Democratic majority citytowork alongside theNew OrleansPolice Department.

Troop Nola’sarrival last year was initially met with some resistance, butisnow widelycheered by ofﬁcials and residents across thespectrum. And it’slikely one of several reasons —along with some innovative strategies pursuedby NOPD —why the city’scrime ratehas turneda corner.Last year,police reported 6,085 crimes per 100,000 residents; that’s a23% dropfrom the previous ﬁve-year average, although it’sstill more than twice the national average Indeed,wewould welcome an expansion of Troop Nola, and believe manyNew Orleanians would too.

But we doubt that suddenly sending in National Guard troops would help much National Guard members are neithertrained nor legally permitted to conduct many of the law enforcement functions thatprofessional ofﬁcersdo.

Andwhile some might ﬁnd avisibleshow of force reassuring, the optics could well be double-edged. Having the National Guard in the city’sstreets could send thefalse messagethat crime is out of control, which would likelydiscourage people from visitinga citythatrelies on tourism as an economic driver What’smore, this is not thesort of duty that themembers of the Louisianan NationalGuard signed up for.Indeed, arecentWashingtonPost story recounted internal Guard assessments that “domestic mobilizations that are rooted in politicsriskdamaging Americans’ conﬁdence in themen and women who servetheir communities in times of crisis.”

We’re all for anything that will help,and certainly we’d welcome federal assistancetobolster theNOPD’swork. But we see theNational Guardproposal as apolitical play more than a serious strategy to make cities safer. Instead, we urge the presidentand the governortocontinue to work side-by-sidewith New Orleans ofﬁcials to keep thehard-wonprogress going strong.

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

Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

TimKaine’s remarksspark debate

As aCatholic, Iapologize. For what?

TimKaine.

At arecent Senate Foreign RelationsCommittee hearing, theVirginia senator and former vice-presidential candidatesaid, “The notion that rights don’tcome from laws and don’tcome from thegovernment, but come from the creator —that’s what the Iranian government believes.

devout Christians andIranian governmentoppression. He does, however, know that opposing the Trumpadministration is the way to future power in his party.

In Iran, Kaine says, thegovernment oppresses itscitizens “becausethey believe that they understand what natural rightsare from their creator.” Kaine’snow-viral rant came as the Senatecommittee was considering the nomination of an assistant secretary of state for democracy,human rights and labor.Riley Barnes, the nominee before thecommittee, had madea bold move. He quoted the current Secretary of StateMarco Rubio, who recently emphasized “that all men are created equal because our rights come from God, our creator; not from our laws, not from our governments.”

Sen. Kaine probably doesn’teven believe his implicit comparison between

Oh,and what agift this was to Ted Cruz, theRepublican senator from Texas who sitsonthe samecommittee. What Kaine considers a“radical and dangerous notion,” Cruz said, “is literally the founding principle upon which theUnited States of America wascreated.” He went on to quote Thomas Jefferson: “Wehold these truths to be self-evident,that allmen are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

That Kaine was lying is alikely scenario given that in July,hecalled cuts to government spending on Catholic charities and other faith-based organizations gettingfederal money for immigration work as an “attack on the religious organizations so that they cannot do thework that their faith in their creator compels them to do.”

How convenient.Oppose our founding principles when it meansbeing anti-Trump, and thenembrace them for thesame reason. And in recent years, what have some of ourmost

contentious religious-liberty debates been about? Values from the sexual revolution. We already knew Kaine considered himself apro-abortion (legal and on-demand) Catholic. And this, by the way, is what Iwant to apologize to you about. As young people have been noticing, the sexual morality of the Catholic Church offers mercy and healing. Igo to confession. TimKaine might go to confession; he is certainly free to. But not only are we supposed to believe certain things —and stand up forthem in our public lives as wellasprivate ones —weare supposed to share them.Good newsand all. But in recent decades, fartoo manyCatholics have dismissed that which is inconvenient. In this mostrecent case, even that which is fundamental formore than just Catholics.

Sen. Kaine, revisit your remarks from the summer.The United States has agood thing going in its rootedness to God.Our identity can’tbein hating —orloving —President Trump. There’smore to life. And thanks be to God for that!

Email Kathryn Jean Lopez at klopez@ nationalreview.com.

Onequestion we get frequently is whether we can allow letter writers morespace than the 300-word limit Somewriters want torespond point by point to somethingthey read, and the word limit makes it hard to do that sometimes.

Somereaders also argue that opposing opinions should get equal space as the article or columns they are responding to.

While Iunderstand that logic, we have to set wordlimits on letters in order to get more of your views in print

Then thequestion arises, why not simply run longer letters or morelettersonline?

At times,for particularly hot topics, we have run collections of letters online that didn’tmake the print editions. Butwelike having letters appear in print because we know manyfrequent letter writers prefer reading the print edition.

We also accept submissions of guest columns, which run between 500-700

words. Guest columns are distinct from letters in that they don’tsimply respond to thenews but seek to give a unique perspective on atopic on which the writer has asingular interest or expertise. Guest column submissions can also be senttoour inbox at letters@theadvocate.com. We require the full text of the column, not just apitch, before deciding on whether to publish.

The letters section is one of themost popular parts of the Opinion pages, as readers wanttohear what other readers think. Twoyears ago, we expanded the letters to afull page on Monday

Earlier this year,webegan running letters on Saturday as well. Looking around at other news outlets, Iwould say that on average, we run morelettersfrom readers than most. And we will continue to look forways to feature your voices.

Ihave to say,though,that it’snot always the longest letters that make

the strongest arguments. Iamoften struck by the readers who, in twoor three sentences, can makeapoint that goes straight to the heart of an issue. That said, turning to our inbox, Ican give you the totals forthe weekofAug. 7-14. During that week, we received 80 letters.

The subject that generated the most comment wasn’tanews or politics story,itwas aguest column. We received 11 letters commending writer Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar’spiece, “Between Stories and Steam,” which talked about the importance of preserving culture. The large outpouring was rare fora guest column. After that, the indictment of New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was ahot topic, prompting seven letters. Lastly, the National Guard deployment to help combat crime in Washington, D.C., was the subject of six letters.

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

Arnessa Garrett

Kathryn Jean Lopez

COMMENTARY

Stop theblame game surroundingpolitical violence

Calm down, everybody.The murder of conservative organizer Charlie Kirk is reason to restrain impulses to political warfare, not to inﬂame them.

When Louisiana’sown Republican U.S. Rep.Steve Scalise was shot in 2017, theculprit was not the collective political left or a“they,” but alone drifter who hated Republicans. When Democratic Rep Gabby Giffords of Arizona was shot in 2011, The NewYork Times editorialized there was a“clear” and “direct” linktoformer Alaska Gov.Sarah Palin’sPAC —but the culprit was not Palinorconservatives in general, but aparanoid schizophrenic ﬁxated on Giffords. After former and soon-to-be President Donald Trump wasshot in Pennsylvania, conservativesocialmedia was full of accusations that “they,” the leftist bad guys, had tried to kill him. Nonsense. Theshooter was aregistered Republican who took conservative positions in school classes, and he also had scopedout theschedule of Democratic President Joe Biden with apparent ill intent.

Likewise, conservatives weren’t collectively in anyway respon-

sible this summer forthe murder of oneDemocratic Minnesota state legislator (and her husband) andthe wounding of another Nor were they responsible when acrazed home invader beat the husband of then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California literally within an inch of hislife

Nonetheless, Kirk himself said after thefact, in inﬂammatory fashion, that some “amazing patriot” should bailout Paul Pelosi’s attacker,while Trump fanned nastyright-wing rumors about the attack.But that doesn’tmean Kirk deserved to be killed, his wife widowed and his toddlers left fatherless.

Conservatives rightly get upset when Democrats repeatedly call Trump(andmany others on the right)a“Nazi.” Yetextremely few prominent conservatives spoke out when Trump called Democratic opponent Kamala Harris a“Marxist,Communist, fascist, socialist” or said Biden’s White House was a“Gestapo.” It wasn’tbasic conservative rhetoric that led to amassshootingataBlack church,and it wasn’tbasic liberal rhetoric that led to amass shooting at aconservative Christian school. Two recent mass shootings by people identifying as transgender don’t mean that everyonewith sexual

Charlie Kirk speaks before he was shot during an appearance at Utah ValleyUniversity in Orem, Utah, on Wednesday.

identity issues is alatent murderer —nomatter what messages were on thehateful shooter’sammunition.

And speaking of using sexuality as apretense,weinLouisiana of a certain age remember when thenDistrict Attorney Jim Garrison falsely and viciously tried businessman Clay Shaw for conspiring to assassinate President John F. Kennedy,largely by focusing on Shaw’shomosexuality

Come on, people: Get agrip. Tell Republican Rep.Nancy Mace of SouthCarolina that Democrats

absolutely do not “ownwhat happened” to Kirk. Tell Republican Rep.Anna Paulina Luna of Florida to stop repeating that Democrats “caused this.” Stop electing people like this to Congress. And stop electing Democrats, too, such as New York’sAlexandria Ocasio-Cortez, if their ﬁrst response to almost any tragedy is to “connect thedots” to Republican rhetoric.

The examples could be endless, from both sides. And the lessons should be obvious: Stop demonizing each other.Stop rushing to judgment. Tone downthe rhetoric —way down —but don’tblame therhetoricfor the evil act without proof. Stop the “groupthink.” Let law enforcement ofﬁcials work, and then blamethe individuals found responsible, without regard to their group identity

The only group identity that should matter is that we are Americans. Americans are better thanthis.

Iwritethis column on the very anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The ﬁreﬁghters who trekked up the stairways of the towersthat day didn’tcare whether they weresaving Republicans or Democrats, conservatives or liberals. When passengers Mark Bingham, Todd Beamer and others counterattacked the hijackers

of Flight 93, it didn’tmatter that Bingham was gay and Beamer was straight.

When President Ronald Reagan was victimized by an attempted assassin in 1981, it didn’tmatter that he was aRepublican when Democratic Speaker TipO’Neill kneeled and prayed at his bedside. When Scalise was shot, his Democratic Louisiana colleague Cedric Richmond was the ﬁrst congressman to rush to the hospital to be at his side.

When liberal Democratic senator TedKennedy wasdying of brain cancer,conservative Republican Orrin Hatch spent considerable time with him.When Republican senator John McCain was dying of brain cancer,Biden, then out of ofﬁce, madeaspecial trip to visit him

That is how our politics should operate.

Meanwhile, to repeat: Kirk leaves behind ayoung wife and twovery young children and manyfriends. Instead of assessing blameand vowing vengeance on an entire swath of Americans whohad nothing to do with his death, whycan’titbeenough just to insist on lawfuljustice while offering comfort to the bereaved?

Email Quin Hillyer at quin hillyer@theadvocate.com

Voterquestions emerge as campaign heatsup

others and improving on her tenure?

Will Sutton

I’ve attended several mayoral and other candidate debatesand forums in thelast several weeks. The Tuesday nightevent hosted by the Urban LeagueofLouisiana and its coalition partnerswas one of the biggest All mayoral candidates were invited to attend. There were nine candidates on the stage inside Xavier University’sconvocation center— and oneinthe audience. FrankScurlock didn’trespondtothe league in atimely fashion, so he missed theopportunity He watched, like me and hundreds of others. Some estimate more than 1,000 came out. As designed, the program included segments with candidateintroductions and closings, subject-speciﬁc questions, candidate-speciﬁcquestions and audiencequestions. Unfortunately,with so many candidates, theprogram went long. Audience questions were cut.

There were more than30questions. That’stoo many to includehere, so I’ve selected some of the best —and most interesting —questions for your reading pleasure.

Ididn’tinclude questionsIthink were answered. Ihave included some questions that maybe can solicit more clarity. Icreated the categories,not theleague. It’smy hopethat each candidate will answereach

question.While I’d prefer to see asinglesource document readers can review,I’d appreciatecandidates posting these questions with their answers on their websites andontheir social media platforms. I’m sure voters would, too. The questions are from those who attended. I’ve edited somefor accuracy,grammar spellingand space. Here are the questions:

Federal-staterelations

n We’ve seen Chicago take action topush back against ICE raids and National Guard presence. What steps will you taketoprotect our communities?

n Do you have aplan to stop the state from taking more revenue from New Orleans?

n New Orleanshosts alot of festivals and majorevents, but somesay the city isn’t beneﬁting. What will you do to ensure the city receives proper compensation?

Affiliations-influences

n Who, outside of family and close friends, has been the biggest inﬂuence on youduring the race?

n Please share your partyafﬁliation, your partner’sorspouse’sname and party afﬁliation,and whether you or your spouse donated to Donald TrumporMAGA.

Housing/infrastructure

n What is your plan to address housing in New Orleans, especially for thework-

ing family and the young professional who bothrent and want N.O. to be their forever home?

n What policies would you implement to ensure people stay long-term and build their lives, considering affordable housing and career advancement issues?

n If elected, will there be anyaction to reduce thepresence of short-term rentals in the city to help make housing moreaffordable for locals?

Health

n Katrina left 40% of New Orleans with PTSD, depression or anxiety. Twenty years later,gaps in care persist. As mayor,what’s your plan to close them?

n With theTrumpadministration’s attack on vaccines and public health, what will you do to ensure thepublic health of New Orleansand its children?

Education

n Do you ever see aday when parents who can will send their kids to public instead of privateorparochial schools? How will you strengthen our public education?

n Black men only account for1.3% of teachers in the country.What efforts would you maketobring more Black men to theclassroom?

City operations

n What is your assessment of our current mayor’sperformance and leadership? How would you be different in working with

n As mayor,will you set performance standards forevery department director and hold them accountable if they fail to meet expectations?

n What is your plan to makesure that our public buildings —libraries, rec centers and more—donot fall further into disrepair,and how will we pay forthis?

n City Hall is terribly understaffed. What will you do to attract and retain committed and talented workers at city departments?

n What is your plan forensuring our libraries stay open and aren’tcontinually closing forstructural repairs and HVAC issues?

With less than three weeks until early voting starts on Sept. 27 and less than a month until Election DayonOct. 11, if you haven’ttunedintowhat’sgoing on with New Orleanspolitical campaigns, now is the timetodothat. Nearly everyone has questions, too. Ask yours. Don’t wait until three to six months into the next mayor’sterm to sigh and say,“I wish Ihad asked that question before voting.” It’s not too late. I’dlove to know what questions you have. But it’smore important forcandidates to know your questions. Ask. Demandanswers.

Email Will Sutton at wsutton@ theadvocate.com.

DysfunctioninWashingtondriveslawmakers home

across party lines.

“My worst day as governor,” Joe Manchin often lamented, “was betterthan my best day as a senator.” The West Virginia Democrat spent acombined total of 20 years in those twojobs, so he knows what he’s talking about. And it’shard to argue withthe comment he made to Time’s Jon Meacham in 2014: “I know dysfunctional families that function better than the Senate does. It’s just crazy.”

The traditional career path in United States politics has been for state-based politicians, including governors, to seek anational platform. Adozenformerchief executives sit in the Senatetoday But the dysfunction in Washington that Manchin describes is driving asmall but signiﬁcant number of lawmakers to reverse that pattern, return home and run for governor Three senators have already announced their campaigns:

Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, Michael BennetofColorado and Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, the daughter ofaformer governor, says she’s“thinking about it ” They follow former senator Mike Braunwho waselected governor of Indianalast year

Noticeably,two popular Republicans, Gov.Brian Kemp of Georgiaand former Gov.Chris Sununu of New Hampshire, both rejected pleas from thenational partyto run for the Senate. Meanwhile, tworising stars among House Democrats, Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey,are bothleaving Capitol Hill and seeking governorships this fall.

Some politicianshave always preferred to beexecutives instead of legislators. After all, senators makespeeches, while governors make decisions. Life on Capitol Hill, however,has gotten much morefrustratingin recent years for any lawmakers whobelievetheir jobistobuild consensus,negotiate compromises andsolveproblems, especially

Donald Trumpdid not start that trend, but he has severely aggravated it,usurping congressional power by governing primarily through executive orders, not legislation. The few bills that have becomelaw passed on straight party-line votes. The legislative process, theforum where deals are brokered and lawmakers are players, has been virtually shut down.

Jessica Taylor,ananalyst for thenonpartisan Cook Political Report, says moresenators are running for governor than at any time in the last 90 years. “In this current political environmentthat we’re in, Ithink it just speaks tothe polarization,”she told NPR. “The Senateused to be theworld’sgreatest deliberative body,but alot of those people that worked across the aisle have retired or been defeated.”

Sen. Lindsey Graham,aSouth Carolina Republican, said he understood why fellow lawmakers like Mike Braun are headed home. In the Senate, he said, “It takes forever to get anything

done. Mike is moreofa business, action-oriented guy.”

Sen. Bennet of Colorado, who once served as superintendent of Denver’spublic schools, feels particularlystymied by gridlock on CapitolHill over public education As he told the education website

The 74: “With respect to education policy at thefederal level, we’re at amomentwhere all there is is wreckage everywhere you turn.”

Onestark measure of the growing polarization in Washington: After lastyear’selection, only four statesnow have Senate delegations split among two parties, thelowest number since senators were ﬁrst elected by popular vote in 1913. As recently as 2011, 19 states elected lawmakers from rival parties.

Butgovernors’ races are not quitesodivisive. Deep-red states like Kentucky and Kansas have Democratic governors, and blue bastions like Vermont and New Hampshire are led by Republicans. Andthat difference reﬂects the nature of agovernor’sjob.

“Being in the Senate is an honor, and it’sagood job, it’simportant. But Ijust think anybody you talk to who’sbeen agovernor and a senator is going to tell you, being governor is really the best job,” Republican Sen. John Hoeven, whoserved as North Dakota governor from 2000 to 2010 before winning aSenate seat, told NBC. “You’re the CEO. Youset your agenda. Youcan work to effectuate it. For all those reasons, I think that’swhy people, given a choice, would wantthat job ﬁrst.” Hoeven says there’saspecial bond among the former governors, from both parties, whonow serve on Capitol Hill. “By nature, governors are morebipartisan because you got to workwith your legislators to get something done,” he said. “You got to work with both sides.”

In Trump’sWashington, that’s virtually impossible. In growing numbers, lawmakers are realizing that if they wanttowork with both sides, they have to go home.

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail.com.

PRESS PHOTO

Quin Hillyer

Steve Roberts

withmeteorologist Damon Singleton

It will be another nice day. Expect mostly sunny and hot conditions withalightbreeze. Dew pointtemperatures remainrelatively lowso the airismostlydry.Afternoon temperatures will rise into the lowtomid-90s. Rainchances remainat10% or less. If you’re goingtobe outdoors for an extended period, remember the UV Index is in the “veryhigh” rangesoprotect yourselffrom the sun. We’rewatching for tropical development in the Atlantic, I’lllet youknowif anything changes.

ten, Fred and his family moved to Atlanta where he attended St. Anthony grade school. Fredwas a BoyScout and an Explorer Scout reaching the rank of Life, amember of the Order of the Arrow and becoming aSenior Patrol leader. Later he attended St. Joseph High School where he was arepresentative on the Student Council, amember of the track team and the National Honor Society. Upon graduation he attended Georgia State University in Atlanta for two years,the University of Georgia for two years and finished at LSU with a Bachelor of Science when his family moved to Baton Rouge. EARNING -Upon graduation from college, Fred was employed first by Shell Oil Company and then Florida Gas Exploration in their accounting department in New Orleans. However, Fred alwayswanted to have his own business and narrowed his choices down to adance clubora pet shop because of his love for nightlife and animals. His wife told him that it was not going to be a dance club. So, he built and operated Critters pet shop in New Orleans for twoyears before closingit and then was fortunate to obtain aposition with E.F. Hutton as astockbroker, the same occupation as his grandfather, George Crane After spending ayearin New Orleans, enticed by a 0/month raise, Fred moved to Lafayette to establisha branch there. Fred wasa successful advisor with E.F. Hutton for many years and became the Lafayette manager. During his tenure he was able to buildan elite team that was one of the most profitable branches for E.F. Hutton in the United States. After a merger he moved to Legg Mason as manager of their branch and was able to replicate that success. When Legg Mason also went through amerger, Fred left the firm and started his own firm with his business partner, David Daniel, and calledit Summit Financial. Their firm grew exponentially with several offices throughout Louisiana and resulted in aforty year long successful career in the investment business. He enjoyed working with his many clients and cher-

DEATHS continued from ished the long term friendshipsthat developed. Fred was especially proud that Barron's Weeklychose Fred and his firm, Summit Financial, as one of the Top 100 Financial Advisory firms in America.

GIVING -Fredbelieved in givingtonon-profits in the Lafayette area, not only financially but of histime. He firmly believed in Catholiceducation and served on the Fatima School Foundation forover 30 years as aboard member and as apast president. During that time he was instrumental in the foundation's assets growing significantly through donations and prudent investing. Heserved on the St. Thomas MoreSchool Foundation as aboard memberand past presidentfor 17 years. He was able to redirect the foundation's goals toward fundraising to securethe school's financialsecurity. Fred served as an original memberofthe committee establishing United Wayof Acadiana's localfoundation and setting guidelines forinvesting their assets. He also servedonthe Major GiftCabinet soliciting donations forUnited Way. Fred was aMoncus Park board member for fouryearsprior to the park opening, he was able to help the parkobtain substantialdonations to begin constructionand also build anew bridge. Fred was a member of the ULL Professional Advisors Committeeand served as past chairman assisting the University in obtaining endowments.Hewas a Boy Scout Evangeline Area committeememberfor 2 years. Fredwas a Lafayette Townhouse Club Board Memberand Past President for10years. He was active in MardiGrasin the Krewe of Troubadours forover35years andthoroughlyenjoyed theirannual pageant. He wasa member of the Dukes committee and was also aRoyal Duke four times. His three daughtersparticipatedin the Troubadours ballas Royal Maids. Hisdaughter Cortney was Queen Berengaria and hisdaughterBlairwas Lady Edith. Fredstarted Krewe D'Argent in 1997,with DavidDaniel and the late, Ronnie Calais. The Krewe has participated in the Queen's parade or Friday night parade forthe past 25 years. As ahobby, Fred was passionateabout the

uniquesport of racing homing pigeons which he didthe last 30 years of his life.Hemaintained alarge loft of birds at hishouse and letthemparticipatein races ranging from 100500 miles.Itnever ceased to amazehim that the birdscouldfind their way home from hundredsof miles away flying at 40-60 mph and arrive home the same day. He was President of theLafayette Racing Pigeon Club and the DeepSouth Cajun Combine and aone-timeBoard Member on the National Organization,the American Racing Pigeon Union (AU). It was atruly fascinating sportwhich Fred thoroughly enjoyed and shared with others throughout theU.S.and Europe.Shortly before his death, Fred was notified that he had been selected for induction intothe AU Member Hall of Fame for his efforts on behalf of the sport.

Another hobby he enjoyed was freshwater fishing in Louisiana lakesand in the trout streams of Arkansas. Fred was also passionate abouttraveling internationally and was fortunate to havevisited over 30 countries. In retirement his plan was to visit many morecountries,but duetohis health, Spain was theonlynew country visited. Fred and hiswife, Babette,spent many wonderful years at their vacation home in LosSuenos, Costa Rica. He enjoyed learning about newculturesand thehistoryofthe placeshevisited.Hehad always been fascinated with theancient Egyptian culture and his trip to Egypt and thepyramids was one of thehighlights of his travels.

Fred truly believedthat God blessed him witha very fruitful and prosperous life.So, inspiredbythe philanthropy of his friend JimMoncus, Fred created theFred and Babette WernerFamily Foundation to continue his charitable giving in Acadiana after his death.

The family wishes to thank theTeamGleason Foundationand Kelly Viator; Hospice of Acadiana Lauri Duke, Alyssa Verrettand every on call after hours nurse; Caregivers Fency Allen, Gus Simon, Tenika Simon, AndreaPearce, Nina LaSalle and Ladacia Comeaux. In lieu of flowers, donations can be

made to Hospice of Acadiana or theFred and Babette WernerFamily Foundation.

AMass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, September 20, 2025 in Our LadyofFatima Catholic Church. Fr. Louis Richard willbeCelebrantofthe Mass and officiate thefuneral service.

The family requeststhat visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home -Bertrand on Friday, September 19, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM Personal condolences may be sent to thefamily of Fred Wernerat: www.de lhommefuneralhome.com

Fred Wernerand his family were cared for and entrusted final arrangementstoDelhomme Funeral Home,1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA CopyrightDelhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. September 2025.

LSUdefense leadsway in winover Florida PORTS

Tigers interceptGators five times, theirmostsince 2020

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

Staff writer

If anything has become abundantlyclear about thisLSU teamthrough threegames it’sthat the defense can carry it.

The No. 3Tigersstruggled offensively again Saturday night against Florida, but at leastfor anotherweek, that didnot endup hurting them.

LSU beat Florida 20-10 in front of acrowd of 102,158 inside Tiger Stadium. It intercepted Florida quarterback DJ Lagway ﬁve times, including apick-six by sophomore safety Dashawn Spears that gave the Tigers atwo-score lead in the third quarter

Thatended up being enough because the LSU defense continuedtoplay well, even afterstar linebacker Whit Weeks was ejected fortargeting on Florida’sopening drive and senior linebacker West Weeks left witha calf strain in the secondhalf, forcing LSU to play their brother, true freshman Zach Weeks, throughout the fourth quarter.

LSU (3-0, 1-0 SEC) held Florida to 79 yards rushing, and the Gators (1-2, 0-1) all but abandoned therun anyway.With Lagway having to carry theload, LSU capitalized on several baddecisions. Lagway,asophomore making hisﬁrstSEC road start, had never thrown more than two interceptions in a game.Heﬁnished 33-of-49 passing for287 yards and onetouchdown.

With Florida leading 3-0, Spears recorded

ä See LSU, page 7C

LSUsafety Dashawn Spears celebrates in the end zone after catching an interception and running it back for atouchdown in the second halfagainst Florida on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. LSU won20-10.

Tulanecelebrates after quarterbackJakeRetzlaff scores atouchdown against Duke

GreenWavequarterback

BYGUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

Retzlaff outduels Mensah behind four

Tulane (3-0) notched its secondwin in as many home games against aPower Fourconference school after beating Northwestern in itsopener,and improvedto3-0 for only the second time since its undefeated 1998 season. “The play callswerecominginand it was open,” Retzlaff said. “Toscore atouchdown feels good no matter who scores it, and it just happened for me tonight. It’s an 11-man operation, and Ijust happened to be fortunatetoget in the end zone this week.”

Asked if he was motivated to make fans forget about Darian Mensah earlier this week, Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff demurred,pointing out he wasnot even on the team when Mensah excelled last season. Then he went outand accomplished something Mensah and no other Green Wave quarterbackhad. Retzlaff rushed for fourtouchdowns —the most by aquarterback in school history —as the Green Wave ruinedMensah’sreturn to Yulman Stadium with a 34-27 victoryonSaturday night in front of asellout crowd.

Asmattering of early boos for Mensah, who transferred to Duke with ahuge NIL deal in December after astellar redshirt freshman season with the Wave, turnedtoloudcheersfor Retzlaff, who transferred from BYU in late July He made it look it easy,too, running up the middle untouched for a19-yard score on Tulane’sopening possession, cruising in from 6yards outona niftyplay when he had the option forashovel pass to receiver BryceBohanon the next time the Wave hadthe ball

ä See TULANE, page 3C

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

STAFFPHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Georgia defeats Tennessee in OT

By The Associated Press

KNOXVILLE, TENN When No. 6

Georgia clawed its way back from three deﬁcits against No. 15 Tennessee on Saturday, coach Kirby Smart got the answer he was looking for “We feel our team has a certain identity,” Smart said after the Bulldogs’ 44-41 overtime victory “We’re not going to go down without a ﬁght.”

Josh McCray scored on a 1-yard run in to cap the win. Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) beat Tennessee (2-1, 1-0) for the ninth straight time with Nate Frazier setting up the winning score with a 21-yard run on Georgia’s ﬁrst snap in overtime.

“I feel almost like we have to apologize,” said Smart. “I don’t think that we should have won that game. I thought (Tennessee) outplayed us in a lot of ways.”

Max Gilbert kicked a 42-yard field goal to give Tennessee a 4138 edge in overtime. Tennessee had a chance to win in regulation, but Gilbert pushed a 43-yard field-goal attempt wide right just before the final whistle.

Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a TD. Trailing 38-30 with 2:32 left in the game, Stockton hit London Humphreys on fourth down with a 28-yard fade in the end zone The two-point conversion tied it for the third time.

No 2 PENN STATE 52, VILLANOVA 6: In State College, Pennslyvania, Drew Allar threw for 209 yards and a touchdown and No. 2 Penn State got another near ﬂawless effort from its defense in a win over Villanova.

Nicholas Singleton ran for two touchdowns, Kaytron Allen added another Trebor Peña caught a touchdown, and Ryan Barker kicked three ﬁeld goals.

Linebacker Tony Rojas had two sacks for the Nittany Lions (3-0) who came one play shy of posting back-to-back shutouts for the ﬁrst time since 1996.

No.1 OHIO STATE 37,OHIO 9: In Columbus, Ohio, Julian Sayin passed for 347 yards and three touchdowns, Jeremiah Smith found the end zone twice and Ohio State pulled away in the second half for a victory over Ohio.

Ohio (1-2) pulled to 13-9 early in the third quarter when Parker Navarro connected with Chase Hendricks for a 67-yard touchdown However, the Buckeyes took control by scoring on their next four drives.

Jayden Fielding’s third ﬁeld goal put the Buckeyes (3-0) up 16-9 before Sayin found Smith for a 47yard touchdown and Carnell Tate for a 49-yard score to make it a three-score game.

No. 4 OREGON 34, NORTHWESTERN

14: In Evanston, Illinois, Dante Moore threw for 178 yards and a touchdown and Oregon opened Big Ten play with a win at Northwestern.

Dierre Hill Jr. added a 66-yard scoring run and Jayden Limar and Jordon Davison had rushing touchdowns to help the Ducks (3-0, 1-0 Big Ten) win their road opener The Wildcats (1-2, 0-1) forced an Oregon punt on the game’s ﬁrst drive but didn’t have much of an answer the rest of the game. The Ducks led 17-0 at the half after scoring on their next three possessions to improve to 11-0 against conference foes since joining the Big Ten last season.

No. 5 MIAMI 49, No. 18 SOUTH FLORIDA 12: In Miami Gardens, Florida, Carson Beck threw three touchdown passes, Mark Fletcher Jr rushed for 120 yards and two touchdowns, and Miami remained unbeaten with a win over South Florida.

It was Miami’s biggest victory margin over a ranked opponent since beating Washington 65-7 in 2001, the Hurricanes’ most recent national championship season Beck completed 23 of 28 passes for 340 yards and ran for a touch-

down for Miami (3-0). Fletcher had a two-TD game for the second consecutive week and Joshua Moore had two ﬁrst-quarter scoring catches.

No. 19 ALABAMA 38,WISCONSIN 14: In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Ty Simpson threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns, including two to returning star Ryan Williams, and Alabama overpowered Wisconsin for the second consecutive year Simpson completed 24 of 29 passes, with two of his misses being drops by Williams and freshman Lotzier Brooks. Williams ﬁnished with ﬁve receptions for 165 yards after missing last week’s game because of a concussion.

Bray Hubbard’s two interceptions led an Alabama (2-1) defense that held Wisconsin to 209 yards. The Crimson Tide notched four sacks.

No. 9 ILLINOIS 38, WESTERN MICHIGAN

0: In Champaign, Illinois, Luke Altmyer threw for two touchdowns and ran for another and Illinois shut out Western Michigan.

Kaden Feagin rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown and Ca’Lil Valentine ran for 63 yards and a TD. Hank Beatty caught six passes for 53 yards and a TD.

Broc Lowry threw for 78 yards and ran for 40 yards for the Broncos (0-3), who had 204 total yards.

No 13 OKLAHOMA 42 TEMPLE 3: In Philadelphia, John Mateer threw for 282 yards and a touchdown and had a 51-yard rushing score and Tory Blaylock rushed for 100 yards and a pair of TDs to lead Oklahoma to a victory over Temple.

The Sooners (3-0) took a 25-0 lead in the first half of a game played in the home of the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles and essentially ran out the clock the rest of the game.

Jovantae Barnes scored a 3-yard rushing TD on the opening drive and OU converted the 2-point conversion for the 8-0 lead. The Owls (2-1) made a nice defensive stand on the next drive, with a sack and a tackle for a loss that pushed the Sooners into a fourth-and-long. No problem for OU. Tate Sandell promptly kicked a 52-yard field goal.

GEORGIA TECH 24, No. 12 CLEMSON 21: In Atlanta, Aidan Birr made a 55yard ﬁeld goal as time expired and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets upset the Clemson Tigers. With no timeouts left and the clock running with under 20 seconds to play, the Georgia Tech special teams squad sprinted onto the ﬁeld and lined up. Quarterback Haynes King was

19 for 27 for 216 yards and added 25 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown on a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter for the Yellow Jackets (3-0, 1-0 ACC).

No. 24 AUBURN 31, SOUTH ALABAMA

15: In Auburn, Alabama, Jackson Arnold accounted for three touchdowns, including two rushing, and Auburn beat South Alabama.

The Tigers (3-0) enjoyed a balanced attack in their “White Out” game — all-white uniforms at home for the first time in 15 years — and finished with 195 yards rushing and 142 passing Jeremiah Cobb continued to find success in Damari Alston’s absence, rushing for 119 yards and a touchdown. Cobb has a career-high four rushing touchdowns through three games. South Alabama’s Bishop Davenport threw for 170 yards and two touchdowns but also had an interception. The Jaguars (1-2) had success moving the football and finished with 310 yards, but penalties, stalled drives and defensive miscues prevented the game from being tightly contested.

No. 23 MICHIGAN 63, CENTRAL MICHIGAN 3: In Ann Arbor, Michigan, Bryce Underwood passed for 235 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 114 yards and two more scores, leading Michigan to a victory over Central Michigan.

The Wolverines (2-1) and their freshman star bounced back from a lackluster performance in a loss at Oklahoma Biff Poggi stepped in for suspended coach Sherrone Moore, who also will miss the school’s Big Ten opener next weekend at Nebraska. Underwood completed 16 of 25 passes, including a 32-yard touchdown pass to Semaj Morgan, in three quarters before watching the rest of the game from the sideline.

No. 7 TEXAS 27, UTEP 10: In Austin, Texas, Arch Manning had two first-half touchdown runs while struggling through another poor passing game in Texas’ victory over UTEP One of the preseason favorites for the Heisman Trophy, Manning ran 2 yards for an early touchdown and had a 5-yard scoring run in the final seconds of the half for a 14-3 lead. But he also had 10 straight incompletions, threw an interception in the end zone and was briefly booed by the home crowd in the first half.

Manning has struggled to live up to his preseason hype after Texas (2-1) debuted at No. 1 be-

Chicago Sky GM says Reese part of future WNBA star Angel Reese will be on the Chicago Sky’s roster “until I hear differently,” general manager Jeff Pagliocca said Friday

The Sky suspended Reese for the ﬁrst half of a game last week for comments deemed “detrimental to the team.” She questioned the franchise’s talent in an interview with the Chicago Tribune.

Reese did not take the court for the Sky after the announcement. The team listed her as dealing with a back injury for its final three games.

“Angel is an ascending young talent in this league who’s had two very, very good seasons here in Chicago,” Pagliocca said. “Obviously we went through what we did. I feel like we closed the chapter on it.”

The Sky (10-34) went 1-13 without Reese.

No structural damage detected for LHP Skubal

Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal had an exam that showed no structural damage after he felt some tightness on his left side Friday

“It’s all good news. The scan came back clean,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said before Saturday’s game against the Miami Marlins. “So obviously, that’s great for us and great for him.”

The left-hander is expected to have his next post-start throwing day Monday

The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner motioned to his dugout when he first felt tightness in the fourth inning of Friday night’s 8-2 loss to Miami. He departed after a brief conversation with Hinch and a trainer He is 13-5 with a 2.26 ERA in 29 starts for the AL Central leaders.

Hull shoots 5 under for 1-shot LPGA lead

fore losing its season opener at Ohio State. He was 9 of 22 for 97 yards through three quarters with sidearm throws and overthrown receivers before tossing a short touchdown pass to Ryan Wingo early in the fourth.

No. 14 IOWA STATE 24,ARKANSAS STATE 16: In Jonesboro, Arkansas, Rocco Becht threw for 265 yards and had passing and rushing touchdowns as Iowa State escaped with a win over Arkansas State Abu Sama III ran for a 4-yard touchdown with 8:34 left to give the Cyclones (4-0) some breathing room after the Red Wolves had closed within 17-16. Carson Hansen rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries for Iowa State, and Sama had 69 yards on nine attempts.

Jaylen Raynor threw for 222 yards and rushed for 83 for Arkansas State (1-2), which had consecutive touchdowns nulliﬁed by penalties early in the fourth quarter and had to settle for a 40-yard ﬁeld goal from Clune Van Andel — his third of the game — that got the Red Wolves within one.

NO 21 TEXAS TECH 45, OREGON STATE 14: In Lubbock, Texas, Behren Morton threw four touchdown passes, J’Koby Williams had a scoring catch and a run and and Texas Tech beat Oregon State in a weather-delayed game Play was stopped for 2 1/2 hours just 2 1/2 minutes into the game.

Cameron Dickey added a short TD run to help the Red Raiders improve to 3-0 for the ﬁrst time in coach Joey McGuire’s four seasons. Tech led 28-0 at halftime, 45-0 through three periods and outgained Oregon State 513 yards to 282.

VANDERBILT 31, No. 11 SOUTH CAROLINA 7: In Columbia, South Carolina, Diego Pavia completed 18 of 25 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns, Jamezell Lassiter ran for a 44-yard score and Vanderbilt hammered South Carolina on the road to snap a 16game losing streak to the Gamecocks.

The Commodores (3-0, 1-0 SEC) hadn’t beat South Carolina since 2008, but dominated every facet of the game and forced four turnovers for their ﬁrst 3-0 start since 2017.

South Carolina quarterback and Heisman Trophy candidate LaNorris Sellers was knocked out of the game in the second quarter after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit from from Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson, who was ejected for targeting.

MAINEVILLE, Ohio Charley Hull shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead over topranked Jeeno Thitikul after three rounds of the Kroger Queen City Championship. Hull birdied four of her final eight holes to post 16-under 200 at TPC River’s Bend, and she credited her straightforward mental approach.

“I just hit a ball and ﬁnd it and hit it again, you know what I mean? I think that’s the trouble with many golfers, overthinking,” Hull said. “It’s just a game. Hit a white ball at the pin.”

Thitikul, seeking to become the ﬁrst multiple winner on the LPGA Tour this season, shot 68. The Thai star won in May at Liberty National in Jersey City, New Jersey

Noren, Saddler knotted up at BMW PGA event

VIRGINIA WATER, England The European stars in line to compete in the upcoming Ryder Cup are being upstaged at the high-proﬁle BMW PGA Championship by a player who will be one of the team’s vice captains.

Alex Noren, a Swede who will be among Luke Donald’s ﬁve assistants at Bethpage Black, rolled in a 17-foot putt at No. 18 to complete a birdie-birdie-eagle finish and join Adrien Saddier in a tie for the third-round lead.

Saddier, a Frenchman ranked No. 120, birdied three of his last four holes for a 7-under 65 and Noren, the 2017 champion, shot 66. At 15-under 201, they were two strokes clear of Tyrrell Hatton, who shot 64 and was the best-placed of the 11 Ryder Cup players.

Brewers become first team to clinch playoffs

MILWAUKEE

The Milwaukee Brewers have become the ﬁrst major league team to clinch a playoff spot this season.

According to MLB, the New York Mets’ 3-2 loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday sealed at least a National League wild-card spot for the Brewers as they got ready to play Saturday night against the St. Louis Cardinals.

The NL Central-leading Brewers own the best record in the majors. This marks the seventh time in the last eight seasons that the Brewers have qualified for the playoffs, though they haven’t won a postseason series since sweeping the Colorado Rockies in the National League division series in 2018. They had made a total of two postseason appearances from 1983-2017 before that.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GEORGE WALKER IV Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton looks to throw a pass against Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville, Tenn.

TULANE 34,DUKE27

THREEAND OUT: JEFF DUNCAN’S TOPTAKEAWAyS FROM THEGREEN WAVE’S WINOVERTHE BLUE DEVILS

DARIAN WHO?

1

JakeRetzlaff upstaged Darian Mensah in the former Green Wave quarterback’s much-anticipated returntoTulane.The ByU transfer thoroughly outplayedMensah with a breakout performance before anational television audience.The Blue Devils hadnoanswerfor Retzlaff’s dual-threat skills.Hecompleted15of 23 passes for 245 yards and ran for 111 yards and aschool-record four touchdowns. He scored on runs of 19, 6, 20 and 11 yards, mostly on read-option keepers.

OFFENSIVELINEDOMINATED

2

One of the reasons Retzlaff was able to shine was the play of the offensiveline.The front five wonthe battle in the trenches against a talented Dukedefensivelinethat features top NFL draftprospect Vincent Anthony.Tulane neutralized the 6-foot-6, 260-poundedgerusher by mixing up its protectionsand sending avariety of different blockers at him.Anthonystill had asack and aforced fumble butwas anonfactor for most of the night. On the night,Tulane outrushedDuke 158-139 and allowedjust one sack.

EMOTIONS WERE HIGH

3

Both sides took the high road and said all the right things in the week leading up to kickoff, but the emotionswere obvious once thegame began.Tulane was whistled for three personal fouls in the firsthalf alone and officials had to break up ahandful of confrontations and near skirmishes. Underscoring the importance of the game,Tulane fansstormed the field afterward and surrounded coach JonSumrall in amassivecrowd during his postgame interview on ESPN2.

PHOTOSBySOPHIA GERMER

Tulane quarterback JakeRetzlaff scores atouchdownagainst the Duke Blue Devils during the firsthalf of their game Saturdayat yulman Stadium. Tulane won34-27.

TULANE

Continued from page1C

andkeeping it fora 20-yard touchdown with no one reaching him in the second quarter

He had to work for his fourth touchdownpowering across the goal line to ﬁnish an 11-yard runinthe third quarter, moving past former record-holders Michael Pratt (2022 versus SMU) and Justin McMillan.

Almost everything looked difficult for Mensah, who threw outofbounds six times in the firsthalfwhile either under pressure or just being off target. Nickelback Javion White interceptedhis underthrown pass in the second quarter and nearly snagged another on the ensuing possession, dropping it as he hitthe ground.

Mensah ﬁnally produced something positive with a29-yard touchdown pass 18 seconds before halftime, but it wasn’tenough as the Blue Devils (1-2), coming offa44-19 home loss to Illinois, fell hard for asecond consecutive week.

Amassive fourth quarter helped him go over 300yardspassingfor the third straight week, ﬁnishing 30 of 51 for 313 yards and three touchdowns, but he did mostofhis damage after Duke fell behind by three scores.

Retzlaff was more efficient, going 10 of 12 for 133 yards in the first half alone, adding six carries for 57 yards. He finished 15 of 23 for 245 yards with 111 yardsrushing on 11 attempts.

Tulane took command from the start, pressuring Mensah intoa throwaway on third down on the opening possession before moving 68 yards in six plays to take a7-0 lead with 10:50 left in the ﬁrst quarter

The jittery Blue Devils missed a45yard field goal after the kicking team was penalized for back-to-back false starts,and Tulane offensive coordinator Joe Craddock got creative on the Wave’ssecond series. Backupquarterback Brendan Sullivan entered alongside Retzlaff,who went in motionto theright to draw thedefensewhile Sullivan flipped ashovel pass to Bohanongoing theother wayfor a14-yard gain. That play setupRetzlaff’ssecond touchdown when he chose not to flipit to Bohanon. It was not all Retzlaff— running back Zuberi Mobley avoidedtwo tackles to move the chains onthird down on the third touchdown drive —but he kept making plays. He climbed the pocket to avoidasack andthrew astrike to re-

Tulane running back Zuberi Mobleytries to avoid atackle by Duke Blue Devils linebackerNick Morris during the first half of their game on Saturday.

ceiver Shazz Preston for 28 yards to the Duke 20, settinguphis scoringrun for a21-3 lead on thenextplay.

Afterhis fumble helpedDuke pull within 24-16 early in the third quarter he churned his way into apivotalﬁrst down on fourth and2 fromthe Tulane 45 despite runningintoanoffensive lineman short of the sticks. Tulane coach Jon Sumrall called atimeout before sending the offense back on the ﬁeld rather than punting.

“Thosearen’t easy decisions,” Sumrall said. “The analytics tellyou to go there, but Idon’tgojustbythe book. It was acritical part of the gameand I didn’twant to give them the ball back. We wanted to take alook at how they aligned, have apass or run option and we also had the option for Jaketocall atimeoutand we’d punt it. We got the picture we feltlikewecould go get the run.”

Following three straight completions, Retzlaff entered theWave record books on hisfourth touchdownrun.

Twolate scores pulled Duke within a touchdown, but an onside kick sailed out of bounds with 1:06 left, allowing Retzlaff to run out the clock by taking two knees.

“It’sgood to be 3-0,” Sumrall said. “Our guys came outfocused, much better than last week,and dialedin.”

Tulane 34, Duke27

Duke0 97 11 —27

Tulane 14 10 73 —34

First quarter TUL —Retzlaff 19 run (Durkin kick),10:50. TUL —Retzlaff 6run (Durkin kick), 2:56. Second quarter DUKE —FGPelino 28, 14:56. TUL —Retzlaff 20 run (Durkin kick),5:33. TUL —FGDurkin 29,1:47 DUKE —Hagans 29 pass from Mensah(pass failed), :18. Thirdquarter DUKE —King 3pass from Mensah (Pelinokick), 11:46. TUL —Retzlaff 11 run (Durkin kick),6:31. Fourth quarter TUL —FGDurkin 26,14:12 DUKE —Sheppard4 pass from Mensah (Sheppard run), 2:57. DUKE —FGPelino 47, 1:06 A—30,000 DUKE TUL

Kickoff

0-01-12 Interceptions Ret. 0-01-1 Comp-Att-Int 30-51-117-25-0 Sacked-YardsLost 0-01-2 Punts 1-38.0 2-43.5 Fumbles-Lost

Penalties-Yards 8-80 8-100 Time of Possession27:40 31:55 INDIVIDUALSTATISTICS RUSHING— Duke, Sheppard5-75, Jaq.Moore11-41, Castle 3-21, P.Jones 3-6,Mensah 1-2, (Team) 1-(minus 6). Tulane, Retzlaff 17-111, Barnes 5-27, Gordon 7-18, Mobley 5-7, Calloway 1-(minus 3), (Team) 3-(minus 4) PASSING— Duke, Mensah 30-51-1-313. Tulane, Retzlaff 15-23-0-245, Sullivan2-2-0-25 RECEIVING— Duke, Q.Brown6-81, Castle 6-29, Barkate 5-67, Sheppard4-21,P.Jones 2-18, Hasley2-14, A.Anthony2-12, Tyler 1-39,Hagans 1-29, King 1-3. Tulane, Hayes4-69, Preston 3-95, Bohanon 2-25, BrownStephens 2-17,Gordon 1-15,Z.Lewis1-13, Barnes 1-12, Pascuzzi1-11, Miller1-7, Mobley 1-6. MISSED FIELD GOALS— Duke, Pelino44, Pelino41.

Duke’s visitmuch different than 2015

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

The last time Duke played at YulmanStadium,the Green Wave’slone highlight was a 76-yard touchdown pass from TannerLee to Tulane Hall of Fame inductee Devon Breaux in the fourth quarter of a37-7season-opening loss in 2015.

Tulane was outgained 530-271 and never reached the red zone aside from Breaux’slongscore on theway to a3-9 season that ended in coach Curtis Johnson’s firing. Tenyearslater,the rematch played out muchdifferently —particularly in the first half. Duke hada three-and-out and amissed field goal on its first two series, while Tulane went68yards in six plays fora touchdownonits first drive and 74 yards on 10 plays foraTDon its second series. TheWave led 24-3until Duke scored atouchdowninthe final minute of thehalftocut thedeficit to 24-9.

Tulane entered without having beaten an ACC team since 1995, when it hammered Wake Forest 35-9inthe Superdome. It was 0-3 against the ACCatYulman Stadium, falling 38-21 to Georgia Tech in the venue’s debut in 2014 and 23-17 in overtime to Wake Forest in overtime in 2018 in addition to the Duke defeat. Specialteams problems

Duke’skicking game hadall sorts of issues, contributingto Tulane’searly lead and continuingintothe thirdquarter.A 34-yard ﬁeld attemptonthe Blue Devils’ second seriesturned into a44-yard try after two falsestart penalties, and kicker Todd Pelino sent it wide right.

After Pelino connected on a 29-yarder to cut the deficit to 14-3, he kicked off out of bounds to give Tulane good ﬁeld position at its 35. He did not even get to try a 50-yarderthe next time the Blue Devils had the ball. Holder Kade Reynoldson droppeda high snap and the Wave took over on downs.

With the Wave ahead 31-16 in the third quarter, TJ Smith raced from theoutside and blocked Pelino’s 41-yardattempt cleanly Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff took advantage with a63-yard deep pass to ShazzPreston to the Duke 2, setting up aﬁeldgoal that that gave the Wave athreescore lead early in the fourth.

Clockgoeskaput

The clock stopped working with nine seconds leftinthe first quarter,not running on a Duke draw from the Tulane 11, and officials kept the time on the field forthe rest of the first half, occasionally announcing how much time was left.

The confusion prompted someoneinthe Tulane coaches’ boxtoknock on theglass asking for atime update from the sports information staff, but no one had any idea other than the ofﬁciating crew

The issue was fixed at halftime.

Lagniappe

Retzlaff’s three rushing touchdowns in the first half werearare feat. Only twoFBS quarterbacks did it last year Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard and Ohio’s Parker Navarro Running back MauriceTurner,who gained 86 yards on 14 carries in the opener against Northwestern, washeld out for the second consecutive game with an ankle injury Liberty transfer Jordan Hall,asenior,started for the first time at right guard, with Reese Baker moving to right tackle. …Nickelback Javion White ran his season interception total to three in the second quarter and nearly had a fourth, dropping one on Duke’s next possession.

STAFF

THE VARSITY ZONE

Karr edges American Heritage in OT thriller at Superdome

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Edna Karr junior Brayan Castellon made a ﬁeld goal that sent the game into overtime and senior quarterback John Johnson ran for the touchdown that put the Cougars in position to win against another nationally ranked team

But not until linebacker Kevin Martin wrapped his arms around a ballcarrier and pushed him out of bounds could Karr at No. 12 in the MaxPreps national rankings — celebrate a 24-17 victory over No. 23 American Heritage (Plantation Fla.) at the Caesars Superdome.

The fourth-down stop at 12:04 a.m. Saturday ended a night of football that began with a 6 p.m. Friday kickoff for Rummel in a game it won against University High.

“I think this is the first time I played in the Superdome when I started on a Friday and left on a Saturday,” Karr coach Brice Brown quipped after his team ran its winning streak to 16 games.

Reigning Florida state champion American Heritage played without quarterback Dia Bell after the ﬁvestar Texas commitment had what coach Mike Smith said was a “minor procedure” during the week that caused him to miss the game.

Senior wideout Jeffar Jean-Noel, a Georgia Tech commitment, moved to QB and threw two touchdowns passes for the visiting Patriots.

“That’s a big-time player right there,” said Smith, who found out on Wednesday that Bell would be unavailable for the game. “He had a day and a half to prepare to do that.”

Jean-Noel threw both touchdowns to senior Jamar Denson, the

second one for a 17-14 lead when a Karr defender slipped and fell to the turf and left Denson wide open for the 59-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter

After the next Karr possession ended with a turnover on downs, the defense forced a three-and-out and Karr took over at its 31-yard line with 2:34 remaining — enough time to drive into ﬁeld-goal range for Castellon to make a 37-yarder that tied the score.

“I got to do it for my friends, my family, my brothers, my coaches,” Castellon said when asked what he was thinking about before the kick.

In overtime, Johnson scored off the left side on third-and-goal from the 3. Then with Karr on defense, the Cougars stuffed three straight run plays before Martin wrapped up the ballcarrier on the ﬁnal play and pushed him out of bounds.

Johnson completed 16 of 30 passes for 224 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions, plus 16 carries for 48 yards and the winning touchdown.

Karr and Heritage met after previous attempts by the schools to face each other were canceled due to the pandemic in 2020 and then by Hurricane Ida in 2021.

“This game made me think about all the past games that we missed, such great players like Destyn Hill and Aaron Anderson, who were supposed to play Heritage,” Brown said “And A.J. Samuel and Leonard Kelly and all those quarterbacks who were supposed to play Heritage.

“John did a good job considering he was under so much pressure. Again, hats off to Heritage. They got a great team.”

Karr overcame some challenging circumstances during the ﬁnal

drive in regulation.

The Cougars faced a secondand-24 after a sack and holding penalty when senior Floyd Jones (four catches, 67 yards, one touchdown) caught a pass in the middle of the field for a 24-yard gain. Karr faced third-and-10 near midfield when Johnson ran 14 yards for a first down. On the next play, Karr moved into field-goal range with a long pass to senior Anthony Thomas near the right sideline. That stopped the clock with 34 seconds remaining.

After an incomplete pass on ﬁrst down, a sack on second down had the clock running with no timeouts remaining and a third-down pass to the end zone fell incomplete with 4 seconds left.

Castellon came onto the field to kick the tying field goal — a first for Karr that Brown could remember “We’ve had good kickers, but I don’t think none that have ever sent us into overtime on a field goal,” Brown said. “We had a lot that sent us into overtime because of a PAT, but not because of a field goal.”

Other standouts for Karr included senior Joshua Ford, who caught a touchdown pass for a 14-10 lead in the third quarter, and senior safety Aiden Hall, who chased down running back Jonathan Bueno in the open ﬁeld and forced a fumble that bounced through the end zone for a touchback. Karr senior running back Tre Garrison had 21 carries for 83 yards.

Next for Karr (2-0) is a home game against McDonogh 35 before District 9-5A play begins against Holy Cross.

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Collegiate Academy 27 South Beauregard 42, Washington-Marion 38 South Lafourche 26, Pearl River 22 South Plaquemines 38, Bogalusa 14 South Terrebonne 22, Covenant Christian Academy 21 St. Charles Catholic 28, Lutcher 0 St.

41, Landry/Walker 13 Tioga 56, Leesville 20 Varnado 50, Pope John Paul 6 Welsh 36, Oakdale 28 West Feliciana 54, Belaire 16 West Monroe 31, Pulaski Academy, Ark. 17 West Ouachita 62, JonesboroHodge 13

Church Point 28 Minden 28, Homer 0 Montgomery 34, Pickering 14 Neville 38, Calvary Baptist Academy 14 New Iberia Catholic 20, Central Catholic 13 North Central 38, Gueydan 14 North DeSoto 49, Center, Texas 20 North Webster 47, North Caddo

John Curtis offense racks up rushing yards

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Few teams can run the football like John Curtis, and the Patriots showed just how challenging they can be to stop Friday on the way to scoring more than 50 points for the second time in as many games. Seven players ran for one touchdown each as Curtis rushed for 407 yards to defeat Northshore 53-11 at The Shrine on Airline. The win came one week after Curtis (2-0) ran for a school single-game record 654 yards in a lopsided win on the road in Los Angeles against Cathedral High. Gavin Ledet ran 57 yards for the ﬁrst touchdown and a 7-3 lead in the ﬁrst quarter Senior Jacobi Boudreaux scored the next touchdown on a 6-yard run. Luke Martinez ran 24 yards for a touchdown early in the second quarter Quarterback London Padgett threw a touchdown pass to D.J. Horton and then ran for a score before the half ended. Isaac Hrabovsky, Brock Bergeron and Mason Prout scored after halftime. Curtis does not have a game scheduled next week. The next game will come in Week 4 against Rummel to open District 9-5A play

St Charles handles Lutcher

St. Charles (2-0) scored the ﬁrst two times it had the ball, including a 17-play drive that put the Comets ahead by two touchdowns on the way to defeating Lutcher 28-0 on Friday in LaPlace. Skyler Edwards who ran 31 times for 95 yards, scored three touchdowns — two rushing and one receiving. Quarterback Landree LeBlanc completed 10 of 14 passes for 150 yards with two touchdown passes — the other one going to his cousin, Walker LeBlanc One year after St. Charles endured a 0-4 start to the season and ﬁnished with four wins in 11 games, the Comets will enter their Week 3 game at Dunham with no touchdowns allowed so far

“You don’t get much time to celebrate,” coach Wayne Stein said as he looked ahead to facing a Dunham team that has the nation’s Class of 2027 top-ranked quarterback Elijah Haven. Willow breaks out

The Willow School eliminated the penalties and turnovers that cost the Lions in an overtime loss to Country Day last season and came away with a monumental victory Coach J.J. Smith has been at Willow since 2012 and saw his team win against Country Day for the ﬁrst time in a 33-20 victory Friday at Brees Family Field.

Kaiden Thomas completed 14 of 22 passes for 261 yards and four touchdowns — two each to Marcus Joseph and Ahmad Vappie Mark Rhodes rushed 16 times for 137 yards and one touchdown. Darryl Franklin ran six times for 61 yards.

Willow (2-0) opened up a 26-0 lead by halftime and had two scoring plays of at least 70 yards. Up next is East Jefferson in Week 3 before facing neighborhood rival Newman on the road in Week 4. Looking ahead

Shaw, Destrehan and McDonogh 35 lost their openers against some of the state’s best and won for the ﬁrst time in Week 2. All three have formidable opponents next week.

Shaw won against West Jefferson after it opened against Edna Karr and will play for the Megaphone in Week 3 against Rummel, a team that beat Shaw last season. Destrehan won against Bonnabel after it lost on the road against Catholic-Baton Rouge and will try to avenge a loss from last season when the Wildcats face Division I select state runner-up Alexandria — a team that has topped 50 points in both games this season.

McDonogh 35, which lost to St. Augustine in the opener, won the Wayne Reese Classic against Booker T. Washington and has Karr next.

East St. John, Saturday 7. Alexandria (2-0) def. Union Parish, 57-0 8. John Curtis (2-0) def. Northshore, 53-11 9. Destrehan (1-1) def. Bonnabel, 58-20 10. Zachary (2-0) def. Acadiana, 30-14

Othersreceivingvotes: Carencro (1-1) lost to Lafayette Christian, 41-38, West Monroe (2-0) def. Pulaski, AR, 31-17, Acadiana (0-2) lost to Zachary, 30-14, Brother Martin (2-0) def. St. Paul’s, 37-27, Terrebonne (2-0) def. Ellender, 42-3, Evangel Christian (1-1) def Natchitoches Central, 63-42, Jesuit (2-0) def E.D. White, 24-21, Airline (2-0) def. Benton, 50-18, Archbishop Rummel (1-1) def. University, 30-17, Ouachita (2-0) def. Wossman 54-6, St. Paul’s (1-1) lost to Brother Martin, Holy Cross (2-0) def. De La Salle, 20-0. Class 4A

1. Franklin Parish (2-0) def. St. Frederick, 48-7

2. Franklinton (1-1) lost to Covington, 28-26

3. St. Thomas More (0-2) Lost to CatholicBR, 35-28

4. North DeSoto (2-0) def. Center, TX, 49-20

5. E.D. White (0-2) lost to Jesuit, 24-21

6. Teurlings Catholic (2-0) def. Sam Houston, 46-14

7. Archbishop Shaw (1-1) def. West Jefferson, 46-0

8. Lakeshore (2-0) def. Chalmette, 27-12

9. Westgate (1-1) lost to Southside, 35-20

10. Plaquemine (1-1) def. Scotlandville, 43-29 Others receiving votes: Lutcher

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Edna Karr seniors Joshua Ford, left, and Xavier Owens celebrate a touchdown by Ford against American Heritage during their game on Friday at Caesars Superdome.

SCOREBOARD

E. Lopez-Chacarra,Spain 69-71-69—209 -7 ShaneLowry,Ireland67-74-68—209 -7 D. Naidoo,

-7 JordanL.Smith, England69-72-68—209 -7 B. Stone,South Africa71-69-69—209 -7 Connor Syme, Scotland 69-72-68—209 -7 A. AyoraFanegas, Spain 70-72-68—210

-5 ShaunNorris, South Africa70-72-69—211 -5 B. .Thompson, England68-73-70—211 -5 F. Zanotti,Paraguay69-73-69—211 -5 DanBradbury,England73-68-71—212

2-4) at Washington (Cavalli 3-1), 10:35 a.m. Houston (Valdez 12-9) at Atlanta (Wentz 5-6), 12:35 p.m. Kansas City (Cameron 7-7) at Philadelphia (Nola 4-8), 12:35 p.m. Detroit (TBD)atMiami (Mazur 0-3), 12:40 p.m. Texas(Latz 2-0) at N.Y. Mets (McLean 4-1), 12:40 p.m. Arizona (Crismatt 2-0) at Minnesota (Ober 5-7), 1:10 p.m. St. Louis (Mikolas 7-10) at Milwaukee (Quintana 11-6), 1:10 p.m. TampaBay (Houser 8-4) at Chicago Cubs (Imanaga 9-7), 1:20 p.m. Cincinnati (Lodolo 8-7) at Athletics(Morales 3-1), 3:05 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Glasnow 2-3) at San Francisco (Ray11-6), 3:05 p.m. Colorado (Márquez 3-13) at San Diego (Darvish 3-5), 3:10 p.m.

College football

Major scores Friday’sgames

BMW PGA Championship ParScores Saturday At Wentworth Club Virginia Water, United Kingdom Purse: $9 million Yardage: 7,267; Par: 72 ThirdRound Alex Noren, Sweden 67-68-66—201 -15

AdrienSaddier, France 69-67-65—201 -15

TyrrellHatton, England69-70-64—203 -13

Viktor Hovland, Norway 67-66-71—204 -12

D. Fichardt, South Africa67-70-68—205 -11

Ludvig Aberg, Sweden 64-69-73—206 -10

Ewen Ferguson, Scotland 67-68-71—206 -10

MattFitzpatrick, England 66-71-69—206 -10

Harry Hall, England 68-71-67—206 -10

Aaron Rai, England 68-67-71—206 -10

P. Reed, United States69-68-69—206 -10

Francesco Laporta, Italy 68-71-68—207 -9

Oliver Lindell, Finland67-71-69—207 -9

Guido Migliozzi, Italy 71-70-66—207 -9

Joaquin Niemann, Chile 72-70-65—207 -9

A. Otaegui, United AE 67-71-69—207 -9

Richie Ramsay, Scotland 66-69-72—207 -9

KristofferReitan, Norway 72-68-67—207 -9

TomVaillant, France 64-75-68—207 -9

Laurie Canter, England 73-67-68—208 -8

Martin Couvra, France 68-71-69—208 -8

J. Kruyswijk,South Africa68-71-69—208 -8

MinWoo Lee, Australia 68-73-67—208 -8

Hideki Matsuyama, Japan68-64-76—208 -8

T. McKibbin, Nrthrn Irelnd69-70-69—208 -8

Marco Penge, England68-69-71—208 -8

E. Smylie,Australia 71-68-69—208 -8

D. VanDriel, Netherlands 69-70-69—208 -8

E. VanRooyen, S. Africa72-70-66—208 -8

MattWallace, England69-73-66—208 -8

S. Crocker, UnitedStates69-70-70—209 -7 Yuto Katsuragawa, Japan67-73-69—209 -7

Si WooKim, South Korea71-70-68—209 -7

J. Lagergren, Sweden 66-71-72—209 -7 Hao-Tong Li,China 70-71-68—209 -7

EAST Syracuse 66, Colgate 24 MIDWEST Indiana 73, Indiana St. 0 SOUTHWEST Houston 36, Colorado 20 FARWEST Arizona 23, Kansas St. 17 New Mexico 35, UCLA 10 Saturday’s games EAST Bryant 42, Bentley 6 Bucknell 35, VMI 28 CCSU 31, St. Francis(Pa.) 7 Delaware 44, Uconn 41,OT Delaware St. 36, BowieSt. 14 Howard 38, Morehouse10 Lafayette 42, Georgetown 37 Lehigh 35, Duquesne 21 Marist 21, Wagner 10 Marshall 38, E. Kentucky 7 Maryland 44,Towson17 New Haven24, Albany(NY) 17 Oklahoma 42,Temple 3 Penn St. 52, Villanova 6 Rhode Island 9, HolyCross 7 RobertMorris28, West Liberty14 Rutgers 60,NorfolkSt. 10 Sacred Heart 24, LIU Brooklyn 21 Stonehill13, Maine10 StonyBrook 41, Fordham 18 West Virginia 31, Pittsburgh 24,OT SOUTH Alabama 38, Wisconsin 14 Alabama A&M 23,Tennessee St. 21 Alabama St. 37, Miles9 Auburn 31, South Alabama 15 AustinPeay56, Morehead St. 7 Charlotte 42, Monmouth (NJ) 35 Chattanooga 63, Stetson 0 East Carolina 38, Coastal Carolina 0 Elon 37, W. Carolina31 Florida A&M 33, AlbanySt. (Ga.) 25 Furman 28, Campbell24 Gardner-Webb 23,The Citadel 13 Georgia 44, Tennessee 41, OT Georgia Southern 41,Jacksonville St. 34 Georgia St. 37, Murray St. 21 Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21 Grambling St. 37,Kentucky St. 31,OT Jackson St. 30, Tuskegee 0 Kennesaw St. 27, Merrimack 13 Kentucky 48, E. Michigan 23 LSU 20, Florida 10 Lindenwood (Mo.) 35, Charleston Southern 28 Louisiana Tech 49, NewMexico St. 14 Memphis28, Troy 7 Mercer 22, Wofford21 Miami 49, South Florida12 Mississippi 41, Arkansas 35 Mississippi St. 63, Alcorn St. 0 NC A&T 33, Hampton 30, 2OT NC Central 49, Fayetteville St. 19 North Carolina 41,Richmond 6 Old Dominion 45, Virginia Tech 26 Presbyterian 42, Erskine14 S. Illinois 37, UT Martin 10 SC State 55, Bethune-Cookman 41 SE Louisiana 56, MVSU 3 Southern Miss. 38,Appalachian St. 22 Tennessee Tech 72,Davidson14 Vanderbilt 31,South Carolina7 Virginia 55, William &Mary 16 Weber St. 42, McNeeseSt. 41 West Georgia 35, ETSU 31 MIDWEST Ball St. 34, New Hampshire29 Bowling Green 23, Liberty13 Buffalo31, Kent St. 28 Butler 16, Hanover7 Cincinnati 70, NorthwesternSt. 0 Illinois38, W. Michigan 0 IllinoisSt. 42, E. Illinois30 Iowa 47, Umass 7 Michigan 63,Cent. Michigan 3 Michigan St. 41, Youngstown St. 24 Missouri 52, Louisiana-Lafayette 10 N. Dakota St. 41, SE Missouri 14 N. Iowa 17, E. Washington 14 Nebraska59, Houston Christian 7 Ohio St. 37, Ohio 9 Oregon 34, Northwestern14 S. Dakota St. 37, Drake21 SMU 28, Missouri St.10 South Dakota 24, N. Colorado 17, OT Southern Cal 33, Purdue 17 St. Thomas (Minn.) 20, N. Michigan7 Toledo 60, Morgan St. 0 W. Illinois51, Valparaiso 30 SOUTHWEST Ark.-Pine Bluff 34, Lincoln (CA) Oaklanders 8 Baylor 42, Samford7 Iowa St. 24, Arkansas St. 16 Lamar 31, TexasSouthern 7 Navy 42, Tulsa 23 North Texas59, Washington St. 10 Rice 38, Prairie View 17 Stephen F. Austin 63, SulRossSt. 0 TCU42, Abilene Christian 21 Tarleton St. 56, Cent. Arkansas 10 Texas27, UTEP 10 TexasTech 45, Oregon St. 14 UTSA48, Incarnate Word 20 FARWEST Idaho 20, Utah Tech 6 Middle Tennessee 14, Nevada 13 Montana 24, North Dakota 23 Montana St. 41, San Diego 7 Utah 31, Wyoming 6 Golf

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByERIC GAy

TexasquarterbackArch Manning runs from UTEP linebacker Donte Thompson on Saturday in Austin, Texas. Manning wasjust 11-of-25 passingfor 114 yards in the 27-10 Texaswin. He didhavetwo rushing touchdowns.

LSU20, FLORIDA10

Whit Weeksejected earlyfor targeting

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Junior linebacker Whit Weeks was ejected fortargeting early in the first quarter of LSU’sgame against Florida on Saturday night. On the Gators’ first drive, Weeks lowered the crown of his helmet on atackle attempt, then contacted the face mask of receiver Vernell Brown.After avideoreview, officials confirmedthe targeting callthey made on the field anddisqualifiedWeeks, who watched the rest of the game from the sideline. When the call was made, Weeks was visibly upset. He removed his helmet and stormed to the sideline.LSU coach Brian Kelly spoke to him afterward. Florida then settled for a45-yard field goal to cap its openingdrive.

Weeks, ateam captainand preseason ﬁrst-team All-SEC selection,has made seven tackles this season andtotaled three quarterbackhurries.

During abreakout sophomore year, Weeks recorded ateam-high 125tacklestorank second in the SEC. He returned to start theﬁrst two gamesafter recovering from an ankle injury that required surgery in the Texas Bowl.

Without Weeks, LSU still played stout defense for mostofthe game.Onlyone of Florida’snext seven drives ended in points. Three of those possessions ended in interceptions —two by sophomore safety Dashawn Spears and one by transfer safety AJ Haulcy.Spears returned hissecondone 58 yards for atouchdown halfway through the third quarter to give theTigers a20-10 lead.

Weekswill notmiss anyadditional game time because he wasdisqualiﬁedinthe ﬁrst half

Sophomore Davhon Keys played linebacker in his place for mostofthe night

West Weeksinjured

Linebacker West Weeks left the thirdquarter with an apparent leg injury

Weeks, asenior starter,landed awkwardlywhile chasing Florida quarterback DJ Lagway out of bounds. Trainers attendedtohim on theFlorida sideline before he walked gingerly off the ﬁeldunder hisown power andintothe injury tent.

By the start of the fourthquarter, Weeks wasspotted standing on the sideline withatowel over hishead. Kelly said after the game that he had sufferedacalf injury “Wedon’tthink it’s aserious injury,” Kellysaid. “It’snot aknee. It’snot an MCL, but it was acalf injury,and he couldn’treally put anypressure on it. So,our doctors felt it was prudent thatifhe couldn’tput enough pressure on it, he was not going to be effective.”

Alexanderjerseyretired Fournames and jersey numbers now adorn thesouthfaçade of Tiger Stadium At halftimeSaturday,the Tigers retired theNo. 4jersey of Charles Alexander,the legendaryLSU tailback who rushed for morethan 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns from 1975-78. He joins Billy Cannon, Tommy Casanova and JerryStovall as alltime greats who are immortalized in Death Valley Alexander, anative of Galveston, Texas, is LSU’sthird all-time leading rusher.Hewas the ﬁrst player in SEC history to run for more than4,000 career yards, and he played seven seasons in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals.

“Tobeperfectly honestwith you,”AlexandertoldThe Advocate on Wednesday, “I’ve never

Lotofpromise,concern

Thehowling, chanting, sunburned, gold-shirtwearing, LED-wristband blinging faithful should be eating up this 3-0 LSU football team with ajambalaya ladle.

experienced anything like this before. I’mvery humbled. Happy for myself. I’m happy formy teammates, the guys that Iplayed with.Iwant them to feel like they’re part of what I’ve done and accomplished so far. Just overjoyed.”

The LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Committeevotedunanimously in May to retire Alexander’sNo. 4 jersey.Football players can still wear No.4,according to aprovisionpassed in 2007. The only numbers that LSUathletes cannot wear are Cannon’sNo. 20, Bob Petit’s No. 50, Pete Maravich’s No.23, Skip Bertman’s No. 15 and Shaquille O’Neal’s No. 33.

Tensions high pregame

For both LSU and Florida, the stakes of Saturday night’smatchup were high. That fact wasevident during pregamewarm-ups when players from each team engaged in apair of light standoffs

The ﬁrst onestartednearmidfield. The ABCbroadcast capturedsomepushing and shoving amongLSU safeties Jacob Bradford and JavienToviano,and Florida defensive back Cormani McClain.LSU edge rusher Jack Pyburn,aFlorida transfer,was among the players trying to separate the sides while most of the players from both teamsleft theirspots on theﬁeldtogather near theFlorida sideline.

The second began in front of the LSU student section. Florida playerswerejoggingaroundthe field, and one of them bumped into LSU receiver ZavionThomas.Asmall scuffle broke out, andanofficial threw aflag. The flagwas just an informal warning. Officials did notcalla penalty

Moment of silence

LSU asked for amomentof reﬂectionSaturdayinTigerStadium in honor of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks and aWednesday school shooting in Colorado, as well as CharlieKirk —the conservative activist who was assassinated Wednesday in Utah.

Kirk, 31, was the founder of conservative youth organization Turning Point USA. He wasshot and killed on Wednesday while he addressed alarge crowdatUtah Valley University for astop on his“American ComebackTour,” which was scheduledtovisit Baton Rouge on Oct. 27.

Theschoolshootingalsooccurred Wednesday,when agunman opened fire on Evergreen HighSchool outside Denver, injuring twostudents. Thesuspect, a16-year-old student at the school,later died from aself-inﬂicted gunshot wound. Wilson Alexander contributed to this report.

The defense is back like it hasn’tbeen at LSU since even before the 2019 national championship. The offense is often painful to watch, sure to be the focus of contention as the Tigers head to what will be abreatherweek against Southeastern Louisiana. Andagainst Florida, ateamgenerationsofLSU fans have grown to despise over their 55 straight yearsoffacing each other,can delight ina bare-knuckles20-10 victory overthe hated Gators that,insome ways, goesdown sweeter for the struggle that ensued over 3hours and 21 minutes Saturday night in Tiger Stadium. Somewhere, probably in Florida where he now resides,Les Miles was tipping his high white hatinapproval, saying, “Yeah That’sTiger Stadium. Where opponents’ dreams go to die.” Through three games there is avery Miles-era quality to this team. Offense is at times offensive. The Tigers were outgained 366-316 by the Gators andproduced only 13 points on offense, sticking right with their 20 points per game average only because of Dashawn Spears’ 58-yard interceptionreturn for a touchdown in asecond half that found both offenses unable to escape theirtrenches.

Afterward, LSU coach Brian Kelly took offense to questioning about the Tigers’ lack of offensive production. Maybe he hasapoint. Maybe, since college football is

rescueofits defense to procure avictory. ThatSaturday wasn’t this one, and Kelly wasclearly relieved that his team got past a dangerous (to itself and others) Florida team to start SEC play with avictory

“We’re not perfect,” Kelly said, “but we’re making progress every single day. No matter the records, rankings or setting, these are two programs that don’tlike each other The snarling started early.LSU and Florida players squaredoff during pregame warmups near theGators’ bench, with former Florida turned LSU edge rusher Jack Pyburn among those right in thecenter of the ring. Moments later, aplatoon of Gators marched off toward the corner of the north end zone smack dabinfront of the LSU student section, producing another standoff. I’ve seen pushing, shoving and Eye of the Tiger logo stomping by LSU opponents over the years, but rarely if ever an excursion by opposing players intothe belly of the LSU beast. Studentsand early arrivingfans were delightfully enraged. If there was anydoubt whether therewas still fight in Florida after last week’s upset loss to two-touchdown underdog South Florida, it waserasedbefore thefirst snap. Credit to the Gators and theirbeleaguered coach,former UL head man Billy Napier for that. As the game wore on,though, Florida’s nagging faultsunder Napier(now20-21 in Gainesville)bubbledtothe surface. Quarterback DJ Lagway threw five interceptions, including 58-yard pick-six by Dashawn Spears on his secondgrabof the night. Florida also hada touchdown pass fromLagway to Vernell Brown against ablown coverage by LSU —one of the

Tigers’ fewdefensive mistakes of the night —erased by aholding penalty Lagway—who outyardaged LSU quarterbackGarrett Nussmeier287-220 through the airand netted19yards on the ground to Nuss’ 5— became increasingly reckless with the ball as the game wore on. Chalk that up to the deﬁcit his team worked with throughout the secondhalf andthe increasing vise grip of LSU’spressure and coverage. This is aTigers defense that, for the ﬁrst time in averylong time, functions exceptionally well on allthreelevels. This even after LSU lost starting linebackers Whit Weekstoahighly questionable targeting callearly on and his brotherWestWeeks latertoa calfstrain.

“A lotofteams would have been deﬂatedwith whatwent against us early on,” Kelly said, “but theykeptbattling. Ithought we were very smart in the way we managed the game forthe outcome we got: awin in the SEC.”

Ultimately,that’sall that matters. LSU is 1-0for the third straight week, andmost importantly,1-0 in conference play

There arelegitimate concerns aboutthe Tigers on one side of the ball —the opposite side from the concerns of 2023 and much of 2024 —but there is room for improvement.

Fornow,asthe annual LSUFlorida serieslikely draws to a closebecause of the newninegame SEC schedule. The Tigers took a35-34-3serieslead over the Gators with this victory.Ina lotofways, despite alot of questions, there can be satisfaction for LSU in that.

For more LSUsports updates, signupfor ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

wide receiver Aaron Anderson races through the Florida defense after making thecatch in the second quarter on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByGERALD HERBERT

hitbyLSU linebackerWhit Weeks, left, whowas penalized fortargeting

Cooley in

first half Saturday at TigerStadium. Weekswas

LSU20, FLORIDA10

THREEAND OUT: SCOTTRABALAIS’ TOPTHREE TAKEAWAySFROMLSU’S

IT’S VERY 2010 AROUND HERE

There is aLes Miles-era quality to this LSU football team through three games— creaky,oil-leaking offense and abend but don’t break, opportunistic defense.The LSU offense was outgained by Florida366-316, only produced acouple of effectivedrives and continues to be aserious concernhampered by an ineffectiveground game. But the Tigers defense, evenafter losing akey player early,was up to the task with five interceptions that produced a20-10 win overthe self-destructiveGators.

NOTONE WHIT

Theejection early in the first quarter of star LSU linebacker Whit Weeks was atough blowfor the Tigers defensetoovercome. It was also overkill. Weeks’ helmetdid makecontact with that of Floridaplayer VernellBrown, but it was hardly worthy of an ejection. A penalty at most. Couplethat with the touchdown reception by Barion Brown that was erased twoweeksago at Clemson, and you’re left to wonderwhat footballreally is in 2025.

3

FINAL THOUGHTS

Anyone whoexpected an LSU-Florida game that wouldn’t be atussle, even afterthe Gators’ upset loss to South Florida, doesn’t knowthis rivalry.This was aclassic LSU-Florida battle on aclassic Saturdaynight in TigerStadium,but eventually the Gators’ mistakes were their doom (including aDashawn Spears’ pick-six) as wasthe case against USF. NowLSU gets abreatheragainst Southeastern Louisiana before the next big SEC showdown in twoweeks at Ole Miss.

DOMINANT DEFENSE

Spears’interceptions help seal gruelingwin

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

Dashawn Spears arrived at LSUasan importantrecruit

LSUwas in themidst of rebuilding its secondary followingthe 2023season, ayear in which itsdefense likely cost the Tigers aspot in the CollegeFootball Playoff.

They had surrendered at least 30 points in eight games andallowed over 271passing yardsper contest in Southeastern Conference play.The Tigers changed out theircoaching staff at the end of the year,but no unitonthe team needed to replenish its ranks more than the secondary And Spears —the No. 7safety in the nation and atop-3 recruit in Louisiana in the 2024 class, according to the 247Sports Composite—was abig piece in LSU’squest toward addingmore talent to the room.

On Saturday,the Tigers’ efforts on the recruiting trail paid off. Spears had two interceptions, the second of which was returned for atouchdown as No. 3 LSU took down Florida 20-10 in Tiger Stadium.

The interception return for ascore proved to be the turning point of the night. On third and18inthe third quarter,and LSU leading 13-10, Spears read the eyes of quarterback DJ Lagway and undercut the pass that was intended for J. Michael Sturdivant.

Spears caughtthe ball in stride and evaded Lagway on his way down the sideline for the 58-yard score.Instead of Florida being on the edge of field goal range and threatening to tie the score, Spears had broken thegame open. In his first road startinSEC play,Lagway had amiserable night. He threw five interceptions, the second and fourthof which also landed in the hands of safeties AJ Haulcy and TamarcusCooley.

Haulcy’sinterception came at the end of the ﬁrst half andset up a45-yard

the first interception after Florida crossed midfieldonits second possession. Late in the first half, senior safety AJ Haulcy grabbed LSU’s second interception on apass over the middle. It set up Damian Ramos for a45-yard field goal that gave LSU a13-10 lead at the break.

Midway through the thirdquarter,Spears stepped in front of a slant on third and 18 for his second interception. He avoided Lagway and stayed in bounds as hesprinted down the sideline, then raised apeace sign as he ran into the end zone for the 58-yardscore.

The next twointerceptions sealed the game as the LSU offense struggled to put it away Aftercompletinga 65-yard pass to tight end Bauer Sharp, LSU was in the red zone early in the fourth quarter.But after sophomore running back Ju’JuanJohnson fumbled, it was third and27.

LSU safety Dashawn Spears, center,intercepts apass between LSU safety A.J.Haulcy,left, and cornerbackDJPickett in the first half against FloridaonSaturday at TigerStadium. Spears had twointerceptions in LSU’swin over Florida.

ﬁeld goalfromﬁfth-yearsenior Damian

Ramos that gave LSUthe 13-10 lead Cooley’scatch was in thefourth quarter with 6:33 left to play,and freshman cornerbackDJPickett snatched the fifth interception to seal the victory for LSU with just over two minutes left toplay Spears hadthe first interception of thenight with 6:29 left in the first quarter.The sophomoreundercut Lagway’s throwinto triple coverage,stopping Floridainits tracks after it had kicked afield goal on its openingdrive to take

Quarterback

Garrett Nussmeier

threw an interception across his body,wasting achance to attempt aﬁeld goal. Florida turned around and drove to LSU’s39-yard line. Butonthird and 9, Lagway threw deep down the middle. He overthrew his target, and safety Tamarcus Cooley ran underneaththe pass. Aftera three-and-out, freshman cornerback DJPickett recorded hisﬁrst career interception.

It wasthe ﬁrst time that LSU recorded five interceptions in one gamesinceplayingOleMissin2020.

LSU didget luckyatone point. Acoveragebustthat would have given Jaden Baugh along touchdowngot called back by holding in theﬁrst quarter.But LSUhas notallowed more than 10 points in agame through threeweeks. It heldFlorida to an average of 4 yards per carry when adjusted for sacks. It also recorded three sacks andﬁve tackles for loss.

LSU was not much better offensively than Florida. It ran for only 96 yards, and 51 of them came

a3-0 lead.

The pressure LSU applied to Lagway throughout the night played asigniﬁcant role in his struggles. Redshirt junior Harold Perkins andthe Tigers’ front seven harassed theGators signalcallerfromstart to ﬁnish. Defensive coordinator BlakeBaker wasn’tshy when it came to dialing up blitzes.

But the key to unlockingLSU’saggressivenessthus far has been the Tigers secondary.The group’sabilityto maketackles in space, create plays and

stick to receivers in man coverage has allowedBaker to be as creative as he wants to be with Perkins and the rest of his athletic front.

Adding Cooley and Haulcyoverthe offseason as transfers has played a massive role in the secondary’srevitalization. But so has Spears, the highly regarded recruit wholiveduptothat billing on Saturday night.

Email Koki Rileyat Koki.Riley@theadvocate.com.

when sophomorerunning back Caden Durham ﬁnally broke free on theﬁnaldrive. But LSU was able to protect the footballmore than Florida. Theoffensive issues appeared

early. LSUopened thegame with three straight three-and-outs and averaged 1.8yards perplay throughthree drives. The Tigers couldn’tcapitalize on Spears’ ﬁrst interception,and even afterstart-

ing theirfourth possession on Florida’s44-yardline, theysettled fora 47-yard field goal. As the LSU offense struggled in the beginning, so did Nussmeier He started 1of6,but then Nussmeierbegan to findsuccess as he attacked the middle of the field. After the rough start, Nussmeier went 10 of 13 for 116 yards and a touchdowntoZavion Thomas over the rest of the first half Nussmeiercompleted only 56% of hispasses(15 of 27)for 220yards with one touchdownand one interception. LSU did not score in the second half, punting three times around Nussmeier’sinterception. At some point,the LSUoffense will need to step up more than it has through three games. The Tigers still have not scored 30 points. They have one moretuneup against Southeastern Louisiana before going through the rest of the SEC schedule,soimprovement will need to happen soon. But foranotherweek,itdidn’t matter.Onceagain, the defense wasmore than enough.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSU wide receiver Nic Anderson runs withthe ball between Florida defensiveback Bryce Thornton, left, and defensivelineman Caleb Banks during the first

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

SAINTS GAMEDAY

ROSTERS

FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

FIX THE FLAGS

Nothing else written here will matter if the Saints don’t clean up the penalties they committed in the season-opening loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The Saints were penalized 13 times, tied with the Tennessee Titans for most in the league Even worse eight of the flags were pre-snap penalties. That’s also the most in the league The obvious result of that is the Saints often found themselves in unfavorable down and distances It would make things so much easier for secondyear quarterback Spencer Rattler not to be in those situations.

SLOW DOWN MCCAFFREY

Niners quarterback Brock Purdy will miss the game with shoulder and toe injuries. In addition, the 49ers placed tight end George Kittle on injured reserve because he’s dealing with a groin injury. But they still have versatile running back Christian McCaffrey. The Saints are very familiar with McCaffrey, who was in the same division when he played with the Panthers. McCaffrey had 142 yards (69 rushing, 73 receiving) last week against Seattle. The Saints can’t let him have a big game.

RETURN OF THE MAC With Purdy out, the 49ers will turn to Mac Jones at QB Jones is in his first season with the 49ers after playing last season with the Jaguars and his first three seasons with the Patriots. The Saints dominated Jones in both meetings they faced him when he was with New England. The Saints intercepted him five times in those two games, while Jones has thrown just one touchdown against the Saints They’ve also sacked him four times. He was sacked 12 times in his seven starts last season

To Reid, football like a chess game

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

After Justin Reid arrives at the Caesars Superdome for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers, he will go through the normal player checklist.

He will get into his New Orleans Saints gear, take the field and go through his warmup routine. He’ll head back to the locker room and take one final spin through his mental warmup, watching film of his opponent and walking through the game plan in his mind.

Before he walks through the tunnel for team introductions, he will shut all that off, pull out his cellphone and play a game of chess.

“It takes my mind off of the game so that I can relax and not get too hyped up before the game,” Reid said. “And then when it’s time to go outside, I can just lock right back in and play the game.”

The Saints signed Reid to a three-year, $31.5 million contract this offseason. They signed him because he’s a difference-making athlete with a championship pedigree, and because safeties play a crucial role in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s scheme. They also signed him because he is a problem solver who can sort out offensive complexity as it is unfolding in front of him.

As if the ﬁeld was a well, you probably get the idea.

“What’s fun for me is, based on the setup — you can call it formation, whatever — of the chess board, you can kind of anticipate what your opponent is trying to do, right?” Reid said. “It’s like, ‘OK, they went with this opening,’ whether it’s a Sicilian or it’s a Scotch or whatever this is what their game plan typically is, right? So you can act accordingly

“You’re going to continue to move with your game plan, but you’re also going to do some in-between moves to make sure that you got whatever they’re trying to do, you got that protected and taken care of. Football is the same way.”

“It

Jennings (shoulder), OT Trent Williams (knee/rest)

Most of the time, Reid plays chess on his phone. He said he plays anywhere

from 10-30 games per day, sometimes up to 10-minute matches But he’ll keep things analog, too: He keeps a chess board in his locker at the Saints’ facility for when any teammates want to play

He’d welcome the challenge. The main reason Reid got into chess in the ﬁrst place, beyond being inspired by the TV show “The Queen’s Gambit,” was because he was whooped in a game by his former Texans teammate Phillip Gaines.

Ever since, Reid has taken lessons from American chess master James Canty, and his own rating is about 1,500, which puts him roughly in the 75th percentile among competitive players.

What does chess have to do with football? Knights and rooks don’t weigh 300 pounds and move at you with vicious intent. But there is a correlation. At their cores, chess and football involve analyzing what is happening in real time and predicting future outcomes so you can put yourself in advantageous positions.

In that sense, Staley described Reid as a “multiplier” on the ﬁeld.

“When you get a safety that can do the things that Justin can do, it just enhances everybody’s ability on your defense,” Staley said. “He’s one of those rare impact players as a safety who doesn’t have to just impact the game physically He can impact the game mentally And I think he’s allowed us to play a lot of high-level football because of his experiences.”

That will come in handy after the Saints lost the other half of their starting safety tandem, Julian Blackmon, to what is likely a season-ending shoulder injury Reid now will line up alongside rookie Jonas

Sanker in the defensive backﬁeld. Reid has been in Sanker’s position before. When he was a rookie with the Texans in 2018, he also was thrust into the starting lineup for a Week 2 game because of an injury in the Houston secondary

He understands he’s going to have to help Sanker adjust to the pro game, because that’s part of the reason the Saints brought him here in the ﬁrst place. His advice for the rookie is simple

“On the ﬁrst play, try and hit somebody as hard as you can to settle yourself in; then after that, just go play ball,” Reid said.

Defensive pass game coordinator Terry Joseph is coaching in the NFL for the ﬁrst time this season after a long career in the college ranks. Having someone like Reid around has eased his transition to the pro game. Reid, Joseph said, always seems to try and sneak in a Level 5 question during a Level 2 coaching point.

That matters on Sundays. Football is a dynamic game. Offensive play-callers are constantly trying to put defenders in conflict, where the wrong decision will open an avenue for a big play In Reid Joseph believes the Saints have someone comfortable making “a battlefield decision with confidence.”

It’s no mystery to Joseph that all the defenses Reid has been a part of have improved after he got there

“The work’s never done, because it’s like, ‘What if?’ ” Joseph said. “He likes to tackle all those different scenarios. He doesn’t want you to give him the answer, but give (him) the parameters (he) can work in if it does happen. As a coach, you love that.” Before the game Sunday, Reid will sit at his locker and quiet his mind with a game of strategy He will see potential outcomes as they’re unfolding and take the necessary steps to cut them off. Then he’ll don his helmet, run through the tunnel and look to do a version of the same thing on the ﬁeld.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, right, and safety Justin Reid celebrate Bresee’s field goal block during the second half at the Caesars Superdome last Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

San Francisco 49ers punterThomas Morstead punts during the first half of apreseason game against the Los AngelesChargers on Aug. 23 in

‘THERE’S

NO PLACELIKEIT’

Punter Morstead relishes anothergoin Superdome

Thomas Morstead still remembers walking offthe ﬁeld that January afternoon in 2021. The Superdome was mostly empty,which was the norm that season because of COVID. The game, aplayoff loss to theTampa Bay Buccaneers, wasDrew Brees’ ﬁnalgameina Saints uniform. And as far as Morstead knew, it may have been his last game in aSaints uniform, too.

“I didn’tknowwhat wasgoing to happen with me,” Morstead said. “I had adown year that year.”

Twomonthslater,the Saints released Morstead.It wasadecision that surprised many Saints fans in the same way Morstead’s onside kick in Super Bowl XLIV surprised the Indianapolis Colts. Morstead had become afan favorite in his 12 years in New Orleans, reaching alevel of adorationthat punters rarely attain.

Morstead, now in his 17th NFL season, currently plays with the San Francisco 49ers.

“One of the things Iwrotedown when Igot cutbythe Saints that Iwantedtoaccomplish wastoplay in the Superdome again at some point,” Morstead said. “I didn’tthink it would takemeﬁve years to do that, but here we are.” Morstead and the 49ers (1-0) play the Saints (0-1) at noon Sunday.This will be Morstead’sﬁrst time setting foot in the Dome since that loss at the end of the 2020 season, thelast playoff game the Saints have played.

There were only 3,500 fans allowed in the Dome for that game. The decibel level was nothing compared to the roar of 70,000-plus that Morstead had grown accustomed to.

“It was just aweird sorta send-off,” he said. “Not that Ideserved asend-off. But it was just astrange thing.SoI’m looking forward to getting back in there.” Morstead is on his fourth different team since the Saints releasedhim. In addition to twostints with the New York Jets, he’s also played with the Atlanta Falcons and MiamiDolphins. There’sasayingoften heard around here that if you love New Orleans, it’ll love you back. Morstead’sseven games playing with the rival Falcons lethim know just how realthat saying is.

“When Isigned with the Falcons andpeople in New Orleans were still supportingme, Isaid ‘This is crazy,’ ”Morsteadsaid The only time Morstead played agame against theSaints was whenhewas with the Falcons late in the 2021 season in Atlanta

“It was super emotional,”Morstead said. “Everything was fresh at that point. Iknew 80% of the guys playing forthe Saints. This game Sunday will be emotional in adifferent way.Yeah, Istill know ahandfulofguys on the team,but it’smore about beinginthe city than the Saints.” New Orleans is still home to Morstead. All ﬁve of his kids were born here. He and his familystill live here when it’snot footballseason. He’ll have about 40 friends andfamily members at thegame Sunday

“It’ll be my ﬁrst time purchasing asuite,” Morstead said. He looks forward to seeingall of the security guards and usherswho usedtogreet him andwishhim good luckevery Sunday. Andof course, the fans.

“There are going to be lotsof10- and20-second hellos andbig hugs,”Morstead said. This won’tbeMorstead’s last trip tothe

STAFF FILEPHOTO By DAVIDGRUNFELD

Saints punter Thomas Morstead, left, and kicker WilLutz celebrate a53-yard field goal duringa game againstthe Seattle Seahawkson Oct. 30,2016, at the Superdome.

Dome. The guy who delivered one of the most memorable special teams plays in franchise history —the onsidekick dubbed “Ambush” will no doubt be inducted into the SaintsHall of Fame when he retires.

Well, if he ever retires. Morstead turns 40 in March. To help put that in perspective, Saints rookie punter Kai Kroeger was 7years old whenMorstead was drafted in 2009.

“He’sactually the ﬁrst punter Istarted watching when Igot into punting,”the 23-yearold Kroeger said. “Hewas my punting idol.

This is going to be asurreal moment, for sure, becausehe’sthe guy Ilooked up to. Half of my life I’ve been watching him and looking up to him. In thepunting world, we say he has the dream career.”

Twoyears ago, Morstead was apart of Kroeger’sbirthday gift. Kroeger’smom ﬂew himtoNew Orleanstoworkout with Morstead. They spent afew days punting footballs together on afootball ﬁeld near St. Catharine of Siena Catholic Church.

“He’sa talented kid, and I’mexcited for him,” Morstead said. “I thinkhehas achance to be really good.”

The Saints would welcome that. The punter position has been arevolving door since Morstead left. Kroeger is the fourth punter in ﬁve years. Morstead, meanwhile, just keeps on going.

He’sthe seventh-oldest player in theleague. His 256 games played rank thirdamong active players, behind only Arizona Cardinals defensiveend Calais Campbell (262) and Carolina Pantherslong snapper J.J. Jansen (261)

ForMorstead, game No. 257 is one he won’t forget. He’ll be back in thecity that is so near anddear to him.

“The simplest way to put it is, it’shome,” Morstead. “Wehavefriends that have turned into family there. There’snoplace like it. It’s aunique place. We’ve just hadsuch awonderful experiencethere.The place is just oneofa kind andhas turnedintoour home Ican’timagine seeing ourselvesanywhere else.”

Email RodWalker at rwalker@theadvocate.com.

STAFF PREDICTIONS

JEFF DUNCAN

SAINTS 18,49ERS 17: Alot of times in theNFL,it’snot whoyou play but when youplaythem. This game is aprime example. TheSaintsare catching the49ers at agreat time Thedefense andspecial teamseach will make abig play to deliverKellen Mooreand SpencerRattler their first NFLwins.

LUKE JOHNSON

SAINTS 21,49ERS 20: Idon’t feel greatabout this pick,but with the news that quarterbackMac Jonesis taking thespotofthe injuredBrock Purdyfor the49ers,Ithink afeisty Saints defensemakes life tough enough forhim forthe Saints to snag Kellen Moore’s firstwin as head coach.

MATTHEWPARAS

SAINTS 21,49ERS 17: Brocky Purdy’sabsence is enough to swing this.Ifthe 49ersquarterback was playing, I’dpickthem. MaybeKyle Shanahan is enough of awizard to revive MacJones’career. ButI remember thedayswhenhehad C.J. Beathard andNickMullens at quarterback. Give me theSaints.

RODWALKER

SAINTS 20,49ERS 16: Theseteams have alternated wins over their last sevenmeetings. If that trend continues, it meansit’sthe Saints’ turn to win. Butthe Saints’13 penaltieslastweekconcern me.If they canclean up thepenalties,they have ashot.

Rod Walker

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GODOFREDO A. VÁSQUEZ

Santa Clara, Calif.

WEEK 2

Saints trade for injured receiver Polk

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

a player who will miss the entire

The Saints have traded a 2027 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots in exchange for wideout Ja’Lynn Polk and a 2028 seventh-round selection a source with knowledge of the situation conﬁrmed. Polk is on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in the preseason, but the Saints still made the trade to acquire a receiver who was picked in the second round in 2024. Polk, a 6-foot-1 wide receiver out of Washington, was selected just four picks before the Saints traded up to take

cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry in 2024. The deal marks the Saints’ third trade in the last month. The team also acquired wide receiver Devaughn Vele from the Denver Broncos and tackle Asim Richards from the Dallas Cowboys in separate transactions.

Polk gets a fresh start after a disappointing rookie season that saw the 23-year-old catch only 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in 15 games. He played 45% of the Patriots’ offensive snaps. New England changed coaching staffs in the offseason. New coach Mike Vrabel was unhappy over the way Polk’s injury was reported last month

“I’d like to ﬁnd out where some of these (leaks) come from,” Vrabel said. “Some of these rats around here. So, we’ll ﬁgure that out.” For the Saints, taking a chance

on Polk is a long-term play New Orleans appears content to let the wide receiver rehab and then see whether he can replicate some of the success he had in college. During his ﬁnal season at Washington, Polk had 69 receptions for 1,159 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games. The Saints have used late-round pick swaps to take ﬂyers on players. Last year, the team sent a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Washington Commanders in exchange for defensive tackle John Ridgeway and a 2025 seventh-round pick. In August, the team sent a 2028 sixth-rounder to Dallas in exchange for Richards and a 2028 seventh-round pick. New Orleans also has spent the last few weeks addressing the wide receiver room In addition to acquiring Vele, the team claimed Trey Palmer off waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

STANDINGS, SCORES & SCHEDULE

Cowboys extend LG Smith on 4-year deal

The Dallas Cowboys signed left guard Tyler Smith to a $96 million, four-year extension on Saturday two people with knowledge of the contract said.

The agreement, which could lock up the new cornerstone of the Dallas offensive line through 2030, includes $80 million guaranteed. The $24 million annual average in the extension is the highest among guards in the NFL. Smith has two years left on his rookie contract.

The24-year-oldhasstartedever since he arrived, including all 17 games at left tackle as a rookie.

Commanders lose RB Ekeler to torn Achilles Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right Achilles tendon, a person with knowledge of the player’s status told The Associated Press on Saturday The Commanders had believed Ekeler could be out for the season, and an MRI exam conﬁrmed it.

The 30-year-old Ekeler, who was in his ninth season in the NFL and second with the Commanders, fell to the ground on a play in the fourth quarter of a 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Thursday It was a noncontact injury

Koo missed a career-high nine ﬁeld goals in 2024. doubtful to face the Ravens.

Browns activate RB Judkins to face Ravens Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins was activated to the active roster Saturday,

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith pulls in a touchdown in front of Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson during Super Bowl LIX on Feb 9 at the Caesars Superdome.

MONDAy Chargers

Topgun

Braxton Oliver traveled14 hours from his home in North Carolina to compete during the past four days in the South Central Regional Sporting Clays Championship at Covey Rise near Husser.Oliver, 23, amultievent regional and national champion, was competing in Friday’s Super Sporting event and was in contention forthe High Overall title, which ends Sunday. Amember of the gold-medalwinning Team USA, Oliver was among 641 shooters from across the South in the five-dayevent.

PHOTO By JOHN BALLANCE

OUTDOORS

AtchafalayaBasin fishing topicfor LWFC meeting

BY JOE MACALUSO

Contributing writer

Earlier this year dozens of bass ﬁshermenasked a lot of questions aboutone of their favorite ﬁshing spots, the AtchafalayaBasin

Some have questionedthe decliningfishpopulation andthe overall health of the Basin.

Maybe some answers will come Thursday when state Wildlife and Fisheries Inland Fisheries Division biologists hold apublic meeting from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at state headquarters on Quail Drive in Baton Rouge.

State Inland Fisheries biologists will address “the currentstate of recreational freshwater fishing in the Atchafalaya River Basin.” While possibly notasinteresting to freshwater anglers who ply this vast overflow swamp as the state of fishing, the Wildlife and Fisheries staff indicated they are prepared to summarizethisyear’s recreational fishing survey There will be apublic comment period.

They neverlearn

So last weekend’s dove season opened the monthslong hunting opportunity for tens of thousands across our Sportsman’sParadise.

Guess what?

Wildlife and Fisheries’ EWildlife and Fisheries’ Enforcement Division agents were busy again citing 32 folks for alleged dove-hunting violations, even arrestingone among them for “possession of a ﬁrearm by convicted felon,

hunting withanunplugged gun and possession of astolen ﬁrearm.”

So,ifconvicted,guess who’sgoing to jailfor as long as 20 years?

Still, it’s thenumberof citations,mostof them for allegedly hunting over bait with 25 of thecitations writtenfor shotgun-toting young men 30 andyounger

A“hunt” inSt. James Parish netted 12 young men and one juvenile in an allegedly baited ﬁeld.

Thereweretwo citations for failing to use nontoxic shot on awildlife management area.

This is arelativelynew regulation, but one that needs heeding on both state and federal lands. Hunters cannot use lead shot on those places.

Ahandful of citations were writtentofolks usingunpluggedshotguns.

Note here,when hunting all migratory birds and waterfowl, ashotgun cannot hold more thanthree shells.

Five were cited for taking over the limit of doves. The limit is 15 per day

FourMississippi folks weretaggedfor hunting without nonresident licenses.

In all, agentsseized 219 dovesand donated themto local charities

One among this 32 was cited for intentionally concealingwildlife and faces ﬁnes up to $950 ﬁne and a possible 120 days in jail.

Because most werehunting-over-bait citations, all alleged violatorswill be

ﬁled by theU.S.Attorney’s Ofﬁce with prosecution in Federal Court.

The fulllistofthe names involved in theseincidents can be found under Recent News on theWildlifeand Fisheries’ website: wlf.louisiana.gov

Teal season

Ournine-day teal season opensSaturdayacross the state.

It’sgoing to be hot, allof which meansmarsh and rice field hunters best be armed with insect repellent and take enough water to stayhydrated even if the plan is to hunt onlyfor a couple of hours.

Take ahint from what happened in the dove ﬁelds and make sure your shotgun is plugged and can carry only three shells

Make sure you’re hunting with nontoxicshot and have allthe appropriatelicenses andstamps—and have completed the Harvest Information Program checklistand carry this HIP certiﬁcate with you.

Thereare reportsof bluewing teal in the marshes, evensome in the swamps. Rails and gallinules also areallowed to be taken.

Because it’s so warm andfrom checking allthe alligator photos showing up on social media platforms last week —alligators will be out so watch out for your retrievers.

Plea foramberjack

The move by Wildlife and Fisheries,and backedby Gov Jeff Landry,topetition greater amberjack be turned over

tostate management drew supportbyCCA Louisiana which stated closing the commercial season and nearinga close of the recreational season “threatens ouranglers’ access to the ﬁshery for no reason.

The petition is going to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration,which oversees federal fishery regulations.

Newly appointed CCA Louisiana executive director RadTrascher said Louisiana “has demonstrated time and again thatwecan manage our fisheries responsibly whilekeeping accessopen for Louisiana anglers,”and called for support from Louisiana anglers.

Snappercount

ThroughAug.31, the LA Creel surveyestimatefor the private recreational redsnapper take is 788,014 pounds or 88.1% of our state’s894,955-pound annualallocation.That’sa one-week increase of 20,352 pounds from the Aug. 24 estimate.

Only on Mondays

Staffingissueshave forced the state Officeof Motor Vehicles to helpwith trailerregistrationonly on Mondays from8 a.m.noon at state Wildlife and Fisheries headquarters at 2000Quail DriveinBaton Rouge

The state Department of Revenue will continue its 8a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday stafﬁngatthe Baton Rouge office to help process tax payments for registering boats.

CALENDAR

TUESDAY LAFAYETTE KAYAKFISHING CLUB MEETING: 6p.m., Pack &Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Call (337) 232-5854. Website: lafayettekayakﬁshing.com

WEDNESDAY FLIES&FLIGHTS: 7p.m., Rally Cap Brewing, 11212 Pennywood Ave., Baton Rouge.Fly tying. Open to public. Sparetools,materials for novices. Email Chris Williams:thefatﬁngeredﬂytyer@gmail.com

THURSDAY ACADIANA FLYRODDERS PROGRAM: 6p.m., Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to public. Email Darin Lee: cbrsandcdc@ gmail.com. Website: acadianaﬂyrodders.org

SATURDAY FLYFISHING 101: 9-11 a. m., Orvis Shop, Bluebonnet Boulevard, Baton Rouge. Feefree. Basics of casting,rigging, fly selection. Equipment furnished. All ages, but 15-andyounger must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration required. CallShop (225) 757-7286.Website: orvis.com/ batonrougeflyfishing 101

HUNTINGSEASONS

DOVES: South Zone:through Sept. 21; NorthZone: through Sept. 28. Firstof threesplitsbothzones.

TEAL/RAILS/GALLINULES: Sept. 20-28, statewide.

DEER/ARCHERY: Sept. 20-Jan. 15, State Deer Areas 3, 7, 8& 10. Either-sex takeallowed.

HUNTINGLOTTERIES

SEPT.30—YOUTH WATERFOWL DEADLINE: Forages 10-17 on Sherburne Wildlife ManagementArea. Fee $8.50. Application website: louisianaoutdoors.com/ lottery-applications. Email David Hayden:dhayden@ wlf.la.gov

SEPT.30—WATERFOWL

DEADLINE: On White Lake Wetlands Conservation Area (Vermilion Parish).2youth hunts(ages 10-17, Nov. 8& Nov. 9), 30 marshhunts& 30 rice ﬁeld hunts. Application fee$8.50 &additional fees for marsh/rice ﬁeld hunts. Application website: louisianaoutdoors.com/ lottery-applications. Call Lance Ardoin (337) 536-6061 or email: lardoin@wlf.la.gov

AROUND THECORNER

SEPT.22—RED STICKFLY FISHERS FLYTYING: 7p.m., BluebonnetLibrary,9200 BluebonnetBlvd., Baton Rouge.Open to public. Hands-onclinic covering basics of ﬂy tying. Materials and tools provided. Website: rsff.org

SEPT.23—SOUTHWEST MISS GUN BLAST/NATIONAL DEER ASSOCIATION: 6p.m., Lincoln Civic Center,1096 Belt Line Dr., NE, Brookhaven, Mississippi.Call Bruce Gray (601) 754-5592.

SEPT.25—ACADIANA BUGS &BREWS: 6p.m., Pack & Paddle, 601 E. Pinhook, Lafayette. Open to thepublic. Website: packpabble.com

SEPT.25-27—MLF TOYOTA BASS SERIES/PLAINSDIVISION: Lakeofthe Ozarks, Osage Beach,Missouri. Website: MajorLeagueFishing.com

SEPT.27—LA. HUNTING & FISHINGDAY: 9a.m.-2 p.m., Waddill Outdoors Education Center,4142 N. Flannery Rd Baton Rouge.AlsoMinden Woodworth, Monroe. Kids fishing, fly casting, fly tying, shooting, canoeing, archery birding, game tagging, game cooking. Free admission.

SEPT.27-28—LA. B.A.S.S. NATION QUALIFIER: Doiron’s Landing, Stephensville.Call Kevin Gobert(504) 628-5191 or Ryan Lavigne (225) 9219332.

SEPT.28—SOUTH LOUISIANA HIGHPOWER CLUB MATCH: 8:30 a.m., Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Range, St. Landry Road, Gonzales. CMPGSSM, NRA match rifle or service rifle,200-yard/50-rounds match course &Prone matches. Fee$15 members, $20 nonmembers, $5 juniors $25 annual club (first match free) &Civilian Marksmanship Program membership (allows purchases from CMP).Call (337) 380-8120. Email Mike Burke: SouthLaHighPower@hotmail.com FISHING/SHRIMPING SHRIMP: Fall inshore&outside watersopen statewide. OPEN RECREATIONAL SEASONS: Redsnapper greater amberjack, gray

LDWF UPDATES CLOSED: Hope Canal Road/ boat launch (Maurepas Swamp WMA, leveeconstruction);Dobbs BayRoad &all roads on theMississippi River batture east of La. 15 (RichardYancey WMA). ROAD CLOSURE: Section of La. 975 through Sherburne WMA closedthrough June 12, 2026 (bridgereplacement)access from U.S. 190 and I-10 open.Drawdowns: Underway on Henderson Lake, LakeBistineau, Saline Kepler,Iatt, Black &Clear lakes, LakeMartin and Wham Brakeimpoundment; begins Sept. 15 on ClearSmithport Lake(Desoto Parish) EMAIL: jmacaluso@theadvocate.com

By The Associated Press

TOKYO— America’stwo bigname sprinters, Sha’Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles, both walked off the track Saturday with reason to think they might have found what’sbeen missing over a less-than-perfect 2025.

What aplace to ﬁnd it —at the world championshipsin Tokyo, ametropolis that’s been waiting four long years for achance to cheer on the world’sfastest stars Both reigning world champions won their preliminary heats in the 100 meters. Those results should surprise nobody but they still brought bursts of joy —both fromthe runners and from theloudselloutcrowd that was absent four years ago, when Japan National Sta-

dium was the centerpiece of aCOVID-tainted Olympics. “Last one, Icould hear my own thoughtsechoing off the wall,” Lyles said of theTokyo Games. “So, completely different.”

Lyleswon his heat in 9.95 seconds —the same time posted by Jamaica’sKishane Thompson, who only ran hard for about the ﬁrst 60 meters of his race. Lylesbeat Thompsonby .005 seconds at the Olympics last year,and though theAmericancomesinasan underdog thistime, he said he unlocked something in practice over the last week.

“I was tightening my muscles and every time Itighten my muscles, my stride get

shorter,and that’swhy I wasn’tgetting the results I wanted,” saidLyles,who still hasn’tcracked 9.9 this year

He loosened up and, suddenly, he said, “it’sworking.” Richardson has been in even rougher shape, slowed by an injury most of the year

Theformer LSUstar was slow outofthe starting blocks in this one—atypical problemofhers— butwhenshe gets things into topgear,still elite. Her winning time of 11.03 seconds was her best of theyear—not great by any means, but trendingupward.

“I know that this year is not what Iideally saw as being my golden year,” she said. “But when Ithink of ‘golden’now,Ithink of buriedtreasure andsometimes you’ve got to dig through the dirt to get to thegold.”

STAFF

Damon Singleton

LIVING

NOLA.COM | Sunday, September 14,2025 1dn

ILLUSTRATION By ARTHUR NEAD

Cruising to Mobile on a traincalled MardiGras

“You

catch one, butthere are 10,000 more.There arecats alloverthe place.”

Errol Laborde

STREETCAR

Among the first speakers was the mayor On the stage at the Union Passenger Station Terminal Aug. 16 were various dignitaries who had come to celebrate the inaugural run of the Mardi Gras Service, anewly reincarnatedpassenger train running twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with coastal stops along the way Before alarge and excited crowd that was anxious to get on board, the mayor recalled the 20-year effort to restorethe service that had ended when Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005. Other speakers praised the mayor as well as members of Congress and Amtrak officials who made this happen. Four hours later, at areception held in Mobile, the mayor who had made the trip from New Orleans, spoke again and was praised for working to restore the service. For clarity,Ishouldmention that “the mayor” referenced above was Sandy Stimpson, the mayor of Mobile. Not present was LaToya Cantrell,the mayor of New Orleans,who had been listed as one of the speakers. Some of the local press had gone to the train station specifically to get comments from Cantrell, who had been the subject of federal indictments the day before. They left disappointed. Within the hour as the train rumbled alongthe Gulf Coast, news outlets were starting to ding the news of Cantrell’sabsence from such aprestigious public event. At least the news was able tofocus on topics related to thenew train, such as economic impacts, job creation and regional cooperation.

Fourstops,lotsofwell-wishers

But overall, it wasagreat day for mayors. There were fourstops along the way:Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxiand Pascagoula. (Louisiana and Alabama are the ends —Mississippiisthe middle.)

This was an example of the building of the American heartland —small towns awaiting new rail service to connect themtothe rest of the world

At each stop, there was asurprisingly large crowd waiting to greet the train. There were

Trap Dat Cat founderworks to curb feral catpopulation

BY DOUG MacCASH Staff writer

Nita Hemeter is the Crescent City’s queenofferal felines.She runs a self-styled, nonprofit organization called Trap Dat Cat outofher houseinthe Carrollton neighborhood. Hemeter proudly claims to have hada hand in capturing 3,270stray catsin2024 alone. On asteamy Wednesdayafternoon in mid-August,there were roughly 30 cats in Hemeter’s care. Adozen cat traps werelined up on Hemeter’sfront porch —imaginesteel mesh cagesshapedlike loaves of Bunny bread, with springloaded doors.Each trapwas draped with ahand-sewn, cloth cover that provided comforting privacy to the wide-eyedkittiesinside. Asimilar numberofcat-occupiedtraps were lined up on long folding tables in Hemeter’s living room. In theback of the housewas a

sort of hospital ward for cats recuperating from surgery,orotherwise in need of special care.A big white dog wandered complacently amid all the caged cats, admirably disguising his natural disdain for the inmates. Hemeter’shomeisstray cat central. Cats get dropped off, cats get shipped off,catsget pickedup, all daylong. On that sultry Wednesday, Christian Sabastopped by to retrieve atroublesome male cat that she’d nicknamed TommySilver. Which, she said, made him

sound like aBritish rock star Forhis ownwelfare

Mr.Silverwas ahandsomebrute, with furthe color of storm clouds. He seemed relaxed as he lay in a trap, considering all he’d recently been through. Amongother things, the tip of his left ear had been cleanly clipped off. Saba explained that Mr.Silver was anotorious ladies’ man andbrawler, who needed to change his ways for

What makesMonkparakeets of NewOrleans so

Apairofwild green parrots roost in Metairie.

BY HANNAH LEVITAN Staff writer

For over 60 years, green-feathered Monk parakeets have darted across theCrescent City,squawking from telephone lines and nesting in power poles. Asidefrom their unique preference for urban nesting, thebirds —sometimes called Quaker parrots —are known for building intricatenests made

STAFF PHOTOSBySOPHIA GERMER

NitaHemeter,ofTrap DatCat, figures out where each cat will be returned after it is fixed

Acat waits to be released back onto the street by Trap Dat Cat after getting neutered, outside the home of Nita Hemeter in NewOrleans.

NITAHEMETER, of Trap Dat Cat

DINING SCENE

Restaurantsand memorabledisheswerelostinKatrina

go moreupscale than red sauce joints.

Ian McNulty WHAT’S COOKING

Restaurants began reopening in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina with valiant speed under extraordinary circumstances. And they kept on returning, often bringing the ﬁrst businesses and new life back to ﬂoodravagedneighborhoods.

For some of the journey would take years.

But as time went on, it was clear that Katrina had claimed many restaurants that could not return. Some restaurant ownersretired or moved on; losses were sometimes too great; insurance never came through for others.

Twenty years later,these to meare the most memorable restaurants we lost to Katrina. In afew cases, I’ve managed to track down where some of their specialties live on today,and where to ﬁnd reasonable proxies if this stirs the nostalgic appetite.

Restaurant Mandich

3200 St. Claude Ave., New Orleans

Dating back to the 1920s, Mandich was memorably dubbed “the Galatoire’s of the 9th Ward.” It was a neighborhood standby and, for decades, also an adjunct of the shipping business along the nearby river,a place for abusiness lunch halfway between downtown and St. Bernard Parish.

Garlicky oysters bordelaise, panned veal and liver garlic-stuffed porkand turtle soup were hallmarks of the distinctive house style.

That oyster dish lived on as the tribute dish “oysters St. Claude” at the Upperline for many years, though sadly,the Upperline is no more. At the forthcoming Delacroix Restaurant, slated to open in late September on theriverfront in Spanish Plaza, adish called “veal &crabmeat Mandich” will be anew tribute to the old restaurant.

As for the old Bywater building, it was later divided into what is today a Wagner’sMeat location and the shawarma restaurant Mosiko.

Christian’s

3835 Iberville St., New Orleans

The smoked soft shell crab and the steak stuffed with oysters still draw memories of dining by the light of stained glass at

Christian’s,arestaurant that started in Metairie but found its longtimehome in aformer church in MidCity

Thebuilding reopened as anew restaurant, called Redemption,and then reverted back to achurch for atime before becoming therestaurantand cocktail loungeVessel, where you canstill dine underthe rafters.

The closest connection I’ve found to that signature soft shell crab today is the preparation acrosstown at Clancy’s Restaurant, served when soft shells are in season (which, with alatestart this year, is right now).

BellaLuna

915 N. Peters St., New Orleans

Foratime, Bella Luna was such abyword for romantic dining, you had a prettygood shotofwitnessinga marriageproposal in the dining room during your meal. What you always foundwas asweeping view of theMississippi River and theﬁne Italian cuisine from Horst Pfeifer,aclassically trained German chef. Theaddress is part of the city-runFrench Market, and post-Katrinarepairs lagged.The elevated space didhave ashort post-

Katrina stint as aSpanish restaurant,and is today the events hall Marché. Meanwhile, Horst Pfeifer and his wife Karen Pfeifer went on to buy Middendorf’s (30160 U.S.51, Manchac),and bring the historic seafood restaurant intoanew era. Here, though, one element of the old days endures: each fall therestaurant runs its “fettuccine frenzy” special, with adish from the Bella Luna days that was almost as much talked about as the view (it’sserved Wed.-Fri. in September).

Bruning’s

1924 West End Parkway

Going back to 1859, only Antoine’sand Tujague’s have longer histories among New Orleansrestaurants. The version many generations remember was perched on pilings over LakePontchartrain, one of the seafood restaurants comprising the old West End’swaterfront dining district

This was badly damaged by an earlier storm,Hurricane Georges. Bruning’sreopened in what many hoped would be atemporary location on dry land, still on the lakefront though with less atmosphere. ButKatrina

spelled theend.

The bar from theoriginal location is now an exhibit at theSouthern Food &Beverage Museum (1504 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd.).

The whole ﬂounder was theBruning’ssignature; the version at Fury’s(724 Martin Behrman Ave.) channels thesame spirit, and BlueCrab (7900 Lakeshore Drive) has asimilar dish with awaterfront view,too.

Barrow’s ShadyInn 2714 MistletoeSt., New Orleans Barrow’sShady Inn meantone thing:catﬁsh, perfectly fried, witha pinch of cayenne heat.It wasn’tjust thesignature dish; for much of its long history,itwas theonly dish this kitchen prepared, along with potato salad on the side and pie for dessert

Dating back to 1943, it was among the city’soldest Black-owned restaurants, with afamily vibe and Al Green on heavy rotation in thejukebox (someone was always playing “Love and Happiness”)

BeforeKatrina, the next generation of the family had their own version of Barrow’sonthe West Bank, serving fried catfish and amuch-expanded menu. They brought this back starting in 2018 as Barrow’sCatfish, first in New Orleansnear theoriginal family spot and later with locations downtown and in Harvey.These have since closed. I’ve not found a catfish to rivalthe old Barrow’ssince.

La Riviera

4506 Shores Drive, Metairie

The creation of chef Goffredo Fraccaro, achef from Bologna, Italy,this restaurant introduced many in New Orleanstotraditional Italian dishes, and theidea that Italian cooking could

From its start in 1972, it set astandard forItalian cuisine in the area foryears to come. The chef was technically retired when Katrina hit, though still cooking in the restaurant, by then run by his family

He remained active in the culinary scene, especially through Chef’s Charity for Children, up until his death in 2022.

Sid-Mar’s

1824 Orpheum Ave Metairie

Youapproached on aroad lined with shrimpboats at the dock and found a restaurant that felt like a ﬁshing camp, serving all the traditional NewOrleans seafood from an outcropping on the lakefront.

It wasanemblem of Bucktownthat was wiped out by Katrina; its old location was later incorporated into anew ﬂood control infrastructure, so there’snot atrace left.

Afew years later,the samefamily opened anew Sid-Mar’swell inland in Metairie, though this subsequently closed. Many area restaurants serve its old mainstays of boiled and fried seafood, but none quite have the atmosphere of the original.

Chateaubriand

Steakhouse

310 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans

The French waywith steak wasthe inspiration and draw forthe last restaurant from the great French chef Gerard Crozier

He and his wife Eveline were knownlocally for their ﬁrst restaurant, Crozier’s, which opened in the 1970s, before opening Chateaubriand in 2001, transforming what had been a Shoney’slocation into an upscale destination.

The namesake steak preparation was acenterpiece, along with gratin dauphinoise potatoes, lobster and rack of lamb. The location is now Ikura Hibachi and Sushi.

But if this sparks an envie forthat regal cut of steak, a version of chateaubriand is aspecialty at Dickie Brennan’sSteakhouse.

Marisol

427 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans

Ahead of its timefor the NewOrleans of the 2000s, Marisol had acult following of people with adventurous palates. Chef Pete Vazquez went big on charcuterie, offal, odd bits and bone-in cuts of meat long before these found their current currency in the restaurant

scene. After Katrina, Vazquez becamearoving chef, popping up mostfamously at Bacchanal, the start of that one-time wine shop’stransformation. Today,heruns the Algiers Point takeout shop Appetite Repair Shop (400 Vallette St.) with an always-changing menuofinternational ﬂavors and vegan dishes. The former Marisol, at the start of Frenchmen Street, is now Spicy Mango.

Charlie’sDelicatessen

515 HarrisonAve., New Orleans Before there wasStein’s Deli, Francolini’sand other spots specializing in the sandwiches of other regions, visiting Charlie’s wasabit like visiting a NewYork deli. Sandwiches were stacked high, and none wasbigger than the Moon —ham, roast beef, provolone, Swiss, coleslaw and Russian dressing on a muffuletta loaf

Afaithful recreation of that mammothsandwich is on the menuatFrancesca by Katie’s, the sister restaurant to Katie’sinMid-City, now at its address.

Weaver’s Po-Boys

800 NavarreAve New Orleans

Every New Orleans neighborhood needs apoboy shop, and this was it forNavarre, in between Mid-City and Lakeview proper.The roast beef and the curly fries live on in memory. The location is now hometoCafe Navarre, which is not apo-boy shop per se, but you can still get aroast beef po-boy here. La Cuisine

225 W. HarrisonAve., New Orleans The late restaurant critic and broadcaster Tom Fitzmorris once dubbed the style here “suburban Creole,” arendition of French Creole that was less fancy than that served at the historic French Quarter restaurants. It mixed in plenty of Italian food and proved popular as aneighborhood mainstay fordecades from its start in the 1960s.

Michael’sMid City Grill

4139 Canal St., New Orleans Before high-end restaurants werereally embracing the hamburger,this tavern had the mostexpensive number in town. “The Big Bucks Burger” was$100, primarily because it came with abottle of Champagne. But foranytimedining, this joint wasareliable slice of neighborhood life. The location is now the moreupscale Vietnamese/French/ Creole restaurant Cafe Minh.

Restaurant Mandich, pictured in the 1980s,was memorably dubbed ‘the Galatoire’s of the 9th Ward.

Marisolwas located at the base of Frenchmen Street in the Marigny,and had acult following of people with adventurous palates.

Let’sLaunch!

For decades, local alumni clubs afﬁliated with out-of-town colleges and/or universities have hadsocial gatherings to welcome the new students,alongwith theirparents, and to offer graduates tripsdown memory lane. Vanderbilt University,University of Virginia (UVA), and Washington and Lee University (W&L) did just that at impressive receptions.

Conor Farley, Aimee and

n Commodores

Bearing the name of benefactor Cornelius Vanderbilt, ashipping and railroad magnate, Vanderbilt University was established in 1873. The private researchuniversityis in Nashville, Tennessee, and claims Mr.Commodore often shortened to Mr.C,and named after the university’s founder —asits mascot.The colors are black and gold

Carlos Sandoval, Keya Chanda-Rastogi, James Sakalarios

As they have done for decades, alumnus Darryland LouellenBerger and their family have hosted the Vanderbilt New Orleans Commodore Launch. Most recently,itunfolded inthe Windsor Court Hotel with Amanda and alum Ryan Berger as co-hosts with hisparents. Ryan alsointroduced the featured guest, TimothyP.McNamara, Searcy Family Dean of the College of Arts and Science at Vanderbilt University,who, during thecourse of theevening, addressed the crowd and mingled afterward, chatting with groups. “Theconversations were enjoyed by both students and parents,” commented one observantattendee.

New students included Keya Chanda-Rastogi, JamesSakalarios, CarlosSandoval,Carolina Khatib, and Martin “Nick” Rezza, all of the classof2029. Alums included Aimee and Ben Homra,Logan Farley,Lowrey Crews, Lee Adler,MarshallBarnett with spouse Arden,Victoria Davies,and Barrett Cooper, who was part of three generations. He wasjoined by his wife, Alejandra, and their little daughter, Sophie,aswell as his father, Arnold.

Over the course of several hours, dozenssavored the array of summer-themed refreshments, the predominance of theblack andgolddecorations, and all the other facets of the Commodore Launch levity.And legacy

n Trident tribute

In 2017, Washington andLee University introduced the Trident (Tridy) as its“mascot”: It was designed by studentThomas Green (Tubby) Stone in 1904. Primarily used as asymbol for the athletic teams, the Trident is used from time totime by the Alumni Association. TheLexington, Virginia-located university itselfdates back to 1749 (as Augusta Academy) and, in 1871, was renamed for George Washington, an important donor,and Robert E. Lee, who served as its president. It is the ninth oldest college in theU.S. and uses white, blue and royal blue as itscolors. Liberty Hall Grey is also mentioned The New Orleans AlumniChapter for Washington and Lee Universityheld its Summer Send-Off to celebratethe students’ return to campus andthanked Erika and TedElliott and fourth-year daughter Taylor as thehome

n Cavaliers

The official mascot for the University of Virginia is The Cavalier (aka CavMan), but Cavaliers, Hoos and Wahoos are also affectionate terms and names, especially forfans. Under aplethora of names, the local UVA “family,” headed to thehandsome homeof Marley and MichaelLeBourgeois for thesend-off party.Their co-host daughter, Morgan, is athird-year student at the research institution founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819. It’s located in Charlottesville, Virginia. The LeBourgeois homestood out on its block with the welcoming UVA colors of navy blue and orange. Left of the double front door,and in astone urn, was aballoon bouquet featuringthe colors. Hung on the doors were signs with a“V” and crossed swords below.Quite afew of the 70 guests worethe colors, and related decorations abounded in pompoms, koozies, and the large pameladennis floral arrangementand Carnival beads centering the dining room table. Atop the table werelots of good thingstoeat, thanks to the purveyance of Chez Nous. Beef tenderloin, chicken quesadillas, chicken satay and brownies flew off the platters.

Enjoying thetaste treats wereincoming students Adrianne Zura with alum parents Marianne and Bob Zura; SofiaRoberts and grandparents Edna and John Roberts —her alumnus dad, John,was out of town; Ryder Clark with parents Amy and Daniel Clark;and Emma Passler with parents Heather and Richard Passler.Current students were the above Morgan LeBourgeois, aco-host with her mom and dad; third-year daughter Coco McLeod, with Colleen and Marty McLeod;and, withfourth-year daughters Ellie Schmidt and Kate Weiss,were respective parents Justin Schmidt,and Martha Carr and RobWeiss.

Alums andguestsmaking rounds were Rich Arnold, Julie and Ben Guider, Margaretand Michael Tuskey,Helen and CharlesLeBourgeois, John Werner,Sweet Dupuy,Tommy McGoey,Anne and Paul Long, Susan and TimBright, Leslie Gottsegen, Deirdre and Christian Hooper, and Sarah and James Yockey

Erika and Taylor Elliot, Pierce

ﬂowers embellished the premises andthe catering

Along with the Elliottswere William Whann, Hartley and BlairCrunk,

called happy campus daysofyore in themountains

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

Ryan Berger,Dean Timothy McNamara, Louellen and DarrylBerger

Ben Homra

NickRezza, Carolina Khatib

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT

RichArnold, Ellie Schmidt, Coco McLeod, Morgan LeBourgeois

Michael and Marley LeBourgeois

SofiaRoberts, Adrianne Zura, Ryder Clark Kate Weiss, Emma Passler

PHOTOSByJEFF STROUT Ted,

Bewley

Sarah Blessey, Annabelle Cheramie, Eliza Pilant

GeorgeRovegno, Connor LaCour Blair and Hartley Crunk, William Whann

Lake Isabel Farm ashort driveand open to thepublic

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Crystal clear water is hard to ﬁnd in Louisiana. Though the state is known for its many waterways, blue is not the color used to describe them. There is one out-of-the-way spot, though, that challenges reality Lake Isabel Farm, at 54254 Cavenham Road in Bogalusa, featuresablue lake that’sabout 125 acres, 35 feet deep and amile long, and is now accessible to the public.

Located 143 miles from Lafayette, 89 miles from Baton Rouge, 19 miles from Covington and 57 miles from New Orleans,Lake Isabel Farm is aquick road trip with ahuge payoff serene blue water among the pines.

The lake, previouslya sand and gravel pit, was dredged overa15-year period to extract sand and gravel from the basin of the Bogue Chitto River to make concrete for local roads and hospitals.

Lake Isabel’sclear water is fed by natural springs, possibly from the same aquifer known for historic healing springs in Abita. An outﬂow at the end of the lake keeps the water constantly circulating, and the lake’ssandy bottom acts as aﬁlter

The water is unclouded and warm, but the temperature decreases as the depth increases —dropping 15 degreesatthe deepest part.

Anthony Sedlak, aChi-

cagonative, purchased the morethan 400 acres in2021 andmoved on-site in 2022 to beginrepurposingthe propertyfroma gravel pit to atravel destination.

Sedlak says he has been paving theway byconstructingroadsonnights and weekends, building infrastructure witha neighbortomakeLakeIsabel Farm happen.

“This place is all about having agood time, respecting the environment andtryingtoget people backinnature because we have such abeautiful state,” Sedlak said While Lake IsabelFarm is still under development, Sedlak has creative plans for the mixed-use property He is trying new waysto make peoplemore comfortable, likebyinstalling cabanas, grills andpermanent restrooms— and comingin

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By ChristopherElliott

Things to know

The journey to LakeIsabel Farmincludes adrive through Covington and eventually aturn ontoa winding gravel road.

allowed.

n The lake is open for beach days on Saturdays and Sundays. At times, other days of the week/ holidays are added to the calendar

n Turquoise beach chairs are available forlounging.

n Propane grills with gas and cooking utensils are available forcooking.

n Kayaks and lifevests are available, but visitors can bring their own.

n For restroom access, a deluxe porta-potty with a sink is available.

n Fishing forbass and catﬁsh is available. The ﬁshing area is on the opposite side of the lake from the beach. Fishing poles must stay in the designated area.

n Three solar-powered cabanas forlarge groups are available, and include fans, furniture, shade and alarge ice chest with ice.

n There is no lifeguard on duty,somake sure to be prepared to swim at your own risk. Anyone who cannot swim must use appropriate ﬂotation devices.

garbage andbeing respectful of the nature conservationareas thatare being restored.

Reservinga visit

Visiting Lake Isabel Farm meanspacking and planning ahead of time. Tickets can only be purchased online and in advance at www tixtree.com/o/lakeisabelfarm.Daily sales end two hours before close. Tickets have been selling out three weeks in advance, so check ahead and purchase spots wellahead of time. Be prepared to show tickets forall guests, as anyone on the property is required to have avalid ticket. The reservation model is alittle different because guests are capped at 85

2026, als and Sedlak ate and ing access because sure menta wildlife says ally become including forest

Booking.comgoessilen

Ireserved ahotel on Australia’sGold Coast through Booking.com for afamily reunion, but they canceled my reservation because of overbooking.Booking com promised to refund the difference if Irebooked apricier room, so Ipaid an extra$655. After months of unanswered emails and failed phone calls, I still hadn’treceived the money Booking.com’scustomer service has gone silent, and Ican’treach anyone.What should Idotohold them accountable? —Frances Dooley,Jannali,Australia

Christopher Elliott

Booking.com should have honoredits promise to refund the $655price difference immediately.Under Australian Consumer Law,businesses must

fulﬁll guarantees made to cus tomers. The company’sown poli cies also say it will cover costs it cancelsareservation. Butmost importantly,y had Booking.com’sprom isein writing.(Nice job securing thispromise, the way.) Youdid everything cor rectly: Youkept detailed records andfollowed up repeatedly.Always save correspondence like emails and screenshots—they’re critical dence. If acompany ignores you, escalate yourcase to executives. publish key contacts for Booking. com on my consumer advocacy site,Elliott.org. It’snot clear whyBooking.com

HOLLYWOOD SOUTH

N.O. Film Fest celebrates artist JamesMichalopoulos

Closingnight film is thirdinstallmentof ‘KnivesOut’franchise

With over 3,700 submissions pared down to just under 140 selections from countriesasfar away as the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates, the New Orleans Film Society is poised to present awideranging list of ﬁlms over the course of the New Orleans Film Festival this year

Leslie Cardé

“This larger pool of films makes every decision for our officialselectionsthat much more difficult,” said Clint Bowie, artistic director of the New Orleans Film Society. “When it comes to the opening night film, we’re looking for afilm that will appeal to abroad, generalized audience, but witha title that represents the talents here.Inthe past, we’ve had films like ‘12 Years aSlave’ or ‘C’mon C’mon,’ withJoaquin Phoenix shot entirely in New Orleans, and featuring alot of talent in front of and behind the camera. We’re looking for something that will engagealocal crowd but has an opportunity to showcase everything about New Orleans to outsiders. This film celebrates arts and culture and allows us to honor

is the subject of the

‘Michalopoulos: The ArtofCelebration,’set to

someone who has done so much to promotethe city andenliven its culture.”

The opening night ﬁlm for 2025 is “Michalopoulos: The Art of Celebration,” aWLAEproduction, directedbySean O’Malley,which traces theevolutionoffamed New Orleansartist James Michalopoulos. In the four decades he has lived here, Michalopoulos has beenachampionfor the city’sartists and has preserved the spirit of thecity through his own enduringart.

“James made anamefor himself originally when he painted New Orleans architecture, but Ithink many peopleknow him from Jazz Fest,” O’Malley said.

“He’sdone eight of the ofﬁcial posters —from Louis Armstrong, Dr.John and Fats Domino to Aaron Neville, Allen Toussaint and this year’sTank and theBangas.

“His artalways picks up on what it’slike to be in theneighborhoods of New Orleans.Hecaptures houses as if they’re dancing, thesame way you feel when you walk down these streets.Nothing is static; there’s energy,they move.”

N.O. throughadifferent lens

Formerly James Mitchell, he

took back his family’sGreek surnameMichalopoulos as an adult, after moving from Pittsburgh at theage of 27. He spends mostof theyear in New Orleans, where he has his art gallery in the French Quarter

However,herenovated an old decaying farmhouse in Cluny, France, 25 years ago, and spends summers there.

“Withthe art of James Michalopoulos, you see New Orleans through adifferent lens,” O’Malley said. “He chose New Orleansashis muse, and Ithink we’re very fortunate forthat.”

Beyond this remarkable feature documentary,the choices forﬁlm viewing are nearly endless.

On Sept. 9, theNew Orleans Film Society announced someof its special picks for the closing night,centerpiece and spotlight ﬁlms.

The festival’scenterpiece ﬁlm is “Jay Kelly,” the latest from acclaimed director NoahBaumbach (“MarriageStory,” “Barbie”), starring George Clooney as a famous movie star traveling through Europewith his devoted manager,played by Adam Sandler.Critics call it profound.

The closing night ﬁlm,sure to be acrowd-pleaser,isthe third installment of the “Knives Out” mystery franchise: “Wake Up Dead Man,” directed by Rian Johnson.

In theﬁlm,Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc, on his mostdangerous case yet.

The ensemble cast, just to name afew,includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington.

Spotlighting standouts

Spotlight ﬁlmsinclude three standouts. “Hedda” directed by NiaDaCosta (“The Marvels”) stars Tessa Thompson in a screenplay reimagined from the classic “A Doll’sHouse,” Henrik Ibsen’smost famous play.Critics describe the ﬁlm,which just premiered at the Toronto Film Festival, as aspiral of manipulation, passion and betrayal.

In another spotlight ﬁlm, “Is This Thing On?,” BradleyCooper directs Will Arnett portraying a middle-aged man whose marriage to wife Tess (Laura Dern) is unraveling, while he seeks new purpose in theNew York comedyscene. “Even if you don’tlove live comedy,this is adeep ﬁlm about what drives us,” Bowie said.

And, coming off arecent Oscar win for“The Whale,” Brendan Fraser stars in “Rental Family” as an American in Tokyo, working for aJapanese agency playing stand-in roles for strangers. If the concept has you intrigued, critics say it’samasterpiece, blurring the lines of performance and reality

There are also 12 special presentation features, along with five special presentation shorts and a whole slew of other great films. They can all be found on neworleansfilmsociety.org, where viewers can also purchase individual tickets and all-access passes.

The 36th annual New Orleans Film Festival presented by Andscape runs in-person from Oct. 23-27, with virtual screening available through Nov. 2.

Email Leslie Cardé at lesliecardejournalist@gmail.com

Dear Annie: Ihave been part of the same groupof friends for more than 30 years. About adecade ago, when Igot married, Iasked one of them, someone I considered like asister to be my maid of honor.She and Ihad always been close. She was there when my daughter was born, we grew up side by side, and Ithought of her as one of my very best friends After my daughter was born, our lives went in different directions. She was single at the time and living avery different kind of life, so we drifted apartalittle, but Inever doubted our bond. When she eventually got married, the wedding was held at my parents’ home, and since her mother had passed away,myown

momstepped in to help with the planning.I was happy to support herinevery way Icould Butwhenitcametoher bridal party,Iwas left out. She chose another oneof ourmutual friends, someoneshe had known for less time, as hermaid of honor Ihad known beforehand that Iwould not bestanding up asmaid of honor,and Iaccepted that, butI still expected to bepart of the wedding party in some way After all, she had spent years referring to me as her “sister.”

It has been nearly 10 years, and the hurt has never fully gone away.We still vacation together, celebrate birthdays and spend holidaysasfamilies. Our parentshave been friends for more than 60 years. But deep down, Ifeel rejected and less importanttoher than Ioncebelieved Idid tell her how Ifelt, and sheapologizedfor

hurting me. Iknow it was her wedding and her choice. Still, thestinghas remained,and Iadmit it changed the way Isee our friendship.

Am Iwrong for feeling this way? Aremyfeelings of rejection valid, or should Ibeable to let this goby

now? Iwould still do anythingfor her,but Icannot help but feel that something shifted between us theday she left meout. —Still Hurting Dear StillHurting: Your feelings are valid. When someone you love and consider family leaves you out of such an important moment,

it is natural to feel hurt and rejected. But 10 years is along time to carry this pain. Friendships shift, and sometimes people make choices that sting without fully realizing the impact. She apologized, and that showsshe cares. If you wantthe friendship to

thrive, try to focus on the bond you still share rather than the part that disappointed you. Letting go may not erase the memory, but it will give you peace.

Send your questions for Annie Lanetodearannie@ creators.com.

FILEPHOTO By TEDJACKSON

ArtistJamesMichalopoulos

documentary,

open this year’sNew Orleans Film Festival. Bowie

O’Malley

BETWEEN THEPAGES WITHRICK BRAGG

‘Whatdoyou

Bestsellingauthortakes on life with hismom,two miniaturedonkeys andthe ghostofJimmy Swaggart

BY JANRISHER Staff writer

With the television blaring in themiddle of the day at his farm in Alabama,Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author Rick Bragg had to get to aplace where he could hear to talk on the phone.

“Mama puts the ghost of Jimmy Swaggart on the television,”hesaid Bragg and his 88-year-old mom live on afarm near Jacksonville, Alabama, with “two evil miniature donkeys andsome terrible cats and some stray dogs that somehowﬁgured out theycan always get fed here,” he explained.

The last few years havebeen tough ones. Three years ago, they lost Bragg’s older brother Sam. In May,theylost his younger brother Mark.

“All of Mama’speople are all gone and so it’skind of me and her,” he said “She can’tsee real good, but shevery much loves being alive and you know, she likes Swaggart because of the music.” His mother still goes outtoher ﬁg tree three times aday to see if one of them has actually produced aﬁg. Bragg is still mourning his brother Sam, whohe says was the glue that held everything together.Hesays he’sspent much of the last four years in emergency rooms and ICUs.

“I’m deﬁnitely not whiningbecause everybody goes through this at acertain pointintheir life, unlessthey’re really fortunate,” he said. “Still, I’m really lucky,but I’m just grateful. Istillgot my mom.”

Between caring for his mother and wrangling donkeys, Braggtook time to answer questions about his life and writing: Are you in the room with your momwhen she’s watching the ghost of JimmySwaggart, and how do you handle that?

Sometimes Iam, sometimes I’m not.

Mom’s88, and I’m just grateful. Istill got her to talk to and have her try to explainthe mysteriesoflife to me —which she’svery good at. Is she really?

Now,sometimes Idon’tagree with the mysteries of her interpretation,but that doesn’tmatter.It’sworth it just hearing. Imoved home let me back up alittle bit.Igot Mama a40-acrefarm in the foothills of the Appalachiansoutside Jacksonville, Alabama. It started with cattle and big gardens andanorchard. As we have all gotten older,wehad to getrid of the cattle because she was scared of them when she walked down to herpond to feed her ﬁsh white loafbread. Now we have what we refer to as “the livestock.” Like, I’ll say,“Igotta go down andfeed the livestock.” Well, it’stwo miniature donkeys.

What are the donkeys’ names? Oh, God. I’m ashamed of this.I didn’t name them. The male is Buckaroo, and the female is Mimi.

Now I’m curious as to who namedthe donkeys? There’sagreat story behindthis. When we bought the place, it was coveredin beautiful Hereford cattle. Ithought it was kind of an idyllic scene. There was thisred cedar cabin builtinto the sideof aridge line —the same ridge line where my grandpa used to makeliquor We didn’town the land back then. He just used it to hide his still there. Somy mother knew the land very well. Ihad gotten her akind of atraditional fourbedroom house on ahill—and she didn’t like it, she said, because it had toomany light bulbs. So Igot her this farm because it had land with it and room to do things.There were the cows, which again, justtickled me to death, because if you’rea writer and you go get on aplane andsome big old guy sits down next to you, likesome guy that works on pipeline or something, he sits down next to you andhesays, “What do you do for aliving? Youdon’twant to tell himyou’re a writer.Igrew up with ashoveland apick handle in my hand. Idrovedump trucks.

I bailed hay. Idon’twant to tell some working guythat I’m awriter.They look at you likeyou said that you cut out paper dolls for aliving. When Ihad thecattle on the land, I could look at them and say,“Iraised bulls.” But one day,after we’ve been here three years, one of the bulls chased Mom when she went down to feed her ﬁsh. I’ve said before that we have theonly ﬁsh in thestate of Alabama with diabetes. But, anyway, Mamatold me Ihad to get rid of thecattle. So we had theguy who leased the land move them out,and we replaced themwithtwo miniaturedonkeys.

Well, youcan’tgotothe airport and getonaplaneand tell some big guy that you’reaminiature donkey rancher

At this point in theinterview,Bragg’s mother says, “It’sraining,” in the background.Hereplies,“It’s all right.Hold on just asec. Hold on just asecond. OK. OK, Mom. They’ll be OK. Thehorse feed will be allright. Yeah, it’s all right.”

Do you need to getthe horse feed?

No, it won’thurt it.It’sinplastic wrap bags

Back to the donkey names?

Anyway,there was aguy down in Fairhope who ran akind of arescue for these miniature donkeys. It’samazing how many there are out there.

Wasither idea or your idea forminiature donkeys?

It was her idea. She said, “Hun, it’sso lonesomeout there in thepasture.”

And Isaid, “Yeah, Mom, maybe we should putsome cattle out there?”

Butshe didn’t thinkthat was funny,so we got theminiature donkeys. Ididn’t bother to ask how much they costbecause Ijust ﬁgured that you can buy your regular old jackass, afull-sized donkey, all day down here in thecountry for like $250. Then one about afourth that size should certainly be cheaper

Andthismight explain why Iama writer instead of athinker

How much does aminiature donkey cost?

$1,500. They’ve been around about 15 years or longer, and you know,they’re so damn cutethat you can’treally get mad at ’em

Do they have big personalities?

Well, yes and no. They bite, and they will eat your clothing —like acuff off your shirt or your shirt tail —they’ll eat anything.They ate all the webbing off our lawn chair and all the emblems off the side of my truck.

What kind of truck do you have these days, Rick?

Ihavethe best pickup truck in the world, and Iknow I’ll get trouble in Detroit for saying this,but Ihave aToyota Tundra 4x4, which quitefrankly,Ihave to have here. Ihave to get in themud occasionally,but Ialso have to have something that Ican drive to my real job.

How much time do you spend these days writing?

Ican say with astraight face that, for thepast three years, almost none, because Ihave been consumed with more important things.

I’ve still done my magazine stuff, and I have theﬁrst chapter and introduction of anovel done. I’mworking on that, but it’s so hard, you know?

And, I’m not one of those people that can put his laptop on his lap and write in acoffee shop or in ahospital or in a parking lot.Iguess I’mspoiled, but Ilike to sit down at the desk, where Ican see a tree through the window and think. Will Iget back to it eventually? Yes, Iwill. Because Idohave time, but that in itself is atragedy Yousaid you’re starting anovel.Are youawriter who has the wholenovel planned out before you start?

Oh yeah. Imean, obviously,Ilove those novelistswho say,“No, Ijust throw the characters out there and let them play.”

Right Ialways want to just get up out of my chair and slap thes*** out of them, you know? Butno, Iknow where it’s going to go. Obviously,that can twist and change, but Iknow how it’s going to end out. I’ll probably do one more nonﬁction book. Isaid Iwasn’tgoing to do any more books on family,which was met with the closest thing to aburn-him-at-the-stake response, because thepeople in those books have comealive for my readers.

Ihaven’ttalked about this anywhere before, but Iwas sitting theother day looking at my little brother’struck.It’sa FordBronco. It’s rusted and battered and rotting.

He drove it off arailroad trestle. I’m not making that up. He got drunk andran it into pretty much amillion fence posts. ButIbought that truck coming home from aNieman Fellowship at Harvard manyyears and decades ago.

Idrove it awhile, but Igave it to my brother Sam,and he drove it foryears. Then he gave it back to me, and Idrove it for years and years. Then Igave it to my little brother Mark, ’cause he needed it. Andthen he drove it for years andtore it all to hell.

Butfor 40 years, it was the one thing we had in common —the only thing we had in common. AndIwas looking at it up there, and it’srotting and rusting. I thought that might be agood way to tie thebow on my books on family

My brothers represent adead and dying South. The one Iknew is over.The long-haired country boy era is over They’re different now

Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

Danny Heitman

Mary Manhein is best knownfor founding LSU’s Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement Services Lab, which is famous forits forensic facial reconstructions that help identifyhuman remains. Since retiring from LSU 10 years ago, Manhein has authored several nonﬁction books about her career in forensic anthropology, co-authored abook about Louisiana’sendangered cemeteries and written several whodunits, including amystery series for young readers.

Manhein’smany years as aforensic scientist connected her with deep loss, asubject that shapes her writing but doesn’tdefine it. Her ultimate concern is resilience, our power to answer abroken world with tenderness and ingenuity That themerests at the heart of “A Call to Rowan,” Manhein’snew novella that follows13-yearold Marley Bledsoe as she navigates life in Rowan, a fictional north Louisiana town adjusting to change after the Korean War. Manhein will discuss her novella at 3p.m. Sept. 28, at the Baton Rouge Main Library,7711 Goodwood Blvd. The program is free and open to the public, and copies of “A Call to Rowan” and Manhein’sother books will be available forsale. The novella is now on Kindle, and it should be available soon at local bookstores. She opens up her new workoffiction, a quick read at 120 pages, with this: “Being 13 years old truly wasunlucky,Marley Bledsoe decided, as she felt the sand and gravel working their way up the thin soles of her worn, white sandals and into the small spaces between her toes. If she were afew years younger,she would be home right now,afew years older,and she would be gone.”

Manhein, whospent much of her childhood in small-town north Louisiana, knows this world well. She’skeen to the duality of lifeinatiny community,how it can be both aconsolation and acage.

As Manhein walks us through Rowan, with stops at its grocery store and boarding house, its post ofﬁce and library,wetake pleasure in alandscape small enough to see at aglance. It’s afarm community ordered by seasons, where “thick, waist-high cotton contained small green bowls waiting to burst forth into thick, white bundles to be picked in the fall.”

But the smallness of Rowan proves conﬁning forMarley,asharecropper’sdaughter with an abusive father.Other dark souls shadow Manhein’sstory.Rowan, like Harper Lee’sMaycomb, is aplace where social intimacy brings everyone close, including those we’d rather escape.

Escape, primarily through books, is another one of the novella’sthemes. There’sa subplot in which twoofthe locals read their waytoanew lifetogether,and Marley,who ﬁnds refuge in comic books and drugstore magazines, ﬁnds herself liberated by language, too.

In placing us within anow-vanished time and place, Manhein has returned to her vocation —revealing the faces of the forgotten, and making us see them once again as ours.

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com

PHOTO By TERRy MANIER

Rick Bragg and hismom,Margaret Bragg, ‘The Best Cookinthe World.’

thegreater good of the Central City neighborhood he roams. So Saba borrowed atrap from Hemeter,captured the rascal and brought him to theCarrollton stray cat depot.

Hemeter,who is in touchwith a network of selﬂess, low-cost veterinarians, then arranged to have the father of countlesskittens altered. That is to say that Tommy Silver’sear wasn’tthe only thing that recently got clipped

“I did it for his own welfare,” Saba said. “He will often ﬁght with other cats, and Ididn’twant him to die.” Now it was time for Saba to take him away andfree him in his old stomping ground.

Trap DatCat

That’sthe way Trap Dat Cat works. Generally speaking, Hemeter doesn’tremove stray cats from the streets permanently,she just sees to it that they get ﬁxed so that they can’treproduce,and thenshe returns them from whence they came. She sees it as ahumane alternative to euthanasia, that,in the long run, is just as effective. Released cats, she said, can be recognized by their symbolicallyclipped ears. Saba said she gave Hemeter adonation for her services and planned to come back for more traps. “There’salady in theneighborhood who feeds all the feral cats,” she explained, so there would be asteady supply Ana Zorrilla, CEO of theLouisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,said there’salways asteady supply of unwanted animals. In fact, the CrescentCity is suffering astray catand dog crisis. “We’ve got to slow down what seems like aﬁre hose of animals coming at us,” she said. Zorrilla said that Hemeter works hand in hand with theLASPCA. Hemeter has identified amajor gap in the management of the stray population and“made that her piece of the puzzle,” Zorrllla said.

Meet Nita Hemeter

Hemeter is abeyond-energetic 73-year-oldformermedical technologist, divorcée and motherof two who plays drums in atraditional jazz band at Buffa’sbar at the edge of the French Quarter on Sundays. “I’m not very good,” she said, “but I’m good enough.” Hemeter is slim, tanned, and can usually be found wearing abaseball cap, T-shirts and shorts. Despite spending ahalf-century in New Orleans, she stillhas thesyllablebending accent of her birthplace, Osceola, Arkansas.She is gregari-

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ousand simultaneouslya bitgruff —an endearing combination.

Hemeter said she visited New Orleans with her family as akid in the1960s and loved it immediately, but her parents forbade her from attending college here. Later, when her husband —afuture ophthalmologist —enrolledatTulane University,she ﬁnally got to move to thelandofdreamy dreams.

Hemerter spent her four-decade career amongpetri dishes,analyzingmedical samples in hospital labs. Alongthe way,she said, she became devotedtothe well-being of animals. When she readPeter Singer’s1975book “Animal Liberation: ANew Ethics for Our Treatment of Animals,” it reinforced her humane world view. Shegave up eating “cows, pigs andchickens.”

“Now,ifI go to Galatoire’s,” she said, “I’m going to eatsome crab.”

Hemeter said she was vacationing in Italywhen HurricaneKatrina struck, but sheset out to return homeassoon as possible. She said that members of the National Guard stopped her car at acheckpoint at the edge oftown and told her she wasn’tallowed to enter But she impulsively bolted ahead anyway.Nobodywho’smet Hemeter would doubt this in the least.

Hemeter said that she’s long been anLASPCAvolunteer.Then as now,the LASPCA servesas thecity’sanimal control agency,

in Louisiana 138N.C tezSt. NewOrleans,LA70119 tommycrane.com

which, as alast resort,employs euthanasia. Sometime in the 1980s, Hemeter said, she was present when several animals were gassed. Thedistressingexperience made her long for an alternative.

In 2014, Hemeter started trapping, ﬁxing andreleasing strays with someonenamed Liz Newman, whoran an operation called Project Spay Neuter.In2020 Hemeter went out on her own, founding Trap Dat Cat.

On theprowl

As thetires of her SUV thumped into aGertTown pothole, Hemeter admittedshe’saterribledriver It’sprobably because her eyes are always surveying thetrash bins, crawl spaces and tall weedsalong the passing roadways, searching for the furtive members of the many cat colonies that flourish across New Orleans. When she spotsaGrizabella or Macavity in theshadows, she stops to drop somecat food andget acquainted. Ideally,the furry denizens displayclippedears,indicatingthat breeding in the area may already be diminished. Butthereare still lots of unﬁxed cats out there. “You catch one, but there are 10,000 more,” Hemetersaid. “There are cats all over the place.

Hemetersaidshe’sfrustrated with folkswho feed cats that they don’town but don’tget them ﬁxed,

thereby fueling the population. She’salso frustrated by people who discard their pets when the animalsbecomeinconvenient.“It’s thepeople whoare the problem, notthe cats,”she said resolutely “Put that in big letters.”

Making hermark

Peoplemay be theproblem, but Hemetersurrounds herself with plentyofthem anyway.Infact, it’s pretty clear that Trap Dat Cat provides morethan an alternative to conventionalcat removal: It’s also asociety,a tribe, with newbie trappers in need of instruction, oldhands, and acrew of dedicated assistants, crossing paths, caring for furry wildlings and sharing a passion.

Theplight of feral and unwanted pet cats can, of course, become abit sad. “But,” Hemeter said, “when Iget really down aboutit, Igotta remind myselfofall the good people who comeover here and want to help.”

Hemeter has made her mark on thecityshe loves. “She’sgreat,” saidJeff Dorson, the executive director of theHumane Society of Louisiana. “She’sbeen enormously impactful,sterilizingall of these cats.Take herout of thepicture andyou have female cats having six, seven, eight kittens per litter, two to three times per year.”

Dorson said he doesn’tdoubt that

Hemter’sservicetothe

LASPCA savesthe city untold thousandsof dollars in animal control annually

Bringing in Scrim

If Hemeter’saccomplishments weren’tsignificantenough, she also had acrucial role in arecent New Orleans celebrity saga. As Hemeter explained, hertraps are not picky.Over time, they’ve caught chickens, possums, raccoons and “a wiener dog.” Thenamiraclehappened. In February,a Mid-City resident borrowed oneofHemeter’straps, intending to capture somestray cats on Lopez Street. Instead she caught an icon Hemetersaidthatshe gota text from the trapper,who claimed to have caught Scrim,New Orleans’ notorious runaway dog, the terrier mutt who’d remained loose despite being chased by aposse of potential captors and being shot with tranquilizer darts. Scrim had even leapt from asecond-story window to avoidcaptivity,and survived the blizzard of 2025. “I didn’tbelieve her,” Hemeter said. “I thought she wasjoking. Then she sent apicture.” Ironically,the story of Scrim, theCrescentCity’sall-time most famous canine,had endedina cat trap.

Email Doug MacCashat dmaccash@theadvocate.com.

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STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Nita Hemeter,from left, Theresa Bridges and Monica Nelson,ofTrap DatCat, stand by Nelson’svan in NewOrleans.

withstand temperate-zone winters, monk parakeets are found across North America, ﬂocking mostly to urban and suburban areas.

New Orleans is the only city in Louisiana that has monk parakeets, Erik Johnson,assistant professor at the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources and ornithologist, said. Some speculate the birds escaped from acrate during a shipping mishap. Others believe the populations aredescendants of freed or runaway pets who learned to adapt to various climates.

But regardless of how thespeciesarrived, there’snogetting rid of them, Audubon Zoosenior

TRAIN

Continued from page1D

bands, ballyhoo and maskers dressed in feathery Carnival costumes. And there werespeeches by each town’smayor

Those stops reminded meof how much New Orleans permeatesthe culturealong theGulf Coast.The locals celebrated the name of the Mardi Gras line High school groups played Carnivalsongs andthere werebanners of purple, green and gold

In Pascagoula, Mayor Jay Willis recalled his excitementthe ﬁrst time he rode atrain.Thatwas in 1984 when Amtrak ran aservice across the coast to the World’s Fair in New Orleans. Those memories inspired him during the decadeslong battle to restore the train line. BaySt. Louis has the most historic traindepot. Builtin1928, it wasalongtime stop for commuters from New Orleans or Mobile. It is famous for having been used in ascene from the movie version of Tennessee Williams’ “This Property is Condemned,” starring Natalie Wood and Robert Redford. On off days, the cast could have easily commuted to New Orleans. (There is aduck pond on the depot grounds. For the benevolent among us whodon’t ordinarily carry duck food when we travel, that can be purchased in the visitors center.)

3minutes early

Thenew Amtrak train was scheduled to leave at 8a.m but by 7:57 the train was moving, par-

birdkeeperRegina Wiesepape said.

“They’re stuck here,” Wiesepape said.“They seem to do so well, Ithink we’d have them everywhere in theUnited States if they migrated.”

Butthey’renot amigratory species and likely never would have settled in urban areas without a little help.

Today, they ﬁllthe region’s nichesleft by extinct Caroline parakeets— the only parrot native to North America.

‘Uniqueasaparrotspecies’

Monk parakeetsare unassuminginappearance —smaller than apigeon, with lime-green feathers and blue-gray heads. But what makes them unusual is their choice of habitat.

“They’ll take over and nest alot on electrical poles,” Wiesepape said.

allelingthe expressway toward Mid-City and then through City Park before it curved in the direction of Gentilly andeastern New Orleans.

One of the visualhighlights of thetrip is rollingthrough the Rigolets (theFrench term for thechannel connecting Lake Pontchartrainwith the Gulf) and its checkerboard of swamps and grassy islands

Back in thedays before Amtrak,when theSouthern Railways operated theCrescent and provided daily service between New Orleansand NewYork, breakfast in the diner was afavored experience amongrail buffs. They knewthat the cooking was done on awood-burning stoveand that breakfast was usually served by thetime the train reached the Rigolets. Oneofrailroading’s greatmomentswas riding above theswamps in adiner while hopingtospot alligators.

Another great visual momentis at Bay St. Louis, where the track is elevated across PassChristian. In thedistance is theﬁrst view of the Gulf,where in 1699, French Canadians rowed their way west toward the mouth of the Mississippi River and then north, where the LeMoyneBrothers (Iberville andBienville) would spend their ﬁrst nightinwhatwould be Louisiana territory

They may nothave realized it, but the date (March 3) happened to be FatTuesday.Future historians and pundits would write that theﬁrst night that Frenchmen spentinLouisianawas Mardi Gras. Three hundred-twenty ﬁve years before anew passenger

“It

REGINA WIESEPAPE, Audubon Zoo senior birdkeeper

Optingfor infrastructure over trees, most Monk parakeet nests are intricately built and spacious enough for agroup of up to 30 birds.

“If they can ﬁnd abig enough spot to nest,they’ll try to pack (themselves) in,”Erik Johnson, assistant professor at the LSU School of Renewable Natural Resources and ornithologist, said.

Most nestscontain around 10 birds, Johnson said.

“They’ve survived hurricanes, they’ve survived ﬂoods and disastersand they’re as resilient as the people are,”Johnson said.

train’sﬁrst run, theLeMoynes’ boat could have also been called theoriginal Mardi Gras Service. NewOrleans meetsMobile

We arrived in Mobile at approximately 12:45 p.m.,where we were led to the Arthur Outlaw Convention Center.There was a buffet and lotsofspeeches, including the Mobile mayor again and Mobile-area congressman Shomari Figures, who pointed out that twice before there had been New OrleanstoMobile service: during theWorld’sFair and around the time of Katrina. For reasons of bottom lines and high winds, each would be discontinued for approximately 20 years before continuing again. To thecrowd’sapplause, he said he hoped there would never again be a20-year break.

Amongthe dignitaries were genuine Carnival royaltyfrom New Orleans: thereigning Rex, Howell Crosby,and theQueen of Carnival, TatumReiss, plus the traditionally anonymous Rex captain andthe president of the Zulu organization. Also, there were Mobile Mardi Gras ofﬁcials. They and theRex folks all did kumbaya, hugged and exchanged proclamations. There has long been teasingabout whose Mardi Gras is the oldest. Actually,it is not entirely teasing. There is somebristling when the topic is raised, especially as Mobile claims to be thehome of the “original Mardi Gras” celebration Oneofthe VIP’s, aWashington statecongressman who is on the committee that oversees Amtrak,

Their nesting habits are part of thereason they’re able to live in cities across North America huddling amongsmallcolonies in thick, intricately-constructed, twig roosts.

“I’m sure the twigs and building humongousnests help insulate them during the winter months,” Wiesepape said.

Southern living in theBig Easy

Though monkparakeets have madeNew Orleans their home, ﬂying over LakePontchartrain and zigzagging between Audubon Park oak trees, they’re still considered an invasive species.

“People lose pets all the time here, and I’msure that there are some that have managed to get out,but something about the monkparakeets seemstomake them adapted forliving here,” Wiesepape said. Even though they’re ﬁlling some

said he was advised “not to make jokes about Mardi Gras in New Orleansvs. Mobile, formyown personal safety.”

This is acomplex topic that involves some grasp of history plus linguistics about how “original” is deﬁned. It is best saved fora future column. Mobile uses 1703 as astartdate because there was somesort of celebration started by aFrenchman named Nicholas Langlois.The Rex captain, however,did note that the LeMoyne brothers landed in 1699. He chided that “maybe this is Louisiana math,but 1699 came ﬁrst.” Leadingthe wayhome

Also, of historic importance, and certainly inﬂuenced by New Orleans, was aMobile group called the Excelsior Brass Band that was founded in 1883 and claims to be the oldest marching band in the country.The group’s repertoire includes, with deference to New Orleans, arousing version of “The Saints.” Just as a brass band led the crowd to the train in New Orleans, the Excelsior was in front of the second-line that marched the people to the return trip to NewOrleans. While riding home, there was time to note the amenities of thetrain. The coaches, someof which were refurbished 1970s units, are comfortable. The seats are spacious.There is abar with snacks andadining car.The most heralded item wasthe muffuletta, which got good reviews. (At the lunch buffet in Mobile, there had even been amuffuletta dip.) The ride was smooth Reentering NewOrleans pro-

sort of niche, Wiesepape said, their current population is too small to have anegative impact on other species.

“It’sbeen awhile since anyone tried to generate an estimate,” Johnson said.

Fifteen years ago, birdwatchers estimated there werebetween 2,000 to 4,000 Monk parakeets in NewOrleans.

Chances are, the population has stayed the same, Johnson said.

“Itisexciting to hear them out,” Wiesepape said. “It’sthe closest we’ll get to seeing aparrot in North America.”

Do you have aquestion about something in Louisiana that’s got you curious? Email your question to curiouslouisiana@ theadvocate.com. Include your name, phonenumber andthe city where you live.

vides adifferent perspective of landmarks, such as cemeteries and neighborhoods, as seen from the railroad track side. As the train begins its last leg, the emerging downtownlooks powerful. For atraveler suddenly seeing the Superdomefor the ﬁrst time, it must be an awesome moment.

Union Passenger Terminal, which opened in 1954, is an artistic modern-style masterpiece that should be visited, even if you are not taking atrain. Murals depict the state’searly history

Back to the Mobile vs. New Orleans debate: The Mobile Mardi Gras is knownfor its Moon Pies, which are manufactured in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In New Orleans, as we departed from the train, there was ahometown specialty: Hubig’spies, apple or lemon, locally made. Mobile is great, but once again, New Orleans is one better

Errol Laborde is aproducer and panelist on WYES Channel 12’s “Informed Sources.” Contact him at elabordenola@gmail.com.

BY ANDREW DALTON and AMELIA THOMSON-DEVEAUX Associated Press

LOSANGELES Many Americans still want to thankthe academy,atleast alittle.

About half of U.S. adults say they’ve watched allor most of an awards show on TV or streaming in the past year,according to anew poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, while just over half say they’ve watchedclips from an awards show

About 6in10say they’ve watched an awards show clips or both in the last year

The results suggest that some vitality remains in the seemingly stodgy old tuxedo-and-gownworld of the Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys and Golden Globes, whose makers have fought to make them relevant when Americans have more entertainment andengagement choicesthan ever.

Andtheycomeata moment when the Oscars and the Emmys have seen a short-term uptick in viewers after cultural shifts that brought ahuge long-term drop in people gathering around atelevision to watch an awards show together

“These days, it’smore focused on the performances,” said Walter Hanley,69, who used to work in the music industry and stillwatches most music awards shows.

“Back in the ’70s and ’80s when Iwould attend regional Grammys in person, it was more about the awards —sound engineering and producers and that kindof thing.” Hanley thinksthe pivot has helped awardsshows keep up with the times.

“You have to cater to what the viewers want,” he said.

The Oscars, which remain themost viewed and most engaged-withawardsshow are coming off aﬁve-year high in viewers. Nearly 20 million people watched “Anora” win best picture and four other top trophies in March.

But that’sdown from the more than 55 million who watched “Titanic” win 11 in 1998, when awards shows truly were the king of the world.

Some, like Christine Steingraber,64, watch mostof theawardsshows that air on TV

The Oscars are her favorite, but she watches the Emmys and the Grammys, too, even when she’snot familiar with the shows or the artists up for awards.

“It opens up another perspective as to whether I want to see that show or hear that artist,” she said.

The biggest awards shows —like the Oscars, the Grammys and the Emmys —have streaming partners, but they generally don’tappear there until the following day.By that point, viral moments and winners’ reactions have already been plastered online in short clips.

The poll suggests that awards shows may be appealingtoa new generation.

People under the ageof 45 are more likely to say they have watched both an awards show and clips in the past year,compared

with people age 45 or older Meme-ablemoments like the “La-La Land” fiasco or Will Smith’sslap at the Oscars or the hits and misses of Golden Globes monologues haveshown the shows can still have life aftersocialmedia took over for TV formany

The surveyfound that the people who watched full awards showslargely overlap with clip viewers, although peopleare slightly more likelytosay they’ve just watched clips rather than just watchingshows.

About4in10say they haven’twatched clipsor shows.

Awards shows —whether they’re consumed through clips or live viewing–are more popular among Black and Hispanicadults than among white adults. About 7in10Black and Hispanic adultssay they’ve watched clips or at least most of a show in the pastyear,compared with just over half of white adults.

Shows including the BET Awardsand the Latin Grammys have reached moretargetedaudiences, just as the MTV Video Music Awards became away to bring young viewers into the awards audience starting in the mid-1980s.

Rose Lucas, 77, saysshe used to watch the BET Awards because she enjoyedthe R&B and hip-hop performances. Sheenjoys music awards shows, but shedoesn’ttypically watch thefull show live. She’s more likely to watch short clips of performances the next day

“I don’twatch any of them live anymore. Idon’ttune in to them,” Lucas said. “(They are) toolong. I’m not as interested anymore.”

When the Emmys return on Sunday,all eyes will be on the winners —and the ratings.

The last Emmys got a muchbigger boost than its predecessor,held in January 2024 because of Holly-

wood’sstrikes —one of several challenges, including the coronavirus pandemic andthisyear’swildfires that have thrown awards shownorms out of whack.

Televisionhas, in some ways, overtaken movies as aprestige screen art, but thathasn’ttranslated into similar awards prestige.The Emmys audience is less than half that of the Oscars.

The long-term awards ratings decline closely tracks with real-time broadcast and cable television viewing acrossthe boardfor virtually everything in the U.S. but football.

Andwhile there are doz-

10 Americans said they had watched awards shows at least “several times” in the past year That could be aresult of Americanshaving more options thaneverinwhat to watch —and many being too busy to tune in.

Inez Parker,88, said she watches awards shows on live TV,and she expects she’ll tune into the Emmys this weekend. But she doesn’tstream the show again or watch clips after the fact —she’stoo busy for that.

ensofawardsshows each year,only ahandful have asigniﬁcantaudience. The poll found that about 3in

“I usually watch all of it,” shesaid. “I’ll watchitlive, and that’sit. Idon’twatch it again.”

TODAYINHISTORY

By The Associated Press

Today is Sunday,Sept. 14, the257thday of 2025. There are 108days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Sept. 14, 1901, PresidentWilliam McKinley died in Buffalo, NewYork, of gunshot wounds inﬂicted by an assassin eight days prior; Vice PresidentTheodore Roosevelt succeeded him, becoming the youngest-ever U.S. presidentatage 42.

Also on this date:

In 1847, during the Mexican-American War, U.S. forces under Gen. Winﬁeld Scott took control of Mexico City.

In 1861, the ﬁrst naval engagement since the start of the Civil Wartook place as the USS Colorado attacked and sank the Confederate private schoonerJudah off the coast of Pensacola, Florida.

In 1927, modern dance pioneer Isadora Duncan died in Nice, France, when her scarf became entangled in awheelofthe sports car in which she was riding

In 1982, Princess Grace of Monaco, formerlyﬁlm starGraceKelly,died at age 52 of injuries from acar crash the day before.

In 1991, the government of SouthAfrica, the African National Congressand the Inkatha Freedom Party signed anational peace pact.

In 1994, on the 34th day of astrike by players, Acting Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig announced the 1994 seasonwas over In 2001, Americans packed churches and public squares on aday of remembrance for the victims of theSept. 11 attacks. President George W. Bush prayed with his Cabinet and attended services at Washington National Cathedral, then ﬂew to New York, wherehewaded into the ruins of the WorldTrade Centerand addressed rescueworkers in ashowof resolve.

In 2012, fury over an anti-Muslim ﬁlm ridiculing the Prophet Muhammad sparked violentclashes across theMuslim world.

Today’sbirthdays: Actor Walter Koenig (“Star Trek”) is 89. Architect RenzoPiano is 88. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown is 85. ActorSam Neill is 78.Country singer John Berry is 66. Actor Melissa Leois 65. Actor FaithFord is 61. Film director Bong Joon-Ho is 56. Supreme Court justice KetanjiBrown Jackson is 55. Actor Kimberly WilliamsPaisley is 54. ActorAndrew Lincoln is 52. Rapper Nas is 52. Olympic gold medal middle-distance runner Hicham El Guerrouj is 51. Florida Gov.Ron DeSantis is 47. Chef/TV personality Katie Lee is 44.NBA All-Star Jimmy Butler is 36. Golfer Tony Finau is 36. Actor Emma Kenney is26.

Mr.Snobwas my father.Callme‘Dr.Snob’

Dear Miss Manners: The culture of my academic field is very casual. I’minterviewing for professorships at several places, and the facultycommittees in the interviews —all “doctors” by title —invite me to call them by their first names. Having just completed my Ph.D., I’d like to ask them to recognize this, at least for the period of theinterview,by callingme“Doctor Name.” Is there away to request this with charm, flexibility and humility?

Gentle reader: Do you not want ajob?

Because asure way toavoid gettingone is to correct the interviewers. Especially,in this case, by suggesting that they —who all have doctorates themselves —should show you more respect because of your newlyminted degree.

Youalso seem to be unaware that there are colleges and universities at which the title of “doctor” is not used, out of the assumption that all the professors have Ph.D.s,soitishardly worth mentioning, let alone emphasizing.

Miss Manners suggestsyou study thedescription of the job for which you are interviewing. Does it mention “teaching thefaculty how to behave”?

Dear Miss Manners: When the bride’sparents pay for the wedding, should they not be able to invite at least half of theguests?

Ourdaughter has been engaged for almost two years and has ababy with her ﬁance. Now they want awedding, so we told them how much we could contribute. They have no money set aside, and his parents will contribute nothing. It seems that weddings have becomeoutrageously expensive, so they will need to have a small event (no more than 100 guests)

Ourdaughter has now told us

that since her ﬁance’sparents bothhave big families, they will get 70 invites, while the bride andgroom will be inviting 15 friends. Again, his family is not providing anything. The number of invitations left does not leave us room to invite ﬁrst cousins, or any friends unless we up the budget, which is not possible at this time.

Iguess Idonot think it’sfair that we will be providing food, alcohol and entertainment fora group of people we have never met and cannot include importantmembers of our family or close friends. My husband says we gave them abudget and they can do whatever they wantwith it. I believe dividing the number of invitations evenly between families is the best choice.

Is there arule of etiquette that supports either stance?

Does Miss Manners have an opinion on this?

Gentle reader: It is not that the bride’sparents should be allowed to issue invitations to thewedding because they are

paying forit. Rather,itisthat they should be allowed to issue invitations because they are the bride’sparents.

But before you are too pleased with that answer,itis also true that bigger families require moreinvitations.

Miss Manners is not suggesting that you solve this conﬂict by throwing moremoney at it. Youneed only recognize —and teach your daughter —that people are moreimportant than lavish wedding accoutrements.

Therefore, the lists of people whoare important to each family should be madefirst, in order to plan the budget for the wedding —whether,for example, the reception is atea instead of dinner,orthe flowers are local instead of flownin from another continent.

Send questions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners com or to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail. com.

Dear Heloise: My wife and I read your hintsdaily,and you have some great ones! Here is somethingthat we do to speed up theprocess of unloading thedishwasher When putting utensils intothe utensil holder to get washed, we group them together like forks in the front, spoons in themiddle, and knives in the back. It sure makesiteasy to unload when they are clean. —Mason Fairhope in Alabama

Sleeping with furryfriends

Dear Heloise: Dealing with pet furisongoing at my house. My Schipperke loves sleeping on my bed, and the feeling is mutual. Ikeep an old sheet on my bedspread to pull up at night forhair protection, but I also lovethe air settingonmy

dryer.I’ve discovered that if I put my bedspread or anything with dog hair through theair settingbefore puttingitinto thewashing machine, much of thehair is removed. It makes for amuch cleaner wash. —Lolly F.,via email

It’s in thebag T

Dear Heloise: Iripen bananas, tomatoes and peaches in apaper bag on the kitchen counter This traps the natural ethylene gases that many fruits release and speeds up theripening process. —Carrie W.,inOhio

Watershut-off

Dear Heloise: We went on atrip and were gone for aweek. When we got home, we discovered that we had aleak from an upstairs toilet, which ruined all the wood ﬂoors downstairs and caused mold to grow in corners of our walls. This also required replacing someof thedrywall. Please warnyour

readers to shut off their water before taking atrip of aweek or more. Avalve is usually located out near the sidewalk. Joyce M., in Fayetteville,Tennessee

Charging your phone

Dear Heloise: If you want to charge your phone quickly, plug it into the wall, not aPC. Think about investing in a fast charger,but check your phone’smanual or the manufacturer’swebsite to see what’s required foryour makeof phone. It’s usually not necessary to turn your phone off while charging, but be sure to check your phone’smanual just to be certain. —JohnW., in Middletown, Delaware

Tubesfor enrichment

Dear Heloise: The local zoo accepts cardboard cores from toiletpaper and paper towels. They use them foranimal enrichment. The cores are ﬁlled with treats and sealed.

The keepers give them to various animals that then have to ﬁgure out how to open them to get their treats.Collecting and ﬁlling the cores, then watching the animals open them is afun project foryoung kids and an opportunity foryouth organizations forservice-project hours. —MargeB via email

Birthday registry

Dear Heloise: My family has developed a“birthday registry” of sorts. Since we are scattered all over the country,it’simpossible to know what aperson needs, wants, etc. So, we developed alist of things we’d like to have or things we need, and we discreetly email the list to those whoneed it. This has worked well, and people get the gifts they need and want! —Holly H., in Massachusetts

Send ahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Forﬁve decades, Arthur Hardyhas been our neighbor,our guide, and the keeper of our Carnivalmemories. From his Gentillykitchen table in 1977 to receiving the key to the city in 2024,Hardytransformedhimself from aBrotherMartinband director into the man all aboutMardi Gras. Hisannualguidehas reached over3million readers, but for us locals, Arthur is family,the trusted voice whogetsitright,who rodewithRex after documenting them for decades, whostood with us throughthe police strike of ’79,Katrina’s aftermath, and everymagical momentinbetween. This 112-page celebration bringstogether the stories onlyArthur couldtell,ﬁlledwith photographs thatcapture the paradesyou remember,the krewesyou cheeredfor andthe moments thatmade youproud to be apartof MardiGras. Arthur Hardyhas preservedthe soul of what makesusNew Orleanians, making this the perfect holidaygift for anyone whobleeds the purple, green and gold of MardiGras. Booksship in time for holidaygift-giving!

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Hints from Heloise

‘WEARE PART OF THE

NEWEST WAVE’

Incubatoraimstogrow

Chandler Monk, above,isfounder and CEO of Cleaved Diagnostics, which has alab at the BioInnovation Center, below,inNew Orleans. Thecompany hopes to makedevices that consumers canuse totestthemselves for early signs of illness. Monk said she’strying to find anew waytouse thegroundbreaking CRISPR gene-editing technology, which wonits inventors aNobel Prize in 2020.

BECHERER

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

For morethan adecade, the New Orleans BioInnovation Center has worked to makeits portionofCanal Street something entirelydifferent from the retail corridor or hotel haven that it’s beenfor thelast century Th en on pr ofit businessincubator, focused on life sciences, serves as a launching pad for innovative companies dreaming up the medicines andmedical technology of the future. While biotech hubs like Boston,San Francisco, SanDiego andRaleigh-Durham, North Carolina, arehome to thousands of startups, some with valuationsinthe billions,the New Orleans incubator has helped

launch about 200 smaller-scale ventures since its inception. But there aresome signs of momentum

Since June, three new biotech startups have signed leases forlab space at theincubator’s 66,000-square-foot headquarters. The San Diegobased biotech startup Informuta, founded two yearsago by two Tulane University Ph.D.recipients,iscelebrating the opening of its BioInnovation Center labthis week

The company,which is developing high-tech tools to combat antibiotic-resistant infections, is following in the footsteps of two similar ventures —Cleaved Diagnosticsand BekenBio that signed leases at the nonproﬁtbusiness incubator afew months earlier

Thesenew “freshmen” ventures are looking to capitalize on affordable rent, grant-writing assistance, state tax credits and other support provided by NOBICand its partners.

See BIOTECH, page 2E

“How

hell

MATT STULLER, CEO and founderofStuller Inc

La.jewelry makerquietly became largestinNorth America

BY BLAKEPATERSON

Staff writer Sitting at workbenchesin abrightly lit room in this Lafayette manufacturing facility,a dozen jewelers put the ﬁnishing toucheson asteady streamofengagement rings. Each of the workersat jewelry maker Stuller Inc.’s headquarters has their own task. Some handle sizing. Others engravings. Their goal is the same: Get the jewelry completed —and ready to ship to customers —the same day it’sordered The efﬁciency of amadeto-order operation is what

allowed Stuller Inc. togrow from aone-man operation into thelargest jewelry manufacturer in North America anda major economic force in south Louisiana. Though it employs more than 1,500 people as the largest private,nonhealth care employer in Lafayette, many people in south Louisianahavenever heard of it. That’sbydesign. “Weused to be very quiet,” saidMattStuller,the company’s founder and CEO, in arecent interview “Wedidn’twanttotell peoplewehad gold or diamonds. We didn’twantto

promotewhat we did.”

But recently,thatoutlook haschanged as thecompany has grown and faced competition locally for workers in an increasingly tight labor market. Stuller is beginning to embrace the spotlight, too.

Lastyear,atGov.Jeff Landry’srequest, the CEO accepteda positionona newlycreated board tasked with advising Louisiana EconomicDevelopmenton itsstrategyfor attracting newbusinessesintoLouisiana while also helping existingﬁrms succeed

ä See JEWELRY, page 2E

Founder and CEO Matt Stuller has grownStuller Inc. froma one-man operation in Lafayette into the largest jewelry manufacturer in North America

STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE

New Orleans

Karen Burrows has been promoted to assistant director of campus security at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

Burrows has worked with the Convention Center for more than two decades, holding multiple leadership roles in the Campus Security Department, including senior supervisor, public safety shift supervisor and public safety ofﬁcer

High schoolers watch a demonstration of a jewelry setting by Stuller Inc at a career fair at the Cajundome Convention Center in Lafayette. STAFF

BOWIE

JEWELRY

Continued from page 1E

A major jewelry supplier

Stuller told Forbes in a 2023 article that the company books about $800 million in annual sales.

foreign market, after the country imposed its own 25% tariff on American goods, Stuller said.

Burrows Lind

Patrick Lind has been named president of Stewart Interior Contractors Lind has been with Stewart since 2000, most recently serving as vice president.

He replaces Gordon Stewart, who has served as president of the company since it was founded. Stewart will become CEO, focusing on strategic initiatives.

Baton Rouge

Sophia Solomon has been hired by Woman’s Hospital as senior vice president of quality

Solomon

Solomon has more than 30 years of experience in health care leadership. Most recently, she served as the vice president of quality, performance improvement, risk and safety at the Research Medical Center in Kansas City Missouri.

She earned a bachelor’s in nursing from Grambling State University and a master’s in nursing from Southern University

Russell

Ben Russell has joined Loadstar as vice president of plant operations. Russell spent 15 years with Dow Chemical, where he had engineering and logistics roles of increasing responsibility at sites across the U.S. and abroad

BIOTECH

Continued from page 1E

Other draws, the founders say, include the state’s nine new federally backed investment funds, a friendly regulatory environment and potential partnerships with local universities and hospitals.

The new leases are a sign of hope for supporters of the city’s small but scrappy biotech ecosystem. They say the city has the potential to become a haven for entrepreneurs despite a national political backlash against governmentfunded scientiﬁc research and a shortage of investment dollars that has made life more difﬁcult for these types of startups overall.

“New Orleans is tight-knit, and everyone helps each other,” said Informuta co-founder Kalen Hall.

“Since we left, people have been asking us to come back. When thinking about where it made sense to set up a lab long-term, considering the expenses and regulatory hurdles in California, New Orleans was the first place we thought of.”

Decades-old dream

NOBIC exists on the edge of the BioDistrict New Orleans, an economic development zone encompassing a 1,500-acre section downtown and in Mid-City that was conceived more than two decades ago by state lawmakers.

The district is also home to the $2 billion University Medical Center and Veterans Health Administration hospital complexes, as well as the abandoned Charity Hospital building. It lay dormant for several years before being resuscitated in 2018 In January, it received its ﬁrst revenue from city sales taxes within its borders.

He declined to provide updated numbers, saying, “We’re a much larger and sizable company than what those numbers were.”

Though Stuller declined to name his customers, he said they include most all jewelry retailers, from luxury brands to staples of suburban retail.

The company ships between 4,000 and 5,000 packages daily It’s because of that trafﬁc that FedEx and UPS cargo jets make daily trips out of Lafayette’s airport, a service that isn’t typical for a city of Lafayette’s size but one that economic development officials say has helped attract other businesses to the region.

‘Fair trade’

Stuller Inc.’s business is currently navigating one of its biggest opportunities, along with one of its biggest challenges.

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on imports has caused retailers who bought jewelry from cheaper manufacturers overseas to look to domestic alternatives As one of the few jewelry manufacturers left in the U.S., Stuller Inc. has seen a boom. At the same time, countries that previously restricted jewelry imports from the U.S. are dropping barriers.

“It is really the most amazing experience that I’ve ever had in business for growth opportunities,” Stuller said.

Still, there are some materials — like diamonds and gemstones that Stuller Inc. can’t source domestically The company also lost millions in potential revenue in Canada, the company’s largest

Stuller who describes himself as an advocate of “fair trade” as opposed to “free trade,” said he supports efforts to rebalance America’s trade relations, arguing that it was long past due for the U.S. to push back on trade barriers imposed by other countries.

“The problem is Trump went overboard on it, and then he started trying to manipulate the countries,” he said.

He pointed to the Trump administration’s decision last month to impose 50% tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian oil. Nearly 90% of diamonds are cut in India. They’re now subject to the duty

“Every single day we’re huddling trying to figure out, you know, what is the new game for tariffs today,” Stuller said, comparing the current moment with uncertainty during the coronavirus pandemic.

But if America wants fair trade, Stuller said, it’ll have to endure some pain to get there.

“I’m a fan of Trump. He’s taking this stuff on that needs to be done but never has, and we suffer and we beneﬁt from the consequences,” he said.

‘Bleeding edge’

Stuller, 74, attributes much of his own company’s success to staying ahead of the curve.

He got his start in the industry as a junior in high school working part-time after class for a local jeweler, and during his senior year, opened his own business in a corner of his dad’s orthodontic suite in Lafayette. In 1970, after one semester at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Stuller dropped out to start Stuller Inc. and began traveling the state selling his wholesale jewelry line to retailers out of his trunk.

His first innovation as a businessman was simple: Be nice.

He said most other wholesalers would act like “you were inconveniencing them” when you called to place an order

The company also led the way in offering same-day shipping, color catalogs instead of blackand-white and the ability to order via fax machine (That option is still available.)

In the 1990s, Stuller Inc. began offering its customers the ability to request custom designs an investment that has paid dividends in recent years amid a fad in “personalization,” Stuller said (The company has 1.7 trillion different designs on ﬁle.)

Stuller Inc.’s latest push is around how to utilize artiﬁcial intelligence.

Over the years, the company has amassed a massive amount of data on the preferences of its 35,000 customers. Stuller is hoping AI can help sort through that data to quickly come up with designs that suit speciﬁc tastes.

“Often we are on the bleeding edge of development rather than the leading edge,” Stuller said, noting that it isn’t cheap.

LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois said Stuller’s success is the kind of story her agency is eager to tell about Louisiana, adding that she’s thankful he advocates quality of life issues, like litter abatement.

“He always wants to remind whoever is listening that you can’t decouple quality of life from quality of place and business policy and success,” Bourgeois said.

‘Great people’ When Stuller built the company’s headquarters in 1980, the

Informuta co-founder Kalen Hall works in a lab The San Diego-based biotech startup Informuta, founded two years ago by two Tulane University Ph.D recipients, is celebrating the opening of its BioInnovation Center lab this week. ‘New Orleans is tight-knit, and everyone helps each other,’ said Hall. ‘When thinking about where it made sense to set up a lab long-term New Orleans was the first place we thought of.’

ﬁrmer footing, covering roughly half of its nearly $3 million in operating expenses with rent and making up the difference with support from public and private partners, according to Kris Khalil, the nonprofit’s executive director

The state’s economic development agency said NOBIC has supported more than 200 companies creating more than 650 highwage jobs, but the long and complex life cycle of biotech ventures means it often takes years to judge their success.

— is Fluence Analytics, a startup from New Orleans that moved to Houston before being acquired in 2023 by Japan’s Yokogawa Electric Corp.

New ways to diagnose disease

Each of the three new biotech companies setting up labs in New Orleans is hoping to diagnose illnesses in new ways.

So far, the district has brought in around $400,000, and it invested in murals, signage and landscaping before the Super Bowl. At a meeting last week, its board approved a plan to direct nearly $100,000 to NOBIC to provide grant-writing assistance to biotech startups in the city

NOBIC has about 30 tenants ranging from biotech startups and established software companies to the maker of $100 tubes of luxury toothpaste. After a ﬁnancial crisis in 2019, the incubator has been on

Neurotechnology company AxoSim, now 28bio, debuted in 2014 and has raised more than $15 million. It was initially planning to expand its footprint at NOBIC last year but moved to Metairie instead. Another company, Obatala, founded in 2017, has some space in NOBIC, but its seven employees also work out of a lab on the campus of the University of New Orleans, where several other biotech startups are located.

The most high-proﬁle startup to come through NOBIC that has had an “exit” an event that allows investors to cash in their shares

Informuta, led by Hall and Leo Williams, is developing devices that doctors can use to predict antibiotic resistance without having to send samples off to the lab. The company’s platform uses artiﬁcial intelligence to study the DNA of harmful bacteria.

Cleaved Diagnostics hopes to make devices that consumers can use to test themselves for early signs of illness. Its founder, Chandler Monk, said she’s trying to ﬁnd a new way to use the groundbreaking CRISPR gene-editing technology, which won its inventors a Nobel Prize in 2020.

Beken Bio, which is moving its headquarters from San Diego to New Orleans, is building diagnostic tools that look for “biomarkers” circulating in a patient’s blood to enable early cancer detection with

building was 12,000 square feet and featured a drive-thru window

After several major expansions, the facility now spans 600,000 square feet, and both guests and employees must go through multiple security checkpoints to enter Another expansion is ahead, Stuller said. The company bought 8 acres near its headquarters, where it will move parking so it can add onto its existing facility, he said.

The hallway that cuts through the headquarters runs almost a third of a mile and is dotted with windows offering a peek into how jewelry is made, from start to ﬁnish.

Through one window, artists worked with pen and paper on new concepts — nearly 3,000 products are added to Stuller Inc.’s catalog each year Through another, designers in a dimly lit computer lab use the company’s proprietary software to turn those sketches into 3D models.

There’s the gemologist, analyzing the color and clarity of rubies and sapphires. Technicians pouring molten metal into molds Bench jewelers setting stones. Stuller attributes his company’s growth to his location, and the people he’s been able to hire.

“How in the hell do you become a manufacturer of our size, with our service and reputation?” Stuller said. “Not by leadership, but by great people. And we have great people in Louisiana.

“We’re here and we’re going to stay here.”

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com

part of the newest wave.”

Statistically speaking, all three companies face long odds as they try to turn their ideas into successful businesses, which is where NOBIC and its partners hope to lend a hand.

The incubator provides attractive rents and subsidizes applications for the federal grants that are the lifeblood of many biotech startups. It also connects entrepreneurs with potential funders and sometimes invests in them through its own BioFund.

NOBIC’s annual BioChallenge event, which Informuta won last year, is designed to bring out-oftown founders to the city

“We introduce them to our local health systems, investors and academic research institutions to form collaborations,” Khalil said.

‘None of that when I started’

The city’s biggest biotech success story to date is Fluence, which creates tools to help petrochemical and pharmaceutical companies monitor the quality of their products as they make them.

Company founder Alex Reed, who now lives in the Paciﬁc Northwest but still has some New Orleans-based employees, said the city’s biotech scene has evolved considerably since the days he was getting started. More investors and experienced founders have changed the landscape.

“There was none of that when I started,” he said.

The pool of new investors exists largely because of a Biden-era program that provides federal matching dollars to private investors who support entrepreneurs.

The nationwide initiative, which is managed in the state by Louisiana Economic Development, could lead to $113 million in federal matching dollars over the next several years.

Despite the new tools in the toolkit, Reed said it’s hard for smaller markets like New Orleans to compete with established hubs, which is why leaders should focus on areas where the city has a competitive advantage.

Looking to academic institutions like Tulane, which now has an innovation institute and birthed the technology that created Fluence, isn’t a bad place to start.

the help of AI-powered data analysis.

“There’s an arms race in this world of liquid biopsies,” company founder Chris Millan said. “We are

“There are so many good ideas sitting in labs,” Reed said.

Email Rich Collins at rich collins@theadvocate.com.

Khalil

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Chris Millan, founder of Beken Bio, conducts an experiment. The company, which is moving its headquarters from San Diego to New Orleans, is building diagnosis tools aimed at early cancer detection.

FILE PHOTO By BRAD

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Stuller Inc., based in Lafayette, employs over 1,500 people and is the largest jewelry manufacturer in North America and a major economic force in south Louisiana.

TALKING BUSINESS

ASK THE EXPERTS

Investment in $400B SpaceX a no-brainer for Angels

Founder says local startups can benefit from network’s access to opportunity

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

When Mike Eckert, a co-founder and former CEO of The Weather Channel, moved to New Orleans in 2013 to be closer to his new grandson, he found that the city had a lot of entrepreneurial activity but no formal angel investment group to support it.

Q&A WITH MIKE ECKERT

As a retired executive and investing veteran with time on his hands, Eckert decided to launch the Nola Angel Network That was 2014. In the 11 years since, the group, now known as Gulf South Angels, has grown to more than 150 accredited investors across 18 states, including doctors, lawyers, executives and other wealthy individuals who are willing to bet on startup companies in hopes of a big return.

To date, the network has invested more than $28 million in more than 70 companies across a range of industries. Fourteen of those startups have been sold or merged with other companies. Four have gone out of business. The rest are still in business though haven’t produced any returns.

Earlier this week, Gulf South Angels announced a new investment — not in a small local startup but in SpaceX, Elon Musk’s $400 billion space company Eckert, now chair of the board of Gulf South Angels, says the network isn’t turning away from scrappy homegrown companies but is taking advantage of an opportunity for the network’s members that was too attractive to turn away

No. We can still do both. There is more early-stage startup capital in Louisiana today than ever before in history as a result of the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan Act in 2021 and the program it set up that allocated money to states to help small businesses. That program created the State Small Business Credit Initiative, or SSBCI, to invest in startups. (The federal program is administered through Louisiana Economic Development and designated roughly $90 million for equity investment in local startups and $23 million for small business loans.) We started one of these funds. Now, there are seven of them in Louisiana, and they are putting this money to work So, maybe there wasn’t money for startups in the past, but that is not true today And we continue to invest in Louisiana companies. We have invested in four Louisiana companies of the 16 total investments so far this year and we will continue to invest locally Does this

In this week’s Talking Business, Eckert discusses how the investment deal came together and what it means for the future of Gulf South Angels. Interview has been edited for length and clarity

The recent announcement that Gulf South Angels had an opportunity to invest in SpaceX is interesting and unusual.Why is this significant?

It’s signiﬁcant because a local angel network had an opportunity to invest in SpaceX, a privately held company with a valuation of $400 billion.

Usually, those kinds of opportunities are restricted to large private equity and venture capital ﬁrms. We were able to get in on it.

So how did this deal come together?

SpaceX recently had a large fundraising round. Typically, when that occurs, there is a lot of demand for the round from the investment community so the company allocates a certain amount of capital for each investor

We, Gulf South Angels, have formed a deep relationship with a venture capital fund, Balerion Space Ventures. They’re a Texas-based VC ﬁrm that invests in space technology and we have done a number of deals with them — and have had some great success Well, Balerion was able to get into this SpaceX ﬁnancing round and allocated some for us. We jumped at the chance.

How much did y’all invest?

Half a million dollars, which is a

small amount relative to the allocation given to Balerion, which was somewhere between $25 million and $30 million. But what Balerion does is roll up all these allocations, and in turn, SpaceX rolls up all the allocations, so there is this waterfall effect. What is really fascinating here is that we are one of the few angel groups in the U.S. that has formed a relationship and become an investor in VC funds. Many angel groups strictly invest in local startups. We are getting in on bigger deals through VCs like Balerion.

I thought Gulf South Angels was formed to invest in local startups because angels were one of the key pieces missing from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem. Does this sort of fly in the face of that?

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Innovation. We’reinvesting in agreener, cleanerfuture... leadingthe wayinreducing emissionsand creating low-carbon solutions.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Mike Eckert, a co-founder and former CEO of The Weather Channel, founded Gulf South Angels after moving to New Orleans in 2013 and recognizing a need for startup capital in the local market. Earlier this week, Gulf South Angels announced a new investment — not in a small

startup but in SpaceX,

Musk’s $400 billion space company

21-day financialfastwillchangethe wayyou

If you think your ﬁnances need aserious reboot, Ihave achallenge for you. Fifteen years ago, Iwas counseling people who spent so unconsciously that they kept digging themselves into aﬁnancial hole. It inspired me to write“The 21Day Financial Fast: Your Path to Financial Peace and Freedom.”

At the time of the book’srelease, Iwas leading aministry at my church that hosted monthly workshops to help people better manage their money.While looking over people’sbank accounts and creditcard statements, I came to realize that many needed areset. Their spending was so out of control, they were unable to see theywere earning enough to pay down debt and/or increase their savings.

Ithought if Icould get them to do aspending fast, they would have aclearer understandingof their ﬁnances.

Afinancial fast is much like restarting your computer, agood first step if you can’tsee away to fix aproblem.

When you reboot your laptop, it closes all applications and background processes that might be slowing down your system or causing problems. It also can clear data to help the system run more smoothly

Fool’sTake: Fallen stock and boosted dividend

By cutting unnecessary expenses, you’re consciously distinguishing between want and need. Taking abreak from the endless cycle of consumerism can help youprioritize yourﬁnancial goals and identify where you truly want to spend your money

Over theyears, I’ve guided many peoplethrough the 21-day ﬁnancial fast. Now is agood time for areboot as we transition into fall. Theholiday season, which often leadstopeople accumulatingdebt,isjust ahead.Plus, there areconcernsabout tariffs raising consumerprices, which could result in higher inﬂation, weaken the job market andcool the stock market.

Here’swhat you should know aboutthe fast.

What’s allowed

Someone once asked, “Do Ipay my rent or bills duringthe fast?”

SMH!

Please continue to pay your rent or mortgage, alongwith your auto loan, utilities, credit card and other bills.

Youneed to eat, so, yes, go grocery shopping(more on this in the next section).

Iknowone person’sessential is another’swant. However,don’t cheat yourself outofaworthwhile exercise bycategorizing toomanyexpenses as necessities. What’s absolutely notallowed?

For21days, you follow a“no unnecessary spending”rule.

Don’tgotothe mall. Don’t even go window shopping.

Don’tvisit places in person or online that might tempt you to spend. Got awedding coming up? You can wear an outﬁt you already own.

Youcan’teat out. Andlet’scircle back to spending on food you eat at home.

While dining out often getsthe blamefor breaking thebudget, thetruthisthat your grocery bill can be an even bigger issue. Don’t overspend in this area, telling yourself everything you buy at thesupermarket is anecessity

Don’tgotothe movies or participate in other forms of entertainmentthat cost money

Andno, you can’tget around the no-spending rule by having someone else pay or using gift cards you’ve received. This doesn’t mean you can’thave fun.

Findaway to entertain yourself and your family that is free, like a gamenight at home or an outing to thepark.

No purchasing birthday presents, engagement gifts, wedding gifts, shower giftsorretirement gifts.

This last ban often meets with resistance. Iunderstand. Youthink it’s impolitetoshow up empty-handed. Buttry to view this as achance to demonstrate somethingmore valuable —your presence. Instead of astore-bought gift, offer to help with atask, share

aspecial skill, write aheartfelt letter or create something with what you already have. By shifting your focus from giving things to giving of yourself,you demonstratethat life’sspecial moments can be celebrated without spending any money

Ican’tlist all the do’sand don’ts, so if you areunsure, ask yourself: Will this expenditure go against thespirit of thefast?

Putthe plasticaway(temporarily)

Another key principle of the fast is avoiding the use of credit and debit cards, even if you usually pay off your balance every month

Ialso get pushback on avoiding plastic paymentoptions, which may be difﬁcult because many venues andbusinesses are cashless.

However,try to avoid using a credit or debit card whenever possible. Swipe here, tap there, and, before you realize it, you’ve spent far morethan you would have withcash. Research shows we tend to spend morewhen we use cards instead of cash. Youmight argue that debit card use should be allowed because it’salmost the sameascash. But that’snot true. Suppose you have $25 in cash and you’re heading to the grocery store topick up afew items. Without aplastic payment option or acard stored on your phone, you are limited to only what $25 can cover

With adebit card, you can easily blow the budget because you aren’tlimited to the cash in your wallet.

Idon’trecommend carrying large sums. Bring only what you need forthe day —gas, groceries, essential purchases.

Switching to cash during the fast helps you becomemore mindful of your spending habits and of how unconscious some purchases can be. This fast isn’tjust forthose in ﬁnancial trouble. Youcan also use it as acheckup.

Just like your car needs regular maintenance, your financial life does, too. Youmight find areas that need fine-tuning. Youmight discover extra money to supercharge reaching certain goals, such as boosting your retirement contributions.

If you do the fast with the book, read one chapter aday.Each chapter challenges you in adifferent area of your ﬁnancial life. Ultimately,fasting is not just about cutting back on your intake, but about discovering the peace that comes from managing your money intentionally

If you’re looking forﬁnancial clarity and discipline, take the challenge. Fast. Reﬂect. Reset. The path to prosperity begins by breaking the yoke to buy and buy and then buy somemore.

Email Michelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@washpost. com.

Target (NYSE: TGT) is a dividend powerhouse, having increased its payout for 54 consecutive years, but the company hasbeen struggling. Aturnaroundmay not happen this year, but if you believe that it will happen, you can collect a hefty dividend payment while you wait. Target faces multiple challenges. Some, such as declining consumer conﬁdence tied to un-

certainty about the effects of the Trump administration’stariffs, arelargelyoutside of its control. But other issuesare theresult of the company’sown moves.Target hasfacedcustomerbacklash after rolling back diversity,equity andinclusionefforts. Foot trafﬁc hasreportedlyfallen for several months in arow,including a3.9% year-over-year dropfor June, per retail newsoutletRetail Brew. Target is changing up its leadership team.It has replaced therole of chief strategyofﬁcer with a group ofexperienced insiders. A Target veteran is now CEO. Thanks mainly to its stock sinking overthe past 12months (it was down nearly 39% as of early

September), thecompany’sdividend yield has been pushed up to arecent 4.9. Meanwhile, the company continues to generatesolid proﬁts. Itsstock is also valued attractively,withaforward-looking price-to-earnings ratio below 13, well under its ﬁve-year average of 16. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Target.)

Fool’sSchool: Make these savvy 401(k) moves

n Contribute at least enough each year to maxout any available matching funds. Many employers will match your contributions to some degree —say,a50% match for up to 6% of your salary.Soif you earn $70,000, and contribute 6% ($4,200)ormore of your salary to your 401(k) account, your employer would chip in an additional $2,100. That’sfree money,and an instant, risk-free 50% return.

Aquick online search will turn up even more 401(k) tips. Motley Fool Michelle Singletary THE COLOR OF MONEy

If you have access to a401(k) plan at work, you should make the mostofthat powerful retirement savings tool.Hereare some tips: n Be sure to participateeach year

n If you can, contribute aggressively to your account. For 2025, the 401(k) contribution limit is $23,500, with an additional $7,500 “catch-up” contribution allowed for those 50 or older —totaling $31,000. Those age 60 to 63 by the end of 2025 can contribute an

extra $11,250 in 2025, for agrand total of $34,750.

n Consider opting for aRoth 401(k) account, if it’savailable. These accounts are funded with no up-front tax break, but if you follow the rules, you (and your heirs) can eventually withdrawmoney from the account tax-free.

n Don’tborrow from or cash out your account if you can help it, as that can shortchange your future, and you mayend up with penalties and taxes due.

n Know that traditional 401(k)s (and IRAs) call for required minimum distributions beginning at age 73.

Menhaden Fisheries: FederalPolicy, Sustainability, and CoastalEconomies

By Amanda McElfresh, amcelfresh@theadvocate.com

Thisarticle is Brought to youbythe Louisiana CommercialFisheries Coalition LLC. America’smenhaden ﬁshery is one of the greatsuccessstories of U.S. seafood production–a renewable, sustainably managed resource thatsupportsthousands of jobs,fuels rural economies,and delivers essential products to global markets. This longstanding industry,rootedfor generations along theAtlanticand Gulf Coasts,often ﬁnds itself at the centerof debate –praised as amodelofscience-based managementbysome, whilequestioned by othersconcerned about its ecological footprintand role in coastal economies

Whathappens in thesepolicy debates carries real weightfor the communities, small businesses, and working families whose livelihoods aretied directly to menhaden. From Reedville,Virginia,toMossPoint, Mississippi, and from Cape May, New Jersey,toEmpireand Abbeville, Louisiana, the ﬁshery forms the backboneoflocal economies.The industry supports not only ﬁshing crewsbut also dock workers, plant employees,welders, mechanics,truck drivers, shipbuilders, andcountless vendors.

Menhaden aresmall, oily ﬁsh thatplaya big role in the U.S. seafood supply chain. They areprocessedintoomega-3-rich nutritional oils,high-protein feeds foragricultureand aquaculture, and petfood ingredients

Theyalsoserve as critical bait forlobster, crab,and other high-value ﬁsheries acrossthe country.Thankstothis versatile ﬁsh, U.S. processors areable to create valueadded products thatare exported around the world, bolstering American manufacturing and competitiveness.

AModel of Sustainable Fisheries Management

Both Atlantic andGulfmenhaden fisheries aremanaged through science-driven frameworksdesigned to ensure ecosystem health and long-term viability. TheAtlantic StatesMarine FisheriesCommission (ASMFC) and Gulf StatesMarine Fisheries Commission (GSMFC), workingalongside NOAA and state agencies, have implemented Ecological Reference Points andharvestcaps to maintain predator-prey balance. Independentreviews back this up: The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the world’sleading authorityonsustainable seafood, has repeatedlycertifiedU.S menhaden as sustainably managed.Recent stock assessments confirmthatneither Gulf nor Atlantic menhadenpopulations are overfished or experiencing overfishing.

The menhadenindustry stands as a national model of howeconomic prosperity and ecological stewardship canthrive together.This provensuccessstory deserves to be frontand centerinevery regulatory discussion –local, state,and federal.

Evenwith strongstock assessments and international sustainabilitycertiﬁcations, differing views about menhaden’secological role and howbesttomanageitcontinue to shape the conversation, creating uncertainty foranindustry that has operated forcenturies

Anchoring Coastal Communities

Thenumberstellthe storyofanindustry deeplywovenintothe fabric of coastal life:

•Louisiana: Thenation’slargest producer Louisiana’sﬁshery accounts forover70% of U.S. landings –nearlyone billion pounds annually –and supports morethan 800 direct jobs

•Mississippi: Aprocessing plantinMoss Pointemploysover300 workersand anchorsa network of shipyards, trucking companies,and suppliers thatdrive the regional economy.

•Virginia: In Reedville, home to theEast Coast’shighest-volumeﬁsh landing port,a single companysupports 260 jobs,aﬂeet of nine purse seine vessels,and spotterplanes Harvests in the ChesapeakeBay arecapped at less than half of historic levels

•New Jersey: Family-owned fishing operations in Cape Mayand southern ports provide bait forlobster and crab fisheries from MainetoAlaskaand forcrawfish farms throughout the Gulf. Although Louisiana’smenhaden fishing season is limited to six months,the industry sustains full-time, year-roundjobswith competitivewages and benefits.Thesecareers supporthundredsoffamiliesand areoften passeddownthrough generations,forming the backbone of manycoastal communities

Menhaden and the American Seafood Supply Chain

Discussions over menhaden extend beyond biologyintoquestions of economics community stability, and food supply.The outcome of thesedebates influences not only fishing families and plantworkers but alsothe wider seafood chain and the rural economies it sustains Earlier thisyear,PresidentTrump issued an executiveorder to strengthenAmerican seafood competitivenessand rebuildU.S seafood dominance. Menhaden fisheries exemplify thatvision. Theydemonstrate that Americanworkers,using Americanvessels canharvest and processarenewableresource sustainably,all whilesupporting economic growth and food security.

AFishery Rooted in Science,Community, and Heritage Looking ahead, decisions about menhaden willrest with policymakerschargedwith weighing ecological stewardship,community livelihoods,and national seafood security. The fishery’s long history of science-based managementoffersanimportantfoundation forthosechoices Thisfishery is arenewablepublic resource thathas sustained generations of fishing families.Itisa source of pride for communities acrossthe Atlanticand Gulf Coasts,amodel of sustainability forthe world, and avital link in the nation’s food supply chain. ForLouisiana and other coastal states, menhaden is morethan aresource –itisa cultural anchor,aneconomicdriver, and a thread connecting generations.Its futurewill be shaped by howscientists,communities and policymakerswork togethertobalance sustainabilitywithopportunity

LSUtouts gradsleading fast-growing businesses

BY TIMOTHY BOONE Staff writer

The 15th annual LSU100, which recognizes the fastest-growing businesses either owned or led by LSU graduates, is out.

The exact company rankingson the list will be announced at aprivate event in November

LSU also released the Roaring20, alist of the 20 companies ownedor led by graduates that had the highest revenue.

In alphabetical order, the businesses on the LSU’sRoaring 20 are:

n Audubon EngineeringCo., Metairie, engineering, procurement and construction management

n B&G Food Enterprises,Morgan City,Taco Bell franchisee

n Block Cos., Gonzales, multifamily and commercial construction

n Danos, Gray,oil and gas services

n GrandIsle Shipyard,Galliano fabrication for the oil and gas industry

n HNTB Corp., Kansas City,Missouri, engineering and architecture

n ISCConstructors, BatonRouge, industrial engineering,construction and maintenance

n JP Oil Co., Lafayette, oiland gas

n Lemoine, Baton Rouge, construction and disaster services

n Lipsey’s, Baton Rouge,wholesale ﬁrearms sales

n Lyons Specialty Co., Port Allen, convenience store distributor

n MAPP,Baton Rouge, general contractor

n NewEdge Advisors, New Orleans, registered investment adviser

n Performance Contractors, Baton Rouge, general industrial contractor services

n Provident Resources Group, Baton Rouge, developer and operator of health care facilities, student housing and senior living

n PSC Group, Baton Rouge, transportation and logistics services

n Royal Automotive Group, Baton Rouge, automobilesales

n Sealevel Construction, Thibodaux, heavy civil construction

n The Newtron Group, Baton Rouge, electrical construction and instrumentation

n Turner Industries Group, Baton Rouge, industrial construction and fabrication

AudubonEngineering, B&G Food Enterprises, Block Cos., Danos, HNTB Corp.,ISC Constructors, JP Oil Co., Lemoine, NewEdge Advisors, Performance Contractors, ProvidentResources Group, PSC Group, Royal Automotive Group,Sealevel Construction, The Newtron Group andTurnerIndustriesGroup also made the 100 fastest-growinglist.

Othercompanies on thefastestgrowing list are:

n Alexander Contractor Services

n American Safety

n Answering Bureau

n Anytime Flooring

n Argent Financial Group

n ArkelConstructors

n August Events

n BC Restaurant Holdings

n Bear General Contractors

n BearProcessSafety

n Bronco Industrial Services

n Brousseau& Lee

n Cane River Pecan Co.

n Carter& Hatcher Consulting

n Connectly Recruiting

n Corporate Interiors of Baton Rouge (CI Group)

n Crescent Payroll Solutions

n Currency Bank

n DAAMedia +Marketing

n Daigrepont &BrianAPAC

n DDG

n Energy Pipe &Supply

n EnvironmentalScience Services

n Extreme Nitrogen

n Fairway Consulting andEngineering

n FitnessEvolved

n FourCorners Wealth Management

n Gatorworks

n Gauthier Amedee

n GregorySwitzer Architecture

n Gros Flores Positerry Architecture &Interior Design

n Haltzman Law Firm

n Hargrove Rooﬁng

n Highﬂyer Human Resources

n Immense Networks

n International Pumps and Parts d/b/a Industriﬂo

n Investar Bank

n ITinspired

n JH Operating Co.

n Joubert Law Firm

n KCPC Holding Company

n LaBorde Therapy Center

n LawOfﬁces of Howard EConday Jr

n Leblanc &Fresina Builders

n Lee Michaels Fine Jewelry

n Legacy Construction Group

n Loyd JBourgeois Injury &Accident Lawyer

n MANDATORYFUEL MANAGEMENT

n Mansﬁeld, Melancon, Cranmer &Dick

n Marex Services Group,

n McClure, Bomar &Harris

n Mind Ruby Technologies

n Moran Consultants

n Moreau Physical Therapy

n Next Level Solutions

n Paciﬁca Engineering Services

n Paperless Environments

n Paystar

n Pearl Events n Perrier Esquerré Contractors

n Red Bison Services

n Red River

Beyond isn’taplace —it’samindset. Andit’sabeliefthathas poweredusfor over80years We areJones Walker LLP,aﬁrm driven by an entrepreneurialspirit, adeepsense of community, and aﬁerce determination to deliverexceptional serviceand valuefor ourclients

Since1937, ourﬁrm hasbeencommitted to workingwithcommunity leaders to developbusiness opportunitiesacrossthe state. We aresteadfast in continuing our dedicationtogobeyondinadvising clientsand supporting initiativesand organizations that make Louisiana abetterplace to live andwork

WilliamH.Hines,ManagingPartner bhines@joneswalker.com 504.582.8000 201St. CharlesAvenue NewOrleans,LA70170-5100

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

81 JamesJarrell Road •Carriere, MS

$1,499,000 Rolling BFarm –Arare191+acreregisteredAngus &equestrian estatejust58miles from NewOrleans.Includesaluxury home w/ chef’s kitchen,formal dining,family room w/ bar& fireplaceplus expansivewindows ovrlking back deck,guest house&pool… great forentertaining!Alsohas pond,barns,pastures& abundant wildlife.Ideal forcattle, horses,hunting,or privateretreat Chip Gardner•504-236-3891HerbertDubuisson•228-216-8456 COMPASS •985-626-5695www.chip-herbert.com

404 Atherton Drive•Old Metairie $890,000

Welcome Home!Thisisthe oneyou have been waitingfor! Offering amostdesirable location,4Bd,3.5Ba,2,887SqFt, multi-generational living,an open floorplan&lowmaintenance landscaping…this home likely checks allthe boxes! Gourmetkitchen,formaldiningroom, largeden,all hdwd &tileflooring. Plusexpansive covered patio& much more! CourtneyKattengell•504-214-9830TiffanyRiddle•504-289-4696 TCK Realty 504-504-613-6560

343CarrDrive•Slidell

$599,000

OversizedlotlocateddirectlyontheNorthshoreofLakePontchartrain, home offerspanoramicviewsfrommostevery room.Shorelineis reinforced w/ riprap to help preventerosion&maintainintegrity of theland. Inclds add’lwater frontage acrossCarrDronthe canal, which could be used to buildwatercraftstrge &other property amenities foroutdoor lifestyle Luxury details galore…A Must See!!! ChipGardner •504-236-3891Herbert Dubuisson•228-216-8456 COMPASS •985-626-5695 www.chip-herbert.com

216RueMonJardin•LesBoisSubdv/Madisonville$595,000 Stunning 5Bd, 3Ba, 3,266Sfhome on quietcul-de-sacw/open floorplan, granite kitchen, &spaciousden w/ frplc, formal dining,office &bonus room,plantationshutters&freshly painted oversizedbdrms.Enjoy ascreenedporch,travertinepatio & inground pool overlookingawoodedgreenspace. Locatedin atop schooldistrict& CFlood Zone —perfect forliving&entertaining! Gayle Sisk 504-236-6544 Reve |Realtors•Northshore504-300-0700

Address:

3225 BienvilleStreet

NewOrleans, LA 70119

Neighborhood: Mid-City /Bayou St.John Price: $499,000

Bedrooms: Three Bathrooms: TwoFull& OneHalf Square Footage: 1,683

MarketingAgents:

LESLIE HEINDEL

504-975-4252

leslieheindel@gmail.com

HEATHERSHIELDS

504-450-9672

heathershieldsrealtor@gmail.com BE NEWORLEANS BROKERED BY: CRESCENT CITY LIVING

504-327-5303 3205 OrleansAvenue NewOrleans, LA 70119

www.beneworleans.com

Licensed by StateofLA Real Estate Commissioner

Yes, youcan have it all! Newerconstruction(2015),fabulousneighborhood,parking,and yard spacedoexist -and it’s locatedat 3225 Bienville!For thoselookingfor awalkableneighborhood,you can’tbeatbeing this closetoBayou St.John, BayouWine& Beer Garden,Parkway Bakery,and theLafitteGreenway. If youlikeoutdoor space, thereare frontand back porches that were bothrecently refinished/rebuilt.The oversizedbackdeckiscovered,soyou canenjoy it in therainorshine.Outdoor curtains areincluded, too! The interior layout of this houseisperfect foreveryone! Thediningroom couldbeusedasanadditionallivingroom or office.The denisan open conceptspace that is complete with awine/coffee bar! Thekitchen hasquartzcountertops,stainless steel appliances,and even apantry! Upstairs,you will find allofthe bedroomsand laundryspace.Yourprimary bedroom has an ensuitebathand amplecloset space. Allappliances will remain with theproperty, including thewasherand dryer. Theextras: termitecontract, assumable flood insurance, full home water filtration system,security& camera system,powered &ventilatedshed,recentlypowerwashed,and Dual condenser AC (one replaced 2024, onerepaired2022, both serviced 2025).Don’t sleep on this BayouSt. John home- she’sa keeper!

SWRENSTREET

Spacious upper3Bd/2Ba duplex in apark-likebeautiful setting!Light &brightw/lotsofwindows & hdwdﬂrs thru out. Lrgliv rm,din rm,kit &sun rm.Refrig/Freezer + W&Dincld.1/2 useofdbl garg JOAN FARABAUGH* 504-723-5767. Re/MaxAfﬁliates *504-834-7656. Ea ofcindependently o&o.

METAIRIE 1517 Kent Ave. Housefor

3Br/1Ba, Carport, back patio& Shed Julio504-250-2300 GENTILLY 6230 PasteurBlvd, Near UNO, 2Br/1Ba, centralair/heat, w/dhookup,fullkitchen,parking 504-914-4939

NEWORLEANS EAST

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of CaseyCorley, please contact Nelson J. Cantrelle,III, Attorney,310 WeyerStreet, Gretna,Louisiana

70053, (504) 368-5195.

157059-9/12-13-14-3t $97.00

LA 70094

NOTICE OF PUBLICSALE

To satisfy the owner’sprivilege, PS Retail Sales, LLC will sell at public sale on September 25, 2025, the personal property in the below-listed units, which may include but arenot limited to:household and personal items, office and other equipment. The public sale of these items will begin at 09:30 AM and continue until all units aresold. The lien sale is to be held at the online auction website, www.storagetreasures.com, where indicated. For online lien sales, bids will be accepted until 2hoursafter the timeofthe sale specified. PUBLIC STORAGE #07025,12320 I-10 Service Rd, New Orleans, LA 70128, (504) 224-9067 Time: 09:30 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

1016 -Nguyen, Viet; 1036 -smith,Edward; 1060 -Smith,Latoya;1072 -Guidry,Rashan; 1102 -Treaudo, Joshua; 1112 -Schexnayder,Kentrice; 1212 -Williams, Chantel; 1234 -gatlin, Clijahnae; 1242 -lebeau, Irrieal; 1258 -colman, Vivian; 1280 -Duskin, Perry; 1306 -Veal, Delvonda; 2061 -Dickson, Deja; 2532 -Baker James; 2598 -ambo, Natasha; 3003 -holmes, Robert;3019 -Jerome, Alimene; 3040 -Butler,Simone; 3061Mitchell, Johnessa; 3076 -McCovins, Rendell; 4049 -ambo, Natasha; 4068 -Antoine, Wyvette; P004 -J-Vu Entertainment Sherman, Cheryl

PUBLIC STORAGE #07120, 1850 Lapalco Blvd, Harvey,LA70058,(504) 229-4188

Time: 09:45 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

A006 -Coleman, Trenay; A014 -Savage, Damien; A081 -Logan, Eric; A173 -Thomas, Kentrell; A208 -Stamps, Damon; A215 -Mcknight, Shamaul; A273 -Handy,Jessica; A295 -Granger Jerome; A381 -Williams, Tatiana; B005 -Felder,Darryl; B038 -Avelar,Bryan; E015 -Bright,Alexis; E026 -Crocker,Maurice; E027 -Shaw Lakeisha;E047 -Delaney,Ronald; E049 -Allen, Princess; E060 -Baker,Keisha

PUBLIC STORAGE #20175,3440 SCarrollton Ave, NewOrleans, LA 70118, (504) 308-1583

Time: 10:00 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

0008 -Hunter,Cartecia; 0023 -Washington, Meleah; 0052 -Day,Kerdrick; 0113 -Cressey,Blake; 0115Varnado, Phil; 0199 -Vallery,Byron; 0222 -Willimas, Angela; 0227 -Frank, Sheldreese; 0248 -Simmons, Tara;0311 -Isidore, Sharon; 0329 -Marselis-Johnson, Matthew; 0410 -Bess, Mark; 0416 -Siegal, Kristina; 0561 -AINSWORTH, WILLIAM; 0863 -Carroll, Lecial; 0871 -Henderson, Thomas; 0881 -Brown, Eddie; 0917Abron, Yasmine; 0940 -Benoit, Donavon; 0946 -Green, Tevin Michael; 1014 -Bradshaw,Virtira; 1119 -Dyson, Samantha; 1129 -Paulsen, James; 1130 -Ackles, Alexsis; 1157 -Yates, Ariane; 1182 -Mitchell,Roselie

PUBLIC STORAGE #21704, 3000 Belle Chasse Hwy,Gretna, LA 70053, (504) 229-4180

Time: 10:15 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

A012 -Thompson, Malon; B004 -Moten, Ashanti; B006 -Smith,Larries; B009 -Scott, Althea; B011 -Jacobs, Corey; B021 -Baker,Tonia; B029 -fahrney,lashon; B104 -Stovall, Devin; C061 -Sr.,Alex Dixon; C062 -Baker Schwanda; C081 -Davis, Dwayne; E063 -Thomas, Marlon; F008 -Foster,Shanay; F026 -Meza, Carlos; F057 -Martinez, Reina; G006 -Enloe, Hilda; G011 -Simmons, William;G020 -Mvula, Kayemba; G047 -Chapman, Jajuan; G090 -shuff, Melaniej

PUBLIC STORAGE #21802, 2930 Clearview Pkwy, Metairie, LA 70006, (504) 229-4204

Time: 10:30 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

A072 -Butler,Breuna; A085 -Hassinger,Charles; A088 -Anthony,Felicia; B132 -Miller,Nancy; B154 -Kelly Russell T; B207 -white, Natashia; B225 -Dominion NetworkTrucking,LLC Kittles, Tear; B252 -Collier Antonio; B299 -Lee, Tiffany; B306 -Estes, Brandi; C334 -winston, Nicole; C335 -Ramirez, Katy; C336Knight, Kierra; C443 -Richard, Michael; C469 -Bailey,Natrelle; C480 -Mejia, Gia;C497 -Reed, Joseph; C562 -Jackson, Tyjai

PUBLIC STORAGE #22055, 34570 LA Highway 16, Denham Springs, LA 70706, (225) 665-5770

Time: 10:45 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

0100 -Leblanc, Brooklyn; 0423 -Kidd, Jordin; 0441 -wood, Kelly; 0629 -Kidd, Jordin; 0634 -Svara, Stanley; 0644 -Baker,Jay; A02 -Jones, Gary; A35 -Giacone, Scott; C02 -Hayes, Ronald; C15 -ashley,Thomas; D13 -Locicero, Kathleen

PUBLIC STORAGE #25740, 4507 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125, (504) 308-1275

Time:11:00 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

1012 -Davis, Fayron; 1110 -Moss, Monique; 113 -Roberson, Clemement;1140 -stein, Robert; 119 -Brighter Horizons Construction Aponza, Charles; 2002 -Pearson, Darsayle; 2038 -Walton, Andrew; 2099 -Sereal, Malfrieda; 2140 -Bonomo, Kaitlyn; 2150 -Mitchelle, Monique; 2193 -Shallerhorn, Renata; 3008 -Young, James; 3052 -Royster,Emily; 3174 -Fedison, Harold; RV7-Curry,Kwesi Denard

PUBLIC STORAGE #26983,5730 Citrus Blvd, Elmwood, LA 70123, (504) 930-4129

Time: 11:15 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

2204 -Woolard, Taran; 2806 -thomas, belinda; 2818 -Favorite, Terry; 2824 -coban, Luis; 2826 -Jones, Greg; 3046-jenkins, Robert; 3058 -DAVIS, COURTNEY; 3225 -Luckett, Kashley; 3423 -Hernandez, Sofia; N1090 -Selfe Wellness Knott, Ceret PUBLIC STORAGE# 26984, 2820 Tulane Ave, NewOrleans, LA 70119, (504) 584-4619 Time: 11:30 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com. 1045 -Belt, Myra; 1106 -Burgess, Ashley; 1119 -Rey,Jonny;2055 -Leblanc, Jordyn; 2108 -Julian, Michael Davis; 2109 -Fleming, Deborah; 2112 -Meyers, Domonique; 3038 -hudgisn, Aaliyah; 3113 -Jones, David; 4014 -white, Trena; 4035 -Decou, Quianna; 4055 -Mccaskill, Kirstin; 4078 -Loftin, Michael Brad; 4088mccray,Neil; 4111 -Washington, Brandie; 4115 -peters, jason; 4126 -Johnson, Adrian; 4133 -rogers, Terryal; 4150 -King, Romander; 5120 -Huber,Yardley; 5146 -urbina,abby; 5149 -Fair,Kevin

PUBLIC STORAGE #28188,3900 Tchoupitoulas Street, NewOrleans, LA 70115, (504) 224-9167

Time: 11:45 AM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

0042 -Dedais, Sonja; 0105 -Seiley,Angele; 0222 -Donnelly,Shawn; 0503 -Bolds, Donnean; 0526Blackstock, Olivia; 0627 -Jones, Malcome; 0664 -Dowden, Yvonne

PUBLIC STORAGE #29112, 1901 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA70130, (504) 308-1566

Time: 12:00 PM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

1411 -Lee, Khayleel; 1603 -Rosa, Elleanor; 2124 -Anderson, Vincent; 2308 -Davis, Ricky; 2608 -Barbarin, Tyler; 2614 -Wright, Treion; 3307 -Anderson, Calvanisha; 5115 -bullard, Timothy; 6316 -Williams, Damon; 6409 -Lumpkin, Darnisha; M104 -Houston, Brian A; M116 -Course, Cornelious Anthony; M310 -Joseph, Nicole; M511 -Aucoin, Glenn PUBLIC STORAGE #29222, 10010 I-10 Service Rd, New Orleans, LA 70127, (504) 224-9213

Time:12:15 PM Sale to be held at www.storagetreasures.com.

1006 -Welford, Kayla; 1023 -trueblood, emile; 1030 -wilson, Farah; 1042 -Joseph, Nathaniel; 1052 -Gurley Dion; 1078 -Mcdaniel, Joseph; 1117 -Robertson,Mary L; 1139 -Williams, Kennitra; 1166 -Guillen, Okbel; 1179 -Snodgrass, Olivia; 2025 -Shelton, Ferrell; 2039 -Johnson, Martha;2047 -Johnson, James; 2157Goudeau, Emanuel; 2162 -Black, Shaniah; 2175 -williams, kim; 2179 -Harts, Bianca; 2225 -brown, Tystacy; 3020 -Johnson, Dijonay; 3028 -sheopshire, bonita; 3066 -Spurlock, Khalil;3074 -Edmonson, Gwendolyn; 3103 -Kaufman, Charlatia; 3174 -Hunter,Rhondra; 3195 -Franklin, Perry; 3241 -Turl, Tylan; 3249 -Felicien Ikia; 3257 -Williams, Alicia; 3273 -Knapper,Delbert; 3288 -Gomez, Steve; 3298 -Allen, Brionne Public

needsofciti‐zens andofvisitorsto Louisianathrough collab‐orationutilizing Public PrivatePartnerships. TheRFI packet,which in‐cludes atimeline, in‐structions forproposal submission,and selec‐tion criteria,isavailable at http://www.opportu nitiesinlouisiana.com. It mayalsobepickedup between 9a.m.and 4 p.m. weekdays at theOf‐ﬁce of StatePark, Capitol Annex, ThirdFloor,1051 NorthThird Street,Baton Rouge, LA,70802. Written Proposalsmustbere‐ceived by StateParks at this addressnolater than 4:00 p.m. CT onFri‐day, October31, 2024. StateParks will continue itscommitmenttoen‐

LOUISIANA

weightsand exercised fi

BEATINGTHE ODDS

45-year-oldLouisianaovarian cancer survivor lifted weightsduringchemotherapytreatment

BY MARGARETDELANEY Staffwriter

Toni Bessonet never thought it wouldbeher

In 2023, after traveling to Europe for vacation, she lost weight rapidly.One evening, Bessonet rested ahand on her hip. She could feel aspongy mass.

She asked friends and family.They weren’tconcerned.

“I really didn’tthink about it,” Bessonet said. “I really wish Ithought aboutita bit more. Iregret that Iwasn’ton top of it.”

Achance encounter with a friend on awalk —and astop to pet the dog of an OB-GYN’s father —changed her life. Shemade an appointment that same morning and was preparing for atransvaginal ultrasound and blood work by 10 a.m. By 1p.m., her doctor had called her back and told her to see an oncologist.

Three days later, Bessonet was in the waiting room at Woman’sHospital inBaton Rouge to see Dr.Renee Cow-

Toni Bessonet used ice packs on her fingers and toes to preserve her dexterity during her chemotherapytreatment.

an,a surgical gynecologic oncologist. Gynecologic cancer is a disease in which cells in a

woman’s reproductive organs grow out of control. The ﬁve main typesofgynecologic cancer are: cervical, ovarian,

uterine, vaginal and vulvar fallopiantube cancer is arare sixth type,according to the Centersfor Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the National Cancer Institute, Louisiana hasone of thehighest rates of gynecologic cancers in the nation with more than 200 new cases of gynecologic cancers identiﬁed in the state each year

Commonsymptoms of gynecologic cancers include: n Abnormal vaginalbleedingordischarge is common for all gynecologic cancers except vulvar cancer

n Feeling full too quickly or difﬁcultyeating, bloating and abdominal or back pain are common for ovarian cancer

n Pelvic pain or pressure is common for ovarian and uterine cancers

n Morefrequent or urgent need to urinateand/or constipation are common forovarian and vaginal cancers.

n Itching, burning, pain or

MAYO CLINIC Q&A

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Formykids, the best partofback-to-school shopping is picking out anew backpack. While Iwant themto have backpacks theylike, Ialso want to makesure they have featuresthat support their backs.What should Ilook for?

Thebackpack is as much apart of school life as homework, pencils and recess. Kids use backpacks to carry everything they need during the day and makea fashionstatement.Unfortunately, the excess weight of supplies stuffedinto an improperlyworn backpack may lead to sore joints and muscles. As anew school year begins, follow these tips to help kids take aload off to keep their backs healthy: Students of all ages seem to carryheavierloads in their backpacks. They oftentote aday’s worth of textbooks, achange of clothing for after-school activities, school projects and lunch. As aresult, manyparents have heard their school-age children complaining of back pain.

Overall, adults and children shouldn’tcarry more than 15% of theirbodyweight in abackpack For a60-pound child, that meansa pack weighing less than 9pounds. Even when worn properly,your student may need to lean forward to compensate forextra backpack weight. This can affect the natural curve in the lower back. Extra weight also can cause arounding of theshoulders andanincreased curve of the upper back. As aresult, children mayexperience back, shoulder and neck pain. When wornproperly,backpacks are thebest way to carry things, especially for long periods of time. Backpacks should be worn using both straps. Slinging abackpack over one shoulder can cause aperson to lean to one side to compensate for the unevenweight, causing acurve in the spine. Over time, this can lead to lower and upper back pain, strained shoulders and neck, and even functional scoliosis (curvature of the spine). Teenage girls are especially susceptible to scoliosis.

Tighten thestrapssothe pack sits high on your child’sback with the top of the pack about even with the shoulder blades. It also should be snug, so it doesn’tsway side to side while walking. Whenproperly worn, theback and abdominal muscles support a backpack. These are the strongest muscles in the body,stabilizing the trunk and holding the body in proper postural alignment. Improper backpack use presents somedangers to young, still-growing joints and muscles. Urge your children to look past the color or design when selecting abackpack. These featurescan make asignificant difference in

PHOTOSPROVIDED By TONI BESSONET

Toni Bessonet,45, lifted

ve times aweek to keep herself fitwhile undergoing chemotherapy treatment for ovarian cancer

HEALTH MAKER

Nurse gains wisdom, friends working with seniors

BY MARGARET DELANEY Staff writer

Shawn Williams became a certiﬁed nursing assistant at a young age, with every intention of following a career in nursing. Her work took her all around New Orleans at a home health agency, traveling from house to house, taking care of elderly patients.

”I’d done it kicking and screaming,” Williams said. “But to my surprise, I fell in love with it.”

Through her work, Williams has met many seniors and touched many lives from diverse backgrounds and different age groups. Now, 33 years after starting her career, she still spends her days with elderly patients at PACE GNO, a Program for All-inclusive Care for the Elderly in the Greater New Orleans area. PACE, sponsored by Catholic Charities, hosts daily activities for participants including jazz bands, ﬁeld trips, wellness care, nursing assistance, rehabilitation services and possibly even conversation over ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ episodes on television.

Although Williams has only been working at PACE for 18 months, she says she already recognizes that the job is a great ﬁt for her What kept you in elderly care for more than three decades? I like the reward of it. That’s what really keeps me going, the reward of working with these seniors. As I got older, I really realized your seniors and your elders make the best best-friends. They have

DREAMSTIME/TNS

The backpack is as much a part of school life as homework, pencils and recess.

BACKPACKS

Continued from page 1X

how they feel while wearing the pack at school:

Wide straps: Wide, padded straps won’t dig into the shoulders, and they’re more comfortable. Narrow straps can hinder circulation, causing numbness or tingling in the arms, which may lead to weakness in the hands over time

Multiple sections: Select a backpack with many pockets and sections to keep children organized. This also helps distribute the weight more evenly across the pack.

Waist belt: Tightening the waist belt helps to evenly distribute the weight of the backpack and support children’s abdominal muscles.

Lightweight when empty: Consider the weight of the backpack when it’s empty so your children don’t have additional weight beyond books and supplies. For example, a canvas backpack will be lighter than leather

Reflective material: If your children walk or bike to school, look for a backpack with reﬂective strips that make them more noticeable to drivers. You also can add strips of reﬂective tape at home.

Encourage your children to wear their backpacks properly To help keep them light, they should make frequent stops at their lockers throughout the day to avoid carrying all their books at once. And leave nonessentials at home.

If they’re in pain or have discomfort, talk with their primary care clinicians before a problem becomes serious.

a sense of humor They enjoy music. They love a good joke. They love everything younger people love. They’re just an older version of us, so I stuck with it. Right now, today, I still can’t wait to wake up and interact with these older people. It’s very rewarding for me. I can’t get enough of it. To me, it feels addictive. When these seniors are being grateful for the help we give them, the warm smiles that you get and the humble “thank yous” it’s why I am still a CNA. I did think about pursuing a nursing career but I’ve always stuck with being a nursing assistant. I think

that’s because I love the time that we have together It’s not a quick visit; it’s something that I can take my time and be hands-on with these patients, versus being a busy nurse. I can really spend more time with these patients. The love and the wisdom that they give are priceless. They give you things that money can’t buy: gratitude, love, wisdom, sharing of stories and talking to you about mistakes that they have made. Sometimes you see yourself in them when they were younger and they made a mistake. If you take time to just stop and listen, you can learn a lot from them

How do you connect with patients?

My grandmother had a hand in raising me when my mom and dad went to work. I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, and I am so thankful now I’ve learned how to cook from this lady I’ve learned how to be humble and respectful and thankful for everything that I have. Those are the things that she taught me. I like to use the L.O.L. method when working with patients. It stands for: listen, observe and learn. I have been using that method since I’ve been certiﬁed. It has helped me to build a great rapport and have a lot of elderly best

friends. They have a lot to say They want you to listen to them. They want to be able to still be independent. When you use that method — when you listen — they have a lot to tell you. When you are observing them, you learn their strengths and their weaknesses. With those three factors, It’s easy to get them to be able to complete tasks that they never thought they were going to be able to complete again.

That’s what makes me get out of bed and keep coming back for more and keep doing what I do. Can you imagine having a job where you’re going

to work with the love of a grandmother or a grandfather, or a mother or a father? That’s the best job in the world. What are some pieces of wisdom that you have picked up along the way?

Don’t be in a rush when I go to the market, to take time to look at the prices. How to save money in a lot of different ways. They have taught me that without knowing it.

We talk about cooking a lot. This is New Orleans, that’s what we do. We swap a lot of recipes, and I’ve gotten awesome recipes from them (and I surprised them with one or two of my little recipes that I have). They have really taught me it’s nice to be important, but it’s important to be nice. To me, that makes all the sense in the world.

I’ve learned not to be quick to anger while working with my patients. They teach you what true love is, that it’s unconditional. They love you unconditionally Something may happen, you may have a disagreement, but you come back ﬁve minutes later, and it’s like nothing ever occurred. The good part about it is that it’s all for free anyway All I have to do is wake up and just show up the next day to get some more, and they’ll hand it to you on a platter They have so much love to give, so many stories to tell, so many jokes that they have.

It’s rewarding, and at the end of the day, I walk away with a purpose. This interview has been edited for length and clarity

Woman receives new treatment for rare form of ALS

BY ROBERTA BURKHART Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS)

On a quiet farm in Erie County Pennsylvania, 67-year-old Diane Zaczyk used to think nothing of hefting 50-pound sacks of chicken feed onto her shoulder Strong, stubborn and devoted to caring for her flock of chickens, ducks and geese, Diane rarely paused to think about her own health.

For years, the real battle had belonged to her husband, Joel, who endured surgery and treatment for oral cancer

Diane became his caregiver whipping up highprotein eggnog by the gallon to help him keep weight on.

“Joel’s doctors were always impressed that his weight was really good,” she said with pride. But not long ago, it was Diane’s strength that began to slip away She found herself struggling to lift the feed bags she had carried for decades. Then her right foot started to drag. Stairs became harder

At ﬁrst, she blamed age or maybe her diabetes. Sometime around Christmas 2023, she could no longer ignore it. Tests ruled out Lyme disease. Then myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder Finally, this past February, came the answer that no one wanted: ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis affects the nervous system — specifically, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. The progressive and fatal disease, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, causes loss of muscle control, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Experts do not know what causes ALS, but about 10% of cases are inherited, or familial, explained neurologist Sandeep Rana, director of Allegheny Health Network’s ALS Center, who has been treating ALS patients, including Diane Zaczyk, for nearly three decades.

Following Zaczyk’s diagnosis, she underwent genetic testing that revealed she had a very rare, inherited form of ALS a diagnosis only about 500 people in the

U.S. share.

In September, Zaczyk will receive her sixth injection of a monthly genetic treatment approved by the Food and Drug Administration in April 2023 for those with inherited ALS via a mutation of the superoxide dismutase 1, or SOD1, gene. She is the ﬁrst patient at AHN to receive it, Rana confirmed. The hospital network is the only provider currently offering the treatment in Western Pennsylvania, according to the Qalsody website.

Qalsody — its generic name is tofersen is a gene therapy that reduces the levels of the toxic SOD1 protein that is created by the mutated gene. Research has shown that Qalsody reduces a marker of injury to the nerves in the brain, called neurofilament light chain, Rana said.

Neuroﬁlament light chain is a protein that acts as a biomarker for neuronal damage and neurodegeneration. It is released into the cerebrospinal ﬂuid and blood when neurons are injured, per a 2023 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. Today, Qalsody is the only FDA-approved therapy that employs antisense oligonucleotide molecules that bind to the SOD1 mRNA, which signals the cell to destroy the mRNA before it can be translated into the harmful protein. The treatment has paved the way for similar approaches targeting other genetic forms of ALS, according to the International Alliance of ALS/MND Associations

While the Qalsody’s phase 3 clinical trial did not show a statistically significant slowdown in disease progression, it is still considered an ALS treatment breakthrough as it targets the genetic cause of the disease, according to a 2023 article by Columbia University Irving Medical Center

When the gene that is responsible for Zaczyk’s form of ALS mutates, it doesn’t just stop working — it actually gains a harmful new function. The mutation makes the gene produce an

abnormal protein, and that protein damages the body, Rana explained.

If doctors can “quiet” or turn down the activity of the gene via monthly lumbar injections of Qalsody, like Zaczyk receives, the gene stops producing that toxic protein, which can help prevent further damage, Rana said.

Another AHN patient was set to receive the treatment, but died from ALS complications before it could begin, Rana said. “By the time she reached us, the disease had already progressed quite a bit.”

Early diagnosis of ALS is essential, especially in the case of those patients like Zaczyk who have the SOD1 mutation, Rana said.

While the treatment, which is injected directly into the spinal column during a hospital visit, cannot cure or reverse the disease, researchers believe more testing will reveal that it has the ability to halt additional damage and slow down the progression of symptoms that have already begun, Rana said. “We wanted to get the word out that there is this potential treatment available.”

So the Zaczyks make the trek to Pittsburgh from their Union City home — about 5 hours round trip — every month so she can receive the injection and get checked over by her medical team.

In August, she suffered a bit of a setback, after a small spill at home resulted in a broken leg She missed her August injection but expressed optimism that the lull in treatment may be useful in upcoming diag-

nostic testing. The results could reveal how well the treatment is working and whether it is slowing down the production of the toxic protein from her mutated gene, she said.

She said the injections — so far — have few side effects aside from some muscle stiffness the next day But she admitted that might just be from the long car ride.

“I started rather late I was pretty much already in the wheelchair If someone was able to find out they had this much earlier, their whole physical progress might be affected, might be totally different,” Zaczyk said.

That’s why Zaczyk wanted to share her story: to raise awareness and to urge others to start talking to their doctor right away if they’re noticing sudden weakness and other potential ALS symptoms. And to urge them to insist on genetic testing to see if they too might be a candidate for the treatment.

Early signs of ALS

ALS “starts with a weakness,” Rana said. “Usually, it’s painless weakness It could be in the hand, it could be in the leg. It could also sometimes start at the tongue,” causing slurred speech or difficulty swallowing.

From there, ALS spreads to other parts of the body, and “it’s relentlessly progressive Most classic ALS patients, usually survival is about three to ﬁve years after the onset of symptoms. So it’s a pretty rapidly evolving disease.”

Zaczyk said she has shared her diagnosis with relatives across Ohio Pennsylvania and New York Some have shown interest in genetic testing, while others prefer not to know, wanting to avoid the worry that can come with the results. Still, they understand the importance of seeing a doctor if they ever develop muscle weakness like she experienced at the onset of her illness, she said. While ALS remains incurable, therapies like this give patients hope, slow their progression of symptoms and ultimately give them more time with their loved ones, Rana said.

“Our hope is that we can slow down the disease give them more time, and maybe even halt it for longer periods of time,” he said. Keeping patients independent in their “acts of daily living improves the quality of life.”

Often, patients are bedridden within two to ﬁve years from onset, he said. There are no significant differences in how an inherited ALS subtype like Zaczyk’s presents compared to the more common ALS manifestation, Rana said. “You cannot tell them apart. They look the same.” Inherited ALS can only be revealed via genetic testing, which, Rana said, is becoming an essential tool for patients As more treatments are approved, some will likely prove more effective for speciﬁc forms of the disease. Once a patient is diagnosed with this inherited form of ALS, their family members may also choose to undergo genetic testing to see if they also share the gene.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

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 live well.

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.

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Shawn Williams, right a certified nursing assistant for 33 years, checks Elaine Block’s blood pressure on Sept. 3 in New Orleans.

Eat Fit LiveFit

Curdyour enthusiasm: Whycottage cheese deservesthe hype

It’sofficial:Cottagecheesehasmade quiteacomeback.Socialmediafeeds areﬁlledwithrecipesforcottage cheeseeverything–icecream,dips,chips, younameit.AndI’mdownforallofit. Becausehere’sthething—cottage cheesehasbeenunderratedforyears, quietlydeliveringbignutritioninahumble littletub.It’shighinproteinandcalcium, naturallylowinlactoseandendlessly versatile.

WhyCottageCheeseIsWorth

TheCartSpace Thinkofcottagecheeseasthedairy aisle’sSwissArmyknife

•Proteinpowerhouse:With26to28 gramsofprotein,afullcupofcottage cheeseistheproteinequivalentof aboutfourouncesofleanmeat.

•Slow-releasefuel:It’srichincasein protein,whichdigestsslowly,keeping usfeelingfuller,longer.

•Electrolyteboost:Ahalf-cuphas tripletheelectrolytesofmanysports drinks—sodiumandpotassium.

•Calciumhit:Withover300mgof calciumperone-cupserving,cottage cheesesupportsbonehealth.

•Lowlactose:Roughly3gramsof lactoseperhalf-cup,makesitaﬁtfor manywhocan’ttolerateotherdairy.

•Endlessversatility:Blendascoop intosmoothies,swapforsourcream ormayoindips,whipintoicecream, stirintolasagna,makepopsicles…or justgrabaspoon.

MyThreeGo-ToClean-Label

Favorites

•DaisyCottageCheese–Creamy, justthreeingredients

•GoodCultureOrganicWholeMilk–Pasture-raisedmilk, probioticcultures

•Nancy’sOrganicCultured–Billions ofprobiotics,cleanandtangy

Notallcottagecheesesarecreated equal.Myshortlistcheckstwoboxes:

•Simpleingredients:Milk,cream,salt orcultures—that’sit.

•Noextras:Nogums,starchesor thickenersthatcanmesswithtaste andtexture

DIYCottageCheese

Makingcottagecheeseathomeis easierthanyouthinkandsurprisingly entertaining.Simplyheatmilk,add vinegarandwatchthecurdsandwhey magicallyseparate.Thencomesthe cheeseclothstep,whichiswherethings reallygetfun.

TheBasics:

•Useanymilkyoulike—cow’smilk worksbestforcurdsthathold together.

•Wholemilkgivestherichestﬂavor andtexture(mypick).

•Manyrecipesaddcreamandsaltat theend.Ifoundthatwithwholemilk, youcanskipthecreamentirely.The saltispurelyoptional.Golow-sodium ornoneatallifthat’syourgoal.

•Nutritionfacts?Thesecanbetrickyto pindownbecausemuchofthemilk’s liquid(andnutrients)drainsoffinthe whey.Ifyouneedexactmacros,stick tostore-bought.

MyGo-ToMethod: Warmonegallonofmilktoabout120 degrees. Stirin¾cupwhitevinegaruntilcurds form. Letrest,thendrainthroughcheesecloth. Rinseundercoldwaterwhilesqueezing tocoolanddry Breakintocurds,season(ornot). Somerecipescallforaddingasmuch ashalfacupofcreamand1½teaspoons ofsalt,butIthinktherecipetastesgood withouteither—justadashofsalt,atmost.

MollyKimball,RD,CSSD,isaregistereddietitian withOchsnerHealthandfounderofOchsnersEatFit nonproﬁtinitiative.Formorewellnesscontent,tuneinto Molly’spodcast,FUELEDWellness+Nutrition,andfollow @MollykimballRDand@EatFitOchsneronsocialmedia. Emailnutrition@ochsner.orgtoconnectwithMollyor scheduleaconsultwithherteam.

BY THENUMBERS

LOUISIANAHAS THESEVENTH-LOWEST RATIOOF DENTISTS IN THENATION

There are more than 200,000 dentists in the U.S.,a number that has consistently increased formore than twodecades before stabilizing in recent years.According to the American Dental Association, theU.S.dentist workforce is growing,becoming younger and more female though it is not growing in all geographic areas. Agap in the supply of dentists in urban counties versus rural counties has been increasing overtime and maycontinue to do so.youngerdentists are less likely to practice in rural areas, the ADAsaid in a2025 analysis of thecurrent dental workforce.

While the overall dentist-to-100,000 population ratio in the U.S. is 59.5 in 2024, these ratios varied by state, from alow of 40.2 in Arkansas to ahigh of 78.36 in Alaska. Louisiana had the seventh-lowest ratio of dentists per 100,000.

These 10 states had the highest ratios of dentists per 100,000, in descending order: n Alaska with 78.36 dentistsper 100,000, n Massachusetts with 78.24 dentists per 100,000,

SURVIVOR

Continued from page 1X

tenderness of the vulva, and changes in vulva color or skin, such as arash, sores or warts, are found onlyin vulvar cancer Cowan recommendsthat all women see agynecologist anddiscuss possible symptoms. Additionally, the OB-GYN canperformgenetic testing to detectfamilial genes of certain cancers.

“Wecan find out if apatient has amutation that is linked to one of these diseases,” Cowan said. “Wecan take those organs out before theybecome acancer. That is lifesaving.” Beatingthe odds Cowan looked at Bessonet’sscans and scheduled

n Hawaii with 78.14 dentists per 100,000, n California with 76.59 dentists per 100,000, n NewJerseywith 75.15 dentists per 100,000, n Newyork with 71.27 dentists per 100,000, n Washingtonwith 70.33 dentists per 100 000 n Connecticut with 68.73 dentists per 100,000, n Colorado with 67.85 dentists per 100,000, n Maryland with 67.79 dentists per 100,000.

These states had the lowest ratios of dentists per100,000, in ascending order: n Arkansas with 40.22 dentists per 100,000, n Alabamawith 40.43 dentists per 100,000, n Mississippi with 43.56 dentists per 100,000, n Delaware with 45.82 dentists per 100,000, n SouthCarolina with 46.21 dentists per 100 000

n NewMexico with 46.8 dentists per 100,000, n Louisiana with 46.89 dentists per 100,000, n Tennessee with 47.51 dentists per 100,000, n Georgia with 47.58 dentists per 100,000,

her for robotic surgery to remove her ovaries the following Monday.But by the next week, Bessonetwas in excruciatingpain

“Myovaries were thesize of oranges,” Bessonet said. “But they grew to thesize of cantaloupes just before the surgery. Ialmostcouldn’t walk.”

When Bessonet woke up from surgery,her husband was crying.Her ovaries had rupturedinside herduring the operation, and Cowan had to cut and remove all traces ofcancer that she could

“The incision felt so long,” Bessonet said.“Cowan worked 16 hours that day on both me and herpatient before me.”

Twoweekslater,labsfrom Bessonet’ssurgeryfound that shehad Stage 3A ovarian cancer —cancer thathas

spread beyond the ovaries but is still confined to the abdomen and pelvis.

The ﬁve-year survival rate forthis type of ovariancancer is approximately 41%.

Bessonet,now 45, was always one to beat theodds. She had ahistory of endometriosis, adisease where tissuegrows outside the uterus, and was recommended ahysterectomy at 40. She was told she was never going to have children. She had two. She knew she was going to ﬁght this,too. Fiveweeks later,after losing 21 pounds and experiencingHurricane Francine with no electricity,Bessonet started chemotherapy

Bessonet took the strongest amount of chemo each round. She put her toes and hands in icefor ﬁve hours while receiving treatment,

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n Indiana with 47.82 dentists per 100,000, n Iowa with 47.85 dentists per 100,000, n North Dakota with 48.33 dentists per 100,000. Looking ahead, the dentist workforce is near the endofa retirementsurgeamong baby boomer dentists, according to theADA.However, the supply of dentists is projected to increase through2040 driven in partbythe opening of newdental schools.

to keep the dexterityinher fingers andtoes —a common symptom of chemo treatment. She usedaniced helmetinaneffort to keep her hair intact

“It’skind of like setting your head on ﬁre,” Bessonet said.

Butshe saved 70% of her hair

“I just had thewill to live,” Bessonet said. “It’s unbelievable to think about what Idid. The treatment had its own painful experience.”

During hertreatment

Bessonet was notidle. She didyogatwice aweekand cardio three times aweek. She gained 7pounds of muscle. She walked four miles a day,holding hands with her husband thewhole way.She started working outagain, weight trainingand all, just 8weeks after beginning

treatment.

“I was just focused on keeping my body as strong as Icould,” Bessonet said. “I picked doctors that believed in me. Ididn’twant to know the statistics. Ijust wanted the best treatment.”

Her last day of chemo, the day she could ring the illustrious andbrilliant bell at Woman’s Hospital, an ice storm hit the city

Bessonet thought no one could come support her; all of BatonRouge wasshut downafter all. “There were50people at the hospital that day,” Bessonet said. “Anybody that has ever loved me or believed in me wasthere. It was the most magical thing in my life. It wassomething you see in afairy tale.” As of February,after four surgeries and three sessions of chemotherapy,Bessonet

was declared cancer-free. When Bessonet wasdiagnosedtwo yearsago, shetested positive forthe BRCA1 gene, agene that plays arole in DNA repair/ cell division and can increase the risk of developing breast and ovarian cancers. Bessonet will continue to take medication to suppress the BRCA1 gene.

“I’m here today because of herexcellence,” Bessonet said of Cowan. “I refer to her as my earth angel, and she says she’sjust doing her job.” To Bessonet, it seemed like every time she turned around, she hadlittle blessings that reafﬁrmed that she was awalking miracle.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

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‘Peopleunderstand redemption’

BY JOYHOLDEN Staff writer

Sullivan Walter,56, sat at aconference table in the small converted house that now functionsasInnocence &JusticeLouisiana,formerly knownasInnocentProject NewOrleans.

He choked back tears when he recalled the moment he read aletter from Richard Davis, legal director at Innocence &Justice Louisiana.

The letter stated their belief in Walter’sinnocence and the organization’s commitment to get him released from prison.

After serving36years inprison for acrime he didn’tcommit, Walter came home free in 2022 —and he credits Davis’ and Innocence& Justice Louisiana’swork forgetting him out.

“IfI’m able to advocateonbehalf of justice, then Iwant to do so,” said Walter.“So, that’s my relationship with this organization.I truly appreciate all that has happened in regards to helping me.”

Jarvis Ballard, 46, said Innocence &Justice Louisiana means freedom for him. The organization committed to his exoneration andsaw it through until he was released from prison after serving 23 yearsfor acrime he did not commit.

Ballard says he continues to be involved at Innocence &Justice

Louisiana because they are like his extended family

“They still help us,”hesaid. “They’relike sisters and mothers and brothers. It’s just as important for me to check up on them, because Istill have guys that’scoming home from prison that they’ll help out.”

These two men’snew lease on life is the work that Innocence &Justice Louisiana is known for —exonerating innocent people who have served time for crimes they did not commit Ballardand Walter have gone on to be advocates at the Legislatureand testiﬁed against bills that would have either harmed them or would have stoppedthem from getting out,said Meredith Angelson, deputy director of Innocence &Justice Louisiana.

Beyond innocencework

Since 2001, the organization has been successful in freeing 75 factually innocent and unjustly sentenced clients in prisonacross Louisiana and Mississippi. However,the work goes beyond proving innocence. It extends to achievingjusticeand support clients.

For Jee Park, the executive director since 2018, knowing the clients, their families and beingbytheir sideswhilepursuing exoneration forthe innocent andjustice forthe unjustlypunished, makesthe long hours and the very hard work worth it.

Innocence&Justice Louisianaexpands awarenessof statewidework

Innocence& Justice Louisiana, one of the only nonproﬁt law ﬁrmsin Louisiana focused on post-conviction relief representation and long-term ongoing services after release, has ateam of seven specializedfull-time staff attorneys and three investigators who work together to provide quality legalrepresentation at no cost to their clients or families. They alsooffer reentry support and wrongful conviction compensation representation.

“Having this opportunity to bring someone homeissuchaprivilege,” Parksaid. “Then helping them through theirreentryjourney,and not to romanticize thereentry journey,because it is not easy.”

Innocence &Justice Louisiana has grown from asmall nonprofit law firm focused solely on freeing innocent people to alarger organization that providescomprehensive post-conviction legalrepresentation and support across all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

Time forachange

On Sept.13, IPNO unveiled its new name,Innocence& JusticeLouisiana, at its annual“Oh, Freedom!” Gala. This rebrand and website launch is designed to advance the organization’smission and provide a platform where individuals can seek assistance, learn about thejustice issues in Louisiana, andadvocatefor reform

Park says thatinjustice is notjusta city problem like New Orleans, but a statewide problem,which is another reason for the namechange.

The organization has traveled all over the state and worked with clients from north Louisiana to south Louisiana through mostoftheir history. Their ﬁrst exoneration of client outside of New Orleanswas in 2005.

The newname will better reﬂect itsmission,astheycontinuetohost events in Lafayette andShreveport that feature exonerated clients and their stories.

“Peoplewanttotalk to our clients They actually want to hear aboutthe experiences they have had,” Park said. “I do think everyone has aheart, and if youbring thehumanity and the

ä See REDEMPTION, page 2Y

Crossing bridge to newhope

Istartedteaching high school English whenIwas 21 in aplace calledNew Hope It wasn’treally atown.Itwasn’t avillage.Itwas,inMississippi parlance, “a community” —a ruralareainLowndesCounty,Mississippi, withneighbors spread farand wide.However,ithad a great school andseveral churches thatanchoredthe community together.

At the time,I wasa recent graduate of Mississippi State University andlived33milesaway in Starkville,Mississippi. Each morning andafternoon,I drove to NewHope, crossing the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterwaytwice each dayjust outside Columbus, Mississippi. Itaught at NewHopefor two years, lucky enough to have the same group of 30 students both years. We gottoknoweach other well.

Toward the endofmysecond year,the school loaded up allthe ninth graders andteachers, and we traveledinschool busesall the way acrossthe county to the LowndesCountyVo-Tech Center. Iendedupsitting in abus seat with aninthgradernamed Lovess Johnson, whomIhad taught for two years. He knewmanyofmy stories, andIknewhis. We were to sit together forthe 20 minute drive to the Vo-Tech

As we left Columbus, we could seethe big bridge acrossTennessee-Tombigbee Waterwayahead Lovess, 15 at thetime,saidto me, “Look at that big bridge!” He wassoexcited andwas trying to getagood look at the bridge through thebus window As we gotcloser, he said, “Have youevercrossedthatbridge,Ms. Risher?”

Itoldhim that Icrossedittwice everyday —onmyway to and fromschool.ThenIlooked at him andsaid, “Lovess, have youever crossedthis bridge?”

At thatmoment, thebus reached thestartofthe bridge Lovessturnedtomewith agiant grin andsaid, “No ma’am, but I’m crossing it now.”

That’show thelastfew weeks have felt to me. Ihavenever crossedthe bridge of ahouse fire, but I’mcrossing it now. Like the smile on Lovess’ face indicated,there is powerinfirsts —and allthese newthings can be exciting, certainly transformative.Maybe Iwas approaching life like Ihad approached crossing the Tennessee-Tombigbee twiceaday.I thought Ihad seen it all, but then life keepssurprising us withnew bridgestocross. The fire hasalso shiftedmy perspective —things Itook for grantedineverydaylife,much like crossing thesame olebridge

ä See RISHER, page 2Y

STAFF PHOTO By TRAVIS SPRADLING

Convicted at age17for arapehedidn’t commit, Sullivan Walter,53, left, holds ashirtreading ‘Justice,’nearasign off La. 74 marking the entranceroad that leads to the gate of Elayn Hunt Correctional Center in St. Gabriel with, from left hisbrothers Corner Walter Jr.and Byron Walter Sr and Innocence Project NewOrleans legal directorRichardDavis just after his release on Thursdayafternoon, August 25, 2022. His wasthe longest known wrongful incarceration of a juvenile in Louisiana history, and the fifthlongest in U.S. history, according to the National RegistryofExonerations.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

Clients Elvis Brooks, left, and his sister,Earline Brooks Colbert, speak during InnocenceProject NewOrleans’s5th Annual Standfor Justice Acadiana celebrationonFebruary18atthe Downtown Convention Center in Lafayette.

INSPIRED DISCUSSIONS

ASK THE EXPERTS

Tips on communication

Lafayette conversation expert shares how a word can change someone’s day

BY JOY HOLDEN Staff writer

Fred Reggie, a Lafayette executive coach, international speaker and former board member of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, focuses on leadership, relationship and service culture development. Reggie was instrumental in leading the St. Jude Dream Home program and developing it nationally

He has written a book on communication titled, “Tell Me: How to initiate and nurture meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere, anytime.” In his book he highlights the importance of meaningful conversations and emphasizes the power of asking “Tell me” questions to engage others.

Can you tell me about your book and your expertise in communication?

I’ve been a member of the National Speakers Association for about 15 years, and communication is the impetus for the book.

Whenever I work with my clients, always at the outset of our engagement, I ask them to list three main areas that they’d like to work with, and communication always, without exception, falls in those three categories. It has to do with conversation and interaction — interaction with peers, interaction with superiors, interaction with clients and customers. The more I spoke with them about this, I realized that not just these executives, but people

in general, struggle with initiating conversation. It’s something that I think is becoming more and more pervasive in our society I call that cocoon communication, where we just want to, in general terms, sit in front of a laptop or cellphone and insulate ourselves from anything outside of that sphere.

When you hear someone else’s voice when you hear their inﬂection, their accent there’s a picture that’s colored right inside of our brains. There are chemicals that are released there: serotonin, oxytocin and dopamine.

I grew up in a Lebanese household. My father and grandparents were Lebanese immigrants, and storytelling was a big thing, so conversations were never something foreign to me I realized I needed to put this down in a book form because this is something that people struggle with professionally and socially They struggle with it in their family, and this could be the hook that gets people to engage in meaningful conversations.

What are your biggest tips for initiating conversation?

I observed over 40 years ago that my clients would tell me how much trouble they had with small talk, particularly in professional, social environments. With one of my client, they didn’t know how to engage in small talk when there was hierarchy that kicked in.

If you want to start a conversation, use the phrase, “Tell me.”

Tell me about your family,

tell me about your business, tell me about your history in the company, right? Tell me when you got started Tell me about some of the challenges you faced in the 20 years you have been in the company. Tell me about your vacation plans, your favorite sports team, whatever If you say “tell me,” you’re setting the stage for them to perform for you. All you have to do is be an active listener, because you have said, “I’m interested in what you have to say about this, so I’m going to pay attention to what you tell me.” And if you’re still not comfortable getting into conversation, just say, “That’s very interesting.”

What do you hope to accomplish with your book? It took me a couple of years to write it, and I just published it in July

If you read the book and your life has changed, or you change one person’s life because of something you’ve read in here — if

REGGIE

you’ve applied the skill set, and it resulted in a meaningful conversation then the book has accomplished what I wanted it to accomplish.

Everybody wants to hear and talk about artiﬁcial intelligence, but what they’re failing to see is the humanto-human relationship development That will never be replaced by AI. AI cannot empathize. AI cannot feel what you’re feeling. I will say this until I die, that 20 years from now, you will not be able to replace or replicate humans. You can come close to it, but you won’t generate the warmth and engagement that you feel when you have a great conversation.

Why do you think your book has been so successful on Amazon in the parent-and-adult-child-relationships category?

People are interested in communicating with their children and their adult children because our adult children are carving out their own lives. I have two older daughters, and each of them have their own dynamic going on because now they’re starting their family They’ve got the influence of their husbands, and now they have children. So, they live a different model than I did. Sometimes it’s difficult to have a meaningful conversation with them because they’re going in two different directions, but I want to find out about them, to find out what makes them tick today, and hopefully find some connection that’s made to their upbringing. They live a little bit of a different lifestyle than I did, but are the values the

Continued from page 1y

stories to people, they will listen. People understand redemption.” Park says that even though Louisiana has some of the more harsh criminal laws in the country, people throughout the state care and recognize that some individuals need second chances.

Expanding ‘to help more folks

Expanding awareness of the Unjust Punishment Initiative is also another reason for the shift to Innocence & Justice Louisiana. Started in 2019, the Unjust Punishment Initiative supports clients who may not be innocent of the crime, but whose sentences are extreme and unfair

“We’re really good at what we do, so we decided to turn our attention to help more folks, and we were able to bring home the guys who were doing excessive sentences,” Park said. Shannon Ferguson from St.

Mary Parish was sentenced to 60 years in prison for a rock of cocaine the size of a coarse grain of salt. Ferguson was 52 when he was arrested, so his sentence meant he would die in prison. He was incarcerated for 11 years before Innocence & Justice Louisiana, then IPNO, represented him and helped to free him.

Angelson said that one way the organization finds clients like Ferguson is by sending surveys to prisoners who they identify as having long sentences for nonviolent crimes.

“When they found me in Angola and called me on the phone, I went to crying,” Ferguson said. “And since I’ve been home, they’ve been like my right hand.”

Life after coming home

“It’s a lifelong journey, right?” Park said.

She says that when a person becomes a client of the organization, Innocence & Justice Louisiana is with them through the valleys and peaks of what’s happening in their lives, and

that they will stand with, support and ensure the clients have what they need to successfully rebuild their lives.

For example, for Ferguson, who is 65 years old with health problems it looks like Innocence & Justice Louisiana staff accompanying him to his appointments, providing a social worker, working with him on beneﬁts and being a pal, Angelson said. Both Ballard and Walter agree that coming home is only the beginning to reentry. Life after release and exoneration is a constant struggle, Walter said, and support is key to survival.

“Things can be so challenging because of all the many years that I have lost,” Walter said. “I went to prison when I was only 17 years old. I was released at 53. I served the longest term of wrongful incarceration in the state of Louisiana history as a juvenile Those were signiﬁcant years of my growth, as a person, as a human being in society I’ll do my best. I’ll put my best foot forward to get the most out of

life, but things can be so complicated.” Walter added that before his incarceration, he had never been in a relationship, had never had a house on his own, had never had his own transportation, never had a job, a bank account, or any of those things. So to have to come home at 53 and try and work toward some of these things is a trying process.

Ballard, Ferguson and Walter regard Innocence & Justice Louisiana as an essential piece of their freedom journeys and postrelease lives.

“They got involved because they had seen the injustice, and they didn’t give up,” Walter said.

“They wasn’t going to allow it to just be left alone. And they made a difference. So whether or not it’s Innocence Project New Orleans, or whether or not it’s Innocence & Justice Louisiana now, I support it. It’s relevant. It’s necessary.”

Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.

same? Did I import the right values?

How important is curiosity with your family and genuine wonder to find out what’s going on? There are no neutral encounters with people When you meet or interact with people, you either bring them up or you bring them down. How do you bring people up? You make them feel special You make them feel seen, initiating a conversation.

Whether it’s a clerk at the checkout counter in the store, or just anybody, you never know where they are. You’re meeting them where they are on their journey

Sometimes just one word, one affirmation, changes their whole perspective for the day

Email Joy Holden at joy holden@theadvocate.com.

Continued from page 1y

each morning and afternoon, feel a lot more miraculous now In the last few weeks, I’ve experienced profound appreciation time and again, in a variety of moments all are linked to the generosity of friends, including moments like:

n washing my face with hot water and my own wash cloth; n putting on a pair of new shoes sent to me by a friend; n eating a bowl of soup a friend dropped by, with a loaf of crusty bread; n multiple friends coming to my rescue to help hang drapes in our temporary home on a day when I didn’t have it in me to do so; n extra furniture that other friends were happy to share.

Appreciating life’s little graces and moments of beauty is a lovely way to live. This week, as we have started to settle in the rental where we’ll be living for a while as they rebuild our home, I met new neighbors, including a 7-year-old boy named Henry and his 6-year-old sister named Lucy, who has pink glasses “just like” mine.

As I was standing on the sidewalk admiring Henry’s bike, he took off his helmet, hit the bicycle seat and said to me, “I got this baby a couple of Christmases ago.”

Right about then, Lucy ran out the front door holding a piece of paper She yelled, “I made you something. I made you something.”

She ran up to me and presented me with a picture that her mom said Lucy worked on for a long time. It’s of a superhero girl wearing a cape and sporting pink glasses. On the bottom of the coloring sheet, Lucy wrote in her littlegirl handwriting “Hi Neighbor, from your neighbor Lucy.” New hope sometimes comes in the form of new neighbors — and places anchored by schools and churches. All these years later, our house fire has reminded me that communities are still held together by friends, family and faith, especially when it’s time to cross a new bridge. Getting to the other side of new and difficult bridges requires moving forward. Sometimes we can’t be sure if we can make it all the way across until we’re on the new bridge. Which is where we find ourselves — and just like Lovess, we’re crossing it now

Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

Q&A WITH FRED

LAFAyETTE EXECUTIVE COACH, INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER

PROVIDED PHOTO

Fred Reggie, a Lafayette native, is an executive coach, international speaker and expert in leadership and service culture development. He is the author of ‘Tell Me: How to initiate and nurture meaningful conversations with anyone, anywhere, anytime.’

PROVIDED PHOTO

Fred Reggie’s book, ‘Tell Me...’ is about how to initiate meaningful conversation.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

Larry Moses talks about the years he spent wrongly imprisoned during a presentation by clients of Innocence Project New Orleans to students enrolled in Northside High School’s Academy of Legal Studies on Feb 5, 2024, in Lafayette.

Dementia care provides servicefor lovedones

BY QUINN COFFMAN Staff writer

Standing inside Charlie’s Place feels familiar —the same comfortable calm that might ﬁll the living room or parlor of agrandparent, ﬁt with trappings straight out of Baby Boomers’ heyday

Plaid-upholstered armchairs in muted greens and redlinethe walls. Asmall fountain trickles in a rock-lined garden out the window Elvis and JerryLee Lewis sheet music sits open on an old playerpiano.

Charlie’sPlace is one of themost successful programs at Alzheimer’sServices of theCapital Area, with its main location on North Boulevard in Baton Rouge. It provides aspace for those suffering from dementia to socialize away from their family for six hoursa day,afew days each week.

Looking closer at the space, you might notice afew eccentricities: therealistic-looking catsitting on the radio set doesn’tactually move, there’sanextra mailbox in the back garden and one wall panel is actually adoor concealed in plain sight, ﬁt with abaseboard and hidden hinges.

This split nature of Charlie’s Place shows that there are two set of clientsthe programserves: the person with dementia and the loved one who gets abreak from caring for them at home.

“Weknow that thatcaregiver cannot give care at homewithout getting respite time, it’stoo stressful,” said Barbara Auten, executive director of Alzheimer’s Services of the Capital Area. “So by providing respite, we allow the caregiverstocare fortheir loved one at home for amuch longer period of time.”

Personalized care

Before Charlie’sPlace, there was just ahelpline for families caring for aloved one with dementia to call andget advice.Alzheimer Services grew from there, with educational conferences, seminars and support groups In the 2000s, anew understanding of how needed day-care pro-

grams were for thosewith dementiawas growing inthe larger Alzheimer’scommunity,Auten said.

When Charlie’s Placestarted in 2007, it was the only program of its kind in Louisiana. Today,there are three Charlie’sPlace locations, in Baton Rouge, Baker and Gonzales.

“Initially our thought was that we would provide one day a month,” she said. “The caretakers were up in arms and said, ‘No, we need atleast one day aweek.”

That needisvery real —not just so caretakers can runerrands or have social time themselves, but for their own most basic needs.

“Literally just taking ashower withouthavingtoworry about what their person is getting into or having them in the bathroom too,”

Stephanie Hull Cook, the public relations coordinator at Alzheimer Services ofthe Capital Area said.

For $65a day,caretakers can now leave their loved ones at Charlie’sPlace two days each week.

Those who can’tpay can have their fees negotiated down to something manageable—aslong as they pay something,which Auten says encourages caretakers not to miss days

“If they can’taffordresidential care, it’stheir only option,” Auten said.

Charlie’s Place is a“social model”ofcare, not amedical one.

Nurses arenot on staff, andthey can’t take dementiapatients who can’twalk, eat or go to thebathroom on their own.

But this socialmodel is alsotailor-made to each client.

“Weincorporate theircareers, hobbies, history to make it amuch more person-centeredprogram,” Autensaid. “Each oneofour staff is familiar with these stories, and they have to knowatleast three things from each client’shistory to redirect them with.”

One example was agentleman whospoke sevenlanguages,with Spanish being hisﬁrst.Ifhedidn’t wanttoparticipateina group project that day,staff would ﬁnd hishometown news in Spanish for himonaniPad.

Othertimes, the redirectionis simpler, like with the fake mail-

ing to church.

“If you put arosary in the hands of someone who hasbeen spiritually aCatholic their whole life,they might be nonverbal,but they’ll start praying,” Auten said. “Spirituality andlove transcend thedisease.”

Wheretheir braincan excel

Standing in thekitchen area, with the baby-proofed stove top behind him, Dedrick Welchjokes about being an odd-couplewith his coworker Marcia Kirk. Both are respite center workers at Charlie’s Place.

“I’m 38, she’s70. She’s from the North, I’m from the South,” he said,” Iwas like, ‘It’ll never work.’”

But Welch and Kirk have served hundredsofclientstogetherin their collective 23 yearsatCharlie’sPlace.

religiously Otherdays, theywill just sit and talk about the news, usually with one client reading newspaper headlines to the group.

“Westayinthe part of the brain wheretheycan still excel,”Welch said. “Westay in that long term memory,which is where alot of their happy feelings are, things that they went through.”

ButWelch andKirkalsoknow that what they do is just as much for the caretakers as it is for those with dementia.

One caretaker told Kirk that “this is theonly placehis wife likes to come, theonly place he can get her to.”

box in thegarden. If aclient is upsetoruninterested in theactivity at hand, astaff memberwill ask them to go grab themail out back.

Thisredirection of aclient’senergyintosomething they can feel useful doing extends to sometimes even tellinghigher-functioning clients that they are at Charlie’s Place as volunteers, there to help theother clients.

It’sall part of learning each clients’ needs, Hull Cook said.

“Ourstaff will diagnoseaUTI beforethe family even knows about it,because theyknow the symptoms, they see the change in their demeanor,” she said. “I’m telling you, they just know theirclientsand they can see the change.”

Losing this independence, especially being able to driveoneself,is oneofthe most distressing things for those suffering from dementia, Autensaid. At Charlie’sPlace, staff triestoencourage independence and movement.

“Weencourage them to go out in thegardenand do activities We encourage them to dance. We encourage themtoparticipate,” Auten said. “It’sverytrue thatif you don’tuse it, you lose it.”

Forthis reason, families are toldtohelp their loved ones with dementia do as much of their normal routine as possible: keeping up with hobbiesand oldfriends, or go-

Together,they run clients through shared meals, activities, conversations and presentations from visitors.

“What makesCharlie’ssospecial is ourtiestothe community,” Welch said. “For instance, theKids World daycare of Gardere,their kids will comeand theyteach us allthe newdances that we didn’tthink we needed to know.”

Other visitors, like Washboard Willy,known for his State Fair performances of country,Cajun andbluegrass music, or an LSU theater professor,who organizes acting and reading exercises, have performed for the clients.

Most days, however,clients are treated to Kirk’spiano music,playingoff of sheet-music books from all the hits of yesteryear.Welch said that often even if clients can’t rememberwhatthey ate for breakfast, they canremember allthe lyricsofJohnny Cash or Carl Perkins.

“Wehave aboutfourorﬁve (clients) who are 80 or 90, andthen you have some in their 70s, and if you think about it those are completely differentgenerations,” Welch said.

“But shedoes agreat job, reaching all the way through time.”

One of clients’ favorite activities is getting new kinds of ice cream and deciding whetheror notthey’re good.Welch hasmade it his duty to check for new ﬂavors

“Most are amazed, because there’snothing quitelike this,” Welch added. “They love to see them leave out and they’re happy and energetic. They love to hear about some of the things we did, they won’t always remembereverything we do,but they’ll say ‘wemade this today,wearrangedthis today.’ They love to hear thatthey’re doing something, and that they’re amongst friends.”

Staff at Charlie’s Place explained that every relationship between a caretaker and aloved one with dementia is different. Husbands or wives are equally as likely to be the one needing care.

Caretakers can be spouses, parents or other relatives. If not family,thenthe caretaker is likelya neighbor,but not as often afriend, Auten said.

“I call it that sense of community,” Welch said. “You’ve been neighbors so long, youend up takingcare of that person who’s been next door to youfor 30 or 40 years.”

With the BatonRouge Charlie’s Place having been open for nearly two decades, staff have even begun to have discussions about changing out the armchairs and decorationstoreﬂect anew generation of clients.

Eventually,Welch joked, the sheet music on the piano might have some of his favorite artists on it.

Email Quinn Coffmanatquinn. coffman@theadvocate.com.

PHOTO PROVIDEDBy STEPHANIE HULL COOK Clients dance during an activity at Charlie’sPlace.

FAITH & VALUES

From addiction to the finish line

Shelter residents take on half-marathon

BOB SMIETANA

Contributing writer

Marcos Hernandez says he has spent most of his life running Mostly trying to get away from God.

“I’ve been running from him — running with the devil,” says Hernandez, a resident of Wayside Cross, a Christian recovery center and shelter in the Chicago suburbs.

These days, Hernandez, who says he is four years sober is running for a different reason. If all goes to plan, he and seven other Wayside Cross residents will toe the line at the Fox Valley half-marathon in St. Charles, Illinois, in a few weeks with hopes of ﬁnishing the 13.1-mile race. For the past two months, Hernandez and other residents have been waking up at 5 in the morning, three days a week, as part of Up and Running Again, a national program that helps residents of homeless shelters and rescue missions train for half-marathons. Since 2010, more than 1,300 participants have finished a half-marathon through the program, which has partnerships with nonproﬁts in 10 locations, from Washington state and Los Angeles, to Knoxville and Aurora.

The idea is to use running and friendship as tools for transformation, said the Rev Bruce McEvoy a pastor and avid marathoner who serves as a volunteer coach for the program.

“Together we can do hard things,” McEvoy said, who has run 35 marathons and hopes to run one in every state.

The program is simple but intense. For 12 weeks, participants like Hernandez run three days a

Four years ago, McEvoy approached leaders at Wayside Cross about starting the running program after a friend at church told him about it. They jumped at the idea, he said.

This year’s group started back in June with about 13 runners. By early August, the midway point of training, eight were left. On a summer afternoon, the remaining runners gathered in a classroom at Wayside Cross to talk about the experience. The day before, they’d all gone to a store to be ﬁtted with new shoes, paid for by Up and Running Again. The program will also pay the race entry fee.

wanted to challenge himself and do something hard but necessary

Tom McCall, a longtime Wayside Cross resident, is back for his third year

McCall, who began running in prison, qualified for the Boston Marathon earlier this year, where he ran a personal best of 3:09:37. McCall, who spent six years in prison before coming to Wayside Cross at the end of 2022, is currently training for the Chicago Marathon. He now lives in a discipleship house owned by the ministry and has become one of the coaches.

be a celebration, said Up and Running Again founder and Chief Running Officer Steve Tierney, and a chance for runners to receive afﬁrmation for what they have accomplished in getting to race day

“Everyone has a good time,” he said. “And it’s just so healing.”

week — two shorter runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, followed by a long run on Saturday. Participants are paired with volunteer coaches who give tips and motivation while running side by side.

“When you’re running shoulder to shoulder, you’re sharing life with one another,” said McEvoy, the pastor for local and global impact at Chapel Street Church, an evangelical congregation with four locations in Chicago’s suburbs. The church has long had ties to Wayside Cross, a nearly century old riverfront shelter and recovery center in Aurora, founded as a result of an evangelical crusade by baseball player-turnedpreacher Billy Sunday in 1927. Most of the people Wayside Cross works with have dealt with addiction and homelessness. The program provides food and housing for free. Residents are required to attend classes and chapel and to have a job — ﬁrst for the ministry and then outside.

Will Dominguez, 42, said he was already surprised at how far the group had come. The first few runs were difficult, and Dominguez found himself out of breath much of the time. But a volunteer running coach gave him some tips that helped. And the more he ran, the better he felt. “Before I know it, I’m running five miles and looking forward to running,” he said.

Nick Adams, 21, said he has also seen benefits. He’s dropped 30 pounds in the few months since he came to Wayside Cross and started running. Dressed in a blue Up and Running Again T-shirt, he also recounted seeing deer and other wildlife along the Fox River Trail, where most of the group’s runs are held.

“A coyote ran in front of me the other day,” he said.

Perhaps the fastest runner in the group is James Milschewski, 32, who has been at Wayside Cross for ﬁve months. He enjoys the camaraderie of being with the other runners. But he’s not a fan of the runs.

“I told myself I was not going to enjoy doing this,” he said. “And that’s held true. I do not like getting up early to do it.” Still, he said he signed up for training because he

Running with the group has helped him with his marathon training, said McCall. Because they are slower, he’s forced to take his time. His runs with the group have become what he calls “recovery runs” from his marathon training.

“Helping these guys helps me,” he said.

McCall said he knows the challenges the other runners face — particularly when starting out. Although he had been running in prison, McCall said he’d lost most of his ﬁtness progress during COVID, when he and other prisoners were locked down. Then, after his release, he came to Wayside Cross, where residents are required to stay on campus during their first few months.

By the time he started running again, it was mid-January 2023 and freezing outside. He barely made a mile during his early runs. “It was a lot easier just to quit,” he said. “But I went ahead and started over again.”

McCall said that, if they stick with it, the other runners will learn what he’s learned from running.

“I know anything worth having is hard work,” he said.

On the night before the race, the runners will gather for dinner with friends and family That event will

Tierney, a CPA from Southern California, said he’s been surprised at the program’s success. He started running in 2008, with the help of a marathon training guide for people who had never run before The book advised that newcomers start by alternating walking and running and slowly building up from there. Before he knew it he was running long distances.

“It was the most amazing thing ever,” he said. “Each week, I was telling myself, I’m doing something I had never done before. How often do you get to tell yourself that?”

He began to wonder if other people could beneﬁt from a similar experience. Before long, he was proposing starting a running program at Orange County Rescue Mission, which became a success.

Being involved in Up and Running Again changed his life, said Tierney It got him out of what he called his “Christian bubble” and allowed him to rub shoulders with people from all walks of life. It has also made him more empathetic with those who have experienced addiction or other struggles.

“I would say that we are all one or two mistakes from being in the same position,” he said.

At Wayside Cross, the runners were looking ahead to race day, knowing they’d get there by showing up one day at a time. “I want to cross that ﬁnish line,” said Dominguez, drawing inspiration from a famed Bible verse “Just ﬁnish the race.”

Annual cruise to study Gulf ‘dead zone’ celebrates 40 years

Program stays afloat amid cuts that threaten to ground it

ELISE PLUNK

Contributing Writer

Editor’s note: This story, created by Elise Plunk for the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk is part of the AP Storyshare. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world

Despite being called a “cruise,” the people on board The Pelican described the experience on the hypoxia monitoring expedition as very different from the elaborate dinners on a towering vacation ship or booze- and buffet-filled Caribbean itinerary

Passengers described waves up to ﬁve feet high in the Gulf of Mexico, swinging the 116-foot research vessel like a pendulum, plaguing anyone who didn’t have sturdy sea legs with bouts of seasickness Daytime temperatures in late July soared ever higher as sweat dripped down the backs of hard-hat covered heads. The guests on board The Pelican weren’t seeking pleasure or status. They were unpaid students and researchers who say they weathered the conditions in the name of science itself.

“It’s not glamorous, but it is very important,” said Cassandra Glaspie, assistant professor at Louisiana State University and the chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual hypoxia cruise.

The 11-day voyage provides vital information on the sealife and environmental conditions within the seasonal low-oxygen zone that develops off the coast of Louisiana. The data the cruise collects informs state and federal efforts to reduce the size of the “dead zone” and sheds light on impacts to those who rely on the water for their livelihoods, like shrimpers and ﬁshermen.

Now after its 40th year and 38th hypoxia cruise, The Pelican’s annually planned journey faces challenges to stay aﬂoat, potentially undermining decades of research and future plans to get the dead zone under control.

A decades long struggle Biologists, undergraduate student researchers and crew alike celebrated the cruise’s 40th anniversary

aboard The Pelican with a party that had an “old bird” theme chosen to honor the boat, which has also been sailing for 40 years. More than just an excuse to eat cake (with rainbow sprinkles), the purpose of the cruise is to capture information snapshots of just how bad conditions get in the dead zone.

“We bring water up to the surface. We have a little chemistry lab to ﬁgure out what the oxygen level is chemically, and then we can validate that against what our sensors are telling us,” Glaspie said.

The low-oxygen area appears annually as nutrients, primarily from agricultural fertilizers from the massive Mississippi River Basin, drain downriver and spur algae overgrowth.

Algae eat, defecate and die, using up the oxygen in the water when they decompose and sink to the bottom. Fish, shrimp and other marine life leave the low oxygen area when they can and suffocate when they can’t, putting pressure on the vital commercial Gulf fishery and the people who rely on it Exposure to low-oxygen waters can also alter reproduction, growth rates and diet in ﬁsh species.

Glaspie took over the work of coastal scientist Nancy Rabalais, who launched the maiden cruise in 1985 and led it for decades after.

Every summer begins with a forecast of the zone’s predicted size, es-

timated by various scientiﬁc models and measurements of nitrogen and phosphorus throughout the river basin taken throughout the year

“A lot of times with pollution, you hear anecdotal evidence of how it might be increasing cancer rates or it might be causing ﬁsheries to fail,” Glaspie said. “Here, we have an actual, measurable impact of nutrient pollution in the Mississippi River watershed.”

The Mississippi River/Gulf of America Hypoxia Task Force, an interagency federal, state and tribal effort to reduce the size of the dead zone, uses data from the cruise to determine whether it is meeting its goals.

In the past five years, the dead zone has been as large as 6,700 square miles, and even larger in previous years, reaching nearly the size of New Jersey

While still more than two times the size that the Task Force wants, the Gulf dead zone was slightly smaller than forecasted this year, about the size of Connecticut at around 4,400 square miles.

Federal and state ofﬁcials lauded the limited success of the zone’s smaller size in a July 31 press conference held to discuss the results of the hypoxia cruise’s 2025 ﬁndings

They also called for continued work.

“It requires strong collaboration between states, tribes, federal partners and stakeholders,” said Brian

Frazer, the EPA’s Ofﬁce of Wetlands, Oceans and Watersheds director Mike Naig, Iowa’s agriculture secretary, said states should be “scaling up” initiatives to reduce nutrient pollution. Whether or not this will actually happen is uncertain.

Funding cuts

Since the Trump administration took office, funding for nutrient reduction efforts upriver as well as money to operate the cruise itself have been scaled back or cut entirely

The Environmental Protection Agency’s 319 and 106 funding programs under the Clean Water Act are the main funding mechanisms for states to reduce nutrient pollution throughout the Basin. Those grants aren’t funded in President Trump’s proposed FY 2026 budget, said Frazer

The 106 programs have historically doled out $18.5 million annually according to the EPA, with additional money sometimes allocated from Congress. The 319 program provided $174.3 million in FY 2025. The cuts to these programs are not yet ﬁnal. Congress can decide to add in additional funding, and has in past years.

States rely on both funds to reduce and monitor nutrient runoff in their waters, said Matt Rota, senior policy director for Healthy

Gulf, a nonproﬁt research group. Rota has monitored policy changes surrounding the Gulf dead zone for more than 20 years, and he questions whether current reduction strategies can be maintained, let alone efforts redoubled.

“It’s always good to see a dead zone that’s smaller than what was predicted,” Rota said. “I am not conﬁdent that this trend will continue.”

Aside from cuts to reduction efforts, money for The Pelican’s annual cruise is also slipping away. Glaspie said that, ideally, the cruise has 11 days of funding. It costs about $13,000 a day to operate the vessel, she said.

“It’s a relatively inexpensive program” with big payoffs for seafood industry workers who rely on the water for their livelihoods Rota said. “This is baseline stuff that our government should be doing.”

Funding for the hypoxia cruise has been part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s annual operational budget, making it a more reliable source than grant funding. But with the Trump administration taking a hatchet to government-backed research, there is increasing uncertainty over whether The Pelican and its crew will embark upon future missions.

This year, Glaspie said, NOAA defunded a day of the cruise. The Gulf of America Alliance, a partnership group to support the Gulf’s economic and environmental health amongst the ﬁve bordering states, stepped in to make up the difference. Glaspie said having that additional day was a saving grace for the research.

“This is a fine-tuned machine, and the consequences for cutting it short are really predictable and well-known,” she said. “If I’m asked to create an estimate of the surface area of hypoxia, and we’re not able to cap off the end in Texas waters, I’m not really going to be able to give a reliable estimate.”

Even without additional cuts, Glaspie said she already conducts the hypoxia cruise “on a shoestring budget.” Researchers on board don’t get paid, and every person who supports its mission besides the crew that runs the boat – is a volunteer

“It’s tough for me to not pay people. I mean, they’re working solid 12-hour shifts. It is not easy and they are seasick for a lot of this, and they can’t call home,” Glaspie said. “It doesn’t sit well with me to not pay people for all this work, but this is what we’ve had to do because we don’t have the money to pay them.”

PHOTO COURTESy TIM RATLIFF Moses Hernandez and Manny Saenz proudly wear their new Up and Running T-shirts.

PROVIDED PHOTO By CASSANDRA GLASPIE

Students Jorddy Gonzalez and Lily Tubbs retrieve the CTD (conductivity, temperature, depth) sensor package after measuring dissolved oxygen at a regular stop on the annual hypoxia cruise while students watch.

SUNDAY, September 14, 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 wonderword

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 — PAstorAL: PASS-terul: Relating to shepherds or herdsmen.

Average mark 39 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 58 or more words in PASTORAL?

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

Greed is not good

Some hands with 5-4-2-2 distribution are well suited to a two no-trump opening. South chose two clubs with this major-suitoriented hand so he could get both of his suits in. North’s two no-trump response showed a balanced hand with 8-10 points

He thought he was too good to pass four hearts so he cue bid his diamond control, leading to this excellent slam.

wuzzLes

super Quiz

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

SUBJECT: SHORT MEN

(e.g., He was defeated at the Battle of Waterloo Answer: Napoleon Bonaparte.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL

1. The first human to enter outer space.

Answer________

2. Singer-songwriter who paired with Art Garfunkel.

Answer________

3. He was known as the “Little Tramp.”

Answer________

4. His sixth album was “Purple Rain.”

Answer________

5. He led the successful campaign for India’s independence.

Answer________

GRADUATE

South won the opening diamond lead with dummy’s king and drew trumps in three rounds. Without giving it much thought, he began to run his spades, believing that he would make an overtrick if the spades split 3-3 and just make his contract if they split 4-2. He didn’t bother to think what might happen if the spades split 5-1, or worse. When East discarded on the second spade, South could no longer make his slam. He had to lose a spade and a club. Provided the trumps split 3-2, the slam was cold regardless of the split in spades South should have drawn trumps, ending in dummy, and then run the 10 of spades. He might still make seven if East has the jack of spades, and no bad spade split could defeat him Too bad.

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2025 Tribune Content Agency goren

It’s time to explore the possibilities and expand your qualifications and skills to meet demands.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Gather information, verify facts and put together an affordable plan that will help you invest more in your future. Distance yourself from what holds you back SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) The information you receive will point you in a direction that allows you to mix old ideas with current trends

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Recognize problems, and you’ll find solutions that can transform your life and bring you closer to the people you love. Expose your feelings, and something good will transpire.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Refuse to let your emotions cloud your view or lead you down the wrong path. Take note of what’s happening around you, but don’t rely on secondhand information.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Take a pass if you don’t like what you hear,

what something costs or what’s expected of you. Set goals to initiate physical activities, follow a healthy diet and keep a strict budget.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Trust your instincts, not what you hear from a third party Take the path that feels right instead of following everyone else. Home improvements will cost more than anticipated.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Emotional situations will require your undivided attention and discipline. Set boundaries and establish clear rules to protect yourself from anyone who tries to take advantage of you.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Simplify your life; don’t share secrets or personal data. Expand your knowledge and interests, and build a strong foundation to showcase your capabilities and promote your availability

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Pay attention to your needs. It’s OK to put yourself first and to enjoy a moment of “me time.” Personal growth and self-improvement are excellent starting points for a new journey CANCER (June 21-July 22) An open mind will spark your imagination regarding home and personal

improvements. A financial boost looks likely if you apply for a higher position or sell items you no longer use.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Spend more time at home. Enhance your space to accommodate projects that will increase your comfort and convenience. A commitment you make will promote long-term security

Answers to puzzles

1. Yuri Gagarin.2.Paul Simon. 3. Charlie Chaplin. 4. Prince.5.Mahatma Gandhi.6.Pablo Picasso. 7. Michael J. Fox.8.Woody Allen 9. Harry Houdini.10. Danny DeVito. 11. James Madison. 12.Andrew Carnegie. 13. Voltaire 14.Daniel Radcliffe. 15. Ludwig van Beethoven.

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?

Onion rings are just vegetable donuts. —Cookie Monster

Crossword Answers

jeFF mACnelly’sshoe/ by Gary Brookins &Susie MacNelly

FoXtrot/ by BillAmend

The Times-Picayune 09-14-2025

HEAT DEATHS RISE AS REGION WARMS

La.plans to repair or replace 62 bridges

Trump: Stop buying Russian oil

Far-right activist’s protest in London draws 100,000

Parallel rallies held in Serbia

Students deal with post-shootinggrief

Report:Colo. school shooterwas fascinated with mass shootings

Fake threatsput students on edge,testdispatchers

Families in crisis afterimmigration raid in Ga.

WITH KEYNOTE SPEAKER

LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’SQUIET DISASTER

LETHAL HEAT LOUISIANA’SQUIET DISASTER

Protests disruptSpanish race

Israel rampsup Gaza City strikes

Paramountdenounces boycottofIsraeli film industry over Gaza

ELIMINATE

Trump wants to ax affordable housing

Dependency

Public skepticism of vaccines on therise

Q&A WITH CHARLES STOECKER

HEALTH CARE ECONOMISTATTULANEUNIVERSITy

ADVERTISEMENT

LOUISIANAPOLITICS

Shutdown tied to GOPextending Obamacaretax credit

THE GULF COAST

Mobile’s tunnelstransformed travel in N.O.,the South

Influencer donates$30Kafter Antarctica planelanding

Divers water-blastapopular underwater statue off Portofino

Plan draftedtosendGuard to La.

CLOSINGTHE GENDER GAP

ELECTION 2025

Woodfork leadsinrace forOrleans sheriff

GUARD

GENDER

SHERIFF

DRIVERS

NewOrleans Area Deaths

OPINION

OUR VIEWS

Federal help canimprove public safety in N.O.,but only if it’s real

TimKaine’s remarksspark debate

COMMENTARY

Stop theblame game surroundingpolitical violence

Voterquestions emerge as campaign heatsup

DysfunctioninWashingtondriveslawmakers home

LSUdefense leadsway in winover Florida PORTS

GreenWavequarterback

TOP 25 COLLEGE FOOTBALL ROUNDUP

Georgia defeats Tennessee in OT

TULANE 34,DUKE27

THREEAND OUT: JEFF DUNCAN’S TOPTAKEAWAyS FROM THEGREEN WAVE’S WINOVERTHE BLUE DEVILS

DARIAN WHO?

1

OFFENSIVELINEDOMINATED

2

EMOTIONS WERE HIGH

3

TULANE

Duke’s visitmuch different than 2015

THE VARSITY ZONE

Karr edges American Heritage in OT thriller at Superdome

John Curtis offense racks up rushing yards

SCOREBOARD

LSU20, FLORIDA10

Whit Weeksejected earlyfor targeting

Lotofpromise,concern

LSU20, FLORIDA10

THREEAND OUT: SCOTTRABALAIS’ TOPTHREE TAKEAWAySFROMLSU’S

3

DOMINANT DEFENSE

Quarterback

SAINTS GAMEDAY

ROSTERS

FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

To Reid, football like a chess game

NO PLACELIKEIT’

Punter Morstead relishes anothergoin Superdome

STAFF PREDICTIONS

MATTHEWPARAS