The Acadiana Advocate 01-04-2026

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STRIKE AND CAPTURE U.S. hits Venezuela, seizes Maduro, wife President Trump says U.S. to run country

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO, KONSTANTIN TOROPIN and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., on Saturday. Trump said that the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.

Louisiana leaders react to U.S. military operation Johnson calls it ‘justified’; Carter says it’s ‘reckless’

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT and CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writers

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson on Saturday called the U.S. military operation to capture Venezuela’s president “a decisive and justified operation that will protect American lives.”

“Nicolas Maduro is responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Americans after years of trafficking illegal drugs and violent cartel members into our country — crimes for which he’s been properly indicted in U.S. courts and an arrest warrant duly issued — and today he learned

what accountability looks like,” Johnson, a Republican from the Shreveport area, said in a statement.

But U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, said the attack was “reckless” and unconstitutional, since it was carried out without Congressional approval.

“Congress cannot stay silent while this president ignores the rule of law,” Carter said in a statement.

President Donald Trump ordered the operation to capture Maduro within Venezuelan territory. Multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through the Venezuelan capital. Maduro’s government accused the United States of attacking civilian and military installations, calling it an “imperialist attack” and urging citizens to take to the streets.

ä See REACT, page 8A

PHOTO PROVIDED By TRUTH SOCIAL

President Donald Trump posted this picture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro on his Truth Social platform with the caption ‘Nicolas Maduro on board the USS Iwo Jima.’

CARACAS, Venezuela — Hours after an audacious military operation that plucked leader Nicolás Maduro from power and removed him from the country, President Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States would run Venezuela at least temporarily and tap its vast oil reserves to sell to other nations.

The dramatic action capped an intensive Trump administration pressure campaign on the South American nation and its autocratic leader and months of secret planning resulting in the most assertive American action to achieve regime change since the 2003 inINSIDE vasion of Iraq.

Legal experts immediately raised questions ä World about whether the opera- leaders react tion was lawful, and Ven- to U.S. action ezuela’s vice president in Venezuela. demanded in a speech that the U.S. free Mad- PAGE 4A uro and called him the country’s rightful leader. ä U.S. military Speaking to reporters operation in hours after Maduro’s Venezuela capture, Trump revealed his plans to exploit the disrupts leadership void to “fix” Caribbean the country’s oil infra- travel. PAGE 4A structure and sell “large amounts” of oil to other ä Ouster of countries.

Maduro and his wife, Maduro sparks seized overnight from celebrations their home on a military among some base, were first taken Venezuelans in aboard a U.S. warship South Florida. on their way to face prosecution for a Jus- PAGE 8A tice Department indictment accusing them of ä How the participating in a narco- U.S. captured terrorism conspiracy. A Venezuelan plane believed to be carrying the deposed leader leader. PAGE 11A landed Saturday evening in New York.

A person in custody was escorted off the jet, gingerly making his way down a stairway before being led across the tarmac surrounded by federal agents. Several agents appeared to film the person on their phones.

The legal authority for the incursion, done without congressional approval, was not immediately clear, but the Trump administration promoted the ouster as a step toward reducing the flow of dangerous drugs into the U.S. The president touted what he saw as other potential benefits, including a leadership stake in the country and greater control of oil.

ä See VENEZUELA, page 8A

Family reflects on Tiger Bech’s legacy a year after Bourbon attack

BY MIKE COPPAGE Contributing writer

Michelle Bech cries daily.

Her whole family does.

The emotions attached to the tears of Bech, whose son Tiger was killed along with 14 others in a terror attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day 2025, vary from gratitude to anger.

Gratitude that hours before his death, Tiger professed his faith in God — out of the blue — while in the car with his parents and pal Ryan Quigley, who was injured in the attack.

WEATHER HIGH 63 LOW 48 PAGE 6B

“Tiger always struggled intellectually with believing in God,” Michelle Bech said. “He and Lance Strother (St. Thomas More receivers coach and director of campus ministry) would have these debates.

“On New Year’s Eve, we were pulling into New Orleans with Tiger and Ryan — who were leaving the next day to go back to New York — sitting in the back seat.”

When Tiger announced, “Hey Mom and Dad, I do believe in God,” Michelle Bech said she and husband Marty were thrilled.

“We looked at each other but

didn’t say anything because he might retract it,” Michelle Bech said. “What are the chances that on the one night where he verbally acknowledged that he believed in God, that Tiger would die?”

There have been other signs that God was ready to call Tiger home, according to Michelle Bech.

Weeks after Tiger Bech’s death, younger brother Jack was named MVP of the Senior Bowl after catching the winning pass with seven seconds left while wearing Tiger’s jersey No. 7.

When Michelle Bech’s daughter Sophie looked into the Ala-

bama sky, she noticed five clouds stretching across the horizon that collectively formed the word, “Tiger.”

“It’s incredible,” Michelle Bech said. “It’s like Tiger wrote his name in the sky.”

Tiger Bech lived his life with a zeal like few others.

During his brokerage firm’s Christmas bonus meeting, Tiger Bech leaped out of his chair and hugged his employers upon hearing the announcement.

“They had never had anyone hug

PROVIDED PHOTO

Tiger Bech with younger brother ä See LEGACY, page 11A Jack Bech

Business ......................1E Deaths .........................3B Nation-World ................2A Classified ..................10A Living............................1D Opinion ........................4B Commentary ................5B Metro ...........................1B Sports ..........................1C

101ST yEAR, NO. 188

2A ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Officials probe managers after Swiss bar fire

BRIEFS

FROM WIRE REPORTS

Rain, high tides cause flooding in California

CORTE MADERA, Calif. — Heavy rain and high tides believed to be the most severe in two decades caused flooding in parts of Northern California on Saturday, prompting road closures and rescues of residents trapped in their cars.

Roadways through a 15-mile stretch from the Sausalito area to San Rafael were flooded after a downpour coincided with record-breaking “king tides,” Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins said.

No injuries were reported but authorities were called to assist when cars got stuck in floodwater as high as three and four feet, he said.

“There is a lot of water in the roadways,” Dobbins said, adding the tides were reportedly the highest in more than two decades. “Along with heavy rains, it just created the perfect storm for flooding on the streets.”

Authorities in the communities near San Francisco asked residents to stay home wherever possible until waters recede.

Some residents kayaked along what normally would be city streets. Others waded out in water that passed their knees.

A flood warning was in place for the San Francisco area until 2 p.m. Saturday and an advisory until 2 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service in San Francisco.

King tides occur when the sun, moon and Earth are in alignment and the moon is in its closest position to the Earth, creating a stronger gravitational pull.

Dozens missing in Gambia boat capsizing

BANJUL, Gambia — Dozens are missing after a boat carrying more than 200 migrants on their way to Europe capsized off the coast of Gambia, the West African nation’s leader said late Friday, setting off a frantic search and rescue operation.

At least 102 survivors have been rescued and seven bodies recovered from the boat that capsized on New Year’s Eve in northwest Gambia’s North Bank region, Gambian President Adama Barrow said in a state broadcast.

The emergency services were joined by local fishermen and other volunteers in searching for the victims, days after Wednesday’s incident near the village of Jinack, he said.

Thousands of Africans desperate for better opportunities in Europe risk their lives traveling on boats along the Atlantic coast, one of the world’s deadliest migrant routes that connects the West African coast across Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania.

Kenyans mourn death of ‘super tusker’ elephant

NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenyans are mourning the death of a beloved “super tusker” elephant whose long life in the wild came to symbolize the country’s increasingly successful efforts to protect the mammals from ivory poachers.

The bull elephant who died on Saturday was named Craig.

He lived in Amboseli National Park, a protected area in southern Kenya that is a favorite of safari tourists, the Kenya Wildlife Service said in a statement.

“Craig, the legendary super tusker famed for its immense, ground-sweeping tusks and calm, dignified presence, passed on at the age of 54,” the statement said.

The Amboseli Trust for Elephants said Craig had died of natural causes. The conservation group said it was grateful to everyone who worked to help the animal “live out his life naturally.”

Local broadcaster NTV aired a segment on the death of Craig, saying of the elephant that it was a rare creature as “one of the last remaining elephants identified as super tuskers in Africa.”

The term describes a bull elephant with tusks that weigh more than 100 pounds each.

Tusks that size are so long that they scrape the ground as the elephant walks, according to the Tsavo Trust, a non-profit conservation group in Kenya. Females that grow long tusks are called iconic cows, the group says.

BY JOHN LEICESTER and JAMEY KEATEN Associated Press

PHOTO PROVIDED By OFFICE OF THE IRANIAN SUPREME LEADER

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei speaks Saturday in a meeting in Tehran, Iran. Khamenei said that ‘rioters must be put in their place’ after a week of protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic, likely giving security forces a green light to aggressively put down the demonstrations.

Iranian leader decries ‘rioters’ amid protests for Iran’s collapsing rial.

Khamenei says they ‘must enemy” “A bunch of people incited or hired by enemy are getting behind the tradesbe put in their place’ the men and shopkeepers and chanting slogans against Islam, Iran and the Islamic as death toll hits 10 Republic,” he said. “This is what matters

BY JON GAMBRELL Associated Press

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Iran’s supreme leader insisted Saturday that “rioters must be put in their place” after a week of protests that have shaken the Islamic Republic, likely giving security forces a green light to aggressively put down the demonstrations.

The first comments by 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei come as violence surrounding the demonstrations sparked

by Iran’s ailing economy has killed at least 10 people. The protests show no sign of stopping and follow President Donald Trump warning Iran on Friday that if Tehran “violently kills peaceful protesters,” the United States “will come to their rescue.”

While it remains unclear how and if Trump will intervene, his comments sparked an immediate, angry response, with officials within the theocracy threatening to target American troops in the Mideast. They also take on new importance after Trump said Saturday that the U.S. military captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, a longtime ally of Tehran.

The protests have become the biggest in Iran since 2022, when the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody triggered nationwide demonstrations. However, the protests have yet to be as widespread and intense as those surrounding the death of Amini, who was detained over not wearing her hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities.

State television aired remarks by Khamenei to an audience in Tehran that sought to separate the concerns of protesting Iranians upset about the rial’s collapse from “rioters.”

“We talk to protesters, the officials must talk to them,” Khamenei said. “But there is no benefit to talking to rioters.

Rioters must be put in their place.”

He also reiterated a claim constantly made by officials in Iran that foreign powers like Israel or the United States were pushing the protests, without offering any evidence. He also blamed “the

most.”

Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard ranks include the all-volunteer Basij force, whose motorcycling-riding members have violently put down protests like the 2009 Green Movement and the 2022 demonstrations. The Guard answers only to Khamenei.

Hard-line officials within the country are believed to have been pushing for a more-aggressive response to the demonstrations as President Masoud Pezeshkian has sought talks to address protesters’ demands.

But bloody security crackdowns often follow such protests. Protests over a gasoline price hike in 2019 reportedly saw over 300 people killed. A crackdown on the Amini protests of 2022, which lasted for months, killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained.

“Iran has no organized domestic opposition; protesters are likely acting spontaneously,” the Eurasia Group said in an analysis Friday. “While protests could continue or grow larger (particularly as Iran’s economic outlook remains dire), the regime retains a large security apparatus and would likely suppress such dissent without losing control of the country.”

Two deaths overnight into Saturday involved a new level of violence. In Qom, home to the country’s major Shiite seminaries, a grenade exploded, killing a man there, the state-owned IRAN newspaper reported. It quoted security officials alleging the man was carrying the grenade to attack people in the city, some 80 miles south of the capital, Tehran.

Online videos from Qom purportedly showed fires in the street overnight.

The second death happened in the town of Harsin, some 230 miles southwest of Tehran. There, the newspaper said, a member of the Basij, the all-volunteer arm of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, died in a gun and knife attack in the town in Kermanshah province.

Demonstrations have reached over 100 locations in 22 of Iran’s 31 provinces, the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency reported.

WISCONSIN

Judge convicted of obstructing arrest of immigrant resigns

BY JOSH FUNK Associated Press

Embattled Wisconsin Judge Hannah Dugan, who was convicted of obstruction last month for helping an immigrant evade federal officers, has sent her resignation letter to the governor.

The letter was sent Saturday.

Republicans had been making plans to impeach her ever since her Dec. 19 conviction. A spokesperson for Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat, said his office received Dugan’s letter, and he would work to fill the vacancy without delay.

Dugan wrote that over the past Dugan decade she handled thousands of cases with “a commitment to treat all persons with dignity and respect, to act justly, deliberately and consistently, and to maintain a courtroom with the decorum and safety the public deserves.”

But she said the case against her is too big of a distraction.

“As you know, I am the subject of unprecedented federal legal proceedings,

which are far from concluded but which present immense and complex challenges that threaten the independence of our judiciary. I am pursuing this fight for myself and for our independent judiciary,” Dugan said in her letter.

Last April, federal prosecutors accused Dugan of distracting federal officers trying to arrest a Mexican immigrant outside her courtroom and leading the man out through a private door. A federal jury convicted her of felony obstruction.

The case against Dugan was highlighted by President Donald Trump as he pressed ahead with his sweeping immigration crackdown. Democrats insisted the administration was trying to make an example of Dugan to blunt judicial opposition to the operation.

Republican Wisconsin Assembly Speaker Robin Vos praised Dugan’s decision.

“I’m glad Dugan did the right thing by resigning and followed the clear direction from the Wisconsin Constitution,” Vos said.

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the managers of the bar where a fire at a New Year’s party left 40 people dead, authorities said Saturday.

The two are suspected of involuntary homicide, involuntary bodily harm and involuntarily causing a fire, the Valais region’s chief prosecutor, Beatrice Pilloud, told reporters. She said the investigation was opened on Friday night and that it would help “explore all the leads.” The announcement of the investigation did not name the managers.

More than 100 other people were injured in the blaze that broke out about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation bar in the Alpine resort town of CransMontana. Police have said many were in their teens to mid-20s.

The process of identifying the dead and injured continued on Saturday, leading to an agonizing wait for relatives.

Investigators said Friday they believe sparkling candles atop Champagne bottles ignited the fire when they came too close to the ceiling of the crowded bar.

Authorities planned to look into whether sound-dampening material on the ceiling conformed with regulations and whether the candles were permitted for use in the bar. Officials said they would look at other safety measures on the premises, including fire extinguishers and escape routes.

The Valais region’s top

security official, Stéphane Ganzer, told SRF public radio Saturday that “such a huge accident with a fire in Switzerland means that something didn’t work — maybe the material, maybe the organization on the spot.” He added: “Something didn’t work and someone made a mistake, I am sure of that.”

Nicolas Féraud, who heads the Crans-Montana municipality, told RTS radio he was “convinced” checks on the bar hadn’t been lax, the broadcaster reported.

Asked whether the tragedy could have been avoided, Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans replied that officials could not yet answer and “we know that the world needs an answer on this question.”

The severity of burns has made it difficult to identify the dead and injured, requiring families to supply authorities with DNA samples. In some cases, wallets and any identification documents were turned to ash.

On Saturday, regional police said the bodies of four victims — a boy and a girl, both 16, an 18-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, all of them Swiss — had been identified and handed over to their families.

Several injured people still haven’t been identified.

Swiss officials said Friday that 119 people were injured and 113 had been formally identified.

On Saturday, Italy’s ambassador to Switzerland, Gian Lorenzo Cornado, told reporters he had just been briefed by local authorities that the number of injured stood at 121, with five not yet identified. He said 14 Italians were being treated in hospitals.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

People lay flowers Saturday at the sealed-off Le Constellation bar in CransMontana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, after a deadly fire.

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Security advisers discuss peace proposals in Ukraine Meeting comes before leaders’ summit

BY VOLODYMYR YURCHUK Associated Press

KYIV, Ukraine — National security advisers from Europe and other allies visited Kyiv on Saturday to discuss security guarantees and economic support as a U.S.led diplomatic push to end the nearly 4-year-old war in Ukraine intensifies.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, preparing to travel to Paris for a meeting with partners, said work on the peace proposals could now accelerate as Ukraine has shared all documents under discussion with the 18 national security advisers, including those on security guarantees.

“We expect that this further work will now take place in the capitals of European countries as well as Canada, Japan and other representatives of the Coalition of the Willing,” he said, referring to the approximately 30 countries

Ukraine’s deputy prime minister, Taras Kachka, said international partners have reached consensus on an economic support package of about $800 billion for Ukraine over the next decade.

The package, based on calculations by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the European Union, would cover damage compensation, reconstruction, economic stability and a $200 billion growth “booster” and is tied to Ukraine’s EU accession reforms.

Specific funding sources have not been identified, economy minister Oleksii Sobolev said, though roughly $500 billion is expected from public grants and conASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DANyLO ANTONIUK cessional loans, with details European countries national security advisers attend a security forum on Saturday in Kyiv, to be worked out over the next two weeks.

Ukraine.

Also on Saturday, Zelenwho support Kyiv’s effort to Paris, followed by a meet- Oleksandr Bevz said Kyiv is skyy announced further end the war with Russia on ing Tuesday of European coordinating security guar- changes to the government, acceptable terms. leaders, where he said he antee plans with European saying he had proposed “We are not allocating a hoped documents on secu- partners that would include Denys Shmyhal to become great deal of time for this rity guarantees would be a multilateral framework energy minister and first process,” Zelenskyy added. finalized. He said there also agreement involving Ukrai- deputy prime minister.

He said representatives would be meetings with U.S. nian forces as the first line Shmyhal, who served from Ukraine’s General representatives in Paris. of defense, European-led most recently as defense Staff and military sector In a briefing earlier in the troops deployed in Ukraine minister and formerly as would meet on Monday in day, Ukrainian negotiator and U.S. “backstop” support. Ukraine’s longest-serving

prime minister, is well respected. His proposed replacement in defense is Mykhailo Fedorov, who is widely credited with leading the introduction of drone technology into the army in his role as digital transformation minister.

Zelenskyy on Friday appointed the head of Ukraine’s military intelligence as his new chief of staff. The president framed the appointment of Gen. Kyrylo Budanov as part of an effort to sharpen the focus on security, defense development and diplomacy.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a Russian missile attack on the city of Kharkiv on Friday increased to two, including a 3-year-old boy, Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram.

An overnight Russian drone attack on the Mykolaiv region targeted critical infrastructure and left some communities without electricity, according to regional head Vitalii Kim. He said engineers spent the night working to restore power and there were no casualties reported.

Trial to begin for officer in Uvalde shooting response

BY JIM VERTUNO

Associated Press

Families who lost loved ones in the 2022 attack on an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, have sought for nearly four years to hold accountable the police who waited more than an hour to confront the shooter while children and teachers lay dead or wounded in classrooms.

Now one of the first officers on the scene is about to stand trial on multiple charges of child abandonment and endangerment.

Former Uvalde schools police officer Adrian Gonzales is accused of ignoring his training in a crisis with deadly consequences. His attorney insists he was focused on helping children escape from the building.

The trial that starts Monday offers potentially one

of the last chances to see police answer for the long delay. The families have pinned their hopes on the jury after their gun-control efforts were rejected by lawmakers, and their lawsuits remain unresolved. A few parents ran for political office to seek change, with mixed results.

The proceedings will provide a rare example of an officer being criminally charged with not doing more to stop a crime and protect lives.

Jesse Rizo’s niece was one of 19 children and two teachers killed by the teenage gunman in one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history. Nine-yearold Jackie Cazares still had a pulse when rescuers finally reached her, Rizo said.

“It really bothers us a lot that maybe she could have lived,” he said.

Only two of the 376 officers from local, state and federal agencies on the scene have been charged — a fact that haunts Velma Lisa Duran, whose sister, Irma Garcia, was one of the teachers gunned down.

“What about the other 374?” Duran asked through tears. “They all waited and allowed children and teachers to die.”

The charges reflect the dead and wounded children, but not her sister’s death or that of the other teacher who was killed.

“Where is the justice in that?” Duran asked. “Did she not exist?”

Prosecutors will likely face a high bar to win a conviction. Juries are often reluctant to convict law enforcement officers for inaction, as seen after the Parkland, Florida, school massacre in 2018.

Sheriff’s deputy Scot Peterson was charged with failing to confront the shooter in that attack. It was the first such prosecution in the U.S. for an on-campus shooting, and Peterson was acquitted by a jury in 2023.

Police and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott initially said swift law enforcement action killed Uvalde gunman Salvador Ramos and saved lives. But that version quickly unraveled as families described begging police to go into the building and 911 calls emerged from students pleading for help.

The reality was that 77 minutes passed from

the time officers first arrived until a tactical team breached the classroom and killed Ramos.

Multiple reports from state and federal officials cataloged cascading problems in law enforcement training, communication, leadership and technology, and they questioned whether officers prioritized their own lives over those of the children and teachers.

Gonzales was charged two years later in an indictment that alleged he placed children in “imminent danger” of injury or death by failing to engage, distract or delay the gunman and by not fol-

lowing his active shooter training.

The indictment said he did not advance toward the gunfire despite hearing shots and being told where the shooter was.

The only other officer to be charged is former Uvalde schools Police Chief Pete Arredondo. His trial on similar charges has not yet been set.

Uvalde County District Attorney Christina Mitchell did not respond to requests from The Associated Press for comment on the indictments or whether a grand jury considered charging other officers.

Musk company bot apologizes for sharing sexualized images of children

BY NILESH CHRISTOPHER Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Grok, the chatbot of Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, published sexualized images of children as its guardrails seem to have failed when it was prompted with vile user requests.

Users used prompts such as “put her in a bikini” under pictures of real people on X to get Grok to generate nonconsensual images of them in inappropriate attire. The morphed images created on Grok’s account are posted publicly on X, Musk’s social media platform.

The AI complied with requests to morph images of minors even though that is a violation of its own acceptable use policy.

“There are isolated cases where users prompted for and received AI images depicting minors in minimal clothing, like the example you referenced,” Grok responded to a user on X. “xAI has safeguards, but improvements are ongoing to block such requests entirely.” xAI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its chatbot posted an apology.

“I deeply regret an incident on Dec. 28, 2025, where I generated and shared an AI image of two young girls (estimated ages 12-16) in sexualized attire based on a user’s prompt,” said a post on Grok’s profile. “This violated ethical standards and potentially US laws on CSAM. It was a failure in safeguards, and I’m sorry for any harm caused. xAI is reviewing to prevent future issues.”

The government of India notified X that it risked losing legal immunity if the company did not submit a report within 72 hours on the actions taken to stop the generation and distribution of obscene, nonconsensual images targeting women.

Critics have accused xAI of allowing AI-enabled harassment, and were shocked and angered by the existence of a feature for seamless AI manipulation and undressing requests.

“How is this not illegal?” journalist Samantha Smith posted on X, decrying the

creation of her own nonconsensual sexualized photo.

Musk’s xAI has positioned Grok as an “anti-woke” chatbot that is programmed to be more open and edgy than competing chatbots such as ChatGPT. In May, Grok posted about “white genocide,” repeating conspiracy theories of Black South Africans persecuting the white minority, in response to an unrelated question.

In June, the company apologized when Grok posted a series of antisemitic remarks praising Adolf Hitler.

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4A ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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World leaders react to U.S. action in Venezuela

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES Miami Herald (TNS)

The overnight attacks in Venezuela and the subsequent capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in a U.S. military operation on Saturday triggered sharp international reactions, ranging from European Union calls for de-escalation to condemnations from some of Latin America’s most outspoken leaders, who described the use of force as “unacceptable.”

“The Government of Mexico condemns and strongly rejects the military actions unilaterally carried out in recent hours by the armed forces of the United States of America against targets in the territory of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela,” a statement posted by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said.

The statement called for “an end to any act of aggression against the Venezuelan government and people” and said the actions were in clear violation of Article 2 of the United Nations charter.

The charter, among other things, calls for disputes among nations to be settled peacefully.

“Latin America and the Caribbean is a zone of peace, built on the foundation of mutual respect, the peaceful settlement of disputes, and the prohibition of the use and threat of force. Therefore, any military action seriously jeopardizes regional stability,” the Mexican government said, urging the U.N. “to act immediately to help de-escalate tensions.”

The spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres said the U.N. chief is “deeply alarmed by the recent escalation in Venezuela,” which has potential worrisome implications for the region.

“Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these

developments constitute a dangerous precedent,” spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said. “The SecretaryGeneral continues to emphasize the importance of full respect — by all — of international law, including the U.N. Charter. He’s deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected. The Secretary-General calls on all actors in Venezuela to engage in inclusive dialogue, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.”

On Saturday, President Donald Trump said U.S. forces had entered Venezuela and removed Maduro, who is the subject of a U.S. indictment since 2020. Maduro was captured by U.S. forces and taken onboard the USS Iwo Jima.

While most U.S. allies remained mute, Argentina President Javier Milei celebrated the capture of Maduro “as a decisive advance against narcoterrorism in the region.”

In a nationwide address, Trump described the raid as “an extraordinary success overnight with breathtaking speed, power, precision and confidence.

“If you would have seen what I saw last night, you would have been very impressed,” he said describing the operation as the U.S. military acting to support the Justice Department. “It was an incredible thing to see. Not a single American service member was killed, and not a single piece of American equipment was lost, that many helicopters, many planes, many people involved in that fight.”

He also announced that following the extraction that involved more than 150 U.S. aircraft launched from 20 different bases across the Western Hemisphere, “we are going to run the country” and “stay until such time as the proper transition

AFP/GETTy IMAGES/TNS FILE PHOTO By LEONARDO MUNOZ

Colombian President Gustavo Petro speaks Sept. 23 during the General Debate of the United Nations General Assembly at the U.N. headquarters in New york. Petro was the first regional leader to denounce the U.S. attacks in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. can take place.”

Caribbean leaders react After the attacks, concerns engulfed Venezuela’s closest Caribbean neighbors, where Trump’s ramped-up campaign has been fueling tensions and public disagreements among regional leaders. In Guyana, which shares a land border with Venezuela and has been in a decadeslong dispute, President Irfaan Ali said his nation has activated its “security architecture.”

“The Guyana Defense Force and the security forces are monitoring the situation and Guyanese should be reassured that the government is working to ensure the safety and security of our citizens,” Ali said.

In Trinidad and Tobago, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar moved quickly to distance her twinisland nation from the operation. She is one of Trump’s closest allies in the region, where ongoing U.S. boat strikes off the Venezuelan

coast in the southern Caribbean had been sparking tensions for months.

Addressing citizens in an early morning post on X, Persad-Bissessar said: “Trinidad and Tobago is Not a participant in any of these ongoing military operations.

Trinidad and Tobago continues to maintain peaceful relations with the people of Venezuela.”

The country’s People’s National Movement leader, Penny Beckles, said that “while some information remains unclear and unconfirmed, any such development in our immediate geographic space is a matter of serious concern” and “deeply troubling.” Beckles echoed the calls for de-escalation, which were also made by Spain’s prime minister and European Union leaders.

The first regional leader to denounce the operation was Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who took to X as the night sky lit up and explosions could be heard over Caracas.

Colombia’s government, he said, was alarmed by “reports of explosions and unusual aerial activity” in Venezuela and reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of the U.N. Charter, including respect for sovereignty, the prohibition of the use of force and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

“The Colombian government rejects any unilateral military action that could aggravate the situation or put the civilian population at risk,” Petro said, urging all parties to de-escalate and prioritize diplomatic channels.

Ahead of Saturday’s extraction of Maduro, Trump Condemnations warned that Petro should Some South American watch his back. On Saturday, leaders offered some of the he repeated the warning folstrongest and swiftest de- lowing comments by Petro nunciations, alongside Iran that he was not concerned about anything happening and Russia.

to him in the aftermath of the Venezuela operation.

The two leaders have been involved in public disputes on social media since Trump began his second term, and Petro has since had his U.S. visa revoked.

“He has cocaine bills, yes, factories where he makes cocaine,” Trump said about Petro. “I stick by my first statement. He’s making cocaine. They’re sending it into the United States. So he does have to watch his ass.“ As the region and the world woke up to the news, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also announced his displeasure.

“These acts represent a most serious affront to Venezuela’s sovereignty and yet another extremely dangerous precedent for the entire international community,” he said. “Attacking countries, in flagrant violation of international law, is the first step toward a world of violence, chaos, and instability, where the law of the strongest prevails over multilateralism.”

Lula said the Trump administration’s action “recalls the worst moments of interference in the politics of Latin America and the Caribbean and threatens the preservation of the region as a zone of peace.” He called on the international community, through the U.N., to respond forcefully and said Brazil stood ready to promote dialogue and cooperation.

Iran called the U.S. military action a “blatant violation” of regional and international peace and security.

Moscow, another ally of Maduro, said the U.S. action caused deep concern.

Elsewhere in Europe, where Spain has welcomed tens of thousands of asylum-seeking Venezuelans, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for restraint and for all parties to respect “international law and the principles of the U.N. Charter.”

U.S. military operation in Venezuela disrupts Caribbean travel Hundreds of flights canceled

BY MATT O’BRIEN, JOSH FUNK and AUDREY MCAVOY Associated Press

The U.S. military operation that captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and flew him out of the country early Saturday has also disrupted Caribbean travel at a busy travel time for the region.

No airline flights were crossing over Venezuela on Saturday, according to FlightRadar24.com. And major airlines canceled hundreds of flights across the eastern Caribbean region and warned passengers that the disruptions could continue for days after the Federal Aviation Administration imposed restrictions.

Flights were canceled to and from Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Aruba and more than a dozen other

destinations in the Lesser Antilles island group that lies north of Venezuela. The airlines are waiving change fees for passengers who have to reschedule their flights this weekend.

At the Queen Beatrix airport in Aruba, a popular holiday destination for U.S. vacationers just 15 miles off Venezuela’s coast, officials said they expected operations to resume normally on Sunday after a day of canceled flights that stranded travelers or blocked them from flying to the island Saturday.

In Barbados, Prime Minister Mia Mottley said at a news conference that “the consequences of the conflict have been exceedingly disruptive to both of our ports of entry,” an airport as well as a seaport from which cruise ships sail.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a social media post that “the FAA restricted the airspace in the Caribbean and Vene-

zuela to ensure the SAFETY of the flying public.”

“When appropriate, these airspace restrictions will be lifted,” he said on the social platform X. “Please work with your airlines directly if your flight has been impacted.”

Lou Levine, his wife and their three children were due to fly home to the Washington, D.C., area from Puerto Rico on Saturday morning. Instead he woke up to his wife saying their flight was canceled. He found out why when he checked his phone.

They first tried calling JetBlue to reschedule. The airline called back about two hours later, but the agent couldn’t help them.

Levine and his wife saw others messaging JetBlue on social media and did the same. The airline responded and booked them on another flight leaving next Saturday, turning the Levines’ weeklong New Year’s holiday into a two-week sojourn.

Levine, a manager at a software company, said he’s fortunate to have a flexible and understanding employer. But his daughter will be missing a week of high school. And then there are the unexpected expenses.

“I love it here. But we have dog-sitting and cat-sitting and car rental. It’s fine. It’s just really painful on the wallet,” Levine said.

The Levines hope to book an earlier trip back if flights resume early.

This weekend was already past the peak 13-day holiday period when AAA projected 122.4 million Americans would travel at least 50 miles from home, but there were plenty of travelers still trying to squeeze in some more time on tropical beaches and resorts before heading back to colder temperatures.

“The Caribbean is a top destination this time of the year,” said AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz. “We do have a lot of people who are trying to get back home this

weekend ahead of work and school on Monday.”

Diaz said “it’s understandable we want to unplug” but travelers should keep track of what’s going on and allow airlines to send them phone alerts.

The FAA had earlier said it imposed a temporary airspace restriction on Puerto Rico’s international airport and surrounding regions.

An announcement by Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, that was posted on X said restrictions were put in place because of the “security situation related to military activity” in Venezuela.

As a result most commercial flights to and from the airport that are operated by U.S. airlines were suspended or canceled.

Foreign airlines and military aircraft were not included in that restriction, the statement said.

JetBlue said it canceled about 215 flights “due to airspace closures across the

Caribbean related to military activity.” It also noted that flights farther west to the Dominican Republic and Jamaica were not affected by the government’s restrictions. Customers could rebook their travel or request a refund if the flights were canceled, the company said.

United Airlines said it was adjusting its schedule to account for airspace closures.

It said customers could change their travel plans in the region for free as it continued to monitor the situation and worked with U.S. aviation authorities.

Southwest Airlines said it canceled all Aruba flights for Saturday and suspended Puerto Rico flights until further notice, but flights to the Dominican Republic were unaffected.

American Airlines said it was waiving change fees for flights to and from about 20 island destinations, including Anguilla, Antigua, Curacao, Saint Lucia and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

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LOUISIANA POLITICS La. remains in state of emergency over cyberattacks

BY MATTHEW ALBRIGHT Staff writer

Throughout Gov. Jeff Landry’s first term, Louisiana has been under a state of emergency for cyberattacks as hackers continuously barrage government agencies throughout the state.

On Dec. 23, Landry again renewed a state of emergency that was first issued by his predecessor, former Gov. John Bel Edwards, in 2023.

“There have been severe, intentional cybersecurity breaches of public entities throughout the State of Louisiana,” Landry wrote in the renewal order.

The state of emergency allows government officials — particularly those in the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, which leads the response to cyberattacks — to suspend procurement and public bidding laws when necessary to respond to or prevent breaches.

State officials have said for years that they are under more or less perpetual attack from hackers trying to access sensitive information or halt essential services, then seek a ransom to restore them.

The year Edwards first issued the state of emergency was a particularly harsh one for Louisiana That February, a cyberattack crippled Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer system for weeks, knocking out email, the university website, and the system that many classes used to share documents and take tests.

Then, in June 2023, hackers breached MOVEit, a file-sharing system used by the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles and other clients around the world. At least 6 million records were exposed, including information from every Louisiana resident who got a driver’s license, ID or car registration.

There have been a slew of incidents since then, including multiple major attacks in 2025.

Landry pushes for college football intervention

PROVIDED PHOTO

A cyberattack crippled Southeastern Louisiana University’s computer system for weeks in 2023, knocking out email, the university website, and the system that many classes used to share documents and take tests.

Last January, hackers breached PowerSchool, an education software program used by students in Ascension, Livingston and St. Charles Parish school districts — and more than 60 million students in total. The incident exposed information like names, addresses, contact information and Social Security numbers, but the compromised data was eventually deleted, the company that runs PowerSchool said.

In September, the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office was hit, interfering with processing bail, disrupting court proceedings and causing other problems. A ransomware STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK group called Qilin took responsiin June 2023, hackers breached MOVEit, a file-sharing system used by bility for the attack, saying it stole more than 840 gigabytes of data. the state’s Office of Motor Vehicles and other clients around the world.

In October, a “cyberincident” At least 6 million records were exposed, including information from every locked users out of START and Louisiana resident who got a driver’s license, ID or car registration.

K-12 Start, state-run education

cruiting.

The current system, Landry argued, is driving up ticket prices and risks putting taxpayers on the Gov. Jeff Landry last week hook for big coaching buyouts if continued his push for national donors don’t step up. leaders to step in to fix what he “There are great people that calls a broken system for college work real hard football. to go out and In an appearance on CNN, watch college Landry again called for more cenfootball,” Landry tralized governance. In particular, said. “They watch he criticized college it in the rain, in football’s schedule the snow and the for playoffs, rewind. The price cruiting deadlines of college footand transfer portal Landry periods. ball should not be “What you see is placed on their backs as fans or Capitol a calendar that is as taxpayers.”

Buzz unworkable, a timeLandry also repeated a call to STAFF line that is unwork- unify college football’s TV broadREPORTS able,” he said. casting rights, which he argues Landry and othwould allow the sport to bring in ers have blamed the schedule for more money. Currently, individthe drama surrounding LSU hirual leagues, like the Big Ten and the SEC, negotiate those rights ing coach Lane Kiffin away from Ole Miss, which is in the playoffs separately.

The governor has drawn naand in contention for a national championship. He has also said tional attention for his public the schedule contributes to enorcomments about and involvement in LSU’s coaching search. After mous payouts for coaches — Kifformer coach Brian Kelly was fin is set to receive a seven-year, fired, Landry made headlines for $91 million contract — because a fiery speech blasting the size of schools that fire coaches midseason are under pressure to quickly coaching contracts and criticizhire a new one to compete in reing then-Athletic Director Scott

Woodward, who was fired soon after. Landry said he stepped in to ensure taxpayers didn’t pay for Kelly’s roughly $50 million buyout; those buyouts are typically paid by private donors.

Landry has continued call for a national intervention in college football, including an op-ed in RealClearPolicy last month.

On CNN, host Phil Mattingly noted that former LSU and Alabama coach Nick Saban has called for federal action to address problems in college football, and President Donald Trump has issued an executive order calling for changes.

“If there are two people who can fix college football, it would be President Trump and Coach (Nick) Saban,” Landry replied.

Scalise says House will probe Minnesota fraud Rep. Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson and the House Majority Leader, said last week that Republicans in Congress will be “very aggressive with our oversight” of fraud in Minnesota.

“The complicity, we think, goes to the highest level,” Scalise said in a Fox News appearance on Wednesday.

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savings accounts that help families save for college or private school tuition. About 88,000 active savings accounts held more than $1.8 billion at the time, but parents and students weren’t able to withdraw money for more than a week.

Louisiana is far from the only state that has had to take extraordinary measures to combat cyberattacks.

In July, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz activated the state’s National Guard in response to an attack that forced the city of St. Paul to shut down most of its computer systems.

In November, the University of Pennsylvania fell victim to a cyberattack that exposed the information of students, donors and alumni. The hacker in that case used university addresses to send profanity and slur-laden mass emails criticizing the university.

child care money. This is money to help low-income people, to help seniors, all being stolen and defrauded,” Scalise said. “People need to go to jail.”

Most of the defendants in these cases are part of Minnesota’s large Somali community. President Donald Trump has since launched an immigration crackdown there, saying he “didn’t want them in the U.S.” Trump and other Republicans ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO have also blasted Minnesota Gov. Majority Leader Steve Scalise, Tim Walz, the latest Democratic R-Jefferson. nominee for vice president, for allowing the fraud to happen.

Walz has said his administration Federal authorities are pursumoved swiftly to investigate the ing criminal charges against fraud once it was discovered and more than 90 people accused of is working to implement new, defrauding multiple social weltougher safeguards. fare programs in Minnesota; 57 In his interview, Scalise said, people have been convicted.

“This was all going on right under The largest scheme uncovered Tim Walz’s nose,” and said House so far involves Feeding Our FuRepublicans plan to call the govture. Prosecutors say organizers stole roughly $300 million that ernor in for hearings. was supposed to be spent on feed“When we bring them in, being children during the COVID lieve me, those are going to be pandemic. very tough questions that GoverThe lead prosecutor says the nor Walz himself will be asked,” total losses under investigation, Scalise said. “Did you know which includes multiple different about it? Did people under you welfare programs, could eventuknow about the participation?

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EDUCATION U.S. companies want to build pipeline of skilled workers Tradespeople needed to keep conveyor belts moving and more

BY ANNE D’INNOCENZIO AP writer

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — As the number of skilled tradespeople dwindles in the United States, Walmart is trying to build up its own workforce to keep conveyor belts moving, refrigerated grocery cases cold, and drains and parking lots flowing.

The nation’s largest retailer and private employer revamped its training program last year to increase the pipeline of maintenance technicians who do everything from repair equipment to electrical work at Walmart’s distribution centers and stores — jobs that have become increasingly difficult to fill because of a shrinking labor pool.

The shortage has opened opportunities for people like Liz Cardenas, 24, who started at Walmart in May 2023 as an automation equipment operator at a distribution center in Lancaster, Texas, making sure boxes were securely taped and went through a conveyer belt upright. Today, she is responsible for fixing conveyor belts and other equipment when they break at distribution centers.

Cardenas, who nearly doubled her hourly pay to $43.50 per hour, said she plans to pursue more training, which will mean an even higher salary and more responsibility. It also means financial freedom.

“I was able to move out of my parents’ house,” she said. “I have my own apartment. I was able to get a car, and I’m able to give more to my 401(k).”

A surge of retirements, along with a slowdown in immigration that began during the pandemic but now is accelerating with President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportations, are among the main

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By CHARLIE RIEDEL

Maintenance technician Liz Cardenas completes a task on an electronics test platform at a training area in a Walmart distribution center in Bentonville, Ark. factors behind labor shortages that bedevil some employers, analysts say.

But in skilled trades, the problem is even more acute. Consulting firm McKinsey analyzed 12 types of trade job categories, including maintenance technicians, welders, and carpenters, and predicted an estimated imbalance of 20 job openings for every one net new employee from 2022 to 2032.

McKinsey noted “the extraordinary rate of churn” could cost companies more than $5.3 billion every year in talent acquisition and training costs alone.

The shortages are happening as some companies are also laying off workers amid rising operational costs from new tariffs, shifting consumer spending and increased spending on artificial intelligence.

Business Roundtable, a lobbying group of CEOs from roughly

150 companies representing millions of employees nationwide, launched in June a new initiative to address worker shortages in skilled trades, including maintenance technicians.

The initiative, co-championed by home improvement retailer Lowe’s, entails working with elementary, middle and high schools to raise awareness.

“While technology continues to evolve, it cannot replace plumbers, electricians, construction workers, maintenance and repair pros, or other tradespeople,” said Marvin Ellison, chairman and CEO of Lowe’s.

For its part, Lowe’s in 2022 started a 90-day online training program for employees who want to pursue jobs like carpentry and utility maintenance.

Separately, its charitable arm has invested $43 million since 2023

to 60 organizations including technical colleges and nonprofit groups to help recruit and train skilled tradespeople like maintenance technicians and plumbers.

Mervin Jebaraj of the University of Arkansas’s Walton College of Business in Fayetteville, Arkansas, noted these programs will help ease the shortages, but they won’t eliminate the gap, particularly given Trump’s clampdown on immigration.

“For as long as somebody physically needs to fix this, the shortage will persist, even though on the margins it’ll mitigate some of the shortage,” he said. “We don’t have enough people.”

Walmart CEO Doug McMillon recently told The Associated Press he believes part of the reason for the shortages is “lack of awareness.”

“I think most Americans prob-

ably don’t know what a tech makes that helps take care of our stores and clubs and that we can help them learn how to be a tech,” he said.

“So we have a need to get the word out so that people know there are some great jobs.”

Walmart revamped its training program in the spring of 2024, focusing on its own workers with a tuition-free training initiative in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This year, it added new training sites in Vincennes, Indiana, and Jacksonville, Florida.

The initiative combines hands-on instruction and classroom learning in fields like heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical work, and general maintenance.

As of mid-November, almost 400 employees had graduated from the program, Walmart said. With its first class of 108 associates who completed the Dallas/Fort Worth pilot program, every graduate secured a technician role, putting them on a path to earn an average of $32 per hour. Walmart said its goal is to put 4,000 workers through the training program by 2030.

R.J. Zanes, vice president of facility services for the U.S. divisions of Walmart and Sam’s Club, said Walmart was able to attract workers from all over the country with different backgrounds, including employees running cash registers.

Maintenance technician roles are crucial to keeping Walmart’s operations running smoothly, but especially so during the holiday season. For example, if a refrigeration system goes down within a Walmart store, it could cost up to $300,000 to $400,000 worth of lost product, according to Zanes.

“We’ve got to stay out in front of that,” he said.

“We have to ensure that we’ve got the right skills there to do preventative maintenance, and when we do have a breakdown, to make sure that we get it back up as fast as possible to minimize that cost of downtime.”

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Ouster of Maduro sparks celebrations among some Venezuelans in South Florida

BY VANESSA A. ALVAREZ, TIM REYNOLDS and BRUCE SCHREINER Associated Press

DORAL, Fla. — Revelers chanted “liberty” and draped Venezuelan flags over their shoulders in South Florida on Saturday to celebrate the American military attack that toppled Nicolás Maduro’s government — a stunning outcome they had longed for but left them wondering what comes next in their troubled homeland.

For some Venezuelan natives, the military action — culminating months of stepped-up U.S. pressure — brought their dreams of reuniting with loved ones closer to reality after years of heartbreaking separations.

People gathered for a rally in Doral, Florida — the Miami suburb where President Donald Trump has a golf resort and where roughly half the population is of Venezuelan descent — as word spread that Venezuela’s now-deposed president had been captured and flown out of the country.

Outside the El Arepazo restaurant, a hub of the Venezuelan culture of Doral, one man held a piece of cardboard with “Libertad” scrawled with a black marker. It was a sentiment expressed by other native Venezuelans hoping for a new beginning for their home country as they chanted “Liberty! Liberty! Liberty!”

“We’re like everybody — it’s a combination of feelings, of course,” said Alejandra Arrieta, who came to the U.S. in 1997. “There’s fears.

There’s excitement. There’s so many years that we’ve been waiting for this. Something had to happen in Venezuela. We all need the freedom.”

For David Nuñez, the regime change offered hope for a longawaited reunion with loved ones.

Nuñez said he fled to the United States six years ago after being persecuted in Venezuela for his political activism. He hasn’t seen his daughters — ages 8 and 17 — since then.

“The most important thing is that we’re going to be able to be with our families soon,” Nuñez said. “At least for me, I haven’t seen my daughters in six years so I have a lot of mixed feelings. I’ve cried a lot. I’m really happy because I know that I’m going to be able to return to Venezuela very soon.”

Trump insisted Saturday that the U.S. government would run the country at least temporarily and was already doing so. The action marked the culmination of an escalating Trump administration pressure campaign on the oil-rich South American nation as well as weeks of planning that tracked Maduro’s behavioral habits.

After Trump’s news conference about U.S. actions in Venezuela, people still gathered outside of the Doral restaurant sang, danced and waved flags. A percussionist drummed along with the singing crowd.

About 8 million people have fled Venezuela since 2014, settling first in neighboring countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. After the COVID-19 pandemic, they increasingly set their sights on the United States, walking through the jungle in Colombia and Panama or flying to the U.S. on humanitarian parole with a financial sponsor.

In South Florida, deep-seated concerns in the Venezuelan community about Trump’s tough immigration policies gave way to celebrations after Maduro was deposed in the American military operation early Saturday.

In Doral, upper-middle-class professionals and entrepreneurs came to invest in property and businesses when socialist Hugo Chávez won the presidency in the late 1990s.

They were followed by political opponents and entrepreneurs who set up small businesses. In recent years, more lower-income Venezuelans have come for work in service industries.

They are doctors, lawyers, beauticians, construction workers and house cleaners. Some are naturalized U.S. citizens or live in the country illegally with U.S.-born children.

Others overstay tourist visas, seek asylum or have some form of temporary status.

Niurka Meléndez, who fled from Venezuela in 2015, said Saturday she’s hopeful that Maduro’s ouster will improve life in her homeland.

Meléndez immigrated to New York City, where she co-founded the group Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid, which strives to empower the lives of immigrants. She became a steadfast advocate for change in her home country, where she said her countrymen faced a humanitarian crisis.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JEN GOLBECK

People celebrate after President Donald Trump announced Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro had been captured and flown out of the country, in Doral, Fla., on Saturday.

REACT

Continued from page 1A “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a Mar-a-Lago news conference where he boasted that this “extremely successful operation should serve as warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives.”

The operation follows months of controversy over the Trump administration’s campaign of bombing

ships it says were carrying drugs bound for the U.S. Some members of Congress have said that military action should require authorization from Johnson Congress.

The attack carried out Saturday on Venezuelan soil was a dramatic escalation, those critics said.

“Trump’s military actions against Venezuela last night were unconstitutional. Period,” Carter said. “This was reckless and risked American lives with no plan for the aftermath.

PHOTO PROVIDED By VANTOR

This satellite image provided by Vantor shows, from left, the Fuerte Tiuna neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela on Dec. 22 and the same neighborhood after U.S. strikes on Saturday.

VENEZUELA

Continued from page 1A Trump claimed the U.S. government would help run the country and was already doing so, though there were no immediate signs of that. Venezuelan state TV continued to air pro-Maduro propaganda, broadcasting live images of supporters taking to the streets in Caracas in protest.

“We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition,” Trump said at a Mar-aLago news conference where he boasted that this “extremely successful operation should serve as warning to anyone who would threaten American sovereignty or endanger American lives.”

Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were indicted in 2020 on “narco-terrorism” conspiracy charges, but the Justice Department released a new indictment Saturday of Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, that painted the regime as a “corrupt, illegitimate government” fueled by a drug trafficking operation that flooded the U.S. with cocaine. The U.S. government does not recognize Maduro as the country’s leader.

Trump posted a photo on social media showing Maduro wearing a sweatsuit and a blindfold on board the USS Iwo Jima.

Early morning attack The operation followed a monthslong Trump administration effort to push the Venezuelan leader, including a major buildup of American forces in the waters off South America and attacks on boats in the eastern Pacific and Caribbean accused of carrying drugs. Last week, the CIA was behind a drone strike at a docking area believed to have been used

by Venezuelan drug cartels — the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began strikes in September.

Maduro had decried prior military operations as a thinly veiled effort to topple him from power.

Taking place 36 years to the day after the 1990 surrender and seizure of Panama leader Manuel Antonio Noriega following a U.S. invasion, the Venezuela operation unfolded under the cover of darkness early Saturday as Trump said the U.S. turned off “almost all of the lights” in the capital city of Caracas while forces moved in to extract Maduro and his wife.

Gen. Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said U.S.

I voted for a war powers resolution to end hostilities against Venezuela without congressional authorization, which failed on a near-party-line Carter vote.”

Johnson said in his statement that briefings will be scheduled for when Congress returns to work this week.

“Our brave military personnel who executed a precise, successful operation deserve our gratitude and congratulations,” Johnson said.

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy on Saturday

forces had rehearsed their maneuvers for months, learning everything about Maduro — where he was and what he ate, as well as details of his pets and his clothes.

“We think, we develop, we train, we rehearse, we debrief, we rehearse again and again,” Caine said. “Not to get it right, but to ensure we cannot get it wrong.”

Early Saturday, multiple explosions rang out and low-flying aircraft swept through Caracas.

Maduro’s government accused the U.S. of hitting civilian and military installations, calling it an “imperialist attack” and urging citizens to take to the streets.

The assault lasted less than 30 minutes, and the explosions — at least seven blasts — sent people rushing into the streets, while others took to social media to report what they saw and heard. Some Venezuelan civilians and members of the military were killed, said Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, without giving a number.

Trump said some U.S. forces were injured but none were killed.

Video obtained from Caracas and an unidentified coastal city showed tracers and smoke clouding the landscape as repeated muted explosions illuminated the night sky. Other footage showed cars passing on a highway as blasts illuminated the hills behind them. The videos were verified by The Associated Press.

Smoke was seen rising from the hangar of a military base in Caracas, while another military installation in the capital was without electricity.

Under Venezuelan law, Rodríguez would take over from Maduro. But Rodriguez stressed during a Saturday appearance on state television that she did not plan to assume power. She called for Maduro’s release and pronounced him president.

“There is only one president in Venezuela, and his name is Nicolás Maduro Moros,” she said.

tion gathered overwhelming evidence that he lost by a more than 2-to-1 margin.

In a demonstration of how polarizing a figure Maduro is, people variously took to the streets to protest his capture and celebrate it.

At a protest in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas Mayor Carmen Meléndez joined a crowd demanding Maduro’s return.

“Maduro, hold on, the people are rising up!” the crowd chanted.

“We are here, Nicolás Maduro. If you can hear us, we are here!”

Earlier, armed people and uniformed members of a civilian militia took to the streets of a Caracas neighborhood long considered a stronghold of the ruling party.

In other parts of the city, the streets remained empty hours after the attack. Some areas remained without power, but vehicles moved freely.

“How do I feel? Scared, like everyone,” said Caracas resident Noris Prada, who sat on an empty avenue looking down at his phone.

“Venezuelans woke up scared, many families couldn’t sleep.”

In Doral, Florida, home to the largest Venezuelan community in the U.S., people wrapped themselves in Venezuelan flags, ate fried snacks and cheered as music played. At one point, the crowd chanted “Liberty! Liberty!

Liberty!”

Questions of legality

Venezuela’s ruling party has held power since 1999, when Maduro’s predecessor, Hugo Chávez, took office, promising to uplift poor people and later to implement a self-described socialist revolution.

Maduro took over when Chávez died in 2013. His 2018 reelection was widely considered a sham because the main opposition parties were banned from participating.

During the 2024 election, electoral authorities loyal to the ruling party declared him the winner hours after polls closed, but the opposi-

Some legal experts raised immediate concerns about the operation’s legality.

The U.N. Security Council, acting on an emergency request from Colombia, planned to hold a meeting on U.S. operations in Venezuela on Monday morning, according to a council diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a meeting not yet made public.

Lawmakers from both political parties in Congress have raised reservations and flat-out objections to the U.S. attacks on boats suspected of drug smuggling near the Venezuelan coast. Congress has not specifically approved an authorization for the use of military force for such operations in the region.

Connecticut Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he had seen no evidence that would justify Trump striking Venezuela without approval from Congress and demanded an immediate briefing by the administration on “its plan to ensure stability in the region and its legal justification for this decision.”

in a statement praised the country’s armed forces and said Maduro is “not the elected head of Venezuela” and that “he stole the election.” “(Maduro) has been heavily involved with transnational criminal organizations, drug running and Iran-backed terrorists like Hezbollah. The targeted extraction addresses U.S. national security concerns,” Cassidy wrote in a statement.

Other Louisiana state leaders including Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill also released statements praising the Trump administration’s operation.

Landry said he was grateful to

“see a president finally take real action in the war on drugs.”

Murrill also thanked the president and said that “Maduro is an indicted, illegitimate leader who ran a narcoterrorist regime that flooded Louisiana and the United States with deadly drugs and gangs for decades.“ U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, D-Baton Rouge, said in a statement, “I have serious concerns about President Trump’s decision to take military action against Venezuela without informing congressional leaders, and there is absolutely no excuse for not doing so!”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Some streets in Caracas fill up

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 9A

lll

THE GULF COAST Carpet inside refurbished Biloxi theater draws backlash Flooring company says it was installed correctly

BY JUSTIN MITCHELL and ANITA LEE

The Times-Picayune | Sun Herald The city of Biloxi received viral pushback from both residents and at least one city council member after unveiling new, mismatched carpet tiles inside the Saenger Theatre as the historic venue undergoes renovations ahead of its reopening.

Officials paid $73,100 for the carpets and uploaded photos to the city’s Facebook page just before Christmas to update the Mississippi Coast community. The contractor told the Sun Herald this week that the tiles were installed correctly and approved by the city.

The response was plentiful, with hundreds of people criticizing the selection and installation.

“This is a joke, right?” one commenter asked.

“There’s no interior designer working on this project. There can’t be,” another chimed in.

The red carpet with swirl and floral designs chosen for the main seating area received what appears to be the worst criticism.

Many commenters said the pattern was too busy and could lead to headaches.

“It looks like someone threw up spaghetti,” another commenter proclaimed.

Ward 2 Council member Anthony Marshall also chimed in, telling the Sun Herald in late December he would look into the decision after seeing the backlash on social media.

“Just looking at the pictures, I’m not happy with it, but I need to go physically look at it,” he told the newspaper.

The Saenger Theatre in Biloxi is undergoing a $5 million renovation before reopening on the PROVIDED PHOTOS By CITy OF BILOXI/FACEBOOK Mississippi Coast.

The new carpet at the renovated Saenger Theatre in downtown Biloxi, Miss., is drawing criticism for its design.

The carpet tiles cost $73,100. happening in downtown Biloxi. In

tionally produced and installed as broadloom,” the company said in an email to the Sun Herald. “However, after reviewing the available options, the carpet tile format was selected as part of the approved scope.”

The city chose the tiles over the broadloom option, even though broadloom costs less.

Broadloom is woven on a wide loom and generally refers to wallto-wall carpet. Carpet tiles at the Saenger cost $73,100, as opposed to $69,099 for broadloom, bid docuCarpet contract ments show.

Continental Flooring added in While the carpet tiles appear mismatched to many residents, the email that the installation was vendor Continental Flooring Co. of completed correctly in full accorA multi-million dollar renovation Scottsdale, Arizona, says the tiles dance with the contract.

A four-member selection comThe Saenger Theatre, at 170 were correctly installed.

“Large-scale historic patterns mittee was appointed to review Reynoir St. in downtown Biloxi, has been closed since 2018 after it such as the one selected are tradi- and score project bids. Continenwas deemed unsafe, according to the Sun Herald.

Restoration costs were estimated at $5.3 million in 2021. The state Legislature has supplied at least $2 million in BP funds from the 2010 oil spoil for the restoration. The city in May amended its budget to move $200,000 from city economic development to pay for interior work, including carpet, at the Saenger, city records show.

No opening date has been announced.

the years since the pandemic, new tal was the low bidder on the proj- restaurants, breweries, hair saect, which also included bids from lons, boutiques and even cannabis South Mississippi companies. shops have opened in the blocks near the beach and casinos.

What’s next?

Josette’s, an iconic costume shop Biloxi Mayor Andrew “FoFo” that closed in 2019 after nearly 50 Gilich told the Sun Herald on years in business, was purchased Wednesday that the city intends and transformed into luxury apartto rearrange some of the recently ments. That same year, a $54 milinstalled carpet tiles so the classic lion renovation project kicked off pattern the city selected no longer for an entertainment district on appears so misaligned. It will not Howard Avenue that included lofts be a perfect fix, he said, but it will in the historic Barq’s Building. The hopefully look better than it does project is now about seven years now. in the making, but WLOX-TV re“We’re not satisfied with the out- ported in November that the living come and are looking at ways to spaces were set to hit the market reconfigure the tiles and make it by the end of 2025, with new resacceptable,” Gilich said. taurants and retail to follow.

Downtown Biloxi is also home Downtown Biloxi revitalization to MGM Park and a Ground Zero The Saenger Theatre renovation Blues Club, owned by Morgan is just part of the revitalization Freeman.

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10A ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Public Notices Bids/Proposals

.theacadianaadvocate.com Acadiana Real Estate For Sale

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Pets

y certified check or cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid se‐ curity. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be included with the electronic bid.

OPELOUSSAS 2-4-Plex Apts For Sale-In Opelousas, $290k/each (337) 942-8180

Employment EDUCATION Lafayette Parish School System is soliciting applications for future employment of certified teachers.

If interested, please apply online at www.lpssonline.com.

Public Notices

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received either electroni‐ cally at https://lafayet tecsdgovla.tylerportico. com/va/vendor-access/ registration or in the of‐ fice of the Purchasing Di‐ vision at the Lafayette Consolidated Govern‐ ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, Louisiana, until 3:00 p.m.

Central Time on the 23rd day of January, 2026 for the following: 167118.5.2215 AIR COOLED HEAT EXCHANGER

CATS RAGAMUFFIN & RAGDOLL KITTENS www.CatsByFrancy.com/kittens $700up! Reg. Shots & Guaranty 337-230-3150

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and read aloud in the Council Briefing Room located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, LA. Bids received after the above specified time for open‐ ing shall not be consid‐ ered and shall be re‐ turned unopened to the sender. Bidders are en‐ couraged to virtually join the bid opening via Zoom using the following link: https://us02web.zoom. us/j/82601264391? pwd=ONOObn3LXpH hybK4sZWbzAjTtag9Xi.1.

Scope of Work: The scope of Work shall con‐ sist of all engineering, design, fabrication, test‐ ing, packaging and deliv‐ ery of an Air Cooled Heat Exchanger and its acces‐ sories and including manufacturer's field ser‐ vices at the Job Site. All Work shall be completed between January 2, 2027, d l

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

and July 1, 2028

y

In accordance with Louisiana RS 38:2212 electronic Bids may be submitted on Vendor Ac‐ cess (https://lafayettecs dgovla.tylerportico.com/ va/vendor-access/ registration).Official Bid Documents are available on Vendor Access (https://lafayettecsdgov la.tylerportico.com/va/ vendor-access/ registration). For ques‐ tions related to the elec‐ tronic bidding process, please call Central Bid‐ ding at 225-810-4814. Bid‐ ders may request the electronic bid package from Morgan Broussard at mcbroussard@ LafayetteLA.gov.

Bidders submitting bids electronically are re‐ quired to provide the same documents as bid‐ ders submitting through the mail as soon as avail‐ able. Only a bid bond, ifi d h k

List of jurors randomly drawn and to serve for the term beginning on January 12, 2026: ACOSTA, LAUREN MICHAEL ALBAN, SETH MICHAEL ALVAREZ, MARIA ALEJ ALWERT, MADISON CLAIRE LING AMOS, ANGELIA ANCELET, JACQUES FRANCOIS ANDERSON, WILLIAM T ARCENEAUX, CULLEN JOSEPH AUBREY, TROY S AUCOIN, JULIA HAMLETT AZAR, ALEX JAMES BABINEAUX, DAWN L BAHAM, PAULINE LANELL BAKO, LAURIE MILLS BEGNAUD, TAYLOR R BEJER, DENISE ALLEMAN BELAIRE, NICHOLAS PAUL BENNETT, WILLIAM G BENOIT-SYLVESTER, AMY BERNARD, BONNIE F BERNARD, VERNA R BESSE, CHRISTINE MARIE BIENVENU, EDWARD MICHAEL BLANCHARD, MELISSA ANN BONAVENTURE, WILFRED JOSEPH BONNER, AKIL YAFEU BONNET, JERANTHONY PAUL BORDELON, ALEXIS PAIGE BOULLION, JEANNE MARIE BOURQUE, JASON LEE BOURQUE, KOHEN LUKE BRASSEAUX, TERRY J BRAZELL, AMY LYNN BREAUX, CARLOS GENE BREAUX, LACY MARIE BROUSSARD, CATHERINE ANN COLLETTI BROWN, DONYELL DERAY BROWN, MICHAEL JOSEPH BRYANT, DANIEL LEE BURBANK, FRANK JAMES BURGEOIS, SHAMEKA LASHEA BURNEY, RITA F BURROW, DEBBIE GASPARD BYNUM, TRENT CHRISTOPHER CADY, DOUGLAS ROBERT CAILLIER, KATHLEEN M CAMPBELL, HOLLIE MARIE CAMPBELL, CRYSTAL DANIELLE CARTER, DEVONTE CASHAT, DEEDRA SMITH CASTRO, CAROLINE CLAIRE CAVINS, ELIZABETH AMANDA CHARLES, CATHERINE RODRIGUEZ CHARLES, BRYSON JOSEPH CHATAIGNIER, CORT THOMUS CHAVEZ, MICHAEL ANDREW CHERAMIE, LIAN ELIZABETH CHEVALIER, SUSAN MARIE CIOCOIU, MIHAI CLARK, KHODA RILEY CLARK, JOHN DAVID CLARKSTON, SHANTEL YVETTE CLOSTIO, JOHN EDWARD COLE, ALEXIS MONCRIEF COLLINS, EMORY DAIJUAN COLLINS, JAYLIN DEJUAN COLVIN, CHARITY COOPER, HEATHER JONES COPPINGER, LONNIE L CORMIER, CLAUDIA T COSTALEONEL, JOAOPEDRO CRANDALL, GREGORY H CRUPE, MARY H CUMMINS, WILLIAM ROBINSON CUMMINS, ANA MARIA CASAS DAIGLE, LEEANNA A DAIGLE, MARK J DAIGLE, JOEY P DANIELSSMITH, WILLIAM IRVIN V DARBY, LANA MAE DAUTREUIL, DENNIS J DEAN, JUSTIN HUGH DEFARMER, MAGAENA DEKERLEGAND, TYLER DAVID DELAHOUSSAYE, KYLE WAYNE DESSELLE, MALCOLM ANTHONY DOMINGUE, BRENT J DOUCET, EVANGELINE M DOUET, LAURIE A DUCHARME, SUSAN B DUDLEY, DANDRE CHRISTOPHER DUGAS, FERMIN DUHON, QUINTASHIA NICOLE DURAND, STEVEN MICHAEL DURESSEAU, CHAD JOSEPH DURHAM, DESMOND ANTOINE DWYER, WESLY MIKEL EDWARDS, KATIEANN DENNIS ETIE, DEREK MICHAEL EVERETT, SHERI B FARLEY, P L FEUCHT, ETIENNE BENEDICT FISHER, SPENCER LEE FISHER, KATHERINE A FLORES-IRACHEZ, EILLIM NYLECOJ FONTENOT, JOSEPH RONALD FOREMAN, AMANDA L FOREMAN, HOLLIE ELLIOTT FRANCIS, KENNETH R FRATESI, CHRISTY LYNN FREEMAN, JOKIERRA JASHAY FUGATE, MACEE GUARISCO

Bidders wishing to sub‐ mit their bid electroni‐ cally must first be regis‐ tered online with Lafayette Consolidated Government as a poten‐ tial supplier at the web‐ site listed above. Bidders submitting bids electron‐ ically shall include all documents in one (1) combined PDF file with bookmark(s) and are re‐ quired to provide one (1) hard copy within fortyeight (48) hours from bid opening through the mail. Bidders providing bids my mail, shall in‐ clude one (1) hard copy with all documents in one (1) combined PDF file with bookmark(s) and are required to provide an electronic copy in one (1) USB flash drive. Only a bid bond, certified check or cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid security. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be in‐ cluded with the elec‐ tronic bid.

SUBMISSION OF CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRI‐ ETARY, OR TRADESECRET INFORMA‐ TION (SEE LA. R.S. 44:3.2(D) As a public entity, Lafayette Consolidated Government is subject to the Louisiana Public Records Law, which may require submissions of Bidders to be a public record. Pursuant to La. R.S. 44:3.2(D), Bidders who submit documents

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

or information they be‐ lieve to be proprietary or trade secret must clearly mark each page or piece of information which is, in the Bidder’s opinion, proprietary or trade se‐ cret and must also sub‐ mit with such informa‐ tion a cover sheet that reads as follows in bold type: DOCUMENT CONTAINS CONFIDENTIAL PROPRI‐ ETARY OR TRADE SECRET INFORMATION A sample cover sheet with this statement is in‐ cluded with the bid docu‐ ments.

La. R.S. 44:3.2(D) requires Lafayette Consolidated Government to make a determination as to whether a Bidders sub‐ mission is in fact propri‐ etary or trade secret in‐ formation within thirty (30) calendar days of the Bidder’s submission.

MONEY ORDERS MADE PAYABLE TO LAFAYETTE CONSOLIDATED GOVERN‐ MENT. Bid Documents shall be available until twenty-four hours before the bid opening date.

Questions relative to the bidding documents shall be directed to Morgan Broussard by email at mcbroussard@ lafayettela.gov.

Bids must be signed in accordance with LRS Title 38:2212(B)5. A Cor‐ porate Resolution or written evidence of au‐ thority authorizing the person signing the bid is required to be submitted with bid. Failure to sub‐ mit a Corporate Resolu‐ tion or Certificate of Au‐ thority with the bid shall be cause for rejection of bid.

Copies of the bidding documents are available upon request by contact‐ ing Purchasing & Prop‐ erty Management Divi‐ sion, located at 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, Louisiana upon payment at-cost per set, non-refundable, made payable to the Lafayette Consolidated Government. NOTE: NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY CHECKS OR

FUNG, GLYNN C FUSILIER, TY LANCE GAFFGA, ELISE MADELEINE ANN GARCIA, ELDRITH ELVIRA GASPARD, JAMIE LYNN GAUTREAUX, CALLIE BADEAUX GIBBENS, JODI LANDRY GLASS, ASHLEY NICOLE GLAUDE, ROBYN MORGAN GRAHAM, THOMAS IRVING GRANGER, CYNTHIA ANN GREEN, VINCENT NICOL GREEN, QUEILAN JOSEPH GUIDONI, SANDRA L HARGRAVE, WILLIAM J HARRINGTON, WENDIE P HAYES, MIRANDA JO HEBERT, JAMIE LYNN CHRISTICH HEBERT, BRANDI AMIRE HENRY, MATTHEW JOSEPH HOGGARD, GABRIEL LEIGH HOLLIER, RONALD C HOMES, ANGELLE MARIE HORNBACK, JASON S HOSSEINPOUR, ABBAS HOWARD, MARY ODEAL HOWARD, BRYAN CHANCE HUDGINS, TERRELL VINCENT HUNSUCKER, JOSHUA DOUSAY JEANE, CAMILLE ROY JESTER, KIMBERLY ANN JOHNSON, DONNA DEMORUELLE JOHNSON, DONTE LATROY JOHNSON, RALPH K JOHNSON, JOANN JOHNSON, QUINTON JOSEPH MARSALIS JULES, LATOYA J KEENAN, RICHARD JOHN KELLER, ROY GLENN KELLY, TERRY DAVID KING, TIERRA LENA KUNSCHICK, KARA MICHELLE LABIT, MARTY JAMES LAHAYE, LAURA L LALANDE, DWAYNE P LANDRY, BONITA HONORE LANDRY, LOGAN DAVID LANDRY, MATT JUDE LANDRY, WILSON LANGLINAIS, TYLER GAGE LASALAAYRES, CARMEN ISABEL LATTIER, THERESA SHELTON LAUGHLIN, DONALD G LAWRENCE, DIANNE THERESA LE, MINH TUYEN D LEBEAN, JASMINE KIANA LEBLANC, MILTON LEBLANC, JUDE MICHAEL LEBLANC, ANGELA ANN LECAMUS, STACEY LEGER LEE, KARI MARIE LEMAIRE, LAYNE PERRAULT LINCH, CASSIDY MAREE LINK, JENNIFER ELIZABETH LISIK, DAVID LOGAN, ANTONIO KATREL LUQUETTE, COLIN NEIL MANUEL, JOHN DARREL MARCELL, BRIDGETT SAVOY MARCHAL, LISE ANNE MARKS, JESSICA MARIE MARTIN, BRICKELL R MASON, MARCUS KEYWOOD MATTOX, AYLA AZUCENA MCBRIDE, DANNA S MCCANN, MATTHEW BRENNAN MCCOY, MELANIE LASHAYE MCLAUGHLIN, TIMOTHY P MCNABB, HOLDYN KAI MENARD, NIKIA SHERIE MENARD, COLE HARRINGTON MENARD, SHANNON ONEAL MENARD, LANE JOSEPH MEYERS, BAILEY RAE MINTER, KELLY MAUREEN MITCHELL, MAIKENZE BROOKS MONTGOMERY, MORGANIE LYNETTE MOORE, RENEKA CHERISE MOORE, KEVIN E MOORE, VENUS SONJA MORROW, PATRICIA ANN MURPHY, CHARLES GLENN NAQUIN, MORGAN ELIZABETH NAQUIN, JASON JOHN NARDO, JUAN NEEF, THOMAS ANTHONY NEELEY, MONICA DELANE NEIGHBORS, WAYNE EDWARD NGUYEN, BAO CHAU NGUYEN, KIM TRANG NWANJI, EKENE M OLDENBURG, JOHN MITCHELL OZENE, CHRISTOPHER JOHN PATEL, LILAVATIBEN BHAVANBHAI PEDERSEN, BRADLEY ALLEN PELTIER, MARY ANDREE PERRO, KYLIE ELIZABETH PERRON, GLORIA JEANNE PERSON, NATALIE PETRO, KEALIE AMIRA PIERSON, CAISHA PITRE, TORY PAUL PITRE, CHADAY MARIE POLK, JESSIE JAMES POTTER, TANYA NICOLE

Within one (1) week upon receipt of the Invitation to Bid, Bidders are en‐ couraged to confirm in‐ tent to submit a bid by replying to the "Invita‐ tion to Bid" email sent by Morgan Broussard (mcbroussard@ lafayettela.gov).

Bidders are requested to attend a non-mandatory pre-bid meeting, which will be held on January 7, 2026 at 2:00 pm. CST in the Engineering Confer‐ ence Room 2 at the LUS Operations Center lo‐ cated at 1314 Walker Rd., Lafayette, LA 70506. Bid‐ ders unable to attend the pre-bid in person can at‐ tend by joining through Zoom using the following link: https://us02web. zoom.us/j/89130808378? pwd=b588m4DrbP6EjO3 BgrUdgaT2zQpEFt.1. Al‐ ternatively, a meeting in‐ vite can be forwarded to you via email by contact‐ ing Morgan Broussard at (337) 291-8263 or mcbroussard@ lafayettela.gov.

Each bid shall be accom‐ panied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond payable to the Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government, the amount of which shall be five percent (5%) of the base bid plus additive al‐ ternates. If a bid bond is

used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list bonding of approved companies which is pub‐ lished annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana domiciled in‐ surance company with at least an A-Rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or by an insurance com‐ pany in good standing li‐ censed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. The bid bond shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana. The certi‐ fied check, cashier’s check, or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder shall exe‐ cute the contract, should it be awarded to him, in conformity with the Con‐ tract Documents within ten (10) working days.

No bidder may withdraw his bid for at least fortyfive (45) calendar days after the time scheduled for the opening of bids.

Each bid shall be submit‐ ted only on the bid form provided with the speci‐ fications. The successful bidder will be required to execute performance and labor and material payment bonds in the full amount of the contract as more fully defined in the bid documents.

In accordance with Pub‐ lic Bid Law, bids are valid for a period of forty-five (45) calendar days from the time of the opening of bids.

Bids will be evaluated by the Owner based on the lowest responsible and responsive bid submitted which is also in compli‐ ance with the bid docu‐ ments. The Lafayette Consolidated Govern‐ ment reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in accor‐ dance with LA R.S. 38§2214.B. The Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government strongly encourages the i i i f

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

gy g participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ solidated Government for goods and services and labor and material.

To that end, all bidders and suppliers are en‐ couraged to utilize DBEs business enterprises in the purchase or sub-con‐ tracting of materials, supplies, services and labor and material in which disadvantaged businesses are available.

Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling 337291-8410.

p g y y using the following link https://us02web.zoom. us/j/84024208563? pwd=PIGOpVZFYQyMIEg zKc9bJf3K2rgkfW.1 Meet‐ ing ID: 840 2420 8563 Passcode: 573774

PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISH DATES: 12-22-25, 12-28-25, 1-4-26 DPR 1001993 171102 Dec. 22, 28, 2025, Jan. 4, 2026 $331.98

PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received either electroni‐ cally at https://lafayet tecsdgovla.tylerportico. com/va/vendor-access/ registration or in the of‐ fice of the Purchasing Di‐ vision at the Lafayette Consolidated Govern‐ ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, Louisiana, until 10:00 AM Central Time on the 29th day of January, 2026 for the following: FREM BOUSTANY DRIVE EXTENSION PHASE 2 (VINEYARD TO VINCENT ROAD) BRIDGE CROSSING (ISAAC VEROT COULEE) and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and read aloud in the Council Briefing Room located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, LA. Bids received after the above specified time for open‐ ing shall not be consid‐ ered and shall be re‐ turned unopened to the sender. Bidders are en‐ couraged to attend the bid opening virtually by i h f ll i li k

Scope of Services: This work shall consist of, but not be limited to, con‐ struction of a 5 span (125’) cast-in-place con‐ crete bridge with precast piles, with concrete road‐ way approaches, drainage channel regrad‐ ing and flexible revet‐ ment installation, clear‐ ing and grubbing, grad‐ ing, earthwork, and sub‐ All surface drainage. work to be completed within 250 days from is‐ suance of Notice to Pro‐ ceed.

In accordance with Louisiana RS 38:2212., vendors may submit their bid electronically at the website listed above.

Bidding Documents are available to view only at the website. Bidders may request the electronic bid package from Heather Kestler at hkestler@lafayettela.gov Bidders wishing to sub‐ mit their bid electroni‐ cally must first be regis‐ tered online with Lafayette Consolidated Government as a poten‐ tial supplier at the web‐ site listed above. Bidders submitting bids electron‐ ically are required to pro‐ vide the same docu‐ ments as bidders sub‐ mitting through the mail as soon as available.

Only a bid bond, certified check or cashier’s check shall be submitted as the bid security. Electronic copies of both the front and back of the check or bid bond shall be in‐ cluded with the elec‐ tronic bid.

Bids must be signed in accordance with LRS Title 38:2212(B)5. A Cor‐ porate Resolution or Cer‐ tificate of Authority au‐ thorizing the person signing the bid is re‐ quired to be submitted with bid. Failure to sub‐ mit a Corporate Resolu‐ tion or Certificate of Au‐ thority with the bid shall be cause for rejection of bid.

Copies d

of

the

bidding f

POWELL, CANDICE JONES POWELL, ANDREW BLAKE PREJEAN, EDDIE G PREJEAN, LARONDA LYNN PRICE, ROBRIELLE KENYATA PRIMEAUX, ALEXIS MEA PRIMEAUX, MITZI LYNNE PURVIS, MANDY RAYMOND, QUOAVONDA YVETTE REED, JEREMY MICHAEL REED, LASAGAN SADE RELIFORD, CARTINA MONIQUE REYNOLDS, PAMELA SUE RICHARD, RAYMOND RICHARD, BRANDON G RICHARD, KADIN ALEXANDER LOUIS RIGNAULT, DE CHEZEUIL KYLE CHRISTIAN RIOS-DIAZ, ALBERTO ROBERIE, JEREMY COOPER ROBERTS, ALLEN DWAYNE ROBINSON, ZACKARY BEAU ROBINSON, CODY ALLEN ROCHESTER, SHAKERRIAL SHANAYSHA SHAN ROMERO, PATTY SUE ROY, NICHOLAS JOVAAN RYAN, JOSEPH COOGAN SALHI, MOHANNAD T SALTER-SHIRLEY, JESSICA SAM, KEVIN JAMES SANCHEZ, JORGE SANDERS, JEANNE MARIE SASSAU, MARCUS ALEX SAVOIE, LANE MICHAEL SAVOY, ADONAIS JAMES SCHEER, GARY LYNN SCOGGIN, LELAND MARK SCOTT, MEGHAN SCOTT, NICHOLAS EDWARD SHE, JIPING SIMMONS, CHATERA MARIAH SIMON, ANDRU DOMAYGIO ELIJAH SINER, BRANDON KEITH SMITH, JOSHUA TAYLOR SMITH, STEPHANIE RENEE SMITH, DANNAH MITCHELL SMITH, TONIA MARIE SMITH, LILLIAN ROSE SOLOMON, STERLING JOSEPH SOUSA, STENIO OSVALDO SAMUEL DE SPIELMANN, JULIA ANN STAGG, MICHAEL W STANDRE, JOSEPH B STARK, OLIVIA CLAIRE STELLY, JOHN LUKE STJULIEN, GEORGE STOGNER, BRYCE JACOB STORMS, LOGAN TYLER SUAREZ, ARNOLDO SULLIVAN, CHANCE BRODERICK SUMRALL, RODNEY SYLVE, ALICIA WALKER TABB, ROGER DALE TARDIVO, JERRY JEAN THERIOT, MICHAEL WAYNE THIBODAUX, BRANDON MICHAEL THIBODEAUX, RODNEY J THIBODEAUX, HUNTER BLAKE THIBODEAUX, SETH KIRK THOMPSON, KRISTY B TIEMANN, LETICIA VELEZ TITUS, ROBERT HARVEY TORO, CHRISTIAN WOODSON TOUCHARD, CAITLYN MADISON TRAHAN, JAMES A TRAHAN, DOROTHY M TRAN, DINHAN TURNER, ANNA RACCA UMEZULIKE, SARAH EMELIA URBINA, STEPHANIE SHAE VALE, LOUIS W VENABLE, RICKY J VIATOR, LYNN B VICE, DONNA B VO, UYEN WAGAR, JOHN EDWARD WAHL, MEGAN ELIZABETH WALKER, ANDREA MARIA WALTERS, OLIVIA KATE WARD, DIANA A WASHINGTON, SHANICE CHANTEE WATSON, ALICIA RAQUEL WEBBER, CHARLES RAY WEBRE, MICHELLE JEANETTE WERTHER, MARY MARGARET WEST, TERRENCE L WHITE, JULIE GUIDRY WHITFIELD, BRITTANY BOQUET WILLIAMS, XAVIER MICHAEL WILLIAMS, MARY V WILLIAMS, JACARRICK JAVONTAE WILLIAMS, LANYEKA CHARLES WILLIAMS, JUNUIS J WILLOUGHBY, PAULA L WILSON, ZARRI XAVIA YANG, YUE YOUNG, MARIE A MARTEL YOUNGBLOOD, CLEMON E ZENON, HEBERT MARCUS ZERINGUE, SCOTT ANTHONY

170377-594960-jan 4-1t $ 357.21

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 11A

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How the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores wave after his swearing-in ceremony for a third term at the National Assembly in Caracas, Venezuela, on Jan. 10, 2025.

BY MEG KINNARD and MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press

WASHINGTON — For months, the U.S. military had been amassing a presence off Venezuela’s coast and conspicuously blowing up alleged drug trafficking boats and killing the occupants.

At the same time, U.S. intelligence agencies were carefully studying the country’s authoritarian President Nicolás Maduro, learning minute details such as his eating habits while special forces secretly rehearsed a plan to forcibly remove him.

Months of covert planning led to the brazen operation overnight, when President Donald Trump gave an order authorizing Maduro’s capture. The U.S. plunged the South American country’s capital into darkness, infiltrated Maduro’s home and whisked him to the United States, where the Trump administration planned to put him on trial.

Trump, during a news conference Saturday at his Florida home, laid out the details of the strike, after which he said Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, were flown by helicopter to a U.S. warship.

The operation termed “Absolute Resolve” unfolded under the cover of darkness, with U.S. forces holding fast in the region, awaiting the ideal weather conditions to give pilots clear routes into Caracas. The extensive planning included practice on a replica of the presidential compound, as well as U.S. service members armed with what Trump said were “massive blowtorches” in the event the steel walls of a safe room needed to be cut open to extract the pair.

“He didn’t get that space closed.

He was trying to get into it, but he got bum-rushed right so fast that he didn’t get into that,” Trump said an interview earlier Saturday morning on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”

LEGACY

Continued from page 1A them for a bonus,” Michelle Bech said. “It was that south Louisiana warmth and joy all combined into one really beautiful thing.”

A bonds trader at Seaport Global on Madison Avenue in New York City, Tiger Bech was the first to arrive at the office, turning on the lights promptly at 6:30 a.m. each morning.

“The company’s love for Tiger in the very short time he was with them, has helped us to understand he was the happiest he had ever been in life,” Michelle Bech said.

“They have shared with us many times that Tiger’s engaging and warm personality, coupled with his intelligence and work ethic, had sealed his upward trajectory.”

Tiger Bech, who was born

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By ARIANA CUBILLOS

A carefully rehearsed mission Gen. Dan Caine, chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said at Trump’s news conference that U.S. forces had rehearsed their maneuvers for months, learning everything about Maduro — where he was at certain hours as well as details of his pets and the clothes he wore.

“We think, we develop, we train, we rehearse, we debrief, we rehearse again, and again,” Caine said, saying his forces were “set” by early December. “Not to get it right, but to ensure we cannot get it wrong.”

Trump said on Fox that U.S. forces had practiced their extraction on a replica building.

“They actually built a house which was identical to the one they went into with all the same, all that steel all over the place,” Trump said.

Trump said in the television interview that U.S. forces held off on conducting the operation for days, waiting four days for cloud cover to pass. Caine said that on Friday night, “the weather broke just enough, clearing a path that

in 1997, demonstrated his enthusiasm for life by living every day to the fullest as a daredevil, Michelle Bech says of the All-Ivy League kick returner, who would tempt fate (and torment his mom) by floating down a rapidly-flowing Vermilion River in a rainstorm.

“Watching Tiger play football on that field was like watching a ballerina,” she said. “The way he twisted and turned, the way his body moved. It was frightening because he was so small, but it was so beautiful.”

Michelle Bech maintains composure until asked how she would like Tiger, who played receiver at STM (like Jack) and at Princeton University — to be remembered.

“I hope his life has inspired people,” she said. “He had so much love inside of him. I’ve never met anyone who loved their brother like he loved Jack.”

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

p g documents except for Section C – “Standard Specifications for Roads, Drainage, Bridges and Other Infrastructure 2023 Edition” are available at the Office of Purchasing upon request located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, LA 70502 upon payment of $295 per set, non-refundable.

NOTE: NO CASH WILL BE ACCEPTED ONLY CHECKS OR MONEY OR‐ DERS MADE PAYABLE TO CONSOLI‐ LAFAYETTE DATED GOVERNMENT. Copies of Section “C” Standard Specifications for Roads, Drainage, Bridges and Other Infra‐ structure” 2023 Edition are available from the Public Works Department at 1515 E University Av‐ enue, Building A, Lafayette LA 70501. Bid Documents shall be available until twentyfour hours before the bid opening date. Questions relative to the bidding documents shall be ad‐ dressed to Heather hkestler@ Kestler at lafayettela.gov.

p y least an A-Rating in the latest printing of the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide to write individual bonds up to ten percent (10%) of policyholders’ surplus as shown in the A.M. Best’s Key Rating Guide, or by an insurance com‐ pany in good standing li‐ censed to write bid bonds which is either domiciled in Louisiana or owned by Louisiana resi‐ dents. The bid bond shall be issued by a company licensed to do business in Louisiana. The certi‐ fied check, cashier’s check, or bid bond shall be given as a guarantee that the bidder shall exe‐ cute the contract, should it be awarded to him, in conformity with the con‐ tract documents within ten (10) days.

p mitted which is also in compliance with the bid documents.

The Lafayette Consolidated Government reserves the right to reject any and all bids for just cause in ac‐ cordance with LA R.S. 38§2214.B.

Contractors are re‐ quested to attend a prebid meeting, which will be held on January 14, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the small conference room, Lafayette Consolidated Government, Public Works Administration Building located at 1515 East University Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Each bid shall be accom‐ panied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or bid bond payable to the Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government, the amount of which shall be five percent (5%) of the base bid plus additive al‐ ternates. If a bid bond is used, it shall be written by a surety or insurance company currently on the U.S. Department of the Treasury Financial Management Service list bonding of approved companies which is pub‐ lished annually in the Federal Register, or by a Louisiana domiciled in‐ surance company with at l i i h

No contractor may with‐ draw its bid prior to the deadline for submission of bids. Withdrawal of bids thereafter shall be allowed only pursuant to LA R.S. 38§2214.C. Other‐ wise, no bidder may withdraw his bid for at least forty-five (45) days after the time scheduled for the bid opening of bids. Each bid shall be submitted only on the bid form provided within the specifications. The successful bidder will be required to execute per‐ formance and labor and material payment bonds in the full amount of the contract as more fully defined in the bid docu‐ ments. No contractors may withdraw his bid for at least forty-five (45) days after the time scheduled for the open‐ ing of bids. Each bid shall be submitted only on the bid form provided with the specifications. The contractor successful will be required to exe‐ cute performance and labor and material pay‐ ment bonds in the full amount of the contract as more fully defined in the bid documents.

Bids will be evaluated by the Purchaser based on the lowest responsible and responsive bid sub‐ i d hi h i l i

Contractors or contract‐ ing firms submitting bids in the amount of $50,000.00 or more shall certify that they are li‐ censed contractors under Chapter 24 of Title 37 of the Louisiana Re‐ vised Statutes of 1950 and show their license number on the front of the sealed envelope in which their bid is en‐ closed. Contractors shall be licensed for the clas‐ sification of “HIGHWAY, STREET AND BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION”. Bids in the amounts specified above which have not bid in accordance with the requirements, shall be rejected and shall not be read. Additional informa‐ tion relative to licensing may be obtained from the Louisiana State Li‐ censing Board for Con‐ tractors, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government strongly encourages the participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprises) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ solidated Government for goods and services and labor and material.

To that end, all contrac‐ tors and suppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐ prises in the purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐ rials, supplies, services and labor and material in which disadvantaged businesses are available.

Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling 2918410.

PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated

CLASSIFIEDS WORK

only the most skilled aviators in the world could move through,” adding that helicopters flew low to the water to enter Venezuela and were covered above by protective U.S. aircraft.

Trump said the U.S. operation “was dark and it was deadly,” adding that “the lights of Caracas were largely turned off due to a certain expertise that we have,” but giving no further details.

The attack, which Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described as part of “massive joint military and law enforcement raid,” lasted less than 30 minutes. At least seven explosions were heard in Caracas, and Venezuela’s Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, who under law takes power, said some Venezuelan civilians and members of the military were killed.

In a televised address later Saturday on state television, she demanded that the U.S. free Maduro and called him the country’s rightful leader. But Rodríguez also left open the door for a dialogue with the U.S. when she said, “We are willing to have respectful relations.”

Yanire Lucas, a Caracas resi-

The Bech family has made Las Vegas a second home after the Raiders drafted Jack Bech in the second round.

Michelle brought a taste of Lafayette to the desert by cooking a Cajun turkey on Thanksgiving.

“The blessing of Jack being drafted by the Raiders is that it put us in a sunny, beautiful place,” she said. “It’s an incredible dichotomy of experiencing the worst but also being blessed by so much love.”

Strother made a recent trip to watch Jack Bech and the Raiders take on the New York Giants and former STM player Dalen Cambre.

Michelle Bech said Jack plays every down of football and makes every block and reception with the feeling that his brother is alongside him.

The Raiders will travel to New Orleans next season.

Michelle Bech said she will attend the game, but she

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

170241-dec 31-jan 4-11-3t $222.00 PUBLIC NOTICE --REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Notice is hereby given that sealed proposals will be received in the of‐ fice of the Purchasing Di‐ vision at the Lafayette Consolidated Govern‐ ment Building, located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, Louisiana, until 4:00 p.m.

Central Time on the 30th day of January, 2026 for the following: RFP EMERGENCY STANDBY MATERIALS AND SERVICES and will, shortly there‐ after, be opened and the NAMES ONLY read aloud in the Office of Purchas‐ ing located at 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, LA. Proposals received after the above specified time for open‐ ing shall not be consid‐ ered and shall be re‐ turned unopened to the sender. Sealed proposals must be hand carried or mailed to the address listed above.

This contract is intended to be used in preparation for and/or in response to, emergencies or disas‐ ters. The intent of the warded contract is for vendors to provide addi‐ tional products, services, and personnel resources on an as needed basis for disaster response. It is critical that these sup‐ port operations are up and operating as soon as possible once a need has been identified. Vendor interested in submitting a proposal must comply with all terms and condi‐ tions described in this solicitation and support attachments. Proposers shall submit one (1)

Months of escalating actions Trump said Maduro and Flores were flown by helicopter to a U.S. warship and would go on to New York to face charges. He posted on Truth Social a photo of the Venezuelan leader, wearing a gray sweatsuit, protective headphones and blindfold.

The raid was a dramatic escalation from a series of strikes the U.S. military has carried out on what Trump has said were drugcarrying boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean since early September. On Dec. 29, Trump said the U.S. struck a facility where boats accused of carrying drugs “load up.” The CIA was behind the drone strike at a

PROVIDED PHOTO

Tiger Bech and mom Michelle at his Princeton graduation

won’t set foot in the French Quarter. Although the Bech family has forgiven the terrorist, who they feel was mentally ill, there remains frustration with New Orleans.

“I’m disappointed in New Orleans, the mayor and the

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

Government PUBLISH DATES: 12/31,1/4, 1/11 DPR 1000484

dent whose house sits pressed up next to a Venezuelan military base struck overnight, said she began to hear explosions next to her house around 1:50 in the morning.

Trump said a few U.S. members in the operation were injured, but he believed no one was killed.

Caine said one helicopter was struck by fire as it closed in on Maduro’s compound but it was able to safely fly on its return.

marked original, three (3) exact copies marked copy, and one (1) elec‐ tronic copy (USB or CD) of the proposal which meets the specific tech‐ nical criteria set forth herein. In addition, pro‐ poser shall submit one (1) redacted copy of the proposal shall be submit‐ ted in a sealed envelope and shall be clearly marked Redacted Copy bearing the name of the project, firm submitting the redacted copy and the date.

Proposals should be sent to 705 West University Avenue, Lafayette, LA 70506 at‐ tention Heather Kestler.

Copies of the RFP specifi‐ cations are available upon request at the Pur‐ chasing Office located at 705 West University Av‐ enue, Lafayette, LA 70506. Telephone number (337) 291-8071(Attn: Heather Kestler) hkestler@lafayettela.gov.

RFP specifications shall be available until twentyfour (24) hours before the proposal opening date.

No Vendor may withdraw his proposal for at least sixty (60) days after the time scheduled for the opening of proposals.

Each proposal shall fol‐ low the instructions listed in the RFP regard‐ ing submittal of their proposal.

Proposals will be evalu‐ ated by the Purchaser based on the evaluation criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals.

The Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government re‐ serves the right to reject any and all proposals or any portions thereof, to waive informalities and to select the material that best suits its needs.

The Lafayette Consoli‐ dated Government strongly encourages the participation of DBEs (Disadvantaged Business Enterprise) in all con‐ tracts or procurements let by the Lafayette Con‐ solidated Government

Public Notices Bids/Proposals

for goods and services and labor and material.

To that end, all contrac‐ tors and suppliers are encouraged to utilize DBEs business enter‐ prises in the purchase or sub-contracting of mate‐ rials, supplies, services and labor and material in which disadvantaged business are available.

Assistance in identifying said businesses may be obtained by calling 2918410.

PURCHASING DIVISION Lafayette Consolidated Government PUBLISH DATES: 12/31, 1/4, 1/11 DPR # 928605 171493-dec 31-jan 4-11-3t $104.28

Legal Notices

PUBLIC NOTICE --Agenda Lafayette Historic Preservation Commission (LHPC) 3:00 P.M. Thursday, January 15, 2026 Lafayette City-Parish Hall 2nd Floor 705 W. University Avenue Community Development and Planning Department Library I. Call to Order II. Visitor Introductions III. Approval of the Minutes November 20, 2025 – Action Requested.

IV. Communication V. Consideration for Nomination None.

VI. Consideration for Designation None.

VII. New Business

docking area believed to have been used by Venezuelan drug cartels, the first known direct operation on Venezuelan soil since the U.S. began its strikes in September.

Few details about future Though Trump had warned for months that the U.S. might conduct strikes in Venezuela, he gave little hint on Friday what was coming.

He spent the morning posting on social media defending his health and complaining about the impact of wind turbines on birds before he went shopping for marble and onyx for the ballroom he’s building at the White House and a visit to his golf club.

Privately, he was readying to give the go-ahead for a military mission that already has generated criticism in the U.S. and abroad. Now, the president said the U.S. will direct the path forward for Venezuela, as questions have emerged about the legality of both those plans and Maduro’s capture.

Trump said at his news conference that the group of officials standing behind him, including Hegseth, Caine and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, will “be a team that’s working with the people of Venezuela.”

The Republican president left open the possibility that U.S. troops would have a presence in the country. “We’re not afraid of boots on the ground if we have to,” he said, adding, “We had boots on the ground last night.”

The U.S. will now “run” the country until a new leader can be chosen, Trump said.

“We’re going to make sure that country is run properly. We’re not doing this in vain,” he said. “This is a very dangerous attack. This is an attack that could have gone very, very badly.”

Kinnard reported from Chapin, South Carolina. Associated Press reporters Regina Garcia Cano and Juan Arraez in Caracas, Venezuela, contributed to this report.

Police Department,” she said.

“They had so much knowledge of how to protect that street where it’s supposed to be restricted to pedestrians.

We’ve been told that some of the barriers can still be moved.”

Michelle Bech has visited New Orleans. Gov. Jeff Landry appointed her to a commission to honor the victims with a memorial.

The Bech family has been overwhelmed by an outpouring of support. Donations to the Tiger Bech Foundation have provided funds for the Northside High basketball program and the STM Campus Ministry. There is a bench in Tiger Bech’s favorite spot on the Princeton campus at Prospect Garden, where friends can go to remember him.

“The extraordinary efforts people have made, and the gratitude we have just help us understand that God has

a plan in life, and that Tiger had reached the pinnacle of happiness, success and love, and it was just his time,” Michelle Bech said.

During the summer, Michelle and Marty Bech traveled to Minnesota for the wedding of Kevin Davidson, Tiger’s quarterback at Princeton.

On the anniversary of Tiger Bech’s death, the family was going to be hiking at Zion National Park in Utah.

“We will be in nature looking out over the mountains and desert at the stars,” Michelle Bech said. “Breathing in fresh air, spending time together and enjoying some of the most beautiful views that God has created.”

Michelle Bech had a final message regarding faith.

“Do you believe in love? If you have love in your heart for others, you believe in God, because God is love,” she said.

Legal Notices

Legal Notices

1.

2026 Commission Meeting Calendar – Ac‐ tion Requested.

2. Election of Officers – Action Requested.

g and/or single housing units for low/moderateincome renter house‐ holds; the construction of new housing for low/moderate-income owner households; hous‐ ing loans for first-time homebuyers; the rehabil‐ itation of low/moderateincome, single-family, owner-occupied housing units; the construction of new and/or the rehabili‐ tation of existing sup‐ portive housing units for “special needs” house‐ holds (frail elderly, per‐ sons with HIV/AIDS and their families, and sub‐ stance abusers); the con‐ struction of new sup‐ portive housing for per‐ sons with mental, physi‐ cal and developmental disabilities; the con‐ struction of new or the rehabilitation of existing emergency, transitional, and permanent housing for homeless individuals and families; clear‐ ance/demolition of dilap‐ idated structures in low/moderate-income residential areas; tempo‐ rary housing relocation (in conjunction with the LCG Housing Rehabilita‐ tion Program); housing counseling for low/mod‐ erate-income renters and owners; and economic development through loans to qualifying busi‐ nesses employing low/moderate-income people.

VIII. Old Business Update on Historic Preservation Fund Grant IX. Other Business Commission Housekeep‐ ing X. Public Comment XI. Adjournment 171112 Jan. 4, 2026 $41.05 PUBLIC NOTICE Public notice is hereby given that the Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government (LCG), Com‐ munity Development & Planning Department (CDP), will conduct Public Hearing #1 for the 2026 Annual Action Plan on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Clifton Chenier Center Auditorium located at 220 West Willow Street, Building C, Lafayette, Louisiana.

LCG, CDP is developing its U. S. Department of Housing and Urban De‐ velopment (HUD) 2026 Annual Action Plan. This Plan identifies the types of activities that will be funded with Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Invest‐ ment Partnerships (HOME) entitlement funds during LCG’s Pro‐ gram Year 2026 (October 1, 2026, through Septem‐ ber 30, 2027). All activi‐ ties funded under the 2026 Annual Action Plan will address the priority needs identified in the LCG’s 2023/2027 Five-Year Consolidated Plan.

Through the Five-Year Plan, the LCG anticipates addressing the following housing and community development issues: the construction of new and/or the rehabilitation of existing multi-unit d i l h i

The purpose of this hear‐ ing is to discuss: 1) prior year’s accomplishments; 2) housing and commu‐ nity development needs and the types of activi‐ ties that will be consid‐ ered for federal entitle‐ ment funding; 3) the ap‐ plication process for LCG entitlement funding; and 4) the anticipated avail‐ ability of federal entitle‐ ment funding (including prior year fund balance).

All interested parties are encouraged to partici‐ pate in the Consolidated Planning process. Trans‐ lators and/or transporta‐ tion for handicapped citi‐ zens are available if re‐ quested by 5 p.m., Tues‐ day, January 6, 2026. For i f i

Legal Notices

y y more information or to request handicap trans‐ portation or translators, please call CDP at (337) 291-8422 or email CD‐ Planning@lafayettela. gov Note to Potential LCG En‐ titlement Applicants: Applicants must apply for the funding online at https://portal.neighbo rlysoftware.com/ LAFAYETTELA/ Participant. All non-profit applicants will be re‐ quired to submit pre-ap‐ plication information to CDP by 5 p.m., Friday, January 23, 2026. The preapplication information will be used to determine activity eligibility. Appli‐ cants with eligible activi‐ ties will be required to submit a complete appli‐ cation no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.

GRANTS ADMINISTRATION DIVISION Lafayette City-Parish Consolidated Government 171893 Jan. 4, 1t $71.64

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METRO

Roll call

Getting in some playing time before school starts Try Tstre, 7, front, and Emerie Decell, 6, roll down the big hill at Moncus Park on Friday.

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

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S u n d ay, J a n u a ry 4, 2026

$8M earmarked for downtown upgrades

1Bn

Former Lafayette ADA appeals bribery conviction Gary Haynes sentenced to seven years in conspiracy

BY CLAIRE TAYLOR Staff writer

Former Lafayette Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes is asking the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals to reconsider his seven-year sentence and conviction in a bribery scheme in the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Haynes, 68, was sentenced Dec. 12 to federal prison after a September conviction Haynes for bribery, conspiracy to engage in bribery, use of a facility (cellphone) of interstate commerce in aid of bribery, con-

ä See HAYNES, page 2B

Motorists pass through the intersection of Johnston Street and Bertrand Drive.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

Federal funds slated to address safety concerns along Johnston Street

BY STEPHEN MARCANTEL Staff writer

Lafayette Consolidated Government received $8 million in federal grant funding to improve safety along a stretch of Johnston Street.

The Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant will allow for upgrades to a 1.3-mile section of Johnston Street between Bertrand and Churchill drives, LCG announced Tuesday.

Improvements include replacing unprotected bike lanes with separat-

ed shared-use paths and sidewalks, installing high-visibility crosswalks and improving pedestrian signage at intersections and upgrading pavement markings to enhance nighttime visibility, increasing edge line width and adding raised medians and targeted access management at high-crash driveways and intersections.

Between 2018 and 2022, eight people were seriously injured or killed between Bertrand and Churchill drives, according to the announcement. Most incidents occurred at

night, several while people were walking or biking.

Lafayette Parish Mayor-President Monique Boulet’s marquee Johnston Street Revitalization project has received more than $35 million in local, state and federal funding.

Once agreements are finalized, improvements along the small stretch of Johnston Street are expected to be completed within four years.

Contact Stephen Marcantel at stephen.marcantel@theadvocate. com.

LSU Vet School saves life of military dog Astra, who has served in combat, diagnosed with Addison’s disease

Fort Polk to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine for emergency treatment of a life-threatening illness and is now doing well, according to a news release from LSU. Astra, an 8-year-old Belgian Malinois that has served side by side in combat zones with

BY ELLYN COUVILLION U.S. soldiers in Middle East Staff writer war zones, became extremeA military working dog ly ill and was airlifted to the named Astra was recently Vet School in a Black Hawk rushed by helicopter from on Dec. 10 with symptoms of

dehydration, weight loss, elevated heart rate and nausea.

Vet School doctors conducted multiple tests and diagnosed Astra with Addison’s disease, a deficiency of necessary steroid hormones produced by the adrenal glands, according to LSU. The disease can be fatal if not detected and treated quickly, and, while humans can get it, it is more common in dogs.

Army Sgt. Pierce Getner

PROVIDED PHOTO

Lafayette firefighters clean up after a blaze at Heartland Apartment Complex, 2401 E. Simcoe St.

1 injured, 6 families displaced in apartment fire

BY KRISTIN ASKELSON Staff writer

and Staff Sgt. David Tatterson drove to LSU Vet Med to be with Astra in the ICU unit while she was being treated, because military handlers are required to stay with working dogs at all times. The two, who train and maintain the Army’s dog teams, slept next to her in her kennel to watch her overnight as she recovered.

Six Lafayette families have been displaced after a fire Friday evening at an apartment complex.

Lafayette firefighters responded about 7:30 p.m. Friday to a major apartment fire after receiving multiple 911 calls. First responders were dispatched to Heartland Apartment Complex, 2401 E. Simcoe St., upon receiving calls from numerous occupants that the building was on fire.

Eight fire apparatus, several chief officers, Lafayette police officers, and Acadian Ambulance responded to the 24-unit apartment building. The first and second floor of

ä See DOG, page 2B

ä See FIRE, page 2B

2B ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Excavation complete on discovery in French Quarter No word on resuming construction

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

An excavation of the 600 block of St. Peter Street, where workers replacing underground water mains made a significant archaeological discovery in early November, has been completed, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is helping fund the $9 million project.

In an email dated Dec. 31, FEMA officials said archaeological work at the site, which contained more than 1,000 artifacts and a layer of burned clay containing clues about two 18th-century fires that devastated the French Quarter, was completed on Dec. 19 and that the artifacts have been sent to a lab for analysis.

It’s not clear, however, whether construction on the project to replace the water main, which has brought foot traffic on the street to a virtual standstill since it began last summer, has resumed or when it might be completed.

On Friday morning, a backhoe stood idle behind large construction fencing near the excavation site — a deep trench roughly five feet deep, six feet wide and several yards long. The trench appeared empty. A couple of workers were visible at the site early in the day, though they did not appear to be working and were not operating any equipment.

FEMA did not provide any information on the status or timeline of the project itself, referring questions to the Sewerage & Water Board. A spokesperson for the Sewerage & Water Board was un-

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Archaeological artifacts from the 18th century were excavated from a construction site in the 600 block of St. Peter Street in the French Quarter. available for comment. City Hall did not respond to requests for comment.

The discovery, which appears to have halted construction on the project for much of November and December, is the latest headache for merchants in the heart of the French Quarter, who say the project has killed their business during what is typically their best time of year.

“We’re 70% off of what we would usually be,” said David Barton, a tour agent at Haunted History

Tours in the 600 block of St. Peter Street. By noon Friday, while much of the rest of the French Quarter was buzzing with holiday tourists, he’d sold just two tour tickets.

The discovery is one of the occupational hazards of digging up streets in the oldest neighborhood in a city that is more than 300 years old, according to local historians, who say the excavation is the latest of nearly 30 archaeological digs in the French Quarter since 1960.

“It happens all the time,” said Erin Greenwald, deputy director

Former Louisiana coastal agency leader honored for years of work

BY MIKE SMITH

Staff writer

Janice Lansing heard the magic words while walking on a sand berm off Louisiana’s coast.

It was in 2010, not long after the massive BP oil spill, the reason the sand berm had been constructed.

She had recently been hired as chief financial officer of Louisiana’s nascent coastal agency and was on a visit to the site along with other state officials.

R. King Milling, the longtime chair of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Coastal Protection, Restoration and Conservation, made clear what he believed was needed once he found out Lansing had taken on the job overseeing the agency’s spending.

“We need audits,” she recalled Milling bluntly saying.

“I said, ‘Yes sir, we can do that,’ ” she said. “Little did Mr. Milling know, he was speaking my language.”

Fifteen years and many projects later, Lansing is being honored for her behind-the-scenes work keeping a close eye on spending at the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority. She was recently named the recipient of this year’s R. King Milling Distinguished Coastal Service Award, selected by the chair of the agency’s board from a list of nominees.

Lansing played a pivotal role in the agency’s early years, when CPRA took shape in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, helping set out a mission that was “designed to be different.” She said that meant it would “move quickly, move nimbly, but always be transparent and demonstrate good fiduciary responsibility over those dollars.”

That was why she was glad to hear those words from Milling, the former Whitney National Bank executive who had become an early champion of coastal restoration.

She agreed that ensuring the new agency’s accountability and effectiveness in addressing the state’s land-loss crisis was paramount.

And the brand-new agency had “to demonstrate to folks that we were going to manage our money well,” she said of Milling’s words that day.

PROVIDED PHOTO

Janice Lansing, second from right, the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority’s chief financial officer from 2010-25, is awarded the R. King Milling Distinguished Coastal Service Award alongside CPRA’s Coastal Resources Administrator Greg Grandy, from left, Chair Gordon Dove and Executive Director Michael Hare.

marsh building and ecosystem restoration. It also has a 50-year master plan aimed at salvaging as much of Louisiana’s coast as possible.

Beyond BP funds, the state also receives federal money for coastal projects. State coastal leaders have stressed the importance of showing that the money is being spent wisely to ensure it continues to flow.

not one that put her in the spotlight. She was not designing marsh restoration projects or involved in constructing them. But her role was equally, if not more, important.

The same BP spill that put her on that sand berm was also responsible for sending billions of dollars in fines and settlement money to Louisiana for coastal projects. Keeping tabs on that spending — along with the full slate of other accounting, budgeting and contracting — fell under her purview.

Greg Grandy, the CPRA’s coastal resources administrator, remembered the early days of establishing the agency, “when we were building the plane while flying it.” He left his work with the state in 2009, but returned in 2019.

“From a business and leadership standpoint, Janice was responsible for getting the plane built that we fly today,” he said.

CPRA Chairman Gordon Dove said, “She’s the kind of leader who quietly makes things work better for everyone.”

While the CPRA may not be a household name for many Louisianans, it’s difficult to argue against its importance. The state loses around a football field of land every 100 minutes on average, wiping out wetlands the size of Delaware over the last century.

Its annual spending plan has amounted to more than a billion dollars in recent years and includes everything from levee construction to

That is a vision shared by Lansing, a Denham Springs native and mother of two who retired in September but continues to work part-time as an executive adviser at CPRA. With a master’s degree in public administration from LSU, she began her career as a fiscal analyst for the Legislative Fiscal Office.

She later was undersecretary at the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, and at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

While still in school, employed as a student worker at Wildlife and Fisheries, she would go to the Capitol every day to pick up copies of bills — at a time when they were not yet available on the internet. She was interested in how government worked and began to realize that would be her career.

“I remember standing at the gold elevators in the State Capitol one day, and I said, ‘This is where I will work,’ ” she said. “And I did. I love the public policy aspect of it. I love solving problems. I love getting things done.”

heavy fire damage to all eight apartment units.

Continued from page 1B Six of the eight units were occupied. All six families were displaced as a result. American Red Building A was on fire. Firefighters Cross was contacted to assist with battled the intense fire for about immediate needs.

One of the occupants sustained a 30 minutes before getting it under control. Building A sustained minor injury after she escaped the

smoke and flames from her second-floor window, injuring herself upon landing on the ground. She was transported to a local hospital

by Acadian Ambulance.

Fire officials determined the fire originated in the laundry room.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

‘Getting the plane built’ Lansing’s role at the CPRA was

FIRE

of the Historic New Orleans Collection. “The entire block is sitting on the city’s historic core. This is some of the oldest property in the city.”

Distinctive fire prints Consultants monitoring the Sewerage & Water Board made the discovery on Nov. 3, according to documents sent by FEMA to more than two dozen merchants, residents and neighborhood associations.

Among the findings were brick fragments, artifacts and a layer of burned clay containing clues about

HAYNES

Continued from page 1B spiracy to commit money laundering and obstruction of justice.

The charges and conviction are in relation to a bribery scheme involving the pretrial intervention program, which Haynes oversaw in the District Attorney’s Office in Lafayette.

U.S. District Judge David Joseph, who presided over Haynes’ trial and sentencing, denied a request for the former prosecutor to remain free pending an appeal.

Haynes was taken into custody on Dec. 12.

His attorney, Todd Clemons, filed a notice of appeal Dec. 23.

Haynes previously requested a new trial based on allegations of improper exclusion of evidence, improper admission of evidence, prosecutorial misconduct and statements, and judicial bias.

Joseph declined to open a new trial.

The former prosecutor was found guilty of participating in a scheme with Dusty Guidry, a contract employee of the District Attorney’s pretrial intervention program, and Leonard Franques,

the fires of 1788 and 1794, which destroyed much of the French Quarter, erasing the colonial French architecture that characterized its earliest years.

The clay deposits contained clues about the intensity of the two fires.

The artifacts recovered at the site included a pewter button belonging to a uniform of a British regiment in the late 1700s, nails and other building materials of the time, as well as brass pins, bronze buckles, a copper coin and glass.

Greenwald said the findings are extremely significant for a couple of reasons. For one, the two fires were watershed events in the city’s history that defined and shaped, through the rebuilding process in the early 1800s, how the French Quarter looks even to this day.

New Orleans was occupied by the French before the fires. By the time the city was rebuilt, the Spanish owned the city, hence the French Quarter’s Spanish-style wroughtiron balconies, fire-resistant brick and stucco exteriors, and iconic patios.

“Those two fires left very distinct fire prints,” Greenwald said. “That gives us a better understanding of how everyday people — not just the people you read about in history books — lived and how they rebuilt.”

Also, several properties on both sides of the 600 block of St. Peter Street were owned at the time of the two fires by Marianne Dubreuil Brion. A prominent free woman of color, Brion was also ancestor of Henriette Delille, who founded the Sisters of the Holy Family and is a candidate for sainthood.

“She was a very significant and interesting woman in the early history of New Orleans, who owned a building that burned in both fires,” Greenwald said.

who owned businesses providing online classes and substance abuse treatment to defendants in the pretrial intervention program.

Haynes and Guidry conspired to loosen the requirements to enter the pretrial program then direct those defendants to programs the defendants paid for that were offered by Franques’ companies instead of other businesses. The three men split the profits.

The scheme apparently began in 2021 after Don Landry took office as district attorney and put Haynes in charge of the pretrial intervention program that allowed qualified people with pending charges to take assigned classes or therapy, which they paid for, and have the charges removed from their criminal records.

Based on a tip from a local defense attorney, the FBI opened an investigation, which they named Operation Cajun Hustle, in July of 2021.

Guidry pleaded guilty to three federal charges and is serving four years in federal prison.

Franques pleaded guilty to one federal charge and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison. He was ordered to report to prison by Jan. 6.

DOG

Continued from page 1B

‘Very humbled by that’ “We ask a lot of these dogs.

Astra was in a bomb shelter for a whole month during hostile fire while deployed in Iraq for nine months. She’s been deployed more than most MWDs, and it’d be hard to imagine her putting in all of that work and not get to reap the rewards of her efforts. We want to see Astra retire, relax and enjoy life knowing she did a good job. We want the best for her,” Getner, who is the handler of a different working dog, told LSU. “It is impossible to describe the bond you have with your dog. With my own, we were newly partnered and deployed overseas, not yet fully trusting each other. Almost overnight, we both realized, ‘It’s just me and you,’ and everything changed. We rely on each other,” he said.

Astra was discharged from the Vet School hospital on Dec. 12. She’ll be given three medications daily in the future and is expected to recover fully. Doctors Jack Lee, Leslie Serrano, Gregor Boot and Patty Lathan treated Astra.

“What’s always amazing is the handlers; they’re more familiar with their dog than some pet owners, because they spend so much time with them,” Lathan said last week. “They catch that something’s wrong quickly.”

“Astra was a good dog; she

PROVIDED PHOTO

Dr. Patty Lathan with Astra

was super sweet,” Lathan said.

Astra will retire pending her disposition evaluation, which determines a dog’s suitability to transition to a different role, such as retirement.

“Astra should have a good quality of life for the rest of her days,” said Lathan.

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3B

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Obituaries Person, Micheal Ewen 'Mike'

Micheal Ewen Person, age 73, passed away on December 30, 2025, at home in St. Amant, LA. Mike is survived by his loving fiancée, Tammy Crotty, of St. Amant; the mother of his children, Mary Jane "Janey" Breaux Nasca, of Baton Rouge; sons, Bryson Michael Person and his wife, Muriel, of Mandeville and William Major Person and his wife, Natalie, of Lafayette, LA; seven grandchildren, Cecelia, Emmeline, Gunnar, Beau, Cora James, Ford, and Dimiceli Person; stepson Sage Newcomb-Rusk and his husband, Estine, of Portland, ME; siblings David (Lisa), Stephen (Jenny), Patrick (Jo Ann), Jeffry (Shelia), Leslie Kathryn "Kitty" Leblanc (Terry), and Paul; and a host of loving friends, future and former in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews he cherished.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Cynthia Latiolais Person of St. Amant; parents, William Ernest "W.E." Person, Jr and Leslie Ewen Person of Lafayette, LA; and best friend, Jim T. Huff, of Waterproof, LA. Mike was born in Natchez, MS on October 1, 1952, to parents W.E. and Leslie Person. Growing up on Lake St. John and in

Donaldsonville and Lafayette, LA, he was a member of the first graduating class of Acadiana High in 1970. One of "the Person boys" known across various communities and decades, he loved his brothers, sister, aunts, uncles, and cousins regardless of time, distance, and whatever water had passed under the bridge of life.

Mike was a proud third generation LSU graduate.

In 1974, he completed his degree in Health, Physical, and Safety Education and student taught at Glen Oaks in Baton Rouge before deciding that teaching and coaching was not for him. He opened a lounge, Lafitte's Landing, in his grandfather's vacant antebellum home at the western foot of the Sunshine Bridge in St. James, LA before moving on to a career in industrial manufacturing and maintenance. In the ensuing 40 years, he would navigate some of the region's lowest lows and highest highs - ultimately finding his place in the occupational health and safety world with PAX, Inc. and Specialized Industrial Maintenance (S.I.M.) where he built and fortified lifelong friendships that he valued and maintained long past his retirement into his last days.

Mike's love for family, friends, animals, and the outdoors was unwavering.

We may never truly know which he loved more - being absolutely alone in a deer stand or surrounded by friends and family around a pot of his famous venison sauce piquant or a batch of fresh Lake St. John fried catfish. He loved a boat ride and a beer after a long day of piddling. He loved sharing Lake St. John with scores of family and friends over the decades, and in his retirement

years, he shared many hunts, beers, and boat rides with his best friend and fiancée, Tammy.

A 9 AM visitation will precede an 11 AM memorial service Friday, January 9th at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 15710 LA-16, French Settlement, LA 70733.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations made in Mike's name to Tunnel to Towers Foundation.

Rice, William Claiborne

family asks that donations be made in Will's memory to Spaynation / Wild Cat Foundation, a charity dedicated to promoting humane solutions to feral feline overpopulation. https: //wildcatfoundationla.org/ donate.html Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements, www.lordandstephens.co m. We invite friends to write a memorial at the obituary site, https://www .lordandstephens.com/obit uaries/william-claibornerice

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Start the new year clog-free!

William Claiborne Rice, 28, passed away on November 13, 2025. He was born in Athens, Georgia, on July 14, 1997, to Clai Rice and Lydia Whitt, of Lafayette, Louisiana. Will enjoyed blacksmithing and working with his hands outside, and cared deeply for the poor and indigent, among whom he lived at various times.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his grandparents, Peter and Berry Rice, of Athens, Georgia, and Joyce Moorman McCool, of Rossville, Tennessee, and one brother, Sam Whitt, of Lafayette, Louisiana.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 17 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, 400 Camellia Blvd.

After the service lunch will be served, to which all are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the

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OPINION

4B ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M/opinions

OUR VIEWS

New Year’s resolutions for Congress Congress convenes tomorrow for 2026, but without any publicly discernible agenda. Allow us, then, to offer some resolutions on its behalf, in hopes that Speaker Mike Johnson, R-Benton, and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, might take heed.

The resolutions we have in mind transcend mere ideology. They involve a long-term perspective, not immediate political advantages.

Resolution 1: Reassert Congress’ authority. Former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden both asserted unilateral presidential authority beyond all their peacetime predecessors, but President Donald Trump has blown far past even those examples. On tariffs, on domestic use of the military, in having the government demand part ownership in major corporations, on renaming institutions and agencies and on multiple other fronts, Trump has seized powers from Congress’ rightful hands.

The point here isn’t about whether individual policies are wise or not; it’s about who has the proper jurisdiction to decide the policies. To reestablish the Constitution’s intended balance and sharing of powers, and thus to guard against future presidential quasi-tyrannies, Johnson and Scalise (and all their colleagues) must find the fortitude to push back.

Resolution 2: Reestablish a spirit of bipartisanship.

When major pieces of legislation routinely can be blocked by rump groups of just five or six members of a single party, all because nobody makes serious attempts to find support from the other side, then Congress isn’t working right. Both sides should be willing to compromise and to accept incremental improvements, rather than insisting on all-ornothing, purely partisan or ideological fights.

Resolution 3: Find constructive compromise on health care coverage. Louisiana’s own Sen. Bill Cassidy is assiduously trying to do this, most notably on the issue of Obamacare subsidies. Even if a final bill gives neither side all it desires, Cassidy’s proposal to let people receive “Silver” plan subsidies for the overall-cheaper “Bronze” plans seems at least a useful starting point for something to help patients avoid the massive, sudden increase in premiums they face without COVID-era emergency subsidies.

Bipartisanship is needed on larger health care issues, too. The behavioral model should be that of Republican Sen. Bob Dole of Kansas and Democratic Sen. Patrick Moynihan of New York who, 43 years and one day ago, joined to save Social Security for two more full generations of Americans.

Resolution 4: Pass legislation limiting mid-decade congressional redistricting. Frequent redistricting leads both to instability and to constant, vicious power plays. Enough is enough. A national law saying the district lines must be drawn once and only once each decade, unless otherwise ordered by the courts, is necessary to stop the unseemly political gamesmanship.

Congress should do plenty of other things, too, but if it delivers on those four resolutions, the long-term prospects for our republic will be much brighter.

Here’s to an old and a new year Jeane Mortenson, who would change “What’s past is prologue” wrote Wilher name to Marilyn Monroe. liam Shakespeare in “The Tempest,” Calvin Coolidge, a tax cutter and a thought profound enough to be engraved on the National Archives build- deficit hawk, was president. Unemploying in Washington. ment was just 1.8%, tax rates As America prepares to celwere falling and the national debt was $19.6 billion. The ebrate its 250th anniversary, booming economy helped pay a blip on history’s ledger comdown the debt, something Presipared to many other nations, we would do well to revisit even the dent Trump has said will haprecent past as a guide to what pen again. Will the spendthrifts Cal can provide us a better future. in Congress get the message?

Thomas That’s because even though Robert H. Goddard, who technology changes, other would later become a central things do not. figure in America’s space program, At the end of each year, I enjoy exlaunched the first liquid fuel rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. It achieved a ploring the events of a century ago, a period in which my parents and grand- height of 41 feet in its 2.5-second flight.

John Logie Baird demonstrated the parents lived. first television. Given the low quality When it comes to political unrest, of much of today’s TV shows, I wonder 2026 has nothing on 1926. There were protests, coups, invasions and changes if he would regret it?

Henry Ford inaugurated the 40-hour in governments all over Europe. In work week.

Britain, a general strike paralyzed America celebrated its 150th birththe nation and was front-page news for months. Poland, Portugal and day with a World’s Fair in Philadelphia.

Lithuania had their governments over- Not enough people came and the fair thrown. In Italy, future dictator Benito organization went into receivership.

Its assets were sold at auction the folMussolini increased his power and influence despite, or perhaps because of, lowing year. That’s unlikely to happen numerous assassination attempts. in 2026.

The future Queen Elizabeth II and The U.S. and Panama sign a treaty.

Fidel Castro were born. So was Norma During the Carter administration that

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditorstribpub.com.

Taking stock as the calendar changes

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.

would again become controversial as ownership of the Panama Canal was turned over to the country. (President Trump says he wants it returned to American control and ownership.)

A category 4 hurricane hits Miami.

Hundreds die and damage is estimated at $100 million. Later, The HavanaBermuda hurricane kills more than 600 people. No one blames “climate change.”

Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb and so many other things in use today, declares the radio a commercial failure.

Babe Ruth becomes the first player to hit three home runs in a single game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

This and much more occurred in 1926. Politics, celebrity, sports, technological innovations like AI and media continue to gain our attention.

Bad things will continue to happen for the next 100 years (if we survive that long as a nation). That’s because while many things change, human nature remains the same.

As for the good, that too is up to us and those yet to be born. May they learn from history.

TO SEND US A LETTER, SCAN HERE

The final weeks of the year are always hectic, with holiday shopping and parties as well as finishing up projects at work and at home.

But it’s also a time to take stock of what the year has taught us before turning over a new leaf in the new year. That’s why we have several features that we like to run at the end of the year, such as our Louisianan of the Year pick.

It’s a project the Editorial Board started last year as a way to recognize the top newsmakers and some of the themes that were important throughout the year. There were several worthy candidates in 2025, and we had a spirited debate on whom we should choose.

As you know, we decided that historian Jari Honora, who identified the pope’s Louisiana roots, is the person from our state who had the most significant impact in 2025. Part of it was due to his scholarship. But part of it was

also because his contribution reflected some of the larger themes of the year — such as migration and race. And as I like to note, he made a splash this year in such a particularly Louisiana way — tracing the heritage of the pope’s people.

It reminded me of the title of food writer Marcelle Bienvenu’s classic, “Who’s Your Mama? Are You Catholic, and Can You Make a Roux?” based on three questions every Louisianan will invariably ask a new acquaintance. Well, while we don’t know if the pope can make a roux, we’re quite certain he’s Catholic, and thanks to Honora, we definitely know who his mama was.

But we had several good candidates from all walks of life. It’s likely that 2026 will have an entirely different mix.

Going to our letters inbox, we have finished tallying up letters for the end of the year, so I can give you numbers for December.

And it wasn’t even close; no topic prompted as many letters as immigration for the month. From Dec. 4-11, we received 86 letters, with the ongoing immigration enforcement action Catahoula Crunch being the No. 1 topic. We received 17 letters about the operation.

From Dec. 11-18, we received 60 letters, with 10 of them on immigration enforcement. From Dec. 18-25, we received 53 letters, and again, immigration topped your list of concerns, with eight letters on the subject. That week, we also received seven letters bidding farewell to retiring cartoonist Walt Handelsman. And from Dec. 25-Jan. 1, we received 43 letters, and the immigration arrests prompted 10 of them.

It’s clear this is a topic our readers are following closely, so we’ll look for ways to make sure we give you a variety of perspectives on the Opinion pages this year.

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ARNESSA GARRETT STEPHANIE GRACE WILL SUTTON QUIN HILLYER FAIMON ROBERTS

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 5B

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COMMENTARY Louisianans dominate national politics graduated from Tulane UniverAs this new year dawns, consider how Louisiana, in the words sity, where she took classes from of famed Democratic consultant Carville.

James Carville, “punches Carville, a Louisiana way above its weight” in native and probably the national politics and politimost famous political guru in the nation, has lived cal discussion. for years in New Orleans It has been this way for with wife Mary Matalin, decades, and surely will the campaign director for continue in 2026.

Quin President George H.W. This observation isn’t Hillyer Bush and key aide to Presijust about the truly remarkable fact of Louisident George W. Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. ana Republicans Mike Johnson Like Carville, Kenner native and Steve Scalise simultaneously Donna Brazile reached the top holding the posts of U.S. House rungs of the Democratic Party, speaker and majority leader, twice serving as acting chair of although we’ll return to that situation shortly. The Louisiana domi- the Democratic National Commitnance is more all-encompassing tee; she’s still a commentator for than that.

ABC. Another frequent network Consider, first, one small exguest is The Bulwark’s Tim Millample, namely the Dec. 17 “Morn- er, a onetime Republican strateing Joe” show on MS NOW. It gist and now leading voice of the featured guests Walter Isaacson, resistance to Donald Trump, who Jonathan Martin and Ali Vitali, all frequently streams his popular with Louisiana bona fides. podcast from his New Orleans The near-ubiquitous biographer home.

Isaacson, of course, is a native Less well-known publicly, New New Orleanian, former CEO of Orleans native Adam Magnus is CNN and editor of Time. Marperhaps the hottest consultant for 2026 Democratic campaigns tin, columnist for Politico and across the country. Former New frequent TV analyst, lives in the Central Business District with his Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu locally raised wife, Betsy Fischer and former congressman Cedric Richmond co-chaired the 2024 Martin, former lead producer of NBC’s Meet the Press. Vitali, host presidential campaigns of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. of MS NOW’s “Way Too Early,”

Shalanda Young, raised in Clinton, was until last year, the director of the federal Office of Management and Budget. Linda Thomas-Greenfield of Zachary spent 2021-25 as ambassador to the United Nations.

On the right, Jay Lapeyre of Laitram Industries is board chairman of the nation’s foremost libertarian think tank, the Cato Institute, and of the Atlas Society, a libertarian educational outfit.

Social conservative Tony Perkins, a two-term member of the Louisiana state House, is the longtime president of the powerful Family Research Council and served as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Morton Blackwell, raised in Louisiana and a College Republican state chairman way back in the early 1960s, is considered the premier organizational leader of the national conservative movement and still, at age 86, actively heads the Leadership Institute that trains tens of thousands of young conservatives each year for roles in campaigns and media.

Journalist and author Rod Dreher, raised in St. Francisville, has a massive online following for his traditionalist and neo-nationalist views.

And that’s just a sampling.

Per capita, surely that’s more

national political influence than any other state comes close to boasting.

For Louisiana, though, it’s not unusual. In this century’s first decade, Louisianans essentially controlled national energy policy with Republican Rep. Billy Tauzin chairing the big-money Energy and Commerce Committee while Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu served on two different committees handling energy matters. In the 1990s, Louisiana Republican Bob Livingston chaired the massively powerful House Appropriations Committee, setting the stage for four straight balanced budgets, while moderate Democratic Sens. John Breaux and J. Bennett Johnston were the essential “go to” guys for breaking legislative logjams.

Before that, Democratic Rep. Lindy Boggs was so beloved that even crotchety speaker Tip O’Neill was described as “putty in her hands” if she just whispered a legislative request in his ear.

Her husband Hale had been on a sure path to the speakership before disappearing in a plane over Alaska — and, together with Sen. Russell Long, was so powerful that they forced a reluctant National Football League to locate an expansion team in New Orleans.

And in political media, few

figures enjoyed respect so longstanding as the Boggs’ daughter, Cokie Roberts.

Now we have Johnson and Scalise heading the House while our Sen. Bill Cassidy faces the most intriguing reelection battle in the nation — even as he offers the only solutions for health care policy that have any chance at truly bipartisan support. (Note: In 2025, Cassidy engineered a tiny amendment on Medicaid that will save Louisiana hundreds of millions of dollars.)

And don’t forget perhaps the most powerful Louisianan in government of them all, Supreme Court Justice (and Metairie native) Amy Coney Barrett.

By now, it’s clear: Something in our state’s political culture — or maybe just our culture writ large, particularly our natural gift of gregariousness — produces especially acute politicians and aptitudes for political insight.

Whatever the reason, especially in an election year, these power positions, combined with media advocates doing some “home cooking,” really ought to produce significant policy victories for Louisiana interests in Washington. Let’s watch, and hope.

Email Quin Hillyer at quin. hillyer@theadvocate.com

The Louisiana Senate race is one to watch

With so many lists flying around suming, as I wrote in my recent this time of year, the ones that New Year’s prediction column, stand out to me aren’t those that that the House will flip Democonfirm my opinion but those that cratic and Benton’s man in D.C., I think miss the mark.

Mike Johnson, will have to Indeed, I’ve found a few hand the speaker’s gavel to that have crossed my variHakeem Jeffries). So exous news feeds in recent pect to hear plenty about weeks pretty confounding.

Republican Susan Collins’ They generally fit the cateseemingly perpetual fight gory of “elections to watch Stephanie to keep representing a state where the president in 2026.” And they often Grace is unpopular, and whether omit what I’m expectDemocrats can hold seats ing to be one of the most in Georgia and Michigan and fascinating races in the country: maybe flip North Carolina.

Louisiana’s contest for the U.S. Louisiana doesn’t fit that catSenate seat held for two terms by Bill Cassidy. egory. No matter who wins, the Am I missing something, I’ve seat will stay in Republican hands wondered while reading about all- unless something truly bizarre important showdowns elsewhere? happens. And the fact that DemoActually, I think the list makers crats have no major candidate are. and no real prospects of one It’s of course a given that the speaks volumes. top spots will go to swing states But then I read further down whose voters will determine con- some of these lists and see Texas, trol of the Senate, and thus wheth- I start to wonder.

Though it’s only marginally er President Donald Trump can still have his way with one branch more competitive by party, our of Congress, as he has for the last much larger neighbor makes the “to watch” lists in large part due year to shocking effect (I’m as-

to a major Republican-on-Republican showdown. Sound familiar?

In Texas, there are multiple candidates competing in both party primaries, but the presence of several recognizable names seems to be upping the intrigue.

Among those threatening to unseat longtime establishment Republican John Cornyn is Ken Paxton, the state’s headlinegrabbing attorney general, whose politics and ethical transgressions make him a pretty good avatar of Trumpism. Vying to take on the winner of that primary is U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, an entertainingly sharp-tongued rising Democratic Party star and Trump critic. So, even giving Republicans the advantage, a general election could be a barnburner.

Louisiana has nobody like Crockett on the Democratic side, and it doesn’t have a figure of Paxton’s notoriety in the large field of challengers lining up against Cassidy in the newly created Republican primary. But what we do have — far more than Texas, where Cornyn is an

influential but somewhat low-key player — is a compelling main character.

I’ve written much here about Cassidy’s dramatic arc — his first win against Democrat Mary Landrieu in 2014 on a promise to be a reliably Republican vote; his bold, fearless vote in 2021 to convict Trump in his second impeachment; his nakedly fearful embrace of the returned president this past year, as embodied by his support for the supremely unqualified Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who immediately set about undermining much that Cassidy and his fellow physicians understand to be best for people’s health.

As a comeuppance, it’s hard to think of something more on the nose.

And if Cornyn is trying to fend off other big names, Cassidy is threatened not by any of the particular lesser-knowns competing against him but by a dominant national question: Is it still possible for a Republican to act indepen-

dently — or to have done so even once — and survive in the party of Trump?

He’s got a ton of money to spend, a record of bringing home the bacon and a powerful committee chairmanship overseeing health, education, labor and pensions.

Still, Louisiana Republicans rewrote the rules to force him into a two-stage party primary that, by design, greatly lessens his odds.

And it’s hard to see who will be eager to ride to his rescue, given that pretty much everyone is mad at him for caving on something they find important, be it unquestioning loyalty to Trump or safeguarding Americans’ health (yes, that’s somehow a contest).

Intentional or not, Cassidy’s done the sort of things that draw attention.

No matter what the list makers say, I think that in 2026, he’ll get plenty of it. Probably more than he’d like.

Email Stephanie Grace at sgrace@theadvocate.com.

A podcast put new eyes on a small town La. murder Tucker Simmons didn’t start out attempting to solve murders.

The 33-year-old has spent most of his career just trying to make TV shows. After graduating from Franklinton High School in 2010, Simmons immediately headed for Los Angeles, determined to make a career in the entertainment Faimon industry.

He started as a Roberts personal assistant and moved up into development and production.

That’s how, several years ago, he found himself working on a show that was looking into a cult in North Carolina.

“I fell in love with the investigative aspect of it,” Simmons, who never considered himself a journalist, told me this week.

And that brought him back to his hometown. As a native, Simmons had long heard stories of deeply rooted shady dealings, especially among the political class. But the more he dug in, the more he zeroed in on one case: the death of Donna Arceneaux.

Arceneaux had been married to Simmons’ uncle.

“We just loved her so much, she was so fun,” he recalled, laughing

PROVIDED PHOTO

A billboard across the street from the Washington Parish Courthouse in Franklinton was seeking information about Donna Arceneaux’s murder. that she “introduced” Simmons to the music of Kanye West.

But in the early morning hours of Oct. 24, 2017, Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies were called to Arceneaux’s house. There, they found her dead with a gunshot wound in her chest.

The death was first ruled unclassified. Months later, thenSheriff Randy Seal told a local newspaper that he believed it had been a suicide.

But Arceneaux’s family, including Simmons, didn’t buy it. They eventually asked for the case to be transferred to Louisiana State Police, which it was in 2019.

Again, it seemed to stall.

That’s when Simmons decided to act. And drawing on his realityTV roots, he chose to be provocative. He hung a billboard up across the street from the sheriff’s office. “There’s a murderer among us,” it blared in big black letters. It included a website and a phone number where folks could submit anonymous tips.

“The tip line blew up,” he said.

Then, through the website, someone sent in pages of investigative records, including crime scene photos and other documents.

“I still don’t know who it was,” Simmons told me. But with those in hand, Simmons knew he could do something.

Hiring a camera crew to follow him around would be very expensive, so he turned to audio.

Then, working with a small team, he produced an eight-part series called “Freeze Frame” that debuted on Oct. 1, 2024.

The podcast was generally wellreceived. But in Franklinton, it was huge. Around that time, the case got another boost when Seal lost a bid for reelection to newcomer Jason Smith. Smith quickly announced that his office would take a new look at the case.

Smith pointed to Simmons’ podcast as the reason.

“We wouldn’t be looking into this if not for him,” he said. “For us to focus on an eight-year-old case, there needs to be some interest.”

Simmons’ podcast drove that interest, he said. Smith also credited Simmons for presenting the case in an “interesting and understandable” manner and for his fairness.

Smith assigned two veteran detectives to the case. Those investigators took the earlier work that had been done and were quickly able to zero in on a suspect, Scott Jordan, a former romantic partner of Arceneaux who had been named in the podcast.

“The other potential suspects

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had been discounted or excluded by previous investigations,” Smith told me. But they still had to build a case.

“There’s a difference in knowing who did it and having a case where you can get to an arrest,” he said.

On Dec. 23, deputies arrested Jordan as he was leaving his job at a Franklinton hospital. He was booked on a count of seconddegree murder and, as of Wednesday, remained in the Washington Parish jail with a $2 million bail.

For Simmons, the arrest was a surreal moment.

“I don’t think I spoke for 30 minutes,” he said. “It’s like an outof-body experience.”

And even though the podcast has done well and there has been interest from documentary and scripted TV folks, Simmons doesn’t feel triumphant. Like all arrestees, Jordan is presumed innocent until proven guilty; the judicial process must still play out. And Simmons still misses his aunt.

“Yes, it’s a success, but Donna is still dead,” he said. “How do you really celebrate when the outcome is still negative?”

Email Faimon A. Roberts III at froberts@theadvocate.com.

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

6B ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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JAN. 4, 2026

ALMANAC

AIR QUALITY

LAFAyETTE THROUGH 5 P.M. SATURDAy

YESTERDAY

TEMPERATURE

High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low

MODERATE

77°/65° 62°/44° 80° in 2023 19° in 1928

TODAY

PRECIPITATION

24 hours through 5 p.m. Sat. Month to date (normal) year to date (normal)

MODERATE

0.00” Trace (0.56”) Trace (0.56”)

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

MAIN POLLUTANT Ozone

READING 53

LAST

7:05 a.m.

5:21 p.m.

6:57 p.m.

8:22 a.m.

JAN 10

SOURCE: AIRNOW.GOV

NEW

FIRST

FULL

JAN 18

JAN 25

FEB 1

THE NATION AND WORLD Today City

LOUISIANA FORECAST

RIVER STAGES MISSISSIPPI

Monroe 60/41

Shreveport 63/46

Jackson 64/44

Longview 64/46

Many 64/45

Hattiesburg 67/46

Alexandria 64/44

FLOOD STAGE 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

Memphis Vidalia-Natchez Red River Landing Baton Rouge Donaldsonville Reserve New Orleans OHIO

Cairo COMITE

Near Olive

Baton Rouge 67/50 Beaumont 66/53

Lafayette

Port Arthur 65/55

AMITE

Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent

New Orleans 63/52

Lake Charles 65/49

TICKFAW

Montpelier Holden

Houma 67/51

ATCHAFALAYA

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

TIDES HIGH

First FT. LOW

Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) 7:50a 0.7 Shell Beach 1:41a 1.5 South Point, Marsh Island 1:26a 1.5 Cypremort Point 9:52p 1.2 Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) 10:32p 1.0 Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) 9:42p 1.4 Wine Island 11:40p 1.3

FT.

7:50p -0.4 1:35p -0.7 8:36a -1.3 12:41p -0.9 9:03a -0.8 7:16a -1.0 10:05a -0.9

HIGH

Second FT. LOW

--------6:47p 1.5 -----------------

FT.

--------8:55p 1.3 -----------------

Forecasts and graphics, except KATC forecasts, provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2026

N O R T H A M ER I CA’S

Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

-2.34 15.62 19.00 6.90 4.32 2.60 2.14

+0.47 -0.48 -0.20 -0.60 +0.32 -0.01 +0.28

40

13.83

-0.46

19

-1.42

+0.01

18 29 8

-0.97 10.12 0.67

+0.01 -0.01 +0.25

13 15

1.70 0.84

none -0.01

47 34 29 20 12 6

6.71 4.41 4.32 3.24 3.00 2.82

+0.44 +0.32 +0.43 +0.35 +0.70 +0.47

The World Amsterdam Bangkok Barcelona Berlin Brussels Cairo Dublin Frankfurt Havana Hong Kong Jerusalem

Lo

W

Hi

Lo

W

City

72 34 65 -34 74 64 44 80 51

50 15 50 -38 69 46 32 64 35

s sf pc s sh c pc t pc

76 24 75 -8 79 62 56 80 63

60 23 57 -11 71 45 45 64 49

pc pc pc sn sh pc pc s s

New Orleans Orlando Philadelphia Phoenix Pittsburgh Raleigh St. Louis San Diego Tampa

37 87 51 32 35 67 36 35 79 68 55

29 71 41 26 26 48 27 23 60 60 44

sn s c pc s pc s pc pc s c

36 89 44 31 34 70 36 31 81 72 56

25 72 34 22 24 50 29 24 59 56 44

c s r c sn pc s s pc s s

Kuwait City London Madrid Mexico City Montreal Moscow New Delhi Paris Rome Stockholm Tokyo

Hi

Today

Monday

Lo

W

Hi

Lo

W

63 73 38 73 30 55 43 67 76

52 55 26 55 21 32 34 58 57

s pc pc pc c s c sh pc

71 79 38 71 43 59 58 66 76

59 58 30 53 30 43 45 53 61

s s c pc c pc s sh s

62 37 50 73 10 28 62 37 58 24 51

41 26 31 41 -4 18 43 25 49 10 39

s s r pc s sn pc s sh c s

63 36 43 74 9 23 64 36 58 19 55

41 24 26 43 5 10 45 25 48 12 41

pc s pc pc sn c pc sn sh c pc

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

-10

-0s

0s

10s 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s 100s 110s

SOLUNAR TABLE 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.

Today Mon. Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat.

Major

Minor

12:04p 5:49a 12:38a 6:51a 1:37a 7:50a 2:32a 8:43a 3:22a 9:33a 4:08a 10:18a 4:50a 11:01a

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S u n d ay, J a n u a ry 4, 2026

1Cn

Time for LSU to stop playing nice “Blazing Saddles” and say, “No more, Mr. Tigers should recall assistants from Ole Miss CFP run Goodbar.”

No one who signed on to coach

From reports out of Oxford, Mississippi, on Saturday, it looks like the only LSU assistant coach who still will be coaching the Rebels in the College Football Playoff going forward will be offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. It actually should be zero coaches still with Ole Miss at this point. Zero, like the Scott of Southeastern Rabalais number Conference titles the Rebels have won since 1963.

For all of the criticism hurled at Kiffin and LSU since his arrival, both have shown good sportsmanship to this point. Both

ä EYE OF THE TIGER Check out the latest

portal news for LSU football, Page 6C

have been nice enough, complimentary enough to Ole Miss as the Rebels have made their impressive run through Tulane and now Georgia in the Sugar Bowl to the College Football Playoff semifinals. Kiffin and LSU have allowed six of the coaches he brought with him to Baton Rouge to coach Ole Miss in its CFP wins. Ole Miss will play in the semifinals Thursday in the Fiesta Bowl against Miami.

But the time has come for Kiffin and LSU to quote the nefarious Hedley Lamarr in

Eagles too much for Cajuns down the stretch

LSU in 2026 needs to coach in that game, including Weis.

The decision, I understand, is all up to Kiffin. He wanted to coach Ole Miss in the CFP and would have been allowed to do so, according to LSU athletic director Verge Ausberry. I figure deep down Kiffin has felt badly all along about leaving his now former team as he did on the cusp of what may turn out to be its greatest season ever.

He wants to help the Rebels as they chase Lane what he also should hope will be their greatest season as long as he’s coaching at Kiffin STAFF LSU. PHOTO By But this was not an amicable divorce.

MICHAEL ä See RABALAIS, page 6C JOHNSON

SAINTS AT FALCONS • NOON SUNDAy • FOX

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

On Wednesday, it was two critical turnovers in the final 1:04 that upended UL. In Saturday’s 74-67 loss to Southern Miss in the Cajundome, the crucial turnovers started way before that.

“Once again, we’re right there with a chance to win the game,” UL coach Quannas White said. “It’s just really, really frustrating for this to be the second game in a row that we couldn’t close the game out when you had the opportunity to. So got to turn the page and move forward.”

The loss dropped the Cajuns to 3-13 overall and 1-3 in Sun Belt play while the Golden Eagles improved to 9-7 and 3-1.

The Cajuns next will play against UL-Monroe at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Lafayette.

UL finished Saturday with 14 turnovers.

“We talk to all our guys all the time, even there right at the timeout about protecting the basketball, about having to be strong with the basketball,” White said. “I’d rather us take a hard shot than turn the ball over, because that gives the opportunity to get the offensive rebound.”

After trailing 33-27 at the half, the Cajuns fought back in the second half to gain a 4746 lead after two Joshua Lewis free throws with 9:51 left to play.

But turnovers kept UL from building on that momentum. Israel Hart made a 3-pointer with 5:02 left to give the Eagles a 57-51 lead, and the Cajuns never recovered.

“You have to have unbelievable focus, because our margin for error is not huge,” White said. “I talked to the guys about that.

We’re without a point guard and it’s just hard.”

White said it appears point guard Jamyron Keller is out for the rest of the season after playing just two games.

De’Vion Lavergne attempted to keep UL in the game with a fadeaway jumper in the lane for a 59-55 deficit with 3:15 left, but the Eagles responded with a 6-0 run for a

Ball distribution Moore has no problem spreading the love after a Saints’ win

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer After a win, New Orleans Saints head equipment manager John Baumgartner has his staff round up any leftover game balls — usually between eight and 12 — so that coach Kellen Moore can hand them out in the locker room as part of the team’s celebration.

Lately, Baumgartner has had to scramble to find a few extra.

“A couple of times, it was getting a little hairy in there,” Baumgartner said with a grin. “We gonna run out or what?”

ä See UL, page 3C

ä See SAINTS, page 5C

A couple of times, it was getting a little hairy in there.

We gonna run out or what?”

JOHN BAUMGARTNER, Saints equipment manager

Without its PG, LSU drops SEC opener to Aggies

BY TOYLOY BROWN III Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

UL guard Joshua Lewis drives on Southern Miss guard Curt Lewis during the Cajuns’ 74-67 loss to the Eagles on Saturday in the Cajundome.

LSU basketball was nowhere near its best during its first Southeastern Conference game of the season.

The team missed point guard Dedan Thomas’ presence, who missed Saturday’s game against Texas A&M because of an injury.

Without its offensive engine, who leads the SEC with 7.1 assists per game, LSU lost 75-72 against the Aggies at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas.

“I really admire the courage and fight that our players showed today,” LSU coach Matt McMahon said on the LSU sports radio network. “I thought our in-

tentions were pure and the effort was tremendous. Unfortunately, we didn’t execute a couple of things as well as was required to win.”

LSU had possession as it trailed 71-68 with 17.4 seconds remaining. Rashad King drew a foul and made both free throws.

The Tigers intentionally fouled Texas A&M’s top shooter, Ruben Dominguez, who made 1 of 2 free throws. LSU trailed 72-70 with nine seconds remaining.

Without timeouts, freshman point guard Jalen Reece dribbled around a full-court press and threw an ill-advised pass from half court to Mike Nwoko at the basket.

The ball was thrown too hard and high and went out of bounds.

Texas A&M took a 74-70 lead after Pops

Isaacs made two free throws with 4.2 seconds remaining. LSU threw a deep pass on the baseline inbounds and the Aggies’ Rashaun Agee fouled Nwoko before the pass arrived. The junior made both free throws to make it 74-72.

LSU had one final chance after Texas A&M split two free throws. With 3.7 seconds left, LSU executed a full-court play that created a 3-point chance for freshman Mazi Mosley, who missed the gametying shot as time expired.

Nwoko had 21 points and five rebounds for LSU (12-2, 0-1 SEC). Max Mackinnon had 20 points, five assists and five rebounds.

ä See LSU, page 3C

2C ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 11 a.m. Creighton at Seton Hall Peacock 11 a.m. Richmond at Fordham USA Noon Florida Atlantic at Tulane ESPN2 Noon UAB at South Florida ESPNU 1 p.m.

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IN BRIEF

FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

NFL Noon Indianapolis at Houston CBS Noon New Orleans at Atlanta Fox 3:25 p.m. L.A. Chargers at Denver CBS 3:25 p.m. Detroit at Chicago Fox 7:20 p.m. Baltimore at Pittsburgh NBC, Peacock MEN’S SOCCER 5:55 a.m. Coventry City at Birm. City CBSSN 6:30 a.m. Man. United at Leeds United USA 8:55 a.m. Wrexham at Derby County CBSSN 9 a.m.

Liverpool at Fulham USA 11:15 a.m. Al Hilal at Damac FC FS2 SPEED SKATING 1 p.m.

ISU: U.S. Winter Olympic Trials USA 3 p.m.

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United Cup; ATP/WTA Tennis 5:30 p.m. United Cup; ATP/WTA Tennis

MEN’S TOP 25 ROUNDUP

Acuff, Arkansas top Tennessee

By The Associated Press

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman Darius Acuff scored a career-high 29 points, including a key 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the second half, to help No. 18 Arkansas to an 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams.

Arkansas (11-3) used an 18-5 run midway through the second half to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 5:40 left. Tennessee shot just 2 for 10 from the field during Arkansas’ run, missing eight shots in a row before finally scoring.

The Volunteers (10-4) took advantage of an Arkansas coldshooting spell — the Razorbacks picked up 12 of their 18 points during the run from the freethrow line — to close within two points with under four minutes to play. Acuff made a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:09 remaining to give the Razorbacks a 79-68 lead.

Tennessee shot 49% from the field and was outscored at the line, going 12 for 23 while Arkansas shot 29 for 33.

Acuff was the only Arkansas player to shoot better than 50% from the floor, going 9 for 16. The Razorbacks shot 42% overall.

Acuff was joined in double-digit scoring by Meleek Thomas, who scored 18 points. Malique Ewin added 12 points and Karter Knox 11.

Amari Evans’ 17 points on 7-for7 shooting led three Tennessee players in double figures.

SMU 97, NO. 12 NORTH CAROLINA 83: In Dallas, Boopie Miller had 27 points and 12 assists and SMU beat No. 12 North Carolina, giving the Mustangs their first win over a ranked team for second-year coach Andy Enfield.

Corey Washington added 23 points, while B.J. Edwards scored 15 points and had six assists for the Mustangs (12-2), who are in their second Atlantic Coast Conference season. Jaron Pierre had 13 points and Jaden Toombs 12.

NO. 1 ARIZONA 97, UTAH 78: In Salt Lake City, Tobe Awaka and Jaden Bradley each scored 18 points and Arizona cruised past Utah to remain undefeated.

Brayden Burries had 17 points and 11 rebounds, Koa Peat also scored 17 and Ivan Kharchenkov 13 for the Wildcats (14-0, 1-0 Big 12 Conference), who extended

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MICHAEL WOODS

Arkansas guard Darius Acuff shoots over Tennessee guard Amaree Abram on Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark. The Razorbacks won 86-75. their best start to a season since beginning the 2013-14 campaign with a 21-0 mark.

Terrence Brown scored 26 and Don McHenry and Keanu Dawes each scored 15 for Utah (8-6, 0-1).

NO. 6 DUKE 91, FLORIDA STATE 87: In Tallahassee, Florida, Isaiah Evans scored a career-high 28 points to lead Duke to a victory against Florida State.

The sophomore guard shot 6 of 14 from 3-point range, surpassing his career-best 23 points set in the opener against Texas on Nov. 4.

Evans’ six 3-pointers were also a career-high.

Cameron Boozer had 17 points and season-bests in assists with nine and steals with four for Duke (13-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference).

NO. 8 HOUSTON 67, CINCINNATI 60: In Cincinnati, Milos Uzan scored 18 points, including a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 2:48 remaining, and Houston rallied in the second half for a victory over Cincinnati in the Big 12 opener for both teams.

Kingston Flemings led Houston with 19 points as it won its seventh straight. The Cougars (13-1) extended Division I’s longest active road winning streak to 15 games.

NO. 10 BYU 83, KANSAS STATE 73: In Manhattan, Kansas, A.J. Dybantsa had 24 points to offset seven turnovers in his Big 12 debut, Robert Wright added 18 points and BYU held off Kansas State to extend the Cougars’ longest winning streak since 2010.

Richie Saunders had 13 points and Keba Keita pulled down 16 rebounds for the Cougars (13-1, 1-0), whose 10th win since a twopoint loss to fourth-ranked UCo-

nn in late November is their best unbeaten stretch since Jimmer Fredette’s senior season.

NO. 11 VANDERBILT 83, SOUTH CAROLINA 71: In Columbia, South Carolina, Tyler Tanner had 19 points and a career-high 14 assists, AK Okereke scored 17 and Vanderbilt improved to 14-0 with a victory over South Carolina.

The Commodores (1-0 SEC) are off to their best start since the 2007-08 team opened 16-0. They did it against the Gamecocks (9-5, 0-1) without leading scorer Duke Miles, who missed his second straight contest with an undisclosed injury Miles’ absence didn’t slow down Vanderbilt. It used an early 13-0 run — which started on Okereke’s 3-pointer — to lead 15-4 over the first six minutes. When South Carolina closed 34-30 with 4:13 before the half, Vanderbilt ended the period with an 8-4 run sparked by another three from Okereke to lead 42-34.

Vanderbilt ended any chance of a Gamecocks rally with a 12-3 run to start the second half and was not pressured the rest of the way.

NO. 14 ALABAMA 89, KENTUCKY 74: In Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Aden Holloway tied a career-high with 26 points and Labaron Philon added 17 as Alabama beat Kentucky.

Kentucky fought back from a 21-point deficit, cutting the lead to single digits with 5:38 to play. But the Wildcats were outscored 12-6 down the stretch, with all but two of the Crimson Tide’s points being scored by Holloway and Philon.

NO. 15 TEXAS TECH 102, OKLAHOMA STATE 80: In Lubbock, Texas, JT Toppin had 23 points and 14 re-

bounds for his 39th career double-double, Christian Anderson had 19 points and a career-high 13 assists, as Texas Tech beat Oklahoma State.

The Red Raiders (11-3, 1-0 Big 12) never trailed after the game’s opening minute.

LeJuan Watts finished just shy of Tech’s third double-double of the game at 19 points and nine rebounds.

UCF 81, NO. 17 KANSAS 75: In Orlando, Florida, Riley Kugel had 19 points and a crucial three-point play with less than 10 seconds remaining to lead UCF over No. 17 Kansas.

Themus Fulks had 16 points and Jordan Burks scored 14 for UCF (12-1, 1-0 Big 12), which is off to its best start since 14-0 in 2010-11.

Kansas (10-4, 0-1) played most of the second half without star guard Darryn Peterson, who scored 23 of his 26 points in the first half. Peterson missed the previous two games with cramps and missed seven prior games with a hamstring injury.

NO. 21 VIRGINIA 76, N.C. STATE 61: In Raleigh, North Carolina, Sam Lewis matched his career high with 23 points, Thijs De Ridder took over after halftime as Virginia beat N.C. State.

Lewis had 20 points on 7-for-8 shooting by halftime for the Cavaliers (12-2, 1-1 ACC), who never trailed three days after losing in triple overtime at Virginia Tech.

Lewis helped Virginia go up 20 by halftime, then De Ridder took charge after the Wolfpack tried to rally.

The 6-9 De Ridder, a top international prospect from Belgium, had 12 of his 14 points after the break.

NO. 23 GEORGIA 104,AUBURN 100, OT: In Athens, Georgia, Jeremiah Wilkinson scored 31 points, including two 3-pointers in overtime, and Georgia kept up its high-scoring pace as the Bulldogs held off Auburn in the SEC opener for each team.

Auburn’s Keyshawn Hall made two of three free-throw attempts with 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation. Kevin Overton rebounded the missed third attempt and sank a buzzer-beating jumper to send the game to overtime at 92-92.

Marcus “Smurf” Millender scored 24 points for Georgia (131, 1-0), which began the day leading the nation with 99 points per game. The Bulldogs blocked eight shots, including five by Somto Cyril, who had 15 points.

Baylor’s onetime NBA draft pick booed in debut

BY SCHUYLER DIXON Associated Press

FORT WORTH, Texas — James Nnaji, a 2023 NBA draft pick making his college debut for Baylor, was booed when he entered the game at TCU and every time he touched the ball after that.

The jeers were loud the couple of times the 7-foot center tried to protest a call, and Baylor coach Scott Drew made sure to get Nnaji out of the game after the 21-year-old Nigerian picked up a fourth foul with 4:42 remaining in the Horned Frogs’ 69-63 victory in their Big 12 opener Saturday.

Imagine the delight of the TCU fans — and the chagrin of the solid Baylor contingent among them in a meeting of conference rivals — if Nnaji had been forced to make the walk to the bench with a fifth foul.

It was enough that Drew and TCU coach Jamie Dixon weren’t quite sure what to make of the crowd’s visceral reaction to Nnaji, whose signing was announced on

wrong, and I know he’s human and just making sure he doesn’t feel that. If James was an NBA player today, he would be in the NBA.” Nnaji spent four years playing professionally in Europe before Detroit drafted him as an 18-yearold with the first pick of the second round (31st overall) 2 1/2 years ago.

His draft rights have since been traded to Charlotte and New York.

Since Nnaji never signed an NBA contract, Baylor’s move prompted the NCAA to issue a statement saying any players who have signed NBA deals won’t be eligible. A handful of players who AP PHOTO By CHRIS JONES spent time in the developmental Baylor center James Nnaji dunks G League without some version against TCU on Saturday in Fort of an NBA deal have turned up at college programs.

Worth, Texas.

Nnaji has four years of eligibilChristmas Eve and led to criti- ity because he hasn’t attended a cism from coaches across college U.S. college, and Drew said he and his family simply want to see him basketball.

“James did nothing wrong,” get a degree. Nnaji wasn’t made Drew said after Nnaji finished available to reporters after his with five points and four rebounds first college game.

Most of the coaches who quesin 16 minutes. “Baylor did nothing

tioned the signing of Nnaji, including Arkansas’ John Calipari, have said they don’t blame Drew or any other coach. They blame the lack of standards in the rapidly shifting landscape of college sports.

College basketball has long toed the professional line more closely than football because of plentiful international talent and the many U.S. athletes who attend college for just one season. The money involved with name, image and likeness has further destabilized the system.

“Call it what it is,” Dixon said.

“We have professional basketball with no cap, no draft, no rules, no interpretation. It’s not in writing.

You can be as good as you want to be. You’ve seen that in football.

You’ve seen it in basketball. Put the resources into it.”

Nnaji’s first college points came on a putback dunk — the one time fans didn’t have a chance to boo him until he had already slammed the ball through the hoop and was running down the court.

Okamoto, Blue Jays agree to $60M, 4-year contract

TORONTO — Infielder Kazuma Okamoto and the Toronto Blue Jays agreed to a $60 million, four-year contract, two people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Saturday.

Okamoto will get a $5 million signing bonus, a $7 million salary this year and $16 million in each of the following three seasons.

A six-time All-Star, Okamoto has a .277 average with 248 homers and 717 RBIs in 11 Japanese big league seasons, leading the Central League in home runs in 2020, 2021 and 2023. He homered off Colorado’s Kyle Freeland to help Japan beat the U.S. 3-2 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic final.

Under the posting agreement between MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball, a deal must be finalized by 4 p.m. Sunday.

Boxer Joshua returns to Britain after deadly crash

LONDON — Former world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua has reportedly flown back to Britain several days after a fatal car crash that killed two of his friends in Nigeria.

Sina Ghami and Latif “Latz” Ayodele died after the vehicle they were traveling in along with Joshua struck a stationary truck on a major road near Lagos on Monday.

Joshua suffered minor injuries and was released from a hospital on Wednesday.

British media reported on Saturday that Joshua has returned home ahead of the funerals of Ghami and Ayodele.

Ghami was Joshua’s strength and conditioning coach while Ayodele was a trainer.

Speedskater Stolz falls but recovers in 1,000m

MILWAUKEE — Star speedskater Jordan Stolz shockingly stumbled to the ice right after the start of the men’s 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials for long track speedskating on Saturday but still finished with the third-fastest time and will head to the Milan Cortina Winter Games.

Stolz caught the toe of one of his skates on the slick surface, lost his footing and tripped after fewer than five strides at the Pettit National Ice Center.

In women’s action, Erin Jackson won the 1,000 meters by finishing faster than her good friend and world record-holder Brittany Bowe to qualify in that event for the Milan Cortina Winter Games, where she also will defend her gold medal in the 500.

Wawrinka’s farewell tour starts with comeback win

PERTH, Australia — Stan Wawrinka’s 40-year-old legs didn’t let him down over three-plus hours in his first singles match of a 2026 farewell tour on Saturday.

Three-time Grand Slam singles champion Wawrinka beat Arthur Rinderknech of France, who is ranked 29th to Wawrinka’s 157th, 5-7, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5).

Wawrinka announced in December that this year would be his last on the ATP tour.

“Today was a tough battle. ... It’s amazing to come here for the first time, to have so much support,” Wawrinka said Saturday. “Twenty years on tour, you kind of always play in the same place and tournaments. So for me it’s amazing to have this opportunity this year to play in Perth.”

First female jockey to ride in Kentucky Derby dies

WASHINGTON — Diane Crump, who in 1969 became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race and a year later became the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby, has died. She was 77.

Crump was diagnosed in October with an aggressive form of brain cancer and died Thursday night in hospice care in Winchester, Virginia, her daughter, Della Payne, told The Associated Press.

Crump won 228 races before her last race in 1998, a month shy of her 50th birthday and nearly 30 years after her trailblazing ride at Hialeah Park in Florida on Feb. 7, 1969.

She again made history in 1970 by becoming the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby. She won the first race that day but again her mount for the historymaking race was outclassed. She finished 15th out of 17 on Fathom.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3C

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South Alabama women hammer Ragin’ Cajuns

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Flau’jae Johnson walks on the court late in the fourth quarter of the SEC opener against Kentucky on Thursday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

‘Extremely tough’ stretch awaits LSU women’s hoops

BY REED DARCEY

Staff writer

The nonconference games could teach coach Kim Mulkey only so much.

She knew in December that she would have to wait until January to figure out exactly what her newlook LSU team was made of — and how close it really was to competing for a national title.

Now Mulkey has some answers.

Kentucky dug them up for her Thursday when it dominated the glass and stole a win at the buzzer, showing her Tigers exactly what lies ahead.

“We got five games that are gonna be extremely tough here,” Mulkey said. “We know that.”

Mulkey is right. The No. 5 Tigers (14-0, 0-1 SEC) have begun arguably the toughest stretch of regular-season games they’ve encountered across the past five seasons. In the first four years of Mulkey’s tenure, LSU didn’t play a single game against an SEC team not named South Carolina or Texas that was ranked in the top half of the AP Top 25 poll.

As things stand now, the Tigers will play three of those contests this year, and they’re all packed into the first five matchups of the SEC slate.

The No. 11 Wildcats kicked off that stretch. Next up is a road game against No. 12 Vanderbilt set

ä LSU at Vanderbilt.

4 P.M. SUNDAy, ESPN

to tip at 4 p.m. Sunday on ESPN. After that game, LSU will play unranked Georgia on the road, then return home to face No. 2 Texas before going back on the road to meet No. 8 Oklahoma on Jan. 18.

Under Mulkey, the Tigers are 0-7 against South Carolina and Texas.

They’re also 10-2 against the other ranked SEC opponents they’ve faced, but only one of them was a top-12 team — the Kentucky squad that beat them on Thursday.

“That’s just a taste of the SEC,” LSU junior guard Mikaylah Williams said. “It’s physical. People jump higher than you. They’re bigger than you. They’re stronger than you. You just have to figure out ways to get your job done, and I think that’s something that (LSU’s younger players) can take away from this game. Keep their head high and continue to keep working.”

LSU wrapped up its nonconference slate with the nation’s best rebounding margin and most productive bench. As the calendar flipped to 2026, the Tigers were outrebounding their opponents by about 24 boards per game, and they were receiving roughly 50 points from their reserves each night.

Against Kentucky, LSU lost the rebounding battle 45-29 and scored

only seven bench points.

Transfer center Kate Koval tallied just two points and two boards.

Transfer guard MiLaysia Fulwiley missed five of her six shots.

The two freshmen who cracked Mulkey’s eight-player rotation — forwards Grace Knox and ZaKiyah Johnson — combined to shoot only 1 of 4 from the field. Flau’jae Johnson finished with just one rebound.

“We’ve got to get more production from a few other players,” Mulkey said, “and they know who they are. I’d like to tell you that they were closely guarded, and they were really tough on them.

“No, they just didn’t play good tonight.”

LSU can start to play better basketball by grabbing more rebounds. Only two Mulkeycoached teams ever have finished a game with fewer offensive boards than the Tigers did Thursday against the Wildcats (four). Kentucky, on the other hand, pulled 17 rebounds off the offensive glass, which is tied for the most LSU has allowed one of its opponents to grab across the past five seasons.

“We got to rebound,” Mulkey said, “and we got to get in the film room, and we got to get better. You don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself and have a pity party.”

Not in the thick of such a tough stretch of games.

The South Alabama women’s basketball team looked a bit vulnerable after three straight Sun Belt losses heading into Saturday’s game against UL in the Cajundome.

The Jaguars dispelled such thoughts early in a dominating 81-56 win over the Ragin’ Cajuns.

“If you look at the stats, they beat us at everything except for bench points, and I don’t get that one,” UL coach Garry Brodhead said. “We don’t have a deep bench and they do. They just outrebounded us. In the first half, I think they had more offensive rebounds than we had total rebounds. That hurt.”

The Cajuns dropped to 1-13 overall and 0-4 in league play while South Alabama improved to 8-6 and 1-3. UL next will play UL-Monroe at 5 p.m. Thursday.

“I don’t think they played very well against ULM watching the film,” Brodhead said of South Alabama. “I think they just decided that they were going to come up with some kind of junk defense and run at us out of a 2-3, and it disrupted us.”

The Cajuns held a pair of brief leads early. The second one was 6-5 after Imani Daniel’s layup with 6:28 left in the first quarter.

The Jaguars responded with a 12-0 run to take full control. South Alabama led 28-12 after one quarter and never looked back.

“We can’t throw over them, and we don’t know that we can’t dribble into them,” Brodhead said of the South Alabama defense.

“We’re coming across half court and just run two people at us to trap us. And then they make the

LSU

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

Continued from page 1C Replacing Thomas, who the ESPNU broadcast said suffered a foot injury, in the starting lineup was Reece. The backup point guard finished with four points, seven assists and three turnovers.

Texas A&M (11-3, 1-0) specializes in forcing turnovers and played its usual full-court press defense for the entirety of the contest. The Aggies entered tied for 15th in the country in forced turnovers per game (16.38), which is second in the SEC behind only Georgia.

Reece didn’t turn the ball over when he faced intense pressure and double teams. His backcourt mate, Mackinnon, consistently delivered inbounds passes as he is among the best decision-makers on the team.

The Tigers had a season-high 16 turnovers, but they did a good job of forcing Texas A&M into mistakes as it had 15 giveaways.

Back-to-back 3-pointers put Texas A&M up 14-8. At that point, LSU was 2 of 9 from the field, with most of its possessions stalling and ending in difficult looks.

LSU’s half-court offense was as choppy as it has been this season. The Tigers took almost all of their shot attempts late in the shot clock over contests and had poor turnovers.

LSU shot 41% in the first half as Mackinnon and Nwoko had 13 and 11 points, respectively.

One of the team’s best possessions was a right-corner 3-pointer for Mackinnon after a cross-court pass by Nwoko, who drew help defenders. LSU trailed 24-20 after the score with 7:34 left before halftime.

LSU took a 34-31 advantage after it went on a 7-0 run. The Aggies closed strong, taking a 37-34 lead at halftime.

Texas A&M had its best scoring spurt at the 15-minute mark of the second half after a couple of lapses by LSU’s 3-point defense and a

first pass, then they trap on the sidelines, and we just couldn’t reverse the ball.

“We couldn’t make the pass.

There was a lot of people open, if you look at it. The backside was wide open but we can’t make that pass. We’re a little bit small at guard.”

The Cajuns showed a bit of a spark early in the fourth quarter, cutting South Alabama’s lead to 62-47 with 8:19 left, but the rally was short-lived.

The Jaguars overcame 24 turnovers by making eight 3-pointers and shooting 47.4% from the field.

South Alabama owned the boards to the tune of 48-28 and had a 20-6 edge in second-chance points.

Former Lafayette High standout Chrysta Narcisse had 18 points behind 4-of-5 shooting from 3-point land for the Jaguars.

Cordasia Harris led South Alabama with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting and a game-high 13 rebounds.

The other double-figure scorers for the Jaguars were Diawna Carter-Hartley with 11 and Tamara Ortiz with 10.

The Cajuns had only three players score more than five points in the game. Amijah Price led the way with 24 points on 6-of-21 shooting from the field. Daniel contributed 14 points and eight rebounds, while Mikaylah Manley finished with 10 points and six boards.

The Cajuns finished 0 of 13 from 3-point land.

“I’ve always played to win,” Brodhead said. “I’ve honestly never played to not let them score 100 or something like that.

I’m always trying to win. I would never quit on those girls. We’re still trying to figure it out.”

UL guard Imani Daniel drives to the basket against South Alabama guard Ronaltha Marc and forward Cordasia Harris during the Cajuns’ loss Saturday in the Cajundome.

UL

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU guard Jalen Reece makes a pass against UNO in the second half Nov. 10 at the PMAC. Reece replaced injured point guard Dedan Thomas in the starting lineup and finished with four points, seven assists and three turnovers in LSU’s loss to Texas A&M on Saturday. turnover that resulted in a threepoint play. The Aggies enjoyed a 9-0 run to go up 50-40 with 14:52 left in the game.

Nwoko picked up his third foul at the 13:52 mark after an illegal screen. The Mississippi State transfer had 17 points at that point.

Texas A&M’s pressure defense intensified, giving the Tigers more issues with inbounds passes and advancing the ball in the second half. The team had a 10-second violation with Reece bringing the ball up, and Mackinnon threw an inbounds pass off the backboard.

Even with those mishaps, LSU punched back even with Nwoko in foul trouble and Marquel Sutton struggling, who was 0 of 4 overall from the field.

“Marquel has done an incredible job making this transition from a post player to the wing, but that’s the first time in his life he’s ever faced something like that,” McMa-

hon said. “I thought it disrupted his rhythm a little bit, but he’ll learn from it and get better.”

LSU took a 64-63 lead with 5:33 left in the game thanks to back-toback layups by the 6-10 sophomore Miller to cap a 12-1 run.

Texas A&M had a strong response of its own as it forced three straight turnovers in the backcourt that involved Reece. The freshman was credited with two of the giveaways, and King with one that was a pass to Reece. The turnovers led to free throws that allowed the Aggies to take a 69-66 lead with 1:58 left.

“Those were really painful,” McMahon said about the consecutive turnovers. “We’ll learn a lot from it. They kind of just took our ball, quite frankly, and just ripped it away from us.”

LSU’s next game is against South Carolina at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

battle 30-24.

“Hats off to Southern Miss,” Continued from page 1C White said. “They came in here with a physical team, and they did a great job on the glass. We 65-55 lead with 1:36 left that was couldn’t contain them and keep capped by Djahi Binet’s three- them off the glass.”

The Eagles shot 51.1% from the point play.

“He’s always crashing every field and 83.3% at the line, complay,” Lewis said of Binet. “He’s pared to 43.6% for the Cajuns and got a high motor, but that’s where 75% at the line (12 of 16). After we got to step up and take the making 33 3-pointers in its previchallenge — just to put a body ous three games, UL settled for 7 on him, every play, every pos- on 20 tries.

Only four Cajuns session, and not let “He’s always — Dorian Finister, him get anything easy. That’s recrashing every play. Lavergne, Jaxon Olvera and Lewis ally the only way to He’s got a high — took more than deal with someone motor, but that’s three shots from that’s physically the field in the built like that and where we got to game. has a high motor.” step up and take Lavergne finBinet finished the challenge — ished with 18 with 24 points on 7-of-9 shooting from just to put a body points on 8-of-13 the field and 10 of 11 on him, every play, shooting with five followed at the line. He also every possession, rebounds,

by Finister with 13 had eight rebounds and not let him get and Lewis with 12 and two blocks. on 4-of-7 shooting.

After shooting anything easy.”

Olvera struggled just 31.1% from JOSHUA LEWIS, with nine points on the field in the win 3-of-15 shooting in over UL in HattiesUL forward 27 minutes. burg, Mississippi, “I thought we in December, the Eagles attacked the basket with were better against the 1-3-1 a bigger lineup for 40 minutes to zone,” White said. “I thought we handled it well. We got them out great success.

The Eagles also got strong per- of that. I thought we attacked and formances form Dylan Brumfield made things happen … but when with 15 points and four assists; they went back to the man to Tylik Weeks added 12 points and man and helping off some of the seven rebounds; and Hart ended guys, we have our back turned to tapping the ball from behind. with 11.

Southern Miss had 38 points in There’s not really a drill you can the paint to 24 for the Cajuns, but run for that, but we can’t allow the vast majority of its 25-of-30 that to happen.” shooting at the free-throw line came from fouls at the basket.

Email Kevin Foote at The Eagles won the rebounding kfoote@theadvocate.com.

4C ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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SAINTS GAMEDAY

ROSTERS

FOUR THINGS TO WATCH

SAINTS

No. Player Pos Ht Wt Exp College 0 Ugo Amadi SAF 5-9 201 7 Oregon 1 Alontae Taylor CB 6-0 199 4 Tennessee 2 Spencer Rattler QB 6-0 211 2 South Carolina 3 Jake Haener QB 6-1 200 3 Fresno State 4 Kool-Aid McKinstry CB 5-11 199 2 Alabama 6 Tyler Shough QB 6-5 219 0 Louisville 7 Taysom Hill QB 6-2 221 9 ByU 11 Dante Pettis WR 6-1 195 7 Washington 12 Chris Olave WR 6-0 187 4 Ohio State 19 Nyheim Miller-Hines RB 5-8 198 6 N.C. State 20 Pete Werner LB 6-3 242 5 Ohio State 21 Justin Reid SAF 6-1 207 8 Stanford 25 Rejzohn Wright CB 6-2 193 2 Oregon State 26 Terrell Burgess S 5-11 202 5 Utah 27 Isaac yiadom CB 6-1 188 8 Boston College 28 Danny Stutsman LB 6-3 236 0 Oklahoma 29 Quincy Riley CB 5-11 195 0 Louisville 30 Audric Estimé RB 5-11 227 2 Notre Dame 31 Jordan Howden DB 6-0 209 3 Minnesota 32 Kai Kroeger P 6-3 213 0 South Carolina 33 Jonas Sanker SAF 6-1 210 0 Virginia 34 Evan Hull RB 5-10 209 2 Northwestern 39 Charlie Smyth K 6-4 210 1 Int. Path. Prog.

40 Fadil Diggs DE 6-4 257 0 Syracuse 41 Alvin Kamara RB 5-10 215 9 Tennessee 44 Isaiah Stalbird LB 6-1 215 1 SD State 49 Zach Wood LS 6-3 255 9 SMU 51 Cesar Ruiz OL 6-4 316 6 Michigan 53 Jaylan Ford LB 6-2 240 2 Texas 54 Jonah Williams DE 6-5 275 5 Weber State 56 Demario Davis LB 6-2 248 14 Arkansas State 58 Chris Rumph II DE 6-2 244 5 Duke 66 William Sherman G 6-4 300 1 Colorado 68 Torricelli Simpkins III OG 6-5 312 0 South Carolina 71 Kelvin Banks Jr. OT 6-5 315 0 Texas 72 Asim Richards OL 6-4 307 3 North Carolina 74 Xavier Truss OL 6-7 320 0 Georgia 75 Taliese Fuaga OT 6-6 324 2 Oregon State 77 Dillon Radunz OL 6-6 301 5 ND State 79 Luke Fortner OL 6-4 307 4 Kentucky 80 Moliki Matavao TE 6-6 263 R UCLA 81 Kevin Austin Jr. WR 6-2 200 2 Notre Dame 82 Treyton Welch TE 6-4 240 1 Wyoming 83 Juwan Johnson TE 6-4 231 6 Oregon 85 Ronnie Bell WR 6-0 192 3 Michigan 89 Samori Toure WR 6-1 196 3 Nebraska 90 Bryan Bresee DT 6-5 305 3 Clemson 92 Davon Godchaux DT 6-3 330 9 LSU 93 Nathan Shepherd DT 6-4 315 8 Fort Hays State 94 Cameron Jordan DE 6-4 287 15 California 95 John Ridgeway III DT 6-5 321 4 Arkansas 96 Carl Granderson DE 6-5 261 7 Wyoming 97 Khristian Boyd DT 6-2 320 2 Northern Iowa 98 Jonathan Bullard DE 6-3 290 10 Florida 99 Chase young DE 6-5 264 6 Ohio State

KEEP SHOUGHING

STOPPING BIJAN

NEXT MAN UP

PLENTY OF MOTIVATION

1

2

3

4

Saints QB Tyler Shough has generated plenty of buzz lately after leading the Saints to four consecutive wins.

He’s 5-3 since taking over as the starter.

He’s been so good that the Vegas odds have him as one of the two favorites for Offensive Rookie of the year. Carolina receiver Tetairoa McMillan is the other.

This is a chance for Shough to make a last impression on voters.

He’s coming off back-to-back games where he has thrown for more than 300 yards. He’s also done a good job of taking care of the ball, tossing four touchdowns and no interceptions over the past three weeks. He’ll need to do it again.

This was one of the factors listed in the first game. If you watched the Falcons beat the Los Angeles Rams on Monday, you understand why it still is a factor.

Robinson rushed for 195 yards, including a 93-yard touchdown run. He also caught five passes for 34 yards, so Brandon Staley’s defense will have to find a way to at least slow him down.

Robinson is fourth in the league in rushing (1,445 yards) and his 5.3 yards per carry also ranks fourth. He rushed for 70 yards against the Saints in November, his lowest total in the last eight games. Can the Saints find a way to somewhat keep him in check again?

In years past, the Saints wouldn’t have been able to overcome so many injuries on offense. But Shough has found a way to elevate everyone, regardless of who he is handing the ball off to or throwing passes toward. Now he’s down another playmaker with Chris Olave being ruled out.

The Saints again will need some of the others to step up. Last week in the win over the Titans, the Saints got big games from RB Audric Estime (14 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD) and WR Kevin Austin (4 catches, 52 yards, 1 TD). If the Saints can get that type of productivity from the “others,” it would make things easier.

Forget the losing records both teams sport. Forget that neither team is going to the playoffs.

This game still means something.

It’s the Falcons, so of course bragging rights are at stake.

The Saints haven’t been swept by the Falcons since 2016, and they’d love to keep that streak going. And who knows whether it’s the final game in a Saints uniform for guys such as Cam Jordan, Demario Davis and Taysom Hill? The Saints have a chance to end the season with a win over their biggest rival, which would mean ending the year on a five-game winning streak. It would be a heck of a way to go into the offseason.

Rod Walker

FALCONS 0 Divine Deablo 1 Darnell Mooney 3 Jessie Bates III 5 Drake London 7 Bijan Robinson 8 Kyle Pitts Sr. 9 Michael Penix Jr. 11 Jalon Walker 12 Easton Stick 13 Bradley Pinion 17 Arnold Ebiketie 18 Kirk Cousins 20 Dee Alford 24 A.J.Terrell Jr. 25 Tyler Allgeier 27 James Pearce Jr. 28 Mike Ford Jr. 31 Xavier Watts 34 Jammie Robinson 35 Natrone Brooks 36 Ronnie Harrison 37 Cobee Bryant 38 Nathan Carter 39 C.J. Henderson 40 JD Bertrand 42 Josh Woods 45 Zane Gonzalez 49 Liam McCullough 52 Jovaughn Gwyn 54 Brandon Dorlus 55 Kaden Elliss 56 Leonard Floyd 63 Chris Lindstrom 64 Ryan Neuzil 65 Matthew Bergeron 68 Kyle Hinton 69 Jack Nelson 70 Jake Matthews 71 Elijah Wilkinson 72 Michael Jerrell 74 Tyrone Wheatley Jr. 76 Kaleb McGary 77 Storm Norton 81 Dylan Drummond 82 Casey Washington 83 Deven Thompkins 84 Feleipe Franks 85 Teagan Quitoriano 86 Malik Heath 87 David Sills V 88 K.J. Osborn 89 Charlie Woerner 90 David Onyemata 91 Elijah Garcia 92 Khalid Kareem 93 Kentavius Street 94 LaCale London 98 Ruke Orhorhoro

LB 6-3 223 5 WR 5-11 180 6 SAF 6-1 210 8 WR 6-4 215 4 RB 5-11 215 3 TE 6-6 250 5 QB 6-3 220 2 DE 6-2 245 0 QB 6-1 224 6 P 6-5 265 11 DE 6-2 250 4 QB 6-3 205 14 CB 5-11 180 4 CB 6-1 200 6 RB 5-10 225 4 DE 6-5 243 0 CB 6-0 199 8 SAF 6-0 203 0 SAF 5-11 195 3 CB 5-11 175 2 LB 6-3 214 8 CB 6-0 180 0 RB 5-10 202 0 CB 6-1 205 6 LB 6-1 230 2 LB 6-1 235 6 K 6-0 202 8 LS 6-2 245 3 OL 6-2 310 3 DT 6-3 295 2 LB 6-2 240 7 DE 6-3 240 10 G 6-4 310 7 OL 6-3 305 4 OL 6-5 315 3 OL 6-2 315 3 OL 6-7 314 0 T 6-5 310 12 OL 6-6 310 9 OT 6-5 309 2 T 6-6 320 2 T 6-6 330 7 OL 6-7 310 6 WR 6-0 190 1 WR 6-0 205 2 WR 5-8 155 4 TE 6-6 241 3 TE 6-6 259 4 WR 6-2 213 3 WR 6-3 211 3 WR 5-11 203 6 TE 6-5 250 6 DL 6-4 310 10 DL 6-5 302 2 DE 6-4 255 4 DL 6-2 315 7 DL 6-3 297 2 DT 6-4 295 2

Virginia Tech Tulane Wake Forest USC Texas Florida Washington Georgia North Dakota St. Clemson Penn State Michigan State Tusculum Clemson ByU Tennessee SE Missouri St. Notre Dame Florida State Southern Miss Alabama Kansas Michigan State Florida Notre Dame Maryland Arizona State Ohio State South Carolina Oregon Idaho Georgia Boston College App. State Syracuse Washburn Wisconsin Texas A&M UMass Findlay Stony Brook Washington Toledo E. Michigan Illinois Utah State Arkansas Oregon State Ole Miss West Virginia Miami (FL) Georgia Manitoba (CAN) Rice Notre Dame N.C. State Western Illinois Clemson

INJURY REPORT SAINTS OUT: DT Bryan Bresee (knee), RB Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle),WR Chris Olave (illness), DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle/knee).

QUESTIONABLE: QB Spencer Rattler (right finger), G Dillon Radunz (knee), LB Demario Davis (calf).

FALCONS OUT: DL Brandon Dorlus (hamstring), CB Clark Phillips III (triceps/illness).

QUESTIONABLE: WR Darnell Mooney (knee), S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring),WR Drake London (knee),TE Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee), DL Sam Roberts (knee/ankle).

STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough throws against the Atlanta Falcons at the Caesars Superdome on Nov. 23.

Motivation abounds in Saints’ season finale against Falcons The scoreboard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta won’t even acknowledge the Falcons’ opponent on Sunday.

It never does when the rival New Orleans Saints come to town.

Instead of “Saints,” that side of the scoreboard will simply say “Visitors.”

That level of pettiness is how things are supposed to be in a rivalry.

Despite their losing records — the Saints are Rod 6-10 and the Falcons are Walker 7-9 — this isn’t just some meaningless game between two teams looking to get to the finish line of the season and start their vacations.

It’s Saints vs. Falcons.

That’s all the motivation needed, right?

“Absolutely,” Saints tight end Juwan Johnson said. “We don’t like those guys, and we know they don’t like us. They beat us in our house a couple weeks ago, and now we have to try to return the favor.”

Neither team is going to the playoffs.

The Saints haven’t been since the 2020 season, Drew Brees’ final year. The Falcons haven’t been since the 2017 season, when Matt Ryan was playing quarterback. The Falcons underachieved this season. The Saints, at least down the stretch, have overachieved. But both teams have played well lately. The Saints have won four straight and are 5-3 since rookie Tyler Shough took over for Spencer Rattler. The Falcons are 4-2 since Kirk Cousins replaced the injured Michael Penix. That includes Monday’s eye-opening win against the Los Angeles Rams.

Saints coach Kellen Moore would like nothing more than for his team to finish the season with a fifth consecutive win.

“It’s real important (to finish strong),” Moore said. “It’s our last opportunity to finish. A division game. Atlanta. A lot of variables here. We are excited to finish this thing off the right way.”

That’s been Moore’s message all week.

Finish the right way. A team that started 1-8 has a shot at getting to seven wins, which is about three more wins than the oddsmakers in Vegas predicted when the season started.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons on Nov. 23.

“It shows the character of these guys in the locker room and shows the character of the coaching staff,” Johnson said. “It’s just the fight in the guys that are here.

Just staying with it. I know it’s not always easy, especially losing the way we were losing games. We can now go into next season with a lot of high morale. A lot of optimism.”

Much of that optimism is because of the emergence of Shough. The Saints have found their future at quarterback and can look for other pieces to put around him during the offseason.

Shough is a rookie, but he already understands how much the rivalry means to the fan base. He got a sense of it after the Saints lost to the Falcons 24-10 in his first start in the Superdome.

“I said after the first game that it stinks, because you know how much it means,” Shough said. “I think it’s going to mean even more because it’s the last game of the season. Both teams have been playing really well. They’ve been playing really hot. We have to do our job and get it done because it means so much.

We’re not in the playoffs right now, but what an opportunity to go to their place and get a win.”

The Saints are looking to avoid being swept by the Falcons. The last time the Saints lost twice in the same season to them was 2016.

For Shough, this game also is one last closing argument in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race. He and Carolina Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan entered the weekend neck and neck as the favorites. Being without Chris Olave (blood clot in his lungs) will make things more challenging. Shough will throw to Johnson and a receiving corps made up of guys you probably didn’t even know were on the roster. Shough’s receivers Sunday will be Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis, Ronnie Bell and Samori Toure. If he can win with those weapons, it only strengthens his case.

But he’s more focused on the big picture.

“I don’t care about anything else but finishing strong this week,” Shough said.

That simply means making sure he puts more points on his team’s side of the scoreboard — the side that simply will say “Visitors.”

Email Rod Walker at rwalker@ theadvocate.com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 5C

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SAINTS at FALCONS

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noon Sunday, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta Line: Falcons by 3½ (Over/Under: 43½) TV: FOX | Radio: WWL-AM, 870; WWL-FM, 105.3

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OFFENSIVE LEADERS Saints

Falcons

PASSING

Player

Cmp-Att-Pct Yds TD Int

Tyler Shough Spencer Rattler

198-292-67.8 174-256-68

2125 1586

9 8

RUSHING

Player

Att

Alvin Kamara Devin Neal Taysom Hill Kendre Miller

Net

131 57 52 47

5 5

Avg TD

471 206 114 193

3.6 3.6 2.2 4.1

1 1 1 1

PASSING

Player

Cmp-Att-Pct Yds TD Int

Michael Penix Jr. 166-276-60.1 Kirk Cousins 135-217-62.2 1

RUSHING

Player

100 74 44 33 25 19

1163 828 499 186 293 165

11.6 11.2 11.3 5.6 11.7 8.7

9 3 2 0 2 0

KICKING Player

XPM XPA FGM FGA

Charlie Smyth

11

Net

250 126 21 9 10 1

9 8

3 4

Avg TD

1250 475 70 60 6 5

5.0 3.8 3.3 6.7 0.6 5.0

6 8 1 0 1 0

RECEIVING

Rec Yards Avg TD

Chris Olave Juwan Johnson Rashid Shaheed Alvin Kamara Devaughn Vele Brandin Cooks

Att

Bijan Robinson Tyler Allgeier Michael Penix Jr. Nathan Carter Kirk Cousins Deven Thompkins

RECEIVING Player

1982 415

11

7

11

Player

Rec Yards Avg TD

Kyle Pitts Sr. Drake London Bijan Robinson Darnell Mooney David Sills V Casey Washington Tyler Allgeier

80 63 71 27 14 6 13

854 837 776 388 143 94 93

10.7 13.3 10.9 14.4 10.2 15.7 7.2

5 6 3 1 2 0 0

KICKING Player

XPM XPA FGM FGA

Zane Gonzalez Parker Romo

13 12

14 13

13 11

15 14

DEFENSIVE LEADERS ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN AMIS

Saints head coach Kellen Moore shakes hands on the field before a game against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C Moore is perfectly fine with testing the limit.

Across six victories, the Saints coach has handed out 40 game balls — more than half (22) of which have come in the last two weeks.

No contribution is too big or too small for the first-year coach to recognize. He hasn’t exactly channeled his inner Oprah Winfrey, but perform well enough for the Saints and well, you get a game ball! You get a game ball! Everybody gets a game ball!

Moore knows it can be a bit silly. He joked after beating the New York Jets that the list of players was so long that he’d have to speed through it to get it done quickly. A week later after a win over the Tennessee Titans, Moore quipped he was going to “get in trouble” for how many game balls he was handing out. It turns out, general manager Mickey Loomis teased Moore for giving out a few too many as of late.

But he has no plans to stop. In his first year, which ends Sunday when the Saints take on the Falcons in Atlanta, the wide distribution of game balls has become a key part of Moore’s tenure. While it’s easy to joke about, the handouts not only reflect how well the Saints — winners of four straight — have played down the stretch but also how the 37-year-old coach has closely connected with players over the course of a trying season.

Moore didn’t hand out his first set of game balls until Week 5. His second giveaway didn’t come until Week 10.

So what’s wrong with enjoying the wins and having a little fun?

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” Moore said. “It took a little while before we actually got to start doing it. So I was a little excited. I said, ‘Hey, let’s make sure we acknowledge as many guys as we can.’ ” Funny enough, the process — one of Moore’s favorite words — didn’t start the same way it unfolds now. Back in October, when the Saints finally got in the win column by beating the New York Giants, Moore rattled off a slew of honorable mentions before handing out just two game balls — one to cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry for his two interceptions and another to quarterback Spencer Rattler for his first career win. Moore also received a ball from running back Alvin Kamara for his first win as a head coach.

Since then, Moore has expanded the parameters. Victories over the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers each yielded five game balls from Moore. When New Orleans beat Carolina again in Week 14, it crept up to six.

It was the next game, though, that was truly out of the ordinary. Moore, reprising his days as a quarterback, tossed out game balls left and right for the dominant win over the Jets.

Thirteen — eight on defense, four on offense and one kicker — received the mementos.

“I think what he’s just kind of realized is like, instead of doing just honorable mentions is that these are impactful guys who are making impactful plays,” said cornerback Alontae Taylor, whose four game balls this season trail only quarterback Tyler Shough.

“What’s the difference between who you’re giving an actual game ball to and who you’re saying as an honorable mention? I think he realized there’s not a big difference.”

“There’s no shortage of game balls to go around, so why not let the whole team understand the contribution?” Shough said.

Moore receives help throughout the game, so that if the Saints manage to win, he’s ready to present them in the fast-paced turnaround of a postgame locker room. Mike Martinez, assistant to the head coach, and vice president of communications Doug Miller will keep track of stat lines and significant achievements that Moore may want to note after a win. And if there somehow aren’t enough game balls left over from the 24 the Saints bring to a contest, Baumgartner will have his staff dip into the bag of 45-50 practice balls.

Players also later receive a more formalized game ball, with the date of the game,

TACKLES Player

Demario Davis Alontae Taylor Peter Werner Jonas Sanker Kool-Aid McKinstry Justin Reid Danny Stutsman Nathan Shepherd Carl Granderson Chris Rumph II Cameron Jordan Davon Godchaux Bryan Bresee Chase Young Jordan Howden Quincy Riley Jonathan Bullard Isaac Yiadom

TACKLES

Tot Solo Ast TFL Sk 137 79 79 78 73 71 50 47 47 45 38 43 37 32 28 27 25 24

63 55 49 45 56 37 22 23 30 24 29 14 15 19 17 23 12 18

74 24 30 33 17 34 28 24 17 21 14 29 22 13 11 4 13 6

6 6 4 3 3 2 0 4 8 3 13 2 5 9 1 0 4 1

0.5 2 2 0 0 0.5 0 3 4.5 2 9.5 0 2.5 8.5 0 0 0 0

INTERCEPTIONS Player

Tot Yards Avg

Kool-Aid McKinstry 3 Alontae Taylor 2 Jonas Sanker 2 Justin Reid 1 Quincy Riley 1

0 21 29 49 0

0.0 10.5 14.5 49.0 0.0

TD PD 0 0 0 1 0

10 7 6 4 8

Player

Tot Solo Ast TFL Sk

Kaden Elliss Jessie Bates III Xavier Watts A.J. Terrell Jr. Dee Alford Divine Deablo David Onyemata Mike Hughes Arnold Ebiketie Jalon Walker JD Bertrand Ronnie Harrison Jr. Brandon Dorlus Billy Bowman Jr. LaCale London Zach Harrison Ruke Orhorhoro James Pearce Jr. Sam Roberts Kentavius Street

98 88 84 57 56 55 54 51 36 33 32 27 26 26 22 22 22 22 18 17

56 51 51 40 48 30 27 40 17 22 12 19 14 15 15 9 11 14 6 8

42 37 33 17 8 25 27 11 19 11 20 8 12 11 7 13 11 8 12 9

10 7 0 1 5 5 7 2 5 4 1 2 10 1 6 5 3 8 1 2

3.5 2.5 0 0 2 1 1 0 2 5.5 0 2 7.5 1.5 4 4.5 2.5 8.5 1 1

INTERCEPTIONS Player

Tot Yards Avg

Xavier Watts Jessie Bates III Dee Alford Kaden Elliss Mike Hughes

3 2 2 1 1

0 20 0 16 6

0.0 10.0 0.0 16.0 6.0

TD PD 0 0 0 0 0

7 5 10 4 7

TEAM STATS OFFENSE PER GAME Yards gained: 311.9

OFFENSE PER GAME Yards gained: 340.9

Plays: 60.4

Plays: 60.4

PASS 218.5

RUSH 93.4

PASS 34.8

AP PHOTO By JEFF HAyNES

Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, right, and cornerback Alontae Taylor celebrate after a sack against the New york Jets on Dec. 21 at the Caesars Superdome.

their accomplishments and their name painted onto the ball. Taylor, for instance, plans to hang those up in his home office. He said he still keeps the actual postgame balls that he receives so he can train with them when away from the facility.

“I always had a hard time in past places where you say, ‘Who’s the player of the game?’ ” Moore said. “It’s like one player, and you’re like, ‘OK, I’ve got seven names I can give you right now.’ ” Added Baumgartner: “It’s not a big deal on our end.”

The approach may not be for everyone.

As much as Moore has borrowed from his past coaching stops to lead the Saints, the former offensive coordinator said his last team, the Philadelphia Eagles, handed out only one or two game balls per outing. The Dallas Cowboys didn’t do it at all. Even Moore’s father, his biggest influence, opted to put stickers on helmets for personal achievements when he coached the Prosser High School Mustangs — something that isn’t allowed in the NFL. On the Saints, former coaches Sean Payton, Dennis Allen and Darren Rizzi distributed game balls — but not to the same degree. The sudden change can be jarring.

“I’m not a big fan of participation trophies,” defensive end Cam Jordan deadpanned, later adding, “If that’s what it takes to win, I will accept 35 game balls all day.”

At 37, Moore grew up in an era when millennials were taunted for having so-called participation trophies. But Moore sees a key difference: The Saints are actually winning.

His players earned the victory, and Moore wants to make sure no meaningful contribution goes unnoticed.

“We don’t give out game balls if we lose,” he said.

But with each win, Moore will single out players for their contributions. Isaiah Stalbird received the first of his two game balls this season for “setting the tone” with notable specialteams tackles against the Panthers.

In the postgame locker room videos released by the team, there is one notable group, however, that hasn’t been rewarded with a game ball all year.

Pointed out that it was the offensive line, the coach gave a polite correction. The Saints save those game balls for the Wednesday meeting once the film review is completed.

“We acknowledge a few more,” Moore said.

“There’s definitely been a few more for them.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@ theadvocate.com

RUSH 25.6

Turnovers: 1.38 INTERCEPTIONS 0.69

FUMBLES 0.69

PASS 21O.3

RUSH 130.6

PASS 32.1

RUSH 28.3

Turnovers: 1.07 INTERCEPTIONS 0.44

FUMBLES 0.63

DEFENSE PER GAME Yards allowed: 305.5

DEFENSE PER GAME Yards allowed: 325.8

Turnovers forced: 1.19

Turnovers forced: 1.29

PASS 180.4

RUSH 125.1

INTERCEPTIONS 0.56

FUMBLES 0.63

SCORING PER GAME

SCORED ALLOWED

22.8

18.1

SCORED ALLOWED

RUSH 127.4

INTERCEPTIONS 0.94

FUMBLES 0.35

SCORING PER GAME

SCORED ALLOWED

23.4

19.9

2025

PASS 198.4

24.0

20.9

2024

SCORED ALLOWED 24.9

22.9

2025

2024

CONVERSION SUCCESS

CONVERSION SUCCESS

Third down

Third down

Fourth down

59.9%

Fail

33.7%

35.5%

40.1%

66.3%

65.5%

Convert

Fail

Convert

Fail

Convert

Fourth down

51.8%

Fail

48.2%

Convert

STAFF PREDICTIONS JEFF DUNCAN

SAINTS 20, FALCONS 19: The Falcons are the more talented team, as they showed in their Week 12 win over the Saints in the Dome. But they’re also the more inconsistent team. And right now, the Saints are playing with purpose and confidence. It’s hard to go against the Tyler Shough show right now.

LUKE JOHNSON

FALCONS 20, SAINTS 18: I love everything about Tyler Shough and the way he’s elevated the team in the closing stretch of the season. But it’s asking quite a lot out of him to continue that this week without his top pass catcher. I still can see New Orleans winning this game, but I’m leaning toward Atlanta.

MATTHEW PARAS

SAINTS 20, FALCONS 17: The Saints are trotting out wide receivers who weren’t on the roster in Week 1. And yeah, the Falcons are coming off a huge win over the Los Angeles Rams.

But it would be a very Falcons-like move to lose in embarrassing fashion to end the season, and Tyler Shough can elevate those around him.

ROD WALKER

FALCONS 27, SAINTS 20: Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I picked the Saints to beat the Falcons the first time. As well as Tyler Shough is playing right now, I’m tempted to do it again. But I can’t. Especially after seeing what Bijan Robinson did Monday night against the Rams.

6C ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Leading LSU rusher enters transfer portal

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

Tech. Sorsby, one of the top available players on the market, would be the projected starter next season.

Staff writer

LSU sophomore running back Caden Durham is entering the transfer portal, he confirmed on his Instagram account Saturday, marking one of the most notable departures from LSU so far this offseason.

Durham was LSU’s leading rusher the past two seasons with a combined 251 carries for 1,258 yards and nine touchdowns.

LSU has retained freshman running back Harlem Berry amid the transition to head coach Lane Kiffin and his new offensive staff, but with Durham’s departure, it will rebuild the rest of the position room.

A four-star recruit and top-100 overall prospect in the 2024 class, Durham was the fifth-highest ranked running back in the country coming out of Duncanville High in Texas. He quickly became a factor in the offense, but it became unlikely that he would return when LSU replaced running backs coach Frank Wilson.

Wilson left to become the senior associate head coach and running backs coach at Ole Miss. LSU hired running backs coach Kevin Smith, who spent eight of the past nine seasons with Kiffin at Florida Atlantic and Ole Miss.

Durham earned Freshman AllSEC honors when he rushed for 753 yards and six touchdowns in 2024.

He played most of the season with a plate in his shoe after dislocating multiple toes on his left foot.

Though voted second-team preseason All-SEC in the fall, Durham ran for only 505 yards and three touchdowns as the LSU offense struggled. He said at one point he was playing through an injury, which he declined to discuss fur-

Plenty of visits

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU running back Caden Durham takes a hit from Arkansas linebacker Stephen Dix on Nov. 15 at Tiger Stadium.

LSU NOTEBOOK ther. LSU finished 126th in the country and last in the SEC with 104 yards rushing per game.

LSU lacks running back depth after Durham, junior Kaleb Jackson, sophomore Ju’Juan Johnson and freshman JT Lindsey decided to transfer.

Berry will be the only returning scholarship running back as LSU restocks the position with multiple transfers.

QB enters portal LSU sophomore quarterback Michael Van Buren plans to enter the transfer portal, a source told The Advocate on Saturday.

Van Buren said twice near the

end of the season, most recently after the Texas Bowl, that he wanted to stay amid the coaching change.

Van Buren said he had talked to Kiffin and his staff, but it had not been determined at the time whether he would return to LSU. “Things are good right now,” Van Buren said Dec. 27 after the Texas Bowl, “so I’mma go home, I’mma sit on it, and we’re going to see.”

LSU planned for Van Buren to redshirt this season behind senior Garrett Nussmeier, giving him an extra year of eligibility after he transferred from Mississippi State. He played in seven games instead, starting the last four, when Nussmeier was sidelined because of an abdominal injury that he originally

suffered in preseason camp.

Van Buren completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,010 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. He also ran for 129 yards and one score.

With his departure, LSU does not have a scholarship quarterback set to return next season. Nussmeier exhausted his eligibility, and redshirt freshman Colin Hurley plans to enter the transfer portal. LSU has not signed a high school quarterback in the past two recruiting classes.

Kiffin and his staff are expected to sign multiple transfer quarterbacks as they rebuild the position.

They are set to host Cincinnati transfer Brendan Sorsby this weekend after he finishes a trip to Texas

As LSU began to host transfers this weekend, former Penn State edge rusher Chaz Coleman was on a visit Saturday, sources confirmed.

Coleman, an Ohio native, was a four-star recruit in the 2025 class who’s listed at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds.

Coleman recorded eight tackles, three tackles for loss and one sack while playing in nine games as a freshman this past season. He has three more years of eligibility.

ESPN ranked him as the No. 9 overall player in the transfer portal.

Former UC Davis redshirt freshman running back Carter Vargas also visited LSU on Saturday, The Advocate learned. Vargas rushed for 445 yards and five touchdowns in eight games this year before he suffered a season-ending injury. He added 10 catches for 177 yards and two touchdowns.

Clemson defensive lineman Stephiylan Green has a visit scheduled Sunday to LSU, sources confirmed. After redshirting as a freshman, Green played in 22 games with six starts over the past two years. He has made 34 tackles, five tackles for loss and 31/2 sacks in his career.

UAB transfer wide receiver Iverson Hooks has a visit scheduled to LSU for Wednesday and Thursday, his agent confirmed. Hooks, a redshirt junior listed at 5-10 and 175 pounds, broke out this year with 72 catches, 927 yards and seven touchdowns

Cajuns off to encouraging start Indiana, Oregon to meet to new transfer portal window again in the Peach Bowl

BY GREG BEACHAM

So far only six UL players have entered

BY KEVIN FOOTE Staff writer

Like every program in America, the UL Ragin’ Cajuns have undergone some changes since the 68 Ventures Bowl loss to Delaware on Dec. 17.

So far, however, the number are changes are less than most and coach Michael Desormeaux hopes it stays that way.

The transfer portal opened Friday and will remain open until Jan. 16.

After Day 1 of the open transfer portal window, six Cajuns have entered while two members of the coaching staff have left.

Because most players began making their future plans in December, many are expecting fewer surprises in the portal this time around.

“I’m hoping it’s a little bit clearer,” Desormeaux said. “That was kind of the whole point. We met with (the players) before we went to the bowl game. It seems like everybody that we met before we left was in good shape.”

The six players exploring other programs include the running back duo of Zylan Perry and Bill Davis, outside linebacker Drenon Fite, offensive tackle Bryant Williams, cornerback Lorenzell Dubose and long snapper Carter Milliron.

Perry, Davis, Williams and Milliron were starters at their respective positions, while Fite and Dubose served largely as backups this past season.

Davis will be a junior, while the other five will be entering their final year of eligibility. “(Fite) is a graduate student and we don’t have the master’s degree he wants, which I get,” Desormeaux

RABALAIS

Continued from page 1C You can see that in the comments of players such as Rebels defensive tackle Zxavian Harris after Ole Miss beat Georgia 39-34 in a 24-carat thriller in the Caesars Superdome.

“Yeah, he was just trying to steal our shine,” Harris said.

“That’s all he’s trying to do. That’s all he’s been trying to do is steal our shine.”

Harris doubled down by saying Kiffin’s departure was “Like a slap and the backhand. He was trying to be a troll. We’re going to troll him.

We’ve got something for him.”

PASADENA, Calif. — Curt Cignetti’s perpetual seriousness has become a big part of the Indiana coach’s burgeoning lore. His ever-glowering face on the sideline has sparked countless memes and has come to personify the sharp-eyed, no-nonsense manner in which these Hoosiers have rocketed through the sport in just two seaä Indiana vs. Oregon, sons.

With a 6:30 P.M. FRIDAy, ESPN couple of minutes left in Indiana’s 38-3 thrashing of Alabama in the 112th Rose Bowl on Thursday, Cignetti allowed himself a broad smile that was captured by TV cameras. He showed a few teeth again on the podium while the Hoosiers celebrated their first bowl victory since 1991 with confetti and roses.

Receiver Elijah Sarratt said it was “just about” the biggest smile he’d ever seen from his coach.

“You won’t be getting too much of those from coach Cig, so anytime you get one, you’ve got to appreciate it,” Sarratt said with a laugh.

But just a few minutes later, Cignetti had his business face back on. He was already thinking about the season-defining test presented to his Hoosiers (14-0, No. 1 CFP) by Oregon (13-1, No. 5 CFP) in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Peach Bowl in Atlanta on Friday.

“We’ll have a very big challenge ahead of us next week,” Cignetti said. “It’s very hard to beat a really good football team twice.

There’s no doubt about that.”

Indeed, Indiana is responsible for the only blemish on the Ducks’ record. The Hoosiers won 30-20 in Eugene on Oct. 11, physically trouncing the defending Big Ten champions in one of the landmark wins of Cignetti’s

incredible tenure.

The Hoosiers are the Big Ten champions now after they knocked off Ohio State last month.

They’ve added their school’s first Rose Bowl victory and its first Heisman Trophy since that trip to Autzen Stadium.

But the Ducks have also grown and matured in the past three months, and the quarterfinals left them as clearly the biggest threat to stop Indiana’s march toward history. They earned that opportunity with an impressive 23-0 victory over Texas Tech in the Orange Bowl on Thursday.

“That team in that locker room has shown time and time again that they’re ready for big moments,” Oregon coach Dan Lanning said.

Lanning smiles and laughs a whole lot more than Cignetti, in public at least. But the coaches share a deep respect for what they’ve both built at two schools that have never won a national title in football.

With Mississippi and Miami surprising most of the sport by advancing from the other two quarterfinals, it’s clear the winner of the Peach Bowl will be a significant favorite to claim an inaugural national title in the championship game on Jan. 19 in South Florida.

And while Oregon is on an eightgame winning streak after throttling Texas Tech’s high-priced roster, Indiana has done nothing to suggest it shouldn’t be the favorite to cap this unprecedented two-year transformation by winning the biggest trophy of all.

A 35-point win the Rose Bowl was the latest improbable feat by Indiana, which had been in this stadium roughly 15 months earlier for the first Big Ten road game of Cignetti’s tenure. The Hoosiers beat UCLA that weekend, and they’ve transformed into a powerhouse since then.

the all-important, two-week transfer portal window. Weis needs to be totally focused on helping LSU land a quarterback — or two — plus other key offensive players among what could be a massive haul of 25-30 transfers that completely will remake this roster.

Trying to set the Tigers on course for the CFP is the focus now, not helping Ole Miss anymore. You could make the argument that LSU has gotten tons of publicity off of the Rebels’ run, but you could make the counterargument that Ole Miss playing for or winning the national championship will make the Rebels a more dangerous and difficult rival to contend with in the future.

As for worries about Weis pos-

sibly getting swayed by an offer to be a head coach somewhere before he even calls one play in Baton Rouge, his contract tells you he’s locked in at LSU. All of the term sheets for LSU assistant coaches and staff members include a clause that says they must pay 300% of their current salary if terminating their agreement with the school before April 1.

In Weis’ case, that would mean a staggering $7.5 million.

It’s time Weis started earning his salary. All of it. It’s time LSU and Kiffin stopped being so nice to Ole Miss.

If the Rebels indeed got this far in the CFP because Kiffin isn’t there, they should try to continue to win without help from his coaches.

AP sportswriter

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD KEMP

UL running back Bill Davis runs in for a touchdown against Texas State on Nov. 8 at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. Davis, the Cajuns’ leading rusher last season, has entered the transfer portal. said.

Perry and Davis were UL’s two leading rushers. Perry rushed for 689 yards on 138 carries and scored eight touchdowns, while Davis gained 767 yards on 158 carries and had six TDs. The next three running backs on the depth chart are sophomore Steven Blanco (30-156, two TDs) along with redshirt freshmen Darrell Smith and JJ Garner.

On defense, Fite finished the season with 10 tackles and one sack, while Dubose collected four tackles this season.

Running backs coach Matt Bergeron is leaving to be the offensive coordinator at Southeastern Louisiana and Reed Stringer is returning to Southern Miss as the general manager.

Cade Minton is replacing Stringer’s position as general manager and Desormeaux said he expects a quick replacement for Bergeron.

“It’s really a director of player personnel job, and I think it’s going to be a really good fit for Cade,”

Email Kevin Foote at kfoote@ theadvocate.com.

Kiffin has by comparison been complimentary, even tweeting right after the Sugar Bowl: “What a great finish!!! So much fun!!”

Reacting to the brash statements and emotions of a 22-year-old like Harris is no foundation for developing a long-term policy. But Kiffin has done plenty to help Ole Miss at this point, a point where he clearly is no longer appreciated there. He has allowed multiple coaches to help craft an offense that has carried the Rebels within a game of a CFP title shot AND given them a huge grudge to sharpen their steel on besides. A talented, well-coached team with someone to focus its anger on is a formidable team indeed.

I love the narratives now that

have sprung up saying Ole Miss is winning because Kiffin is no longer there, a program that suffered through four straight non-winning seasons before he arrived in 2020. Ryan Clark, the former LSU defensive star turned ESPN analyst, said it perfectly: “Ole Miss should be thanking Lane Kiffin,” he said. “They should be thanking him for so many different things.”

Those thanks should include Kiffin’s FDR-inspired Lend Lease plan.

But the time has come to end that generous program. It’s time for LSU to put LSU first, and that includes keeping Weis in Baton Rouge where he now belongs because the Tigers are in the midst of

Desormeaux said of Minton, who coached quarterbacks this past season. “He’ll be in the personnel world now. Cade is really good at what he does. He works really hard.

“Cade’s young, but Will Myers, who we lost (in 2023) to Georgia, wasn’t much older than Cade is.”

Desormeaux said the six potential player departures won’t greatly alter UL’s plan for next season.

“We’re not going to sign someone just to sign someone,” Desormeaux said. “It has to be the right fit. I think our roster is in a good spot.

We don’t really have a lot of holes in it.

“I would say that maybe we would add someone at (outside linebacker) and even at tackle” with the losses of Fite and Williams, as well as the graduation of linebacker Cameron Whitfield.

“We feel like the guys that we’ve got are going to be able to step in and go play,” Desormeaux said.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 7C

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ALL-METRO VOLLEYBALL MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

COACH OF THE YEAR St. Thomas More coach Jessica Burke talks to her team during a state tournament match against South Lafourche on Nov. 13 at the Cajundome.

Burke led the Cougars to their fifth straight state championship.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By LESLIE WESTBROOK

JESSICA BURKE ST. THOMAS MORE St. Thomas More’s volleyball program continued its winning ways this past season, and coach Jessica Burke was again instrumental in the Cougars doing so.

Burke, who led the Cougars to a 41-5 record and a fifth consecutive Division II state championship, was named the Acadiana Advocate’s All-Metro Volleyball Coach of the year.

It’s another coach of the year honor for Burke, who was named the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association regional coach of the year.

It was another impressive showing by Burke and her Cougars, who ended the season on a 17-match winning streak by defeating St. Scholastica in the final.

Eric Narcisse

FIRST TEAM STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

St. Thomas More libero Eleanor Guidry serves against Kenner Discovery during the LHSAA state tournament on Nov. 13 at the Cajundome. Guidry had 651 digs last season to help lead the Cougars to a fifth straight state championship.

ELEANOR GUIDRY ST. THOMAS MORE, SENIOR • LIBERO When watching the St. Thomas More volleyball team play, it’s hard not to notice Eleanor Guidry.

As the Cougars’ libero, Guidry wears a different uniform color than her teammates, but that’s not the only reason the defensive specialist stands out.

Guidry often makes difficult digs look routine and has established herself as the anchor of the Cougars defense.

“She’s so consistent and she has great range,” coach Jessica Burke said of the 5-foot6 senior. “She has great platform awareness, can put the ball and manipulate the ball how she wants. She takes up a lot of space in serve-receive and defense, so that helped take the pressure off some of our kids that were new to the passing unit.”

Guidry finished last season with 651 digs, 42 aces, 42 assists and a 2.23 pass rating on 802 attempts.

“El makes the hard things look easy and

that’s the mark of a really good player,” Burke said. “She’s not flashy. She doesn’t do more than she needs to do. She reads extremely well, so she is in the right place at the right time. She has great range, so if she is hitting the floor then she is making a big play. It’s a play that most liberos wouldn’t even get to.”

Guidry helped lead the Cougars to a 41-5 record and a fifth consecutive Division II state championship. For her efforts, she was named the Acadiana Advocate volleyball All-Metro Most Valuable Player.

“I think it is well deserved,” Burke said. “This kid works so hard all of the time. She takes zero days off and she has zero quit. Anything I ask her to do, she does it. Any adjustments I ask her to make, she makes them. It’s hard sometimes for people to recognize the libero because they’re just first contact. They don’t get the big kill or they’re not running the offense as a setter, but they’re so integral to a great team.”

AVA HEBERT Teurlings Catholic

AMELIE TRAPPEY Catholic-New Iberia

MEG GRIFFIN Ascension Episcopal

ANA-CAMILLE MELANCON Westminster Christian

AVERY MONICA Episcopal-Acadiana

AUDREY WHEELER St. Thomas More

MARVEL POTIER St. Thomas More

ELEANOR GUIDRY St. Thomas More

JADE GUIDRY Northside Christian

VALERIE BROWN Notre Dame

AC HEBERT Teurlings Catholic

KATE TRAHAN Notre Dame

GRACE ALEXANDER Lafayette Christian

ZSOFIA PEKAR Southside

LAILA GAUTHIER Westminster Christian

SECOND TEAM Ava Smith, St. Edmund; Ella Larpenteur, Lafayette High; Aubrey Smith, Iota; Bailey Smith, Rayne; Emmy Habetz, Southside; Demi Barrett, Lafayette Christian; Morgan Dunn, St.Thomas More; Carsyn Fontenot,Teurlings Catholic; Lillian Guidry, Notre Dame; Lauren Conroy, ESA; Kelis Burgess, Southside; Mackenzie Batiste, Catholic-N.I.; Isabella Guy,Westminster ChristianOpelousas, Jr.; Ali Louviere, Highland Baptist; Addison Prejean,Acadiana Renaissance.

Eric Narcisse

NBA

Losing streak proves Jones’ value for Pelicans Once upon a time — well, actually just two weeks ago — the New Orleans Pelicans seemed to have figured some things out.

The Pelicans were riding high on a five-game winning streak. It was the first time they Rod won five games Walker had in a row since the 2022-23 season. Everything seemed to be clicking, which shouldn’t have been much of a surprise with Herb Jones in the lineup.

In the third game of that winning streak, Jones’ stellar play on defense helped dig the Pelicans out of a 25-point hole to beat the Houston Rockets.

It was the Pels’ best win of the season. Jones frustrated one of the greatest shooters of all time (Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant) that night.

Things were trending in the right direction.

Zion Williamson was embracing his new role coming off of the bench.

Role players were doing their part.

Shots were falling.

Fans were starting to believe that maybe things were turning around. Perhaps the Pelicans had found the identity that executive vice president of basketball operations Joe Dumars was looking for.

But after Jones sprained his ankle, the Pelicans flipped back to their old ways and have lost six straight games. They’ll try to end their slide Sunday at the Miami Heat.

What will it take to get things

This time it was free throws that did the Pelicans in. The Pelicans made just 25 of 42 free throws (59.5%). They missed 17 free throws that night, which will lose almost every time on any level of basketball. n Lost to the Suns 123-114 on Dec. 27 The Suns dominated on the offensive boards, grabbing 22 rebounds on that end. It led to 30 second-chance points. Wins don’t come when you get beat on the boards like that. n Lost to the New York Knicks 130-125 on Monday.

This was your reminder that the Pelicans aren’t good at finishing games. The Knicks made plays and the Pels didn’t down the stretch. The night ended with Jordan Poole, trying to draw a foul, heaving a shot that had no chance. n Lost to the Chicago Bulls 134118 on Wednesday.

This was your reminder that the STAFF PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD Pelicans always will lose a game they have no business losing. The Pelicans forward Herb Jones defends Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard on Oct. 27 at the Smoothie King Center. The Pelicans have lost Bulls were without their top two six straight games since Jones has been sidelined with a sprained ankle. scorers (Josh Giddey and Coby White). It didn’t matter. The Pelicans gave up the fifth-most points way possible during this recent they’ve allowed all season. ä Pelicans at Heat. funk. n Lost to the Portland Trail 5 P.M. SUNDAy, KNGC Let’s take a look back.

Blazers 122-109 on Friday. n Lost to the Cleveland CavaIt was the first game of the turned around? new year and also a reminder of liers 141-118 on Dec. 23.

“Pride,” Pelicans guard Jose The 141 points were the second- years past. Something Pelicans Alvarado said. “We know we are fans are all too familiar with (the most points the Pels have given capable of winning. We’ve just injury bug) started biting. Three up all season and the most in got to do the right things. Not talk regulation. starters (Trey Murphy, Saddiq about it. Be about it. We are tryBey and Derik Queen) watched in “From start to finish, a poor destreet clothes. It was too much to fensive effort,” Pelicans interim ing to figure it out.” overcome. coach James Borrego said after Based on how things have gone If there is a way to lose, the during the six-game losing streak, the game.

Pelicans have found it. n Lost to the Phoenix Suns there is plenty to figure out. The The most recent losing streak 115-108 on Dec. 26.

Pelicans (8-28) have lost in every

didn’t start until Jones suffered that ankle sprain. That’s often the case. The Pelicans struggle when Jones doesn’t play.

Don’t believe me? Check this stat out: Since Borrego took over as interim coach after Willie Green was fired, the Pelicans have played 24 games. The Pelicans are 5-5 in games that Jones played. They are 1-13 when he doesn’t play. The Pelicans have allowed 127.5 points per game during the losing streak.

“One guy left the lineup, Herb Jones,” Borrego said. “He’s incredible. But that doesn’t excuse our defense.

“If we’ve got to get Herb back to hold people under 130, that’s unacceptable.“ This six-game losing streak is one of many lengthy ones this season. The Pels lost their first six games of the season. They also have losing streaks of nine and seven.

“We’ve been in this place before,” Borrego said. “We found our way out of it. You’ve just got to keep plugging away. Keep chopping. Keep working. The No. 1 thing is stay together. Keep our heads up. Keep spirits up and keep fighting.

“This group has not dropped the sword. We can’t drop the sword.

We’ve got to keep fighting and keep believing.”

For now, they have to do it without their best defensive player.

Borrego gave an update Saturday on Jones’ progress.

“We’re moving, we’re getting there,” Borrego said. “I miss him.”

The Pelicans have a losing streak to prove just how much they miss Jones.

8C ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Dunham QB Haven wins Mr. Football award MR. FOOTBALL WINNERS

BY JACKSON REYES Staff writer

Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven entered the 2025 season with his eyes set on winning a Division III select state championship.

The Tigers fell short in the state title game in 2024 but entered this year with the goal of finishing the job. The junior played a key role, guiding the Tigers to a 13-1 record and their first championship since 2004.

Haven put up massive numbers and shattered state records along the way. He set single-season state records for passing touchdowns (62) and total touchdowns (73). He also eclipsed the state record for career total touchdowns (180).

For his accomplishments, Haven is the recipient of the 2025 Mr. Football award, selected by a panel of sportswriters from across the state Haven joins Derek Stingley, the current Houston Texans corner-

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

Dunham QB Elijah Haven evades a tackle during the Division III select state championship game on Dec. 11 at the Caesars Superdome. back, as Mr. Football winners from Dunham. Stingley won the award in 2018.

The 6-foot-5, 215-pounder, who is regarded as the nation’s top

quarterback in the Class of 2027, finished 240-of-331 passing (72.5%) for 3,929 yards and 62 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.

He also ran for 847 yards and 11

game. Haven diced up the Cavaliers, throwing for 271 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 21-of-29 passing. He ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 27 rushes.

A key aspect of Haven’s game is his unselfishness.

Dunham football coach Neil Weiner pointed to the numerous times his quarterback looked to spread the ball around if one of his receivers wasn’t heavily involved in a game.

“I don’t think it’s even something that he has to intentionally think about,” Weiner said. “I think it’s just who he is.”

Against Lafayette Christian in the Division III select semifinal, Haven guided his team down the field for a late touchdown and two-point conversion for a 49-48 victory. He threw for 357 yards on 18-of-27 passing with six touchtouchdowns on 127 carries.

Haven’s record-setting season downs in the game. He also ran for culminated in a 34-17 win over 61 yards and a touchdown on 12 Calvary in the Division III title carries.

2025: Elijah Haven, Dunham 2024: Xavier Ford, Leesville 2023: Ju’Juan Johnson, Lafayette Christian 2022: Tackett Curtis, Many 2021: Landry Lyddy, Calvary Baptist 2020: Sage Ryan, Lafayette Christian 2019: Christian Westcott, Lakeshore 2018: Derek Stingley, Dunham 2017: Anthony “Pooka” Williams, Hahnville 2016: Keytaon Thompson, Landry-Walker 2015: Lindsey Scott, Zachary 2014: Deshawn Capers-Smith, Warren Easton 2013: Leonard Fournette, St. Augustine 2012: John Diarse, Neville 2011: Landon Collins, Dutchtown 2010: Anthony Johnson, O. Perry Walker 2009: Gavin Webster, Lutcher 2008: Blake Matherne, Belle Chasse 2007: Randall Mackey, Bastrop 2006: Joe McKnight, John Curtis 2005: Charles Scott, Jonesboro-Hodge 2004: Ryan Perrilloux, East St. John 2003: Chris Markey, Jesuit 2002: Robert Lane, Neville 2001: Jason Miller, Iota 2000: Byron Robertson, St. Thomas Aquinas 1999: Brock Berlin, Evangel 1998: Bradie James, West Monroe 1997: Adam McConathy, West Monroe 1996: Travis Minor, Baton Rouge-Catholic 1995: Cecil Collins, Leesville

SCOREBOARD High schools

8

Oklahoma City Denver Minnesota Portland Utah

W 30 23 21 15 12

Northwest Division

LCA New Year’s Bash (Girls at Lafayette Christian and St. LeoSeton)

Friday’s Games

(At Lafayette Christian) Iowa 65, Madison Prep 48 Southern Lab 68, Midland 41 Neville 52, Lafayette High 37 Simpson 59, JS Clark 58 Ponchatoula 70, Fairview 68 Huntington 50, Zachary 40 Lafayette Christian 40, Karr 36 Wossman 62, LaGrange 47 Mandeville 49, Ville Platte 48 Teurlings 67, Opelousas 35 Northwest 47, Abbeville 37 Northside 53, Beau Chene 16 Other girls scores Acadiana Renaissance 47, WestminsterLafayette 16 Church Point 65, North Central 29 Westminster 33, Crowley 19 Merryville 68, Kaplan 26 Vermilion Catholic 28, Catholic-NI 23 Boys basketball David Thibodaux 49, Acadiana 43 Lafayette High 69, Northside 58 North Central 55, Church Point 49 Westminster 74, Crowley 48 Merryville 59, Kaplan 46 West St. Mary 57, North Vermilion 36 Lake Arthur 68, Vermilion Catholic 41 Westminster-Lafayette 67, Acadiana Renaissance 64 Eunice 49, Oakdale 42 West St. Mary 57, North Vermilion 36 NORTH VERMILION (36) Jayvin 3, Zarian Gage 3, Jose Sotomayor 15, Eli Dubois 8, Kylon Martin 1, Jaxson Frederick 6. Totals: 9 (2) 9-15.

WEST ST. MARY (57) Jayson Delashour 5, Cameron Moore 3, Jason Colar 20, Terroni Dominick 5, Kaiden Kemp 9, Kade Boatman 8, Keshaun Hopkins 7. Totals: 21 (3) 6-15.

North Vermilion 9 4 11 12 — 36 West St. Mary 18 8 19 12 — 57 3-pointers — NV: Sotomayor 2, Frederick 1; WSM: Kemp 1, Moore 1, Delashour 1. Total Fouls: NV 14, WSM 12.

Boys soccer

St. Louis 2, Ascension Episcopal 1 St. Charles 6, ESA 1 South Beauregard 4, Kaplan 0 West Monroe 3, Beau Chene 1 Teurlings 3, Loyola 0 Acadiana 2, Byrd 2 Southside 2, St. Amant 0 David Thibodaux 5, Caddo Magnet 1 Vandebilt 5, New Iberia 1 St. Louis 2, Ascension Episcopal 1 Goals — AES: Hayes Trotter 1; Assists — AES: Cameron Foret 1.

Girls soccer

Catholic-NI 5, Acadiana 0 Acadiana Renaissance 1, Sulphur 1 St. Thomas More 2, Teurlings 2 South Beauregard 4, Kaplan 1 Caddo Magnet 3, Southside 0 Neville 6, Beau Chene 0

Pacific Division L.A. Lakers Phoenix Golden State L.A. Clippers Sacramento

Friday’s Games

Sports Betting Line NFL Sunday

FAVORITE OPEN at ATLANTA 5½ at CINC 8½ at HOUSTON 4½ at JAX 4½ at MIN 1½ Dallas 1½ at PHILA 4½ at LA RAMS 4½ at NEW ENG 2½ at CHICAGO 1½ at BUFFALO 9½ at DENVER 2½ Kansas City 6 Baltimore 3

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3½ (43½) New Orleans 7½ (44½) Cleveland 10½ (38½) Indianapolis 13½ (47½) Tennessee 9½ (37) Green Bay 3½ (49½) at GIANTS 4 (39) Wash 8½ (46½) Arizona 11½ (45½) Miami 3 (50½) Detroit 7½ (37½) NY Jets 13½ (37½) LA Chargers 5½ (36½) at VEGAS 3½ (40½) at PITT

College Football Thursday

Fiesta Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Miami (FL) 3

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 3½ (52) Ole Miss

Peach Bowl FAVORITE OPEN Indiana 4

TODAY O/U UNDERDOG 4½ (46½) Oregon

Friday

NHL

FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG at DALLAS -221 Montreal at COLUMBUS -133 Pittsburgh Colorado -118 at FLORIDA Carolina -120 at NEW JERSEY Vegas -271 at CHICAGO

LINE +181 +111 -101 +100 +220

Pro basketball NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division

W 23 21 20 18 10

L 11 12 15 14 22

Pct .676 .636 .571 .563 .313

GB — 1½ 3½ 4 12

Miami Orlando Atlanta Charlotte Washington

W 19 19 17 11 9

L 15 16 19 23 24

Pct .559 .543 .472 .324 .273

GB — ½ 3 8 9½

Detroit Cleveland Chicago Milwaukee Indiana

W 25 20 17 15 6

L 9 16 17 20 29

Pct .735 .556 .500 .429 .171

GB — 6 8 10½ 19½

L 9 10 19 23

Pct .735 .677 .441 .343

GB — 2½ 10 13½

Southeast Division

Central Division

WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest Division W 25 21 15 12

L 11 14 17 21 27

18

e-Detroit

8

Pct .857 .676 .618 .429 .364

GB — 6½ 8½ 15 17

x-Seattle x-San Francisco x-L.A. Rams e-Arizona

W L 13 3 12 4 11 5 3 13

Pct .656 .588 .514 .364 .229

GB — 2 4½ 9½ 14½

Saturday’s Games

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

Pro football NFL AMERICAN CONFERENCE y-New England x-Buffalo e-Miami e-N.Y. Jets

W L 13 3 11 5 7 9 3 13

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .813 452310 .688 446357 .438 337386 .188 292468

x-Jacksonville x-Houston e-Indianapolis e-Tennessee

W L 12 4 11 5 8 8 3 13

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .750 433329 .688 366265 .500 436374 .188 277437

Pittsburgh Baltimore e-Cincinnati e-Cleveland

W L 9 7 8 8 6 10 4 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .563 371363 .500 400372 .375 396472 .250 259361

y-Denver x-L.A. Chargers e-Kansas City e-Las Vegas

W L 13 3 11 5 6 10 2 14

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .813 382308 .688 365321 .375 350314 .125 227420

y-Philadelphia e-Dallas e-Washington e-N.Y. Giants

W L 11 5 7 8 4 12 3 13

T 0 1 0 0

Pct PF PA .688 362301 .469 454477 .250 332434 .188 347422

Carolina Tampa Bay e-Atlanta e-New Orleans

W L 8 8 7 9 7 9 6 10

T 0 0 0 0

Pct PF PA .500 297364 .438 364397 .438 334384 .375 289364

y-Chicago x-Green Bay e-Minnesota

W 11 9 8

T Pct PF PA 0 .688 425396 1 .594 388344 0 .500 328330

South

North

L 5 6 8

Sunday’s Games

Cleveland at Cincinnati, noon Dallas at N.Y. Giants, noon Green Bay at Minnesota, noon Indianapolis at Houston, noon New Orleans at Atlanta, noon Tennessee at Jacksonville, noon Arizona at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m.

Detroit at Chicago, 3:25 p.m.

Kansas City at Las Vegas, 3:25 p.m.

L.A. Chargers at Denver, 3:25 p.m.

Miami at New England, 3:25 p.m.

N.Y. Jets at Buffalo, 3:25 p.m.

Washington at Philadelphia, 3:25 p.m.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh, 7:20 p.m.

Friday’s games

McGwns 24:23 4-9 3-4 1-4 0 2 13 Willmsn 30:42 15-26 5-8 3-8 2 1 35 Missi 20:57 2-4 1-1 1-3 2 0 5 Fears 29:10 8-15 2-2 2-5 4 0 18 Poole 29:48 5-16 2-3 1-1 6 5 16 Looney 24:20 2-4 0-0 8-12 2 1 4 Peavy 23:37 1-9 0-0 2-3 2 5 2 Alvarado20:30 0-3 0-0 0-3 4 2 0 Matkovc 20:01 7-8 0-0 1-2 0 4 16 Hawkins 16:32 0-4 0-0 0-1 0 2 0 Totals 240 44-98 13-1819-42 22 22 109 Percentages: FG .449, FT .722.

3-Point Goals: 8-30, .267 (Poole 4-11, McGowens 2-2, Matkovic 2-3, Looney 0-1, Hawkins 0-2, Alvarado 0-3, Fears 0-3, Peavy 0-5).

Team Rebounds: 18. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 11 (Missi 3, Fears 2, Matkovic 2, Williamson 2, Looney, Peavy).

Turnovers: 15 (Fears 4, Hawkins 3, Alvarado 2, Matkovic 2, Poole 2, Looney, McGowens).

Steals: 8 (Matkovic 2, Williamson 2, Looney, McGowens, Missi, Peavy).

Technical Fouls: None.

Portland 29 34 22 37 — 122 New Orleans 37 18 20 34 — 109 A_16,812 (16,867). T_2:22.

East

Tampa Bay 16, Carolina 14 Seattle at San Francisco, n

Southern Miss 87, UL-Monroe 73

FT Reb

NATIONAL CONFERENCE

e-Eliminated from playoffs x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Saturday’s Games

Pct PF PA .813 470289 .750 434358 .688 481326 .188 335451

Thursday’s game

Camara 33:44 4-11 2-3 1-6 4 3 14 K.Murray26:00 1-7 4-5 2-4 3 3 6 Clingan 29:31 5-10 1-2 9-15 1 2 11 Avdija 38:24 10-19 11-14 3-7 11 4 34 Sharpe 30:58 9-18 4-4 2-5 1 1 23 Love 27:33 7-13 2-2 0-2 2 2 22 Cissoko 19:30 2-7 0-0 0-0 3 0 5 Williams III18:29 2-3 0-0 2-6 1 2 4 Rupert 14:16 1-3 0-0 0-1 1 0 3 Hansen 1:35 0-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 240 41-92 24-3019-46 27 17 122 Percentages: FG .446, FT .800.

3-Point Goals: 16-47, .340 (Love 6-11, Camara 4-11, Avdija 3-5, Rupert 1-3, Cissoko 1-4, Sharpe 1-6, Hansen 0-1, Clingan 0-3, K.Murray 0-3).

Team Rebounds: 11. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 7 (K.Murray 2, Avdija, Camara, Cissoko, Clingan, Williams III).

Turnovers: 9 (Sharpe 3, Avdija 2, Camara, Cissoko, Hansen, Love).

Steals: 6 (K.Murray 3, Cissoko 2, Avdija).

Technical Fouls: None.

FG FT Reb

West

T 0 0 0 0

Tulane 79, East Carolina 70 South Alabama 63, UL 58 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 83, UNO 69 Stephen F. Austin 74, Northwestern State 64 Nicholls 71, Texas-Rio Grande Valley 69

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

South

0 .500 462397

Men’s state scores, schedule

Portland 122, New Orleans 109 FG

8

Wednesday’s games

Detroit at Cleveland, 1 p.m.

Indiana at Orlando, 2 p.m.

Denver at Brooklyn, 2:30 p.m.

Minnesota at Washington, 5 p.m.

New Orleans at Miami, 5 p.m.

Oklahoma City at Phoenix, 7 p.m.

Milwaukee at Sacramento, 8 p.m.

Memphis at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m.

POR

West

College basketball

Sunday’s Games

North

New York Boston Toronto Philadelphia Brooklyn

L 5 11 13 20 21

.222

Minnesota 125, Miami 115 Atlanta at Toronto, n Philadelphia at New York, n Charlotte at Chicago, n Portland at San Antonio, 7 p.m.

Houston at Dallas, 7:30 p.m.

Utah at Golden State, 9 p.m.

Boston at L.A. Clippers, 9:30 p.m.

East

Sunday

W 21 20 18 12 8

28

Washington 119, Brooklyn 99 San Antonio 123, Indiana 113 Cleveland 113, Denver 108 Atlanta 111, New York 99 Chicago 121, Orlando 114 Portland 122, New Orleans 109 Milwaukee 122, Charlotte 121 Phoenix 129, Sacramento 102 Oklahoma City 131, Golden State 94 L.A. Lakers 128, Memphis 121

NOLA

Odds

San Antonio Houston Memphis Dallas

New Orleans

McNeese 82, Lamar 70 Middle Tennessee 88, Louisiana Tech 51

Saturday’s games

Southern Miss 74, UL 67 Texas State 84, UL-Monroe 79 Texas A&M 75, LSU 72 Nicholls 80, East Texas A&M 58 Stephen F. Austin 73, Southeastern 63 Northwestern State 74, UNO 68 Grambling 76, Prairie View A&M 72 Texas Southern at Southern, n Southern at Lamar, n

Sunday’s games

Florida Atlantic at Tulane, noon Louisiana Tech at Western Kentucky, 2 p.m.

Men’s national scores Saturday’s games EAST

American 64, Boston University 62 Bowling Green 101, UMass 100, OT Bryant 56, Maine 51 Bucknell 72, Lehigh 65 Buffalo 85, Ball State 72 Clemson 73, Pittsburgh 68 Colgate 76, Army 69 Coppin State 53, Delaware State 51 George Washington 77, La Salle 55 Hofstra 70, Drexel 67 Lafayette 79, Loyola (Md) 64 Marshall 88, Appalachian State 81 Maryland-Eastern Shore 66, Morgan State 49 NJIT 73, Binghamton 65 Navy 65, Holy Cross 58 Providence 77, St. John’s 71 Stony Brook 81, North Carolina A&T 80 Temple 76, UTSA 57 UMass Lowell 83, Albany 71 VCU 93, Duquesne 80 Vermont 80, New Hampshire 61

SOUTH

Alabama 89, Kentucky 74 Austin Peay 71, Jacksonville 68 Bethune-Cookman 87, Florida A&M 83 Campbell 97, Northeastern 82 Charleston Southern 86, UNC Asheville 83 Duke 91, Florida State 87 East Tennessee State 77, Mercer 71 Florida Gulf Coast 72, North Alabama 55 George Mason 61, Rhode Island 50 Georgia 104, Auburn 100, OT Georgia Southern 93, Old Dominion 86 Georgia State 89, Coastal Carolina 71 Georgia Tech 65, Boston College 53 High Point 80, Longwood 67 Jackson State 89, Alcorn State 86 Lipscomb 82, North Florida 74 Nicholls State 80, East Texas A&M 58 North Carolina Central 69, Norfolk State 67 Northwestern State 74, New Orleans 68 Presbyterian 86, USC Upstate 77 Queens 98, Bellarmine 76 South Carolina State 58, Howard 57 Southern Miss 74, Louisiana 67 Stephen F. Austin 73, Southeastern Louisiana 63 Tennessee-Martin 65, Eastern Illinois 61 Texas State 84, Louisiana-Monroe 79 Troy 59, South Alabama 49 UCF 81, Kansas 75 UNC Greensboro 89, Samford 82 VMI 79, Chattanooga 71 Vanderbilt 83, South Carolina 71 Virginia 76, North Carolina State 61 Wake Forest 81, Virginia Tech 78 West Georgia 88, Eastern Kentucky 76 Western Carolina 80, Furman 77, OT Winthrop 88, Gardner-Webb 77 Wofford 95, The Citadel 86

MIDWEST

BYU 83, Kansas State 73 Dayton 70, Loyola Chicago 68 DePaul 86, Xavier 77 Houston 67, Cincinnati 60 Kent State 77, Northern Illinois 73 Lindenwood 83, Southern Indiana 80 Miami (OH) 76, Akron 73 Minnesota 84, Northwestern 78 Morehead State 73, SIU-Edwardsville 72 North Dakota 90, South Dakota State 87, OT North Dakota State 79, Oral Roberts 77, 2OT Ohio 68, Eastern Michigan 67 Southeast Missouri State 73, Western Illinois 50 Toledo 78, Central Michigan 75 Villanova 85, Butler 67

SOUTHWEST

Abilene Christian 85, Utah Valley 68 Arkansas 86, Tennessee 75 Central Arkansas 93, Stetson 73 Incarnate Word 73, Houston Christian 56 James Madison 78, Arkansas State 74 Memphis 76, Rice 70 Oklahoma 86, Ole Miss 70 SMU 97, North Carolina 83 TCU 69, Baylor 63

Tarleton State 81, California Baptist 76, OT Tennessee State 84, Little Rock 79 Texas A&M 75, LSU 72 Texas Tech 102, Oklahoma State 80

FAR WEST

Arizona 97, Utah 78 Cal State Northridge 74, UC Santa Barbara 65 Idaho 81, Eastern Washington 78 UNLV 67, Air Force 39 Utah State 96, San Jose State 78

TEXAS A&M 75, LSU 72 LSU

FG

FT Reb

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

Nwoko 26 7-10 7-10 3-5 1 4 21 Sutton 29 0-4 3-4 2-5 0 1 3 Tamba 40 2-4 2-2 1-11 2 2 6 Mackinnn 38 7-18 2-2 0-5 5 2 20 Reece 36 2-7 0-0 0-1 7 2 4 King 17 3-6 2-2 0-2 0 5 10 Miller 14 4-4 0-0 1-1 0 2 8 Totals 200 25-54 16-20 7-30 15 18 72 Percentages: FG .463, FT .800.

3-Point Goals: 6-19, .316 (Mackinnon 4-9, King 2-4, Tamba 0-1, Reece 0-2, Sutton 0-2).

Team Rebounds: 0. Team Turnovers: 2.

Blocked Shots: 4 (Miller 3, Sutton).

Turnovers: 14 (Reece 3, King 2, Mackinnon 2, Nwoko 2, Sutton 2, Tamba 2, Miller).

Steals: 12 (Tamba 5, Sutton 3, Mackinnon 2, King, Reece).

Technical Fouls: None.

FG FT Reb

TX A&M Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

Agee 32 4-10 7-9 6-11 1 2 15 Dominguz 30 4-11 1-2 0-3 2 1 13 Griffen 20 1-6 4-6 0-1 0 3 7 Hill 22 3-5 1-1 1-6 2 2 7 Lane 25 2-7 0-0 2-5 1 1 4 Isaacs 23 4-9 2-3 1-2 4 1 11 Dibba 16 5-7 0-0 2-3 1 0 12 Clemence 12 1-5 0-0 2-2 2 3 2 Holloway 9 0-0 0-0 0-3 0 1 0 Federiko 6 1-1 0-0 0-1 0 0 2 Vinson 5 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 1 2 Totals 200 26-62 15-2114-37 13 15 75 Percentages: FG .419, FT .714.

3-Point Goals: 8-28, .286 (Dominguez 4-9, Dibba 2-2, Griffen 1-4, Isaacs 1-4, Clemence 0-1, Hill 0-1, Agee 0-3, Lane 0-4).

Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 2 (Vinson 2).

Turnovers: 15 (Agee 5, Lane 4, Holloway 3, Griffen 2, Vinson).

Steals: 8 (Griffen 3, Hill 2, Clemence, Dibba, Isaacs).

Technical Fouls: None.

LSU 34 38 — 72 Texas A&M 37 38 — 75 A_7,570 (12,989).

SOUTHERN MISS 74, UL 67 FG

FT Reb

S. MISS Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

Binet 35 7-9 10-11 3-8 0 2 24 Weeks 28 3-9 6-6 0-7 1 2 12 Brumfield 40 7-10 1-2 0-2 4 2 15 Carruth 19 0-1 2-2 3-5 0 1 2 C.Lewis 13 0-2 0-0 0-0 0 2 0 Hart 27 2-7 5-7 0-4 4 2 11 Tramble 21 2-3 1-2 1-2 1 2 5 Diagne 12 1-3 0-0 0-1 1 2 3 Izay 5 1-1 0-0 0-0 0 0 2 Totals 200 23-45 25-30 7-29 11 15 74 Percentages: FG .511, FT .833.

3-Point Goals: 3-13, .231 (Hart 2-6, Diagne 1-3, Carruth 0-1, Weeks 0-1, C.Lewis 0-2).

Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 3.

Blocked Shots: 3 (Binet 2, C.Lewis).

Turnovers: 14 (Weeks 5, Brumfield 3, Hart 2, Tramble 2, Binet, C.Lewis).

Steals: 9 (Brumfield 3, Hart 3, Weeks 2, C.Lewis).

Technical Fouls: None.

FG FT Reb

UL

Min M-A M-A O-T A PF PTS

Jones 20 2-3 0-0 2-2 1 4 4 J.Lewis 26 4-7 2-2 1-5 1 3 12 Finister 32 5-12 1-3 2-6 1 3 13 Lavergne 35 8-13 0-1 0-5 3 1 18 Mejia 21 0-1 0-0 0-1 1 2 0 Olvera 28 3-15 2-2 0-0 2 3 9 Evans 14 1-1 4-4 1-1 0 2 6 Woodson 12 1-2 0-0 0-1 1 1 2 Bilal 8 0-1 2-2 0-0 0 1 2 Ratliff 3 0-0 1-2 1-1 0 0 1 Collins 1 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 Totals 200 24-55 12-16 7-22 10 20 67 Percentages: FG .436, FT .750.

3-Point Goals: 7-20, .350 (J.Lewis 2-3, Lavergne 2-3, Finister 2-5, Olvera 1-8, Woodson 0-1).

Team Rebounds: 2. Team Turnovers: None.

Blocked Shots: 3 (Evans 2, Jones).

Turnovers: 14 (Finister 4, Evans 2, J.Lewis 2, Lavergne 2, Olvera 2, Bilal, Woodson).

Steals: 5 (Finister 2, Evans, Mejia, Olvera).

Technical Fouls: None.

Southern Miss 33 41 — 74 Louisiana 27 40 — 67 A_2,434 (11,550).

Women’s state scores, schedule Wednesday’s games

Stephen F. Austin 76, Northwestern State 71 Nicholls State 66, UTRGV 56

Thursday’s games

UL-Monroe 61, South Alabama 44 Southern 70, Prairie View 55 Troy 80, UL 54 Texas Southern 61, Grambling 58 Kentucky 80, LSU 78

Friday’s game

Sam Houston 67, Louisiana Tech 64

Saturday’s games

Holy Cross 66, Navy 55 La Salle 66, George Washington 52 Lafayette 63, Loyola (MD) 52 Lehigh 74, Bucknell 43 Marist 62, Manhattan 57 Maryland-Eastern Shore 68, Morgan State 61 Merrimack 67, Saint Peter’s 59 Princeton 74, Penn 68 Quinnipiac 68, Rider 56 Richmond 80, St. Bonaventure 60 Sacred Heart 77, Canisius 61 Saint Joseph’s 78, Fordham 49 Siena 94, Iona 80 UConn 84, Seton Hall 48 UTSA 50, Temple 47 Vermont 72, New Hampshire 56

SOUTH

Alabama State 83, Mississippi Valley State 50 Alcorn State 49, Jackson State 45 Arkansas State 89, Louisiana-Monroe 71 Austin Peay 80, North Florida 55 Bethune-Cookman 57, Florida A&M 56 Charleston Southern 63, Radford 59 Charlotte 71, UAB 60 East Carolina 74, Memphis 65 East Texas A&M 72, New Orleans 63 Eastern Kentucky 103, Queens 49 Florida Gulf Coast 64, Central Arkansas 51 Furman 106, Bob Jones 21 Georgia Southern 60, Coastal Carolina 50 Grambling State 85, Prairie View A&M 60 High Point 72, USC Upstate 58 Howard 68, South Carolina State 64 Jacksonville 72, Lipscomb 59 James Madison 87, Texas State 52 Longwood 89, Presbyterian 56 Marshall 53, Appalachian State 48 McNeese 65, Lamar 57 Norfolk State 68, North Carolina Central 48 Northwestern State 50, Nicholls State 46 Old Dominion 73, Georgia State 68 Rice 83, Florida Atlantic 75 South Alabama 81, Louisiana 56 Southern Miss 98, Troy 95 Southern University 64, Texas Southern 45 Stephen F. Austin 87, Southeastern Louisiana 72 Stetson 76, North Alabama 59 Tennessee-Martin 58, Eastern Illinois 51 UNC Greensboro 94, Livingstone 39 West Georgia 106, Bellarmine 65 Winthrop 59, UNC Asheville 55

MIDWEST

Ball State 74, Northern Illinois 56 Central Michigan 68, Bowling Green 56 Davidson 71, Saint Louis 55 Dayton 68, Duquesne 61 Evansville 66, Valparaiso 46 Lindenwood 75, Southern Indiana 65 Miami (OH) 63, Toledo 55 Morehead State 54, SIU Edwardsville 49 Ohio 73, Akron 56 South Dakota 67, Kansas City 47 South Dakota State 65, Omaha 36 Tulane 70, Wichita State 60 UMass 75, Kent State 70 Western Michigan 83, Buffalo 65

SOUTHWEST

Alabama A&M 72, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 49 Incarnate Word 56, Houston Christian 52 Little Rock 76, Tennessee State 39 Oklahoma State 83, Houston 52 Oral Roberts 95, North Dakota 67 Southern Utah 58, UT Arlington 55 UT Rio Grande Valley 58, Texas A&M-CC 47

FAR WEST

BYU 71, Arizona State 62 Cal Poly 63, Long Beach State 49 California Baptist 80, Tarleton State 68 Colorado 79, Cincinnati 68 Colorado State 86, Fresno State 83 Grand Canyon 87, Boise State 76 Idaho 69, Eastern Washington 63 Idaho State 72, Portland State 63 Montana State 82, Northern Arizona 65 Nevada 58, Utah State 40 New Mexico 89, San Jose State 51 North Dakota State 81, Denver 44 Northern Colorado 77, Montana 58 Sacramento State 60, Weber State 39 San Diego State 72, Wyoming 55 UC Irvine 64, Cal State Fullerton 51 UC Santa Barbara 88, Cal State Northridge 70 UNLV 64, Air Force 58

College football Bowl glance Friday

Armed Forces Bowl Texas State 41, Rice 10 Liberty Bowl No. 22 Navy 35, Cincinnati 13 Duke’s Mayo Bowl Mississippi St. 43, Wake Forest 29 Holiday Bowl SMU 24, No. 21 Arizona 19

College Football Playoff

Quarterfinals Wednesday At Cotton Bowl, Arlington, Texas No. 10 Miami 24, No. 3 Ohio St. 14 Thursday At Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Fla. No. 5 Oregon 23, No. 4 Texas Tech 0 At Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.

No. 1 Indiana 38, No. 11 Alabama 3 At Sugar Bowl, New Orleans No. 6 Ole Miss 39, No. 2 Georgia 34

FCS glance Semifinals

Arkansas State 89, UL-Monroe 71 McNeese 65, Lamar 57 Northwestern State 50, Nicholls 46 Stephen F. Austin 87, Southeastern 72.

Grambling 85, Prairie View 60 Tulane 70, Wichita State 60 Southern 64, Texas Southern 45 East Texas A&M 72, UNO 63 South Alabama 81, UL 56

Montana State 48, Montana 23 Illinois State 30, Villanova 14

LSU at Vanderbilt, 4 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Sunday’s game

Women’s national scores Saturday’s games EAST

Albany 74, UMass Lowell 62 American 53, Boston University 45 Army 81, Colgate 49 Binghamton 75, NJIT 71 Bryant 82, Maine 73 Coppin State 60, Delaware State 59 Cornell 67, Columbia 60 Fairfield 98, Niagara 42 Harvard 72, Dartmouth 47

Final

Monday Frisco, Texas Illinois State (12-4) vs. Montana State (13-2), 6:30 p.m., ABC

Transactions National Football League ARIZONA CARDINALS — Signed WR Tejhaun Palmer to the active roster.

BALTIMORE RAVENS — Signed LS Nick Moore to a four-year contract extension.

CLEVELAND BROWNS — Signed LB Edefuan Ulofoshio to the active roster. Placed LB Carson Schwesinger on injured reserve.

DALLAS COWBOYS — Placed G T.J. Bass, RB Malik Davis, and RB Javonte Williams on injured reserve. Activated CB Josh Butler and RB Phil Mafah from injured reserve. Signed LB Justin Barron to the active roster.

LIVING

T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

|

S u n d ay, J a n u a ry 4, 2026

“

1dn

To see the core stage of the rocket we had been building for years rolled out of Michoud, led by a New Orleans-style second-line parade, and then to give the iconic ‘Go’ command over the radio when we tested it — I’ll never forget those moments.

Dannny Heitma an Danny Heitman AT RANDOM

Some thoughts on hope as a new year arrives

“

As a journalist, I often get to connect with people throughout the year who are smart and thoughtful, and I treasure what they say about their life and work. Their ideas about hope come back to mind each January as I try to cultivate a brighter view of the future. A new year can renew our sense of possibility, though that kind of confidence might be hard in such an anxious world.

Here are some pearls of wisdom I encountered last year, words that have helped me keep things in perspective.

Last October, I attended an evening program with Essie Chambers, winner of the 2025 Ernest J. Gaines Award for Literary Excellence.

Now in its 18th year, the award honors the legacy of Gaines, the Louisiana author best known for Chambers “The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman” and “A Gathering of Old Men.” I’ve worked in a small way as a volunteer for the awards program, which is curated by the Baton Rouge Area Foundation, so meeting Chambers was special for me.

She was honored because of her debut novel, “Swift River,” which has gotten widespread acclaim since it was published in 2024. As Chambers pointed out when she discussed her novel at the Baton Rouge ceremony, success as an author came slowly for her. For a long time, Chambers recalled, she was known as one of those people always trying to finish a novel.

“It took me almost 10 years to write ‘Swift River,’” she told listeners. “I do think there can be courage in small steps.”

The point is that progress moves so slowly at times that it can seem almost imperceptible.

But steady effort over time can eventually pay off, as Chambers and her debut novel make clear. It’s a good point to keep in mind in this season of New Year’s resolutions, when so many of us get discouraged if results don’t come instantly.

The important thing, Chambers suggested, is to make a start somewhere and chip away at it, even when the finish line seems elusive.

“Beginning is a messy business,” she said, “full of doubt and stubborn hope.”

AMANDA GERTJEJANSEN

PHOTO PROVIDED By ERIC BORDELON

Boeing senior production manager Amanda Gertjejansen is coordinating efforts among various departments to build one of the Artemis rocket’s most important components.

ROCKET SCIENCE Meet the La. native helping NASA send astronauts back to the moon

BY MATTHEW HAINES Contributing writer

In as soon as six weeks, NASA plans to send four astronauts back to the moon.

Not to land on it just yet, though that’s set to take place on the following mission. This time, they aim to travel in a wide orbit around the moon’s dark side — the first time humans will have left the Earth’s gravitational pull since the Apollo missions more than 50 years ago.

It’s a huge moment for United States and its newest space program, named Artemis, after the Ancient Greek goddess of the moon and — not coincidentally — Apollo’s twin sister. The stated goals of the program are to send the first woman and first person of color to the moon, to establish a permanent base on the lunar surface, and to build toward future missions to Mars.

ä See ROCKET, page 4D

PHOTO PROVIDED By NASA

Amanda Gertjejansen stands in front of the Artemis rocket as it is rolled out of NASA’s Michoud facility.

ä See AT RANDOM, page 4D

Was N.O. the first American city to have an opera house?

This image, originally published in 1872 in Appleton’s Journal, shows New Orleans’ old French Opera House. Built in 1859, it stood out among its French Quarter neighbors as a particularly elegant, imposing and modern structure.

PROVIDED PHOTO

BY RACHEL MIPRO Contributing writer

New Orleans, always known for a vibrant music scene, was the first to usher in the dramatic art form of opera to an appreciative young nation.

One reader’s question: Was New Orleans the first American city to have an opera house?

Philadelphia is commonly credited with the oldest existing opera house in the United States — the Academy of Music opened in 1857 and is still operating today.

However, OperaCréole founder and Artistic Director Givonna Joseph turned to the longdestroyed Théâtre d’Orléans to credit New Orleans with the first opera house in the U.S.

back in 1815.

Joseph, whose organization is dedicated to uplifting and reviving Black opera traditions in New Orleans, discussed the popularity of the music in New Orleans.

“Opera in New Orleans was like pop music,” she said. “It was for everybody.”

The earliest documentation of a New Orleans opera performance was in 1796, the opera “Sylvain,”

by Andre Gretry. Joseph and other researchers believe opera was almost certainly performed earlier, based on other correspondence and research from the time period. She credits New Orleans with popularizing the art form.

ä See CURIOUS, page 4D

2D ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

lll

BOOKS BETWEEN THE PAGES WITH LINDSEy DUGA

Author spills the Royal-tea on ‘Heirs Academy’ series

BY JOY HOLDEN

Staff writer

Baton Rouge author Lindsey Duga’s day job is the vice president of operations at Gatorworks, a local digital marketing agency.

But she has another life as a successful middle grade and young adult author. Her newest book, “Royal Liars,” is the sequel to her book “Royal Heirs Academy.”

The “Royal Heirs Academy” series features four distinctly different heirs to the throne of Ashland who were raised away from royalty. They converge at an elite boarding school in the south of France, where they must prove themselves and compete for the throne of Ashland. The characters go on dynamic journeys across the two novels — from plotting against each other to joining forces against a common enemy.

Each of the four has their chance to share their side, and the multiple points of view adds a layer of believability. ”Royal Heirs Academy” came out Jan. 7 and “Royal Liars” comes out Jan. 6. Duga will be at Red Stick Reads for a launch party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at 3829 Government St., Baton Rouge.

How did “Royal Heirs” get started?

My debut book, “Kiss of the Royal,” was a royal fantasy romance, and that one came out in 2018. Royals are kind of my first love. My publisher wanted a fictionalized version of this real school called United World College, off the coast of Wales, that is set in a real castle.

I pitched the idea of “Princess Diaries” meets “Succession.” I

had been watching “Succession,” which really is about characters who are winning their father’s love. I liked the idea of having royals at a school, so I came up with the idea of kids having never known that they’re royal, having been sent away to live away from the public side. They’re gonna be from different walks of life, too.

I came up with Emmeline, who’s like the mean girl; Sadie, who’s my adorable nerd; Alaric, my delinquent bad boy; and then Titus is the golden prince. Those personas were very locked in my head whenever I came up with this pitch.

I want this to be about friendship, finding your alliances when you’re younger and realizing you can have a found family rather than the ones that you’re stuck with. I decided to make the parents the bad guys, and I think it paid off, especially when creating more deep emotional issues.

You have said that this is a “characterdriven story.” What were your priorities in character development?

I wanted to show that they are students.

School life is what they do. Because I didn’t want to just have kids hooking up right and left and all that kind of stuff. When Sadie and Titus have a philanthropy project together, that was a fun way to sort of weave their coursework into the plot.

One of the things that helped me keep their voices separate is knowing exactly what their goals were. Each one of them just had such different goals to become the successor.

Can you describe why the king doesn’t give the heirs any requirements or guidelines for how to win the crown?

The competition wasn’t him deciding anything. It was more like them deciding for themselves who was really going to get ahead, who’s going to do what’s necessary to earn the crown,

because that’s always been what Ashland is.

It’s because it’s been a warring country, and whoever’s the strongest is the one who is able to get the crown. There are no rules.

All four of these kids are abandoned in one shape or another, so how did you draw upon all of these different stories?

I had a golden childhood, but I’m a huge nerd, and I love anime. There’s a particular manga, “Fruits Basket,” and I got a lot of inspiration from those stories and fed them into those characters.

It’s pitched as a love triangle romance, but it’s really not. It’s more of a psychological drama about this really messed up family with a lot of expectations and mental health issues that are that are never addressed.

Because this is a young adult series, how did you decide on what to include to push the content and where to pull back the content?

I really wanted to get across the reality issues, whether it be chronic illness or dealing with the aftermath of somebody who died by suicide — all the issues going on in the world.

We feel kind of powerless to impact anything. I wanted to show that you may feel powerless, but there are things you can do and learn and take an interest in and care about, whether that be economics or the environment. How can I create a lasting impression before harming or before doing too much?

You reveal some big secrets in the sequel, “Royal Liars.” Why did you save them for the second book?

This was actually going to be maybe three or four books. I had always planned that because I was writing on the references

Lindsey Duga that they’d given me, like “Gossip Girl,” and I was basing it off “Succession.” It’s such a characterdriven plot that you can do a lot to prolong storylines and see where they go.

I was going to have Sadie’s identity revealed at the end of book two. I’m glad where it is in the prologue, so it does feel very contained in two books. This was just sort of like a way to jump readers in.

What can people look forward to in the sequel?

I have a writers’ group, and they gave the idea of a really good team-up. That’s what “Royal Liars” should really be at the end of the day. All these rivals who were at each other’s throats team up.

There’s so much contention and issues that they have to work through, but there becomes a common enemy. Really, it’s about protecting each other, their school and their country from outside forces.

La. author explores winding relationships, sisterhood Fortunes, fates intertwine in debut novel

BY RIEN FERTEL

Contributing writer

“Sister Creatures” by Laura Venita Green, Unnamed Press, 236 pages.

In Greek myth, sisters often come in supersized sororities: the Muses numbered nine, the Pleiades seven and the Fates three, the same sum as Medusa and her Gorgon siblings.

To the pile of innumerable stories that owe a debt to the ancient Greeks, add Laura Venita Green’s debut novel, “Sister Creatures,” Review an unsettling and striking series of interconnected, folk/horror-tinged stories in which sisters, real and figurative, take center stage.

Set in the west-central Louisiana town of Pinecreek, presumably a close approximation of Green’s native Rosepine, in Vernon Parish, the novel opens with Tess Lavigne. On the cusp of 21, she’s just dropped out of community college and been dropped by her best friend.

Tess takes comfort in vodka and stacks of gothic horror checked out from the public library, stories of “malfunctioning women,” as she calls them, “women who lose control or lose their minds”: “The Yellow Wallpaper,” “The Turn of the Screw” and “Carrie.”

Lost and alone, she’s content to kick back on an extended babysitting stint, minding the Thompson siblings, whose mother recently and mysteriously “got taken away” — just another malfunctioning woman.

Tess and the kids are frequently visited by a teenage girl, who silently peeks out

from the piney woods that surround the Thompson home. Sister Gail, as she’s known around town, is the subject of numerous rumors. Her family, the Liebrechts, are Pentecostal, only speak German, live off-grid, have no electricity or running water and are “the most Jesus people in all of Pinecreek.”

Tess reluctantly invites her in for pizza dinner and a viewing of “The Little Mermaid” — two experiences new to Gail.

But it’s the Thompson daughter’s toy doll, named Thea, that captivates her.

“I’ve never once in my life had anything of my own,” she says. “Not once. I’ve never been permitted.”

Thea is also the name of Gail’s long-dead

twin sister, she confides, before disapreminiscent of the infamous hillbillies from “Deliverance.” Gail, it’s revealed, pearing into the pines, doll in hand. She survived her childhood by locking herself leaves behind a cryptic note, in German. in a shed for two years to escape the tor“It is almost impossible to find me,” she writes. “Actually it is not possible, not ment of a grandfather who declared her safe, to explain, so do not worry. Thank to be evil personified. you for a good night and the pizza, and And then there’s the titular sister sorry for what I will do.” creature, Thea, who might be the missIn Gail, Tess has found her twin — and ing mother of the Thompson children. vice versa.

Looming in the book’s background, she’s Throughout Green’s nova shape-shifter who transel, their fortunes and fates forms into a trio of animalintertwine. They become istic avatars: a timber ratsister selves, Ingmar Bergtlesnake slithering through the Kisatchie pines, a hawk man-esque doppelgängers, hungry for a mate and a red and, over time, psychically fox searching the forests conjoined agents of chaos. of Germany for a reason Their lives echo and devito live. ate. Together apart, they Each time, Thea adds a extricate themselves from bit of gore to the proceedPinecreek, build families and careers, hurt their ings. loved ones and hurt them“Sister Creatures” is an eerie puzzle of a book, an selves. exploration of shared trauTheir stories are linked with that of other paired mas and the promise of the Author Lara Green personas that inhabit this bonds of sisterhood. small Louisiana town, fellow One scene is liable to haunt sister doubles in suffering. Characters me for some time. A father asks his two flee from home. Once inseparable siblings daughters, separated by two decades of become unmoored. Friendships crumble. separation, to reconnect. The vagaries of Families split. Mothers raise daughters time have initially rendered face-to-face who love them, avoid them and file recontact unwelcome, so they meet on eistraining orders against them. ther side of the Louisiana-Texas border, These sisters resemble the characters across the Sabine River, talking, hesitantin Tess’ own literary canon. They lose con- ly at first, via walkie-talkies. Green ends trol and lose their minds. A lucky few put the scene with the sisters waiting to wade into the water to reunite. themselves back together again.

There are few things in life, “Sister Green imbues “Sister Creatures” with Creatures” shows, more beautiful and Southern Gothic scenes and sensibilities. more painful than a long and winding reCreepy triplet brothers coax intimate stories from strangers, rendering them lationship. into a cappella songs that become surRien Fertel is the author of four books, prise underground sensations. A walk in including, most recently, “Brown Pelican.” the woods reveals a troupe of characters

THIS WEEK’S BESTSELLERS FROM PUBLISHERS WEEKLY HARDCOVER FICTION

1. “The Widow” by John Grisham 2. “The Secret of Secrets” by Dan Brown 3. “The Correspondent” by Virginia Evans 4. “Always Remember” by Charlie Mackesy 5. “Alchemised” by SenLinYu 6. “Mona’s Eyes” by Thomas Schlesser 7. “Return of the Spider” by James Patterson 8. “Nash Falls” by David Baldacci 9. “The Intruder” by Freida Mcfadden 10. “Twice” by Mitch Albom

HARDCOVER NONFICTION

1. “The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins 2. “Stop, in the Name of God” by Charlie Kirk 3. “1929” by Andrew Ross Sorkin 4. “How to Test Negative for Stupid” by John Kennedy 5. “Guinness World Records 2026” by Guinness World Records 6. “The Miracles Among Us” by Marc Siegel 7. “Puzzle Mania!” by Joel Fagliano 8. “The Pioneer Woman Cooks: The Essential Recipes” by Ree Drummond 9. “The Look” by Michelle Obama 10. “The Gales of November” by John U. Bacon

TRADE PAPERBACK

1. “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi 2. “Murder at Holly House” by Denzil Meyrick 3. “The Atomic Habits Workbook” by James Clear 4. “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore 5. “Housemaid” by Freida McFadden 6. “My Blade, Your Back” by K.M. Moronova 7. “The 2026 Old Farmer’s Almanac”

by Old Farmer’s Almanac 8. “Merry Murdle” by G.T. Karber 9. “Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal” by Meghan Quinn 10. “Remarkably Bright Creatures” by Shelby Van Pelt

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3D

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TRAVEL Mississippi nature trail is hidden in plain sight Crosby Arboretum feels like a secret forest

BY JUSTIN MITCHELL Staff writer

My idea of camping is driving through the woods and up a hill — to the nearest four-star resort with restaurants, a spa and room service for late-night chicken tenders and fries.

I have never been one with nature. When my cousins all played tag and hide-and-go-seek in our grandparents’ front yard, I’d stay inside to rewatch “Rugrats” episodes, write sentences at my toy desk or pretend I was a character on “Clarissa Explains It All.” My first canoe trip at 7 years old resulted in bug bites, tears and a pledge to never paddle a boat or stay in a tent ever again.

I’m 36 now and am proud to say that I’ve never camped or given up the simple pleasures of a running toilet or air conditioner since that traumatic weekend.

But in my elder millennial age, I vowed that I’d spend more time outdoors. For one, I want to be healthier and more active, and walking and jogging is an easy way to kick-start that journey.

My adventures started when I moved to New Orleans in late 2023 and began spending time at Audubon Park.

With an audiobook and Owala bottle full of flavored water, I started trekking down the paved path, admiring the mossy trees, squirrels running about, cute pups out for evening strolls and the ducks and birds near the water. The sunsets were breathtaking, as were the 2-mile jogs.

Audubon Park has become a place of peace and comfort for me over these past 21/2 years, and I vowed to spend more time in nature in 2025, with one very im-

A view of the Pinecote Pavilion at Crosby Arboretum in Picayune, Miss.

Mushrooms on a walking trail at Crosby Arboretum in Picayune

STAFF PHOTOS By JUSTIN MITCHELL portant caveat: day trips only.

I started simple and found fun stuff around the city: the Rusty Rainbow walking path, connecting the Bywater and French Quarter, and City Park became two instant favorites.

Right before Thanksgiving, some friends asked if I’d be interested in doing a short hike at the Crosby Arboretum, a nature trail right in Picayune near Interstate 59.

Despite growing up in Kiln and going to Picayune often as a child, I had only ever seen the sign right off La. 49 pointing

folks to it.

You can’t see it from the main roads, and it’s cleverly hidden behind a strip of businesses near Walmart.

But the Crosby Arboretum, dedicated to preserving nature and plants, feels like a secret forest full of tall grass, pine trees, mushrooms, butterflies and even bees.

Dubbed the Great Mississippi Nature Trail, my friends and I spent two hours there on a sunny Sunday morning, exploring the property and reading up on all of the nature.

We stopped for pictures at the large pond, standing on a summit across from the architecturally stunning Pinecote Pavilion where family-friendly events are often held.

We took pictures for Instagram, read all of the signs explaining why some grass had been burned, or why the plants we had come across were vital for the environment, and enjoyed many of the walking paths around the property. At the beginning of the nature trail is a small welcome center where you can buy swag or leave a small donation.

The Crosby Arboretum is a great place to explore and get your steps in, all while being close to civilization, as it is about an hour from New Orleans. The drive is mostly interstate. And remember to bring water, sunscreen and a few snacks — and take all of your trash back with you.

If you want to make a weekend out of it, stay at The Henry Smith House in town or drive 20 minutes down to The Pearl Hotel on the Bay St. Louis beach.

Eat at Fatty’s in Picayune or Dempsey’s in Kiln for casual Southern fare, or go to The Thorny Oyster inside the Pearl for something more upscale and modern.

TRAVEL TROUBLESHOOTER

By Christopher Elliott

Passenger still waiting for Orbitz refund after flight mix-up I was on a 16-night cruise when my niece called to say my brother was dying. I booked a flight home through Orbitz but accidentally chose the wrong airport. By the time I reached the correct airport, my Aer Lingus flight had left. I panicked and rebooked for the next day, but missed precious days with my brother Christopher before he passed.

Since December, I’ve Elliott been trapped in a loop: Aer Lingus says Orbitz must issue the refund, while Orbitz claims Aer Lingus needs to approve it. I’ve sent my brother’s death certificate five times, but Orbitz keeps asking for “clearer” copies or more documents.Aer Lingus finally told me Orbitz must handle it, but Orbitz still won’t do anything.

All I want is a final answer — or the $715 refund — after five months of stress during my grief.What can I do? — Brenda Stopay, Northampton, Pa. I’m so sorry about your brother.

Orbitz should have coordinated with Aer Lingus to resolve your refund request promptly and compassionately.

While neither the airline nor the online travel agency is obligated to refund a nonrefundable ticket, it’s common practice to issue a full refund when a passenger, or a passenger’s companion, dies.

When it comes to a passenger’s relative, refunds are handled on more of a case-by-case basis. You booked your ticket after your brother fell ill but before he died,

and then you no-showed for your flight, which is an even grayer area.

But it looks like both Orbitz and Aer Lingus suggested you might qualify for a refund, so you were not wrong to expect some consideration after you showed your online agency and airline a death certificate.

And you did show them a death certificate — five times! I’m not really sure why they didn’t review it the first time you sent it and give you an answer to your refund request.

If I had to guess, I’d say there’s a customer service chatbot on the loose somewhere, ignoring completely valid claims like yours and making you wait months for

an answer.

One more thing: Orbitz is supposed to be your travel agent and advocate for you — not put you in a holding pattern. A good travel agent, whether it’s electronic or human, will always help you get through a difficult situation like this.

Your case shows the importance of double- and triple-checking your flight itinerary. Your urgency was understandable, but at a time like this, you might have asked a friend or travel adviser to help you with your reservation.

Always keep a paper trail — which you did meticulously — and escalate your case as soon as possible. I’ve published executive contacts for Orbitz (owned by Ex-

pedia) on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org.

I reached out to Orbitz on your behalf to find out about the status of your case. A few days later, Aer Lingus offered you a $715 flight credit, which you accepted.

“I certainly learned a lesson,” you added.

By sharing your story, I hope you can help others avoid a painful and unnecessary wait for a refund.

Christopher Elliott is the founder of Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps consumers solve their problems. Email him at chris@elliott.org or get help by contacting him at elliottadvocacy. org.

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ROCKET

Continued from page 1D But the upcoming Artemis missions aren’t only a big deal for NASA, they’re a massive milestone for New Orleans, home to the 832-acre Michoud Assembly Facility. The facility is nicknamed “America’s Rocket Factory,” thanks to its important role in the enormous rockets that powered the Apollo, Space Shuttle and now Artemis adventures.

As many as 3,500 employees work at the facility in New Orleans East, but perhaps no one exemplifies the Crescent City’s role in the future of space exploration more than senior program manager Amanda Gertjejansen. She works with Boeing, a NASA partner at Michoud. Her leadership role on the Integrated Product Team means she is coordinating efforts among various departments to build one of the Artemis rocket’s most important components.

For the past eight years, Gertjejansen’s career trajectory has mirrored that of Michoud’s role in the Artemis program.

“Amanda’s career is the story of how to build a rocket,” said Patricia Soloveichik, a former member of Boeing’s space and launch systems communications team. “She was there to turn on Michoud’s lights when the Artemis program began, and she’s still there now leading the teams that are assembling the very rockets sending our astronauts back to space. Amanda has been a big part of it all.”

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Amanda Gertjejansen and Ashley Guidry stand in front of the second Artemis rocket during a 2022 tour at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. The third Artemis rocket, which is also being assembled in New Orleans, plans to land on the moon in 2026.

A curious mind Gertjejansen, 38, grew up in Gentilly. She said she was aware of NASA’s work even then.

“I was a kid when Michoud’s big external tanks were powering the Space Shuttle program and helping to build the International Space Station,” she said, “I’ve always loved science and math, so I was interested.”

At Ben Franklin High School, Gertjejansen said she was “just fine” at subjects like reading comprehension and writing, but her love of science flourished.

She remembers quarterly projects in physical science class sparking her interest.

“One project I’ll never forget was we had to take this ping pong ball and, with just a single motor that had to turn off by itself, we had to get it to drop something like 60 centimeters in 3 minutes,” she said. “Solving challenges like that were really fun for me, and they still are.”

It doesn’t take much imagination to draw the connection between those projects and the work being done at Michoud. But Gertjejansen said an equally important influence was her role as Ben Franklin’s yearbook editor, where she was responsible for pulling sections together from various teams.

“Overseeing big projects and integrating the different sectors of work is exactly what I am responsible for as an industrial engineer,” she said. “It’s part of what drew me to that major at LSU.” An engineering degree also represented financial security, something she said she watched her mother struggle with. Even as an adolescent, Gertjejansen vowed to choose a career path that would provide her enough money to support herself.

Mission accomplished. She landed an internship with Boeing at Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, outside of Philadelphia. Her team was on the assembly floor, building Boeing

CURIOUS

Continued from page 1D Opera quickly became a growing presence in the local theater scene, and a proper space was needed to house these performances. The Théâtre d’Orléans, located on Orleans Avenue between Royal Street and Bourbon Street, opened to the public in 1815, according to the research of Henry Arnold Kmen, in his book, “Music in New Orleans: The Formative Years, 1791– 1841.”

The building, which had taken years to build due to constant funding and construction struggles, was soon destroyed by fire in 1816. Rebuilt and reopened in 1819, the theater became a lodestone for U.S. opera. A flood of theater spaces would follow, including the Camp Street Theatre, the St. Charles Theatre and the New American Theatre.

“We were first in the country on many levels,” Joseph said. “We debuted over 200 operas in America for the first time. Sometimes we had two or three opera houses going at a time, and free people of color had the money to support

STAFF FILE PHOTO By BRETT DUKE

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans is nicknamed ‘America’s Rocket Factory,’ thanks to its important role in the enormous rockets that powered the Apollo, Space Shuttle and now Artemis adventures.

CH-47 Chinook helicopters during the aircraft’s 50th anniversary.

It was a pivotal time for Gertjejansen.

“My housemate’s manager was a flight test manager, and he invited us to join him on a Chinook test flight,” Gertjejansen remembered.

“We had the headphones on and could hear the startup commands over the radio. I was just blown away. Like, ‘Wow, we do some very cool stuff at Boeing!’ ” The internship turned into a job, and Gertjejansen was having a blast — in her 20s and far from home.

Unfortunately, the good times were tragically interrupted.

Gertjejansen learned her mother had become sick and was given just six months to live.

“I decided to leave my job and return home to take care of my mom,” she said. “Unfortunately New Orleans didn’t have a lot of jobs in science and math with Michoud closed since the end of the Space Shuttle program. I thought

my dream career was over.”

Coming home That was 2012, when Boeing had recently landed the contract at Michoud to help build the largest segment of the longest, most powerful rocket ever made. This “core stage” section would occupy 212 feet of the 322-foot-tall Space Launch System (SLS) rocket tasked with sending humans back to the moon and beyond.

When Gertjejansen informed Boeing that she would be returning home to care for her mother, they offered her a position on the company’s Michoud team.

“Against all odds, my mother lived for another five years, and I can’t thank Boeing enough for giving me that time with her,” she said.

“And,” she added, “it didn’t hurt that I got to come home to a city I love and build a rocket in my backyard.”

New Orleans to the moon Gertjejansen remembers turn-

ing the lights on at Michoud in those early days.

“It had been years since anyone had worked in these spaces,” she said, “so when I flipped on the lights for morning meetings, you’d have stray cats running out of who knows where. It was wild and showed it would be a long road for us.”

Like Soloveichik said, Gertjejansen’s career followed that same road as Artemis. She was part of the small team that prepared the empty facility and then installed the first large welding tools that would one day build a rocket. By 2018, she had become an industrial engineering manager, responsible for the rocket’s engine section and its vital system of fueling tubes.

An industrial engineer, Gertjejansen said, is responsible for the efficiency of a project. How are each of the teams balanced, where are the bottlenecks, and where and how should resources be deployed to solve those bottlenecks?

As she moved through Boeing’s

Many of these theatre spaces were destroyed by fire; the Théâtre d’Orléans fell prey to flame in 1866 and the French Opera House went ablaze in 1919.

“Unfortunately, some of these beautiful opera houses burned down,” Joseph said. “As I tell people, when you have to use real flame to light the stage, it becomes problematic.”

While the spaces disappeared, the impact of opera in New Orleans reJoseph mained, including in the city’s most famous musical genre. Joseph discussed the STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER legacy of musicians of color, who, A plaque commemorates the site of the old French Opera House at when barred from mainstream performances, found their own Toulouse and Bourbon streets in the French Quarter. performance spaces and styles. great acclaim. Created in the “We ended up being kicked them. style of European opera houses out of the classical and operatic “We also learned that someon the corner of Toulouse and arena,” Joseph said. “Many of times enslaved people who could Bourbon, the building had an orour musicians found work in Stohire themselves out on a Sunday —making money as iron workers chestra pit, four tiers of seating ryville, and they came together and plasterers and all that and with musicians who were experts and a gallery. would use that money to buy their in African rhythms and Caribbe“There will be, we are confreedom — also bought a ticket to vinced, no such elegant and coman sounds. All of those structures the opera.” came together, and that’s what modious theatre in the country,” The city’s French Opera House, reads a Daily Picayune report on created jazz. People don’t realize one of the grandest opera spaces that opera and classical music the near completion of the opera in the city, was built in 1859 to had this role of creating jazz.” house, dated Oct. 25, 1859.

ranks, Gertjejansen proved talented at answering these questions.

“Amanda is reliably able to convert ambiguity into executable plans, which is why she is consistently assigned to high-priority and technically challenging work,” said Mickey Bennett, manufacturing director for the entire Space Launch System program.

In 2019, Gertjejansen’s efforts were rewarded, as she was promoted again — this time to senior operations manager, responsible for the final assembly of the entire 212-foot core stage for Artemis’ initial mission, Artemis I. The following year she moved with the core stage to the John C. Stennis Space Center in Hancock County, Mississippi, where she helped lead testing efforts.

“By then, I had been working on Artemis for years,” Gertejansen said. “To see the core stage of the rocket we had been building for years rolled out of Michoud, led by a New Orleans-style secondline parade, and then to give the iconic ‘Go’ command over the radio when we tested it — I’ll never forget those moments.”

The Boeing team is now working on core stages for several Artemis missions simultaneously.

Today, Gertjejansen is coordinating efforts to build those rockets.

She travels frequently to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, where she is helping integrate the vehicle with the rest of its components including boosters, the second stage of the rocket and the Orion spaceship that will carry the astronauts as part of the upcoming Artemis II mission.

“The vehicle is stacked vertically and almost ready to go,” Gertjejansen said, “and it’s amazing to think that this thing I have been working on in various capacities for the last eight years is about to send four astronauts around the moon for the first time in a halfcentury.”

“It’s all the sweeter that we’re building some of its most important components — for this mission and the many more to come — in the city I call home.”

AT RANDOM

Continued from page 1D For a magazine story last year, I interviewed Arthur C. Brooks, who writes and lectures about the best way to achieve happiness. His latest book, “The Happiness Files,” elaborates his thinking on the subject.

I asked Brooks how he finds hope these days.

“I understand that wellbeing trends are moving in the wrong direction, and I’m not incredibly optimistic about those trends making a full Uturn,” Brooks told me. “But I’m not hopeless. The reason I research, write, speak and teach about happiness is because I think — notwithstanding the data in front of me — that I can make a difference. That’s what gives me hope.”

His comments reminded me that hope isn’t only something you feel but something you do.

It’s a truth I’ll try to embrace as 2026 unfolds.

Email Danny Heitman at danny@dannyheitman.com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 5D

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AT THE TABLE

2025 turned out to be a great year for wine

BY ELIN MCCOY

Pouilly-Fumé, who calls the quality in this record early harvest “superb,” a huge improvement over 2024.

Nights and mornings were cool, afternoons not too hot. In PouillyFumé and Sancerre, sauvignon blancs have good acidity, freshness and that salty mineral character aficionados love, while cabernet franc is also a success, with production up 26% over last year.

Bloomberg News (TNS) On Aug. 28, 2025, in Saint-Emilion, France, pickers fanned out into the vineyard at Château Troplong Mondot. It was the earliest harvest start in the estate’s history.

Record-breaking early picking was a key feature of harvest 2025.

In Alsace, the date was Aug. 19, 2025; in Champagne, Aug. 20, 2025; for the white grapes in the Rhône Valley, mid-August, two weeks earlier than 2024. In Germany’s Rheingau region, some grapes were picked at the end of August 2025, three weeks earlier than the longterm average.

In most European wine spots, harvests were speedy too. At firstgrowth Château Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux, the first red grapes came in on Sept. 5, 2025, and picking wrapped up historically early, on Sept. 20, 2025.

It’s clear that rising temperatures and the extreme weather of climate change are compressing the growing season and shifting the harvest timetable. The good news for 2025 is that winemakers from France to Germany to Spain (with some exceptions) are excited by the promise of high-quality wine, even though yields are lower than they would like. For that, blame the extended heatwaves, drought and destructive wildfires .

According to a global study released in May 2025 by two French agricultural research institutes and the University of British Columbia, wine-growing regions have warmed, on average, by the equivalent of nearly 100 extra growing degree days over the past 70 years. Growing degree days are a measure of the cumulative heat vines are exposed to, which influences growth and ripening. Europe has felt the biggest impact.

In every vintage the effects can be uneven. .

Extremely hot, dry conditions help fires spread faster, burn longer and rage more intensely, as they also did last year in northwestern Spain, on Napa’s Howell Mountain and in Portugal’s Douro

TODAY IN HISTORY

By The Associated Press Today is Sunday, Jan. 4, the fourth day of 2026. There are 361 days left in the year.

Today in history: On Jan. 4, 2007, Nancy Pelosi was elected the first female speaker of the House as Democrats took control of Congress.

Also on this date: In 1853, New Yorker Solomon Northup regained his freedom after being kidnapped in Washington, D.C., and forced into slavery in 1841; he would later tell his story in his memoir, “Twelve Years a Slave.”

In 1896, Utah was admitted as the 45th U.S. state after The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially ended the practice of polygamy.

In 1948, Burma (now known as Myanmar) marked its independence from Great Britain.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his State of the Union address in which he outlined the goals of his “Great Society” initiative.

In 1974, President Richard Nixon refused to hand over tape recordings and documents subpoenaed by the Senate Watergate Committee.

In 1999, Europe’s new currency, the euro, got off to a strong start on its first trading day, rising against the dollar on world currency markets.

In 2006, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffered a significant stroke; his official powers were transferred to his deputy, Ehud Olmert. (Sharon remained in a coma until his death in January 2014.)

In 2010, the Burj Khalifa, the tallest structure in the world at 2,717 feet tall, opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Today’s birthdays: Actor Dyan Cannon is 89. Guitarist John McLaughlin is 84. Author-historian Doris Kearns Goodwin is 83. Country singer Patty Loveless is 69. Singer Michael Stipe (R.E.M.) is 66. Actor Julia Ormond is 61. NFL running back Derrick Henry is 32.

Singer-actor Coco Jones is 28.

NBA center Victor Wembanyama is 22.

Germany

TRIBUNE NEWS SERVICE PHOTOS

The good news for 2025 is that winemakers from France to Germany to Spain (with some exceptions) are excited by the promise of high-quality wine, even though yields are lower than they would like.

Valley. Winemakers worry that wines from vines that didn’t burn will be affected by smoke taint and end up with ashy flavors.

The roller-coaster of what happens during harvest is why it’s a high-emotion season for winemakers.

Oregon winemaker Maggie Harrison of Antica Terra described the stress this way: “I didn’t sleep a wink last night. But I always know that when I step up to the sorting table, there is a reserve of energy, a switch-on kind of magic that happens, and I can’t flipping wait.”

Translation: Deep down winemakers are always optimists.

France Bordeaux “The growing season unfolded with remarkable serenity,” said Veronique Sanders of Château Haut Bailly in Pessac-Léognan over e-mail. “A dry hot summer resulted in small berries with a striking concentration of aromas and structure.”

Jean-Philippe Delmas of firstgrowth Château Haut-Brion cited the wines’ vibrant acidity and remarkable balance. It’s a sharp contrast to 2024, with its spring frosts, mildew and the lowest level of pro-

duction since 1991.

Beaujolais and Jura In Jura, the mood is upbeat because of a 200% quantity rebound after 2024 when the region experienced devastating frosts.

The tale in Beaujolais is the reverse: Heat waves, drought and mildew cut yields to their lowest level in 35 years. What’s left is good, though.

Champagne Talk about enthusiasm! Producers are hailing 2025 as the best vintage in 30 years. It was so rapid that chef de cave Jean-Baptiste Lécaillon, who presided over Champagne Louis Roederer’s 250th harvest, refers to it as “the Formula One vintage” and had presses going around the clock.

“The year (2025) will remain etched in the memory of great winegrowers and winemakers,” crows Sébastien Le Golvet, chef de cave at Champagne Henri Giraud.

“The first wines are extraordinary.”

The excellent ripeness of pinot noir and pinot meunier suggests great potential for rosés in 2025, according to Taittinger’s vineyard director.

Loire Valley “What a vintage!” says Loic Cailbourdin of Domaine Cailbourdin in

High quality, but the smallest vintage since 2010, reported the German Wine Institute. Earlier yield predictions were more optimistic, but heavy mid-September rains reminded winemakers that harvest isn’t over until it’s over. A high level of ripeness and concentration in both pinot noir and riesling bode well for rich, collectible wines.

Italy Great expectations of exceptional quality from north to south.

Some regions produced 10% less than 2024, but in quantity, Italy is the leading wine producer this year, surpassing France.

Prosecco Franco Adami, president of the Conegliano-Valdobbiadene Consortium, the premium subregion for prosecco, says the vintage is exceptional in terms of quality, one of the three or four best of the last three decades, especially when it comes to aromas.

Tuscany A very good vintage of high quality, thanks to slow ripening and striking contrasts between hot days and cool nights. Expect wines with brightness and freshness, subtle floral hints, delicate fruit notes and elegance.

And at Ornellaia in Bolgheri, winemaker Marco Balsimelli said over Zoom, “I’m very happy. The character of the vintage is a lot of concentration, merlot with freshness, lots of elegance and silky, velvety tannins.”

Sicily Antonio Rallo of Donnafugata winery sees “2025 as a return to normalcy.” He adds: “It’s bet-

ter than last year, and the quality of the grapes looks promising.”

Along with good rainfall, Rallo cites no prolonged heat extremes or drought. It was a vintage that didn’t require an early harvest.

Spain It’s complicated. Quantity is generally down, and wines in many regions will be excellent, but disaster struck in Galicia. Catastrophic fires charred vineyards and poured out thick clouds of smoke in Valdeorras, Bierzo and trendy Ribeira Sacra. Some wineries, like Alvaredos-Hobbs, won’t release any 2025 wines.

Parts of Rioja faced a difficult growing season, with some hail, but at CVNE, Irene Bonilla, head of viticulture, describes the harvest as “ideal,” with ripening and reds with deep color and firm tannins, fresh and expressive.

In Catalonia, the home territory of Familia Torres, rainfall in the spring was welcome after three years of severe drought. Torres sees reds with promising red fruit flavor profiles, length, freshness and good acidity, compared to previous years.

United States Napa An unusually cool growing season and no extreme heat spikes resulted in bright but rich wines with complex flavors and aromas.

But the year was still brutal.

The lack of demand means some grapes will rot on the vines.

And on Howell Mountain, the August Pickett Fire damaged grapes with heat or smoke at more than a half a dozen wineries.

Sonoma “The 2025 vintage is a special one,” says Jesse Katz of Aperture.

He says cooler weather — the coldest July since 2010 — resulted in whites with incredibly complex flavors and aromas, and cabernets with balance and elegance. And on the Sonoma coast, pinot maker Jamie Kutch of his eponymous winery explains that a cool, foggy summer slowed ripening and preserved freshness and acidity.

Are you sure you’re friends with this person? junk, all of which I would value at Dear Miss Manners: I have a friend a total of $10 at best. Most of this from childhood who is a wealthy, stuff I have to throw away, though narcissistic hoarder. This means sometimes (rarely) I’m able to she spends all her time buying find someone who wants needless crap from the some of it. bargain bins of every box To me, this isn’t true givstore you can imagine. For example, she’ll buy several ing, it’s just poaching ranblenders just because they dom junk from her hoard are on sale — not because and mailing it to me so that she needs one. she can get the “I’m a good Judith Her house is filled with person” high from it.

Martin this junk. I have politely This is really annoymentioned therapy, but ing, verging on passiveMISS MANNERS that just gets radio silence. aggressive. I’ve told her She insists on sending many times she should not me Christmas and birthsend me gifts, that a card is fine (or nothing at all). I even day gifts, and sometimes even stopped properly thanking her half-birthday gifts. (I do not send for these “gifts” — something my gifts.) These presents are always worthless junk she has purchased etiquette-conscious mother would absolutely have a fit about!

— plastic kitsch, novelty sticky I’ve tried to just go along with it notepads, paper napkins with and toss the stuff, but it really anidiotic sayings on them, graph paper, plastic toothpicks that look noys me on several levels — the like toilet plungers (TWICE I’ve sheer waste being the main issue received a box of those), random for me. computer connection cords, and Is there a polite way to end this, more. or should I just be blunt and say, She just paid $36 to mail me a “I toss out almost everything you Christmas gift containing this send, so quit wasting your money.

The next box you send, I’m marking ‘return to sender’ and it’s coming back to you”?

Gentle Reader: And a Merry Christmas to you, too.

Yes, this practice is annoying and yes, it is a waste. But since your friend fills her own house with these items, she must think they are worth something. It is impolite for you to suggest otherwise, especially when they are given as presents. Rather than rudely send them back, just donate them and be done with it. Your friend is not listening to even your most blunt condemnations, so why waste your energy on anger and resentment? Use it, instead, for holiday cheer and a little grace. Miss Manners will use hers, meanwhile, to get the image of toilet plunger toothpicks out of her head.

Dear Miss Manners: Is it considered rude to take photos of the interior of a friend’s home (the living room), just to show my family how pretty the house was? My friend told me I was being very rude by taking pictures of her

house. I was not going to post them.

Gentle Reader: It is only considered rude if you get caught. And you were.

Dear Miss Manners: The owners of a business for whom I did some work threw a company barbecue and asked guests to sign up to bring a dish.

I was stunned, and did not attend for a few reasons: 1. The staff creates the owners’ income for them. 2. A sign-up sheet?

Really?? And 3. The owners are VERY wealthy. A caterer would have been very accessible.

Gentle Reader: This company may want to solicit more effective ways to thank their employees.

Miss Manners suggests they put up a sign-up sheet.

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.

What to do with greeting cards after holiday Dear Heloise: What I do with my greeting cards, including and mostly Christmas cards, is to cut off the fronts of the cards and give them to a preschool at my church. They can use them to make all kinds of different projects.

Hints from Check with preHeloise schools in your area to see if they would like yours as a donation. — Joanne Baird, in Salem, Ohio

Snow and garages Dear Heloise: For all of you who live in snowy areas and put your car in the garage each evening, here are ways to keep the garage floor clean from slush, snow and melted ice.

Kick off snow under car before garaging. After you remove the car, shovel out any snow residue on the floor.

Put old newspapers over the

slush melt and after a few hours, remove the now-saturated papers.

Evaporation will now take up the remaining moisture. Sweep out any grit.

Do this and you’ll have a clean garage floor — until next time it snows. — Carol J. Holm, via email

List of medications Dear Heloise: This is in response to Parker, who keeps a list of his medications in his wallet at all times. I have a list showing all current doctors, surgeries (with dates), medications (including name of prescribing physician), allergies, and current medical conditions.

I just give the check-in person at the doctor’s office this list to either keep or scan so that I don’t have to write all that information in the spaces when checking in.

At my age and with my lengthy medical history, there’s no way I can remember all of this information. — Mary R., in Virginia

A savings hint

Dear Heloise: Finding an easier or faster way to do things is great, and you are helping us do that!

I found a way to avoid throwing money away! I have begun using a face cream that comes in a tube and is not cheap. When I thought the tube was empty, I let it rest on its cap until the next day. I did this again and again, because each morning more cream came out.

It lasted almost two additional weeks. And to think I might have thrown it out! Thanks, Heloise, for sharing all the best ways to live. — Mary Jane Becker, via email

Taco shells Dear Heloise: Store-bought taco shells are most times a bit stale/ not crunchy. I put them in the oven for 10 minutes, but first I put little balls of aluminum foil in them to help keep their shape.

Roll up pieces of foil into 1-inch balls and shove into the shell or

they will collapse when heated. — Les Kangas, in Portland, Ore.

Older people and technology Dear Heloise: I read with sadness the letter from a senior seemingly proud that she doesn’t use a cellphone or any of that “newfangled technology.” Computers have been around since the ’90s; that’s over 30 years! It’s so sad to think about these seniors missing out on so much, because they are too afraid, embarrassed, stubborn (?) to learn something that would change their lives! I’ve seen plenty of 80- to 90-year-olds texting their friends, looking up something on Google, checking their calendar and researching new places to eat! Don’t be afraid!

Anyone can learn at any age!

There are places, all over, that can teach an old dog new tricks! — Kaynella W., Omaha, Neb. Send a hint to heloise@heloise. com.

6D ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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TALKING Civil engineer Roy Glapion BUSINESS on his roots and love of work 3E

ONE BIG QUESTION 7E

4 experts reflect on La.’s biggest economic challenges of 2025

BUSINESS T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

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S u n d ay, J a n u a ry 4, 2026

1En

THE

SECRETIN THE

SAUCE

STAFF PHOTO By JAVIER GALLEGOS

Todd Graves, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers founder and CEO, poses with a group of students who received free bicycles during a charity event at A.C. Lewis yMCA on Dec. 17.

Founder Todd Graves says keeping Raising Cane’s rooted in Louisiana culture fuels the fryers of his success

BY IANNE SALVOSA Staff writer

In the three decades since its founding, Raising Cane’s has grown from a single restaurant selling fried chicken fingers in the shadows of the LSU campus into a quick-serve success story, with 1,000 outlets in 43 states, the Middle East and Canada.

Its brand, named for the yellow Lab that was the beloved pet of company founder and CEO Todd Graves, now graces storefronts in iconic, high-pro-

file locations, including the Las Vegas Strip and Times Square.

And Graves has ascended the ranks of the nation’s business elite. With a net worth of an estimated $22 billion, he is now the richest person in Louisiana and the 46th wealthiest in the nation, according to Forbes. He also ranks as the richest restaurateur in the country.

As Graves prepares to celebrate Cane’s 30th anniversary in August, the company, which posted sales last year of more than $5 billion, is on track to

continue its meteoric rise. In 2026, it will expand into the United Kingdom and Mexico and open 100 new locations in the U.S., which is on par with the rate at which the company has been opening new restaurants since 2024. Beginning in 2027, Graves plans to pick up the pace.

“I love opening new restaurants, new communities,” Graves said in an interview shortly before Christmas at the A.C. Lewis YMCA in Baton Rouge, following a bike giveaway with Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson. “I

love hiring all the crew that come, all the customers that we touch and being involved with the community.

“We’re going to keep scaling up and growing as many as we can to still deliver those great restaurants.”

Graves also vowed to keep the company’s corporate headquarters in Baton Rouge, where he was raised and still lives with his family.

“The company is here. I’m here. The dog is here,” he said.

ä See GRAVES, page 2E

State’s custom suit industry is sizing up with new shops

BY RICH COLLINS Staff writer

IDEAS &

INNOVATION

It was the day after Christmas, and master tailor Manuel Martinez was bringing holiday cheer to a customer who owns a business on Royal Street in the French Quarter.

Martinez wasn’t dressed in red and carrying a bag full of wrapped presents. Instead, he was rocking an impeccable blue wool double-breasted suit, and he was toting yards of fabric and a case filled with measuring tape and others tools he will use to design a similar custom garment for

his client.

It’s a craft that Martinez has finetuned over the last 45 years from his Baton Rouge base, where he’s dressed governors, celebrities, sports stars and others willing and able to pay a premium for well-made clothes with a flattering fit.

Lately, he’s got a lot more competition.

Thanks to technological advances and evolving consumer tastes, custom men’s suits are rising in popularity nationwide, and in Louisiana,

ä See CUSTOM, page 6E

Master tailor Manuel Martinez drapes a fabric over Bill Rau’s shoulder at M.S. Rau on Royal Street. Thanks to technological advances and evolving consumer tastes, custom men’s suits are rising in popularity.

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

2E ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

Fool’s Take: Fat dividend and a chance for growth

Bristol Myers Squibb’s (NYSE: BMY) financial results haven’t been great lately.

Its third-quarter revenue of $12.2 billion was an increase of only 3% year over year. make matters Motley To worse, over the Fool next few years, patent protections will expire for several of the company’s drugs.

However, Bristol Myers Squibb recently earned approval for a new subcutaneous formulation of its melanoma drug Opdivo, which will help mitigate losses. It has also worked hard to develop and launch new products in recent years, some of which are making a material impact on its financial results. Newer products like cancer drugs Opdualag and Breyanzi, and heart medication Camzyos, are each on pace to generate close to or more than $1 billion in sales this year.

Further drug approvals are likely. One promising candidate is Pumitamig, a cancer drug being

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developed with BioNTech. Additionally, Bristol Myers Squibb has a robust pipeline with plenty of active programs, and its outlook for the next decade remains strong.

Meanwhile, the stock recently traded at a forward-looking priceto-earnings ratio of 9, well below the average of 19 for the health care sector. Long-term dividend investors might take a closer look at the company. (The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Bristol Myers Squibb.)

Fool’s School: Do your research We often recommend that beginning investors and those without the skills or inclination to study the universe of stocks simply invest in a low-fee broadmarket index fund, such as one that tracks the S&P 500. However, if you seek returns higher than those of the S&P 500, you may want to research and select individual stocks.

As you dig into any company, here are some questions you might ask: What’s its business model? In other words, how, exactly, does it make

its money? Many favor “capitallight” models, which don’t require lots of cash to operate and grow (such as online marketplaces or software companies), versus capital-intensive ones (such as railroads or manufacturers) that do.

Is the company’s industry growing? Is the company also growing, and how does it compare with competitors?

What sustainable competitive advantages does it have? These could include a valuable brand, patented technology, economies of scale or a big multinational presence.

Does management communicate candidly, such as in annual letters to shareholders? Is it executing smart strategies?

What risks does the company face?

Does it rely heavily on one customer? Is a deep-pocketed rival entering its sphere? (Companies’ annual 10-K reports typically feature a long list of risks.)

Does the company pay a dividend? If so, what does it currently yield, and how quickly have payouts been growing over the past few years?

(Stocks without dividends can be solid investments, but reliable income from a solid dividend payer is a big plus.)

organizational leadership and will lead MediTrans through its next phase of scale, technology investment, and stakeholder collaboration.

Company founder Paul Broussard will continue to Avant Worsham play an active role in the company. closely with HR leadership to support goals and a posiRobyn Avant and Tayler Worsham tive work environment. were named human reWorsham, who has been source manager by Acadian with Acadian since 2014, oversees the new hire proCos. Avant has over 18 years of cess, including onboardhuman resource experience ing and pre-employment and oversees HR policies screening. and programs with a foShe previously served in cus on employee relations, multiple leadership roles onboarding, recruitment within the National EMS and compliance. She works Academy.

61% of young adults trust social media tips for investing. But should they?

You’ve probably heard this expression: “Information is power.”

But what if that information is wrong?

Social media has Michelle become the main source Singletary of investing THE COLOR advice for OF MONEy millions of young adults.

That is very troubling.

Sure, some of the information that financial influencers share on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram is appropriate, such as encouraging people to keep savings in a highyield, insured bank or credit union account, but many tips could harm your long-term wealth.

“Finfluencers” run the gamut, and they may not adhere to the same standards or code of conduct as regulated financial professionals.

The Finra Investor Education Foundation recently released data on U.S. retail investors’ attitudes, behaviors and knowledge. It found that young adults are increasingly turning to social media for investment advice. A quarter of people surveyed said they use recommendations from social media finfluencers in making investment decisions; among those 35 and younger, it’s 61%.

I am encouraged that so many young adults are trying to learn about investing.

However, extreme caution is necessary when making financial decisions solely based on recommendations in an online video.

Here are the key reasons seeking investment advice from social media influencers is inherently risky.

sight.

I have a presence on social media, but my work links back to credible sources. I also have years of experience teaching financial literacy through this column, with nonprofits and through my church.

If you come across a video or recommendation that interests you, fact-check it against a reliable independent or government source, such as the Federal Trade Commission, Securities and Exchange Commission or Finra.

You will find a lot of good advice at investor.gov, where you can search for a firm or an individual investment adviser’s registration status and background, including any disciplinary actions. The site links to Finra’s BrokerCheck database.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. has a section on its website (Money Smart for Young Adults) dedicated to providing basic financial information for young adults ages 16 to 24.

For personalized advice, consider working with a professional financial adviser, especially one who operates under a fiduciary standard, meaning they are legally required to act in your best financial interest.

Planners with certain designations must meet specific educational and employment requirements and agree to abide by a code of ethics. Other credentials to look for: chartered financial consultant or certified public accountant with a specialty designation as a personal financial specialist.

It’s a paid ad

Finfluencers can earn money through sponsorships, They aren’t qualified affiliate links and commisMany finfluencers lack ex- sions for promoting specific financial products, services, perience to provide recomstocks or cryptocurrencies. mendations.

They frequently fail to It’s not until you have spent hours poring over someone’s disclose these payments, so their “advice” is often a paid budget that you understand advertisement intended to how financial advice works benefit them, not necessarily in practice. you.

Unlike financial professionals, who are regulated, Advice is simplistic you may be following the advice of finfluencers who Finfluencers squeeze comoperate with little to no over- plex topics into short videos,

Ask the Fool: What’s ‘the Dow’?

I always hear about “the Dow” — but what is it? — G.F., Portsmouth, New Hampshire “The Dow” is short for the Dow Jones Industrial Average.

It’s often used as a proxy for the entire U.S. stock market, but it’s an index of only 30 companies. It began in 1896 with just 12 companies, including General Electric, U.S. Leather, American Tobacco, American Cotton Oil, National Lead and Laclede Gas. None of these companies still exist in their original forms, though some merged with or were acquired by other businesses or split up to form new ones.

Over the years, many companies have been added to or removed from the index. In 2024, for example, Nvidia was added, ousting Intel.

The current 30 Dow companies are 3M, Amazon, American Express, Amgen, Apple, Boeing, Caterpillar, Chevron, Cisco Systems, Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs Group, Home Depot, Honeywell International, International Business Machines (IBM), Johnson & Johnson, JPMorgan Chase, McDonald’s, Merck, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, Procter & Gamble, Salesforce, Sherwin-Williams, Travelers Cos., UnitedHealth Group, Verizon Communications, Visa, Walmart and Walt Disney.

Some suggest that the S&P 500 index of 500 of America’s biggest companies is a better proxy for the U.S. stock market. The Dow has also been criticized for being “price-weighted,” with its value based on its components’ stock prices rather than, say, their market values. For example, Goldman Sachs, with a recent share price of $911 and market value of $276 billion, wields more than 10 times the influence of Cisco Systems, with its recent share price of $78 and market value of $308 billion.

What’s an “uptick”? — S.D.,Ann Arbor, Michigan It’s when the latest price for a stock or security is higher than its price the previous time it traded.

GRAVES

ACADIANA INBOX Derek Hoy was named chief executive officer of MediTrans, the largest Louisiana based n o n e m e rgency medical transportation brokerage.

The move Hoy marks an important step in the company’s continued growth, operational investment and commitment to serving Medicaid members across the state, company officials announced earlier this month.

Hoy has experience in health care operations and

Does the stock seem overvalued or undervalued? Valuing a company is a subjective endeavor, but undervalued stocks typically have price-to-earnings ratios below their own five-year averages and below those of their competitors.

In general, favor stocks that seem undervalued.

often oversimplifying investment strategies. They either gloss over or entirely ignore the significant risks involved.

I have watched dozens of videos promoting the benefits of homeownership in building generational wealth.

Rarely does the finfluencer balance this advice with the pitfalls of buying a home before you are financially ready to handle such a big responsibility.

Can you tell the difference between good advice and foolish financial recommendations? Here’s a link (wapo. st/financial-advice-quiz) to find out.

Too much hype Social media thrives on short, engaging content.

The influencer’s primary goal is often to produce viral content to boost views and expand their follower count.

This encourages them to use sensational claims and manipulate your emotions.

For instance, they make people feel like fools if they aren’t investing in cryptocurrency. But the volatility of cryptocurrency makes it unsuitable for many investors.

It has also become a favorite for fraudsters because it’s so hyped online and attracts investors, especially young adults, who fear they will miss out on the next great investing opportunity.

Fear-driven decisions are not the way to make sound financial choices.

It might be a scam In the worst-case scenarios, some finfluencers are involved in “pump-and-dump” schemes.

They aggressively promote a stock, for example, to inflate its price. Their goal is to drive up the share price before quickly selling their own holdings in the security.

Treat any advice you encounter online as suspect until it is proved trustworthy.

Your best defense against bad investment strategies, scams and poor advice is being informed and skeptical.

Email Michelle Singletary at michelle.singletary@ washpost.com.

Continued from page 1E

Based in Baton Rouge The story of Cane’s founding has become a common tale in business school lore. Graves and business partner Craig Silvey concocted a plan to have a restaurant with chicken fingers as its sole menu item. The concept received the lowest grade in the class after submitting it to a professor. Determined to succeed, Graves worked as a boilermaker and fisherman to earn money to open the restaurant, eventually setting up shop at the north gates of LSU. The rest is history.

The significance of one of Louisiana’s most successful brands maintaining its corporate presence in Baton Rouge cannot be overstated. In the years since Graves founded Raising Cane’s, Louisiana has lost most of the national companies that once were headquartered in the state.

Today, just two remain: Entergy and Lumen Technologies, the latter of which has maintained its corporate presence in Monroe but has shifted most of its operations to Denver.

By maintaining a corporate presence in the state where it was founded, Cane’s is demonstrating its symbolic commitment to Graves’ home state.

In reality, though, much of Cane’s operations is located at its Restaurant Support Office in Plano, Texas, near Dallas, the hub of the nation’s $290 billion quick-service restaurant industry.

Cane’s opened its Plano office in 2009, where, according to the company’s LinkedIn page, it conducts most of its hiring, training and development. In 2024, the company announced it was building a new 400,000-square-foot facility, also in Plano, nearly four times the size of its existing support office.

The $6 million project will be completed this year.

Of Cane’s 70,000 U.S. employees, which includes both restaurant and corporate staff, 65 corporate employees live and work in Baton Rouge. Graves said building a business with a corporate office in Baton Rouge has meant creating a unique organizational model, with a network of nerve centers in key locations across the country like Los Angeles, New York, Las Vegas, Denver and Phoenix, totaling 120 “business unit teams.”

Having dispersed teams around the country makes it easier to attract talent, Graves said, because it means that potential employees do not have to uproot their families to move to Baton Rouge for work.

The model is more costly, however, due to the expense of operating multiple regional offices and travel.

Graves said it’s worth the investment and that he sometimes brings non-Louisiana employees to Baton Rouge for crawfish boils to

PROVIDED PHOTO By RAFAEL GAMEZ

According to a news release from Raising Cane’s, a Texas restaurant location pays homage to Post Malone’s career and Dallas Cowboys history. Part of CEO Todd Graves’ strategy has been to tap into celebrity fanbases to build demand for expansion. give them a taste of the state culture and build an “affinity” for Louisiana’s capital city.

“They have this resonated knowing it’s Louisiana culture that goes out, and they know it’s why I’m here,” he said. “And they have respect for that.”

With an outmigration of restaurateurs and other companies, Graves cited high state income tax as a challenge for Louisiana businesses, though he believes companies should pay their fair share to support public education and services. When asked if the state can alleviate any pressures restaurateurs face, Graves said it’ll take more restaurant headquarters to station themselves in Louisiana for the business environment to improve.

“You just need more founders that are dedicated to Louisiana,” he said.

Building the brand Restaurateurs have battled inflation, tariffs and waning consumer spending on food in the past few years, with average food costs up 30% from 2019 to 2024, according to a National Restaurant Association report. Cane’s was not immune to those headwinds and saw a slight decrease in traffic. But Graves said the restaurant’s fixed menu of chicken fingers, Texas toast, fries and coleslaw has helped insulate the company from market pressures. Much of its ingredients are sourced in the United States, sparing it from tariff troubles.

Part of Graves’ strategy to expand and keep his brand on top is to secure high-profile, highly desirable real estate.

Restaurants in visible locations like Times Square and Washington, D.C.’s Union Station are both key for attracting locals and tourists, who will return to their respective homes and spread the word about Raising Cane’s.

Graves said the company gets requests for locations from Sydney to Bangladesh.

Graves has also tapped into celebrity fanbases to build demand for expansion. He’s often seen with “Caniacs” like country singer Megan Moroney and rapper Snoop Dogg, promoting the restaurant in advertisements where the stars are working the drive-thru. The promotions, which Graves says are initiated by the stars most of the time, humanize them and ring in their fan base.

“It’s something different that they can’t do anywhere else,” he said. “I actually teach them how to fry chicken.”

Graves and Snoop Dogg are longtime friends, collabo-

rating on philanthropy and appearances on TV shows.

They’ve appeared in commercials together; in one instance, Snoop Dogg helped give out chicken fingers on National Chicken Finger Day, a company-made holiday, after Graves woke up sick in bed. He said his own presence in his advertisements shows his customers that he’s working hard for his brand.

Growing up, he saw commercials for Wendy’s on TV, where founder Dave Thomas served customers, traveled the world only to crave a Wendy’s burger and set up Christmas decorations.

Graves said the commercials showed Thomas cared about his business, and he wanted to do the same.

“I want them to see that face, because it’s a dying thing,” he said. “What most restaurant founders do. They work their butt off, they keep all the money in the business, they grow and grow, then private equity comes in and either buys it all or they buy the majority stake, and then they control the business, and then there’s not those founder principles that follow through.”

His dream collaboration is to blend the sports, entertainment and fashion industries he’s tapped into, he said, naming Louis Vuitton as a brand he’d like to mingle with the Caniacs. He may not be far from that goal — this year, Cane’s made its runway debut with a fashion show part of New York Fashion Week, featuring some locally loved celebrities like Livvy Dunne and Brooks Nader.

Keeping it close Despite its size and success, Graves has resisted calls to take his company public. Instead, he continues to own more than 90% of the company, according to industry reports. Keeping Cane’s private enables Graves to maintain tight control of the business and remain free of pressure from stakeholders. He said his presence in branding and his ownership of the company remind customers of where he started in Baton Rouge.

Cane’s posted $5.1 billion in revenue for 2024, according to Forbes, and is set to surpass $5 billion again this year. Graves has said his goal is to reach $10 billion in sales by 2030.

“What matters is all the good things we do,” he said.

“Hire a great crew, give them growth opportunities, great customer service. There’s a family that really cares behind it, and then the family gives back into all the communities we do business in.”

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3E

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TALKING BUSINESS A S K T H E E X P E RT S

Change a driving force for civic-minded entrepreneur

BY ANTHONY McAULEY

Staff writer

Roy Glapion has never strayed far from home — by design. A lifelong New Orleanian, the civil engineer and entrepreneur recently stepped away from a decadeslong professional career and is now turning his attention more fully toward civic work that he believes will help shape the city’s next chapter.

Glapion co-founded Citywide Testing & Inspections in 1995 with his business partner, Dennis Engen, building the firm into a significant regional construction materials testing operation. In 2007, the company was sold to Professional Service Industries for an undisclosed sum. Engen chose to retire, but Glapion stayed on, continuing to work for PSI and successor firms for another 17 years, until his retirement in December.

“I stayed because I still wanted to,” Glapion said. “I liked competing. I liked winning work. At some point, you just know it’s time to do something different.”

That “something different” now includes a deepening commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy. Among the most visible projects he has helped shepherd is the long-delayed effort to fund and build a $15 million stadium at George Washington Carver High School — an initiative he has worked on for more than half a decade. He is also deeply involved in nonprofit work, including leadership within the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation, which focuses on mentorship and opportunity for young people.

Glapion’s sense of obligation to the city is inseparable from his family history. His roots in New Orleans stretch back to the 19th century, tracing directly to Marie

Q&A WITH ROy GLAPION

STAFF PHOTO By ANTHONy McAULEy

Longtime civil engineer and entrepreneur Roy Glapion retired in December to focus more on his civic involvements and, maybe, on politics.

Laveau II (1827-97), daughter of the famed Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau. His father, Roy E. Glapion Jr., was a longtime educator, New Orleans City Council member and for decades a respected leader of the Zulu Social Aid & Pleasure Club. His sister Désirée Glapion Rogers is a nationally prominent executive who has served as White House social secretary under President Barack Obama, CEO of Johnson Publishing Co. and, since 2019, CEO of Black Opal Beauty.

A decade ago, Glapion himself entered electoral politics, running for a state Senate seat ultimately won by Troy Carter, a close friend.

These days, he says, his focus is less on office-holding than on helping the city’s next generation — and next administration — succeed.

Interview has been edited for length and clarity.

You describe yourself as a “traditional New Orleans family.” What does that mean to you?

It means the roots run deep. My

parents grew up here. I grew up here. My sister grew up here. We are direct descendants of Marie Laveau de Glapion — Marie Laveau II. We don’t wear it on our sleeves, but it’s part of who we are. I’m a New Orleanian, born and bred. I’ve never lived anywhere else.

Your father left a strong legacy in education and politics. How did that shape you?

My father was an educator first.

My mother was an educator, too.

At some point, my dad decided he could make a bigger difference by running for office, and he won the first time out. He did a great job, and his reputation speaks for itself. But what really shaped us was how we were raised: Excuses were unacceptable. If you failed, it was because you accepted failure.

That mindset guided everything I’ve done.

You had football scholarships, including to LSU, but chose engineering instead. Why? My father asked me a simple question: “Do you want to play pro football?” I said no. He said, “Then

why play in college?” I studied civil engineering, graduated from UNO and eventually was named Alumnus of the Year. Engineering made sense to me. Math made sense to me.

But you didn’t stay a traditional engineer.

I got bored, honestly. I was designing highway beds, sitting at a table with calculations everywhere, watching a bird outside the window and thinking, this isn’t it. I wanted something different.

That led to Citywide Testing & Inspections?

Yes. A friend suggested construction materials testing. I didn’t know much about it at first, but there were fewer competitors, and every construction project needs testing.

My wife (Inez, whom Glapion has been with since high school at St. Augustine) was pregnant with our second son when I quit my job. I told her I was unemployed. She said, “No, you’re self-employed.”

That was the start.

How did you build the business?

By solving problems. We couldn’t work in Orleans Parish because of my father’s political role — too many conflicts — so we went to Jefferson Parish, St. John, St. Charles, Baton Rouge, Mississippi.

People talk about obstacles. Everybody has obstacles. The question is whether you go around them, under them or over them.

Did race present barriers in that era?

Of course there were obstacles.

We knew exactly what we were up against. But business is business.

If you know what you’re doing and you have a good product, people will work with you. I walked in as a businessman, not as anything else.

When Citywide was sold in 2007, your partner retired. You didn’t. Why? I still wanted to work. I liked the chase. I stayed with PSI and successor firms for years, putting strategies together to win big contracts. Eventually, the people I trusted retired or passed away, and the structure changed. At some point, you just get tired of doing the same thing.

So what does retirement mean to you now?

Retirement is being able to do what you want every day. I’ve probably been retired for a long time in that sense. I don’t have a job now, but I’m very busy.

Much of that busyness is civic. What are you focused on?

Giving back. “To whom much is given, much is required.” I mentor younger professionals, especially in engineering. I give information freely — no strings attached — so they don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

You’re also deeply involved in nonprofit work.

Yes. I’m serving as president of the New Orleans Police & Justice Foundation. We work with 21 kids who have drive and at least one committed guardian. Watching those kids succeed — and even come back as alumni — is incredibly gratifying.

And Carver High School’s stadium?

That’s been six years of work. I like planting seeds. When that stadium gets built, I’ll know I helped plant one.

Looking ahead, what gives you hope for New Orleans?

Change. We have new leadership coming in, younger people with different ideas. Different isn’t bad — it’s good. The city’s problems are longstanding, but losing hope is a defeatist attitude.

What should be the city’s priorities?

First, make it easier to do business — fix permitting, pay people on time, cut red tape. Second, focus on where the city can grow, which is Eastern New Orleans. That’s where the footprint is. If we get those right, more people will come, and the city will move forward.

Do you see yourself running for office again?

Never say never — but right now, I’m focused on helping however I can. I love this city. My family has been here forever. If I can help plant seeds that grow into something better, that’s enough.

Email Anthony McAuley tmcauley@theadvocate.com.

Louisiana’s Fisheries Are Complex.

Let’s Base Decisions on Science, Not Assumptions.

Brought to you by the Louisiana Commercial Fisheries Coalition, LLC A recent Advocate/Times-Picayune article examined what Louisiana anglers caught in 2025 and what those numbers could suggest about the health of our most popular sport fish. It highlighted an important truth that every policymaker, fisherman, and coastal resident needs to recognize: Louisiana’s fisheries challenges are real, complex, and cannot be reduced to simple narratives or blamed on convenient villains.

Speckled trout remain the most popular recreational catch in Louisiana. Red drum and white trout continue to define our coastal identity. At the same time, state biologists and anglers are watching long-term trends closely and evaluating how environmental conditions, fishing pressure, and policy changes are affecting populations.

Here is what the science and experts continue to point to: • Louisiana’s ongoing coastal land loss crisis • Loss of nursery habitat critical to juvenile fish survival • Storms, freezes, and environmental variability • Water quality conditions • Declining angler participation, which affects funding and data reliability • New management measures that require time and rigorous assessment to fully evaluate Notably, the article did not identify the Gulf menhaden fishery as a driver of declines in speckled trout or red drum. If scientific evidence clearly linked menhaden harvest to those issues, Louisiana biologists, federal fisheries experts, and responsible journalists would say so. Instead, the discussion continues to focus where the strongest science points: habitat loss, environmental stress, and longterm ecological cycles.

Data Quality Matters Fisheries management works best when decisions are based on verifiable, audited data. There is a key difference in how commercial and recreational fisheries are monitored in Louisiana.

Every menhaden vessel must log each set, its location, and estimated harvest. These numbers are verified and reported electronically each month to NOAA, the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission, and LDWF. This ensures the commercial menhaden fishery operates under actual, documented catch, not projections.

Recreational harvest is estimated through survey sampling. These surveys provide only estimated insights and do not capture actual catch or effort. They are influenced by regulatory changes and reporting biases. And not every angler participates. Strong policy must prioritize verified, audited data, especially when making decisions that affect multiple user groups, to ensure fairness and reliability in management.

Responsible resource management must weigh multiple factors, including habitat, environmental variability, harvest levels, and long-term population trends. It should not be influenced by one user group seeking to shift blame or policy outcomes onto another, such as attempts to demonize the menhaden fishery. In Louisiana, this principle ensures that regulations are based on evidence, not anecdote, perception, or sector rivalry, and that all users – from commercial fisheries to recreational anglers – are treated fairly.

Independent Science and Ongoing Review The menhaden fishery is among the most closely monitored in the Gulf. It is assessed annually by panels of scientists including NOAA and LDWF and independently peer-reviewed. The most recent Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission assessment confirmed the stock is healthy. The fishery also holds Marine Stewardship Council sustainability certification, an internationally recognized benchmark for responsible management. A $1 million state-funded bycatch study confirmed compliance and demonstrated that investments in safer, more sustainable technology are producing measurable results.

This is not an industry resisting accountability. It is

an industry actively improving and reporting results.

Even federal scientists have acknowledged that red drum assessments are limited. The last federal Gulf-wide red drum assessment in 2016 was considered data-limited and not suitable for definitive management advice. This reinforces why caution, strong data, and science-based decision making are critical for both commercial and recreational fisheries.

Aligning Policy with Evidence The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission’s recent Notice of Intent to adjust the menhaden buffer zone reflects this same science-driven philosophy. After reviewing multiple years of data, operational experience, evolving technology, and improved safeguards, the Commission concluded that buffer adjustments were justified. This is not a rollback of protections. It is a measured, evidencebased correction to ensure regulations reflect the best available science.

Responsible Management Means Patience and Investment LDWF has stated that it will take time to understand fully the effects of recent regulatory changes and environmental conditions on trout and red drum.

That approach is appropriate. Sound management is

deliberate, careful, and evidence-driven.

The state’s biggest challenge remains coastal habitat loss. As wetlands disappear, nursery habitats that support red drum, speckled trout, and other species also vanish. Policy changes alone cannot restore these critical ecosystems. Supporting coastal restoration and the scientists who monitor fisheries is essential. When funding erodes, data quality suffers, and policymaking risks becoming political rather than scientific.

Louisiana Thrives When We Follow Science Louisiana succeeds when decisions are based on facts, respect for expertise, and a commitment to fairness. The Advocate/Times-Picayune article underscores what fisheries professionals already know: management is complex, long-term, and must remain grounded in the most reliable, verified science, not assumptions or anecdotal evidence.

By recognizing the credibility gap between commercial and recreational data, investing in coastal restoration, and adjusting regulations like the LWFC menhaden buffer NOI based on evidence, Louisiana can protect its fisheries, its coastal communities, and the families who rely on them.

Our state’s future on the water, along the coast, and in our communities depends on getting this right.

4E ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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AROUND THE REGION RNGD touts benefits of ‘innovative’ modular construction Firm tasked with building state’s new Harvey office

BY STEPHANIE RIEGEL Staff writer

RNGD, Wes Palmisano’s fastgrowing Metairie-based construction firm, has been selected

by Louisiana to deliver a new $84 million office building in Harvey that will replace the existing state office building on the Westbank Expressway.

The two-story building, which will encompass 116,000 square feet, will be constructed, at least in part, using modular, or prefabricated, construction — a method that RNGD has increasingly utilized in residential and commercial projects over the past five years because it saves time and money.

“Through innovative approaches like offsite manufacturing and prefabrication, we’re able to deliver a higher-quality building more cost-efficiently and on an accelerated timeline,” said Joe Yenni, RNGD executive vice president-building.

The state contract is the latest of several positive developments for RNGD. The company started 2025 with a move to its new 14-acre campus on L&A Road near the Earhart Expressway and saw record growth in the months that followed. It opened a Mississippi office — in addition to offices it already has in Alabama and Tennessee — and snagged a contract to work on the site of the Meta artificial intelligence data center in Richland Parish.

It finished the year with a backlog — the total dollar value of work a company has but has not completed yet — of more than $500 million.

Among RNGD’s signature projects of the past 12 months was the completion of a five-story office

including wall panels, frames, sheaths and exterior coverings offsite in a factory. The components are digitally tracked through each stage of production, allowing quality control and productivity data to be captured and analyzed. That data is then used to ensure proper building component performance and better design for future projects, company spokesperson Michael Fulkerton said.

Once components are ready, they’re flat packed and transported to a jobsite.

It’s too soon to say how much of the new state office building in Harvey will be constructed using modular components.

“As part of preconstruction, we of construction projects in the U.S. is relatively small, at just will be assessing opportunities for offsite prefabrication over 10%, according to where appropriate and the Construction Industry effective in driving value Training Board. for the project,” Fulkerton Palmisano is trying to said in a statement. change that. As he has In the coming months, grown the family conthe company will be evalstruction company started by his grandfather Warren uating whether prefabriPalmisano, he has increas- Wes Palmisano cating parts of the Harvey office building in Metairie ingly focused on modular building, changing the company’s will improve schedule certainty, name nearly three years ago to quality control, jobsite safety and PROVIDED RENDERINGS By TRAPOLIN-PEER ARCHITECTS RNGD — pronounced renegade cost management.

The building, being designed by — to reflect the shift in focus. At ABOVE and TOP: Mock-ups show the exterior and interior of a new $84 Peer Trapolin, is expected to be the same time, he bought the Memillion state office building planned for Harvey being built by Metairietairie campus to have more space completed by December 2028. based constsruction firm RNGD. for manufacturing and training facilities.

Email Stephanie Riegel at The process involves prefab- stephanie.riegel@theadvocate. building in Huntsville, Alabama’s in Harvey, where it is managing historic downtown, where it is de- the preconstruction phase of the ricating building components, com. project and is expected to lead veloping a mixed-use district.

RNGD The company completed the in the construction phase once it construction five-story, 75,000-square-foot gets started.

“This project represents our building in just two months using installs a modular building methods that ongoing commitment to advancmanufactured involved shipping more than 450 ing Louisiana’s infrastructure and steel wall tons of structural steel and nearly serving the communities where panel at a 200 exterior wall panels from its we live and work,” Palmisano said jobsite in May 90,000-square-foot manufactur- in a prepared statement. ing facility in Metairie to the jobin Huntsville, Building-in-a-box site.

Ala. In all, the method shaved nearly Amid rising construction costs PROVIDED four months off the construction and a housing affordability crisis, PHOTO timeline, the company said. modular building has become a RNGD intends to bring the same hot topic of late and is growing in kind of efficiencies to the project popularity. Still, its overall share

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 5E

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NATION & WORLD Toys are talking back thanks to AI, but are they safe?

BY QUEENIE WONG

Los Angeles Times (TNS)

Stuffed animals that talk back.

Chessboards with pieces that move on their own. And a chatty holographic fairy in a crystal ball.

Your next toy purchase might be powered by artificial intelligence and able to converse with your kids.

Chatbots and AI-powered assistants that can quickly answer questions and generate texts have become more common after the rise of OpenAI’s ChatGPT. As AI becomes more intertwined in our work and personal lives, it’s also shaking up playtime.

Startups unleashed AI toys in time for the holidays. More are set to hit the shelves for both kids and adults in the new year.

Some parents are excited to test the toys, hoping that the chatty bot interactions will educate and entertain their children. Others don’t want the seemingly sentient tech near their loved ones until it has more guardrails and undergoes further testing.

Researchers at the U.S. PIRG Education Fund say they have already found problems with some of the toys they tested. Among the issues: an AI teddy bear that could be prompted into discussing sexual fetishes and kink, according to the group.

Toy makers say AI can make play more interactive, and they take safety and privacy seriously.

Some have placed more limits around how chatty some of these products can be. They say they are taking their time figuring out how to use AI safely with children.

El Segundo-based Mattel, the maker of Barbie and Hot Wheels, announced earlier this year that it had teamed up with OpenAI to create more AI-powered toys. The initial plan was to unveil their first joint product in 2025, but that announcement has been pushed into 2026.

Toys have featured the latest technology for decades.

LOS ANGELES TIMES PHOTO By BRIAN VAN DER BRUG

A shopper walks past fully stocked shelves in the toy department at a Walmart Supercenter in Burbank, Calif.

Startups unleashed toys using artificial intelligence in time for the holidays, and more are set to hit the shelves for both kids and adults in the new year.

“What does it mean for young kids to have AI companions?

We just really don’t know how that will impact their development.”

As technology has advanced, toys have also gotten smarter.

Now, toy makers are using large language models trained to understand and generate language that powers products such as ChatGPT. Mattel sells a game called PictionRORy ERLICH, toy tester and author of ary vs. AI, in which players draw U.S. PIRG Education Fund’s artificial pictures and AI guesses what they intelligence toys report are.

Equipped with microphones and connected to WiFi, AI toys are Introduced in the 1980s, Teddy pricier than traditional ones, are Ruxpin told stories aloud when a marketed as companions or educatape cassette was inserted into the tional products and can cost $100 animatronic bear’s back. Furbys — or even double that. fuzzy creatures that blinked their From inappropriate content to large eyes and talked — came privacy concerns, worries about along in the ’90s, when digital pets AI toys grew this holiday season. like the Tamagotchi also were all U.S. PIRG Education Fund rethe rage. searchers tested several toys. One

that failed was Kumma, an AIpowered talking teddy bear that told researchers where to find dangerous objects such as knives and pills and conversed about sexually explicit content. The bear was running on OpenAI’s software.

Some toys also use tactics to keep kids engaged, which makes parents concerned that the interactions could become addictive.

There are also privacy concerns about data collected from children. Some worry about how these toys will impact kids’ developing brains.

“What does it mean for young kids to have AI companions? We just really don’t know how that will impact their development,” said Rory Erlich, one of the toy

testers and authors of PIRG’s AI toys report.

Child advocacy group Fairplay has warned parents not to buy AI toys for children, calling them “unsafe.”

The group outlined several reasons, including that AI toys are powered by the same technology that’s already harmed children.

Parents who have lost their children to suicide have sued companies such as OpenAI and Character.AI, alleging they didn’t put in enough guardrails to protect the mental health of young people.

Larry Wang, founder and chief executive of FoloToy, the Singapore startup behind Kumma, said in an email the company is aware of the issues researchers found with the toy.

“The behaviors referenced were identified and addressed through updates to our model selection and child-safety systems, along with additional testing and monitoring,” he said.

The company welcomes scrutiny and ongoing dialogue about safety, transparency and appropriate design, he said, noting it’s “an opportunity for the entire industry to mature.”

OpenAI said it suspended FoloToy for violating its policies.

Skyrocket, a Los Angeles-based toy maker, sells Poe, the AI story bear. The bear, powered by OpenAI’s LLM, comes with an app where users pick characters like a princess or a robot for a story.

The bright-eyed bear, named after writer Edgar Allan Poe, generates stories based on that selection and recites them aloud.

But kids can’t have a back-andforth conversation with the teddy bear like with other AI toys.

“It just comes with a lot of responsibility, because it greatly increases the sophistication and level of safeguards you have to have and how you have to control the content because the possibilities are so much greater,” said Nelo Lucich, co-founder and chief executive of Skyrocket.

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6E ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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“If the man has no waist, we give him a waist. If he has sloped shoulders, we make him look stronger. For lack of a better word, we’re artists for making garments.”

MANUEL MARTINEZ, master tailor

CUSTOM

Sam Connan makes a cocktail at the new Tweeds Custom Suit showroom on Magazine Street. The Florida-based chain debuted in New Orleans in December.

Continued from page 1E plenty of new businesses are emerging to meet the demand.

In New Orleans, at least a halfdozen custom suit designers and showrooms have launched over the last 15 years. The most recent, a new outpost of the Florida-based chain Tweeds Custom Suits, debuted on Magazine Street in December.

Baton Rouge, Lafayette and other Louisiana cities have seen similar new arrivals. And established men’s clothing stores, both local and national, now provide more custom offerings.

After decades of American men choosing to buy clothes mostly off the rack, this internet-fueled pivot to buying custom has created new opportunities for entrepreneurs to launch businesses with high margins, low overhead, minimal inventory and flexible hours.

If done right, Martinez said, the suits they sell can be transformational.

“If the man has no waist, we give him a waist,” he said. “If he has sloped shoulders, we make him look stronger. For lack of a better word, we’re artists for making garments.”

The rise of custom For decades, custom clothes were reserved for wealthy people who could afford to pay tailors to hand sew garments, a process that can take months.

These days, the internet allows salespeople to capture measurements digitally and send them to faraway factories in an instant.

Manufacturers can make and modify patterns using software instead of fabric or paper, and their production lines can crank out custom clothing at scale. Modern supply chains transport goods more affordably than in the past, although tariffs have raised prices in some cases.

Kenny Rubenstein, owner and Rubenstein general manager of the 101-year-old Rubensteins men’s

STAFF PHOTOS By RICH COLLINS

Tailor Dmitriy Chernikov works on a suit at Luca Falcone on Magazine Street. Luca Falcone was arguably the first of the ‘new wave’ of custom suit makers in New Orleans when it debuted in 2011. clothing store in downtown New Orleans, said customers bought off the rack for most of the store’s history, using onsite tailors to make adjustments as needed. But now custom clothes are the store’s third biggest-selling category, doubling in volume since the pandemic.

The new efficiency is a big reason.

“I used to write an order on paper, fax it to the vendor, hoping to get confirmation of receipt a few days later,” Rubenstein said. “Then, after I verified the information, we’d receive the finished product in three months. Now, when I click send on the computer, by the next day, I can’t change it because it’s being made.”

Rubensteins and its competitors offer custom apparel at a range of price points. A few vendors offer “bespoke” garments made completely from scratch and by hand.

Most sell “made to measure” items that are created by modifying existing patterns using a client’s measurements.

The more handmade a garment is, the more expensive it will be.

That’s why finished products can range in price from below $1,000 to well above $10,000, depending on fabrics and construction method.

Luca Falcone, arguably the first of the “new wave” of custom suit makers in New Orleans when it debuted in 2011, offers customers

several high-end options from its stylish showroom on lower Magazine Street.

The store offers options that are either machine sewn or handmade in Italy. Its most premium product is a “full bespoke” suit made onsite in New Orleans.

“Each of those takes 80 hours of hand stitching, so we only produce five or six per month,” said Joe Rotolo, the company’s founder, who discovered his love of custom clothing while studying in Europe.

Several years Rotolo ago, Rotolo doubled down on higher-end options and built out a showroom with a lounge on the second floor, accessible through a secret door hidden behind a sliding mirror. It’s a place for clients to smoke a cigar, have a drink and take in the view from the balcony.

“I want this to be a true destination in the same way people fly to Napoli or to London,” he said.

Brittany Nickolyn, of Harper + Jones, a Dallas-based clothier that came to Magazine Street in 2018, said her company also focuses on high-end garments, and it has created efficiencies to cut down on the time it takes to complete a job.

“American consumers aren’t go-

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ing to wait months for a suit,” she there,” said Batiste, who estimates said. “That’s not how we’ve been he’s designed at least 1,000 suits taught to shop.” since.

Although she didn’t launch her Low barrier own brand, New Orleanian Erica The evolution of custom clothing Reiss has joined the ranks of the has created business opportunities state’s fashion entrepreneurs by for fashion-minded entrepreneurs representing the Dallas-based cuswho want to launch businesses with tom clothier J.Hilburn for the last high margins, low-upfront costs 13 years. and lots of flexibility. Some get She brings her measuring tools started with little more than mea- and fabric samples to clients’ homes suring tape, fabric samples and a or businesses or she hosts them at her home office. relationship with a manufacturer.

She said New Orleans has been a Slidell resident Cortez Jackson, a former sales manager for a dis- good market for her because it is tributor of tobacco home to a limited number of presproducts, launched tigious department stores. Instead, Lavoisier Suits she primarily competes — and in 2016 from the sometimes collaborates — with dining room of local clothiers like Perlis, Rubenhis home. Now he steins and George Bass, along with schedules appoint- the custom suit shops on Magazine ments with clients Street.

“I operate like a luxury store, but at a building he Jackson purchased on a it’s just me,” she said.

Reiss said technology continues quiet Lower Garden District street.

“The job allows you to work when to make her job easier. Videoconyou want, travel where you want ferences cut down on travel. Artiand meet a lot of people,” he said. ficial intelligence has helped make Jackson took classes and made measurements more accurate. And connections at New York City’s social media has changed the way Custom Tailors & Designers Asso- her company gets the word out.

“We’ve gone from advertising in ciation, which also helped launch the fashion career of former oil- airline magazines to working with field worker Harold Batiste, who influencers,” she said.

All the technology adds up to more founded Bespoke Batiste in 2020 in people experiencing the power of a carefully crafted garment, and Lafayette.

Batiste said his Kenny Rubenstein is glad to see it.

“Once you get a custom suit, you first client hired him to create a pink won’t buy off the rack,” he said. and navy blue tux “You’ll have all these options in your closet, and you’ll grab that one evfor a wedding. “ A t f i r s t , I ery day because it makes you feel Batiste thought he was jok- the best.” ing, but he liked the finished suit so much that he invited me to the Email Rich Collins at rich. event, and I got a few more clients collins@theadvocate.com.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 7E

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ONE BIG QUESTION What was the biggest challenge of 2025 for Louisiana?

BY JONAH MEADOWS Staff writer

In 2025, Louisiana’s economy notched some impressive wins, with economic development officials announcing a steady stream of industrial megaprojects throughout the year that promise to bring billions of dollars in investments and thousands of new jobs to the state.

Experts who study the economy and work with local businesses and organizations across the state, however, say the optimism has been tempered by the difficult realities on the ground that have come with uncertainty around tariffs, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages and inflation.

Now, at the start of 2026, we wondered what lessons could be learned by looking back. For our latest edition of One Big Question, STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD we asked four experts from differ- Experts who study the economy and work with local businesses and organizations across the state say ent corners of the state to weigh in: optimism has been tempered by the difficult realities on the ground that have come with uncertainty around What was the single biggest chaltariffs, supply chain disruptions, workforce shortages and inflation. lenge for business in 2025?

The following answers have been if Meta hires every electrician see companies saving for a rainy to businesses, especially small edited for brevity. in Louisiana to go up to Richland day. They are uncertain because businesses. They usually only do RICHARD NELSON Parish, then where does that leave of tariffs, interest rates, the stock short- to medium-term planning.

President, Louisiana Community the rest of us? When you have this market, AI. Pick your industry, pick They don’t have the ability to reand Technical College System, huge imbalance between supply your uncertainty. arrange their supply chain. They former secretary of revenue and demand, it can trickle down The companies that seem to be don’t have a lot of the large-scale Finding a skilled workforce. I to somebody just trying to get the getting through that are the ones demand for inputs that allows think we’ve somewhat remedied plumbing done in their house. If that are taking stock of where they them to have some degree of marthe problem of how to bring invest- all the plumbers are in Richland are, reminding themselves of what’s ket power or to be able to hedge ment to our state. At least on the Parish, they can’t get it done. So I positive. They’re looking in the rear away some of this tariff uncersurface, we’ve had these huge in- think that’s an emerging problem view to see the forward progress tainty.

In Louisiana, about 56% of our lavestment announcements through- this year, and I think next year, it’ll they’ve made, and they are investing in their future, not necessarily bor force is made up of businesses out this entire year. Now, we’re in be even worse. wasting money or even spending that hire 10 workers or less. When the position of having to find the money, but shoring up their resourc- we have a large-scale recession, people to staff this. And that has JACI RUSSO Co-founder and strategist, happened across the state. es, leaning into cross-training, iden- yes, it’s going to be the company Everything I go to, they’re telling brandRUSSO, Lafayette-based tifying opportunities for growth into that lays off 2,000 workers that’s branding agency me they need “this many hundred new markets or new sectors. They going to be the story, because electricians” or “this many hunThe biggest challenge is uncer- are planning, some of them for the that’s the easiest story to report. dred welders.” All these projects tainty. This crosses political par- first time ever. And they’re start- We’re not going to report the 2,000 are incredibly capital-intensive. ties, geographies, socioeconomic ing to see that they can be confident businesses that laid off four workThey’re going to be incredibly lines. Uncertainty has people con- again and aggressively grow again. ers on average. But that’s the tidal demanding, especially in these cerned, which makes them pull wave. That’s where we hurt the skilled trades, construction trades, back. When they pull back, they’re PATRICK SCOTT most. and we just don’t have the skilled not investing, they’re not spending, Economics professor, director of Import prices are up. We’re workforce right now to do that. not surprised by that. But export they’re not hiring, and that’s kind Center for Economic Research, That impacts things besides of what makes the world go around Louisiana Tech University prices are, oddly enough, slightly just these megaprojects, because from an economic standpoint. We Tariffs are the biggest challenge down. From a retaliatory perspec-

tive, our trading partners are not retaliating to our tariff policy nearly as forcefully as what we’re imposing, and they’re buying less.

That tells me that we’re actually exporting marginally less, and most likely, what we’re going to see in the coming years is a complete re-scrambling of supply chains internationally to avoid the United States, if these tariffs stay in place.

JILL ROSHTO

Executive director, Louisiana Alliance for Nonprofits

Funding is the biggest challenge. That doesn’t really change from year to year. But this year, the added pressure of governmental changes on the federal level, and the loss of federal funding for a variety of nonprofits has added an extra wrinkle. And so we’ve had a rocky year for nonprofit support, both on the federal and state levels.

The overall trend for the last few years has been the shift in how people give, an aging philanthropic population, and what does that look like for the organizations going forward? In our trainings, one of the first things we tell organizations is “501c(3) is just that federal tax status.” You want to operate as if you are a business, but you’re a business that gets that tax break only because you provide extremely valuable services in and fill the gaps in our communities that need those gaps filled. But you need to operate as if you are a for-profit business in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, financial responsibility and looking forward.

And I think just like any businesses right now, the change is constant. So nonprofit organizations have to be innovative. Our world’s changing so quickly and nonprofit organizations have to change quickly to keep up.

Email Jonah Meadows at Jonah.Meadows@theadvocate. com.

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Gallagher: Lessons in Resilience An article from Gallagher

On the recent 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the Gallagher team has been looking back at the experience and how it shaped today’s insurance industry.

Nancy Sylvester is an area executive vice president at Gallagher, based in Baton Rouge. She recently shared her story of Hurricane Katrina, the challenges the insurance industry faced and how resilience shaped the path forward.

With damages exceeding USD200 billion, Katrina not only altered

Blackhawk helicopters were constantly flying overhead,

the city’s physical landscape but also reshaped global

transporting the injured from New Orleans to Louisiana State

perspectives on disaster preparedness and response. Today,

University (LSU), where the athletics department became a

20 years after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans, its impact

makeshift emergency hospital. The LSU student body even

remains deeply felt across the affected communities as the

donated clothing to those in need, and you could see people

costliest and one of the five deadliest hurricanes in US history.

wearing purple and gold, the colors of the university. It was a touching display of humanity after Hurricane Katrina, with

Q: Take us back to August of 2005. How did you experience the

everyone welcomed and cared for as best as possible.

landfall of the hurricane?

I live in Baton Rouge, 70 miles from New Orleans. That weekend, my oldest son was fishing in the Gulf of Mexico and when we

Q: How have your clients’ perspectives on extreme weather risks evolved since Hurricane Katrina?

urged him to come back inland, what should have been an hour’s

Before Katrina, redundancies were often viewed as unnecessary

drive took about 12 hours due to the worsening conditions. The

expenses. Today, having backups is understood as essential.

news reports initially said things were under control, but by

Clients now prioritize strengthening buildings to ensure their

lunchtime on Monday, the levees began breaking and things

facilities can endure severe weather, addressing all potential

quickly spiraled out of control.

exposures on supply chains or backup power, for example.

Everyone is focused on preventing business interruption claims

Q: What were the first days like when family and friends sought shelter at your home, far from the most affected areas?

and avoiding closing their doors because, once they do, they may never open again. We know that FEMA [Federal Emergency

I welcomed my family from New Orleans, expecting it to be

Management Agency] has stated 40% of companies don’t reopen

manageable, but soon found myself hosting 26 people. I slept

after a disaster, and another 25% fail within one year.

under my dining room table, the only private space left.

Wandering into the kitchen at night, I’d meet strangers saying,

As a community, we’re also massively investing in roof resilience

“I work for your cousin. He said it would be OK.” I reassured

to withstand strong winds and prevent piercings. When damage

everyone, “Yeah, everything’s fine.”

or loss occurs, my clients aren’t interested in just rebuilding what was there before; they’re focused on constructing to newer codes

Q: How was daily life impacted in the aftermath of

and following the highest building standards

Hurricane Katrina?

My usual 15-minute drive to the office would take hours due to the crowds seeking refuge in Baton Rouge and just trying to get somewhere else. Schools also faced a sudden surge in students, and the school offices would announce where people could

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO OF NANCY’S FULL INTERVIEW

find food.

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King Cake season PAGE 3

Molly Kimball 1N

Beyond the Scale Addressing Louisiana’s obesity epidemic

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

PROVIDED PHOTO

Alex Cohen, a licensed clinical psychologist at LSU. and other LSU researchers are now using AI to show that everyday speech patterns may help detect cognitive decline earlier, and that they can measure how patients change over time.

SEEING SIGNS

LSU researchers say AI could detect Alzheimer’s speech patterns early

BY EMILY WOODRUFF Staff writer

For decades, scientists have known that subtle changes in speech can signal changes in the brain. Using so-called “filler words” such as “um” and “you know” or long pauses are sometimes a quirk of speech, but can also indicate lurking neurological problems.

As far back as the 1950s, researchers studying dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases observed that pauses and word-finding struggles often appeared before more obvious memory loss. Linguistic analyses of former President Ronald Reagan, for example, found that subtle changes in speech over his two terms could be linked to the onset of dementia years before his official diagnosis, five years after he left office.

But despite years of research — and frequent speculation and analysis of famous figures’ remarks — speech has remained largely outside routine clinical diagnosis for dementia. It is expensive, time-consuming and complicated to track one person’s speech over time, said Alex Cohen, a licensed clinical psychologist at LSU. But artificial intelligence to help track speech among individual patients could change that. Cohen and other LSU researchers are now using AI to show that everyday speech patterns may help detect cognitive decline earlier, and that they can measure how patients change over time.

In a recent study published in The Clinical Neuropsychologist, LSU researchers

analyzed audio recordings from cognitive and memory tests administered to more than 100 older adults. Using artificial intelligence, the team examined subtle features of speech, like pauses, to see whether they differed between healthy adults, people with mild cognitive impairment and those with early Alzheimer’s disease.

Longer pauses during memory-heavy tasks were strongly associated with early cognitive decline, even when participants were still able to recall the correct information.

The researchers also conducted a large analysis of more than a dozen published studies. They confirmed that speech pauses and speech rate during memory tasks consistently set apart people with Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment from healthy adults.

Detecting disease earlier with speech Early detection remains one of the biggest challenges in dementia care. By the time memory problems are obvious to patients or family members, Alzheimer’s disease is often already advanced, with irreversible damage to brain cells that disqualifies them from new medications that can slow the progression of the disease.

Traditional screening tools, such as word-recall exercises, can miss early changes and a pattern of decline over time.

Speech, Cohen said, is uniquely suited for this kind of work because it is constant, easy to collect remotely and closely tied to day-to-day functioning.

But a word of caution: Simply often using filler words such as “like” or “uh” doesn’t mean someone has dementia. Any app that offers a diagnosis after one conversation is a red flag, Cohen said.

What’s telling is when someone is asked to carry a “heavy memory load,” Cohen said, such as recalling a story with detailed information. At that point, subtle differences can emerge, such as more hesitation, that may not be noticeable in everyday conversation.

The researchers see the greatest value in tracking individuals over time, potentially building a personalized baseline and watching how speech changes over weeks, months or years.

That approach could help clinicians and caregivers monitor disease progression and pinpoint when someone starts to decline. It could also help measure whether treatments are working.

Dr. James Rini, a neurologist at Ochsner Health who was not part of the LSU study, said that an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is increasingly based on biological markers that can be measured within the brain. But tools that track symptoms remain essential, said Rini, especially with a shortage of neurologists and neuropsychologists to do the time-consuming work of testing and evaluating patients.

“There’s just not enough of us to go around,” Rini said.

Cognitive evaluations can take hours and are stressful for patients. Automated tools that help monitor changes over time could ease that burden and improve care, he said.

In 2026, Louisiana Health will launch “Beyond the Scale: Addressing Louisiana’s obesity epidemic.” This series will shine a spotlight on one of Louisiana’s biggest wellness issues and the efforts required to build healthier communities.

Throughout the year, we’ll look at successful ways communities across the state and country have faced the obesity challenge. We’ll address questions about weight, community resources, health outcomes, new medicines, technologies and more.

When it comes to getting healthier or improving one’s body image, finding the motivation to start or knowing how to begin can be tough.

This project will work to answer questions like: n Why is weight so hard to talk about? n What inspires different people to get healthier? n Where can Louisiana communities provide more? n Where are the community resources that already exist? n Where in the nation have they addressed obesity effectively? n Can we adopt those practices in Louisiana?

Community projects At the policy level, some parishes are tackling obesity rates head-on with new urban planning: walking paths, walkable downtowns and green spaces.

Baton Rouge and Lafayette city councils are sponsoring walking events and group exercise sessions.

Louisiana has the third highest obesity rate among U.S. states.

From 2022 to 2023, 30 parishes in Louisiana had decreases in obesity rates among adults, with St. Landry Parish leading the way with a decrease of 16% in obesity rate. In the nation, 11 counties were able to decrease their obesity rates by over 20% in one year.

One county in California decreased obesity 4% by organizing “walk audits,” establishing a safe route to school to encourage kids to walk or bike to school and bridging the gap between low-income families and local farmers.

There are thousands of stories from around the nation about communities who stood together.

ä See SCALE, page 3X

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

By JONEL ALECCIA

A man uses measuring tape on his waist in California on Jan. 9.

Inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities ochsner.org/community

2X ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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HEALTH MAKER N.O. doctor works to eliminate cardiology deserts in La.

BY MARGARET DeLANEY Staff writer

Dr. Keith Ferdinand is a native New Orleanian from the 9th Ward. He has spent his 40-year career as a cardiologist, working to eliminate disparities in heart disease — on the streets and in the communities that raised him.

In August of 2005, Ferdinand and his family packed their bags and spent four years working in Atlanta, Georgia, at Emory University after Hurricane Katrina flooded their home and heart clinic, Heartbeats Life Center. He and his wife, Daphne Ferdinand, founded the clinic in 1983. Daphne Ferdinand, a registered nurse, is executive director of the Healthy Heart Community Prevention Program.

“I returned home to service my community,” Ferdinand said.

Now a professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine, Ferdinand is a career-long member of the Association of Black Cardiologists, a national group dedicated to achieving health equity.

Ferdinand is recognized nationally and internationally as a leader in cardiovascular medicine. He has published over 350 peerreviewed publications and lectures and received the 2025 American College of Cardiology Distinguished Service Award at the 75th Annual Scientific Meeting.

Ferdinand received his medical degree from the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, D.C., in 1976, his residency in internal medicine and cardiology at LSU School of Medicine New Orleans in 1980 and his fellowship in cardiology from Howard University in 1981.

He is board-certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease, certified in the subspecialty of nuclear cardiology, and a specialist in clinical hypertension.

When, and why, did you start work with the Association of Black Cardiologists?

As a child growing up, I did not necessarily want to be a doctor. In fact, my first professional education was in history. When I went to

PROVIDED PHOTO

Dr. Keith Ferdinand is a professor of medicine at the Tulane University School of Medicine and former chair and chief science officer for the Association of Black Cardiologists.

college, I felt that history was important. I came into adulthood after the civil rights issues. I knew the struggles that people had just gone through, and I wanted to be able to tell the stories with more granularity and detail.

However, as I learned more about medicine and its ability to directly service people in the community, I gravitated to that.

Not out of some love of cardiology or medicine, but out of recognizing that being a physician, I would be able to deal with those disparities directly.

Once I entered into medical school, it was obvious that the number one cause of death and disability was cardiovascular disease — heart disease, stroke, kidney disease.

It also became evident that there was, and is, a disparity with high rates in certain populations including African-Americans.

Therefore, my desire was to approach the disparities in heart disease and strokes and kidney disease. One of the vehicles to do so was the Association of Black Cardiologists, which I joined in my training years. I have remained a loyal member for my lifetime in cardiology.

As a leader in the ABC, I participated in their instrumental programs to educate other cardiologists and internal medicine specialists about how best to treat cardiovascular disease. That included partici-

STAFF FILE PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Cardiologist Dr. Keith Ferdinand, professor at Tulane University Medical School, holds a heart as he explains blood flow to Carolyn Johnson at Tulane Medical Center in New Orleans on March 15, 2019. Patients of Dr. Ferdinand agreed to participate in clinical trials for a drug called Firibastat, which helps treat high blood pressure. pating scientific statements and guidelines for the major organizations.

More importantly, the ABC has always been interested in community work. Some of the pioneer concepts of going into barbershops and churches to identify patients who need blood pressure evaluation, cholesterol and diabetes.

Our commitment has not just been through the science and professional aspects of being a cardiologist , but our goal to make a difference in the community.

What makes Louisiana different when it comes to cardiologist deserts?

If you look at the degree of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease, it tends to cluster in the southeastern part of the United States — specifically those areas where there are a large number of people who are economically disadvantaged. The Southeast also has a large degree of African-Americans who, based

on the social determinants of health — where people work, live and pray — tend to have less insurance, less health-seeking behavior, less testing and less referral to specialists.

Primary care clinicians are the bedrock of cardiac care. They’re the first person to see patients and often check for blood pressure, lipids, glucose, kidney disease.

Beyond just those differences, health deserts, where people don’t have access to a specialist, are a factor.

Some patients, even when identified as being highrisk, may have difficulty finding referrals to a cardiology specialist because they are not located in an area where they are easily accessible.

The Association of Black Cardiologists specifically targets areas in Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Georgia as areas to initiate and expand the cardiology desert initiative.

What are some resolutions to

solve the problem of cardiology deserts?

There is no easy solution to the ongoing disparities in care we see based on rural status and disadvantaged populations. We are suggesting that we can partner with these communities and use community-based approaches in primary care clinician settings, hospitals, state institutions and through local medical societies.

Our job is to enhance the capacity for achieving cardiovascular health and to help establish referral networks often in telehealth support and transportation, a major issue in rural communities.

But even more importantly, our job is to assist in getting access to appropriate testing and evaluation to empower the primary care clinicians and the community itself to have better health status.

Perhaps one of the best sources to increase cardiovascular availability is to have more cardiologists

in rural areas and in those communities directly. Realistically, to be a cardiologist means four years of medical school, three years to follow in internal medicine, then two to four years of specialty training. We just won’t ever have enough cardiologists available.

What we therefore recommend is that we can empower patients by education and appropriate testing. We want patients to have access to health assessments and other critical health metrics that then they can seek care with their primary clinician and have a network of physicians that will be available.

Telehealth was a big leap forward. When available, telehealth can be a window of opportunity for a person to speak to and integrate their various health outcomes with a physician who may not be physically available to go out into the area.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

HEALTH NOTES

$50K raised to support early psychosis care

n outpatient services like imaging and labs, n physician practices, n and physical therapy.

Early Psychosis Intervention The hospital opening is planned Clinic New Orleans, or EPICNOLA, and its early detection for fall 2027. campaign, Clear Answers to Louisiana’s Mental Health, both affiliated with the Tulane Department of Psychiatry, announced that the fourth annual In My Mind benefit Touro Infirmary LCMC Health and awareness event raised nearly hosts a neuro rehab caregiver sup$50,000. port group in New Orleans every The proceeds will support the third Wednesday of each month. clinic’s life-changing early psy- The group is open to all caregivchosis intervention services and ers interested in supporting, sharcommunity education across Loui- ing and learning from one another.

The meetings provide a “compassiana. sionate space to connect with others who understand the caregiving journey” and offer guidance, encouragement and resources Manning Family Children’s Hos- available.

The next support group meeting pital appointed Dr. David Yu as senior vice presi- will be at 11 a.m. Jan. 21 at 3700 St. dent and chief Charles Ave. in New Orleans. All medical officer. participants should meet in the Yu has served on lobby of Touro Infirmary. the medical staff at the hospital for 25 years in many roles. He is replacing Dr. Mark In December, Ochsner LSU Yu Kline, who is retir- Health announced the move of its ing after four and a half years as Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Inchief medical officer. Yu will begin stitute to a newly renovated, statehis new role on Feb. 1. of-the-art clinic at 9091 Ellerbe Road Suite 400 in Shreveport.

Patients will continue to have access to dental extractions, wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, faBaton Rouge General begins cial cosmetic surgery, corrective construction on a new hospital and jaw surgery and treatment of TMJ emergency room, located on Juban conditions. The team also specialRoad and Powell Lane off of Inter- izes in managing facial trauma, state 12 in Denham Springs. The congenital malformations, malig40,000-square-foot, $50 million fa- nant and benign pathology of the head and neck and head and neck cility will include: n a 14-bed emergency room, reconstructive surgery following n a 13-bed inpatient hospital, trauma and cancer treatments.

Support group helps navigate caregiving

N.O. children’s hospital announces new CMO

Two Shreveport clinics relocate to new facility

BRG breaks ground on Livingston Parish hospital

PHOTO PROVIDED By LSU HEALTH SHREVEPORT

In December, Ochsner LSU Health announced the move of its Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Institute to a newly renovated, state-of-the-art clinic at 9091 Ellerbe Road Suite 400 in Shreveport.

St. Tammany hospital starts diabetes prevention St. Tammany Health System’s Diabetes Education Department announced a new initiative aimed at helping patients reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

The PreventT2 program is for adults who have been diagnosed with prediabetes or who are at increased risk for developing the condition. PreventT2 focuses on sustainable lifestyle changes shown to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

The first one-hour session is at 10 a.m. Jan. 19 at First Baptist Church of Covington, located at 16333 La. 1085 in Covington.

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU The Louisiana Health section is focused on providing in-depth, personal accounts of health in the state. This section looks at medical innovations, health discoveries, state and national health statistics and re-examining tried and true methods on ways to live well.

Health editions will also profile people who are advancing health for the state of Louisiana.

Do you have a health story?

We want to hear from you.

Email margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com to submit health questions, stories and more.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3X

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Eat Fit Live Fit

Molly Kimball RD, CSSD

B R O U G H T TO YO U BY

Celebrate King Cake season, Eat Fit-style

K

ing’s Day on January 6 marks the official start of king cake season here in South Louisiana, but let’s be honest, celebrations start long before the first slice hits the table, and they don’t slow down until the last parade rolls by.

Life is filled with parties, music, beads and, of course, king cake.

So. Much. King cake.

For many of us, king cake is an occasional treat we savor a few times in the season. But for a true king cake enthusiast — the person who happily grabs a slice anytime one appears in the break room or at a parade party — it can be worth adding a nutritious option into the mix.

Eat Fit has you covered with an option that makes it easier than ever to enjoy king cake that’s festive and fun, without the sugar crash.

Eat Fit King Cake + Eat Fit King Cake Cupcakes

Our sweet little Eat Fit king cake is back for 2026, and it continues to check all the boxes for people looking for a cleaner option. It’s naturally gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free and low in carbs, with no artificial colors or sweeteners. Think king-cake-meets-bundtcake — moist, a little dense, subtly sweet and full of that classic cinnamon-vanilla king cake flavor.

I like to note that it’s not meant to replace your favorite king cake. But for those with specific nutritional needs or preferences, it’s a game-changer.

Now in their second year, our Eat Fit king cake cupcakes are also back.

These little cuties quickly became a crowd favorite last season, iced with creamy white frosting with

natural zero-calorie plant-based sweetener. Each serving has just 110 calories, 3 grams net carbs, 2 grams fiber and zero sugar.

And one of my favorite parts of this partnership is that Unrefined Bakery donates $1 per cake back to the Eat Fit nonprofit, which directly supports our work with local restaurants, schools, festivals and community wellness initiatives.

Where to Find Them

the traditional purple, green and gold toppings. They are ideal for built-in portion control and easy to bring along to parades, office celebrations or school parties.

How It All Started

Our Eat Fit team partnered with Ben McLauchlin (formerly of Swerve Sweetener) to develop a homemade Eat Fit-style king cake recipe. It came out

Whether you’re stopping by your local Associated Grocers store (such as Robert’s and Breaux Mart in New Orleans, Alexander’s and Matherne’s in Baton Rouge, and Champagne’s Market in the Lafayette area) or picking up a coffee at your favorite coffee shop, chances are the Eat Fit king cake or cupcakes are close by. Visit EatFitKingCake.com to find a location near you. Eat Fit king cakes and cupcakes are also available for nationwide shipping.

delicious, and it’s featured in the Eat Fit Cookbook, but let’s be real. Most of us aren’t baking king cake from scratch in the middle of parade season.

Now you can buy both Eat Fit king cakes and cupcakes already made, thanks to Unrefined Bakery, a dedicated glutenfree bakery. They use quality ingredients like cage-free eggs, non-GMO almond flour, coconut flour and coconut milk, and the cakes are sweetened with a

Why This Matters

For me, this isn’t just about creating a healthier king cake. It’s about having an option for everyone during one of our most joyful, tradition-filled seasons of the year. Carnival is about connection, celebration and community. Food is a big part of that, and our goal is to help people enjoy those traditions in a way that feels good for their body and their lifestyle.

However you celebrate, there’s room for all of it.

So here’s to a festive Carnival season.

Catch the beads, dance with the marching bands, share something sweet with friends, and enjoy every bite of king cake, whatever version you choose.

Molly Kimball, RD, CSSD, is a registered dietitian with Ochsner Health and founder of Ochsner’s Eat Fit nonprofit initiative. For more wellness content, tune in to Molly’s podcast, FUELED Wellness + Nutrition, and follow @MollykimballRD and @EatFitOchsner on social media.

Email nutrition@ochsner.org to connect with Molly or schedule a consult with her team.

BY THE NUMBERS

HEART DISEASE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR LOUISIANIANS Heart disease, cancers, accidents, strokes, chronic lower respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s and diabetes were the leading causes of death in the U.S. in 2024.

There was no change in the top 10 causes of death from 2023 to 2024, according to CDC data.

In 2024, 17,711 females died and 20,795 males died in Louisiana, according to newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The top 15 causes of death for females in Louisiana in 2024 include: n Diseases of the heart with 5,390 deaths; n Malignant neoplasms (cancers) with 4,112 deaths; n Cerebrovascular diseases (strokes) with 1,464 deaths; n Alzheimer’s disease with 1,414 deaths;

SCALE

n Chronic lower n Malignant neoplasms respiratory disease with (cancers) with 5,021 1,102 deaths; deaths; n Accidents with 975 n Accidents with 2,114 deaths; deaths; n Diabetes mellitus with n Cerebrovascular 695 deaths; diseases (strokes) with n Nephritis, nephrotic 1,289 deaths; syndrome and nephrosis n Chronic lower with 561 deaths; respiratory disease with n Septicemia with 554 999 deaths; deaths; n Diabetes mellitus with n Influenza and 814 deaths; pneumonia with 310 n Alzheimer’s disease deaths; with 603 deaths; n Nutritional n Nephritis, nephrotic deficiencies with 293 syndrome and nephrosis deaths; with 530 deaths; n Chronic liver disease n Assault with 515 with 242 deaths; deaths; n Essential hypertension n Intentional self-harm and hypertensive renal with 498 deaths; disease with 227 n Septicemia with 464 deaths; deaths; n Parkinson’s disease n Chronic liver disease with 204 deaths; with 404 deaths; n and COVID-19 with n Influenza and 168 deaths. pneumonia with 306 The top 15 leading deaths; causes of death for n and essential males in Louisiana in hypertension and 2024 include: hypertensive renal n Diseases of the heart disease with 205 with 6,674 deaths; deaths.

resilience and hard work.

When obesity is effecContinued from page 1X tively addressed, communities improve. Studies link obesity to heart health, Who walked together. Who more than 13 types of canate together. Who fought cers, sleep patterns, mental obesity together with joy, health, diabetes and more.

TOP 15 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH The leading causes of death in Louisiana in 2024, according to provisional 2024 data from the CDC.

TOP 15 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR FEMALES: 5,390

Diseases of the heart

4,112

Malignant neoplasms (cancers) Cerbrevascular diseases Alzheimer's diesase Chronic lower respiratory disease Accidents Diabetes mellitus Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis Septicemia Influenza and pneumonia Nutritional defecencies Chronic liver disease Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease Parkinson’s disease COVID-19

1,464 1,414 1,102 975 695 561 554 310 293 242 227 204 168

TOP 15 LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR MALES: 6,674

Diseases of the heart

5,021

Malignant neoplasms (cancers)

2,114

Accidents Cerbrovascular diseases Chronic lower respiratory disease Diabetes mellitus Alzheimer's diesase Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis Assault Intentional self-harm Septicemia Chronic liver disease Parkinson’s disease Influenza and pneumonia Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease

1,289 999 814 603 530 515 498 464 404 359 306 205

weight, but about health, stress, food and life. As we move through 2026, we are inviting readers to come Join us along a health journey with Do you want to start a us.

We start our project by health journey? We want to hear from you — not about exploring the nationwide

Louisiana ranks in the top 10-highest rates for each in the U.S.

TOTAL DEATHS: 17,711

boom of weight loss drugs.

We pose one question to our readers: If you’ve used GLP-1s (or weight loss drugs) like Ozempic, Wegovy or Mounjaro, how was your experience?

Email your answers,

TOTAL DEATHS: 20,795

Staff graphic Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

comments or questions to Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@theadvocate.com.

Email Margaret DeLaney at margaret.delaney@ theadvocate.com.

4X ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Healthy ways to st p smoking We all know that habits are hard to break. Smoking may be one of the hardest. Studies show that nearly 70% of smokers say they want to quit, and many make numerous attempts to do so each year. The good news is that quitting is possible, and Ochsner’s free Smoking Cessation Program is a great way to do it.

The start of a new year is a good time for smokers to break free from tobacco and make a commitment to a healthier 2026.

Visit ochsner.org/quit to learn about our program.

How does smoking become an addiction?

Smoking addiction doesn’t happen overnight. Often, it progresses in three stages:

1

2

3

Experimental use

Recreational or social use

Dependent or compulsive use

You try cigarettes out of curiosity or during social events.

You smoke occasionally in specific settings, like bars or gatherings.

Smoking becomes a regular part of your day. You rely on it not just for pleasure, but to feel “normal” and to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine, a highly addictive chemical in cigarettes, rewires your brain, dragging you further into dependency. By the time dependency fully develops, smoking no longer feels like a choice. It transitions from a learned habit to a compulsive addiction that’s hard to quit without intervention.

Addiction is treatable, no matter how long you’ve smoked. The path isn’t easy, but the rewards are immeasurable.

Is vaping safer than smoking?

E-cigarettes, commonly known as vapes, are battery-powered devices that can heat a nicotine-infused liquid (and sometimes other substances), turning it into an inhalable aerosol. Vaping isn’t exactly smoking, but it’s not without its own health risks.

Can certain foods help smokers quit?

While more studies need to be done on the full longterm effects of vaping, early research points to issues like lung scarring, weakened immune function, and chronic respiratory problems. The evidence is clear — vaping is not a harmless alternative to smoking.

Nicotine withdrawal is usually an issue for those trying to stop the unhealthy habit. When you stop smoking, your body and brain must get used to not having nicotine. Irritability, insomnia, increased appetite and a constant urge to smoke can be the result.

In 2024, e-cigarettes were the most commonly used tobacco product among middle and high school students in the United States, with 1.63 million (5.9%) students using e-cigarettes, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The nicotine in cigarettes depletes your body of essential vitamins and minerals. This can cause a nutrient deficiency, resulting in fatigue, weakened immunity and other side effects.

But here’s some encouraging news — the food you eat can help ease withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings and repair the damage caused by smoking.

Proper nutrition restores nutrients, curbs cravings and regulates mood and energy.

Here are science-backed nutritional tips and foods to help make your smoking cessation plan more effective:

1

Combat nicotine cravings with small, balanced meals.

2

Replenish vitamin C levels by eating fruits like oranges, kiwis, grapefruit and berries.

Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower and dark leafy greens are also high in vitamin C.

Try Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Program Ochsner’s Smoking Cessation Program can help people quit smoking or vaping for good, even those who have failed in numerous previous attempts. A combination of counseling and medications is used to create a personalized plan for each participant.

3

Stay hydrated to flush out toxins. Drinking a glass of cold water can distract you from the urge to smoke. Aim to consume at least eight glasses a day.

The program lasts six weeks, but you can sign up for additional time as needed. After an initial visit, you’ll have follow-up appointments either in-person, virtually or over the phone to discuss your progress and any challenges you may be facing.

4

Boost your mood with serotonin-enhancing foods like poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, beans and dark chocolate.

Your body responds almost immediately when you stop smoking, almost like it’s trying to thank you.

5

Keep your hands and mouth busy. One of the hardest habits to break is the hand-to-mouth routine developed while smoking. Substituting cigarettes with healthy snacks like fruit, vegetables and nuts is recommended.

Within minutes, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease. Over time, you’ll experience many more health benefits, including:

6

Enhance energy with whole grains like whole-grain pasta, brown rice or quinoa.

7

Use dairy to deter smoking. Interestingly, some studies suggest consuming milk or yogurt before smoking may make cigarettes taste unpleasant.

Better lung function Improved circulation Less coughing and shortness of breath Lower risks of heart disease and various types of cancer.

Visit ochsner.org/quit to learn more about Ochsner’s free smoking cessation program.

Ochsner Health is the leading nonprofit healthcare provider in Louisiana, Mississippi and across the Gulf South, delivering expert care at its 47 hospitals and more than 370 health and urgent care centers. Ochsner is nationally recognized for inspiring healthier lives and stronger communities through unmatched expertise, quality and digital connectivity. In 2024, Ochsner’s more than 40,000 dedicated team members and 4,900 employed and affiliated physicians cared for 1.6 million people from every state in the nation and 63 countries. To learn more about how Ochsner empowers people to get well and stay well, visit www.ochsner.org.

GOODNESS | HOPE | SOLUTIONS

INSPIRED

Q&A: Fitness class for seniors PAGE 2y

LOUISIANA

N O L A.C O M & T H E A D V O C AT E.C O M

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S U N D AY, J A N U A rY 4, 2026

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Jan Risher LONG STORy SHORT

Phillips-head screwdriver required

PLAY ON The Encore Symphony Resale Shop on Maple Street in New Orleans

Upscale consignment shop raises money for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

BY LEE CUTRONE Contributing writer

Long before resale clothing was the big business that it is today, the Encore Shop, a local women’s consignment boutique owned and run by Symphony Volunteers Inc., was a destination for quality preowned clothing at affordable prices.

Nearly 60 years since it opened its doors, the shop’s mission of donating financial support to the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as its merchandise — which includes cashmere cardigans, Italian leather shoes and luxe cocktail dresses and formal gowns, still have legs.

“They were way ahead of their time,” said Laura Claverie, whose mother-inlaw, Viola Claverie, is credited with proposing the idea for the shop after meeting a Philadelphia couple who supported a similar consignment shop in the City of Brotherly Love.

Terms like upcycling and sustainable fashion weren’t yet part of the popular lexicon, yet Encore was an early exemplar of today’s clothing-with-aconscience movement. Resale clothing cuts down on the harmful carbon footprint of fast fashion. And by operating as a nonprofit supporting the LPO, Encore gives back to the community.

The original concept for the shop, opened in 1966 on Arabella and Perrier streets, was to sell preowned ballgown at discounted prices to raise money for

what was then The New Orleans Symphony. Members of the Women’s Committee of the symphony donated the gowns, and volunteers from the committee staffed the shop.

According to Laura Claverie, the Claverie family’s involvement with the launching of the shop extended to her father-in-law, Louis, who bought an air conditioner for the shop “so the ladies wouldn’t perspire” and to her husband Philip, who worked with his father to refresh the Uptown building that was its original home.

The shop later moved to the current location on Maple Street and over time expanded its inventory to include casual clothing, jewelry, handbags, scarves and belts.

Barbara Sands, who has dedicated years of service to the LPO, chairing events, volunteering at the Encore Shop and archiving its history, has a log of the proceeds that the shop raised for the LPO since its inception. Its initial donation in the $6,000 range grew steadily to more than $70,000 in each of the past ten years.

Sands says the store has a firm footing with loyal longtime shoppers. As 2025 was coming to a close, veteran Encore shopper Bennetta Addison popped in for one of her weekly visits. Her attire included turquoise earrings, an Escada handbag and ankle strap shoes, all purchased from the shop. In no time, she snapped up a terry sweatsuit-inspired set for traveling, a pair of black

Customers browse the store for ideal bargains on quality clothes.

STAFF PHOTOS By CHRIS GRANGER

cigarette pants and a cotton poplin top.

Addison’s favorite find in her years of shopping at Encore was an Alexander McQueen dress that fit like a glove and was priced within her means.

“This is the only way I’d have an Alexander McQueen dress for sure,” said Addison.

The same day, Angela Poulton and Colleen Perniciaro, both from Baton Rouge, headed to the shop in search of ballgown. In less than an hour, Perniciaro purchased a burgundy taffeta evening gown with overlayers of tulle, a one-shoulder black gown with gold floral applique, and a strapless black gown with a rhinestone-embellished bow at the bust, all for about $300, considerably less than the cost of similar gowns at retail.

Perniciaro likes that the store carries multiple things in her size and that what may be old to a consignor’s closet is new to hers.

“We were laser focused,” said Poulton, with a mock-serious note that was counter to the fun the two had while trying dresses on.

Encore takes new consignments daily and adds to the rotation as they come in. Everything must be in good condition. And although not every piece has a designer label, there are plenty of those. A quick browse revealed Hermes scarves, Valentino heels, a vintage Victor Costa gown with a dramatic ruffled slit, a suede Gucci bag with bambooadorned handles and a stunning, mint condition pair of 1970s inspired suede boots by Louis Vuitton, to name a few.

Occasionally consignors bring in unworn items that are new with tags.

A display case holds a tray of $4 jewelry, and there are purses and dresses for as little as $30. On the higher end, the showstopping Vuitton boots are marked at $600 for the selective shopper — still much less than the initial retail.

Each consigned piece is researched to determine its original price and marked down accordingly. Merchandise that doesn’t sell is reduced in price. Consignors get 50% of the sale, and the rest goes to the LPO. Sands says the shop “goes with the times in terms of what people are looking for.” In the 1980s, she observed that customers were purchasing workwear.

Relaxed office attire and remote work later gave way to greater demand for pants and tops. More recently, she says Encore shoppers, like women in general, are seeking dresses.

The dedication of the staff has been another key to Encore’s success. Volunteers tend to stay on for years and develop friendships. Sands has been

ä See ENCORE, page 2Y

For the better part of three decades, I’ve received a Linnea poster calendar as a Christmas gift — 12 gorgeous posters, one for each month of the year.

Early on, I had a beautiful gold frame specially made to hold the calendar posters. I try hard to change them on the first day of each month, which isn’t as simple as one might think. The task requires a Phillips-head screwdriver. I value efficiency to an almost absurd measure, which is why I adore the time required to change my calendar each month.

The opposite of efficient requires me to clear off space on my crowded desk, twist the screws, loosen the brackets, and lift out one poster to replace it with the next.

I slow down on purpose. I breathe.

I pay attention.

When I see the design for the coming month, I almost always gasp at its beauty. I love studying the posters as I place them in the frame in January, flipping ahead and imagining the year as something I can understand in advance. But by the time April rolls around, they usually surprise me.

I’m already excited about the 2026 March image, the bud of a Japanese magnolia bloom. Growing up, we had a Japanese magnolia in our front yard. Year after year, I watched those buds appear in the weeks before my birthday and then, as if to celebrate with me, the blooms were in their full glory on my birthday — every year.

Our Baton Rouge home has a Japanese magnolia right outside what was my office window. Being further south than my childhood home in central Mississippi, it blooms earlier, but I still get a flutter in my heart watching those buds form, the flowers bloom and the petals fall.

Since we are rebuilding our home after an August house fire, I’m aware that I won’t be sitting at my desk watching the spring Japanese magnolia come into its glory this year.

We have no idea what the clean slate holds.

We can’t hold that much time in our hands.

Even with a calendar stretching ahead, full of blank squares and good intentions, recent years remind us all that we don’t know what’s coming.

I think I know who I’ll be by spring.

By April, I almost never do.

We’re not very good at understanding time, even though we spend our lives swimming in it.

Sometimes we overestimate what we can plan and underestimate what will change us. We forget how much can happen between one month and the next, even from one day to the next — how quickly joy, grief, fatigue, love and loss work together to rearrange our expectations.

A new calendar plants the brief illusion that time will behave. The blank pages and empty squares give us permission to pause before the ink arrives.

Life picks up a pen almost immediately. Appointments crowd in.

Birthdays claim their rightful place.

The calendar fills because living fills it.

And that’s not a failure. That’s the point.

Which is why I keep the Phillips head.

In a life full of things designed to make life faster and easier, this small act of friction feels like resistance. It insists that time deserves my attention. It asks me to use my hands, to slow my body, to be present for the passing of one month into the next.

For a brief moment, sitting at my desk with screwdriver in hand and the next month waiting patiently beside me, time pauses and the world is full of possibilities.

2Y ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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INSPIRED DISCUSSIONS A S K T H E E X P E RT S

Fitness class for seniors improves strength, balance Gatherings foster community, friendships

Q&A WITH DEBBIE SANDERS FITNESS COACH

BY LAUREN CHERAMIE Staff writer

Debbie Sanders, originally from Mobile, Alabama, has been involved in sports and fitness her entire life — participating and later coaching at a high school in Mobile after earning a degree in physical education. She retired from teaching and moved to China to teach English at a small university. There, she volunteered in an orphanage and helped with special needs babies.

After the pandemic, she returned to the States in 2021 and relocated to Baton Rouge to be near family.

Sanders, 75, teaches a Fit for Life workout class at Max Fitness, 7347 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, with an average age range of 80. The class focuses on improving participants’ strength and balance, but it has also fostered a community and friendships.

How many people usually participate in your Fit for Life classes, and what’s the age range?

We have about 35 people enrolled in the program, and this is an extra program that they have to pay for if they want to participate. We meet twice a week, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Mondays and Thursdays.

Our average age is 80. We have three that are in their 90s and two or three who are in their 60s and 70s.

What inspired you to start teaching this class?

I was a P.E. major in school and taught P.E. all my life. I moved to Baton Rouge, and a friend from church invited me to a class. I started going ever since. One of the guys who was teaching the class left, and I offered to teach it.

I didn’t want to be a trainer,

ENCORE

Continued from page 1y involved for more than 30 years. Jennifer Fonseca started as a consignor and shopper, then managed the shop for a decade.

Unlike online resale shoppers, Fonseca says Encore’s customers have the advantage of being able to come in regularly and “touch and feel and try on.”

“That’s the fun of Encore,” said Fonseca. “You never know what’s going to be in there. You snooze, you lose.”

Milliner Maria Etkind is one of several paid staff members in the shop (the rest are volunteers), where she styles displays and encourages customers to have fun with fashion.

“There is something for everyone,” said Etkind.

While the majority of Encore’s clientele are in the 35 to 55 age bracket, Etkind says college students also come in to scoop up jeans, denim jackets, tops and boots.

PROVIDED PHOTOS

Debbie Sanders moved back to the United States from China to be near family.

but I told them, “Trust me. I can teach this class. I taught P.E. for 25 years.”

It developed from there, and I’ve been doing it for three years.

How do you design workouts that are both safe and challenging for the wide age range?

One of our participants uses a walker, and another one uses a cane, so they’re very limited on what they can do. About half of our exercise is seated, and the other half is standing for the ones who can. I try to switch it back and forth.

I originally got a lot of exercises that I use from Silver Sneakers.

Once I got into the routine of what they do and don’t do, I was able to develop my own plan.

What changes do you often see in participants after a few months, physically and emotionally?

We’re a really close-knit group, kind of like a little family. We do potlucks two or three times a year, and people bring their spouses with them. Most of the people in the class are women, so these extra things we do gives everyone a chance to get to know each other’s spouses.

“They break all the rules and make their own rules,” said Etkind, highlighting an Indian blanket jacket with a Ralph Lauren feel that may appeal to students thanks to the western wear trend.

Other on-trend finds: leopard pumps, Mary Jane flats, platform sneakers, a Tory Burch tote and Kate Spade loafers.

True to its trailblazer roots, The Encore shop is still finding ways to be resourceful in its efforts to raise funds for the LPO. They market on Instagram and Facebook regularly. Manager Cat Conner is also looking for ways to utilize garments that don’t sell instead of putting them into the waste stream.

One idea is to donate them to organizations that will reuse the fabric.

A local pioneer in the field of resale, the Encore Shop continues to keep the LPO well-funded by keeping locals well-dressed.

“What sets us apart” from other resale clothing sources, said Sands, “is that we support the LPO and that we’ve been here so long.”

The Fit for Life program at Max Fitness in Baton Rouge focuses on improving participants’ strength and balance.

With old people, you’re going to the doctor all the time, having aches and pains. We have a group chat where we keep up with each other. I have a class roll that I check every week, so I know if someone hasn’t been in a while.

This is a social event for a lot of people.

There’s one little lady, 95 years old, who we pick up every week.

This is the only time she gets out of her house during the week, for this one-hour class, and she loves to talk. It’s kind of hard to get her away from everybody in the gym.

We just had one lady who has been coming for about three months. She’s from my church, and her husband died last year.

I’ve been encouraging her to

come to the gym, and she has. Her physicality has increased tremendously.

When she first came, she couldn’t stand up one time by herself for the first three weeks.

I would go and help her. Now, she can get up and down by herself.

The class increases flexibility, along with strength. We do cardio and balance. I’ve showed them what to do if they fall and how to get back up.

With your P.E. background, you know the importance of health and fitness, but have the success stories of these people changed your perspective or inspired you?

Being a P.E. major, I knew how critical our physical bodies are.

In China, I saw other foreigners come and go. It was a lot of walk-

ing and riding bicycles. A lot of people couldn’t handle the physical part of living in another country without all the niceties of air conditioning and elevators.

I personally knew how important it was to keep your body strong. You’ve got to exercise your joints and keep moving.

In the class, I try to encourage them not to get into some of these aging ailments. We have to get out, socialize and keep the mind sharp.

Being able to share that to these people who haven’t come from the same background is what encourages me for sure.

Email Lauren Cheramie at lauren.cheramie@theadvocate. com.

STAFF PHOTO By CHRIS GRANGER

Formal gowns hang for sale at Encore shop on Maple Street recently in New Orleans. Sales help raise money for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● 3Y

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THERE’S GOOD NEWS, TOO STORIES OF GLOBAL PROGRESS, COMPILED By FIX THE NEWS

These are stories of global progress, compiled by the media group Fix the News and shared in partnership with The Advocate/The Times-Picayune.

Each story overview is linked to an original report or story with more information.

DIGITAL IDS

The World Bank’s latest Identification for Development (ID4D)–Global Findex Database 2025 shows that the number of people worldwide without official proof of identity has dropped to 800 million — down from 850 million in 2021 and just over 1 billion in 2017. Foundational ID coverage for adults is now near universal in most regions, and access to digital IDs has improved. According to the data, “of the adults living in countries with online digital IDs, around 32% reported owning one and 23% reported having used it.” Compared to the numbers in 2021, 400 million more people are now covered. In Louisiana, residents can store their driver’s license in the LA Wallet app.

TOOLMAKING

Scientists excavating at the Namorotukunan site in Kenya have uncovered nearly 1,300 stone tools dating from about 2.75 to 2.44 million years ago, according to 404 Media, an independent media company founded by technology journalists. The discovery shows a continuous Oldowan toolmaking tradition spanning roughly 300,000 years — far longer and more sustained than previously documented. The findings suggest early humans likely passed knowledge across generations, indicating early social learning and cultural continuity.

Oldowan tools were made from highquality materials and used for tasks like cutting meat from large animals and digging for food.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

EPA’S CLEAN SCHOOL BUS PROGRAM

In the United States, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Program invests $5 billion (FY 2022–2026) to help school districts replace older, polluting diesel buses with zero-emission and cleaner school buses, including electric models, and the infrastructure needed to support them. Through rebates, grants and planning awards, the program funds new buses and charging or fueling equipment — prioritizing high-need, low-income, rural and Tribal communities. Eligible applicants include school districts, state/local governments, tribes, nonprofits and contractors selling or servicing clean buses. Replacing diesel buses improves air quality, reduces health risks, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves money and can provide power to the grid or buildings during power shutdowns.

FOREST CLEARING

Indigenous Penan and Kenyah communities in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, achieved a temporary but significant victory in the fight against deforestation, nonprofit conservation news platform Mongabay reported.

The palm oil company Urun

Plantations agreed to pause forest clearing activities in a disputed area of their ancestral land following sustained legal and grassroots pressure. Villagers had filed a lawsuit and complaint alleging the company was clearing natural forest within its concession along

the Belaga River without their free, prior and informed consent and in violation of Malaysia’s sustainability standards. Urun Plantations halted new land clearing and is now working on a sustainability plan with an environmental group.

Fixthenews.com is a solutions journalism newsletter that finds stories of progress and shares them with readers from across the world. Acclaimed author Steven Pinker calls Fix the News “the best source for positive news on the internet.”

Helping Small Businesses Thrive

From Boardrooms to Breakthroughs: Barbara Robillard Builds Raynbo Development with Purpose

B “Through LiveWire's intensive curriculum and mentorship, I found the tools I needed.

It wasn't just about building a business plan or refining a pitch—it was about reframing my identity. I had to understand that I was the brand and that's what people connect with.”

BARBAR A A . ROBILL ARD RAYNBO DEVELOPMENT

arbara Robillard didn't set out to become an entrepreneur. For more than 25 years, her professional world was one of structure, systems, and strategy, leading multi-million-dollar procurement and supply chain operations. Coworkers consistently told her they had never encountered someone with her depth of institutional knowledge and real-world expertise. These conversations planted a seed that became Raynbo Development, an executive consulting firm designed to help organizations grow with purpose.

Specializing in leadership development, procurement strategy, project management, and one-on-one coaching, Barbara's mission was clear: bring decades of expertise to help build sustainable success. But turning that vision into a viable business requires more than just experience.

Enter Shell LiveWire, a program that would become a cornerstone of Barbara's entrepreneurial journey. The program helped her clarify her customer base, sharpen her service offerings, and embrace the entrepreneurial mindset with confidence. It was a turning point that moved her from corporate structure to creative strategy, while building systems of her own. Raynbo Development is more than a business; it's an extension of Barbara's values, vision, and voice—a testament to what's possible when institutional excellence meets entrepreneurial courage.

Ready to grow your business?

Applications for the 2026 Shell LiveWire Louisiana program are open through January 26, 2026 for businesses from Ascension, Assumption, East Baton Rouge, West Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Mary, and Terrebonne Parishes. All industries welcome.

Apply now at www.shell.us/livewire.

shell.us/louisiana | #PoweringProgress

4Y ● Sunday, January 4, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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FAITH & VALUES Catholic order to help revive historic Quebec church

BY VICTOR GAETAN

Contributing writer

The largest church in Quebec City, Saint-Roch, gives its name to a hip neighborhood on the St. Lawrence River where shipyards once drew a population of workingclass Catholics. The church, the fourth to occupy the site, was built on medieval architectural lines in 1811, and the vast stone structure is still grand, though it now houses a homeless shelter in its basement where several community organizations also find shelter. St. Roch’s last full-time priest left 30 years ago.

For the last few years, Saint-Roch had been open for just one Mass a week, drawing complaints on tourist websites from visitors. “I came on a Wednesday and was disappointed that it was only open a few hours on Sunday,” wrote one, “so missed my chance of seeing inside the church where my ancestors worshipped.”

But lately, hope has arrived in the form of a group of priests and brothers from a faraway mission field that has little to do with SaintRoch’s gentrified cafes and bars.

On Dec. 17, Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, archbishop of Quebec, will announce that the church’s new custodians will be the Missionaries of Africa, a 157-yearold Catholic order dedicated to planting peace and church communities in undeveloped places.

Though its first recruits came from Europe, beginning in 1901 its ranks were filled by Quebecois.

“Hundreds of vocations came from Quebec to serve in Africa. Some are still living, although older now and most retired,” Lacroix told Religion News Service.

In thanks for the city’s dedication, the cardinal explained, “the Missionaries of Africa’s international office (in Rome) offered to come back and establish themselves here in Quebec,” saying, according to Lacroix, “You helped us so much.

You helped us train priests, form priests, work with the poor, establish parishes in many countries of Africa. Now we know you need help, and we want to come and work with you. Whatever you need, wher-

PROVIDED PHOTO By VICTOR GAETAN

he Rev. Serge St-Arneault is seen in the Missionaries of Africa offices in Montreal. St-Arneault is one of three Missionaries of Africa who will move to Quebec City to take over as guardians of Saint-Roch Church. ever you need us, we are available.”

Founded by French Cardinal Charles Lavigerie in 1868 while he was serving as bishop of Algiers, Missionaries of Africa were among the first Catholics to systematically evangelize east and west Africa.

The cardinal was a huge personality of his time, adviser to Napoleon III, then emperor of France, and Popes Pius IX and Leo XIII. Lavigerie was passionate about evangelizing Africa while ending the slave trade, buying freedom for untold thousands while lobbying the Vatican for increased antislavery commitment.

Lavigerie dressed his priests in white robes, similar to kaftans worn by Muslim imams in North Africa. A black and white rosary worn around their necks signaled Catholic identity. The missionaries were known as les pères blancs (the white fathers) and most were, indeed, white.

Today, the majority of active white fathers are Black, serving across Africa as well as in Mexico and Asia. While seminaries in France and Canada have closed, in countries such as Burkina-Faso, Ghana and Kenya their classes are full. In Uganda, in 1911, the missionaries established the first modern Catholic seminary south of the Sahara, which continues today.

The Rev. Barthélémy Bazemo, provincial of the Americas for the Missionaries of Africa, based in Washington, D.C., who helped shepherd the Saint-Roch project, explained that the order is also responsible for two other churches, in Brooklyn, New York, and Queretaro, Mexico.

Staffing up at Saint-Roch is especially important because Quebec’s Catholic community is experiencing a resurgence in faith: Between 2023 and 2025, the number of baptisms in the archdiocese increased

more than 500%, mainly of adults under age 30. The majority of those baptized were born in Africa or Latin America.

“We have a lot of migrants, a lot of people from different countries, and among them many Africans from different countries,” explained Lacroix, who served as a missionary to Colombia for eight years as a young priest. He calls the rash of baptisms one of the city’s “signs of hope” because “many newcomers are fervent, giving a good witness and helping us.”

Immigration is a major demographic driver in the province of Quebec. Permanent immigration increased in 2024 over 2023, with more than 15% of new permanent residents last year coming from the central African nation of Cameroon, according to the Institut de la Statistique du Québec.

“What gives me a lot of hope is to see what the Lord is doing, through

the work of the Holy Spirit, in different areas of our diocese,” said Lacroix. “We have some parishes that are growing. Young people are discovering the faith. We are seeing more youth groups. This year we had more than double the number of catechumens, during the Easter season.” Currently, 17 seminarians are studying for the priesthood in Quebec City.

“We crossed some very difficult years. There are still many challenges, but I see hope, I see hope.

We also have more seminarians than we have had in the last decade,” the cardinal said.

Just as Lavigerie sent missionaries in groups of three, a team of three Francophone missionaries, Lacroix said, “will be a pastoral and compassionate presence at Saint-Roch for the people in Quebec City’s Lower Town, a historic area where there is a lot of need.

So, we are very, very happy. We’ve been wanting to do this for a long time, but we just didn’t have the personnel.”

Two of the three are Canadianborn and currently based in Montreal: the Rev. Serge St-Arneault and Brother Dennis Walsh. The third, the Rev. Jean Paul Guibila, served as a missionary in Congo and is currently working at the Missionaries of Africa headquarters in Rome. He’s expected to arrive in Quebec City early next month.

St-Arneault helps lead Montreal’s Centre Afrika, which provides support ranging from employment advice to choir practice space for diverse African communities. He said he and his confreres have minimal material needs. In terms of housing, he said, “Whatever the diocese provides is fine for us.”

(Saint-Roch’s rectory was sold off years ago.) “We will feel at home as long as we are able to serve the church and the pastoral needs of the community.”

Bazemo, born in Burkina-Faso, explained to RNS: “We feel strongly that we must open up to ministry in the Global North. In the past we were geared toward Africa but now the African world has gone beyond.

There’s a need for our charism worldwide.”

Old Bateman Causeway salmon barrier finally being removed

BY NATHAN GILLES

Contributing writer

This story, created by Nathan Gilles for Columbia Insight is part of the Solutions Story Tracker from the Solutions Journalism Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to rigorous reporting about responses to social problems. Louisiana Inspired features solutions journalism stories that provide tangible evidence that positive change is happening in other places and in our own communities — solutions that can be adopted around the world.

After more than 80 years of impeding the migration of salmon, the Bateman Island Causeway at the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia rivers was scheduled for removal beginning Dec. 22.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Walla Walla District announced that Dec. 21 was the final day of public access to the island before contractors begin installing safety fencing in preparation for the causeway’s removal, which is expected to start Jan. 5.

The demolition of the Bateman Causeway follows decades of science demonstrating the structure’s negative impact on local salmon and steelhead populations. It marks a significant victory for local tribal nations and salmon recovery efforts in central Washington.

The 550-foot-long, 40-foot-wide earthen causeway connects the central Washington city of Richland to Bateman Island, a naturally occurring island once visited by explorers Lewis and Clark. The island sits in a shallow delta at the mouth of the Yakima River where the river flows into the Columbia.

The causeway is believed to have been built between 1939 and 1940, mostly likely illegally by a local farmer wanting access to Bateman Island in order to graze cattle.

Later, when the island and the causeway were opened to the public, both became popular among local residents as the causeway allowed them easy access to the island. However, while allowing for the flow of people, the causeway has restricted the flow of water to the detriment of native fish.

Positioned in the delta at the southern end of Bateman Island, the earthen structure prevents the warmer waters of the Yakima

PROVIDED PHOTO By NATHAN GILLES

At the confluence of the yakima and Columbia rivers, the causeway to Bateman Island creates a slack water trap for migrating fish.

River from mixing with the cooler waters of the Columbia.

This has created a stagnant pool of warm, oxygen-depleted water dangerously unsuitable for both inmigrating adult and out-migrating juvenile salmon and steelhead. The conditions are ideal, however, for invasive predatory fish that prey on juvenile native fish waylaid by the delta’s slow, warm waters on their journey to Pacific Ocean.

The causeway also created conditions for mosquitos and harmful algal blooms to flourish.

In November, the Corps of Engineers awarded a $1.2 million contract to Pipkin Inc., an East Wenatchee-based company, to remove the artificial structure.

The project is being undertaken in partnership with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Washington Department of Ecology and the Mid-Columbia Fisheries Enhancement Group.

of disruption in the water flows, and the result of that has been the warm water, the increased predation, mosquitoes and the algae growth,” Blodgett told Columbia Insight.

“Now everything’s going to benefit and start functioning as a normal system again.”

The Yakama Nation and the State of Washington have invested heavily in restoring salmon populations throughout the Yakima River Basin.

Sitting at the mouth of the river, the Bateman Causeway has long hampered these upstream efforts, said Mike Livingston, regional director for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“This causeway is a bottleneck for fish,” Livingston told Columbia Insight. “They have to pass through the area [around the causeway] twice in their life history, once as juveniles and then as adults when they return. For the juveniles it’s a predatory factory. For the adults it artificially increases the water temperature.

“All of the investments that we’ve Victory for Tribes done in the upper basin are hinging “We’re excited and not just for upon the fish being able to successour fishery efforts, but the whole fully get to and from the Columbia.” ecological benefits it [removing the causeway] is going to bring,” said Science and inaction Joe Blodgett, who leads the Yakama As Columbia Insight reported Nation’s Yakama/Klickitat Fisher- in 2023, the path from recognizies Project. ing the Bateman Causeway as an “The causeway has caused a lot ecological problem to its removal

has been long and fraught, mixing compelling science with decades of inaction followed by slow public deliberation.

The first study suggesting Bateman Causeway was creating a “thermal barrier” for migrating fish was published in 1986.

In the mid-1990s, scientists commissioned by the Bureau of Reclamation flew over the Yakima River Delta aiming infrared sensors at the waters below. This led to the 1997 publication of a detailed heat map showing how warm waters were pooling around the island, providing visual confirmation of what migrating salmon were enduring.

Seven years later, in 2004, the Army Corps of Engineers published its own report that reached the same conclusion. The report called for the causeway’s removal.

The report, however, largely gathered dust. Another decade slipped by before the publication of the next significant study on the causeway.

That study was led by the Yakama Nation, Mid-Columbia Fisheries and Benton Conservation District.

It also concluded the causeway had to go, as did a follow-up study in 2016.

These two studies kicked off a lengthy public comment period between local residents and govern-

ment and tribal officials about how best to remove the causeway. That work led to the current removal effort.

“It’s been a really long effort and lot of people have contributed to it,” said Livingston, who spent nearly a decade involved in the effort to remove the causeway. “I’m just happy we’ve finally reached this point where we can improve the ecosystem for fish and for people.”

The lengthy public comment period, while frustrating to many, appears to have helped resolve local opposition to the causeway’s removal.

“Well, obviously, during this whole process there was frustration because things don’t ever move as fast as you’d like them to,” said Blodgett.

But, Blodgett says, the process was necessary for both listening to the concerns of local residents and government officials, as well as helping explain how removing the causeway would help fish and the local ecosystem.

“We know that things take a while,” said Blodgett. “But we’ve definitely done a lot of studies and understand the benefits that this [removing the causeway] is going to bring. So, we’re looking forward and being optimistic and thinking that this is going to be a big advantage to a lot of our efforts here in the Yakima Basin.”

For millennia before European contact, Bateman Island served as a vital fishing and trading hub for the region’s original inhabitants.

Evidence for human occupation of the island dates back 16,000 years, according to a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers report.

Today, the island is considered culturally significant by the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Wanapum Band, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Nez Perce Tribe.

The Yakama Nation became comanagers of the Yakima Basin’s fisheries with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife following the landmark 1974 Boldt Decision, which re-affirmed Washington Tribes’ treaty reserved rights to half the catch of salmon and steelhead fisheries, with the Tribes and state co-managing the fisheries.

SUNDAY, JANUArY 4, 2026

CURTIS / by Ray Billingsley

SLYLOCK FOX / by Bob Weber Jr.

GET FUZZY / by Darby Conley

HAGAR THE HORRIBLE / by Chris Browne

MOTHER GOOSE AND GRIMM / by Mike Peters

ZIGGY / by Tom Wilson

SALLY FORTH / by Francesco Marciuliano & Jim Keefe

ZITS / by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman

PEARLS BEFORE SWINE / by Stephan Pastis

wonderword

scrabble grams

word game

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.

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 — coALition: ko-uhLIH-shun: A temporary alliance of distinct parties for joint action.

Average mark 34 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 52 or more words in COALITION?

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.

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. ©2026 Hasbro. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

cryptoquote AxyDLBAAxR iS LONgFELLOW One letter stands for another. in this sample, A is used for the three L’s, x for the two O’s, etc. Single letters, apostrophes, the length and formation of the words are all hints. Each day the code letters are different.

AnsWers to ALL PuZZLes Are on inside BAcK PAGe

Sudoku

ken ken instructions: 1 - Each row and each column must contain the numbers 1 through 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.

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 Conceptis Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

hidato directions: Complete the grid so that numbers 1–132 connect horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

AnsWers to ALL PuZZLes Are on inside BAcK PAGe

Los angeLes Times sunday Crossword puzzLe — Edited by Rich Norris and Joyce Nichols Lewis “ConFounded” By doug peTerson aCross 1 Geyser output 6 Cause to blush 11 Some Caribbean exports 15 “Goldberg Variations” composer 19 Blender button 20 Marisa who plays Peter Parker’s aunt 21 Cookie with six Thanksgivinginspired flavors 22 Crass 23 Dined at home 24 Massage 25 Annapolis sch.

26 “For All Mankind” side: Abbr.

27 Bistro where diners rarely get what they order?

31 Bullpen stat 32 Get into 33 Poke bowl choice 34 Vassals 37 One who makes a huge profit in the gaming industry?

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55 Marvel superhero with martial arts expertise 57 Road beneath a freeway 58 Uncomfortable spot 60 Layers 61 TV actress Susan 62 Understood 63 Parts of quotes 66 Black stone 67 Well-secured garden vines?

72 Word in classic mystery novel titles 75 Kumquat shade 76 Concert piece 77 Long-running CBS drama 80 Part of a vague threat 83 Nail art brand 84 Row of stores 87 Sunday planning that makes weeknight dinners easier, say 89 Inflatables ridden in a river race?

92 Shiba __ 93 Maximum or minimum 95 Shoddy 96 The Hawkeye State 97 Inchworm with a successful YouTube channel?

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2 Teach privately 3 Two-time WNBA MVP __ Delle Donne 4 “Ew! No!” 5 Mexican soup made with tripe 6 Guitarist Chet who helped create the Nashville sound 7 Pro __: at no charge 8 “Right on!”

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goren Bridge

individuals?

73 “We __ alone” 74 Narwhal 77 Baja resort, familiarly 78 Whole lot 79 The “kid” in “Here’s looking at you, kid” 81 Organ near the pancreas 82 CNN anchor Burnett 84 “Enough!”

85 Actress Polo

wuzzLes

86 ABC News anchor David 88 First aid pro 90 “The Mikado,” for one 91 Scand. kingdom 94 Place to make draft picks 98 IRA options 99 Network that airs “TBBT” reruns 100 Imperious 101 Tell tales 102 Cozy spot 106 Mazda two-

seater 107 Apple centers 108 Drum kit piece 110 Saxon foe 111 Wind with keys 112 Hankering 113 Complain querulously 114 Conveniently leave out, maybe 115 Word in some Spanish team names

116 Hammerwielding god 117 __ rata 118 Brief topic

super Quiz

Great play

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

Today’s deal is from a tournament in Europe. Thirteen NorthSouth pairs reached four spades, making four or five, sometimes doubled, 12 times. The defense typically started with two rounds of hearts. Declarer ruffed the second round and led a diamond, usually won by West. Declarer was threatening a cross-ruff. The defense wanted to play trumps to prevent this, but the ace and another was no good. Declarer just ran his clubs. He didn’t need any more ruffs. No other suit play would fare any better. Say West played another heart. Declare would ruff in hand, ruff a diamond in dummy, and ruff the last heart from dummy with the 10 of spades. Another diamond ruff would get him back to dummy to lead the king of spades and all would be well.

At the one table where four spades was defeated, West was a player not known to us, last name Groemoller, from Germany.

South led the diamond queen at trick three. Groemoller won with the king and made the brilliant shift to a low spade away from his ace! He retained trump control while limiting the ruffs in

SUBJECT: NICKNAMES

7. The Great One

Who was known by the

Answer________

nickname? (e.g., Hon-

8. The British Bulldog

est Abe. Answer: Abraham Lincoln.)

9. Tricky Dick Answer________

FRESHMAN LEVEL

10. Ike

1. Scarface Answer________ 2. The Lone Eagle Answer________ 3. The Iron Lady Answer________

declarer’s hand. Four spades was usually played by North, with that powerful club suit on display in dummy. Groemoller’s play was made with the club suit hidden in declarer’s hand. A fine play indeed.

Tannah Hirsch welcomes readers’ responses sent in care of this newspaper or to Tribune Content Agency inc., 2225 Kenmore Ave., Suite 114, Buffalo, Ny. 14207. E-mail responses may be sent to gorenbridge@ aol.com. © 2026 Tribune Content Agency

Answer________

4. The Iron Horse Answer________ 5. Broadway Joe Answer________

Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL 11. The Godfather of Soul Answer________ 12. Mr. October Answer________ 13. Saint of the Gutters Answer________ 14. The Greatest

GRADUATE LEVEL

Answer________

6. The Little Corporal Answer________

15. Blackbeard Answer________

ANSWERS TO ALL PUZZLES ARE ON NEXT PAGE

zodiaC CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Reconfigure and fine-tune your plans according to your options. Once you have a clear direction, you’ll find it easier to confront anyone standing in your way.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Contemplate your future . A lifestyle change may be the best way to get back on track and off the routine that is dragging you down.

PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) Keep track of what everyone around you is doing and aim to do your part — plus a little extra. An opportunity will arise if you work hard and make a difference.

ARIES (March 21-April 19) Avoid conflict, excess and indulgent behavior. Relax, take a little “me time” and unwind. Put your energy into self-improvement projects and revamping your budget to meet demands.

TAURUS (April 20-May 20) You have options, so don’t let mixed emotions and manipulative people get in your way. Know when to say no and distance yourself from others. Discretion is in your best interest.

GEMINI (May 21-June 20) Explore the possibilities. Attend a trade show that offers insight and options into

how you can use your skills efficiently. Honest communication and finishing what you start are essential.

CANCER (June 21-July 22) It’s time to rethink your lifestyle. Pay attention to meaningful relationships and cater to those you cherish.

Make plans that give you something to look forward to.

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) Think twice before you initiate change or donate to something you cannot afford. Letting others guilt you into participating or contributing your time, money or skills will lead to dissatisfaction.

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Participate in events you enjoy and that encourage you to connect with people who share your beliefs.

New surroundings will spark your imagination and inspire you to make a positive move.

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) Domestic situations will require patience, tolerance and serious thought.

You are best off taking a waitand-see approach. A premature move will leave you in a vulnerable position and force you to backtrack.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) Welcome change into your life. Try some-

thing new, explore possibilities, expand your mind and let your emotions lead the way. Take responsibility for your happiness.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) Put more thought into setting up a new budget and managing your money wisely. Reconsider how you earn your money and what’s most important to you regarding your lifestyle.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

dustin / by Steve Kelley & Jeff Parker

Answers to puzzles super quiz 1. Al Capone. 2. Charles Lindbergh. 3. Margaret Thatcher. 4. Lou Gehrig. 5. Joe Namath.

6. Napoleon Bonaparte. 7. Wayne Gretzky.

8. Winston Churchill. 9. Richard Nixon.

10.Dwight D. Eisenhower. 11. James Brown.

12. Reggie Jackson. 13. Mother Teresa.

14. Muhammad Ali. 15. Edward Teach.

SCORING: 24 to 30 points — congratulations, doctor; 18 to 23 points — honors graduate; 13 to 17 points — you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 5 to 12 points — you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 4 points — enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points — who reads the questions to you?

Cryptoquote Answer Saturday's Cryptoquote: I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until January. — Lucy, "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

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Crossword Answers

jeFF mACnelly’s shoe / by Gary Brookins & Susie MacNelly

sCrAbble Answers

FoXtrot / by Bill Amend

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Ken Ken Answers

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