The Times-Picayune 11-18-2025

“Wedon’thavealot of room forextra,bottomline.”

NEW ORLEANS MAyOR-ELECT HELENA MORENO

Moreno takeslead on 2026 budget

Mayor-electsayssteep spending cuts needed,plans targeted approach

BY BLAKE PATERSON Staff writer

Aweek after securing adeal with state officials to keep New Orleans government fundedthrough the end of the year,Mayor-elect Helena Moreno has taken thereins on crafting amunicipal budget for2026.

The City Council must approve next year’sbudget by Dec.1,and the body is taking its cues from Moreno, now the council vice president, as she and her transition team dive deeply into cityfinancestocome up with aspendingplan that reflects her first-year priorities.

Moreno’sproposalwill replace a plan putforward by MayorLaToya Cantrell in October,which the mayor-elect in recent weeks has

described as unworkable. That plan featured $200 million in spending cuts.

Moreno, in an interview Monday, said next year’sbudget will have to include even steeper spending cuts than Cantrell hadproposed,asthe city pays back a$125 million loan it’spreparing to take outtoaddress ashortage of cash and also catches up on late vendor payments.

But while Cantrell’sproposalfeatured 20% to 30% cuts to manydepartment budgets, Morenosaidshe’s planning to take amore targeted approach.Her priority,she said,is funding “public safety and essential services like sanitation.”

“Wedon’thave alot of room for extra, bottom line,” she said.

Moreno said she would release

more details ahead of the Dec. 1 meeting on what herproposal entails Electedwith55% of thevote in October,Moreno hasworkedinthe weeks since to find solutions for a cash flow crisis that threatened the city’sabilitytopay its workers. That included leading negotiations with stateofficials that resulted in the approval of the city’srequestlastweek by theState BondCommission to sell $125 million in short-term bonds to help makeends meet.

Spearheading Moreno’sbudget proposalare transition co-chair Emily Arata, an Ochsner Health executive and aformer deputy mayor in MayorMitch Landrieu’s

ä See MORENO, page 5A

Rouses acquires 10 Winn-Dixie locations

CEOsaysstores will be convertedearly next year

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

Rouses Markets is purchasing 10 Winn-Dixie locations in Louisianaand Mississippi from the Florida-based chain’sparent company,continuing its yearslong regional expansion and adding to its shareofthe local grocery market. Terms of the deal, announced on

Monday,were not disclosed. ButRouses CEO Donny Rouse Jr.said thestores —including alocation on Chef MenteurHighway in New Orleans Eastthat is one of the few grocery stores in the underserved area —will be converted to Rouses Markets early next year.All Winn-Dixie employees who meet Rouses’ hiringcriteria will be offered jobs.

“It’sabig opportunity for us and will be greatfor the community,” Rouse said Monday by phone. In addition to thestoreonChef MenteurHighway,locationsthat arepartof the deal include two JeffersonParish

stores (one in Kennerand oneinMarrero),three on the northshore, and one each in Destrehan, Gramercy,Central and Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

“Somelocations will be new markets for us,” saidRouse, the third-generation CEO of thecompany founded by his grandfather in 1960. “Others are existing markets where we already do well and wanted to expand.”

The deal comes two monthsafter Robert Fresh Market, another local chain, acquiredthe century-old

ä See ROUSES, page 4A

Health insurance cost hikes forecast

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

Victor McQuillen and his wife have relied on an Affordable Care Act marketplace planfor their health insurance formost of the past decade. This past year,itwas aBlue Cross andBlue Shield silverpolicythatcost themabout $300 a month. It saw them through health issues and the arrival of their newborn daughter

But whenthe 40-year-old freelance live audio engineer logged in to renew for2026, the number on his screen made him stop cold. The plan he’d been paying $300 amonth forwas now listed at roughly $2,000 amonth.

“If you qualify for any ACA benefits, then there’s no wayyou canafford to spend $2,000 a month,” he said.“That’sreally ajoke.It’snot a real number.Itmight as wellbe$10,000.”

For McQuillen andthousands of others across the state, those “not real” numbers areanearly glimpseofwhat’sahead if Congressallows the ACA’s enhanced premium tax credits to lapse after 2025.

The enhanced credits —beefed-up subsidies first created during the COVID-19pandemic— helpeddrive marketplace enrollment to record highs andbrought averagepremiumsdownto about $73 amonth in Louisiana.

The ACA’spremium tax credits lowerthe monthly costofhealth insurancefor people who buy coverage on the federal marketplace and have low or moderate incomes.

FEMA head quits unexpectedly aftersix months

BY MARK BALLARD and GABRIELA AOUN ANGUEIRA Staff and Associated Presswriters

SAN DIEGO Theacting chief of theFederal Emergency Management Agency left his job Monday after just six months, according to theDepartmentofHomeland Security,the latest disruption in ayear of massstaffdepartures, program cuts and policy upheaval at the agency charged with managing federal disaster response.

David Richardson is leaving the post after replacing previous acting head Cameron Hamilton.DHS did notcommentonthe reason forhis

ä See FEMA, page 5A

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

The Winn-Dixie on Chef Menteur HighwayinNew Orleans East is one of 10 locations in the region acquired by Rouses.

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

NewOrleans City Council Vice President and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno speaks withreportersafter ameetingwith NewOrleans officials and stateleaders at the State Capitol in Baton RougeonNov.5

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

Israeli settlerstorch

West Bank village

TEL AVIV,Israel Israelisettlers on Mondayrampagedthrough aPalestinianvillage in the occupiedWest Bank, torching homes and cars in the latest ina string of settler attacks in recent weeks. The violence drew arare condemnation from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top leaders.

Israel’smilitary said soldiers and police were sent to al-Jab’a, asmall village southwest of Bethlehem, after reports of fires and vandalism. The attack came hours after clashes betweenIsraeli security forces and settlers defending an unauthorized outpost on anearby hill facing evacuation and demolitiononMonday, according to COGAT, the Israeli military body that deals withcivilians in the West Bank.

Israeli police said earlier that six suspects were arrested in confrontations duringthe demolitions, where dozens of Israeli settlers were entrenchedand hundreds rioted, throwing stones and metal bars and burning tires

TheMonday night attack in alJab’a was the latest in agrowing wave of settler violencetohit West Bank villages, which has surged this fall as Palestinians take part in their annual olive harvest. Violence carried out by settlers andPalestinian militants have both spiked as the Israeli military has stepped up operations in theoccupiedWest Bank since the onset of the IsraelHamas war

The U.N. Humanitarian office reported that Octobersaw the highest number of Israeli settler attacks since tracking began with more than 260 incidents causing injuries or property damage. That’sontop of 2,660 settler attacksdocumented this year through the end of September.Six hundred ninety Palestinians and 38 Israelis have been killed this year during the uptick in violence across the territory Netanyahu called the settlers “a handful of extremists” and urged law enforcement to pursue them for “the attempt totake the law into their own hands.” Man charged in death of Oakland coach

OAKLAND,Calif. A27-year-old man was charged Monday with murder in the shooting death of celebrated former football coach John Beam, who died Friday after being shot in the head on the junior college campus in Oakland where he worked.

Cedric Irvingfaces 50 years to life if convicted, Alameda County District Attorney Ursula Jones Dickson said at aMonday pressconference. Irving also faces enhancement charges alleging he personally fireda gun that caused greatbodily injury and that the victim was particularly vulnerable, possibly dueto age, accordingtothe charging complaint.

Beam, 66, was agiantinthe local community,afather figure who forged deep relationships with his players while fielding ateam that regularly competed for championships. The Netflix docuseries “Last Chance U” focused on Beamand theLaney Eagles in its 2020 season. He’d mostrecentlybeen serving as the school’sathletic director afterretiringfrom coaching last year “He really is the best of Oakland—was thebest of Oakland,” JonesDicksonsaid. “His spirit is still here.”

The district attorney said Irving had no criminal record.He is being held without bail, and is scheduledtobearraigned Tuesday.The Alameda County Public Defender’sOffice saidithas not beenappointed to representIrving and declined to comment

U.N. approves U.S. Gazaplan

Resolution endorses international stabilization force

BY EDITH M. LEDERER Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS

The U.N.

Security Council on Monday approved aU.S. plan for Gaza that authorizes an international stabilization forcetoprovide security in the devastated territory and envisions apossible future path to an independent Palestinianstate. Russia, which had circulated arival resolution, abstained along with China on the 13-0vote. The U.S.and other countries had hoped Moscow would not use its veto power on the United Nations’ most powerful body to block the resolution’s adoption

Thevotewas acrucial next step for thefragile ceasefire and efforts to outline Gaza’sfuture following two years of warbetweenIsraeland Hamas. Arab andother Muslim countries that expressed interest in providingtroops foraninternational force had signaled that Security Council authorization was essential for theirparticipation.

The U.S.resolutionendorses PresidentDonald Trump’s20-point ceasefire plan, which calls for ayetto-be-established Board of Peace as atransitionalauthority that Trump would head.Italsoauthorizes thestabilization force and gives it awide mandate, including overseeing the borders, providing security and demilitarizing the territory.Authorization for theboard and force expire at the end of 2027.

U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz calledthe resolution “historic and constructive,” saying it startsa new

course in theMiddle East.

“Today’sresolution represents another significant step towardsa stable Gaza that will be able to prosper andanenvironment that will allow Israel to live in security,” he said. He stressedthat the resolution “is just thebeginning.”

During nearly two weeks of negotiations on the U.S. resolution, Arabnations and the Palestinians had pressedthe United States to strengthenlanguage aboutPalestinianself-determination.

But the proposal still gives no timelineorguarantee for an independent

state, only saying it’s possible after advances in the reconstruction of Gazaand reforms of thePalestinian Authority,which now governsparts of theWest Bank.

The U.S. revised the resolution to say that after those steps, “theconditions may finally be in place for acredible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”

“The United States will establish adialoguebetween Israel andthe Palestinians to agree on a political horizon forpeaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.

That language angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who hadvowed to oppose any attempt to establish aPalestinian state. He haslong asserted that creating a Palestinian state would reward Hamas and eventually lead to an even larger Hamas-run state on Israel’s borders.

Akey to theresolution’s adoption was support from Araband Muslim nations pushing fora ceasefire and potentially contributing to the internationalforce. The U.S.mission to theUnited Nations distributed ajoint statement Friday with Qatar,Egypt, UnitedArab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey calling for “swiftadoption” of the U.S. proposal. The vote took place amid hopes that Gaza’sfragile ceasefire would be maintained after awar set off by Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s more than two-year offensive has killed over 69,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, which doesn’tdistinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority arewomen and children.

JudgescoldsDOJ over missteps in Comeycase

BY ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Justice Department engaged in a “disturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps” in the process of securinganindictment against former FBI DirectorJames Comey, afederal judge ruledMonday in directing prosecutors to provide defense lawyers with allgrand jury materials fromthe case Those problems, wrote MagistrateJudge William Fitzpatrick, include “fundamental misstatements of the law” by aprosecutor to

the grand jury that indicted Comey in September,the use of potentially privileged communications during the investigation and unexplained irregularities in the transcript of the grand jury proceedings “The Court recognizes that the relief sought by the defense is rarely granted,”Fitzpatrick wrote. “However,the record pointstoadisturbing pattern of profound investigative missteps, missteps that led an FBI agentand aprosecutortopotentially undermine theintegrityof the grand jury proceeding.”

The 24-page opinion is the

mostblistering assessment yet by ajudge of the Justice Department’sactions leading up to the Comey indictment. It underscores how proceduralmissteps and prosecutorial inexperience have combinedtoimperil the prosecution pushedby President DonaldTrump for reasons separate and apart from thesubstance of thedisputedallegations againstComey The Comey case and a separate prosecution of New York Attorney General LetitiaJames have hastened concerns thatthe Justice Department is being weaponized in pursuit of Trump’s politicalopponents. Both defendantshave filed multiple motions to dismiss the cases

BY ERIK VERDUZCO,GARYD.ROBERTSON and BRIAN WITTE Associated Press

CHARLOTTE,N.C.

U.S. immigration agents arrestedmorethan130 people in aweekend sweep through North Carolina’slargestcity,a federal officialsaid Monday, as the governorwarned that thecrackdown is simply “stoking fear.”

TheTrump administration hasmade Charlotte, aDemocraticcity of about 950,000 people, its latest focus for an immigration enforcementsurge it says will combat crime, despite fierce objections from local leaders and declining crime rates. City residentsreported encounters with immigrationagents near churches, apartment complexesand stores.

“We’ve seen masked,heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb drivingunmarked cars,targeting American citizens based on their skin color,racially profiling andpicking up random people in parking lots and offofour sidewalks,”Gov.Josh Stein, aDemocrat, saidina video statement late Sunday.“This is not making us safer.It’sstokingfear anddividing our community.”

HomelandSecurity Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in astatement that Border Patrol officershad arrested “over 130illegalaliens whohave all broken” immigration laws. Theagency saidthe recordsofthose arrested included gang membership, aggravated assault,shoplifting and other crimes,but it did notsay

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT KELLEy Shana Blakesits in acagedressed as the Statue of Liberty on Mondayto protest federal lawenforcement presence in Charlotte, N.C.

how manycases had resulted in convictions, howmany people had been facing charges or any other details

Stein acknowledged that it was astressful time, but he called on residentstostay peaceful.Ifpeoplesee something they feel is wrong, he said they should record it and report it to local law enforcement.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Customs and BorderProtection, hassaiditisfocusing on North Carolinabecause of so-calledsanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local authorities and immigration agents. However,most North Carolina county jails have long honored “detainers,” or requests from federal officialstohold an arrested immigrant for alimited time so agentscan take custody of them. But some common, noncooperation policies have existed in ahandful of places in the state,including Charlotte, wherethe policedonot help with immigration enforcement In Mecklenburg County, which includes Charlotte,the jail did nothonor detainer requestsfor several years, until after state laweffectively made it mandatory starting last year.DHS alleged that about 1,400 detainers across North Carolina hadnot been honored, putting the public at risk. U.S. courts have repeatedly upheld the legality of sanctuary laws.

against them beforetrial,arguing that the prosecutions are improperly vindictive andthat the prosecutor who filedthe charges, Lindsey Halligan, was illegally appointed.

Adifferent judge is set to decide by Thanksgiving on the challenges by Comey and James to Halligan’sappointment.

Though grand jury proceedings are presumptively secret, Comey’slawyers hadsought records from the processout of concern that irregularities may have tainted the case. The sole prosecutor who defense lawyerssay presentedthe case to the grand jury was Halligan, aformer White House aide with no prior

prosecutorialexperience who was appointed just days before the indictment to the job of interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. In his order Monday, Fitzpatrick said that after reviewing the grand jury transcript himself, he had come away deeply concerned aboutthe integrity of the case.

“Here, the procedural and substantive irregularities that occurred before the grand jury,and the manner in whichevidencepresented to the grand jury was collected and used, may rise to the levelofgovernment misconduct resulting in prejudice to Mr.Comey,” Fitzpatrick said.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOByABDEL KAREEM HANA

APalestinian mancarries bags of firewood after collecting them Saturdayfrom the rubbish in Khan younis, southernGaza Strip.

Trumpnot rulingout military action againstVenezuela

President floats possible talks

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Monday did not rule out military action againstVenezuela despite bringing up apotential diplomatic opening with leader Nicolás Maduro,who has insisted that aU.S. military buildup andstrikes on alleged drug boats near his South American country are designed to push him out of office.

Trump reiterated that he “probably would talk to” Maduro, but underscored that he is not taking off the table the possibility of military action on Venezuelan territory “I don’trule out that. I don’trule out anything,”

Trump administration’s next stepstoward Maduro’s government.The U.S. has ratcheted up thepressurein recent days, saying it was expecting to designateasa terrorist organization acartel it says is ledbyMaduro and other high-level Venezuelan government officials.

TheUSS Gerald R. Ford and accompanying warships arrivedinthe Caribbean this weekendjustasthe U.S. military announced itslatestina seriesofstrikes against vesselssuspectedoftransporting drugs.

Ramsey,anexpert on U.S. policytowardVenezuela who is anonresident senior fellowatthe AtlanticCouncil

He pointed to the diplomatic talks the administration held withIran “right up untilthe point” that the U.S. military targeted Iran’snuclear facilities in June.

Trump told reportersinthe OvalOffice aday after he first floated the possibility of having “discussions” with Maduro.Trump,however, sidestepped questions about whether Maduro could say anythingtohim thatwould lead to theU.S. backing off its military show of force

“He’sdone tremendous damage to our country,” said Trump, tying Maduro to drugsand migrants coming into the U.S. from Venezuela. “He hasnot been good to theUnited States,sowe’ll see what happens.”

The comments deepened the uncertainty aboutthe

Theadministration says its actions are acounterdrug operation meanttostop narcotics from flowingtoAmerican cities,but some analysts, Venezuelans and the country’spolitical opposition see them as an escalating pressure tactic againstMaduro.

The Trumpadministration hasshown it “canturn policy on adime,” said Geoff

But, Ramsey added, the timing of Trump’sremarks —afterSecretaryofState Marco Rubio’s announcement of the impending terrorist designation of the Cartel de los Soles —underscores that theadministration does not want to repeat failed attempts at dialogue.

“They really want to negotiate from aplace of strength, andIthink theWhiteHouse is laying out an ultimatum for Maduro,” Ramseysaid.

“Either he engages in credible talks about atransition,orthe U.S. will have no choice but to escalate.”

Maduro has negotiated

with the U.S. and Venezuela’spolitical opposition for severalyears, mostnotably in the twoyears before the July2024 presidential election. Those negotiationsresulted in agreements meant to pave the way for afree anddemocraticelection, but Maduro repeatedly tested their limits, ultimately claiming victory despite credible evidence that he lost the contest by a2-to-1 margin. Among the concessions the U.S.madetoMaduro during negotiations was approval foroil giant Chevron Corp. to resume pumping andexporting Venezuelan oil. The corporation’sactivities in the South American country resulted in afinancial lifeline forMaduro’s government. Neither Maduro norhis chief negotiator,National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez, commented Monday on Trump’sremarks.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By EVAN VUCCI

President DonaldTrump answers questions from reporters Mondayduring ameeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington.

Langenstein’sand converted its locationstoRoberts, underscoring further consolidation in the local grocery market. For its part, Rouses has grown in recent years into aregional grocery giant. In 2010, theSchriever-based company had 37 stores. When the Winn-Dixie purchase is finalized early next year, Rouses will have 76 locationsinthe Gulf South between Lake Charles and Orange Beach,Alabama, and 8,000 employees.

The company now has the second-largestshare of the grocery market in the New Orleans area behind Walmart, with about 1in3 NewOrleanians buying groceries from Rouses.

Rouses is purchasing the WinnDixie stores from Southeastern Grocers, which also owns HarveysSupermarket. Southeastern has been downsizing and refocusing in recent yearsamid changing market conditions and increased competition.

In early 2024, it sold 400 stores across the region to Aldi, the discount chain known for its popular house brands. It then bought back 170 of the locations througha new partnership less than ayear later

Lastmonth,itannounced it would be pullingout of itsnonFlorida locations andrebranding as The Winn-DixieCompany Amongthe locallocations that will be shutting down is the longtime Winn-Dixie on Tchoupitoulas Street Uptown.

Winn-Dixie did not announce plans for two of its busiest locations in the local market —on North Carrollton Avenue in MidCity and Veterans Boulevard in Metairie. Rousesaidthey were not offered for sale. The 10 locations his company is buying were on offer,and those were the ones that made strategic sense.

That’sparticularly true of the store in New Orleans East, parts of which qualify as a“food desert,” an area with limitedaccess

INSURANCE

Continued from page1A

Before the pandemic, eligibilityfor subsidieswas limited to households earning between 100% and 400% of the federal poverty level, with the amount tied to how much of their income they were expected to spend on a benchmark plan.

Pandemic-era changes expanded the credits, lowered requiredpremium contributions and temporarily allowed people above the old income cutoff to qualify. But those changesare scheduled to expire at the end of 2025 unless Congress extends them.

According to estimates fromthe Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a nonpartisanresearchgroup that supports extending the subsidies, marketplace enrollees in every Louisiana congressional district would face steep premium hikesif Congress lets the enhanced tax credits expire. Across the state, a45-yearold earning $32,000 would seetheir annual premium more thantriple, according to the analysis.

The steepest increases appear in U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins’ 3rd District, though the pattern is consistent across the state. There, annual premiums for atypical family earning $130,000 would rise by more than $16,000, and a60-year-oldcouple could see a$29,000 jump, a406% surge that represents the most dramatic scenario in the state. Higgins’ office did notrespond to arequest for com-

to fresh food. The Chef Menteur Highway store will be Rouses’ first in that part of themarket andthe dealannouncing the store comes over ayear after several Dollar General stores pulled out of the East.Rouses officials in the past had cited thestores’ presence there as an impediment to their expansion

“Wewanttobesuccessful in that area and know what it will do for economic development,” Rouse said, adding thatthe company is encouraged by commitmentsfrom Mayor-elect Helena Moreno to focusoneconomicdevelopment in New Orleans.

“Wehad conversations withher abouther goals and plans for New OrleansEast and making sure we had support from her and the city

“For

to operate there,” he said.

Melanie Thompson, president of the Kingswood Neighborhood Association,saidshe welcomes any grocery store to the East,but Rouses in particular is awin.

“I’vealwaysgonetothe oneon Franklin (Avenue). Rouses has more local brands andthat’srefreshing,” she said. Thompson said she prefers the store because of its wider selection of vegetables and meats she can’tfind elsewhere.

Thesentimentwas echoed by Eva Washington, president of the Donna Villa Neighborhood Association and amember of New Orleans East Matters. She said it was “a blessing” to have aRouses.

“It’s very much needed. It’s gonna be an asset for the subdivision andthe community,” Washington

said.

Rouses will begin converting and rebranding its new stores in January,taking them over one at atime andspendingtwo weeks on the transition at each location. Duringthatperiod, each storewillbe closed for six or seven days while it is repainted and freshened up with new lighting and decor

The company plans major remodelsatthe Central and Hattiesburg locations and will begin working on those plans after the transition.

The projectswillinclude upgrades to store layouts, equipment and design. Over the next few years, all 10 stores will be remodeled.

“Our goal is to make this transition as smooth as possible,” Rouse said.

The10Winn-Dixie locations being purchased by Rouses are: n 9701 Chef Menteur Highway, NewOrleans n 4627 Westbank Expressway, Marrero n 12519 Airline Highway, Suite A, Destrehan n 2104 WilliamsBlvd., Kenner n 70431 La. 21, Covington n 4100 La. 59, Mandeville n 731 Washington St., Franklinton n 1803 La.

ment AccordingtoKeep Americans Covered, acoalition of health care groups, over 281,000Louisianans selected amarketplace plan for2025 coverage through the federal platform. Before the subsidy expansion, roughly100,000 residents were enrolled through the marketplace.

SarahJane Guidry,directorofpolicy and advocacy at CrescentCare, afederally qualifiedhealth center,said herstaff is alreadyhearing from patients discovering that aplan with amonthly premium of acouplehundreddollars is now closer to $1 000

“For people who don’t qualify for Medicaidand don’t get insurance through ajob, there are very,very fewoptions,” she said. Those options, sheadded, often boil down to going uninsured, relying onfreeclinics,or “compromisingyourfamily budget to compensatefor theseincreased costs, because youcannot gowithout health insurance.” Rob Harrison,a 44-yearoldlicensed clinical social worker in New Orleans, is feelingthe hikes on both sides. As atherapist in private practice, he’shad hisown health insurance through theACA forafew years andalso treatsclients

who depend on it.

Theplan he currently pays about $300 amonthfor —after aroughly $300 tax credit —will jump to about $850 a month. Hisdeductible would climb from $3,000 to $7,500.

“Obviously because of this, I’m going to have to go up on my rates alittlebit,” saidHarrison, who specializes in trauma therapy and worries his clients will have to prioritize other expenses, or that their deductibles will be too high for themtoget therapy.“It hasthis cascading effect.”

The timing is particularly harsh for Louisiana, where tens of thousands have already been removed from Medicaid as the state began rechecking eligibility for the first time since thepandemic.

In focusgroups andcommunity meetings,Guidry saidshe’s hearing more stories of people making major life decisions solely to preserve healthcoverage.

SomeLouisiana workers avoid raises or turn down full-timehours because earning more would push their family above subsidy limits.

Others delay getting married to keep household income low enough to qualify for assistance, she said.

TheSenate hasplans for aDecember voteonthe subsidies, but it’snot clear whether House Speaker MikeJohnson, R-Benton, will bringanextension bill to thefloor

On Friday,hetoldFox Businessthat he has not committed to bringing a vote,characterizing the enhanced credits as a“COVIDera boondoggle” created by

Democrats and designed to expire.

He said any extension would require“massive reforms,”including income capsand Hyde Amendment restrictions, which prevents the use of federal funds for abortionsexceptinsome circumstances.

In October news interviews, U.S.Rep.Steve Scalise, R-Metairie, indicated he didnot support extending thesubsidies.Instatements on social media, Higgins said he supports the endof thesubsidies.

If the credits wereextend-

ed in someform, theLouisiana Department of Insurance has previouslywarned that without direction from Congress, it cannot force insurers to adjust 2026 rates midyear,even if an extension passes later. That means familiesmay be stuck paying higher premiums all year In New Orleans, McQuillenistrying to figure out what to do as hisfamily adjusts to anew baby He could chase afull-time job with benefits, walking away fromthe flexibility of sound-engineering work in the city’smusic scene.

He could also drophis own coverage and keep only a stronger plan forhis wife and baby Still, he considers his familylucky,because he has contacts that could turn into ajob withinsurance. He worries that manygig workers will just go without.

“We’re gonnamake it,” he said. “Wemight have to have an employment shake-up or two, but we’ll be OK.A lot of other people won’t.”

Email Emily Woodruff at ewoodruff@theadvocate. com.

Continued from page 1A

departure.

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security extend their sincere appreciation to the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator, David Richardson, for his dedicated service and wish him continued success in his return to the private sector,” a DHS spokesperson told The Associated Press.

A former Marine Corps officer who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and also led the DHS Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction office, Richardson had no previous emergency management experience when he assumed the role of “senior official performing the duties of administrator” in May

Former Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves

said Monday he’s not interested in becoming the new head of FEMA.

Speaking moments after Richardson’s resignation became public, Graves said, “That job is critical. The agency is a mess and does need fundamental reform including the states playing a beefier role in disaster prevention and response But I’m not a good bureaucrat, don’t have patience for slow change and would get fired within a few weeks. So, I’m just going to jump to the conclusion and not get fired.”

Representing hurricaneprone south Louisiana, Graves, a Republican representative, became wellversed in FEMA’s protocols and procedures.

Members of the Trump administration spoke to him about leading FEMA. Graves stepped down from his House seat at the beginning of this year

President Donald Trump who has said he might shut down the agency, appointed

remove FEMA from the Department of Homeland Security and elevate the FEMA head to a Cabinet position, along with other changes to revamp the agency

“When disaster strikes, like we saw at Camp Mystic, Louisiana needs a rapid, toptier federal response. I look forward to working with the next FEMA Director to make it stronger,” said U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge.

administration, and the leaders of her transition’s finance and operational excellence committee: GNO Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht, former Landrieu aide and former state Sen. Ann Duplessis and Vanessa Brown Claiborne, president and CEO of the local investment and banking firm Chaffe & Associates

Together, they’ve spent the past few weeks meeting with every single city department to get a better understanding of existing contracts, funding needs and staffing levels, Moreno said.

Moreno’s transition team, which is privately funded by donations, also hired a pair of consulting firms, HR&A Advisors and PFM Financial Advisors, to help craft a budget. Moreno said PFM is scheduled to brief her on Tuesday Council member Joe Giarrusso, who heads the council’s Budget Committee, said it makes sense for Moreno to have an outsized role in crafting the budget given that the spending plan will ultimately be hers to follow The city is planning to pay back much of the $125 million in bonds in January, when it receives the bulk of its tax receipts. Giarrusso said it’s likely the payback will eat into the city’s general fund spending next year Instead of the $725 million in general fund expenses that Cantrell proposed, next year’s budget will likely include around $600 million, Giarrusso said.

The budget proposal is just one component of Moreno’s efforts to lay the groundwork for her incoming administration.

Her transition team in recent weeks has posted several job listings that offer a hint at how Moreno plans to organize City Hall. She’s seeking applications for a chief financial officer, which

a task force to recommend changes to the agency that takes the lead in helping communities prepare for and rebound from natural disasters.

Meanwhile, Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo. and chair of the House Transportation Committee on which Garret Graves served, has prepared legislation that would

Upon replacing Hamilton, who was fired one day after telling a House Appropriations Committee that he did not think FEMA should be eliminated, Richardson affirmed his commitment to Trump’s goal to push more disaster recovery responsibilities to the states and told FEMA employees he would “run right over” any staff who tried to obstruct that mission.

“In Louisiana, we know better than anyone that storms are getting stronger and lasting longer I’ve been

critical of FEMA, and believe it needs reforms, but gutting this agency and leaving it without real leadership is reckless and dangerous,” said U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans. “I hope the Trump administration starts taking this role seriously and actually takes the time to nominate a qualified and experienced candidate for Senate confirmation.” But Richardson’s effectiveness in leading the agency was questioned by members of Congress and FEMA staff. When asked by a House committee why he did not arrive on the ground until one week after deadly July floods killed at least 136 people in central Texas, Richardson said he stayed in Washington, D.C., to “kick down the doors of bureaucracy,” but also said he was camping with his sons when the floods first hit over the July 4 weekend and initially helped manage the response from inside his truck.

would report to the chief administrative officer and manage the city’s finance director, a job now held by Romy Samuel. She’s also seeking a chief innovation officer that would oversee the city’s information technology and data teams. The city’s Office of Information Technology and Innovation is now overseen by Chief Information Officer Kimberly LaGrue.

Moreno is also accepting applications for a chief human resources director, chief of staff, executive assistant and directors overseeing finance, code enforcement, homeland security and emergency preparedness, property management, parks and parkways, public works, safety and permits, and sanitation

She’s also hiring a new chief administrative officer and a city attorney. Todd Ragusa, a spokesperson for the transition team, said the mayor-elect is hoping to announce her picks for those two positions sometime in December

Earlier this month, she released a list of the more than 300 people on her transition policy subcommittees.

A news release describes those subcommittees as the “engine of the transition, tasked with transforming campaign commitments into actionable policy, opera-

tional improvements, and a blueprint for a government rooted in accountability, service and urgency.”

Ragusa said the transition committees will come up with recommendations to guide Moreno’s first 100 days and first term, and that Moreno will hold public meetings to gather input on those suggestions after she takes office.

On Friday, her transition also announced that Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson would serve as the “honorary chair” of the committee overseeing planning and coordination for her inauguration, which is Jan. 12.

The inauguration committee’s co-chairs include Rico Alvendia, a personal injury lawyer and partner at AKD Alvendia; Sheila Burns, the senior vice president of Global Parking Systems; Jennifer Sneed Heebe, a former state representative and former Jefferson Parish Council member; Barry Kern, president and CEO of Kern Studios and Mardi Gras World; and Dottie Reese, co-founder and principal of DMM & Associates, a consulting firm, and the president of the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate. com.

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By J SCOTT APPLEWHITE

Former Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves said Monday he’s not interested in becoming the new head of FEMA.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans City Council Vice President and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno listens to a discussion about the city’s financial issues during an emergency City Council meeting on Oct 22.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Falling stars drag stock market lower

The U.S. stock market sank Monday as Nvidia and other superstars created by the frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology dimmed some more.

The S&P 500 fell 0.9% and pulled further from its all-time high set late last month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 557 points, or 1.2%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.8%.

Nvidia was the heaviest weight on the market, as it’s often been in its last couple of tumultuous weeks. The chip company fell 1.8%, while losses for other AI winners included a 6.4% slide for Super Micro Computer.

Other areas of the market that had been high-momentum winners also sank. Bitcoin fell below $92,000, down from nearly $125,000 last month, for example. That helped drag down Coinbase Global by 7.1% and Robinhood Markets by 5.3%.

Critics have been warning that the U.S. stock market could be primed for a drop because of how high prices have shot since April, leaving them looking too expensive. Critics point in particular to stocks swept up in the AI mania, which have been surging at spectacular speeds for years.

Wegovy prices cut but challenges remain

Novo Nordisk is chopping prices again for Wegovy, but doctors say the expense will remain challenging for patients without insurance.

The drugmaker said Monday that it has started selling higher doses of the injectable obesity treatment for $349 a month to patients paying the full bill. That’s down from $499, and in line with terms of a drug pricing agreement outlined earlier this month by President Donald Trump’s administration.

Novo also started a temporary offer of $199 a month for the first two months of low doses of Wegovy and the drug’s counterpart for diabetes, Ozempic. The new pricing will be available at pharmacies nationwide, through home delivery and from some telemedicine providers.

Rival Eli Lilly also plans price breaks for its weight-loss drug Zepbound once it gets a new, multi-dose pen on the market. Lilly has said it will sell a starter dose of Zepbound for $299 a month and additional doses at up to $449. Both represent $50 reductions from current prices for sales directly to patients.

Suit claims Costco’s tequilas are low-grade

A new lawsuit alleges that some of Costco’s Kirklandbrand tequilas aren’t as premium as their labels might suggest.

Some Kirkland tequila brands that claim to contain only alcohol distilled from the blue agave plant actually include other, lesser-quality alcohols, according to a suit filed Friday on behalf of 13 aggrieved tequila drinkers in Washington and eight other states

Tests found that some of the Kirkland-brand tequilas were so adulterated they didn’t even qualify as tequila under Mexican law, according to the suit. The case, which follows similar litigation in other states, drags Costco into a high-spirited, if little-known, controversy involving claims of deceptive marketing, duped American consumers and outraged Mexican agave farmers.

This case “exposes a highstakes deception at the heart of the growing and increasingly popular premium tequila market,” declares the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court Costco did not respond to questions. Mexican law allows tequila to contain up to 49% alcohol from nonagave sources, such as cane sugar or corn syrup. However, products made from 100% agave command a higher price and are big sellers in the U.S. spirits market.

BUSINESS

NOLA.COM/BIZ

Japan’s economy contracts, data reveals

Company’s exports get hit by U.S. tariffs

BY YURI KAGEYAMA AP business writer

TOKYO Japan’s economy contracted at a 1.8% annual pace in July-September as President Donald Trump’s tariffs hit exports and private residential investment plunged.

Data released by the government Monday showed that on a quarter-by-quarter basis, Japan’s gross domestic product, the sum value of its goods and services, slipped 0.4%, the first contraction in six quarters. The annualized rate shows what

the economy would have done if the same rate were to continue for a year In the April-June quarter, the Japanese economy grew 0.6% on quarter, while in the JanuaryMarch period, it grew 0.2%.

Exports fell 4.5% in annual terms in the three months through September As Trump implemented higher tariffs on imports from many countries earlier this year, businesses ramped up their exports to try to beat higher costs. That inflated some of the earlier data for exports.

Imports for the third quarter slipped 0.1% Private consumption edged up 0.1% during the quarter Analysts said a 9.4% quarter-on-

quarter drop in private residential investment which translates to a 32.5% drop in annualized terms, was mainly due to revisions of Japan’s building code that caused housing starts to plunge after they took effect in April, the start of Japan’s fiscal year

Tariffs are a major blow to Japan’s export-reliant economy, led by powerful automakers like Toyota Motor Corp., although many manufacturers have moved production abroad to avert the impact from tariffs and other trade controls

The U.S. imposes a 15% tariff surcharge on nearly all Japanese imports. That’s down from Trump’s earlier plan for a 25% tariff.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who took office in October has vowed to revive the economy and is expected to boost government spending, among other policies. That could complicate the central bank’s efforts to rein in inflation by raising interest rates from their longstanding level near zero. The lackluster level of activity in the last quarter means a possible rate hike in December is unlikely, Marcel Thieliant of Capital Economics said in a report. But initial data for this quarter and surveys of business sentiment suggest the economy may improve in coming months, and the Bank of Japan may resume raising interest rates early in 2026, he said.

U.S. consumers falling behind on utility bills, analysis shows

Delinquencies may be an indication of bigger troubles

BY JOSH BOAK Associated Press

WASHINGTON — More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep the lights on and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data — a warning sign for the U.S. economy and another political headache for President Donald Trump.

Past due balances to utility companies jumped 9.7% annually to $789 between the April-June periods of 2024 and 2025, said The Century Foundation, a liberal think tank, and the advocacy group Protect Borrowers. The increase has overlapped with a 12% jump in monthly energy bills during the same period.

Consumers usually prioritize their utility bills along with their mortgages and auto debt, said Julie Margetta Morgan, the foundation’s president. The increase in both energy costs and delinquencies may suggest that consumers are falling behind on other bills, too.

“There’s a lot of information out there about rising utility costs, but here we can actually look at what that impact has been on families in terms of how they’re falling behind,” Margetta Morgan said.

Troubles paying electricity and natural gas bills reflect something of an economic quandary for Trump, who is promoting the buildout of the artificial intelligence industry as a key part of an economic boom he has promised for America. But AI data centers are known for their massive use of electricity, and threaten to further increase utility bills for everyday Americans.

These troubles also come as Trump faces political pressure from voters fed up with the high cost of living.

Ever since Republicans saw their fortunes sag in off-year elections this month and affordability was identified as the top issue, Trump has been trying to convince the public that prices are falling. Fast-rising electricity bills could be an issue in some congressional battlegrounds in next year’s midterm elections. Trump has put a particular emphasis on prices at the pump.

Gasoline accounts for about 3% of the consumer price index, slightly less than the share belonging to electricity and natural gas bills — meaning that possible savings on gasoline could be more than offset by higher utility bills.

The president maintains that any troubling data on inflation is false and that Democrats are simply trying to hurt his administration’s reputation.

ASSOCIATED

More people are falling behind on paying their bills to keep the lights on and heat their homes, according to a new analysis of consumer data.

“In fact, costs under the TRUMP ADMINISTRATION are tumbling down, helped greatly by gasoline and ENERGY,” Trump posted on social media Friday “Affordability is a lie when used by the Dems.”

Nearly 6 million households have utility debt “so severe” that it will soon be reported to collection agencies, according to the foundation’s analysis, drawn from the University of California Consumer Credit Panel.

During Trump’s first six months in office, there was a 3.8% increase in households with severely overdue utility bills.

“Voters are frustrated and families are hurting because these tech giants are cutting backroom deals with politicians, and it’s causing their power bills to go up,” said Mike Pierce, executive director of Protect Borrowers. “If the Trump administration doesn’t want to do its job and protect families and make life more affordable, I guess that’s its choice.”

Both Margetta Morgan and Pierce previously worked at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a government agency formed in part to track trends in household borrowing to prevent potential abuses. The Trump administration has essentially shut down the bureau.

The administration has so far said it has no

responsibility for any increases in electricity prices, since those are often regulated by state utility boards. The White House maintains that utility costs are higher in Democratic states that rely on renewable forms of energy

“Electricity prices are a state problem,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told ABC News this month. “There are things that the federal government can control. Local electricity prices are not one of them.”

The new analysis of utility bills by the groups counters that the Trump administration is contributing to higher utility costs “by impeding renewable energy generation” including solar and wind power

While that analysis is a warning sign, other economic analyses on consumers suggest their finances are stable despite some emerging pressures. The New York Federal Reserve has said delinquency rates of 90 days or more for mortgages, auto loans and student debt have each increased over the past 12 months, though it said mortgage delinquencies are “relatively low.”

An analysis of debit and credit card spending by the Bank of America Institute showed that consumers’ “overall financial health looks sound.”

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates The biennial Dubai Air Show opened on Monday with hometown airline

Emirates ordering 65 of Boeing’s upcoming 777-9 aircraft, as the carrier looks to increase its fleet with record earnings and unending demand for flights through this East-West travel hub.

Emirates valued the deal with Boeing and GE Engines at $38 billion at list prices, although airlines often negotiate lower prices in major orders.

The announcement brings the total of Boeing 777-9s on order for Emirates to 270, making it Boeing’s largest customer for the aircraft, even as the plane has suf-

fered repeated delays in entering service.

Emirates relies heavily on the double-decker Airbus A380 and the Boeing 777, and has also started flying the Airbus A350.

“It’s a long-term commitment that supports hundreds of thousands of high-value factory jobs, and it reinforces our 40-year partnership with Boeing and GE,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman and chief executive of Emirates.

“Emirates is already the world’s largest operator of the 777 all powered by the GE engines — and after today’s order, I expect to remain the biggest 777 operator for the years to come.”

Sheikh Ahmed added that Emirates continued to encourage man-

ufacturers to build larger aircraft with more capacity as air travel is only expected to grow However he smiled and looked at Boeing when putting forward his hopedfor timeline for putting the 777-9 in service for Emirates.

“We look forward to receiving delivery of our first 777-9s starting from the second quarter of 2027,” he said.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, offered no timeline for the plane’s entry to service in her brief remarks.

“The 777-9 will further support Emirates’ mission to connect people and places around the globe like never before,” she said.

The officials took no questions from journalists after the an-

nouncement. Meanwhile, Boeing announced a firm order of 11 Boeing 737-8 MAX aircraft by Ethiopian Airlines and Air Côte d’Ivoir made a firm order of four Embraer E175 aircraft. Air Senegal later ordered nine Boeing 787-8

No jail for pilot who tried to cut engines midair

BY CLAIRE RUSH Associated Press

PORTLAND, Ore. — A former Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to cut the engines of a passenger flight in 2023 while riding off-duty in the cockpit will serve no prison time, a federal judge ruled Monday, bringing an end to a case that drew attention to the need for more mental health support for pilots

U.S. District Court Judge Amy Baggio sentenced Joseph Emerson to credit for time served and supervised release for three years at a hearing in Portland, Oregon. Federal prosecutors had asked for one year in prison, while his attorneys had sought probation.

“Pilots are not perfect. They are human,” she said. “They are people, and all people need help sometimes.”

Emerson was subdued by the flight crew after trying to cut the engines of a Horizon Air flight from Everett, Washington, to San Francisco on Oct. 22, 2023, while he was riding in an extra seat in the cockpit. The plane was diverted to Portland, where it landed safely with more than 80 people on board After his arrest, Emerson told police he was despondent over a friend’s recent

death, had taken psychedelic mushrooms about two days earlier, and hadn’t slept in over 40 hours. He has said he believed he was dreaming at the time and that he was trying to wake himself up by grabbing two red

handles that would have activated the plane’s fire suppression system and cut off fuel to its engines Baggio said it “offers a cautionary tale worth telling beyond the confines of this case.”

Gunmen abduct 25 girls from high school in Nigeria

BY OPE ADETAYO and DYEPKAZAH SHIBAYAN Associated Press

ABUJA, Nigeria Gunmen attacked a high school in northwestern Nigeria before dawn on Monday, taking 25 schoolgirls and killing at least one staffer, authorities said of the latest abduction of students in the region No group immediately claimed responsibility for abducting the girls from the boarding school in Kebbi state, and their motivation was unclear Nigeria is facing a multidimensional security challenge, specifically from amorphous groups of armed bandits who specialize in kidnapping for ransoms — sometimes totaling thousands of dollars — and have been responsible for several high-profile abductions across Nigeria’s northern region. Kidnappings, attacks on villages and along major roads have become common because of the limited security presence. Those bandits are not connected to militant groups such as Boko Haram and the splinter group Islamic State West Africa Province, whose attacks on communities and government installations are motivated by religion.

Police said the boarding schoolgirls were taken from their dorms at 4 a.m. Monday The school is in Maga, in the state’s Danko-Wasagu area, police spokesperson Nafi’u Abubakar Kotarkoshi said. The assailants were armed with “sophisticated weapons” and exchanged fire with guards before abducting the girls, Kotarkoshi said.

BY ILLIA NOVIKOV

Associated Press

KYIV,Ukraine A drone struck a Turkish-flagged tanker and set it ablaze on Monday in southern Ukraine’s Odesa region, officials said, a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a deal to import U.S. liquefied natural gas through the area.

The MT Orinda was hit during the offloading of liquefied petroleum gas at Izmail port, Turkey’s Directorate for Maritime Affairs said All 16 crew on board evacuated and

no one was hurt, it said. Russia has used drones, missiles and artillery to repeatedly batter the Odesa region, especially its Black Sea ports, since its full-scale invasion of its neighbor nearly four years ago There was no immediate Russia comment Monday Ukrainian officials didn’t comment specifically on the tanker, although regional military administration head Oleh Kiper said Russian drones attacked the Odesa region overnight and damaged energy and port

infrastructure in several cities.

The attack sparked multiple fires and damaged an unspecified number of civilian vessels, Kiper said, adding that one person was injured.

Izmail lies on a Black Sea estuary and is one of a string of ports that are vital for Ukrainian imports and exports. With Russia also targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy is trying to ensure gas and other energy imports that can help see his country through the approaching winter

Before she announced the sentence, Emerson spoke and said he regretted the harm he caused to society

“I’m not a victim. I am here as a direct result of my actions,” he told the court.

“I can tell you that this very tragic event has forced me to grow as an individual.”

He hugged his attorneys and shared a tearful embrace with his wife after the judge announced his sentence.

Multiple people spoke on Emerson’s behalf at the hearing, including his wife, Sarah Stretch, who told the judge how the incident had impacted their family

“I am so sorry for those that it’s impacted as much as it has. But I am extremely proud to be here with this man today, because the growth that he has had from this terrible experience has not only helped him, but benefited all that surround him,” she said through tears.

“I just hope people realize that it’s not necessarily the mistake itself but how you respond to it. He has

responded with courage, strength and demonstration of extreme resiliency.” Emerson had pleaded guilty or no-contest to all charges against him in September as part of agreements with state and federal prosecutors. Emerson, of Pleasant Hill, California, was charged in federal court with interfering with a flight crew. A state indictment in Oregon separately charged him with 83 counts of endangering another person and one count of endangering an aircraft He was released from custody pending trial in December 2023, with requirements that he undergo mental health services, stay off drugs and alcohol, and keep away from aircraft. A state court sentenced him to 50 days in jail with credit for time served, plus five years of probation, 664 hours of community service — eight hours for each person he endangered and over $60,000 in restitution, nearly all of it to Alaska Air Group.

Hundreds of Guard troops deployed to Portland, Chicago to be sent home

BY JULIE WATSON Associated Press

Hundreds of National Guard troops deployed to Chicago and Portland, Oregon, are being sent home, and those who will remain will continue to stay off the streets amid court battles over their domestic mission by the Trump administration, a defense official said Monday

The withdrawal of soldiers — sent from California and Texas — is part of a larger change to troop deployments after President Donald Trump began his immigration crackdown in various cities with Democratic leadership. The official was not authorized to publicly discuss the issue and requested anonymity.

U.S. Northern Command said in a statement Sunday it was “shifting and/or rightsizing” units in Portland,

Los Angeles and Chicago, although it said there would be a “constant, enduring, and long-term presence in each city.”

In the coming days, all 200 California National Guard troops currently deployed to Portland will be sent home, the official said. The military also plans to cut the number of Oregon National Guard troops on deployment there from 200 soldiers to 100, the official said.

About 200 Texas National Guard troops in Chicago also are being sent home and about 200 soldiers will be on standby at Fort Bliss, an Army base that stretches across parts of Texas and New Mexico, the official said.

About 300 Illinois National Guard troops will remain in the Chicago area, also doing training, but they currently are not legally allowed to conduct operations with the

Department of Homeland Security, the official said. The official said the upcoming holiday season may have played a role in the change in deployments. Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for California Gov Gavin Newsom, applauded the return of all California National Guard troops in Oregon, saying Trump “never should have illegally deployed our troops in the first place.”

“We’re glad they’re finally coming home,” she wrote in an email. “It’s long overdue!” Oregon Gov Tina Kotek called on the Trump administration to demobilize the remaining 100 troops in her state, as well. Illinois Gov JB Pritzker said the Trump administration doesn’t communicate its plans with state leaders and was still threatening to federalize more troops.

EPA moves to limit scope of clean water law to reduce wetlands covered

BY MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

WASHINGTON The Environmental Protection Agency announced Monday it is redefining the scope of the nation’s bedrock clean water law to significantly limit the wetlands it covers, building on a Supreme Court decision two years ago that removed federal protections for vast areas.

When finalized, the new “Waters of the United States” rule will ensure that federal jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act is focused on relatively per-

manent, standing or continuously flowing bodies of water, such as streams, oceans, rivers and lakes, along with wetlands that are directly connected to such bodies of water the EPA said.

The proposal is among dozens of environmental regulations being rolled back by the Trump administration as part of what EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says is a concerted effort to accelerate economic prosperity while putting “ a dagger through the heart of climate change religion.”

Critics call the water rule a

giveaway to ranchers and industry

At a news conference at agency headquarters, Zeldin said the new rule will fully implement the direction provided by the Supreme Court in a case known as Sackett v. EPA The 2023 ruling sharply limited the federal government’s authority to police water pollution into certain wetlands, and boosted property rights over concerns about clean water in a ruling in favor of Michael and Chantell Sackett, an Idaho couple who sought to build a house near a lake.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MOLLy J SMITH

Former Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph Emerson, center, walks into U.S District Court on Monday in Portland, Ore.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DEENI JIBO

The dormitories where gunmen kidnapped schoolchildren sit empty Monday in Kebbi, Nigeria.

JanRisher

LOUISIANA AT LARGE

‘The steamboat made it what it is’

My husband and Ihave been visiting thetownofWashington’s Old Schoolhouse AntiqueMall in St. Landry Parish for more than 20 years —long enough that walking through its doors feels like steppinginto afamiliar yet slightly dusty,slightly magical space. Every time we go, Ithink, “Weshould come here moreoften.”

Most recently,wedrove to Washington to meet friends for lunch. They were comingfrom Pineville and Lafayette.Washington seemed like the perfect midpoint. We met at theOld Courtableau Café and had the kindoflunch that turns into an early afternoon withoutanyone noticing.

At various points through the years, Washington has struck me as aplace that hovers between its glorious past and an uncertain present, buildings with personality —chipped columns, sagging porches, stories in everywindow But this time,something felt different.

There was alightness.Paint— actualfresh paint. There was a sense that Washington had taken adeep breath and was sitting up alittle straighter Walking downtown after lunch, my friends andIwanderedinto Hotel Klaus, the new boutique hotel owned by Stephen Ortego. And then —intrue Louisiana fashion —webumped into Ortego himself. He was headed toward the pool carryingafamily-size bag of Tostitos like it was completely normal. He was getting readyfor apool party he was hosting that afternoon. We recognized each other,and suddenly we were getting atour of the nine-room hotel andthe soon-to-open-thisweekend Portrait Galleryand Lounge. Even under construction, the lounge made me stopand blink. Old portraits were leaning against the walls —some elegant, some stern, somea little wild-eyed —gazing out like they’d been waiting for company.

“Wewere tryingtorecycle furniture and needed artwork,” Stephen explained. “Someone offered their mother’sportrait. Then alady in town said, ‘Why don’tyou just ask people for their portraits?’” We couldn’ttake our eyes off theportraits. The randomness somehow made the room feel intentional.

It was just the right amount of whimsy and community

“People have these old pictures they don’twant staring at them in their own house,” he said. “But they’ll happily hang themina bar —sothey can cometoast their mom.” Seeing him again bent time in that strange way reunions do. He’s 41 now,but Ifirst met him in 2007, when he was acollege student who walked into the newsroom with the confidence only a23-year-old canpull off and announced he was running for the state Legislature

He lost that first racebut won the next at 27, served four years, and eventually shifted into adifferent kind of public service the kind that involves restoring old buildings, starting businesses and believingasmall town still has potential. When we spoke again by phone this week, he slipped easily from hotel owner to historian.

“Washington was established in 1720,” he said. “A lot happened here in the 1820swhen

METRO

NOLA.COM | Tuesday, November 18, 2025 1bN

Duncan savors wininclerk race

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

Calvin Duncan was back at work MondayatLoyolaUniversity’sJesuit SocialResearch Institute after monthsonthe campaign trail, savoring his dominant win against incumbentDarren Lombard in the runofffor Orleans Parish criminal clerk of court. Duncan,62, called hispending joba dreamsince he waslocked up for murder 40 years ago and working as an inmate counsel at the Louisiana State Penitentiary at Angola, before his releasein 2011 under aplea deal to lesser charges.

Duncan wasconvicted of murder in the1980s fora killing in Treme, though he maintained his innocence over decades as he advocatedfor others from prison. A judge in 2021 vacated hisconvic-

tion based on his innocence claim His strugglesobtaining records for himself and others from OrleansParish played prominently in his campaign. “It’sbeen my dream .tomake it so nobody has to fight for their records. Evidence shouldn’tbelost and 30 years later tested and it’s discovered, ‘Oh, we got the wrong person,’”Duncan said Monday.“I wish Icould start right nowtoday.”

His win over Lombard, who hails from aprominentpolitical family with apedigreeincourt clerking, was convincing. Duncan won 68% to 32% withturnout abit higher than expected.

Duncan, who takes office in

ORLEANSPARISH

May,saidhetoured churches in New Orleans East on Sunday with former council member Cynthia Willard-Lewis to thank supporters. He credited his wintoacampaign supported by acriminal justice reformmovementthathas strengthened itspoliticalpower in thecity over the course of several election cycles. The same coalitionhelped propel Sheriff Susan Hutson, several progressive judgesand District Attorney Jason Williams intooffice after successes helping pass aslew of statewide justice reformsunder then-Gov.John Bel Edwards. Duncan credited hisshowing among the city’svoters partly to Lombard’sattack on his claimed exoneration,and aweariness

Claiborneclarity

among voters forgrubby politics. “That was amessage by New Orleanspeople forsure,that we’re not goingtotolerate politics being an institution where people display their meanness,” he said. “Everybody is participating in this democratic process, and they shouldn’tbeintimidated by ugly attacks like that.”

Lombard issued astatement late Saturdaycongratulating Duncan, who said Monday thathehadn’t yet spoken to the clerk about a transition.

Duncan outraised and outspent Lombard, campaign finance reports show.Lombard raised about $34,000 over alittle more than a monththrough Oct. 26 and lent his campaign another $50,000, recent filings show.Duncan raised $126,000 over the sameperiod.

the

overpass. For afew lucky months, that lowmorning

BYVICTOR ANDREWS Staff writer

Twotop-tier singers will be the headliners at theannual party that wraps up one of Carnival’s biggestparades the weekend before Mardi Gras.

Gwen Stefaniand BlakeShelton will be thefeaturedentertainment at the Endymion Extravaganza in the Caesars Superdome during Carnival, withlocal Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy servingasthe krewe’sco-grand marshal The mammothparaderolls through thecitySaturday, Feb. 14, ending at the domed stadium for an evening with ahost of nationaland local entertainment.

Three-time Grammy winner Stefaniwas the vocalistfor No Doubt and catapulted to solo stardom with “Hollaback Girl” and“The Sweet Escape,” “Used

to Love You” and “Swallow My Tears.”

Country star Shelton has amassed abounty of awardsincluding People’s Choice Awards, CountryMusic Association and AcademyofCountryMusic honors. His most recentsingle is “Texas,” andhehas collaborated with Stefani. Hardy,founderofthe annual Arthur Hardy’sMardi Gras Guide magazine, will be honored forhis contributions to the local celebration. The formerbanddirector-turnedCarnivalauthority announced his retirement following this year’scelebration and thepublication of his50th issue. Themagazine is nowpublished by Georges Media, parent company of TheTimes-Picayune and nola.com. Tickets for the extravaganza andadditional information on the eventare available at endymion.

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

Three of the six defendants charged in the death of awouldbe robber whowas shot when authorities say his intended targets instead tried to rob him have pleaded guilty in the case, according to Jefferson Parish court records. Jeremy Norrman, 29, of Waggaman, died Feb. 16, 2024, of a “survivable” gunshot wound to the leg he sufferedwhenthe rival robbery plots converged insideaDolores Drive home in Marrero, according to Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office investigators. Norrman went to the house under the guise of buying agun, but he actually intended to rob thehome’soccupants, accordingtoauthorities. Those same occupants, who’d arranged to sell thegun,alsointendedtorob

him,investigators said. Norrman’sgetaway driver, Booker McKinley, 58, on Nov.6 pleaded guilty to negligent homicide. McKinley admitted to drivingaroundfor more than hour after thebotched robbery and shooting before taking his friend to the hospital fortreatment. By the timeMcKinley droppedNorrmanoff at West JeffersonMedical Center,he was already dead,Sheriff’s Office investigators said. McKinley hadbeencharged with manslaughter butagreed to plead to the lessercharge. Judge E. AdrianAdams, of the 24th Judicial District Court, sentenced him to fiveyears in prison withcreditfor time servedsincehis arrest, according to court records.

Twoother defendants,

See ROBBERY, page 2B

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD As winterslowly creepsinand

sun slides farther south as it rises, those first rays cutright under the ClaiborneAvenue

light sets the painted columns on fire, turning concrete into pure NewOrleans magic.

ä See DUNCAN, page 2B

Duncan

Police ID Gretna apartment shooting victim

BY MICHELLE HUNTER Staff writer

The Jefferson Parish Coroner’s

Office has released the name of the man gunned down outside an apartment building in Gretna on Sunday morning.

Michael K. Smith, 48, of New Orleans, was pronounced dead after authorities found him lying wounded in a parking lot in the 1400 block of Virgil Street. No arrests have been made in the case. Gretna police were dispatched to the Creekside Apartments after receiving a report of a shooting there just after 6:30 a.m., according to authorities.

Smith was lying face up on the ground, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators have not identified a suspect or a motive for the killing.

Smith’s is the second homicide investigated in Gretna this year Nicholas Pogozelski was indicted on second-degree murder charg-

es in the June 27 death of his 4-month-old son, Kamari Jones. Those with information related to the shooting are asked to call Sgt. Cody Arabie, of the Gretna Police Department, at (504) 3664374.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

Swimmer who drowned was Hammond man

19-year-old loved his family, life

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

A swimmer pulled from the Pearl River on Saturday was a 19-year-old man who was “so full of life,” his mother said

The Coroner’s Office identified the swimmer Monday as Christopher Michrina, of Hammond, who drowned near Lock One, where people swim and fish.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at 2:15 p.m Saturday that a man had gone under the water and did not resurface, said Lt. Suzanne Carboni, public information officer A fisherman with sonar had an idea of where on the river the man was located, helping the office’s marine division pull him from the water.

“They tried CPR, but I think he had been under for a while,” Car-

Christopher Michrina rides a roller coaster with his younger brother Authorities identified him as the man who drowned Saturday in Pearl River

boni said.

The officers brought him to Slidell Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Chris Michrina wasn’t a strong swimmer, said his mother, Jennifer Michrina, though he’d had

lessons.

Despite a difficult childhood, Michrina was a goofy kid who loved to laugh, said his mother, who adopted Chris when he was 7 He cheated at board games but always got caught. He played

pranks, but poorly

“He wasn’t very good at it,” Jennifer Michrina said, chuckling, “but he tried very hard.”

Chris Michrina adored his family, including his two brothers. He was scared of roller coasters, but when his 10-yearold “baby brother” Jeremy wanted to ride one Chris Michrina took him on it again and again.

He met the dog who would become his beloved Oscar at the humane society when he was 9. Later that day, playing pull tabs at the Franklinton Free Fair, his family won $100.

Chris Michrina insisted that they use it to adopt the beagle mix.

Chris Michrina held no grudges and could be coaxed out of a bad mood, his mother said.

“The moment you could get a smirk out of him,” she said, “that was it, it was over.”

Contact reporter Jenna Ross at jenna.ross@theadvocate.com.

RISHER

has the

Landry Parish.

Continued from page 1B

the steamboat became a mode of transportation The steamboat made it what it is.” Cotton, cattle, sugar, molasses — all of it passed through Washington. The town’s history claims that, at its height, it was the largest steamboat port between New Orleans and St. Louis. The prosperity brought Jewish merchants who built businesses, including the original Hotel Klaus. And then it ended. The last steamboat left around 1900, the railroad took over and Washington paused in place, like someone hit the historic-preservation button. What’s striking now is how many people are trying to unfreeze it — Ortego’s hotel, the recent purchase of an old car dealership, the bank redoing the post office. There’s talk of a kayak vending machine on the bayou. The sense that something is stirring on those hilly streets. My hunch about the direction of the town was right. Dwight

goals and the free-throw

Landreneau, the mayor of Washington, sent me a statement, “The Town of Washington, home to approximately 1,100 residents, has made significant strides in strengthening its financial position over the past few years. In 2020, the town carried a debt of over $750,000. Through careful fiscal management and a collaborative approach between the Town Council and the Mayor, that debt was fully retired approximately three months ago.”

And, at its core, the thing that kept going all these years: the Old Schoolhouse Antique Mall, still open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday Still full of treasures. Still priced right. Still the place where my husband and I inevitably find little treasures. After this most recent trip, though, I left feeling the way I love to feel when I visit a small town — like this is a place that is using its smarts to build a hopeful future.

I left thinking the same thing I said at the antique mall, “We should come here more often.”

Email Jan Risher at jan.risher@ theadvocate.com.

State Police seek help identifying victim

Pedestrian killed on I-55 late last month

BY KASEY BUBNASH Staff writer

Louisiana State Police said Monday they are looking for any information that could help identify a pedestrian who was killed late last month while walking along Interstate 55 on the northshore. The pedestrian, a Black man with dreadlocks thought to be between the ages of 18 and 25, was killed early on Oct. 27 when he was hit by two cars on I-55 in Hammond. The man had “T.B.T.” tattooed on his inner left arm and “Long Live LJ” on the inside of his right arm. He was about 5 feet, 9 inches tall.

Anyone with information that could help identify the man is urged to contact State Police at (985) 893-6250.

ROBBERY

Continued from page 1B

Johnney Cates, 39, and Seth Fridley, 37, on Oct. 30 pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. The shooting took place at Cates’ home, and the pair had been charged with cleaning up the bloody kitchen and keeping news of the violence from the authorities. Adams suspended a threeyear sentence for both men and ordered that they serve three years of active probation. Three other defendants are still awaiting trial.

Tommy Encalade, 27, Marlon Borras, 23, and Jovi Boudreaux, 31, have pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, Jefferson Parish court records show Encalade, Borras and Boudreaux are accused of coming up with the scheme to rob Norrman. Borras lured Norrman to the house with the offer to sell a 9 mm pistol, Sheriff’s Office investigators said. Encalade is accused of pulling the trigger during the confrontation.

All three were being held Monday at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna. No trial date has been set.

Email Michelle Hunter at mhunter@theadvocate.com.

from page 1B

Duncan said the trick in the campaign was educating voters first about the job, then about him and his ability to do it well.

Political analyst Silas Lee said Duncan stayed visible on television and kept Lombard on the defensive.

“When you’re running for office for the first time, you need a compelling story, you must tell voters a reason to vote for you and establish a vision. He did all three,” Lee said.

Lombard’s roster of endorsements included Mayor-elect Helena Moreno and U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans.

“But as I always remind clients, there’s only one person on the ballot,” Lee said, adding that Lombard failed to mount an aggressive campaign for why he should stay in the job.

Duncan said he’ll spend the next months building a team and pledged transparency as the city’s next criminal court clerk. In that role, he’ll also serve as the city’s chief elections officer, as Lombard did.

“I will never let y’all down,” Duncan said. “I will protect your rights like I would protect mine and even go farther.”

The old gym still

basketball

lines, now covered with antiques, at the Old Schoolhouse Antiques Mall in the town of Washington in St.

Hot Wheels abound at the Old Schoolhouse Antiques Mall.

PROVIDED PHOTO By JENNIFER MICHRINA

NewOrleans Area Deaths

Chesebro,Mary

Conrad,Kattie

David, Julia

Goulas,Margo

LacroutsJr.,Melvin

Schloegel, Samuel

EJefferson

Garden of Memories

LacroutsJr.,Melvin

NewOrleans

Greenwood

Schloegel, Samuel

Majestic Mortuary

Conrad,Kattie

St Tammany

EJ Fielding

Bradford,Dayle

Obituaries

Dayle Lacour Bradford, 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on November 15, 2025. She was born the middle of nine children on November 20, 1940 to the late Lurry David Lacour and Estelle Dornier Lacour. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in New Orleans and received her bachelor's degree from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette (now UL) where she was a Blue Key Darling and President of Delta Delta Delta Sorority. Her first job was at Charity Hospital where she met her future husband of 62 years, James LouisBradford. Shortly thereafter, they married and moved to Covington where they raised five children. She was active in her community and was amemberof many organizations including the St. Tammany Parish Medical Auxiliary, the Covington Garden Club, and the parent groups of every school her children attended. She was afounder of the first fundraiser for St. Joseph Abbey now known as Deo Gratias. Dayle was passionate about family, gardening, cooking, and entertaining. At home, she could either be found in her large, welcoming kitchen making one of her famous desserts or tending to her beloved flowers. Christmas was her favorite time of year where she put agreat dealof thought into gifts and how she would decorate her home for the holidays. She built her life around her large family and her strong Catholic faith. She treasured all family occasions, and later in life, reveled in spoiling her eleven precious grandchildren. One of her proudest accomplishments in life was instilling her deep faith in her husband, children and grandchildren. She hada special devotion to the Carmelite Sisters of Saint Therese as well as to the monks and seminariansof St. Joseph Abbey who enjoyed many fine meals at her table. In addition to her parents, Dayle is preceded in death by her cherished aunt, Lillian Ledoux; her best friend and sister,Alys Joy Hurley; brothers L. David Lacour Jr., Don Lacour, and Daniel Lacour She is survived by her devoted husband, James L. Bradford, Jr., M.D.; her children, Elizabeth Favrot (Cliff), James L. Bradford III (Charlotte), David Bradford (Anne), Julie Weldon (Kieran) and Rebecca Bradford; her 11 adoring grandchildren, Clifford "Ford" Favrot III, David Bradford Jr, Michael Favrot, Sarah Bradford, Kate Weldon, Emma Bradford, Malise Favrot, Gabrielle Bradford, James Bradford IV, Matthew Weldon and William Bradford; and one greatgrandchild, Sutton Bradford. She is also survived by her siblings,

Douglas Lacour, Dick Lacour, Debra McLaughlin and Dawn Thrashaswell as many lovingnieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The family extends heartfelt gratitudetothe compassionate caregivers at Christwood Longleaf. In lieu of flowers, the family wouldwelcome donations to StJoseph Abbey. AFuneral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, November 20, 2025 atSt. Joseph Abbey, 75376River Road, St. Benedict, LA 70457at2:00 PM and the visitation willbegin at 1:00 PM until servicetime. Interment willbeimmediately after at St. Joseph AbbeyCemetery. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has beenentrusted withfuneral arrangements. Please signthe guestbook at www.ejfieldingfh.com.

Chesebro,Mary

Catherine

Mary Catherine Chesebro(néeSenn) wonderful, devotedwifeand mother, faithful and devout Roman Catholicentered eternal rest on November 12, 2025.She was borninNew Orleans, LA graduated from UNO and taughtreligion forseveral years at Mercy Academyand thenMount CarmelAcademy in New Orleans.Though teaching brought her much joy, her most desired life pathwas to be ahousewife and stay -at-home mother. She married Russell Chesebro and moved to New Jersey and homeschooled their three children. Whennot attending to household duties, she loved to study &deepen herFaith,garden, sew, spoilthe family dogs,enjoythe company of friends, solve cozy mysteries, and bring joyand comfortto those who knewher.She was truly aProverbs 31 woman. Sheissurvived by her husband Russell,her childrenAnthony, Catherine and Elizabeth and hersister Theresa Senn (Raymond Scalco) Visiting hourswillbe Friday, November21st from 7:00 -9:00 pm at FertigFuneral Home 63 N. Main St., Mullica Hill, NJ 08062. The Requiem Mass will be offered on Saturday, November 22nd, 10:00 am at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church 1402 ETenth St, Eddystone, PA.19022. No viewing prior to Mass. Following the Requiem Mass, burial willtakeplace at Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery 136 Trench Rd, Bridgeton,NJ. In lieu of flowers please consider putting adonation in your church's poor box. www.FertigFuneralHom e.com

Conrad,KattieM

Ms.KattieM.Conraden‐tered hereternal rest on October 30,2025, sur‐rounded by herlovingfam‐ily,atthe ageof75. Kattie was born on July 27, 1950, inAmite County, Liberty, Mississippi,tothe union of the late Leoand AnnieBell McKnight. Afterthe pass‐ing of herparents,Kattie moved to NewOrleans,LA, under theguardianshipof her late brother, Mason McKnight, andsister-inlaw,Lozetta McKnight WhilelivinginNew Or‐leans,Kattiebecamea memberofNew St.Mark Baptist Church under the leadershipofthe late Rev‐erend Gasket.There she was unitedinHolyMatri‐monytothe late Willie Stag”ConradonJuly27, 1968. Sister Conrad wased‐ucatedinthe New Orleans PublicSchool System and workedasa packer at Dixie Produceand Packing, Inc. for32years.She also heldvarious security guard positions andlater worked atFedEx as a packagehan‐dleruntil herretirementin June 2015. Shewillbere‐memberedbyher familyas a tireless provider,a bea‐con of kindness,and a great cook.She will cer‐tainlybemissed, butal‐waystreasured andre‐membered in ourhearts.

Kattieleavestocherish her lovingmemory: hergrand‐daughter, Corei’AnaCon‐rad;great-granddaughter Zaria Brown; godchildren, Jarin andKarin Castain; great-godchildren,Shania and Ja'Rea Gates; devoted friend, BruceM.Smith;sis‐ter-in-law, Lozetta McK‐night of McComb,MS; brother,Willie(Dorothy) McKnightofNew Orleans, LA; threesisters,DoraKel‐ley,JoanMcKnight, and Sally Brumfield, allofNew Orleans,LA; anda host of nieces, nephews, friends, and otherfamilymembers She wasprecededindeath byher husband,WillieCon‐rad;daughter, FeliciaCon‐rad;brothers, Otis McK‐night andMason McK‐night;sister, Mattie Crocket;sister-in-law Betty McKnight;and broth‐ers-in-law, OscarJackson Anthony Kelley Sr., and LutherBroomfieldSr. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the Memorial Serviceon Friday, November 21, 2025 at10a.m.atNew Home Ministries, 1616 Carondelet St.,New Orleans, LA 70130 Professionalarrangements entrusted to Majestic Mor‐tuary Service, Inc. (504) 523-5872.

NewOrleans, LA -Julia

Ann MaddenDavid passed away on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 surrounded by her family.She is survivedbyher only child, William Myron David and twograndchildren, WilliamTateDavid and Eleanor AnnMargaret David.She is also survived by twobrothers, Merritt Madden and John Madden. She was preceded in death by her belovedhusband WilliamBernard David Also passing before her wereher brothers Michael Madden and Benjamin Madden as wellasher parents-Mary Ben Madden and Myron Madden.

Julia was borninNew Orleans, Louisiana while her father was Senior PastoratSt. Charles Avenue Baptist Church. She attendedMcMain Junior High School and Alcee Fortier HighSchool Julia was fluent in French and German and whilein High School she was one of thewinners of anationwidecontest that onlyselected14studentsfrom theentirecountry to study in Parisfor thesummer. She also was aforeignexchange student for a semester in Germany before graduating high schoolwith honors and going on to study at LSU. After LSU, Julia graduated with HonorsfromLoyola Law schoolwhileraising her one year oldson.She then clerked at the LouisianaSupreme Court and then opened aprivate practice in Mandeville where she livedwithher husband,Bill, the rest of her life

Julia was known to be beautiful and highly intelligent as well as an avid teller of Cajun jokes. She shined when hosting and was considered agourmet cook. She was atalented gardenerand was president of theMandeville GardeningClub.She attended St.TimothyChurch and wrote themonthly newsletterfor theChurch for many years. This task she tookseriouslyand she desired to give spiritual encouragement to allshe met during her life.This encouragement took many forms- butshe was known to be of solace to many and to always provide reassurance and comfort to those that were in need. As an attorney, Julialogged manyhoursofPro Bono legal worktothose who couldnot afford an attorney. After her retirement fromthe law, she took up paintingand even soldher artwork at various galleries in Covington. Julia had agreat eyefor beauty and her immense love of thenature of Louisiana was her inspiration. As a mother to her son William, she was affectionateand ever present and she could alwaysbecounted on to help with schoolprojects and especially help him with thedifficult task of learning French.

Afuneral service willbe held for Julia on Friday, November 21st at Bagnell and SonFuneralHome. The visitation hours willbe from10am-12pm, with the serviceitselfbeginning at 12pmand then areception to follow. Julia willbein-

terred thefollowing week next to her belovedhusband at theSoutheast LouisianaVeterans Cemetery in Slidell.

Margo Melissa Goulas, born in Thibodaux, Louisiana, on February 20, 1968, passedaway on October 31, 2025, at theage of 57. She leaves behind a legacy of generosity,humor,and vibrantlivingthat touched everyone fortunateenoughtoknowher.

Margowas known for her feistyspirit, infectious laughter, and her incredibletalentinthe kitchen She lovedentertaining friendsespecially on Grand Isle, traveling to new places,and celebrating life.The NewOrleans Jazz &HeritageFestival and MardiGras were two of her favorite times of the year; any occasiontocreate and wearacostume was adelight to her, and she embraceditwith exuberant flair

Margo graduated from E.D. White Catholic High School and obtaineda Bachelor of Science in Nursing fromNicholls StateUniversity. Her career as anurse reflected her deep compassionand dedication to others. She served at Children's Hospital in both New Orleans and Austin, later continuing her calling as a school nurse in theOrleans Parish Schools, where she cared for countless childrenwith warmth and skill.

Margo had aspecial love forher dogs Wallis, LuLu, andCricket, who were her treasured companions throughthe years.

She is survivedbyher mother, Winston Levert Goulas; her sister, Daphne Goulas Jones; and her brother, PatrickWolfgang Goulas, and hiswife Kristie.She was abeloved aunt to Margaret Winston Jones, Andrew Campbell Jones and his wife Juli, and Winston Tutwiler Jones and hiswife Katherine.

She was preceded in death by her father, Carroll Daniel Goulas Jr.; her grandparents Enola PonvelleGoulas, Carroll Daniel Goulas Sr., Winston Tutwiler Levert, and Lawrence Constant Levert Jr

Margo's life was abeautiful blend of love,laughter, and service.She willbe deeplymissedand fondly remembered by all who knew her.

"Feed my sheep."John 21:17

Margo livedthiscalling through her care, her cooking,and her unwavering love forothers.

FuneralServices Afuneral Mass willbe held at St.Joseph CoCathedral on Friday, November 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM.

Areception willfollow to honorand celebrate Margo's life

Landry's FuneralHome is in chargeofthe funeral arrangements

(Lisa),MaryBordes(Mike), Kay Lemoine, andthe late DennisLacrouts(Mary Beth).His extended family ofnieces, nephews, greatnieces, andgreat-nephews willrememberhim fondly for hisplayful spirit and enduringlove. Aproud graduateofBonnabelHigh School in 1977, Melvin's athleticprowess wasevi‐dentearly on.Heplayed bothbaseballand basket‐ballinhighschooland con‐tinuedtoshowcasehis tal‐entsinmen's softball leagues.His leadership and abilityonthe field wererecognizedin1989 whenhewas inducted into the GNOALHallofFame, a testament to hissports‐manship andskill.Melvin's professionallifewas markedbyhis tenure as a top salesman at Kentwood Springs Water, where his charismaand dedication earnedhim therespect and admiration of hiscol‐leagues.Later,hebrought his remarkable work ethic and infectious personality toWillworkInc where he was deeply lovedand ad‐mired.Beyondhis profes‐sionaland athletic accom‐plishments, Melvin wasa man of many interests. He was an avid fan of theNew Orleans Saints,and tailgat‐ing at LSUgames was among hisfavoritepas‐times.His love forgolfwas twofold;heenjoyed play‐ing just as much as he rel‐ished watching thesport Melvin'spassion fortravel often intertwinedwithhis lovefor baseball,ashe madeita pointtovisit MLB parks across thecountry However,the joyofhis life was spending time with his family, who broughthim immeasurable happiness. Melvin'slegacyisone of love, laughter,and theabil‐ity to make everymoment count with hisgreat sense ofhumor.His presence was agifttoall who had the pleasure of knowing him,and hismemorywill betreasured in thehearts ofhis familyand friends forever.MelvinJ.Lacrouts, Jr.'s life wasa beautifulta‐pestryofthe relationships henurtured, thegames he played, andthe liveshe touched.Hewillbepro‐foundly missed, butthe stories of "Grumps" will continuetoinspire and comfort thosewho were blessedtobepartofhis extraordinary journey. Rel‐ativesand friendsare in‐vited to attend hisMemor‐ial Services at Garden of MemoriesFuneral Home 4900 AirlineDrive Metairie, LA70001 on Wednesday, November19, 2025. Visita‐tionwillbegin at 11:00 am witha Mass at 1:00 pm.To order flowersoroffer con‐dolences, please visit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Schloegel, Samuel Anthony'Sammy'

four decades. Together theybuilt notonlya home and afamily, buta warm and welcominggathering place in Sammy’sRestau‐rantonElysian Fields Av‐enue.For Sammy, cooking was neverjusta job, it was anact of love andway to bring people together.His dishescarried thesame heart andsoulhepoured intohis family, honoring the generationsbeforehim who passeddowntheir loveoffood, laughter,and tradition.The kitchenwas where Sammycamealive. Whetherhewas perfecting a newrecipe, cookingSun‐day dinner forthe family, orfeedinganyonewho walkedthrough hisrestau‐rantdoors.His food told a story of hisheritage, his city, andhis belief that sharing agood meal could makepeoplefeel nurtured and connected. Sammy was most proudofhis fam‐ily:his beloveddaughters Katherine (Katie)and Samantha, who were the light of hislife. He wasa devoted husband,father, brother,uncle,and friend Sammy’s presence filleda room with warmth and humor that made anyone feel like family. Hisloyal shepherd, Lucy Lou, was never far from hisside. When Sammyleftthis world,hewas metwith openarmsinheavenbyhis mother, LeeAnnaDi‐Martino;his father,Harold Schloegel;his maternal grandparents, Samuel Sam” andCatherine “Katie” DiMartino; hispa‐ternalgrandparents, Haroldand Johanna Schloegel;his aunts, Mar‐leneKlein andConnie Shambra;his uncle, John Shambra andmanymore beloved friendsand family who went before him. There is comfortinknow‐ing he’s surrounded once again by thelovethat shapedhim.Heissurvived byhis wife,Regina(Gina) Hepburn Schloegel; his daughters,Katherine and SamanthaSchloegel;his sister, DarleneSchloegel (Raymond) Bretz; his nephews,Justin(Tiffanie JustinJr.,& Ava) andBran‐don (AlexZeringue) Hartenstein;his cousin, Jim Schloegel(Carly& Can‐dice);his cousin LeeAnn LeBlanc (Samuel& Angela) and many more familyand friends who lovedhim dearly. Thefuneral will be heldatSt. DominicChurch (775 Harrison Ave.,New Or‐leans,LA70124) on Thurs‐day,November20that10 a.m., followed by aMassat 12p.m.The burial will fol‐low at Metairie Cemetery which will be ledbypolice escort. Sammy’slegacy willliveoninevery shared mealand everystory told around thetable.He taughtusthatlove, like good food, is meanttobe shared.

Samuel “Sammy”An‐thony Schloegelpassed awaypeacefullyathomein Lakeview, surrounded by his loving family, on No‐vember10, 2025. Born on June 6, 1961, in NewOr‐leans to LeeAnnaDi‐Martino andHarold Schloegel,Sammy wasa trueNew Orleanian through andthrough.He grewupalong BayouSt. John, where hislifelong loveoffamily, food,and community firsttookroot Sammy shared hislifewith his devotedwifeand best friend,Gina, formorethan Howtoplace an Obituary Notice Howtoplace a

Melvin J. Lacrouts,Jr., affectionately knownas Grumps"tothose who knewhim,passedaway peacefullyonNovember 15, 2025, at theage of 69, in Metairie, LA.BornonNo‐vember12, 1956, in NewOr‐leans,LA, Melvin's life was one of passion, dedication, and joy, which he shared generouslywitheveryone around him. Melvin is sur‐vived by hisloveof27 years,Bridget Simpson. He was alovingfatherto Christi Siravo (Tom), MelvinJ.LacroutsIII (Alyssa), andRiversM Lacrouts, anda doting grandfather to Alyssa, Mason,and Miles. He was the sonofthe late Melvin Lacrouts, Sr.and thelate Barbara AnnLacrouts, and a caring brothertoKenny Lacrouts,Danny Lacrouts

Bradford,Dayle

Goulas, Margo Melissa

David, JuliaAnn Madden

Bradford, Dayle Lacour

Lacrouts Jr., Melvin J. 'Grumps'

OUR VIEWS

Some rare good news on theinsurance front

It’seasy for Louisiana residents to feel hopelessoverthe high priceofinsuring their homes against extreme weather.The state gotlucky this hurricane season, butweknowthat storms in recent years have strengthened quickly as they approached the coast andstayed strong as they came ashore,a dangerous andcostly trend. Andofficial efforts to reduce regulation to attract morecompetition haveyet to bear significant fruit.

So we’re encouragedbythe growing adoption of what seems to be the best strategy to simultaneouslyprotecthomes andgive homeownersa needed financial break: theuse of fortifiedroofs And we’re glad that Insurance Commissioner TimTemple is now joiningthe chorusinfavor of requiring insurers to providespecific discounts to customers who putthese new stormresistant roofs on their homes. Temple, who’d previously resisted requiring specificfortified roof discounts, said recently that hisofficeisworking on arule to seta “benchmark” discount that insurersmust give to homeowners. The law now requiresonly that insurers offer adiscount that is “actuarially justified,” so the actual price breaks vary widely,and some insurers offer little in the way of relief.

Temple has in the past foughtlegislative attemptstomandate a20% fortified roof discount, arguingitwould make theLouisiana market lessattractive for companiesthat mightdo business here. By comparison, Alabama,whichpioneered the use of fortifiedroofs, sets abenchmark of 25%to30%, thoughinsurers can go through aprocess to offer asmaller discount. What’schanged, Temple said recently,isthat Louisiana is reaching the pointwhere it has critical mass.

In fact, his shift came as heannouncedsome rare good news:10,000 Louisianansnow have fortified roofs, up from about1,000 thistime last year,putting the state in third placebehind Alabamaand North Carolina

“Louisiana is the fastest-growing state whenit comes to putting fortified roofs on in the country,”Temple said.

Some homeowners have benefited from generous state grants awarded by lottery.The Department of Insuranceisnow acceptingregistration for the latest roundofgrants through Wednesday at 5p.m. In this round,1,000 applicants will be randomly selected to win grants of up to $10,000.

But residents who install fortified roofs on their own without state grants also benefitfrom the promise of lower rates —not to mentionbetter protection thatcan prevent thesortofwater intrusion that might force them from their homes for long periods. Communitiesbenefit from the widespread use of fortified roofs as well, in the form of more favorable communitywide ratings.

Like Temple, we believe encouragingresidentstoput on roofs meeting thefortified standard is the best hope to keep ourareaaffordable.

This program is awin for residents andthe industry alike. When it comes toinsurance, it’s not often that we get to say that.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

GUIDELINES: Letters are published identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’scity of residence

TheAdvocate |The Times-Picayune require astreet address andphone number for verification purposes, but that information is not published. Letters are not to exceed 300 words. Letters to the Editor,The Advocate, P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-0588, or email letters@ theadvocate.com.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCANHERE

OPINION

The senseless murderofbeloved New Orleanian CarlMorgan has broken our hearts. Unfortunately,itisnot the first time this type of tragedy has impacted theAbeona House community.Almost 20 years ago, one of our toddler parents, filmmaker Helen Hill, was killed in her home in arandom act of violence. Recently,Eliot Brown was killedinasimilarmanner. In allthese years, ourcityhas notdelivered to keep its citizens safe. With 150+ murdersa year since 2007, many of us turn ablind eye, until directly affected, or until thevictim looks like “one of us.” The distinctions we make on when to carehave kept us from creating athriving and safe community. For those who seek to politicizethis tragedy,calls to occupy New Orleans withthe National Guardrepresent a misguided quick fix that fails to address the root causes of poverty and homelessness —mental health and systemic racism. We hold theanswer

For three years, the St. Tammany Parish Library hasbeen undersiege Whatwas once an award-winning system, praised for its serviceand innovation, hasbecome thetarget of relentless attacksbyasmallbut vocal group determinedtovilify books, librarians andthe very idea of free accesstoinformation.Instead of celebrating the library as acornerstone of ourcommunity —a place where childrendiscover reading, seniorsfind connection,and families learn together —this group hassmeared staff with baseless accusations of “grooming” and“pedophilia.” These wordsare not only cruel; they arecalculated to drive good people outofpublic service. They already succeeded in forcingout an award-winning director through harassment andname-calling. The library’smission is simple: to provide accesstoknowledge for all.

We arenot Antifa. We do not support violence. We arenot pro-Hamas. We do not hateAmerica. We arenot paid. We areyour friends and neighbors.

to these issues. Let the feds focus on finally figuring out our country’stwisted relationship with guns and not slashing programs that stabilize struggling folk, like health care and food access. What’sactually neededismore places like Abeona House, that create loving and securefoundations forall children, and safety nets, like affordable child care, for their families. We need educational and career options that provide paths to successwithlivable wages. We need to relentlessly commit to more careinour communities.

The city council and next mayormust deliver acomprehensive planthat propels us forward with accountability when itssystems of safety fail. And commit to creating the conditions for peace. We,its citizens, must demand action while alsogetting involvedin communitysolutions. All our children deserve better

EMMY O’DWYER founding (former) executivedirector, Abeona HouseChild DiscoveryCenter

Thatmeansbooksfor every reader, even if they don’tappeal to every taste. Efforts to censor,ban or stigmatize booksare an attack on every citizen’s freedom to choosewhat they and their childrenread St. Tammany deserves better.We deserve alibrary system free from political games and intimidation. We deserve respect for our librarians and staff, whoservethousands every week with professionalism and dedication. And we deserve to say with pride that in ourparish, booksare not enemies —theyare lifelines to knowledge, culture anddemocracy.Ifwelet fear and smear campaigns dictate what sits on ourlibrary shelves, we risk losing one of thebestthings about this parish: a library systemthatbelongs to all of us. Enough is enough.

CYNTHIAWEATHERLY Abita Springs

In just afew short months, the tolling of the Belle Chasse Bridge has proven to be afailed public-private partnership experiment that is actively devastating the local economy and punishing the very residents it wasmeant to serve.

This project has prioritized corporate profits over the financial wellbeing of aworking-class community For abridge built over aman-made canal, imposing outrageous tolls and fees is not progress; it is an economic blockade that stifles growth and causes severe economic harm The only true path forward is afull and complete end to tolling on this bridge.

SEN. PATRICK CONNICK Louisiana State Senatorial District8

Thank you forthe interesting, if conflicting, accounts in the Oct. 3 edition about crime in New Orleans. Why are we continuing to arm morepeople if actual, verifiable improvements are being madeby people working together? Jeff Asher is right. We need moreeffort supporting the downturn in crime. Iamopposed to having anew SWAT group under the Levee Board Police armed with assault weapons. There is no credible need forthis, and, in fact, it represents moreguns and moredanger to the public. Gov. Jeff Landry,please back off the politics.

BABS MOLLERE NewOrleans

We areyoung, old and in between. We areprofessionals and blue-collar workers. We arerich, poor and not so rich. We areDemocrats,Repub-

licans and Independents. We support peaceful rallies. We support democracies, not dictatorships. We respect and follow the U.S. Constitution and expect

our public officials to do the same Until then, we will continue to raise our voices, loud and clear

ELAINE WOLFE DIMICELI NewOrleans

COMMENTARY

Thethreatofanoverproducedelite

Success breeds failure. Policies and practices well suited to societyatone junctureinhistory are often poorly suited to the world they have beneficiallytransformed.

If you carry agood thing toofar, it can turn out not to be agood thing anymore.

Case in point, one of the most successful public policies in U.S. history,the World WarII G.I. Bill, which financed college educations for military veterans. Signed by former PresidentFranklin Roosevelt, it embodied New Deal generosity even as its chief backers included the racist Democratic Mississippi Rep. John Rankinand thesupposedly reactionary American Legion.One secret of its success,like that ofSocial Security,was apparent reciprocity:It provided benefits for those whomade some contribution.

Michael Barone

just 5% before WWII to nearly twothirdstoday,with almost 40% earning abachelor’sdegree. Those numbers have been increased by seemingly generous student loans, the proceeds of which are gobbled up by avast increase in higher education administrators (they now outnumberteachers)and by everhigher tuitions.

As Charles Murray argued in his2008 book “Real Education,” these are far higher percentages than the share of the population with the cognitiveskills needed to profit from serious four-year undergraduate study,much less advanced graduateschool.

constituency was “a group that has becomeincreasingly central toAmerican politics,” JohnCarney wroteinthe New York Post. “The downwardly mobile professionals, theoverproduced graduates of our universitysystem, raised to expect middle-classstability and discovering instead that the system has little to offer beyond high rent and burnout.”

Or,asGregory Contisaid in an interview withThe Economic Times,his core constituency was “the collegeeducated, cash-strapped professional middle class.

In doing so, it subsidized both economic and intellectual upward mobility for those from modest or even subsistence beginnings —the children of Appalachian coal miners, eastern and southern European immigrants, and evenmany Black Americans whose service was limited to segregated units. Taken together,their achievements not only increasedthe enrollment of colleges and universities (manyof which disliked the democratization) but vastly increased the size and capacities of the American economy

This success embedded in the minds of elites and many ordinary Americans the notion that any further expansion of higher education would begood for individuals and the country.State legislatures founded new systems of universities and communitycolleges Congress pumped large sums into higher education and tookupthe idea of somehow subsidizing loansto college and graduate students.

As aresult, the share of Americans pursuing higher education rose from

Theresult is that American society, which before the G.I. Bill tended to provide higher education to too few, now provides it to too many. Consequently,wehavewhat themaverick scholar Peter Turchin called an “overproduction of elites.”

Oneconsequence is that the economic premium from abachelor’sdegree is becoming smaller,ifnot vanishing.

Another is that there is aglut of college graduates entering the labor market —some 7million since January 2020 —while the number of those without such adegree is declining. Acountry with shortages of construction workers andtruck drivers has aglut of people whose credentials lead them to think they should be running things.

Theresult, as Silicon Valley investor Peter Thiel predicted back in 2020, is a crash in expectations, as young people facing an expensive housing market with disappointing salaries and high costs will “finditvery hard to start accumulatingcapital in the form of real estate andthen if one has no stake in the capitalist system, then one may well turn against it.”

All of which helps explain theelection of theself-proclaimed democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as the next mayorofNew York City. Hiscore

I’ve called this group thebarista proletariat,and it has proved crucial not only in New York but also in the election of teachers union official Brandon Johnson as mayor of Chicago in 2023 and in the elevation of university townsover industrial cities as the most Democratic counties in presidential target states.

Nationally,this is asplinter group. Mamdani got just 50.4% of the votein acity where the last four Democratic presidential nominees got 68%, 76%, 79% and 81%. Butthe command of police forces in central cities witha disproportionateshare of the nation’s economic product and violent crimes has consequences.

Surveys show that Mamdani received high percentages from recent migrants to New York and from young voters. Neither has memories of how the crimefighting policies of former Mayors Rudy Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg madethe city, and in particular their gentrified neighborhoods, more liberal. Nor have they experienced the repeated failures of rent control and socialist provision, which Mamdani has championed. The overproduced elite is well positioned to inflict major damage on the nation it disdains but feels entitled to lead.

Michael Barone is on X, @MichaelBarone.

Thebiasedbroadcastingcorporation

Two friends email from Londonabout the editing scandal that ledtothe resignation of two top officials from the British Broadcasting Corporation.The resignations followed exposure of the splicing together of two parts of aspeech by President Donald Trump on Jan. 6, 2021. The edits made it look and soundlike the president was urging his followerstoviolently attack the Capitol.

tance and took other actions in support of thewar effort. This was accurately depicted in the film “The Longest Day.” In recentyears, theBBC has seen its leveloftrust decline.

For decades Ihave been hearing the old courtroom saying about how agrand jury would indict aham sandwich if given the chance, but Inever expected to see it happen. What the saying conveys is that grand juries, which approve or reject charges to go to trial, only hear from one side, the prosecution, and only have to find probable cause to believe a crime happened, which is avery low fence for any prosecutor to get over

But leave it to the Justice Department of President Donald Trumptofail at that elementary first step, and then to try to charge the ham sandwich on a lesser offense, and finally to fail at trial to makeeven that charge stick.

That’swhat culminated not in the trial of asandwich but rather of aman whothrew one at aU.S. Customsand Border Protection agent patrolling the streets of Washington D.C. According to the charging documents and video of the incident, Sean Charles Dunn, 37, came upon the group of federal agents, cursed at them and called them “fascist” before heaving the sandwich into the ballistic vest of CBP AgentGreg Lairmore.

Dunn, likemanyresidents of thenation’scapital, wasupset by the surge of federal agents and National Guard soldiers into the city to do the workthat normally falls to beat cops. After leading federal agents on amerry chase downthe street, Dunn was apprehended and charged with something like assault by hoagie. Afederal grand jury rejected afelony charge, so the office of U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro had to settle foramisdemeanor charge.

The case of “the sandwich guy” wentviral and becameastunning example in manyminds of how the Trumpadministration’ssupposedly serious immigration crackdown, now in its third month, has run amok.

Dunn was fired from his job as aparalegal at the Justice Department, which is atough break, although he did gain minor hero status among Americans fedupbythe lawlessness and arrogance of the Trumpadministration in turning pleasant neighborhoods into scenes of apolice state.

Among other signs of public outrage, street art appeared drawninthe style of the guerilla artist Banksy of amasked youth heaving a sandwich instead of aMolotov cocktail. In the trial itself,itwas revealed that Lairmorecould barely feel the impact through his tactical vest, and that the greatest injury he suffered wasthe smell of onions and mustards. And the ridicule of his CBP partners. The jury voted to acquit.

Like manyAmericans, I’mamused by the episode, but not because Idon’tlike cops or don’t care about law and order.Quite the opposite, I am appalled by the harm Trumpand his Justice Department are doing to law and order in this country

One emailer said the first “B” in BBC should stand for bias. That reminded me of what some conservatives called CNN duringthe Clinton administration (the Clinton News Network), because of their perceived bias.

Asurvey conducted by David PickeringofThe Conversation, anews organization that calls itself “dedicated to facts and evidence,” noted that “Trust in theBBC is heavily conditioned by political identity.”The survey of11,170 people in theUK “showedstriking differences between how people withleft-wing and right-wing party affiliations felt about the broadcaster.”

annual TV license fee of 174.50 (about $230) per year for acolor license and 58.50 ($77) for ablack-and-white license, acompulsorypayment used primarily tofund the BBC’stelevision, radio and online services. Does anyone still own ablack-andwhite TV? Andontop of this, viewers must watch endless commercials, someofwhich are moreentertaining and creative than the programs.

Efforts by some conservative members of Parliament toeliminate the TV license fee have failed. As in America, politicians are reluctant togive up money

The second writer saidthe editwas only a“mistake.” It wasn’tamistake It was deliberate and it was made with the intention of having viewers accept their desired negativeopinion of Trump. In another country andin another era, this would be called propaganda. If this sounds likethe editing of the CBS “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris to make her sound articulate, it should. Both flowed from the same liberal worldview.

Kudos to the London Daily Telegraph forpracticing real journalism andexposing the edit of the Trumpspeech During World WarIIthe BBC was a trusted source of information.It sent coded information to the French resis-

Theediting incident isn’tthe first time thecredibility of the BBC has beencalled into question. Several internal studies have found theorganization to have reported unfairly on the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.

Thestudies changed nothing as the pro-Palestinian bias has continued. It is the same whenitcomes to their reporting on “climate change.”

AWall Street Journal editorial notes the BBC has had an LGBTQ desk within its London headquarters to make sure stories were favorable about transgender issues. Stories that did not reflectthe BBC’s“liberal orthodoxy” were suppressed, notes the Journal. On top of this,streamers and owners of television sets are required to pay an

TimDavie, the now-resigned director general of the BBC said in astatement: “This narrative will not just be given by our enemies. It’s our narrative. We own things.” Right there you have thereason so much of themedia in the UK and the U.S. are held in low regard. They think they “own things,” instead of exercising aresponsibility to serve thepeople fairly and accurately.Aswith other exposures of bias, Isuspect little will change within the BBC unless it follows the example of the new president of CBS News and begins hiring reporters with aconservative worldview who will presumably report conservative ideas fairly and accurately

Email Cal Thomasattcaeditorstribpub.com

Unfortunately,despite his administration’s promise to go after the “worst of the worst” offenders, Trump’spolicies to tighten immigration enforcement appear to have done moreto create disorder,divide families and frighten small children than makeany of us feel safer Some of theworst exampleshavecome from, of all people, Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, the official tasked with leading the Chicago crackdown. He admitted to avery serious offense, lying about arock-throwing incident used to justify deploying tear gas against protestors. U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued apreliminary injunction limiting the use of force during immigration arrests and protests.

For example, video showed him throwing agas canister at protesters in Chicago’sLittle Village neighborhood without giving so muchasa “look out below,” despite the judge’searlier temporary restraining order limiting the use of force Stories like these remind me of how Trump recently suggested using our cities, which he specified as “Democrat-run cities,” to train our military troops. Train them to do what? Create disorder?

Americans see what Trumpisdoing, and they don’tlike it. Trumpmay not want to believe it, but that’swhat voters told him in the last elections.

Email Clarence Page at clarence47page@ gmail.com.

Cal Thomas

Clarence Page

ASSOCIATED PRSS FILE PHOTO By KIN CHEUNG

The BBC apologized last week toPresident DonaldTrump overamisleading edit of his speechonJan. 6, 2021, butsaid it had notdefamed him.

Well, the samepatchyfog we’vebeen dealing with for the last fewdayswilldevelop again thismorning.Most of the fog should clear by 9a.m.Otherwise,expect amostlysunny, warm and humid day. Temperatures thisafternoon will rise to the upper 70s to low80s.Rain chances remainatzero. Windsare southerly at 5to10 mph.you shouldexpect more fog everymorning throughThursday.A front will move throughon Friday, bringing abetter chance of showers,a fewstorms and slightly lowerweekend temps

EARLY BLITZ

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

On one fast-break chance, MiLaysia Fulwiley threaded a long bounce pass to assist one of Flau’jae Johnson’s opencourt layups.

On another, the transfer guard popped a no-look pass over her head and down to Mikaylah Williams, who capped the kind of easy transition chance that the LSU women’s basketball team has found throughout the first five games of its new season.

The No. 5 Tigers (5-0) breezed through their first four matchups, then traveled to New Orleans on Monday and defeated the Tulane Green Wave (2-2), winning 101-71 in a game that was decided in the first quarter In Devlin Fieldhouse, LSU raced out to a 27-4 lead — an advantage wide enough to withstand what turned into a more even battle across the second, third and fourth quarters.

It also was enough to please coach Kim Mulkey even after a game in which her team lost the rebounding battle.

“The thing they’re doing so good right now,” Mulkey said, “is they’re sharing the basketball.”

Tulane hung with Missouri in an eightpoint loss on Nov 6 then competed with LSU for three-fourths of the game it played Monday It lost the last three quar-

ters by only seven points.

But by the end of the night, the Green Wave still found itself on the business end of another lopsided LSU victory. The Tigers now have eclipsed the century mark in all five contests they’ve played this season — enough to match the Southeastern Conference record for consecutive 100-point outings that their national championship team set at the start of the 2022-23 season.

“These kids play with an entertainment piece to their game,” Mulkey said. “They can do things that people want to come see.”

LSU turned 22 turnovers into 31 points. It shot 55% from the field and 6 of 14 (43%) from 3-point range. It also received 42 points from the bench and had four contributors score in double figures

Johnson keyed the hot start. She either scored or assisted on 14 points in the opening period, then finished with a game-high 22 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals Fulwiley added 20 points, eight steals, six assists and three blocks in the 25 minutes she played off the bench. Williams chipped in 16 points after she shot 6 of 13 from the field and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Tulane’s leading scorer was freshman guard Mecailin Marshall. She notched 20

Thunder buries Pelicans from start

BY LES EAST

Sources say Kiffin focus of LSU search as family tours Baton Rouge

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

writer

in the midst of his fourth season with a 34-14 overall record.

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The bye week arrived at the wrong time for Cam Jordan.

Yes, he and the New Orleans Saints played 10 straight games to begin the season. And yes, there were plenty of players dealing with bumps and bruises — including Jordan, who has been dealing with an ankle injury for the last two weeks. But to take a whole week off after the Saints’ best game of the season? Jordan wanted to keep it rolling.

“We didn’t (need a break),” he said “I don’t know. We just

or

Ole Miss has worked on a contract extension in an effort to persuade Kiffin to stay, according to multiple reports, but it has not been signed. Ole Miss gave Kiffin an ultimatum to decide his future before the Nov 28 Egg Bowl against Mississippi State, The Athletic reported. Florida also made Kiffin a top target in its search for a new coach after firing Billy Napier According to On3, Kiffin’s family visited Gainesville, Florida, on Sunday Ole Miss has an open date this week before playing arch-rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. At 10-1 overall, the Rebels likely will make the College Football Playoff for the first time They were ranked No. 7 last week and are expected to move up one spot after Alabama lost to Oklahoma. If they are not in the top four of the final CFP rankings, they likely will host a first-round playoff game Dec 19 or 20. Kiffin has said repeatedly that he feels happy at Ole Miss, but he has not made any definitive statements about whether or not he will stay in Oxford. Ole Miss fans chanted “We want Lane” near the end of the Rebels’ 34-24 win Saturday night over Florida.

“I love what we’re doing here,” Kiffin said Saturday “Today was awesome. To even talk about it right now would be so disrespectful to our players and how well they played today We’ve got a lot of things going here. Doing really well, and I love it here.”

Kiffin has a 54-19 overall record in six seasons at Ole Miss. The Rebels have won at least 10 games in four of the past five years, and he guided them to the first 11-win season in program history Under Kiffin, Ole Miss won 10 games in backto-back seasons for the first time since 1959-60.

This season, Kiffin is the 11th-highest-paid coach in the country at $9 million per year, according to USA Today His current contract at Ole Miss runs through 2031.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD Saints coach Kellen Moore and others watch a third-down play against the New England Patriots during the first half at the Caesars Superdome on Oct. 12.

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson, right, drives to the paint past Tulane guard Sadie Shores during the second half of a game at Devlin Fieldhouse on Monday. LSU won 101-71

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

LSU guard Jada Richard attempts a pass to the paint while Tulane guard Kendall Sneed defends during a game at Devlin Fieldhouse on Monday.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Oklahoma City Thunder center Chet Holmgren scores against the Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on Monday.

Michigan, TCU climb into top 10

LSU stays at No. 5; SEC has eight ranked teams

BY DOUG FEINBERG Associated Press

Michigan and TCU vaulted into the top 10 of The Associated Press

Top 25 women’s basketball poll on Monday after big victories over ranked opponents.

The sixth-ranked Wolverines climbed eight spots after routing then-No 18 Notre Dame 93-54 on Saturday No. 10 TCU moved up seven places as the Horned Frogs topped then-No. 10 N.C. State on the road Sunday 69-59. Michigan’s win over Notre Dame was its biggest ever over a Top 25 team. The Wolverines, who were last ranked this high on Feb. 21, 2022, have a matchup with No. 1 UConn on Friday night in the Hall of Fame Showcase at

Mohegan Sun.

“Connecticut is really, really good,” Michigan coach Kim Barnes Arico said. “I think our kids want to compete against the best. I always have a stomach ache when those games are on our schedule.”

The Huskies remained the top team after receiving 28 firstplace votes from a national media panel. South Carolina was second, fresh off a 69-52 victory over then-No. 8 USC. The Gamecocks got three first-place votes and No. 3 UCLA received the other top ballot after double-digit wins over Oklahoma and North Carolina last week. Texas was fourth and LSU fifth. Baylor was seventh and the Sooners fell one place to eighth with Maryland ninth.

In and out

West Virginia made its Top 25 debut at No. 23 after beating Duke 57-49 on Friday night in a game

marred by an on-court confrontation. The Mountaineers had six players ejected at the half due and played the second half with just five players. Duke fell out of the poll, ending a 24-week run in the Top 25 that was the ninth-longest active streak.

Conference supremacy

The Southeastern Conference has eight teams in the rankings this week, including three of the top five. The Big Ten has seven schools in the poll, the Big 12 five and the Atlantic Coast Conference four The Big East has one.

Games of the week

No 19 Iowa vs No 7 Baylor Thursday The two schools will play in the WBCA Showcase at Disney World. It’s the Hawkeyes’ first trip outside the state this season while the Bears have played in Paris and Las Vegas. No. 11 USC at No. 24 Notre

BY DAVE SKRETTA Associated Press

Purdue moved back to No. 1 in the AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll Monday ahead of Houston, which spent a single week there after leapfrogging the Boilermakers It’s hardly a two-team race for the top, though. UConn, Arizona and Duke also got No 1 votes from the 61-member media panel in a poll that also saw No. 6 Louisville and No. 8 Illinois jump into the top 10. The Boilermakers got 44 firstplace votes after an impressive week that included a road

Final Four teams from last season.

“We have a great group of guys,” said Purdue coach Matt Painter, who also picked up his 500th career win last weekend, “and just trying to go from one game to the other I think is really hard after you have such an emotional, big win on the road like we had.” UConn remained No. 3 with three first-place votes after beating then-No. 7 BYU 86-84 on Saturday That started a tough road for the Huskies that includes games against No. 4 Arizona on Wednesday and Illinois and No 24 Kansas down the road. The Wildcats swapped spots with Duke this week, moving up with two first-place votes thanks in part to a win over then-No. 15 UCLA. The Blue Devils received the remaining No. 1 vote ahead of their

Tulane fires volleyball coach Jordana Price

Tulane fired volleyball coach Jordana Price on Monday a day after her team completed an 1116 season with a straight-set loss at Tulsa.

The Green Wave never gained traction in Price’s four-year tenure, going 40-77 overall and 15-56 in the American Conference after developing some momentum under former coach Jim Barnes who left to coach Iowa at the end of 2021. The Wave had gone 10-6 in league play in 2019 and 7-3 in the spring of 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the 2020 season. Price arrived at Tulane following five seasons as the associate coach and recruiting coordinator at Florida State.

The Wave, which last reached the NCAA tournament in 2008, will begin searching for its 11th all-time coach immediately

Bengals receiver Chase suspended for spitting Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase was suspended without pay for one game on Monday for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey Chase spat on Ramsey during a confrontation in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Ramsey grabbed Chase by the face mask and punched him, which resulted in Ramsey’s ejection.

In announcing the suspension, the NFL said Chase was disciplined under a rule that applies to “any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.”

Chase denied having spat after the Bengals’ 34-12 loss, but a Cincinnati television station had video of the incident. Chase did not speak to reporters Monday

Commanders release Gay, sign Moody from Bears Kicker Matt Gay was released by the Commanders on Monday a day after he missed two field-goal attempts in a 16-13 overtime loss to the Miami Dolphins in Spain, and a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press that Washington replaced him by signing Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears’ practice squad. Washington’s six-game losing streak began with a 25-24 defeat to Chicago on Oct. 13 that ended with Moody making a 38-yard field goal for the Bears on the last play That was Moody’s first game with Chicago after the San Francisco 49ers cut him for missing two kicks in Week 1 this season.

He was a third-round draft pick by the 49ers in 2023 and played for them in a Super Bowl.

Gay made 13 of 19 field-goal tries this season, a 68.4% accuracy rate.

Naylor agrees to 5-year contract with Mariners SEATTLE First baseman Josh Naylor and the Seattle Mariners finalized a five-year contract on Monday

Naylor, 28, became a free agent following a season in which the Mariners lost to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. Soon after Seattle’s season ended, president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto stressed the importance of re-signing Naylor after acquiring him from the Arizona Diamondbacks and called it a priority to bring the first baseman back. In 54 games with the Mariners, Naylor hit .299 with nine home runs, 33 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. In 12 postseason games, Naylor batted .340 with three home runs, five RBIs and two stolen bases.

LeBron returns to practice, unsure of when he’ll play EL SEGUNDO, Calif. LeBron James returned to practice with the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday, and he is waiting to see how he feels after the workout before deciding whether to make his season debut Tuesday When James returns to Los Angeles’ lineup, he will become the first player in NBA history to play in 23 seasons. The Lakers host the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, but they don’t have another game until Sunday The 40-year-old James hadn’t worked out with the Lakers since he developed sciatica before the start of training camp in late September, and he missed a season opener for the first time in his bas-

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JESSICA HILL

UConn guard Blanca Quinonez, right celebrates with forward Sarah Strong left, during a game against Ohio State on Sunday in Hartford,

ASSOCIATED PRESS

LHSAAto decide on Karr,CatholicLeague

Schoolsmakeappeals at 2nddistricting meeting

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

The LHSAA executivecommittee will decide if Edna Karr will keep its powerhousefootball team in District 9-5A, commonly known as the Catholic League, among other districtingdecisionsafterthe second classification meetingconcluded Monday in Baton Rouge.

Karr submitted an appealthat would keepthe Cougars competinginthe same district they have won with outright district titles over the past four seasons.

Other New Orleans-area appeals from Jefferson Parish public schools along with Chalmette and Warren Easton also could affect the makeup of the tradition-bound Catholic League.

TheLHSAAinthe first district proposal sent to school administrators Nov.10moved Karr and Easton out of 9-5A and into adistrict with Jefferson Parish publicschoolsand moved Chalmette from adistrict with St. Tammany Parishschools and into the CatholicLeague. The appeal from Karr asked simplythat the LHSAA keepKarr in 9-5A while Easton can remain with

its newproposed district

Karr didnot have arepresentative at the meeting, which technically rescinded the proposal, but“because otherpeopledid reference their requestaswell, indirectly,their concern was essentially heard,” LHSAAassistant executive director Michael Federico said Jefferson Parish schools asked that its 5A district remain the same as it is now, with Bonnabel, East Jefferson,John Ehret, L.W Higgins, Riverdaleand West Jefferson, along with BenFranklin, which does not play for district honors in football.

Easton provided asubmission that simply said it approved the currentplan that would have Karr and Easton in the same grouping as theJefferson Parish schools.

Chalmetteasked that it join what would become anine-team district that has six St. Tammany schools, plus two more from Tangipahoa Parish.

The LHSAA heard appeals from 31 administrators from across the statefor about an hour and went into executive session afterward.

The LHSAAwilldecide on those appealsin advance of the third

andfinalclassification meeting setfor Dec. 3, at which administrators canmakeafinalappeal for the next two-year districting cycle. The two-year districting cycle will run from thefall of 2026 to the spring of 2028.

Jefferson Parishschools noted theease in scheduling with shared stadiums between schools when BonnabelprincipalKatrina Torrado spokefromalecterntothe executive committee.

Eastonprincipal Mervin Jackson noted similar demographics and funding in its proposal to be paired with the JeffersonParish public schools.

Chalmette hasplayed past seasons in the Catholic League and withJeffersonParishpublic schools.

“Our ultimategoal is that stability,” Chalmette principal Will Snyder said. “We’d like to remain in that district so that we can build these rivalries, so that we can build that community of schools for our students.”

In other classifications, Haynes asked thatitmove from the proposed District 10-3A, which has no other Jefferson Parishpublic

schools, andbeplaced into 11-3A, which has three other Jefferson Parishpublic schools. Northlake Christian asked that it move from the proposed District 11-2A, in which it would be the only north shore school amongseven south shoreteams,and be placed in anorth shore-heavy 10-2A.

Pope John PaulIImade avolleyball-only appeal to be in adis-

trict withother north-of-the-lake schools.

Ben Franklin asked that the current proposed girls soccer district that has Lakeshore, Pearl River andSalmen getreplaced by Kenner Discovery,Riverdale and Willow,largely fortravel purposes. Contact ChristopherDabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

Jesuit crosscountry runs state-championship streak to 5

place ahead of BrotherMartin, a Division Irunner-up for the fourth year in arow with 93 points.

Monahan overtook Parkway

placement as the Cubs had five finishersamongthe top20and posted 55 points forthe school’s first cross country state titlesince 2007, snapping St.Joseph’sstreak at nine.

es the past twoseasons.

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Jesuit and Mount Carmel won team championships as Jesuit seniorBradyMonahanclaimedhis

first individual title and helped the Blue Jays return home with agold trophy for the fifth year in arow at the LHSAA state crosscountry championships Monday in Natchitoches.

Jesuit had fivefinishersamong the top 10 and scored 29 points to

junior Brennan Robin at the twomile mark andran thesixth-fastesttime in LHSAAchampionship history at 14 minutes, 59.7 seconds.

“All of us were pretty far back thefirst littlebit,” Jesuit coach Nick Accardo said as he noted that junior NicholasBraud hadthe best start amonghis teammates.

“Afterthe first mile, we kind of worked our way up and knew wheretogo, so then thelastcouplemileswereally made up alot of room andraced well.”

Mount Carmel senior Stella Junius earned arunner-up individual

State champion Grace Keene of Northshore ran the third-fastest time in LHSAAchampionship history at 17 minutes, 21.7 seconds. Junius posted the eighth-fastest time at 17:42.3.

Theracewas closeuntil thefinish.

“There’sone hill on the last 800 (meters),and Ijust told myself that it was nowornever,” Keene said. “I stayed strong going up that hill. …Itwas apretty thrilling race for me.”

Mount Carmel won the team title after successive runner-up finish-

“Wethought back in the summer we hadthis chance,” Mount Carmel coach Rob Farrell said, adding that histeam “mapped out what we wanted to do forabout a week now.”

The Mount Carmel runners stayed patient at the beginning and made “bigmoves in the middle of therace,” Farrell said. “They did that to aT.”

In other divisions, Country Day freshman Varenka Zhuk wonthe Division IV girls individual title andhelped the Cajuns to afirstplace team finish ahead of runnerup McGehee, whichhad sophomoreMary Clarie Leckert finish third

Zhuk waited until close to the fin-

ish to moveinto the lead after she ran much of the race in “a pack of three or four girls,” coach Maurice DuCarpe said.

“We’re areally young team,” DuCarpe said. “We’re returning everybody next year; four of the top seven were freshmen.”

St.Martin’swon the Division V girls title with Olive Diaz as the top finisher among the four runners that placed between sixth and 12th and afifththat finished 21st.

In DivisionII, Willoweighthgrader Emma Aldana Huelga won thegirls individualtitle and Sacred Heartearneda runner-up team placement as senior Leah Varisco finished third.The Newman boys wererunners-up in Division III.

Jesuit, 15:38.3. 9. Brayden Berglund, Mandeville, 15:44.6. 10 Nicholas Braud, Jesuit, 15:47.1. Division II Team scores: 1. E.D.White, 87, 2. St. Thomas More, 93.3.West Ouachita, 93. 4. Teurlings Catholic, 133, 5. Belle Chasse, 136. Individuals: 1. Barrett Richards, David Thibodaux, 15:38.1. 2. John Henry Fitzgerald,St. Thomas More 15:48.6. 3. Emerson Cullen, David Thibodaux, 15:57.6. 4. Jack Kelley West Ouachita, 16:00.0. 5. Joshua Guidry,South Lafourche, 16:00.9. 6. William Ledet,E.D.White, 16:07.8. 7. Jack Pattillo, Caddo Magnet, 16:09.7 8. Liam Kelso, Vanderbilt Catholic 16:09.9. 9. Matthew Plaisance, E.D White, 16:24.6. 10.Aaron May, West Ouachita, 16:27.5. Division III Team scores: 1. Episcopal, 39, 2. Newman, 87, 3. Parkview Baptist, 91, 4. John Curtis, 139, 5. Erath, 163. Individuals: 1. Andrew Watts, Parkview Baptist, 15:55.8. 2. Maximos Tsolakis, University Lab, 16:04.9. 3. William Foster Lambert, Episcopal, 16:06.1. 4. LoganDegruy, Newman, 16:08.5. 5. Cooper Hunt, Parkview Baptist, 16:11.5.6.Jacob Hutchinson-Johnson, Episcopal, 16:23.6. 7. Mason Kelly,Episcopal, 16:31.0. 8. Dominik D’avignon, Sterlington, 16:35.3.9.BlakeBordelon, John Curtis, 16:35.5. 10. Aiden Grassmann, Episcopal, 16:45.8. Division IV Team scores: 1. Houma Christian 87, 2. Lafayette Christian, 99, 3. Dunham, 112, 4. AvoyellesPublic

Charter, 125, 5. CountryDay,145. Individuals: 1. Talan Sievers, Lafayette Christian, 15:30.6. 2. Chimaobi Okechukwu,Westminster Christian, 16:31.9. 3. LukeAlexander, Cedar Creek,16:38.1.4.JacksonSoileau, SacredHeart, 16:43.1.5.Lawson Juneau, Avoyelles Public Charter 16:46.6. 6. Hudson Cormier, St Thomas Aquinas, 16:48.0. 7. August Fesi, Houma Christian,17:08.8. 8. Parker Gautreau, Lafayette Christian, 17:10.9. 9. Austin Siebeneicher, Menard, 17:13.8. 10. Zack Whitaker, Houma Christian,17:17.7. Division V Team scores: 1. Highland Baptist, 60 2. Hackberry,84. 3. Plainview,105, 4. Christ Episcopal School, 158. 5. Georgetown,163. Individuals: 1. Tyler Blissett, Highland Baptist, 15:45.0. 2. David Nowakowski, Highland Baptist, 17:45.5. 3. Devin Murphy,Hackberry,18:04.5. 4. Kendan Maricle, Plainview,18:09.0. 5. RichardNowakowski, Highland Baptist,18:13.8. 6. Omar Hijazi, St Martin’s Episcopal, 18:15.7. 7. Carl Fortenberry,Mt. Hermon, 18:32.6. 8. Colton Crum, Harrisonburg,18:45.2. 9. John Bickel, Simpson,18:52.4. 10. Noah Clark, Christ Episcopal, 18:58.0. Girls Division I Team

scores: 1. Mount Carmel, 55. 2. St. Joseph,89. 3. Ruston, 136. 4. Dominican,176. 5. C.E. Byrd, 227. Individuals: 1. Grace Keene, Northshore, 17:21.7. 2. Stella Junius Mount Carmel, 17:42.3. 3. Lucy Thomas, Baton RougeHigh, 18:11.1. 4. Eden Dawsey,Ruston, 18:14.9 5. Hannah Schneider, St. Joseph, 18:21.3. 6. KeiraMelan, Dutchtown, 18:39.6. 7. Lucy Quintana, Mount Carmel, 18:40.1. 8. Ella Willoughby, St.Amant,18:43.4. 9. Grace Schneider, Dominican,18:53.3. 10. Lila Silk, Denham Springs, 18:55.2. Division II Team

scores: 1. E.D.White, 61. 2. AcademyofSacredHeart, 64. 3. St. Thomas More, 86. 4. Teurlings Catholic, 120. 5. WillowSchool, 157. Individuals: 1. Emma AldanaHuelga, WillowSchool, 18:28.0. 2. Abigail Leger, TeurlingsCatholic, 18:57.3. 3. Leah Varisco, AcademyofSacred Heart,19:08.9. 4. MiaCestia, St.

Thomas More, 19:12.6. 5. Caroline Molaison, E.D.White, 19:16.9. 6. Finley Buhler,AcademyofSacred Heart, 19:22.5. 7. Caroline Varisco AcademyofSacred Heart, 19:28.9. 8. Katie Guidry, E.D.White, 19:39.3. 9. AbbyMendoza,St. Thomas More, 19:41.2. 10. Jacklyn McMenamin, Hannan, 19:47.3. DivisionIII Team scores: 1. Parkview Baptist, 27. 2. Episcopal, 39. 3. Newman, 136. 4. Buckeye,171. 5. Haynes, 201. Individuals: 1. Molly Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 18:19.5.2.Neva Lambert, Episcopal,18:33.6. 3. Georgia Theriot, Parkview Baptist, 18:44.3 4. Lucy Cramer, Parkview Baptist, 19:19.8. 5. AdaMere, Episcopal, 19:42.8. 6. LaurenBradford, Episcopal, 19:52.0.7.Sophia Feritta, Loyola Prep, 20:09.0.8.Sophie Nguyen, Newman, 20:45.5. 9. Brynlie Monistere, Parkview Baptist, 20:54.2.10. Quinn Saucier, Parkview Baptist, 21:01.7 DivisionIV Team scores: 1. CountryDay,75. 2. LouiseMcGehee, 106. 3. Episcopal School of Acadiana, 116. 4. Bell City 146. 5. Ascension Episcopal, 177. Individuals: 1. VarenkaZhuk, CountryDay,18:19.9. 2. Sawyer Kaitlyn Hathaway,18:30.8. 3. Mary Claire Leckert,Louis McGehee, 18:39.5. 4. Celia Adams, St. Thomas Aquinas, 18:46.9. 5. BellaBiggerstaff, Ascension Episcopal, 19:20.1. 6. Rachel Hill, St. Federick, 19:38.3. 7. Jiya Lodha, Episcopal School of Acadiana, 19:40.4. 8. Kaylee Siebeneicher, Menard, 19:48.0. 9. Colette Alvarado, CountryDay,19:55.4. 10: Sophia Acevedo, Anacoco, 20:00.1. DivisionV Team scores: 1. St. Martin’s Episcopal, 55. 2. Highland Baptist, 68.3 Christ Episcopal, 99. 4. Pitkin,122. 5. Evans, 132. Individuals: 1. Reese Jeane, Evans, 18:37.4. 2. Madalynn Salsman, Highland Baptist,19:18.5. 3. Kate Ellzey,Florien,19:21.8. 4. Ella Blake Highland Baptist,19:49.4. 5. Noah Watson, ChristEpiscopal, 20:24.6. 6. OliveDiaz, St. Martin’s Episcopal, 20:46.4. 7. JulietWhitaker,St. Martin’s Episcopal,20:47.5. 8. Lydia Wisby,Pitkin, 20:55.1. 9. NiaNorton, St. MartinEpiscopal, 20:57.6. 10 Tabitha Dry,Montgomery, 21.37.3.

STAFFPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Edna Karrdefensivelineman Richard Anderson holds the ball during a game against John Curtis on Nov. 1atthe Shrine on Airline. The LHSAA executivecommittee will soon decide if Karr will stayinDistrict 9-5A.

LSUaimsto makecoaching decision soon

The LSU football coaching search apparently has shiftedinto ahigher gear

es who apparently haven’tbeen turned off by the political situation surrounding LSU.

Search standards

Scott Rabalais

Our Wilson Alexander reported Monday afternoon that Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is the focus of LSU’ssearch to replace Brian Kelly as its coach.

ä Western Kentucky at LSU, 6:45 P.M. SATURDAy,SECN

Significantly,members of Kiffin’sfamily were flown by private jet Monday to Baton Rouge to tour the city.

Let’sall assume they were not just here for the chargrilled oysters.

Over the weekend, things we have been hearing about the LSU search —aswellasdevelopments in Mississippi —began to move in asignificant direction.

Here’swhat we’ve beenhearing regarding the search since late Sundaynight:

Kiffin’soptions

Kiffin looks like he has three major options: stay at OleMiss, leave for LSU or leave for Florida. He also could be in play withthe New York Giants, but we’ll leave that aside for now.Whatever he does, Kiffin is likely to emerge as the highest paid coachincollege football. According to USA Today, that currently is Georgia coach Kirby Smart at just over $13.2 milliona year

Howbig of acontract?

Despite Gov. Jeff Landry decrying the state of coaches’ contracts these days (something we don’tdisagree on), LSU will have the ability —and willingness —tocompete with and possibly surpass an offer by either OleMiss or Florida. As of late Sunday night, no official offers had been made to any candidate. But Iamtold LSU will do whatit needs to do financially,which is significant.

LSUstabilizes

Even with all of the controversy surrounding Landry’sstatements, includingthose that ledtothe firing of LSU athletic directorScott Woodward, you will notice things have calmed down on that front since Wade Rousse was named president and finallyconfirmed that Verge Ausberry would be the LSU athletic director.That has led to alot of interest from sitting head coaches around the country,coach-

Every person LSU has picked to be its football coach dating back to 1991 with its hiringofCurley Hallman from Southern Mississippi has hadprior head coachingexperience. To that end, LSUshould be expected to seek another current headcoach,but ifcircumstances dictate it, the schoolcould consider someone from the coordinator ranks.

Time frame

When would LSU ideally like to hire acoach? This is acritical point with the College FootballPlayoff running from Dec. 19 through Jan 19. Even more critical from LSU’s perspective is the start of the early signing period on Dec. 3. LSU clearlywouldlike to have anew coach in place by then, meaning thiscoaching searchwill have to move quickly

Otheroptions

If not Kiffin —and obviously he could go any number of ways —thenwho for LSU? Twoofthe names to consider right now appear to be Missouri coach EliDrinkwitz and Tulane coachJon Sumrall. The GreenWavecoachwillnot be discounted in the coaching search the way former UL and Florida coach Billy Napier was when LSU hired Kelly four years ago just because he coaches at an in-stateschool. Bear in mind that Tulane (8-2,5-1 American Conference) is still very much alive for the College Football Playoff aswell, ahalf-game behind first-place Navy in theconference standings.

WaitingonKiffin

The focus, ofcourse, will continue to be on Kiffin unless he announcesheisaccepting acontract extension from Ole Miss. There appearstobegrowing pressurein Mississippi for him to make adecision before the No. 5-ranked Rebels (10-1) earn an assumed berth in the 12-team CFP.Ole Miss has an opendate this week, then plays at rival Mississippi State on Nov. 28 to end theregular season.Evenan upsetloss to the Bulldogs probably wouldn’tkeep the highly ranked Rebelsout of the CFP,potentially forcing Kiffin, and Ole Miss, to make adecision.

FormoreLSU sports updates, sign upfor our newsletter at theadvocate.com/lsunewsletter

LSUcould play Saturday with just onescholarship QB

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

LSU faced Arkansas on Saturday withonly one active scholarship quarterback.

The Tigers(6-4) may have to do so again in their matchup with Western KentuckyonSaturday, if GarrettNussmeier‘s lingering abdominal injury forces himtosit a second straight contestand if Colin Hurley‘s absence carries into athird week of games.

Interim coach Frank Wilson said Mondaythathewas unsure of Nussmeier’sstatusfor thegame against the Hilltoppers (8-2).He also characterized Hurley’s absenceasa “temporary leave for personal-related matters.”

“I know (Nussmeier’s) gonna wantto(play),” Wilsonsaid. “We’re going to defer to our medical staff, ourtrainers, our doctors, to do what’sbest for him. If there’s any way thathecan, I know he’sgonna want to do so, butI don’thave those answers just yet.”

If starter MichaelVan Buren had to miss snaps, then LSU likely wouldplayrunning back Ju’Juan Johnson at quarterback,Wilsonsaid Thesophomore hasplayed as a tailback allseason, butheworked as aquarterbackinspring practices,atthe startofpreseason camp andduring in-season practices as well while Nussmeier was battling hisinjury

Wilson also said he has confidencein Emile Picarella,afreshman preferred walk-on and former star at University High “Wehaveacontingency plan that we feel confidentin,” Wilson said. If VanBurenappears in thegame against Western Kentucky,then he can no longertake aredshirt

FalconsQBPenix to miss at leastfourgames

BY CHARLESODUM

AP sportswriter

ATLANTA— Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix will be placed on injured reserve and will miss at least four games with aleft knee injury,leaving Kirk Cousins as the starter Penix suffered the injuryin Sunday’s30-27 overtime loss to Carolina, extendingthe Falcons’ losing streak to five games. Cousins will make his second start of the season when the Falcons (3-7) play at New Orleans(28) on Sunday Atlanta’stop wide receiver, Drake London, also couldmissat least one week with aknee injury. Coach Raheem Morris on Monday said London’sstatus is “week to week.” Penix left in the third quarter with Atlanta leading 21-16. Penix missed the Falcons’ 34-10 loss to Miami on Oct. 26 withabone bruise on his left knee. He may have suffered amoresignificant injury when he was hit by Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig after throwing an incompletepass. Morris said Penix wasseeking asecond opinion after having an MRIonthe knee Monday morning. Morris would not confirm there is concern Penix has damage to his anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. Penix had two ACL injuries in his college career at Indiana and Washington. “I don’twant to say that because that’sjust not my place to say that yet,” Morris said. “... Iwantto make sure before Iactually confirm anything.”

Morris said he did not know whether the new injury was related to the bone bruise.

Morris saidhespoke with the team and then spokeindividually with PenixonMonday “I really hurt for the young man,” Morris said, adding Penix was “really finding his groove.” Penix, the team’s 2024 firstround pick,was 13 of 16 for175 yards against Carolina after completing only 12 of 28 passesina 31-25 overtimelosstothe Indianapolis Colts in Berlin, Germany, on Nov.9

“I like how he took alot of ownership on itlastweek and really wasready to have abounce-back week,” Morris said Following thehit from Moehrig, Penixstarted to walk off thefield, thensat down and waited for the athletic trainingstaff. He then walked tothe sideline underhis ownpower and wasexamined in the injury tent.

Cousins completed only 6of 14 passes for 48 yards andcould notmovethe team into theend

zone againstCarolina. The veteran whoopened the2024season as the starternow returnstothe lead role for at least fourgames and possibly theremainder of the season. TheFalcons offensestruggled in Cousins’ first start of theseason in theloss to Miami. Morris notedthere wasuncertainty at quarterback in practice leading up to the game against the Dolphins,but this week Cousins will have the advantage of taking all the first-team snaps. “Hewillgothrough all the rotations thisweek,”Morris said. “He’ll go througheverything that we need to get done in order for him to go out there and, you know, getawin for the football team.”

Morris said it was fairtoassume there will be aheavyemphasisonBijan Robinsonand the running game with the offense missing bothPenix and London.

for the 2025 season. He’salready appeared in four games. Thewin over Arkansas washis first start of the season andthe ninthofhis career,whichhebegan last year as atrue freshman at Mississippi State.

Nussmeier aggravated his injury in practice Thursday.LSU ruled him outofthe matchup with the Razorbacks shortlybefore kickoff.

On Saturday,Van Buren completed 21 of 31 passes for221 yardsand atouchdown. He was sacked four times, but he also scrambled fora 35-yard gain that helped the Tigers seal the win on their last drive.

“I thoughtMichael’s body of workwas imperfect,” Wilson said, “but yet something that we can certainly build on.”

Weeksupdate

LSU linebacker Whit Weeks has missedfour consecutive games with the bone bruise that he first sufferedinhis ankle late in aSept. 27 losstoOle Miss. Will the star junior try to play Saturday against Western Kentucky?Oronthe road at Oklahoma in the Tigers’ regular-season finale?

“I surehopehewould,”Wilson said Monday LSU listed Weeks as questionable to playagainst the Razorbacksonthe availability reports it released Wednesday and Thursday.Wilson then said he’d be given agame-time designation on Saturday,but he was instead ruled out of action Friday This season, Weeks hasappeared in only six games, and he’splayed afull share of snaps in just five.

In LSU’sWeek 3win over Florida, he was flagged for targeting and ejected on thefirst defensive se-

SAINTS

Continued from page1C

Putitall together and the Saints have the easiest strength of schedule remaining, as their opponents have acombined .347 winning percentage.

“There’salways an opportunity,” Saints safety Justin Reid said. “The NFLiscraziness. All the predictions —you look at the AFC West and what’shappening with Kansas Cityand that division, with the Broncos being picked lastand they’re on top. TheChicago Bears are No. 1in theirdivisionright now.

“You can’twrite abetter script than what happens in the NFL. Anything can happen. But the only way for us to do anything is to take onegame at atime.”

A17-7win over theCarolina Panthers before thebye does notmean theSaintswill run the table, but players and coaches were encouraged by what that performancemeantfor the progress they hadmadeasa team.

The Saints believe that game was thefirst allyear in which theywere abletoplaycomplementary football. Quarterback TylerShough, in just his second start,played well enough for the offense to take the lead, and the defenseresponded by shutting down ahot Panthers rushing attack and quarterback Bryce Young —who’d go on to throw for448 yards against Atlanta a week later

“Wedid it in allthreephases of the game,” Saintsdefensive end Chase Young saidabout thewin over the Panthers.

Saintscoach Kellen Moore said the Saints used their bye week

ries of the contest. Weeks recorded 125 tackles in 2024. This year,hehas only 29. Withouthim, theLSU defense struggled in games against Vanderbilt and Texas A&M. But it wasstingierinits matchups with Alabamaand Arkansas. The Razorbacksentered Saturday’s game with oneofthe threebest statisticaloffenses in theSEC but the Tigers forced them into threeturnovers andheld themto only 15 points when subtracting ablocked punt fora touchdown. Weekscan declarefor the 2026 NFL Draft or play college football —atLSU or elsewhere for onemore year.Wilson said he spoke with the linebacker Monday, and he said Weeks wants to “finish this season the right way.

“Hemakes us better,” Wilson said. “I’m respectful and understanding of his injury,ofhis future andthe things that he’s trying to attain.Ithink if there’s apossibility of him being able to play,he’s going to position himself to do so. Unfortunately, that hasn’thappened in thelastcouple of weeks, several weeks.

“We’ll try again this week.” Kickofftime

LSU’sregular-season finaleat Oklahoma will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Nov.29oneither ESPN or ABC.

The Tigers (6-4) play Western Kentucky on Saturday afterwinning 23-22 over Arkansas last weekend. They’re now1-1 under Wilson.

The No. 8Sooners (8-2) defeated No. 10 Alabama 23-21 on theroad Saturday.They’re stillinthe mix for aspot in the College Football Playoff, and they will be when theyface LSUiftheybeat Missouri at home this Saturday

wisely.The time off allowed players to rest both physically and mentally,hesaid. Mooreadded that he and the coaching staff used the week to self-scout each unit, emerging witha betterunderstanding of what was working and what neededtoimprove.

But he also liked what he saw when players returned to the facility Monday.There wasa “juice and an energy” when they hit thefieldand weight room, he said.

“They’re readytoget back to playing football,”Mooresaid.

Whenthe NFLreleased the schedule in May, New Orleans’ back half seemed lighter than the first half. But in retrospect the first halfofthe Saints’schedule provedtobemuch tougher thanmostexpected

The New England Patriots (9-2), LosAngelesRams (8-2) andSeattle Seahawks (7-3) areamong the league’s best. The Chicago Bears (7-3)and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) sitatop theirdivisions, while the SanFrancisco49ers (7-4) and Buffalo Bills (7-3) remaininthe playoff chase.

Of the Saints’ eight losses this season, only one defeat has been to ateam currently under.500— to the 3-7 Arizona Cardinals in the season opener That’snot to excuse howpoorly theSaintshaveplayed at times And if the roster wasinbetter shape,perhaps theSaintswould have swung some of thosecontests.

Butstarting Sunday,the Saints have an opportunity to evaluate themselves againstopponents closer to their level.

“Hopefully,wecan get this thing going,” Moore said.

Email Matthew Parasatmatt. paras@theadvocate.com

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier,left, pats wide receiverAaron Anderson on the head on the sideline in the second quarter of the game against Arkansas on SaturdayatTiger Stadium

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BRyNN ANDERSON AtlantaFalcons quarterback Michael Penix walks off the field after overtimeagainst the Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Atlanta.

LSU men off to best offensive start in 30 years

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

Points are coming easily for LSU basketball.

After scoring 96, 93 and 98 in its first three games, coach Matt McMahon’s team has accomplished something to start a season that hasn’t happened in more than three decades.

LSU scored 90 points or more in the first three games for the first time since the 1990-91 season.

Then-coach Dale Brown’s team kept that streak going for nine games behind sophomore Shaquille O’Neal, who led the Southeastern Conference in points (27.6), rebounds (14.7) and blocks (5.0) that season.

This iteration of the Tigers will have a good chance to continue their 90-point scoring streak when they face Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly

LSU is also winning games by an average margin of 29.4 points, which ranks second in the SEC. Four SEC teams, including LSU, haven’t played a power-conference opponent yet, but the style in which McMahon’s team is succeeding against lesser competition is worthy of analysis.

The team is frequently playing uptempo. After most missed shots and some makes, LSU is getting past the half-court line quickly Its

conductor is pass-first point guard Dedan Thomas, who is averaging 13.3 points and 7.3 assists (tied for eighth in the country).

“The ball is going to be in his hands and trust him to make the decisions,” McMahon said about Thomas after the season opener

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ANTONIO CALANNI

Italy’s Jannik Sinner, left, and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz hug after the final tennis match of the ATP Tour Finals in Turin, Italy, on Sunday

Sinner, Alcaraz well above rest of men’s pro tennis

BY ANDREW DAMPF

AP sportswriter

Jannik Sinner draped his left arm and his racket around Carlos Alcaraz’s neck. Alcaraz then put his right arm on Sinner’s shoulder The friendly greeting between the two players after the latest in a series of high-stakes matches was a fitting image for the year in men’s tennis.

Sinner and Alcaraz are dominating the game and their levels are so close that they keep alternating who wins the biggest titles.

Alcaraz beat Sinner in a fifth-set tiebreaker in the French Open final; Sinner got revenge at Wimbledon; Alcaraz won again at the U.S. Open; and then Sinner defended his ATP Finals title before his home fans in Turin, Italy on Sunday. Alcaraz sealed the year-ending No. 1 ranking, while No. 2 Sinner goes into the offseason coming off a confidence-boosting victory over his rival.

“The facts are they’re a level above everyone,” said Felix Auger-Aliassime, who was beaten by both Sinner (in the group stage) and Alcaraz (in the semifinals) at the season-ending event for the top eight players. “The ranking doesn’t lie. They’re the two best players. That’s the facts.

“Different game styles, but both put extreme pressure on their opponent in different ways They keep showing up and playing good, so credit to them.”

Added ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi: “These two guys are really incredible for our sport, both on and off the court.”

It was the most-watched tennis match in Italian TV history with 7 million viewers, according to numbers released by the national ratings service Monday Sinner, who also won the Australian Open, reached the final of all four Grand Slams — despite missing three months near the start of the year after settling a doping case.

“I feel to be a better player than last year,” Sinner said. “All

the losses I had, I tried to see the positive thing and trying to evolve me as a player I felt like this happened in a very good way.”

Alcaraz acknowledged a year ago when he won only one match during the group stage at the ATP Finals that he still had to learn how to play indoors.

Well, consider him adept at the surface now

“I didn’t doubt about playing and fighting toe-to-toe with Jannik on indoor court,” Alcaraz said. “I’m pretty sure that it’s going to keep growing up, my level on indoor court.”

After the loss to Alcaraz at the U.S. Open, Sinner said he wanted to improve his serve and the results were evident in Turin where he dropped his serve only once — in the opening game of the second set against Alcaraz.

“He’s actually pumped up the miles per hour and he is getting the ball closer to the line, which means he gets a lot more free points,” Darren Cahill, one of Sinner’s coaches, said of the Italian’s first serve

There was also a big 187 kph (116 mph) second serve from Sinner that helped him save a set point against Alcaraz late in the second set.

“I had already served two or three second serves in the same way (in that game) and I kept on losing the point. So I had to come up with something different. I decided for the riskiest option,” Sinner said. “Sometimes you need a bit of courage and some luck. I would rather lose that point then have him win it.”

Added Alcaraz, “That surprised me.”

While Alcaraz was heading to Bologna to represent Spain in the Davis Cup finals this week, Sinner was starting his offseason and already focusing on 2026.

Sinner will be the two-time defending champion at the Australian Open and then will attempt to win the French Open for the first time.

“Clay is going to be a big target for us next year,” Cahill said.

“We’ll keep working on that.”

“Teammates love playing with him. I’d love to play on his team. He’s gonna get you the ball right where you need it.”

The junior transfer from UNLV said the fast-paced style of play is what McMahon preached throughout the offseason.

LSU WOMEN

Continued from page 1C

points on 6-of-15 shooting.

The Green Wave outrebounded LSU 47-43, thanks to the 24 boards it grabbed off the offensive glass. Tulane turned those opportunities into 17 second-chance points, and in doing so, prevented the Tigers from picking up another 40-point win. The Tigers missed 12 layups and 12 free throws.

“I thought our players played as hard as they could,” Tulane coach Ashley Langford said. “I thought they really focused after the first quarter, and to me, a lot of teams would’ve folded after the first quarter being down 30 or 40 or whatever we were down.”

LSU next will host Alcorn State at 7 p.m. Thursday before taking a week off to gear up for its Thanksgiving trip to the U.S. Virgin Islands. There, the Tigers will face Marist and either MiamiOhio or Washington State in the Reef Division of the Paradise Jam Tournament.

Tulane is playing in that event as well, but it was placed in the Harbor Division with Elon, North Dakota and Boise State Before that trip, the Green Wave will fly to a road game against North Dakota State at 7 p.m. Friday

“I think, for us,” Williams said, “we started out strong. We had a lot of energy. But I think the biggest thing we need to take away from this game is being able to continue that through the ups and downs. I think we got outrebounded I think we got outscored one quarter, and I think that’s just unacceptable for the places we want to be at the end of the season.”

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C

Smoothie King Center

New Orleans allowed a seasonworst 44 first-quarter points against Golden State, then topped that by allowing 49 in the first quarter against Oklahoma City

The Pelicans’ 21 turnovers against the Warriors led to 27 points, and their 22 turnovers against the Thunder led to 31 points.

The loss was New Orleans’ sixth straight and came 15 days after a 137-106 loss to the Thunder in Oklahoma City while Willie Green was still the team’s coach.

The Pelicans (2-12) will try to salvage one win from their fivegame home stand in the finale at 7 p.m. Wednesday against the Denver Nuggets.

New Orleans played without Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain), who was a game-time decision but missed his eighth consecutive game, and Saddiq Bey, who was a late addition to the injury report with a sprained left ankle. Jordan Poole remained sidelined by a quad strain.

Rookie Jeremiah Fears scored a season-high 24 point for the Pelicans, Trey Murphy had 18, rookie Micah Peavy had a season-high 16, Jordan Hawkins scored 11 and Karlo Matkovic chipped in 10. Borrego opted to start New Or-

and run.”

Thomas doesn’t want to take all the credit for the offense’s proficiency because he has teammates who are skilled at putting the ball in the basket. LSU has five players averaging at least 12 ppg. The leading scorer is center Mike Nwoko at 17.3 ppg.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air playing with them,” Thomas said.

“Everyone knows how to make plays. Everyone’s about winning. Everyone can do a lot of different things. So I mean, they make it easy on me. They hit open shots. They make plays on their own. They get me open.”

McMahon said games against Tarleton State in

“Coach has been really encouraging us to push the ball, get downhill, just play with pace,” Thomas said after the season opener. “He don’t want to call that many plays this year He doesn’t want to slow the game down possession by possession. He really wants to get out

leans’ tallest lineup of the season by pairing 6-foot-11 Yves Missi and 6-10 rookie Derik Queen. The Pelicans finished with a 3835 disadvantage on the boards even though they grabbed just three rebounds in the first quarter when Oklahoma City missed just 7 of 22 shots. Chet Holmgren scored 26 points, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 23, Luguentz Dort had 17, Isaiah Hartenstein added 16, Isaiah Joe had 14 and Ajay Mitchell put in 11 for the reigning NBA champion Thunder (14-1). Oklahoma City removed any

lingering doubt about the outcome when it started the third quarter with a 24-11 spurt that produced a 93-67 lead midway through the period on its way to a 106-80 cushion entering the fourth quarter Fears scored the Pelicans’ first

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

LSU freshman Zakiyah Johnson goes up for a shot over Tulane’s Dyllan Hanna during a game at Devlin Fieldhouse on Monday

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears scores against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of

game at

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

The LSU men’s basketball team huddles before heading to the locker room prior to a game against UNO on Nov. 12 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Atlanta Braves pitcher Cole Hamels throws a pitch to the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 16, 2020,in Baltimore. ASSOCIATED

Hamels,Braun,Kemp join Hall of Fameballot

Associated Press

COOPERSTOWN, N.Y.— Cole Hamels, Ryan Braun and Matt Kemp are among 12 newcomers on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot released Monday,and Carlos Beltrán heads 15 holdovers after falling 19 votes shyin2025 balloting.

Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphyand Rick Porcelloalsoare among the first-time eligibles, joined by Shin-Soo Choo, Edwin Encarnación, Gio González, Alex Gordon, Nick Markakis and Hunter Pence.

Beltrán received 277 of 394 votes for 70.3% in the2025 balloting, when IchiroSuzuki, CC Sabathia and Billy Wagnerwere elected.

Anine-time All-Star,Beltránhit .279 with 435 homers and 1,587 RBIs over 20 seasons withKansas City (1999-2004), Houston (2004, 2017), the New York Mets (200511), San Francisco (2011), St.Louis (2012-13), the New York Yankees (20014-16) and Texas (2016). He received 46.5%support in hisfirstballot appearance in 2023, then roseto57.1% in his second.

Beltrán was the only player citedbynameinbaseballcommissioner Rob Manfred’s2020 reportconcluding the Astros used electronics in violation of rulesto

steal signs during Houston’srun to the2017 World Series title and againinthe 2018 season. Three days afterthe report was issued, the NewYorkMets said Beltrán was out as their manager,just 21/2 months afterhewas hired.

Otherholdovers include steroids-tainted stars Alex Rodriguez (146 votes, 37.1%)and Manny Ramirez (135,34.3%) alongwith Andruw Jones(261, 66.2%), Chase Utley(157, 39.8%),Andy Pettitte (110, 27.9%), FélixHernández (81, 20.6%),Bobby Abreu (77, 19.5%), Jimmy Rollins (71, 18%),Omar Vizquel (70, 17.8%), Dustin Pedroia(47, 11.9%), Mark Buehrle (45, 11.4%),Francisco Rodríguez (40, 10.2%), David Wright (32, 8.1%) andTorii Hunter (20, 5.1%).

Pettitte is on the ballot for the eighth timeafter doubling support from 13.5% in 2024. Aplayer canappear on theballotupto10 times.

BBWAA memberswith 10 or moreconsecutive years of membership are eligible to vote.Ballots must be postmarked by Dec. 31 and results will be announced Jan. 20.Anyone elected will be inducted on July 26 along with anyone chosen Dec. 7bythe hall’s contemporary baseball era committeeballot considering eight players whose greatest contributions to thesport were from 1980 on.

Virginia Tech hiresformer Penn Statecoach Franklin

BY JIMMY ROBERTSON Associated Press

BLACKSBURG, Va.— JamesFranklin was hired as the Virginia Tech head coach on Monday,alittle more than amonth after he was fired during his 12th season at Penn State.

The Hokiesbecamethe first Power Four football program to fill acoaching vacancy this season. Franklin is set to be formally introduced at anews conference Wednesday morning.

He was firedbythe NittanyLions on Oct. 12, aday after they lost at home to Northwestern to fall to 3-3.

The 53-year-old Franklin went 104-45 at PennState, winning a Big Tenchampionship (in the 2016 season),a Fiesta Bowl (2017) anda Rose Bowl (2022).Last season, he led the Nittany Lions to two College Football Playoff victories and the semifinals, where they fell to Notre Dame.

“I’mhonored and humbled to join the Hokie family,” Franklin said in astatement. “Myvision is simple: to restore unmatched excellence, to build something that lasts, and to serve this university, the Commonwealth of Virginia and our amazing fan base with honor, integrity,and passion. Ilook forward to getting to work with our players, our staff, and the entire Virginia Tech community.”

TermsofFranklin’scontract were not released. Before he was hired by Virginia Tech, Penn State had been on the hook for abuyout worth nearly $50 million.

Franklinhas a128-60 overall record, including histhreeseasons at Vanderbilt.InBlacksburg, he takesover for hisformer Nittany Lions defensive coordinator, Brent Pry,who was fired Sept.14 after theHokies lost their first three games by an average of 18.7 points.Virginia Tech started0-3 for thefirst time since 1987.

Pry went 16-24, including 10-13 in ACC play,inhis three-plus sea-

sons. The Hokies (3-7, 2-4 ACC) since have been led by interim coach Philip Montgomery Franklin was malignedatPenn Statefor not winning big games he went 4-21 against teams ranked in thetop 10 of the AP poll —but he brings credibility to aVirginia Tech program that has struggled sinceFrank Beamer retiredin 2015 after 29 years at the helm Athletic director Whit Babcock first hired JustinFuenteand then Pryinhopes of continuing the success enjoyed by Beamer,but both coaches floundered.Thatprompted Virginia Tech President Tim Sands to form asearch committee to hire thenext coach and limit the scope of Babcock’srole.

The Hokies have just four winning seasons since Beamer’sretirementand six sinceBabcock became the AD in 2014.

The committee landed on Franklin, whose Penn State teams won at least 10 games six times during histenure. Franklin also showed

SCOREBOARD

Time of Possession24:12

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—Detroit, Gibbs 12-39,Montgomery 6-27, J.Williams 1-9,Stuard1-0, Goff

1). Philadelphia, Barkley 26-83,Bigsby

Hurts 10-31. PASSING—Detroit, Goff 14-37-1-255. Philadelphia, Hurts 14-28-0-135. RECEIVING—Detroit, Gibbs 5-107, J.Williams 4-88, St. Brown2-42,Wright

1-10. Philadelphia, A.Brown7-49,Dotson 2-43, Goedert 2-24,D.Smith

Granson 1-4. MISSED FIELD GOALS—None. Pro basketball

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Santos 1-30-0 3, Horford2-5 0-06,Post1-4 1-24,Hield 4-80-0 11, Payton II 0-20-0 0, Podziemski8-13 0-0 19, Spencer 1-1 0-03.Totals43-94 14-17 124. NEW ORLEANS (106) Bey 4-10 1-2 11, MurphyIII 6-13 6-6 20, Queen 2-4 5-69,Fears 7-15 3-417, Jones 2-7 2-26 Matkovic 2-3 0-04,Peavy 0-00-0 0, Missi 4-8 0-2 8, Alvarado 6-12 3-318, Hawkins 2-6 0-05 McGowens 3-6 2-48.Totals38-84 22-29 106. Golden State 44 17 24 39 —124 New Orleans 28 21 22 35 —106 3-Point Goals—Golden State 24-56 (Moody 8-12, Hield3-6,Podziemski 3-7, Green 2-5, Horford2-5, Butler III 1-1, Spencer 1-1, Santos 1-3,Post1-4,Richard1-5,Curry 1-6, Payton II 0-1), New Orleans 8-29 (Alvarado 3-8, Bey 2-5, MurphyIII 2-6, Hawkins1-5, Matkovic 0-1, McGowens 0-1, Jones 0-3) Fouled Out—None. Rebounds Golden State 47 (Green 10), New Orleans 45 (MurphyIII 8) Assists—Golden State 34 (Butler III 10),New Orleans 22 (Queen 6) Total Fouls—Golden State 23, New Orleans 16. A—18,373 (16,867) College football Tuesday MIDWEST Akron (4-7)atBowlingGreen (3-7), 6p.m. Umass (0-10) at Ohio (6-4), 6p.m. W. Michigan (6-4)atN.Illinois(3-7),6p.m. College basketball State men’s schedule

Monday Lamar 79, Louisiana-Monroe 66 Tuesday Grambling at SanDiego, 6p.m. Alcorn at LSU,7p.m. UNO at Pepperdine,8p.m. Southern at Washington, 8:30 p.m. Northwestern State at San Francisco,9p.m. UL at Stanford, 9p.m. National scores EAST Colgate 72, Siena69 Le Moyne 74, Niagara68 Pennsylvania 83, Saint Joseph’s 74 Pittsburgh 84, Bucknell50 West Virginia 81, Lafayette 59 SOUTH Drake71, Charleston 62 Florida Atlantic92, Coastal Georgia63 Georgia 87, Florida A&M 57 High Point 93, Canisius 50 Liberty 98, Carolina46 North Carolina State 85, VCU79 UAB112, Rhodes 56 UCF 87, Oakland 83 West Georgia 61, Tennessee Tech 59 SOUTHWEST RogersState 77, Ozarks59 FARWEST BlackHills State 89, TexasA&M Int’l 57 TexasRio Grande Valley 110, Southwestern Adventist53 State women’s schedule Sunday UL-Monroe 79, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 50 McNeese 49, Tarleton State 47 Arizona 85, Grambling64 Monday LSU 101, Tulane 71 LSU (5-0) Koval0-4 2-2 2, ZaKiyahJohnson 5-7 4-714, Flau’Jae Johnson9-132-4 22, Richard 2-4 1-1 5, Williams6-131-2 16, Joyner 5-82-5 12, Knox2-5 0-04,Yarnevich 0-00-0 0, Bourrage 0-0 0-00,Fulwiley 7-12 5-720, Gilbert 2-31-1 5, Hines 0-0 1-21,Totals38-69 19-31 101 TULANE (2-2) Mabry 4-11 0-08,Brown 2-80-0 4, Daniel 4-13 0-2 9, Shores 2-60-0 5, Sneed2-6 2-28 Hanna 3-4 0-06,Weaver2-5 0-04,Marshall 6-15 4-4 20, Mays 1-40-0 2, Robinson 2-9 1-1 5, Totals 28-81 7-971 LSU 33 25 20 23 —101 Tulane 10 24 18 19 —71 3-Point Goals—LSU6-14(F.Johnson 2-3, Richard0-2, Williams 3-5, Fulwiley1-4),Tulane 8-32 (Mabry 0-5, Brown0-4,Daniel 1-6, Shores

an abilitytorecruitinVirginia. In 2023, he signed six of the top 10 prospects in the state, according to various recruiting services, andone of his best players in the past five yearswas TylerWarren, a tight end from the Richmond area whowas afirst-round NFLdraft pick by the Indianapolis Colts this spring andisflourishing as a rookie.

“His experience, passion, and record of success embodyour commitment to compete at the highest level,” Sands said of Franklin in astatement. “His selection is the resultofunprecedented collaboration by our athletic administration with university leaders, esteemed alumni, including former NFL coaches and players, and our most dedicated supporters.

“James will provide the leadership and inspiration our studentathletes need, and the performance on the field that our university community,alumni, and fans expect and deserve.”

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILEPHOTO By BARRy REEGER James Franklin watches the action during Penn State’sloss to NorthwesternonOct. 11 in State College, Pa.Penn State fired Franklinas head coach after the loss, and VirginiaTech hired him on Monday.

CASHING IN

BY MATTHEW HAINES

Contributing writer

Imagine receiving aphone call one afternoon from an unfamiliar voice notifying you that you aredue $12,218. Adding to your suspicion, they say they want to presentyou with the money at a public check ceremony.

This is the call Karla Houston received thispast February. Shewas sitting in her doctor’s waitingroom,her husband beside her “My husband whisper-yelled, ‘This is ascam! Hang up! This is ascam!” which is obviously the explanation that makes the most sense,” recalled Houston, who works in the Transportation Safety Department at LouisianaState University. “But,also, part of me wondered, ‘What if it’sreal?’”

Sympathetic to her wariness, the mysterious caller encouraged Houston to contact the State Treasurer’soffice.

When she did, Houston learned she was owed money from stock her father had purchased for her decades ago.

“It was the only stock I’dever owned

Thestate treasurer’sUnclaimed Properties department has$1.4billion to distribute to theproperowners. Areyou oneofthem?

outside of my retirement plan, andI guess Iforgotabout it,” she said. “The company must have been sold or it did asplit or something, Idon’tknow what happened.

Tenyears ago, Houston said she moved around thecorner from her formerhomeinBaton Rouge. Notall of her mail was forwarded.Whenthe company attempted to payher,they hadnoway to get in touch.

According to experts, this story and many like it —are far more commonthan you would think. Houston learned that the department reaching out to her was the Unclaimed Properties department, adivision within the office of the State Treasurer “Once Iunderstoodwhatwas going on, Iagreed to do thecheck presentation ceremony,” Houston said. “It was a way forthem to get theword out about their program.”

That program,according to its director,Kathleen“Kitty”Lobell, currently has an astronomical $1.4billioninits possession. But Lobell and her department’s

Food,shelter andwater keys to attracting wildlife

By the LSU Ag Center

Lots of people are interested in attracting wildlife to their landscapes. Whether you are an avid bird watcher or simply delight in seeing squirrels frolic in the trees, there are things you can do to make an area more enticingto all sorts of animals.

Food, shelter and waterare the bare necessities for any life and to draw in wildlife visitors, youneed to provide all threeof these elements. Jessie Hoover,anLSU AgCenterhorticulture agent based in the Feliciana Parishes,has advice on how you can transform your backyard or another piece of property into awildlife haven.

Food “The first thing that Irecommend is that you plant diverse plants in your landscape,” Hoover said. “So, you want to look for things with berries, seeds, acorns and nuts that will attractall different types of wildlife.” Trees are wonderful producers of wildlife food, and fall is a greattime to plant many species.

Mayhaws, which mature in the spring,provide food for wildlife.

One of Hoover’sfavorite trees is red mulberry,which is native to Louisiana “It is great because it provides an early springfood source for songbirds, squirrels, lots of differentcritters,”she said. “Deer even browse on red mulberry.” Mayhaw is another native spe-

ä See WILDLIFE, page 2D

Karla Houston received an unclaimed property check from the state treasurer’soffice..

charge is not to hang ontothat funding. It is to find thethousands of Louisianans who are owed aportion of it, and to distributethe money to them.

“Thatiswhy we exist,”saidLobell,

who hasworkedatthe department for more than 38 years. “Some people are owed aliteralpenny or two —maybe from some small stockdividends while others are owed several millions of dollars through things like oil rights. We want to get you your money.”

Othersources of funding include winnings from sports bets, insurance claims,inactive bankaccountsand inheritance.

“It’sbasically every source of income you can imagine andmanyyou can’t,” Lobell added.

This week,the Louisiana Department of Treasury is publishing 92,348 names of unclaimedproperty recipients in all 64 official parish journals throughout the state. Residents also can find money they are owed by visiting unclaimedproperty.la.gov and simply typing in your name, city and ZIP code. Lobell said she encourages everyone she knows to check for themselves on thesite, using multiple spellings of their nameincase there is atypo. Also,

ä See CASHING, page 2D

BY WILL COVIELLO

Contributing writer

Theannual Words andMusic festival hits alot of notes, from discussions on incarceration and exoneration to the adventures of Scrim. In-person discussions and readings are at the Andre Cailloux Center on Nov. 19-22. Among the writers at the festival is poet Gina Ferrara, who in August became the state’spoet laureate. Aprofessor at Delgado Community College, Ferrara has published five collections of poetry,most recently “Amiss” in 2023, and she was nominated foraPushcart prize last year.She also hosts the monthly Poetry Buffetreading series. Ferrara joins four other poets and former Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Saloy in a commemoration of the damages of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Saloy and John Warner Smith edited “Hurricanes Katrina and Rita at 20: An AnthologyofLouisiana Poetryand Art,” withwork by 44 contributors. The reading will draw on those works. It’s at 5p.m. Saturday Acouple of sessions are about issuesrelated to incarceration.The festival’sopening sessionon Wednesday is titled “Reading forJustice: From

See VERSE, page 2D

LSU AGCENTER PHOTO

By OLIVIA MCCLURE

PROVIDED PHOTO

STAFF FILEPHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Author Maurice Carlos Ruffinleads adiscussion about howNew Orleans has shaped the writing of Words and Music festival participants Larry Bagneris, Ambata Kazi, Karisma Price and Blake Sanz.

By The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday,Nov 18, the 322nd day of 2025. There are 43 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Nov.18, 1978, U.S. Rep. Leo J. Ryan of California andfour others were killed on an airstrip in Jonestown, Guyana, by members of the Peoples Temple; the killings were followed by anight of mass murder and suicide, resulting in the deaths of more than 900 cult members

Also on this date:

In 1928, “Steamboat Willie,” the first cartoon with synchronized sound as well as the first release of the character Mickey Mouse, debuted on screen at the Colony Theater in New York.

In 1987, an underground fire broke out in the King’s Cross St. Pancras subway station in London, causing 31 deaths.

In 1991, Shiite Muslim kidnappers in Lebanon freed Anglican Church envoy Terry Waite and Thomas Sutherland, the American dean of agriculture at the American University of Beirut.

In 1999, 12 people were killed and dozens injured when abonfire under construction at Texas A&M University collapsed. The stack of thousands of logs more than 50 feet tall gave way ahead of an annual bonfire tradition marking aTexas A&MTexas rivalry football game in College Station.

In 2005, eight months after Robert Blake was acquitted of murdering his wife at acriminal trial, acivil jurydecided the actor was behind the killing and ordered him to pay $30 million to Bonny Lee Bakley’schildren.

In 2021, more than half acentury after the 1965 assassination of Malcolm X, two of his convicted killers were exonerated; aNew York judgedismissed the convictions of Muhammad Azizand the late Khalil Islam after prosecutors and the men’s lawyers said arenewed investigation had found new evidence that undermined the case against them. Today’sBirthdays: Author MargaretAtwoodis86. Actor Linda Evans is 83. ActorDelroy Lindois 73. Comedian Kevin Nealonis72. FootballHall of Famer Warren Moon is 69. Actor Oscar Nunez is 67. Actor Elizabeth Perkins is 65. Rock musician Kirk Hammett (Metallica) is 63.Author and lecturer Brené Brown is 60.Actor Romany Malco is 57. Actor Owen Wilson is 57. Commentator MeganKelly is 55. Actor Chloë Sevigny is 51. Baseball Hall of Famer David Ortiz is 50. Rapper Fabolous is 48. NASCAR driver Denny Hamlinis 45. Actor-comedian Nasim Pedrad is 44. Actor Damon Wayans Jr.is43. Olympic track and field gold medalist AllysonFelix is 40. Fashion designer Christian Siriano is 40

CASHING

Continued from page1D

Daughter regretsestrangement

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mompassed afew weeksago.We’ve been estranged for years. Shemoved to the United States when Iwas young in hopes ofcreating abetter life for herchildren. She sentfor me eventually,but Iliked the life Ihad in our home country,soIstayed. While in the U.S., my momand dad hadmyyounger brother.We’ve never beenclose, but after losing our mom, he andIhave been interactingway more than ever before. He introduced me to his girlfriend apparently,she was with our mom theday before she passed. In an emotional moment, shementioned that in their last conversations, my momsaid she’d love for her and my brother to getserious.She claims

WILDLIFE

Continued from page1D

cies that feedswildlife.

“That’sagreat nativetree that providesaberry that is afood source for alot of songbirds,”Hoover said. “I’ve even seen boxturtles eatingmayhaws that fall to the ground.”

Hollies are great choices, too. Theyprovide wildlife with food throughout the winter,and with awide range of cultivars on the market, there’saholly tree or shrub to suit practically any landscape.

Nativeshrubssuchas American beautyberry and elderberry also are food sources for wildlife. And don’tforget to include nectar-rich flowers for hummingbirds andother pollinators.

When choosingplants for wildlife food, thinkabout what time of year their fruit and flowers mature. Trytocreate ayear-round buffet that will servea variety of animals.

Shelter

Forwildlife to feel comfortable on yourproperty they need placestohide, rest and nest.

“That can be atree, or youcan usemanmadeshelters,” Hoover said Do alittle research on what kinds of shelter are

VERSE

Continued from page 1D

IncarcerationtoExoneration ”CalvinDuncan made access tocourt records one of theissues inhis recent campaign for New Orleans Clerk of Court. He’salso the co-author of “The Jailhouse Lawyer.” Hisconvictionfor a1981 murderwas vacated with the help ofthe InnocenceProject New Orleans, but he became aself-taught “counsel substitute”while serving time at Angola penitentiary. The sessionalso is based in part on the recent Historic New OrleansCollection exhibitabout mass

if you have moved, it is important to enter past citiesand ZIP codes.

“My son found money owed to him once, and Igavehim the toughest time. ‘Keep up withyour finances and have yourmailforwarded,’ Itold him!”she laughed. “But he’smyson. Iwon’tgive you atough time if youfind your name

We’ll be happy for you!”

Making abig difference

Lobell and her Unclaimed Properties team use avarietyofmethods to connect recipients with theirfunding.Publicevents like Karla Houston’scheck ceremony are one example —anattempt to raise awareness for the program —asare events at public libraries and nursing homes. The department also pays forads on various in-print and online media. For larger accounts, they make individual phone calls. Houston said she is thankful Un-

my mom said, “I want you to be my daughter.” Idon’tthink my brother’sgirlfriend meantany harm tellingmethis story,but it stung. Ifeel so bruised knowing that we never really had ahealthy motherdaughter dynamic. Howcan Ilet this goknowing that Iwon’tever be able to change it? —Missing Mom

DEAR MISSINGMOM: Though your mother is gone, you can still seek closure with her.Writeher aletter expressing thearray of emotions that you feel about her.Recall your early experiences, like when she left you in your home country and howthat madeyou guarded when she did send for you. Recount what your life was like growing up and howyou felt about her.Apologize for not being closer to her.You may even wanttogive your blessing for her relationship with your brother’sgirlfriend. While it would have been nice for you to be close

to her,it’sgood that she had a daughter figure in her life. Forgive yourself and her forall the pain that existed between you. Youcan pray over the note, burn it as asign of release and do your best to move on, remembering the good that you experienced with your mom.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and Ihave been married for12years now Iwas single foralong time, and when Imet her,she had teenage twins. When we got married, they moved into my home, and Itreated her children as my own. Ihelped them purchase their first cars, paid rent for their first apartments and put them through college. There is no cap on giving when it comes to being aparent, but sometimes it feels like my wife wants me to prove my love with my checkbook. Iamgearing up to retire, and she asked if Iwould be willing to give thegirls monthly stipends from

my retirement income. They both workfull-time, and Ihaven’teven retired yet! Idon’twant it to seem like Iwon’tspend forthem,but I also don’twant to feel guilty if I disagree with this adult allowance. How can Iget my wife on the same page? —Setting Boundaries DEAR SETTING BOUNDARIES: These girls are basically your children. What do you want to enforce? Tell your wife that it’simportant for adult children to becomeindependent. That meansit’stimefor them to pay fortheir own lives. This doesn’tmean you don’tlove them; it meansyou are helping to set them up forsuccess. Also, you and your wife need your retirement income to take care of yourselves.

Send questions to askharriette@ harriettecole.com or c/oAndrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO64106.

AgCenter horticulture agent Jessie

preferred by thespecies you’re interested in attracting.

Youmay want to build some birdhouses and bat boxes. Some animals like to hole up in piles of brush and logs. Many typesofwildlife —along with the insects they feed on —appreciate dead

incarceration in Louisiana, andsome of itscontributors will be on the panel. It begins at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday The festival closes with “Reading for Justice: Poetry Inside Prisons.” The reading features poets Adam Clay,MichaelKleberDiggs and AlisonPelegrin, anotherformerLouisiana Poet Laureate, reading their work and reflecting on engaging imprisoned people aboutreading andwriting poetry.The reading is at 6:30 p.m. Saturday On the music front,ethnomusicologist andTulane archivistMelissa Weber aka DJ Soul Sister,leads a discussion with authorsof recent books about George

claimed Properties took the time to contact her “Thismoney madeabig difference formyfamily,”she said. “Our heater wasn’tworking, and while that’susually OK in Louisiana, it can also getreally cold here during the winter. This funding allowed us to buy anew central heating unit.”

Thedepartmentisthe result of a 1972Louisianalaw,requiring companies to report any uncollected funds to the state. For years, if unclaimed property sat in thestate’s accounts for more than ayear,it would be swept into the government’sgeneral fund. As of 2018, that is no longer thecase.

“That created ahuge liability, as you can imagine,” Lobell explained. “Because no matter how long it takes them to find us, when an individual discoverstheyare owed money,theycan collect and we need to have that money available for them.”

It isn’talways individuals, however,who are owedmoney.In somecases,organizations such as nonprofitscan find unclaimed funds on thesite, as well.

plants. Some take advantage of past-their-primeplants and leaf litterfor shelter Birds and small mammals weave the materialinto their nests. As plants in your landscape turn brown this winter, consider leaving them— they’re still providing avaluable service.

Clintonand ParliamentFunkadelic. Daniel Bedrosian was thelongtime keyboardist forParliament-Funkadelic,which he chronicles in the book “Make My Funk the P-Funk: Parliament-Funkadelic’s Meteoric Rise in 1975 from ‘Chocolate City’ to ‘Mothership Connection.’” Also on thepanel is Seth Neblett, author of “Mothership Connected: The Women of Parliament-Funkadelic.” The sessionbegins at 3:30 p.m. Saturday “The Places We Play” is a discussion about local music venues. The panel includes Donna Poniatowski Sims, who ran thebrass band hub Donna’s,and musicians

This was the case with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Archdiocesan Council of New Orleans, whodiscoveredtheywereowed approximately $14,500 through a varietyofsources.

The nonprofit is estimated to have assistedmore than 18,000 Louisianans in 2025, primarily in the New Orleans area, through programsthat provide food, housing, clothing, emergency assistance, education, and even burials for loved ones. Funding is always achallenge,soexecutive director Michael Bourg says that every dollar raised is an opportunity to help more local residents.

“Of course, when Igot the call from UnclaimedProperties,I didn’tbelieve it at first,” he said. “People don’tjust call you and say they have money for you. Butthat is exactly what happened.”

“Weare so thankful,” Bourg added.“This money is goingtobeused to help awhole lot of people.”

Find your friendsand family

Each year,the amount of money left uncollected in the Unclaimed

Water

Out of the three essentials forlife, water is arguably the mostcritical. You can supply fresh water in birdbaths or other containers. Just keep in mind that stagnant water can become abreeding ground for mosquitoes and algae —so

Craig Klein and Gladney Preservation Hall program manager Pamela Blackmon moderatesthe discussion. It’sat4:30 p.m. Friday Adiscussion of literature about the Vietnamese communityand influence on New Orleans features novelist E.M. Tran, author of “Daughtersofthe New Year,” andwriterand illustrator Thi Bui. It’sat2 p.m. Saturday Author Maurice Carlos Ruffin leads adiscussion about how New Orleans has shaped the writing of participantsLarry Bagneris, Ambata Kazi, Karisma Price and Blake Sanz. It’sat 4:30 p.m. Thursday Former WDSU-TV weath-

Properties divisiongrows. Despite the department’sbest efforts, the staff does not have the resources to locate the vast majority of individuals andorganizations owed funding.

Lobell encourages everyonenot just to look forthemselvesonthe site, but also to look forfriends, family members and co-workers.

That is exactly what Tara Tolford-Marthaller,aresearcher at theUniversity of NewOrleans’ Transportation Institute, did.

“When Iheard about the program back in 2020, Ifigured Imust be owed money,” she laughed. “I’ve lived here since 2003, moved eight times,and have this hyphenated last name. Surely some company hastried to trackmedownwith money Iwas owed and not been able to find me.”

Unfortunately, despite several attempts using multiple iterations of her last name, Tolford-Marthaller’ssearch came up empty She decidedtoturn her disappointment into aquest: “to find someone, anyone Iknew on the site.”

be sure to regularly clean and refill water dishes or use somesort of pumpor agitator Moving sources of water like fountains are best. Animals’ ears perk up at the sound of flowing water,and the movement helps keep the water fresh.

ercaster MargaretOrr and artist Matt Rinard collaborated on the children’sbook “Scrim My Tail:AsToldto Margaret Orr.”Theytalk about the project at aluncheon event at 12:15 p.m. Thursday

Other panels address subjects including art, climate change, speculative fiction, literature for young readers andmore. There’salso ascreening of Dawn Logsdon and TimWatson’sdocumentary “FreeFor All: The Public Library” at 5:45 p.m. Friday

Many events are free. For afullscheduleand information, visit wordsandmusic. org.

This, it turned out, was very easy.

“I started with my partner and ‘Bam!’ he wasowedmoney from four different sources,” she said. “ThenIwenttoclose friends who lived here, close friends who moved away,mypartner’sfamily members, my ex-boyfriends,colleagues, Facebook friends, anyone!”

“So many of them were owed money,” Tolford-Marthaller continued, “and with alittle prodding, they claimed their checks. Some small and somenot-so-small.” She even learned you can search formoney owed to you in other states on missingmoney.com. And, although Tolford-Marthaller said none of her luckier friends have yettosomuchasbuy hera cup of coffee for herhelp, she is driven to continuebyasense of duty to helpthose whoaren’tin front of acomputer as often as she is.

“But,mostly,” shesaid, “it’sa waytofeel good about procrastinating for 20 minutesevery now and then.”

LSU AGCENTER PHOTOByOLIVIA MCCLURE

LSU

Hooverexamines fruitonared mulberry tree.

Harriette Cole SENSE AND SENSITIVITy

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) It's essential to fulfill your needs and take responsibility for your happiness if you want to satisfy your soul. A chance meeting or conversation that moves you will impact your next step.

sAGIttARIus (nov 23-Dec. 21) Explore the possibilities. A change that offers greater freedom to use your skills and experience will encourage you to expand your knowledge and techniques.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Participate in events that offer insight into something or someone of interest. Acting and being part of the solution will lead to an interesting turn of events.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Embrace what makes you happy and confident and helps you set goals. Refuse to let someone else's drama cloud your vision, causing you to miss a valuable opportunity.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Focus your energy where it counts, be meticulous about learning and prioritize your health. Research what's available and choose the path that satisfies your soul.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Offering more than you can afford or physically do will put you in a vulnerable position. Choose your words wisely and know your worth. It's up to you to make wise life choices and changes.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) You're in a better position than you realize. Don't let what others do or say lead you astray.

Don't be shy when it comes to change, partnerships and doing things differently.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Get the lowdown, abide by the rules and bring about changes that will offset any negativity in your life. Know your strengths when dealing with others, and you'll come out on top.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) A positive approach to work, money and health will enable you to make better choices. Pick and choose what puts a smile on your face and renews your faith in what's yet to come.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) You'll gain perspective by stepping out into the mainstream and observing how others are coping. Trust your instincts and put your energy toward something that offers concrete results.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) A destination that offers a unique alternative to your current lifestyle will be eye-opening. Looking back can help you see what lies ahead as history repeats itself.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Charm meets honesty when conversing. You can make a difference to the outcome of a situation if you choose your words wisely. Looking at a situation from a different angle will provide insight.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact © 2025 by nEa, inc. dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

FAMILY CIrCUS

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another.

toDAy's cLuE: E EQuALs Z

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe

And erneSt

SALLY Forth

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. Theobject is to place the numbers 1to9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. Thedifficulty level of thesudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THewiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

Henri-Frederic Amiel,a 17th-century Swissphilosopherandpoet,said,“Doing easily what others find difficult is talent;doing whatisimpossible for talent is genius.”

Yesterday’s deal wasdifficult; today’s requires genius. But as you have been warned to look for something unusual, maybe you will see thewinning play for South.Heisinthreeno-trumpafterEast has overcalled in hearts. West leads the heart jack and East encourages withhis nine. What should declarer do?

South’snegativedoubleshowedexactly four spades. Hissecond-roundjump to three no-trumpwas atad precipitate. He shouldhave made agame-forcing two-heartcue-bid.Then,perhaps,NorthSouth would have reached five clubs, which would have been bulletproof with this layout.(Even four spades can be made!)

South starts with eight toptricks: four spades, one heart (given trick one), two diamonds and one club. Obviously, numerous more winners are available from the clubs.

AndifEasthasthecourtesytoholdthe kingforhisovercall,Southmighttakeall 13 tricks. However, note what happens if declarer makes thenatural-looking play of winning the first trick, playing aspade to dummy’s king, and running the club 10 (or playing low to his jack).

West produces the club king, then leads his second heart. East takes four tricks in that suit for downone.

Tomakehiscontract,Southmustduck (lose) the first trick! Yes, West may lead his second heart and Eastcan win with his ace, but dummy’s10isstill astopper. AndEast has no entry card.

©2025 by nEa,inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

Each Wuzzle is awordriddlewhich creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of fourormore letters. 2. Words that acquire fourletters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed.3 additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit wordsare not allowed toDAy’s WoRD DIssuADEs: dih-SWADES: Advises againstsomething.

Average mark 14 words

Timelimit 25 minutes

Can you find 19 or morewords in DISSUADES?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —uncoILs

uncoil coil coin consul coulis cousin onus icon incus lion locus loin scion silo soil sonic soul

wuzzles

loCKhorNs

God lovesus. When He corrects us it will bless us and makeusa blessing. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus. “Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Puzzle Answer ken ken

InstructIons: 1 Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 thorugh 4 (easy) or 1 through 6 (challenging) without repeating. 2 The numbers within the heavily outlined boxes, called cages, must combine using the given operation (in any order) to produce the target numbers in the top-left corners. 3 Freebies: Fill in the single-box cages with the number in the top-left corner. HErE is a

WiShinG Well

Scrabble GramS

Get fuzzy

jump Start

roSe iS roSe

animal crackerS

DuStin

Drabble

Wallace the brave

breWSter rockit

luann

“1”and

p per (FMCBrush Chipper) C-12/C-16 beginningon Wednesday,November 19, 2025, andendingon Wednesday,December3 2025. To view acompletelist‐ing surplusitems for auction,pleasevisit https://www.govdeals. com/swbno. Questionspertainingto the auctioncan be sub‐mittedthrough GovDeals portalorAllen Ulrich at aulrich@swbno.org 166849-NOV18-25 $48.02

November 18, 25 and December 2, 2025 NOCP 8778 167134-nov18-25-dec2-3t $75.96

Section2:Any qualified persondesiringtobe‐come acandidate forthe

office shall file anotice ofcandidacy,accompa‐niedeitherbya qualify‐ing feeora nominating petition, as required or authorizedbylaw,with the appropriateelection official in themanner and form,and under the proceduresand condi‐tions,providedbyR.S 18:461etseq., andall other applicable provi‐sions of theLouisiana ElectionCode, R.S. 18:1et seq during theperiod commencingWednesday February11, 2026 and endingFriday, February 13, 2026. Section3:The special electionshall be held and conductedunder the applicable provisions of the LouisianaElection Code, La.R.S.18:1etseq

Section4:The primary electionshall be held Saturday, May16, 2026, and thegeneral election shall be held Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the times andplacesand in the manner,prescribed bylaw Section5:The Secretary ofState,Commissioner ofElections,ParishBoard ofElectionSupervisors Clerk of Court, Registrar ofVoters, andall other persons chargedwith any power, function right,dutyorresponsibil‐ity in conducting elec‐tions in thejurisdiction ofJudge,Civil District Court,DivisionM,Parish ofOrleans,are hereby authorized, requested, directedand empowered toexerciseevery lawful function andtodoevery act necessarytoconduct the specialelection, to cause thereturns to be made, to canvassand promulgatethe results, andto perform allre‐l