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Honoring legacies Musicians and business leaders among notable Acadiana residents who died in 2025

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M o n d ay, J a n u a ry 5, 2026

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Rubio walks back talk of U.S. ‘running’ Venezuela Administration to press for changes through oil blockade

BY JOANNA BROWN Staff writer

Acadiana is home to top musicians, influential business and community leaders, talented athletes, and people from all walks of life who make this region unique.

We lost a few beloved Acadiana residents this year, such as gym owner, philanthropist and former Mr. America Red Lerille, who died on March 14 at the age of 88. His legacy, and the legacies of others on this list, will continue to shape the community for years to come — even while we mourn their loss.

Learn more about some notable Acadiana residents who died in 2025, from a celebrated chef to a local athlete who died a hero in the New Orleans Bourbon Street attack on Jan. 1.

RED LERILLE 1936-2025 Red Lerille was a U.S. Navy veteran, a 1960 Mr. America and Mr. Universe winner, and owner of Red’s Health Club in Lafayette, which he founded in 1963.

Lerille, and the club he ran with family and longtime employees Lerille until he died, left an enormous impact on generations of Red’s members who recall his work ethic, friendliness, generosity and abiding passion for health and bodybuilding. Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club continues to operate seven days a week at 301 Doucet Road, and a new women’s gym and locker room recently opened at the club.

TIGER BECH 1997-2025 Tiger Bech, a St. Thomas More football player who went on to play at Princeton University, died at 27 years old in the terror attack on Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Jan. 1. After graduating from Princeton in 2021 with a Bech degree in finance, he moved to New York, where he worked as a Wall Street analyst.

He was celebrating on New Year’s Eve with his best friend, Ryan Quigley, who was injured in the car ramming attack on New Year’s Day. Surveillance footage from the incident showed Bech pushing a woman out of the way as the truck

ä See LEGACIES, page 5A

WEATHER HIGH 70 LOW 42 PAGE 12C

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

Federal law enforcement personnel stand watch outside the Metropolitan Detention Center as they await the arrival of captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in New york on Saturday.

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO, MATTHEW LEE, WILL WEISSERT and ERIC TUCKER Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested Sunday that the United States would not govern Venezuela day-to-day other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on the country, a turnaround after President Donald Trump announced a day earlier that the U.S. would be running Venezuela following its ouster of leader Nicolás Maduro.

People pray during the New Hope Interfaith Prayer Service at Immaculate Conception Church in New Orleans on Sunday during a memorial service for those who died in an attack Jan. 1, 2025, on Bourbon Street.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Rubio’s statements on TV talk shows seemed designed to temper concerns that the assertive action to achieve regime change in Rubio Venezuela might lead the U.S. into another prolonged foreign intervention or failed attempt at nationbuilding. They stood in contrast to Trump’s broad but vague claims that the U.S. would at least temporarily “run” the oil-rich nation,

comments that suggested some sort of governing structure under which Caracas would be controlled by Washington.

Maduro Rubio offered a more nuanced take, saying the U.S. would continue to enforce an oil quarantine that was already in place on sanctioned tankers before Maduro

ä See VENEZUELA, page 4A

ä Trepidation in Venezuela after U.S. captures Maduro. PAGE 3A ä Plan to seize Venezuela’s oil industry faces hurdles. PAGE 4A ä Trump’s military intervention sparks unease.

PAGE 4A

‘Their memory will live on’ memorial to honor the vicMourning period tims of the deadly Bourbon Street attack on Jan. 1, 2025, for Bourbon with survivor Brittany Franattack ends with cois asking the crowd to make the event meaningful through interfaith memorial their actions going forward.

“One year and three days ago, our lives changed forStaff writer ever,” Francois said from the pulpit of the Immaculate New Orleans Mayor LaToya Conception Jesuit Church on Cantrell, Mayor-elect Helena Baronne Street, less than two Moreno, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy blocks from the site of last and other leaders gathered ä See MEMORIAL, page 5A with mourners Sunday at a

BY RICH COLLINS

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101ST yEAR, NO. 189

2A ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Rain continues as Calif. reels from floods, high tides

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FROM WIRE REPORTS

Drone strikes kill 2 in Russian border regions

Two people were killed in Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian border regions, local officials said Sunday, ahead of peace talks to end the nearly 4-year-old war in Paris this week.

Belgorod regional Gov. Vyacheslav Gladkov said one person died and two others, including a young child, were wounded when a Ukrainian drone struck a car.

Another person was killed in a drone strike on a village in the Kursk region, regional Gov. Alexander Khinshtein said Sunday.

In Ukraine, three people were wounded in the Kharkiv region in drone strikes overnight into Sunday, the country’s State Emergency Service said.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a Russian missile attack on the city of Kharkiv on Friday increased to five when body parts were found under the rubble of a building, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said Sunday.

The latest attacks came after 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 war in Ukraine intensifies.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, preparing to travel to Paris for a meeting with partners, said Saturday that 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.

North Korea launches missiles toward sea

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea launched multiple ballistic missiles toward its eastern waters Sunday, its neighbors said, just hours before South Korea’s president left for China for talks expected to cover North Korea’s nuclear program.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement it detected several ballistic missile launches from North Korea’s capital region around 7:50 a.m.

It said the missiles flew about 560 miles and that South Korea and U.S. authorities were analyzing details of the launches.

South Korea’s Defense Ministry noted the launches violated U.N. Security Council resolutions that ban any ballistic activities by North Korea. It urged North Korea to cease provocative actions immediately and respond to South Korea’s push to restart talks and restore peace on the Korean Peninsula.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said that at least two missile launches by North Korea have been confirmed. “They are a serious problem, threatening the peace and security of our nation, the region and the world,” Koizumi told reporters.

The U.S. military said in a statement on social media that the missile launches did not “pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies.”

“The United States remains committed to the defense of the U.S. homeland and our allies in the region,” the military said.

Pilot killed in plane crash on Cape Cod

A small plane crashed Sunday at the Provincetown Municipal Airport on Cape Cod, catching fire and killing the pilot, who was the only person on board, officials said.

Firefighters and other emergency responders extinguished the fire at the crash site near the seaside community at the very tip of Cape Cod, city officials said in a news release.

The statement said the pilot was pronounced dead at the crash site.

The National Transportation Safety Board said in a statement that the aircraft was a Cessna 172N and that it will investigate the crash. It gave no preliminary indication of a possible cause.

The airport was closed following the crash.

Provincetown is located about 50 miles southeast of Boston at the end of Cape Cod, the hooked peninsula jutting into the Atlantic Ocean in southeast Massachusetts.

By The Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BAZ RATNER

Firefighters cry Sunday as they attend a memorial march in Crans-Montana, Swiss Alps, Switzerland, after a devastating fire in Le Constellation bar left 40 dead and dozens injured during a New year’s Eve celebration.

Hundreds march to honor bar fire victims 40 killed in New year’s Eve blaze in Switzerland

BY JOHN LEICESTER and JAMEY KEATEN

Associated Press

CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Hundreds marched in silence Sunday to honor the victims of the New Year’s Eve fire at a bar in the Swiss Alpine resort of CransMontana, which left 40 dead and many severely injured.

Somber mourners, many with reddened eyes, filed silently out of the chapel to organ music after the hourlong Mass at the Chapelle Saint-Christophe in CransMontana. Some exchanged hugs before marching up a hill to Le Constellation bar.

Many hundreds of people walked in the dense snaking procession in the bright sunlight past shuttered stores. Up on the mountain overlooking the town, snow machines sent plumes of white flakes into the air.

At the top of the street, in front of Le Constellation — which is still largely shielded from view by white screens — the swelling crowd stood in near total silence, some weeping.

Then they broke out into sustained applause for the rescue teams and police who rushed to the scene of horror, their hands in gloves and mittens against the cold. Mourners and well-wishers deposited bouquets at a makeshift memorial piled with flowers, cuddly toys and other tributes. Some firefighters wiped their eyes too.

“Through this tragic event, I believe we must all remember that we are all brothers and sisters in humanity,” Véronique Barras, a local resident who knows grieving families, said. “It’s important to support each other, to hug each other, and to move forward towards light.”

Cathy Premer said her daughter was out celebrating her 17th birthday on New Year’s Eve when she called in the early hours of the morning to say she was stuck because Le Constellation was cordoned off.

“For the young — but even for adults — it’s hard to understand things that seem inexplicable,” she said. “They went there to party, it’s a destination for Dec. 31, it’s very festive, there were people of many nationalities ... and it all turned into a tragedy.”

In the crowd, Paola Ponti Greppi, an 80-year-old Italian who has a house in Crans-Montana, called for safety checks in bars. “We need more safety in these places because it’s not the only place like this. Why didn’t the town do the proper checks? For me that’s terrible.”

During the Mass, the Rev. Gilles Cavin spoke of the “terrible uncertainty” for families unsure if their loved ones are among the dead or still alive among the injured.

“There are no words strong enough to express the dismay, anguish, and anger of those who are affected in their lives today. And yet, we are here, gathered because silence alone is not enough,” he said.

In the crowded pews, a grieving woman listened intently, her hands clasped tightly and sometimes clasping rosary beads, as speakers delivered readings in German, French and Italian.

Forty people died and 119 were injured in the blaze that broke out around 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Le Constellation bar. Police have said many of the victims were in their teens to mid-20s.

By Sunday evening, Swiss authorities had identified all of the 40 fatalities.

One of the victims was 16-year-old Arthur Brodard, whose mother had been frantically searching for him.

“Our Arthur has now left to party in paradise,” a visibly shaken Laetitia Brodard said in a Facebook story posted on Saturday night, speaking to a camera.

“We can start our mourning, knowing that he is in peace and in the light.”

Brodard’s frenzied search for her son reflected the desperation of families of the young people disappeared during the fire, who did not know whether their loved ones were dead or in the hospital.

Swiss authorities said the process of identifying victims was particularly hard because of the advanced degree of the burns, requiring the use of DNA samples. Brodard also had given her DNA sample to help in the identification process.

In her Facebook post, she thanked those who “testified their compassion, their love” and to those who shared information as she anxiously searched and waited for news of her son. Other parents and siblings are still waiting in anguish.

Swiss authorities have opened a criminal investigation of the bar managers.

Gunmen kill at least 30, abduct others in raid in north Nigeria

By The Associated Press MINNA, Nigeria — At least 30 villagers have been killed and several others are missing after gunmen raided a village in northern Nigeria’s Niger state, police said Sunday, the latest in a cycle of deadly violence in the conflict-hit region.

The gunmen stormed the Kasuwan-Daji village in the Borgu local government area on Saturday evening and opened fire on residents. They also razed the local market and several houses, state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said in a statement.

At least two residents put the death toll at 37 and said it could be much higher as some people remained missing as of Sunday. Locals also said the security forces are yet to arrive in the area, contradicting a police claim that they have deployed officers to search for those kidnapped.

The Rev. Stephen Kabirat, a spokesman for the Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese where the attack happened, told local media that the gunmen killed more than 40 people and abducted several others, including children.

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu condemned the attack and said he has directed security officials to hunt down the gunmen and rescue the hostages.

“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people,” Tinubu said in a statement. “They must face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. In addition, those who aid, abet, or enable them will also be brought to justice.”

The gunmen had been lurking around nearby communities for about a week before the attack, according to one resident who asked not to be named for fear of his safety. Now survivors are too afraid to go recover the bodies.

“The bodies are there (in Kasuwan-Daji village). If we don’t see any security, how can we go there?” the resident said, adding that the attack lasted for up to three hours.

Such attacks are common in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, where dozens of rogue gangs seeking control often target remote communities with limited security and government presence.

CORTE MADERA, Calif. — Crews cleared mud from key California highways as forecasters warned Sunday that more thunderstorms were on the way after downpours and high tides caused flooding, road closures and rescues of people trapped in cars.

Five northern counties remained under a flood watch, with up to three inches of rain possible through Monday night in areas that have been drenched off and on since around Christmas, said the National Weather Service office in Eureka.

At least a foot of snow was likely in the mountains.

To the south near the San Francisco Bay Area, waters were slowly receding after roadways from Sausalito to San Rafael were flooded during heavy rain that coincided with record-breaking “king tides.” Such tides occur when the moon is in its closest position to the Earth, creating a stronger gravitational pull.

Some people kayaked along swamped streets, while others waded through water above their knees.

Authorities were called to assist when cars got stuck in water as high as 3 and 4 feet, Marin County Sheriff’s Sgt. Michael Dobbins said

Saturday.

“I’ve been around here for the king tides and I’ve never seen it this high. Never,” Jeremy Hager of San Rafael told KTVU-TV. Flooding was reported across Marin, Sonoma, Alameda, San Mateo and San Francisco counties.

While the tides were waning, lingering thunderstorms on Sunday could cause additional problems throughout low-lying areas, forecasters said. “For anyone driving, slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination,” the Bay Area office of the weather service warned on social media.

Farther south in Santa Barbara County, a key highway was reopened Sunday after it was blocked for most of the weekend near Goleta due to a series of mudslides. A man died after he was swept into a creek during the storm, the sheriff’s office said Saturday.

Parts of Santa Barbara County received more than four inches of rain over two days, the weather service said Sunday.

After a mostly dry autumn, California has been hit by a series of powerful winter storms that brought the wettest holiday season to the state in years.

SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE PHOTO By STEPHEN LAM

Brothers Connor and Brett Cardinal and friend Eli Ferrell kayak toward a flooded Mill Valley-Sausalito Path on Saturday during king tide in Mill Valley, Calif.

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VENEZUELA

Trepidation mixes with joy after Maduro capture

BY REGINA GARCIA CANO, MEGAN JANETSKY and JUAN ARRAEZ Associated Press

CARACAS, Venezuela — An anxious quiet fell over Venezuela’s capital on Sunday as trepidation mixed with joy while a nation waited to see what comes next.

People were slow to resume routines in Caracas after President Nicolás Maduro was deposed and captured in a dramatic U.S. military operation. Dozens of stores, restaurants and churches remained closed. Those on the streets looked shellshocked, staring at their phones or into the distance.

“People are still shaken,” said 77-year-old David Leal, who arrived to work as a parking attendant but realized he likely would not have customers. He pointed to the deserted street, a few blocks from Venezuela’s presidential palace, which was guarded by armed civilians and military personnel.

‘God give us strength’ Venezuela is no stranger to political tumult, but the deadof-night U.S. military operation early Saturday marked a new chapter with no ready script.

President Donald Trump initially said the U.S. would “run” the country until there was stability, a remark that

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MATIAS DELACROIX

Residents look Sunday at a damaged apartment complex in Catia La Mar, Venezuela, that neighbors say was hit during U.S. strikes to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio seemed to walk back on Sunday.

Rubio insisted in interviews that Washington will use control of Venezuela’s oil industry to force policy changes, and called the government currently in place illegitimate. The country is home to the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves.

“We want to see Venezuela transition to be a place completely different than what it looks like today. But obviously, we don’t have the expectation that’s going to happen in the next 15 hours,” Rubio said.

Defense Minister Vladimir

Padrino López, flanked by the high military command, told Venezuelans that Maduro was still the rightful leader.

Presidential duties, however, now belong to Vice President Delcy Rodríguez, whom the high court ordered to assume the role of interim president.

Rodríguez made no public comment Sunday.

Maduro’s cadre of government officials demanded his release from custody in New York, where his first court appearance is set for Monday. State-controlled media did not air the images of him handcuffed on U.S. soil.

Venezuelans instead saw them on social media, and

many could not believe their eyes.

“May God give us strength for what we are experiencing. I’m sad. He is a human being,” said Nely Gutiérrez, a retiree, as her eyes welled with tears. “They have him handcuffed, and if he is in the hands of the empire, no one can save him from there, only God, not even God. He will die there.”

Gutiérrez had walked to church only to find it closed.

She said she would have prayed for peace in Venezuela and for Maduro. She declined to say whether she ever voted for him but said, “The word of God says love

your enemy.”

strikes there.

Fear of celebrating

Left with ‘ruins’

In the U.S. and some Latin American countries, Maduro’s ouster was celebrated.

In Venezuela, the scene was different, with some supporters burning U.S. flags and holding signs reading “Gringo go home.”

Others muted any antiMaduro feelings for now.

Construction worker Daniel Medalla said people did not dare celebrate out of fear of government repression.

“We were longing for it,” Medalla, 66, said of Maduro’s exit.

Memories remain fresh of the government crackdown following the 2024 presidential election, which Maduro claimed to have won despite credible evidence that he lost by a more than 2-to-1 margin. Protests left 28 people dead, 220 injured and at least 2,000 detained, according to official figures.

The presence of police and military personnel across Caracas on Sunday was notable for its smaller size compared with an average day. Soldiers attempted to clear an area of an air base that burned along with at least three passenger buses during the U.S. attack.

Rubio in interviews said no U.S. forces were on the ground in Venezuela but didn’t rule out further

Wilman González picked through rubble and broken furniture coating the floor of his home in the coastal state of La Guaira on Sunday.

He was quiet, mourning everything he’d unexpectedly lost early Saturday morning when an American strike blew apart the wall of his apartment. The blast killed his sleeping 80-year-old aunt Rosa Elena González.

The family rushed her to the hospital, where medical staff scrambled to give her oxygen, but González said there was nothing they could do.

Venezuelan officials have said Saturday’s operation killed civilians and military personnel. But they have not given a toll, and the government’s press office has not responded to multiple requests.

Now, with stitches lining the corner of his blackened eye, González was left staring at the gaping hole in his wall.

“This is it, what we are left with: ruins,” he said.

González spoke with anger not just at all he’d lost, but also the compounding economic and political crises that Venezuela has endured for years, and a government that he said has stopped working for the people.

Struggles linger for Capitol officers 5 years after Jan. 6 riot

BY MARY CLARE JALONICK

little justice there was,” said former Capitol Police Officer Winston Pingeon, who was part of the force’s Civil Disturbance Unit on Jan. 6. He left the force several months afterward.

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — As Donald Trump was inaugurated for the second time on Jan. 20, 2025, former Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell put his phone on “do not disturb” and left it on his nightstand to take a break from the news.

That evening, after Gonell spent time with family and took his dog on a long walk, his phone started to blow up with calls. He had messages from federal prosecutors, FBI agents and the federal Bureau of Prisons — all letting him know that the new president had just pardoned about 1,500 people who had been convicted for their actions at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. The pardons included rioters who had injured Gonell as he and other officers tried to protect the building.

“They told me that people I testified against were being released from prison,” Gonell said. “And to be mindful.”

Gonell was one of the officers who defended the central West Front entrance to the Capitol that day as Congress was certifying Democrat Joe Biden’s victory and hundreds of Trump’s supporters broke into the building, echoing his false claims of a stolen election. Gonell was dragged into the crowd by his shoulder straps as he tried to fight people off. He almost suffocated. In court, he testified about injuries to his shoulder and foot that still bother him to this day.

“They have tried to erase what I did” with the pardons and other attempts to play down the violent attack, Gonell said. “I lost my career, my health, and I’ve been trying to get my life back.”

Five years since the siege, Gonell and some of the other police officers who fought off the rioters are still coming to terms with

Pushback

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JIM LO SCALZO

U.S. Capitol Police Sgt. Aquilino Gonell wipes his eye as he watches a video being displayed during a House select committee hearing on the Jan. 6 attack on July 27, 2021, on Capitol Hill in Washington. what happened, especially after Trump was decisively elected to a second term last year and granted those pardons. Their struggle has been compounded by statements from the Republican president and some GOP lawmakers in Congress minimizing the violence that the officers encountered.

“It’s been a difficult year,” said Officer Daniel Hodges, a Metropolitan Police Department officer who was also injured as he fought near Gonell in a tunnel on the West Front. Hodges was attacked several times, crushed by the rioters between heavy doors and beaten in the head as he screamed for help.

“A lot of things are getting worse,” Hodges said.

An evolving narrative More than 140 police officers were injured during the fighting on Jan. 6, which turned increasingly brutal as the hours wore on.

Former Capitol Police Chief Thomas Manger took over the department six months after the riot. He said in a recent interview that many of his officers were angry when he first arrived,

not only because of injuries they suffered but also “they resented the fact that they didn’t have the equipment they needed, the training they needed ” to deal with the unexpectedly violent crowd.

Several officers who fought the rioters told The Associated Press that the hardest thing to deal with has been the effort by many to play down the violence, despite a massive trove of video and photographic evidence documenting the carnage.

Trump has called the rioters he pardoned, including those who were most violent toward the police, “patriots” and “hostages.” He called their convictions for harming the officers and breaking into the building “a grave national injustice.”

“I think that was wrong,” Adam Eveland, a former District of Columbia police officer, said of Trump’s pardons. If there were to be pardons, Eveland said, Trump’s administration should have reviewed every case.

“I’ve had a hard time processing that,” said Eveland, who fought the rioters and helped to push them off the Capitol grounds.

The pardons “erased what

Indonesian rescuers find 2nd body in search for missing tourists

By The Associated Press JAKARTA, Indonesia — Indonesian rescuers recovered a second body Sunday in the ongoing search for a Spanish soccer coach and two of his children who went missing after a tour boat sank during their Christmas holiday.

The rescue team retrieved the body floating near Padar island, about 1.2 miles from

the site of the sinking, said Fathur Rahman, the Maumere Search and Rescue Office chief.

The newly recovered body remains unidentified by authorities, but is believed to be that of a member of the family who was on a holiday in Indonesia’s Komodo National Park area. Rahman said the body was transported to a hospital in Labuan

Bajo, a gateway town to the park in eastern Indonesia, for identification.

The family holiday in the park area turned tragic for Valencia CF Women’s B coach Fernando Martín, 44, when the boat carrying him, his wife, their four children, four crew members and a local guide, sank on the evening of Dec. 26 after suffering engine failure.

Hodges and Gonell have been speaking out about their experiences since July 2021, when they testified before the Democratic-led House committee that investigated Jan 6. Since then, they have received support but also backlash.

At a Republican-led Senate hearing in October on political violence, Hodges testified again as a witness called by Democrats. After Hodges spoke about his experience on Jan. 6, Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., asked the other witnesses whether they supported Trump’s pardons of the rioters, including for those who injured Hodges.

Three of the witnesses, all called by Republicans, raised their hands.

“I don’t know how you would say it wasn’t violent,” says Hodges, who is still a Washington police officer.

It has not just been politicians or the rioters who have doubted the police. It also is friends and family.

“My biggest struggle through the years has been the public perception of it,” Eveland said, and navigating conversations with people close to him, including some

fellow police officers, who do “It was a wake-up call,” he not think it was a big deal. said.

“It’s hard for me to wrap my head around that, but Pressing on ideology is a pretty powerful Pingeon, who was attacked thing,” he said. and knocked to the ground as he tried to prevent people Safety and support from entering the Capitol, As police officers struggled said Jan. 6 was part of the in the aftermath, Manger, the reason he left the department former Capitol Police chief, and moved home to Massasaid the department had to chusetts. He has dealt with figure out how to better sup- his experience by painting port them. There were no images of the Capitol and his wellness or counseling ser- time there, as well as advocatvices when he arrived, he ing for nonviolence. He said said, and they were put in to he now feels ready to forgive.

“The real trauma and place.

“The officers who were heartache and everything there and were in the fight — I endured because of these we needed to make sure that events, I want to move past they got the help that they it,” he said.

Gonell left the Capitol needed,” Manger said.

Manger, who retired in Police because of his injuMay, also oversaw major ries. He has not returned to improvements to the de- service, though he hopes to partment’s training, equip- work again. He wrote a book ment, operational planning about his experience, and he and intelligence. He said the said he still has post-traumatCapitol is now “a great deal ic stress disorder related to safer” than it was when he the attack. arrived.

While many of the officers “If that exact same thing who were there have stayed happened again, they would quiet about their experienchave never breached the es, Eveland said he decided building, they would have that it was important to talk never gotten inside, they publicly about Jan. 6 to try to would have never disrupted reach people and “come at it the electoral count,” Manger from a logical standpoint.” said.

Still, he said, “I’ve had to Pingeon, the former Capi- come to terms with the fact tol Police officer, said he that just because something believes the department is happened to me and was in many ways “unrecogniz- a major part of my world able” from what it was on doesn’t mean that everyone Jan. 6 and when he left sev- else has to understand that or even be sympathetic to that.” eral months later.

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Trump’s military intervention sparks unease

Venezuela mission tests Republican unity

BY STEVEN SLOAN Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump’s military intervention in Venezuela will pose a fresh test of his ability to hold together a restive Republican coalition during a challenging election year that could be defined by domestic concerns like health care and affordability.

While most Republicans lined up behind the president in the immediate aftermath of the stunning U.S. mission to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and bring him to New York to face criminal charges, there were signs of unease across the spectrum within the party. In particular, Trump’s comments about the U.S. positioning itself to “run” Venezuela have raised concerns that he is abandoning the “America First” philosophy that has long distinguished him from more traditional Republicans and helped fuel his political rise.

“This is the same Washington playbook that we are so sick and tired of that doesn’t serve the American people, but actually serves the big corporations, the banks and the oil executives,” said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, of Georgia, a former Trump ally who is resigning on Monday, in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday.

Those concerns were shared by some who are not associated with the party’s far-right flank.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

By ALEX BRANDON

President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach, Fla., as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens on Saturday.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, of Pennsylvania, a moderate who is one of the most vulnerable Republicans in the November midterms, said in a statement that “the only country that the United States of America should be ‘running’ is the United States of America.”

Those comments reflect the sensitive dynamics between Trump and his fellow Republicans at the outset of an election year in which their party risks losing control of Congress. While the president’s dominance remains undisputed, the ironclad grip that he has held over the party has faced unusual challenges in recent months.

Blocs of Republicans have banded together to pressure Trump to release the Jeffrey Epstein files. Others have been vocal in encouraging Trump to take concerns about affordability more seriously.

Trump’s aggressive vision Few issues are as central to Trump’s political brand as en-

Plan to seize Venezuela’s oil industry faces hurdles

BY JOSH FUNK

AP business writer

President Donald Trump’s plan to take control of Venezuela’s oil industry and ask American companies to revitalize it after capturing President Nicolás Maduro in a raid isn’t likely to have a significant immediate impact on oil prices.

Venezuela’s oil industry is in disrepair after years of neglect and international sanctions, so it could take years and major investments before production can increase dramatically. But some analysts are optimistic that Venezuela could double or triple its current output of about 1.1 million barrels of oil a day to return to historic levels fairly quickly.

“While many are reporting Venezuela’s oil infrastructure was unharmed by U.S. military actions, it has been decaying for many many years and will take time to rebuild,” said Patrick De Haan, who is the lead petroleum analyst at gasoline price tracker GasBuddy.

American oil companies will want a stable regime in the country before they are willing to invest heavily, and the political picture remained uncertain Saturday with Trump saying that the United States is in charge — while the current Venezuelan vice president argued, before Venezuela’s high court ordered her to assume the role of interim president, that Maduro should be restored to power.

“But if it seems like the U.S. is successful in running the country for the next 24 hours, I would say there would be a lot of optimism that U.S. energy companies could come in and revitalize the Venezuelan oil industry fairly quickly,” said Phil Flynn, a senior market analyst at the Price Futures Group.

And if Venezuela can grow into an oil production powerhouse, Flynn said “that could cement lower prices for the longer term” and put more pressure on Russia.

Oil isn’t traded over the weekend, so there wasn’t an immediate impact on prices. But a major shift in prices isn’t expected when the market does reopen. Venezuela is a member of OPEC so its production is already accounted for there. And there is currently a surplus of oil on the global market.

Proven reserves Venezuela is known to have the world’s largest proven crude oil reserves of approximately 303 billion barrels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. That accounts for roughly 17% of all global oil reserves.

So international oil companies have reason to be interested in Venezuela. Exxon Mobil didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. ConocoPhillips spokesperson Dennis Nuss

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

By MATIAS DELACROIX

Vehicles drive past the El Palito refinery in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, on Dec. 21.

said by email that the company “is monitoring developments in Venezuela and their potential implications for global energy supply and stability. It would be premature to speculate on any future business activities or investments.”

Chevron is the only one with significant operations in Venezuela, where it produces about 250,000 barrels a day. Chevron, which first invested in Venezuela in the 1920s, does business in the country through joint ventures with the state-owned company Petróleos de Venezuela S.A., commonly known as PDVSA. “Chevron remains focused on the safety and well-being of our employees, as well as the integrity of our assets. We continue to operate in full compliance with all relevant laws and regulations,” Chevron spokesperson Bill Turenne said.

But even with those massive reserves, Venezuela has been producing less than 1% of the world’s crude oil supply. Corruption, mismanagement and U.S. economic sanctions saw production steadily decline from the 3.5 million barrels per day pumped in 1999 to today’s levels.

The problem isn’t finding the oil.

It’s a question of the political environment and whether companies can count on the government to live up to their contracts. Back in 2007, then-President Hugo Chávez nationalized much of the oil production and forced major players like Exxon Mobil and ConocoPhillips out.

“The issue is not just that the infrastructure is in bad shape, but it’s mostly about how do you get foreign companies to start pouring money in before they have a clear perspective on the political stability, the contract situation and the like,” said Francisco Monaldi, who is the director of the Latin American energy program at Rice University.

But the infrastructure does need significant investment.

“The estimate is that in order for Venezuela to increase from one million barrels per day — that is what it produces today — to four million barrels, it will take about a decade and about a hundred billion dollars of investment,” Monaldi said.

suring that the U.S. does not get entangled in seemingly endless foreign conflicts at the expense of domestic goals. During a 2016 Republican presidential debate, for instance, he described the war in Iraq as a “big, fat mistake.”

But on Saturday, Trump said he was “not afraid of boots on the ground” in Venezuela if that was deemed necessary, and he framed his actions as prioritizing the safety and security of Americans. He articulated an aggressive vision of U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, and he told reporters it was important to “surround ourselves with good neighbors.”

However, much like the Iraq War, a president’s early confidence after a dramatic military action can sometimes meet more sobering realities that drain domestic political support.

In Venezuela, U.S. troops could be placed in harm’s way again as Trump warns that more military operations may be in the works. An ongoing conflict could worsen the hemisphere’s refugee crisis, something the White House has tried to tamp down with stricter border controls. In addition, there are questions about how much cooperation the U.S. will receive from officials still in Venezuela or how easily the country’s oil reserves could be tapped to fulfill Trump’s goal of extracting more energy with Maduro out of the picture.

Trump’s comments this weekend about revitalizing the oil industry in Venezuela are in line with some of the earliest critiques he made of the handling of the Iraq War. During a 2013 speech before the Con-

servative Political Action Conference, Trump said the U.S. should “take” oil from Iraq and “pay ourselves back.”

Frustration with the handling of the Iraq War contributed to major gains for Democrats in the 2006 election and helped create the conditions for Barack Obama to be elected to the presidency two years later. Given the baggage surrounding those wars, Trump allies insist that the actions this weekend in Venezuela are different.

“Venezuela looks nothing like Libya,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on “Meet the Press. “It looks nothing like Iraq. It looks nothing like Afghanistan. It looks nothing like the Middle East other than the Iranian agents that are running through there plotting against America, OK?” Senate Intelligence Committee Chair Tom Cotton argued that the 1989 ouster of Manuel Noriega in Panama is a better comparison.

“That was a successful operation,” Cotton said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” “I believe, in the long run, this will be too.”

Still, amid some of the pushback about the U.S. taking expansive responsibility for managing Venezuela, Rubio suggested a more limited role. He said that Washington would not handle day-to-day governance of the South American country other than enforcing an existing “oil quarantine” on Venezuela.

in the GOP. Instead, many lawmakers appear to be giving the Republican administration some room and, at most, offer some warnings.

Sen. Susan Collins, of Maine, who faces a potentially challenging reelection campaign this year, called Maduro a “narco-terrorist and international drug trafficker” who should stand trial even, as she said “Congress should have been informed about the operation earlier and needs to be involved as this situation evolves.”

Even Sen. Rand Paul, of Kentucky, who often criticizes military interventions, did not specifically oppose Trump’s actions. He wrote on social media that “time will tell if regime change in Venezuela is successful without significant monetary or human cost.”

Many Democrats denounced Trump’s actions in Venezuela and the Democratic National Committee quickly sought to raise money by blasting “another unconstitutional war from Trump.”

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y., rejected the administration’s argument that it was combating drug crimes, saying on X that the White House is instead focused on “oil and regime change” while seeking to “to distract from Epstein + skyrocketing healthcare costs.” Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said the strike was part of an “old and obvious pattern” where an “unpopular president — failing on the economy and losing his grip on power at GOP opposition to the strikes home — decides to launch a war It is not clear that any forceful, for regime change abroad.”

AP diplomatic writer Matthew organized opposition to Trump’s Lee contributed to this report.

Venezuela policy is emerging with-

VENEZUELA

Continued from page 1A was removed from power early Saturday and use that leverage as a means to press policy changes in Venezuela.

“And so that’s the sort of control the president is pointing to when he says that,” Rubio said on CBS’ “Face the Nation.” “We continue with that quarantine, and we expect to see that there will be changes, not just in the way the oil industry is run for the benefit of the people, but also so that they stop the drug trafficking.”

The blockade on sanctioned oil tankers — some of which have been seized by the U.S. — “remains in place, and that’s a tremendous amount of leverage that will continue to be in place until we see changes that not just further the national interest of the United States, which is No. 1, but also that lead to a better future for the people of Venezuela,” he added.

Leaders in Venezuela have so far pushed back, at least publicly, calling on the Trump administration to release Maduro.

Even before the operation that nabbed Maduro, experts were already questioning the legality of aspects of the administration’s pressure campaign on Venezuela, including the deadly bombing of boats accused of trafficking drugs that some scholars said stretched the boundaries of international law.

Trump vows to ‘run’ Venezuela Trump’s vow to “run” Venezuela, repeated more than half a dozen times at a news conference in Florida on Saturday, sparked concerns among some Democrats. It also drew unease from parts of his own Republican coalition, including an “America First” base that is opposed to foreign interventions, and from observers who recalled past nation-building efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rubio dismissed such criticism, saying Trump’s intent had been misunderstood.

“The whole foreign policy apparatus thinks everything is Libya, everything is Iraq, everything is Afghanistan,” Rubio said. “This is not the Middle East. And our mission here is very different. This is the Western Hemisphere.”

Rubio also suggested the U.S. would give Maduro’s subordinates now in charge time to govern, saying, “We’re going to judge everything by what they do.” And though he did not rule out boots on the ground in Venezuela, Rubio said the U.S., which has built up its presence in the region, was already capable of stopping drug boats and sanctioned tankers.

A day earlier, Trump told reporters, “We’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.” He later pointed to his national security team with him, including Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and said it

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By yUKI IWAMURA

Protesters gather outside Metropolitan Detention Center in New york on Sunday. would be done for a period of time by “the people that are standing right behind me. We’re gonna be running it, we’re gonna be bringing it back.”

The White House declined to comment beyond what Trump said Saturday.

Maduro’s arrival Maduro landed late Saturday afternoon at a small airport in New York City’s northern suburbs following the middle-of-the-night operation that extracted him and his wife, Cilia Flores, from their home in a military base in the capital city of Caracas — an act Maduro’s government called “imperialist.”

The couple faces U.S. charges of participating in a narco-terrorism conspiracy.

The dramatic seizure of the Maduros capped an intensive Trump administration pressure campaign on Venezuela’s autocratic leader and months of secret planning, resulting in the most assertive American action to achieve regime change since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Legal experts raised questions about the lawfulness of the operation, which was done without congressional approval.

Venezuela’s vice president, Delcy Rodriguez, demanded that the U.S. free Maduro and called him the country’s rightful leader as her nation’s high court named her interim president. So did the country’s defense minister, Vladimir Padrino López, who said Sunday that the country’s armed forces “categorically reject the cowardly kidnapping” and will “maintain internal order and peace.”

Maduro is due to make his first appearance Monday in Manhattan’s federal court.

Maduro and other Venezuelan officials were indicted in 2020 on narco-terrorism conspiracy charges, and the Justice Department released a new indictment Saturday of Maduro and his wife that painted his administration 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.

The Trump administration spent months building up American

forces in the region and carrying out attacks on boats in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean for allegedly ferrying drugs.

Quiet falls in Venezuela Venezuela’s government kept operating as usual over the weekend as ministers remained in their posts.

The capital was unusually quiet Sunday with few vehicles moving around and convenience stores, gas stations and other businesses closed.

Maduro’s son, lawmaker Nicolás Ernesto Guerra, has not appeared in public since the attack. On Saturday, he posted on Instagram a government statement repudiating the capture of his father and stepmother.

The country’s incoming National Assembly is set to be sworn in at the legislative palace in Caracas.

The unicameral assembly will remain under control of the ruling party.

Under Venezuelan law, Rodríguez would take over from Maduro. Rodriguez, however, stressed during a Saturday appearance on state television that she did not plan to assume power, before Venezuela’s high court ordered that she assume the interim role. Trump told The Atlantic in an interview Sunday that Rodríguez could “pay a very big price” if she doesn’t do what he thinks is right for Venezuela.

That contrasted with the Republican president’s comments about Rodríguez on Saturday when he said Rubio had spoken with her and she was willing to do what the U.S. thinks is needed to improve the standard of living in Venezuela.

Trump told The New York Post in an interview Saturday that the U.S. wouldn’t need to station troops in Venezuela if she “does what we want.”

Garcia Cano reported from Caracas, Venezuela. Associated Press writers Jorge Rueda in Caracas, Venezuela; Lisa Mascaro, Michelle L. Price, Seung Min Kim and Alanna Durkin Richer in Washington; Farnoush Amiri in New York; Larry Neumeister in South Amboy, New Jersey, and Nicole Winfield in Rome contributed to this report.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● 5A

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MEMORIAL

Continued from page 1A year’s tragedy. “In a moment of violence, we lost loved ones, a sense of safety and a piece of ourselves. ...

We owe it to those who are no longer with us to live fuller and braver lives. In each act of kindness and every embrace and in every voice that speaks out for peace, there is life.”

Hundreds gathered for the 2 p.m. remembrance ceremony, which was followed by a short second-line to the corner of Canal and Bourbon streets.

The crowd was a mix of local leaders, family members of victims, first responders, law enforcement — including members of the National Guard — and other community members.

The event was led by New Orleans Archbishop Gregory M. Aymond and more than a dozen other spiritual leaders, who prayed for the 14 people who were killed and dozens more who were injured when Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a military veteran from Houston inspired by the Islamic State, drove a truck through Bourbon Street crowds last year.

The ceremony included music from the Voices of Peter Claver Choir and Eric McCrary, but the most poignant moment of the day came when Patricia Giovingo, executive director of the Governor’s Office of Victims Advocacy, read biographies of each of the 14 victims while their family members carried candles to the altar.

“Each is a symbol of the light they had been in the world,” Giovingo said from the pulpit as family members queued up at the back of the church for the ritual.

One victim, William DiMaio, had big plans for the future, which he kept track of in an Excel spreadsheet, Giovingo told the crowd. Another, Martin “Tiger” Bech, was a former wide receiver on the Princeton University football team.

Nicole Perez was a devoted single mother, and Reggie Hunter, also a father, had an outsized personality that made him “the one everyone looked for when they walked into the room,” Giovingo said.

The procession at Immac-

LEGACIES

Continued from page 1A tore down the street, hitting him and others.

SID WILLIAMS 1951-2025

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Families embrace as the names of loved ones who passed away during the Bourbon Street terror attack are named during the Governor’s Office of Victims Advocacy New year, New Hope Interfaith Prayer Service in New Orleans on Sunday.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Families of the Bourbon Street terror attack victims, survivors and first responders gather for a wreath-laying ceremony on Bourbon Street near Canal Street after the Governor’s Office of Victims Advocacy New year, New Hope Interfaith Prayer Service in New Orleans on Sunday.

Kinfolk Brass Band performs after the Governor’s Office of Victims Advocacy New year, New Hope Interfaith Prayer Service at Immaculate Conception Church in New Orleans on Sunday.

STAFF PHOTO By ENAN CHEDIAK

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

Amy Levet, right, and Stephen Faucheaux, left, family of Hubert Gauthreaux, a victim of the 2025 New year’s terror attack on Bourbon Street, hold up photographs of Gauthreaux during the second-line after a memorial held in memory of the attack in New Orleans on Sunday. ulate Conception, a popular site for weddings, took on extra meaning for Heather Genusa, the fiancée of victim Brandon Taylor. She walked up the aisle with a candle honoring his memory and walked out of the church alone.

“This was my wedding,” she said. “We were planning to move in together last Valentine’s Day.” The mood of the event grew more celebratory as the second-line began outside. A brass band led the procession, as some family members wore T-shirts or carried oversized photos of their loved ones.

Moreno took pictures with family members at the foot of Bourbon, just a few feet away from new barricades put in place to prevent fu-

Merline Herbert 1941-2025 Merline Herbert founded Creole Lunch House in Lafayette with her husband in 1983.

They specialized in Creole cooking, plate lunches and notoriHerbert ous stuffed breads that were a longtime favorite at Jazz Fest in New Orleans. She died in July at the age of 84, and a week before she passed, MayorPresident Monique Boulet issued a proclamation celebrating Creole Lunch House and the Herbert family for 42 years of service to the community.

Sid Williams opened El Sid O’s Zydeco and Blues Club in Lafayette in 1984, helping launch local musicians like Buckwheat Z y d e c o into global Williams fame. His dance hall at 1523 N. St. Antoine St. in Lafayette, is one of the region’s only remaining origiTOMMY McLAIN nal zydeco clubs. Williams’s younger brother 1940-2025 is Grammy-nominated zydeco musician Nathan Tommy McLain was one Williams, of Nathan & of Louisiana’s highestthe Zydeco Cha-Chas, charting and Sid Williams’s nephand most influential ew, Nathan Williams Jr., swamp pop fronts Lil’ Nathan and the musicians.

Zydeco Big Timers.

He startCARMEN IZAGUIRRE ed playing in the 1918-2025 1950s, and McLain M c L a i n ’s Carmen Izaguirre, a longtime resident of Morgan biggest single, country C i t y a n d ballad “Sweet Dreams” by n a t i v e o f songwriter Don Gibson, hit T a m p i c o the No. 15 spot on the U.S. Tamaulipas, Billboard Adult ContempoM e x i c o , rary charts in 1966. In the died at the years before his death at 85, age of 106. he frequently toured with She founded Lafayette musicians ZachT a m p i c o ary Richard and C.C. AdIzaguirre M e x i c a n cock, two of the best-known Restaurant & Cantina in swamp pop-influenced play1962, which has a location in ers today.

Lafayette at 5713 Johnston Elvis Costello was one of St. and one in Morgan City. McLain’s fans. The pair beShe named the restaurant gan recording and playing after her hometown and together after they met in offered Tex-Mex fare in a New Orleans in 2010, and comfortable environment.

McLain joined Costello’s

asked Louisianans to incorporate green and yellow — signifying “harmony, renewal and happiness” — into their memorial displays.

Many attendees of Sunday’s remembrance ceremony, including Moreno, complied, wearing colors that would normally look out of place on a Saints Sunday.

The ceremony followed other efforts to honor the victims of the attack, including the “Second Line in the Sky” display organized by French Quarter restaurant owner Katy Casbarian and several partners. That colorful display, which was unveiled Dec. 1, features lights and handmade flags bearing the names and images of those killed in the attack.

It will remain in place until Jan. 18.

The Bourbon Street at-

tack brought a tragic start to 2025 and forced local, state and federal authorities to scramble to confirm that Jabbar was acting alone and to secure the tourist-heavy French Quarter before the Super Bowl and start of the tourist-heavy Carnival season.

The start of 2026, by contrast, was largely peaceful in tourist areas, as nearly 800 local, state and federal law enforcement personnel kept watch over the city, enforcing an enhanced security zone that required bag searches and traffic control measures.

Sunday’s ceremony was hosted by the Governor’s Office of Victims Advocacy, the city of New Orleans and the Archdiocese of New Orleans in partnership with Alton Ashy, Cox Communica-

performance at the New pair could work together.

Orleans Jazz & Heritage Besides his influential and lifelong career as a muFestival in 2022. sician, August founded ARTHUR HARTIE SPENCE Touch Tech, a company that designed and sold comput1965-2025 ers for visually impaired Arthur Hartie Spence Jr. people. was president of ASH InKENNY VICE dustries in Lafayette, 1961-2025 which manufactures Kenny Vice was a Youngsc u s t o m ville native and globally rei n j e c t i o n nowned boxer who turned molds for pro in 1983 and fought uni n d u s t r i a l til 1995, after winning the and medi- World Boxing Federation Spence c a l u s e s . title. He is credited with He died in August when a being the greatest boxer glider he was piloting solo to come out of the region, crashed into the side of a and carried the Olympic mountain in northern Utah. torch through Lafayette as Spence founded his company in 1991, which now employs 100 people at a facility on Willow Street in Lafayette. According to his obituary, Spence “enjoyed nothing more than being in God’s splendor outdoors.

Whether it was off-roading in parks across the U.S., flying through mountain ranges, or practical self-defense and shooting courses in the beautiful deserts of Arizona, Hartie never stopped doing what he loved.”

it made its way to the Olympic ceremonies in Atlanta in 1996.

In later years, Vice Vice w o r k e d with another Lafayette boxing legend, Beau Williford, to train young boxers from the area.

ture vehicle attacks.

Moreno, who will be inaugurated on Jan. 12, echoed Francois’ remarks during a brief interview.

“These were really vibrant people that we lost during this terrible tragedy,” she said. “It needs to be clear that their memory will live on in the city of New Orleans forever.”

The memorial capped four days of mourning in Louisiana that Gov. Jeff Landry called for to mark the first anniversary of the Bourbon Street attack.

Landry mandated that flags at state buildings be flown at half-staff from Friday through Sunday. He also encouraged churches and other organizations with bells ring them 14 times at 3:15 p.m. Sunday. The order

tions, Ochsner Hospital and the New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Foundation.

The governor has appointed a commission to plan a permanent memorial. That group may announce details later this year, a spokesperson said.

For Francois, efforts like that are part of what she expects to be a long healing process.

“I won’t pretend things have been easy,” she said during Sunday’s ceremony.

“There are days when the weight of the world feels unbearable, the memories come back suddenly, the noises, the fear, the silence after. Healing isn’t easy. It’s messy, it’s slow, it is deeply personal, but it is possible.”

Email Rich Collins at rich. collins@theadvocate.com.

most powerful women in real estate by Real Estate Marketing & Relocation Magazine Prince in the mid1990s, and the company was later named one of the top 500 real estate firms in the nation by RealTrends Magazine. In 2012, Van NANCY VAN EATON PRINCE Eaton & Romero merged with New Orleans-based 1938-2025 Latter & Blum Inc. and in Nancy Van Eaton Prince 2017, it acquired Coldwell founded Van Eaton & Rome- Banker-Pelican. Prince was ro Realtors in Lafayette in a significant philanthropist 1977 with her best friend, and supported many local broker Gail Romero. They causes around youth, eduwere named two of the cation and the arts.

Is New Iberia the Padookie Capital of the World?

And what’s a padookie?

LYNN AUGUST 1948-2025 Lynn August was a blind zydeco and blues musician from Lafayette who played with Sam Cooke when he was 13 years old, when the famous singer played a August show in Opelousas in 1961. The star invited the young musician to come to Los Angeles to record with him, but Cooke was shot and killed in Los Angeles in 1964, before the

has the answers to all your questions!

Submit your questions today! or email: curiouslouisiana@theadvocate.com

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Family of paralyzed boy needs help

10-year-old injured in drive-by shooting

BY JA’KORI MADISON

where he was sleeping July 12, according to police reports. The bullet shattered his jaw and caused An Acadiana family is raising a severe spinal cord injury , leavmoney to help a 10-year-old boy ing him paralyzed from the neck who was paralyzed after being hit down, according to his family. by gunfire in a drive-by shooting As a result of his injuries, Joel is in July. depending on a tracheostomy tube Joel Moscovis was critically in- and a ventilator to breathe. Since jured when a passing vehicle fired the shooting, he has undergone shots into the Opelousas home multiple surgeries, including the

Staff writer

placement of a feeding tube and a tracheostomy, and faces a long recovery, according to his family.

“Despite this immense challenge, Joel’s spirit remains strong, and we believe in the possibility of recovery,” his mom, Hannah Moscovis, wrote on the GoFundMe. The fundraiser is seeking financial support to help cover the cost

and long-term care resources not fully covered by insurance, the family wrote.

The family is now seeking additional support to pursue stem cell therapy. According to the Hannah Moscovis, the treatment is not covered by insurance and carries significant out-of-pocket costs. The initial procedure is estimated to cost $20,000, with follow-up treatments expected every three months during the

of stem cell therapy, a treatment the family believes offers the best hope for neurological recovery.

A previous GoFundMe campaign launched in August raised $9,950 toward its $11,000 goal. The funds helped cover family expenses while traveling to and from Baton Rouge where Joel was in critical condition and assisted with relocating to a fully handicap-accessible home.

The money also helped offset costs for specialized medical equipment, home modifications

ä See HELP, page 4B

PROVIDED PHOTO

Dr. Patty Lathan with Astra

LSU Vet School saves life of military dog

STAFF PHOTO By BRAD BOWIE

Leaving the holidays ABOVE: Dogs and

Astra, who has served in combat, diagnosed with Addison’s disease

their owners gather for a Pack Walk on Saturday

BY ELLYN COUVILLION

at Girard Park in

Staff writer

Lafayette. The

A military working dog named Astra was recently rushed by helicopter from 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 U.S. soldiers in Middle East war zones, became extremely ill and was airlifted to the Vet School in a Black Hawk 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 and Staff Sgt. David Tatterson drove to LSU Vet Med to be with Astra in the intensive care 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.

“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 (military working dogs), 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

group walk was

ä See DOG, page 4B

held as a way of shaking off the stress of the holidays while preparing for the new year ahead.

LEFT: Dogs and their owners mingle.

Avoyelles Parish unveils Former La. coastal agency leader honored Solomon Northup statue CFO Lansing had pivotal role behind the scenes

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 Protec-

tion, 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

ä See LEADER, page 4B

Monument comes 173 years after he won freedom

BY ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

For Justin Gilliam, looking into the face of the bronze likeness of Solomon Northup was like looking into the faces of members of his family.

Gilliam is the great-greatgreat-grandson of Northup, whose story was commemorated by the unveiling of a bronze statue Sunday on the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse lawn in Marksville. He traveled from his home in Virginia to join other Northup descendants for the unveiling ceremony.

Northup was born a free Black man in New York. He was kidnapped in Washington, D.C., in 1841, sold into slavery and trafficked to Louisiana, where he spent the next 12 years fighting for his freedom.

Northup never gave up hope through that fight and won back his freedom in the Avoyelles Parish court system on Jan. 4, 1853.

And on Sunday, the 173rd anniversary of that day, Avoyelles Parish unveiled of the statue, “Hope Out of Darkness,” and dedicated the Solomon Northup Plaza on its courthouse lawn in Marksville.

The statue was designed and created by Oscar and Emmy Award-winning artist Wesley

ä See STATUE, page 4B

2B ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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

Nungesser shows patriotism by speaking out on immigration raids

Democrats fight for working families while Republicans just cut programs Prices aren’t coming down.

Prices ratchet up and stay there.

A few groceries might dip, but the total at the register never budges. Insurance never goes backward. Utilities only rise. The real crisis isn’t inflation — it’s that Louisiana families don’t have the resources to survive an economy designed to squeeze them. And the Republican leaders who run our state and country are ideologically incapable of helping.

They’re promising something that cannot be delivered.

Inflation doesn’t mean prices are going down — it just tells us how fast they’re still going up.

The biggest costs families face — housing, health care, insurance, utilities — hardly ever fall. So if prices won’t drop, the only way life gets easier is if our resources go up: higher wages, public investment and accountability for corporations with too much power. Republican ideology blocks all of this.

Their “free market” approach has cost working people dearly: suppressed wages, disappearing competition, subsidies for corporations and political power for the wealthy. And those interests overwhelmingly fund Republicans to keep it that way.

Democrats offer real solutions that raise people’s resources: a higher minimum wage, labor protections, stronger FEMA, Medicare for All and fairer taxes on the super-wealthy to rebuild the public goods that once made life affordable — Social Security, Medicare, the GI Bill, rural electrification, interstate highways and public universities.

Republicans try to cut the programs Louisiana relies on most: Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, FEMA, hospitals. These federal transfers keep families and towns afloat.

Cutting them sucks billions from Louisiana and redirects it upward as tax breaks for the rich. These cuts make everything more expensive.

For decades, Republicans have made promises that never come true while families fall behind.

Democrats are offering something different: higher wages, safer communities, stronger schools and leaders willing to fight for working families.

DUSTIN GRANGER Lake Charles

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

published identifying name and the writer’s city of residence. The Advocate | The Times-Picayune require a street address and TO SEND US A LETTER, phone number SCAN HERE 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.

Sunlight shines on the U.S. Capitol dome on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

On behalf of all of our good citizens and our true patriots who believe in the creed outlined in our amazing Pledge of Allegiance, our national anthem and our Declaration of Independence, I want to thank Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser for his vocal opposition to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations which have plagued our beautiful New Orleans during the past several weeks.

Nungesser Many good persons who are here legally (either via valid work permits, visas, etc.) have been wrongfully detained by ICE agents in New Orleans — in gross violation of their constitutional rights. Also, several U.S. citizens have been wrongfully detained or harassed by those agents. These are all people who have played by the rules and followed the law of the land, only to be violated by those who, under the color of a “uniform,” see fit to violate our Constitution and our laws as one nation under God. In speaking out against these horrific injustices, Nungesser has proven to be a great patriot and public servant of our people. Thank you, Billy.

STAFF FILE PHOTO

End the charade over health care, national debt

The Affordable Care Act, the first successful attempt to assure all Americans access to adequate health care, was signed into law on March 23, 2010, after 427 days of debate, 11 hearings and 11 different proposed bills.

It was a lengthy struggle, opposed every step of the way by Republican ideologues.

Then, in 2025, funding for the subsidies the ACA provided was cut by the Republicans’ in the name of cutting government spending and thus, the debt.

Then those same Republicans made a slapdash effort to pass a bill, in a matter of weeks, to save themselves from the consequences of what they’ve done. What type of solution could have been expected from such an effort?

Of course, if the roles were reversed, the Democrats would be doing the same thing.

Recently, both parties approved a defense

budget of a record $901 billion.

Yet, according to the Government Accounting Office, the Department of Defense is the “only one of 24 federal agencies” that has failed to pass a financial audit since the Chief Financial Officers Act of 1990 and, according to the GAO, is expected to fail audits through 2028, allowing it continue to face “significant fraud exposure.”

This, despite the efforts of the “Department of Government Efficiency” and Republicans’ persistent, shrill cries to reduce government debt.

I don’t recall a desire being voiced by the Democratic Party to reduce federal debt, so, going into the midterms, I suppose they can claim they are not hypocrites.

At least, not where the budget is concerned.

WAYNE PARKER Baton Rouge

Stop giving illegal immigrants a pass Letter writer Betsy Kyle Burke’s letter on Dec. 10 about the alleged mistreatment of immigrants is unfortunately replete with inaccurate information.

All illegal immigrants have the benefit of U.S. law to come to the U.S. legally, but make the deliberate choice to come illegally.

The Immigration and Nationality Act allows 675,000 immigrants each year, in addition to an unlimited number of asylum applicants.

According to President Joe Biden’s Border Patrol, all illegal immigrants crossing the southern border pay thousands of dollars to human traffickers to cross into the U.S., a felony, rendering them ineligible for citizenship. Asserting that they commit fewer crimes than Americans is ludicrous. Paying human smugglers to cross the border, stealing Social Security numbers, failing to file state and federal tax returns, using false identification and lying on their I-9 forms, claiming to be citizens to obtain a job, are all felonies. It is illegal for an illegal immigrant

JASON SAVOY Mamou

to work in the U.S. and a misdemeanor to evade a border inspection point. They have a nonviolent crime rate of 100%.

Illegal immigrants do work in hotels, assist in building houses and some pick crops, but they do not do any jobs for Americans. They do it for money, for themselves. However, it is simply illegal for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. To do so is an immediately deportable offense.

If U.S. citizens paid a criminal organization to commit a crime, stole a Social Security number, used false government identity documents or failed to file tax returns, they would be prosecuted. If an illegal immigrant commits any of these crimes, they do not, for the most part, face prosecution but are simply deported — two systems of justice. What is unfair is that Americans are prosecuted for these crimes and illegal immigrants are not.

What if other countries start following U.S. lead on sinking boats?

Mexico is among the top five countries in gun violence, even though Mexico has only two gun manufacturers and one gun store.

Strict regulations make it next to impossible for Mexicans to purchase and possess guns if they are not police or military.

In the aftermath of horrible gun violence and police raids, Mexican authorities display the thousands of guns recovered which are made in the United States and smuggled into Mexico.

To discourage the smuggling of guns into Mexico that cause the death and misery that drugs cause in the United States, Mexico should adopt the precedent, pretext, logic and “right” set by the United States in the Caribbean to discourage drug smuggling.

The Mexican military should indiscriminately blow up small fishing boats leaving the U.S. coast entering the Gulf of Mexico on suspicion that the boats and passengers are smuggling guns. Small fishing boats leaving the U.S. coast, allegedly smuggling guns, can easily reach Mexico compared to the impossibility of small fishing boats allegedly smuggling drugs from the Caribbean reaching the U.S. After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Right?

Happy tuna fishing, Louisianans!

JOSEPH IAFET Fairhope, Alabama

End false narrative that immigrants are dangerous I am compelled both morally and ethically to respond to the recent letter to the editor praising Gov. Jeff Landry’s immigration enforcement. Unfortunately, the letter focuses on what is described as a “disastrous Biden administration” but neglects or refuses to recognize that many, if not most, of the immigrants who are presently being arrested under Landry’s orders have been in this country for decades under the policies of both Democratic and Republican presidents.

Furthermore, the overwhelming majority of these people have been hard-working and law-abiding, contrary to the one or two examples cited in the recent letter. In addition, contrary to the claims in that letter, the overwhelming number of immigrants who

came to our state and city are responsible for helping to rebuild New Orleans after our devastating hurricanes. They have not been harmful as the letter writer implies, but rather they have been very helpful.

Instead of trying to project an image of a “tough guy,” if Landry really was interested in law and order he would be working with the president to find a pathway to citizenship for those immigrants who have been in this country for over 10 years, working hard, with no criminal record, instead of the current campaign of indiscriminate harassment, arrest and deportation based on the color of their skin.

MIKE GERTIER New Orleans

CHARLES MOSLEY Morgan City

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COMMENTARY Science-based coastal restoration is out, managing surrender is in

ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., speaks during a news conference on the Epstein Files Transparency Act on Nov. 18 outside the U.S. Capitol in Washington.

A tale of two congresswomen Marjorie Taylor Greene’s early publican leadership, where she ranked exit from Congress reveals that her No. 3. tough-broad persona was very much Before Trump erupted into his 2020 an act. After she angered Donelection lies, Cheney had supald Trump by demanding the ported about 93% of Trump’s release of the Epstein files, she positions. She was a loyal Rebecame the target of the slings, publican but an even more loyal arrows and threats unleashed American. by the president and his enforcThe amoral Kevin McCarthy, then-Republican House minorers.

Froma Her response? Flight. leader, warned the party’s Harrop ity “Once I left her, she repolitical consultants that they’d have to choose between worksigned,” Trump said. “She would never have survived a primary.” ing for her or for him. The Morning Maybe. Maybe not. But the woman Group, a fundraising firm that Cheney who posted a picture of herself holding had hired to help prepare for the next a rifle alongside photos of three liberal primary, immediately refused to work congresswomen turned tail. Greene further on her campaign. held a good number of lunatic beliefs, A spokesman for Cheney said, “It’s but her push to get to the bottom of Jef- sad but not surprising that Kevin Mcfrey Epstein’s sex trafficking of girls Carthy is continuing down the morally was well-founded — and, evidently, bankrupt path of embracing House Reshared by most Republicans. publicans who are White supremacists Greene could have learned a lesson and conspiracy theorists but attacking in courage from a very different ReLiz Cheney for telling the truth and standing with the Constitution.” publican congresswoman, Liz Cheney Add to that the anonymous threats of of Wyoming. Cheney is about as ideopersonal harm. Cheney did not flinch. logically conservative as they come, She ran for reelection in 2022. When but she regarded Trump’s violenceasked whether she expected to lose, fueled attempt to halt the official vote Cheney said that if defending the Concount in an election he had lost as an attack on democracy itself. And that’s stitution cost her the seat, it was a sacwhat the 2021 Capitol riot was. rifice she’d accept. She ended up losing Cheney joined a handful of patriotic to a MAGA clone.

Republicans in supporting Trump’s imThe coup attempt was OK with Greene, though she later found courpeachment. For her brave stance, the so-called Freedom Caucus demanded age elsewhere. But the moment Trump her resignation from the House Recalled her “a traitor,” she threw on her

sneakers and ran away.

Another party member, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, is now bravely facing a primary challenge after being one of seven Senate Republicans who voted to convict Trump for inciting the Jan. 6 riot. Cassidy is a physician who has long criticized Trump’s health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., over his fringe theories linking vaccines to autism. He’s running in an election he might lose.

When Greene announced her sudden retirement, she warned, “If I am cast aside by the president and the MAGA political machine and replaced by Neocons, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Military Industrial War Complex, foreign leaders and the elite donor class that can never, ever relate to real Americans, then many common Americans have been cast aside and replaced as well.”

She cast herself aside. In any case, if Greene believes all that stuff, why doesn’t she run for reelection and use it in her campaign?

Because she’s chicken.

It happens that both Cheney and Greene crossed Trump for good reasons. But Greene fled. Outside of her entertainment value, she will not be widely missed. But Cheney keeps fighting, armor still on. And if she comes back to run again, plenty of good Americans will be cheering her on.

Froma Harrop is on X, @ FromaHarrop.

‘Never again’ could become ‘ever again’ last weekend’s shootings that appears How many more Jews must die not to be true. before the world wakes up and does If the Australian government had something about it? Maybe that’s the been paying attention and intensifying problem: The world doesn’t want to security to meet the threat, this terwake up as too many people are fine with hating Jews. rible incident might have been The murder of at least 15 avoided. While Australia has an Jewish Hanukkah celebrants estimated 117,000 Jews (among and the wounding of many its population of 28 million), the more in Australia recently Executive Council of Austracould have been prevented lian Jewry reports antisemitic if the government had estabincidents have reached historic Cal highs and are at “almost five lished a security presence at Thomas times the average number Bondi Beach. Instead, it was before October 7.” The organireported that police officers stood by during the shooting rampage zation documented 1,654 anti-Jewish conducted by a Muslim father and son, incidents between Oct. 1, 2024, and who were reportedly inspired by the Sept. 30, 2025.

Islamic State. For two years, Sydney Since biblical times many have tried has been shut down every weekend and failed to understand and explain by pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel the hatred directed toward Jewish demonstrators. Did no one anticipate people. consequences from those who em“Allegations of well poisoning were a major theme in Jewish persecubraced and openly spouted extremist ideology? tion in Europe throughout the Middle After the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Isra- Ages and into the modern period.

They were a central component in the el by Hamas terrorists in Gaza, there development of modern antisemitism have been fire-bombings, arson, grafin the 19th century. Blood libel accufiti and hate speech directed at Jews, their organizations and buildings in sations often led to pogroms, violent Australia. riots launched against Jews and freThe director-general of Australia’s quently encouraged by government Security Intelligence Organization, authorities.” Read more at the United Mike Burgess, has stated that address- States Holocaust Memorial Museum ing antisemitism is a top priority when from which this quote was taken.

Many are praising the courageous it comes to threats to life. In light of

man who was wounded while tackling one of the gunmen and preventing him from committing additional murders.

His name is Ahmed al-Ahmed. He is a Muslim from Syria and a father of two. His parents told the media he came to Australia in 2006 because he has a “passion to defend people.”

When he recovers from his wounds he should be invited to Israel and given an award for his selfless bravery.

Australia recently passed a law requiring certain popular social media platforms to block users under the age of 16.

The stated reason by lawmakers is to protect children from harm that includes cyberbullying and predators.

Why can’t the country ban websites that promote hate, including and especially antisemitism? If protection is to be granted for young people, why not do more to protect its Jewish population? Isn’t the principle the same?

Antisemitism must be fought with more than statements of horror, flowers, and “thoughts and prayers.” Because of its aggressive nature, it must also be characterized by an aggressive response. Otherwise, the slogan “never again,” which was invoked after the Holocaust, is likely to become “ever again.”

Email Cal Thomas at tcaeditorstribpub.com.

Welcome to 2026 and a whole new direction for Louisiana’s coastal future.

What had been a multiyear science-tested plan to sustain some part of the state’s bottom third against the rising Gulf of Mexico has been redesigned by the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority appointed by Gov. Jeff Landry.

At the governor’s urging, the board is now focused on managing surrender to the Gulf but producing as much seafood as possible in the process.

Here are the three steps in that process.

Bob The first step — once again, Marshall at the governor’s urging — was taken late last year by removing large river sediment diversions from the master plan and transferring that funding to projects rebuilding marshes by pumping sediment from the Mississippi River into the wetlands. Half the funding had always gone to this method.

Since taking office, Landry has sided with shrimpers and oyster fishers opposing diversions. While the influx of fresh water from diversions might restore the natural balance to the estuary that existed before levees were raised, it would also drive their target species further south. Those species have only moved into current fishing grounds since the system devolved into higher salinities.

By now, everyone knows the trade-offs.

The pump-and-dump method can quickly rebuild marshes but must be repeated every 20 to 30 years because the deltas will always continue to sink. Diversions are much more expensive, but they can build wetlands and extend the life of pump-and-dump projects as long as the river runs. They are the definition of sustainability.

The fishers want marshes rebuilt because that’s the habitat producing their targets. But they only want a few small freshwater diversions — just enough to keep salinities ideal for the species they catch and sell.

Step 2 was announced at the CPRA board’s December meeting: They are giving the fishermen just what they and the governor want.

They plan to move funding from diversions to rebuild wetlands as quickly as possible and spend more money on levees, flood walls and the like. Basically, they will be managing the coastal zone as a large fisheries farm for as long as the money holds out as the Gulf moves ever closer.

Which brings us to Step 3: They will do this while not just ignoring the biggest threat to the coastal zone but increasing it.

I’m talking about the “threat that must not be mentioned” by the political rulers of this state and the master they worship: climate change caused by fossil fuel emissions, and President Donald Trump, who calls it a hoax.

That this is here, is happening and could remove much of the state below Interstate 10 in the decades ahead and is backed by evidence and recognized by the science in the master plan the board is effectively abandoning.

Sea levels are rising at record levels, caused by ocean warming due to fossil fuel use. Federal research shows that Louisiana has seen 17 inches of rise just since 1970 and could see 2 feet by 2050 due to warming alone. Add our subsidence and those estimates soar as high as 5 feet by 2100.

Indeed, the master plan shows that some wetlands currently being rebuilt could be flooded by sea level rise and sinking before 2050.

Sea level rise will continue for centuries, but the rate can be slowed beyond 2050 if the world is successful in dramatically reducing emissions over the next two decades. That can only be done by a steady transition to renewable energy.

Yet Trump is waging war on all programs designed to reduce emissions, canceling emission regulations and stopping even private green energy projects on land and the ocean, while ramping up permits and programs for oil production and even coal.

Our governor is Trump’s loud and loyal supporter and controls the board, which is refocusing our coastal survival plan to one of surrender.

Maybe the price of an oyster po-boy will drop — but you may have to eat it in Baton Rouge.

Bob Marshall, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Louisiana environmental journalist, can be reached at bmarshallenviro@gmail.com, and followed on X, @BMarshallEnviro.

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.

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HELP

A bronze statue of Solomon Northup, a free Black man who was kidnapped and enslaved in Louisiana, was unveiled on the Avoyelles Parish Courthouse lawn on Sunday, the 173rd anniversary of when he was set free. His story was the subject of the 2013 Oscarwinning film ‘Twelve years a Slave.’

Continued from page 1B

PROVIDED PHOTO

first year at approximately $7,000 per session. Additional evaluations and potential treatments may be required beyond the first year.

Funds raised through the campaign will be used to help cover the early stages of treatment and related medical evaluations.

As of Friday, the fundraiser has raised more than $600 toward its $10,000 goal.

Joel Moscovis was paralyzed Email Ja’kori Madison after he was hit by a bullet at jakori.madison@ in a drive-by shooting in July. theadvocate.com.

DOG

Continued from page 1B 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 treat-

LEADER

Continued from page 1B 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.

‘Getting the plane built’

ed 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 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.

billion dollars in recent years and includes everything from levee construction to 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.

‘Very humbled by that’ That is a vision shared by Lansing, a Denham Springs native and mother of two who retired in September but continues to work parttime 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.”

She said she was “shocked” when she found out she was receiving the award, and stressed she was part of a larger team that put the agency on track and kept it there.

“I’m still feeling very humbled by that,” Lansing, 57, said of the award. “Because it was totally a team effort to build this agency.”

Lansing’s role at the CPRA was 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 lead- Email Mike Smith at ership standpoint, Janice msmith@theadvocate.com. was responsible for getting the plane built that we fly today,” he said.

LOTTERY CPRA Chairman Gordon Dove said, “She’s the kind SATURDAY, JAN. 3, 2026 of leader who quietly makes PICK 3: 0-9-4 things work better for everyPICK 4: 3-0-6-9 one.”

PICK 5: 8-7-5-3-0 While the CPRA may not be a household name for EASY 5: 12-18-20-29many Louisianans, it’s dif34 ficult to argue against its LOTTO: 1-14-18-20-27importance. The state loses 41 around a football field of land POWERBALL: 18-21-40every 100 minutes on average, wiping out wetlands the 53-60 (23) size of Delaware over the Unofficial notification, last century. keep your tickets.

Its annual spending plan has amounted to more than a

STAFF PHOTO ROBIN MILLER

STATUE

first public monument honoring Northup.

“This has been a 31/ 2-year project,” said Wilbert Carmouche, director of the Avoyelles Parish Tourism Commission and member of the Solomon Northup Committee for Commemorative works. “The entire project cost more than $300,000, and it was paid for through donations.”

The Solomon Northup Commission for Commemorative Works is a Louisiana-based nonprofit founded in 2022 with a mission to preserve Northup’s history through public art, education and commemoration. The statue stands in a rounded plaza surrounded by plaques bearing quotes from Northup’s memoir.

Continued from page 1B Wofford, of North Carolina.

It’s the first bronze sculpture of Northup, whose 1853 memoir “Twelve Years A Slave” was adapted into an Oscar-winning film 180 years later.

And though the film is steeped in reality, most of Northup’s real-life enslavement played out on the Edwin Epps plantation along Bayou Boeuf in Avoyelles Parish.

The parish seat of Marksville has documented Northup’s story through city historic markers in its downtown area. Now the city is home to Louisiana’s

Though the current Avoyelles Parish Courthouse was built in 1925, its predecessor, where Northup was awarded his freedom, stood on the grounds now occupied by the statue and plaza.

For Wofford, the most difficult part of the project was creating a likeness of Northup. No official portraits exist, though woodcut prints of what he was thought to look like appear in his book.

“Wesley used the prints and pictures of his descendants to create the statue,” Gilliam said.

“I knew when Solomon Northup finally appeared through the sculpture in my studio,” Wofford said.

“I called the family and told them, ‘Solomon is here.’”

Wofford said handprints from descendants of slaves appear at the bottom of the statue, signifying those who didn’t find freedom from slavery. He added that papers held high in the sculpted Northup’s clutched hand signify both the court papers that set him free and his memoir.

The commission also has asked Wofford to create a school curriculum to accompany his work.

In the meantime, Gilliam and his family are in awe of Wofford’s work.

“Really, it’s just like looking into the face of an uncle,” Gilliam said.

Email Robin Miller at romiller@theadvocate. com.

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PUBLIC NOTICE --NOTICE TO BIDDERS Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received until 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at the Scott City Hall Building, 125 Lions Road, Scott, Club and shall Louisiana thereafter be opened and publicly read aloud for: DULLES DRIVE OVERLAY The project will consist of patching and overlay‐ ing a section of Dulles Drive within the City of Scott. Bids received after the time specified above will not be considered.

The Specifications and Documents may be ex‐ amined and obtained at the City Hall building of the City of Scott, 125 Lions Club Road, Scott, Louisiana 70583 upon the payment of $80.00 for each set. Deposits on the first set of documents bono fide furnished prime bidders will be fully refunded upon re‐ turn of the documents no later than ten days after receipt of bids. On other sets of documents fur‐ nished to bidders the de‐ posit less actual cost of reproduction, will be re‐ funded upon return of the documents no later than ten days after re‐ ceipt of bids. If the Bid‐ der intends to have the shipped, specifications prior prepaid arrange‐ ments must be made with a third-party courier or parcel shipping ser‐ vice. No specifications shall be released without the above deposit in re‐ ceipt at City Hall build‐ ing. The Specifications and Documents shall be available until twentyfour (24) hours before the time scheduled for the opening of bids.

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Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026 5:30 PM The Coastal Center at Nicholls University 426 NSU Ardoyne Drive Thibodaux, LA 70301 Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026 5:30 PM Joseph S. Yenni Building Second Floor Council Chambers 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd

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OUT OF GAS SEASON RECORD: 6-11

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By BRyNN ANDERSON

Saints quarterback Tyler Shough throws a pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half of on Sunday in Atlanta. The Saints ended the season with a 19-17 loss to the rival Falcons.

Saints can’t overcome all that was missing, fall to Falcons in season finale

New Orleans lost final game of season, but 2025 season felt like a victory

BY LUKE JOHNSON

NFC South title, which is The New Orleans Saints what would have happened made the Atlanta Falcons had they upset Atlanta. Rework and the Carolina Panthers sweat Sunday. gardless, the Saints put up an Ultimately, their efforts admirable fight to the finish weren’t enough to overcome and made the Panthers wait a more talented and experiuntil the game’s final seconds Jeff enced Atlanta squad on its Duncan before celebrating their first division title in a decade. home field in a gritty 19-17 While there are no moral loss, but the Saints made sure victories in the NFL, it certainly felt the NFC South title was earned and like one for the Saints at Mercedesnot given.

Benz Stadium.

I’m sure they hated the idea of Because of injuries and attrition, helping their fierce division rivals, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in any ä See DUNCAN, page 5C way, especially gifting them another

Staff writer

ATLANTA — When Tyler Shough dropped back and scanned the field for an open receiver late in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons, he had thrown 148 consecutive passes without an interception.

He didn’t make it to No. 149.

The New Orleans Saints were in striking distance, trailing by six and facing a third-and-7 from the Atlanta 20-yard line, and they called a double slant. Falcons nickel defender Dee Alford recognized what was happen-

ing, and as Shough was releasing the ball, he came off his man to pick the pass off.

Alford returned it 59 yards, flipping the field and setting Atlanta up in field goal range. The Falcons kicked a field goal, and those points ultimately ended up deciding the game. The Saints lost their season finale, 19-17, snapping a four-game win streak.

“Just an unbelievable play by Alford,” Shough said. “I’ve got to see that … but credit to their defense, credit to him, great play in that

ä See SAINTS, page 4C

LSU struggles with turnovers, falls to Vandy With 2:20 left in the fourth quarter, fresh- times as many offensive boards as LSU did.

No Mulkey-coached team man Things improved on Sunday. The Tigers ZaKiyah Johnson gave LSU a 58-57 had ever started 0-2 in league lead with a layup. Then Vanderbilt fresh- corralled more offensive boards in the first man guard Aubrey Galvan canned a corner quarter of their game against the No. 12 play before this season 3-pointer at the other end, and star sopho- Commodores (five) than they did in their

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

First it was the rebounding. Then it was the turnovers.

The LSU women’s basketball team addressed one problem, then saw another one surface Sunday on the road in a 65-61 loss to No. 12 Vanderbilt.

In their second straight defeat, the No. 5 Tigers turned the ball over 22 times — the sixth-most giveaways they’ve tallied in a game they’ve played under coach Kim Mulkey.

more Mikayla Blakes finished a pair of driving layups, bringing her scoring tally to a game-high 32 points. The Tigers (14-2, 0-2 SEC) committed two turnovers around those shots — one by MiLaysia Fulwiley and another by Mikaylah Williams.

No Mulkey-coached team — at either LSU or Baylor — had ever started 0-2 in conference play before this season.

LSU began Sunday’s contest with a clear need to keep the Commodores (15-0, 2-0) off the boards. The Tigers’ loss to Kentucky on Thursday doubled as one of the worst rebounding games of the Mulkey era. That night, the Wildcats grabbed more than four

entire matchup with Kentucky (four). LSU eventually won the rebounding battle by 20 boards – a decisive edge that allowed it to recover a nice chunk of the possessions it gave away. But not enough to get a win.

Fulwiley keyed the turnaround on the glass. She rebounded three of LSU’s misses in the first half — a team-high — then wrapped up her night with 13 points, seven boards, six assists and two steals. Sophomore point guard Jada Richard added 13 points of her own. Williams finished with 12 points, eight boards and six assists, but

AP PHOTO By CAMDEN HALL

LSU guard Mikaylah Williams tries to shoot past Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes during ä See LSU, page 3C the first half on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.

2C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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BROADCAST HIGHLIGHTS On TV MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 5:30 p.m. Nebraska at Ohio St. FS1 6 p.m.

Will. & Mary at Charleston So. CBSSN 6 p.m.

Oregon at Rutgers Peacock 7:30 p.m. Southern Cal at Michigan St. FS1 WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL 5:30 p.m. Minnesota at Michigan BTN 7:30 p.m. Iowa at Northwestern BTN

FCS CHAMPIONSHIP 6:30 p.m. Illinois St. vs. Montana St. ESPN IIHF WORLD JUNIOR HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP 3:30 p.m. Bronze Medal: Sweden vs.TBD NHLN 7:30 p.m. Gold Medal: Finland vs.TBD NHLN NBA 6 p.m.

New york at Detroit Peacock 7:30 p.m. Denver at Philadelphia Peacock 9 p.m.

Golden State at L.A. Clippers Peacock

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FROM STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

SPEED SKATING U.S.Winter Olympic Trials USA TENNIS 5 a.m.

United Cup,ATP,WTA Tennis 5:30 p.m. United Cup,ATP,WTA Tennis UNRIVALED BASKETBALL 12:30 p.m. Mist vs. Hive TRUTV 1:45 p.m. Vinyl vs. Laces TRUTV 7 p.m.

Lunar Owls vs. Rose TNT,TRUTV 8:15 p.m. Phantom vs. Breeze TNT,TRUTV 4 p.m.

LSU FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK

Receiver commits; OT leaves portal

BY WILSON ALEXANDER

Staff writer

Former Hawaii wide receiver Jackson Harris committed to LSU, a source confirmed Sunday with The Advocate, making him the first transfer to choose the team since Lane Kiffin became the head coach.

Harris had a breakout season this year with 49 catches, 963 yards and 12 touchdowns while playing in 11 games to earn firstteam All-Mountain West honors.

He visited LSU this weekend soon after the transfer portal opened. He has two more years of eligibility.

LSU has to rebuild its wide receiver corps entering the first season with Kiffin and a new offensive staff, and it has targeted multiple transfers. The Tigers have only three wide receivers who have not left the team, and they signed three incoming freshmen in the 2026 class.

Harris, a native of Berkeley, California, is listed at 6-foot3 and 205 pounds. He caught six passes for 86 yards and one touchdown in two seasons at Stanford before transferring to Hawaii.

In his one season with the Rainbow Warriors, Harris was tied for the most 60-plus-yard receptions in the country with five, and four of those went for 70-yard touchdowns. He averaged 19.7 yards per catch, which ranked eighth in the FBS.

OT transfers… then does not LSU redshirt freshman offensive tackle Weston Davis entered the transfer portal Sunday morning, but it was brief. Davis withdrew his name within an hour of it appearing in the database and plans to stay at LSU next season.

Davis came to terms with LSU and wanted to have his name removed from the transfer portal before it showed up, according to a report from Matt Moscona of WNXX, 104.5-FM. Davis has three more years of eligibility.

Davis played in 12 games this season with 10 starts. LSU re-

Fury says he is coming out of retirement in 2026

MANCHESTER, England — Tyson Fury is returning to the ring after announcing on Sunday that he will step out of retirement.

The former heavyweight world champion confirmed his comeback in a post on social media, which sets up the prospect of a longawaited showdown with Anthony Joshua.

“2026 is that year. Return of the mac,” Fury posted on Instagram.

“Been away for a while but I’m back now, 37 years old and still punching. Nothing better to do than punch men in the face and get paid for it.”

Fury retired last year after losing for a second time to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024. Before his two bouts with Usyk he was unbeaten in 35 fights, winning 34 and drawing one.

Speedskater Stolz starts but doesn’t race 1,500

STAFF FILE PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

LSU offensive tackle Weston Davis, center, and offensive lineman Tyree Adams take the field before kickoff against South Carolina on Oct. 11. Davis briefly entered the transfer portal on Sunday before leaving it. placed him at right tackle for two games with redshirt freshman Ory Williams, who later entered the transfer portal, before Davis regained his spot.

A four-star recruit in the 2024 class from Beaumont, Texas, Davis was the No. 111 overall prospect in his class and a top 10 offensive tackle on the 247Sports composite rankings. He flipped from Texas A&M to LSU late in the recruiting process.

LSU has two starting offensive linemen who have remained with the team to this point in Davis and redshirt junior center Braelin Moore, as well as five backups and two incoming freshmen. It has to sign multiple transfers who can start and provide depth.

Seven LSU offensive linemen have entered the transfer portal since it opened Jan. 2: Williams, redshirt freshman Ethan Calloway, freshman Carius Curne, redshirt sophomore Paul Mubenga, redshirt sophomore Tyree Adams, redshirt freshman Coen Echols and redshirt sophomore DJ Chester.

LSU also lost right guard Josh Thompson, a fifth-year senior who exhausted his eligibility.

Cooley comes back LSU secured a key piece of the defense as the team announced Sunday redshirt sophomore safety Tamarcus Cooley will stay.

Cooley could have entered the NFL draft, but he has two more years of eligibility. He established himself as a starter in his first season at LSU, finishing with 70 tackles, 11/2 tackles for loss and two interceptions.

LSU has to replace safety AJ Haulcy and star cornerback Mansoor Delane, who both exhausted their eligibility, but it will bring back Cooley, safety Dashawn Spears, cornerback DJ Pickett and cornerback PJ Woodland, setting a solid foundation in the secondary.

Cooley, a native of North Carolina, was a three-star recruit in the 2023 class who began his career at Maryland. He transferred to NC State after one season, and in his only year with the Wolfpack, Cooley played in every game while making nine starts at nickel. He recorded 43 tackles and two interceptions.

Cooley, who’s listed at 6-foot and 198 pounds, moved to deep

safety at LSU. He started every game and played a team-high 777 snaps.

At the other safety spot, Spears will have a chance to become a starter for the first time in his career next season. He said at one point he would enter the transfer portal, but he changed his mind a few hours later after conversations with the LSU staff.

Latest in the portal Former Boise State junior safety Ty Benefield visited LSU on Sunday, a source said. Benefield was named first-team All-Mountain West this past season after recording 107 tackles, 8 1/ 2 tackles for loss and two interceptions. He played in 41 games over the past three seasons, starting 33 times.

Benefield has one more year of eligibility.

LSU also hosted Old Dominion wide receiver Tre Brown, a source confirmed. He caught 38 passes for 762 yards and four TDs this past season after transferring from a junior college. He ranked seventh in the country with an average of 20.05 yards per catch.

He’s also set to visit Ohio State.

MILWAUKEE — Star speedskater Jordan Stolz figured some extra rest was more important than competing in an event he didn’t need to with an Olympic berth already assured, so after finishing first in the 500 meters at the U.S. trials Sunday, he decided to just line up at the start of the 1,500 instead of actually racing.

The 21-year-old Stolz, twice the world champion at the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 and expected to be one of the faces of the Milan Cortina Games, took a couple of strides from an upright position in the outside lane, then took a hard left and skated toward the sideline. He shrugged as he came off the track.

Emery Lehman, who is from Chicago, won, and Casey Dawson was second.

American Britcher wins another WC gold in luge

USA Luge’s Summer Britcher is flying into the Olympics.

Britcher got her second women’s singles luge win of the season on Sunday, moving her atop the World Cup standings and further cementing her status as a medal contender for the Olympics next month.

She prevailed in Sigulda, Latvia, rallying in the second heat to top Lisa Schulte of Austria and Julia Taubitz of Germany. Britcher’s two-run time was 1 minute, 23.840 seconds, while Schulte finished in 1:23.877 and Taubitz in 1:23.931.

It was Britcher’s seventh career singles win, extending her alltime record for USA Luge sliders.

The women’s singles win was one of two medals on the day for Britcher, who also helped USA Luge capture the bronze in the team relay.

cuts ties with Miami gets inspiration from echoes of its past Djokovic players’ org he co-founded ä Miami vs. Ole Miss

BY TIM REYNOLDS Associated Press

6:30 P.M.THURSDAy, ESPN

CORAL GABLES, Fla. — Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. doesn’t say much. He just plays.

That’s part of the reason why Bain giving a short, impromptu and unexpected halftime speech to teammates during Miami’s win over Ohio State in a College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl last week was a moment that went viral.

“They don’t got the energy we got, bro,” Bain said. “They don’t want it how we want it.”

And with that, Bain got his “Joaquin said dominate” moment that surely will go into Hurricane lore.

Miami (12-2, CFP No. 10 seed) had more than enough of the energy that Bain was speaking of, beat Ohio State 24-14 and moved into Thursday’s CFP semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl against Mississippi (13-1, CFP No. 6 seed).

It was at a game in 2001 — Miami’s last national championship season — when eventual Pro Football Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed gave a now-famous speech to teammates at halftime in Tallahassee, a game the Hurricanes were leading rival Florida State 21-13. Reed’s shoulder was banged up, and the Seminoles seemed to have the momentum.

Reed turned and faced his teammates before they returned to the field, quoting offensive lineman Joaquin Gonzalez for emphasis.

“I’m hurt, dawg. Don’t ask me if I’m all right. Hell, no,” Reed shouted. “Joaquin said dominate, and we’re not doing it.” He said a little more, turned and ran out of the tunnel. What happened over the next few minutes showed how

Miami sideline for the past couple of seasons, and Cristobal has welcomed the energy he brings. When running back Mark Fletcher fumbled the ball early in the Ohio State game, it was Edgerrin James — another Hall of Famer — who got into his ear and calmed him down. And when Beck was warming up for the game, he was starstruck when he saw Ray Lewis — another Hall of Famer — just a few feet away.

“I literally just looked at him and just shook his hand and he introduced himself,” Beck said.

“And then he’s like, ‘Yo, go win us the ball game.’ And I was like: ‘Well, now I have to. We literally have to go score. Like, I can’t let this dude down.’ ” Sometimes, the impact of those past Miami stars comes even when they’re not physically there.

Keionte Scott, the standout from Miami’s secondary who had a game-changing pick-six against Ohio State, slept inside the indoor practice facility during fall camp and found himself gazing at the roof over the field at the banners showing the names of all the Hurricanes’ past All-Americans.

He was looking up at those same banners Sunday when he explained the story.

“It’s a different feeling,” Scott said. “It’s a testimony to how much The U means to them. It just shows me how much The U was able to do for them. They could be doing anything in the world and they’re supporting their team and they’re supporting their college.

It’s just something that makes you want to go harder.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIO CORTEZ

Former NFL players Ray Lewis, left, and Michael Irvin celebrate after a Miami touchdown during a Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game against Ohio State on Wednesday in Arlington, Texas. much Reed’s words mattered to his teammates.

Miami scored four touchdowns in the third quarter, blowing out Florida State and eventually finishing the season as 12-0 national champions. Reed didn’t seek the spotlight in those days, much in the same way Bain doesn’t seek it now.

“To come out and speak in front of the entire team, when that’s not necessarily something that he does all the time, you know he means it,” Miami quarterback Carson Beck said. “I think there’s weight behind that. That’s something that’s coming from the heart, something that you know he needs to say to the team. Shoot, it had me juiced. I was ready to roll out there and go die for those boys. Obviously, I think it’s an iconic moment that we’ll always

remember as a team.”

It’s a balancing act for Miami coach Mario Cristobal, who played on two national title teams when he was a Hurricanes offensive lineman. He welcomes back the alumni, while simultaneously making sure the current team keeps looking forward.

“I think just the entirety of the Miami Hurricanes family from years past, showing up and supporting our team and getting back involved with the university, is absolutely awesome,” Cristobal said.

“It also gives our players a chance to experience that brotherhood that we have always spoken about so strongly of.”

At Miami, the names from the past — like Reed — still inspire.

Michael Irvin — another Hall of Famer — has been a regular on the

Novak Djokovic is cutting ties with the Professional Tennis Players Association, a group he cofounded that sued the sport’s governing bodies last year, writing on social media Sunday that “my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”

The 24-time Grand Slam champion announced at the 2020 U.S. Open that he and now-retired Canadian player Vasek Pospisil were launching the PTPA. They said they were aiming to offer representation for players.

One of the goals made clear along the way was to become a sort of full-fledged union that negotiates collective bargaining agreements like those that exist in team sports, although that sort of thing hasn’t happened.

Royals manager agrees to 3-year contract extension

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro has agreed to a three-year contract extension though 2029.

His deal includes a team option for 2030, the Royals said Sunday.

Quatraro replaced Mike Matheny after the 2022 season and has led the Royals to a 224-262 record in three years.

Kansas City improved from 56106 during Quatraro’s first season to 86-76 in 2024. The Royals then went 82-80 last year for their first consecutive winning seasons since 2013-15.

Quatraro finished second to Cleveland’s Stephen Vogt in 2024 American League Manager of the Year voting.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● 3C

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How Dybantsa’s resilience led BYU to win over Kansas St.

BY DAVE SKRETTA AP basketball writer

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

LSU coach Matt McMahon, shown throwing his hands up during a game against Prairie View on Dec. 22, said he was disappointed but not discouraged by the Tigers’ 75-72 loss to Texas A&M on Saturday.

McMahon laments missed chances in loss to Texas A&M

BY TOYLOY BROWN III

Staff writer

Disappointment is one word coach Matt McMahon used to describe LSU’s loss.

The Tigers fell 75-72 to Texas A&M on Saturday at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas. What loomed before and after the outcome of their first Southeastern Conference game was the absence of Dedan Thomas.

The lefty point guard is day-today with a lower leg injury, McMahon said after the game. The ESPNU broadcast said the junior had a foot injury, and he was seen wearing a boot on his left foot.

Thomas’ playmaking and ballsecurity talents were desperately needed as LSU committed a season-high 16 turnovers against the only conference opponent that employs a full-court press for an entire game.

Even still, McMahon wasn’t consumed by the letdown of dropping a winnable game.

“Obviously disappointed in the result for us, but certainly not

discouraged. Very encouraged by the toughness, the effort, the intentions of our group,” the fourthyear coach said in the post-game press conference. “We had our chances.”

Those chances to get an improbable victory without the SEC’s leader in assists at 7.1 per game were eye-catching.

A sequence that was “painful” for McMahon was three straight turnovers in the backcourt that turned a tie game into a 69-66 deficit with 1:58 remaining.

Even when the errors zapped much of LSU’s offensive flow, it had a chance to tie the game down 72-70 with nine seconds remaining.

However, freshman point guard Jalen Reece threw a difficult pass from half-court that was too high for the 6-foot-10 Mike Nwoko to snag.

“We wanted to get Jalen Reece on the run there,” McMahon said.

“If we had Mike over the top, we would take it. If not, we were just trying to get downhill and get our shooters space down, down two there with nine seconds to go,

which was plenty of time. And Jalen, he did a lot of great things today. I know he’s very disappointed in a couple of the turnovers late, but this will be a great learning experience for him, and he’ll keep getting better moving forward.”

Reece finished with four points, a career-high seven assists and three turnovers in 36 minutes. The most playing time he had previously was 23 against Prairie View.

The Tigers also had a decent lastsecond 3-pointer that missed short from freshman Mazi Mosely, who only played the final 3.7 seconds, that could’ve sent the game into overtime.

McMahon emphasized that his players’ mettle was tested and their intensity reached a required standard to create winning chances when it trailed by as many as 10 points with 8:53 remaining in the game.

“I can’t fault our energy, our effort or our togetherness. All those things (were) fantastic,” McMahon said. “Just didn’t execute well enough to find a way to get the win at the end.”

Lee scores 17, makes clutch play to help Texas survive Ole Miss

Vanderbilt guard Mikayla Blakes, left, tries to dribble past LSU forward Amiya Joyner during the first half on Sunday in Nashville, Tenn.

BY MARK ROSNER Associated Press

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO

By CAMDEN HALL

LSU

Continued from page 1C she turned the ball over four times.

Fulwiley had five giveaways.

Seven of the eight LSU players who saw the floor Sunday committed multiple turnovers.

Transfer center Kate Koval had nine points and 10 rebounds, and ZaKiyah Johnson had 10 points and eight boards. But Flau’jae Johnson finished with zero points in 19 minutes, going scoreless for just the second time in her four-year career. She took only four shots.

In the first quarter, LSU gave away six of its first 11 possessions and missed eight of its first 11 field goals. The game started to turn in the Tigers’ favor only after they began to force more misses and took better care of the ball. An 11-0

MANHATTAN, Kan. — About the fourth or fifth time that A.J. Dybantsa crashed to the floor, and he looked up at an official in both shock and vain, one of the most talented freshmen in college basketball must have finally figured out that he wasn’t going to get a call.

Welcome to life in the Big 12 Conference.

Dybantsa still poured in 24 points while leading No. 10 BYU to an 83-73 victory over Kansas State on Saturday, the first true road game for the Cougars all season. But he did it while committing seven turnovers and showing visible frustration throughout much of the first half, a learning experience if ever there was one for the potential No. 1 pick in next year’s NBA draft.

“Definitely,” Dybantsa said, “coach was telling me it was going to be more physical than our nonconference games.”

Few leagues are as rough-andtumble as the Big 12, but it’s also worth pointing out that Dybantsa doesn’t even turn 19 until later this month, and the swingman could just as well be playing his senior season of high school; he reclassified to this year’s freshman class a couple of years ago, when it already was clear that Dybantsa’s game — if not his physique — was ready for the big time.

Even Dybantsa acknowledged Saturday the need to spend some more time in the weight room.

Kansas State did everything it could to muddy up the game, rotating an exhausting number of bodies onto the 6-foot-9 forward, who found himself in a bit of foul trouble because of it. BYU coach Kevin Young wound up sitting Dybantsa for a few minutes — a move that he typically does not make — not only to keep him from picking up another foul but to give him a chance to reset.

“I trust all our guys in that situation,” Young said, “but him in particular, I trust him in terms of his IQ for the game.”

The nation’s second-leading scorer, Dybantsa was coming off perhaps the best performance of his young career, when he scored 33 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Eastern Washington. It was only the second 3010-10 triple-double in the history

of the Big 12, and it was a performance that underscored that the McDonald’s All-American is much more than just a scorer.

Against the Wildcats, Dybantsa complemented his 24 points with eight rebounds and three assists.

The Cougars needed all of them, too, because P.J. Haggerty answered Dybantsa nearly bucket for bucket for Kansas State. The nation’s No. 3 scorer, Haggerty scored 24 points with seven rebounds and six assists.

But while Dybantsa was doing his work with a fluid inside-outside game that has been making pro scouts drool, the Wildcats guard was putting up points by driving through contact to the basket. And that highlighted the difference between a first-year player and a fourth-year junior, both in terms of their physicality and high-level college experience.

“Those are two really good players out there,” said Kansas State coach Jerome Tang, who recruited Dybantsa heavily before losing out on him to BYU. “I thought they matched their stat lines. It was just one of those things.”

The difference in the game itself was their supporting casts.

Dybantsa got 18 points from Robert Wright III and big games from Richie Saunders and Keba Keita, while Haggerty’s best wingman — Abdi Bashir Jr. — was largely shut out in the second half.

“You know, I’ve been watching A.J. since he was in the seventh grade. Loved him and his family.

Had a great time recruiting him,” Tang said. “I’ve watched his games this season, and he’s been one of the most efficient players.

He was very efficient again.”

So efficient that Dybantsa scored those 24 points on just 15 shots.

The Cougars have hung around 10th in the AP Top 25 all season — they were eighth in the preseason poll — but could be on the rise as they begin churning through Big 12 play. They’ve won 10 straight since their only loss, a nip-and-tuck two-point setback against No. 4 UConn back in November, their longest winning streak since Jimmer Fredette’s senior season in 2010.

That year, BYU rose as high as No. 3 in the poll in late February.

If the Cougars are going to reach those heights, Dybantsa will be a big reason for it.

second-quarter run propelled LSU to a 28-22 halftime lead.

Then Galvan started hitting 3-pointers. She drained three of the four long-range shots the Commodores canned in the third quarter to shave five points off the Tigers’ lead and enter the fourth down just 43-42.

LSU’s rebounding issues reappeared in that frame. Vanderbilt turned five offensive boards into 10 second-chance points in the fourth quarter alone. Two of those opportunities came off missed free throws.

In the waning seconds of the fourth, officials did not see Blakes step out of bounds when LSU trapped her near halfcourt. The ball should’ve gone to the Tigers, who were down 64-61, but Blakes instead ended up at the free-throw line, where she iced the win for the Commodores.

Mulkey used a new starting lineup on Sunday. She gave Fulwiley her first start of the season — and just the fourth of her career — in place of Richard. In the frontcourt, she swapped the Koval for the shorter, more athletic forward ZaKiyah Johnson — a freshman who started 10 of LSU’s 14 nonconference contests. Senior transfer Amiya Joyner remained in the other forward spot.

LSU has now dropped back-toback games just four times since Mulkey’s tenure began in 2021.

Things won’t get much easier for the Tigers in Week 2 of SEC play. They’ll next face Georgia on Thursday on the road, then return to the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for a showdown with No. 2 Texas on Sunday.

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

AUSTIN, Texas — Jordan Lee scored 17 points, including a clutch layup and free throw late in the game, helping No. 2 Texas hold off a big rally by No. 15 Mississippi for a 67-64 win Sunday.

Texas (17-0, 2-0 Southeastern Conference) led by 19 early in the third quarter and by 15 at the end of the period. But Cotie McMahon scored 12 of her 19 points in the fourth quarter for Mississippi (14-3, 1-1), and Latasha Lattimore had eight of her 17 in the final period, giving the Rebels a chance.

Unfortunately for Ole Miss McMahon missed two free throws with 4.3 seconds left. Rori Harmon then missed a pair from the line for Texas with one second remaining, and McMahon’s long 3-point shot bounced off the rim as the game ended.

The Longhorns are off to their best start since 1985-86, when they were NCAA champions, finishing 34-0. Texas has won 35 straight home games. The Longhorns are 5-0 this season against teams ranked in the Associated Press top 15 at the time of the games.

Texas showed some resolve after blowing the big lead. A jump shot by Madison Booker (15 points) put Texas ahead by five with three minutes remain-

AP PHOTO By RODOLFO GONZALEZ

Ole Miss guard Kaitlin Peterson is squeezed between Texas guards Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon during the first half of al game on Sunday in Austin, Texas.

ing. Lee made her layup and free throw at the 2:25 mark, and Ashton Judd spun inside for a basket while getting fouled, her three-point play coming with 1:38 left.

Mississippi hit 8 of 13 shots from the field in the fourth quarter and committed just one turnover. Texas contributed to the Rebels’ comeback by missing 8 of 13 shots while committing six turnovers and seven fouls.

Harmon had 10 assists in the game for Texas, but she committed five turnovers, including two in the fourth quarter. Harmon had 62 assists and only three turnovers in her previous seven games.

4C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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FALCONS 19, SAINTS 17

BY THE NUMBERS

SANTS NOTEBOOK

Atlanta 19, New Orleans 17 New Orleans 0 7 3 7 — 17 Atlanta 7 3 3 6 — 19 First Quarter Atl— D.London 15 pass from Cousins (Gonzalez kick), 3:02. Drive: 2 plays, 5 yards, 00:16. Atlanta 7, New Orleans 0.

Second Quarter Atl—FG Gonzalez 40, 10:19. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 3:54. Key Plays: Cousins 11 pass to D.London on 3rd-and-5; B.Robinson 12 run.

Atlanta 10, New Orleans 0.

NO—Shough 1 run (Smyth kick), 4:31. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 5:48. Key Plays: Shough 11 pass to Austin; Shough 19 pass to Estime on 3rd-and-6; Shough 22 pass to Pettis.

Atlanta 10, New Orleans 7.

Third Quarter Atl—FG Gonzalez 51, 8:50. Drive: 6 plays, 41 yards, 2:13. Key Play: Cousins 37 pass to D.London. Atlanta 13, New Orleans 7.

NO—FG Smyth 29, 2:15. Drive: 15 plays, 56 yards, 6:35. Key Plays: Hull kick return to New Orleans 33; Shough 15 pass to Austin; Shough 6 pass to Hill on 3rd-and-10; Shough 14 pass to J.Johnson on 4th-and-4; Estime 1 run on 3rd-and-4; Shough 13 pass to Hill on 4th-and-3. Atlanta 13, New Orleans 10.

Fourth Quarter Atl—FG Gonzalez 38, 10:43. Drive: 14 plays, 45 yards, 6:32. Key Plays: Drummond kick return to Atlanta 36; Cousins 15 pass to D.London; Cousins 10 pass to Mooney on 3rd-and-10; Cousins 6 pass to Pitts on 3rdand-6. Atlanta 16, New Orleans 10.

Atl—FG Gonzalez 38, 2:52. Drive: 4 plays, 7 yards, 00:22. Key Plays: Alford 59 interception return to New Orleans 27; Allgeier 1 run on 3rd-and-4. Atlanta 19, New Orleans 10.

NO—Bell 16 pass from Shough (Smyth kick), 1:11. Drive: 8 plays, 65 yards, 1:41. Key Plays: Shough 5 pass to Estime on 3rd-and-6; Estime 2 run on 4th-and-1; Shough 26 pass to Pettis; Shough 12 pass to Pettis. Atlanta 19, New Orleans 17.

A—69,512.

NO Atl FIRST DOWNS 16 14 Rushing 5 2 Passing 10 11 Penalty 1 1 THIRD DOWN EFF 5-16 4-14 FOURTH DOWN EFF 3-3 1-1 TOTAL NET YARDS 340 208 Total Plays 65 61 Avg Gain 5.2 3.4 NET YARDS RUSHING 108 49 Rushes 26 25 Avg per rush 4.154 1.96 NET YARDS PASSING 232 159 Sacked-Yds lost 4-27 4-21 Gross-Yds passing 259 180 Completed-Att. 23-35 18-32 Had Intercepted 1 1 Yards-Pass Play 5.949 4.417 KICKOFFS-EndZone-TB 4-0-0 6-4-2 PUNTS-Avg. 5-40.6 4-57.25 Punts blocked 1 0 FGs-PATs blocked 0-0 0-0 TOTAL RETURN YARDAGE 106 158 Punt Returns 3-28 3-26 Kickoff Returns 3-78 3-73 Interceptions 1-0 1-59 PENALTIES-Yds 6-40 5-42 FUMBLES-Lost 1-1 0-0 TIME OF POSSESSION 31:19 28:41 INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING—New Orleans, Estime 21-63, Shough 3-34, Hull 2-11. Atlanta, B.Robinson 15-33, Allgeier 7-16, Cousins 3-0.

PASSING—New Orleans, Shough 23-35-1-259.

Atlanta, Cousins 18-32-1-180.

RECEIVING—New Orleans, Pettis 5-60, Estime 5-43, Austin 4-37, Johnson 3-61, Hill 3-32, Bell 2-23, Toure 1-3. Atlanta, Pitts 6-58, D.London 4-78, Mooney 3-20, B.Robinson 3-10, Sills 1-11, Allgeier 1-3.

PUNT RETURNS—New Orleans, Pettis 2-17, Miller-Hines 1-11. Atlanta, Thompkins 3-26.

KICKOFF RETURNS—New Orleans, Hull 3-78.

Atlanta, Thompkins 2-42, Drummond 1-31.

TACKLES-ASSISTS-SACKS—New Orleans, Granderson 5-5-1.5, Taylor 4-0-0, C.Young 3-3-1.5, Jordan 3-1-1, Riley 3-1-0, McKinstry 3-0-0, Stutsman 3-0-0, D.Davis 1-5-0, Williams 1-3-0, Sanker 1-1-0, Werner 1-1-0, Boyd 1-0-0, Burgess 1-0-0, Ridgeway 0-3-0, Bullard 0-1-0, Reid 0-1-0, Rumph 0-1-0. Atlanta, Alford 5-4-0, Watts 4-3-0, Henderson 3-4-0, Street 3-1-1, Terrell 3-1-0, Elliss 2-4-0, Pearce 2-1-2, Bates 2-1-0, Deablo 1-7-0, Onyemata 1-5-0, L.London 1-3-1, Walker 1-1-0, Bryant 1-0-0, Bertrand 0-2-0, Garcia 0-2-0, Kareem 0-2-0, Floyd 0-1-0, Orhorhoro 0-1-0.

INTERCEPTIONS—New Orleans, Granderson 1-0. Atlanta, Alford 1-59.

MISSED FIELD GOALS—New Orleans, Smyth 56.

OFFICIALS—Referee Ron Torbert, Ump Barry Anderson, HL Frank LeBlanc, LJ Brian Bolinger, FJ Ryan Dickson, SJ Keith Washington, BJ Courtney Brown, Replay Kevin Stine.

SAINTS

Continued from page 1C crucial moment.”

The Falcons’ win upended the division. They were one of three teams in the NFC South to finish with an 8-9 record, meaning the division title went to the Carolina Panthers via tiebreaker. The Saints, at 6-11, finished last in the NFC South for the second consecutive season.

But even the loss and the lastplace finish could not dampen the optimism for what’s on the horizon in New Orleans, and a big part of that is because of the player who threw the interception late with the game on the line.

Consider this: Every single running back or receiver that played for the Saints in Week 18 began the season either on a practice squad or unemployed. As a group, that group of players entered Sunday’s game with a combined 408 yards from scrimmage this season — nearly half of which had come from running back Audric Estime, who initially signed to the practice squad in October.

Making matters more challenging, standout rookie left tackle Kelvin Banks left the game for good in the second quarter with an ankle injury, and jack-of-all-trades quarterback Taysom Hill, who has so often come up big against the Saints’ most hated rival, exited in the third quarter.

“It’s the journey of what an NFL season usually looks like,” said

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MIKE STEWART

Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier carries between New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan and safety Jonas Sanker in the first half of a game on Sunday in Atlanta.

2026 schedule is set after 4th-place finish

BY ROD WALKER, LUKE JOHNSON AND MATTHEW PARAS Staff writers

ATLANTA — The New Orleans Saints know their opponents for next season.

The Saints lost to the Atlanta Falcons 19-17 in Sunday’s season finale, meaning the Saints finished fourth in the NFC South for a second straight year.

In addition to their games against their division opponents, the NFL schedule rotation for 2026 has the Saints playing all four teams from the NFC North and AFC North.

The remaining three games are dependent on each team’s finish. Because they finished fourth, the Saints will face the fourth-place finishers from the NFC West (Arizona Cardinals), the NFC East (New York Giants) and the AFC West (Las Vegas Raiders).

The Saints are scheduled to play nine home games and eight road games next season. The NFL’s international schedule hasn’t been announced. The dates and order of games will be announced in May.

coach Kellen Moore. “You’re going to have to navigate stuff.”

Or, as Shough said, “Screw it, let’s go play, man. This is why you play football. … We want to go freakin’ win. That was the most fun I had throughout this whole week, communicating with guys — and throughout the game.”

All that was missing ended up being too much for the Saints superb rookie quarterback to overcome.

But Shough played a strong game, considering the circumstances, and he responded to his interception by breathing one last gasp of life into the Saints’ sails.

Trailing 19-10 with no timeouts and 2:52 remaining, Shough completed four of his five pass attempts for 63 yards while guiding the Saints’ hamstrung offense down the field. The last of those passes found Ronnie Bell, who entered Sunday’s game having played two offensive snaps all season, for a 16-yard touchdown to cut the lead to two.

New Orleans was not able to recover the ensuing onside kick, however, and Atlanta was able to kneel out the remainder of the game clock.

Shough finished the day completing 23 of 35 attempts for 259 yards and a touchdown, adding 34 yards and a score on the ground. He led five drives that pushed inside the Atlanta 40-yard line, but two of them finished with no points.

The offense’s struggles to cash in on its chances negated an otherwise excellent game from the Saints defense, which kept Falcons

Eighth in line The loss also locked in New Orleans’ pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

The Saints will have the No. 8 selection after finishing 6-11 with a worse strength of schedule than any other team that could finish with that record.

If the Saints make their selection at that spot, it’ll be their highest pick since they took Sedrick Ellis at No. 7 in the 2007 draft. Last year, New Orleans picked offensive tackle Kelvin Banks at No. 9.

The draft is scheduled for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

Banks injured An already short-handed Saints offense lost one of its few remaining premier players early in Sunday’s game.

Banks hobbled off the field in the second quarter with an ankle injury. After a brief examination in the injury tent on the Saints’ sideline, Banks rode a cart back to the Saints locker room. The team ruled him out for the remainder of the game during the halftime break.

After the game, Saints coach Kellen Moore said he didn’t believe Banks’ injury came with any longterm concerns.

Banks, the No. 9 overall pick in this season’s draft, had turned in an impressive rookie season to that point. He was replaced in the lineup by Asim Richards.

About the only regulars the Saints had in the lineup Sunday were quarterback Tyler Shough, tight end Juwan Johnson and the regular starting offensive line. New Orleans went into the game without any of the receivers or running backs that it opened the 2025 season with.

Haener active

The Saints had a different backup quarterback for Sunday’s season finale.

Spencer Rattler was among the team’s inactives for Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons after missing practice all week with a right finger injury. In Rattler’s place, Jake Haener served as Shough’s primary backup after New Orleans elevated him from the practice squad on Saturday.

Rare company Rattler started the first eight Cam Jordan wrapped up his superb games of the season before being 2025 season with another sack, benched for Shough, who made putting him in some elite histori- his ninth start of the season. cal company.

With his first-quarter sack of Kirk Odds and ends Cousins, Jordan notched his sevThe Falcons outscored the enth career season with at least Saints 7-0 in the first quarter 10 sacks. In doing so, he became Sunday, putting a bow on what the first player to notch a season has been a bad statistic for the with 10-plus sacks at age 36 or Saints all season long. They older since 2017, when Julius Pep- finished the regular season bepers did it. ing outscored 122-29 in the first He became the eighth player quarter. Their 29 first-quarter to record 10 or more sacks in a points this season … Johnson season at age 36 or older since became the second tight end in sacks became an official statistic Saints history to record at least in 1982. Of the previous seven to 75 catches in a single season, do it, six are Hall of Famers — joining Jimmy Graham, who topped Peppers, Michael Strahan, Bruce Smith, that mark in four straight seaReggie White, Chris Doleman and Kevin sons.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DANNy KARNIK

Saints wide receiver Ronnie Bell catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. star running back Bijan Robinson in check and harassed Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins.

Robinson came into the game as the NFL’s yards from scrimmage leader, averaging 140.9 yards per game over the first 16 games.

Against the Saints on Sunday, he turned his 15 carries into just 33 yards and three catches into 10 yards.

Greene.

“Just relentless effort in the run game,” Moore said. “... Really special performance by those guys; it took all 11 (players).”

Robinson’s 43 total yards from scrimmage were the third-lowest single-game total of his career.

With Robinson bottled up, the Saints turned their defensive front loose on Cousins. Chase Young, Cam Jordan and Carl Grander-

son combined for four sacks, and Granderson added a diving interception on a screen pass. When the Saints weren’t dropping Cousins behind the line of scrimmage, they were making things tough on the back end, and Cousins completed just 56.3% of his passes.

“Find a way to win is the name of the game, and I think our defense put ourselves in position to do that a few times,” Jordan said.

But Atlanta took advantage of some premier opportunities.

Falcons special-teamer Jammie Robinson streaked through the heart of the Saints’ punt protection in the first quarter to block a Kai Kroeger punt. Atlanta recovered at the Saints’ 5-yard line and scored two plays later, when Cousins found a wide-open Drake London for a 15-yard touchdown.

Two other Atlanta drives started in prime field position — one near midfield after Charlie Smyth missed a 56-yard field goal, another at the Saints’ 27-yard line following Alford’s interception.

Both of those drives resulted in field goals.

The result was the 11th loss of the season for New Orleans in its first year under Moore. But despite the record and the last-place finish, the Saints ended the 2025 campaign feeling confident about which direction their organizational arrow is pointing.

“I know I’m going to give everything I have this offseason to make sure we’re in the playoffs and fighting for a Super Bowl next year,” Shough said.

The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● 5C

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FALCONS 19, SAINTS 17 THREE AND OUT: ROD WALKER’S TOP THREE TAKEAWAyS FROM THE SAINTS’ SEASON FINALE LOSS

1

SHOUGH’S THE MAN Five weeks from now, the NFL will announce the winners of the postseason awards. That includes, of course, the Offensive Rookie of the year. I don’t know if Saints quarterback Tyler Shough will win it, but he sure made a strong case for himself. Shough finished the year completing 221 of 327 passes for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns (6 interceptions). Even more impressive is what he did Sunday (23-35, 259, 1 TD, 1 INT) with a receiving corps consisting of the likes of Kevin Austin, Dante Pettis and Ronnie Bell. This is a game the Saints had no business even being in. Shough gave them a legitimate chance in a game that wasn’t decided until the final minute.

2

GAME BALLS Kellen Moore likes to give out game balls.The Saints didn’t win Sunday, but Brandon Staley deserves a game ball.The best decision Moore made when hired was getting Staley to come to New Orleans to run his defense.When the offense struggled, Staley’s defense played well enough to give the Saints a chance. Staley’s unit did enough for the Saints to win Sunday, holding the Falcons to just 19 points (one TD and four field goals).And since Moore doesn’t mind giving out more than one game ball, you have to give one to defensive ends Chase young, Carl Granderson and Cam Jordan.young missed the first five games, but was the Saints’ best defensive player this year.

3

THAT’S A WRAP Let’s start with the bad news. For the fifth consecutive season, the Saints will miss the playoffs.And for the fourth time in five years, the Saints (6-11) finished with a losing record.They finished fourth in the NFC South.The good news? Nobody, coming into the season, thought the Saints had a chance to finish with a winning record anyway.The Saints falling just short of finishing on a five-game winning streak after a 1-8 start says a lot for Moore. Mickey Loomis and the Saints have plenty to do this offseason to make this roster better. But one of the main objectives this season was to see if they had their quarterback of the future on the roster.They do.

Saints ruin Bucs’ playoff hopes ‘Unique’ situation put NFC South’s fate in Saints-Falcons hands

Sept. 7

L

20-13

Sept. 14

L

26-21

Sept. 21

L

44-13

Sept. 28

L

31-19

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

ATLANTA — In a span of two months, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went from seeing their general manager roast New Orleans Saints defensive end Cam Jordan online to watching several players — including their quarterback — openly admit they’d be rooting for the black and gold to help get them into the playoffs.

The NFC South was on the line Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. But not for the teams playing in it.

In the end, the Carolina Panthers prevailed as the division champs, thanks to New Orleans’ 19-17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons to conclude the season.

Carolina made the postseason despite finishing below .500 and losing Saturday’s contest to Tampa Bay because they held a three-way tiebreaker over the Buccaneers and Falcons after each team ended up with an 8-9 record.

The stakes heading into the game were clear: Carolina needed Atlanta to win. Tampa Bay needed New Orleans.

The dynamic created an unusual situation for the players involved.

“It was really unique,” Saints safety Justin Reid said, laughing. “This is the first time in my career where we played a game that it decides the fate of two other teams in the same division.

“I thought it might have been fun to ruin the Panthers’ day three times in one year, you know what I mean? But hey, it is what it is.”

Here’s how unique it was: Sunday’s crowd featured small pockets of fans wearing Panthers and Buccaneers jerseys, cheering when the results went their way. On the Fox broadcast, the game’s producers would cut to patrons’ reactions at bars in Charlotte and Tampa.

A day earlier, an unidentified Tampa Bay player even yelled, “Tyler Shough!” as linebacker Lavonte David broke down the team’s huddle after beating the Panthers. The Buccaneers understood that their postseason hopes would rest on the rookie quarterback.

It was ironic that Tampa Bay even

RESULTS

Oct. 5

W

26-14

Oct. 12

L

25-19

Oct. 19

L

26-14

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DANNy KARNIK

Saints defensive end Chase young wraps up Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins in the first half on Sunday in Atlanta. found itself in this position. On Oct. 26, after a 23-3 win over New Orleans improved his team to 6-2, Bucs general manager Jason Licht tweeted an old clip of Jordan insisting Tampa Bay would “probably go back to where Tampa Bay has been” following Tom Brady’s retirement, spliced with a screenshot of the defensive end’s unproductive box score from that game.

At the time, Tampa Bay seemed to be well on its way to winning the division for a record fifth straight time.

Since then? The Buccaneers lost seven of their last nine games.

“Never thought I’d see a day where I’m rooting for the Saints,” David told reporters, according to ESPN. Jordan, too, was among those who provided Tampa Bay a glimmer of hope as Sunday’s game unfolded. The 36-year-old recorded a sack, giving him 101/ 2 for the season, and New Orleans’ defensive line created enough havoc to keep the Saints in the game, even when they fell behind in a 10-0

hole early. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins took four sacks.

But the Saints, who beat the Panthers twice in the regular season, couldn’t ruin Carolina’s season for a third time.

Shough, throwing to a depleted supporting cast, committed a costly interception that set up Atlanta’s ultimately game-sealing field goal with 2:57 left in the fourth.

Still, the rookie did his best to make the Panthers uncomfortable. After that turnover, Shough responded with a 16yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Ronnie Bell — who made a spectacular one-handed catch with his left hand.

“They would have been really nervous if we had got that onside (kick),” Bell said.

Bell and several others said the NFC South implications didn’t necessarily push the Saints to play harder. The rivalry of Falcons-Saints sells itself, they said, and there’s always motivation in chasing a win. Reid, though, was disappointed that New Orleans couldn’t get

the “two for one” by ruining Carolina’s season and ending Atlanta’s year on a down note.

Ruining Tampa Bay’s playoff chances provided no comfort, he said.

As a result of their loss, the Saints finished fourth in the division at 6-11.

But remarkably, New Orleans and Atlanta might have been the ones playing for the NFC South if a game or two had gone its way. The Falcons closed the year on a four-game winning streak, while New Orleans rebounded from a 1-8 start and also rattled off four straight wins before that streak was snapped Sunday.

“All I can say is they got lucky,” defensive end Carl Granderson said. “Everybody got lucky. If we would have won an extra game back then, then it would have been a different turnout.

But good luck to them guys.

“But next year, we’ll see ’em again.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Oct. 26

L

23-3

Nov. 2

L

34-10

Nov. 9

17-7 W Nov. 23

L

24-10

Nov. 30

DUNCAN

one that started 1-8, and the one that finished 5-3.

Continued from page 1C Ultimately, the Saints won only one more game than they did in 2024, but the vibes around the team and the perception of the organization are they were undermanned and overdramatically different than a year ago matched in terms of talent and per— night-and-day different. sonnel. The offense was reduced to “There’s a lot to be excited about,” rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, said Davis, who then rattled off the Juwan Johnson and a collection of names of nearly every young player castoffs and street free agents. And on the roster, starting with Shough. they even lost prized rookie left tack“(We’re) heading into the offseason le Kelvin Banks to injury early in the with a lot of momentum. What you game. And yet, they still managed to have is no longer ‘potential,’ but you push the Falcons to the limit. have guys who are answering the call It wasn’t always pretty or perfect, and becoming who they were projectbut they played with intensity and ed to be. When you have all that hapenthusiasm for four quarters despite pening at one time, it’s a good thing.” unfavorable odds and circumstances.

The Saints entered the season with The effort was evident, even if the innumerable questions. They had execution wasn’t always there to the most inexperienced quarterback match it. room in the league, and their roster “Screw it, let’s go play,” Shough said was widely viewed as the worst in the when asked about his mindset entering NFL. But in the end, they exceeded Sunday’s game without seven offenthe expectations of most analysts and sive starters. “Who cares what people pundits, including yours truly. And are saying? This is why you play footASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DANNy KARNIK along the way, they found answers ball. (It was) an unbelievable job of Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, left, celebrates a touchdown with offensive to questions at the game’s most imeverybody stepping up. Credit to our tackle Asim Richards during the first half against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday portant spots: quarterback and head guys for showing up and battling.” coach. For those reasons alone, the Granted, these aren’t the Boy season was a win. for this organization,” veteran linefalling to 2-10 in Week 13. Instead, Scouts. No one awards participation In Shough and Moore, the Saints they played their best football of the backer Demario Davis said. “I love trophies in the NFL. The players are have a promising young battery to paid handsomely to do their jobs. But season down the stretch and finished the coaches they brought in and the build around. They have altered the culture that has been established.” the season with four wins in their the reality is, teams often pack it in perception and the trajectory of the All things considered, it might be once they are eliminated from playoff final five games. That’s a credit to entire franchise. A future that once contention. See: Las Vegas, Tennessee the culture established by the team’s the best six-win season in franchise looked hopeless now seems hopeful. history. The glass certainly felt halfleaders, head coach Kellen Moore and New York (Jets) as examples.

And their days of playing spoilers in and his staff. It’s also a positive sign full after the way the season ended.

And it would have been easy for the NFC South just might be a thing Indeed, it felt like the Saints were for the future. the Saints to follow suit. They could “There’s a lot to be optimistic about two different teams this season — the of the past. have easily folded their tents after

L

21-17

Dec. 7

W

24-20

Dec. 14

W

20-17

Dec. 21

29-6 W

Dec. 28

W

34-26

Jan. 4

L

19-17

6C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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NFL ROUNDUP

Streaking Jaguars clinch AFC South title

By The Associated Press JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Trevor Lawrence’s teammates gave him a light-hearted present in the locker room after the quarterback broke the franchise record for total touchdowns in a season and led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC South title: a diamond-covered mouth grille.

Lawrence gladly slipped it into place and posed for pictures, mimicking an AI-generated image that went viral weeks ago. It seemed to fit perfectly alongside championship hats and T-shirts.

Lawrence threw three touchdown passes, breaking the club’s single-season mark for total scores, and the Jaguars earned a home playoff game with a 41-7 drubbing of Tennessee on Sunday.

It was the most lopsided outcome in series history.

And now Lawrence has some mouth jewelry to remember the occasion.

“Pretty funny,” Lawrence said.

“It’s just been awesome this year with the team and just how close we are.”

The Jaguars (13-4) clinched their third division title in nine years, swept the Titans (3-14) for the third time in four seasons and topped a dozen wins for just the second time in the team’s 31-year history.

TEXANS 38, COLTS 30: In Houston, the playoff-bound Houston Texans got their starters some rest and the backups helped them get another win.

C.J. Stroud accounted for two touchdowns before sitting down at halftime and Ka’imi Fairbairn made a go-ahead field goal with 12 seconds left to lift the Texans to a win over the Indianapolis Colts that extended their winning streak to nine games.

The victory gives the Texans (12-5) the No. 5 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Defensive tackle Tommy Togiai scooped up a fumble on the final play and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown to pad the lead.

BROWNS 20, BENGALS 18: In Cincinnati, Myles Garrett set the NFL’s single-season record with his 23rd sack and Shedeur Sanders led a late scoring drive that was capped by Andre Szmyt’s 49-yard field goal as time expired to help the Cleveland Browns rally for a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the season finale.

Garrett sacked Joe Burrow with 4:09 remaining in the fourth quarter for the record-setting sack,

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JOHN RAOUX

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence runs the ball past Tennessee Titans outside linebackers Truman Jones, left, and Jaylen Harrell, far right, on Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla. surpassing the 22 1/2 by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Burrow was in the shotgun formation on firstand-10 at the Browns 45-yard line.

After Ja’Marr Chase’s 4-yard touchdown catch gave the Bengals (6-11) an 18-17 advantage with 1:29 remaining, Sanders directed a 10-play, 40-yard drive to give the Browns (5-12) two straight victories for the first time in two years.

VIKINGS 16, PACKERS 3: In Minneapolis, J.J. McCarthy had a productive first half before he was injured again, fullback C.J. Ham rushed for a short touchdown, and the Minnesota Vikings finished a frustrating season by beating the resting Green Bay Packers.

The Packers (9-7-1) were locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs for the third straight year with nothing to play for. They sidelined almost all of their starters with season-ending injuries to several key players including star pass rusher Micah Parsons still top of mind, unconcerned by a four-game losing streak that they will take into the playoffs.

GIANTS 34, COWBOYS 17: In East Rutherford, New Jersey, New York Giants owner John Mara

got a season-ending gift from his team three months into his cancer treatment.

Mara got a game ball in an emotional locker room scene after the Giants beat the rival Dallas Cowboys to finish their lost season on a two-game winning streak.

Beating Dallas and other results around the NFL took the Giants (4-13) out of the running for a top-two pick and clinched No. 1 for Las Vegas, a week after routing the Raiders to end a ninegame skid. Shuffling back in the draft order had some fans rooting for New York to lose, but two more TD passes by rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showed why there’s so much organizational optimism about the future, no matter who is coaching.

RAMS 37, CARDINALS 20: In Inglewood, California, Matthew Stafford passed for 259 yards and threw two of his four touchdown passes to Colby Parkinson, and the Los Angeles Rams secured the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoffs with a victory over the Arizona Cardinals.

Tyler Higbee returned from injury with five receptions for 91 yards and a key fourth-quarter TD

for the Rams (12-5), who will visit the NFC South champion Carolina Panthers (8-9) in the wild-card round.

RAIDERS 14, CHIEFS 12: In Las Vegas, Daniel Carlson made a career-long 60-yard field goal with eight seconds left to give Las Vegas a victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and end the Raiders’ 10-game losing streak.

Carlson and Kansas City’s Harrison Butker each made four field goals, with Butker hitting a 41-yarder with 1:01 left to give the Chiefs a short-lived 12-11 lead.

This was the first victory for the Raiders (3-14) over the Chiefs (6-11) at Allegiant Stadium. The Chiefs, who had won all five previous meetings in Las Vegas, lost their sixth straight game and eighth in 10.

COMMANDERS 24, EAGLES 17: In Philadelphia, the Eagles’ backup plan backfired, and the Super Bowl champions will start their postseason defense of the title as the No. 3 seed in the NFC. With Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley and most key Eagles starters sitting out even with playoff seeding at stake, the Washington Commanders got fourth-quarter passing and rushing touchdowns from

Josh Johnson to beat Philadelphia.

PATRIOTS 38, DOLPHINS 10: In Foxborough, Massachusetts, Rhamondre Stevenson ran for two touchdowns and caught another from MVP contender Drake Maye, and the New England Patriots completed their remarkable turnaround season with a win over the Miami Dolphins.

Stevenson rushed seven times for 131 yards as New England posted its first sweep of the Dolphins since the 2016 season. TreVeyon Henderson added touchdown runs of 2 and 5 yards.

The Patriots finished 14-3, their most victories since they won the Super Bowl to cap the 2016 season.

The AFC East champions will be No. 2 seed in the playoffs and host the seventh-seeded Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round next weekend. Denver prevented New England from earning the AFC’s top seed by beating the Chargers 19-3 on Sunday.

LIONS 19, BEARS 16: In Chicago, Jared Goff led five scoring drives, Jake Bates kicked a 42-yard field goal as time expired and the Detroit Lions regrouped to beat the NFC North champion Chicago Bears after blowing a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter.

The Bears (11-6) stumbled into the playoffs with back-to-back losses, though they secured the No. 2 seed in the NFC with Washington beating Philadelphia.

Chicago will host Green Bay in a wild-card game next week and would have home-field advantage in the divisional round if it beats the Packers.

Caleb Williams set the franchise’s single-season passing record and threw two fourthquarter touchdown passes as the Bears wiped out a 16-0 deficit.

BRONCOS 19, CHARGERS 3: In Denver, the Denver Broncos secured the AFC’s top playoff seed with a win over the Los Angeles Chargers’ bevy of backups, a victory fueled by Ja’Quan McMillian’s 45-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Wil Lutz was 4-for-4 on field goals as the Broncos (14-3) tied their franchise record for most victories in a season and earned their first No. 1 playoff seed since 2015, which they parlayed into a third Super Bowl title.

They’ll get a week off before hosting their first playoff game in a decade, which could be against these same Chargers (116) if L.A. beats the Patriots (14-3) at New England in the wild-card round next weekend.

SCOREBOARD Odds College Football Thursday

Fiesta Bowl Glendale, Ariz.

FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Miami (FL) 3 3½ (51½) Ole Miss

Friday

Peach Bowl Atlanta FAVORITE OPEN TODAY O/U UNDERDOG Indiana 4 4 (46½) Oregon

NBA Monday

FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG New York 2½ (235½) at DETROIT at TORONTO OFF (OFF) Atlanta at BOSTON 10½ (236) Chicago at HOUSTON OFF (OFF) Phoenix at OKLAHOMA CITY OFF (OFF) Charlotte at PHILADELPHIA OFF (OFF) Denver at LA CLIPPERS 1 (223½) Golden State at PORTLAND 5½ (243½) Utah

COLLEGE BASKETBALL Monday

FAVORITE LINE at CORNELL 1½ at OHIO STATE 1½ Milwaukee 1½ Oregon 4½ Lamar 1 Yale 9½ at PRINCETON 1½ at HARVARD 6½ at CHARLESTON (SC) 1½ at MCNEESE 10 at MICHIGAN STATE 10½

UNDERDOG Columbia Nebraska at GREEN BAY at RUTGERS at SE LOUISIANA at BROWN Pennsylvania Dartmouth William & Mary SFA USC

NHL

22 20 19 16 15 13 12 12 8 8

Saturday’s games

13 14 17 20 19 23 22 22 27 28

.629 .588 .528 .444 .441 .361 .353 .353 .229 .222

8 9½ 11½ 14½ 14½ 17½ 17½ 17½ 22 22½

Minnesota 125, Miami 115 Toronto 134, Atlanta 117 Philadelphia 130, New York 119 Charlotte 112, Chicago 99 Portland 115, San Antonio 110 Dallas 110, Houston 104 Boston 146, L.A. Clippers 115 Golden State 123, Utah 114

Sunday’s games

Detroit 114, Cleveland 110 Orlando 135, Indiana 127 Brooklyn 127, Denver 115 Minnesota at Washington, n New Orleans at Miami, n Oklahoma City at Phoenix, n Milwaukee at Sacramento, n Memphis at L.A. Lakers, n

Monday’s games

New York at Detroit, 6 p.m.

Atlanta at Toronto, 6:30 p.m.

Chicago at Boston, 6:30 p.m.

Charlotte at Oklahoma City, 7 p.m.

Phoenix at Houston, 7 p.m.

Denver at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.

Golden State at L.A. Clippers, 9 p.m.

Utah at Portland, 9 p.m.

College football Bowl glance College Football Playoff

Monday

FAVORITE at WASHINGTON at N.Y RANGERS at OTTAWA at CALGARY at LOS ANGELES

LINE -156 -127 -156 -164 -115

UNDERDOG Anaheim Utah Detroit Seattle Minnesota

LINE +132 +107 +131 +138 -105

Pro basketball EASTERN CONFERENCE W 26 23 22 21 19 20 19 20 17 17 15 12 11 9 6

L 9 12 12 15 14 16 16 17 18 20 20 23 22 24 30

Pct .743 .657 .647 .583 .576 .556 .543 .541 .486 .459 .429 .343 .333 .273 .167

GB — 3 3½ 5½ 6 6½ 7 7 9 10 11 14 14 16 20½

W Oklahoma City 30 San Antonio 25 23 Denver Houston 21 21 L.A. Lakers

L 5 10 12 11 11

Pct .857 .714 .657 .656 .656

GB — 5 7 7½ 7½

WESTERN CONFERENCE

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

NBA conference glance Detroit New York Boston Toronto Philadelphia Orlando Miami Cleveland Chicago Atlanta Milwaukee Charlotte Brooklyn Washington Indiana

Minnesota Phoenix Golden State Portland Memphis Dallas L.A. Clippers Utah Sacramento New Orleans

FCS glance Final

Monday Frisco, Texas Illinois State (12-4) vs. Montana State (13-2), 6:30 p.m., ABC

College basketball Men’s state scores, schedule Friday’s games

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 Southern 84, Texas Southern 73

Sunday’s games

Tulane 69, Florida Atlantic 66 Western Kentucky 66, Louisiana Tech 61

Monday’s games

Lamar at Southeastern, 6 p.m.

Prairie View A&M at Southern, 6:30 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin at McNeese, 6:30 p.m.

NW State at Nicholls, 6:30 p.m.

Texas Southern at Grambling, 6:30 p.m.

East Texas A&M at UNO, 7 p.m.

Men’s national scores Sunday’s games EAST

Canisius 82, Sacred Heart 78 Central Connecticut 72, New Haven 61 Delaware 67, Kennesaw State 52 Fairfield 83, Niagara 75 Marist 83, Iona 38 Mercyhurst 74, Le Moyne 60 Merrimack 73, Manhattan 66 Quinnipiac 80, Mount St Marys 69 Richmond 83, Fordham 75 Seton Hall 56, Creighton 54 Siena 74, Rider 65 St. Francis (PA) 85, Fairleigh Dickinson 82 Stonehill 69, Wagner 60 UConn 73, Marquette 57

SOUTH

Florida International 76, UTEP 64 Liberty 78, Jacksonville State 69 Middle Tennessee 68, Sam Houston 67 Murray State 86, Bradley 66 Northern Kentucky 94, Youngstown State 79 Southern Illinois 68, Belmont 67 Tulane 69, Florida Atlantic 66 UAB 109, South Florida 106, 2OT Western Kentucky 66, Louisiana Tech 61

MIDWEST

Drake 74, Indiana State 72 Missouri State 89, New Mexico State 82 Northern Iowa 62, Evansville 48 Oakland 96, Robert Morris 73 Purdue Fort Wayne 74, Cleveland State 71 St. Thomas 92, Denver 88 Valparaiso 66, UIC 59 Wright State 81, IU Indianapolis 77

SOUTHWEST

North Texas 72, Tulsa 67

FAR WEST

LIU 74, Chicago State 55

Women’s state scores, schedule Friday’s games

Sam Houston at LA Tech, 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s games

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

Sunday’s game

Vanderbilt 65, LSU 61

Monday’s games None scheduled.

No. 12 Vanderbilt 65, No. 5 LSU 61 LSU (14-2)

Joyner 2-4 0-0 4, Fulwiley 6-13 1-4 13, ZaKiyah Johnson 4-9 2-4 10, Flau’jae Johnson 0-4 0-0 0, Williams 5-11 0-0 12, Knox 0-0 0-0 0, Koval 3-7 3-3 9, Richard 5-10 2-2 13, Totals 25-58 8-13 61

VANDERBILT (15-0)

Pissott 2-7 0-0 6, Washington 2-5 0-0 4, Blakes 10-25 9-12 32, Galvan 4-16 2-3 14, Mwenentanda 1-2 1-1 3, Mitchell 0-0 2-8 2, Black 0-0 0-0 0, Brown 1-2 1-2 4, Totals 20-57 15-26 65 LSU 12 16 15 18 — 61 Vanderbilt 15 7 20 23 — 65 3-Point Goals—LSU 3-7 (Fulwiley 0-1, F.Johnson 0-1, Williams 2-3, Richard 1-2), Vanderbilt 10-27 (Pissott 2-5, Blakes 3-9, Galvan 4-10, Mwenentanda 0-1, Brown 1-2).

Assists—LSU 15 (Fulwiley 6, Williams 6), Vanderbilt 12 (Blakes 4). Fouled Out—None.

Rebounds—LSU 48 (Koval 10), Vanderbilt 28 (Washington 7). Total Fouls—LSU 23, Vanderbilt 13. Technical Fouls—None. A—6,576.

Women’s national scores Sunday’s games EAST

Campbell 62, Drexel 51 Fairleigh Dickinson 73, St. Francis (PA) 28 LIU 60, Chicago State 51 Mercyhurst 89, Le Moyne 72 New Haven 70, Central Connecticut 51 Wagner 62, Stonehill 59 Xavier 52, Georgetown 51

SOUTH

Alabama 77, Arkansas 48 Belmont 75, Illinois State 68 Charleston 85, Northeastern 58 Clemson 70, Miami (FL) 55 Duke 82, Notre Dame 68 Elon 84, Hampton 75 George Mason 68, VCU 58 Georgia 64, Texas A&M 56, OT Hofstra 54, UNC Wilmington 46 Kansas 83, UCF 68 Kennesaw State 78, Western Kentucky 64 Kentucky 74, Missouri 52 Louisville 85, Virginia Tech 60 Middle Tennessee 69, Jacksonville State 52 Missouri State 80, Florida International 69 Monmouth 61, North Carolina A&T 55 North Carolina State 71, California 60 Northern Kentucky 75, Detroit Mercy 57 South Carolina 74, Florida 63 Stanford 77, North Carolina 71, OT Stony Brook 73, William & Mary 57, OT Syracuse 73, Wake Forest 58 Tennessee 73, Auburn 56 Vanderbilt 65, LSU 61 Virginia 91, Florida State 87, 2OT

MIDWEST

Baylor 72, Iowa State 70 Creighton 67, Butler 59 Green Bay 64, Robert Morris 43 Marquette 85, Villanova 69 Michigan State 81, Illinois 75 Milwaukee 66, Cleveland State 58 Nebraska 78, Purdue 62 Northern Iowa 91, Southern Illinois 64 Ohio State 71, Rutgers 49 Providence 69, DePaul 59 UIC 70, Indiana State 57 West Virginia 60, Kansas State 58 Wisconsin 74, Penn State 73

SOUTHWEST

Georgia Tech 67, SMU 59 Liberty 86, UTEP 66 Oklahoma 95, Mississippi State 47 Texas 67, Ole Miss 64

FAR WEST

New Mexico State 64, Delaware 57, OT Portland 74, Pacific 53 Saint Mary’s 57, San Diego 49 San Francisco 85, Loyola Marymount 82, OT Santa Clara 77, Gonzaga 73 UC San Diego 65, Hawai’i 54

Washington State 73, Seattle 69

Pro football NFL glance AMERICAN CONFERENCE East y-New England x-Buffalo e-Miami e-N.Y. Jets

W 14 12 7 3

L 3 5 10 14

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .824 .706 .412 .176

PF 490 481 347 300

PA 320 365 424 503

y-Jacksonville x-Houston e-Indianapolis e-Tennessee

W 13 12 8 3

L 4 5 9 14

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .765 .706 .471 .176

PF 474 404 466 284

PA 336 295 412 478

Pittsburgh Baltimore e-Cincinnati e-Cleveland

W 9 8 6 5

L 7 8 11 12

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .563 .500 .353 .294

PF 371 400 414 279

PA 363 372 492 379

*-Denver x-L.A. Chargers e-Kansas City e-Las Vegas

W 14 11 6 3

L 3 6 11 14

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .824 .647 .353 .176

PF 401 368 362 241

PA 311 340 328 432

y-Philadelphia e-Dallas e-Washington e-N.Y. Giants

W 11 7 5 4

L 6 9 12 13

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .647 .441 .294 .235

PF 379 471 356 381

PA 325 511 451 439

y-Carolina e-Tampa Bay e-Atlanta e-New Orleans

W 8 8 8 6

L 9 9 9 11

T 0 0 0 0

Pct .471 .471 .471 .353

PF 311 380 353 306

PA 380 411 401 383

y-Chicago x-Green Bay e-Minnesota e-Detroit

W 11 9 9 9

L 6 7 8 8

T 0 1 0 0

Pct .647 .559 .529 .529

PF 441 391 344 481

PA 415 360 333 413

W L T Pct *-Seattle 14 3 0 .824 x-L.A. Rams 12 5 0 .706 x-San Francisco 12 5 0 .706 e-Arizona 3 14 0 .176 e-Eliminated from playoffs x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division *-clinched home-field advantage

PF 483 518 437 355

PA 292 346 371 488

South

North

West

NATIONAL CONFERENCE East

South

North

West

Saturday’s games

Tampa Bay 16, Carolina 14 Seattle 13, San Francisco 3

Sunday’s games

Atlanta 19, New Orleans 17 Cleveland 20, Cincinnati 18 Houston 38, Indianapolis 30 Jacksonville 41, Tennessee 7 Minnesota 16, Green Bay 3 N.Y. Giants 34, Dallas 17 Buffalo 35, N.Y. Jets 8 Denver 19, L.A. Chargers 3 Detroit 19, Chicago 16 L.A. Rams 37, Arizona 20 Las Vegas 14, Kansas City 12 New England 38, Miami 10 Washington 24, Philadelphia 17 Baltimore at Pittsburgh, n

LIVING

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

|

M o n d ay, J a n u a ry 5, 2026

7Cn

ALZHEIMER’S Q&A

From red donkeys to vibrant art, Fernando Dávila’s color ful journey as a colorblind painter

Accept your loved one at every stage of disease journey Any words of wisdom for Alzheimer’s caregivers for the new year?

Seeing believing

Fernando Dávila, a colorblind painter, shows his glasses designed to help see color at his gallery in Doral, Fla. AP PHOTOS By CODy JACKSON

BY CODY JACKSON

Associated Press

DORAL, Fla. — When Fernando Dávila was 8 years old in Colombia, he failed a drawing class because he painted donkeys red.

There was a reason for that: He is colorblind.

Now the 72-year-old Dávila is an established and respected artist whose vibrant paintings have been exhibited in South America, Europe and the United States.

“I have the most wonderful job in the world, which is painting every morning,” Dávila said from his studio in a Miami suburb. “To mix colors. To have joy to share with the world, that’s really my passion.”

He started off painting only in black and white until he was around 30 years old because of his colorblindness, a congenital condition which makes it difficult for people to tell the difference between certain colors, particularly red and green, and shades of color. There is no cure for the condition, which for Dávila also makes the colors pink, violet, turquoise and yellow-green confusing.

Since the mid-1980s, Dávila has painted in color through the help of glasses

ä See COLORBLIND, page 8C

Fernando Dávila, a colorblind painter, speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at his gallery on Dec. 18. Since the mid-1980s, Dávila has painted in color through the help of glasses developed by an ophthalmologist in New york.

Pick up the slack We asked nutritionists what they eat during the winter.

Here’s their grocery list

BY AVERY NEWMARK

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS) The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time when the sniffles return, cold medicine is a mainstay on your nightstand and you catch yourself side-eyeing every cough within a 10-foot radius.

Handwashing and sleep are still the real MVPs for dodging a cold, but what you eat can help your body get through winter a

little more smoothly with everyday choices that support how your body functions.

To figure out which foods are worth prioritizing, we spoke with Lauren Manaker, a Charlestonbased registered dietitian, and Kip Hardy, manager of food & nutrition services at Emory Healthcare. Here’s what they lean on when the colder months hit.

ä See LIST, page 8C

GETT TTTy IMAGES PHOTO

Most often, caregivers are “told” what they should or could be doing in the care of their loved ones with Alzheimer’s disease, sparking confusion and an onset of emotions such as frustration or resentment.

Suggestions and recommendations from health care professionals and well-meaning friends are meant to educate and ease the caregiving journey, not provoke defensiveness in the caregiver or instill doubt about their methods of caregiving.

For the Alzheimer’s caregiver, accepting the affected individual in the present moment is paramount. Focus energy on the person behind the disease instead of what the disease is doing to him or her. The affected individual is always changing, is different in many ways, but accepting that person at every stage of the disease eases the circumstances and makes the journey enduring.

As written in the familiar Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

The progression of Alzheimer’s disease in an affected individual will not change. It is up to the caregiver to change his or her own behaviors, ways of looking at the disease and the individual, and to be comfortable with that acceptance of everything.

Patience is essential to daily life and having patience means being able to wait calmly in the face of exasperation or adversity. The caregiving journey, for the most part, is filled with stress and anxiety, and the caregiver should know when to step away from a situation and find ways to channel self-care and relaxation, which are critical for the caregiver to be patient and loving with their loved one.

In the upcoming new year, find ways to create meaningful experiences for yourself and for your loved ones. Viktor Frankl, an Austrian neurologist, Holocaust survivor and writer, once wrote that there were three ways to make life more meaningful: 1) through what we give; 2) through what we take (experiences); and 3) through the stand we take toward a fate we no longer can change, such as an incurable disease like Alzheimer’s.

Find times of meaning during caregiving through stories and find times for reflection and celebration that can be woven during the caregiving journey.

Be forgiving of yourself and the disease. Offer your loved one the best version of yourself (which is why self-care is so important). Redefine success by making more moments that really matter with your loved one and identifying what is most important for the both of you for the new year.

Trust your instincts. Avoid being a people pleaser.

ä See STAGES, page 8C

8C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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UTIs reflect underlying biology, not cleanliness Dear Doctors: I get frequent UTIs and was shocked you said they are caused by lax hygiene or sexual contact. I am meticulous about hygiene and have no sexual contact.

My urologist said it is not the case all the time. This should have been worded differently in your article.

Now my friends think I should take better care in cleansing myself. It’s quite frustrating.

Dear reader: We regret that our discussion of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in a recent column did not include enough context to make clear that they can happen due to multiple causes. As we wrote, most uncomplicated UTIs happen when bacteria enter the urinary tract through common anatomical routes. Often, this is due to accidental transfer from

Dr. Elizabeth Ko Dr. Eve Glazier ASK THE DOCTORS

the rectum, or during sexual activity. However, that’s not true for everyone. The focus of the column you are referencing was the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance in treating UTIs. Your letter gives us a chance to take a closer look at other ways UTIs can happen. We hope we can help ease the concerns of other readers like yourself.

When it comes to UTIs, anatomy is destiny. About half of all women will have at least one UTI in their lifetime. Only about 10% of men will have one. Part of the reason is that in women, the urethra is much shorter than it is in men. In men, the urethra is about 20 centimeters long. In women, it’s about 4 centimeters. This is a much shorter distance for bacteria to travel to infect a female bladder.

Add in how close the urethra is to the rectum. This increases the risk of bacterial transfer even more, even with good hygiene.

Other factors can play a role in being susceptible to UTIs. One cause is the hormonal changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause. During these phases, the tissues of the urinary

LIST

TODAY IN HISTORY help them resist communist aggression in what became known as the Eisenhower Today is Monday, Jan. 5, Doctrine. the fifth day of 2026. There In 1972, President Richare 360 days left in the year.

Today in history: ard Nixon announced the On Jan. 5, 1933, construc- Space Shuttle program, dition began on the Golden recting NASA to produce a Gate Bridge; the bridge was reusable vehicle that would completed in May 1937. boost manned space exploAlso on this date: ration while bringing down In 1896, an Austrian news- its costs. (The first shuttle launched in 1981 and the paper reported the discovlast in 2011.) ery by German physicist In 1980, “Rapper’s DeWilhelm Röntgen of a new type of radiation that came light,” by The Sugarhill to be called “X-ray.”

Gang, became the first In 1925, Democrat Nellie hip-hop song to reach the Tayloe Ross of Wyoming Billboard Top 40, helping took office as America’s to popularize the emerging first female governor. musical genre.

In 1953, Samuel Beckett’s In 2022, Australia denied two-act tragicomedy “Wait- entry to tennis star Novak Djokovic, who was seeking ing for Godot,” considered to play for a 10th Austraa classic of the Theater of the Absurd, premiered in lian Open title later in the Paris. month; authorities canceled In 1957, President Dwight his visa upon his arrival D. Eisenhower proposed in Melbourne because he assistance to countries to failed to meet the requireBy The Associated Press

COLORBLIND Continued from page 7C

developed by an ophthalmologist in New York, where Dávila was living at the time. One lens is transparent and the other is shaded red, and they help him discriminate between contrasting shades that normally blur together. With the lenses, he can see almost two-thirds of the colors, but without them he only sees around 40% of the colors.

Dávila compared his condition to having a box of chocolates but only being able to eat a sample of the selection.

He says he has such a strong

STAGES

Continued from page 7C Appreciate and value yourself. Let go of things you can’t control. Understand that the need will always be greater than the resources. Never give up on your hopes and dreams.

Remember to take care of your mind, body and spirit

ments for an exemption to COVID-19 vaccination rules.

In 2024, a door plug on Alaska Airlines jetliner blew out shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, forcing the 171 passengers and six crew to don oxygen masks before the pilots made an emergency landing. No one was seriously hurt, but the sudden depressurization left a gaping hole in the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.

Today’s birthdays: Actor Robert Duvall is 95. Filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki is 85. Actor Vinnie Jones is 61. TV personality Carrie Ann Inaba is 58. Rock singer Marilyn Manson is 57. Actor-filmmaker Bradley Cooper is 51. Actor January Jones is 48. Actor Brooklyn Sudano is 45. Actor Mike Faist is 34. Actor and model Suki Waterhouse is 34. Actor Walker Scobell is 17.

desire to see every color.

“It’s something that I miss in my life, that if somebody says, ‘Look at this flower,’ which is bright, bright pink, I want to do it,” he said. “It’s something that comes from my heart so passionately.

I can feel the vibration of color.”

Colorblindness runs his family. A grandfather and some great uncles only saw in black and white, while his mother and her three sisters also were colorblind even though the condition is rarer in women. His two brothers also have trouble discriminating between colors.

Dávila has spent his career in Colombia, New York and Florida. He was awarded

the “Order of Democracy” by the Colombian Congress in 1999 for his contribution to the arts. He also has published two books and many catalogues about his paintings, and his work has appeared at major auctions including Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

His paintings include romantic images of men and women embracing and landscapes, often using the color blue as a foundation.

“I think color is one of the most important things in life,” he said. “And especially for me.”

so that there is something left to give to your loved one. Seek ways to reach out to your loved one through their long-term, joyful memories and enjoy that present moment together.

Above all, for the new year, simply, love always!

Taught Me About Alzheimer’s Disease.”

She hosts “The Memory Whisperer.” Email her at thememorywhisperer@ gmail.com.

Dana Territo is an Alzheimer’s advocate and author of “What My Grandchildren

tract and the vagina change in ways that are favorable to harmful bacteria. Constipation, diabetes, inability to fully empty the bladder, catheter use, anatomical abnormalities and a weakened immune system can increase chances of getting a UTI. Vaginal and urinary microbiome composition and some spermicidal products can also play a role in UTI risk.

Another risk factor for UTIs brings us back to the topic of the original column, which is antibiotic resistance. This is when bacteria adapt to survive the antibiotics that would normally kill them. It’s a widespread problem that makes infections of all types even more difficult to treat and control. With UTIs, there’s an epidemic of recurrent infections due to antibiotic

Continued from page 7C

What the pros reach for

Manaker keeps things simple, focusing on nutrient-dense staples.

“Citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits are a go-to for their vitamin C,” she said. She’ll toss spinach or kale into smoothies and regularly reaches for tuna (she likes Safe Catch) because it’s packed with protein and omega-3s.

Vitamin C helps support normal immune function, leafy greens deliver antioxidants that protect cells from seasonal stress, and omega-3s help support a healthy inflammatory response — exactly what your immune system needs when it’s working overtime.

Hardy’s winter staples are similar.

“My everyday staples are citrus fruit and dark leafy greens … berries, garlic, ginger, beans, and whole grains,” she shared, adding that polyphenols — the compounds behind the bright colors in foods like berries, red cabbage and greens — deserve more love for the an-

resistance. This is when a drug is unable to completely kill the bacterium at the source of the infection. The surviving microbes then replicate, allowing the infection to persist or recur. Around 20% to 30% of women who have contracted their first UTI go on to experience a bounce-back infection.

The takeaway here is that UTIs reflect underlying biology rather than personal habits. It’s a distinction that can lead to improved diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

Send your questions to askthedoctors@mednet.ucla. edu, or write: Ask the Doctors, c/o UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations, 10880 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1450, Los Angeles, CA, 90024.

tioxidant support they bring.

And don’t overlook zinc.

Hardy calls it a “workhorse nutrient” that often gets overshadowed by vitamin C. “Beans, lentils, chickpeas, nuts, seeds (especially pumpkin seeds), and whole grains are good sources of zinc. Pairing these foods with vitamin C — rich ingredients like citrus, tomatoes, or peppers can also help with zinc absorption,” she said.

Throat tickles set in Staying hydrated isn’t just a summer thing. Mild dehydration can make your mucous membranes (your body’s first barrier against germs) less effective.

Warm liquids keep things moving, and research shows they can help your body clear out irritants and viruses.

Hardy leans heavily on soups and stews because “they’re hydrating, comforting, filling, and an easy way to get lots of nourishment in a meal.” She sticks to warm liquids, including herbal tea with lemon or ginger, broth-based soups and even warm water.

Manaker reaches for “warm teas with honey and lemon” and often makes a

tea with slippery elm bark and a little Manuka honey when her throat needs soothing. Honey has been shown to help reduce coughing in both kids and adults.

Don’t overcomplicate it Between work, kids and the general winter blues, convenience matters.

Hardy’s solution is to prep a few basics ahead of time — extra grains, a sheet pan of roasted veggies or dips like hummus you can grab from the fridge. Those building blocks, she says, make it easy to mix and match meals throughout the week so you don’t get bored, and they turn eating well into something that feels manageable instead of like a chore.

Manaker suggests snacks, such as apple slices with almond butter or a quick trail mix with sunflower seeds and dried fruit.

“These options are simple, kid-friendly, and full of immune-supporting nutrients,” she said.

In the end, it’s about consistency, not perfection.

Balanced meals, plenty of hydration, good sleep, and a little prep go a long way during cold and flu season.

Start Your Move Today Get your FREE accurate home evaluation today.

Mike Schneider in Orlando, Florida, contributed to this report.

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● 9C

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FrAnK And erneSt

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For better or For WorSe

zodIAC CAPRICoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Consider how to get the most out of whatever situation you encounter. Compromise and incentives will lead to positive change and a better understanding of what's possible.

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Channel your energy into activities that help to dissipate emotional and domestic difficulties. Anger is not the answer, but rational thinking and behavior will help you achieve what you set out to do.

PIsCEs (Feb. 20-March 20) Stay on track.

Don't mince words. Discipline is an asset that can help you redeem a situation that goes wrong or is misconstrued. Work your magic, and you'll gain respect.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Make wise choices. Participate in social settings that give you space to regroup and reset your options. Close encounters will be taxing and leave you vulnerable. tAuRus (April 20-May 20) Check your emotions at the door and proceed with confidence. Use your intelligence, experience and charm to create opportunities and make things happen. Become the master of your destiny.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Adjust whatever isn't working for you. Distance yourself from anyone applying pressure. Concentrate on making your surroundings more functional. Put personal gain first.

CAnCER (June 21-July 22) Look at the big picture, ask questions and change only what's feasible. Follow the rules

and regulations, and pay attention to the fine print. Partnerships require definitive protections.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) Refuse to let anyone talk you into something you don't need. Trust your instincts and avoid overkill. You don't need change; you need stability, comfort and peace of mind.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) Pay attention to what's happening around you. A change someone makes will influence your position. Networking, meetings and interviews will pan out well for you.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Bide your time, and invest in making your life run smoothly. Rearrange your schedule and surroundings to ensure efficiency and comfort. Don't take on too much, or you will fall short. sCoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Travel, teach, communicate and socialize with people who can offer you something in return.

Working alongside like-minded people will spark your imagination and encourage you to diversify. sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Observe, learn and take notes. Temptation is overpowering, and excess, indulgence and poor choices are likely if you don't have discipline. Pace yourself; time is on your side.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

WonderWord

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

toDAy's CLuE: s EQuALs B

Mother GooSe And GrIMM

SherMAn’S LAGoon FAMILY CIrCUS

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10C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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Sudoku InstructIons: Sudoku is a number-placing puzzle based on a 9x9 grid with several given numbers.

The object is to place the numbers 1 to 9 in the empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Saturday’s Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

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The Acadiana Advocate ● theadvocate.com ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● 11C

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B.C.

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER Matthew Arnold, an English poet who died in 1888, said, “Journalism is literature in a hurry.”

Inexperienced players often find it difficult to sacrifice a trick when it can be won. This deal, as you have no doubt surmised, is an example.

South is in four hearts. West leads the spade ace: five, seven, four. West continues with the spade king: jack, two, 10.

West perseveres with the spade queen.

How should South proceed?

West had an excellent hand for a weak two-bid in this age of the flimsy pre-empt.

North overcalled three clubs. Then South might have bid a forcing three hearts, but he decided that four hearts rated to be the best contract.

West noticed East’s high-low in spades and was not distracted by South’s falsecard with his 10. West led a third spade, hoping East could overruff the dummy.

And at the table, that was exactly what happened. Declarer ruffed the third spade with dummy’s heart eight.

But East overruffed with the 10 and shifted to the diamond king. Suddenly, South saw that he was stranded on the board. Whether he returned a diamond or played three rounds of clubs, discarding his last diamond, declarer had to lose another trick and go down one.

South, of course, complained he was unlucky that East had the heart 10. But

garfield

Pearls Before swiNe

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given the 6-2 spade break, East was more likely to hold that trump.

Instead, South should have discarded from the dummy at trick three. He could have won whatever West led next, drawn trumps (the heart eight still being in the dummy), and run the clubs.

Consider the possibilities carefully. © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

wuzzles Each Wuzzle is a word riddle which creates a disguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD = GOOD AFTERNOON

PiCKles

Previous answers:

mallard fillmore

word game InstRuCtIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of “s,” such as “bats” or “dies,” are not allowed. 3.

Additional words made by adding a “d” or an “s” may not be used. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

toDAy’s WoRD — PEttIER: PEH-tee-er: Having less importance.

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Average mark 12 words Time limit 20 minutes Can you find 17 or more words in PETTIER? sAtuRDAy’s WoRD — sQuABBLInG sail sang sign signal sing slab slain slang sling slub slug

slung snag snail snub snug squab squib subbing suing sung quail

quasi ulna using abusing align bail bang basil basin basing bias

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today’s thought “For he has made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

2 Corinthians 5:21 Jesus made it possible to trade our sin for His righteousness because He died in our place for our sins. — G.E. Dean

12C ● Monday, January 5, 2026 ● theadvocate.com ● The Acadiana Advocate

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ALMANAC

AIR QUALITY

LAFAyETTE THROUGH 5 P.M. SUNDAy

YESTERDAY

TEMPERATURE

High/low Normal high/low Record high Record low

MODERATE

57°/49° 62°/44° 81° in 1922 18° in 1911

TODAY

PRECIPITATION

MODERATE

24 hours through 5 p.m. Sun. 0.00” Month to date (normal) Trace (0.75”) year to date (normal) Trace (0.75”)

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

SUN AND MOON Sunrise today Sunset tonight Moonrise today Moonset today

MAIN POLLUTANT Particulates

READING 73

LAST

7:05 a.m.

5:22 p.m.

8:06 p.m.

9:04 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 67/57

Shreveport 71/61

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

Jackson 70/56

Longview 70/59

Many 68/57

Hattiesburg 71/55

Alexandria 70/58

OHIO

Cairo COMITE

Near Olive

Baton Rouge 71/58 Beaumont 73/59

Lafayette

Port Arthur 72/61

AMITE

Near Darlington Denham Springs Port Vincent

New Orleans 70/60

Lake Charles 70/59

TICKFAW

Montpelier Holden

Houma 73/60

ATCHAFALAYA

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

Simmesport Melville Krotz Springs Butte La Rose Bayou Sorrel Morgan City

TIDES HIGH

First FT. LOW

Lake Pontchartrain (Tchefuncte River) 8:43a 0.6 Shell Beach 2:49a 1.4 South Point, Marsh Island 2:30a 1.5 Cypremort Point 10:12p 1.1 Grand Isle (Barataria Pass) 11:17p 0.9 Mississippi River (Southwest Pass) 10:28p 1.1 Wine Island -----

FT.

8:37p -0.3 2:08p -0.6 9:26a -1.0 1:28p -0.8 9:50a -0.6 8:03a -0.7 10:52a -0.8

HIGH

Second FT. LOW

--------7:25p 1.3 -----------------

FT.

--------9:54p 1.1 -----------------

FLOOD STAGE 24-HOUR STAGE CHANGE

34 48 48 35 27 22 17

-2.09 14.83 18.45 6.72 4.11 2.42 1.76

+0.05 -0.40 -0.55 -0.18 -0.21 -0.18 -0.71

40

13.76

-0.07

19

-1.43

-0.01

18 29 8

-1.01 10.12 1.00

-0.04 none +0.33

13 15

1.66 0.82

-0.04 -0.02

47 34 29 20 12 6

6.28 4.14 3.78 3.02 2.50 2.74

-0.43 -0.27 -0.54 -0.22 -0.50 -0.08

Austin Boston Dallas Fairbanks Honolulu Las Vegas Louisville Miami Nashville

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

Tuesday

Hi

Lo

W

Hi

Lo

W

City

75 26 73 -9 79 62 58 81 66

61 25 55 -13 71 44 45 65 51

pc sn pc c sh pc pc s s

85 35 76 -3 79 58 61 81 66

55 33 48 -15 71 42 41 64 45

pc c s sn sh pc c pc c

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

34 89 46 30 33 70 37 33 82 71 56

25 72 35 19 26 50 29 24 58 54 44

sf pc r s sn pc s pc s s s

35 89 50 29 35 71 41 31 82 63 60

33 72 34 21 30 53 32 24 59 53 41

sn pc pc c pc pc sh pc s s pc

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

Hi

Today

W

Hi

Lo

W

70 76 38 70 45 58 58 66 75

60 55 32 53 33 42 46 56 59

s s c pc c pc s pc s

78 79 45 69 49 65 58 66 78

61 57 39 52 37 51 38 53 62

s s c c r pc pc pc s

63 37 44 74 13 25 63 34 60 18 55

41 25 25 44 7 6 45 27 50 13 41

pc s pc pc sn c pc sn sh c s

66 39 44 75 22 21 64 36 53 29 50

42 34 23 44 18 18 44 28 40 21 39

s pc s pc pc sn pc pc r sf s

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 Tue. Wed. Thu. Fri. Sat. Sun.

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

Major

Minor

12:38a 6:51a 1:37a 7:50a 2:32a 8:43a 3:22a 9:33a 4:08a 10:18a 4:50a 11:01a 5:31a 11:42a

Major

Minor

1:05p 7:19p 2:02p 8:14p 2:55p 9:06p 3:43p 9:54p 4:28p 10:39p 5:11p 11:21p 5:53p ----

Shown are areas of precipitation and high temperatures for the day.

Arthur Hardy

looks back at 50 years of Mardi Gras in New Orleans

More than

300 +

incredible photographs

Each Mardi Gras Guide cover from the last 50 years!

All in one beautiful 120-page hardcover book

$ ORDER

39

95

plus tax & shipping

Tuesday

Lo

A Celebration of Carnival is on sale now and is a great gift for anyone who loves Mardi Gras. This 120-page, heirloom-quality hardcover book from The Times-Picayune features Arthur Hardy’s intimate stories behind five decades of purple, gold, and green. Whether you remember saving throws from the ’80s, bringing your children to their first parade in the ’90s, or celebrating our resilience in recent years, this book honors your memories and the traditions you’ve passed down. Arthur Hardy has preserved the soul of what makes us New Orleanians, making this the perfect holiday gift for anyone who holds Carnival close to their heart.

or visit HARDY.PICTORIALBOOK.COM