The Times-Picayune 11-20-2025 by The Advocate

Federaljudge ends NOPD consentdecree

Orderterminatescourt’s 12-yearoversight of police force

BY JOHN SIMERMAN and MISSYWILKINSON Staff writers

Afederal judge ended her 12-year oversightofthe NewOrleans PoliceDepartment on Wednesday,clearingthe city and Superintendent Anne Kirkpatricktorun the city’spolice force free of the court monitoring and blueprint for reform that ofﬁcials say has helped transform adepartment oncemired in scandal

U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan issued herorder shortly before 1p.m.insidea Loyola Law School auditorium packed with current and former police brass and cityofﬁcials.

“Everyone in this room should be rightly proudabout what NOPD accomplished here,”Morgansaid.

Morgan, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, granted the long-

Supreme Court to hear La.coastal suit

$745MPlaquemines Parish verdicthangsinthe balance

BY ALEX LUBBEN Staff writer

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Jan. 12 in ahigh-stakes legal dispute that could have wider implications on dozens of lawsuits pitting Louisianacoastal parishes against oil companiesoverhistoric damage to the state’swetlands

At stake is a$745million verdict, handed down in April by ajury in Plaquemines Parish. But the ruling could ultimatelyaffect a range of cases involving billions in damages. The Supreme Court agreed in June to hear the case, but the date for arguments wasonly recently announced.

The case, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, is one of dozens of lawsuits accusing major oil companies of violating coastal use

ä See COURT, page 4A

“Wehavebeen at this for more than adecade.We allshared the same goal:turning the NOPD into a first-class, empathetic,procedurally just, constitutional lawenforcement agency.”

U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE SUSIE MORGAN

standingrequest by Mayor LaToya Cantrell —and recently joined by the JusticeDepartment —toterminatethe consentdecree before work by the department on atwo-year “sustainment” planwas complete.

Her order marks the end of an era for the city’spolice force. The NOPDconsent decree spanned the bulkofthe lasttwo mayoral administrations and the work of ﬁve policechiefs, including Kirkpat-

rick andformer interim Chief Michelle Woodfork, who wasamong four of them in attendance. It followed aJusticeDepartmentreport in 2011 thatfound the city’s policeforce had made ahabit of violating residents’ constitutional rights, with tragic consequences “Wehave been at this formorethan a decade,” Morgan told acrowd, dressed mostly in blue. “Weall shared the same goal: turningthe NOPD into aﬁrst-class, empathetic, procedurally just, constitutional law enforcement agency.” Severalofthe policeofﬁcialsand others involved in creating or implementing the consent decree in itsearly years attended Wednesday’sproceeding, along with Orleans ParishDistrict Attorney Jason Williams, Mayor-electHelenaMoreno andall

ä See DECREE, page 4A

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

BY BLAKEPATERSON and BEN MYERS Staff writers

NewOrleans ofﬁcials have ﬁnalized aplantoreceive $125 million by sellingbonds andsecure a$20 million reimbursement from the Sewerage &Water Board that will allowthe city to make payrollfor 5,000 city employees through next year and avoid immediate cuts to city services.

But steep cuts to spending are still on the horizon, according to Mayor-elect Helena Moreno, who has taken the lead on crafting next year’sbudget before aDec. 1deadline. It remains an open question, meanwhile, whether the city will need to tap into its $37 million rainy day fund to makeends meet through the end of the year

The council, which met Wednesday to finalize the terms of its bond deal,deferred avote on dipping into the rainy day fund until itsregular meetingonThursday, after Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration said there was enough cash in city coffers to make this week’spayroll.

After the meeting, however, Cantrell’sadministration re-upped itsrequestwiththe council to dip into the fund, arguing that the money is needed to paycityvendors. As of Wednesdayafternoon, council leaderssaidtheyhad yet to receive the informationthey needed to support the request.

“They have provided no justiﬁcation,” said City Council President JP Morrell. “Whenyou’re talking about tapping the rainy dayfund, you better have amemo with numbers and graphs.”

The city has to pay back the $125 million revenue bond, which is being issued by JP Morgan, by June 30, 2026. To achieve that, ofﬁcials say they’llhavetocut into next

ä See LOAN, page 5A

TheErnest N. Morial ConventionCenter board on Wednesday unanimously approved anew design for a $600 million “headquarters” hotel, marking amilestone fora projectthathas been in planning fordecades but repeatedly reshaped in scope, location, height andcost. The roughly 350-foot tower would rise at the edge of the historic Warehouse District and is scheduled to open in 2030 if it secures the required city approvals.

Thevoteincludedanadditional$10 million in direct

Convention Center investment, bringing the agency’s total cash commitment to $80 million. Convention Center CEO Jim Cook said the extra funds replace the previously anticipated purchase of the Mississippi RiverHeritage Park, which will no longer be part of the hotel footprint. The centerhas already spent $21 million acquiring the former Sugar Mill site, wherethe developmentwill be located. Theremainderof the public contribution comes through rebating ﬁve hotel occupancy and sales tax streams generated at the hotel, as well as alower property tax rate. “We’re at amoment in time where we’re facing very strong competition from other markets forconvention business andfor supporting

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

U.S. District JudgeSusie Morgan makes her waytoher seat after speaking during agathering marking theend of theNew Orleans PoliceDepartment consent decree at Loyola University LawSchool on Wednesday

Judge to proceed with contempt probe

WASHINGTON Afederaljudge Wednesday asked attorneys to identify witnesses and offer plansfor howtoconduct acontempt probe of the Trumpadministration for failing to turn around planes carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador in March.

U.S.District Judge James Boasberg in Washington said a ruling Friday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit gave him the authority to proceed with the inquiry,which will determine whether thereissufﬁcient evidencetorefer the matter for prosecution.

On March 15, Boasberg orderedthe aircraft carrying accused gang members to return to the U.S., butthey landed instead in El Salvador, where the migrants were held at anotorious prison

The Trump administration has denied any violation, saying the judge’sdirective to return the planes was made verbally in court butnot included in his written order.U.S. Justice Department attorney Tiberius Davis told Boasberg the governmentobjected to further contempt proceedings.

Iran releases Marshall Islands-flagged tanker DUBAI, UnitedArabEmirates— Iran on Wednesday releaseda Marshall Islands-flagged tanker with all its 21 crew members, days after Tehran seized the ship without explanation, the vessel’s managers said. Tehran had no immediate comment on therelease of the Talara, which marked the ﬁrst ship seizure by Iran in months.

The Middle East remainstense after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June, and as concerns remain over the Islamic Republic’snuclear program.

Cyprus-based Columbia Shipmanagement said the crew “are safe and in good spirits.”

It added that “no allegations were made against the vessel her crew and the vessel’smanagers and owners.”

Ship-tracking data analyzed by The AssociatedPress showed the Talaratraveling away from Iran. The data also suggested Iranian authorities offloadedits cargo of high sulfur gasoil as the ship was traveling in ballast. The oil shipment website Tanker Trackers, citing satellite photos, said it appeared Iran ofﬂoaded its cargo on Tuesday,before letting it go.

Iran’smilitary seized the vessel Friday as it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouthofthe Persian Gulf through which 20% of all oil traded passes. The ship had been traveling fromAjman, United Arab Emirates, onward to Singapore.

Israel’s military carries outstrikes in Lebanon

BY HUSSEIN MALLA, BASSEM MROUE and WAFAA SHURAFA Associated Press

SIDON, Lebanon— The Israeli military carried out barrages of airstrikes in southern LebanonWednesdayonwhat it said were Hezbollah sites, including weapons storage facilities, after adronestrike earlier in theday killedone person and wounded severalothers, including students onabus.

The new wave of strikes came aday after an airstrike killed 13 people in thePalestinian refugeecamp of Einel-Hilweh, the deadliest of Israeli attacks on Lebanon since aceaseﬁre in the Israel-Hezbollah war ayear ago.

Israel’smilitary warned Wednesday it would strike targetsinseveral villages in southern Lebanon, describing them as Hezbollah infrastructure, and called on people to move away from the locations. More than an hourlater,strikes began in thevillages of Shehourand Deir Kifa.

Israel’s military said Hezbollah wasworkingto reestablishitself and rebuild its capacityinsouthern Lebanon, withoutproviding evidence. It said the weapons facilities targeted were embeddedamong civilians and violated understandings between Israel

and Lebanon. Israel agreed to aceaseﬁre andwithdrawfrom southern Lebanon last year and Lebanon agreed to quell Hezbollah activityinthe area.

Earlier Wednesday,anIsraeli airstrike on acar in the southern Lebanesevillage of Tiri killed oneperson andwounded11, including students aboard anearby bus, theLebaneseHealth Ministryand state media said.StaterunNational News Agency said the school bus happened to be passing near thecar that was hit. Israel’smilitary later said it killed aHezbollah operative in thedrone strike. PalestinianfactionsinLebanon’s12refugee camps earlier this year beganhanding over theirweapons to the Lebanese state. The government has said that it will also work on disarming Hezbollah, butHezbollah has rejected it as long as Israel continues to occupy several hills along the border and carries out almost daily strikes.

AseniorLebanese army ofﬁcer told TheAssociated Press thatU.S. ofﬁcials wereangered by an army statement on Sunday thatblamed Israel for destabilizingLebanon andblockingthe Lebanese military deployment in south Lebanon. The officer spoke on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to

speak publicly The latest Israel-Hezbollah war began Oct. 8, 2023, aday after Hamas attacked southern Israel, after Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas. Israellaunched a widespread bombardment of Lebanon two months ago that severely weakened Hezbollah, followed by aground invasion.

That war,the most recent of several conﬂicts involving Hezbollah over the past four decades, killed more than4,000 people in Lebanon,including hundreds of civilians, and caused an estimated $11 billion worth of destruction, according to the World Bank. In Israel, 127 people died, including 80 soldiers.

Meanwhile, after Israel reported its soldiers were fired on in southern Gaza, health officials in theterritory said Israelistrikes killedatleast 25 Palestiniansin one of the deadliest days in Gaza since the Oct. 10 ceasefire agreementtook effect. Separately,IsraeliPrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveledtoabuffer zone in Syrian territory that Israel seized last year

On WednesdayHamas condemned the Israeli strikes across GazaCity and Khan Younis, calling thema“shocking massacre.” In astatement, the group denied ﬁring towardIsraeli troops.

First, second ladies visit troops’familiesinN.C.

BYDARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press

MARINECORPS AIR STATIONNEW RIVER,N.C.

Melania Trump and Usha Vance took their ﬁrst trip together,spending time in North Carolina on Wednesday with servicemembers andtheir families to show appreciation for their service and sacriﬁceasthe holidays approach.

ThewivesofPresident Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, aformer Marine, visited with military personnel, their children, and relatives at Camp Lejeune,the largest Marine Corps base on theEast Coast, andMarine Corps Air Station New River

NASA unveils close-up pictures of visiting comet

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA unveiled close-up pictureson Wednesday of the interstellar cometthat’smaking aquick tour of the solar system.

Discovered over the summer, the cometknown as 3I/Atlas is only the third conﬁrmed object to visit our corner of the cosmos from another star.Itzipped harmlessly past Mars last month. Several NASA spacecraft there zoomed in on thecomet as it passedjust18 millionmiles away The closest the cometwill cometoEarth is 167 million miles in mid-December. Then it will hightail it back into interstellar space, never to return.

The comet is believed to be anywhere from 1,444 feetacross to 3.5 miles across.

“Thank youfor your service. My husband, the president, is sending best regards. We areboththinkingofyou,” Trump told studentsatLejeune High School, where 10 Marines stationed out front had saluted as their motorcadearrived.

Theﬁrst lady added that she and the president always think of U.S. service members but “especially during the holidays”and wished students and teachers ahappyThanksgiving.

She spoke at agymnasium,where the school was assembling 2,000 care packages for service members stationedfar from home. Among the itemsincluded in each were dude wipes, handy-wipes marketed toward men, and jerky sticks.

Her speech came after Trumpand Vanceentered the classroom andmet with students in an advanced placement research class fromthe Lejeune High “Devilpups” —recalling the Marine Corps’ “Devil Dog”nickname —for discussions about technological development and artiﬁcial intelligence. Trump and Vance sat withfour tables

of students with laptops, andlistenedto them deliver apresentation on electronic media affecting sleep and adolescent well-being, as wellasa study on social media addiction and itsimpact on young people’sesteem and body image.

Thestudents demonstrated how they used AI to generate videos as part of their presentation. The ﬁrst lady could be heard askingone grouphow they used AI in school, and was seen nodding along as they chatted.The students described rules that kept themfrom using AI to improperly complete assignments.

Trump and Vance subsequently visited an elementaryschool, taking seats at separate tables that eachhad folders fromthe first lady’schild-focused Be Bestinitiative.

Trump told one of the girls she was “beautiful.” The youngsterhad apatriotic ribbon pinned to her light blue top, meaning she’srelated to someone who is actively deployed. Vance later chatted andsmilingasshe talked to ateacher

Woman setonfire on trainin Chicago

BY MARGERYA.BECK

Associated Press

Federal prosecutors on Wednesday chargeda manwithcommitting a terrorist attack forallegedly setting awoman on fire on aChicago train. Lawrence Reed was sitting at the back of acar on aBlue Line Ltrain on Monday night when he approached awoman as shesat with herbackto him,according to aBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms andExplosivesarrest affidavit.Reed removed thecap from aplastic bottle, then doused the woman with what was believedtobe gasoline, the affidavit said. The 26-year-old woman then ran to the back of the train car.Reed ignited the bottle, approached the womanand set her on fire, according to the affidavit. Surveillance video showed Reed at agas station about 30 minutesbefore the attack, filling asmall container with gasoline, the affidavit says. The federalcharge against Reed 50, of Chicago, carriesa maximum penalty of lifeinprison.

Chicagooutlets reported that Reed was disruptive during his ﬁrst appearance in afederal court on Wednesday afternoon,including yelling over the judge that he wanted to represent himself and claiming that he was a Chinese citizen.

Reed shouted, “I plead guilty!” repeatedly as the judge tried to advise him of his rights, according to local newsreports.

After the attack, the train the woman wasonpulled into astop downtown. Reed walked away andthe womanstumbled out and fell on the ground, policesaid. She wastaken to ahospitalincriticalcondition with severe burns to her head andbody, authorities said. Ofﬁcials have not released her name. Chicagopolicesaidthatwhenthey arrested him Tuesdaymorning he made incriminating statements about the attack. He was wearing the same clothes as the manwho attacked the woman on the train, according to the afﬁdavit.

Reed carriedout the attack “with the intent to cause death and serious bodily injury to one or morepersons” on the train, the ATFinvestigator wrote. Chicago police did not answer questions Wednesday by The Associated Press on whether it had or would refercharges against Reed to state prosecutors, instead referring all questions to federal authorities.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MOHAMMAD ZAATARI

check the scene where an Israeli strikeonTuesdaynight hit the Ein el-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp Wednesdayinthe southernportcity of Sidon, Lebanon.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT ROURKE

First ladyMelania Trump, right, and second ladyUsha Vance arrivein Richlands, N.C.,onWednesdayenroute to Camp Lejeune.

PHOTO PROVIDED By GIANLUCA MASI

The interstellar comet 3I/Atlas streaks throughspace, 190 million miles from Earth, on Wednesday. The imagewas taken from Manciano, Italy

Arrests top 250 in immigration crackdown

La. Republicans voice support for actions in N.C.

BY GARY D ROBERTSON Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. Federal agents have now arrested more than 250 people during a North Carolina immigration crackdown centered around Charlotte, the state’s largest city, the U.S Department of Homeland Security said Wednesday

protests.

About 100 people gathered outside a Home Depot store in Charlotte on Wednesday, where federal agents have been spotted multiple times since the surge started. Protest organizers brieﬂy went inside the store with orange and white signs that read, “ICE out of Home Depot, Protect our communities.”

Press and three people familiar with the operation.

Around 250 federal border agents are set to descend on New Orleans in the coming weeks for a two-month immigration crackdown expected to begin in earnest on Dec. 1. Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander tapped to head the Louisiana sweep, has been on the ground in North Carolina this week, leading the operation there as well.

The number of arrests around Charlotte and beyond during what the government has dubbed “Operation

The operation that began over the weekend is the latest phase of Republican President Donald Trump’s aggressive mass deportation efforts that have sent the military and immigration agents into Democraticrun cities — from Chicago to Los Angeles. Immigration ofﬁcials have blanketed the country since January pushing detention counts to all-time highs above 60,000. Big cities and small towns across the country are targeted daily amid higher-profile pushes in places such as Portland, Oregon, where more than 560 immigration arrests were made in October The push to carry out arrests in North Carolina expanded to areas around the state capital of Raleigh on Tuesday, spreading fear in at least one immigrant-heavy suburb.

Charlotte’s Web” was about double the total announced by DHS ofﬁcials earlier this week The department said in a statement that agencies “continue to target some of the most dangerous criminal illegal aliens.” Their targets include people living in the U.S. without legal permission and those who allegedly have criminal records.

Summers takes leave from Harvard, ends other roles

BY KIMBERLEE KRUESI and HOLLY RAMER Associated Press

Former U.S. Treasury Secretary

Larry Summers abruptly went on leave Wednesday from teaching at Harvard University, where he once served as president over recently released emails showing he maintained a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, Summers’ spokesperson said.

Summers had been retreating from his public commitments amid the fallout of the emails revelation, but he had maintained that he would continue teaching economics classes at Harvard

Yet by Wednesday evening, Summers had not only retreated from teaching classes but also as director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government with the Kennedy Harvard School.

“Mr Summers has decided it’s in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester, and he is not scheduled to teach next semester,” Summers spokesperson Steven Goldberg said.

Summers’ decision to go on leave was ﬁrst reported by The Harvard Crimson.

Harvard did not mention Summers by name in its decision to restart an investigation, but the move follows the release of emails showing that he was friendly with Epstein long after the financier pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from an underage girl in 2008.

By Wednesday, the once highly regarded economics expert had been facing increased scrutiny over choosing to stay in the teaching role. Some students even filmed his appearance in shock

as he appeared before a class of undergraduates on Tuesday while stressing he thought it was important to continue teaching.

The emails include messages in which Summers appeared to be getting advice from Epstein about pursuing a romantic relationship with someone who viewed him as an “economic mentor.”

“im a pretty good wing man, no?”

Epstein wrote on Nov 30, 2018.

The next day, Summers told Epstein he had texted the woman, telling her he “had something brief to say to her.”

“Am I thanking her or being sorry re my being married. I think the former,” he wrote.

Summers’ wife, Elisa New, also emailed Epstein multiple times, including a 2015 message in which she thanked him for arranging financial support for a poetry project she directs. The gift he arranged “changed everything for me,” she wrote.

“It really means a lot to me, all ﬁnancial help aside, Jeffrey, that you are rooting for me and thinking about me,” she wrote.

New, an English professor emerita at Harvard, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

An earlier review completed in 2020 found that Epstein visited Harvard’s campus more than 40 times after his 2008 sex-crimes conviction and was given his own ofﬁce and unfettered access to a research center he helped establish. The professor who provided the ofﬁce was later barred from starting new research or advising students for at least two years.

Summers has severed ties with OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT

Other organizations that conﬁrmed the end of their afﬁliations with Summers included the Center for American Progress, the Center for Global Development and the Budget Lab at Yale University

Federal ofﬁcials have offered few details about those arrested. They’ve also remained quiet about the scope of the enforcement operations across North Carolina and where agents will show up next, keeping communities on edge.

The crackdown in Charlotte has been met with pockets of resistance and

Arrests in Charlotte and the Raleigh area have created a chilling effect in immigrant neighborhoods — school attendance dropped, and small shops and restaurants closed to avoid confrontations between customers and federal agents.

Customers at a laundromat left behind their clothes in washers and dryers and haven’t returned after agents showed up at a Charlotte shopping center on Sunday, said David Rebolloso, who owns the business.

Just days after beginning the crackdown in North Carolina, Border Patrol agents were expected to arrive in New Orleans by the end of the week to start preparing for their next big operation in southeast Louisiana, according to documents obtained by The Associated

Louisiana Republicans voiced their support on Wednesday The chair of the state party, Derek Babcock, said it shows a commitment from Trump and Republican Gov Jeff Landry to “keeping our citizens safe.”

The head of the state’s American Civil Liberties Union chapter said they were compiling information to help people know their rights and coordinating with legal services and groups connected with the immigrant community

“We urge those with privilege and the opportunity to risk it to stand up for their neighbors and friends,” said Alanah Odoms with the ACLU of Louisiana.

Flight

BY JOSH FUNK and RIO YAMAT

AP transportation and airlines writers

The flight disruptions during the record government shutdown that ended last week inspired a rare act of bipartisanship in Washington on Tuesday when congressional representatives from both parties introduced legislation that would allow air trafﬁc controllers to get paid during future shutdowns.

The bill proposes funding salaries, operating expenses and other Federal Aviation Administration programs by tapping into a little-used fund with $2.6 billion that was created to reimburse airlines if the government commandeers their planes and they are damaged. The bill’s sponsors, which include four of the top Republicans and Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, hope that relying on the fund might make their bill more attractive than other proposals because it would limit the potential cost of dolling out paychecks.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves of Missouri, the GOP chairman of the committee, said in a statement that the bill would help keep the traveling public safe during future shutdowns. The other sponsors include Democratic U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen of Washington and Andre Carson of Indiana, along with Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, who leads the aviation subcommittee.

“We all saw that the system can be vulnerable when Congress can’t get its job done,” Graves said. “This bill guarantees that

controllers, who have one of the most high-pressure jobs in the nation, will get paid during any future funding lapses and that air trafﬁc control, aviation safety, and the traveling public will never again be negatively impacted by shutdowns.”

It’s not clear whether this bill or any similar proposals that have been floating around Congress since the 2019 shutdown — will have a chance to get approved before the next government funding deadline at the end of January

Nearly all the other proposals, including one from U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran of Kansas, would rely on the aviation trust fund that collects money from fees the airlines pay, and the Congressional Budget Ofﬁce has given those bills a much higher price tag.

Fixes proposed, none approved

Over the years, lawmakers have tried a handful of fixes for a longterm solution to keep air traffic controllers and other essential aviation workers paid during funding lapses. The proposals often gained bipartisan attention, especially after the 35-day shutdown that ended in 2019 during President Donald Trump’s first term, but none made it over the finish line.

Moran’s bill, known as the Aviation Funding Stability Act, for example, is a recurring proposal in Congress that would allow the FAA to tap into the Airport and Airway Trust Fund. Lawmakers in both chambers have reintroduced versions of it over the years, including in 2019 and 2021. The new bill introduced Tuesday would cut off the money if the insurance fund dips below $1 billion. But Transportation Committee staffers estimate that would still provide enough funding to keep FAA operating for four to six weeks.

Stretched thin during shutdown

The issue gets so much attention because of all the ﬂight delays and cancellations that happen during a shutdown as more air trafﬁc controllers call out of work The existing shortage of controllers is so severe that just a few absences in an airport tower or other FAA radar facilities can cause problems.

The controllers — and the FAA technicians who maintain the equipment they rely on — are expected to continue working without pay during a shutdown to keep ﬂights operating. But as the shutdown dragged on this fall, more controllers began calling out of work, citing the ﬁnancial pressures and the need to take on side jobs.

The delays got so bad that the government ordered airlines to cut some of their ﬂights at 40 busy airports nationwide, in what the FAA said was an unprecedented but necessary move to relieve pressure on the system and controllers. Thousands of flights were canceled before the FAA lifted the order entirely and airlines were able to resume normal operations Monday

Why insurance fund was made

The fund that the bill introduced Tuesday would use was created years ago to pay for claims an airline might ﬁle if the government uses one of its planes for a military operation or other use. But that’s not common anymore. The last time a claim was made was after America’s withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. The fund has continued to grow as it collects interest.

It was also used for an insurance fund at a time when airlines were having trouble getting any insurance coverage after 9/11.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATT KELLEy Protesters hold signs during the arrival of federal law enforcement Wednesday in Charlotte, N.C

of the CityCouncil

The milestone drew praise for what was described as atransformationfor apolice forcethat federal civil rights investigators once viewed as among thenation’s worst.

“There canbenoquestion that our city is safer,and our police department is better,asa directresult of this case,” said Acting U.S. Attorney MichaelM.Simpson for theEastern District of Louisiana in astatement. “The NOPD’sreforms have already borne many good fruits inour community.”

Lead monitorJonathan Aronie said the consent decree “allowed the good kids to take back the playground, and they have.”

The cost was $20 million to the federal monitors alone over its 12 years, among other expenses associatedwithreachingmyriad benchmarks under what wasat the time it was implemented themost expansive police consentdecree in the U.S.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill totaledthe tabataround $100 million in astatement that alsocongratulated the city.A report lastyearbystateLegislative Auditor Michael Waguespack’sofﬁcecited acity estimateof$61.3 million resulting from the consent decree, including the monitor’s cost.

Department’sCivil Rights Division, in astatement.

Jonas Geissler,aDOJ attorney involved in theNOPDcase, told the audienceinNew Orleanson Wednesday that it wasn’t politics, but the department’sprogress that has forced an end to the reform pact.

“The case is complete because the remediesare durableand have been met,” he said. “But for some local political impediments, this work may have been completed a number of years ago under aprior administration.”

He declined to elaborate after Wednesday’sevent.

Ofﬁcials took pains Wednesday to describe theNOPD’s graduation from federal court oversight as a “handoff” of those functions.

“The consent decree has ended, but the work continues,” Independent Police Monitor Stella Cziment said in astatement.

Although the meeting was livestreamed,itwas notopento the public,a decisionthat Cziment’sofﬁce and agroupofdemonstrators criticized Wednesday About 25 protesters gathered outside the law school, their chants audible at times inside the auditorium,overpowering Kirkpatrick’s remarksduring amediabrieﬁng afterward.

But Morgan said she’srepeatedly asked critics for atally of exorbitant costs and never received one. Still,she said that whatever the tab, it likely saved the citymillions on police misconduct payouts.

COURT

Continued frompage1A

laws anddestroying wetlands. The issue the Supreme Court is taking up, however,does not have to do with land loss or pollution, but rather where the case should be heard.

The lawsuits were originally ﬁled in state court. Chevron, Exxon and other major oil companies havelong argued that they belong in federal court, ajurisdiction that is seen as friendlier to thecompanies. Chevron has arguedthatitwas acting under federal contracts during World WarII, when the oil and gas it extracted from Louisiana lands was used to produce aviation fuel for warplanes, and so the lawsuits belonginfederal court. Lower courts have repeatedly rejected that argument.

TheApril trial was the ﬁrst of 42 similar lawsuits, all led by Baton Rouge-basedlaw ﬁrm Talbot, Car-

“If you think the cost of constitutional policingishigh, trythe cost of unconstitutional policing,” she said.

“It did nottake too long. It took theamountoftimenecessary for the NOPD to make the changes called for and to make them durable, able tostandthe test of time,” Morgan said. “A premature rush through the process just to be done would have been atragedy.”

TheTrump administration has expressed an aversion to law en-

Morgan praised the monitors andsaid shewas conﬁdent in the community’srolegoingforward in holding the departmentaccountable.She pointedtothe sheer breadth ofreforms the NOPD undertook, responding to criticism over the duration of the agreement under her watch.

mouche &Marcello,onbehalf of coastal parishes. Thelawsuits all claim that oil companies damaged wetlands and left behind pollution after drilling operations, in violation of state coastal regulations that wentintoeffect in 1980.

“The obligationcouldn’tbeclearer ”attorney John Carmouche said during openingstatements in the Plaquemines trial. “You have to restore the property back to its original condition. …That’sthe law That’swhat themarsh deserves.”

The companiessay thelawsuits will unnecessarily hurt employment and energy production.They also arguethat some of the operationsinquestionoccurredbefore alaw they are accused of violating took effect in 1980.

The parishes’ lawyershavesaid the decisionwill directly affect asubset of 11 “refinery cases” —suitswhere asingle company both produced and reﬁned oil but could indirectly inﬂuence all 42 coastal lawsuits brought by six parishes andthe state.

VicMarcello, aco-founder of

Talbot, Carmouche&Marcello and oneofthe lead lawyers for theparishes, has emphasizedthatthe high court will not be deciding whether theoil companies caused environmental harm. Instead, he has describedthe forthcoming rulingas “procedural” —focused entirely on jurisdictionand the reach of thefederal ofﬁcer removal statute.

“This isn’tabout the merits of our claim,” he said in an earlier interview Still, even aprocedural decision from the high court will be consequential. If the justices side with thecompanies and ﬁnd that the Plaquemines casebelongedin federal courtall along, afederal judge could be asked torevisit the $745 million state court verdict. If they rule for theparish, thedecision would effectively green-light more coastal trials in Louisiana state courts,potentially exposing oiland gascompaniestobillionsof dollars in additional damages.

The legalbattlehas stretched over more thanadecade. Carmoucheand his firm filed thefirst

forcement consent decrees, and theNOPD’sisthe seventh police reform case to be resolved this year,according to aDOJ statementonWednesday “Wecredit the ofﬁcers and supervisors who have transformed NOPD —despite local political obstacles —and who continueto worktokeep communitiessafe,” said Assistant Attorney General HarmeetDhillon,ofthe Justice

of their coastal lawsuitsin2013. Since then, both sides have repeatedly sparred over thepropervenue for thecases, and Carmouche’sﬁrm hasalso pursued settlementnegotiations with several oil companies.

Freeport-McMoRan settled for $100 million. Cameron Parish settled with oil companies for an undisclosedsum. Carmouche said thatShell had also settled foran undisclosed amount.

And though theSupreme Court hearing looms over thecases, Carmouche said that settlement discussions were ongoing.

“We’re discussing with acouple of majors,” he said. “In my opinion, Ithink we’ll get aruling from the U.S.SupremeCourt sometime in March, April. Ithink they’re going to have to makeadecision then.”

Thecasealsopitslocal Louisiana Republicans against the Trump administration —one of the only instances in which the state has clashed openly with the White House. Louisiana has intervened in the cases, siding with the parishes andCarmouche; the Trump admin-

“The community had no role to play in this (decision to end theconsentdecree), andsowhat we’re saying is we need community oversight,” said organizer Toni Jones.

Protestersbriefly surrounded an NOPD vehicleatthe intersection of Broadway and Dominican streets, blocking its departure, until policebackup unitsarrived at 1:30 p.m

istration —along with former U.S. Attorneys General WilliamBarr and Michael Mukasey —are backing the oil companies.

Finding money to salvage as much of Louisiana’seroding coast as possible will increasingly become achallenge in theyears ahead, with proceeds linked to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon oilspill set to expireby2032. The state has lost roughly 2,000 square miles over the last century,and sea level rise linked to climate change is projected to worsen the crisis.

Conﬁning the Mississippi River in place with levees set the crisis in motion, but oil and gas production has greatly contributed to the problem Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has vocally backed the lawsuits.

“Quite simply,Chevron chose proﬁts over people andthe law— and it continues to do so every day it refuses accountability forits actions,”she wroteina guestopinion columnfor TheTimes-Picayune. “This is not controversial.”

STAFF PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

NewOrleans Police SuperintendentAnne Kirkpatrick, left, applauds during agathering Wednesday marking the end of the New Orleans Police Departmentconsent decree.

year’sgeneral fund budget. Future short-term loans are alsopossible as the city continues to work to balance its books.

“It’sall achoice of horribles,” Moreno said afterWednesday’s council meeting. “My options at this time when it comes to thebudget are not great, but we’re going to make it work.”

The $20 millionreimbursement from the S&WB comes after utilityofﬁcials agreed this week to repaythe citythat amount by year’s endfor money the city fronted for various S&WB infrastructure projects. The city had demanded $87.5 million back, though the utilitydisputes it owes that much.

The bond issuance and the S&WB reimbursement cap amonthlong saga that saw Louisiana’s largest city hover on the brink of aserious cash crunch. It began in October,when Mayor LaToya Cantrell’sadministration revealed that the city was slated to runout of the cashneeded to pay its workers before the end of the year due to delayedfederal grant payments. Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack that month also pegged the city’s2025 budget deﬁcit —caused by overblownrevenue projections, missed internal warnings and unbudgeted overtime —at$160 million

The city’ssolution for cash-ﬂow crisis —seeking $125 million in short-term revenue bonds —was initially torpedoed by state officials, after they demandedlocal leaders cede control of City Hall operations to aﬁscal administratorasacondition of StateBond

Commission approval. Thatwas a nonstarterfor city ofﬁcials.

But the deal was revived earlier this month, after Moreno and hercouncilcolleagues hashed outanagreementgiving Waguespack controloverhow the bond proceeds are spent, among other oversightmeasures.Withthose assurances, the Bond Commission last week signed off on the city’s bond request

The$125 million in bonds are beingissued at a3.5% interest rate, according to acouncil resolution.

The city is expected to receive the revenue Friday morning.

Separately,the S&WB has agreed to make aseries of payments to the city totaling$20 million after the Cantrell administration issued a demand for $87.5 million in reimbursements.

Thestatus ofthe remaining $67.5 millionisn’t certain. Payments for about halfthat amountare still beingnegotiated,and S&WB ofﬁcials say theother half isn’tdue

until theutilityhas money to pay it.Still, theinitial $20 million is a boon for acity government that has scrounged around in recent weeks for any available cash.

Council member Joe Giarrusso, thecouncil’sbudgetcommittee chair,said the Cantrell administration still wantstotap into the city’s rainy dayfund —amove that requires atwo-thirds vote of the council— to paythe city’s vendors. Still, he said his requestsfor more information from the administrationtosupport the disbursement have gone unanswered.

“In avacuum with no information,how can you vote on it?” Giarrusso said.

MorenoonWednesday said the administrationstill hasn’tprovided the council with aﬁrm number on overdue payments to vendors. The Times-Picayune ﬁled apublic records request withthe city two weeks ago for copies of unpaid invoices that are morethan30days old but has yet to receive the re-

cords.

Cantrell’sspokesperson,Terry Davis, declined to sayWednesday how much money the city owes its vendors. The bondproceeds will be deposited in adedicated fund that can only be used to cover personnel expenses and that can only be tapped with acouncilresolution andwritten approval of the state auditor.The council plans to meet every Wednesday for theforeseeable future to sign off on the payroll spending.

Ahead of the weekly meetings, the Cantrell administration is required toprovide the council and auditor with detailedreports on their payroll needs.

Moreno, whotakes ofﬁce as mayor Jan. 12, said there have already been some “hiccups”withthe New Orleans Police Department producing reports forthe auditor and thecouncil’sreview

“So, I’ll be calling the chief, like, ‘Hey,everybody’sgot to get their stuff in on time, OK?Because if youdon’t,yourpeopledon’tget paid,’”Moreno said after Wednesday’scouncil meeting. “That’show serious Iamabout this situation. That’s how serious the auditor is about this situation.”

Moreno has said the 2026 budget will have to include even deeper cuts to city spending than the $200 million in cuts originally proposed by Cantrell.

“My goal is to fund public safety and essential services,” Moreno said. “And then we’re going to see pretty much what else is left.”

HelpingMoreno craftthe budget are consulting ﬁrms HR&A Advisors andPFM FinancialAdvisors, which her transition team hired with private funds. She metwith theﬁrmsonTuesday and said they

found that somedepartments had reportedincorrect salariesfor their workers and that the city was also providingdepartments with millions of dollars in funding forvacant positions.

The mayor-elect said she plans to restructure City Hall andthather team is reviewing city contracts to see which ones can be canceled.She also plans to eliminate certain unclassiﬁed positionsand is zeroing in on “upper echelon leadership spots” earning six-ﬁgure salaries, especially those makingover$300,000.

“Maybe you have one position that has ahigh-level salary but they do the jobs of several of the unclassiﬁed spots,” she said.

As of October,there were just four unclassified employees in NewOrleans city government will salaries above $300,000, according to public records.

They are: NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick at $364,095; Aviation Director KevinDolliole at $359,600;Medical DirectorDr. Megan Marino at $313,671; and Chief Physician Pathologist Dr Samantha Huber at $302,196.

Last week, ChiefAdministrative Officer Joe Threat told the councilthat he plannedtoask department heads to pause certain projects to help protectthe city’s cash reserves. Morenosaidit’sher understanding thatthe planneddemolition of both Gordon Plaza and DeGaulle Manor are on hold.

The council can begin making payments on the $125 million loan starting on Feb.1 andisexpected to do so with property tax revenues it receivesinJanuary.Mandatory payment obligations will begin on Feb. 2.

Email Blake Paterson at bpaterson@theadvocate.com.

events,” Cook said in an interview on Tuesday.“This additional investment begins to put us back where we belong from acompetitive standpoint.”

Theproject’sapproval drew one of the center’smost prominent former board members. Robert “Tiger” Hammond, the longtime labor leader who served on the board for years, attended Wednesday’smeeting to congratulate the new leadership. Hammond noted that prior boards had struggled for nearly two decades to advance aheadquarters hotel, making the current approval a“breakthrough moment.”

The development is being led by Michael Smith,an executive withOmni Hotels &Resorts, the operator and developer of the project. Smith said Omni is choosing to increase its presence in New Orleans at atime when some other hotel owners have opted to sell up rather than invest in upgrades. He noted that thecompany increased its investment fouryears ago in the Omni Royal Orleans,which it has operated with longtime local partner Darryl Berger Even as local tourism has declined roughly 10% this year,Smith said the city remains astrong long-term opportunity

“It is aone-of-a-kind, unique tourist destination,” Smith said. Many other cities have tried to emulate

New Orleans’ unique and historic ambience, but he saidthathas led to some complacencyininvestment —the Omni headquarters hotelwouldbethe first of that size and scope since the early 1980s.

Smith and Cook said the newplanhas the best chance of movingforward because it relies on apublic-private partnership model in which themajority of thefunding comes from private investment,while theConvention Center’s$80 million, along with state and city incentives, covers the public share. Omnihas builtsimilar hotels in several U.S. cities, includingDallas and Nashville, that have proved successfulboosters of convention center business, Smith said Theapproval caps months of redesign and community outreach following pushback against an earlier proposalthat wouldhaveincorporatedthe MississippiRiver HeritagePark, apublic greenspace borderingthe hotel site.

The updated plan preserves thepark and reconfigures the hotel so that ballrooms and meeting roomspreviouslyplanned at groundlevel are now stacked vertically.Thisadjustment requiredincreasing the building’sheight to roughly 350 feet —several timeshigher thancurrent Warehouse District zoning allows —and incorporating parking within the structure rather than relying on nearby garages.

Theredesign also consolidates all development onthe

SugarMill site. Earlier concepts had proposed locating the hotel at the upriver end of theConventionCenter complex, where the River Districtisnow being built. Omniand Convention Centerofficials eventually decided on asitecloser to the French Quarter and busier parts of the citytomaximize accessibility for visitors and conventions. However,Cook said they still plan asmaller hotel for the upriver site. Despite Wednesday’s milestone,the project still faces significanthurdles. Developers will need City Council approval for aheight variance, and theymust negotiate with thecitytoacquire John Churchill Chase Street and incorporate it intothe site. Both steps are likely to attract scrutiny from residentsand preservation advocates concernedabout traffic, shading and the building’scompatibility with thehistoric district.

Council member Lesli Harris, whose district includesthe site,participated in outreach meetings earlier this year and acknowledged to residentsthatthe taller design was part of the tradeoff forpreservingthe park, though someresidents continuetodebatethe height and scale of the tower Forthe Convention Center, the headquarters hotel is considered critical to competing with cities such as Austin, Nashville,Orlando, and other convention destinations. Leaders say thelack of aconnected hotel has limitedthe city’s ability to host large-scaleconventions and national trade shows. The

hotel is expected to include multiple restaurants, meetingrooms linked directly to the center,and ground-ﬂoor retailtostrengthen theconnection between theriverfront and theWarehouse District.

Similarprojects are underway in other Southern cities.InSavannah, a444room Signia by Hilton is being built next to the convention center as part of an expansionscheduled to open in 2028. In Baton Rouge, hotelrenovations and addi-

tional meeting space at the Hilton Baton Rouge Capitol Center have been designed to attract moregroup and convention business.

Financially,Omni’sparent company has signed a60year ground lease with the Convention Center,which includes rent anda profitsharing component based on hotel performance. Omni also hasanoptiontopurchase the property after 30 years.

Thedesign firmfor the project is Rule Joy Tram-

mell +Rubio,whichalso designed Omni’sconvention center hotel in Oklahoma City. Omni expects to begin the city’spermitting process once ﬁnal architectural drawings are submitted, with land-use consultant Mike Sherman guiding approvals. Construction is expected to startinearly 2027 and be completed for opening in 2030. Email AnthonyMcAuley tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Trade deficit falls as tariffs reduce imports

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit fell by nearly 24% in August as President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs pushed imports lower

The Commerce Department said Wednesday that the gap between what the United States buys from other countries and what it sells them fell to $59.6 billion in August, from $78.2 billion in July

Imports of goods and services dropped 5% to $340.4 billion in August from July when U.S. companies were stocking up on foreign products before Trump finalized taxes on products from almost every country on earth. Those levies went into effect Aug. 7.

U.S. exports blipped up 0.1% in August to $280.8 billion.

Trump, charging that America’s persistent trade deﬁcits mean that other countries have taken advantage of the U.S., has overturned decades of U.S. policy in favor of free trade slapping double-digit tariffs on imports from most countries and targeting speciﬁc products with their own levies.

Still, the U.S. trade deﬁcit is up so far in 2025, coming in at $713.6 billion through August, up 25% from $571.1 billion in January-August 2024. A drop in imports and the trade deficit is good for economic growth because foreign products are subtracted from the nation’s gross domestic product. GDP is the output of a nation’s goods and services.

U.S. to become a shareholder in EOS EOS Energy Enterprises Inc. is the latest public company that will have the U.S. government as a shareholder

The zinc-based battery manufacturer, whose main factory is in Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, said Tuesday that it signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy to issue the government warrants vouchers to buy stock — for 570,000 shares

The Department of Energy can exercise the warrants anytime in the next ﬁve years and convert them into stock at a penny apiece. EOS’s current stock price is $13.48 a share.

The warrants will automatically be converted into shares after one year if EOS’s stock price tops $30 per share, or at the expiration date in ﬁve years regardless of the share price.

The company expects the market for long-duration — up to 12 hours — battery storage to grow rapidly in the coming years DOE is among EOS’s major financiers. The government agency, under the Biden administration, approved EOS for a $303 million loan to expand its manufacturing capacity. The company has already received the ﬁrst $91 million.

It announced last month that it would be building new production lines in a building in Marshall, Pennsylvania.

Ford recalls more than 200,000 Broncos

WASHINGTON Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than 200,000 Bronco and Bronco Sport vehicles because an instrument panel can fail, increasing the risk of a crash.

Federal auto safety regulators said that the instrument panel may not display at startup, leaving the driver without critical safety information.

The recall includes 128,607 Ford Bronco Sports, model years 2025-26 and 101,002 Ford Broncos, also model years 2025-26, the National Highway Trafﬁc Safety Administration said Ford is not aware of any injuries caused by the instrument panel failure Owners will be notified by mail beginning Dec. 8 and instructed to take their vehicles to a Ford or Lincoln dealership to have the software updated. The NHTSA recall number is 25V540.

BUSINESS

Nvidia earnings clear lofty hurdle

Upbeat forecast quiets AI bubble talk

BY MICHAEL LIEDTKE AP technology writer

SAN FRANCISCO Nvidia’s sales of the computing chips powering the artiﬁcial intelligence craze surged beyond the lofty bar set by stock market analysts in a performance that may ease recent jitters about a Big Tech boom turning into a bust that topples the world’s most valuable company

The results announced late Wednesday provided a pulse check on the frenzied spending on AI technology that has been fueling both the stock market and much of the overall economy since OpenAI

released its ChatGPT three years ago. Nvidia has been by far the biggest beneﬁciary of the run-up because its processors have become indispensable for building the AI factories that are needed to enable what’s supposed to be the most dramatic shift in technology since Apple released the iPhone in 2007. But in the past few weeks, there has been a rising tide of sentiment that the high expectations for AI may have become far too frothy setting the stage for a jarring comedown that could be just as dramatic as the ascent that transformed Nvidia from a company worth less than $400 billion three years ago to one worth $4.5 trillion today

Nvidia’s report for its ﬁscal third

quarter covering the August-October period now seems likely to elicit a sigh of relief among those fretting about a worst-case scenario.

The company’s stock price gained more than 4% in Wednesday’s extended trading after the numbers came out.

Nvidia earned $31.9 billion, or $1.30 per share, a 65% increase from the same time last year, while revenue climbed 62% to $57 billion.

Analysts polled by FactSet Research had forecast earnings of $1.26 per share on revenue of $54.9 billion. What’s more, the Santa Clara, California, company predicted its revenue for the current quarter covering NovemberJanuary will come in at about $65

billion, nearly $3 billion above analysts’ projections, in an indication that demand for its AI chips remains feverish.

The incoming orders for Nvidia’s top-of-the-line Blackwell chip are “off the charts,” Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said in a prepared statement that described the current market conditions as “a virtuous cycle.”

The results — and ensuring reaction — reﬂected the pivotal role that Nvidia is playing in the future direction of the economy — a position that Huang has leveraged to forge close ties with President Donald Trump, even as the White House wages a trade war that has inhibited the company’s ability to sell its chips in China’s fertile market.

Quarterly profit slide at Target hints at a challenging holiday

Sales slump expected to last through season

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP Retail Writer

NEW YORK Target’s third-quarter profit

tumbled as the retailer struggles to lure shoppers that are being pressed by stubbornly high inﬂation.

The Minneapolis company said Wednesday that it expects its sales slump to extend through the critical holiday shopping season

The company also announced that it’s planning to invest another $1 billion next year to remodel stores and build new ones, increasing the total cost for the makeover to $5 bil-

lion

Investors have punished Target’s stock recently, sending it down 45% over the past 52 weeks.

Turning around the 19% profit slide in the most recent quarter is the latest challenge for incoming CEO Michael Fiddelke, a 20-year company veteran who is replacing CEO Brian Cornell in February The handover arrives as the retailer tries to reverse a persistent sales malaise and to revive its reputation as the place to go for affordable but stylish products.

Comparable sales — those from established physical stores and online channels — dipped 2.7% in its latest three-month period. That’s worse than the 1.9% drop in the previous quarter and the third straight quarterly decline.

Target’s troubles stand in stark contrast to rival Walmart, the nation’s largest retailer, which is thriving. Walmart reports on its most recent quarterly performance Thursday.

Target announced in October that it was eliminating about 1,800 corporate positions to streamline decision-making and accelerate company initiatives. The cuts represent about 8% of Target’s corporate workforce.

To pump up sales, Target is offering more than 20,000 new items, twice as many as last year, and it has lowered prices on thousands of groceries and other essential items.

“The environment around us continues to evolve, whether it’s shifting consumer demand, changing competitor dynamics, or broader macroeconomic pressures,” Fiddelke said on an earnings call Wednesday ”But let me be clear We are not waiting for conditions to improve. We are driving the change ourselves right now.”

With about 1,980 U.S. stores, Target has

ASSOCIATED

Target officials said Wednesday that it’s planning to invest another $1 billion next year to remodel stores and build new ones, increasing the total cost for the makeover to $5 billion.

struggled to ﬁnd its footing since inﬂation caused Americans to curtail much of their discretionary spending.

Consumer boycotts since late January, when Target joined Walmart and a number of other prominent American brands in scaling back its corporate diversity equity and inclusion initiatives, have compounded the predicament.

Other headwinds are buffeting the entire retail sector For almost a year retailers have struggled to navigate President Donald Trump’s wideranging tariffs on imports and his immigration crackdown that threatened to shrink the supply of workers available to U.S. companies.

The just ended 43-day federal shutdown is expected to be another drag on an economy Government contract awards have slowed and many food aid recipients have seen their beneﬁts interrupted, both of which can cut into consumer spending at places like Target.

Fiddelke told reporters that the company saw a weaker September but he said it was “tricky for us to isolate” the different factors behind that.

The retailer’s profit fell to $689 million

in the three-month period ended Nov. 1, or $1.51 per share. Adjusted per share results added up to $1.78. That is better than the $1.71 that Wall Street was expecting, according to a poll by FactSet, but below the $1.85 per share the company earned in the same period last year

Sales fell 1.5% to $25.27 billion, just shy of analyst projections.

Sales gains in food and beverages were offset by continued weakness in discretionary goods, with anxious shoppers focused increasingly on buying essentials, even during the holidays.

For example, customers this year customers bought candy and costumes for Halloween, but spent less on decorations, said Rick Gomez, chief commercial ofﬁcer for Target. Gomez thinks they will make similar tradeoffs during the winter holiday season.

“We think the consumer will prioritize what goes under the tree versus what goes on the tree,” he said.

Target also announced a partnership with OpenAI on Wednesday that will let users browse Target items through the tech company’s app ChatGPT When customers are ready to buy, they’ll be directed to the Target app.

Labor Department won’t release full October jobs report

Federal shutdown halted calculations

BY PAUL WISEMAN AP economics writer

WASHINGTON The Labor Department said Wednesday that it will not be releasing a full jobs report for October because the 43-day federal government shutdown meant it couldn’t calculate the unemployment rate and some other key numbers. Instead, it will release some of the October jobs data — most importantly the number of jobs that employers created last month along with the full November jobs

report, now due a couple of weeks late on Dec. 16. The department’s “employment situation” report usually comes out the ﬁrst Friday of the month. But the government shutdown disrupted data collection and delayed the release of the reports. For example, the September jobs report, now coming out Thursday, was originally due Oct. 3. The monthly jobs report consists of two parts: a survey of households that is used to determine the unemployment rate, among other things; and the “establishment” survey of companies, nonproﬁts and government agencies that is used to track job creation, wages and other measurements of labor

market health. The Labor Department said Wednesday that the household survey for October could not be conducted because of the shutdown and could not be done retroactively. But it was able to collect the hiring numbers from employers, and those will come out with the full November report.

Wednesday’s announcement means the September jobs numbers will likely get extra scrutiny Thursday They are the last full measurement of hiring and unemployment that Federal Reserve policymakers will see before they meet Dec. 9-10. The jobs numbers have lately been contentious. After the July

jobs report proved disappointing, President Donald Trump abruptly fired the official responsible for collecting the data, Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer McEntarfer herself was quick to say there was nothing suspicious about Wednesday’s announcement. “No conspiracy here, folks,” she posted on the social media site Bluesky “BLS was entirely shutdown for six weeks. Payroll data from firms can be retroactively collected for October The household survey cannot be conducted retrospectively This is just a straightforward consequence of having all ﬁeld staff furloughed for over a month.”

DOJfaces questionsabout processinComey case

Judgegrills prosecutor about grandjury

BY ERIC TUCKER and MICHAEL KUNZELMAN Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA, Va

The pros-

ecution of former FBI Director JamesComey hit another hurdle Wednesday as the Justice Department acknowledged apossible lapse in how the case was presented to afederal grand jury for indictment.

The concession risked further imperiling apolitically charged prosecution already subject to multiple challenges and demands for its dismissal. It came during ahearing in which Comey’s lawyers asked U.S.District Judge Michael Nachmanofftothrow outthe case on grounds that the government was being vindictive and as aseparate challenge to Lindsey Halligan, the hastily appointedand inexperienced prosecutor who secured the indictment, is pending.

The revelation thatthe full grand jury did not reviewa copy of the ﬁnal indictment is the latest indicationofthe Justice Department’s seemingly disjointed pursuit ofa criminal case against oneof President Donald Trump’s political enemies.

Comey wasﬁredbyTrump in May 2017 while overseeing an FBI investigation into potential ties between Russia and Trump’s2016 campaign. The two have been publicly at oddsever since, with Trump deriding Comey as “a weak and untruthful slime ball” and calling for his prosecution. Concerns about the legal

process came into focus earlier in theweek when a differentjudge in the case raised questionsabout what he said were “profound investigativemissteps,”includingmisstatements of the lawtothe grand jury andapotential breach of attorney-client privilegein the handling of evidence.

courtroom when the ﬁnal indictmentwas presentedto amagistrate. She said only two grand jurors, including theforeperson, were there.

ponents. “Wecan’tdelay any longer,it’skilling our reputation,” Trump wrote, adding that “JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!”

authorized an FBI colleague to serve as an anonymous source to the newsmedia.

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON Aveteran

FBI employee training to become aspecial agent was firedlast month for displaying at his workspace an LGBTQ+ flag, which had previously flown outside afield office, according to alawsuit filed in federalcourt.

David Maltinsky had worked at the FBI for 16 yearsand wasnearlyfinished with special agent training in Quantico, Virginia, when he was called into ameeting last month with FBI ofﬁcials, given aletter from Director Kash Patel and told he was being “summarily dismissed” over the inappropriate display of political signage, Maltinsky’s lawsuit said.

The suit, filed Wednesday in U.S. District Courtin Washington, said Maltinsky had been adecorated intelligence specialistworking in the Los Angeles field office and most recentlywas pursuing alongtime dream of becoming aspecial agent. In June 2021, the Los An-

Halligan initially asked the grand jury to return athreecountindictment against Comey.But after the grand jurors reje ct ed one of the pr o po sed counts, the JusticeDepartment secured asecond two-count indictment that accused Comey of making afalse statement andobstructingCongress. Comey has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing.

Comey lawyer Michael Dreeben called the government’sfailure to present the final indictment to the entiregrand jurygrounds for dismissing thecase. He also arguedthatthe statute of limitations for the charged crimes has elapsed without avalid indictment.

Comey

In ablistering ruling Monday,U.S. Magistrate Judge William Fitzpatrick, also handling partsof thecase, said he hadreviewed atranscript of the grand juryproceedings and had questions about whether the full grand jury had reviewed the ﬁnal two-count indictmentthat was returned.

The issue aroseagain on Wednesday when Nachmanoff, thetrial judge, pressed the Justice Department about Fitzpatrick’sconcerns.

After conferring privately withHalligan, TylerLemons, one of theprosecutors, acknowledged that therevised indictment was notshown to allofthe grand jurors.

“I was notthere,but that is my understanding, your honor,”Lemonstold thejudge.

Nachmanoff called Halligan to the lectern and asked her who was in the

“That would be tantamount to abar of further prosecution in this case,” Dreeben said.

Nachmanoff did notissue an immediate decision, saying“the issues are too weightyand toocomplex” for abench ruling.

Dreeben separately argued thatthe prosecution was improperly vindictive and rooted in Trump’squest for retribution, circumstances requiring adismissal.

“The president’s use of theDepartment of Justice to bring acriminal prosecution against avocal and prominent critic in order to punish and deter those who would speak out against him violatesthe Constitution,” Dreeben said.

Though vindictive prosecution motions are not often successful, Comey’s lawyers have laid out alaundry listofverbal attacksfrom Trumpinhopes of establishing the case as outgrowth of the president’shunger for retribution againstthe man who once servedashis FBI director Trumpampliﬁed his longrunningdemands fora Comeyprosecution with aSeptember social media post in which he complained to Attorney General Pam Bondi about the lack of actionagainst his political op-

“If this is not adirection to prosecute,” Dreeben saidin court, “I’d really be at aloss to say what is.”

The night of that post, Trump said he would appoint Halligan, aWhite House aide withoutprior prosecutorial experience, as U.S. attorney for the Eastern DistrictofVirginia, on an interim basis. She replaced a veteran prosecutor who was effectively forced fromthe job after notchargingComey or anotherTrump foe, New York Attorney General Letitia James Halligan secured an indictment of Comey days later as the statute of limitationsonthe casewas about to expire.The charges are related to sworn testimony about whether Comey had

AskedbyNachmanoff whether he considered Halligantobea“stalking horse” or “puppet” forthe administration, Dreeben demurred andoptedagainst thatcharacterization. But, he said, “She did whatshe was told to do.”

Presidents, Dreeben said, have other tools at their disposal to punish critics, but bringing the full weight of the Justice Department to bear is impermissible.

“The government cannot use power of criminalprosecutions to attempt to silence acritic in violation of the First Amendment,” he said.

Lemons, the Justice Department prosecutor,insisted thatComey wasindicted by a“properlyconstituted” grand jury because he broke thelaw —not becauseTrump ordered it. “The defendant is

not being put on trial for anything he said about the president,” Lemons said. Lemons said nobody directed Halligantoprosecute Comeyorseekhis indictment. “It was her decision and her decision only,” he added. But Nachmanoff, the judge, noted that Trumpappointed Halligan as acting U.S. attorney on Sept. 22, threedaysbeforeshe presented the Comeycase to the grand jury “Whatindependent evaluation could she have done in that time period?” he asked Lemons.

Nachmanoff asked Lemons whether he has seen a“declination memo”inwhich prosecutors had outlined reasons for not seeking an indictment against Comey. Lemonsrespondedbysaying thatthe departmenthad instructed him not to disclose that “privileged” information.

geles fieldoffice displayed a “Progress Pride” flag, which consists of arainbow-colored horizontal stripes anda chevron with black, brown, pink, light blue,and whitecolors. It’s meant to represent people of color,aswell as the LGBTQ+ community.Maltinsky wasgiven that flag afterit hadcomedownand was then displayed at hisLos Angeles field officeworkstation with thesupport and permission of hissupervisors, according to the lawsuit.

In April, he begantraining at the FBI Academy to become aspecialagent and hadsuccessfully completed 16 of the 19 weeks of trainingatthe timeofhis ﬁring, the lawsuit stated Maltinsky said in the suit he helped lead diversity initiatives during his time at thebureauas well.President Donald Trump issued an executiveorderin Januaryending all diversity,equity and inclusion programs within thegovernment.

Thesuit names Patel, the FBI, Attorney General Pam Bondi and theJustice De-

partment as defendants.The FBIand Justice Department declined to comment.

Amongotherthings, Maltinsky is seeking reinstatement to hispositionalong with an order declaring that the defendants violated his First Amendmentrightsto speech andFifth Amendmentrights to equal protection under thelaw

Trumpsigns bill to release Epstein files

BY SEUNG MIN KIM

Associated Press

WASHINGTON President

Donald Trump signed legislation Wednesday that compels his administration to release ﬁles on convicted sexoffenderJeffrey Epstein, bowing to political pressure from his own party afterinitially resisting thoseefforts.

Trump could have chosen to release many of the ﬁles on his own months ago.

“Democrats have used the ‘Epstein’ issue, which affects them farmorethan theRepublican Party,inorder to try and distract from our AMAZING Victories,” Trump said in asocial mediapost as he announced he had signed the bill Now,the bill requires the JusticeDepartment to release all ﬁles and communications related to Epstein, as wellasany information about the investigationinto his death in afederal prison in 2019, within 30 days.Itallows for redactions about Epstein’svictims for ongoing federal investigations, but DOJ cannot withhold information due to “embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.”

proponent of releasingthe ﬁles, Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado,tothe Situation Roomtodiscuss the matter although shedid not change hermind.

But over theweekend, Trump did asharp U-turn on the ﬁles once it became clear that congressional action was inevitable. He insisted the Epstein matter had becomea distraction to the GOP agenda andindicated he wanted to move on “I just don’t want Republicanstotake their eyes off all of theVictoriesthat we’ve had,” Trump said in asocial media post Tuesday afternoon, explaining the rationalefor hisabrupt about-face.

TheHouse passed the legislationona 427-1 vote, with Rep. Clay Higgins, RLafayette, being the sole dissenter.Heargued that the bill’slanguagecould lead to the release of information on innocent people mentionedinthe federal investigation.The Senate later approved itunanimously, skipping aformal vote.

Environmentalists warnchanges to Endangered Species Act regulations could cause yearslong delaysinefforts to save speciessuch as the monarch butterfly.

ASSOCIATEDPRESS FILE PHOTO By ERIN

HOOLEy

Rollbacksofendangered speciesprotections revived

BY MATTHEWBROWN and SUSANMONTOYABRYAN Associated Press

BILLINGS,Mont President DonaldTrump’sadministration moved Wednesday to rollback protections for imperiled species and the places they live, reviving asuite of changes to Endangered Species Actregulations during theRepublican’sﬁrst termthat were blocked underformer Democratic President Joe Biden.

The proposed changes include the eliminationofthe U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s“blanketrule” that automatically protects animals and plants when theyare classiﬁed as threatened. Government agencies instead would have to craft species-speciﬁc rules for protections, apotentially lengthy process.

The administration’sannouncement answers longstanding calls for revisions to the 1973 Endangered Species Act from Republicans in Congress and industries including oiland gas, mining and agriculture. Critics argue the law has been wielded too broadly,to thedetriment of economic growth.

dangered Species Act and potentially bypass species protections forlogging projectsinnational forests andonpublic lands.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in astatementthat the administration was restoring the Endangered Species Act to its original intent while respecting “the livelihoods of Americans who depend on our land and resources.”

“These revisions endyears of legal confusion andregulatory overreach, delivering certainty to states, tribes, landownersand businesses while ensuring conservation efforts remain grounded in sound science and common sense,” Burgum said in astatement.

The Interior Department was sued over the blanket protection rule in March, by thePropertyand EnvironmentResearch Center and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The twogroups argued therule was illegal and discouraged states and landowners from assisting in species recovery efforts.

Bidento attend Cheney’s funeral

Trumpremains silent on former VP’s death

BY SEUNG MINKIM Associated Press

WASHINGTON Formerpresident

Joe Bidenwill attend Thursday’s memorial servicefor former vice president Dick Cheney at the Washington National Cathedral, whichwill feature remarks from anotherformer president, George W. Bush.

Aspokeswoman for Biden confirmed his plans to attend. The Democratic president said in a statement after Cheney’sdeath that theformer vicepresident was “guided by astrong set of conservative values” and that “he believed, as Ido, that family is the beginning, middle, and end.”

It wasa remarkable turn of events for what was once afarfetched effort to force the disclosure of case ﬁles from an odd congressional coalition of Democrats, one GOP antagonist of the president, and ahandful of erstwhile Trump loyalists. As recently as last week,the Trump administration even summoned one Republican

It’sbeen established that Trumphad been friends with Epstein, the disgraced ﬁnancier who was close to theworld’selite. Butthe president has consistently saidhedid not know of Epstein’scrimes and had cut ties with himlong ago.

Before Trump returned to theWhite House for asecond term, some of his closest political allies helped fuel conspiracy theories about the government’s handling of the Epstein case, asserting acover-up of potentially incriminating information in those ﬁles.

But environmentalistswarned the changes could cause yearslong delays in efforts to save species such as the monarch butterﬂy,Floridamanatee, California spotted owl and North American wolverine.

“Wewould havetowaituntil these poor animals arealmostextinct before we can start protecting them. That’sabsurd andheartbreaking,” said Stephanie Kurosewith theCenterfor Biological Diversity Scientists andgovernmentagencies say extinctions have accelerated globally because of habitatlossand other pressures. Prior proposals during Trump’ssecond term would revise thedeﬁnition of “harm” under theEn-

Species designated as “threatened” under theblanketrule automatically qualify for the sameprotections as those withthe more severe designation of “endangered.” That could cause landowners to become indifferent to aspecies’ fate because even if they workto getanendangeredspecies downgraded to threatened, there might notbealessening of government restrictions.

PERCVice President Jonathan Wood said Wednesday’sproposal was a“necessary course correction” from the Biden administration’sactions.

“This reform acknowledges the blanket rule’sunlawfulness and puts recovery back at the heart of the Endangered Species Act,” Wood said.

Trumpofﬁcials during his ﬁrst term also rolled back protections for individual species including the northern spotted owl and gray wolf.

The current U.S. president, DonaldTrump, andhis administration saidlittleabout Cheney after his Nov.3death following complications from pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease. It’s unknown whether Trump, who has had frosty relations with the Cheney family,will attend the funeral, which is by invitation only Trumpnever madeastatement on Cheney’spassing and did not issue apresidential proclamation that often accompanies the death of notablefigures. TheWhite House didlower its ﬂags to halfstaff after hisdeath, whichpress secretary Karoline Leavitt said it did “in accordance with statutory law.”

Federal law says when aformer vicepresident dies, then theU.S. ﬂag will ﬂy at half-staff from the day of death until the day of interment.

The White House on Wednesday did not respond to arequest for comment on whyaproclamation was neverissuedfor Cheney, or whether Trump was invitedtothe funeral.

Trump

NOLA.COM | Thursday, November 20, 2025 1bN

Moreno ‘concerned’ about sweeps

Mayor-elect says immigration operation information scarce

BY JAMES FINN Staff writer

New Orleans Mayor-elect Hel-

ena Moreno said Wednesday she is “concerned” about residents’ due process rights being violated when the U.S. Border Patrol ramps up operations in the city

In her first public remarks on the impending sweeps, Moreno, who was elected last month and will take office in January, also

details ahead of time from federal ofﬁcials.

slammed federal authorities’ failure to communicate with local officials. And the mayor-elect noted that New Orleans Police Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick, who has been briefed by Border Patrol and pledged to support the federal agents, has failed to relay updates on the plans.

“I have not received any information from the chief or anyone with authority from the federal government to tell me exactly what is the plan for the city of New Orleans,” Moreno told reporters. “Obviously, I’ve seen your reports, the (Associated Press), all the different news sta-

tions and what you are reporting. But beyond that, I don’t have any information.” Moreno’s comments came after news outlets reported this week that President Donald Trump’s administration had chosen New Orleans as the next site of its city-bycity immigration crackdown. Her criticisms highlighted broader frustrations among local Democratic leaders in cities where Border Patrol has arrived over sparse

A chorus of criticisms has sprouted up from advocates and other politicians amid the new revelations about the planned operation in New Orleans.

“This deployment is nothing more than political theater designed to terrorize immigrant families and militarize our city,” said Alanah Odoms, executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, in a statement Wednesday

ä See MORENO, page 2B

IN A FOG

A person stops their bike along the Mississippi River during a foggy Wednesday morning in New Orleans.

N.O. Book Fest draws big names

Council amends 2026 budget, cuts funds for Safe Haven, raises

BY WILLIE SWETT Staff writer

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

The

ﬁfth annual New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University will return March 12-15, bringing more than 100 authors — including some of the world’s best known — to Tulane’s Uptown campus. The high-profile writers and thought leaders scheduled to appear next year include ﬁlmmaker

Ken Burns, politician and voting rights advocate Stacey Abrams, novelist and essayist Salman Rushdie, and New Orleans-born author Clint Smith

Other presenters include: Kara Swisher, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Darren Walker, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Jeff Koons, Emeril and E.J. Lagasse, Jon Meacham, Viet

Thanh Nguyen, Imani Perry and Dax Shepard.

The complete list is online.

“We are so excited to present the ﬁfth chapter of this incredible festival and we are grateful for the readers, volunteers and supporters who make it possible,” said festival co-chair Cheryl Landrieu, an author and the former New Orleans ﬁrst lady, in a Tuesday phone interview

The free celebration of books and ideas has grown to become a big event on the U.S. literary calendar bringing attendees from all over the country for four days of author sessions, panels, book signings and family programming.

After last year’s event attracted roughly 18,000 people, a new high mark, organizers are expanding the event’s footprint and schedule.

Ken Burns, Stacey Abrams, Salman Rushdie among those slated to appear ä See BOOK, page 2B

St. Tammany Parish employees may not get raises next year, and the Safe Haven mental health campus would lose its funding under amendments to Parish President Mike Cooper’s 2026 budget proposed by Parish Council members this week.

At the same time, the council proposed $5 million in additional funding for road and drainage improvements and other infrastructure projects across council districts.

The amendments, part of council members’ efforts to put their stamp on Cooper’s plans to budget for an expected $180 million in revenue for next year, came during a special council meeting Monday The budget must be ad-

opted by the end of the year, and the amendments paved the way for council members to approve the revised budget at their Dec. 4 meeting.

Council member Cheryl Tanner, the council ﬁnance committee chair, said in an interview the revisions to the budget would “buy (the council) some time” as it waits for more information about employee health insurance costs in the new year and looks for funding solutions for Safe Haven.

ä See BUDGET, page 2B

SLU professor files academic grievance

Researcher removed from Maurepas project

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

A Southeastern Louisiana University professor has alleged in a new complaint that publicity over

sity ofﬁcials and led to her removal this summer as one of the lead researchers on the project’s team. In a new academic grievance ﬁled Monday, the chemistry professor Fereshteh Emami, accused the university leadership of improperly restricting her First Amendment rights and violating their own academic freedom and media policies.

They placed restrictions on her speaking to the media after her work ﬁrst gained local notice June 19, the grievance alleges, and then removed her from the research project related to a controversial carbon-capture plan a little more than a month later as attention grew The grievance relies on

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

ST. TAMMANY PARISH

Cooper

Landrieu

Kirkpatrick Moreno

Teen accused of killing infant stepson

Judge sets bail at $2.75M in first appearance

scribed by police as witnesses and left the residence between midnight and 1 a.m. with two other people, the afﬁdavit states.

BY MISSY WILKINSON Staff writer

An 18-year-old New Orleans man has been arrested, accused of killing his 9-month-old stepson, court documents show Cornell Meare was booked into Orleans Justice Center last week on counts of ﬁrst-degree murder and second-degree cruelty to juveniles. His bail was set at $2.75

million on Thursday during his ﬁrst appearance in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

New Orleans police say Meare was the last person to have custody of the baby before the child’s mother found him unresponsive in a Little Woods residence about 9:24 a.m. on Aug. 27

New Orleans police classified the death as a homicide after testing revealed blunt force trauma to the baby’s head and neck.

Meare told investigators he put the baby in bed with people de-

The infant, who had bruising on his cheek, nose and lip and blood in his right nostril, was taken from the home in the 7600 block of Scottwood Drive to New Orleans East Hospital, where he died, according to an arrest warrant afﬁdavit signed Nov 4 by Magistrate Commissioner Joyce Sallah.

But cellphone records showed he never left the house, and the two people he named denied accompanying him, the affidavit states.

It says that Meare had admitted to “accidentally headbutt(ing) the victim” and causing a bruise on Aug. 22, the afﬁdavit states. The court found probable cause for both charges at Meare’s Thursday

BOOK

Continued from page 1B

The festival will move presentations from in-demand speakers to Tulane’s Devlin Fieldhouse which can hold more than 2,000 people — while continuing to use McAlister Auditorium, Dixon Hall, several other on-campus spaces and temporary tents. The event also will add a day as all the family-focused programming moves to Sunday

BUDGET

Continued from page 1B

Cooper argued that 2% cost-of-living wage increases for the parish’s roughly 500 workers were needed to “help our employees have ﬁnancial stability in this time of high inﬂation.”

The budget process, which often raises contentious issues over government spending priorities in St. Tammany, has been especially fraught in recent years because of a lack funding for criminal justice agencies in the parish’s tapped-out general fund. Cooper’s 2026 budget would cut funding for the parish’s judges, district attorney’s office and jail by 30% after voters again rejected a dedicated tax to fund those agencies.

Still, the conversation Monday touched on whether the parish could afford raises for its workers, and whether Safe Haven, which receives roughly $600,000 from the parish’s general fund to operate its campus, is worth the cost Cooper’s $196.8 million spending plan for 2026, in addition to relying on the $180 million in revenue, also draws on leftover funds from previous years, council Administrator Mary Burckell said.

Cost-of-living raises

Council members said they didn’t want to approve cost-of-living increases until they know how much the parish has to pay in 2026 to cover employees’ health insurance.

“We’re happy that we had significant growth this year,” Landrieu said. “We’ve spent a long time since starting from scratch to make sure everyone has a good experience.”

Landrieu’s team is adding a new outdoor screen so overﬂow crowds can see popular panels from afar There’s an increased focus on ﬁction writers, including romance and fantasy writers, and more programming that spotlights music and food. Grab-and-go food options will

The parish expects health insurance costs to go up, said Burckell, but won’t know by how much until early next year

In his original proposal, Cooper argued employees are the parish’s “greatest asset” and has said increases are essential to attracting employees to work in parish government. He echoed that argument in a statement on Tuesday But Tanner said they did not want to give employees cost-of-living increases now, only to have to take them away in a few months when health insurance costs go up. The parish covers 100% of employees’ health insurance.

Budget cuts to Safe Haven

Safe Haven, the parish hub for health services owned by the parish that once earned the praise of Gov. John Bel Edwards, also came under scrutiny Tanner proposed ending the parish’s funding of the campus whose tenants include St. Tammany public schools, the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Florida Parishes Human Services Authority Tanner said she did not want to shut down Safe Haven, but said the parish’s general fund cannot afford to cover it. She noted Safe Haven still has some cash on-hand from rent and leftover money from the parish’s public health millage, which voters declined to renew in 2023.

It’s not clear how the loss of $600,000 would impact Safe Haven’s operations. Meanwhile, the Parish Council also approved $5.2 million in additional drain-

be available for attendees rushing between sessions, and a new outdoor music stage will showcase New Orleans artists.

As usual, the event will begin with a keynote address Thursday evening and continue will three full days of programming.

The Atlantic magazine returns as the fest’s media partner and will send several of its writers to participate.

The 2026 Book Fest doesn’t have a theme, but there will be several panels related to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Dec-

age and road projects in all of the parish’s 14 council districts, except District 2 and District 4, whose council members said their requested projects had already been funded.

Administrative positions

Council member Arthur Laughlin also proposed another series of cuts targeting some of the positions in Cooper’s office, including a deputy chief administrative officer, the parish’s coastal manager Randy Pausina, a position in Cooper’s office and a vacancy in the utilities department.

Laughlin said in an interview he thought the positions were redundant and the parish government should find opportunities for cuts just as the criminal justice agencies have had to.

Cooper, meanwhile, said he was “surprised” last week when he learned of Laughlin’s amendment. He said the positions were “sorely needed,” arguing that Pausina, for instance, “more than paid for his salary” in the work he did administering major projects on the parish’s lakeshore.

Annie Perkins, the parish’s ﬁnance director, said the cuts would save only around $1,900 in money from the cash-strapped general fund, since the positions are covered by other funds.

A majority of the council ultimately voted against including the proposed amendment.

Email Willie Swett at willie.swett@theadvocate. com.

laration of Independence. Festival co-chair Walter Isaacson’s new book on the topic, “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written,” was released this week.

Landrieu said her team is able to produce the popular event on a shoestring budget, thanks to authors willing to donate their time and a partnership with the Hyatt Regency New Orleans hotel, where many speakers and attendees stay Email Rich Collins at rich collins@theadvocate.com.

MORENO

Continued from page 1B

“We call on the City of New Orleans to refuse cooperation with ICE and border patrol deportation operations and protect all residents regardless of immigration status.”

Moreno pointed to other recent Border Patrol operations in Charlotte, North Carolina, and in Chicago, saying tactics used by agents in those cities have alarmed her

“I’m concerned, and there is a lot of concern in the community as well,” Moreno said.

Moreno said her transition staff is preparing to issue “guidance” for “individuals who may be feeling very concerned.”

“I also think it’s important to, even right now, put out a little bit of a call to action from our legal community to see if they potentially could volunteer services due to the fact that I’m very concerned about people’s due process rights potentially being violated,” she said.

Spokespersons for the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection did not respond to requests for comment on Moreno’s remarks.

The pending New Orleans operation stems from mounting pressure within Trump’s administration to ramp up immigration detentions and deportations.

The Times-Picayune, The Associated Press and other outlets in recent days reported that the pending

bail hearing. Court records indicate Meare grew up around domestic violence. In Jan. 2022, when he was 14, his mother sought a protective order against her romantic partner, saying he had threatened to shoot her in front of Meare, according to a petition filed in Orleans Parish Criminal District Court.

A conviction on a first-degree murder charge carries a possible sentence of death or life without parole.

Worker dies after exposure at La. plant

BY DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

Two workers were sent to a hospital and one of them later died after they were exposed early Tuesday morning to hydrofluoric acid at the Mexichem Fluor Inc. refrigerant plant in St. Gabriel, company and state officials said. The incident, which the company called “an accidental chemical exposure,” happened about 7:08 a.m. Tuesday at the Mississippi River complex, Mexichem officials said. The release was later contained. “All other employees and contractors were safely accounted for, and there was no environmental impact to the surrounding community,” Erick Comeaux, a company spokesperson, said in a statement Wednesday Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality officials confirmed the death but referred questions about details to Louisiana State Police, which investigated the incident. Troopers didn’t immediately answer a request for comment Wednesday

A business division associated with the eastern Iberville Parish complex previously had the name “Koura,” following a previous rebranding effort that was phased out earlier this year, but company ofﬁcials said Wednesday the U.S. plant’s legal name remains “Mexichem Fluor.” The plant is part of Orbia Fluor & Energy Materials, a global company with headquarters in Mexico City, Boston, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv

sweeps are expected to launch in New Orleans as soon as this weekend and could last for months, according to documents reviewed by AP

Federal officials have yet to publicly conﬁrm the operation. In a statement Tuesday, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said the agency does not discuss “future or potential” operations.

Border Patrol historically focused on enforcement near the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders. But at Trump’s direction, its agents have deployed into Democratic-led cities far from the border, arresting hundreds of residents with methods that have drawn blowback from advocates and local officials The agency has a reputation within federal law enforcement as more aggressive than other immigrationfocused branches, such as ICE.

Reports of Border Patrol arrests in Charlotte and Chicago have alarmed her, Moreno said.

“Obviously, we’ve seen what’s happened in other communities with the racial proﬁling that has occurred, with the fact that people are getting picked up, and after they’re picked up, they’re being asked to prove their citizenship,” Moreno said. “I mean that, to me, is very alarming and a cause for concern.”

Kirkpatrick reiterated remarks she made Tuesday pledging to support Border Patrol agents — without helping them enforce immigration laws, which she noted are civil rather than criminal statutes.

“Our support is to make sure they’re not going to get hurt,” she said Wednesday “If they call for help, we will be there to help them. We will help anyone in danger but we are not enforcing (immigration laws) because we can’t, nor would we want to.”

U.S. Congressman Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, also slammed the pending operation Wednesday, calling “militarized” immigration sweeps a “recipe for fear, confusion and mistakes.” Staff writers Blake Paterson and Missy Wilkinson contributed to this report. James Finn covers federal law enforcement for The Times-Picayune | Nola.com. Email him at jﬁnn@theadvocate.com or contact him on Signal at jamesﬁnn.82.

LOTTERY

TUESDAY, NOV. 18,

Kirkpatrick, the police superintendent, said Wednesday that she has communicated with local ICE and Border Patrol ofﬁcials. She said she expects to speak with local Border Patrol representatives again this week.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

People line up for an event at the 2025 New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University in New Orleans. The fifth annual festival will return March 12-15.

Manateesightings spur neweffort

BY DAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

An estimated 8-foot-long West Indian manatee made an easygoing Monday afternoon cruise past waterside homes along the Amite River Diversion Canal in lower Ascension and Livingston parishes, attracting onlookers to theuncommon visit.

The manatee was one of three spotted by thepublicsince Thursday in the Lake Pontchartrain Basin that stateDepartment of Wildlife and Fisheries staff are trying to find and relocate before the water turns too cold, ofﬁcials said. Others were seen Sundaynear Marina Road in Chalmette and on Thursday next to the Causeway Bridge near Metairie, he said, and all are candidates to be relocated to Florida.

“Staff arecoordinating with (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service),Florida Wildlife Commission, SeaWorld Orlando, Dauphin Island Sea Laband AudubonNature Institute to rescue these animals,” Chuck Battaglia, awildlife department nongame zoologist said in astatement.

Though the warm waters of southern Florida are awinterbase for the threatened mammals, they can range as far north as Massachusetts and as far southwestas the Gulf Coast, including Louisiana and occasionally Texas, according to the U.S. Marine Mammal Commission.

Retired refinery workerMike Robicheaux, who has lived on the DiversionCanal southofLa. 22 foreight years, captured the sole manateeonvideo chomping on water lilies along the shorelinebetween 1p.m. and 2p.m. Monday Robicheaux said hisneighbor hadspotted the creature ﬁrst and shot him atext message.

“He said, ‘Dude, we got abig manatee in the canal.’ Iheard it and ran outside,and it was just kind of swimming really, really slow,just going up thecanal,” he said. Robicheaux, 69, said he and others tracked the manatee through several backyards, stepping over boat docks as it headednorthup the canal along the shore.

Eventually,atthe urging of his

ACADEMIC

Continued from page1B

“Dr. Emami is apublic employee protected by the First Amendment and SLU’spromises of academic freedom. These text messages and emails are strong evidence that SLU violated the law when it removed Dr Emami,”William Most,her attorney,said in astatement. “No professorshould have to worry that their university willremove them for telling the truth.”

Southeastern ofﬁcials declined to address the substanceofEmami’sallegations, but said the grievance will be given “due consideration” to ensure “fairness and due process are afforded.” The grievance must go before the Southeastern University Faculty Senate, university ofﬁcials said.

“Unfortunately,the university cannot comment on the pendinggrievance by Dr.Emami as to do so would tarnish and potentially bias the process,” ofﬁcials saidin astatement.

Southeastern officials have said previously that her removal from the research project happened for undisclosedpersonal reasons unrelated to the publicity surrounding her work. Aletter sent to her on her removal expresses concerns aboutthe pace of her work.

Emami’s grievanceseeks to restore her to her previous role as an investigator and calls for an outside investigator to probe her removal. The letter alleges the removal cost her monthly salary and reputational damage.

Facing controversy over plans to store waste carbon dioxide under the lake permanently,the AirProducts company agreed to spend $10 milliononSoutheastern research into the lake’senvironmental conditions before carbon storage began. Emami, who remains employed at Southeastern, had

brother,Keith, Mike Robicheaux wound up in hisbrother’sbackyard where Mike shot the video of the manatee feeding.

“I hurried up andgot down there, and Iwas like, ‘Wow,this is so cool,’”hesaid.

He said the manatee fed at his brother’sfor about 10 minutes.

Kristi Trail, executive director

been alead investigator focused on chemical and statistical analysisofwater sampling, which turned up heavymetal and other pollution and raisedthe possibility of industrial releases as oneofthe causes.

‘Caughtoff guard’ Before her work showed up in apeer-reviewedjournalinAugust, it was published in an open access scientiﬁc journal the previous November to little apparent notice. The ﬁrst local story appeared on June19inthe Louisiana Illuminator.

Her grievanceletterprovides atimelineattempting to link university emails and texts with news accounts and news inquiries to try to make acase that Southeastern ofﬁcialswere unhappy with the attentionand scrambling to contain Emami and her work

Emami’srecords requests turned up aJune 30 email fromKyle Piller,a Southeastern professor and the Lake Maurepas project director, telling another university ofﬁcialthat Emami haddone a local media interview on her researchthat ledtothe June 19 story “without informing anyofusorinforming the public informationofﬁce.”

“So, the president’sofﬁce wascaught offguard when the story came out. Needless to say,they weren’toverly pleased about it,” he wrote.

Most’sletter points out that an unknown university ofﬁcial, whose identity Southeastern redacted, texted on June 20, aday afterthe ﬁrst articleappeared, “Is there

of thePontchartrainConservancy, saidmanatees arespotted periodicallyinthe brackish Lakes Maurepas andPontchartrain, though thesighting on Monday in the diversion canal is alittle farther westand alittlelater in the year than is typical.

“But it’sbeen so warm and dry, I’m not surprised,you know,i.e.,

any plan for Fereshteh?”

The response was, “Yes, there is aplan for Fereshteh. Iwill call you when Iget a chance.”

Mostsays that, though the names were redacted, his public recordsrequest that produced thetext was tied to Piller,interim Dean Dan McCarthy and Patrick Moyer,a chemistry professor

Four days later, on June 24, Piller relayed arequest from university communications ofﬁcials thatEmami had to inform them about media requestsbeforeshe conducted them, in particular on “our Maurepas project,” arequirement her attorney says violatedSoutheastern media policy

Thepolicy allows aprofessor to talktothe media about theirwork,but required them to informthe communications ofﬁce about the interview and what was said.

‘Imperiled theplans’?

Mostcontends an article in The AdvocateonJuly 21 that lookedatthe impact of dredging in Lake Maurepas in light of Emami’s ﬁndings andMaurepas’ history with shell dredging “accelerated thesituation.”

As his basis for that claim, Most relied on aredacted emailSoutheastern President William Wainwright sent to top university ofﬁcials at 6a.m. July 21, the morning the article went online. Thecontent of the email is blocked out.

But, 61/2 hours after that email, Piller emailed Emami about having ameeting, which her attorney alleges

thetemperature of thelake has notreally cooled off,” Trail said.

“A manatee is just like other marine life from out in the Gulf coming to the lake, because it’s an estuaryand they use that as nurseries andtheylike the warm, shallow water.”

Battaglia saidit’snot uncommon to seemanatee during this timeof

wastoinform herthatshe was off the project “The article was exactly the topic of some of Dr Emami’sresearch: Herpaperhad raised theconcern that dredging in Lake Maurepas could ‘mobilize contaminantsthat affect both the lake ecologyand human health,’”Mostwrote.

Emami wasn’t available, so herinitialremoval notice from Piller came aweek later by email, on July28. It didn’tprovide areason then butcamelessthantwo hours afternew inquiriesfromThe Advocate aboutthe Maurepasresearch and the possible impact on lake crabs, Most alleges.

In thegrievance, Most acknowledged it’snot “totally clear” why media coverage would have caused concerns for Southeastern, but said university leaderswanted to use the Lake Maurepasproject as amodel.Other com-

year,even in freshwater rivers, butwhenthe weatherdoescool, most migrate back east.

“Someindividuals inexplicably will linger in Louisianaduring cooler months andbecome cold stressed,”hesaid.

Manatees can die in colder waters. According to thefederal mammalcommission, prolonged exposure to water temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheitcan be lethal.

Robicheaux said he has seen a manatee in the canal before, probably two yearsago

He said he contacted Wildlife andFisheries ofﬁcials on Tuesday andtheytoldhim andhis neighbors to keep watch forthe animal so it can be relocated.

Robicheaux saidofficials told him the white coloring he saw on themammal wasanindicationof coldstress.

Weighingasmuchas2,200 pounds, manatees “feed on seagrass, algaeand other vegetation in freshwaterand estuarine systems in the southeastern United States,” according to the commission.

Previously “endangered,” manatees hadtheir status improved to “threatened” by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2017 as populations have increased over the past 30 years. Estimates from 2021 and 2022 put manatee populations in Florida at nearly 9,800, withabout 4,630 living on thewest side of thatstate,according to the commission.

Boat strikes and theloss of warm water habitats remain major threats to these docile,slowmoving creatures that often ﬂoat just belowthe water’ssurface.

Robicheauxsaida boat strike is his main concernfor the manatee that he saw Monday because the canal hassomuchtrafﬁc.

“Eventhough this thing was swimming very closetothe bank, you know,sometimes these boats can come closetoour docks,”he said.

Wildlife officials urged residentstocallthe department immediately about sightings at (800) 442-2511 because delays makes it far moredifficult to find manatees

DavidJ.Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

panies seeking to use carbon capture andstorage could ﬁnance the university study of environmental conditions in other underground storage areas.

Without direct evidence sharedinhis correspondence, Most speculated that publicity over her ﬁndings may“have imperiled the plans to obtain more funding from heavy industry.”

In Emami’sfollow-up removal letter sent Aug. 4, Piller listed several reasons tied generally to the pace of her work on the lake. They included her alleged refusal to acceptmanagement assistance for the project, that she was behind on lake sampling andtesting and hiring research assistants, andthat she missed an important meeting.

Also, in the June 20 text chain about having “a plan” forEmami,the texter didn’t mention the initial June 19

news account abouther research, but her alleged mishandling of aplannedsummerjob foranundergraduate lab worker Most disputed that delays werethe reason forher removal “given that removing aproject leader with no warning and no replacement does nothing whatsoever to accelerate aproject.”

“And the emails leading up to Dr.Emami’sremoval do notsuggest anysigniﬁcant concern with the speed of the project,” he wrote. Citing email chains about herproject, Most accused university leadersPillerand McCarthy of looking for retroactivereasonstoremove her because of reporting on Aug. 1about her removal, including one that described one of her emails as “sassy.” David J. Mitchellcan be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

AdamsJr.,Walter

Barriere, Cynthia

Ewell, Rosanna

Ford,Earl Hilliard,Khaleb

Latimore,Althea

Louis, Craig

Moses, Laney

O'Neil Jr.,Alwin Rabalais,Francis

Richard, Barbara Russo,Josie

Shelling, Mercedes

Shirer,Robert Soto,Ethel Spears,Christopher Sutton, Joseph Terry, Steve Thomas,Anna Walker Jackson, Myrtle Williams, Sarah

Williams, Willie Wilson, Patricia Young, Brandon

O'Neil Jr.,Alwin

Soto,Ethel

Wilson, Patricia NewOrleans

Boyd Family AdamsJr.,Walter

Barriere, Cynthia Richard, Barbara Charbonnet

Williams, Sarah DW Rhodes

Ewell, Rosanna Ford,Earl

Spears,Christopher Sutton, Joseph

Thomas,Anna Estelle JWilson

Hilliard,Khaleb Latimore,Althea

Shelling, Mercedes

MurrayHenderson

Williams, Willie River Parish TreasuresLife

George Adams, Sr.and Frankie (Adams)Leonard Hegraduated from Booker T.WashingtonHighSchool and Southern University and A&MCollege.Walteris survivedbyhis devoted wife, Evelyn Reese Adams; his children,Elisa Williams, TamaraJohnson (Freder‐ick), Walter Adams(Ar‐lene),and TajAdams (Bjana);his siblings, MelvinAdams,Shrylin Lewis,and BrenardAdams Sr. (Janet); andhis brotherin-law, Claude Reese. He leavesbehindninegrand‐children: Arthur Adams, OliverChambliss,Adam Williams,Kayla TorrenceJohnson,KyleTorrenceJohnson,SeraAdams,Allie Adams,Sarai Adams, and ZuriAdams;and twogod‐children, Tela Myers Branch, andRhondaScott Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend theMemor‐ial ServiceonFriday, No‐vember21, 2025, for11:00 a.m.atthe NationalAsso‐ciation of Letter Carriers Hall, 4200 ElysianFields Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122. Pastor Clarence Morse,ofﬁciating. Guest‐book Online:www.anewtra ditionbegins.com(504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Barriere,Cynthia MarieHamilton

Ford,EarlLee 'Sonny'

Louis, Craig

Baby Khaleb Reginald Hilliard, born June 3, 2025 passedawayonNovember 7,2025 at TexasChildren's HospitalinHouston,TX. Beloved sonofChervon Hilliard. BrotherofKarter Haralson. Grandson of the lateReginaldHilliardSr. and KimHilliard. Also sur‐vived by ahostofother rel‐ativesand friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be heldonFriday, November 21, 2025 for10:00 a.m. at Estelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc.,2715 Danneel Street,New Orleans, LA 70113. Visitation from 9:00 a.m.until 10:00 a.m. Dea‐con Lawrence Houstonof‐ﬁciating. Interment: Mt OlivetCemeteryand Mau‐soleum, 4000 Norman Mayer Ave.,New Orleans, LA70122. Arrangements entrusted to Estelle J. Wil‐son FuneralHome, Inc., 2715 Danneel St.NOLA 70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign online guest book,pleasevisit www.estellejwilsonfh.com.

Craig MartinLouis (1954 -2025) Born on October 1, 1954, Craig wasthe eldest son of Jamesand EthelMae Alexander Louis. He was theoldest of seven siblings. Craig accepted Christ into his life at an early ageand wasbaptizedasa child at St.John theBaptist Catholic Church in Edgard,LA. Craig attendedelementaryschool in Edgard,LA, andgraduated from West JeffersonHigh School in 1972. He was aproud graduate of Southern University of NewOrleans (SUNO), whereheearned a BA in Elementary Educationwith aMinorin History. Craig later pursued aMAinBehavioral SciencefromPepperdine University in Malibu, California. During his time at SUNO,hewas an accomplishedmember of theuniversity's track team. His athletic excellenceand dedication earnedhim inductionintothe SUNOHall of Fame in 2012 for Track andField

Rabalais,Francis West Bank

DavisMortuary

Moses, Laney

Terry, Steve Mothe

Russo,Josie

Shirer,Robert

Obituaries

CynthiaMarie Hamilton Barriereentered thegates ofHeavenonNovember13, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family.She was born on September28, 1948, to theunion of the lateJames Calvin Hamilton and thelateAlmaTheresa DollioleHamilton. Cynthia was theeldestofthree children. AnativeofNew Orleans graduatedfrom JosephS.Clark High School,Class of 1966. Nurs‐ing washer passion, and throughouther dedicated careershe served at Char‐ity Hospital,TulaneUniver‐sityHospital, andSt. Mar‐garet’s DaughtersHomein New Orleans. In 1967, Cyn‐thiawas unitedinholy matrimony to Ronald F. Barriere, Sr.She wasa lov‐ing mother to five children and wasblessedwithsev‐enteengrandchildren and ninegreat-grandchildren Sis.Barrierewas atrue servant of Godwho cher‐ished beinginthe pres‐enceofthe Lord.She fel‐lowshippedfaithfullyat Sovereign Hope Apostolic Fellowship. Sheleavesto cherish hermemory: one aunt,EmmaAnthony;her husband,RonaldF.Bar‐riere,Sr.;her five children Kismit B. Bougere, RonaldF.Barriere, Jr.(De‐andrea),KimetaB.Riley (Ronald,Sr.), Ronson F. Barriere, andDale-Theresa Venible (Sylvester); sixteen grandchildren;ninegreatgrandchildren;two broth‐ers-in-law; twosisters-inlaw;two godchildren KeishaBertrillHampton and NoelJefferson;and a hostof cousins, nieces, nephews,relatives,and friends.She waspreceded indeath by herparents the late JamesCalvin Hamiltonand thelateAlma Theresa Dolliole Hamilton; her sister,Dale-Theresa Hamilton; her grandson, Romin Ferrel Barriere; her grandparents, MilfordP Dolliole, Sr.and Hilda Poree Dolliole;and Flo‐rence “Tuta” JohnsonDavis andJames Hamilton All areinvited to celebrate her life andlegacyonSat‐urday,November22, 2025, atApostolic Outreach Cen‐ter,8358 Lake Forest Blvd., New Orleans, Louisiana. Visitationwillbegin at 9:00 a.m., followed by theser‐viceat10:00 a.m. Pastor ThaddeusLee, officiating. Intermentwilltakeplace atSt. LouisCemeteryNo. 3, 3421 EsplanadeAve New Orleans,LA70119.Guest‐book Online:www.anewtra ditionbegins.com(504)2820600. Linear BrooksBoyd and DonavinD.BoydOwn‐ers/FuneralDirectors

Earl Lee“Sonny” Ford, beloved husband,brother, uncle,and pillar of hisNew Orleans community,de‐partedthislifeonOctober 26, 2025, at theage of 91 Bornintoa familywhose history is deeply woven intothe fabricofBlack New Orleans, Sonnycame fromhumblebeginnings thatreflectedthe struggle, strength, anddignity of African Americanswho foughtfor theirrightful place in society. Hisfamily lived throughsegregation and witnessedthe trans‐formational moment when Black citizens in NewOr‐leans were finallyableto votefreelyin1965—amo‐mentthatshapedgenera‐tions.Sonny grew up dur‐ing thosedefining years, watchinghis parentsand community push through profound obstacleswith courage andperseverance. Those earlyexperiences moldedhim into aman of quiet resilience,deep in‐tegrity,and extraordinary workethic.Sonny wasthe devoted husband of his high-school sweetheart, Jacquelyn “Jackie” Ford, who preceded himindeath onNovember28, 2004 Their marriage wasa life‐longlovestory,two young heartswho grew up to‐gether, stood together,and spent decadesbuildinga lifeanchoredinloyalty,joy, and unwavering devotion Sonny carriedher memory withtendernessfor the restofhis life.A master at his craft,Sonny spenthis entirecareer in construc‐tion, becoming known throughoutNew Orleans for hisskill,leadership, and dedication.Hecon‐tributedtothe construc‐tionofnumerousbuildings acrossthe city,leaving be‐hinda concrete legacy that generations will continue towalkthrough.Tohis coworkers,hewas atrust‐worthyleader; to younger workers,a patientteacher; and to thecommunity,a man whose handshelped shape theverycityhe loved.Sonny wasthe lov‐ing sonofHilda Caldwell and Robert Ford andthe cherished brotherofTom‐mie Ford,Eva Ford,and Jes‐teen Ford.Heloved hissib‐lings deeply,and thebond theysharedcarried through theirentirelives Sonny wasloved and beloved by many.His gen‐tle spirit,humblestrength, and quietcompassionleft anunforgettable imprint onevery life he touched. Whetherwithfamily, friends,neighbors,orthe men who worked beside him on jobsites,Sonny madepeoplefeel valued, respected,and trulyseen Toknowhim wastolove him—his presence brought comfort,his character earnedadmiration, andhis loveendured in everyrela‐tionshiphenurtured. He is precededindeath by his beloved wife Jackie,his parents,and severalloved oneswho went before him. Heleavestocherish his memoryhis sister Eva Ford, BrianFord, Andrea Johnson Harness, Roslyn Johnson,HaroldJohnson Jr.,TroyJohnson,Helena and JoeLopez,Jacquelyn Smith,and Patricia Smith; a host of nieces,nephews, great-nieces, greatnephews,and countless relatives andfriends who willforever carry his legacyintheir hearts.A humbleman who never soughtthe spotlight, Sonny’s life is remembered through thebuildings he helpedcreate, thebonds hestrengthened, andthe lovehegavegenerously. Relatives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend his FuneralService at D.W. RhodesFuneralHome, 3933 WashingtonAvenue,onFri‐day,November21, 2025 at 10:00 am.Visitationwill begin at 9:00 am.Inter‐ment: Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery. Arrangements byD.W.RhodesFuneral Home, NewOrleans,LA. Pleasevisit www.rhodesf uneral.comtosignthe guestbook andshare con‐dolenceswiththe family.

Mrs. Althea W. Latimore passedawaypeacefully on November6,2025, sur‐rounded by herbeloved family. Born in NewOr‐leans on October21,1932, Mrs.Latimorewas the cherished daughter of the lateFredWilliamsand the lateMarie H. Matthews and thebeloved step‐daughterofPleasantS MatthewsSr. Mrs. Lati‐moregraduated from Gilbert Academy, afﬁliated withDillard University and graduated from Southern UniversityinBaton Rouge, La.,where shestudied Edu‐cation. Shewas marriedto the late Jack V. Latimore of DaytonOhio. Shewas a lifetimememberofUnion BethelAME Church,where she served as church sec‐retaryfor 50 years. She was preceded in deathby her sonJon V. Latimore sisterFrederica W. McGhee, brother, Pleasant S.MatthewsJr. Sheleaves tomourn threechildren: Bennetta Latimore,Flo‐rence L. Alexanderand James Latimore (Mareta) ofGarland,Tx. Eleven grandchildren:Michael Thomas(Danisha),Clifton Thomas, Leatrice Latimore Jones (Tyrone),April Do‐nato(Jay),Nadia Latimore, Chauntella Blackwell, Jamal Williams,Jon Lati‐moreJr. OngelLatimore, LonnieHarrell and TabauchgrickHarrell. Sis‐ter-in-law: ElizabethHarris ofHouston,Tx. Also sur‐vived by thirty-eight great grandchildren,two greatgreat grandchildrenand a hostofnieces, nephews, cousins andfriends.Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyare invitedtoattend the HomegoingCelebration ofLifeService forAlthea LatimoreonSaturdayNo‐vember22, 2025 for12:00 noon.Visitationwillbe heldfrom10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon at UnionBethel AME Church 2321 Thalia Street,New Orleans, La 70113 Rev. KeithJ.Sanders, Pastorofﬁciating. Inter‐ment: Mt.OlivetCemetery. 4000 Norman MayerAve New Orleans, La.70122 ArrangementsEntrusted ToEstelle J. Wilson Funeral Home, Inc. 2715 Danneel St NOLA70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign on‐lineguest book please visit www.estellejwilsonfh.com

Hisprofessional life was devotedtoeducation and communityservice—most recently, he workedfor the Better Business Bureau for thepast ten years. He was also aproud member of Alpha PhiOmega, anational service fraternity Craig's legacycontinues through his children— CowanaLarkinNeco, Natasha Waples Boston (Antoni),Niesha Louis, Brandon Louis, Craig Ferdinand —and hisgoddaughter, Keoka Warren. Hisgrandchildrenwill lovingly remember him: David Jr., Donte, Jayla, Javian Neco, Antoni David Boston (Maddison), Aiden, Ace Boston,and Angel MoniqueBickham He is preceded in death by hisgrandparents, Perkin Alexander andEthel WeberAlexander, hisparents, JamesLouis and EthelMae Alexander Louis, hisnephews, Jerome LaGrange and Ashton Mitchell, andhis son-inlaw Antoni (Tony) Boston Craig is survivedbyhis siblings: Marilyn Louis, Roslyn Mitchell, Darlene Davis (Glenn), Deadoria Louis, Schenell Louis, and Rodney Louis (Nicole);as well as ahost of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whowill forever cherish hismemory He will be remembered for hiswarmth,humor, faith, and thecountless lives he touched through histeaching,mentorship, and friendship Funeral serviceswill be officiatedbyRev.SidneyO Speaks III.Visitationwill be 8:00 AM -8:45 AM Tribute 8:30 AM.Mass of Christian Burial 9:00 AM Theserviceswill be livestreamed on St.Joseph the Worker's website: (www.Stjworker.church), Facebookand YouTube(St Joseph the Worker Catholic Church-Marrero). Final care and professional servicesentrusted to TreasuresofLife Funeral Services, 315 E. Airline Hwy., Gramercy,LA 70052.

Louis, Craig St Tammany Honaker Moses, LaneyM.

of NewOrleans,LAand a residentofWestwego, LA Laney wasa 1977 graduate ofJohnEhret High School and sheattended UNO. She graduated in 1979 with a certification in business fromDelta Business Col‐lege. Laneywas employed asa PatientCareTechni‐cianand formerly em‐ployedasanAssistant Manager.She wasa de‐voted Minister,Praise Leader, andChurch Secre‐taryatSword of theSpirit TeachingCenter. Beloved wifeofHarvard Moses. LovingmotherofFaith G. Penton-Battle andBles Penton. Grandmotherof IsaiahBattle. Daughter of the late LonnieJenkins and Viola Jenkins. Devotedsis‐ter of Dr.Desiree Wilson, Min.Lydia Moll,Apostle P. Jenkins,DiannaJeantinorShepeard, GregoryJenkins, Brett Jenkins, andthe late DarrylK.Jenkins.Laney is alsosurvivedbyhostof nieces, nephews, cousins, other relativesand friends. Relatives andfriends of the family, also pastors, offi‐cers, andmembers of Sword of Spirit Teaching Centerand allneighboring churches areinvited to at‐tendthe CelebrationofLife atDavis Mortuary Service, 6820 Westbank Express‐way,Marrero,LAonFriday, November21, 2025, at 10:00a.m. ApostleDr. Pa‐tryce S. Jenkins-Allen, offi‐ciating.Visitationwill begin at 8:30a.m. untilser‐vicetimeatthe parlor.In‐terment:RestlawnPark Cemetery-Avondale,LA. To viewand sign theguest‐book,pleasegotowww davismortuaryservice.com. Face MasksAre Recom‐mended.

Adevoted husband, fa‐ther, andgrandfather, Alwin “Bob”O’Neil, Jr passedawaypeacefully on Monday, November 17, 2025 surrounded by hislov‐ing family. Born in Plaque‐mine, Louisiana, Bobwas the sonofthe late Alwin O’Neil, Sr.and AlineGrass Hegraduated from Francis T.NichollsHighSchool and attended LouisianaState University. In addition to his parents, Bobwas pre‐ceded in deathbyhis daughter, TheresaO’Neil, and hissister, GraceO’Neil, and herhusband,Larry.He issurvivedbyhis beloved wifeof63years,Linda,and their four children:Randy, Lori, Kevin(Diane),and Brian.Heisalsosurvived byhis grandson,Connor O’Neil(Desiree).Bob proudly served in the Louisiana National Guard and hada lifelong passion for jazz music. He espe‐cially lovedThe Four Fresh‐men andThe BeachBoys and wasa member of The FourFreshmenSociety fan clubfor more than 50 years.A dedicatedaccoun‐tantthroughouthis career, hehas travelledonmany foreign tripsfor work Whileworking at Tidewa‐ter Marine,a supply vessel “TheO’NeilTide”,was named in hishonor.Bob enjoyed playingtennisat Green AcresCountry Club and frequently partici‐pated in varioustourna‐ments andJCCA. He was alsoanenthusiasticsports fan anda loyalsupporter ofLSU athletics. Bobwill berememberedfor hislove offamilyand friends, his laughter, andhis remark‐ableability to make each momentcount with his wonderful senseofhumor His legacy is oneof warmth, joy, anddevotion. Familyand friendsare in‐vited to attend services at Our Lady of Divine Provi‐dence,8617 W. Metairie Av‐enue,Metairie, LA 70003 on Saturday, November 22 2025. Visitation will be held from9:00a.m.to11:00

Latimore,Althea

EJefferson Garden of Memories

O’Neil Jr., Alwin'Bob'

order ﬂowersoroffer con‐dolences, please visit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

Wilson,Patricia AnitaMathews

Jesusand theangelic choir in heaven received PatriciaAnita (Mathews) Wilson,age 74, into their armsonSaturday, Novem‐ber 8, 2025. Shewas pre‐ceded in deathbyher par‐ents, LeoVan Mathews, Sr., and Martha H. (Popay) Mathews andtwo younger sisters,Barbara AnnMath‐ews andTheresa Ann Mathews,aswellasboth her maternal andpaternal grandparentsand herfa‐ther-in-law andmother-inlaw.Patriciaissurvivedby her husband of 56-1/2 years,Richard E. Wilson, Sr.,their son, RichardE “Zack”Wilson, Jr., and daughter-in-loveSandra Michelle (Hagan)Wilsonof FriscoTX, alongwith3 grandchildren andtheir spouses and5 greatgrandchildren allofFrisco TX, many brothers andsis‐tersonbothsides of the familyincluding:Mathews side: MarieElaine(Math‐ews)Smith of Diamond HeadMS(husband Rene C. Smith), LeoVan Mathews, Jr. of SaintRose, LA (wife CoraMathews), Kennith WilliamMathews of Hous‐ton TX ;Wilsonside: Stephen RayWilsonof HopkinsvilleKY(wife Gay), Deborah Joan (Wilson) Addy of DecaturMS(hus‐bandMichael), Timothy Wayne Wilson of White SalmonWA(wife Diana), Neita Faye (Wilson) Lind‐holmofSan AntonioTX (husbandRon), JamieLou (Wilson)Burnett of Hewitt TX(husband Joel), Lori An‐nette (Wilson) Eickenloff of BeltonTX(husband Cur‐tis), Mark Antony Wilson of Middlebrook AL (wife Michele); anda host of aunts,uncles, andcousins aswellasscoresofnieces and nephewsand greatniecesand great-nephews. Patriciawas born in New Orleans,LA, grew up in the IrishChannel,attended LaurelElementarySchool SophieB.WrightJunior HighSchool andAlcee Fortier High School where she graduatedtopsinher class. Shewas awarded manyhonorsand trophies for excellence in mathe‐maticsand academicsas wellasinHomeEconom‐ics.She wasa member of the National HonorSociety and Mu AlphaTheta Math HonorsFraternity. She graduated SummaCum Laudwitha BS in Mathe‐maticsfromLouisiana Col‐lege(nowLouisiana Christ‐ian University)inPineville LAinMay 1974. Shealso successfully completedall the required additional graduatehours in Mathe‐maticsand Accounting to beabletosit forthe CPA examination,which she passedonher ﬁrstat‐tempt;all portions of the exam(with ﬂying colors). PatriciaservedasAccoun‐tantand Cash Flow man‐agerfor EntergyCorpora‐tionuntil herretirement fromthere in 1995. Shealso servedasBookkeeper and Accountant forGeophysi‐cal Databanks, Inc. of New Orleans;aswellasaccoun‐tantfor SoutheastFood DistributorsinHarahan, LA. Before workingatGeo‐physicalDatabanks,she taughtHighSchool andJu‐niorHighSchool Math at AlexandriaCountry Dayin Alexandria, LA.Patricia alsoservedasPastor’s wifeinthree (3)churches, New Hope BaptistChurch, GulfportMS, Stevendale Baptist Church,Baton Rouge,LA; andthe church BaruchAssemblyinKenner LAwhich sheand herhus‐bandfounded.She andher husband remained inactive members of Celebration Church, Metairie and CovenantChurch, Destre‐han,LA. Before becoming ane-attenderofLiving WordChristian Center of ForestParkIL, they regu‐larly attended FirstBaptist ChurchNew Orleans. Patri‐cia wasa strong,self-di‐rectedpersonwithstrong faith andconvictions.Her zealfor studying God’s Wordspilledoverinto every area of thelifeshe sharedwithher husband Theyhad been high school sweethearts for2-1/2 years before they married atFirst BaptistChurch whenitwas on St.Charles Ave in NewOrleans.They married on Saturday after her high school graduation onthe previous Thursday, and honeymooned in Pen‐sacola FL.Movingto

PinevilleLAafter having lived allher life in NewOr‐leans wasa bigchallenge for her, butshe made the mostofitand made asuc‐cessful marriage and home. Theirson wasborn ona Thursday nightin Alexandria, andon the nextMondaymorning,Pa‐triciawas back in classas ifnothing hadhappened. She waslikethatinso manyways. Hergreatest achievements, at leastin her mind,wereher mar‐riage,the birthand suc‐cessoftheir son, hismar‐riage,and having grand‐childrenand then great grandchildren –her choice oftitleswas “Nana”and she livedevery moment in the hope andexpectation ofbeing with them anden‐joyingthemevery day. Pa‐tricialoved music, espe‐cially singing. Shewould sing, “Joy to theWorld and “O Come LetusAdore Him”and “AngelsWeHave Heard On High”every morning before sheand her husband read theBible together andprayedand madetheir morningcon‐fessionsfor theday.Some‐times during theday,her husband recalls, shewould burst outinsonginthe den while watching or rewatchinga worship ser‐viceonTV, or just because she wanted to.Her singing ﬁlled thehouse with joy. That is theone thing, other than thetouch of her soft, smoothhands,thatI missthe most,” declared her husband,Richard Among herfondest memo‐ries, sheloved to recount familyvacations at Six Flags andAstroworldand DisneyWorld,vacations withher husband andson She enjoyedcrafts, espe‐cially with hergrandchil‐drenand baking cookies withthem. Shealsoloved sewingwhenher eyes werestill strong andcould see well. Shewas an avid Bible reader andcircled words,phrases,and made notes allthrough her Bibles. At herrequest, there will be no memorial services. In lieu of ﬂowers, donations canbemadein her name to Louisiana Christian University,1140 College Dr., Pineville, LA 71360.

Rabalais,Francis Lloyd

FrancisLloyd Rabalais, 83, aresidentofSlidell Louisiana,for thepast48 years,passedawayon Tuesday,November11, 2025, in Slidell. Franciswas borninMarksville, Louisiana,the sonofFelix JosephRabalaisand Ethel Mae GoudeauRabalais. Francis wasprecededin death by hiswife, Darlene Marie CookeRabalais; a brother,RolandJosephRa‐balais; andone sister,Ber‐niceBordelonJuneau.Heis survivedbychildren, Lloyd Francis Rabalais of Slidell, Louisiana,Donna Rabalais Qualls of Burleson,Texas; grandchildren,KoréQualls Kim,MitchellQualls Matthew Qualls,Liezl Qualls,Dylan Dewenter and Jace Rabalais;nieces, nephews,and otherrela‐tives.Relatives andfriends ofthe familyare invitedto attendthe funeral. Funeral Serviceswillbeheldat Honaker FuneralHome, 1751 GauseBlvd. West(in ForestLawn Cemetery), Slidell, Louisiana, on Satur‐day,November22, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Friendsmay visit atthe funeralhomeonSat‐urday,beginning at 9:00 am. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.Please visit www.honakerforestla wn.comtosignguestbook ArrangementsbyHonaker FuneralHome, Inc.,Slidell, LA.

Richard, Barbara Jean Sandolph

agebyRev.Henry A. Hills. She wasrearedinParadis onOld SpanishTrail.Bar‐baraheard thevoice of Jesus say, “Welldone, “My good andfaithfulservant,” and took theMaster’s handonNovember13, 2025, surrounded by her lovingfamilyasshe re‐ceivedher crown. Barbara was educated in theSt. Charles Parish school sys‐tem.She graduatedfrom GeorgeWashingtonCarver HighSchool in theclass of 1963. Barbaraattended Katie’s School of Beauty Culture andBarbering in New Orleansafter graduat‐ing high school.She then attended Southern Univer‐sityinBaton Rougetopur‐sue adegreeinnursing Barbara beganher career asSecretary at Boutte School,thentransferred to Killona School,and shere‐tired as Senior Secretaryof Student Services at St Charles Parish School Board in 2007 with 41 years ofservice.Duringher years asSeniorSecretary,she bondedwithPam Dufrene who waslikea sister to her.She marriedHardinA Richard in 1968, andtothis union twochildrenwere born, Nichelle Lynn and Shane AnthonyRichard Barbara became mother to Verena(Cookie)Stewart, Iris Carter,the late Jacque‐lineBradley,Melvin(Ellis) Richard,Spencer Lee, and HardinRichard,Jr. Shewas a second mother to Shelly Cummings-Young,and also a foster mother to Tara Ed‐wards andIngridBrown Her favorite scripturewas Psalm 23:4. Herfavorite songwas Safe in Arms by VickieWinans. Barbara grewinher faith under the leadershipofPastors Henry A. Hillsand Albert Charles at FirstBaptist Church of Paradis. Barbara later joined NewHope Community Church in Ken‐ner under theleadershipof PastorMarkMitchell. She attended NewOrleans Baptist TheologicalSemi‐naryunder theleadership ofPastorMarkMitchell and received herdiploma inbiblicalteachingin2001 Also, under theleadership ofPastorMarkMitchellat New Hope Community Church shecompleted the school of leadership devel‐opmentonDecember15, 2013, andpreachedfor her Ministerial licenseand re‐ceiveda certiﬁcate on Oc‐tober 14, 2014. Barbarawas faithfulinministry. Bar‐baraleavestocherish her memories, herchildren, Nichelle L. Ingram and Shane A. Richard; sister, Carolyn (Charles)Winston; grandchildren,DurwynA Richard,ShantaJ.Gilbert, DarianM.Smith,Lloyd D. Richard,KylaT.Richard TylaC.Richard,and Juvon S.Gales;great-grandchil‐dren, GraysonRichard, CharlieeBelvin, Mariah Zyrie,Jasai,Loyal,and Lylah Richard, A’Miya Lock‐ett, Marcus Joseph,Jr.,Je‐remiah, Ryland,Ryder,and Rayelle Richard, Ha’Keem Lewis,DiorLumar,and Gi‐anna Gales; adopted brother Larry Kelly;god‐childrenElaineSandolph, Twyla Scott-Clary, Joshua Varnado,and thelate Sonya Cummings, anda hostofnieces, nephews, cousins,and friends. She was preceded deathbyher parents,Earland Carrie Sandolph; brothers,Marvin and Larry Sandolph;sister, Jovanna A. Varnado; sisterin-law, JanetB.Sandolph; brother-in-law, LouisM Varnado,and bonus chil‐dren, Jacqueline Bradley, Melvin(Ellis)Richard, Spencer Lee, andHardin Richard,Jr. Family and friends areinvited to at‐tendthe CelebrationofLife Service on Saturday,No‐vember22, 2025, at First Baptist Church Paradis, 14571 OldSpanish Trail, Paradis,LA70080. Finalvis‐itation will beginat9:00 until 10:45 a.m. Service timewillbeat11:00 a.m. PastorMarkMitchell, New HopeCommunity Church ofﬁciating. Pastor Justin C. Robinson, FirstBaptist Church of Paradis, host Pastor. Intermentwillfol‐low at Mt.AiryMemorial Park, 13635 OldSpanish Trail,Boutte,LA70039 Guestbook Online:www anewtraditionbegins.com (504)282-0600. Linear BrooksBoydand Donavin

Russo,Josie Mae

JosieMae Russo passed awayonMonday, Novem‐ber 17, 2025. Beloved daughterofthe late Charles J. andMaryCardi‐naleRusso.Sisterofthe latePeter SRusso.Josie was anativeofNew Or‐leans,LA, anda lifelong residentofHarvey, LA Josie worked as asecre‐taryatLouisiana Power& Light Co.and retiredafter 30+ years. Shewas agrad‐uateofStMaryDominican HighSchool andSoule BusinessCollege.She en‐joyed traveling, shopping withfriends,and loved spendingtimewithfamily, especiallyaround theholi‐days. Relativesand Friends ofthe Family areinvited to attend aFuneralService in the Chapel of MotheFu‐neral Home,2100 Westbank Expressway, Harvey,LA, on Monday, November 24, at 11AM. Visitation will be from10AMuntil thefu‐neral time.Interment will beprivate.Familyand friends mayviewand sign the online guestbook,get additional funeralinforma‐tion, or directions at www mothefunerals.com

Shelling,Mercedes'Mert'

Mercedes "Mert" Shelling, age78, entered eternal rest on Thursday, November6,2025. Daugh‐ter of thelateAlonzo ShellingSr. andMercedes Shelling. Spouse of thelate Leroy Carter.Motherof Penny Jones(Gregory) Michelle Audrict(Corey), Ungel Shelling,and thelate Leroy Shelling.SistertoDe‐lores Frank, Gloriajean Smith (Sid), Sheila Ceasar, SharonShelling, Cassandra Dixon (Michael), George Shelling, Donald Lionel Shelling, Walter Shelling Keith Shelling (Rita),and David Shelling (Janet). Sis‐ter-in-lawofCentrell Carter-Brownand Chevelle Carter. Sheissurvivedby6 grandchildren,ArianePolk, Corey Audrict, Jasmine Shelling, CeyonceAudrict, JadeCopelin andJordan Copelin,7 great-grandchil‐dren, 1great-great-grand‐child anda host of nieces, nephews,cousins,other relatives andfriends.She isprecededindeath by her sisters,Catherine Smith Villiere, andDiane Shelling brothers, Alonzo Shelling Jr.,BoydShelling, and Charles Shelling.Relatives and friendsofthe family are invitedtoattend the Celebration of Life Service for Mercedes Shelling at HolyAnointedHouse of PrayerBaptist Church,1447 SenateStreet,New Or‐leans,LA70122 on Satur‐day November 22, 2025 for 10:00 a.m. Visitation from 9:00a.m.until 10:00 a.m. service time.PastorLionel Roberts ofﬁciating. Inter‐ment: Private. Arrange‐ments entrustedtoEstelle J.WilsonFuneralHome, Inc.,2715 Danneel Street NOLA70113. Information: (504) 895-4903. To sign on‐line guestbook,please

Shirer,RobertJohn'Bob'

visitwww.estellejwilsonfh. com Stewart, MarignyShirer and Magnolia Shirer.Heis the belovedgreat grandfa‐therofAdelynn Johnson, Audrina Olenslager,Emme‐lineOlenslager, Tucker Nei‐dig,Brody Neidig,Eliza Kar‐lin,GeorgeVitter, Porter Neidig, Emilia Karlin,and RogerVitter. Bob'sgreat‐est passions were hisfam‐ily andhis work.Heloved travel, golf,skiing, watch‐ing hisson Billyplaymusic and hisdaughterPeggy act,and socializingwith his many friendsand fam‐ily.Heultimatelymoved fromNew OrleanstoDia‐mondheadwhere he lived onthe golfcourseand at‐tendeddaily mass at the MostHolyTrinity Catholic Church.Healwaysenjoyed building. He obtained his contractor'slicense and built severalhousesin‐cluding afamilyhomein Crested Butte, Colorado Until his ﬁnaldays, he was physicallyrenovatinga house he hadrecentlypur‐chasedinMetairie, to be closertofamily. He was greatly lovedbyhis family and allwho knew him. He willbeterriblymissed. To his children he wasknown asthe manwho ﬁxesthe moon.But no worries,we are certainhewillcontinue todoso. AVisitationwill beheldonSaturday, No‐vember22, 2025, beginning at9 AM with aFuneral Masstofollowat12PMat Jacob Schoen andSon Fu‐neral Home,3827 Canal Blvd.,New Orleans. Inter‐mentwillbeatLakeLawn Cemetery. MotheFuneral Homehas been entrusted bythe familytohandleall funeral arrangements Pleasevisit mothefuner‐als.com to view andsign the online guestbook

Robert John "Bob" Shirer, after living avery active, love filled90years, passedfromthislifetothe nextonNovember16, 2025, havingearnedhis eternal reward. He wasbornin New OrleansonJanuary 17, 1935, theseventh of ninechildrenand the fifth son of IrwinNewtonShirer and EmilyHarrisShirer. He was thebrother of Marie, Emily,Irwin "Beanie", Joseph"Joe",Richard "Richie", Frederick"Fred", Joanand Lois Shirer.The Shirerboyswereknown for playing allkinds of sports inthe Square on Napoleon Avenuebehindtheir home Heattended OurLadyof Lourdes School where in fifthgrade he metand be‐camethe boyfriendofhis futurewifeMargaretEllen "Margie"Newport.Heat‐tendedJesuitHighSchool where he played baseball, basketball, andfootball and graduatedin1954. He attended LouisianaState Universityuntil he enlisted inthe United States Air Force in 1956, where he servedasanaerialphotog‐rapher. In 1957, while on a brief leave, he marriedhis childhood sweetheart, Margie. He wasthensta‐tionedinFrenchMorocco beforereturning to MacDill Air ForceBaseinTampa Florida.Hecamehometo New Orleansin1961 to run the casket business which has been in theShirerfam‐ily forseveral generations. Thereafter,heprovidedde‐voted servicetothe New Orleans funeralindustry for over 60 years. The Louisiana FuneralDirectors Association honoredhim for hisdevotionwitha Life‐timeAchievement Award thisyear. He is theloving fatherofEllen Shirer Ko‐vach(Brent),PatriciaClare Shirer(Rita Winters), RobertJohnShirerII(Lynn Rome),AnneMargaret "Peggy"ShirerSchott (Kevin),William Gray "Billy" Shirer (Amy Ne‐manich) andChristopher Newport Shirer (Ashley Gutterman). He is the beloved grandfatherof LynellShirerJohnson DamienOlenslager, Eden OlenslagerYbarbo, Mary SchottVitter, KatherineKo‐vachArace,Heidi Schott Neidig, Meredith Kovach Karlin, GraceKovach, Eric Schott, KayShirer, Eleanor "Ellie"Shirer, Presleigh

EthelEwens Soto,age 103, passedawaypeace‐fully,surrounded by her familyonNovember12, 2025. Born in El Progreso, Yoro, Honduras,she was the daughter of thelate Francis CharlesEwens and Maria Josefa Flores Ewens. One of eightsiblings, she was predeceasedbyher fourbrothers, Fred,Frank Clovis, andJosealong with her threesisters,Mavis Anna, andConsuelo. Ethel arrived in NewOrleans in 1949 andremaineda resi‐dentofNew Orleansand River Ridge. Shewas mar‐riedin1950 to Jose M. Soto who died in 1973. She

BarbaraJeanSandolph Richard wasbornAugust 16, 1945, to Earl andCarrie SandolphinNew Orleans. She wasthe second born of ﬁve children.Barbara wasbaptizedatanearly

Soto,Ethel Ewens

See more DEATHS page

OUR VIEWS

Resolution to N.O. cash flow crisis bodeswell forfuture

For Helena Moreno, getting elected NewOrleans mayor in last month’sprimary mayhave been the easy part. Almost immediately after the city’svoters choseher to lead thecity for the next four years, the CityCouncil vicepresident andmayor-electfoundherself facednot just with an expected budget shortfall butwith an unexpected cash ﬂow emergencythatput the city’sability to pay its workers for the rest of theyearatrisk.

So even asshe and her fellow council members began grappling with passing next year’s budget, they came up with thebest solution they could to keep employee paychecks coming: selling $125 million in short-term bonds —the governmentequivalent ofapayday loan —to meet payroll for some5,000 employees.Their efforts, though, ran into serious headwinds in Baton Rouge, where the StateBond Commission hastoapprove any such sale. Gov.JeffLandry, Attorney General Liz Murrill andothersfirst said they’d seek acourt-appointedafiscal administrator as acondition of theloan—a level of control that New Orleansofficials likened to a takeover of acity whosevoters had just elected its own new leadership.

We’re glad cooler heads haveprevailed. Senate President Cameron Henry, the MetairieRepublican who representsasmall partof thecityand once served alongsideMoreno in thestate House, convened ameeting between stateand cityofficialstowork outtheir differences, come up with alevel of oversight that everyone —Landry and Murrill included —could livewithand getthe money flowing In exchange for approval bythe stateBond Commission,the council agreedtocreate aspecial fund for the bond proceedsthat it can tap only with written approval of LegislativeAuditor Mike Waguespack. The proceeds can cover only payroll expenses or costsarising outof council-approvedemergencies, and the city will give Waguespack view-only access to thecity’s financial management software andprovide him with requested records or reports.

With term-limited Mayor LaToya Cantrell largely on the sidelines, it fell toMoreno, along with Council President JP Morrell and outgoing budget chair Joe Giarrusso, toseal thedeal with stateofﬁcials. That they were successfulspeaks well of their professionalism andthe trust they’ve built.

It also bodes well for the future, as city and state matters are often intertwined. Moreno, Morrell and incoming Council members Matthew Willard and Jason Hughesall made their mark as Democraticlegislators whothrivedand passed significant legislation ina capitaldominated by Republicans. The relationships they’ve developed are already paying dividends. We hope the constructiveresolutionofthis fight is asign of things to come as the new Moreno administration andCityCouncilworkto right the city’sfinancial ship.

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

AttorneyGeneral Liz Murrill should not have tried to interfere in New Orleans elections, especially when she had her factswrong. In theprimary election for ClerkofCriminalCourt, she deniedthat candidateCalvin Duncan had been exonerated for acrimehe did not commit after spending 28 years in prison.

JessicaParedes,executive directorofthe Exoneration Registry,said there was no doubt that Duncan’scase deserved to be listed among the 3,700 exonerations recorded since 1989.

In 2011, in order to securehis release from the LouisianaState Penitentiary at Angola, Duncan agreed to aplea deal

for manslaughter.After his release,he gathered theevidence that led to his exoneration. Dozens of lawyers have signedletterssupporting his exoneration.

Furthermore, after Duncan received alaw degree in 2023, Murrill threatened to contesthis ability to practice law if he did not drop his claim for compensationfromthe state for his unlawful incarceration for 28 years. This threat forced Duncan to drop his claim in order to practice law.This meddling by Murrill was mean-spirited, if not unethical.

MERRYTOUPS NewOrleans

Voting Rights Actstill needed in La.

In responsetoQuin Hillyer’sOct. 17 column on the VotingRightsAct, Isay, “Not so fast,myfriend.”

Section 2isneeded to protect Black Louisianavoter choice in elections. I simply ask him and others of like mind asimple question: Where? Where in Louisianahas amajority White district elected aBlack Democrat? When? What year? What century? Which local, state or federal seat?InSt. Tammany? In Jefferson? In Orleans?

Iamwaiting. Not even Council District AinNew Orleanshas had aBlack council member Iconcede that aBlack district will

Iattended therecent No Kings rally withthe expectation of standing in solidarity againstauthoritarianism, unchecked power and systemic injustice. What Idid not expect —nor condone was the appropriation of that space for amessage thathas long been associated withthe erasure of Jewish identity and history

The chant “from the river to thesea” may be interpreted by some as acall for liberation. But it is also widely recognized as aslogan that, in practice and in rhetoric, has been used to advocate for the elimination of Israel and, by extension, Jewishself-determination. To invoke it at arally ostensibly about dismantling monarchy and hierarchy is not only off-topic —itisdeeply irresponsible

votefor aWhitecandidate, but Ihave not found theopposite to be true. Has he found empirical data yet to suggest Iamwrong?

Ican’tspeak for Detroit, Mobile or aMidwesttown, but Ican say without majority-minority districts, none of theBlack Democrats elected throughout Louisiana (including myself) would be in ofﬁce. Let that sink in fora moment. None!

Section 2ofthe Voting Rights Act has been ablessing to this state and our nation. Ipray that the Good Lord intervenes with theSupremeCourt.

DERRICK SHEPHERD Jefferson Parish School Board,District5

Let me be clear:This is not what we came for.Wedid notgather to be complicit in amessage that, whether through ignorance or intent, echoes antisemitic tropes.And to fail to name it as such —tolet it pass without challenge —is to tacitlyendorse it. There is room for nuanced, critical conversationsabout the Israeli-Palestinianconﬂict.But there is no room for slogans thaterase,vilify or endanger. If No Kings is to mean anything, it must stand againstall forms of oppression —including antisemitism.Otherwise, it risks becoming just another stage for ideological hijacking. We cameto dismantle systemsofdomination, not to replace one with another.

MARK LEDET NewOrleans

Arecentletterdiscussed pre-Katrina problems with the design and administrationofour leveesystem. No doubt there were major issues. We have,however,rebuilt levees andﬂoodwalls to arelatively robust 100-year protection level. While notperfect (higher), we now have agood leveesystem. There aretwo otherimportant factors thatstill need to be addressed for the New Orleansarea to remain dry whenhit by atropical storm or hurricane.

First, hurricanes will damage many roofs. Waterdamage canbe severe.Insurers recognize this as reflected by oursky-high premiums. The recently initiated roof fortification program, sponsored by the state andsome parishes, is a possible fix. The program appears to be viable but needs far more funding, likely including federal participation.

Thenthere’s drainage. When fully operational, both Orleans and Jefferson can handle a10-year rainfall event. This is inadequate forany metropolitan area. The system has major vulnerabilities including, but notlimitedto, age, lack of pump redundancy,reduction in pump capacity underhigh-tide conditions andculvert ﬂowcapacities. We can expect numerous rainfalls thatwill greatly exceed systemcapabilities. We have been very lucky over the last 30 years. Additional canalsand pump stations areneeded.While there is space to build new pump stations, there is no room for new canals. Houstonisinthe same boat andare in the ﬁnalstagesofafeasibility study evaluating the use of tunnels there.Soft-earth type tunnels can be constructed here as well. Obviously,these are an expensive propositionthatwill require federal assistance.Weshould nowperform planning studiesand design these improvements so that when the next federalinfrastructure bill is passed, we can be shovel-ready FRANCISVICIDOMINA Metairie

COMMENTARY

Trumpian twists agoodturnfor economy

President Donald Trump is spectacularly mercurial in economic policy decisions, but for now,Louisiana is beneﬁtingfrom his latest policy effusions. Indeed, the state’s economy received two major boosts from the Trump administration inthe past 10 days, one related tocoffeeand one to energy production —although the ﬁrst boost stems from Trump reversing one of his own, misbegotten policies.

ty in case, Lord forbid, of amajor war

The policy reversal involves Trump’sbizarre fetish for import tariffs. Every observer with an ounceof sense recognized that at least in the near term, U.S. consumer priceswould rise on just about every goodoritem subject to higher tariffs. Trump all along has insisted that foreigners,not Americans, actually pay tariffs,but of course, that’sjust factually incorrect. Now, though, with the average U.S. family paying $700 moresofar this year for “basic” items, arecent poll shows the public largely blamingthe tariffs of which the public disapprovesbya nearly two-to-one margin. The public is right. From astandpoint ofbasic economics, most of Trump’stariffsmake no sense. Granted, there can be two arguably good reasons for tariffs.One is to punish an unambiguous adversary by deterring demand from theotherwise large U.S. market for the adversary’s products. Even then, though, it helps to acknowledge that U.S. consumers are taking ahit in the name of thenation’s greater good.

The second reason that sometimes holds true, although nowhere near as often as tariff supporters insist, is to bolster adomestic industrywhosevery existenceiscrucial for national securi-

TURKEY DAY

The strangething is that ahost of Trump’stariffs have nothing to do with those two, sometimes-acceptable objectives. This is true, without question, with regard to large tariffs Trumpimposed earlier thisyear on imported coffee. Coffee surely is not an essential element of our national security apparatus, and the mainland U.S.features almost no domesticcoffee production to protect anyway.Almost nowhere in the country’s mainland is the climateright for growing the stuff.

Still, American consumers love coffee, and they clearly resent the19% single-yearprice hike on coffee caused almost entirely by Trump’stariffs.

That’swhy,asa clear political necessity,Trump on Nov.14abandoned his tariffs on coffee, along with those on bananas, tomatoes and other foods usedalmosteveryday in American home kitchens.

The removal of the coffee tariffs is doublygood news for Louisiana. Not only are Louisiana consumers likely to payless for our cups of joe going forward, but our job base should beneﬁt signiﬁcantly

This newspaper in thepast eight monthshas featured anumber of news andopinionpieces highlighting the importance of thecoffee trade in Louisiana, along with the damage done to it by the tariffs. Coffee comes through severalLouisiana portsand is an especially important commodity at the Port of New Orleans. In 2024, before the Trumpcoffee tariffs took effect, coffee was, by value, the fourth largest item imported in New Orleans, at slightly more than $1 billion.

In turn, coffee distributors and

roasters here provide thousands of direct jobsinLouisiana (1,600 in coffee production alone, not to mention retail positions),and of course, coffee plays ahuge role in thestate’sdining scene that is akeystone of the tourism industry Trump’sreversal, therefore, is great news for theBayou State. Meanwhile, Trumpneeded no reversal in policies in order tohelp Louisiana’soil and gas industry.Hehas always been strongly pro-oil exploration.OnNov.11, that inclination bore fruit as theadministration released acall for energy-company bids for some80million acres in the central and western Gulf. The leases, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, result largely from new policies adopted in theso-called OneBig Beautiful Bill Act Trumppushed through Congress with a major assist from House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, bothofLouisiana. Even better,that samebill raises the amount of revenue from Gulf leases that ﬂows directly to four coastal states, withLouisiana likely to get an extra $46 million per year.Combined with the added jobs from the new leases and related businesses that service theoil industry,and thetax revenues produced from those, this is obviously aconsiderable windfall for the whole state. Once by reversal, then, and once by design, Trump’smoves right now are good for Louisiana. Here’shoping the state’slawmakers and entrepreneurs bothcan ﬁnd ways to make the most of these economic good tidings —before thepresident changes his mindagain. Email QuinHillyer at quin.hillyer@ theadvocate.com

Folks all overthe countryare opening up their homestofriendsand relatives forThanksgiving.Looks likethis Louisiana family has aspecial guest dropping in for the big feast —and he looks hungry! So, what’sgoing on in this cartoon? you tell me.Bewitty,funny, crazy,absurd or snarky —just trytokeep it clean.There’s no limit on the number of entries. Thewinning punchline will be lettered into the word balloon and runon Mondayinour print editions and online. In addition, the winner will receive asigned print of the cartoon along with acool winner’sT-shirt! Some honorable mentions will alsobelisted.To enter,email entriestocartooncontest@ theadvocate.com.

DON’TFORGET! All entries must include your name, home addressand phone number.Cell numbers arebest. The deadline for all entries is midnight on Thursday,Nov.20. HappyThanksgiving,everyone! —Walt

In the 1967 ﬁlm “Cool HandLuke, the “Captain” says to Luke(Paul Newman) “What we’ve got here is afailure to communicate.” The same could be saidof the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress.While they have much to brag about —from aclosed border,the deportation of undocumented immigrants and lower taxes —it’snot getting through to especially ayounger generation that seems enamored with socialism as we’ve recently seen with the election of democratic socialistMayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in New York Cityand the disastrous result of that economic philosophy in Oregon.

ment mentality.When we try to tell them why socialism doesn’twork, they seem to care only about “affordability.”

The generational divide means that younger people have not experienced what older generations have experienced. An example: My wife and Iare the same age. We have family members who were in the military.Welike the same music and recall the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union which was part of the Cold War. When we speak of such things we understand each other Younger people, especially those born after 9/11, know nothing of our experiences, nor have they similarexperiences of their own. They have led what we used to call“sheltered lives,” which has createdinthemanentitle-

Gas prices are down since the Biden administration (now averaging$3per gallon, but $4.73 on averageinCalifornia as of April 2025). Iwent grocery shopping last week and found prices have dropped on such basics as eggs, milk and bread.

Since January2021, overall prices rose22.7%, but wages rose only 21.8%. Inﬂation hit arecord high of 9.1% in June, 2022. Inﬂation was 3% for the 12 months ending in September2025, according to theBureau of Labor Statistics.

Whyisthisnot getting through?

Part of it hastodowith the failure to acknowledgethese facts by themedia, which never hesitate to blame Republicanswhen prices go up and the government closes. But alot of the failure by Republicans to get through to younger votersisbecause they are speaking a different language. Were Iaconsultant for the GOP I would develop several ads. Onewould show two women grocery shopping with alist that has in one column the pricesoffood during theBiden administration and the prices now.One woman saystothe other “Look how theprice of eggs has dropped. That’s notwhatweare hearing on the news.”

Another ad would feature awoman filling up her car and telling her liberal, college-age son, “$3 agallon is cheaper than it was five years ago under Biden.” People have moreoptions than ever when it comes to where to live, work and what to buy.Ifthe rent or housing prices are too high, one can always movetoaplace with no state taxes, cheaper food and gas and less expensive housing. Republicans should get off defense (andthe Epstein files) and notehow everything was more expensive under Biden. The cost of healthinsurance escalated because of subsidies created by “Obamacare.” Cheaper healthinsurance is available through independent organizations like Medi-Share and Samaritan’sPurse. These and other truths that prove thingsare getting better because of Republican policies, should be hammeredhome every day It should also be repeated that if Democrats return to power,the public can look to the recent past, thepresent in Oregon and the likely future in New York to see how liberal policies have failed. It shouldn’tbethat difficult to communicate.

Email Cal Thomasattcaeditors@ tribpub.com

“Votershave spoken, butwhatdid they say?” asks The Economist. Good question, and the magazine provides atrenchantanswer:“Democrats risk drawing the wrong lessons from one good day.Moderate governors offer abetter model than a charming socialist in New York.” The recent elections suggest two very differentpathwaysfor the Democrats: NewYorkers chose as mayor that “charming socialist,” 34-year-old Zohran Mamdani, who certainly galvanized voters —especially youngones— with hissmart andspirited campaign.

But the two moderate Democrats who won governors’ races— Abigail SpanbergerinVirginia andMikie SherrillinNew Jersey —providea more useful template for aparty hoping to win back control of Congress next year andthe White House in 2028.

Binyamin AppelbaumofThe NewYorkTimes interviewed another pragmatic governor of akey state, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and concluded: “Tuesday’selection results have supercharged the debate among Democrats about whether the road to political recovery runs toward the middle or the left. The reason the argument persists is not because the answer is unclear but because, for many Democrats, theclear answer is unpalatable. The party will not return to the White House, nor reclaim Congress, until it learns to embrace centrist politicians like Mr.Shapiro.”

That answer is “unpalatable” to the party’sleft wing because it harborsanalmost unlimited capacity for self-delusion. For years now, theyhave maintained thatthisisa liberal countryreadyto elect aleft-wing progressive as president, but that is plainly nonsense. Three reputable national polls —Gallup, Pew andYouGov —recentlysurveyedthe American electorate andreported remarkably similarresults. Averagingall of theirﬁndings produces this voter portrait: 35.3% conservative,34% moderate, 25.3% liberal.

The center of gravity is slightly right of center. That’swhy President Trump has calledMamdani “oneofthe best things to everhappen to ourgreat Republican Party.” And the GOP is alreadyblasting out ads linking every Democrat to the mayorelect.

“I don’tthink there’sany question he will be on theballotnextNovember,”Rep.MikeLawler, a Republican who represents aswingdistrict north of NewYorkCity, told Politico.“This is something that will certainly playinNew York, but Ithink you’ll see it across the country.” Third Way, an organization that supports centristDemocrats,warns that Mamdani’s“policies and message, which are radical and politically toxic outside the deep blue conﬁnes of NewYork City,donot translate.” Agood example is his previous support for defunding the police, perhaps the most suicidal slogan in recent memory.He disavows it now,but the quote is out there —and in every Republican commercial. If some of Mamdani’spolicies are toxic, however,his strategic sense hasbeen brilliant. Aparty that got badly outclassed on social media by Republicans last year has alot to learn from ayoung digital native who dominated cyberspace.

“Democrats should seek to emulate his relaxed, hipand relatablestyle, his social mediasavvy and his laser-like focus on ahandful of simple,sticky promises voters could understand and remember,” said Third Way.

The successful Democrats all focused on one “simple,sticky” problem: therisingcostofliving. The exact issue thathelpedelect Trump is now dragging downRepublicans, and while the president is in denial, insisting thatprices are coming down, more clear-eyed conservatives are conceding the truth.

“Grocery prices are going up,” says GOP radio host ErickErickson.“Andnow Republicansare perversely doing the same thing Democrats did when they were in ofﬁce with Joe Biden, saying, ‘No, actually,don’tbelieve your eyes at the grocery store, prices arecomingdown!’That’snot helpful to Americans who are feeling higher grocerycosts right now, which is actually happening. The Republicans have gotta ﬁgure this out.”

In refusing to confront the inflation issue, Trump is trying to distract votersbystressing crimeand immigration at home and peacemaking and saber-rattling abroad, but none of those policies affect voters every day.Prices do.

“Trumpneedstoditch the foreign policycrap and focus all his attention on the domestic economy,which is still not working for the majority of people,” writes Sean Davis, head of The Federalist, aright-wing website. “Right nowhelooks weak and rudderless. Be mad all you want, but it’sthe truth.”

So here’sthe winning formula for Democrats going forward: Combinea pragmatic focus on kitchen-table issues with arelentless andrelatable presence on social media. Old message. New megaphone.

Email Steven Roberts at stevecokie@gmail. com.

Steve Roberts

Cal Thomas

Quin Hillyer

with meteorologist DamonSingleton

sunnytopartlycloudyday.Temperatures thisafternoon will rise intothe upper 70s to low80s.Rain chances rise to about a20-30% chance in the evening.Windsare light and southerlyat5-10 mph.Expect somespotty to scattered rainovernight stretching into Friday morning.Rain chance Fridayis40%.Tropics are quiet.

DEATHS continued from Sutton, Joseph Leonard'Nutt'

Terry,Steve Lacey

ﬂowersand sharecondo‐lences.

Charbonnet LabatGlapion,

Spears,Christopher With sadnessweshare the passingofChristopher Spears, on Wednesday, No‐vember12, 2025.Please visit www.rhodesfuneral. com to view serviceinfor‐mation, sign online guest‐book,sendﬂowersand share condolences.

Joseph Leonard“Nutt” Suttondepartedthislifeon Sunday, November 9, 2025 atthe ageof48. Joseph was theloving ﬁancé of Shantrell Jones. SonofDe‐andra Fisher andthe late CarlLone. StepsonofAu‐gustFisherand Iria Lowe FatherofDarrell Martin, Jovonta andJohonz Robertson,Kevian, Qu’ran Sadeekiand Melody Sutton and Mahlek Clay.Brother ofShandra Sutton,Ajuan Briggs,Natasha Riley, Carl Williams, Carl Sterling, CashmeirLewis Regine Johnson,Leonard Hayes and KevinWest. Preceded indeath by hisgrandpar‐ents, Freddie Johnsonand Dorothy Sutton andEarl and Thelma Lowe.Two brothers: KevinBriggs and CarlFaggin. He leaves to cherish hismemoriesto his GodmotherTerry Banis‐ter anddevoted cousins CarlSuttonand Geanine SuttonHarris, also host of aunts, uncles,cousins,rel‐ativesand friends. Rela‐tives andfriends of the familyalsoemployees of SecureTek Protection of Louisiana,TulaneTowers, TempleScience &Math, BenjaminFranklinElemen‐taryand theCalliopeCom‐munity also pastors, ofﬁ‐cers, andmembers of Sec‐ond MorningStarBaptist Church areinvited to at‐tenda FuneralService at Rosenwald Gym, 1120 S. Broad St NewOrleans,LA 70125 on Friday,November 21, 2025 at 11:00am. Visita‐tionbeginsat10:00 am.In‐terment:Providence MemorialPark. Arrange‐mentbyD.W.RhodesFu‐neral Home,3933 Washing‐ton Ave.,New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visitwww rhodesfuneral.comtosign the online guestbook

SteveLacey Terry,age 74, passedawayonFriday, November7,2025, at East Jefferson MedicalCenter. Hewas anativeofMoro, ARand aresidentof Gretna, LA.Steve wasthe retired ownerand operator ofWashington’sBar.He was formerly employed as a chef with McDermottand asa Ship Captain.Devoted fatherofKhorianna (Kirel) Dogans,Tim (Tracey) Jones,and thelateLacey and Dyar Terry.Beloved companion of Stephanie Lampton. Sonofthe late GeorgeTerry andRosie Tardieff. Loving brotherof Joseph(Alicia)Tardieff, Sr Edith (Eddie) Bethea,and the late ValeriaTerry NephewofPatriciaJu‐nious;alsosurvivedby6 grandchildren anda host ofnieces, nephews, cousins,other relatives and friends. Relativesand friends of thefamily, also pastors,ofﬁcers,and members of NewHope Baptist Church andall neighboring churches are invited to attend theCele‐bration of Life at Life Cen‐ter CathedralFamilyLife Center, 2100 Ames Blvd., Marrero,LAonFriday, No‐vember21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.BishopJ.D.Wiley hostpastor; Pastor Travis George, ofﬁciating. View‐ing will be held from 8:00 a.m.- 10:00 a.m. Only at the church.Interment:New HopeCemetery-Gretna,LA. ArrangementsbyDavis MortuaryService,230 Mon‐roe St Gretna,LAToview and sign theguestbook, pleasegotowww.davismo rtuaryservice.com.Face masks arerecommended

Myrtle BeverlyWalker Jacksonpassed away 11/ 12/2025. Born 6/26/1961 to thelate Merlinand DorothyWalker. Leaves behind husband Webster Jackson.

FuneralNov.22, 2025. Service 10 AM. True Hope Church, 1228 Cohen, Marrero, 70072. Interment Christian Social,403 Westbank Expy, Gretna, LA 70053. FULL OBIT: https://www .murrayhendersonfuneralh ome.com/?fh_id=12624

Professional Arrangements Murray Henderson Funeral Home, 1209 Teche,NOLA 70114.

George,Mathew (Joyce), andWarren (Ouida); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extendedfamily, andfriends He wasprecededin death by hisbeloved parents, Mathewand Lizzie Spears Williams; four brothers, Ellis, Emory, Moore,and ClaudisWilliams; and twosisters, Clara Robinson andAnnie Mae Tanner. Funeral Nov. 22, 2025. Visitation 8AM. Service 10 AM.F.F.M.B.C. 426 Lamarque, NOLA 70114. Interment McDonoghville,520 Hancock, Gretna, 70053. Professional Arrangements Murray Henderson Funeral Home, 1209 Teche,NOLA70114.

Williams,Sarah LeeGibbs

581-4411. worked formanyyears as anadministrativesecre‐taryand retiredfrom Cabrini High School.She radiatedsweetness,love and kindness herentirelife and wasloved by everyone she met. In thewords of GregHomer,formerprinci‐pal of CabriniHighSchool Ethel wasdescribed this way:“Sheisthe clearest signofTranscendence I haveeverseen.She moved unsullied throughthis world.She is of thegood, for thegood andwillbe withthe Go(o)d”. Thoseof uswho lovedher know she rests with OurLordin Heaven. Ethelissurvived byher twochildren, Joseph M.Sotoand JocelynSoto Naomi (Alfred),her one and only cherishedgrand‐child DavidJosephNaomi (Rebekah) andher greatgrandchildren Charlotte and Benjamin Naomi. She isalsosurvivedbymany niecesand nephews. The familywishestothank the staff membersofSerenity Hospice andVisitingAn‐gelsfor theirtremendous support in caring forEthel duringher ﬁnaldays. Rela‐tives andfriends arein‐vited to attend herservice onSaturday, November 22, 2025, at Garden of Memo‐ries, 4900Airline Drive, Metairie, Louisiana70001 Visitationwillbegin at 11:00a.m. with aservice presidedbyFatherRick Day beginningatNoon.A Repastwilltakeplace after the service. To express condolences,pleasevisit www.gardenofmemorie smetairie.com.

ACelebrationofLife will be held at alater datefor Brandon Kuen Young,age 52, whopassed away on Monday, November 17, 2025 in Crowley, LA.

Brandon wasaproud native of NewOrleans,a place he always foundhis waybackto. He was aveteran of theUnited States Army. He enjoyedcamping andbeing outdoors.He shared an interest in gamingwith his son, whoeven created video gameswith him. Brandon was also a great cook whowas happiest when he couldshare those meals with hischildren andfamilymembers. He is survived by his twosons, LucasRagusa Young andhis mother, ShelleyRagusa, andOliver Young andhis mother, Christina Jones; hismother,SandraBabinYoung; onesister,Stephanie Young Callais and herhusband, Brandon; one nephew,Caleb Callais; his brother-in-love, Timothy McKee; andnumerous aunts, uncles,cousins and relatives.

Thomas,Anna With sadnessweshare the passingofAnna Thomas, on November 3, 2025. Please visitwww.rho desfuneral.comtoview service information, sign online guestbook,send

On Nov. 7, God fulfilled Hispromise and calledHis faithful servant Deacon Willie J. Williams home. He leaves to cherish hismemory, his devoted wife Elvera McNealWilliams; their sonHerbert McNeal Williams Sr.(Portia); his grandchildren Ashley,Herbert Jr. (Madeline), and Kourtney; his great-grandchildren Herbert, IIIand Maddox; his sisters Diana (Randolph) Johnsonand Brenda(Sylvester) Young; his brothers

SarahLee Gibbs Williams,83, anativeof Pinckneyville,Mississippi passedawayonNovember 11, 2025 in OchsnerHospi‐tal,Jefferson,LA. Shewas precededindeath by her husband,Michael Williams; herparents,Beatrice Simms Gibbs andSinclair Money Gibbs;siblings, Everlyn Jackson, Fannie Lawrence, RichardRobin‐son,Charity MorrisLyons, AnnieBea Webster, and LulaJohnson.She leaves behindpreciousmemories toher children,Toren Gibbs,ShongylaLynne Williams,Shanita Williams, Michelle Williams,and Nichele Williams;four grandchildren;and one great grandchild.She is alsosurvivedbya host of nieces, nephews, andother relatives andfriends.A Celebration Servicehonor‐ing thelifeand legacy of the late SarahWilliamswill beheldatResurrection MissionaryBaptist Church 6978 Martin Drive, NewOr‐leans,LA70126 on Satur‐day November 22, 2025 at 1:00pm. Visitation at 12:00 pm. Pastor Jerome Smith, Ofﬁciating. Interment- Pri‐vate. Please sign online guestbook at www.cha rbonnetfuneralhome.com.

Brandon is preceded in death by hisfather, Richard Dean Young;his paternalgrandparents, Harold Young andthe former Hazel Best; and his maternal grandparents, Harold Babinand theformer Rita Baradell. Arrangements have been entrusted to GeeseyFerguson Funeral Home of Crowley.

Walker Jackson,Myrtle Beverly

Young, BrandonKuen

Williams, Deacon Willie James

Temple’s turnaround threatens Tulane

BY GUERRYSMITH

Contributing writer

The Temple that Tulane will face in amassive road game Saturday(2:45 p.m.,ESPNU) bears no resemblancetothe team theGreen Wave eviscerated 52-6 last November

ä Tulane at Temple 2:45 P.M.

SATURDAy,ESPNU

New coach K.C. Keelerhas transformed amoribund program into alegitimate challenger in his ﬁrst year on the job. In other words, the Owls represent a real threat to the Wave’s American Conference championship andCollege Football Playoff hopes.

“They look completely different,” Tulane coach Jon Sumrall said. “They’re probably the most improved team in our conference It shows in every phase.”

Temple (5-5, 3-3), which was amiserable 6-33 in league games since thestartof2020 before this season, is apair of one-point losses to Navy and Armyaway from being 5-1 under Keeler,a66-year-oldPennsylvania native who has proventobeaninspiredhire after arriving from Sam Houston State.

The Midshipmen, the American leaders by ahalf-game, needed a51-yard,fourthdown touchdown run by quarterback Blake Horvath with 39 seconds left plus anifty two-point conversion pass to escapeLincoln Financial Field with a32-31 victory.Army needed an 18-play drive that consumed the

They look completely different. They’re probably the most improved team in our conference.”

JON SUMRALL,Tulane coachonTemple

STAFF

Tulane coach JonSumrall looks on after aplayduring the first half against East Carolina on Oct. 9atyulman Stadium.

Fair Grounds to commence 154thmeet

IDingan identity

Saints coachMoore’s self-scout searched for‘margins’

ä See TULANE, page 6C ä See

Road to Kentucky Derby series highlightsmeet

BY JEFF DUNCAN Staff writer

Thoroughbred horse racing returns to New Orleans on ThursdaywhenFair Grounds Race Courseopens its 154th race meeting at this historicGentilly oval. The 2025-26 meet that seemed imperiled months ago will kick off witha nine-race card, starting with firstpost at 12:45p.m The meet was castindoubtover the summer when the track’sowner,Churchill Downs Inc., threatened to pull out of Louisiana over court rulings thatbar it fromusing acertain type of slot machine, saying that without those games it would beunable to turn aprofit andrun asuccessful racing season. Track executivesand state officials eventually reached acompromise after weeks of intense negotiationsand political intervention.

The meet will feature 70 racing days and 56 stakes worth $8.65 million, highlighted by the Grade II $1 million Louisiana Derby on March 21.

ä See FAIR GROUNDS, page 3C

BY MATTHEWPARAS Staff writer

As he reviewed his team’soffense over the bye week, New OrleansSaints coach Kellen Moore focused on moments he calls “situational football.”

He closely studied thered zone, an area the Saints have struggled in this season.Helooked at the team’s rungame, whichﬁnallygot on trackinthe last game before the break but largely has lacked explosiveness in 2025.

Moore found theexercise productive.

“There’salways all these little margins thathopefully we can improve on,”hesaid.

The self-scoutalsomay have crystallized how Moore wants his offense to attack over the back half of the season

The ﬁrst-year coach has fundamental beliefs about what his offense should look like. He wants hisplayers

Miss

to play fastwith tempo. He wants his quarterbacks to take“3s and layups,” which meansdeep shots and easy completions. He wants the offensive line to be physical and control the trenches.

But over the ﬁrst 10 games, the Saints haven’talways played to that standard.Ifanything,itseemed that Moore spent large chunks of theseason ﬁguringout howtoutilize hispersonnel. Some weeks, the Saints would be aspread-it-out, shotgun-heavyteam. In others, New Orleans tried to be more under center andestablish the run.

When it works, such changes can be portrayed as a versatile coach willing to adapt the game plan to an opponent. But when it doesn’t, the shifting can be perceived as the offense lacking atrue identity

The ﬁnal stretch will provide answers.

Onenameisdominating the Louisiana sportsscene du jour, and it’snot the name of Pelicans interim coach James Borrego. LaneKiffin. LaneKiffin. LaneKiffin. America’sfavoritegame show is now the Lane Kiffin Watch. Will he stay at OleMiss? Will he leave for LSU or Florida?Will his ex-wife fly to Hawaii to check out the local vibe there,just in case Kiffin scratches an itch to coach the Rainbow Warriors? Just kidding about Hawaii, but there’snokidding that the Kiffin obsession has reached afever pitch at LSU, Ole Miss and Florida. It’sbubbled up to thepoint that everyone is dissecting every word Kiffin said in anothing burger of an interview Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” on ESPN. Samefor his answers —ornon-answers, or non-denial denials —about his future statusatOle Miss that Kiffin made during11squirmy minutes on Wednesday’sSEC coaches teleconference. It’sunderstandable why OleMiss wants

to keep Kiffin, and whyLSU and Florida wanttoland him.He’savery good coach and an excellent offensive mind, one who has the Rebels on the verge of their first appearance in the College Football Playoff. Whether he will coach Ole Miss in the CFP and next season is the salient question. It’s adecision that has rippling implications for the entire Southeastern Conference and possibly beyond. But the KiffinObsession Syndromeatthose three schools and among their fanbases has created atoxic byproduct. One fanbase is going to be delighted, but twoare going to be devastated and leftto feel less-than-worthy about their job vacancies. And that’stoo bad. That’swrong. Yes, Kiffinwill bring alot of credibility —along with heightened expectations —ifhechooses LSU But if he doesn’t, LSU fans shouldn’tfeel like the program is destined forfailure. Far from it.

Kifﬁnisclearly LSU’s top choice. That’s ä See RABALAIS, page 5C

FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

SAINTS, page 4C

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

FRIENDSHIP IS RECAST

BY CHRISTOPHER DABE Staff writer

Hahnville High School teammates Landon Teague and Bennett Naquin have a quarterback-receiver connection that’s been vital to the team’s run to the second round of the state playoffs.

But go back to the summer before last season, and the two close friends were competing for the same starting quarterback job

The duel lasted into August, when coach Greg Boyne decided to go with the younger Teague, then a sophomore

“The conversation I had with Bennett was probably the hardest one I’ve had in 25 years of coaching,” Boyne said. “Just to tell a kid, ‘Look, I know you gave it everything you could, and as a junior, you lost out to a 10th grader.’ ” That decision made Teague the starting quarterback and kept Naquin on the sideline — until about midway through the season when Naquin asked if there was a way that he could get on the ﬁeld to help his team.

Teague has since thrown 42 touchdown passes against only three interceptions over the past two seasons, and Naquin has shown enough athleticism to become a Southeastern Louisiana commitment as the team’s leading receiver with 11 touchdowns this season (nine receiving, two rushing).

“The two of them together, they stay (after practice) almost every day and work routes,” Boyne said, adding that they seem to have an unspoken connection on the ﬁeld.

“They can almost nod, and they know what it means,” he said. “That’s cool to watch. If you can get to that level in high school, you can be hard to stop.”

Teague and Naquin have known each other since they attended the same middle school together Their friendship grew as they battled for the same quarterback position during the summer before last season.

The older Naquin, then a junior with an assigned parking space reserved for upperclassmen, drove Teague to school for practices and workouts, and they talked daily about the new offense they were learning together with Boyne as a ﬁrst-year head coach after he left Destrehan as the offensive coordinator

“We’d bounce ideas if we weren’t understanding play concepts because we were learning an offense while trying to compete for coach Boyne,” Naquin said. Boyne saw plenty that he liked from both players but ultimately had to choose one.

“It was just something about the way Landon handled himself,” Boyne said as he noted how Teague also played shortstop on the varsity baseball team since the start of his freshman year, so “the moments don’t get too big for him,” the coach added.

Naquin, whose older brother, Drew, started at quarterback for Hahnville had an idea that the decision would not go his way when “I don’t think I completed a pass or something crazy like that” during a jamboree, he said “It was just kind of one of those things where it’s like you want to have hope but at the same time you need to be realistic with yourself.”

Once given the news from Boyne, Naquin “quickly realized everything happens for a reason and I need to ﬁnd my path,” he said.

Naquin began last season exclusively as a Wildcat quarterback but later became a key passing target “Just the connection we have is one of the main reasons why we have gotten this far, so far this season,” Teague said.

The two players are continuing to develop at their positions, even as the No. 11 Tigers (9-2) prepare to face No. 6 Parkway (9-1) on the road in the second round of the LHSAA Division I nonselect playoffs this week.

“I still don’t think they reached their peak, and hopefully they do this week because I think we’re going to need a few touchdowns,” Boyne said “But I think it’s something they’ll remember for the rest of their lives, the season that they put together so far.”

Contact Christopher Dabe at cdabe@theadvocate.com

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

De La Salle offensive lineman Cedric

McDonald has played a different position in all three seasons as a Cavaliers starter

Currently serving as De La Salle’s left tackle, the 6-foot-1, 285-pound senior shifted to the left side of the line this year after starting at right tackle as a junior and at right guard as a sophomore.

McDonald anchors an experienced Cavaliers front ﬁve that features three seniors and two juniors.

McDonald is accompanied by junior left guard Gerald Daniels and senior center Shamar Bridges, who are both three-year starters. The other senior starter is Dasean Nisby at right guard, a converted defensive lineman. Junior Gavin Blanchard starts at right tackle.

“(The offensive line) is probably the most consistent group on the team,” coach Graham Jarrott said. “Cedric (McDonald) is incredibly versatile and super explosive; he’s like a road grader He’s incredibly strong and continues to improve every week.”

Run blocking is McDonald’s strength. He has led a Cavaliers offensive line that has created a three-headed monster at running back led by senior Robert Lewis and juniors Eamon Williams and Charles Irvin Jarrott credits Daniels as being the vocal leader of the line and said McDonald is “the guy we can count on when we need a tough yard.”

McDonald was an interior offensive lineman until making the a tough switch to tackle last year

“At left tackle, it’s deﬁnitely different,” McDonald said. “Starting from the beginning of summer and even spring, I had to learn how to adjust to that. It’s taught me how to be versatile on both sides, how to combat different types of defenders. I’m glad I’ve gotten the chance to experience it.”

“I love (playing next to McDonald),” Daniels said. “One of us makes a play, we get excited. That energy just feeds off and we both start making nasty blocks.”

Lewis and Williams each have more than 800 yards rushing on the season. De La Salle ﬁnished with 181 yards rushing in a 45-14 rout at Episcopal in the ﬁrst round

STAFF PHOTO By SPENCER URQUHART

De La Salle left tackle Cedric McDonald, left, and left guard Gerald Daniels have been part of a powerful offensive line that has led the way to wins in five of the Cavaliers’ past six games.

of the Division III select playoffs.

Lewis had a team-high 101 yards on 10 carries in the victory

De La Salle led Episcopal by 32 points at halftime after scoring ﬁve touchdowns Cavaliers sophomore quarterback Alericq Valentine, a ﬁrst-year starter, completed 11 of 15 passes for 116 yards and three touchdowns.

McDonald said he has matured into a better pass blocker

“(Run blocking) has been second nature to me,” McDonald said. “I’ve always been explosive off the line Blocking for Alericq this year, now I have to step up and be even more precise on my punch timing, my kicks, everything. I have to make sure he doesn’t get touched.”

A tough nondistrict stretch resulted in an 0-5 start for De La Salle (5-6), which has won ﬁve of its past six games.

“We were in every game,” said Jarrot, whose team travels to Crowley to face No. 2-seeded Notre Dame (8-2) at 7 p.m. Friday “I told them, ‘If you guys can compete with those bigger schools, we should be ready when we get to the playoffs.’ Notre Dame is an incredibly talented team. It’ll be a tough test.”

A win would help No. 18 De La Salle reach the quarterﬁnals for the ﬁrst time since 2022.

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

AREA PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

Former Padres Cy Young winner Jones dies at 75 Randy Jones, the left-hander who won the Cy Young Award with the San Diego Padres in 1976 during a 10-year major league career, has died. He was 75. Jones died Tuesday, the Padres announced Wednesday without disclosing a location or cause. Jones pitched eight seasons for San Diego and two for the New York Mets, going 100-123 with a 3.42 ERA. He still holds the Padres franchise records with 253 starts, 71 complete games, 18 shutouts and 1,766 innings pitched. Jones was one of the majors’ best pitchers in 1975 and 1976, earning two All-Star selections and becoming the ﬁrst player to win the Cy Young for the Padres, who began play as an expansion team in 1969. He finished second in Cy Young voting behind Tom Seaver in 1975.

MLB’s deals with ESPN, NBC, Netflix total $800M ESPN and Major League Baseball appeared headed for an ugly separation after the network opted out of its rights deal in February Nine months later, it appears to be the best thing to happen to both parties.

ESPN has a reworked deal that includes out-of-market streaming rights while NBC and Netﬂix will air games as part of a new threeyear media rights agreement announced by MLB on Wednesday NBC/Peacock will become the new home of “Sunday Night Baseball” and the wild card series while Netflix will have the Home Run Derby and two additional games. The three deals will average nearly $800 million per year ESPN will still pay $550 million while the NBC deal is worth $200 million and Netﬂix $50 million.

Jets to start QB Taylor vs. Ravens; Fields is benched FLORHAM PARK, N.J Aaron Glenn said he thought the New York Jets’ offense needed a boost, so he made a switch at quarterback. The coach conﬁrmed Wednesday that Tyrod Taylor will start over Justin Fields on Sunday at Baltimore when the Jets (2-8) take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens (5-5). The Jets are coming off a 27-14 loss at New England last Thursday night. Fields’ subpar play has been a major reason for the struggles of the passing offense, which ranks last in the NFL with 139.9 yards per game — 20 fewer than 31stranked Cleveland. Fields was 15 of 26 for 116 yards and a touchdown against the Patriots For the season, he has passed for 1,259 yards — an average of just 140 yards per game.

Falcons QB Penix to have season-ending knee surgery

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — The Atlanta Falcons’ season, already in a free fall, took another hit on Wednesday when it was confirmed that quarterback Michael Penix will have season-ending surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

The Falcons announced Penix’s surgery plans two days after saying the 25-year-old would be placed on injured reserve and miss at least four games while awaiting a second opinion on the severity of the injury

The team said the second opinion conﬁrmed that Penix has a partially torn ligament in the knee.

The loss of Penix leaves veteran Kirk Cousins as the starter for the remainder of the season as the Falcons (3-7) prepare to play at New Orleans on Sunday

Browns rookie QB Sanders to make his first NFL start

BEREA,Ohio Shedeur Sanders will make his first NFL start on Sunday in Las Vegas as the Browns turn to the high-profile quarterback while fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel recovers from a concussion. Sanders replaced an injured Gabriel for the second half of last week’s 23-16 loss to Baltimore. It was a shaky debut as Sanders, who was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round, completed just 4 of 16 passes with an interception. He also was sacked twice and fumbled once. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday that Gabriel remains in concussion protocol. Sanders will be the 42nd quarterback to start for Cleveland since 1999.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

De La Salle running back Eamon Williams breaks through a tackle attempt from Episcopal linebacker Jake Duval, right, for a touchdown in the second quarter of their Division III select first-round game on Friday in Baton Rouge. The Cavaliers won 45-14.

THE FAIR GROUNDS

Hernandez Jr.celebrates in the winner’scircle afterriding Mystik Dantowin the 150thrunning of theKentucky DerbyonMay 4, 2024, at ChurchillDowns in Louisville, Ky.Hernandez hasbeen astapleatthe Fair Groundsfor severalyears.

The 154th racing season at the Fair Grounds will begin Thursdayatthe historic track in Gentilly.

Jose Ortiz

The dominant winner of last year’s leading jockey competition returns for asecond season in NewOrleans.

The Puerto Rico nativeisthe nation’s third-leading rider with 284 wins and more than $31 million in earnings this season. He’ll have first call on mounts from the powerful barnsof trainers JoeSharp and Cherie DeVaux, among others.

BrianHernandez Jr

One of the track’smost popular

Magnitude

The top older horse on the Fair Grounds backside, he burst on the scene by winning the Grade II Risen Star Stakes in Februaryby93/4 lengths.The speedyson of Not This Time was sidelined from theKentucky Derby trail by abone chip in his ankle thatrequired surgery. He returnedto competition this summer by winning the Iowa Derbyand placing second and third in the Grade IPennsylvania Derbyand Travers Stakes, respectively He is expected to be one of the

FAIR GROUNDS

Continued from page1C

The Road to the Kentucky Derby series of stakes races for 3-year-old colts again will highlight the meet. The Grade III Lecomte (Jan. 17), Grade II Risen Star (Feb. 14) and Grade II Louisiana Derby (March 21) have acombined $1.875 million in purses. Star jockey Jose Ortiz returnsto defend his riding crown. In his ﬁrst Fair Grounds meet ayear ago, Ortiz dominated the leading jockey competition with 97 wins in 340 starts. The 33-year-oldPuerto Rico native won the Eclipse Award as the nation’sleading jockeyin2017.

Brian Hernandez Jr., one of the track’smost popular riders, also is back. The Lafayette nativerecently returnedtoracingafter missing seven weeks of competition because of injuries suffered from aSept. 21 spill at Churchill Downs that left him with sevenbrokenribs,a partially collapsed lung and alacerated liver

The jockeycolony also will includeBen Curtis, JarethLoveberry, Axel Concepcion,Mitchell Murrill and newcomer Paco Lopez, who was ranked among the nation’swinningest riders with 304 wins entering the meet. Trainer Joe Sharp will return to defend his leading trainer title from ayear ago. He will be challenged by Brad Cox, Steve Asmussen,Tom Amoss, Brendan Walsh, Cherie DeVaux and Kenny McPeek. Also back are longtime

riders also will be back.TheLafayette nativerecently returned to racing after missing sevenweeks of competition because of injuries suffered from a spill. Hernandez was injured in aSept. 21 incident at Churchill Downsthat left himwith sevenbroken ribs, apartially collapsed lung and alacerated liver

BenCurtis

The former Irish champion apprenticeisinhis third season at the Fair Grounds, where he has recorded consecutivetop-five finishes in theleading jockey standings. He finished third behindOrtiz and Jareth Loveberry with49wins last year

Curtis, 36, recently returnedtoracing aweek afterbeinginjured in aspill at Aqueduct on Nov. 8.

Paco Lopez

One of the winningest jockeysin the nation this year with 304 firstplace finishes, Lopez willjointhe Fair Groundsjockeycolonyfor the first time. Lopez, 40, has ranked among the leadingriders at Gulfstream Park and Monmouth Park, but he was suspended for sixmonths in September by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority because of repeated whippingviolations. Lopez hasbeen namedtoride sixmounts

on opening dayatFair Grounds, which is not aHISA-sanctioned track.

Jareth Loveberry Loveberry finishedsecond to Ortiz with 55 winslast meet.Hegrewup in rural Michigan and rode regularly at tracks in the Midwest, including Chicago’sArlington Park, wherehe was the leading jockey at the 2020 and 2021 meets. He relocated to the Fair Grounds afterArlington closed and has gainedattention in recent years forridingTwo Phil’sand Chunk of Goldinthe 2023 and 2025 Kentucky Derbies, respectively.

JeffDuncan

Brad Cox

favoritesinthe Grade II Clark Stakes at Churchill Downslater this month.

BellaBallerina

This Godolphin homebred is one of the top young fillies in the nation.

Shewas bet down to 7-5 odds in her debutand wonby five widening lengths.The daughterofStreet Sense will likely be amajor factorinthe Fair Grounds’ Road to the Kentucky Oaks series for 3-year-old fillies

FurtherAdo

Perhaps the top 2-year-old on the Fair Grounds backside, he wonhis debut

by 20 lengthsatKeeneland on Oct. 10. It’sunclear whether trainer Brad Cox will pointthe Spendthrift Farmsproduct to Oaklawn or keep him here at Fair Grounds, buthewill be atop contender on the road to the Kentucky Derby.

BlackoutTime

Trainer KennyMcPeek always has abarnfullofKentucky Derby contenders and thistalented son of Not ThisTimemight be at the head of the class. He brokehis maiden by 9lengths at Ellis Park, then finished second to TedNoffeyinthe Grade

PROVIDED PHOTO By AMANDAHODGES/FAIRGROUNDS

The Fair Grounds Race Course will open its154thmeet on Thursdaywith anine-race card.

Fair Grounds conditionersShane Wilson, Dallas Stewart, BretCalhoun, Al Stall and MikeStidham Emerging horsemen such as Whit Beckman, Lindsay Schultz, Brittany Russell,Rob Atras and Adrianne DeVaux will expand their presence on thebackside.

The ﬁrst two weeks of the meet will feature racingonThursdays throughSaturday.OnDec. 7, the racing schedule will expand to include Sunday racing through the endofthe meet on March 22. The meet could be extended by tworacingdaysinMarch,ifrecommendedbythe Louisiana HBPA and approved by the Louisiana Racing Commission. Purses for maiden special weightraces have been set at $54,000,while allowance races will range from$55,000 to $58,000. Fans and patrons alsowill notice some facility improvements that took place this summer.Among

thetrackupgradesare arenovated paddock, featuring anew walking surface, horse sculpture and coin fountain, with proceeds beneﬁting equine rehabilitationcharities; an improvedbackdropinthe winner’s circle for post-race photos; anda new bar adjacent tothe paddock. Bettors also will have anew wager to consider at this year’smeet. The FairGrounds will debut a20cent minimum Pick 6wager called the CrescentCity6.The Crescent City 6, whichrequires gamblers to pick thewinners of the ﬁnal six races on the card, will be offered everylive racing dayand feature a player-friendly 15% takeout

The meet, as always, will host a range of popular eventsfor fans of all ages,including exotic animal races(Dec.6 andJan.13), wiener dog races (Feb. 28) and acollegethemed day of twilight races (March 14).

IClaiborneBreedersFuturity at Keeneland in October.

It’s OurTime

Anothertop Kentucky Derby prospect, the son of NotThis Time is the top 2-year-old in thebarnof NewOrleans nativeTom Amoss.The speedybrown colt wonhis debut at Saratogaby173/4 lengths while earning a94Beyer rating,then finishedatiring but close fourth as the favorite in the Grade IChampagne at Aqueduct

JeffDuncan

Post time: 12:45 p.m.

Lopez) 8-5

4SawyerFox (E Murray)7-2

5PrinceLancelot (GB) (C McMahon) 5-1

6Envelope Please (J Loveberry)6-1

7Achromedoutcat (D Magnon) 12-1

8Gavel (J Loveberry)9-2 SECOND RACE —$14,000, CLAIMING $5,000, 3 YO’S &UPONE MILE SEVENTYYARDS

1Agatino (IRE)(DMagnon) 12-1

2Steel Venom (P Lopez) 3-1

3Dixie Doctor (M Murrill) 6-1

4Gorostieta’s Love (T Albert) 20-1

5Cathy’s Boy(CMcMahon) 12-1

6Equal Force(HRea)12-1

7Spoken Code (J Rodriguez) 10-1

8Charbon (I Castillo)5-1

9NoRematch (J Loveberry)8-1

10 Dan d’Oro(AConcepcion) 7-2

THIRD RACE —$15,000, CLAIMING $5,000, 3 YO’S &UPSIX FURLONGS 1Backﬁre(MPedroza,Jr. 8-1

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4Onasa(DMagnon) 20-1

5Shriner (E Murray)15-1

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8Crime Spree (E Nieves) 8-1

9Flipping Fish (C McMahon) 10-1

BWPSpirit (D Cannon) 8-1 11 Supremely (M Murrill) 3-1 12 Whiskey and Easy (T Albert) 20-1

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The Louisville,Kentucky,native enters the meet as the nation’s leading trainer withmore than $27 millionin earnings so far this year.The two-timeEclipse Award-winning trainerofthe year wonfour consecutiveleading trainertitlesatthe Fair Grounds from 2016-20. Coxalways has apowerhouse barn, including astrong stable of top Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks contenders. Coxwon the 2024 Louisiana Derby withCatching Freedomand has wonthe last two Fair Grounds Oaks withTarifaand Good Cheer

Cherie DeVaux

One of thenation’stop trainers, DeVaux has emerged as aforce in recent years, especially in the turf and filly and mare divisions. Her stable boasts someofthe top 2-year-olds at thetrack, including filly Atropa and colts Englishman, Mesquite, Roguishness and Shuggy.

SteveAsmussen

The winningesttrainerinracing history,Asmussenenters themeet ranked second nationally with 287 wins(as of Wednesday). He has been amainstayonthe Fair Grounds backside fordecades and has won10leading trainer titlessince 2000, most of any trainer.The Texas nativewon the RisenStar Stakes withMagnitude last year and figures to again factor prominently in boththe Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby trails.

KennyMcPeek

The Kentucky nativehas becomea regular at Fair Grounds after moving his stable from Florida to New Orleans afew years ago. McPeek wonthe 2024 Kentucky Derbyand Kentucky Oaks with Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna, respectively McPeek has three of the top2-yearolds at thetrack in Blackout Time, Instant Impact and Universe.

BrendanWalsh

The veteranIrishman is in the midst of acareer year,withrecord highs for wins (117) and earnings ($13.9 million). His stable earnings this year are$2.5 million more than his previous top.Walsh has won21 stakes and has 15 graded stakes wins this year,six more than his career best.Among his clientsare thepowerful Godolphin and Qatar racing stables. JeffDuncan Cox

FAIR GROUNDSENTRIES

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JEFFROBERSON

Brian

LSU center Nwoko

gobbles up ‘baby food’ in the

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

Mike Nwoko didn’t see his defenders as obstacles to scoring on Tuesday night.

The LSU center shrugged when faced with Alcorn State double teams. No matter what was thrown at him, he saw o ne thing on the basketball court as he scored a career-high 29 points.

“Baby food That’s really about it,” Nwoko said after his team’s 107-81 win against Alcorn State.

The 6-foot-10, 261-pound Mississippi State transfer made 12 of 15 ﬁeld goals, all in the paint, and had nine rebounds and one turnover What was amazing to point guard Dedan Thomas was that Nwoko played just 19:52 in the game

“For him to be able to do that within under 20 minutes, it’s just mind blowing to me,” said Thomas, who had 16 points and six assists.

“He’s just such a great dude to play with He’s just such a great dude off the court. He just puts the work in, so I’m not surprised to see him having performances like this.”

The Toronto native’s ferocious presence was felt from the onset. He had two of his four dunks within the ﬁrst 60 seconds of the game. If there was a missed shot, he battled for it consistently, nabbing six offensive rebounds. The Alcorn State

paint

frontcourt bumped Nwoko’s body repeatedly to prevent him from posting, but it wasn’t enough of a disruption.

“Well, we knew he’s a challenge,” Alcorn State coach Jake Morton said “He’s a beast right now We tried to double him midway through the second half; that didn’t work. We just couldn’t keep him off the boards, and we couldn’t keep him out of getting his position. Like I said, we tried doubling and that didn’t work.”

LSU coach Matt McMahon is impressed by Nwoko’s scoring acumen.

“I think Mike’s been fantastic on the offensive end,” McMahon said. “Been really pleased with his skill level. He’s more skilled down in the post than we had anticipated coming in. He’s worked really hard in the player-development program. See him scoring jump hooks with either hand. And at the end of the day, 6-10, 260, and I thought he’s using his physicality in a great fashion there.”

Nwoko’s hook is a shot that he uses with both hands. The signature move has been in development since he was in high school and will continue to be used throughout the season.

“I know it’s an unblockable shot, and it’s just, you know, it’s my goto shot,” Nwoko said. “I’ve been working on it for so long. I rep it out every day So, you know, until they stop it, I won’t stop shooting it.”

Thursday

LSU

and forward Hamed Olayinka

Saints grant receiver

Cooks’ release request

BY LUKE JOHNSON Staff writer

In a surprising move, the New Orleans Saints waived receiver Brandin Cooks after the veteran requested his release.

“It took a few days just to kind of go through that process just to make sure it worked for both parties,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said “So his contract was kind of adjusted just to make it something that beneﬁted both parties.

“He’s been awesome about it. Obviously, he’s, this is a personal thing, and he’s been great for us. He’s been great the way he’s handled himself, the way he’s helped our team.”

Because this move is coming after the trade deadline, Cooks must ﬁrst pass through waivers before he is eligible to sign with a team of his choice. A waiver claim is unlikely as a team would take on Cooks’ contract.

The Saints signed the 32-yearold to a two-year, $13 million contract with $7.75 million guaranteed this offseason. The Saints were hoping to get not only a contributing player but also someone who could provide mentorship to the young players at the position.

His teammates have heralded Cooks for his leadership throughout his time on the team On Wednesday rookie quarterback Tyler Shough spoke glowingly about Cooks’ role as a mentor

But Cooks’ production did not materialize. In 10 games, he caught 19 passes for 165 yards

looking to top 2023 national title squad

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

MiLaysia Fulwiley missed her

ﬁrst free throw Then she focused and made her second, and when she did, the LSU women’s basketball star breathed a sigh of relief.

Ordinarily a free throw like that one wouldn’t elicit such a rea cti on Not on the inconsequential trip that Fulwiley took to the stripe in the last minute of a 30-point win on Monday But the Tigers needed at least one freebie from her, or else they might have ﬁnished their win over Tulane with only 99 points, thus snapping their string of consecutive 100-point outings. The number of points LSU scored that night (101) was its season low But it was still the fifth time in which the new-look Tigers broke the 100-point barrier this season.

“I don’t care who you play,” coach Kim Mulkey said. “That’s a lot of scoring.”

No SEC women’s basketball team ever has scored at least 100 points in six consecutive games. LSU can become the ﬁrst Thursday when it faces Alcorn State at 7 p.m in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

The No. 5 Tigers (5-0) hit the century mark rather comfortably in each of their ﬁrst four matchups of the season.

But they had to make a late push to put up 100 points in their ﬁfth — the lopsided win they picked up on the road against Tulane. LSU had only 88 points with four minutes

left in the fourth quarter Then it threw together a quick 13-2 run with a few layups and free throws, sneaking in just enough buckets to keep the streak alive.

Fulwiley started and ended the run. Had she not driven the lane, absorbed contact, banked in a runner and sank her free throw to convert a three-point play at the 3:37 mark of the fourth, then the Tigers might have fallen short of tying the record their national championship team set in 2022. Now this LSU team can have its own. All it needs to do is score 100 points against the Braves, who already have given up 92 points to an Alabama team that ranks last in the SEC in scoring (76 points per game) this season.

The Tigers lead the nation in scoring (111.8 ppg). They’re averaging more than six more points per game than any other Division I team.

“We can score the ball,” Mulkey said. “We can also pass the ball, so you better have your hands ready That’s fun basketball. Gotta make free throws. Gotta continue to rebound and not get beat on the boards. Take care of the ball.”

LSU is the only Division I team, according to Basketball Reference data, that’s shooting at least 55% from the ﬁeld and 45% from 3-point range. No team with at least 80 attempts from beyond the arc is converting its 3-pointers at a higher rate than the Tigers (47%), who are also scoring more times inside the arc each night (34.2) than all but one other team across the nation. That hot shooting has allowed LSU to position itself to extend one of the strongest offensive starts in SEC history and potentially one-up its 2023 national title team.

“If it happens,” Mulkey said, “great.”

despite playing 65% of the team’s offensive snaps.

Moore said he expects secondyear receiver Mason Tipton to step into a larger role. Tipton has been targeted only twice this season and does not have a catch, but he led the team with eight catches for 158 yards in the preseason.

“He had a phenomenal preseason,” Moore said of Tipton.

“He’s been a guy that we felt good about, and so this will provide him an opportunity to hop in there.”

Cooks was rumored to be available prior to the trade deadline but a deal never materialized.

The only trade New Orleans made from its receiver depth was to send Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks for a pair of draft picks.

The Saints originally selected Cooks in the ﬁrst round of the 2014 draft but traded him to the New England Patriots for two picks that would ultimately turn into offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk and defensive end Trey Hendrickson In 12 seasons with ﬁve teams, Cooks has caught 729 passes for 9,697 yards.

WR moves

After waiving Cooks on Wednesday, the Saints made a couple of moves at wide receiver New Orleans signed KevinAustin to the active roster from its practice squad, then replaced Austin’s spot on the practice squad with former Tulane wide receiver Jha’Quan Jackson Jackson, who attended Hahn-

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C

“Each team is different and what they’re really good at,” quarterback Tyler Shough said. “And obviously every team has to deal with moving pieces, so you’re trying to just week to week, really hone in on what you’re good at.

And I think continually, you know, (we’re) ﬁnding our identity

“Whenever you can have this thing you can hang your hat on — whether that’s running the ball or throwing the ball that’s cool from a social-media standpoint, but at the end of the day, teams really want to hang their hat on winning and whatever that is going to be to get it done.”

Before the bye, the Saints might have settled on a new offensive direction. Without Rashid Shaheed, the deep threat who was traded to the Seattle Seahawks, the Saints went with heavier personnel groupings. They opted to run 11 personnel (three wide receivers, one tight end, one running back) at their lowest rate (49.3%) of the year In the nine games prior, the Saints deployed 11 personnel 71.5%, the thirdhighest rate in the league.

With one less receiver on the field, the Saints saw the run game finally take hold. To seal the win, New Orleans literally ran out the clock over the final 7:35 with nine different rushing attempts before Shough knelt on three straight plays. Moore said the execution was what the Saints “want it to be,” adding there was a “much cleaner operation” that allowed them to avoid negative plays.

“It’s a deeply cathartic feeling when you can (run out the clock),” tight end Foster Moreau said. “We had some really big-time plays on that drive from all different people.”

ville High School, was a sixthround pick of the Tennessee Titans last year He appeared in 12 games with the Titans as a rookie, mostly as a returner averaging 7.7 yards per punt return and 25.8 yards on kick returns. In ﬁve seasons at Tulane, Jackson recorded 109 catches for 1,743 yards and 17 touchdowns. Austin debuted for the Saints last season. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Austin caught 11 passes for 151 yards in eight games.

Injury report

The bye week might not have been enough for Taliese Fuaga to make it back from an ankle injury Fuaga was the only Saints player who did not participate in the team’s practice Wednesday ahead of their Week 12 game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The right tackle injured his ankle during a loss to the Los Angeles Rams and missed the following week’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Asim Richards, whom the Saints acquired in a preseason trade with the Dallas Cowboys, started in Fuaga’s place.

Running back Alvin Kamara was limited with an ankle injury Wednesday Every other player listed on the injury report Chris Olave (ankle), Jack Stoll (ankle) and Barry Wesley (hip) — were full participants.

Staff writer Matthew Paras contributed to this report.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

If the game plan wasn’t a oneoff, Moore said the heavier groupings also open up the playaction game and allow the offense to dictate matchups based on how the defense responds. Moore won’t completely abandon his principles, but he is willing to tinker with his tendencies. Remember how often the Saints ran no-huddle to begin the season? That happens less frequently now New Orleans went from averaging 19 no-huddle snaps per game over the ﬁrst four weeks to 10 such plays over the next six. Moore suggested the shift was more based on the game’s situation than determining they weren’t working — tempo is still an essential part of the offense, he said — but he noted that pushing the pace risked going threeand-out too often.

“Seasons always take a lot of different paths, so you’ve got to be able to navigate some stuff from a personnel side or a schematic side,” Moore said. “Sometimes, there’s a humbling process associated with it, recognizing ‘Hey, I love this, but it may not be working the same way it has worked in a different place.’

“You’ve got to be able to adjust and find some different paths.” Moore indicated he’ll first look at the data to determine whether a concept is working, and then dig into the film to see the specific issues.

From there, he’ll either tweak the scheme, adjust the way he teaches it or abandon it altogether

“I think you’re learning the whole season,” center Luke Fortner said. “There’s Week 16, Week 17, Week 18 (where) you’re like, ‘Man, I wish we had done more of this. We’re really good at it.’ But I think it’s deﬁnitely a season-long process.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU center Mike Nwoko lets the ball go in the paint against Florida International forward Ibrahim Olajuwon, left,

in the second half last

at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

ä Omaha at LSU,

7 P.M. FRIDAy, ESPN+

ä Alcorn State at LSU,

7 P.M.THURSDAy, SECN+

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks, left, moves the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the Caesars Superdome on Oct. 26. The Saints waived Cooks on Wednesday.

women are

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU head coach Kim Mulkey gives LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson a highfive on the court against Charlotte on Nov. 12 at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

Kiffin plays coy with job-search questions

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin

dodged multiple questions about his future Wednesday on the SEC coaches teleconference, leaving it unclear when he plans to make a decision and what he thinks about the interest in him from LSU and Florida.

Kiffin, 50, emerged early on as a top target in LSU’s search to replace Brian Kelly, who was fired in the midst of his fourth season with a 34-14 record. Kiffin has a 54-19 overall record in six seasons at Ole Miss.

LSU officials arranged for a private plane to bring several of Kiffin’s family members — including his ex-wife, Layla Kiffin — to Baton Rouge for a visit Monday, multiple sources told The Advocate. They went to Gainesville, Florida, the day before Kiffin declined to answer what they learned from the trips.

“I’m not getting into any speculation or stories of things having to do with other jobs,” Kifﬁn said “I’ve said that about 10 times, but I understand you got to ask them.” Kiffin’s next move will send ripples across the college football job market. Ole Miss wants to keep him, and he is considered a top target in the coaching searches at both LSU and Florida. Kifﬁn did not provide any clarity during his 11 minutes on the teleconference.

“I’m gonna stay on what I’ve done for six years, which isn’t talk about other jobs and that situation,” Kiffin said, adding he had seen Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter twice Wednesday

“Keith and I have a great relationship We communicate daily on a lot of things. I love it here, and it’s been amazing, and we’re in a season that’s the greatest run in the history of Ole Miss at this point.

“I’m just living in the moment that it’s amazing, and our players are, too.”

On Tuesday night, Puck News reported on social media that Louisiana Gov Jeff Landry told people at a fundraiser he spoke to Kifﬁn for two hours. The governor’s spokesperson, Kate Kelly, said Landry has not talked to Kifﬁn.

“I wouldn’t comment on that either way,” Kifﬁn said.

Ole Miss wants a deﬁnitive answer from Kiffin soon. Though Kiffin denied Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show” that Ole Miss administrators gave him an ultimatum, multiple reports have said the Rebels want clarity in the near future — perhaps by the end of the week — so they can prepare for the College Football Playoff and begin a coaching search if he leaves.

Ole Miss has an open date this week before playing arch-rival Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl.

At 10-1 overall, the No. 6 Rebels are on track to make the CFP for the ﬁrst time. They likely will host

Va. Tech preaches alignment with new coach Franklin

BY MITCHELL NORTHAM Associated Press

James Franklin got his first taste of Virginia Tech’s “Enter Sandman” tradition on Wednesday as he walked into Cassell Coliseum for his introductory news conference.

It’s something the 53-year-old Franklin is eager to experience as the Hokies football coach

“I can’t wait. I’ve been watching that intro to college football my entire life,” said Franklin, who was sporting a maroon tie and pocket square. “It’s something special.” Virginia Tech is the ﬁrst Power Four program to hire its next football coach this cycle, officially bringing Franklin aboard about a month after he was ﬁred from Penn State.

“Today is a statement about where we are headed as an athletic department and as a university, one built on alignment, investment and ambition,” Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock said. “Coach Franklin is a proven program builder, a winner, an elite recruiter a strong developer of men and a relentless competitor.”

Alignment was a constant theme that Franklin, Babcock and president Tim Sands returned to. In September not long after former coach Brent Pry was fired, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved a plan to add $229 million to the budget of the Hokies’ athletic department over the next four years, with the primary goal of elevating the football program.

“In today’s college football, there needs to be alignment. There’s no other way to do it,” Franklin said. “These young men that we’re going to be recruiting, they’re going to be recruited from all the top programs in the country They need to walk into Virginia Tech football and it needs to look, feel, smell and operate like big-time.”

Franklin was often scorned at Penn State for failing to beat Big Ten powers Ohio State and Michigan consistently He has a 4-21 record against top-10 opponents, but he has won 68.1% of his teams’ games and has eight bowl

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C

ﬁne. There isn’t a better available coach in this cycle, and that includes James Franklin who just got hired by Virginia Tech. Kifﬁn has won at a high level at Ole Miss, bringing that program success it had not experienced since the late 1950s and early 60s under Johnny Vaught.

But if he doesn’t come, LSU fans should not plunge into depths of despair There are other good

a ﬁrst-round playoff game Dec. 19 or 20 if they are not in the top four of the ﬁnal rankings.

Kiffin bristled at the idea he would not coach against Mississippi State.

“Do you know something I don’t know?” Kifﬁn said. “Do I expect to coach next week? Why would I not expect to coach next week? I

mean, I expected to coach against Florida, too I don’t even understand the question how I would not expect to coach next week.”

Kifﬁn did not answer when asked whether there is a possibility he could accept another job before the postseason, saying, “I’m not speaking on other jobs.” He acknowledged a situation like this

was “bound to happen” in college football if someone wanted to hire a coach headed toward the CFP, calling it a “systematical problem.”

Ole Miss has won at least 10 games in four of the past five years, the most successful stretch in program history

Kifﬁn’s work with the Rebels has made him a central focus for three SEC schools in this hiring cycle, and so he was asked whether that feels ﬂattering or overwhelming. He responded with some humor

“It doesn’t feel good on this call,” Kifﬁn said with a laugh “I said it before: If programs want your coach, that should be looked at as an amazing thing and a great thing by your fans.”

At one point, Kifﬁn recognized he made “really fast decisions” when he was younger about jobs. He said Wednesday “as you get older and more mature and look at things differently you take longer to make the proper decision,” though he then noted he was speaking in generalities. He sidestepped other direct questions about his plans.

At the end of the call, Kiffin cracked another joke.

“I can’t wait for next week, guys,” he said.

Kifﬁn was reminded by the moderator there will not be another teleconference. The SEC stops holding them after this week because of Thanksgiving.

“Ooh,” Kifﬁn said, and the wait continued.

QB Van Buren expresses desire to remain at LSU NOTEBOOK

wins in 15 combined seasons at Vanderbilt and Penn State. Last year, Franklin coached the Nittany Lions to the semiﬁnals of the College Football Playoff.

“We were a drive away from playing in the national championship, so I know what it looks like,”

Franklin said

The Nittany Lions began this season ranked second in the AP poll, but Franklin was ﬁred Oct. 12 after they suffered their third consecutive loss, falling at home to Northwestern

While Franklin’s results weren’t quite good enough at Penn State, the expectations are more manageable at Virginia Tech. The Hokies have enjoyed just one winning season in the past six years and haven’t played in a major bowl game since 2011.

Franklin received a five-year contract from Virginia Tech. He brings with him deep recruiting ties to the Mid-Atlantic region, dating back to his two stints as an assistant coach at Maryland.

On his way to the stage where he would be introduced, Franklin stopped to shake the hand of the man who held that position the longest and had the most success at it, Frank Beamer In Beamer’s 29 seasons at Virginia Tech, the Hokies played in 23 consecutive bowl games, including the 1999 national championship.

coaches out there. And the plain fact of most coaching searches is that the first choice is often not the one who’s hired. Exhibit A: It’s not football, but Jay Johnson was not LSU’s first choice to be its baseball coach to replace Paul Mainieri. Thenathletic director Scott Woodward first considered Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan, as well as former Oregon State coach Pat Casey, and there was a faction of former LSU players who wanted him to hire Ole Miss coach and former LSU catcher/assistant Mike Bianco. But Johnson, who

BY KOKI RILEY and WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writers

LSU sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren said Tuesday night he wants to stay on the team moving forward as the Tigers go through a coaching change.

“I love it here in Baton Rouge,” Van Buren said. “I love the place. I love Tiger Stadium. I just love everything about this place, and this is where I want to be. This is where I want to continue my career.”

With senior Garrett Nussmeier out of eligibility after this season, Van Buren is one of two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster who can return to LSU. The other is redshirt freshman Colin Hurley, who “took a leave for personal-related matters,” interim coach Frank Wilson said Monday. Hurley missed the past two games against Alabama and Arkansas, but Wilson said his absence is temporary

LSU does not have a quarterback committed in the 2026 recruiting class. It is expected to look for at least one quarterback in the transfer portal, which opens from Jan. 2-16.

Van Buren is in line to start for the second-straight game when LSU plays Western Kentucky at 6:45 p.m. Saturday inside Tiger Stadium.

Nussmeier did not play against Arkansas after aggravating an abdominal injury last week, Wilson said, and he is doubtful against Western Kentucky as of Wednesday morning.

In his ﬁrst start at LSU, Van Buren completed 68% of his passes for 221 yards and one touchdown while rushing 10 times for 36 yards in a 23-22 win over Arkansas.

After starting eight games at Mississippi State as a freshman last season, the plan was for Van Buren to redshirt this year behind Nussmeier. Van Buren will burn the redshirt by playing against Western Kentucky, giving up an extra season of eligibility to get more snaps.

“I’m just focused on getting better,” Van Buren said. “Me going out there and getting those reps will make me a better football player,

Woodward said was the best interview he ever had, got the job. The rest is college baseball history Exhibit B: In late 2006, Alabama offered its job to Rich Rodriguez. He turned it down, opening the door for the school to pursue and land Nick Saban. The rest is college football history Exhibit C: In 2016, Tom Herman chose Texas over LSU, and LSU fandom fell into a serious funk. The school hired Ed Orgeron, appearing to settle for the coach who had his roots in Louisiana but was ﬁred at Ole Miss. He was eventually ﬁred at LSU, but not

so that’s my main focus.” Nussmeier doubtful Nussmeier is doubtful to play this Saturday against Western Kentucky, Wilson said Wednesday

Nussmeier participated in some individual drills during Tuesday’s practice, but his abdominal injury still “hasn’t changed much since last week,” when the Tigers quarterback suffered a setback and sat out Saturday’s win over Arkansas.

“Those same issues are there for him,” Wilson said. “I would say he’s doubtful.” Without Nussmeier, LSU will turn to Van Buren at quarterback.

Wilson also provided an injury update on junior linebacker Whit Weeks, who missed LSU’s last four games with a bone bruise on his ankle.

A recurring issue for Weeks, Wilson said, has been the extreme soreness he’s experienced after “pushing himself” at practice. The ailment is on the same ankle that Weeks dislocated during LSU’s win over Baylor in the Texas Bowl in January

“He wants to play,” Wilson said.

“I think he has a chance to play.” Drinkwitz mum on LSU Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz de-

until after he led the Tigers to their greatest season ever in 2019. Herman is out of coaching. Should LSU hire Kifﬁn if it can get him? Yes. Do I think LSU will get Kifﬁn? Yes, in a Lee Corso

clined Wednesday to discuss whether or not LSU has approached his representatives about the head coaching job.

“I’m not going to make any comments about jobs,” Drinkwitz said on the SEC coaches teleconference. Drinkwitz, 42, referred back to his comments at a news conference Tuesday when he told reporters that he “would not comment on message board chatter, tweets, sources. I’ve maintained with you and our team that my complete focus is on the task at hand.” No. 22 Missouri (7-3) plays No. 8 Oklahoma (8-2) at 11 a.m. Saturday

When asked what makes a good job these days, Drinkwitz listed resources that match expectations, money for revenue sharing/thirdparty NIL and institutional alignment He also mentioned supportive fan bases, schedules and the ability to raise his young family

“I think every coach has a little personal feel for what is important to him,” Drinkwitz said. “For me, it’s really important that my family enjoys where they’re living and feels valued by the work that we do. And so for me, that’s going to be always something that weighs heavily on my mind in any decision.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ROGELIO V. SOLIS

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin gestures after his team scores a touchdown against Arkansas on Sept. 13 in Oxford, Miss. Kiffin dodged questions regarding his future during an SEC teleconference on Wednesday.

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU quarterback Michael Van Buren races from the pocket in the the third quarter against Arkansas on Saturday at Tiger Stadium. Van Buren said he’s happy at LSU and wants to stay.

AP PHOTO By ROBERT SIMMONS

James Franklin, Virginia Tech’s new football coach, smiles after he was presented with a team jersey during an introductory news conference on Wednesday in Blacksburg, Va

Zion returns but wins remain missing for Pels

BY LES EAST

Contributing writer

Zion Williamson returned on Wednesday night and the New Orleans Pelicans played better But the outcome remained familiar as the Denver Nuggets wore down the Pelicans and handed them their seventh consecutive defeat 125-118 on Wednesday night in the Smoothie King Center

Williamson returned after missing the previous eight games with a strained left hamstring and gave the team an early lift, but he ﬁnished with just 14 points in 29 minutes Rookie Derik Queen led New Orleans with a career-high 30 points, Trey Murphy scored 23 and Jeremiah Fears added 16. Karlo Matkovic was sidelined by a strained right calf.

The Pelicans (2-13) will play at Dallas, which they defeated 10199 on the road Nov. 5 on Friday before returning home to play At-

lanta on Saturday Nikola Jokic had 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds, but he committed eight turnovers before fouling out with 2:44 left in the game. Peyton Watson scored 32, Jamal Murray had 16, Cameron Johnson had 14, and former Pelicans players Jonas Valunciunas and Bruce Brown combined to score 26 points for the Nuggets (11-3), who defeated New Orleans 122-88 on Oct. 29. Watson scored eight points during a 14-6 run to start the third quarter, increasing Denver’s lead to 76-64. Murphy made consecutive 3-pointers and New Orleans got within eight points, but the Nuggets took a 97-83 lead at the end of the quarter Queen scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, and the Pelicans crept within six points in the ﬁnal minute but got no closer Pelicans interim coach James Borrego said before the game that New Orleans needed to “ﬂip the

script” after having extremely poor first quarters followed by much better second quarters in recent games. The Pelicans trailed at the end of the first quarter in each of the four previous games of the home stand, the last three by double figures. But they got off to a much better start against the Nuggets as Williamson scored six points in the first four minutes as they raced to a 23-10 lead midway through the quarter while Jokic was scoreless. But Jokic wound up scoring 10 points in the quarter, and Denver trimmed New Orleans’ lead to 3026 at the end of the period.

The lead changed hands seven times and the score was tied seven times in the second quarter Watson’s 3-pointer produced the ﬁnal lead change as he scored 12 points in the period, which ended with the Nuggets holding a 62-58 halftime lead.

SCOREBOARD

STATE FOOTBALL CAPSULE

Grambling 68 LSU 107, Alcorn 81 Pepperdine 90, UNO 79 Washington 99, Southern 93, OT Northwestern State at San Francisco, n Stanford 93, UL 66 Wednesday’s games Southeastern 71, William Carey 45 Indiana State 60, Louisiana Tech 51 Thursday’s games None scheduled. LATE TUESDAY LSU 107, Alcorn State 81 Alcorn State 44 37 81 LSU 50

Calamese 0-2, Jones 0-2), LSU 6-21 (Sutton 2-7, Zipper 1-1, Carter 1-2, Reece 1-2, Reed 1-2, King 0-2, Thomas 0-2, Mackinnon 0-3). Rebounds—Alcorn State 26 (Roberts 9), LSU 37 (Sutton 10). Assists—Alcorn State 11 (Calamese 3), LSU 12 (Thomas 6). Total Fouls— Alcorn State 25, LSU 13. A—6,291 (13,215). National scores Wednesday’s games EAST Arizona 71, UConn 67 Binghamton 69, Misericordia 58 Duquesne 92, Loyola (Md) 78 George Washington 89, UMBC 52 Maryland 95, Mount St Marys 90, OT Penn State 84, Harvard 80 Quinnipiac 112, City College of New York 52 Temple 81, Hofstra 76 Villanova 70, La Salle 55 SOUTH Chattanooga 78, South Carolina State 66 Florida Gulf Coast 77, Samford 62 Furman 79, Ohio Christian 44 Richmond 87, VMI 54 South Alabama 71, Jacksonville State 65 Southeastern Louisiana 71, William Carey 45 Stetson 64, Howard 60 Tennessee Tech 88, USC Upstate 84 The Citadel 70, North Greenville 57 Virginia Tech 78, Bryant 61 Wofford 86, North Florida 78 MIDWEST Bethune-Cookman 76, Ohio 73 Creighton 75, North Dakota 60 Dayton 77, Marquette 71, OT Eastern Illinois 62, Tifﬁn 50 Indiana State 60, Louisiana Tech 51 Michigan 86, Middle Tennessee 61 North Dakota State 82, Jamestown 67 Notre Dame 86, Bellarmine 79 Toledo 92, Youngstown State 75 Valparaiso 90, Cleveland State 75 William & Mary 82, Bowling Green 74 SOUTHWEST East Texas A&M 115, Dallas Christian 44 Sam Houston 78, Wyoming 70 State women’s schedule Tuesday’s games Louisiana Tech 73, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 49 Southern Miss 86, Southeastern 53 Southern 67, Tougaloo College 38 Wednesday’s games Nicholls 73,Mississippi Valley 66 Loyola 73, UNO 65 Thursday’s games UL-Monroe at Sam Houston, 7 p.m. Alcorn at LSU, 7 p.m. National scores Wednesday’s games EAST Albany 67, Siena 42 Brown 57, Boston University 54 Bryant 80, Merrimack 73 Fairleigh Dickinson 72, Delaware State 41 Harvard 72, Boston College 65, OT Lehigh 71, Drexel 57 Marist 55, Stony Brook 51 Maryland-Eastern Shore 68, UMBC 54 NJIT 81, Saint Peter’s 33 Navy 67, Rider 56 Princeton 69, Rice 56 Rhode Island 73, Holy Cross 59 St. Bonaventure 64, Buffalo 57 St. John’s 74, Oklahoma State 67 SOUTH Alabama 84, Samford 45 Belmont 80, Lipscomb 60 Gardner-Webb 65, UNC Wilmington 56 George Mason 58, Florida Gulf Coast 41 Georgia Tech 68, West Georgia 60 High Point 71, Vermont 65 Louisville 96, Morehead State 49 Loyola (NO) 73, New Orleans 65 Mercer 78, Jackson State 68 Nicholls State 73, Mississippi Valley State 66 North Carolina State 71, Coastal Carolina 58 Northern Kentucky 70, Toledo 61 Radford 68, Furman 50 South Carolina 106, Winthrop 56 Tennessee State 82,

Women’s Singles Round of

Brazil, def. Antonia Vergara Rivera, Chile, 6-1, 6-1. Women’s Singles Round of 16 Oleksandra Oliynykova (5), Ukraine, def. Sada Nahimana, Burundi, 6-0, 6-2. Carole Monnet, France, def. Carolina Alves Brazil, 6-2, 6-4. Maiar Sherif Ahmed Abdelaziz (2), Egypt, def. Miriam Bianca Bulgaru, Romania, 6-0, 6-3. Maja Chwalinska (8), Poland, def. Despina Papamichail, Greece, 6-3, 6-1. Women’s Doubles Round of 16 Jimar Geraldine Gerald Gonzalez, Chile and Luisina Giovannini, Argentina, def. Riya Bhatia, India, and Ayana Akli (2), United States, 6-4, 6-4. Valeriya Strakhova, Ukraine, and Leolia Jeanjean (3), France, def. Maria Paulina Perez Garcia, Colombia, and Jazmin Ortenzi, Argentina, 1-6, 6-3, 10-6.

ﬁnal 9:10 and included two fourth downs it converted by inches to hold off the Owls 14-13 at home on Nov. 8 Temple faces a tough task to become bowl eligible. After facing Tulane (8-2, 5-1), the No 24 team in the CFP rankings, the Owls will play at North Texas (9-1, 5-1), which is 22nd in The Associated Press poll. Both of their opponents need to win to reach the American championship game.

“We’re going to be in a lot of 50-

50 games, and my job is to ﬁnd a way for us to win more of those 50-50 games,” Keeler said. “These next two weeks gives us a chance to play a third week. What a great way to go out for our seniors. We have a nationally ranked team coming in here for their last time to play at the Linc.”

The Owls’ best asset is not beating themselves They have committed only two turnovers through 10 games, which is tied with Connecticut for the fewest in the FBS this season and on pace for the fewest by any team this century Senior quarterback Evan Simon’s astounding touchdown-to-inter-

ception ratio of 22-1 would be the best in the FBS if not for UConn QB Joe Fagnano’s 25-1 ratio.

“They are well coached,” Sumrall said. “They have good players who are really disciplined. They give themselves a chance every time.” Simon, who produced much more modest numbers a year ago, was not supposed to retain his starting status. Keeler thought he had convinced Trinidad Chambliss to transfer from Ferris State before Ole Miss swooped in late to grab him, turning him into a Heisman Trophy candidate.

“I don’t know if there’s a tougher player on this team (than Simon),”

Keeler said. “The hits he takes and what he puts his body through is truly amazing. When you have a guy like that, it works through the whole building. Thank God we had him through this whole transition.” Simon is not alone. Running back Jay Ducker has an outside chance at gaining 1,000 yards, sitting at 729. Four receivers have at least 26 catches, including 6-foot-6, 265-pound tight end Peter Clarke. Kicker Carl Hardin is 3 of 5 on kicks of 40-plus yards with a long of 52. Punt returner Jojo Bermudez averages 15.0 yards, earning Sumrall’s praise as the league’s best in his role.

Temple has endured some clunkers, getting outgained 515-104 in a 42-3 home debacle against Oklahoma and allowing the ﬁnal 34 points in a 48-14 loss at home against East Carolina. Keeler pointed out the Pirates had a 16-day break before that game and were extremely fresh This time, the Owls are coming off an open date and will do everything in their power to ruin the Wave’s season and get that all-important sixth win in what has been a bittersweet debut for Keeler “It’s been rewarding but at the same time frustrating,” he said “We’re right there, but we haven’t gotten it done.”

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Talking to the referees, Pelicans forward Zion Williamson, right, demonstrates how he was hit by a Denver Nuggets player in the first quarter of their game at the Smoothie King Center on Wednesday.

Aquick, cozy pasta recipe perfectfor theseason

BY BETH DOOLEY

Aged Gouda makes acozy pastafor chilly November evenings. The dish emerges from the oven steaming andfragrant, urgingmetoplunge aspoon into the bubbling gooey mass. Though simple, its allureis roasted cherry tomatoes. Use whatever tomatoes you have on hand, but the tiny red and gold cherries in the market this time of year have the most spunk. For pasta, Ilike orecchiette or “little ears” in Italian;the concave shape is firm and springy and clings to the sauce. Cream cheese, whisked with milk, brings the dish together without having to make a heavier white sauce of flour and milk. Add apinch of red pepper flakes andgrated nutmeg toliven things up. The aged Gouda, nutty and sharp, gives the dishits depth and finish. Tomatoes, roasted into asticky,jammy-sweet-tart mess, add pops of color and tart-sweet taste. They can be prepared ahead then held ina covered jar in the refrigerator for several days. Double or triple the amount for achunky paste to keep on hand and ready to twist into spaghetti, dollop on fried eggs, smear on focaccia, fold into an omelet or whisk into mayonnaise. This simple recipe is what home cooks in Italy might call “cucina casalinga,” or home cooking. It’ssimplicity at its best, with just afew simple ingredients. Rich and satisfying, it’sjust the thing as night closes in and hungers rage. For acozy dinner,servethis with acrisp green salad and crusty bread.

Pasta With Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Serves 4. Recipe is from Beth Dooley.This serves two very hungry people, four if you’re including acrunchy green salad or steamed vegetables and crusty bread. But feel free to vary the amount; it will keep several days in the refrigerator and is easy to reheat.

Kosher salt 1pound orecchiette

1. Bring alarge pot of salted water to aboil. Drop thepasta intothe water and stir.Cook the pasta until al dente and drain.

2. Preheat the ovento400 F. Line abaking sheet withparchment

3. Pour the milk into alarge pot, setover medium heat and bring to asimmer.Reduce the heat to low and stir in the cream cheese, whisking until blended. Add the Gouda and butter and continue cooking until smooth Season with red pepper ﬂakes, nutmeg, and salt and pepper Add the drained pasta to the sauceand stir together.Cover and hold over low heatwhile the tomatoes roast.

4. Spread the tomatoes out on the baking sheet. Drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with salt. Roast until they are wrinkled and have shrunk and are very tender,about 15 minutes

5. Transferthe pasta to an ovenproofserving dish andarrange thetomatoes on top. Bake until the pasta is hot and bubbly Serve hot

Squash Soup Three Ways, Recipe 2D

BY APRIL HAMILTON| Contributing writer

Whether you are gathering with afew friends,hosting extended family or are an invited guesttogivethanks, this prep list is for you.

Irecall my mother doing it all every Thanksgiving, prepping abit hereand there during theweek,but mostofitwas done in the style of happy kitchen chaos on Thanksgiving Day. Icount my blessings that most of my late November days were spentwith mom, who ran the show until we said goodbye three years ago. Fora less hectic holiday, here’s how to pregame3items forthe

Citrus Salad

We serve this as apalate cleanser after our Thanksgiving dinner,then roll out the desserts. Make this up to aweek ahead. Stashing it in the back of the fridge keeps it from being sampled ahead of time. The cutting technique is called supreming.

6fresh red grapefruit

6fresh naveloranges

Small bunch of red grapes, rinsed and cut in half (optional)

1. Rinseand dry theorangesand grapefruit. Trim off their tops and bottomsusing avery sharp knife.

2. Set the fruits on end and carefully cut the skin fromthe ﬂesh, beginning at the top and following the curves down. Rotate each fruit as you go, removing all the peel with abit of fruit clinging to it.

3. Cut out each section of the fruit by inserting theblade of the knife between theflesh andthe membranesonboth sides. Thewedges should come out easily,leaving only the membrane intact. As youcut,put allthe fruit sectionsintoa large bowl. Squeeze the juice out of all thefruit membranesand peels by hand into the bowl.

4. Store in airtight containers until serving time, up to 5days. Serve in small dishes or teacups, garnished with halved grapes if desired.

BY BETH DOOLEY

TheMinnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

butternut

for atrue autumn soup. The thin-skinned Cucurbita is plush, earthy and just atad sweet.Delicious cubed and roasted or sauteed, whenbaked and pureed it becomes an especially versatile base for soup. Season it with curry spices,

FILE PHOTO By PATRICK DENNIS

Citrus Salad

The Minnesota Star Tribune (TNS)

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Makes about 1quart.Iturnedto aduet of chef friends,Judy Allen and Valarie Carter, fortheir do-ahead gravyformula andgave it my bacon-infused twist. Please note when removing askillet in the oven, keep the handle covered witha kitchen mittsoasnot to accidentally grab the hot handle on thestovetop

Replacingthe pumpsofbottles

Dear Heloise: When acontainer stops pumping, I removethe pumpand replace it witha screw cap from another salvaged bottle. Then Istore it upside down. For shampoo, Iadd a little water and use it up until it’sgone. Everything gets used until thelast drop. —Dean Garrett, in Arizona Suntan lotion stain

1. Roast the turkey wings: Heat the oven to 425 F. Rub a10-inch cast iron skilletor roasting pan with abit of the bacon grease, thencoat the wings with the remainder

2. Placethe skillet in the ovenand roastthe wings until browned and crisp, about 1hour.

4. Add ½ cup of water to the hotskillet to deglaze and scrapeupthe bits with a wooden spoon. Pour this into the stockpot.

5. Makethe stock:Place the onion, carrotand peppercornsintothe tall stockpot with the turkey wings. Add thewater,making sure the whole wings are submerged (the wing tips mayneedto be separated so it is allcovered with water). Bringtoa boilover medium-high heat, then reduce theheat and simmer for one hour.

6. Press on the wingswith apotato masher to keep the wingsbelow thewater level. Continue to simmer for another 30 to 45 minutes or until thestock hasdeveloped a rich ﬂavor (taste aspoonful from time to time)

7. Removefrom the heat

3. Remove the wings to a tall stockpot. Pour offthe drippings from the skillet into aheatproof measuring cupand refrigerate while youmakethe stock

and strain thestock through afine-mesh strainer into alargebowl or heatproof measuringcup. The goal is to have 1quart of rich stock.(Ipulled themeatoff theturkey wings and mixed with the cooked carrot for my dogs to share in thefeast during theweek).

8. Make the gravy: Heat the drippings in a10-inch cast-ironskilletovermedium heat until shimmeryand hot. Whiskinthe ﬂour and cook theroux until toasted and golden, about 5minutes

9. Add the stock while whiskingconstantly.Let bubble afew minutes and season with fresh thyme, salt and pepper.Let the gravy cool in the pan,stirring occasionally before transferring to clean,wide-mouth Mason jars.

10. Cool completely in the refrigeratorbefore covering with the lids, labeling and freezing for up to 2months

One-Size-Fits-AllPie Crust

Makes 2disks forone double-crust pie or 2single-crustpies. Making pie dough is simpler than it sounds. Grating cold butter,then freezing it, makes it blend more easily into the ﬂour.Ihave polled friendswiththe question, “What’s atreasured ﬁnd in the back of your fridge (or freezer)?” and many have answered, “Homemade pie dough.”

8ounces cold unsalted butter

2½ cups unbleached all-purpose flour 1teaspoon granulated sugar

½teaspoon coarse salt

1⁄3 to ½cup ice water

1. Grate the butter using the large holes of acheese grater and freeze for up to an hour

2. Place the flour,sugar and salt in theworkbowlof afood processor and pulse a few times to combine.

3. Add the strands of frozen butter and pulse until the butter particles are the sizeofsmall peas. Add 1/3 cup ice water and process for about 10 seconds, stopping the machine before the dough becomesa solid mass.

4. Check to see if there are drybits of flour and if so, add afew sprinkles of ice water and pulse again.

5. Lay out two long sheets of plastic wraponthe coun-

HOLIDAY

Continued from page1D

Her silky gravy was the star of the feast but was the last to arrive at the table Iamthis many years old before knowingthis can be done weeks in advance. Mom’shigh-heat roasted turkey was massaged with bacon grease before hitting theoven. To emulate this, Igive this treatment to turkey wings and turn them into her memorable gravy, minus the chaos. Ifreeze it in wide-mouth Mason jars, leaving headroom for expansion, and put the jars into the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge, gently reheat into liquid gold and transfer into awarmed awaiting gravy boat. The double bonus is hav-

ter.Turn thedough out onto onesheet of the wrap,pressingany loose particles into the mass of dough.

6. Divide doughinhalf and roughly form each half intotwo disks, about an inch

ing homemade gravy to accompanya smoked or fried turkey —delicious but no drippingsfor gravy Thanksgiving would not be completewithout my family’s palate-cleansing citrussalad that can be prepped aweek ahead and refrigerated in Mason jars outofsight so no onedips into the treasure early My momcould whittle the peels off abushelof citrus with hereyesclosed, then segment each orb with surgical ﬁnesse. No wonder they callthese gems supremes.These are thepetit ﬁlet ofthe citrus kingdom. My youngest daughter inheritedthis talent and keeps us suppliedeach season More blessings counted. Now for dessert and here is my confession —I once entered apie contest with ababy on my hip.After a mishapwith thehomemade

thick each, and wrap each in asheet of plastic wrap.

7. Wrap in heavy duty foil, label andfreeze for up to 2 months. Letthaw overnight in the fridge before rolling out for pies.

dough, Ibroke down and purchased apre-rolled crust which was detected by one of the judges. He wrote this on my judging sheet

Though my pie did not win, Iscored the conﬁdence to makemyown piecrust happily ever after.Flour and cold butter meet and harmonize with justthe right amount of cold water worked in. Pat it into two disks, wrap securely,pop them into the freezer and roll it out on your terms Your canvas awaits— sweet potato, apple, pumpkin or pecan? Holiday meals areintended to be happy,not hectic; they are often ablend of both. With sometriedand true tipsand recipes, some of the work can happen ahead, leaving time to enjoy thecompany and the blessings at the table.

Dear Heloise: Ihave black interiorsinmycar.When I wear suntan lotion, it gets

By The Associated Press

Today is Thursday, Nov.20, the 324th day of 2025. There are 41 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Nov.20, 1910, Francisco Madero led arevolt against Mexican President Porﬁrio Díaz, marking the beginning of the decadelong Mexican Revolution.

Also on this date:

In 1945, 22 former Nazi ofﬁcials went on trial before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany (Almostayear later,the International Military Tribune sentenced 12 of the defendantstodeath; seven received prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life; three were acquitted.)

In 1947, Britain’s future queen, Princess Elizabeth,

on the door and seats. I have tried everything, and nothing removes the stain. Any suggestions would be appreciated. —Donna, in Poland, Ohio Donna, use something absorbent, such as cornstarch, and apply alight sprinkling over the area to absorb the excess oil. Vacuum off the cornstarch and use aspray bottle with 1cup vinegar,a half teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and 2cups of water Mix welland spray over

TODAYINHISTORY

married Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, at Westminster Abbey

In 1969, Native American activists begananoccupationofAlcatrazIsland that would last 19 months before theywereforcibly removed by federalauthorities.

In 1982, the University of California, Berkeley,football team defeated Stanford University by scoring a touchdown on alateralfilled kickoff return on the last play of the game, despite the Stanford marching band entering the field of play,thinking Stanford had already won. In college football lore, the bizarre finish is often referred to simply as “The Play.”

In 1992, ﬁre seriously damaged Windsor Castle, the favorite weekend home of Britain’sQueen Elizabeth II.

Squash Soup Three Ways

the affected area. Let it sit for acouple of minutes, then wipe with a clean microﬁber cloth. Repeat as necessary.Warning: Before you try anything, be sure to test it ﬁrst in an inconspicuous place. —Heloise Holidaypillows

DearHeloise: To save on pillows for different holidays, Ibuy different holiday covers for the same pillow form. It also saves on storage space. —SandraK via email Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

Serves 4to6.Recipe is fromBeth Dooley.Customize this basic squash soup with different ﬂavors depending on your mood.These arejust suggestions, feel free to add your own.

1medium butternut squash (2¼ to 2½ pounds), halved lengthwise and seeded 3tablespoons oil of choice, such as coconut, olive or butter

¼cup chopped shallot 2clovesgarlic, crushed 4cups vegetable or chicken stock, plus more if needed Coarse saltand freshly ground black pepper,totaste ¼cup wholemilk Greek style yogurtorsour cream, for optional garnish ¼cup toasted pumpkinseeds, for optional garnish 2tablespoons chopped parsley, for optional garnish

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Line abaking sheet with parchment paper

2. Brush thecut halves of thesquash withsome of the oiland place cut-side down

on the parchment. Roast the squash until very tender and wrinkled, about 50 minutesto1hour.Remove and allow to cool.

3. In alarge heavysoup pot set over medium heat, addthe oilorbutter and saute the onion and shallot until tender,about 3to4 minutes. Scoop thesquash out of the peel and add to the pot; no worries if some of thepeel ends up in the soup. Stir in the stock and puree using an immersion blender.(Alternatively, work in batchesand puree in astand blender and return soup to the pot.)

4. Season the soup with one of these ﬂavor proﬁles:

n Curried Squash Soup: Stir in 1to2tablespoons curry powder,1tablespoon

honeyand 1tablespoon lemon, to taste. n Mexican Squash Soup: Stir in 1to2tablespoons Tajinseasoning, 1tablespoon agave or brown sugar,and 1tablespoon lime juice, to taste.

n Classic New EnglandStyle Squash Soup:Substitute ½ cup apple cider for ½ cupstock,stirin1 to 2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spices,1 tablespoon maple syrup and ½ teaspoon apple cider vinegar,totaste.

5. Reducethe heat and simmer the soup, stirring occasionally, forabout 8to 10 minutes. Tasteand adjust theseasonings. Garnishwith smalldabsofwholemilk Greek style yogurt or sour cream, toasted pumpkin seeds and chopped parsley

meltsintoarich mash. Onceit’sout of the oven, cook the squash with aromatics like shallot and garlic and enough stock to pureeitinto athick, creamy soup without the addition of cream. Itsgolden hues and

cozy texture are like that favorite sweater.This is the kind of no-recipe dish to whip up on the fly,just right for aquick dinner whenthe winds howl and the temperatures drop. In the market, look for butternut squash with a long fatneck formore of the flesh; the seeds hide in the bulb. It should be heavy forits size, free of nicks and gashes. Store it in acool dry place until ready to use. Youcan make this soup ahead; in fact, you should to give the flavors timetomarry The soup will keep in the fridge

In 2003, music producer Phil Spector was charged with murder in the shooting of actor Lana Clarkson at his California home. (After aﬁrst trial ended with a hung jury in 2007, Spector wasconvicted of seconddegree murder in 2009 and sentenced to 19 years to life; he died in prison at age

Derek is 69. Actor Ming-Na Wenis62. Rapper Michael “Mike D” Diamond (Beastie Boys) is 60. Actor-comedian Joel McHale is 54. Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Dominique Dawes is 49.

FILEPHOTOSByPATRICK DENNIS

Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy

Hints from Heloise

OneSize Fits All Pie Crust

scoRPIo (oct. 24-Nov. 22) Interact as much as possible; network, share your thoughts and collaborate with people you find motivating and creative. Feed your mind, body and soul with new possibilities.

sAGIttARIus (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put together a budget before you agree to participate. Sharing expenses can help lower your overhead, but before you agree, be sure to get what you want in writing.

cAPRIcoRN (Dec 22-Jan. 19) Donating your time will offer unexpected returns. Someone you meet through an organization or group you fund or participate in will have a positive impact on your life and how you live.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Make necessary adjustments and keep moving forward. The less you have to do with others, the more you will achieve. Premature confrontations or conversations with someone you love will backfire.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Adjust your agenda, explore unfamiliar places and assess your daily routine to ensure your life is functioning efficiently. Look inward and focus on being and looking your best.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Keep your thoughts to yourself. A positive change regarding how you handle your finances and health issues will encourage good results, less stress and stronger resilience.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) If it's change you want, make it happen. Stop waiting for someone else to make the first

move. Set your sights on what you want and make a beeline for the path that will take you there.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Learn, explore and eliminate dead weight. Lighten your load, sell off what you no longer need and take a deep breath. The freedom you gain from the choices you make will encourage you adjust your priorities.

cANcER (June 21-July 22) Effectivemoney management will put your mind at ease, and following advice to curb unhealthy habits will give you the stamina to take care of business. Make special plans with someone you love.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Live and learn. Listen to your gut and rely on your experience and intuition to gain ground when unusual circumstances arise. Trust in your instincts and be ready to act fast.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) What you discover will change your perspective regarding your current lifestyle. A partnership looks promising, and a commitment will lead to a chance to use your skills in a manner suitable to a changing market.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Think twice before you promise too much or let indulgence tempt you. A change requires patience, research and time to weigh the pros and cons. When in doubt, take a pass.

FAMILY CIrCUS

toDAy's cLuE: J EQuALs K

CeLebrItY CIpher For better or For WorSe

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the sudoku increases from monday to sunday.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

THe wiZard oF id

BLondie

BaBY BLueS

Hi and LoiS

CurTiS

By PHILLIP ALDER Bridge

Joan Konner,who inter alia has more than adozen Emmysfrom the National Academy of TelevisionArtsand Sciences,said, “Procrastination gives you something to look forward to.” Procrastination when the dummy comes downisa good ideabecause it is beneficialtolookforwardtothe13tricks. Thisdealbenefits fromclear thinking at thebeginning.Southisinthreeno-trump. West leads his fourth-highest spade andEast puts up the king (denying the queen). Whatshould declarer do?

South’s auction —atakeoutdouble followed by aminimum no-trumpbid —showed agood 18 to 20 points. North bidthree no-trumpbecausehecounted an extra point for his five-cardsuit and expected his partner to be able to place the missing high cards based on the bidding.

South starts with only four toptricks: one spade,two hearts and one club. He can gettwo diamondand four club winners, but he will presumably have to lose thelead twice because East needs the club king forhis opening bid.

Declarer must let East win the first trick.Thissacrificesonespadetrick,but gainsnineinthelongrun.Southtakesthe third spade, plays aclub to dummy’sace (the king might dropsingleton), and concedes aclub. Here,East has no riposte.

If declarer takes trick one, then when East gets in with, say, the club king, he returns the spade six (higher of two remaining cards) and West plays his three to keep communication with his partner. Then the contract fails, the defenders taking threespades, onediamond and one club.

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle whichcreates adisguisedword,phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD =gOOD aFTErnOOn

Previous answers:

word

INstRuctIoNs: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,”such as “bats” or “dies,” are notallowed. 3. additional words made by adding a“d” or an “s” may notbeused. 4. proper nouns,slang words,orvulgar or sexually explicit words are notallowed.

toDAy’s WoRD MEscALs: MEZ-kals: Colorless Mexican liquorsderived from various agaves.

Averagemark 21 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find26ormore words in MESCALS?

yEstERDAy’s WoRD —AFFEctED

wuzzles

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

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.

GramS Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

ken ken

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

Scrabble

roSe

DuStin

Drabble

luann

Anyone knowingthe whereabouts of Kelsey Lynn Mounier,please contactatty Rachel Silversat504475-4775 167302-11/19-20-21-3t $85.00

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y g 104(a) may intervene as a matter of right. Theno‐ticeshall be published for three(3) consecutive weeksina newspaperof general circulationinthe countyinwhich William Segrave residedatthe timeofhis death, St Tammany Parish Louisiana Areportofall reasonably ascertainable beneﬁcia‐riesshall be made to the DistrictCourt in andfor ParkCounty, Wyoming. Any person claiming to be beneﬁciariesof WilliamSegrave should immediatelynotify Michael T. Sullivan,Esq athis addressasfollows: MichaelT.Sullivan, Esq. Tucker Holmes,P.C 9200 E. MineralAve Ste. 330 Centennial,CO80112 Telephone: (303) 694-9300 Facsimile: (303) 694-9370 165550-nov6-13-20-3t $600.46

PUBLIC NOTICE

TheLouisiana Depart‐ment of Culture, Recre‐ation& Tourism, Office of StateParks is issuing a Requestfor Information (RFI)tosolicit anyand all projectideas to addor improvecabins, cot‐tages, andother lodging facilities at anypark within theLouisiana StateParkSystem. The objectives in soliciting informationare to pro‐mote theState Parks mission, achieveproper balanceofpreservation andutilization of State ParksPropertieswhile becoming more finan‐cially self-sustaining, andbetterserve the needsofcitizensand of visitors to Louisiana throughcollaboration utilizingPublicPrivate Partnerships.The RFI packet,which includes a timeline,instructionsfor proposal submission andselection criteria,is available at http://www opportunitiesinlouisiana com. It mayalsobe picked up between 9a.m and4 p.m. weekdays at theOffice of StatePark, CapitolAnnex, Third Floor,1051 NorthThird Street,Baton Rouge, LA, 70802. WrittenProposals must be received by StateParks at this ad‐dressnolater than 4:00 p.m. CT on Friday,Janu‐ary30, 2026. StateParks will continue itscommit‐

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againstthe said estate thatthe executrixhas madeapplication to the 24thJudicialDistrict Court of JeffersonParish for authoritytosellby private sale,the estate propertylocated at 23-25 St. Claude Ct., NewOr‐leans Louisiana, further described as “A CERTAIN PORTION OF GROUND,to‐getherwithall improve‐ments thereon, rights privileges, servitudes and appurtenances thereto belongingorin anyways appertaining situatedinthe 3rdDis‐trict,CityofNew Or‐leans,designatedaslots Y,sq. 336.” Anyobjections, re‐sponses or claims must be ﬁledwiththe 24thJu‐dicial District Courtwithin seven (7)daysofthe last publication of this notice 167091-NOV18-20-2T $66.20

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given thatthe Administratrix Carla Quintella,ofthe SuccessionofCarlEdwin Hooper,Docket46807 Div.A,20thJDC,has peti‐tionedfor authorityto sellthe followingde‐scribed property belong‐ing to thesaidsucces‐sionatprivate sale in ac‐cordancewiththe provi‐sions of La.C.C.P.art 3281, et seq.,onthe terms andconditionsset forth in said application: Those certainlotssitu‐atedinthe ThirdDistrict ofthe City of NewOr‐leans,inSquare686 and being Lot8 (30’ on Ben‐ton by depthof120’)and

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don’t miss don’t miss don’t miss

shuck cancer

Slurp some delicious bivalves for a good cause at 7 p.m. Thursday at Champions Square, when the American Cancer Society hosts its annual fundraiser with a variety of oysters to sample, dishes from local restaurants, live entertainment and a silent auction. Tickets start at $125. shuckcancer.org.

jingle bells and beer

“Just hear those sleigh bells ...” at 7 p.m. Saturday at City Park’s Carousel Gardens for rides, food, entertainment and a few brewskies to get the season in gear. The annual in-demand adult night under the stars features DJs, unlimited trips on the train and the Ladybug Roller Coaster — and the Carousel — with snacks and jingle-bell necklaces. Admission starts at $40. neworleanscitypark.org

holiday lighting

Ho, ho, hold it: It’s Christmas tree-lighting time at the Riverwalk Outlets at the foot of Canal Street on Spanish Plaza starting at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. With live music, sweet treats and photo ops with the jolly old elf himself, things will culminate with the lighting of all of downtown. riverwalkneworleans.com

don’t miss don’t miss don’t miss

tennessee williams

fest gala

From Bryan Batt to the Mudlark Puppeteers and the Delta Revues, the entertainment and fun for this event is rosy indeed. Marking the 75th anniversary of the debut of Williams’ “The Rose Tattoo,” the gala will feature a silent auction, Sicilian-inspired cuisine, tattoos, tarot readings and more at the Hotel Peter & Paul, 2317 Burgundy St., at 7 p.m. Thursday. Tickets start at $100. tennesseewilliams.net.

saturday

scrabble

East Bank Regional Library will host a trio of Scrabble board game events, including a tournament, school tournament and threegame newcomer event at 9 a.m. Saturday, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave. in Metairie. The North American Scrabble Players’ Association is a seven-game event with pre-registration required at cross-tables.com. Kids 8-13 can compete in pairs for the school tourney, and the newcomer event is open to anyone, with open play to follow. Clocks start at 9:30 a.m. jplibrary.net.

PiùMosso

sober fest

Head over to The Broadside at 600 N. Broad St. for the fourth annual Bridge House/Grace House day of music, food vendors and trucks, and a kids area with activities and more from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. There’s also merchandise (and nonalcoholic beverages) that help fund the work of the organizations. Tickets start at $10. bridgehouse.org.

ABOUT LAGNIAPPE

The Lagniappe section is published each Thursday by The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate. All inquiries about Lagniappe should be directed to the editor.

LAGNIAPPE EDITOR: Annette Sisco, asisco@theadvocate.com

COVER DESIGN: Cassandra Brown

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Victor Andrews, Doug MacCash, Justin Mitchell, Chelsea Shannon, Keith Spera

GET LISTED IN LAGNIAPPE

Submit events to Lagniappe at least two weeks in advance by sending an email to events@theadvocate.com.

ON THE COVER

Artist Ron Bechet’s exhibit ‘From the Storms of Our Souls,’ at the Contemporary Arts Center, includes enormous symbolic landscape drawings. Photo by Doug MacCash. Story on Page 6.

Baroque & Beethoven asoloharpsichord concertbyPaulMauffray featuringBach’sConcertoinF Minor arranged forharpsichord &Baroque organ Sunday,November 23 | 7:30 pm TheNew Marigny Theatre|2301 Marais Street SuggestedDonation:$20 (Students$10)

music music music

Keith Spera SOUND CHECK

This week’s live musicoptions in NewOrleans includea classical/hip-hopcollaboration andbevyoftribute shows throughThanksgiving Eve.

ATRIBUTE TO ARTNEVILLE &EDDIEBO

WEDNESDAY,TIPITINA’S

In what has become aThanksgivingEve tradition, Tipitina’swill host an allstar tribute to New Orleansmusic legends. Past tributes, all of themproduced by former Tipitina’sand HouseofBluestalent buyer Sonny Schneidau, have honoredIrma Thomas,Dr. John,AllenToussaint, Fats Domino and Huey “Piano”Smith,Professor Longhair andEarlKing.

This year’stribute, theseventh overall, salutestwo titans of the New Orleans piano tradition:the lateArt Neville andEddie Bo. The Neville portion of the show will focus onthe singles he released for Specialty Records. Bassist GeorgePorter Jr., whowas Neville’sbandmateinboththe Meters and the FunkyMeters, will once again serveasmusical director for the ThanksgivingEve show.Other scheduled performersinclude Cyril Neville, Ivan Neville, Deacon John, Jon Cleary,Ian Neville, Tony Hall, Stanton Moore, Jelly Joseph, River Eckert, MarilynBarbarin andAmelia Neville.

The all-star housebandbacking all thosefeatured artists includes David Torkanowsky,KyleRoussel, Chris Adkins, Terrence Houston, Tony Dagradi, Brad Walker,Tracy Grifﬁn, JeffAlbert,Phillip Manuel and Jolynda “Kiki” Chapman. Doors openat7 p.m.; the show startsat8.Ticketsare $60 plus fees; aportion of the proceeds beneﬁtsthe New OrleansMusicians Clinic.

MANNIE FRESHWITHTHE LPO FRIDAY,ORPHEUM THEATER

After successful collaborations with Big Freedia, theLouisiana Philharmonic Orchestra will share astage with another heavy hitter from theworld of NewOrleans rap on Friday: Mannie Fresh.

Freshwas the producer behind Cash Money Records’ million-selling albums in the 1990s and early 2000s by the likes of the Hot Boys, Lil Wayne, Juvenile, B.G. and the Big Tymers. He’s also apopular and proliﬁc deejay.

At theOrpheum Theater on Friday forhis ﬁrstever symphonic collaboration, he’ll be in deejay mode. He’llspin twosets of classic songs from multiple genres —funk, soul, R&B, rock and of course “Back That Azz Up”and other Cash Money favorites —accompanied by the LPO. Though Fresh will adhere to certain conventions of classical concerts —heplans to wear atux —hehopes attendees get up and dance. Tickets start at $50.

MannieFresh

ArtNeville

music music music

OTHERNOTEWORTHYSHOWS

THURSDAY

Guitarist Zack Feinberg of theRevivalists teams up with Paul McDonald at Chickie WahWah at 9p.m.Tickets are $25 plus fees.

Jazz-based guitarist Brian Seeger and multi-genre saxophonist Brad Walker lead aband at Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $30. Horace Trahan &Ossun Express are featured for Zydeco Night at Rock ‘n’Bowl ($17).

FRIDAY

The New Orleans Jazz&Blues Market emphasizes the “blues” in its name by presentingthe BloodBrothers for two nights. Blues-rock guitarists MikeZito and AlbertCastiglia releasedtheirjoint “Blood Brothers” album in 2023; it was co-produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith). Zito, Castiglia andtheir bandwillwailawayfor two-plus hours at the Jazz &Blues Market in Central City on both Friday and Saturday.On Friday,they’ll be joined by New Orleans guitarist Anders Osborne.Showtime is 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $20.

At Snug Harbor,jazz drummer Leon Anderson,who is originally from Shreveport and now teaches jazz studies at Florida State University,leadsa band that features trumpeter Steve Lands, saxophonist Ricardo Pascal,pianist Oscar Rossignoli and bassist AminaScott.Show times are at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $35.

The Wilder Blue bringsits Still In the Runnin’ Tour to Chickie WahWah, with ShelbyStone opening.Ticketsare $20 plus fees.

The Topcats cover hits frommultiple decades at Rock ‘n’ Bowl($12)

SATURDAY

Jagged Little Pill,anAlanis Morissette tribute band fronted bysinger Alexis Marceaux,plays asold-outshow at Tipitina’s.

The Blood Brothers,featuringbluesrock guitarists MikeZito and Albert Castiglia,are back at the New Orleans Jazz &Blues Market for their second consecutive night. On Saturday,they’ll be joined by NewOrleans blues harmonica player JohnnySansone.Show time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $17. Blues-based guitarist Chris Thomas King leads atrio at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m. and9:30 p.m.; tickets are $35. Nashville South cranks out “rockin’

country”atRock ‘n’Bowl. Tickets are $17.

Night Cap stops at Chickie WahWah as part ofthe It’sHappening Fall Tour Tickets are $18 plus fees.

SUNDAY

On Thanksgiving night in 1976, acclaimed roots rock band The Bandheld its farewell concert in San Francisco, ashow that passed into legend. New Orleansmusicians have proven to be especially adept at paying tribute to that show.Participants in Sunday’s “The Last WaltzNew Orleans” at the Civic Theatreinclude JonCleary, John “Papa” Gros, the Revivalists’ GeorgeGekas and Zack Feinberg, Billy Iuso, Eric Johanson, Louis Michot of theLost Bayou Ramblers, guitarist Jake Eckert and his son, pianist River Eckert, Mike Doussan andmore. Show time is 8p.m. Tickets are $38.

Saxophonist Brad Walker teams up with Galactic drummer Stanton Moore at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m.and 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $35.

The Brudi Brothers and the Wildmans are at Chickie WahWah. Tickets are $20 plus fees.

TUESDAY

Jazz guitarist Davy Mooney is back in town to lead aquintet at Snug Harbor

at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $30.

Catch King Yellowman at Chickie Wah Wah. Tickets are $30 plus fees.

WEDNESDAY

Thanksgiving Eve is always abig night for going out.

Fifty years after singer/guitarist Randy Jackson,bassist/keyboardist Felix Hanemann and drummer Guy Gelso formed thehard rock trio Zebra in New Orleans, theoriginal three are still crankingout “Tell Me What YouWant,” “The Lala Song,” “Take Your Fingers From My Hair” and other fan favorites. Zebra brings its50th anniversary tour to the Orpheum Theater on Thanksgiving Eve. Tickets start at $74.

Chickie WahWah hosts its Gram Parsons Thanksgiving Eve Celebration,anevening devoted tothe music of the cosmic countrypioneer and such afﬁliated artists as Emmylou Harris, The FlyingBurritoBrothers, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones and Linda Ronstadt.The house band for thetribute, The Sleepless Nights, is fronted by Rob Hudak and Gal Holiday Special guestsinclude RainyEyes, Layla Musselwhite, Lynn Drury, Morgon Orion, Jo Morris, Jordan Buckey,RobertEustis, Jonathan Tankel, the TemplemanFamily Singers, DJ Collin and more. Show time is 8p.m. Tickets are $18

plus fees.

Trombonist Delfeayo Marsalis &the Uptown Jazz Orchestra swing out at Snug Harbor at 7:30 p.m.and 9:30 p.m.Tickets are $45.

Local pop-punk band Neutral Snap hosts the third annual “Turkey Stuffer” at Rock ‘n’ Bowl; tickets are $17.

Blues-based guitarist MikeZito

RandyJackson of Zebra

FORMIDABLE AND FLEETING

Artist Ron Bechet drew directlyonthe wall

partofBechet’sexhibit‘From theStorms ofOur Souls.’

NewOrleans artist’s gigantic drawings at theCAC are aknockout, butthe biggestwillbepainted over

awings are usually humble. Theycan be quick, chy,disposable. Alot of times, drawingsare thesmall minary plans for larger,more permanent paintings or pture tnot Xavier University professor Ron Bechet’sdrawwhich are being featured at New Orleans’ContempoArts Center,900 Camp St., throughNovember. age 69, Bechet has produced asuite ofﬁerce, physicharcoal drawings that are as big asbed sheets,asbig as garage doors, and —inone case —asbig as abillboard. The huge, gritty drawings are displayed in araw state, held to thewall with pushpins. Or in one case, scrawled directly on the wall.

Doug cCash

Over the past decades, Bechet has quietly become one of the most inﬂuential artists in New Orleans,helping generations of college students become artists. Now he’scapped his career with atour de force osion of charcoal, placing himself right besideWillie h andthe lateGeorge Dureau as oneofthe all-time mpionsofthismost primary art form.

eshow is titled “From the Storms ofOur Souls,” and ubject matter is the Louisiana landscape. This is the Louisiana landscape of tangled vines,age-old tree ks, fallen timber and brambles, familiar to anyone swanderedthe less-than-picturesquewild spots of egion.

nue foremotion

chet’simages are close-up, claustrophobic andchaLooking at his big, ominous drawings makesyou feel lelike Hansel and Gretelmust havefelt.

rch describedBechet’scurrent exhibit as “amonster.” het’s “trees, roots and limbs are metaphors forhow he nes the human experience,” he said. chet projects acalm demeanor,Birch said,but his k is an avenue for his emotion. “If youlook long gh, you see that what’sunderneath isreal strength, e anger,some deﬁance,” he said. ere and there amid the scrub brush, youmight pick vague human form, but Bechet sayshe’snot really r ahide-and-seek anatomical effect. Allowing spectral es to ariseisjust an aspect of his drawing method. wers of his drawings sometimessee anatomywhere e is no anatomy, Bechet said duringa recent tourof how. He doesn’tcorrect them. tting the drawings do whatever they’regoing to do is ryimprovisational attitude. Not surprising perhaps, ideringthatBechet’sgreat-uncle was jazzpioneer eyBechet.

aybe the most mysterious element inBechet’sbig wings arethe subtle lines and grids thatspread across usy,bold landscapes. To the literal-mindedamong us,

Strangehovering lines cross many of RonBechet’slarge landscape drawings, symbolizingancestral connections. Bechet’s exhibit ‘From the Storms of OurSouls’ is on display at the Contemporary Arts Center

theymightbethe remnants of rusty wire fences, fallen telephone wires or somesuch. But Bechet said they’re more than that.

Designwise, the straight horizontal and vertical lines anchor the maelstrom of charcoal marks around them.And they also have ametaphysical purpose. Bechet’sthroughlinesare like life’slatitudes, traveling straight across his energetic scenes, but always symbolically returning to wherethey began.

Bechet said thatone way or another,those lines lead to his forebears. “I understand who Iamthrough my grandparents,” he explained, pointing to aline that encircles his largestdrawing.

Mentoringyounger artists

Jamar Pierre, awell-known New Orleans muralist, said that Bechetisexpressing identitythrough his landscapes, but it’ssubtle, subliminal even. “He uses nature to communicate with our ancestors,” Pierre said.

Bechet wasone of Pierre’s instructors at SUNO in the 1990s. “He believed in me before Ibelieved in myself,” Pierre said. Bechet taught the young artist that great artworkshave multiple facets, even politically pointed art doesn’tnecessarily have to“slap you in the face.”

“He said, you can have aesthetics and mechanics, and makesomething beautiful, but also meaningfulunderneath,”Pierre said.

Bechet’s only explicit statement in the exhibit is aquote by author and Civil Rights activist James Baldwin that encourages us to “confront withpassion theconundrum of life.”

“If you look long enough, you see that what’sunderneath is real strength, some anger,deﬁance.”

WILLIEBIRCH ON RONBECHET’S WORK

Earlyworks

Bechet’s life began in the7th Ward. He went to high school at Brother Martin, wherehis artistic leanings began to emerge. Afootballscholarship—Bechet wasa center—took him to MississippiState University, but after a year,hetransferred to UNO,whichwas renownedfor its art department. UNO wasaspringboardtoYale, which he said was amind-blowing experience forsomeonefrom Pauger Street.

Back in New Orleans, Bechet was mentored by thelate, great teacher andabstractionistJohnScott as he took teaching positions at Delgado CommunityCollege, Southern UniversityNew Orleansand eventually Xavier. He’s a husband and father of two.

The masterpiece among themanyinthe showisa mural titled“ListeningThrough My Fears,For My Sons,”drawn directly onto the wall of theContemporaryArtsCenter’s unique oval gallery.Atﬁrst, Bechet said, he plannedto draw as far up thewallashecould reach.Whenthe CAC management noticed that he’d increased his range by teetering on aladder,they provided asturdy scissors lift.

Then,Bechet was off to theraces, creating trees and tangled foliage that reach farabove thegallery ﬂoor.In his weeks of work, asmall drift of charcoal dust piledup along the perimeter of the room.Tostandinthe middle of the oval mural is to be surrounded andswept up in his subliminal landscapes.

In away,Bechet’sgreat charcoal mural is like grafﬁti. Not just because it’srendered directlyonthe wall, but because it can’tlast forever.Eventually,this landmark artwork —has there ever been abiggercharcoal drawing in the city? —will have to be painted over to make room for future shows.

Bechet and some fellowartists plantogive it aproper send-off from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Nov. 22 by drawing over it and otherwise altering it,tothe accompaniment of live music.Itwill be an artisticmoment nottomiss.

“From the Storms of OurSouls: The ArtofRon Bechet” continues through Nov.22atthe ContemporaryArtsCenter, 900 CampSt., open daily from 11 a.m. to 5p.m., except Tuesdays. Admission is $20, or $16 forseniors andcollege students. Visit itswebsite formore information.

Email Doug MacCash at dmaccash@theadvocate. com.

food food food

Pick up Thanksgiving to go

Restaurantsoffer holidaycatering—fried turkey,uniquesides,more

Thanksgivingmenus become the priority in many households. But restaurants across New Orleans would like to help with the cooking Instead of spending hours shopping and crafting theperfect dish, restaurants will do that work for you. All that’s required is apreorder, payment and pickup on thedate you select.

From full feaststosides todesserts, there are plenty of options to supplementfamilytraditionsand make the holiday alittle less stressful. Below is arundown of some of the New Orleans restaurants offering tohelp with the cooking this Thanksgiving.

Bodega

3633 Annunciation St.

Bodega New Orleansisoffering sides like honey jalapeno cornbread, roasted delicata squash, mashed sweet potatoes, garlicky green beans and more, priced from $12 to $40. They will also be selling take-and-bake turkeys for $75.

Ordering method: Online

LUFU NOLA

301 St. Charles Ave.

Menuhighlights: LUFU NOLA will be making aThanksgiving feast with Indian ﬂavors. The star of the menu is atandoori turkey withgarlic naan andmakhani sauce, priced at $70. The restaurant also offers sides of butter sauce mac &cheese, okra masala, peri-peri mashed potatoes and more, priced from $4 to $7. The full menu is available on the restaurant’s Instagram.

Ordering method: Call (504) 354-1102

McHardy’sChicken andFixin’

1458 Broad St.

McHardy’sisdeep-fryingturkeys for those wanting that extracrisp. The birds cost $94.35 if paying cash and $97.75 if paying with acard.

Aturkeyispulled from the fryeratMcHardy’sChicken &Fixin’ in NewOrleans. The birds startat$94.35.

Orderingmethod: Call (504) 949-0000

Cochon Butcher

930 Tchoupitoulas St. Suite B

Cochon Butcher is serving up hors d’oeuvres, sides, holiday meats,sweets andbeverages. The menuranges from pimentosandwiches to boudin-stuffed turkeys.

Orderingmethod: Online

La Boulangerie

4600 Magazine St.

La Boulangerie is focusing on desserts and starters for Thanksgiving. Some highlights include: brie baked in apuff pastry, butternut squash soup, pecanpie, pumpkinpie and salted caramel doberge.

Orderingmethod: Online

Four Seasons

2Canal St.

The FourSeasons is offering a$395 feast for four.Itincludes a10- to 14-pound turkey,mashed potatoes, roasted heirloom carrots, Brussels sprouts, cornbread stufﬁng, housemade cranberry sauce, turkey gravy, bread rolls, and the choice of pecan or pumpkin pie.

Ordering method: Online

Gris-GristoGoGo

1804 Magazine St.

Gris-Gris to Go Go is offering sides that serve 10 to 12 guests, desserts and holiday cocktails. Someofthe options available include baked macaroni pie with red gravy,bacon braised collard

greens and chicken, andouille gumbo. The full menucan be found on GrisGris’ Instagram.

Ordering method: Call (504) 354-1520

WillaJean

611 O’Keefe Ave.

Willa Jean’sbiscuit-loving fans can get ahalf dozen fortheir Thanksgiving meal in addition to sides, turkey breast and an assortment of pies. Someofthe sides include three-cheese mac and cheese, green bean casserole, spinach madeline, and cornbread andouille stufﬁng.

Ordering method: Online

Copeland’s

Multiple locations

With Copelands, orders can be built

STAFF FILE PHOTOByCHRISGRANGER

Chelsea Shannon

Ayu Bakehouse’s apple pie comes with a flourless toasted oat cookie crumble.

of individual items — oyster dressing, creamed spinach, crawﬁsh pasta or eggplant pirogue — or centered around one of the restaurant’s feast packages that feeds 6-8 for $168. The feast includes hot or cold turkey, the whole bird or just the breast.

Ordering method: Online

Ayu Bakehouse

801 Frenchmen St.

Ayu Bakehouse is sticking to what it does best: baked goods and pastries. For pies, this year there are apple crumble, chai spice and bourbon bar nut. They have also crafted some seasonal mallows that, when added to a hot mug of milk, create a hot chocolate with either coquito or apple cider ﬂavors or just the original chocolate

Ordering method: Online

Cafe Reconcile

1631 Oretha Castle Hayley Blvd.

Whether it’s a side of collard greens or smoke-stuffed pork loin, the young adults in training at Cafe Reconcile are whipping up myriad dishes for Thanksgiving. Some of the highlights include, butternut-crawﬁsh bisque, seafood-stuffed bell peppers, roasted turkey breast, sweet potato crumble, smothered cabbage and bananas foster bread pudding.

Ordering method: Online

Central City BBQ

1201 Rampart St.

Central City BBQ is smoking whole turkeys for $125 and selling breast meat for $26 per pound. The bar-

Stormy Daniels to talk life and ‘scandal’ at Nov. 23 event events events events

BY JUSTIN MITCHELL Staff writer

She’s an adult ﬁlm star, performer and was once embroiled in a hush money trial involving President Donald Trump. Now, Stormy Daniels is taking center stage in New Orleans for a night of comedy and “scandal.”

Daniels, 46, will perform a stand-up set at Siberia Lounge in the Marigny on Nov. 23.

“From life to career to scandal, it is all the things you want to know … and some you may wish you didn’t!” the Instagram advertisement for the event reads.

tion, to keep quiet about a 2006 sexual encounter Trump said he never had sex with Daniels, but Daniel’s testimony helped lead to Trump being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records. The U.S. government is now trying to get conviction tossed.

Daniels is performing at a few small clubs across the U.S. before she embarks on a theater tour, Siberia said. Last year, she performed to sold-out audience at the AllWays Lounge.

Then, fans brought Daniels prayer candles inscribed with “Patron Saint of Indictments” to the show and referred to the adult ﬁlm star as “our Monica Lewinsky.”

becue spot is also offering sides of sweet corn spoon bread, bacon mac and cheese, dirty rice and Brussels sprouts. Banana bread pudding is also an option.

Ordering method: Call (504) 4274335 or email catering@centralciybbq.com

Le Petit Bleu

1427 Washington Ave.

The new concept by Commander’s Palace, Le Petit Bleu, is accepting orders for four-person Thanksgiving feasts and individual items to build a feast. Some of the menu items include smoked tasso and andouille stufﬁng, molasses and sea salt whipped sweet potatoes, cognac turkey gravy, turtle soup and herb butter-injected sliced turkey.

Ordering method: Online

The Country Club

634 Louisa St.

Thanksgiving meals from the Country Club can serve up to 12 people for $456. The meal includes sliced turkey, gravy dressing, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin cheesecake with two additional sides. There are also meal packages for eight and four people at $304 and $152, respectively The restaurant is also offering sides, desserts and libations that can be ordered individually

Ordering method: Online

Did we miss your restaurant? Email Chelsea Shannon, cshannon@ theadvocate.com, to get it added.

The Baton Rouge native was a key ﬁgure in Trump’s hush money trial where she testiﬁed she was paid $130,000 in 2016, ahead of the presidential elec-

Tickets for the show are on sale for $25. Email Justin Mitchell at justin. mitchell@theadvocate.com.

PROVIDED PHOTO By JAMES COLLIER

stages stages stages

Ushering in holidayhappenings

Good tidings come toand from local theaters thisweek as holiday happenings get closer and closer.

A‘carol’ foranother Christmas

Fans of Crescent City Stage will get the chancetodelve into Dickens on Dec. 11 when the local acting company stages aone-night-only reading of the popular “A Christmas Carol” adaptation by PatrickBarlow.

“While not our previously planned full production, this is achance to still gather and celebrate the holidays together,and at the same time, invest in the future of professionaltheater in New Orleans,” said Crescent City Stages’ Scrooge, Michael A. Newcomer

“Weare beyond thrilled to share this story at The Josephine and to support the artists and programs that we have become known for,”noted the producing executive director.

For two seasons, the company has presented the classicyuletide tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and ahost of other characters played by fourprofessional actors.

The reading will include Erin Cessna, Eleanor Frederic-Humphrey, Ryan Reilly and Jarrod Smith. Elizabeth Elkins Newcomer will direct, and the projections, an integral part of the production, will bedesignedby James Lanius.

The Josephine, at 2400 Napoleon Ave., will be the spot forthe reading and will include acash bar,small bites and apost-show celebration with the cast.

Tickets, which will help fund Crescent City’sseason and studio programming, start at $54. Visitcrescentcitystage.com

‘Not acreaturewas stirring’

What happens when Santa misses a mouse’shouse?

Find out when Playmakers Theater puts the daze in holidays for “’Twas theNight Before Christmas” running Nov.29toDec. 14 at theCovington playhouse.

Crescent City Stage’s‘AChristmas Carol’features Michael Newcomer as Scrooge(in white) with, from left, Ryan Reilly,LeBaron Thornton and EleanorHumphrey. This year,the local company will offer areading of the playone night at the Josephine.

The story involves amouse, an elf and alittle girl who won’ttake no for an answer,writtenbyKen Lugwig and directedbyShelley Meier

Taking part in the show areTom Hassinger,Solie Meier,Brook Wortmann, Harper Jarrell, Olivia Mejia, Derek Thrush and Ken Richard.

“The showishilarious and charming,” said Meier.“It has all the feelgood Christmas spirit withsomeunexpected rap battles, adaring sword ﬁght and mistaken identities. Shakespeare himself would be proud of this production.”

The show runs at 7:30 p.m.Fridays and Saturdays and 2p.m.Sundays at

19106 Playmakers Road, Covington. Ticketsstart at $23. Visit playmakersinc.com.

On stagethisweek

“THESQUIRRELS”: 7:30 p.m.Thursday; Lupin Theatre, 150 Dixon Hall Annex, Newcomb Circle. Tulane University stagesRobert Askins’ “animal kingdom soap opera” about afamily of gray squirrels feuding withaband of fox squirrels in this satire

Ticketsstart at $10 at purplepass. com/tulanetd.

Email Victor Andrews at vandrews@ theadvocate.com.

Tulane’sproduction of ‘The Squirrels.’

PROVIDED PHOTO

PROVIDED PHOTOByJERILEE DORRIS John Habaley and TrinaBeck appear in

Victor Andrews

‘Running Man’ a satire sprinting at full speed

BY KATIE WALSH Tribune News Service (TNS)

Why walk when you can run? The second Stephen King adaptation about a contest to the death for a large cash prize has hit theaters this fall — Edgar Wright’s take on “The Running Man,” which was published in 1982 under King’s pen name Richard Bachman. Also included in the 1985 collection “The Bachman Books” is “The Long Walk,” about a group of teenage boys taking part in a televised walk or die competition. That grim ﬁlm adaptation, directed by Francis Lawrence, of “The Hunger Games,” debuted in September, but hot on their heels comes our man on the run, breathless, brutal and bloody

It’s in fact his second lap. In 1987, Paul Michael Glaser directed a version of this dystopian media satire starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, set in 2017, but Wright’s version, written with Michael Bacall, and set in 2025 (as the book is), hews much closer to the novel than Glaser’s ﬁlm. A beefedup Glen Powell plays Ben Richards, a desperate man who has been blacklisted from his job after informing a union rep about radiation exposure in his workplace, and now has no choice but to audition for a dangerous game show while trying to protect and provide for his wife (Jayme Lawson) and sick daughter, Cathy.

The most popular program of the state-run media, “The Running Man” TV show is produced by devious executive Killian (Josh Brolin) and hosted by smarmy showman Bobby T (Colman Domingo). The contest is a 30-day affair in which three contestants have to try to outrun, outlast and evade a team of murderous Hunters, led by the masked McCone (Lee Pace) They become enemies of the state, with citizens encouraged to report any sightings, hunted on all sides while mailing videotapes every day. While his compatriots, the hedonistic Laughlin (Katy O’Brian, Powell’s former “Twisters” teammate) and hapless Jansky (Martin Herlihy) are obvious chum, Ben’s physical skills, honed on the job, and righteous anger,

More than 40 years ago, Stephen King wrote a story about a deadly game show playing out in a dystopian world in the year 2025. Now, ‘The Running Man’ is heading to the big screen with the help of Edgar Wright. Expect action-packed material and food for thought.

instilled in him by the injustices of the fascist authoritarian government the Network, make him an ideal candidate for “The Running Man.” Ben is mad as hell and he’s not going to take it anymore.

Let’s be honest: it is deeply ironic that Wright’s “The Running Man” is among the first of Paramount’s high-profile film releases under the ownership of David Ellison, the scion of a tech billionaire who embraces right-wing politics and is seeking to create his own media monopoly, contemplating a purchase of Warner

Bros. too. Wright and Bacall’s script is utterly savage in its critique of a fascist state media that turns broadcast bloodshed into propaganda in order to keep poor people at each other’s throats and away from the guillotine. The messaging isn’t subtle or even nuanced as it illustrates how these exploitative game shows disrupt class solidarity by villainizing participants, and that the other television offerings, like a Kardashians-style show called “The Americanos” is an opiate for the masses that only leaves them wanting more.

‘THE RUNNING MAN’ HHH

MPA rating: R (for strong violence, some gore, and language)

Running time: 2:13

How to watch: In theaters

From storytelling to style, “The Running Man” delivers with a sledgehammer, not a scalpel. Both Wright and Powell are grittier, meaner, more unhinged than we’ve seen from a ﬁlmmaker and star known for their cheeky charm. At times it does feel as though both are posturing at toughness, teeth bared, but it’s fun to see them go just a little mad sometimes.

For Powell’s Ben, his motivations are rooted in family, which is more emotional than Schwarzenegger’s performance, and more suited to Powell’s natural screen abilities — he’s less murdering machine than Schwarzenegger, more (shockingly ripped) sad dad. Ben might be a little slow on his awakening about how he’s being manipulated in the game, but he ﬁgures it out soon enough.

Wright’s own agenda is made manifest with every helper that Ben ﬁnds along his journey — from an old friend (William H. Macy), who helps him gear up for the quest, to an underground activist in Boston, to a radical organizer in Maine (Michael Cera) — Wright makes an argument for the importance of physical media, an ofﬂine technology that doesn’t “watch you back” in the Network’s surveillance state, and for media literacy, to understand the video manipulation that the Network engages in to misrepresent the contestants on “The Running Man.” Their tools of liberation are public access TV shows, VHS tapes and photocopied zines.

Wright makes the argument that in such a dystopian, fascist state, there are only a few things that will save us: class solidarity, physical media and literacy. It’s a powerful and potent message that cuts through any and all of the bombastic busyness of “The Running Man.” The only question that remains is: has David Ellison watched the movie his studio is releasing? It could be vastly illuminating.

TNS PHOTO By ROSS FERGUSON