The Times-Picayune 09-25-2025

Newbishopnamed forarchdiocese

NewJerseyBishopJames Checchio,a scholarof church law, haspreviouslyspent yearsatthe Vatican

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

The Most Rev.James F. Checchio, bishop of theDioceseofMetuchen in New Jersey,has been named the next archbishop of the Archdiocese of New Orleans by Pope Leo XIV, taking over from retiringArchbishop Gregory Aymond.

Ascholar of churchlaw and the former leader ofthe American seminaryinRome, Checchio, 59, will serve alongside Aymond as coadjutor archbishopbefore taking the reins of the nation’ssecond-oldest Roman Catholic diocese inthe comingmonths, theVatican announced on Wednesday

His appointment comes 10 months after Aymond, 75, reached the mandatory retirement age for bishops. Aymond is also close to wrapping up the local church’slong-running bankruptcy case, andhe affirmed in aletter Wednesdaythatheplans to conclude that process before passing responsibility for the region’s half-million Catholics to his successor

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

up an autographed NewOrleans

ANew Jersey native, Checchio wasordained in Camden in 1992 and will bringextensive credentials and experience to his new post. In addition to hisdoctoratein

canon, or church, law,heholds an MBA as wellastwo undergraduate degrees. He servedinseveral

ä See BISHOP, page 4A

Lawenforcement agents look around the roof of abuildingnear the scene of ashooting at aU.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in DallasonWednesday.

Authoritiessay shots firedfrom roof onto location in Dallas

BY JAMIE STENGLE and JACK BROOK Associated Press

DALLAS— Ashooter with arifleopened fire from anearby roof onto aU.S. Immigrationand CustomsEnforcement location in Dallas on Wednesday,killing one detaineeand wounding twoothers in atransport van before taking his own life, authorities said.

The suspect hasbeenidentified by alaw enforcementofficial as 29-year-old Joshua Jahn. The official could not publicly disclose details of the investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity

The exact motivation forthe attack was not immediately known. FBI Director Kash Patel posted aphoto on social media showing abullet found at the scene with the words “ANTI-ICE” written on it in what appeared to be marker

The attack is thelatestpublic,targetedkilling in the U.S., coming two weeks after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was killed by arifle-wielding shooter andasheightened immigrationenforcementhas prompted backlash against ICEagents and fear in immigrant communities.

TheAmerican Immigration Lawyers Association called the shootings “a stark reminder that behind every immigration case number is ahumanbeing deserving of dignity,safety,and respect.”

“Whether they are individuals navigating the immigration process, public servantscarrying out their duties, or professionals working within the system, all deserve to be free from violence and fear,” the group said in astatement.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a release that shots were fired “indiscriminately at

ä See SHOOTING, page 5A

BY JOSIE ABUGOV Staff writer

As hunting seasons open andmorepeople head out to the woods, the Louisiana wildlife agency is asking residentstostay on the lookout forasmalland once-common skunk. One telltale sign: It may be performing handstands. There’sareason forthat.

“Have you seen an Eastern Spotted Skunk?” the Louisiana Department of Wildlife andFisherieswrote Sunday on Facebook.“We need your help!”

The state has not confirmed aLouisiana sighting of the species for 40 years, though the skunk has been seen recently in all three neighboring states. Jennifer Hogue-Manuel, the furbearer biologist for Louisiana, said Eastern spotted skunk populations are thought to be in decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use

ä See SKUNK, page 4A

STAFF PHOTOSByCHRIS GRANGER

TheMostRev.James F. Checchio holds

Saints football during his introduction to thecity of NewOrleans on Wednesday.

Archbishop of NewOrleans GregoryAymond,left, and former Archbishop of NewOrleans Alfred Hughes smile as theylisten to the Most Rev. James F. Checchio speak on Wednesday.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTOByJULIOCORTEZ

Drone strike on market in Sudan kills 15

CAIRO — An aid worker and a local group in Sudan said a drone strike by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces killed 15 people at a bustling market in the besieged city of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur

The strike on Tuesday came only a few days after the RSF reportedly struck a mosque in the city, killing at least 70 people, including worshippers and three medical personnel.

The latest drone strike also wounded 12 people, an aid worker with the Emergency Response Rooms, or ERR, told The Associated Press on Wednesday, citing doctors and other ERR team members on the ground. He spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution from the RSF

The RSF didn’t mention the incident on their Telegram channel but said that its fighters are making advances in the city and claimed it was evacuating “hundreds of civilians from el-Fasher,” without providing evidence.

Humberto forms and Gabrielle races to Azores

MIAMI Tropical Storm Humberto formed in the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday at the same time Hurricane Gabrielle was racing across the ocean toward the Azores islands, forecasters said.

Gabrielle, a Category 2 storm, is forecast to weaken but could cause significant coastal flooding in the island chain, National Hurricane Center forecasters said. From Thursday into Friday, Gabrielle may bring up to 5 inches of rain across the central and western Azores.

Gabrielle was centered about 1,010 miles west of the Azores on Wednesday afternoon. It had maximum sustained winds of 100 mph and was traveling to the east at 28 mph.

Waves generated by Gabrielle will continue to affect Bermuda, the U.S. East Coast from North Carolina northward and the Atlantic coast of Canada, forecasters said. Life-threatening surf and rip currents are possible.

Tropical Storm Humberto was located 550 miles east-northeast of the northern Leeward Islands with maximum sustained winds of 40 mph, the weather center said. Humberto is expected to affect the eastern coast of the U.S. within the next five days.

Students charged with pork-related hate crime

Two Syracuse University students are facing hate crime charges after allegedly tossing a bag of pork into a Jewish fraternity house during a Rosh Hashanah celebration.

The incident occurred around 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Zeta Beta Tau house, where the fraternity brothers had gathered for the Jewish New Year

Zeta Beta Tau is a historically Jewish fraternity Jewish dietary law prohibits the consumption or touching of pork

Samuel Patten is accused of entering the house and throwing a clear plastic bag of meat, splattering the contents on a wall and the floor He then fled the house and got into a Jeep Wrangler driven by Kyle Anderson, police said They were captured soon after and charged with burglary as a hate crime and criminal nuisance.

Both suspects are 18 years old.

‘Very mean squirrel’ has sent 2 people to the ER

SAN FRANCISCO Residents of a San Francisco Bay Area city are on the lookout for an aggressive squirrel that has sent at least two people to the emergency room for medical treatment.

Joan Heblack told ABC affiliate KGO-TV that she was walking in the Lucas Valley neighborhood of San Rafael when a squirrel seemingly came out of nowhere and attacked her leg, clawing and biting.

“It clamped onto my leg. The tail was flying up here. I was like, ‘Get it off me, get off me!’,” Heblack said. Isabel Campoy also said she was attacked while walking in the same area. The squirrel launched itself from the ground to her face and wound up on her arm, leaving it bloody, she said BRIEFS

DOJ scolded over Mangione posts

Officials could face sanctions for statements in CEO murder case

BY LARRY NEUMEISTER and MICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press

NEW YORK — At least two senior Justice Department officials likely broke court rules governing the conduct of prosecutors by reposting comments President Donald Trump made about Luigi Mangione, the man accused of assassinating the CEO at UnitedHealthcare, a federal judge said Wednesday Judge Margaret M. Garnett said in an order that the officials probably violated a local rule limiting what prosecutors can say publicly about the guilt or innocence of a defendant before a trial.

On Sept. 18, Trump went on Fox News and called Mangione “a pure assassin.” “He shot someone in the back as clear as you’re looking at me,” Trump said. “He shot him right in the middle of the back, instantly dead.”

A video clip of Trump’s remarks

was then posted on the social platform X by the White House, and then reposted by Chad Gilmartin, a Justice Department spokesperson, who added the comment, “@POTUS is absolutely right.” Gilmartin’s post, which was later deleted, was then reposted by Brian Nieves, an associate deputy attorney general.

The judge asked the department to explain how the violations occurred and what steps are being taken to ensure it doesn’t happen again. “Future violations may result in sanctions, which could include personal financial penalties, contempt of court findings, or relief specific to the prosecution of this matter,” the judge wrote. In an email, a Justice Department spokesperson said there would be no comment.

Earlier this month, defense lawyers for Mangione had asked that his federal charges be dismissed and the death penalty be taken off

the table as a result of public comments by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to state and federal charges in the fatal shooting of Thompson on Dec. 4 as he arrived at a Manhattan hotel for his company’s annual investor conference.

In the federal case, Mangione is charged with murder through use of a firearm, which carries the possibility of the death penalty, as well as stalking and gun offenses.

Defense lawyers argued in a written submission to Garnett earlier this month that Justice Department officials poisoned the case when Bondi declared prior to his April indictment that capital punishment is warranted for a “premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America.” Bondi announced in April that she was directing Manhattan federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Mangione.

Drone fired from Yemen hits southern Israeli city

BY IBRAHIM HAZBOUN Associated Press

JERUSALEM A drone fired from Yemen struck the southern Israeli city of Eilat on Wednesday Israel’s military said. Medics said at least 22 people were wounded, two of them seriously It wasn’t immediately clear if they were hurt by the drone or an interceptor In the Gaza Strip, at least 19 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire, according to local hospitals.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have regularly fired drones and missiles at Israel and attacked international shipping — in what they say is solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The vast majority of the fire directed at Israel has been intercepted or fallen in open areas without wounding anyone.

The Houthis claimed the latest attack, saying in a statement that they had fired two drones at Israel.

Israel has carried out retaliatory airstrikes on Yemen after past attacks. Defense Minister Israel Katz, in a post on X, warned the Houthis that “anyone who harms Israel will be harmed sevenfold.”

The Israeli military said that “interception efforts were made.” The Magen David Adom rescue service said that the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital, two of them with “severe shrapnel injuries to their limbs.”

In Gaza, an Israeli strike hit a group of Palestinians in the built-up Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 12 of them, according to the Al-Awda Hospital. Another 18 people were wounded, it said. The Israeli military didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Another four people two children and their parents — were killed in a strike on their home in Nuseirat, according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah.

Nasser Hospital in southern Gaza said that it received the bodies of three people killed by gunfire while seeking aid. Health officials in Gaza and the U.N. human rights office say hundreds of people have been killed by Israeli fire while seeking humanitarian aid in recent months.

The military has said it only fires warning shots when people approach its forces in what it considers a threatening manner

Trump presents Gaza peace plan

BY DAVE GOLDINER New york Daily News (TNS)

President Donald Trump presented a new plan to end the war in Gaza and vowed to block Israel from annexing the West Bank in a meeting with Arab and Muslim leaders.

Trump’s proposal to win the release of all remaining hostages held in Gaza in exchange for a permanent ceasefire was greeted enthusiastically by Muslim allies at the meeting on Tuesday on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York

“I view it as an important foundation upon which we can build further in the coming period to achieve peace,” Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi said Wednesday Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the meet-

ing with Trump “fruitful,” without elaborating.

Trump assured the leaders that he would not allow Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to annex the West Bank, most of which is now governed by the Palestinian Authority, although it was not clear if he would forcefully object to annexation of parts of the territory

Arab allies warned Trump that annexation of the West Bank could cause them to scrap the Abraham Accords, a 2020 pact under which some conservative Arab nations normalized diplomatic ties with Israel.

Despite Trump’s frequent remarks about the war in Gaza, the white paper marks the administration’s first formal policy plan for ending the war It includes a seven-point plan calling for a perma-

nent ceasefire along with release of all hostages, a gradual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, Muslim and Palestinian security forces and a future government of the coastal enclave without Hamas but including the participation of the Palestinian Authority Axios reported.

The plan does not include any elements of Trump’s own much-hyped controversial plan for the U.S. to “take over” Gaza and rebuild it as a coastal luxe “Riviera of the Middle East,” while somehow forcing or convincing the Palestinian inhabitants to leave.

Arab leaders denounced the plan as a fig leaf for a campaign of ethnic cleansing aimed at ousting all the Palestinians from Gaza, where they have lived since Israel’s independence in 1948.

His lawyers argued that Bondi’s statements and other official actions including a highly choreographed perp walk that saw Mangione led up a Manhattan pier by armed officers, and the Trump administration’s flouting of established death penalty procedures — “have violated Mr Mangione’s constitutional and statutory rights and have fatally prejudiced this death penalty case.”

Defense lawyers sent Garnett a letter on Tuesday saying the government was continuing to prejudice their client’s right to a fair trial with the repostings on social media of Trump’s comments. They said Mangione was unjustly described by the White House press secretary as a “left wing assassin” and by another White House official as an “anti-facist” and had been referenced in a news release Monday when Trump designated a decentralized movement known as antifa as a terrorist organization.

New Jersey PBS to go dark in 2026

BY ROB TORNOE The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

PHILADELPHIA New Jersey PBS, the state’s only public television station, will shutter next year after suffering “very significant” budget cuts implemented by the Trump administration, the company announced.

“We have been proud to serve the state of New Jersey with content that inspires, educates and informs,” WNET, which manages New Jersey PBS, said in a statement. New Jersey PBS will remain on the air through June 2026. NJ Globe’s David Wildstein was first to report the news of NJ PBS shutting down.

New Jersey PBS was formed 14 years ago, after New Jersey lawmakers and former Gov Chris Christie shut down the New Jersey Network (NJN), a state-run public media company While several of NJN’s former radio stations were sold to WHYY in Philadelphia, WNET took

over management of NJ PBS in 2011. In addition to the federal cuts, New Jersey cut state funding of NJ PBS by 75% in its 2025 budget, from $1 million to just $250,000.

“This is a big loss for New Jersey, which suffered a dearth of TV news coverage well before the internet ravaged the industry,” wrote Politico’s Matt Friedman, who has covered state politics since 2007.

New Jersey PBS is down to about 27 employees following a round of layoffs last month that cost about 11 staffers their jobs. At the time, the station said they “remain committed to providing New Jersey with news and content.” NJ PBS’s closure comes on the heels of Penn State’s decision to shutter WPSU, the university’s NPR and PBS affiliate.

WPSU’s closure will reduce the number of public television stations in Pennsylvania down to six, including WQED in Pittsburgh, the home of “Mr Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ABDEL KAREEM HANA

Displaced Palestinians flee northern Gaza Strip as they walk carrying their belongings along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza on Wednesday.

Chinaannounces newclimate goal to cutemissions

BY SETH BORENSTEIN and MELINA WALLING Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS With China lead-

ing the way by announcing its first emission cuts, world leaders said Wednesday they are getting more serious about fighting climate change andthe deadly extreme weather that comes with it

At the United Nations high-level climate summit, Chinese president Xi Jinping announced the world’s largest carbon-polluting country would aim to cut emissions by 7% to 10% by 2035.China spews more than 31% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions, and they have long been soaring.

The announcement came as more than 100 world leaders gathered to talk of increased urgency and the need for stronger efforts to curb the spewing of heat-trap-

ping gases. With majorinternational climate negotiations in Brazil 61/2 weeks away,the United NationsSecretary-General Antonio Guterres convened aspecial leaderssummit Wednesday during the General Assembly to focus on specificplans to curb emissions from coal, oil and natural gas. In avideo address, Xi pledged that Chinawould increase its wind andsolar power sixfold from 2020 levels, make pollution-free vehiclesmainstream and“basically establish aclimate adaptive society.” Europe then followed with aless detailed and not quite official new climate change fighting plan. Ursula von der Leyen, president of theEuropeanCommission, said theirinfrastructure andinvestment in renewable energy and the priceofcarbonhad all increased, and their emissions aredownnear-

ly 40% since 1940. Lastweek, member states agreed that their nationally determined contribution would range between 66% and72%,and that they would formally submit their plan beforethe November negotiations, she said.

Xi andBrazil’sleader alsotook thinly veiledswipesonWednesday afternoon at U.S.President Donald Trump’sattacksaday earlier on renewable energy and the concept of climatechange. “While some country is acting against it, the internationalcommunity should stay focused on theright direction,” Xi said. Guterressaid, “the sciencedemands action. Thelaw commands it. The economics compel it. And people are calling for it.”

MarshallIslands President Hilda Heine saidshe was there to issue “a demand for us alltowakeup

from acommunity whose hospitals and schools arebeing destroyed” by rising tides. Shesaidshe has regularly been awakened by floods anddrought emergenciesinher smallisland nationand that it will soon be others’ turn.

Anthony Albanese, primeminister of Australia, called this adecisive decadefor climate action and said Australians know the tollof more frequent andextreme weather events likecyclones,floods, bush firesand droughts. “Australia knows we are not alone,” he said.

“Warming appears to be accelerating,” climate scientist Johan Rockstrom said in ascience briefing that started the summit. “Here we must admit failure. Failure to protect peoples andnations from unmanageable impactsofhumaninduced climate change.”

“We’redangerously close to triggering fundamental and irrevers-

ible change,” Rockstrom said. TexasTech climate scientist Katharine Hayhoetoldleaders that everytenth of adegreeof warmingisconnectedtoworsening floods, wildfires, heat waves, stormsand manymore deaths: “What’satstake is nothing less than everything and everyone we love.”

Under the 2015 Paris climate accord, 195 nations are supposed to submit newmorestringent fiveyearplans on howtocurb carbon emissions from the burning of coal, oil and naturalgas. Technically the deadline wasinFebruary andabout 50 nations —responsible forone-quarter of the world’scarbon emissions —have filed theirs.

Former U.S. President Joe Bidensubmitted America’splan late last year before leaving office and the Trumpadministration has distanced itself from the plan.

Zelenskyy: Worldin‘most destructivearmsrace’ in history

BY EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS

Ukrainian

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy toldglobal leaders Wednesday that theworld is in “the most destructive arms race in human history” and urged theinternational community to act against Russia now,asserting that Vladimir Putin wants to expand his war in Europe.

In ableak view of today’s world, he told the annual high-level meeting of the U.N. General Assembly that weak international institutions including the United Nations haven’tbeen able to stop wars in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere, and international law can’t help nations survive.

“Weapons decide who survives,” the Ukrainian leader said. “There are no security guarantees except friends and weapons.” Zelenskyy spoke from the podium of the vast assembly chamberaday after he met with President Donald Trump, who expressed sup-

port for Ukraine’sefforts and criticizedRussia.Trump said Tuesday that he believed Ukraine could win back all territory lost to Russia, a dramatic shiftfrom the U.S. leader’srepeated calls for Kyiv to make concessions to end the warsparked by President VladimirPutin’s February 2022 invasion.

Zelenskyy did not comment onthe surprise U.S. pivot,saying only that he

had “a good meeting” with Trumpand withmany other “strong leaders.”

“Together,wecan change alot,” he said, expressing appreciation for support from the United States. and Europe andurging allU.N. member nations to condemn Russia while it “keeps dragging this war on.”

If Putin isn’tstopped now, theUkrainian president warned theassemblythat

Some leadersatU.N.condemn‘sick expression of joy’ at Kirk’s

BY MEG KINNARD Associated Press

The reaction over Charlie Kirk’sassassinationtouched yet another constituency this week: the collection of world leaders gatheredat theUnited Nations.

Twoweeks after Kirk was shot and killed in Utah, several of the world leaders gathered at for the U.N. General Assembly this week referenced the conservative activist’sslaying —and some of the divisive outpouring of reaction to it —as evidence of deeper fissures in global society

Decrying the “sick expression of joy for the crime committed against an innocent person,” Serbian President Alexsandar Vucic told assembled leaders on Wednesday that reaction to

Kirk’s deathrepresents “the best confirmation of that.”

Social media lit up in the days after Kirk’sSept. 10 death with peoplemourning hisloss— some of whom said they disagreed with Kirk’s ideological stances but supported his right to voicethem—aswell as those celebrating it It set off anational discussion about freedom of speech.Commentsled to the firings ofnumerous people, frompoliticalanalysts and opinion writers to school employees. Several conservative activists sought to identify social media users whose posts about Kirk they viewed asoffensive orcelebratory, targeting everyone from journalists to teachers.

On Wednesday,Vucic said reaction to the conservative activist’sassassinationwas

killing

demarcated “less by ideological butmuchmore by emotional hate-driven differences.”

“He was savagely assassinatedjustbecausehis killer didnot like hisideas,”Vucic said of Kirk, suggesting that some of thereaction in the slaying’saftermath caused yet more damage in terms of thedivisionitsowed.“He was shoteven after deathby thesame ones who had preparedpolitical andmedia grounds forhis assassination.”

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña also mentioned Kirk in hisspeechWednesday,saying in Spanishthat he was “shaken, saddened, and distressed” by Kirk’s killingand arguing that the “macabreresponsemust awaken us fromour sleepy stateofcomplacency.”

he will keep driving the war forward, “wider anddeeper.”

“Ukraine is only the first, and nowRussian drones are alreadyflying across Europe, and Russianoperations arealready spreading across countries,” he said.

Zelenskyy saidneighboring Moldova is defending itself again from Russian interference andshould not be allowed to move toward dependencyonRussia as Georgia andBelarusare.

“Europe cannotafford to loseMoldova, too,” he said, stressing that thecountry needs funding and energy support, not just “political gestures.”

Zelenskyy saidweapons and especially drones “are evolving faster thanour ability to defend ourselves.”

While drones previously wereusedbymajor countries, he said, “Now,there aretens of thousands of people who know how to professionally kill using drones.”

Recently,European airportshad to shut down because of drones,Zelenskyy said, andlast week North

Korea announced the test of “a tactical drone” which meansevencountries with limited resources can build dangerous weapons.

“Weare now living through the mostdestructive arms race in human history, because this time it includes artificial intelligence,”hesaid. “Companies are already working on drones that can shoot down other drones, and it’sonly a matter of time —not much —before drones are fighting drones, attacking critical infrastructure andattacking people all by themselves fully autonomous and no human involved except the few whocontrol AI system.”

Zelenskyyechoed U.N.

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in calling forglobal rules on how AI can be used in weapons, stressing that “this is just as urgent as preventing the spread of nuclear weapons.”

Stopping Putin now is cheaper than trying to protect every port andairport and every ship from drone attacks, and having to build

undergroundschools and health centers as Ukraine has been forced to do to protect its citizens, he said. “Stopping Russia now is cheaper than wondering who will be the first to create asimple drone carrying anuclear warhead.”

“So we must use everything we have togetherto force the aggressor to stop, and only then do we have a real chance that this arms race will not end in catastrophe forall of us,” the Ukrainian leader said. The Ukrainianleader said his country doesn’thave “big fatmissilesdictators love to show off in parades” but it is producing drones that can fly 2,000 to 3,000 kilometers which have been used against Russia. Zelenskyy said Ukraine is building anew security architecture, and morethan 30 countries are part of its coalition, and“we have decided to open up for arms exports —and these are powerful systems tested in areal warwhen every international institution failed.”

ORLEANS PARISHREGISTRAR OF VOTERS ANNOUNCESEARLYVOTING FOR THE October 11, 2025 OPEN PRIMARY/ORLEANS MUNICIPALPAROCHIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

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Algiers Courthouse—225 Morgan St., Room 105 (ParkingAvailable behind the Algiers Courthouse) Voting Machine Warehouse—8870 Chef Menteur Hwy (ParkingAvailable at the Voting Machine Warehouse Parking Lot)

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ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By RICHARD DREW

Ukraine President VolodymyrZelenskyy addresses the United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday.

administrative positions in the Diocese of Camden early in his career and spent 12 years at the Vatican, including a decade running the Pontifical North American College in Rome — the city’s official seminary of the American Catholic church, before being named by Pope Francis as Bishop of Metuchen in 2016.

When Aymond steps down completely, Checchio will inherit a diocese that has struggled since Hurricane Katrina with financial challenges brought by a shrinking population and, more recently, fallout from a clergy sex abuse crisis and a related bankruptcy case that is one of the costliest in the country Still, New Orleans remains a deeply Catholic city with religion intertwined into its culture Some neighborhoods have vibrant parishes with rising Mass attendance. Archbishops have remained prominent spiritual and civic leaders.

Checchio was welcomed to his new home at a 10 a.m. gathering in Schulte Hall at the Notre Dame Seminary Seminarians, prominent Catholic civic leaders and more than 150 employees of the archdiocese gave Checchio a standing ovation as he walked to the podium with Aymond and retired Archbishop Alfred Hughes, shaking hands along the way “I pledge to you, the church of New Orleans my love and my daily prayers as we labor together to build up this historical portion of the people of God,” Checchio said in remarks to those in attendance.

Checchio will be the 15th archbishop to lead the Archdiocese of New Orleans since it was formed in 1794. Though he met and worked with thousands of American clergy in his years at the Vatican, he has no direct ties to New Orleans or Louisiana. He takes over a diocese

SKUNK

Continued from page 1A

and diseases.

“With the prevalence of game cameras and security cameras, it’s possible that one may be detected by a member of the public,” Hogue-Manuel said.

The agency is asking residents to report any photos capturing Eastern spotted skunks “so that researchers can better understand where they may occur, if they still occur in the state of Louisiana,” Hogue-Manuel said. She noted that the state has been pushing this notice every year or every few years. Smaller than the typical striped skunk, the Eastern spotted skunk is around the same size as a large squirrel with an upside-down triangle on the forehead and a bushy tail with white tips.

that is similar in size to that of the Diocese of Metuchen, a middle-class and affluent community about 30 miles south of New York City The Archdiocese of New Orleans has roughly 500,000 faithful and 104 parishes. The Diocese of Metuchen has 650,000 Catholics and 90 parishes But as Checchio noted in his remarks Wednesday, the Diocese of Menuchen is one of the newest in the American church, while New Orleans’ is the second oldest. Checchio was born in Camden in 1966 and grew up in a nearby suburb in a family of four children, including two sisters and a brother He attended Pope Paul VI High School, a private, coed Catholic school, and received a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the University of Scranton,

But another characteristic might be the most helpful for identifying the rare species: a handstand. One of their most distinguishing characteristics HogueManuel said, is a “defensive posture” on their two front hands that they assume when startled or scared

“If you see this animal that’s doing this little handstand out in the woods, it couldn’t be anything else,” Hogue-Manuel said Photos and videos of the unusual acrobats can be found easily online.

Beyond handstands, the nocturnal animals prefer brushy habitats, though they appear adaptable to varying terrain, and might be seen crawling around farmland or burrowing under logs. They eat mice, rats and insects, which can make them good to have around to help control the pest populations, Hogue-Manuel noted She said that scientists

a Jesuit institution.

After his ordination, Checchio spent several years as a parish priest in the Diocese of Camden before moving into administrative positions. He received his MBA from LaSalle University and his doctorate of canon law and bachelor of sacred theology degrees from the University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.

Outside of his years in Rome, his career has been spent almost entirely in New Jersey, surrounded by a close-knit community of family and friends. His mother Helen Checchio, 88, still lives in the area, and he is planning a trip to France with her and his sister and brother-in-law next week. He regularly visits a retirement home in Metuchen to check in on one of the retired nuns who taught him

are not certain about why the number of these “rare and elusive” skunks has declined, though rises in rodenticide use and the skunk’s susceptibility to an extremely contagious disease, known as canine distemper, are some of the likely factors. It has been listed as a vulnerable species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

While the species has not been spotted in Louisiana since 1985, a game camera caught a sighting in 2019 from a Mississippi county neighboring part of northeast Louisiana.

The spotted skunks occupy a wide-ranging distribution as far north as the southern parts of British Columbia and as far south as Costa Rica.

Email Josie Abugov at josie.abugov@theadvocate. com.

in eighth grade.

He had just returned from such a visit to the retirement home last Wednesday when he got the call that he was being asked to serve in the Archdiocese of New Orleans.

Just one week later, he stood before his new community, still musing over the sudden turn his career path has taken.

“Last February, I came to New Orleans for a long weekend during the Super Bowl and we had a great visit,” he said. “I have visited many times. It never entered my mind once that I would live here.”

At 59, Checchio is one of the younger bishops in the U.S. In 2020, there were more than 440 bishops, onethird of whom were over age 75 but still serving.

His biography suggests

that a background in church finances has proved instrumental in his career He currently serves as treasurer of the powerful United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, the national organization of Catholic bishops in the U.S He also chairs the USCCB’s budget and finance committee and serves on its executive and membership committees.

Under Aymond, who became archbishop in 2009, the Archdiocese of New Orleans refinanced $40 million in debt that had accrued under his predecessors. The archdiocese also began selling off various properties to raise money for the bankruptcy settlement.

In 2023, Aymond closed or consolidated 13 of the then 111 parishes across the archdiocese, citing poor financial performance, dwin-

dling attendance at Mass and other sacraments and shifting demographics in an aging and shrinking city

Shortly after he was ordained as a bishop in 2016, Checchio visited all 90 parishes in the Diocese of Metuchen and met with community members and schoolchildren, according to his letters on the diocese website. In his years there, he was known for the active and high-profile role he played throughout the diocese and for getting out into the community He is already embarking on a similar path in New Orleans. His packed itinerary Wednesday included visits to St. Augustine High School and St. Catherine of Siena Parish, as well as lunch with seminarians, a meeting with Catholic Charities officials and evening vespers. Once he assumes his new role as coadjutor archbishop, he said he looks forward to touring the archdiocese’s parishes and 65 Catholic schools. In pastoral letters, Checchio has emphasized both traditional worship and Catholic social teaching. He has encouraged the faithful of Metuchen to spend more time in prayer while also calling on them to welcome Hispanic immigrants into their community The motto he chose upon his ordination, which is customary for Roman Catholic bishops, is “Reconciliamini Deo,” a Latin phrase that means “Be reconciled with God,” which comes from a passage in the New Testament in which St. Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth.

“Please join me in the ministry of evangelization,” he wrote in early 2017 in his first apostolic letter to the faithful. “Together we will serve as ambassadors for Christ! You and I are privileged to be called to carry on the very work of Jesus, reconciling the world to the Father.”

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

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

The Most Rev. James F Checchio, center, meets with students and staff at St. Augustine High School during his introduction as the next Archbishop of New Orleans on Wednesday.

the ICE building, including at avan in the sallyport,” a secureand gated entryway

Thesurvivingdetainees were in critical condition at ahospital, said DHS, which previouslysaid two detainees were killed and one was wounded before laterissuing acorrection.

No ICE agentswereinjured. At anews conference midday,authorities gave few details about the shooting and did not release the names of the victims.

The FBI said it was investigating theshooting as “an act of targeted violence.”

Officers responded to a call to assist an officer on North Stemmons Freeway around 6:40 a.m.Wednesday and determined that someone openedfire at a government building from an adjacent building, Dallas police spokesperson Officer Jonathan E. Maner said in an email. Edwin Cardona, an immigrant from Venezuela, said he was enteringthe ICE building with his son foranappointmentaround 6:20 a.m. when he heard gunshots.

An agent took people who were inside to amore secure area and explained that there was an active shooter, Cardona said.

retary Kristi Noem noteda recent uptick in targeting of ICEagents. Attackers dressed in black military-style clothing opened fire July 4outside Prairieland Detention Center in Alvarado, southwest of Dallas,federal prosecutors said. One police officer was injured. At least 11 people have been charged in connection with the attack Days later,aman withan assault rifle fired dozens of rounds at federal agents leaving aU.S.BorderPatrol facility in McAllen on July 7.

The man, identified as Ryan Louis Mosqueda, injured a police officer who responded to the scene before authorities shot and killed him.

Aspokesperson for Texasbased Collin College said in an email to AP that astudent named Joshua Jahn had studied there “at various times” between 2013 and2018.

Martyna Kowalczyk, chief

“I was afraid for my family because my family was elers. Hours after Wednesday’s shooting, FBIagentswere gathered atasuburban Dallas home that public records linked to Jahn. The house sits on atreelined cul-de-sacinaneighborhood dotted with one and two-story brick homes. The street was blocked by aFairviewpolice vehicle, but officials wearing FBI jacketscould be seen in the front yard.

“He’sayoung kid,a thousand milesfromhome, didn’treally seem to have any direction, living out of his car at such ayoung age,” Sanderson told AP.“Idon’t remember him being that abnormal. He didn’tseem to fight with anyone or cause trouble. He kept his head down and stayed working.”

Sandersonsaid he tried to keep Jahnlongerbecause he “felt bad for him.”

Shortlyafter theshooting and before officials saidat leastone victim was adetainee, Vice President JD Vance posted on Xthat “the obsessive attack on law enforcement, particularly ICE, muststop.”

Republican U.S. Sen. Ted

thing,”Sipe, apastorinLewisville near Dallas, told AP

Sipe and other local faith leaders whohavedecried deportations hold weekly vigils andserveas“moral witnesses.” They prayand observe for about three hours, watching as immigrants enter the building to meet with advisers and to report for check-ins.

Sipe said shehas noticed in recent months thatpeople who walk into the building are shuttled away on buses. “They’re taking them away,and we don’tknow where they’re takingthem,” Sipe said.

Homeland Security Sec-

In suburban Chicago, federal authoritieserected a fencearound an immigration processing center after tensions flared with protesters.

President Donald Trump’s administrationhas stepped up immigration enforcement in theChicago area, resulting in hundreds of arrests.

Aheadofthe latest immigration operation,federal officials boarded up windowsatthe center

Sixteen people have been arrested outside thecenter, according to federal authorities who characterized the activists as “rioters.”

Security at ICE offices varies by location,with someinside federal buildings and others mixedwith private businesses, said

John Torres, aformer acting director of the agency and former head of whatis now called its enforcement and removals division. Some, like Dallas, have exposedloading areas for buses, whichpose risks for escape andoutside attack, Torres said. Other vulnerabilities are nearby vantage pointsfor snipers andlong lines forming outside without protection. “I would assure you that ICE, after today,isgoing to be taking ahardlook at physical security assessmentsfor alloftheir facilities,” said Torres, whois head of security and technology consultingatGuidepost Solutions. ICE moved an office in Newark, New Jersey,after thieves repeatedly struck a parking lot shared with private businesses, Torres said. Dozens of ICE field offices across the United States house administrative employees and are used for people summoned for check-in appointments and to process people arrested before they are transferred to long-termdetention centers. They are not designed to hold people in custody ICE’sSan Diego field office is on thesecond floor of asecured federal building, shared with other agencies. Visitors aresubject to a metal detector and inspectionatthe building’sfront entrance. ICEloads buses in abasement garage.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIO CORTEZ

Lawenforcement gatherata staging area closetoa U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office in Dallas after areported shooting on Wednesday

Rose Garden Club is a lavish new hangout

Washington’s hottest spot has everything

BY CHRIS MEGERIAN and DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON Washington’s hottest club has everything — Cabinet secretaries, a new stone patio, food from the White House kitchen and even a playlist curated by President Donald Trump.

But good luck getting a spot on the guest list. So far, only some of the president’s political allies, business executives and administration officials have been invited.

In Trump’s remake of the White House, the Rose Garden is now the Rose Garden Club, with the iconic lawn outside the Oval Office transformed into a taxpayer-supported imitation of the patio at Mar-a-Lago, the president’s private Florida resort.

Trump debuted the name during his first formal dinner there this month and has included it on his official public schedule, too. He’s set to host another event on Wednesday evening with members of his Cabinet and senior staff, according to an official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter publicly Presidents have always used invitations to the White House as a prestigious reward for friends and supporters, but Trump’s rebranding of an iconic area of the People’s House is unprecedented. It’s a fresh example of how the billionaire is replicating the gilded and cloistered bubble of his private life inside the confines of the most famous government housing in the country

The allure of exclusive spaces

In his first term, Trump had an eponymous hotel on Pennsylvania Avenue a few blocks away from the White House and would go there often for dinner But the Trump family sold the property during President Joe Biden’s administration, leaving him without a uniquely Trump establishment in the city in his second term.

Now he doesn’t need to go anywhere to enter his comfort zone and, in fact, has been spending less time at his home on his golf course in central New Jersey than he did in the first year of his first term.

To make the Rose Garden his own, Trump paved over the grass and set out tables and chairs, complete with yellow-and-white striped umbrellas that resemble the ones at Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida.

He also installed a speaker system to play his favorite tunes.

The project cost about $2 million and was paid for by the Trust for the National Mall, a nonprofit that works with the National Park Service.

The events on the new White House patio so far have been official in nature and are part of the long tradition of presidential entertaining at the Executive Mansion, with military social aides on hand to escort guests and the kitchen staff tasked to whip up the sustenance.

Trump, who rose to fame as a New York real estate executive, also ran casinos and hotels, and he still loves playing host. He frequently flatters his guests as brilliant and beautiful and relishes the ability to gather the country’s most powerful people.

So who pays for them?

All presidents invite family members and friends, lawmakers and political allies, donors and business leaders and others to the White House for reasons that range from bill signings and policy announcements to picnics and lavish state dinners.

Trump is expected to entertain on the white marble patio, in the shadow of the Washington Monument, as often as he can, the White House said.

Taxpayers pick up the tab for some of the social events hosted by a president, like the gathering for Republican lawmakers Congress

gives the White House money to pay for events like these since the Executive Mansion is also the president’s home. Events of a more personal nature would have to be paid for by the president since it is not considered government, or the people’s, business.

The honor of being first went to Republican lawmakers, who gathered around two dozen tables under a clear night sky on Sept. 5.

Holding a microphone, Trump welcomed his guests by saying “you are the first ones in this great place.” He described it as “a club” for “people that can bring peace and success to our country.”

Table settings featured white tablecloths and yellow roses, plus a place card that said, “The Rose Garden Club at the White House.”

Trump sat at a corner table with House Speaker Mike Johnson, RBenton; Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas; and Sen. Dave McCormick, R-Pa.

Trump

BY DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

WASHINGTON

President

Donald Trump has added a Presidential Walk of Fame to the exterior of the White House, featuring portraits of each of the previous commanders-in-chief — except for one.

Instead of a headshot of Joe Biden, the Republican incumbent instead hung a photo of an autopen signing the Democrat’s name a reference to Trump’s frequent allegation that the former president was addled by the end of his term in office and not really the one making decisions.

The snub amounts to the latest attempt by Trump to delegitimize a predecessor he routinely belittles, including in front of more than 100 world leaders on Tuesday at the United Nations General Assembly gathering. Trump has never acknowledged his own defeat to Biden in the 2020 election, instead falsely chalking up the outcome to voter fraud.

Trump has alleged without evidence that Biden administration officials might have forged their boss’s signature by using the autopen and taken broad actions he wasn’t aware of. He’s also cast doubt on the validity of pardons and other documents that Biden signed with an autopen, even though other presidents before him have also relied on the device to sign key papers. A Republican-led House committee also is investigating the Biden administration’s autopen use.

Official ordered to drop inquiry into lawsuit against Alex Jones

BY DAVE COLLINS and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER Associated Press

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has ordered a senior U.S. Justice Department official to drop an inquiry into a retired FBI agent’s involvement in a defamation lawsuit involving Alex Jones’ conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, a person familiar with the matter said Wednesday Ed Martin Jr who leads the Justice Department’s “weaponization working group,” sent a letter dated Sept. 15 to the Sandy Hook families’ lawyer asking for information about former FBI agent William Aldenberg, who responded to the 2012 school shooting and was a plaintiff in the lawsuit, along with victims’ relatives, that led to a $1.4 billion judgment against Jones for calling the massacre a hoax Martin’s letter suggested that he was looking into whether Aldenberg broke a federal law by receiving financial benefits for helping to organize the lawsuit. Jones, who said he met with Martin last week in Washington, has accused Democrats and Justice Department officials of orchestrating the

lawsuit to silence him.

But Martin’s correspondence to Christopher Mattei, a lawyer for the Sandy Hook families, and Aldenberg, “caused frustrations” within the Justice Department, and Blanche directed Martin to withdraw the letter, said the person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal agency matters Mattei said he received a new letter from Martin on Wednesday that said there was no investigation of Aldenberg and “I hereby withdraw my request for information.”

“Less than 18 hours after calling out Alex Jones and Ed Martin for their corrupt use of the Department of Justice to harass Sandy Hook families and the heroic FBI agent who ran into that school to save any children he could, I am happy to learn that this so-called inquiry has now been withdrawn, if it ever existed at all,” Mattei said in a statement.

Martin, who has been examining President Donald Trump’s claims of anti-conservative bias inside the Justice Department, has sent letters to a host of targets in other, unrelated matters, seeking information or making appeals. But it is unclear whether such requests have

amounted to anything.

Jones posted a copy of the Sept. 15 letter on his X account Tuesday, saying “Breaking! The DOJ’s Task Force On Government Weaponization Against The American People Has Launched An Investigation Into The Democrat Party / FBI Directing Illegal Law-fare Against Alex Jones And Infowars.”

The school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012, killed 20 first graders and six educators. Jones, based in Austin, Texas, repeatedly called it a hoax and pushed false claims that it was staged by crisis actors in an effort to increase gun control. The Infowars host later said he believed the shooting was “100% real.”

At the 2022 defamation trial in Connecticut, Aldenberg and relatives of many of the victims testified about being subjected to threats and abuse by people who believed Jones’ conspiracy theories about the shooting.

Aldenberg was among the law enforcement officers who responded to the school, and he broke down while testifying about finding dead children and teachers.

Jones recently asked the U.S. Supreme Court to hear his appeal of the $1.4 billion judgment. He also is appeal-

Missouri woman gets 4-plus years in prison for trying to sell off Graceland

BY ADRIAN SAINZ Associated Press

MEMPHIS, Tenn.

— A Missouri woman who tried to use a fake company and forged documents to sell off Elvis Presley’s Graceland for millions of dollars in a brazen and unrealistic foreclosure sale of the home-turned-museum was sentenced Tuesday to more than four years in federal prison.

U.S. District Judge John T. Fowlkes Jr questioned the likelihood of the plot’s success when he sentenced Lisa Jeanine Findley in federal court in Memphis to four years and nine months behind bars, plus an additional three years of probation. Findley 54 declined to speak on her own behalf

during the hearing Findley pleaded guilty in February to a charge of mail fraud related to the scheme. She also had been indicted on a charge of aggravated identity theft, but that charge was dropped as part of a plea agreement.

Findley, of Kimberling City, falsely claimed Presley’s daughter borrowed $3.8 million from a bogus private lender and had pledged Graceland as collateral for the loan before her death in January 2023, prosecutors said when Findley was charged in August 2024. She then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family didn’t pay a $2.85 million settlement according to authorities.

Findley posed as three different people allegedly involved with the fake lender, fabricated loan documents and published a fraudulent foreclosure notice in a Memphis newspaper announcing the auction of Graceland in May 2024, prosecutors said. The public notice for the foreclosure sale of the 13acre estate said Promenade Trust, which controls the Graceland museum, owed $3.8 million after failing to repay a 2018 loan. Actor Riley Keough, Presley’s granddaughter, inherited the trust and ownership of the home after the death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley Keough filed a lawsuit claiming fraud, and a judge halted the proposed auction with an injunction.

ing a $49 million judgment in similar lawsuit in Texas filed

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

Members of Congress listen as President Donald Trump speaks Sept. 5 at a dinner in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington.

Kimmel’s return gets big ratings

BY DAVID BAUDER AP media writer

NEWYORK Jimmy Kimmel is back on his ABC late-night show, but it’s still a mystery when or if viewers in cities such as Washington, New Orleans and St. Louis will be able to see him again on their televisions.

ABC stations owned by the Nexstar and Sinclair corporations took Kimmel off the air last week on the same day the network suspended him for comments that angered supporters of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Those stations kept him off the air Tuesday, when ABC lifted the suspension.

Kimmel returned with no apologies, but in an emotional monologue where he appeared close to tears, the host said that he was not trying to joke about the assassination. He also paid tribute to Kirk’s widow

And it got a large audience, with ABC reporting nearly 6.3 million people tuned in to the broadcast alone, despite the blackouts in many cities. As is often the case with late-night hosts’ monologues, there was a larger audience online, with more than 15 million people watching Kimmel’s opening remarks on YouTube by Wednesday evening. ABC says more than 26 million people watched Kimmel’s return on social media, including YouTube.

Typically he gets about 1.8 million viewers each night on television. The numbers released by ABC do not include viewership from streaming services.

A spokesman for Nexstar said Wednesday that Kimmel will continue to be preempted from its stations while the company evaluates his show Together, the Nexstar and Sinclair groups account for about a quarter of ABC’s affiliates.

The dispute focused attention on the business relationships between television networks and the local stations that carry their programming. In the past, local stations occasionally

DISNEy PHOTO By RANDy HOLMES

ABC reports nearly 6.3 million people tuned in to the ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ broadcast Tuesday night, despite the blackouts in many cities.

balked at airing a network show, but it was usually an individual market or two worried about pushing boundaries in language or sexual content, said Ted Harbert, a former top executive at ABC and CBS.

What’s different this time is groups that have gobbled up multiple stations acting collectively on content for largely political reasons.

“This is how much the country’s political divisions have seeped their way into something that has been, for the last 50 or 75 years, a relatively orderly business,” Harbert said.

Leadership of ownership groups is generally more conservative than the media and entertainment figures on the stations they broadcast, said Ken Basin, author of “The Business of Television.” Both Sinclair, with conservative political content, and Nexstar have reason to curry favor with the Trump administration, he said. Nexstar is seeking regulatory approval for the purchase of a rival, he said.

It’s possible that Disney could play hardball if negotiations on Kimmel’s return drag on, such as threatening to withhold other ABC programming — even the “nuclear option” of football games. Its unclear how the affiliate agreements are worded.

But Matt Dolgin, senior equity ana-

lyst at Morningstar Research Service, said he doubts the dispute reaches that point. The station groups have a far less diversified business portfolio than Disney, and the expiration of affiliate agreements next year looms as a deadline, he said. They have few good options if they lose ABC programming.

Last week, Kimmel seemed to be in real danger of losing his show entirely until advocates for free speech protested, including many who canceled subscriptions for Disney services.

“The backlash was stronger than they expected, stronger than I expected,” Basin said. “There was a sense of despair within the industry that this was a ‘canary in a coal mine’ moment.”

Four Democratic senators said late Tuesday that they wanted to look into what happened with the station groups.

“If Nexstar or Sinclair traded the censorship of a critic of the administration for official acts by the Trump administration, your companies are not only complicit in an alarming trampling of free speech but also risk running afoul of anti-corruption law,” Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Ed Markey, Ron Wyden and Chris Van Hollen wrote to the companies.

On Wednesday, another group of senators led by California Democrat Adam Schiff said they wanted to question FCC Chairman Brendan Carr about “implicit threats” made to Disney over Kimmel.

In his monologue Tuesday, Kimmel tried to thread the needle between both sides in a raw political moment, and seemed to realize its difficulty

“I don’t think what I’m going to say is going to make much of a difference,” he said. “If you like me you like me. If you don’t, you don’t. I have no illusions about changing anyone’s mind.”

Andrew Kolvet, a spokesperson for Turning Point USA, the organization that Kirk founded that is now headed by his widow, posted on X that Kimmel’s monologue was “not good enough.”

GOP lawmakers push for Kirk likeness on U.S. coins

BY BRENDAN RASCIUS Miami Herald (TNS)

A pair of House Republicans are pushing to include Charlie Kirk’s likeness on U.S. currency Texas Rep. August Pfluger and Arizona Rep. Abe Hamadeh told Fox News they will introduce a bill instructing the Treasury Department to create

400,000 dollar coins memorializing the deceased conservative activist. Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA was shot and killed on Sept. 10. His memorial service, held on Sunday in Arizona, attracted thousands of attendees, including President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Elon Musk “Charlie Kirk inspired

millions of Americans, and his impact deserves permanent recognition,” Pfluger wrote on X on Wednesday

The silver coins which would be recognized as official currency — would feature Kirk’s face on one side and the phrase “Well done, good and faithful servant” on the reverse, according to Fox News.

The final design, though,

Nearly 80% of Americans say U.S. in

political crisis after Kirk shooting

BY DAVE GOLDINER

New york Daily News (TNS)

Large majorities of American voters say political discord and violence are on the rise after the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and the controversial pulling of late-night comic Jimmy Kimmel’s show, according to a new poll released Wednesday

About 79% of those surveyed agreed that the U.S. is in a “political crisis” while 71% say political violence is a big problem, a figure that is up sharply from the 54% who said so in a similar survey in June before the Kirk murder, according to a Quinnipiac University poll

A 54% majority also took the bleak view that politically inspired violence is likely to increase in coming years, with just 14% believ-

ing it will decrease.

“The Kirk assassination lays bare raw, bipartisan concerns about where the country is headed,” said Tim Malloy, a Quinnipiac University polling analyst.

“A shudder of concern and pessimism rattles a broad swath of the electorate,” Malloy added “Nearly 80% of registered voters feel they are witnessing a political crisis, seven in 10 say political violence is a very serious problem, and a majority say this discord won’t go away any time soon.” Americans also say freedom of speech is in danger, with 53% saying they are pessimistic about the future of free speech in the U.S. and 43% saying they are optimistic.

Across the political spectrum, Americans broadly agree the way we talk about

politics is leading to more violence, with Malloy noting that “in a rare meeting of the minds Republicans, Democrats, and independents in equal numbers say: ‘Yes, it is.’”

The poll also showed American voters are unhappy with the job Trump is doing as president, with just 38% approving and 54% disapproving, a wider gap than most other recent polls have shown.

Trump is notably underwater on key issues like his handling of the economy, with 17% more disapproving of his performance than approving, and immigration, where he is 14% behind.

The Quinnipiac poll was conducted Sept. 18-21 among 1,276 self-identified registered voters. The margin of error was 3.3 percentage points.

YouTube bringing back creators banned for COVID-19, election misinformation

BY ALI SWENSON Associated Press

NEW YORK YouTube will offer creators a way to rejoin the streaming platform if they were banned for violating COVID-19 and election misinformation policies that are no longer in effect, its parent company

Alphabet said Tuesday In a letter submitted in response to subpoenas from the House Judiciary Committee, attorneys for Alphabet said the decision to bring back banned accounts reflected the company’s commitment to free speech. It said the company values conservative voices on its platform and recognizes their reach and important role in civic discourse.

The move is the latest in a cascade of content moderation rollbacks from tech companies, who cracked down on false information during the pandemic and after the 2020 election but have since faced pressure from President Donald Trump and other conservatives who argue they unlawfully stifled right-wing voices in the process. YouTube in 2023 phased out its policy to remove content that falsely claims the 2020 election, or other U.S. presidential elections, were marred by “widespread fraud, errors or glitches.”

The platform in 2024 also retired its standalone COVID-19 content restrictions, allowing various treatments for the disease to be

discussed. COVID-19 misinformation now falls under YouTube’s broader medical misinformation policy House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and other congressional Republicans have pressured tech companies to reverse content moderation policies created under former President Joe Biden and accused Biden’s administration of unfairly wielding its power over the companies to chill lawful online speech. In Tuesday’s letter, Alphabet’s lawyers said senior Biden administration officials “conducted repeated and sustained outreach” to coerce the company to remove pandemic-related YouTube videos that did not violate company policies.

First lawsuit filed in D.C. plane crash

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

The family of one of the 67 people killed when an airliner collided with an Army helicopter over Washington, D.C., sued the government and the airlines involved on Wednesday, saying they didn’t recognize the warning signs after more than 30 documented near misses in the area.

Other families are expected to join this first lawsuit seeking to hold the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army, American Airlines and its regional partner, PSA Airlines, accountable for the deadliest U.S. plane crash since 2001. PSA Airlines operated Flight 5342 that crashed Jan. 29. The lawsuit says they “utterly failed in their responsibilities to the traveling public.”

The Army declined to discuss the details of the lawsuit, while American and PSA said they would fight any allegation that they caused or contributed to the collision.

“Flight 5342 was on a routine approach to DCA (Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport) when the Army helicopter — that was above the published helicopter route altitude collided with it,” the airlines said in a statement. “American has a strong track record of putting the safety of our customers and team members above everything else.”

The National Transportation Safety Board has listed many issues that may have contributed to the crash, although its final report won’t be ready until next year

The Black Hawk helicopter was flying above the 200-foot limit, but even if it had been at the correct altitude, the route it was flying provided a scant 75 feet of separation between helicopters and planes landing at Reagan airport’s secondary runway The helicopter’s flight data recorder indicated it was flying 80 feet to 100 feet higher than its altimeter showed before the two aircraft collided.

The NTSB also said the FAA failed to recognize an alarming pattern of close calls near the airport in the years before the crash, and ignored concerns about helicopter traffic its own controllers raised years earlier Investigators also said overworked controllers were regularly squeezing as many planes as possible into the landing pattern with minimal separation.

The lawsuit says the airlines failed in their duty to protect their passengers because the pilots had not been adequately trained to handle close-flying helicopters and the airline didn’t effectively mitigate the risks.

would be picked by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump. If the bill is approved, it would be an unprecedented turnaround, as most commemorative coins celebrate long-deceased individuals.

The FAA said it “acted decisively” to improve safety by further restricting helicopter flights around Reagan. Air traffic controllers also stopped relying on pilots to maintain visual separation with other aircraft within 5 miles of the airport.

The lawsuit was filed by Rachael Crafton, the widow of Casey Crafton, who was killed in the collision Her lawyers represent most of the victims’ families.

“There is clear evidence that there were dozens of near misses and thousands of reports of congestion between commercial aircraft and military aircraft at Reagan National that were being ignored by the airlines,” said lawyer Bob Clifford, who is representing the families.

The lawsuit says the PSA pilots, who received an alert about traffic in the area 19 seconds before the crash, should not have waited until the last second to pull up. The lawsuit says the pilots’ warning system showed the relative direction and altitude of the helicopter

It’sareminderwewalkpasteverydayinournewsroom. TheFirstAmendmentguidesusandforgesourbelief thatreportingthetruth–forourreaders,forourcity–isa responsibilitywemustfulfillnomatterthecost.

We’reaskingourreadersandtheNewOrleanscommunityatlargetohelpusreach our $100,000 fundraisinggoalbytheendoftheyear.Yourtax-deductibledonation goessolelytoourpublicservicereporters,editorsandphotographersinthefield.

Ferry service hours to be reduced

Some

West

Bank residents want permanent extension

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Ferry service between Canal Street and Algiers Point is scheduled to return to more limited hours of operation starting Sunday after the Regional Transit Authority experimented with ex-

tending the service until just after midnight as part of a three-month pilot program.

But some West Bank residents want to see the extended service made permanent, arguing at an authority board meeting Tuesday that doing so would benefit workers who often get off too late to

catch the ferry Authority CEO Lona Edwards

Hankins said the system’s goal was for the extended service to be “cost neutral” and said preliminary data on ticketed ridership during the three-month pilot — which began June 15 — didn’t support that proposition.

“So, more than likely, we will discontinue the (extended) service,” Hankins said.

However, West Bank residents who attended Tuesday’s meeting argued that the pilot was too short

to expect riders to change their habits.

“I think a lot of people are resistant to changing their work routine, or their transportation to get to work, for a short period of time,” said Jim Goodwin, vice president of the Algiers Point Association, a neighborhood group. “It would be a major problem for them to adjust, readjust, then go back to the old way.”

Under the pilot, the last boat departs daily from Algiers Point at 12 a.m. and Canal Street at

Gas main hit during street construction

Gas spews into the air as an employee with Delta Utilities works on shutting the broken gas main at the intersection of Adams and Willow streets in New Orleans after the line was hit during street construction on Wednesday. The long-running construction and frequent street closures and detours have frustrated residents, who say the upgrades have dragged on for months, with little relief in sight it seems. No evacuations were ordered, however, although for blocks, the smell of gas permeated the neighborhood.

Added taxes scrapped for area of Slidell mall

North Shore Square deal officially dead

BY BOB WARREN Staff writer

A week after the city pulled the plug on efforts to buy the nearly empty North Shore Square Mall, Slidell officials voted down the special sales taxes they enacted to raise money to pay for a potential mall purchase.

Acting as officers of the Northshore Square Economic Development District, the Slidell City Council on Tuesday night eliminated an additional 1% sales tax at stores and a 2% tax at hotels within the district, which roughly covers the mall site and stores along Northshore Boulevard The district had adopted the taxes several weeks ago, with the revenue to be used to back bonds that would be sold to cover the purchase of the mall. The council had au-

thorized Mayor Bill Borchert in August to enter into a letter of intent to negotiate with the mall’s owners, Morguard, for the purchase and, more recently, narrowly approved a measure for the city to issue $27.6 million in bonds.

Borchert in August had said he and Morguard representatives were looking at a purchase price of around of $12.4 million for the 621,000-squarefoot building, which sits on more than 50 acres at a highprofile site on Northshore Boulevard at Interstate 12.

But last week Borchert announced that the city was backing away from buying the mall, or at least from purchasing the entire mall, because Morguard had already entered into a purchase agreement with another company for two of the larger former anchor sites at the mall.

The company working to finalize that purchase has not been publicly named. The city said it would instead

Trial continues for ex-911 director Morris

Employees describe ‘toxic environment’ under leadership

BY JONI HESS and MISSY WILKINSON Staff writers

On the second day of former New Orleans 911 director

Tyrell Morris’ trial, current and former Orleans Parish Communication District employees detailed his onthe-job actions before and after he wrecked a publicly owned SUV Jurors are weighing whether Morris’ conduct on and around May 7, 2023 when prosecutors say he crashed the SUV and falsified documents to avoid both blame and a drug and alcohol test — amount to malfeasance in office, false impersonation of a peace officer, insurance fraud and injuring of public records. “An honest mistake is not a

crime,” defense attorney Ralph Whalen argued, asking Criminal District Judge Simone Levine to emphasize that point in her instructions to the six-member jury

Former Human Resources staff testified that Morris failed to report the crash, which would have automatically triggered a drug screen under their policy Assistant District Attorney Corbin Bates also pressed staff about the circumstances surrounding Jared Brossett’s departure from OPCD, which the indictment describes as the retaliatory termination of a whistleblower Brossett, who worked under Morris until June 2024, said he learned of the accident days later through an internal email. He testified that Morris fixated on how the crash reached the media, at one point telling staff he couldn’t punish the “mole” because of state whistleblower

12:15 a.m.

The regular schedule, meanwhile, has its final trip from Canal Street at 10:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 8:45 p.m. Sunday through Thursday. A one-way trip costs $2.

LeaLea Van Winkler-Gisler, a West Bank resident who owns a company that offers tours in the French Quarter, noted that service industry shifts often end at 11 p.m., after the ferry stops running.

ä See FERRY, page 3B

Council hopeful faces funding scrutiny

Campaign payments linked to family business, records show

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

As she runs for the New Orleans City Council, state Rep. Delisha Boyd and a group supporting her campaign have paid more than $39,000 in campaign funds to a company she owns with her daughter, according to state records.

The Boyd campaign and a pro-Boyd political action committee said in campaign finance reports that those payments were made to a different company But in interviews last week, both the campaign and the PAC acknowledged that the firm they had listed does not exist, and that the payments instead went to a real estate company owned by Boyd and her daughter, Kristen Boyd.

The payments flowed to the pair’s firm as Boyd faced a pending foreclosure on her English Turn home, according to records. The home is set for a sheriff’s sale in November

The expenses appear to run afoul of state ethics laws, a campaign finance expert said this week.

Stephen Gelé, an attorney who advises candidates and PACs in campaign finance disputes and who helped write Louisiana’s new campaign finance laws, said Boyd might have violated a law that prevents campaigns from directly paying candidates and their immediate family members.

The PAC supporting Boyd’s campaign that sent the payments, Elite Political Action Committee, was founded by Boyd’s daughter, according to PAC records and Boyd’s campaign. The committee’s treasurer is Krystal Ancar, who is also Boyd’s campaign treasurer

That scenario may also violate laws barring coordination between PACs and candidates, Gelé said. While candidates’ family members are permitted to work for political action committees supporting them under some scenarios, the law bars them from doing so when they are performing strategic services for both a PAC and campaign, which can signal coordinated expenditures, Gelé said.

“I would advise a client not to do that,” Gelé said. “I would advise a campaign to especially not do that with someone who is personally close to the candidate.”

Boyd’s campaign manager, Victoria Short Coulon, and one of her major donors, business owner Laney Chouest, defended the payments as aboveboard in interviews. Coulon said the sums paid were for marketing work performed by Boyd’s daughter

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Concerns raised over bounty huntingregulations

Despitefacing felony charges, trio retain licenses

BY AIDAN McCAHILL Staff writer

In August, three men were arrested for breaking into aBaton Rouge apartment in themiddle of the night. Amongthem was aformer sheriff’s deputyfrom Plaquemines Parishand aconvicted felon. The trio wasworking as bounty hunters, but had raided thewrong address. Despite the felonycharges they face, all three areallowed to keep working in thelittle-known industry Brian Green, 41, of Belle Chasse, andRoderickLarkins,31, and Jhustyn Garrett, 31, both of Slidell, were arrested by Baton Rouge police and charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and home invasion. Garrett, who has aprior domestic abuseconviction,also faces acount of firearm possession as afelon.

Under Louisiana’scash bail system, judges set adollar amount defendants must pay to avoidlanguishing in pretrialdetention. If

FUNDING

Continued from page1B

“I don’tsee aconcern there,” Coulon said. She declined to say why the campaign reported initiallythat anonexistent firm received the money,and didnot respond to multiple requests for invoices for the expenditures. In astatement, Boyd accused her leadingopponent in the at-large council race, state Rep. Matthew Willard —who criticized the expenses after beinginformed of them by The Times-Picayune —of“ongoing use of misinformation and personal attacks.” She said she remains “focused on transparent, accountable governanceand delivering real outcomes for our community —strong schools, safer streets, and a growing economy.” Willard, in astatement,accused Boyd of seeking to enrich herself using campaign cash while she navigates financial difficulties.

“This is classic hand in the cookie jar,” Willard said. “Paying yourself money intended as acampaigndonation is, at minimum, misuse of donor funds.”

Expenditures detailed Boyd’scampaign reported four expenditures this year to a firm called“DKRMarketing” totaling $11,250. For the purposeofeach expenditure, the campaign listed “marketing services.” The reports state that the most recent payment occurred in June.

No companies called DKR Marketing are registered with the Louisiana secretary of state. Even out-of-state firms must register with the state agency to do business in Louisiana. The firm is not housed at the Gen.De Gaulle Driveaddress listed on campaign finance reports,

MALL

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let private investors take the lead and support them where it could. The city’spossiblepurchase of the mall and the enacting of the sales taxes became adivisive issue, amplified by the upcoming mayor’srace. Borchertfaces Police Chief Randy Fandal in the special election on Oct. 11. While Borchert campaigned on making bold moves to spark the economy and revitalize tired sites such as the mall, Fandal pushed the city to slow down any purchase, saying that the public had not had an opportunity to properly vet any proposal.

The future of the mall, a former regional shopping hub that has lost nearly all of itstenants in recent years, has been abig issue in Slidell

paidinfulland court ordersare followed, the court returns bail after the case concludes,even if the person is convicted of acrime. Defendantswho can’tafford bail may hire alicensed bail bond agent, who covers the total amount in exchangefor a12% fee. If the defendant meets all court requirements, thecourt repays the bondsman, who keeps the fee and any possibleinterest asprofit.

If adefendant violates court terms, bondsmen can employ bounty hunters, formallyknown as fugitive recovery agents, to return them to custody and reclaim the bailmoney.Somecontracts permit bondsmen to enter homes without notice, according to the national nonprofit the Bail Project. Bond agents in Louisiana have faced scrutinyfor requiring defendants to wear anklemonitors.

State law requires that bounty hunters wear “identifying clothing” and notify local police before conducting operations. No other formal protocols exist.

In July, shortly after 1:30 a.m., Green, Larkins and Garrett arrived at Alight BatonRouge, a complex on West McKinley Street that caters to LSU students. According to their arrest warrants, they werearmed andinsearch of a

defendant whohad skipped acourt appearance but did not notify local law enforcement of the raid.

Afterkicking down allthe locked doorsinthe apartment and finding ayoung woman hiding in her bathroom, they realizedtheyhad thewrong address, according to records.

“She’s scared to death,”said Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore, referring to the tenant. “Thiscould have beenextremely bad and tragic, depending on how thevictim in this case reacted.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance, whichoversees bail bond producer licenses, issued ceaseand-desist letterstothe men last month, warningthemtostop conducting raids without notifying law enforcement. But an InsuranceDepartmentspokesperson confirmed they still hold licenses that allow themtocontinue bounty hunting.

“This is an ongoing investigation, andweare working with the DistrictAttorney’sOffice to obtainadditional evidence as this casemakes its way through thelegal process,” wrote John Ford, aspokesperson for theInsuranceDepartment, in an email. “Wewill determine what further regulatoryaction is warrantedafter afull review of the evidence in this matter.”

HILARySCHEINUK

Rep. MatthewWillard, D-NewOrleans, speaks on the House

floor during aspecial legislativesession at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton RougeonNov.12, 2024.Willard,in astatement, accused state Rep. Delisha Boyd of seeking to enrich herself using campaign cash while she navigates financial difficulties

according to aproperty manager interviewed at the site. Boyd’s campaign finance reports alsolista direct payment of $2,750 to Kristen Boyd on Aug. 12 for “campaign work.”

The pro-Boyd political actioncommittee, Elite PAC, also reportedmakingnine paymentstoafirm called DKR Marketingbetween October and June.Reasons listedfor the expenditures, which totaled $28,662, include “graphic website design,” “social media postings” and, on Feb. 24,“Mardi Grassupplies.”

ThePAC’sreports statethe firm is based in Michigan, but the owner of the only firm registered in Michiganunderthe name DKR Marketing told The TimesPicayune he has no clients in Louisiana. Michigan property records show the address provided on thePAC’s reports is aresidential parcel in aruralarea. Boyd’scampaignmanager andanElite PACrepresentative saidseparately last week that both entities’ reportshad been prepared erroneously and that all of the

for the past decadeormore. The councilvoted 8-0to eliminate the taxes Tuesday night.Because of some time lapses in voting in and then voting out the taxes,the new taxratewill still be in effect from Oct. 1through Dec. 31. “Wecannot go back and kill that. It’stoo late,” said council member Trey Brownfield, who introduced the measure to fully eliminate thetaxes.

But while council members offered little debate before voting to eliminate the taxes, several did speak on the city’spotential purchase of themall. Brownfield said the process was“embarrassing” and questioned whyofficials didn’tknow until recently that another companywas set to buy partofthe mall. He suggested alawsuit if the city thinks the mall owner negotiated in bad faith. But some other council members disagreed with his assessment.

paymentslisted as going to DKR Marketing had in fact gone to asingle real estate firmcalled DKR Real Estate Investments, LLC. That firm is ownedbyDelisha and Kristen Boyd, according to LouisianaSecretary of State records,and is registered at DelishaBoyd’shome on Fairway OaksDrive.

Arlene Lombard, an attorney who representsElite PAC, didnot respondtoadditional inquiries. Ancar didnot respond to multiple phone andtextmessages, andKristen Boydcould not be reached.

AmongElite PAC’sexpendituresisa$3,298 contribution on Oct. 4, 2024, to Boyd’s campaign for “leadership class travel,” PACfilings show —part of morethan $6,000 donors reported givingtoBoyd’s campaignlast year,but whichthe campaigndid notdisclose.Those include a$500 contribution from Entergy Corp.PAC and $500 from the New Orleans Homebuilders Association.

Boyd’s2024 campaign financereport states she received no campaign contributions that year.Her

Council member Kenny Tamborella said there was always“an off-ramp” in the city’spursuit if thingsdidn’t work out. He noted that for years elected leaders have heard their constituentstell them to work on revitalizing themall site.

“I believe thatthere were tremendous benefits to this process,”Tamborella added, notingthatinterest in the mallsite had been dormant for years before thecity began making its push.

BatonRouge criminal defense attorney FranzBorghardt called thelack of stricter oversight troubling. “Theoretically, they can still bounty hunt,” he said. “When we start allowing individuals to pursue andseize human beings, we not only need to have strict policies, but enforce those policies.”

Both bail bondsmen and bounty hunters are licensed as bond producers, acategory that includes more than 1,000 people acrossLouisiana—astate that consistently ranks at thetop of thenationin pretrial detention rates.

“It’s avery powerful lobby that has alot of influence in the Louisiana Legislature,” said Borghardt, speaking about the broader bail bond industry To qualify foralicense, applicantsmustcomplete athree-month apprenticeship; take an eight-hour course on law,underwriting and ethics; and pass an exam. Convicted sex offenders are barred from licensure, but convicted felons are not. Garrett, despite his criminal record, was issued his license in October 2023.

Borghardt says there should be more than asimple licensing process for overseeing bounty hunters.

“It’sa very unregulated indus-

campaign later filed asupplementalreport detailing contributions it received near theend of the year,but did not report the earlier contributionsfrom Entergy Corporation PAC, Elite PAC and others.

Coulon did not respond to questions about the unreported contributions.

“The numberone policy behind campaign finance law is transparency,” Gelé said. “Whenyou get donations, you’ve got to report them. On that, there is no ambiguity.That’sjust not defensible.”

‘Someone Ireallytrust’ For morethan ayear after she defaulted on her mortgage lastFebruary,Boyd could not be served with the foreclosure notice on the

try.…It’sripe with corruption,” he said, noting he has seen cases where bounty hunters arrive to make an arrest but instead demandbribes after the defendant agrees to surrender voluntarily Green, whowas fired from the Plaquemines Parish Sheriff’s Office in 2018 due to his connections to the far-right group Proud Boys, appeared to be recruiting potential apprentices on Facebook before his arrest. In October,heposted, “Hey! Anybody interestedingetting started in acareer in Fugitive Recovery (Bounty Hunting)? Drop me aline forthe info!” In May, wrote he was seeking people interested in “getting intothe exciting world” of fugitive recovery Meanwhile, Garrett liked to post aboutbountyhunting on social media, including TikTok videos of him wearing fugitive recovery gear liketactical vests. In onecaption, he wrote, “Real Mandalorian.” Green, Larkins andGarrett are set to first appear in court in October

“There is alegitimate reason to have these folks,” Moore said, referring to bounty hunters. “But obviously they have to be trained and held accountablefor actions just like any other law enforcementofficer would be.”

Fairway Oaks Drive home because sheriff’sdeputies could not locate her,according to HSBC Bank’spetition filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court. Records show Boyd owes thebank $499,000. The home is set forsheriff’ssale on Nov.13, twodays before the municipal runoff.

Areal estate agentand notary from the West Bank, Boyd waselected to the state Legislature in 2021. She is oneofseveral West Bank candidates runninginNew Orleans’ fall municipalcycle withthe support of U.S. Rep Troy Carter, D-New Orleans. Aspokesperson forCarter’s officedid notrespond to multiple requestsfor comment.

Business owner Chouest hasbankrolledbothBoyd’s

campaign and the PACsupportingher.Chouest has “bundled” around $60,000 in donations to the campaign withseveral contributions through his corporate entities, according to records. He also gave $100,000 to Elite PAClast year Chouest said he was unawareofthe paymentsto DKR Real Estate Investment. He added that “if it’sout there, it’s something the campaign should answer for.”

“I would be totally sure that it’s just something that needssome explanation,” Chouest said. “Am Iworried that she’sdoing something underhandedornot following the rules? Not at all. She’sa very close friend and someone Ireally trust.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO By

TRIAL

Continued from page1B

protections.

“He could not grasp the media attentionhewas receiving,” Brossett said.

Claude Flot,a retiredNOPD sergeant who served as special as-

Brossett denied Morris’ lateraccusations against him andsaid he urged Morris to address the public. He said he believes his firing was retaliationfor cooperating with an inspector general investigation. “It was atoxic environment under the leadership of Mr.Morris. Ifelt I was wronged,” he said.

sistant to the 911 director,testified thatMorris pushed tohave blue police lightsinstalled in his city-issued 2019 Ford Expedition —despitenot being acertified lawenforcement officer and thereforebeing barred from using them. “I triedtoadvisehim that it was against state law,” Flot said. “He dismissedme.”

Flot orderedthe blue lights “under (Morris’) direction,” he said, butnot without concerns.“Ialwaysthought he would getintrouble,” he said.

Morrisisaccused of altering the OPCD’svehicle policy.OnTuesday, Executive Director Karl Fasold, the department’sformer technology chief, testified that changing such a document would require aseries of

steps that includes logging in with ausername and password, opening the file in “author mode,” and editing theMicrosoftWord document.

The trial will resume at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Orleans Parish CriminalDistrict Court.

Email Joni Hessatjoni.hess@ theadvocate.com.

FERRY

Continued from page1B

“Weare definitely leaving outa huge segment of our population and our workforce,” she said. Authority board member Mitch Guidry suggested extendingthe pilot into October to see if there’s an uptick in ridership that could justify the longer hours. That garnered applause from West Bank residents in attendance.

Hankins said she’d talk to staff about apossible extension.

The authority doesn’thave a permanent funding stream for its Algiers Point-Canal Street ferry service. In 2023,itreceived aone-time appropriation of $10 million from the state Legislature and apromise of an additional $3 million from Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration to keep the ferries running.

Hankins, however,said the authority is stillwaitingonCantrell’s administration to execute acooperative endeavor agreement to provide those funds. She saidthe money was being held up by the city’scash flow problems.City officials havereported adeficit of up to $100 million.

Cantrell’soffice did not respond to arequest for comment.

It costs around $13 million annually for the authoritytooperate both the Algiers Point-Canal Street ferry and the Lower Algiers-Chalmette ferry, according to areport by RIDE New Orleans, arider advocacy group. The state Department of Transportation and Developmentdedicates $4 million to the ferry annually,but it only funds the Chalmette route, according to the agreement between the state and the authority Hankins said she’s spoken to officials at GNO Inc. and the Regional Planning Commission about applyingfor federalgrants to study the idea of expanding the

ferry service to Gretna andWestwego. She said she also spoke with thePort of New Orleans officials about putting afee on cruise ships, but was told thatwasn’t possible. Board member Timolynn Sams suggested the authority reachout to Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser to see if there’ssome “cultural

funding source” to tap into.

Kelsey Foster,anAlgiersPoint resident running for the City Council’sDistrictC seat, saidit isn’trealistic to expect the ferry to pay for itself through passenger fares andsuggested rethinking howthe city’ssales tax revenue is distributed.

“Let’sthink aboutthe way that

we allocate our local money because transit is notgetting itsfair share,”Fostersaid.

Theauthority boardonTuesday also awardeda two-year,$9.3 million contract to CDW Services LLC for the renovation of the AlgiersPoint FerryTerminal and Lower Algiers Maintenance Facility

The authority is paying for the renovations with $7.5 millionin federal grants, and plans to cover the remaining costs through ayet-to-be signed cost-sharing agreementwithCantrell’sadministration

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTOByDAVID GRUNFELD

Ferry service between Canal Street and Algiers Point is scheduled to returntomore limited hours of operation starting Sunday, after the Regional Transit Authority experimented withextendingthe service until just after midnight as partofathree-month pilot program.

Banks,Nathaniel

BrownJr.,Leonard

Buras, Stephen

Dozier,Valda

Dutruch, Esther

Fela,Sekou

Gilyot,Yvette

Gros,Kenneth

Hampton, Juanita

Harris, Reginald

Herbert, Diallo

Hoffman, Betty

HolmesSr.,Jonas

Jackson, Roseland

Keller, Victor

Lundy Sr.,Alfred

Maulet,Lucille

Simmons,Ellenora

Smith,Jeanette Stansberry,Oena Stockman Sr., Nelson Swan,William Timmons,Ernest Turks, Dianne

Williams,Pearlean

Wilson, Jason

Wininger, Bryant EJefferson Garden of Memories

Swan,William NewOrleans

Boyd Family Harris, Reginald Simmons,Ellenora Smith,Jeanette

Charbonnet

Fela,Sekou

Gilyot,Yvette

HolmesSr.,Jonas

DW Rhodes Banks,Nathaniel

BrownJr.,Leonard

Hampton, Juanita

Herbert, Diallo

Hoffman, Betty

Jackson, Roseland

Lundy Sr.,Alfred

Maulet,Lucille

Stansberry,Oena

Stockman Sr., Nelson

Timmons,Ernest

Turks, Dianne

Gertrude Geddes

Dozier,Valda

Buras, Stephen Majestic Mortuary

Wilson, Jason St Tammany

EJ Fielding

Dutruch, Esther West Bank

DavisMortuary

BrownJr.,Leonard D. With sadnessweshare the passingofLeonard D. Brown, Jr on September8 2025, Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign onlineguestbook,send flowersand sharecondo‐lences.

Buras, Stephen Vallrie 'Steve'

Stephen "Steve"Vallrie Buraspassed away peacefully on September22, 2025,atthe age of 73. He was born on December26, 1951,inNew Orleans, Louisiana to the late Vallrie J. and MaryFullmer Buras. Steve was alifelong resident of the greater NewOrleans area, calling Kenner, Louisiana,home for50years

Heissurvivedbyhis belovedwifeof51years, Ann. Hewas the lovingfatherofAlicia Buras (Jason) and Jeffrey "Jeff"Buras (Kim),and proud Paw Paw of Reid andKai Buras. He was the brotherofValerie, David, Michael,and chosen sister and brother, Patsy and Barry. Steve was employedby the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office,where he served honorably for46 years. He retiredas Captain and Commander of theHomicide Division. Upon full-time retirement, he returnedfor 5years as aDetective forthe Criminal Intelligence Center (CIC). Stevewas known for his unwavering integrity, leadership, and compassionfor others. He was deeply respected by colleaguesand the community he served, alldue to how much he loved his jobwith the J.P.S O. Steve attended the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia and wasa proud graduateofSession 177. He remained amemberof the FBI Academy Associates. Stevewas a long-time memberofthe International Homicide Investigators Association (IHIA). He served as Southern RegionalDirector and was President from 2006-2008. He was instrumental in bringingthe IHIA Symposium to New Orleans in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina.

Outside of his professional life,Steve wasa loving husband, devotedfatherand grandfather, brother and afriendto many. He brought joyand laughter to everyone around him with hisquick wit, big heart, and natural sense of humor. He loved hunting, golfing, and watching his favorite sports teams. Steve will be rememberedfor his selflessness, humor, loyalty and deepcommitment to protecting those he loved. His legacyofservice, laughter and lovewill live on in the heartsofall who knewhim.

ValdaJosephDozier, age 82, wasbornonFebru‐ary 17, 1943 in NewOr‐leans,LA. Shedeparted thisearthly home on Fri‐day,September 12, 2025 She wasa graduate of JosephS.Clark High School and Straight Business Col‐lege. Shewas also amem‐ber of Little Zion Baptist Church andanAdministra‐tiveSecretary at TouroIn‐firmaryHospitaluntil her retirement. Valdawas the lovingmotherofDesear DozierAnderson. Beloved sisterofReginaldWilliams, Gwendolyn Joseph,Jean Williams,C'Ethel Kelly and Cornelius Joseph.Devoted grandmother of Ja'Kayla Anderson. Shewas also survivedbynieces, nephews,cousins,family, friends andchurch mem‐bers. Valdawas preceded indeath by herhusband Silas Dozier;her parents Junius Joseph andEthel Price Joseph;and one nephew. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also Pastor, officers andmem‐bersofLittleZionBaptist Church,neighboring churches,and theStaff of Touro InfirmaryHospital, PrytaniaImaging Center and St.Katharine Drexel Preparatory School arein‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life Serviceon Saturday, September27, 2025 at Little Zion Baptist Church,4821 EarhartBlvd., New Orleans, LA 70125 at 10:00 a.m. Visitation from 9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. In‐terment ResthavenMemor‐ial Park,10400 OldGentilly Road, NewOrleans,LA 70127. Youmay sign the guest book on www.ger trudegeddeswillis.com Gertrude GeddesWillisFu‐neral Home Inc.,incharge (504) 522-2525.

Dutruch, Esther Louise

Nodd. He departed this life onSeptember 3, 2025. A graduateofBooker T. WashingtonHighSchool Delgado Community Col‐lege, andSouthernUniver‐sity. Sekouwas aVietnam War marine veteran. Sekou was preceded in deathby his belovedwife, Lynn LeBeaud,his parents, John LeBeaud andMarie Nodd and twosiblings, John LeBeaud andLinda Roth Heleavestocherish his memorythree siblings: Elizabeth White, Gail Dixon, and Edmond Nodd; three godchildren;and ahostof nieces, nephews, extended family, andfriends whose lives were deeply touched byhis presence.Asone of the pioneer vendorson Canal Street,Sekou Fela and Larry Smithopened UjamaaAfrikan Market,the firstAfrican culturestore inNew Orleans. SekouFela dedicated hislifetoem‐poweringhis community Hewillberememberedfor his invaluable contribu‐tions to NewOrleans and beyond, andfor hisunwa‐veringcommitmenttothe principlesthatstrengthen and uplift us all. Family and friendsattended aCel‐ebrationofLifeService heldinthe Chapel of Roses atCharbonnetLabat Glapion FuneralHome, 1615 St.Phillip Street,New Orleans,La. 70116 on Fri‐day,September 19, 2025 Interment: Private. Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com. Charbonnet Labat GlapionDirectors, (504) 581-4411.

patience andcare, and there wasnothing he couldn’tdo. He lovedbuild‐ing things –projectsbig and small– always creat‐ing with hishands andhis heart.Kenny wasalsoa lifetimememberand brother to theNew Born Masonic Lodge, #500, F&AMMarrero.Toknow Kenny wastoloveKenny His selflessnatureand soft-spoken presence madeeveryonearound him feel steady andloved.He loved watching hisSaints playonSundays,aswellas Nascaronthe weekends and taking familyvaca‐tions.His familywas the mostimportant aspect of his life andabove allhe loved hisgirls:Shelly, Kelseyand Savannah more thananything. Whilehis passing haslefta void in the hearts of hisfamily, friends,and thosewhose lives were touchedbyhim Weask that youremember him notfor theway hislife ended,but forthe wayit was lived, andfor thepro‐found impact it hadonthe lives of thosewho hadthe pleasureofknowing him. May he rest in peaceand may perpetuallight shine uponhim.Hewillbe missedbysomany. Visita‐tionwillbeheldatSt. Cle‐tus Church,3600 Claire Av‐enue,Gretna, LA on Friday September 26, 2025, at 10:00 am,a Memorial Mass tofollow. Interment, West‐lawnMemorialParkCeme‐tery, 1225 WhitenyAve, Gretna, LA.Pleaseshare sympathies, memories and condolencesatwww mothefunerals.com

Hampton, Juanita Pittman With sadnessweshare the passingofJuanita Pittman Hampton, on Sep‐tember17, 2025, Please visit www.RhodesFuneral com to view serviceinfor‐mation, sign online guest‐book,sendflowersand share condolences.

Herbert, Diallo Marshall

Larche Gilyot, age 79, passedawaySun‐day September7,2025 at WestOaksNursing Home inHouston,Texas.She was the beloveddaughterof the late Joseph andMillie Larche. Wife of Arthur Gi‐lyotJr. forthe past 56 years.Lovingmotherof Juan(Sharon Carter)Gi‐lyot, Errol(Marlene) Gilyot, and Duane(Erleen)Gilyot SisterofYvonne (Joseph) Rachaland thelateGail (Dale)Ancar,Pamela(Her‐man)Broussard,Joyce (Martinel)Fleury, Shirley Soublet,RuthParker, Carol and Joseph Larche.Daugh‐ter-in-lawofthe late Arthur Guilyot,Sr.and NelvillaGuilyot.Sister-inlaw of thelateStevenGi‐lyot. Also survived by two grandchildren,JuanIIand Kristi, anda host of nieces, nephews,and numerous relatives andfriends.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the FuneralMassatCorpus Christi-EpiphanyCatholic Church,2022 St.Bernard Ave,New Orleans, LA,on SaturdaySeptember 27, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. Visita‐tionat9:00a.m.Interment: Mount Olivet Cemetery 4000 Norman MayerAve., New Orleans, LA.Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com. Charbonnet Labat GlapionDirectors (504) 581-4411.

Friends, family and colleagues are invited to attend afuneral service on Saturday, September27, 2025,atLake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 PontchartrainBlvd. New Orleans,LA. Visitation willbeheld from 10:00 AM to12:00PM, with aMassto begin at 12:00PM Interment willfollow at Metairie Cemetery In lieu of flowers, please donatetothe American HeartAssociation, American Diabetes Association, masses to St. Philip Neri Church,ora charity of your choice An online guestbook is available at www.LakeLaw nMetairie.com

Esther Louise Dutruch passedawayonSunday, September 21, 2025. She was born in Bush,LAon July16, 1927. Shewas pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐entsBerthaSharp Dutruch and FrankE.Dutruch;and siblings, Elaine Sharp, Frank Durtuch, Jr., Linda Jenkins andClyde Dutruch. She wasa lifelong resident ofSt. Tammany Parish where shewas amember ofSharp’s Chapel Church ofGod andShepherd’s Fold. Esther wasa sweet lovinglady. Shewillbe missedbyall who knew and lovedher.Inlieuof flowers, contributionsin memoryofEsthermay be madetoSt. Jude Children’s ResearchHospitalwww stjude.org. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe funeralservices atSharp’s Chapel Church ofGod,22191 Sharp’s ChapelRoad, Bush,LA 70431 on Saturday,Sep‐tember27, 2025, at 11:00 AMwithvisitationat church on Saturday begin‐ningat9:00AM. Interment willfollowinSharp’s ChapelCemetery. E.J. Field‐ing FuneralHomehas been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Dutruch familyinvites you toshare thoughts,fondest memories, andcondo‐lencesonlineatE.J.Field‐ing FuneralHomeGuest Book at www.ejfieldingfh com

Keller, Victor Mothe Fela,Sekou

Gros,Kenneth

Banks, Nathaniel With sadnessweshare the passingofNathaniel Banks on Monday,Septem‐ber 22, 2025. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.comto viewservice information, sign online guestbook, Obituaries

SekouFela, born George JosephLeBeaud,was born April 1, 1943, in NewOr‐leans,Louisiana,tothe late John LeBeaudand Marie

Kenneth“Kenny” J. Gros beloved husband,father, grandfather andfriend, passedawayonSeptem‐ber 18, 2025. He was58 years old. Aresidentof Harvey, LA leaves behind his belovedwifeof22 years,ShellyBoudreaux Gros, hislovingdaughter KelseySlater(Mark)and his cherishedtwo-yearold granddaughter,Savannah. He’sprecededindeath by his parentsHowardP.Gros and DeAnna MaeBerry and his Mother-In-LawPatricia Blanchard Boudreaux. Fromanearly age, Kenny embodiedhardworkand a steadfastworkethic dedi‐catingover39years to Bay/Mosby andGIS Lafitte advancingfroma helperuptoYardSuperin‐tendent.Whether on the job or at home,heap‐proached everytaskwith

Reginald Harris passed awayonSeptember 17, 2025, at theage of 87. He was born on May5,1938, to Henry Harris,Sr.,and Dorothy Edmonson Harris inNew Orleans, LA.Hewas a proudgraduateofJoseph S.Clark High School;re‐ceiveda Bachelor’s Degree fromXavierUniversityand a Master’s Degree from the UniversityofNew Orleans. Heenjoyed acareer as an Administrator at theNew Orleans Skills Training Cen‐ter andasanEnglish and Spanish teacheratseveral New Orleanspublic schoolsand St.Augustine HighSchool.Heissurvived byhis wife of 61 years, Merle AnnTricheHarris; and hisfourdaughters:Dr. Leslie M. Harris,JenniferH Jones (Shane), Retired Judge Regina Bartholomew-Woods(Jimmie) and Rachel T. Harris.Heis alsosurvivedbyhis 5 grandsons:Capt. David Bartholomew,IV(USAF), RyanJones,Reginald Bartholomew,Devin Jones and Jimmie Woods,Jr.;his brothersMelvinHarris, JohnHarrisand Lionel Har‐ris;his sistersBetty Ann Harrisand BarbaraAnn Harris; histwo goddaugh‐ters: TiffanyBenjaminand Kristen Howard,Esq.; anda hostofnephews,nieces, cousins andfriends.Heis precededindeath by his parents,his sistersJoyce HarrisGuy andErnestine HarrisJackson,and his brothersHenry Harris,Jr. Herbert Harris,and Charles Harris. Family andfriends are invitedtocelebrate his lifeata Catholic Funeral MassonFriday, September 26, 2025, for11:00 a.m. at St. Martin de PoresChurch 5621 ElysianFieldsAve., N.O LA.Visitationwiththe familywillbegin at 10:00 a.m andconcludewith the Rosary at 10:45 a.m. Fr HowardByrd, SSJ,Officiat‐ing.Interment will follow atSt. Louis#3Cemetery, 3421 EsplanadeAve.N.O LA. To honorhis request, in lieuof flowers, donations may be made in hisname tohis belovedalmamater XavierUniversityof Louisiana.Guestbook On‐line: www.anewtraditionbe gins.com(504)282-0600 Linear BrooksBoydand

Diallo Marshall Herbert departedthislifeonSep‐tember22, 2025 at 12:25 a.m.atage 53. He wasborn inNatchez,Mississippi and was aresidentofAlgiers, Louisiana.Diallo is theson ofSharonMarsawHerbert and Howard Herbert. Grandsonofthe late Levi MarsawIII, ClaudiaMar‐saw,MervinJosephHer‐bertand JuliaParkerHer‐bert. Greatnephewof JosephRowan (Chicago, IL). Nephew of Gregory (Anne)Marsaw(Jack‐sonville, FL), Marshall (May) Herbert, JoyceHarri‐son,Pearl Herbert, Janice (Benny) Oliver,and Gail (Larry)Trusclair.Cousinof Felicia (Johnny) Scott (Magnolia,MS),Roosevelt Marsaw(Natchez, MS), Bridgette (Jamar)Dowsey (Clarksburg,MD),Kimberly Marsaw(BatonRouge,LA), ChiokeBush(Jacksonville, NC),Pierre(Kelly) LaBeaud,PilarLaBeaud, Parys LaBeaud, Joycelyn (Allen) Leonard, Clarence (Cheryl)Rose, Patricia (Kenneth) Anderson,War‐ren HillsJr.,GregoryRose Sr.,Joshua(Janessa)Rose Sr.,Randy (Narrisa)Hills TravisHills,Tonya Oliver, Edward(Kenya) Sherman, and Roderick (Amina)Her‐bert. Diallo is agraduateof O.Perry Walker High School (Class of 1990) and heearneda Bachelor of Science degree from USLin 1997. He wasemployedas the GeneralManager at Paris Stone. Relativesand friends of thefamily, mem‐bersofthe O. Perry Walker HighSchool Classof1990; employees of ParisStone; and pastors, officers and members of Life Center Cathedral andFirst Shiloh MissionaryBaptist Church are invitedtoattend aCel‐ebrationofLifeService on Saturday, September27, 2025 at theFirst ShilohMis‐sionary BaptistChurch lo‐cated at 2507 Perdido Street in NewOrleans, startingat10:00 a.m. Pas‐tor AntoineR.Jacobs, offi‐ciating.Visitationfrom8:30 a.m.until startofservice at10:00 a.m. Interment: SunsetViewMemorial Park(Natchez, MS). Arrangement by D. W. RhodesFuneral Home,3933 WashingtonAve,New Or‐leans,La. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe online guestbook.

Hoffman,Betty Jean With sadnessweshare the passingofBetty Jean Hoffman,onSeptember 4, 2025, Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign onlineguestbook,send flowersand sharecondo‐lences.

JonasHolmes, Sr 80, a New Orleansnative, passedawayonSeptem‐ber 17, 2025, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Born November 21, 1944, to Jesse andFlo‐restine Holmes,hewas precededindeath by his wifeof38years,Esther Becknel Holmes.A 1963 graduateofBooker T. WashingtonHighSchool Jonas worked as an electri‐cianfor NOPSIand retired asa LouisianaDOTDBridge and Tunnel Supervisor.He later drovecharter buses for Hotard Inc. andNew Or‐leans Tours. He is survived by five children,Chiquita Holmes(Ernest), Terri Holmes-Wells (Charles), Jonas Holmes,Jr.,Joel Holmes(Karen),and Juana Holmes-Green (Cornell); three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Jonas will be remembered for hisdedicationtofamily, love of fishingand cooking,

Gilyot,Yvette Larche

Yvette

Williams,Pearlean

Harris, Reginald

Holmes Sr., Jonas

Lake Lawn Metairie

Gros,Kenneth J. 'Kenny'

andcommitment to men‐toringyouth.Familyand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe FuneralService in the Chapel of Rosesat CharbonnetLabat Glapion Funeral Home,1615St. PhilipStreet,New Orleans, LA70116onSaturday, Sep‐tember27, 2025, at 10:00 a.m Visitation at 9a.m Rev.HermanWilliams, offi‐ciating.Interment:Mt. OlivetCemetery, 4000 Nor‐man MayerAve,New Or‐leans,LA70122. Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com. Charbonnet Labat GlapionDirectors (504) 581-4411.

Jackson, Roseland Avon Morris

Roseland Avon Morris Jackson departed this life onSeptember 1, 2025, and wenthometobewiththe Lord. Shewas born on De‐cember15, 1933. Shewas precededindeath by her father, Rev. Paul David Morrisand mother,Hazel JosephMorris, sister Dei‐dra MorrisBowserand her sister(cousin)Queen Ester Rever,her brotherPaul David Morris,Jr.,her loving husband George H. Jack‐son,Sr. Sheissurvivedby her daughter Andrea Jack‐son Ross (Leroy), one niece,Hazel R. Bowser,one nephew, MichaelT Mitchell(Taifa) 4grand‐children, George III, Terrell, Damienand Lerconya (Connie),9 great-grand‐children, and2 great-great grandchildren,cousins Trude Lynn Perkins, Theata P.Blakes, Undrella Perkins, Godchildren:JulietSutton and MichaelT.Mitchell, Karen Catalanand many, manymorecousins -too manytorecord. Allofficers and membersofthe First DistrictMissionaryBaptist Association, relatives, friends,and N. O. Sheriff’s Dept. areinvited to attend the CelebrationofLifeser‐viceonSaturday, Septem‐ber 27, 2025,atSecond ZionBaptist Church No.1, 2929 Second St NewOr‐leans,La. Visitation at 9:00 a.m Services at 10:00a.m PastorDerrick D. Webb, Sr officiating. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Home,3933 Wash‐ingtonAvenue,New Or‐leans,La. 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral. com to sign theonline guestbook

Keller, Victor Leo

Victor LeoKellerentered eternal rest at hisresi‐dence on Wednesday, Sep‐tember17, 2025, at age89. Hewas anativeof Vacherie, LA anda resident ofHarvey, LA.Victorwas a supervisorwithVisko’s Seafood forover30years and PerezJanitorialbefore retiring. Loving husbandof Barbara C. Keller. Devoted fatherofMichael,Judy, Ricky,Benjamin, Paul (Linda),and WayneKeller, Sarah (Hillery)Addison and hisdaughterinlove the late PaulaC.Coleman Grandfather of thelate Al‐lanaK.Green andRico Keller. Greatgrandfather of the late LanaeBibbins.Son ofthe late Pierce and AltheaKeller. Beloved brother of Cecila Munday and thelateLennie, Landry, Armond,Rene, Joseph, andEliot Keller, IreneLumas andCorrine Love. Godfatherofthe late StanfordKeller, Sr.Also cherishinghis memories are hissister-in-law Dorothy Coler, 21 grand‐children, 30 greatgrand‐children, 2great great grandchildren,and ahost ofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also priests andparishionersof St. Joseph theWorker Catholic Church,pastors officers andmembers of Macedonia BaptistChurch (Marrero, LA)and all neighboring churches are invited to attend aMassof ChristianBurialatSt.

Joseph theWorkerCatholic Church,455 Ames Blvd., Marrero,LAonFriday, Sep‐tember26, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.FatherSidneySpeaks, Celebrant.Visitationbe‐ginsat8:00a.m.; Recitation ofRosary8:45a.m.; Tribute tofollow. Interment: Wood‐lawnParkMemorialCeme‐tery, Westwego, LA ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService 230Mon‐roe Street,Gretna, LA.To viewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com Face masksare recom‐mended.

LundySr.,Alfred Alfred Lundy, Sr.was borntothe late Lula Franklinand EarnestLundy onJanuary 10, 1929 in Inns, LA. Alfred wasthe thirdof thirteenchildren. At the age of 20, Alfred left his hometomovetoNew Or‐leans where he began working as alongshore‐man craneoperator. He worked this jobfor over 30 years.Alfredreceived Christinhis life at an early age.Later in life,hebe‐camea member of Second New GuideBaptist Church where he served as an usher until he wasno longerable. Alfred was married to thelateOphelia Lundyand this union pro‐duced sevenchildren, Bar‐bara(Joseph)Franklin, Brenda(Romalic) Buggage, Linda Quinn, Marion (Ed‐ward) Martin,Alfred (Ruby)Lundy, Jr., Ronald (Lisa)Lundyand Myra (Carey) Wells. Alfred was familyorientedand loved familygatherings. On oc‐casion, he traveled abroad and hadfamily fishing trips.Whenwestayed awaytoo many days,he wanted to know “Where everybody at?Weneed to get together.” Alfred leavestocherish hismem‐ories 6children, 20 grand‐children, 34 greatgrand‐children, 17 great, great grandchildren,1 sister,3 brothersand ahostof niecesand nephews. Al‐fredisprecededindeath byhis wife,Ophelia Lundy; mother, Lula Franklin;fa‐ther, EarnestLundy; daughter, LindaQuinn; son,Alton Edwards; grand‐daughters,KimberlyWells and Lillie Lundy; great grandson, JoeMcKnight and great, greatgrand‐daughter, Rayne Watson Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend his FuneralService at Sec‐ond New GuideBaptist Church,1424 SouthDilton AvenueonSaturday, Sep‐tember27, 2025 at 11:00 am. Visitation will beginat 10:00 am.Interment:Provi‐dence Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements byD.W.RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Avenue. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the guestbook

It is with profound sad‐nessthatweannouncethe passing of Lucille Maulet,a beloved mother,grand‐mother, andfriend, who departedthislifeonSep‐tember12, 2025, in Gretna, Louisiana.Lucille wasborn onJanuary 29, 1940, in New Orleans,Louisiana.She was born to thelate Joshua Washington and Jeanette LeeWashington. She preceded in deathby her belovedhusband DanielJohnson,Sr. She was also preceded in death by hersisters DorotheaLee Edmondsand Ora MaeLee Smith. Lucille was called home on Sep‐tember12, 2025. Shewas a graduate of Walter L. Cohen High school.She workedatCharity Hospital over30years before retir‐ing as an EKGTechnician where sheservedwith compassionand dedica‐tion. Lucille wasa lifelong residentofNew Orleans where shebuilt a life filled withlove, laughter,and de‐votiontoher family. She was adevoutCatholic since birthand worshiped atSt. RaymondCatholic Church until HurricaneKat‐rinaand became amem‐ber of St.CletusCatholic Church in Gretna Louisiana.Lucille is sur‐vived by herfourchildren: DanielJohnson,Jr. (Melissa), Darryl Johnson, Sr.,Damon Johnson, and Shannon Johnson-Brownof Atlanta,Georgia.She wasa proud grandmotherto seven grandchildren: Danielle Johnson, Kristen

Johnson, Jori Johnson, Dar‐ryl JohnsonJr.,Cyril John‐son of McComb,Ms. Kaylen Johnson andJoshua Brown ofAtlanta,Georgia.2 great-grandsons Braylen Halland Tristian Johnson, and host of nieces and nephews andextendedrel‐ativesand friends. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the FuneralMassatSt. Cle‐tus Catholic Church in Gretna, La.onSaturday, September 27, 2025 at 11 am. Visitation will beginat 10am. Arrangements by D. W.RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 Washington Ave. Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe on‐lineguestbook.Interment: St. John’s Cemetery Thibo‐daux, La

Simmons,Ellenora Baptiste'Skin

Ellenora “Skin” Baptiste Simmons,atthe ageof76, entered into eternalrest onTuesday,September 9, 2025. Shewas born on De‐cember13, 1948, to thelate DanielBaptiste, Sr.and Ellen VanceBaptiste. Sheis survivedbyher brothers Harrison(Regina)Baptiste and HenryBaptiste. She was preceded in deathby her belovedson,Richard Simmons,Jr.;her brother DanielBaptiste, Jr.; hersis‐ter-in-lawBarbara Bap‐tiste;and hergreat-niece Brianna Hayes. Sheleaves tocherish hermemorytwo nieces, Kyneisha Baptiste and Tyiece BaptisteHoward; twogreatnephews,KorbynBaptiste and Tyvone Howard;and one great-niece, Tymyri Howard, alongwitha host ofextendedfamilyand lifelongfriends.Ellenora was aformeremployeeof the OrleansParishSchool Board andlater retired fromStein Mart.Family and friendsare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Saturday, September 27, 2025, for 10:00 a.m. at TheBoyd FamilyFuneralHome, 5001 ChefMenteur Highway, New Orleans, LA 70126. Vis‐itation will beginat9:00 a.m.Rev.VictorPratt, Jr officiating. Intermentwill followatMt. Olivet Ceme‐tery, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave., NewOrleans,LA 70122. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Jeanette Smithpassed awayonSeptember 15 2025, at theage of 71

Jeanette is survived by fourchildren, Kimberly Harrison, PatriceSwan, Charlie SmithSr.,and Janay Williams.She is also survivedbya host of other relatives andfriends.Pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐entsSandaySmith and Dorothy MccoySmith,aunt TinyColeman,sisterLula Wardand onebrother SamuelJohnson.Family and friendsare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Friday,Sep‐tember26, 2025, for10:00 a.m. at TheBoydFamilyFu‐

Park Memorial Cemetery andMausoleum (504)362-3091

neralHome, 5001 Chef Menteur Hwy.,New Or‐leans,LA70126. Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. Prophet AntoineJasmine officiating. Intermentis private.Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Stansberry,OenaJoseph

Oena Joseph Stansberry ofNew Orleans, La de‐partedthislifeonSeptem‐ber 12, 2025 at theage of 96. Shewas thewifeof JosephStansberry and daughterofEdward Joseph, Sr.and Martha JosephofDonaldsonville, La. Shewas askilled beau‐tician, cook andcaregiver She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Stanford (Rev. Alton),PalmHarbor, FL; sonLionelStansberry New Orleans, La.; brother, Rev.David Joseph,Sr. (Flo‐rence)ofDonaldsonville, La.;two godchildren,ten grandchildren,sixteen great-grandchildren,and a hostofnieces, nephews, cousins,and friends. She was amemberofGreater Mt. Rose BaptistChurch, 1322 SimonBolivar Avenue New Orleans, La.70113 where sheservedasa Dea‐conessand Mother of the Church.Serviceswillbe heldthere on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10:00 am. Visitation will beginat 9:00am. Interment: Mount OlivetCemetery, 4000 Nor‐man MayerAvenue,New Orleans,La. 70122 ArrangementsbyD.W RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAvenue,New Orleans,La. 70125. Please visit www.rhodesfuneral. com to sign theonline guestbook

Stockman Sr., Nelson Brian

Nelson BrianStockman, Sr.,a proudnativeofNew Orleans,passedaway peacefullyonSeptember 17, 2025, at theage of 63 BornonAugust20, 1962 Nelsonwas thebeloved son of Thelma Armstrong and thelatePeter Stock‐man.Nelsonmet thelove ofhis life,Deborah Ray‐mond, while singinginthe GospelSoulChildren Church Choir. Thetwo wereunitedinmarriage and shared 41 loving years together.Their union was blessedwithtwo sons,Nel‐son Stockman,Jr. and Brandon Stockman.Hewas precededindeath by his grandparents, Thomas and Clara Landry andPeter Lawrence, Sr.and Matilda Stockman; hisfather, Peter LawrenceStockman, Jr.; his aunts, Audrey Poullard and Rosemary Stockman Nelsonleavestocherish his memory:His devoted wifeof41years,Deborah Raymond Stockman;two sons, Nelson Stockman,Jr. (Teriqua) andBrandon Stockman(Michelle); four grandchildren,LeviStock‐man,Lanisha Stockman, NelsonStockman, III and DanellPeter Stockman;his lovingmother, Thelma Armstrong of NewOrleans LA;foursiblings, Delissa

Wilson (Curtis) of NewOr‐leans,LA, Troy Stockman (Diane) of BatonRouge,LA, DarrylStockman (Stephanie) of NewOr‐leans,LA, andTimothy HaynesofLas Vegas, NV; one brother-in-law: LawrenceRaymond (Penny);two sisters-in-law, Valerie Raymondand Lilly Raymond.Heisalsosur‐vived by ahostofnieces, nephews,extendedfamily, church family, andfriends who will miss himdeeply NelsonStockmanSr. will berememberedfor hisser‐vice, hisfaith,his devotion tofamily, andthe joyhe brought to everyone who knewhim.Relatives and friends of thefamily, priests andparishionersof St. Martin de Porres Catholic Church;pastors officers andmembers of StrongerHopeBaptist Church,First EmanuelBap‐tistChurch andAsiaBap‐tistChurch,alsoemploy‐ees of Goodwill Industrial, VAHospital, LSUSchool of Dentistry &LCMCHospi‐talsare invitedtohis Home Going ServiceatStronger HopeBaptist Church,2401 S.GalvezStreet,onFriday, September 26, 2025 at 9:00 am, with Pastor Nicholas Kevin Derouen, Officiant. Visitationwillbegin 8:00 am. Interment: Mount OlivetCemetery. Arrange‐ments by D.W. Rhodes Fu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Avenue.Pleasevisit www.rhodesfuneral.com to signthe guestbook.

William“Bill” A. Swan age 89, passedaway peacefully on Tuesday, September 16, 2025. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he was theonlychild of the lateJohnC.and Odile M. Swan. AgraduateofFortier HighSchool,Billwentonto serve hiscountry with pride in theUnitedStates MarineCorps from 1954 to 1958, where he also played the French horn in theMa‐rineCorps Band.Hewas married to theloveofhis life, thelateAudreyVoisel Swan, forover55years.To‐gether, they raised three children: KatherineVille‐marette (Sidney),Dr. Timo‐thy M. Swan (Gina),and the late WilliamSwan, Jr Billwas adevoted grandfa‐thertoChristopher Ville‐marette (Emily), Nicholas Villemarette (Lily),Derek Swan(Emily), andBrandy SwanPenedo, anda proud great-grandfather to Lu‐cille Swan,Frances Swan, AndersonPenedo, and Rhemi Penedo.Hewas also the cherishedson-in-lawof the late Vilmoreand Verdie Voisel. Bill retiredfromEn‐erpac after alongcareer asa dedicatedand hard‐working salesman.Hewas wellknown forhis sharp wit andgreat senseof humor.Above all, he wasa familyman who never missedanopportunity to showhecared—alwaysre‐membering birthdays, an‐niversaries,and specialoc‐casionswitha thoughtful

card.Hewillbedeeply missedbyall who knew and lovedhim.Relatives and friendsare invitedto attend theFuneral Services atGardenofMemoriesFu‐neral Home &Cemetery, 4900 AirlineDrive Metairie, LA70001 on Saturday,Sep‐tember27, 2025. Visitation willbegin at 10:00 am with a Mass starting at 12:00 noon immediatelyfollowed bya military burial.To order flowersoroffer con‐dolences, please visit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Timmons,Ernest With sadnessweshare the passingofErnestTim‐mons, on September15, 2025, Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign onlineguestbook,send flowersand sharecondo‐lences

Dianne Washington Turks departed this life to joinher Savior in Gloryat the ageof72, on Septem‐ber 22, 2025 at herhome surrounded by herfamily. She wasa life long resident ofGretna, Louisiana(Jon‐estown).She wasthe youngestoften children borntothe late Henderson Washingtonand Augustine Jones Washington,onOc‐tober 17, 1952. Dianne at‐tendedL.W.Higgins High School andwas in its first graduatingclass in 1970 She continuedher studies atMeadows Draughon BusinessCollege in New Orleans,Louisiana in Ac‐counting. Dianne began her career workingatDow‐ell Division of Dowell Chemicals as aRegional Secretary andlater as an Office Supervisor.She joinedthe JeffersonParish School System in 1992 as a Teacher AssistantatLin‐colnElementarySchool For many yearsshe has workedwithJefferson Community School as a Secretary/Account Clerk. The School,now named DouglassCommunity School,recentlyrelocated tothe site of theElemen‐tarySchool Dianne at‐tended, FrederickDouglass ElementarySchool.She leavestocherish hermem‐ory,her husband of 35 years,Larry Turks. Shewas a devotedmothertoher daughterTyraWashington; stepchildren; Tameka (David) Brown, Hyacinth (Jason) Watkins, Yenda Turks;grandmother to Ger‐ald WayneBailey, III and Faith AyanaWashington. She is survived by hersib‐lings AlceniaRobinson, Herbert (Yvonne)Washing‐ton,Idella Washington (the lateLawrenceWashington, Sr.), Marguerite Washing‐tonAvery (the late Earl

Turks, Dianne Washington

Swan,WilliamA.'Bill'

Maulet,Lucille

Smith, Jeanette

See more DEATHS page

Helena Moreno forN.O.mayor

The list of problems plaguing New Orleansis depressingly familiar: chronically failinginfrastructure,limited opportunities, highhousing costs,analarming rate of outmigrationand a general feeling that on too manyfronts, things just don’twork.

This election season, we see acitythat’smore than ready to turn the page. Andweappreciate the three experienced public officials who’ve stepped up to offer their visions for abetter future.OliverThomas has spent hismany years on the City Council mastering theintricacies of local government while remainingdeeply tied to often overlooked communities. Royce Duplessis is an ambitious, effectivestate senatorwho won our endorsement forthat job. If they are not elected, we hope bothwill continue to work on the city’sbehalf.

But we believe the candidate who’sgot the vision, experience and temperamentneeded to revive New Orleans’ fortunesisCityCouncil Vice PresidentHelena Moreno.

During hertime in the state Legislature and on the council, Moreno has repeatedly proven her pragmatism; her broad, detailedknowledge; hertalent in strategicallycrafting policyaimed at untangling complicated,entrenched problems; and —perhaps most importantly —her ability to buildsupport across political, racial andgeographiclines in search of solutions Moreno is aNew Orleanian bychoice. She arrived in 2001 as ayoungtelevisionreporter, and after covering HurricaneKatrinaand its aftermath, itched to enterthe arena.Inthe spirit of “go big or go home,” as she put it, she jumped into a2008 race for Congress and “got sent home.”

It’swhat happened afterward that impresses us. Moreno ran for the stateHouse, whereshe learned the art of governing from the ground up and, over eight years from 2010 until 2018, established herself as ago-tolawmaker on issues concerning the city and on policies focusingon victims of sexual assault anddomestic violence. As an at-large council member since 2018, Moreno hasbeen at thecenter of numerousefforts to chip away at New Orleans’ challenges.

After Hurricane Ida knocked powerout for days and left elderly, vulnerable residents stranded, Moreno pursued measurestoharden thegridand build microgridstogivepeople placestoget reliefinoutages,all while cobbling together fundingto reduce theburdenonratepayers.She alsopointstothe long-sought buyout of residents in Gordon Plaza, asubdivision built atop atoxic landfill,asamong her proudest accomplishments.

If elected mayor,Morenovows to getintothe weeds on the infrastructure shortcomings that hold the city back and to address the“lack of urgent coordination and collaboration” among and within departments that lifted temporarily ahead of this year’s SuperBowl —proof, Moreno says, that solutions are not outofreach.She alsowants tospur economic development,staffing up the office that seeksinvestment, reformingapermitting system that oftenbecomes a demoralizing roadblock anddedicatingstaff to the long-neglected New Orleans East.

She vows to continue initiatives startedunder Mayor LaToya Cantrell in areas such as public health, from violence prevention to helping new moms get off to ahealthy start

Like her opponents, Moreno does not bring experience running alarge bureaucracy.Sowe’re glad to hear her say she’ll look to hire achief administrative officer who will operate something likeacorporate COOoracitymanager.

We must note that the council Morenoco-leads hashad more than its share of tension with the Cantrell administration. While we applaudits assertive and innovative approach to oversight andpolicymaking, we join with those wholament the constant conflict.Wehope that if elected, Moreno willworktolower thetemperature and rebuildbridges.

On the campaign trail, Moreno regularly quotes avoter who told her thatNew Orleans has away of ruining your day before it even gets started.

That assessment resonates. It’s no waytolive, and it’s certainly no way to thrive.And until that changes, big picturepossibilities seem frustratingly far off.

We think Moreno can bringthat change,and position New Orleans for abrighter,morefunctional andmore prosperousfuture.That’swhy we enthusiastically endorse Helena Moreno to be NewOrleans’ next mayor

Katrina was no lady.She sliced over south Louisiana like abuzzsaw through balsawood, leaving apath of destruction unlikeany of her predecessors, or successors.

Iamexhausted from watching, listening and reading theplethoraofanniversary specials memorializing the destruction Katrina laid on the city of New Orleans, especially the Lower 9th Ward.Katrina played no favorites as her feeder bands sweptthrough not just New Orleans, but alsowracked St.Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.However,few of the memorials recognized the devastation experienced in Jefferson Parish, saveone perfunctoryinterview in this newspaper withformer Jefferson Parish President Aaron Broussard, where he tried to defend his decision to evacuate drainage pump operators, allowing 65% of Metairie and 50% of Kenner to flood. No one acknowledges our issues, even though we were hurt, too.

Many upper Jefferson Parish resi-

dentslost everything, including their homes,becausethe water that damaged our homes was just as wetas thewater in New Orleans. My sister had 18 inches of water in her home. The structure may have been saved; however,the interiorand its contents were destroyed.

During the months following Katrina, several families took up residence in my wind-damaged home.We were also atransient residence for people who needed ahot shower or a place to stay afew nights.

My wife’selderly aunt’seyes were like abroken water main whenher Metairie home was bulldozed over The grief shesuffered led to her death, acasualty not countedinthe Katrina statistics. Metairie and Kennerwerenot hit as hardasthe other communities but did sustainconsiderable damage, andit would be nice for someone to put their arm around us and wipe the tears from our eyes.

JAMES J. PAPIA Metairie

What Ukraine’sstrugglemeans forthe rest of theworld

The Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, weakened by poor economic decisions and its costly war in Afghanistan. Ukraine, newly independent, inherited Soviet nuclear weapons but gave them up under the1994 Budapest Memorandum in exchange for securityguarantees from Russia, theUnited States and the United Kingdom.

Vladimir Putin rose to power in 2000 after decades as aKGB officer,bringing with him the mindset and tactics of Soviet intelligence. Since then, he has dealt withevery U.S.president, often using charm or pressuretohis advantage.

He tested George W. Bush by invading Georgia in 2008 with little consequence.

In 2014, during theObamaadministration, Russia annexed Crimea. Ukraine’spro-Russian president at the time offered no resistance, Ukrainians rebelled, and he fled to Russia. Putin then backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, while Donald Trump—unlike Barack Obama —approved lethal weapons for Ukraine’smilitary

In February2022, Putin launched afull-scale invasion of Ukraine,

expecting aquick victory.Instead, Ukrainians fought back fiercely,using Trump-supplied Javelinmissiles to devastateRussian armor.By2023, Russia had suffered staggering casualties —estimates exceeding 600,000 —while Wagner mercenaries briefly threatened Moscow,terrorist attacks hit thecapital, and more than 650,000 Russians fled Russia. Sanctions and war costs crippled the economy,leaving Putin far from the “genius” that Trumpcalled Putin when he invaded Ukraine.

Yet, instead of breaking, Putin turned to Iran for drones, North Korea for artillery and China foreconomic lifelines. Now he demands Ukraine’s mineral-rich lands —worth $12 trillion —asthe price for “peace.” Appeasing him would echo Chamberlain’s1938 concessions to Hitler,which only emboldened aggression Ukraine’sstruggle is morethan national survival. It is a fight forfreedom against authoritarian rule, and abandoning it would endanger global security.

LINTON NAQUIN Baton Rouge

First, thank you to The TimesPicayune for your updated article on Chris Rose.

Being alifelong reader of your publication, it was heartbreaking to see him so traumatized by the horrors of Katrina.

My husband and Imet Chris years later at an art event we attended. He wasobviously still suffering and looking for solace in the bottle. At the time, he was no longer writing. We tried to encourage him to write again, as that seemed to be his emotional release. Iwas truly delighted to see the peace he finally found in his new life Now, to actually be able to read his words again, in his letter to the city,was exhilarating! He is such atalented essayist. No matterthe subject, he can reach the heart of the matter with prose that is poignant and thought-provoking, yet humorous and sarcastic. His mastery of words is magical. Chris perfectly captures the emotions of the survivors and responders of Katrina.New Orleans will never forget.

So, thank you for reaching out to Chris. And thank you to Chris for his honesty and humor.Ifthis is his final missive to NewOrleans, so be it. I raise atoast to him finding his peace at last.

MARCIA FRESH Harahan

Asimpletip to stay safe from red-lightrunners

In reference to the letter regarding people running red lights: When Iknow someone is getting their driver’slicense, usually ateen, I ask them to try this experiment. If you’re the first car at ared light and it changes to green, wait asecond or two and count the number of cars that run the red light. Add them up as the years go by.You will be amazed —and alive!

VICKI FRAME Kenner

Days like these, Iwish Icould goback and meet you on thatmuddy chenier. The data to pore over would relatenot to war,gun violence or hatecrimes. No time to argue over what constitutes wasteful governmentspending. Instead, we would attend to how water rises, whyhomes float, where mold spreads, the way mosquitoes rise from the marsh as athin, black veil. Idonot wish another natural disaster upon us, butunmistakable is this lesson from 20 years ago: When you are forced to witness the elemental, you havenoenergy for hate Twoweeks after Hurricane Katrina forever changed New Orleans, Hurricane Rita—the strongest storm ever recorded in the Gulf, thefourth largest in the history of the Atlantic,the one you may not remember —tore into the other side of Louisiana, cracked open my home coast. Thestraightsteel of barn posts tangled ina loose braid.The trunks of live oaks, hundreds of years old, cracked open, shot skyward.Sports trophies and family photos littered the marsh. Sheet metal crunched uplike a paper towel and was thrown in abed of cattails. Schools, offices, even hospitals drowned, if not washed away,and we were left with anexistence remade. We were smaller,infinitesimal, more minuscule. In the aftermath, oursenses expanded.Anew dark, sanselectricityand not willingtowaste generator fuel.Anew hush,birds still gone, noleaves left to rustle, nothing to say between us. Anew texture at hand,probably from putting allthat laundry on amakeshift clothesline. Anew ache, muscles liftingtoo heavy for too long for toomany. Then only 14,I would spend the next two decades studyingthe limitsofthe sayable. Iwould become an expertin how our bodies hold more than words canencase.Iwould interview scientists, asking how we can understand the waynature —its beauty, itshorrors, itswhims —changes us. All that study, and here is what Iknowtobetrue: The source of our present discontent derives from our living outofsync with the rhythms of nature. How would we live ourlivesdif-

ferently if we asked what trees remember? What might our segregated cities become if we modeled our way of conversation after how humpback whales teach their songs to one another so that, at some point, all humpback whales are singing basically the same song? There is away of knowing deep within us found only when waters rise, whirlwinds descend and the ruin of everything we spent our lives building matters less than the gift of simply being with oneanother Indeed, theresult of this new existence is not one Ibemoan; these storms making clear what may be our uniquely human gift of theabilitytohold and behold. Take that time 20 years ago when my childhood friend woke to the screams of his grandmother.Arms outstretched against abright blue sky warm Gulf water that should have been 15 miles south washing her toes,her body theonly intermediary between the depths of these waters and the graces of heaven, she screamed at least ahundred times: “Hold thewater.” Almostcertainly,she was issuing a prayer.She meantsomething different than what was said, something closer to hold back the water,contain the water,

keep thewater away.But what truths spill forth in these moments when our lives become liminal are worth attending. While losing her home, this woman issued an imperative to us all.

The word “hold” in Old and Middle English was not about grasping, possessing, building walls to contain some andkeep others away

In its earliest usage, “hold” meantto behold, to keep in being or existence, to carry on. Behold the water.Respect thevast force of this liquidity.Carry on, overflow,change form as frequent as thesea.

Because, of course, the wayofwater will win every time, of course, the Gulf will outlast our homes, of course, the panoply of existences gathered with us in this world defy our human control. Would that we might heed these lessons. That instead of fighting and refusing —whether water or one another —we might hold and behold. No doubts when allelse is stripped away: What matters is not comfort, prosperity,power

So, today,inmemory of hurricanes then and to come, in hope forafuture where none of us have to fight forthe right to exist or be free, could you do us all afavor? Hold thewater

Megan Poolewas born and raised in Cameron Parish and writes about howhurricanes are changing cultures and about the realities of climate changeand climate migration in Louisiana. As aprofessor whospecializes in the rhetoricofscience and environmental communication, her writing has been published in several academicvenues. Her latest book,“Listening to Beauty,” looksathow attempts to understand the natural worldare always more than simply rational.Itwas just released by The University of ChicagoPress.

Throughout August and September,weare featuring reflections on the 20th anniversary of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, two storms that changed Louisiana forever

FILE PHOTOS By JENNIFER ZDON

Cameron Parish fightsits wayback tolife after Hurricane Rita flattened many of its homes, stores and schools.

After Hurricane Rita, alargeditch retains water where ahouse used to sit in Holly Beach.

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

Avery, Jr.),three brothersin-law, Joseph Davis, BurnieMoss, Jr.and Daniel Lee Simmons, Sr.; five sis‐ters-in-law;Beverly Allen, Mary(Lester,Sr.)Beauvia DysineBowman, Jean (James) Casmere, Linda (James) Tate;and agodson James Chapman, Jr.She is joining herbrothersand sisters in glory, Alvin Washington, Arthur Wash‐ington, Sr., EthelMae WashingtonSimmons Leonard Washington,and Marcell Washington Moss; her brother-in-law ClarenceAllen,and two sisters-in-lawEthliaDavis and Aletha Washington She also leaves to mourna hostofnieces, nephews, family, anddearfriends Family, friends, andmem‐bersofthe JeffersonParish School System areinvited toattenda Celebrationof LifeatLivingWordMinistry TrainingCenter, 201 Robert Street,Gretna, Louisiana 70056, officiated by Pastor Linda Roussell,onSatur‐day,September 27, 2025 at 1:00p.m.Visitation12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. Arrange‐ments by D. W. Rhodes Fu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Ave.,New Orleans, LA Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe on‐lineguestbook

DEATHS continued from church events.She was deeply devotedtoher fam‐ily,raising five children Riccardo(Shelia), Ramon, Kaahedrian, Kahedwyn and Azediphar—andde‐lighted in herroleas Grammytoeight grand‐childrenand five greatgrandchildren.On Satur‐day,September 13, 2025 Pearleanpassedaway, joining herparents,sib‐lings,and youngestgrand‐child.She transitioned peacefully, surrounded by family. Pearlean wasrec‐ognized forher resilience dignity andcaringnature. Her legacy endures through herchildren, grandchildren,greatgrandchildren andall who benefitedfromher gen‐erosity.Serviceswillbe heldonSaturday, Septem‐ber 27,2025, for11:00 a.m. atTulaneMemorialBaptist Church,3601 ParisAve New Orleans, LA 70122.Vis‐itation will be from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Reverend RossJohnson,officiating. Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504) 282-0600. DonavinD Boydand Linear Brooks BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Williams,PearleanO.

Pearlean O. Williams was born in Prentiss, Mis‐sissippi.After moving to New Orleans, sheattended SylvaniaWilliamsElemen‐tary, John HoffmanMiddle, and graduatedfrom Mc‐Donogh35HighSchool Class of 1951,beforestudy‐ing at Dillard University Pearleanworkedfor First NationalBankofCom‐merce (currently Chase) as HeadTelleratmultiple brancheswithdedication. A long-timememberofTu‐laneMemorialBaptist Church, sheservedasan usher,trustee, deaconess, andcheffor various

JasonWilson, afather, a son,and abrother,de‐partedthislifeonFriday, September 12,2025. He was 44,a native of NewOr‐leans,La. He wasthe son ofDessieWilsonand the lateJacob Wilson Jr.Jason was ashining lightinthe lives of allwho hadthe pleasureofknowing him. His journeyonearth was one marked by love and compassion. Hispassing has left avoidinthe hearts ofhis family, friends, and manymorewhose lives weretouched by him. Jason is survived by his mom,DessieWilson. He leavestocherish hismem‐ory his children:Anya MonetSummers andJason

Malbrue; threestepdaugh‐ters: JaylaGriffin, Meco Malbrue,and Tylanedra Malbrue;two grandchil‐dren: Luna Labatand Larry Collins;and along-term companion,MoyaMalbrue Heisalsosurvivedby three brothers:Jacob Wil‐son III, Joseph (Melinda) Wilson,and Christopher Bush; anda godbrother, Kevin Johnson. He also leavesbehindeleven aunts: BelindaHeim, Diane Gilmore,Wanda (Johnson) Burds,Debra Gilmore, Denise(Terry)Johnson,Na‐talie (Calvin) Choice,Ad‐lineSmith,Patsy (Ted)Am‐brose,MaryHoward, Mat‐tie Smith, andSylviaSmith; two uncles:Freddie Smith Jr. andTheodore(Rita) Smith;and ahostof nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He is preceded indeath by hisfather, Jacob “Lil Jack”WilsonJr.; grandparents: Elinor Bolds, LutherH.Gilmore,Jacob Wilson Sr., BetsyBlanks, and DavidBlanks; three aunts: Judy Heims, Rita Hamilton, andCarlette Ellis;and four uncles: LutherGilmore,Joseph Heim, RonnieHeim, and Frank Heim.Relatives and friends of thefamily, also Pastor, Officers andMem‐bersofNew Hope B.C.,are all invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life Service thatwillhonor thelifeof Jason Wilson on Friday September 26, 2025 at 10:00 amatNew Hope Baptist Church.Viewing is from 9 am- 10 am.Interment will followatProvidence MemorialPark. Profes‐sionalarrangementsen‐trusted to Majestic Mortu‐ary Service, Inc. (504) 5235872.

We continue to followHurricane Gabrielle as she continues to move across thesubtropical Atlantic. We arealso following another tropical disturbance and another tropicalwaveinthe Atlantic. None of theseiscurrently athreat to theGulf Coast.Locally,another wetday is in theforecast. We areunder aslight risk of severe weather.Damaging wind gustsare possible. Under cloudyskies, expect scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures this afternoon will risetothe mid80s to low90s

Wininger, who predeceasedhim in death, along with his brotherRonnie Wininger (Merianne) and liveda life defined by loyalty, service,and love for hisfamily.Hewas married to hisbeloved wife, Carol Wininger, for 42 years. The twowere marriedonApril 29, 1983, and together they builta strong and loving family Bryant is survivedbyhis children, Derek Wininger (Lesley), Amy Farrell (Rob), and Melanie Farrell;his sisterBethPesses (Dave); his brotherChuck Wininger (Susan). He was aproud grandfather to eight grandchildrenand four great-grandchildren, who brought immense joy to his life

Adedicated public servant, Bryant proudly served withthe New Orleans PoliceDepartment for34years, retiring with therank of Lieutenant. During hisdistinguished career, he also served as Vice President of the Police AssociationofNew Orleans (PANO) for three years, advocating forthe well-beingand rightsofhis fellowofficers.

Bryant will be remembered forhis unwavering dedication to his community, his quick wit, his fierce love forhis family and alarger-than-life personality that left an impression on everyonehe met ACelebrationofLife will be held at St.Jude's Church at 411 Rampart St., NewOrleans on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Areception willfollow in theSt. Jude's Reception Room.Inlieuofflowers, thefamily asks that donations be madeinBryant's memory to FOP (Fraternal Order of Police), Our Lady of Guadeloupe & International Shrine of St. Jude, St.Jude's Children's Hospital,orananimal shelterofyourchoice. God bless youand our thanks.

Wilson,Jason

Wininger, Bryant

Bryant Wininger 72, of NewOrleans, Louisiana, passed away peacefully on August 10, 2025. Bryant was born to Charlesand Ollie Dutruch

Tulane wants more from touted D-line

BY GUERRY SMITH Contributing writer

When outside rusher Harvey Dyson blew through the Northwestern offensive line for a strip-sack on the first defensive snap of the year, the talented, deep Tulane defensive line appeared ready to live up to its preseason accolades. Four games into the season, those lofty expectations have not come to fruition.

Entering its American Conference opener at Tulsa (2-2, 0-1 American) on Saturday the Green Wave (3-1) is tied for 112th out of 136 FBS teams in sacks (five), is tied for 121st in tackles for loss (15), and ranks near the middle of the pack in pass defense efficiency and yards rushing allowed. The numbers are a little misleading considering the quality of the opposition (including three Power Four teams), but there is no question the defensive front needs to raise its production.

“It’s been a mixed bag,” coach Jon Sumrall said. “We can be more disruptive at times and create more havoc upfront. We can play better We’ve been playing a lot of guys, and there’s a lot of room for growth with that

SAINTS AT BILLS • NOON

SUNDAy • CBS

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

The first time LSU faced a short-yardage situation against Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday, it used a formation that has become a rare sight ever since it installed a spread offense.

Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier went under center A decade ago, one might have clamored for LSU to do anything but that as its offense struggled to evolve in the mid-2010s, but now that the No. 4 Tigers are having trouble running the ball for the second straight year, they have returned to some of their old ways.

LSU has gone under center 16 times through four games. Seven of those plays happened against Southeastern, which could mean it was part of the plan for one game or an indication that direct snaps will continue to be used

“It’s proven to be effective for us,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “So, I think you’ll see more of it.”

The first two years of the Kelly era, LSU

In development

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

Before he was hired to coach the New Orleans Saints, Kellen Moore was interviewed thoroughly about his plan to develop players.

General manager Mickey Loomis wanted to know the candidate’s exact way of bringing prospects along — particularly once the regular season got rolling and on-thefield snaps would be hard to come by if they were in a backup role.

“Every coach has a development program,” Loomis said last month. “They do. But some are more effective than others.”

Entering the fourth week of the season, the Saints are starting to see Moore’s plan in action.

Look no further than Quincy Riley Riley a fourth-round cornerback, played 18 defensive snaps in Sunday’s blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. But the rookie’s playing time did not solely come late in

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

the fourth quarter when the Saints pulled their starters for a game well out of reach. Rather, they sprinkled him in for two snaps in the second quarter And then, when he did enter in the fourth quarter, Riley got to play with the majority of the team’s first string.

Moore said the Saints approached the Seahawks game with the intention of giving Riley more playing time, similar to how the team featured third-round defensive lineman Vernon Broughton in Week 2. Broughton then suffered a season-ending hip injury but Moore said the original idea was to increase his workload as the season progressed.

Moore liked what he saw from Riley

“A lot of these guys have different times, and we’re trying to get as many exposures as we can for those young guys in particular because these are long seasons,” Moore said. “A lot of guys are going to play I thought Quincy went in there and did some good things.”

Drew Brees heads the list of first-yeareligible candidates among the 128 modernera players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, officials announced Wednesday Brees who retired from the Saints in 2020, is among a strong group of new candidates that includes receiver Larry Fitzgerald, quarterback Philip Rivers and running back Frank Gore.

Brees is trying to become the first Saints player to ever be elected on the first ballot of his Hall of Fame candidacy He would join Rickey Jackson (Class of 2010), Willie Roaf (2012), Morten Andersen (2017) and Sam Mills (2022) on the list of Hall of Famers who played the majority of their

careers in New Orleans. Jahri Evans, who has been a finalist each of the past two years, is also among the candidates, as is former John Ehret High School standout Reggie Wayne. Other former Saints under consideration are defensive tackle LaRoi

Saints cornerback Quincy Riley, center, celebrates a stop of the San Francisco 49ers

teammates on Sept. 14 at the Caesars Superdome. STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees poses during a Hall of Fame inductees announcement on May 30, 2024, at the team’s auditorium in Metairie.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah runs from Tulane Green Wave linebacker Mo Westmoreland during the first half of their game on Sept 13 at yulman Stadium.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

6:30 p.m. Army at East Carolina ESPN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE

6p.m.

9:30

5:30 p.m. Washington at PurdueBTN

7:30 p.m. Michigan St. at Minnesota BTN

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

11:30 a.m.Pittsburgh at Cincinnati MLBN

2:30p.m. L.A. Dodgers at Arizona MLBN

6:30p.m. N.y.Mets at ChicagoCubs MLBN NFL

7:15 p.m. Seattle at Arizona PRIME NHLPRESEASON

6p.m. N.y.Islanders at N.y. Rangers NHLN

9p.m.Utah at VegasNHLN MEN’S SOCCER

11:45 a.m.Brann at Lille CBSSN

2p.m.Bologna at Aston Villa CBSSN TENNIS

6a.m.Tokyo-ATP first round Tennis

9p.m.Tokyo-ATP second round Tennis

RyderCup gamesmanship starts

BY DOUG FERGUSON AP golf writer

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.— The opening tee shot still twodays away,the gamesmanship at the Ryder Cup began Wednesday when European captain Luke Donaldtook afew subtle jabs on pay-for-play during his speech at the opening ceremony “We’re fueled by something money cannot buy,” Donald said. Europe, 1up. And then U.S. captain Keegan Bradley made the firstbogey of these matches when he spokeof being around the 17th green at Brookline in 1999 for one of the biggest momentsinRyder Cup history,only to mistakenly say Justin Rose —not Justin Leonard —made the 45-foot putt Europe, 2up.

The actual golf doesn’tstart until Friday morning at rowdy Bethpage Black. More than 5,000fans who attended the ceremony made their presence feltwith constant chants of “U-S-A!” and asmatteringofboosfor theEuropeans.The strongest booing was when both captainsthanked New York Gov. KathyHochul, who attended the ceremony President Donald Trump was due to attend the openingsession Friday Donald is the first European to be captain in consecutive Ryder Cup matches since BernardGallacher (1991-95). He was polished in Rome,usingperfect Italian in ashort message to the fans, and he was equally distinguished in sending aclear message whatthis week is all about.

Europe has practically owned the Ryder Cup in the modern era that dates to 1979, and it hasbuilt a legacy that has equipped its team with supreme confidence.

“The American teamisrightly proud of their heritage, butsoare we,” Donald said. “Our European legacy is rooted in resilience, in togetherness and in proving people wrong. Time and again, we’ve shown that when we come together as one with ashared purpose, we can achieveremarkable things.”

Donald wasted little time in bringing money into the conversation, saying the Ryder Cup“is not about prize money or world rankingpoints. It’sabout pride.”

TheAmericanshavereceived $200,000 to donate to charity since 1999. This year thecharity

UnitedStatescaptain Keegan Bradleyspeaks during the opening ceremonies for the Ryder Cup tournament on Wednesdayatthe Bethpage Black golf course in Farmingdale, N.y

amountis$300,000, alongwith a $200,000 stipend. The American players have said from the start they would be donatingthe entire $500,000 to charities in their communities Still, thatwas ampleammunition forEuropeanstosay they didn’tneed compensation to compete for a17-inch gold trophy, suggesting it was an example of whythe Ryder Cup meantmore to them than the Americans.

Europe has won 10 of thelast 14 times against Americanteams thattypically look stronger on paperinterms of worldranking andmajor championships.Itnow tries to win forthe fifth timeon U.S. soil. The Americans have not won in Europein32years.

“Wedidn’tcomeherejusttobea part ofthe show.Wecame here to earn our place in Ryder Cup folklore,” Donald said. “We’re not just playing to win, we’replayingfor each other and foreveryyoung golferback home who dreams aboutone day representing Team Europe.

“Weknow it won’tbeeasy.Winning away neveris,”Donaldsaid “The toughest roads lead to the greatest rewards.”

Bradley,who had to wait for the chants to die, spoke mainly about his own history as the New England son of aPGA professional hisaunt, Pat Bradley,isanLPGA

Tour great in the WorldGolf Hall of Fame —who played at St John’s andplayedatBethpage Black when histeammates were restricted to Nos.3through 14 on the other side of Round Swamp Road

He even droppeda local reference while introducing his team, announcingworld No. 1Scottie Scheffler from New Jersey That’swhere Scheffler was born andlived untilhis family moved to Dallas when he was 6.

Bradleysaid the RyderCup became personal at those 1999 matches when he was 13, sitting on hisfather’sshoulder“watching Justin Rose’smiracle putt drop on 17”and how his father let him join the celebration when the match ended on the 18th.

“Thatwas the momentgolf stopped being agame and started being acalling,” Bradleysaid. “That day changed mylife.”

Bradley hadcontemplated being the first playing captain since Arnold Palmerin1963.HefinishedatNo. 10 in thestandings andevennow has abetter world ranking than fourofthe players on his team.

Ultimatelyhedecided he was chosen to be thecaptain, viewed as aselfless move that showed his only concernwas leaving Bethpage Black with the Ryder Cup. Bradley andthe rest of the

ä Ryder Cup. 6A.M.

Americansare counting on plenty of crowd support. Bethpage Black has hosted two U.S. Opens, aPGA Championship and two FedEx Cupplayoff events on the PGA Tour.The one theme is agallery thatholds nothing back in telling thegolfers on “their” course what they think. Sergio Garcia wasso annoyed he pointed his finger— yes, themiddle one.

But nowthere are flagsinvolved in amatch thatwas packed with emotion from the start.

“Bethpage Black is known as the People’sCountry Club. It’sbeen called New York’shome course,” Bradley said. “But this week, with your passion andyour energy, you’re going to makeitAmerica’s homecourse.”

Theopeningceremony typically is Thursdayafternoon,which concludes with captains announcing the lineups for the opening foursomessession. It wasmoved up aday because of aforecast of rain, giving players one moreday —how much golf theycan play depends on theweather —before Donald andBradleydeliverthe lineups.

It’s been along twoyears since Europe trounced theAmericans in Rome. It’s been alongthree days waiting for Friday

NewYorkers readytobeloudatBethpage

BY BRIAN MAHONEY AP sportswriter

FARMINGDALE, N.Y.— NewYork sports fans have been so starved for something to celebrate that they poured out of Madison Square Garden onto thestreets and snarled citytrafficinMay,all because theKnicks simply gotout of the second round of the NBA playoffs. They’re already resigned to the Giants and Jets being bad, aware the Yankeesand Mets might not be good enough. They need ateam to pin their hopes on.

TheU.S.squad playinginthe Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black, a place revered by locals in ways no arena ever could, could beit. The Americans might as well trade their red, white and blue for Yankee pinstripes, becausetheir support comes NewYork style: loud, loyal and liquored up.

“There’snot going to be alack of alcohol consumption,” U.S.player Ben Griffinsaid. “Fans are going to be loud. New York people love their sports.”

New York sports fans keep on waiting for wins New York teams have iconic championshipmoments likeJoe Namath guaranteeing victory in the Super Bowl in 1969 and WillisReedlimping to thecourt to play Game 7ofthe NBA Finals a year later,but the Jets and Knicks haven’twon since those guys were on the team. Fans wept in the stands at MSG when the Rangers won theStanley Cup in 1994, ending a54-year drought. Now they’re working on

another one of 31 years and counting.

Even theYankees don’twin like they usedto, with only two World Series titles in the 2000s —and one came against theMets, so a portion of New Yorkers hated the whole thing

It can make even longtime New York fans wonder if theycan keep hanging in there. John McEnroe questioned why he didn’tswitch allegiances after watching the Showtime Lakers when he was living in Californiaand befriended team executiveJeanie Buss, but theHallofFame tennis player could never quit theKnicks.

So he remainsaregular at Madison Square Garden with Spike Lee, Ben Stiller and all the other fans who cometocheer on their Knicks. (Well, usually cheer.)

“Listen, I’ve been in all of these arenas. If thingsare going bad in Indiana,the Indiana fans aregoingtotry to rally their team back.

The Knicks fans are going to boo their team,” said Stan VanGundy, an NBA coach andbroadcaster whose brother,Jeff, coached the Knicks to their most recent NBA Finals appearance in 1999.

True,New Yorkers sometimes struggle to hide their disappointment. Giants fans couldn’t, booingthroughout theirhome opener Sunday,and some Jets fans wore paperbagsovertheir headsat MetLife Stadium last year

But when things are good, players say noplace compares.

“Everything is heightened, everything is betterhere,” the Knicks’ Josh Hart said. “Withall due respect to other places I’ve

Fans react during apractice round for the Ryder Cuptournament on TuesdayinFarmingdale, N.y., at BethpageState Park’sBlack Course.

played,New York, it’s the mecca, andwhenyou havepeoplethat really wear theirheart on their sleeves and they go out there and they’re really passionate about sportingevents of theirteams, they come to show love andthat energyiswhatmakes youfeel that difference.”

Somefansalreadystarted, booing loudly Tuesday morning as their shuttle bus passed Team Europe’sblue and yellow coach. Bethpage Black is hard, just the way New Yorkers like things. Bethpage Black is the public course that New Yorkers arrive a dayearlytoand sleep in their cars overnight fora chance to play It’s not one of those hotel resort

coursespeopleplayonvacation where there’snotrouble unless they drive it behind apalmtree. TheBlack is long andit’shard.

Arms get sore andlegsfeel weary. It hurts like playing against Lawrence Taylor’sGiants.

But hard is how New Yorkers want things.

“Everything we do, we grind. We grind every day.It’ssoNew York,”said David Caleca, the president of Bonnie Briar Country Club in nearby Westchester County

Besides playing Bethpage, Caleca was there when New York fans heckled Sergio Garcia during the2002 U.S. Open. He’salso been in Shea Stadium when fans would bootheir ownMets players, so knows emotionscan swing in a New York minute.

He thinks theU.S.team will receive ahuge backing not only because it’sBethpage but because of captainKeeganBradley, who is a New Englander but played collegiately at St. John’sand displays thepassion of someone whomust be from Brooklyn or the Bronx.

“He’s thekind of guy that New Yorkers love because he wears his emotions foreveryone to see,” Caleca said. Some fans may be cheering as much forthe course as Bradley’s team. He knows howNew Yorkers feel about Bethpage, aplace they learned the game from their fathers or spent summers caddying.

“It’smuch more than agolf course to alot of these people,” Bradley said. “When youadd all these things up, you’re going to get fiery fans.”

IN BRIEF FROM STAFFAND

Time set for Dec. 4clash between LSU,Duke women

On Wednesday, ESPNannounced thatthe LSUwomen’sbasketball team’sDec. 4road clash with Duke will start at 8p.m. Central on ESPN.That gameispart of the annual ACC/SEC Challenge, which LSU has played in for each of the last twoseasons. Last year,Duke won the ACC Tournament and reached the Elite Eight. The Blue Devils are led by sixthyear coach Kara Lawson, the new coach of the U.S. women’snational team LSU is goingonthe road to play itsACC/SECChallenge game for the first time.Intheir 2024 matchup, the Tigers beat Stanford in overtime. In 2023, they defeated Virginia Tech in arematch of one of the 2023 national semifinal games.

Ravens’ Madubuike out for game againstChiefs Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Nnamdi Madubuike will miss anothergame this week, and coach John Harbaugh admitted he’s “concerned” about the twotime Pro Bowler’sinjury

Madubuike was out Monday night with aneck injury,and the Ravens lost 38-30 to aDetroit team thatrushedfor 224 yards. Now Harbaugh haswasted no timeruling the 27-year-old lineman out for this weekend’smatchup at Kansas City The 27-year-old Madubuike is in the second year of afour-year contract extension. He’shad 30 sacks in five-plus seasons. His absence against the Lions left Baltimore with averylimited pass rush.

Eagles place LB Smith, two moreoninjured reserve

The Philadelphia Eagles placed linebacker Nolan Smith andtwo other players on injured reserve ahead of Sunday’sgame at Tampa Bay TheEagles (3-0) also put rookie wide receiver Darius Cooper and cornerback Jakorian Bennetton IR. The three players are not expected to need surgery and are expected back around the bye week. Smithhad 61/2 sackslastseason and added four more in the playoffs. He does not have asack this season after he suffered atriceps injury in theSuper Bowl.Itwas unclear when Smith was hurt in last week’s comeback win against the Los Angeles Rams. Cooper left the Ramsgame after he hurt ashoulder in thesecond half.Bennett’sinjury is unclear

Loyola Chicago chaplain

Sister Jean retiresat106

Longtime chaplainfor the Loyola Chicago men’sbasketball team, SisterJean,has retiredat 106because of health concerns. The school’s student newspaper, TheLoyola Phoenix, announced her retirement earlier this month. Sister Jean rose to the spotlight duringLoyola Chicago’striptothe Final Four in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. She wasspotted cheering courtside throughout the Ramblers’ improbable run. She published amemoir in 2023, and Sister Jean turned 106 on Aug. 21. SisterJean served as theteam’schaplain for30years, providing players with support, mentorship andencouragement. She becameabeloved figure at the university and alocal celebrity in the community

Cleveland’sFry suffers broken nosefrom pitch

Cleveland Guardians designated hitterDavid Fry wasreleasedfrom the hospital Wednesday afternoon and resting comfortably after he was hit in the face by apitch from Detroit’sTarik Skubal in the sixth inning of Cleveland’s5-2 win over theTigersthatdeadlockedthe AL Central division race.

Fry tried to bunt a99mph fastball from Skubal on Tuesday night, but the pitch struck him in the nose and mouth area. The Guardians said imaging and clinical examination showed Fry suffered multiple, minimally displaced, left-sided facial and nasal fractures. Atimeline forrecovery is sixto eight weeks without the need for surgery.Fry was placed on the 10-day injured list with outfielder JohnathanRodríguezcalledup from Triple-A Columbus.

FRIDAy,USA

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByLINDSEy WASSON

AP PHOTO By ROBERT BUKATy

NFL

SAINTS NOTEBOOK

Saints OT Fuaga returns to practice in limited capacity

BY LUKE JOHNSON and MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers

Last week marked the first time in Taliese Fuaga‘s NFL career that he missed a game because of an injury, but he may be back in the fold for the New Orleans Saints’ Sunday game against the Buffalo Bills.

Fuaga, who is dealing with back and knee injuries, was back on the practice field Wednesday afternoon. It was the first time Fuaga had practiced since the Friday before the Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Officially, Fuaga was limited in practice.

“He’s just in a maintenance stage now, as far as taking it and having a really good plan each and every week to put yourself in a really good position to play on Sunday,” coach Kellen Moore said.

Defensive end Chase Young continued to miss practice with a calf injury that has lingered several weeks into the season. Young signed a three-year extension this offseason after playing in all 17 games for the first time in his career last season, but he suffered his injury during practice just days before the season opener Moore said after Wednesday’s practice that he believes Young is “close” to returning.

“He’s progressing,” Moore said.

“These injuries again, we always try and put a timeline on these, and that’s always a thing we have to be careful of. These things take different timelines, they take different experiences. He’s doing everything he can.”

Wide receiver Trey Palmer (ham-

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Moore was encouraged by how Riley forced Seahawks running back George Holani to fumble leading to a Saints’ recovery The first-year coach knew that the cornerback had a knack for securing the ball in the passing game Riley had eight career interceptions at Louisville — but Moore indicated the Saints were hoping to see that kind of progress in the run game On that play, Riley fit the run perfectly to jar the ball loose.

“It was a really good example of his growth,” Moore said.

The Saints needed to see that growth before increasing the Riley’s responsibilities, which is partly why veteran Isaac Yiadom was named a starter heading into the season In training camp, Yiadom rarely seemed in danger of losing his spot as the coaching staff did not rotate Riley in with the first team.

Riley’s lack of first-team reps in camp was intentional for another reason. As the summer progressed, Moore began rotating the first-team offense against the second-team defense, and vice versa. And that, coaches believed, would contribute to the development of the younger players.

string) also returned to practice after missing two sessions last week He and fellow receiver Devaughn Vele (hip) were limited.

Offensive lineman Trevor Penning (toe), who was active last week but only in an emergency capacity, was a full participant, signaling he could be in line to debut this week. Defensive end Cam Jordan (groin) was also on the injury report, but he was listed as a full participant.

Offensive lineman Dillon Radunz (toe) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice. Radunz started the first two games of the season at left guard in place of Penning, but he has now missed four straight practices.

Three starters for the Bills were held out of practice: tackle Spencer Brown (calf), linebacker Matt Milano (pectoral) and defensive tackle Ed Oliver (ankle)

Transactions

The latest turn in the Hunter Dekkers’ saga was an interesting one, as the Saints placed the rookie quarterback on injured reserve Wednesday with a shoulder injury

Dekkers has made a dozen appearances on the Saints’ transaction wire, with the Saints releasing him a handful of times to shore up other areas of the roster only to bring him back.

“We finally got him practicing and going and a shoulder thing came up,” Moore said “We’ve just got to navigate it as best as we can and try and still do what we can to help him develop.”

Receiver Kevin Austin took Dekkers’ spot on the practice squad.

Austin was signed to the active

“We wanted to get Quincy the reps against our best players because that’s the way he’s going to improve the most. Our young players in training camp got more reps than anyone on our entire defense, all of our rookies. Quincy’s improved a lot since he’s been here.”

BRANDON STALEy Saints defensive coordinator

“We wanted to get Quincy the reps against our best players because that’s the way he’s going to improve the most,” defensive coordinator Brandon Staley said.

“Our young players in training camp got more reps than anyone on our entire defense, all of our rookies. Quincy’s improved a lot since he’s been here.” One of the fascinating subplots of the next few weeks is whether Riley works his way into a starting role. With the Saints’ 0-3 and at the beginning of a seeming rebuild, there is a natural tendency to wonder if, or when, Moore and his staff will completely lean into a full-on youth movement. The Saints already have first-round tackle Kel-

QB Daniels says he feels good, hopes to play vs. Falcons

BY HOWARD FENDRICH AP national writer

ASHBURN, Va. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels said he feels like himself while recovering from an injured left knee that kept him out of the lineup for the first time since he entered the NFL last Sunday, but he also noted Wednesday that “it’s up to the doctors” whether he can play this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons.

Asked how much running and cutting he’s been able to do since getting hurt Sept. 11, Daniels replied: “Enough to feel good about playing on Sunday (But) like I said, it’s not my decision.”

As for how the injury limits him the most, Daniels said: “I feel good, so I don’t think it affects me.”

The Commanders (2-1) play at the Falcons (1-2) on Sunday

roster last week to make up for Vele being held out of the Seattle game with a hip injury but Austin was waived after the game. He appeared in 22 offensive snaps and was targeted once vs. the Seahawks.

Boss visit

Fresh off their worst loss of the season, the Saints had a noteworthy visitor at Wednesday’s practice — owner Gayle Benson Benson chatted with Moore throughout the media’s viewing portion of practice which is limited to between 20-30 minutes during the regular season. She also attended the next-door practice of the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA team that she also owns.

The Saints are 0-3 to start the season.

“Mrs. Benson’s awesome; she likes to pop in during practice on occasion and so it’s always fun to see her,” Moore said. “She does so many awesome things supporting us in every possible way she can. And you can’t ask for a better situation.”

How did she react to Sunday’s 44-13 loss to the Seattle Seahawks?

“She cares,” Moore said. “The special thing is she cares deeply about the emotions of the players and the coaches Everyone puts so much work into it. For it to go the way it did on Sunday, there’s an emotional toll that goes into each player and each person that’s a part of it.

“Her support and her appreciation for everything that everyone’s doing, all understanding, yeah, we got to find ways to find solutions and get better She’s right there with us, though, which is awesome.”

During the portion of Wednesday’s practice open to the media, Daniels — who sat out last weekend’s 41-24 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders — took part in throwing drills with the other quarterbacks, including primary backup Marcus Mariota.

In his first NFL start since 2022, Mariota went 15 for 21 for 206 yards with one TD through the air, and he ran six times for 40 yards with another score on the ground. He also fumbled once.

“Super happy for him,” Daniels said. “He deserves everything. He’s been my biggest supporter so it was my turn last week to be his.”

Wednesday marked the first time Daniels had spoken with reporters since the night of the 2718 loss at the Green Bay Packers in Week 2. He said he didn’t know he was injured during the game.

“I’m a football player at the end of the day,” Daniels said. “You might take some shots here and there, and it wasn’t stopping me from going out there and finishing the game, so I finished the game.”

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The Hall’s screening committee will reduce the list to 50 in midOctober From there, the Hall’s 50-person selection committee will vote to reduce the list to 25 semifinalists in November and again to 15 finalists in December The selection meeting is ahead of Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. The Class of 2026 can consist of three to five modern-era players under the Hall of Fame’s bylaws. In addition to 15 modern-era finalists, the selection committee will discuss three seniors final-

vin Banks and third-round safety Jonas Sanker as full-time starters Riley’s situation also could be complicated by factors outside of his control. On the surface, the Saints may be incentivized to play him sooner rather than later to negate whether Yiadom would qualify as a compensatory free agent.

According to Over The Cap’s Nick Korte, the Saints may miss out on a fourth-round compensatory pick for Paulson Adebo’s departure if Yiadom plays more than 35% of the snaps. Adebo left in free agency to join the New York Giants, while Yiadom signed a three-year, $9 million contract to

Daniels has worn a knee brace at the Commanders’ facility; he said he’s never played with one before, but he also noted that the team’s medical staff hasn’t told him whether he would need to use one in a game.

Washington coach Dan Quinn said before practice that Daniels would participate in a limited way Wednesday “He is doing everything you possibly can,” Quinn said. “He’s working really hard to hit all the stuff that he needs to hit.” Wideout Terry McLaurin missed practice on Wednesday, which Quinn had said would be the case, but another player who sat out was a surprise — rookie running back Jacory CroskeyMerritt. He was listed on the Commanders’ injury report with a knee injury McLaurin, by far Washington’s top receiver, left the victory against the Raiders in the second half after making a 56-yard catch of a pass from Mariota that set up Croskey-Merritt’s short touchdown run.

ists, a coach finalist and a contributor finalist as potential members of the Class of 2026. Finalists must receive at least 80% support from the selection committee to join the Class of 2026. Willie Anderson, Torry Holt, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri automatically advance to the final 15 for the Class of 2026 because they were among the top seven vote-getters as finalists for the Class of 2025. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be enshrined in August.

Email Jeff Duncan at jduncan@theadvocate.com.

return to the Saints.

In Korte’s projection, the Saints aren’t slated to have any comp picks because they lost the same number of qualified players (three) as the ones they signed. The NFL annually awards additional draft picks to teams based on the outcomes of free agency Yiadom has played nearly 66% of the defense’s snaps through three games.

“I don’t think the coaches are thinking, ‘Yo, let’s do this so we can get a pick,’ ” Yiadom said. “We’re trying to win today We’re trying to win Sundays, so I would be surprised if that goes into anything.”

Yiadom understands that if Riley plays, it would likely be at the expense of his playing time. But the cornerback embraces playing the role of a mentor, adding he’ll do whatever it takes to win. Yiadom said he would first selfanalyze how he could have done better, if he’s benched.

“At some point, they’re going to have to develop their players,” Yiadom said. “Whenever that point is, as a vet, you’ve just got to bring them along. Just like my vets handled me, taught me the game, that’s the same thing I’mma do, to teach him the game, help him grow and make sure that when he do get out there, he’s helping us win.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By GERALD HERBERT

Saints cornerback Quincy Riley, top, is tackled by Denver Broncos guard Quinn Meinerz after Riley hauled in an interception during a preseason game on Aug. 23 at the Caesars Superdome.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga, center, tries to make room for running back Alvin Kamara to run against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of their game on Sept. 14 at the Caesars Superdome.

AP PHOTO By NICK WASS

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, right, watches teammates warm up before a game against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Landover, Md.

HILARy SCHEINUK

Kelly labels RB Durham questionable vs. Rebels

BY REED DARCEY and WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writers

Running back Caden Durham was listed as questionable to play in LSU’s road game against Ole Miss on the No. 4 Tigers’ first availability report of the week.

Durham suffered an ankle sprain near the end of the second quarter of LSU’s 56-10 win over Southeastern Louisiana on Saturday. Coach Brian Kelly said tests the next day did not “show the signs of a high-ankle” sprain.

“I think we’re gonna list him as questionable today, and then we’ll see how he progresses through practice,” Kelly said on Wednesday “We could go from questionable to out or questionable to probable, depending on how he moves through the remainder of practices. And we won’t make those assessments until we see the full body of work during practice.”

LSU’s leading rusher this season, Durham has 52 carries for 213 yards and two touchdowns. He also has eight receptions for 39 yards. Behind Durham, sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson has emerged as the top backup. He had eight carries for 43 yards and two touchdowns against Southeastern. He also has caught seven passes for 49 yards this year LSU also has five-star freshman Harlem Berry, who has 15 carries for 87 yards, and junior Kaleb Jackson in the backfield.

Wide receivers Zavion Thomas and Barion Brown have multiple carries as well, with Thomas recording 86 yards rushing so far Ole Miss has allowed 190.5 yards rushing per game this sea-

son, which ranks 122nd in the country and last in the SEC.

Ole Miss chooses QB

Before Wednesday, it was unclear which quarterback would take the first snap of Ole Miss’ top-15 clash with LSU on Saturday — injured starter Austin Simmons or dual-threat backup Trinidad Chambliss

It appears the Rebels have made up their mind.

Reports on Wednesday said Chambliss is expected to make his third consecutive start in place of Simmons, who injured his ankle in a Week 2 win over Kentucky

Coach Lane Kiffin did not name a starter Wednesday on the SEC coaches’ teleconference, but he did say that Simmons’ injury, combined with Chambliss’ emergence, has his team trying to figure out which quarterback will start against LSU.

“That could go through at least longer than a day,” Kiffin said.

“Both guys did great today so we’re really letting them compete it out. I would always take everything into consideration, so we’ll see as we get closer.”

Simmons was available to play in an emergency role after he suffered his initial ankle injury On one of the four snaps he logged in a Week 3 win over Arkansas, he threw a 4-yard touchdown pass.

But he also reaggravated the injury, enough for him to sit the entirety of the Rebels’ next game against Tulane.

Chambliss, a senior transfer from Division II Ferris State, excelled in his first two starts. Against Arkansas he completed 21 of 29 passes for 353 yards and a touchdown while also adding 15 carries for 62 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Then

he connected on 17 of 27 pass attempts for 307 yards and two touchdowns in a 45-10 win over the Green Wave. He also rushed for 112 yards on 14 carries.

On Monday, Kelly compared the Ole Miss quarterback situation to the one his team faced last year when it played Texas A&M The Aggies started quarterback Conner Weigman in that game, then pulled him in favor of then-freshman Marcel Reed, whose three rushing touchdowns propelled the Aggies to a 38-23 win.

“It changes you dramatically,” Kelly said. “This week, both of these quarterbacks are similar They have different skill sets, but they can run the same offense with both of these players.”

Simmons, a redshirt sophomore, has completed 61% of his passes this season for 580 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. He did not appear on Ole Miss’ initial availability report, which means he’s on track to suit up against LSU.

Weeks, Green probable

LSU listed both tight end Trey’Dez Green (knee) and linebacker West Weeks (calf) as probable to play against Ole Miss. Green sprained the MCL in his right knee in the Tigers’ win over Louisiana Tech. Weeks strained his calf the next week against Florida. Kelly had previously said that Green would play on Saturday and that Weeks was trending toward suiting up.

“I think we got (Weeks) at 90%,”

Kelly said Monday, “so I would say that he is probable for this game leading into it.”

LSU also ruled out Gabe Reliford the defensive end who may soon undergo surgery after he suffered a subluxation of his right shoulder against Southeastern.

when it did.

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almost never went under center because its running game was built around quarterback Jayden Daniels’ ability to gash defenses on zone reads. LSU still rarely did it in Nussmeier’s first year as the starter, when it averaged only 116.38 yards rushing per game.

So far this season, going under center has become a small part of the offense. Though LSU still primarily operates out of the shotgun under second-year coordinator Joe Sloan, direct snaps have crept back into the scheme, especially in short-yardage situations.

Kelly said going under center could make it easier for running backs to reach the C gap off tackle. At the moment, LSU has averaged 116.75 yards rushing per game, which ranks 112th nationally, so it needs to find something that works before it plays No. 13 Ole Miss.

“What we’re trying to do from an offensive perspective is that we want to strike on a wide front with that run game,” Kelly said. “And sometimes if you’re in the pistol or if you’re in shotgun, it’s hard to hit the C gap and bounce things out. I think direct snap gives us a lot more variety to the run game.”

Sloan called five plays with a direct snap, usually to run the ball in short-yardage situations Three of them came within Clemson’s 5-yard line, and four of them were runs. Sophomore running back Caden Durham was tackled for no gain twice, but he also scored a touchdown. Nussmeier went under center for a quarterback sneak and threw an incompletion off of play-action.

LSU went under center only four times over the next two games, but the one time it did against Florida was on third and 1 late in the fourth quarter Defensive end

Jack Pyburn and tight end Bauer Sharp lined up as fullbacks in a jumbo I-formation, and Durham bounced outside to gain 51 yards.

A week later, LSU went under center when it faced a short-yardage situation as defined here by 3 yards or less from the line to gain — six times, and five of the plays were successful. Two were quarterback sneaks for touchdowns. The first two times LSU faced short third downs, it handed the ball off from under center to move the chains.

“It’sjustawholedifferentthreat,” Nussmeier said Saturday “I think we can do a lot of different things outofthat.AsIsaid,Ithoughtcoach Sloan did an awesome job tonight putting us in different packages in different situations.”

McMahon talks new-look LSU roster as prep begins

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

Dedan Thomas tilted his head up as he dribbled during a half-court drill. The 6-foot-1 point guard for the LSU men’s basketball team was eyeing an alley-oop to his sophomore teammate, Robert Miller

The 6-foot-10 forward with every bit of a 7-5 wingspan, caught the delivery and swiftly threw down a dunk in the 2-on-1 phase of Wednesday’s practice.

That was one of a couple of alleyoops the duo connected on during the team’s first official practice ahead of the 2025-26 season The Tigers’ first game is Nov 5 against Tarleton State at home.

Fourth-year coach Matt McMahon answered questions for about 20 minutes before the practice, and he also gave an update on redshirt junior Jalen Reed’s status after he tore his right ACL on Dec. 3 against Florida State.

Reed, one of only two returners along with Miller, isn’t cleared for 5-on-5 play but is “ahead of schedule,” McMahon said. No date was given for when he will be cleared for full action, but he should be ready for the start of the season.

Reed was a participant for most of the action Wednesday, including contact drills in the half court that included 4-on-4 drills. This section of practice had intensity reminiscent of a normal game.

LSU is counting on Reed to produce again after he averaged 11.1 points and 6.5 rebounds in the eight games he played last season. His play is key if LSU wants to reach the postseason for the first time in McMahon’s tenure.

“I think when you’re at LSU, the goal is always to get to the NCAA Tournament and to win games in the NCAA Tournament,” McMahon said. “So that’ll be the North Star for this group.”

When asked whether there is any heightened pressure to accomplish that entering his fourth season, McMahon said no.

“I think when you look at college sports in general, whether you’re a coach or a player, everything’s a one-year deal now, essentially,” McMahon said. “There’s a small group of untouchables out there in the coaching world. But I think every year is a reset at this point in college sports.

“Obviously last year and I’m not going to spend a lot of time on last year but January, February, March, I didn’t get the job done at the level or the standard I want it done here, and we weren’t able to

TULANE

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win at the level that is required.

But this is a brand-new team, and I love our group.”

The group features 12 new players with an average age of 22 compared to the average of 19 for last year’s squad. The highest-rated transfer is Thomas.

“Everything starts with that quarterback position and for us, it’s the point guard, and we have an elite one in DJ Thomas,” McMahon said. “Incredible court vision, very unselfish and willing passer

“He’s been one of our hardest workers, by far He’s our winningest player in the program in all our summer and fall activities. So his leadership has been great there.”

McMahon is also thrilled with the experienced players at the wing position.

LSU added a pair of 6-6 wings in Rashad King and Max Mackinnon, and 6-5 Ron Zipper, a 22-year-old freshman from Israel.

McMahon said King added strength and is now 217 pounds. He has been leading the team in 3-point shooting so far, despite not being known for that during his three seasons at Northeastern. He shot only 31.9% from 3 during his junior season.

Mackinnon, a senior transfer from Portland, and Zipper were known as high-level shooters who shot 40% from beyond the arc in their most recent seasons of basketball.

In the front court, the main newcomers are Pablo Tamba from UC Davis, Marquel Sutton from Omaha and Michael Nwoko from Mississippi State. All three are upperclassmen who were starters on their respective teams.

McMahon said their experience and physicality are necessities in the Southeastern Conference. He is especially impressed by Nwoko, who is 6-10, 261 pounds.

“‘I’m really impressed with him, great size and physicality but he’s more skilled than I expected,” McMahon said. “Quite frankly, he finishes well around the basket, finishes with either hand. He’s been a great rim threat as a ball screenand-roll player.”

McMahon is excited by the talent and dedication of his team in the early going and wants the work to continue through the offseason.

“I love our group, and so we’re just going to put our head down and get to work,” he said. “Build our team, stack days here as we go through the preseason.”

Email Toyloy Brown III at toyloy.brown@theadvocate.com

ordan Guidry (two tackles), Mo Westmoreland (two tackles) and Elijah Champaigne (one stop) also contribute.

The Wave believes its strength in numbers will pay off soon. No one has to play more than three or four snaps in a row, keeping them fresh.

The first indication LSU would go under center more this year happened in the 17-10 seasonopening win against Clemson

“It ain’t nothing new.” LSU

LSU did not always go under center in short-yardage situations against Southeastern, sometimes calling run-pass options instead. And it was not always successful

At one point, LSU went under center on third and 1 from Southeastern’s 13-yard line. It had offset tight ends on either side of the offensive line, which it has often done this year when going under center Sharp motioned across to overload the left side, but Southeastern defensive lineman Kaleb Proctor camethroughthemiddleuntouched on a stunt for a tackle for loss.

LSU went back under center the next play, this time on fourth and 2. It used the same formation, only this time, tight end Donovan Green motioned across to overload the right side of the offensive line. LSU sealed the edge, and sophomore running back Ju’Juan Johnson gained 8 yards.

Nussmeier has gone under center four times this season when LSU wasn’t in a short-yardage situation. Those plays resulted in an incompletion, a 15-yard end around, a 4-yard touchdown run and a sack on first and goal from the 6-yard line. All of them came against either Louisiana Tech or Southeastern, so LSU hasn’t tried a direct snap outside of a shortyardage situation yet against a power-conference team.

On Saturday, Nussmeier was asked whether he has any issues with getting his eyes downfield after he takes the snap since he hasn’t gone under center for most of his LSU career

“That’s how they used to play it back in the day,” Nussmeier said.

group, for sure.” Thanks to an influx from the transfer portal, Phil Steele’s preview magazine rated the Tulane defensive line the best among any Group of Five conference team and 29th overall. Wave coaches and players raved about Appalachian State import Santana Hopper’s relentlessness while lauding the overall skill level of a group that could go more than 10 deep. They still feel the same way It is just a matter of proving it on the field as Tulane pursues a fourth consecutive appearance in the league championship game.

“We definitely can play a lot better,” said Dyson, who has registered a half-sack since that opening down. “Just with our gap integrity and our rush lanes, there’s a lot we can improve on A lot of people would say Northwestern was our best game, but I don’t feel like we played up to our standard even then. We are going to continue to try to build as we go into conference.”

Sumrall labeled Dyson, a Texas Tech transfer with nine tackles, as an early-season standout. He earned the coaches’ award for defensive player of the week in Saturday’s 45-10 loss to Ole Miss a game in which the line held up much better than the score indicated while the Wave got beaten badly on the perimeter Hopper and tackle Tre’Von McAlpine also have nine stops. End Gerrod Henderson made eight tackles in the first three games before sitting out against Ole Miss with a right arm injury that has him questionable for Saturday Fellow ends Jordan Norman (six tackles) and Kam Hamilton (five tackles), who has been slowed by a lingering foot issue, are part of the rotation, too. Southern Miss transfer Armondous Cooley (four tackles), UAB transfer Derrick Shepard (three tackles) Liberty transfer Eliyt Nairne (three tackles), Ge-

“It’s everything for us,” Dyson said. “When you get tired, you don’t have to push yourself and not give your full effort. Somebody will come in to give you a break, and everybody can go out there and play top-speed maximum effort.” Westmoreland, a pass-rushing specialist who made preseason first-team All-American Conference from Phil Steele, has put up surprisingly low statistics backing up Dyson. Sumrall pointed to his impact on some pressures against Duke, but he needs to start finishing plays.

“The opportunities are going to come for guys like that,” defensive line coach Landius Wilkerson said. “The better we play on first and second down, the more chances he’ll get to rush the edge. He just has to keep plugging.” Tulsa has allowed only five sacks, but quarterback Baylor Hayes is not as mobile as Trinidad Chambliss of Ole Miss. Wilkerson, while discounting any notion his players have been disappointing, is looking for a breakthrough.

“They’ve played well, but our goal’s always to dominate,” he said. “We didn’t dominate last week. There were some plays we could have made that would have changed the game a little bit That’s my M.O. with the guys Sometimes great’s required.”

That notion includes sturdier run defense. Tulane limited Rebels running back Kewan Lacy to 68 yards on 18 attempts (3.8 average) but permitted South Alabama running back Kentrel Bullock to surpass 100 yards.

“We’ve been pretty solid,” Wilkerson said. “There have not been very many runs that have got out because of that (D-line) unit. My challenge to them is y’all be so good that we don’t need anybody else on defense versus the run.”

STAFF PHOTO By

LSU running back Caden Durham runs the ball up the left side against Louisana Tech on Sept. 6 at Tiger Stadium.

TRENDING UP

Country Day offense on track again with healthy QB Wright

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

Senior quarterback Hudson Wright made his season debut Friday, and there was a noticeable difference in Country Day’s offense.

Country Day (1-2) scored 57 points in a Week 3 matchup at Episcopal with Wright under center after scoring 48 points the previous two weeks combined.

Wright shined in what ended up a 66-57 loss to Episcopal. The senior completed 24 of 36 passes for 409 yards and six touchdowns with one interception.

Wright found wide receivers Curtis McAllister and Kellen Brewer for two touchdowns each, with his longest scoring pass covering 65 yards.

“It felt good to be back,” said Wright, who was sidelined by a concussion the first two games “We felt good about our offense (against Episcopal) We put up a lot of points, and that’s what we can do every week.”

Wright said he prepared himself well for his season debut.

“I took recovery very seriously,” he said. “I wanted to make sure I was ready come game time, so I was very cautious. Taking my first hit out there, I felt good after that and was ready to go.”

Junior Allen Dietz started in place of Wright for the first two weeks. Running back Justin Drago also saw snaps under center while Wright was out.

“(Wright at quarterback) is what we’ve been waiting on,” first-year coach Ben Powell said. “We’ve worked since the spring and all

summer in 7-on-7. He performed really well there and going through fall camp.”

Besides being Wright’s go-to wide receivers, McAllister and Brewer are key contributors on the Country Day basketball team and the sons of former professional athletes Deuce McAllister (Saints) and Corey Brewer (NBA player and currently assistant coach with the Pelicans).

Brewer led Country Day with 127 yards receiving and two touchdowns on six receptions against Episcopal. McAllister wasn’t far behind with seven receptions for 120 yards and two scores.

“It’s all about getting those guys into space,” Wright said. “You get (Kellen Brewer) on a screen and he can be explosive and Curtis is Curtis. He’s going to go up and get the ball with those hands.”

“We had a strong core of receivers to begin with,” Powell said.

“Then a bunch of our basketball guys came out.

“Those guys have given us more versatility.”

Country Day’s running game is led by Drago, who has 66 carries for 403 yards and six touchdowns along with five receptions for 33 yards.

Powell described Drago as “an all-state caliber running back.”

The junior had a strong showing

WEEK 4 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

against Episcopal with 117 yards rushing and two TDs on 17 carries.

“It’s not even just the runs, but the plays that weren’t runs,” Drago said “I was making blocks downfield, making other plays happen like on the screens to (Brewer) and the other receivers.”

Powell called the Cajuns offense an “air-raid” attack, a stark contrast from the run-heavy offense that he oversaw at Haynes last season.

Having Wright as a three-year starter under center with plenty of receivers to throw to along with Drago at running back makes Country Day’s offense seem like no fluke.

“We’re just getting started,” Wright said. “There’s a lot more to come, a lot more games. (The receivers and I) come and work all the time on the weekends, so it’s good to see it all show on the field.”

Country Day has two nondistrict contests beginning Friday at Douglass (3-0) before district play starts.

Country Day’s last district title came in 2021, and the hope is that a postseason trip this year will result in the Cajuns advancing past the second round for the first time since 2019.

“I feel like the potential that we could be as a team, as a program this year, we’re definitely starting to see it,” Powell said. “Our goal is to throw and score a lot of points. We think (Week 3) is a harbinger of things to come through the season.”

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

No. 17 Alabama seeking key road win at No. 5 UGA

Tide 2-5 away from home since start of ’24

BY KENNINGTON LLOYD SMITH III

Associated Press

TUSCALOOSA, Ala Quarterback

Ty Simpson and No. 17 Alabama are feeling much more comfortable than they did a few weeks ago.

Lopsided wins against ULMonroe and Wisconsin, plus a bye week, will do that. A much bigger and likely less relaxing — challenge comes at No. 5 and undefeated Georgia on Saturday

The stakes are understood, with Southeastern Conference and College Football Playoff implications on the line. There’s another hurdle for Alabama to clear: winning on the road.

Alabama’s only game away from Bryant-Denny Stadium this season ended in a 31-17 drubbing at then-unranked Florida State. The Tide (2-1) looked overmatched as double-digit favorites in the season opener

The focus since has been channeling a negative road experience into a more positive outcome.

“I think the first game we didn’t really know what to expect,” Simpson said. “Having a couple of games under my belt definitely helps understand what I need to do to prepare better, understanding what to do to play better and understand my game better So it’ll be exciting.”

Playing outside Tuscaloosa has been the most difficult part of coach Kalen DeBoer’s brief tenure at Alabama The Crimson Tide is 2-5 away from home since the start of last season — including stunning losses at Vanderbilt and Oklahoma in 2024 — and those losses have been by an average of 10.6 points.

Conversely, Georgia (3-0, 1-0 SEC) has one of the strongest home-field advantages in college football. The Bulldogs have won 33 consecutive at Sanford Stadium, which is the longest active streak in the country and the second-longest home-winning streak in SEC history Alabama won 57 in a row between 1963 and 1982.

“I think it’s on the forefront of

all of our minds,” Tide defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said. “We’ve talked about it and made an emphasis, and yet at the same time, you’ve got to take the next steps forward. Having a mentality of ‘adversity is coming’ and how you’re going to be responsive and not reactionary to adversity is a major aspect to overcoming adversity on the road.”

Avoiding any kind of hardship is the key to reversing the trend. Alabama trailed at halftime in four of its five road losses — including first-quarter deficits of 13-0 and 16-0 to Vanderbilt and Michigan, respectively In total, Alabama has been outscored 66-41 in the first half of its away losses.

Sustaining intensity has been an area of emphasis as well, particularly regarding Georgia. In last year’s game in Tuscaloosa, Alabama needed a late touchdown by Ryan Williams and an interception in the end zone by Zabien Brown in the final seconds to hold off Georgia’s frantic comeback after a 34-0 halftime deficit.

“As long as we start fast and finish how we’re supposed to, man, I think we’ll have a good shot at winning,” receiver Germie Bernard said. “We obviously know it’s going to be a crazy environment. We just have to focus on us executing our plays, dominating our own box and doing our 1/11. That will lead us to winning the game.”

Opponents aside, Alabama looked stout in its last two outings, winning by a combined score of 111-14. Off the field, a level of buy-in between players and coaches has grown stronger since the Florida State loss, which DeBoer hopes will make a huge difference Saturday “I know there’s a high want-to factor this group has; they’ve shown it in the work,” DeBoer said. “Just ask these guys to empty the tank every single day, and they’ve done that. That’s what we’ve got to do on Saturday.”

Va.’s high-scoring offense to be tested

Cavaliers host No. 8

Florida St. on Friday

BY MIKE BARBER The Associated Press

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — Virginia

will be looking to prove its record-setting offense is no fluke when No. 8 Florida State visits on Friday night.

“This is a great opportunity to go ahead and tell the fanbase, ‘Hey, we’re real,’ ” tight end Sage Ennis said this week.

Virginia, off to a 3-1 start, is hosting a top-10 opponent for the first time since 2021 and its highest-ranked league opponent since 2016. Its chances of upsetting Florida State could lean on an offense that ranks among the nation’s best. The Cavaliers are coming off a 48-point outing in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener against Stanford. Virginia ranks 11th nationally in scoring offense at 45.5 points per game, second in the ACC only to Florida State (58.0). The Cavaliers are also fifth in the Bowl Subdivision ranks by averaging 564.5 yards, also second only to the Seminoles (628.7) among league teams.

Virginia remade its roster through the transfer portal going into this potentially make-orbreak year for fourth-year coach Tony Elliott.

Additions included quarterback Chandler Morris (North Texas), running back J’Mari Taylor (North Carolina Central), wide receivers Jahmal Edrine (Purdue) and Cam Ross (James Madison) and center Brady Wilson (UAB).

That overhaul appeared to give Virginia the pieces to have an offense that could be both balanced and explosive.

“We felt like we were capable of achieving this as an offense with the pieces that we have, but it all

looks good on paper,” said Ennis, who transferred from Clemson before last season. “That’s why you’ve got to play it on the field. You have to go do it. You can’t just talk about it.”

Through four games, albeit against teams with a combined 8-8 record, Virginia has certainly done it.

It has posted more than 500 yards of total offense in three straight outings, including a 3531 loss at N.C. State — an unusual nonconference game among ACC teams along with lopsided home wins against William & Mary of the Championship Subdivision and Stanford.

Against William & Mary, Virginia set a program record with 700 yards of total offense, breaking a mark that had stood since 1968.

“Truthfully, still kind of figuring them out, right? Each week has been a little bit different, and so each week you learn a little bit more about each of the guys that you have,” Elliott said.

“Credit to (offensive coordinator Desmond Kitchings) and the offensive staff of really just tailoring it to what those guys’ skill sets are. Now this week, we’re going to learn a lot more about where we are going against this front and secondary and linebackers of Florida State. But we felt like we had a lot of really good ingredients and had to bring it all together.”

The Seminoles are giving up an ACC-low 10 points per game to rank 12th nationally in a season that began with a spotlightgrabbing win against Alabama. They’ve rolled against overmatched opponents in two games since, outscoring East Texas A&M and Kent State by a combined score of 143-13.

For Kitchings, that means Virginia’s offense must not only score, but also keep the ball away from FSU.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Foranalfrescofalldinner, trya composed salad, saffronshrimpriceand orange cake

The weather is finally starting to break. It isn’t quite cool, but it is gettingcooler.It is that time of year when we can have apleasant time eating outside. It is fun to have aproper meal outsideonthe patio without having to lug baskets and ice chestsoff to the park.

Think about what to anticipate —willyou need candles or should you eat early enough to enjoythe fading light during dessert? Are mosquitoes still lingering in your yard in the evening? Just prepare for them with abit of repellent. Use atablecloth and cloth napkins, and you can have alovely m The basis of thecomposed salad is shaved fennel and oranges.But if you find some lovely avocados or mangos at the store, they could easily be added. The salad is composed, so youcan just dress thecomponents separately and add them all to abigger platter.It makesaninteresting starter

thatperks up your taste buds for the rest of the meal.

As much as Ilove paella, it is abig deal to fixit. No wonder it is usually madein very large pans. If you add thechicken, shrimp, scallops, sausage, onions, garlic, peas, roasted peppers and all the other ingredients, it makes for an expensive and timeconsuming meal.

Butifyou slowly saute onions, add shrimp and flavor your rice withsaffron, you have something very flavorful without much hassle or expense. This recipe is high in flavor.You can serve

1teaspoonsaffronthreads 1pound peeled shrimp, peels reserved 1tablespoon unsaltedCreole seasoning ½cup dicedonion(about half an onion) 1cup Louisiana rice, uncooked 1cup frozenbabygreen peas, defrosted and drained 1teaspoonsalt ½cup chopped parsley for garnish

1. Place the saffron threads in asmall cup with ¼cup warmwater.Set aside.

SaffronRice with Shrimp and Onions 4to6servings.

wish to omit the step of making ashrimpstock with the shells, you may use chicken broth instead.

3. Strain the shrimpshells andkeep the water. Measure 1¾ cups of water andreplace in the pot withthe reserved saffron water.There is no need to strain out the saffron threads. Bring to a boil and add the diced onions and rice. Reduce to a simmer.Cookfor 12 minutes,covered.Atthispoint, uncover the potand add the peas andthe shrimp.Stir. Replace the lid and cook another 10 minutes.

2. Bring 3cups of water to aboil. Add the shrimppeels. Add the Creole seasoning. Cook at asimmerfor 30 minutes. (If using frozen peeled shrimp, allow to defrost and reserve any liquid.) If you

4. Remove from thestove and place into aserving bowl. Using 2forks, fluffthe riceand the otheringredients. Sprinkle with the parsley and serve.

BY BETH DOOLEY The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

It’s hard to imagine my late summer kitchen without eggplant.

Strolling the farmers markets, Ican’thold back and pile my basket with eggplant in all shapes andsizes —black, thin and footlong; bright fuchsia; magenta with white striations; pale violet; light green; egg-shaped ivory Given its mild flavor and densetexture,there’s alot eggplant can do.Itoftenstands in formeat whensauteed or in casseroles or on the grill. At the farmers market, look for firm,shiny eggplants that are heavy fortheir size.

Liz Williams TIP OF THE TONGUE page 2D

Recipe Eggplant Caponata 2D

eal outdoors.

ä See AL FRESCO,

Saffron Rice with Shrimp and Onions

STAFFPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

OrangeOlive Oil Cake

Makes 19-inch cake.

2cups flour 1½ cups sugar

½teaspoon

sec or Cointreau

1cup cut fresh berries, either mixed or just one type, depending on what is available

1. Preheat oven to 350 F.

Serves 4to6

1largefresh fennel bulb,sliced thinly

2oranges, peeled and sliced very thinly 2medium vine-ripened tomatoes, slice verythinly ½cup chopped Kalamata olives

Several grinds of apepper mill ¼cup unsalted pistachios, roughly chopped

1. Place the fennel slices, orange slices and tomato slices in different bowls. Drizzle 1to2tablespoonsof dressing in each bowl and

AL FRESCO

Continued from page1D

2. Mix together the dry ingredients flour through baking powder —ina bowl andstirwith awhisk tocreate ahomogeneousdry mixture. In aseparate bowl, add the rest ofthe ingredients andmix well with awhisk.

3. Gradually add the dry ingredientstothe wetbowl and incorporate them into a batter with awhisk. Donot overbeat.

4. Butter theinterior sides of a9-inch round panthat is at least2 incheshigh, and butter aroundofparchment paper to cover thebottom. Pour in the batter.Place the pan into the preheated oven.

Composed Salad

toss gently to cover 2. On aplatterorlarge plate,arrange the dressed vegetables attractively Spread the olives evenly over theslices. Grind some black

it with roasted chicken with lemon, apork loin or tenderloin witha mustard sauce. You’ll be astar This olive oil cake is moist and fruity.Ilike strawberries andblueberries, but use what is available. You can makeitaneven better celebration if you have a glass ofMadeira. The olive oil keeps the cakemoist for days,but don’tworry, it won’tlastthat long. Youcan raise aglass to toast the waning summer andthe coming of the cel-

Eggplant Caponata

Flag on theplayasguest list forteamparty expands

Dear Miss Manners: Iamon ateam in an adult sports league. At the end of the season, the team decided to have aparty.One of the members volunteered tohost it, but then decided to invite other people who aren’tassociated with the team.

The get-together is no longer a “team”party. Is it proper etiquette for someonewho volunteered to host aparty for a select group to invite her own additional guests?

Bakefor 50 minutes,oruntilthe top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. If either thetoothpick or the cake topisnot ready,bake for up to 10 more minutes

5. Removethe cake from the oven, run aknife around the outside of the pan, and invert thepan over acakerack. Remove the pan and allow the cake to cool for30minutes.Drizzle half theorange liqueur over the top of the cake and wait five minutes. Then drizzle the remaining liqueur over thecake. Allow to curefor 45 minutes

6. Spread theberries over thetop of the cake and serve.

pepperoverthe slices and finishwitha sprinkle of the pistachios. Topwith dressing, below,before serving.

DRESSING

1teaspoon Dijon mustard

½cup olive oil

2tablespoons red wine vinegar

2garlic cloves, mashed in a garlic press

1teaspoon ground coriander Place all ingredientsina jar, replace the lid and shake well. It’sbest if the dressing sits for an hour beforeusing.

ebration season.

Liz Williamsisfounder of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans.Listen to “Tip of the Tongue,” Liz’spodcast about food, drink and culture, wherever you hear podcasts. EmailLiz at lizwillia@gmail.com.

Serves 4to6.Recipe is from BethDooley.Eggplant’sneutral flavor and dense texture act like asponge in this pungent Sicilian versionofratatouille. Make it aday or so ahead to allowall the componentstomarry.Serveitatroomtemperature on topofcrostini layered with soft cheese (chevre, cream cheese,mozzarella …whatever you please).

Extra-virgin olive oil

2eggplants (about 2pounds) cut into 1-inch cubes

Coarse salt and freshly ground blackpepper

1onion, chopped

2cloves garlic, smashed

1largefennel bulb,diced (about 1cup)

¼cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil

¼cup pittedblack olives, chopped

2tablespoons capers, drained

¼cup raisins or currants

Generous pinch crushed red pepper

1bay leaf

¼cup red wine vinegar

Generous pinch brown sugar,to taste

1. Generously film awide, heavy skillet with oil andset over medium heat. When the oilbecomes wavy,add the eggplant cubes andsizzle untilthey become brown on all sides, turning frequently about5to7minutes. Removethe cooked eggplant to aplate and sprinkle with salt and pepper

2. Add more oil to the pan as needed and continue sauteing the onion, garlicand fenneluntiltheybegin to

EGGPLANT

Continued from page1D

down, I’ve been making Sicilian caponata, asweetsavory compoteofArabic inspiration. It’sapowerful

SPAFRA/DREAMSTIME/TNSPHOTO

Given itsmild flavor and dense texture, there’sa lot eggplant cando. It often stands in for meat when sauteed or in casserolesor on thegrill.

color.Lower the heat and coverthe pantosteam the vegetablesand cook until they soften and release their juices, about 3to5 minutes. Remove the coverand add thesun-driedtomatoes with theiroil, olives, capers,currants, apinch of red pepper, bayleaf andthe vinegar

3. Return theeggplantto theskillet and stir.Cover and simmer untilthe vegetablesare very tender,about 5

collision of flavors —eggplant,capers, olives, onions, tomatoes, raisins andvinegar. Tryittossed withpasta, folded into eggs, smeared on apizza or piled on Italian sausage. Layer it over soft cheese on bruschettafor a heartyappetizerortoserve

minutes. Check to see if the pan becomes too dry,adding alittle water as necessary,1 tablespoon at atime. Season to taste with brown sugar and more salt and pepper as needed.

4. Transfer the eggplant to abowl andallow the flavors to mellow for aboutanhour at room temperature before serving or transfer toacovered container and refrigerate.

as aside to abowl of soup. Make abig batch of caponatatostoreinacovered container in the refrigerator;itwill keep for several weeks. Caponata will spark themost ordinary ingredientsand makesimple weeknight dinners sing.

ised, on celebrating the team’s victories (or consoling their defeats). But she will agree with you that having everyone arrive to learn they are outnumbered is poor sportsmanship.

Judith Martin

MISS MANNERS

Gentlereader: No, but before she ruins theparty, Miss Manners would like to check that we all know thescore.

The team partywas never going to be strictly membersofthe team, any morethan non-players were barred from attendance at games. Even at practice, there might have been acoach, agroundskeeper and the guy with thekeys to the clubhouse in attendance.

By similar logic, it is not fair to expect the hostess to lock thedoor to family members, spouses or the high school friend who is staying withher for the weekend.

The issue is whether the focus remains, as prom-

Dear Miss Manners: Itook afriend to lunch. She looked at her watch at least 20 times during the meal.This made me nervous, like we were supposed to hurry up. I finally realized her watch wasdisplaying her incoming text messages. What should Isay next time?

Gentle reader: “Iseverything OK?”

Dear Miss Manners: Iwork forasmall, family-run restaurant. The owner is from Ukraine. She is fluent in English, but speaks with a notable accent.

Iamfrom the area the restaurant is located in, and Ihave lived here all of my life. Over the course of amonth, Ihave had about five different patrons ask if Iamrelated to my boss or if Iamalso from Ukraine “because of my accent.”

Idonot have one. Iknow that accents are often hard forthe speaker to notice, but Ifeel like Iwould be

aware if Ihad developed aUkrainian accent thick enough to sound like it is my first language. What exactly should I say when people ask? I’d like to stay silent or move on to the next part of the conversation, but often that’snot aviable thing to do in these exchanges.

Gentle reader: Restaurant patrons should not be asking such questions, but Miss Manners understands that they do —and that appearing to be offended or unfriendly can have adverse consequences for both the business and your employment. The polite response is to say,inabright, friendly way, “No, I’mfrom here” —before moving on to restaurant business. This will not lessen your own annoyance at being asked, but if it ever-so-slightly embarrasses the patron, perhaps you will have saved the next employee from such unwanted attention.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www.missmanners. com; to heremail, dearmissmanners@gmail. com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Reusingholiday cardsastags

Dear Heloise: Likemany have submitted,Ialso have ahint for reusing Christmas cards. Youmight have printed this before, but maybe it’s worth repeating. Igive new life to my old cards by using them as gift tagsthe next year.Itisnice to reread them, and my tree always looks unique. Usually,Iwill cut thecards using the mostinteresting parts. Sometimes you can get acouple of tags from one card. Pixie, in SimiValley, California Tomato juicebath

had no luck with getting rid of the skunk odor using this method. —Heloise Mouthwash fordisposal

Dear Heloise: Ihaven’tseen this suggestion in your column, but it worked well for me and my cat. He was so stinky from a skunk, and afriendrecommended pouring tomato juice all over him. Idon’t remember if Ishampooed him after the juice. (This was back in 1975.) But Amos was so patient with theprocess and is the best cat ever!

Ilove your column!

Beth B.,via email Beth,I’ve used tomato juice and shampooed my petsafterward. Sadly,I

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday, Sept.25, the 268th day of 2025. There are 97 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Sept.25, 1957, nine Black studentswho had been forced to withdraw from Central High School in Little Rock,Arkansas, because of unruly White crowds were escorted to class by membersofthe U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and the National Guard.

Also on this date:

In 1513, Spanish explorer Vasco Nunez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama andsighted the PacificOcean.

In 1789, the first United States Congress adopted 12 amendments to the Constitution and sent them to thestates for ratification. (Ten of the amendments becamethe Bill of Rights.)

In 1956, the first transAtlantic telephone cable officially went into service with athree-way ceremonial call between New York, Ottawa and London.

Dear Heloise: Rhonda W. wrote about baking soda and vinegar forastinky garbage disposal. I have an easier solution: Ijust go to dollar store and buy cheap mouthwash. Iuse different flavors and scents. (Cinnamon is my favorite.) Ipour about one-fourth of the bottle in with the garbage disposal turned on. The garbage disposal is then refreshed.

—BunnyK in Kensington, Connecticut

Two-servingleftovers

Dear Heloise: In response to the lady whose husband would not eat leftovers the next day,I freeze leftovers in freezer-proof containers with twoservings in each, then thaw and reheat them during the next week or month. Almost anything can be frozen and tastes great later —Marilyn Smith, in Somis, California Pelletsvs. litter

Dear Heloise: Yourecently

TODAYINHISTORY

In 1978, 144 people were killed when aPacific Southwest Airlines Boeing 727 and aprivate plane collided over San Diego.

In 2005, in the presence of disarmament observers, the Irish Republican Army decommissioned its arsenal of weapons, officially ending a36-year armed campaign foraunified Irish state.

In 2012, President Barack Obama, speaking to the U.N. General Assembly, pledged U.S. support for Syrians trying to oust President Bashar Assad, calling him “a dictator who massacres his own people.”

In 2013, skipper Jimmy Spithill and Oracle Team USAwon the America’s Cup with one of the greatest comebacks in sports history,speeding past Dean Barker and Emirates Team NewZealand in the winner-take-all Race 19 on San Francisco Bay

In 2018, Bill Cosby was sentenced to three-to-10 years in prison fordrugging and molesting a womanathis suburban Philadelphia home. (After

answered aquestion about cat litter odor,and Iwanted to share ahint that we learned from our daughter, whohas acat rescue. She often uses compressed pine pellets as litter (horse bedding). It controls odor better than anything we have ever tried. It’s inexpensive at less than $7 for40. And it’s sustainable/environmentally friendly as it simply turns to sawdust when wet. Notall cats will use it, but thankfully,our cats do. CaseyR via email

Pizza-cuttingtrick

Dear Heloise: It took me way too manyyears to figure this one out. This hint will easily help you slice a pizza in away where all the slices come out nice. When cutting apizza with apizza cutter,start just inside the crust and cut across without breaking the crust on the other side. After all the inside cuts are made, then cut the crust. This also works well on quesadillas and other itemswith large cuts, like pasta or pastries. —DaveD., via email Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

serving nearly three years, Cosby wentfree in June 2021 after the Pennsylvania SupremeCourt overturned his conviction.)

Today’sbirthdays: Basketball Hall of Famer Hubie Brown is 92. Former Defense SecretaryRobertGates is 82. Actor-producer Michael Douglasis81. Model Cheryl Tiegsis78. Actor Mimi Kennedy is 77. Film director Pedro Almodóvar is 76. Actor-director Anson Williams is 76. ActorMark Hamill is 74. Basketball Hall of Famer BobMcAdoois74. ActorHeather Locklear is 64. ActorAida Turturro is 63. ActorTate Donovanis62. ActorMaria Doyle Kennedy is 61. Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippenis60. ActorWill Smith is 57. ActorCatherine Zeta-Jones is 56. Football Hall of Famer JohnLynch is 54. Basketball Hall of Famer Chauncey Billups is 49. ActorCleaDuVallis48. RapperT.I.is45. Actor-rapperDonaldGlover(Childish Gambino) is 42. Actor Zach Woodsis41. Actor JordanGavaris is 36. Actor Leah Jeffriesis16.

Hints from Heloise

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Stocks slip as Wall Street rally loses steam

U.S. stock indexes drifted lower on Wednesday as a seemingly relentless rally on Wall Street takes at least a pause.

The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% for a second straight, modest loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 171 points, or 0.4%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.4%. All three are still near their all-time highs, which were set on Monday

It’s a slowdown following the U.S. stock market’s blistering run since hitting a low in April, fueled by hopes that President Donald Trump’s tariffs won’t derail global trade and that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates several times to boost the U.S. economy The rally was so big that it raised concerns about stock prices shooting too high and becoming too expensive, particularly if the Fed does not deliver as many cuts to rates as traders expect.

Demonstrating the weight of high expectations, Micron Technology’s stock fell 2.8% even though it reported a better profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

The computer memory company also gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that blew past analysts’ expectations. Typically, such a performance would send a stock higher But Micron’s stock came into the day with an atypical, stunning gain of 97.7% for the year so far Freeport-McMoRan sank 17% for one of the market’s larger losses after the miner said it expects sales of copper to be 4% lower in the third quarter than it had earlier forecast. It also said sales of gold will likely be roughly 6% lower than earlier expected.

Jeep cancels plan for plug-in hybrid pickup

Jeep has canceled plans to build a plug-in hybrid version of its Gladiator midsize truck, a move that comes shortly after parent Stellantis NV also halted plans for an all-electric Ram pickup.

“As customers’ propulsion preferences for battery-electric trucks continue to evolve, Stellantis is reassessing its product strategy and will no longer include an electrified Gladiator variant in the Jeep lineup,” said a company statement sent by spokesperson Andy Bowman.

Jeep, which recently notified suppliers of the cancellation said it will continue investing in the Gladiator The pickup is expected to be built at least into 2028.

The Gladiator 4xe was initially expected to come out this year, joining the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee SUVs that have offered plug-in hybrid models for the last few years. But planning and production timelines for the new variant had been delayed at the Toledo Assembly Complex, where both the Gladiator and Wrangler are built, United Auto Workers officials previously said.

Disney to raise prices on streaming services

Disney announced on Tuesday it will raise the subscription prices for its streaming services, amid widespread calls for a boycott following Jimmy Kimmel’s abrupt suspension from Disney-owned ABC. The increase is set to go into effect for new subscribers beginning Oct. 21. Current subscribers will see the change to their first bill on or after that date.

Disney+ with ads and Hulu with ads will both increase by $2 to $11.99 per month, while Disney+ Premium will increase by $3 to $18.99. The Disney+ with Hulu bundle is going up by $2 to $12.99 per month, and ESPN Select will increase by $1 to $12.99. Hulu’s Live

U.S.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

cuts tariffs on EU cars to 15%

Deal on trade agreement sealed

BY JOSH WINGROVE and ALBERTO NARDELLI Bloomberg News (TNS)

The U.S. lowered tariffs on auto imports from the European Union to 15% retroactive to Aug. 1, cementing terms of the framework trade agreement the two sides struck almost two months ago.

The Department of Commerce and Office of the U.S Trade Representative published a document online on Wednesday detailing

the changes, reducing duties on a range of goods.

The order will help to further ease tensions between Washington and Brussels, as the two sides work through implementing the details of the trade deal they announced at one of President Donald Trump’s golf courses in Scotland.

Europe’s auto industry has been waiting for several weeks for the lower duties to be adopted.

The changes laid out in the filing include a list of exemptions for sectors including aircraft, aircraft parts and generic pharmaceutical drugs plus ingredients, as well as “unavailable natural resources”

such as cork and certain metals and ores, effective Sept. 1. Those goods will maintain lower so-called most-favored nation rates.

Most of the new rates take effect for EU goods shipped starting Sept. 1, but the relief for automobiles and parts was contingent on the EU introducing legislation to lower tariffs on American industrial goods and some non-sensitive agricultural products.

The bloc followed through with that action on Aug. 28 and is currently in the process of implementing its concessions, paving the way for the Trump administration to backdate the new auto charge.

Previously those vehicles faced a 25% U.S duty on top of prior levies of 2.5%. As part of the arrangements in the trade deal, the EU faces a 15% tariff ceiling on most of its exports. That rate doesn’t stack on top of any existing industry-specific tariffs, and the EU expects it to also cover any future sectoral levies that may be introduced on drugs and chips.

However, the two sides have yet to make much progress on reaching an accord to lower tariffs on steel and aluminum, where the bloc is currently facing 50% duties on its exports.

A TOMB RAIDER THREAT

AI was used to clone character Lara Croft’s voice, angering fans, actors

BY JOHN LEICESTER and NICOLAS GARRIGA Associated Press

PARIS A lifelong fan of Tomb Raider, French gamer Romain Bos was on tenterhooks when an update of the popular video game went online in August.

But his excitement quickly turned to anger.

The gamer’s ears — and those of other Tomb Raider fans — picked up something amiss with the French-language voice of Lara Croft, the game’s protagonist.

It sounded robotic, lifeless even — shorn of the warmth, grace and believability that French voice actor Françoise Cadol has given to Croft since she started playing the character in 1996.

Gamers and Cadol herself came to the same conclusion: A machine had cloned her voice and replaced her

“It’s pathetic,” said Cadol, who straight away called her lawyer “My voice belongs to me. You have no right to do that.”

“It was absolutely scandalous,” said Bos.

“It was artificial intelligence.”

AI encroaching ‘everywhere’

Aspyr, the game developer based in Austin, Texas, didn’t respond to emailed questions from The Associated Press.

But it acknowledged in a post last week on its website that what it described as “unauthorized AI generated content” had been incorporated into its Aug. 14 update of Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered that angered fans.

“We’ve addressed this issue by removing all AI voiceover content,” Aspyr’s post said.

“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.”

Still, the affair has triggered alarms in the voiceover community, with campaigners saying it’s a sobering example of dangers that AI poses to human workers and their jobs.

“If we can replace actors, we’ll be able to replace accountants, and a whole range of other professions that could also be automated,” said Patrick Kuban, a French-language voice actor who is also a co-president of United Voice Artists, an international federation of voiceover artists.

“So we need to ask ourselves the right questions: How far should we go, and how do we regulate these machines?”

“Actors’ voices are being captured, either to create voice clones — not perfect ones — but for illicit use on social media by individuals, since there are now many apps for making audio deepfakes,” Kuban said in an Associated Press interview

“These voices are also being used by content producers who aren’t necessarily in the same country,” he said. “So it’s very difficult for actors to reclaim control over their voices, to block these uses.”

Cadol said that within minutes of the release of the Tomb Raider update, her phone began erupting with messages, emails and

social media notifications from upset fans.

“I took a look and I saw all this emotion — anger, sadness, confusion. And that’s how I found out that my voice had been cloned,”

she said in an AP interview

Cadol’s Paris lawyer, Jonathan Elkaim, is seeking an apology from Aspyr and financial redress.

Grammar error

In the update, new chunks of voiceover appear to have been added to genuine recordings that Cadol said she made years ago.

Most notably, fans picked up on one particularly awkward segment.

In it, a voice instructs players how to use their game controllers to make Lara Croft climb onto an obstacle, intoning in French: “Place toi devant et appuyez sur avancer” — Stand in front and press ‘advance.’

Not only does it sound clunky but it also rings as grammatically incorrect to French speakers — mixing up the polite and less polite forms of language that they use, depending on who they’re addressing.

Gamers were up in arms. Bos posted a video on his YouTube channel that same evening, lamenting: “It’s half Françoise Cadol, half AI. It’s horrible! Why have they done that?”

“I was really disgusted,” the 34-year-old said in an AP interview “I grew up with Françoise Cadol’s voice. I’ve been a Tomb Raider fan since I was young kid.”

Social Security will stop issuing paper checks in October

COLA announcement will be Oct. 15

But the biggest change starting in October for retired beneficiaries stems from an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March to save administrative costs and reduce fraud and identity theft. Starting in October, Social Security paper checks will no longer be issued, which could delay or interrupt payments to beneficiaries who do not act in time. September was the last month paper checks were mailed To receive the October payment on time, beneficiaries should act quickly and choose direct deposit of their Social Security benefits to their bank account The change can be made through your MySo-

cialSecurity online account. If you don’t have a bank account, you can request Direct Express, a debit card on which the federal government will deposit your benefits. It can be requested at (877) 874-6347. The official COLA announcement is made on Oct. 15, after the consumer price figures for wage earners and clerical workers for July, August and September are available; those months are averaged to calculate the annual inflation rate. Projections for the 2026 COLA are around 2.7%, which would mean about $54 more per month on average in retirees’ checks, with retirees beginning to receive the increase in January SSI beneficia-

ries receive their increase in December because Jan. 1 is a holiday A considerable portion of the Social Security income adjustment from COLA will be offset by an increase in the Medicare Part B premium, which is automatically deducted from benefit payments. The exact figure won’t be known until later in the fall, but the Medicare board of trustees estimates an increase of $21.50, meaning retirees would pay $206.20 per month in 2026. SSI beneficiaries will receive two payments in October: on the 1st and the 31st. The second is an advance of the payment for the following month because Nov 1 falls on a Saturday

program

‘My voice belongs to me. you have no right to do that,’ said actress Françoise Cadol, who voices the character of Lara Croft.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

An attendee dressed as video game character Lara Croft, from Tomb Raider walks through the 2023 New york Comic Con in New york. Aspyr, the game developer acknowledged in a post last week on its website that what it described as ‘unauthorized AI generated content’ had been incorporated into its Aug. 14 update of Tomb Raider IV–VI Remastered.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) If you hesitate, someone will take advantage of you. Be direct, nonconfrontational and upbeat regarding what you want and how you plan to move forward. Call the shots instead of following someone else's lead.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Go about your business, finish what you start and be the one to make a difference. Refrain from letting someone's opinion eat away at you or cause your hackles to rise.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Work quietly behind the scenes, where you can achieve the most. If you're seeking a professional or financial change, speak up; if it's personal, sit tight and wait.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Update your information, documents and skills to meet demands. Don't feel the need to pay for others or volunteer to take on responsibilities that aren't your problem.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Let your creativitysoarandyourmindwander.What you devise may not pan out, but it will spark your imagination and encourage you to head in a direction that changes how you live or work.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Refuse to buy into the hype you encounter today. Foster your desire to make the most of yourself, utilizing the skills you have diligently developed to serve your needs.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Finish what you start and do your fair share. Overreacting will not solve anything, but effective communication, transparency and

a clear plan that outlines your responsibilities will help.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) Keep the momentum flowing. A gentle nudge will help by sending a signal that shows your intent. Too much idle time can lead to anxiety and an increased likelihood of making unnecessary fusses.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Positive change is a heartbeat away. All you must do is engage in what makes you who you are, and you'll make a difference. Using social media strategically will help you establish your next move.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) An open and honest approach will build strong relationships and help you make new connections. Participate in events that help you represent who you are and what you can offer. Don't hesitate to send out your resume.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Gauge situations before entering a conversation. If it's regarding personal or domestic matters, you're best off remaining calm and refusing to let anyone bait you into a fight.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Ifyouwantsomething, go after it. Harness your energy and emotions to turn your desires into tangible outcomes. You cannot measure experience by loss or gain, but by what you learn in the process.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

TODAy'S CLUE: E EQUALS G

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG nAte

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

BY PHILLIP ALDER

It is afact of modern bridge that pairs trytosteal deals.They sound strong when their hands are not, hoping to dissuade their opponents from bidding the full value of their cards.

Sometimes, though, the logic of the auction makes it clear which sideis sacrificing. Then the other pair,ifnot bidding higher, must extract as much as possible by doubling for penalty.

What do you think about the auction in today’s deal?

North’spass and East’s one club were clear-cut.Then South was wimpy in not biddingthreediamonds.Yes,herpartner was apassed hand andshe was vulnerable —sowhat?

West’s two-spade response promised 10-pluspoints. Then Northcompensated for his partner, leaping to five diamonds. This,intheory, contravened theLaw of Total Tricks, because he could assume only a10-card fit,soshould have settled for fourdiamonds. But he thought the opponentscould makeatleastfour spadesandwantedtobeasbiganuisance as possible. He was pleasantly surprised when there werethree passes.

Eastpassed because he was happy to hear hispartner bidfivespades. But West should not have passed. She knew her side had thebalance of points and should have doubled or bidhigher.

Five diamonds went the obvious down two.Butminus200wasverycheapwhen

compared with the easy game available the other way. And with great guessing, East-West could make six clubs or six spades. As Zia Mahmood says,“If you never doubleamaking contract, you are not doubling often enough.” Do not let the opponents steal the pot.

©2025 by nEa, inc., dist.Byandrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

InsTRucTIons: 1. Wordsmust 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,orvulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

ToDAY’s WoRD RITuALs: RIH-chew-uls: Acts regularly repeated in aset, precise manner.

Average mark 20 words

Time limit 35 minutes

Canyou find 28 or more words in RITUALS?

YEsTERDAY’sWoRD—LuMInARY

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

Scrabble GramS

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 - The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 - Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner.

roSe

be accepted.Bid enve‐lope should be clearly marked “Bid forLarge KitchenEquipment”. BidSpecificationsmay be obtained from the Purchasing Office of School Food andNutri‐tion Services,3000 W. Es‐planadeAve., Suite300, Metairie,LA, 70002, Mon‐daythrough Friday from 8:00am to 2:00pm.Call (504) 596-3434 or email cshaw@schoolcafe.org In accordance with Fed‐eral lawand U.S. Depart‐ment of Agriculture (USDA) civilrightsregu‐lationsand policies,this institutionisprohibited from discriminating on thebasis of race,color national origin,sex (in‐cludinggenderidentity andsexualorientation), age, disability, and reprisal or

are drilled andcompleted

6. To providethatpro‐duction from thepro‐posed crossunithorizon‐tal wells should be sepa‐rated andmetered indi‐vidually,and this infor‐mationshouldbere‐portedinthe manner prescribedbythe Office ofConservation.

7. To continue in force and effect,excepttothe extentcontraryherewith, the pertinentprovisions ofOrder No.270-MM, ef‐fective June 19, 2007, as amended andsupple‐mentedbythe 270-MM SeriesofOrders, andall applicable StatewideOr‐ders. 8. To consider such other matters as maybeperti‐nent. TheHaynesville Zone, ReservoirA wasorigi‐ll d fi d i d g nally defined

SALEFROMEDGEWOOD IMPROVEMENTS ASSOCI‐ATION TO MRS. H. S. BOLDEN, PASSED ON JUNE11TH, 1909, BEFORE SAIDLATENOTARY SCHNEIDAU,AID LOTIS DESIGNATEDASLOT 15 THIS PROPERTY IS SUB‐JECTTOTHE FOLLOWING: A. PREVIOUSLY RECORDEDRESTRIC‐TIONS 2754-VERBENAST CHSNEW ORLEANSIILLC 2712 VERBENAST, NEW ORLEANS,LA70122 TAXES OWED AREWITH ONE CERTAINLOT OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITHALL RIGHTS,WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, ADVANTAGESAND AP‐PURTENANCES THERE‐UNTO BELONGINGORIN ANYWISE APPERTAINING SITUATEDINTHE THIRD DISTRICTOFTHE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, PARISH OFORLEANS,STATE OF LOUISIANA,INEDGE‐WOOD PARK IN SQUARE 27, BOUNDEDBYGLADIO‐LUS,LOTUS,VERBENA STREETS ANDPEOPLES STREETS,DESIGNATEDAS LOT 3-A, WHICHCOM‐MENCESATA DISTANCE OF60FEET FROM THEIN‐TERSECTIONOFVERBENA AND LOTUSSTREETS; AND MEASURES THENCE 40FEETFRONT ON VER‐BENASTREET,THE SAME IN WIDTHIN THEREAR, BYA DEPTHBETWEEN EQUAL ANDPARALLEL LINES OF 120 FEET ALLIN ACCORDANCE WITH A PLANT OF SURVEY MADE BYADLOE ORR, JR. DATED MAY3,1950 BEING THESAMEPROP‐ERTY ACQUIRED FROM EDWARDJOSEPHBRADY ETAL BY ACTBEFORE BRITTMARP.LANDRY, NOTARYPUBLIC DATED MAY 26, 1950 ANDREGIS‐TERED IN COB570 FOLIO 400 OF THERECORDS OF ORLEANS PARISH 2712-VERBENAST JULIENTERRANCE 2611 SAINTROCHAVE NEW ORLEANS, LA 70117 TAXES OWED AREWITH TWO CERTAIN LOTS OF GROUND, TOGETHER WITHALL THEBUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON,AND ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS,PRIVI‐LEGES,SERVITUDES, AP‐PURTENANCES ANDAD‐VANTAGESTHEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANY‐WISEAPPERTAINING,SIT‐UATED IN THEPARISHOF ORLEANS,STATE OF LOUISIANA,INTHE THIRD DISTRICTOFTHE CITY OF NEWORLEANS,SQUARE

NO.1493 BOUNDEDBYST ROCHAVENUE, FLORIDA WALK, MUSIC ANDLAW STREETSDESIGNATED LOTSNUMBERS NINE‐TEEN ANDTWENTYONA SURVEYMADEBY GILBERT ANDKELLY SUR‐VEYORS, DATEDMAY 4, 1949, ACOPYOFWHICH IS ANNEXEDTOANACT PASSEDBEFOREGERALD NETTER, NOTARY PUBLIC ONMAY 20, 1949, AND ACCORDINGTOWHICH SAIDLOTSADJOURN EACHOTHER ANDMEA‐SUREEACHTHIRTYFEET FRONT (29.11.6TITLE)ON ST. ROCH AVENUE,BYA DEPTH BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES OF ONE HUNDREDFIVEFEET AND ONEINCH. LOTNUM‐BER NINETEEN FORMS THE CORNER OF ST ROCK AVENUEINLAW STREETS. AND ONECERTAIN LOTOF GROUND, TOGETHER WITHALL THEBUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON,AND ALLTHE RIGHTS, WAYS,PRIVI‐LEGES,SERVITUDES, AP‐PURTENANCES ANDAD‐VANTAGESTHEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANY‐WISEAPPERTAINING,SIT‐UATED IN THEPARISHOF ORLEANS,STATE OF LOUISIANA,INTHE THIRD DISTRICTOFTHE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS, SQUARE NO. 1493 BOUNDEDBYST ROCHAVENUE, FLORIDA WALK, MUSIC ANDLAW STREETSDESIGNATEDBY THE NO.21ONA PLAN OF SURVEYMADEBY GILBERT ANDKELLY SUR‐VEYORS, DATEDOCTOBER 24, 1940, ACCORDINGTO WHICHSAIDLOT MEA‐SURES 30 FEET FRONTON STROCHAVENUE, THE SAMEINTHE WIDTHIN THE REAR,BYDEPTH BE‐TWEEN EQUALAND PAR‐ALLELLINES OF 105.1 FEET,LOT NO.21COM‐MENCESATA DISTANCE OF60FEET FROM THE CORNEROFLAW STREET 2611-STROCHAV LEWISHENDERSON S 6707 PAULINEDR, NEW ORLEANS,LA70126 TAXES OWED AREWITHA LOT ANDIMPROVEMENTS IN PONTCHARTRAINPARK SUBDIVISION ONE, SUR‐VEY BY F. C. GANDOLFO JR.,RECORDEDATCOB 598, FOLIO 485, SITUATED IN SQUARE 2, BOUNDED BYPAULINEAND CON‐GRESS DRIVES,COLUM‐BIA STREET,HAYNE BLVD INDUSTRIAL CANAL RESERVATION ANDTHE CROSSWALK BETWEEN SQUARES 2& 5, LOT10, AND MEASURES 50 FRONT ON PAULINE DRIVE,50.01’ IN THEREAR LINEBYDEPTHSOF 103.91’ ALONGSIDENEXT TO LOT9 AND104.95’ ON OTHER SIDE LINE. ALSO DESCRIBEDAS PROPERTYSITUATEDIN PONTCHARTRAIN SUBDI‐VISION, THIRDDISTRICT, PARISHOFORLEANS STATE OF LOUISIANAAND IS DESIGNATED AS LOT10 IN SQUARE 2, BOUNDED BYCONGRESS, COLUMBIA & HAYESBLVD. LOT10 MEASURES50’ FRONTON PAULINEDRIVE BY A DEPTH OF 101’ 6707-PAULINEDR MULLENMARYJ 2300 GALLIERST, NEW ORLEANS,LA70117 TAXES OWED AREWITH THATCERTAIN PORTION OFGROUND, TOGETHER WITHALL THEBUILDINGS ANDIMPROVEMENTS

THEREON, ANDALL OF THE RIGHTS,WAYS, PRIV‐ILEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐PURTENANCES ANDAD‐VANTAGESTHEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANY‐WISEAPPERTAINING,SIT‐UATED IN THETHIRD DIS‐TRICT OF THECITYOF NEW ORLEANS, IN SQUARENO. 1229 BOUNDED BY GALLIER (LATE ELMIRA), NORTH TONTI,DESIREAND NORTH ROCHEBLAVE STREETS, DESIGNATED BY THE NO.17ONSURVEY BYGILBERT &KELLY,SUR‐VEYORS, DATEDAPRIL 14 1938, ANNEXEDTOACT DATED MAY9,1938, BE‐FOREROBERTLEGIER, NOTARYPUBLIC, AC‐CORDING TO WHICHSAID LOT FORMSTHE CORNER OFGALLIER ANDNORTH TONTI STREETSAND MEASURES42FEET 8 INCHES AND3 LINES FRONT ON GALLIER(LATE ELMIRA) STREET,THE SAMEWIDTH IN THE REAR, BY ADEPTH OF 120 FEET,7 INCHES BETWEEN EQUAL ANDPARALLEL LINES AND THAT PORTIONOF GROUND, TOGETHER WITHALL THEBUILDINGS AND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON,AND ALLOF THE RIGHTS,WAYS, PRIV‐ILEGES, SERVITUDES, AP‐PURTENANCES ANDAD‐VANTAGESTHEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANY‐WISEAPPERTAINING,SIT‐UATED IN THETHIRD DIS‐TRICT OF THECITYOF NEW ORLEANS, STATEOF LOUISIANA,INSQUARE NO. 1229, SAID SQUARE BEING BOUNDEDBYGAL‐LIER(FORMERLY ELMIRA),DESIRE, NORTH TONTI,AND NORTH ROCHEBLAVESTREETS, WHICHSAIDSTRIP OR PORTION OF LAND BE‐GINSATA DISTANCE OF 42FEET,8 INCHES AND3 LINES FROM THECORNER OFNORTH TONTIAND GALLIER(FORMERLY ELMIRA) STREETSAND MEASURES1 FOOT AND 6 INCHES FRONTONSAID GALLIER(FORMERLY ELMIRA) STREET,BYA DEPTH BETWEEN PARAL‐LEL LINESOF120 FEET,7 INCHES,MOREORLESS; BEING APORTION OF LOT NO. 16 ADJOININGLOT NO. 17 WHICHFORMS THE CORNER OF SAID NORTH TONTIAND GAL‐LIERSTREETS. ACCORDINGTOA PLAN OFSURVEYBYERROLE KELLY,SURVEYOR, DATED AUGUST21, 1965, ACOPY OFWHICH IS ATTACHED TOTHISACT,SAIDPROP‐ERTYISLOCATED AND HAS THEDIMENSIONSAS STATEDABOVE 2300-GALLIERST ROBINSON GEORGE L 3516 NPRIEURST, NEW ORLEANS,LA70117 TAXES OWED AREWITHA CERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, TOGETHERWITHALL THE BUILDINGS ANDIM‐PROVEMENTSTHEREON AND ALLTHE RIGHTS WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDESAND APPUR‐TENANCESTHEREUNTO BELONGING OR IN ANY‐WISEAPPERTAINING,SIT‐UATED IN THETHIRD DIS‐TRICT OF THECITYOF NEW ORLEANS, IN SQUARENO. 863 BOUNDED BY CONGRESS PRIEUR, ELMIRE AND ROMAN STREETS, DESIG‐NATED BY THELETTER C” ON ASKETCHMADE BY B. J. OLIVIERA,C.E

DATEDFEBRUARY23, 1925, ANDACCORDINGTO WHICHSURVEYSAIDLOT IS DESIGNATED BY THE LETTER“C” ANDMEA‐SURES AS FOLLOWS: LOT“C” ADJOINSLOT “B ONTHE SIDE TOWARDS ELMIRESTREET AND MEASURES31FEET 3 INCHES FRONTONN PRIEURSTREET,THE SAMEWIDTH IN THE REARBYA DEPTHOF SIXTY-TWO FEET BE‐TWEEN EQUALAND PAR‐ALLEL LINES;WHICH SAID LOT “C”TOGETHERWITH THE ADJOININGLOT “B IS COMPOSED OF THE GREATER PORTIONOF ORIGINALLOTS10AND 11, ANDSAIDLOT “C”BE‐GINSATA DISTANCE OF 120’ FROM THECORNER OFELMIREAND N. PRIEUR STREETS. ACCORDINGTOA SURVEY

NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE TheJefferson Parish Fi‐nanceAuthority (here‐inafter“JPFA”) is hereby soliciting Statements of Qualificationsfromli‐censed attorneysinter‐estedinproviding gen‐eral counselservicesas follows: TheJPFAisa public trust establishedbythe Jeffer‐sonParishCouncil to provide financialassis‐tancetohomebuyersby wayofmunicipalbond programsand/orother market-ratedownpay‐ment assistance pro‐grams. GeneralCounsel will provideexpertand strategiclegal advice to management andthe BoardofTrustees.Gen‐eral Counselwillensure that theJPFAoperates within thelaw at all times, as well as offer counselonprogramsand business strategies de‐velopment. In addition GeneralCounsel will be responsiblefor thefol‐lowing: •Assistanceindrafting internal governance poli‐cies andmanagethe im‐pact of external factors; •Evaluateand weigh multiple inputs andim‐pactsofany decision or course of action sought by theBoard of Trustees; •Anticipateissuesand estimate risks; identify proactivesolutions for potentialrisks; •Assist in dealings with external parties(audi‐tors,externalcounsel, politicians,clients); •Meet alllegal objec‐tiveswitha complete un‐derstandingofthe JPFA TrustIndenture,its ByLaws,its purpose, and RobertsRules of Order; •Draft agreements and legislationonbehalfof theJPFA; •Keep abreastand in‐form executivedirector andBoard of Trustees of alllegislative changes relative to theJPFAat a federal andlocal level; •Attend allmeetings of theBoard of Trustees andifnecessary,com‐mittee meetings Thefollowing criteria shallbeusedtoevaluate thestatementsofthe first/individualssubmit‐ting to thegeneral coun‐selposition: 1. Professional training andexperienceboth generaland in relation to thetypeand magnitude of work required forthe JPFA,including butnot limitedtogeneral coun‐selexperienceina busi‐ness environmentinvolv‐inga public and/or pri‐vate boardand municipal finance(30 points); 2. Capacity fortimely completion

to pro‐videthe FormulaGrant Program forEnhanced MobilityofSeniors and IndividualswithDisabili‐tiesofanon-emergency ambulatorynaturefor the FY 2026-2027 program year. Theapplicationfor assistanceispursuantto the FormulaGrant Pro‐gramfor Enhanced Mo‐bilityofSeniors andIndi‐viduals with Disabilities Program of 49 CFR5310 Serviceswillgenerally be between 7AMand 4PM, MONDAY throughFRIDAY, inthe area encompass‐ing NEWORLEANS Louisiana.Transit ser‐vices areprovidedwith‐out regard to race,color and national origin in ac‐cordancewithTitle VI of the CivilRightsAct Writtencommentsonthe proposedservicesmay besentwithin15daysto 2401 PRENTISS AVE, NEW ORLEANS, LA.70122 and tothe Program Manager, Louisiana Department of Transportationand De‐velopment, P.O. Box

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‐sure allprojectspromote ourmission statement, have community sup‐port,and supportoflocal andstate electedoffi‐cials. StateParks also commits to notproceed with anyprojectsthat will be detrimentaltothe localcommunity or any localbusiness.

don’tmiss don’tmiss don’t miss

stormin’ the sazerac

Seventy-six years ago,a group of women decided they needed acocktail —aSazeracto be specific. En masse, they stormed into the Roosevelt Hotel’s famed bar, breaking the all-male patrons’ tradition. The commemoration of themomentof cocktail equality is celebratedannually and falls on Friday withaladies-only luncheon, entertainment, abest-dressed (period) competition and asecond-line fromthe historic Blue Room to the wood-paneled enclave. Tickets start at $160 forthe event at 130 Roosevelt Way. therooseveltneworleans.com.

lpo concerts

Musicians withthe Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra rosin up their bows and tune their timpani for aduo of concertthis weekend. Fridayat 8:30 p.m., Big Freedia bounces over to the Orpheum Theater to join Evan Roider and other musicians for high-energyshow. Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at the Mahalia Jackson Theater,Matthew Kraemer conductsVerdi’s “Requiem”with aquartet from the New Orleans Opera, witha 6:30 p.m. pre-concert talk. Friday ticketsare $50, Saturdaytickets start at $35. lpomusic.com.

alligatorfestivalbachtoberfest

Aprime exampleofsouth Louisiana fest fare, this three-day good time at WestbankBridge ParkinSt. Charles Parish is the spot for carnival rides, live gators, food, crafts, music andmorein LulingwhereInterstate 310 crosses the Mississippi.The festruns Friday from 6p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9p.m. Admission is $5 andbenefits the RotaryClub’sscholarship program. alligatorfestival.org.

krewes for karnival

First responders are the beneficiary of this party with apurposeatSouthport Hall, 200 Monticello Ave. at the river.An early slice of Carnival fun, expect to see marching units likethe Pussyfooters, Disco Ami ,Amelia Earhawts and of great munch from a restaurants. sawinepull, live auction and silent auction. Tickets for the .m. Thursday start at $60. ewes4karnival.org.

Get the ghoulish month going with atouch of class when the Musical ArtsSociety holds the annual musicale of Johann Sebastian’s works, featuring the Electric YatQuartet and pianist André Bohren Wednesday at 6p.m. in the courtyard of Margaret Place Hotel, 1133 Margaret Place near the Pontchartrain Expressway and Prytania Street. The evening includes charcuterie to nosh while enjoying the al fresco tunes. Tickets start at $35. masno.org.

ABOUTLAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is published each ThursdaybyThe Times-Picayune |The NewOrleans Advocate. All inquiriesabout Lagniappe should be directed to theeditor. LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Annette Sisco,asisco@ theadvocate.com

COVERDESIGN: CassandraBrown

CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS: Victor Andrews, Rachel Mipro, Justin Mitchell, Dean Shapiro, KeithSpera

GETLISTEDINLAGNIAPPE

SubmiteventstoLagniappe at least twoweeks in advance by sending an email to events@ theadvocate.com.

ON THECOVER

The Mortuary Haunted Mansion on Canal Street is ready to begin another seasonofhorror. Staff photobyJohn McCusker

food food food

Behindthe hype

jambalaya.

BY JUSTIN MITCHELL Staff writer

Is it atourist trap, or is it thetruth?

That’saquestion influencer Mattlan Ladner aims to answer in his Tuesday videos where he trieswell-known New Orleansrestaurantswhere tourists line up to eat.

Ladner,based in New Orleans, is from my Mississippi Coast hometown and we’ve been friends long before Istarted working at TheTimes-Picayune and he started reviewingthe NOLAfood scene in viral videos. Known online as Big Eatsy,Ladner

invited me to try Mother’sRestaurant in the Central Business District with himrecently,and Ieagerly agreed.

Ihave lived in New Orleansfor two years and have yet to trymany of the “household name” restaurantshere.

Known for the baked ham and roast beef, Iwas excited to give Mother’sa try because Ilove aFerdi po-boy

At Mother’s, it’scalled the Ralph because Iadded Swiss cheese tothe po-boy. Ladner got acatfish plate with three sides —red beans and rice, potato saladand chicken and sausage

Iordered thehalf-size portion of the Ralphand it came to the table promptly.The ham was saltyand paired well with the hearty roast beef. The au jus was thin and trickled down my arm as Itook the first bite. The sandwich, however,was not overly messy and held together well while Idug in Igave the po-boy an 8.5 out of 10, which ranks in the No. 3spot on my personal po-boy list

Ladner enjoyed the potatosalad but said he wished thefried fish was seasoned better.You can watch his full Big Eatsy review on Instagram. All in all, these two foodies from Mississippi had different dishes and different experiences at Mother’s, but each found something we loved at the

Fried catfish with cheesegrits at Mother’sRestaurant

well-knownspot just off Poydras and Tchoupitoulas.

Where shouldI eat next? Email me at justin.mitchell@theadvocate.com and letmeknow.

PROVIDED PHOTO

music music music

BLACKAMERICANA FEST

FRIDAY-SATURDAY,THE BROADSIDE

Keith Spera

SOUND CHECK

Venues across town are bustling during the first week of the NOLAxNOLA concert series.

BlackAmericana Festaims to “honor and celebratethe musical heritage, legacy,and contributions of Black artistsmakingmusic in the Americana andFolk genres in New Orleansand the Mississippi RiverDeltaregion.”

To that end, the2025 BlackAmericana Fest presentstwo days of performances andpanel discussions across threestages at the Broadside andits sister Broad Theatre.

On Friday,the event runs from 5p.m. to 11 p.m. and features Kenny Neal, Big Chief Bo Dollis Jr.&the Wild Magnolias, Bruce “Sunpie” Barnes, LeylaMcCalla and headliner Don Flemons.

Saturday’sprogram runs from 2:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.and includes performances by Dr.Michael White &the Original Liberty Jazz Band, KellyLove Jones,festival co-founders Dusky Watersand Teena May,Mireya Ramos, D.K. Harrell, Nikki Hill, Sunny Warand headliner the Suffers.

Asingle-day general admission pass is $22. Atwo-day general admission pass is $37. VIP passes and discounted student passes are alsoavailable. Go to blackamericanafest.com for moreinfo.

THEROAST OF JELLYJOSEPH THURDAY,TIPITINA’S

The annual NOLAxNOLAconcert series, a two-week program of more than 300showsat50 venues acrosstown, generally opens with aroast of alocal musician. Stanton Moore of Galacticand trumpeterKermitRuffins have both takenturns in the hotseat. The subject of the 2025 NOLAxNOLA kick-off roast on Thursday at Tipitina’s is Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph.

Josephwas abacking vocalist in an early incarnation of Tank and the Bangas before moving on to herown projects, including along-runningcollaboration withrapper HaSizzle. For the pastfew years, she’sbeen featuredasthe lead vocalist in Galactic, fronting the band on stages around theworld.

Thursday’s roastatTip’sisco-produced by Laugh LifeComedy,the locally based companythatproducesdozensofcomedy shows acrossthe Gulf South. Theshow’semcee is Brett Siddell, astandup comicand hostofSiriusXM’s“TheBusted Halo Show.” Admission is free. Show time is8 p.m. Afterbeing roastedatTipitina’s,Josephwill head over to Le BonTemps Rouleon Magazine Street to perform at an after-party with the Soul Rebels. Show time is 10:30 p.m.; the cover charge at Le Bon Temps is $20.

OTHERNOTEWORTHYSHOWS

THURSDAY

Singer-songwriter Malcolm Todd’s singles “Art House” and “Roommates” went viral on TikTok in 2023, landing him arecording contract with Columbia Records. He released his self-titled Columbia debut this year.He performsatthe FillmoreonThursday; tickets start at $35.

Robyn Hitchcock stops at Chickie WahWah for asold-out show

New Orleanssaxophonist Rex Gregory leads aquartet at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $30.

FRIDAY

AMexican music star since he co-founded theband Los Bukis in themid-1970s, Marco Antonio Solis brings his MASCerca de Ti World Tour 2025 tothe Smoothie King Center in its reduced configuration. Tickets start at $50. Singer,pianist and all-around cheeky person Judith Owen draws on jazz, old-school female blues singers and the music of New Orleans, her adopted hometown, for inspiration on her finely wrought albums and live shows. She fronts aquartet at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m.

Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

and 9:30 p.m.Friday.Tickets are $30.

Mardi Gras Indian funk band Cha Wa celebrates the release of its new album, “Rise Up,” on Friday at the Toulouse Theatre. Special guests slated to sit in with the band include the legendary Irma Thomas,Cajun-pop fiddle player and singer Amanda Shaw,harmonica player Jason Ricci and Wild Magnolias frontman Gerard “Bo Jr.” Dollis.Show timeis 9p.m. Tickets are $25.

At firstglance, New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia is aseemingly unlikely collaboratorfor the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.But aftertwo sold-out, well-received shows and alive recording with the LPO, Freedia is back for an encoreatthe Orpheum Theater on Friday. Evan Roider will serve as guest conductor for the show. Tickets are $50.

Legendary Meters drummer Zigaboo Modeliste plays ararehometown show at Tipitina’sonFriday. Zigaboo’sFunk Revue for the night includes Chris Severin, Kurt Brunus,Kyle Roussel, Dr.Chris Rossbach, Lance Ellis, TracyGriffin, Kathleen Moore, EarlSmith,Jr. and Dave Easley.The band Toyesauce opensthe showat8:30 p.m. Ticketsare $25.

Dash Rip Rock,the long-running punkabilly trio thatnow features founding guitarist/ singer Bill Davis alongwith drummer Wade Hymel and bassist Izzy Grisoli,hits the Saturn Bar at 9p.m.

Texas electric guitar wizard Eric Johnson brings his Texaphonic Tour to the House of Blues. Tickets start at $25.

LeylaMcCalla

Anjelika ‘Jelly’ Joseph

Judith Owen

music music music

Musaica Chamber Ensemble marks 20th anniversary

BY DEAN M. SHAPIRO Contributing writer

Celebrating the start of its 20th season, the locally based, 11-member Musaica Chamber Ensemble will present two concerts featuring three classical pieces by composers whose works were inspired by their predecessors and the musical styles that were incorporated into their repertoires.

On Monday (Sept. 29) in Metairie and Tuesday (Sept. 30) in Uptown New Orleans, Musaica will perform Italian composer Corrado Saglietti’s “Quintet for Horn and Strings,” along with British composer Madeleine Dring’s “Trio for Oboe, Flute and Piano” and Johannes Brahms’ four-movement “String Quartet No. 1 in C minor.”

Only one of the three pieces, the Dring trio, has been performed previously by the ensemble, according to violist Bruce Owen, Musaica’s co-founder, president and official spokesperson.

“Our first program this season is focused on composers who were inspired by the music from the past,” Owen said. “Of course, that would be true of a lot of composers, but these people in particular were basically looking over their shoulders at previous pieces that had been written and were sort of emulating them.”

Saglietti, the only living composer among the three selected, was influenced by the rhythms of the popular music he grew up listening to in his native Italy, Owen said. He also noted that Dring’s major inspiration came from Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff and Brahms’ inspiration came largely from Beethoven.

The Saglietti quintet will be per-

SATURDAY

In a one-of-a-kind collaboration presented by NOLAxNOLA and CubaNOLA, New Orleans-based Cuban trumpeter David Navarro teams up with Horacio“El Negro”Hernandez, one of the most acclaimed Cuban drummers in the world. Hernandez has backed the likes of Carlos Santana, McCoy Tyner, Steve Winwood, Tito Puente, Roy Hargrove, Eddie Palmieri and many others. At

back: Dave Anderson, Sarah Schettler, Jane Gabka, Diana Thacher and Cathy Anderson.

formed by Josiah Bullach on French horn, accompanied by Owen on viola, David Rosen on cello and Yuki Tanaka and Judith Armistead Fitzpatrick on violins.

“This particular piece has three movements,” Owen said. “There’s a tango in the first movement and then more like a chant in the second movement. And then the last movement is a jazzy kind of piece with lots of interesting rhythms. Those are the kinds of compositions we love finding. Especially by composers we hadn’t heard of.”

The Dring trio will be played by Sarah Schettler on flute, Jane Gabka on oboe and Diana Thacher on piano. Composed in 1968 and consisting of three movements, it was performed by Musaica during the 2012 season.

Following a brief intermission, the 32-minute Brahms string quartet will be performed by Owen, Rosen, Tanaka and Fitzpatrick.

Two decades ago, Owen was driving to a summer festival in Colorado when the idea of the chamber group came to him.

“I got in touch with some musicians I knew and they were excited about doing it too,” he said. “We took our inspiration from a chamber group that started up in Nashville.

“Among the things they did that we also do were to make our concerts free to the public and perform them in a number of different locations,” Owen said. “And we’ve picked up more musicians as we went along. Having 11 members gives us a lot of combinations

‘PAST REVERBERATIONS’

WHEN/WHERE: 7:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 29, Metairie Ridge Presbyterian Church, 215 Phosphor Ave., Metairie ● 7:30 p.m.,Tuesday, Sept. 30, St. Charles Avenue Baptist Church, 7100 St Charles Avenue, New Orleans

TICKETS: Free. $20 suggested donation for adults and $10 for students and seniors. INFO: (504) 304-8608. musaica.org

of different instruments, which allows us to play a wide variety of different types of music.”

Nearly all the members of Musaica are also members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Several are principals in their instrumental sections.

Tanaka, who was born in Japan, has been playing violin since the age of 3 and made her recital debut at 8. She arrived in the U.S for her college studies in the early 1990s and joined the LPO in January 2000. Over the years, she has served as an associate concertmaster as well as acting assistant concertmaster with the orchestra.

“I’ve been with Musaica since the beginning and have never missed a concert date,” Tanaka said. “I have probably performed over a hundred individual compositions with them over that time.”

Acknowledging the challenges of performing the Brahms string quartet for the first time, she said, “I’m trying to get to know this piece because this string quartet is one of the most important and profound in the genre of classical music. I’ll have to figure out how to make this piece as one voice for four people.”

Snug Harbor on Saturday, Navarro and Hernandez will be joined by Oscar Rossignoli on piano, Alexey Marti on percussion, Max Moran on bass and Brent Rose on saxophone. Tickets are $45.

The Lost Bayou Ramblers put a contemporary spin on Cajun music at the Rabbit Hole on Oretha Castle Haley Boulevard.

The trombone-powered Big Sam’s Funky Nation is augmented by Sissy Nobby,Rechell Cook and Paris Soul at Tipitina’s. Erica Falls & Vintage Soul and Raj Smoove open the show

Tickets are $22. NOLAxNOLA presents multi-instrumentalist Nicholas Payton’s Birthday Celebration at Sweet Lorraine’s. He’ll be joined by Ricardo Pascal,Peter Harris and Peter Varnado. Show time is 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 day of show Contemporary Christian music acts MercyMe,TobyMac and MatthewWest play the Smoothie King Center in its reduced capacity configuration; tickets start at $34.

SUNDAY

Stringed instrument master Mahmoud Chouki, who is originally from Morocco, and singer-songwriter-guitarist Yusa, a native of Cuba, team up at Chickie Wah Wah for a show in their adopted hometown. Tickets are $25 plus fees.

WEDNESDAY

Keyboardist Jon Cleary plays at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets are $20 plus fees.

PROVIDED PHOTO By ALLISON BULLACH Musaica Chamber Ensemble members include, front from left: David Rosen, Bruce Owen, yuki Tanaka and Judith Armistead Fitzpatrick;

events events events

SCREAM TEAM

There’s fake blood inside, and a real Bloodmobile outside. Welcome to the Mor

BY RACHEL MIPRO Contributing writer

In the dark basement of the Mortuary Haunted Mansion, a clown rummages through a black trash bag for a severed arm before stiffening, bloody mouth grinning, in the shadows.

At the end of the mirror-filled hallway, Jigsaw sits slumped over a tricycle. Freddy Krueger creeps in, animal parts dangle from strings, a woman shrieks.

The Mortuary is ready to begin another season of horror.

The Mortuary, a New Orleans Halloween attraction in a former funeral home at 4800 Canal St., has been a local favorite since owner Jeff Borne bought it in 2007. Borne runs PSX Worldwide Audiovisual Technologies and uses his industry knowledge to create an immersive horror experience inside the mansion.

From animatronics to sound effects, each corner is crammed with details. The Art the Clown-inspired room is chockfull of black-and-white horror photos, moldy books, demonic symbols, mystery jars of colored liquid and bloody bones.

“Everywhere you turn, there’s something. If it’s not a live actor, it’s an animatronic or a visual special effect with projection or other sorts of illusion,” Borne said. “Even a little bit of magic here and there.”

Ghosts in the shadows

For decades, PJ McMahon & Sons Undertaking Co. ran a full-service funeral home here, complete with autopsy room and embalming area. Borne has had several ghost hunter groups visit the site. The results of these various investigations: claims of ghost hauntings.

The building’s location helps enhance the rumors; the white-columned mansion sits on the end of Canal Street, surrounded by cemeteries.

Each year, Borne and his team create a new “chapter” of horror. This year marks Chapter 19, “Origins of Evil.”

the cemeteries.

Borne expects 30,000 visitors will experience son’s theme.

“We wanted sort of an explanation and where it comes from,” Borne said. let’s go back to the beginning and come thing that’s based on the Adam and

The Mortuary Haunted Mansion is on

STAFF PHOTOS By JOHN McCUSKER

A saw-wielding ghoul ushers people out the exit at the end of the journey through the Mortuary Haunted Mansion on Saturday. ä See

on Canal Street next to

experience this seaexplanation of evil in the world said. “And so we said, come up with someand Eve story.”

ABOVE: Jason steps into the light at the Mortuary Haunted Mansion. LEFT: Gabrielle Jeansonne, foreground, prepares to put the scare into visitors.

Patrons get a scare while traveling through the Mortuary Haunted Mansion.

events events events

MORTUARY

Continued from page 6

The plot takes a biblical twist and centers around Nephthys, an evil “Queen of the Night” who drinks venom from the Serpent of Eden and begins to create all manner of evil. One room is given over to her creation, the Boogeyman.

House of horrors

In the Boogeyman room, strobe lights flicker, lighting up a set designed to look like a child’s bedroom. The black and white dresser is blood-spattered, there’s a suspicious lump hidden under the bed covers and disturbing crayon drawings on the walls. Rustling curtains have doll bodies strung from them and Henry Hall’s “Hush Hush Hush, Here Comes the Bogeyman” plays on repeat.

“You win, you win,” said one female guest, walking through rapidly after the Boogeyman suddenly jumped out at her

Over 100 staff members keep the environment horror-filled for the guests who make their way through the mansion House artist and actor Dark Alley wears pointed teeth as she prowls the lawns of Mortuary, carrying a severed head.

“It’s really fun,” she said. “You get to splatter blood everywhere and paint crazy stuff. I love it.”

She’s been working at the Mortuary for 11 years; her husband is a set builder and her two daughters are actors for the Mortuary. One is a horror clown, the other lurks in the basement as a murderous Lizzie Borden.

Haunted house

BY VICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

It’s time to get that freaky fright on as a New Orleans Nightmare Haunted House gets into the seasonal scares through Nov 8.

The Jefferson Parish macabre menagerie at 319 Butterworth St. in Elmwood has become another mainstay of the Crescent City celebration of the season. Composed of several different as-

Visitors encounter a lurking creature Saturday at the Mortuary

They are among actors who come after guests with chain saws, or axes, or simply stand, bloodstained and rotting, in corners to mutter or sing in high-pitched voices — often to great effect.

In the words of 7-year-old guest Braylein: “The chain saw, I thought he was going to kill us. I ran.”

In another vein ...

The Mortuary has a more serious side, as well: Every year, the organization partners with The Blood Center. Blood donors at any of the donation sites are rewarded with a free ticket, and a parked mobile blood drive van sits outside the building every night of operation.

Paul Adams, public relations man-

ager for The Blood Center, estimates the Mortuary site results in about 1,000 donations per year, often coming at a much-needed time. Blood donations typically drop off in the summer months, leading to depleted blood reserves.

“September and October are typically some of our strongest times, and I associate that with our partnership with the Mortuary,” Adams said. “It really comes in right where we need it most. “

Adams encourages blood donations at the site.

“You know your blood is definitely going to be pumping,” Adams said.

The Mortuary is open through Nov 8. Days vary; check themortuary.net. Tickets are timed, and start at $30.

horrifies with agricultural theme

pects, the haunted ensemble includes “The Blood Shed” in an abandoned morgue, “The Harvest,” which features a horrifying agricultural theme where “something ancient lives beneath the soil, mini escape games, horror-themed bars, sensory experiences and more.

“New scares, new nightmares, same legendary fear,” said Spencer Constant, the general manager of the mayhem.

“Our eighth season is here and it’s our best one yet.”

Put on by Thirteenth Floor Entertainment Group, the tickets for the ghastly good times start at $19.99.

The nightmares happen on select nights, generally Thursdays through Sundays, with extra evenings closer to Halloween

For information and tickets, visit neworleansnightmare.com.

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

‘Evenings with Enrique’ brings Latin music back to Botanical Gardens

BY ANNETTE SISCO Staff writer

With the return of cooler fall days, the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park brings back live performances by local Latin artists in its popular “Evenings with Enrique” series, scheduled Wednesdays in October.

Every Wednesday of the month, except Oct. 8, live music, food and beverages will be on tap in the gardens from 5 to 7:30 p.m. And best of all, admission is free for Louisiana residents, thanks to the Helis Foundation.

The series is a tribute to the freewheeling Mexican-born artist Enrique Alférez, who lived in New Orleans for almost 70 years. His bold art deco reliefs and sculptures are a familiar sight in parks and museums around the city, and more than 20 of his works are on display among the palms and vines of the Botanical Garden.

On Oct. 15, New Orleans artist Hugo Montero will present his Dia de los Muertos altar inside the Conservatory of the Two Sisters, to remain on display until the Day of the Dead, Nov 2.

The musical lineup is as follows:

n Oct. 1: Afro-Brazilian guitarist and vocalist Geovane Santos with a seven-piece band.

n Oct. 15: Jazz-flamenco-Brazilian five-piece band Vivaz.

n Oct. 22: Arpa, a six-piece band representing Puerto Rico.

n Oct. 29: Alexis Guevara with an Afro-Cuban trio.

Louisiana residents are admitted free to the Botanical Garden on Wednesday, thanks to The Helis Foundation. For more information, visit neworleanscitypark.org.

Email Annette Sisco at asisco@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By JOHN McCUSKER

Haunted Mansion.

stages stages stages

‘Lehman Trilogy,’‘Frankenstein’todebut

The rise and epic fall of astoried family comestothe stage of Le Petit Théâtre du Vieux Carréwhile the story of hubris in thehands of ascientist withacomic twist takes to thegreen fields of LafitteGreenway as two local theatrical companies open showsinOctober

Grim brothers

The bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers is the penultimate chapter of astory about afamily that spans nearlytwo centuries and comes to Le Petit in the French Quarter on Oct. 3.

“The Lehman Trilogy” features three actors playing dozens of roles in ashow that spans generations and recounts the history of afamily of Southerndry goods merchants who become one of the greatest success and failure stories of recent financial times. The subprime mortgage crisis led to the “Lehman Shock” and cataclysmiclosses in the financial sectors.

A.J. Allegra, the theater’sartistdirector,saidthe show is a “rags-to-riches (and back to rags again) story of American entrepreneurship, corporate greed,and family history.There is nothing else quite like it.”

Veteran Le Petit performers Ryan Hayes, David Lind and Leslie Nipkow takethe roles of multiple generations and characters, with Jenny Lavery directing the show originallywritten in Italian by Stefano Massini as aradioshow.The script was adapted by Ben Power.The Broadway premiere won five Tony Awardsin2022, includingbestplay

“‘TheLehmanTrilogy’ is epic theatrical storytelling of the best possible

kind,” said Allegra. “This is the type of story that can only be experienced inside alive theater withgifted actors and designers working in harmony.”

The show will run at 7p.m.Thursdays to Saturdays and 3p.m.Sundays. A1 p.m. Oct. 18 matinee is planned at the theater at 616 St. PeterSt. Tickets start at $35.lepetittheatre.com.

Monster-mirthmash

Mary Shelley probably did not imagine Dr.Frankenstein and his monster would generate toomany laughs, but she never met Mel Brooks.

Or Pete McElligott. The NOLAProject’s “crazedgenius” of the pen has summoned his talents to breathing new life into the story that will open Oct.2inthe great outdoors. The New York-basedactor,writerand educator has written several works for the lo-

cal company,including “Adventures in Wonderland,”“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Dracula.”

Leslie Claverie takes the helm of the show withJames Bartelle, J’aiLaChristina, Keith Claverie, Noah Hazzard, Keyara Milliner, Michael AaronSantos, Matthew Thompson and Kristin Witt taking roles.

“Pete’s plays are unique in that they’re hilarious, of course, but also full of tremendous amounts of heart,”said Leslie Claverie.

The outdoor showtakes to the Greenway at 436 N. Norman C. Francis

Parkway and bringing chairs or blankets is recommended.

“Partnering with Lafitte Greenway lets us turn apublic space into astage,” said artistic director Tenaj Wallace. “Our hope is that neighbors, families and audiences —whether it’stheir first play or their 50th —will feel like this type of community rooted theater …belongs to them,too.”

The show runs at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Mondays through Oct. 17. Tickets start at $20, with premier seating included at $55. nolaproject. com

On stagethisweek

“CRITICAL MASS”: Opening 7:30 p.m. Friday through Monday; Marigny Opera House, 725 St. Ferdinand St. Intramural Theater’sshow,billed as “an absurd and darkly humorous explorations of humanity’simpulse

Hayes

Lind

Nipkow

Claverie

McElligott

PROVIDED PHOTO

The NOLA Project will putafresh, outdoors spin on ‘Frankenstein,’with shows set on the Lafitte Greenway. Castmembers include, top rowfrom left: James Bartelle, J’aiLa Christina and Keith Claverie; second row, Noah Hazzard,Keyara Milliner and Michael Aaron Santos; bottom row, MatthewThompsonand Kristin Witt.

Victor Andrews

stages stages stages

toward criticism,” is propelled by thenarrator, described as “artist, mother,investigator of society’sfoibles,” along with atroupe of actors striving to impress acritic.But thecritichas issuesaswell. Tickets are $25. intramuraltheater.org.

“DEAREVANHANSEN”: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday,2 p.m. Sunday; Rivertown Theatersfor the Performing Arts, 325 Minor St., Kenner. An anxiety-ridden highschooler deals with the aftermath of aclassmate’sdeath and his mistaken roleinthe deceased’slife, with social media playing acritical role.Ticket start at $43. rivertowntheaters.com.

“WHATEVER LOLA WANTS”: 7p.m. buffet Friday and Saturday,with the showat 8:15 p.m. Sunday matinee buffet at 11:30 a.m., show at 1p.m.; TerrytownCountry Club, 1785 Carol Sue Ave., Terrytown. Sandy Bravender,DaneRhodes, et al., stage acomedyabout an estranged daughter attending her father’sfuneral and meeting three people who have been living with him. Tickets are $60. (504) 442-5675.

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Jacob Morris as Evan and RubyLevin as Zoe talk in ascene from ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ at RivertownTheaters for the PerformingArtsinKenner.

PRESENTS

NOLAFUNKFEST

OCTOBER 17-19 SPANISHPLAZA

MASTERP FEATURING THESOULREBELS

GALACTIC FEATURING

IRMAJELLYERICA&MAGGIE

DUMPSTAPHUNK DUMPSTA PLAYS SLY

CYRIL NEVILLE CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF THE WILD TCHOUPITOULAS

FUNKY METERS 2.0 THE HEADHUNTERS

TONY HALL & THE NEW ORLEANS SOUL STARS

TRIBUTE TO JAMES BROWN FEATURING FRED WESLEY

JONCLEARY&THEABSOLUTEMONSTERGENTLEMEN

GEORGE PORTER JR & RUNNIN’ PARDNERS

MISSISSIPPIRIVERREVIVAL ERICAFALLS&FRIENDS

BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION WITH JELLY JOSEPH

NEW ORLEANS SUSPECTS WITH JENNIFER HARTSWICK

BIG GO