The Times-Picayune 11-14-2025

BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer

Louisiana Gov.Jeff Landry said Thursday that some peoplewho get foodstamp benefitsmay ultimately see alittle extra intheir accounts with the end of the federalgovernment shutdown —and everyone on the programwill get the full benefit amount for November

“I think the elderly and the disabled may get alittle extra for Thanksgiving this year thanks to theirgovernor andtheir Legislature,” Landry said during aradio interview on WBOK.

The federal government stopped paying benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program this month due to the shutdown,

leading Louisiana officials to step in and cover part of the benefits for elderly and disabled residentswho use theprogram.

Legal challengesspurredthe Trump administration to begin payingpartial benefits. With the government reopened, residents will get a full month’sworth of payments.

Landrytold Will Sutton, aWBOK

Full SNAP benefits will be paid,Landrysays

“Wedon’twant to loadthe card andtakeanything back. Idon’tthink it’sright if we penalize peopleifwegive them something and then just takeit back.”

GOV. JEFF LANDRy

host andcolumnist forThe TimesPicayune |The Advocate, that elderly and disabled recipients had already been issued 85% of their typical benefit payment, and they will receive an additional 35% for this month

“Wedon’twant to load the cardand

ä See SNAP, page 8A

Boyfaces criminal chargesas LafourcheParishschooldistrictfaces

BY PATRICK WALL Staff writer

ALouisiana middle school has beenrocked by AI-generated nude photos of an eighth grade girl, which resulted in criminal charges for aboy who allegedly distributed them and provoked outrage after the school district expelled the

victim of thefake photos because shehit one of the boys who shared them In ahigh-profile test of Louisiana’seffortstostop the spread of deepfakes, theboy was charged with 10countsofdisseminating explicit images of another person created by artificial intelligence, the LafourcheParish Sheriff’s Office saidMonday. Morestudents could still be charged.

Thegirltold staffersatSixth Ward Middle School in Thibodaux on Aug. 26 that she was being bullied due to the fake nude photos of her,accordingtolawyersrepresenting herfamily. That afternoon, several boys displayed the photos in front of the girl on aschool bus,

Chartergroup merging 3other schools, citing enrollment drop

BY MARIE FAZIO Staff writer

ANew OrleansEast charter school network will close Sarah T. Reed High School and combine threeotherschools due to declining enrollment anddisappointing academic outcomes, network leaders said.

The Einstein Charter Schools board voted Tuesdaytoshutter Reed High School after this school year,marking the second time the low-performingschool has been shut downinjust over adecade. Thecharter network’sthree other schools —Sherwood Forest, Village De L’Est and Einstein MiddleSchool—willmerge operations as oneK-8 school at the campus currently occupied by SherwoodForest, said Einstein CEO Tara Johnson.

Attorney General Liz Murrill’sdecision to seek an indictment of former House Speaker Clay SchexnayderinBaton Rouge prompted aseriesoflegal questions Thursday The biggest one is this: Can she prosecute him without knowing the location of an ancient cypress wood board at the heart of the case that was last seen 18 months ago in what was then his legislative office

Afterhitting boywho shared fake nudes, girl is expelled

and she struck one of the boys. In response to the alleged assault,the school districtexpelled the girl fromcampus foratleast 45 days. Herfamily appealed the expulsionand requesteda public hearing, which the School Board conducted during its meeting last week.After theemotionalhearing, which wasfirst reported by The

HoumaCourier,the board allowed thegirltoimmediatelyreturn to campus on probationary status. The13-year-oldreturnedtoclass Mondayafterbeing kept off campus forovertwo months, herlawyers said.

“Thisgirlwas abused,” said Gregory Miller, one of the family’sattorneys, noting that she endured sexual exploitationand

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Israel: Militants returned remains of hostage

JERUSALEM Israel said Thursday that militants have handed over the body of one of the last four remaining hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that launched the war in Gaza Israel identified the returned body as that of Meny Godard, who was abducted from Kibbutz Be’eri in southern Israel. His wife, Ayelet, was killed during the attack The armed wings of Hamas and the Palestinian IslamicJihad said Godard’sbody was recovered in southern Gaza.

Since the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 10, theremainsof25hostageshave been returned to Israel. There are still three more in Gaza thatneed to be recovered and handedover.

Godard was aprofessional soccer player before enlisting in the Israeli military and serving in the 1973 Mideast War, according to Kibbutz Be’eri. He served in a variety of different positions in the kibbutz, including at its printing press.

Israel has been releasing 15 Palestinian bodies for the remains of each hostage as part of the ceasefire agreement. The Gaza Health Ministry said the total numberof remains received so far is 315.

Hamas has said recovering bodies is complicated by the widespread devastation in Gaza Israel has pushed to speedupthe returns and in certain cases has said the remains werenot those of hostages.

Jesse Jackson in hospital for neurological disorder

CHICAGO TheRev.Jesse Jackson, whohas been receiving around-the-clock care at home, has been hospitalized with arare neurological disorder,according to his Chicago-based organization.

The civil rights leader was diagnosed with Parkinson’sdisease about adecade ago.But his Rainbow/PUSH organization said Thursday that the 84-year-old remained under observation for progressive supranuclearpalsy, aneurodegenerative disorder he has been “managing for more than adecade” and receiveda diagnosis for in April.

“The family appreciates all prayers at this time,” the organization said in astatementlate Wednesday Jackson had sufferedfrom symptoms consistentwith Parkinson’sand disclosed adiagnosis in 2017, but during aMayoClinic visit in April, doctors confirmed a diagnosis of PSP,which can have similar symptoms to Parkinson’s. Afterdisclosing he wasreceiving outpatient treatment in2017, Jackson continued to make public appearances, including at the2024 DemocraticNationalConvention in Chicago.The two-timepresidential candidate stepped down as leader of his Rainbow/PUSH organization in 2023 and his son, Yusef Jackson, took over as chief operating officer last year

Detained Chicago day careworker released

CHICAGO AChicago day care center employee who was detained by immigration agents at work as children were being dropped off last week hasbeen released, according to her attorney Diana Santillana Galeano was detained Nov. 5atthe Rayitode SolSpanish Immersion Early Learning Center on the north side of Chicago. Avideo showed officers strugglingwith her as they walked out the front door.Her attorneys said in astatement Thursday that she was released froma detentioncenterinIndiana on Wednesday night

“Weare thrilled that Ms. Santillana was released, and has been able to return home to Chicago where she belongs,” attorney Charlie Wysong said in thestatement. “Wewill continue to pursue her immigration claims to stay in the United States. We are grateful to her community for the outpouring of support over thesedifficult days, and ask that her privacybe respected while she rests and recovers from this ordeal.” Her case reflects the Trump administration’sincreasingly aggressive enforcementtactics

But her detention at aday care was unusual even under “Operation Midway Blitz,” which has resulted in more than 3,000 immigration arrests in the Chicago area since early September

ASSOCIATED

An airplane descendsWednesdaytoland at O’Hare

Airlines optimistic aboutquick recovery

Firmsawait end of FAAcuts, preparefor Thanksgivingtravel

BY JOSH FUNK AP transportation writer

Airlinesare optimistic they can resume normal operationsjust afew days after the government lifts its order to cut some flights at 40 busy airports, but it’s not clear howsoon thatwill happen even though thefederal shutdown is over

The Federal Aviation Administration did announceWednesday night that airlineswon’thave to cut morethan 6% of flightsat thoseairports because air traffic controller staffing has improved significantly in the last few days. Originally theorder that took effect last Friday called for those flight cuts to increase to 8%Thursday and top out at 10% on Friday

Anumber of airtraffic controllers missed work while theywere going without pay during the shutdown, and the spikeinunderstaffing at airport towers and regional control centers prompted the flight cut order due to concerns about safety. The existingshortage of several thousand controllers is so badthateven asmall numberofabsences in some locationscaused problems.

Officials at FAAand the Transportation Departmentdidn’tofferany updates Thursdaymorning aboutwhen they will decide to liftthe order.Transportation Secretary Sean Duffyhas said the decision will be based on the safetydata that experts at theFAA are watching closely Theairlines say they will be ready and expect that normal operations will resume within three or four days after the order is lifted.Some experts have suggested that problemsmight lingerlonger than that andcould affect Thanksgiving travel, so it is difficult to predict whether the airlines will be able to recover from this as quicklyasthey do after amajor snowstorm disrupts their operations and leaves planesand crews out of position.

Airlinesfocused cuts on smaller regionalroutes to minimize theimpacton main hubs. By late Thursdayafternoon, only alittle over 1,000 flights hadbeen canceled across the country. Aviation

analytics firmCirium saidnearly 95% of all flights nationwide Thursday were on time.

“Weare eager to resume normal operations over the next few days once the FAAgives clearance. We look forward to welcoming 31 million passengers—a new record —toour flights during the upcoming Thanksgiving travel period, beginning next Friday,”the Airlines for America trade group said Thursday Duffy hassaidthatcontrollers and other FAAemployees shouldreceive 70% of their back pay within 24-48 hours of the end of the shutdown with the rest to come over the next couple paychecks. The financial pressure on controllers drove someofthem to seek out side jobs to help make ends meet and callout of work while they dealt with the stress. LastSaturday,the staff shortages peakedwhen 81 different FAAfacilities warned they were running low on workers, forcing the airlines to cut additional flights. On Thursdaymorning, the FAA didn’tlist any staffing warnings at airports andother radar facilities across thecountry Therewas talkofoffering both air traffic controllers and Transportation SecurityAdministration officers$10,000 bonuses for workingduring theshutdown. Duffy has suggested the bonuses might go only tocontrollers who never missed ashift during the shutdown, but Homeland SecuritySecretaryKristi Noem said she planned to give thebonuses to any officerswho went “above and beyond” whileworking without pay. Shehanded out acouple of dozen checks to officers at anews conference Thursday

American AirlinesCEO Robert Isom and Chief Operating Officer David Seymourtold employees in aletter Thursday that they are already seeing improvements as controller staffing stabilized over the last day or so even though more flight cuts will be needed until FAAlifts the order.But travelers should already be seeing fewer delays and cancellations on the day of their flights.

The twoexecutives said they believe American Airlines’planning and efforts to minimize disruptionswill help the carrier bounce back fast and “deliver a strong Thanksgiving operation,” noting thatmillions of travelers“deserve the certainty.”

Next immigrationcrackdown to target Charlotte, N.C.,sheriff says

BYALLENG.BREED and ERIK VERDUZCO

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C. The latest city bracing for the Trump administration’simmigration crackdown is Charlotte, North Carolina, which could see an influx of federal agentsasearly as this weekend, acounty sheriff saidThursday MecklenburgCounty Sheriff Garry McFaddensaidina statement that two federal officials confirmed aplan forU.S Customs and Border Protection agentsto start an enforcement operation on Saturday or early next week in North Carolina’s largest city.His office declined to identifythose officials. McFadden said details aboutthe operation haven’tbeen disclosed, and his office hasn’tbeen asked to assist.

Department of Homeland Security

Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin declined to comment, saying, “Every day,DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country.Wedonot discuss future or potentialoperations.”

President DonaldTrump has defended sending the military and immigration agents into Democratic-run cities like Los Angeles, Chicago and even the nation’s capital,saying the unprecedented operations are neededtofight crime and carry out hismassdeportation agenda.

Charlotte is another such Democratic stronghold. Astatement of solidarity from severallocal and state officials estimated

thecity is home to more than 150,000 foreign-born people. The city’spopulationisabout 40% White, 33% Black, 16% Hispanic and 7% Asian.

The Trump administration hasused this summer’s fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutskahas on alight-rail train in Charlotte as proof that Democratic-led cities fail to protect their residents from violent crime. Aman with alengthy criminal record hasbeencharged with murder.

Activists,faithleaders, and local and state officials say they already started preparing the immigrant community for acrackdown, sharing information about resources and attempting to calm fears. Nearly500 people participated in acall organized by the group CharlotteEAST on Wednesday

DOJsuestoblock Calif.redistricting

Clash could tipcontrol of Congress

BY ALANNA DURKIN RICHER and MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press

LOS ANGELES The Justice DepartmentonThursday sued to block new congressional district boundaries approved by California voters last week, joining a court battle that could help determine whichparty wins controlofthe U.S. House in 2026.

Thecomplaintfiledin California federal court targetsthe new congressionalmap pushedbyDemocratic Gov.Gavin Newsom in response to asimilar Republican-ledeffortinTexas backed by President Donald Trump. It sets the stage forahigh-stakes legaland political fight between the Republican administration and the Democratic governor,who’sseen as alikely 2028 presidential contender

“California’sredistrictingscheme is abrazen power grab that tramples on civil rights and mocks the democratic process, Attorney General Pam Bondi said in an emailed statement. “Governor Newsom’sattempt to entrench one-party rule and silence millions of Californians will not stand.” Newsom spokesperson BrandonRichards said in astatement, “These losers lost at the ballotbox and soon they will also lose in court.”

The legal moveagainst heavily Democratic California marks thefirst time theJustice Departmenthas sued over aflurry of unusual, mid-decade House maprevisions acrossthe country that were drawn to maximize partisanadvantage in advance of next year’selections.

ThreeRepublican-led states —Texas, along with Missouri and North Carolina—have notfaced federal legal action after revamping district lines following Trump’scallfor new mapstoexpand GOP numbers in the House.

Civil rights advocates have argued that the new boundaries in Texas and Missouri illegally disadvantage minoritycommunities at the ballot box.

California voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 50, aconstitutional amendment changingthe congressional boundaries to give Democrats ashot at winning five seats now held by Republicansinnextyear’smidterm elections. The Justice Department is joining acase challengingthe new map that was brought by the California Republican Party last week. The Trump administration accuses California of racial gerrymandering in violation of the Constitutionbyusing race as afactortofavor Hispanicvoters with the new map.Itasks a judge to prohibit California from using the new map in any future elections.

“Race cannotbeusedas aproxy to advance political interests, but that is precisely what the California General Assembly didwith Proposition 50 —the recent ballot initiative that junked California’s pre-existing electoral mapinfavor of arush-jobrejiggering of California’scongressional district lines,” thelawsuit says. Prop 50 was Newsom’s response to Trump’smaneuvers in Texas, where Republicans rejiggered districtsinhopes of picking up five seatsoftheir own ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when House control will be on the line. Democrats need to gain just ahandful of seats next yeartotakecontrol of the chamber, which would imperil Trump’sagenda for theremainderofhis term andopenthe way for congressionalinvestigations into his administration. Republicans hold 219 seats, to Democrats’ 214. The showdown between the nation’stwo most populous states has spread nationally,withMissouri, North Carolina and Ohio adopting new district lines thatcould provide apartisan advantage. Other states areconsidering similar moves.

Tips /Stories: NEWSTIPS@THEADVOCATE.COM

Obituaries:

PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH

International AirportinChicago.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT KELLEy

Asign in Spanish that readsattop ‘Know your Rights’ is posted Thursday outsideof arestaurant in Charlotte, N.C.

Blue Origin launches huge rocket to Mars

Craftcarries twin NASA spacecraft

BY MARCIA DUNN AP aerospace writer

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. Blue Origin launched its huge New Glenn rocket Thursday withapair of NASA spacecraft destined for Mars.

It was only thesecond flight of the rocketthat Jeff Bezos’ company and NASA are counting on to get people andsupplies to themoon— anditwas acompletesuccess.

The 321-foot New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending NASA’s twin Mars orbiters on adrawn-out journey to the red planet. Liftoff was stalledfour days by lousy local weather as well as solar storms strong enough to paint the skies with auroras as far south as Florida.

In aremarkable first, Blue Origin recoveredthe booster following its separation from the upper stage and the Mars orbiters, an essential step to recycle and slash costs similarto SpaceX.Company employees cheered wildly as the booster landed upright on abarge 375miles offshore An ecstatic Bezos watched the action from Launch Control.

“Next stop, moon!” employees chanted following the booster’sbull’s-eye landing. Twenty minuteslater,

ABlue Origin NewGlenn rocketlifts off Thursdayfrom LaunchComplex 36 at the CapeCanaveral Space Force Station in

the rocket’supper stage deployedthe two Mars orbiters in space, the mission’s main objective.

New Glenn’sinaugural test flight in Januarydelivered aprototype satellite to orbit, butfailed to land the boosteronits floatingplatform in the Atlantic.

TheidenticalMars orbiters, named Escapade, will spend ayear hanging out nearEarth,stationingthemselves 1million miles away Once Earth and Mars are properlyaligned next fall, theduo will get agravity assist from Earthtohead to

the redplanet, arriving in 2027.

Once around Mars, the spacecraft will map the planet’s upperatmosphere and scattered magnetic fields, studying howthese realms interact with the solar wind. The observations should shed light on theprocesses behind the escaping Martian atmosphere,helping to explain how the planet wentfrom wet andwarm to dry anddusty.Scientists will also learn how best to protect astronautsagainst Mars’ harsh radiation environment

U.S. carriernears Venezuela

BY BEN FINLEY,REGINA

GARCIA CANOand

KONSTANTIN TOROPIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON The most advanced U.S. aircraft carrier is expected to reach the waters off Venezuela in days, aflex of American military power not seen in Latin America for generations Experts disagree on the possibility that American warplanes will catapult off the USS Gerald R. Ford to bomb targets insideVenezuela and further pressure authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro to step down. Still, whether it may servethat purposeoronlypatrols the Caribbean as the U.S. blows up boatsitaccuses of trafficking drugs, the presence of the 100,000-ton warship alone is sending amessage

“This is the anchor of what it means to have U.S.military power once againinLatin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’ssenior analyst for the Andes region.“And it has raised alot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. Ithink everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the U.S. is to really use military force.”

TheFord’simpending arrival is amajor moment in the Trump administration’s campaign in South America, whichit describes as acounterdrug operation. It escalatesthe already massive buildup of military firepower inthe region, with added pressure frombomber trainingruns nearthe Venezuelan coast, CIA operations thathave been publiclyauthorized insidethe country and boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that have killedover 75 people.

TheU.S.has longused aircraft carriers as tools of deterrence to pressure and influence othernations, often without employing any force at all. They carry thousands of sailors and dozensofwarplanes that can striketargets deepinside anothercountry.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists that President Donald Trump is focused on stopping drugsfromentering the U.S. by combating “organized criminal narcoterrorists.”

“That’s what he’sauthorized. That’s what the military’sdoing. That’s whyour assets are there,” he told reportersWednesday after meetinghis counterparts from theGroup of Seven de-

mocracies in Canada.

But Rubio alsosays the U.S. doesn’t recognize Maduro, who was widely accused of stealing lastyear’selection, as the leader of Venezuela andcalledthe government a“transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with thosetrafficking drugs towardthe U.S.

Some expertssay deployingthe Fordappears tobe geared moretoward agovernment change in Venezuela thandrug trafficking.

“There’snothing that an aircraftcarrier brings that is useful for combating thedrug trade,” Dickinson said. “I think it’sclearly a message that is much more geared toward pressuring Caracas.”

BryanClark, aformer Navysubmarinerand defense analyst at theHudson Institute, aconservative think tank, said the Trump administration would not have deployed theFord “if theydidn’tintend touse it.”

“I think this administration is very open to using military force to accomplish particular objectives,” Clark said. “I think they’re going to want to actually do somemilitary operationsunlessMaduro steps down in the next month or so.”

BBCapologizestoTrump over misleading speech edit

Broadcaster says no basisfor defamation claim

BY BRIANMELLEY Associated Press

LONDON The BBC apologizedThursdaytoPresident Donald Trumpover amisleading edit of his speech on Jan. 6, 2021, but saidithad not defamed him, rejecting the basisfor his $1 billion lawsuit threat.

The BBC said Chair Samir Shah sentapersonal letter to the WhiteHouse saying that he and the corporation were sorry for the edit of thespeech Trumpgave beforesome of his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol as Congress was poised to certifyPresident-elect Joe Biden’svictory in the 2020 election thatTrump falsely allegedwas stolen from him.

The publicly funded broadcaster said thereare no plans to rebroadcast the documentary,which had spliced together partsofhis

speech that came almostan hour apart.

“Weaccept that our edit unintentionally created the impression that we were showing asinglecontinuous section of the speech, rather than excerpts from different points in the speech, and that thisgave themistaken impression that President Trump had made adirect call for violent action,” the BBC wrote in aretraction.

Trump’slawyer had sent the BBC aletter demanding an apology and threatened to file a$1billion lawsuit for the harm the documentary caused him. It had set aFriday deadline for the BBC to respond.

While the BBC statement doesn’trespond to Trump’s demand that he be compensated for “overwhelming financial and reputational harm,” the headline on its news story about the apology said it refused to pay compensation.

The disputewas sparked by an edition of the BBC’s flagship current affairs

series “Panorama,” titled “Trump: ASecond Chance?” broadcast days before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. The third-party production company that made the film spliced together three quotes from two sections of the2021 speech into what appeared to be one quote in which Trump urged supporters to march withhim and “fight like hell.” Among the parts cut out was asection where Trump said he wanted supporters to demonstrate peacefully Director-General TimDavie, along with news chief Deborah Turness, quit Sunday, saying the scandalwas damaging the BBC and “as the CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, the buck stops with me.” The letter fromTrump’s lawyerdemanded an apologytothe president and a “full and fair” retraction of the documentary along with other “false,defamatory, disparaging, misleading or inflammatory statements” about Trump.

Sudanparamilitaryofficial: Rubio’s comments hinder truceefforts

By The Associated Press

CAIRO Secretary of State Marco Rubio’scomments calling fora halt to theflow of military supportcomingtoSudan’sparamilitary fightersfromabroadmay jeopardize global efforts aimed at reaching aceasefire, asenior adviser to the paramilitary group’scommander said on Thursday Rubiosaidatanewsconference late Wednesday that pressures werebeing applied to countries providing weapons to the

paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which has beenbattling the Sudanese armyfor more than two years. He decried the humanitarian situation in Sudan and said that “something needs to be done”tocut offthe weapons and other support that the RSF is receiving. TheRSF’srecent capture of North Darfur’scapital, el-Fasher,left hundreds dead andforced tensof thousands of people to flee reported atrocities by the paramilitary force, according to aid groups and U.N.

officials. TheInternational Organization for Migration, or IOM, saidthatnearly 90,000 people have left elFasher and surrounding villages, undertaking aperilous journeythrough unsafe routeswhere they have no accesstofood, wateror medical assistance.

Elbasha Tibeig, adviser to RSF leader Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, dismissed Rubio’scomments as “an unsuccessful step” thatdoesn’t serve global efforts aimed at reaching ahumanitarian ceasefire.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By JOHN RAOUX

Cape Canaveral, Fla.

Miriam Herrera, of Little Woods, has two children who attend Einstein Middle School and twoother children, afreshman and ajunior, at Reed High School.

“I feel bad,” she said Thursday aboutReed’sclosure.“Idon’tknow where they’re going to go.”

Since the proliferationof charter schools in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, theOrleans Parish School Board has closed struggling charter schools if they fail to meet academic benchmarks. But in recent years,more charter networks have opted to voluntarily close or consolidate schoolsthat are underenrolled or low-performing.

In astatement, Johnson said the decision to close Reedand combine the otherschools was the result of declining enrollment, poor academic performance and badly maintained campuses. She said the building that housesthe high schooland Einstein MiddleSchool has not had major repairs since Hurricane Katrina.

“While we recognize the deep legacy and importance of Reed to this community, we must also ensure that every student hasaccess to the strongest academicopportunities and the most supportive learning environment possible,” said Johnson, who has headed the network since 2022. Reed High School has about 400 students, and those whoare not

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harassment. And the expulsion “was like pouring salt in the wound.”

The family is now considering suing the school district in federal court, Miller said. The district superintendent andschool board president did not respondto emailed questions.

Across thecountry, state and local officials are racing to combat deepfakes,or sexually explicit images created with AI tools that can digitally alter real photos, including those of minors. Some schools have struggled to respond as students use publicly available software, including so-called “nudification” apps, to turn clothed photos of their classmatesintographic images that can circulate widely in textmessages and on social media

Louisiana was one of the first states to explicitly outlaw deepfakes of minors, and astate task force that met for the first time Monday aims to help educators andstudents adapt to the rise of artificial intelligence

State Rep. Laurie Schlegel, R-Metairie, who is on the task force, said more must be done to regulate the new technology andkeepyoung people safe.

“AI isn’tjust at our door —it’salready in the house,” she said. “So how do we address it and make sure it’s used responsibly?”

The incidentinLafourche Parish demonstrates how deepfakes can wreak havoc in schools and harm students.

The eighth grade girl,

graduating this spring will have to find newplacements. New Orleans East has three other high schools: Abramson Sci Academy, LivingstonCollegiate Academy and The NET:East, an alternative school. But data shows only one in three high school-aged students in NewOrleansEastattends those schools; most commute to schools in other areas.

JadaHills, asenior at Reed,said theschool “lacksalot” in terms of new technologyand books, but its teachers “dotheir part.” “It’sagood school,” she said. The OrleansParish School Board

will votetoaccept the voluntary revocation of the charters at a meetingnext week, aformality in theschool closure process.

AfterKatrina, astate agency called theRecovery School Districttook over the struggling SarahT.Reed High School, which opened in 1988 andwas named for the New Orleans teacher and labor organizer.Despite loud community outcry,the agency closed the school in 2014 after it earned repeated failing grades. Twoyears later,itwas given asecond chance when the Einstein Charter Group agreed to reopen andrun the school.

Reed has receiveda“D” grade from the state forthe past three years. All of Einstein’sschools had significantly fewer students this fall than their target enrollments, according to data from New Schools forNew Orleans, an education nonprofit.Sherwood Forest, which includes grades K-5,had 285 studentsatthe beginning of the year EinsteinMiddle School had240 studentsingrades 6-8, and Village De L’Estenrolled375 students from grades K-5.

Each of Einstein’sschools earned“D” ratings fromthe state lastyear,below the districtwide “C” average.

Combining Einstein’sexisting schools into one at Sherwood Forest,a campus built in 2016, will allowthe networktostrengthen instruction, expand access to certified teachersand provide a high-qualityeducation from early learningthroughmiddleschool, Johnson said.

“This is astudent-centered decisionfocused on thefuture,”Johnson said.

Christian Carraseo, ajuniorat Reed High School,saidheissad he won’tbeable to graduate from the same school as his olderbrother But he also said the school faces challenges, such as peeling paint and having “no money” to update equipment and textbooks.

“It’sgood and bad,” he said about the planned closure, adding that he isn’tsure where he’llgotoschool next year

Einstein Charter Schools is just

thelatest New Orleans charter operator to downsize as the city’s schools grapple with ashrinking school-agedpopulationand more empty seats.

InspireNOLA, FirstLine Schools, Crescent City School and Collegiate Academieshave all consolidated schools over thepast few years. This year,Community Academies of NewOrleans combinedEsperanza Academy with Foundations Preparatory Academy Sincethe pandemic, Orleans Parish School Boardmembers anddistrictofficials have sounded the alarm over an impending enrollment crisis, fueled by fewer children being born and families leaving New Orleans. New Schoolsfor New Orleans projects that the city’spublic schools will lose between 1,500 and 3,200 students by the 2028-29school year, according to data sharedwith school leaders.

Schools receive state andlocal funding based on the number of students they enroll, so it can be expensive to maintain operations andhireteachers forclassrooms that are only partially full.

OrleansParish School Board memberOlinParker commended the Einstein network for making the difficult decision to downsize. He noted that New Orleans is not theonly districtfacing enrollment declines, with the Jefferson Parish, Lafayetteand East Baton Rouge school systemsall recently closing schools.

“Itwas ahard decision, but it wasthe right one,” Parker said.

whosenamethe authorities have withheld to protect herprivacy,reported the fake nude photos to aguidance counselor and the Sixth Ward MiddleSchool principal,saidanother attorney forthe family,BenjaminComeaux. The principalasked aschool resource officer to investigate but didnot allow thegirl to callher father, saying “we are not involving parentsatthistime,” Comeaux said SchoolBoard member Valerie Bourgeois appearedto confirm that account during the Nov.5board meeting.

“She asked to call her father,and they said we’re not calling parents at thistime,”

Bourgeois said,accordingto avideo of the meeting that hasbeen viewed more than 44 000 times.

Even after thegirl sought help, otherstudents continued to tease her about thephoto, her lawyers said.After sixorso boys passed around the photo on abus that afternoon,the girl lunged atone ofthem.

“What is she supposed to do?” Comeaux said during the board meeting. “She’s reported it to the peoplewho aresupposed to protect her, butshe wasstill victimized.”

District officials and board members have not said publiclywhether they disciplinedany of theboys who shared thephotos. But at the meeting,they defended the decision to expel thegirl.

“She is avictim,”Bourgeoissaid, “but if she had nothit the young man, we wouldn’tbehere today.”

“Sometimes in life we can be both victims and perpetrators,” added districtSuperintendent Jarod Martin.

Other board memberssaid that while violence is never

justified, mitigating factors must be considered.They noted that Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre had declined to charge thegirl for assault, he said, “due to thetotalityofthe circumstances.”

Studentswho are expelled typically spend 45 days at an alternative school or taking online classes from home, then return to their usual school on aprobationary basis, Martin said at the meeting. Students are barred from anysports or extracurricular activities during theentire89-dayexpulsion, he added.

Theboard voted at last week’smeeting to uphold the girl’s expulsion even as they allowed her to return to school on probation.

The girl’sfather,Joseph Daniels,who spoke briefly at themeeting, said the situation had taken atoll on his daughter’s mental health. He said the bus incident couldhavebeenprevented if thedistricthad swiftly addressed thephotosharing, adding that hisdaughter’spunishment was too harsh

“What she did was wrong,” he told theboard. “But expulsion wasway tooextreme for alittlegirlthat’s never been in trouble in her life.”

Free AI-powered tools have made it easier than ever to create fake videos and images or manipulate real ones. Nudify apps and websites allow users to turn real photos they might find on Facebook or Instagram into sexually explicit images —often without theconsent of the people pictured. At least twodozen states have introduced legislation to criminalize sexualized

photos of children created with artificialintelligence, according to the National Center for Missing &Exploited Children. Passedin 2023, Louisiana’slaw banning thecreation of deepfakes of minors carries a penaltyofupto20years in prison or a$10,000 fine.

TheLafourche Parish student was chargedwith violating adifferentstate law, passedin2024, which prohibitsthe unlawful dissemination of AI-generated explicit photos. Aconviction can resultinuptosix monthsimprisonment or a $750 fine.

Schlegel, the state law-

maker, said the companies behind deepfake tools should also be held responsible.

“What is the responsibility of someofthese platforms that are providing these tools?” she asked. “Is it OK that minors are on them?”

Meanwhile, many young people are experimenting with AI services despite having little understanding of the legalorethical implications.

“It’snot taught, so no one knows anything about it,” said JacksonDirks, aNew Orleans high school senior who is on the state’sAItask force.

He addedthatmany teachersare still grappling withstudents’use of AI for school assignments and haven’teven considered its otheruses, like creating deepfakes.

“My teachersjust seeit as acheating tool and only a cheating tool,” he said.

Rebecca Gaillot,aNew Orleans high school teacher and AI task force member said state policymakers need to help students and teachers safely navigate this new technology

“The tech is movingfast, while policychange and education moves slow,” she said. “Wehave to catch up.”

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

The Einstein CharterSchools board has voted to close Sarah T. Reed High Schoolatthe endofthe school year because of dwindling enrollment. The school, located in NewOrleans East, has about 400 students.

of arare Louisiana stateartifact.” Schexnayder served as speaker of the 105-member Housefrom 2020-24, during the secondterm of then-Gov.John Bel Edwards.

Murrill’soffice hasreleased few detailsonthe indictment,saying it does not comment on pending criminal cases. But she has said thecase is straightforward.

“You don’tget to keep State property,” she said in astatement Wednesday.“It doesn’tbelong to you.”

Murrill could not be reached for comment on Thursday

People involved in the case saidher office interviewedthem to gather facts and collect documents. Both she and Schexnayder are Republicans.

Attorneys contacted Thursday, citing other cases, said that Murrill doesn’thave to actually locate the giant piece of wood to prosecute Schexnayder

In one famous local case, the killersofGary Kergan, whoowned a chain of Sonic Drive-Ins in Louisiana, were convicted of his 1984 murderinBaton Rouge yearslater even though his body was never found.

Several defense attorneys said Murrill made an aggressive move against Schexnayder,who told WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge on Wednesday, “I’m willing to work with them to find it, but there has onlybeen onephone call with the Attorney General’sOffice. I’m very shockedand wouldhave thought they wouldhavefollowed up with me or had asit-downmeeting.”

James Boren, aveteran criminal defense attorney in Baton Rouge, said Murrill will need stronger proof to convict Schexnayder than showing that he was simply the last personwho possessed the board.

“They must have evidence that he was responsible for takingthe

board and intendingtodeprive the state permanently,” Boren said.

Sincehis indictment, Schexnayder has not returned phone calls to The Advocate |The TimesPicayune, which first reported in September thatthe ancient board had beendisplayed in the State Capitol for decades before Schexnayder had it in his office for about adecade. Schexnayder told the newspaper then that he didn’t know theboard’scurrent whereabouts

“I’d like to know if the Attorney General’sOffice made an attempt to resolvethis before indictment,” said Franz Borghardt, adefense attorney in Baton Rouge for most of the past 20 years. “She’snot obligated to do that, but you’dhopeshe didthatfirst, unless she wanted to publicly embarrass him, whichhas been accomplished.”

Aidan Shah, acriminal defense

attorney in Gretna, zeroedinon thequestion of who owned the board.

Words etched intothe board said it was “presented” by Walter Stebbins, who workedinthe lumber business, in 1955.

JuliusMullins, aretired Baton Rouge doctor whoisagrandson of Stebbins,isthe personwho has raisedthe alarm about the board’s disappearance. He is not claiming ownership.

Stateofficials believe theboard belongs to the state sinceithung in theCapitol forsolong, butnoone hasprovided documentsshowing this. Officials at several state agencies have said they were not sure exactlywhatdepartmentwas responsible for it.

“Did thestate have an insurance policy on it?” Shahasked. “Was it archived?”

The secondcharge accuses

Schexnayder with malfeasance in office for“intentionally refusing to perform aduty required of him as apublic officer or employee.”

Joe Marino III, acriminal defense attorney in Gretna who served in thestateHouse with Schexnayder as apolitical independent, focused on that second charge.

Marino noted that the charge says Schexnaydercommittedthe malfeasance sometime between 2012and 2024,the year he left office.

“That’s abig range of time,” Marino said. “The indictmentlacks specificity. What duty did he fail to perform andwhen?”

AddedShah: “I think he has a good defense. Ithink they’ll have problems proving this casebeyond areasonable doubt to ajury.Getting an indictment is much easier than securing aguiltyverdict. I

have aton of questions, very few of which have been answeredat this point.” Murrill hadthe right to charge Schexnayderthanks to an agreement her office has with East Baton Rouge Parish DistrictAttorneyHillarMoore III that gives her wide authority to take such actions, Moore said. In September, Schexnaydertold The Times-Picayune |The Advocate that then-Speaker Chuck Kleckley,R-Lake Charles, asked him in 2013 to put the board in his district office because it came from atree in Ascension Parish. Kleckley has questioned that account.

Schexnayder said then that he didn’ttake the board from his district office when his legislative term ended because of term limits in January 2024.

Schexnayder told the USA Today Network on Wednesdaythathe thought state officials pickedup the board when they collected other state property from his office. “When Ileftthe board wasstill there; Iturnedovermykeysand never went back into the office,” Schexnayder said. “I definitely didn’tsteal the board.”

House records show that Schexnayder exercised his right to buy at adiscount his desk and several other state-owned properties that had been in his office. Those records also show that athird-party company retrieved an all-in-one printer andcopier on Dec. 27, 2023, andthat an aide returneda computercomponent to theCapitol on Jan.4

The records do not show state officialscollecting theobjects from his office.

While Schexnayder’sterm ended in January 2024, atext exchange with state Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, showed that Schexnayder still inhabited his now-former legislative office a month later

The leasing manager for his office says his team did not remove the board.

Email TylerBridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.

take anything back,” Landry said. “I don’tthink it’sright if we penalize people if we give them something and then just take it back.”

Landry explained that, with the endofthe shutdown this week, the federal government will issue 100% of SNAP benefits to states, resulting in surplus benefit payments for some recipients.

“It would be aone-time deal just because of the government shutdown,” he said. Everyone else will get their normal,fullbenefit amount, Landry said.

SNAP provides monthly benefits to low-income people to help cover the cost of groceries and is funded by the federal government and administered by states. Over 40 million Americans get food benefits through SNAP,including nearly 800,000 people in Louisiana

The governor said he hopes things will be back to normal for the program “within the week,” though that may be the case even sooner

The LouisianaDepartment of Health, which administers SNAP,onNov.7announced it

began distributing benefits to residentsusingfederalfunding at about 65% of the usual amount. That would continue to bethe case until it gets updated guidance on the availability offullprogram funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, theHealth Department said last week.

“Once the Department receives that guidance, and federalfundingisreceived, LDHwilladminister100% of SNAPbenefits as soon as possible,” the newsrelease from theHealthDepartment said Benefits are distributed on arolling basis over the course of themonth, andrecipients have been getting those funds on the typical daythey’re distributed, the Health Department said in therelease.

Thestatus of SNAP fund-

ing has been in limbo for weeks following the Oct. 1shutdown of thefederal government, which transpired afterlawmakersin Congresscouldn’tagree on atemporary government funding bill. The longest shutdown in U.S. history endedWednesdaynight after 43 days.

Federal fundingfor food stamps ran out on Nov.1

Before that date arrived, Landry and theLegislature began puttingtogether a plan to fund the program from state coffers, though comingupwith available cash proved to be acomplicated maneuver

Legislativeleaders had saidittakes about $150 million to cover the cost of the program in Louisiana.

Landry, during aWednesdayradio interview on

KMLB, said Louisiana“ended up only spending about $12 million,” and he said “it looksasthough we’re going to get that $12 million back.” In lateOctober,over20 states sued theTrumpad-

ministration in aMassachusetts court,arguing it was legally required to continue to fund SNAP as long as the money was available Separately, acoalitionof nonprofit organizations and

cities also sued the Trump administration in federal court in Rhode Island over the lack of funding.

Email Alyse Pfeil at alyse pfeil@theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILEPHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

ClaySchexnayder servedasspeakerofthe Louisiana House of Representatives from 2020 to 2024.

Housespeedstowardvoteonrelease of Epsteinfiles

BY MATT BROWN and JOEY CAPPELLETTI Associated Press

WASHINGTON The House is speedingtoward avote next week on releasing files related to the sex trafficking investigation into Jeffrey Epstein, astep that comes after monthsofresistance from Republican leaders. They have no choice but to allow consideration of the bill after apetition on the measure reached the necessary 218 signatures. It comes at atime when newdocuments are raising fresh questions about Epstein and his associates, includinga 2019 email that Epstein wrote to ajournalist that said President Donald Trump “knew about the girls.” TheWhite House has accused Democrats of selectively leaking the emails to smear the Republican president.

Public speculation has been rampant for years about Epstein’soperation, death and connection to powerful and wealthy individuals, including Trump, former President Bill Clinton, tech billionaires and celebrity academics, among others.

Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced apetition in July to force avote on their bill, the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Theeffort was backed by all House Democrats and four Republicans, including Massie and Reps. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia and Nancy Mace of South Carolina Minutesafter Democrat Adelita Grijalva of Arizonawas sworn into office Wednesday,she signed her name to the Epstein petition, pushing it to the magic number of 218 —amajorityinthe 435-memberHouse.

Speaker MikeJohnson, RBenton, said afterGrijalva’s swearing-in that he would expedite the petitionprocessto bring avoteon the bill to the Housefloor early next week.

Johnson has pushed back on claimsthathe has obstructed the Epstein legislation to protect Trump or others. He told reporters Wednesdaythat the Republican majority took issue with the phrasing of the measure, which he claimeddid not adequately protect victims. Johnson has also pointed repeatedly to the Epsteininvestigation being conducted by the House Oversight and Government ReformCommittee, which hasresulted in thousands of pages of documentsbeingreleased, including more than 20,000 on Wednesday. The bill would force the JusticeDepartmenttore-

ensormore— nowthatitis moving forward. Rep.Don Bacon, R-Neb., who did not sign the discharge petition, has said he plans to back it.

The tougher test will come in the Senate, where Republicans holda 53–47 majority anditwould likely take 60 votes to move the bill to final passage.

Asked in September whetherthe Senate would take up the Epsteinbill if it passed theHouse,Majority Leader JohnThune,R-S.D., said, “I can’tcomment on that at this point.”

Thune addedthat the Justice Department“has already released tons of files related to this matter.”

who almost certainly would veto it.Hehas opposed the discharge petition from the start, even reaching out Wednesday to twoRepublicans who hadsigned it.

“The Democrats are tryingtobring up theJeffrey Epstein Hoax again because they’ll do anything at all to deflect on how badly they’ve done on the Shutdown, and so many other subjects,” Trump posted on his TruthSocial platform. “Only averybad, or stupid, Republican would fall into that trap.”

Apresident’sveto can be overridden with atwo-thirds vote in both chambers. That hasonlyhappened twice since 2009.

lease allfilesand communications related to Epstein, as well as any information about the investigation into his deathinfederal prison. Information about Epstein’s victimsorongoing federal investigations would be allowed to be redacted, per the bill.

The department, however, would not be allowed to redact information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity, including to anygovernment official, public figure,orforeign dignitary.”

Johnson, whohad dismissed the petition as a “moot point,” saidhewill

France marks10thanniversary of Bataclan massacre in Paris

BY JOHN LEICESTER and THOMAS ADAMSON Associated Press

PARIS Anne-Laure,Djamila, Justine, Guillaume, Nick and so many others —sons, daughters, mothers and fathersslain by Islamic State groupgunmen andsuicide bombers in Paris werefondly remembered Thursday as France commemorated the night of terror adecade ago that scarred andreshaped the country With minutes of silence and somberreadings of the 132 victims’ names, the French capitalmourned the dead and innocence it lost on Nov. 13,2015,but also proudly recalled how Parisians came together,looked after each other and slowly but surely rebounded in the wake of the three-hour series of coordinated assaults targeting the packed Bataclan concert hall, joyful cafes and the national stadium where France’ssoccer team was playing. The bloodshed was France’sdeadliest in peacetime —anational trauma likened to 9/11. The night hardened France’ssecurity reflexes while deepening asense of solidaritythat has endured adecade later

Many Parisians think in terms of “before” and “after,” and some still check for exits when they’rein crowded places. “Ten years. Thepainremains,” French President

Emmanuel Macron posted as heled theday of memorials, layingwreaths at attack sites andrecalling“the lives cut short,the wounded, the families and the loved ones.”

At the city’sPlace de la République, Parisians gathered with candles, flowers and handwritten notes as they didin2015, takingcomfort in beingtogether

“It’s awoundthatis open. Forthe last 10 years, we’ve been saying there wasa before and an after,but what comes after?” said Paris resident Patrick Abukrat.“The threat is still there.”

Defiancewenthand-inhand with the sadness, as in 2015, when Parisians made apoint of exercising their freedoms after the attacks, mustering the courage to drink againincafes, walk the streets with their fami-

lies and carry on.

At arousing commemorationonThursday evening, thefrontmanofCalifornian rock band Eagles of Death Metalthatwas playingin theBataclan when it was attacked led achoir in singing “You’llNever Walk Alone,” ashow tune now best known as asoccer fans’ anthem.

“Walk on,with hope in your heart,” singer Jesse Hughes belted out Thedaughterofthe first person killed fought tears and described her “void that never closes.” Sophie Dias’father, Manuel, was killed when the first bomber detonated outside the Stade de France where France was playing Germany. Speaking at thestadium gate where he waskilled, shesaidhis absence “weighs everymorning and every evening.”

bringthe measure to avote next week. If everyone who signedthe petition supports it on the floor,itwill pass. Butthe bill appears likely to pickupadditionalRepublican votes —potentially doz-

“I trust them in terms of having the confidence that they’ll getasmuchinformation out there as possible in a way that protects therights of the victims,” Thune said.

If the measure passesthe Senate, it would go to Trump,

Massie said Trump can avoidthe entire ordeal by releasing all the Epstein files held by thefederal government.

“There’sstill time for him to be the hero,” Massie said of Trump.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By J. SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Speakerofthe House MikeJohnson, R-Benton, speaks Wednesdayafter the final vote to bringthe government shutdowntoanend at the Capitol in Washington.

LUDOVIC MARIN

Average mortgage rate rises again, to 6.24%

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage edged higher for the second week in a row, though it remains near its low point so far this year

The average long-term mortgage rate ticked up to 6.24% from 6.22% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday A year ago, the rate averaged 6.78%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, edged lower this week. The rate averaged 5.49%, down from 5.5% last week. A year ago, it was 5.99%, Freddie Mac said.

The 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans, was at 4.10% at midday Thursday, up slightly from a week ago.

Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes sank last year to their lowest level in nearly three decades. Sales have been sluggish this year, but accelerated in September to their fastest pace since February as mortgage rates eased.

AT&T reaches $177M data breach settlement

NEW YORK AT&T has reached a combined $177 million settlement over two data breaches. Impacted consumers have a little over a month left to file a claim for their chunk of the money

Several lawsuits emerged across the U.S. — and were later consolidated — after AT&T notified millions of customers that information ranging from Social Security numbers to call records were compromised in these breaches last year Plaintiffs alleged that the telecommunications giant “repeatedly failed” to protect consumer data. While AT&T has continued to deny wrongdoing, it opted to settle earlier this year Eligible consumers have until Dec. 18 to file for a settlement payment — which will still need a judge’s final stamp of approval early next year

The settlement covers two different breaches. Both were disclosed in 2024.

AT&T disclosed the first of these breaches in March 2024, after the company said it found that customer information from 2019 or earlier had been released on the “dark web” weeks earlier At the time, AT&T said the breach impacted roughly 7.6 million current and 65.4 million former account holders — with leaked data including some sensitive information like Social Security numbers and passcodes The other breach involved call and text records of nearly all AT&T customers from May through October 2022, as well as a small subset from Jan 2, 2023 AT&T said it learned that data was “illegally downloaded from our workspace on a thirdparty cloud platform” in April of last year — and began notifying customers in July 2024, after launching an investigation. According to the settlement administrator’s website, consumers impacted by the first breach may be eligible to up to $5,000 Those affected by the second breach may be eligible for up to $2,500.

Doritos, Cheetos dial back the bright orange Doritos and Cheetos are getting a makeover PepsiCo said Thursday it’s launching toned-down versions of its bright orange snacks that won’t have any artificial colors or flavors. Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will hit store shelves on Dec. 1. It’s part of a broader shift underway at PepsiCo, which announced in April that it would accelerate a planned transition to using natural colors in its foods and beverages Around 40% of its U.S. products now contain synthetic dyes, according to the company Dye-free doesn’t mean Doritos and Cheetos Simply NKD will be colorless. Instead, they’re just a lighter color like a tortilla chip.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Worries about AI stocks hurt markets

BY STAN CHOE AP business writer

NEW YORK The U.S. stock mar-

ket tumbled Thursday to one of its worst days since its springtime sell-off, as Nvidia and other AI superstar stocks kept dropping on worries their prices shot too high. Also hurting the market were questions about whether coming cuts to interest rates that Wall Street has been banking on will actually happen

The S&P 500 sank 1.7% and pulled further from its all-time high set late last month. It was the worst day in a month for the index at the heart of many 401(k) ac-

counts and the second-worst since April’s plunge after President Donald Trump shocked the world with his “Liberation Day” tariffs. Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the market after the chip company fell 3.6%. Other stocks swept up in the artificial-intelligence frenzy also struggled, including drops of 7.4% for Super Micro Computer, 6.5% for Palantir Technologies and 4.3% for Broadcom.

Questions have been rising about how much higher AI darlings can go following their already spectacular gains. At the start of this month, Palantir was sporting a stunning rise of nearly 174% for the year so far, for example.

Such sensational performances have been one of the top reasons the U.S. market has hit records despite a slowing job market and high inflation. AI stock prices have shot so high, though, that they’re drawing comparisons to the 2000 dot-com bubble, which ultimately burst and dragged the S&P 500 down by nearly half.

In the meantime, stocks outside of AI also fell across Wall Street as traders worried that the Federal Reserve may not deliver another cut to interest rates in December as many had been expecting.

Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they can goose the economy and prices for invest-

ments, even though they can also worsen inflation. A halt in cuts could undercut U.S. stock prices after they already ran to records in part on expectations for more reductions.

Expectations have come down sharply that the Fed will cut its main interest rate for a third time this year Traders now see roughly a coin flip’s chance of that, 51.9%, down from nearly 70% a week ago, according to data from CME Group.

The Walt Disney Co. helped lead the market lower after falling 7.7%. The entertainment giant reported profit for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations, but its revenue fell short.

Starbucks workers kick off 65-store strike on company’s Red Cup Day

BY DEE-ANN DURBIN Associated Press

More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks work-

ers went on strike at 65 U.S. stores Thursday to protest a lack of progress in labor negotiations with the company

The strike was intended to disrupt Starbucks’ Red Cup Day, which is typically one of the company’s busiest days of the year

Since 2018, Starbucks has given out free, reusable cups on that day to customers who buy a holiday drink. Starbucks Workers United, the union organizing baristas, said Thursday morning that the strike had already closed some stores and was expected to force more to close later in the day

Starbucks Workers United said stores in 45 cities would be impacted, including New York; Philadelphia; Minneapolis; St. Louis; Dallas; Columbus Ohio; and Starbucks’ home city of Seattle. There is no date set for the strike to end, and more stores are prepared to join if Starbucks doesn’t reach a contract agreement with the union, organizers said.

Starbucks emphasized that the vast majority of its U.S. stores would be open and operating as usual Thursday. The coffee giant has 10,000 company-owned stores in the U.S., as well as 7,000 licensed locations in places like grocery stores and airports. Around 550 company-owned U.S Star-

bucks stores are currently unionized. More have voted to unionize, but Starbucks closed 59 unionized stores in September as part of a larger reorganization campaign.

Striking workers say they’re protesting because Starbucks has yet to reach a contract agreement with the union. Starbucks workers first voted to unionize at a store in Buffalo in 2021. In December 2023, Starbucks vowed to finalize an agreement by the end of 2024. But in August of last year, the company ousted Laxman Narasimhan, the CEO who made that promise. The union said progress has stalled under Brian Niccol, the company’s current chairman and CEO.

Workers’ demands

Workers say they’re seeking better hours and improved staffing in stores, where they say long customer wait times are routine. They also want higher pay pointing out that executives like Niccol are making millions and the company spent $81 million in June on a conference in Las Vegas for 14,000 store managers and regional leaders.

Dochi Spoltore, a barista from Pittsburgh, said in a union conference call Thursday that it’s hard for workers to be assigned more than 19 hours per week, which leaves them short of the 20 hours they would need to be eligible for Starbucks’ benefits. Spoltore said she makes $16 per hour

“I want Starbucks to succeed. My livelihood depends on it,” Spoltore said. “We’re proud of our work, but we’re tired of being treated like we’re disposable.”

The union also wants the company to resolve hundreds of unfair labor practice charges filed by workers, who say the company has fired baristas in retaliation for unionizing and has failed to bargain over changes in policy that workers must enforce, like its decision earlier this year to limit restroom use to paying customers. Starbucks’ position

Starbucks says it offers the best wage and benefit package in retail, worth an average of $30 per hour Among the company’s benefits are up to 18 weeks of paid family leave and 100% tuition coverage for a four-year college degree. In a letter to employees last week, Starbucks’ Chief Partner Officer Sara Kelly said the union walked away from the bargaining table in the spring.

Kelly said some of the union’s proposals would significantly alter Starbucks’ operations, such as giving workers the ability to shut down mobile ordering if a store has more than five orders in the queue.

Kelly also said surveys showed that most employees like working for the company, and its barista turnover rates are half the industry average.

BY ALEX VEIGA AP business writer

Americans will be allowed to contribute more of their money to 401(k) and similar retirement saving plans next year

The IRS said Thursday the maximum contribution that an individual can make in 2026 to a 401(k), 403(b) and most 457 plans will be $24,500. That’s up from $23,500 this year People aged 50 and over who have the option to make additional “catch-up” contributions to 401(k) and similar plans, will be able to contribute up to $8,000 next year, up from $7,500 this year That’s means a 401(k) saver who is 50 or

older will be able to contribute a maximum of $32,500 to their retirement plan annually, starting in 2026. Workers between the ages of 60 and 63 will be allowed catch-up retirement plan contributions of up to $11,250 annually, unchanged from this year

The IRS also raised the 2026 annual contribution limits on individual retirement arrangements, or IRAs, to $7,500, up from $7,000 this year The IRA “catch-up” contribution limit will include an annual cost of living adjustment of $100, increasing it to $1,100 in 2026. The changes, among others announced by the IRS, make it easier for retirement savers who

use these types of tax-advantaged plans to set aside more of their income toward building their nest egg.

Boosting the contribution rate on a 401(k) or IRA plan, even by 1%, can make a big difference over 10 or 20 years, assuming the saver remains employed and making contributions the entire time.

The IRS also increased for 2026 the income ranges for determining whether someone is eligible to make deductible contributions to traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs or to claim the “saver’s credit,” also known as the retirement savings contributions credit. Taxpayers can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA if they

meet certain conditions. If during the year either the taxpayer or the taxpayer’s spouse was covered by a retirement plan at work, the deduction may be reduced, or phased out, until it is eliminated, depending on filing status and income, the IRS said.

The IRS has outlined the details on these and other retirement-related changes for 2026 on its site.

The average balance on a 401(k) account was $137,800 in the second quarter up 8% from a year earlier and 32% from the same quarter in

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT SLOCUM

Protesters picket outside a Starbucks on Thursday in Philadelphia.

JamesComey,Letitia Jamesseekdismissal of cases

Both challenging prosecutor’s appointment

BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA,Va.— Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James asked ajudge Thursday to dismiss the cases against them, saying the prosecutor who secured the indictments was illegally installed in the role.

U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie said she expects to decide by Thanksgiving on challenges to Lindsey Halligan’sappointment as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. That decision could help determine the fate of the politically charged cases, which were both shepherded by the hastily installed Halligan and together have amplified concerns that the Justice Department is being usedas aweapon to target President Donald Trump’sperceived adversaries.

Currie also disclosed in court that arecord of grand jury proceedings in the Comey case that she reviewed was missing aportion,which she said raised questions aboutwhether AttorneyGeneral PamBondi could have properly ratified the indict-

ASSOCIATED

LindseyHalligan speaksonAug.20outsideofthe White House in Washington. Lawyers for

former FBIDirector James Comeyand Newyork Attorney General Letitia James asked a judgeThursdaytodismiss the cases against them, saying Halligan wasillegally installed as interim U.S. attorneyfor the EasternDistrict of Virginia.

ment as theJustice Department says she did.

Halliganwas installed in the job at Trump’surging by Bondi inSeptember,just daysbefore Comey was indicted, in what defense lawyers say was an end-run aroundthe constitutional and statutory rules governing the appointmentofU.S attorneys. Theysay the maneuver was designed to ensure indictments against thepresident’spolitical opponents afterthe prosecutor

who had been overseeing the two investigations,but had not brought charges, was effectively forced out.

“Ms. Halliganwas the sole prosecutor in thegrand jury room, andwhenthe sole prosecutor lacks the authority,” said Ephraim McDowell, one of Comey’sdefense lawyers, “that’snot going to be aharmlesserror.”

U.S. attorneys, top federal prosecutors whooversee regional Justice Department outposts across thecountry,

aretypically nominated by the president andthenconfirmed by theSenate. Attorneys general do have the authoritytoname an interim U.S. attorneywho can serve for 120 days, but lawyers for Comey and James argued that once that period expires, the law givesfederal judges the exclusive sayofwho gets to fill the vacancy

After then-interim U.S.attorneyErik Siebert resigned in September while facing Trumpadministration pres-

sure to bring chargesagainst Comey and James, Bondi installed Halligan, aWhite Houseaidewithnoprior prosecutorialexperience. The appointmentfollowed aTrump post on Truth Social in which he complained to Bondi aboutthe lack of prosecutorial action against his political enemies and said, “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

Siebert had been appointed by Bondi in January to serve as interimU.S.attorney Trump in Mayannounced his intention to nominate him, and judges in the Eastern District unanimously agreed after his120-dayperiod expiredthatheshould be retained in the role.

But after the Trump administrationeffectively pushed him out in September,the JusticeDepartment again opted to make an interim appointment in place of the courts, something defense lawyers say it was not empowered under the law to do.

“Ifthe governmentwere to prevail here,” McDowell said, then it “would never need to go through Senate confirmation again forU.S. attorneys.” He said any dismissalofthe indictment must be permanent, with no opportunity to bring the case again, to avoidrewarding the government for aviolation.

TheJustice Department maintains that the law does notexplicitly prohibit succes-

sive appointments of interim U.S. attorneys by the attorney general. Henry Whitaker, alawyer forthe department, arguedthatthe indictment was properly returned by agrand jury and shouldnot be dismissed over whathe describedasatmosta paperwork or clerical error.

“Thegrand jurymadea decision based on the facts and thelaw,and they followed their oath,” Whitaker said. He also said that even if there were questions about Halligan’sappointment, they wereresolved by the fact that Bondi hadpersonally ratifiedthe indictment and reviewed the grand jury proceedings. But Currie, the judge, questioned whether that was possible given that a section of the grand jury proceedings that wereproduced to her was, for unexplained reasons, missing asection. Comey haspleaded not guiltytocharges of making a false statement andobstructingCongress, andJames, a Democrat, has pleaded not guilty to mortgage fraudallegations. The challenges to Halligan’sappointment are part of amultiprong effort to getthe prosecutions tossed before trial. Their lawyers have separately argued that the prosecutions are improperly vindictive and motivated by the president’spersonal animus toward their clientsand should therefore be dismissed.

EU renews demand that Ukrainecrack down on corruption

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine European Union officials warned Ukraine on Thursday that it must keep crackingdown on graft in the wake of amajor corruption scandal that could hurt the country’sability to attract financial help. But they also offered assurances that aid will continue to flow as Kyiv strains to

holdback Russia’sinvasion. German Ch ancellor FriedrichMerzstressed European concerns about corruption when he spoke by phone withUkrainian PresidentVolodymyr Zelenskyy,whose administration hasbeenengulfedbythe scandal involving embezzlement and kickbacks at the state-owned nuclear power company. It’sfast becoming one of the most significant

government crises since the full-scale invasion, with media reports implicatinga close associate of Zelenskyy Merz “underlined theGermangovernment’sexpectation that Ukraine press aheadenergetically with fighting corruption and furtherreforms, particularly in the area of the rule of law,” hisoffice said in astatement. Zelenskyy,the statement said, promised “full trans-

parency,long-term support for the independent anticorruption authorities and quick further measures in order to win back the confidenceofthe Ukrainian population, European partners and international donors.”

At thesametime, aEuropean Commissionspokespersonsaid that uncoveringthe allegedkickback scheme demonstrated that Ukraine’sefforts to fight

corruption are working as the country strives to meet the standards for EU membership.

“This investigationshows that anti-corruptionbodies are in place and functioning in Ukraine,” Guillaume Mercier said in Brussels.

“Let me stress that the fightagainstcorruption is key foracountry to join the EU.Itrequires continuous efforts to guarantee astrong

capacity to combat corruption anda respectfor the rule of law.”

After Zelenskyy’sjustice and energy ministers quit Wednesdayamid the investigation into energy sector graft, the government fired the vice president of Energoatom,the state-owned nuclear power companybelieved by investigators to be at the center of the kickback scheme.

PRESS FILE PHOTO By JACQUELyN MARTIN

Federalworkers question if shutdown worthsacrifice

BY FATIMA HUSSEIN Associated Press

WASHINGTON Jessica Sweet

spent the federalgovernment shutdown cutting back.

To make ends meet, the Social Security claims specialist drank only one coffee a day,skipped meals, cut down on groceries and deferred paying some household bills.

Sheracked up spendingon her credit card buying gasto get to work.

With the longest shutdown ever coming to aclose, Sweet and hundreds of thousands of other federalworkers who missed paychecks will soon get some relief. But many are left feeling that their livelihoods served as political pawns in the fight between recalcitrant lawmakers in Washington and are asking themselveswhether thebattle wasworththeir sacrifices.

“It’svery frustrating to go through something like this,” said Sweet, who is aunion steward of AFGE Local 3343 in New York. “It shakes the foundation of trust that we all place in our agencies and in the federal government to do the right thing.”

The shutdown began on Oct. 1afterDemocratsrejected ashort-term funding fix and demanded that the bill include an extension of

federalsubsidies forhealth

insurance under the AffordableCare Act. Its end emerged when eight Democratic-aligned senators agreed to adeal to fund the government with no extension of the expiring subsidies. The shutdown created a cascade of troubles for many Americans.Throughout the shutdown,atleast 670,000 federal employees were furloughed, while about 730,000 others were working without pay, accordingtothe BipartisanPolicyCenter The plight of the federal workers was among several pressure points,along with flight disruptions and cuts to food aid,that inthe end ratcheted up the pressure on lawmakerstocometoan agreement to fund the government.

Throughout the six-week shutdown, officialsin President Donald Trump’sadministration repeatedlyusedthe federal workers as leverage to try to push Democrats to relent on theirhealth care demands. The Republican president signaled that workersgoingunpaidwouldn’t get back pay.Hethreatened andthen followed through on firings in afederal workforce already reeling from layoffs earlierthisyear.Acourtthen blocked theshutdown firings,

Federal workers stand in line to pick up meals from the WorldCentral

on WednesdayinWashington.

adding to theuncertainty.

Thedeal thatisbringing an endtothe shutdown will reverse thedismissalsthat occurredsince Oct. 1, while also ensuring back pay for furloughed federal workers the Trump administration hadleft in doubt.

Thebipartisan deal providesfunding to reopen the government, including for SNAP food aid and other programs.

But the whiplash of the past six weeks, coupled with

U.S. proposal at U.N. forGaza stabilizationforce

BY FARNOUSH AMIRI and EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS AU.S. pro-

posal to provide aUnited Nations mandate for an international stabilization force in Gaza is facing opposition from Russia, China and some Arab countries, which have expressed unease about ayet-to-be established board that would temporarily govern the territory and the lack of any transitionalrole for thePalestinian Authority The Chinese and the Russians —two veto-wielding members of the U.N. Security Council —have called for the “Board of Peace” under President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan to be removed from the resolution entirely, according to four U.N.diplomats briefedonthe matter who spoke on conditionof anonymity to discuss ongoing negotiations.

In the latest draft released late Wednesdayand obtained by The Associated Press, the U.S. maintains the language around the board while providingfurther commitment to Palestinian self-determination. although the language remains weak. While some of the responsestothe U.S. proposal reflect typicalnegotiations between countries —with detailed back-and-forth and revisions in language —the objection to the transitional board indicates that wide gaps have emerged between some members of the U.N.’s

facesconcerns

most powerful body andthe U.S. following more than two years of war

At the same time,other members said quick action would avoid upending the progress toward peace, one diplomat said. That was themessage Thursdayfromthe U.S. mission to the U.N., which said in astatementthat the “attemptstosow discord”have “grave, tangible andentirely avoidable consequences for Palestinians in Gaza.” It urged thecouncil to unite and pass theresolution

U.S. Secretary of State MarcoRubioalso has called on thecouncil to pass the resolution withoutdelay “I think we’remaking good progress on the language of the resolution, and hopefully we’ll have action on it very soon,”hetold reporters Wednesday before

departing aG7foreign ministers meeting in Canada “Wedon’twant to lose momentumonthis.”

The U.S. first circulated a draft resolution last week to the 15 members of the SecurityCouncil that would give abroad international mandate to the stabilization force to provide security in Gaza through the end of 2027, working with theyetto-be-established Board of Peace. Arab andother countries that have expressed interestinparticipating in theforce have indicated that such amandate is necessary for them to contributetroops.

Russia, China andAlgeria voiced their opposition to that draft, and all but two of the other Security Council memberssubmitted amendments, one of the diplomats said.

the concern thatthe longest shutdown ever maynot be the last they face, has shaken many in the workforce.

“Stress andhungerare great tactics for traumatizing people,” Sweet said.

ForSweet, the feelings of frustrationare only compoundedbya feeling that she was betrayed by the Democratic-aligned senators who broke with theparty on the health care subsidies.

She said thatshe under-

stands that many workers were desperate for a paycheck.But shethought standing firm on the issue of thehealth caresubsidieswas worth hersacrifice.

“There are other federal workers who understood whatwewere holding the line forand areextremely unhappy that line was crossed and that trust was breached,” she said.

Adam Pelletier, aNational Labor RelationsBoardfield

examiner who was furloughedOct.1,saidheisglad the compromise includes rehiring laid-off workers, but “theagreementthat was reached almost feels like theCharlie Browncartoon where Lucy holds the football andpulls it outfrom them.”

Pelletier, aunionleader forNLRBU local3,had financially preparedfor the shutdown back in March when it becameclear that a fundingagreementbetween Democratsand Republicans likely would notbereached He says theshutdownhas madehim feel “like apawn” because federal workers had no say over their own fate. The federal workers who spoke to The Associated Press hadone common message:thattheywerereeling but readytoget back to work.

“This has been the worst time in my 20 yearstobea federal employee,” said Elizabeth McPeak, afurloughed IRS employeeinPittsburgh who is National Treasury Employees Union Chapter 34 first vice president. She said colleagues had to beg their landlords to hold off on collecting rent payments and reliedonfood banks during the shutdown.

“A month without pay,” McPeak said, “is alongtime to go.”

Pakistan says Afghan nationals carriedout twosuicide attacks

BY MUNIR AHMED Associated Press

ISLAMABAD Pakistan’sinterior minister said ThursdaythatAfghannationals carriedout two fatal suicide attacks this week —one targeting acadet college near the Afghanborder andthe other outside acourt in the capital, Islamabad. “In bothofthe suicide bombings,Afghancitizens were involved, andthey carried out the attacks,” Interior MinisterMohsin Naqvi said.

Therewas no immediate

BY RIO YAMAT Associated Press

Severalthousand Boeing machinists in the Midwest whoassemble military aircraft and weapons voted Thursday to approve anew contract, ending athreemonth strike that saw them reject four earlier offers from thecompany

The breakthrough fiveyear labor agreement includes a24% wage hike acrossthe life of the contract and a$6,000 signing bonus, according to the union representing the 3,200 workerswho walked

comment from Kabul.

On Tuesday asuicide bombing outside adistrict court in Islamabad killed 12 people andwounded 27 others. Separately on Monday, three soldiers were killed when asuicide bomber and four other militants tried to storm the Cadet College Wana in northwestern KhyberPakhtunkhwaprovince, triggering agunbattle.

The attacks underscored Pakistan’sworsening security situationasthe government faces growing militancy,tense relations with Kabul and an increasingly

fragile trucealong theborder. Until Tuesday’sattack, the capital had largely been considered safecompared with the country’sconflicthit northwest.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday offeredtalks to Afghanistan’s Taliban government in arenewed peace overture.His call in atelevised speech on Wednesday followed the collapse of peace negotiations in Istanbul last week. It raised fears that aceasefire brokeredbyQatar and Turkey could unravel and trigger new border clashes.

offthe jobonAug. 4.

“We’re proud of what our members have fought fortogether and are ready to get back to building the world’smostadvanced militaryaircraft,”the InternationalAssociation of Machinistsand Aerospace Workers said in astatement.

With their new contract in hand, the machinists are settoreturn to work Sunday at manufacturing plants in the Missouri cities of St. Louisand St. Charles, as wellasinMascoutah, Illinois. The workers build fighter jets, weap-

ons systemsand the U.S. Navy’s first carrier-based unmanned aircraftatthose facilities.

Boeing said in astatement that it looks forward to “bringing our full team back together.”

While the strike was smaller than last year’s walkout by 33,000 Boeing workers who build commercial jetliners, it still threatened to slowthe aerospace company’seffortstoregainits financial footing. Boeing’sDefense, Space &Security division makes up morethana third of its revenue.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByCLIFFOWEN

Kitchen

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By JEHAD ALSHRAFI

APalestinian womanwalks Thursdaypast the historic Pasha Palace in Gaza City that was badly damaged by an Israeli airstrikeduring the war in the Gaza Strip.

Grain terminal gets favorable ruling

But related cases are ongoing

BY JOSIE ABUGOV

Staff writer

The Louisiana Supreme Court has sided with a company that had been seeking to build a controversial grain terminal in St. John the Baptist Parish, reversing an appeals court decision seen as a victory for environmental groups fighting the industrial project.

But what the court’s ruling on a decadesold zoning change means for the now-canceled grain project is unclear, as a slew of related cases are ongoing.

Parish leaders in St. John followed state law when they passed a 1990 zoning ordinance that changed land from residential to industrial use, the state’s high court found.

Officials 35 years ago enacted that rezoning for another company, Formosa Plastics, that wanted to build a plant in the area.

The Formosa deal imploded and sent the then-parish president to federal prison on corruption charges, and the plastics facility

block rezoning for the project.

RENDERING PROVIDED By

FADING AWAY

Mark Ragusa stands along the rocks at Lake Pontchartrain as the sun sets near Lacombe in St. Tammany Parish. The fading light cuts across the water, offering a quiet pause at the end of the day

New Orleans to crack down on overtime

City

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

New

New Orleans Police Department unveils new crime reporting tool

Those lapses cost organizations at least $1 million in 2024 and 2025, according to a Times-Picayune analysis of city and state records.

report writing and improve accuracy, officials said. For example, the old system could leave the exact locations of crimes uncertain

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

After years of delays, the New Orleans Police Department says it is finally compliant with national crime data reporting standards, following the debut this month of a cloud-based, artificial intelligence-powered records management system.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell called the switch to the Mark43 system “a day we have been longing for” during a Tuesday media briefing.

With the launch, NOPD at last is aligned with the national “incidentbased” reporting system that the FBI transitioned to in 2021. In addition to enabling more efficient and accurate crime reporting, compliance may help New Orleans to again tap federal grant funds for crime victims that it lost due to crime reporting lapses.

“When we’re able to meet Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement, or LCLE, and also federal NIBRS reporting standards, that secures Department of Justice funding for the city,” said Kimberly LaGrue, the city’s IT director and chief information officer “For years, when we could not report accurately we were in jeopardy of losing that funding. So we committed that we would get this done.”

Nathaniel Weaver, who heads the modernization effort for the city called the move “a foundational transformation in how the NOPD operates as a modern police department.”

The new system arrives under a three-year contract worth $4.5 million and is funded with federal American Rescue Plan Act stimulus dollars, according to NOPD.

It comes with bells and whistles to streamline the work of police

“Previously, you would say, ‘This happened at this address,’ ” said Jessica Nezat, director of analytics at NOPD. “But you wouldn’t know necessarily, if it happened inside a house, in the driveway, in the road. Now we do.”

An expanded list of offense types 48 compared with eight in the old system — allows for greater nuance in crime data reporting, which in turn can shape policing strategy, NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick said. Reports can move electronically between the district attorney’s, public defender’s and sheriff’s offices.

Thanks to features including automatic cross-referencing of state charges and NOPD signal types, the new system may also prevent the kinds of errors that led the NOPD to undercount

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

An aerial rendering depicts the proposed Greenfield Louisiana LLC grain terminal and dock adjacent to Wallace. The Descendants Project requested a St. John the Baptist court

GREENFIELD LOUISIANA

Cantrell

Judgedeniesnew trialfor former LafayetteADA

Haynes’sentencing in kickback scheme is Dec. 17

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Gary Haynes, the former Lafayetteassistant district attorney who was convicted on sixfederal charges including bribery,has been denied anew trial

In September,a federal jury, after hearing eight days of testimony,convicted Haynes on six charges related to akickback scheme involving the pretrial intervention program in the 15thJudicial District Attorney’s Office, which he ran. Haynes was found guilty on two counts of using acellphone in in-

terstate commerce in aid of briberyand on conspiracy to engage in bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds,bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiring to commit money launderingand obstruction of justice.

improperexclusion of evidence, improperadmissionofevidence, prosecutorial misconduct and statementsand judicial bias. Prosecutors who tried Haynes opposedthe argumentsfor anew trial.

Haynes

While he was the assistantdistrict attorney running the pretrial interventionprogram forDistrict Attorney Don Landry, Haynes conspired with others to divertdefendants to the pretrialinterventionprogram and assignthemtocooperating businesses for classes and counseling. Thebusinesses split the profits with him.

Haynes’ attorney,Todd Clemons of LakeCharles,inOctober filed arequestfor anew trial, alleging

U.S. DistrictCourt Judge David Joseph on Monday denied the motion for anew trial. Josephsaidhedid not allow the defense to introduce 48 audio and video exhibits of co-conspirators obtained via wiretaps because the defense failed to lay afoundation for the introduction of impeachmentevidence. Specifically,every time the defense tried to impeach witness Dusty Guidry,aco-defendant who pleaded guilty,Guidry did not deny making the statements,Jo-

seph wrote. Prior to the trial, the court ruled that prosecutors couldnot bring up the federal conviction more than10years ago of Haynes’ wife, Barna, in asimilar bribery scheme in theDistrict Attorney’sOffice under former District Attorney Mike Harson. Prosecutors in the trial mentionedthe prior scheme andinvestigation, but did not specifically mention his wife. Joseph said that was allowed.

In addition, Joseph said potential jurors who knew of Barna Haynes’ conviction were excluded from the jury

Joseph also wrote that it was not prejudicial in theeyesofthe jury when prosecutors asked him to strike adefense counsel comment about theabsence of Michelle Franques, thewifeofco-defendant Leonard Franqueswho pleaded

guilty.Michelle Franques, who was involvedinthe bribery scheme but wasnot prosecuted, pleaded the Fifth Amendment against selfincrimination when subpoenaed to testifyfor the defense.

Defense attorneys argued that they did not have timetoproperly prepare forthe trial,filing amotion twoweeks beforethe trial, whichwas nine months afterreceiving initial discovery evidence. Joseph ruled against the defense. He also ruled against the defense’sarguments that the weight of evidence did not support the jury’sguilty verdictand against arguments of judicial bias and animus.

Haynesisscheduledfor sentencing on Dec.17.

Email ClaireTayloratctaylor@ theadvocate.com.

UL planning to hold presidential search amid turmoil

Front-runner Ramesh Kolluruinstalled as leader in interim

BY ASHLEY WHITE and MEGAN WYATT Staff writers

The University of Louisiana system board announced Thursday that it will form asearch committee to find the next president of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, capping speculation that the board would forgo asearch and install apresident without any input from faculty or students.

The announcement came at a special meeting of the UL system board after backlash from professors and others involved on campus whopushed back against initial planstoinstall Ramesh Kolluru, UL’s vice president for research, innovation and economic development, into the job without asearch. Theboard spent an hour in aclosed-door, executive session to discuss the search before emerging and announcing they would form asearchcommittee.

Still, the board also named Kolluru as the university’sinterim

TERMINAL

Continued from page1B

never materialized. But the decades-old zoning change set the stage for Greenfield, thecompany that triedto build the grain terminalin the majority-Black town of Wallace. Greenfield halted plans for the $800 million facility last summer,citing permitting delays at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The surprise announcement drew sharp criticism from some Louisianaofficials, including Gov.Jeff Landry,and praise from environmental groups and historic preservationists who stressed that thegrain facility would disturb aregion rich with AfroCreole history Lynda VanDavis, counsel for Greenfield, did not respondtorequests forcomment.

William Most, an attorney for The Descendants Project, the most prominent opponents of the project, said theadvocacygroup “is prepared to pursueits legal options, and this ruling does notdiminish its willtofight for the community.”

‘Lower courts erred’

The state SupremeCourt ruling on the 1990 zoning change reverses aseries of lower court and appeals court decisions that the rezoning was illegal. Most recently,the state’s 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in April that the Parish Council failed to follow procedure by making an amendment to the land use changes without going to the planning commission.

Newinterim president for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Kolluru addresses the boardduringa special meeting of the UL

boardatAbdalla Hall in Lafayette on Thursday

president. Theappointment came at therecommendation of Jaimie Hebert,who hadbeen serving as interimpresident since Aug. 1, and who asked to return to his former jobofprovost.

“Weare going to confirm agreat groupofcommunityleadersand individuals that have avested interest in seeing this university

succeed,” said BoardChair Mark Romero, “andthat arecommitted to serving theinterestsofsupporting theselection of the future president of this university.” Romero andother board membersdid not offer specifics on the timelinefor thesearch or name themembers who will be joining thesearch committee.

day. Theruling said that the Parish Council’schanges were not substantial enough to warrantreturning the zoning question to the planning commission, which had earlierapprovedthe original versionofthe measure. One judge, Associate Justice JohnMichael Guidry, dissented in thecase, arguing that he saw “no error in thelower courts’ rulings.” The parish had aggressively pursued thegrain elevator project,citing the economic development and revenue it would bring.

Ongoinglawsuits

“The lower courts erred in finding the amendment to the proposedordinance had to be reviewed by the planning commission,” the Supreme Court found Wednes-

Whilethe grainproject itself appeared to die, aslew of lawsuits related to the facility continued In one case, The DescendantsProject alleges that Parish President Jaclyn Hotard signed off on aseparate2024 rezoning agreement for the grain elevator to the potential benefit of herhusband and mother-in-law.Itisunclear how this week’sruling will affect thependingcase. Hotard did not respond to requestsfor comment, though she has earliercriticized “frivolous lawsuits” related to the project

TheDescendants Project

alsofiled alawsuit against theparishand thePortof South Louisiana earlier this year,alleging that Greenfield never paid themillions of taxesitowed to thesheriff’sdepartmentand the port And theadvocacy group appealed afederal court ruling in afree speech case that centered on whether Hotard improperly shut down Joy Banner,who co-runs The Descendants Project, at a public meeting. Ajury concluded in January that the parishpresident was notliable. Following the verdict, Hotard called the outcome “a victoryfor St. John.”

Email Josie Abugovat josie.abugov@theadvocate. com.

LOTTERY WEDNESDAY, NOV. 12, 2025

TOOL

The school has been without a permanentpresident sinceJoseph Savoie stepped down in July andHebert took over as interim. Savoie was serving in an advisory role and expected to take afaculty positionnext year,but announced this week that he would instead officially retire at the endofthe year Kolluru pitchedhis visionfor campus during the meeting Thursdayafter he wasappointedinterim president.

“As you know,we’ve allbeen through alot,” Kolluru said. “Let me be clear —it’snot our people whohavefailedour systems.Itis our broken systems, in somepart, that have failed our people.

“But Ibelieve in this university, Ibelieve in you, and Ibelieve in us as one UL.”

His comments about broken systems appeared to be in reference to a$25 million budget deficit that Hebert announced shortly after becoming interim president. Heberthas eliminated morethan 70 positionsatthe school in his attempts to get costs under control.

Hebert told the board that he was honored to have the chance to serve his alma mater

“I feel like I’ve given my skill set to assist the university as best as Ipossibly can in these trying

times,” he said. He asked that the board name Kolluru as the next interim because Kolluru was a“keyplayer” in the workdone toward fiscal stability

“Dr.Kolluru also has abroad and deep understanding of our research enterprise, andright now, we need that continuity,”Hebert said. “Weneed to be able to continue through thistransition and notlose pace withwhatwewere accomplishing in apositive way.”

After the meeting, Kolluru told reporters he was not made aware of his potential appointment as interimpresidentuntil Hebert suggested it during the meeting, reading from what appeared to be aprepared speech. Kolluru told board membershewas glad “we aregoing through aprocess that will engage ourfacultyindeciding our future leadership.”

He said he would execute aplan that focuses on “service, accountability andinnovation” andtold meeting attendees to remember theacronym “S-A-I.”Kollurutold board members he would come back to them at the end of November with adraftfor growth.

Email AshleyWhiteatashley. white@theadvocate.com.

Continuedfrom page 1B

The undercounting meant that victim-serving organizationsinthe city received lessfunding than they would normally from federal grantsmeant to help victims.Thosegrants areawarded in partbased on the city’sshareofcrime in agiven year Until this month,NOPD remained one of ahandful of departments that had notcompleted theFBI’s mandatedtransition to the new federal system, itsprogress hamstrung by the COVID-19 pandemic and the failed Hexagon project spearheaded by former Orleans Parish CommunicationsDistrict

executive director Tyrell Morris, who was convicted last month of malfeasance and fraud, among other charges.

NinetypercentofU.S city policedepartments are compliant withthe federal government’s incident-basedsystem, according to Jeff Asher, aNew Orleans-based consultant and data analyst.

“It’ssomething New Orleans shouldhave had a while ago,”Ashersaid. “I hope they are able to backfill theirold data.NOPD doesn’thave 2024 and 2025 data with the FBI, so Ihope they are able to rectify that situation with the state.” NOPD has asked the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to reactivate the old Uniform Crime

Reporting platform so the department can submit its 2024 and 2025 crimedata to the FBI, Nezat said. The department used the same workaround in 2021, 2022 and2023tosendits data to federal authorities. But now that the platform hasbeen fully decommissioned, that may no longer be possible.

“They havenot been able to do so yet,” Nezatsaid. “Wewould very much like to have that there for comparison purposes.”

The switchoveralso meansanapples-to-apples comparison of year-to-date crime data won’tbepossible until theyear anniversary of Mark 43’slaunch— adate that marks the light at theend of what hasbeen along, arduous transition tunnel: Nov.4,2026.

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Ramesh

system

Sisters Joyand Jo Banner pose

Wallace.

Hotard

A.J. Meek,noted BR

photographer,diesat84

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

PhotographerAmy James thought about her latest exhibition upon receiving the news of A.J. Meek’sdeath.

Meek died on Saturday He had been her photography professor at LSU, and she had maintained a friendship with him since.

“Hewas in my June exhibit at BatonRougeGallery,which honored photographers Ihad workedwith, studied with, collaborated with or were my mentors,” James said.“So, he was in that exhibit. Iphotographed him in May, so Iwas really shocked to get the news that he had passed away.”

Meek, anationally acclaimed photographer, author and scholarwho began documenting Louisiana’s landscapes and people, died in his Baton Rouge home at age 84.

“He was so spiritual,” she said.“AndI don’tknow if he knew it, but Iincludeda cross in the background for that photo.”

Meek wouldn’thave minded at all. He was a regular at Sunday morning servicesatFirst Presbyterian Church, where he and fellow Baton Rouge artist Rosemary Goodell often sharedapew and conversation long after the service’s end. Artist and friend Rob Carpenter remembers that Meek had evenconsidered training to be an Episcopalian lay minister

“I don’tthink that came through,” Carpenter said.

“But he did consider it.”

Still, as almost all who knew him most remember, Meek’spassion was in creativity

“He had insight, and he was able to make you see what he saw —that insight —inhis photographs,” said fellow artist Mary Ann Caffery,who hosted solo shows of Meek’swork in her formerexhibition space, Caffery Gallery.“Youcould keep going back to look at hisphotographs and see something differentin them each time.”

Meek was asenior professorofphotography in the LSU School of Art, retiring as professor emeritus in

OVERTIME

Continued from page1B

Giarrusso said. In addition to providing oversight of the bond proceeds, Waguespack is also conducting an investigation into city spending from 2022 to thepresent. His office will send monthly invoices at arate of $125 per hour per staffer for its work. Under an ordinance approved last week creating aspecial fund for the bond proceeds, Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration is required to provide both Waguespack and the council with weekly payroll reports, biweekly expenditure reduction reports and monthlycash flow and spending reports. Cantrell’sadministration will also have to provide the 90-day overtime projections on amonthly basis. Those projections can’t relyonhistoricalestimates, and instead, must be based on “document operational needs” and “verified workload data,” according to the Bond Commission’s terms andconditions for approval.

The council plans to meet weekly on Wednesdays for the foreseeable future to review the city’spayroll needs and to vote to spend bond revenue funds as needed. Overtime spending has been amajor driver of the $160 million deficitestimated for this year’sbudget. Both the city’sOffice of Inspector General and state auditor have flagged overtime spending at the New Orleans Police De-

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Armstrong, Velma

Bates, Byron

PHOTO

her

Meek in Mayfor an exhibit that honored and mentorsinher life and career

2005.

“When he came herein 1988,hehelpedinsetting up thephotography department at LSU,” longtime friend ClayFourrier said. “He arranged for all of thedarkrooms and everything.”

Fourrierforged afriendship with Meek some 30 years ago, which resulted in the creation and management of Meek’swebsite, ajmeek.com.

Meek taught for five years at the University of Utah before moving on to LSU in 1977, where he taught for 28 years while making Baton Rouge his home with late wife Belinda VanDyk,and their daughter,Patricia.

“He hadawicked sense of humor,” Carpenter said. “And his wife, Belinda,and daughter, Tricia, were his anchors.”

Meek was born Albert JamesMeek on Aug. 29, 1941, in Beatrice, Nebraska He beganworkinginphotographywhile in the U.S AirForce, thenearned his bachelor offine arts degree from theArt Center College of Design in Los Angeles. He was laterawarded ateaching assistantship at Ohio University,where he earned hismaster of fine arts degree. He was knownfor his

partment as an area of concern.

NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick in October rejected thecouncil’s request to freeze overtime spendinginlight of the city’scash flow crisis.

“I am not going to let an officer get hurt,and Iam not going to let the community be hurt because I am not willing topay overtime,” Kirkpatrick saidin October Giarrusso on Thursday criticized those remarks.

“Wecannot afford,ascollaborative partners, to have anybody going offand doing exactly what theywant to do,” Giarrusso said. Threat said he’sspoken to Kirkpatrickand sheun-

selenium-toned atincontact prints of Louisiana lands theAmerican tographed with by 20-inch banquet The result was documentary and fine art.

Meek alsoa published books “Clarence Joh Prophet With biography of photographer be the father art; and“Sacred Places in Louisiana,” pendium of pho the interiors and synagogues. “A.J. was so because he always heart on his fellow artist Kat who met Meek ingphotography the 1990s. “Whether ing observati or the state with hisusual or processing his dear Belin shared his feelings Meek is survived daughter,Patricia. SealeFune of DenhamS chargeofarr which are pending.

EmailRobin romiller@theadvocate. com.

derstands the straints. NOPD, of the new rules, have to receive al for overtime. Threat said meetingplan day afternoon ment headst newovertime said he also plann that they “pause work, whatever cash flow thro of the year.”H any additiona that request, spokesperson spond to aque more information.

EmailBlake bpaterson@theadvocate. com.

Weber, Patrice

ment:ProvidencePark, Metairie, LA River Parish

Hobson BrownFH

Scioneaux, Edward

Brown, Picola Bates, ByronRay

West Bank

Butler, Evelyn DavisMortuary Collins, Dolores Gray Jr., George DuplessisSr.,Dilan Leonard, Thelma Ferguson, William Mothe Gray Jr., George Hanchey, Judith PerezJr.,Berchmans Jackson, Brenda Spahr, Sanders Johnson Jr., Christopher Robinson FH Collins, Dolores JonesIII, Melvin Leonard,Thelma Marks, Byron

Obituaries Olison Jr., Harvey PerezJr.,Berchmans Armstrong, VelmaH.

Sanders,Phil Schiffer,Scott Scioneaux, Edward Smith,Deborah Spahr, Sanders Stiaes,René Sullen, Lorraine Valcour,Audrey Weber, Patrice Wheeler,Ellen Wilson, Everleaner EJefferson

Richardson FH

Sanders,Phil

Tharp Funeral Home

Hanchey, Judith NewOrleans

Boyd Family

Jackson, Brenda Johnson Jr., Christopher JonesIII, Melvin Wheeler,Ellen Charbonnet

Smith,Deborah

Dennis FuneralHome Armstrong, Velma Bates, Byron DW Rhodes Butler, Evelyn Stiaes,René Valcour,Audrey Wilson, Everleaner Estelle JWilson Olison Jr., Harvey Lake Lawn Metairie Ferguson, William Marks, Byron

Littlejohn FH Brown, Picola

VelmaH.Armstrong,65, ofNew Orleans, LA,was calledhometobewiththe LordonOctober 28, 2025, in Houston,TX, surrounded byher loving children and grandchildren.BornonNo‐vember5,1959, to Nathan and Rosetta Hamilton, Velma greatest joyinlife was beinga devoted mother. Sheleavestocher‐ish hermemoryher seven children: Nicole Franklin, StaceyShell,Michael Arm‐strong, KatieTrotter,Sab‐rinaHodges, KeithArm‐strong, andTrenise Arm‐strong; alongwith25 grandchildren,2 greatgrandchildren,and herlov‐ing sister Carole Paulette Hamilton. Shewas pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐ents, herhusband Isaiah Armstrong, five sisters, and threebrothers. Velma willberememberedfor her kindspirit, herstrength, and thedeep love she sharedwithall who knew her.A CelebrationofLife willbeheldonSaturday, November15, 2025, at Sec‐ond Mt.Triumph Baptist Church,3508 Washington Avenue, NewOrleans,LA 70115. Visitation:10:00 a.m. Service: 11:00 a.m. Inter‐

ByronRay Bates, ana‐tiveofNew Orleans, Louisiana,peacefullyde‐partedthislifeonMonday, November3,2025. He leavestocherish hismem‐ory hisdevoted mother, BobbieB.Lewis;two loving daughters,AsiaIrean Bates andAngel Bates; one cherished grandson HarlemBates;two broth‐ers,GregoryLee Bates (Karen) andPhilipLewis I; one belovedniece,Kaitlyn Bates;and onestepsister, MaryElizabeth Keys.He willalsobelovinglyre‐memberedbya host of aunts, uncles,cousins,and friends.Byron waspre‐ceded in deathbyhis fa‐ther, thelateGeorgeC Bates;his stepfather PhilipLewis I; hisson, TyreseBates.FuneralSer‐viceSaturday, November 15, 2025. Rising Star Baptist Church 1350 Laurel St., Metairie, La., Visitation: 12:00PM Service: 1:00 PM Interment: Jefferson MemorialGardens,St. Rose, La.Officiantby, Rev. David Jenkins.

Picola Brown, affection‐ately knownas“Pick,” was the beloveddaughterof ThelmaMarcellaTalley Brown Hill andGeorgeHill. She hasnow joined her parents in eternalrest. Pi‐colaalsoreunitesin heaven with herlongtime

PROVIDED

Photographer AmyJames tookthis photo of

A.J.

Brown, Picola 'Pick'

4B ✦ Friday, November 14, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune partnerof23years,Willie Lewis Sr herbeloved son Willie LewisJr.,and her cherished grandson Willie Lewis Bridges. Sheleaves tocherish hermemorytwo daughters,KizzyBrown and Desera Lewis, as well astwo adoptedsons, Ernestand Willie Her legacycontinues through five grandchildren: Tyrone Davis,IsaiahBrown, Tyra Davis,TravisGrant and TravonGrant andsix greatgrandchildren:Amyra Davis,DevontayWells ,Ta‐tiana Davis, Koby Labuve IvyBrown andIsaiah Brown Jr who will forever holdher love closetotheir hearts. Picola’s mother Thelma, wasblessedwith a largeand loving family, eight daughtersand three sons. Picola is survived by her siblings Thelma Wil‐son,MercedesBrown, James Brown, FloydBrown WalterBrown andshe is reunitedinpeace with her sisters EatherineOdem, MarcellaRobinson, Georgia Mae Dabney,Jerry Mae Menville, andLorretta Williams.Picolalived afull and vibrantlife. Sheen‐joyed cooking, dancing, singing,and having agood timewiththose sheloved Throughouther life,she workedhardand took pride in hermanyroles,in‐cluding at Cal’sDiner,asa short-order cook at Yvonne’s Restaurant,a custodian at BenFranklin HighSchool,and laterat Hotel Pierre on Burgundy Street.After HurricaneKat‐rina, Picola made Tucson Arizona herhome, where she livedfrom2005 until her passingin2025. She was adevoted mother grandmother,and greatgrandmother,whose kind‐ness, strength,and laugh‐ter touchedeveryoneshe met.Picola“Pick”Brown was deeply lovedand hon‐oredthrough her final days. Hermemorywilllive oninthe hearts of herchil‐dren, grandchildren, greatgrandchildren,sisters brothers, andall whoknew and lovedher.Relatives and friendsare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeonSaturday, Novem‐ber 15, 2025, at St.James Methodist Church,1925 Ur‐sulines Ave. beginning10 am. Church visitation 9am until servicetime. Entomb‐mentProvidenceMemorial Park. Professional Service Entrusted to:LittlejohnFu‐neral Home,Cal K. John‐son,Manager-FuneralDi‐rector.Info: 504-940-0045

Butler,EvelynM. With sadnessweshare the passingofEvelynM Butler, on October31, 2025 Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtoviewservice information,signonline guestbook,sendflowers and sharecondolences

Collins, Dolores MarieLaphand

DoloresMarie Laphand Collins wasbornonJuly11, 1947, in Convent, Louisiana, tothe late CecilieEllis Johnson andthe late Ed‐wardLaphand.She at‐tendedCypress GroveHigh School in Lutcher, Louisiana,and latermade her home in Westwego, Louisiana,where she resided forover53years Dolores wasunitedinholy matrimony to theloveof her life,the late Vernell Collins.Their beautiful union wasblessedwith five children:the late Bernell Collins, Vernell Collins Sr.(Lisa), Nakia Collins,Deshawnna Collins, and TarrellCollins Sr.A de‐voted womanoffaith,Do‐lores wasa member ofSt. Josephthe Worker Roman Catholic Church in Mar‐rero, Louisianawhere she servedinthe CCD program for anumberoryears.Do‐lores hosted Novenasin her home andRosary Rallysinthe community She waswellknown for spreading theGood News ofthe Lord.Known forher exceptional cookingskills, she opened herhomefor all to be fed. Herculinary expertise contributedto various Community Con‐gregations, includingcook‐ing forHolyNameofJesus ChurchinNew Orleans, LA Dolores held otherposi‐tions such as amanager at NationalTapeCorporation and aHomeHealthCare providerbeforebecoming a home maker. On October 26, 2025, surrounded by her lovingfamily, Godcalled Dolores home to eternal restatWestJefferson Hos‐pital.Her memory will for‐everbecherished by her lovingchildren; hersib‐lings,BernadetteWilliams of Westwego, LA,Kathleen

Parnell, of Marrero, LA, Janet Sam(Femon) of Laplace,LA, Robert John‐son Jr.(Judy)ofReserve, LA, andMarionJackson,of Darrow, LA,; 16 grandchil‐drenand oneexceptedin February; 14 great-grand‐children; and2 godchil‐dren, MichaelSly and NicoleSmith;She is also survivedbya host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friendswho loved her dearly.Dolores was precededindeath by her beloved husband,Vernell Collins;her parents, Cecilie Ellis Johnsonand Edward Laphand;her sonBernell Collins;her sisters, Mary LouiseJohnson,Carolyn Johnson,Roselee Williams, and Ruby Laphand; her brothers, Nolan Legeaux, JohnPaulJohnson,Roder‐ick Johnson, WillieClark and Robert Darville; her grandsons Trevor Clifton, ElijahWalker; andher niece Cecilia“Sweetie” Ellis.Relatives andfriends ofthe familyare invitedto attend theMassofChrist‐ian Burial which will be heldonFriday, November 14, 2025, at St.JosephThe WorkerCatholic Church 455 Ames Blvd,Marrero,LA 70072. Thevisitationwill begin at 8a.m., andthe service will beginat10 a.m.FatherSidneySpeaks III officiatingand inter‐mentwillbeprivate.Fu‐neral planning entrustedto RobinsonFamilyFuneral Home9611 LA -23, Belle Chasse,LA70037 (504) 208 - 2119. Foronlinecondo‐lencesplease visitwww robinsonfamilyfuneralho me.com

Dilan GiavonDuplessis Sr.enteredinto eternal rest on Monday, October 27, 2025. He was the loving husband of Melanie Roberts Duplessis. He was borninNew Orleans to the late James Washington Jr. and Martha King Anderson (Juarry). He was the father of Adylla Duplessis, GregoryDomino III (stepson), Dilan Duplessis Jr., Milan Duplessis, and SanayaYoung. Hissiblings are Dwanna Duplessis, Bianca DuplessisLindsey, JamesDuplessis III, Damian Green, Althila Watson, Corey Green,Lois Major (Kevin), and the late AlvinDuplessis Jr.(Amy), Kathy Polly (Eugene),and Michelle Campbell (Sherman). He was the grandsonofEddieand ErnestineKing Sr. and James WashingtonSr. and AgnesEncaladeand the grandfather of Brandon Young Jr. He also leaves to cherisha number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews relativesand friends. He acceptedChristatan earlyage and wasbaptized bythe late Reverend George Johnson Sr. at SecondBaptistChurch. He later joinedFirst Asia Baptist Church. He loved playing the drums in various churches. Family and friends are invited to attend amemorialservice honoringhis life at First AsiaBaptistChurch, 2418 Walkers Lane,Meraux, LA 70075 on Saturday November 15, 2025. Visitationfrom 9-10AM; Funeral Service10:00 AM Bishop Carlton Campbell, officiating.

Ferguson,William Patrick 'Will'

William "Will" Patrick Ferguson, 19, passedaway at University Medical Center in NewOrleans, Louisiana on November 1, 2025,asthe result of acar accident along Interstate 10. Williamwas born on September 25, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada to Chenier Reynolds (Montz)and WilliamSharp Ferguson III. He was agraduateofSt. Therese Academy and currentlyenrolled asa freshmanatLoyola University's College of Business studying Marketing. Williamwas currently workingasan auto mechanic apprentice in Metairie.Hewas passionate aboutsports cars

and classiccars, butmost of all, spending time with his younger sister, Ava Ferguson. He was activein theCatholicChurch serving as an altar server and eucharisticminister, participated in the March for Life in Washington, D.C., and previously served on Student Government.He was achampionship swimmer and car club member. He lovedthe outdoors, country music, bull riding campfires, four-wheelers, traveling,aswellasdriving his Ford Mustang and lifted Ford F250.

Willissurvivedbyboth of his parents; his sister, Ava; step-sister, Heidi Montz; step-parents, Michael Edward Montz and Amy Triche Ferguson; maternal grandparents, Marguerite Reynolds and Riecke Reynolds; paternal grandparents,, Tonya Sweeneyand William FergusonII; aunts, Chatrian Reynolds Roberson,KatieCure, Renee Williams, Sabrina Montz, Jade Montz, LindseyFerguson,Fanny Ferguson,Rachelle Rayburn; uncles, Jason Ferguson, Christopher Ferguson, Scott Rayburn, Anthony Montz, Randy Montz, Robert Montz, Michael Cure, Ron Roberson,Gary Williams; cousins,Alyse Kanger, Gracelyn Rayburn, Analeigh Rayburn, Carleigh Rayburn, Zachary Rayburn, NicoleFerguson, Michael Ferguson, Payton Ferguson, Preston Ferguson; nephews, Elijah and RilanMontz.

William is preceded in death by maternal greatgrandparents, June Nolan Wells and Milton Wells, Marilyn Gorrondonna Bangs and Gordon Bangs; paternal great-grandparents, Patricia and Michael Sweeney.

Visitation willbeheldon Saturday, November 15, 2025 at HolyName of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Avenue,New Orleans, LA 70118, on thecampus of LoyolaUniversity, from 10am-Noon. ACatholic mass willbecelebrated at Noon followedbya private graveside serviceat Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship fund has been establishedinWill'shonor The money raised willhelp support theacademic success and faith formationof studentsattending St ThereseAcademy in New Orleans. Donationscan be madetothe "William FergusonScholarship Fund"atany Hancock Whitney Bank location. The family wouldliketo thank themany guardian angels- physicians, nurses, and respiratorytechs (especiallyHannah, McKenzie,Thaddeus, Dr. Cheech &Dr. Riley) -at University Medical Center forcaring forWilliam. A heartfelt thanksalso goes to Trooper Drake Cazes who was first on thescene of theaccident and St. John FirefighterJordan Senner who accompanied William allthe way to the emergency room at UMC. Allwillremaininour prayersfor your heroic efforts.

George Gray,Jr.,age 95 entered peacefully into eternal rest at hisresi‐dence on Wednesday, No‐vember5,2025. He wasa nativeofNew Orleans, LA and aresidentofHarvey, LA. George received his GED andwas alicensed barber. He wasa retired headcustodian with the Jefferson Parish Public School System,and afor‐mer truckdriverwithSwift TruckingCompany.George was aproud veteranofthe UnitedStatesAir Force. Beloved husband of the lateDelores Wilson Gray Devoted father of Gwen‐dolyn G. Forges,Georgia W. GrayFreeman,and thelate Dorothy Gray.Loving grandfather of RonGray, JerardWatkins,Mylon Johnson,Tinslay Johnson, and Gabrielle Forges.Son ofthe late George E. Gray, Sr. andVelma R. Gray Brother of thelateEnola Struggs andThelmaJohn‐son.Father-in-law of Oran Forgesand Lionel Freeman; alsosurvivedby11great grandchildren,and ahost ofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friendsofthe family, also

pastors, officers,and members of EveningStar Baptist Church andall neighboring churches are invited to attend the Homegoing Celebrationat Evening Satr Baptist Church,817 Grefer Avenue, Harvey, LA on Saturday November15, 2025, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Keith Stewman,officiating. Visi‐tationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until servicetime atthe church.Interment: Evening Star CemeteryHarvey, LA.Arrangements byDavis Mortuary Service, 230 Monroe St.Gretna, LA Toviewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com. Face MasksAre Recom‐mended.

JudithAnn "Judy" Hanchey, 85, of River Ridge, Louisiana, passed away on November 11, 2025. BornonMarch 10, 1940, in Oberlin, LA,she was thedaughterofthe late James Aswell and Wynonah Genius Hanchey. A1958 graduateof LaGrange SeniorHigh School, she earnedher R.N. fromCharityHospital School of Nursing in 1961 and latertrained as a nurse anesthetist. Judy worked at CharityHospital, in privatepractice, and later forBlue Cross &Blue ShieldofLouisiana. She willberemembered forher warmth,humor, and lifelong friendships. Survivors includesistersPenelope Bauer of FortCollins, CO and Candace Meadors of Dadeville, AL;brother Stephen G. Hanchey of Bangkok, Thailand, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by sister PatriciaBerry and brother James Randall Hanchey. At her request, no formal service willbe held.Memorial donations may be made to animalwelfare charities. Arrangementsentrusted to TharpFuneralHome. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewedat www.tharpcares.com.

Brenda W. Jackson passedawayonOctober 19, 2025, at theage of 76 BrendaJackson is survived by: Dawn Moses(David), JohnJackson,and Brian Jackson,Sr. (Kristine).She had 11 grandchildren: Dar‐ian,Jalen,David Jr., Jada, Kez’Ariah,Danna,Brian Jr Mia,Brendan,Brianne,and Mya,3 great-grandchil‐dren: Micah, Ka’leigha, and Eden. Sheisalsosurvived byher twosiblings: Lloyd F.Wilson, Jr., andKenneth Wilson,and preceded in death by herbeloved brother,Byron Wilson Along with herparents, she joinsthemineternal rest. CelebrationofLife service will be held on Sat‐urday,November15, 2025, at9:00a.m.atBoydFamily FuneralHome, locatedat 5001 Chef Highway, New Orleans,Louisiana.Visita‐tionwillbegin at 9:00 a.m. Intermentwillbeprivate Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

ChristopherJohnson,Sr. Christopher Jr.wentfrom earth to gloryonMonday, October 27, 2025. He ac‐ceptedChristashis per‐sonal Savior andwas bap‐tized at theSt. John Institu‐tionalMissionaryBaptist Church underthe leader‐shipofthe late Rev. Dr.Earl Hausey. He laterjoined SecondZionBaptist Church No.1,under the leadershipofthe late Rev. Dr. Matthew McGary Christopher Jr,graduated fromWalterL.CohnHigh School andjoinedthe UnitedStatesArmyafter graduation. ChristopherJr was preceded in deathby his father,Christopher Johnson,Sr.,his mother Oneeida W. Johnson, two sisters,WynnoaJohnson, and YolandaJohnson three brothers,MallisW Brooks, RuffinJohnson,Sr. and Andrew Johnson, Sr Heleavestocherish his memories, oneniece,Fel‐ishaA.Mattire,one nephew, RuffinJohnson, Jr.,one greatniece,Chase Mattier,a godchild Latrice (Nick)Alexander,a trea‐sured friend A. ShirleyCe‐lestain,two honorary grandsons BrandonLydell Raineyand O’Shon Jarden Williams anda host of familyand friends. Family and friendsare invitedto attendthe Celebrationof LifeService on Saturday November15, 2025, for 10:00 a.m. at Second Zion Baptist Church #1,2929 SecondStreet,New Or‐leans,LA70113. Visitation willbegin at 9:00 a.m. Pas‐tor Rev. Dr.Derrick Webb Sr.,officiating. Interment willbeatSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Ceme‐teryonMonday, November 17, 2025. Guestbook Online: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Melvin JonesIII, AKA “Tbone, Mellie Mel, Mr Buddy,” soul returned to the bosomofour Heavenly FatheronNovember2 2025, at theage of 46 Melvinwas born to the union of PaulineJones and the late Melvin Jones, Jr Heissurvivedbyhis beau‐tiful children Melannie Makayla,and Matthew, two grandchildren: Xander, Amyrah, brothers:Gerone McNulty (Destiny), Paul Lee Jones(Latoria),and his motherPaulineJoneCarter. Also survived by the love of hislifeJade Tate, anda host of loving relatives andfriends Melvinwas theproud ownerofBailBondAmer‐ica in BatonRouge,LAand a subbailbondproducer for Free Me Bail Bondsof New Orleans, LA.Healso workedfor Benton,LLC (concrete contractor)of Gonzales, LA.Precededin death by hisfatherMelvin Jones Jr,grandparents MelvinJones Sr Theresa TravisJones,and his brother,Royal Jones. Fam‐ily,friends,and co-workers are invitedtoattend the FuneralService on Satur‐day,November15, 2025, for 10:00 a.m. at TheChurch At New Orleans(CANO), 11700 ChefMenteur Hwy.,New Orleans,LA70129. Visita‐tionwillbegin at 9:00 a.m. PastorCurtisBrown, offici‐ating.Interment will follow atWestlawnCemetery, 1225 WhitneyAve,Gretna, LA70056. We,the family, would like to thankevery‐one forany andall dona‐tions,love, andsupport Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

cilityinMarrero,LAonFri‐day,October 31, 2025, at the ageof93. Shewas a nativeofLafourcheParish, LAand aresidentofNew Orleans,LA. Belovedwife ofthe late Jurdon D. Leonard,Sr. Beloved motherofDebra Leonard, TraceyLeonard,Pamela Lee, IreneMartin, Donald Ray Leonard, andthe late SandraLeonard,Geraldine Chance, Jurdon D. Leonard, Jr.,and BobbyJoLeonard Bonus momtoher 4 stepchildren. Grandmother ofLatasha Thompson Corey Williams,Jarrett, Jason,Justin, Jatira,Angel Bobby Jr., Joma,Tony, Tiera,Michelle andNicole Leonard,JohnLee III, Jor‐dan Lee, Pascaleand Shon‐dellWilson, Alfred,LeJoan, Yolanda andTrena Martin Daughterofthe late MitchellH.and Leotha Ellen Thomas Hampton. SisterofThomasHampton, Leola Campbell, andCora Lee Hampton. Herdear friendofover fiftyyears Helen Mosley.Thelmais survivedbynumerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends. Relatives andfriends of the family, also pastors, offi‐cers, andmembers of Reg‐ularBaptist Church,New Birth CathedralofGlory Ministries, Hosanna Fel‐lowship Church of Gretna, WestPoint Church,St. Stephen MissionaryBap‐tistChurch,and allneigh‐boringchurches arein‐vited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at St Stephen MissionaryBap‐tistChurch,1738 L. B. LandryAve.New Orleans, LAonSaturday, November 15, 2025, at 10:00a.m. Pas‐tor Norman Francis, host pastor; Pastor Richmond Edwards,officiating. Visi‐tationwillbegin at 8:30a.m.until servicetime atthe church.Interment: St. Paul BaptistChurch Cemetery-Thibodaux, LA ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St., Gretna,LA. To view and sign theguestbook pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com.Face Masks AreRecommended

Byron Christopher Marks passedawaypeacefully on November 9, 2025, at the age of 79. Born in NewOrleans,LA., Byron wasa devotedhusband, father,grandfather, and businessmanwhose humor, warmth,and generositytouchedeveryonehe met. He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Mary Ann OlejnikMarks; hischildren, Melissa M. Jennings (Tony), Shannon C. Marks (Allison),and Christy(Shae) Denichola (Michael); grandchildren, Alex,Taylor,Caroline(Jon Adam), Molly, Alvin,Chase and Luke; hisspecial nephew,Jay Scariano; and manynieces, nephews, andcousins. He wasprecededin death by hisparents, Llewellyn Guillot Marks andEverardW.Marks; his sister,Llewellyn M. Scariano; and hisbrother, EverardW.Marks, Jr For over thespan of 50+ years, Byron was the proudowner of various companies, including Crescent Oil &Supply, Inc. Marks Automotive Distributor, andMailmar Inc. He will be rememberedfor hisentrepreneurial spirit and love of familyand friends. Relativesand friends are invited to attendthe memorial gathering at Lake LawnMetairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd.inNew Orleans, on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 10:00AM until12:00PM. The interment will follow thegatheringinMetairie Cemetery In lieu of flowers, please considera donation Byron'smemory to the American Diabetes Association, www.diabetes.org, or to theLouisiana SPCA, www.louisianaspca.org. To view andsignthe online guest book, please visit LakeLawnMetairie.com

Hanchey,Judith Ann

Duplessis Sr., Dilan

JonesIII, Melvin

Marks,Byron Christopher

Jackson, Brenda W.

Gray Jr., George

Leonard, Thelma Ruth Hampton

Thelma Ruth Hampton Leonard peacefully de‐partedthislifeatTranquil Living Assisted Living Fa‐

Johnson Jr., Christopher

ChristopherJohnson Jr was born on October5 1950, to thelateSis.Onee‐diaW.Johnson andthe late

Harvey Olison,Jr.,age 85ofNew Orleans, La.en‐tered eternalreston No‐vember4,2025 in NewOr‐leans,La. He wasbornon October 22, 1940, in New Orleans,Harveymarried Betty AnnSkinner Nelson, withwhomhefathered HarveyOlisonIII. He later fatheredJermaineEzekiel Anthony Sr.withRosalyn Anthony Haywood. He also married Mary Barber Oli‐son andfor thelast30 years shared hislifewith his devotedcompanion, Mrs.Shirley Calvin.Harvey issurvivedbyhis devoted and loving companion, Mrs.Shirley Calvin,sons: HarveyOlisonIII,and Jer‐maine AnthonySr.,daugh‐ters-in-law,Karen Olison, and KurieAnthony,grand‐childrenHaileyOlison, KailenOlison, Harvey Oli‐son IV,and Jermaine An‐thony Jr hissiblings, ClementineRoy andMary Holiday,and hiswifeMary BarberOlison, andhostof niecesand nephews. He was preceded in deathby his parents, EthelL.Olison and Harvey Olison Sr.; and siblings, Albert Olison, Ethel Olison White, and CoraChappel.Heattended L.B.LandryHighSchool and wasa devotedmem‐ber of Mount Pilgrim4th Baptist Church,429 New‐ton St Algiers, LA.Harvey enlistedinthe military, where he served ourcoun‐try in theUnitedStates Armyand Marines. Harvey was aloving, caring,and energetic manwho en‐joyed dancing, jazz music, attending second lines, and spreadingjoy and laughtertoall whoknew him.Relatives andfriends ofthe familyare invitedto attenda CelebrationofLife service on Saturday No‐vember15, 2025 for11:00 a.m.Visitationfrom9:00 a.m.until servicetime 11:00 a.m. at Mount Pilgrim 4th BaptistChurch, 429 NewtonSt.,Algiers,La. 70114. Pastor LarryR.Steib officiating. Interment: WestlawnMemorialPark Cemeteryand Mausoleum, 1225 WhitneyAvenue Gretna, Louisiana70056 ArrangementsEntrusted

ToEstelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc. 2715 Danneel Street,NOLA70113. Infor‐mation: (504) 895-4903. To signonlineguest book pleasevisit www.estelle jwilsonfh.com

PerezJr.,Berchmans Jennings'B.J.'

BerchmansJennings"B. J." Perez, Jr 96, of Coving‐ton,La.,passedaway peacefullyonSunday, No‐vember9,2025 at hisresi‐dence with familybyhis side. He wasborninNew Orleans,La, raised in Buras and Belle Chasse,La, and was aresidentofCoving‐ton,La. forthe past 8 years.B.J.graduated from Belle Chasse High School and attended Southwest Louisiana Institute, now the University of Louisiana inLafayette. He worked for the PlaqueminesParish CommissionCouncil for30 years,retiringasthe Su‐perintendentofBeautifica‐tionand Road Mainte‐nance.Hewas amember ofOur Lady of Perpetual HelpCatholicChurch in Belle Chasse and St Patrick's Catholic Church inNew Orleans, where he servedmanyyears as an usher.B.J.alsowas a memberofthe Lafitte Yacht Club,the Choctaw CarnivalClub, andthe Belle Chasse LionsClub where he served in various official roles, including President.Heenjoyed gar‐deningand wasa bigfan ofLSU andSaintsfootball B.J.was preceded in death byhis parents, Berchmans Srand EthelPerez,his brothersGeraldSrand Robert, hisdaughter-in-law Denise, andgrandsonAn‐drew. He is survived by his wifeofover73years,Viola Perez of Covington, La,son Berchmans "Berch"Perez III, daughter KarenPerez Murphyand son-in-law Patrick,grandsons Carl Hastingsand wife Kristy, Robert PerezIIand wife

Monica,and his4 greatgrandchildren,Abbeygale, Payton, Parker,and Theodore, alongwith8 nephews,a niece, and manycousins andfriends The family will receive friends andfamilyonFri‐day,November14, 2025 at 9:00AMwitha Memorial Massat11:00 AM at Mothe FuneralHome, 1330 Val‐lette Street,Algiers,La, 70114. Internment will take place followingthe mass atthe McDonogh Cemetery inGretna, La.Pleasevisit mothefunerals.com to view and sign theonlineguest‐book

Sanders, Phil Phil SandersonSunday, November2,2025, passed awayatthe ageof 72.Hus‐bandofthe late Lynn Marie Scott-Sanders. Anativeof Kenner, LA anda resident ofNew Orleans, LA Beloved sonofthe late Willie andOdeal Sanders. Brother of CarolynS Jacque, Virginia S. LaBeaud,Clark G. Sanders and LarrySanders,Sr. of Kenner, LA.Alsosurvived bya host of nephews, nieces, relatives, and friends.Relatives,friends and allneighboring churches areinvited to at‐tendthe funeralservice on Saturday, November15, 2025, at 10 am at Richard‐son FuneralHomeofJeffer‐son,11112 JeffersonHigh‐way,River Ridge, LA 70123

Rev.Kenneth Anderson presiding.Viewing will be from9:00am–10:00am. In‐terment:ProvidenceSt. MarkCemetery, River Ridge,LA. Richardson Fu‐neral Home of Jeffersonin chargeofarrangements. www.richardsonfuneralho meofjefferson.com

Schiffer, ScottEdward

ScottEdwardSchiffer, long time resident of Covington, LA, passed awayonThursday, November6,2025 at home Scottwas born on January 26, 1964, in NewOrleans, to FrankSchifferand Patricia Dean, and raised in Bucktown.Heispreceded in death by hisfather, Frank and stepfather,Ron Cochran. He is survivedby thelove of hislife,Allie Knight Martin, hisloving mother,Patricia Dean Cochran, and devoted brother and sisters: Steve Schiffer(Carla), Sandra Vogt (Mark),and Susan Nagim(Brandi),sister-inlawLucy Meres (Joe), stepson MitchellMartin, grandchildrenAlexisMartin, MitchellMartin,Jrand Jayce Martinand niece Rachel Hryniewich. He also leavesa host of beloved unclesand aunts, nieces andnephews.

Scottwill be remembered forhis infectious laugh, bright smileand lovingsoul.Hewas very creativewithhis music, poemsand still art dioramas "Spot on theLog". He and Allie were knownin Covington fortheirpopular haunted houses andkids party eventsfor many years. Also,Enchanted Aromas, theirspecialty candlebusiness, is known throughout thecountry For30years, he has enjoyedhis flooringwork alongside hisbrother at Paul Sita Company.

Scotthad adeepdevotion to hisLordand Savior and we allknow he has been welcomed into His Kingdom

Family and friendsof thefamily areinvitedtoa celebrationoflife at Bagnell& SonFuneral Home 75212 LeeRd, Covington, La on Thursday November13, 2025 with visitation starting at 12:30pmfollowedbyservicesat2pm

Scioneaux, Edward Joseph

On Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Ochsner Hospital,surrounded by his family at thetender ageof90years old. God call Edward Scioneaux, Sr. to his eternal restingplace He leaves to cherish his precious memory to his four children, Pamela (Marvin) Perrilloux Jr., Edward Scioneaux, Jr., Alvin(Yevette)Scioneaux, Sr. and Anthony Scioneaux, Sr. seventeengrandchildren,eight greatgrandchildren; siblings, Claude (Rosemary) Scieneaux, Romalis Scieneaux, and Anthony Ovide,Jr.,Jenita Pearley, Phillidee(Claude) Louis, and Renette Ovide McDuffie; and ahost of nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Otherrelatives and friends. Edward was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 60 years Lolita Scioneaux, mother, Florence Ovide,stepfather Anthony Ovide Sr.his daughter, Ann Scioneaux; siblingsJuanita Vaughn, Warren Scieneaux, Curtis Scieneaux,Lloyd Scieneaux, and Clovis Scieneaux and Kathleen Frazier who he reared as his own daughter.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.at NewWine Christian Fellowship 1929 WAirline HWY Laplace, LA 70068, Pastor Neil Bernard, Officiant. Visitation on Saturday, November 15, 2025, from8:00am until service time (ONLY). Interment St. James Catholic Cemetery 6613 Hwy 18 St. James, La 70086

Professional Service entrusted to caring staff of Hobson Brown FuneralHome 134 Daisy Street Garyville,La70051

DeborahAnn Smith, lov‐ingly knownas“Ann, peacefullyentered eternal restonOctober 28, 2025 surrounded by love.Ann was born on March25, 1964, in York,Alabama to the late RoyWardand BerthaMae Hill.Ann’s memorywillliveon through herbeloved chil‐dren, JefferyWhite, Latasha White, Mitchell Smith,Jr.,and Brittany NicoleSmith;her precious 12grandchildren and4 great-grandchildren;de‐voted siblings,BerthaAnn White, Willie JamesWhite Willie Earl Horn,Jessie James White, Marvolene (James) Oliver,Felicia (Sedrick) Washington, Anne (Louis)Wade, Carla (Walter)Hull, John David Morgan, Walter (Cheree) Ivory, Lakeisha Ward and JohnDavid Matthew who willcarry herloveand legacyintheir hearts for‐ever. Annwas knownfor her amazingcookingand her beautifulsmile that could lightupany room She broughtjoy andcom‐forttoeveryonewho knew her,alwayswelcoming otherswithopenarms, warmmeals,and akind heart.Her love forfamily was unmatched, andshe devoted herlifetocaring for thoseshe loved. She willbereunitedinheaven withher belovedparents; aunt,RosaMae;uncle Willie George Horn;sister, MaryAnn White; andtwo brothers, Robert andTyron Horne alongwithother cherished familymembers who went before her. A Celebration of Life Service willbeheldinthe Chapel ofRoses at CharbonnetFu‐neral Home,located at 1615 St.PhilipSt.,New Or‐leans,LAonSaturday, No‐vember15, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.Visitationat: 9:00 a.m. IntermentProvidence MemorialPark8200 Airline DrMetairie, LA.Repasswill beheldat677 EI-10Ser‐viceRdSlidell, LA.Please signthe online guestbook atwww.charbonnetfuner alhome.com.Charbonnet

SandersPaulSpahr peacefullyentered into eternal rest on Thursday November6,2025. Beloved husband of EllenLangridge Spahr over 64 years. De‐voted father of Greggory Spahr (Mae Ditta), Barry Spahr (Liz Richoux),Cindy Richoux (Mark),and the lateTimothy Joseph Spahr. Cherished grandfatherof Brian Spahr, Brittany Spahr Fischtziur(Aaron),Rachel Spahr Morgan (Chad),Maci Spahr,JustinLucus (Brit‐ney), Hannah Champagne, Devin Spahr, andConnor and EthanRichoux.Also survivedbyhis greatgrandchildren RileySpahr, Collin, Caden, Reeseand CrawfordMorgan, and Loganand Landon Fischtz‐iur.Hewas preceded in death by hisparents JosephA.Spahr,Sr. and Bernice M. Spahr, brothers EdwardJ.Spahr,Sr. and JosephA.Spahr,Jr. and sisterCatherine S. Brown. Manycherished relatives, colleagues, past employ‐ees,and dear friendswill fondlyrememberhim for his helpfulguidanceand generousheart.Age 86 years anda resident of Belle Chasse LA,Paulwas borninHouma,LAand moved to Algiers, LA in his youth.Hegraduated from Belle Chasse High School in1958 andafterwards servedinthe AirForce Re‐serves. He then worked for Chevron Oroniteuntil he becameself-employedin 1966 as theownerand op‐eratorofSpahr’s Spur Ser‐viceStation/Gas andFood Martfor 25 years. During thattime, he also managed other business ventures in‐cluding adeliand catering service,laundromat, pizza restaurant, andproperty management. Throughout lifehis hobbiesincluded repairing andrestoring ve‐hicles, machinery, houses basically anything.Healso enjoyed painting,drawing, photography,baking, golf‐ing,landscaping,and fly‐ing…evenowninganair‐plane at onetime. In retire‐ment, Paul continueda workschedulewithfamily and friendsatLangridge Plant SalesthenSouthern Gateway allthe while still lending ahelping hand to otherswheneverneeded Paulhad awhole-hearted and gentle love forhis fam‐ily andfriends sharingan abundance of special times throughthe years thatwillliveoninthe memoriesofall who loved him dearly.Hefound joyin his hard work andgreater joy in helpingothers. Paul had an immenseintellect and presence of mind com‐bined with aremarkable understanding of an everchangingworld andof those around him. Hiswis‐dom,compassionand en‐gagingconversations were his trademarks combined withhis good-natured spiritthatwelcomed everyoneheencountered throughouthis life.Forever inour hearts,hewillal‐waysremaina treasured husband,father, uncle, grandfather,great-grand‐father, trustedfriend, re‐spected boss, andvalued mentortomany. Nowin the arms of ourSweet Lord, we awaitour reunion withPaulineternal life withour Heavenly Father The familywishestosend a specialthank youtothe staff of CompassusHos‐picefor theirheartfelt care and compassion.Relatives and Friendsofthe Family are invitedtoattend the FuneralMassatOur Lady ofPerpetual Help Church onSaturday, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 AM.Visitation willbeheldfrom9:30AM until 11:00 AM.Interment Our Lady of PerpetualHelp Cemetery, 8968 Hwy. 23 Belle Chasse,LA. Please visit mothefunerals.comto viewand sign theonline guestbook

René RaymondStiaes departedthislifeonFriday, November7,2025 at the age of 77 surrounded by his loving family. He was borninNew Orleans, La to the late Mildfred John Sti‐aes andEve DavillierStiaes Blache. René is survived by his devotedwifeKathleen FlotStiaes, daughtersDr. Michelle Stiaes andRenata Stiaes, sons Javier (Elisha) Bush, Sr.and Jerome (Candy) Bush Jr.Hewas precededindeath by his brother Mildfred (Hya‐cienth) Stiaes.Beloved brother-in-lawtoCheryl (Curtis)Bordenave,Dianne (thelateJerome) Madison, Sheila(Joseph)Esnard, Arthur (Deborah)Flot, and the late Patricia Flot Wash‐ington, Anthony(Donna) FlotJr.,and Perry Flot.De‐voted son-in-law to Gloria Ancar Flot andthe late An‐thony Flot,Sr. Godfatherto Shelley Stiaes andHoward Evans.Renéisalsosur‐vived by 10 grandchildren, 6 greatgrandchildren,and a host of nieces,nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. He brought joy,humor,pride,and de‐termination to everything hedid.Hespent over 35 years with theNew Or‐leans Marriott as amaster carpenter before retiring Renéwas an avid out‐doorsman andanallaround fixitguy,affection‐aly knownas“MacGyver” byhis campingbuddies Hewas an exemplaryhus‐band, father,pawpaw, and uncle.Hewas invariably patient,kindand support‐ive.Renéwas adevoted husband for26years.He was ourfamily’snorth star and always will be.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyalsoemployees of the NewOrleans Marriott and LuckyCoinMachine Company areinvited to at‐tenda Visitation at D. W. RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAve,New Or‐leans,La70125 on Friday November14, 2025 at 11:30 amuntil 1:30 pm.Inter‐ment: St.Louis #3 Ceme‐tery. ArrangementbyD.W RhodesFuneralHome. Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe on‐lineguestbook

Mrs. Lorraine Duplessis Sullen wasbornonJuly7 1940, in NewOrleans, Louisiana, to thelate Fannie Thelma Williams andJeanerette Duplessis. Shegrewupinthe McDonoghville area of Gretna, Louisiana, where she developeda lifelong love forfaith, family, and fellowship

At thetenderage of 14, Lorraine accepted Christ as herpersonal Saviorand wasbaptized by thelate

Reverend Paul PayneatSt. PaulBaptist Church, where she remaineda devoted andfaithfulmember throughout herlife. During herearly years at St.Paul, shesangjoyfullyinthe Junior Choir andwas a dedicated memberofthe Sunday School.

Lorraine wasUnited in holy matrimony to thelove of herlife, thelateWarren Charles Sullen Sr Their marriagewas abeautiful example of love,faith, and partnership.Together they were blessed with four sons: WarrenCharles Sullen Jr.(Joslyn), DonRay Sullen,the lateDarryl Lee Sullen,and CornellHerbert Sullen.Lorraine and Warrensharedmanywonderfulyearstogether until hispassing in 2003. Lorraine waspreceded in death by her4 siblings, Thelma Caston, Wilton Williams Sr NeolaRiggins, andRosemaryCalhoun.

Lorraine's passion to herchurch and community became strongerwith time.Her pastor,OrinD Grant Sr., appointedher as adeaconess at St.Paul Baptist Church,and she faithfully served for many years. Shealso worked as thetreasurerfor the St PaulBeautification Committee and amember of theMt. Sinai beautification Committee Additionally, sheworked tirelessly in thechurch kitchen, always ready to serve others witha friendly smileand acaringheart Lorraine also volunteered at theGretna Community Center,extendingher spirit of service beyondthe church doors. Lorraine's culinarytalents were well known and lovedbymany. Sheespeciallyenjoyedcooking for family, friends, andchurch gatherings. Hercrawfish bisque washer signature dish and afavorite among all whotasted it Shewas ahardworking anddedicated woman. Lorraine was employed at Andy'sSandwichShop for 5years, Benny'sSeafood for 18 years, andlater retiredafter 13 years of service with the Jefferson Parish School Board Cafeteria. Lorraine wasalso a proudand faithfulmember of theOrder of theEastern Star, Chapter No. 60, havingjoinedin1970 and remained active untilher death.Her years of service andcommitment reflected herlove for fellowship, charity, and sisterhood. Lorraine wasblessed with six cherished grandchildren: Tyressee,Warren lll, Jeremy, Jermaine, Cody, andDanielle. Shewas also theproud great-grandmotheroffourteengreat grandchildrenand two great-great grandchildren anda host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, including herdevotedfriends Marilyn Sullen,AngelBrooks, and MelvaBartholomew

Shewas grateful to her helpful neighbors, Michael andCynthia Grows, for their consistent support andkindness.

Shewas also blessed to have adevoted church family, Edward andMyrtle Conerlyand many others wholovingly andcontinuallyperformed acts that exemplify compassion true friendship,and fellowship. Lorraine will be rememberedfor herunwavering faith, hergiving heart, her passion for cooking,and herlifeofservice to God andothers.Lorraine's legacyoflove andkindness willliveoninthe hearts of all whoknewand lovedher

Spahr, SandersPaul

Smith, DeborahAnn

Sullen,Lorraine

OPINION

Redistrictingcaseshouldbedecided on 15th Amendment

Remember when IndianaJones nonchalantly chose to hip-shoot his way out of aduel with a threatening swordsman? It was pragmatism over pageantry.Simple versus struggle. Bullet beats blade. Redistricting lawsuits by their nature rarelyoffer judges opportunities to be Indy and swagger off with finality.Louisiana’s congressional map gives the Supreme Court one of those moments this term. An amicus brief filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation and several Louisiana legislators argues that the state’snew congressional map must be struck down under the Fifteenth Amendment because it was drawn “on account of race.”

Logan Churchwell GUEST COLUMNIST

After the Civil War, thenation adopted three constitutional amendments to secure freedom and equality.The 13thended slavery.The 14thpromised equal protection. The 15th madea direct,powerfulrule:Voting rightscannot be denied or abridged because ofrace. This was meanttostop governments from using race to allocate political power,period.

In Louisiana, theLegislature passed amap that added asecondmajority-Black congressional district. Lawmakers openly said the purpose was to create a“Black district.”

Our argument is simple: the court doesn’tneed to wadeinto complex 14th Amendmentbalancing tests or Voting Rights Act details. The 15th Amendment is the Court’strusty revolver

Ourbrief quotes floor debates where sponsors and supportersdescribed themap’sgoal as achieving two majority-Black districts. Thedistrict court found that race hadagreater influence on drawingthe linesthan politics. That is exactly what the15th Amendmentforbids.

Whynot rely on the 14th Amendment’sequal protection

clause or the VotingRightsAct? Because those paths are needlessly messier.Under the 14th Amendment,courts apply strict scrutiny,ask about compelling interests and assess narrow tailoring.

Under Section 2ofthe Voting RightsAct, courts apply the Gingles testand “SenateFactors” to decide if amap dilutes minority votes. Those are complex, factheavy inquiries. If that sounds confusing, don’tworry: Your average political science professor can’teasily explain them either The Supreme Court doesn’teven need to go there. That’sswordtwirling in thebazaar

The 15th Amendment is straightforward: If race was a purpose behind an election policy or map,itviolates the Constitution.Bang. Ourbrief cites asimilar case from Guam, where the 9th Circuit helped strike down a “native inhabitant”voting rule under the15th Amendment and didn’tbother with other claims. There are also cases from North

Theway to help is to empower communities, nottakethemover

President Donald Trump placed the Washington, D.C., Metropolitan Police under federal control this past summer in the name of safety,stating the move would “rescue our nation’scapital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam and squalor.”

Carolina (Shaw v. Reno) and Hawaii (Rice v. Cayetano) to support therecord.

PILF doesn’t debate that raceconscious mapscan help fix Voting Rights Act violations. If lawmakershad clearly said the map was drawn to remedy aproven problem under the VRA, the central question before the court would be different. The 15th Amendmentstill forbids maps drawn with race as apurpose, rather than as aremedy

Louisiana’smap wasdesigned to ensure that two congressional districtswould elect the “candidates of choice” of Black voters.

PILF andour clients consider that amodern version of allocating power by race. This is exactly what the post-Civil Wargeneration fought to end.

The Supreme Court can avoid along, complicated analysis and ground itsdecision in the Constitution’sclearest rule like it was confronted with circus-style swordplay.The district court already found racial motivation

based on direct statements. That should end the matter under the 15th Amendment. No strict scrutiny balancing. No Gingles checklist. Just the Constitution’sflat ban on race-based voting rules. Bang.

PILF’sarguments do not undermine the Voting Rights Act. There is areal difference between a carefully justified remedy for proven vote dilution and amap drawnwith race as an end in itself.When legislators are explicit about racial goals, they cross a constitutional red line.

The 15th Amendment was written to stop governments from picking winners and losers based on skin color.InLouisiana, that is exactly what happened. The SupremeCourt should say so, and it should do it the simple way:by enforcing the 15th Amendment’s clear command.

LoganChurchwell is the research director anda spokesmanfor the Public Interest LegalFoundation

Life-savingtreatment forPTSDneeds backing

Andre Perry GUEST COLUMNIST

Many long-term residents ofneighborhoods with the highest crime rates have accepted the presence ofthe National Guard after yearsofunsuccessfullygetting similar support and solutions to ahistorically durableproblem. There is an argument for an intervention.

But this isn’tjust aD.C. problem —rural America isn’tsafe either.According to the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention, people living in ruralareas are more likely to die early from the five top causes of death than theirurban counterparts.Furthermore, another study by the Center for American Progress found that between 2021 and 2024, rural counties made up the majority of counties with the highest rates of gun violencein the country and that many of our country’slargest cities have far fewer gun homicides thanrural areas. Again, there is an argument for an intervention.

Rural America: Would you want abunch of big-city police chiefs and California National Guardsmen or doctors and health care workers swooping in from thousands of miles away,telling you how to fix yourhealth problems or gun violence, imposing solutions withoutunderstanding your community,yourresources or your way of life? So why on earth would you support your representatives doing exactlythatto D.C. residents— sending in the National Guard like some occupying force to “solve” crime, as if Washingtonians can’t address their own challenges?

There is aright and wrong way to solve community problems in our cities and small towns. The wrong way has been laid bare by its repeated use. First, cut funding and electoral power to districts, counties and cities.Then

shineaspotlight onthe resulting problems.Blame local officials for theconditiontheydidn’tcreate. Next, justify removing selfgovernancethrough takeovers. Take credit for any short-term gains. Rinseand repeat.

Of course,we’ll readily suspend our notions of local control as the heart of democracy when it comes to majority-Black cities, school boards,city councils and policeforces.However,rural America has similarproblems that we aren’tsending in the troops for.Wehaven’t— yet strippedthemoflocal decision making.

I’ve seen the stripping oflocal authority firsthand as aformer educator in New Orleans —a districtthathas historically struggled to educate itsyouth. In theaftermath of Hurricane Katrina, closingthe achievement gapbecame the justification or excusefor firing local teachers, more than 70% of whom were Black, disempowering the elected board and expelling students en masse. These “gap-closing” methods arenot things thatultimately strengthenacommunity. Test scores areup in New Orleans, but economic mobilityamong Blackfamilies is down. Firing Blackteachersfromunion jobs andremovingauthorityfromlocalboardscouldn’t have helped. Ican easily arguethat people in poverty areless prepared for a disaster thanbefore Katrina the real measureofeducation reform in thecity Undermining localautonomy

whether in health careorpublic safety—never servesthe people it claims to help. Communities know their problemsbetter than outsiders ever will, and top-down interference is no substitutefor empowering people to solve their own challenges

The right way to solve problems is to empower people at the local level whether their cities areBlack, White, urban, rural, big or small. Whether to reduce crime in D.C., improve schools in New Orleans,correct budgets in Detroit, these takeovers scapegoat elected officials while funneling contracts, jobs and decision-making power to outsidersinstead of investing in local residents.

And while elected officials have strippedpower from Black jurisdictions, theyhave alsoallowed many White areas to worsen. In the end, the rightway to ensure that all of our communities —rural, urban and in-between —have the resources that they need to thrive is to support local leaders’ agency and democratic decision-making —the very foundation of American selfgovernance. Local controland residents’ agency wereonce championed by Republicans. Now thatthose values have faded from theGOP, the duty to defend them falls to all of us

AndrePerry is aformer New Orleans educator,aprofessor at Washington UniversityinSt. Louis and asenior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

After 20 years in the Air Force, I’ve seen the invisible wounds of war up close and personal. I’ve watched brothers and sisters in arms grapple with post-traumatic stress disorder PTSDhits hard: hypervigilance, crippling anxiety,flashbacks and insomnia that can turn nights into hell. Traditional fixes like counseling therapy and SSRI antidepressants help some folks. But remission rates are adismal 30%-40%.

Toomany warriors are still left in the fight, resulting in 17 to 22 veteran suicides aday That’swhy I’mtouting the stellate ganglion block procedure as atransformative breakthrough in the fight against trauma and suicide in the veteran community. This isn’tsome wishful theory; it’sagame-changer that’s been hiding in plain sight. SGB started as apain managementtool, but it has proven its mettle against PTSD. It’s aquick injection of local anesthetic right into thestellate ganglion, that nerve cluster in your neck running thesympathetic nervous system —your body’sfight-orflight engine.

Trauma cranks the system into overdrive, locking in the PTSD symptoms.SGB hits the reset button,dialing it back without a single pill or endless couch sessions.

Andrelief is immediate. We’re talking minutes to hours postshot.Veterans report asudden lift in emotional burden, reduced anxiety and improved sleep. Many describe it as “turning down the volumeontheir inner alarm system.” For someone on theedge, perhaps with suicidal ideation knocking at the door, this can be the difference between defeat or victory

It’sa minimal intervention: one shot or aseries of two, tailored to your specific needs. Administered by apain management physician or anesthesiologist, theshot is ultrasound-guided and thefull procedure takes 15-30 minutes.

Safetyisakey advantage; complications are rare, occurring in less than 1% of cases, typically minor like temporary hoarseness or bruising, and the proce-

dure avoids the systemic side effects of medications such as weight gain or sexual dysfunction common with SSRIs. Now,the metrics: SGBhas an 80%-85% success rate in slashing PTSD symptoms. When administered alongside mental health therapy,the procedure rebuilds emotional control, mends relationships and boosts resilience. For veterans and first responders, it tackles the guilt and constant hyperarousal that no pill can touch. Clinical programshave treated over 5,000 patients, reporting sustained benefits when SGBisintegrated with traumafocused psychotherapy,helping individuals reconnect with family and reintegrate into civilian life. According to Armyveteran Grant Rogers, “SGBhas been a lifechanger forme.”

The cost varies from about $800 to $2,000 depending on the provider.However,most health insurers deem it “experimental” forPTSD and do not cover it. Youmust either go out-of-pocket or seek financial assistance through veteran assistance nonprofit organizations. And the VA?Abipartisan bill to mandate VA/DoD coverage —the TREATPTSD Act —has been stuck in congressional mud forover five years, currently languishing in the House Veterans Affairs Committee. Introduced in 2019 and reintroduced in subsequent sessions, the bill has garnered support from veterans’ advocates and lawmakers across the aisle, but bureaucratic hurdles and funding debates continue to delay progress.

Bottom line: SGBoffers immediate relief,amazing success rates and asuper simple procedure. Pair it with therapy,and you’re not just surviving; you’re thriving. If you are aveteran or first responder battling PTSD, don’twait another day —this single step could restore peace, save alife, and honor the service of those who’ve given so much.

Chad Carter is an attorney andretired Air Force judge advocate. He is also the Executive Director of Bayou Veterans Advocacy

Chad Carter GUEST COLUMNIST

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Members of the Louisiana National Guard patrol the groundsofthe Washington Monument in September

COMMENTARY

After Democrats prevailed in elections around the country, someare asking what it means for the future of the party.The victoryofZohran Mamdani in the Newyork mayor’sraceemboldened theparty’s progressive wing.The gubernatorial wins of Abigail Spanberger in Virginia and Mikie Sherrill in NewJersey were seenasa sign that amessageappealing to centrists is awinning strategy.Both parties are trying to decipher what theresults portend for theupcoming midterm elections.What lessons shouldbelearned from these off-year elections, and what arethe stakes for the future? Here are twoperspectives:

Warnings forbothparties emerge from recent vote

Virginia and New Jersey,the two states that voted for governor in 2025, both voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris over then-candidate Donald Trumpby 52%-46% margins in 2024. Democratsran significantly better in both states last week. One reason isthat Trump Republicans,asanincreasingly downscale party,see their turnout sag in off years compared to when the presidency is up. But that wasn’ttheir onlyproblemthis time.

yearaftertheir side wins, as Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini suggests?

Trumptryingtofendoff ‘nightmare’inmidterms

why. It doesn’tmake sense.”

In Virginia, Democrat Abigail Spanberger,aformer CIA officer andcongresswoman, won 58%-42%, well ahead of her standing in most polls. Republicans who dismiss this result as reflecting the weaknessofnominee WinsomeEarleSears should note thatDemocrat Jay Jones beat incumbent Attorney General Jason Miyares 53%-47%, despite theOct. 3revelation of Jones’ textmessages that he’d like to murder acolleagueand see his children die in their mother’sarms. The most significant swing from 2024 was in northern Virginia, part of metropolitan Washington, which cast 33%of the state’svotes. That’sahighly educated, upscale community with ahigh percentage of federal and governmentcontractor employees,but Republicans wouldbe unwise to dismiss the Democratic gains as just aresponse to the government shutdown. It could be aforecast of what’s in store for them in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; Oakland County,Michigan; and Waukesha County,Wisconsin

In New Jersey,Rep. Mikie Sherrill aNavy veteran,beat Republican Jack Ciatarelli 56%-43%,a big improvement on incumbent Gov.Phil Murphy’s51%48%squeaker against Ciatarelli four years ago. Sherrill’smajority looked much likethe 57%-41% Democratic advantage in the 2012, 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, which caused it to seem asolid bluestate

The big difference is that Ciatarelli was unable to duplicate the biggainsthat Trump made among Hispanic voters. Trump carried heavily Hispanic Passaic County with 50% —itvoted only 42%Republican this year.Similarly,inVirginia, even Miyares, despite his Hispanic ancestry,won only 37% in heavily Hispanic Prince William County

Has the Trump administration’s roughand-readyimmigration enforcement hurt his fellow Republicans? Or are we just seeing sags in turnout from low-propensity voters in low-propensity constituencies, as we have in previouscontests a

Then there is New York City, similarly sized (8 million-plus) to New Jersey and Virginia, whose record (since 1969) turnout of 2million-plus was nonetheless lower than each of those states’ 3million-plus. Since he won the June primary, the young socialist Zohran Mamdani —heturned 34 last month— has led therace. Hischeerful demeanor and clever ads, plus his emphasis on cost-of-living issues (free buses, city-owned grocery stores), have naturally produced sympathetic coverage from most media.

For months,hehad wide leads in the polls thanks to split opposition from widely disliked former Gov.Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

In acity that voted 68%-30% for Harris over Trump, Mamdani led Cuomo by a decisivebut far from overwhelming 50%42%, with just7%for Sliwa.

While Democratsimproved on Harris’ performance in Virginia and New Jersey,Mamdani far underperformed Harris in New York City. One-quarterof New York’s Harris voters supported the Republican or thecandidate endorsed by Trump.

Mamdani’sweakness among some Democratic constituencies does not represent adanger for the party across the country generally.But it does suggest that the socialist wingofthe party, and those Democrats whose antipathy to Israel can verge on antisemitism, are far from amajority force nationally

In the meantime, Trumpfaces atough constituency: the Supreme Court. Will the justices, including those he appointed, accepthis claim that the gauzy language of a1977 law gives him thepower to raise andlower his beloved tariffs singlehandedly?

ASupreme Courtrebuff to Trump could turn out to be apolitical gift to the Trump Republican Party.Trump’s “Liberation Day” tariffs in April thrust his job approval downward, and 3% inflation, which, though low,can be plausibly linkedtocontinuing tariffs, provides a basis, as Mamdani has shown, for Democratic campaigns. Also,should Trump acquiesce to an adverse Supreme Court decision, as Truman did 73 yearsago, voters’ fears of an authoritarian presidency will be mitigated.

MichaelBarone is on X, @MichaelBarone.

The off-year elections last week marked thebeginning of aferocious 12-month battle for control of the House of Representatives, abattle that will have an indelible impact on President Donald Trump’sfinal two years in office.

The Democrats have won the first skirmish, withdecisive victories in Virginia, New Jersey andCalifornia, but it’sa long war.And the stakes are huge.

If Republicans lose their minuscule three-votemargin, Trump’slegislative program would stop dead. More important, aDemocratic majority would control all theHouse committees, giving them the power to hold hearings, conduct investigations, subpoena witnesses and —above all —possibly impeach the president.

Actually,itdoes. Magnetic candidates like Trumplure manymarginal voters to the polls that don’tshow up when their charismatic leader is no longer on the ballot. Moreover,all successful candidates makepromises that they cannot keep. Acertain sense of disappointment inevitably sets in, and that’sexactly what’shappening with Trump.

“The president is obsessively focused on the midterms,” asenior Trumpadviser told CNN. “He remembers what happened thefirst time he was in office.”

During his initial tenure, Democrats won 41 seats in 2018 and reclaimed the majority for the first time in 10 years. They then impeached Trumptwice, and while the Senate acquitted him both times,he’s“obsessively” determined to avoid that humiliation again.

That’swhy he’striggered an unprecedented escalation of partisan warfare in state legislatures around the country bullying Republicans to redraw Congressional districts to favor their candidates and forcing Democrats to retaliate in the states they control. California voted overwhelmingly to alter the state constitution and help Democrats win as manyasfive new seats.

“This redistricting war is the opening salvo of abattle that must be won,” Stephen Bannon, alongtime Trumpadviser, told theNew York Times.“We must have these victories. If Trumpdoesn’thold the House, they will impeach him.Itwill be a nightmareand abloodbath.”

Speaking of nightmares, the Democrats have been living one since Trumptook office again. Few presidentshave used their powers so effectively todominate the political world, exciting his supporters and exiling his enemies. In the latest ABC/ Washington Post poll, 68% callthe Democrats “out of touch” with most Americans. Butlast week’sresults show that the partystill has afighting chance next year, and one explanation is simply history: In 20 of the last 22 midterm elections, the president’s partyhas lost ground. “For somereason, you lose themidterms,” Trumpmused recently.“Idon’tknow

While he won 49.8% of the popular vote last year,his favorable rating has dropped to 41% in the ABC/ Post poll and to 37% in the latest CNNsurvey Aprimary explanation forTrump’s slumpisone word: prices. The Biden administration failed to curb inflation, especially the cost of gas and groceries, and Trumpcapitalized by making this promise: “Under my leadership, we are quickly going to turn this economic nightmare into an economic miracle.”

Yes, the stock market is booming, but ordinary Americans, including many Trumpvoters, simply haven’tfelt any improvement, let alone a“miracle.” In the ABC/Post survey,only 37% view Trump’s handling of the economy positively,while 62% are negative. For 52%, their economic situation has actually declined since he took office, while only 27% say it’s gotten better.InanNBC poll, two-thirds of Americans say Trump’srecord has “fallen short of expectations” regarding the cost of living.

Exit polls tell asimilar story.Voters in all the contested states called the economy their biggest concern, and many blamed Trump. For many families, the government shutdown has only aggravated their economic woes.Nearly 42 millionAmericans —12.3% of the United States population— depend on SNAP benefits, formerly known as food stamps, and those payments were set to be cut in half this month. Millions of others face sharp increases in their insurance premiums as subsidies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic have been allowed to expire. Trump airily dismisses the problem, saying these programs “largely” benefit Democratic voters, but that’sflat-out false.

The samegloomypessimism and economic discontent that helped propel Trumpinto the White House ayear ago now threatens to turn his tenure into a nightmare.

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@ gmail.com.

Michael Barone

Steve Roberts

ASSOCIATEDPRESS

AbigailSpanbergerinRichmond, Va left, Zohran Mamdani in Newyork, center,and Mikie Sherrill in East Brunswick, N.J

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

temperatures in the upper 70 and low80s

The services willtake placeonSaturday, November 15, 2025, at St. Paul Baptist Church, 1509 Monroe St., Gretna, La. Visitation at 09:00, service to follow at 10:00. Valcour, Audrey Maxine Wilkerson

Audrey Maxine Wilker‐son Valcourwas born on August30, 1931,inVidalia Louisiana.Fromthe mo‐mentshe enteredthis world,she wasa beautiful blessing— the firstchild of AddieWilkerson and WilliamDorsey, andthe cherished only daughter among five children Raisedwithdeeploveand strongvaluesbyher grandparents, Douglasand HannahWilkerson,Au‐drey’slifewas areflection ofher faith,compassion, and enduring kindness Throughouther journey, Audreytouched countless lives with hergentlespirit and genuinelovefor oth‐ers.Her heartoverflowed withcompassionfor fam‐ily,friends,and anyone in need.She livedher faith daily —a true womanof God whose lightshone brightlywherevershe went. Audrey devoted manyyears to caring for othersasa nurse at Char‐ity Hospital.Beyondher career,she hada deep love for cooking, shopping,and, mostofall,serving the Lord. Afaithfulmemberof her church,she joyfully sharedher faith andwas known forleading many to Christ—oftenencouraging every guestwho entered her home to pray thesin‐ner’s prayer before they departed. In NewOrleans Audreymet theloveofher life, Robert J. Valcour, a kind, intelligent, andpro‐tective manwho adored her from themomentthey met.Together,theybuilt a lifegrounded in love,faith and family. Marriedfor 60 blessedyears,their union was atestament to devo‐tionand God’sgrace.Au‐dreywas celebrated as one of thebestcooks in NewOrleans —a master of

DEATHS continued from Creole cuisinewho never needed to writedowna recipe. Sheperfected dishespasseddownfrom her family andthose taughttoher by Robert’s mother. Herfamous seafood filé gumbobe‐camelegendary —a true expressionofher love and hospitality.“Mama Au‐drey,”asshe wasaffec‐tionately called,never let anyoneleave hertable hungry. Herlaughter, sto‐ries, andwisesayings will forever warm ourhearts. Her belovedhusband RobertJ.Valcour Sr., pre‐ceded herindeath in July 2013, as didher son, Ed‐wardJ.Valcour,in1962 Their union wasblessed withninechildren: Char‐lene Sukari Cheatham Hardnett, Aubrey David Cheatham, Jannice Cheatham Stevenson, Yoshi Valcour Gaugis (Brent),Charmaine Valcour Creighton,RobertJoseph Valcour Jr., Edward Joseph Valcour,JovitaValcour Sharif(Jamil),and Wayne Douglas Valcour. Audrey leavestocherish hermem‐ory eightdevoted children eighteengrandchildren, thirtygreat-grandchildren, and twogreat-great-grand‐children, alongwithcount‐lessrelatives,friends,and loved ones whose lives weretouched by hergrace OnNovember9,2025, Au‐dreytransitionedpeace‐fully at herhomeonGen‐tilly Boulevard, surrounded byher loving family. Her faith,her joy, andher gen‐erous heartremaina guid‐ing lightfor allwho were blessedtoknowher Thoughshe hasgonetobe withthe Lord,her legacy of love, faith, andcompassion willcontinue to inspire generations to come.Itis certain that theworld is a betterplace becauseAu‐dreyMaxineWilkerson Val‐courlived.Relatives and friends of thefamilyare in‐vited to attend afuneral massSaturday, November 15, 2025, at St.MartinDe PorresCatholic Church, 5621 ElysianFieldsAve New Orleans, LA at 11:00 am. Visitation beginat9:00 am. Interment: St.Louis #3 Cemetery. Arrangements byD.W.RhodesFuneral Home, 3933 Washington Ave.Pleasevisit www.rho desfuneral.comtosignthe onlineguestbook

PatriceMaureen Weber was born on March22, 1973, to Ruby M. Weberat Charity Hospital in NewOr‐leans.Patrice wasthe older of hertwo siblings Henry andGeorgia Weber. She received Christ in her lifeata young ageand was baptizedatSt. Philip the Apostle Catholic Church in New Orleans. At avery young age, Patricewas a veryoutgoing,intelligent and tenaciousperson. Patrice attended John Mc‐Donogh Senior High School and excelled in academics and extracurricularactivi‐ties. In addition to her studies,she participated in swimming,basketball, vol‐leyball,track and fieldand was amajorette.She was considereda trophy girl and made hermother proud with allofher acco‐lades andachievements. Patrice graduatedhigh school in 1991 at thetop of her class. Aftergraduation, she attended Stevenson Academy of Hair Design in hopes of becoming ali‐censedbeautician. She eventuallymoved to At‐lanta,Georgia with herun‐clesTeddy andGregory who provided guidance and helped hertoembark uponnew opportunities. Duringher time in Atlanta, Patrice became amother for the firsttimeand wel‐comed herdaughter, Chantrice.She laterhad two more beautifuldaugh‐ters, Shaniceand Caprice Weber.Patrice wasex‐tremely proudofher daughters andall of their accomplishments.They wereher inspirationto pursueher dreams and leave alasting legacy After thedevastation of Hurricane Katrina, Patrice and herfamilyweredis‐placedand relocatedto Houston,Texas.She re‐sumed herbeautyschool trainingand earned her cosmetology licensein 2009 from Northwest BeautySchool.She worked inmultiplesalonsinHous‐ton andeventuallyopened her ownbeautysalon, Lacedand Lashed Lounge.

Patricewas always opti‐mistic, cheerfuland up‐beat. It wasa pleasure to beinher presence.Ifthere was aproblem,Patrice al‐waysfound asolution. Al‐thoughPatrice hadnumer‐ous accomplishments,she unfortunately experienced times of hardships. Some ofher decisionsled to in‐carceration.In2019, while behindbars, Patricede‐cided to give avoice to the voiceless andwrote abook toempower fellow incar‐cerated women. Shedocu‐mentedthe storiesof14in‐mates andlater became a published author,sharing the systematic andsoci‐etalchallengesthatincar‐cerated womenface. On August29, 2019, Patrice’s book,The CouragetoSoar BehindBars: CollectedSto‐riesfromWomen in Prison was publishedbyWorld Out Booksand sold in Barnesand NobleBook‐storesand on Amazon.Col‐legeprofessorsand schol‐ars utilized herbook throughoutthe countryas partoftheir curriculum to teach students aboutthe Prison-Industrial Complex (PIC),which outlines how the government andpri‐vateindustrypromote massincarceration as a solutiontosocialand eco‐nomic problems.She also earnedanassociate de‐greeinMinistryatthe In‐ternational ChristianCol‐legeand Seminary (ICCS) and laterenrolledatthe UniversityofPhoenix to study business. Patrice continued on thepathof entrepreneurshipbycreat‐ing abiblicalinspiredTshirt line,a hair care prod‐uct line called Touchedby Trice,and most recently completed thepaperwork tolauncha newrecord label called Rolls-Royce Records.Patrice wascalled hometoour Lord on Sun‐day,October 26, 2025, at the tender ageof52years old.She leaves behind her mother, Ruby Weber, her siblingsHenry andGeorgia Weber,three daughters Chantrice,Shanice and Caprice Weber, hergrand‐son NalonPlain andgrand‐daughterTrueJohnson She also leaves behind a hostofaunts, uncles nephews,her father,halfsiblings, friends, former co-workers, neighborsand loved ones.She is pre‐ceded in deathbyher ma‐ternalgrandparentsand maternalauntsand uncles Patrice wasa daughter, sister, niece, granddaugh‐ter,mother, grandmother, entrepreneur, hair stylist, fashion designer,and pub‐lished author.Although

shefaced numerous obsta‐clesinlife, shepersevered toachieve many goals. She was determined to estab‐lishher ownpath. Shehad a resilientmind, coura‐geous soul,lovingheart, and joyful spirit.She be‐lievedthatinorder to makea difference in the lives of people,you have to bethe difference.May her mind, body andspiritrest inpeace andseek comfort ineternity. Sheisnolonger suffering andmay hersoul beset free. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe CelebrationofLife onSaturday, November 15, 2025, at GentillyBaptist Church,5141 Franklin Av‐enue,beginning 10 a.m. Church visitation 9a.m until servicetime. Entomb‐mentSt. PatrickNo. 3 Cemetery. Professional Service Entrustedto: Little‐johnFuneralHome, CalK Johnson,Manager-Funeral Director.Info: 504-940-0045.

EllenVerdiaJoseph Wheeler,a devotedwife, beloved mother,loving grandmother,and great grandmother,peacefully entered into eternalrest onNovember1,2025, at the age of 90. Shewas born on September 19, 1935, in Dupont, LA,tothe late Irvin Josephand FloridaPaul Joseph. Shemarried Melvin Wheeler to whomshe was married to for65years and resided in NewOrleans The result of theirunion was sixchildren– Melba Harris(Gary), Mary Wheeler,Netsy Wheeler Karen Williams,Joseph Wheeler Sr andMichael Wheeler Sr.(Michelle). Ellen wasalsoblessedwith 10grandchildren,7 great grandchildren,and ahost ofniecesand nephews. Her memory will also be cherished by onebrother, Alvin Joseph Sr.(Lena). Ellen is preceded in death byher husband Melvin Wheeler,parents Irvin Josephand FloridaPaul Joseph, onedaughter, MaryWheeler,and twosis‐ters, Gracie Belone and Mary FrankShe hadmany

talents. Amongthemwere cooking, sewing,and being hospitabletoall who crossedher threshold. She was knownfor herGerman chocolate cakes, pecan candy,and gumbo. She demonstratedher sewing skillsbymakingher daughters’school clothes, their prom dresses, suits for Melvin,and even leisure suitsfor theboys. Being an impeccable host‐ess, who nevermet a stranger, shealwaysof‐fered herguestssome‐thing to eatand drink, ac‐companied by some mem‐orableconversation. Ellen’s greatest happiness was derivedfromfamily. She wasalwaysthe “Queen Bee” anddoted on her children,grandchil‐dren, andgreat grandchil‐dren. Even though shedid not complete high school, she knew andstressedthe importanceofeducation All of herchildrenhavecol‐legedegrees,and so do manyofher grandchildren. She wasa Christian woman who believed in God.She took pleasure in daily reciting theRosary and watching themasson television. Relativesand friends areinvited to at‐tendthe Mass of Christian BurialonSaturday, Novem‐ber 15, 2025, at St.Ray‐mondand St.Leo theGreat Church 2916 ParisAve.New Orleans,LA70119 at 11:00 a.m.Visitationfrom10:00 a.m.until 11:00 a.m. Rev. Stanley K. Ihuoma,S.S.J.In‐terment will follow at Mt OlivetCemetery4000 Nor‐man MayerAve.New Or‐leans,LA. Arrangements entrusted to TheBoyd FamilyFuneralHome, 5001 ChefMenteur Hwy. New Orleans,LA70126. (504) 282-0600 GuestbookOnline: www.anewtraditionbegins com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin D.BoydOwners/FuneralDi‐rectors

Wilson,Everleaner With sadnessweshare the passingofEverleaner Wilson,onOctober 31 2025. Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign onlineguestbook,send flowersand sharecondo‐lences.

Weber, PatriceMaureen

Wheeler,Ellen Verdia Joseph

SPORTS

Sumrall lauds former Wave coach Hester

BY GUERRY SMITH

Contributing writer

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall began his Tuesday media session with a heartfelt tribute to former Green Wave strength and conditioning coordinator Kurt Hester, who died from melanoma on Oct. 25 at age 61.

Hester, a Houma native and Tulane graduate who served as the program’s strength and conditioning coordinator in 2022 and 2023, followed coach Willie Fritz to Houston after playing a big role in the Wave’s turnaround from a 2-10 record in 2021 to a 12-2 mark and Cotton Bowl victory against USC the next season. The Wave backed that up by going 8-0 in the American Conference in 2023 before losing to SMU in the league championship game, and Hester was named Football Scoop strength coach of the year

Current Tulane strength and conditioning coordinator Rusty Whitt, who came with Sumrall from Troy, missed Tuesday’s football practice to attend a memorial service

TikTok post

‘fired up’ LSU in win over Charlotte

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

ä LSU at Tulane 6 P.M. MONDAy, ESPNU

Officials issued five technical fouls and 49 common fouls on Wednesday in the LSU women’s basketball team’s 117-59 blowout win over Charlotte. And a TikTok post may have inspired the extra-curriculars that necessitated that tighter whistle. On Tuesday, 49er guard Princess Anderson posted a since-deleted video of herself and one of her teammates dancing behind a caption that said the No. 5 Tigers (4-0) were about to “play some competition” for the first time this season. Coach Kim Mulkey said LSU used the post as “bulletin board material” ahead of the win.

“We had too many technicals,” Mulkey said, “but I wanna give you a little background, OK? They took it real personal with all the stuff that was on social media And I’ll leave it at that. And so, they were fired up.” LSU was given three of the technical fouls, all for taunting.

In the first half, Mikaylah Williams picked one up when she drained a corner 3-pointer

See TIKTOK, page 3C

SAINTS ROUNDTABLE

LO G

Breaking down QB Shough’s play so far, predicting Saints’ final record

The Saints are 2-8 entering an open date. It’s a perfect time for The Times-Picayune Saints writers to sit at the roundtable and give their thoughts on the season so far

Assess quarterback Tyler Shough

Jeff Duncan: It’s easy to see why the Saints were high on Shough in the draft. He has the traits and intangible qualities you look for in a quarterback. He has NFL arm talent and plays with poise and confidence. His command of the offense inspires confidence in his teammates. You could see the body language of his teammates change as he started to make plays against the Panthers. His performance against Carolina was encouraging, but I need to see him continue to improve and string together a few similar games before I’m ready to anoint him the quarterback of the future.

Luke Johnson: I liked what I saw from Shough even when the Saints mostly scuffled during his first two extended looks, because at that point you were just looking for traits that you could build upon. In losses to the Buccaneers and Rams, you saw some decisive-

ness within the offense and a rare ability to rip difficult throws deep to the sideline. Obviously the Panthers game just added to that feeling because so much came together It is much too early to say he’s The Guy, but he’s on the right track.

Matt Paras: I’ve been not only impressed with Shough’s play, but Kellen Moore’s plan to foster his growth. The rookie has made clear strides in handling the pocket, and I don’t think that would have been the case if he had played right away this season. That said, I think he’s going to have to show a lot more down the stretch for the Saints to avoid taking a quarterback next year The Panthers game was a great performance, but he needs to stack them.

Rod Walker: Let me first start by saying I wish Spencer Rattler could have had better luck as a starter If

ä See SAINTS, page 2C

LSU QB Nussmeier aggravates abdominal injury in practice

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier aggravated the abdominal injury he’s battled this season in practice on Thursday, interim coach Frank Wilson said.

Nussmeier will now be listed as probable to play on Saturday at home against Arkansas (11:45 a.m., SEC Network), according to Wilson.

“A little bit concerning,” Wilson said. “Something that we need to monitor and watch with him as we head into the game.” Nussmeier was benched in the third quarter of the Tigers’ Week 11 road loss to Alabama in favor of backup Michael Van Buren. Wilson has said that both will play against the Razorbacks, though Nussmeier had been operating as the starter in practice this week before aggravating the abdominal strain. The fifth-year senior first suffered the in-

jury in preseason camp. It didn’t force him to miss

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough looks to make a pass during a game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C. AP PHOTO By JACOB KUPFERMAN

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier watches from the sideline after being pulled out of a game against Alabama on Saturday. Nussmeier aggravated a core injury during practice Thursday.

PROVIDED PHOTO By TULANE

An enthusiastic Kurt Hester Tulane’s former strength and conditioning coach, left, trails running back Cam Carroll during the Wave’s first strength and conditioning competition on June 24. Hester died on Oct 25.

and conditioning coach died on Oct. 25

See TULANE, page 5C

On TV MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS

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Kingsbury back in Europe with tough task

Commanders’ offensive coordinator tries to help team snap five game skid

BY TALES AZZONI AP sportswriter

MADRID Kliff Kingsbury knows his way around Europe, from his time vacationing in Spain to his playing career with the Cologne Centurions in Germany

The Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator has returned to Europe this week with a tough task: help the Commanders (3-7) snap a five-game losing streak Sunday when they face the Miami Dolphins (3-7) in the NFL’s last international game of the season. Kingsbury said it has been a challenge to deal with so many injuries, but he arrived in Madrid celebrating a healthy offensive line that could be key in helping the Commanders end their poor run.

The line — first-round pick Josh Conerly Jr., Laremy Tunsil, Tyler Biadasz, Chris Paul and Sam Cosmi, who just returned from an injury — has been playing well in recent weeks.

“Yeah, it’s been a good group,” Kingsbury said. “I think we’ve

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

Juwan Johnson is able to haul in that touchdown pass against the Cardinals in the opener, maybe this season goes in an entirely different direction. His growth from last season to this season should be commended. But you also should commend the growth of Tyler Shough from his first start last week against the Rams to his second one against the Panthers. I know it’s just one game, but I think I saw enough to believe the Saints finally found QB1. Looking forward to seeing what the rest of the season holds for him.

Predict Saints’ final record

Jeff Duncan: I picked them to go 4-13 in preseason, and I see no reason to stray from that prediction now This team simply lacks the elite talent and star power necessary to beat good teams. Even games against cellar dwellers like the Jets, Dolphins and Titans can’t be taken for granted. A 2-5 finish feels right.

Luke Johnson: This is that weird moment where you look at the Saints schedule and see a couple of potential wins, only to realize other beat writers are looking at their teams schedule and seeing the Saints as a potential win. I like enough of what I’ve seen from Shough to believe they can go 3-4 down the stretch, so put me down at a 5-12 finish, but know that I don’t feel good about it.

Matt Paras: I went into the season predicting 4-13, and I’m sticking with it. Give me one more NFC South win and then either the Titans or the Jets. They have the potential to go on a run, but they’d have to start playing consistently better down the stretch.

Rod Walker: It’s crazy how much my answer to this question has changed. If you had asked me this the day before Sunday’s game against the Panthers, I probably would have said maybe one more win. I thought the Saints were done But seeing the way the defense played and Shough’s growth, I’m willing to give them three more That

had the same starting lineup for about three weeks straight, which has been nice, and I think each week we’ve gotten better as a unit.

“Watching Josh kind of come along has been really exciting, and then Cosmi getting his legs back, has definitely improved, that has been a consistent group for us this season, and we need it,” he said.

Kingsbury said it’s been a unique experience coping with the absence of all the injured players, including star quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver

Terry McLaurin and running back

Austin Ekeler

“But I’ve been really proud of the guys who have stepped up,” Kingsbury said. “I thought last week, some guys made plays for us that just got here, and are playing hard, playing with great effort.”

The Commanders are coming off a 44-22 loss to the Detroit Lions at home. Kingsbury’s offense was held to seven points against the Kansas City Chiefs and to 14 points against the Seattle Seahawks.

would put them at 5-12, which is one more win than I predicted before the season started.

Other areas of concern?

Jeff Duncan: The Saints need elite playmakers on both sides of the ball. There’s not one single area that concerns me. They ALL concern me. They’re looking at a top 5 pick in next year’s draft and after using so many recent picks on linemen, it’s time to invest in an offensive playmaker or difference-maker on defense. Either one would help accelerate the club’s rebuilding plan.

Luke Johnson: Do the Saints have the correct people in place in the front office to get the rebuild on track? New Orleans has a ton of experience in its front office, and those people have had a lot of collective successes that you can’t just wave away But you also can’t ignore the state of the roster at this point and the reasons it’s gotten there. The Saints have not drafted well, and they’ve made some deci-

sions to retain players that have either backfired or aged poorly These next two offseasons will be absolutely crucial, and New Orleans can’t afford the same mistakes.

Matt Paras: The Saints need to draft better for this rebuild to be a success. Their 2025 class, for now, seems promising, but one of the main reasons the Saints have ended up at this point is because they haven’t hit on nearly enough young players. As Luke said, do they have the right people in place?

Rod Walker: Going into the season, I really thought the offensive line was figured out and the Saints could finally start looking to fill some of their other holes. But the decision to draft Trevor Penning ended up being an awful move. The injuries on the line have continued. So the Saints will still have to build a line. But there are concerns everywhere. There aren’t many players on the roster that another team would look at and say “Oh, I’d love to have him.”

Former Cleveland State coach Mackey dies at 80 CLEVELAND Kevin Mackey, who coached Cleveland State to an improbable victory over Bob Knightled Indiana in the 1986 NCAA Tournament on the way to a berth in the Sweet 16 but whose college coaching career ended abruptly under the cloud of drug abuse, has died. He was 80. Mackey died of a sudden heart attack Tuesday according to his son, Brian. Mackey, who earlier coached at the high school level in Boston, had been an assistant at Boston College where he was known as a master recruiter when he was named coach of Cleveland State in 1983. He went 14-16 his first season with the Vikings, then had six straight winning years. He compiled a seven-year record of 144-67 at the school.

European trip

Kingsbury said the trip to Madrid presents a good change of scenery for the team.

“Just to come together as a team on the road, playing a new city, an awesome environment, that’ll be revved up,” he said.

Kingsbury said he was among the few Commanders who had visited Madrid in the past.

“Huge fan of the city, been here before on vacation, so it’s been awesome,” he said. “There’s probably three guys that have been here prior so to everybody else it’s been a new experience.”

Kingsbury said he is a big soccer fan and was thrilled by the chance to play at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

“Really excited about that,” he said. “The play where (Kylian) Mbappé and Cristiano (Ronaldo) played will be pretty special for me, personally, and I know our team is excited about it as well.”

Kingsbury was a New York Jets quarterback when he was allocated to the Cologne Centurions in NFL Europe in 2006.

“That was an awesome experience,” he said. “I got to see some incredible places I never would have gotten to, so for our players to get a chance to do that and see the fanfare, and just the excitement of the city, it’s really special.”

The Saints seemed to have hit on some draft picks this year, but they need to string together another draft or two like that. Fill in the blank: Saints 2025 season will be considered a success if _

Jeff Duncan: Shough cements his status as QB1. That would answer the biggest question the team had entering the season. It would validate the decision to select him in the second round of the 2025 draft and allow the brain trust to focus on other areas of the depth chart next offseason. Shough’s development is critical in these final seven games. They can’t afford for him to get hurt.

Luke Johnson: If you think you have answers at the two most important spots in this league: Head coach and quarterback. We’re just past the halfway point of the season, and it’s way too early to have a definitive answer to either question. But if Shough is able to build off what he did last week and if Moore continues to have his team play hard during a winnable stretch run, maybe it will feel like the arrow is pointing in the right direction for both spots. That’s a good place to be.

Matt Paras: they find out whether they have a franchise quarterback. Judging Shough off only one year isn’t fair, though that’s the position the Saints will likely be in. The 2026 quarterback class might not be as stacked as analysts thought coming into the season, but that’s what Shough is still ultimately competing against over the final seven games.

Rod Walker: I know the goal is to win games. And inevitably, that’s what Shough will be judged by But in a perfect world, Shough will show he’s the guy, while at the same time the Saints will lose enough to get a really high draft pick to add some big-time playmakers to the roster Getting on a roll and finishing with eight or nine wins and barely missing the playoffs isn’t ideal for this team. Finding out that Shough is the starter for the future would make this year a success. The higher the draft pick that comes with that, the better

L.A. officials seek to halt proposed stadium gondola

LOS ANGELES A proposal to build a gondola from downtown Los Angeles to Dodger Stadium hit some turbulence this week when the City Council voted overwhelmingly to urge transportation officials to ground the project.

The estimated $500 million aerial tramway would connect fans between the stadium about a mile away to Union Station, the heart of Los Angeles’ rail system.

Supporters say the gondola would help fans of the World Series champions avoid nightmarish traffic. But critics worry that it would do little to keep cars off the roads. In a 12-1 vote, council members on Wednesday approved a resolution to advise the L.A. County Metropolitan Transportation Authority to kill the project.

Alcaraz seals year-ending No. 1 ranking with victory TURIN, Italy When it came down to it, Carlos Alcaraz needed less than 90 minutes to secure the year-ending No. 1 ranking in men’s tennis.

Alcaraz needed one more win at the ATP Finals to beat Jannik Sinner to the No. 1 spot and the Spaniard duly got that as he eased to a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Italian Lorenzo Musetti on Thursday to sweep his group at the season-ending event for the top eight players. It is the second time in his career that the 22-year-old Alcaraz has ended the year at the top of the rankings. The Spaniard became the youngest player to finish a year at No. 1 when he achieved the feat as a 19-year-old in 2022.

Colo. AD George, who hired Sanders, set to step down DENVER Rick George, the athletic director at Colorado who hired football coach Deion Sanders, is stepping away from his role at the end of the academic year

The university announced his decision Thursday with the football team on an open date. George plans to move into an advisory role to the chancellor and serve as athletic director emeritus. He will help raise money for the department. George was brought on as Colorado’s athletic director in July 2013. One of his biggest moves was in December 2022 when he hired Sanders, the former NFL star known as coach Prime, who has revitalized a downtrodden football program George also oversaw the transition of the school from the Pac-12 Conference back to the Big 12.

MLS owners vote to shift soccer season in 2027

Major League Soccer owners voted Thursday to shift the league’s season to a summer-tospring calendar in 2027, bringing it more in line with its international counterparts.

The move aims to put MLS in a more competitive position for player transfers, while also freeing up players for national team duty during the summer, when many major international tournaments take place.

This season the league started play in late February, with a break for the Club World Cup over the summer

The MLS Cup championship game is set for Dec. 6.

Under the new calendar, league play will begin in mid- to late July 2027, with the final day of the regular season in April 2028.

AP PHOTO By JACOB KUPFERMAN

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough runs the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of their game on Sunday in Charlotte, N.C.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BERNAT ARMANGUE

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota throws during a training session in Madrid on Wednesday ahead of Sunday’s game against Miami Dolphins.

Pelicans seek endtodisappearing act

N.O. hasseenleads vanish in thirdquarter

BY RODWALKER Staff writer

Amagician performed at halftime of the New Orleans Pelicans’ home game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday night

If only he could sprinkle some of his halftime magic on the Pelicans. Not long after the magician left the court, the Pelicans returned from the locker room and did what is becoming the norm this season: they disappeared for apart of the third quarter

The Blazers went on a15-2 run in the quarter and ended up handing the Pelicans their ninth loss of the season.

Once again, it was athird quarter lull that did them in.

“We’ve got to finishthird quarters,” forward Trey Murphy said. “We’ve got to come out and start thirdquartersverywell. We’re not starting third quarters well and teams are continuing to go on runs.

It’sthe same old song anddance.”

Pelicans coachWillieGreen talked to histeam at halftimeabout being the aggressors in the third quarter

“Weknew they were going to make some adjustments,”Green said. “Wejustdidn’tdoenough in that quarter to make sure we weathered the storm of that first quick run that they had. Ihad to take atimeout and keep going

Pelicans forwardHerb Jones battles for the ball against Portland Trail

Blazers forward Deni Avdija on Wednesdayatthe Smoothie King Center

The Blazersused a15-2third-quarter runtowin 125-117.

ä Lakers at Pelicans. 7P.M. FRIDAy,WVUE

fromthere. But itwas threequarters of goodbasketball. We’ve just got to correct thethird quarters.”

It’s been an issue sincethe season began. In the opener against the Memphis Grizzlies,the Pelicans got outscored 41-22 in the third quarter When asked Wednesday if he has been abletopinpoint anything to lead to the thirdquarter droughts, Greenhad this to say

“Not yet,” Green said. “I think

that’s what we arecontinuously looking at.How can we get off to abetterstartinthe third quarter when teams make an adjustment?”

The Pelicans are averaging 24.5 points this season in the third quarter.That ranks next to last in theleague, only ahead of the Philadelphia76ers. They are also beingoutscored by an averageof 6.8 pointsper game in thethird quarter, which also ranked just ahead of the 76ers for last in the league.

CenterKevon Looney is in his firstseason withthe Pelicans.

PELS PROVIDE UPDATEONZION’S RETURN

NewOrleans Pelicans’ forward Zion Williamson is astepclosertoreturning

The Pelicans announcedThursdaythat Williamson has been cleared to resume on-courtactivities.

Williamson wasdiagnosedwitha grade 1left hamstring injuryonNov.4

ThePelicans' next game is Fridayagainst theLos AngelesLakers.Theyfollow that up with games on Sunday(GoldenState Warriors), Monday(Oklahoma City Thunder) and Wednesday(DenverNuggets)

Pelicans’ coach Willie Green wasasked after Thursday’spractice if there was achanceWilliamson could return forthis current homestand

“We’ll see,”Green said.“I’ll continue to listentothe advice of our medical group as well as Z.”

Thisisthe fourth consecutiveseason Williamson has missedtime due to a hamstring injury.

Williamson has playedin five games this season forthe Pelicans (2-9).The two-timeNBA All-Star averaged22.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 4.6 assists in those games

Rod Walker

He spent his first 10 NBA season withthe Golden State Warriors, a team that had plenty of success in the third quarter of games during their championship years. So this probably feels like unfamiliar territory to him.

“Wejusthave to play better defensively,”Looney said.“Sometimes we have some letdowns in the third defensively

“Based on our history of struggling in the third, we kind of get down onourselves whenteams go on arun. It’sthe NBAand teams are going to go on runs.”

The Pelicans host the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. Theyfollow

thatupagainst the Golden State Warriors (Sunday), Oklahoma City Thunder(Monday) andthe Denver Nuggets (Wednesday).

All four of those teamsrank in thetop 11 in theleagueinthird quarter scoring. In order for the Pelicans to have achanceagainst any of those teams, they will have to stop them from going on ascoring binge.

“When stuffstarts happening, we’ve just got to be moreresilient in adversity,” Looney said. “And keep playing solid basketball.”

Email RodWalker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

Perseverance paying off forTulanePGGreene

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

When the Tulane men’s basketball team lost to UNO last November, the only statistic then-freshman KJ Greene contributed in two minutes was aturnover Look for him to play amuch bigger part in the rematch onFriday at Devlin Fieldhouse (6:30 p.m ESPN+) as the Green Wave (3-0) tries to beatthe Privateers (1-1) for the first time in the last three meetings.

Greene, the rare modern-day player who did not enter the transfer portal afterreceiving limited time in his first year,is reaping the benefits of his stick-to-itiveness. After scoring acareer-high 11 points against Texas Stateon Saturday,hefinished with 14at UL three days later,contributing significantly to the Green Wave’s consecutive come-from-behind victories.

Ostensibly backing up preseason American Conferenceplayer of the year Rowan Brumbaughatpoint guard,hehas spent plentyoftime on the court with him.

“Just seeing what Rowan did last year,Isaw myself being able to do alot of the things he did,” Greene said while explaining why he stayed. “From thebeginning, I

TIKTOK

Continued frompage1C

and exchanged words with Charlotte coach Tomekia Reed. Then freshman guard Bella Hines drew the second when she hit a3-pointer of her ownand pointed at the49ers bench to celebrate.

Freshman forward Grace Knox was given the third technical late in the fourth quarter when she blocked ashot and stared down the Charlotte player who took it Mulkey said when her teams pick up that many technical fouls, she usually either “loses it” or pulls the guilty players out of the game.

“If you’re gonna play great teams,” Mulkey said, “you can’t

hadthe mindset Ididn’treallywant to go anywhereelse.”

Bumped off his intendedspots too often as afreshman, the 6-foot3Greene got strongerand has proven adept atfinishing drivesin the lane. He has hit eight of his 11 shots inside the 3-point line ayear aftermakingthree total basketsin Tulane’slast18games.

The other freshman on the202425 roster, Kam Williams, started 28 gamesaveraging9.3 pointsand 4.5 rebounds before transferringto Kentucky

“He(Greene)’sjust believingin himself,” Tulane coach RonHunter said. “I think he pressed alot of times as afreshman because Kam was havingsucha great year,and they were roommates, so you’re sitting in the roomlike, ‘How is he doingwellwhen I’m not?’ Since June 7(the start of offseason workouts), he’sbeen the most consistentguy in our program. He’sgoingtoplay 25 minutes anight for us in therotation.”

Greenehas notloggedthat much time yet,but he made the most of his18minutesineachofthe past two games.Hewas on the courtfor the majority of Tulane’srun as it turned a12-point second-half deficit into an eight-point win against TexasState.

“This is what Iplay basketball for

have that. But Iwasn’tsurprised.

“I think we probably laughed aboutit, andI probably trash-talked themand cut up with themand do whatwedo. We have personalities, but it wasn’tlike that’sthe mostimportantthing in ascouting report They were all aware of it.”

On Wednesday,LSU won in convincing fashion forthe fourth time in as many games. The Tigershave beaten their first fouropponents Houston Christian, Southeastern Louisiana, Georgia Southern and Charlotte —byanaverage margin of 62 points.

They’ve also scoredatleast 100 points in all four matchups —afeat that only one LSU team has accomplished before. In 2022, theTigers who went on to win the2023 national championship, strung together five

—toget on thecourt andhelpmy teammates win,” he said afterward.

“Today Ifeel like Ihelped Rowan by taking the ball out of his hands and just helping him seethe game in differentwaysand nothaveto bring the ball up.”

Greene wenttoashooting coach in the offseason to workona weakness, andhis confidenceshotup when he startedseeing the ball

consecutive 100-point outings to begin their season.

LSU has now scored at least 115 points seven timesinprogram history

Threeofthose outings have come this season. Against Charlotte, South Carolina transferMiLaysia Fulwiley caught firefrom 3-point range and scored aseason-high 22 points. Williams added 18 points, while Flau’jae Johnsonmixedin16. Four othercontributorsscored in double figures. LSU, as ateam, shot 49% from thefield and 10 of 20 from beyond thearc.

This season, the Tigersare shooting ahyper-efficient 56% from the field and ared-hot 48% from 3-point range.

go in the basket. It helped him get over thedisappointment of playing no more than eight minutes in any game since earlyJanuary ayear ago.

“That’s probably the first time in my life something like thathappened, so it was definitely achallenge at first,” he said. “I just came to realizeit’snot personal.It’sjust how the game goes sometimes.”

Anderson, the Charlotte player who postedthe TikTok,scored a game-high27points against the Tigers in thePete MaravichAssembly Center.But shemay have also inadvertently lit afire under heropponent, fueling the 58-point drubbing it handedtoher andher teammates on Wednesday

“Itfired them up,” Mulkey said.

“If Iwas aplayer,I’d be fired up too. Ialways look for ways to motivate.

If youcan find things to put on a bulletin board or say to kids to motivate them to get them just alittle bit morepumped up, do it.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com. For more LSUsports updates, sign up for ournewsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

Hunter is going to Greene because of his “experience” in his system, whichsaysplentyabout the transitory nature of college basketball. Tulane returned five scholarship players who logged court timelast season, three more thanUNO, which hada near total makeover under second-year coach Stacy Hollowell.

Theonly players back from a four-win Privateersteam areforward MJ Thomas, whohas gone from astarter in 2024-25 to areserve, and guard Grant Kemp, who played sparingly.Still, they opened the season with ahuge 78-74 win at TCU —their first against amajorconference team since 2016 and their first versus aBig 12 team since beating Colorado in 2007. Despite afollow-up 93-58 loss at LSU on Monday, theywill approach the crosstown meeting with plenty of confidence.

“Weinpretty short order figured out whatour strengths were,” Hollowell said.“When you can have that, you can build chemistry quicker than normal. That’sbeen a positive for us so far —role identification and having guys accepting their roles.”

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSUguard Mikaylah Williams works the ballaround Charlotte guard

Imani Smith on Wednesdayatthe Pete Maravich AssemblyCenter

STAFF PHOTO By BRETTDUKE

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Tulane Green Wave guard Kj Greeneisdefended by Samford Bulldogs guard Cade Norris during agameatDevlin Fieldhouse on Nov. 3.

THE VARSITY ZONE

‘Different mindset’

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

LAFAYETTE District rivals

John Curtis and Academy of Sacred Heart picked the big stage for their only meeting in volleyball this season

The No. 4-seeded Patriots and No. 5 Cardinals didn’t clash at the District 10 tournament, which was won by No. 2 Newman.

Instead, the showdown occurred in the Division IV quarterfinals at the Cajundome on Thursday with the Patriots winning in three sets (25-16, 25-18, 25-18).

was making its fifth consecutive state tourney appearance, was led offensively by 6-foot-2 Mary Alford’s 15 kills and Olivia Monstead (seven kills). Courtney Habetz and Caroline Balart distributed 15 and 12 assists, while Eleanore Habetz was a defensive standout.

“We couldn’t get any rhythm,” Sacred Heart coach Jay Jay Juan said.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Rummel linebacker Car-

lin Kinchen discovered during his first season as a varsity starter two years ago the importance of being a strong communicator

He was a sophomore thrust into a starting role when another player tore an ACL while playing basketball. That put Kinchen on the field with some unfamiliar teammates.

“Having to learn every play, having to help my teammates and communicating with guys I never been on the field with, it was all a big scramble for me,” Kinchen said.

The challenging early experience helped build Kinchen into a vocal and dependable leader for the Rummel defense as the 11th-seeded Raiders (6-4) prepare to face No. 22 Holy Cross (4-6) in a first-round

LHSAA Division I select playoff game set for 7 p.m. Friday at The Shrine on Airline.

Kinchen played a hybrid outside linebacker and safety role during that first season as a starter, before becoming the starting middle linebacker the past two seasons.

“Who he is for our defense, he’s very important, because of him understanding the entire scheme,” Rummel coach Nick Monica said. “It’s not just about him knowing his position, it’s knowing what he can do to help others around him That’s what good players are supposed to do.”

Kinchen, at 5-foot-10, 185 pounds, has proven to be more than just a vocal influence. He also is productive, leading the team in total tackles with 71 along with 10 tackles for loss, five pass breakups, one interception and one fumble recovery

Kinchen learned plenty about football from an older cousin, Earl Barquet Jr., a John Ehret graduate who recently finished his college career at UL-Monroe.

a big thing playing football,” Kinchen said. “You can’t just be out there playing with somebody you’re not cool with. You got to build that trust with somebody. You got to be like a family, like brotherhood. That’s one thing the defense always said — we all got a part.” Kinchen is among three seniors on defense selected as team captains this season, joining defensive end Jacoby Dunn and cornerback Chris Parker

“All three are going to be a big part of what the finish is going to look like for us,” Monica said. “If they don’t have good games, then the defense doesn’t have a good game.”

Kinchen had one of his better games the last time Rummel faced Holy Cross. His long interception return helped set up one of the three touchdowns Rummel scored in the second half of a 24-3 victory at Tad Gormley Stadium.

“I knew we had it on our minds, coming to state with a whole different mindset than in prior years,” Smith said. “We’ve had some pretty big upsets and don’t want that to happen again, so just leaving our hearts on the court and giving it our all.” Makayla Morter added nine kills for Curtis, which

“We’ve had some successes and failures, but overall we have a great team,” Patriots coach Alyx Carter said. “They battle. There were a lot of defensive hustle points. Some of them just happened to go our way (Sacred Heart) was a tough team to beat.” John Curtis (28-12) got 15 kills from senior Ina Smith, who recorded her 1,000th career kill. In the first set, Smith scored to forge a 1919 tie and served an ace on the next point.

will face No. 1 Dunham in the semifinals on Friday at 10 a.m. Brianna Esteen and Morter (15 digs) each recorded two blocks. Setter Alyzia Cola-Grayson dished out 35 assists.

“Ina doesn’t know yet that she got her 1,000th kill,” Carter said. She was on every stat line today: aces, kills, digs and blocks.”

The Patriots lost as the top seed in last year’s quarterfinals against Dunham.

Sacred Heart (25-9), which

VOLLEYBALL REPORT

“They put a nice block on us. From No. 8 (Morter) to No. 12 (Jania Bernard), they have good hitters in the front row. We couldn’t get anything in sync.”

In the first set, Curtis took a 13-7 lead before the Cardinals rallied to go ahead 19-18 on Courtney Habetz’s ace. Cola-Grayson served as the Patriots won the final five points, getting an ace to set up set point, another good serve that took the Cardinals out of system and ended with an easy shot from Esteen.

21-25, 25-15) No. 3 Parkview Baptist 3, No. 6 E.D. White 1 (25-16, 25-19, 21-25, 25-19) No. 2 Hannan 3, No. 10 Vandebilt Catholic 0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-14) Division IV No. 1 Dunham 3, No. 8 Notre Dame 1 (25-20, 24-26, 25-15, 26-24) No. 4 John Curtis 3, No. 5 Sacred Heart-N.O. 0 (2520, 25-16, 25-18) No. 3 Northlake Christian 3, No. 11 Catholic-NI 1 (22-25, 25-20, 25-14, 25-21) No. 2 Newman 3, No. 10 Lafayette Christian 0 (2520, 25-16, 25-22) Division V No. 1 Country Day 3, No. 9 Riverside 0 (25-17, 25-11, 25-17) No. 5 Ascension Catholic 3, No. 4 McGehee 2 (2520, 16-25, 23-25, 25-20, 15-9) No. 3 Central Catholic 3, No. 6 Episcopal of Acadiana 1 (25-12, 28-26, 21-25, 25-23) No. 2 Westminster Christian 3, No. 7 Northside Christian 0 (25-15, 25-13, 25-11)

Karr QB Johnson commits to Washington St.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE

At first, Kinchen played quarterback from age 8 to 12 while at Oakdale Playground in Gretna and then with the New Orleans Dolphins travel team. He arrived at Rummel thinking he would play quarterback but felt limited by a turf toe injury from the 7-on-7 summer season and played only on defense on the eighthgrade team that year

He stayed on defense as a freshman, when he saw varsity action only late in a lopsided win against Shaw

Former Rummel standout Darrius Davis, now a sophomore safety at Stanford, tore an ACL while playing basketball that winter, which created an expanded role for Kinchen one year before he might have expected.

Kinchen felt sure about his abilities but sought guidance from older players so he could learn his assignments. He commonly asked then-senior captain Robert Vaughn for direction — and Kinchen knew after that season he would be expected to help other teammates.

“Communication is really

Kinchen spied the quarterback on that play until he heard senior teammate Keiron Jackson shout his name so that Kinchen looked over his shoulder and saw a receiver The quarterback released a pass and Kinchen knew where to break so he could be in position for the interception.

“See, big on communication,” Kinchen said. “My teammate was behind me, and he was saying, ‘Carlin, Carlin, Carlin,’ so I knew that somebody was behind me.”

Rummel has frequently advanced deep into the playoffs.

The defense will play a key role in whatever success the Raiders achieve this postseason, all with Kinchen as a trusted playmaker in the middle of the action.

AREA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

STAFF FILE

PHOTO

By JOHN McCUSKER

Rummel’s Carlin KInchen, left, Brice Hingle, center and Jacoby Dunn combine to bring down Shaw’s Allen Shaw on Sept. 19 in Marrero.

lunges

Cajundome in Lafayette. The Cajuns won in three sets to advance to the

John Curtis’ Mikaela Duncan gets a dig Thursday.

In final stretch, these Tigers have something to prove

BY KOKI RILEY Staff writer

LSU football is in the midst of a transition. With the Brian Kelly era in the rearview mirror, the Tigers are turning the page to a new regime before the end of the year But with three games remaining in the regular season, there are still several players who can use these upcoming contests to showcase their talent for the incoming coaching staff. Here are 10 players poised to prove their worth to LSU’s next regime.

MICHAEL VAN BUREN QB

The Mississippi State transfer and sophomore quarterback has suddenly been thrust into a starting battle with fifth-year senior Garrett Nussmeier. Interim coach Frank Wilson said Van Buren will play on Saturday against Arkansas,

but he didn’t say who would start. If Van Buren takes advantage of his opportunity, there’s a chance he could start next season for the Tigers, or at least for someone else in the Southeastern Conference. What happens this weekend could go a long way to determine whether he’d be willing to forgo his chance to redshirt this season Even if a potential bowl game wouldn’t count toward his future eligibility, Van Buren’s already played in three games.

KYLE PARKER • WR With 18 catches for 197 yards, the redshirt sophomore wide receiver has had a career year in his third season in Baton Rouge. His steady play in the slot makes him a strong candidate to stick around for the next coaching staff and quarterback A strong fin-

ish to the year would help enforce that belief.

AHMAD BREAUX • DT Through nearly two seasons, Breaux has experienced steady playing time at defensive tackle. But if the sophomore wants to prove that he’d be indispensable for LSU’s incoming coaching staff, a disruptive finish to the year will be needed. Breaux has seven quarterback pressures and nine tackles this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

DAVHON KEYS LB Keys has become a starter since Whit Weeks’ injury, and though the sophomore linebacker hasn’t made many glaring mistakes, the downgrade in speed from Weeks to Keys has been noticeable. But if Keys can show his value as a strong tackler and smart player, perhaps LSU’s next regime will want him back as a

Kiffin to the Swamp?

BY MARK LONG AP sportswriter

GAINESVILLE, Fla Florida is seeking a victory at No. 6 Ole Miss on Saturday that would potentially stave off its worst season since 1979. The fanbase would prefer to see the Gators bring back a head coach. A visor-wearing guy who needles opponents as well as he designs plays, to be precise.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kif-

fin is Florida’s presumed top target in its search to replace fired coach Billy Napier, creating an intriguing dynamic when the Rebels (9-1, 5-1 Southeastern Conference) host the reeling Gators (3-6, 2-4).

“Nothing is final yet, so we don’t know who is going to be our coach,” Florida receiver TJ Abrams said. “Regardless, we’ve got to go out there try to win.” Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin has remained quiet in the three weeks since he fired Napier, but there’s a growing belief inside the program that Kiffin is at least considering a return to the Sunshine State. It’s been THE topic in Oxford and Gainesville this week.

TULANE

Continued from page 1C

in Husser for Hester

“He was an unbelievable strength coach and a great human,” Sumrall said. “During the transition time of my arrival, he was pivotal in holding things together with (then-interim coach Slade Nagle). When I took the job, it was apparent he was going to Houston with Willie, but Kurt and Rusty Whitt were friends, and Kurt introduced Whitt to the team before he left, which was a cool passing of the baton.” Before his tenure at Tulane, Hester spent nine years at Louisiana Tech. He was also at LSU from 1995-98, helping the baseball team win two national championships.

“You cannot overstate the difference Kurt made in so many people’s lives and coaches’ lives, for that matter,” Sumrall said “I just wanted to make sure we draw attention to the life he lived. A great model for all of us. His legacy lives on here at Tulane football and quite frankly will forever.” Loving the line

JakeRetzlaffthrew23times while being sacked only once and hurried only twice in Tulane’s 38-32 win at Memphis last Friday, getting plenty of time to survey the field on his way to 332 yards passing with three touchdowns. The terrific protection was

“We’re just ignoring it,” Ole Miss receiver Cayden Lee said. “We’re not listening to any outside noise. We’re just focused on what we have in the building ” Added teammate and left tackle Diego Pounds: “Just keep the main thing the main thing. That’s just going 1-0 every week.” The subplot to the matchup is the Gators have a chance to knock Ole Miss out of the College Football Playoff for a second consecutive season. If Florida does that, it might be able to land Kiffin before next month’s national signing day If not, the Gators might have to wait until Ole Miss’ season ends in the playoffs, which stretch into January — a risky move in a crowded coaching market that includes Auburn, LSU, Penn State and others. Florida interim coach Billy

nothing new Entering its home game against Florida Atlantic (4-5, 3-3) on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN+), Tulane (7-2, 4-1) has allowed only eight sacks in 271 passing attempts — the lowest ratio in the American Conference.

“They are incredible,” Retzlaff said. “It’s nice when you’re just sitting back there with all day to throw Guys can not be open and then just come open. It’s great. Those guys up front played really well, and I’m looking forward to them doing the same this week.”

Sumrall pointed to the group’s experience. Redshirt senior left tackle Derrick Graham and redshirt junior left guard Shadre Hurst were the only returning starters on offense.

Graduate transfers Jack Hollifield and Jordan Hall start at center and right guard, respectively, leaving redshirt freshman left tackle Reese Baker whom Sumrall joked had not even started shaving yet, is the only starter without a wealth of experience.

“It’s been cool to see how well that group has played,” Sumrall said. “It has maturity in it.”

No Howard?

Senior linebacker Sam Howard, who made an incredible return against Memphis less than a month after fracturing a fibula, will be listed as questionable on the official injury report for the second consecutive week, but this time, he may

steadying presence for the defense.

JU’JUAN JOHNSON RB

The next staff may covet Johnson’s versatility, as the sophomore has experience at safety and quarterback, along with being third on the team in rushing attempts as a running back. However, he may need to turn things around over the next three games for the incoming regime to recognize his potential. Johnson has just 4 yards rushing on six attempts over the last three games.

DOMINICK McKINLEY • DT

McKinley was a five-star recruit and at one point appeared to be the future of LSU’s defensive tackle room. But, thus far, his sophomore season has been a bit underwhelming. McKinley has only seven quarterback pressures and five tackles. He’ll need a couple of big performances

at the end of the year to raise his stock.

COEN ECHOLS • LG Echols has earned the starting nod over redshirt sophomore Paul Mubenga at left guard over the last four games. The redshirt freshman has shown promise as a run blocker and has allowed just one sack this season, furthering himself from being the core of LSU’s issues on the offensive line. Perhaps Echols can earn a starting role next year with a couple more good performances.

CARIUS CURNE OL Curne has been thrust into a starting role at left tackle, a position Kelly previously suggested may not be suited for him. But if the freshman shows signs of improvement over the last few games, perhaps a starting role at guard could be waiting for him in 2026. The

former four-star recruit is an SEC-level talent despite his struggles at tackle.

DASHAWN SPEARS • S It may be difficult for Spears to earn a lot of playing time over the next three games with AJ Haulcy and Tamarcus Cooley still healthy and producing at safety But another performance like the one the sophomore had in Week 3 against Florida wouldn’t hurt his chances of earning an elevated role next season.

TYLEN SINGLETON LB Singleton has only played 13 snaps on defense against SEC competition, but the redshirt freshman could earn a bigger role over the next few weeks if Keys struggles and/or Whit Weeks doesn’t return from injury The former four-star recruit has the speed and size to be a difference-maker at weakside linebacker

Baylor AD Rhoades takes leave, steps down as CFP chairman

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS AP sportswriter

CFP selection committee chairman Mack Rhoades has been replaced by Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek following an announcement Thursday that Rhoades had stepped down from the role and taken a leave of absence as the athletic director at Baylor while the school investigates unspecified allegations against him.

Gonzales said he was “absolutely” aware of the buzz surrounding Kiffin’s future. It’s impossible to miss. Key boosters have made it clear that Kiffin is Florida’s No. 1 choice, and Kiffin’s name can be spotted across campus.

A lion statue outside the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity house has “Kiffin to the Swamp” painted in orange on it, and a property just a few hundred feet from Florida’s practice fields has a huge sign in the front yard that reads, “Lane Train. Choo Choo.” When asked how well Kiffin would fit at Florida, Gonzales paused. “I probably shouldn’t even answer those questions, to be honest with you,” he said. “I think he’s a really good football coach. There’s a lot of really good football coaches. He is definitely one of them.”

not play After suffering a bruise to the same leg in the second quarter against the Tigers, he has been more limited in practice than he was a week ago.

“He’s got some lingering stuff,” Sumrall said after Wednesday’s workout, the last full practice in preparation for Florida Atlantic.

“He got angry today, one time, and threw his helmet because it (the leg) bothered him I think he’ll be available. How much of a participant? We’ll see.”

Howard, the team’s spiritual leader, made five tackles with a sack and another stop for a loss in the first half against Memphis. Looking for improvement

Despite being named American Conference offensive player of the week for the second time, Retzlaff lamented the entire unit’s second-half performance.

After kicking a field goal on its opening series of the second half, Tulane failed to pick up a first down on its next four possessions. Retzlaff ended the streak by scrambling for a first down with less than two minutes left, allowing the Wave to run out the clock.

“We have to finish stronger,” he said. “Having four three-and-outs, that’s absurd. That’s kind of unheard of for me. That’s not offense at all. We have to be a lot better and I have to be a lot better and keep the attention to detail high even when we’re up by a couple of scores.”

While not going into additional details, Baylor vice president Jason Cook said Thursday the allegations against Rhoades do not involve Title IX, student-athlete welfare or NCAA rules violations, and do not involve the football program. Cook said the university takes the allegations seriously and is in the process of conducting a thorough investigation.

The school earlier in the day released a statement that said Rhoades began his leave for “personal reasons” on Wednesday Rhoades didn’t respond to a message from The Associated Press. He told ESPN that he initiated his leave from Baylor, but declined to explain why

LSU

Continued from page 1C

to burn his redshirt in the last three contests of the year So far, he’s appeared in three games for the Tigers, which means that he’ll lose his redshirt if he plays in two more. Against Alabama, Van Buren completed five of his 11 pass attempts for 52 yards. He also rushed four times for 21 yards but lost a fumble late in the fourth

The new allegations received this week are not related to a report earlier this month of an alleged verbal and physical altercation involving Rhoades, a football player and an assistant coach. The school had previously said it reviewed and investigated that matter, and that it was closed after appropriate actions were taken.

Rhoades was in the second year of a three-year College Football Playoff selection committee appointment, and his first season as chairman.

Yurachek, in his second year on the committee, now becomes the primary

quarter, helping the Crimson Tide hang on to victory Nussmeier threw for over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns last season. But he, like the rest of the LSU offense, has struggled throughout this year Nussmeier has yet to hit 2,000 yards passing with three games left in the regular season. He has also thrown only 12 touchdowns, to five interceptions, and his yards per pass attempt is down from 7.7 in 2024 to 6.7 in 2025. LSU did not score a touch-

spokesperson for the CFP decision making process. The chairman regularly appears on weekly prime-time ESPN reveals of the committee’s rankings. Utah AD Mark Harlan will fill Rhoades’ vacancy on the committee as the Big 12 representative. Harlan previously served a oneyear term in 2023. The selection committee, which has done two weekly rankings this season, was already down from its standard 13 members to 12 after Randall McDaniel stepped away from his role on the committee for personal reasons last month. The past All-America guard for Arizona State is expected to return next year Rhoades has been Baylor’s athletic director since July 2016, when he took over in the wake of the revelation of a sprawling sexual assault scandal that cost two-time Big 12 champion football coach Art Briles his job. That NCAA case against the Bears wasn’t resolved until 2021, when the school was placed on four years of probation. Before Baylor, Rhoades was the AD at Missouri (2015-16), Houston (200915) and Akron (2006-09).

down against Alabama, and it will likely need to score at least a few on Saturday Arkansas ranks third in the SEC in total offense and fifth in scoring offense.

“As of today,” Wilson said, “Garrett will be the starter going into the game, and we’ll monitor his progress as we move forward.” Wilson also said that star linebacker Whit Weeks’ (ankle) status will come down to a game-time decision. Wide receiver Aaron Anderson, he said, is available to play

AP FILE PHOTO

Baylor athletic director Mack Rhoades looks on from the sideline during a game against ByU on Sept. 28, 2024, in Waco,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALONZO ADAMS Ole Miss

n Enjoyaquintessential NewOrleans treat and help kids withautism andtheirfamilies at BEIGNET FEST

Saturdayatthe Festival Grounds in City Park, 4 Friederichs Ave. From 10 a.m. to 6p.m., enjoysweet andsavory versionsofthe pillowy goodness, plus music, activities at the kids village.There’salso a resource walk anda beer garden.Ticketsstart at $25. beignetfest.com

N.O.,La. nominees sweep Grammy category

Best Regional Roots winner guaranteed to have localties

BY KEITH SPERA Staff writer

The NewOrleans andLouisianamusicians nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards include both familiar namesand firsttime nominees. And Louisiana nominees swept one entire category. JonBatiste, Branford Marsalis, Ledisi, PJ Morton and Lil Wayne, all of whom were born in the New Orleans area,are on the list of Grammy nominees announced Nov.7.All have been on the nominees list in previous years

Roussel

This year’sfirst-timers include KyleRoussel, keyboardistfor both the Prese rvation Hall Jazz Band and the current incarnation of modern jazz ensemble the Headhunters. Roussel’sambitious “Church of New Orleans” is nominated for Best RegionalRoots Album. Louisiana albumsaccounted forall five nominations in the Best RegionalRoots category In addition to Roussel, the

ä See GRAMMY, page 2D

Journey’s farewell tour headed to N.O.

BY KEITHSPERA Staff writer

The current incarnation of classic rock band Journey will embark on along farewell tour, dubbed the “Final Frontier,” in 2026. The first leg includes two stops in Louisiana. Journey visits the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans on March 28 followed by the Brookshire Grocery Center in Bossier City on March 29. Following apresale forCiti cardmembers, tickets goon sale to the general public on Friday at 10 a.m. Lead guitarist NealSchon is the lone remaining original memberofJourney.For the tour,he’ll share the stage with keyboardistJonathanCain, who joined the band for its hit “Escape” album, plus vocalist Arnel Pineda, keyboardistJason Derlatka, drummer Deen Castronovo and bassistTodd Jensen.

ä See JOURNEY, page 3D

n Thursdaymarksthe opening weekend of the WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL on BayouSegnette State Park in Westwego that runs 5p.m. to 10 p.m.Thursdays to Sundays through Jan. 4. HundredsofChinese lanterns withLED lights create a wonderland of illuminationat the park at 7777 Westbank Expressway.There will also be entertainment by the Zigong AcrobaticTroupe, plusgames,keepsakesand more.Tickets startat$18. winterlanternfestival.com

Sixsongs into the first of her twonights at afullSmoothie King Center,Billie Eilish sat cross-leggedand convened a high-tech campfire singalong. She asked her audience, nicely but firmly,togo againstits collective instinct and be quiet. She needed silence so she could record “loops”ofher own voice in real time, then stack them together to harmonize with herself on “Whenthe Party’sOver.”

Save the squawk of an EMT’swalkie-talk-

ie and acouple of outlierswho were quickly shouted down, thearena did, in fact, go quiet.Once thearrangement’s base of harmonies was built,Eilish laid on her back, playing withher hair as she sang therestof“When the Party’sOver.” It was as if she was back in her bedroom at her parents’ house, whereshe and her cowriter/producer brother,Finneas O’Connell, conceived and recorded thesongs that would make her astar At only 23, Billie Eilish is aprimary force in progressive pop music. Her third studio

album,2024’s“Hit Me Hard and Soft,” continued her string of critical and commercial successes. Like its predecessors, it found fresh ways to showcase her striking soprano and sometimes stark point of view Making clever recordings is one thing. Translating them into acompelling concert is something else entirely.But across the hour and 40 minutesthat Eilish spenton stage Nov.7,the necessary charisma, camaraderie, command and high concept all abounded.

The Goat, aGoth bar and music venue on St. Bernard Avenue in NewOrleans,

SPERA

Eilish

PROVIDED PHOTO By HENRyHWU

Keith Spera

GRAMMY

Continued from page1D

nomineesare trombonist Corey Henry &the Treme Funktet for “Live At Vaughan’s”; Preservation Brass &Preservation Hall Jazz Bandfor “For Fat Man;” Trombone Shorty &the NewBreed Brass Band for“Second Line Sunday”; and“ATribute to the King of Zydeco,” an all-starsalute to southwest Louisiana legendClifton Chenier that featured contributions fromthe RollingStonesand numerous zydeco artists.

NewOrleans-based guitarist, singer andsongwriterSamantha Fish, previously nominated for a collaborative album with fellow guitarist JesseDayton, is nominated for the first time for an album all her own. Her“Paper Doll” is up for Best ContemporaryBlues Album “Young Fashioned Ways,”a cross-generationalLouisiana blues summit from 91-year-old Bobby Rush and KennyWayne Shepherd, is nominated as Best Traditional Blues Album. So is Louisiana native Buddy Guy’s“Ain’tDone With the Blues.” PJ Morton, the St. Augustine High School graduate who is amember

of Maroon 5aswell as asolo R&B/ gospel artist,receivedmultiple nominations for his collaboration with Darrel Walls. Their “Amazing” is up for Best Contemporary ChristianMusic Performance/ Song. Their “Heart of Mine” album is up for BestGospel Album Ledisi, who spent her childhood in NewOrleans before moving withher family to California, is nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance for “LoveYou Too.” Her“TheCrown”isupfor Best R&B Album Saxophonist BranfordMarsalis, who moved back to New Orleans

in 2024 after decades of living in North Carolina,received aBest Jazz Instrumental Album nomination forhis quartet’s “Belonging,” areimagining of the 1974 KeithJarrett album of thesamename Jon Batiste, another St. Augustine graduate who also attended the New OrleansCenter for Creative Arts, isn’tnew to the Grammy Awards. In 2022, he won five Grammys, including Album of the Year for “WeAre.” This time around, Batiste’s “Lonely Avenue,” which features Randy Newman, turned up among

thenominees forBestAmerican Roots Performance. Batiste’s“Big Money” is up forBest American Roots Song. His album of the same title is up forBest Americana Album “Tha Carter VI,” the latest album by Lil Wayne, came andwentin2025 with little fanfare anddecidedly mixedreviews. But he slipped onto the nominees listfor his contributions to thesong “Sticky” by Tyler,the Creator The 2026 Grammy Awards will be broadcast from Los Angeles on CBS on Feb. 1.

In-the-round community

Setting the stage in the center of the arena floor allowedfor tickets to be sold around the arena’s entire circumference, bumping capacity up to 16,000. The in-the-round configuration also enhanced the sense of community —everyone faces fellow fans.

Eilish made apoint of working all four sides of the stage, even as an array of LED screens suspended from the rafters gaveeveryone astraight-on view. Throughout the night, she celebrated her communitywith the caveat that she is clearly in charge of it.

She

first materializedatop a central LED cube in her signature stage attire: baggy,jerseystyle shirt and equally baggy gym shorts. Her musicians and two backing vocalists occupied two square pits sunk into the stage,which was itself agiant, horizontal screen.

The chill club pulse of the opening“CHIHIRO” —the first of eight songs from “Hit Me Hard and Soft” to turn up in the setlist —was augmented by icy bluelights. The energy changed entirely as the stage pulsed blue, yellow and red for “LUNCH.” The screamsfrom an audience that skewed heavily young and female were deafening. Strobelights and lasers lit up “NDA.” The first of the evening’s fireballs erupted for “Therefore IAm.” After the bathed-in-blue ballad “Wildflower,” she noted that “this song got nominated

for twoGrammys today!” (for Record and Song of theYear). In the ominous “The Diner,” sheassumed the persona and perspective of astalker.

TheSmoothie King Center was where she kicked offher “Happier Than Ever” world touron Feb. 3, 2022. This pastweekend, it was where she opened the final legofthe Hit Me Hard and Soft Tour.SoNov.7was, as sheput it, “our last ‘first show.’”

To the off-kiltermelody of “Bad Guy,” the breakouthit from her 2019 debut album, “When We AllFall Asleep, Where Do We

Go?,” shebroadcast off-kilter close-up views of her musicians and singersvia ahand-held camera. The songconcluded in arush of skittering breakbeats, red lightsand lasers. The ballad “The Greatest”progressed from acoustic guitar to a climax of big drums and big electricguitar chords. Shifting gears again, sheand her two singers sat on stoolsfacingone another for “Your Power.” In “TV,”she urged on louder and louder shouts of the “Maybe I, maybe I, maybe I’m theproblem” refrain. In aniftybit of stagecraft, she

literally poppeduponasmall, B-stageplatform at the end of thearenafloor for her remix of Charli XCX’s“Guess,” with its distorted bass andthumping beat.Her own“Everything I Wanted” startedasaballadthen resolved with asoaring chorus. She then hustledalong the entire floor-level, barricaded perimeter of the main stage, her arms outstretchedfor fans to touch, her fistclosedtoprevent the loss of her rings. At akeyboard on the stage, sheexploredher soprano’s clear upper registerin“Ocean Eyes.” An epic “L’AmourDeMa

Vie” rangedfromFrench-tinged Euro poptoadiscobeat If nothing else had, the title track from her“HappierThan Ever” album affirmedthatEilish’smusic is as big as the venuesshe’s playing it in. Araw repudiationofanexinthe spirit of Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know,” “HappierThanEver” is dividedinto two emotional andsonic halves: acoustic selfreflection followed by raging release. The live presentation of the song’slatter half involved Eilish on her knees tearing at an electric guitar to pyro blasts and ahuge drum fill.

Following that catharsis, she pivoted to camaraderie with “Birds of aFeather.” Abreezy slice of Janet Jackson-esque pop, it speaks of an enduring love, the nature of which is not entirely clear.Isitromantic love? Adeep friendship? Or,asseemed to be the case during the arena-wide singalong on opening night in New Orleans, abond between a pop star and her fans? Ablizzard of celebratory confetti prefaced Eilish’sfarewell andfinaldash through the crowd.

Twosongs earlier, she saton the edge of the stage, her legs dangling, for“What WasIMade For?,” herhit single from the 2023 “Barbie”movie soundtrack Voicing Barbie’s,and her own, self-doubts, she sang, “Takin’ a drive,Iwas an ideal/Looked so alive,turnedout I’m notreal/Just something youpaidfor/What was Imadefor?”

ForEilish, the whole of the night provided the answer Email KeithSpera at kspera@ theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTOByHENRy HWU

Billie Eilish

Unspoken feelings weigh on friendship

Dear Annie: My friend “Ca-

GOAT

Continuedfrom page1D

Annie Lane

ANNIE

leb” and Ihave been close for six years. We met in college, stayed in touch and still talk almost everyday He’sbeen in arelationship for awhile, but Irecently realized I have feelings for him. We’ve never crossed any lines, but it’sgetting hardertoignore my feelings. I’ve tried dating other people, but no one compares. Idon’tthink he sees me that way, and I’m afraid bringing it up couldruin our friendship. But staying quiet is starting to hurt. Should Itell him the truth or let it go? —More Than Friends?

Dear More Than Friends: Telling him how you feel could mean rejection and possibly losing his friendshipforever.Are your feelings strong and persistent enough to take that risk?

If so, silence won’tprotect your friendship. Tell him how you feel, but be clear that you respect his relationship and aren’ttrying to interfere —just being honest about where you stand.

JOURNEY

Continued from page1D

“This tour is our heartfelt thankyou to thefanswho’ve been withusevery step of the way —through every song, every era,every high and low,” Schon saidina

By The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Nov.14, the 318th day of 2025.There are 47 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Nov.14, 1970,achartered Southern Airways plane crashed while trying to land in West Virginia, killing all 75 people on board, including the Marshall University football team and its coaching staff.

Also on this date:

In 1851, Herman Melville’snovel “Moby-Dick; Or,The Whale” was published in the United States, almost amonth after being released in Britain.

In 1889, journalist Nellie Bly began an attempt to travel around the world in 80 days; she would successfully complete the journey in alittle more than 72 days via ships, trains and other means of transport In 1910, Eugene B. Ely became the first aviator to take off from aship as his Curtiss “Pusher” biplane

If he doesn’t feel the same, it will hurt, but it will free you to move forward with your eyes open

Dear Annie: My husband and Imoved from California to Florida four years ago toanactive 55+ retirement community.I’m retired at 62, but Ilook and act much younger My husband is 52 and still working.

We never spend any time together. He works at the clubhouse all day because he has aneed for constant socialization. Iam, for the most part, happy at home with our dog and takeone exercise class nearly every day.Itshould be noted that Itaught primary school and then middle school for 20 years. Istill feel the exhaustion from constantly being “on” during those school days, and Ienjoy my quiet time now

Here’sthe rub: My husband won’tdoanything unless it’sgoing out todinner with other people, and he refuses to spend any time alone withme. He tells me to “get some friends.” We do have friends in common, but what Ireally need is warm, close and intimate time alonewith him. Our sex life is nonexistent. He tells me I’m

news release. “We’re pullingout all thestopswith a brand-new production— thehits,the deep cuts, the energy,the spectacle. It’sa full-circle celebration of the musicthat’sbroughtusall together.”

Theinitial 60-city legofthe “FinalFrontierTour”kicks offFeb. 28 in Hershey, Penn-

TODAYINHISTORY

liftedoff the deck of the cruiser USSBirmingham off Hampton Roads, Virginia. The flight by the civilian pilot marked the beginnings of naval aviation In 1940, duringWorld War II, German bombing raids destroyed much of the English city of Coventry.

In 1960, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges, under escort by federal marshals, became thefirst Black child to desegregate an all-White elementary school in New Orleans.

In 1965, theU.S.Army’s first majormilitary engagement of the Vietnam War began with thestartofthe five-dayBattleofIaDrang.

In 1969, Apollo 12 blasted offfor themoon,three months afterApollo 11 became thefirst manned mission to land on it.

In 1972, the Dow Jones Industrial Averageclosed abovethe 1,000 level for the first time, ending theday at 1,003.16.

In 1993, Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula became

beautiful and that he finds me sexy,but that’swhere it ends. He just doesn’thave any interest outside of playing bocce, having coffee with his friends or working. Ifeel empty and lonely.I’ve tried to mention this to him again and again, but he just getsdefensive.

Anysuggestions? —Troubled in Florida Dear Troubled: You’re not asking for much —just qualitytime with and attention from your partner That’sa very reasonable request,not ademand. For him to tell you to“get some friends” when you’re pleading with him to open up and let you in is dismissive and hurtful.

Have one more calm, honest discussion, focused not on blame but on connection. Tell him you’re lonely and that you missbeing close to him in away you truly can’t get from other “friends.”

If he still shuts down, suggest couples counseling. If that fails, then you’ll need to decide if you’re willing to continue living in this loveless limbo. Youdeserve true companionship, not just company

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@ creators.com.

sylvania, andrunsthrougha July 2show in Laredo, Texas. Thereisnoopeningact for the tour; Journey will play the entire show.AEG Presentsis the promoter for the tour Formore details, go to journeymusic.com.

Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

theNFL’s winningest coach with avictory over the Philadelphia Eagles. Including an earlier stint coaching theBaltimore Colts, Shula finished his 33-year career with 347 victories, 19 of them in postseason play In 2020, supporters of Republican President Donald Trump—unwilling to accept Democrat Joe Biden’selection victory rallied around the country, including Washington, D.C., where thousands turned out. Today’sbirthdays: Britain’s King Charles III is 77. Filmmaker ZhangYimou is 75. Musician Yanni is 71. Fivetime Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault is 71. Basketball Hall of Famer Jack Sikma is 70. Rapper Joseph Simmons (Reverend RunofRun-DMC) is 61. News anchor Bill Hemmer is 61. Actor Josh Duhamel is 53. Rock drummer Travis Barker (blink-182) is 50. Actor-comedian Vanessa Bayer is 44. Tennis player Sofia Kenin is 27.

Atangle of cobwebs on theceilingconcealed an assortmentofskeletons suspended above achandelier Apentagramdecoratedthe stage floor

The Goat featured punk, metal and other underground bands as well as deejays. Forthe recurring “Attrition” night, DJssuch as Evil Rudy andSneauxball crankedGoth,industrial andsynth music. The Goat alsohostedsuchrecurring “rituals” as “DarkElectric,” “Splatterday Night” and“Sacrifice:The Fetish Party.”

“Eclecticinfocus butunited in darkness, ourRituals constitute acentralcomponent to the musical and aesthetic identityofThe Goat,” said apost on TheGoat’s website. “Come worship.”

The coverphoto of New Orleans surf/punk rock band the Unnaturals’ 2024

album “Sleazy Listening” was taken at the bar of The Goat.

Beyond the music,The Goat servedasa gathering place and de facto clubhouse forthe New Orleans Goth community

“There are too many bands to listbut thankyou so muchtoall the incredible actsthatrockedour stage,”

Checki wrote. “Thank you so muchtoeveryone who came

over the years in support of our events.

“The accomplishmentsof the experience that was The Goat were gauged by the talentand clienteleweshared our nights with. Ithink it’s safetosay that makesita successful story “Itwas the experience of alifetime.”

Email KeithSpera at kspera@theadvocate.com.

DEAR

STAFF

PHOTO By KEITH SPERA

The Goat, aGoth bar and music venue on St. Bernard Avenue, has closed after eight years.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Trustyour instincts. It's your precision and detail that will standout and give you an advantage in competitive situations. Attend social events, and your charisma will invite romance.

SAGITTARIUS(Nov. 23-Dec.21) Pay attention to what'schanging around you. Focus on sensitive issues and observe howothers react. Not everyone will be truthful or have stellar motives

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Keep an eye on your expenditures and avoidjoint ventures or sharedexpenses. Your best course of action is to invest in yourself andyour talents andtomove forward alone.

AQUARIUS(Jan. 20-Feb. 19) It's up to you to initiate change and to make the first move. Let your imagination wander andyour talents lead theway. Step into the spotlight and shine.

PISCES(Feb. 20-March 20) Refuse to let what others say or any criticism you receive daunt yourdesire to pursue what or who you love. Consider what things cost, seta budget and stick to it.

ARIES (March21-April 19) Take notes keep tabs and measure every aspect of whatever you considerdoing. Prioritize intelligence and timing in your plans, and something good will transpire.

TAURUS (April20-May 20) Invest in yourself andyoursurroundings, and enjoy thebenefitsthat comewith the

choices you make. Maximize your time and energy, and stick to an affordable budget

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Be cautious about whoyou listen to and how you respond. You'll receive false information that can push youinthe wrong direction.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) Anew look will boost your confidence and encourage youtobeforthright regarding your feelings and intentions. Love is in the stars, and adventure is within reach.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Be smart when it comes to money matters, taking arisk, gambling or any other indulgent behavior.Recognizewhen someone is taking advantage of you or using emotional manipulation.

VIRGO (Aug.23-Sept. 22) You are in abetterpositionthan you realize. You know what's best for you. Stand tall, use your experience to guide you forward and refuse to let what others do influence your decisions.

LIBRA (Sept.23-Oct. 23) Chitchat and charm your way forward. Achange at home will improve your lifestyle and give apositive spin to how you look feel and present yourselftothe world. Keep the momentum flowing.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature,isnot basedonscientific fact. ©2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Cipher cryptograms arecreated from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipherstands for another.

CLUE: FEQUALS G

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

bIG

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row,each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

BY PHILLIPALDER

Our man A.N. Other continues in good form:“Anybodycouldgetrichifhecould guess the exact moment at which apiece of junk becomes an antique.”

Any bridge player could get rich if he couldworkout theexact momentto make an unusual playthat is correct.

In this deal,West leads his heart six againstthreeno-trump:jack,king,seven East returns the heart three, covered by South’s four. HowshouldWest analyze the position?

North was right to blaze straightinto three no-trump. Presumably, he is putting eight winners down in the dummy. He needs onlyfor partner to be able to winatrick before the defenders have taken five. Admittedly, here South rates to have club length because he did not show amajor or raise diamonds, and five diamonds might make when three no-trumpfails. But do not spend your life lookingfor that distribution. It will arise only rarely. If this deal wereplayed in atournament,almosteverydeclarerwouldmake hiscontract. Westwould automatically takethesecondtrickwithhishearteight, cashtheheartace,andfindhimselfstuck on lead after taking the fourth trick with his heart 10. South would win the last nine tricks.

wuzzles

The bidding marks South with at most three hearts because he did not respond one heart. So it cannot hurt West to take the second trick with his heart 10. Then after cashing the ace, he can continue with his eight, which East can overtake with his nine to cash the five to defeat the contract. ©2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrewsmcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle whichcreatesadisguised word, phrase,name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIOns: 1. Wordsmustbeoffour or moreletters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by theaddition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,”are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

tODAY’s WORD cEPHALIc: sih-FAL-ik: Of or relating to the head.

Averagemark 26 words

Timelimit 45 minutes

Canyou find 39 or more wordsinCEPHALIC?

YEstERDAY’s WORD —DRAGOns

dang darn drag dragon radon rang road roan adorn argon arson gnar goad gonad grad grand groan organ osar sand sang sarong snag soar soda sonar song sora

loCKhorNs

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles hidato

mallard fillmore

ScrabbleGramS

dIrectIons: makea 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word using scoring directionsat right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter havenopoint value. all the wordsare in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition For more informationontournaments and clubs, email naspa –northamerican sCraBBlE playersassociation:info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visitour website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contactscrgrams@gmail.com Hasbro andits logo sCraBBlE associated logo,the design of thedistinctive sCraBBlE brand game card, and the distinctivelettertile designs are trademarks of Hasbrointhe Unitedstatesand Canada.©2021 Hasbro.all rights reserved. DistributedbyTribune Content

ken ken

InstructIons: 1 -Eachrow and each column must contain the numbers 1thorugh 4(easy) or 1through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 -The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, mustcombine using the given operation (in any order) to producethe target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 -Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the numberinthe top-left corner.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

WiShinG Well

HErE is aplEasanT liTTlE gamEthat will give

numericalpuzzle designed to spell out your fortune.Count

the numberofletters is 6ormore, subtract 4.

is yourkey number.start at the upper left-hand corner and check each

bers, left to right. Thenread the

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallacethe

park/rfps-2/175-projectmanager-architect-tomanage-capital-improve ments-authorized-bythe-new-orleansregional-business-par. 166228-nov12-14-16-3t $69.60

OFFICIAL NOTICE

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the City of New Orleans

will consider at its regular meeting of November 20, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., to

be held either via video conference or in the Council Chamber,City Hall, 1300Perdido Street, Room 1E07, the adoption of Ordinance Calendar No 35,301 introduced at the meeting of November 6, 2025.

SAID ORDINANCE would approve and authorize the City of New Orleans (“City”), by and through the New Orleans Aviation Board(“NOAB”),to enter into aCooperative Endeavor Agreement(“CEA”) with the State of Louisiana, Division of Administration, Office of Community Development (“OCD”).

Said ordinance may be seen in full in the Office of the Clerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street.

LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC, MMC CLERK OF COUNCIL

PUBLICATION DATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8761

OFFICIAL NOTICE CAL. NO. 35,301 EXHIBIT A Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Program Grant (“CDBG-RP”) through the FEMA Public Assistance Non-federal Share Match Program

[SHOWN ONTHE NEXT PAGE]

STATEOFLOUISIANA DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATION

OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-DISASTER RECOVERY AGREEMENT

IMPLEMENTINGGRANT UNDER THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTDISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAMTHROUGH THE FEMA PUBLIC ASSISTANCE NON-FEDERAL SHARE MATCH PROGRAM

THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS by and through THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD AL 14.228

Grant #B-21-DF-22-0001/Year 2021 Ida &May Storms PO#___________________________________________

This Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS by and through THE NEW ORLEANS AVIATION BOARD (“Subrecipient”) and the STATEOFLOUISIANA, DIVISIONOF ADMINISTRATION, OFFICE OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT-DISASTER RECOVERY(“LOCD-DR”), each represented herein by their undersigned, duly authorized representatives. Subrecipient and the LOCD-DR may sometimes hereinafter be collectively referredtoasthe “Parties” and individually as a“Party.”

PREAMBLES

WHEREAS,Article VII, Section 14(c) of the Constitutionofthe State of Louisiana provides, “For apublic purpose, the State and its political subdivisions or political corporations may engage in cooperative endeavors with each other,with the United States or its agencies, or with any public or private association, corporation, or individual”; and

WHEREAS,inthe aftermath of Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida and SevereStorms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, the United States Congress, through Public Law 117-43 appropriated funds to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) Community Development Block Grant (“CDBG”) Program for use through the State of Louisiana for disaster recovery; and

WHEREAS,the LOCD-DR, on behalf of the State of Louisiana, administers the State’sCDBG disaster recovery program (the “CDBG Disaster Recovery Program”), which is subject to the Federal statutes and regulations governing CDBG grants, as modified by exceptions and waivers previously granted and which may hereinafter be granted by HUD; and

WHEREAS,the Subrecipient is agovernmental entity or political subdivision or non-governmental entity eligible for reimbursement for repair of damages under the StaffordAct Public Assistance Grant Program (PAProgram); and

WHEREAS,the New Orleans Aviation Boardoversees the administration and maintenance of the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and represents the City of New Orleans in all aviation matters.

WHEREAS,onJuly 13, 2022, HUD approved Louisiana’sAction Plan for the Utilization of CDBG-DR Funds in Response to the 2020 and 2021 major disaster events (the “Action Plan”). Action Plan Amendment Number 1was approved by HUD on September 20, 2022, to meet the Statewide long-term Unmet Recovery and Resiliency needs of Louisiana. Amendment Number 1further details the additional funding for Disaster Recovery Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Public Assistance Non-federal Share Match Program (“the Program”), which is designed to provide the required non-federal shareofFEMA Public Assistance Grants related to 2020 and 2021 Hurricanes; and

WHEREAS,the public purpose to be derived fromthis Agreement is the expeditious and effective recovery of public services in Louisiana as part of the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program through the FEMA Public Assistance Non-federal ShareMatch Program; and

WHEREAS,the actions of the LOCD-DR and Subrecipient will meet the national objectives of benefitting persons of Low-to-Moderate income, Urgent Need, and elimination of slum and blight, that will result in apublic benefitdescribed in detail in this Agreement, not disproportionate to the consideration in this Agreement. NOW,THEREFORE,inconsiderationofthe promises and the mutual representations, warranties, and covenants herein contained, the receipt and sufficiency of which arehereby acknowledged, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

I. SCOPE OF AGREEMENT

A. Grant Award

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the LOCDDR, as administrator of the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program, shall make available to Subrecipient disaster recovery funds not to exceed the non-federal cost shareofeligible activities identified in Project Worksheets (PWs) obligated under the PA Program. The maximum amount of the grant under this Agreement is one hundred sixty-five thousand nine hundred forty and 17/100 Dollars ($165,940.17). Subrecipient is awarethat the amount allocated to the Program is limited and may not be sufficient to pay the nonfederal shareofall projects of all Subrecipients under the FEMA PA program under the FEMA Public Assistance grants arising out of the 2020 and 2021 Storms and Flood Events, in which event

Subrecipient agrees that LOCD-DR may reduce the amount of Grant Award. If LOCD-DR reduces the Grant Award, Subrecipient agrees to remit the resulting excess payment of Grant Funds to LOCD-DR. In the event that, subsequent to disbursement of the Grant funds, aportion of or all of theFEMA Public Assistance Grant is de-obligated or otherwise deemed ineligible, Subrecipient shall remit to LOCD-DR the corresponding non-federal cost share paid under this Agreement.

B. Implementation of Agreement

Subrecipient’srights and obligations under this Agreement areas agrant subrecipient as set forth in 24 CFR 570.501. Subrecipient is responsible for complying with said regulationsand for implementing the Program in amanner satisfactory to the LOCDDR and HUD and consistent with any applicable guidelines and standards that may be required as acondition of theLOCD-DR’s providing the funds, including but not limited to all applicable CDBG Program Administration and Compliance requirements set forth by this Agreement and the Statement of Assurances and Certifications (attached hereto as Appendix A) executed by Subrecipient and made apart hereof. The LOCD-DR’sproviding of Grant Funds under this Agreement is specifically conditioned on Subrecipient’scompliance with this provision and all Program and CDBG regulations, guidelines, and standards.

C. Goals and Objectives

The activities of the Program areexpected to assist Subrecipient

in the payment of the non-federal Cost-Sharefor eligible activities under the PA Program as reflected in the scope of work in PWs obligated for the Subrecipient.

D. The Program

1. Statement of Work

The work for which the Grant Awardisissued arethe projects which arethe subject of the PW(s) listed in ExhibitA,attached hereto and made apart hereof.

The Grant Funds will be issued in accordance with the payment process specified herein. In the event that LOCDDR requires information or documentation establishing the national objective and eligible activity of any project,orother information relative to CDBG eligibility,Subrecipient shall provide such information to LOCD-DR.

2. The Budget The “Budget” for the Agreement shall be the non-federal cost shareidentified in PWsobligated by FEMA for the benefitof Subrecipient.

3. Eligible Expenses

Subrecipient shall receive and use Grant Funds forEligible Expenses, as defined herein. “EligibleExpenses” forGrant Funds under this Agreement include those applied to eligible activities, as defined in the current, pending and future applicable ActionPlan and ActionPlan Amendment(s) (refer to http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/LOCD-DR-dru/Action_ Plans.aspx) that arerecovery-related, and areotherwise in furtherance of the intent of this Agreement and the goals and objectives as set forth herein, when approved by the LOCD-DR in accordance with eligibility rules under CDBG guidelines and subject to limitations established by the LOCD-DR, including but not limited to those within 24 CFR 570.482. Certification by the Governor’sOffice of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (“GOHSEP”)that PA Program funding has been disbursed to Subrecipient does not guarantee that expenses areeligible forCDBG reimbursement under this Agreement

4. Citizen Participation Requirements

Subrecipient shall comply with all HUD and LOCD-DR citizen participation requirements and the citizen participation requirements set forth in the ActionPlan and allcurrent, pending, and futureapplicable ActionPlan Amendment(s) (refer to http://www.doa.la.gov/Pages/ocd-dru/Action_Plans. aspx).

5. Building Code Standards

Subrecipient shall adopt and/or implement the statewide building code standards in accordance with Act 12 of the 2005 1st Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana Legislature, including any later revisions to the relevant statutes, as applicable.

6. Mitigation Plan

Subrecipient is responsiblefor ensuring that the Program and all projects implemented therein consider and/or propose amitigation plan to minimize damage in the event of future floods and/or hurricanes.

7. Assurances

Subrecipient shall be responsible for implementing the recovery activities in compliance with all state and federal laws and regulations and all Program requirements, as now in effect and as may be amended from timetotime. It shall be Subrecipient’sresponsibility to requirethat all of its contractors, and all tiers of their subcontractors, all subrecipients, if applicable, and all beneficiaries, if applicable, adheretoall applicable state and federal laws and regulations and all Program requirements as now in effect and as may be amended from timetotime, and to conduct all necessary monitoring forsuch compliance. As to laws and regulations which apply to the use of CDBG funds, Subrecipient has prior to the execution of this Agreement executed the Statement of Assurances and Certifications, attached hereto and incorporated hereinasAppendix A, reflecting compliance with those listed laws and regulations, which shall be deemed to be requirements of this Agreement.Astoany other laws and regulations which may applytoconstruction projects, Subrecipient is responsiblefor determining the applicable laws and regulations and ensuring compliance therewith. Subrecipient shall be responsible for implementation of infrastructureimprovements in compliance with any applicable federal and state procurement and bid laws and regulations, and in adherence with the Louisiana Public WorksAct.

8. Cooperation with HUD and the LOCD-DR

Subrecipient hereby binds itself, certifies, and assures that it will comply with all federal, state, and local regulations, policies, guidelines, and requirements, as they relate to the application, acceptance, and use of state and federal funds. The Parties expressly acknowledge that the matters which arethe subject of this Agreement areunder the CDBG Disaster Recovery Program administered by HUD,which, by its emergency nature, is subject to ongoing modification and clarification. The LOCD-DR’sobligations under this Agreement aresubject to compliance with applicable statutes and regulations of the CDBG program, as modified by exceptions and waivers previously granted and which may hereinafter be granted by HUD. Subrecipient agrees that in connection with its rights and obligations under the Agreement,itshall cooperate with HUD and the LOCD-DR regarding the administration and audit of the Program, including compliance with various operating and reporting procedures which may hereinafter be promulgated by the LOCD-DR and/or HUD

In the event costs aredisallowed by any monitoring, audit or oversight of either the StateorFederal Government, including the LOCD-DR, the U.S. Department of Housing &Urban Development, the InspectorGeneral of the United States, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor,the Louisiana Inspector General or any other duly authorized party,the Subrecipient shall be responsiblefor remitting these funds to the LOCD-DR. Failure to complete the Program described in the Statement of Work may constitute abasis for disallowance of costs.

E. Contract Monitor/Performance Measures

The contract monitor for LOCD-DR on this Agreement is the Executive Director of LOCD-DR, or designee. The performance measures for this Agreement shall include the successful performance and completion of Subrecipient’sobligations as provided in this Agreement and any attachments, as well as all guidelines forthe Program. Subrecipient shall submit to LOCDDR,ona scheduleand dates to be provided by LOCD-DR, but not less than every six(6) months, areport of Project progress and beneficiary data in an acceptable format approved by LOCDDR.Subrecipient is responsiblefor maintaining project filesand support documentation for the information contained in the reports.

Subrecipient shall also comply with the provisions of 2CFR 200 with regardtothe monitoring and reporting of Program performance and shall be responsiblefor providing LOCD-DR with any additional project progress and beneficiary data as required by federal and state law. It shall be the Subrecipient’s obligation to implement any contractual arrangements it may need for use of, and access to,such data.

Reporting requirementsmay requireSubrecipient to obtain data from thirdparties (i.e. persons that receive Grant Funds or other beneficiaries of the Program(s), including sub-recipients, and/ or borrowers funded under this Agreement,tenants/operators/ users of facilities or equipment acquired or improved with funds provided under this Agreement). It shall be the Subrecipient’s obligation to implement any contractual arrangements it may need for use of, and access to,such data. Subrecipient will cooperate with LOCD-DR regarding Program oversight and evaluation. The Monitoring Plan to be used by Subrecipient, must satisfy CDBG program requirements and must be acceptable to LOCD-DR. F. Duplication of Benefits In the event that alternate sources areorbecome available

shall submit draw requests for payment of Eligible Expenses payable underthis Agreementtothe Executive Director of the LOCD-DR, or his/herdesignee. Payment may only be provided to Subrecipient subsequenttocompletion of aproject covered by aPW, upon certification to LOCD-DRbyGOHSEP Recovery Division thata Request for Reimbursement hasbeen submitted to GOHSEP,and PA Programfunding hasbeen disbursed to Subrecipient.

Payment to Subrecipient will be made on acost reimbursement basis for actualcosts incurredfor the project fundedunderthe PW.Subrecipient shall be required by the LOCD-DRtosubmit with each draw request documentation regarding each service for whichreimbursement is being sought.

Following review andapproval of the draw requests by the Executive Director of the LOCD-DR, or his/herdesignee, approved draw requests shall be submitted to the LOCD-DRFinancial Manager,orhis designee, for approvalofpayment. Draw requests not approvedbythe Executive Director of the LOCD-DRorthe LOCD-DRFinancialManager,ortheir respective designees, shall not be paid, but returnedtoSubrecipient for furtherprocessing. LOCD-DRmay elect in its sole discretion to issue payment prior to GOHSEP certification andpaymentofthe PA funding. In the event thatthe subsequent GOHSEP certification of the PW andpayment of PA funding is lowerthanthe amount upon whichLOCD-DR issuedits payment, Subrecipient agrees it shall returnthe amount of excessoverpaymenttoLOCD-DR.

B. Upon approvalofpaymentbythe LOCD-DRasprovided for above, payment of Eligible Expenses shall be provided to Subrecipient via electronic funds transfer.

C. GrantFunds shall not be drawn in advance. Indirect costs arenot reimbursable underthis Agreement.

D. If an awardletterhas been issuedregarding GrantFunds, only costs consistent with the terms of the awardletterwill be allowed, unless expressly waived in writing by LOCD-DR.

E. Eligible travel expenses incurred underthis Agreementshall be paid in accordance with PPM 49 in effect at the time the expense wasincurred, if provided for in the Budget.

F. In the eventofnon-compliancewith this Agreement, the LOCDDR maywithhold payment to the Subrecipient until the LOCDDR deems the Subrecipient hasbrought the Programinto compliance. Noncompliancewith anyaspect fundedunderthis Agreementmay serve as abasistowithhold payment on funds for other projects fundedunderthis Agreement.

III. TERM OF AGREEMENT;TERMINATION OR SUSPENSIONOF AGREEMENT

A. Term of Agreement

This Agreementshall begin on May 17, 2021, andshall end on December 31, 2027, unless otherwise terminated prior to such time in accordance with the terms andconditions of this Agreement. It is expressly understood thatprojectsorservices commenced and/or completedprior to the execution of this Agreementare eligible for funding if allowedunderthe terms of this Agreement andapplicable HUD regulations andguidelines.

B. Termination/Suspension for Cause

The LOCD-DRmay,aftergiving reasonable writtennotice specifying the effective date, suspend or terminatethis Agreement in whole or in part if the Subrecipient materially fails to comply with anyterm of this Agreement, whichshall include,but not be limited to, the following:

1. Failuretocomply with anyofthe rules, regulations or provisions referred to herein, or suchstatutes, regulations, executive orders, andHUD guidelines, policies, or directives as maybeapplicable at anytime;

2. Failure, for anyreason, of Subrecipient to fulfill in atimely and proper manner the obligations underthis Agreement;

3. Submission by Subrecipient of reports to the LOCD-DR, HUD or eitheroftheir auditors, thatare incorrect or incomplete in anymaterial respect, provided Subrecipient is givennoticeof said failureand fails to correct the same within areasonable amount of time;or

4. Ineffective or improperuse of funds as provided for underthis Agreement.

If,through anycause, Subrecipient shall otherwise fail to fulfill in atimely andproper manner,its obligations underthis Agreement, or if Subrecipient shall violate anyofthe covenants, agreements, or stipulationsofthis Agreement, the LOCD-DRshall thereupon have the righttoterminate this Agreementbygiving writtennotice to Subrecipient of such termination andspecifying the effective date thereof, at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of said termination

Subrecipient may submit payment requests to LOCD-DRupto the date of termination containedwithin the notice, to the extent thatrequestsrepresenteligible activitiessatisfactorily completed prior to the date of termination containedwithin the noticeand otherwise reimbursable underthe terms of this Agreement. Any payment to Subrecipient shall be limitedtothe compensation provided in this paragraph. Subrecipient shall not be entitledto lost profits, lost revenue, or anyothercompensation or damages. If,subsequenttothe disbursementofthe Grantfunds, aportion of or allofthe Grantisde-obligatedorotherwise deemed ineligible, the Subrecipient shall remit to LOCD-DRthe de-obligated or otherwise deemed ineligible grant funds previously paid underthis agreement, as areturnofgrantfunds, within thirty (30) days of the notice, unless an extension is grantedbyLOCD-DR.

C. Terminationfor Convenience

The LOCD-DRmay terminatethe Agreementinwhole or in part at anytime by giving at least thirty (30) days prior writtennotice to Subrecipient.

Subrecipient may submit payment requests to LOCD-DRnolater thanninety (90) days from the date of termination containedwithin the notice, to the extentthatrequestsrepresenteligible activities satisfactorily completedprior to the date of termination contained within the noticeand otherwise reimbursable underthe

If,subsequenttothe disbursementofthe Grantfunds, aportion of or allofthe Grantisde-obligatedorotherwise deemed ineligible the Subrecipient shall remit to LOCD-DRthe de-obligated or otherwise deemed ineligible grant funds previously paid underthis agreement, as areturnofgrantfunds, within thirty (30) days of the notice, unless an extension is grantedbyLOCD-DR.

awardinits entirety under either the Termination/Suspensionfor Cause provision of this Agreement or the foregoing paragraph of this Termination for Convenience provision.

D. Termination Due to Unavailable Funding

The continuationofthis Agreement is contingent upon the appropriation and release of sufficient funds to the LOCD-DR to fulfill the requirements of this Agreement. Failureofthe appropriate authorities to approve and provide an adequate budget to the LOCD-DR for fulfillment of the Agreement termsshall constitute a reason for terminationofthe Agreement by either Party.

Subrecipient may submit payment requests to LOCD-DR no later than ninety (90) days from the date of termination contained within the notice, to the extent that requests represent eligible activities satisfactorily completed prior to the date of termination contained within the notice and otherwise reimbursable under the terms of this Agreement. Any payment to Subrecipient shall be limited to the compensation provided in this paragraph. Subrecipient shall not be entitled to lost profits, lost revenue, or any other compensation or damages.

If, subsequent to the disbursement of the Grant funds, aportion of or all of the Grant is de-obligated or otherwise deemed ineligible, the Subrecipient shall remit to LOCD-DRthe de-obligated or otherwise deemed ineligible grant funds previously paid under this agreement, as areturnofgrant funds, within thirty (30)days of the notice, unless an extension is granted by LOCD-DR.

E. Obligations Governing Use of CDBGFundsSurvive Termination

Termination of this Agreement under any of the foregoing provisions Bthrough Dshall not alter or diminish Subrecipient’s obligations governing the use of CDBG funds under applicable statutes and regulations or under this Agreement and/or cease any of Subrecipient’sobligations that survive the termination of this Agreement. Such obligations and/or duties may include but arenot limited to thefollowing: (1) duty to maintain and provide access to records; (2) duty to monitor and report on the use of any funds expended or awarded to the Subrecipient in compliance with all terms, conditions andregulations herein; (3 )the duty to enforce compliance with terms of grants or loans issued by Subrecipient under this Agreement; and (4) the duty to monitor,collect and remit program income, if applicable, and (5) the obligation to returnfunds expended in contravention of applicable statutes, regulations and the terms of this Agreement. This provision shall not limit or diminish any other obligation that by its naturesurvives termination of theAgreement (i.e. indemnification, etc.).

IV.ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS

A. General Administrative Requirements

Subrecipient shall comply with 2CFR Part 200 “Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, And Audit Requirements ForFederal Awards”, as modified by 24 CFR 570.502(a), “Applicability of uniform administrative requirements.”

B. Financial Management

Subrecipient shall administer its Project in conformance with 2 CFR 200. Subrecipient also agrees to adheretothe accounting principles and procedures required therein, utilize and create adequate internal controls, and maintain necessary source documentation forall costs incurred. These principles and procedures shall be applied to all costs incurred.

C. Documentation and Record-Keeping

1. Records to be Maintained

Subrecipient shall maintain all records required by 24 CFR 570.506, “Records to be maintained,” which arepertinent to the activities to be funded under this Agreement.Such records shall include, but arenot limited to:

a. Recordsprovidingafull description of each activity taken;

b. Recordsdemonstrating that each activity undertaken meets one of the National Objectives of the CDBG program;

c. Records required to determine the eligibility of services;

d. Records required to document the acquisition, improvement, use or disposition of real property acquired or improved with CDBG assistance;

e. Recordsdocumenting compliance with the fair housing and equal opportunity components of the CDBG program;

f. Financial records as required by 2CFR 200 and 24 CFR 570.506(h);

g. Personnel, property,and financial records, adequate to identify and account for all costs pertaining to this Agreement and such other records as maybedeemed necessary by the LOCD-DRtoassureproper accounting for all projectfunds; and

h. Other recordsnecessary to document compliance with 24 CFR Part 570.604, regarding environmental requirements.

2. Retention of Records

Subrecipient shall retain all financial records, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to the Agreement for aperiod of three (3) years after the final closeout of the LOCD-DR’sfederal grant providing the Grant Funds. Subrecipient will be notified of that closeout date by LOCD-DR.

3. Access to Records

The LOCD-DR, the Division of Administration (“DOA”), the State Legislative Auditor, federal auditors, State Inspector General, HUD, the Comptroller General of the United States, and any of their duly authorized representatives or agents, shall have access to any books, documents, papers and records of Subrecipient which aredirectly pertinent to this Agreement for the purpose of audits, examinations, and making excerpts and transcriptions.

Subrecipient shall provide citizens with reasonable access to records regarding the past use of CDBG funds, consistent with applicable state and local laws regarding privacy and obligations of confidentiality

4. Close-outs

Subrecipient’sobligation under this Agreement shall not end until all close-out requirements as set forth in 24 CFR 570.509 arecompleted. The terms of this Agreement shall remain in effect during any period that Subrecipient has control over CDBG funds, including program income.

5. Audits &Inspections

It is hereby agreed that the LOCD-DR, the DOA, the Legislative Auditor of theState of Louisiana, federal auditors, State InspectorGeneral, HUD,Office of Inspector General, HUD monitors, and auditors contracted by any of them shall have the option of auditing all records and accounts of Subrecipient, its contractors and/or sub-contractors that relate to this Agreement at any time during normal business hours, as often as deemed necessary,toaudit, examine, and make excerpts or transcripts of all relevant data upon providing Subrecipient, its contractors and/or sub-contractors, as appropriate, with reasonable advance notice. Subrecipient and its contractors and vendors shall comply with all relevant provisions of state law pertaining to audit requirements, including Louisiana Revised Statutes 24:513 et seq. Any deficiencies noted in audit reports must be fully cleared within thirty (30) days after receipt by Subrecipient, its contractors and/or sub-contractor, as appropriate.

FailureofSubrecipient and/or its contractors and vendors to comply with the above audit requirements will constitute aviolation of this Agreement and may,atthe LOCD-DR’s option, result in the withholding of futurepayments and/or returnoffunds paid under this Agreement. Subrecipient, its contractors, and/or sub-contractors hereby agreetohave an annual audit conducted in accordance with current State policy concerning Subrecipient and its contractor’s audits, and 2CFR part 200.

D. Procurement

Subrecipient shallcomply with the current LOCD-DR policy and the requirements of 2CFR 200 regarding procurement. This requirement is in addition to whatever state and local laws may applytoprocurement by Subrecipient.Itisagreed by the Parties that, notwithstanding any specialized procurement rules which may apply under state law to Subrecipient,Subrecipient shall, for the purposes of expenditures to be paid or reimbursed under this Agreement,comply with all applicable federal and state procurement statutes and regulations.

V. HUD/CDBG COMPLIANCE PROVISIONS

A. General Compliance

The Subrecipient willcomply with all applicable Federal, state, and local laws and Codes, and all applicable Office of Management and Budget Circulars https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/ information-for-gencies/circulars/. These include, but arenot limited to, the requirements of 2CFR 200.316 and 200.321-323. The State may require, and Subrecipient shall consent to, the amendment of this Agreement to expressly include contractual provisions referencing any mandatory requirements if not already setforth in this Agreement,including any provisions referenced in Appendix II to 2CFR 200 as the Statemay deem applicable and not previouslyset forth in this Agreement

Subrecipient agrees to complywith the requirements of Title 2of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part200 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and AuditRequirements for Federal Awards), except that Subrecipient does not assume the LOCD-DR’sresponsibilityfor initiating the review process under the provisions of 24 CFRPart 52. Subrecipient also agrees to complywith all other applicable Federal,state, and local laws, regulations, and policies governing the funds available under this Agreement to supplement rather than supplant funds otherwise available.

Subrecipient shallcomply with and shall be responsiblefor ensuring compliance of allofits construction contracts with any applicable mandatory contract language, including but not limited to:

1. Compliance with the Copeland “Anti-Kickback” Act (18 U.S.C 874) as supplemented in Department of Labor regulations(29 CFRpart 3);

2. Compliance with the Davis-Bacon Act (40 U.S.C.3141 et seq.) as supplemented by Department of Labor regulations(29 CFR part 5);

3. Compliance with allapplicable standards, orders, or requirementsissued under section 306 of the Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C.7401 et seq. (1970)), section 508 of the Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C.1368), Executive Order 11738, and Environmental Protection Agency regulations (40 CFRpart 15);

4. Mandatory standards and policies relating to energy efficiency which arecontained in the state energy conservation plan issued in compliance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (Pub. L. 94A 163, 89 Stat.871);

5. Compliance with applicable uniform administrative requirements described in 24 CFR570.502; and

6. Certification by Subrecipient’scontractors, and each tier of subcontractors, that such contractors and subcontractors are not on the List of Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Nonprocurement Programs promulgated in accordance with Executive Orders 12549 and 12689, “Debarment and Suspension,” as set forth at 2CFR part 2424, and

7. Compliance with “Environmental Review Procedures for Entities Assuming HUD Environmental Responsibilities”, described in 24 CFRpart 58.

Subrecipient has acontinuing obligation to disclose any suspensions or debarment by any government entity,including but not limited to the General Services Administration (GSA) Failuretodisclose may constitute grounds for suspension and/or termination of the Agreement and debarment for futurecontracts.

B. Discrimination and Compliance Provisions

Subrecipient, its contractors and sub-contractors agree to abide by the requirements of the following as applicable: Title VI of the Civil RightsAct of 1964 and Title VIIofthe Civil RightsAct of 1964, as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972; Federal Executive Order 11246 as amended; the RehabilitationAct of 1973, as amended; the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; TitleIXofthe Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended; the Section 109 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974; and the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; 41 CFR60-4 et seq.; 41 CFR60-1.4; 41 CFR60-1.8; 24 CFRPart 35; the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973; and Federal Labor Standards Provisions (form HUD-4010), as wellasall applicable provisions not mentioned aredeemed inserted herein.

Subrecipient, its contractors, and sub-contractors agree not to discriminate unlawfullyinits employment practices,and will perform its obligations under this Agreement without regardto race, color,religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender,national origin, veteran status, political affiliation, age, or disabilities.

Any act of unlawful discrimination committed by Subrecipient, its contractors and sub-contractors, or failuretocomply with these statutory obligations when applicable shall be grounds for termination of this Agreement or other enforcement action.

C. Covenant Against Contingent Fees and ConflictsofInterest

Subrecipient shall warrant that no person or other organization has been employed or retained to solicit or securethis Agreement upon contract or understanding for acommission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee. For breach or violation of this warranty,the LOCD-DR shallhave the right to annul this Agreement without liabilityor, in its discretion, to deduct from this Agreement or otherwise recover the full amount of such commission, percentage, brokerage, or contingent fee, or to seek such other remedies as legally maybeavailable.

No member,officer,oremployee of Subrecipient,oragents, consultant, member of the governing body of Subrecipient or the locality in which the Project is situated, or other public official who exercises or has exercised any functions or responsibilities with respect to this Agreement during his or her tenure, shallhave any interest,direct or indirect, in any contract or subcontract,orthe proceeds thereof, for work to be performed in connectionwith the Project or in any activity or benefit, which is part of this Agreement

Subrecipient shall also complywith the current Louisiana Code of Governmental Ethics, as applicable.

D. Section 3Compliance in Employment and Training

The work to be performed under this Agreement,including services performed under any related subcontract or subrecipient agreement, is subject to the requirements of Section 3ofthe Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968, as amended, 12 U.S.C.1701u (Section 3), 24 CFR§75, and 85 FRN 2020 19183-85, and any directives, benchmarks and programmaticrequirements hereafter issued by HUD or LOCD-DR in the implementation of Section 3requirements. Section 3requiresthat to the greatest extent feasible, and consistent with existing Federal,state, and local laws and regulations—recipients must ensurethat within the metropolitan area (or nonmetropolitan county) in which the project is located: (1) employment and training opportunities arising in connection with Section 3Projectsare provided to Section 3 Workers; and (2) contracts for work awarded in connection with Section 3Projects areprovided to business concerns that provide economic opportunities to Section 3Workers.

E. Program Income

1. Recording Program Income

Subrecipient shallsubmita quarterly report to the LOCD-DR

All program income shall be remittedtothe

to aschedule provided by the

F. Useand Reversion of Assets

The useand disposition of immovable property,equipment, andremaining GrantFunds underthis Agreementshall be in compliancewith allCDBG regulations, whichinclude but arenot limitedtothe following:

1. Subrecipient shall transfertothe LOCD-DRany GrantFunds on hand andany accounts receivable attributable to the useoffunds underthis Agreementatthe time of expiration, cancellation, or termination

2. Subsequent to meeting the nationalobjective requirement andcompletion of the eligible activity,immovable property underSubrecipient’scontrol thatwas acquired or improved, in whole or in part, with funds under this Agreementinexcess of $25,000 shall be usedtomeet one of the CDBG National Objectives set forth in 24 CFR 570.208 until five (5)years after the closeout of the individualprojectsassociated with the particular immovable property or expiration of this Agreement, whichever occurs first (or such longerperiod as the LOCD-DR deems appropriate). If LOCD-DRconsents to achange of use of the property other thanfor whichthe CDBG funds were expended, Subrecipient must comply with the requirements of 24 CFR 570.505. If Subrecipient fails to use such immovable property in amannerthatmeetsaCDBG NationalObjective for the prescribed period of time,Subrecipient shall pay to the LOCD-DRanamount equal to the currentfairmarket value of the property less anyportion of the value attributable to expenditures of non-CDBG funds for the acquisition of, or improvement to, the property.Subrecipient may retain real property acquired or improved under this Agreementafterthe expiration of the five-year period, described above, or such longerperiod as the LOCD-DRdeemsappropriate.

3. In allcases in whichequipment acquired, in whole or in part, with GrantFunds is sold, the proceeds shall be program income (prorated to reflect the extenttowhichfunds received underthis Agreementwereused to acquirethe equipment) Equipment not needed by Subrecipient for activitiesunder this Agreementshall be (a) transferred to the LOCD-DRfor the CDBG program or (b) retainedbySubrecipient after compensatingthe LOCD-DRanamount equal to the current fair market valueofthe equipment less the percentage of nonCDBG funds usedtoacquirethe equipment If Subrecipient is not the owner of the immovable property being acquired or improved, in whole or in part, with the GrantFunds, Subrecipient shall acquiresufficientinterest andsite control over the property to allow the

bound by such use restrictions. In addition, if immovable property being acquired or improved, in whole or in part, with the GrantFunds is leased or subleased by Subrecipient to athirdparty,Subrecipient shall contractually ensurethatthe lessee/subleasee is bound by the userestrictions containedin24CFR 570.505 andascontained in this Agreement.

VI. GENERAL CONDITIONS

A. “Independent Contractor” Nothing containedinthis Agreementisintendedto, or shall be construedinany manner, as creating or establishing the relationship of employer/employee between the parties. Subrecipient shall at alltimesremainan“independent contractor” with respect to the services to be performed underthis Agreement. The LOCD-DRshall be exempt from payment of allUnemployment Compensation, FICA, retirement, life,and/ormedical insurance andWorkers’ Compensation Insurance, as Subrecipient is an independentcontractor

B. Hold Harmless/Indemnity Contractors/Subcontractors

Subrecipient shall hold harmless, defend, andindemnify the LOCD-DRfromany andall claims, actions, suits, charges, andjudgments whatsoever thatarise out of Subrecipient’s performance or nonperformance of the services or subject matter calledfor in this Agreement.

To the extentthatSubrecipient is permitted to andutilizes the services of anythirdpartiesinperformance of Subrecipient’s duties andobligations underthis Agreement, anycontract enteredinto shall contain aprovision thatthe contractor and/or subcontractor shall hold Subrecipient andLOCD-DR harmless, defend andindemnify LOCD-DRfromany andall claims, actions, suits, charges andjudgments whatsoever thatarise out of the contractor’sand/or subcontractor’sperformance or nonperformance of services.

C. Workers’Compensation

Subrecipient shall provide Workers’ Compensation Insurance coverage for allofits employees involvedinthe performance of this Agreement, unless exempt by law.

D. Insurance &Bonding

Unless expresslywaived in writing by LOCD-DR, the Subrecipient shall carry sufficientinsurance coverage to protect contract assets from loss due to theft, fraud and/or undue physical damage, and as aminimum shall purchase ablanket fidelity bond, or equivalent insuranceacceptabletothe LOCD-DR, covering allemployees in an amount equal to cash advances from the LOCD-DR.

E. LOCD-DR Recognition Subrecipient shall ensurerecognition of the role of the LOCD-DR andthe U.S. Department of Housing andUrban Developmentin providing services through this Agreement. All activities, facilities, anditems used pursuant to this Agreementshall be prominently labeled as to funding source. In addition, Subrecipient will include areference to the support provided herein in allpublications made possible with funds made available underthis Agreement.

F. Public Communications

LOCD-DRand Subrecipient shall coordinate allpublic communicationsregarding activitieswithin the Project funded underthis Agreement.

G. Amendments

The LOCD-DRorSubrecipient may amendthis Agreementatany time,provided thatsuchamendments make specificreference to this Agreement, andare executedinwriting, signed by aduly authorized representative of each organization, andapproved by the LOCD-DRand the Office of State Procurementand/or the Louisiana CommissionerofAdministration.Amendments hereto shall not invalidate this Agreement, nor relieve or release the LOCD-DRorSubrecipient from its obligations underthis Agreement.

The LOCD-DRmay requirea writtenamendment to this Agreementtoconform the Agreementtofederal,state andlocal governmentallaws, regulations, executive orders, guidelines, policies, andavailable funding amounts. FailureofSubrecipient to execute the writtenamendment required by the LOCD-DRmay constitute,atthe LOCD-DR’sdiscretion, abasisfor termination of this Agreementfor cause.

H. No Assignment

No Party may transfer or assign this Agreementortransfer or assign anyofits rights or assign anyofits duties hereunder without the express writtenconsent of the other Party.However if the parties do mutually agreetoanassignment, allrights and obligations set forth herein shall inuretothe benefitofthe parties andtotheir respective successors andassigns.

I. Severability

The terms andprovisions of this Agreementare severable. Unless the primary purpose of this Agreementwould be frustrated, the invalidity or unenforceability of anyterm or condition of this Agreementshall not affect the validity or enforceability of any

othertermorprovisionofthis Agreement. The Partiesintendand requestthat any judicial or administrative authoritythat may deem any provision invalid, reform theprovision, if possible, consistent with theintent and purposes of this Agreement, and if such a provision cannotbereformed, enforcethis Agreement as set forth herein in theabsence of such provision.

J. EntireAgreement

This Agreement constitutesthe entireunderstanding and reflects the entiretyofthe undertakingsbetween the Partieswithrespect to thesubject matter hereof, superseding all negotiations, priordiscussions, andpreliminaryagreements.Thereisno representation or warrantyofanykind made in connection with the transactionscontemplated hereby that is not expressly contained in this Agreement.

K. No Authorship Presumptions

Each of theParties has had an opportunity to negotiate the language of this Agreement in consultation with legal counsel prior to itsexecution.Nopresumption shall arise oradverse inference be drawn by virtue of authorship.Each Partyhereby waives the benefitofany rule of law that might otherwisebeapplicable in connectionwith the interpretationofthis Agreement, includingbut notlimited to any rule of law to the effect that any provisionofthis Agreement shallbeinterpreted or construed against the Partywho (or whose counsel) drafted that provision. The rule of no authorship presumption setforth in this paragraph isequallyapplicableto anyPerson that becomes aParty by reason of assignment and/or assumption of this Agreementand anysuccessor to asignatory Party

L. ApplicableLaw,Venue and Controversies

This Agreement shallbegoverned by andinterpreted in accordance with thelaws of the State of Louisiana, including but not limited to La.R.S.39:1551-1736;rulesand regulations; executive orders; standardterms and conditions, special terms andconditions, andspecifications listed nthe RFP(if applicable); and this Agreement

Any claimorcontroversyarisingout of this Agreementshall be resolved under the process setforth inLa. Revised State 39:1672.2-1672.4. Exclusive venue and jurisdiction shall be vested in theNineteenth Judicial District Court, Parish of East BatonRouge, State of Louisiana.

M. DelayorOmission

No delay or omissioninthe exercise or enforcement of any right orremedy accruingto aParty under thisAgreementshall impair such right or remedyorbeconstruedasawaiver of any breach theretoforeorthereafter occurring. The waiver of anycondition or the breach of any term,covenant, or condition hereinortherein contained shall not be deemed to be awaiverofany other conditionorofany subsequent breach ofthe same or any other term, covenant,orcondition hereinortherein contained.

N. Contract Approvals

Neither party shall be obligated under this Agreementuntilthe approval of this Agreementbythe State ofLou sianaOffice of State Procurement-ProfessionalContracts and/or the Commissioner of Administration.

O. Taxes

Subrecipient shallberesponsible forpayment of allapplicable taxes from the funds to be received under thisAgreement.

Subrecipient’s federal tax identification numberis: 72-6000969, andthe Unique Entity ID is JC6HLHNG27T9

P. Notices

Any notice requiredorpermitted to be given under or in connection withthisAgreement shallbeinwritingand shall be either handdelivered or mailed, postage prepaidby first-class mail, registered or certified, return receipt requested, or delivered by private, commercialcarrier, express mail,such as Federal Express, or sent by,telecopy or other similarformofrapidtransmissionconfirmed by written confirmationmailed(postage prepaidby first-class mail,registered or certified, return receipt requestedorprivate, commercialcarrier,express mail, such as Federal Express) at substantially the sametime as such rapid transmission. All such communications shall be transmitted to the address or numbers setforth below,orsuch other address or numbers as may be hereafter designatedbyaPartyina writtennotice to theother Partycompliant with this Section.

To theLOCD-DR: Executive Director State of Louisiana Division of Administration Office of Community Development P.O. Box 94095 BatonRouge, Louisiana 70804-9095 Facsimile: 225-219-9605

To Subrecipient: KevinDolliole Director of Aviation NewOrleans AviationBoard 900Airline Drive Kenner,LA70062 Phone:504-303-7638

ratesstartingat$18.45 permonth forresidential customers. This sup‐ported serviceincludes: •Voice gradeaccessto thepublicswitchednet‐work; •Minutes of usefor local serviceprovidedatno additional charge; •Accesstoemergency services provided by localgovernment

NOTICE Public Notice is hereby giventhatthe Councilof theCityofNew Orleans will consider itsregular meetingofDecember4 2025 at 10:00 a.m.,tobe held either viavideo con‐ferenceorinthe Council Chamber, City Hall,1300 PerdidoStreet,Room 1E07, theadoptionofOr‐dinanceCalendarNo. 35,299 introduced at the meetingofNovember6, 2025. SAID ORDINANCEwould establisha conditional usetopermita parking lot(principaluse)inan HU-MUHistoricUrban Neighborhood Mixed-Use District,onSquare189, Lots 3and 4, in theFirst MunicipalDistrict, bounded by Prytania Street,Erato Street Camp Street,and Thalia Street (Municipal Ad‐dress: 1316 Prytania Street). (ZONINGDOCKET NO.52/25) Said ordinancemay be seen in full in theOffice of theClerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8767 166618-nov14-1t $17.57

Email: kevind@flymsy.com

Q. No ThirdParty Beneficiaries

Nothing herein is intended and nothing hereinmay be deemed to createorconfer any right, action, or benefitin, to,oronthe partof any person not apartytothisAgreement. Thisprovision shallnot limit any obligationwhich either partyhas to HUD in connection with theuse of CDBG funds, including theobligations to provide access to records and cooperatewith audits as providedin thisAgreement

R. Prohibited Activity

Subrecipient shallbeprohibitedfromusing, and shallbe responsible forits sub-contractors being prohibitedfromusing, the funds provided hereinorpersonnel employed in theadministration of theProject forpolitical activities, inherently religious activities, lobbying, politicalpatronage,nepotism activities, and supporting eitherdirectly or indirectly theenactment, repeal,modification or adoption of any law, regulation or policyatany level of government.Subrecipient will comply with theprovisions of the HatchAct (5 U.S.C.1501 et seq.), which limits thepolitical activity of employees.

S. Safety

Subrecipient shallexercise proper precautionatall times forthe protectionofpersons and property and shallberesponsible forall damages or property,either on or offthe worksite, whichoccur as aresultofhis performance of thework. The safetyprovisions of applicable laws and buildingand construction codes,inadditionto specificsafetyand health regulations described by 29 CFR Parts 1925 and 1926, shallbeobserved,and Subrecipient shalltake or cause to be taken such additional safetyand health measures as Subrecipient may determine to be reasonably necessary.

T. Fund Use

Subrecipient agrees not to use proceedsfromthisAgreement to urgeany elector to votefor or against any candidateor propositiononanelectionballot, nor shallsuch fundsbeused to lobby fororagainst any propositionormatterhaving theeffect of lawbeing considered by theLouisiana Legislatureorany local governing authority.Thisprovision shallnot prevent thenormal disseminationoffactual information relativetoapropositionon anyelectionballotorapropositionormatterhaving theeffect of lawbeing considered by theLouisiana Legislatureorany local governing authority

Subrecipient and allofits sub-contractors shallcertify that they have compliedwith theByrdAnti-LobbyingAmendment (31U.S.C 1352) and that it will not and has not used Federal appropriated fundstopay any personororganizationfor influencing or attemptingtoinfluence an officer or employee of any agency, amember of Congress, officer or employee of Congress, or an employee or amember of Congress in connectionwith obtaining any Federal contract, grant or any other awardcovered by 31 U.S.C.1352. Subrecipient and each of its sub-contractors shall also disclose any lobbyingwith non-Federal fundsthat takes place in connection with obtaining any Federal award.

U. Subcontractors

Subrecipient may,with priorwritten permission from theLOCDDR, enterintosubcontractswith thirdparties(“Subcontractors”) forthe performance of any part of Subrecipient’s dutiesand obligations. In no event shallthe existence of asubcontract operatetorelease or reduce theliabilityofSubrecipient to the LOCD-DR forany breach in theperformance of Subrecipient’s duties. Subcontractors’agreementsmust meet allcontracting indemnity, insurance and regulatorycompliance requirements

The partieshereby agree that any non-competeagreement or similaragreement with any Subcontractors seeking to restrain the ability of theSubcontractors to perform any services forthe LOCD-DR shallbedeemed unenforceable,nulland void, to the extent of such non-competeprovision, butwithout invalidatingthe remaining provisions of thecontract with theSubcontractor

Subcontracts shallnot includelanguage which restricts the Subrecipient’s obligationtopay forservices performed or materialsprovidedunder asubcontract to when theSubrecipient hasbeen paidunder this Agreement,exceptfor circumstances wherethe reason forthe lack of payment to theSubrecipient is duetodeficient performance or lack of performance by the particular subcontractor from which theSubrecipient seeks to withhold payment.Inthe event asubcontract contains such language in contraventionofthisrequirement, Subrecipient shall notenforce such language.

V. Copyright

No materials, includingbut not limitedtoreports, maps, or documentsproduced as aresultofthisAgreement,inwholeor in part, shall be available to Subrecipient forcopyright purposes. Any such material produced as aresultofthisAgreement that might be subject to copyrightisthe property of and allrightsshal belong to theLOCD-DR.

Allrecords, reports, documents, or other material or data, including electronicdata, relatedtothisAgreement and/orobtained or prepared by Subrecipient,and allrepositoriesand databases compiled or used,regardless of thesource of information included therein, in connection with performance of theservices contracted forhereinshallbecome thepropertyofthe LOCD-DR,and shall, upon request,bereturned by Subrecipient to theLOCD-DR at

SAID ORDINANCEwould grantanamendment to OrdinanceNo. 30,208 MCS(Zoning Docket 80/24),which established aconditional usetoper‐mita community center in an HU-RM1 Historic UrbanMulti-FamilyResi‐dentialDistrict, to amend provisosix to allowfor additional flexibilityto meet theparking re‐quirements andtocon‐siderany waiversthat arenecessary to achieve this goal, on Square 317, Lots A, B, 22, 23, 12, 13, A C, andD,orLots8,22, 23, 10, C, D, andthree undes‐ignatedlotsinthe Fourth MunicipalDistrict, bounded by SouthLib‐erty Street,PhilipStreet FirstStreet,LoyolaAv‐enue,and La Salle Street/Simon BolivarAv‐enue (Municipal Ad‐dresses: 2300-2308 South LibertyStreet,2224-2226 Philip Street and22292237 FirstStreet). (ZON‐INGDOCKETNO. 51/25) Said ordinancemay be seen in full in theOffice of theClerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8766 166615-nov14-1t $23.30

Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8769 166624-nov14-1t $15.55

meetingofNovember6 2025. SAID ORDINANCEwould approveand authorize theCityofNew Orleans (“City”),byand through theNew OrleansAviation Board(“NOAB”),toenter into aLease Agreement at LouisArmstrong New OrleansInternational Air‐port with GATAirline Ground SupportINC Said ordinancemay be seen in full in theOffice of theClerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8763 166631-nov14-1t $15.89

termination or expiration of this Agreement. Cost incurredby Subrecipient to compile andtransfer information for return to the LOCD-DRshall be billedonatime andmaterialsbasis, subject to themaximum amount of this Agreement. Software and othermaterialsownedbySubrecipient prior to the date of this Agreementand not relatedtothis Agreementshall be andremain the property of Subrecipient.

The LOCD-DRwill provide specificproject information to Subrecipient necessary to complete the services described herein. All records, reports, documents, andothermaterial delivered or transmittedtoSubrecipient by the LOCD-DRshall remain the property of the LOCD-DRand shall be returnedbySubrecipient to the LOCD-DR, upon request, at termination, expiration,or suspension of this Agreement.

W. Drug Free Workplace Compliance

Subrecipient hereby certifies thatitshall provide adrug-free workplace in compliancewith the Drug-Free Workplace Actof 1988, as amended. Further,inany contractsexecutedbyand between Subrecipient andany thirdpartiesfundedusing

Name:Gina

theadoptionofOr‐dinanceCalendarNo. 35,300 introduced at the meetingofNovember6 2025. SAID ORDINANCEwould establisha conditional usetopermita gassta‐tion in aC-1 General CommercialDistrict, on Lot20-A1,Section 20,

full in theOffice of theClerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8768 166620-nov14-1t $16.90

giventhatthe Councilof theCityofNew Orleans will consider itsregular meetingofDecember4 2025 at 10:00 a.m.,tobe held either viavideo con‐ferenceorinthe Council Chamber, City Hall,1300 PerdidoStreet,Room 1E07, theadoptionofOr‐dinanceCalendarNo. 35,303 introduced at the meetingofNovember6 2025. SAID ORDINANCEwould amendand reordain Sec‐tion 154-1087 of theCode of theCityofNew Or‐leansrelated to ratesfor meteredparking on city streets. Said ordinancemay be seen in full in theOffice of theClerk of Council, Room 1E09, City Hall, 1300 PerdidoStreet LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATE: November 14, 2025 NOCP 8770 166628-nov14-1t $14.54

y Orleans herebygivesno‐tice of itsintention to ap‐proveand authorizethe City of NewOrleans (“City”),byand through theNew OrleansAviation Board(“NOAB”),toenter into a¬¬Lease Agree‐ment at LouisArmstrong NewOrleans Interna‐tional Airportwith S&M COLLISION CENTER,L.L.C; pursuant to Ordinance Calendar No.35,276. This ordinanceissched‐uled for finaladoptionon November 20, 2025, and maybeseen in full in the ClerkofCouncil’sOffice 1300 PerdidoStreet Room 1E09, City Hall. LORA W. JOHNSON, LMMC,MMC CLERKOFCOUNCIL PUBLICATIONDATES: October31, November 7 and14, 2025 NOCP 8732 164844-oct31-7-nov14-3t $39.57

PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to LSAR.S 33:4712 theCityofNew Orleansherebygives no‐tice of itsintention to ap‐proveand authorizethe City of NewOrleans (“City”),byand through theNew OrleansAviation Board(“NOAB”),toenter into aLease Agreement at LouisArmstrong New OrleansInternational Air‐port with GATAirline Ground SupportINC.; pursuant to Ordinance Calendar No.35,304. This ordinanceissched‐uled for finaladoptionon December 4, 2025, and maybeseen in full in the ClerkofCouncil’s

y project ideastoadd or improvecabins, cot‐tages, andother lodging facilities at anypark within theLouisiana StateParkSystem. The objectivesinsoliciting informationare to pro‐mote theState Parks mission, achieveproper balanceofpreservation andutilization of State ParksPropertieswhile becoming more finan‐cially self-sustaining, andbetterserve the needsofcitizensand of visitors to Louisiana throughcollaboration utilizingPublicPrivate Partnerships.The RFI packet,which includes

(Section 8); or Veteran’sPension or Sur‐

LOTOFGROUN, together with allofthe build‐ings andim‐provements thereon, andall of therights, ways,privi‐leges, servi‐tudes, advan‐tagesand appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situ‐ated,lying,and beinginthe

PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON,STATE OF LOUISIANA, in that part thereof knownasthe

“MARRERO DIVI‐

SION”inthe Vil‐lage of Harvey, lyingSouth of the right-of-way of theM.L.& T.R.R.S.S. Com‐pany,asper plan of resubdi‐vision recorded in COB3242, page 483. Said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT 24AofSQUARE10.

Having amunic‐ipal addressof 403 FifthAv‐enue,Harvey, LA 70058.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

PENNY M. DAIGREPONT

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate:

October10, 2025, November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $81

g property to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings and improvements thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐tainingsituated in Parish of Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Highway Park Subdivision,in Square 444, thereof bounded by Minnesota, West Napoleon, Mississippi Av‐enuesand 22nd Street

Said portionof ground is desig‐natedasLot "D" on aplanofre‐subdivision made by AdloeOrr,Jr. & Associates datedOctober 18, 1954 andon acertificate of survey by AdloeOrr,Jr. & Associates datedDecem‐ber9,1966, a copy of which is attached to actbeforeJohn A. Mmahat,No‐tary Public datedDecem‐ber22, 1966 and according to which said survey,saidlot measures as follows:

Lot"D" com‐mences at a dis‐tanceof185 feet from thecorner of Minnesota Avenue andFourth Street andmea‐suresthence60 feet fronton Minnesota Av‐enue,same width in the rear by adepth of 122 feet and6 inches between equaland paral‐lel lines.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $107

SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedOctober 21, 2024,I have seized andwill proceedtosell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058,onNo‐vember 19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit:

That certain pieceorportion of ground,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theState of Louisiana, in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, in that part thereof known as Haydel ManorSubdivi‐sion,saidpor‐tion being desig‐natedasLot 2878 of Square 16. Accordingto aplanbyAdloe Orr, Jr & Associates,C.E., datedAugust 24,1970,Square 16 is bounded by Ames Boule‐vard, RayLane, Au‐gust Avenue, andHaydel Drive, Lot287, commencesat a distance of 211.88 feet alongthe curve of Haydel Drive from theinter‐sectionofAu‐gust Avenue and Haydel Drive, andmeasures thence 54.99 feet fronton Haydel Drive, with awidth in the rear of 55 feet by adepth alongthe side line nearestRay Lane of 100 feet anda depth of 101.98 feet on theopposite side line.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 28, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember 19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit:

ONECERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐

TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon, situated in the City of Kenner, Parish of Jeffer‐son, State of Louisiana, in HIGHWAYPARK SUBDIVISION (PopePark) in SQUARE NO.515, bounded by Illi‐nois Avenue (formerlyPine Street), 22nd Street (side) (formerly2nd Street), Idaho Avenue (for‐merlyElm Street)and 21st Street (formerly West Metairie Avenue), which said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT "Q", andcom‐mences at adis‐tanceof 216.40 feet from thecornerof Illinois Avenue and21st Street andmeasures thence 50 feet fronton Illinois Avenue same width in therear, and frontona 15 foot alley, in therear, by a depth of 120 feet between equaland paral‐lellines,all in accordance with thesurvey of J.L. Fontcu‐berta, Surveyor datedMay 31, 1965; subjectto restrictions, servitudes, rights-of-way andoutstanding mineralrights of record affecting the property

Theimprove‐mentsthereon bear theMunici‐palNo. 1909 Illi‐nois Avenue Kenner, Louisiana70062.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS -The full purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

CANDACEA COURTEAU Attorney for Plaintiff

24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 20, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember 19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit: Onecertain lot or lotofground, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereon, andall therights, ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances and advantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in theParishof Jefferson, State of Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as Orleans Vil‐lage Subdivision, Section4,in Square H thereof, bounded by Mt Revarb Court, Mt Kennedy Drive, RochesterDrive andMt. Blanc Drive, desig‐natedasLot 1 on the survey made by J. J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., dated September23, 1971, resur‐veyed November 8, 1972, acopyof which is an‐nexedtoanact passedbefore H. Edward Ellzey,Notary Public,dated November 9, 1972, according to which said lotforms the corner of Mt Revarb Court andMt. Kennedy Drive, andmeasures thence 65.03 feet frontonMt. Re‐varb Court, thence along thearc of a curveatthe in‐tersection of Mt Revarb Court andMt. Kennedy Drive, adistanceof 38.84 feet a width in the rear of 54.50 feet,by a firstdepth and frontonMt. Kennedy Drive of 54.25 feet thence a second depth andfront on Mt Kennedy Drive of 14.38 feet,by adepth on the opposite side‐line of 89.93 feet

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:867-658 MORTGAGE SO‐LUTIONSOF COLORADO,LLC VERSUS GILMACHUCA

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 15, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember 19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes, advantages and appurtenances thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in that part thereofknown as OAKDALESUB‐DIVISION,in SQUARE 36 thereof, which square is bounded by Kepler,LeBoeuf, Milton Streets andthe West boundaryofthe subdivision, and accordingtothe plan of survey by G.W.T. Stephens dated August 25, 1917, attached to an actbefore NormaKeenan Notary Public forthe Parish of Orleansdated January5,1933, said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT 5 andhas mea‐surementsand boundariesasis more fullyset forthonthe aforesaidplan.

This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedAugust 12, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember 19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit:

jecttoall supe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- The full purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

JEFFREY M. TOEPFER Attorney for Plaintiff

1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ing described i

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:853-326 CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SER‐VICESLLC VS ESCALINAL RATLIFFA/K/A ESCALINA RATLIFF, CAR‐OLYN PATTER‐SON, AUNDREIA M. MCCADNEY A/K/AAUN‐DREIAMCCAD‐NEY, REGINALD RATLIFF, DARREN J. RATLIFFA/K/A DARREN RATLIFF, AND ESCO RATLIFF, JR.,HEIRS OF ESCO RATLIFFAND PEARLIE MAE SKIFFERRATLIFF By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $93.95

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $92.36

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:867-825

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC VERSUS EZEKIELLEWIS

aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit

COREYJ.GIROIR

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III

Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025 oct10-nov14-2t $97.12

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $80.18

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT 24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:867-625 PP GROUP, LLC VERSUS FREDERICK EARNESTAPRIL, III A/K/AFRED‐ERICKERNEST APRIL, III

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof

ONECERTAIN LOTOFGROUND, together with allthe buildings andimprove‐ments thereonand all of therights, ways,privileges andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingor in anywiseap‐pertaining,situ‐ated,lying and beinginthe Vil‐lage of Marrero, PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATEOF LOUISIANAand forminga part of theALLO SUBDIVISIONac‐cordingto a plan of HenryL Zander,Parish Engineer,dated December 1, 1922 acopyof whereof is on file in theOffice of theRecorder forthe Parish of Jeffer‐sonand accord‐ingtosaidplan said lotisdesig‐natedasLOT NUMBER 11 of BLOCK4 which said Blockis bounded by Fifthand Sixth Streets, Allo Avenue andthe lien of theVal‐leyRealtyCom‐pany andwhich lotmeasures45 feet front on Allo Av‐enue,same widthinthe rear,bya depth on itsnorth sideline separating it from Lot10of80 feet 10 inches anda depthon itssouth side‐line separating is from Lot12of81 feet 2inches, accordingto survey by J.J. Krebs& Sons Inc.,dated August 3, 1965 a copy of which is annexedtoan actbeforeNat B. Knight,Jr.,No‐tary Public datedAugust 31, 1965 regis‐teredinCOB 621, folio679 and said Lot11com‐mences at adis‐tanceof462 feet from thecorner of Allo Avenue and FifthStreet; subjecttore‐strictions,servi‐tudes, rights of wayand out‐standing miner‐als rights of record affectingthe property BearingMunici‐palNo.:541 Allo Street,Marrero LA 70072. This sale is sub‐

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025 oct10-nov14-2t $105

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:865-790

SERVBANK,SB VERSUS RICKEY SECTION

By virtue of and in obedienceto aWritof SEIZUREAND SALE from the 24thJudicial District Court, Parish of Jeffer‐son, Stateof Louisiana, in the abovenum‐beredand enti‐tled cause, datedJune 9, 2025, Ihave seized andwill proceed to sell to thehighest bidder at public auction, at the JeffersonParish Sheriff'sOffice Complex, 1233 Westbank Ex‐pressway,Har‐vey, Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember19, 2025 at 10 o'clock a.m. thefollow‐ingdescribed property to wit: THAT CERTAIN PIECEORPOR‐TION OF GROUND,to‐gether with all thebuildings andimprove‐mentsthereon andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes, appurtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longingorin anywiseapper‐taining, situated in the Stateof Louisiana, Parish of Jeffer‐son, in Town‐ship 14 South, Ranges 23 and24East, SoutheastLand District of Louisiana, West of theMissis‐sippi River, knownasHar‐veyCanal Prop‐erty,Jefferson Parish Louisiana, and designated as Parcel P6,asper plan by J.J. Krebs& Sons, Inc.,C.E.&S.,

datedMay 15, 1973, revisedSeptem‐ber26, 1973, April11, 1974, May5,1975, De‐cember 29, 1975, October19, 1976, March27, 1978 andJuly24, 1978, which said portionhas been resubdivided into WOODMERE SUBDIVISION, SECTION7,all as perplanof resubdivisionby J.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc., C.E. & S.,dated July 24, 1978, approved by theJefferson Parish Council by Ordinance No.13812, on March28, 1979, registered April27, 1979 in COB955, folio 226, andasper ActofDedica‐tion before Odom B. Beebe, Notary Public,dated May18, 1979, registered in COB957, folio 60; same being desig‐natedasfol‐lows:

LOT1879, SQUARE RR, which square is bounded by West Catawba Drive, Catawba Court(side), 90' CanalR/W (side).105' CanalR/W and Eastview Drive, andsaidlot commences 888.32 feet from thecornerof West Catawba Driveand East‐view Drive with afront of 64.68 feet along West Catawba Drive, 58.83 feet in therear, by a depthof100 feet between equaland paral‐lellines;all as more fully shownonsur‐vey by Z.J. Krebs& Sons,Inc C.E. & S.,Inc., dated February 6, 1980 andresurveyed June 2, 1980 to show improve‐ments, acopyof which is regis‐teredinMOB 2636, folio 380.

Improvements thereonbear municipalad‐dress2508 West CatawbaDrive Harvey, Louisiana 70058. This sale is sub‐ject to allsupe‐rior security in‐terests, mort‐gages, liensand privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchase price is dueatthe time of thesale.

NOTE:All funds must be Cashier'sCheck, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or Personal Check with Bank Letter of Credit KATE SOTO‐LONGO Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10,

November14,

of Louisiana, in thatpart thereof known asRidgefield Subdivision,all as perplan thereof made by J.J.Krebs & Sons, C.E.,dated February5 1965, approved by the Jefferson Parish Council under Ordinance No 7040, registered in COB611, folio 438, andasper act of dedica‐tionregistered inCOB 615, Folio 645, said property is described as follows:

EMILYA MUELLER Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $93.95

p Westbank Ex‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember19, 2025 at10o'clock a.m.the follow‐ing described propertytowit:

g lows:

By virtue of and inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause dated May9, 2025, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana 70058, on No‐vember19, 2025 at10o'clock a.m.the follow‐ing described propertytowit: Acertain piece orportion of ground,to‐getherwithall the buildings and improve‐ments thereon, andall ofthe rights, ways, privi‐leges,servi‐tudes,appurte‐nancesand advantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe Parish of Jefferson, State

LotNumber3, SquareD, bounded by CaminadaDrive, Bay Adams Drive,Bastian Driveand Ver‐million Drive, commencing 105feet from the corner of Bay Adamsand Caminada Dri‐ves,measuring 50feet fronton Bay Adams Drive,samein width in the rear,bya depth of100 feet be‐tween equal and parallel lines

In accordance witha survey by J.J.Krebs &Son, Inc.,dated June 4,1966, said lot commences 55 feetfromthe cornerofBast‐ian Driveand Bay Adams Drive

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, MoneyOrder,or

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:863-745

WELLSFARGO BANK,N.A AS TRUSTEEFOR PARK PLACESE‐CURITIES,INC ASSET-BACKED PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES SERIES 2004WHQ2 VERSUS CLARACONERLY RUSS A/K/A CLARAC.RUSS A/K/ACLARA RUSS

Byvirtueofand inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated April30, 2025, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office Complex, 1233 b k

Lot 578, Square N,which square isbounded by Sue Kerr Drive, Destrehan Av‐enue RedCedar Lane and Keith-Way Drive,and said Lot 578 com‐mencesata dis‐tance of 365feet from the intersection ofKeith-Way Drive andSue Ker Drive, and measures thence 60 feet front on SueKer Drive same in width across the rear,by a depth of 100feetbe‐tween equal and parallel lines;all as per surveymadeby J.J.Krebs & Sons,Inc., C.E. & S datedOcto‐ber 16, 1984, resurveyedDe‐cember21, 1984 to show improve‐ments desig‐nated as 3825 Sue KerDrive

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

DENNISWIG‐GINS,JR. Attorney for Plaintiff

November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $115

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

By virtue of and inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause, dated August 5, 2025, Ihave seizedand will proceed to sell tothe highest bidderatpublic auction,atthe Jefferson Parish Sheriff'sOffice Complex,1233 WestbankEx‐pressway, Har‐vey,Louisiana, 70058, on No‐vember19, 2025 at10o'clock a.m.the follow‐ing described propertytowit: ACERTAIN LOT ORPORTION OF GROUND, TO‐GETHERWITH ALL THE BUILDINGSAND IMPROVEMENTS THEREON, AND ALL OF THE RIGHTS, WAYS, PRIVILEGES, SERVITUDES, APPURTE‐NANCES AND ADVANTAGES THEREUNTOBE‐LONGINGORIN y Personal Check withBankLetter ofCredit.

That certain piece or portion ofground,to‐getherwithall the buildings and improvements thereon, andall the rights,ways, privileges, servitudes,ap‐purtenances andadvantages thereuntobe‐longing or in anywise apper‐taining,situated inthe State of Louisiana ParishofJeffer‐son,inTown‐ship14South Range 23 and24 East, SoutheastLake LandDistrictof Louisiana,west ofthe Missis‐sippi River, known as Harvey Canal Property, Jeffer‐son Parish Louisiana,for‐merly designate asParcel Q-2-B, which saidportion of ground has been resubdi‐vided into Woodmere South SubdivisionSec‐tion3,all as per planofresubdi‐visionmadeby J.J.Krebs & Sons, Inc.,C.E., &S., dated October 10, 1983, ap‐provedbythe Jefferson Parish Council by Ordinance No. 15784 recordedinCOB 1064, folio 925 and as perAct of Dedication be‐foreOdomB Heebe,N.P., dated February 2,1984 recordedinCOB 1067, folio 270 samebeing des‐ignatedasfol‐l

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025,

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:867-449 NEWREZ LLC D/B/ASHELL‐POINTMORT‐GAGE SERVIC‐ING VERSUS ANNA SCALLAN CULOTTA(A/K/A ANNA CULOTTA)

ANYWISEAP‐PERTAINING, SITUATED IN THE PARISH OF JEF‐FERSON, CITY OFKENNER, HIGHWAY PARK SUBDIVISION STATEOF LOUISIANA, BEINGA RESUB‐DIVISIONLOT "A-2-A" BOUNDEDBY IOWA AVENUE (SIDE)WEST NAPOLEONAV‐ENUE(AS PER SUBDIVISION PLAN), 23RDAV‐ENUE(PER STREET SIGN) ILLINOIS AV‐ENUEAND 25TH STREET (SIDE) ALL AS SHOWN ONPLANOFRE‐SUBDIVISION BY BFM CORPORATION, ANDFURTHER DESIGNATEDAS LOTS1-1 THROUGH A-11, MEASURINGAS FOLLOWS,TOWIT: LOTA-10, MEA‐SURES 53.00 FEET FRONTON ILLINOIS AV‐ENUE, SAME WITHIN THEREAR, BY A DEPTH OF 125.00 FEET BETWEEN EQUAL AND PARALLEL LINES. ALLAS PER SURVEY BY LUCIENC GASSEN, P.L.S., DATED JUNE 23, 1997.

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

EMILYA MUELLER

Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: October10, 2025, November 14, 2025

oct10-nov14-2t $91

JUDICIAL ADVERTISE‐MENT

24THJUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF JEFFERSON STATEOF LOUISIANA NO:868-979

VW CREDIT,INC VERSUS CLEMENT JASMIN

Byvirtueofand inobedience to a Writ of SEIZURE AND SALEfromthe 24thJudicial DistrictCourt, ParishofJeffer‐son,State of Louisiana,inthe above num‐bered andenti‐tledcause dated Septem‐ber 25, 2025, I haveseizedand willproceed to selltothe high‐est bidder at publicauction, atthe Jefferson ParishSheriff's Office Complex, 1233 Westbank Expressway, Harvey Louisiana, 70058, on De‐cember17, 2025 at10o'clock a.m.the follow‐ing described propertytowit: 2022

VOLKSWAGEN ATLASBEARING VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER 1V2WR2CA0NC5

40274

Stored: AVONDALE STORAGE 3110 HWY. 90 P. O. BOX9150 AVONDALE,LA

This sale is sub‐jecttoall supe‐riorsecurityin‐terests,mort‐gages,liens and privileges.

TERMS- Thefull purchaseprice isdue at the timeofthe sale

NOTE:All funds mustbe Cashier's Check, Certified Check, Money Order, or PersonalCheck withBankLetter ofCredit.

KATE SOTO‐LONGO Attorney for Plaintiff

JOSEPH P. LOPINTO, III Sheriff Parish of Jefferson

TheNew Orleans Advocate: November 14, 2025 -nov 14-2t $56.89

✓

Taste beignets in an array of imaginative dishes –dusted, topped, stuffed, and sandwiched–all in one place for one delicious day.

saturday,nov.15+ 10am-6pm NewOrleans City Park FestivalGrounds

BEIGNETFESTENTRY

•Buy ticketsat www.beignetfest.comorat theentry gate

•The entrygame is locatedat4 Friderichs Ave.,New Orleans, LA 70124

PARKING

•Parking throughout City Park is free of charge.DO NOTPARKONTHE GRASS

•Convenientpay-to-park at Deutches Haus at 1700 Moss, NewOrleans,LA 70119

•Parkoncitystreetsinthe surrounding neighborhoods. FOLLOW ALLPARKING REGULATIONSAND SIGNS

RIDSHARE OR TAXI

•Pleasedirectyour rideshareortaxidriverto theN.Carrollton to Dreyfous turnaround/loop just past Lelong Dr.onSouth Bound Wisner/ N. Carrollton Ave fordrop-off. NO DROP OFFS ALLOWED ON FRIEDERICHSAVENUE OR WISNER BOULEVARD

CANALSTREET

STREETCAR

•Takethe CanalStreet “Red”Streetcardown CanalStreettothe endof thelineand getoff at City Park.Fromthere,walk throughthe BigLakes walkingtrack over to the Festival Grounds.

BICYCLES

•There arebicycle racks at theentry gate or bicycles canbelocked up alongthe fenced perimeterofthe Festival Grounds.

WHAT TO BRING

•Credit/debitcard NO CASH

•Small bags and backpacks(17x12x10 in andunder)

•Festivalcollapsible chairs

•Strollers/wagonsfor children

•Picnicblankets(notto exceed 6x8ft.)

•Hand-held personal-sized umbrellas, hat, sunscreen

•Insulated cups and waterbottles allowed emptyuponentry

WHAT NOTTOBRING

•Nooutside food/beverage

•Nolarge or hard-sided coolers

•Nopop-uptents or canopies

•Noweapons,illegal drugsorother contraband

•Noglass allowedonthe Festival Grounds

•Nopetsofany kind except clearlymarked serviceanimals

•Nodronesora/v equipment

Emailinfo@beignetfest.comormessage

NewOrleans is famous forits festivals, food,and flair, butfor local familieswho have childrenwithautism, BeignetFestisabout more than indulgence.It’sabout creating acommunity whereevery child hasthe chance to thrive.Through everybite, everybeat, andevery step takenatBeignet Fest,you’rehelping to providemuch-needed resourcesand support forchildrenand familiestouched by autism.

In celebratingNew Orleansfood andculture at theannualBeignet Fest, we’realsocelebrating neurodiversity,inclusion,and thepower of community.Joinusinmakinga difference, onedelicious bite at atime. In theU.S., autism is found in about 1in31children

Autism affectsmorefamilies than youmight think. According to theCenters forDisease Controland Prevention (CDC), theprevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)inthe United States is estimatedto be 1in31children, making it more commonthanchildhood cancer, juvenile diabetes,and pediatricAIDScombined. In Louisiana, autism is themostfrequentlycited diagnosisinIndividualized Education Plans(IEPs)for students needingspecialized support.

Proceeds from theannualBeignet Fest support local autism programs,including ourveryown Camp Benny. Camp Bennyisaninclusive summercampinNew Orleansfor childrenonthe autism spectrum,run by theBeignet Fest Foundationinpartnership with Kidcam Camps. It provides a structured,sensory-friendlyenvironment with activities designed to foster social skills,communication,and confidence forcampers ages 6–12.

Youcan find outmoreabout Camp Benny at www.campbennynola.org.