The Advocate 01-20-2026

Enduring legacy

In observance of the 40th Martin Luther King Day Jr. holiday, MLK Fest sent volunteers around Baton Rouge to help with beautification and home projects.

South La. parish may seek return of rooster fighting

BY JOEL THOMPSON Staff writer

Off Napoleon Avenue in the small community of Sunset sits a large dormant building with a “For Rent” sign out front. It’s been several things over the years, including a short-lived high-end production studio, but its legacy is as the Sunset Recreation Game Club.

The club, sometimes simply referred to as the Sunset Pit, was known for its cockfighting ring, in which roosters from across the region and the nation would be brought to fight one another, often resulting in a violent and deadly end.

Cockfighting has a long history in Louisiana, which was the last state to ban the practice in 2008. Before that, the Sunset Pit, which dates back to the 1940s, would frequently fill up its 600-seat arena with cockfighting enthusiasts. News accounts from the early 2000s describe an overflowing park-

Ida recovery program to end

BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer

More than four years after Hurricane Ida, Louisiana’s billion-dollar program to help rebuild storm victims’ homes will soon come to an end. The state won $3.1 billion from the federal government to recover from a slew of hurricanes in 2020 and 2021, including Laura and Ida, two of the most powerful ever to hit U.S. soil. About onethird of that went to Restore, the state’s keystone program to rebuild the homes of people who didn’t have adequate insurance or otherwise had gaps in rebuilding.

Gina Campo, head of the Office of Community Development, said she expects the program to wind down this year, after delivering aid to around 13,000 people.

ä See RECOVERY, page 4A

DAVID J MITCHELL Staff writer

ing lot with license plates from Oklahoma, Alabama, Florida, Texas and the Carolinas. Recently cockfighting enthusiasts in St. Landry Parish have renewed arguments the practice is constitutionally protected, and its continued prevalence across parts of rural Acadiana is proof of its important cultural connection to Cajun heritage. A St. Landry Parish Council member agrees and has begun efforts to pursue an exemption to allow the controversial practice.

See FIGHTING, page 5A ä See COMITE, page 4A

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

A rocky shore lines the Comite River Diversion Canal just east of La. 964 in Zachary.

Zeta Beta Chapter of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity members Carmelo Wyre and Kunta Mosby help paint a basketball court at the Mary J. Lands Park with other LSU students.

ABOVE: A Southern University sorority member paints part of a breezeway in Baton Rouge with other sorority members as part of MLK Fest on Monday TOP: Amariah Glynn, 6, reaches for paint as she makes a picture for MLK Fest’s living art gallery.

Volunteers paint a home on Gracie Street

STAFF PHOTOS By MICHAEL JOHNSON

FILE PHOTO By ROBIN MAy

A St. Landry Parish Council member says an exemption to laws banning cockfighting could turn the area into a ‘worldwide hub for rooster fighting’ and bring economic benefits.

BRIEFS FROM WIRE REPORTS

‘60 Minutes’ airs report on Trump deportations

“60 Minutes” on Sunday aired its story about Trump administration deportations that was abruptly pulled from the newsmagazine’s lineup a month ago, a move that had triggered an internal battle about political pressure that spilled out into the open.

Correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi made no reference to her dispute with CBS News editor-in-chief Bari Weiss in the story about deportees who had been sent to El Salvador’s notoriously harsh CECOT prison. When the segment was struck from the Dec 21 episode on Weiss’ orders Alfonsi told her “60 Minutes” colleagues that it “was not an editorial decision, it was a political one.” Weiss had argued that the story did not sufficiently reflect the administration’s viewpoint or advance reporting that had been done by other news organizations earlier The story shown Sunday included no on-camera interviews with Trump administration officials. But it did include statements from the White House and Department of Homeland Security that were not part of what Alfonsi had used before her story was pulled. Some of the statements, which were carried in full on the “60 Minutes” website, were dated prior to Dec. 21

“Since November, ‘60 Minutes’ has made several attempts to interview key Trump administration officials on camera about our story,” Alfonsi said. “They declined our requests.” Alfonsi did not immediately return a message Sunday

Death toll in Spanish train crash rises to 40 ADAMUZ, Spain Regional Spanish officials said Monday that at least 40 people are confirmed dead in a high-speed rail collision the previous night in the country’s south when the tail end of a train jumped the track, causing another train speeding past in the opposite direction to derail.

Juanma Moreno, the president of Andalusia, the southern Spanish region where the accident happened, confirmed the new death toll in an afternoon news conference. Efforts to recover the bodies from the two wrecked train cars continued, he added. The impact tossed the second train’s lead carriages off the track, sending them plummeting down a 13-foot slope Some bodies were found hundreds of feet from the crash site, Moreno said earlier in the day, describing the wreckage as a “mass of twisted metal” with bodies likely still to be found inside.

Authorities are also focusing on attending to hundreds of distraught family members and have asked for them to provide DNA samples to help identify victims.

Hackers target Iran state TV’s transmission DUBAI,UnitedArab Emirates Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country’s exiled crown prince and calling on security forces to not “point your weapons at the people,” online video showed early Monday, the latest disruption to follow nationwide protests in the country

The hacking comes as the death toll in a crackdown by authorities that smothered the demonstrations reached at least 3,941 people, activists said. They fear the number will grow far higher as information leaks out of a country still gripped by the government’s decision to shut down the internet Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum at Davos, Switzerland, withdrawn over the killings.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high between the United States and Iran over the crackdown after President Donald Trump drew two red lines for the Islamic Republic — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran conducting mass executions in the wake of the demonstrations. A U.S. aircraft carrier which days earlier had been in the South China Sea, passed Singapore overnight to enter the Strait of Malacca — putting it on a route that could bring it to the Middle East.

Trump ties Greenland stance to not getting Peace Prize

Norway’s leader releases message from U.S. president

BY AAMER MADHANI, GEIR MOULSON and EMMA BURROWS Associated Press

NUUK, Greenland President Donald Trump linked his aggressive stance on Greenland to last year’s decision not to award him the Nobel Peace Prize, telling Norway’s prime minister that he no longer felt “an obligation to think purely of Peace,” in a text message released on Monday

Trump’s message to Jonas Gahr

Støre appears to ratchet up a standoff between Washington and its closest allies over his threats to take over Greenland, a self-governing territory of NATO member Denmark. On Saturday, Trump announced a 10% import tax starting in February on goods from eight nations that have rallied around Denmark and Greenland, including Norway

Those countries issued a forceful rebuke

Many longtime allies of the U.S remained resolute that Greenland was not for sale but encouraged Washington to discuss solutions. In a statement on social media, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the bloc had “no interest to pick a fight” but would “hold our ground.”

The White House has not ruled out taking control of the strategic Arctic island by force. Asked whether Trump could invade Greenland, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen said on Monday that “you can’t leave anything out until the president himself has decided to leave anything out.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also sought to de-escalate tensions on Monday “I think this can be resolved and should be resolved through calm discussion,”

he said, adding that he did not believe military action would occur

In a sign of how tensions have increased in recent days, thousands of Greenlanders marched over the weekend in protest of any effort to take over their island. Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said in a Facebook post Monday that the tariff threats would not change their stance.

“We will not be pressured,” he wrote

Meanwhile, Naaja Nathanielsen, Greenland’s minister for business,

minerals, energy, justice and equality, told The Associated Press that she was moved by the quick response of allies to the tariff threat and said it showed that countries realize “this is about more than Greenland.”

“I think a lot of countries are afraid that if they let Greenland go, what would be next?”

Trump’s Sunday message to Gahr Støre, released by the Norwegian government, read in part: “Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace.”

It concluded: “The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland.”

The Norwegian leader said Trump’s message was a reply to an earlier missive sent on behalf of himself and Finnish President Alexander Stubb, in which they conveyed their opposition to the tariff announcement, pointed to a need to de-escalate, and proposed a telephone conversation among the three leaders.

“Norway’s position on Greenland is clear Greenland is a part of the Kingdom of Denmark, and Norway fully supports the Kingdom of Denmark on this matter,” the Norwegian leader said in a statement.

“As regards the Nobel Peace Prize I have clearly explained, including to President Trump what is well known, the prize is awarded by an independent Nobel Committee and not the Norwegian Government.”

The Norwegian Nobel Committee is an independent body whose five members are appointed by the

Norwegian Parliament.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent defended the president’s approach in Greenland during a brief Q&A with reporters in Davos, Switzerland, which is hosting the World Economic Forum meeting this week.

“I think it’s a complete canard that the president would be doing this because of the Nobel,” Bessent said, immediately after saying he did not “know anything about the president’s letter to Norway.”

Trump has openly coveted the peace prize, which the committee awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado last year Last week, Machado presented her Nobel medal to Trump, who said he planned to keep it, though the committee said the prize can’t be revoked, transferred or shared with others.

In his latest threat of tariffs, Trump indicated they would be retaliation for last week’s deployment of symbolic numbers of troops from the European countries to Greenland though he also suggested that he was using the tariffs as leverage to negotiate with Denmark.

European governments said that the troops traveled to the island to assess Arctic security, part of a response to Trump’s own concerns about interference from Russia and China.

They are now looking at setting up a more permanent military presence to help guarantee security in the Arctic region, a key demand of the United States, Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson said Monday

100 vehicles pile up in Michigan crash as snow sweeps across U.S.

By The Associated Press

HUDSONVILLE, Mich. — More than 100 vehicles smashed into each other or slid off the interstate in Michigan on Monday as snow fueled by the Great Lakes blanketed the state.

The massive pileup prompted the Michigan State Police to close both directions of Interstate 196 Monday morning just southwest of Grand Rapids as while officials worked to remove all the vehicles, including more than 30 semitrailer trucks.

The State Police said there were numerous injuries, but no deaths had been reported

Pedro Mata Jr said he could barely see the cars in front of him as the snow blew across the road while driving 20-25 mph before the crash. He was able to stop his pickup safely, but then decided to pull his truck off the road into the median to avoid being hit from behind

“It was a little scary just listening to everything, the bangs and booms behind you. I saw what was in front of me. I couldn’t see what was behind me exactly,” Mata said

The crash is just the latest impact of the major winter storm moving across the country The National Weather Service

issued warnings about either extremely cold temperatures or the potential for winter storms across several states starting in northern Minnesota and stretching south and east into Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.

A day earlier, snow fell as far south as the Florida Panhandle and made it harder for football players to hang onto the ball during playoff games in Massachusetts and Chicago. Forecasters warned Monday that freezing temperatures are possible overnight into Tuesday across much of north-central Florida and southeast Georgia.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s office in Michigan said multiple crashes

and jackknifed semis were reported along with numerous cars that slid off the road. Stranded motorists were being bused to Hudsonville High School, where they could call for help or arrange a ride.

Officials expected the road to be closed for several hours during the cleanup.

One of the companies helping remove the stranded cars, Grand Valley Towing, sent more than a dozen of its trucks to the scene of the chain-reaction crash. Several towing companies responded in the brutally cold weather

“We’re trying to get as many vehicles out of there as quickly as possible, so we can get the road opened back up,” manager Jeff Westveld said.

Source: Fed chair to attend Cook case arguments

BY CHRISTOPHER RUGABER AP economics writer

WASHINGTON Federal Reserve

Chair Jerome Powell will attend the Supreme Court’s oral argument Wednesday in a case involving the attempted firing of Fed governor Lisa Cook, an unusual show of support by the central bank chair

The high court is considering whether President Donald Trump can fire Cook, as he said he would do in late August, in an unprecedented attempt to remove one of the seven members of the Fed’s governing board. Powell plans to attend the high court’s Wednesday session, according to a person familiar with the matter, who spoke on condition of anonymity It’s a much more public show of support than the Fed chair has previously shown Cook But it follows Powell’s announcement last week that the Trump administration has sent subpoenas to the Fed, threatening an unprecedented criminal indictment of the Fed chair Powell appointed to the position by Trump in 2018 — appears to be casting off last year’s more subdued response to Trump’s repeated attacks on the central bank in favor of a more public confrontation.

Powell issued a video statement Jan. 11 condemning the subpoenas as “pretexts” for Trump’s efforts to force him to sharply cut the Fed’s key interest rate. Powell oversaw three rate cuts late last year, lowering the rate to about 3.6%, but Trump has argued it should be as low as 1%, a position few economists support. The Trump administration has accused Cook of mortgage fraud, an allegation that Cook has denied. No charges have been made against Cook. She sued to keep her job, and the Supreme Court Oct. 1 issued a brief order allowing her to stay on the board while they consider her case.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN

Danish soldiers disembark Sunday at the harbor in Nuuk, Greenland

IMAGE FROM WZZM VIDEO

Multiple cars are crashed Monday after a major wreck in Ottawa County, Mich., leading Michigan State Police to shut down an interstate south of Grand Rapids.

U.S. marks 40th observance of MLK Day amid tensions

BY TERRY TANG Associated Press

As communities across the country on Monday hosted parades, panels and service projects for the 40th federal observation of Martin Luther King Jr Day, the political climate for some is more fraught with tensions than festive with reflection on the slain Black American civil rights icon’s legacy

In the year since Donald Trump’s second inauguration fell on King Day, the Republican president has adopted a scorched earth stance against diversity equity and inclusion initiatives and targeted mostly Black-led cities for federal law enforcement operations, among other policies that many King admirers have criticized.

One year ago, Trump’s executive orders, “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” and “Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” accelerated a rollback of civil rights and racial justice initiatives in federal agencies, corporations and universities. Last month, the National Park Service announced it will no longer offer free admission to parks on King Day and Juneteenth, but instead on Flag Day and Trump’s birthday

A.R. Bernard, founder, pastor and CEO of the Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn, told an audience gathered at King’s home church in Atlanta Sunday that the Trump administration is attempting to rewrite history

“We are living in a moment where America is being tempted to forget the pain-

said he felt the Civil Rights Movement and the reforms it helped usher in were harmful to White people, who “were very badly treated.”

Politicians and advocates say Trump’s comments are what are harmful, because they dismiss the hard work of King and others that helped not just Black Americans but other groups, including women and the LGBTQ+ community.

and is even more so because (the administration) has dismantled the very terms of government and the norms of our culture.”

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

nearly 63 years ago. Using the holiday as a platform to rally and speak about “anti-racism” and “critical race theory” actually rejects King’s ambition for the country Hafera argued.

ful truth of its Black history Slavery being renamed as labor, segregation reduced to a footnote, racial terror explained away as exaggeration,” Bernard said, speaking at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. “This is irresponsible, historical revisionism.” Urgent calls to unite against injustice were interspersed with energetic gospel at Ebenezer, where King preached. A sense that civil and human rights are at stake infused the comments by many speakers there Monday U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, a Georgia Democrat and Ebenezer’s senior pastor, invoked a story about King fighting for the Voting Rights Act after Congress passed the Civil Rights Act. He urged the crowd to keep pushing against Trump’s policies, sweeping immigration enforcement and what he described as attempts from the “Trump-Vance regime” to sow division. “They are trying to weap-

onize despair and convince us that we are at war with one another,” Warnock said.

The fatal shooting this month of an unarmed Minneapolis woman in her car by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents sent there to target the city’s Somali immigrant population, as well as Trump recently decrying civil rights as discrimination against White people, have only intensified fears of a regression from the social progress King and many others advocated for Still, the concerns have not chilled many King holiday events planned this year Some conservative admirers of King say the holiday should be a reminder of the civil rights icon’s plea that all people be judged by their character and not their skin color Some Black advocacy groups, however are vowing a day of resistance and rallies nationwide.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Trump

Protecting worshippers’ rights urged after protesters interrupt service

BY GIOVANNA DELL’ORTO Associated Press

Several faith leaders called urgently for protecting the rights of worshippers while also expressing compassion for migrants after anti-immigration enforcement protesters disrupted a service at a Southern Baptist church in Minnesota.

About three dozen protesters entered the Cities Church in St. Paul during Sunday service, some walking right up to the pulpit, others loudly chanting “ICE out” and “Renee Good,” referring to a woman who was fatally shot on Jan. 7 by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis.

One of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood,

leads the local ICE field office, and one of the leaders of the protest and prominent local activist Nekima Levy Armstrong said she’s also an ordained pastor

The Minnesota-Wisconsin Baptist Convention called what happened “an unacceptable trauma,” saying the service was “forced to end prematurely” as protesters shouted “insults and accusations at youth, children, and families.”

“I believe we must be resolute in two areas: encouraging our churches to provide compassionate pastoral care to these (migrant) families and standing firm for the sanctity of our houses of worship,” Trey Turner, who leads the convention, said Monday Cities Church belongs to the

convention.

The U.S Department of Justice said it has opened a civil rights investigation.

The recent surge in operations in Minnesota has pitted more than 2,000 federal immigration officers against community activists and protesters. The Trump administration and Minnesota officials have traded blame for the heightened tensions.

“No cause — political or otherwise — justifies the desecration of a sacred space or the intimidation and trauma inflicted on families gathered peacefully in the house of God,” Kevin Ezell, president of the North American Mission Board, said in a statement. “What occurred was not protest; it was lawless harassment.”

Fashion designer Valentino dies at 93

BY JENNY BARCHFIELD and COLLEEN BARRY Associated Press

MILAN Valentino Garavani, the jet-set Italian designer whose high-glamour gowns often in his trademark shade of “Valentino red” — were fashion show staples for nearly half a century, has died at home in Rome, his foundation announced Monday He was 93. “Valentino Garavani was not only a constant guide and inspiration for all of us, but a true source of light, creativity and vision, the foundation founded by Valentino and his partner Giancarlo Giammetti said

in a statement posted on social media.

Valentino

Universally known by his first name, Valentino was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and movie stars, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.

“I know what women want,” he once remarked. “They want to be beautiful.”

Though Italian-born and

despite maintaining his atelier in Rome, he mostly unveiled his collections in Paris, and spoke French with his Italian partner Giammetti, an entrepreneur Alessandro Michele, the current creative director of the Valentino fashion house, wrote in Instagram that he continues to feel Valentino’s “gaze” as he works on the next collection, which will be presented March 12 in Rome, departing from the usual venue of Paris. Michele remembered Valentino as “a man who expanded the limits of the possible” and possessing “a rare delicacy with a silent rigor and a limitless love for beauty.”

“I think the Civil Rights Movement was one of the things that made our country so unique, that we haven’t always been perfect, but we’ve always strived to be this more perfect union, and that’s what I think the Civil Rights Movement represents,” Gov Wes Moore, Maryland’s first Black governor and only the nation’s third elected Black governor, said last week in an interview with The Associated Press.

Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, one of the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights coalitions, said the Trump administration’s priorities make clear it is actively trying to erase the movement

“From health care access and affordable housing to good paying jobs and union representation,” Wiley said, “things Dr King made part of his clarion call for a beloved community are still at stake

In Washington Monday, hundreds of people marched along Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, braving cold weather to honor the civil rights leader The parade began decades ago as part of the effort to establish a national holiday in King’s honor Sam Ford, a retired broadcaster and member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade Committee, helped bring the parade back in 2012.

“We got to continue to do this because not just of Dr King, but of what he stood for,” Ford said. “The struggle continues.”

Parade participant Harold Hunter echoed that sentiment.

“It’s not just a White thing or Black thing. This is a people thing,” he said.

The conservative Heritage Foundation think tank encouraged the holiday’s focus to stay solely on King himself.

Brenda Hafera, a foundation research fellow, urged people to visit the Martin Luther King Jr National Historical Park in Atlanta or reread his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington

“I think efforts should be conducted in the spirit of what Martin Luther King actually believed and what he preached. And his vision was a colorblind society, right,” Hafera said. “He says very famously in his speech, don’t judge by the color of your skin, but the content of your character.”

The NAACP, the nation’s oldest civil right organization which had myriad MLK Day events planned for Monday, asserted that the heightened fears among communities of color and in immigrant communities mean King Day observances must take a different tone. People will have to put their safety first, even if their government isn’t, said Wisdom Cole, NAACP senior national director of advocacy

The Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of organizations affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement, had planned its events under the banner “Reclaim MLK Day of Action.” Organizers planned demonstrations in Atlanta; Chicago; and Oakland, California, among other cities, over the weekend and Monday

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ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE PHOTO By JOSE LUIS MAGANA

The political climate for some is more fraught with tensions than festive with reflection during the 40th federal observation of Martin Luther King Jr Day.

COMITE

Continued from page 1A

tracking the diversion’s construction.

The disclosure prompted a now familiar airing of frustrations over the pace of work and questions about state and federal oversight of day-to-day construction and whether better contracting terms could motivate faster work.

Another complaint centers on why federal officials can’t start the process of refashioning flood insurance rate maps before the canal is finished to account for how much it will reduce risk which could save homeowners and other policyholders money

State Sen Rick Edmonds, R-Baton Rouge, and Greenwell Springs builder Brandon Ivey raised the idea of adding performance incentives for bigger contracts that could put a dent in the timeline

“It would be tragic if we had another event six months before it would be open and have many millions of dollars worth of damage when maybe some performance incentives would have helped,” Ivey said.

Among those fielding the questions was Col. Scotty Autin, the latest commander of the Corps’ New Orleans District to be handed responsibility for the longrunning project.

RECOVERY

Continued from page 1A

The program, which has stretched on for years after hurricanes devastated the state, illustrates the myriad roadblocks and delays involved in distributing billions in disaster aid, many of them from federal government requirements. And it came as President Donald Trump administration’s continues to debate the future of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, with federal officials predicting states like Louisiana will be required to pick up more of the tab for future storms.

“We’ve learned a lot,” said state Rep. Jerome “Zee” Zeringue, R-Houma, who chairs a House panel on disaster recovery “We definitely shouldn’t replicate Restore, but Restore established a precedent and a process that we learned from.”

The long delays in getting money to people who need it largely stem from efforts to prevent fraud Zeringue said those efforts make the program more accountable, but that the state can streamline the process next time.

Nearly 40,000 people submitted surveys seeking individual aid. But only a fraction of them will ultimately receive money to rebuild.

After vetting applicants, the state eventually offered funding to about 15,000 A variety of factors went into doling out the money, said Jeff Haley, deputy executive director at the community development office.

Thousands of people filed duplicate surveys or applications. Others were renters who didn’t qualify And some never finished the grant process or decided to sell.

Kelvin Hill, the agency’s director of housing, said he expects all Restore projects to be finished by this September More than 3,000 people still have outstanding grants that are not yet complete.

The Houma native who took over in July said the U.S. Army has “a bias for action” and, with the state highway department, would try to find ways to save time in the building contracts.

“My role in this is to stay committed to moving as fast as possible,” he said, adding he would look to trim cushion days built into the contracts where possible.

He said the contracts already contain some incentives, including financial penalties for delays Also, the Corps grades its contractors which can affect the ability of poorly rated companies to get future jobs.

A concept discussed since the 1960s, the 8-mile, rocklined channel is being sliced through forest, pasture and creeks. The route starts just east of La. 67 at the Comite and cuts westward, and downhill, on a path between Baker and Zachary. With 4 additional miles of more natural diversion through Mississippi River lowlands west of U.S. 61, the canal will essentially become a man-made river able to handle floodwaters equivalent to the Arkansas River Handling so much water has required a massive digging, building and relocation effort to make way for the 300-foot-wide, 50-footdeep channel. That work has included construction of highway and railroad bridges to cross the new canal and the relocation of more than 60 pipelines and

Red tape

By the time Restore wraps up, it will be about five years after Hurricane Ida struck southeast Louisiana.

Campo said the delays in the program were expected, and noted Louisiana’s pace is faster than some other states that received aid around the same time. Congress didn’t even appropriate the money until 2022, she noted. Then the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development took months to formulate rules and post them. And once the state got access to the money, state officials had to reach out to homeowners and vet applications to make sure federal cash would be used correctly

“There are a lot of delays,” Campo said. “A lot of them don’t even accept their awards on time. We bend over backwards to get as many people completed as possible.”

Once the housing aid program wraps up, state officials said they intend to move the remaining money to other projects that are part of the $3 billion recovery package.

For instance, the state is using several million dollars to build affordable housing in a bid to relieve homelessness in several southeast Louisiana parishes. The program includes a 12-unit project in New Orleans’ Little Woods neighborhood, a 30-unit building on the edge of downtown and projects on the northshore and in Baton Rouge.

Plus, local governments across the state are still spending millions on infrastructure improvements. That program is also experiencing delays. New Orleans, for instance, has access to $33 million to build infrastructure and economic development projects, but has only spent $70,000 to date. Marvin McGraw, spokesperson for the community development office, said the state only approved the projects in late

A U.S 61 bridge in Zachary is part of the finished section of the

River

bulk of the

Comite to the

other utilities.

‘Challenging milestone’

Despite missing completion estimates, state officials have hit some big milestones. Fifteen of the 23 construction or land clearing phases of the project have been built or finished. By the end of 2025, construction contracts for all of the remaining phases were awarded, Corps officials said.

Autin confirmed the Corps has enough money to finish the work after cost overruns forced a major influx of new cash from Congress a few years ago as the price rose to nearly $1 billion.

Perhaps most significantly, one of the largest stumbling blocks in the latest phase of the diversion’s long history — relocating two high-pressure gas pipelines owned by Florida Gas Transmission was completed in January Gas is flowing through the rerouted lines, Autin said.

“It was a challenging milestone for this project. It took

2025 and that they require “extensive application, review, and approval process before major spending can occur.”

Slowing of federal aid

Paul Rainwater, a former FEMA head who now consults for states on disaster recovery, said the Restore program turned into the biggest disaster aid project Louisiana has undertaken since hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Restore began after the 2016 floods that inundated south Louisiana.

Rainwater said every time Congress appropriates disaster aid, the lawmakers add new language that states must figure out how to comply with.

He said it’s clear the Trump administration wants to move to reduce disaster costs to the federal government by shifting more of the burden to states. Such a move could cost Louisiana huge sums with hurricanes growing more powerful because of the effects of climate change.

A recent meeting of a FEMA review council was abruptly canceled in late 2025 and it’s not yet clear when the group will meet again The council puts forth recommendations for FEMA.

Campo also said that it may soon become harder to get a federal disaster declaration in the first place, which would make it exceedingly difficult to win federal aid.

Louisiana will likely turn more toward relocation efforts as disasters worsen and people experience more severe flooding and winds, Campo said So far, many of the people eligible have been resistant to relocating, but her agency is working with local governments to target people who may be willing to move.

“Folks just don’t choose to do it,” she said. “We’re digging into that to see how in the future we can make that more of an acceptable option for them.”

a long time,” Autin said.

Officials with the Amite River Basin Commission, an original sponsor of the channel, have said they foresaw the problems the gas lines would pose in 2010 but couldn’t generate interest in tackling the problem. And state officials have complained they hit years of resistance in negotiations with the company to address the complicated and costly pipeline relocation.

The stalled work ended up delaying two canal digging phases and new bridge construction at La. 19. It took a personal visit by then-Gov John Bel Edwards with Florida Gas officials in early 2022 and talks among the company, the state and the Corps to agree on reimbursement for the company’s utility relocation costs. That bill wound up at $17 million.

Final pieces

Among the key final construction pieces are the di-

version structure itself and bridges at La. 19.

Once finished, the big diversion structure will sit in the Comite River just east of the new La. 67 bridge, which was built for the canal. The structure will continuously divert water from the Comite into the new channel once flooding hits a certain level.

To hold up against the pushing water, the structure will contain 40,000 cubic yards of reinforced concrete, enough to fill 12 Olympic-sized swimming pools, and 142,000 linear feet of steel H-piles, enough to stretch from downtown Baton Rouge to Gonzales, Corps estimates say

Despite the scope of that piece of the project, it isn’t expected to take the longest to finish. That distinction falls to constructing the final connection between a natural waterway, Bayou Baton Rouge, and the new diversion channel. That work, the last of three bayou connections, is expected to

take nearly three years.

“Is it really going to take that long?” asked state Sen. Valarie Hodges, a Denham Springs Republican who chairs the task force.

The work involves rocklining the last sections of the three bayous so they can gradually dump water into the diversion. Two are in various stages of construction or final land clearing. Corps officials said one reason the Bayou Baton Rouge part will take so long is that it requires a new bridge.

Autin told Hodges that the 1,087 days set aside for the job “matches what we would see on similar complex projects,” but he added that close coordination with the contractor could speed things up.

“That’s the commitment to turn those 1,087 (days) as efficient as we can and really deliver it,” he said. David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF FILE PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON

8-mile-long manmade channel that will make up the

Comite

Diversion Canal. Another 4 miles of the diversion carry floodwaters on the final path from the

Mississippi River over land and

Board of Peace prompts questions from invited leaders

BY SAMY MAGDY and JULIA FRANKEL

Associated Press

Israel has been asked to join President Donald Trump’s new Board of Peace that will supervise the next phase of the Gaza peace plan, an Israeli official said Monday, while France is holding off accepting for now It’s not known whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted the offer said the Israeli official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing a behind-thescenes diplomatic matter Russia, Belarus, Slovenia, Thailand and the European Union’s executive arm also were among the latest to receive invitations.

It’s unclear how many leaders have been asked to join the board, and the large number of invitations being sent out, including to countries that don’t get along, has raised questions about the board’s mandate and decision-making processes. Also unknown is Israel’s potential role on a board in charge of implementing the ceasefire agreement that directly involves them.

A Trump reference in the invitation letters saying that the body would “embark on a bold new approach to resolving global conflict” suggested it could act as a rival to the U.N. Security Council, the most powerful body of the global organization created in the wake of World War II. France, though, does not plan to join the Board of Peace “at this stage” despite receiving an invitation, a French official close to President Emmanuel Macron said Monday The issue is raising questions, particularly with regard to respect for the principles and structure of the United Nations, said the official, speaking anonymously in line with the French presidency’s customary practices.

Morocco’s King Mohammed VI accepted a spot Monday, becoming the first Arab leader and at least the fifth world leader to join. Vietnam,

FIGHTING

Continued from page 1A

Old habits die hard, and arrests for cockfighting have continued to be an issue in recent years in St. Landry Parish, with multiple ongoing investigations and arrests in Arnaudville and Opelousas.

Before the practice was banned, James Demoruelle, a former cockfighter from St. Landry Parish, claims to have raised more than 53 gamecocks for the purpose of fighting.

He has led numerous efforts to reverse the ban, most notably in 2014 while state lawmakers were discussing stronger measures against cockfighting.

In December, Demoruelle addressed the St. Landry Parish Council in favor of changes to the law, reminding council members that within rooster fighting culture, Sunset was known as the “cockfighting capital of the world” and hosted prestigious fighting events.

“In Sunset, when there were cockfights, you filled up every hotel room in (Opelousas). People came here from all over the world,” Demourelle said, according to a report from St. Landry Now His testimony resonated with council member Timmy LeJeune, who scheduled a Jan. 7 meeting of the St. Landry Parish Council’s Administrative and Finance Committee to discuss next steps in pursuing an exemption to the law in St Landry Parish.

The normally sparsely attended committee meeting was standing room only Security officers nervously counted heads during the meeting, and upon the committee’s adjournment, required all attendees to immediately exit the building to comply with the building code. It didn’t stop the crowd of mostly pro-cockfighters from patiently waiting to hear from LeJeune, who represents a district adjacent to the former Sunset Recreation Club.

“All I’m asking is to get this before the full council so we can do research and get some real answers,” he said. “What I understand is that a parish can go to the state and get an exemption for a permit.”

Garrett Duplechain, who serves as the parish’s legal counsel, expressed skepti-

Kazakhstan, Hungary and Argentina also have signed on.

Russian President Vladimir Putin received the invitation, and the Kremlin is now “studying the details” and will seek clarity of “all the nuances” in contacts with the U.S., said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko is ready to take part, according to the country’s Foreign Ministry The Thai Foreign Ministry said it was invited and reviewing the details.

European Commission spokesperson Olof Gill said that Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the commission, would be speaking to other EU leaders about Gaza. Gill didn’t say whether its invitation had been accepted, but that the commission wants “to contribute to a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.”

Israel’s objections

Israeli far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday dismissed the Board of Peace as a raw deal for Israel and called for its dissolution.

“It is time to explain to the president that his plan is bad for the State of Israel and to cancel it,” Smotrich said. “Gaza is ours, its future will affect our future more than anyone else’s We will take responsibility

cism about the legality of the resolution.

“You can’t get a permit to commit a felony, which is what cockfighting is currently,” he said. “That’s my unbiased analysis of it.”

Any exemption to the state statute that the council may decide to request will inevitably still have to contend with these legal realities.

However, LeJeune was not dissuaded.

“If we find a way to make that happen, St. Landry could become a worldwide hub for rooster fighting,” he said, “and that brings in a lot of money It multiplies. This is all about trying to find revenue for the parish.”

Members of the committee unanimously approved a resolution to bring the topic up to the full council Wednesday A longstanding tradition

Enthusiasts argue cockfighting is a long-standing rural tradition in parts of Louisiana, passed down through generations, particularly in Cajun and Creole communities. They see the ban as government overreach.

Former state Rep Raymond “La La” LaLonde, who died in 2022, was outspoken in his support for cockfighting. “People who are involved in it feel very strongly about it,” the Democrat from Sunset said in 1990. “This is part of their culture and heritage, and they’re not going to give up on this issue without a fight.”

Supporters say fighting roosters are well cared for, asserting the birds are bred, housed and fed better than many farm animals, and that owners have a financial incentive to keep them healthy

They argue the sport supports informal economies, including breeders, feed suppliers and veterinarians, especially in areas such as St. Landry Parish, with limited job opportunities.

Animal welfare activists, on the other hand, have long pointed to the practices surrounding cockfighting, such as the use of gaffs and knives, as well as its association with gambling, to argue that it is cruel and socially destructive.

“Cockfighting is a violent blood sport with devastating consequences for the victimized birds who are forced to fight to the death for the entertainment and financial gain of those involved in this

for what happens there, impose military administration, and complete the mission.”

Smotrich, a hard-liner who opposed the Gaza ceasefire, even suggested that Israel renew a full-scale offensive on the territory to destroy Hamas if it doesn’t abide by a “short ultimatum for real disarmament and exile.”

Netanyahu said later on Monday that while there are differences with the U.S. about the composition of the advisory committee accompanying the next phase in Gaza, it would not harm his relationship with Trump.

“There will not be Turkish soldiers and Qatari soldiers in the (Gaza) Strip,” he said.

Netanyahu’s office earlier said the formation of an executive board that will work to carry out the vision of the Board of Peace wasn’t coordinated with the Israeli government and “is contrary to its policy” without clarifying its objections. Turkey, a key regional rival, is among those invited to join the committee.

The final list

The U.S. is expected to announce its official list of members in the coming days, likely during the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Board members will oversee an executive committee that will be in

cruel industry,” Sherry Rout, state director of ASPCA government relations for the Southern region, said in 2014 after the passage of a bill that strengthened penalties related to cockfighting.

Fighting efforts

Animal Wellness Action is a nonprofit and nonpartisan lobbying firm with a history of staunch opposition to cockfighting. They were involved in getting the practice banned in Louisiana and have vowed to fight the efforts of LeJeune and Demoruelle.

“You’ve got people like Demourelle and others who are recognized cockfighters that were able to intimidate state lawmakers against taking action on this for many years,” said Wayne Pacelle, who serves as the group’s founder and CEO He’s no newcomer to the anti-cockfighting cause and is well aware of the history St. Landry Parish has with cockfighting.

“I began to be involved in the anti-cockfighting cause in 1997. At that time, the Sunset Pit was considered the most notorious and was probably the most well-known,” he said. “There’s a lot of people who were involved with that specific cockfighting enterprise who still haven’t gotten over it. Since then, it’s a criminal subculture that goes hand-in-hand with organized crime.”

Pacelle views the attempts to bring back cockfighting to the parish as an attempt

Equal Employment OpportunityStatement

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Theorganization is committedtothe principleofequal employment opportunity for all employees.

They arededicated to providingaworkenvironment that is free of discrimination andharassment. Allapplicants will be considered foremploymentwithout regard to:Raceorcolor;Religion;Sex,sexualorientation, or gender identity;National origin; Veteranordisability status

charge of implementing the tough second phase of the Gaza peace plan that includes the deployment of an international security force, disarmament of Hamas and reconstruction of the war-devastated territory

A $1 billion contribution secures permanent membership on the board, with the money going to rebuild Gaza, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity about the charter as he wasn’t permitted to speak publicly about details of the board, which hasn’t been made public. A threeyear appointment has no contribution requirement.

According to the World Bank’s Gaza and West Bank Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment report released last year, it’ll take $53 billion to rebuild the strip.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday the United Kingdom is talking to allies about the Board of Peace.

Running Gaza

Egypt’s top diplomat on Monday met with the leader of the newly appointed committee of Palestinian technocrats who will be running Gaza’s day-to-day affairs during the second phase.

Foreign Minister Bader Abdelatty met with Ali Shaath, a Palestinian engineer and former official with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, who was named last week as chief commissioner of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza.

Abdelatty expressed the Egyptian government’s “complete support” of the committee and affirmed its role in running Gaza’s daily affairs until the Palestinian Authority takes over the territory, said a statement from the Egyptian ministry

Gaza humanitarian situation

The U.N. World Food Program on Monday said it has “significantly expanded” its operations across Gaza 100 days into the ceasefire, reaching more than a million people each month with hot meals and food parcels. But it warned the situation

to bring the issue into court, where cockfighting supporters would attempt to see statutory prohibitions overturned.

remains “extremely fragile.”

It noted that malnutrition has been prevented for 200,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 5.

Still, the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification analysis in December indicated that 77% the population is facing crisislevel food insecurity

Israeli forces move into Hebron Israeli military and security forces launched what they called a large-scale counterterrorism operation in the West Bank city of Hebron to dismantle “terrorist infrastructure, eliminating illegal weapons possession and strengthening security.”

The Israeli military said Monday the operation is expected to continue for several days. Israeli armored vehicles and soldiers patrolled city streets and put up barriers where operations were being conducted.

Hebron Mayor Khaled Dudin said Israeli forces targeted the area that’s home to 80,000 people because it obstructs the construction of additional Israeli settlements.

Three Palestinians killed Israeli forces on Monday killed three Palestinians, including a teenager, in southern Gaza, hospital authorities said.

Two men crossed into Israelicontrolled areas east of Khan Younis before being shot dead, while 17-year-old Hussein Tawfiq Abu Sabalah was shot and killed in the Muwasi area of Rafah, according to the Nasser hospital. It wasn’t immediately clear whether the teen had crossed into or came close to the Israeli-controlled area.

More than 460 people were killed by Israeli fire and their bodies brought to hospitals since the ceasefire went into effect just over three months ago, according to the Gaza Health Ministry

The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, maintains detailed casualty records that are seen as generally reliable by U.N. agencies and independent experts.

“There is no inch of U.S. soil where this is legal,” Pacelle said. “These guys have been angling for a lawsuit for a while, arguing that the fed-

eral law is a violation of interstate commerce protection. It’s legal nonsense, but they think they have a shot in this legal environment.”

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By MAHMOUD ILLEAN

Israeli soldiers take up positions Monday during an army raid in the West Bank city of Hebron.

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LOUISIANA AT LARGE

Playingfor thehome crowd

Every now and then, the stars align and something akin to magic happens. Not fireworks magic. Not headlinemagic. The quieter kind —the kind that sneaks up. There were moments Wednesday night at the Pete Maravich AssemblyCenter that felt like when the Kentucky Wildcats came to Baton Rouge to play the LSU Tigers.

Years ago, Ilived in Lafayette and worked with Keler Williams Mitchell. When we first met, she had two elementary-school-aged sons, Greg and Kam. We spent alot of time together working on projects as her sons grew up —the way kids do when the adults are busy working. Back then, basketball was already part of the picture, butitwasn’tthe whole story Greg was older and already stood out. Iwent to see him play in high school at Lafayette Christian Academy.Even backthen, he was somethingspecial. Kam, the younger brother,did what younger brothers do. He followed closely.Hewatched. He waited his turn. After games, he’d be on the side of the court, shooting and mimicking whatever he’d just seen his big brother do.

Like Little Kam, as Iused to call thenow 6-foot, 8-inch young man back then, I’ve lovedbasketball since Iwas in elementary school. Iloved playing it. Ilove watching it now.Maybe that’s why Itend to notice what comes before and after the game, not just what happens during it how basketball stretchesacross years, families, cities and seasons. Greg Williams’ basketball path took him from LafayettetoSt. John’sinNew York City,then back to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and eventually to Denmark and Cyprus, where he plays professionally.Kam Williams graduated from Lafayette Christian Academy in 2024. He played at Tulane last year. This year,he’splaying for Kentucky But this isn’tacolumn about recruiting or transfers or stats. It’sacolumn about84people whodrove to BatonRouge from Lafayette on aweeknight to cheerfor ayoung man they love —ayoung man they watched grow up.

Eighty-four people. Not fora championship. Not for aweekend trip. Just because it mattered. Inside the PMAC, the game unfolded the way college basketball games do —loud, fast, full of momentum swings. LSU played well. It felt, for most of the game, like they had it won. Then came the final seconds. With 1.6 secondsleft, LSU was up one point and Kentucky got theball. Somehow,the Wildcats got the ball all the way down the court and scored at the buzzer Fromone perspective, it was a miracle —from another,a nightmare. Iknow what it feels like to win, and Iknow what it feels like to lose. My heart went out to the players and coaches on both sides. Moments like that don’tbelong solely to the highlight reel. They belong to the people living inside them —who will likely relive them for years to come, even after the details fade. When the shot went through the net, the 84 people from Lafayette lost their minds. They eventually made their way outside the chaos of the PMAC, where all of them waited for “Little Kam.”

The Kentuckyplayers slowly trickled out, carrying neatly packed, prepared postgame dinners. When Kam Williams

ä See RISHER, page 2B

Upgrades plannedfor 5schools

Firstbatch of projects mostly theaters

BY CHARLES LUSSIER Staff writer

Highschools in Baton Rouge will soon see ahandful of modest upgrades —theater curtains, sound systems and aset of bleachers —but bigger improvements, particularly in athleticspaces, aren’t cominguntil later in the year. These are the first of dozens of high school projects to be funded by abondsale that generated $42

million This seriesofprojects, which East Baton Rouge ParishSuperintendent LaMont Cole first proposed in August,aims to enhance “the high school experience,” an area wherehesaidBaton Rouge schools have fallen behind.

This first batch, known as Group 1, includes sevenprojects at five high schools; ArlingtonPrep, Baton Rouge, Broadmoor,Northeast and Scotlandville. The East Baton Rouge School Boardapproved all

of the projects on Thursday “Those are the things that are readytogo. They don’ttake an extensive procurement process, but it willget us started,” said Pamela Whitley,aconsultant forthe school system. The estimated cost of the Group 1projects is about $500,000, and the work will take three to six months to complete.

Most of these initial projects involve theaters. Baton Rouge High’sblack box theater is getting newlighting. Arlingtonand Scotlandville are getting new stage curtains. NortheastHigh is

getting anew sound system in its auditorium and its gym

Scotlandville’s theater is also getting anew soundsystem and new lighting at an estimated cost of $172,500 —the mostexpensive project in Group 1. The only fully athletic project is to buy new bleachers for Broadmoor High’sbaseball field. The vast majority of Group 2— 50 to 60 projects —are upgrades to ball fields, gyms andstadiums. Examples include newartificial turf, new track surfaces and new

Underdevelopment

ABOVE: Gov.Jeff Landry, Congressman CleoFields,state Sen. Regina Barrow and other dignitaries dump shovels of dirt for the groundbreaking for the BLVD at Harding project on Monday in Baton Rouge. LEFT: Landry delivers his remarks at the event.

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Foryears, brownwater,boil advisories and declared states of emergency have plagued the small southeast Louisiana town of Killian But turning on the faucet to find only clean, clear water could soon be areality forresidents after a private utilities company recently acquired the town’sstruggling water system. Magnolia Water Co. took over

as ownerand provider of the water system on Dec. 29, after a court ordered thewater system to be sold in an effort toimprove thetown’ssupply

TheKillian water system, which serves morethan 300 households, has received low scores for years on the state’s drinking water grading system, and in 2024, the town was under aboil-water advisory for weeks while its water well was inspected for producingbrown,silty water Mayor Caleb Atwell, who took officeinJuly,saidhedoesn’t have an exact timeline of when Magnoliawillhavecleaner water

Killianutility system sees ownershipchange Residentsexpress hope for cleanerwater ä See KILLIAN, page 2B

Demolition of oldBR sewage plantunderway

Adecadeafter closure, it’s time to ‘eliminate theblight’

BYDAVID J. MITCHELL Staff writer

Towering concrete vats that once helped cleanse Baton Rouge’ssewage wastewater are partially demolished, sagging andragged with old rebar showing along the sides. Contractorsare aboutsix weeks into anine-monthproject

The demolition job comes about adecadeafter theold plantwas decommissioned in 2016 amid sweeping improvementsdemanded by an early 2000s order thatexpanded along-standing federalconsent decree to upgrade the city’ssewage treatmentsystem Among the $1.6 billion in capital work required by thedecree, the upgrades routed sewage once treated at the old central plant between Coolidge and West McKinleystreetstothe South Waste WaterTreatmentPlant on Gardere Lane, said AdamSmith, interim director of city-parish Environmental Services.

STAFF PHOTOSByMICHAEL JOHNSON

KILLIAN

running but said “some level of normalcy should return soon.”

The supply has high levels of iron and magnesium, which discolor the water. It also has not contained enough phosphate, so Magnolia has begun using the chemical to treat the water, the mayor said “What the town has been doing the last 40 years hasn’t really worked,” Atwell said “Give Magnolia time to correct the issue.”

Killian, along with officials from Magnolia and the state, held a town hall Wednesday to answer questions about the recent water acquisition. Residents at the meeting com-

RISHER

Continued from page 1B

emerged, family and friends ran to greet him.

plained about having brown, “undrinkable” water

Louisiana Department of Health officials said while the water is visually unappealing, it is safe to drink.

Jamie Smith, a Killian resident, claimed the water can make residents sick and said there are visible issues even driving around the town.

“If you drive around our area and you look at the ditches, there is standing water even after it’s been dried for 10 days and it shouldn’t be,” she said Wednesday to local officials.

Magnolia officials emphasized that the company has been on the job for just a little over two weeks.

Killian residents’ water bills are also expected to increase from roughly $30 to $65 with the Mag-

His mother presented him with a giant box of food she prepared — smothered pork steaks, rice and gravy, along with his grandmother’s mac and cheese It’s his favorite meal and exactly what he had asked for His mother also added in some Louisiana treats, including Billy’s boudin. The heft of the Louisiana care package was unmistakable. It required both of his arms to carry it. That box was home and heart, made portable.

These days, Kam Williams is the epitome of cool. His deep voice bears no resemblance to the one I remember But between the PMAC and the Kentucky bus, he greeted old coaches, old friends, mothers of old friends, cousins, aunts, uncles, ministers and high school administrators.

Then, he patiently posed for pictures with everyone who wanted one. No rushing No eye-rolling. Just time and kindness. Watching him, I couldn’t help but remember when he wasn’t tall at all — when he came fishing in my backyard, curious about everything, gentle by nature, already paying attention to the world around him.

Wednesday night wasn’t Kam Williams’ best game. He did, however come up with a pivotal steal and followed it with a beautiful dunk — one of those moments that makes a crowd gasp before they cheer Kentucky came away with a miracle win, and Kam Williams headed back to Kentucky with a plate full of home and a heart that had to have been heavy with love. Not everyone gets to leave a gym that way Every now and then, the stars align, and sports become something else entirely a reminder of who we are to one another, long after the final buzzer sounds.

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

SEWAGE

Continued from page 1B

The central plant was built in about 1960 and was last expanded in 1994 to handle up to 31.6 million gallons per day of wastewater But it remained the smallest of Baton Rouge’s three wastewater plants, according to a 2008 city-parish memo to federal regulators.

The city-parish’s big sewer overhaul was aimed at reducing and better handling rainfall-induced stormwater that infiltrated the sewage treatment system, overtaxed it and caused chronic sewage overflows and backups.

In addition to repairing collection systems and gradually undoing illegal tie-ins into the sewer system, the work anticipated adding extra storage capacity to handle the big peak wastewater flows during storms.

Smith said the central plant was going to need upgrades. But, as city-parish officials worked out how to address the problems, they decided in the late 2000s to focus their investment in the treatment plant on Gardere Lane.

“It was determined to be more cost effective to send everything to the south plant and, ultimately, have two plants to run, instead of three plants to run,” Smith said ‘Eliminate the blight’

The city-parish also has its north plant on Woodpecker Street that still processes wastewater All three plants discharged into the Mississippi River

The city-parish ended up spending $250 million to upgrade the south plant and boost its capacity by 70% to 205 million gallons per day

The work also included adding four huge reserve tanks, some the size of the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, to hold an additional

nolia takeover The rate increase is to rehabilitate the water system and install proper infrastructure, typical of Magnolia’s operations on other neglected Louisiana water systems.

Atwell said a part of the court’s order requires Magnolia to fix the system.

In 2024, the Killian water system was placed into court-ordered receivership. Waggoner, an engineering firm, was appointed as the receiver and recommended that the state have a court order the water system to be sold.

“Per Louisiana Department of Health legal counsel, the town had no other options and all actions taken were done so in compliance with a court order,” the town government wrote Thursday about the sale.

Because of new ownership, issues about the water will not necessarily fall to town officials.

“A lot of this is out of the hands of the town,” Atwell said. “I want to help people, but we’re not the backstop anymore.”

But, he said, the state government and the Department of Health believe the town is headed in a positive direction.

“It’s mixed. I think most people are hopeful,” Atwell said about the reactions to the changes.

The Louisiana Department of Health recommends Killian residents report any water concerns to its Hammond office at (225) 342-7363.

Email Claire Grunewald at claire.grunewald@theadvocate. com.

More than 80 people drove to Baton Rouge from Lafayette to support Kentucky Wildcats player

Williams on Wednesday.

decommissioned.

168 million gallons of wastewater temporarily when the plant is inundated by heavy rain.

That investment, finished in late 2014 after five years of work, sealed the fate of the central plant.

Smith said city-parish officials haven’t settled on a plan to reuse the central plant site but decided it was time to demolish its infrastructure and buildings.

Since the plant’s closure in 2016, the site had begun to take on the look of a blighted property Smith explained, with the potential of

legal liability if someone were injured on the site.

“The immediate goal was to eliminate the blight from the area and reduce the liability and just return it to green space,” he said.

The demolition contractor, Zimmer-Eschette Services, was issued a notice to proceed Nov 10. The work, which includes some asbestos removal, state records show, is expected to last through early August. The cost is $2.73 million and is being paid out of the city-parish sewer fund, Smith said.

The demolition contractor plans to sell the recovered metal for scrap, and will crush broken concrete and spread it out across the site. It must haul off and properly dispose of whatever is left, Smith explained. He said city-parish officials hope to return the property to commerce in some way

Valued at $3.9 million

In 2017, a city-parish-financed analysis found elevated levels of lead, nickel and vanadium in the

UPGRADES

Continued from page 1B

field houses.

Cole said he hopes the district can start bidding this work out in the spring and summer First, though, school officials are developing districtwide standards for high school athletic facilities that will underpin future capital improvements to athletics.

“Our commitment is to make smart decisions and to do it in a consistent way across the district,” Whitley said.

Whitley, a Baton Rouge native who retired from the Federal Aviation Administration, spoke to School Board members at the Jan. 8 meeting. She and a team of district administrators have been visiting high schools with modern athletic facilities in other districts to help develop the proposed standards. One concept is to try to save money by purchasing in bulk.

“If we are buying six football fields versus one, are there some cost savings we can get?” Whitley said.

At the same time, the district is trying to avoid the pitfalls of being too cheap by looking at life-cycle costs.

“A lot of times we buy what’s cheap and it costs a lot on the back end,” she said.

Board member Cliff Lewis expressed concerns.

“We need to be real careful about how we spread this money around,” he said.

For instance he said does not see much for girls’ sports.

“I had granddaughters who played sports in EBR and they had to change clothes in the bathrooms,” Lewis said. “They had to ride buses from one school to another school because they couldn’t practice, they couldn’t dress. The gym floor had been busted up since May and nobody in our maintenance department thought they should fix it.”

Whitley said the planning team is thinking that issue through.

“The plan is to embed that into the standards,” she said. Cole said he is sorting through a range of approaches that other school districts are taking when it comes to athletic facilities.

“You see some schools that get a lot more. Some will get a lot less. Some will spend what they have, but they have buildings that need to be serviced sooner rather than later,” Cole said. “Some will go all out and get these beautiful, nice facilities. But then the lights go out and they cost $25,000 to fix.”

Email Charles Lussier at clussier@theadvocate.com.

groundwater, but not at unacceptable levels for nonindustrial uses.

The study, which included sole borings, determined the contaminants were declining and didn’t pose a risk of migrating off the site.

State Department of Environmental Quality officials concurred with this analysis in 2018, agency papers show Smith said city-parish officials received an appraisal for the 21acre sewer plant site and learned that the property, after the treatment plant is removed, would be valued at nearly $3.9 million. He argued the demolition would end up putting the city-parish ahead of the game financially The 110 capital improvement projects under the consent decree were finished in December 2018. The city-parish is now in a monitoring phase, Smith said. Even after that work, the cityparish has faced complaints about overflows, though the numbers have been sharply reduced, a 2021 analysis by The Advocate found. Along with a share of a 1-cent sales tax, the residents see a 4% sewer fee increase each year to pay off the financed costs of the sewer upgrades. The long-term payoff of the sewer debt, plus interest, is expected to total $2.7 billion.

David J. Mitchell can be reached at dmitchell@ theadvocate.com.

STAFF PHOTO By DAVID J MITCHELL

STAFF PHOTO By JAN RISHER

Kam

Threekilledin fiery carcrash in West BatonRouge

BY CLAIRE GRUNEWALD Staff writer

Three people were killed after acar hit atree and burst into flames early Monday morning along Interstate 10 eastbound in West Baton Rouge Parish, accord-

ing to State Police. The fatal crash occurred around 4a.m. Monday.Hammond residentsKelvanisha Stanley,20; Kareem Felder, 19; and Jacoby Brumfield, 20,died in the crash, according to aLouisiana State Police news release

Stanleywas driving east on Interstate10inthe right lane then crossed into the left lane, entered thecenter median andstruck several trees between the Grosse Tete andLobdell exits. The vehiclesubsequentlycaught on fire, according to thepre-

liminary investigation. Allthree victims werepronounced deadonthe scene, according to StatePolice.

TheWestBaton Rouge ParishCoroner’s Officetold WAFB that due to the severityofthe burns, the St TammanyParish Coroner’s

Office will be taking over because of its DNA lab.

Police are still investigating the cause of the crash. Details on seat beltusage or impairment were unknown as of Monday afternoon, according to officials.

UnicornmuleisaFrenchQuarter star

Claudia andher dedicateddriver delighttourists

BY JENNA ROSS Staff writer

As Claudiatrotted through the French Quarter on arecent night,heads turned, phonesfilmed and a girl tugged her mom’sarm.

“Unicorn,” she whispered, her eyes wide.

Other mules, pullingcarriages,pass by Jackson Square with little fanfare But with awhite horn on her head, glowing wingson her back and purple glitter on her hooves, Claudia inspires stares,paintingsand Instagram posts.

That’sthanks to herdriver,Kaliecia Smith. As akid, she dreamedofaflying unicorn and now,each night, she guides one through New Orleans’ historic streets with carrots, kisses and voice commands that sound more likesongs.

“Claudia,” Smith intoned as they ambled down Dumaine Street, “step right, please.” Each year for Krewe du Vieux,Smithdresses up Claudia the Muliecorninan extravagant, exuberant costume. This year’sensemble is still secret, but several years ago, as Big Bird, her face was framed by yellow feathers. Smith, in turn, wore ablue Grover tee. But the pair matchesmost nights as they entice tourists in Jackson Squareto take acarriage tour

“This is how youknowI belong to her,” Smith said, pointing asequined boot beside Claudia’ssparklyhoof.

It’smore than aglittery gimmick. Smith, 44,has driven Claudia for 13 years. The mule has been there while her driver,known as “Sparkles,” has struggled with lupus, been injured in two car wrecks and had a hysterectomy.(Akick from Claudia also led to four root canals, but Smith is quick to explain: “She didn’tmean to.”) With each setback and eachsurgery,Smith works to return to her mule.

“I’m fighting so hard to be with my girl,” she said. Last year,Smith madea deal to adopt Claudia after she retires. The owner of Mid-CityCarriages commissioned amassive art-

FuneralsToday

Dixon, Brandon Star Hill BaptistChurch,12331 PowellStationRoad, St.Francisville LAat 12pm

Fernandez, Ronald St.Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church in Donaldsonville at 11 a.m. Himel, Juanita Bayou Plaquemine BaptistChurch at noon.

Johnson, Linda UnitedChristianFaith Ministry,9229 N.Ridgewood Drive, at 11 a.m. McCrory, Laura St.MarkCatholic Church on

in St.Amant,at11 a.m.

Vicari, Juanita OurLadyofMercy Catholic Church 445 Marquette Ave.,Baton Rouge,LA at 2pm Obituaries Little,Shirley MarieRicard

ShirleyMarie Ricard Little, abeloved resident of Port Allen, LA, passed away on January 10, 2026, at the

of

work from Smith, an artist, of his beloved horse.

“It’ll be $10,000,” she told him, “or one mule.” Smith framed the resultingpaperwork, displayingitinher living room on “my Claudia wall,” filled with paintings, photosand drawings

“She’smy everything,” Smith said. “She’smylove.”

Since she could pick up acrayon, Smith hasbeen drawing horses. Unicorns, at first, but her father,a computer programmer, made cleartheyweren’t real. “So from avery early age, Ithought, ‘Well, I’m just gonnahave to settlefor ahorse.’”

She asked for ahorse for “every birthday,every Christmas, every everything.”

Before moving to New Orleansfrom Salt Lake City, Utah, she visited, drawn in partly by adocumentary aboutthe city’sartists.

“There was something about her that said she belongs in New Orleans,”said Dawn Kesslering, afriend whomet her on one of those visits. “Or,tobemorespecific, New Orleans wanted her

“Certain people New Orleans justfalls in love with, andshe’sone ofthem.”

Ajob with Marriott allowed hertomakethe move. Later,she began driving amule named Claude, affixingbutterflywings to hisback

She switched companies, and afterfinding out she’d worked with amule named Claude, they introduced hertoClaudia. Kismet, she figures.Smith didn’t

know that this white mule didn’t like having herears touched.She brushedthem while puttingonher bridle.

Claudia “picked me up with her head and threw me into apole,” she said, laughing. Then,Claudiaran to her stall and stuckher head into acorner.“She knew she had done wrong,” she said. Smithfell in love.

Now,she lists hermule’s likes and dislikes with great affection. Claudia hates motorcycles, metal grates and pumpkin spice cupcakes She loves alfalfa cubes and apples, sliced with cinnamon She’ssweet with kids. For acarrot, she will give you a big, toothykiss. Andshe doesn’tseemto mind the horn, Smith said. It sitsinher blind spotand, importantly,never touches her ears.

WhenSmith started with the glitterand the glam, some folksobjected, saying it was disrespectful, said Kesslering, general manager of the Vampire

Cafe in theFrench Quarter

ButKesslering hadseen how Smith cared for Claudia. Howshe showed up at thebarn even on her days off. How she scooped and cleaned her stall. How she filledher home’sfridge with carrots.

“Whatshe showed them is that she wasn’tdressing her up out of disrespect,” Kessleringsaid,“but outof love.”

On aquiet Thursday night, the carriages lined up along Decatur Street, their drivers on thelookoutfor tourists. Most mules were brown, mostbuggies black. But for their tour, Jenny Hawkes andher husband Beau Baez hadpicked the whitemule hitched to thewhite-and-green carriage. They laughed as they steppedoff, an AuntSally’s bag in hand, bantering with Smith.

Thecouple,intownfrom Ohiofor aconference, had remembered seeing Claudia on aprevious trip

“Withher unicorn horn

andall, she’s hard to forget,” Hawkes said. They were charmed by Smith’soffbeat approach and loved that, along the way,tour guides and people who work in French Quarter shops greetedClaudia, sometimes stopping to feed her acarrot. “There’sa fan club, Ithink,” Hawkes said. Claudia is nowpartof French Quarter lore. Portraits of the pair appear in photo books. Apainting of her hangs in the Royal FrenchmenHotel.Areal estate listing, taped to brick wall, includes aphoto of the mule.

After the Ohio couple left, the sidewalkonthis comfortableJanuary evening was empty.Itwas aslow timeofyear,between the holidays and Mardi Gras.

For twoweeks, over the holidays, Smith picked up dayshifts, trying to sock away some money for the land she’d like to buy for Claudia, someday.(She figures she needs about 10 acres.) But, partly because lupus symptoms aretriggered by sunlight, her body rebelled. Herskin broke out in rashes. Her joints swelled so much she couldn’tclose her hands.

She’sstill in pain from past injuries, too. “Every single day,” she said, brightly,“all the time.” But she shows up for Claudia: “As long as there’sabreath in my body, Iwillbewiththat mule.”

Around 8 p.m.,Smith steppedbackonto the carriage, leading Claudia out of the line and onto the street.

“Easy,love,”she called to her Heading back to the barn, they exchanged cues, Smith watching thedirectionof Claudia’s ears. Smith encouraged each tour group she passed to “tip your terrific tour guide!” She joked with tourists: “I see you checking out my ass!”

In the barn, between carrots, she beganremoving the jangling equipment from Claudia’s back,neck, head. She dabbed zinc oxide on abare patch of skin. She tickledone hoof,applying cream, then another She spread fresh hay in Claudia’s stall, andClaudia, now naked, came running. Then the twostood togetherinthe barn’swarm light, Smith chatting about the night and Claudia leaning in forkisses.

Born on April 3, 1939, in NewRoads, LA, Shirleywas knownfor hersupportive,protective, wise, and kind-hearted nature Throughouther life, Shirleyworkedinvarious office administrative jobs Shehad aprofoundlove for learningand wasalways eagertotry anything that piquedher interest. A devoted wife,mother, and grandmother,Shirley was amember of theSt. Joseph Cathedral Parish anda lifelong Catholic. Herpassions includedgardening, cooking, andsewing, askillshe learned from hermother. Shirleywas averysupportivemotherand grandmother,and nothingcame betweenher andher children andgrandchildren. Shirleyissurvivedby herson,Jerome KeithLittle (MichelleRivet), andher daughter, Jennifer AnnLittleArdis. Shewas preceded in death by herhusband of 67 years, ClydeJude Little, as well as herparents, AlbanieSt. Amant Ricard andMaceo Ricard. Shewas also preceded in death by hersiblings, MaceoRicard Jr., Sylvia MaeRicard Honore, Dolores Ricard Chustz Marilyn Ricard Wells, and AnthonyRicard, along with herdaughter, Donna Blanche Little Sonnier Funeral serviceswillbe held at St.Joseph Cathedral, locatedat412 North Street,Baton Rouge,LA, 70802. Visitation willtake place on January 21, 2026, from 9:00 am to 9:40 am, followed by theRosary from 9:40 am to 10:00 am. TheFuneral Mass willbe held from10:00 am to 11:00 am. Burial will follow at ImmaculateConception Catholic Church,12369 LA416, Lakeland,LA, 70752. Pallbearers will be Paul Chustz,RobertDecuir, Shane Sonnier,Joseph SonnierJr., Greg Metoyer Jr., Jason Sajardo, HonoraryPallbearers willbe, Timothyand DillonChustz In lieu of flowersplease send donations to West TowneAssisted Living in Port Allen, Bridgeway Healthcare andHospice,or St.Joseph Church

Howtoplace an Obituary Notice

EMAIL: obits@theadvocate.com OR CALL FORMORE INFORMATION: 225-388-0289

Howtoplace a MemorialAd

Ahornglows in front of Claudia the Muliecorn.

Kaliecia Smith’ssequin shoes match Claudia the Muliecorn’sglittered hooves.

STAFF PHOTOSBySOPHIA GERMER

KalieciaSmith stands withClaudiathe Muliecorn in front of Jackson Square on aquiet evening recently in NewOrleans

To drive on many Louisianaroads is to know frustration. To have to share them with other Louisiana drivers can pump adrenaline into that sentiment, turning it from everyday irritation into something much worse: road rage.

In Louisiana, roadrageisaseriousissue.In fact, for the second year in arow,Consumer Affairs has rated the state as theworst in the nation for road rage, adubious distinctionthat nonetheless will be unsurprisingfor many of us

The publication, which conductsresearch across aspectrum of consumer-focusedissues and products, studied dataonfatal crashes in which careless or reckless driving wasa factor, violations issued for dangerous drivingand traffic incidents that involved gun violence. What they found was notencouraging

In Louisiana, approximately 57% of fatalaccidents were linked to aggressive or careless driving, the highestsuch rateinthe nation. Louisiana’s per capita numbers were alsothe nation’shighest

And the statehas the second-highestrateof traffic violations issued for aggressiveorcareless driving and speeding. One bright spot, if it can be called that, is that Louisiana ranked 18th in therate of traffic incidentsinvolving gunviolence per 100,000 people.

The states that rounded out theTop 5were, in order: New Mexico, Colorado, Arkansas and Montana.

As we stated above, these findingsare likely not asurprise. Louisiana canbeatough place to be amotorist. But we are more perplexed at the lack of public urgency to address theseissues. Louisiana already has some fairly tough laws on the books: Those convicted of reckless driving can spend up to 90 days in jail fora first offense. Asubsequent convictioncan netthe offender six months, the Consumer Affairs report noted.

We suspect that these sortsofpenaltiesare rarely imposed, and that’s understandable. Most road rage incidentsare not likely criminal matters, thoughsome certainly endintragedy Efforts to reduce it, therefore, can’tbe solely throughthe threatoflengthyjail sentences Road rage is, however,aquality-of-life issue Reducing its occurrence is good forall of us We’d like to see amore robust education and information around this issue and thepotential harm it cancause. It also would behoove police at all levels to increase traffic-enforcement deployment,especially on highway stretches where recklessness is rampant.

More importantly,it’suptous, Louisianadrivers,tosimply slow down anddecide to de-escalatetense confrontationsonthe road.To do so, experts suggest deciding toremain calm, physically distancing yourself from theother driver and reporting any problems when necessary Reducing Louisianans’ levels of roadragewill require some public or institutionaleffort. But largely,it’suptousto control ourselves. In this case, losing our No. 1rankingwould bea good thing.

LETTERSTOTHE EDITOR ARE WELCOME. HERE AREOUR

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

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

Arecent writer from Port Allen asserted “facts” that we should consider when discussing themistreatment of immigrants. One assertion was that mostimmigrantsentered the United States through Ellis Island. Ellis Island opened in 1892, so from 1565, when the Spanish founded St.Augustine until then, immigrants from Europe entered thecountry at whatever ports accepted them. They followed no vetting process, and, in the case of my Irish ancestors, some were immediately admitted to local hospitals with typhus, dysentery and other maladies. There was no legal inspection, no interview no detention and no exclusion. Irish immigrants who earned money in theU.S. sent part of their earnings back to their families: “the American letter.” The same can be said for every nationality or ethnic group that has entered the country,including today’s. Such remittances aren’tagainst thelaw,and it would be tellingifthe

author’sancestors didn’tparticipate in the practice. The assertion that illegal immigrants(not acrimebut a civil violation) don’tpay local, state or federal income taxes avoids their payment of stateand local sales taxes or property taxes. The withholding of taxes belongs to theemployers who hire, knowing fully wellthat they may be undocumented. The contention that undocumented immigrants receive “health care, education, housing and other protections of the law free of charge” might also include the author’sneighbors, especially the protections of law.When the Acadianswere evicted from Nova Scotia andAcadia and entered the United States, none of the restrictions that we have today were in place. The author might consider that Native Americans looked upon our ancestors as he does these immigrants, as invaders.

MIKEFITZWILLIAM Picayune, Mississippi

Recently Caddo Parish Commissioner Ken Epperson hosted ameeting about placing adata center on what somecall the“wealthy side of town.”

Butmoving aproject across aZIP code does not change its impact. Extractive industry is either accountable to thepeople, or it isn’t.

Recently,the Shreveport CityCouncil unanimously approved aspecial use permit for adata center.Yet even after that vote, some pro-data center voices continue tospread false claims andinsinuations about the very people who raised concerns.

That should concern us all. If a project is truly safe, transparent and beneficial, why the need to discredit community members after thedecision is made?

This behavior reveals adeeper issue. The questions raised about water use, electrical strain, tax incentives, environmental risk and long-term accountability were never fully answered. Smear tactics are not aresponse to those concerns; they are an attempt to silence dissent Louisianahas seen this before.

Fence-linecommunities in the south-

ern part of the state werepromised jobsand progress. What followed was pollution, illness and abandonment. Those communities now serve as warnings —not models. North Louisiana should not repeat that history This momentisnot just about data centers. It reflects abroader pattern of rushed approvals and decisions madewithout meaningful public engagement —from school closures to industrial siting. Over time, this breedsapathy,not because people don’tcare, but because they are punished forcaring. At All Streets, All People and through theElla Jo Baker Movement School, we seek tohelp address the work of healing our communities without harming them further We do this,inpart, by ensuring people have thetools to analyze power and organize for our own protection.A unanimous vote does not end accountability.The call to action is simple: Stay engaged.

OMARI HO-SANG founder,All Streets, All People Shreveport

Iread with great interest the article concerning President Donald Trump’sappointment of our illustrious governor as the envoy to promote our takeover of Greenland. My interest was in determining if Gov. Jeff Landry would have to give up his governorship by taking on a second public office role, which Ibelieve Louisiana’sconstitution doesn’t allow.What really caught my eye wasLandry’sstatement that Trump had called him about taking on the position and Trump’squote asserting, “I didn’tcall him;hecalled me.” Either Landry or Trumpisaliar, braggadocious or forgetful. Any one of those qualities does not makefor good leadership.

By the way,how does Trump’s desire to take over Greenland, a territory of one of our allies, differ from Xi Jinping’sdesire forTaiwan and Vladimir Putin’sdiabolical attacks on and annexation of parts of Ukraine? I’msure Xi and Putin can also use supposed security needs to justifythe takeover of their democratic neighbors, but that doesn’t makeitright; it is despotic.

ERINL.LEBLANC NewOrleans

needs to getits sparkleback

The reasons whyLSU’s women’s basketball team lost somerecent games are varied: Notenough spinning, turning, twisting, bulldozing, etc.? Perhaps the reason is because Coach KimMulkey’sclothing lacks its funappeal. Suggestion: Get rid of the classic look, coach! Return to colorful, artistic threads.

KAREN POIRRIER Lutcher

Slightly less disgusting midterms

This year’spolitical struggle concerns control of alegislative branch that controls not much (presidentialismthrough executive orders predominates) or even itself (see its slapdash budgeting). Voters should be disgusted by the empty ritual of choosing everytwo years, from apool of potential legislatorswho donot seem to mind that they do not matter In the 2006, 2010, 2018 and 2022 off-year elections, voters ended an arrangement that theyfrequently forget is usually unfortunate: the president’sparty controlling bothhousesof Congress. Now,after 12 monthswitha president unconstrained byhis party’s supine congressional majorities, chastenedvoters might, come November restore asemblance of checksand balances: divided government.

Party loyalty now eclipses legislators’ institutional pride. So,only divided government can make its Madisonian architecture theseparation of powers;whatwriter Yuval Levin calls “the deliberaterecalcitranceofour system of government” —work. Judging by recent decades of presidential politics, divided government would be representative government: It would represent the nation’sdisposition. There has not been apresidential landslide since 1984, when Ronald Reagan defeated former vice president Walter Monday by 18 points. This was just 12 years afterRichard M. Nixon defeated Sen. George McGovern by 23.2 points,which occurred justeight years after President LyndonB.Johnsondefeated Sen. Barry Goldwaterby 22 6points. Since 1984, the largestmargin of victory was President Bill Clinton’s8.5 points over Sen. Bob Dole in 1996, and the average victory margin has been just 4.6 points. Since 1988, nopresi-

dential candidate has won more than Barack Obama’s53% of the 2008 vote. In 1972, in the Democratic convention roll call of delegates nominating McGovern, thestates were called in ascrambled order to prevent the injustice of alphabetism, discrimination on thebasisofplacement in the alphabet. The country,not being weird, decided the Democrats were. Today,Democrats have pronoun fixations, and Republicans believe whatever thepresident purportstobelieve at the moment, including that trade deficits (present for 50 years) suddenly threaten the nation’s existence. So the parties’ craziness quotients arecomparable. This is one reason why this year’selections probably will again reflect electoral parity —anational shrug. Although midterm electionsare usually referendumson the incumbent president,and although hisnegatives exceed his positives generally,and on key issues (theeconomy immigration), a“blue wave” is unlikely

In the2018 midterm elections, Democrats gained 40 seats. Just eight years later,sophisticated gerrymandering and therigidities of polarization, cause ErinCovey of theCook Political Report to notethatonly three House Republicansrepresent districtswon in 2024 by KamalaHarris. Andjust 10 represent districts that Donald Trumpcarried by 5points or less.

In the1980s, about two dozen states hadasenator from each party.Today just three do (Maine, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin).

Thenation has sorted itself into apeculiar political stasis: ideological convergence during intensifying polarization. Therhetorical ferocity from each party’smost incandescent faction is disguising what has becomeapolitics of emulation.Traditional progressives, andthose conservatives who now are contemptuousoftraditional conserva-

tism, areonly rhetorically,not actually, antagonistic. Julia R. Cartwright of theAmerican Institute for Economic Research notes that many self-designated conservatives —she calls them the New Right —have “mastered populism’ssimple moral drama.” Progressives have long inflamed ordinary political tussles by characterizing them with Manichean rhetoric: thewicked “oppressors” and thevirtuous “oppressed.” Now,faux conservatives are paying progressives thecompliment of plagiarism, celebrating the virtuous “people” against thecorrupt “elites.” Voters’ choice is between these binary moral dramas. Somechoice. As Cartwright says, “Many of the New Right’s current policies would have been familiar to theLeft adecade ago: tariffs and industrial policy; fixation on the trade deficit as anational scoreboard; agrowing willingness to police speech in thename of public morality or national cohesion; and an eagerness to bend independent institutionstoexecutive will. This is apolitically marketable package because it translates frustration into concrete action: use thestate. The rhetoric is crisp, the villains are named, and the time horizon is now.”

For prudent voters and actual conservatives (andtheir congenial cousins, classical liberals), the proper time horizon is tomorrow. They are, Cartwright says, “less concerned withwho wields power today and more with designing constraints that minimizedamage when power is inevitably misused tomorrow.”

This year,voters can produce the constraint of divided government. And can seed Congress with members of bothparties disgusted by what it has become.

Email George Will at georgewill@ washpost.com

Trump’sragemachine runs on distraction

Donald Trump andhis top lieutenants believe there is no such thing as climate change. Donald Trump andhis top lieutenants are worriedsick abouthow the melting of theArcticpolar icecap is opening anew Northwest Passage that is adeveloping national-security threat.

Oneofthe moreperplexing riddlesofthe age: How can there be an emerging sea routethrough theArcticthatposes adefense threat to theUnited States if there is no Arcticmelting that creates a fresh sea route?

Washington isn’ttaking on that question,whichwemight callthe Great Contradiction.But it does explain another mystery,stoked by the American adventureinVenezuela: Trump’s obsession withobtaining Greenland, nowcontrolledbyDenmark.

The stakes of wrestling withthe climate change/ national-security contradiction are high.

There’sthe forbiddenact of questioning the president’s viewonanything, especially his conviction globalwarming is a“hoax.” There’s the cost of ignoring thethreat, coming notonly from Russia, which sits as littleas2.4 miles from the U.S. across theBering Strait, butalso fromChina, which sits farfrom the Arcticand cannot— here comes another riddle —plausibly describe itself as an Arcticcountry theway Canada, Russia,and the Scandinaviancountries do.

Instead,China considers itselfa “near Arctic” power raising yetanother riddle.How closedotwo entities have to be to be “near?” China’sapparent answer: about 930 miles

It considers theArcticpart of its“Silk Road,” a metaphor morethana highway;the real Silk Road wasatraderoute between Chinaand theWest.

One unavoidableconclusion, alongwiththe threat thatChinese naval vessels, including nuclear submarines, pose to theUnited States and Canada,isthatBeijing views theArcticaspartof efforts to create traderelations with, andmaybe militaryadvantageover, Europe.

Here’sthe contradiction writ large:Though defensesecretary Pete Hesgeth in Mayorderedthe endofPentagon “references to climate change and related subjects,” he also expressed support for “assessing weather-related impacts on operations, mitigating weather-related risks[or] conducting environmental assessments.”

Surely,Ihave plenty of company in wanting to jump off the Donald Trump distraction express. Rageisits fuel.A weekend isn’tshort enough to contain the demands on attention.Justthis last two-day break encountered: The cinematic ICE raids in Minneapolis Threats against Exxon for itsskepticism over Trump’splans forVenezuela. Astated willingnessto bombIran. His vow to take over Greenland “one way or another.” Apatently sham investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. Angst over thesocial unrest in Minneapolis took centerstage with the fatal shootingof Renee Good thefocus of back-and-forth anger Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem declared that the ICE officer fired at Good out of self-defense: “I saw the tapes. Iknow what happened.”But she didn’t. An investigation of thetapes is still in progress. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey didn’tknow either,thoughheinsisted that Good was an innocent mother murdered in cold blood. “I’m biased becauseI got two eyes,” he said.“Anybody can see thesevideos. Anybody can see that this victim is not adomesticterrorist.” Experts in law enforcementkept sayingthatthey must waitfor an investigation before reaching for aconclusion. What happened could have been an ICE officer being run down or an ICE officer acting out of self-defense There’sanother interpretation of the tapes that might muddy the waters WasGood reallyjust asweet mother with stuffed animals in theback of her SUV?That ignoresthe possibilitythat she was invoking White privilege. You see her wife is holding thephone in theICE agent’sface and taunting him, “You wanna come at us?” Then there’s the part where Good refusesorders to get out of thecar.She smiles at the officer,under her halo of strawberry blonde hair,and says, “That’sfine, dude, I’m not mad at you.” Then she starts driving off. ICE critics swallow the presentation whole. They don’tsee the hintofmockery—anair of “you wouldn’tdosomething to anice White lady like me.” It would seem unlikely that aperson of color,male or female, and in alesser vehicle would have flipped off the police like that.

My twoeyesadded that scenario to the others. It didn’t follow that the ICE officer had to shoot Good, but informed lawenforcement opinion seems right: An investigation is in order Both sides on such emotional confrontationsensure Trump’scontrol of thenews. Trump needs Americansto keepfighting one another.The fight is theobjective. It’smoreimportantthan winning thefight. “I bring rage out,” Trumphas said. “I do bring rage out. Ialways have. Idon’t knowifthat’s an asset or liability,but whatever it is, Ido.” Trumphas conceded that enraging people is thesecret sauce in his political effectiveness. After all, that is how he managed to put together aviolent attack on the

Capitol based on proven lies of astolen election. Sure, he’dpassed them off to his low-information followers, some mentally unbalanced, manywith rap sheets. Butthey were people whom he’d already pumped up over avariety of grievances. Some beefs were real, but thephony ones worked, too. Andhow easy inventing new conflictshas become now that seemingly everybody has avideo camera on their cellphones —and Trumpissupplying daily new “footage” for their social media feeds.

Alas,wecan’tdepend on aclever opposition to deny him thedramatic street scenes he gins up, directing attention away from what he doesn’t want spotlighted. Imean, who is talking about the Epstein files these days?

Froma is Harrop on X, @FromaHarrop.

It’s minus 8degrees FahrenheitinIqaliut,the capital of Canada’sNunavut territory,asthis is being written. So there’s notmuchofa Northwest Passage— the phrase comes from thesix-centuryoldfascination withasea lane from theAtlanticto thePacific,apreoccupation that bedazzledEuropean explorers in thecolonialperiod —toworry about, andwon’tbefor several months.

But militaryofficialsinboth Canada andthe UnitedStates are worryingnow,especially because Chinawas abletosenda“research submarine”beneath theArcticOcean this summer. Nowanother riddle:Whatexactlywerethe Chinese researching? Very likely nothow foxesand ravensfeast on thecarrion remains frompolar bears’ feeding habits. Could they be examining whetherglobal warming provides them accesstoa potential staging area foranattack on NorthAmerica, especially giventhe sparse population in the area? (Nunavut hasapopulation of density of about one-tenth of aperson persquare mile. Wyoming, the least dense of the continental American states, is 600 times denser than that.)

Physicsand chemistry knownoequationsremotelylikethis:(Meltingice +increasing big-power activityinthe region) ÷climate-change denial= increased national-security threat.

At thesame time, Russia’sexpansionist impulses (see Ukraine,invasion of) only addtothe need for themilitary buildup that theUnited States and Canada are undertaking— even as thetwo countries spar over tariffs andasCanada, withits new burst of nationalism, is less and less amenable to American influenceand commerce. There may be no Kentucky bourbon beingsoldinCanadianliquor outlets, but there’snolack of interestincooperation withthe United States on Arcticdefense

The twocountries monitor Arcticmovements, particularlythe oceanographicsurvey ships and submarines that China have deployed, but their own national security isn’tthe only concern. Another: thepotential of China using theArcticfor swift passageofnaval battleships or submarines from Asia to Europe.

Urgencyover theArctichas come andgone many times.“Such interest is usually ephemeral, andmarked by clashes of interest between indigenouspeoples, non-indigenous settlers, external commercial interests, andgovernments,”according to an October report by theArcticInstitute’s Center forCircumpolar Security Studies.

It’s oneofthe many regional hazards. “Getting sensors in place to see what is happening in our territory andthe approaches to ourterritory,”General Wayne Eyre, chiefofthe CanadianDefense Staff from 2021 to 2024, saidinaninterview, “is part of this.”

So,the Trump team insists, is an American Greenland.

EmailShribman at dshribman@post-gazette. com.

Froma Harrop

David Shribman

George Will

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By JULIA DEMAREENIKHINSON

President Donald Trumpspeaks to reporters while in flight on Air Force OnetoJoint Base Andrews, Md.

SWEET16-0

BY EDDIE PELLS AP national writer

MIAMI GARDENS,Fla Fernando Mendoza bulldozedhis way into the end zone and Indiana bullied its way intothe history books Monday night, toppling Miami 27-21 to put the finishing touch on arags-to-riches story,anundefeated season and the national title.

The Heisman Trophywinner finished with 186 yardspassing, but itwas his

tackle-breaking,sprawled-out 12-yard touchdown run on fourthand 4with 9:18 left that defined this game and the Hoosiers’ season. Indiana would not be denied.

“I had to go airborne,”said Mendoza, who had his lip split and his arm bloodied by aferocious Miami defense that sacked him three times and hit him many more. “I would die for my team.”

ä See GAME, page 3C

BY TOYLOY BROWNIII Staff writer

BY WILSON ALEXANDER Staff writer

MIAMI GARDENS,Fla. TwoIndiana fans looked at each other afew minutesbefore kickoff of thenational championship game.

“Can you believe we’re here?” one said.

The other shook hishead. Can youbelieveit, either? Thatcollege footballwould gettoaplace where

David Patrick didn’thesitate to answer the call of one of his former players anda closefriends.

Before the current LSU associate head coach embarked on hisfirst season leading Sacramento State in 2022, Todd Golden visited him. He sought advice on assembling acoachingstaff afterleavingSan Francisco to take over at Florida.

“I sharedabout who would complement him,” Patrick said. “Ultimately,Toddmadehis right choices, but he definitelyleaned on me on who he should talkto, who he should connectwith in this re-

what happened Monday night is possible? Indiana has been a college footballafterthoughtfor most of its existence, aschool thatcared more about basketball thananything else.Its own fans thought they could only dream of such

ä See ALEXANDER, page 3C

gion. Because when you come from thewest coast, youknow, it’s hard to adapt quickly in the southeast, where he’snever lived along portion of his life.” Golden’scoaching origins beganduring his playing days at St Mary’s(2004-08). The California Catholic school with fewerthan 3,000 enrollees waswhere he met Patrick, aSt. Mary’sassistant (2006-10) and coaches who taught himwhatittakes to win games. Patrick watched the future national championship-winning coach go

froma walk-on to starting point guard. Patrick, 49, views Golden, 40, like alittlebrother.Their friendship extends beyond the basketball court, with Patrick attendingGolden’s wedding and Golden attending the birthday party of Patrick’s1-yearold daughter

Their bond will pause fora couple of hours whenLSU (13-5, 1-4 SEC) plays Florida (13-5, 4-1) at 6p.m.Tuesday at theO’Connell Center in Gainesville, Florida. This will be the third time they have competed againsteach other as coaches.

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza holds the trophyafter their win against Miami in

Iowa breaks into top 10

BY DOUG FEINBERG

basketball writer

Iowa cracked the top 10 for the first time in two years and UConn remained the unanimous No. 1 choice in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll. The Hawkeyes last were ranked this high in the final poll of Caitlin Clark’s senior year They had been as high as 11th a few times this season.

UConn received all 30 firstplace ballots from a national media panel as the top six teams in the poll were unchanged from a week earlier The Huskies have won 34 consecutive games dating back to last season UConn hosted former Big East rival Notre Dame late Monday; the Fighting Irish fell out of the poll this week No. 2 South Carolina and No. 3 UCLA were next. Texas remained fourth despite losing to South Carolina 68-65 last week. Vanderbilt and LSU were next while Michigan moved up a spot to seventh with Louisville, TCU and Iowa rounding out the top 10. Each team climbed one place after Kentucky lost to Mississippi State on Sunday The Wildcats fell four spots to 11th.

Soaring Blue Devils

Duke vaulted back into the poll at No. 21 after winning its 10th consecutive game last week. The team was seventh in the preseason Top 25 before dropping six

of its first nine games including to LSU, to fall out. Duke has been on a hot streak over the last month to get back in the poll.

Rising Tigers

Princeton moved up to No. 20 this week, the team’s best ranking since the Tigers were 13th in the final poll of 2015. They had a 13-game winning streak heading into Monday’s game against Harvard. The lone defeat on the season came against Maryland.

Falling Cyclones

Iowa State dropped out of the poll for the first time this season after losing its fifth consecutive game on Sunday The Cyclones were 10th on Dec. 22, but have steadily fallen down the rankings since.

Conference supremecy

The SEC has nine teams in the Top 25 for the second straight week. The Big Ten is next with seven as Washington re-entered

Arizona unanimous No. 1 for

Clemson climbs four spots; North Carolina drops eight

BY JOHN MARSHALL

AP sportswriter

Arizona is the unanimous No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll for the first time. The Wildcats received all 61 votes from a media panel in Monday’s poll, a week after picking up all but one first-place vote. Arizona (18-0) won both of its games last week to remain among the three undefeated Division I teams and earn the program’s first unanimous No. 1 ranking — according to Sportradar — after Iowa State lost twice. The Cyclones, who received one first-place vote last week, dropped seven spots to No. 9 after their undefeated season ended. Arizona has been ranked No. 1 for six straight weeks, its longest run since eight straight in 201314 when the Wildcats opened 210. UConn, Michigan, Purdue and Duke rounded out the top five. No. 7 Nebraska (18-0) won both its games last week to remain undefeated and moved up a spot this week to notch its highest ranking ever No. 24 Saint Louis (17-1) is ranked for the first time since reaching No. 22 in 2021 after stretching its winning streak to 11 straight.

No. 25 Miami (Ohio) is ranked for the first time since a threeweek stint in the AP Top 25 in 1998-99. The Red Hawks blew out Central Michigan on Tuesday, but needed overtime to beat Buffalo 105-102 on Saturday pulling it out on Pete Suder’s 3-pointer with just over a second remaining.

Rising/falling

No. 18 Clemson made the biggest move among teams already

in the poll, climbing four places with wins over Boston College and Miami Texas Tech moved up three places to No. 12 following wins over Utah and then-No. 11 BYU. No. 22 North Carolina had the week’s biggest drop, losing eight places after being swept by the ACC’s Bay Area schools No. 9 Iowa State lost seven spots following losses to two unranked teams, Kansas and Cincinnati. No. 15 Vanderbilt dropped five places after seeing its undefeated season come to an end with losses to Texas and No. 16 Florida.

In and out

No. 19 Kansas returned to the poll after being left out last week after handing Iowa State its first loss and beating Baylor by 18. Saint Louis and Miami (Ohio) were the only other teams to join this week’s poll. Tennessee dropped out from No. 24 after blowing a 17-point lead in an 80-78 loss to Kentucky Utah State’s road loss to Grand Canyon knocked the Aggies out of the poll from No. 23. Seton Hall didn’t receive a sin

the poll this week and Illinois fell out. The Big 12 has five ranked teams after West Virginia returned to the rankings. The ACC has two while the Big East and Ivy League each have one.

Game of the week

No. 5 Vanderbilt at No. 2 South Carolina, Sunday The Commodores will put their undefeated SEC record on the line against the Gamecocks in a key SEC matchup. Vanderbilt is off to its best start in two decades.

on Saturday.

gle vote and dropped out of the poll from No. 25 after losses to UConn and Butler Conference watch Kansas’ return to the poll gives the Big 12 Conference a

nation’s best six ranked teams. The Southeastern Conference, Big Ten and ACC each have five ranked teams. The Big East, West Coast, Atlantic-10 and Mid-American conferences have one each.

Hafley, Dolphins reach agreement on coaching job

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins and Jeff Hafley have reached an agreement to make the former Boston College head coach and Packers defensive coordinator their coach, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Monday Hafley replaces Mike McDaniel, who was fired after going 35-33 in four seasons. The Dolphins also fired longtime general manager Chris Grier during the season. Hafley, who spent two seasons in Green Bay, met with the Dolphins for a second interview earlier Monday before he was offered the job. He will rejoin new GM JonEric Sullivan in Miami.

The 46-year-old Hafley left his job at Boston College in 2024 to become defensive coordinator in Green Bay

Seahawks RB Charbonnet out for playoffs with injury

SEATTLE Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet will miss the remainder of the playoffs with a knee injury that requires surgery coach Mike Macdonald said in a local radio interview on Monday

Charbonnet injured his knee during Saturday night’s 41-6 win over the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC divisional round.

During the regular season, Charbonnet led the Seahawks with 12 rushing touchdowns, as well as added 730 yards, which trailed only Kenneth Walker III for the team lead.

Charbonnet became the first Seahawks running back since Marshawn Lynch in 2014 to rush for at least 10 touchdowns in a season

Falcons coach Stefanski will retain DC Ulbrich

ATLANTA Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has been retained on new coach Kevin Stefanski’s staff, the team announced Monday The decision to keep Ulbrich came two days after Stefanski was named as the replacement for fired coach Raheem Morris. Ulbrich carried the endorsement of Falcons owner Arthur Blank, who had said when Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot were fired that he would recommend but not mandate the new coach keep the defensive coordinator In Ulbrich’s first season as defensive coordinator, the Falcons set a team record with 57 sacks, one year after finishing next-tolast in the league with 31.

Kansas hoops coach Self doesn’t travel with team LAWRENCE,Kan Kansas coach Bill Self did not accompany the Jayhawks to Boulder for their game Tuesday night at Colorado after being taken to a hospital in Lawrence on Monday the school said. Kansas’ athletic department said in a statement that Self was feeling under the weather and went to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. Self felt better after receiving IV fluids, the school said. It was not immediately clear if Self would attempt to travel for the game or if an assistant would run the bench for the 19th-ranked Jayhawks.

Self, 63, missed the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments in 2023 because of a heart condition, getting a standard catheterization and having two stents inserted.

Thunder

guard Williams out with hamstring strain

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams has a right hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in a couple of weeks, a significant loss for the defending NBA champions. The 6-foot-6 Williams was named an All-Star last season for the first time and was selected all-defensive second-team and All-NBA third-team. He is averaging 16.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists this season and has helped the Thunder compile a league-best 35-8 record. He was hurt during the second quarter of Saturday’s 122-120 loss at Miami. The team said then that he had right thigh soreness, though he grabbed his right hamstring as he limped off the court. Ajay Mitchell likely will pick up most of the slack.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NICK ROHLMAN owa guard Addison Deal, left, high-fives teammates during a

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By NAM y. HUH Nebraska forward Berke Buyuktuncel, top left, blocks a shot by Northwestern forward Tre Singleton, top right, during a game in Evanston, Ill.,

CFPChampionship

THREEAND OUT: WILSON ALEXANDERGIVES HISTHREE TAKEAWAySFROMINDIANA’S SHININGMOMENT

INDIANA MAKES HISTORY

1

With the win, Indiana became the first FBS team to complete a16-0 season in the modernera, an accomplishment made possible by the expansion of the College Football Playoff twoyears ago.Theonlyother 16-0 teaminhigh-levelcollegefootballhistory was yale in 1894. North Dakota State also went 16-0 in 2019 in theFCS.The Hoosiers are notthe best team ever, but theywill have to be mentioned in the conversation now.

2

MENDOZA EARNS HIS MOMENT

Indiana controlled the entire first half to takea 10-0 lead, but Miami wouldnot go away.Itcut the deficit to one score threeseparate timesinthe second half, making it 24-21midwaythrough the fourth quarter.But Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza made several clutch plays. He hit wide receiver Charlie Becker on twoback-shoulder fades to move the chains,and he scoredIndiana’s final touchdown on a12-yard runonfourth down.

3

IT’S THE BIGTEN —AGAIN cades of dominance by theSEC,the BigTen has asserted its control. Indiana followedMichigan (2023) and Ohio State (2024) to give the conference itsthird straight national championship.The win marked the first time since1940-42 that the Big Tenwon three titles in arow.The last time theSEC went three straight years without winning it all was 1999-2002. Howmuchlonger is thestreakgoing to last

ASSOCIATEDPRESS PHOTO By LyNNE SLADKy

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendozalookstopass against Miami during the first half of the CollegeFootballPlayoff national championshipgame on Mondayin Miami Gardens, Fla

Hemby2-5. MISSED FIELDGOALS_Miami,Davis 50.

Mendoza’sTDgaveturnaround

artistCurt Cignetti’steam a2414 lead —barely enoughbreathing room to hold offa frenzied charge by the hard-hitting Hurricanes, who came to life in the second half behind 112 yards and two scores fromrunning back Mark Fletcher butnever took the lead.

The College Football Playoff trophy now heads to the most unlikely of places: Bloomington, Indiana —acampusthatendured anation-leading 713 losses over 130-plus years of football before Cignetti arrived two years ago to embark on arevival for the ages “Took some chances,found a way.Let me tell you: We wonthe national championship at Indiana University.Itcan bedone,” Cignetti said.

Indiana finished16-0byusing the extra games afforded by the expanded 12-teamplayoff to match aperfect-season win total last compiled by Yale in 1894. In afitting bit of symmetry,this undefeated title comes 50 years after Bob Knight’sbasketball team went 32-0 to win it all in that state’sfavorite sport.

That hasn’thappened since, and there’salready some thought that collegefootball —inits evolving, money-soaked era —might not seeateam like this again for a while, either Players such as Mendoza— a transferfrom Cal who grew up just afew milesaway from Miami’s campus —certainly don’t come around often.

Twofourth-down gambles by Cignetti in the fourth quarter,afterFletcher’ssecondtouchdown carved the Hurricanes’ deficit to

Continued from page1C

success, but what was once unfathomable has become reality Indiana football won its first national championship by beating Miami 27-21, completing aturnaround that no one saw coming two years ago. It beat ablueblood that has struggled to meet expectations for most of the past twodecades but still ownsfour national titles. ThereweresomanyIndiana fans in the crowd of 67,227atHard Rock Stadium that Miami got booed running into its ownstadium.

“This is the standard now,” Indiana wide receiver Charlie Becker said. The win showed college football fundamentally has changed. Longtime bottom dwellershavebecome competitive, and no one has done abetter job than Indiana. Before the arrival of head coach Curt Cignetti,the Hoosiers never had a

three, put Mendoza in positionto shine.

The first was a19-yard completion to Charlie Becker on abackshoulderfadethose guys have been perfecting all season.Four plays latercame adecision and play that wins championships.

Cignetti sent his kickerout on fourth and 4from the 12, but he quicklycalled hissecond timeout. Theteamhuddled on thefield and the coach drew up aquarterback draw,hopingthe Hurricanes would be in adefense they had shown before “Werolled the dice and said, ‘They’re goingtobeinitagain’, andtheywere,”Cignettisaid. “Weblocked it well, he broke a tackle or two and got in the end zone.”

Notknown as arun-first guy, Mendoza slipped one tackle, then took ahit and spun around. He kept hisfeet, then left them, going horizontaland stretching the ball out —aready-made poster picture for atitle run straight from the movies.

Maybe they’ll call it “Hoosiers.”

This was aprogram so badthat a coach once stopped the game early to take apicture of the scoreboard when it read “Indiana 7, Ohio State 6.” TheHoosiers lost 47-7.

This year,though, theybeat Ohio State in the Big Tentitle game on their way to the top seed in the playoff. They wontheir first twogames by acombined score of 94-25, and Mendoza threw more touchdown passes (eight) thanincompletions

double-digit win season. They entered this year with the mostlosses in Division Ihistory.They had not finished in the top 5ofThe Associated Press Top25Poll since1967. All of that has changednow.Indiana became thefirst FBS team to go 16-0inthe modern era,a feat made possible by theexpansionofthe College Football Playoff twoyears ago. The only other 16-0 teaminmajor college footballhistory was Yale in 1894. In the FCS, NorthDakota State also went 16-0 in 2019. None of thiswould have happenedatIndiana —atleast notlike this —even fiveyears ago. But directplayer compensation and the transfer portal transformedhow rostersget built,making it possible for anyone to compete. Indiana captured thenationaltitle the same yearthatVanderbilt won 10 games and TexasTech wonthe Big12for the first time. The Hoosiers couldbeanoutlier Cignetti said himselftheydonot have eight first-round NFLdraft

(five) This onewas nowhere near as easy Fletcher was aone-man force, hittingtripledigitsfor the third time in four playoff games and turning amoribund offense into somethingmuch more.

Hisfirst touchdown run was a57yardburst throughthe right side that pulled Miami within 10-7 early in the third quarter But afterforcing an Indianapunt deep intoMiamiterritory,Hoosiers lineman Mikail Kamaraslid past theCanes’protectorsonan ensuring put attempt andblocked the kick. Isaiah Jones recovered in the end zone to make it 17-7, and Miami was in comeback modethe rest of the way. It ended as aone-scoregame, and the Canes —the visiting team playing on their homefield —moved into Indiana territory before Carson Beck’sheave got pickedoff by JamariSharpe,a Miami native who made sure the only miracle in this season would be Indiana’s.

picksonthe team. TexasTech improvedbecause of asignificantfinancialinvestmentinthe roster, and Cignetti claimed “ourNIL is nowherewhat people think it is.” Butcan you imagine ateam like Indiana really making a run when Alabama andGeorgia stockpiled talentthe way they used to?

Fortunes can change quickly now,too. Cignetti, 64, is the first coach to wina national championship in his first or second seasonwithateam since Gene Chizik at Auburn in 2010. Chizik had quarterback Cam Newton carrying his team. Cignetti assembled aroster without afive-star recruit and only two four-star prospects He was thehead coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvaniaadecadeago,and he brought the core of his team withhim from James Madison.

“Back when Iwas waxing the staff table at IUP on Thanksgiving weekend and school was shutting down for theplayoffs,did Iever

think something like this waspossible?”Cignetti said. “Probably not. But if youkeep your nose down in life and you keep working, anything is possible.”

It still took several gutsy calls.

With Indiana leading 17-14 early in the fourth quarter,itfaced a fourthand 5from the Miami 37yard line. Cignetti went forit, and Heisman Trophy winning quarterbackFernando Mendoza completed aback-shoulder fade to Becker Whenthe drive stalledfourplays later,Cignettisentout his field goal team on fourth and 4atthe 12-yard line. It didn’tfeelright, and he calledtimeout.

“Get off the field!” Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith recalled Cignetti saying. “We’re going for it!”

With about 20 seconds left in thetimeout, Indiana decided to runaquarterback draw.Mendoza bounced off one tackle as he picked up the firstdown, spun around and extended the ball across the goal linewhenhedovetowardthe end

“Did Ithink something like this waspossible?Probably not,” Cignetti said. “But if you keep your nose downand keep working, anything is possible.”

zone. Four Miamidefenders were closing in on him, and Mendoza took ahit.His touchdown wasthe last of the game.

“I would diefor those guys on the field,” Mendoza said.

“I think that will be asnapshot in my head for years to come,” Smith said. “I don’tthink I’ll forget about that until Idevelop dementia.” Miamiresponded with another touchdown drive,but Mendoza completed another back-shoulder throw to Becker on third and 7on the ensuing possession. The 19yard gain helpedset up Indiana for afield goal, and Miami quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with less than aminute left to end it. Red and white confetti burst onto the field. “Fernando” by ABBA playedover the loudspeakers. Indiana had won the national championship. Thatmay takesome getting used to, but there’snoreason to think it will be the only time something improbable happens again.

head coach Curt Cignetti

championship game on MondayinMiami Gardens, Fla

NBA announces ‘starters’ for new All-Star Game

BY TIM REYNOLDS

AP basketball writer

The first World team for the NBA All-Star Game is already looking loaded. And the fate of LeBron James’ record streak of All-Star selections will be decided by coaches, or perhaps even NBA commissioner Adam Silver Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Denver’s Nikola Jokic, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Luka Doncic and San Antonio’s Victor Wembanyama were among those announced Monday as starters for next month’s AllStar Game in Inglewood, California. They’re likely heading to the World team, which will take on two teams of U.S. players as part of yet another new format for the midseason showcase.

The NBA announced 10 starters, five from each conference. Golden State’s Stephen Curry, New York’s Jalen Brunson, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, Philadelphia’s Tyrese Maxey and Boston’s Jaylen Brown all are presumably headed to the U.S. squads that will play in the three-team, round-robin tournament on Feb 15 — all 12-minute mini-games, with the top two teams advancing to a 12-minute championship game.

“It’s still as special as the first one was, honestly,” Gilgeous-Alexander said of the All-Star nod. “I grew up watching All-Star games as a kid, dreaming about playing in them. To be able to play in them will always have that same feeling.”

Starters wer e selected through a weighted formula, with fan voting counting for 50% of a player’s ranking; the votes of a 100-member panel of broadcasters and reporters counting for 25%; and voting by NBA players themselves counting for the remaining 25%.

What is the format?

There will be three teams of at least eight players. Games will be one standard NBA quarter, or 12 minutes long.

Team A will play Team B in Game 1. The winner of that game will play Team C in Game 2 The loser of Game 1 will play Team C in Game 3.

The teams with the best two records will play in the championship game. If all three teams are 1-1, point differential would be the tiebreaker

Where things stand

The league typically has 10 starters picked by the weighted formula voting, then 14 reserves by the coaches, and that’s also the case this year

It’s just different.

In a standard All-Star Game — two teams, 12 players per side the old voting formula works out perfectly But this is three teams, with eight players per side. That means at least 15 players will “start” a game in the All-Star tournament.

Therefore, it’s guaranteed that some players who weren’t announced as starters Monday will start on Feb 15.

LeBron’s status

James, for the first time in 22 years, wasn’t among the group selected as a starter

His record run of 20 consecutive All-Star Game appearances — not selections, that streak continued — ended last season when he bowed out of another mini-tournament format citing foot and ankle injuries. He could still make it as a reserve, with those 14 spots to be decided by a polling of NBA head coaches.

And he also could get an invite as an injury replacement if one is needed, with Silver picking those players when necessary

2023,

Richard making point clear for LSU, Mulkey

BY REED DARCEY Staff writer

Before the LSU women’s basketball team beat Oklahoma on Sunday, someone asked associate head coach Bob Starkey whether he and the rest of coach Kim Mulkey’s staff knew that Jada Richard could play as well as she is now Starkey knew the answer He has for a while. When it comes to the new LSU lead point guard, what may not have been obvious to folks outside of the program was clear to those inside of it.

“She’ s the type of player right now,” Starkey said, “th at we thought she was going to be.”

the nation’s premier circuits, she flew under the national recruiting radar

ESPN said she was only the 90th-best prospect in her class. LSU didn’t mind. Mulkey and her staff made her their lone 2024 freshman signee anyway

“She was a very very competitive defensive player in high school,” Starkey said, “and also quick off the bounce that could shoot the basketball. It was just a matter of her transferring that to the collegiate level.” Richard has notched at least 10 points in four of the five league contests the Tigers (17-2, 3-2 SEC) have played so far She hit that mark only twice last year, and neither was against SEC teams. This season, she needed only two conference matchups to tally more points (26) than she did in 16 SEC games last season.

PATRICK

Continued from page 1C

“He won’t be talking to me, and I won’t be talking to him game day,” Patrick said.

Patrick said competing against a close friend and a former player is tricky because he normally enjoys seeing others’ success. He also views the opportunity another way

“One, it means I’m getting older,” he said with a laugh “Two, it means you been part of the right programs to see your former players or former colleagues go on to have success as a coach. As much as it sucks, it means that you’re keeping good company in your journey.”

Another connection Patrick has at Florida is associate head coach Korey McCray, who was an assistant at LSU during the 2013-14 season that coincided with Patrick’s first stint with the Tigers from 2012-16 under head coach Johnny Jones.

Patrick and Golden come from the coaching tree of St. Mary’s head coach Randy Bennett, who is in his 25th season with the Gaels. The West Coast Conference program, which has gone to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments, was an early adopter of using analytics to inform coaching decisions. The advanced metrics frontier helped the staff decide on Golden as the starting point guard.

“The ‘Moneyball’ stats that everyone does now, back in the early 2000s, that was not en vogue,” Patrick said. “Coach would always say, ‘Man, Todd’s playing better than this guy just doesn’t look the part.’ And so when we

inserted him, our wins went up.”

During the 2007-08 season, St. Mary’s earned a victory against rival WCC powerhouse Gonzaga in the first meeting of the regular season before making the NCAA Tournament. Golden, a senior, had 19 points and made all six of his 3-pointers in the 89-85 overtime win against Gonzaga.

“He was a guy that did more with less,” Patrick said of Golden.

“He looked exactly the same as he does now probably with less hair and a young baby face, going out there competing at a high level.

So you could tell he was always going to be, probably a businessman before you thought coach because he’s very smart.

The pull toward coaching was helped by his competitive streak as someone who was “tougher than he looks” on the court, Patrick said. The analytical approach Golden uses today is influenced by his and Patrick’s time with the Gaels. The Florida coach’s first assistant job at Columbia was under coach Kyle Smith, who was an assistant for Bennett at St. Mary’s (2001-10) and now leads Stanford.

When Patrick watches Florida, he sees the St Mary’s “DNA.” He even has a good idea about who will be substituted after timeouts when he watches the Gators because he knows Golden’s values.

When their battle concludes, Patrick will continue cheering for his friend’s success.

“That’s what you coach for,” Patrick said. “Leave your players or your student-athletes better than you found them. It’s a blessing to be a piece of his life and still be involved in it. It’s great to see that the foundation laid by coach Bennett and our staff is set with him, and he’s put his own twist on what he’s learned.”

Last season, when Richard was a freshman, she couldn’t get off the bench. Now Mulkey can’t take her off of the floor She’s become one of the No. 6 Tigers’ most indispensable players. The sophomore from Opelousas is playing more than 30 minutes per game against SEC opponents. She logged a teamhigh 37 minutes Sunday in a 91-72 win over Oklahoma, tallying a career-high 21 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals. LSU outscored the No. 16 Sooners by 20 points when she was in the game.

That kind of showing was routine for Richard when she was at Lafayette Christian. She was a Gatorade Louisiana player of the year, and she scored nearly 3,000 career points.

But because Richard is just 5-foot-7, and because she didn’t play AAU basketball on one of

A year later, Richard has a much larger role She now can score at all three levels, as she showed against Oklahoma. She drained floaters around the rim, pull-up jumpers from the midrange and she even nailed a stepback 3-pointer in the first quarter, which helped LSU climb out of an early nine-point hole. Richard also drew the primary assignment of defending star freshman Aaliyah Chavez, who shot only 3 of 14 from the field.

“I would say she did a great job of just controlling the tempo on defense,” Flau’jae Johnson said, “getting back in transition. We had a couple of lapses in transition, but overall, Jada controlled the pace. She really controlled the whole dynamic on defense, so I would say it was her really dictating what Oklahoma did on

those actions.” That responsibility is an important part of the job description for Mulkey point guards. They’re in charge of defending the point of attack. They have to prevent opposing ballhandlers from dribble penetrating and drawing help defenders something Richard can do because she has quick feet and a low center of gravity

“She has a voice on the floor now,” Starkey said. “She doesn’t have a problem saying something to Flau’jae or Mikaylah (Williams) or any of our players, in terms of getting them in the right place or telling them something that they need to do or some area they need to pick up upon.

“So that voice has been, I think, the biggest change.”

Richard’s emergence is especially notable because LSU has struggled for the last two seasons to find someone whose skills fit the role that Mulkey wants her point guards to play. Alexis Morris knew how to run the system, but she exhausted her eligibility after the Tigers’ national title run in 2023.

Hailey Van Lith wasn’t the right fit in 2023-24. Neither was Shayeann Day-Wilson or Last-Tear Poa or Mjracle Sheppard last season.

Some of them could move the ball, defend the point of attack or shoot off of the dribble. But none of them could master all three of those skills the way Richard has this season, giving the Tigers the production from point guard they’ve been trying to find for the past two seasons.

“She’s everything that we thought she was gonna be,” Starkey said.

Vanderbilt women hold off Michigan

By The Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J Freshman guard

Aubrey Galvan hit a late free throw and finished with 20 points as No. 5 Vanderbilt beat No 7 Michigan 72-69 on Monday as part of a doubleheader played at the Prudential Center Galvan was 7 of 14 from the field, and Mikayla Blakes and Justine Pissott scored 14 points apiece for Vanderbilt, which ran its season-opening winning steak to 19 games.

Syla Swords and Kendall Dudley each scored 16 points for Michigan (15-3). Olivia Olson added 14 points as the Wolverines had their four-game winning streak halted.

The Wolverines trailed by 17 points in the first half before battling back and closing within 6563 with two minutes remaining Vanderbilt got a jumper from Aiyana Mitchell and a 3-pointer from Galvan to increase its lead to 70-63 with 3:03 left.

Dudley’s layup with 44 seconds left pulled Michigan within 71-69. Galvan hit a free throw with three seconds left that gave

Vanderbilt a three-point lead, and a 3-point try from the corner by Swords fell short as time expired NO 1 UCONN 85, NOTRE DAME 47: In

Storrs, Conn., Sarah Strong had 18 points, including the 1,000th of her career, and UConn beat Notre Dame to extend its winning streak to 19 games. Strong added 11 rebounds, three steals and three blocked shots as the Huskies (19-0) snapped a three-game losing streak against Notre Dame. KK Arnold had 12 points, five assists, two steals and one turnover while drawing the defensive assignment on Notre Dame star Hannah Hidalgo Azzi Fudd added 15 points and Ashlynn Shade finished with 10 points and four assists as UConn won its 35th consecutive game. Hidalgo, who averaged 31.5 points in the previous two games against UConn, had 16 points on 5-of-15 shooting for her 85th straight game of scoring in double figures. Cassandra Prosper

added 12 points for Notre Dame (12-6). NO 12 OHIO STATE 71, NO. 9 TCU 69: In Newark, Chance Gray scored 22 points, Jaloni Cambridge had 18 and Elsa Lemmila added 17 in Ohio State’s victory over TCU. Gray shot 6 of 8 from 3-point range and Cambridge contributed eight assists and six rebounds for Ohio State (17-2), which has won six straight games. A 3-pointer by Gray gave the Buckeyes a 70-66 cushion with 16 seconds left. TCU (18-2) countered with a 3 from Veronica Sheffey with .3 seconds left to make it 70-69 before Cambridge iced it with a free throw NO 20 PRINCETON 82, HARVARD 79, OT: In Princeton, N.J., Madison St. Rose and Ashley Chea each scored 19 points and Princeton beat Harvard in overtime for its 14th consecutive victory Princeton (16-1, 4-0 Ivy League) moved up to No. 20 this week in the AP poll, the team’s best ranking since the Tigers were 13th in the final poll of 2015. The lone defeat on the season came against then-No.9 Maryland on Nov 16.

STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK

Florida head coach Todd Golden coaches against LSU on Jan. 10,

at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center

STAFF PHOTO By MICHAEL JOHNSON LSU guard Jada Richard moves the ball around Texas guard Jordan Lee in the third quarter on Jan. 11 at the

Pete Maravich Assembly Center

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

How former Saints helped swingNFL playoffgames

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

The New Orleans Saints didnot makethe playoffs thisseason, but there were reminders of the franchise across the divisional round.

This past weekend saw anumberofformer Saints —from coaches to players who were on theroster as recently as November—featured in big moments in the postseason, for better and worse. Here’s alookathow former Saints swung thegames.

Sean Payton,Broncos coach

In his third season in Denver, the former Saints head coach has guided his newteam to theAFC championship game thanks to a 33-30 overtime win over theBuffalo Bills. Payton has the chance to become the first coach towin the Super Bowl withtwo different teams, but first he’ll have to pull off one of the finest coaching jobs in his career with backup Jarrett Stidham at quarterback when Denver takes on theNew EnglandPatriotson Sunday.Payton announced after Saturday’swin that quarterback Bo Nix suffered aseason-ending ankle injury.The Saints received a2023 first-round pick and a2024 second-round pick in exchange for Payton anda 2024 third-round pick after he came out of retirementfollowing their split in 2021.

MalcolmRoach,Broncos DT

Like in New Orleans, Roach hasproved to be an excellent rotational defensive lineman

Though he doesn’t start, he can still make ahuge impact,and he did just that against the Bills. The 27-year-oldrecorded 11/2 sacks andrecovered afumbleona turnover-heavy day for Buffalo.

“My dawg ROACH went feral yesterday!” Saints defensive end Cam Jordan tweeted.The Broncos signed Roachasa free agent in 2024 and then gave him athree-year extension worthup to $29.25 million in November WilLutz, Broncoskicker

Released in 2023 after losing atraining camp competition against Blake Grupe, Lutz has rebounded nicely in Denver.He

hit all four ofhis field goals in Saturday’svictory, including the 23-yarder that gave the Broncos the win in overtime. Lutz spent his first six seasons with the Saints.

Lil’Jordan Humphrey,Broncos WR Humphreynever wasa star for NewOrleans, but he was auseful role player.The same role hasemerged inDenver. Despite acrucial drop early in Saturday’s game,Humphreylater caught a 29-yardtouchdown to give the Broncosa 17-10 lead in the first half. He stepped up after wide receivers PatBryant(concussion) and Troy Franklin (hamstring) exited with injuries.

pick who spent his first five seasons with the Saints, didn’thave quite the performancehedid the previous week against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he returned afumble for atouchdown. But the 31-year-old defensive tackle was partofalinethat kept theTexans competitive in their loss to the Patriots, despite an ugly showing from quarterback C.J. Stroud. Rankins had four tackles against NewEngland.

field during aminicamp practice in MetairieonJune 10. Thomas will coach one of the teams in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 31.

BrandinCooks,Bills WR Cooksasked for his release from the Saints after thetrade deadline in partbecause he was confident he could still contribute to ateam in a meaningful way. The Saints granted thatrequest, and Cooks almost had his signature moment against the Broncos. But Cooks was on thewrong end of acontroversial interception that saw Denverdefensive back

Ja’Quan McMillian rip the ball out of the wideout’shands as he went to theground, despite many arguing Cooks should havebeen down by contact. If it had been ruled acompletion, Buffalo would have been in a great spot to kick agame-winning field goal. Instead, Denver went on to win.

Rashid Shaheed, Seahawks WR

The Shaheed trade has turned out to be awin-win for the Saints andSeahawks. New Orleans receiveda fourth- andfifth-round pick from Seattle, while theSeahawks received agame-changer.Shaheed openedSaturday’s lopsidedwin overthe SanFrancisco 49ers with a95-yard touchdownkickoffreturn, histhird special-teamstouchdown since joining Seattle. Shaheed’s latestscoreevencausedaseismic spike, reminiscent of the 2011 “BeastQuake”MarshawnLynch run that took place against the Saints.

SheldonRankins,TexansDT

Rankins, a2016 first-round

Dennis Allen, BearsDC Saywhatyou want aboutAllen’sskills as ahead coach, but the man can coach adefense. Utilizing agame planthatsaw Chicago send a number of blitzes from the slot and edge,his defense was able to harass MVP candidate Matthew Staffordand the Rams. Los Angeles hadtroublemovingthe ball for large parts of Sunday’s game.But theRamsprevailed in overtime, kicking agamewinning field goal to pull off a 20-17 victory

D’MarcoJackson,Bears LB Jackson notonly latched onto Chicago’sroster after he was cut this summer by the Saints buthe also ended up in astarting role because of numerous injuries at linebacker.Jacksonplayed well when given the opportunity, even winning an NFC Defensive Player of theWeek award during the season.Hewas again thrust into astarting roleagainst the Rams, recording seven tackles. C.J. Gardner-Johnson, BearsDB Gardner-Johnson, who spent his first threeseasonswith the Saints, enjoyed abit of aresurgence when he reunited with Allen this season. He thrived in theslotand was partofAllen’s blitz-heavygame planagainst the Rams. Gardner-Johnson recorded four tackles andalso hada key pass breakup on third down in overtime to prevent agame-winning touchdown. Unfortunatelyfor himand the Bears, the Rams then drilleda 42-yard field goal for the win. Email Matthew Paras at matt.paras@theadvocate.com

Billsfire McDermottafter latest playoff disappointment

BY JOHN WAWROW AP sportswriter

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y.— Sean McDermott arrived in Buffalo in2017, envisioning the day of looking out his office window and seeing athrong of fans celebrating aSuper Bowl victory That possibility ended Monday when McDermott wasfiredby team owner Terry Pegula after anine-year tenure in which the coach transformed theBills into perennialcontenders butfell short of reaching the Super Bowl.

The move came two days after aheart-wrenching 33-30overtime loss at Denver in the divisional round of the playoffs.

“Sean helped changethe mindset of this organization and was instrumental in the Bills becoming aperennial playoff team,” Pegula said.

”But Ifeel we are in need of anew structure within our leadership to give this organization thebest opportunity to take our team to the next level.”

The new structure featuresgeneral manager Brandon Beane being promoted to president of football operations. Beane will overseehis first coaching search since arriving in Buffalo five months after McDermott, who replaced Rex Ryan after two seasons in Buffalo.

Beane is expectedtotarget an offensive-minded coachtospur an offense in which quarterback Josh Allen was too often asked to carry the burden.

Despite aseven-year playoff run and Allen setting many franchise passing and scoring records and earning MVP honors last season, the Bills advanced no further than the AFC championship game, which they lost both times to Kansas City in the 2020 and 2024 seasons Buffalo became the league’sfirst

team to win aplayoff round in six consecutive yearsbut not reach the Super Bowl.

McDermott was aware of the shortcomings and addressedthem in August.

“Wetake alot of pride in what we’vedone here. And nobody has more internal drive and internal expectations than Idoorwedo. And very confident in who we are,” McDermott said. “There’sone thing thatremains. We know what that is Butyou can’tget theretomorrow.”

Tomorrownever came.

TheBills went 12-5 in theregular seasonand had their five-year runatop the AFC East end, finishing second behind theNew England Patriots. Each of Buffalo’spastthree playoff losses have beendecided by threepoints.And three of McDermott’splayoff losses ended in overtime.

That includes a42-36 loss to KansasCityinthe 2021 divisional round that’sbecomedubbed “13seconds” —the amount of time Patrick Mahomes had to complete two passes for44yards to setupHarrison But-

ker’stying, 49-yard field goal on the final play of regulation. McDermott, otherwise, led a team that won 10 or more regularseason games over seven straight seasons.

He alsowas credited with guiding the Bills through some difficult moments. The worst came in January 2023 when safety Damar Hamlin nearly diedafter collapsing and needing to be resuscitated on the field during agameatCincinnati.

Hamlin wasone of several current and former players to express theirsupport forMcDermottafter his firing. He posteda note on Xreferring to McDermott as “A True Leader of Men.”

Defensive tackle Jordan Phillips described the firing as “stupid honestly sickening.” Former center Eric Wood posted anotethat read: “Sean is agreat manand will be a great hirefor another organization, and Ihatewecouldn’tget over the humpwith him as HC in Buffalo.” McDermott moved up the NFL ranks as adefensive specialist and was hired by Buffalo after sixseasons as Carolina’scoordinator.

Saints personnel will play huge role in Senior Bowl

BY MATTHEW PARAS Staff writer

TheNew Orleans Saintswill have aheavierpresence than usual at this year’sSenior Bowl.

Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas will serve as the head coach of the American team in the all-star exhibition game featuring players vying to be selectedinthe NFLdraft. He’ll have anumber of other Saints assistants working under him Saintsquarterbacks coach ScottTolzien will serve as offensive coordinator,while linebackers coach Peter Sirmon will coordinate the defense. Kyle Wilber aspecial teams assistant to Phil Galiano, will be the special teams coordinator In addition to the coordinator spots, Saints assistant defensive backs coach Robert Blanton, college scouting coordinator Ziad Qubtiand assistant to the head coach Mike Martinez will be part of Thomas’staff on the American team.

Philadelphia Eagles defensive line coach Clint Hurtt will be the head coach of theNational team. The Senior Bowl, whichprides itself as the unofficial start of the draft,takes place Jan. 31 in Mo-

bile,Alabama.Inthe lead-up to the game, the all-star event hosts threepractices forprospects to compete andbewatched by scouts, coachesand executives from NFLteams.

Thomas, Tolzien, Sirmon and Wilberall joinedthe Saints last year under head coach Kellen Moore.

“I’m honored to be chosen as the American Team head coach for the 2026 Senior Bowl,” Thomas said in astatement. “This is the elite college football all-star gamethat hasfeatured some of the top players in the sport as they look to take that next step in their careers. It givesplayers from schools of all sizes the opportunity to compete, work under thetutelage of NFLcoaches andreceive great exposure to general managers, scouts and coaches.

“I hada great experiencein Mobile in 2025asthe American Team offensivecoordinator and look forward to getting to know and workwith these outstanding young men throughout the week in making this agreat experience forthem.”

Email Matthew Paras at matt. paras@theadvocate.com

Bearsexpectbigger things aheadunder head coach Johnson

BY ANDREWSELIGMAN AP sportswriter

LAKE FOREST,Ill. Therewere all sorts of thoughts running through Caleb Williams’mind as he drove home after the Chicago Bears’ gut-wrenching playoff exit.

Onething that jarred him was the realization that instead of reviewingvideo on Monday,heand his teammates would be clearing outtheir lockers. Williamsalso felt astrong sense of gratitude in the wake of theBears’ 20-17 overtime losstothe Los Angeles Rams in the divisionalround on Sundaynight.

“Tobring life, to bring joy, to bring excitement, to beinga Chicago Bears fan, to be able to cheer for us,” Williams said Monday.“Idotake pride in it. It’sreally cool, honestly,tobeableto havethosesmall things like that. Justbeing able to have the city behind you. Youlose thatgame, you’re walking out of thegame andthe fans standupand cheer androar in atough moment.It goes along way.”

The Bears camealong way underfirst-year coach BenJohnson. Theywent 11-6 and won theirfirst NFCNorthtitle since 2018 after finishing last ayear agoand advanced in the playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Along the way,they provided plenty of thrills. Chicago pulled out an NFL-record seven wins when trailing in thefinaltwo minutes of regulation, including athrilleragainst Green Bay in the wild-card round. AndonSunday, it looked like the Bears might have one more rally in them.

Williams completed 58.1% of his passes and ranked 24th among qualifying players. The only other quarterback below 60% was Tennessee’sCam Ward at 59.8%

“Was Itoo far forward?Was Itoo farback?” Williams said. “Was Inot consistent enough with my footwork and did Ilean offand fall offthe mound, is what we call it? Things like that.” The Bearsdon’thave to worry about their offensive line this offseason. That’sabig change fromrecent years.

General manager Ryan Poles rebuilt the interior of the line by trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman. He also drafted Ozzy Trapilo in the second round.

Thuney, acquired fromKansas City,was first-team All-Pro for thethirdtime. Dalman earned his first Pro Bowl selection. Jackson started every game, and Trapilo emerged as the starting left tackle during the season. With Darnell Wright, asecondteamAll-Pro,atrighttackle, the Bears’ line was one of the league’sbest.

Allfive playersare under contract fornext year

The Bears are bullishontheir future. They believe they have the right coach and quarterback, and they can now entice free agents to join awinner

Williams made an incredible touchdown throwinthe closing seconds of regulation. Butonhis last passofthe game, amiscommunication with DJ Mooreled to an interception. Matthew Stafford then drove the Rams into position forthe winning field goal. Instead of preparingfor atrip to Seattlefor theNFC championship game, Chicago turns its attention toward theoffseason The Bearsare in afar better place than they were ayear ago. Williams made bigstrides in his second season and first in Johnson’ssystem, passing for afranchise-record 3,942 yards with 27 touchdowns andseven interceptions. His accuracy remains an issue, and that’ssomething he plans to address in the offseason.

ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTO By DAVIDZALUBOWSKI

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott leavesthe field after agame against the DenverBroncos on WednesdayinDenver.

STAFF PHOTO By SOPHIA GERMER

NewOrleans Saints running backs coachJoel Thomas stands on the

PAYTON

COOKS

ALLEN

Steps for success

Plantblueberries nowtohelpthem establishroots before summer

In Louisiana, fall through early spring is the perfect time to plant ahost of trees and shrubs —including blueberries. While these plants won’t bear their delicious fruit for afew more months, it’sbest to get them in the ground (or containers)while the weather is cool. This gives them plenty of time to establish beforethe arrival of stressful summer heat. Blueberries are among the easiest fruit crops home gardeners can grow. But there are afew things you should know before you purchase and plant the shrubs.

Mary Helen Ferguson, an LSU AgCenter horticulture agent, offers thesetips for blueberry success

Choose plants carefully

Most people in Louisiana growone of two kinds of blueberries: rabbiteye or Southern highbush. Ferguson generally recommends rabbiteye blueberries, which ripen between May and July.They are more disease resistant and more forgiving when it comes to soil requirements.

“Rabbiteye varieties arewell suitedfor most places in Louisiana,” Ferguson said. “Along the coast and in the New Orleans area might be abit of an exception.”

In those areas, Southern highbush varieties —some of which require fewer chilling hours than rabbiteyesand ripen earlier —may be abetter choice. Regardless of which type of blueberry you decide to grow be sure to purchasemore than one plant. Cross pollination between different varieties is important for fruit production. Trytoget two to three varieties, which helps improve yields and quality Ferguson has had the highest yields with Tifblue, Brightwell, Ochlockonee, Premier and Austin —all rabbiteye varieties —inademonstration at the AgCenter Hammond Research Station.

Site selection, soil preparation

“When we plant rabbiteye blueberries, site selection and soil preparation are important,” Ferguson said. “Wewant to choose alocation that has fullsun, ideally,and is well drained andhas relatively acidic soil.” Blueberries prefer apHbetween about 4.5 and 5.2 (upto 5.5 is OK for rabbiteye plants).

MuchofLouisiana

MikeWeary, curator of the Shell Galleryinthe Cary SaurageCommunity Arts Center,put together the exhibit, ‘TheGreat Reunion:Exploring the GreatMigration Through ContemporaryArt.’

REUNITED

Arts CouncilofGreater BatonRouge explores 20th-century GreatMigration of BlackAmericans

BY

ROBIN MILLER Staff writer

Andre Guichard’sancestors left Louisiana for Chicagointhe early 20th century They were part of the Great Migration, amovementof more than 5million Black Americanswho moved from the rural Southtothe urban Northbetween 1910 and 1970.Guichard’sancestors, like so manyothers, landed in Chicago. It’s where Guichard and hiswife, Frances,now own and operate Gallery Guichard.

The gallery is aplace where they canshow their own artwork, some of which is now hanging in Baton Rouge in theCary Saurage Community Arts Center’sShell Gallery as part of theArtsCouncilof Greater Baton Rouge’snew exhibit, “The Great Reunion: Exploring the Great Migration Through Contemporary Art.”

The showruns through Feb. 21 in the gallery at 233 St. Ferdinand St Atruereunion

For curator MikeWeary, this show really is areunion of the Guichards and their fellow Louisiana artists.

“Andre Guichard grew up in Chicago, but his family is still based in Louisiana,” Wearysaid. “Bringing

become Barrio Burrito Bar later this spring.

The work of Frances Guichard, whopaints under the monikerMarlene Campbell,

African people in their homeland before theywere enslavedand shipped to the United States

Baton Rougeartist Keith ‘Cartoon Man’ Douglas’ work is featured in the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’sexhibit, ‘The GreatReunion: Exploring the GreatMigration Through ContemporaryArt.’

his workhere is part of an ideaI hadwhenI first came on as acurator in the middle of last year

Thefirst thing on my mind was theShell Gallery’sBlack History Month show,and Ithought about how, after Katrina,myfamily evacuated.”

Weary’sfamily was one of many in New Orleans’ Black community that relocated throughout the country

“We’dnever really leftNew Orleans before that,” he said. “I mean, we left afew times forvacations here and there, but overall, our families were alltogetherinNew Orleans

MADDIE SCOTT Staff writer

STAFFPHOTOSByROBIN MILLER

features

Otherpeople’stattoos:Noone askedyou

Dear Miss Manners: Iamstill not inured to the rampant trend of women tattooing their hands, feet, arms,backs and even faces. Idon’t believe at all that Iamoldfashioned, but defacing one’sbody will never be attractive.

What am Itosay to a woman —“What apretty tattoo. It really enhances your dainty feet”?

Judith Martin MISS MANNERS

Gentle reader: And what sarcastic remark wouldyou like thatladytomake while critically assessing your appearance?

Dear Miss Manners: Ilive in alarge city and take publictransportationalmost daily.Iam80 years old. The buses and trainshave seats up front that are clearly

EXHIBIT

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—and that’sboth sides of my family.Wewere all withinno more than a10-minute drive from each other.”

And Weary was among them, eventually making his home in BatonRouge. This experience made it easy for him to identify with the BlackAmericans who left their Southern homes looking for better opportunities in the 20th century

“After that, it was hard for us to stay together because of distance, and my mindalways wonders back to thinking about what happenedto all of those families during the Great Migration,” Weary said. This experience and reflectioninspired “The Great Reunion,” which, Weary said, will be the first in an annual Black History Month contemporary art series exploring the Great Migration.

The inaugural exhibit tracesBlack Americans’ movement up the MississippiRiver to Chicago.The Illinois metropolis was one of the main hubs of Black resettlement, which eventually enhanced the city’s artistic and musical production.

Chicago’sjazzcommunity

The contributionswereespecially strong in Chicago’s jazz community,where so many Black New Orleans musiciansfounda home.

Louis Armstrong was among them.

“Andre Guichard’suncle was ajazz musician,” Weary said. “He playedwith a lot of bands, and Ithink he even played with Louis Armstrong.”

Which was one reasonGallery Guichard’sworks were an easy fit with Weary’s theme. Andre Guichard’s paintings are inspired by jazz, specifically focusing on the musicians. Meanwhile, hiswife,Frances Guichard, whopaints under the moniker Marlene Campbell, portrays the forced migration of enslaved Africans just be-

BLUEBERRIES

Continued from page1D

pH will need to be adjusted. Typical potting mixes also are not acidic enough for blueberries’ liking. So, how do you make soil more acidic? When the pH only needs to be reduced a little bit, an easy way is to incorporate a2-to-4-inch layer of aged pine bark into the ground before planting. This helps improve drainage, too. Where pH needs to come down more, elemental sulfur can be applied based on soil test results.

marked for seniorsand people with disabilities. But they are often filled with youngpeople who appearquite fit and healthy They are also occupied by peoplewith babies or childreninlargestrollers that take upmultiple seats. Thebus driversdonothingtoenforce therules, and we seniors are left trudgingdown the bus aisle while the people in the seats smirk,look at their phones and talk to each other Any suggestions? When travelingwith ayoungchild, Iused to bring asmall collapsible stroller, which Ifolded upand put my child on my lap.Noone does that where Ilive anymore.

Gentlereader: It was another Gentle Reader who once came up with the polite way to handle this situation. The idea is totarget a passenger who is young and unencumbered; approach them, smile and say,“Thank you so much for saving that seat for me.”

Miss Manners hates to encumber this delicious solution, but must add somecaveats.First, not all disabilities are clearly visible. There may be young people who are legitimately occupying those seats. Secondly,please grant some leeway to people with small children. It may not be easy to keep control of acollapsible stroller,let alone a small child. Dear Miss Manners: There is alovely couple in their 30s in my com-

STAFF PHOTO By ROBINMILLER

Baton RougeartistBrandon Lewis’ work is featuredinthe Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge’sexhibit,‘TheGreat Reunion: Exploringthe Great Migration ThroughContemporaryArt.’

fore leaving their homeland for theUnited States.

TheGuichards’worksjoin pieces by Wearyand fellow Baton Rouge —based artists Keith “Cartoon Man” Douglas, Brandon Lewis, Ashli Ognelodh Curry and Bryson Boutte.

Differentperspectives

All works tackle the“Great Migration”theme from different perspectives,with Boutte painting his as aworkin-progress in the gallery

“Bryson isamuralist, and he’sbeen working on his painting allweek in the gallery ”Weary said, pointing to awall-lengthpieceofunstretched canvas. Bryson’s unfinished piece is oneamong12in theshow, most of them large.

“Ifyou notice, warm colors dominatethese works,” Wearysaid. “You’llsee alot of yellows andoranges. It wasn’tplanned, it justhappened this way.”

Still, theGuichards’ piecesdominatethe space Both artists work on large canvases, each usingtheir own methods of impasto, or raised texture, to emphasize their subjects. ForAndre Guichard, that method is achieved through cutand rolled piecesofcanvas that are glued on to astretched canvas.

“He improvises his pieces,”Weary said. “And he also

uses rusted pieces of metal.”

Instruments played by Andre Guichard’smusicians are made of chains, symbolizing the chains that once were usedinthe capture and holding of slaves. Frances Guichard’sworks feature lines of people waiting on ashore in their homelandbeneath adeep blue sky.The people are small, whichsomehow places them in the spotlight “Andre has never lived in Louisiana, yet he has these Louisiana roots,”Weary said. “And thelong-term vision of this exhibit series is to build asustained exchange between Baton Rouge artists and galleries in other cities. Iwould like this to foster reciprocal relationships thatexpand opportunity across regional art communities.”

Though “The Great Reunion” closes on Feb. 21, the gallery will host aclosing reception from 6p.m. to 8p.m. on Feb. 19. Gallery hours are 9a.m. to 4p.m. Monday through Friday.The gallery also will be open from noon to 4p.m. Feb.1for Free First Sunday Admission is free. For more information, call (225) 3448558 or visit artsbr.org.

Email RobinMiller at romiller@theadvocate. com.

munitywho have gone through fertility struggles. They have just posted an online campaign with the goal of raising money to go towardadoption costs. Although Iunderstand their desire to have achild, Ifind this very inappropriate. I’ve seen jars looking fordonationsfor honeymoons, money to offset the cost of awedding, trips abroad and now adopting ababy! Frankly,I am appalled.

Gentlereader: Indeed, begging thehumiliating last resource of desperatepeople —has now become commonplace among those who want help with their bills or luxuries they cannot afford.

Not that Miss Manners considers having childrena luxury.Itshould be available to all, but it is highly

Dear Heloise: In your column, Iquiteoften see complaints from people who do not receive a thank-you notewhen they sendsomeone agift.According to the dictionary agift is “something that is given voluntarily without expecting anything in return.” While it is nice to receive athank-you note, this should not be our reason for sending agift. We give agift to acknowledge aperson’s achievement, wedding, graduation, birthday,etc. The important thingwe need to remember is not to cut these people off because they did not send athank-you. We hurt both people when we do this —BobbiePrentice, in Santa Ana, California Cleaning jars

expensive,and the enormous cost of adoptionfees (orfertility treatments) would be just the beginning. Will this couple go on to beg formoney forthe child care, education, medical attentionand other necessitiesthe child will require? She can understand why people sympathize with this couple. But others have their own expenses, and cannot be expected to subsidize those who are presumably capable of managing their own lives.

Sendquestions to Miss Manners at herwebsite, www missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mailtoMiss Manners, Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City,MO 64106.

ment. Iuse hot water and angle the nozzle toward all sides of the jar,and then it’squickly ready to recycle. —Pam S.,inSt. Louis Is anyone outthere?

moresense forthem to send aradio signal to us before doing afly-by?

MichaelI in Hillsborough, New Jersey

Dear Heloise: Asimple method for cleaning out peanut butter jarsand similar items is using the spray nozzle on your sink if you have this attach-

By The Associated Press

Today is Tuesday Jan. 20, the 20th day of 2026. There are 345 days left in the year

Todayinhistory: On Jan. 20, 1981, Iran released 52 Americans it had held hostage for 444 days, minutes after Ronald Reagan was sworninaspresident of the United States, succeeding Jimmy Carter Also on this date:

In 1841, theisland of Hong Kong was ceded by China to Great Britain.It returned to Chinese control in July 1997.

Dear Heloise: If lifeisintelligent enough on another planet to visit Earth, they would be aware of our use of radio waves and electrical lights. Being intelligent, they would be farmore interested in visiting aplace where both radio waves and light wereemitted. Nebraska, where the person whosaw the UFO said they lived, is the 43rd least-dense state in the United States. Extraterrestrials would learn far morebydoing afly-by of ahigh-density place like NewJersey,which has the highest population density in the U.S. Perhaps they would find China farmore appealing. Secondly,iflifeexists on other planets and is intelligent enough to travel in space, wouldn’titmake

TODAYINHISTORY

11 months later to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson.

In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt wassworn in forhis second of four termsaspresident, becoming the first chief executive to be inaugurated on Jan. 20; prior to the adoption of the 20th Amendmentin1933, presidential termsbegan on March 4.

In 1961, in his inaugural address, President John F. Kennedy urged Americans, “ask not what your country can do foryou ask what you can do for your country.”

Michael, if there is intelligent lifeout there, and if they are visiting this planet, Ihave just one question: “Can Itest-drive their spaceship?” —Heloise Leftover fabric scraps Dear Heloise: My friend is a quilter and gives me long leftover strips of fabric. I used them this past Christmas as ribbons to tie the packages and makebows. Waste not. —Corrinne Berkland, in Universal City,Texas

Removing coffee stains Dear Heloise: Here’sa sure-fire coffee cup stain removal method: Make a thick paste of baking soda (that is almost dry) in the mug and wipe it around on the stain with your fingertips. Then rinse. It only takes 2minutes to clean acup. —Phil Flach, via email

Sendahinttoheloise@ heloise.com.

associates in the Northeast with murders, extortion and other crimes spanning decades.

BURRITO

Continued from page1D

Finally,mulcharound the plantswith more pine bark to maintain moistureand reduce competition with weeds for nutrients and water

“Blueberries are shallow rooted, so weed management is important,” Ferguson said. What next?

“If you’re planting in a container,use agedpine bark or acombination of this and other materials instead of using astandard potting mix since these usuallyhave lime,” Ferguson said. Givingthe plantsenough room to grow is crucial. When planting in the ground, space rabbiteye blueberries 5to6 feet apart. Southern highbush plantscan bespaced 4feet apart. Select adequately sized pots for containergrown blueberries

After you’ve planted your blueberries,keep them well watered —but notsoggy Consider installing adrip irrigation system if you’re planting alargenumber

of bushes in fast-draining, sandy soil.

Newly planted blueberries aresusceptible to overfertilization. Wait until leaves are fully expanded in the spring before making alight fertilizer application using something such as 1tablespoon of 13-13-13 or 2tablespoons of cottonseed meal, Ferguson said. Spread fertilizer in acircle, keeping it several inches away from the base of the plant

Up to three more fertilizer applications can be made, at least 4to6weeks apart, during spring and summer

Alternative fertilizers include 1/2 tablespoon of 33-0-0 or 2teaspoons of ammonium sulfate. Plants in pots likely will need fertilizer that contains secondary and micronutrients as well, Ferguson said.

In 1936, Britain’s King George Vdied after his physician injected the mortally ill monarch with morphine and cocaine to hasten his death. The king was succeeded by his eldest son, Edward VIII, who abdicated the throne

In 2009, Democrat Barack Obamawas sworn in as the first Black president of the United States.

In 2011, authorities orchestrated one of the biggest Mafia takedowns in FBI history,charging 127 suspected mobsters and

net Square at 10330 Airline Highway,which is in an outdoor shopping mallnear

Costco. The spot will open in early summer,Johnson said. Johnson said that he’scurrently lookingtoworkwith morefranchisees in Louisiana and Alabama, envisioning about 50 locations across bothstates

In 2017, Republican Donald Trumpwas sworn in as the 45th president of the United States as protesters clashed with police blocks from the inaugural parade. Today’sbirthdays: Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin is 96. Olympic figure skating gold medalist Carol Heiss Jenkins is 86. Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) is 74. Comedian Bill Maher is 70. Olympic swimming gold medalist John Naber is 70. Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 61. Actor Rainn Wilson is 60. Actor Skeet Ulrich is 56. Musician Questlove (The Roots) is 55. Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and ex-governor of South Carolina, is 54.

Hints from Heloise

AQuARIus (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) Start home improvementprojectsthatareconducive to the lifestyle you want to live. Whatever you desire, it's up to you to make it happen. Reach out and make plans with people you enjoy being around.

PIscEs (Feb. 20-March 20) An event that takes you to a new location will inspire you. The change to your surroundings will offer insight into how you can improveyourday-to-dayliving.Lookinto the possibilities and initiate change.

ARIEs (March 21-April 19) Think before you spend money. Pay attention to the cost of living and seek solutions to lower your overhead.Choosetodotheworkyourself instead of hiring someone to do something you can handle on your own.

tAuRus (April 20-May 20) You may gravitate toward personal or professional change, but you must proceed carefully. Find out if there are any regulations or rules to address before you begin a project.

GEMInI (May 21-June 20) Cautionary measures will help you dodge scammers, users and abusers. Let your intuition, experience and intelligence ward off anyone trying to take advantage of you. Spending time with a loved one is favored.

cAncER (June 21-July 22) Yourperspective will be out of whack. Hold off on making decisions involving investments, health and legal matters. Gather information and search for a simple solution.

LEo (July 23-Aug. 22) You'll have to juggle your time, money and personal needs

wisely to avoid falling behind. Refuse to let anyone monopolize your time by convincing you their journey is more important than yours.

VIRGo (Aug. 23-sept. 22) If you feel left out, do something about it. Socializing go better than you expect. The people you encounter will encourage you to explore new possibilities.

LIBRA (sept. 23-oct. 23) Don't let anger set in when action is required Let your emotions and intuition to lead the way, and surroundyourselfwithpeoplewhomake you think and inspire you to follow your creative dreams.

scoRPIo (oct. 24-nov. 22) Tieuplooseends and prepare to move on. Venture out into your community, and you'll discover all sorts of opportunities to better and more efficiently use your skills and experience. You are overdue for a change.

sAGIttARIus (nov. 23-Dec. 21) Don't overlook the obvious Ignoring what you must do will slow you down, not help you excel. Deal with issues head-on so you can move forward freely. It's time to use your imagination.

cAPRIcoRn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Put more energy behind your ideas, and see what happens. Turn an opportunity into additional income or cut your overhead. Get rid of what you don't use or refocus your goals to suit your needs.

The horoscope, an entertainment feature, is not based on scientific fact © 2026 by NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews

McMeel Syndication

Celebrity Cipher cryptograms are created from quotations by famous people, past and present. Each letter in the cipher stands for another. toDAy's cLuE: B EQuALs M

FAMILY CIrCUS

CeLebrItY CIpher

For better or For WorSe peAnUtS

beetLe bAILeY

Mother GooSe And GrIMM SherMAn’S LAGoon

Sudoku

InstructIons: Sudoku is anumber-placing puzzle based on a9x9 grid with several given numbers. The object is to place the numbers 1to9inthe empty squares so that each row, each column and each 3x3 box contains the same number only once. The difficulty level of the Sudoku increases from Monday to Sunday.

Puzzle Answer

BaBY BLueS

Bridge

By PHILLIP ALDER

RobertOrben, acomedywriter and occasional magician, said, “There are days whenittakes all you’ve gotjust to keep up with thelosers.”

At the bridge table, everyday you should be keeping up with—i.e., counting —yourlosers, even during the bidding. Takealook at today’s deal, which occurredinasocialgame.Howwouldyou critique the auction? North’sresponse of twono-trump was the Jacoby ForcingRaise, showing at least game-going valueswith four or morespades. South’s three-club rebid indicated asingleton or void in that suit.

First, although North’s hand has only nine high-cardpoints, withthree firstround controls,itisworthagame-force in spades. (Thehand has only seven losers: twospades, two diamonds and three clubs.) It is notnormal to start with the JacobyForcingRaise when having a short suit.

It is typicaltorespondwitha splinter bid, but North and South were treating afour-heart response as natural, not showing heart shortness and spade support. On this deal, though, twono-trump should have worked well because North heardthat his sidehad at mostone club loser, not the three he was initially worried about. Now he should have controlbid three diamonds or made afour-heart

splinter bid. North’s jump to four spades was discouraging. (Yes, he was worried that he had only nine points, but the auction had told him that his hand was worth far more.)

Sixspades made easily,Southtaking sixspades, fivediamonds and aheart ruffinthe dummy.

©2026 by

NEA, Inc., dist. By Andrews McMeel Syndication

Each Wuzzle is aword riddle which creates adisguised word, phrase, name, place, saying, etc. For example: NOON GOOD =GOOD AFTERNOON

Previous answers:

word game

InstRuctIons: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four lettersbythe 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’sWoRD REALMs: RELMS:Kingdoms.

Averagemark18words

Time limit 25 minutes

Canyou find 22 or more wordsinREALMS?

yEstERDAy’sWoRD— uPsHot

south spot spout stop stoup hops host opus oust thou thus

wuzzles

loCKhorNs God can forgiveyou too. G.E. Dean

marmaduKe

Bizarro

hagar the horriBle

Pearls Before swiNe

garfield

B.C.

PiCKles

hidato

mallard fillmore

quired time G. Describe anyfactors or conditions specificto this projectthatdemon‐strate theRespondent’s experience,expertise,or i f h p p capacity to performthe required services H. Providecurrent details of theRespondent’spro‐fessionalerrorsand omissionsinsurance cov‐erage, includingcover‐agelimits. 3) Specialized Knowledgeand Capability

g other federal programs; C. Familiaritywith IbervilleParish, Louisianaand Bayou Grosse Tete 4) Personnel/ Professional Qualifica‐tions

Respondentsshould: A. Describe knowledge, experience,and capabil‐itywiththe typesofpro‐jectsoutlinedinPartOne -Scope of Services; B. Describe knowledge andexperienceworking with theUSDA/NRCS “Emergency Watershed Protection”Program, or h f d l

REQUISITION 11297720 OFFICIAL PUBLIC NOTICE OF THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL OF THE PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE AND THE CITY OF BATON ROUGE Notice is hereby given to all citizens of the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge andtoall other interested persons, of the introduction at the regular meeting of the Metropolitan Council of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge, held on January 14, 2026 of the proposed resolutions/ordinances, the titles of which areset forth hereinafter,and that public hearing will be held thereon by the Metropolitan Council at 4:00 P.M., Wednesday, February 11, 2026,inthe Council Chambers (Room 348) on thethird floor of the City-Parish Governmental Building in this City,these proposed resolutions/ordinances being entitled as follows: RESOLUTION

Aresolutionordering and calling aspecial election to be held in the Parish of East Baton Rouge, Stateof Louisiana (the “Parish”),onSaturday,June 27, 2026, to authorize the Parish to continue to levy and collect a9.50 mills ad valorem tax (the “Tax”) on all property subject to taxation within the boundaries of the Parishfor aperiod of ten (10) years, beginning with the tax collection for the year 2026, and annually thereafter,toand including the year 2035, with proceeds of the Tax(after paying reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting andadministering the Tax) to be used entirely and exclusively for the purpose of maintaining and operating the public library system of the Parish and its branches, and improving services, acquiring land andconstructing new libraryfacilities, to be administered by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Boardof Control, in themanner required by law; declaring an emergency pursuant to Section 8.24 of the Plan of Government of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge; making application to the State Bond Commission; providing notice that apublic hearing regarding the adoption of this resolution shall be held on Wednesday,February 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at the regular meeting place of the Metropolitan Council, ThirdFloor City Hall, Room 348, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisianaand providing for other matters in connection therewith. By EastBatonRouge Parish Library

RESOLUTION

Aresolution ordering and calling aspecial election to be heldinthe Parish of East Baton Rouge, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”),onSaturday June 27, 2026, to authorize the Parish to continue to levy and collect a 2mills ad valorem tax ((the “Tax”) (an estimated $12,541,000 reasonably expected to be collectedfromthe levy of the tax for an entireyear), for aperiod of ten (10) years, beginning with theyear 2027 and ending with the year 2036, and shall the proceeds of thetax (afterpaying reasonable and necessaryexpenses of collecting and administeringthe tax) beused entirely and exclusively by the East Baton Rouge Councilonthe Aging, Inc., or any successor thereto (the“CouncilonAging”) to provide funds to operate and maintain programs, services, and activities for elderly citizens in the Parish,including mealsonwheels, senior centers, respite services, housing, transportation, nutrition, wellness, and recreational programs; to acquire, construct, operateand maintainfacilities to serve elderly citizens in the Parish; and to otherwise fund the operating budget of the council on aging; declaring an emergency pursuant to Section 8.24 of the Plan of Government of the City of Baton Rouge and Parish of East Baton Rouge; making applicationtothe state bond commission; providingnoticethat a public hearing regarding the adoption of thisresolution by themetropolitan council shall be held on Wednesday,February11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.atthe regular meeting place of the Metropolitan Council, ThirdFloor,City Hall, Room 348, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and providing for other matters in connection therewith.ByCouncil on Aging.

RESOLUTION

Adopting the following ad valorem tax millage rates within the boundaries of the following taxing jurisdictions on all taxable property (except that the millage rate for the downtown development district shall be levied on real property only) to be levied during the year 2026.

Baton Rouge Parish Operating Tax2.96

of Baton Rouge Operating Tax5.44

of Baton Rouge Three Platoon Police Tax.82

District No. 7(additional) 10.00 By Finance Director

ORDINANCE

Amending the 2026 Current and Capital Expense Budget to appropriate $163,700 from Unassigned Fund Balances—consisting of $79,700 from the General Fund and $84,000 from the City Constable Court Costs Fund—to provide funding for two Deputy Constable positions previously frozen due to budget constraints. (Budget Supplement No. 9134). By Mayor-President &City Constable.

ORDINANCE

Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Baton Rouge and the Parish of East Baton Rouge (“City-Parish”),

vessels associated with the tourist trade; and update to Section g), formerly Section f), Dockage Charges for Inland Passenger Watercraft: updating dockage fees to PAX(per-passenger fee) from avessel fee determined by vessel capacity.ByCouncilwoman Carolyn Coleman, and Office of the Mayor-President.

RESOLUTION

Receiving the fourth quarter 2025 report from theEast Baton Rouge Parish Communications District. By Councilman Rowdy Gaudet. RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute Amendment No. 2to the Professional Services Agreement with SouthernEnvironmental Management &Specialties, Inc. (SEMS, INC) to increase the contract amount by $50,000, for atotal contract value not to exceed $100,000. By Development Director

RESOLUTION

Respondentsshould: A. Describe abilitytopro‐vide sufficientman‐power, specializedmar‐itimeequipment and skilledlevel with mar‐itimeoperations, other heavyequipment,ability to operateinadverse conditions,and hauling debris offsiteinorder to efficientlyand effectively fulfill theproject scope of services in atimely

manner; B. Describe theirproven safety record andadher‐ence to safety protocols; C. Describe theirability to work cooperatively andeffectively under the advisement anddirec‐tion of theproject’s des‐ignatedtechnical assis‐tancecontractor, the NRCS representatives, andthe IbervilleParish Government representa‐tives.

5) Proposed Compensation Respondent shallsubmit atotal cost forconstruc‐tion calculated on a “CostPer-LinearFeet Basis, includingall other qualifying expenses

PART THREE: SELECTIONCRITERIA TheIbervilleParishGov‐ernmentshall evaluate each potential firm/busi‐ness in termsofits: 1. Background and Experienceofthe Firm/Business20pts 2. SpecializedKnowledge 20 pts. 3. Personnel/ Professional Qualifica‐tions20pts 4. Proposed Compensation 40 pts. Theselection of the firm/businessshall be conductedinaccordance with theprocurement re‐quirements of the USDA/NRCS programunit d h li bl p g and anyother applicable federalprograms. All proposalsreceivedwill be evaluatedbased on theestablished selection criteria andcorrespond‐

11, 2026 Metropolitan Councilmeeting to Tuesday,November 10, 2025 (due to the Veterans Day holiday), rescheduling the November 25, 2026 Metropolitan Councilmeeting to Tuesday,November 24, 2026 (due to the Thanksgiving holiday), and rescheduling the December 16, 2026 Metropolitan CouncilZoning meeting to December 3, 2026. Cancelling the December 23, 2026 Metropolitan Councilmeeting and calling for aSpecial Metropolitan Councilmeeting on December 8, 2026 for the purpose of considering the 2027 City-Parish annual operating budget and capital budget, and items related to the 2027 budget, and cancellingthe January 27, 2027 Metropolitan CouncilMeeting. By CouncilAdministrator/ Treasurer

RESOLUTION

Authorizing settlement of the pre-litigation claim of RonaldBailey fordamages resulting from an auto accident caused by aBusiness Office employee, in the amount of $14,631.48, which amount shall be paid from the account designated “Insurance -Auto Liability” (1000.4700.10.0550.0000. 0000.000000.644120). *This matter may be discussed in Executive Session. (In Proper Person). By Parish Attorney

RESOLUTION

Authorizing settlement of the pre-litigation claim of Davon Mitchell for damages resulting from an auto accident caused by aBaton Rouge Police Officer,inthe amount of $45,000.00, which amount shall be paid from the account designated “Insurance -Auto Liability” (1000.4700.10.0550.0000. 0000.000000.644120). *This matter may be discussed in Executive Session. (Attorney of RecordisKenneth Hebert). By Parish Attorney

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to enter acontract for2026 between the Department of Emergency Medical Services and Dr.Dan Goodbee to serve as the department’smedical director,not exceeding $208,000 with fuds budgeted in the 2026 proposed budget. Dr.DaGoodbee has been EMS’smedical director since 2013. By Emergency Medical Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to allow the Department of Emergency

Medical Services to pay Insight Billing Corporation in an amount not to exceed $1,250,000 for 2026. Thiscontract will be paid with funds budgeted in the proposed 2026 budget. By Emergency Medical Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President, on behalf of the Office of Community Development,toamend Contract 800007223 between the City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge, and Franklin Associates, LLC,to increase the contract amount by $130,507.00, fora revised total notto-exceed amount of $200,000.00. Thisamendment also extends the contract term through August 31, 2026, and authorizes the execution of all related documents. By CommunityDevelopment Director

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to allow the Department of Emergency Medical Services to pay Keavney &Streger,LLC in an amount not to exceed $50,000 for 2026. This contract will be paid with funds budgeted in the 2026 proposed budget. By Emergency Medical Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to allow the Department of Emergency Medical Services to pay Solutions Group Services LLC in an amount not to exceed for50,000 for2026. These contracts will be paid with funds budgeted in the proposed 2026 budget. By Emergency Medical Services

Director

RESOLUTION

Authorization for the Mayor-President and/or Chairman of the Airport Commission to execute aConsent to Assignment and Assumptionof Lease from Baton Rouge Jet Center,LLC to its assignee, Velocity BTR Holdings, LLC and executea Consent to LeaseholdMortgage. By AviationDirector

RESOLUTION

Authorization for the Mayor-President and/or Chairman of the Airport Commission to execute aConsent to Assignment and Assumptionof Lease from BTR Hangar Properties, LLC to its assignee, Velocity BTR Holdings, LLC and executea Consent to LeaseholdMortgage. By AviationDirector

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute an agreement with BBI Architect, AAC,for Architectural Design Services in connection with Chaneyville Volunteer FireStation No.41New Station,being City Parish Project No.21-ASD-CP-1640 in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00. (Account No.4652-1000-20-1007--9403-0000-000000-652000).By Building and Grounds Director

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to enter into aProfessional Services Contract with Technical Services Group, Inc (TSG)toprovide on-site broadcast production personnel for sixty (60) pre-scheduled meetings per year held in the Council Chambers and perform operational checks of all audio-visual equipment prior to the meeting going live. The contract is in the amount of $62,268.00 payable in twelve (12) monthlyinstallmentsof $5,189.00 per monthfor the period January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Time required above 350 hours allocated in the contract, trip fees, unscheduled meetings, and emergency meetings will be billed as stated in the attached scope of services broadcast production service agreement in this contract. The funding for this contract is included in the 2026 operating budget for the Public Information Office. By Public Information Officer

RESOLUTION

Authorizing the Mayor-President to execute aCooperative Endeavor/ CollectionAgreement between the City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge and the River Center EconomicDevelopment District for the purpose of promoting economic development in the River Center EconomicDevelopment District;and providing for related matters. By Councilwoman Carolyn Coleman.

RESOLUTION

Awarding the contract forHousehold Hazardous Waste CollectionDays to the selected vendor,Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.;and directing the execution of the contract covering such work foranamount nottoexceed $500,000.00 annually (Account No.5510-7700-40-77607765-0000-000000-649000). By Environmental Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorize the Mayor-President to execute an Operational Service Agreement with Lapid, LLC for the Methane Mitigation Project at the East Baton Rouge Parish RenewableEnergy Center.ByEnvironmental Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorize the Mayor-President and/or EBROSCO to execute Supplemental Agreement No.1 to the contract with Black &Veatch Corporationfor financial modeling services in an amount not to exceed $36,957.50 (Account No.5100-7700-40-7710-7710-7721-000000-643500).By Environmental Services Director

RESOLUTION

Authorize the Mayor-President and/or EBROSCO to execute Supplemental Agreement No.2tothe contract with Domain Design Architecturefor

architectural services in connection with the SWWTP Administration Building Renovation, being City-Parish Project No. 14-TP-UF-0021 in

RESOLUTION

Authorize the Mayor-President to execute aSupplementalAgreementwith GOTECH for FinalDesign Services andConstruction Administration & Support services for MoveBR Capacity Project Scenic Highway (Harding Blvd. to SwanAve.), City-Parish Project No. 20-EN-HC-0006 in an amount not to exceed $99,200.69.(ACCOUNT NO. 9217100082-4371 000000000000000-653240; 9217100082-4372 00000-0000000000-653100). By Transportation andDrainageDirector

RESOLUTION

Authorize the Mayor-President to execute asupplemental agreementtothe Contract for Professional services, for services associatedwith MOVEBR Capacity Project Jones Creek Extension (Tiger BendtoJefferson), being City-Parish Project No 19-CP-HC-0036, in an amount not to exceed $296,169.59.(ACCOUNT NO. 9217100035-10000-4371.00000-653240). By Transportation andDrainageDirector

RESOLUTION

Authorizingthe Mayor-President to execute SupplementalAgreement No.1tothe contract with Street Collaborative, LLC for additionaldesign services in connection with their contract for EBRP Misc. Branch Library Renovations, being City Parish Project No. 21-ASD-CP-1289 in an amount not to exceed $65,752.86.(Account No. 2002-1200-60-1200-0000-0000000000-643540). By Building andGrounds Director

CONDEMNATION INTRODUCTIONS

Sylvia D. Oby (FKA Sylvia Dixon) 2686 69th Ave, Lot 21-A (Resub. Of Lots 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 17, 16, 15 & E½ of Lot 14),Sq. 47, BankAddition Subdivision -Council District 2-Kenney

Johnny A. Pittman 7109 Scenic Hwy,Lot 3&4 Industrial CenterSouth Subdivision -Council District 2-Kenney

SuccessionofKarenlyn Smith Dawson 1385 SwanAve, Lot 13, Sq. 6 North Baton Rouge Subdivision -Council District 2- Kenney Velma HowardGaines, Elton Gaines Jr Kelso Gaines, Todd Wayne Gaines, Addie MarieGaines, Faye Gaines, Kelvin Gaines, andJohnston Gaines A/K/A Jonathan Gaines 2632 Beech St., Lot 13+ (13, 15, andEast ½ofLot 11),Sq. 35 East Garden City Subdivision -Council District 5- Hurst Acts Outreach Center 6860 HooperRd, Lot A-1-A (Pt. of The OriginalCharles A. Starks Property in Secs. 40 &86, T6s, R1e. (Less Parcels#7-6 &7-9 To State of LA. 1982)) Starks, Charles A. Tract -Council District 5- Hurst El ZorroDe Prairieville,

citizen can have items placed on the Council agenda. Acopy of the rules is available at City Hall, Mayor’sOffice or by calling the Clerk of the City Council. The rules will also be available at every Council meeting.

3. CHANGES/ADDTITIONS TO AGENDA

The motion was made by Councilwoman Westmoreland

The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc

To approve to amend the agenda to add Pay Request No. 4, Project # 11807 to item F1.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None The motion was made by Councilwoman Westmoreland

The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc

To approve to amend the agenda to add arequest for authorization for the Mayor to enter into special council contract for Dianne Fletcher et al vs City of Zachary,19th JDC to item N5.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None

D. READING OF THEMINUTES

1. Approval of Minutes of November 25, 2025, regular meeting,and Minutes of the November 25, 2025 Workshop, andapprove them as written. The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio

The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc

To approve the Minutes of November 25, 2025, regular meeting,and Minutes of the November25, 2025 Workshop, andapprove them as written.

YEAS: LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None ABSTAINED: Westmoreland

E. HONORS, RECOGNITIONS, AND INTRODUCTIONS

F. CONTRACT ITEMS/CONTRACTS OR ITEMS RELATING TO PROJECTS

1. Street/Road Projects

a) Pay Request #4 -Road Project#11807 -Road Rehabilitation Project

The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Westmoreland

To approve Pay Request #4 -Road Project #11807 -Road Rehabilitation Project in the amount of $227,833.13.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAINED: None

2. Sewer 3. Subdivision Inspections

4. Water and Gas Projects 5. Other Projects

G. PRESENTATION OF DELEGATIONS

1. Request to Speak 2. Hardship Waivers 3. Other Variances

4. Exceptions of Regulations

H. ACTION MANDATED BY HOME RULE CHARTER

I. PLANNING &ZONING MATTERS

1. Receive Minutes of the Regular meeting of December 01, 2025 of the Planning Commission and the Minutes of the Regular meeting of December 01, 2025 of the Zoning Commission. The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Westmoreland To Receive Minutes of the Regular meeting of December 01, 2025 of the Planning Commission and the Minutes of the Regular meeting of December 01, 2025 of the Zoning Commission.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None

ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None

2. Planning matters REQUIRING aPublic Hearing

3. Planning Matters NOT requiringa Public Meeting

4. Zoning

Planning and Zoning 2026 Deadline Calendar

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

NAYS: None ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None

J. RECEIVE RECORD OF PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS PAYABLE

1. Receive accounts payable for November 2025 and the natural gas bill when it is received. The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Westmoreland To receive accounts payable for November 2025 and the natural gas

when

received.

NAYS: None ABSENT:None

Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry

ABSTAINED: None

K. BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MATTERS

L. OLD BUSINESS PENDING FOR FINAL ACTION

M. OLD BUSINESS PENDING

N. NEW BUSINESS

1. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-21ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OFZACHARY TO CHANGE AND AMEND §§ 1.402 AND 1.403 TO ENACT §§ 1.404, 1.405, 1.406, 1.407, 1.408, 1.409, 1.410, 1.411, 1.412, 1.413, 1.414, 1.415 and 1.416 OFTHE UNIFIEDDEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OFZACHARYINFURTHERANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATION OFTHE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF ZACHARYFOR SUCH CHANGES. The PUBLIC HEARING was opened at 7:02 p.m. Patrick Delot, 21321 WJ Wicker came to speak in question on the said ordinance, was not in favor or against. Therebeing no one else to speak in favor or against, the PUBLIC HEARING was closed at 7:03 p.m.

The motion was made by Councilwoman Westmoreland

The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves

To approve Adoption of Ordinance 2025-21 to include amendments to 14.425 and adopt as amended -ORDINANCE

AUTHORIZING THE CITY OFZACHARY TO CHANGE AND AMEND §§ 1.402, 1.403 and 14.425 AND TO ENACT §§ 1.404, 1.405, 1.406, 1.407, 1.408, 1.409, 1.410, 1.411, 1.412, 1.413, 1.414, 1.415 and 1.416 OFTHE UNIFIEDDEVELOPMENT CODE FOR THE CITY OFZACHARYINFURTHERANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF ZACHARYFOR SUCH CHANGES. YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry NAYS: None ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None

2. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-24 –ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE CITY OFZACHARY TO RE-

TITLE, RE-NUMBER, AMEND, ENACT ANDREPEAL SELECT

PROVISIONS OF THECODE OF ORDINANCESFOR THECITY OF ZACHARY,LOUISIANA IN FURTHERANCE OF THEMAYOR’S PROPOSAL TO REORGANIZE THECITYADMINISTRATIONTO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LAWENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCESAND UNIFIEDDEVELOPMENT CODE. The PUBLICHEARING was opened at 7:13 p.m. Patrick Delot 21321 WJ Wicker came to speak in question on the said ordinance, was not in favororagainst. Therebeing no one else to speak in favor or against,the PUBLICHEARING was closed at 7:18 p.m. The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc

To approve Adoption of Ordinance 2025-24 -ORDINANCE

AUTHORIZING THECITYOFZACHARY TO RE-TITLE, RENUMBER, AMEND, ENACT ANDREPEAL SELECTPROVISIONS OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCESFOR THECITYOFZACHARY, LOUISIANAINFURTHERANCE OF THEMAYOR’SPROPOSAL TO REORGANIZE THECITYADMINISTRATIONTOPROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE LAWENFORCEMENT OF THECITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCESAND UNIFIEDDEVELOPMENT CODE.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry NAYS: None

ABSENT: None

ABSTAINED: None

3. Public Hearing and Adoption of Ordinance 2025-23 –

ORDINANCEPERTAINING TO THEDECLARATIONOFINTENT BY THECITYOFZACHARYTOHAVECERTAIN MOVABLE PROPERTY DECLARED TO BE SURPLUSAND ALLOWING FOR THE DISPOSAL, DONATIONORABANDONMENT IN PLACE. The PUBLICHEARING was opened at 7:20 p.m. Therebeing no one to speak in favororagainst, the PUBLICHEARING was closed at 7:20 p.m. The motion was made by Councilman Graves The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc To approve Adoption of Ordinance 2025-23 –ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THEDECLARATION OF INTENTBYTHE CITYOFZACHARYTOHAVECERTAIN MOVABLE PROPERTY DECLARED TO BE SURPLUSAND ALLOWING FOR THE DISPOSAL, DONATIONORABANDONMENT IN PLACE.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry NAYS: None

ABSENT: None ABSTAINED: None

4. IntroductionofOrdinance2025-25–ORDINANCEAUTHORIZING THE CITYOFZACHARYTOREVOKE THEDEDICATION OF THE PUBLICRIGHTOFWAY KNOWN AS YOUNG STREET AT THE REQUEST OF THEADJOINING LANDOWNER BEGINNING FROM THEINTERSECTION OF YOUNG STREET ANDLOUDON STREET TO THEINTERSECTION OF YOUNG STREET ANDW CENTRAL AVENUE

The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio

The motion was seconded by Councilwoman Landry To approve Introduction of Ordinance 2025-25 –ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THECITYOFZACHARYTOREVOKE THE DEDICATION OF THEPUBLICRIGHTOFWAY KNOWN AS YOUNG STREET AT THEREQUEST OF THEADJOINING LANDOWNER BEGINNING FROM THEINTERSECTION OF YOUNG STREET ANDLOUDON STREET TO THEINTERSECTION OF YOUNG STREET ANDWCENTRAL AVENUE

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio,Graves, Landry NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAINED: None

5. Request forauthorization forthe Mayor to enter into special council contract for Dianne Fletcher et al vs City of Zachary,19th JDC. The motion was made by Councilwoman Westmoreland

The motion was seconded by Councilman LeBlanc

To approve to amend the agenda to add arequest forauthorization for the Mayortoenter into special council contract for Dianne Fletcher et al vs City of Zachary,19th JDC.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio,Graves, Landry

NAYS: None ABSENT: None ABSTAINED: None

O. REPORTSFROM DEPARTMENT HEADS

1. Receive the Monthly Inspection Report. The motion was made by Councilwoman DeVirgilio The motion was seconded by Councilman Graves

To receive the Monthly Inspection Report.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio,Graves, Landry

NAYS: None

ABSENT: None ABSTAINED: None

P. DISCUSSION OF BUSINESS NOT ON AGENDA

(NoAction May Be Taken Unless Declared an Emergency)

Q. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25.

KarenBurdette

Clerk of CityCouncil

CITY OF ZACHARY

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA CERTIFICATION

Karen Burdette David McDavid, Mayor

Clerk of the City Council

CITYOFZACHARY

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Karen Burdette, do hereby certify that Iamthe duly appointed Clerk of the City Council for the City of Zachary,Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ifurther certify that the above and foregoing is atrue and correct copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Mayorand Council of the City of Zachary,Louisiana, heldonTuesday,December 09, 2025, aproper quorum being thereand then present.

Karen Burdette, Clerk of the City Council

KarenBurdette Clerk of CityCouncil CITY OF ZACHARY

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

For the Meeting of Mayor and Council City of Zachary,LA Council Chambers, 4700 Main Street Tuesday,December 23, 2025, 6:30 P.M.

Members Present:None AllOthers Present:Jacqueline Wilson-CityAttorney and Karen BurdetteCouncil Clerk.

This was to be the regular (2nd Tuesday) meeting of the Zachary City Council on Tuesday,December 23, 2025, 6:30 P.M. in the Council Chambers.

The Call to Order was made at 6:36 P.M.

The prayer and the pledge of allegiance werewaived. Recognizing that therewas no quorum and no business to be conducted, the meeting was accordingly adjourned at 6:36 P.M.

CERTIFICATION

Karen Burdette Jacqueline Wilson, City Attorney

Clerk of the City Council

CITYOFZACHARY

PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

I, Karen Burdette, do hereby certify that Iamthe duly appointed Clerk of the City Council for the City of Zachary,Parish of East Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Ifurther certify that the above and

Karen Burdette,Clerk of the City Council

KarenBurdette Clerk of City Council CITY OF ZACHARY PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

MINUTES For the Meeting of the Governing Authority of Americana EconomicDevelopment District CouncilChambers, 4700 MainStreet Tuesday,December 09, 2025 Immediatelyfollowing close of Meeting of Mayor and City Council

A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting wascalledtoorder by ChairwomanAmbreDeVirgilio at 7:27 p.m.

B. INVOCATION ANDPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation andPledge of Allegiancewas accepted from the previous meeting.

C. OPENING PROCEDURES

1. ROLL CALL Present: AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman Brandy Westmoreland John LeBlanc Jennifer Landry James Graves

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF November 10, 2025, regular meeting. The motion was made by Mrs. Westmoreland The motion was seconded by Mrs. DeVirgilio To approve the minutesofNovember10, 2025, andapprove them as written.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, Graves, Landry NAYS: None ABSENT:None ABSTAINED: None

D. NEW BUSINESS

1. Update from ChairwomanDeVirgilio

ChairwomanDeVirgilio did reach out to Economic Development Director,Ashleigh McHugh for RetailStrategies. Mrs. McHugh will get in touchwith RetailStrategiesfor ideas to go into the rental spaces (ideas being flower businesses, coffee concepts, casual hangout, social, work) spaces. Mrs. Westmorelandmentioned there is alist of businessesfroma previous meeting thatdetails what businesses areinterested in suites to rent.

E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting wasadjournedat7:31p.m.

Karen Burdette, Clerk of the AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman City Council CITY OF ZACHARY CITY OF ZACHARY, LA PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

MINUTES For the Meeting of the Governing Authority of Americana EconomicDevelopment District CouncilChambers, 4700 MainStreet Tuesday,September 09, 2025

A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was calledtoorder by ChairwomanAmbreDeVirgilio at 8:14 p.m.

B. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation andPledge of Allegiancewas accepted from the previous meeting.

C. OPENING PROCEDURES

1. ROLL CALL Present: AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman Jennifer Landry Brandy Westmoreland Absent: James Graves John LeBlanc

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF August 12, 2025, regular meeting. The motion was made by Mrs. Westmoreland The motion was seconded by Mrs. Landry To approve the minutesofAugust 12, 2025, andapprove themas written. YEAS: Westmoreland, DeVirgilio, Landry NAYS: None ABSENT:Graves, LeBlanc

ABSTAINED: None

D. NEW BUSINESS

1. Update from ChairwomanDeVirgilio Discussion wasmade by ChairwomanDeVirgilio in regards to getting grocers in the area.

E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjournedat8:16p.m.

Karen Burdette, Clerk of the AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman City Council CITY OF ZACHARY CITY OF ZACHARY, LA PARISH OF EASTBATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA

MINUTES For the Meeting of the Governing Authority of Americana EconomicDevelopment District CouncilChambers, 4700 MainStreet Tuesday,October 28, 2025

A. CALL TO ORDER The meeting wascalledtoorder by ChairwomanAmbreDeVirgilio at 9:07 p.m.

B. INVOCATION ANDPLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE The Invocation andPledge of Allegiancewas accepted from the previous meeting.

C. OPENING PROCEDURES

1. ROLL CALL Present: AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman Jennifer Landry Brandy Westmoreland James Graves JohnLeBlanc

2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING OF September 09, 2025, regular meeting. The motion was made by Mrs. Westmoreland The motion was seconded by Mr.LeBlanc To approve the minutesofSeptember 09, 2025, andapprove them as written.

YEAS: Westmoreland, LeBlanc, DeVirgilio, James, Landry

NAYS: None ABSENT:None

ABSTAINED: None

D. NEW BUSINESS

1. Update from ChairwomanDeVirgilio No update was given.

Westmorelandasked about the suites being built, Chairwoman DeVirgilio said it would be another6 months of work. These suites aregoing to be professional rentalspaces.

E. ADJOURNMENT The meeting wasadjournedat9:09p.m.

Karen Burdette, Clerk of the AmbreDeVirgilio, Chairwoman City Council CITY OF ZACHARY CITY OF ZACHARY, LA PARISHOFEAST BATON ROUGE STATEOFLOUISIANA