The Times-Picayune 12-23-2025

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T u e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 23, 2025

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Landry to press Greenland to join U.S. Legal, diplomacy questions raised as governor accepts Trump appointment

BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer

WASHINGTON — Gov. Jeff Landry abruptly found himself in the center of controversy — internationally and at home in Louisiana — after President Donald Trump named him a special envoy to Greenland

in a Truth Social post late Sunday night.

Landry said on social media that he is happy to accept the “volunteer” post and help Trump “make Greenland part of the U.S.” That idea has enraged Danish and Greenlandic officials, who summoned the U.S. ambassador to ex-

plain the situation.

Landry also promised that he would remain Louisiana’s governor, which raised questions about a state law that restricts elected officials from holding two offices at the same Landry time.

The White House did not respond to questions about what a voluntary special envoy would actually do.

Landry’s office had no further information than what the governor

said in a short video Monday afternoon.

Landry outlined what he thought the special envoy role would entail in the video posted on social media.

Landry recounted a conversation with Trump about becoming the first special envoy to Greenland, which is a part of Denmark, a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization — the mutual defense pact to which the U.S. is a member.

“The president said, ‘You know what, you went to Korea one time and came back with a steel mill.

Could you go to Greenland and talk to them about the opportunity of being a part of the United States?’”

Landry said in the video, posted on X. “All we’re going to do is go have us a great conversation with those folks in Greenland. They’re in the Western Hemisphere — fits inside the Monroe Doctrine. And we’re

ä See LANDRY, page 3A

Covington oil and gas company sells for $3.2 billion

‘A HIDDEN GEM’

LLOG to continue operating in the Gulf for British energy firm

BY ANTHONY McAULEY Staff writer

STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER

Tiffany Moll, assistant principal at Laureate Academy Charter School in Harvey, recently monitors the hallway. ‘We want kids to come here and feel safe and have a learning environment that is calm, focused,’ she said.

After years of receiving average ratings, West Bank charter school’s future is brighter than ever

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

Laureate Academy Head of School Claire HeckermanWhitehead took a brief break from her busy schedule on a recent morning. As a line of kindergarteners filed down an outdoor walkway, she greeted each child and doled out hugs when asked.

A few minutes later, she spot-

ted a straggler lugging a clear backpack nearly half his size.

“Do you know where your class is?” asked Heckerman, who was wearing a school sweatshirt, blue jeans and black Converse high-tops. “Let’s walk there together.”

For Heckerman, a former teacher who founded the West Bank charter

Kennedy Bolton, 9, and Ariané Walker, 9, explain what they are leaning in their fourth grade humanities class at Laureate. The charter school improved its state rating this year by nearly 13 points to 73 out of a possible 150 — ä See CHARTER, page 4A its largest jump since its founding in 2015.

A major British energy producer has agreed to buy Covington-based LLOG Exploration Co. in a $3.2 billion deal that brings one of the Gulf’s most prominent privately held oil operators under foreign ownership and cements Louisiana’s role as a hub for deepwater energy expertise.

London-headquartered Harbour Energy said Monday it will acquire LLOG from its owners in a transaction combining $2.7 billion in cash and $500 million in Harbour shares. The deal, expected to close in the first quarter of 2026 pending regulatory approvals, marks Harbour’s entry into the Gulf and makes LLOG the foundation of its new American business unit.

LLOG, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Covington, is widely regarded as one of the most successful deepwater exploration and production companies operating in federal waters off Louisiana. The company has been a prolific developer of deepwater oil fields over the past two decades.

Under the agreement, LLOG will continue operating with its existing name and leadership team, and with its Covington headquarters remaining intact. Chief Executive Philip LeJeune is expected to continue leading the company following the sale.

“We are proud to build on LLOG’s strong heritage in the Gulf,” Harbour CEO Linda Cook said in a statement, adding that the company plans to pre-

ä See LLOG, page 4A

VENEZUELA

Trump warns Maduro against playing ‘tough’

BY AAMER MADHANI, REGINA GARCIA CANO and EMMA BURROWS

Associated Press

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President Donald Trump on Monday delivered a new warning to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as the U.S. Coast Guard steps up efforts to interdict oil tankers in the Caribbean Sea as part of the

WEATHER HIGH 76 LOW 60 PAGE 6B

Republican administration’s escalating pressure campaign on the government in Caracas.

Trump was surrounded by his top national security aides, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as he suggested that he remains ready to further escalate his four-month pressure campaign on the Maduro government that began with the stated

ä President unveils plans for Navy ‘Golden Fleet.’

purpose of stemming the flow of illegal drugs from the South PAGE 7A American nation but has developed into something more amorphous.

“If he wants to do something, if he plays tough, it’ll be the last time he’ll ever be able to play

tough,” Trump said of Maduro as he took a break from his Florida holiday vacation to announce plans for the Navy to build a new, large warship.

Trump levied his latest threat as the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday continued for a second day to chase a sanctioned oil tanker that the Trump administration

ä See MADURO, page 3A

Business ......................6A Deaths .........................3B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................7D Living............................1D Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

LLOG, founded in 1977 and headquartered in Covington, is widely regarded as one of the most successful deepwater exploration and production companies operating in federal waters off Louisiana.

13TH yEAR, NO. 133

2A ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

Zelenskyy: Peace talk progress ‘quite solid’

KYIV, Ukraine — Initial drafts of U.S. proposals for a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia meet many of Kyiv’s demands, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday, although he suggested that neither side in the almost four-year war is likely to get everything it wants in talks on reaching a settlement.

“Overall, it looks quite solid at this stage,” the Ukrainian leader said of recent talks with U.S. officials who are trying to steer the neighboring countries toward compromises.

“There are some things we are probably not ready for, and I’m sure there are things the Russians are not ready for either,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.

President Donald Trump has for months been pushing for a peace agreement. However, the negotiations have run into sharply conflicting demands from Moscow and Kyiv. But U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said Sunday he held “productive and constructive” talks in Florida with Ukrainian and European representatives.

Zelenskyy said that “nearly 90%” of Ukraine’s demands have been incorporated into the draft agreements.

The backbone of the proposed deal is a 20-point plan, he said.

There is also a framework document on security guarantees between Ukraine, European countries, and the United States, as well as a separate document on bilateral security guarantees granted to Ukraine by the U.S.

Pope critiques Vatican culture in greeting

ROME — Pope Leo XIV urged Vatican cardinals on Monday to put their ambitions of power and personal interests aside, as he followed in Pope Francis’ footsteps and used a Christmas greeting to gently criticize his closest collaborators.

“Is it possible to be friends in the Roman Curia?” Leo asked the cardinals and bishops who make up the Curia, as the Holy See bureaucracy is known. “To have relationships of genuine fraternal friendship?”

The fact that Leo asked the question suggests that the American pope knows well that the Curia remains a difficult and sometimes toxic workplace, one that Francis would often eviscerate in his annual Christmas addresses.

Leo didn’t repeat Francis’ more biting critique — that Vatican clergy sometimes suffer from “spiritual Alzheimer’s,” the “cancer” of cliques, the “corruption” of ambition and “selfabsorbed” idle gossip — and his tone was far more gentle and constructive.

But the underlying message remained. Leo, who was very close to Francis and worked in the Vatican for two years before his election, didn’t shy away from Francis’ tradition of using the Christmas occasion to urge Vatican bureaucrats to examine their consciences and change their ways for the good of the church.

Barry Manilow to have lung cancer surgery

Barry Manilow will be having surgery to remove a cancerous spot on his lung and will reschedule his January concerts, the singer announced Monday.

Manilow, 82, said doctors found the cancer after he had an extended bout of bronchitis — six weeks, then a relapse of another five weeks.

“My wonderful doctor ordered an MRI just to make sure that everything was OK,” Manilow wrote on Instagram. “The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed. It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”

The singer added that doctors don’t believe cancer has spread, so for now he expects “No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and ‘I Love Lucy’ reruns.”

A statement issued by Manilow’s representatives specified that the spot was a stage one tumor, and that the surgery would take place in late December.

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Judge chides Maxwell over filing Epstein confidant mentioned victim names in court papers, official says

BY MICHAEL R. SISAK and LARRY NEUMEISTER

Associated Press

NEW YORK — A judge on Monday scolded Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell for including confidential victim names in court papers seeking to set aside her 2021 sex trafficking conviction and free her from a 20-year prison sentence.

Judge Paul A. Engelmayer said exhibits included with Maxwell’s habeas petition — which she filed on her own, without a lawyer — will be kept under seal and out of public view “until they have been reviewed and appropriately redacted to protect the identities of victims.”

Any future papers Maxwell files must be submitted under seal, the

judge wrote.

He said he “reminds Maxwell, in strong terms, that she is prohibited from including in any public filings any information identifying victim(s) who were not publicly identified by name during her trial.”

A message seeking comment was left with Maxwell’s lawyer, David Markus.

Maxwell filed the petition last Wednesday, two days before the Justice Department started releasing investigative records perMaxwell taining to her and Epstein in accordance with the recently enacted Epstein Files Transparency Act. Maxwell contends that information that would have resulted in her exoneration was withheld and that false testimony was presented to the jury. She said the cumulative effect of the constitutional violations resulted in a “complete mis-

carriage of justice.”

Engelmayer said Maxwell has until Feb. 17 to notify him whether she plans to include any information from the so-called Epstein files in her petition and must file an amended version by March 31.

Protecting victim identifies has been a key sticking point in the Justice Department’s ongoing release.

The department has said it plans to release records on a rolling basis by the end of the year, blaming the delay on the time-consuming process of obscuring victims’ names and other identifying information. So far, the department hasn’t given any notice when new records arrive.

That approach angered some accusers and members of Congress who fought to pass the transparency act. Records that were released, including photographs, interview transcripts, call logs, court records and other documents, were either already public or heavily blacked out, and many lacked necessary context.

The Senate’s top Democrat on Monday urged colleagues to take legal action over the incremental and heavily redacted release.

Minority Leader Chuck Schumer introduced a resolution that, if passed, would direct the Senate to file or join lawsuits aimed at forcing the Justice Department to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law enacted last month that required disclosure of records by last Friday.

“Instead of transparency, the Trump administration released a tiny fraction of the files and blacked out massive portions of what little they provided,” Schumer, D-N.Y. said in a statement. “This is a blatant cover-up.”

In lieu of Republican support, Schumer’s resolution is largely symbolic. The Senate is off until Jan. 5, more than two weeks after the deadline. Even then, it’ll likely face an uphill battle for passage.

But it allows Democrats to continue a pressure campaign for disclosure that Republicans had hoped to put behind them.

Judge: Abrego Garcia can stay free for now

BY GARY FIELDS and TRAVIS LOLLER Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRES PHOTO By VASHA HUNT

People arrive Monday for a funeral service for Brown University shooting victim Ella Cook in Birmingham, Ala.

Brown University police chief placed on leave

Paxson said downtown Birmingham, Feds launch Christina Rodney Chatman will be Alabama, on Monday to

by Hugh T. Cle- remember Ella Cook, a investigation into replaced ments, former police chief Brown sophomore who of the Providence Police was killed in the attack. fatal shooting Department.

On Dec. 13, gunman Chatman had

BY KIMBERLEE KRUESI and JEFF AMY Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Brown University’s president on Monday placed its campus police chief on leave as the Rhode Island university reviews its security policies after a gunman killed two students and injured nine others earlier this month.

Questions surrounding Brown’s security policies have only intensified since the Dec. 13 shooting that rocked the Providence community and led to a lengthy search for the killer. Much of the focus has centered on whether the Ivy League school had security cameras installed in the building where the attack took place in and the overall ease of accessing campus buildings.

University President

previously faced a vote of no confidence by the union representing school police officers in October. Local media outlets reported at the time that the union said the vote reflected “serious concerns over the failed leadership, contract violations, and policies that jeopardize public safety.”

The scrutiny over the school’s security has led to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education, which said earlier Monday that officials are asking Brown for information to help determine if school officials violated federal campus safety and security requirements. This has included seeking security reports, audits, dispatch and call logs, and when emergency notifications have been utilized.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered at the Cathedral Church of the Advent in

Claudio Neves Valente, 48, entered a study session in a Brown academic building and opened fire on students, killing Cook and 18-year-old freshman MukhammadAziz Umurzokov and wounding nine others.

Two days later, authorities say Neves Valente, who had been a graduate student at Brown studying physics during the 200001 school year, also fatally shot Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor Nuno F.G. Loureiro at Loureiro’s Boston-area home.

Neves Valente, who had attended school with Loureiro in Portugal in the 1990s, was found dead days later in a New Hampshire storage facility.

Authorities say he killed himself. An autopsy determined that Neves Valente died Dec. 16, the same day Loureiro died in a hospital.

Flash flooding in California leads to soaked roads, rescues, 1 death

BY NOAH BERGER and TRÂN NGUYEN

Associated Press

REDDING, Calif. — Heavy rain and flash flooding soaked roads in northern California, leading to water rescues from vehicles and homes and at least one confirmed death, authorities said Monday.

In Redding, a city at the northern end of California’s Central Valley, one motorist died after calling 911 while trapped in their vehicle as it filled up with water, Mayor Mike Littau posted online Monday.

Police said they received numerous calls for drivers

stranded in flooded areas.

“Redding police officer swam out into the water, broke the windows and pulled victim to shore. CPR was done but the person did not live,” Littau wrote.

The Redding area saw between 3 and 6 inches of rain from Saturday through Sunday night, the National Weather Service said.

As scattered showers lingered into Monday, some local roads remained flooded as street crews worked to clear debris and tow abandoned cars.

Dekoda Cruz waded in knee-deep muddy water to check on a friend’s flooded tire business, where the

office was littered with a jumble of furniture and bobbing tires.

Redding’s mayor warned of even more dangerous weather in the coming days, and the city distributed free sand bags to residents in preparation for the next storm.

The National Weather Service expects rain through the Christmas week as a series of atmospheric rivers was forecast to make its way through Northern California. A large swath of the Sacramento Valley and surrounding areas were under a flood watch through Friday.

GREENBELT, Md. — A federal judge on Monday questioned whether government officials could be trusted to follow orders barring them from taking Kilmar Abrego Garcia into immigration custody or deporting him.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis noted that Abrego Garcia was already deported without legal authority once and said she was “growing beyond impatient” with government misrepresentations in her court. “Why should I give the respondents the benefit of the doubt?” she asked, referring to the government attorneys.

Abrego Garcia’s mistaken deportation and imprisonment in El Salvador in March has galvanized both sides of the immigration debate. The Trump administration initially fought efforts to bring him back to the U.S. but eventually complied after the U.S. Supreme Court weighed in. He returned to the U.S. in June,

only to face an arrest warrant on human smuggling charges in Tennessee.

Xinis ordered Abrego Garcia released from immigration custody on Dec. 11 after determining that the government had no viable plan for deporting him. She followed that with a temporary restraining order the next day barring Immigration and Customs Enforcement from immediately taking him back into custody. The Monday hearing was to determine if the temporary restraining order should be dissolved.

The hearing was a glimpse into the complexity of immigration proceedings as Xinis tried to get information on the status of Abrego Garcia’s case. “I am trying to get to the bottom of whether there are going to be any removal proceedings,” she said as she questioned the government’s lawyer. “You haven’t told me what you’re going to do next.”

Xinis said she would leave the restraining order in place for now while she considers the issue.

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The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 3A

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LANDRY

Continued from page 1A going to bring them some great Cajun food.”

President James Monroe in 1823 established a doctrine that the U.S. wouldn’t meddle in European affairs and Europe’s powers would stay out of North and South America.

The governor was at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Sunday, according to Shane Guidry, a New Orleans businessman who is a close confidant and adviser to Landry.

What is Landry’s role?

It is not immediately clear what exactly Landry’s responsibilities as special envoy would entail. And that has some in Louisiana wondering about the legality of dual officeholding under state law.

The relevant law says that, with few exceptions, “no person holding an elective office, appointive office, or employment in any of the branches of state government or of a political subdivision thereof shall at the same time hold another elective office, appointive office, or employment in the government of a foreign country, in the government of the United States, or in the government

MADURO

Continued from page 1A describes as part of a “dark fleet” Venezuela is using to evade U.S. sanctions. The tanker, according to the White House, is flying under a false flag and is under a U.S. judicial seizure order.

“It’s moving along and we’ll end up getting it,” Trump said.

It is the third tanker pursued by the Coast Guard, which on Saturday seized a Panama-flagged vessel called Centuries that U.S. officials said was part of the Venezuelan shadow fleet.

The Coast Guard, with assistance from the Navy, seized a sanctioned tanker called Skipper on Dec. 10, also part of the shadow fleet of tankers that the U.S. says operates on the fringes of the law to move sanctioned cargo. That ship was registered in Panama.

Trump, after that first seizure, said the U.S. would carry out a “blockade” of Venezuela. Trump has repeatedly said that Maduro’s days in power are numbered.

Last week, Trump demanded that Venezuela return assets that it seized from U.S. oil companies years ago, justifying anew his announcement of a blockade against sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from the South American country.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whose agency oversees the Coast Guard, said in a Monday appearance on “Fox & Friends” that the targeting of tankers is intended to send “a message around the world that the illegal activity that Maduro is participating in cannot stand, he needs to be gone, and that we will stand up for

of another state.”

But does the special envoy position, which Landry emphasized is “volunteer” and for which he will not be paid, count?

The Louisiana Board of Ethics did not respond to a request for comment.

Scott Sternberg, a constitutional lawyer in New Orleans who also represents The Advocate | The Times-Picayune, said his phone has been ringing off the hook from people asking those questions.

“There is a line. I don’t know where that line is,” Sternberg said.

State law has no prohibition against a governor, say, joining the President’s Council on Physical Fitness.

“But I don’t know because we don’t have enough facts,” Sternberg said.

Terry Ryder had a similar view. He was an attorney for the Louisiana House and Senate, as well as deputy chief of staff for Republican Gov. Mike Foster, and executive counsel for Democratic Gov. Kathleen Blanco, during the time the Legislature was writing the laws that forbid elected state officials from holding most second jobs.

“We know what the word special envoy would mean when we look it up in a dictionary, but we don’t know what his duties are,” he said.

“The real issue would be

if his duties actually pose a conflict with his obligations under his oath in Louisiana,” Ryder said. “I don’t think that there is a categorical prohibition here.”

That’s a point also raised

by New Orleans U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, who is one of the highest-ranking elected Democrats in Louisiana and hasn’t been formally briefed on the appointment.

“What I will say is this: Any role involving official duties on behalf of the federal government deserves transparency and clarity,” Carter said. “Louisianans expect their elected officials to focus fully on the jobs they were elected to do, and any outside role, volunteer or otherwise, should be evaluated carefully to ensure it does not conflict with state law or constitutional requirements.”

ful,” Jens-Frederik Nielsen, Greenland’s prime minister, said at a Monday afternoon news conference in Denmark. “The words used have not been respectful. That’s why we need in this situation, we need to stand together.”

Earlier in the day, Nielsen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen issued a joint statement in reaction to Landry’s appointment, saying that national borders and the sovereignty of states are rooted in international law.

“They are fundamental principles. You cannot annex another country. Not even with an argument about international security,” the statement said.

Greenland has been part of Denmark for more than 200 years and is self-governed, except for monetary, defense and foreign affairs, which Denmark still controls.

Icy response

Why Greenland?

But Danish and Greenlandic officials were angered

by Trump’s reigniting interest in acquiring Greenland, which is rich in minerals and sits astride important shipping routes — particularly as the North Pole ice pack is receding, thereby making the Arctic Ocean more navigable and the minerals more accessible.

“The talks from the United States have not been respect-

Trump has coveted Greenland for a long time. Since he was elected for a second term in 2024, he has repeatedly said he wanted to acquire the icebound island with about 57,000 residents, occasionally mentioning the possibility of military intervention.

Greenland is slightly larger than the Louisiana Purchase. It has rare earth metals, which China now

our people.”

Meanwhile, Russia’s Foreign Ministry started evacuating the families of diplomats from Venezuela, according to a European intelligence official speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive information.

The official told The Associated Press the evacuations include women and children and began on Friday, adding that Russian Foreign Ministry officials are assessing the situation in Venezuela in “very grim tones.” The ministry said in an X posting that it was not evacuating the embassy but did not address queries about whether it was evacuating the families of diplomats.

Venezuela’s Foreign Minister Yván Gil on Monday said he spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, who he said expressed Russia’s support for Venezuela against Trump’s declared blockade of sanctioned oil tankers.

“We reviewed the aggressions and flagrant violations of international law that have been committed in the Caribbean: attacks against vessels and extrajudicial executions, and the unlawful acts of piracy carried out by the United States government,” Gil said in a statement.

While U.S. forces targeted the vessels in international waters over the weekend, a tanker that’s considered part of the shadow fleet was spotted moving between Venezuelan refineries, including one about three hours west of the capital, Caracas.

The tanker remained at the refinery in El Palito through Sunday, when families went to the town’s beach to relax with children now on break from school.

Music played on loud-

speakers as people swam and surfed with the tanker in the background. Families and groups of teenagers enjoyed themselves, but Manuel Salazar, who has parked cars at the beach for more than three decades, noticed differences from years past, when the country’s oildependent economy was in better shape and the energy industry produced at least double the current 1 million barrels per day.

“Up to nine or 10 tankers would wait out there in the bay. One would leave, another would come in,” Salazar, 68, said. “Now, look, one.”

The tanker in El Palito has been identified by Transparencia Venezuela, an independent watchdog promoting government accountability, to be part of the shadow fleet.

Area residents on Sunday recalled when tankers would sound their horns at midnight New Year’s Eve, while some would even send up fireworks to celebrate the holiday.

“Before, during vacations, they’d have barbecues; now all you see is bread with bologna,” Salazar said of Venezuelan families spending the holiday at the beach next to the refinery. “Things are expensive. Food prices keep going up and up every day.”

Venezuela’s ruling partycontrolled National Assembly on Monday gave initial approval to a measure that would criminalize a broad range of activities that could be linked to the seizure of oil tankers.

Lawmaker Giuseppe Alessandrello, who introduced the bill, said people could be fined and imprisoned for up to 20 years for promoting, requesting, supporting, financing or participating in “acts of piracy, blockades or other international illegal

acts against” commercial entities operating with the South American country.

The Defense Department, under Trump’s orders, continues its campaign of attacks on smaller vessels in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that it alleges are carrying drugs to the United States and beyond.

At least 104 people have been killed in 28 known strikes since early September. The strikes have faced scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers and human rights activists, who say the administration has offered scant evidence that its targets are indeed drug smugglers and that the fatal strikes amount to extrajudicial killings.

WHEN YOU WANT

dominates, and its position has long been a security buffer against Russia. The U.S. military has bases on Greenland.

Back in January when Trump voiced the idea of the U.S. taking over Greenland, Landry wrote on X: “President Donald J. Trump is absolutely right! We need to ensure that Greenland joins the United States. GREAT for them, GREAT for us!

Let’s get it done!”

The rhetoric has since died down.

“It seems to me that Gov. Landry’s appointment is intended as a signaling tool to, if you will, ratchet up the United States’ involvement or is trying to get the rest of the world accustomed to thinking that the United States will have a greater influence in this affair,” said

Robbie Hogan, a professor in LSU’s political science department.

For Landry politically, the appointment also increases the governor’s visibility as someone of prominence with the respect of the president on an important international issue, he added.

“It gives Gov. Landry a foreign policy credential,” Hogan said. “For someone who has, clearly who has, aspirations for some sort of national office, this gives him a new credential that he didn’t have before. And it puts Gov. Landry on a stage that he hasn’t been playing on before.”

Staff writer Tyler Bridges contributed to this report.

Email Mark Ballard at mballard@theadvocate. com.

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CHARTER

Continued from page 1A school in 2015, making students feel safe and supported is one of the core responsibilities of any school. It’s also one of the strategies she says is behind the school’s recent success: It was the sixth most-improved public school in Louisiana and the second mostimproved in Jefferson Parish last school year, according to the state.

Over the past decade, the charter’s popularity allowed it to expand to include grades K-8, yet it struggled to raise its academic rating, especially after the pandemic.

But this year, Laureate Academy improved its state rating by nearly 13 points to 73 out of a possible 150 — its largest jump to date.

Improving student outcomes required careful data-tracking and analysis, investing in quality educators and cultivating a welcoming school culture, Heckerman said. It also involved setting high expectations for the school’s students, the majority of whom are Black or Hispanic and come from low-income families, she added, pointing to research that shows schools often give such students less demanding work than their White or wealthier peers.

“Every kid deserves to have a school that’s going to push them,” she said.

The charter’s future looks even brighter under the new school rating system Louisiana will roll out next year, which puts a heavier focus on students’ academic progress. Laureate is among a small number of schools projected to rise a letter grade.

There’s no single X-factor behind the school’s growth, Heckerman explained.

“Doing everything consistently,” she said, “has been the biggest thing.”

A data-driven approach Constantly monitoring students’ progress has been one key to Laureate’s success, Heckerman said.

To do this, teachers and administrators collect data from different assessments to pinpoint weaknesses and guide instructional decisions.

Last year, Laureate began contracting with Achievement Network, a nonprofit that works with

LLOG

Continued from page 1A serve the LLOG name to leverage its “history and reputation” in the region.

The acquisition gives Harbour control of LLOG’s portfolio of producing and development-stage deepwater oil assets, including major fields such as Who Dat, Buckskin and the recently started Leon-Castile project.

Those assets are concentrated in the Mississippi Canyon and Keathley Canyon areas of the Gulf, where LLOG has long been one of the most active operators.

Oil-heavy leases LLOG produces roughly 34,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day and holds interests in more than 80 offshore leases, according to Harbour.

The company’s reserves are heavily weighted toward oil, a profile that Harbour said improves its margins and extends the life of its global production base.

For southeast Louisiana, the deal underscores the enduring economic importance of offshore energy even as the industry consolidates and global players seek scale. While drilling activity in the Gulf has fluctuated over the years, companies like LLOG have continued to invest in complex deepwater projects that rely on specialized talent concentrated in the region.

STAFF PHOTOS By SOPHIA GERMER

Kids take part in physical education Dec. 10 at Laureate Academy Charter School in Harvey. According to the state, Laureate was the sixth most-improved public school in Louisiana and the second most-improved in Jefferson Parish last school year. Laureate Academy Head of School Claire Heckerman-Whitehead credits that success with the school’s No. 1 priority of making students feel safe and supported.

Heckerman and her team have worked carefully to create a welcoming setting for educators, support staff and students.

“We want kids to come here and feel safe,” said Tiffany Moll, Laureate’s assistant principal and former dean of culture, “and have a learning environment that is calm, focused.”

To encourage good behavior among students, Moll hung “thermometers” on walls around the school that track students’ actions.

Students earn points that they can put toward a popcorn party, ice cream or a dress-down day.

Students also have what Moll calls “deductions and deposits.”

Each student gets a “paycheck” every two weeks that allows them to purchase items from the school store, like squish toys, chips or honey buns.

School leadership also wants every employee to feel taken care of, Heckerman noted. To her, that means compensating teachers and support staff fairly and offering small perks when possible.

The school’s starting pay for certified first-year teachers is $54,600 — slightly higher than the district’s starting salary of $53,000, according to its 2025-26 salary schedule — and all paraprofessionals start at nearly $37,000. Jefferson Parish’s starting salary for qualified paraprofessionals is around $24,000.

In its benefits package, the school also includes reimbursements for self-care expenses, like massages.

Feeling supported helps educators come to work ready to bond with their students, said Sampson, adding that she tries to cultivate relationships with any child who walks through the school doors, not just her own students.

“If you connect with the kids first, everything else will flourish,” she said. “Even the second and third graders, when they see me in the morning, they light up and give me a hug.”

To Moll, who has also worked in schools in New Orleans and Georgia, Laureate feels like a real family. She said she has four relatives who attend the school, and many staffers plan to send their children there.

“I call this the hidden gem of the West Bank,” she said, “because there’s such a community.”

they hit benchmarks and are allowed to move on.

Demetri Pentaris, a third and fourth grade teacher, said the school’s approach to data tracking feels more intentional lately.

“Previously, it felt more just like a step the staff had to do, whereas now it feels like we’re doing it to get to an end goal,” Pentaris said.

“It feels more focused.”

For teachers, the changes translated to tangible results.

Carla Sampson, a fifth and sixth grade STEM teacher, said students showed “incredible growth” in math last year, with 28% achievTyiana Tinson leads fourth graders in a humanities class at Laureate ing mastery or above on the state Academy.

LEAP test — an increase of nearly 6 percentage points over the previschools to help them better under- students struggled with, doing ous year. stand how to use classroom data practice problems as students to help struggling students, which lined up for dismissal and giving Building a school culture Heckerman said shifted how Lau- students who were behind extra Sampson and other teachers help during “intervention” periods. credit the school’s culture, just as reate operates “in a big way.”

Heckerman added that adminis- much as the data tracking, for LauThe school’s instructional leadership team meets several times each tering DIBELS, a one-on-one read- reate’s recent gains. month with Jarred Washington, a ing assessment now required by Leaders have struck a balance director of school support at ANet, state law to be administered to K-3 between guiding educators and to go over student test scores. students three times a year, helps giving them autonomy to lead their Washington pushed teachers to keep tabs on how well students are own classrooms, she said. Teachadhere to the curriculum and give absorbing the material. ers receive real-time coaching as students more challenging assignThe school also gives its young- school leaders periodically observe ments. With his help, the school er students short, verbal quizzes their classes, sharing feedback on made math a focus since less than weekly, and teachers track their what’s working and what can be a quarter of students met grade- progress through the DIBELS on- improved.

“You feel supported,” Sampson level expectations on the 2024 state line platform, mCLASS. Students tests. Teachers began to reteach might take quizzes covering the said, “but you don’t feel like you’re Email Elyse Carmosino at math topics that the data showed same material multiple times until always being watched.” ecarmosino@theadvocate.com.

LLOG has drilled more than 300 wells in the Gulf over its five decades of operation and has been credited with a significant share of deepwater discoveries since 2014. Its technical expertise in ultra-deep formations has made it a sought-after operator and partner.

A visionary founder LLOG was founded by Gerald “Jerry” Boelte, a New Orleans native and LSUtrained petroleum engineer who built the privately held company into one of the Gulf’s most respected deepwater operators. Boelte, who died last year at age 77, was widely regarded as a visionary who believed smaller, technically focused companies could compete successfully with industry giants in complex offshore environments.

Under Boelte’s leadership, LLOG gained a reputation for nimble decision-making and disciplined risk-taking, often moving faster than larger competitors. The company expanded aggressively in areas such as the Mississippi Canyon, acquiring assets others abandoned after the 2010 BP oil spill and the temporary federal drilling moratorium. Energy analysts and industry peers have credited Boelte’s approach with helping LLOG thrive as a well-financed, operationally sophisticated player in one of the world’s most challenging offshore basins.

LeJeune said joining Harbour gives LLOG access to greater financial resources while allowing it to maintain its operational culture.

“We remain dedicated to maintaining the same high ethical and operational standards that have guided us for the past 48 years,” he said in a statement. “With a new partner whose vision aligns with ours, we see significant opportunities ahead.”

For Harbour, the acquisition represents a strategic expansion into a politically stable, infrastructure-rich offshore basin at a time when many international oil companies are narrowing their portfolios. The company already operates in Europe, Latin America and North Africa and produces more than 450,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day globally.

Harbour said LLOG’s assets are expected to increase its overall production and cash flow over time, though the company emphasized that the transaction will not close until early next year.

Financing for the cash portion of the deal will include new loans as well as existing liquidity.

LLOG’s owners will receive Harbour shares equivalent to an 11% stake in the combined company, subject to certain lock-up restrictions.

While the transaction is subject to federal regulatory review, no major obstacles

are expected, according to employed 125 people as of the companies.

October, its website indicates.

Major parish employer There are 45 companies in LLOG is the 10th-largest the oil and gas sector operemployer in the oil and gas ating in St. Tammany, repsector in St. Tammany per resenting nearly 2,000 jobs, JobsEQ, a company that Durand said. tracks labor market data, Russell Richardson, the said Kristin Durand, com- CEO of St. Tammany Ecomunications director for St. nomic Development Corp., Tammany Economic Devel- congratulated Harbour Enopment Corp. The company ergy and LLOG, saying in a

REASON 94

Your support gives our team the resources to do deep-dive data journalism that helps simplify complex topics.

statement that the acquisition reflects “the world-class offshore energy expertise and deepwater operational leadership based in St. Tammany and across Louisiana.”

Staff writers Bob Warren and Willie Swett contributed to this article.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate. com.

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BUSINESS N O L A.C O M/BIZ

DOW 48,362.68 227.79 0.47%

NASDAQ 23,428.83 121.21 0.52%

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

U.S. stocks rise at the start of a holiday week

NEW YORK — Stocks rose on Wall Street Monday to open what’s expected to be a relatively calm holiday week.

The gains were broad. Technology companies and banks did much of the heavy lifting.

Industrial companies also gave a strong push to major indexes.

The S&P 500 rose 43.99 points, or 0.6%, to 6,878.49. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 227.79 points, or 0.5%, to 48,362.68. The Nasdaq composite rose 121.21 points, or 0.5%, to 23,428.83.

Smaller company stocks did particularly well. The Russell 2000 index outpaced other major indexes with a 1.2% gain.

The gains also helped major indexes push further into winning territory for the month as a choppy December nears its end. Technology companies, especially those focused on artificial intelligence, have been the main force behind the market’s oscillations. The direction of AI-related stocks will likely determine whether the market closes out December with gains or losses.

“If a Santa Claus rally does kick in this year, St. Nick’s gift bag will likely need to be full of positive tech sentiment,” wrote Chris Larkin, managing director of trading and investing at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley.

Paramount Skydance rose 4.3%. The company sweetened its hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros. Discovery with an “irrevocable personal guarantee” from Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison.

He is putting up billions of dollars to back the deal as part of the latest move in Paramount’s bidding war against Netflix.

Warner Bros. Discovery rose 3.5% and Netflix fell 1.2%.

Crude oil prices in the U.S. rose 2.4% to $58.01 a barrel.

Prices for Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose 2.6% to $62.07 a barrel.

Italy antitrust agency fines Apple $116M ROME — Italy’s antitrust authority fined Apple $116 million on Monday after determining that operating one of its privacy features restricted App Store competition. Apple said it would appeal the sanction.

Apple abused its dominant position with its App Tracking Transparency, ATT, policy, which forces apps to obtain permission before collecting data to target users with personalized ads, the antitrust authority said in a statement.

The company rolled out ATT starting in April 2021 as part of an update to the operating system powering the iPhone and iPad. While the feature was designed to tighten up privacy, it faced criticism from Big Tech rivals that it would make it harder for smaller apps to survive without charging consumers.

The authority didn’t criticize the policy per se, but the fact that the Apple system requires third-party app makers to ask users for consent twice in order to comply with Europe’s strict privacy rules.

Instacart ends different pricing program NEW YORK — Instacart said Monday that it’s ending a program where some customers saw different prices for the same product ordered at the same time from the same store when using the delivery company’s service.

The program was meant to help grocers and other retailers learn more about what kinds of prices customers would pay for items, similar to how stores offer different prices for the same products at different locations. But it raised alarms after a report from Consumer Reports and two progressive advocacy groups, Groundwork Collaborative and More Perfect Union, said Instacart offered nearly 3 out of every 4 grocery items to shoppers at multiple prices in an experiment.

S&P 500 6,878.49 43.99 0.64%

EURO 1.1761 -0.0000 -0.00%

CRUDE OIL 58.01 1.49 2.64%

GOLD 4,444.60 83.20 1.91%

6-MO T-BILLS 3.6 -0.01 -0.28%

30-YR T-BONDS 4.83 0.01 0.17%

Jim Beam shuttering its distillery Industry slump puts pause on whiskey production

BY JANET PATTON and KARLA WARD

Lexington Herald-Leader (TNS)

One of Kentucky’s largest bourbon producers apparently is pausing whiskey production at the end of the year.

Jim Beam, which is one of the largest makers of American whiskey in the world, is planning to shut down production in Happy Hollow in Clermont Jan. 1 through 2026.

The visitors center on-site will remain open for Kentucky Bourbon Trail visitors.

“We are always assessing production levels to best meet consumer demand and recently met with our team to discuss our volumes for 2026,” according to a statement from the company. “We’ve shared with our teams that while we will continue to distill at our (Freddie Booker Noe) craft distillery in Clermont and at our larger Booker Noe distillery in Boston, we plan to pause distillation at our main distillery on the James B. Beam campus

TNS FILE PHOTO

Jim Beam, which is one of the largest makers of American whiskey in the world, is planning to shut down production in Happy Hollow in Clermont, Ky., Jan. 1 through 2026. for 2026 while we take the opportunity to invest in site enhancements.

Our visitor center at the James B. Beam campus remains open so visitors can have the full James B. Beam experience and join us for a meal at The Kitchen Table.”

Bottling and warehousing will still be operating at Clermont.

The news was first reported by Louisville Business Journal.

The move comes as Kentucky’s $9 billion bourbon industry grapples with a glut of whiskey and a slump in demand at home.

In response, the industry has pulled back production by more than 55 million proof-gallons (an

industry unit of measurement) or more than 28% through August, the lowest level since 2018.

At the same time, exports have been curtailed to major trading partners; Canada has been boycotting American spirits since March in retaliation for President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war and U.S. whiskey sales to that country are down by more than 60% through October. Other Kentucky companies, including Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey maker BrownForman, also have announced layoffs or shorter pauses in production earlier in the year.

So far, Beam has not filed a layoff notice with the state of Kentucky, according to the state’s WARN Act online database. It is unclear how many jobs might be impacted.

Workers at Jim Beam are represented by United Food and Commercial Workers, and the company said it is in conversation with the union as it continues “to assess how best to utilize our workforce during this transition.”

The Clermont distillery is a major production facility in Kentucky, making the flagship brand as well as Basil Hayden, Knob Creek and others.

EAST COAST WIND PROJECTS SUSPENDED Trump administration cites national security concerns

BY MATTHEW DALY Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration on Monday suspended leases for five largescale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to what it said were national security risks identified by the Pentagon.

The suspension, effective immediately, is the latest step by the administration to hobble offshore wind in its push against renewable energy sources. It comes two weeks after a federal judge struck down President Donald Trump’s executive order blocking wind energy projects, calling it unlawful.

The administration said the pause will give the Interior Department, which oversees offshore wind, time to work with the Defense Department and other agencies to assess the possible ways to mitigate any security risks posed by the projects. The statement did not detail the national security risks. It called the move a pause, but did not specify an end date.

“The prime duty of the United States government is to protect the American people,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “Today’s action addresses emerging national security risks, including the rapid evolution of the relevant adversary technologies, and the vulnerabilities created by large- Burgam scale offshore wind projects with proximity near our east coast population centers.”

Wind proponents slammed the move, saying it was another blow in an ongoing attack by the administration against clean energy.

The administration’s decision to cite potential national security risks could complicate legal challenges to the move, although wind supporters say those arguments are overstated.

The administration said leases are paused for the Vineyard Wind project under construction in Massachusetts, Revolution Wind in Rhode Island and Connecticut, Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind, and two projects in New York: Sunrise Wind and Empire Wind.

The Interior Department said unclassified reports from the U.S. government have long found that the movement of massive turbine blades and the highly reflective towers create radar interference called “clutter.” The clutter caused by offshore wind projects

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

The Trump administration on Monday suspended leases for five large-scale offshore wind projects under construction along the East Coast due to what it said were national security risks identified by the Pentagon. can obscure legitimate moving targets and generate false targets in the vicinity of wind projects, the Interior Department said.

National security expert and former Commander of the USS Cole Kirk Lippold disputed the administration’s national security argument.

The offshore projects were awarded permits “following years of review by state and federal agencies,” including the Coast Guard, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, the Air Force and more, he said.

“The record of decisions all show that the Department of Defense was consulted at every stage of the permitting process,” Lippold said, arguing that the projects would benefit national security because they would diversify the country’s energy supply.

Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I, said Revolution Wind was thoroughly vetted and fully permitted by the federal government, “and that review included any potential national security questions.” Burgum’s action “looks more like the kind of vindictive harassment we have come to expect from the Trump administration than anything legitimate,” he said.

The administration’s action comes two weeks after a federal judge struck down Trump’s executive order blocking wind energy projects, saying the effort to halt virtually all leasing of wind farms on federal lands and waters was “arbitrary and capri-

cious” and violates U.S. law.

Judge Patti Saris of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts vacated Trump’s Jan. 20 executive order blocking wind energy projects and declared it unlawful.

Saris ruled in favor of a coalition of state attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, that challenged Trump’s Day One order that paused leasing and permitting for wind energy projects.

Trump has been hostile to renewable energy, particularly offshore wind, and prioritizes fossil fuels to produce electricity. Trump has said wind turbines are ugly, expensive and pose a threat to birds and other wildlife.

Wind supporters called the administration’s actions illegal and said offshore wind provides some of the most affordable, reliable electric power to the grid.

“For nearly a year, the Trump administration has recklessly obstructed the build-out of clean, affordable power for millions of Americans, just as the country’s need for electricity is surging,” said Ted Kelly of the Environmental Defense Fund.

“Now the administration is again illegally blocking clean, affordable energy,” Kelly said. “We should not be kneecapping America’s largest source of renewable power, especially when we need more cheap, homegrown electricity.”

Google’s parent buys data center energy specialist Intersect $4.75 billion deal to help power AI

By The Associated Press MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Google’s corporate parent on Monday announced an agreement to buy data center energy specialist Intersect for $4.75 billion as part of its effort to secure the vast amounts of electricity needed to power artifi-

cial intelligence technology.

Alphabet, which depends on Google’s search engine and other online services for most of its revenue, is buying out Intersect in its entirety after purchasing a stake in the San Francisco-based startup a year ago. Intersect had previously raised $2.1 billion from Google and other early investors.

After the acquisition is completed during the first half of next year, Alphabet intends to allow Intersect to operate independently

while continuing its efforts to secure the energy sources needed for the sprawling data centers being built to power the AI services rolling out from Google and rivals such as OpenAI. The power-hungry data centers, which are being likened to AI factories, is fueling a backlash in communities where residents have been interpreting their steadily rising electricity bills as evidence that they help helping footing the boom for a technology

boom that could still go bust.

Intersect focuses on finding ways to increase and diversify the supply of energy in an effort to keep hold down power costs. It’s already working on a data center for Mountain View, Californiabased Alphabet in Haskell County, Texas.

Google’s inroads with AI has helped increase Alphabet’s stock price by more than 60% so far this year, generating an additional $1.4 trillion in shareholder wealth.

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 7A

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Trump announces plans for new Navy ‘battleship’ will be longer and larger President says than the World War II-era battleships and ‘Trump-class’ ship Iowa-class will be armed with hypermissiles, nuclear would be part sonic cruise missiles, rail guns, of ‘Golden Fleet’ and high-powered lasers —

BY KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and AAMER MADHANI Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has announced a bold plan for the Navy to build a new, large warship that he is calling a “battleship” as part of a larger vision to create a “Golden Fleet.”

“They’ll be the fastest, the biggest, and by far 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built,” Trump claimed during the announcement at his Mar-aLago resort in Florida.

According to Trump, the ship, the first of which will be named the USS Defiant,

all technologies that are in various stages of development by the Navy.

The announcement comes just a month after the Navy scrapped its plans to build a new, small warship, citing growing delays and cost overruns, deciding instead to go with a modified version of a Coast Guard cutter that was being produced until recently. The sea service has also failed to build its other newly designed ships, like the new Ford-class aircraft carrier and Columbia-class submarines, on time and on budget.

Meanwhile, the Navy has struggled to field some of the technologies Trump says will be aboard the new ship.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump arrives to speak Monday at his Mara-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla. The Navy spent hundreds of millions of dollars and more than 15 years trying to field a rail gun aboard a ship before finally abandoning the effort in 2021.

Laser technology has seen more success in making its

way onto Navy ships in recent years, but its employment is still limited. One system that is designed to blind or disable drone sensors is now aboard eight destroyers after spending eight years in development.

“In my view, pulling it now after every rigorous internal check has been met is not an editorial decision, it is a political one,” Alfonsi wrote in the email. She did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

Alfonsi said in the email that interviews were sought with or questions directed to — sometimes both — the White House, State Department and Department of Homeland Security.

“Government silence is a statement, not a VETO,” Alfonsi wrote.

“Their refusal to be interviewed is a tactical maneuver designed to kill the story. If the administration’s refusal to participate becomes a valid reason to spike a story, we have effectively handed them a ‘kill switch’ for any reporting they find inconvenient.”

“Spike” is a journalist’s term for killing a story. But Weiss, in a statement, said that she looked forward to airing Alfonsi’s piece “when it’s ready.”

Speaking Monday at the daily CBS News internal editorial call, Weiss was clearly angered by Alfonsi’s memo. A transcript of Weiss’ message was provided by CBS News.

“The only newsroom I’m interested in running is one in which we are able to have contentious disagreements about the thorniest editorial matters with respect and, crucially, where we assume

AP media writer

An internal CBS News battle over a “60 Minutes” story critical of the Trump administration has exploded publicly, with a correspondent charging it was kept off the air for political reasons and news chief Bari Weiss saying Monday the story did not “advance the ball.”

Two hours before airtime Sunday, CBS announced that the story where correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi spoke to deportees who had been sent to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, would not be a part of the show. Weiss, the Free Press founder named CBS News editor-in-chief in October, said it was her decision.

The dispute puts one of journalism’s most respected brands — and a frequent target of President Donald Trump — back in the spotlight and amplifies questions about whether Weiss’ appointment was a signal that CBS News was headed in a more Trumpfriendly direction.

Alfonsi, in an email sent to fellow “60 Minutes” correspondents said the story was factually correct and had been cleared by CBS lawyers and its standards division. But the Trump administration had refused to comment for the story, and Weiss wanted a greater effort made to get their point of view.

the largest of the U.S. battleships, the Iowa-class, were roughly 60,000 tons.

But after World War II, the battleship’s role in modern fleets diminished rapidly in favor of aircraft carriers and long-range missiles.

The U.S. Navy did modernize four Iowa-class battleships in the 1980s by adding cruise missiles and antiship missiles, along with modern radars, but by the 1990s all four were decommissioned.

According to a newly created website for the “Golden Fleet,” this new “guided missile battleship” is set to be roughly the same size as Iowa-class battleships but only weigh about half as much, around 35,000 tons, and have far smaller crews — between 650 and 850 sailors.

Its primary weapons will also be missiles, not large naval guns.

Louisiana commissioner faces DWI allegations

‘60 Minutes’ pulls story about Trump deportations

BY DAVID BAUDER

Developing nuclear cruise missile capabilities or deploying them on ships may also violate nonproliferation treaties that the U.S. has signed with Russia.

A U.S. official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing plans, told The Associated Press that design efforts are now underway for the new ship and construction is planned to begin in the early 2030s.

Both Trump and Navy Secretary John Phelan spoke about the new Trump-class warship as a spiritual successor to the battleships of the 20th century, but historically that term has referred to a very specific type of ship — a large, heavily armored vessel armed with massive guns designed to bombard other ships or targets ashore.

This type of ship was at the height of prominence during World War II, and

Lewis arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

As prisoners stand looking out from a cell, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem speaks March 26 during a tour of the Terrorist Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador.

the best intent of our colleagues,” Weiss said. “Anything else is completely unacceptable.”

She said that while Alfonsi’s story presented powerful testimony about torture at the CECOT prison, The New York Times and other outlets had already done similar work. “To run a story on this subject two months later, we need to do more,” she said. “And this is ‘60 Minutes.’ We need to be able to get the principals on the record and on camera.”

It wasn’t clear whether Weiss’ involvement in seeking administration comment was sought. She reportedly helped the newscast arrange interviews with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff this past fall to discuss Trump’s Middle East peace efforts. Trump himself was interviewed by Norah O’Donnell on a “60 Minutes” telecast that aired on Nov. 2.

BY PATRICK SLOAN-TURNER Staff writer

Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis was arrested on a count of driving while intoxicated over the weekend, a Louisiana State Police spokesperson said.

Lewis, 33, was arrested in West Baton Rouge Parish, officials said.

It is the West Baton Rouge Parish jail’s policy to not book first-offense DWI offenders; therefore Lewis Lewis was not held.

First-offense DWI is a misdemeanor charge.

State Police said Lewis was initially stopped for driving without headlights.

In a statement, Lewis said he “will be working with lawyers to contest the charge.”

“I have great respect for the men and women who serve our community in law enforcement, and I believe everyone, myself included, is accountable to the law,” he said.

“I appreciate the professionalism shown during the encounter.”

Lewis said he understands “the gravity of the situation” and why

the community is concerned.

“As I always have, I plan to remain accountable through both my words and my actions, not just through my words,” he said in the statement. “My hope is that our focus remains on the consistent, good work we have accomplished advocating for Louisiana’s citizens.”

The five-member Public Service Commission regulates utilities in Louisiana, such as electricity, water, gas and some telecommunications. Lewis’ district covers majority-Black communities stretching from New Orleans up to West Baton Rouge Parish.

Lewis, a Democrat, is the first openly gay person elected to state office in Louisiana. Since ousting longtime Commissioner Lambert Boissiere III in a 2022 election, he has been a prominent critic of Entergy and other utilities.

Lewis is also a frequent foe of Gov. Jeff Landry. In February, the commission board voted to remove him from his role as vice chair after he called Landry an “a******” on the social media app X in response to a post Landry made mocking a transgender Department of Health Official in former President Joe Biden’s administration. Lewis argued he was being held to a different standard because he is Black.

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Car bomb kills Russian general in Moscow

By The Associated Press MOSCOW — A car bomb killed a Russian general on Monday, the third such killing of a senior military officer in just over a year. Investigators said Ukraine may be behind the attack.

Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces’ General Staff, died from his injuries, said Svetlana Petrenko, the spokesperson for Russia’s Investigative Committee, the nation’s top criminal investigation agency. He was 56.

“Investigators are pursuing numerous lines of inquiry regarding the murder.

One of these is that the crime was orchestrated by Ukrainian intelligence services,” Petrenko said.

Since Moscow sent troops into Ukraine nearly four years ago, Russian authorities have blamed Kyiv for

several assassinations of military officers and public figures in Russia. Ukraine has claimed responsibility for some of them. It has not yet commented on Monday’s death.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that President Vladimir Putin had been immediately informed about the killing of Sarvarov, who fought in Chechnya and had taken part in Moscow’s military campaign in Syria.

Russia has blamed a series of other apparent assassinations on Ukraine.

Just over a year ago, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the chief of the military’s nuclear, biological and chemical protection forces, was killed by a bomb hidden on an electric scooter outside his apartment building. Kirillov’s assistant also died. Ukraine’s security service claimed responsibility for the attack.

An Uzbek man was quickly arrested and charged with

PHOTO FROM INVESTIGATIVE COMMITTEE OF MOSCOW VIDEO

Investigators work the scene Monday in Moscow where Lt. Gen. Fanil Sarvarov, head of the Operational Training Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed under his car. killing Kirillov on behalf of the Ukrainian security service.

Putin described Kirillov’s killing as a “major blunder”

by Russia’s security agen-

cies, noting they should learn from it and improve their efficiency.

In April, another senior Russian military officer, Lt. Gen. Yaroslav Moskalik, a

deputy head of the main operational department in the General Staff, was killed by an explosive device placed in his car parked near his apartment building just outside

Moscow. A suspected perpetrator was quickly arrested.

Days after Moskalik’s killing, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he received a report from the head of Ukraine’s foreign intelligence agency on the “liquidation” of top Russian military figures, adding that “justice inevitably comes” although he didn’t mention Moskalik’s name.

Ukraine, which is outnumbered by Russia’s larger, better equipped military, has frequently tried to change the course of the conflict by attacking in unexpected ways.

In August last year, Ukrainian forces staged a surprise incursion into Russia’s Kursk region even as they struggled to stem Russian offensives on many parts of the front line.

Moscow’s troops eventually drove them out, but the incursion distracted the Russian military resources from other areas and raised Ukrainian morale.

FDA approves Wegovy pill for weight loss Cyberattack disrupts postal

BY JONEL ALECCIA

Associated Press

U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval handed drugmaker Novo Nordisk an edge over rival Eli Lilly in the race to market an obesity pill. Lilly’s oral drug, orforglipron, is still under review.

Both pills are GLP-1 drugs that work like widely used injectables to mimic a natural hormone that controls appetite and feelings of fullness.

In recent years, Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy and Lilly’s Zepbound have revolutionized obesity treatment globally and in

the U.S., where 100 million people have the chronic disease.

The Wegovy pills are expected to be available within weeks, company officials said. Availability of oral pills to treat obesity could expand the booming market for obesity treatments by broadening access and reducing costs, experts said.

About 1 in 8 Americans have used injectable GLP-1 drugs, according to a survey from KFF, a nonprofit health policy research group. But many more have trouble affording the costly shots.

“There’s an entire demographic that can benefit from the pills,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, a Massachusetts General Hospital obesity expert. “For me, it’s not just about who gets it across the finish line first.

It’s about having these options available to patients.”

The Novo Nordisk obesity pill contains 25 milligrams of semaglutide. That’s the same ingredient in injectables Wegovy and Ozempic and in Rybelsus, a lowerdose pill approved to treat diabetes in 2019.

In a clinical trial, participants who took oral Wegovy lost 13.6% of their total body weight on average over about 15 months, compared with a 2.2% loss if they took a placebo, or dummy pill.

That’s nearly the same as injectable Wegovy, with an average weight loss of about 15%.

Chris Mertens, 35, a pediatric lung doctor in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, joined the Novo Nordisk trial in 2022 and lost about 40 pounds using the Wegovy

pill. The daily medication worked to decrease his appetite and invasive thoughts of food, he said.

“If there were days where I missed a meal, I almost didn’t realize it,” Mertens said.

Participants in a clinical trial who took the highest dose of Lilly’s orforglipron lost 11.2% of their total body weight on average over nearly 17 months, compared with a 2.1% loss in those who took a placebo.

Both pills resulted in less weight loss than the average achieved with Lilly’s Zepbound, or tirzepatide, which targets two gut hormones, GLP-1 and GIP, and led to a 21% average weight loss.

All the GLP-1 drugs, oral or injectable, have similar side effects, including nausea and diarrhea.

service, banking in France

By The Associated Press PARIS — With just three days to go before Christmas, a cyberattack knocked France’s national postal service offline Monday, blocking and delaying package deliveries and online payments.

The timing was miserable for millions of people at the height of the Christmas season, as frazzled postal workers fended off frustrated customers.

No one immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicions abounded.

At a post office in southern Paris, usually bustling this time of year, workers questioned whether the attack could be linked to Russia. Or a disgruntled customer, or

colleague.

Officials didn’t comment on the culprit. Paris prosecutors were examining the case.

What the postal service La Poste called a “major network incident” remained unresolved by Monday evening, more than eight hours after it was first reported. For a company that delivered 2.6 billion packages last year and employs more than 200,000 people, that’s a big hit.

La Poste said in a statement that a distributed denial of service incident, or DDoS, “rendered its online services inaccessible.”

It said the incident had no impact on customer data, but disrupted package delivery.

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T u e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 23, 2025

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Homeless to receive RTA transit passes 3,000 available to those in need

BY JONI HESS

Staff writer

New Orleans will provide free public transit to homeless residents under a partnership with the Regional Transit Authority and Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration, a bid to connect people to housing opportunities and jobs amid a ris-

ing homelessness rate.

The RTA will provide 3,000 transit passes a year to the city’s Office of Homeless Services and Strategies to facilitate residents’ transportation to shelters, clinics and housing appointments, among other needed services, according to the agreement the agency’s board approved

last week.

The homeless services office will then distribute the passes directly to people in need, and its staff would also respond directly should passholders violate any of the RTA’s rules. The RTA will spend an estimated $3,750 annually on the passes, which can be rolled over to the next year if un-

used.

“RTA is grateful for the opportunity to continue its strong partnership with the Office of Homeless Services and Strategies, which has been in place since OHSS’s inception as a city department in the spring of 2023,” said RTA spokesperson Zachary Stanfill in a statement after the vote.

Nate Fields, who leads Cantrell’s homeless services offices, said the

move would ease everyday strains homeless residents face.

“They need to be able to get to and from doctor appointments, ... mental health care appointments,” Fields said. “It’s a huge burden for them financially.”

M a y o r- e l e c t H e l e n a Moreno, who takes office Jan. 12 and who is widely expected to appoint her own members of various boards and commissions

and make other changes in City Hall’s operations, did not respond to a request for comment on the arrangement.

The deal comes as the Department of Housing and Urban Development issued rules in November that will redirect millions in grants that went to permanent supportive housing programs to transitional

ä See RTA, page 2B

N.O. seeks higher security level

Super Bowl-caliber protection requested for New year’s, Sugar Bowl

BY JOHN SIMERMAN Staff writer

New Orleans officials are challenging the federal threat level assigned to upcoming Sugar Bowl and New Year’s Eve festivities, urging the kind of Super Bowl-caliber protection that stayed through Mardi Gras after the Jan. 1 mass killing on Bourbon Street.

Collin Arnold, the city’s homeland security director, said Friday that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security gave New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl a “pretty low rating” of “SEAR 3.”

That level releases limited federal support, according to Arnold, compared to the “extensive federal interagency support” unleashed for major national events deemed SEAR 1.

Bomb-sniffing canine teams, drones, air security and tactical support, intelligence teams and cyber risk assessments are among the resources that accompany the highest threat level, according to the federal agency.

As the reason New Orleans needed a higher security level, Arnold sited the January attack, when a Houston man barreled down Bourbon Street in an electric pickup, killing 14 in the wee hours of the new year. Arnold also pointed to a more recent alleged plot by the Turtle Island Liberation Front that agents recently announced they’d foiled with arrests, including one in New Iberia.

Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond Monday to a request for comment on the threat assessment or the city’s appeal.

John Casbon, who helped found the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, said the lower rating wasn’t enough. He urged more federal security support for Mardi Gras 2026 as well.

“We just know this is what we need to make sure these three events remain as safe as possible,” Casbon said. “We’ve done this before. We already know the drill.”

Arnold expressed confidence that the feds will agree before New Year’s. In the meantime, he said local federal officers have provided heavy support for those events, and he expected a contingent of “around 200 National Guard” members in town.

Almost a year after the Jan. 1 attack, city officials have yet to commit to a comprehensive security plan, but Arnold said the public can still anticipate a massive apparatus.

From New Year’s Eve through the morning of Jan. 2, “you’re going to see an overwhelming security function going on” in the French Quarter and downtown, he said. “It will be very apparent, and we’re very pleased about that.”

Jan Risher is on vacation. Her column will return next week.

STAFF PHOTOS By ENAN CHEDIAK

TOGETHER WE SING ABOVE: Morgan Williams and her wife, Brittany Vass, sing Sunday during Caroling in Jackson Square, put on by the Patio Planters of the Vieux Carré, in New Orleans.

LEFT: Participants follow along during the free annual singalong, a beloved tradition where carols are led by local dignitaries and clergy.

Report opposes tying school funding to truancy Task force suggests support hubs, evidence-based practices

BY ELYSE CARMOSINO Staff writer

A state task force is recommending that Louisiana lawmakers avoid tying school funding to student attendance, arguing that doing so could inadvertently punish schools that need resources the most.

The advisory group was responding to a bill proposed this

year by Rep. Barbara Freiberg, R-Baton Rouge, that would have tied schools’ average daily attendance rate to the Minimum Foundation Program, the state formula that determines how much funding public schools receive. The proposal was loosely based on policies in other states, a handful of which use similar funding models.

The legislation aimed to use funding as an incentive to spur schools to reduce absenteeism, which rose between 2022 and 2024 before dropping slightly last school year. But the task force warns in a draft report that the proposal would reduce money for school districts with more

economically disadvantaged students that typically experience higher rates of absenteeism than school systems with more affluent students, making it more difficult for those districts to address the problem’s root causes.

Freiberg pulled the bill after advocates voiced concern over the plan and requested that the Legislature convene a task force to study the issue. The Truancy Study Group, which is made up of two dozen education stakeholders from across Louisiana, is required to submit policy recommendations for reducing absenteeism rates to Louisiana’s House Education Committee and the state board of education by

February.

On Wednesday, the task force voted to approve a list of five recommendations. The first proposal is to avoid tying school funding to attendance rates and instead consider giving additional funds to schools that show improvement.

It also calls for giving schools more money to hire attendance clerks and truancy staff and expand their partnerships with community groups that can help address absenteeism.

Improving attendance “requires coordinated, developmentally informed, communityconnected strategies,” the draft

ä See REPORT, page 2B

2B ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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BALANCING ACT

REPORT

Continued from page 1B report says, “not punitive funding reduction.”

Freiberg said she understands the committee’s concerns about linking school funding to attendance, but she also believes schools should be held accountable in some way for addressing absenteeism.

“That’s where we’ve failed in the past,” she said in an interview.

“We have to make sure everyone’s held accountable, because it’s too important to our schools, our students and our state to overlook the fact that we’re losing kids because they’re not coming to school.”

Sharon Clark, a member of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education who serves as the truancy committee’s chair, said in an interview that the group will meet with Freiberg in the new year to discuss the recommendations and potential bills for the 2026 legislative session.

Clark also said the group recommended that the state Education Department and BESE put together a new task force to oversee rollout of the suggestions, which could be implemented either by the Legislature or by the state Education Department.

“What we don’t want to happen is to start an initiative and then we don’t put all the parts in place that we need to sustain the initiative,” said Clark, who also is director of Sophie B. Wright High School in New Orleans.

Recommendations

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

A demolition crew works to remove debris from a house destroyed by fire back in September, as an excavator balances precariously atop the rubble on Monday. Workers carefully clear material by hand and machine in an effort to stabilize and right the roughly 32,000-pound excavator before it risks tipping over. New Orleans firefighters battled the two-alarm fire Sept. 10.

New Orleans bond rating takes another hit

budget includes about $76 mil- 2026, but in our view New Orfiscal management.

S&P the third agency itsThe downgrades could pose lion in revenue enhancements leans has several challenges to for the city’s plans the new administration plans overcome to return to balanced to downgrade city tocomplications issue $510 million bonds for to adopt. operations,” S&P said in its re-

BY BEN MYERS Staff writer

The hits keep coming for New Orleans’ bond ratings, as the last of three major ratings agencies on Friday downgraded the city’s creditworthiness.

S&P Global Ratings on Friday knocked New Orleans back two notches on its scale, to an A- rating, two days after Fitch Ratings slapped the city with a similar downgrade. Moody’s Ratings issued its downgrade in October.

All three agencies continue to rank New Orleans within investment-grade tiers, which means they are confident the city can pay its debts. But the agencies have also issued sharp warnings that future downgrades are coming if City Hall fails to improve

infrastructure projects, affordable housing and drainage, since lower credit scores can increase borrowing costs if investors perceive greater risk. Voters approved the bond sale in November, but it’s not clear when the sale will occur.

The Fitch and S&P reports last week each cited arguments between outgoing Mayor LaToya Cantrell and Mayor-elect Helena Moreno over the 2026 budget, saying those spats illustrate uncertainty with how the budget will be managed in the future.

The City Council set aside Cantrell’s budget proposal, which aligned with next year’s $725 million general fund revenue estimate, in favor of an $800 million plan devised by Moreno’s transition team. Moreno’s

Cantrell vetoed the Moreno budget, and the council voted unanimously to override the veto on Thursday. Moreno has stressed that next year’s budget is a work in progress and will require close monitoring and adjustments as necessary.

On Friday, S&P noted a “sudden decline in liquidity” that required a $125 million shortterm loan to make payroll, and the likelihood that additional borrowing for operations will be necessary next year. The agency said there is at least a 1 in 3 chance of additional downgrades, and an improved rating will require multiple consecutive years of balanced spending.

“The city has proposed a preliminary balanced budget for

port.

Bond issuances are administered by the Board of Liquidation, City Debt, an independent agency that collects property taxes that secure debt. The millages automatically adjust to ensure debt service is covered and cannot be diverted for other purposes under state law, according to Tracy Madison, the liquidation board secretary.

That ensures the city’s ability to meet its debt obligations is “insulated from broader financial pressures the city may face,” Madison said.

“There has never been a default of the general obligation debt,” he said.

Email Ben Myers at bmyers@ theadvocate.com.

RTA

Continued from page 1B housing, such as shelters.

It has since paused those changes amid litigation from homeless service providers and states, though local providers say it’s unclear if the pause will hold moving forward or what any new rules would mean. The change as originally envisioned would have cut permanent housing subsidies and put 2,600 formerly homeless residents across the metro area back on the street, local leaders have said.

UNITY of Greater New Orleans, an umbrella organization for homeless service providers, in September noted a nearly 8% uptick in the area’s homeless population.

The agreement is an extension of the long-standing collaboration between the RTA and the city. Fields said since at least when he joined in 2023, the city has relied on the RTA to transport homeless people during major disasters and other emergencies.

In September, when a fivealarm fire rattled the Gentilly Ridge apartments, which had housed homeless people since the Super Bowl, the RTA transported dozens of them to Joe Brown Park in New Orleans

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

New Orleans will provide free public transit to homeless residents under a partnership with the Regional Transit Authority and Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s administration, a bid to connect people to housing opportunities and jobs amid a rising homelessness rate.

East. And Fields’ office has long worked to transport riders found lingering on buses with no planned stops to shelters.

“They’ve been really good partners since I’ve been here,” Fields said.

Fields expects the move will

help address transportation problems that are particularly challenging for a community that often requires a range of services to address their wellbeing, such as counseling, substance abuse treatment or case management services.

Limited access to transportation also creates barriers to employment and maintaining housing, especially if housed in an area far from needed services, according to a 2025 state legislative auditor report on New Orleans housing initiatives.

More than 1 in 5 Louisiana students were chronically absent during the 2024-25 school year, a slight improvement from roughly 1 in 4 students the previous school year, according to state data. Students are considered chronically absent if they miss 10% or more school days a year.

Experts warn that Louisiana’s still-high absenteeism rates threaten to derail the state’s recent academic progress.

The truancy task force, which met three times starting in October, is made up of school district leaders, principals, school counselors and others.

During its meetings, the committee discussed ways to eliminate barriers that keep Louisiana students from coming to school, such as lack of access to transportation, ongoing illness or financial struggles, said Brittany Pecor, a middle school guidance counselor for Lafayette Parish public schools. One focus of the group was finding ways to coordinate with local court and health care systems, as well as other community stakeholders, she said.

Pecor said the group wanted to determine “the best practices moving forward to make sure (students) want to be at school” and “ensure we’re supporting families in getting them there.”

In addition to requesting more funding for school systems, the task force’s other recommendations ask districts to continue adhering to existing attendance policies and call for more consistent practices among districts.

The suggestions include: n Use evidence-based practices to improve school culture and get students more involved at school. n Create regional hubs to help districts offer social services, health care and other support that students might need to get to school. n Ensure that state attendance laws and policies are enforced and set clear consequences and expectations for districts. n Create a new task force called the Power of Presence Advisory Council to implement these recommendations and coordinate with state agencies.

The committee voted to remove a sixth recommendation, which asked the state Education Department to limit noncounseling duties given to school guidance counselors so they can focus on absenteeism reduction efforts. Some group members expressed concerns about asking the state, rather than local districts or schools, to determine counselors’ work duties.

Clark said the task force’s recommendations ultimately will help the state implement a more cohesive plan to tackle attendance issues.

“It’s about providing the support we need to do our jobs,” she said, “and making sure all the pieces are in place to do that.”

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The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 3B

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New Orleans Area Deaths Barice, Eula Bretz, Raymond Hogan, Felicity Landry, Loretta Loving, Verle Lowe, Alphonse Lucky, Patricia Mayo, Claude Niemand, Winfried St. Martin, Thomas Taylor, W B

New Orleans Greenwood Bretz, Raymond

River Parish Millet-Guidry St. Martin, Thomas

St Tammany Audubon Niemand, Winfried

West Bank Davis Mortuary Barice, Eula

Obituaries Barice, Eula Mae Dewitt

Eula Mae Dewitt Barice entered eternal rest at West Jefferson Medical Center on Sunday, Decem‐ ber 14, 2025, at the age of 90. She was a native of New Orleans, LA and a resi‐ dent of Westwego and Marrero. Eula was a gradu‐ ate of Lincoln High School Class of 1953, and she was a retired cashier with Schwegmann Brothers Giant Supermarket for 30 years. She was a faithful member of Historic True Vine Baptist Church, where she served with the usher ministry. Beloved wife of 58 years to the late Willie James Barice, Sr. Devoted mother of Gregory (Leona) Barice, Denise Barice (the late Hazel, Jr.) Harris, Michael Barice (Fiancée Belinda) and the late Rhinell Barice, Sr., and Willie Barice, Jr. Grand‐ mother of Latoya, Ashleigh of London, England, Dashawn and Rhinell, Jr. Daughter of the late Thomas Dewitt, Sr. and Hilda Patterson Dewitt. Sis‐ ter of Charles Dewitt, Thomas Dewitt, Jr., and the late Delores Dewitt Parker Singleton. Daughter in law of the late Virginia Woods and Dan Barice. Sister in law of Earl Battle and the late Florence Hawkins, and Gertrude Hill. Eula is also survived by 2 great grand‐ children, 2 great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Relatives and friends of the family also pastors, officers, and members of Historic True Vine Baptist Church of Westwego, St. Paul Baptist Church of Gretna, and all neighboring churches; em‐ ployees of Kenner Police Department are invited to attend the Celebration of Life at Historic True Vine Baptist Church 249 Sala Ave. Westwego, LA, on 23, Tuesday December 2025, at 10:00a.m. Pastor Leander Johnson, officiat‐ ing. Visitation will begin at 8:30a.m. until service time.

Interment: Restlawn Park Cemetery-Avondale, LA. To view and sign the guest‐ book, please go to www. davismortuaryservice.com.

Face Masks Are Recom‐ mended.

Bretz, Raymond 'Ray Ray'

Raymond “Ray Ray” Bretz, a resident of Metairie, Louisiana, passed away peacefully sur‐ rounded by loved ones on December 16, 2025, due to complications from Tem‐ poral Arteritis. Raymond was born in New Orleans to Louis and Marie Lala Bretz on January 4, 1950.

Raymond grew up in Lake‐ view area where he at‐ tended Hynes Elementary, Beauregard Middle and John F. Kennedy High School. He loved to partici‐ pate in sports and excelled in almost every sport the schools offered. After high school Raymond moved on to LSU to pursue a Fine Arts Degree and became a Tigers fan for his entire life. Raymond had retired from a near 50 year career as a successful profes‐ sional photographer. He photographed thousands of weddings and special events as well as countless portrait sessions. Raymond received many awards and accolades for his pho‐ tographs. He always said he was so blessed to get paid for doing something he loved. Raymond is sur‐ vived by his wife, Darlene Schloegel, sons, Michael A. Bretz and Corey L. Bretz; stepsons, Justin M. (Tiffanie) Hartenstein, Brandon A. (Alex) Harten‐ stein, and his beloved grandchildren, Justin M. Hartenstein, Jr., and Avan‐ geline “Ava” Hartenstein.

He is also survived by his brother, Ronnie (Kathy) Bretz and his sister, Bar‐ bara Bretz Hood. Raymond requested a small, private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Cancer Association of Louisiana https://www. calacares.org, or American Cancer Society https:// www.cancer.org would be appreciated. Expressions of love and sympathy may be placed and viewed on‐ line at www.greenwoodfh. com.

Hogan, Felicity Elaine

Felicity Elaine Hogan entered into eternal rest on December 16th, 2025 at the age of 24.

Who is Felicity?

Felicity is happiness.

That feeling you get when you smell freshly cut grass or when you think of a song and then it comes on the radio.

Her presence is felt before her body enters the room.

She makes everything beautiful.

Felicity is magical.

Her magic is in all of us, and just as her name means happinessFelicity will last forever.

She is survived by her parents, Tonya Galle Hogan and Charles Joseph Hogan III; her grandparents Mariloy and Manuel Galle, Rowena Hogan and Rick English; her siblings, Chase Joseph Hogan (Nicholle Bailee Hogan) and Skylar Hogan Boudreaux (Bret Joseph Boudreaux Jr.); her nephew Bret Joseph Boudreaux III; her boyfriend Jeremy Seth Veras; along with many relatives and loved ones.

The family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time.

Landry, Loretta Benoit Juneau

daughter of the late Ernest and Edwina Benoit. She was a loving and devoted wife of the late Horace Juneau and later to the late Gilbert Landry.

The beloved mother of Jeffrey Juneau (Donna) and Michael Juneau, Loretta was a force of nature. She loved being with her large and boisterous family. As the family matriarch, Loretta was never away from the kitchen. Her love language was to feed you, whether you said you were hungry or not. A devout Catholic, Loretta loved attending Mass when she could and watched every Sunday when she couldn't.

Her greatest gift was her unconditional love for her family, her selflessness shining through each day.

The world was brighter for her being in it, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Loretta is survived by her sister Peggy Benoit Fabre (Ernie) and the late Robert Benoit. In speaking of her family, she was proud to boast of her grandchildren Brad (Kristina) Juneau, Darrick (Dennis Zaffuto) Juneau, Erin (Remy) Ronquille, Michael (Liz Polonski) Juneau, and Kasey Juneau.

In addition, she was the joyful great-grandmother to Abigail, Kimi, Gabby, Noland, Elly, Connor, Remi and Takoda.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00AM on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 in the chapel of Westside/Leitz-Eagan Funeral Home, 5101 Westbank Expressway in Marrero, Louisiana. A visitation will begin at 9:00AM and continue until the Mass time. Following the Mass, Loretta will be laid to rest at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Mausoleum in Westwego, Louisiana.

Loving, Verle Specht 'Petsey'

Verle "Petsey" Specht Loving, age 84, passed away on Friday December 19th. She was born on February 2, 1941, in Harahan, LA and was a resident of LaPlace, LA. She was the beloved daughter of the late Wilfred L. Specht and Lucille Zeringue Specht.

She was a devoted wife of 66 years to Robert "Bob" F. Loving Jr., and a caring mother to her three sons: Robert "Bobby" F. Loving III, Rene Loving, and Randall "Randy" Loving.

She was a cherished grandmother to Catherine "Kate," Robert "Robby," Seth and his wife Samantha, Kristen, Jordan and his wife Madison, Peyton, Logan, and Camryn Loving, and a proud great-grandmother to Landon and Salem Loving. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Sonny and Laura Specht, and her daughters-in-law, Tara Maus Loving and Lisa Oubre Loving.

Verle Loving was a deeply selfless woman who dedicated much of her life to her faith and church community at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church.

She was highly active in parish life and was honored with the Order of St. Louis IX Medallion, in recognition of her outstanding service to her parish.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Visitation and Funeral Mass at Ascension of Our Lord Catholic Church, 1900 Greenwood Dr., LaPlace, LA on Tuesday December 23, 2025. Visitation will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 pm and a Funeral Mass will follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment will take place at St. Peter's Cemetery, located at Cemetery Rd, Reserve, LA. Millet-Guidry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. To view online guestbook please visit www.milletguidry.com.

Lowe, Alphonse 'Al'

Loretta Benoit Juneau Landry, 86, passed into eternal life on December 19, 2025. Born October 9, 1939, Loretta was the

Alphonse Alvin Lowe, Jr. December 4, 1944 -

December 13, 2025 Alphonse "Al" Alvin Lowe, Jr., age 81, passed away peacefully at his home on December 13, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on December 4, 1944, in New Orleans, Louisiana, Al was the son of the late Alphonse Alvin Lowe, Sr. and Esther Mae Casteix Lowe. He was raised in Jefferson, in an area locals fondly called "Cow Shit Alley."

For more than 50 years, Al owned and operated Lowe's Auto Service and Al Lowe's Radiator Shop in Old Jefferson, where he became a trusted presence and friend to many in the community.

Al loved adventure and the outdoors. He enjoyed motorcycles and dirt bikes, hunting, racing cars and boats, fishing at his camp in Empire, feeding his goats in Slidell, morning breakfasts with friends, and taking long drives just to eat dinner out of town.

He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, generosity, and the knowledge he freely shared.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marsha Beam Lowe; his son, Alphonse Alvin Lowe III; his sisters, Carol Ann Hull and Mae Jean Najiola; and his son-in-law, Brandon Lyons.

Al is survived by his brother, Daryl Lowe; his children, Lori Lowe Scott (Gary), Tory Lowe (Heidi), and Michelle Lowe Lyons; his grandchildren, Artemis Lowe, Dylan Scott, Al, Nicholas, and Brandon Lowe, and Brandon and Seth Lyons; and his greatgrandchildren, Devin, Alex, and Nathan Lowe, along with additional great and great-great-grandchildren.

Services will be held at Tharp Funeral Home, 1600 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie, Louisiana, on Friday, December 26, 2025.

Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., followed by Mass at 12:00 p.m.

Burial will follow at Greenwood Cemetery on Canal Blvd.

Lucky, Patricia Lee Johnson

With profound respect and fond remembrance, we honor the life of Patricia (Lee) Johnson Lucky. Born April 4th 1954, in New Orleans, La., she fell asleep in death on December 12th 2025, in Reserve, La. at the age of 71. She taught in St. John Parish for 20 years after earning her BA in 2004 from UOP and was one of Jehovah's Witnesses for 40 years. She was funny, eccentric and loved family, friends, preaching, shopping, the unconditional love of her puppies and above all else-God. Sister Patricia Lucky, best known as Pat, Grum and Mama is truly loved and will be dearly missed. Memorial service is 2pm on 12-27 Laplace Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

Mayo, Claude 'Drew'

Claude "Drew" Mayo, affectionately known as "Doctor Drew-little" and "The Dog Father" to those who loved him, passed away peacefully November 2nd, 2025. Drew was a proud Tennessee native and Sergeant in the Air Force during the Vietnam era.

For decades, Drew was a constant presence in his neighborhood, known for his skilled hands, sharp wit, and generous spirit.

Whether he was sharing his Tennessee wisdom (delivered with characteristic snark, twang, and brutally honest humor), entertaining neighborhood children despite having none of his own, or carrying pockets perpetually full of Milk-

Bones to befriend every dog he encountered, Drew made an indelible mark on all who knew him.

His independent spirit and stubborn pride were legendary. Drew was always the first to help others and the last to ask for help himself. Those lucky enough to call him friend knew him as a father figure, confidant, and source of unwavering support.

From his days at the pool table at Le Bon Temps Roule to his bucket throne outside the King Pin Bar during the COVID lockdown, Drew created community wherever he went.

A skilled craftsman and woodworker who excelled in his trade for decades, Drew continued the spirit of service he learned in the Air Force throughout his life, mentoring, building, and caring for his community until his health no longer allowed it.

Drew is survived by his brother Roger and sister, Karen. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, craftsmanship, and an entire neighborhood of dogs who will miss their most reliable friend. His true family was the community he built and nurtured for so many years.

Niemand, Winfried Kurt Georg

Winfried Kurt Georg Niemand, of Slidell, Louisiana, passed away on December 12, 2025, at the age of 84. Born on March 31, 1941, in the tumultuous times of World War II in Berlin, Germany, Winfried was a witness to history and a testament to the strength of the human spirit. His parents, the late Elisabeth Luckmann Nie‐ mand and Friedrich Arthur Niemand, instilled in him the values of hard work and perseverance which would become the corner‐ stones of his remarkable life. Winfried's journey to America began at the age of 11 when his family sought the promise of a

See more DEATHS, page

4B ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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OPINION N O L A.C O M/opinions

OUR VIEWS

La. tourism down, but not for lack of state leadership The verdict on Louisiana tourism in 2025 is beginning to come in, and unfortunately, the picture isn’t as rosy as expected.

Despite the tragedy on Bourbon Street on New Year’s Day, tourism started off strong this year with major events like Super Bowl LIX attracting thousands of tourists to New Orleans.

But a combination of factors, including the Trump administration’s trade and immigration policies, dampened enthusiasm for travel this year. That hurt Louisiana as the number of foreign visitors was down by 15% to 20% over the previous year.

Canadians especially were turned off from travel to the United States due to President Donald Trump’s tariffs and his rhetoric about making the country our 51st state. About 1 in 3 foreign visitors to Louisiana come from Canada.

And cultural events highlighting the state’s historic ties to the Francophone regions of Canada, such as the Grand Réveil Acadien, held in Lafayette in October, saw the effects of that resentment.

While final year-end numbers are yet to come in, there was a slowdown in travel to nearly all parts of the state. In New Orleans, hotel occupancy rates were down 5% compared to the previous year. One city that bucked the trend, however, was Baton Rouge, where new niche events are drawing people to the capital city like never before. The United States Bowling Congress Open Championship drew more than 58,000 visitors over five months to the Raising Cane’s River Center. And youth sports events, such as the Marucci World Series, are driving a whole new category. Hotel occupancy rates in Baton Rouge are up 1.9% so far this year, and hotel-motel tax revenues are up 6.9% year over year, according to Visit Baton Rouge.

Tourism officials say that because 2024 was such a banner year for tourism, especially in New Orleans, it’s important to take this year’s numbers with a grain of salt. And we have to add that even if there was a slump in 2025, it’s not due to lack of effort on the state’s part.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser has been a true champion of Louisiana’s tourism industry. He’s been everywhere promoting our state and has gone so far as to call on Trump to apologize to our Canadian neighbors. Even if he failed there, Nungesser and the Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation & Tourism get high marks for giving more people more reason to visit our state. The launch of the new Amtrak Mardi Gras line and the state’s inclusion in the new Michelin Guide American South are but two examples.

Tourism is about showing off our state, but it also is an industry that supports thousands of jobs that help feed families. So we salute all those working to make sure Louisiana is one of the places where visitors feel welcome.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE ARE OUR GUIDELINES: Letters are published

identifying name, occupation and/or title and the writer’s city of residence.

The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and phone 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, SCAN HERE

YOUR VIEWS

Misguided ideology leads to attacks on those enforcing law plethora of freebies offered is unsustainable wherever it has been tried.

However, they are acutely aware that false promises frequently win elections. When they fail to keep their ridiculous promises, they invariably claim to be faultless. As a result, the voters are strapped with four years of misery and mismanaged city government.

The mayor predictably blames big business and the wealthy for never paying their fair share, which no politician ever defines. The elephant in the room is that the rich and big business will never allow themselves to be held hostage by any rogue politician. They have the means to escape the talons of big government by simply moving to a more friendly state.

Wake up, America. Only Santa and the Easter bunny give free presents.

Power-hungry politicians lavishly make promises they know they can never deliver. Nothing is ever free.

Someone always has to pay. When will we ever learn?

It is truly stunning to watch many American youth condemn and rail against America’s military and law enforcement. These men and women who put their lives on the line every workday are husbands, wives, moms and dads to American families. Many go to church, attend sporting events and socialize together. They aren’t Nazis.

Many Americans are flummoxed by the actions of these misguided, radicalized individuals who throw Molotov cocktails, rocks and worse things at them in protest to their efforts to arrest and deport those who broke our laws and entered our country illegally.

What is even more perplexing is many radicalized American college students attack their parents who are religious, capitalist and conservative.

The radical left is no small segment of America. It has attracted enough followers to its ideology to elect a mayor who proudly declares to defund the police, offer free transportation and create government-controlled grocery stores.

Politicians are fully aware that their

WESLEY T. RALSTON Metairie

Handelsman’s work made learning fun I am a retired Orleans Parish public school educator who missed the children so much that after I retired, I went back part-time. For the past five years, I have been a gifted resource teacher with the ReNEW and the Firstline Charter Networks.

Walt’s cartoon contest has been part of my curriculum. Walt’s contest has helped spark creativity, ingenuity and imagination in my students. He has contributed to my English language arts lessons and my Social Studies lessons and has added a bit of real-life experience to our class discussions.

He has helped me stretch the students’ problem-solving skills and logical thinking abilities. He has helped fill

the classes with laughter and comic relief. One of my students won the grand prize! Several have received honorable mentions over the years.

The students are always eager to enter the contest and delighted to see their names in print.

This generation has gotten so far away from tangible print. I love to bring the “hard copies” in for them to read. Maybe one day, print journalism will come back (Look at how vinyl albums have returned!).

I’m sorry you are retiring, Walt.

Maybe you will be like me and return part-time... no pressure!

DIXEY FACIANE New Orleans

Actions sow fear among law-abiding Latino community I just ate at a Latino restaurant in my neighborhood. I found that their restaurant employees were terrified of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement coming. They tell me that Latinos in the community are fearful of leaving their houses, that the stores owned by Latinos are closing, that La-

tino children are afraid to go to school, that Latino workers afraid to go to their jobs. These are hard-working, law-abiding people who no longer feel safe. These are not criminals. What is happening to our country?

ARLENE BAZIN Metairie

Let’s talk about how protesters play into attacks on Jews As a Jewish New Orleanian, I am deeply troubled by the recent letter that describes Israel as a racist and colonial project and that labels American Jews who support Israel’s right to exist as collaborators with fascism. These ideas are not simply political disagreements. They rely on familiar and harmful antisemitic narratives that erase Jewish history and place unique moral blame on the world’s only Jewish state.

The claim that Israel is a colonial enterprise ignores the fact that the Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel and have maintained an unbroken cultural and spiritual connection to it for thousands of years. Framing Jewish self-determination as foreign colonization has been used for more than a century to deny Jewish legitimacy and rights.

It is one of the oldest modern forms of antisemitism, and repeating it does not advance justice for Palestinians. It only deepens division.

The suggestion that Jews who oppose the demonization of Israel are acting as agents of racism or authoritarianism is also deeply antisemitic.

It casts Jewish safety and Jewish political identity as suspect and dangerous. It implies that Jews have a special power to corrupt democracy.

These accusations mirror historic charges used to justify persecution in Europe and Russia. They should have no place in a conversation that seeks authentic progress.

Turning Israel into a symbol of global evil, while describing Jewish defenders of Israel as enemies of justice, does nothing to promote peace. It harms Jewish communities and shuts down sincere dialogue.

New Orleans deserves a conversation that recognizes complexity and rejects rhetoric rooted in antisemitic ideas.

ABSINTHIA VERMUT New Orleans

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The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 5B

6B ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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with meteorologist Damon Singleton

TODAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Sunny, nice and warm

Pleasant with clouds and sun

Pleasantly warm with some sun

Partly sunny

Very warm

Pleasant with sunny intervals

HIGH

LOW

HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

76°

60° 75° 58°

LOW

LOW

74° 62°

LOW

80° 64°

HIGH

LOW

81° 61°

HIGH

This morning, we will have a few areas of fog in parts of southeast Louisiana. Otherwise, expect a mostly sunny to partly cloudy, warm and humid day. Afternoon temperatures have been running up to 15 above average and today is no exception. This afternoon, expect temperatures to rise to the mid-70s and with high humidity, it will feel sticky outside. Rain chances today have returned to zero. Patchy dense fog will return tomorrow along with the warmth and humidity.

LOW

77° 49°

YESTERDAY

New Orleans through 5 p.m. Monday

TEMPERATURE

Monroe 74/59

Shreveport 76/61 Longview 77/62

High/low Normal high Normal low Record high Record low

Jackson 76/56

FLOOD MON. 24-HOUR

Beaumont 76/60 Port Arthur 74/60

Baton Rouge 79/59

Lafayette 79/58

New Orleans 76/60

Lake Charles 76/59 Houma 79/60

Shown is today’s weather.

Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

City

Austin Boston Dallas Denver Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami

Hi

TODAY

Lo W

80 65 pc 36 32 sn 77 64 pc 66 46 pc -14 -21 pc 81 72 r 63 50 pc 61 42 c 80 68 pc

Hi

WED.

Lo W

78 65 pc 39 26 sn 78 63 pc 67 47 pc 10 -14 sn 82 69 pc 61 54 sh 62 57 sh 80 68 s

City

Nashville Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh St. Louis San Diego Tampa

Hi

TODAY

64 79 42 78 46 61 60 68 81

Lo W

57 c 57 pc 38 r 61 c 31 r 47 pc 42 pc 63 sh 61 s

Hi

70 78 48 74 39 64 63 68 80

WED.

Lo W

59 sh 58 s 32 pc 61 c 34 c 42 s 52 c 62 r 60 s

MISSISSIPPI STAGE STAGE CHANGE Memphis 34 -7.40 +0.30 Vidalia-Natchez 48 12.00 +0.15 Red River Landing 48 16.30 -0.20 Baton Rouge 35 5.70 -0.20 Donaldsonville 27 3.50 -0.20 Reserve 22 2.09 -0.12 New Orleans 17 2.20 -0.08 OHIO Cairo 40 16.77 +3.71 COMITE Near Olive 19 -1.41 -0.01 AMITE Near Darlington 18 -0.81 +0.02 Denham Springs 29 10.46 -0.08 Port Vincent 8 1.69 -0.17 TICKFAW Montpelier 13 1.74 +0.01 Holden 15 1.10 -0.04 ATCHAFALAYA Simmesport 47 4.51 -0.02 Melville 34 2.94 -0.09 Krotz Springs 29 2.91 -0.17 Butte La Rose 20 2.20 -0.04 Bayou Sorrel 12 2.60 none Morgan City 6 2.01 -0.33

Weather (W): s-sunny, pc-partly cloudy, c-cloudy, sh-showers, t-thunderstorms, r-rain, sf-snow flurries, sn-snow, i-ice.

DEATHS continued from new beginning. His father's outspoken Christian mis‐ sionary work during the war had profound impacts on the family, shaping Win‐ fried's character and his approach to life's chal‐ lenges. With the echoes of his father's courage, he embraced the American Dream with unwavering determination. His work ethic was evident from an early age, as he toiled on a farm for mere pennies, saved for a bicycle, and eventually manned a paper route to support his educa‐ tion. At 18, he joined the United States Airforce, sta‐ tioned back in his birth‐ place of Berlin, where he served with distinction. His military service was a pre‐ amble to his academic achievements at the Uni‐ versity of Colorado, where he earned a Juris Doctor in 1971, laying the foundation for a successful legal ca‐ reer. As a lawyer and a contract negotiator for the Midgulf Association of Stevedores in New Orleans, he was known for his sharp intellect and fair dealings. His entrepreneur‐ ial spirit later led him to establish his own com‐ pany, where his leadership and integrity were hall‐ marks of his business ethos. Despite his profes‐ sional accolades, Win‐ fried's greatest pride was his family. He was a de‐ voted husband to his late wife, Crystal Fay Marshall Niemand, with whom he shared 55 years of loving marriage. Together, they raised three sons: Eric Arthur Niemand, who pre‐ deceased him, and his sur‐ viving sons, Andre Walter Niemand and Alan Kurt Niemand. His legacy con‐ tinues through his cher‐ ished grandchildren, Nathan Winfried Niemand, Emily Elizabeth Niemand, and Meghan Marie Nie‐ mand. He also leaves be‐ hind his older sister, Gu‐ drun, and a host of ex‐ tended family members and friends. He was pre‐ ceded in death by his younger brothers, Sieg‐ mund and Joachim. Win‐ fried's life story is one of survival, transformation, and triumph. From the ashes of war-torn Berlin to the shores of America, he embodied the spirit of re‐ silience. His life was a bea‐ con of hope and a re‐ minder that with faith, hard work, and love, any‐ thing is possible. He will be profoundly missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of know‐ ing him. Relatives and friends are invited to at‐ tend a visitation on Sun‐

24-hour total Month to date Normal month to date year to date Normal year to date

Trace 4.26” 3.20” 57.50” 61.73”

TODAY

MODERATE

MODERATE

READING 52 MAIN POLLUTANT Nitrogen oxide

MAIN POLLUTANT Nitrogen oxide

SOURCE: LOUISIANA DEQ AND AIRNOW.GOV

Hattiesburg 76/57

Alexandria 76/58

Many 77/58

75°/67° 64° 48° 83° in 1970 15° in 1989

PRECIPITATION

day, December 28, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Audubon Funeral Home in Slidell. Military Honors will be held at 4:00 p.m.

Winfried will be laid to rest in the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery at a private burial. Memories and condolences may be express at www.Audubon FuneralHome.com

LaPlace on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

Visitation will be held from 11:30 a.m. until time of Mass at 1:00 p.m.

Millet-Guidry Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

To shares memories or condolences please visit www.milletguidry.com

Taylor, W B 'Skeeter'

St. Martin, Thomas Richard

Thomas Richard St. Martin, 87, a native and lifelong resident of LaPlace, Louisiana, passed away on December 20, 2025.

Tommy first attended LSU then transferred to the University of Mississippi, where he earned a degree in pharmacy. He proudly served as a pharmacist in the US Army at West Point.

He returned home to work as a pharmacist until his retirement in 2005.

He is survived by his loving wife, Jerrye B. St. Martin; his children, Andrew St. Martin (Linette), David St. Martin (Laura), and Glen St. Martin (Michelle); his grandchildren, Natalie Smith (Quinton), Matthew St. Martin (fiancée Jane), Lauren St. Martin, Brady St. Martin, Jeanne St. Martin, Christian St. Martin, Olivia St. Martin, Jacqueline St. Martin, and Emily St. Martin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ada and Lionel St. Martin, and his siblings, Wanda Ollar, Lionel St. Martin, Jr., Peggy Epperson, Janice Hargroder, S.J. "Billy" St. Martin, and Dale Leonard.

In Tommy's memory, the family asks that you do something kind for your neighbor.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial Service at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 529 W. 5th St.,

W B Taylor (Skeeter)died December 10,2025 at the age of 78 Skeeter was born November 17,1947 to the late Lee William Sr and Ollie Mae Taylor in Rose Hill Mississippi.He was baptized at an early age and attended school in Mississippi moved to New Orleans and became a truck driver.He leaves to cherish his memories a devoted friend Otistein Johnson one son Gregory Kellie five grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.Two brothers Lee William Jr (Elberna)and Roosevelt Taylor two sisters Lula(Jerry)Bell and Nellie(Byron)Stewart and one sister in law AudreyTaylor one uncle John Henry Taylor and a host of other nieces nephews relatives and friends.He was preceded in death by his parents Lee William Sr and Ollie Mae Taylor his son William Taylor three brothers Eddie Sr (Bull)Calvin Sr(Bodillie) Ray Taylor three sisters Willie Lee Alridge(Willie)Lillie Mae Ratliff (Polly)and Daisy Taylor (Linky).One stepbrother Eddie C Taylor one brother in law Eddie Ratliff one sister in law Ida Taylor and one great great grandson Kobe Taylor.Family and friends are invited to attend funeral service on Tuesday December 23,2025 at New Orleans Funeral and Cremation Service at 9200 I-10 Service Road New Orleans La 70127.Visitation is for 10:00 AM and service is for 11:00 AM..Pastor Robert Brown Officiating.Interment is private

data as of 7 a.m. Monday

TODAY’S TIDES HIGH FT. LOW FT. Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) 9:02a 0.6 8:56p -0.2 Shell Beach 3:39a 1.5 2:11p -0.4 South Point, Marsh Island 1:30a 1.5 9:42a -0.6 Cypremort Point 11:17p 1.5 1:41p -0.1 Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) 11:20p 0.9 10:05a -0.4 Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) 10:36p 1.2 8:22a -0.5 Wine Island --- --- 11:07a -0.5

Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

6:54 a.m.

5:07 p.m.

9:41 a.m.

8:32 p.m.

FIRST

FULL

LAST

NEW

DEC 27

JAN 3

JAN 10

JAN 18

HIGH

---------------

FT.

---------------

LOW

---------------

FT.

---------------

The solunar period schedule allows planning days so you will be fishing in good territory or hunting in good cover during those times. Major periods begin at the times shown and last for 1.5 to 2 hours. The minor periods are shorter.

MAJOR MINOR MAJOR MINOR

Today 1:19a 7:31a Wednesday 2:12a 8:24a Thursday 3:03a 9:15a Friday 3:52a 10:03a Saturday 4:39a 10:50a Sunday 5:24a 11:36a Monday 6:11a 12:00a

1:43p 7:55p 2:35p 8:47p 3:26p 9:37p 4:14p 10:25p 5:01p 11:13p 5:49p ---6:37p 12:24p

Forecasts and graphics, except Damon’s Outlook, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2025

OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

SPORTS

N O L A.C O M

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T u e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 23, 2025

1cN

SAIN T S AT T I TANS • NOON SUNDAy • CB S

Bulldogs keeping game prep similar to last Sugar Bowl Georgia doesn’t plan to change much vs. Ole Miss

BY ZACH EWING

STAFF PHOTOS By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints tight end Taysom Hill leaves the field after a 29-6 win over the New york Jets on Sunday at the Caesars Superdome.

ONE OF A KIND NFL, New Orleans will never see another Taysom Hill

Taysom Hill finally found a role he couldn’t play.

He’s not a eulogizer.

When asked after the Jets-Saints game Sunday to reflect on his time in New Orleans and if it might, indeed, have been the final home game of his legendary tenure in New Orleans, he became emotional. His eyes welled and his voice wobbled as he reflected on his historic nine-year career with the Saints.

“Look, my wife asked Jeff Duncan me (about the future) this morning, and I didn’t really feel any type of way, but as I was driving to the stadium, you start to think about the last nine years and what it’s meant to me and my family and the city and stuff,” he said. “So, for me personally, you just try to take it all in.

(My family) had a great experience here tonight, and I don’t know what the future holds for me, but it was a special day.”

If this was Hill’s final home game as a Saint — and it sure seemed that way,

Saints tight end Taysom Hill congratulates tight end Taysom Hill on his touchdown pass in the closing seconds against the Jets. given how Hill and the Saints treated it — then it is important to take a moment to reflect on his legacy and recognize his greatness.

His rare physical skill set translated into one of the surprising and remarkable careers in league history.

Hill came to the Saints an unknown, as an obscure waiver-wire claim from the Green Bay Packers in the fall of 2017.

The former undrafted free agent from Brigham Young quickly developed into

ä See DUNCAN, page 4C

Pelicans roll to their fifth straight victory

New Orleans holds off Mavericks behind five players in double figures

BY LES EAST

Contributing writer Zion Williamson scored 24 points, Derik Queen had 19 points and 11 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans used a fourth-quarter surge to win their fifth consecutive game, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 119-113 on Monday night in the Smoothie King Center.

Queen finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Saddiq Bey scored 19, Jordan Poole had 14,

Jeremiah Fears 12 and Trey Murphy 11 for the Pelicans (822), who play at Cleveland on Tuesday before returning home for back-to-back games against Phoenix on Friday and Saturday.

Herb Jones, who missed the second half of the Pelicans’ 128109 victory over Indiana on Saturday, returned to the starting lineup and scored nine points but left the game for good in the third quarter after suffering a

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is guarded by Dallas Mavericks ä See PELICANS, page 6C forward Anthony Davis at the Smoothie King Center on Monday.

Staff Writer

Don’t expect Georgia coach Kirby Smart to get caught up in any narratives about redemption for last year’s Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame or any calls for sweeping changes in preparation.

“As far as changes going to New Orleans, there hasn’t been a tremendous amount of change,” Smart said on Monday’s teleconference in preparation for this season’s game Jan. 1 against Ole Miss at the Caesars ä Ole Miss Superdome.

“We don’t think we vs. Georgia, did anything wrong 7 P.M. JAN. 1, ESPN in the prep last year.

We didn’t necessarily play a really good game, but we also played a really good football team. Extremely talented defense.”

Notre Dame won that College Football Playoff quarterfinal 23-10 on its way to an appearance in the national championship game. That Sugar Bowl was played a day late, on Jan. 2, because of the Bourbon Street terror attack in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day. Once the game started the next night, the Bulldogs seemed off kilter. They lost two fumbles, one which led to a short touchdown drive, allowed their other touchdown on the second-half kickoff return and went a combined 2 for 15 on third and fourth downs.

But Georgia also was dealing with a number of injuries, including one to starting quarterback Carson Beck that forced Gunner Stockton into duty. A year later, Beck has transferred to Miami, and Stockton has been a successful starter all season.

Still, Smart isn’t about to tie in that performance to this matchup against Ole Miss, which is also a CFP quarterfinal.

“Yeah, I can’t say we’re better for having gone through it,” Smart said.

“Would we be better if we won that game? Would we be as motivated if we won that game? I don’t know that.

I think the two teams are very different. I think we’re a different leadership group, a different team. It’s been a different kind of team all year, and not in a good or bad way reflected on last year.

“We’ve been there before, but a lot of these kids weren’t there. Some of them were. I think the two years are independent of each other.”

As for the Rebels, even last month feels like a long time ago; since then, Lane Kiffin has left for LSU, the team elevated defensive coordinator Pete Golding to head coach and Ole Miss thumped Tulane 41-10 in the first round of the playoff Saturday.

“Some of those things that you were just worried about one side of the ball;

ä See GEORGIA, page 5C

New Orleans Bowl features players with Louisiana ties

BY SPENCER URQUHART Staff writer

There will be multiple players from Louisiana in the New Orleans Bowl game between Southern Miss and Western Kentucky on Tuesday at the Caesars Superdome.

Kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. The game will be televised by ESPN. The trip ä Western Kentucky t o N e w Orleans vs. Southern Miss, is a short 4:30 P.M.TUESDAy, ESPN one for the Sun Belt Conference’s Southern Miss (7-5), which is playing its first bowl game since 2022. Postseason travel has become routine for Conference USA’s Western Kentucky (8-4) having appeared in a bowl game every year since 2019.

The 25th New Orleans Bowl will

be a homecoming of sorts for players from both teams as a total of 10 Louisiana natives set to participate.

Eight of the 10 Louisiana natives play for Southern Miss, which recently saw coach Charles Huff leave after one season to coach Memphis. Southern Miss promoted offensive coordinator Blake Anderson to Huff’s place. Anderson will coach the bowl game and be the Golden Eagles’ coach going forward.

“Coach Huff did an amazing job,” Anderson said. “Didn’t expect to be in the situation here going into the bowl game taking over, but I’m excited about the opportunity. I want to be focused on this group, the finish line with this group of seniors.

They deserve that.”

Anderson is in his second stint at Southern Miss after being on the staff from 2008-11. The Golden

Eagles finished 1-11 last season.

Southern Miss has a 31-player senior class and landed several impact players in the transfer portal.

Defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp, a former Ascension Catholic star, transferred from Arizona State as a junior and was a first team AllSun Belt selection after recording 71/2 sacks.

Other Louisiana natives for Southern Miss include Lafayette Christian’s Anthony Richard, a starting cornerback who transferred from Marshall, and freshman kicker Creighton Wilbanks of Mandeville.

Quarterback Braylon Braxton is among the Golden Eagles’ 31 seniors. Braxton has thrown for 2,796 yards and 23 touchdowns seven interceptions this season

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JAMES KENNEy

Western Kentucky running back George Hart, a former Catholic of Baton Rouge star, dives into the end zone over Nevada defensive back Murvin ä See BOWL, page 5C Kenion on Sept. 20 in Bowling Green, Ky.

2C ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 1 p.m.

Grambling at Ohio St. BTN 3 p.m.

UC-Riverside at UCLA BTN 5 p.m.

Harvard at St. John’s FS1 6 p.m.

Villanova at Seton Hall Peacock

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 1 p.m.

Toledo vs. Louisville ESPN 4:30 p.m. W. Kentucky vs. Southern Miss. ESPN 8 p.m.

UNLV vs. Ohio ESPN NBA 7 p.m.

Denver at Dallas NBC, Peacock

IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

6:30 p.m. New Orleans at Cleveland WVUE 9:30 p.m. Houston at L.A. Clippers NBC, Peacock NHL 3 p.m.

Pittsburgh at Toronto TNT, TRUTV 5:30 p.m. Dallas at Detroit TNT, TRUTV 8 p.m.

Philadelphia at Chicago TNT, TRUTV

Haven repeats as Class 2A Outstanding Player

BY JERIT ROSER

Written for the LSWA Elijah Haven, a rare sophomore Outstanding Player selection in 2024, only surpassed that impressive performance with a recordbreaking and championship-winning junior campaign.

The Dunham quarterback repeats as the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A Offensive Outstanding Player, setting state single-season marks for passing touchdowns (62) and total touchdowns (73) and career touchdowns (180).

Haven joins fellow Division III select state finalist Luke Miller of Calvary Baptist and Mansfield coach Darrell Barbay as this year’s Class 2A superlative award winners.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Haven was 240-for-331 (72.5%) with 3,929 yards and 62 touchdowns with just seven interceptions. He also rushed 127 times for another 847 yards and 11 scores.

His prolific effort helped lead

his Tigers (13-1) to the program’s first title since 2004, defeating Calvary 34-17 in the Division III select state championship.

Miller led Calvary Baptist (122) to its second championship game in the past three years with his own standout performance in the middle of one of the state’s top defenses.

The senior finished with 123 tackles, one of Louisiana’s top totals, including seven stops behind the line with three interceptions and 11 breakups.

Barbay led Mansfield (10-3) to its first 10-win season and first quarterfinal run since 1993 and an undefeated District 3-2A title.

The Wolverines have improved their win total every season since Barbay’s hire in 2022, including three straight years with at least one playoff victory after a fouryear drought.

Mansfield opened the season with a wild comeback from a 35-0 deficit to beat Minden 46-38 and rarely slowed down in a memorable run throughout the fall.

LSWA CLASS 2A ALL-STATE TEAM Offense Pos. Player WR Brayden Allen WR Braylun Huglon WR Jarvis Washington Jr. OL Christian Comeaux OL Ron Griffing Jr. OL Torrey Landry OL Micah Mosher OL Cooper Thomas QB Elijah Haven RB Caiden Bellard RB Joachim Bourgeois RB Jaidon Briggs PK Ty Knight ATH Braylon Walker

School Lafayette Christian Calvary Baptist Dunham Dunham Mangham Lafayette Christian Ouachita Christian Calvary Baptist Dunham Lafayette Christian Notre Dame Vinton Calvary Baptist Lafayette Christian

Ht. 6-2 5-10 6-4 6-2 6-1 6-3 5-10 6-0 6-5 5-10 5-8 5-10 5-11 5-11

Wt. 180 175 185 215 265 245 225 210 215 190 165 165 155 170

Class Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Pos. Player School Ht. DL Jayden Arceneaux Lafayette Christian 5-10 DL Marvin Davis Ferriday 6-3 DL Cullen McIntosh Oak Grove 6-4 DL Eliot Trahan Dunham 5-9 LB Dean Ancalade South Plaquemines 5-9 LB Luke Miller Calvary Baptist 6-0 LB Cade Poland Mangham 6-1 LB Kendrick Wyatt Mansfield 6-2 DB Sabryn Bartholomew South Plaquemines 5-9 DB Luke Green Lafayette Christian 6-1 DB Matthew Hicks Holy Savior Menard 6-2 DB Zavier Ledet Catholic-N.I. 5-10 P Gavin Polk Ouachita Christian 6-2 ATH Devin Franklin Oak Grove 6-4 RS Owen Layton Oak Grove 5-8 OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE PLAYER: Elijah Haven, Dunham OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Luke Miller, Calvary Baptist COACH OF THE YEAR: Darrell Barbay, Mansfield

Wt. 220 200 215 195 185 195 218 200 165 180 175 150 175 215 165

Class Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Defense

Honorable mention

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven looks for a receiver against Lafayette Christian in a semifinal playoff game on Dec. 5.

Daltin Albritton, D’Arbonne Woods; Izaac Andre, Catholic-NI; Aderrion Baker, St. Helena; Sam Brocato, Holy Savior Menard; Taj Callahan, Episcopal-BR; Thomas Carter, Slaughter Community Charter; Colby Casey, Mangham; Kameron Casnave, Northlake Christian; Joshua Casugay, Avoyelles; Nigile Ceasar, DeQuincy; Paityn Collins, Ferriday; Javontaye Dean, Green Oaks; Terroni Dominick, West St. Mary; Griffin Doucet, Notre Dame; Justin Drago, Country Day; Ja’Courey Duhon, Lafayette Renaissance Charter; Wesley Duplechin, Notre Dame; Aiden Fairchild, Pope John Paul II; Charlie Gilmore, Northlake Christian; Trevon Haman, Dunham; Henry Jackson, Isidore Newman; Tylon Jackson, Oakdale; Jacob Jeanise, Holy Savior Menard; Christopher Jones, Loreauville; Kevin Jones, Avoyelles; Kortlin Kyle, Vinton; Brodie Lejeune, Notre Dame; Geremy Lewis, Cohen; Dashun Lightfoot, Franklin; George Loop, Newman; Jaimason Marzell, Lafayette Christian; Owen Morris, Catholic-NI; Ian O’Boyle, Newman; Terrell Pegues, Mansfield; Brandon Perkins, Kinder; Jake Poirier, Catholic-NI; Jake Randle, Newman; Carson Riser, D’Arbonne Woods; Jack Roniger, Pope John Paul II; Eli Self, Kinder; Kaycee Sellers, Lafayette Renaissance Charter; Kaleb Simon, Lafayette Christian; Dominik Smith, Pope John Paul II; Kobe Smith, Avoyelles; Craig St. Cyr, Winnfield; Eyan Taylor, South Plaquemines; Isaiah Thomas, Kinder; Jude Turner, Ouachita Christian; Patrick Turpin, Ouachita Christian; Luke Vidrine, Ouachita Christian; David Weeks, Calvary Baptist; Detavious Williams, Winnfield; Keshawn Williams, Green Oaks; Jordan Willis, Northlake Christian; Deverrick Winnfield, Oakdale; Ja’Kyrin Woodard, Welsh; Hudson Wright, Country Day; Tyler Yokum, Lafayette Renaissance Charter.

Ruling on free agency in MLB turns 50

BY RONALD BLUM

of bad publicity.

“I predicted the decision,” Kuhn told The Associated Press. “I was not surprised. I had people examine his record. I thought there was a tilt to the players’ side.”

Associated Press

NEW YORK — Sports were turned upside down 50 years ago Tuesday by a man who never threw or kicked a ball.

A lawyer with expertise in labor relations struck down Major League Baseball’s reserve clause, which had bound players to their teams since the 1870s.

No one could have predicted then that the 65-page decision issued Dec. 23, 1975, by arbitrator Peter Seitz — who later compared baseball owners to “the French barons of the 12th century” — would lead to an upheaval that made thousands of players multimillionaires.

“The real floodgates opened after that,” former pitcher David Cone said. “Players were finally in all walks of life, in all sports, were finally able to see what, hey, what free agency really looks like.

There was all the doom and gloom back then from one side that said: ‘This is going to ruin the game.

It’s not sustainable.’ And actually, it was just the opposite. It made the game better.”

Baseball’s average salary was $44,676 at the time of the decision and climbed to about $5 million this year, a 112-fold increase.

Outfielder Juan Soto commanded a record $765 million deal with the New York Mets last December.

Seitz’s decision was followed by free agency upheavals in the NFL, NBA, NFL and European soccer.

“The time frames largely align to suggest that there were indeed synergies between what was happening on the baseball side and what was happening in other sports,” current baseball players’ association head Tony Clark said.

The push for free agency Curt Flood had lost a lawsuit arguing for free agency in 1972 when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld baseball’s antitrust exemption, ruling it was up to Congress to make any change.

In December 1974, Catfish Hunter was set free on a technicality when Seitz concluded Oakland Athletics owner Charlie Finley failed to make a $50,000 payment into a long-term annuity fund as specified in the pitcher’s contract.

Following a bidding war, Hunter signed a five-year contract with

‘Billions and billions’

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTOS

Pitcher Andy Messersmith, shown in an Atlanta Braves uniform in April 1976, filed a grievance after playing the 1975 season under renewals with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Arbitrator Peter Seitz speaks during a news conference after he gave free agent status to pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally by voiding the reserve clause in their contracts on Dec. 23, 1975, in New york. the New York Yankees for about $3.2 million.

“We saw this huge contract, it was like reading from another world,” recalled former All-Star pitcher Steve Rogers, among the first beneficiaries of free agency and later a long-time union of-

ficial. “The magnitude was just unheard of, the number of dollars that were guaranteed to him. It didn’t take long for us to see that there was a lot of money to be spent in buying talent and then we started seeing: My talent is worth a lot.”

Union head Marvin Miller and general counsel Dick Moss had in 1970 negotiated the first provision for grievances to be decided by an outside arbitrator, and they wanted a case to test the provision in each contract that gave the team the right to renew it for an additional year in perpetuity.

Language in each player agreement stated the club could “renew this contract for the period of one year on the same terms,” except that the salary could be cut by as much as 20%. After playing the 1975 season under renewals, Andy Messersmith of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dave McNally of the Montreal Expos maintained in a grievance the renewal period was one year only and they should be declared free.

Following a three-day hearing that generated an 842-page transcript and 97 exhibits, Seitz urged owners to settle the case as late as Dec. 9. Then-commissioner Bowie Kuhn urged owners to fire Seitz before a decision, but management’s Player Relations Committee refused because it was afraid

Seitz ruled for the union.

“This decision strikes no blow emancipating players from claimed serfdom or involuntary servitude such as was alleged in the Flood Case,” Seitz wrote. “It does not condemn the reserve system presently in force on constitutional or moral grounds. It does not counsel or require that the system be changed to suit the predilections or preferences of an arbitrator acting as a philosopherking intent upon imposing his own personal brand of industrial justice on the parties. It does no more than seek to interpret and apply provisions that are in the agreements of the parties.”

Management fired Seitz that afternoon and vowed to overturn the decision in federal court.

Seitz’s decision was upheld in February 1976 by U.S. District Judge John W. Oliver and affirmed the following month by an 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel of Judges Floyd Robert Gibson, Gerald Heaney and Roy Laverne Stephenson.

That July 12, players and owners agreed to a four-year collective bargaining agreement creating one-time free agency for all players after 1976 or 1977 and going forward after six seasons of major league service, which is still in place. Future Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson and Rollie Fingers were among the first players to gain free-agent riches.

“The difference between winning and losing was billions and billions of dollars, maybe tens of billions of dollars,” Moss, who died last year, said after holding a 25th anniversary party in 2020.

Seitz died in 1983.

Baseball has endured nine work stoppages since 1972 and another is possible when the current labor contract expires at the end of Dec. 1 next year.

“I think one can make a case that we’ve spent the last two-plus decades trying to re-establish some reasonable equilibrium,” then-commissioner Bud Selig said in 2000.

Kiffin’s QB son Knox is heading to University High

Knox Kiffin, the son of new LSU coach Lane Kiffin, announced on X that he will attend University High and enroll in January.

Knox, a Class of 2028 quarterback, played six games last season at Oxford High School in Oxford, Mississippi. He threw for 1,403 yards and 16 touchdowns.

The news was announced by Hayes Fawcett of On3 in an X post.

Knox Kiffin quote-tweeted the post, confirming the news.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound quarterback currently holds 10 college offers between the FBS and FCS levels. His most notable offers come from Cal, SMU and Washington.

His most recent offer came from Cal on Friday.

U-High made it to the Division II select semifinals this past season, falling in overtime to eventual champion St. Charles.

Red Sox get All-Star 1B Contreras from Cardinals

BOSTON — The Boston Red Sox acquired three-time All-Star Willson Contreras from the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday in a trade for right-hander Hunter Dobbins and two pitching prospects.

The 33-year-old Contreras is a .258 hitter with 172 homers and 548 RBIs in 10 seasons with the Cubs and Cardinals. He spent most of his career as a catcher before moving to first base last year, when he batted .257 with 20 homers and 80 RBIs. Dobbins, 26, went 4-1 with a 4.13 ERA as a rookie in Boston last year before tearing the ACL in his right knee and missing the second half of the season. The Cardinals will also receive Single-A righties Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo.

St. Louis also sent cash to Boston as part of the deal.

Chiefs announce stadium move to Kansas for 2031

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas City Chiefs announced Monday they will leave their longtime home at Arrowhead Stadium for a new, domed stadium that will be ready for the start of the 2031 season.

The announcement came shortly after a council of top Kansas lawmakers voted unanimously inside a packed room at the state Capitol to allow the state to issue a little more than $2.4 billion in bonds to cover about 60% of the cost of the stadium, a training facility and retail and entertainment space.

The bonds will be paid off with state sales and liquor tax revenues.

The Chiefs intend their $3 billion stadium project to be built in Kansas City, Kansas, near the Kansas Speedway.

NBA, FIBA moving closer to league in Europe

The NBA and FIBA said Monday they will start the process of engaging with teams and owners about joining their planned new league in Europe next month.

As has been expected, the league will offer both permanent spots and “a merit-based pathway” to qualifying on an annual basis through FIBA’s Basketball Champions League or an end-of-season tournament, the sides said. Every team in a FIBA-affiliated European league would have the chance to qualify.

“The format of the league respects European sport model principles by offering any ambitious club in the continent a fair pathway to the top,” FIBA secretary general Andreas Zagklis said.

Saban has new role with the Nashville Predators

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Nick Saban knows his strengths with seven national championships as a college football coach. He also understands how to put coaches and athletes in the best position to succeed.

That’s what he hopes to bring to the NHL’s Nashville Predators after joining the franchise as a minority owner.

“I’m no expert in hockey, so don’t look at me like I’m going to make some huge impact coaching around here because that’s not going to happen,” Saban said Monday. “But I do have a pretty good idea of what it takes to have successful organizations.”

Saban made his first appearance Monday in his new role as a minority owner alongside Predators chairman Bill Haslam.

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 3C

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LSU freshman Knox shows ‘special’ potential Forward scores 25 in rout of Texas-Arlington

BY REED DARCEY

ä Alabama State at LSU

Staff writer

3 P.M. SUNDAy, ESPN+

The innate size, speed and athleticism that made Grace Knox one of the most coveted recruits in her class appeared throughout the LSU women’s basketball team’s latest win.

At one point of Knox’s career day, coach Kim Mulkey turned to two of her assistants. She doesn’t quite remember exactly what play prompted her reaction. It might’ve been something mundane. But it was notable enough to catch her attention in a nonconference matchup that turned into a 65-point blowout victory.

“I said, ‘Holy cow,’ ” Mulkey said of the 6-foot-2 forward. “I don’t even know if this kid realizes just how special she can become.”

Knox turned in the best game of her young career on Sunday when the No. 5 Tigers (13-0) routed Texas-Arlington 110-45. Mulkey put the freshman from Las Vegas on the floor for 28 minutes — the most she has played this season — and she used that extra run to pair a career-high 25 points with 12 rebounds, three blocks and three steals.

Before Sunday, only four Division I freshmen had notched at

least 25 points and 10 rebounds in a game this season.

Knox became the fifth as LSU salted away its lopsided win over the Mavericks — a 6-6 Western Athletic Conference team that couldn’t slow down the Tigers’ transition offense.

Only two Mulkey-era LSU opponents have turned the ball over more times than UTA did on Sunday (34). Those opportunities benefited Knox. She used her speed to run the floor, positioning herself to score the kind of baskets that propelled the Tigers above the 100-point threshold for the 10th time this season.

Star guard Flau’jae Johnson served Knox two open layups with crafty bounce passes — one late in the first quarter and another halfway through the third. Then senior transfer forward Amiya Joyner followed suit, leading Knox into a third-quarter fast-break finish that widened LSU’s lead past 40 points.

Knox collected Joyner’s bounce pass without breaking stride, then flipped a shot off the glass and through the rim. Her momentum sent her tumbling across the base-

line in front of the LSU bench, but it didn’t foil her shot at the rim.

“She’s just an athlete,” Mulkey said. “Good lord, you can’t block her out. You can’t keep her from flying to the boards. She finishes in traffic. She works really hard defensively for a freshman. She’s going to make mistakes, but her mistakes are done with effort.

“She might have had her best game here, since she’s been at LSU.” According to Basketball Reference data, only two Division I freshmen have scored in double figures more times this season than Knox. She has now hit that mark in 11 of the 13 matchups LSU has played so far, and she’s also one of seven Tigers with a double-digit scoring average — but the only one who’s converting more than 65% of her shots.

Before Sunday, Knox hadn’t attempted more than eight field goals in a game this year. Then she took 18 shots against UTA, using those extra looks to improve her careerhigh scoring output by 13 points.

LSU played the Mavericks without ZaKiyah Johnson — the freshman forward who’s spent most of the season starting over Knox.

Mulkey called her absence a “little mama pat on the hand” and said

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU forward Grace Knox celebrates after making a layup against UTArlington in the third quarter of their game Sunday at the PMAC. she’ll return to the floor next Sunday for the Tigers’ nonconference finale against Alabama State.

Johnson is one of the four LSU post players who will rotate in and out of close games once SEC play begins Jan. 1. They were each playing about 18 minutes per game before the Tigers routed the Mavericks, and they’ve each turned in their fair share of impressive performances.

Kate Koval chipped in 22 points on Dec. 7 against UNO. Joyner has

four double-doubles. Johnson has the same number of 15-point outings.

And now Knox can claim the best scoring night any LSU player has had this season — an impressive feat for a freshman who plays on a team with established stars and national championship aspirations.

“She’s got some God-given tools,” Mulkey said. “She really does.”

Email Reed Darcey at reed. darcey@theadvocate.com.

UConn stays at No. 1 No. 2 Michigan is closing gap on top-ranked Arizona in women’s AP Top 25

BY JOHN MARSHALL

BY DOUG FEINBERG

since 2012 after beating then-No. 15 Baylor 61-60 on Associated Press Sunday. The win over the UConn, Texas, South Caro- Bears was the Red Raiders’ lina and UCLA all cruised to first over a ranked opponent easy victories to remain atop this season and dropped The Associated Press Top 25 Baylor to 22nd. It also was women’s basketball poll re- Texas Tech’s first win over Baylor since 2011.. leased Monday.

The Huskies routed thenNo. 11 Iowa in the Women’s Rising Louisville Champions Classic on SatLouisville climbed three urday to stay unbeaten and spots to No. 13 after routhold on to No. 1 spot in the ing then-No. 17 Tennessee.

Top 25. UConn received 25 The Lady Vols fell to 23rd. first-place ballots from the The Cardinals have won six 32-member national media straight games. panel. Texas got the other seven to stay No. 2 in the Conference supremacy final poll of the calendar With Washington dropyear. The next poll will be ping out of the Top 25 , the released Jan. 5.

Big Ten and Southeastern Texas Tech (14-0) entered Conference each have eight the poll for the first time ranked teams.

AP WOMEN’S TOP 25 Rec. Pts. Prv.

1. UConn (25) 12-0 793 1 2. Texas (7) 14-0 775 2 3. South Carolina 12-1 727 3 4. UCLA 11-1 710 4 5. LSU 13-0 644 5 6. Michigan 10-1 636 6 7. Maryland 13-0 580 7 8. TCU 13-0 564 9 8. Oklahoma 11-1 564 8 10. Iowa St. 13-0 556 10 11. Kentucky 12-1 439 12 12. Vanderbilt 12-0 417 13 13. Louisville 12-3 400 16 14. Iowa 10-2 368 11 15. Mississippi 12-1 359 14 16. North Carolina 11-3 301 18 17. Southern Cal 9-3 255 19 18. Notre Dame 9-2 242 20 19. Ohio St. 10-1 213 21 20. Nebraska 12-0 180 23 21. Texas Tech 14-0 126 22. Baylor 11-3 124 15 23. Tennessee 7-3 122 17 24. Michigan St. 10-1 88 24 25. Princeton 11-1 69 25 Others receiving votes: Oklahoma St. 37, Alabama 26, Stanford 21, Georgia 20, Washington 17, NC State 12, Arizona St. 7, Illinois 4, Oregon 3, BYU 1.

out San Diego State 68-45 .

No. 13 Nebraska continued its rise, climbing to Arizona is still No. 1 in its highest ranking since The Associated Press men’s reaching No. 11 in 1991-92.

LSU received votes for college basketball poll, but No. 2 Michigan is closing the fourth straight week afthe gap. ter a 78-65 win over SouthThe Wildcats topped the eastern. poll for the third straight week in the AP Top 25 re- Rising and falling leased on Monday, receivNo. 15 Texas Tech made ing 38 first-place votes. The the largest move up the Wolverines had 19 first- poll, rising four spots after place votes and closed the rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat Duke 82-81, gap in total points.

No. 3 Iowa State had one ending the Blue Devils’ unfirst-place vote, with UCo- beaten start to the season. nn and Purdue rounding Duke dropped three places out the top five in the final to No. 6 after its loss to Texpoll of the calendar year. as Tech.

The next Top 25 will be reNo. 16 Louisville had the biggest fall in this week’s leased Jan. 5.

Arizona (11-0) added an- poll, losing five spots after other quality win to its re- losing Tennessee and blowsume last week, blowing ing out Montana.

Associated Press

AP MEN’S TOP 25

Rec. Pts. Prv. 1. Arizona (38) 11-0 1428 1 2. Michigan (19) 11-0 1408 2 3. Iowa St. (1) 12-0 1320 4 4. UConn 12-1 1281 5 5. Purdue 11-1 1174 6 6. Duke 11-1 1148 3 7. Gonzaga 12-1 1080 7 8. Houston 11-1 1061 8 9. Michigan St. 11-1 985 9 10. BYU 11-1 966 10 11. Vanderbilt 12-0 810 13 12. North Carolina 11-1 806 12 13. Nebraska 12-0 704 15 14. Alabama 9-3 638 16 15. Texas Tech 9-3 588 19 16. Louisville 10-2 555 11 17. Kansas 9-3 494 17 18. Arkansas 9-3 470 14 19. Tennessee 9-3 460 20 20. Illinois 8-3 429 18 21. Virginia 10-1 252 23 22. Florida 8-4 215 23 23. Georgia 10-1 127 25 24. Southern Cal 12-1 92 25. Iowa 10-2 79 Others receiving votes: Kentucky 78, Seton Hall 49, Auburn 39, St. John’s 23, California 19, LSU 17, UCLA 13, Clemson 9, Miami (Ohio) 6, Utah St. 5, Arizona St. 5, Indiana 4, Miami 4, Saint Louis 3, Belmont 2, Baylor 1, Oklahoma St. 1, UCF 1, NC State 1.

Tigers complete comeback to avoid upset to Prairie View

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Williams was called for a flagrant two foul after hitting Thomas in the face while being pressured at half court.

A common foul was given to Thomas, but Williams was ejected, giving LSU two free throws and the possession at the 16:44 mark of the second half.

Thomas made one of two free throws, and Sutton, on the ensuing possession, drove hard right and finished an and-one shot off the glass. This made the score 63-58 with Prairie View leading.

Staff writer

Scorching hot 3-point shooting was the theme of LSU’s second-to-last game before Southeastern Conference play, but all while avoiding a major upset Monday night.

While the Tigers shot well, Prairie View was also outstanding from the perimeter as it drilled 10 of 13 3-pointers in the first half in taking a 56-51 halftime lead.

Prairie View’s lead grew to 10 three minutes into the second half before LSU gathered its composure and escaped with a 104-90 victory at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

The Tigers outmatched the “handsy” defense of Prairie View, making 43 of 49 free throws to eclipse the previous season’s free throw high of 31 of 39.

Marquel Sutton and Dedan Thomas each had 21 points for LSU (11-1). Mike Nwoko added 18 points.

Prairie View (5-7) opened the game playing a zone defense, forcing LSU to create open shots through skip passes instead of dribble penetration.

The defensive strategy didn’t bother LSU as it got open shots repeatedly, such as a right-wing 3-pointer for Max Mackinnon, who received a cross-court pass from Sutton.

Just as LSU scored with ease, so did the Panthers. At the first media timeout with 15:13 mark of the first half, both teams were 6 of 8 from the field as LSU led 17-16.

Prairie View was 4 of 4 from beyond the arc at that point.

Prairie View’s top play-

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Rashad King, center, gains control of the ball in the paint as several Prairie View defenders reach for it on Monday at the PMAC. er was Tai’Reon Joseph, a Southern transfer who played at Scotlandville High School, who is averaging 21.1 points, leading the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The 6-foot-3 graduate student guard scored 11 of his team’s first 19 points.

Thomas wasn’t shy either when it came to finding his offense. The point guard leading the SEC in assists per game (6.5) was able to attack off the dribble when Prairie View played man-toman defense.

He started the game 3 for 3 with eight points. His third basket was a floater with his dominant left hand after a handoff pass by the 6-foot-10 Robert Miller, who also set a screen. LSU took a 28-22 lead with 11:57 before halftime.

Sutton was effective at drawing fouls. All his points came from the free-throw line in the first half, where

he was 7 of 8.

The Panthers didn’t relent, relying on tough off-thedribble shots. Along with Joseph, Prairie View graduate student Dontae Horne had 17 points at halftime.

Of Prairie View’s first 31 points, only four came in the paint and four from the freethrow line.

Prairie View’s hot shooting was unrelenting. It took a 47-45 lead with 4:37 before halftime after another contested 3 dropped. This was the Panthers’ 10th 3-pointer out of 13 attempts.

They entered the game, averaging 5.9 made 3s per game, and were shooting them at 31.6%.

At halftime, Prairie View was shooting 67% from the field. LSU was 50% from both the field and the 3-point line, making 6 of 12 from beyond the arc.

The game began to shift after Prairie View’s Lance

A couple of minutes later, LSU was rewarded more free throws when Joseph, who finished with 34 points, was given a technical foul for what he said during Sutton’s pair of free throws.

Mackinnon was chosen for the technical shots and made both attempts. Sutton made his two free throws, and these scores were part of an 8-2 run to bring LSU within three points.

Rashad King delivered a crucial right corner 3-pointer that tied the game at 71.

Sutton followed that with

a hook shot off the glass to give LSU a 73-71 lead with 12:42 left in the game.

King, a transfer from Northeastern, received extra playing time as a 6-6 player who was making shots and helping on the defensive end. He finished with a season-high 13 points and helped the Tigers stay in control going forward.

LSU’s next game is against Southern Miss at 7 p.m.

Monday at the PMAC. This will be the team’s final game before Southeastern Conference play.

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4C ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

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NFL

Saints playing top-shelf defense of late SAINTS NOTEBOOK N.O. among league’s best since Since the start of Week 10, the Saints are allowing just 137.3 yards early November passing per game, tops in the NFL.

BY LUKE JOHNSON and MATTHEW PARAS

Staff writers

Things looked bleak back in early November, when the high-powered Los Angeles Rams offense throttled the Saints.

Led by MVP front-runner Matthew Stafford, the Rams operated at will against the Saints defense. Stafford threw four touchdown passes and had a 140.8 passer rating. Kyren Williams ran for 114 yards and a score.

Los Angeles racked up nearly 300 total yards before halftime, coasting to 438 total in a 34-10 rout.

That game is especially notable because of what has happened after.

Since that game, the Saints rank No. 1 in the NFL in total defense (258.7 yards per game) and No. 2 in scoring defense (15.8 points per game). Sunday against the Jets, they clinched their fourth win in their past six games by limiting New York to 195 total yards and six points.

The advanced numbers are similar to what the Saints have been doing lately, too. In four of the past six weeks, the Saints have finished with a top-10 ranking in Expected Points Added (how well a team performs compared to their expectation on a play-byplay basis). Their lone ranking outside of the top half came in a Week 15 win against the Carolina Panthers, when they had the NFL’s 17th-best effort.

New Orleans has been especially tough against passers.

Some of that can be chalked up to the quality of competition and conditions — the Saints have faced Bryce Young twice, Baker Mayfield and Tua Tagovailoa in rainy weather, and backups Kirk Cousins and Brady Cook.

Still, those passers have managed to throw just four touchdowns against five interceptions in six games against the Saints, compiling a 72.2 passer rating.

The surge has vaulted the Saints toward the upper echelon of the NFL in defensive rankings in defensive coordinator Brandon Staley’s first season. Before Monday night’s game between the Colts and 49ers, New Orleans was the NFL’s No. 9 total defense and No. 14 scoring defense. Situationally, they rank No. 4 on third downs and No. 11 in the red zone.

Shough ROY? Tyler Shough has worked his way into the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

And with two games left, the Saints quarterback has a shot at winning the award. Most sportsbooks list Shough as having the second-best odds behind Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. In the past two weeks, Shough’s odds went from 250-1 to 4-1.

After Sunday’s 29-6 win over the Jets, Shough was asked what he made of the possibility of earning the award.

“That’s obviously a great achievement,” said Shough, who threw for a career-high 308 yards. “But I think for us, that can be attained by finishing the season the right way

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor sacks New york Jets quarterback Brady Cook at the Caesars Superdome on Sunday. with getting the victory next week and then the week after that. So that’s all I’m focused on right now.

And we’ll go from there.”

The Saints close the season at Tennessee and Atlanta.

Shough is 4-3 as a starter.

“I think that’s awesome,” coach Kellen Moore said. “Tyler’s played some really good football.

Our team has played much better football as the season’s progressed, so those things certainly don’t go without the guys around him and everyone kind of stepping up and playing better.

“Tyler’s brought a really positive spark to us, some consistency. … I love where he’s at.”

Moreau and defensive tackle Bryan Bresee for their Week 17 game against the Tennessee Titans.

Both Moreau (ankle) and Bresee (knee) left the field in the third quarter of Sunday’s win against the New York Jets.

Moore said Monday that both players are looking at “time lost” because of their respective injuries.

Moore didn’t say both players would miss the final two games of the season, and he sounded optimistic that neither injury would impact the players beyond the 2025 season.

Moreau’s injury occurred on a 5-yard catch early in the third period. Jets linebacker Quincy ‘Time lost’ Williams dragged Moreau down The Saints are probably go- with what Moore called a “hiping to be without tight end Foster droppy” tackle, a reference to

the “hip-drop” tackle the league is trying to ban because of the high injury rates associated with the technique.

The New Orleans native made his season’s debut in Week 5 after recovering from a knee injury suffered in the final game of the 2024 season. In 11 games this season, he’s caught seven passes for 59 yards.

Bresee’s injury came on a third and 20 midway through the quarter, when he landed awkwardly after losing his footing in the turf on a pass rush.

The 2023 first-rounder has never missed a game in his career. In 15 games this season, Bresee has 2.5 sacks and 5 tackles for loss.

Email Luke Johnson at ljohnson@theadvocate.com.

Jaguars can’t get overlooked anymore after impressive win

BY ROB MAADDI

they weren’t expected to have playoff success after losing starting quarterback Carson Wentz to a knee injury. Backup Nick Foles led them to a stunning victory over Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

“Keep doubting us,” Jags cornerback Jarrian Jones said. “We want to show up every Sunday and you have to play us no matter where we’re at. We play in the snow, we play in the rain, whatever you want to do. I think the Jags are going to be ready to play.”

Lawrence threw three touchdown passes and ran for a score.

He has 12 TD passes and no interceptions over the past four games, posting a passer rating above 105 in each one.

“I hope we don’t get any (respect),” Lawrence said. “So everybody out there, just keep it up. It’s great. It was a big game and just proud of the guys. It was fun.”

AP pro football Writer Maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars and coach Liam Coen will get the credit they deserve now.

Trevor Lawrence and the Jags went to Denver and scored 34 points against one of the NFL’s best defenses, extending their winning streak to six games with a 14-point victory on Sunday that gave the Broncos their first loss since Week 3.

This was an impressive, convincing win for an underrated team that’s been overlooked throughout the season.

The Broncos (12-3) and Patriots (12-3) deserved recognition for double-digit winning streaks. The Colts (8-6) were the talk of the AFC the first two months during a 7-1 start. The Bills (11-4) and Josh Allen are always in the spotlight.

Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers (9-6), Justin Herbert and the Chargers (11-4) and C.J. Stroud and the Texans (10-5) also get more attention.

Even the demise of the Chiefs has been a bigger storyline than the rise of the Jaguars.

But no team is playing better right now than Jacksonville. The Jaguars (11-4) lead the AFC South and are in the mix for the No. 1 seed. They would clinch a playoff berth if Indianapolis loses to San Francisco on Monday night.

It’s been a remarkable turnaround for a team that finished 4-13 last season.

Coen has led the way since replacing Doug Pederson. He almost didn’t take the job after initially declining an in-person interview

DUNCAN

Continued from page 1C a multi-purpose weapon thanks to the utility role former Saints coach Sean Payton fashioned for him.

Hill became so effective as a multipurpose Swiss Army Knife that NFL teams across the league tried to mimic the Saints’ success with him. Several teams drafted or signed athletic college quarterbacks in the late rounds and tried to make them their version of Hill, among them Jalen Milroe (Seahawks), Easton Stick (Chargers), Nick Fitzgerald (Bucs), Trace McSorley (Ravens) and Eric Dungey (Giants). The Saints even tried to get a younger version of him in

Tomlin’s team

with the Jaguars. Coen had agreed to a three-year contract to remain the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, a deal that would’ve made him the league’s highest-paid assistant.

But he changed his mind after owner Shad Khan fired general manager Trent Baalke. Coen has quickly turned the Jaguars into Super Bowl contenders.

“Just thankful that a small market team like us can come into a place like Mile High and get it

done,” Coen said with sarcasm.

Coen wants everyone to continue underestimating the Jaguars.

“We really don’t care about the narrative,” he said. “I’m sorry to say that, but it’s only helping us, so I want the narrative to keep coming.”

Several teams have embraced the underdog role in the past, using it as a rallying cry. The 2017 Philadelphia Eagles started wearing dog masks on the sideline because

A few weeks ago, Steelers fans were chanting: “Fire Tomlin!”

Even Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison joined the critics, saying it was time for Pittsburgh to move on from coach Mike Tomlin.

But the Steelers have won three in a row, including Sunday’s wild, 29-24 upset at Detroit.

They lead the AFC North and would secure their first division title since 2020 with one more win or a loss by the Ravens (7-8).

Rodgers and the offense are clicking at the right time for Pittsburgh. Running backs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell excelled in Detroit. But the

2020, when they drafted Tommy Stevens out of Mississippi State.

They learned what so many others did over the years. While many players may possess some of Hill’s traits, none had the combination of size, elite athleticism and unselfish mindset that made Hill a unicorn.

Physically speaking, Hill is one of one. He is faster than Alvin Kamara and as strong as some of the Saints linemen. He is agile enough to line up at wide receiver and can throw a football into the end zone from midfield.

Sunday was another vintage Hill performance. With a large group of friends and family watching from the stands, he ran 12 times for a team-high 42 yards. He added four catches for 36 yards and capped the day with a beautiful

38-yard touchdown pass to Chris Olave.

The performance left Hill with 2,388 yards passing, 2,545 yards rushing, and 1,002 career yards receiving, making him the only player in modern NFL history with more than 1,000 yards passing, rushing, and receiving.

That’s not the only feat of his you’ll find in the NFL record books.

Hill is the first player in modern NFL history to score double-digit touchdowns three different ways in his career — as a rusher, receiver and passer.

He’s the first player since the NFL merger in 1970 to run for three touchdowns, pass for another and return a kickoff in the same game.

During his career, he also

blocked two punts and served as the personal protector on the punt team, the role he was in Sunday when he converted a fourth-and-1 on a fake punt.

Throughout it all, Hill has remained as humble and unassuming as the day he walked into camp nine years ago.

“He’s just a special guy,” coach Kellen Moore said. “He’s an A-plus person and an A-plus player. The things he can do from the capacity of having to handle all of these looks, structures and fundamentals that you have to play at all these positions, it’s just really, really special.”

Equally impressive, Hill never sought the spotlight. In a world increasingly populated by shameless self-promoters, Hill is an outlier. The media-shy 35-year-old

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVID ZALUBOWSKI

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in Denver on Sunday.

Steelers might lose wide receiver DK Metcalf to a suspension after he took a swipe at a Lions fans during the game.

Playoff picture Five of the seven NFC playoff spots have been secured while only one team has clinched in the AFC, though three more teams can join the club if the 49ers beat the Colts.

The Eagles (10-5) are NFC East champions. The Panthers (8-7) beat the Buccaneers (7-8) to move into first place in the NFC South. But the Buccaneers would win their fifth straight division title with victories at Miami next week and over Carolina in Week 18.

The Bears (11-4) need one more win or one loss by the Packers (9-6-1) to lock up the NFC North. The Seahawks (114) lead the NFC West with the Rams (11-4) and 49ers (10-4) in the mix.

The Lions (8-7) have a tough path. They have to win out and need the Packers to lose two to get a wild-card spot.

The Broncos are the lone AFC team already in but their lead in the West is down to one game over the Chargers. The Jaguars, Bills and Chargers get in with a loss by Indianapolis on Monday night.

The Patriots will clinch the AFC East with another win or a loss by Buffalo. The Steelers are on the verge of clinching the AFC North.

The Jaguars lead the Texans in the AFC South while the Colts need to win out and get help to have a chance.

doesn’t post his workouts on social media, and he doesn’t make the rounds on the national talk show/ podcast network. Away from Airline Drive, he prefers to spend his time quietly and privately with family and friends.

“Taysom is by far one of the best players I’ve been around, on and off the field,” tight end Juwan Johnson said. “He’s just such a selfless person, a selfless player.

He’s earned everything that he’s got. I’m grateful and I’m honored to be on his team.”

We should never overlook Hill’s extraordinary accomplishments or unique talents. What he did for the Saints is rare and unprecedented.

Everybody is looking for the “next Taysom Hill.”

The reality is, there isn’t one.

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 5C

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COLLEGE FOOTBALL Michigan interim coach Poggi wants to keep the job beyond bowl game

BY LARRY LAGE AP sportswriter

and recovered a fumble. His 127 tackles last year were the most for a Tech player since Lawrence safety in high school, but when he Flugence set an NCAA FBS regot to Tech he hadn’t been a line- cord with 193 in 2002. He has 117 backer since middle school, when this season after Tech reportedly the approach was much different. invested more than $7 million “I had no clue what I was doing. I on transfers along the defensive was just going see ball, hit ball,” he front, including Bailey, secondsaid. “You’re playing linebacker, team AP All-America interior but you don’t have to study film, lineman A.J. Holmes Jr., and thirdand you don’t have to understand teamer Lee Hunter. the position as much.”

As a prep starting quarterback, Army wife Rodriguez accounted for 10,136 As tough as Rodriguez is, the total yards (7,085 passing, 3,051 6-foot-1, 235-pound linebacker rushing) and 106 touchdowns (68 said there is no doubt that his wife passing, 38 rushing) as Wichita Emma is even tougher.

Falls Rider made the Texas Class The high school sweethearts got 5A playoffs three years in a row. married in July 2023. Emma gradHe was then an early enrollee at uated from the United States MiliVirginia, which gave him a schol- tary Academy and is now based at arship offer as a quarterback. Fort Riley in Kansas.

“She’s the best, and she does so He never threw a pass in his 12 games with the Cavaliers, but had much for me,” Jacob Rodriguez 56 yards rushing and 65 receiving said. “It’s weird, I feel like to evwhile used as a running back, re- erybody else, that we do long disceiver and tight end. He left there tance and have done it. But I mean after a coaching change. to us, it’s normal. It’s something “It’s just really cool to see the that we’ve always done.” way that his story has developed, and the kind of guy that he is,” said No trip to New York fifth-year Tech quarterback BehWhile disappointed he didn’t ren Morton, a fellow Texan who get an invitation to New York for was in some of the same camps as the Heisman Trophy ceremony, Rodriguez before college. “He’s Rodriguez was grateful and honprobably put on close to 50 pounds, ored by the final results. His 17 and just totally transformed his first-place votes were nine more body to looking like a mean line- than Ohio State quarterback Jubacker.” lian Sayin, the fourth-place finisher. Indiana QB Fernando MenEmbracing defense doza won the Heisman ahead of Rodriguez played special teams Vanderbilt quarterback Diego and some defensive packages dur- Pavia and Notre Dame running ing his Tech debut in 2022, when back Jeremiyah Love.

“I’m just so appreciative to even he had 29 tackles and began to embe in that conversation,” Rodribrace being on that side.

“Really just knowing that I can guez said. “That kind of hit home, make an impact whatever position was people really cared about me I play. I’ve done it on the offensive and see what the work that’s been side of the ball, I’ve done it on the done this year.” defensive side of a ball, and I’ve Rodriguez has scored three done it on special teams. I can re- touchdowns this season. He really play with anybody,” he said. turned a fumble for a score against “That’s kind of when I figured I can Oklahoma, and had short rushing do this. I saw myself progressing TDs on his only carries when taka lot on the defensive side of the ing a direct snap in each of the last ball, and week to week just getting two regular-season games. better and better.”

“It was exciting and it was fun,” He was limited to five games in he said. “Those are the moments 2023 after injuring his foot in the that I’ll never forget, where it’s opener on a play that he forced just having fun playing football.”

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Biff Poggi tapped on a lectern, accentuating each word, as he closed a news conference and made his case to be Michigan’s football coach beyond its bowl game.

“I want to fix this program,” Poggi said Monday.

Clearly, college football’s winningest program is broken.

The 18th-ranked Wolverines were shaken nearly two weeks ago when Sherrone Moore was fired as coach.

Michigan said Moore had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and two days later, he was charged with three crimes because prosecutors said he “barged his way” into the apartment of a woman with whom he had been having an affair and threatened to kill himself.

Poggi was put in charge, on an interim basis, to prepare the team to play No. 14 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.

He wants the job beyond that.

“I’m being considered,” Poggi said. “I’ve had multiple interviews.

“Nobody knows what’s going to happen.”

That’s a fact.

Michigan hired a search firm to help it look for a new leader at a challenging time, following a coaching carousel that included Lane Kiffin leaving Ole Miss to lead LSU. Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, meanwhile, used Michigan’s interest in potentially hiring him as leverage to get a raise for him and his coaching staff last weekend.

The next man to lead the maize and blue will be inheriting a mess, albeit one with upside because the school’s donors are rich and generous enough to attract and retain talent in the new era of college athletics.

The NCAA put Michigan’s football program on probation earlier this year, stemming from a sign-stealing scandal, and athletic director Warde Manuel has said penalties will cost the department more than $30 million.

Matt Weiss, who previously shared offensive coordinator duties with Moore at Michigan, was charged with hacking into the computer accounts of thousands of college athletes to find intimate images. A judge entered a not-guilty plea earlier this year for the former Baltimore Ravens and Wolverines assistant coach.

Other Michigan football coaches and staffers have been arrested in recent years, tarnishing the image of a school proud of its academic reputation and athletic excellence.

“It has been five years, let’s just call it a malfunctioning organization,” Poggi said. “I know the athletic director has made very clear he doesn’t want any more of that.”

The university hired a law firm to investigate Moore’s relationship with the staffer, who it said provided evidence that led to his firing, and attorneys are continuing a probe of the football program.

“Everything that happens in

this building has to be reevaluated, quite frankly, because it is not up to standard,” Poggi said. “The staff has to be reevaluated — the coaches, the analysts — everybody in the building.”

Poggi is in his fourth season at Schembechler Hall, where the team trains and the coaches have offices.

Former coach Jim Harbaugh hired Poggi, the father of a former Michigan fullback, in 2016 as an analyst and he left after one season to start a football program at a private high school in Baltimore.

Poggi returned in 2021 for a two-season stint as associate head coach before briefly getting a shot to coach Charlotte in the American Conference.

He was fired a little more than a year ago during his second season with a 6-16 record, and Moore brought him back last spring as associate head coach.

Poggi filled in for Moore this year when he was suspended for two games after breaking NCAA rules for a second time and he led the Wolverines to wins at Nebraska and against Central Michigan.

The 66-year-old Poggi was an offensive lineman at Pittsburgh, where Dan Marino and Hugh Greene were teammates, and transferred to and graduated from Duke. He was on coaching staffs at Brown, The Citadel and Temple.

Poggi became wealthy as a hedge fund manager and owns a hedge fund, which he said is run by his employees.

What has he learned in that industry that can help him coach at Michigan?

“When you’re in business, every day is game,” he said.

When the Wolverines get back on the field against the Longhorns, they will be without three key players. Edge rushers Derrick Moore and Jaishawn Barham and offensive guard Giovanni El-Hadi have opted out of the bowl to focus on preparing for the NFL, Poggi said.

Backup quarterback Jadyn Davis plans to enter the portal next week and former signees Matt Ludwig and Bear McWhorter asked for and were granted their release from Michigan to enroll at other schools.

Bryce Underwood is waiting to see who Michigan’s next coach is before he makes a decision about his future, and Poggi said he hopes the team’s starting quarterback chooses to stay for his sophomore season.

Ole Miss will be dealing with a condensed schedule compared to Georgia, which last played Dec. 6 in the SEC championship game.

“Moved on to Georgia (Monday) morning and walked through format,” Golding said. “We’re going to give them a couple of days off for Christmas, then bring them

back Christmas night and go to work as a normal Monday would be on the 26th.”

That brings to mind another possible concern for the Bulldogs: Last year, all four teams with firstround byes lost their quarterfinal game.

Does extra rest mean rust? Nah,

Smart’s not biting on that, either.

“The negative is when you’re playing good football, a lot of times you want to keep playing,” he said.

“You want to stay in rhythm. …

But I’m excited about where our team is. I’m excited that they’re practicing the way they are and are excited about the opponent.”

Hart, a senior running back, transferred from Arizona State.

“I’ve played (in New Orleans) a lot in high school for state championships, so it’s cool to have my last collegiate game here,” Hart said.

“It’s definitely a blessing that my whole family gets to see the last one.”

Western Kentucky has gone 4-2 in bowl games during the past six years under coach Tyson Helton.

This year will be the second New Orleans Bowl appearance for the Hilltoppers, their first being a 4423 win over South Alabama in 2022. “(Southern Miss) is a great, complete team,” Helton said. “I know coach (Anderson) very well. He does a great job. Statistically, we’re both about the same, so it should be a good game.”

This year marks the sixth New Orleans Bowl appearance for

Southern Miss, which has a 4-1 record in the bowl. Their last appearance was a 28-21 win over UL in 2016.

“I think our fanbase is excited about what we’ve done,” Anderson said. “It would be awesome to get to (win) No. 8 considering all we’ve been through.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By KATHLEEN BATTEN

Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez lines up against West Virginia during the second half of a game on Nov. 29 in Morgantown, W.Va.

Former Texas Tech quarterback Rodriguez thriving at linebacker

BY STEPHEN HAWKINS Associated Press

Jacob Rodriguez was sleeping on the floor of his brother’s apartment and learning how to really play defense when he joined Texas Tech for spring practice in 2022, right after a season as a quarterback at Virginia.

Suddenly a walk-on on the other side of the ball, Rodriguez even wondered if he might get cut by the Red Raiders.

“They’re trying to weed everybody out because it’s coach (Joey) McGuire’s first offseason,” he said.

“So, I’m just out there trying to make the team and then focus on football. It was real weird, totally different position.”

QB-turned-linebacker Rodriguez is now an AP All-American for fourth-ranked Tech, which is in the College Football Playoff for the first time. The team captain with a distinctive mustache, whose wife flies Black Hawk helicopters in the U.S. Army, has a collection of trophies for national defensive player of the year awards, and was fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting. He is the first FBS player in 20 years with at least five forced fumbles (he has seven), two fumble recoveries and four interceptions in the same season.

“He’s just a man of consistency, a man of routine and he’s just a great leader overall,” said Tech senior edge rusher David Bailey, a first-year transfer and also an AP All-America first-teamer.

The Red Raiders (12-1), in McGuire’s fourth season, play No. 5 Oregon (12-1) in the CFP quarterfinal Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day. The first-time Big 12 Conference champions already have a school-record 12 wins.

Rodriguez won the Chuck Bednarik and Bronko Nagurski awards as the top defensive player, and the Dick Butkus Award as the top linebacker. He got the Lombardi Award that’s for exceptional performance while embodying character and discipline like the award’s namesake.

From QB to standout linebacker Rodriguez played a little bit of

ä Texas Tech vs. Oregon.

11 A.M. JAN. 1, ESPN

GEORGIA

really good job.

“The ball part of it is easy. I don’t Continued from page 1C think whether it’s the Sugar Bowl, or the first round, or you’re playing Mississippi State: Once you now you’ve got a lot more prob- get late in the season, if you lose, lems to be able to help,” Golding you’re probably not going to be said. “But we’ve got a really good playoffs. Right now, if you lose, crew around us, guys who do a your season is ended.”

BOWL

Continued from page 1C while battling a knee injury down the stretch.

“Braylon has been a lot of fun to be in a room with every day,” Anderson said. “I thought he played at an extremely high level for us and got hurt and battled through it.

Happy to say that he’s healthy and will be able to play a much different game on Tuesday.”

A pair of Western Kentucky players are familiar to Louisiana high school football fans in Destrehan alum Jai Eugene and former Catholic-Baton Rouge standout George Hart. A defensive back, Eugene is in his second season with the Hilltoppers after transferring from Tulane.

AP PHOTO By JOE BURBANK

Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi pauses during a Citrus Bowl news conference on Dec. 15 in Winter Park, Fla.

Email Spencer Urquhart at surquhart@theadvocate.com.

6C ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

lll

LSU finalizes new hires on coaching staff

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

Lane Kiffin has finalized the majority of his first coaching staff at LSU. The team announced 11 new hires Monday, all of which were previously known. But notably, LSU revealed the titles for defensive assistants Chris Kiffin and Lou Spanos, both of whom followed Kiffin from Ole Miss.

Chris Kiffin will be the linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator. LSU had to figure out his role after retaining defensive coordinator Blake Baker, who coached linebackers the past two years in addition to calling the defense. Chris

Kiffin coached linebackers at Ole Miss this past season.

Spanos, a defensive analyst at Ole Miss, was named an assistant defensive line coach and pass rush specialist. LSU is expected to retain edge rushers coach Kevin Peoples, cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond and safeties coach Jake Olsen to complete the defensive staff.

LSU also confirmed the expected hirings of running backs coach and associate head coach Kevin Smith, defensive line coach Sterling Lucas and special teams coordinator Joe Houston. The terms of their deals are not yet known.

Smith came to the LSU football operations building Sunday with

the rest of the new assistants who are still coaching Ole Miss through the College Football Playoff. He was hired to replace Frank Wilson, who is set to become Ole Miss’ new running backs coach and senior associate head coach after his last game as LSU’s interim head coach Dec. 27 in the Texas Bowl.

Smith spent eight of the past nine years with Kiffin at Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss, helping with a key part of the offense. A former UCF running back, Smith played five years for the Detroit Lions before he became a coach. He has coached New York Giants running back Devin Singletary, Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon

Judkins and Ole Miss star running back Kewan Lacy, a potential target for LSU if he enters the transfer portal.

Lucas coached defensive ends and outside linebackers for the past four seasons at South Carolina, where he helped with the development of standout defensive ends Dylan Stewart and Kyle Kennard, one of the most productive tandems in the country in 2024.

He will replace former LSU star Kyle Williams, who was expected to step away after one season as a college coach.

Houston spent the past two years at Florida, and prior to that, he was a special teams assistant for four seasons with the New

England Patriots. He has also coached special teams at Iowa State and Alabama.

After leaving for LSU, Lane Kiffin quickly filled his offensive staff by bringing most of his assistants with him from Ole Miss.

LSU has already agreed to terms with offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr., co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Joe Cox, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator George McDonald, quarterbacks coach Dane Stevens, inside wide receivers coach Sawyer Jordan and offensive line coach Eric Wolford, the only one in that group who was not at Ole Miss this past season.

SCOREBOARD Odds

at UCLA Idaho at ST. JOHN’S at LOYOLA MRYMNT at SETON HALL

Sports Betting Line NFL Thursday

FAVORITE at WASH Detroit at K.C.

Saturday

NHL

OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3½ 4½ (50½) Dallas 2½ 1½ (48½) at MIN 4½ 4½ (44½) Denver

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG at LA CHRGRS 1½ 1½ (39½) Houston at GREEN BAY 1½ 2½ (40½) Baltimore

Sunday

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Seattle 1½ 7 (42½) at CAR Jacksonville 1½ 6½ (46½) at IND Tampa Bay 1 5½ (46½) at MIAMI New England 1½ 13½ (43½) at NY JETS Pittsburgh 2½ 4½ (34½) at CLE New Orleans 3½ 2½ (39½) at TEN at CINCINNATI 4 7 (53½) Arizona at LAS VEGAS 2½ 1½ (42) NY Giants at BUFFALO 1½ 2½ (43½) Phila at SAN FRAN 3 2½ (50½) Chicago Monday FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG LA Rams 8½ 8 (49½) at ATLANTA

College Football Tuesday

Boca Raton Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Louisville 9½ 7½ (44½) Toledo New Orleans Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG W. Kentucky 3½ 4½ (55½) S. Miss Frisco Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG UNLV 3½ 4½ (62½) Ohio

Wednesday

Hawai’i Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Cal 1½ 1½ (54½) Hawaii

Friday

GameAbove Sports Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Northwestern 12½ 10½ (43½) C. Michigan Rate Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Minnesota 3½ 2½ (47½) New Mex First Responder Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG UTSA 8½ 8½ (59½) Fla Intl

Saturday

Military Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Pittsburgh 6½ Pinstripe Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Clemson 3½ Fenway Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Army 3½ Pop-Tarts Bowl FAVORITE OPEN BYU 3½ Arizona Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Fresno State 3½ New Mexico Bowl FAVORITE OPEN North Texas 5½ Gator Bowl Jacksonville, Fla. FAVORITE OPEN Missouri 7½ Texas Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Houston 1½

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 7½ (57½) E. Carolina TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3½ (48½) Penn State TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 8½ (46½) UConn TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 4½ (55½) Ga Tech TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 4½ (42½) Miami (OH) TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 2½ (55½)San Dego St TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 6½ (48½) Virginia TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 2½ (41½) LSU

Monday, Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Ga Southern 3½ 4½ (59½) Appa St.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Independence Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Louisiana Tech 9½ 8½ (50½) C. Carolina Music City Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Tennessee 8½ 2½ (60½) Illinois Alamo Bowl FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG USC 6½ 4½ (57½) TCU

NBA

Tuesday

FAVORITE LINE at CHARLOTTE OFF at PHILA OFF at CLEVELAND OFF at MIAMI OFF at INDIANA OFF at ATLANTA OFF at DALLAS OFF at MINNESOTA OFF at SAN ANTONIO OFF at UTAH OFF at PHOENIX OFF at PORTLAND OFF at SACRAMENTO OFF at LA CLIPPERS OFF

O/U UNDERDOG (OFF) Washington (OFF) Brooklyn (OFF) New Orleans (OFF) Toronto (OFF) Milwaukee (OFF) Chicago (OFF) Denver (OFF) New York (OFF) Oklahoma City (OFF) Memphis (OFF) LA Lakers (OFF) Orlando (OFF) Detroit (OFF) Houston

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Tuesday

FAVORITE at ARMY at CAMPBELL at KENTUCKY at UCF at OHIO STATE at MISSOURI STATE

LINE 6½ 3½ 34½ 8½ 26½ 2½

UNDERDOG Binghamton Green Bay Bellarmine Florida Atlantic Grambling Lindenwood

PELICANS

Continued from page 1C sprained right ankle.

Former Pelican Anthony Davis had 35 points and 17 rebounds, Klay Thompson scored 20, rookie forward Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, had 16 and former Pelican Naji Marshall scored 15 for the Mavericks (1119).

Marshall and Flagg scored five points each as Dallas extended its six-point halftime lead to 83-73 midway through the third quarter.

Jose Alvarado made consecutive 3-pointer for New Orleans before

25½ UC Riverside 4½ at CSU BKRSFIELD 25½ Harvard 21½ Morgan State 1½ Villanova

Tuesday

FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at TORONTO -140 Pittsburgh Dallas -129 at DETROIT at BOSTON -120 Montreal at CAROLINA -152 Florida at OTTAWA -155 Buffalo New Jersey -120 at N.Y ISLNDRS at WASHINGTON -170 N.Y Rangers at MINNESOTA -198 Nashville at EDMONTON -188 Calgary at COLORADO -259 Utah Philadelphia -122 at CHICAGO at VEGAS -258 San Jose at LOS ANGELES -251 Seattle

LINE +119 +109 +100 +127 +129 +100 +142 +164 +156 +210 +101 +209 +205

Pro basketball

New York Boston Philadelphia Toronto Brooklyn

Southeast Division Orlando Miami Atlanta Charlotte Washington

Central Division

W 20 17 16 17 8

L 8 11 11 13 19

W 16 15 15 9 5

L 12 14 15 19 22

W 22 15 13 11 6

Detroit Cleveland Chicago Milwaukee Indiana

L 6 14 15 18 22

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Southwest Division San Antonio Houston Memphis Dallas New Orleans

Northwest Division Oklahoma City Denver Minnesota Portland Utah Pacific Division L.A. Lakers Phoenix Golden State L.A. Clippers Sacramento

Sunday’s Games

W 21 17 13 11 7

L 7 9 15 18 22

Pct GB .714 — .607 3 .593 3½ .567 4 .296 11½ Pct GB .571 — .517 1½ .500 2 .321 7 .185 10½ Pct GB .786 — .517 7½ .464 9 .379 11½ .214 16

Pct GB .750 — .654 3 .464 8 .379 10½ .241 14½

W 25 20 19 12 10

L 3 7 10 16 17

Pct GB .893 — .741 4½ .655 6½ .429 13 .370 14½

W 19 15 14 7 7

L 8 13 15 21 22

Pct GB .704 — .536 4½ .483 6 .250 12½ .241 13

Chicago 152, Atlanta 150 Brooklyn 96, Toronto 81 New York 132, Miami 125 Minnesota 103, Milwaukee 100 San Antonio 124, Washington 113 Sacramento 125, Houston 124, OT

Monday’s Games

Brooklyn at Philadelphia, 6 p.m.

Washington at Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Chicago at Atlanta, 6:30 p.m.

Milwaukee at Indiana, 6:30 p.m.

New Orleans at Cleveland, 6:30 p.m.

Toronto at Miami, 6:30 p.m.

Denver at Dallas, 7 p.m.

New York at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma City at San Antonio, 7:30 p.m.

L.A. Lakers at Phoenix, 8 p.m.

Memphis at Utah, 8 p.m.

Detroit at Sacramento, 9 p.m.

Orlando at Portland, 9 p.m.

Houston at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

Pro football NFL AMERICAN CONFERENCE

South

W 12 11 6 3

L 3 4 9 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .800 .733 .400 .200

PF 410 434 317 282

PA 300 344 369 426

Jacksonville Houston Indianapolis e-Tennessee

W 11 10 8 3

L 4 5 6 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .733 .667 .571 .200

PF 410 346 392 251

Pittsburgh

W 9

L 6

T 0

Pct .600

PF PA 365 350

North

0 0 0

.467 .333 .200

359 348 359 458 246 355

x-Denver L.A. Chargers e-Kansas City e-Las Vegas

W 12 11 6 2

L 3 4 9 13

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .800 .733 .400 .133

PF 362 349 337 217

PA 295 301 294 386

y-Philadelphia e-Dallas e-Washington e-N.Y. Giants

W 10 6 4 2

L 5 8 11 13

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .667 .433 .267 .133

PF 349 424 309 313

PA 289 454 404 412

Carolina Tampa Bay e-Atlanta e-N.O.

W 8 7 6 5

L 7 8 9 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .533 .467 .400 .333

PF 287 347 307 255

PA 337 377 360 338

West

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

South

x-Chicago Green Bay Detroit e-Minn

W 11 9 8 7

L 4 5 7 8

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .733 .633 .533 .467

PF 387 364 452 305

PA 354 303 374 320

x-Seattle x-L.A. Rms x-San Fran e-Arizona

W 12 11 10 3

L 3 4 4 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .800 .733 .714 .200

PF 443 457 344 321

PA 279 299 293 414

West

e-Eliminated from playoffs x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Thursday’s Games Seattle 38, L.A. Rams 37, OT

Saturday’s Games

Philadelphia 29, Washington 18 Chicago 22, Green Bay 16, OT

Sunday’s Games

Buffalo 23, Cleveland 20 Carolina 23, Tampa Bay 20 Cincinnati 45, Miami 21 L.A. Chargers 34, Dallas 17 Minnesota 16, N.Y. Giants 13 New Orleans 29, N.Y. Jets 6 Tennessee 26, Kansas City 9 Atlanta 26, Arizona 19 Jacksonville 34, Denver 20 Houston 23, Las Vegas 21 Pittsburgh 29, Detroit 24 New England 28, Baltimore 24

Monday’s game

San Francisco at Indianapolis, n

Late Sunday New England 28, Baltimore 24 New England 0 10 3 15 — 28 Baltimore 7 3 7 7 — 24 First Quarter Bal_D.Henry 21 run (Loop kick), 12:21.

Second Quarter NE_H.Henry 1 pass from Maye (Borregales kick), 11:17.

NE_FG Borregales 45, 5:39.

Bal_FG Loop 36, 1:03.

Third Quarter NE_FG Borregales 41, 7:43.

Bal_Flowers 18 run (Loop kick), 4:35.

Fourth Quarter Bal_D.Henry 2 run (Loop kick), 12:50.

NE_K.Williams 37 pass from Maye (Stevenson pass from Maye), 9:01.

NE_Stevenson 21 run (Borregales kick), 2:07.

NE Bal First downs 24 18 Total Net Yards 453 330 Rushes-yards 23-79 33-171 Passing 374 159 Punt Returns 0-0 1-11 Kickoff Returns 3-89 2-49 Interceptions Ret. 0-0 1-0 Comp-Att-Int 31-44-1 16-20-0 Sacked-Yards Lost 4-6 1-7 Punts 1-49.0 2-42.0 Fumbles-Lost 3-1 2-2 Penalties-Yards 5-50 7-28 Time of Possession 31:49 28:11 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING_New England, Stevenson 8-51, Maye 10-25, Henderson 5-3. Baltimore, Henry 18-128, Flowers 1-18, Mitchell 9-13, L.Jackson 2-7, Andrews 1-3, Huntley 2-2.

PASSING_New England, Maye 31-44-1-380.

Baltimore, L.Jackson 7-10-0-101, Huntley 9-10-0-65.

RECEIVING_New England, Diggs 9-138, Hollins 7-69, Henry 6-35, K.Williams 2-46, Hooper 2-34, Stevenson 2-27, Boutte 1-16, Henderson 1-9, Douglas 1-6. Baltimore, Flowers 7-84, Hopkins 4-41, Andrews 2-21, Ali 2-2, Kolar 1-18.

MISSED FIELD GOALS_Baltimore, Loop 56.

Tuesday’s Games

x-New England Buffalo e-Miami e-N.Y. Jets

8 10 12

A_70,709.

Cleveland 139, Charlotte 132 Boston 103, Indiana 95 New Orleans 119, Dallas 113 Utah at Denver, n Memphis at Oklahoma City, n Detroit at Portland, n Orlando at Golden State, n

East

7 5 3

North

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

Baltimore e-Cincinnati e-Cleveland

PA 312 249 303 403

the Mavericks took an 87-79 lead at the end of the period.

Dallas pushed the lead to 11 points early in the fourth quarter, but Poole scored 10 points during an 18-4 run that gave the Pelicans a 101-98 lead midway through the period, The lead changed hands twice and the score was tied once before Williamson scored six points during a 10-0 run that gave New Orleans a 113-103 lead.

The Mavericks crept within four points in the final seconds, but didn’t score again.

Bey and Jones scored seven points each and three teammates scored as the Pelicans raced to a 22-11 lead. They led by 11 twice

College football

Xbox Bowl

Arkansas State 34, Missouri State 28

Friday’s games

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Kennesaw State 41, Western Michigan 6

Gasparilla Bowl

N.C. State 31, Memphis 7

College Football Playoff

First round No. 11 Alabama 34, No. 8 Oklahoma 24

Saturday’s games

College Football Playoff

First round No. 10 Miami (Fla.) 10, No. 7 Texas A&M 3 No. 6 Ole Miss 41, No. 17 Tulane 10 No. 5 Oregon 51, No. 19 James Madison 34

Monday’s game

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Boise, Idaho Washington St.. 34, Utah St. 21

State women’s schedule

Tuesday’s games

Saturday’s games

Tulane 76, Delaware State 44 Texas State 79, UL-Monroe 69 Southern Miss 76, UL 58 Memphis 70, Southeastern 66 Louisiana Tech 97, Central Baptist 42

Boca Raton Bowl

Boca Raton, Fla. Louisville vs. Toledo, 1 p.m. (ESPN)

New Orleans Bowl

New Orleans Western Kentucky vs. Southern Miss, 4:30 p.m. (ESPN)

Sunday’s games

Mercer-Detroit 70, Tulane 67 Northwestern State 60, Lamar 57 LSU 110, Texas-Arlington 45 Southern Methodist 74, Southern 62

Frisco Bowl

Frisco, Texas Ohio vs. UNLV, 8 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday’s games

Wednesday’s game

Grambling 97, LeTourneau University 33

Women’s national scores

Hawai’i Bowl

Honolulu Cal vs. Hawaii, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Monday’s games EAST

Dec. 26 games

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Detroit Central Michigan vs. Northwestern, noon (ESPN)

Rate Bowl

Phoenix New Mexico vs. Minnesota, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)

First Responder Bowl

SOUTH

Florida Gulf Coast 120, Fort Lauderdale 32 Grambling State 97, LeTourneau 33 Old Dominion 89, Indiana State 68 UAB 65, Samford 49 UNC Greensboro 77, South Carolina State 32 Wake Forest 78, Gardner-Webb 66 Austin Peay 57, Loyola Chicago 47 Missouri State 65, Central Arkansas 61 Seton Hall 88, Creighton 79 Western Illinois 75, SIU Edwardsville 51

FCS Playoffs

Illinois St. 30, Villanova 14 Montana St. 48 Montana 23 FCS Championship Montana St. vs. Illinois St.

SOUTHWEST

Little Rock 73, Hendrix College 52 Oklahoma 126, North Carolina Central 54 Sam Houston 65, Northern Colorado 56

College basketball

FAR WEST

State men’s schedule

Toledo 64, Long Beach State 43 Utah 63, Arizona 62

Sunday’s games

Baylor 111, Southern 67 Nicholls at Pacific, n

Transactions

Monday’s games

Major League Baseball

Louisiana Tech 90, Dallas Christian 37 LSU 104, Prairie View A&M 90

Tuesday’s game

Grambling at Ohio State, 2 p.m.

Men’s national scores Monday’s games EAST

Fordham 65, New Haven 47 George Washington 97, St. Mary’s College of Maryland 40 Saint Peter’s 116, Centenary (NJ) 50 Towson 72, Sacred Heart 47 UMass 91, Massachusetts-Boston 40 Wagner 74, Manor Blue Jays 57

SOUTH

Elon 97, Greensboro 63 Florida International 121, Trinity Jacksonville 70 Georgia 103, West Georgia 74 Louisiana Tech 90, Dallas Christian 37 South Carolina 95, South Carolina State 70 Virginia 95, American 51

MIDWEST

Bowling Green 125, Siena Heights 66 Butler 101, NJIT 52 Eastern Illinois 110, East-West 56 Miami (OH) 135, Milligan 81 Ohio 102, Miami Hamilton Harriers 59 SIU-Edwardsville 66, Western Illinois 61 Western Michigan 94, Defiance 57

SOUTHWEST

Abilene Christian 75, Texas Southern 68 North Texas 109, Science and Arts of OK 56 Seattle 71, UTSA 68 Tulsa 90, Denver 85

FAR WEST

Montana State 93, Northwest University 54 San Diego State 121, Whittier 59 UC Santa Barbara 79, Portland 61 Weber State 103, Lincoln University Oaklanders 64

USA Today Men’s Top 25 Poll

National Football League GREEN BAY PACKERS — Reinstated DL Collin Oliver from reserve/physically unable to perform list. Placed TE John FitzPatrick on injured reserve.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS — Reinstated DT DeForest Buckner from injured reserve. Waived QB Brett Rypien. Promoted WR Coleman Owen and G Josh Sills from the practice squad to the active roster.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS — Signed QB Shane Buechele to the active roster from Buffalo’s practice squad. Placed QB Gardner Minshew on injured reserve.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS — Reinstated DL Yetur Gross-Matos from injured reserve.

Promoted CB Eli Apple and LB Eric Kendricks from the practice squad to the active roster.

TENNESSEE TITANS — Signed LB Cam Riley and NT Isaiah Raikes to the practice squad.

Released WR Kristian Wilkerson from the practice squad.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS — Signed QB Jeff Driskel off Arizona’s practice squad.

Placed G Sam Cosmi on injured reserve.

more Thompson had seven points during an 11-0 run that tied tie the score. Williamson’s dunk gave New Orleans a 36-34 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Thompson scored 14 points and Davis added 10 in the period while the Pelicans spread their scoring more evenly among eight players.

The score was tied six times in the second quarter before Thompson’s 3-pointer gave Dallas the lead, which it would hold for the rest of the half. Davis’ 3-pointer gave the Mavericks their biggest lead of nine points.

Queen made a free throw and Williamson had a dunk to trim Dallas’ lead to 63-57 at halftime.

Dallas Mavericks forward Anthony Davis is guarded by Pelicans center Derik Queen during a game at the Smoothie King Center on Monday.

Wednesday’s games Cure Bowl

Old Dominion 24, South Florida 10

68 Ventures Bowl Delaware 20, UL 13

Votes 20 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

FOOTBALL

Thursday’s games

Salute to Veterans Bowl

Jacksonville State 17, Troy 13

Prv. 1 2 4 5 6 3 7 8 9 10 12 13

American League ATHLETICS — Acquired INF Jeff McNeil from the New York Mets in exchange for RHP Yordan Rodriguez.

BOSTON RED SOX — Acquired 1B Willson Contreras and cash considerations from St. Louis in exchange for RHPs Hunter Dobbins, Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo.

CLEVELAND GUARDIANS — Agreed to terms with RHP Codi Heuer on a minor league contract.

SEATTLE MARINERS — Agreed to terms with OF/1B Rob Refsnyder on a one-year major league contract.

National League SAN DIEGO PADRES — Agreed to terms with 3B Sung-Mun Song.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS — Agreed to terms with INF Warming Bernabel on a minor league contract.

Rank 1.Michigan 2.Arizona 3.Iowa St. 4.Connectct 5.Purdue 6.Duke 7.Gonzaga 8.Houston 9.MSU 10.Brigham 11.Vandrblt 12.UNC

Tuesday’s game

Pts. 764 754 696 662 622 611 584 565 532 515 433 402

Princeton 87, Temple 77 Villanova 85, St. John’s 48

MIDWEST

Dallas FIU vs. UTSA, 7 p.m. (ESPN)

Rec. 11-0 11-0 12-0 12-1 11-1 11-1 12-1 11-1 11-1 11-1 12-0 11-1

13.Nebraska 12-0 371 15 0 14.Louisville 10-2 346 11 0 15.Alabama 9-3 306 16 0 16.Texas Tech 9-3 298 19 0 17.Kansas 9-3 276 17 0 18.Arkansas 9-3 227 14 0 19.Illinois 8-3 211 18 0 20.Tennessee 9-3 210 23 0 21.Virginia 10-1 189 22 0 22.Florida 8-4 154 21 0 23.Iowa 10-2 212 25 0 24.Georgia 10-1 60 NR 0 25.USC 12-1 35 NR 0 Dropped out: No. 20 St. John’s (7-4); No. 24 Auburn (8-4).

Others receiving votes: St. John’s (7-4) 32; Kentucky (8-4) 32; Seton Hall (11-1) 20; Utah State (10-1) 15; Auburn (8-4) 10; California (12-1) 9; Saint Louis (11-1) 8; UCLA (9-3) 8; LSU (10-1) 6; Yale (11-1) 4; Oklahoma State (11-1) 3; Clemson (10-3) 1; Indiana (9-3) 1; Saint Mary’s (10-2) 1.

HOCKEY

National Hockey League NEW YORK ISLANDERS — Recalled G Marcus Högberg from Bridgeport (AHL).

NEW YORK RANGERS — Recalled F Brett Berard from Hartford (AHL). Placed F J.T. Miller on injured reserve.

PHILADELPHIA FLYERS — Sent G Alexei Kolosov to Lehigh Valley (AHL).

SEATTLE KRAKEN — Placed D Brandon Montour on injured reserve.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

LIVING

N O L A.C O M

|

T u e s d ay, d e c e m b e r 23, 2025

1dN

Holiday-decorated boats take part in the Pontchartrain Conservancy’s ‘Lights on the Lake’ annual parade on Lake Pontchartrain.

Special Delivery

Lighting the way for Santa’s sleigh

F Celebration in the Oaks can be a magical experience for little ones. The event runs nightly through New year’s Day, except on Christmas Eve and New year’s Eve.

PHOTOS BY DAVID GRUNFELD | Director of photography

rom City Park to neighborhood cul-de-sacs, from hotel lobbies to the Lake Pontchartrain harbor, Christmas lights bring a holiday glow to the Crescent City and its suburbs. A streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue offers views of many decorated, stately homes, while Metairie’s Lafreniere Park and City Park offer a more immersive experience. But nothing beats riding around nearby streets to see how neighbors are displaying their holiday spirit.

Please email David Grunfeld at dgrunfeld@theadvocate.com.

Santa makes an appearance during the Pontchartrain Conservancy’s ‘Lights on the Lake’ annual parade.

Christmas lights and decorations cover trees and homes, ABOVE and LEFT, along St. Charles Avenue.

2D ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

lll

Wearing hearing aids all the time

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS By VIRGINIA MAyO

Owner of the Christel Dauwe Collection ornaments shop, Christel Dauwe, wraps boxes of holiday ornaments at her shop in Antwerp, Belgium.

‘Hope is … the most important’ Holiday ornaments decorate life all year long in this Belgian shop

BY VIRGINIA MAYO Associated Press

ANTWERP, Belgium — Getting ready for the holiday season has never been stressful for Christel Dauwe — after all, her holiday period lasts all year long in her Christmas ornament shop in the Belgian city of Antwerp.

Her collecting began in her teenage years, and she now has more than 64,000 ornaments in her personal collection and another 18,000 displayed in her shop, the Christel Dauwe Collection.

“My personal wish is to have a Christmas museum, where ornaments and the idea of Christmas can be on permanent display,” she told The Associated Press.

But until that day comes, her small shop uses every corner to display its vast inventory.

Its wares include birds of every feather, fruit arrangements, cars, angels, snowmen and other figurines, ranging from a few euros for a wood laser-cut Cathedral of Antwerp to more than 500 euros ($580) for a special ornament of Alexander the Great on horseback.

The store began 35 years ago as an antiques shop, selling a few ornaments on the side, but Dauwe wanted to try selling more.

A holiday ornament of a British phone box hangs on a shelf in the Christel Dauwe Collection ornaments shop.

On the suggestion of a Polish au pair, Dauwe and her husband traveled to Poland and found a factory that could produce exactly the ornaments she wanted. The only catch was that 200 pieces of each design had to be ordered at a time.

They returned home deflated.

“After second thoughts though, we decided to order 20 shapes of 200 each, and one day they arrived — all 4,000 of them. We gave some away and the rest we put in the shop and, well … that’s the story from there,” she said.

The original Polish factory still supplies many of the shop’s ornaments, in addition to 32 other European companies.

“There is an ornament here for everyone. We’ve had people come in who say they have a new pet or even a new car and we try to match an ornament to them.

In the end the goal is not to have some kind of posh tree decorated all with the same colors and Christmas balls.

The goal of ornaments is to make you smile,” she said.

Some ornaments are more personal. And one year there was an ornament of Christel herself, designed by her husband as a surprise.

She’s been asked to provide ornaments for weddings and other events as well.

As far as having Christmas all year round, Dauwe says she is never bored with it.

Twice a year she goes around the shop and dusts each ornament individually. She has met people from all over the world, and entertains diehard locals who stop into the store just for a morning chat.

“There are two ways to go with Christmas. It’s either the nostalgia of the past or the hope for the future,” she said. “Hope is what is the most important to me. It’s what keeps you going.”

then nap after lunch.

Dear Heloise: For our expen Do plan to stay 30-40 rienced citizens who have acquired hearing minutes maximum. aids, they shouldn’t Although your just employ them loved one may apintermittently. They pear to enjoy your should use them all visit, many older the time. Hearing folks tire easily, esaids reroute neural pecially if they feel paths in your brain, Hints from like they have to be Heloise “at their best” for a which upgrades your auditory abilivisit. n Do not plan to share a ties. — Jim R., in Houston meal, even if you bring the Visiting elderly friends food. Setting the table and cleaning up after causes Dear Heloise: Having spent stress (even if you do both) the past 15 years as a proand uses energy your fessional caregiver, stayloved one may not have to ing round-the-clock with one elderly client at a time, spare. n Do not bring food, I have some do’s and don’ts for visiting an older friend unless you have checked or family member: with your loved one in n Do not “pop in.” Inadvance and are sure that it is something they like, stead, schedule your visit ahead of time for midmorn- can have (no sweets for a ing or late afternoon. Many diabetic), and can easily older folks take a long time prepare themselves. Othto get ready in the morning, erwise, the food ends up

in the trash, causing more stress. n Do bring a child’s drawing and/or flowers (unless your loved one is allergic) and plan to share photos of children, relatives, pets and beautiful landscapes (unless your loved one is visually challenged). n Do keep the conversation light and positive. Talk about how their grandchild is enjoying kindergarten, not your upcoming health concern or a nephew’s divorce. Many older folks are prone to anxiety and feel helpless in the face of other’s troubles. n All that being said, do plan to visit as often as you can and enjoy being together. — Sarah Irwin, in Millboro,Virginia Send a hint to heloise@ heloise.com.

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Tuesday, Dec. 23, the 357th day of 2025. There are eight days left in the year.

Today in history: On Dec. 23, 1972, in an NFL playoff game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders, Steelers running back Franco Harris scored a gamewinning touchdown on a deflected pass with less than 10 seconds left. The “Immaculate Reception,” as the catch came to be known, is often cited as the greatest NFL play of all time.

Also on this date: In 1823, the poem “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously in the Troy Sentinel of New York; the verse, more popularly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” was later attributed to Clement C. Moore.

In 1913, the Federal Reserve System was created as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Federal Reserve Act. In 1948, former Japanese Premier Hideki Tojo and six other Japanese World War II leaders were executed in Tokyo after being tried for war crimes and sentenced to death by hanging.

In 1986, the experimental airplane Voyager, piloted

by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, completed the first nonstop, non-refueled round-the-world flight as it returned safely to Edwards Air Force Base in California.

In 2003, a Virginia jury sentenced teen sniper Lee Boyd Malvo to life in prison, sparing him the death penalty. Malvo and his older partner in crime, John Allen Muhammad, shot and killed 10 people over three weeks in October 2002, terrorizing the Washington,

D.C., area. Muhammad was executed in 2009.

In 2024, President Joe Biden announced he was commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment weeks before Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of capital punishment, was to begin a second term.

Today’s birthdays: Former Emperor Akihito of Japan is 92. Actor-comedian Harry Shearer is 82. Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark is 81. Actor Susan Lucci is 79. Distance runner Bill Rodgers is 78.

Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham is 77. Political commentator William Kristol is 73. Author Donna Tartt is 62. Rock musician Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam is 61. Singer, model and former first lady of France Carla Bruni is 58. Actor Finn Wolfhard is 23.

CUSTOM BLINDS, SHADES, SHUTTERS & DRAPERY

Neighbor tries to force friendship noticed her car was gone.

Dear Miss Manners: Several years ago, a divorced wom- I realized she must have an exactly my age moved in gone to her daughter’s, sevnext door. I liked her very eral hundred miles away, much and tried to become for the holiday. I felt very friends with her. insulted that she hadn’t Although she was bothered to tell me chatty enough outshe was going, and that despite all my side the house, she attempts at friendnever invited me in, and the few times I ship, she never invited her, she had sent me any sort of other things to do. I Christmas wishes.

Judith eventually gave up Should I just give Martin up on this woman? and settled for the MISS occasional brief conShouldn’t a friendMANNERS versation in the yard. ship be somewhat Last year she was of a two-way street? very sick and completely I had thought after all the housebound. I started visit- contact we had last year, we had finally cemented our ing her, and she seemed relationship, but it doesn’t very pleased to see me and seem to have happened. always encouraged me to What do you think? return. As she gradually Gentle reader: That you are a improved in health and good neighbor. But too anxbegan going out again, my visits became fewer. I kept ious a friend. trying to come up with reaMiss Manners suggests that you stop monitoring sons to text her or go over. the lady’s car. She is not Every time she saw me, obliged to check in with you she claimed she was very before going away. pleased and that we should But if it means that much keep getting together, but to you, you could encourshe never initiated a single contact. age her to do so by saying, At Thanksgiving, I texted “If you let me know when her and she enthusiastically you’ll be out of town, I’ll be wrote back that she was so happy to take in your mail.” glad to hear from me. A few Dear Miss Manners: Our high days before Christmas, I school reunion committee is

planning a 50-year reunion for our class. The committee would like to have a memorial table for those who have passed, including listing a cause of death next to the classmate’s name.

What is your take on this?

Should the memorial table include just the names and maybe their age at death?

In my mind, including the cause of death is not only gruesome, but also detracts from the point of the party.

Others have the opinion that this is another way to honor their lives.

Gentle reader: Describing their deaths would honor their lives?

Now you have Miss Manners worrying about what sort of education your high school offered. Would these graduates be capable of writing a short essay explaining why that would be considered an honor?

Send questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners. com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail. com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

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State Contractor and Home Improvement Licenses: Arizona 321056. California 1005986. Connecticut HIC.0644950. New Jersey 13VH09390200.

Oregon 209181. Pennsylvania PA107656. Tennessee 10020. Washington 3DAYBDB842KS. County Licenses: Nassau County, NY H0107310100. Rockland County, NY H-12401-34-00-00. Licensed through Great Windows Services, LLC: Virginia 2705172678. West Virginia WV061238. Various City Licenses Available Upon Request. © 2025 3 Day Blinds LLC.

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 3D

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FrAnK And erneSt

bIG nAte

zItS

zodIAC cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take ownership of what you do and say, and move forward with grace and determination. Enforce the necessary changes to clear your path and to ensure you reach your destination of choice.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Pay it forward and do your part, and you'll get that good feeling that comes from looking out for those around you. A kind word or a helping hand can go further than a donation you cannot afford.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Be careful at functions that mix business with pleasure. The key to maintaining your position and reputation is to be thankful, accommodating and kind. A joyful attitude will turn you into the bright light in the room.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Put your excitement and vitality to good use. Staying healthy and keeping busy will help you avoid a run-in with someone who tends to push your emotional buttons. tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Don't share how much you earn or spend. Giving others a chance to weigh in on your plans will add to your confusion and put you in a vulnerable position. Avoid giving others reason to gossip.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Speak from the heart when dealing with partners or people you hold in high regard, and you'll gain respect and honesty in return. Moving forward with a clear conscience is liberating. cAncER (June 21-July 22) Look for an opening and work your magic. Seiz-

ing a financial opportunity or pumping up your investments to ensure you get the write-offs you need is in your best interest.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to let what others do interfere with your quality of life. Reach beyond any differences you have and make the most of the festive season.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Put your energy where it will encourage you to excel and help you close the year on a high note. Personal change will not go unnoticed and will serve as a steppingstone to future accomplishments.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Get your surroundings ready to celebrate the festive season with friends and family.

Let past grievances go and find a way to start anew. Choose kindness over criticism. scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) You are best off contemplating situations before you embark on something you may not be able to finish. Refuse to let your emotions take charge and point you in a direction of no return. sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Be careful what you wish for. Not everyone will respond to you in a jovial manner. Pull back, wait and watch for signals to guide you. Be grateful and gracious.

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

For better or For WorSe WonderWord

peAnUtS

SALLY Forth

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

toDAy's cLuE: I EQuALs D

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

dooneSbUrY

4D ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

CurTiS

Hi and LoiS

lll

Sudoku InstructIons: sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the 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

BaBY BLueS

BLondie

THe wiZard oF id

nea CroSSwordS

La TimeS CroSSword

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 5D

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B.C.

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER Mickey Mouse said, “Arithmetic is being able to count up to 20 without taking off your shoes.”

Bridge requires counting, sometimes — but rarely — as high as 40. And occasionally it is the count in one specific suit that makes all the difference — as in this deal. South is in four hearts. West leads the club ace. How should the defense proceed?

East’s overcall is no thing of beauty, but everyone likes to bid these days, especially if the bid might make it harder for the opponents to find a major-suit fit and if it probably indicates the best lead for your side should you end on defense.

North then rebid three diamonds to show his six-card suit, and South bid what he hoped he could make.

East is wondering how many clubs his partner holds. If West has only three, East can win the second club, cash his heart ace, and take a third club trick for down one. But if West has four clubs, East must shift to a diamond at trick three, hoping to establish a winner there before South can draw trumps and run dummy’s spades. How will East know how many clubs West started with?

Under the club ace, East drops his king.

Then, in this deal, West continues with his club two, the lowest of three remaining

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

hagar the horriBle

cards. East wins and leads the diamond nine, which defeats the contract.

If West had started with only three clubs, he would have led his original middle one at trick two, starting a highlow with a remaining doubleton.

Carding can be critical on defense. Discuss it with your partner. © 2025 by nEa, inc., dist. By andrews mcmeel syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: nOOn gOOD = gOOD aFTErnOOn

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3. additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD — IDEntIty: eye-DEN-tih-tee: The distinguishing character or

Bizarro

marmaduKe

personality of an individual.

Average mark 15 words Time limit 25 minutes Can you find 22 or more words in IDENTITY? yEstERDAy’s WoRD — LAZuLItE late

zeal

till

laze

utile

tulle

lieu

tail

etui

lilt

tale

lite

tall

lute

teal

lutz

tell

alit

tile

loCKhorNs hidato Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

today’s thought “And she shall bring forth a son, and you shall call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Matthew 1:21 Sin is the main problem of humanity. Jesus came to save us from sin and its consequences. — G.E. Dean

6D ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune

muttS

roSe iS roSe

lll

Scrabble GramS dIrectIons: make a 2- to 7-letter word from the letters in each row. add points of each word, using scoring directions at right. Finally, 7-letter words get 50-point bonus.

“Blanks” used as any letter have no point value. all the words are in the Official sCraBBlE® players Dictionary, 5th Edition.

Yesterday’s Puzzle Answer

jump Start

For more information on tournaments and clubs, email naspa – north american sCraBBlE players association: info@scrabbleplayers.org. Visit our website: www.scrabbleplayers.org. For puzzle inquiries contact scrgrams@gmail.com.

Get fuzzy

Hasbro and its logo sCraBBlE associated logo, the design of the distinctive sCraBBlE brand game card, and the distinctive letter tile designs are trademarks of Hasbro in the United states and Canada. ©2021 Hasbro. all rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content agency, llC.

ken ken

animal crackerS

DuStin

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.

Wallace the brave

Drabble

WiShinG Well breWSter rockit

luann

HErE is a plEasanT liTTlE gamE that will give you a message every day. it’s a numerical puzzle designed to spell out your fortune. Count the letters in your first name. if the number of letters is 6 or more, subtract 4. if the number is less than 6, add 3. The result is your key number. start at the upper left-hand corner and check each of your key numbers, left to right. Then read the message the checked figures give you.

The Times-Picayune ✦ nola.com ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ 7D

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classifieds.nola.com Search & Place Ads Ads Onlines at classifieds.nola.com • Call Monday Us Monday - Friday 8AM - 5PMatat(504) (504)636-7435 636-7435 Search & Place Onlines at classifieds.nola.com - Friday 8AM - 5PM

New Orleans Rental

Announcements Anyone knowing the whereabouts of MICHAEL NICHOLAS ROOF, who at one time resided at 5932 THREE OAKS COURT, MARRERO, LA 70072, please contact Thomas S. Block, Atty., 504-382-1204, Property Rights Involved.

171551-12/22-23-24-3t $121.00 HS130132537 DATSUN is stored at 9581 Westbank Expressway, Westwego, LA, 70094. If all current charges are not paid and vehicle claimed by the owner by 1/8/2026 a Permit to Sell may be obtained.

171275-12/22-23-2t $102.00

METAIRIE

Pets

ALGIERS 5708 A-Tullis Dr., 4BR/2BA, ADA Compliant, w/d hkup, ref, stove, Off St. Pk, 504-454-3847 504-512-2814 GENTILLY 2544 ALLEN TOUSSAINT BLVD. NEWLY RENOVATED!!!

1-2 Bdrm Apts * From $800/mo Parking * Sec Gate 504-250-1446 * 504-454-1333 KENNER

2850 IDAHO AVENUE 1 Block to Vets & Williams All Amenities * Pool * Parking Studio/1 Bed Apt * Starting $650/Mo 504-236-1971 * 504-454-1333

METAIRIE

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DOMESTIC TRUCKS 2005 Ford F-150, runs good, re-built motor, needs cosmetic work $1700.

504-577-5833

518 N. LABARRE RD $1,600/Mo Precious Raised Cottage between Met Rd & railroad tracks.

2BD/1BA. Lrg Liv Rm w/wd flrs.

Wooden fence separating home f/ N. Labarre for privacy. Gated Yd. Refrig/Oven + W&D are available.

Sandy Ward * 504-259-2616.

Re/Max Living * 504-475-1011. Ea ofc indpntly owned & operated.

METAIRIE

10,000 Apt Homes and 75 Locations with Studio, 1, 2 & 3 Bedrooms Pools, Access Gates, Garages (504) 360-9347 METAIRIE 3201 RICHLAND AVENUE 1/2 Block off Vets * by Paretti Jaguar 1 Bed * Prkg * Pool * Rent $675/mo 504-320-6958 * 504-454-1333

WANT TO BUY I buy old bourbon bottles. Wild Turkey, Weller, Old Grand Dad etc.

Call or text $300 (225)456-3434

METAIRIE 3513 EDENBORN AVENUE Lrg 2 Bed, 1 Bath * $925 * Off St Prkg Blocks from Lakeside 504-982-4040 * 504-885-8060 504-454-1333

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EVERY DAY

WANT TO BUY Old Records 33's, 45's & 78's. All types of music. Call 985-259-1889

WANT TO BUY Old toy electric trains, any condition, Lionel Am. Flyer cash paid, 504-452-1000

DOGS Yorkies. teacup & toy. Vet cert. CKC, microchipped, s/w 601-498-7521

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $700up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150 CATS Young Male Cat, Gray Colors, Have too many cats, Looking for another home for him. Please call 504-861-9617 ($50) DOGS AKC German Shepherd pups. Ready 12/23. $800 Kentwood 985 244-0173

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1, 2, 3 Bedrooms 504-455-3939 METAIRIE HOLIDAY SPECIAL!!!

Luxury/Spacious Safe/Quiet 3207 Belmont Place, Apt 106. 2/1 1st Flr, $1,000..Price Ends 1/4/26.

New Price will be $1300 * Patio, Fenced Yd, Off St Prkg, Wtr Paid.

NO Smoking or Pets. 700+Credit Score. 504.442.1873 * 504.237.5200 MID CITY 2028 N. Broad St. Duplex, Liv. Rm, BR, BA, HW Flrs, A/H, Kit Furn, Wtr Pd, Sec 8 Ok, $1050/mo + Dep (504) 9471870

DOGS AKC Maltese puppies, Ready for Christ‐ mas 1-F. (225) 235-9433 or (225) 235-7619 DOGS Australian Shepards - 13 CKC Aussie pups $800, 2 CKC Lhasa Apsos $1200 Lisa (601) 470-8306 DOGS CKC YORKIES or SHORKIES - (yorkies are with papers) all are vet checked w/shot and worming, will meet in Gulf‐ port $700 (334) 467-3416

CEMETERY PLOTS Garden of Memories St John Mausoleum Crypt with additional burial rights. Level B. $13,000 504-289-6757

NEW ORLEANS EAST 2Br/1.5Ba TH 7040 Crowder, w/d conn, carpet, cnt a/h. Furn kitc. No Pets $1,150/mo. 504-554-3500

NOLA.COM/SUBSCRIBE

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DOGS Teacup POODLES POMS MALTIPOOS YORKIES miniature/Toy GOLDENDOO‐ DLES CAVALIERS - 504-259-2222 2yr guarantee UTD S/W Tcups $995 up $495.00 up

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EARLY DEADLINES FOR OUR ADVERTISEMENTS

DEADLINE..........RUN DATE Thurs., Dec 18 - 3pm .......... Wed., Dec 24 Fri., Dec 19 - 3pm............... Thurs., Dec 25 Fri., Dec 19 - 3pm............... Fri., Dec 26 Tues, Dec 23-3pm ............... Sat/Sun Dec 27, 28 Wed., Dec 24 - 3pm ............ Mon., Dec 29 Fri., Dec 26 - 3pm............... Tues., Dec 30

DISPLAY ADS 24 HOURS EARLIER

You may place your ad 7 days a week, 24 hours a day online at www.theadvocate.com or call Monday-Friday 8am-5pm

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DOGS Morkie - Gorgeous Morkie’s. Pics don’t do them justice. First set of shots and wormed. 985-515-7493 $800

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Automotive

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To advertise here, please call 225-383-0111

8D ✦ Tuesday, December 23, 2025 ✦ nola.com ✦ The Times-Picayune Public Notices

Auctions

PUBLIC NOTICE --In accordance with LA RS: 4759, the following contents of the units of named will be sold for unpaid rent and/or aban‐ donment on Monday, January 4 at 10:00 am at Gretna Mini Storage, 1500 Claire Avenue, Gretna, LA. RENTERS: G. Altine, M. Altine, M. Pachaeo Contents include Con‐ tractor tools and Equip.

Thrift Store contents, Kitchen Equip. Furnish‐ ings, Household Items.

170752 Dec. 23, 2t $51.47

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Lakefront Management Authority (LMA), 6001 Stars & Stripes Blvd., Terminal Bldg., Suite 219, New Or‐ leans, Louisiana 70126 until 2:00 p.m. on January 27, 2026.

FOR: NEW ORLEANS LAKEFRONT AIRPORT MOFFETT HANGAR ROOF, DECK AND DOOR REPLACEMENT Complete Bid Documents for this project are avail‐ able in electronic and printed form. Printed bid documents are available upon payment of One Hundred dollars ($100.00) per set. Payment for drawings is non-refund‐ able. Electronic bid docu‐ ments may be obtained without charge and with‐ out deposit. Bid Docu‐ ments may be obtained from: RCL Architecture, LLC , 900 W. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, LA 70471 Attn: Paul F. Dimitrios , Email: pdimitrios@rclconsulta nts.com, Copy: hmorales@rclconsulta nts.com, Phone: 985-727-4440 City Blueprint & Supply Company, cityblueprint‐ plans.com, 504-522-0387 All bids shall be accom‐ panied by bid security in the form of certified check, cashier’s check, or Bid Bond as pre‐ scribed by LA RS 38:2218.A.C, in the amount equal to at least five percent (5%) of the total amount bid and payable without condi‐ tions to the Owner as a guarantee that the Bid‐ der, if awarded the Con‐ tract, will promptly exe‐ cute a Contract in accor‐ dance with bid proposal and all terms and condi‐ tions of the Bid Docu‐ ments.

The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written as described in the Instruc‐ tions to Bidders included in the Bid Documents for this project.

A MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD at 2:00 p.m. on January 6, 2026 at the New Orleans Lakefront Airport, Terminal Bldg., 2nd Floor Conference Room 6001 Stars and Stripes Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70126.

A jobsite visit will be held following the PreBid Conference. The prebid conference and job‐ site visit are mandatory for those submitting a bid to attend. The jobsite visit being conducted by LMA will facilitate access to project features that are located on private property. Outside of the recommended site visit, the Contractor will not have access to the facili‐ ties located on private property.

ANY PERSON REQUIRING SPECIAL ACCOMMODA‐ TIONS SHALL NOTIFY LMA OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMODATION RE‐ QUIRED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING. Contact the Lakefront Management Authority at (504) 355-5990 if direc‐ tions are needed to the Pre-Bid Conference.

Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA. R.S. 37:2150-2163 for the classification of Building Construction.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment bids, and those re‐ quired on the bid form shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity.

The Times Picayune and The Advocate:

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

12/09/25 12/16/25 12/23/25 12/29/25 169231-dec 9-16-23-29-4t $239.48 PUBLIC NOTICE --Advocate ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS Bids will be received by the Office of Purchasing, Room 213 Thomas Boyd Hall, Louisiana State Uni‐ versity and Agricultural and Mechanical College 70803 until 11:00 AM on Tuesday, January 27, 2026 ** Refer to www.centerl inebidconnect.com for bid submission instruc‐ tions. All bids must be submitted via email to lsubids@lsu.edu ** ANY PERSON REQUIRING ACCOMMODA‐ SPECIAL SHALL NOTIFY TIONS LOUISIANA STATE UNI‐ VERSITY, OFFICE OF PUR‐ CHASING OF THE TYPE(S) OF ACCOMMODATION RE‐ QUIRED NOT LESS THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS BEFORE THE BID OPENING. FOR: Furnish Labor and Materials for Tiger Park HVAC Modifications LSU SOLICITATION NUM‐ BER: RFQ-0000002677 Complete Bidding Docu‐ ments for this project may be obtained from: www.centerlinebidco nnect.com.

Printed copies are not available from the Designer, but arrangements can be made to obtain them most repro‐ through graphic firms.

Contractors unable to access bidding docu‐ ments at www.centerl inebidconnect.com should contact YKH Consulting, LLC 3701 Hessmer Ave. Metairie, Louisiana 70002 Phone: 504.231.3231 Contact: Joseph Garon Email:jgaron@ykhcons ulting.com All bids must be accom‐ panied by bid security equal to five percent (5%) of the sum of the base bid and all alter‐ nates, and must be in the form of a certified check, cashier’s check or Bid Bond Form written by a surety company licensed do business in to Louisiana, signed by the surety’s agency or attor‐ ney-in-fact. Surety must be listed on the current U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Man‐ agement Service list of approved bonding com‐ panies as approved for an amount equal to or greater than the amount for which it obligates it‐ self in the Bond, or must be a Louisiana domiciled insurance company with at least an A- rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide. If surety qualifies by virtue of its Best’s list‐ ing, the amount of the Bond may not exceed ten percent of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the latest A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide. The Bid Bond shall be in favor of the Louisiana State Uni‐ versity and Agricultural and Mechanical College, and shall be accompa‐ by appropriate nied power of attorney. No Bid Bond indicating an oblig‐ ation of less than five percent (5%) by any method is acceptable.

The successful Bidder shall be required to fur‐ nish a Performance and Payment Bond written by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana, in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract amount. Surety must be listed currently on the U.S. Department of Trea‐ sury Financial manage‐ ment Service List (Trea‐ sury List) as approved for an amount equal to or greater than the con‐ tract amount, or must be an insurance company domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. If surety is quali‐ fied other than by listing on the Treasury list, the contract amount may not exceed fifteen percent of policyholders’ surplus as shown by surety’s most recent financial state‐ ments filed with the Louisiana Department of Insurance and may not exceed the amount of However, a $500,000.

Louisiana domiciled in‐ surance company with at least an A- rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide shall not be subject to the $500,000 limitation, provided that the con‐ tract amount does not exceed ten percent of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the latest A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide nor fifteen percent of policyholder’s surplus as shown by surety’s most recent financial state‐ ments filed with the Louisiana Department of The Bond Insurance. shall be signed by the surety’s agent or attor‐ ney-in-fact.

A PRE-BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD

Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 1:30PM Tiger Park East Lot (Southeast Corner) Skip Bertman Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70803 Bids shall be accepted from Contractors who are licensed under LA.

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

R.S. 37:2150-2163 for the of ME‐ classification CHANICAL. Bidder is re‐ quired to comply with provisions and require‐ ments of LA R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(c). No bid may be withdrawn for a period of thirty (30) days after re‐ ceipt of bids, except under the provisions of LA. R.S. 38:2214.

Sealed responses to this solicitation will be re‐ ceived by the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) in the Depart‐ ment of Procurement and Contracts until 2:00 p.m., CST, on January 26, 2026.

The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause. In ac‐ cordance with La. R.S. 38:2212 (A)(1)(b), the pro‐ visions and requirements of this Section, those stated in the advertise‐ ment for bids, and those required on the bid form shall not be considered as informalities and shall not be waived by any public entity.

When this project is fi‐ nanced either partially or entirely with State Bonds or federal funds, the award of this Contract is upon the contingent granting of lines of credit, the sale of bonds by the Bond Commission or the commitment of federal funds. The Uni‐ versity shall incur no obligation to the Con‐ tractor until the Contract Between Owner and Con‐ tractor is fully executed.

AD RUN DATES: December 16 and 23, 2025 January 6, 2026 170086-dec 16-23-jan 6-3t $203.37 PUBLIC NOTICE --Audubon Nature Institute is seeking a highly quali‐ fied, experienced firm to run Food & Beverage op‐ erations at the Goldring/Woldenberg Riverfront Park Event Pavilion a dynamic new venue in New Orleans.

The selected operator is expected to provide food and beverage for daily park operations as well as to flex capacity to de‐ liver food and beverage services for festivals and major corporate events.

The firm will serve as the exclusive operator for the GWRP Event Pavilion.

Opening in Spring 2026, the extended Goldring/Woldenberg Riverfront Park trans‐ forms the Governor Nicholls Wharf into a new riverfront park. The Park completes the first phase of Riverfront for All, an initiative to con‐ vert the last industrial wharves in downtown New Orleans into a nat‐ ural destination connect‐ ing over 2 miles of river‐ front park space—among the longest riverfront parks in the country.

Phase II, the Esplanade Wharf conversion, when completed, will fulfill a 40-year dream for visi‐ tors and residents to re‐ connect with the Missis‐ sippi River from the By‐ water neighborhood to Canal Street. Interested parties are invited to se‐ cure a qualification pack‐ age at www.bidnetdirect. com/louisiana/audubon natureinstitute There will be a non-mandatory site visit on January 7, 2026, at 8 am located at 1301 N. Peters, New Orleans, LA 70117. Proposals must be submitted at or before February 4, 2026, at 10:00 am. Proposals shall be submitted in sealed en‐ velopes marked “GWRP Event Pavillion Food & Beverage Operator”. Pro‐ posals must be submit‐ ted to the following: Audubon Nature Insti‐ tute, Attn: Cecilie H. Primeaux, 6500 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70118. Proposals, and amendments to Propos‐ als received after the day and time specified above will be rejected by the Audubon Nature Institute as non-responsive and returned to the team un‐ opened.

170599-dec 18-23-29-3t $109.03

PUBLIC NOTICE --HOUSING AUTHORITY OF NEW ORLEANS REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME VERIFICATION SERVICES RFP #25-914-27 The Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) is proposals requesting from qualified and expe‐ professional rienced companies to provide in‐ come verification ser‐ vices for roughly 22,000 families for regularly scheduled annual reex‐ aminations of income and family composition, interim reexaminations, and determining initial for HANO’s eligibility Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), Project Based Voucher (PBV) and Public Program, Housing Program.

Contractors must submit proposals that outline their qualifications and their ability to execute the services in accor‐ dance with the Scope of contained Services within the request for proposals (RFP). Specifi‐ cally, proposals must demonstrate their previ‐ ous experience, qualifi‐ cations, and other fac‐ tors, to perform the ser‐ vices outlined in the RFP. Single copies of the RFP package may be down‐ from HANO’s loaded website at www.hano. org. The RFP package will be available on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

Deliver four (4) complete sets (one original clearly or stamped marked “original”, and three (3) copies) of the required submittals, in a sealed envelope or box clearly marked with the words “RFP Documents”, to the Department of Procure‐ ment and Contracts at the following address: Housing Authority of New Orleans Procurement and Contracts Department Trudy Jackson, Contract Administrator 1555 Poydras, Suite 1800 New Orleans, Louisiana 70112 Place the following infor‐ mation in the upper, lefthand corner on the out‐ side of the envelope when submitting propos‐ als: Company Name Company Address RFP Name and Number Date and Time responses are due All responses submitted are subject to these In‐ structions and Supple‐ mental Instructions to Offerors, General and Condi‐ Supplemental tions, and all other re‐ contained quirements herein, all of which are made a part of this Re‐ quest for Proposal by ref‐ erence.

The Housing Authority of New Orleans reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for just cause and to waive any informalities in the sub‐ mission process, if it is in the best interest of the Housing Authority to do so.

171855-dec 23-30-jan 6-3t $134.89 PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS SP# 1671 Sealed bids will be re‐ ceived by the Procure‐ ment Section of the Divi‐ sion of Administration, 1201 N. 3rd. St., 2nd.

Floor, Suite 2-160, Baton Louisiana, at Rouge, 10:00 A.M. for the follow‐ ing: RFx No. 3000025746, Caterpillar BN Industrial Equipment, 01/21/26 Bid proposal forms, in‐ formation and specifica‐ tions may be obtained by accessing the bid num‐ ber in LaPac at www.doa. or Louisiana.gov/osp from the procurement section listed above. No bids will be received after the date and hour specified. The right is re‐ served to reject any and all bids and to waive any informalities.

Tom Ketterer Director of State Procurement FAX (225) 342-8688 171440-dec 23-1t $11.48 PUBLIC NOTICE --REGIONAL TRANSIT AU‐ THORITY CLEANING SUPPLIES FOR BUSES & STREETCARS INVITATION FOR BID (IFB) #2025-046 Project Description: The Regional Transit Author‐ ity of New Orleans in‐ vites qualified vendors to provide cleaning sup‐ plies for buses & street‐ cars per specifications in IFB 2025-046.

How to obtain a copy of the IFB: Specifications and further information concerning the IFB may be obtained December 9, 2025, from the RTA’s Pro‐ cureware website at https://norta. procureware.com/home.

You will be required to first register on this web‐ site. The IFB can also be obtained at Regional Transit Authority’s web‐ site at http://www.norta. com Any questions or further information concerning this IFB must be submit‐ ted through https:// norta.procureware.com/ home Only written ques‐ tions submitted through Procureware site shall be considered official web‐ site under IFB 2025-046.

Responding to IFB: Bids shall be submitted through the RTA’s Pro‐ cureware website on or before 2:00 P.M., Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

A Bid Opening will be held in the RTA Board Room located at 2817 Canal Street, New Or‐ leans, LA 70119, on Tues‐ day, January 6, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Any questions or further information concerning the IFB may be submitted Via https:// norta.procureware.com/ home, RTA in accordance with 49 Code of Federal Regu‐ lations (CFR) Part 26 has an obligation to ensure nondiscrimination of Dis‐ advantaged Business En‐ terprises (DBEs) and to comply with all federal, state and local regula‐ tions relative to utiliza‐ tion of DBEs on publicly funded projects. The RTA i i d ili

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

p j is committed to utiliza‐ tion of DBEs on all feder‐ ally funded projects to‐ ward attainment of the agency's established overall goal of 32%.

No DBE goal has been es‐ tablished for this project as there are no subcon‐ tracting opportunities on this project.

Notice to all offerors is hereby provided that in accordance with all ap‐ plicable federal, state and local laws the RTA will ensure that DBEs are afforded full opportunity to submit offers and re‐ sponses to this solicita‐ tion and to participate in any contract consum‐ mated pursuant to this advertisement. Addition‐ ally, no offeror will be discriminated against on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, na‐ tional origin, ethnicity or disability. For additional information contact the RTA’s Small Business Of‐ fice at 504-827-8301.

y a.m. at Sewerage and Water Board of New Or‐ leans, 625 St. Joseph Street, Purchasing Con‐ ference Room 131, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The RTA reserves the right to accept or reject any and all proposals submitted.

Lona Hankins Chief Executive Officer Regional Transit Authority 170057-dec 16-23-2t $633.76

$555 OFF LIMITED TIME OFFER

REQUEST FOR PROPOS‐ ALS As-Needed Civil Engineering and Professional Services Notice is hereby given that the Board of Com‐ missioners of the Port of New Orleans (Board) is requesting proposals for as-needed civil engineer‐ ing and professional ser‐ vices. All Request for Proposal (RFP) docu‐ ments will be available on www.centralbidding. com on Tuesday, Decem‐ ber 16, 2025. The RFP doc‐ uments may also be ob‐ tained from the SEBcon‐ nect App, available on both the Apple and Google play platforms.

Proposals must be sub‐ mitted via Central Bid‐ ding, no later than 11:00 AM (CST), on Friday Janu‐ ary 23, 2026, to be con‐ Respondents sidered. shall follow the instruc‐ tions given in this Re‐ quest for Proposals (RFP) in order to respond with a valid proposal for eval‐ uation by the Board’s Evaluation Committee.

All inquiries shall be di‐ rected to the Procure‐ ment Department at pro‐ curement@portnola.com

by Monday, January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM (CST).

Addenda to this RFP will be issued to all Respon‐ dents receiving this RFP. Questions and answers and all forms required will be posted on www. centralbiding.com.

170165-dec 16-23-30-3t $56.76

PUBLIC NOTICE --SEWERAGE & WATER BOARD OF NEW ORLEANS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS EAST BANK SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT PHASE 1A SECONDARY TREATMENT UPGRADE SOLICITATION NO. 2025SWB-67 (30270) The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is requesting bids for im‐ provements to the East Bank Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) including im‐ provements to the North RAS Pump Station and up to three (3) final clari‐ fiers.

Bid Documents and pro‐ posal forms are available for download on Decem‐ ber 09, 2025, at the fol‐ lowing websites: SWBNO: https://www2. swbno.org/business_bid specifications.asp LAPAC: https:// wwwcfprd.doa.louisiana. gov/OSP/LaPAC/dspBid. cfm?search=departm ent&term=181 A NON- MANDATORY prebid conference will be held on December 18, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time at the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans’ Carrollton Water Purification Plant Engi‐ neering Building, 2nd Floor Auditorium, located at 8800 S. Claiborne Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana, 70118 or if you are unable to attend this in-person meeting, you can also join via teleconference call: Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 285 780 434 839 46 Passcode: Lr9rd9fv Dial in by phone +1 504-2248698,,677179330# United States, New Orleans Find a local number Phone conference ID: 677 179 330# All inquiries shall be di‐ rected to Kimberly Barnes, at kbarnes@ swbno.org. The deadline for inquiries is on Janu‐ ary 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.

Central Time.

Bids are due on January 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. Any Bids received after the specified time will be re‐ jected.

Bids will then be publicly opened and read on Jan‐ uary 27, 2026, at 11:30 d

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LATE BIDS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. 169956-dec 9-16-23-3t $115.38

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS SPONSORING DEPARTMENT: Department of Parks and Parkways TITLE: Reforestation Implementation

PUBLIC NOTICE ---

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Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now Meeting ID: 222 460 722 380 39 Passcode: nv7sU9Fy Dial in by phone +1 504-2248698,,975580241# United States, New Orleans Phone conference ID: 975 580 241#

EVENT NO.: 4606 TYPE OF WORK: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DBE OPPORTUNITY: YES FEDERAL FUNDED: YES RELEASED ON: December 9th, 2025 DEADLINE TO RESPOND: January 12th, 2026 PRE-BID CONFERENCE: December 19th, 2025 Dates are subject to changes via an adden‐ dum posted by the Bu‐ reau of Purchasing on the City’s supplier portal.

If this solicitation is fed‐ erally funded, prospec‐ tive bidder/respondent must pay particular at‐ tention to all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal government and the State of Louisiana.

HUD Funded Solicitation: Attention to prospective bidder/respondent is called particularly to the requirements for condi‐ tions of employment to be observed and mini‐ mum wage rates to be paid under the Contract (Davis-Bacon Act), Sec‐ tion 3 (Low Income Resi‐ dent Participation) of the Housing and Urban De‐ velopment Act of 1968, Section 109 (Non-Dis‐ crimination) of the Hous‐ ing and Community De‐ velopment Act of 1974, Section 503 (Non-Dis‐ crimination Against Em‐ ployees with Disabilities) and Section 504 (NonDiscrimination Against Individuals with Disabili‐ ties) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Segregated Facilities, Executive Order 11246, and all ap‐ plicable laws and regula‐ tions of the Federal gov‐ ernment and State of Louisiana and bonding and insurance require‐ ments.

The City of New Orleans strongly encourages mi‐ nority-owned and women-owned busi‐ nesses, socially and eco‐ nomically disadvantaged businesses and small businesses to respond to this solicitation, or to participate in subcon‐ tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐ tion.

The Bureau of Purchas‐ ing uses commodity codes to notify suppliers of the release of a sourc‐ ing event and subse‐ quent modifications via addendum. Note that you would receive those noti‐ fications if you selected the following commodity code(s) before the re‐ lease of the sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 962-58, 925-04 and 925-28 For more information about this event, go to www.nola.gov and click on “BRASS Supplier Por‐ tal” under “BIDS & CON‐ TRACTS”. Once on the Supplier Portal, search “Open Events.”

Thank you for your inter‐ est in doing business with the City of New Or‐ leans.

James Simmons, Jr. Chief Procurement Officer Advertising Dates: December 9, 16 and 23, 2025 NOCP 8814 169690-dec 9-16-23-3t $143.67 PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS SPONSORING DEPARTMENT: Department of Parks and Parkways TITLE: Reforestation Implementation EVENT NO.:

Legal Notices

4606 TYPE OF WORK: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DBE OPPORTUNITY: YES FEDERAL FUNDED: YES RELEASED ON: December 9th, 2025 DEADLINE TO RESPOND: January 12th, 2026 PRE-BID CONFERENCE: December 19th, 2025 Dates are subject to changes via an adden‐ dum posted by the Bu‐ reau of Purchasing on the City’s supplier portal.

If this solicitation is fed‐ erally funded, prospec‐ tive bidder/respondent must pay particular at‐ tention to all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal government and the State of Louisiana.

HUD Funded Solicitation: Attention to prospective bidder/respondent is called particularly to the requirements for condi‐ tions of employment to be observed and mini‐ mum wage rates to be paid under the Contract (Davis-Bacon Act), Sec‐ tion 3 (Low Income Resi‐ dent Participation) of the Housing and Urban De‐ velopment Act of 1968, Section 109 (Non-Dis‐ crimination) of the Hous‐ ing and Community De‐ velopment Act of 1974, Section 503 (Non-Dis‐ crimination Against Em‐ ployees with Disabilities) and Section 504 (NonDiscrimination Against Individuals with Disabili‐ ties) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Segregated Facilities, Executive Order 11246, and all ap‐ plicable laws and regula‐ tions of the Federal gov‐ ernment and State of Louisiana and bonding and insurance require‐ ments.

The City of New Orleans strongly encourages mi‐ nority-owned and women-owned busi‐ nesses, socially and eco‐ nomically disadvantaged businesses and small businesses to respond to this solicitation, or to participate in subcon‐ tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐ tion.

The Bureau of Purchas‐ ing uses commodity codes to notify suppliers of the release of a sourc‐ ing event and subse‐ quent modifications via addendum. Note that you would receive those noti‐ fications if you selected the following commodity code(s) before the re‐ lease of the sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 962-58, 925-04 and 925-28 For more information about this event, go to www.nola.gov and click on “BRASS Supplier Por‐ tal” under “BIDS & CON‐ TRACTS”. Once on the Supplier Portal, search “Open Events.”

Thank you for your inter‐ est in doing business with the City of New Or‐ leans.

James Simmons, Jr. Chief Procurement Officer Advertising Dates: December 9, 16 and 23, 2025 NOCP 8814 169690-dec 9-16-23-3t $143.67

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE BIRDIE MASSIE DICK, ROBERT JOHN DICK, CYNTHIA D. PERKINS Pursuant to an order of the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans in the matter of James Wright and Stephanie Schaap, Docket No. 20255751, Div. L, Orleans State of Parish, Louisiana, dated October 20, 2025, it was ordered as follows: WHEREAS, James Wright and Stephanie Schaap, by act recorded on April 8, 2015 at Instrument Number 2015-15484 of the official records of Or‐ leans Parish, Louisiana, purchased property at tax sale from Orleans Parish, Louisiana for fail‐ ure to pay taxes.

WHEREAS, James Wright and Stephanie Schaap has applied to this Court for a monition or adver‐ tisement, in conformity with R.S. 47:2271 et seq.

THEREFORE, in the name of the State of Louisiana and the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans, all interested persons are cited and admonished to show cause within sixty days from the date on which this monition is first ad‐ vertised, why grounds exist for a nullity under the provisions of Chapter 5 of Subtitle III of Title 47 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

That portion of ground, together with all the buildings and improve‐ ments thereon, and all of the rights, ways, privi‐ leges, servitudes, appur‐ tenances, and advan‐ tages thereunto belong‐ ing or in anywise apper‐ taining, situated in the Third District of the City of New Orleans, State of Louisiana, in Square No. 4879, bounded by Lafaye (formerly Deers), Madrid, Baccich (formerly Rab‐ bi ) d b

y bits), and Robert E. Lee (formerly Hibernia) ac‐ cording to survey made

by F.C. Gandolfo, Sur‐ veyor, dated November 30, 1944, blue print of which is annexed to act of C.W. Duke, Notary Pub‐ lic, on July 9, 1945, an‐ other blue print of which is redated December 20, 1947, said square is des‐ ignated by the No. 4879 and said lot therein by the Lot No. M-13, and be‐ gins at a distance of fifty feet (50') from the corner of Robert E. Lee (formerly Hibernia) and Lafaye (formerly Deers) Streets and measures thence fifty feet (50') from the corner of Robert E. Lee Hibernia), (formerly same width in the rear, by a depth between equal and parallel lines of one hundred six feet, seven inches (106'7"). All as more fully shown on a plat of survey by Gilbert, Kelly & Couturie, Inc., Surveyors, dated June 6, 1984.

171479-dec 23-30-2t PUBLIC NOTICE --THIS NOTICE BY PUBLICA‐ TION IS NOTIFICATION THAT YOUR RIGHTS OR INTEREST IN THE FOL‐ LOWING DESCRIBED PROPERTY LOCATED IN THE PARISH OF JEFFER‐ SON, LOUISIANA MAY BE TERMINATED BY OPERA‐ TION OF LAW IF YOU DO NOT TAKE FURTHER AC‐ TION IN ACCORDANCE WITH LAW: Tax Bill 0910009378 Jefferson Parish Inspec‐ tion and Code Enforce‐ ment; Occupant/Tenant; Heirs and Estate of Newty P. Scallan & Evelyn Ducote Scallan -- LOT L COMP OF LOTS 47-46 AND 10 FT OF LOT 45 SQ 54 EASTBANK SUB Improvements thereon bear Municipal No. 301 N. Pierce Avenue, Metairie, LA 70003 TAX SALE TITLE TO THE ABOVE-DESCRIBED PROP‐ ERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR FAILURE TO PAY TAXES. YOU HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS A PERSON WHO MAY HAVE AN IN‐ TEREST IN THIS PROP‐ ERTY. YOUR INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY WILL BE TER‐ MINATED IF YOU DO NOT REDEEM THE PROPERTY

BY MAKING ALL RE‐ QUIRED PAYMENTS TO THE TAX COLLECTOR LISTED BELOW OR FILE A LAWSUIT IN ACCOR‐ DANCE WITH LAW WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THE FIRST PUB‐ LICATION OF THIS NO‐ TICE, OR THE RECORDING OF AN ACT TRANSFER‐ RING OWNERSHIP, IF LATER. JEFFERSON PARISH GOVERNMENT BUILDING 200 DERBIGNY ST, STE 1200 GRETNA, LA 70053 (504) 363-5710 170621-dec 16-1t $367.84

Public Notices RFQ

PUBLIC NOTICE --ADVERTISEMENT TO REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS CITY OF NEW ORLEANS SPONSORING DEPARTMENT: Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) TITLE: West End Drainage Modular Tank System EVENT NO.: 4605 TYPE OF WORK: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DBE OPPORTUNITY: YES FEDERAL FUNDED: YES RELEASED ON: December 9th, 2025

Public Notices RFQ p plicable laws and regula‐ tions of the Federal gov‐ ernment and State of Louisiana and bonding and insurance require‐ ments.

The City of New Orleans strongly encourages mi‐ nority-owned and women-owned busi‐ nesses, socially and eco‐ nomically disadvantaged businesses and small businesses to respond to this solicitation, or to participate in subcon‐ tracting opportunities pursuant to this solicita‐ tion.

The Bureau of Purchas‐ ing uses commodity codes to notify suppliers of the release of a sourc‐ ing event and subse‐ quent modifications via addendum. Note that you would receive those noti‐ fications if you selected the following commodity code(s) before the re‐ lease of the sourcing event: COMMODITY CODE(s): 906, 925-28, 925-58 and 925 For more information about this event, go to www.nola.gov and click on “BRASS Supplier Por‐ tal” under “BIDS & CON‐ TRACTS”. Once on the Supplier Portal, search “Open Events.”

Thank you for your inter‐ est in doing business with the City of New Or‐ leans.

James Simmons, Jr. Chief Procurement Officer Advertising Dates: December 9, 16 and 23, 2025 NOCP 8813 169687-dec 9-16-23-3t $144.69

Public Notices Successions

PUBLIC NOTICE --TWENTY-FOURTH JUDI‐ CIAL DISTRICT COURT FOR THE PARISH OF JEF‐ FERSON STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 869-509 DIVISION: “K ” SUCCESSION OF RAQUEL KOSMINSKY-KAYE HAKIM NOTICE TO TRANSFER TO TRANSFER MOVABLE PROPERTY BY ADMINISTRATOR WHEREAS, Abraham Hakim, the Administrator of the above Estate has made application to the Court to transfer mov‐ able property hereinafter described to decedent’s surviving spouse, Saul Hakim, to-wit: 2020 Ford Fusion, 4 door (in name of decedent) $5,061 VIN 3FA6POHDSLR184519 BOEING STOCK (in name of Raquel and Saul Hakim) $4,000 UPON THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS, TO-WIT: Transfer the above mov‐ able property in this suc‐ cession to the surviving spouse, Saul Hakim, and applied to the succes‐ sion debts, which have been paid in full by Saul Hakim.

Notice is hereby given to all parties whom it may concern, including the heirs and creditors of the estate herein, to make any opposition which they have or may have to such application, at any time prior to the is‐ suance of the order or authorizing, judgment approving and homolo‐ gating such application and that such order or judgment may be issued after the expiration of ten (10) days, from the date of the publication of such notice, which pri‐ vate sale shall be pub‐ lished once, all in accor‐ dance with law.

BY ORDER OF THE COURT ADVERTISE ONCE IN NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE AND PROVIDE AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION–Attorney has placed the ad 171471-dec 23-1t

DEADLINE TO RESPOND: January 12th, 2026 PRE-BID CONFERENCE: December 19th, 2025 Dates are subject to changes via an adden‐ dum posted by the Bu‐ reau of Purchasing on the City’s supplier portal.

If this solicitation is fed‐ erally funded, prospec‐ tive bidder/respondent must pay particular at‐ tention to all applicable laws and regulations of the Federal government and the State of Louisiana.

HUD Funded Solicitation: Attention to prospective bidder/respondent is called particularly to the requirements for condi‐ tions of employment to be observed and mini‐ mum wage rates to be paid under the Contract (Davis-Bacon Act), Sec‐ tion 3 (Low Income Resi‐ dent Participation) of the Housing and Urban De‐ velopment Act of 1968, Section 109 (Non-Dis‐ crimination) of the Hous‐ ing and Community De‐ velopment Act of 1974, Section 503 (Non-Dis‐ crimination Against Em‐ ployees with Disabilities) and Section 504 (NonDiscrimination Against Individuals with Disabili‐ ties) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Segregated Facilities, Executive Order 11246, and all ap‐ li bl l d l

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